The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 5: Lysergic Arcana

Alastor was at his wits' end.

He stalked the Hotel's halls, doing his best to keep his smile in place, though he was certain his pupils were more elongated than not. It had been five days, and at this point there would certainly be blood if he had to endure five more.

Charlie had missed two lessons already, and her missing a third was looking increasingly likely.

Her skipping their Tuesday session made perfect sense, and Alastor had dismissed it casually. There was a new resident to sort out for the hotel; and by the time the day was done, the demoness had been too drained to study and went to bed early after a quiet apology.

The second lesson was bothersome, considering that Charlie had wanted to spend her evening with both of them, having discovered that The Nuisance also had a penchant for painting. She wanted to encourage a group activity, hoping the pair might become friends.

The princess was in for a world of disappointment, and he'd let her know that by ditching their improvised art session and wandering off to Cannibal Colony to see Rosie.

To his surprise, Mimzy wasn't around. The proprietress hadn't seen the singer since the day she'd shown up with The Nuisance.

Rosie suspected the other demoness was upset with her; considering her prolonged absence. After all, Rosie had called himself and the princess to report the newcomer almost immediately after Mimsy had brought him to the Emporium. She'd finally had a chance to have the Radio Demon's attention, after a fashion, but he'd wound up going to stay at the Hotel just as this world's version had.

Alastor was adamant to not have any further discussion about his annoying alter, so he spent his visit talking about any other subject that came to mind.

The blue deer demon was even more aggravating to him than Vox, which scarcely seemed possible until he'd actually met someone as impossibly infuriating as a wacked out version of himself.

Alastor toyed with sending Vox a letter to officially inform his would-be rival that he had been replaced as his least-favorite demon in Hell. It would only be polite after all!

He should send him a farewell present. A nice, strong magnet would do the trick.

Mulling over ways to annoy the TV demon cheered him a little, but as he passed by the kitchen, the Radio Demon's aggravation surged once more.

The day after The Nuisance had come to the hotel, he'd effectively taken over as the resident chef. He and Charlie shared a passion for sweets, and the blue deer demon would constantly appear to share his creations with her and ask after what she would like him to make.

The rest of the Hotel's occupants were just as enthusiastic about The Nuisance's cooking, even though it was bland as any kind of paste. Alastor had attempted covert "improvements" but each of his efforts had been thwarted by increasingly bizarre means, and after even Fat Nuggets of all beings had interfered, he'd quit trying.

And so, The Nuisance had not only deprived him of a game, but a hobby as well.

Alastor wasn't certain how long he could keep his composure. The fact that the other demon wore his emotions so nakedly made him fist his hands in rage.

Every cringe made him want to stab something.

Every stutter made him clench his jaw so hard his fangs ground.

The Nuisance had even begun to make him hate music! Alastor's keen hearing could pick up the recordings playing from the blue bastard's room practically on repeat. It was as though he insisted on hearing Princess Charlotte's voice every waking moment!