#stone cold niffty

[corpusdiem-seizethedead]

Niffty: Alastor! There's a monster under my bed, and it's really ugly!

Husk: *from the bottom bunk* Honestly, fuck you.

[jollmaster]

redesign trivia: Mammon

patron of all gambling houses

toadlike

absolutely splendid

always carries an abacus

clothes of expensive fabrics with gilded buckles

he doesn't get cold, he just likes to emphasize status

one of the firstborn demons; spent youth in dungeons and stone rivers until he became fleshy by eating amphibians

knows perfectly well where gold-bearing veins lie

the bandages on hands hide the calluses left when Mammon tore up the earth and showed its riches to mortals (from them he got his name for this actions)

Mammon scolds imps when they get into sleeves without permission, but doesn't forbid them to sit there

CHARLIE'S GANG: Charlie, Vaggie, Angel Dust, Niffty, sir Pentious (and egg boiz), Cherri Bomb, Husk, Alastor (+ gang as humans)

HEAVEN: Adam, Eve, Lute, Emily, Sera

ADAM AND EVE'S CHILDREN: Cain, Abel, Seth, Awan, Azura

HELL: Lilith, Lucifer, Seviathan, Helsa, Razzle and Dazzle, Baxter

SINS: Asmodeus [Lust], Beelzebub [Gluttony], Satan [Wrath], Belphegor [Sloth]

LUCIFER'S WIVES: Eisheth Zenunim, Naamah, Agrat bat Mahlat

VEES: Vox, Valentino, Velvette

OVERLORDS: Zestial, Rosie, Carmilla Carmine (and her daughters, Odette and Clara), Flaming Skull Guy

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Mimzy, Arackniss, Molly, Alastor's mom, Alastor's father

[vroomvroomwee]

I'm a huge fan of radiostatic

The show hints they have a complicated past together, but you also said in a previous post that it doesn't look like Vox is pining for Alastor in stayed gone. How do you think their actual relationship will play out in the show ?

Well, I think the hints we are seeing of their past friendship are veritable and not our delusional shipper little minds grasping for straws. Whatever happens in season two it definitely will be emotionally heavy. At least for Vox, and dare I say I think it'll also be for Alastor.

Because, objectively speaking, Alastor doesn't really... have any friends. Mimzy uses him, and I think Alastor knows the hotel is apprehensive of him and keeps him at a distance as a colleague. Which only really leaves Rosie (who's also an overlord, but I doubt she's someone who would Alastor would die for or who he would die for) and Niffty (who's probably his thrall and can't be his equal as long as she is). And Alastor is a very extroverted guy. The only times his reputation as a stone-cold, heartless murderer is alluded to are what OTHER people say of him. Meanwhile, the people who know Alastor, aren't... that afraid of him. On a more intimate level, Alastor is very approachable and easy to talk to. He NEEDS friends. He NEEDS verbal communication, which is why I think his fallout with Vox hit him hard, no matter whose fault it was.

Now, Vox is clearly still pissed, and so is Alastor despite being able to hide it better. To me Stayed Gone borders somewhere between mortal enemies and exes who are biting at each other. And I don't think Vox is the pining sort based on his actions during ep 2 which I covered in this post:

(I think this might be the post i question. I'm adding it as a screenshot because tumblr was lagging on the link function)

I also found another post @moodooivy that really nails Alastor’s behaviour:

Personally (now this is just my opinion) I think Vivienne will continue the trend of "best friends suffered a brutal accident that was neither of their fault and got estranged then they hated each other for years only to reconcile and become best friends again in the end" that she did with Blitz and Fizz. I think a scene between Vox and Alastor is inevitable at this point. And I think it won't just be an emotional reconciliation.

The show has a limited amount of time at its disposal. And in any other instance, such an emotionally charged scene would have enough time to be fleshed out, to focus on the characters and their thoughts. But, Hazbin doesn't have that time. So, I think during that reconciliation SOMETHING important will be said (whether it's Alastor’s true intentions for the hotel or that he has always planned to betray them, Alastor’s dealer whoever it is had some hand in their split up and is planning something devious, Vox professing how much Alastor meant to him and how much he cared about him etc. etc. Or perhaps that he's never cared at all, and vise versa. Maybe they figure out Valentino somehow meddled with their relationship, or smth). It will be violent and intense, maybe a big fight where one nearly kills the other or an outside interference stops them, before it eventually subsides since these two can't keep a straight head around each other. And it's gonna happen in the last few episodes because either they both come out alive and well, which is bad news for everyone else since together they would be a massive powerhouse, or one of them dies - and the death of a fan favorite is impactful which would mean the writers would want to leave it near the end, right before season 3.

This is all me theorising though!! I love hearing predictions about season 2 and I'd love to talk about this in the comments and hear what you and others think 💜💜

[variberry]

Some HuskerDust headcanons

In honor of Angel Dust’s birthday yesterday <3

Husk is 100% a second parent to Fat Nuggets. Reluctantly at first, but now embodies “I’ve only had him for a day and a half, but if anything happens to him I will k!ll everyone in the room and then myself”

Following the events of episode 4, Husk always waits for Angel to return from work—even if it means staying up all night—to make sure he’s okay

Angel fell first but he also fell harder

Husk is secretly very charismatic and good at sweet romantic gestures, and Angel is constantly flustered by him

Niffty overheard Husk and Alastor’s conflict in episode 5, and when she told Angel about it, he completely lost his shit at Alastor and refused to talk to him for a week. Husk reassured Angel that it was all talk, but Angel still worries whenever Alastor and Husk are alone together.

Angel tries to live by “It’s cold outside but I’m still looking like a thotty because a hoe never gets cold” but actually gets cold a lot and Husk is always prepared with extra scarves and stuff

In line with the previous headcanon, because he’s running around smoking/drinking/doing who even knows what, Angel tends to get sick pretty frequently, and responds one of two ways: with a dramatic reenactment of what he imagines a sickly victorian child is like, or he just denies it up until intervention is necessary (honestly just depends on the mood he’s in). Either way, Husk always begrudgingly agrees to take care of him and somehow never gets sick.

Both Angel and Husk love to cook for each other and get comically frustrated with each other whenever either of them is the culinary equivalent of a “backseat driver”

Despite being a spider demon, Angel is absolutely terrified of real spiders, and insists that Husk kill any and all bugs they come across (if Niffty isn’t around to do it)

Husk is extremely competitive when it comes to card/board games, even if there are no stakes involved, and will hold grudges if he loses at poker, yet somehow can’t stay mad at Angel for more than a few hours

They are the type to bicker about who has more of the blanket when sharing a spot on the couch

When watching movies, Husk is an absolute stone, while Angel will break down in tears anytime there’s a dog on screen

Husk always has a can of raid on him in case he encounters Valentino in public

Angel gushes about Husk to Fat Nuggets (Cherri got tired of hearing about it)

That’s all I got for now! (Yes I do have three separate fics in the works at the moment so that’s fun)

[punkstarlet]

Fallen Stone: Snow to Ice

The next day

The alarm near Charlie’s bed beeps, waking her up. She let out a stretch, waking up her muscles as well. Today’s another day of getting the hotel ready; now they have a teacher. Charlie can feel that anything is going to change big time.

She jumped out of bed, smiling huge as she began to sing, “Tumble out of bed, and I stumble to the kitchen.” Vaggie held two cups of hot coffee, and Charlie grabbed her mug. “Pour myself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and try to come to life.” She drank down her mug in one gulp. She placed a kiss on Vaggie’s cheek.

Then Charlie was in the shower, washing her body with a sponge while singing. “Jump in the shower, and the blood starts pumping.” She uses her sponge as a mic. “Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumping. The folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.” She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body.

After that, Charlie put on her suit as she danced. “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living. Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving.” She faced herself in the mirror, smiling as she adjusted her bow tie. “They just use your mind, and they never give you credit. It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it.”

Once dressed, Charlie left her room, jumped on the stair handle, and slid down. “9 to 5, for service and devotion. You would think that I would deserve a fair promotion.” She landed in the lobby and leaped off, landing on the floor.“Want to move ahead, but the boss won’t seem to let me. I swear, sometimes that man is out to get me.”

She hummed as she headed to the kitchen. Angel, Alastor, Husk, and Shilo are still asleep, so she wants to make Shilo’s third day here very special. Charlie passed through the hallway while singing. “They let you dream just to watch them shatter. You’re just a step on the boss man's ladder, but you got dreams he’ll never take away.”

Charlie enters the kitchen, watching Niffty cook breakfast. She approached her station. “You’re in the same boat with a lot of your friends, waiting for the day your ship will come in.” She uses a spoon to taste the food as she digs it into an omelet and tastes it. She gives out a nod. “And the tide’s gonna turn, and it’s all gonna roll you away.” Niffty clapped her hands happily.

Charlie then grabbed some plates and utensils, setting the table while she continued singing. “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living. Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving.” She moved a fork straight, wanting it to look presentable. “They just use your mind, and you never get the credit. It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it.”

Once her work is done, she twirls in a circle and dances in the dining room. “9 to 5, yeah. They got you where they want you. There’s a better life, and you think about it, don’t you?” She sings, being in a positive mood. “It’s a rich man’s game, no matter what they call it, and you spend your life putting money in his wallet.”

“9 to 5, what a way to make a living. Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving.” Charlie let out a wink with a huge smile. “They just use your mind, and you never get the credit. It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it!”

“Breakfast is ready!” Niffty called out.

Charlie stopped her musical moment and smiled. “Great!!” She clapped her hands together. She returns to the kitchen. “Uh, did you make anything for Shilo?” She asked her.

Niffty nodded. “Mmhm! Yogurt oatmeal.” She answered.

“Perfect!” Charlie exclaimed. It was cold and a sweet treat for Shilo, too.

Suddenly, a bark sound was heard. Charlie gasped and turned around to the source of the sound. Did a guest come in early? They don’t open till next week. But where else has the bark sound come from?

Running her way, Nicholas was going fast and panting with his tongue out. The girls all become shocked by this; they thought they had locked the hotel up. Nicholas stopped before Charlie, sitting down and wagging his tail while panting.

Niffty hides behind Charlie, holding her large sewing needle in fright. “Is that a dog?! Since when did we let dogs in!!?” She panicked.

“I don’t remember letting one in!” Charlie responded, seeing Nicholas staring at her with a happy smile.

“Get rid of it! Dogs are filthy, and Alastor will get mad if he sees one!!” Niffty cried out. Knowing how much Alastor hates dogs.

Charlie grabbed Nicholas, feeling him struggling in her arms and whimpering. She was about to head to the back door and let him out when she heard Shilo’s voice screaming.

“Nicholas!!” Shilo rushes fast to stop Charlie. She panics and worries after she realizes Nicholas has left her room and is running around a place he is not familiar with.

“Huh?” Charlie stopped and faced her, confused.

“That's my dog, Nicholas!” Shilo explained, stopping before her.

“He’s your dog?” Charlie blinked.

“Yes! Yes! Please don’t throw him out!” Shilo begged, eyes concerned for her only link to Heaven.

After seeing Shilo's concern, Charlie quickly handed him to Shilo. “I am so sorry, Shilo! I didn’t know he was yours; he just came in.” She apologized. Nicholas barked, wagging his tail like the happy dog he is.

“It’s alright.” Shilo softly smiled. “Emily sent him here. He is my pet from Heaven; I raised him since he was a little puppy.” She explained.

Nicholas then licked Charlie’s cheek, causing her to giggle. “He is very affectionate.” She pets him, starting to like their new member of the team.

Shilo smiled. “He really likes you.”

“Morning, bitches.” Angel greeted while stretching his arms; Husk and Alastor entered behind him. Angel brushed his long bangs behind him. “So what’s cooking—“ he let out a scream. “Holy shit!! Is that a dog!!?” He pointed at Nicholas, who was being held by Shilo.

“A what?” Husk blinked, still a little tired. But once his eyes met Nicholas, he let out a hiss like the cat he was. Alastor behind him gives out radio static as he freezes, glaring at the dog.

“Guys, this is Shilo’s pet!” Charlie scorned them, glaring at them with her hands on her hips. “Don’t be rude!”

Angel eyed Nicholas, scowling. “It doesn’t eat meat! Does it!?” He questioned. He refuses to let him near his own pet, Fat Nuggets.

“He. His name is Nicholas, and he will not eat your pig. He’s a very friendly dog,” Shilo informed him with a stern expression. “Now, be nice. He’s all I have left, and I would be upset if something happened to him.” She nuzzles her cheeks against Nicholas’s.

Angel and Husk look at each other as if using their minds to discuss. Then, they gave her a nod, understanding her order.

Seeing their nods, Shilo smiled softly. “Thanks, guys.”

Alastor scoffed, snarling at the wagging-tailed dog. “But keep that disgusting mutt away from me.” He ordered her with a disgusted voice with soft static coming from him. He turned and walked away from the group, not wanting to stay as long as Nicholas was in the same room.

Shilo glared at Alastor, angry that he called her pet a mutt. She had never met a soul who would be rude to a harmless pet and insult them. She could feel her anger boiling up like a hot kettle.

Suddenly, the floor became frozen in a thick layer of frost and ice. Ice spikes formed from the ground, too, and nearly hurt Angel. Charlie gasped, backing away from the spikes in fright.

Angel flinched as another ice spike almost hit him. “Holy shit!!” He cried out.

“The fuck?!” Husk backed away from the spikes.

Shilo’s mind broke. Returning to reality, she gasped. She lost control of her anger again. “Oh no!” she cried in panic.

The frost reached the walls, spreading fast as her panic almost made it grow bigger. Ice spikes grew and blocked every path, preventing others from leaving or entering. The dining room was soon covered in ice and frost, making it colder. Angel shivered from the harsh temperature, and Husk used his wings to get warm. Charlie and Niffty both hug each other to get warm.

Shilo tried to breathe, calm herself, and un-melt the ice and frost. But she failed as more ice and frost grew in the hallway and on the walls. Shilo got worried that if she didn’t melt the ice and frost, the hotel would be a frozen nightmare.

Coming in, Vaggie slid through the spikes, holding a bucket of hot water. She dashes to Shilo and dumps it over her.

Shilo let out a loud, painful scream and dropped Nicholas on the floor, who let out a whine of pain. The ice and frost stopped growing, and the spikes returned to the iced floors and walls. Soon, the ice and frost began to thin until they were gone, and the temperature returned to normal.

Charlie lets Niffty go once the ice is gone. “Shilo!? Are you okay?” She sounds concerned as she watches Shilo kneel on the floor and look weak.

“What the fuck, Vaggie!?” Angel shouted.

Vaggie put the bucket down. “I have to act fast.” She responded. “I’m really sorry, Winterstone.” She apologized to her.

“It’s fine,” Shilo assured her, but her voice grew weaker. “At least the ice is gone…”

Niffty rushes to Shilo, holding the yogurt oatmeal she made for her. She uses a spoon to dig it up and feeds her a spoonful. She watched Shilo swallow it, seeing the color in her return.

Once she regained her strength, Shilo huffed out in exhaustion. “Is Nicholas okay?” She asked about her dog.

“He’s fine,” Charlie told her. He is a little hurt from the fall but recovering well. Shilo softly nodded, glad he was okay.

“Okay. What the hell happened?!” Vaggie shouted. She was checking the hotel when she noticed how cold it had gotten and ice was spreading.

“I…Alastor called Nicholas a mutt; it made me mad. And my powers react to my emotions, but never this intensely.” Shilo explained. She remembers how less powerful her powers were back in Heaven, not enough to cause damage. This was a start for her.

“Remember what I told you about losing half of your angelic powers? And you said you used to have snow and frost?” Charlie questioned Shilo. Shilo nodded to her, remembering her first day here. Charlie huffed out, readying herself for a long explanation. “Well...I think when you came here, your winter powers took a dark turn. Instead of the peaceful, calming snow and gentle frost. It’s the bitter, deadly ice and harsh frost.” She informed her.

Shilo looked at her hands, staring at the dark blue hues. “So that’s what happened to me when I fell here.” When she first landed on the alley, her powers released that ice burst, and she could barely control it. Hell has changed not only her form but also her powers.

“Yeah. And half of hell wants you gone.” Vaggie added.

Shilo blinked. “What?”

Vaggie sighed and then raised her hand to motion them to follow her. She led them to the lobby.

~*~

666 News appeared on air. Images show Shilo’s still-captured photos and pictures of the frozen statue as Katie broadcasts her show.

“As we reach day three of the angel’s arrival, it seems that this bitch has made quite a bad impression.” Katie broadcasted with a fake smile. “Many tried everything to get those poor fuckers out of their icy prison, yet no luck.” The images were changed to live video with Vox on screen. “Vox, CEO of Voxtek, has a few words to say.”

Vox stands before a crowd of news reporters as the camera flashes, paying no mind to his surroundings. “I know what she did was unacceptable and unforgivable.” He spoke with fake sympathy, grinning evilly. “Power like that just proves that she is a monster. How long do we have to wait till she strikes again?” He asked, still wearing his grin. “To finish what the exorcists have started? Wipe all of the sinners of the realm and go after the demons?” He then raises his fist and shakes it in the air. “We cannot allow that to happen. She must be brought to justice!!”

The reporters and a crowd roared loudly and cheered as Vox grinned at the camera.

Everyone stares at the screen, eyes widening and mouths dropping. They can’t believe what they are hearing. Due to her new, uncontrollable powers, they view Shilo as a monster they fear. To make this much worse, Shilo watches it with her own eyes. She is frozen in her spot, not taking her eyes off the screen, and is beyond shocked.

“As if this day can’t get any worse, " she squeaked. How would she fix this misunderstanding and prove she was only confused and scared? This day can’t get much worse.

Veggie felt a chill in the lobby, turned around, and widened her eye. “Uh…”

Shilo groaned. “What now?” She has spoken too soon. She turned in the direction Vaggie was staring at, and her eyes widened.

The lobby’s floor was covered in thick ice; her powers must have been released when they sensed her shock. But it was not the ice itself that startled them. Something emerged from the ice, taking the form of an exorcist angel with angelic weapons in ice. The ice exorcist was grinning at the group.

“I didn’t know you would do that!!” Vaggie shouted, backing away.

“I didn’t!” Shilo responded back with a shout. “This is really new to me!”

The ice exorcist then leaped into the air and dived down to attack Angel. Angel dodges out of the way as the ice exorcist lands on the iced floor and uses its weapon to try to stab Angel.

Angel tried his best to dodge its attack, but the ice exorcist was faster than the regular angels and much more substantial. He fell to the floor, and seeing the ice exorcist, was about to stab him. “Shilo!!” He screamed.

“Stop!!” Shilo shouted loudly.

Hearing her voice, the ice exorcist stopped in mid-air. It stopped upon her command.

“Return from whence you came!!” Shilo commanded the ice exorcist. Hearing her command, the ice exorcist bowed and melted away, returning to the iced floor. Shilo rushed to Angel and helped him up.

“the fuck?” Husk blinked, looking at Shilo.

He didn’t need to ask her, as Shilo explained it to him: “I... have no idea. I mostly cast snow clouds; this is very new to me.” She was panting from the possibility of her creation nearly killing her new friend.

“Probably due to being a virtue, an angel with powers of nature,” Vaggie affirmed as she remembered the types of angels living in Heaven. “Your winter abilities kind of develop new types.”

Coming from the ice behind her, another emerges. But this time, it took the form of Vaggie. Vaggie slowly turned around, seeing her ice doppelganger, and flinched.

“Fuck!” She cried out.

“Fuck!” The ice Vaggie echoed her cries, flinching like her.

Vaggie calmed her senses, seeing that it was copying her like an ice mirror. She narrows her eye at it. “The fuck?”

“the fuck?” The ice Vaggie echoed her, narrowing its eye too, like the real Vaggie.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Vaggie yelled at the ice clone.

“Hey! Knock it off!” The ice clone copied her shout.

Charlie’s eyes widen at this. Amazed by how Shilo’s new ability works and the showcase of it. “Amazing! You can create ice clones!” She grinned happily.

Shilo was flabbergasted. She had never learned how to create clones out of frost, snow, or ice clones; it was new to her. “Y-yeah.” She just nodded slowly, still flabbergasted.

Angel looks at his own ice clone, which emerged not so long ago. He poses seductively, as does his clone. “Oh, hello, sexy.” He cooed.

“Oh, hello, sexy.” The Ice Angel cooed back.

Husk groaned, clearly annoyed that Angel was flirting with his own self. “Shilo.”

Shilo started thinking. How can she get those clones back to the ice? She can’t command them immediately at once and is not trained to control them. She came up with something that could help. She snapped her fingers.

The ice clones then shattered into pieces, melting back into the ice.

“Hey!” Angel shouted, annoyed that his fun was over too soon. Shilo just gave him a shrug.

Nicholas took a gentle step on the ice, sniffing it as if checking if it was safe. Before him comes a small creature with angel wings on its head. He stares at the creature with curious eyes. “Nicholas, get away from it.” He heard Shilo’s command. The creature landed on his nose as he wagged his tail.

“Ooooohh!! Pretty bug.” Niffty smiled, reaching to grab it. But it quickly left Nicholas’s nose and fluttered in the air. Niffty then chased it.

“Did…did I just...?” Shilo blinked, speechless by this. Has she miraculously gained the ability to create life and make clones with her ice?

“Wow! It’s like you can create life out of ice!!” Charlie happily beamed.

Shilo nodded, not finding the words to reply. She snapped her fingers, and the creature turned into shattered ice.

“Aww...” Niffty pouted.

“Vaggie…” Shilo croaked.

“I’ll get the hot water.” Vaggie groaned, grabbing the bucket and getting another round of hot boiling water.

~*~

After the ice has melted and the lobby is free from being frozen again, everyone lounges in the lobby as Husk serves everyone drinks and has a conversation with Angel. Alastor keeps his distance from Shilo, who is sitting on the couch. Niffty is cleaning the carpet with a dry towel.

Shilo looked at her hand; so much was in her mind: her powers getting so intense and out of control, Hell seeing her as a monster, and her new ability. Hell is really bringing out the demonic ice queen she never wanted to show.

Away from the group, Charlie and Vaggie stand by the lobby entrance, discussing today.

“Vaggie, do you think her coming here must have triggered something in her?” Charlie asked Vaggie, keeping her voice down.

“Not sure.” Vaggie shook her head. “Maybe your dad might know?”

Charlie shrugged. “He did gain some powers when he and Mom first came, but she’s a virtue. Like the very first virtue here.”

“Should we contact your dad?” Vaggie suggested.

Charlie shook her head against this. “No, no. He left me in charge while on his business trip, so I can handle this.” She assured her.

“But honey. Thanks to her new abilities, half of hell sees her as a threat.” Vaggie explained the situation to her. “The Overlords will have her killed. We need your father for this.”

“I got this. I let one soul down; not gonna let another down too.” Charlie declared. She still blamed herself for the death of Pentious.

They both looked at Shilo as she opened her hands. Then, a blast of ice came from her hands and hit the ceiling, causing everyone to jump startled.

“Sorry!” Shilo apologized, closing her hands quickly. Vaggie turned to Charlie, tilting her head and raising her eyebrow.

Charlie refuses to accept that she needs her father’s help. “No. And that is final," she proclaims. She gives Vaggie a pleading stare. “Please, trust me on this.”

Vaggie sighed. “The things I do for you.”

Charlie leans in and kisses Vaggie on the forehead. Happy that Vaggie agreed.

Shilo slowly opened her hands, hoping not to release another ice blast. Suddenly, her fingernails changed into long, icy claws. The ice gleamed in the light like shards of glass on her fingertips.

“Ooh, you can cut with these bad boys.” Angel purred, staring at the icy claws.

“Please, don’t encourage me.” Shilo groaned, already tired of more unexpected surprises today. The claws return back to fingernails. She wiggled her fingers, feeling them return to normal. She let out a sigh. “Can’t believe this is happening to me…”

“Yeah, you’re a real ice queen bitch.” Angel teased, smirking. Shilo then gave him a cold glare. Angel recoiled as he felt an icy chill on his spine. “Sorry.” He rolled his eyes. “Geez, you’re so uptight.” He grumbled, taking a sip from his glass.

Shilo rolled her eyes, more annoyed than tired. She rubbed her forehead, already getting a headache. Nicholas jumped on the couch and laid his head on her lap, staring at her with soft eyes. Shilo smiled softly, placing her hand on his head and stroking his ear. She is glad he is here with her.

After a few moments of silence, Husk spoke out. “So, what now? Keep Shilo here till everyone decides to give up?” He asked.

“This is the last place anyone would bother to come in,” Charlie informed. Her hotel is not the most popular in Hell, so nobody would think twice about coming here. “And I won’t allow them to take her away.”

Shilo smiled softly at her. Charlie is not the type to give up on anyone in need.

Alastor dusted his suit, holding his mic cane. “Well, I better be off.” He blurted, starting to walk away from the group.

“Where are you going?” Shilo asked, glaring at him. She is still mad at him for insulting her dog.

“To run a few errands,” Alastor answered, not looking at her. He stopped by the entrance in the dark corner. “Tootles!” He disappears into the shadows.

Everyone becomes silent, not daring to speak or move a muscle. They are tired and exhausted from Shilo’s crazy episode and the threat over her. The best they can think of is how to keep Shilo out of the outsider’s eyes.

“So…anyone hungry?” Angel asked, smiling nervously.

[radioiaci]

anonymous ⧐ Outside Alastor's balcony, the air was filled with a melody so enchanting it could only be compared to the voice of a siren, singing with an otherworldly grace. The music drifted through the night, each note creating something new and ephemeral in the darkness. A cloud, soft and fluffy yet seemingly composed of pure sound, floated gently along with the song, capturing the essence of an almost perfect summertime serenade. This melodic cloud finally came to rest on the cold stone floor of Alastor’s balcony, curling up like a loyal pet awaiting its master’s touch. Atop the cloud sat a small black box, adorned with a striking red bow, standing out against the misty surroundings. Inside the box lay a tuxedo of the deepest black, accented with rich, reddish details. The long tailcoat and the small beret, crafted with precision and care, had been designed with holes to accommodate Alastor’s antlers. The red details seemed to dance like mist on the surface of the fabric, adding an almost supernatural quality to the garment, a testament to the skill of its creator. Beside the box, a modest note, written in delicate and careful handwriting, awaited his discovery, the final touch to this mysterious and thoughtful gift. ꒰ ❛ Dearest Radio demon, I extend my most sincere apologies for the veiled nature of my presence, choosing to remain concealed rather than making a proper introduction as I present you with this humble offering. It weighs heavily upon me, for I am acutely aware of the meticulousness of my own powers, particularly when it comes to matters of sound—a realm in which I know you, too, excel with the mastery of your radio tower. I wish to assure you that I shall exercise the utmost restraint in the use of my abilities when your melodies and, yes, even your screams grace the airwaves. It would be an unforgivable offense to mar the artistry that has brought me solace on days when the weight of sorrow threatened to overwhelm. With the deepest respect and warmest regards, Scarlet Fox ❜ ꒱ UNPROMPTED ASKS.

Alastor is no stranger to receiving fanmail, though admittedly, most of it is delivered by Niffty to the tower before any of it can make its way to his more private balcony. The way that the strange cloud begins to course its way towards him, blanketed in that ominous sound of song that make his ears give a few agitated flicks with the stimulation is nothing he's seen before. But he supposes there is a first time for everything. Sinners often have new, unheard of abilities and means of asserting their personalities among a sea of other unremarkable ne'er-do-wells.

His eyes drift down to the thing as it lands, that little box atop which immediately makes him suspicious. One of his puppet-like minions is brought forth as a scape goat to investigate it - to ensure that there is no nasty explosive surprise awaiting him inside (he will not put it beneath someone to make an attempt on his life in such a way) - but when the small creature does not seem to immediately combust at the opening of the box, Alastor steps forth to investigate it himself.

Clothing is not on the list of things he has received before. At least not... clothing that is clearly tailored for he himself. His immediate suspicion is that it is imbued with some sort of magic - and thus, he is not quick to put it on. But he can admit, to himself if nowhere else, that the tailoring of the thing is nice.

The puppet-minion offers him the note next, Alastor's claws taking it with interest as he unfolds it and reads the scrawl within.

It raises more questions than it answers, unfortunately. He is not familiar with any such individual named "Scarlet Fox". It does not even ping on his radar that anyone has been adequate enough to interfere with his broadcasts when he does see fit to perform them. And while said 'screams' that he is known for have been much lesser, as of late, given his prioritization of the hotel itself, he cannot think of a time when they have been interfered with...

Hm. Curiosity piqued.

The note is folded and placed within the box that is closed. Alastor is not so naïve as to think that the gift is made with altruistic intent. But there have been stranger items delivered to him, he supposes.

It will be stashed, for now. Until he can further investigate the motivation behind it.

[x-i-l-verify]

3, 7, 8, 12, 18, 30! :D

Thanks for sending me an ask! :D

3. Do you write fics from start or finish, or jump around? For the most part, I do tend to write fics chronologically, with the rare exception of those scenes that are so vivid that they have to be expunged ASAP.

7. Which part of writing do you struggle with most? Dialogue. TT_TT And also writing transition scenes, those are the worst.

8. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, share a song that’s been inspiring you lately. Not usually, surprisingly enough. I tend to prefer silence when I write, with very few exceptions. I normally listen to music only when I’m brainstorming fics.

12. Is there a trope you haven’t written yet but really want to? I actually would very much like to write an ABO fic sometime. I find the concept of different secondary gender and pack dynamics incredibly interesting, and there’s really so much you can do with world and culture building in these types of AUs, but so often it’s just used as a p0rn trope with no depth or actual thought behind it. If I want gen ABO fics, it’s becoming increasingly obvious I’m going to have to write them myself.

18.  What is a line/scene you’re really proud of? Give us the DVD commentary for that scene. “Filthy!” the moon rabbit exclaimed in a voice that seemed far too deep for such a small body. He charged at the two monsters and scurried in frantic circles around a thoroughly bemused and slightly terrified Hoyoung, looking increasingly frazzled. “Wind and stars, you’re filthy! What did you do, roll in every single mud puddle from here to Incheon?” He gave a dismayed gasp as he saw the dirt smudges Hoyoung had left behind him on the floor. He dashed back into the closet and emerged with a rag clutched in his paws. “Nope!” He scrubbed at the nearest smudge with his rag until he’d mopped up every speck of dirt. “Nope!” He moved on to the next. “Nope!” He grabbed a leaf that had dislodged from Hoyoung’s fur and popped it viciously into his mouth. “Nope!” I really loved writing moon rabbit!Hongbin’s whole introduction in Hiraeth. He brought this really fun, frenetic burst of energy to the fic that I think it sorely needed. Getting to reference Niffty’s introduction in the Hazbin Hotel pilot was a nice bonus (as she was my icon for a good half a year). :P

30.Tell us an idea for a longfic you want to write in the future. Well, one of the aforementioned ABO genfics for one, got the whole plot and worldbuilding pretty well sorted out, I just... well, I lost basically all the story and worldbuilding notes I’d accumulated for it due to reasons I’d rather not recount for the sake of my blood pressure, so that killed my motivation to write it almost stone cold dead. I may get back around to it someday, but trying to rewrite 20+ pages of outline is going to be hell, I can already tell. >.< But on a lighter note, I do have quite a few ideas for a multichapter fic set in my urban fantasy Jellyfish family AU that may possibly get written after I get another oneshot for it out of my system. It’s still in the plotting stage, but I've already hammered out the basics.

[stagtic]

STUDY    :   Alastor.   TAGGED    BY    : @angclbcrn​, thanks!!

—    BASICS.

IS    YOUR    MUSE    TALL    /    SHORT     /    AVERAGE?

Very tall, but not the tallest Hell has to offer. He stands at over 7 feet tall.

ARE    THEY    OKAY    WITH    THEIR    HEIGHT?

Oh, he LOVES it. He was pretty short in life ( 5′4″ ) so the fact he towers over the average demon pleases him greatly.

WHAT’S    THEIR    HAIR    LIKE?

Soft and rich, with a bit of wave to it. His ears are covered in a downy fur.

DO    THEY    SPEND    A    LOT    OF    TIME    ON    THEIR    HAIR     /    GROOMING?

Varies based on what he’s planning to do that day. He can go long spans of time without taking care of himself properly, not eating, not sleeping, letting the blood and viscera from his kills get caked under his claws. Pretty gruesome stuff. 

But when he intends to make appearances and to actually interact with people, you best believe he’s smartened up and clean for the occasion. He tends to get very locked into his ideas, often to the exclusion of other things, and it’s easy for him to lose track of himself in the process.

DOES   YOUR   MUSE   CARE   ABOUT   THEIR   APPEARANCE   /   WHAT    OTHERS    THINK?

Honestly? Much as he projects the image of indifference to others and their opinions of him, it’s actually very important to him that others regard him in ways he can handle -- particularly being afraid of him. When he gets NO reaction from someone, it unsettles and irritates him. He can’t work with nothing. 

Alastor is a performer, and ultimately, everything about his Radio Demon persona is about how he’s seen by others. Without an audience, who is he? Not a question he likes to ponder.

—    PREFERENCES.

INDOORS    OR    OUTDOORS? mix of both.

RAIN    OR    SUNSHINE? rain.

FOREST    OR    BEACH? forest.

PRECIOUS    METALS    OR    GEMS? precious metals.

FLOWERS    OR    PERFUMES? flowers, absolutely. alastor is WEAK for a bouquet.

PERSONALITY    OR    APPEARANCE? personality.

BEING    ALONE    OR    BEING    IN    A    CROWD? depends on his mood and current fixation.

ORDER    OR    ANARCHY? ANARCHY! pure, BEAUTIFUL anarchy!

PAINFUL    TRUTHS    OR    WHITE    LIES? it depends on the situation, and which suits his purposes at the moment. that said, his lies are RARELY so innocent.

SCIENCE    OR    MAGIC? magic.

PEACE    OR    CONFLICT? conflict, even if he has to start it himself.

NIGHT    OR    DAY? night.

DUSK    OR    DAWN? dusk.

WARMTH    OR    COLD? cold. alastor’s a big fan of winter.

MANY   ACQUAINTANCES    OR    A    FEW    CLOSE    FRIENDS? both have their uses. once again, this one is situational, depending on his specific needs and goals at the time.

READING    OR    PLAYING    A    GAME? playing a game.

—    QUESTIONNAIRE.

WHAT    ARE    SOME    OF    YOUR    MUSE’S    BAD    HABITS?

Well, there’s the whole slaughtering countless people and broadcasting it live thing. He has a tendency to entirely disregard personal space, he believes the past is set in stone so there’s no reason to regret, and therefore rarely if EVER apologizes, he provokes people just to amuse himself with their reactions, he tells awful Dad jokes and laughs stupidly hard at them, the list goes on and on really.

HAS    YOUR    MUSE    LOST    ANYONE    CLOSE    TO    THEM?      HOW    HAS    IT    AFFECTED    THEM?

Alastor lost his mother in his mid - 20s, and it was ... a very complicated affair. His mother had made it VERY clear throughout his life that she blamed him for her unhappiness. By all accounts, he should have been relieved to no longer carry the burden of her disappointment and loathing, having been forced to care for her in the last miserable years of her life. But it honestly just put more weight on him, knowing he’d never really RESOLVE any of the issues between them. He’d never know if she ever loved him at all, in spite of her being the only person in his mortal life he ever truly loved.

His mother’s life and death left its marks on him, and he still carries all of those twisted emotions even over a hundred years later. He has trouble trusting the idea anyone could ever genuinely like him and is always on the defensive. He plays relationships fast and loose, because depending on anyone just gives them the power to let you fall whenever they decide to drop you.

WHAT    ARE    SOME    FOND    MEMORIES    YOUR    MUSE    HAS?

The early years of his life were actually pretty good, his grandparents’ influence in his life assuring that he and his mother were comfortable. He also holds on dearly to the memories of Christmas, as it was his mother’s favorite holiday and consistently the only time of year she made an effort to be kind to him. He never got much in the way of gifts, but that wasn’t what he enjoyed. The scenery, the atmosphere, the fleeting sense of love from the person who mattered most to him ... he cherishes it.

IS    IT    EASY    FOR    YOUR    MUSE    TO    KILL?

Almost TOO easy. While he’s not just cutting demons down willy nilly, the decision to use deadly force is one he makes very quickly. And the option is never really off the table for anyone; even people that he has an attachment to are in some level of danger, when it comes to his ever - shifting whims and fancies.

WHAT’S    IT    LIKE    WHEN    YOUR    MUSE    BREAKS    DOWN?

It’s ... bad. Alastor is not a demon with much self - control, so when even that much is gone, and he lets the full horror of his powers be known? It’s the literal embodiment of a nightmare. Reality fractures at its seams, his body distorts into something grotesque and unfathomable, and the radio projects all manner of hellish NOISE from seemingly everywhere, even inside the heads of those surrounding him. 

He can kill people that way, and probably HAS accidentally offed an underling or two that managed to be close to him on a bad day.

IS    YOUR    MUSE    CAPABLE    OF    TRUSTING    SOMEONE    WITH    THEIR    LIFE?

I’d like to say he is, but ... probably only someone like Husk and Niffty, who have no CHOICE but to treat his life with as much care as possible, lest they doom themselves as well. 

It would take a LOT of time to extend that level of trust to someone else, who he did not have control over.

WHAT’S    YOUR    MUSE    LIKE    WHEN    THEY’RE    IN    LOVE?

It’s a mixed bag. Obviously he treats his partners with more tenderness than he’d show anyone else, showing a side of himself few will ever get to see. But he is an intense person with a very terrible grasp on his own feelings and, as mentioned, not much self - control. He will obsess over the object of his affection, pouring a healthy sum of the INTEREST that goes towards his projects and plans into them and their affairs. He will be possessive and protective. He will want to be in control.

It would take time for him to fully appreciate that a loving, mutual romantic relationship requires compromise and open communication, neither of which are things he’s good at.

TAGGING: anyone who wants to! i’m curious what your answers to some of these will be.

[punkstarlet]

Fallen Stone: Bravery

The next day

Shilo opened her eyes, blinking as she felt groggy and sleepy. She yawned as she slowly sat on her bed, rubbing her eyes as if trying to get the sleep off them. She opened her eyes, expecting to sleep in her room back in her apartment, but her eyes were only met with a room that wasn’t hers. She was still in the hotel from yesterday. Shilo looked around her new room, trying to visualize her area.

It looked like a suite room reserved for wealthy guests, and Charlie had offered it to her. The bedroom had purple-reddish wallpaper and a purple floor, and a balcony overlooked the city. See-through red curtains around the windows, a private bathroom, and a living room. Shilo didn’t mind it, meaning she could decorate the suite to her liking, such as an area for her paintings and an office. As much as she loves to stay in her new room, she needs to figure out a plan here.

She climbed off the bed and walked to a full-view mirror on the wall to look closely at her new body. She was dressed only in white lace lingerie while her old clothes lay folded on the window bench.

She looks at her arms in the mirror. The blue hues on her arms and hands covered everything but only stopped and faded near her biceps. She can see ice crack marks in light blue as they fade into the hues of her arms. Her legs were the same as they disappeared and stopped on her thighs with ice crack marks faded into the hues. Her appearance shows she has frostbite as if she had been exposed to the cold for so long. Her feet have changed into gray-blue hooves, and a bandage is wrapped around her stomach to stop the bleeding from her cut.

“Oh lord... " she whispered. She gently touched her biceps, feeling only fresh skin. She didn’t feel as cold as she thought yesterday, meaning her body temperature was normal.

She turned around and looked at her back in the mirror. Four scars had been left on her back from having her wings ripped off. She gently touched the wounds, frowning at their loss. She knelt on the floor, softly crying. She has lost everything she worked hard for and the people she cares deeply about.

“Ms.Winterstone?” Charlie’s voice was heard through the door.

Shilo gasped, breaking out of her mind. “Y-yes, Charlie?” She answered, wiping her tears off her cheeks.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asked, sounding concerned.

“I’ll be fine, sweetie.” She responded. The last thing she wants is for Charlie to get worried about her.

“Well, breakfast is ready,” Charlie added. “You’re welcome to join.”

Shilo softly smiled. “Thank you, " she replied, listening to Charlie’s footsteps leaving. Once she was gone, Shilo softly sighed and stood up. She took one last look in the mirror, frowning at the sight of herself. She wonders if Lucifer felt like this when he first landed and saw his new chances.

She left the mirror’s sight and grabbed her folded clothes, ready to face her second day here in Hell.

~*~

After a while, Shilo walked down the stairs, dressed in her teacher's clothes. Thanks to Niffty's help, the tear in her vest and blouse was sewn back together, but the ice on her sleeves and pants hadn’t melted. She reached the end of the stairs and went to look for the others.

She found them in the dining room, having breakfast together. She entered inside, being a little careful not to bump into anything so as not to freeze anything.

Niffty was the first to spot her. “Morning, snow angel!” She greeted her with a huge smile.

“Morning...” Shilo replied, waving a little.

Charlie came to her, holding a glass of red liquid that smelled of sweet apple and spice. She smiled softly at Shilo. “I know you told us you can only eat cold food, so I spent all morning making you a smoothie!” She hands it to her, letting Shilo take it off her hands.

“Thank you,” Shilo thanked her. She took a sip of the smoothie, tasting it. It had a sinful spice, with just a mix of apples and ice inside. She hummed a little.

“Well?” Charlie asked, nervously waiting for any feedback on her cooking.

She hummed, facing Charlie. “Is that... a hint of apple in this?” she asked, tasting the apple.

“Yes! From our garden!!” Charlie nodded, smiling with her hands clapped together. “I don't know what food you eat while in Heaven, so I thought maybe fruits would be a start.”

Shilo’s lips formed a smile. “No bad for a beginner.” She added. She usually drinks iced coffee every morning as her breakfast, but she didn’t want to hurt Charlie’s feelings by telling her soon. And the smoothie isn’t bad, either. “I always wanted to taste the forbidden fruit.” She chuckled at the end.

Charlie smiled tremendously, glad that Shilo enjoyed her cooking and that she had gotten her preferences right. “Thank you, Ms.Winterstone!!” She thanked her for her honest feedback.

Shilo giggled, her enthusiasm contagious. “Please, call me Shilo.” She then drank her smoothie.

Charlie nodded. Since they are getting to know each other, Shilo is comfortable enough to let others call her by her first name rather than her last. She watched Shilo finish her smoothie.

Alastor placed the newspaper he was reading on the table, his grin softening as he faced Shilo. He put his chin on his palm. “So, if you plan to stay here, you must have a part here.” He stated Shilo’s situation.

Shilo placed the glass on the table, and her attention turned to Alastor. “Hmm? Like a job?” She asked.

“Precisely.” Alastor nodded. He knows she is staying as a guest here, but he refuses to let her laze around here and not have a plan in hell. “What can you do?” He questioned her.

Shilo huffed out, her arms crossed while tapping her heels to the floor while thinking. “Well, I was a teacher of Heavenly History.” She answered. “I am great at painting, singing, and dancing. I also know how to play a harp, which, by the way.” She cringed at the harp part. “It is the most boring instrument ever.”

“A teacher, huh?” Alastor tilted his head. The teacher took the fall of all the angels that had fallen out of heaven. “Like teaching little children the important things you told them are good and never questioning anything?”

Shilo glared at Alastor, not finding his remark about her job being seen as a manipulating task to keep kids out of the truth. “I teach them about what happened and to be sure they won’t repeat history. It’s essential, and now...” Her face changed from an angry glare to a sad frown. “…I will never see them again…”

Charlie frowned. Then she wrapped her arm around Shilo’s shoulder.” Hey. It’s going to be okay.” She assured her with a warm smile.

Then, suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Her eyes widen, and she lets out a devilish grin after a few blinks. “If you teach sinners what Heaven truly is and what you honestly know about, it might inspire them to be redeemed.” She informed Shilo of her idea.

“Really?” Shilo blinked. Her? Teach sinners about Heaven?

“Of course.” Charlie nodded.

Angel spit out his cereal, letting out a few coughs as he hunched over and regained air. “Her? Be the hotel teacher?” He questioned Charlie while pointing to Shilo. She wants to keep Shilo’s job as a teacher and have her be part of the team to redeem sinners.

“Of course!!” Charlie exclaimed. Happily, her attention focused on the group. “She is knowledgeable about it; she came from heaven and experienced it far longer than we have. We are all about second chances and learning from our mistakes.” She explained her reasons. “And besides, she is staying with us till she can figure out her plans in Hell. So let’s give her a chance.”

Everyone stared at Charlie like she had grown a second head, and it was far more disturbing than whatever lives in Hell. To think she wants to hire a fallen angel as the hotel teacher to inspire a sinner enough to be redeemed when Shilo herself had already caused enough damage yesterday.

After a few minutes of silence, Vaggie sighed. “If Charlie thinks this will work, I fully support her," she declared, smiling at Charlie with all her love and support until she landed her eyes on Shilo and glared. “But I am keeping my eye on you, Winterstone.”

“Don’t test me, young angel.” Shilo glared back. “Not wise to go against your elders.”

Vaggie glared hard at her, not feeling threatened by her. Only Shilo’s glare grows colder and icier, giving her the icy stare. Vaggie felt a sudden chill on her spine, causing her to shiver in fright. She backed away from Shilo.

“Oh, someone is getting chills from Ice Queen.” Angel snickered, noticing Vaggie getting shivers from Shilo’s icy glare.

“Shut it.” Vaggie hissed at Angel, annoyed.

Shilo’s icy glare melted into a warm smile as she faced Charlie. “Thank you for offering me this chance, Charlie.” She thanked her heartily. “I promise to do my best.”

“I know you will,” Charlie assured her. She hopes this will work and sinners can see her in a new light. With Shilo’s knowledge and Charlie’s plans, the Hazbin Hotel will work.

~*~

After a while, Shilo is on the couch in the lounge. She sits with a book in hand, reading it. If she had her glasses, she would have read it more clearly. But it’s back in Heaven with everything she owns, including Nicholas. She hopes he is alright. She closed the book and placed it on the table as she reached for another book.

A massive pile of books, including books about the history of Hell and the demons living there, was right next to her. She asked Charlie to get her every written book about Hell so she could better understand it. And she was fortunate that the hotel put in a library.

She grabbed a book from the pile and opened it, reading it as she leaned against the couch. The book contained information about the Seven Sins and the Goetic members. Shilo rubbed her eyes, feeling the strain of reading so long.

“Good lord. I never thought there would be so many in Hell.” She mumbled.

“A lot different than yours in heaven, huh?” Shilo heard a voice and looked up, catching Angle Dust towering over her. He has that smirk on his face as he stares down at her.

Shilo scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You have no idea.” She grumbled in annoyance as she returned to her reading, ignoring Angel.

Angel rolled his eyes, uncaring. He sat on a couch across from her and pulled out his phone. He scrolled through his messages, seeing nothing but endless messages from Valentino. He scoffed at this. Then he looked at Shilo, still reading. She can feel his eyes on her, choosing to ignore it.

After a while, Angel cleared his throat. “So…what is it like up there?” He asked her, hoping to have a conversation with her.

Shilo stopped reading, closed the book, and set it on the table. She sighed, thinking over his question. “Like living in paradise. Too much paradise," she answered. It was the perfect prison for her. “Lots of good energy, no violence, and no sins. Everyone is free to do what they are rewarded for for their good behavior and follow the lord’s way. And everything is clean.” She added, frowning sadly. “But what’s the point of living in paradise when you never think about other life outside Heaven? What about the family members they never see again when they are in separate realms? And about those on Earth struggling with their own fate?” Her hand gripped the cushions hard, nearly causing it to freeze. “Everyone is too ignorant to see the real problem here.”

Angel frowned, seeing how distressed she was. “Guess you weren’t thrilled there?” He asked her.

“I love my job, the kids, and those I can trust,” Shilo responded. She doesn’t mind the kids; she ensures they are taught well and adores Emily. She huffed out. “But I was never allowed to visit Earth, never got the chance to perform my miracles and be independent. I was told how dangerous Earth is and said I might get sinned.” She recalled how often she was told about that and how the archangels never trusted her. “Yet, here I am. Down in Hell for trying to give Heaven some senses.”

She has her arms crossed and leans against the couch with a displeased expression. After all she did for Heaven, trying to do her best to prove herself and hoping to visit Earth, it was never about trying to win them. It was about them trying to control her.

Angel frowned sadly, setting his phone down. He never thought Shilo would feel like this, being denied the one thing she desired. “You felt trapped.” He spoke.

Shilo blinked and looked taken aback by his words. She faced him with questionable eyes.

“Felt like a bird stuck in a fancy cage with fancy stuff and food,” Angel explained better. “But, never taught how to fly freely. So what happens when you are out of the cage? You fall, and you can’t fly to save yourself.” He sighed sadly. “That’s how you feel, right?”

Shilo nodded, understanding what he was saying. She felt like a bird, trapped and never learning to be free. She was stuck in the ground.

Angel then pointed at Shilo’s stomach. “And…your man did that to you?” He asked.

Shilo gently touched her stomach, the same spot Michael stabbed her. It still hurts that he would even think of harming her more. “He did. I trusted him, gave him my heart, and he just stabbed it.” She let out a sad sigh; tears formed in her eyes. “All I wanted was to feel loved and accepted for who I am. But my last two loves all tossed me away.” She thinks about Lucifer and Michael and how they treated her like she was nothing. “Am I really that undesirable?”

Angel scoffed with a spat. “Are you kidding? With that gorgeous body of yours?” He gestures to her form with a teasing smirk. “Who wouldn’t want a piece of you?”

“My body? Yeah, right.” Shilo rolled her eyes, not believing him. “I’m nowhere gorgeous, too short, my hair is too short, and my figure is dull.”

“Maybe if you lose the teacherly outfit and replace it with a more sultry appearance, you’ll make heads turn,” Angel suggested, still wearing that smirk. He watched Shilo give him that icy glare, sending a cold chill down his spine. He flinched. “Geez, sorry.” He mumbled, disappointed. “I was just trying to cheer you up.”

“Geez, thanks a lot,” Shilo growled sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

“Ooh, feisty.” Angel purred, being a tease to her.

Shilo huffed out in annoyance, looking away from him. She can’t believe he suggested she dress more like a slut; she is an angel. Or was an angel. But still, dressing in a revealing outfit is against Heaven's laws. And a violation of her belief. She is not willing to trade her style for a sinful style.

She looks at Angel, who is looking through his phone. After a while, she softly sighed. “Look, I’m sorry for the way I act.” She apologized. “I just had a lot in my mind, and it’s hard to stay calm when you are stuck and lost.” She explained. “It was wrong of me to take it out on you.”

Angel just let out a shrug.” I’m used to it.” He replied, not taking his eyes off his phone.

“From that moth guy?” Shilo mentioned the moth demon she saw him with back from the courtroom.

At that moment, she saw Angel freeze in his place. Sensing his nervousness from her spot. She could tell that the moth demon was something not to be dealt with, but it still bothered her that a powerful being like him could harm others.

“Who was he?” Shilo asked him.

Angel frowned, feeling uncomfortable. “Valentino. My boss and a real asshole.” He responded, looking away from her gaze. “I’m his favorite out of all the worthless, shitty whores he hired. He was the one that made me who I am, and I am stuck with him till I can figure out how to get out of this shithole.”

Shilo scoffed with a huff of air. “Well, he sure is a great boss.” She remarked in a sarcastic voice, her arms crossed over her breasts. “Treating his workers like they don’t mean anything and using his power like that.” She snarled in anger. “People like that really boiled my blood.”

“Well, I can’t quit, " he told her. “I’m bound by contract and don’t have a say.”

Suddenly, Shilo stood up from her seat faster than he could blink and stood very close as she stared down at him. Her hands are placed on her hips, and she gives him a stern expression. “Listen here, spider boy.” She fumed. “Valentino can kiss my ass and freeze to death, but he doesn’t know a thing or two about accepting options and limits. Everyone has limits and options, even sinners like you.” She points at Angel.

Angel leaned away from her as she continued speaking. “You control yourself, not Valentino, the seraphim, or Charlie.” She added. “Just you.”

“What do you expect me to do?” Angel asked her. “I can’t leave him.”

“Maybe not.” Shilo proclaimed, forming a determined grin on her lips. “But you can remind him that he can’t control your options.” She advised him.

She then climbed on the table and stood on top, standing tall and proud. “You can be amazing; you can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug. You can be the outcast or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love.” She then started singing to Angel.

“the fuck?” Angel blinked, not expecting this from her.

“Or you can start speaking up. Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do.” Shilo sings while showing a determined face. “And they settle neath your skin, kept on the inside and no sunlight, sometimes a shadow wins.”

“What are you? Charlie?” Angel glares at her, unimpressed.

Shilo continued her musical moment as she sang to him. “But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say and let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you want to say and let the words fall out.” Shilo smiled down at him. “Honestly, I wanna see you be brave. I just wanna see you, Ijust wanna see you, I just wanna see you. I wanna see you be brave.” She danced across the table. “I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you. I wanna see you be brave.”

She then watched Angel leave, clearly not listening to her. She jumped off the table, walked up to the couch, and leaped off, landing in front of Angel and blocking his path.

She continued her singing. “Everybody’s been there; everybody’s been stared down by the enemy. Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing.” She sings to him. “Bow down to the mighty, don’t run, stop holding your tongue.”

Shilo gave him an empathetic stare. “Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days, you can let the light in.” Angel frowned sadly, knowing she was right. She smiled softly at him. “Show me how big your brave is.”

She grabbed his top hands, holding them. “Say what you wanna say and let the word fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you want to say and let the words fall out.” She smiled up at him.” “Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.”

Angel looks down, not wanting to see her eyes on him. “Innocence, your history of silence won’t do you any good.” Shilo sings, trying to get his attention. “Did you think it would? Let your words be anything but empty. Why can’t you tell them the truth?”

Angel, then, has his eyes on her as he slowly smiles down at her, seeing the fierce determination in her eyes. Shilo smiled huge at him.

“Say what you wanna say and let the word fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you want to say and let the words fall out.” She sings to him, happy he is listening to her. “Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.”

She pulls Angel’s hands, dragging him to dance with her as she sings. “I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you. I wanna see you be brave. I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you. See you be brave.” She smiled huge as she and Angel danced in a friendly manner. “I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you, I just wanna see you. I just wanna see you. I just wanna see you. I just wanna see you.”

Soon, the two stopped dancing as Shilo finished her song. She let his hands go as she kept her eyes on him. “And if he pushes you too hard, come to me.” She told him.

“But...he can hurt you,” Angel warned her. She may be an angel, but Valentino is larger and more demanding than her.

“Even after seeing those poor sinners and demons encased in ice by accident?” Shilo mentioned her first arrival with a brave face. “I may be a virtue that doesn’t use violence, but I’m willing to protect sinners like you who have their own options.”

Angel huffed out, seeing there was no way to talk her out. She is just as stubborn as he is and very persistent, too. “Fuck. Why do you have to be so selfless?”

Shilo shrugged. “Just in my nature.” She responded.

Angel let out a snorting chuckle, finding Shilo's humor pleasant. He then punched Shilo on the shoulder, nearly causing her to trip due to her size. He can tell they are going to get along pretty well.

~*~

The door to Shilo’s room opened, and Shilo entered inside. She took off her heels and set them near the door. After the day she had today, she was ready to take an icy bath in her bathroom and relax with a nice book. At least she learned more about the gang today and was offered a job here.

She approached her bedroom, closing the door behind her, until she noticed something moving under her bed sheets. She approached it carefully, not wanting to startle whatever was under there. But what was in the same room with her? And how did it get into her room? She will find out soon.

She grabbed the sheets and pulled them out. Once the sheets were off, she gasped loudly. “Nicholas!!” She exclaimed happily.

Sitting on her bed is Nicholas, who barked happily and wagged his tail. She noticed his appearance. His fur is dark blue, like her arms and legs. His teeth have fangs, too. But she could care less about his new fur; he is safe and here in Hell with her. She picked him up and hugged him.

“How did you get here?” she asked him, wondering how he had found her and escaped Heaven. Then she noticed a letter tucked into his collar. She grabbed it and pulled it out. She opens it and reads it.

“Dear Ms.Winterstone, I am so sorry that you fell. If you could have told me about this, I would have helped.” She noticed that it had Emily’s handwriting. She continued reading it. “But I guess you were trying to protect me from ending up with the same fate you have. I found Nicholas lying in your bed, whining and looking so sad. I couldn’t let him be so alone. And I figure that you must have gone to Charlie’s hotel. So I asked Azrael to send Nicholas to Hell and landed in the hotel.” So that’s what happened. “He said hi, by the way. Please take care of yourself. I love you. Emily.”

After she finished reading, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Despite what she had done, Emily still worried about her favorite teacher. She brought Nicholas back to her.

“Thank you, Emily.” She smiled softly. “And I promise I will help Charlie and get more sinners to Heaven.” She sat on the bed, still hugging Nicholas. This day has been so full of surprises.