Chapter Text
Vaggie and I try our best to calm down Charlie’s nerves before she goes on to Katie Killjoy’s broadcast to explain the Happy Hotel and her plan to redeem sinners.
“You’ll be fine, Charlie.” I say as I cross my arms and glare at Katie. Vaggie said, placing a hand comfortingly on Charlie’s shoulder. “You know your speech, you’re passionate about the idea and you’re a natural when it comes to inspiring others.”
“I know, I know…” Charlie says softly, fiddling with her fingers anxiously. “Just… what if I mess up? What if people think it’s a stupid idea? Or they don’t take me seriously?”
I let out a small sigh as my eyes went back to her. “Then they’re stupid and have to deal with me. You’re a Morningstar Charlie no one is going to even attempt to not take you seriously.” Nodding in agreement Vaggie squeezes Charlie’s shoulder gently. “You’re the Princess of Hell. You can do this.” Charlie offers the two of us a small smile, but it betrays her anxiety.
“Up next, we have an exclusive interview with the daughter of Hell's own head honcho who's here to discuss her brand new passion project! All that and more, after the break!” Katie’s voice breaks us out of our little huddle as she crushes her mug in her hand.
Vaggie exhales before putting a smile on her face for Charlie. “Okay! You remember what to say?”Charlie inhales as she matches Vaggie’s expression. “Yes! Let's do this!” I smile as I watch both of them before speaking. “If you forget anything just look at me and I'll mouth what you need to say.” Charlie looks at me with a little pout.
“Come on, (Y/N)! I know what to say! I just feel like we need to… I don't know, make things sound more exciting!” She then gasps, taking me slightly by surprise. “Ohhh! What if I si-” Vaggie cuts her off as she finishes her sentence for her. “Sing a song about it?”
Charlie nods. “Yeah! Would that not get people interested?” she asks, clearly eager. Vaggie’s smile falters for a moment, clearly not sure it’s a great idea. “Charlie, if you’re trying to convince the people of Hell that your hotel has potential, then singing a song probably isn’t the best idea.” I say gently, not wanting her to stress out anymore than she already is.
“But I don’t know how else to convince people!” She says, the desperation clear in her tone. Vaggie crosses her arms, her expression becoming more uncertain. “Your sister has a point. I love your singing, Charlie, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”
Charlie continues to pout for a moment before her eyes begin to sparkle. “Well, you know, I'm better at expressing myself and my goals through song!”
“But, life isn't a musical, hon.” Vaggie says while placing her hands on her hips. “It could be.” Charlie counters, earning an eye roll from Vaggie and a chuckle from me. Charlie and I have never had similar interests or ideas growing up but I’m glad we get along so well. She’s always been a bit more childish than me but it makes sense she's the younger sibling.
“Maybe I’ll write a Broadway show…” Charlie says thoughtfully, and Vaggie rolls her eyes again as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Focus, Charlie. This is serious.” She says, but Charlie isn’t phased by her tone.
“Fine. But, I have these other ideas of what to say!” Charlie says as she starts bouncing a bit as she shows us a piece of paper. “The highlighted bits are the best part!” She says happily.
I squint at the loud colors on the paper. “Uh, it's all highlighted.” I mumble as I glance up at her. “Is this a drawing...?” Vaggie adds as she begins to squint as well.
Charlie’s smile falters for a moment before she glances down. She was clearly proud of her ‘work’, but seemed to lose confidence when she noticed our confusion. “It’s… uh… a visual aid!” She says, and I take in the various drawings and scribbles covering the page. “That's the happy ending, see?!” Vaggie and I share a look as she begins to fantasize. “Everyone is smiling and happy in Heaven!”
Vaggie pinches the bridge of her nose. “I don't think it's that simple.” I grab Charlie by the arm pulling her in close to my side. “Just please follow the talking points we went over.”
Vaggie nods along with my words as she adds, “And do not sing!” Charlie lets out a small huff but I know she’s not mad or anything. “Okay, fiiiine. I'll just have to resort to my impeccable improv skills!” She salutes us as she walks over to Katie Killjoy. As she walks over Vaggie and I both share another look before standing with the camera crew so we can watch from a good area.
“Hiii! I'm Charlie. She says with a smile as she tries to go for a handshake. Katie Killjoy.” She responds before blowing out the smoke from her cigarette. My eyes narrow as I see her blow the smoke into Charlie’s face. “I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but that would be a lie.”
She throws away her cigarette before continuing. “And you can put that away.” Katie gestures to Charlie's hand. “I don't touch the gays. I have standards!” My eyes narrow even more as my hands clenched into fists. Vaggie places her hand on my arm trying to help ground me.
“Yeah? How's uh... how's that working out for ya?” She asks as she turns to look at the ‘Hell’s #1 News’ neon sign behind her. I smile at Charlie’s words. Not the best comeback but a good start.
Katie’s eyes narrow as she grits her teeth. “Look, my time is money. So, I'll keep this short.” She proceeds to poke Charlie's chest and nose. “You're not here because we wanted you here. You're here because Jeffrey couldn't make it for his cannibal cooking segment.”
“You might be some royal big shot, but that doesn't mean shit to me. I'm too rich and too influential to give a flying fuck about what some tux-wearing demon "princess" wants to advertise.” Katie snarls at her as I make my way over to them.
Katie continues to poke Charlie’s chest. “So, don't get cute with me, honey, or I will fucking bury you!” I grab Katie’s shoulder from behind her. “Do we have a fucking problem?” I feel her tense under my grip as my eyes begin to glow red.
Katie slowly turns around to glare at me, but I notice a small hint of fear in her eyes. She smirks and puts on the same bitchy, condescending smile she always sports. “Well, well, if it isn’t Lucifer’s firstborn! Lovely to finally meet you!”
“Thought you didn’t care about “some royal big shot”.” I snarl. Katie’s smug expression falters for a brief moment as she tries to act unaffected by my words. “Well, that doesn’t mean I can’t acknowledge your presence here, sweetheart.”
I smile sweetly at her as my grip on her shoulder tightens. “Good. Next time you say something remember I’m here and I’ll hear it.” Katie lets out a forced laugh, clearly uncomfortable with my grip. “Of course, darling. Wouldn’t dream of pissing off the firstborn of Lucifer himself!”
“And we're live!” I let her go as I hear one of the workers call out as Katie rushes back to her desk, holding papers while cracking her neck. I give Charlie a comforting arm squeeze as she follows Katie.
As I make my way back to where Vaggie is Katie begins talking. “Welcome back! So, Charlotte!” Katie starts off before Charlie corrects her. “It's... Charlie.” She smiles nervously as a spotlight flashes her way. “Whatever. Tell us about this new passion project you've been insistently pestering our news station about!” Charlie looks around as I motion her to go on.
“Well,” Charlie clears throat and exhales. “as most of you know, I was born here in Hell and growing up, I always tried to see the good in everyone around me.” Katie spots a slug and stabs it with her pen, the slug's blood bursts all over.
Charlie continues after eyeing the bug. “Hell is my home and you are my people. We... we just went through another Extermination.” Vaggie gives her two thumbs up as Charlie begins to falter.
“We lost so many souls, and it breaks my heart to see my people being slaughtered every year. No one is even given a chance!” She slams her hand on the table to get her point across. “I can't stand idly by while the place I live is subjected to such violence! So, I've been thinking…”
I give her a nod and a smile as she smiles back at me. “Isn't there a more humane way to hinder overpopulation here in Hell? Perhaps we can create an alternative way to change souls through... redemption?
“Well, I think yes! So, that's what this project aims to achieve! Ladies and gentlemen, I'm opening the first of its kind! A hotel that rehabilitates sinners!” I can tell Charlie is beginning to lose her confidence causing me to tap my fingers on my leg. “Y'know? 'Cause hotels are for people passin' through... temporarily…”
Charlie chuckles nervously but continues to talk. “I think it'll serve a purpose... a place to work toward redemption... yay...!” One of the cameramen standing near Vaggie snickers. “Stupid bitch.” Vaggie punches the cameraman square in the face as I high five her. “Serves him right. Nice punch.” I compliment her before we focus back on Charlie as she looks around, saddened.
“Look, every single one of you has something good, deep down inside. I know you do! Maybe I'm not getting through to you…” Vaggie facepalms as I cover my face with my hands. “Oh, no…” we both say together.