I was in a very low point in life.
I had a good degree, I had a great resume.
I was supposed to be a young, promising reporter.
I thought I almost had it all. I finally got a good job at a radio show. But it was small, and barely had any listeners. It closed down soon after I was hired, due to having no funds.
Since then, I tried to apply to a lot of stations, but no one accepted me.
I was about to give up and get a random, boring office job. I felt embarrassed by the thought of going back to living with my father, and making him have to support me financially. I am wayyyy old enough to care for myself.
I went to the local bar to drink my frustrations away. I sat on my own, in the corner of the bar, far from the chaotic costumers. I am not careless when it comes to drinking.
The place was warm and home-y, the yellow lights brightening the brown wooden floor, making it look golden.
I tapped on the glass of my second cup, staring at my reflection in the small portion of the remaining liquid.
I debated whether I should go home or order another cup.
"What's gotten you so blue, my dear?"
Someone approached, standing by my chair and leaning on the bar table.
"Err... sorry, I don't speak to strangers."
I mumbled, almost slurring.
"I can respect that."
The gentleman backed away, surprisingly without battle, which I very appreciated.
"...though it contradicts your line of work."
He added quietly.
My head perked up and I looked at the person as he was walking away.
"Sir- you seem familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"
The man turned around, deciding that me keeping the conversation with him is an invitation.
"I sure hope you don't,"
He smiled and sat down on the bar chair next to me.
Now, that he was closer and I was more focused, I saw that he was brown-haired with glasses, wearing a red vest with a dark bowtie.
I didn't recognise his looks, but his voice seemed familiar.
"...This face was made for radio."
Oh!
"Are you... by any chance... the host of 'Smile'?"
"I might be."
My eyes widened.
I was such a big fan.
But he is also a human just like me, so I should treat him normally and not embarrass myself.
"And... you know me?"
"I recognise your voice, yes."
He said it as if it wasn't a big deal, raising his hand to request the bartender for drinks.
It was a big deal for me.
He is literally my idol.
"It's a shame that 'eve time' shut down.
You seemed like a new voice that would bring more listeners in. Buy hey, less competition for me, I suppose."
He shrugged, chuckling.
I felt my face warm up.
Does he really think that...?
"Oh- where are my manners? Alastor, pleasure to be meeting you."
He reached his hand for a handshake.
"Y/n. Quite a pleasure."
"What a nice name."
He said kindly.
"Although... it's quite different to see a person such as yourself, sitting drinking sad and alone this late at night."
"Well... what can I say? Life."
I frowned.
"'You are never fully dressed without a smile'! Let's see how we can get it back on your face, instead of that frown."
I sighed. I didn't expect to open up to someone tonight. Maybe it's the alcohol, but here I go.
"This is the frown of someone who lost faith in their dream to be a reporter."
"That's a shame..."
Alastor tapped on the table, though his smile widened.
He had a change in plans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I opened my eyes after some resting.
I looked at my surroundings, seeing that I am still at the hotel. In a guest room.
I think it's been a day already.
How embarrassingly unprofessional...
I was supposed to come and go, not crash in for the night!
I pulled myself out of bed, trying to be positive. It was very comfortable.
It's nice to sleep on an actual piece of furniture, for a change.
Well, if you could call THAT sleeping.
When I arrived in hell, I felt like I woke up from an eternal sleep, but since then- I couldn't. I could rest for a bit when I was exhausted, but never sleep.
That missing detail though, about me coming here decades after what I thought was my death, it still bothered me.
But I was afraid to dig too much into these memories.
That... vision I had. About my first meeting with Alastor. It's the first time I had a flashback to my living years ever since I got here. He must be triggering something in my brain.
I don't want to think about these times...
And what they meant to me...
Or how they got me in hell...
I saw a note that was slipped under my door. It was from Charlie.
I swear, this cinnamon roll has to be protected at all costs.
It had a neat writing, inviting me to come to breakfast whenever, and a small crayon drawing of me in the corner, happy. I smiled.
I opened my door, only for my smile to drop. Only to find the radio demon standing there. Creepy.
"Good morning, Y/n dear-!"
"NOPE."
I shut it.
"I want nothing to do with you."
"Well, that's unfortunate- I work here!"
He announced.
"It's been a while since we spoke,"
"I WONDER WHY, YOU DICKHEAD!"
I snapped, yelling out.
"Just... stay away from me, okay?
...Please..."
I let myself relax when I heard him humming his 'walking tune'. That's what I used to call it, at least.
The footsteps and the tune echoed and faded into silence.
I slowly creaked the door open, checking that the coast is clear.
Charlie happily welcomed me when I arrived downstairs and handed me a plate of pancakes for breakfast.
"Look!! It's a rehabilitated demon, happy in heaven!"
She pointed at how she arranged the fruit on top.
"That’s sweet, thank you."
She and Vaggie later approached me when I finished eating, asking me about my plans.
"I'll be on my way. And then I will type the article and share it. Nonetheless, thank you for having me for the night."
"Of course, anytime!"
Charlie smiled wholesomely.
"I should accompany you to your place, then. Looks like the turf wars have reached this territory."
Vaggie decided, sharpening her weapon.
"Oh- that won't be needed."
I smiled awkwardly.
"What? Why?"
"They carry their things around, so naturally, Y/n doesn’t have a place to stay!"
A voice I hated called out from afar.
I grimaced.
"You've been looking through my bag?!"
"You didn't tell me to stay away from it~"
Alastor shrugged and disappeared into the shadows.
I SWEAR this prick is doing everything he can to get under my skin-
"Aw, Y/n, you are welcome to stay here as a resident!"
Charlie offered.
"I..."
"You said you believed in our cause, yes?
What's holding you back?"
Vaggie reasoned.
"Oh... I don’t know... maybe a certain employee of yours?"
I hinted.
"Forgiveness is a redeeming quality! I'll go write a lesson plan about it right now!"
Charlie announced.
F-Forgiveness?? HIM??
"Hey, the faster you get rehabilitated, the quicker you get away from him."
Vaggie winked.
I let out a small smile.
I already knew in my heart that it's better for me to stay here.
There's always the chance of getting hurt or double-dying out there.
"Alright then, I'll stay. I REALLY appreciate it."
The two left. A faint radio static noise ruined my mood, so I approached the bar, where Angel Dust was bothering the old bartender.
"I heard you screaming at him upstairs."
Husk told me when I set down.
"Okay, so?"
I rolled my eyes.
"I think he has a soft spot for you, pal."
He said, cleaning a glass.
"He killed others for less than that."
Huh?
"Why are you getting so worked up by mister creepy smile anyway?"
Angel dust asked while licking the top of a wine bottle, irritating Husk.
I looked away, hesitant on how to answer that.
"He was just... a very good friend to me, you know? And he did all that shit behind my back... Hell- I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to kill me!"
...
"This isn't a 'he was a bestie and he betrayed me' look, hot stuff."
Angel dust raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know what NONESENSE you are TRYING to imply, and I don't care, because this conversation is over."
I hissed, snatching the bottle out of his many hands.
"You know he just sucked on it."
Husk pointed out as I drank.