prologue
"You really have got to stop challenging the powerful overlords, Pen. You'll catch your second death.",you frown as you bandage up the injured serpent. Blood leaks from his nose and corner of his lip.
"That damned Alastor!",he curses loudly while allowing you to bandage his wounded arm. He then allows you to move up and wipe the blood from his features. You laugh gently and shake your head as he continues to mindlessly rant about the infamous radio demon.
You can't help but smile as you toss away the bloodied and spoiled supplies you used to aid to your old friend.
"Its not as if I could have done much with the princess there."
You momentarily still and your brows furrow,"The princess?" You turn to Sir Pentious with a curious tone on your tongue, pouring him another cup of tea. He nods while taking the porcelain cup, his brows lowered and pout still on his lips.
"Yes, I told you. At her little hotel.",you scoff and your eyes widen slightly. You pick up your own cup with a tilting of your head.
"So the rumors are true? She really did make a hotel in hopes of turning sinners into angels?",you ask in slight disbelief.
You had heard about this endeavor, hell, you had even seen the building. But you didn't think such an idea could ever be serious. Not to mention the princess wasn't exactly one of high respect. So why would the radio demon be there?
Sir Pentious sighs dramatically,"Why of course! You really need to buy one of those picture show contraptions, (Y/N). There was even a broadcast about it. Apparently Alastor invested in it. What a fool!" Sir Pentious begins to laugh loudly and you slowly set down your cup. The gears begin to turn in your mind as you raise your fingers to curl beneath your chin.
She's accepting investors...
Sir Pentious notices the way your thumb and index finger grasp at your chin and the way your brows pinch together. You're deep into planning something, and whenever your face contorted into this expression he knew it was a truly evil one.
The last time you made this face you killed an overlord who had disrespected you. Framing it so it looked as if though an angel exterminated him.
You were as smart as you were beautiful, this he knew the day he met you so many years ago.
You were the longest running overlord, aside from the king himself. And always remained the most powerful. With unimaginable wits combined with deadly powers you were a force to be reckoned with. He could only wonder what sort of plan you were concocting.
You grinned and turned to Sir Pentious. Your eyes then fell down to the thin watch wrapped around your wrist. It was just past early morning and the weather outside was as hellish as ever. You let out a gentle hum,"It seems I have somewhere to go."
Sir Pentious blinks back as you grab your keys from the dish aside your door and begin to pull on your heeled boots,"Wait where are you going?"
You smile at him,"Somewhere. But feel free to stay! If you do leave please lock up." Before he can say another word you leave quickly.
You were once powerless.
A small orphaned girl in the big scary living world.
You were used, taken advantage of, and beaten until all the kindness and warmth you held was drained out of your body. Then someone came along and changed that.
But nothing good ever lasts long.
You died in the most painful way possible. A way that would forever be ingrained into your mind and body, a scar across your neck a constant reminder. And you found yourself in Hell, powerless once more.
Until, by some bizarre entity, you manifested unimaginable powers. Powers which had never been harvested by a mortal soul. You would not be the kind fool a third time. You were merciless and cruel. Toppling over anyone and everyone to get to where you are now.
That being the most powerful overlord Hell has ever known.
Aside from Lucifer of course.
But this you intended to change.
And Charlotte Magne's hotel would be your open window.
As you drove down the streets of Hell and hummed along to the music playing on the radio you looked up to the small key hanging on the rearview mirror. You smile at the small egg boi keychain Sir Pentious had given you for your birthday last year.
You may be cruel and merciless. But Sir Pentious was one who brought out your soft side. You met him during a turf war, he attempted to steal your turf as a matter of fact. But you showed mercy for the first time in centuries.
Now you two were closely knit.
But you still kept him at a distance.
The last time you let someone get close you wound up with a dagger slashed across your throat.
You'd never make the same mistake twice.
"Vaggie! You can't rip his head off every time he annoys you!",Angel Dust groans as she holds back Vaggie and Husk simply watches from the bar. Vaggies eye is wide and angry as she squirms and thrashes in Angels arms. She glares at Alastor as he fixes his monocle casually, not the slightest bit phased by Vaggie.
"I can sure as hell try!",Vaggie shouts,"You cannot just change peoples clothes without permission you shitfaced asshole!"
Alastor laughs loudly while leaning against his cane, audience laughter goes about in the lobby,"Well, Vagatha, you did ask me if you looked like a clown! What else am I to do but help you achieve your desired look?"
Vaggie screams and thrashes further.
"Well, what a colorful scene."
They all turn at the sound of a soft voice holding an amused tone.
You stand in the lobby with your hands folded in front of you. Vaggie is quick to shove Angel off of her and looks down to realize she is still wearing a clown outfit. She refrains from running across the room and killing Alastor until she recognizes you. Her eyes widen.
"Guys I was on a phone call with my mom what is—",Charlie stops abruptly when she reaches the lobby. Her eyes look to you and she feels chills crawl up her spine. You step forward with a soft smile on your lips.
"Hello! I'm sorry to drop by unannounced please pardon my manners. I'm (Y/N).",you hold a hand out to the short demon princess. Her girlfriend is quick to rush in front of her and push your hand away with narrowed eyes.
"We know who you are. Why are you here?"
Vaggie didn't trust any overlord. Especially not one as powerful as you. She made it very evident in the accusatory tone and protective way she pushed back Charlie. Charlie simply stayed behind a strangely dressed Vaggie, she made note to ask about it later.
You brush back your hair,"I'm want to help, of course."
Everyone in the room gets a sense of deja vu. Charlie gently pushes aside Vaggie with a curious look,"You want to help?" She raises her brows while holding her hands to her chest.
You nod with a widening smile,"Of course! I want to...invest. I can assure you I'd be much help." Charlies eyes widen and she gasps softly. Her hands go up to her rosy cheeks and she has a hopeful look in her large eyes.
"Are you serious?",she asks while stepping closer to you and looking up at you. You nod with a soft chuckle and she breathes out deeply,"So...do you believe redemption is possible?" She inquires with a gentle and hopeful tone while cocking her head gently.
Vaggie places a hand on Charlies shoulder awaiting the disappointing response. Alastors grin widens and he cocks his head.
"Yes I do.",you lie straight through your teeth with a wicked smile. Everyone in the room has different reactions of shock and surprise.
Vaggie's eyes narrow suspiciously as Charlie gasps, her bottom lip quivering,"Really!?" You nod once more and sigh dramatically while turning away and walking around the lobby. Your eyes admire the many portraits adorning the room.
Everyone's eyes are on you, especially a grinning show hosts.
"Of course! I didn't believe in Heaven or Hell when I was alive and wow was I quite wrong.",you whip around to Charlie with a smile and gesture to everyone,"Look around! Who are we to assume what is possible or impossible?"
You walk towards a starry-eyed Charlie and gently lift her chin with your index finger. Her cheeks can't help but redden a bit. Vaggie narrows her eyes at you, yet refrains from doing anything by the look of euphoria in Charlies expression.
"I'd absolutely love to be apart of this, Miss Magne. I'd hate to be one of the unbelieving fools when you manage to conform a loathsome sinner!",Charlie squeals and wraps her arms around you. Enwrapping you in a tight hug she squeals further.
"This is amazing! Of course you can be an investor!"
Vaggies eyes widen and she tears Charlie away from you, you watch as she quickly drags away the princess and begins to whisper something to her.
You watch with slightly narrowed eyes,"Miss (Y/N)." You turn at the sound of Alastors voice.
Alastor had been watching you this entire time and he was internally frustrated to realize you were as impossible to read as others rumored you to be. He had heard quite a lot about you.
Yet he never met you in person.
But if the rumors were anything to follow he needed to be careful around you. Very careful and alert.
You turn to Alastor, your smile falls and you narrow your eyes,"Alastor.",he steps towards you, towering over you with his usual grin. "I'd say what a pleasure it is to meet you but I'm afraid I don't want to waste the effort of lying on the likes of you."
Alastor chuckles darkly,"You hold a disdain for me already? But I haven't even the chance to irritate you so, my dear." You wear a tight lipped grin and its your turn to chuckle. You lean up close to him with narrowed eyes.
"Your presence is irritation enough."
You turn at the sound of Charlie clearing her throat. You turn away from Alastor with a ghost of a smile. Charlie now wears a stern look alongside Vaggie. Yet her excitement is prominent in her vibrating body.
"Soo...we know of your reputation and some of us are a bit disbelieving of you.",Charlie starts and Vaggie narrows her eyes while crossing her arms. After Charlie allowed Alastor to be a partner in this endeavor Vaggie and Charlie had a long talk about mutual agreement.
"How can we trust you to not ruin our operation?",Vaggie states bluntly while crossing her arms tightly over her chest,"And what could you offer?" You nod slowly and fold your hands in front of you with a soft smile.
"I completely understand. But, now pardon my manners once more,",you laugh gently and look around,"There is no operation to ruin."
Alastor can't help but shove down a humored laugh at that.
Charlie looks to Vaggie with worry.
"Before that broadcast the entirety of Hell thought this hotel was a joke. And after that broadcast and the stars",you glance to Angel Dust,"performance during the turf war, no one is going to want to stay here. Nor is anyone going to take you guys serious."
What is she playing at? Alastor thinks with narrowed eyes.
Vaggie snorts and glares at you,"You are not proving any point here." You chuckle gently and slowly pull off your satin gloves. You look to Alastor momentarily.
"With the radio demon by your side sure you could have people want to join out of fear.",you grin gently and tuck your gloves into your coat,"I could get them to join voluntarily."
Charlies eyes widen and she steps forward,"Could you really do that?" Vaggie feels her guard lower ever so slightly at the genuine smile you shoot Charlie.
You nod softly,"I have a way with words."
You look to Vaggie and sigh gently with a shake of your head,"I know you are guarded and worried. Especially for the lovely Miss Magne." Alastor watches in slight awe as you step towards a usually stone faced Vagatha. "But I will not hurt her or you, or anyone in this hotel."
Vaggie's frown falls into a gentle smile when you place a hand on her shoulder. Your touch is warm and comforting in a strangely intense way. Vaggie sighs softly and an excited Charlie looks between the two of you.
"Fine.",Vaggie says and Charlie squeals with more excitement. "Yay! This is going to be so great!"
She ropes you into a group hug and you smile softly. Your eyes fall to Alastors and it falls.
I'll enjoy tearing you down first.