A/N: Happy New Year folks! I wish you all have success and find peace on whatever road you're aiming to travel. Thanks for sticking by and forgive me for this rather short chapter. :P
MadhatterZake;
"Thanks for sticking around! :0 Oh, I don't think I'm doing much really. It goes as it goes. I wasn't going to update but here it goes. Things are picking up soon."
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"Say, how about six day a week, and you two can get out at twelve on Saturdays. Laundry and service room is on us, also dinner, launch and breakfast. No Hellnet charges and we give you extra if you ever have to extend shift. I'm forgetting something?"
"Vacations, health care and few other things too."
"Right! Thanks Vaggie. Now, normally I would be doing this type of contract-
"Woah! Contract?!I'm not signing any damn paper!"
"Loona, calm down. I'm sure we can just read it first, just to make sure there's no issues with it."
"Fine but, if something screw us over, this is your fault."
"I will take the blame for it. Now, before we get to the signing part, I want to make some questions first."
"Sure! What you wanna know!? Oh! Did I mention you get extra if you become my advisor too?"
"... I will think about it. What I wanted to ask is... where's the rest of the staff?"
Charlie blinked. She glanced at Vaggie on her side, but she only received a shrug in return. Collin stared with something akin to disbelief at both of them. When they returned back to Hazbin hotel he wasn't really expecting things to look much different from his first visit but, after going through a more adventurous walk into their walls, he found the place to be in a state of abandon.
"What... do you mean? Everyone is here!" Charlie replied with cheerfulness, but her smile melted as Collin fixated her with an even stare. He slowly raised both hands, a finger standing up at each point he made.
"No front office manager, no concierge, no guest service agent, no night auditor, no kitchen staff, no security, no director of sales, no sales manager, no sales coordinator nor assistant, no executive housekeeper nor assistant, no continental breakfast attendant, you do have a house person but no room attendant, no chief maintenance nor assistant."
A silence followed as all stared at him with mixed expressions. Vaggie merely sighed, seemingly bored as if she already expected anyone to point that out. Charlie looked absolutely gobsmacked while Loona was somewhat stunned and also trying to not to chuckle at seeing the owner's obliviousness.
"Ah... shit." Charlie dramatically hit her forehead on the table in between the couples. Collin shook his head at such horrible oversight.
"Didn't Alastor told you this?" He pondered, unable to hide the incredulity about the Radio Demon's omission of so many functions for a Hotel to work adequately.
"Hmmfff." Was all Charlie said as she was still face planted on the desk. The wolf rolled his eyes, his mind at work on what had to be addressed.
"Well, good thing is we do have few areas covered. Yet, for actual guests to be here the very basic would be food and room service. You might wanna try to find people that can work in a kitchen AS A TEAM. No, no egos will do any good. We already have enough problems without adding kitchen nightmares to it, the food has to be good."
"You fucking watched Ramsey, didn't you?" Vaggie accused, exasperated at how cheesy the wolf sounded. "I get what you're saying, but let's not compare what happens on the Human realm with a-
"Hell's kitchen?" Collin couldn't help the shit eating grin on his face. Vaggie gave him a murderous look in return.
"Fuck you, you damn angelic bitch."
"Alright, alright! Let's get back to the problem, shall we?" Charlie said, after finally allowing herself to unstuck her face from the wooden table as she felt the tension rising. "Yes, we are terribly understaffed."
"Clearly an understan-
"Collin, shut the fuck up." Loona said after having enough of his attempts of humor. "You were saying Charlie?"
"We... gonna need a lot of help." She concluded, watching with genuine interest as Collin expressed his discontent with a angry pout towards the Hellhound. Loona chuckled and merely pecked his cheek briefly as if trying to excuse herself for the rudeness. "I believe we have filled the receptionist part and... Collin, perhaps you could be assistant general manager?" She asked kindly enough. The wolf shrugged.
"I suppose you will need someone to help you with how to get a sense of redemption by using an hotel." He replied slowly, several ideas coming to his mind as he though of several approaches that would be required to get the hotel running like a recovery house of sorts. "So, we do have Loona on reception, you working on general management. Vaggie on...?"
"Front office manager." She replied, looking very unpleased. "Not that I have issues with dealing with new blood, but they better learn their place if they wanna work here."
"I guess our new staff will feel very welcomed." Collin replied, although without any attempts on poking fun at her. "We still have... Husk? That's his name? Huh... I guess, he will be... concierge? Well, I guess he can work the night times more often than others. Also... who's this Angel Dust?"
"A fucking headache." Vaggie immediately replied. Charlie sighed, sounding somewhat frustrated.
"He's been our first attempt of trying the redeeming aspect of this place, but he has been rather... difficult. Mostly due his lack of genuinely thinking it to be worth his time. We tried convincing him with free rent and other things, but I'm not sure if that will even matter."
"I say we shoot him and leave his body on a dumpster." Vaggie said with some vengeance on her voice. Charlie let out an embarrassed laugh.
"Oh, hehe, err... Vaggie, you're always thinking of quick solutions! But this is not really that simple."
"It is actually." Loona suddenly said. "You point, shoot, and it's over. But how that will work? He would just come back, wouldn't he?"
"I have angelic weaponry to deal with little shits."
"Cool."
"Loona, murder should not be the first answer to a problem!" Collin chided, clearly miffed by how casually she talked about assassination. He was having a hard time understanding the Hellhound. She was a mess hours ago when they talked about what happened on that mission on the Human realm, but she clearly has no qualms killing anyone in this realm. It was confusing at times to figure what she even stands by. "Besides, we can't act based on something we know nothing about. I have little knowledge of what type of person Ange-
"A faggot."
"Vaggie! Please, can we not be so vulgar? We will have to start acting more appropriately when we start receiving guests." Charlie pleaded. Vagatha rolled her eyes, looking every bit of skeptical as possible.
"Hell guests? You have to be joking. As if we have any chance in the current state we are in. This place is fucking empty of all things but morons! Husk, Dust and that twin couple don't add anything to this place. Nifty, at least, does some fucking work around here. Even if she drives me up the walls at times."
"Yeah, quite literally so." Charlie couldn't help but agree regarding Nifty.
"I swear if that little rat touches me one more time while I'm asleep." Vaggie muttered under her breath with every bit of fury she was currently possessing.
"She isn't that bad. A bit eccentric and hyperactive, but fun regardless." Charlie tried to justify, to which Vaggie merely huffed.
"She blew the entire ventilation system because she was frustrated she couldn't fit in some of them! How does that help us?! We cannot afford property damage!"
"Err, yeah. That was... poor. Which is why you're here to let them know the right way of doing things!"
Collin and Loona couldn't help but shake their heads at how sudden Charlie would twist the conversation in a positive manner. Loona found her optimist to be rather excessive, Collin saw it as inspiring at times and overbearing at others.
"Yeah, me fixing their fuck ups all the time, as if wasn't bad enough to have to deal with your sugar hype minions."
"But Razzle and Dazzle have done nothing wrong, don't put them into this Vaggie." For the first time, since they met her, Charlie looked upset with Vagatha, allowing herself to express some anger towards her girlfriend. "They are hard working and extremely helpful."
"They are sweet addicts and more often than not are hiding in some room to fuck."
Charlie was about to reply, but that news caught her by surprise. Loona and Collin stared, unsure of what to say while feeling that they were being inappropriate by talking about the two goats like that. At least Collin felt it so, Loona seemed vaguely interested.
"Gay couple? Knew they were being too nice first time we met them." She said with a grin on her face. Collin frowned.
"So being gentle is enough for you to think of someone as gay?" He asked with a bit of spice on his voice. It was so terribly superficial and insufficient to judge someone like that he couldn't help but feel slightly angry.
"In Hell? That's the first thing that gives them away." Loona replied with a shrug. "I thought you gay too when we met, but that was just how Angels tend to be."
"Urgh."
"If we can go back at the problem at hand, we need to figure out how to fill the several other spots vacant." Charlie said, desperately wanting them to keep focused.
"We can think of something, I'm sure." Collin said, willing to offer some hope as they were facing a complicated situation. Loona snorted, looking down at him with incredulity."We?" She asked pointedly.
Whatever confidence the wolf was feeling quickly sipped away from his being. He stared back at the Hellhound, confused at what she was implying.
"Huh, what? We are going to work here... right?" He asked, becoming increasingly nervous as Loona didn't reply immediately.
"I mean," She started, looking very hesitant. "I said we would, as long as you dealt with that problem of mine with Blitzo."
"Oh, right." Collin winced, having forgot that crucial detail. Charlie's head tilted in curiosity.
"What problem is that? I'm sure I can lend a hand to speed the process, whatever it may be."
Loona eyed the Demon girl with skepticism. She has many reasons to not trust anyone but Collin, but something about Charlie was making her mind around. She seemed nice, but it went further than just trying to look nice. She was surprisingly genuine on the way she talked and acted. It was unlike anything the Hellhound saw, the only exception being Collin. Still, she's the daughter of Lucifer, there has to be something about her that simply cannot be ignored.
"Well, I was... kinda adopted." Loona started uneasily.
"Ah, let me guess, another of Beelzebub's successful results." Vaggie said with a very narrow frown.
"Who's that?" Collin asked, quickly taking notice of how everyone's expressions soured.
"That... bug. He's one of the most feared and hated Overlords around." Loona stated, her immense dislike about said being evident. "He's... been tasked with handling possible overpopulation issues among Imps and Hellhounds. It is done very gruesomely." The Hellhound shivered while thinking of the things she knew about the Overlord. "You don't wanna cross that guy, ever."
"What does he do?" Collin insisted, growing worried with Loona's visible discomfort.
"Beelzebub... he's a close one with my father. I don't like him either." Charlie started, her frown deepening. "Guy is so awful I cannot stand even talking about him. The things he does with Hellhounds and Imps. I just... I wish we just killed him."
Vaggie stared, surprised at hearing such extreme idea coming from Charlie. The Morningstar girl shrugged apologetically.
"He's that bad Vaggie, like... the worst kind. Alastor can be powerful, but even him has his own limits when it comes about doing... awful things. Yet, dad treats Bel like an old friend. At least I know mom doesn't like him either. Oh, and Cerberus absolutely loathes him."
"Will you tell me exactly what he does? Or you're worried about my mental health?" Collin asked, somewhat jokingly and with a touch of annoyance. Loona regarded him with an even stare.
"Let's put it this simple. Few of his favorite things to do is torturing, devouring and chaos. He probably gets off at seeing others being devoured very slowly. Imps are one of his main dishes. Hellhounds? All types of slaves you can think of, minions to do his binding, or just trade tokens. He usually sold pelts after skinning them alive, but that wasn't giving much income so he gave up on it. He sure enjoyed making them fight, especially during mating seasons, one big arena so the males would kill each other for the female prize."
Collin was in between letting out a nervous laugh or puking. Charlie sighed heavily, she seemed very empathetic of Loona's kind as she was for all other creatures.
"Hellhound population was getting problematic so Beelzebub created many ways to extinguish the numbers. Even so there were still many Hellhounds being breed around, those many pups ended up abandoned simply cause there was no way the parents could raise them without any money or care. Or they were killed." Charlie stated, her memories about that particular lesson resurfacing. "All rings have Hellhounds that escaped from Beelzebub's extermination age. Of course, as the decades went by, the problem became worse and he's mostly to blame for it. Food and job is scarce across all rings. Imps were causing a similar issue, but Beelzebub was much ferocious dealing with them."
"And Cerberus let him?!" Collin was shocked to the core. Loona shook her head.
"Cerberus follows orders only from Lucifer. Which makes it clear that Lucifer ordered him to let it happen." The Hellhound gave Charlie a brief stare, looking for confirmation, which she promptly received in return. "We... don't really have anyone but ourselves to blame."
"Being tortured, hunted down, imprisoned, murdered and several other things is something you dare to blame yourself?!" Collin was shaking from sheer anger at the absurd. Loona's eyes widened, caught by surprise from the growl that just came out from the wolf. Suddenly it felt as if the entire room was vibrating. Charlie and Vaggie blinked, looking around for the source of the light tremor, but only Loona took notice of what was causing it.
"Collin, calm down. It's not exactly like that." She somewhat pleaded, feeling very concerned by how the wolf's eyes glowed a different color for the briefest of seconds. The wolf took in a deep breath, his fists trembling as he struggled to regain control of his temper, which flared in a way she never saw before.
"Huh, is everything alright?" Charlie asked hesitantly, she was slowly making the connection of what just transpired with the wolf's reaction. Collin merely shook his head before anyone could reply.
"No, this is Hell. Nothing is right about it. I..." He paused, a conflicted look on his face as he glanced around. "... I need to take some time. Clear my head a bit. Sorry."
-000-
"So... do you wanna talk, or..."
"..."
"What happened back there? I never seen you get so... angry. I got really worried."
"... I didn't mean to worry you. I... I just can't take this... this evil. What I heard about this Beel Demon, it just... it fills me with so much hatred. Like the amounts I never felt before. All that anger." Collin snorted, his eyes fixating on the streets below, as he kept his arms crossed over the stony balcony. "It felt... justified. I wanted to... do things I should never think of. I wanted... to be violent. But... that's not who I am. Hearing you saying that your kind deserved it. I refuse to accept that, nor I should feel passive about what he does with Imps. It's just... they are different, but still living beings. How can someone just... but he's not someone. He's a vile thing, like nothing I've heard of. To do such with his own people."
Another paused followed. Collin was feeling a weight inside his chest he never felt before. The amount of hopelessness, dread and fury was starting to consume his rational thought. So many emotions being bottled up inside his soul, he was on the verge of exploding. He was afraid of what would happen then.
"As much you want to be always good, maybe... you need to be bad about some stuff. Collin, you don't have to be perfect, you know that, right?" Loona questioned, looking down at him worriedly. "I don't need you to be perfect, just trustworthy."
Collin nodded distractedly. He understood Loona's concerns, but he felt so taxed about the world around him that he wasn't sure anymore what he wanted to be or do with his life. If it wasn't for her, perhaps he wasn't even sure how much it would be worth to remain alive. Loona is all he has left, perhaps all he needs.
"I wonder... why God made things like this? Why create pain, suffering, despair, tragedy, hopelessness? I don't get it, is to test us? Punish us? Because of what exactly? Why anyone would deserve it?" He pondered aloud, unable to hide his frustrations. Loona stared at him pensively. She wasn't really keen on talking that kind of topic, but this was one of those times she needed to make some sort of effort to help her mate.
"Do you believe that?" She asked pointedly. Collin shrugged without looking at her.
"You mean, God? I... don't know. Lucifer is very real, so... probably so is God. Heaven is real, so is Hell. Yet... I feel like... I've been forsaken." Suddenly a small smile reached his muzzle, his eyes fixating on Loona with deep appreciation. "You're my only light in this pit of darkness. I have nothing, nor anyone, else to believe."
Loona was very surprised by such strong admission, but she smiled in return nonetheless.
"And so are you." She said quietly. She grabbed his hand, pulling lightly in an effort to guide him back inside. "Come on, we still have a lot to talk with Charlie. I... will move in, with you. I promise."
Collin's eyes widened, not expecting her to fully accept the owner's offer so quickly. Loona has been constantly changing her mind on whether she wanted to or not, but it seemed she finally came to a decision. Before he could reply she planted a rather intense kiss on him, their muzzles locking firmly as he became instantaneously dazzled by the sudden connection.
As wonderful the moment felt, his head was starting to spin after few seconds without breathable air. He tapped the Hellhound's shoulder lightly as a request to bring their moment to an end. She slowly complied, exiting his mouth with reluctancy. They eyed each other for a very silent minute. The burning desire in her glowing ruby eyes very evident. He chuckled as he realized how that passionate moment lifted that horrible weight from his soul.
It clicked for him then, at that very instant, how strongly she truly feels for him. The realization came down crashing into him like a wild moose. His hand reached at one of her ears, he caressed it affectionally, his heart was hammering in his chest like mad. The surge of emotion was nearly indescribable. He finally said the words before his lungs failed on him completely.
"I love you too."