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Alastor leans against the banister overlooking the lobby, surveying the loud throng of sinners. He watches as some dart about, likely in search of the bar or their friends. Or a fight, if he could be so lucky. It would be quite fun to threaten a few, perhaps even tear off a few limbs. It had, unfortunately, been quite some time since anything like that had occurred at the hotel. Vaggi and Charlie ran a tight ship, the shift in their roles working out quite well.
Vaggi is downstairs too, expertly weaving through the crowd, hardly pausing as she drops small welcome gifts into the hands of their guests as they wait in line to check in. He had to hand it to the girl. She was quite competent at her job as hotel manager—a far cry from Charlie, no matter how well-intentioned the king’s daughter may be.
“Hey, Al? Have you seen my dad?”
Ah. Speaking of.
He pushes himself straight and turns to look at her, widening his smile into something cheerful. “Charlie, my dear! I can't say that I have.”
A lie. He had seen Lucifer recently, strutting around in that ridiculous outfit of his. In fact, she was far closer to the fallen angel than she realized, but Alastor was not in the mood to provide any real help. He opens his mouth to continue when there is a stirring from beneath his jacket and, with a little wiggle, a delicate, golden snake head peers out from around the lapels, blinking sleepily.
“Oh!” Charlie lets out a surprised gasp at its unexpected appearance. “Is… is that his snake?”
Alastor raises an eyebrow. “Hmmm?” He tips his head down, feigning surprise. “Why yes, it seems it is! To be honest, I had forgotten she was there. Perhaps your father is off somewhere looking for her?”
The snake slithers up and flicks its tongue against Alastor's jaw, and he fights the fond smile tugging at his lips. Instead, he keeps his gaze on Charlie as she steps closer, reaching out to gently rub the underside of its jaw. It sways into her touch, eyes closing for a moment before retreating to watch her lazily, tightening its lithe form around the demon’s chest once more.
Charlie claps her hands in delight. “Wow! She really seems to like you! I've never seen her stray too far from dad before.”
“Is that so? I have to say, your father isn't particularly pleased that she will abandon him for me. He constantly whines about it, not that I can help the fact that she likes me better. Ha ha!”
There is a flash of gold, a threatening hiss, and the snake once more rises from its spot to bite Alastor’s cheek. He can feel the fangs pierce skin—just the tiniest prick, blood scarcely having a chance to well up before the serpent licks it away. The sinner laughs, lightly patting the snake on the head. “Understandably upset, of course.”
This time, Alastor can’t help the damned fondness that slips into his voice. It’s fleeting, possible to miss—but with Charlie standing so close and having listened to him talk extensively over the past two years, she catches it.
She gives him a bemused look, clearly nonplussed by the open and apparent care with which he was treating Lucifer’s companion. “Riiight, I'll keep looking for him, I guess. I'll tell him you have her and send—”
The snake whips its head around in her direction and hisses again.
“—send him on an errand or something!” Her face suddenly lights up. “Who knows? Maybe if the two of you get along, you’ll eventually become friends with my dad too!”
She gives the golden serpent another scratch beneath the chin before waving farewell. “See you later, Al!”
Alastor watches her walk away with an amused expression, shifting when he feels the snake slither up and out to coil loosely around an arm. It drapes its head over his shoulder, making a small, contended-sounding noise.
“Was the bite really necessary, sire?” he asks quietly with a small laugh.
The question is followed by another, more playful nip, just a gentle grazing of teeth. “Don’t insult me in front of my daughter, and it wouldn’t be.”
“You mean to tell me that you aren’t absurdly jealous whenever your little friend chooses me over you? And don’t bother lying, it’s unbecoming with how terrible you are at it.”
Lucifer slithers forward to make eye contact, and it was truly impressive how the angel managed to shoot him such a withering glare, despite his serpentine appearance.
“Hmph.”
Alastor chuckles again, running a finger up his twisting form to softly tap a finger against his nose.
Lucifer shivers, tightening his hold. “I’ll admit, this was actually a smart idea, looking like her. We get to spend time together, I can touch you all I want, and no one is the wiser!”
Pressing a hand to his chest in mock affront, Alastor scoffs. “My King, I only have good ideas! It’s hardly my fault that you can’t appreciate them.”
Lucifer snorts before lowering his head again, nuzzling against the crook of Alastor’s neck. “Sure. Whatever you say, sweetheart.”