Chapter Text
The life and times of a soul hunter
By VRitze
On a particularly hot day, a stranger walks into the Hotel Hazbin. This person was dressed as a ranger, like the lone ranger, but all in black, with a black wing hat that shadowed half the face, a black jacket, black jeans and black boots.
As this person walked in, a black mist followed softly and disappear into nothingness. This person had a refine aura about it, maybe a cowboy but really elegant and polished.
The stranger walked to the reception that was at the moment abandoned, actually, there was no one around. The slim figure rang the bell and waited. No one was in sight, and no one came. The person looked around amused.
-Good…- whispered and was about to move to the back when the main door burst open and two girls walked in stuck in a discussion.
Charlie and Vaggie walked right past and pay no attention to the person standing in the lonely reception, waiting at the bar. The stranger saw them go and said nothing.
-So, you decided to come by!- said Alastor as he paused next to the stranger and rested his arm on the reception desk -Where is he…-mumbled to himself looking at the empty post.
The stranger giggled and without looking at Alastor answered: -I am just passing by from an errand, but…- this person turned slightly the head towards Alastor, a clear blue eye peaked under the hat's shadow to look at him -If you are around I can always make time to meet you…- the whole body of the stranger moved slowly towards Alastor and they both stare at each other smiling in that weird, very ample, Joker smile.
-Hello…-said Charlie finally realizing the new character talking to Alastor and came right at them -Hi, my name is Charlie, welcome…- her words somehow fell to the floor as the stranger made no move to greet her, Charlie looked at Alastor nervously but, he didn't move either. For a moment it felt like Alastor and that person were measuring each other. Charlie stood there for an awkward moment feeling unnerve.
The stranger finally turned to Charlie and rested both elbows over the reception resting the back against it -Nice to meet you…- finally said in a hollow voice.
Like Alastor, the smile never went away. Charlie felt her skin crawl for some reason, but this did not make her afraid, on the contrary, she felt curious about this person.
Vaggie felt a strange icy jolt at her back as well, it made her hair stand on end, but even though it alarmed her it also created mixed feelings: curiosity and wonder.
The strange ranger looked then in Vaggie's direction from under the hat, one icy eye stared at her. Vaggie felt goosebumps and quickly deviated her attention to a nearby pot with a dead plant in it.
-Charlie…-continued Alastor -Let me introduce you to...- At that very moment the main door burst open again and Husk came in followed by Angel Dust
-Is this how is going to be? - said Husk all irritated as he stomped in.
-Oh come on Husk! Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it…- answered AD at the frame of the door acting like a drama queen.
-Shut up! Don't make it sound like we were together…cause we're not…- and he fell silent when he turned around and found Alastor at the empty reception desk looking at him all displeased, still with a smile tho.
A stranger was beside him -a client!- he thought and he dragged his feet to the reception like a prisoner to the scaffold, his back hunched and his eyes on the floor mumbling something. -What is it going to be?- he asked the stranger as he took his place behind the bar totally annoyed.
Meanwhile, as Angel Dust stepped in, the eyes of the stranger caught sight of him and gleamed, this person grinned. Alastor caught sight of the whole thing and smiled pleased, then gave a displeased stare to the receptionist who did not give a fuc... but did not dare to look him in the eye.
-So, have you found something else here worthy of your time? – said Alastor going back to the stranger. This person snorted and hid the face under the shadow of the hat. Angel Dust noticed the stranger, his senses intuitively triggered, he felt afraid but at the same time curious. he did not like feeling afraid.
-Oh! Good, we are all here…We have a new... - started Charlie when was abruptly interrupted by Angel Dust.
-Alastor! You are here today…with a friend (his tone of voice sounded very displeased) or a client perhaps! (tried Angel to diminish the person) and approached Alastor hanging to his arm with a snarky smile at the stranger.
The stranger merely looked at him under the hat with a drawn smile but said nothing, for some reason, this put AD on his end and he instinctively draw back.
There was something odd with this person, he could feel it, all his being tingled when the stranger scanned him up and down with those glowing icy eyes.
-Yes Angel, Alastor was about to introduce… - tried Charlie to continue the conversation but nobody was paying attention now. Husk was mumbling something while fixing a beverage. AD was dumbfounded looking worriedly after the stranger, Vaggie was far away like lost in her thoughts and Alastor, for some reason, who seemed to be enjoying the moment.
-Say Alastor...Who is your little friend? - finally said the stranger with a smirk at AD half hugging Alastor like going in for a kiss, which he didn't refuse but allowed by letting this person fully approach him with the whole body.
-¿Una regalada? perhaps - the stranger said, in clear Spanish, in a condescending tone as she looked with wide-open eyes at AD
Husk and Vaggie immediately burst into laughter.
Alastor'smiled and took the drink Husk has prepared for him over the bar. AD glared at the stranger. Charlie jumped in at his point.
-Guys! please. We have a new patron...I think...Alastor was about to introduce...- but Charlie was again interrupted.
Alastor grabbed the stranger by the hips and they both rubbed each other, Alastor parted his lips like going for that kiss and so did the stranger but this person lazily pulled away last minute, then walked away to the middle of the room.
AD and Husk were feeling kind of disrupted as Alastor looked satisfied. Vaggie was red on the face while Charlie was just amazed by this person's presence, it reminds her of her mother…the way this person has to sway the attention.
Alastor cleared his throat and walked after the ranger - let me introduce her…- and pulling his microphone out and doing a short curtsy pointed at the ranger that has removed her hat and coat to leave them over a nearby chair revealing a lady: her skin was all back, her hair fell down gracefully, it was wavy and very long, to the floor. she seemed to float more than walk. She had these half-round horns coming from under her lamb ears. Her face was the whitest Charlie has ever seen. It looks like a white skull mask over those icy eyes.
–Abaddon…The Dark Siren…- announced Alastor very darkly, or was it because the room got suddenly dark when he mentioned her name?
-The Dark Siren! - said Vaggie and AD at the same time in awe.
-The Dark Siren? - repeated Charlie blankly. Husk's jaw felt open
-Hah! Impossible...- snaped AD in disbelief -The Dark Siren would never waste her time in a place like this-
Both Alastor and the girl exchanged looks with smirks, and then she walked (or floated?) towards AD. Her aspect changed as she walked revealing a black, slimming gown underneath the black pants, shirt and boots.
She went to AD with a defiant smile and combing his hair said -She will for the right price…- and winked at him letting her hand caress his cheek as she walked past him.
-Show me to my room- she coldly said to Husk who immediately took some keys and walked to her like a puppy bringing flippers, then they both walked out of the lobby, but just before leaving through the door that lead to the hall towards the room's area, Abaddon looked back at them and said: -My audition is at six..- and disappear.
Angel Dust felt a mix of feelings rise up, anger, intrigued, excitement, and jealousy which lead him to complete confusion. He noticed his heart was beating madly. He then looks at Alastor who was back at the reception counter sipping quietly the glass of Absinthe that Husk left for him. Alastor was acting like nothing was happening.
-Audition! - suddenly shouted Vaggie with excitement.
-So…Who is this…Dark Siren? - said Charlie going from the madly happy look on Vaggie to the astonished and somehow blush look on AD to the indifferent Alastor sipping his drink.
-WHO IS THE DARK SIREN? Only the most exclusive singer ever…. So few people had the opportunity to hear her sing…- snapped Vaggie taking Charlie´s hands and dragging her around in happiness, then she run to Alastor: -how do you know her? Are you friends with her? How are you friends with her? -
-Ok, ok, hold your horses there…- pushed her Alastor away.
-How is she famous if only so very few know her? - asked Charlie sincerely at the both of them.
-Because she is only famous in the underground…. - answered AD quietly on the other side looking at the door where the dark siren and Husk when into.
-She is a rumour…a fairy tale that only exists in rumours within rumours! - continued Vaggie excitedly -And you! You brought her here you sketchy, weirdo…son of a gun! I need to go now and see if she needs something…-continued Vaggie rampaging through her words to then disappear behind the same door.
-A fairy tale? - continued Charlie now at AD and Alastor looking more confused than ever.
-It is said that…every time she sings the world around you revolves and changes…forever- answer AD slowly
-Like you just hit hard on drugs…- finished Alastor
-She is that amazing huh? – said Charlie with a half smile and a hint of disbelief.
-No, no, no…Is not only that- continued AD walking to Charlie -It goes darker than that…-and grabbed Charlie by the shoulders with the most serious face she has ever seen on AD he continued -People go totally …-
-Are you scared? - interrupted Alastor who has just finished his drink and gave him a dark look.
-Scare? Hah, as if…- AD rolled his eyes and folded his arms backing up from Charlie -Why did you bring her here anyway? – he protested
- Let me clarify something, - approached Alastor at them - I didn't bring her here, she said she was running some errands or something and she so happened to be around... I so happened to know her…-Alastor mumble this last part under his breath walking away from them and continued quickly turning around in his usual merry tone of voice.- We need to fill this place up somehow, we cannot keep running on fumes, and she…well -said Alastor walking all the way until he was facing AD -She has a knack to attract...certain kinds of people- he said with his smile a little faded away and somehow blank eyes.
-For all that I know she might be our salvation…- he announced as he was leaving the room - Things may get just a bit over-exciting around here- he said this last part more to himself in a dreading tone of voice. He walked away and left Charlie and AD to themselves.
AD felt a jolt through his spin, Alastor was right. For a moment, AD felt attracted to her, but he didn't want to admit it as he was also feeling jealous of her. She was part of that underground dream of his where only the cream of the cream dwelt and actors and singers were desired and admire by the powerful of the world. Even though he is a big deal now, he too wanted to be the rumour of a rumour, to move in higher circles, wanted and desire.
Charlie stood there she looked at AD and then back at the door where everybody went. She decided to follow and see what Vaggie was doing.
AD was left alone in the reception.
To be continued...
Next chapter: Live a little