Chapter Text
The warmth almost felt funny in her skin… wait. SUNLIGHT??? Charlotte wakes up immediately and sits up in the bed she is in. She looks to the window on her right, and she is able to see the morning sun. The view was almost unreal, while most of the sky was already blue there were still some hints from the sunrise. There were clouds but it didn't seem to be hiding the sun. It was almost as how her father described the sky back in the days of Eden. She looked at it for a few minutes, she never knew the sky could be so beautiful. Only did she ever see red skies, those that reflected torture and sin. She then shook her head. Charlie focus! How did you get here in the fi-…. Oh, now she remembered. She didn’t know whether her answer relieved her or made her feel more anxious.
The memories were coming back to her more clearly, for better or worse. She was doing her own thing in hell, mostly researching humans again. Then she felt like someone was calling her, this tug on her own soul. Then a symbol appeared on her feet and she was transported. It felt like she was nowhere and yet everywhere at the same time, what she truly saw was nothing but a blur in her memory. The teleportation only lasted a few seconds, then her hooves felt the cold wood floor. She first noted the man in front of her, his uncanny smile and killer eyes, and then the body she accidentally stepped on. She tripped but didn’t fall, there was a man and a goat that lay dead on the ground.
“Oh Satan”, it’s all she could really say. She was totally screwed, wasn’t she? She recognized the symbol on the floor, the sacrifices. This was a ritual. It was weird anyone summoned her at all, most people called for her father or mother, but never her. She took a moment to collect herself, this man couldn’t see her have one second of doubt. If she did, it might just be even worse for her. Taking a good look at the place, this looked like a shack or at least that’s what she believes it is. The poor state of the wood, the creaking noises it made, the lack of windows. There were only a few candles and one single room. If Charlotte concentrated enough, she could hear water flow not far from here. She must be in the middle of nature, what type she could not say yet.
The man in front of her looked at her almost annoyed, he probably thought he had just wasted his ritual away. It ain’t her fault this man didn’t know what he was doing at all, everything looked like a mess mixed into a single sloppy altar. Charlotte looked at the man’s brown eyes. The man, who said his name was Alastor, was quite the oxymoron. His dark skin looked well taken off, smooth and polished, and yet his hands were covered in blood. His coily hair and attire was presentable, and yet his face was one of a maniac with the greed of Mammon himself. And she was right, all he wanted was power, even after death. Some people just don’t ever get enough, do they? But she could work with that. She has been having this idea for a few years now, an idea that might revolutionize hell as it is known. The ability to redeem, or rehabilitate, sinners!
Charlotte could play along with this game, it would benefit her to learn more about the human world. He could be her little guide for the time he’s alive, and she would grant the man his precious wish. Alastor was no fool, that she could tell. Sure he was rash and had quite the tongue, but he was smart. There was a reason he got away with what he did. She had to play her cards right, to make him believe he was above her, but she was good at that since she was born. This plan will turn out absolutely perfect! She will get to see touch the green grass, see the flowers bloom, the drops of rain fall down her face! Gosh she’s so excited!!! After calming herself down, she started to take her situation at the moment.
The same clothes from yesterday were still on her, the veil in her head was put aside on the nightstand though. Charlotte looks around the room, the room is painted light mint green and beige. There are flower patterns around the walls. Her bed is queen size, her sheets are white with patterns of flowers as well. There was a small closet and a table with a mirror. It was quite a feminine room, at least for a man like that killer. While she does have a window, there are curtains to get the sunlight out. However, she might as well enjoy the view for as long as she can. There was nothing awaiting her out of this room that wasn’t chaos, so this small room will be her heaven if just for a small moment. After hearing the birds sing a little longer, she stood up from the bed and went to the vanity mirror to look at herself. Her blonde hair was such a mess and she looked like she slept for at least a century. She grabbed one of the brushes– why a guest room would have one in the first place was already odd to her– and started taming her hair to look more presentable. Sure, she could just snap her fingers and make it into a professional hairstyle, but something about doing her hair brought her joy. It made her feel accomplished in the silliest of ways, and almost made her feel a bit more humane.
The smell of breakfast hit her and her stomach grumbled, oh gosh, she didn’t get to dinner yesterday because of the totally not annoying human that summoned her. She had to admit that whatever Alastor was cooking seemed to be going quite well, she could basically taste the food from over here. She had been summoned by men a few times, most of them wanting some… weird desires, even if they had wives already. She guessed that Alastor was single because one there wasn’t a single trace of another energy in this house that wasn’t him and two… there’s no way anyone out there could love a man so vile. Sure. her ex boyfriend wasn’t the biggest example of perfect partners, but even she knew a man like Alastor only looked for one thing, entertainment. A human with no desire but to mess around and see what happens is a dangerous one, Alastor is a tornado with no signs of ever stopping unless he is killed off entirely.
Although she still doesn’t know him yet, so she won’t judge too much. Her own image of him is flawed by only meeting him a few hours before going to bed. Alastor did offer her a room of her own and as crazy as he seems, he isn’t the worst host she could have. Maybe he’ll surprise her, who knows? A human is still a human with shame and wants. Charlotte finally finished making herself look a bit more presentable, she didn’t know if there were any clothes in the closet, but she would ask later. Sneaking around people’s stuff was rude, and she didn’t want to anger the man she would be stuck with. Her black robes are actually really comfortable, so she could basically use them 24/7 if she wanted to. However, if she wanted to fit in the human world, she would have to get accustomed to the fashion of this era. She had seen some sinners wear it when she went to different districts, and she was a fan of the fippers?....foppers? She couldn’t quite remember their names. Oh well, she could just ask Alastor later what she could wear, it’s not like he had to buy anything when she could just make the clothing appear.
Charlie got close to the door and took one deep breath before leaving the room. The walls were made out of bricks and cement, she could feel the texture of the rough concrete if she graced her fingers over the walls. The house was also quite clean as there wasn’t a single dark spot or dust in any of the floor, well there wasn’t much to clean up when you live alone in a house. She knew that better than anyone. She followed the smell of food and ended in the dining room. The kitchen and dining area were basically one room, but they were separated by this bar which acted as a counter that had multiple fruits and a knife, though what was weird is that the knife was penetrated into a pomegranate. It was better to just ignore it. Alastor was putting the food on the table, two plates with eggs and bacon, and some bread on the side.
Alastor, now more clean than yesterday, was wearing a button up shirt and pants. Similar to his outfit of yesterday, but this time he chose a grey and white color outfit rather than all black clothing. He frowned a bit, although a smile stayed on his face. He looked up to her, almost looking unamused and bothered by her presence. “You’re still here..”
Charlie’s eyes twitched a bit. “Maybe you should think twice before making a deal, sir.”
He just sighed. “Well I don’t know what you demons eat, but as part of my contract, here’s to providing your meal. Breakfast is ready.”
Well that was unexpected, too nice of a gesture for someone like him. It was in his contract though. “..Thank you.” Charlie sat down in the dining area, the chair was comfortable and there was this air of domesticity in a place where a brutal man lived. A glass of apple juice was put in front of her, and Alastor sat in the chair that was at the other side of her, he had black coffee.
“No problem. It’s not like there’s much choice, it’s quite literally in my contract.” And the calm atmosphere is ruined. This was going to be a long contract.
“Well.. still, thank you.” If someone was going to have to keep her cool, she had to be the bigger person here. All for the sake of possible rehabilitation, that’s what she was telling herself. “Do you have anything today?” Charlie said while starting to move her bacon in a different place.
“Work, other than that, my usual night activities.”
“Ah I see, could you maybe take me to see this place? Perhaps after work?”
“Is it really a question?”
Charlie finally finished moving her food around. The two eggs and bacons showing a figure of a smiley face. “Well I’m not in any hurry going outside today, but I would like it to be this week. I would like if you could show me since you are familiar around the area, but if you can’t today, I can understand that.”
Charlie finally starts eating her eggs. Damn, this was really good, like too good just to be normal eggs. She was basically devouring her food, not caring for the human in front of her who was staring at her. She heard a sigh, “I can take you today after work.”
She looked up, with her whole face stuffed. She swallowed everything in one go, it was almost impressive if not for how disgusting it was. “REALLY?? THANK YOU! THANK YOU” Charlie almost seemed as if to jump out of her chair out of pure excitement. “I could hug you right now!”
“No need, you staying there is more than a gift enough.” He continued to eat his own meal, and Charlie decided to take a big deep breath, that energy would be better used when she’s actually outside.
“At what time would that be?”
“I will be coming home at nineteen to pick you up”
“That sounds great!”
Alastor just nodded. “Also a change of clothes to fit in would be nice. Unless you wanna stand out like a sore thumb.”
“Oh yes! Actually, I was going to ask you, is there clothing in the closet?”
“Yes, they were left by a friend of mine, so choose whatever is to your liking. And do something about your… demon-like appearance, no need to scare anyone.”
“Oh yes! That can be arranged!” Charlie snapped her finger and a red bright light appeared, as well as a comical “puff” sound. Smoke started to appear in the room, making Alastor unable to see whatever was going on. He coughed a few times, the smoke had this almost irritating effect as he needed to close his eyes. When he was finally able to open them, he found himself looking at a completely different version of the woman in front of him. Charlie, now with a pale pinkish tone of skin, not just completely utterly white. Her skin glowed as that of a pearl would with the sun in front of her. Her hair was still blonde and long, she even had those lighter blond streaks on her hair. Her goat like feet were gone, now having bare human feet. And her eyes, is what changed the most. Her eyes were still round, but now the irises were a brownish color, not dark enough to be almost black like Alastor’s, yet this still had a hint of gold to them that made people to be drawn to her. She was the definition of face of a doll, sly as a vamp.
Charlie got up her seat in a a matter of seconds, doing a little twirl, mostly admiring the human form she has just made. Alastor looked up and down, he sighed, she would be trouble. Charlie also looked way smaller, her forehead would reach his lips. The robes she had did look bigger on her due to her decreasing size. “Will this suffice?” She looked at him with a big smile.
“Yes, I guess it would. Just clean yourself and change to more appropriate clothing.” He continued to eat his breakfast, perhaps because continuing to be in his house would mean more chaos will come to him. Each bite of his breakfast felt like a step closer from this nonsensical show he was part of. Charlie on the other hand went back to her seat and continued to eat her breakfast slowly, each bite to her felt like heaven. It’s not as if she hasn’t tasted eggs with bacon before, but the fact that a human had made it and with actual human ingredients wasn’t something easy to come by. Hell has its own plants and animals, either native to the land or trying to be an imitation of what earth had, but nothing could compare to what she was having right now. Feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin, fresh air coming down the window, and the eggs had a touch of salt to them. It felt like heaven on earth.
Alastor had finished his breakfast first, although that wasn’t surprising at all considering how fast he was eating. Charlie saw how he got up and put the dirty dishes on the sink. He started to clean them one by one, and he started to clean them in a gentle manner that Charlie would have never expected. She went back and finished her own meal, she grabbed the plates and utensils and went to the sink as well. She saw the dishes Alastor had just cleaned, they were clean thoroughly, they were cleaner than any of the sins the man carried on his back. Alastor had gone somewhere else, although he had not yet left as Charlie didn’t hear the door open and close. In the same manner, Charlie cleaned her own dishes as well. She rubbed with the sponge in circles, slowly and carefully. The plate seemed to be of a fine quality, so she felt as if she needed to be careful as to not leave any crack or imperfection on them. Alastor seemed to leave his own dishes perfectly clean. All of them with not a single scratch, they were clean from the sins of this world, loved and taken care of to last and be preserved. Some dishes could be clean, but stains from the past would remain, no matter how hard you try to clean. No matter how much soap, how much time a person takes, that stain will remain. Once a plate has been uncared for, there is not a single way to reverse it. When everything was clean, she put them all in the other sink, which was used as a place for all utensils to dry.
Alastor came back, now with a suit, a tie, and looking much more formal in general. He had a case, which he carried with his right hand. Charlie had to admit, outside of all the gruesome murder, he had quite the charisma to him. “I’m leaving the house closed, I’ll give you a pair of keys laters. Change and be ready when I’m back, okay?” He adjusted his glasses. If it wasn’t for the unsettling vibes this man gave her, this could almost be considered domestic.
“I’ll be ready. And, can I grab any of the clothes in that right?”
“Yes, anything in there is now yours. Now I gotta go to work, see you later I suppose.”
“See you later.” She smiled at him. He looked at her confused for a moment, but he smiled back, although they both knew it was never an authentic one. He was the type of man who was constipated when it came to being vulnerable.
Alastor went to the back door, one that was at the end of the kitchen and opened it. It was those metal doors, one that had the decoration in the form of a deer. Before going out, he looked at Charlie once more and sighed before going out and closing it. The turning of the lock was the only thing that could be heard before silence finally settled in the house. Perhaps it was just hitting her that this would be her home for a while, longer than she would have ever thought she would be here. Don’t get her wrong, she’s excited about it! But there’s this feeling of dread she can’t seem to shake off. She took a deep breath and decided to look all around the house.
There was no second floor for the house. The front of the house was mostly for guests and doing basic chores. There was a waiting room and a living room, most of the walls remained the same color made with bricks and concrete, although she couldn’t figure out if they were white or beige. Only when it came to each individual room, did the colors of the walls change. There was a restroom, most likely for the guests. And one room at the end of the corner which was locked, totally not suspicious. The back of the house was divided in two different parts, the kitchen and dining room, which Charlie had just been in a moment ago and the bedrooms. Her own probably used a sort of guest room, and two other rooms. One was his study room, mostly had things such as books and different scripts for hell knows what. She decided to just leave the room be, it gave her a sort of sense of panic that could only be felt in places that were haunted by souls of the past. The next room was also locked, she could guess it was Alastor’s room as it was the most secluded out of all of the other rooms. Charlie did notice that outside of the back door, there was a backyard, although it didn’t have many flowers or plants, just depressing grass. Maybe she’ll start her own small project outside!
Charlie decided to finally start getting ready, so she went back to her room. Thankfully each room had its own bathroom, so she didn’t have to walk out with only a towel outside the house. Sure she was alone, but it still felt odd to do so. When she entered the restroom, the floor had turned from wood to hard cold tiles, which she felt due to her being barefoot. She didn’t see any type of wash materials in the shower, so she looked in one of the cabinets below the sink and saw multiple products. Ain’t today just her lucky day! She put each of the products on the a small shelf, they were cherry scented, which wasn’t her favorite but she would just get new ones later. Perhaps she should add that to the list of things she should buy.
After having everything ready, she finally took her robes off. Now looking at her naked form in the mirror. She got closer to it and touched her face, she really did just look like any normal person. In this form, she felt smaller and vulnerable, however it didn’t digust her. She pinched her skin and she could feel pain, it left a small mark that faded in a matter of seconds. She was flesh and bones, looking like all the other children made by God. She had wondered for so long, how did it feel to be human? What did it mean? Why did people try so hard for such a short life? Sure she had hopes and dreams like every other person, but her life was simply too different to be considered something humane or mundane. She slapped her face with her hand softly, she can’t be plagued with those thoughts right now. She had a mission, and she’s now closer than ever to everything she has worked for. Charlie finally stepped away from the mirror and began to wash her for the day.
The pocket watch showed the time, eighteen with ten minutes, with a sigh the man closed it and put it back where it belonged. Alastor looked at his work, it was basically almost finished. He had just finished his afternoon broadcast and was now sitting at his office. He doesn’t even know what’s more exhausting anymore, his coworkers or the demon waiting for him at his house. No, actually his coworkers are worse than the demon from hell, at least she wasn’t trying to ruin his career. He could see the way his ‘partners’ looked at him, that he was below them. However, they couldn’t get rid of him, he was the best man they had. He better start heading home, thinking this any further would only give him a headache that only killing someone could fix. Sadly, his coworkers are too valuable to do that.. yet.
Alastor put his papers together, each one of them in perfect place. This went for anything he used, he couldn’t stand dirty rooms. He put on his suit and grabbed his suitcase, he looked at his suit’s inner pocket, the pocket knife still in there. He finally left the room and went to the entrance. His office was stationed in the farthest spot of the whole building. He was closer to the storage room where old or unused equipment was left to rot. At least it was spring, as long as he kept his window open, the room wouldn’t overheat. He would kill for a better room, and he really isn’t joking. Alastor finally got into the front desk, sadly he got to see one of his coworkers leave. Tall man, blonde hair, and a bit chubby. He was in his 20s, he was your typical family person. Alastor couldn’t remember his name, not many here were worth remembering.
“Going home so early?” It was unusual for him to leave at this hour, usually leaving much later and being the last one in the building. But Alastor could also hear the judgemental undertone his coworker had, it was quiet annoying.
“Yes, I need to head home, I have important business to attend to.”
The other man chuckled, disbelief in his tone. “You? Busy? Well ain’t it just your lucky day.” Alastor knew what the man meant, and he simply couldn’t feel more disgusted by him. Most men, even the one in front of him, went straight to bars after work. Always looking for some entertainment. An activity he simply didn’t want to be part of. After all, just because they went to church didn’t mean they were children of God.
Still Alastor put on his usual smile, he couldn’t let it slip after so long. “Nothing like that.” He got close to the main entrance, wanting to get out of this as soon as possible. “Well see you on Monday, sir. Hope you have a good weekend.”
“Good weekend to you as well, and don’t get too wild!” His coworker laughed, Alastor simply let out an uncomfortable chuckle and began walking outside. He couldn’t stand being around this animals any longer. He finally stopped at his bus stop, he was a few minutes later, minutes he could spare to think about what he going to do with the woman in his house. She’s…. Something. She knows how to play her game, he’ll give her that. However, he has seen people like her before, people who tend to be oblivious to certain things. He already made the contract, the deal was put in place and he’ll have the power he thrills for when he falls down into the pits of hell. Why try to avoid his destiny, when he could make something bigger out of it?
His bus finally arrived and he took his seat. This could be entertaining, she was basically an enigma for her species. For a demon, she was quite the enthusiast for such mundane things such as shops. His smile became bigger, oh this would be fun. The part he wasn’t too happy about was being seen with her, too much commotion and too much drama. Rumors would run like wild fire, he could already feel it. If the electric chair wasn’t going to his death, lynching would. Although getting on that demon’s good graces could give her some benefits. He just had to play the long game and see what awaits him. The bus stopped a fourth time, he knew this was his stop.
Alastor really hoped that Charlotte had chose something that at least made her stand out a little less. At least then , things maybe easier to handle. Finally getting to his home, Alastor opened the main door and closed it behind him.
“MY SATAN! You’re finally here!!” Charlotte got a bit too close to Alastor, enough to make him stumble due to the closure and the unwelcome screaming. It almost seemed as star shining of her eyes with how excited she was. He took a deep breath out, he wasn’t used to getting off guard in his own house. This was going to be a long day.
“Well good afternoon to you as well. Though some space would be nice..”
Charlotte seemed to be in stone for a few seconds and the took a few steps back. “Oh yes! Forgive me, I just have way too much energy.” She put her hands behind her back and she looked at the floor in shame. She was too much of an open book.
“It’s fine.” He sighed, “just don’t repeat that.”
“Yes, sir!”
There was a pregnant pause. For the first time, Alastor’s eyebrow frowned, even though he still kept smile. He looked almost displeased. “Don’t call me sir, I’m not that old.”
Charlotte let out a few giggles, but she covered her mouth.
“What so funny?” Alastor looked confused.
“N-no, nothing. Just thought of something else.” It was the first time he had seen any other emotion on his face that wasn’t that uncanny smile. She would keep that secret to the grave. Charlie finally got back her composure. “So how old are you?”
“Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a person their age?”
“Making a deal is fine, but asking your age is where you draw the line?”
“… Touché.” Alastor almost looked amused. “I’m 35 for your information.”
“You’re quite young!”
“… Well how old are you?”
Charlotte let out a uncomfortable laugh. She looked at the door and then back at him. “..250 years…”
Alastor looked absolutely confused for a moment. “Is that translated in human years… ooor”
“Oh in human years I’m just 25!”
“Well just say that to people when they ask you.” He took out a handkerchief to clean his glasses. “Well, we have to go or it’s gonna start getting late.”
Charlie looked at the clock and saw it was nineteen with thirty minutes. “I agree. But wait-“ Charlie did a small twirl. “How do I look??” She had a casual dress, it fit her a bit big, but it wasn’t that noticeable. The dress was one color, baby blue, it had a V shaped collar and it was loose all around her. The dressed ended in the middle of her knees. She worse grey flat shoes, they sparkled a bit with the light. To end the outfit, she wore a pearl necklace. Charlie’s hair was still let loose, but it was more professional and she had defined her previous wavy hair. Other than perhaps the hair, she would fit right in.
“Better than I thought you would.”
“Is that a compliment I see?” She smiled.
“No, my standards were just incredibly low…” Charlie just sighed, she would get through him one day!
Alastor opened the main entrance, and opened the door. He offered his arm to her. “Shall we get going?”
Charlie took his arm enthusiastically, almost jumping with each step she took. “Yes!”