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With Rem sleeping on his shoulder, Victor wandered around Broadway. He stopped in front of a big building, ‘Baroness Hotel’, its LED sign illuminated brightly. At the entrance was a familiar face, someone he had seen before the ritual. The Doorman, with hands behind his back, curiously observed the half-naked man. Victor hesitantly approached the well-dressed man. Despite having been invited to the hotel by he himself, Victor still felt a little unease, as though someone like him shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near such luxuries.
“Have you decided to stay the night?” The Doorman finally spoke first.
“Appreciate the gesture, but I don’t have any money.”
“Worry not, my friend. Participating in the ritual must’ve been exhausting. You deserve a rest at The Baroness.” The Doorman glanced at the creature sleeping soundly on his shoulder, “Plus, your little friend can join you.”
Victor stood for a moment, not sleeping on concrete for once would be nice, and he was offering it.. right?
“Thank you.” He said, to which the other man nodded and walked him inside.
Victor got a bit of stares from the hotel’s residents. He was used to the staring, considering his appearance and all, but this time he did feel a little insecure. As they walked to his room, Rem accidentally touched his metal bolt and got zapped into waking up. He squeaked and wiped his eyes before being taken aback by his surroundings.
“Where are we...?” Rem hugged Victor’s head.
“The Baroness Hotel.” The Doorman glanced over his shoulder to look at the creature. His blue eyes subtly glowing before turning away.
“My eyes can do that too!” Rem said as he yawned and fell back asleep.
‘Well that was quick..’ Victor thought to himself.
The Doorman stopped in front of one of the rooms and opened its door. Victor took it as a sign that it was his.
“Please enjoy your stay. If you need any help, just press that bell over there.” He pointed to the dresser, where the bell was.
“Got it.”
The Doorman closed the door behind him and returned to his duties. Victor held Rem and laid him on the right side of the bed – so his left arm was out of the way and wouldn’t bother the little guy – making sure to use his own pillow rather than one of the hotel’s. He then sat on the bedside, hand pressing on the mattress, feeling the softness that he hadn’t felt in a long time – if ever. Finally, he laid down, head sinking into the soft pillow as he took in the comfort. The metal bolts were ruining his posture quite a bit, but compared to the pain he’d felt, he let it pass.
Victor didn’t exactly “regret” losing in the ritual. If anything, when the Hidden King gets restored to his original state, they get to try again, now without the six people he went against. They wouldn’t fight again for another wish, would they? It would just take a few months wait, and Victor had all the time in the world. After all, he had other leads to follow.
Still... Having the answers to all of his questions – his entire existence – at that moment would’ve been nice. He was sure his lane partner would’ve slept better at home as well. Not to say that a hotel bed wasn’t nice—
Rem’s snoring snapped Victor out of his thoughts for a moment, just a moment. He doesn’t go a second without wondering of his creator, his purpose, and the various dead body parts stitched together to make ‘him’. What else was there to do? Several people had offered him help – and he had accepted one! – but tonight, he just wanted to get a good night’s rest, or as good as his body allows it. He had considered reaching out and taking that vampire girl’s offer, but he could use more than a stitch job right now. Maybe that nice librarian could help? Was she even a librarian? And that Ixian detective.. He might have some leads.
Who’s to say his leads would’ve helped either? Sure, Victor had all the time in the world, if so, why would he complain of his time in Milwaukee? And what if he doesn’t get picked to compete in the next ritual? Then what? More months of waiting, drowned in his existential dread? Mental pain on top of physical pain wouldn’t be so nice on his(?) body.
Lost in thought, Victor didn’t notice the change of scene in front of him. The white ceiling was replaced by a pair of glowing blue eyes and fluffy black fur. He hadn’t noticed that Rem had woken up and climbed on top of his chest. The little guy held his cheeks and observed his differently colored eyes, which were still staring right ahead, rather than into Rem’s eyes.
“Are you alright...?” Rem lightly tapped his cheek. Victor blinked once and finally acknowledged him. “You don’t look like you slept well.”
“I hadn’t slept.”
“Oh..” Rem made a noise of sympathy. “I can help you!”
“Really? Can you cure my headache?” He asked in a genuine tone.
“No... Your head will hurt a lot more afterwards, but you’ll be able to sleep!” He brushed his claws under Victor’s eyeliner, mistaking it for eyebags. “Is that alright?”
“Pain’s a part of me, I’ll be alright.”
Rem frowned at the response. He can heal, sure, but he can’t stop that pain. Maybe a good night’s rest was enough for now. Rem called up one of his Lil Helper to cuddle up with Victor, reduce that pain a little.
“Okay.. Just stare into my eyes until you can’t anymore.”
“Got it.”
Rem closed his eyes. Victor looked at him as asked. When they opened, the light coming out of his eye sockets was blinding. Victor tried to squint his eyes, even closing them. Still, the light travelled through his eyelids and into his head. It hurts. He couldn’t see, he couldn’t think.
***
Victor burst awake, the pain immediately hit him. It was different from his usual headaches, it felt odd. He didn’t remember what happened afterwards. Victor looked at the window, sunlight bleeding through the curtains. ‘How long have I slept for..?’ He then looked around. ‘Where’s Rem...?’ He put his – not that accordion player in Milwaukee – foot down and fell to the ground. His head hurt real bad. Victor inhaled and punched his forehead, relieving his agony.
After laying on the carpet for awhile, Victor stumbled on his feet and reached for the bell.
*ding*
Right away, there was a knock on his door. “Come in..” He called out weakly and sat on the bed to readjust. The Doorman was holding Rem, who smiled and waved a hotdog at him. He jumped down and ran to Victor, handing (clawing?) him his breakfast.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah.” Victor replied, drawing out a big grin from Rem.
He took a bite from the hotdog, tasted like fancy hotdog.
“I saw my mom in my dreams last night, so I have to look for her today.”
“Your mom?”
“Mhm!” Rem turned around to look at The Doorman. “Is it ok for me to go now?”
The Doorman nodded and moved to the side for him to walk out. Rem hugged Victor’s leg before running away.
“We have more breakfast options would you like to... satiate your hunger.”
“I’m good.”
“Very well. You can check out at the front desk whenever you feel ready to leave.” The Doorman turned away, hands still behind his back. “And, if you’d like something to cover your upper body, we can spare a towel.”
“Thank you.”
The Doorman gave him a quick smile before walking away. Victor felt bad that his – whatever it was – fluids got onto the bedsheets. He hoped it wouldn’t be troubling to sanitize. The hotdog was good, he had wanted one before the ritual, but hadn’t gotten the time or money to get one. (Didn’t he say he had all the time in the world?). Either way, he grabbed one of the towel included with his room and headed out.
At the front desk, Victor handed them his room key, he wasn't certain how he even got it. He hesitantly walked out, making sure he really didn’t have to pay for anything. He did feel a little guilty, having not provided anything for The Doorman, and even taking something away from his hotel. The next time they meet, he’ll have to do something in return, whatever he may think to do.
Back into the concrete jungle again, Victor wandered around Cursed Apple.