Ellen squinted at how bright her room was. A quick look, she realized she didn't close the curtains after last night. She groaned. She wasn't tired, but she wasn't ready to get up yet. She sighed and laid back down, eyes on the ceiling. She had free rein of the hotel today, no schedules, no pressure to meet the rest of the residence or really leave her room. But she was not going to keep herself holed up all day, there was no way she could keep herself entertained. Another sigh and she decided it was best if she got up and started her day. First things first, shower. She was surprised that Charlie had seemed to have thought of everything. There were many plush towels and even body wash and shampoo for her in the bathroom. Hairbrush, hair ties and even deodorant. Maybe hell wasn't so different from earth.

Once she was cleaned and dried she put on the dress she wore yesterday and headed for the door. Standing on the other side was Nifty with a stack of clothes almost as tall as she was.

"Oh! Nifty, Hi. I… uhhh didn't hear you knock."

"I didn't!" She held the pile of clothes up. "I liked making your clothes. Normally I just make little fixes but the whole outfits really tested my needlework." She cackled, her eye wide and grin menacing.

Ellen wasn't sure how to respond but grabbed the pile and nervously smiled. "Thanks Nifty."

Before she could turn the little demon away, she had darted into the room darting around. It took a few seconds for Ellen to realize Nifty was cleaning. In no more than a minute, the chair by the window was returned to its original place, the bed was made, and even though she couldn't see into the bathroom from the door, she knew the bathroom had been cleaned also. Nifty darted back out of the room bouncing on her heels. "Do you need anything?"

Ellen only blinked a little taken aback. "Uh. No, thank you Nifty, you didn't have to.." She turned to look at her spotless room. "..clean my room."

Another cackle. "It's my job!" And she bolted down the hall without another word. Ellen stood with the pile of clothes looking after Nifty for a few seconds trying to comprehend the past two minutes. Nope. She was not going to dwell on that.

She returned to her room, closing the door behind her and laid the clothes out on the bed. Most of the colour palette was red and black. It seemed that was the norm for hell. A few dark purples and one shirt in pink. There were even socks and undergarments. Ellen quickly stripped and redressed. Black slacks and a dark purple blouse. But no shoes. Hmm. A quick look and she found, tucked by the foot of her bed a pair of black heeled booties. As she finally finished dressing, her stomach made a complaint. Food was the next order of business.

She finally left her room and slowly made her way back down to the lobby. She made a few wrong turns, but was happy she made it all on her own.

The lobby was suspiciously quiet despite it seemingly being close to midday, though without a clock of some sort it was impossible to tell. Ellen slowly moved through the lobby, now getting a solid look at the area. Last night she only got a quick scan of things as Charlie moved her quickly, but now she could take her time exploring. It was very open and welcoming, the lounge area had a few couches and chairs set up around an old antenna t.v. Closer to the stairs was a fireplace and another seating area. She turned to see a bar and to her surprise, there was someone there cleaning glasses behind the table. Were they there the whole time? Concluding food was her top priority, she turned away to the door labeled kitchen.

The kitchen was huge. She felt silly thinking it wouldn't be, it was a hotel after all. Her stomach growled again reminding her to stay focused on the task at hand. Ellen wasn't a great cook, she took every opportunity not to cook. Though simple things like sandwiches, soups and pastas were easy enough. Would this be like a dorm, everyone had their own groceries to cook with? She definitely didn't want to start off on the wrong foot by grabbing something that wasn't hers. Maybe if she could find a can of soup or ramen noodles. Nothing too big.

There was a light smell in the air that brought her attention to a pot on the stove. A quick glance around the room confirmed she was alone. Did someone forget this here? Deciding she would leave it she refocused on finding something for herself.

Ellen started going through cupboards and drawers trying to find something to eat. After a few minutes she started to second guess herself. Maybe it would be easier if she asked Charlie. Or maybe the person out by the bar could help. Charlie did say everyone here would be helpful, aside from Alastor. She took a few seconds fighting her pride before finally caving and going out to get help.

She didn't know why she was so nervous approaching the stranger. Perhaps it was the grumpy look on his face, or the fact no one else was around. She wanted to feel safe here, but it was hell after all, these people got sent here for a reason.

Upon seeing her approach, the stranger rolled his eyes and grabbed a bottle and took a swig, eyes staring at her suspiciously. Charlie never mentioned anything about everyone being friendly. Maybe she should wait until she could be introduced. She hadn't realized she had stopped about 20 feet from the bar staring at what looked like a fuzzy gray cat with wings. She took a breath and reminded herself staring was rude and that down here in hell, she was the anomaly. She approached the bar but didn't take a seat, choosing to stay standing instead.

"Can I get you anything?" His voice was low and gruff and it definitely insinuated he had no interest in conversation. Though Ellen did notice, although subtly, he was giving her a look up and down. She was thankful there was no mention of her mortality.

Ellen forced a smile onto her face. "No thank you, I'm not really into alcohol. I just wanted to come over and say hi. I'm Ellen." She stuck her hand out.

"Right." He looked at her hand but made no move to shake it, turning back to the glasses, placing them onto the shelf behind him.

Ellen took the hint, her hand falling down to her side.

"Husker, my good friend. Is that anyway to address our new guest?"

Ellen didn't mean to jump, but she wasn't expecting the Radio Demon to be standing by the kitchen door. A frustrated sigh emitted from the bartender, Husker, behind her.

"Apologies my dear, Husker can be a bit of a sourpuss." A laugh track played from somewhere around the Radio Demon as he gave the cat demon a glare.

Alastor had closed the distance between them standing, looming over Ellen.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance, my dear." He was leaning down to meet her face, the sly grin hinting at something more sinister.

Eyes wide, smile gone Ellen stuttered out. "N-no thank you. I am okay for now." Her stomach betrayed her as it growled out. The grin on Alastors face widened like he had just been proven right.

"Perhaps something to eat?" He stood and turned, already walking away toward the kitchen. "My mother has a wonderful recipe for jambalaya. Family secret I'm afraid, but everyone who's tried it loves it. They don't survive otherwise!" He laughed. The sound echoed through the kitchen even as the door closed behind him.

"You should follow, kid."

She put an uneasy smile back on her face taking a few cautious steps toward the kitchen. She turned to the bartender. "Thanks Husker. I'm… It was nice meeting you." She gave a little awkward wave before turning back toward the kitchen. As soon as the door was open a wall of deliciousness wafted into her nose. She took a deep breath in eyes closed as she let the smell linger. She later wished she hadn't opened her eyes.

Alastor stood by the stove dicing some veggies before adding them to the pot on the burner. All well and fine, except there were dark figures, shadows assisting. So someone was in the kitchen earlier. It was only a few seconds before all eyes, except Alastor's, were on her. More staring, making her want to disappear. There was something dark and ominous about these… beings, creatures, whatever they were. Her stomach twisted as she saw Alastor now had a hunk of meat that he seemed to be expertly cutting up. He looked a little too confident with the knife. Maybe she shouldn't be alone with Alastor.

"That's not a person right?" She blurted out before she could stop herself.

A small laugh filled the room, before he responded "While I do fancy flesh myself, I would be a rather improper host to impeach my dietary preferences on to others now wouldn't I? I would hope you didn't think so little of me." Alastor's eyes never left his task as he finished cutting up the meat. "Unless it is flesh you were seeking, in which case I would gladly entertain the notion." He finally turned, eyes meeting Ellen's with a devilish grin, his voice dipping to be sinister at the end.

Ellen just shook her head, her throat tight. Of course cannibalism was a thing here. She had only run into their colony yesterday, but they all looked the same. Nothing from Alastor's appearance would suggest it. Guess one could never really know. Did anyone else here also eat flesh? A shiver ran up her spine at the thought.

"Now then" He snapped his fingers and all the shadows and dark figures disappeared into thin air. "It should be finished in a few minutes. Could you please set the table, my dear? There will be six for lunch." He opened a cupboard with bowls and pulled open a drawer with cutlery.

"Yeah, sure." Ellen quickly moved to collect bowls and spoons and set the table, happy for an excuse to leave the presence of the Radio Demon. She returned to the kitchen to ask about glassware to find Alastor had opened the glassware cupboard leaving it open for her to find. Once the table was set she turned to watch Alastor finishing up in the kitchen. She opened her mouth to offer help but promptly closed it. If he needed help he would have just snapped those shadows back.

She didn't want to just stand in the kitchen staring, but she also didn't want to be the first one seated at the table. She could make small talk if she needed, but after some quick calculations there were two of the residents she had yet to meet. Unless Charlie and Vaggie weren't included in the count, then there would be four? She shook her head.

Some chatter could be heard coming to the kitchen and Ellen peaked her head through the door to find Charlie and Vaggie approaching, engaged in a deep conversation. She turned to tell Alastor of their arrival but only caught him with a bowl for himself dissipating into shadow. That guy could just appear and disappear in and out of shadows any time. Her head started to hurt. That was something she could worry/think about later.

"Ellen! I'm so glad you decided to join us for lunch. Alastor said he made his mom's famous jambalaya! Oh you're going to love it!" Charlie was waving her over to a seat at the table.

Ellen threw her thumb behind her to ask about Alastor but decided to leave it. She took a seat and noticed Nifty had joined the girls at the table.

"Hey Husk, come join us!" Vaggie waved toward the table.

Charlie had started to dish out the food, passing bowls around the table. The smell was making Ellen's mouth water. She was just about to spoon some into her mouth.

"Oh! No one brought the water pitcher out?" Charlie stood.

"I'll get it. It's in the fridge right?" Ellen pushed to her feet. She was a guest, but she hated being cosseted.

She quickly moved to the fridge and grabbed the glass pitcher of water. She was almost out of the kitchen when a strange noise emitted behind her. Maybe Alastor manifested himself back for seconds? Though she didn't remember there being a sound. She turned and froze letting out a small yelp as the pitcher slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor.

Another resident that could teleport? There was an open portal where a shorter man in a white suit emerged from. He had a similar look to Charlie. He looked fairly human; she just wasn't used to people appearing out of nowhere. Could they just appear anywhere at any time? She shook the thought. Ellen probably would have remained unnoticed if she hadn't dropped the pitcher or yelped.

"Oh. Heh. You must be Ellen. I- uh." His eyes moved to the bowl of jambalaya on the counter just out of his reach. "Pleasure to meet you." He removed his top hat and bowed before replacing it and quickly grabbing the bowl and stepping back into the portal.

"Dad!"

The portal closed before anything else could be said.

Charlie sighed. "Are you okay?" She looked down at the broken glass and water.

Well that at least explained why she struck such a similarity to the man. It was Charlie's dad. Charlie continued talking but Ellen's mind was racing. Charlie was the Princess of hell, so that guy, the one who bowed to her, was the king of hell. A small laugh of disbelief bubbled up from her throat. At least she was taller than the king of hell.

A hand touched her shoulder and it brought her back from her mind. "Ellen are you okay? I know this is all still kind of overwhelming. Did you want to go back to your room? You can bring your food up and eat there."

Ellen shook her head. "No I'm- sorry I'm just a little out of it." She looked at the mess at her feet. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make a mess."

"Not to worry, Nifty will have it cleaned up after eating. Come on." Charlie took her arm and guided her back toward the table. "Angel is awake so he's joining us for lunch, too." Ellen only nodded.

Ellen froze for the second time in five minutes. Her eyes wide as she tried to absorb the sight in front of her. Sitting in the seat beside hers was a white and pink fluffy spider? Long legs kicked up onto the table laughing with Nifty. She wasn't afraid of spiders. She actually liked all living things. But there weren't any eight foot white and pink fluffy spiders on earth. Her brow furrowed. He had six appendages. Two legs, four arms. He wasn't a spider. A beetle maybe?

Today had been too much for her already. Teleporting kings, shadow people, winged cats and melting into shadows was already making her brain hurt, but this? He caught her staring and his smile widened.

"You can look all you want, toots. This body was made for gawkin'" He used all four of his arms to gesture down his body.

"Angel!"

"What? It is." He shrugged at Vaggies outburst.

Numb. That's what Ellen was feeling, numb. As if on auto pilot, she moved to take her seat sitting beside Angel, her eyes avoiding everyone. At this point her stomach was no longer looking for food, but she still spooned a mouthful in. She relaxed a little bit. This was divine. Anywhere else she would have melted into her chair. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and she made an extra effort not to look. Thankfully Charlie spoke to rekindle the conversations. Ellen kept her gaze down as she quickly shoveled food into her mouth. If her mouth was full she didn't need to participate in the conversations. She did keep an ear open in case something came up she may want to add to, but no such luck. She quickly finished what was left in her bowl then excused herself taking her dishes into the sink to wash. Then without another word she went back upstairs to her room. She needed a quiet place to think. Although with her headache she was also considering laying down for a nap.

Once in the safety of her room she flopped onto her bed with a big sigh. She wished she had her cellphone, if not for the distraction, then for music. She would always feel better jamming out to music, just as long as no one was watching. She glanced around the room in hopes of finding anything that could play music. No luck.

Alastor was the Radio Demon. Radios played music, so maybe…she pushed the thought away. The last thing she wanted was to interact with people more. Although she could thank him for lunch. She sighed. She was not going to go looking for the Radio Demon. If she happened across him, then maybe, but for now she was going to stay in her room. That lasted all of about ten minutes before she got bored. Maybe she could talk to Charlie about getting something for music. Surely hell had technology aside from old radios and tvs.

She moved to the door but paused with her hand on the handle. Maybe wandering around wasn't a great idea, surely she would bump into someone. Could she wait until later? She glanced back at the room. Nope. The thought of having to sit here in boredom was worse than the possibility of having to interact with people. Besides, what were the chances really? There were only eight people in the hotel that she's encountered so far and she felt confident it wasn't likely there were many more if any.

Decision made she left her room in hopes of finding Charlie. She made it a few steps before she slowed to a stop looking down the hall at the door to Charlie's dad's room. Maybe…? She shook her head. No, she wasn't going to go over there and knock. It was bad enough he had spooked her in the kitchen. A soft 'ding' had her turning around where she saw Charlie step out of an elevator. Her shoulders sank. They had an elevator this whole time?

"Oh, Ellen hi!"

"Hey Charlie, what brings you up here?"

She pulled at her suit jacket a little bit. "Oh I just wanted to check in with you. You left kinda quick after lunch. I just wanted to make sure we didn't overwhelm you." Her eyes looked past her to the door at the end of the hallway. Ellen followed her gaze before it clicked.

"Oh are you checking in with your dad?"

A flash of surprise crossed Charlie's face before she covered it with a smile. "Oh no I was- I mean since I'm here I could introduce you two."

Ellen had the feeling Charlie wanted some one on one with her dad, but she didn't want to pass on the opportunity to be introduced. It seemed much easier with a third party than just trying to strike up a conversation.

"No I'm okay, I think I'll just wander a bit. But I was wondering if there was a way to get a phone or something to play music? Headphones? Music is my escape."

"Oh! Yeah. I'm not sure how quickly I can get my hands on a hellphone, but you could get a radio from Alastor. I'm sure he could summon one for you easily." She looked like she was going to say more but changed her mind. "I'll let you know when dinner is ready, but no pressure on coming down to join everyone."

Ellen smiled. "Thanks Charlie." Ellen turned to the stairs. She would ask Alastor at a later time. Right now she wanted to give Charlie and her dad some time alone.

Maybe she would try to find Angel and introduce herself properly. Now that the shock factor had worn off it should be easier to chat. He also seemed easier to talk to than Husker anyway.