𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙇'𝙎 𝘿𝙀𝘼𝙇 - 𝙔𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝘼𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍 𝙓 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙍

7.

━━━

What was left of me was nothing but the constraints of my deals. 

One deal, connected to Valentino. 

My soul, for him to be my performance boss, his money-maker, his advertisement to bring him the audience he wants and to hold his label of claim above me. Valentino Which I had very obliviously agreed to under my darkest times, finding false hope in his hollow words and false care. 

And my manual labour, for the use of Alastor's advertisement. Under Alastor's eye, I work under the Hazbin Hotel, supporting the industry part-time, supporting the other sinners who occupy it. 

And in return, Alastor places me under his light and trusted word, the minorities across Hell are quite loyally keen to his every word. And for him to promote me towards those groups brings me in a greater light. 

Such as the Cannibals who reside within cannibal town. They are quite glued to Alastor from what I've heard, finding him to be a great source of news and word, and for him to spread my name across those areas will place me as a trusted performer, someone they can trust as Alastor assures. 

And that's what I want, what I've wanted for as long as I can remember. To have my name within the light, to spread my performances and songs for as long as the eye can see. 

I was born to perform. I was born to entertain, to let my voice flow across the air and fill the ears of those who hear, to dance and sparkle against the Hollywood lights. 

And now, I'm here scrubbing the alcohol bar.

━━━

"You made a deal with that fucker-!?" 

The hoarse ring of Husk's voice pounds against my eardrums with the disinfectant wipe clasped tightly within my hand. The stained glass circles wash away against my wipe, my head kept low in obvious shame. A sigh seeps from my lungs as I nod, my eye's fluttering away to avoid the burning gaze of Husk's fiery glare. 

"I know, I know, It's just-"

"No, you don't, Y/N! he's the last person you should ever make any sort of deal with, soul or not! He coerses you and chains you down when your not looking, don't you think it's a little fucked up that he had to terrify you into a deal, Y/N?" 

Husk roars and sneers, my pit of guilt digging deeper and deeper as I feel my face twitch, pursing my lips tightly. He cuts me off and lectures me with pure distaste and anger, like an angry parent who has caught me sneaking out or something of the sort. 

"Besides, did you ever think that Val might notice that yet another overlord is spreading your name across hell's streets? what about your deal with him, huh? isn't Val the one that's truly in control of your promotional values and advertisements?" Husk continues to question with suspicion, and as I finally settle into the bar's stool, my words struggle to form. 

"Um... not exactly... Valentino has me under his label, he sets up my performances and manages the dates, but I was always the one which worked on my advertisments. He never overly contributed against my posters or advertisements, so that part of my career was never under his control. Well, now it's under... Alastor's control..." I explain slowly, carefully. 

Yet as I explain my side of the deal, Husk's cocked eyebrow and deadpan expression only arises a deepened blush of humiliation across my face. 

"Yeah, well, the only positive I can see in this is that if Alastor promotes you across his particular corners of hell, you'll probably have a few more allies and fans then you'd think. Those sinner's believe anything Alastor says, and if he speaks of you in a good light like he says he will, you'll have the trust of countless people."