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“Thank you so much for coming, everyone!” Charlie said cheerfully. The core hotel group—Vaggi, Alastor, Husk, Niffty, Lucifer, Cherri, and Baxter—sat in a circle of chairs around her. Each person held a pentagonal purple box in their hands. “I have a new therapy technique that I want to try on a smaller scale before implementing it hotel-wide.” She smiled at her friends. “Please open your boxes!”
As they did, the room was filled with the buzzing of plastic gears and scratchy, high-pitched voices. Inside each box was a fur-covered “creature” with large eyes, a yellow beak, and small plush feet.
“Uh, babe,” Vaggi said, resisting the urge to pull out her spear, “what are these?”
“They’re called Furbys!” Charlie replied enthusiastically. “They’re little toy robots you can feed and play with. They also speak their own language, and the more you talk to them, the more they learn English! Except for yours, Niffty, I got you a Japanese version.”
The miniature maid giggled and whispered to her Furby suspiciously.
“The fuck do these have to do with therapy?” Husk asked over the toys’ loud gibberish.
“Well, since some of our sinners are in Hell for murder, I thought supporting a life would get them redeemed,” Charlie explained. “But pets are a long term commitment so Furbys it is!”
“Where’s the off switch?” Cherri asked, turning hers upside down. Its eyes opened wide, and it let out a loud “whoa!” in protest.
“There isn’t one! Isn’t it great?”
“What a fascinating creature,” Baxter said. “I shall enjoy dissecting it.”
Alastor held his up to his ear and listened. He gave an approving smile, and his closed mouth glowed bright yellow while his voice came out of the Furby. “A splendid idea, Charlie!”
Not to be shown up by the Radio Demon, Lucifer quickly agreed. “Genius plan, sweetie! I’m sure these little fellas will be redeeming sinners in no time.”
Charlie beamed. This was absolutely going to work!