Chapter Text
9:20 PM
1970's Hell
Street Of The Dead
Charlie had been quick to believe that she could find the bar easily. Yet, she had underestimated the amount of bars Hell could have.
I mean, she probably could've stayed around a bit earlier and actually talked to Barnett bit more and have him help her out some more, but she had big plans!
She has walls to climb and she sure as hell isn't going to let some unknown place with unknown people and unknown cities and unknown streets and unknown names and unknown faces and where is she. Where is she. Where is she—
Music, soft and slow. It felt almost silky as a bright jazz tune filled the air. She paused, looking up at the building across the street.
Demons entered rapidly into the dimly lit venue. The once dark street had illuminated, the establishment turning into the lightest thing on the block as a golden haze flickered over town.
It was a brown building with raggedy street graffiti all over. Posters, some torn up, others perfectly intact, all hung around the walls.
She couldn't describe it, yet with the broken down brick walls and the 'S' falling off of the sign, it felt like home. Not her home obviously, her home was where her family and friends were. Yet, in this golden glow, if felt like a light. Like after all Charlie worked for, it wasn't all a bust. She felt herself being called to the light of the bar, the music speaking to her.
Spunk's Bar/Drive.
Sinners, all dressed in fancy attire, filled in, all smiles and jumpy bounces.
The line growing longer by the second.
Holy, it was going around the block! That's good!
Picking herself off the sidewalk, she clutches her chest with both hands as she makes her way across the street.
Peeking in through the window, she smiled.
Sinners and Hellborn alike, dancing. She watched in awe as people flew and spun around each other. The jazz band in the back all shoving and pushing each other for spotlight.
And for a moment, it seemed as the dance floor slowed down.
It was incredibly peaceful, it was beautiful! It felt intimate, like a connection you couldn't shake.
For a moment, it reminded her of why she holds singing so close to her heart. The magic of it all.
The couple in the back, the ones slowly swaying reminded her of that one night...
Some time after Adam, and the hotel was back together, the group had decided to play some stupid game. She couldn't remember it now, but she's sure she will.
What she does remember is holding Vaggi so softly in her arms as they watched the hotel laugh and prance around each other in some delightful victory.
Isn't this it? This happy feeling? The flutter in your chest when your safe?
For a moment, a deep breath.
This.
This was reason enough to try and save everything. For these fleeting moments to stay forever. Charlie can do it. She can save everyone.
As she continues to watch through the window as the line of demons bugging to get in grows shorter, something—or in this case someone catches her pleading eye.
Vox.
Yes! Holy shit! She found him again.
In the back of the bar, on a higher level and looking down at the rowdy crowd, was Vox.
He was leaning over the railing his arms crossed as he smiled fondly.
She couldn't tell if Alastor was there or not, yet if what Barnett said to to be true, he should be here.
Giddyily, she skips infront of the line, barging in the front door.
Rushing in, she sweeps through the crowd.
Oh, maybe she should've been more careful about coming in here. Now seeing their judgey stares and pitiful eyes, she realizes how crazy she must look.
Taking a deep breath, she smoothes her hair over with her hand, dragging herself deeper into the bar.
It almost gives her butterflies at how the bar is set up. High chandeliers, fancy curtains, all gold and glitter. It's incredible.
She makes her ascent up the stairs, her pride never leaving her now.
Vox, still looking intensely over the railing with his head titled as he watches over the bright lights, is not paying attention to her.
She takes a deep breath, yet stops in her tracks.
How...how does she exactly approach this? Does she just flat out tell him? Hey! I'm from the future where everyone almost dies because you and Alastor just decided you hate each other one day!
Nono! That's pathetic! And dumb! And they'll just laugh in her face.
Maybe...just try being friendly? What could go wrong? I mean, it's the best thing she's good at.
Taking a step forward, she stands next to Vox, her hands resting on the ceiling.
"It's incredible." She chirps, her voice coming out rough from all her running and screaming.
Vox shoots her a glance, his smile turning into a grin. He slides back on the railing, looking up at her.
"You could say that." He grumbled, his eyes darting her up and down. "And...are you..a waiter of some sorts or..?"
Charlie froze, laughing nervously. "Waiter?! No, no, you uh, looked a bit lonely and I figured I should stop by. Say Hi." She shrugged, coming to come off natural and falling flat.
"Hi?" He chuckled low. Pushing himself off the railing he finally faced her, placing his hand out.
Once he finally actually looked at him, the cracks on his screen had been fixed from a day ago, it looked completely brand new.
She took his hand confidently.
"Charlie—I'm Charlie."
"Vox."
"I know." A snap that was far too quickly for her liking. "I mean–"
He raised a brow. "No, don't worry! I would be offended if you didn't." He winked, a charming hum as he patted her hand with his other claw.
"I would hate to be rude, Charlie, but are you always like this?"
She tilted her head.
"Always like what?"
"Uhm..beat up? You seem very..muddy."
She paused, looking down at her shoes.
"I suppose so." She huffed, trying to still make sense of where she is.
"That's fine. I mean, the owner won't be happy with the mud your tracking in, yet I'm sure I can have a word with him."
Oh! That's fantastic!
"Oh? Really! That's great! Honestly, I can just clean it! Don't even worry! I'm not this messy—I just have better things to do!"
"Better then being clean?"
"Exactly!"
She was in shock when he started laughing, finally letting go of the hand she forgot he was even holding.
"No–No! I didn't mean it like that! I am clean I swear!" She sputtered, raising her hands up in defense.
He brushed her off, rolling his eyes.
"Your fine, as funny as you are."
She grinned. "Vox, look I might sound crazy but I think I have an idea—"
A fizzle, a static crackling as the room seemed to ignite.
"Idea? My dear, I'd be happy to hear it!"
Alastor!
She whipped around, her grin widening. "Alastor!" She exclaims.
"A fan, Vox?"
Vox shook his head, resting his elbows on the back of the railing.
"You know, I'm not quite sure myself. And where exactly were you? What happened to 9:15?"
Charlie's light started to dim, as she know realized the two Overlords were now ignoring her.
"Fashionably late! It happens to the best of us." Alastor twirled his cane before he set it down on the nearby table.
"No, you can't be fashionable if you wear the same damn suit everyday."
"I assure you, you can. And I do. Most people love a good appearance. They appreciate—"
"What? This old thing?" Vox gestured to the torn ends. "Surely you can afford a suit that actually has intact coattails."
"Oh please! Talk to me when you actually have a suit!"
"Hey, if you want to buy me one—"
Okay. This is more annoying then when they're fighting. She cleared her throat loudly, trying to regain any attention she had before.
"That's great! I..I do have something I would like to talk about with you both."
Vox and Alastor both snap to look at her, Vox throwing his head back and a frown forming on his face.
Alastor's smile tightened ever so slightly. Maybe she wouldn't have noticed, but after knowing Alastor for a bit of time and trying to understand him for a while, she caught it.
"And who are you?" Alastor slipped in, adjusting his coat as he stepped forward to inspect Charlie.
"Charlie! Just Charlie."
Alastor and Vox shared a look, yet, she couldn't tell what they were doing. It looked as if they were talking without actually saying anything. She could also tell it wasn't good by how Vox snickered then tried to hide it behind his hand.
Ugh. Overlords.
Alastor's smooth voice cut in again, as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, just Charlie, if you're in the V.I.P section, you must have some good idea! Do tell us! I would love a laugh right now!"
Vox snorted, pushing himself off the railing as he settled himself down in a chair right next to Alastor's staff.
"No, no it's serious."
Alastor bit his lip.
"I bet it is!"
Also, V.I.P? She just kind of walked in? That wasn't good security..
"How do you guys feel about redemption. Is there anything? Any reunion with Heaven..or anything...?"
Vox and Alastor paused.
Okay. Way too head strong. She really needs to learn how to ease into things.
Keep your cards close to your heart!
At least, that's what her dad said.
Vox crossed one leg over the other as he laughed, one hand clutching the side of his screen while the other held his stomach. Rude! I mean, she expected that, but–with Alastor it should be different.
Alastor's grip tightened on her shoulder as he brought his other hand to her other shoulder and squeezed.
"Well! I told you I needed a laugh and boy did you deliver! Good one, doll! You do know how to crack a joke! Now, tell us your idea." He cooed, as he tapped Charlie's shoulder.
"No...that was it. Isn't..isn't Lilith trying redemption? Isn't she trying to reunite Heaven and Hell?"
Then, Vox's booming voice broke in.
"Reunite?! Are you hysterical? Look, Chuck, Lilith is calling for war. Like, big time."
Charlie's eyes widened.
"No, she's not. That's not what she's means! You're twisting her words again!"
Maybe for a minute she didn't see the cartoonish Vox that sat in front of her.
Maybe in that sliver of light that beamed from the chandelier she saw the present one that laughed in her face and hurt her friends. Her family. Everyone.
She jabbed a finger towards him, not letting him have room to speak.
"Do you not see what she's doing?"
She took a demanding step forward, her mind racing.
Yet, Alastor quickly pulled her back, stepping in front of Vox immediately.
"I think what my pal here is saying is the truth. Lilith is calling for rebellion whether you like it or not." He scoffed.
"Alastor? How can you take his side—" She faded. This isn't her timeline. Damn it! Can you just focus Charlie!
Do something right for once in your life.
She cut herself off, ignoring the strange look from both Alastor and Vox.
"What if redemption is possible?"
Alastor's hands smoothly tied around his back, watching her intently.
"If redemption is possible, it's not going to be here."
"It is! I know it is. We just have to figure out how to do it!"
Vox got up from his chair, stepping beside Alastor. He placed a cocky hand on his hip, his free hand gesturing around.
"And what? An angel flew down and tell ya that? Look, fun chat and all, but we have better things to do then listen to some...crazy."
She took another step forward, almost pleading.
She doesn't miss how Alastor hand comes up in front of Vox, so subtle she almost didn't catch it.
How could she explain herself to people who don't even know her? How can she help when she doesn't even know what's happening?
"I can give you power." That's what got Alastor hooked in the first place. A favor.
Alastor tilted his head.
"Power? What would I want with that? Especially from you?"
Vox crossed his arms, his from deepening. "This is depressing blondie, look, I really want a drink and I don't want to deal with this."
"Give me time. To come back. I'll make it worth your while."
Vox and Alastor exchanged another look.
"Tell me why I shouldn't tear you limb from limb for trying to ruining my evening?" Alastor grumbled, his smile widening.
Charlie stilled, but didn't back down.
"You wouldn't. And second of all, you couldn't."
Vox snorted. "Excuse you? Who even—"
"Alastor! Listen to me, please."
Vox gawked at himself being ignored, and for once she felt good about it.
She tried to hide her pleased smile by biting her lip.
"You just won't let this go, will you? Well, If I must indulge in you, I suppose I will."
She smiled, clasping her hands together before a sharp tentacle wrapped around her ankle and threw her halfway across the bar.
Oh shit. This is definitely not how this was supposed to go.
Okay! Alastor is her friend! It's fine! It's fine! She just needs to be aggressively kind!
As the next tentacle shoots out, aiming for her head, she brings up a ray of light, blocking it quickly as the citizens below panic.
Alastor hesitates, bringing his hand up to retract the tentacle.
"Do that again." He demands.
She sparks out a ray of light.
His eyes widened mischievously as he stalks closer to her, Vox following closely behind.
"Your magic. It's Hellborn. You're a Hellborn." He sneers.
"Yes. I am." She stands her ground, trying to appear taller then she actually is.
Vox creeps behind Alastor peeking out his head from his shoulder. "So?"
"What power exactly can you give me, Charlie?"
"I–I have knowledge. Knowledge I will give, if you help me."
"With?"
"With whatever Lilith is planning. What the Morningstar family is doing. Their secrets, whatever. I just. I need to know more."
Alastor's wicked grin enlarges. "You are much more interesting then I thought!"
Charlie brought her hand down, clutching both her hands on her lap.
"Now, today is both of our days off, I would hate to do any work and such. Come, sit down with me and Vox. I'll see what we can do."
He flickered Vox a look as Vox nodded, leaning more into Alastor's shoulder.
Okay. This is a start. Just a chat! Just a drink with the two probably most evil people she knows! No biggie! Nope...not her. Just saving everyone!