The Isekai Sinner

Stitches moaned as the reddish hue of the sun pierced through the curtains, hitting her right in the eyes, and waking her from her fitful sleep. Nightmares plagued her all night long once the exhaustion had finally won out over insomnia, but even in life, that had been a constant. Of course, THAT had to follow me here. Even the subjects of her nightmares didn't differ, just new characters twisted in from the last 24 hours or so, and events: her death, arrival here, and of course, Alastor. But honestly, she wasn't even that scared of the twisted replay of her life so far. It was the way her brain corrupted things, echoing her own dark thoughts throughout her nightmares on a loop. That is what truly terrified her. Nightmares she could wake from, letting them fade away as she woke. But those voices... those were always constant.

She sighed and rolled over, covering her eyes with her arm, waiting for the voices to fade to a livable buzz in the back of her head. But as they clawed at her brain, she was faced with questions. Was coming to the Hazbin a mistake? Sure, Hell was known as a horrible place, with danger around every corner, but she didn't HAVE to go here. What was she so eager to live for? Her spouse, her child, her world... one by one, they had been taken from her, and now she had...?

Nothing.

The answer was nothing.

She shook her head, repressing this thought cycle before it could spiral. She focused on the GOOD news: Angel Dust had gotten her away from Valentino. Charlie had let her stay in the hotel. And Alastor had decided not to kill her (for now). But, no sooner had she pushed those thoughts forward than the voices fought back: she had no money, belongings, or even an idea on how to get by here. Sure, she could try to go through Charlie's "redemption" program, and Charlie would never kick her out, especially if she put forth some effort, no matter how small, but...

She could never be redeemed.

She sighed and dropped her arm back to her side, staring up at the moulding of the ceiling. The architecture was beautiful, if not a bit ostentatious, but that didn't bother her at all. Honestly, it was kinda cozy, and better than a lot of places she had lived in during her life back home. At one point she had lived in her own car, in the middle of winter! Compared to that, this was paradise! She was sad that the hot water was more warm than hot, for some reason, but she had still soaked in the bath for hours before finally slipping into bed. It had calmed her nerves some, after Alastor's "visit". Still took her a long time to pass out, but at least she had slept. Insomnia was fickle, and it had been common in her life to be awake for days at a time every so often. So, small victories. 

I wonder if Alastor is going to tell anyone about what we-

A knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts and she bolted upright, the blanket falling down to her waist. She was suddenly very conscious that she was naked, having not had any pajamas, and had just crawled in right after her bath, her dress and accessories on the desk clear on the other side of the room. She immediately brought the blanket up to her neck, still sitting up. She hadn't even brought the towel near the bed, leaving it where it fell on the bathroom tiles. 

Fuck me...

"Um, Stitches?" Charlie's muffled voice on the other side of the door sounded cheery, but hesitant. "I know you didn't have any luggage, being new to Hell and all, so I brought you some things to help, you know, get you settled. Is it okay if I come in?"

"Shit..." Stitches mumbled, trying to decide. On one hand, she was curious what Charlie had brought. On the other, it was so awkward being naked in bed. Then again, of all the people she could possibly be okay with greeting this way, Charlie was top of the list. She wouldn't judge, and was also unlikely to make it weird. Decision in mind, she cleared her throat and spoke loudly so Charlie could hear her. "Y-yeah, um, I am not out of bed and the door is locked so, um..." Please just say you'll leave it there.

"Oh! I have a key! Is it okay if I let myself in?" Right. Of course the hotel owner would have a spare key.

Stitches paused, then sighed.

"C-come in." She called out, ensuring the sheets and blanket were fully covering her. 

She heard the lock click open, and then Charlie entered, pushing a hotel cart filled with various items. She smiled at her, completely unbothered by her state of undress, except for a chaste blush. "I am so so so sorry that I didn't bring this up last night so you could have some clean clothes to sleep in. I just wanted to give you some space, and I didn't want to bother you..."

Wish the Radio Demon had been so generous.

Stitches smiled at her gratefully. "It's alright, I really appreciate it."

Charlie grinned at her. "We are going to be doing a group activity after breakfast, so you are more than welcome to join us. I wasn't sure what you like to eat, but my dad made some apple fritters, so I brought some up for you to try." She motioned to a covered food tray in the middle of the top tier of the cart.

Stitches mouth began to water.

"I... OMG, I love sweet, fruity stuff!" God, that sounded so lame! What the fuck is wrong with me!

Charlie giggled. "Good to know! I am going to take my leave now so you can get dressed. If anything doesn't fit, just let me know!" And with that, she left, shutting the door behind her.

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Stitches stuffed another apple fritter in her mouth, disappointed that there weren't any more on the plate. Charlie had brought her up an entire platter, and after not eating anything since... well, not at all since coming to Hell, she was beyond famished. They were ridiculously good too, the best she had ever had, and she couldn't help but be disappointed that they were all gone. Maybe she should try to cozy up to Lucifer, so she could ask him to make more for her....

Ugh, stop being so creepy!

She busied herself with putting the last of the items Charlie had brought for her away in the dresser, since she didn't have a closet. Among the items had been clothing, accessories, a brush (which surprisingly, combed through her hair just fine, not breaking apart the hair or fluffing it up weirdly like actual yarn), toiletry items, and various odds and ends like a stationary set, a small radio, and a couple of magazines. It helped fill out the room a bit, and she felt more at home now, even if the items weren't really "hers".

Stitches had put on a simple short-sleeved, black crop top that was loose and off the shoulder. She had paired it with a black knee-length skirt that swirled around as she walked. She had chosen a pair of simple black flats to replace the Cutsie Mary Jane shoes and had styled her purple hair into a low, simple yet neat, ponytail. It was VERY different from the doll-like outfit she had come in, but it felt more like her. Besides, I don't need any help looking MORE like a doll. Especially in Hell, where it was likely to be seen as a weakness. She was already vulnerable, she didn't need any help with that either. 

She looked at the clock on the wall. It had only been around an hour, but breakfast would probably be about over, and Charlie had said she was welcome to join the group activity. She knew, logically, it was a good idea to go down to participate, to meet everyone and at least try to show that she was actually interested in the program. But she was still feeling awkward, and she should start trying to put together a plan for what to do next, and so maybe she should just-

Knock, knock, knock

She jumped a little, and maneuvered around the cart, eyeing a piece of candy she hadn't noticed. She popped it into her mouth, savoring the sweet minty flavor. It distracted her from her neves at opening the door for someone. Probabyly just Charlie coming to check on her, maybe to retrieve the cart. She opened the door and choked.

"Salutations!"

Stitches turned and coughed, wheezing as she stood back upright. Alastor's smirk made her want to smack him, but she merely gave her best, albeit annoyed, smile. "Alastor, what a surprise." She was much less scared of him in the hallway. He was still putting up a good show for Charlie, so she knew he wouldn't attack her in the publicity of the hallway. So, she let her annoyance lace her voice, her relative safety making her cocky. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Alastor eyed her outfit, face charismatic and friendly, but eyes narrowed and judgy. "Ah, a costume change! Quite different from yesterday's ensemble."

Stitches eye twitched. Is he trying to reference the fact I told him this was all a damn cartoon in my world? Asshole. "I wouldn't call yesterday's outfit flattering, so let's call this an upgrade, shall we? We can't all be as charming as you right out of the gate."

Now it was his turn to have an eye twitch, his radio static letting out a quiet screech. His voice however stayed the same as his smile: dripping with fake charm. "Indeed we shall, though perhaps I should take you to a seamstress. You really could use some help with your fashion choices."

Just keep smiling, and don't kill the bastard... Not that you could anyway.

"Gee, how generous." She smiled as she ground her teeth, hoping it would tame her temper, but it wasn't helping as much as she had hoped. "So, was there a reason you stopped by, or did you simply feel in the mood to hand out unsolicited fashion advice?"

"Ha HA! Not quite." He leaned in, and Stitches froze. He lowered his voice so only she could hear. "I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to accept your outlandish story, and I will be keeping it our little secret for the time being. Do try to refrain from as many faux pas slipups as possible from now on, will you? Most of the sinners here are too daft to catch on, but we can't have anyone else find out and spoil the fun, can we?"

She swallowed and blinked, shaking her head to reground herself. "Y-you are helping me, and all you ask is that I don't reveal I am from another world? Why?"

Alastor stood up straight and twirled his cane with a chuckle. "Let's call it an investment in my entertainment, my dear! I look forward to seeing just how twisted 'Stitches' is!"

What the HELL does that mean? Did he figure out that's not my real name? Is he threatening me? Or has he somehow figured out my past...

She smiled, trying her best to mask her growing distaste for him. "I assure you, I don't plan on doing anything twisted during my stay here."

He shrugged and turned away. "We shall see, little vixen, we shall see. Group activity shall commence in the lobby in half an hour, so don't be late!"

"Hey, I never agreed to go!" she shouted at his departing back. But he pretended not to hear her, and morphed into shadow. She face-palmed and groaned. "Ugh, that guy is the WORST!"

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Lucifer watched Alastor leave and frowned. He had come, by Charlie's request, to tell... shoot, what was her name? Stuffy? Stealthy? Steeeeerling? Meh, anyway, he wanted to tell her it was time for Char-Char's group activity soon and to tell her that if she wanted more apple fritters, there were still some left. But what he had stumbled upon was Alastor at her door, and it was... weird. He was too far away to hear what was being said, but the way the new resident had behaved, her body language... She was clearly uncomfortable with Alastor's presence, and though she had done remarkably well (even better than he did some days), she still looked...

Sad

Helpless

Broken

He would deal with Alastor later. He clearly had something on the poor girl, and he wasn't about to let that psycho mess with... well, a fan of his APPLE FRITTERS! He tried not to get too involved with Sinners, but he was making strides to be more open. Charlie's friends and staff, aside from Alastor, had all proved themselves to be rather endearing, so he was trying, for her sake, to see Sinners in general in a better light. It wasn't like he was completely over his prejudice, but he could make an exception for this one. She was young, new to Hell, and looked vulnerable. For now, though, he felt a need to cheer her up, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Say something cool!

"Heeeey, bitch!" he called out, waving as he approached. Sigh, I really got to stop saying that... She looked up from her facepalm, and her eyes went from wild and angry to warm and excited to guarded and careful. It was so fast, that had he blinked, he would have missed it. Strange...

She smiled warmly, though it failed to reach her eyes. "Luci- um, you must be Lucifer Morningstar, Charlie's dad? You two look so much alike!"

Did- her eyes looked panicked there for a second, right? Why do her eyes keep changing so fast?

"Ha ha HA! Well, thanks so much, kiddo! You can just call me Lucifer, all my friends do. I heard you were super happy about the apple fritters! Anyone who loves apple fritters is a friend of mine, Sticky!"

She snorted and giggled. Her giggle was nice, like a bird singing. "Actually, my name is Stitches, Lucifer. See?" she pointed to the stitching around her mouth. "Stitches!"

Lucifer grinned. See, why can't everyone be so easy to remember!? "Ah, hey, way to wear your name tag! Can't forget it when it is stitched on your face, huh!"

She full-on laughed now, the single bird turning into a whole choir. It warmed his heart after seeing how she had been with Alastor, and her laughter reminded him of Charlie when she was younger, so full of life and joy. She was so nice and kind, it was a wonder she was in Hell. What could someone like her do to wind up here? But those eyes... He finally placed where he had seen those ever-shifting, guarded eyes.

He saw them every day in the mirror.

"Hey, Stitches," he began, voice soft and serious, "I know we just met, but... well, I'm a father, and I know you are kinda on your own right now so... if you ever need to talk or vent or anything, you can come to me, okay?" Shit, that was probably too forward of me.

Stitches' eyes flashed through so many emotions, it was hard to keep up with them, but they were quick to settle back into a guarded solid. She smiled (sadly? kindly? shyly?) and nodded. "I would like that very much, sir." Her body seemed to relax, so that was a good sign, right? At least she wasn't pulling away or trying to slam the door in his face. But her face still looked... so haunted.

He reached out his hand and patted her shoulder. She shivered at the contact but didn't pull away, but he stopped anyway. She was clearly not fully okay with being touched by him. Who hurt this sweet girl? If I find out they are here, I am going to have a talk with them... with my fists!

"Well, good then!" He shouted, in his cheeriest voice, pointing down the hallway towards the lobby. "How about you let this old man escort you to the group activity, and you can tell me what other treats you like to eat?"

She giggled, the little bird singing again. She would really do amazing in heaven, she would fit in well there. "Hold on, let me grab my key. But I have to warn you, a lot of my favorites are apple-flavored!" She left the door open as she ran back in for her key.

Lucifer gasped happily and thrust a fist in the air in triumph. "Aw, FUCK yeah!"