Chapter Text
“Tell me, Princess, what exercise could one do to be forgiven for being a murderer?” Vox’s eyes glinted. He relished the pain he was causing Angel. That jumped up porn star should acknowledge his betters.
”But how ‘bout one last question for the road, Princess? Do you think I could be redeemed?” His screen brightened, teeth gleaming. Knowing fully well that Angel’s crime paled in comparison to his own long list of victims. Charlie was truly delusional if she thought she would be able to redeem himself. What a dreamer.
“I believe anyone can be redeemed.” Charlie responded. Her face showing no sign of being intimidated by the media demon. They both paused before Vox made a move to leave.
“Right, then. I can almost see why Alastor humours you.” He mocked, grinning back at her unamused expression.
He hadn’t known then that he would be returning to that very hotel under very different conditions mere months later.
***********
Vox sighed as he approached the gaudy, vermilion doors of the Hazbin Hotel. How far he’d fallen in such a short amount of time… Alastor would pay. Vox was sure of that fact. His new body still felt foreign to him, but he knew he’d quickly adapt. That was one of his strengths. He’d adapt and then thrive, like always. He would sweet-talk Charlie into taking him in for the sake of redemption. His actual path would be one of revenge.
Vox coughed and then rang the bell on the door. Moments later he was greeted by Alastor’s henchman, Husk. He remembered now that he’d often seen the cat in Angel’s company so chose his words carefully. After all, he needed to build trust to begin with.
“Look who it is?” Husk grinned and snorted in Vox’s direction, but Vox immediately took note that it looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks. “Alastor’s not around if that’s who you’re after.” Husk pointed his thumb back to the reception area currently manned by Vaggie.
“I’m not here for him” Vox asserted, however, Husk merely rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I’m here to see the Princess actually.” He made a point of doing a bow before making his way to the main desk.
Vaggie was initially busy with another guest but her eye widened once she took stock of his approach. His smile grew as he felt her panic. He could tell she was trying to assess the level of threat he posed. It was good to know he could still instil fear in at least some of the hotel staff.
“CHARLIE!” She yelled. Her wings appearing for a moment until she saw her girlfriend came to her rescue. Charlie was once again dressed in the hotel uniform she usually donned. Velvette was right when she said the girl’s sense of dress was ‘tragic’. He made his best effort not to grimace.
“Morning, Princess” he mustered up his most earnest smile and put out a hand expecting her to shake it. She narrowed her eyes at him in response. “Awww. Last time I checked you said you welcomed anyone who wanted to be redeemed at your hotel. Is that not still the case?” He had her right where he wanted her.
”You want to be redeemed?” Her tone incredulous. Out of the corner of his screen he noticed Vaggie’s jaw drop.
“You’ve won me over. The other Vees have thrown me out. I’ve nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to.” He made a point of wiping away non-existent tears.
“Well, that’s not surprising.” Vaggie added, hands on her hips. She seemed even less keen on his present than the last time he’d visited. “I mean, it’s your hotel babe. What do you want to do with him? Alastor-“
As if summoned by the mention of his name, the demon in question shimmered into existence next to Charlie.
The Smiling Freak himself. Still as seductive as ever, but with an added air of danger he hadn’t possessed the last time they’d met. Vox was going to enjoy breaking him. Alastor would come to regret all the pain he’d caused him, with interest…