Alastor, Altruist

Sera

I stand at the back of the room, watching. I may never get an opportunity like this again, to examine the creatures from up above. The taller one, Sera, serious, on edge, protective, suspicious. The smaller one, Emily, hopeful, naive, friendly, trusting, yet still powerful, like Charlie. The room that they're in; plain, simple, immaculate. Light blues, yellows, white. One never knows when this information might be necessary.

As soon as the portal began opening, Lucifer immediately slips out of the room without anyone but myself having seen him done so. We make eye contact for a second as he closes the door behind him. His eyes flicker to Charlie for a moment and back to me as if trying to signal something to me. What could the little man possibly want from me?

My attention snaps back to the portal as I feel a strong presence from the other side. There's someone there that I can't see. Someone... powerful. My eyes scan every inch of what I can see on the other side of the portal from here. I can't even try to teleport in or send a shadow of mine for a quick look, now that I temporarily drained my magic fighting Vox. Who is over there?

Everyone chatters excitedly with Pentious, asking endless questions about his apparent redemption. No one else seems to notice Sera take this chance to pull Emily aside. They seem to be having a disagreement.

Charlie starts introducing everyone to Emily and Sera, so I step closer to the group.

"And this is Alastor, our facilities manager!" Charlie says. Emily smiles at me like she smiles at everyone else. Trusting. Sera nods her head at me politely, but I can feel the judgement and disdain coming off of her as she looks at me.

That feeling of a presence is still nagging at me. I feel as though I'm being watched. I stare straight back through the portal. Whoever you are, I know you're there.

"Charlie, I know that we have a lot to discuss, but this is no way to do it. Having a portal open between Heaven and Hell for this long can have dangerous consequences. Why don't you come back with us and we can talk?" Sera says with a friendly smile that I do not trust. Everything about her gives me the impression of someone who's hiding something.

"We'd love to come!" Charlie says with bright eyes, and Vaggie(with Adam), Angel Dust, Husk, Nifty, and Cherrie Bomb group around her.

"I'm sorry, but we can't have everyone coming. Just you, Charlie. Don't worry, you'll be back before you know it." Sera says

"Oh... um... right..." Charlie starts hesitantly.

I take another reading of the room. Sera seems stiff. Emily seems... upset. They aren't even going to bring Adam? Something isn't right here.

"Pardon my interjection here, but wouldn't bringing someone to Heaven from Hell be something that you would need approval from Lucifer from? Never mind bringing his daughter of all people." I say stepping forward and placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder. Sera stops and looks at me with controlled anger.

"And who are you to question the decisions of a Seraphim?" Sera says back haughtily. I open my mouth to reply

"Oh, I'm sure it's fine, Al. It's heaven. What's going to happen?" Charlie says, trying to stop me from getting into a fight with yet another far more powerful being.

"No, he's right, hun. I don't want you going up there without anyone to protect you." Vaggie says, stepping forward as well and holding Charlie's hand on her other side.

"Charlie, we're a team. We ain't gonna let you step into danger. Not without us, anyway." Angel Dust says, stepping up behind Charlie as well.

"Ahem. Yes, this is all very touching, but we do still need you to make a decision, Charlie. So what will it be?" Sera says, seemingly unmoved by the situation.

Charlie thinks for a few seconds, biting her lip nervously.

"Sera... maybe we could... schedule something for later? Just, when I've had time to prepare and talk to my dad." Charlie says, and Sera's eye twitches slightly. She turns her eyes to me for a brief moment, filled with animosity.

"Fine. We'll see when we are able to set up a meeting. If we are. Come along Emily. Pentious." Sera says, walking back to the other side of the portal. Emily follows her, seeming somewhat less upset than a moment ago. Sera glares at Pentious, who is too wrapped up in reuniting with Cherri to have heard her.

"Pentious. Let's leave. Now." Sera says harshly. Pentious' head snaps to Sera, and he looks slightly embarrassed. Sera rolls her eyes as Pentious gives everyone goodbye hugs. He finally slithers back to the other side of the portal with a sad look on his face.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Charlie." Sera says, and the portal snaps shut.

We all silently stare at where the portal had been for a few moments, absorbing what had just happened. I feel something tugging at me, almost as if something is tugging at my soul. That presence is still here. It made it out the portal.

Lucifer silently walks back into the room. I watch him closely as he scans the room, as if looking for something that isn't there. We make eye contact again and I can tell. He feels the presence too.

Whoever you are, I'm going to find you.