The next morning, they awoke at the same time, unlike all previous incidents of them sleeping in the same place. A subdued and heavy silence drifted over them in the haze of the early hour.

Dust floated in the air above their heads and the pair watched it flitter through rays of gray sunlight and then out of sight. The windows lightly rattled with the promise of rain.

Neither moved, neither spoke. Charlie had her head on the pillow next to his and Alastor held her by the elbow, his other arm trapped beneath her neck. Sore and beaten from the evening, the duo struggled to find any words appropriate to speak.

Charlie broke the silence first, propping herself up. "Hey…"

She mustered up a weak smile and poked at her companion, his face an odd blend of emotion.

"What happened last night?"
Alastor sighed, leaning up himself. "How much do you remember?"

She shook her head. "Some. I remember parts…feelings… but it's like waking up after a dream." Though she remembered more than she let on.

"Perhaps… that is the most ideal outcome for you."

"I'm sorry…" Charlie frowned, searching his expression for any hint of crossness. "I didn't imagine that would happen."

"Neither did I. I'm sorry you had to endure that, my dear. I won't be so foolish as to endeavor another similar attempt."

"It's okay. But hey, I finally know more about you! Careful what you wish for, I guess?" She tried to lighten the mood but immediately grimaced the second the words left her mouth.

Alastor's expression was blank save for his customary smile. He looked at her, but said nothing.

Charlie rubbed at her arm, considering her surroundings for a moment rather than dwell any further on his silence. They slept together, again, something she wasn't necessarily mad at. She was comfortable with him, as only close 'friends' could be.

Alastor opted to stay in her room rather than make himself scarce as expected. Why hadn't he left? But she couldn't fault him for that, the events of last night being particularly harrowing and in his case, bordering on traumatic.

She knew what she saw was not revealed to… probably anyone. And after all her begging and scheming to get him to open up, he was forced upon the operating table, and she had wielded the scalpel. The thought ate at her like a guilty hunger.

She thought he'd be angry. But he seemed worn out instead, though still like himself. She worried that this event might cause him to become even more closed-off than before. But his languid body-language gave her a bit of hope.

And his sleeping in her room, holding her over night, despite everything that happened, told her that he wasn't completely repelled by her accidental digging into his soul.

Charlie kept on the greatest poker face of all time, even keeping her blush at bay as memories of last night continued to eke into her mind.

Oh, she remembered what she said. It had just slipped out, in the same way a person overwhelmed in the moment might just say whatever was on their mind. It wasn't a complete inaccuracy, she cared deeply for all her friends, but the ease in which it just left her mouth was the biggest surprise of all.

She wanted nothing more than to pretend it never happened and she hoped against hope that Alastor was feeling the same. He wouldn't mock her for it, would he? Saints, why did she say it? Why, why? And why deny it even to herself? They're friends, she's allowed to say things like that! She said it all the time!

If he had any gentlemanly spirit at all, as he often claimed he did, he would allow her the peace of never bringing it up ever again. And yet, were he to not say anything at all… that too would be…

"Shall we get up, my darling?" Alastor finally said, oh-so-casually, like this was a common occurrence for the two of them.

…a mighty shame.

Charlie schooled her features and nodded. There was a lot to do today and she couldn't afford to let her emotions run her world amuck. She already had enough of that from her break up with Vaggie.

As she turned to pull the covers off of her, something caught her eye. A dark blur, stark against the paleness of her skin.

Charlie pulled her hand to her face and there she examined… a spot. Black as pitch and taking up a corner of her pointer finger's tip.

"Al…" she began, a quaver to her voice.

"What is it, my dear?

She shoved her hand in his direction and with a quick misunderstanding, he entwined his fingers with hers and grinned, back to his usual self. "Did you enjoy sharing my bed?" he asked.

"Yes– argh, no! It's my bed! Look at my finger!" She removed her hand from his and shook her finger in front of him.

He took it up within his grasp and examined her blackened digit. There was no movement, no swirling magnetism, save for a thin border of aberration.

"What am I looking at? An ink stain?" His brows furrowed in concentration.

"I don't know, but it wasn't there last night." Charlie's anxiety grew as she watched Alastor's expression shift to one of concern.

"It doesn't look like the Mark…" he began, turning her hand towards the light for a closer look. "Does it feel like anything?"

Charlie pressed her hand to her chest and thought about it for a moment, looking internally for any out of the ordinary feeling.

She touched it, lightly brushing her opposite hand over the black spot. Alastor reached out to stop her but was too slow to stay her hand.

"Not really," she began, missing his attempt. "It tingles a little, maybe? I can't really tell. It's warm… but that might just be my own body heat…"

"You didn't touch me?" Alastor asked, contemplating last night's sequence of events.

Charlie involuntarily blushed at the wording. She had touched him, but through his clothes, and on his neck… "N-not that I recall."

Alastor, of course, read her expression immediately, an amused smile growing on his face. But as much as he wanted to tease her about it, there were new pressing matters at hand, quite literally. Plus, bringing up last night might bring up other matters…

"Let's not jump to any rash conclusions, it could be nothing, just some leftover residue from our wayward attempt."

Charlie nodded, eagerly accepting the deer demon's analysis, preferring to bury her apprehension under some misguided optimism. It would do neither of them any good to worry about it beyond what they already had to worry about.

She brought her finger to eye-level and stared at the spot. It certainly didn't feel malicious… Her eyebrows scrunched, wishing she could just wipe it away. "Should I cover it up? With a glove?"

"That might just draw more attention to it, my dear. Let's keep an eye on it for now, and you tell me if anything strange happens," Alastor said, a careful weight to his words. "We'll figure out what to do."

"Okay…" she said, hesitant. "But what if someone touches it?" When she touched it herself, nothing happened, but the possibility of someone brushing against her hand was not a small chance. Plus she used her hands all the time! And waved them around, and grabbed onto people… A glove would surely mitigate all those things.

"Hmm," Alastor thought fleetingly, forming a 'v' shape over his chin. He reached out a gloved hand for her own marked one and brought her finger towards his face.

Charlie watched him, questioning. As always, wondering what the deer demon was thinking.

He gripped her wagging finger and placed it gently against his lips, planting a kiss at its very tip, right against the black spot.

"Al! Stop! What're you doing? What if something were to happen!?" Charlie flushed crimson, trying to yank her arm back and failing.

Alastor paused, pondering on if he felt any different. He had little to lose at this point, practically welcoming some consequences. "Nothing yet," he smiled. "Oh, how about this?" He placed another kiss along her knuckle and then another against the back of her palm. He traced his lips along her wrist bone and nibbled.

"A-Alastor– please!" Charlie cried, goosebumps traveling all the way down her arm. Her shoulders tensed and her stomach twisted against her will. He can't be doing this kind of shit! Not now! "T-that could be dangerous!" she continued, trying to summon some other excuse to get him to stop.

He released her then, chuckling. "Perhaps you're right, my darling. I'll update you on my well-being as the day goes on."

She whipped her hand back from his grip and glared at him. He was insufferable in all the worst and best ways.

There was a sudden knock at her door and both occupants snapped towards the sound in fear.

"Char-Char! Your favorite father has arrived!" came the chipper voice of Lucifer. Far too early for such boundless energy. "Are you up? I made pancakes!"

"Oh crap, the party!" Charlie hissed. She waved away the deer demon and put her tainted hand behind her back. "Just a secoooond!" she sang, pushing Alastor with her free hand.

"Chaaarlie, don't make me break this door down!" sang her father in response.

The deer demon rolled his eyes and with a lazy snap he disappeared out of her room.

…

The first raindrops began to descend, a light drizzle over a Hellish morning.

Lucifer hugged his daughter, tighter than ever before. Of course he heard about what happened with Maggie. Honestly, it broke his heart more than he wanted to admit, the incident coming a bit too close to home. His sweet child, this was not her first heartbreak and surely it would not be her last, considering the sorts she dealt with.

Namely the Radio Demon and those other weirdos.

He gave her another squeeze and Charlie patted him on the back with a single hand, awkwardly, her marked hand hidden behind her.

"Hey d-dad! Thanks for coming."

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner, kiddo. How you holding up?" he asked while looking her up and down for any signs of familiar emotional damage.

"I'm okay actually, everyone has been really supportive," said Charlie with honesty.

"You sure now? 'Cause if you want to go on a self-destructive spiral of depression, I can help you there, honey," Lucifer laughed, somewhat unhinged.

"N-no really, dad, I'm okay. The hotel has been operating smoothly. Sev arrived, no one has been messing with us for a while, even!" said Charlie.

"Sev! That bag of fish bones! Whaddaya say, Char-Char? Time for a rebound?" He elbowed his daughter and waggled his brows, attempting to be hip.

"DAD! Come on! It's way way waaaay too soon for anything like that. Vaggie and I just broke up…" said Charlie, her face rosy with embarrassment.

"Oh sweetheart, of course. I'm just glad you have someone here besides that annoying little friend of yours."

"Angel?"

"No! The deer demon," Lucifer gritted his teeth in disgust. He shifted gears and adopted a privileged tone. "He kick the bucket yet?" he asked, mouth shaded.

Charlie gasped at the idea, shaking her head fervently. "He hasn't and he's not going to!" she yelled, surprising her father.

He held his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! Just asking!"

"We're doing everything we can to figure things out. And speaking of, we want to talk to you again. Later?" she asked, calming herself down.

"Are you suuuure, are you really sure you want to help out that clown?" He nudged her with a pointed shoulder.

Charlie crossed her arms, defiant. "Yes! Alastor has been nothing but helpful and kind to me! If anything were to happen to him…" her eyes began to water, involuntarily at the thought, and she hastily wiped her tears away.

Lucifer's bright eyes widened at the sight. She hadn't shed a single tear about Vaggie…

"Fine! I don't know what you see in him, but if he's that important…"

She nodded, solemn. "He is. I wish you could see him like I do."

The King of Hell raised an eyebrow. Her reaction was so much more significant than he expected. A lot must have changed since the last time he visited and the thought briefly rattled him. Whatever was going on between his daughter and the Radio Demon had surely developed in his absence. Nipping that in the bud would be impossible by now. It had already bloomed!

"Let's go down for breakfast," he suggested, trying to break up the serious air. "We'll talk on the way!"

…

Alastor power-walked down a hotel corridor, his speedy gait and sweating forehead betraying whatever calmness he attempted to exude.

The mark on Charlie's finger? Indeed, he played it off pretty well, he thought, kissing it like that. He wanted to keep Charlie as relaxed as possible, but inside he was filled with a dense fear. What was it? What was going to happen?

What did he do? What should he do now?

Not to mention the events of last night. His memories, her screams… It was all too much for a single evening. The fear in his voice was like another person. And then there were her soft sighs, her lips on his neck…

Alastor didn't know where he was going, all he knew was that he needed to get out and go somewhere to steady his nerves.

A green mist floated above his skin, teeming with energy. How he wanted to lash out and transform, and devour some unsuspecting sinners for his unholy mistake.

But he'd made a promise, as idiotic as it seemed, and he wasn't about to invite even more wrath from the demon princess for expanding his ever-growing mark.

They'd be throwing a ridiculous party for the fish demon today and Alastor wasn't thrilled with the idea. He had to be there, obviously, but maybe he could invite a friend of his own, at least to keep the more negative feelings at bay. And for some much needed fellowship.

Off to Cannibal Town he went, despite the sudden rain, skipping dear daddy's morning pancakes.

…

At the top of the lobby stairs, Lucifer peered down and spotted a green-gilled young man.

"Sev, my boy!"

Seviathan turned at the sound, his grin growing at the sight of the white-clad king. "Uncle Lulu!"

The two embraced and Charlie stood by. The two of them seemed as close as ever despite the decades preceding their last encounter.

"How've you been all this time? How're the folks?"

"Oh, can't complain. And they're monstrous as always. They ask after dear Charmer all the time!" Seviathan intoned, glancing at the woman in question.

Charlie pointed towards herself, confused. "They do?"

Sev pulled her into a side hug. "Duh! You're the 'Princess that got away!'"

She laughed along, awkwardly, Sev squeezing her to his side. Charlie didn't know what to do with her arms and so rubbed at her elbow. Watching her dad and Sev interact was always a little embarrassing. But she put on a smile and went with it.

Pulled into the kitchen, she was met with a majority of the hotel, already chomping at Lucifer's pancakes. A variety of waves and 'mornings' greeted her, but she couldn't help notice a certain absence among them.

Charlie scanned the bustling group, her eyes darting from one familiar face to another.

"Looking for someone?" asked Seviathan.

She waved her unmarked hand, nonchalant. "Just my co-manager," she said, distracted.

Sevianthan frowned. "That old fart? Yeaugh, it'd be better if he wasn't here for my party, he's a downer."

Charlie gently pushed against his shoulder. "He's a lot of fun once you get to know him!"

"Sounds like literally no one here likes him, to be honest," Seviathan shrugged, sipping at some orange juice.

"I like him," she said, a softness to her voice. Moving on quickly, she continued, "he's a really good dancer like you!"

"Oh-ho, reeaallyy now?" the fish demon sneered, licking his lips. "That will definitely be put to the test."

Charlie nodded, wondering what she had just potentially unleashed. And she already goaded Alastor about the dancing thing once.

She gulped, and washed her hands of the matter, and went to receive her own plate of breakfast. She didn't realize just how hungry she actually was, a deep well of emptiness within her gut making itself known after a lengthy evening.

She wondered how Alastor was feeling as she took a bite.

…

Seviathan's party was meant as a quiet affair. Just for him to get acquainted with the hotel and its guests before he became a temporary mainstay. She still had yet to get a specific amount from the fish demon on how long that would be.

The lobby was lightly decorated with some streamers and doodles on the wall, courtesy of Angel and Niffty. Alastor definitely did not help out this time and Charlie was too busy with other affairs to really focus on the party. She entrusted others to take on the load and she was not disappointed.

But Sev probably was, knowing his royal background.

His green face was curious, a polite mask of admiration for the minimal effort that went into his party. Charlie tried not to let that bother her, keeping her spirit afloat as much as she could.

Angel and Niffty stood by, tall and proud of their handiwork, large smiles on their faces as they watched Sev take a turn about the hastily-decorated-after-breakfast lobby.

Right as the party was about to commence, an unexpected visitor burst through the front door, thankfully not the wall this time.

"Long time no see, ya cunts!" yelled Cherri Bomb, a customary bomb in her hands. She tossed it cavalierly behind her into the pouring rain.

"Cherri!" shouted Angel, rushing to greet his fiery friend.

"Hope ya don't mind if I crash, it's pissin' wet outside!" she smirked, looking around at all the strange and new faces. "These must be the newbies!" Cherri remarked, taking a quick lap around the room.

She stopped longer to look at Seviathan than all the others. His grin was wicked.

"Who's this ripper?" Cherri asked with interest.

Charlie opted right then and there to interrupt, introducing Cherri to Seviathan and the fact that they were in the middle of a welcome party for him, her voice only slightly tinged with a frantic edge. She didn't know if she could take any more surprises today…

"What were you doing in the area, Cherri? We haven't seen you since the opening party!"

Cherri eyed Charlie up and down and squinted. Her face inquisitive and searching. Finding nothing, she shrugged.

"Was just cruisin' by, got caught in this downpour, and figured hey! Ought to go and see the fresh meat!"

"Would you ever consider joining the hotel as a guest?"

Cherri guffawed, wheezing in laughter. "Hell NO! No offense, blondie, but this place ain't ready for me." Cherri went over to prod at Angel. "Plus this bugger wouldn't get anything done with me around."

Charlie nodded, a little cowed by her rejection, though not having the fight to convince her. All in time, she thought.

The blonde hotelier then broke into an unprepared little speech of welcome and the suggestion of some sort of party game to get everyone acquainted.

But before she could think of one, the front door burst open again.

And in waltzed Alastor, Rosie on his arm, both sharing a lovely pink tasseled umbrella. It was really coming down outside now, a surge of wind and rain blowing noisily into the hotel until the door slammed shut. The edges of their garments were soaked, water dripping onto the hotel rug.

"Alastor you scoundrel! You didn't tell me his majesty would be here. I'm a frightful mess!" urged the Overlord, elbowing her companion and gesturing to her damp clothes.

"Nonsense, Rosie dear, anything you do would be too much for this… lot," said Alastor with a disparaging smile as his eyes swept the room. He saw Cherri and their eyes locked, her single eye narrowing.

He quickly turned and spotted his business partner. He waved a hand in a circle. "Apologies, darling, I thought I'd bring a guest of my own for once!"

Charlie was stunned by his sudden arrival and surprising company. She wasn't sure how to react.

She found her voice and began, a bit shakily. "It's okay… Angel has a friend too," she said, finally noticing the loose way in which he floated around the room. He seemed… off.

She shifted her attention to the new Overlord in the room. "Rosie, it's so nice to see you again!" She introduced her to the gathered group. Some of the new hotel guests were familiar with the Overlord and Cannibal Town's very specific ways of doing things.

By now, Husk had distributed drinks from his bar, at Angel and Cherri's behest. They sensed that they would be sorely needed. There was a touch of tension in the air, and the group's refined perception of such things told them a drink was the best solution to prepare for a show.

"Charlie, my dear! How we miss you! I haven't seen your perfect little face in far too long," Rosie sang, admiring the hotel, having never actually been inside before. Typically, she never really left Cannibal Town, but after a guilt-ridden Radio Demon showed up at her doorstep and they shared a couple of morning cocktails…

"Your highness, a pleasure to meet you," she greeted Lucifer, a bright pointy smile on her face and an offered dainty hand.

The King of Hell returned it, unable to help but notice the way the two of them sauntered in here together, arm in arm. His smile grew at the sight. "Charmed! But what's a lovely lady such as yourself doing with ol' creaky noise box over here?" he indicated Alastor with a barely contained thumb in his direction.

Rosie laughed heartily, "Alastor and I go way back! He'd be lost without me, I'm sure," she grinned, her black eyes glossy with mirth.

"That is true, my dear," the deer demon joined her, to the annoyance of Lucifer. Not the answer he was hoping for.

Seviathan watched all of this unfold, arms crossed and foot tapping against the floor. This was supposed to be his welcome party, not some random chick and a cannibal's. He quickly turned his attention back to Charlie, hoping for her to take the reins once more.

But Charlie was also distracted by the emerging situation of Rosie and Alastor. Talking to her father, grinning and chuckling, and looking far more comfortable together than she remembered them being in the past. Though, maybe she was just paying closer attention now.

She felt a pang within her chest and couldn't shake the image of suddenly being sidelined. After the events of last night and this morning, it felt especially… egregious.

But Charlie took a deep breath, attempted to quash down her insecurities, and turned her focus back to being a gracious host.

She turned to Seviathan, the man of the hour, and put on a tight smile. "Sev! Would you like something to drink?"

"Thought you'd never ask," he grinned, eagerly placing an arm over her shoulder to lead her to the bar. Angel, Husk, and everyone else was way ahead of them.

The cat demon was bringing out bottles from the lower shelves, rubbing away dust. "With weather like this, nothing warms like a rum," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Make me a hot toddy, hottie," Angel joked, leaning against the bar.

"The same, my feline sir!" said Shawshank, bubbling with energy.

"Can I whip something up?" asked Pete, who was swiftly rejected by all present.

"Shots!" voiced Niffty from the floor.

"Now you're talkin'," said Cherri, who was quickly making herself at home, like she had never quite left.

"Whiskey and lemon if you got it," said Seviathan. Charlie nodded and turned to order for him but he stopped her with a soft hand. "And yourself?"

"I wasn't planning on drinking, I still have to keep an eye on the party!"

Seviathan rolled his serpentine eyes. "Oh please Char, we aren't in Hell school anymore." He quickly got Husk's attention and ordered a boozy hot chocolate for her. "You still like those I hope?"

"But–" she began, planning to decline… but all of her fight had long since drained out of her.

She looked across the room once more at Alastor and Rosie, saw the honeyed way he regarded his old friend, and frowned.

"Screw it," she muttered, and joined them all at the bar to a chorus of supportive cheers.

Angel eyed her with a mild concern and then looked at Husk, who shrugged. But he determined he wouldn't be the one to turn down a situation in which the Princess of Hell decided to turn up.

...