The Low Hanging Fruit [for ontheair/thelittleapple]

[thisducks]

continuation from this bakerstreet meme

[ And Alastor lands on the thing that Lucifer has wanted to do, again and again. It feeds into his beliefs, the endless shadows and demons that speak whispers into his thoughts, the plague of Humanity's evils that his fellow angels had cursed him to always know.

But then his daughter had held out her hand, telling him her lofty dream, golden and bright, and asked him to believe in it. All he wants is to support her, to make the only thing he ever made that he could be proud of shine as brightly as she can. It just... doesn't stop the reality of his life. ]

Leaving would hurt her more. Being here brings my name to the hotel. [ For all that he's certain he doesn't quite live up to said name, he does as well as he can. More so, it's not really the truth.

He's scared they'll come for her. With Adam's attempt on Charlie's life, the Accord he set with Heaven is broken- the Hellborn are no longer safe.

Nothing, not even himself, will stop him from defending her. She is worth everything to him. More than anything. ]

Comments

[thelittleapple]

[Believe her, even in her short dealings with Heaven, she could hardly be unaware that it has problems too. But... it's safe. Safe for souls, anyway. Those that get redeemed will be able to live in comfort and peace, not having to fear being wiped out for the mere crime of existing in the wrong afterlife.]

It's something to strive for, for the people that come to the hotel. Heaven is... it's a place they can go and be looked after, not have to make deals with their souls or worry about being slaughtered every six months. And even if it takes a long time to get there, working towards it can help make here a better place.

[Her hotel has already given them all a family and sense of comraderie, it's created happiness where there had been hopelessness. So maybe redemption doesn't just mean going to Heaven, it can mean improving Hell as well.]

I know you're worried about me, Dad, but nothing is going to stop me seeing this through. I learned how to dream from you... so if I bring out the good in anyone, it's because you brought it out in me first.

Quick tag from the con! <3

[thisducks]

You've always been good, Charlie! From the moment you were born, I held you in my arms, I knew you were a good in this world. In- In my world. My little dreamer.

[ While his smile may be sad at its edges, there is still a smile. Taking a slow breath in, Lucifer finally sits back into the couch and rubs at his own temple thoughtfully, debating. ]

If you're sure you want me there, Charlie- and you're sure it won't wear on you when I can't be... actively involved- [ A delicate way to put it, even though there is still a thread of shame tinging those words. ] I'll return. We can... perhaps we can come up with a system, texting- so you can let me know when you really need me?

huhu <3

[thelittleapple]

[She hopes he's right and that she is a force for good in this world, she wants nothing more than to help Hell become more than what most people think it has to be. There's a lot of potential, no Sinner is all evil, and they just need the better parts of themselves to be encouraged to flourish.]

Of course I want you there, Dad. I'd want you there even if you were never actively involved in the hotel.

[Shifting to sit beside him on the couch, she leans to rest her head on his shoulder affectionately.]

If you think texting will work, we can do that, but not just when I need you. Promise me you'll use it when you need me too-- when you're feeling like you need to retreat for a while, let me in so the darkness doesn't swallow you. We can watch movies together, or eat ice cream, or just sit in our pyjamas if that's what you need... I just don't want you to suffer alone. I don't want either of us to struggle alone again.

[A moment's pause, before she realises that might sound like she's putting more pressure on him again.]

Of course, if you need a-- a break from me too, that's... I understand, and I-- But if you do? Will you tell me yourself, I promise I won't get mad, just don't send a message through someone else again.

[That had hurt, being told second-hand by Alastor that Lucifer hadn't wanted to see her. She still doesn't see it for the manipulative lie that it was, working on both of them to separate them so he has the reins.]

Re: huhu <3

[thisducks]

[ In that, Lucifer still disagrees with his daughter. There are some sinners... there is no saving them. He's spent ten thousand years and then some learning how disgusting the depravity of humanity can be. What has changed is that now, he believes there maybe some worth trying to save. That there's something in them that can be encouraged to be better.

Some of them however, he knows, there's nothing but darkness. ]

I can promise to try, sweetie. I'd promise for certain but... I don't want to break another promise to you when I don't know how well I can keep it. But- I can try. ...If that's enough.

[ But what she says last leaves Lucifer confused, his brows pinching together. ]

Wait- what do you mean 'send a message through someone else'?

[thelittleapple]

[She wants to tell him that as long as he's trying, anything he does will be good enough, and they'll work it out together. But his confusion cuts her off at the knees and brings a mirroring frown to her own brow in return.]

Alastor said you didn't want to be disturbed or see anyone... even-- even me.

[She bites her lip for a second, before rushing on in case he thinks that she's angry at him for it.]

And that's okay! Really! I tried to give you space, but I just-- today was--

[--hard. Today SUCKED and she just wanted her Dad to not be absent. She touches the cut on her cheek absently as she tails off, before forcing a little smile.]

Sorry I burst in on you.

[thisducks]

I- he what now?

[ Realization starts to come into Lucifer's eyes, then it rapidly begins to turn over into a growing anger as his fingers clench tightly against one another. ]

That is not what I said to him-!

[ Wait. Wait! She's hurt! The anger- for a moment- disappates as he brings up his fingers and gently cradles her cheek. ] Charlie, what happened? Who hurt you?

[ Said with the same energy as 'who do I have to murder?' A bit of golden light blooms at his fingertips, caressing across the cut. A matching hint of light appears on his own cheek in the same shape as the wound, but as he focuses her own disappears before his does as well. ]

[thelittleapple]

[...oh.

She just stares wide-eyed for a moment at the golden light that slashes across his cheek and disappears as soon as it appeared, her fingertips touching unblemished skin where she had been cut only a second before. Sometimes, despite everything, he still amazes her with what he can do.

But she waves off the question as unimportant-- it's not like she was grievously wounded, it was just a cut, and she thinks maybe the Alastor thing is more important.]

You didn't tell Alastor that?

[Confusion, and just a bit of hurt, before she scrambles for an explanation.]

What did you say? Maybe... maybe he misunderstood?

[thisducks]

[ His hand pulls away only once he's certain that the cut is entirely gone, but the hand grips tight into a fist as he thinks back to their conversation. His nostrils flare as he says tightly- ]

He was supposed to tell you that you could come to me any time you needed me. This wasn't a misunderstanding.

[ Bless her ability to believe the best in anyone, but this only sealed in his mind that there is nothing good in that demon. ]

I should have told you myself. [ But that anger trembles in his voice, in the flare of fire in his eyes. ]

[thelittleapple]

[...yeah, that's not a misunderstanding, and not even she can pretend that it is. Not when she knows Alastor is smarter than that, and the animosity between the two of them... still, it hurts a bit to have been caught in the crossfire.]

It doesn't matter.

[One arm crosses over her stomach so she can hold the other, pulling a smile to her lips.]

We've got it sorted out now, there's no need to escalate it further, right?

[thisducks]

There won't need to be when I'm done with him!

[ This is angry Lucifer. Not annoyed, not being petty, not ruffled feathers, but truly angry. The edges of horns threaten over his brow, his teeth baring. ]

How DARE he... that pretentious piece of shit..!

[thelittleapple]

Dad!

[She catches his arm, frowning. Not at him, exactly, at the situation. She wants to mediate, but she's learned from her experiences that sometimes people need to work their own problems out.]

I'm not going to tell you not to be angry or not to talk to Alastor, conflict resolution is an important part of growing as people, but don't hurt each other. Please. You're both important to me, so-- maybe this could be your chance to find a way to work past your differences?

[thisducks]

[ If he has a choice right now, he IS going to work out his problems with Alastor- with a fist in his face. ]

Excuse me? Charlie, he lied to you on purpose! This isn't a difference we need to work out, this is a fundamental problem in that asshole's brain! Your other little friends- there's a good part in them, and they've even managed to show it- but time and time again all I see is everything that's wrong about sinners practically shining like a neon sign right above his head!

[thelittleapple]

There is good in him, I know there is.

[It's a lot harder to find than in some others, and sometimes she finds herself struggling to believe, but she knows she's seen flickers of it.]

And yes, okay, he lied too. And that-- it hurts. But so did Sir Pentious when he first came to the hotel, and even Vaggie lied. It's-- it happens, and we need to give him a chance to apologise and do better.

[thisducks]

Any attempt Alastor's going to make at 'apologizing' is him lying through his teeth and knowing he's manipulating you in the process! Charlie- I don't know what to tell you, sweetie. Even if there was some kind of tiny percentage of good in that guy, it's overriden so much by every other terrible thing he does that you can't hold up the few good actions for anything!

I can even *guess* the sort of thing he'd say! 'Oh, I didn't want to see you hurt, my dear~' - bam! More manipulation!

[ He is practically ready with the shotgun at this point, staring down this blatant disregard for Charlie's heart. ]

[thelittleapple]

Weeeeell... maybe that's true?

[It does sound like the sort of thing Alastor would say, and maybe in his own twisted Radio Demon way it was true. Maybe he was looking out for her by not wanting her to be upset by the sight of her Dad in distress?]

But even if it's not, he's helped the hotel a lot! He's helped me a lot, and he didn't have to do any of it!

[Just... rubbing a hand on her forehead now.]

I think it's important you two do speak, and I definitely agree he should apologise, but then you two can move past it and work together. Or try to. Please.

[thisducks]

[ More and more, Lucifer is certain that every single thing Alastor has done is purely in his own favor. There's no altruistic neuron in that demon's entire body, only ones he can display as such to further his schemes. I'm not going to let you keep hurting her, sinner. I'm stopping this game right. now. ]

If that's what you want, Charlie... [ Fine. He'll have a 'talk' with Alastor. Just one-on-one. He'll make damn sure that Alastor knows to never pull this shit AGAIN. ]

Why don't you let me get a shower and do a few things, and I'll come by the hotel this evening, mm?

[thelittleapple]

Thanks, Dad.

[Her smile is bright and brilliant, thankful to him for being the bigger man and willing to support her dream by trying to get on with even people he doesn't like. She sweeps him into a hug, tight and affectionate.]

You'll-- you'll stay again, won't you? At the hotel?

[thisducks]

[ A proper Charlie-hug is a very, very good anger release method. Lucifer sighs and gives his daughter one in return, feeling some of the immediate rage bleed off. ]

Yes. I'll be staying. ...I'll just make sure to install a shishi-odoshi in my rooms.

[ He is absolutely not above installing them in the whole hotel just to see if they work on Alastor. ]

[thelittleapple]

[She gives a little wobbly chuckle at that, assuming it's definitely a joke. She's relieved they've somehow managed to sort some things out, even if there's still a lot unsaid and a winding road ahead.]

Come and see me when you're back, after you've talked to Alastor, okay?

[One last tight squeeze.]

It doesn't matter how late, I'll be up.

[thisducks]

How about I send you a text, sweetie? Just, you know, to spare Vaggie from getting woken up.

[ Partly a true answer, because the poor dear doesn't need to have her sleep interrupted by all of this, but also just in case Charlie is actually asleep so she can stay there.

Because he will have Alastor in a body bag by that point! ]

I'll be back by the hotel within the hour. Promise.

1/2

[thelittleapple]

...love you, Dad.

[She knows there's still a lot of roadblocks for them to fight past, but she feels more at peace now than she has in weeks.

Kissing him lightly on the cheek, she hesitates a moment more before leaving. It's not been such a bad day after all! She's got her Dad back again, and perhaps even he and Alastor will work out their differences!]

2/2

[ontheair]

[It had been late by the time Charlie left to confront her father to begin with, so by the time she makes it back and Lucifer might be on his way, it's the wee hours of the morning.

Alastor is in the kitchen.

He always waits until the small hours to do his cooking, preferring the solitude and silence, a time he can actually somewhat relax. His cane is propped by the table and his overcoat is carefully folded and placed over the back of one of the chairs. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and he's lightly humming an old jazz tune as he stirs a deliciously spiced smelling pot of food on the stove.

He's not exactly expecting to be bothered, and especially not by Lucifer.]

[thisducks]

[ Lucifer's return to the Hazbin Hotel is done in silence, returning with only the merest flicker of his power and in short order. With a clean set of clothing, freshly neatened up from a proper shower and some actual self-care, Lucifer is ready to murder 'talk' with a certain someone in the Hotel. So like a predator on the hunt, he makes certain his prey is alone when he decides to make his move.

Too bad, too, because the kitchen smells rather lovely when Lucifer makes his entrance. Who would have guessed that the Radio Demon can cook so well? Lucifer wouldn't trust anything that man cooked anyway.

Wards creep up on every exit in or out of the kitchens - ones diametrically opposed to Alastor's shadows. It comes down like the slamming of a jail cell door, dropping shining golden sigils in the familiar shapes to match the one hovering constantly above Pentagram City over the windows, doors, and locking the kitchen down so there will be no... interruptions. ]

And I thought they called me the serpent in the Garden... turned out we had one right under our noses here at the Hotel.

[ When Lucifer had emerged from the aether is another question, but oh his voice drips with cold anger as he stands there in his fully demonic glory. His wings are neatly tucked behind him, but a thousand eyes stare from every feather, fire blazing above his brows and in his eyes, tail lashing like a whip around his feet.

The devil is pissed. ]

[ontheair]

[Alastor has always been a predator.

Even in life he was the thing that stalked the shadows and took the lives of his victims, never the thing that feared the night and hid from sharp teeth. In death he had become even more so, gifted incredible strength for a new Sinner, casting off the few shackles of propriety and secrecy life had held him to. A monster in the open now, a predator with a sharp smile that all knew to fear.

But for a moment, when shining golden sigils appear and he feels how laughably he is outclassed in power, a raindrop beside the ocean...

For a moment he becomes prey.

His ears pin flat back to his head and his smile takes on the strained quality of a grimace, eyes wide as he meets thousands staring back at him. He has never seen this form-- when Lucifer joined the battle against Adam it had been long after he had already disappeared, and so this is new to him. New and terrifying. New and thrilling.

The second of primal instinctual fear passes and he is able to regain control of himself. He forces his ears back to their usual neutral alert position and deliberately turns his back to continue stirring his pot. He can still feel the power pressing on him from all sides, but he will not give Lucifer the satisfaction of seeing him cower, come what may.]

A deer, actually. If you're looking for a fellow serpent, the portrait of Sir Pentious is just down the hall.

[thisducks]

[ Each step forward is deliberate, fiery eyes unblinking as the rest that pin the other in place. ]

Good thing that venison is on the menu for me tonight then.

[ He licks his lips, a hint of golden blood trickling between his teeth and falling over his chin. Despite his smaller frame, there's the feeling of him being larger than he normally is as he stalks his way forward. His tail sways upward, the spiked tip looking nearly like the serpent he mentioned, like a cobra with its hood flared and ready to strike. ]

You lied to my little girl, little deer.