The lobby of the Hazbin Hotel was filled with a tense, uneasy energy, far removed from its usual chaotic but welcoming atmosphere. Charlie sat in the center of the couch in the lobby, her hands folded in front of her, her usual bright smile replaced with a look of deep contemplation.
Vaggie, arms crossed and expression set in a hard scowl, was the first to speak. "This is a bad idea, Charlie. I mean, really bad." Her voice was low but firm, each word edged with concern. "Did you even feel the energy coming off him? He's dangerous. More dangerous than anyone we've had in here before."
Charlie nodded slowly, her eyes downcast. "I know, Vaggie. I could feel it too. But we can't turn people away just because they're dangerous or intimidating. That goes against everything we're trying to do here."
"And what exactly are we trying to do here?" Vaggie snapped, her voice rising. "Get ourselves killed? He's not just another sinner looking for redemption. He's... he's something else."
"Yeah, and what's the big deal?" Husk grumbled from behing the bar, taking a long swig from his flask. "Just another damn soul in Hell, far as I can tell. As long as he doesn't trash the place, I don't care."
"See? Husk gets it!" Niffty piped up, her single eye bright with excitement. "I think he's super cool! All mysterious and broody. Like a comic book hero!" She giggled, spinning around in her seat. "And he's polite! Didn't make a mess in his room at all. I even asked if he needed anything!"
Vaggie rolled her eyes. "Niffty, you'd like a serial killer if he smiled at you."
Niffty just shrugged, unbothered. "A smile goes a long way!"
Charlie's gaze moved to Angel Dust, who was uncharacteristically quiet, leaning on the arm rest of his chair as he stared off into space. "Angel?" she prompted gently. "What do you think?"
Angel blinked, seeming to come out of his reverie. He sighed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "I dunno, Char. I mean, on the one hand, he's like... totally my type, y'know?" He gave a half-hearted smirk. "Tall, dark, and brooding. But... I dunno. There's something else there. More than just the whole bad boy routine."
Vaggie snorted. "So, you're into him?"
Angel shot her a glare. "I'm just saying there's more to him than what he shows. It's like... he's got this raw aggression, but it's not just for show. There's a whole mess of something under the surface, and it's not just anger."
"Like he's hiding something?" Charlie asked softly.
"Yeah, maybe," Angel said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Or maybe he's just been through some serious shit. Whatever it is, he's not like anyone else here."
Charlie nodded, a small, thoughtful smile forming on her lips. "I felt that too. Like there's something deeper to him. Something he's struggling with." She glanced at Vaggie, her voice gentle but firm. "That's why we have to try, Vaggie. If we don't, then who will?"
Vaggie's expression softened, but only slightly. "I get it, Charlie, I do. But we need to be careful. We don't know what he's capable of."
Charlie reached across the table, taking Vaggie's hand in hers. "I promise, we'll be careful. But I can't just turn him away. Not without trying."
Vaggie sighed heavily, squeezing Charlie's hand before pulling away. "Alright, fine. But the first sign of trouble, we're getting him out of here. No arguments."
"Deal," Charlie agreed, her smile widening. She turned to the rest of them, her voice taking on a more optimistic tone. "So, let's just do what we always do. Be kind, be patient, and see where this goes."
Husk muttered something under his breath, taking another swig from his flask, while Niffty clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm undimmed. Angel just shrugged, his usual smirk returning.
Charlie stood, her resolve strengthening. "We're going to help him, one way or another. That's what this place is for."
As the group slowly dispersed, the tension in the room began to ease. But an undercurrent of unease remained, a shared sense of stepping into the unknown.
Charlie watched them go, her thoughts drifting back to the brief, intense conversation she'd had with Spawn. There was a darkness there, deeper than any she'd seen before. But there was something else too-a glimmer of something she couldn't quite place.
Whatever it was, she was determined to find out. No matter how long it took.
As the group dispersed, each going back to their usual business, Angel Dust sidled up to Husk, his usual swagger slightly diminished by the lingering tension in the air. He took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke before glancing sideways at the surly bartender.
"Y'know, Husk," Angel began, his tone casual but laced with curiosity, "you and that new guy? You sound a hell of a lot alike. All gruff and no-nonsense. You sure you ain't related or something?"
Husk shot him a glare, his wings twitching slightly in irritation. "Related? To him?" He scoffed, taking a deep gulp from his flask. "Not a chance. I don't sound anything like that creepy bastard."
Angel shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "I dunno, I'm just sayin'. He's got that same 'get off my lawn' vibe you got goin' on."
Husk rolled his eyes, turning back to his usual post behind the bar. "Yeah, well, I'm not the one stalking around with a face like he's about to rip someone's head off. So drop it."
Angel chuckled, leaning against the counter. "Alright, alright, just messin' with ya." He took another drag of his cigarette, eyes flicking back to the stairs where Spawn had disappeared. "Still, though... something about him just feels... off."
"Everything about this place is off," Husk grumbled, polishing a glass with a rag. "Get used to it."
Angel just nodded, the humor fading from his expression as he thought back to the intense aura Spawn had radiated. "Yeah... guess you're right."
He lingered a moment longer at the bar, his gaze drifting to Niffty, who was cheerfully scrubbing an already spotless counter nearby. Her enthusiasm for cleaning never ceased to amaze-or bewilder-him.
"Hey, Niffty," he called out, tapping his cigarette to drop the ash into an empty glass. "Did you hear what I was talking about with Husk? Doesn't he and the new guy sound, like, weirdly similar?"
Niffty paused mid-scrub, her eye widening as she tilted her head in confusion. "What? Oh, no, not at all!" she chirped, blinking innocently. "They sound completely different to me."
Angel raised an eyebrow, glancing between her and Husk. "Really? You're telling me you don't hear it? That gravelly, 'I've-seen-some-stuff-and-I'm-mad-about-it' tone they both got?"
Niffty giggled, shaking her head. "Nope! Husk has more of a grumpy, tired voice. Like a grumpy old cat! The new guy sounds... um... intense? Like, really intense. There's a big difference!" She beamed, clearly pleased with her assessment.
Angel frowned, looking back at Husk, who was studiously ignoring the conversation. "Are you messing with me?" he asked suspiciously.
Husk let out an exasperated sigh, finally turning to glare at Angel. "Why the hell would I bother messing with you about something so stupid?" he snapped. "I've got better things to do than try to screw with your head, Dust."
Angel's eyes narrowed, still unconvinced. "I dunno... just seems weird you two don't hear it. Maybe you're both messing with me."
Niffty shook her head emphatically. "Nope, I promise! I wouldn't do that!" She looked up at Husk, who gave a curt nod of agreement.
"See?" Husk said, his voice dripping with annoyance. "We're not. Drop it already."
Angel studied them both for a moment, then let out a defeated sigh. "Alright, fine, I'll drop it. But I'm keeping an ear out. There's something there, I just know it."
With that, he gave a dramatic shrug and strutted away, muttering to himself about conspiracy theories and the world being out to get him. Niffty and Husk exchanged a look, Husk rolling his eyes before going back to his drink and Niffty humming cheerfully as she continued her cleaning.
"Guys, I'm telling ya," Angel called over his shoulder, "I'm onto something here!"
But the only response was Husk's low grumble and Niffty's delighted giggle, leaving Angel to wonder if he really was the only one hearing things.
