A/N:
Hi everyone! Hope you've all been well ^w^ I'm excited to be back with some more "Partners", all about Alastor's big radio show to support the hotel! There's gonna be lots of shenanigans and drama and fluff. I hope you all enjoy, and thanks for reading!
Partners
Chapter 101:
Radio Redemption Show Part 1: Tuning In!
"…So come, sweet sinners, follow your ears! A new order in hell is ready to appear! Starring your Princess, yours truly, and some others you all know!
It's time for our hotel's very first…Radio Redemption Show!"
Finishing the final note of his little introductory jingle, Alastor sat in his desk chair chair and spun around, laughing alongside the merry sounds of his laugh track playing. The radio tower was spruced up shiny as a new penny, the 'On Air' light was glowing, and dawn was just breaking over the Pentagram through his windows as the Radio Demon prepared for his first satellite show at the hotel to commence. Letting the laughter fade out, Alastor leaned toward his microphone with an utterly pleased grin. "Yes, dear listeners, you've heard right. Alastor the Radio Demon here! Doing a very special first show from our one and only hotel run by our one and only heir-to-the-throne — Charlie Magne! Ha! We'll be broadcasting all day to discuss our plans, our offerings, and how you can be part of our redemption magic! And as for those of you itching for some of my usual slaughter — while I'm not planning to consume anyone today, rest assured I'll satisfy your appetite for intensity with a bevy of surprise announcements, special guests, and scintillatingly rebellious conversation. And who knows, perhaps I'll also muse a bit about the ideal situation for my next cannibalistic caper as well, hmm? You'll only find out everything if you stay tuned, folks!" With a smirk and his eyes briefly flickering to radio dials, Alastor tapped his microphone. The 'On Air' sign dimmed, and his shadow appeared and put a jazz record on the phonograph to play on the airwaves for now.
Alastor sighed with an exhilarated grin and looked to his shadow. "Is he awake?"
The shadow shook his head then pressed his hands together and rested his head there with his eyes closed in a mock gesture of sleeping.
Alastor had to chuckle. Dear Angel really wasn't much of a morning person, which was why they had planned to have Angel join in as co-host around noon. Still, that felt like such a long time to wait to see his darling beau…
With an impish look in his eyes, Alastor snapped himself away for just a moment and appeared on his room's side of the door he shared with Angel. He gave a light knock and, when he got no answer, carefully opened the door.
There was Angel, tangled in blankets and pillows, cuddling Nuggets as he snored.
Alastor's eyes hazed and he did his best not to chuckle lest he wake up his beau. He strolled forward, pulled the blankets up around Angel's shoulders, gave a sleepy Nuggets a pat on the head, then snapped up a fresh glass of water at Angel's bedside. His smile softened away, and his voice went all sweet and southern. "Soon you'll be ma co-host on the air, cher. An' maybe one day…ma co-host fo' life, hmm?"
Angel nested more into the pillows, smiling. He inhaled deeply through his nose and sighed. "Alastor…" he mumbled.
Alastor glowed and beamed a little. "Sweet dreams, mon ange…" He blew Angel a kiss and snapped himself back upstairs, just outside of his new little studio. He intended to give a quick knock on Charlie and Vaggie's door, just to see if they might be up and ready yet (they weren't due to be guests until 9am, but Charlie had been so excited last night about today's show that Vaggie hadn't been able to persuade her to bed until very late, and it wouldn't do to have them oversleep). However, he was saved the trouble of checking on the ladies when he saw Charlie, fully dressed in her black pants, red jacket, and white shirt, standing by her door and looking up at him with a big smile on her face and her dark eyes so full of excitement.
"Alastor," she whispered, "I heard your show start! It was great! Vaggie's playing it on the radio in our room — this is so exciting!" She rubbed her cheeks.
Alastor chuckled, speaking at a normal volume. "Indeed it is. But no need to whisper, dear — I've sound proofed the studio so nothing from out here can be heard on air, whether we're live or not."
"Oh, good!" Charlie spoke normally. She gripped her hands together. "I just want everything to go really well, no problems. After all, the last time I went on the air about the hotel — during the news show before you came here — was such a disaster. But now I'm prepared and determined, and I'll have Vaggie with me this time, and you and Angel too…and the Von Eldritches when they stop by, I guess…" She swallowed, her confidence faltering for a moment before she lifted her chin and looked back up at him. "I really think I can reach people this time. I'm excited to sing too! Your opening jingle was perfect! And a great way to get listeners ready for more singing so that maybe my song won't be too jarring." She played with her hair, gripping it fiercely. "I just want hell to like me, and for heaven to recognize this hotel as a solution, and for my parents to…listen. Maybe I can't make it all happen today, but I can make SOMETHING happen at least, and that should be enough, right?" She looked up at him nervously.
Alastor blinked, absorbing all of her apparent eagerness and self doubt and especially her big dreams. Then his smile softened and he nodded. "Everything you do here will be something and will be enough and will matter. And someday all three of the goals you just described will be met through the efforts of you and your hotel guests and our family here, I'm sure. I have full faith in you, Princess Charlie." Alastor lowered his head and gave her a bow.
"Oh, Alastor…"
He glanced up to see her eyes teary and her big smile wobbling.
Alastor straightened up and produced a hanky for her with a flick of his wrist. "Ha! Now, now, no waterworks — must keep the sinuses clear for speaking on the air! I'm sure getting some breakfast downstairs with Vaggie will help. She's your right hand after all, and believe me these days I know the benefit of having such a caring partner." Alastor glowed a little… but forgot his embarrassment when he became distracted by Charlie blushing a lot and looking down mischievously in response to his comment. A special little smile curled up on one side of her mouth too. He would have asked about it had Vaggie not stepped out of their room just then, her grey and white stockings and dress looking starched and professional as ever as she tightened her bow securely on her head.
"Alastor - morning! Your introduction was great," She assured with a smile. "I think you should perform that song live next time we have an open house event here. Thank you for…helping make today possible."
"Anytime, my dear." He nodded to her respectfully. "Thank you for having me at your hotel and letting me use my powers to make your wacky dreams a popular enterprise and a potential reality!" He swung a fist through the air then got behind the ladies, urging them forward to the stairs with his cane. "Now then, as I was just telling Charlie, you'll have to be on the air soon so go have a good breakfast and greet the day with everyone else. I want you fresh and fully energized for your big moment together!"
The ladies shared a glance and then burst into blushes and giggles, and of course Alastor had to raise an eyebrow again. He didn't get the sense that this odd response was in regard to the idea of breakfast… It seemed more like a secret little joke shared between two lovers.
Vaggie finally cleared her throat and nodded to him. "We'll eat and get everyone settled. You break a leg hosting, and if you need us any earlier just let us know."
"And if you have any technical difficulties, Baxter should be up soon and Sir Pentious should be here later!" Charlie added.
"I'll avail myself of all your services and then some as needed," Alastor assured. "Oh, and don't worry if Angel doesn't come down to breakfast just yet," he added, "He's sleeping quite soundly to invigorate himself for later."
Charlie and Vaggie nodded to him then hooked arms and headed down the stairs, leaning against each other a little, whispering and smiling.
Whatever was going on with them, Alastor sensed it was a good thing and hoped they would share their happy fortune soon.
In the meantime, he had a radio show to attend to. His shadow suddenly popped his head out of the studio and pointed at his wrist like he was indicating a wristwatch. Alastor teleported himself right back inside the studio and into his chair just as at the jazz song that had been playing ended. He tapped his microphone, and the 'On Air' light glowed again.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and other essential demon folk! I hope you enjoyed that invigorating little number to jump-start your day! There will be a lot more where that came from, plus my shadow band will play live, plus a special singing performance from one of my guests! And if you're just joining in, yes, this is the one and only Alastor the Radio Demon, on the air with an all day show the likes of which you've never heard before, and all in support of our happy little hotel! Time to show you all what we're made of, ha!" He grinned and went on chatting up a storm as he perused his jazz records to pick a song for his next break and eagerly anticipated the day's entertainment (especially the company of his Angel) to come.
Vox slept in his dim bedroom this morning with Vark snuggled up alongside him in bed. Suddenly the television overlord was awoken up by an alert signal flashing across his own screen. He sat up with a start, flailing and nearly falling off the bed while his little shark woke up and, deciding that clearly this must be a new game, grabbed the sleeve of Vox's nightshirt and tugged him back into the safety of the pillows and blankets.
Vox tapped the side of his head, turning off the alert, and sighed in relief. "Thanks, Vark!" He patted the shark then blinked a few times. "Now, what alert went off? I…" His eyes disappeared for a moment as his system went on standby while he searched. Then his eyes returned and he grinned. "That was Alastor's alert! He must be doing whatever he's been planning to do to get back at the king and queen for their news broadcast! Oh this should be good…" With a chuckle he leaned off of the bed and rummaged around underneath for a moment. Finally pulled out a little portable radio and turned it on, adjusting the dial while a panting Vark looked on in interest. Vox finally found the right frequency, and his eyes lit up when he heard a jazz number end and Alastor start chatting about the hotel and the princess and a day-long show to support redemption.
Vark barked happily.
Vox laughed. "Yeah, you recognize that voice, don't you — it's your friend Alastor! I bet you'll hear your friend Angel later too if my suspicions about them are right. That's our little secret through." He brought a finger to his lips and winked. The little shark rolled over and gazed up at him with loving eyes. Vox chuckled then pulled out his phone and extended a cable from one of his arms and plugged it into the side of the device. "Okay, time to put out the word on social media. Alastor, we're about to get you your biggest audience ever!" Vox typed a message with a grin, hit send, then tucked the phone away and retracted the cable. "Perfect! Everyone on every screen everywhere is gonna be notified about this show all day. They'll get so sick of it that they'll turn off their phones and computers and tv's and listen to the radio instead just out of spite." He laughed to himself, glancing at the radio. "I'm taking a hit here, Alastor, but it's for you and the princess and — who knows — maybe for the benefit of hell. One day of 'no screen time' won't kill anyone, and they all need to get used to the idea of you and me cooperating anyway."
Vox tucked away his phone and stretched, resting back on the pillows again and scratching Vark behind his fins. "Honestly Vark, don't tell anyone, but I wouldn't mind a day without screens myself sometimes. It's all just…too stimulating some days." He considered then grinned. "And I'm an overlord, so why not let myself have a day off I want it? How about you and I try a no-screens day today too, hmm, Vark? I used to actually kind of like taking an unplugged day sometimes in life — I almost forgot." A little nostalgic smile came to his mouth. Then he shook his head to clear away the memories for now. "We'll keep listening to the radio while we get up and make breakfast until it's time to leave for our walk with Val in the park. Then we'll come back home and maybe bake a cake to thank Auntie Velvet for all her help lately and listen to the radio some more. And then I'll read to you until it's bedtime. What do you say?"
The shark barked and wagged his tail, and Vox laughed and gave him a hug. A whole day listening to the radio and avoiding screens… Definitely not something he ever would have tried before…unless it was so he could stew over Alastor while secretly pining for the guy. But doing it under these circumstances definitely felt healthier. And, who knew? Maybe some day in the future he would finally get Alastor to sit down and try watching a digitally remastered 'picture show' or view a television special on the air instead of as a member of the live studio audience, or even more unlikely — get the deer to finally sign up for social media (or, even more intriguing…convince him to try doing a pod cast, which the deer still didn't seem to understand was basically a radio show that could reach even more listeners on even more devices). One step at a time.
Vox got out of bed, put on his slippers and lead Vark out into the living room to turn on the lights, make breakfast, and start their day.
Tucked away in the master bedroom of the family mansion, Lucifer rested facing the end of the bed while his wife slumbered beside him, facing the opposite way. He was awake, looking at his phone and scrolling through old pictures — family portraits, photos of Lilith, and abundant shots of Charlie from girlhood. He was happy that he and Lilith had finally made up and decided upon the mutual goal of supporting Charlie and winning back her trust; making plans that would benefit their daughter and their kingdom and bring their family back together. Still, he knew Charlie's forgiveness wasn't guaranteed…and the thought made him miss his little girl all the more. Even if his depression was easing right now, the notion of never getting her back still made those bad feelings bite at the edges of his head and heart. He took a deep breath and reminded himself of how well he was doing at keeping the effects of his demons at bay over the last few days — he was eating mostly regularly again and managing to take care of himself, and he could almost sleep through the night. And when he couldn't, like tonight, sometimes sitting up in the dark and looking at nice pictures on his Voxtagram account helped.
It was then that his phone flashed and beeped with what he supposed must be some sort of emergency notification…until he focused on the message on his screen and his jaw fell.
"Hmm…Lucifer?" Lilith stirred and sat up with a yawn. "Is everything all right?"
"I…Charlie is doing something…with Alastor?"
"I'm assuming it's NOT preparing a fresh body for a feast?" Lilith asked dryly as she stretched. "Beyond the cannibalism I don't really know much about Alastor."
Lucifer shook his head and sat up, crawling over to his wife, showing her the phone. "There's one other thing we both know about him — he loves being on the radio. And that's what they're doing! They're hosting a radio show in honor of the hotel." He watched Lilith blink and look down at the screen, finally reading the message. 'Admin Alert: Vox here! Seems the Radio Demon is doing a very unusual kind of show for a very unusual kind of hotel. It's a Redemption Radio Marathon all day featuring Princess Charlie and a whole lot of other interesting sinners. Tune in to stay on top of all the royal and radio developments! Yes, I'm your tv overlord telling you to listen to the radio AND to Alastor. So go do it! And let's all give heaven some hell this year!'
Lilith blinked a couple of times and glanced hesitantly at her husband. "Luci?"
Lucifer's eyes were shining. He blinked - the tears fell. He wiped them away and then he smiled and started to laugh. "She was so hurt…but now she's rallying so quickly, standing up for herself and her subjects and her hotel. She's healing and…if she keeps going, maybe soon we can be part of that healing too. Oh, my little apple-cheeked lady." He hugged the phone then tossed it aside and scrambled off of the bed and ducked into one of the closets, pulling out various bric-a-brac. "Hmm…where…ah, here!" He finally emerged with a small wooden radio that he set on the nightstand with an eager grin, immediately turning the dials. "Let's listen! I want to hear all of it, all day!"
Lilith put a hand on his shoulder, smiling encouragingly. "I'm proud of her too, dear… But, remember, we caused her pain and she was angry. During the show, if she has something to say about us or to us and it hurts you, even if we deserve it, it's okay to take a break."
Lucifer shook his head. "No, whatever she says I want to hear all of it. And I can bear it as long as you're here too, Lily." He patted her hand and kissed the knuckles. She hugged him from the side. "I'm always here, Lulu." She put her hand over his on the radio dial and slowed down his feverish adjustment of stations until the dial found the frequency.
Alastor was in the midst of chatting away about the hotel, mentioning their daughter and others as his upcoming guests, promising surprises and revelations galore!
Lilith tried not to chuckle as Lucifer beamed and sat up tall on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs and hugging a pillow like a child eager to watch their favorite show.
They were both eager for that…and eager to repair their bond with their daughter once and for all. Hopefully, after today, they finally could.
A mere hour after sunrise, Sir Pentious and Niss left the airship and were down in the hotel, where they were joined by Niffty and Baxter in the kitchen. Niffty and Niss heated up a lot of the food they'd pre-prepared to create a breakfast buffet that people could eat from as needed, and Pen and Baxter ran cables out the back door to the generators and kept an eye out for any electromagnetic pings or suspicious drones that might try to interfere with the show. The two couples worked in tandem like a finely-oiled machine.
"Fresh coffee incoming, Niffty! Do you have those large insulated canister pumps ready?" Niss grabbed coffee pots from three different machines in each of his arms.
"All clean and good to go!" Niffty nodded, polishing the stainless steel outside of one of the canisters and popping all three lids open. She held them steady as Niss poured coffee into each one.
"Grazie, Niffty!" Niss grinned and nodded.
"Of course!" Niffty nodded in return. As Niss finished pouring the coffee, she closed the canisters and called out, "Egg Bois! Please come help me carry these to the dining room table!" Instantly, three Eggs tumbled inside from the backyard and scrambled over to Niffty with bright smiles. They each took a canister while Niffty lead the way to the kitchen door and opened it for them.
"Pen! Baxter!" Niss called out. "I saved an extra pot of coffee for us in here — can I get either of ya a cup?"
"Yes, please! Science needs fuel!" Pen and Baxter called out simultaneously, and then they both blinked and burst into laughter at saying the same thing.
Pen shook his head with a happy sigh. "Cream and sugar for me, Nissy, thank you! And Baxter?"
"As long as it's caffeinated, black is great, thanks!" Baxter replied, glancing at his drone monitor screen before dashing to the back door and pulling in another wire through the opening they had carved in the door base.
"You two scientists got it!" Niss poured and prepared the coffee, and then Pen's tail scooped up the mugs as he bowed appreciatively to Niffty. He brought one over one over to Baxter who took it with a smile.
They drank deeply and sighed in satisfaction.
"Ah, that feels good," Pen remarked. "I dare say the mornings are getting rather chilly, and even though the door is technically shut the draft from that hole we carved is still nippy. Though it will make a lovely pet door later for Nuggets, as Charlie pointed out."
Baxter nodded. "Maybe we could put some insulation around the edges for now. Along with keeping cold air out, it would help protect the wires by preventing friction and potential fraying from contact with the wooden door."
"Excellent idea! I'll get on it straight away!" Pen picked up his toolbox on the floor with a bright smile. "And how are things looking from your drone's perspective?"
"Wonderful!" Baxter smiled. "She's flying high over the hotel and hasn't picked up a single bit of suspicious activity. And even if something does come up, I might have outfitted some small grenade launchers onto her, just as a precaution. Cherri supplied them — no one hacks my babies anymore without consequences." He grinned.
Pen smirked. "Diabolical — I love it!" He chuckled as Baxter beamed in pride.
Of course the fish demon was quickly blushing in pride instead as Niffty dashed over and gave him a bright smile and a touch on the shoulder. "You made the best drone in all of hell, and it's gonna crush anyone who tries anything funny!"
Baxter chuckled modestly. "Oh, thanks, Niffty…"
Pen's eyes hazed at them. Then he beamed when Niss suddenly snuck up behind him and put a blanket around his shoulders. "Ta keep ya warm," the spider explained sweetly before kissing the snake's cheek. Pen's tail curled and he giggled. "You always do, Nissy." He winked flirtatiously, and Niss snorted and blushed and waved him off shyly.
An oven timer went off, and some Egg Bois knocked at the back door with more wires, and through the door to the lobby they could ear other members of their hotel family awake and probably heading toward the kitchen. With tender looks, the couples separated again and went back to their hard work. Radio show day was still just getting started
Out in the hotel lobby Cherri had managed to wake herself up early, quickly shut off her phone to avoid Vox's incessant radio show alarm (which was cool of him but also very loud), and get ready for the day. As others came from downstairs and gave her brief waves and smiles good morning, she returned the gestures then put a finger to her lips and motioned to Crymini who was still sleeping on the arm chair She had decided that her goal for today, along with helping everyone at their tasks as they needed, would be to spend some more time around Crymini. She kept recalling her thought to do something to help younger demons. The idea was really sticking with her. Maybe if Cherri spent more time around Crymini she'd get an idea of what exactly younger demons needed and if she was even good with teenagers.
Besides, keeping up with helping out on the radio show AND keeping tabs on Crymini would mean her day would be pretty much fully occupied. And, despite her need for some self care and downtime lately, she wanted a fully occupied day so that she wouldn't have to keep thinking about…someone. Maybe…Helsa.
Cherri blushed, trying not to think about the other night. The two of them lying on that desk, drunk and tired but feeling accomplished. And Helsa's lipstick somehow staying flawlessly bright and red despite her downing two bottles of wine and an impressive amount of Italian takeout. Helsa's perfectly coiffed hair that had fallen into silvery loose curls that looked better on her than any updo. Helsa getting all defensive and flustered while talking about Charlie…and then looking at Cherri for a moment like she wanted to do more than talk. Cherri…wanting to comfort her…
Cherri crossed her legs with a small groan and whispered to herself. "Fuck, I can't do this right now. It's all too complicated, and we're too busy, and the extermination's coming soon… And I'm not looking for…ugh." So yeah, she was not allowed to think about Helsa…even though Helsa would be coming here today to speak on the radio show. Everything would be fine. The other demon probably barely remembered their drunken shenanigans and probably had better things to do anyway…and other people to do them with. Whatever…
A yawn caught her ear and Cherri turned to see Crymini finally wake up from her place on the easy chair. Cherri smiled — wonderful, her distraction was ready. "Hey, Crymini. Morning!"
Crymini gasped and pulled her blankets close in surprise, ears pointed high on alert. She realized Cherri was the one addressing her and then relaxed. "Oh, Cherri — uh, morning." She stretched. Then she blinked. "Oh, it's radio show day! That's why you're already up! I better help with stuff. Husk and Molly probably aren't awake yet though, they like to sleep late… And Louise and Abel probably already left to open the cafe for breakfast." She glanced around, biting her lip like she was unsure of what activity to jump to without her usual go-to people to help guide her.
Cherri smiled softly and stood up. "I could use an assistant for a bit, if you're up for it? I'm just going around, troubleshooting any issues that happen. Not really sure what today's gonna throw at us, but I figure as long as I've got a cool head and some C-4 for explosive emergencies, I should be able to handle anything, heh." She made finger guns then felt ridiculous and put her arms behind her back. "Anyway, an extra pair of hands would help. What do you say?" She hoped she wasn't sounding desperate — something about seeking a teenager's approval was definitely making her self-conscious in a new way. Hopefully she'd get over it by the time Helsa came by because that demon's arrival would definitely open up a whole other set of self-conscious feelings to manage.
"Seriously?" Crymini tilted her head, and Cherri bit her lip, somehow suddenly expecting a scathing teen rejection. But then the dog demon smiled curiously and nodded. "Uh, sure! I mean, yeah, sounds cool." She got up and folded her blanket. "I'm just gonna go upstairs and change — I sorta picked out a room. I'm not ready to stay in it yet but I'm keeping my stuff there for now. I'll…meet you back down here for some breakfast. Okay?"
Cherri smiled, briefly considered giving a thumbs up, then resisted and just nodded instead. "Definitely! I'll make up some plates for us while you're getting ready. You want coffee, sausage, eggs…pastries?"
"Yes to everything, except orange juice instead of coffee please, and double me up on the pastries — Niss's are the best!" Crymini smiled.
Cherri laughed. "You're right — I'll snag double for both of us."
"Thanks!" Crymini's tail twitched like she was going to wag it, but then she cleared her throat and put on a casual demeanor as she headed up the stairs.
Cherri's smile grew. Maybe she really was okay with teenagers. And kids like Crymini definitely deserved to be in a safe environment with people who cared about helping them deal with hell, not out on the streets managing assholes and angels and who knew what else. If she could help provide that safety in some way, she wanted to dive into making it happen.
She felt grateful, for a moment, about how much encouragement she had gotten for the idea from Helsa the other night during their talk… even if she still felt too awkward and flustered to think about Helsa much more right now.
Out in Cannibal Colony later in the morning, Rosie and Mimzy were in their glory, bustling around the radio tower while offering refreshments to cannibals and passing out brand new radios to anyone who needed them. This was their charming leader Alastor's first ever satellite show, and it was practically like a holiday celebration for them all. Rosie was keeping an eye on the wires and connections hooked up to the tower to help broadcasting the show to every corner of the Pentagram, and Mimzy was monitoring for suspicious activity and cheerfully arming the cannibals who had volunteered to keep look out for any intruders or adversaries at the different colony entrance points.
Rosie wiped her brow as she put down a fresh box of hand radios. Considering the intense activity required of them both today, she had opted for a slightly less formal (but no less fashionable) outfit than usual. A simple red cotton blouse with her sleeves rolled up to the elbows, a white bandana tied around her head to keep her hair from her eyes, and a pair of black slacks with a charming set of boots.
Mimzy, wearing a simple pink cotton dress and black leggings as her casual attire, couldn't help eyeing Rosie every chance she got — especially now as the taller demon stretched up tall, her full figure on display. Mimzy grabbed a refreshment tray and strolled over. "Rosie, love, you deserve a break. Why don't we head inside and I'll set up a little snack for us, hmm?"
Rosie smiled and sighed, rubbing her back. "Oh, no, can't stop yet, it's still so early!" Yet she eyed the tray of drinks for a moment then finally sighed. "But perhaps a glass of sweet tea would be good at least. Or maybe two…"
Mimzy giggled and nodded. She quickly lead Rosie inside to the shade of the tower lobby. She set the drinks on a desk and held one up to Rosie. "I don't like seeing you so tired but…I do like seeing you working up a sweat in that lovely ensemble you put together."
Rosie blushed and grinned as she took the glass. She leaned against the desk, cocking her hip to the side to strike a pose. "Do you, now? I must admit it feels a bit invigorating to be out of my usual corset and bodice. I took some inspiration from Cherri's style actually."
"It very much suits you," Mimzy supplied with a charming grin,
"It would suit me even more to have you help me remove it later," Rosie purred, flashing her fangs.
Mimzy flashed her fangs back eagerly. "Oh, you know I'd love to."
They clinked glasses with giggles then both sipped deeply and sighed in relief.
Rosie reached into her pocket and took out a small hand radio of her own. "Shall we tune in and listen while we drink?"
"Oh I'd love that! I want to catch every word we can of the show!" Mimzy nodded eagerly. "I can't wait to hear when Angel comes on the air with him. Alastor's first co-host!" She sighed dreamily.
Rosie nodded and began turning the dial to find the right frequency. "Our young man is finally getting ready to share with the world the new beautiful part of his life that is Angel, I can feel it. And we'll be here for him the whole way."
Mimzy nodded just as Rosie found the right station Alastor's voice came sounded.
"…And now, dear listeners, the first of many moments you've been waiting for — may I introduce Princess Charlie and her fair lady friend Vagatha!" Canned applause rang out over the air.
"Um, hi, everyone! This is Charlie. I'm so happy to get to speak to you from the hotel. Oh, and here's Vaggie, my…partner."
There was a giggle, and then Vaggie spoke. "I'm happy to be here too. It's time we reintroduced all of you to the hotel and our plans for redemption and how we want to help all demons. Our goal is make sure you don't have to live in fear of heaven."
"Or anything else!" Charlie added sweetly. "So you can lead your best and happiest lives!"
"Ha! Aren't they charming, folks?" Alastor added. "Now, I know some demons have had doubts about our happy establishment… But my presence and continued interest here should be more than enough to quash such naysaying! I never waste my time with a flop after all, ha!" More canned laughter. "In order to provide additional reassurance about our hotel though, the three of us are going to spend the next couple of hours discussing our intentions in detail, and then I'll be taking come calls…perhaps with some surprise assistance," He teased playfully. Then he cleared his throat. "But back to our segment at hand! Folks., don't let flashy and scandalous reports from doubters deter you — listen to the facts here and decide for yourselves! But first, a fresh song! Enjoy!" A jazz tune filled the airwaves.
Mimzy beamed and shook her fists in excitement. "Oh, I really hope everything goes well!"
"Everything will turn out wonderfully," Rosie assured, patting her shoulder. "Nothing can stop us now that we're all working together — not heaven nor troublemakers nor even some stuffy monarchy who can't accept change."
A caw came from outside. Rosie blinked and turned to see one of her ravens fly into an open window of tower and land on her shoulder. The bird made a few more caws and clicks while Rosie listened. Then her eyes and smile brightened. "Really? Well…thank you for telling me. Keep up the excellent surveillance work." The crow nodded and flew off.
"Ooo what is it?" Mimzy asked eagerly.
Rosie swirled her tea with a smirk. "Apparently Vox has put out a repeating alert on all social media telling demons to tune in to Alastor's show. Those two boys getting along… We really are on the cusp of some profound change."
"Aww, it's so sweet to think about!" Mimzy's lip trembled and she dabbed her eyes. "Everyone being friendly and happy together down here. Whether redemption works or not, I bet we can turn this place into our own kind of happy heaven."
"Absolutely agreed, dear. We'll make it all happen" Rosie assured. She took another deep sip of tea and stretched back against the counter peacefully as Mimzy did the same. The two of them held hands and just enjoyed their small rest and the jazz music and all the hope in the air.
At the cafe, Louise and Abel not only had the radio show playing (through several fresh radios that had somehow 'magically' shown up earlier this week), but Baxter had been kind enough to come over yesterday and rig up a speaker system through the inside of the building and into the backyard dining area so the show could be heard all over the place. Customers had been a little…hesitant upon arriving and hearing the radio demon's voice playing (after all, only cannibals really enjoyed hearing cannibalism taking place while eating). But when they heard fun jazz music playing and assurances from the demon in question that this show was just about promoting the hotel, and even encouraging and supportive words from the Princess and her partner, more guests began arriving and staying. It also helped that, for today only, meals were half off and there were complimentary beignets being prepared by Alastor's shadow in the kitchen. Pretty soon the place was bustling, and Louise was in her glory. Standing behind the counter, she briskly plated several dishes, her tail wagging to the rhythm of the jazz music playing through the speakers. "Order up, Abel!" She sang with a smile, grabbing a platter of beignets handed off to her by Alastor's grinning shadow.
Abel dashed over with some dirty plates and glasses and set them in the sink before loading up his tray again. "This is the best day of business we've ever had!" He smiled. "We should play music like this more often — especially jazz. People really seem to like it. Oh, and they love the beignets too!" he told the shadow, who beamed and went back to frying them up.
Louise giggled and whispered to him. "Maybe once Alastor finally tells us he owns this place, he'll let us do a full Creole and Cajun theme, at least sometimes. We can have beignets and live jazz music and add his famous jambalaya to the menu. I'm sure his shadow would be happy to prepare the recipes for us when he can — look how happy he is!" She gestured over her shoulder to where the shadow was spinning around, flipping beignets and playfully sprinkling powdered sugar on top of another new batch.
"That would be kind of nice," Able nodded with a chuckle. "We could even hire more help and open for a dinner shift under the stars on weekends — really add to the atmosphere. Alastor could even come and sing sometimes — I think it would be a good way for him to make friends and show demons that there's more to him than being a powerful cannibal overlord."
Louise nodded. "Maybe he'll even sing with Angel here one day too, when they're both ready. They'd be so sweet together." She sighed dreamily then blinked when the oven timer went off. "Oh, that's the quiches!" She dashed over and took out the pan, beaming at how lovely they looked.
Meanwhile, Abel just beamed at her — she was so confident and happy and full of passion these days. She wasn't afraid of hell anymore, and she was just enjoying life — they both were. He was so overjoyed that soon they would be married and get to spend their happy lives together forever.
He took the full tray of food, dropped the plates off at tables inside and then headed out the door into the bustling backyard to take some more orders.
He didn't notice that one of the small tables right by the front door inside the cafe had been occupied by the same person for a while. He also didn't notice that this person hadn't been ordering anything. And he also didn't notice that this person had been sitting there, staring at the same newspaper for almost an hour now.
He especially didn't notice that the demon, wearing a coat with a hood, was actually angled facing Louise behind the counter.
The demon in question — a certain bull — let out a light huff from his nose and lowered the paper slightly to peer over the edge at the little sheep.
She finished cutting the quiche with a smile, but when she straightened up she paused and blinked. Her brow furrowed curiously and she turned to glance around the room just as the bull ducked down behind the paper again.
Damn prey animal demons — they could always sense when they were being hunted. He remembered having an overwhelming eruption of that feeling when the Radio Demon had walked back into his butcher shop and set sights on him, eyes cold and claws long and teeth sharp…
He gripped his chest and barely resisted overturning the whole table in panic and rage to have his revenge right here and now.
But no, not yet — there were too many demons right now, too many chances that too many people might get the idea to try and help her, too much going on…. He just had to be patient. To blend in. Eventually, as the day went on and this place cleared out, he could put his plan into motion. And there was no chance the Radio Demon would randomly stop by since he was doing that live show of his all day. And his shadow would have to disappear back to his master eventually. And as for the fish demon boyfriend of hers…well, he'd filleted much bigger and scarier marine demons before. That little purple lamb would be all his…soon.
Helsa had not been very active for the last few days leading up to the radio show. Oh, of course she was active where it mattered most — on social media. She curated posts, teased a very special event, got digital eyes on the Von Eldritch name so that inevitably those eyes would go to the hotel once their alliance was announced. But as for her real life social affairs, she had ducked out of all of them. She just couldn't afford to waste any socializing energy on anything else right now… Honestly, it would take everything she had to go to the hotel today and successfully wow all of hell with her latest popularity power move and support of their redemption scheme… and to sit near Charlie and be near Cherri of course.
Charlie and Cherri… Fuck, their names even sounded similar. They were both blonds, they both looked great in red and black, they both had pale skin…though Cherri's did have those fiery freckles that extended places Helsa could only imagine.
Not that she was imaging ANYTHING! Ugh, this was getting so fucking stupidly complicated.
There was a knock on her bedroom door. It was a goofy melodic knock, which meant she knew who it was right away. "Sev, unless you come bearing a severely large and severely caffeinated amount of iced coffee, the answer is go away." She turned over in her bed and pulled the blankets around herself. "I'm not even ready yet — I look like a train wreck." Her hair was a tangled mound around her head, she had on zero makeup, and her skin felt greasy and her throat felt dry. Ugh she needed such a spa day or ten.
The door opened and she narrowed her eyes as Sev entered… of course holding two very large iced coffees because he knew her too well. "Hey…I've got the coffee so I guess that means I can come in." He grinned sheepishly.
"Ugh…" Helsa pushed herself up to sit. "Fine. But I'm not getting up yet. We've got like three hours before we're due on the show."
"Fair, fair…" Sev handed one coffee off to her and sat down on the edge of her bed. Of course he was already cleaned up and ready for the day. He swirled his coffee and considered. "Hel, if you're not okay right now, I can just do the show myself today with Char."
Helsa nearly did a spit take with her coffee. "What? No way! I am being on that show! Hell needs to hear our voices together to know we're serious."
"You just seem…"
"What?"
His gaze firmed. "Depressed, Helsa. And I know why, and you know I know why."
"Oh, trust me, you don't. At least not everything." She shook her head and laughed.
"I still think you should talk to Char and tell her the truth," he offered gently.
"This isn't just about—" Helsa tried to cut herself off but her brother was clearly intrigued. She bit her lip. She set down the coffee and saw him blink because for her to put aside caffeine for a moment meant this was serious. "You know how you and Steve are super into each other and should just go for it already, and how Lottie would understand completely about you dating one of her guests, and how Steve would understand about you kind of rejecting him the other night if you just talked to him?"
Sev blinked and blushed then shrugged. "I…maybe. I don't… I mean, maybe he'll just see me as a friend only now, and that's probably safest because…"
Helsa looked at him dryly. "I know you're in denial but let's pretend you're not for a second and that you've accepted you're both into each other and there's nothing wrong with that, okay?"
Sev glowed more and sipped his coffee but managed a small nod.
Helsa sighed and hugged in her knees, suddenly blushing as well. "Well…I…it's…" She gritted her teeth but said it. "I think I'm attracted to Cherri."
Sev snorted, coughing harshly to clear the coffee from his lungs.
"Fucking god, Sev," Helsa patted his back to help him, "it's not THAT weird."
"No! No…" Sev cleared his throat and then he was smiling, "it's just — that's great! You haven't really been attracted to anyone since Ch—"
Helsa glared.
Sev swallowed, recalling their boundaries about that topic. "Since…the last person." He smiled a little again. "Does Cherri know?"
"I…I think she suspects, ever since our meeting." Helsa swallowed, looking down shyly. "Apparently drunk me must have been eyeing her like I wanted us to use my desk as a den of seduction because she felt the need to let me know that she doesn't do spontaneous drunk hookups. Consent's too dubious." She groaned, tugging on her hair. "She's like a big, curvy, chivalrous sinner knight in pyrotechnic armor."
"Okay." Sev chuckled. "Okay. It sounds like she was just trying to make sure nothing went too far too fast, just in case. So at least we know for sure she's a good person." He brushed aside some of his sister's hair. "Do you think she was attracted to you too…"
It was hard for Helsa to hold back some standard defensive comment along the lines of 'who wouldn't be' and answer honestly. "I think she's…open to the possibility."
"So…what's the problem?" He blinked. "I mean, I know this is big for you and a lot to work through, but it seems like something else is bothering you."
Helsa's brow furrowed. "What if I just like her because she reminds me of…the last person? You know — same color hair, same pale skin, same ability to look hot in red and black and white. Always grinning. Melodic voice. Involved with the hotel. Funny and cute… Fuck, their names even sound alike, Sev!"
Sev raised an eyebrow. "Oh Helsa, come on, Cherri is very much her own person and has a very distinct personality, and you know it. She's bold and snarky and fiery and it sounds like she drank you under the table, which not many people can do. I think you're beating yourself up a little too much…maybe like how I'm beating myself up about Steve." He shrugged, looking down. "We both knew reconnecting with Char was going to be emotionally complicated for us. But if we can handle it like adults instead of running away again, I think we'll all end up a lot happier."
Helsa was quiet for a moment. Her only response was subtly reaching out and taking her brother's hand to hold. Finally, she took a deep breath and sat up tall, shaking her hair entirely away from her face with a determined scowl. "Sev…if you'll make a real effort to go for Steve and see what happens…then I'll make a real effort about Cherri. Deal?"
Sev considered, blushing. But then he smiled so much and nodded. "Deal."
They squeezed hands and shared excited grins.
Then Helsa smirked and rolled her eyes, releasing his hand to grab her coffee again. "Ugh, now go get me a back up iced coffee while I finally get ready. In the state I'm in now, I'll need at least two hours to make myself fabulous, and then we'll head over to the hotel and go farther with this chaotic emotional mess we've made!"
Sev chuckled and stood up. "I'll grab spare iced coffees, and I'll make sure the car's ready for us. And I'll…think of something to say to Steve, to apologize for the other night." With a determined grin of his own, Sev headed out of the room.
Helsa sipped her coffee deeply and smiled. They were the Von Eldritch's, and they were not going down in love or in life or in hell without a fight…however ragingly awkward it all might be.
"Vel, I can't believe I let you talk me into ANY of this…" Valentino mumbled. He was in the park, standing by a tree near the entrance, while Velvet sat on a bench licking an ice cream cone and swinging her legs for fun. "And WHY are you eating ice cream at 10AM?"
Val's grumpiness was due to the fact that this morning, before leaving the studio together to head here, Velvet had woken him up early and insisted on a pre-date makeover. First she took away his hat and brushed down his antennae. Then she somehow convinced him to trade in his signature look for a pair of light purple slacks, black boots a black dress shirt, and a dark purple long jacket that wasn't nearly as intimidating as his red pimp coat. Finally, she had made him pick up a present, which the moth now held in his hand - a stuffed moth toy that squeaked, and that he hadn't torn to pieces only because it was for his buddy Vark.
"Says the guy usually doing lines of coke at this hour." Velvet just laughed and licked her cone again. "Ice cream is an anytime food — anyone who says different is just being uptight." She glanced at him. "Also, you let me talk you into this cuz you know I'm right. This is all the outfit and attitude and behavior of a guy who's about to get his man."
"I hate you."
"I love you too."
"Ugh…" Val blushed and glared and clenched his jaw. "He's gonna think I'm weird for dressing like this. I should have at least brought my regular jacket."
"Just tell him it's being cleaned and that I dragged you out on a shopping spree for the rest of the stuff. Fuck, Val, you are overthinking." She rolled her eyes. "Now, Vox will be here with Vark any second. What are the rules for today?"
Val sighed, back to going along with her but still clearly not thrilled about it. "Focus on Vox, don't be a cruel ass to anyone, and…"
"And…" Vel prompted, grinning.
"And, when all else fails, take a deep breath and let myself smile…" he finished. A smile didn't come to his face, but his features at least appeared more neutral and relaxed than before.
"Perfect!" Velvet finished off her ice cream cone. "Vox is gonna see you in a new light after today, even if he doesn't realize it at first. This is what people who want relationships do — you need to open up, be vulnerable, and just let yourself be happy for fuck's sake." She looked Val in the eye. "And even if something goes wrong, it's gonna be okay as long as you tried your best, okay?"
Val blinked. He gave a small nod. "Okay…thanks…" he managed quietly.
"Thank me by having me bake your 'tv and porn themed' wedding cake!"
"VEL!" Val seethed again.
She just giggled. "My work here is done — have fun! I'll meet you at the end of the park and at the end of your date. You can decide from there if you want me to join you two for the rest of the day or if you want to fly solo. Either way, you're ready for this." She winked and then skipped away across one of the park fields.
Val watched her go, trying to sort out the mix of rage and appreciation she made him feel…
Then he froze as his eyes eyes found the park entrance and caught sight of Vox entering with Vark.
The moth's heart raced and his face warmed and his knees buckled. Those two just looked so nice together, like a little family. And the idea of himself as part of that happy picture made him feel so many things.
When Vox got closer and saw him and waved, Val noticed the television was wearing a new tie and a casual blazer instead of his long coat. He had dressed up a little too. Now Val noticed Vox suddenly looking at Val's own fresh appearance with interest… The moth's heart nearly stopped. Maybe…maybe this really would be a first date, the first of many. Maybe Velvet was right and things would be okay if he just stopped fucking around and acted like an adult and let himself be happy.
Maybe he could even make Vox happy too.
His phone buzzed wildly in his pocket. It had been going off like crazy all morning with some social media bullshit, and a nervous Val had turned off notifications for a few hours while getting ready for today. But now they were back on. He went to turn them off again but paused when he noticed what the alert was… a special full Pentagram one from Vox advertising an all-day radio show for the hotel run by none other than Alastor.
Normally, Val would have been frustrated, enraged, jealous…but for a moment he just felt sort of sad. Even if those two really weren't seeing each other, somehow Alastor had formed a friendship with Vox despite all their bad blood. Val didn't have nearly as much baggage with Vox, but forming his own friendship had somehow been more difficult.
No, he wouldn't let the Radio Demon upset him, not today. He couldn't keep comparing himself to that guy anyway. It made Vox angry whenever he tried to, and it made himself pissed off too. 'Focus on Vox.' He remembered Velvet's words and breathed and tried to be open to the possibility of smiling.
He would not let anything ruin today, and he would not let himself ruin it either. He was Valentino, and he was finally (if reluctantly and impatiently) calling himself out on his own bullshit.
A/N:
That's all for now! Everything is gearing up lol. I'll have the next few chapters posted very soon, and we'll see RadioDust interactions again asap ^w^ Thank you all for your support!
Take care!
-Azure129