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"Charlie, this tour has been wonderful, every part of it!" Emily sang, a warm smile on her lips.
"Well, I hope you're excited for more fun after this little break!" Charlie said, chuckling at Emily's shift in expression. "Yeah, I think we're all feeling like we need a pit stop."
"Seraphim wings tend to get tired after that much flittering." Vaggie added.
"You're absolutely right, Vaggie. I just didn't want to say it!" Emily touched a hand to her heart. "Thank you!"
Vaggie nodded. "Hey, anything for a guest. We're just gonna be right back to grab something, feel free to do whatever."
"Okay! Thanks! Bye!" Emily chirped.
The doors closed, and she sighed in utter relief. She collapsed on the couch, letting out a deep groan.
Truth be told, Emily was relieved to have a break. She couldn't touch brimstone, so every second was spent keeping all six wings flapping to keep her toes from sizzling. And the air quality in Hell was awful, so that didn't help her much.
Well, awful wasn't a nice thing to say, but she didn't know a better word for it. Besides, all places have their downsides! Florida is humid, England is rainy, Heaven... Well, surely, there must have been a downside about Heaven!
Truthfully, there was nothing wrong with Heaven's environment. And that was an unfair standard to hold any other place to, so Emily would just have to cope.
Upon noticing the radio on the center table, Emily turned the knob and leaned back on the sofa. Hopefully that could ease her racing mind.
Little did she know that with that knob turn, she had caught the attention of a very powerful sinner. Slowly, the shadows in the corner of the room began to take form.
The form of a man in a sharp suit, with deer ears and an incredibly wide smile. Emily had no idea how a shadow could smile, but she was witnessing it, so she couldn't exactly deny it. Was this meant to happen? Probably. It was Hell, after all, and she had seen some very strange things down here.
"Hello?" Emily said, though it came out as more of a question.
The shadow poked at Emily's cheek. Then again. And again. Its' smile widened with each poke, an affectionate pouring of static coming from its' grin. Was that its' attempt at a coo?
Emily, despite her attempts to stay serious, laughed. A giggle rose up in her chest and escaped her mouth as she gently outstretched a wing to poke the shadow back.
The shadow seemed to laugh, though all that came out was static. It seemed to delight in Emily's return of its' play. And as Emily laughed with it, the owner of the shadow manifested in the darkness right behind her. A nearly identical soul, though tangible and in red, slid into the seat next to her.
"It's not often that listeners choose the radio of their own free will." Emily flinched, rapidly turning around to see the crimson sinner occupying the space. "Nowadays, they'll fill their minds with anything but radio. But you, my dear, are special."
"And you have my gratitude." The sinner said, his ever-present smile growing even wider. "Alastor. A pleasure to be meeting you."
"Emily," she responded, absolutely stunned.
"Ah, the Seraphim! Charlie told me we'd have a heavenly visitor today." Alastor said, his voice with a charming radio quality to it. "Just as bright as I'd expected. Look at you, you're like a little lamp."
He leaned in close, looking over the angel in front of him. "So, what sparks your interest in the radio?"
The music lowered in volume, the knob turning on its' own to allow Emily the space to speak.
"I like the ambience. It's nice to have music while you really take in a space." Emily responded. "And you?"
"Well, I must say, I've always been fond of the medium. That's how I got my title. Radio Demon."
She gasped, a delighted laugh escaping her lips. "So that's what they meant by deer demon! Because Charlie was trying to explain you to me, but without pictures, I didn't know what to take it as!"
"Yes, I am harder to describe than most expect." Alastor nodded. "Drawings usually help."
"Why not pictures?"
"There's something so un...personal about the quickness of it. How one can have a permanent piece of yourself forever, in just the blink of an eye. You hardly even have to give your consent or knowledge before they have that." Alastor explained with a sigh, his voice becoming clearer as he kept speaking. "Whereas art gives one the time to know their subject, and vice versa. One truly has to earn the right to capture their subject as they know them."
"I can understand that." Emily nodded, her gaze softening. "You don't want people to just see the surface, I understand."
"It's why I partake in radio. So they have to hear my ideas, my humor, my passions. And all without ever seeing my face."
"That's probably why we have so much of it in Heaven. There's a woman I know who goes to the coffee shop every morning and just listens to the radio."
"She sounds lovely."
"She is."
The two sat for a moment before a familiar melody played through the radio. Tender and sweet, one of those old love songs that Alastor always had to play for the audience at home.
Emily lit up. "Oh, I love this song!"
"One of my favorites." Alastor remarked, standing up from his seat on the couch. "May I have this dance?"
A hand was extended to Emily, a charming smile on the opposite side. And what kind of angel would Emily be if she didn't take the offer?
The two swayed together for a while, continuing their conversation. As the songs changed, so did the dances. Emily soon found out that her wings made her a bit klutzy on her feet, but Alastor was more than happy to spend a few extra minutes to teach her the Charleston.
The word 'Surprise' died on Charlie's lips as she peeked in through the door's crack, watching as the two giggled and chatted. A distinct warmth filled the room, and though Vaggie was just about ready to drop the surprise cake and throw her spear into Alastor's face, Charlie held a hand up.
"Let's...leave them to it," she said with a smile.