"Good-"
I started as Charlie ran past me.
"...morning..."
She seemed distressed, which was very unlike her. She ran from the lobby.
What did I just walk into...?
Everyone was standing in front of a complete mess of a pin board.
Al was nowhere to be seen.
Vaggie straightened up.
"Okay people, Lucifer is on his way."
WHO?!
"So we are going to get this place presentable and we are going to make an amazing impression. VAMANOS!"
Um- um-
Not knowing what to do, I walked over to Husk, who cleaned the bar area.
"Hey, uh... what's going on...?"
"I could ask you the same."
He muttered.
"Pardon?"
"I said- the princess of daddy issues invited the man himself here to get another meeting with heaven. Are you just going to stand there or what?"
He, rather rudely, waved a cleaning wipe in front of my face.
I didn't know what got his so much more grumpy than usual. I decided to not mind it and just help cleaning.
Niffty up in the ceiling scrubbed the light bulbs so aggressively, I was worried the whole chandelier would fall.
As a very unfortunate banner by Angel dust was hung, I saw Alastor upstairs, overlooking the scene.
I gave him a small wave. He nodded, but seemed distracted.
We all gathered together when a knock sounded at the front doors.
Charlie took a deep breath.
"Okay everyone, it's showtime!"
Behind the door appeared a father who was very excited to see his daughter.
The almighty Lucifer, ruler of mankind's most darkest minds,
...was a little different than I expected.
Just a little.
No pun intended.
"CHARLIE!!!"
Cheered the short king of hell. Looks like he is the origin of most of Charlie's traits, from the blond hair and hopeful face to the vibrant personality.
"Hey Da-"
Before she could say anything, he wrapped her in a tight hug.
That's sweet.
I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
My father was good to me when I was alive, but he never went to these extents to show his love. I kinda wish he did.
"Oh, it's so good to see you, haha!"
I noticed that Al went from being rather annoyed to fully despising the guy.
I wondered why.
"It's- uh- good to see you too, Dad."
She strained before she was let go.
"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!"
I straightened up, smiling shyly, trying to look presentable next to our very last-minute setup.
I was finally convinced that Lucifer didn't have an ounce of cruelty in his soul as he spoke to the animals in the hotel.
"Wow! This place sure looks, uh..."
He started looking around.
"yeah, uh-huh... It's got a lot of character!"
Has he never been here?
His family literally owns the property!
"OH, what in the unholy hell is THAT?!"
He was disgusted by the re-patched hole in the wall.
Alastor teleported nearby.
"Just some of the renovations we had done. Adds a bit of color, don't you think?"
It does, though!
...or maybe I'm just biased.
"And... you are...?"
"Alastor! Pleasure to be meeting you, sir."
Weirdly, he shook the ruler's apple cane.
"...Quite a pleasure."
He wiped his hand.
I was getting nervous.
How can he let himself be disrespectful in front of his king? What's going on?
"It's nice to finally put a face to the name. You are... much SHORTER in real life."
"Who is this? Who is this nut?
Are you the bellhop?"
"Aha! No! I am the host of the hotel.
You might have heard of me from my radio broadcast."
"Hmm, nope! I guess THAT'S why Charlie called it the HAS-BEEN Hotel, ahaha."
Ouch.
"Ha ha ha. It was actually my idea."
"Ahaha. Well, it's not very clever."
"Ha ha! Fuck you."
I was in complete shock.
He'd never act like that.
He must REALLY hate him.
Nonetheless, I believe whatever that is going between them is wayyyyy beyond me, so I didn't feel like I should intervene.
"OKAY! Okay, anyway..."
Charlie stood between them.
"Dad, look at this lovely parlor where people can get to know each other and share secrets and stories and intimate feelings! Without Alastor, we wouldn't have been able to pretty it up this much."
"Charlie has a very unique vision. I am happy to fulfil her bizarre requests."
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
Of course, I have no doubt this all has to do with him wanting to get on the nerves of the father, but... well...
I wish he did those sorts of light hearted gestures to me, too.
I barely got to hug or hold hands with him alone, and he just... gives her a pet on the back in front of everyone so easily.
"Oh, thank you, Alastor..."
"Quite an impressive young lady.
We're all very proud of her."
"AHEM, CHARLIE, dear, why don't you introduce me to your OTHER friends?"
Charlie nervously tried to introduce her girlfriend, and Lucifer hugged Vaggie very enthusiastically.
"Oh my golly! You like girls?? So do I!
We have so much in common!"
I was surprised he accepted it so easily.
In our time, such relationships were considered a curse, a sickness, a shame.
That everyone with it will go to h-
Oh.
Wait- no.
It's been decades.
Hell is just progressive.
I don't see why send to hell people whom their only crime was love.
"Your Majesty!"
Sir pentious saluted to Lucifer, immediately tripping down.
"Heya short king~"
Angel Dust allowed himself to flirt.
"Husk is our bartender, and Niffty is our housekeeper."
Charlie presented.
Husk gave a smaller salute.
Niffty was ECSTATIC.
She climbed up his coat, a giggling mess.
"Hello. I clean."
"Oh, last but not least, Y/n's our newest guest. They wrote that article about the hotel! ...which you probably didn't read..."
I stepped closer and waved awkwardly.
Suddenly, I was pulled back.
Before I could react, the chandelier CRASHED loudly in front of us, where I stood.
Oh lord, my suspicions were correct.
OH LORD, I almost died again.
I looked at whoever saved me, who now let go of my arm. It was Alastor, but I couldn't even thank him quietly because he didn't even glance at me.
He was too busy staring angrily at Lucifer, who bursted into song.
(Beautifully, if I may add.)
I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
He didn't check on me...?
No 'careful', or 'are you alright?'
Not a concerned look or a reassuring smile?
He didn't even look my way.
I was more hurt than disappointed, actually.
Yeah, he saved me. But he practically ignores me and focuses more on Lucifer and Charlie.
I know we aren't A THING, but still...
Even as a friend, when we were alive, he payed more attention to me. Like the time when he stopped me from running through the road.
I watched the childish scuffle between the two very strong entities and wondered if I truly matter.
If I'm just someone to have, no need to show even the slightest affection on regular basis.
If all the sweet things he told me were empty-nothings, if I am just a part of his twisted game.