Charlie could feel her throat tighten as she fought back tears and forced her way through her newly made portal, dropping into the quiet safety of her bedroom. She couldn't take another confrontation while her emotions were eating her alive, so she skipped the embarrassment of having an entourage witness her arrival back to the hotel.
She was at a loss for words, completely appalled by the absolute arrogance of her mother and the discrete ambush constructed from her father. Charlie's dream had been built up days before only to be struck back down with the support of her estranged mother who she'd hoped better from since all this time missing, or rather, hiding.
"You aren't listening to me, Charlie, you're not safe anymore."
The princess sauntered over to her bedframe, gathering up her sheets in an effort to ground herself and steady her breathing. The sound of her mother and father pleading still ringing in her ears in synchronicity with her heartbeat.
"I made a deal with Adam, Charlotte, to exempt you from ever being a target in the annual exterminations. I couldn't make a deal with Sera, but Adam was foolish enough to do that for me. If I removed myself from the frontlines of Hell and rendered myself useless during the slaughter, he guaranteed your life would be spared."
Lucifer and Lilith shared the same look of concern as they studied their daughter, hoping to find a shred of understanding within the surmounted wash of hurt in her face.
Charlie ground her teeth together, trying to steady her breathing through her nose, in and out. She tore her crested tiara out of her tresses and gripped it tightly, feeling the sharp prongs bite into her palms. She tossed this onto her bed before waving her arm to the side, dismissing it into shadows where moments later it fell into her glass display with a clatter.
Hell laid in wait, eight years dragged by, not a word to be heard from their Queen, all semblance of hope seemed lost without their leader at the forefront of their defenses. Countless times Charlie had made efforts to call her, praying to receive some sort of consolation during the genocides, that this dream of redemption was worthwhile or even made a difference. While her father was handling the burdens of his own and sulking away in the confines of the palace, Lilith was on some grandiose, extended holiday, turning all ears away from Charlie's need for guidance and support, her back turned on the cries of sinner's whose exterminations sent them to the great vastness of the Void.
What was the point of being the "Queen of Hell" if the best solution was to represent the qualities of a coward?
"Ab-so-fucking-lutely unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, inhaling sharply to steady herself as she turned away from her bedside, actively retracting the horns that threatened to work their way through her hair during her fit of anger.
Now the security of the last eight years had been for nothing and everything her daring mother ever achieved out of this had fallen to ruins, all for the sake of keeping Charlie alive.
The princess knew good and well that she could be exceedingly capable of keeping herself and the people she loved protected at whatever cost, she had no choice. To think Lilith lacked the wherewithal was borderline abhorrent.
It was like she'd been sucker punched right in the stomach, an ache settled in and worked its way into her chest. Her eyes burned as she fought back tears that threatened to fall hot tracks down her cheeks.
"Time is of the essence."
She reveled in the words her business partner shared with her just the other day. She had to prove it to herself and to her people she was capable of keeping them safe, of being the fearless leader she dreamt for them. She vowed she would never abandon her allegiance to Hell, no matter what the cost.
The light was beginning to dim outside as Alastor had finished out his day's errands. He'd just stepped foot outside of the elevator that had previously delivered him to Carmilla's conference room, their summons from this morning seeming awfully familiar to their last meeting, just without the delicious dispute between Carmilla and Velvette to liven things up.
It was a particularly drab meeting, though important nonetheless with the topic of how to address Hell's knowledge of angelic mortality with Adam now gone.
Alastor's smile tightened into a grimace at the thought of that wretched man and the battle he had lost to him; had the Radio Demon not taken the moment to transport out of the battle, he surely would've met his own demise and accepting that was something he still had trouble coming to terms with.
The demon's hooves took him through the streets of Hell, light's flickering on the lampposts as the light continued to darken and the pentagram grew closer to the horizon. Sirens blared among the muffled screeching and wailing in the distance. He was more than capable of just phasing in and out of realms to get to his destination, but he wanted to enjoy the simplicity of a walk back to the confines of the hotel. Besides, the looks he'd receive from wayward strangers on his commute was a joy he reveled when he could.
It wasn't much longer before he passed the threshold of the hotel's entrance, catching sight of a scene he was not expecting.
All of the hotel's residents were in the lobby, Angel, Nifty, Husker, Vaggie and Charlie all were huddled together, Charlie looking worse for wear in comparison to the others in the group. Her hair was a little ratty at the crown of her head and her makeup was gone, revealing the dark circles under her eyes, though she drew on a hopeful smile at the visitor before her.
"That's so cool! I bet you're JUST like him," Charlie cooed, continuing. She bowed, meeting their new company at eye-level.
He was a peculiar little man, resembling that of an angler fish with a little antenna hanging over his head that lit over his large yellow glasses. He donned a dingy grey lab coat that covered his almost iridescent blue, scaly complexion. His gills flared out at the sight of Charlie bowing, giving away his distaste to Charlie's body language.
"I'll have you know I am NOTHING like him!"
The Radio Demon carried himself over to the group, "My my! And who do we have here?"
The red-clad demon sported a toothy grin and offered a gloved hand to the fish demon, amused to have walked in on such a surprise.
"The name's Alastor! Pleasure to be meeting you chum, quite the pleasure! Perhaps you know me from my radio broadcast!"
The deer demon withdrew his hand as quickly as he offered it, wiping away the slime from the fish's grasp onto his coat before delivering an amused glance at his company. The fish demon gaped up at him but was interrupted by the princess.
"Al! You made it just in time! Meet Pentious," Charlie shot up and started excitedly, bouncing on the heels of her hooves.
"Baxter," the fish corrected sourly.
"Oh, yes, sorry! Penster, I mean, Baxter! Sorry," the princess began to fiddle with her hands then threw them behind her back, beaming a nervous smile before turning to the rest of her crew who shook their heads in curiosity. Nifty however was completely entranced in the new goer and nearly doubled over in excitement.
Baxter began with an air of confidence, his antenna glowing brightly, "yes, well, I am here to study this fascinating concept of redemption, my hypothesis is that it's clearly impossible."
Alastor noticed a slight flinch from Charlie, but she started up, "I'm glad you feel that way because you'll be surprised when we prove that redemption IS possible, Baxter! I'm happy to say you've come to the right place. With enough time and patience, I know the Hazbin Hotel will be making waves, I'm sure of it!"
Baxter lifted a brow in uncertainty.
"Right…" Baxter trailed off, catching glimpses of the others who were ogling at the meet and greet and Charlie began again, excitement taking over, "oh, where are my manners?!"
The regal woman began to introduce the new resident to the rest of the hotel crew, dragging the fish along with her in a tight grasp. Nifty seemed to take a liking to Baxter, shooting over to him in a flash and grappling onto his jacket, her large eye glistening in awe, "an evil inventor?! You must be REAL bad," she babbled, giggling into a frantic fit. Vaggie had her arms crossed and raised a hand in acknowledgement, Angel offered a suggestive pose and nodded in approval and Husk grumbled, waving him off while making his way to the bar to find himself another bottle of liquor.
Charlie then started for the stairs, beginning what seemed to be her start of the grand tour.
Alastor shouldered his way between the blonde and angler, "that won't be necessary my dear, as your steadfast business partner and hotel manager, I'd be delighted to show him the sights."
Alastor studied Charlie for a moment, but instead of receiving her anticipated submission, he was met with glossy golden eyes that begged him otherwise. She mouthed "please," and shot Alastor a sad and subdued smile. Her cheeks were swollen, puffing up at her eyes that disguised themselves as the apples of her cheeks, though he was familiar with her smile, enough to know her cheeks were swollen from tears.
It was a sight that caught him off guard and created the same sensation he'd felt before, the feeling, the need to calm and comfort her. It squeezed in his chest the same as it did in the graveyard just nights prior when he found her in pieces in the graveyard.
"Oh, silly me, I forgot I was in charge of tonight's dinner plans. Excuse me darling," Alastor played coyly, stepping back to allow them space. Charlie gave Alastor an appreciative glance before continuing forward with Baxter who studied them closely but was distracted from Charlie's sudden yank on his arm towards the staircase.
The ache in his chest lingered, even as he pivoted towards the kitchen and made his way out of the room. Nifty stood pouting, watching her latest boy craze follow Charlie through the hotel while Angel took his seat at the bar top.
Vaggie eyed Alastor as he passed the group, "what was all that about," she growled.
"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about, Vagatha," Alastor waved his hand, continuing down the hall and through the swinging doors to the kitchen.