Fast forward a couple of weeks, Millie immersed herself in her librarian duties. She diligently continued stocking the library with a wide array of books, carefully considering the varied reading preferences of the hotel's guests. She also got to know Husk and Niffty a little better, too.
After a tough day at the library juggling heavy books, Millie found herself at the hotel bar courtesy of Angel. Unfortunately, Angel had to jet off soon after for work. Seated with Husk, Millie discovered that despite his usual grumpy demeanor, he was actually a chill and empathetic presence. He turned out to be a damn good listener, making for an unexpected bond between them.
As for Niffty...Alastor was to thank, in a way.
Alastor's training sessions with Millie took on a new form. He started surprising her with unexpected appearances from the shadows, keeping her constantly on edge and unprepared. To say she wasn't a fan of this new training style would be an understatement. The first time he did this caught Millie so off guard that she instantly shrank down. Alastor had told her that was the point. She needed to learn to be ready for the unexpected as well. He even had the audacity to laugh at her!
With a twirl of his cane, Alastor left her alone in the hall, tiny and fuming. Millie pouted as she watched the red clad demon walk off, unaware that one enormous eye stared at her from down the hall. Millie turned slowly to look down the hallway as she heard creep laughter.
"Stop moving, bug! I'm gonna squash ya!" Niffty yelled, her high-pitched voice tinged with excitement. She rushed toward Millie. She was utterly convinced she was chasing down a bug, her mind set solely on the task. Despite her petite frame, she seemed to dart about with an unnatural speed, single-mindedly determined to catch "the bug" at all costs.
Millie let out an alarmed scream and dashed away from the crazed cyclops, frantically calling out to Niffty as she ran, "No, Niffty, it's me, Millie! I'm not a bug! Stop chasing me!" Niffty's maniacal eyes widened in recognition, and she paused. She got uncomfortably close to Millie, observing the tiny figure for a moment, tilting her head as if trying to reconcile what she was seeing with her preconceived notions.
"Millie?" she asked, perplexed, lowering her needle. Niffty pondered for a moment before exclaiming, "Oh yeah, I forgot about your teeny-tiny powers!"
She let out a gleeful cackle, tucking her needle away. The earlier fervor in her pursuit had vanished as she casually resumed a more relaxed demeanor. Millie exhaled a sigh of relief as Niffty's menacing behavior subsided. She cautiously stepped back, still a bit rattled by the unexpected chase.
"Uh, yeah," Millie confirmed, trying to regain her composure. "I can get small sometimes. But I'm still me, alright?"
The little cyclops wasn't listening to Millie at all.
Niffty's eyes went wide with excitement as she saw the possibilities now open to her. She grabbed Millie, holding her up to eye level, practically bouncing up and down in her eagerness.
"Millie, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "You can reach all the itty-bitty spots I can't get to. You're gonna be my little cleaning buddy!" Before Millie could protest or even process what was happening, Niffty seized the opportunity and dashed off, holding onto Millie tightly and carrying her along.
"We've got some cleanup to do!" Niffty chattered excitedly, not giving Millie a chance to object.
Surprisingly, the day spent helping Niffty with her cleaning frenzy had turned out to be enjoyable for Millie. It was undoubtedly a messy experience, but the chance to bond with Niffty and witness her eccentric cleaning rituals also had their own unique charm. As the evening drew to a close, Millie couldn't help but feel a stronger connection with the small, hyperactive cyclops.
This was the start of a strange sort of routine for Millie. She still begrudgingly spends time reading with Alastor in the morning under their deal. She works in the library, organizing books and making lists for new ones. Picking up the new ones at her shop from the 'delivery' guy, though Alastor had decided not to accompany her, saying he had other things to attend to. Instead, Alastor ordered one of his shadow minions to transport the books back to the hotel through the shadows. Millie had been thrilled when he told her this. It meant that she didn't have to worry so much about Alastor seeing her use her magic. She kept it hidden from the little shadow creatures, though.
After finishing her work in the library, she freshened up and then spent some time reading at Husk's bar while he cleaned and straightened everything. It was a comfortable silence. The two would sit in, talking occasionally, but perfectly content to just enjoy each other's company. She'd look through new magazines with Angel Dust in his room if he wasn't working. The first time he invited into his room, Millie was so excited she nearly shrank down. It was the first time negative emotions did not trigger that ability.
After hanging out with Husk and Angel, if he was around, Millie would have dinner either alone if she was feeling all peopled out for the day or with the others. Millie would end the day with a nice shower and listening to Alastor's broadcast to fall asleep to the soft jazz music he played. She hated to admit it, but she had a hard time falling asleep without the music. After the first training session, Millie had put her guard up a little more around Alastor. She wasn't stupid enough to trust him, but she did let her guard down around him because she was a fan of the musical portions of his broadcast.
Following their first training session, Millie had raised her defenses somewhat around Alastor. While she was not naïve enough to blindly trust him, she found herself letting down her guard in certain moments. Those were usually during their morning readings. They talked about various books and sometimes Alastor would ask Millie for more suggestions. After that stunt Alastor pulled with hallucinations, Millie seriously considered getting revenge. Obviously she'd be no match for the Radio Demon in power or skill, but she could retaliate in the only way she could. By recommending a captivating book series to him and then revealing that the author had tragically never finished the final book. Such a situation was an absolute nightmare for avid readers. And Alastor seemed like the type to not like leaving things unfinished. The thought of doing so made her giggle.
Overall, Millie had grown quite content with the way her daily life had shaped up. The routine she had established at the hotel, involving her time at the library, the interactions with the staff and residents, and begrudgingly the daily training sessions with Alastor, all blended together in a comfortable rhythm that suited her just fine.
It was a quiet evening at the bar, and Millie sat nearby, engrossed in her latest read, "Card Shenanigans 101." She had developed an interest in learning card tricks after witnessing some of Husk's skillful displays and was eager to learn more. The grumpy cat had even offered to teach her a trick or two, much to her delight. She glanced up from her book, catching the occasional glimpse of Husk deftly wiping down glasses and organizing the bottles of booze behind the bar.
Millie was completely absorbed by the pages of her book. She barely registered the sound of the front door of the hotel bursting open, unaware of Charlie's dramatic entrance. It was only when Charlie abruptly slumped onto the barstool next to her, groaning with exhaustion, that Millie startled back to reality, emitting a high-pitched squeak of surprise.
Charlie, looking weary and tired, slumped onto the barstool next to Millie and exhaled deeply. She turned to Husk and requested, "Husk, could I get a mocktail, please?" Husk groaned, his eyes darting up with annoyance as Charlie requested a mocktail, "Alright, princess, I suppose I can whip somethin' up for ya," he huffed as he gathered the ingredients. Despite his preference for more potent concoctions, he was a skilled bartender and would make do. Charlie's weary expression brightened slightly as she thanked Husk. "Thank you, Husk," she said, appreciating his cooperation.
Millie, in response to Charlie's arrival and visible distress, set her book aside and turned her attention to the princess, asking softly, "What's wrong, Charlie?" Charlie's exhaustion was clear in her tired eyes as she replied,
"Oh, Millie... just dealing with the usual hotel shenanigans, you know? Hotel stuff and family drama, the usual... but nothing I can't handle."
Millie, feeling somewhat out of her depth in comforting others, offered Charlie a listening ear. "I may not be able to provide much help," she admitted with sincerity, "but if you need to vent, I'm all ears," and gave her large mouse ears a playful wiggle in an attempt to get a smile out of the princess. She was relieved to see Charlie crack a small smile and chuckle in response.
Husk placed the mocktail in front of Charlie before moving to the other end of the bar to polish some glasses. Despite his usual stoic expression, his heightened senses allowed him to subtly listen in on the conversation between Charlie and Millie.
Charlie, her voice spilling out in a rush, shared her frustrations with Millie. "Oh, this has been such a hectic day, you wouldn't believe it!" Charlie exclaimed, sipping her drink before continuing. "Vaggie and I had a big fight about the hotel. She thinks I'm overworking myself with promotions and redemption exercises, but what else can I do to get sinners to come to our hotel? My dad is on board with the hotel, but I had to stop him from teleporting sinners into the hotel! He still doesn't get that it has to be their choice to come here and give redemption a chance. To top it all off, I spent all day passing out flyers outside, and nobody took a single one!"
It was as if Charlie was letting out all her frustration in a single, overwhelming outburst. Her voice crackled with impatience as she continued, "I even tried singing a song and dancing on the street to promote the hotel, but not a single soul stopped to pick up a flyer...!"
Charlie took another sip of her drink, the words still pouring out. "And to think, I went to all that trouble singing and dancing, and no one even gave me a second glance.."
Millie, slightly dazed by the rapid pace of Charlie's account, responded sympathetically, "W-wow, Charlie, that sounds like a really rough day." The princess's ability to handle so many challenges with a smile, even when people took advantage of her kindness, impressed her. Millie folded her hands and paused for a moment, considering her words. "Honestly, Charlie, I can't even begin to grasp everything you're dealing with," she said, voice sincere. "But hey, if you're up for some advice, I'm here. No pressure, though, just offering."
Charlie rapidly reached out and grasped Millie's hands in a hopeful gesture. "PLEASE!" she exclaimed, her gaze earnest as she met Millie's eyes. She hesitated for a moment before stammering out a response, "O-okay..."
Slowly, Millie suggested that the first step Charlie should take was to have a conversation with Vaggie. She agreed with Vaggie's concerns about Charlie overworking herself and taking on too much work without a break. Millie had noted how Charlie was constantly on the move, rarely pausing for rest. She gently reminded Charlie that Vaggie cares deeply for her and is concerned about her well-being.
"The hotel can handle a day or two without you, but you need to take care of yourself," Millie said, her voice caring.
Millie moved on to her next piece of advice. "Charlie," she said gently, "remember, not all sinners will want to be redeemed. Even if redemption is genuinely an option, they might still refuse. You need to respect that. Instead of trying to convince those who don't want to change, focus on reaching out to the sinners who truly want to redeem themselves."
"There's a good chance you'll find that you make more progress with them."
Millie, trying to keep the conversation casual, shifted to a more relaxed tone. "And as for your dad," she mentioned, "maybe you could steer him a little? I don't know anything about your dad, but if he's enthusiastic and passionate like you, maybe trying to help him focus that energy in the right places would help?"
"But first, you should really talk to Vaggie, and, umm, get some rest. It's important...y-ya know?" Millie gently insisted.
Charlie, taking a few moments to reflect, stared at Millie in silence, making her feel somewhat uneasy. Just as Millie was about to apologize, thinking she had said too much, Charlie interrupted. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and her voice, filled with energy, exclaimed, "That's brilliant advice, Millie! I never thought about it that way before!" She clapped her hands together in excitement.
Charlie's enthusiastic outburst surprised Millie. "Oh, uh, thanks, Charlie. I'm glad you think it's helpful..." she stammered, her timid nature peeking through in the face of Charlie's boisterous energy.
Charlie, her grin wide and her voice still animated, leaned closer to Millie, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. "I'm gonna do it, you know. I'm gonna talk to Vaggie tonight, and tomorrow, I'm gonna take a break and reach out to sinners who want to redeem themselves in the next few days. And my dad…" Her enthusiasm seemed boundless, fueled by Millie's advice.
Millie tried to keep up with Charlie's energetic frenzy and offered a tentative nod. "That sounds like a good plan, Charlie," she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I hope everything goes well with Vaggie, and that you find those sinners who want to change. And... your dad, well... just try to keep him focused on the hotel's goals."
Charlie finished the last sip of her mocktail, stood up and wrapped Millie in a warm, thankful hug. "Thank you so much, Millie, truly. I really appreciate all your advice. It means a lot," she expressed sincerely. However, before leaving, Charlie turned back and added, "Oh, and I noticed something too—you haven't been stuttering as much lately. It seems you're feeling more at ease around everyone here."
With a cheerful wave, Charlie bid both Husk and Millie a hearty, "Goodnight!" Hearing Charlie's comment, Millie couldn't help but blush slightly. Husk chimed in, agreeing with Charlie. "The princess ain't wrong," he remarked, a subtle smirk on his face. "You're startin' to get more comfortable here. Not stutterin' as much as before."
Millie, her blush deepening at both their words, fidgeted with her hands. "Oh, ah, you think so?" she murmured, feeling a bit self-conscious. Husk's observation caught her off guard. She had noticed herself stuttering less, but hearing someone else point it out made her feel oddly vulnerable. Husk, not missing a beat, responded with a lazy drawl, "Yep. You're speakin' your mind a bit more, not gettin' all tongue-tied like before." His tone was nonchalant, but his eyes held a faint glimmer of interest as he observed her response.
Millie, realizing that Husk had noticed a subtle change in her behavior, couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and a twinge of embarrassment. "Oh, yeah, I guess... I have been speaking up a bit more lately," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It just feels like... I can express myself better, you know? Less stumbling over words and all that."
Millie's expression darkened a bit as her thoughts drifted to Alastor. Just the mere mention of his name caused a knot in her stomach. She swallowed hard, her voice growing quieter as she admitted, "There's still one resident who... yeah, I don't think I'll ever feel fully comfortable with him." Husk, his eyes sharp with understanding, instantly recognized who Millie was talking about. His gaze hardened slightly, and his tone held a hint of concern.
"You mean Alastor, right?" he inquired gruffly. Without waiting for a response, he continued, his voice taking on a more cautionary tone, "Yeah, I figured. You need to be careful around him, kid. He's trouble."
With a nod, Millie bid Husk goodnight and made her way towards her room. Once inside, she began her usual nighttime routine, her mind swirling with the words of Charlie and Husk. The thought of growing more comfortable with everyone at the hotel tugged at her awareness. She pondered if this new sense of acceptance was also contributing to her control over her shrinking abilities. The feeling of safety and belonging had given her the confidence to manage her self-consciousness, even if only a little. Still, it was progress.
Millie's eyes widened as she let out a startled "Eep!" and dropped the cup of tea, causing a small mess on the floor. Her first instinct was to shrink, but she stopped herself, her heart racing. "Okay," she whispered, trying to stay calm despite the situation, "that was definitely unexpected... and gross."
The room's shadows seemed to pulsate with an eerie energy, and the static, familiar voice of Alastor filled the air with his trademark mischievous laughter. Millie's eyes narrowed as she recognized his figure emerging from the darkness. Realizing that this was another one of Alastor's impromptu "training" sessions, her expression hardened, her nerves a blend of annoyance and unease.
Alastor, his grin spreading to a toothy grin, wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, his shoulders heaving with laughter. "Oh, my dear, I truly am sorry to turn your quiet night into such a, ahem, 'splashy' affair," he chuckled, his voice tinted with a hint of mockery. "But you must admit, it's quite amusing to see you jump every time I appear." Millie's ears flattened against her head, the fur on them bristling in annoyance. Alastor's antics didn't amuse Millie, and she found his constant attempts to trigger her shrinking ability more annoying than anything else.
Alastor, his chest puffed out with self-satisfaction, declared triumphantly, "I must admit, my little experiment seems to be working like a charm!" He smirked with glee, enjoying the sight of Millie's annoyance. With a heavy sigh, Millie stared at Alastor with narrowed eyes. "You know, I was really looking forward to having my tea, and you had to go and mess it up," she grumbled.
Alastor gave a dismissive wave of his hand, his tone nonchalant. "Oh, come now, my dear. A cup of tea is such a trivial matter compared to the progress of your training." Millie's annoyance refused to abate, her irritation still clear in her voice. "Yeah, great," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now I still haven't had my tea, and I'm still irritated. Thanks, Alastor."
Alastor's eyes widened slightly at Millie's unexpected display of sass, a hint of surprise in his expression. He raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by her boldness. "Well, well, it seems you're developing a bit of fire in you, my dear." A thoughtful hum escaped Alastor's throat as he heard Millie's reply. He regarded her with a calculating gaze, his eyes glimmering as he announced, "Very well, my dear. It seems it's time for a change in training tactics."
Alastor, his eyes fixed on Millie, suggested a new training goal. "I think it's time we progress to the next stage, my dear. Let's work on honing your ability to shrink and unshrink at will. If you can control it, perhaps you'll be less likely to involuntarily shrink during unexpected situations, hm?"
Millie looked at the deer demon with suspicion. "So you won't be jumping out and scaring me anymore?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with skepticism. A smirk tugged at the corners of Alastor's lips, a hint of dark amusement in his voice. "Indeed, my dear, it would be unfair to continue using such tactics. So yes, I shall refrain from startling you for the sake of your training from now on. You have my word," he responded, his tone laced with his usual playful yet somewhat sincere demeanor.
Alastor informed Millie that their training would continue the following evening in his room, asserting, "We shall proceed with our training in my chambers tomorrow evening. I expect you to be well-prepared and eager to put your newly gained control to the test." He then used his powerful magic to summon a fresh cup of tea for her, offering it to her with a charming smile. Millie's ears shot up in surprise as she accepted the cup of tea. She tried her best to steady her grasping hands, nearly dropping the cup. Her initial surprise gave way to a feeling of perplexity. The fact that Alastor was willing to have her in his room for their training was nothing short of astonishing.
Millie looked at Alastor with a puzzled expression, her curiosity getting the better of her. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Alastor, I, um, I need to ask... Why are you inviting me into your room? I thought you didn't like having others in there." Alastor smirked at Millie's question, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "Well, my dear, you're quick to notice my preferences, aren't you? Usually, I'm rather protective of my space, as you know. However, I believe an exception is in order for the sake of our training. My room should provide an optimal environment," he responded. A subtle hint of something unreadable flickered in his expression as he spoke.
Millie, her inquisitive eyes meeting Alastor's, probed further, seeking clarification. "Optimal environment? What do you mean by that?" she inquired, a touch of intrigue in her tone. Alastor reached out and gave Millie a gentle pat between her ears, his hand lingering for just a moment. A mysterious glimmer in his eyes, he replied, "Don't worry, my dear. You'll see."
Alastor, his steps turning to leave, paused for a moment, turning back to Millie and sharing a tidbit of information. "Oh, and I've finally finished the book you recommended last week. It was quite enjoyable," he mentioned, his eyes gleaming with genuine reflection. It seemed he had been keeping track of the books she had suggested over their morning meetings.
Millie's eyes widened slightly as Alastor revealed he had completed the latest book she had recommended. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her gaze fixed on his face. "Oh, really? I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it." She inquired, her curiosity piqued. Her ears perked up, her tail swishing in delight.
Alastor raised an eyebrow at Millie's mischievous gleam. He couldn't help but feel intrigued by her recommended book, especially since it was part of a series. "Ah, another recommendation, I see. And part of a series, you say?" he mused, his curiosity piqued. Alastor couldn't help but acknowledge the fact that he had thoroughly enjoyed the previous books Millie had suggested. With confidence, he mused, "I must admit, your past recommendations have all been quite delightful. So, I have no doubt I will find this series equally impressive."
Millie hurried over to her desk, retrieving the book she had recommended and offering it to Alastor with a bright smile. She failed to mention that the book was part of an unfinished series. Oops.
Millie couldn't help but find it fitting to subtly retaliate against Alastor for his many attempts at scaring her. She had been on edge far too often, and this little payback was a small way to even the score. Alastor reached out and accepted the book that Millie offered, his smile hinting at his anticipation of diving into the story. Alastor nodded appreciatively and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, my dear." He held the book loosely in his hands, his gaze flickering between the novel and Millie.
Alastor gave a lingering nod, his eyes locking briefly with Millie's before he slowly melted into the shadows, disappearing from her room. He gave a soft, "Goodnight," before vanishing into the darkness. Millie took another sip of her tea, feeling a mixture of both exhaustion and relief. The tea's warmth soothed her weary bones, and she set it aside before turning her attention to her radio. She turned the knob, the sound of Alastor's familiar voice filling the room as it tuned in to his broadcast.
The soothing notes of jazz music filled the room, enveloping Millie in its melodic embrace. She leaned back, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment, the gentle rhythm of the tunes helping to smooth away the lingering tension in her body. With a soft sigh, she finished off the last sip of her tea, the warmth still lingering in her chest.
As the music's gentle melody washed over her, Millie's weary mind found solace, slowly drifting into the realm of sleep.