Since their initial encounter, Alastor and Lucifer have consistently found themselves at odds, entangled in a rivalry that neither fully comprehended. Alastor harbored ambitions so intricate that he was uncertain how he would justify them. Like any other powerful Overlord in Hell, he yearned for greater dominion. With Charlotte Morningstar's backing, he believed that he could wield immense influence, rendering any opposition nearly futile. However, when Lucifer, the King of Hell, entered the room on that fateful day, Alastor felt as though his prospects were abruptly dashed. He was also filled with disdain for the king himself. How could such an arrogant show-off stride in as if he were the supreme authority, especially after having forsaken his daughter to navigate her convoluted scheme alone, scarcely communicating with her, and presumably hiding away? Alastor had been present from the very beginning, investing his resources into what he could only hope would be a doomed venture, one that he anticipated would provide him with the amusement he had been deprived of for over a century, while the king had remained absent. Alastor was deeply appalled by the manner in which Lucifer had treated his own daughter.
Conversely, Lucifer Morningstar found it intolerable to witness Alastor, the Radio Demon, becoming close to his child. He was acutely aware of the Overlords and their actions during his absence following Lilith's departure, having maintained a close friendship with both Carmilla and Zestial prior to the estrangement from Lilith. He understood the complexities of territorial disputes, power struggles, and manipulations that characterized their realm, including the extensive deal-making and the numerous contracts that the Overlords engaged in, which continue to this day. Nonetheless, Alastor's notorious reputation loomed large; he had ruthlessly eliminated other Overlords through his broadcasts, employing brutal methods that enabled him to ascend the hierarchy of power, so to speak. To make matters worse, Alastor had struck a deal with Lucifer's daughter, and it was only due to Charlie's intervention that Alastor remained in a position of stability.
At this particular moment, both men were displaying a sense of cordiality towards each other while seated in the main lobby adjacent to the fireplace. The rest of the hotel residents had already retired for the night, leaving the atmosphere quiet and serene. Alastor was immersed in a book, silently savoring a single glass of rye whiskey. Meanwhile, Lucifer reclined on his back on the plush sofa, gazing into the flames of the fireplace, appearing to be in a light slumber. As he emerged from his tranquil state, he opened his eyes and turned his gaze toward Alastor, who was engrossed in his reading, deeply focused on the text as he adjusted his monocle with a deft movement of his free hand.
"Hey, Bellhop," Lucifer called out, prompting Alastor to shift his attention towards the diminutive, pitiful king.
He raised an eyebrow, displaying mild annoyance at the interruption.
"What do you require, sire?" Alastor asked, taking care to close his book and place it on his lap before reaching for another sip of his drink.
"How is your injury?" Lucifer inquired, causing Alastor's ears to perk up in alertness, much like a deer sensing potential danger.
Alastor exclaimed, "Are you referring to the injury that you treated more than a month ago, after I was discovered collapsed in the hallway? It has healed significantly since your intervention, and I have already repaid my debt to you." His tone conveyed a sense of annoyance at being brought up regarding a matter that he believed was already resolved.
The only reaction that Lucifer encountered after Alastor's statement was an overwhelming silence, which strongly reminded him of how Lilith had treated him at the end, just before she turned and walked away. With a heavy sigh, Lucifer rose from the sofa and approached the bar, where he took a seat and summoned a bottle of red wine along with a solitary glass. The bottle then poured itself magically, filling the glass to the brim. After the bottle had returned to the counter on its own, Lucifer grasped the glass by its stem and took a sip, relishing the bitter flavor as it coursed down his throat. Meanwhile, Alastor observed Lucifer in silence, continuing to sip his whiskey until his glass was completely empty. Once he finished his drink, Alastor stood up, sending his book into the void to reappear in his quarters, and made his way over to the bar, where he poured himself another glass of whiskey before taking a seat beside Lucifer.
Both men sat in quietude, savoring their chosen beverages. As the minutes turned into an hour, both began to feel the effects of the alcohol, becoming moderately intoxicated. Alastor suddenly let out a soft chuckle, which caught Lucifer's attention, prompting the radio demon to shake his head in response.
"It is merely irony, your highness; there is no need for concern," Alastor replied as Lucifer reached out, placing a hand over his own, causing Alastor to momentarily freeze.
"I find myself apologizing... Alastor, I'm…the embodiment of pride, yet I can't shake the feeling that no matter what I say or do, I will never be good enough for Charlie or anyone. I wanted to give Charlie everything, and instead, I made a mess of it… Lilith was… well, she was something I," Lucifer began, only to be gently interrupted by Alastor who removed Lucifer's hand from his person, and urged him to remain silent.
"My father was a cruel man, sire… He regarded my mother and I as his greatest mistakes. Rather than owning up to his failures, he chose to be unkind. I witnessed, day after day, the horrors my mother endured as she was beaten, bruised, and assaulted by him," Alastor recounted, his gaze becoming distant, a glimmer of glassiness reflecting in his eyes as if he were momentarily lost in the past.
"He was my first kill; I was seventeen at the time. One evening, he returned home completely intoxicated. I had just finished a shift at my own job and was coming home. When I entered that house, Lucifer, do you have any idea what I saw?" Alastor inquired, his eyes fixed intently on Lucifer, the distant look becoming more pronounced.
"What did you see?" Lucifer replied softly, fully engaged in the conversation while being scared to know the answer.
"My father had my mother bent over the kitchen counter, near a hot stove where she was working on dinner, her skirt hiked up, her breasts pressed against the surface of the counter, as she cried and begged him to let her go while he violated her against her will. It was the most exposed I had ever seen her", Alastor recounted darkly, releasing his glass and pressing his palms against his eyes.
"I was paralyzed, forced to simply watch, and that monster was aware of my presence. Something shattered in me that day, I knew all I had to do was act; I grabbed the shotgun that was near the door. He had taken me hunting often enough that I knew how to use it, and I shot a bullet through his skull," Alastor said, becoming fully absorbed in the grim recollection, a dark smile to his features.
He chuckled, his voice crackling through the radio filter, "The ultimate irony would be for me to die in exactly the same manner, almost 16 years later".
Lucifer had no words for everything Alastor had said to him, only thoughts. One thought that came to the forefront of his mind was a simple question, 'why was Alastor so harsh to him during their initial meeting?' When Lucifer looked to Alastor again, he was surprised to see a moment of vulnerability he would never had expected, the sinner next to him was crying silently, all the while still smiling. Lucifer thought best to stay silent for the time being, allowing Alastor to collect himself, to rein his emotions back in. Of course, the alcohol flowing through him was not helping as he may had more than single glass of rye whiskey before Lucifer even joined in the lobby initially.
Both men sat in silence for a while longer, Alastor's tears soon came to a stop and he released his palms from his eyes finally and adjusting to the light of the room slowly. Lucifer continued to sit next to him, sipping his glass of wine as Alastor took note, Lucifer had summoned a second bottle.
"I sincerely apologize; I cannot fully comprehend what prompted me to share such personal information with you," Alastor said gently, while Lucifer placed his hand over Alastor's.
"I believe it may be due to the stress you are experiencing. To be honest, Bambi, going through a traumatic experience such as 'almost dying' often leads us to reflect on our lives," Lucifer remarked, lifting his glass and consuming its contents in one swift motion. "It is rather tragic, as this reflection reveals the darker aspects of your nature—a psychopath and serial killer who has taken many lives without remorse, yet here you are, appearing almost human," Lucifer concluded, withdrawing his hand from Alastor's.
"It is quite typical of you to mask your own motives with insincere compliments that border on insults. So, I assume our little game is set to continue?" Alastor inquired, regaining his composure.
"Not quite; rather, it seems I am left with the excruciating question of why you harbor such intense hatred for me. I understand your father was a dick, especially after hearing your account. My own father is God, yet look at what I endured! Nevertheless, I have never committed such acts, not even against my own wife or daughter!" Lucifer exclaimed in frustration, desperately seeking to understand the source of Alastor's animosity.
"Ah, so this is where the matter ultimately leads..." Alastor remarked, pausing to reflect deeply. "If you would like to know, Charlie reminds me of my own experiences during my lifetime, particularly in the way she speaks about her father. As I have previously mentioned, my father was largely absent; he wanted nothing to do with either me or my mother, spending most of his time neglecting his parental responsibilities—much like you, sire. After your wife departed, you isolated yourself in your palace for seven years, which coincidentally is the same duration that Charlie's mother has been missing. This left poor Charlie to navigate her role as a princess without the support of servants or a willing mentor to prepare her for the responsibilities she will eventually face in ruling this kingdom. She was forced to learn everything independently, lacking any guidance from her family. While I acknowledge that she had Vagatha's assistance for the past three to four years until my arrival about a year ago, that is somewhat beside the point. During my own life, after I committed my first murder, my mother did her utmost to guide me, attempting to keep me on a righteous path and practicing voodoo for what she believed was good. She remained unaware that I continued to kill following my father's death, and I took great care to ensure she never discovered the truth. I feel fortunate and grateful that her soul found its way to heaven. In contrast, you abandoned Charlie before she could fully spread her wings and leave the nest, which is the crux of my discontent with you. You wield your influence and power to provide her with material things in an attempt to compensate for the affection and guidance that you have failed to offer from the very beginning. What she truly desires is for you to comprehend the lives of the people you govern—the subjects who toil diligently to achieve their own successes, including the Overlords whom you allow to run unchecked that I had to kill because they were getting too unruly, and those subjects who strive to take pride in their accomplishments. Is it too much to ask of you, sire? I could continue elaborating, but this is a discussion better suited for those who are sober, rather than in a state of complete inebriation," Alastor exclaimed, his voice calm yet simmering with anger as he stood up, preparing to head upstairs for the night, despite Lucifer's insistence that he wait.
Lucifer remained completely silent as Alastor confronted him about numerous issues that typically would provoke his anxiety and depressive episodes, leading him to become defensive, particularly if he were sober. Once Alastor concluded his remarks, Lucifer found himself puzzled by his own instruction for the sinner to 'wait'; he was uncertain of the reasoning behind it, yet Alastor surprisingly complied instead of escalating the situation into a confrontation. He could speculate that, in some manner, Alastor sought an explanation from Lucifer to validate his actions. After gathering his thoughts, he took a deep breath and began to speak.
"It is understandable that this conversation is best suited for a time when sobriety prevails, and I concur with that sentiment. However, I must admit that the alcohol coursing through my veins at this moment is providing me with a sense of calm, so I am willing to accept the repercussions for now. You are correct; I have failed Charlie, Lilith, and this kingdom. I allowed chaos to reign for centuries, including the Overlords whom you swiftly dealt with upon your arrival, and I burdened my wife with responsibilities she should never have had to shoulder. I have also caused harm to Charlie in ways that make forgiveness for the past seem nearly impossible, and the memories are difficult to erase. Throughout the entire time, I found myself immersed in my depression while I created one rubber duck after another. I often cried myself to sleep, overwhelmed by feelings of anger and resentment. During those moments when my thoughts turned dark, I struggled to find rest, as I felt that even a blade nor angelic blade could not bring an end to my suffering. Nevertheless, the only course of action available to me at this moment is to remain present. You must give me some credit; when she reached out, I did not shy away this time; I came to the hotel. While I am aware of the limitations imposed on me regarding my actions related to heaven, when the agreement was broken due to Adam's nature, I intervened to protect my daughter, just as you and the rest of the hotel have done. Yet, Alastor, you must grasp something crucial: if there exists any semblance of love within your cold heart, consider for just a moment what it would be like to walk in my shoes. How would you feel if your mother suddenly despised you for something you believed was not wrong? Lilith and I were convinced we were acting in humanity's best interest by granting them 'free will.' Imagine witnessing your sibling severing your wings and casting you out of heaven, never to return… how would you genuinely feel?" Lucifer asked, the beginnings of tears glistening in his eyes as Alastor took a seat at the bar once more, near the staircase, listening intently.
"I would have felt a mix of anger and sadness, sire. Nevertheless, I would recognize that I cannot alter past actions, and I would carry my regrets, as I still do with certain matters to this day. However, the key distinction between you and me is that I would not permit myself to become a liability. I would refrain from showing vulnerability in front of my adversaries, maintain my pride, and withdraw from a conflict when necessary, as I have my priorities clearly defined. I would proceed with a sense of grace, as I was taught to do," Alastor responded, observing the tears that gently streamed down Lucifer's face.
"I must acknowledge your efforts, as you did come to your daughter's aid during the extermination when she needed you. You have also been contributing to the hotel. However, I must ask what measures you will take to ensure that I do not have to intervene again, Lucifer, and assume the fatherly role that you had previously abandoned?" Alastor inquired, carefully watching the king as his expression shifted with the weight of the question.
"Let us make a deal," Lucifer replied, his tone drawing Alastor's attention as his ears perked up in alertness.
"My, my, forming a deal with someone of my ilk—what could possibly be the hidden terms, sire?" Alastor remarked with a tone that bordered on playful.
"If you break your existing deal with Charlie I will grant you a favor in return. Furthermore, should I ever find myself sinking back into the depths of my depression as I have in the past, you will have my permission to give me a figurative 'kick in the ass' to encourage me to heed reason. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, even if you are not pursuing redemption, you offer sound counsel. Likewise, should you ever feel vulnerable and wish to drop the façade that I know you maintain, I will be there to lend an ear, and this arrangement will remain confidential, sealed as a blood pact," Lucifer articulated, while Alastor regarded the diminutive king with genuine intrigue.
"It is always wise to heed the advice of a friend like Rosie; she possesses remarkable insight. I shall make it a point to introduce you to her at some point, my king. Now, regarding my end of the bargain, I will receive a favor from you, along with the same provision for a 'kick in the ass' should I need to reveal my vulnerabilities? If I may, I would like to propose an additional stipulation or suggestion," Alastor inquired, to which Lucifer nodded, encouraging him to proceed.
"I propose that we convene once a week to discuss the terms of our Gentlemen's Bond. This way, we can fulfill the requirements of the blood pact without drawing undue attention to ourselves, aside from Charlotte possibly noticing and ceasing her attempts to instigate our camaraderie," Alastor suggested, eliciting a smile from Lucifer for the first time that evening.
Lucifer, summoning a knife in hand and two goblets before him, raised his palm above one of the glasses and carefully sliced his palm with the blade, allowing a few drops of blood to fall into the goblet. After cleaning the blade, Lucifer magicked the blade to Alastor's hand, who then performed the same action on his own palm. Once both had made the incisions, Alastor moved from his position at the bar to stand in front of Lucifer, extending his bleeding hand. In response, Lucifer grasped Alastor's hand, initiating the blood magic ritual. As the magic took effect, the two exchanged their goblets and simultaneously consumed the blood, causing the goblets to disappear and sealing the deal between them.
After finalizing their agreement, both men exchanged nods, releasing a breath they had not realized they were holding. As the remnants of the magical atmosphere began to fade, Alastor extended his arm to the king, suggesting that they either retire for the night, as dawn was fast approaching, or prepare breakfast for the residents before continuing with their day. Lucifer, taken aback by Alastor's gesture, accepted the offer, remarking that there was little point in sleeping on this particular day and that breakfast sounded appealing. With a mutual nod, Alastor and Lucifer proceeded to the kitchen, where they both busied themselves preparing a meal for the hotel staff. If inquiries arose regarding the unexpected camaraderie between the two, the straightforward explanation would simply be that they discovered they shared a common bond.
However, the deeper truth known only to both men was that they were each grappling with their own darker demons.