Charlie stood in the lobby, closely watching Alastor as he moved around her with a visible sense of concern. With a quiet sigh of resignation, she returned to the loveseat, where she embraced her girlfriend, preparing for game night that evening. She was reluctant to admit it, but she was worried. Alastor himself might not have noticed it, but he looked pale and whether her father had also noticed that fact was a mystery to her. She believed she could trust Alastor enough to confide in her if something was truly wrong, just as much as she could trust him not to put himself in danger, as he had with his angelic wound a few weeks earlier. Vaggie glanced at her, noting Charlie's facial expressions. In a hushed voice, she asked, "Is everything OK?" Charlie nodded as they decided on which game the group should start playing first.
The winner was Cards Against Humanity.
Vaggie's piercing eyes swept across the room, locking onto Lucifer, Charlie, and Cherri Bomb, before settling on Angel and Husk. The two of them carefully carried an assortment of alcohol bottles over to a small side table, where the crew would soon engage in their card game. Letting out a deep, menacing growl, Vaggie rose from her seat and marched purposefully towards the two boys.
"Just a quick heads up – this isn't a drinking game like when we played Never Have I Ever," Vaggie declared, pointing a finger at Angel Dust. Taking a moment to compose herself, following some of Charlie's calming advice, Vaggie continued, "We're here to play this card game and have fun", she said emphatically, while Charlie beamed at her.
"That's right!" Charlie chimed in, placing a plate of snacks on the table, with Lucifer smiling in amusement at his daughter's attempt to contribute. Meanwhile, Angel tore into one of the six expansion packs he bought with his paycheck on the table and handed Husk the cards to shuffle.
"Where do you...ah, find these games? I haven't played this one with the Sins before," asked Lucifer, genuinely intrigued.
Angel shared with Lucifer the details of his occasional shopping excursions with Cherri. He described a particular store that specializes in a diverse selection of board games and card games. Angel pointed out that this establishment appeared to be a favored destination among the more passionate members of the gaming community, as he had frequently observed various tournaments taking place during his visits.
Angel, however, opted to leave out certain aspects of his narrative, especially the detail that many of the customers in that establishment were acquainted with him for reasons that were not entirely innocent, as he was employed by Valentino. Some of these individuals were among his more unconventional clients, and he had indeed engaged in a few role-playing scenarios on their behalf. Nevertheless, given Charlie's eagerness for social gatherings, Angel proposed the idea of hosting an adult game night. Utilizing his paycheck and a few favors, he decided to purchase the game along with its expansions. He conveyed his curiosity about how the guests at the hotel would interact with this specific game. Lucifer responded to Angel's suggestion with a nod of agreement.
"What the hell is this shit? This is more than I can even shuffle. Make yourself useful, legs," argued Husk with a look bordering annoyed with one brow raised.
"Ya betta get me a drink then kitty cat, cause I can't pull the real shuffling tricks sober", said Angel seductively as Husk gave a small smirk.
"That I can do for you legs", replied Husk as he placed a hand on his hip and pushed himself up out of his seat.
"Hey, hey!" Shouted Vaggie at Husk when Angel started to snicker.
"Doesn't mean I'm not gonna pre game, sweet cheeks", Angel grinned.
After a few minutes, Husk reemerged at Angel's side, presenting a meticulously crafted cocktail with vibrant colors. He carefully positioned the drink in front of the spider while affectionately rolling his eyes at Angel's blown kiss of gratitude. In his other hand, he tightly clutched a bottle of inexpensive liquor from their supply.
Meanwhile, Vaggie, feeling overwhelmingly frustrated, for having to surrender a pointless battle, ended up face-planting in exasperation, her expression a mix of annoyance, while Charlie couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's endearing antics, with a bright smile. Charlie retrieving the rule book, proceeded to explain the game in detail, outlining the allocation of white and black cards, the role of the judge, and the criteria for choosing the best white card.
Angel, Husk, and Cherri eagerly joined in, offering assistance with shuffling the six expansion packs, their laughter filling the room as they engaged in lively conversation about potential bets, much to Vaggie's chagrin. After extensive discussions, they collectively decided that the game's winner would be determined by the first player to accumulate five black cards. Additionally, they agreed that Lucifer, attending his first game night, would have the honor of serving as the esteemed first judge, much to the amusement of everyone present.
"I feel like Angie is gonna kick my ass, the fucker knows me too well", comments Cherri as she starts looking through her card list, facial expression going from giggling to almost laughing.
"Haha, true that", comments Angel with his own genuine smile and chuckle.
Lucifer leaned forward, his fingertips brushing the surface of the table as he reached for a card from the black pile. His eyes lingered for a moment on the card he had chosen, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he swiftly composed himself and cleared his throat.
"Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and there is ," he recited, his voice carrying a tone of anticipation as he leaned back in his seat, his gaze sweeping across the gathered group before he theatrically covered his eyes.
The room fell silent as each member of the group carefully began sifting through their own cards, the only sound of flimsy cardboard being shuffled as they made their selections. One by one, white cards were slowly placed down on the table, creating a growing pile in the center.
Angel, with a self-satisfied grin, leaned back in his seat, exuding an air of confidence that seemed to unnerve Husk. As Husk questioned the source of Angel's assurance, the response he received was nothing more than a mysterious, seductive wink from the spider. Once all the cards were placed, Lucifer leaned forward once more, the tips of his fingers deftly gathering the cards and shuffling them with a practiced hand. As the cards melded and interchanged, he maintained a composure that belied the suspense and calculation in his sharp gaze, a silent performer preparing for the final act.
"Remember, Dad, read the prompt and where it's blank, read the white cards," said Charlie as she walked him through how to play. With a nod, Lucifer began to read aloud the various white cards:
"Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple, Open the Doors And There is Old People Smell…Ugh, that is unsettling," exclaimed Lucifer visibly cringing, placing the card face down on the table.
"A Bag of Magic Beans…Ha, Ha, we wish! Do we get some golden goose at the end of a beanstalk, like in the human fairytales? I can just snap my fingers for that to happen," he giggled, placing the card on the table.
"Glory Holes," said Lucifer in an uncomfortable tone, a brilliant bright gold blush covering his face as he became quiet in front of his daughter, not needing to make this awkward.
"My Inner Demons…Ouch, Oooookay way too close to home on that front," he said, quickly placed it down with the rest.
"Daddy Issues", Lucifer deadpanned face morphed with discomfort.
Glancing over, Angel started to chuckle as Husk stared at him, surprised that Angel would make such a bold move. With a sigh and no words spoken, Lucifer passed over the black card to Angel, completely speechless.
"Gotta say, that was a low blow even for you, Angie," said Cherri, giggling at Lucifer's expense.
"Hehe, couldn't resist! It was the perfect card to play, and trust me when I say it, Sugartits, we all got some sort of daddy and mommy issues here!" exclaimed Angel after he had calmed himself from his grand play.
"Trust me, it was a good play. I'm not too upset about it. We're just here to have fun," replied Lucifer awkwardly, chuckling anxiously as he knew what he was getting into when they all decided to play this game.
Everyone then took a moment to draw additional card from the white pile to bring their card numbers back to ten.
Next was Charlie, as she leaned over the table to retrieve a black card from the pile.
"Coming to Broadway this Season, : the Musical", read Charlie as she placed the card down and leaned back in her seat repeating the actions Lucifer took just moments before.
Although the group was well-acquainted with Charlie, having lived and interacted with her in the hotel, their curiosity was now piqued regarding Lucifer's presence. Despite his struggles with depression and anxiety, they understood that he generally remained composed unless provoked. However, they weren't certain about his threshold for humor and were cautious not to offend him. They had observed Alastor's playful jabs about Lucifer's father-daughter relationship with Charlie and were mindful not to repeat the mistake. They were also aware that Lucifer was still acclimating to the intimate family dynamic at the Hotel, and they wanted to ensure that he felt welcomed and valued. They were also unwilling to take the chance of upsetting Charlie, as that could potentially trigger Lucifer's overwhelming parental instincts.
"So I am placing a white card down that Charlie would find fitting or funny to this prompt, right?" asked Lucifer while Vaggie nodded to him to glance back at her hand.
Angel sat at the table, leisurely sipping his cocktail, deep in thought as he contemplated his next move. Although he valued Charlie as a friend, his feelings and friendship for Cherri Bomb were even stronger. With great care, he selected a card from his hand and placed it on the table, then leaned back to observe the reactions of the others. Husk chuckled as he laid another card on Angel's, triggering a chain of card placements. Vaggie exuded confidence as she laid down her card, while Lucifer appeared undecided. Angel watched the thoughtful expression on the short king's face as he deliberated between two cards before making his choice. Finally, as Charlie was instructed to open her eyes, she reached for the pile.
"Alright, let's get this started!" Charlie exclaimed as she shuffled the cards to mix them up. "Coming to Broadway this season, A Balanced Breakfast: the Musical... I mean, it is the most important meal of the day," she said with a smile, placing the card on the table.
"Coming to Broadway this season, Breaking into Song and Dance: The Musical... that is every day in hell," Charlie replied with a shocked expression and an undertone of fondness.
"Coming to Broadway this season, Self-Loathing: the Musical... umm, I feel like this is a card Husk would play. I remember him and Alastor bringing the topic up once before. Oh, I should look more into it for a lesson plan, instead of Self Loathing, we need to work on Self Confidence!" Charlie shared before Vaggie placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Babe, I know you're excited, but now is not the time," Vaggie responded, as Charlie blushed from embarrassment at her excitement and epiphany.
"It's all good, toots," Angel reassured, nudging Husk with one of his many arms, asking for a refill of his cocktail, which Husk agreed to with a small grumble, and slowly left to head to the drink table.
"Anyways, ahem... Coming to Broadway this season, Necrophilia: the Musical? What does that even mean?" Charlie asked, looking at the group.
Everyone turned their gaze toward Charlie, their expressions filled with utter disbelief. Charlie, being somewhat innocent, did not fully grasp the implications of the card that had just been played. In that moment, Vaggie once again brought her hand to her face in exasperation, while Husk erupted into laughter almost spilling the drink he was making. Meanwhile, Angel and Cherri struggled to contain their amusement as they observed the horrified expression on Lucifer Morningstar's face as he came to the realization of what he had inadvertently done. Much like his previous mistake during the fight with Adam, he once again "spoke" without considering the consequences of his words. His face flushed a brilliant shade of gold, betraying his embarrassment. Seizing the opportunity to clarify the situation for Charlie, Angel decided it was time to provide an explanation, saying, "Doll face, the term refers to an individual who derives sexual pleasure from corpses or deceased individuals."
"But Angel, we are all already dead and people do…Ewww...DAD!" Charlie exclaimed, her face flushing a brilliant shade of red as she hastily placed the card on the table.
"I apologize, Char-Char," Lucifer replied in almost a squeak, his hands covering his face.
"This is hilarious! However fuckers, we got a game to play and drinks to chase down! Can I get a cocktail?" Cherri inquired with a grin as Husk was diligently adding the final touches to Angel's drink.
"Of course, kid. What would you like?" Husk responded while Cherri proceeded to give him her drink order.
As Charlie emerged from her moment of shock, she continued with the game, reading the last entry aloud: "Coming to Broadway this season, Powerful Thighs: the Musical."
Charlie's face had turned a deeper shade of red at that moment. There was only one person present in the room who was privy to her sexual experiences. This secrecy was one of the aspects she cherished about her girlfriend, particularly within the privacy of their bedroom. Without uttering a single word, and much like her father, she quietly handed the card to Vaggie, who expressed her gratitude by placing a gentle kiss on Charlie's cheek.
"Haha, that girl is so tapped", Cherri told Angel who shut his eyes and nodded in agreement as the group once again replenished their hands.
It was Vaggie's turn, and to say she wasn't apprehensive, would be a lie. Pulling the black card out of the pile, she looked at the prompt with almost a relieved look. It was nothing obnoxious and for that she was thankful for.
"What is a Girl's Best Friend?" She read aloud placing the card upon the table.
Soon, everyone became deeply engaged with their hands, meticulously determining what to play for the former angel. Husk walked back over to the group, bringing with him the beverages for Angel and Cherri, before settling back onto the couch to examine his own hand. After expressing his gratitude to the bartender, both Angel and Cherri took a sip of their drinks, smiling in appreciation. Husk merely nodded at the two of them as he took a hearty swig from the inexpensive liquor bottle that rested beside him. Observing the relaxed atmosphere among the group, Lucifer decided to summon his own drink, an apple martini. He lifted the glass as if to make a toast and took a sip of his beverage. After his embarrassment, liquid courage was needed.
One by one, the members of the group took turns playing their white cards, each placing their card in the center of the table as Vaggie was instructed that she could take a look. After briefly shuffling the cards, she scanned through them, hoping that this round would be relatively calm.
"What is a Girl's Best Friend: Chicken Nuggies! I mean could be if it was the dinosaur shaped ones", replied Vaggie placing the card face up onto the table.
"Right! The Dino one are the Best ones!" Commented Lucifer taking another small sip of his drink.
"What is a Girl's Best Friend: my relationship status; they are not mistaken," Vaggie added, casting a quick glance at Charlie, who momentarily flushed, squeaked, and then resumed focusing on her hand moving white cards around to organize them.
"What is a Girl's Best Friend, Passive Aggressive Notes, Ugh Husk I know this was you!" Vaggie declared in an irritated tone as Husk raised his bottle in response.
"You know how annoyin' those damn post-it notes about cleaning, stocking, and restocking the bar is? It's as if every one of you fuckers completely overlook the fact that this is the only task I consistently manage during my shift. Completely forgettin', I wasn't hired to work here, I was ordered to do so," Husk remarked, his characteristic sarcasm evident as he took a sip of his drink. Vaggie responded to him by rolling her eyes.
"Anyways, What is a Girl's Best Friend? Poor life choices?" she mused, glancing around the room and shaking her head. "I can certainly agree with that sentiment; I wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting Charlie or any of you if it weren't for the poor decisions I've made in my after-life," Vaggie admitted with genuine sincerity.
"Last one, a Girl's Best Friend is the invisible hand", Vaggie declared, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Redirecting her focus to the white cards she held, Vaggie carefully evaluated her options and selected two cards to place face up on the table. The chosen cards read: Poor Life Choices and Invisible Hands. Among all her possibilities, these two cards struck a particular chord with her. The first card symbolized the journey that had ultimately led her to her current position, surrounded by her newfound family and the love she cherished. The second card, while she typically preferred to avoid Public Displays of Affection, still reflected her hidden desires concerning Charlie, even if they chose to keep those feelings discreet.
"I would have to go with Poor Life Choices, as much as I appreciate Invisible Hands, it conjures an image in my head that I would prefer not to discuss with any of you. So, who won?" Vaggie stated, while Lucifer took another sip of his martini and raised his hand.
"Dad! I am so thrilled that you won a black card!" Charlie exclaimed as she embraced her father.
"Thank you, Charlie. I sensed a connection with Vaggie on some level when I played that card, glad it got me a win", he smirked.
In a brief moment of excitement, the group erupted in cheers for Lucifer as Niffty darted past them, pursuing yet another bug. She paused momentarily, laughed, and joined in the celebration for Lucifer before resuming her relentless hunt, completely unaware of the reason behind the festivities. Meanwhile, the others began to prepare for the fourth round of their game. As it stood, the score was one point each for Angel, Vaggie, and now Lucifer.
"All right Bitches, let's see what I can come up with", Cherri declared enthusiastically as she held up her black card.
"_ Betcha Can't Just Have One! Oh this shit's gotta be good, don't let me down, Angie", Cherri Bomb remarked, glancing at Angel, who responded with a confident smirk directed at his best friend.
"Wouldn't dream of it sugartits!" he retorted, assertively placing a white card on the table with force.
The other players observed this competitive interaction with a mix of disbelief and amusement, while Husk and Lucifer maintained a respectful silence, sipping their drinks. After a brief pause, Husk laid down a card that he deemed nearly inconsequential, as he was reserving his more strategic cards for the right moment. Lucifer soon followed suit, placing his card down and finishing the last of his apple martini. As Lucifer considered his next drink of choice twirling the glass in hand lazily, he was suddenly drawn back to the table by Husk's actions.
"Would you like another drink, sire?" Husk inquired, as Lucifer nodded in response, indicating that he was contemplating whether to order a dirty martini or another drink with an apple base. Husk acknowledged this with a nod of understanding and proceeded to rise from his seat to prepare the king's drink. As he did so, he inquired if anyone desired refills or if they would like a beverage of their own. Charlie, requested a sweet red wine, while Vaggie chimed in afterward, stating that a small amount would suffice.
With a maniacal gleeful chuckle, Angel remarked, "Oh ho ho, the person who was shitting herself over having the bar a year ago, is now indulging in a drink! I wouldn't be surprised if hell itself froze over, and Val granting me more than just a single night off." Meanwhile, Vaggie shot him a disapproving glare.
Charlie remained unbothered by the situation unfolding between Angel and Vaggie. She chuckled softly as she arrived at her final decision, placing a white card onto the table alongside the others. Vaggie followed closely behind, letting out a resigned sigh, aware that her own white card was nearly useless since she struggled to understand what might resonate with Cherri's vibrant and fiery personality. As she observed Cherri down the remainder of her drink, Vaggie noted that Cherri was a new and unpredictable addition to the hotel's group, known for her negative influence on Angel. She epitomized the concept of peer pressure, yet her contributions to the extermination efforts had proven to be quite valuable.
Vaggie's attention was soon diverted when Husk returned with glasses of wine for both Charlie and herself. As he extended the drink towards them, both women accepted it with expressions of gratitude. Husk then proceeded to retrieve the king's drink, presenting it to Lucifer, who expressed his appreciation with a smile and a sip. After acknowledging Husk's service, Husk nodded in response and returned to the small table to collect refills for Angel and Cherri, which he then distributed. Once everyone was settled, Husk felt it was the right moment to grab some snacks that Charlie had set out earlier in the evening, which had largely gone untouched. With snacks and drinks in hand, he gave a nod to Cherri, who finally picked up a stack of white cards to review her answers.
"Free Samples, Betcha Can't Just Have One. That is so fuckin true! I always want more of that good shit", Cherri exclaimed cheerfully.
"Cripplin Debt, Betcha Can't Just Have One. Eh, it's so so", Cherri responded setting the card down.
"Exactly What You Would Expect, Betcha Can't Have Just One, what the fuck am I expecting?" Cherri inquired while placing the card down.
"Bad Bitches with Fat Asses, Betcha Can't Just Have One. I certainly won't turn down an invitation to an orgy, ha ha, but I appreciate the compliment", Cherri said with a grin, letting out a genuine laugh.
"Tentacle Porn, Betcha Can't Just Have One", Cherri declared, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Tentacle porn, really, Angie?" she remarked, fully aware that he was the one who played that card.
"Eh, it was the only thing I had that was really good in my hand for yah", Angel replied with a shrug, taking a bite of one of the sandwiches he had picked up.
Cherri let out a scoff as she passed the black card to Angel, which elevated his score to two. Afterward, she gathered the remaining cards and placed them in the discard pile before helping herself to some food from the snack tray. Meanwhile, the other residents took the opportunity to indulge in their drinks, snacks, and replenish their hands before proceeding to Angel's turn. As everyone enjoyed their food, Charlie's thoughts drifted back to Alastor; she realized that she had not received any updates from the Overlord since he had come downstairs for coffee earlier. She genuinely hoped he was doing well, but her concern for the hotelier did not go unnoticed, as Vaggie inquired about Charlie's well-being.
"I'm fine, I was just thinking about my encounter with Alastor earlier. To me it seemed something was off with him outside of being really pale. However, I can't really place what was wrong", Charlie remarked, while Lucifer scoffed from his seat, evidently influenced by the alcohol he had consumed.
"Look Char-Char, if Bambi doesn't want to play "nice" let him sulk, we are having fun without his creepy smiling ass anyways", Lucifer stated, taking a somewhat aggressive bite of his sandwich, clearly irritated that his daughter was still preoccupied with thoughts of him, even in his absence.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor of the renovated hotel, Niffty navigated the corridors, having lost track of which level she had found herself on while pursuing her target. As she hurried past one of the rooms, she came to a halt, realizing that she must be on the top floor. Concluding that Alastor would likely not mind a visit, she gently knocked on the door. While she awaited a response, she became aware of the peculiar sounds emanating from within the room. Listening intently through the door, she discerned the familiar static of Alastor's familiar noises; however, it was somewhat muffled and seemed to be accompanied by the erratic noises of a radio skipping through stations, plagued by broken interference. Intrigued by the commotion, she reached for the doorknob and discovered that it was unlocked. With a cautious peek, she entered the room and was taken aback by the sight of the Radio Demon in a deep slumber. Moving quietly toward him, she noticed Alastor's shadow nearby, observing her presence with an understanding that she meant no harm, as she now stood beside his bed. Gazing at his face, Niffty observed the pronounced dark circles under his eyes. Assuming he was merely exhausted, the little maid quietly retraced her steps to the door, slipped out, and secured it firmly behind her to ensure he would not be disturbed. As she began to walk away, she faintly heard the sound of the door locking behind her, a maniacal grin spreading across her face as she resumed her hunt once more.
The game continued after a moments break as Angel leaned over the table to draw his prompt.
"What is the Next Happy Meal Toy? Ugh, please don't make this boring", said Angel flabbergasted his black card wasn't something more interesting.
Each participant scrutinized their cards with great care, fully aware that when it came to Angel, any suggestion of a risqué or sexual nature was likely to sway his vote. It appeared that, in a moment of collective understanding, everyone reached a unanimous decision, as a flurry of white cards cascaded onto the table. With a raised eyebrow of mild astonishment, Angel sat up straighter and began to collect the white cards that had been submitted. As he shuffled them in his hands, he maintained eye contact with each individual present.
"That was pretty fast, anywho…What is the next Happy Meal Toy? Used Panties, ugh y'all don't wanna know half of the fan base that would pay big money for that shit", Angel remarked with a deadpan expression.
"Extremely Tight Pants, A New Happy Meal Toy?" I can envision it; why not add some sparkle while you're at it?" Angel suggested with a smile.
"What is the next Happy Meal toy? A Sad Handjob…wow that is a depressin idea that probably would find traction in this shit hole", said Angel.
"What is the next Happy Meal toy?" Angel inquired, expressing exaggerated surprise with a small hand gesture in front of his lips. "A Salty Surprise! Oh my," he exclaimed, followed by a sly smirk as he added, "Someone knows me well!"
"And, lastly, what is the next Happy Meal toy? Perhaps a lifetime filled with sadness?" Angels inquired, glancing at his fellow residents before shifting his attention back to his hand. "That is truly fuck'n sad..."
On the surface, he appeared to be deep in thought. However, internally, he was reflecting on all the physical and emotional abuse he had endured while being contracted to Valentino. He had no desire to squander his time indulging in self-pity, especially not with several drinks in his system and surrounded by friends and allies. Shaking off his inner turmoil, he raised one of the white cards into the air.
"Whoeva is the lucky one to play this tasty treat I won't eva turn down, especially from il mio dolce gattino di barista, se mi volesse (my sweet little barista kitten, if he wanted me.)", Angel replied seductively. Meanwhile, the others were attempting to decipher what had been said. Husk rolled his eyes and responded in kind, "Angel, ti giuro che sai quanto odio quelle stronzate di allusioni sessuali, non posso con te in questo momento (Angel, I swear you know how I hate that sexual innuendo shit, I can't with you right now.)".
Angel was taken aback by the revelation that Husk was even aware of what he had said. This was particularly surprising given that, during a conversation several months prior, Husk had expressed to Angel that he was not extremely familiar with the language. To add to the astonishment, the card was suddenly snatched from Angel's hand by none other than Cherri Bomb.
"Thanks for the card Angie!" Cherri replied with grin as Angel sat taken aback once again.
Redirecting his attention to Husk, Angel made the decision to assess Husk's proficiency in the Italian language and initiated a conversation with him. As their dialogue unfolded, Lucifer, Charlie, Vaggie, and Cherri remained engaged with their drinks, enjoying additional snacks from the table while simultaneously retrieving ten cards back into their hands. Before long, it was Husk's turn. He let out a low growl, somewhat annoyed at himself for being proficient in multiple languages, as he drew a black card from the top of the pile. As he read the card silently to himself, his agitation increased, and he recognized that he was too sober for this game, ultimately deciding to place his card on the table.
"I Drink to Forget , getting another drink, because I'm too sober for this shit! Has to be a cruel sick joke, for my fuckin luck," Husk said sarcastically as he stood up to fetch another bottle of inexpensive liquor.
As Husk ventured away to procure his liquor, the others began to sift through the cards in their hands. It seemed almost cruelly ironic that fate had dealt such a hand to the feline bartender. He was a figure who lent an ear to the troubles of others, all the while being tethered to Alastor's leash. Yet, few considered the underlying reasons for Husk's persistent drinking, aside from Alastor's role in facilitating his access to alcohol. Upon Husk's return, he observed that no one had yet placed a card down. With a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, he commenced to indulge in his bottle.
Before long, the cards began to arrive in a steady stream, with the white cards accumulating in the center of the table. Cherri glanced at Husk, who was deeply engrossed in his habit, and smiled gently before laying down her card. Angel, feeling energized and somewhat mischievous from their earlier stimulating conversation, placed his card down immediately after Cherri. Charlie and Vaggie followed suit, with Charlie sporting a cheerful grin while Vaggie shrugged her shoulders in a more nonchalant manner. Lucifer let out a soft giggle as he set his card down, clearly amused by something, reminiscent of the laughter he shared with Razzle, Dazzle, and Keekee prior to the extermination. After placing the bottle aside, he leaned forward to gather the cards from the table, skillfully shuffling them with practiced ease. With a flourish, he retrieved his glasses and focused on his answers.
"I Drink to Forget: Nothing," Husk replied, raising an eyebrow and letting out a short chuckle. "I wish it were for nothing," he added, a hint of seriousness creeping into his tone.
"I Drink to Forget: A mime having a stroke," Husk said with a genuine laugh, his smile widening. "That is quite funny; well played."
"I Drink to Forget: Doing the right thing. This feels like a bleeding-heart moment... Princess?" Husk inquired, glancing at Charlie and realizing she had been specifically addressed.
"Yes... you caught me," Charlie admitted, her smile appearing rather weary. Husk could only speculate that she was growing tired as the night carried on; he nodded in understanding.
"I Drink to Forget: Drinking alone," Husk stated, pausing for a moment as if struck by an epiphany , but quickly brushing it off before moving on to the next card.
"I Drink to Forget... Legs, really?!" Husk exclaimed, suddenly leaping from his seat and pointing an accusatory finger at Angel.
"What's the matta, Whiskers?" Angel replied playfully, which only served to heighten Husk's irritation.
"What other person here would pull sexual innuendos out of their ass as frequently as you do?" he retorted, tossing the white card onto the table in frustration.
"I dunno, but 'Drinking to Forget: Deez Nut!' should be a crime," Angel quipped, mimicking cat claws as Husk stepped away from the table in exasperation.
As the other residents observed the scene unfold, Lucifer was the first to rise, leaning toward Charlie. "I think it's time for me to retire, Ducky. It's getting late, and you and Maggie should probably get some rest," Lucifer said gently while he patted Charlie's head. "It's Vaggie, Dad, but goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow?" Charlie asked, to which Lucifer nodded in acknowledgment. "Right, Vaggie! I promise to make the best pancakes tomorrow morning," he replied, setting his glass down on the bar top near the stairs before taking a portal to his room.
Charlie observed the room, noting that everyone appeared to be in consensus that it was time to retire for the evening. As she gathered the wine glasses, she made her way toward the bar, all the while listening to Angel and Husk engaged in a spirited discussion that didn't quite feel like a genuine argument. Meanwhile, Vaggie was methodically tidying up the leftover snacks from the table, assisted by Cherri, who occasionally broke into giggles at the antics of Husk and Angel. Overall, Charlie reflected on the evening with satisfaction, smiling at the family she had nurtured over the past year. At that moment, Niffty descended the stairs, proudly holding a roach crown in her hand. She rushed over to Charlie and enthusiastically offered the crown for her to wear. With a slight grimace, Charlie accepted the crown and placed it atop her head.
"Mister Alastor is currently asleep, if you wanna know, looked super sleepy so I left him alone. Oh my gosh the room is a mess, hang on I'll help!" exclaimed Niffty as she hurried over to Vaggie and Cherri to lend a hand in tidying up.
Charlie took a brief moment to gather her thoughts, attempting to make sense of Niffty's swift and animated speech. The young woman had a tendency to speak rapidly when she was filled with excitement, making it difficult for Charlie to keep up with her line of reasoning. However, Charlie managed to grasp that Niffty had taken the initiative to check on Alastor, despite his lack of awareness regarding her presence. Pushing that thought to the back of her mind, she joined the others in their efforts to tidy up and prepare for closing the establishment for the night. Ultimately, everyone agreed that Angel was the victor, having collected a total of three Black cards throughout the evening.
After everything was organized, Charlie and Vaggie proceeded to their shared suite. Upon entering and closing the door behind them, Vaggie immediately headed to the adjoining bathroom to change, while Charlie moved to her vanity to collect her belongings. Once she had everything she needed, Charlie sat down on her bed and pondered whether she should check on Alastor once again to put her mind at ease. Suddenly, she was taken by surprise when Vaggie returned and gently informed her that the bathroom was now free. Nodding in acknowledgment, Charlie stood up and placed a soft kiss on Vaggie's cheek before heading into the bathroom. After hearing the door close, Vaggie began to pull up the blankets, preparing the bed for their evening together.
Ten minutes later, Charlie emerged dressed in her red satin pajamas and made her way to the bed. Taking a seat, she turned to Vaggie and expressed her thoughts.
"Hey Vaggie, should I check in on Alastor?" Charlie inquired, prompting a scoff from Vaggie.
"Look, I understand your intentions are good, but if he wants to be left alone, we should respect that," Vaggie replied, striving to be as gentle as possible.
"I understand… but when Niffty visited him, she mentioned that he didn't even acknowledge her presence in his room. He never allows anyone in there!" Charlie exclaimed, while Vaggie shifted her gaze to her from her reclining position.
"While that is indeed concerning, it doesn't justify the risk of us facing dire consequences if he is awake now. We can check on him in the morning if he doesn't appear for breakfast, okay?" Vaggie suggested, to which Charlie let out a sigh.
"I suppose that works. I love you, just so you know," Charlie said, as Vaggie leaned in to give her a kiss.
"Of course, babe… by the way, did you enjoy my Powerful Thighs card?" Vaggie asked, making Charlie laugh as she embraced her girlfriend and settled under the covers for the night.