The Other Side Of Paradise

Oh, Who is She?

The pair's footsteps clicked on the cobblestone pathway. Mordecai's eyes flicked from detail to detail, jerking forward when he tripped over an uneven ledge. He scoffed, eyes narrowing. His mouth twisted into a scowl when Alastor chuckled.

"Clumsy, are we?" He asked, raising a brow.

"This pavement is ridiculously asymmetrical and jagged." Mordecai quipped.

"What an articulate little man you are~" Alastor mused. He stepped up to the door, twirling his cane dramatically, before slamming the butt of it down on the ground with a slight clink. Mordecai raised a white brow at him.

"Are you merely going to stand here like mindless beings? What is the purpose of being here?" He questioned him impatiently. Alastor chuckled once more.

"Oh calm yourself, Hellcat. We are merely waiting for an answer...right...now." He wrapped his knuckles on the door, then pulled away. His ears flicked up, static crackling as a background noise.

Mordecai stood up straight, brushing himself off: he still felt grimy, and was quite ashamed of his disheveled, almost scraggly appearance. He used a clawed hand to slick his hair back, taking in a deep breath. Faint footsteps pattered from within the establishment in frantic excitement, and the door handle turned vigorously. The door flew open, and he flinched at the sudden energy. He glanced to the side to see if Alastor witnessed this but...

He was gone. Mordecai fought the urge to roll his eyes, as he turned his head over to a young woman—he couldn't quite tell her age, but she was certainly youthful.

He took notice of her blonde and lightly tinted coral streaks of hair, pulled back in a twice banded, low ponytail. Her rosy cheeks were the most prominent on her ghostly white face, and her yellow sclera and blood red pupils seemed to glow with delight at him merely existing.

"Welcome to the Happy Hotel!" She exclaimed, beaming at him. "I assume that you're a new guest: we're so excited to have a new patron!"

Mordecai's shoulders squared up, and he only stared at her with wide, four eyes.

"... Happy ?" He blurted out.

"Yes siree!" She nodded. "I'm Charlie." She extended her hand so he could shake it. Mordecai balled his hand into an unsure fist, hesitating. He grasped her hand and shook it slowly.

"...Mordecai Heller." He introduced himself. "And why is it that you called this establishment the 'Happy Hotel' when the sign says 'Hazbin Hotel'?" He pointed up.

"Just a little tweak: I feel like it has a nicer ring to it!" Alastor's voice cut through, and a shadow form of him melded into view, before melting away as he now stood behind Charlie.

Mordecai clicked his tongue. "...it seems like false advertising."

Charlie's smile deflated, and Alastor's smile tightened. Mordecai did not seem affected by the mood change, merely raising a brow at the pair in front of him. Nonetheless, he sighed quietly.

"Apologies." He told her. "I personally believe that the name displayed versus what you told me is misleading."

"Oh no no no! Don't apologize!" Charlie waved her hands quickly. "It was just changed and uh...I'm still getting used to it." She grinned awkwardly.

"Ah." Was all Mordecai replied with. Alastor cut in, placing his hands on Charlie's shoulders.

"I hope you get along with this lovely little Morningstar~" He changed the subject. "She's quite the young lady, running a whole hotel based on redemption! I cannot help but be proud of the gal."