Chapter Text
The Happy Hotel.
When Adam pulled me aside and informed me of my new task, I wasn’t sure what to think. The idea that sinners can be redeemed. As a show of good will from Heaven, I would be sent to assist Princess Charlotte in her passion project.
It never crossed my mind before now, but just like the owner of this new establishment and literal Princess of Hell, I think I believed it to be possible.
Adam sat to my right as we waited for the Princess to arrive. I couldn’t help but fiddle with the new gloves he had given me. His constant tapping and sighs doing nothing to put my mind to rest as we sit together in complete silence. He was never one for small talk.
Looking at the pristine white silk on my hands, I think back to his words. “The touch of an Angel like you can really do some damage in Hell. So don’t take these off.” His face pulled up into a teasing grin as he snickered. “Who knows what trouble you’d get up to if you did, Daisy.”
I’m pulled back to the present by a knock at the large, ornate doors of our meeting room. The sight of the Princess… isn’t quite what I expected.
The spawn of Lucifer, the most powerful demon in existence, ruler of carnage, blood, and sin… Was very normal. Her eyes shine with wonder as they take in the entirety of Heaven. She was excitedly whispering to the woman who accompanied her. A more dour demon when she first walked in, slowly lighting up as she conversed with the Princess.
The doors they walked in through were closed by two Angelic guards. Both the Princess and her companion made their way to the table me and Adam sat at. The small mahogany chairs meant for the couple sat directly parallel to him and I.
Adam stood as the couple stopped mere feet from us. Ever the showman, he swept his arms out in a grand gesture of greeting. “Welcome to Heaven Princess Charlotte!”
The princess grimaced a little. She timidly corrected Adam, “Actually… I prefer just Charlie.” Then gave her biggest, brightest smile she could offer and held out her hand for him to shake, still a nervous look in her eye.
Adam’s masks smile twitched a little but quickly composed himself again. Taking Charlie’s hand into his much larger one, he shook it with mild vigor. His gaze turned to the woman besides the Princess. A slow bow of his head was a silent question.
Charlie let go of Adam’s hand and put an arm around the shorter woman. “Oh! This is my girlfriend Vaggie!”
Said woman gave a small, shy wave. “Hi. Uh… it’s nice to meet you.”
They then turned their gaze to me.
I slightly bowed my head. “Hello. I am Daisy. It’s nice to meet you both.” My hands stayed clasped on the table in front of me.
Adam quickly gestured to the chairs in front of us. “Please. Make yourselves comfortable!” He sat down next to me again. “I’ll try to make this short so you can get back to your little… hotel.”
Charlie and Vaggie took their seats opposite us. Once seated, Adam sat in his chair once more. With a wave of his hand he summoned the Holy contract in front of the Princess. “So you already know and all, but we caught wind of what you’re planning down there.” His hands folded together to cradle his chin, a smile still on his face but now more disinterested. “That Happy Hotel. Holy deals are different from those in Hell. No soul contract or anything, just a simple agreement. You get to keep one of our Virtues with the caveat that no harm comes to them and you follow what they say for the duration of this project… however long that lasts.” He muttered the last part.
Vaggie made a slightly upset face before speaking. “But this is Charlie’s hotel. Why would they get to make the rules?” Adam’s smile fell even more.
“You think a demon knows what’s best to get into Heaven? More so than one of our own Virtues?” He asked. His voice grew quieter and more disdainful.
Charlie quickly intervened, waving her hands in denial. “Oh no! Not at all Adam! At the very least… would it be okay to come to a compromise on decisions?” She gave a weak smile.
Adam’s eyes narrowed before his gaze met mine. I looked at the Princess,” I think that would be a lovely idea, Charlie.” Her fanged smile grew once more.
“Perfect!” She grabbed the contract in front of her, looking for the signature line. “Where do you want me to sign Adam?” She turned the piece of angelic paper around with a quizzical look on her face. The page was mostly Adam’s scripture outlining the deal. No clear place for her to agree.
Adam just waved his hand in dismissal. “Just burn it with your Hellfire.” He moved for his face to rest in the palm of his hand again. His hooded eyes are a telltale sign that he was done with the meeting already. He never did have a high tolerance for these sorts of political gatherings.
Charlie turned the contract around again, taking one last glance before her Hellfire engulfed the document. The Holy document didn’t burn. Instead her flames lasted for a few seconds, then diminished, leaving a clear signature of her name over the center of the document.
The deal was done.