Chapter 7: Why the Hell!
Allison washed her hands at the bathroom sink somberly as she made her usual sad worrying frown. This wasn't going well at all. Yes she's fixed the mess that was in the lobby but what about the patrons. After that shitstorm the celebration was guaranteed to be a failure. No one would dare attend a party where the Radio Demon was present to make something like that happen.
The doe feared this from the moment the deer monster called all of this a game. She turned off the faucet and leaned forward her hands on the counter as she shifted her weight a little to the left. Hesitantly the demoness looked up at herself in the mirror seeing not a replica of the radio demon, nor an ambitious coordinator but a God damn failure. She couldn't even coordinate a single fucking celebration why? Why did it have to be on the fucking Radio Demon's turf? Tears soon fell from the woman's eyes not like when she thwarted Sir Pentious. They were her own tears of sadness. She was becoming extremely overwhelmed by all these random problems.
No matter how hard she tried something always went wrong. Whether it was because of Briskette, or Alastor or just bad luck. It's been one conundrum after another just like all her other projects and she tired of it. She'd have this perfect vision in her head this image of prestige but every time she tried to execute the best course of action possible she'd end up with a figurative and literal mess whether her clients were satisfied with the outcome or not. God she just wanted to quit not just this current project but the job all together nothing she seemed to do ever came out right. Why the Hell did she even believe in this? The planning alone wasn't working out at all so what hope was there that the celebration would even succeed?
She slightly turned away from the mirror with a curled hand to her quivering lip. As the demoness leaned her hip onto the counter she heard something crinkle in her skirt pocket. She reached under the tattered tail of her coat and pulled out the flyer she had kept. She looked at it pitifully wondering if all this was her punishment for something in her past life. She may have been sacrificed to Lucifer by her kin but was she really a true sinner?
On a whim she waved a hand over the paper and reverted it back to its original style; all cutesy and glittery like a 2nd grade Valentine's day drawing. It was so childish, so fluffy, very inappropriate for getting sinners to attend an afterglow celebration yet it caught Allison's eye as did the millions of other flyers stuck to many buildings. She remembered two days ago...
She had been trekking through Hell sulking over her last failed project at a gala for a wealthy client. The planning and direction for everything was going perfectly at first until it got later in the day.
The beginning stages of the Lustlorne cycle had gradually taken effect by the the time evening came around and the soiree was in full swing. It started with guests getting handsy and even a tad rapey with each other or with her. Then she would find people in the backrooms, closets and bathrooms having sex. By this point it was getting strange as the number of couples were increasing. Still she didn't think much of it at first until guests started forming orgies in the middle of the ballroom. Things then turned violent as the party goers began eviscerating each other while fornicating it was typical demon behavior but not on this level.
The intense smell of blood mix with the sounds of moaning and the rising temperature of the room almost made Allison wanted to join in as well but she fought the urge and rushed off to lock herself inside an unoccupied powder room where she pleasured herself to the sounds all night.
The next morning her client paid her extra, satisfied with the turn of events even though the most active part of the evening was not scheduled, he was still pleased by it and thanked her immensely. The doe weakly grinned trying not to seem ungrateful but inside she was confused and disappointed in how all of her hard work pretty much went to waste because of this strange phenomenon that she would later find out via the 666 News, was because of a millennial cycle that she had read about during her few years after manifesting; the Lustlorne cycle.
She hated this--well not hate-hate it--but in the sense that it was a hindrance to her work. How was she suppose to throw a successful party, wedding or any sort of event she was paid to coordinate if everyone was too busy fucking to even enjoy it. It was bad enough that every other project before the gala ended in failure because of bad luck and Briskette's shenanigans. This time she had given the cat the day off before the actual party and it still ended in a filthy disaster.
After sulking in a bar Allison left with her head low until fate smacked into her face after being carried by sulfer scented winds. She pulled the paper off her face and looked at it. The paper looked like a child's lost art project until she read the advertisement. It was for a Lustlorne Afterglow Celebration at the Happy Hotel, curious. Allison had never heard of the Happy Hotel before and she had most certainly never heard of any traditions in Hell where the denizens would celebrate the cycle.
She read the flyer some more then noticed a small caption that said: Come to celebrate the survival of our lust sinners and our patrons!-- That line intrigued her. Celebrate survival? Why would anyone care about surviving anything down here? Was this even real? All these questions swam through the demoness' head making her wonder if there was some hope for anything good in the inferno, if so she wanted to be apart of it. Maybe she could help! She needed to find this 'Happy Hotel' she had to. With a new resolve and her blue microphone in hand she decided to seek out this mysterious hotel...
This ridiculous little pink piece of paper made Allison want to do something meaningful with her coordinating skills. All of her projects failed because she was a generally good person looking to make sinners happy, people who were never going to appreciate her work unless drugs, sex and even the suffering of others were prevalent in the event. She wasn't that kind of person to be okay with typical Hell traditions and her work suffered because of it. Finding out about the hotel and Charlie's cause gave her a new hope to use her skills for something noble, something...good.
Her tears stopped flowing as she held the paper to her chest and took a deep breath to let out all that was left of her frustrations. This silly drawing reminded her of why she specifically came here to offer her services. The demoness looked upward slightly still keeping the paper close to her heart as she silently prayed for things to improve in the future.
"You actually care about all this shit dontcha?" A sudden Brooklyn-Italian voice said making the doe jump. She turned to see Angel Dust standing at the bathroom door with his upper arms crossed and his lower set on his hips. He wore a concerned expression on his face as he eyed the timid woman silently. "H-how long were you..." She failed to finish her sentence when the spider interrupted. "Long enough to see ya turn that flyer back into a Valentine's day drawing." He said.
Allison darted her eyes away in embarrassment but was soon brought back to attention when the pornstar continued. "Look I only came ta this hotel for a free room and food I don' know if I really believe in da whole redemption crap but what I do know is that I care a little about those bitches enough to at least give it somewhat of a chance." He started making the blue woman listen intently. "It's rare ta have genuine good guys down here so don't give up on those two or this party, least do it ta make them happy." The spider concluded. Allison looked to the side in thought the spider had a point. All of Allie's career in Hell she put most of her efforts into trying to prove that even in this eternity of sin and suffering nonsinful activities could be enjoyed but nothing ever came of her efforts.
She could never make her usual clients happy with this resolve but Princess Charlie has shown to be very excited about her work even Ms.Vagatha was grateful to her. She'd never had that before. If she was going to make this celebration succeed for any reason it would be for those two young women whos' goal was just as noble as hers. Allison gave a small smile of thanks to the tall fellow who just looked at her happily. He was glad he could lift the broad's spirits after everything that's happened. She needed some cheering up.
"Anywho hurry your ass up I need ta take a leak and the girls need a hand with all those bastards downstairs." He said. The blue demoness gasped then pushed up her specks frantically before rushing pass the pink and white demon. Before she could leave he called out to her one last time. "Also be careful around Al. He ain't all bad once ya get ta know 'im but he seems real interested in ya and boy, if that's the case he's gonna be relentless wit try'n to mess up your progress." Angel warned. Allison frowned at that but nodded in understanding before leaving the bathroom.
Outside the door the demoness put her back against the dark colored wood sighing thoughtfully. What the hell was she going to do about Alastor? That brute was going to destroy everything she'd worked so hard to create for the two hotel managers. She pushed off from the door then continued down the hall until a large glowing green portal opened in the wall and a huge black tentacle shot out of it grabbing the unsuspecting doe as she screamed briefly before she was being pulled into the vortex. The rift then disappeared as if it was never there.
Angel poked his head out after hearing what he thought was growling and Allison screaming but found nothing, so he shrugged then went back to his business.
...
Elsewhere Allison was brought out of the portal held firmly by the tentacle before it placed her on the ground and disappeared back into the instantly vanished hole leaving the doe literally in the dark. The room was barely lit. Allison couldn't see a thing. She couldn't even tell which hotel room it was [if it even was a hotel room] but she could tell it was a lavish one. There was a lack of much light until a fireplace came to life right infront of the demoness making her stumble backwards before she caught her balance. The fire created enough light to make out the shiny oak wood furniture and many mirrors that lined the walls.
It was also now possible to see some very unsettling objects around the room. The curtains and sofa throw were a deep blood red color, the floors were hardwood and there were voodoo symbols and terrifyingly, haunting drawings in blood all over the place as well. She stepped back a bit but paused when she felt something poking at her back. The scary doe instantly turned to see what it was only to have her fears amplified by the sight of the decorations above her.
Allison put a hand to her mouth as she eyed the many deer heads on the wall there were even a few demons as well. Each deer was baring a large pair of antlers ranging from 12 to 21 points and though some lacked any skin or eyes the look of fear and/or shock was prominent. The doe tensed at the sight then carried her eyes a little higher above the trophies and saw a gigantic portrait of the room's owner.
Of all the fucked up things that were in this room that picture made her stomach drop and her blood run cold; the portrait was of...
"Hello my dear. " Allison gulped audibly in terror. That voice. That damn dark radio filtered voice. The voice of the God damn Radio Demon.
...
Charlie finished healing the last patron then wiped the sweat from her forehead. "All done!" The princess said. The patron gave a weak 'thanks' then went off to rest in his hotel room. "Well this was a shit-show." Vaggie spoke as she sat at the bar angrily. "Hey, at least it wasn't that crybaby's or fluffy over here's fault for once." Husk said gesturing to the female chimeress currently behind his bar counter offering drug-free cookies to the patrons who weren't too broken or traumatized to say no.
"Trust me I know. This whole fucking mess has Alastor written all over, I just wish we could prove it." She said. Husk had a somber look as he opened a new bottle of booze. "Would it really matter if we could?" Vaggie looked to the old cat then back at her girlfriend who was now questioning Niffty about how everything happened. She knew the little bug probably suspected that Alastor was to blame too but she'd likely never persecute him both because she wouldn't and couldn't.
There'd be nothing that any of them could do and too much progress has happened for Charlie to effectively vacate the demon. This hotel meant the world to the young princess and it'd be a waste to just end it over a mishap that was easily dispatched, even if some patrons did get hurt. "No...*sigh* it wouldn't." The moth replied in a slump. Husk poured her a glass of the booze he just opened then slid it to her. Vaggie didn't normally drink alcohol but after the stressful three days she's had-- why the fuck not?
The exhausted little lady took a swig and sighed in sync with the fuzzy bartender hoping to easy her mood. The too-sober cat just continued nursing his bottle of beer until someone interupted him. "Husker!" Brisk called sweetly making the chimera cringe as she came up to him with her tray of goodies. "No." He responded. "Aw come on sour puss dontcha wanna cookie?" She asked. "I just said no I'm already a drunk I don't need to add junkie to my long list of shitty titles." He somewhat argued. "Don't worry it doesn't have any of my special ingredient in it, I promised Allie I wouldn't." The chimeress said batting her lashes innocently.
Husk glared daggers at the fluffy woman not trusting a word she said. Promises meant nothing in Hell so why should he believe anything she says. "It's okay Husk she isn't lying. Charlie and Niffty had some a few minutes ago and from what I can tell they're still sober." Vaggie spoke validating the chimeress' claims. Husk knew the white-haired girl wouldn't lie about anything so he took her word for it but he still eyed his female counterpart, squinting with caution before hesitantly taking a cookie.
He sniffed the treat tenatively finding nothing out of the ordinary with it. He shrugged and took a bite from the cookie tasting it thoroughly. It was a little too sweet for his liking but it was still passable for a standard dessert. Brisk watched as the male chewed her creation with bated breath hoping that he liked it. She had yet to see the old cat smile and after he saved her from being crushed in that cake-batter monster's clutches she was more determined than ever to bring even the tiniest smirk to the cat's face. He swallowed and hummed thoughtfully trying to process what he thought of the cookie.
"Well?" Brisk asked patiently. "I don't really like sweets that much." He said bluntly making the chimeress' saddened lips quiver and her eyes watered in dissapointment. Husk noticed this but he wasn't that concerned until Vaggie slapped him upside his head vindictively. She glared at him with warning prompting him to lighten his verdict to where it didn't offend the chimeress. "Grrr...but I guess as far as it goes for standard sweet shit: it's alright." He said while looking away from the other cat. Suddenly he felt himself being glomped by the fluffy lady.
"I'm glad you think so!" She exclaimed happily as she squeezed the male in a tight sweet grip. Husk tried his hardest to pull away not only because he was annoyed but mostly because his body was being pressed firmly against the oblivious chimeress' perky fluffy bosom and her vanilla scent was making him feel weird as it assaulted his senses. He had never been aroused by someone's scent before and it scared him a little. He pushed the woman away successfully holding her by the shoulders as he distanced the rest of himself from the loon.
His ears flattened in wary confusion as he eyed Briskette carefully she just smiled and purred as she eyed him right back. He let her go then attempted to finish his booze but couldn't while Brisk was still there offering Vaggie cookies too even though she already offered her some earlier but this time the Latina excepted now that she knew it wasn't spiked with drugs. Throughout the exchange Husk watched the incessant baker from the corner of his sights letting his owlish yellow eyes study every part of her body now that he had a chance to analyze any actual differences they may have had, and boy were there a few.
Despite looking just like him with softer cooler colors, the chimeress was a bit voluptuous and fluffy and had an hourglass figure much like Allison's except the doe was a tad thinner. Brisk's tail also seemed to be more lively than his own it stuck up in the air swishing back and forth happily and her wings were always slightly unfurled when excited which was most of the time. The cat's eyes roamed over the other intently but he found his gaze always going back to her heart-shaped light bluish-white chest. It was just so much more pronounced under that stupid pink apron she wore. The fluff just spilled out in the form of cleavage and it just wouldn't stop plaguing his mind.
He rubbed his face tiredly trying to make sense of why he was focused on that bitch when he could be drinking himself stupid or maybe he already had. "Hey what's wrong with you?" Vaggie asked. Husk looked up to see the two women looking at him strangely. He just huffed and grumbled as he turned to walk over to the other side of the bar leaving the ladies confused and shrugging while Husk went on to serve a customer who was watching the news.
From across the room Charlie was trying to figure out what or who could've been responsible for the cake creature. She asked Niffty but she seemed to not really have a clue. Deep down the princess knew it was likely Alastor but there was no proof. She tried to think of a few theories but none seemed plausible. She was so busy over analyzing the situation that she never noticed the smaller demoness watching Husk's interaction with his female counterpart.
The pixie's pupils widened as she smiled with realization. She had a crazy idea and she was determined to carry it out even if she was misreading the scene, it was worth a try. Charlie looked down at the one-eyed cutie who's smile was starting to creep her out. "Uh...Nif?" She asked concerned. The royal looked to where the cyclops was looking over at the bar noticing the way Husk was side glancing at Brisk. The two innocent demonesses darted eyes to each other then immediately they both smiled with huge untamed grins of glee, as they both got the same crazy idea.
...
Back in Alastor's hotel room Allison was backed up against a wall shivering while Alastor walked up closer to her hands behind his back and smiling fiercly at her cowering form. She was so brave and calm before amazing how fast one can be reduced to fear when face to face with their doom. Allison tried to glare but whatever courage she had nearly minutes ago died when she found herself alone with the demon who had just pretty much kidnapped her.
"W-what- what do you want with me?" She stammered. Alastor just continued walking toward the woman menacingly until he was mere inches from her face noses barely touching as the red clad man with radio dialed eyes looked into the deer female's scared widely opened blue ones. His smile became more sinister and his teeth were more sharp as he cocked his head to the side making his neck bend in a sickeningly painful way. The monstrous deer then spoke in a venomous radio filtered tone that almost caused the frightened doe to faint again. "What I want is to know why you're really here?" He said darkly.
Allison made an audible gulp trying to figure out how to answer the demon's question. "I-I c-came to h-help...EEP!" Her words were halted by the beast's sharp grizzly claws gripping the doe's upper arms holding her tightly while she helplessly whimpered in fear. "My dearest. Enough of the your drawl impertinencies. I know what you truly desire." His grip tightened making Allison tremble more in arousal than fear despite the circumstances she was in. "Your succession, your vision! You clearly wish to bring life to your passion in the form of Miss Charlie's absolutley blithely unrealistic idea of an Afterglow Celebration, like a leech feeding off of a dog. This is all about making everything you have ever imagined a reality, proving a point that just doesn't equate to Hell's standards." He finished as his claws sunk into the doe's arms drawing blood. She could barely hear him over the loud ominous static that emmited from him throughout the room. Allison tried to fight the growing need between her legs as she weakly responded to the deer demon's accusations. "I...ngh! That's not...n-not true." She struggled. Alastor chuckled and brought his voice back down to its normal tone. "My darling..." He moved to cup the doe's face making her look at him through weak barely opened eyelids.
"I can't imagine you having any other reason for all this effort. Surely you don't really believe in this foolish endeavor." He said. Allison mustered as much of her composure as she could before pulling her face out of the demon's hold then answered. "I've always believed in the potential to enjoy life without such debaucherous amenities but no one else has ever believed in it like Princess Charlie has." She responded as she patted her hair and fluffed the bob. She soon startled at the sensation of Alastor resting his chin on her left shoulder. "So I was right; you're trying to make your own vision a success." He said smugly.
Allison recoiled then straightened her posture and glasses. "I-in the beginning when I f-first became aware of the event, y-yes. However things h-have changed, I want to help them make this celebration a success. Can you honestly claim to not have some care for Princess Charlie's cause enough to make it succeed for her sake?" She said. Alastor said nothing in response he only watched the woman turn to leave. She had a bit of a point considering the time he's spent in the hotel. Despite his original plan to cripple the princess' efforts to redeem such loathsome sinners he has developed a bit of an attachment to the staff to where he would usually back off and let them have their little successes, but he wasn't about to outwardly admit this to the blue dame. Something inside of the demon switched on as he watched the doe saunter toward the door. He wasn't even thinking when he walked up after her.
Before she could even reach the door knob Allison was stopped by the red deer as he grasped her hand suddenly. She turned to face the voodoo man who was wearing an unreadable look even with his smile. "Is it really worth it?" He asked almost warning her. "That's for me to decide." She answered then tried to leave again but the man's grip only tightened she couldn't leave...not yet. Immediately Alastor's demeanor changed into one more seductive a complete 180 from how he was acting in the beginning.
He didn't know why he had changed so abruptly but all he did know was that he didn't want Allison to go. "Please stay a little longer my dear." He said almost begging. "I-I can't-..." Her protest was cut short when Alastor pulled her into his arms holding her close to his body. The surprised doe had her hair tufts laid back in confusion, her hands rested firmly on the man's chest as he kept her in place staring down at her wide-eyed expression with a strange sort of tame excitement in his half-lidded gaze and ever present smile. The deer couldn't understand his own behavior really. He was rarely ever enticed by anything in any sensual way yet whenever he found himself alone with Allison he couldn't help himself.
The thoughtful demon would find himself in need of the blue maiden's company even if she was a nuisance when it came to the planning of this ridiculous party. Never before had anyone been so bold in his presents that it both infuriated him and delighted him all at the same time. It was like his brain couldn't comprehend his emotions teetering on this ever present scale of whether or not he hated or loved this woman though, love really should not have been the appropriate word more of...He was infatuated with her; the doe was smart enough to be wary of him (as most demon's sometimes weren't), she was good at her job what with all her decorative skills, she was an honest sort which was hard to find down there and on top of it all, she was quite attractive. Yes he was indeed a narcissist and the fact that she looked just like him helped his case a lot, he found her to be an indulgable feast for the eyes and though he wanted to fail her coordination of the celebration he also hoped to see just how far her already considerably exceptional talents could go.
Confused, curious and enamored were probably the best words to describe every feeling he had for this demoness, a true rarity. She was lucky to have garnered such fond attention from him or at least in his mind she was lucky. As far as Allison was concerned however, he was trying to intimidate her throw her off from everything she was trying to accomplish. The blue demoness swallowed hard as her cool pale grey skin prickled from the feeling of the Radio Demon's eyes on her. It felt like he was slowly devouring her with his gaze it was a tad unsettling.
With the risk of getting on the demon's bad side she tried to push away from the intimate hold. "P-please I have to g-get back d-downstairs." She pleaded as she timidly pushed against the red pinstripe clad chest trying to get away without offending him. Alastor just chuckled in response. His index finger found its way under the lady's chin as it pushed her face up forcing her to look at him. "As much as I'd love to oblige my dear I can't possibly release you yet." He uttered making the doe struggle frantically against him. He instantly tightened his grip on her sides coiling his arm around her even more as she tried to push away. "P-please." The demoness whimpered pitifully making the radio beast even more giddy.
He got her still again by holding her chin in his fingers her eyes were even more frightened as she lidded them, pleading for mercy which excited the demon so much that he let out a beastly purr from his throat. He thought for a moment pondering her request. He then got an illuminating idea.
"Alright I'll let you go..." He began then released his hold in the doe's body and chin but as soon as she turned to dart out of the room he grabbed her hand firmly then continued his answer. "...on the condition that you'll accompany me for dinner tonight." He said. Allison was speechless that was not what she expected to hear. "I...w-what?" She stammered. Alastor just smiled before leaning in to kiss her hand like the southern gentleman he was. "I would like to have dinner with you my dear." He clarified. Allison gave a blank stare as her brain tried to understand what was going on, was the Radio Demon-- the most feared and powerful demon in Hell that rivaled the Apple King himself-- asking her for a date?
"Say yes and I'll let you go free. I'll even let you finish your planning in peace for the rest of the day and the next if you accept." He offered. The demoness was hesitant but at the offer of being unbothered by the psychotic deer while she and the girls planned their party made her decision lean more towards a maybe. She looked back at the door then forward at the demon, before looking downward contemplating on if a day of tranquillity without any surprises was worth it.
She knew it was a stupid idea to risk striking any kind of deal with the Radio Demon but after the last three days of mischief and mayhem Ms. Vagatha and the Princess needed a break from things going wrong. With a heavy brief sigh she anserwered. "Al-alright...I'll- I'll except your terms but no deals..." She jumped back with a start when Alastor laughed triumphantly. "HA HA! Splendid darling! Meet me back here tonight after curfew." He said as he used his magic to shove the surprised doe toward the now opened door. "Have a stupendous day dear and do wear something nice." He finished blowing the doe a kiss and waving his fingers, then he closed the door before she could even reply.
Al smiled to himself like he had just been nominated for the Nobel peace prize and he hadn't a shred of humility to spare. He smugly straightened his tie then removed his coat with a snap of his finger making it materialize on a coat rack. He walked over to a portrait of himself in the room a small one of himself sitting regally with his microphone elegantly held by both his hands as he grinned perfectly into the captor. Alastor's eyeslids lowered mirthfully before he lifted a had to the picture barely touching its surface as he waved a hand over it turning it into a portrait of his "date" for the night. She sat in the same elegant position though the way she looked was almost alluring depending on the beholder's point of view. Her expression was like her usual expression: saddened and furrow-browed with deep blue lids half covering her eyes but instead of a frown there was the tiniest hint of a small strained smile on her visage. This improvement brought a fond grin to the demon's face as he admired the lovely picture.
He folded his arms behind his back admiring this little change of scenery as he uttered the only word fit to describe the pristine portrait of his new "interest".
"Beautiful."
...
Allison stood outside the door shocked and speechless to what just happened. Why the hell would the Radio Demon ask her to have dinner with him? Even better question why would she even agree? Of course she knew why but still just the thought of having a date with the red windego himself was a dangerous gamble. God this was becoming a nightmare. What would she do, how would she get out of this, could she get out of this? The demoness lowered her tufts further down in fear trying to find an answer to her questions until she heard her name being called.
"Hey Allie what's up? Are you Feeling alright?" Asked a worried Vaggie who came looking for the doe after realizing she'd been gone too long. "Come on Niffty and Brisk need help in the kitchen, can you bake?" The moth asked while a startled Allison looked frantically between the co-manager and the deer demon's hotel room door. "Y-...yes." She stuttered. The concerned Latina then came over and took hold of the doe's hand glancing eerily at the large red door she stood in front of. She knew well who's it was and she wasted not a second pulling the coordinator away from it.
"Come on let's go." She vaguely spoke leading the blue woman toward an elevator to head back downstairs. Allison looked back at the ominous door with worried eyes knowing that she would have to go back to it tonight. She wondered what Alastor had in-store for their 'dinner'. The way she saw it, she would either be having a freshly cooked meal with him or she would be the meal for him, depending on whether or not she played her cards right.
The doe whimpered silently as she hope for a miracle even in Hell because she just knew it was going to be a short time until the evening came around and a long--long--night ahead of her.
To Be Continued...