Larilori

“When can I finally take off the blindfold?”

“Just a few more steps, Vaggi,” Charlie replied with a giggle, leading her girlfriend onward. When Charlie approached her with the blindfold on, Vaggi already suspected her friend had something planned.

She usually didn’t like these kinds of games, but for Charlie, she was more than happy to make an exception. She couldn’t resist Charlie’s puppy-dog eyes anyway, and if she was honest with herself, she was excited and curious about what her girlfriend was up to.

They had just stepped into a room when Vaggi felt Charlie let go of her shoulder, where she had been guiding her, and close the door behind them.

“You can take them off,” Charlie said, and Vaggi did so immediately.

“Wow,” Vaggi said in awe as she walked toward the small table standing in the middle of the room. On it were two crystal glasses, a few flickering candles, and a beautiful, magnificent bouquet of flowers arranged in the center of the table.

The dark tablecloth really brought out the rich purple of the large, star-shaped, almost balloon-like blossoms. Vaggi recognized them immediately,they were balloon flowers. The same ones she’d seen recently in a store and had wanted to give to Charlie. The flowers symbolized eternal love, constancy, and devotion, as well as an unshakable belief in love. They were perfect for Charlie and for how she felt about her, but she’d never gotten around to buying them for her. Something always had come up.

“What’s all this for?” Vaggi asked in surprise, looking around for her girlfriend. She hadn’t even noticed that Charlie was no longer there. Puzzled, she looked around.

“Surprise!” Charlie called out loudly and came over to where Vaggi was standing by the table with a serving cart holding two trays. “Technically, our anniversary was already a while ago, but since we couldn’t celebrate it then, I’d like to make up for it now.”

With a grin, she took a bottle of wine out of the cooler and beamed at her girlfriend. Startled, Vaggi cursed and slapped her forehead. Between the battle with Adam and rebuilding the hotel, she had completely lost track of that.

It had already been three years since she and Charlie had met, and Vaggi still couldn't believe how much better her life had become since Charlie had become a part of it. And yet she had simply forgotten such a life-changing day. She felt incredibly bad about it.

How could she have simply forgotten such an important day?

Alastor had known that he would not spend the afterlife in heaven. For this reason, he had already made arrangements during his lifetime to ensure he could lead a comfortable life in hell. He was certain that the Devil himself would be interested in his soul, and he was to be proven right. After numerous incantations, he made contact with Hell. Although not exactly as he had expected, with the ruler of Hell himself, but a powerful demoness had taken interest in him. The deal was sealed, and he could now relax and prepare for his afterlife.

But he should have listened to his dear mother. Nothing good ever comes of getting involved with the devil.

He found himself in hell sooner than he would have liked. But the demoness, Rosie, kept her word, and thanks to her power, he was able to have a wonderful time in hell. In no time, he had made a name for himself. Just a quick glance from him was enough to strike fear into the hearts of other sinners, who would flee screaming whenever he flashed them a smile. He was part of the grand power system of Hell, but that didn't really interest him. He wanted to have fun, and he knew exactly how to entertain himself.

Alastor had everything he had ever wanted during his time in hell: power, respect, and recognition. Yet he lacked freedom. Powerless to do anything about it, he was on Rosie’s leash and had to obey her every command. But that was now over. He was free, freed from his chains, and now he could finally pursue his own plans. His new target was already right in front of him, and he was already itching to take down his prey.

Lucifer Morningstar.

It would have been easier for him if he’d gotten along with the tiny king from the start. But Alastor wasn’t going to dwell on this belated realization. Oh well, it would just make the hunt even more fun. While Lucifer continued to believe that he was competing with Alastor for his daughter's affection, Alastor actually already had a far better plan than simply serving as a father figure to a naive princess. He was able to continue playing without Lucifer even realizing that he’d been fighting a losing battle from the start, and since Alastor knew that Lucifer couldn’t harm him, he no longer had to hold back or rely on Charlie’s protection.

He would certainly refrain from using brute force, but it was still reassuring to know that, aside from a rubber duck thrown at his head, the miniature monarch posed no real threat. Although those damn ducks could really hurt.

Despite his handicap, which was now known throughout all of Hell, Lucifer seemed completely oblivious to the piercing stares the other inhabitants of Hell were casting his way. He didn't seem to realize the massive target for revenge on his back.

With a smile, Alastor looked at the golden sign hanging next to the door to Lucifer’s room. “No Alastors Allowed”

Amused, he shook his head and grinned widely. As if a little sign like that would stop me. He dissolved into his shadow and appeared in Lucifer’s room in an instant. It wasn't the first time he'd been there, hence the sign. Yet the sheer number of rubber ducks was overwhelming every single time. How can one little person own so many of them?

“Can’t you read, Bambi?” Lucifer said, annoyed. He didn’t even bother to get out of bed. “Of course I can,” Alastor said, smiling at him. “I’m here on behalf of our dear Charlie.” At the mention of Charlie, Lucifer lifted his head and looked directly at him.

Alastor looked around and crossed his arms behind his back. “But as I can see, you’re very busy,” he said, glancing at the mess of threads, bandages, and rubber ducks scattered across Lucifer’s bed, and smirked. “I can come back later,” he said, turning around and taking a few slow steps toward the door. Lucifer groaned in annoyance and ran his hand over the fresh bandage on his wrist.

He was in the middle of treating his wounds. They were healing very slowly, and he really wasn't in the mood for that radio clown's antics right now. He had promised Charlie he wouldn't pick another fight with that awful guy, but he didn't make it easy for him. Just seeing that phony, smug smile made him want to throw up. It was clear that the sinner wanted something from him, but two could play that game.

“What were you supposed to tell me?” he asked, getting up from the bed.

“Hm?” Alastor said, craning his neck to look at Lucifer. “Get to the point, Bambi,” Lucifer demanded, folding his arms across his chest.

“So impatient, Sire,” Alastor quipped with a grin, “at least now I know where Charlie picked up that habit. Not exactly proper, don’t you think?”

Lucifer growled, and his flaming horns emerged from his head. It might have looked menacing if Lucifer hadn't been wearing his oversized pink sweater and his striped pants. “Spit it out already,” Lucifer hissed at him, his tail lashing around him.

Oh, isn't he precious, Alastor thought with a grin. “Of course,” he said calmly, glancing around the room again before continuing. “Our dear Charlie would like to host a musical evening for our new guests.” He paused and looked back at Lucifer. “And she’d like you to be there.”

“But of course,” said Lucifer, overjoyed, and made his demonic features disappear. “Anything to make my little girl happy.”

“You’re going to play a duet with me on the piano.”

“WHAT! I’m supposed to perform with you?!”

“Isn’t that lovely?” Alastor chirped cheerfully, grinning at the king’s horrified expression.

“Of course,” said Lucifer, gritting his teeth and forcing a smile. Anything for my Char-Char, he thought to himself. Even if it means having to work with that red jerk.

“I’d say we should start rehearsals right away.” Alastor looked Lucifer up and down. “It would be best if you could change your clothes. Wearing pajamas at this hour really isn’t appropriate anymore.”

Laughing, he dissolved into his shadow, while Lucifer tried to knock him down with a rubber duck.