Chapter Six
The tour of the hotel was mostly just Charlie excitedly showing her mom every little thing and explaining it in great detail. Lilith, Alastor, and a rather troubled Lucifer continued to follow in silence allowing Charlie to expel her pent up nervous energy through her rambling. Vaggi was doing her due diligence as hotel manager keeping the new influx of guests from creating too much chaos.
Although the hotel still became rather lively of late, Lilith didn’t seem to mind being surrounded by so many sinners. Most sinners just froze in place and stared at her nervously or in awe as she walked by. If anything, Lilith seemed perfectly in her element, both Alastor and Lucifer noticed.
Charlie concluded the tour once again atop the hotel’s balcony, as she had done with her father upon his first visit. “So…..whaddya think, mom?”
Lilith beamed at her, “I think it speaks for itself! I must admit I had my concerns at first. Redemption is quite the ambitious goal, after all, and even though you have proven it can be achieved, I wasn’t sure how many sinners would actually want to become winners.”
Charlie seemed confused, “What do you mean? Doesn’t everyone want to find peace and comfort in their afterlives?”
Lilith sighed, “yes, I’m sure they do, but that may look different for some people. Take our Dear Alastor, for example, I’m sure by now he has expressed to you his own desire to stay right where he is?”
To that Alastor added, “but, of course! Charlie knows redemption isn’t for me. I chose this and I must say I’m quite satisfied. Hell is never short of inspiration or new forms of entertainment! Ha ha!”
Charlie’s brows furrowed, still not pleased with Alastor’s reluctance to try, but she did know better by now. He just did things his own way and if he was happy here, well, at least that was one less person who might eventually go off and leave her for heaven like Sir Pentious had. She wanted her friends to succeed and to find their place in heaven, but after losing Sir Pentious the realization of what it meant became all too real for Charlie.
Still, Emily popping in with letters and updates had helped and knowing Vaggi would always be there for her kept her positive. Plus, now her parents were both here and if Alastor was going to stay too Charlie knew she wouldn’t alone again. However, she still couldn’t understand WHY a sinner would want to stay in hell. “I guess I just don’t get why sinners would want to remain in hell away from their loved ones who made it to heaven and suffering.”
Alastor chimed in again, “not everyone is suffering, my dear. Some, like Rosie, have built lives for themselves here. I, of course, enjoy the freedom hell has to offer and if there are a few idiots who push their luck, well that’s just more fun for demons like me. I do so enjoy the screams.”
Charlie winced, “oookaaay, yea…not exactly peace and comfort.”
Lilith decided to rescue her daughter from any further mortification before Alastor could reply with any more examples of what he considered to be hell’s charms. “Sweaty, peace and comfort are subjective and look different for everyone. Look at your father and I. Hell has always been a bit much for your dad to adjust to, but for me, I’ve always found it exciting, everchanging, and full of personality.”
Lucifer had long since given up hope of putting any internal turmoil to rest. It seemed today just was not going to be his day. He knew where this conversation was likely heading, but he also knew better than to interrupt his wife.
Lilith continued, “I see hell as an abundance of wild and untamed opportunities. Freedom for sinners to build their own afterlives without the constraints of heaven’s rigidity, rules, and control. Clearly those who end up here had just as much trouble adhering to forced ideologies as I did. Here, they are not subjected to heaven’s unreasonable demands. The only real restrictions they face are those they impose on themselves, their own limitations, and the consequences of their own actions.”
Charlie didn’t seem convinced, and Lucifer felt perhaps she really was a bit more like him than he had realized. Sure, she, like her mother, loved their people and enjoyed the company of sinners, but even she seemed to see hell for what is was, a mess. Violence around every corner, sinners doing awful and unspeakable things to one another, and their questionable tastes for entertainment, of course. It was finally his turn to contribute to the conversation on Charlie’s behalf
Now he just had to choose his words carefully so as not to upset her or her mother the way he usually does. “I think what our daughter mean is that this place is,” he paused thinking of the right words, “well, a mess…and uh…it just…could be, ya know…better.” He looked between Charlie and Lilith before continuing, so far so good. “It could be less violent and disgusting,” he quickly put his hands up in defence, “I know, I know, some people enjoy it,” he shot Alastor a disapproving glare, “but let’s face it, it uh…leaves something to be desired.”
Charlie gave him a soft knowing smile that showed she appreciated his effort while Alastor just rolled his eyes. Lilith spoke, “You’re right, Lu.”
He blinked. Huh? I’m right? And she’s not upset? Oh! And finally we’re back to Lu again! Oh I did good!
She continued, “That’s why it’s important for our people to have good leadership.”
Uh oh, Lucifer thought. Here it comes.
“They are, at times, like children, still learning how to use their gift of freewill, in need of an example to follow and an environment that allows for active exploration and enrichment. They also need outlets for directing their energy and attentions. I know there are some who don’t really meet the criteria for ‘human’ souls,” she used air quotes, “yes, monsters do exist. Truly horrible irredeemable monsters are among us. That is a consequence of our unintentionally having let evil into the human world to corrupt and alter some souls. I’m not naïve. I understand what we did, as well as the outcome. However, most of our people are not monsters. They made mistakes. Decided between impossible choices, sometimes in which there was no option that wouldn’t have damned them. The system is flawed. It always has been and you of all people know it.” She looked away from Lucifer and pause for a moment.
“I know monsters exist.” Lilith said before looking back to Lucifer and continuing. “I also know they can be dealt with. Don’t you think our people deserve leaders who can deal with those monsters accordingly?”
Lucifer knew this was Lilith’s kind way of both reminding him that he should do more as king, and gently breaking it to Charlie that redemption is not an option for everyone and there are sinners who cannot be and don’t deserve to e redeemed. Lucifer knew exactly the ones she meant. He had never had the heart to point them out to Charlie specifically. He had simply hoped that as forgiving as Charlie was, even she would eventually recognize that there are some acts which are truly evil.
Lilith still blamed herself for the fact that evil had found it’s way into the human realm, but she couldn’t have known. Even Lucifer didn’t know that their actions would create an opportunity for evil to seep in.
Sensing the mood had gone sour, Alastor decided a change the subject was in order. He couldn’t have the Morningstars all internally spiraling and blaming themselves for what he considered to be their greatest achievement. Honestly, how can the entire ruling family of hell be so sentimental. It’s no wonder this place has gone to…well, hell! Ha! “I do believe that’s quite enough reminiscing for one day. After all, we can’t change the past.” He said with a showman’s flair, “I’m sure we’ll see great things from Charlie and this hotel in the future!”
Charlie’s eyes got that hopeful look in them. “Do you really mean that, Alastor? Cuz you said you didn’t believe in redemption. You said you were just here to watch us fail.”
Lilith raise an eye at him, but he ignored it and proceeded with his usual theatrics. “Oh, come now, my dear! What does it matter what I think? Did you not go about your little redemption project and manage to actually get someone redeemed anyway? Ha! Although I’m still not convinced it wasn’t just a fluke, I know you’ll carry on with all this no matter what I think.”
Lucifer interjected, “as she should! How dare you say my daughter’s success was just a fluke! If you don’t truly believe in this project why are you even still hanging around this hotel AND my daughter? Didn’t you quit or something, Bellhop?”
“I believe in Charlie, which is more than I can say for someone at the start of all this, as I recall.”
“YOU SON OF A…”
Charlie stepped in, “guys, you said you’d behave.”
Lucifer looked pleadingly at his daughter, “I said I would if HE would, and this no good over dressed carrion has been purposely pushing my buttons all morning!”
“Carrion?!” Alastor scuffed, but before he could press the matter any further Lilith cheerfully interrupted him.
“Well, you are a deer, are you not? And a dead on at that.” Lilith couldn’t help feeling a bit giddy at Alastor’s expression as he looked at her.
It was clear to Alastor that Lilith was holding back another fit of laughter, this time at his expense. Though he couldn’t tell if she was also simply once again amused by the exchange between himself and Lucifer or she had actually found Lucifer’s remark funny. Judging by the smug look on lucifer’s face he seemed to believe the latter.
Lucifer did, in fact, assume his wife had appreciated his decaying deer jab at Alastor. She had certainly got the joke. Ha! Carrion! Why hadn’t he thought of that sooner? Alastor was literally a dead deer! And, oh, his face! His reaction! Yea…that one had found the mark for sure…like the one on his forehead!
Lilith shook her head as she approached him, “Lucifer, why don’t you take our good friend, Al, down to the hotel bar for a little after brunch mimosa? Charlie and I will meet you both there. I would like a quick word with our daughter alone for a moment. I promise we won’t be long and will join you both momentarily.”
Lucifer stuttered, “what b but…why him?!” He pointed at Alastor. “What do you mean ‘our friend’? He and I are clearly not friends!”
Alastor chimed in with his own protest to that particular accusation. “Clearly Lucifer and I can barely tolerate being in the vicinity of one another. We can hardly stand even to be in the same room without one of us expecting to say something that might impress all present and provoke the other to retaliate. So you see, it’s a hopeless case.” He shrugged.
Lilith only made a shooing motion at the both of them as though they were nothing more than stubborn children under their mother’s feet. “Oh, go on. I’m sure the two of you can tolerate one another just fine for a few minutes. There are still some things I need to say to the both of you so just go and wait for us at the bar. I’ll be along shortly.”
Lucifer, being the sap he is, easily relented to his wife. “Fine, I suppose I can put up with Bambi for a minute or two.” He smirked at Alastor.
It was taking every ounce of his discipline not to transform and say a few choice words to the pint sized wife simping king at the mention of that accursed nickname. I think I prefer carrion. Before Alastor could say anything, Lilith erupted with glee.
“Bambi?!” She practically squealed with uncontained joy! “Oh, what a cute nickname for our Dear Al! Does he call you that often? Oh, that’s so you!” She was looking back and forth between them.
Alastor didn’t know what to say. This playful, almost silly side the queen was displaying was rather unexpected despite her usual joy and kindness.
Lucifer was quick to try and correct her, “no! No, absolutely not! Not cute! Maybe cute of me, but definitely not him! There is nothing cute about this guy!” Without thinking he ramble off, “maybe his ears,” and immediately registered his mistake at having said that last bit out loud. “No! Wait! I didn’t mean that! No!”
Too late. Both Lilith and Charlie were clasping their hands, eyes sparkling with pure innocent delight, and looking expectantly at the two men as if awaiting them to say something like ‘let bygones be bygones’ and suddenly become the best of friends. Ha! And people call Lucifer a dreamer.
Alastor had composed himself now, “pay no attention to the pathetic attempts at insults from this bumbling buffoon. It’s clear that we could all use that early afternoon drink now. We’ll leave you two to your private chat and await your prompt arrival at the bar. Come along, Lucifer.” Alastor melted into his shadows.
Lucifer faltered, then said, “oh…right, uhm…see you in a bit then.” He gave a gentle wave and portaled out.
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