Chapter Text
Paradise is what we make it, what we believe.
And the moment we stop believing, that is when it all falls apart.
Like a star collapsing.
Like a Morningstar
A sentence you’d never think you’d use is that hell is flourishing. A sentence Charlie Morningstar never thought she’d be able to use.
Yet here she was, staring out over hell.
Yes it still burned, yes it still was hell.
But there were upsides.
Since the Overlord Vox’s attack against heaven, the Hazbin Hotel had been flourishing with more guests than ever. It brought a giant grin to Charlie’s face where she sat in the window of her and Vaggi’s shared room.
This time, she heard her girlfriend approach.
“Charlie?”
Charlie hummed, not turning around where she sat staring out over hell. “You doing okay?” Vaggi asked, taking a seat beside her. Keekee joined them, jumping up into Vaggi’s lap. “I’m doing better than okay!” Charlie exclaimed, grinning at Vaggi.
Vaggi smiled at Charlie’s happiness. “That’s good to hear.” The former exorcist said, also looking out over hell, some flames rising in the distance. “I thought you were busy with guests?” Charlie then asked, looking at Vaggi. “Cherri offered to take over for a while.” She said and Charlie cocked an eyebrow.
“Okay fine, she forced me to take a break.”
Charlie nodded, feeling more content now. “Wise decision.” She said and Vaggi rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Emily is visiting in ten minutes. Probably why Cherri is in such a good mood, that angel always brings something from Pentious.” Vaggi then added and Charlie grinned. “Exactly! That’s great!” She exclaimed, throwing her hands up as she jumped up to stand.
“I’m going down, you coming with me?”
Vaggi nodded and Keekee jumped off just in time to not fall down. The two walked from their shared room and into the hallway. Charlie happily greeted guests, who were less enthusiastic to greet her back.
Vaggi ignored them to the most part, Keekee walking by her feet. Charlie skipped down the hallway with a grin as they reached the elevator. She pulled Vaggi inside, Keekee just barely making it inside before the door closed.
After pressing the button to the bottom floor, the elevator started moving. Charlie rocked on her feet with a grin as Vaggi stood still with crossed arms. “Do you think Emily will bring any news?” Charlie wondered out loud. “Maybe. She rarely does nowadays when the hotel is allowed to be up without angels wishing to blow it up.” Vaggi replied curtly. Charlie hummed as the elevator moved.
“Maybe we will get lucky today?”
The elevator opened and the two stepped outside, making place for a new guest who was waiting for the elevator. The lobby was not packed, just a few sinners scattered here and there. The only ones Charlie recognised was Cherri, who was either discussing very heatedly or arguing with a guest, and Alastor and Charlie’s father Lucifer.
The two had somehow created some kind of weird friendship/friendly rivalry after Vox’s attempt to take over heaven around two months ago. Charlie was unsure how, but she didn’t really care, as long as they got along.
The argument/discussion between Cherri and the guest broke up as the guest stormed away towards the stairs. Cherri flipped him off behind his back, smirking as she did. “Cherri!” Charlie exclaimed as she ran up to her friend. “Any new guests?” She asked, looking at the cyclops with a smile. “Two. A couple it seemed like.” Cherri replied in her usual aussie accent.
Charlie grinned at these news. “Emily should arrive in a second.” Vaggi said and as on cue, a portal to heaven opened and the seraphim appeared with a grin. “Emily!” Charlie exclaimed happily as she embraced her heavenly friend. “Charlie! It’s so nice to see you!” She exclaimed, smiling just as bright as Charlie.
They separated and Emily handed Cherri a basket. “From Pentious.” She said, smiling as Cherri immeditaly snatched it from her hands. “Thanks!” Cherri called out before running off, luckily not blowing up any walls.
Emily turned to face Charlie. “Any new guests?” Emily asked, her last visit having been a week ago. The seraphim visited weekly, except the few times she had managed to be here even more often. “A couple.” Vaggi replied, arms crossed. “It’s doing…surprisingly well.” She then muttered, even if both of the girls heard her. “I know!” Charlie exclaimed with a bright grin.
The two headed off towards the sofas to discuss new ideas as Vaggi looked at them with a weird emotion before wandering off towards the bar, where Husk sat alone with Fat Nuggets. Charlie chose to ignore the sting of pain at the reminder of Angel Dust, who was still with Valentino at the Vees tower.
Lucifer and Alastor, who had both been doing separate things, aka painting a duck and grinning creepily, looked up. “Hi again!” Emily greeted, smiling at both. Alastor said nothing, but Lucifer smiled at her. "Hello Emily." He said nicely as they sat down.
Charlie smiled as she leaned back in her armchair. “We have some new guests. Nothing near what we got a month ago, but that’s normal. We can’t have half of hell signing in each day.” She said, waving her hand with a grin. “No that makes sense.” Emily said, grinning before cocking her head, seemingly thinking about something.
“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked, immediately worried. “Oh, nothing!” Emily said, waving away her concern. “There are some news from heaven I was asked to give you though.” She then added and Charlie’s heart sped up. Lucifer looked up from his duck, glancing at Emily worriedly as Alastor just watched them creepily with the familiar sound of static in the background
“Oh…well what is it?” Charlie asked, hoping that the worry was hidden behind her words. Emily clearly missed it as she smiled. “There is an angel who wants to talk with you. She said she’s curious about the hotel and wants to hear more about it from you, as I can only tell her so much.” Emily explained happily. “It’s not Sera.” She then added upon seeing Charlie’s expression.
Another angel? Charlie wondered as her face split in a grin. “Oh Emily this is amazing!” She exclaimed, jumping up with a grin. Emily looked just as happy. Lucifer looked a bit suspicious, but said nothing as he turned back to his duck.
“I have to tell Vaggi! Be right back!” Charlie exclaimed before running towards the bar. Emily stayed behind, but Charlie heard her laughter.
“Vaggi!”
The former exorcist swore as Charlie suddenly appeared. “Fuck, Charlie! What?” Vaggi asked, turning around. “Emily said another angel wants to talk about the hotel! This is great news!” Charlie exclaimed, jumping where she stood.
Vaggi blinked as she stared at Charlie. “Really?” She asked and Charlie nodded excitedly. “Really really!” She cheered happily. Vaggi smiled at Charlie’s happiness, her one eye softening. “This is great, Charlie, but have you asked Emily anything else? Like where the meeting is for example?” Vaggi then asked, cocking her head. Charlie stopped jumping up and down. “No, I haven’t. I’ll do that right away! See you!” She then exclaimed before running towards the sofas again.