Las Addictos (Angel Dust)
“Okay, looks like Vaggie’s in bed.” Charlie said, rubbing her sleeping girlfriend’s shoulder, “Though she’s still drunk and it could take a few hours for the alcohol to run its course.”
After whatever the fuck Vaggie just did, we decided to just let her sleep while Charlie look after her.
That was when I noticed some notifications on my phone. They were going so fast that they were buggin me. In annoyance, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, hoping it wasn’t Valentino texting me where I am. But to my surprise, the notifications were for a video.
I clicked on it, and my eyes went wide, “Uh, guys. Ya might wanna see this.”
Charlie and Husk came to look at my phone screen as I clicked play. The image of Hell reacting to the sudden crazy energy surge Vags created.
[“Breaking news! A sudden force of unnatural magical energy erupted all over Hell, leaving the people of Hell confused and shaken! Is this some dangerous threat coming our way? Where did it come from? Is this a way for Heaven to strike back after their attempt of an extermination? More info coming soon!”]
“This is bad.” Charlie stated, eyes wide and worried.
Husk had a grave expression on his face, “And if all of Hell saw this, then there’s a possibility of Heaven knowing about… whatever Vaggie did.”
“Well, that’s just great!” I said sarcastically. I looked at Charlie and said “Vagina here is goin to be gettin a lot of attention if word got out, Chars. We need a plan.”
“I know!” Charlie cried out in frustration, “But I can’t leave her to deal with this! Not to mention help her with whatever it was she’s going through! And we have to do everything we can to help her!”
As much as it might get tricky, but Charlie’s right. Vaggie is goin through some shit dealing with what seems to be family angst. Angst that seems to root her deep within that seems to be coming from the person she calls Abuela. Her grandmother.
I can’t help but relate, surprisingly. I know what it’s like to have issues with family myself. Though it's a little different, it’s still somewhat similar. And from the looks of it, she really misses them deep down. It reminds me of when I miss my sister.
But to do this, we might have to deal with Heaven again… and the last two times didn’t go so well. We survived angels once. But who knows what they could be planning if we ever deal with them again,
Urgh, this shit is happening so fast. We just fought a bunch of exorcists! What more could we need?!
“Everyone!” Niffty was running into the room in a hurry, “Someone's at the door!!”
Fuck, this place and it’s shitty rotten luck.
I looked at Charlie, “We’ll get it, toots. Just worry about your girlfriend at the moment, alright?”
Charlie gave me and Husk an appreciative nod and smiled.
“Do you have any idea what this is about,” Husk asked, taking steady steps as we got to the lobby.
“Well, it could either be new sponsors for the hotel. Or…” I bit my lip at the other option, “Or it has to do with Vaggie’s not so subtle freak out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think we want to deal with either of those.”
The last thing we need is more complications happening and I don’t think we have time for new people for the hotel. And if they’re here for Vaggie, then it can mean trouble.
Husk looked like he knew where I was going with this and nodded.
As we got to the door, Husk looked at Niffty, “Okay, what are we dealing with here, exactly?”
“There’s three of them. And they look very intimidating.”
Oh god, I hope it isn’t the vees. I really don’t want to deal with Valentino at the moment right now.
“What do they look like?”
“Hmmm…. A plant, a yellow chameleon, and a succubus.”
I paled. Husk’s eyes grew wide.
“The Addicts?!” we both shouted at once. The same response caused us both to look at each other, “Wait you know them too?!”
“How do you know them? I thought you ain’t interested in politics.” asked a surprised Husk, generally curious despite this circumstance.
“Sure I do! I used to buy their drugs before coming clean!” Oh shit… if they're here then… “Fuck, they’re here for me! I just knew it would happen one of these days!”
Husk rolled his eyes at my dramatics, “Please, they would have done that ages ago. It’s not exactly a secret, considering the mess on the news.”
“Uh…” Niffty was looking at us, completely bewildered at what was going on, “Who exactly are the Addicts? They're just people who are addicted to drugs, right?”
Husk shook his head, “Not exactly. They call themselves the Addicts because they have a drug business led by a fierce and dangerous plant overlord who goes by her demon name, Belladonna, who became powerful by creating high quality drugs that many demons would kill just to have. The yellow chameleon is her personal drug dealer who goes by Charlatán. I used to gamble against him before his soul was owned. And the succubus calls herself Riot. No one knows why she joined them, but she’s a dangerous adversary to go up against who acts as a guard.”
The small demon nodded, probably getting what he’s saying, “So why are they here? To try out the hotel?”
It was a possibility… I mean, even though they’re intimidating (By intimidating, I mean Belladonna. I’m cool with the other two, surprisingly. It’s just Belladonna is scary as fuck), they also mean well and are just trying to survive here like many others. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually want to give redemption a try.
But… the timing. It’s too much of a coincidence.
“Do you think-”
Another knock on the door. It sounded impatient.
I looked at Husk, thinking whether or not I should open the door. He nods, “Better not keep them waiting for too long.”
True. The longer they wait, the more likely they might put matters into their own hands. Like blowing up the front door. We ain’t rebuilding again.
I sighed, opening the door and there they were. The Addicts.
The plant demon, Belladonna, had her signature glare that made me shit my pants, “Took you long enough,” She said with irritance.
“And…” I cleared my throat, “I see you haven’t changed a bit since the last time I saw ya.” my nerves were definitely shaking.
Her glare was menacing alright. Thankfully, the tension lessened when Riot and Charlatán gave me a friendly wave.
“Angel! Good to see you!” Riot exclaimed, her tone upbeat, “Saw the news! Well done, pal! I’m happy for you!”
I gave her a smile, “Really? You all aren’t mad that you lost one of your best customers?”
Belladonna rolled her eyes with disinterest, tapping her foot, “Do you think we care? There are plenty of others who want our drugs. You going clean is the least of our problems.”
The chameleon sinner chuckles, “Hey man, don’t listen to her. Deep down beneath all of her walls, she’s actually proud that you aren’t drugging yourself. I am too. That stuff is not good.” he notices Husk and frowns, “Hey, Husker.”
Husk just narrows his eyes, “You still owe me money.”
“Is that how you treat an old friend?” Charlatán chuckles, but his joking attitude was replaced with something else, “Heard you got your soul in a shitty situation.”
Husk’s wings bristled. He always didn’t like to be reminded about his soul being owned by alastor. I can’t help but feel bad. I don’t know the full details, but I know it ain’t good. Not like my soul contract problem, but still ain’t good.
Charlatán knew that he stepped over a boundary, so he said “Sorry. That was insensitive of me. My bad. It’s just… back in the day you always made fun of my predicament when we cross paths. That I was a fool for lending my soul like a fucking idiot. And look at you now.”
That was new information I didn’t know about! I looked at the cat sinner, who changed his face with a look of remorse. Judging by his expression, I could tell he had some regret over his past actions.
“I know.” Husk responded sadly, “And I’m sorry about that. I… I get how it feels like now. I apologize for not knowing.”
Charlatán smiled gratefully at his apology, “Apology accepted. Hope you can get out of your situation like I did.” he says, pointing a thumb at the plant demon.
Right, his soul is now owned by someone different.
I wonder if Husk and I could try doing that.
“Okay, we’re getting off topic,” Belladonna replied, her tapping getting louder with each tap, “We should probably discuss why we’re here.”
I raised my brow. I might be scared shitless of her, but I wasn’t going to let her do anything that I don’t like, “And that is?”
“Lets just say,” Charlatán looked at the plant demon beside him with a hopeful expression, who nodded as if communicating through mutual trust. He raised his right hand along with Belladonna, “You guys have something important to us. Or someone.”
Both of their hands revealed golden glowing marks. The same marks as Vaggie’s.
… Well holy shit.