Alastor, Altruist

Sleep

I've never liked to sleep, not even when I was alive, and ever since manifesting in hell, I haven't had the need to sleep. I prefer to have complete control over myself at all times, and when one sleeps, their subconscious mind runs wild without its owner's say so.

Yet another way that arrogant, obnoxious Adam has screwed with my life. That, and nearly ending it.

It's been 3 days since the war between Hell and the exorcist angels, in which Adam nearly killed me with a single, mortifying blow in front of all of Hell. And to add to the embarrassment, I've had to sleep every night since then just to heal my physical wounds enough to stay alive. Turns out injuries created by angelic weapons are harder to heal than normal ones.

But there's no point in having sold your soul to stay alive if you're just going to die anyway, is there?

I finish the raw venison that I was having for breakfast and teleport to the living area of the hotel. This damn hotel. There's only so much amusement left in a place like this after 6 months of staying here against my will. I grow more weary of Angel's explicit jokes and Vaggie's untrusting stares with each passing day, and now worst of all, the very bane of my existence is living here.

Lucifer.

I grumble internally as I see the insufferable king of hell sitting on the couch in front of the blank tv, staring into the distance with that depressing look he has whenever he thinks no one is watching. As if he has the right to act despaired.

"It's a lovely day to sit around being utterly useless, wouldn't you say?" I snark at him, in a false cheerful voice, as if talking about the weather to a friend. His head snaps to me with that same sneer that he has looked at me with since the first moment we saw each other over a month ago. Good. At least the feeling is mutual.

"Oh, so the injured deer decided to stop hiding in his room, licking his wounds, huh?" My smile tightens, and it's all I can do to remain composed and not rip that obnoxiously large hat to shreds with shadows.

"Ah, yes, healing the wounds I got while protecting your daughter, while you were doing... what exactly? It's an amazement you showed up at all!"

"At least I could protect her. If rumors are true, I hear you were pulverized immediately!" I swear one day I'm going to slap this man. Is it just me, or has he become even more obnoxious since the battle?

"Alastor! How are you feeling? I didn't know if I should come check on you or just let you rest..." Charlie approaches me, eyes wide with worry.

"Very thoughtful of you to be concerned for me, my dear, but I assure you that I'm quite alright." I glance at Lucifer, who's currently glaring at me, as he usually does, especially when I'm talking with Charlie.

"What do you say you and I take a stroll to Cannibal Town? I'm sure they've all been very eager to see you since the fight." Not only do I want to get under Lucifer's skin by spending time with his daughter, but I need to get out of this wretched hotel. Somehow, the hotel feels more confining than ever, even with the expansion.

"That's a great idea!" Charlie exclaims, her face lighting up. "I've been meaning to go thank Rosie for helping us out so much. Hold on, let me get my jacket."

"I'll come along too. It's about time I get out and see more of my kingdom." Lucifer says, standing to his full height of 5'6. I angle my neck downward just to look at the little man.

"Not a bright idea. They aren't very open to outsiders."

"Nonsense, I'm their king and they'll be honored to see me. Besides, I fought beside most of them just a few days ago. It'd be a good idea for me to come. Wouldn't you say, Charlie?"