Chapter 4: The Commercial Part 1
It had been three days since I became Alastors assistant. He really didn't have me do much, though one of my first major jobs was to inspect each of his new suits to make sure Robert didn't fuck him over. Once was a warning, second would mean death. I didn't mind inspecting the suits, I would prefer to do this than something unpleasant. Just busy work.
Angel had showed me hell's version of Spotify, Hellify, I know super original. But I was able to listen to my music again. I was a little nervous that Vox was going to call me randomly and try to make me do something. Even though I was 'hired' by him. I didn't want to work the man. I see how badly Valentino treats Angel and theres no telling how he would treat me if I were to mess up accidently.
Besides Alastor wasn't too bad.
It always amazed me when he was able to conjure something out of thin air. Like right now, Alastor had conjured up a video camera and was recording two demons fighting. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing. He easily showed that he didn't like the technology of the camera but he somehow knew how to control the equipment.
"Would you like me to record them?" Looking at the machine he let out a few chuckles. "And here I thought I already was." he tossed the small hand held in my direction. I was quick to catch it worrying that it would break. "I'll narrate of course,"
I couldn't help the giggle that escaped. "It makes sense, you do have a lovely voice." I earned a head pat from the man. He was very strange indeed. For a man who doesn't like to be touched he seemed to thoroughly enjoy patting my head or directing me places. Maybe it had to be on his own terms.
I get that he doesn't want to be touched by specific people, Angel, but I had figured he didn't like to be touched period.
"So why exactly are we recording sinners in hell?" I asked learning the controls as quickly as I could. "Charlie insisted we advertise the hotel of course," his shoulders slump annoyed yet the smile remained, his eyes glaring at the device in my hands. "She refuses to see reason, my radio show would have done wonders for the hotel but she insists on using the noisy picture box."
Slowly nodding my head I waited till he wanted me to start recording. "I think it's because most sinners in hell watch TV..." my eyes widen seeing the distasteful look on his face. "Which is such a shame really, back when I was alive I listened to the radio every day on my way to work. The hosts were always entertaining and I was able to listen to my podcasts."
He smirked squeezing my shoulder rather tightly "Nice save dear,"
"So how would you like to do this, would you like me to record everything first then we add in your voice or would you like to speak to the sinners directly? It might get muffled in the background..."
"Start the machine and we shall see!"
Doing as said I pressed record and watched Alastor speak behind me "Well hello you wayward sinner!" He greats the two demons, one being stabbed repeatedly by a devil with wings. "Do you like blood, violence, and depravity of a sexual nature? Of course you do. Thats why you're in hell!" Alastors hand moved across the camera making it glitch slightly. "But what would you say if I told you there was a place to stay that had none of that?"
I cut paused the recording and looked up at my 'boss' confused. "Are you sure Charlie is gonna like this? I mean..."
"Of course she will! After all I'm doing as she asks." chuckles left him as he guided up away. "Off we go! We have lots to shoot!" Shrugging my shoulders I did as he asked. Filming the outside of the hotel, which you could see Alastor's new radio station hanging off the outside of the hotel. 'It must be connected to his room.'
It was a long day, we ended up shooting for six hours because he wanted to make sure everything looked perfect. No one questioned us about what we were doing, probably because it's more wise to let Alastor do what he likes.
When filming was done, we had to watch over the entire 'comercial' to make sure it was perfect. Honestly it was as good as it was gonna get.
My phone pinged a few times but it was probably Angel sending me something stupid. As soon as he came back from work he had yelled at me telling me how stupid I was for going down there in the first place. We ended up talking most of the night away as I explained what had happened and why I was there. Angel still wasn't happy about it, even more so when I told him what happened between me and Vox.
But we exchanged numbers so I can just call him or send him messages if I really need him instead of having to walk all the way down to his studio.
_____________________________________________________________________________
"So what are you going to do tomorrow?"
"I'm honestly not sure. I mean I don't actually work for the guy...right?" Angel shrugged as we laid beside one another, fat nuggets laying comfortable on Angel's fluffy chest.
Tomorrow would be Monday, my first 'official' day working with Vox. I wasn't going to go. There was no fucking way I'd actually go and risk working for that asshole. "I don't know...you didn't sign anything did you?"
"No...but he sent me these." I pull out my phone going to his most recent message to me. Apparently he had messaged me when I was working with Alastor on his video.
Vox: Pick up my usual at Hells Brews on your way in.
Vox: Make sure you wear something professional, not like last time I saw you. You will regret not listening to me.
Vox: Wear something like this.
Attached to the last message was a dark blue pencil skirt, with matching blazer. It looked like something my grandma would wear. "When did he die again?"
"I don't know...The forties? He showed up a little after me." Letting the phone drop to the somewhat comfy mattress I let out a sigh closing my eyes. "God I need a smoke." Angel pulled out his pack and cigarettes extending one to me. "Thanks but not that kind. I just need my pen but being here means no drugs." I mumble curling onto my side and snuggling into Angel's soft shoulder.
"Yeah...the only bad thing about this place."
Shrugging my shoulders we sat in silence just enjoying each other's company. "I can't believe you got Vox to hire you."
"I can't believe he's trying to dress me in his fashion. I swear him and Alastor both are strange with wardrobe decisions."
"Maybe but you gotta admit. Smiles sure looks good."
Snickering, I peek an eye open. "Of course he does, I mean the man could probably rock any style." he bumped his shoulder into my chin. "You got the hots for Smiles."
"I do not. But I'm not blind. The man is attractive." a series of knocks on Angel's door distracted us. "Angel come on, Alastor wanted to show us something." Vaggie's voice echoed through the door. "Why do I have to come?"
"It's important to Charlie now hurry up." Shaking my head we both crawl out of the bed and walk towards one of his mirrors making sure I looked presentable again. I was happy to be wearing my oversized gray sweatshirt with a cute little dragon snoozing on a pile of books. My leggings became a second skin to me at this point. My white hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. I looked like myself only paler. I did like that my eyes had turned a different shade of color, now a dull purple color.
Unlike most of the sinners I didn't change much in appearance wise. I think I would be more shocked if I had changed more like Angel had, I honestly wonder what he looked like when he was human. Probably handsome, or more adorable like one of the lolita boys.
Glancing away from my reflection Angel was fixing his hair and boosting his chest fluff up more to make it look like boobs. "We still look good, ready to meet them?" letting out a prolonged sigh he wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we walked down one of the many halls of the hotel. "Is this that thing you were doing the other day?"
"Probably. We totally need popcorn though."
"Oooh make some for me too." We separated, him getting comfy on his couch and me in the kitchen. I hummed a soft tune as I made a bowl of popcorn. Feeling my phone buzz I looked down at it again. Vox.
Biting my bottom lip I'm not sure if I should even look at the message. Maybe he could see if I read it or not. Groaning to myself at my own internal dilemma I looked at the message. It was another picture of a work style attire only more scandalous? It looked more like the nineteen fifties housewife would wear.
"Get with the times bro, noone wears this shit anymore." I grumble walking out with my bowl of popcorn shimmying close to Angel as the commercial started. "Well hello you wayward sinners. Do you like blood, violence, and depravity of a sexual nature? Of course you do! Thats why you're in hell! But what would you say if I told you that there was a place to stay that had none of that?"
The camera view changes to the outside of the hotel. "Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel, a misguided path to redemption! Founded five days ago by Lucifer's delusional daughter Charlotte Morningstar!" The camera flipped to Charlie talking to Husk with Angel popping up behind her giving her two sets of bunny ears.
"Come place your fate in her inexperienced hands as she tries to work through her daddy issues by fixing you! Here we offer fun things! Such as a somewhat function staff!" The camera zoomed in on Husk who was completely out of it. He was exhausted and ended up just falling flat on his face towards the counter.
'I remember this scene, Alastor stole the camera from me and shoved the camera at Nifty as I ran to check on Husk to see if he was alive.'
"Twenty four hour pest control!" The camera zoomed in on Nifty trying to stab a random cockroach. "And a somewhat decent Chef." This time the camera zoomed in on me as I tried to wake Husker up. As soon as I noticed the camera was on me I just gave an awkward wave. "Custom rooms, and just look at this tacky parlor! Enjoy riveting conversations with our residents."
Angel flipped off the camera. "Wow! All this and more at the Hazbin Hotel! Your last desperate attempt at salvation starts here!" Alastor states before shutting the tv off.
'Oof, it's just as bad as I thought it would be.'
"So what'd ya think?" Alastor seemed pleased with his commercial. I watched the man in red walk my direction and placed a hand on my shoulder affectionately. "I'm sorry what the fuck was that?" Vaggie hissed glaring up at Alastor.
"Uh...Yeah, one note..." Alastor's eyes took on an angry note, as well as his grip on my shoulder. "Alastor, I mean...first off, thank you so much for making this seriously amazing! But uh, maybe the tone was a bit...off?" His eyes narrowed at the girl.
"We want people to want to come here. This makes it, uhhh..."
"Bad." Vaggie interrupts Charlie. "The word you're looking for is bad."
The grip on my shoulder loosened up as he walked away. "Funny! I was going to say hilarious!" Alastor smirks tilting his head to the side as his smile grows larger. "It didn't explain anything about how we're trying to save demons from extermination which is the whole fucking point."
"Vaggie's right Alastor. The commercial was to let sinners know we are trying to help them."
Alastor shrugs walking towards the Tv again. "Well my dear, I haven't been active in Hell for some time now, and everyone remembers me from my radio show! The proper medium to express oneself!" He made a pointed look in my direction nodding his head. He must be thinking of how I tried to cover my ass when I said I used to listen to the radio a lot when I was alive.
"But you insisted on this," He pokes the TV with his microphone "noisy picture box advertisement. So I had a little fun with it." Shrugging his shoulders the smirk never falling from his face.
"Oh fun. You had a little fun with it? Well, this is not what we want to represent us!" Vaggie snapped standing from the couch. "When you showed up here a week ago, you told us you would help run this hotel! Instead, you're mocking us. Nobody's going to want to come to a place that a powerful overlord like you thinks is a waste of time!"
Vaggie wasn't wrong but at the same time if Alastor was right, he hasn't been active in hell for quite some time. Maybe sinners would come to try any see what the fuss is about. Angel raised his hand a devious smirk on his lips.
"Oh god,"
"If'n ya filmin' a commercial, can I suggest you take better advantage of the talented celebrity you have right here?" Angel gestures to himself as he moves his body in a slow and sexual manner. "Angel, you're a porn star." Vaggie said even more annoyed now.
"A famous porn star." He corrects. "I'll have the horniest sinners knockin these walls down to get in." At that statement I jumped off the couch leaving Angel with the bowl of popcorn and pulling my hair behind my ears as I made my way towards Husker.
"We are not filming a pron as a commercial." Vaggie snapped.
"I believe it's called a porno. No one says a porn." I call out plopping on one of the swivel seats. "It doesn't matter Emmie!"
Shrugging my shoulders I held back a laugh as I desperately wanted to argue that it kind of does. "Why not? Sex sells. Don't it?" I watched Angel shift to take up the entire couch now. "I swear if you film me goin' at it with mister fancy talk-creepy voice here, you'd be rollin in participants willin to stay at this tacky hotel."
"Haha, never going to happen!" Alastor made quick work to step away from Angel standing behind me once again. 'Is he just comfortable around me? Is that why it's like he's always hovering over my shoulder or something?'
"Angel, I appreciate you wanting to use your special skills to uh, um, attract folks to the hotel, But I don't really want to exploit you in that way!" Charlie rushed to say lifting her hands to stop him from thinking such a way.
"Oh please baby, this body was made to be exploited!" Angel moans sliding down so that he was laying fully on the couch, throwing his legs up in the air as he spoke. "I got the arms, I got the stamina, I got the legs! I got the lung capacity, Oh-oh! I got the legs! The gag reflex, the holes, the chest fluff that everyone think is tits."
"Can I exploit you to go and get me a soda with those long legs of yours?" I asked giggling to myself watching Angel flip me off. "Fuck off sugar tits."
"You're just jealous that I have some." I shot back letting out a few giggles here and there. Charlie left noticing a call from someone. "Hey, I have a question." He looked towards Vaggie now. "If freaky face over there is so powerful, then why can't he just make people stay here?"
Alastor smirked grasping a strand of my hair and tugging on it rather hard. A hiss escaped my lips as Alastor spoke. "Oh, trust me." The air around him turned dark and sinister, his antlers growing larger than before, forcing a shudder to run down my spine. "I can!"
"Alastor let her go!" Vaggie snapped standing from her seat. I could still feel the stinging sensation from where he tugged as I reached up to rub at my scalp. "I'm okay, just surprised me is all..." the hair slowly fell back into place as Alastors hand rested on my head. "So sorry about that darling, sometimes I forget my own strength." he chuckles through his teeth. I knew he was lying but it's not like him apologizing would do anything. The hand on my head moved to my shoulder resting affectionately, his nails scraping against my sweatshirt.
"It's okay," I forced a small smile up towards the man behind me. At his nod Husker spoke up grabbing another bottle off the shelf. "Why do you think I'm here?" Husker growled glaring up at the deer like man. "You actually think I'd be cleaning bottles and listening to you fucks bitch and moan all the god damn time if he wasn't forcin' me?"
Nifty popped up excitedly "I like to be forced." I backed up a bit staring at the one eyed demon concerned. I didn't know what I could even say to that. "Whatever floats your boat, Nifty." I mumble unsure if that was even a good thing to say to her. There was something wrong in her mind who knows what she was actually thinking.
"Keep that to yourself Niff." Husker frowned, staring at the demon girl.
Angel looked towards Husker giving a small pout as he did. "What, you don't love being here with me, Whiskers?" He coo's. "Angel dude stop pushing his boundaries. You don't see me trying to play with his ears." Looking back towards Husker I stare at his fluffy ears. "Don't even think about it kid." he growls narrowing his eyes. "But they look so fuzzy. I bet they're super soft too," I leaned against my fist trying to hold myself back. "Of course Whiskers has the softest ears."
"Call me 'Whiskers' again and I'll jam that bottle down your throat! And you!" His gaze snapped back to me as I quickly pulled my hand back to my lap. "Touch me and I'll break your fucking hands."
"Stop looking so adorable though, you look so cute and fluffy." I smirk giggling to myself. "Kinky! C'mon, keep talkin dirty." Angel grinned leaning over the couch.
"Angel, Emmie let Husk do his job. And no, we can't force sinners to stay here. They need to choose to." Vaggie explained slumping her shoulders. I saw Alastor narrow his eyes as his grip on my shoulder tightened, a warning. A warning for what though I wasn't sure.
"I'm choosing to be here, and I think it's all stupid. We're in hell, tooths. Thats kind of the end of the road, aint it?" Angel asked, confused.
"Maybe not. There's so many different religions out there so maybe when you die here you get judged and sent to a different afterlife. I mean in Greek Mythology there were three different places someone would go when they died. I kinda wish I could have met Cerberus though."
"Yous jus a little nerd ain't ya." Angel leaned against his fist staring at me now. "Fuck off, everyone had a fascination with some mythology as a kid. It was either Norse, Greek, or Egyptian. Maybe something else I'm not sure all the kids I grew up with were into those."
"Neeeerd."
"Well, maybe it doesnt have to be. Just because nobody has made out before doesn't mean it's not possible." Vaggie explained to Angel completely ignoring our previous banter. Angel was quick to stand up and place a hand on Vaggie's shoulder, looking deep into her eye. "Hey, whatever means I can keep crashin' here rent free. Crack is expensive."
A snort left my lips as I tried not to laugh too much. Oh god I loved Angel sometimes. "VAGGIE HOLY SHIT!"
Charlie screamed from behind a wall gesturing to her girlfriend to come close. "AH! What?" Vaggie called worried and confused at Charlie's excitement. Vaggie made her way to behind the wall hidden from view. "Their either gonna make out or something great happened." I mutter to Husker.
"It could be either with Charlie."
It was barely a moment latter and Charlie was singing. "Are you sure we're not in a Disney movie?" I asked confused. "Unless Disney is set in Hell, then no."
Leaning against my fist I glance over at Angel. "I think the closest we get to Hell in Disney is Fantasia."
Alastor walked in front of all of us now looking down at his cane affectionately "Thats where your wrong darling, Hell's Bell's. It was a glorious picture show back in my day." He laughs. "Oooh Disney went dark dark."
I was just happy with this entire conversation, I wasn't used to Alastor engaging in conversation about Disney. I didn't think he would have learned about anything after the 1930's, he just seemed like he hated anything new. 'I guess it's nice to learn new things about him. He doesn't let up on himself much besides being a fan of his generation...it's nice.'
"Okay, so Charlie is dealing with something very important. So while she's gone, we are making a new commercial." Vaggie paced in front of the couch as she spoke. Angel not paying a lick of attention blew a kiss towards Husker.
"One that represents her vision and what we're doing here. So we need a camera, Alastor?" Vaggie directed her attention to the man in red standing beside me. I watched him snap his fingers and a vintage camera appeared in Vaggies hands. Just not the kind of camera she needed. The small giggle that left seemed to make Alastors smile widen.
"A video camera." Vaggie sighed glaring up at the man. "Hmm.." he snapped his fingers again and a video camera appeared. "Alright! Lets do this!"
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