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The front doors are tossed open almost like someone has kicked them open. A burst of red smoke rolls in covering the one who was behind the door opening.
Lucifer is on his feet quickly setting Vaggie onto the couch behind him followed shortly by scooping up Charlie and handing her to Alastor to keep her safe. He knows perfectly well that Alastor is more than strong enough to face anything that comes through the door. But his daughter is currently tiny and unable to defend herself, so he would rather fight what was stepping in.
Alastor jumps when the door bursts open and swears that he had locked the door upon returning from his meeting earlier. But in the panic that had happened he might have forgotten. Upon being handed Charlie he tucks her close before standing himself to glare at who thought it was a good idea to burst in. At least no one had blown a hole in the side of the hotel recently.
Husk flinches back and curls up on the couch beside Vaggie.
The other toddlers around the room all scream from the sudden sound and stare at the red smoke flowing in.
“I swear if that little whore is not here, I am going to kill him when I see him next.” Valentino’s voice floats out of the smoke as the moth demon steps out of his own smoke.
Vox’s flatscreen shines through the smoke as he is checking his phone. “The last places he was seen is here. So, unless he is using some underground tunnels, or some sort of portal he is here.”
Angel screams and scrambles away barely able to get his legs under himself. There are tears already starting in his eyes as he blindly runs to safety.
Alastor uses a shadow tentacle to pluck the spider demon up and bring him over so he can hold him.
Angel is hyperventilating against Alastor’s chest and mumbling things under his breath quietly.
Lucifer snarls upon seeing Angel’s reaction and summons his horns and tail. He also unfolds his wings from his back and blows the red smoke back out the door. “What the fuck are you doing just kicking open the door? You know you could knock or something!” He spreads his wings out to help block the others from sight.
With the smoke now cleared out it is reveled all three Vee’s are standing in the doorway.
Valentino has his wings spread like he was ready to fight someone. He is squinting through his glasses and red smoke is still spilling from his lips.
Vox lifts his head, and his eyes go wide seeing the King of Hell angrily staring at them. He tries to reach for Val before the moth demon can step farther into the hotel.
Velvette is a few steps behind the others just typing away on her phone not really paying attention. Even the snarl from Lucifer doesn’t seem to break her concentration. It seems like she might have just been dragged along for back up but did not care.
“Oh shit.” Vox gulps regretting not checking the cameras better to see if Lucifer was at the hotel before agreeing to come along. He normally got a notification when the King of Hell was out and about. “Sorry Sir, I did not know you were going to be here.”
Valentino hesitates upon hearing Vox talk. He stares at the figure in front of himself before realizing that it is the King. “Oh, don’t worry about us. I am just looking for my little whore who has not been answering my calls. He has an important shoot today that he promised he would not miss.”
Lucifer stares at the moth demon before shifting his glowing eyes to the flatscreen demon who at least seemed to understand some manners.
“Val, hon. I don’t think Angel is going to be available at the moment.” His eyes scan over the others in the room taking in all the information he can.
“I don’t care what the ‘Princess’ has planned for him right now. He is still under contract, and he has already blown off my calls for too long.” Val waves off the hand that is trying to pull him back. “I will make sure he is working for so long he will not forget to answer when I call next.”
Velvette finally raises her head, and her mouth falls open seeing Lucifer full demon mode with wings spread out. Then her eyes are drawn to the toddlers scattered around the floor and she brings up her phone to take a video.
Alastor who was holding a crying Angel narrows his eyes and focus his magic on frying the phone in Velvette’s hands. He had summoned a shadow tentacle to hold Charlie close to his side, so he had a hand free if he needed it.
Velvette yelps and drops her smoking phone before glaring at the Radio Demon.
Vox is still trying to get a hold of Valentino to stop him from angering the King of Hell and the Radio Demon who looked quite pissed right now. “Val.” He tries to draw his partner’s attention. “Now is not the time for any of that.” His eyes flicker carefully over everyone trying to figure out what is going on.
Val pauses at the desperate sound coming from Vox. “What the hell are you talking about?” He blows out another lung full of smoke before finally understanding that something is wrong.
“No one is going to believe this without pictures.” Velvette mumbles and shifts closer to Vox for protection.
Val is still missing something and looks between Vox and the King.
Lucifer tilts his head to the side before sending a questioning look over his shoulder at Alastor. He really did not know much about the overlords that ran around the Pride ring.
Niffty who had stayed on Alastor’s shoulder narrows her eyes before reaching into her tiny dress and pulling out a tiny dagger. She leans forward and offers it to the crying Angel Dust.
Angel who was still curled into Alastor’s chest but had calmed down a little accepts the dagger and holds it close with his upper arms. His lower arms still cling to Alastor’s shirt like if he lets out Valentino was going to be able to grab him.
Vaggie ducks under Lucifer’s wing with her angelic spear which has somehow shrunk along with her and stands beside the King. She bares her teeth at the Vee’s and flares out her tiny wings in a threat.
Cherri moves over to stand beside Alastor with a bomb in her hand and tosses it from one hand to the other.
Velvette moves to the other side of Vox and creeps closer to Val to get a better look at the King and the kids. She reaches out and grabs one of Val’s arms and tugs him back a little. “Val, I know your eyesight is shit.” Her eyes flicker to Alastor and the small spider demon in his arms. “So let me paint a picture for you. Other than the King and Alastor, the others staying at this hotel are kids.”
Val turns back and squints. “Shit.” He grins and takes a drag from this cigarette before going to say something else.
Vox is quick to throw his hands over his partner’s mouth and pulls the moth demon back and hisses into his ear. “Don’t you dare say what I know you are going to say.” He could already see the King of Hell was being defensive and did not need Val pissing him off any more with his stupid thoughts.
Val pulls away and glares at Vox. “What? You know there are those out there-“
Velvette smacks Val in the back of the head. “Not the time to even bring that up.” She risks a glance over at the King.
Lucifer narrows his eyes at the three and waits to see what is going to happen. He already hates the moth demon from the aura that he gave off. The flat screen demon seemed to at least understand that Lucifer was not playing around. While the last one who looked surprisingly human for being in hell seemed like she did not want to be here.
Valentino sighs and waves a free arm. “Not my thing, but just saying it cou-“
Velvette smacks Val again. “Just shut up for now alright. I do not want to be burned alive because you can’t watch your mouth.” She takes ahold of one of Valentino’s hands and looks at the others again.
Vox steps forward putting his hands up. “Look your majesty, we just came by because Angel Dust had a shoot today and lately has been ignoring Val’s calls and messages. Val said the next time Angel missed work he was going to come and get him.” His eyes flicker over to Angel Dust who was curled into Alastor’s chest. “But we can see that Angel Dust is not going to be making it to work for a while.”
Alastor feels like he needs to shift Angel closer. Vox is not staring like he is mad, but looking like he wants to squeal and that makes him uncomfortable.
Lucifer hums and looks back at Angel and Alastor for a moment. “Yes, he will not be going to work for now.” He turns back and narrows his eyes. “And you will not speak of this to anyone. Nothing on the news, or social media.”
Vox looks at the small winged toddler glaring at him from beside Lucifer and can’t help but let a soft smile flicker across his screen. He was not sure what had happened in the hotel, but he had a soft spot for kids.
Velvette wrinkles her nose and waves her free hand. “Not like I can post anything right now. The Radio Demon fried my main phone. I have extras but I would like to leave here with something intact.”
Vox snaps out of his thoughts and glares at Alastor. “Wait! Why the hell is Alastor just causally holding Angel Dust and the princess anyways? You cannot be trusting him around anyone that is so defenseless!”
Alastor growls protectively and narrows his eyes but doesn’t get to say anything before Lucifer is speaking.
“I made a deal with Alastor.” Lucifer crosses his arms over his chest. “He will bring no harm to any of the residents of the hotel.” He spares a glance over to Alastor before refocusing on the other overlords.
Vox’s screen glitches for a moment before he takes a step forward. “Then I want a deal like that too!”
Alastor’s static builds for a moment before he laughs. “What so you can use this down the road? Help and now the King owes you a favor? Sorry but I am not sharing that kind of deal with someone else.” He picked up on what Lucifer was doing and didn’t mind playing along.
Vox rolls his eyes. “No. I want to help because you currently have seven tiny demons and there are only two of you.” His eyes flicker over the toddlers and a soft look crosses his face before he clears his throat. “I don’t want anything in return and will even make a deal or promise or whatever you want me to do. When is the next time I am going to be able to entertain a kid? This is hell, kids do not come down here unless something has gone really wrong.”
Lucifer looks confused for a moment and squints at the TV Demon trying to determine if he is telling the truth. It’s not that Alastor and him cannot handle the kids, but another person would help a lot and give them a little bit of a break.
Velvette steps forward and grins. “Oh, we could do a photo shoot with the kids in cute little outfits. Do you know how hard it is to find someone as cute as a kid? Sure, makeup and angles can make someone look young. But just think of how many people would tune in to see the princess of Hell in a cute little onesie.”
Lucifer turns to the short overlord and glares. “You are not going to use my daughter for your own platform.”
Velvette puts her hands up in surrender. “We could make it into a campaign for the hotel or something. Whenever this whole thing rolls over and I am guessing everyone is returned to normal. Then we could do another photo shoot of them as adults. Boost the hotel.” She nervously looks at the King before continuing. “The photos would not be released for weeks after and we could make up some cover story about using realistic looking dolls or something?”
Lucifer flicks his tail and likes the idea of boosting the hotel down the road. He sends Alastor another look torn between kicking the overlords out or letting them stay for a little while.
Vox scoffs and crosses his arms. “Why are you looking at the prick?” He asks the King while glaring at Alastor.
Alastor’s smile sharpens as he stares down Vox. “Because I am the one who keeps this hotel safe and can veto someone staying here when I think they mean trouble.”
Lucifer clears his throat. “Alastor knows you better than I do, and because of that I value his input on the matter.”
Vox frowns and looks away. “Fine whatever.” He taps his foot for a moment. “Can we please stay? We can help and mean no harm.”
Alastor would love to just laugh in Vox’s face and send him and the other Vee’s out the door. As much as he knows Vox can he a huge dick at time, he also knows that Vox is telling the truth. He really seems like he means no harm to the kids and wants to help. “Only after you make a deal.”
“A deal with the King. I am not going to make any kind of deal with you knowing that you will twist it around some how to make it work in your favor.” Vox looks towards the King.
Velvette steps up beside Vox. “I want in on this deal. Even if I can’t post any pictures, I can at least dress them up in adorable outfits and have the mental image.”
Val who was standing by the door just takes a drag from his cigarette and shrugs. “I don’t even want to be here anymore. I came for Angel but found that I am going to have to reschedule some things.”
Lucifer stares off thinking over what kind of deal he can even make with the overlords. The two who showed interest in staying and helping did seem like they were not going to harm the kids. The moth demon he could care less about, and hopes doesn’t stay around.
Alastor risks stepping closer to Lucifer having to step around the King’s half spread wings. He adjusts his hold on Angel and Charlie now he knows the others are not going to try to attack them. He leans over to speak into Lucifer’s ear. “As much as I dislike Vox, I do think he is harmless in this moment. Velvette is unlikely to really cause any trouble and from my understanding does like to dress others up.” His eyes flicker to Valentino and he narrows his eyes at the moth. “Val I would not trust around anyone. Plus, Angel is still hyperventilating so I think he should leave.”
Lucifer hums and looks over the three overlords in front of them carefully. “Alright, here is the deal.” He points at the two standing closer. “You can stay under the deal that if you harm any of the residence of this hotel. I will burn your soul in hellfire, but you will not die from it. No, you will be locked in eternal agony for the rest of time. You will beg for death that will never come.”
Vox and Velvette both gulp and nod.
Lucifer points towards the moth demon standing behind the other two. “Because you make Angel Dust uncomfortable you don’t even get to be part of this deal. Take your disgusting smoke and leave before I gut you because I can.”
Valentino’s eyes widen as he takes a step back. He eyes his partners for a moment before turning away. “Someone needs to be at the tower anyways.” He tries not to show the fear running through him at the King’s threat. He exits the building without closing the door.
Alastor shifts away feeling the anger flowing off the King. He is glad that it is not directed towards him currently.
“So do we shake on this or something?” Vox clears his throat and shifts from foot to foot.
Lucifer raises an eyebrow. “No this can be a verbal contact because I can choose to change my mind at any moment and make it worse for you.” A grin crosses his face as he stares at the flatscreen demon. He then snaps his fingers and magic fills the air for a moment before disappearing.
Vox blinks twice. “Wait, you can just make one sided deal without shaking?”
“I am the King of Hell. Plus, you both agreed while of sound mind.” Lucifer shrugs and dismisses his wings and demon form.
Velvette reaches into her pocket and pulls out a phone. “So, you are fine with the kid photo shoot to boost the hotel?” Her eyes flicker over to Alastor making sure the Radio Demon is not going to fry her phone.
“Under the agreement that before you upload the set, you go over them with me. No photo is released without my knowledge and permission. If any are leaked before the time or if one that is not approved gets out.” Lucifer lets a dark look play over his face. “You understand you will be torn apart in the worst matter and left to suffer on the edge of death.”
Velvette holds her phone to her chest and shallows. She sends a look at Vox before taking a deep breath and nodding. “Before anything goes public, you will have full access to the photos. All photos taken are tasteful and are for boosting the hotel.” She feels the tug of magic around her and sighs.
“I want to add that you cannot blame any of them if they destroy something of yours. You are risking your belongings within reach of the kids.” Alastor relaxes now that Lucifer has made a deal with the other two.
Vox waves a hand not worried about something getting on his outfit. “No blaming the kids got it. Now can I please hold the princess? She is so cute.” He makes grabby hands at one of the toddlers Alastor is holding.
Velvette is already moving over to start taking pictures of the toddlers in their current outfits and changing them into cute outfits.
Charlie blinks at Vox before looking up at Alastor to see his reaction on if she should trust him.
Alastor gives Charlie a soft smile knowing full well Vox is staring. “Don’t worry little one. He just wants to fawn over how adorable you are like this. But do feel free to bite him if you would like.”
Vox opens his mouth ready to say something snide but all if forgotten when Charlie is placed into his arms. He just stares down at the tiny princess not knowing what to say. Cuteness overload causes his screen to glitch for a moment.
Charlie stares up at Vox with her bright eyes and blinding smile. She reaches up to play with the overload’s bowtie.
Alastor watches amused at how Vox nearly shuts down over holding the princess in his arms. While he disliked the idea of having the other overlords near the hotel residents, it was clear there was little to worry about.
Velvet is kneeling in front of Cherri and Sir Pentious trying to get them to look at the camera. Cherri at least is doing poses and grinning at the camera. Sir Pentious is just curled around his pulled apart radio looking confused.
Vox is far too distracted by the tiny princess to notice the tiny fallen angel that hovers nearby until said fallen angel is landing on his head and leaning over his screen. Vox steadies himself after being thrown off balance from the sudden weight.
Vaggie stares at Vox inches away from his screen hanging upside down. She narrows her eyes and flares out her wings to balance. She had lost her spear understanding that stabbing someone was going to be frown upon right now.
“Um Alastor…” Vox cannot retreat from the look the tiny demon is giving him. “What the fuck?”
Alastor just tilts his head and grins. “Oh, she is just protective of her partner. She is known to attack those around the princess.” He turns his back and starts walking away. “Remember, you cannot hurt any of the kids.” A smirk is thrown over his shoulder. “Even if they hurt you first.”
Vox gets a panicked look on his face thinking that he is going to get attacked over holding the princess of hell.
Angel who is still in Alastor’s arms releases his hold a little and starts poking at the dagger he had gotten from Niffty.
Alastor knowing that the coordination of a child is not the best plucks the dagger away from the spider demon. He was not in the mood for Angel to drop the dagger and cut someone.
Niffty scurries away no longer interested in what was going on. She makes her way over to the overload with the long hair and climbs up her back.
Velvet jumps when she feels someone climbing on her and turns to see the tiny one eyed demon staring from her shoulder. “Can I help you with something?”
Niffty just blinks before holding up the discarded hair brush.
Velvet frowns before trying to take brush only for the tiny demon to cling to it. She watches as the tiny demon takes a piece of her hair and starts brushing it. “Sure, I guess you can brush my hair.” This earns a squeal from the tiny demon.
Lucifer watches the overlords making sure they are not planning anything but quickly gets distracted with Vel changing the toddlers she is working with outfits. He has to agree that the outfits she is choosing do look really cute on the small demons.
Husk starts to follow Alastor around once everyone has settled down a little. He is worried about the spider demon.
Angel relaxes enough that he is not clinging to Alastor any more and after a minute squirms to be put down beside Husk.
Alastor choose to set Angel down on the couch farther away from Vox. He keeps a careful eye on Charlie and Vaggie, but knows if Vox did anything the small angel would have something to say about it.
Husk jumps up and lays across Angel like a weighted blanket and purrs to comfort the spider demon.
Vox is still leaning forward a little with the added weight of Vaggie on the back of his screen. He adjusts his hold on the princess and puts on his best smile.
Charlie stares up at Vox before reaching up and putting her hand on his screen and yelping at the feeling.
Alastor is at Charlie’s side ready to kill Vox for hurting the princess.
Lucifer is not far behind with his horns and tail summoned.
Vox holds up a free hand and stumbles over his words trying to explain that he had done nothing.
Charlie being oblivious to the adults around her reaches out again to feel the static feeling that comes of the TV in front of her. She giggles and puts her other hand up to play with the static field.
Vox is not able to say anything because the princess has her hands too close to his mouth and he is not going to risk his teeth nicking her small hands.
Lucifer lets his anger slip away with his demonic figures and sighs.
Vaggie puts one of her hands on the static screen as well and yelps at the feeling before also giggling.
Alastor narrows his eyes before stepping back. “Make sure to keep your powers under control. If you shock any of them by mistake Lucifer is more than willing to turn you inside out.”
Vox huffs and makes a mental note to store any extra power in his battery banks until later.
Velvette breaks the tension by walking over. “Mind if I change the princess outfit and take some pictures?” She snaps a picture of Vox squinting trying to avoid having Vaggie’s hands in his eyes. “I have a whole line of clothing that I think would fit her really well.”
Lucifer plucks Charlie from the overlord’s hands and turns towards the shorter overlord. “Remember if I don’t like an outfit you don’t get to use the picture.”
Vel rolls her eyes. “I understand the contact don’t worry.” She reaches forward to bop the princess on the nose and change her into an animal onesie. “This is not my first photo shoot. I am a professional and would never release something that does not meet the standards.”
Vaggie pushes off Vox’s head and darts after Lucifer before checking out Charlie’s new outfit.
Vox straightens out his bowtie and stares after the King and princess. Nothing about this feels real and he wonders if he is having some messed up dream. He sends a look at Alastor who is still standing beside him. He had noticed the Radio Demon had lost the coat he normally wore.
Alastor flicks his ear feeling Vox staring before turning to narrow his eyes at the other overlord.
Vox flashes a smile across his screen. “I can’t remember the last time I have seen you without your coat.” His eyes flicker down to the fluffy tail that is normally hidden under Alastor’s coat. Not many have seen the big scary Radio Demon’s tail and lived.
Alastor flicks his tail slightly at the thought of it. “After what I have gone through today, I did not want to spend the time getting it dry cleaned.” Vox was an old friend and one of the few who had seen Alastor dressed down.
“So, what happened here.” Vox walks towards where Velvet is kneeling in front of the toddlers trying to get them to look at the camera and smile.
Alastor hums and follows without answering the question. He really does not know what to say and doesn’t want to apply that he had found the others this way earlier.
Luckly Charlie turns and grins and runs over to Alastor. “Papa look!” She holds out her arms to show off the crimson red dress that Velvet has summoned for her. It fits perfectly and flows as the toddler moves around.
Vox glitches out for a solid three seconds.
Alastor ignores Vox and the sparks that come off the other overlord’s antennas in favor of crouching down to Charlie’s level. “Don’t you look adorable.” His grin grows a little playing up the angle of Charlie calling him papa.
Lucifer rolls his eyes but does not say anything.
Vox who finally gets his processors under control stares with an open mouth. He tries to say something, but he is just lost for words.
Charlie giggles before doing a spin and running back over to the short overlord. “More, more!” He cries out and waits for another outfit to show off.
Velvet eyes Alastor for a long moment before shrugging and thinking better than to ask questions of Alastor and changes the princess’s outfit. She was still running through a few different ones to see what the princess looked best in before taking more photos.
“What the fuck was that!” Vox finally finds his voice but before he can say anything else he is cut off.
“Watch your language.” Lucifer interrupts and glares at Vox.
Vox turns to look at the King before taking a step back. “Sorry.” He mumbles but his mind is still reeling over what he just heard.
Cherri who had come over to feel the new outfit Charlie was wearing turns and grins widely before saying. “Fuck!”
Vox stares at the one-eyed demon in horror.
Angel from across the room giggles and calls out. “Fuck.”
Cherri and Angel start yelling back and forth.
Vox looks on in horror with the understanding that this is where he dies. Maybe not dies, but loses everything he has worked so hard for.
Velvet turns away and covers her mouth to hide the laughter.
Alastor is not as polite and full out cackles.
Lucifer lets his death stare go on for another few moments just to make the TV Demon sweat before sighing and covering Cherri’s mouth. “Alright enough of that.”
Cherri blinks up at Lucifer before licking the hand covering her mouth and darting away laughing. She does stop swearing at the top of her lungs.