A/N: A rather quick update :) honestly this is coming after me watching the last episode and... not really liking it very much, even if Loona and Octavia met. I was feeling let down by Loona's behavior through the episode and the backstory was... rushed, short, a bit extreme (in the sense that you actually raised Loona in a jailcell, I was not thinking of getting that far) and well... her relationship with Blitzo only seemed to get worse and her words felt somewhat meaningless towards the end. Oh well, to each their own opinion.
RyantheSamurai;
"Yeah, this is a very complicated issue, I will have a very... long way to go about it. Thanks for sticking around this long! :)
RandomWriter0823;
"The reason it has an M tag is due the content of the Universe already being heavily explicit on many things, but no. There won't be explicit sex stuff. But many horrible things may still happen. :)"
DieKleineHexeCapraiaOfTheReich;
"That sure raise the stakes of the lives of our characters a lot then, since none of them are sinners, bar very specific few. Thanks! :P"
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"Wow... I wasn't expecting it to be that big."
"That's what she said!"
"... you said that before?"
"HA! He got you there."
"Pfff, yeah right. Like he even knows what I meant."
"I do actually."
"...fuck, really? Well, shit. Get your ass moving then!"
Collin chuckled, looking away from Loona's flustered face back to the gigantic building in front of them. He had to admit that the sight was remarkable. Sure, Humans had built far taller structures, but he couldn't remember them adding anything as extravagant like half of a huge ship to the side, although he was wary that was not just for show. For an hotel it surely was standing out from everything else around this part of the ring. Collin quickly took notice how much denser the area around them was, just like near I.M.P's current location, but it had far more folks going around, not to mention the clear signs of a more financially successful neighborhood.
He was extremely wary of everything at the moment, especially regarding Octavia's safety, but the Owl teenager only looked mildly bored, standing few meters away while constantly looking down on her phone, a very similar habit like Loona's. He smiled at the sight, which the Hellhound quickly caught on.
"What?" She asked, questioning his sudden cheerfulness. He shrugged while giving Octavia a quick glance.
"You two are kinda alike when taking a closer look. Maybe you will find some common ground if you keep in touch. Isn't nice to make friends that have similar tastes?" He suggested, raising a playful eyebrow back at her. Loona reacted with a skeptical one, glancing sideways towards Octavia with hesitation.
"I guess? I mean... I don't know much about her, but I see what you mean... eh, we can deal with that later on, let's get over with this visit. I gotta say though, the place looks nice, despite the bullshit that comes out from its owner."
Collin nodded distractedly, his mind filling up with so many questions, although not many were related with what they were doing.
"Loona, did you... ever wondered..." Collin paused. A huge amount of anxiety gripping his heart, a bolt of worry making him hesitant to venture any further. Loona looked at him with mild curiosity, surprised to see his falter so easily when talking with her.
"What? Speak up, I'm not gonna wait you to grow a pair." She chastised, giving him a firm look. He sighed, one clawed hand scratching at his neck.
"You ever thought about... not living in Hell?"
"... what?"
Loona deviated her attention from the fancy building in front back to the sheepish wolf at her side. She tilted her head, giving him a questioning glare. Collin shrugged.
"Just a thought. No, I don't mean Heaven, but... how would you feel about living in the Human world?"
"Wha...? Why you're even asking me this?" The Hellhound was very surprised and astonished by such a suggestion. "Hell is my... well, the place I belong." Much to her surprise, her answer seem to cause Collin some kind of upset.
"That ain't necessarily true, and that might go for many others in Hell." He replied with a touch of irritation. Loona rested her hands on her hips, facing the wolf with incredulity.
"What's going on with you?" She asked, genuinely concerned by his mood. Collin huffed, expression shifting from annoyance to exhaustion instantaneously.
"It's... I don't know. I just don't feel okay, not since... all of that." He replied, his attention wavering into nothingness. "I feel... pointless. I can't really do any good, I can't really help anyone anymore."
"Well, you helped me, ain't that worth something?" Loona countered with a raised eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. Yet, her attempt at easing his mind fell flat.
"I... yeah. I don't say that didn't matter. It's just... I don't see life ahead being very promising, even if by your side. Hell will never be a place I will feel at ease, and now I don't think I can ever bring myself to take Heaven for granted, no matter how well behaved I am." Collin shook his head, looking down in utter dejection. "How can I hope to help make things better for people if they don't stand a chance of a better afterlife?"
"Huh, well, why you're so sure it will be that complicated?" Loona questioned, she was starting to feel the little bit of grasp she had gained on Collin's self-esteem slipping away slowly.
"How do I say this?... think of a couple, not just the average one, but a gay or lesbian one." He started, frowning as he looked back, a sudden fiery expression on his face that caught her off-guard. "I don't have anything against that, despite... being taught otherwise. There's nothing wrong with two beings loving each other, as long they cause no harm to anyone or commit any kind of felony, amongst other questionable things. Love is... the purest emotion anyone can have. Here, in Hell, I saw that as a very true statement, even if the demonstrations were scarce, it still exists. Yet... I'm worried that... there might be people that ended up here simply because they choose to love someone that Heaven wouldn't consider proper."
"Wait, wait, wait." Loona raised her hands, letting out a nervous laugh as she glared at the wolf with genuine concern. "Are you telling me Heaven sends people to Hell for being Gay? Or Lesbians?!"
Collin didn't reply, his jaw shutting forcefully, his hands closing into fists, his nose flaring constantly. Loona felt her jaw loosening for a moment. She couldn't believe it. How could such absurd be fair? Couples of the same sex, even if they never committed any foul deed, would be sent into Hell by default?
"There more I learn about Heaven, the more my hatred for them feels justified." Octavia said, getting them by surprise. They did not expect her to be paying attention all this time. "What I wonder is... you probably knew that was happening, and did nothing about it."
Collin blinked, looking up towards the Owl in disbelief. She didn't sound accusatory, just slightly curious.
"I... had my concerns, but I've been guaranteed that they were being moved into a different area, since that wouldn't distress the place where the generic Humans couples that ascended were residing."
"Isn't that kind of segregating?"
"I was a Cherub, I didn't make the rules. I was just... scrap."
Loona's eyes found Collin's, a wave of sympathy was exchanged in between that brief look.
"Yeah... I know what you mean." She said quietly.
"Also, if you question the word of the Angels, you end up being accused of questioning the word of God."
"Holy fuck, these guys are absolute jackasses." Loona said, shaking her head in disbelief. "How you get to be so entitled and be in Heaven? That makes no fucking sense."
Collin let out a long, pained, sigh. He wasn't sure of many things, and seeing how the system operated from a different perspective was just damning to his convictions. Not that he has much left at that point. He rested him attention on Loona, studying her tall figure more attentively. When he first met her, she gave off the impression of being depressive, to the point of becoming overly aggressive with anyone that tried to get close. Now it was clear that there was a more peaceful air around her figure, she smiled far more often, getting excited over things she never did before, and constantly looking back at him with a clear degree of care. Yet, despite the clear improvement, Collin felt that something was still off about her, something left to be addressed, although he wasn't sure how to go at it without triggering the defensive nature when bringing up anything about her past.
"Loona, do you... ever feel you will get along with Blitzo?" Collin asked abruptly. Loona blinked, surprised at the unexpected question, but her baffled expression quickly melted into a narrow look.
"Of all times you could ask. Fuck, not really, no. Look, the way he... 'adopted' me is problematic as it is. I don't like going into detail about that stuff, but I had a good reason to not want 'adoption'." She paused, crossing her arms while looking to the side hesitantly. It was clear that Loona was wary of bringing that topic up. "Since my... parents... left me, I was stuck in a shit place that was fated to condemn me to a life of servitude against my will."
"Excuse me, what?!" Collin looked back, seemingly affronted. His confusion quickly merging into shock. "Really? So he is actually your-
"DON'T fucking say it!" She shouted somewhat desperately. "No! He is not! Is that fucking clear!?"
Collin felt a huge wave of sadness consume him as she watched the Hellhound try her best to remain imposing, but the tears that fell from her eyes were truthful enough about her predicament. Octavia watched the exchange with a solemn look, feeling sorry for the Hellhound that was inevitably bound to something she never wanted.
"Look,... Hellhounds have a tricky way of life. For those who have families, it's a life of loyalty. For those who are claimed, is a life of servitude. Technically if a family member asks something of you, you can choose to follow it or not, as long there's a reason for it. For those who serve... you don't get a choice, you have to follow up on anything you're ordered to. The thing is that it does not specify when it has to be followed. I... don't think Blitzo knows." Loona continued, looking slightly shaken. "For him, it's just me being lazy and taking the piss of whatever he tells me to do and stuff. Yet, I can't ever really not do it. Is a fucking curse that I just don't have any idea of how to get rid." She lamented, looking back at the wolf with hopelessness. "If only he hasn't showed up for few more weeks."
Collin mulled that new information with extreme distaste, although he wasn't sure if there would be any point to fret about something he clearly has no way to fix. Using his spells to break a Curse could cause more harm than good, especially when lacking the information of how said Curse actually works. He looked towards Octavia expectantly, but the Owl merely shook her head.
"I wish I could help, but... those types of Curses are very strong. I don't have experience to deal with that... yet."
Loona nodded quietly, accepting that she had no way out of such predicament. The despair Collin felt at seeing her looking so defeated was damaging. He admonished himself mentally for being so incapable, making a decision of dwelling with Curses, for learning them would prove useful, regardless of the risks.
"Come on, let's get inside this fucking hotel, the sooner, the faster we get out."
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They finally arrived at the hotel's entrance, which seemed fairly simplistic in Collin's opinion, for he had witnessed far more impressive layouts from the Human realm. Yet, the classic Hellish look was evident, especially the standard need for their decorations to have several ominous eyes across the flat surfaces. Standing by the rather small double door entrance were two small goats, their generic Hell appearance of red fur and dark horns wasn't surprising, but what took the group by surprise was their behavior once greeting their new coming guest.
"Welcome to Hazbin Hotel ladies and gentleman." One of them said with the smoothest and gentlest tone that Collin didn't think it was possible to find in Hell. "My name is Harvin."
"And mine is Herald." The other said with a similar peaceful approach. "Please leave any baggage you have here while we gladly take your ride to the parking spot."
Collin, Loona and Octavia shared confused looks. The front of the hotel was a very spacy area that went all the way to the main street, surely the goats noticed they had no vehicle or baggage on them.
"Huh, we don't have it. So... yeah." Loona replied awkwardly, eyeing both goats with suspicion. "We just came here to have a talk with the owner."
At this both goats exchanged a brief look, before glancing back at the group with a frown.
"Miss Morningstar is... well, an important person of the business. We cannot assure she will have time to address requirements for small talk." The one called Herald informed them carefully. Octavia raised an eyebrow.
"I was not aware this was such a busy hotel, how many guests you have inside?" She asked somewhat cheekily. Herald and Harvin looked slightly less amiable after that question, another exchanged glance before Harvin sighed in defeat.
"Miss Morningstar will be informed of your visit. Please wait at the lounge and do not move towards anywhere else."
"Hey, do you guys have a place for drinks here?" Loona asked suddenly. Harvin blinked in surprise.
"Are you of age for drinking?" He asked firmly. The Hellhound scoffed at the ridiculous question, since when anyone in Hell ever fucking cared about that?
"Yes, I am. Yo-
"Loona." Collin warned, giving her an exasperated look. She shut her jaw forcefully, nodding in response but refusing to look back at the goats.
"Very well, you can have access to the cantina. Ask for Husker, he's the designated bartender."
Loona didn't say anything else, she just moved forward alongside an amused Octavia. Collin sighed as he addressed the goats.
"Sorry about her temper, she gets defensive quite quickly. I can't really blame her, she had it rough." He said apologetically. Both Herald and Harvin looked back towards the wolf in utter shock. Collin watched their reactions with confusion. "What?"
"You... are apologizing?" Harvin said in disbelief. Collin shrugged.
"Yeah? I mean, you guys look nice and probably have to deal with a lot of terrible attitudes around." He said sympathetically.
Herald and Harvin looked absolutely gobsmacked, to which Collin couldn't tell why they were acting like that. Realizing that they were looking foolish they quickly shook their heads as an attempt to regain some composure.
"I... sorry for our lack of manners. It is quite... astonishing, to say the least, to actually find someone who has a respectful approach to others. Normally we deal with... problems more often than not. Only Miss Morningstar has ever treated us with respect." He said, sharing a look of fondness with his companion. "It is the first time we ever see anything similar."
"Oh, I take this Morningstar must be a very kind person?" Collin guessed hopefully, feeling relief as both goats nodded with smiles on their faces. "Well, this should make for a nice meeting then."
"Hmm, quite so. I will let her know right away you're here." Harvin said as he pulled a small radio from the back of his waist. "I take the other two won't be a problem." He asked, pausing his actions while giving the wolf a rather inquisitee look.
"I will try my best to keep them out of trouble. I was the one who decided to come here anyway." Collin replied with a nervous smile. He was perfectly aware that it was up to him to make sure Loona and Octavia didn't end up causing issues they didn't need to deal. "Say, anything I should wary of?"
Harvin snorted, sharing a humorous glance with his colleague.
"In fact, yes. Miss Morningstar's associate is... quite eccentric, to put it simple. Be wary near him, he may look the sympathetic type." He vaguely advised, a flash of worry on his face that came by in the blink of an eye.
Collin nodded slowly his thanks for the warning, slowly moving towards the doors, but was surprised that Harvin was cordial enough to open it for him, something they had not done for the girls. He smiled his appreciation for the gesture as he waved his goodbye before getting inside.
He almost wished he stayed out as soon he took a look inside.
The place was, if one could ignore the insane amount of creepiness manifesting in every corner of the main hall, a rather clean and tidy place. Fancy carpets, paintings, statues and few other things he expected to find at the highest rated hotels in the Human realm. At least it would feel like that if the decorations weren't so bland in their respective colors, mostly black, red and few spots of white and yellow. Some purple lights located at darker areas that more resembled scary eyes preying into his presence. He shuddered as he heard the echo of his own padded feet as he walked towards, what he assumed, could be the cantina. His hopes were confirmed once he heard Loona's voice echoing not from far away. Yet, before he could enter the next room, someone came behind him, their steps loud and rather easy to distinguish as of heels.
Collin turned his head around to come face to face with one of the most Human looking Demons he ever saw so far. At least nothing on her appearance screamed Demon or any other of Hellish abomination. A rather young woman, dressed mostly on a dull white dress, long hair of similar color, although her dress had a small jacket covering her chest area, a symbol on it of what he assumed to be the Hotel's personal logo. His eyes were quick to take notice of how long her hair was, although not as big as Loona's. He raised an eyebrow, as the expression on the woman's face was one of mixed boredom with a narrow glare of suspicion.
"And who are you?" She asked dryly, making it clear she was not taking bullshit for an answer. Collin tried to ease the situation with a smile of his own.
"Huh, I'm Collin. Miss...?" He asked vaguely as he offered his hand as a sign for her to make her introduction. She huffed.
"Name's Vagatha, for you at least. I'm the manager."
"Oh, it's a pleasure then. I came with some friends to know this place better. Heard some interesting things about it and got curious." The wolf quickly replied, trying to remain cheerful. It seemed though that his happy attitude only was annoying her further. He frowned in concern. "Is everything alright Miss Vagatha?"
The woman in front of him seemed about to shout, but suddenly she froze, her right eye widening for a moment. Collin couldn't really see her other eye due the amount of hair covering it.
"W-What? What did you say?" She asked, seemingly stunned. Collin looks around, worried he may have crossed some line he wasn't aware of.
"Hum... I asked if you were alright." He repeated slowly.
Vagatha didn't reply. She stood speechless as she looked at the wolf more attentively, then her expression of bewilderment turned into a heavy frown.
"What kind of trickery is this?" A question that made Collin become extremely confused.
"H-Huh?! Trickery? No, no, this isn't a trick." He replied, his head tilting to the side, he looked at her with similar astonishment. "D-Did I say something wrong?"
"Look! I don't know how you're doing this, but I swear if you're trying to mess with me again Alas-
"Is everything alright here?" Said another female voice, to which both of them turned towards immediately. Collin had to blink a few times as his eyes landed on an even stranger person. Another woman, perhaps the same height as Vagatha, she was using a more formal clothing, proper of a business woman, although it was completely red. Her blond hair locked on a rather lengthy ponytail, her face resembled one of a circus clown, the red circles on her cheeks and pale face standing out like a sore thumb. Collin blinked, wondering if she was some kind of actor or entertainer.
"Urgh, not now Charlie, I'm dealing with Alastor's crap again."
"Excuse me?" Collin couldn't help but ask undignified. "I'm not related to anything about... Alastor." The wolf replying, his mind suddenly reminding him of who Alastor actually is and why he should be worried. "I assure you I have nothing to do with him." He added more firmly.
"Oh, that's okay! Welcome to Hazbin Hotel by the way! I'm Charlie Morningstar, the owner of this fine, errr... building!" She introduced herself with a huge smile, although somewhat dorkly. Collin chuckled, greeting her with a firm handshake, only to just realize had a very formal greeting for the first time ever since he got into Hell. "What brings you here? Harvin told me to come down look for you, he said it was important." She complemented with a curious look, only to gasp few seconds after. "Are you here to check in?!"
Collin reared his head a little bit as she got way too close to his face, he laughed nervously at her excessive enthusiasm, which was certainly off putting even for Heaven's standards.
"Err, that would depend of the price, I think." Collin replied evasively. Vagatha snorted, though she quickly suppressed any further reaction as Charlie threw her a sidelook.
"Well, that can be negotiated depending of your progress while staying here. You probably heard we're a different kind of hotel." She started, looking at him with something akin to appreciation, to which Collin wasn't sure how to react. "I know it is farfetched for some, but I truly believe we can achieve something better, for everyone. After all, we all have something good deep inside, and here we can help you find what you need to reach a happier afterlife. You don't have to suffer forever or be afraid of coming to... an end."
"Charlie, for the love of...! He's a Hellhound, Hellborn! He ain't going anywhere!" Vagatha exclaimed in exasperation. Charlie frowned again, this time she looked a bit worked up.
"Look, we talked about this Vaggie, I'm sure that can work the same for all kinds of Hell denizens."
"You don't know that! We're far from even getting one single soul to try this. No! Dust doesn't count, he's a selfish jerk who clearly is just taking advantage of your goodwill to have a place to sit his busted ass!"
"Hehehe, don't mind her. It's just... problems with some guests." Charlie smiled nervously as she turned back towards the wolf. "So, what do you say?"
Collin stood slackjawed during the entire conversation, his brain felt like exploding from what he just witnessed. He blinked few times once he was addressed again.
"Huh." Was his first intelligent response.
"Yes, I know that was a lot to take." Charlie said rather apologetically. Collin actually snorted at that one.
"That's a hell of an understatement." That response actually got a short laugh from Vagatha, to which Charlie merely rolled her eyes.
"Still, the offer is on the table. If yo-
"Okay, stop, please." Collin requested, raising his hand as he closed his eyes, desperate to get his thoughts organized. Charlie paused, looking puzzled. "Yeah, about what you just said... hum, I'm not really happy to be in Hell? Not at all, but I wouldn't say I want to go anywhere at the moment. Well, not without my..."
He paused, still at the fence on how to refer his relationship with Loona. He wasn't sure if he has the liberty to declare himself as her mate yet.
"I got someone special here, I'm not losing that yet. Also..." At this he let out a very guilty smirk. "Why would I try to go back to the place I just came from?"
Charlie blinked once, twice, several times. Her mouth hanging open for few moments, and she wasn't alone.
"Wait... did you just said... that you..." Vagatha looked petrified. "No, that has to be some bullshit." Collin shrugged, looking at Charlie with a significant glace.
"You know it ain't a lie, I know you do." He said to her, his voice carrying a rather sad undertone that would've convinced anyone.
Charlie was gobsmacked, she looked at him with a huge amount of confusion, yet, she felt that what was being said was genuine, which made the situation even more mind-blowing.
"OH...MY..." She started loudly.
"God?" Collin suggested, to which Vagetha rolled her eyes before talking.
"Satan? Although you saying that would be weird, no offense."
Charlie's excitement died down for a moment, a more somber look taking over her features before she quickly recovered her cheerfulness.
"Well, nevermind that! Can't you believe it Vaggie!? Our potential guest an actual Angel!"
"Actually I wasn't an Angel, more like... something lesser." Collin replied sheepishly. Charlie's smile died down to a worried frown.
"Huh? But I thought everyone in Heaven was the same? Equals and all?"
'Oh, boy. Here we go,' The wolf thought while grimacing. "How about we sit down? Maybe at the cantina? This... will take a long time to explain."