Impulse & Consequence [RadioDust]

Chapter 10: Not for the First Time, Not for the Last

—A few hours earlier—

"How long d'ya think you'll be gone?" Niffty asked, swinging her feet absently from her seat atop the bar. Alastor had decided that since he would be leaving that night, he should spend some time with the only two people in the hotel who might actually miss him while he was away.

"It's a little less than a day's travel from here to Lux. The plan is to be back the day after tomorrow."

"Tell Sylvain we said hey," Husk added as he passed a peach Bellini across the bar to a delighted Niffty.

"Of course," Alastor agreed, still vaguely nursing his own whiskey. "I'm sure he'll be happier to hear from you two than from me."

"We could go too," Niffty piped up, slightly muffled by her straw still in her mouth.

"I'd like that, dear, but I'm afraid you can't. I need you two here keeping an eye on the hotel while I'm gone—especially with Charlie leaving too."

"You really don't know where she's goin'?" the barcat asked, eyeing him skeptically.

"If I did, don't you think I'd share the gossip with everyone?" the Radio Demon chuckled. "No, these plans of hers are very hush-hush. Something Venture put her up to, maybe, but I'm sure I'll find out once we're both back."

"It'll be nice having Sylvain here too," Niffty said between sips of her cocktail. "You're always way more relaxed when he's around." She shot him a playful grin, and he rolled his eyes.

"Well, let's not go counting our chickens just yet; he might have something more pressing to do than making himself a part of this"—he gestured at their surroundings—"mess for the sake of helping sinners he's never met." He was smiling broadly by the time he finished that statement, while his companions stifled laughter themselves.

"Yeah, he's always been selfish like that," Husk scoffed.

"I'll make sure a room's ready for him just in case," Niffty giggled.

Their conversation was punctuated by the sound of the front doors opening, and a tall, unfamiliar demon swept inside. He was of the avian variety, with bright red plumage and yellow-tinted sunglasses. Compared to most of their clientele, he seemed rather well-off for a redemption hopeful, but Alastor resolved not to judge and got up to greet him.

"Welcome in, my friend. Is there anything I can help you with? Booking a room? A tour of the grounds, maybe?"

The bird regarded him for a moment in silence, unimpressed. "Nah, I'm good." When he laid eyes on Niffty, however, he lowered his sunglasses a bit to look her up and down, and Alastor's hackles immediately raised; having been brought up as a hunter, he knew a predator's gaze when he saw one. Some sort of raptor, then. A falcon, if Alastor had to guess.

"Well hello, sweetheart," the newcomer cooed, swaggering a little closer with his eyes still roaming her small form. "What's a pretty little thing like you doin' in a place like this?"

"Right now? Or just generally?" she asked brightly.

"Either way."

"I work here! But I'm done for the day, so..." She held up her glass to indicate the cocktail she was drinking. Although she answered as if it were a perfectly normal conversation, it was clear the bird wasn't actually interested in what she had to say.

"So you're free for the night, huh? Whaddaya think about comin' to a little party I'm throwin', then?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "You can get as many drinks as ya want there, ones a lot more exciting than that." He gestured dismissively to her glass, and Husk rolled his eyes. "Plus I know a lotta good guys that'll be lookin' to give alll their attention to a cute gal just like you."