“I’m not here to cause any trouble of any kind, something or someone summoned me to this world and I’m exploring to find the cause.” The ‘human’ sinner slowly raised his hands up in defense, keeping his stoic eyes on the Yaksha in his calm response.
“Look, I can even place my weapons on the middle of the ground to prove that… Just don’t harm me, please… I’m an ally to the Chief Alchemist to the Knights of Favonius, he’s helping me in my journey to return back to Hell.”
“I can take you to the front desk to check you in through the log book, Your Royal Highness.” He knelt down to the Duchess in respect.
“My name is Don Everett, security guard to the hotel and ally of D.E.A.D.” The ‘human’ sinner stood up to dust off his pants and straightened his jacket. “Died in the year 20xx with wrath as my deadly sin.”
remains on Dragonspine as he knew that his time of control would soon be up, looks down at Mondstadt as small tears escape from his eyes as he then looked at his right hand that shook a little.
Bright teal eyes stare at it for a few before he lowered it back down , making his trek to his workshop as the wind howled.
“Likewise, Mr Albedo.” The ‘human’ sinner settled down in his cot, falling asleep to the warmth of the campfire… For once, the nightmares of his past alive life didn’t come to haunt him.
It was a warm long night, but it was one Don himself internally enjoyed with his new ally of this new living world… After being alone for a period of time in the undead apocalypse in his living world… It was nice to sleep among safe company for once.
Albedo slept well for the first time in a long time since his creation, the dreams he had was of his master and one he wishes to reunite with in the future to tell her all that he has found in the world of Teyvat as dawn soon approaches.
Sunlight breaking through the workshop, lighting it up in a soft warm go as daybreak was here.
Don slowly woke up as the workshop was lit in sunlight, covering his mouth to yawn before pulling off the blanket on him and carefully moved his legs to the side of his cot, stretching out his arms and legs, twisting in place to release the tension in his spine.
“… Ah, good morning, Mr Albedo… How was your sleep?” He inquired after stretching out his limbs and back, grabbing his boots to pull them on.
“He managed to get a few strikes on me before I managed to take some control over the friendly spar… Sparring’s one way to bond with my allies while assisting them in their combat skills and keeping our respective reflexes sharp.”
The hotel guard paused to pull out a water bottle canteen from a black canvas messenger bag he brought with him, opening the canteen to take several sips of water before placing the cap back on it.
“I’m learning new tactics in defending myself against mechanical opponents like him in the process.”
Reading Charlie’s response, the hotel guard gave a small hum in agreement to Whitten, slowly standing up from his seat and waited a moment to regain some balance before grabbing his jacket to place back on.
“I’m alright, just need some water and a snack to replenish myself.” It was just a little blood, not enough to exhaust him completely.
“That’s still a habit I’m trying to control, since I’m prone to overworking myself… Set up silent alarms on my phone to keep track of my breaks and when my shift ends.”
He usually carried some water, passing it to Don, not having a snack on him at the moment. He’d be happy to hear that, adding, “I am glad that you’re taking that seriously, especially in your line of work. I must take my leave and get the medicine sent here as soon as possible, otherwise unless there’s any other concerns you have.” He’d be ready to go, since his items were packed up.
The ‘human’ sinner took the water, giving the doctor a brief nod in thanks before taking several sips of the water, taking a deep breath once the water was in his system.
“Alright, let me escort you out the hotel, there’s no other concerns to address on my end, but I would ask our allies if there’s something they need addressed.” Placing the cap on the water bottle, he walked over to the door to exit Charlie’s office, sending a heads up text to the inner circle about this.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Andrealphus… And yes, because Princess Morningstar’s dream for her hotel is my core mission to help make into a forever reality, one that’ll change the norms between Hell and Heaven… All while atoning for my sins of wrath by being her hotel’s security guard.”
Like Charlie, he grew sick of the yearly cleanses… They reminded him too much of the the undead apocalypse.
“As mentioned before, I am your niece’s friend and ally from the Pride Ring, Pentagram City… We we’re working to improve ourselves through training while we support each other in our respective lives outside our respective duties… Queen Stella also comes to offer advice and sometimes assist in training when she has a moment.”
“Your belief doesn’t necessarily mean it’s possible, you know. Why, I don’t doubtthat sinners who want to, mm, change their ways are rare. Would they reallybe here if they were good people? They had their whole lives to do the ‘right thing’.”
Cue another chuckle from the ice demon, however. “But, that’s neither here nor there. I’m more interested in your friendships with Octavia and Stella. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you refer to my dear sister as a Queen. She must reallylike outranking her husbandin your eyes. Fufufu … What type of training do you participate in, now? Weapons, I take it? Stella has quite the arsenal.”
“Both weapons and physical nonmagical combat, Andrealphus.” The hotel guard answered with a nod to the ice Goetia’s inquiry.
“I focus more on self defense for your niece, just in case her magic can’t be used for any reason… And Queen Stella is an equal royal in my eyes, I call her Queen because your niece has already taken the mantle of Princess, just like Princess Morningstar.” He wanted to respond to the royal’s response about sinners losing the chance to redeem themselves in their respective past alive lives, saying that outside circumstances forced them to do what was wrong instead of right.
“We may have lost the chance to do what was right in the living world, but we can make it up here in Hell, through atonement… To me, redemption is the main goal… I won’t let Princess Morningstar’s dream be in vain… Second chances exist, the hotel is going to be proof of that… This coming from a once-living survivor of an undead apocalypse.”
“We’ll keep a note of that… Yes, maybe too many sweets.” Don texted that info to Charlie, just to avoid causing unwanted commotion in the inner circle’s group chat.
“I don’t want to push her training too much, she still has work to do here at the hotel… We all want her to not push herself and take breaks.”
Charlie would text back after seeing that “We need to talk about that sometime, I didn’t think she was overweight.” Otherwise Dr. Whitten would be ready to go along with finishing any remarks left for the conversation. He’d agree about the training not pushing her too much, “It’s good to take the breaks, especially so one would get too tired out.” He stood, wondering if Don was fine after pulling the samples from him.
Reading Charlie’s response, the hotel guard gave a small hum in agreement to Whitten, slowly standing up from his seat and waited a moment to regain some balance before grabbing his jacket to place back on.
“I’m alright, just need some water and a snack to replenish myself.” It was just a little blood, not enough to exhaust him completely.
“That’s still a habit I’m trying to control, since I’m prone to overworking myself… Set up silent alarms on my phone to keep track of my breaks and when my shift ends.”
“Of course, that’s the goal there, Doctor.” Once the samples were taken, Don slowly stood up, rolling down his shirt sleeve and putting his jacket back on, giving Whitten a nod in thanks.
“She’s also being trained in combat and self defense, so if push comes to shove, she’ll be able to defend herself… We’re just looking for the right time to resume those lessons since we’re all busy with the hotel.”
Dr. Whitten would pack up, making sure that his samples were sealed properly and ready to be tested. Otherwise he’d say, “Good for her body also to train her, I hate to come across as blunt, but she’s slightly overweight, perhaps too many sweets? Otherwise yes the training would be good twofold.” He was a doctor after all, but bedside manner was important to him.
“We’ll keep a note of that… Yes, maybe too many sweets.” Don texted that info to Charlie, just to avoid causing unwanted commotion in the inner circle’s group chat.
“I don’t want to push her training too much, she still has work to do here at the hotel… We all want her to not push herself and take breaks.”
“… Damn nightmares.” Don muttered quietly to himself, gently massaging his eyes… Although he’s used to have sleepless nights due to trauma-induced nightmares, it was starting to take a toll on his mind and stamina.
A sigh escapes his mouth, letting the scent of his green tea sooth his senses for the time being.
“Then we’ll check the log book, see who was the newest sinner to check into the hotel.” Don used his free hand to text the inner circle of his allies about the new info Whitten was explaining to him, asking to check the log book for anyone that recently checked in.
“Yes, we’ve been noticing that… Her first outing was with Angel Dust and Miss Cherri along with me for the trip… That outing is how we met new allies, some that were allies to both Angel Dust and Miss Cherri in the past.”
Dr. Whitten would finish getting his samples, listening to Don’s statements once more as he put the proper bandaging on the spot the needle was. “I think that if she’s with friends she’ll do better, learn who to be so kind toward. I wouldn’t want her to quit being kind, just more careful.” He’d start packing up, writing down the dosage for when Zephos’ medicine would arrive.
“Of course, that’s the goal there, Doctor.” Once the samples were taken, Don slowly stood up, rolling down his shirt sleeve and putting his jacket back on, giving Whitten a nod in thanks.
“She’s also being trained in combat and self defense, so if push comes to shove, she’ll be able to defend herself… We’re just looking for the right time to resume those lessons since we’re all busy with the hotel.”
“Hobbies? I do enjoy reading, especially when studying the lore and history of Hell… I’m also a southpaw in both electric and acoustic guitar, listening to rock/metal/alternative music and can do unclean vocals in them… Combat training is considered a hobby of sorts, and cooking, especially if it’s Southern food, since I do hail from the South in my past alive life.” He had some mundane hobbies, since they were focused on his own interests.
“Fun is a rare word for me to have these days… Hard for me to have it when you’re surviving the undead apocalypse.”
“I can see you liking alternative but I never would’ve pegged you for a rock/metal kinda guy.” In that case, Don would probably get along Erebus. And then again maybe not. “Oh, I didn’t know you cooked. Could I try your cooking sometime?” ”
It was very likely that Don might have already mentioned that fact to them at some point, but the teen had already forgotten.
“Oh…yeah. I guess you’re right. But um, since you’re not having to survive an undead apocalypse any more. You have more freedom to discover other things you might enjoy doing.”
“Certainly, come by the hotel, I’ll be sure to cook up some of my Southern cooking for you to try… Do you have any certain food allergies I should be aware of? Don’t want you getting sick on accident.”
While he did enjoy sharing a taste of the South with allies, he was also careful, checking for allergies first, planning to cook something else that they could eat without their allergies acting up.
“My job keeps me busy, so I always have something to do… Right now, I want to focus on keeping my wrath under control.”
As the bard got closer to him, the ‘human’ sinner nearly tensed up at what was whispered to him, turning to face the bard… So if he wasn’t ‘human’ like he was… Then what was he, exactly?
“Of course… Do you have a place in particular? I would need to inform Mr Albedo of my whereabouts so he won’t be concerned that I disappeared somewhere without his awareness.”
“I’m sure the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius would understand as we’re simply going out towards the giant tree of Windrise which stands as the symbol of Mondstadt’s hero, no harm shall come to you as I’m sure that the Chief Alchemist has mentioned my name earlier to you.”
Venti replied as his aqua blue eyes glow as well as the tips of his braids, he smiled softly to them.
“I think I remember that tree on my way to Mondstadt… And what name, exactly?” Don paused to maintain eye contact with the bard, trying to guess what name he was mentioning.
“Please, just tell me, otherwise, I might think you’re leading me into a trap.”
Don internally thought that he deserved being in Hell, he’s killed corrupted cops though offhand methods via the undead… That even before being a brainwashed soldier to the Saviors, he was forced to kill hostile survivors that were trying to kill him for his supplies and weapons… And of course… He was forced to kill innocent survivors just trying to live just because they did something that didn’t align with Negan’s rules.
He’s working to better himself, but his wrath, his vice for justice, it was a near-endless drug to him… His ultimate satisfaction would not only come from avenging his death against Negan, but ending all injustice and corruption all over the living worlds and the afterlives.
Hell is other people, but Hell can become better through bettering a sinner’s self.
“… Come on, have a seat… Are you hungry and/or thirsty? We can get you some water and snacks from the hotel’s kitchen, it’s normal food, nothing strange or off about it.” Don’s main priority was helping Hunter settle into the hotel, letting Charlie take the lead from here since she was his boss.
“Miss Charlie, we should let Miss Vaggie know about this, make sure she can help keep Angel Dust and ‘you-know-who’ away from him when needed.”
[HUNTER]
The boy takes a seat as he sighs, he can finally relax without running off away from any danger. A place to stay with good people or demons, whatever… They were here to help him.
“I… I could use something to eat. I hadn’t eaten in a while.” he spoke before placing a hand on his stomach. He could feel it gurgling and aching before the boy shudders.
[CHARLIE MORNINGSTAR]
“Will do!” Charlie understood what Don meant before leaving to find her beloved partner to take care of the two trouble makers of the hotel. They could be a handful and scare poor Hunter away.
“Alright… We should wait for Miss Charlie to return first, just make sure her and/or her close female companion can keep you company while I get you some snacks and a water bottle from the hotel’s kitchen.” He wasn’t sure if he could trust Husk and Niffty to keep watch on Hunter, both of them might just end up spooking him if he left him alone.
“The hotel’s a big place, and it can be easy for a newcomer to get lost along the hallways, so that’s why I’m placing a rule in where one of us has to help you navigate the hotel to avoid that… As mentioned, I’m the hotel’s security guard, so if there’s any safety matters that worry you, feel free to ask me, I’ll do what I can to assist in the matter.”
“Grew up listening to Johnny Cash as well, I listen to him in-between my interest in rock/metal/alternative music.” The hotel guard kept his shield upfront, but decided to have some conversation with Striker to help ease him from Alastor’s presence for now, almost done in his frisking.
“I don’t ask about the past of others, personal privacy… But I’m sorry you had to go through that… Alright, I’m done… Let’s get you to Princess Morningstar’s office, sir.”
[STRIKER]
“Not bad tastes, that’s all I gotta say back to ya.” Striker comments back before he felt the frisking was done.
Once it was over, he slowly pulls himself off from the chair. Tugging himself out of Alastor’s grip. He was a tad rough holding him, causing the bullsnake imp to rub one of his shoulders.
“Lead the way, sir…”
“Mr Alastor, mind assisting in the escorting? Just in case.” Don inquired before turning to lead both him and Striker to the elevator to the floor leading into Charlie’s office.
“… You got a name, sir? Forgive my manners, but I don’t usually ask the names of strangers trying to break into the hotel.”
“Well, to be honest… She has a protector in the form of her goat servants and her close female companion… I’m just protecting the hotel and those that reside in it, but I do assist in protecting her when needed.” Don trusted Vaggie, both of them were protecting Charlie and the hotel, after all.
“… I know… But… I got a secondary mission to complete first before I can pursue the good path… It’s related to how I died… And I won’t disclose that to you, trust issues related to said death.”
[DOCTOR STRANGE]
“Well, you take compliments better than I do.” Strange jokes back to Don. Though, he didn’t believe he was good at giving them himself. At least he puts some effort in. He wasn’t your friendly neighborhood multiverse hopping wizard.
That… That sounded a lot better in his head.
“You’re mission, I get that… I won’t pry it out of you.” Strange assures the guard before they get to the office of the allege Princess of Hell.
“You get used to it… It’s appreciated, though.” Don nodded back in thanks, resuming his duty of escorting Strange to the hotel.
“Thank you, I’m one to respect personal privacy, I’ll only pry if it’s putting my allies in harm’s way… The hotel’s residents are diverse in personality, but it helps that their antics keep the hotel lively… Quells the deafening silence in my mind at times.”
“You’re welcome… But… There’s something you need to know about the boy… His name is Hunter Clawthorne, but where he came from… Magic exists in his world… And there is a figure in his living world whose power might rival your father and the Divine One’s… They’re known as the ‘Collector’.” Don nodded to his boss, reaching over to pat Charlie’s shoulder while motioning for all of them to move this conversation inside the hotel.
“Mr Clawthone, this is the Daughter of King Lucifer, the Princess of Hell herself, Charlie Morningstar… My boss and a good close ally of mine.”
[CHARLIE MORNINGSTAR]
That didn’t sound good, this Collector sounded like a real danger. If they were that powerful, they could hop dimensions. End up here and ruin everything, in whatever matter they could.
That was a terrifying thought to think about.
She follows Don with him, heading back into the Hotel with him and Hunter as well.
[HUNTER]
“I guess you didn’t see me bowing before her huh?” Hunter chuckles amused before he follows along with them. “Just call me Hunter… If you don’t mind, Charlie.”
[CHARLIE MORNINGSTAR]
“I don’t mind, it’s nice to meet you too Hunter.” Charlie remarks back to him. She wanted to make him feel welcomed. She and Don could discuss this Collector being in private. The kid needed comfort and a place to stay.
That’s why he was here at the hotel after all.
“… Come on, have a seat… Are you hungry and/or thirsty? We can get you some water and snacks from the hotel’s kitchen, it’s normal food, nothing strange or off about it.” Don’s main priority was helping Hunter settle into the hotel, letting Charlie take the lead from here since she was his boss.
“Miss Charlie, we should let Miss Vaggie know about this, make sure she can help keep Angel Dust and ‘you-know-who’ away from him when needed.”
“He will not consume you in the hotel, but outside the hotel’s grounds? Rule goes out the door.” Don followed up while pulling out Striker’s weapons in his frisking, one hand going up to carefully grab his hat to lift it up for any hidden weapons.
“Apologies, just needed to check real quick.” He would place the hat back onto Striker’s head with careful hands. “I’ll be honest, this is my first time seeing a cowboy, I only see those in works of fiction, my living world rarely has cowboys wandering the streets of my home city.”
[STRIKER]
He did flinch slightly once his hat was moved off his head, an old habit that his Ma did before the damage came soon following after.
But it was masked all by a smooth criminal smile. Lucky the hat was placed back.
“We had some sinners sneak to the Wrath ring to build the whole wild west aesthetic. Billy the Kid and Johnny Cash were big inspirations. Kind of grew up hearing Cash’s music. Made me dress how I am.” he explains how Wrath gotten it’s old west motif it so famous for.
“Pops made sure I’d look the part before well… Let’s say I don’t see him much thanks to a certain miss.”
“Grew up listening to Johnny Cash as well, I listen to him in-between my interest in rock/metal/alternative music.” The hotel guard kept his shield upfront, but decided to have some conversation with Striker to help ease him from Alastor’s presence for now, almost done in his frisking.
“I don’t ask about the past of others, personal privacy… But I’m sorry you had to go through that… Alright, I’m done… Let’s get you to Princess Morningstar’s office, sir.”
