#char.

I feared at the end of season two that Lute would end up getting Niffty, as she killed Adam, when she couldn't get to Vaggi and I do think Niffty is still as risk from Lute. So, moving on from that fear let's dive into Niffty's character by starting with her dynamic with Alastor.

Niffty and Alastor as so clearly well paired that when we ask if Alastor is her friend we are usually asking if he has empathy and care for others, not if they get along or are similar minded.

Niffty has been with Alastor for 66-75 years and the entire time she has been in hell, most likely. Knowing what we know about them both now I wonder about all the times he was probably waiting for her to need something or want something and after a couple decades, he would have been happy to do it! She never asked him for anything. She never wants anything.

Compared to his friendly relationship with Rosie, where we can see respect for how she runs her side of hell and manages her deals, he and Niffty just have a lot in common. Except when someone is directing her, Niffty is always doing exactly what she wants to be doing. She is free of heart and follows every whim she has. And most importantly for Alastor, Niffty is always having fun. Even if you imagined the most cold hearted version of Alastor, pure familiarity should win out at this point. I don't think anyone else's death will be as upsetting as Niffty's to Alastor because she cannot be replaced in any way or by anyone else.

Can Niffty get redeemed? Does she feel bad about anything she has done? And has Niffty actually done wrong? What is her level of culpability and what abuse was done to her while she was alive? Niffty is coded a mentally distressed and because of her time period plenty of people worry about things like lobotomies or other types of violence. Niffty is going to challenge heaven because she's a killer both in life and hell who has put places in positions of powerlessness. We see Charlie and Vaggi tell her to go fight at the end of both seasons. If she had died in those fights would she be gone forever and if she arrived in heaven would her story be remorseful? She'd likely say "Charlie told me to, so I did." If Niffty kills someone with no evil intentions is it evil? Niffty is an adult and does understand life and death but she clearly doesn't allow anything to stop her actions once they start. She sets up a lot of questions about what we owe others and what we can expect from everyone. She only 22 when she died and she's been in hell that length three times over.

I'm sure Alastor's story with Husk will pool all my attention and I'll be super invested, but I think it's just two totally different problems for both of the people who are under his contract. When he gets into it with Husk, it's gonna come down to arguments about what people owe each other or don't owe each other and helping and not helping. And saving ourselves and not saving each other, it's going to get into debates of what those two think is good or bad character. What is fair and unfair. But he is just naturally friends with Niffty. It also seems like while Husks says he has no choice cause Alastor is making him we keep being shown this isn't that true so it stands to suggest that Niffty would actually have to do anything she was told if Alastor took that position.

Nifty is also both extremes in one. She is this archetypal woman who is taken advantage of seen as small and insignificant, which feeds into Alastor's deal about killing the butcher and not the lamb, but she's also not weak or unimportant by any measure and she's IS the butcher in her own right. Unlike someone like Mimzy, who he knew while alive, or Rosie, who he sought for power, Niffty is comparable to Cherri Bomb and Angels' special relationship. Cherri Bomb died young and both Angel and Sir Pen are relationships she MADE IN HELL which is what her story usually gets to touch on. For some characters, it was not until hell that they ever even met a soul to understood them or cared for them or really saw them. These hell made bonds are special and I think Alastor and Niffty have that. She also seems to be connected to the symbol of the crown, which plays against her "insignificance". There was a very small radiotrio nod during Husk's song with Angel S1 E4 and we've all seen Alastor keep the crown. I also threw in a photo of her as the queen in the hazbin deck.

I know that I am on the unpopular side but I think there is something that MAKES Niffty have to obey. I know her willingness to do what is asked of her is coded in her personality and her context as a 1950's housewife but there is also something in there about how Niffty clearly believes SHE is SUPPOSED to be listening to others. Her willingness to do so is always interesting. The first time Charlie or Vaggi give her directions she almost kills AngelDust who she considers a friend. She really was going to kill Angel Dust! Let's review the times she was told to do something.

S1E8 The Show Must Go On

Charlie: How about this. If you see an angel, stab it! *hands Niffty a small blade*

[Niffty sees Angel Dust a few metres away, and, thinking that Angel Dust is what Charlie meant, runs towards him with her knife.]

Niffty: Stab! Stab! Stab!

Angel Dust: Hey, hey, hey, hey! *climbs up the pole he was leaning on*

Charlie: Not him!

We know Angel cares about Niffty, we just saw him look after her at the club, and Niffty was the first person to put her hands on Val for him. But the fact that she would do this makes me wonder what she can even say no to.

S2 E1 New Pentious

"Will you stab me? Someone get a picture of her stabbing me!"

She doesn't even look happy or like she understands why but she still did it.

S2 E4 It's A Deal

Charlie and Niffty bring out a really interesting energy cause Charlie is struggles to read people and Nfifty struggles to be read. Both Charlie and Vaggi send Niffty into danger without realizing how literal she follows their words. Charlie tells her to stab an angel, almost killing Angel, and Vaggi says to protect Baxter "with her life". Alastor is never shown telling her anything directly which is another reason I believe Niffty doesn't even consider saying no.

When Charlie is struggling under pressure she sees Niffty doing this and scoops her up. Charlie and Niffty are so fun together, of course Charlie has no idea what Niffty might do or say she doesn't know anything about her.

Charlie: N-N-N-Niffty! Here. Come up here and tell us all about how amazing the Hazbin Hotel is.

[Niffty stares blankly at the camera.]

Charlie: Just tell them!

[Zoom in to the camera lens. Cut back to Charlie fanning herself with a hand.]

Charlie: Uh... Uh... Oh, shit. The camera thing. Uh... G- Oh! (grabs Niffty) Hey, Niffty, guess what? That is not a camera, it's a roach.

Niffty: That's a big roach.

Charlie: (nodding) Y-yeahh. Tell the big roach about how much you like the hotel.

Charlie has caught on to the fact that if she asks Niffty for anything, Niffty will do it, even if she isn't aware of this on the surface. She actually snaps at her when she doesn't instantly say something and THEN Charlie realizes Niffty's history with cameras.

She did NOT tell Niffty to say how she FEELS about the hotel she told her to say WHAT SHE LIKES. When Charlie says " CAN YOU HELP DIFFERENTLY?" Niffty simply starts singing in Japanese.

Charlie might have gotten what she needed here if she had worked this out with Niffty FIRST. Nifft's love of the hotel also scared me into thinking she might get killed at the end, phew.

S2 E8 Curtain Call

Vaggie: (o.c.) Niffty, you're on security duty. (cut to her) This is our only chance. Guard Baxter with your life.

Niffty: (smiles and pulls out a sewing needle, which shines and sparkles near the tip) I can do that.

Niffty then repeats his line with serious commitment while fighting Velvette as if there is nothing else for her to consider.

Now let's look at the scenes where people get a chance to engage with Niffty without it being about her doing something for them.

S1E3 Scrambled Eggs

The team actually let Niffty down during the group bonding day. Vaggi catches Pentious even though she calls him slimy but when it's Niffty's turn people are too uncomfortable to get near her.

transcript:

[Niffty runs past them onto the stage, giggling manically]

Niffty: Sometimes, I kill mother-bugs in front of their children as a warning to others!

[Upon hearing this and seeing Niffty, the others were disturbed by her sadistic nature . Niffty flings herself off of the stage., but the others actively move out of the way to let her fall on the ground in the face. Despite that, Niffty seems to enjoy that.]

Niffty: *falls on her face* Yay! Pain!

[Niffty, giggling, runs back onto the stage to jump off again.]

Niffty: (Sighs) Pain!

Although this is also played fir a bit, no one takes her seriously. No one actually thinks there is meaning behind what she cares about because they are too uncomfortable. It makes perfect sense that the others over look her and it plays into her being coded as a mentally disturbed person. They think she's just crazy and not worth asking more about.

Niffty is actually upset they aren't including her though. Vaggi is only referencing the men when she says boys and Charlie's choice to stop Vaggi doesn't respond to what Niffty wants. Niffty wants a turn and she wants to be apart of the group. She doesn't see what is pushing people away from her.

She doesn't get what Sir Pen got from the same episode! And when they come and let him in, Niffty TRIES TO JOIN AGAIN but she makes them uncomfortable.

But they slowly get used to her more and more.

One of the best things about Baxter is that they match each other's freak. He is a scientist and even though he made the egg boys he talks about how people leave him because he takes things too far. When we see him in the basement of the hotel we get the idea that he is used to working alone and having other's not understand what he cares about. Unlike anyone else, he is not grossed out by Niffty and she is not ever going to scared of him. When he finally gets to see the side of Niffty we know, he's excited.

And when we come back to them instead of destruction, he has turned her dead roaches into a band. Which sets them up to work well in the season two final fight. Niffty sees him more as a "smart boy" than a "bad boy" but he sees her as amazing.

He takes her focus on bugs as a real interests and joins her in it. He is still catching bugs for her on the last episode because Niffty is someone who can appreciate Baxter's interests in turn.

I love this little wet frankenstine so much and I think people were wrong to assume they were just smooshed together. They do compliment each other and Baxter is actually drawn to Niffty in a way no one else has ever been shown to be. He is a real friend to her and allows her to share what she focuses on without being made to feel othered.

“Is that so?” She shook her head, standing and picking him up to fix at her hip. “I’m not sure you were meant to say that part, sweety, but I’m glad you did. Come, let’s go find that party.” Hikori leaned his head on her shoulder, a hand finding a lock of hair behind her neck, keeping it safely between his fingers.

It would seem his siblings thought he’d get the job done, get her out of the office to play, and they weren’t wrong, work was definitely forgotten for the day. Being the little one, he often got away with a lot more than the other two rascals, that had already found ways to try and exploit their prince and princess condition.

Shiko found Niko waiting out the door, and asked her to put the office in order, giving word not to be disturbed on what remained of the day, unless it was urgent.

It didn’t take long for Shiko to find the spot, if it wasn’t for the lovely blend scent of the tea, for the poorly hushed voices of her kids. Hikori squirmed in her grasp, and she let him down on the floor to run the rest of the way out to the little decked garden. A surprise it was then, good thing she needn’t feign happiness with anything that involved her babies. And yet, she found herself genuinely gasping, a soft, happy sound, when she got to the door.

“Mako.” Shiko’s heart flipped in her chest at the sight of her husband, which was silly, considering she’d seen him less than twelve hours ago. But he had that effect on her still, even after all these years, a wedding, three kids, and waking up to him every single day.

But for one, she thought he’d be out until dinner time, and then- how could she not lose her breath when he was like this; red all around him in the form of his stunning regalia, and their three kids, clinging to him with nothing but love and adoration in their eyes. She’d never tire of this sight.

“Fire Lord, so nice of you to join us.” He greeted her. The kids scrambling to their feet to hug at her middle, Shiko locked eyes with her husband; hers, warm with emotion, his, a dangerous mix of love and fire, and she had to shake her head to clear it from the thoughts that incited. Terrible, terrible man. She’d deal with him later.

“Hello, my darlings.” Shiko stooped to greet each of the kids, a shower of kisses and tickles, until they surrendered, before moving to brush a soft kiss on Mako’s lips, kneeling on the other side of the squat table.

Tea was a lovely and fun affair, as it usually was. Mako served it, the kids filled the air with stories and anecdotes, and their mouths with pastries, and Shiko watched everything unfold around her in a blissful state.

Raeden, already in her last year of primary school, sat cross legged to Shiko’s right, between Mako and her. She was the spark; fire, and lightning, free and confident, and so charming already. Her tutors said she’d get everything she wanted in life, now if she could only manage to sit still for the whole of a lesson… She talked about her training, the last letter she’d received from her uncles, and added a couple of well placed comments and eye rolls at her brother’s stories, so reminiscent of Azula, Shiko could hardly scold her for it.

To her left, Tatsuya sat properly on his knees, his back straight, and his words much more hand picked than his sister’s, albeit less elaborate, given the five years she had on him. He was the equanimity; focus and thought, poise and traditions, and had his father’s quality to enchant a room full of the most venomous ministers. He was excited about school, about learning more, and having homework, and he was actually excited about his royal lessons.

On her lap, Hikori made active use of his toddler’s half tongue, talking about all and everything, and trying out the words he heard that caught his attention. Every once in a while, he’d get stuck on one of them, repeating it until it lost all meaning, and got them all laughing at his excitement. He was calmness; balance and breathing, freshness and strength. He was their little earth baby, already showing signs of his element being that of his uncle, having little pebbles react to his tantrums.

Soon enough, the tea turned into dinner, and then it was time to go to bed. Mako dismissed the governess for the night, and they prepared the kids for bed themselves, Tatsuya’s room the place to take the party to next.

Raeden and Tatsuya tucked in the middle of the massive bed, little Hikori snuggled to Mako’s chest on one side, and Shiko started to read the story for the night on the other. It was one of spirits and adventures, and every so often Raeden made fire figures in the air to represent the characters. Hikori would squeal each time, Tatsuya scoff something along the lines of ‘show off’, and Shiko would catch Mako’s warm eyes over the cover of the book. Their family, her smile told him, this was their wonderful family.

Somewhere along the way, the day caught up with her, and she fell asleep. She was woken up by her husband’s rich voice, reading the end of the story to her two eldest, Hikori snoring softly between Mako’s arms.

A kiss on each forehead, Shiko stood, Mako doing the same, putting the book back into its place on the shelf. She stayed by the end of the bed, warm arms wrapping around her middle, she smiled and leaned back into Mako’s chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Can you believe we made them?” She often asked that question, especially when the three were together, and calm. Their faces relaxed, chests rising and falling slowly, a mess of hair, and little limbs all over the bed.

“It is pretty amazing.” Mako’s answer was soft, almost reverential, as if to say he really couldn’t. Soon they’d be too big for this, Raeden would be at least, and yet, it seemed only yesterday, when each had been put in her arms for the first time. It was ridiculous, the amount of love she could fit within herself for her babies.

With a soft kiss to her cheek, Mako laced their hands together, and led her out of the room, to their own, on the other end of the wing. Shiko leaned into his shoulder, her free hand toying with the golden trim at the hem of his robe.

“Wait, don’t-” She stopped his motions when they reached the suite, Mako’s fingers halting midwork of unfastening his robe. The way the right corner of his lips curled up told on her.

“Yes, my Lord?” He teased, a thumb brushing over her cheek, that burned all the way to the depths of her belly. And suddenly Shiko was not the Fire Lord anymore, but a much too shy princess again. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her skin was aflame, blushed all over most likely than not. “Anything I can do for you?”

“Just- don’t take it off just yet.” Shiko liked to believe her voice sounded confident, even when it’d been but a whisper. He just rendered useless.

Her eyes took him in, the fine silks hugging his body perfectly, the darkened tangerine of his eyes, and the tiny lines at the sides of his eyes. Her fingers moved to trace them, and then up, to tangle in his hair, where some graying strands where slowly showing. He let her examine him, smiling with a confidence she had out to the public, but not in a private setting, not with him. Not when a single press of his hand on the small of her back had her gasping.

“Found anything you like, Shiko?” Mako asked, but didn’t let her answer, fingers closing around her chin, pulling her up for a kiss that left her breathless, and alight.

When she gathered her thoughts again, she was in bed with him, warm and contented between his arms, tracing lazy patterns on his abdomen.