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Chapter 5
Vaggie vigorously scrubbed at the dirty tiles of the twelfth-floor bathroom, her mop swishing back and forth with each frustrated growl that escaped her lips. Her angry mutterings were filled with words that would make a sailor blush. The interaction between her and the smiling bastard replying in her mind fueled the already burning fire in her heart. Every swish of the mop echoed the stinging retorts she wished she had voiced.
Her grip tightened around the wooden handle of her mop as she recalled the smarmy grin plastered on Alastor's face. That self-assured, devilish smirk had been burned into her memory. With a bitter sigh, she dunked the mop into the soapy water and resumed her labor.
The wet strands of the mop slapped against the grimy tiles in rhythm with Vaggie's pulsating annoyance. She entertained herself by imagining each slap as a punch to Alastor's infuriatingly perfect face, releasing a touch of satisfaction upon each impact.
"Wow! You're really killing those germs, Vaggie! Keep this up and we'll massacre all those dirty son a of bitches!" Nifty laughed maniacally as her one eye glared at the crystal-clear floor with disturbing satisfaction.
Nifty's voice ripped Vaggie from her thoughts, startling her. She turned to glare at the tiny demon, her white hair whipping around her as she did so. Nifty was gleefully scouring a sink with such ferocity; that it looked as though she was trying to erase it from existence.
"So glad you find this amusing," Vaggie grumbled, looking back down at the floor. There was still so much more left to clean and fix. She could feel the exhaustion seeping into her bones, but she shook it off and continued her work.
They continued cleaning the bathroom for what seemed like hours before they were satisfied. After what felt like an eternity, Vaggie finally pushed her mop back one last time, leaning heavily on its handle. Every muscle in her body ached, but she felt a strange sense of satisfaction as she surveyed the gleaming tiles beneath her. It was an odd feeling, considering the fact that the stubborn grime had almost driven her to her wits' end earlier.
Nifty's giggles echoed around the now spotless bathroom, breaking Vaggie's train of thought. Veggie turned around to find Nifty admiring her reflection in the shiny floor she'd been scrubbing just moments ago. "Look at how clean it is! You could practically eat off it!" Nifty squealed, clapping excitedly.
She watched the small demon zoom through the bathroom to admire how the once dirty and broken-down room now looked brand new. Veggie smiled, no matter how much time had passed it seemed like Nifty would always be Nifty.
As she observed the tiny cyclops, memories that she tried to desperately bury started to resurface. Her once peaceful face twisted into a grimace as her mind was forced back in time, dredging up the memories she had worked so hard to keep at bay...
"Nifty..."
Despite this, the words escaped her lips before she could stop it.
"...What has Alastor been up to?"
Nifty paused her sprint, sliding to an awkward halt on the gleaming tiles to look at Vaggie. For a moment, the small demon's face looked unreadable. "Al?" she repeated, as though she needed time to process what she'd been asked about him.
Vaggie's hands were wound tightly into a fist. Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched Nifty closely, hoping for an answer that would not add more fuel to her already smoldering anger. She didn't want to think about Alastor, but she also couldn't ignore the gnawing curiosity that was begging for an answer.
Finally, Nifty seemed to find her voice again. "Oh, Alastor!" she chirped brightly and then shrugged. "Same ole', same ole'. Always in his studio, doing this and that."
It was a vague answer, but it was something. Veggie nodded, her grip on the mop handle loosening slightly. She could feel the last of her energy drain from her, but she dismissed it, focusing on what Nifty had just told her.
"So, nothing...nothing unusual? He's just always in his studio?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. The image of Alastor's devilishly sly grin flashed through her mind again.
Nifty nodded vigorously, one hand scratching at the back of her head as she looked at Vaggie. "Yep!" she responded cheerfully, oblivious to the apprehension creeping into Vaggie's face.
"There has to be more than just that! There has to be a reason as to why he's here." Veggie thought to herself, unable to believe there wasn't more to it than that.
But as she looked into Nifty's innocent, one-eyed gaze, she knew that if there was more, the little demon was unaware of it. Her shoulders slumped with resignation; her fatigue finally taking over.
"That...that's all I needed to know," she murmured, barely above a whisper. She couldn't deny the twinge of disappointment twisting in her chest. Somehow, she had hoped for more - some secret scheme or plot that would explain Alastor's constant presence at the hotel.
Nifty seemed oblivious to Vaggie's internal struggle for answers, her focus already shifting back to admiring their handiwork in the bathroom.
"Now we clean the kitchen next!" The bubbly demon suggested, already skipping towards the door.
Veggie felt the energy drain from her once again at the mere thought of more cleaning. She managed a small nod, "Yeah...the kitchen." She glanced back at the spotless tiles one last time before following Nifty out of the room.
The moment she stepped out the door, the soothing voice of her girlfriend Charlie enveloped her. The sound was like a warm hug, comforting and familiar. It washed over her, softening her tense shoulders and easing the worries in her mind.
"Veggie! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Charlie smiled as she excitedly rushed towards her girlfriend with a female demon following behind her.
Veggie managed a small smile, her fatigue momentarily forgotten at the sight of Charlie's bright expression. "Hey, Charlie," she greeted her, gratefully accepting the warm hug her girlfriend enveloped her in.
Charlie pulled back after a moment, concerned etching into her features as she studied Vaggie's face. "You look tired, Vaggie," she murmured, her thumb tracing Vaggie's cheekbone. "Have you been overworking yourself again?"
Veggie shrugged nonchalantly despite the exhaustion pulling at her limbs. She was about to dismissively wave off Charlie's concern when the woman standing by Charlie coughed politely, diverting their attention towards her.
"Sorry for interrupting," The woman said, sounding apologetic as she looked between the two of them. "But I thought you were going to show me where I would be staying?"
"Ah, right!" Charlie's vibrant eyes widened in realization. "Sorry about that! I got a little sidetracked." She offered a good-natured chuckle, releasing Vaggie to turn her full attention towards their guest.
Mayberry responded with a forgiving smile, her golden eyes shimmering in understanding. "No worries. I can imagine running a place like this keeps you both busy."
With a raised brow, Veggie observed the new demon with keen interest. She couldn't help but wonder about the identity and intentions of this mysterious newcomer. Her sharp gaze took in every detail, from the faint gleam in the demon's eyes to the precise angle of her horns. Questions swirled in her mind, but she kept them hidden behind her cool facade as she sized up the stranger before her.
"Uh, Charlie? Mind introducing us?" Veggie awkwardly said to Charlie, keeping her eye on the unfamiliar demon.
"Of course!" Charlie replied, her face lighting up. "Vaggie, I want to introduce you to Mayberry! She's new in Hell and doesn't really have a place to stay. She heard about our hotel from Alastor and decided to stay at our hotel! She's another guest!!! ISN'T THAT GREAT?!" She gestured towards the woman beside her, a smile still gracing her features. "Mayberry, this is Vaggie, my girlfriend and the co-manager of Hotel!"
Mayberry politely extended a hand toward Vaggie. "A pleasure to meet you, Vaggie," she said smoothly.
Vaggie, hearing Alastor being mentioned, hesitantly held her hand and met the demon's handshake. "Likewise," she replied curtly, her gaze never leaving Mayberry's face. She studied her for a moment longer, trying to find something - anything - that would give her an insight into the newcomer sent by Alastor and what their intentions were.
Charlie, oblivious to Vaggie's suspicious scrutiny of their new guest, was already being pulled into a conversation about how exactly the demon's stay was going to go. However, Veggie couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling curling in her gut.
"Alastor sent you here?" she questioned Mayberry abruptly, choosing to ignore the curious glances thrown their way by Charlie.
Mayberry nodded; her face unflappable as she met Vaggie's probing stare. "Yes, he recommended this hotel to me. Said that it was a great opportunity for demons looking for redemption and a safe place to stay," she responded easily.
Veggie felt her heart clench. The mention of Alastor and redemption in the same sentence seemed utterly bizarre. That, coupled with Mayberry's nonchalance, only aggravated her suspicion. She studied Mayberry, looking for any sign of deceit - a twitch of the eye, a shift in posture, anything that might give away a hidden agenda.
But no, Mayberry stood nonchalant and open, her golden eyes meeting Vaggie's questioning gaze without a trace of guilt or cunning. If she was lying, she was good at it. Exceptionally good.
Charlie's voice broke into her thoughts. "Vaggie, are you okay?" She looked worried as she wrapped an arm around Vaggie's shoulder. "You seem tense."
Swallowing down her doubts, Veggie forced a smile onto her face. "I'm fine Charlie," she assured her girlfriend, pulling away from the warmth of Charlie's touch. Turning her attention back to the female demon in front of her, she gave a curt nod. "Welcome to the hotel, Mayberry. I hope your stay here is...enjoyable."
Charlie, still oblivious to the tension, clapped her hands together enthusiastically. "Great! Now, let's get you settled in. We've got a nice room available on the second floor. I'll talk to you later Vaggie!"
She began leading Mayberry away, leaving Veggie standing alone in the hallway, Nifty long since abandoned her to clean the kitchen. The chatter of their voices echoed in the otherwise silent corridor.
Despite the fact Mayberry showed no sign of trying to deceive her, Veggie couldn't let her guard down. Questions about Alastor and his connection with Mayberry kept gnawing at her mind like a relentless itch. Her suspicious gaze subtly followed Mayberry as she went along with Charlie. She bore no telltale signs of deception even as she laughed along with Charlie at a joke she said.
With a deep, troubled sigh, Veggie turned her gaze away from the retreating pair and began to gather her thoughts. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but Alastor's name coming up in connection with their new guest was concerning. And Charlie's obliviousness made her worry even more.
Veggie turned on her heel and trudged towards the kitchen, her thoughts filled with questions about why Alastor brought the demon to the hotel. Each step towards the kitchen seemed heavier than the last as thoughts raced through her mind.
The scent of lemon fresh cleaner greeted her as she pushed open the door, Nifty fluttering about with a scrub brush clutched tightly in one hand. The small demon was engrossed in her task, so much so that she didn't notice Vaggie enter the room.
"Nifty," Veggie said, catching the attention of the busy demon. Nifty turned around, her face lighting up when she saw Veggie standing there.
"Veggie! You're finally here!" she chirped cheerily, abandoning her scrubbing post to flit over to her. "You missed all the fun! Just look at these countertops shine!"
Veggie managed a weak smile. "They look great, Nifty," she complimented, mustering as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
Nifty beamed, her wings fluttering with pride. "Thanks!" she squealed before returning to her scrubbing post.
Veggie remained standing by the door, her thoughts still a jumbled mess. She watched as the small demon worked diligently, the rhythmic sound of the scrubbing echoing through the quiet room. It was almost hypnotic, and she found herself lulled by the familiar noise.
"Something wrong, Vaggie?" Nifty asked, stopping to look at her, her crimson eyes filled with concern. "You look more stressed than usual."
Veggie sighed heavily. "We've got a new guest today," she shared vaguely, not meeting Nifty's gaze.
Nifty tilted her head to the side in curiosity. "Oh? We got a new victim?"
Before Vaggie could even begin to form a response, the heavy wooden door leading to the kitchen swung open, revealing the silhouette of a certain mischievous demon. His red eyes glinted in the dim light, and his sharp teeth were visible in his wide grin. He sauntered into the room, his confident steps echoing off the floor.
"Bonjour ladies! Quite a delight to see you again!" Alastor greeted, his voice ringing with mirth. Shadows danced around him as he leaned on the doorframe, his gaze flickering from Nifty's beaming face to Vaggie's dubious one. "Baking some cookies, I hope~! I always enjoyed a good crumb."
Nifty giggled, fluttering over to Alastor and bobbing up and down in her excitement. "I was cleaning the countertops, but now that you mention it, cookies sound fun!"
His gaze passed over Nifty's excited form before settling on Vaggie's scowling face, the grin never leaving his face. "Something the matter, Vaggie?" he asked with seemingly faux concern.
Veggie snapped out of her daze, turning to face the demon with a hardened gaze. "Not at all," she retorted coolly. "What brings you here?"
Alastor simply shrugged nonchalantly as he circled the room. "Oh, nothing of importance. Just thought I'd pop in and see how things were going." He paused by a polished countertop, glancing at his reflection and adjusting the lapels of his coat. "My compliments on the cleanliness," he directed at Nifty before turning back to Vaggie, the smirk still playing on his lips.
"Well, we can't all lounge around doing nothing," Veggie retorted, her voice icy. Alastor's smirk widened and he sent a mocking bow her way before breezing past her to inspect a spot near the stove.
Nifty, oblivious to the tension between the two, bobbed up excitedly, presenting the gleaming oven to him. "Look, Alastor! I've been cleaning this for hours!"
He clapped his hands together in glee. "Why, it's spotless! You have outdone yourselves!"
Nifty puffed out her chest and preened, basking in the lavish praise bestowed upon her. Her smug expression was met with an eye roll from Vaggie, who saw right through Alastor's flattery. She couldn't be swayed by such obvious tactics and maintained her cool demeanor, unimpressed by his attempts at charm.
"Don't think you can win me over with compliments. I have my eyes on you." She stared pointedly at him. His crimson eyes met hers as he chuckled lightly.
"Oh, I do love your fire, Vaggie," he replied with unbothered ease as he strolled closer to the scowling demoness.
"I bet you do," Vaggie responded dryly with words filled with sarcasm, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Alastor's grin faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure. He strolled over to the kitchen island as if he owned the place, leaning one elbow on it casually. "Well, aren't we defensive today?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
Veggie crossed her own arms and glared at him. "You haven't answered my question," she said, her voice frosty. "What are you really doing here?"
Alastor chuckled lightly and tapped his fingers against the tabletop. "Can't a fellow simply visit? Must I always be up to something?"
Vaggie's expression didn't change. "With you? Yes."
Alastor paused at this, pretending to look taken aback. Slowly, his trademark grin crept back onto his face. "I must say, Vaggie, such a stance is terribly uncharitable," he said melodramatically, placing a hand over his heart as if struck.
Veggie didn't waver. "And I must say, Alastor, it's earned."
Undeterred by Vaggie's icy regard, Alastor casually propped himself up against the kitchen counter. "Fair enough," he responded, flashing his pointy teeth in amusement. "But I assure you, there's no plot or scheme this time. Just curiosity."
"Curiosity?" Veggie repeated skeptically.
"Indeed," Alastor replied, resting his chin in his hand and looking particularly pleased with himself.
Nifty looked between the two of them, her small face filled with confusion like a child caught in an intense argument between her parents. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes wide and innocent as she looked at Vaggie who was still glaring at Alastor.
Veggie sighed heavily and turned to Nifty. "It's nothing Nifty," she said softly. "Just…" She paused, trying to find the right words. "Keeping an eye on our creepy investor here."
Nifty blinked. "Oh," she said simply. "Okay!"
Veggie gave a small nod before turning back towards Alastor whose interest was currently on a kitchen knife.
"Alastor," she warned, eyeing the knife in his hands. "What are you doing with that?"
"Well, I'm merely admiring the craftsmanship," he replied smoothly, rotating the blade to catch the dim light. "Impressive sharpness. It could slice a demon in two!"
Veggie sucked in a breath, fighting the cold fear that crept up at his words. She knew he was probably just messing around, but with Alastor, it was hard to tell where the line was between jest and threat.
"That's enough," she said sternly, reaching out and swiftly taking the knife from his hands. He let it go without resistance, his grin not fading. "Don't mess with that!"
"Very well," he conceded, leaning back against the counter as if he hadn't just been holding a potentially lethal weapon. "I see you're still as uptight as ever."
"And I see you're still as unnerving as ever."
At this, Alastor's laughter erupted from deep within him and reverberated off the kitchen walls, filling the space with a rich, hearty sound. Nifty glanced between them again.
"Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint," he replied once he'd caught his breath. "It's always been my goal to keep things... interesting."
Veggie scowled, not finding the humor in his words. "Interesting isn't the word I'd use."
"Then what word would you use, Vaggie?" Alastor pushed, his crimson gaze never leaving hers.
She was silent for a moment, her gaze sharp as she looked into his eyes. Finally, she spoke. "Troublesome," she said, her voice hard.
"But that's what makes life worth living, doesn't it?" Alastor asked, his voice almost thoughtful. "A little bit of trouble here and there to keep things spicy."
"Trouble is the last thing we need more of," Veggie countered. "we're here to redeem sinners, not bring them trouble."
"A noble cause!" Alastor exclaimed dramatically, the tone of his voice shifting from mocking to almost sincere. "You sound so righteous, Veggie. So pure."
She bristled at his words, a deep frown etching itself into her brow. "I'm doing this to help Charlie achieve her dream, and I would sooner stab myself with this knife than let you destroy it!"
Alastor laughed again, the sound sending a chill down Vaggie's spine. "I assure you, I have no desire to 'destroy' anything," he said, the smirk once more dancing on his lips. "After all, I'm an investor here. It wouldn't be in my best interests."
Vaggie's eyes narrowed at his words. The cynic in her refused to believe Alastor wasn't up to something. She'd seen him cause chaos before, and she had little doubt he wouldn't do so again.
"You say that now," she replied, "But who knows what you'll say tomorrow."
Alastor's brow raised, a shadow of surprise crossing his features before he schooled them back into nonchalance. "My dear Vaggie," he began, "I can assure you my intentions remain consistent."
"Consistently unpredictable," she countered under her breath, to which Alastor merely chuckled.
"Ah, but isn't that part of my charm?" Alastor responded with a grin that made his pointed teeth gleam under the dim lighting.
Vaggie's sharp, piercing eyes narrowed even further, her expression hardening into a thin line. "If charming is another word for backstabbing," she retorted with a hint of derision in her voice. Her tone was cold, like shards of ice cutting through the air.
Alastor's chuckle echoed through the kitchen once more, a chilling sound that seemed to bounce off the cold, stainless steel appliances. "Oh my, always so quick to cut with your words," he said, grinning wider. He leaned closer, his crimson eyes practically glowing in the dim light of the room. "I assure you, there's no need for such hostility."
"You have a peculiar habit of provoking people," she retorted, her eyes not leaving him. "You like it too much."
"Perhaps," he admitted with a nonchalant shrug. "But there's no fun in being boring now, is there?" He leaned into her space slightly, his piercing red eyes glinting with mischief.
Vaggie's grip tightened around the knife handle. Her heart pounded in her chest at their proximity, but she refused to back down.
"Isn't there, Alastor?" she asked sweetly, her voice oozing with ice-cold sarcasm. "I find peace rather enjoyable."
"You always were one for tranquility, my dear," Alastor chirped back. His amiable smile never wavered even as Vaggie's hostility was palpable in the air around them. Nifty watched their tense exchange from a safe distance, her large eyes watching the two.
"And you've always preferred chaos," Veggie retorted, shifting her stance slightly to put more distance between them but not enough to seem like she was backing away. She clutched the knife handle tighter, her knuckles white from the strain. "Creating it wherever you go, not caring who gets hur-"
"Nonsense!" he cut in theatrically, stopping her from finishing her words, spreading his hands wide, and giving another hearty chuckle that hid his emotion. "I merely provide a little entertainment."
Vaggie's answer was immediate and sharp. "By turning everything into a spectacle of chaos?"
Alastor grinned, leaning back and placing his hands on his waist. "If the shoe fits," he remarked, chuckling mischievously, "Though you do make it sound so... distasteful, Vaggie."
Vaggie's eyes narrowed further at his cheerful demeanor. With a firm grip on the knife handle, she jabbed a finger towards him. "Distasteful is an understatement when it comes to your methods."
Alastor's grin remained unfaltering, as he swept a grandiose bow in response. "Why! you flatter me with your words."
Vaggie's face hardened at Alastor's flippant reply. She was in no mood for his games today and had enough of their back and forth. She did not trust Alastor or his motives, and his nonchalant attitude only aggravated her more with each passing second.
"I don't know what you're playing at, Alastor, but I'm warning you - if you do anything to jeopardize Charlie's dreams for this hotel, you'll have me to answer to." She jabbed the knife in his direction for emphasis, stopping just short of his chest. Alastor didn't even flinch, merely smiling at her threat.
"...My dear, you wound me with these baseless accusations!" He dramatically exclaimed. "I'm simply here to support you and your charming princess in her silly little game."
Veggie snarled, gripping the knife tighter. "THIS ISN'T A SILLY GAME TO HER OR ME, ALASTOR! So, stay the hell out of my way if you're not willing to help!"
As she stormed out of the kitchen, her anger was palpable, and Alastor could feel it radiating off of her in waves. His usual confident smile faltered for a moment as he watched her go, his own emotions in turmoil. He knew their argument had been less than pleasant, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of bittersweet longing as she left. Despite everything, he cherished every moment they spent together.
BANG!
Once the kitchen door slammed shut behind her, Alastor ran a hand through his messy red hair and sighed, the weight of their exchange weighing heavily on his shoulders. He looked over at Nifty, who had been watching them the entire time.
"Such fun she is," he said with a grin, but his eyes betrayed him. "Wouldn't you agree, Nifty?"
"Yeah!" The little demon agreed with a smile just as big as his. "...I miss her."
Alastor froze at Nifty's words, his mind momentarily blank. Then he chuckled, breaking the heavy silence that had settled in the room. "Miss her? She just left Nifty~"
Nifty looked up at him with a tilt of her head. "That's not what I mean, Al. And you know it." The little demon girl, always so cheerful and crazily sadistic, suddenly seemed much older and wiser. "I miss seeing her happy, without all the stress, worry, or anger."
Alastor stared at Nifty blankly before offering a small smile. "We all do," he murmured quietly, his gaze drifting to the door Vaggie had stormed out of.
"I think she's scared, Alastor," Nifty said innocently. "Scared of you hurting Charlie. And…" she momentarily hesitated before continuing, "...she's scared of you."
Alastor turned to look at Nifty again, his blood-red eyes gleaming in the artificial light of the kitchen as he considered her words. "Scared... of me?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nifty nodded solemnly, her usually bright expression clouded with uncharacteristic gravity. "I think she doesn't want to admit it and hides her fear with anger, but I've seen the way she looks at you."
There was a long silence between them, and Alastor's smile quivered at the edges. He looked away from Nifty, his gaze unfocused as he lost himself in thought. The words hit him harder than he'd liked to admit. He knew that Vaggie didn't trust him, but scared?
Suddenly, the room felt much colder than before, its silence echoing hollowly in his ears.
For a moment, Alastor stood still, allowing the gravity of Nifty's words to sink in. A flicker of something undefinable passed through his eyes: was it sorrow? Regret? It was hard to tell - even for him. The kitchen that once echoed with their voices was now ominously quiet, the tension lingering like an ever-present specter.
"But..." he began, his voice weak, barely audible in the cold silence of the kitchen. "She has no reason to be..."
Nifty tilted her head and gave him a solemn look, her eyes glistening with a certain maturity. "Alastor," she began gently, "maybe you need to see it from her point of view."
"I..." Alastor trailed off. It was easy for him to dismiss Vaggie's hostility as a mere character trait, but to consider it as fear, and fear towards him no less... suddenly he felt the bitter taste of reality.
Alastor stared at Nifty in silence. He'd known Vaggie for what felt like forever and despite their differences, they had shared...something special. Now, the reality of the chasm that formed between them was almost too much for him to take in. The thought of Vaggie fearing him caused a painful ache in his chest, his typical grin fell into a bitter frown.
As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, the fiery pain in his right hand reminded him of everything that had gone wrong. The anger that simmered just below the surface threatened to boil over, but at the same time, he couldn't shake off the sadness that weighed heavy on his heart. He was torn between lashing out and crumbling under the weight of his emotions.
The one who held his very soil in their grasp was summoning him.
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