Angel's dancing incubi friends were taking a break and he introduced them to Charlie. Their skin was a pale blue and they wore just enough leather to leave something to the imagination.
"This is Mirage and Claw. You should see what these bitches can do with their legs! You thought I was flexible, well–"
"So nice to meet you!" Charlie yelled, shaking both of their hands furiously.
Claw immediately sauntered forward and lifted Charlie's hand to his lips. "Hello beautiful," he purred in a seductive whisper, "do you have a name? Or can I call you mine?" He pressed black lips to her pale knuckles.
Charlie blushed and pulled her hand away. "I'm Charlie!"
Claw wrapped his arm around her shoulder and began massaging her arm. "I'm charmed. Dance with me?" His forked tail coiled around her leg.
"Err…" the princess shifted awkwardly.
"Hey, go easy on her, pal!" said Angel.
"Yeah, leave some for the rest of us," said Mirage. He was also smiling, clearly enjoying the game.
Alastor was suddenly behind the blue-skinned Hellborn. "I would release her if you value your only asset," he spoke through harsh static.
Claw instantly jumped away, recognizing the Radio Demon's signature smile.
"I was only kidding, sweetie," the demon winked, but quickly pulled away back towards the dance floor, dragging Mirage behind him.
The blonde demoness laughed it away, waving her hand. A red dusting colored her cheeks. "You have the most interesting friends, Angel!"
"Sorry Char, those incubi can never turn it off!" Angel had the wherewithal to feel bad, rubbing the back of his head in apology.
"It's ok! I'm having so much fun," Charlie exclaimed. She grabbed Angel's hands, surprising him. "Isn't it almost time for your set!?"
"Yeah," said Angel, lacking a little bit of his spark, "I guess it is. I better go get ready." Angel took his leave, and disappeared into the crowd.
She turned to the deer demon. "If you didn't show up, I might've done something to him I would've regretted." Her eyes flashed gold as if to emphasize her point.
"Hmph, now I wish I didn't step in at all," he grinned wide, having quite enjoyed toying with the other demon. "It would've been quite the spectacle!"
"I mean, you've seen how I get when I'm angry… it's not a pretty sight."
"I disagree, dear."
They stood off to the side for a moment, just watching the undulating crowd of sinners and demons and Hellborn a like. Charlie was moved by the sight and she turned a glassy gaze onto her partner.
"Why aren't you out there, Al? I haven't seen you dancing all night!"
"I don't typically associate with the rabble if I can help it." He turned a red eye onto her. "But why aren't you out there right now? You were quite the stepper just a few days ago. Sudden stage fright?"
Charlie chuckled as if the notion was ridiculous. "I can out-dance everyone here," she said with a fire in her voice.
"Oh?" Alastor's eyebrow rose, noting Charlie's haughty appearance. The alcohol was still coursing through her system, it seemed. "Even me?"
" Especially you," she challenged, locking eyes with him.
The deer demon laughed. "This isn't some harebrained scheme to get me on the dance floor, is it?"
"Is it working?" Charlie giggled.
"It might," started Alastor, "if you had just asked me first."
Charlie rolled her ruby-red eyes and stuck out a slender palm to him. "Alastor–" she adopted a fake polite voice, "might I have the honor of a dance?"
The Radio Demon tapped his chin and mockingly thought very long and hard about it. "Hmmmmmm…" his grin became a wide toothy smile as he looked at her.
"You're such an asshole," she laughed. But at least he was honest about it. That was something she appreciated about him. He didn't hold anything back, and if he did… Well, she hoped it was with good reason. "But that's alright with me."
"You are far too accepting, my dear. It may be your ruin one day," he mused. Without warning, Alastor grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the dancefloor.
"What're you doing?"
"I've finished thinking about it. You may have the honor of dancing with me."
Charlie jumped in excitement, too happy that he joined in to remember her annoyance. She wanted Alastor to have fun and to experience things with the rest of them. She wanted him to see the good in others. She wanted him to open up more.
Above all, she yearned for him to create new happiness in every moment, uncertain of how many moments they still had left together. The fact that he was even here at the grand opening instead of rampaging his feelings out was, on its own, surprising. She stifled a frown at the memory of his suffering wound and the potential torture of his soul, and tried to focus on the here and now. They could save his soul, she thought desperately.
She could save all of their souls.
When she refocused, she found that she and her business partner were now in the center of the dance floor, a gaggle of demons having moved aside for them in a mix of emotions ranging from fear to awe.
Charlie smiled reassuringly at the crowd, wanting to still seem like the welcoming hotelier that she was. That everything here at the hotel was normal and fun, and she herself was just joining in like the good sport she was. What she forgot was who was accompanying her.
Alastor squeezed her hand and she snapped to attention, realigning herself in step with the Radio Demon. There was something anticipatory to the moment and Charlie felt herself take a big breath in prep, like this was something special, something to dedicate her full focus on.
Her mind swam with the blurriness of booze and she concentrated on the details of Alastor's outfit and noticed for the first time that he had changed. He wasn't wearing his signature red coat, but now a rather dashing black ensemble. The color suited him, standing stark against the rest of his red features. It transformed shades in the flashing colorful lights of the stage and Charlie was mesmerized by the illusion. His hair seemed brushed, his monocle polished. Even his gloved claws seemed sharper. Like he really did give a damn for once!
Touched by the effort, Charlie then looked down at herself. Still in her hotel uniform, not having spent a second getting ready like the others did. She frowned comically.
But sensing her train of thought, Alastor tapped her on the nose, waved his arm, and her outfit was completely transformed into one complimenting his own.
The blonde demoness gasped. She spun and played with her newfound skirt, the freedom of the moment making her dizzy with delight. He recaptured her hands and they began to move.
They started slowly, a little back and forth, into a waltz step. Alastor was a connoisseur of many dance styles and he didn't hesitate to show off. But he guided her, even in her missteps. With a light shake of his head, a touch here and guiding hand there, Charlie found her rhythm and their bodies soon synchronized.
As the music picked up pace and the steps became more wild, a fiery haze glowed off of Charlie as she became focused on keeping up, her sharp fingernails digging into the fabric of his clothes just to keep from slipping on the slick dance floor. Her partner smirked at this, enjoying their dance like it was a game that he was winning.
The Radio Demon wasn't winded in the slightest and Charlie sulked.
"How're you so good at this!" she yelled over the music.
He moved his head next to her mouth so he could hear her, his surprisingly soft hair brushing against her neck. She shivered from the sensation and repeated herself, her black lips lightly grazing the side of his head.
They were so close to each other, but neither seemed aware, too caught up in the energy of the dance floor.
He leaned back, amused, and pointed upwards, to his deer ears. It never occurred to Charlie before this moment that he actually heard out of those things and she stifled a laugh. She tried getting on her tip-toes to shout into them but she lost her balance and stumbled back into his arms, this time snickering at her own foolishness.
He moved close again, head practically on her shoulder, inches from her face. "Decades of practice, my dear." His breath tickled her ear.
Charlie lightly squeezed him. "So you did hear me!" But she did not push him away to his original position. He stayed as he was, his cheek brushing the curtains of her hair. It was as if it was a ruse he plotted just to get closer. A ruse they both mutually agreed on.
"But it's not just practice," he continued, voice low and dangerous. His fingers trailed along her waist. "It's about chemistry between partners."
The music changed again and Charlie's arms wrapped around his neck of their own accord, while his own moved further down and around the small of her back. His claws prodded into her skin and a jolt went down her spine. The pace was slow now, and the pair hid their mild exhaustion well, leaning against each other for support.
Forehead to forehead they swayed to the gentle beat of the music, unaware of the crowd around them. Charlie's eyes drifted close. Her red cheeks glimmered with perspiration and she sighed dreamily and content. It was so fun to dance like this! In the arms of–
Her thoughts stopped midway as her drunk mind finally caught up with her conscious one. She realized that she was dancing with the Radio Demon in such an intimate way that she sprung back from him as if burned.
"Whew, I need a breather!" She tried to cover, laughing awkwardly and glancing around the room as if caught.
Alastor spun her back into him, landing her against his chest, and she was powerless to stop him. "Finished, already? I was just getting started," he sang through a hiss of static. His alabaster skin was shiny with sweat. He spun her again and gripped her waist, pressing her against him.
Charlie was just about to make another excuse when she saw the glow of Alastor's cheeks. His panting face and careless demeanor began to make sense. He was drunk! His constant whiskey sipping was finally catching up with him.
It was heartening, admittedly, to see him so loose, and she longed then to see more. She wanted to push his buttons, toy with him, and dance the night away. Who knew what the Radio Demon was capable of when he let his guard down? Maybe she could see a side that no one ever did. Charlie herself felt like it would do no harm… plus she was already untethered herself…
He ran gentle fingers through the hair down her back, untying the black binds of her hair, and she snapped back to reality, sensing she was playing with fire.
She enjoyed dancing with Alastor, immensely, but it didn't feel right of her to be so close with him what with Vaggie–
Charlie mentally slapped herself. Her own girlfriend was out there somewhere and here she was dancing with her friend. But that's exactly what he was, wasn't he? Just a friend. And she loved her friends very much. They were quite comfortable with one another and she could admit that, but it wouldn't do to cross any lines between them. Then again, it was a party, and they were just dancing as they often did. And Charlie didn't have any… inappropriate thoughts about him anyway! Even more so, he could have limited time left, she wanted him to be happy! But did dancing with her make him happy?
A million questions swirled around her head all at once and Alastor watched her closely, tickled by the visual thoughts whizzing across her face. He lifted her chin with a single finger. "What's on your mind, my darling demon belle?"
"Umm, does dancing make you happy?" she asked out of the blue.
Alastor couldn't help but laugh at the absurd question. "No one has ever asked me such a thing." He mulled over it seriously for a moment. "I suppose I enjoy it, as much as I enjoy my many pastimes, but does it make me happy?" He grinned down at her, a soft expression overtaking his features. "With you, maybe."
It was like he read her mind, like he always seemed to do. But she couldn't handle the way he said that. It was just too damn tender! She felt compelled to push him away and say "don't look at me like that!" Teasing her and getting under her skin was one thing she could easily dismiss but seeming so genuine about it? What a frightening prospect…
But she was spared anymore thinking about it when the music changed again and Angel made his way to the front of the stage in his slinky little outfit from days ago. He began his routine and Charlie immediately started clapping, thankful for the distraction.
Angel looked proud and comfortable, but there was a frown peeking out from his gold-toothed smile. He glanced periodically at the front door as he moved about the stage, his double set of arms working in tandem with the music. The audience was enraptured, several demons calling out for the attention of the spider demon, his charm working overtime.
"The effeminate one sure can cut a rug!" Alastor commented from next to her. He shielded his eyes for a moment from the bright stage lights and for a moment he looked so… normal. Charlie was captured by this image. Her idea of who the Radio Demon is was a constantly changing landscape.
" Oh noooo, I almost missed my amorcito's little stage play," a voice rang out from behind them, leering and loud.
It was Valentino, with a few of his little henchmen in tow, as well as a couple of lady demons on each arm. He exhaled a long plume of pink smoke from his cigarette and blew it discourteously on the other guests.
Several visiting demons scattered away, and some ran screaming out the door. Valentino didn't seem to mind, letting them all exit his pathway like the bugs that they were to him.
Angel took notice and stumbled in his steps, looking like he wanted to flee, fight, or both. But Valentino egged him on to perform.
"Don't stop now, sweetheart, if you're going to skip out on work tonight, I better see a dazzling show here!"
Charlie ran to intercept, sliding to a stop right in front of the moth demon. She held her palm out forcefully. "You weren't invited, Valentino. Please leave this establishment."
"Oh-ho? Princess came to play. Well here," he ruffled through his coat and took out his cellphone, flashing it to her. "Why did my precious Angel Cakes send me this cute e-vite, hmmm?" His grin was sharp. "Your highness."
Charlie floundered a moment, trying to find her head. Angel had stopped dancing and jumped down from the stage and ran towards them. "Stop, Val! Leave her alone."
"Why did you stop, baby?" His soft lilt demented into psychopathic rambling as his eyes narrowed. "You better get that skinny ass back up there or I swear I'm going to fuck everyone in this shithole." He dropped all pretense of politeness in front of mixed company, his head unscrewed whenever it came to Angel Dust.
"That won't be necessary," said Alastor, appearing beside Charlie. "I think you should leave with what little dignity you have and go back to that eye-sore tower of yours."
"Ooooh Alastor, back from the dead again, baby? Vox won't be happy to hear that! Or he might be happy? I don't remember if he wants to kill you or fuck you. Both maybe?" Valentino laughed.
Angel grabbed the fur on Valentino's coat and tried to pull him backwards. "I'll go to the studio right now okay? Just leave this place alone!"
"No, no Angel, sweetie, I'm so happy you found somewhere else to showcase your talents. It's just too bad it ain't making me money. And also that it's in princessa's little palace." Valentino's every word dripped with derision.
"You said you'd be okay with this!" Angel retorted.
"I know what I said, the problem is I changed my mind!" Valentino grabbed hold of one of Angel's straps and tugged him to the ground. The spider demon landed harshly at his feet.
"Angel!" exclaimed Charlie, whose horns by now were making an appearance. She turned her red hot anger onto Valentino. "You're not welcome here. Leave. Now! "
"You are so saucy, hermosa! Are you sure you don't wanna act for me? I could milk that pretty pale skin for all it was worth~" he sneered, exhaling another plume of smoke right into Charlie's face. She cringed but held her ground. Next to her, Alastor tensed, energy radiating off of him in grim waves.
Valentino made a move to grab Angel but a loud hissing of static invaded the atmosphere of the room. All light drained from the lobby and the room fell into shadow. The Radio Demon's eyes became colored dials, his antlers extending freakishly wide out of his head. His body had twisted and morphed and he now towered over the porn demon, threatening claws and canines pointed and ready. " I wouldn't do that if I were you," came the screeching threat. " Unless you'd like to fucking die."
Black tentacles rose from the floor in waves. One of which gripped Valentino's cigarette holder and flung it away in a cloud of pink smoke. The moth demon drew back from the intrusion, looking only slightly perturbed, and more curious.
Alastor panted from the effort, doing his all to maintain the image of his power. He winced against his will.
Valentino's eyes narrowed into red slits and a wide grin stretched across his face. He saw something he shouldn't have and he knew it.
Valentino's posse reared back in fright, practically falling their way out the door. But the moth demon just cackled. "Don't be so dramatic, Alastooor! It's Vox that has beef with you, not me. Jeez, Angel, you want to hang out with these freaks all day? Suit yourself." He flicked the strap of Angel's outfit away like it was nothing and turned on his heel, his coat smacking those nearby in the face.
Not able to resist, Valentino shot back one last scathing comment. "Save that dance for me later, okay? I'm looking forward to it." He sauntered out the door, his henchmen following close behind.
AN: The pair of them dancing reminds me of those days when you're dancing with someone and you get all close, but you pretend like you aren't getting close, and it's like the perfect excuse to just keep getting closer... haha idk. Hope you enjoyed this one! Some more drama is ramping up. Thanks for reading!