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It’s officially been one week since Vox went crazy and tried to destroy everything and Charlie has never been more exhausted in her life. From running the hotel, to assisting with the clean up effort, she hasn’t had a moments rest. It’s worth it of course, but she could really use a hand!
Charlie sits down for a second, trying to catch her breath. She refuses to let her eyes close, worried she’ll fall asleep if they do. Suddenly, a familiar blue and white portal opens up right above her.
“Emily!” Charlie cries happily as the angel gracefully descends from the portal.
“Charlie!” Emily squeals, wrapping her arms around Charlie in a tight hug.
“There’s no bad news right? I don’t think I can handle bad news right now…”
Emily laughs, a sound like tinkling bells. “No, nothing like that! The clean up effort in heaven’s practically done, so I asked Sera if I could help out down here, and she agreed!”
Charlie almost feels like crying with relief. “Oh my goodness Emily, you’re too pure for this world.”
“Aww, I just like to help however I can!” Emily said, though she did seem happy with the appreciation.
. . .
“…so yeah, Emily’s here to help now! Make sure to be nice everyone!”
Emily looked around, slightly nervously after Charlie’s introduction. She’d met the main staff of the hotel before, but she hadn’t really gotten to know anyone except Charlie. She waved nervously.
Husk and Cherri gave her halfhearted waves, before sulking back to the bar. Charlie had told Emily about what happened to Angel. Emily really hoped things would get better for him soon. Baxter and Niffty seemed to be in their own little world, quietly whispering and laughing. Emily thought they were adorable together.
And then there was Alastor. The demon who Emily had risked her life to save. She hoped he didn’t feel guilty about it, Emily had fully recovered after all, and even if she hadn’t it would have been worth it to save a life!
She waves at him shyly, but he’s already gone, melted into the shadows. A spark of disappointment shoots through Emily, she really wants to talk with Alastor, make sure he’s doing ok. Charlie notices Emily’s disappointment and gives her a comforting pat on the shoulder. “It’s not you Em, Alastor doesn’t really open up to anyone.”
“Do you…think I could talk with him Charlie? Just to make sure he’s ok?”
“I’ll see what I can do. Try not to worry about it, ok?”
“Ok! Thank you Charlie!”
. . .
Emily’s been in hell for a week. The whole experience has felt surprisingly positive. She doesn’t leave the hotel often (her main job is taking care of the sinners while Charlie and Vaggie are away) and the few times she does, Charlie’s right by her side making sure nobody accosts her. She’s going back to heaven in three days, and her only regret is that she hasn’t spoken to Alastor yet.
“I’m trying Emily, I really am.” Charlie assures her “Alastor can be…hard to get a hold of.”
Emily’s lost almost all hope of getting to talk with Alastor, when Charlie bursts through the lobby doors, smiling widely. “Guess what Emily? Alastor agreed to talk with you!”
Emily gasps, wings fluttering happily. “Oh gosh, really? That’s great! When should I go see him?”
“Right now! Come on!”
Charlie grabs Emily’s hand pulling her through the crowded halls of the hotel, until she suddenly stops in front of a large, wooden door. “Here we are! Good luck Emily.” With that, Charlie’s gone leaving Emily all alone. With a deep breath, she knocks on the door.
It creaks open slowly, seemingly all on its own. “Don’t be shy, come in.” A silky voice calls from inside.
Emily steps inside, nervously shutting the door behind her. Her eyes adjust to the dim light, and she sees Alastor, sitting in a plush armchair. “It’s nice to see you again my dear. I heard you wanted to talk to me?”
“Oh, yes!” Emily says, taking a seat across from Alastor. “I just wanted to make sure you’re ok after that fight a few weeks ago, and make sure you don’t feel guilty about me saving you or-“
Emily’s cut off by a sharp laugh from Alastor. “I assure you, I feel nothing of the sort. Though I must admit, I’m extremely grateful for your assistance. That fight may have gone poorly if not for you.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Emily says warmly. “I’ll be going then.”
Emily stands up, about to leave, when she’s suddenly brought to her knees by a bright flash in pain in her head. ‘No, not now!’ She thinks, clutching her head.
Something to know about seraphim, is that they’re empaths. They can feel others emotions, and even see their memories. Emily doesn’t have perfect control over this ability however, and sometimes ends up seeing someone’s memories without even meaning to. That’s what was happening now with Alastor.
Emily’s mind is assaulted with visions. Visions of living as a black man in the 1920s. Visions of trying to protect the women around him, and not always succeeding. Visions of opportunity’s he deserved being given to those with lighter skin tones.
Emily comes to, gasping on the floor, with Alastor standing over her. “Are you alright my dear?” He asks, a touch confused by what had just happened.
“I- yeah! I gotta go, bye!” Emily zips out of the room at top speeds, desperate to find Charlie and tell her what happened. She bursts into hotel lobby, and nearly flies right into Charlie.
“Woah!” Charlie yells, nearly dropping the pile of towels she’s holding. “Emily? What happened?”
With a snap of her fingers, Emily teleports the towels to the storage closet, allowing her to grab both of Charlie’s hands. “Charlie, I need to talk to you about Alastor! Urgently!”
Vaggi (who was nearby and heard the conversation) saunters over, a nonchalant look on her face. “Oh god, did he say something creepy? Don’t take it personally, Emily.”
“Oh, no it’s nothing like that!” Emily says. “I actually think he may be the most redeemable in the hotel right now!”
There was silence for a few seconds, as Vaggie and Charlie exchange a confused glance. “Emily,” Charlie begins softly “I believe that anyone can be redeemed. That being said, a sinner needs to be willing to put in the work, and
I’m not sure if Alastor wants to.”
Emily bites the inside of her cheek, slightly upset. “I’m serious Charlie! I saw his memories and…oh! I can show you!”
With a snap of her fingers, Emily teleports herself, Vaggi, and Charlie to her room. “Let me project Alastor’s memories onto the wall. Just…watch and see if you agree with me, ok?”
Charlie nods, and sits cross legged on the bed. Vaggi does the same. Cozying up beside them, Emily begins projecting the story of Alastor’s life for the three of them to watch.
. . .
“Are you stupid? I wanted white rice! White! It’s not that hard to understand!”
Alastor is six years old, hiding under the table while his dad screams at his mom. His mother is desperately trying to sooth the entangled man, but it’s no use. He slaps her across the face, sending her crashing to the floor, before stomping out of the house, closing the door behind him with a slam.
Alastor rushes over to his mama’s side, as she slowly begins to sit up. Upon seeing the worried look on her sons face, she pulls Alastor into a tight hug. “It’s ok sweetie. Your papa just got a little mad, that’s all. I’m alright.”
Alastor buries himself in his mothers embrace. He’s too little to truly understand what’s going on, but he knows what his father does to them is wrong. “I hate him.” He whispers.
His mom just hugs him tighter.
. . .
Alastor is eighteen years old, holding a knife to his dads throat. He struggles to get free, but the ropes Alastor used to tie him up hold firm.
“Come on, Alastor I’m your dad!” he begs. “I was rough because I loved you!”
“Loved me?” Alastor asks, shaking with rage. “Did you love mom too? Is that why she’s in the hospital?”
“I told you, it was an accident! She fell down the stairs! Now let me go right-“
Alastor sinks the knife into his fathers throat, enjoying the feeling of warm blood on his hands. His father gasps and gurgles, but the cut is deep and he dies quickly.
Alastor doesn’t move. It’s honestly peaceful, the room is dark, the moon is bright, and his fathers body is still warm. He eventually gets up, stretches, and gets to work cutting up the body.
. . .
Alastor is twenty-two years old, and the most popular radio host in New Orleans. He’s at the club today playing the piano as a favor to his friend Mimzy, when he sees an old white man leading a young black girl out the door. Suspicious.
He announces that he’s taking a quick break, before stealthily following the man. He leads the girl up a dark alley, and starts telling her something. The girl shakes her head and tries to run, but the man grab her wrist. She struggles as he reaches out to her, but before he can do anything he’s lying on the ground with his throat slit.
The girl runs off, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, leaving Alastor alone with the body. ‘It’s better this way’ Alastor reasons as he begins the disposal process. ‘Now I can take all the time I want.’
. . .
Alastor is thirty-five years old, and he’s killed nearly a hundred people. All of them old, white men who turned up their noses at people with different skin colors or genitalia. When he first started killing, one would have to commit a serious crime to get noticed by Alastor. But now, here he is burying the body of a man who spilled wine on him and didn’t apologize.
Alastor’s gotten used to the feeling of blood on his hands at this point. Killing hardly has any thrill anymore, and yet he still does it because it’s the only thing that has any thrill at all. Is it worth it? Has he killed too much? He knows he’s going to hell, he’s known ever since the day he killed his father, but why did he still do it?
It’s while in the midst of these thoughts that Alastor hears a gunshot. The pain in his skull is unbearable for but a moment, then he can’t feel anything at all.
. . .
With a wave of her hand, Emily dispels the projection. Both she and Charlie are crying at this point. Vaggi hugs them both, whispering soothingly in Spanish.
“I knew his life wasn’t good before hell, but I never thought it was like this!” Charlie sobbed.
“It’s…really tragic…” Emily sniffles, hugging Vaggi and Charlie tightly.
“Would it make you feel better if we went and talked to him?” Vaggi asks softly. Charlie and Emily nod, and the three girls make their way to Alastor’s room.
Charlie knocks on the door, and Alastor answers promptly, customary grin on his face. “Why Charlie! To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Emily steps forward, taking a deep breath. She knows she has to be the one to explain what happened to Alastor. “Seraphim…have the ability to see people’s memories. I accidentally got a glimpse of yours and, well, we think you could be redeemed!”
Alastor is quiet for a bit, and Emily’s worried she upset him, when he suddenly barks out a laugh. “Redeemable? Me? I didn’t take you for a jokester Emily?”
“We’re being serious Alastor!” Charlie pipes up, moving to stand beside Emily.
Alastor just grins at her, an almost pitying look in his eye. “Darling, I’m a cannibal serial killer. I think that takes me off the heavenly list.”
Charlie shakes her head. “We’re getting nowhere like this. As the owner of this hotel, I’m insisting on group therapy, just the four of us, right now!”
“Well, come right on in. It’ll be amusing to see your reaction when you realize this is all for naught.”
Charlie, Emily, and Vaggi all step inside Alastor’s room, sitting in a circle of the floor. Alastor joins them, smile still wide.
Charlie wastes no time starting the therapy. “Why did you kill your dad Alastor?”
Alastor seems slightly taken aback by the question. He hadn’t realized they knew that much about his human life. He quickly regains composure. “Because I wanted to. Any other stupid questions?”
Emily shakes her head, staring at Alastor with a composed look in her eye. “But that’s not why, is it? Be honest with yourself Alastor.”
Alastor’s breath hitches in his throat. He doesn’t know why, but staring into Emily’s eyes makes him want to tell her everything. “Because…he hurt me and mama. And I didn’t want him to hurt anyone else ever again.”
Charlie gives Emily a thumbs up. She doesn’t know how, but whatever Emily’s doing is working! Some sort of angel magic maybe.
Emily carefully takes one of Alastor’s hands in her own. “Tell me why you killed people.” She asks, voice soft and warm.
Alastor swallows, his smile far smaller than usual. “I…people like me…got hurt. By people like my father. All the time. I just wanted the hurting to stop.”
Emily nods, still holding Alastor’s hand. “It sounds like you didn’t want anyone to have to go through what you and your mother did. Am I right?”
Alastor nods, and Vaggi sees teardrops glittering in his eyes. Jeez, Emily was good. “I…sometimes think I went too far.” Alastor says, voice an almost incomprehensible whisper. “Like maybe not all those people deserved to die.”
“That’s sympathy Alastor. It’s a good first step to becoming a better person.” Emily whispers.
Alastor nod’s shakily. “I think…I’d like to be alone for a while.”
Charlie wants to say no, they’re so close to a breakthrough! But Emily does as Alastor asks, and gestures at Charlie and Vaggie to do the same.
“Why’d we leave Emily? I feel like we were getting somewhere.” Charlie asks, a little disappointed.
Emily smiles softly. “We did get somewhere! He admitted he felt guilty, came to terms with some true feelings of his…I was worried he’d shut down if we tried anything else. You gotta take it slow sometimes Charlie.”
Charlie sighed. Emily had a point. “Alright. I’ll be careful.”
Vaggie gives her girlfriends hand a tight squeeze. “I’ll make sure you don’t go too far babe.”
Alastor listens as the three girls leave, chattering about various things. Redemption for someone like him…was it truly possible? He scoffs at the thought, sinking lower in his seat. No, he was perfectly content being a demon.
But somewhere, deep in his heart, the thought of redemption caused a little spark of hope.
. . .
Emily left a few days later with a promise to return. And return she did, though it took multiple months. Just like last time, there was no warning. Emily pops out of a shimmering portal, practically tackling Charlie to the ground with a hug. “Charlie! I’m back!”
Charlie squeals happily, returning Emily’s hug with just as much force. “Emily! It’s been forever!” Charlie suddenly breaks out of the hug, a worried look on her face. “Everything’s ok, right?”
“Oh, don’t worry nothings wrong! I just um, wanted to check on Alastor. I didn’t get to see him again after the…therapy.”
“Oh! Yeah, that makes sense. You uh, remember where his room is right? You can just…head on up.”
Emily notices that Charlie’s hands are shaking, and the princess is refusing to look at her. “Is everything alright Charlie?”
“Y-yeah. It’s just…Alastor’s been acting weird since the ‘therapy’. He hasn’t been coming out of his room, and when he does he’s so much quieter then usual. I’m a bit worried about him.”
Emily smiles, putting a reassuring hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m here! I’ll make sure he’s doing well.”
Charlie laughs, pulling Emily into another hug. “We really don’t deserve you Emily.”
“Awww, don’t say that! I’m always happy to help you out.”
Minutes later, Emily is standing in front of Alastor’s door, fist raised to knock. She’s nervous, almost paralyzingly so. Alastor’s clearly in a fragile place right now, and one wrong move could ruin everything. But Emily’s a seraphim, and she’s going to do everything she can to help others or die trying. With a deep breath, she knocks.
“Come in.” She hears a quiet voice say. It’s definitely Alastor, but it’s missing all of the pizzaz and confidence from the last time Emily visited. She opens the door gently to see Alastor, slumped in a chair, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. “Hello my dear.”
Emily gently shuts the door behind her, softly walking over to Alastor. “Hi Alastor. How have you been?” She asks quietly. She’s making every action tender and benign, not wanting to put Alastor on the defensive.
The deer demon takes a drag off his cigarette, unconsciously blowing the smoke directly at Emily. She coughs a few times, waving her hand in front of her face. “I’ll admit, I’ve been better.” Alastor says. Emily notices that he’s still smiling, despite being obviously upset. Interesting.
“Would you like to talk? I’ll be quiet if you’d just like to vent.”
Alastor chuckles, snubbing his cigarette out of the arm of his chair. “Why?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Why do you care? You’re an angel, I’m a serial killer. Why are you wasting your time on me?”
“Because…you’re clearly miserable. And as an angel- no. As someone who cares about you I want you to be happy.”
“But why?!” Alastor’s suddenly towering over her, covered in shadowy tentacles, surrounded by green light. “I’m a fucking cannibal serial killer! I’m beyond saving! So why-“ Alastor’s voice breaks. “Why did you save me?”
Emily flies up to Alastor, gently pressing her forehead to his. “Because nobody deserves to suffer Alastor. No matter what happened in their past.”
Alastor’s starts shrinking back down, but Emily doesn’t move, keeping her forehead pressed to Alastor’s until he’s back to normal size. She hears a soft sob and breaks away to see that Alastor has tears running down his face. “It’s ok, I’ve got you.” She murmurs, wrapping her arms around the quietly sobbing demon.
They sit there for a while, Emily holding Alastor, petting his air, whispering sweet nothings to him as he cries. She doesn’t know how much time has passed when Alastor peels himself away from her, wiping his eyes. “…Thank you.” He mutters, not looking at her.
“Of course.” Emily answers, smiling softly. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about this.”
Alastor nods his appreciation before suddenly leaning down and hugging Emily. She’s caught off guard for a second, but quickly reciprocates, hugging him back tightly. “Thank you Emily. For caring about me.”
“Anytime Alastor.”
Emily has to leave only a few days later, heavens busy right now and Sera needs her help. Charlie gives her a tearful goodbye hug, and she makes Emily promise to visit again soon. The rest of the hotel gives her handshakes and “safe travels.”
The last person Emily has to say goodbye to is Alastor. To everyone’s surprise, he hugs her. “Do come back soon my dear.” He whispers, so that only Emily can hear him.
“I will, I promise.” Emily whispers back.
With that, she’s traveling back to heaven. She’s greeted at the front gate by Sera. “Welcome back Emily. I trust you got everything you wanted out of that visit?”
Emily thinks about Alastor and grins. “Yeah. I did.”