A/N: "Yes. I watched Episode 8 for Season 1... oh, boy. Field day with this new character coming up. Hell wise."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o00o0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"So, how about, instead of making a permanent thing, we can hire you three as a third party? Sounds like a better deal, if you decide to go back to running your company later."
"Hmm, yeah, sure. That works fine, I guess. As long we don't pay any rent until we figure things out."
"Oh, there will be no need. Anyone who works here has no need to pay for anything, just... don't exaggerate on the food and drinks."
"Huh, food? Have you found a kitchen staff?"
"Right! Huh, about that Collin, I'm... not sure. I mean, perhaps we could look around the other rings?"
"What about Gluttony? Sure they must have something there, or rather lots of people that understand about cooking."
"Gluttony ring? Huh, well. I would look there, buuuuut there's a tiny problem with that."
Collin stared in utter bafflement. He was sharing a rather sizable table, sitting alongside Loona, Blitzo, Moxxie, Millie, Vaggie, Husker, Razzle, Dazzle, Charlie and another individual he wasn't really familiar with. He seemed like a fluffy spider-like humanoid with pale white and pink colors and, despite the weird appearance, rather soft for Hell's average type of Demon.
"So, what problem could that be? Also, who's this?" The wolf asked, pointing towards the new face.
"Oh, right! This is Angel Dust. He's... working with us." She explained with some restraint, which was rather odd in Collin's opinion.
"Awww, that's sweet. But I have enough hands to shake and make the introduction myself sweets!" Said the one called Angel Dust, to which Collin couldn't help but frown as he recognized what the name meant.
"Wait... isn't that the name of a drug?" He asked pointedly, giving the spider being a hefty look. Angel merely shrugged while Vaggie snorted. "Also... you call yourself Angel? I mean... that's... eh." Collin wasn't even sure of how to describe this absurd that he merely huffed.
"And how does someone like you know that?" Vaggie asked to the wolf, purposefully letting out the fact he's a Fallen for the sake keeping Angel from prying further into things he shouldn't known. Collin returned his attention to Vaggie with an aggravated look.
"I took care of people that had issues with such. It was in my obligation to learn these things to make sure I would help my... clients to avoid them." He explained carefully, giving Angel a narrow side glance. "It was very unpleasant to understand the results that such item could cause on a...person."
"Tch, what are ya, some homeboy nursing the faint-hearted?" Angel asked with a smirk. Collin, for the first time since in Hell, felt a tiny bolt of anger caused by some stranger's shallow words. He didn't know why, but this Angel Dust sparked something very unethical inside of his being. Perhaps years of seeing how much drugs caused horrible devastation towards healthy lives and stable families, it just made him very biased against someone that deemed worth to name themselves after such atrocity. Yet, while Collin understood he was allowed to feel repulsion about it, it was not his place to express judgment.
"More or less." Collin replied calmly, which surprised almost everyone at the table, except Charlie and Loona, who let out smiles instead. They both knew Collin would never sink low when it came about reacting to something awful that was said to him. Noticing their smiles the wolf felt his cheeks flush a bit before continuing. "Err, I was just meant to aid and research the effects. I don't necessarily think they needed to suffer with abstinence, for something that only gives them a huge spark of relief for few moments. It's sad actually. Imagine having such a hollow and meaningless life that you need such remedy to feel that it has something to make you feel if you're even alive. No matter how artificial of a lie that is. Perhaps names are nothing but a reflection of our personality."
Vaggie couldn't help but erupt in laughter at seeing Angel's gobsmacked face. Some loud snickering flew across the table as everyone slowly realized the backhanded insult the wolf just made at Dust's expense. Even Charlie was struggling to not laugh while Loona and, surprisingly, Husk were looking delighted.
"Serves you right."
"Shut up." Was Dust's only reply to Vaggie, crossing his arms while frowning at no one in particular.
"Okay, okay. I guess... let's avoid talking things we shouldn't." Charlie tried to ease off the awkwardness. She frowned in thought as she realized that, since Collin has heavy Heavenly orientation, perhaps the topic of drugs was going to be rather sensitive for him to even approach. It clearly rubbed the wolf in the wrong way and Angel was most likely to try to get on his nerves on a latter occasion.
"You think this one is bad? Heh, you should see how things go in the Gluttony Ring. Shit's really fucked there." Husk commented, which surprised almost everyone but Charlie, who gave the Hellcat a rather nasty glare. Husk rarely talked unless spoken to, and even then he would only reply occasionally. Collin raised an eyebrow, while also giving Loona a worried sideways glance.
"Isn't that Beelzebub's domain? I already heard enough from it to understand how awful it can get." Collin replied slowly, wondering what else could even be happening at such place.
"Beelzebub's a fucking asshole, for sure." Husk said without even looking at anyone in particular, his attention was rather lingering and it was starting to give the impression that the Hellcat may be light on his head after a few. "But, oh boy, nothing pays off more than seeing his daughter doing the complete opposite of what he usually does. It drives him mad as fuck, hah! She kinda reminds me of Miss 'Wanna Make Hell a Better Place' over here." He said while pointing at an annoyed Charlie. "That girl is fucked in the head or something, but at least she can be entertaining. She actually looks at Imps, Hounds and other Demons as all the same."
"What?" This astounded even Loona, who was unaware of the existence of such Demon. "There's no way someone like that would have Beelz as a parent." Husk snorted, before belching.
"Urgh, fuck. That one came down heavy... as for the dumb happy kid, probably has nothing to do with stuffing her face with some strong shit." He added with a drowsy smirk. "I've been in one of her little get outs with a bunch of other folk once. More like... worked there for a few hours. She is crazy as fuck, you wouldn't believe the things that come out of her mouth."
"So you're saying... that Beelz daughter is a crazy drug addict." Vaggie elaborated slowly, unsure if she should even be surprised or not. Husk shrugged, almost falling out of the chair with such simple motion.
"YYYeeaahhh. Some...thing like that. I just tell you this... if you ever go at one of her get outs *hic* don't eat or drink jack shit, it will get you willlld."
Collin gave everyone around him an alarmed glance.
"She... drugs people?" He asked, feeling his stomach turn inside out very slowly. "Do they know?"
"Maybe? I never saw anyone fucking care."
Collin was perplexed. A drug addict, drugging more people, while also being a gentler soul than she has any right to be? The wolf felt his head spinning, unsure what even was Hell at this point. Perhaps chaotic would be the most suitable word. Before he could say anything, Loona suddenly spoke regarding that matter.
"I... kinda heard of this get out before, I think." The Hellhound said slowly. Struggling with her memory to find the necessary information. "Vortex mentioned that he went down with his girlfriend to Gluttony a few times. Something about a huge party that happens a dozen times per year. But I never got much detail about it. All I know is that he didn't like it much, but his girl loved going there when they had the chance."
"Err, excuse me?" Said Blitzo, giving everyone a rather aggravated glare. "Can we just get over with this whole 'staying here and work at' stuff first? No offense Loon-na. I just wanna be done and get some sleep." He added with a tired sigh.
"Sure, yeah, no problem." The Hellhound nodded apologetically. "Err, you were saying Charlie?" She quickly asked, shifting her attention back to the Morningstar Demon. She blinked, taken aback by being focused again so suddenly.
"Ah, right. Like I was saying. I think we can work some details regarding your shifts and whatnot, we don't need everyone at once since there's... not many people staying at the moment. Razzle and Dazzle can fill you three on the usual routines and schedules for all we have planned so far. Normally I would wait Alastor to go through the motions, but he's out doing his... whatever it is." She said with some exasperation. Charlie had no idea why the Radio Demon felt the need to go on escapades out of the blue, but it was not her business to pry if it had nothing to do with the Hotel. "As for Loona, she will be working at reception, Vaggie already has been working some things to address on that matter, also... I believe I will have Collin, uh, rotate? Sorry, I couldn't really think a place for you to be at without needing your help elsewhere. I think it's best if you just go wherever you are needed."
"Sounds fine by me." Collin said in agreement, followed by the more timid nods from I.M.P and Loona. "Err, is there anything else? I think we all could use some rest after this... eventful day." He added with a shy smile. While Loona and the others put some physical work, the wolf was feeling mentally exhausted, he wouldn't be surprised if Loona was on a similar state.
"Yeah, it is getting late. I have other things to do also. So, see you all tomorrow morning?" She asked, smile brightening as her confidence on the Hotel's future soared high. Everyone nodded, most just wanting to be done and leave. Yet, before she could dismiss then, Collin suddenly came back with a rather obvious question.
"Wait, Charlie. You said there was a problem with the Gluttony ring about hiring folks from there. What was it? You never really explained." He reminded her with a puzzled expression. Charlie blinked dubiously, she had also forgotten her own words on that conversation.
"Oh! Right! Urgh, can't believe that escaped me so easily!" She admonished herself, a trembling smile of embarrassment. Although her nervousness quickly died down. "The problem with hiring from Gluttony is... well, obviously Beelz. He doesn't really take kindly to people taking his servants away from his ring, even more so if it's to temporarily serve another Lord or whoever it may be. For him, anyone at Gluttony is... sort of his 'property', as a manner of saying."
"But... Vortex doesn't work there. He works for Verosika." Loona pointed out, followed by a nod of agreement from Blitzo. Vaggie snorted.
"That's cause he signed a servient contract. That way he's bound to her needs until she no longer finds him useful to her. If she terminates the contract then the Hound would simply be obliged to return to Gluttony ring until he's hired again by an outsider. Sure, she may be paying him awfully bad, but it is still a rather loose servitude. He does have his liberties like any normal worker. Any Hellhound hired that works outside of Gluttony has a tax on them, which works sort of like renting."
"But.. they're people. You can't jus-
"It's Hell moron, did you forget?" Vaggie quickly cut Collin's complain. The wolf looked down with a frown, unable to say anything in response. Loona placed a hand on his shoulder, sympathizing with his frustration. "Yes, it could be a lot worse. Hounds weren't even allowed any sort of choice until before Beelz daughter came around few decades ago. She's the only reason why any Hounds are roaming outside Gluttony these days."
"Which made Beelz very grumpy, I must say." Charlie added with a grin. "Hounds became so needed in most rings, and quite popular, that my dad actually congratulated Beelz daughter on the idea of servient contracts. Gluttony makes lots of money, the amount of hands to work is vast and cheap, and there would be no problems with Hellhound overpopulation at Gluttony for the few decades to come. Beelzebub legitimately would have no reason to complain, but... he kind of did."
"Shouldn't he... like, be proud of his daughter?" Collin asked hesitantly, casting a brief glance at Blitzo. The Imp was actively frowning harder the more he heard of the conversation. Charlie seemed uncertain of how to respond, she sighed before contemplating how to properly address the results of such debate.
"Beelzebub... is way too proud, especially with his close friendship with my father. He.. does not take kindly to anyone making him look bad, even if of his own blood."
"Woah... what a fucker." Loona couldn't help but say her mind. "Blitzo sucked as a parent, but at least he wouldn't be that much of a jackass."
"Thanks?" The Imp said, unsure if he should take that as a compliment or not. Loona chuckled.
"I mean good. No, really. I'm kinda feeling bad for his... what's Belz daughter name again? You guys never said."
"Huh... Little B?" Charlie frowned, wondering if she heard that right. Husk let out a burp before laughing like a maniac. Loona couldn't help but share the same deadpanned look she has on her face with the others.
"You can't be serious. That's how he calls her?" Even Vaggie was astounded.
"It's a 'B', with two 'e'. Like the insect, bee." Charlie tried to explain, unable to help the smirk on her face. She was shamefully aware of why they were reacting so strongly to such name.
"That's awful, but can't say it's worse than some." Collin quipped, with a short glance towards Angel Dust, who in turn merely flipped him. The exchange made Vaggie snort while Loona giggled silently.
"Still, back to the contract issue. Hmmm, it will be quite costly for me to hire anyone from Gluttony." Charlie was being evidently worried with the amount it would take to hire even a handful. "The issue wouldn't just be Beelz, but mostly Little B actually. She's the one who runs the contract business, at least that's what I learned recently." At this Charlie casted a significant glance towards Loona. The Hellhound nodded, feeling very grateful that the girl actually looked into her current dilemma. "Beelzebub took a backseat on that matter after his wife sort of... gave him an earful. Not that I know for sure, it's mostly speculation. So, yeah. Perhaps we could send someone to talk with Little B and see if we can get a deal. Yet, it's unlikely we will find her with free time to even have an appointment."
"What about the parties she does? Wouldn't that be a good time?" Loona suggested with a shrug. "Yeah, it sucks doing business when people wanna have fun but, ain't you like, Lucifer's daughter? I would think she would listen to you."
"Oh, woah, someone with common sense, finally." Vaggie said, letting out a rather dramatically sigh of relief. Collin and Husker frowned due Vaggie's disregard with their previous interactions.
Charlie nodded slowly. It made sense for the Hellhound to point out that, by being Lucifer's daughter, the Morningstar would have more ground to held onto when it came about dealing with other powerful Demons and Overlords of the seven rings. Still, she wasn't known for going into parties, and certainly never have been in one at Gluttony despite all these past decades of several personal life experiences.
"Hmm, the problem is figuring out when she would be hosting one of those. Little B tends to be rather selective with who she invites, as far as I know. You can't just show up and think it will be fine. From what I learned, she has trust issues with folk from different rings unless they live at Gluttony. Something about their weird energy, whatever that means."
"Shouldn't be a problem really." Loona immediately said with a confident grin. "I got some...a friend that has been in one of her parties, shouldn't be hard to figure out when is the next. I will keep you posted when I get any news on it."
"Really? That's great! Thanks Loona." Charlie seemed way more enthusiastic now. "Say, why don't we go there together? I'm curious about these parties to be fair." At this she quickly glanced at Vaggie with a pleading look. Vaggie rolled her eyes with a rueful smile.
"Sure, I can watch the Hotel while you're out. Don't worry, I will make sure it's not on fire when you get back... this time."
"Thank you!" Charlie immediately hugged her, to which Vaggie couldn't help the embarrassment as the others chuckled at the sight.
"Alright, I had enough. See ya later bitches." Angel Dust waved unceremoniously as he walked towards the elevators. Razzle and Dazzle quickly left their chairs to orient Millie, Moxxie and Blitzo to their respective rooms. The pair of goats was fairly quiet during the entire event, likely due them not having any real input to offer, or due being busy exchanging private messages on their phones. Husk tried to walk, but fell flat on his face, to which Vaggie had a vindictive smile on her face as she started rolling him away towards the cafeteria.
"Come on, let's get you something that doesn't smell rancid for once. Last thing we need is you ending up in a trash can again. I already had enough explaining to Nifty that you're not an old rug to be throw at first sight, not that I disagree with her take."
Soon the moans of protest from the Hellcat died out, leaving only Charlie, Collin and Loona at the table. The Morningstar let out a long sigh of relief. While she found meetings important, it was still a bit of a work out for her to get used which such undivided attention.
"Well, there's that. I hope we can make this work. At least we can sort most of our staff issues if things go well. Yet, I'm not even close to finding a potential client for what I intend." She lamented.
"Speaking of that, I was wondering." Collin started, quickly gaining her attention. "Does this only goes for Sinners? What about Hellborn? You think you could try with them?"
"I don't think so. I imagine we talked this previously. Hellborn won't really have any sort of recognition due Heaven's policy regarding who belongs where. Like you said, going to Heaven is a huge struggle if compared with ending up in Hell. I don't see how Hellborn would accomplish that. Aren't they inherently evil in Heaven's view?"
"That's the thing, I'm not sure anymore. I've met some nice Hellhound, and even Imps, that I wouldn't exactly say are not worth of that chance, why they would they be off-charts? It doesn't make sense to me at least. Heh, nothing of this is making much sense to be honest." Collin couldn't help the lackluster smile on his face.
"You can say that again." Loona added her own thoughts into the conversation. "This is wild, especially when looking back at what happened past this week. I'm... really thinking and kinda having a hard time believing myself. Say, you found something about the contract then?"
At this Charlie's face soured tremendously, which took the other two by surprise.
"Unfortunately, yes." She said slowly, giving them a tired glance. "I don't think you will like what I'm about to tell you."
Loona exchanged a brief glance with Collin, who merely shrugged in return.
"Shoot, what else can we do anyway? Let's hear the news." Charlie nodded, crossing her arms over the table while staring pensively at its shiny wooden surface.
"I managed to get hands on Bee's servitude contract, out of curiosity. I learned a great deal from it, but on further inspection I found the same type of energy used to bind you and Blitzo. It was sealed on the paper until it could be released by signature."
"And how is that a problem?" Loona asked dubiously. So far it seemed as expected from all they learned recently. Charlie frowned lightly.
"The problem is that I also managed to get hands on an adoption formula, made specifically to be used by adoption houses regarding Hellhounds. That certificate of adoption has no binding energy whatsoever, or any energy at all. It's also made by Little B."
At this Collin felt his own mind spinning the wheels, realizing that something wasn't making much sense with this story. Even Loona's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Wait, if that is true... I was adopted with a servitude contract?!" She couldn't help her tone rising. Anger boiling at the audacity of such act. "Why would they fucking do that?!" Charlie sighed.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out, not to mention who knows how many Hounds were adopted this way on the last decades. I actually need to talk with Bee about this, which is quite enough of a reason for her to take my visit seriously. If there's someone forging adopting contracts on her back she will be way more than really pissed off."
"I will work on that right away." Loona said without missing a beat, pulling her phone and quickly scanning through her contact list. "Shit, Vortex is not on right now."
"What about Ferala and Hazno? We really didn't talk with them ever since that party." Collin suggested, reminding her of the Hellhound couple they met days ago. Loona blinked, stumped that she had actually forgotten that encounter.
"Oh, shit! You're right! I totally forgot! Fuck, I suck at this friendship stuff." She admonished herself, to which Collin was unsure if she was just being a bit dramatic or actually frustrated.
"I'm at fault too, though. We didn't call them after that day. I should know better." He said, hoping to alleviate her guilt.
"Well, yeah, I guess. I hope they know anything about those Gluttony parties." She said before pressing call on Ferala's number. The three awaited patiently for the call to be answered.
"Yo, what's up? Loona, is this you?" Came the familiar voice of the female Hound over the phone.
"H-Hey, Ferala! All good? I, uh... yeah. It's me... we haven't talked for a while. Sorry about that." Loona stammered slightly as she replied. A chuckle was heard coming from the other end.
"Well, yeah. Like, four, five days? Ain't really that long. I'm glad to hear from you again, what about your cute sheep friend? Is he with you?"
"Huh, yeah. He is." Loona said hesitantly. Last time Ferala saw Collin was with him still on his poorly disguised sheep form. It would certainly be quite the event for Ferala to learn what happened since then. "Listen, I kinda need some information. It's about those parties at Gluttony."
"Oh, curious about Bee's parties? Yeah, no one would ask about anything but that when it comes to Gluttony. I've been in one last year. It was... different. Not really my thing to be honest. Bee is kinda of nice, just... too eccentric for me."
"Huh, so, any idea when the next one would be. I'm curious to see what the big deal is about." The Hellhound asked carefully, making sure to sound neutral as possible.
"Well, the parties tend to be at her house. It's huge! That girl is surely swimming in the gold, ha! That's a bit of a pun with the honey an- n-nevermind. I believe is at Nectar district, the tallest hill, you wouldn't miss it at all, it's very telling on the place she lives. Easy access just for the party day, otherwise is usually closed up with a bunch of security. Trust me, she has a ton of them."
"Any advice for when we get there?"
"Y-yeah. Don't eat or drink fucking crap they offer you. Hazno went really off when he did, I had a really hard time making him leave later on. I dunno what they put in that, I was just pissed they didn't tell us. The smell is crazy too, it's incredibly alluring, I would keep my nose sealed if I were you."
"What about the Bee girl?"
"Bee girl? Loona, if this is going to be your first time, be careful what you say. Bee can be a sweetheart at times but, you step out of the line, you will be in a world of trouble. I saw it happen with some egocentric Hellhound who thought he owned the place. Bee actually tried to reason with him but guy was a dumbfuck. Well, he sure wasn't walking for the rest of the night once she was done with him. Try to be... reasonable at best. I know you kinda get angry really easy."
"I do not!... fuck. Fine, I will work on it. Anything else?"
"Huh... maybe? Oh! Yeah, don't let Bee talk you into whatever she wants you to do. She tried to get me and Hazno on a threesome, but I managed to talk my way out of that one. That girl is thirsty as fuck."
"...duly noted." Loona couldn't help the deadpan tone on her voice while Charlie was clearly giggling, Collin just seemed troubled.
"Oh, I was checking the calendar, this info you can find on the webs actually. She's actually hosting a party this weekend."
"This weekend!? Really?!"
"Yep! Although you would need invites to get in. She's not really into just letting an-
"Yeah, yeah. I'm aware of that. Thanks Farala, say... how about we meet up again?" Loona couldn't help but ask. She glanced sideways to catch Collin giving a nod of approval.
"Oh! That sounds cool to me! How about next week? I want to go shopping and Hazno needs some stuff of his own. Maybe, Lily's Hellscape? That place has of everything, I swear."
"Sounds like a deal, catch you then girl."
"See ya! Tell Collin I said hi!" She shouted excitedly before ending the call. Loona chuckled, feeling way better after that phone call. Perhaps she was overthinking about not calling back. She stared towards the anxious expressions of Collin and Charlie.
"I guess we have a party to crash this weekend. Let's try to look nice at least."