Chapter Text
Love is a fickle thing, and I’m no stranger to that. It always struck me at odd moments, without warning or precursor. Most people, it starts out small. Not too bad of a strike. Not for me though, it always hits me like a freight train or a bus.
First time I experienced this hit, I was still alive and it literally made me stumble. At the moment I was walking with my best friend of a few years, and I looked over at them. The lighting was perfect, like an angelic beam was right on them and they were laughing at something I said. I don’t know why it hit at that moment, still don’t to this day. Shortly after that we got together. The relationship ended in disaster though, we honestly should’ve never dated. I burned so many friendships because of them.
After that, I felt the freight train a few more times. Every single time the relationship ended in flames. I should’ve never trusted the feeling after the first, but I never learned my lesson. In the end, I died because of the last one. Ended up dating this crime boss’s kid and he killed me. Well more specifically his goons did. It was a brutal death, but I probably deserved it. After all, I hurt everyone that I ever loved.
My afterlife has been mostly uneventful, considering what most other sinners go through. I kept my head low and hid amongst crowds. I’ve become a drifter in Hell, unremarkable and unnoticed. Lucky to have never sold my soul. It’s a lonely existence, I keep everyone at arm's length. Even my so-called ‘friends’ here in Hell. They don’t know my living life, or how I died. No one knows anything about me. I know many things though.
That’s the funny thing about being unremarkable, people will say all sorts of things in front of you. I was able to pick up many tidbits of information. Where deals were happening, the best drug dealers, the shadiest bars, the big plans people made to undermine others, all those little things I would collect. My knowledge grew overtime, as well as my eavesdropping skills. Soon I was able to listen into conversations between overlords. My manifested magic helped with that. I’m able to fade to be translucent and be completely silent, combined with dark corners I’m able to slip by where most people can’t.
Naturally, I became a dealer in information. I would bargain with the lowest hellborn to the most powerful overlord. Soon I was called The Shadow by people. Mainly because I never gave out my actual name. At this point, I own a few souls here and there. Mainly idiots who sold their souls to me to get one up on an enemy or something. I mainly own favors from many, many, many, people. That’s the easiest to ask for, and the most freely given bargain. I can call upon them at any moment. There’s a few odds and ends I’ve been given in exchange instead of favors or souls, like various establishments that make it so I have a steady income besides information dealing.
Today I’m to meet someone at this “Hazbin Hotel” that just opened. Not sure what kind of information they need, all I know whom I’m meeting has been absent for a time in Hell and they’re an Overlord. My best guess is they need some kind of foothold back into the game.
As I walk up to the front door, I notice how run down the hotel seemed. It’s like it was abandoned until recently. No special instructions were given to me on where I’m supposed to approach, most of my clients have me do ridiculous maneuvers to be extremely discreet.
Before I was able to knock on the door it swung open. Standing before me was this tall man, who had red eyes and red hair with black ends. He has fluffy ears and tiny antlers atop his head. He’s dressed in what seems like a suit to me. All red with various black and white embellishments. He holds a microphone staff in one hand. What really catches my eye is his wide grin.
My stomach drops as I feel that hit of the Freight Train again. The first in my afterlife.
“Hello! You must be ‘The Shadow’ everyone’s been talking about.” He has a radio static overlaying his voice, making it entrancing, “I’m Alastor, pleasure to be meeting you! Quite a pleasure!”
He shakes my hand and pulls me into the Hotel before I can think about the ramifications of the hit I just felt, “I’m very glad you’re here! Come on in, I’ll take you to my tower where we can talk freely.”
I stare wide-eyed at the interior of the hotel, partially because I feel slightly panicked, it seems nicer than what I expected when I walked up outside. I make the note in my head that there’s nobody around in the lobby. Before I can observe further, Alastor drags me up the stairs with an arm around my shoulder. Continuing to chatter. “You must have many questions about the Hotel! I’ll be sure to answer them after you answer mine. Come now, we have much to discuss.”
He takes me to a ladder that goes to a trapdoor, he makes a gesture for me to go first. Hesitantly I climbed up, my pulse a little frantic, pushing the door up and pulling myself into the room. After brushing myself off I take a look around, it seems almost… cozy. There’s a few things littered about, a coat rack off to one side and a table on the other. The room is circular, and windows cover the top half of the walls. The thing that takes up most space is the broadcasting equipment. It seems a bit outdated but functional. I note there’s only one chair in the room.
Alastor climbs up behind me and shuts the trap door. His grin still on his face he gestures to the room, “Feel free to make yourself comfortable! Do you want anything to drink? Tea? Coffee?”
“No thank you. I’m sure I won’t be here for long.” I say as I walk over to the broadcasting equipment, trying to be as nonchalant as I possibly can, taking stock of the various dials and hardware. My mind feels like it’s running laps around the room.
“Suit yourself! Now before we begin, I must know your name. I can’t call you ‘The Shadow’ all the time.” Alastor sits in his chair, his expression seems to be taunting me.
I perch on the equipment, and debate on telling him. On one hand he’s been very polite and it seems like he wouldn’t tell anybody. On the other, I’ve never told anybody my name. Not once has it been said since I came down to Hell. There’s also that feeling I had earlier…
Despite everything, I’ll tell him. “It’s Y/N.”
“Y/N.” He repeats almost like he’s savoring it, and I try not to analyze him saying my name does to me. “Quite a darling name for an information dealer.”
“Well, that’s why one invents nicknames. Now please, get to the point of this meeting.” I look at my nails, trying to calm my nerves.
“Ah, well, I called for your… services because I need to know what the Overlords have been up to since I’ve been gone.” Alastor’s grin seems to take on a more sinister look.
“A big ask, the price will be steep. When you start asking for favors, you certainly don’t start out small don’t you?” I chuckle to myself at my own joke, “I won’t be stupid and ask for your soul, I’ve been around the block. I will ask for a favor at a time of my choosing and for you to tell me about this Hotel here.”
Alastor stares at me. His smile never wavering, which is a little unsettling. After several beats, he spoke, “I don’t like owing favors.”
I shrug, “Tough luck, it’s that or…” my voice trails off as a thought pops in my head. This place could be a wealth of information, I know the Princess is involved and now an overlord. Perfect for me to pick through. And for me to see if this … feeling is worth working through. Probably not, but has that ever stopped me before?
Alastor interrupts my thoughts, “Or what? If you’re threatening me it’s pathetic. I’ve heard better threats from deer.” A laugh track sounds. From where, who knows.
“How about this? Instead, I get to work at this hotel in the background for however long I want and I’ll give you the information you want on the overlords' past movements in the last few months. You will also tell me the basic information I need to know about the Hotel.” I try to be very thorough with my wording of deals, learned early on that can bite you in the ass later. I grin at him, mimicking his own slightly, “Is that a deal?”
He looks me up and down, I try not to squirm under his gaze. He’s trying to intimidate me, I know it. His grin widens even more, “It’s a deal then.”
I hop down from his broadcasting equipment, and stretch my hand out for him to take. He gets up from his chair and he takes my hand in his. My breath catches, but then our magic starts to swirl around us. Alastor’s eyes turn to dials, his antler’s grow and a green haze envelopes around us. My own magic starts to swirl, entwining in his. I feel the electric current between us as I feed him the information he wants to know and he gives me the information on the hotel. I notice the stitches that go over his mouth, barely there. I feel the deal set into place and we let go of each other’s hands.
Alastor gives me a tight smile, his teeth no longer on display, “Wonderful! Let’s begin, shall we?”