Chapter Text
It was quite strange. In all his years, over a century now, Alastor had never seen an angelic presence flutter about Hell so care-freely.
Of course, this could be in part because Heaven has only just now opened its doors to the damned of Hell.
Standing from his place on the banister, watching like the observant predator he was. It was after check-in time, so the lobby was significantly less crowded than it was earlier in the day. Still, a bit of people-watching always did him good.
A soft, jazzy tune played out from his staff, entertaining the man as he observed various sinners chatting and nearly getting into fights, only for Vaggie to interrupt them.
How entertaining.
“Hi!!”
The high, shrill voice made Alastor honest-to-God jump. “Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!”
A turn was all it took to realize who spoke to him now. The young seraphim. Charlie's dear little holy friend. Keeping his smile bright and cheerful, Alastor brushed off the dirt on his arm.
“No problem at all, my dear! But for a being with six wings you are very sneaky.” He teased, laughing.
And unsurprisingly, Emily laughed right with him. “Yeahhh, sorry again. But I just wanted to check on you! You looked really lonely up here.”
Aw, what a sweet bleeding heart. He wondered…
“Not to fear, I quite like the solitude that comes with being up here. I'm sure you're rather not used to all the noise yourself?”
“It's definitely a lot louder down here.” The young woman chuckled nervously. “B-but, I still wanted to ask-”
“I am perfectly alright. I have not lived in Hell for decades without knowing how to defend myself.”
Emily nodded as if she understood exactly what he meant. “Yeah…but the cannon nearly got you. You were so close to dying.”
…Yes. He had been. Still in a weakened state even during that grand battle, Alastor had nearly been blast to pieces by that wretched machine Vox commissioned.
Oh how humiliating it was to turn to see his demise race towards him, only to be hauled out of the way. Saved by an angel.
Alastor’s eyes turned to the singular golden wing on Emily’s back, now folded as she relaxed to the ground to continue the conversation. He had not needed help. And this girl dared to nearly trade her life for his. What was with those with angelic blood and their sheer buffoonery?
“Please, I've experienced far worse blows in my day. This battle was hardly a struggle.” His brows furrowed slightly as the seraphim’s expression brightened, eyes sparkling.
“Really? Woah. If that was nothing for you, what were your hard battles like?”
My word. “Truly tales too harrowing for a sweet, innocent mind such as yourself.” He hummed, bending at the waist and patting the young lady on the head. Surprisingly, this made her frown.
“Thank you for the concern, but I'm not a kid. I can handle hearing about bad things.”
Oh? That seemed to have struck a nerve. “With all due respect, my dear, you have lived in the land of milk and honey for however long you have lived.” He actually had no clue if she was as timeless as Lucifer or as youthful as Charlie. Though he was leaning towards Charlie’s age. “There is so much you don't know.”
“But I want to know! And I'm learning! And…it's the best. Humans and sinners…they're so interesting. And I can finally see in person they're just like my people, but just need a little push.”
This girl really was Heaven's Charlie. “You have seen the worst mankind has to offer. Your fortitude is quite impressive.” A compliment to hide from the backhandedness of it. She was weak. So much power those angels had, and to use it to save sinners?
“There's good in everyone, Mr. Alastor. Sometimes you just need someone else to see it so you can see it yourself.” Something in the way the angel spoke was…strange. Eyes soft, yet seeming to stare into his very soul as if he were an open book.
It was, for a lack of a better word, fucking creepy.
And that was a lot coming from him.
“Do you truly believe anyone can change?”
“Yes.”
“Even Vox?”
“Of course.” Interesting. No hesitation.
Before Alastor could speak again, he felt small arms and three sets of wings wrap around him in a hug. She would dare touch him? Alastor's antlers grew, static sparking in the air–
“I know you can change, too. You're not as bad as you think you are.”
“It is within your best interests to unhand me.”
“I thought everyone liked hugs–”
“Seraphim.”
Emily stepped back, hands folded towards her chest. Her halo formed an eye for a moment before fading back to its regular form.
“I do not know what you see in me, but whatever you see, you are mistaken. Redemption may work, but some would rather stay wicked.”
The small frown on Emily’s face soon became a small smile. “Maybe…but there's still something. Someone loved you very much. And that love is still within you. And no matter how much you try to hide it, I can feel yours for them.”
Well, now she was just talking. Alastor held no love for the denizens of this hotel. Hell, he barely held his notion they were entertaining until just the other day. “You are mistaken.”
“If you really think so.” Emily sighed a sad little sigh. And dare Alastor almost say he felt bad for the poor thing? “But I believe in you. In everyone in Hell. So stay safe, okay? I kinda wanna keep my other wings.” Now she giggled, bringing a strangely familiar memory to the forefront of his mind.
She had the laugh of a joyous child, one who had not lived to hear the pain of the Earth. A type of laughter he remembered fondly from days of his youth.
Damned holy beings getting into his head.
“Hahaha! Well do not jump into any angelic lasers and you should be quite fine!”
“Hehe…yeah. At least the new wing makes me look tough!” She exclaimed, flying into the air a foot or so and flexed her arms.
What an entertaining little lady. “Indeed it does.”
“Eeeeem!! Emily!!” Charlotte's voice soon filled Alastor's ears as well, making him turn and look down at the princess waving her dear friend over.
“Oops! Duty calls! Have a good day, mister!” The angel chirped before floating down to the princess and her fallen angel.
Alastor gave a soft nod as he watched the three begin to wander off to the front desk.
Very interesting, indeed.
Perhaps he should get to know this Voice of Hope and thank her for her strange company.