"You have to realise that hypnosis doesn't exist: it just works on people's natural suggestibility, their expectations and capacity to unconsciously role play. You can't make someone do anything they don't want to do."
- Derren Brown
Leaning against the dark wall, I watch the interaction between the princess and the seraphim with mild curiosity.
It's as if the entire hotel was suddenly struck by lightning. Everyone is either excited or nervous about the prospect the angel offers. Charlie only needed five days to organise everything to deliver the remarkable news: she assembled a whole stage just outside the hotel overlooking the city and managed to send invitations to sinners who she thought might be open to the idea of redemption. She even got a local TV channel to broadcast the whole thing. How she did all of that in such a short span of time, I don't know.
What I do know is that, despite Charlie's hard persuasion campaign, I refused to appear with them to represent the hotel. Still, I offered to help them with the filming since I have some experience. Vaggie, of all people, sided with me on this.
In fact, many of the residents won't show their faces on the screen either. Angel said he'd have trouble with his job if he'd appear on TV, again, and Alastor's excuse was his petty avoidance of television in general, which sounded puerile to me, but it is a settled fact everyone apparently accepted.
"Yes! That sounds bri-lli-ant! You're a genius, Emily!"
Charlie alone can lift your spirits regardless of your current mood, but teamed up with Emily? They're like reflections of each other, the same person seen in a different light. A smile creeps across my face. If there ever was an angel and demon on the shoulder situation, these two were it.
"You alright, kid?"
My head whips around to see Husk, who silently sidled up next to me at the wall.
I shrug. "I guess so."
"Yeah," he sighs, taking a swig of beer.
"Have you been asked to attend this thing?" I wonder. Charlie expressed her desire for everyone in the hotel to be there, regardless of their type of involvement.
Husk stifles a weak laugh under his breath. "Asked."
For several seconds, I don't understand his reaction, until I remember that he's under demon contract. A shiver runs down my spine.
An awkward silence falls between us. We probably look like two outcasts at a school event... not that I've ever experienced that.
The bottle in his hand swings temptingly. Without asking, I grab it, expecting no protest. Husk just shrugs and fixes his gaze on Niffty's relentless cleaning.
I only meant to sip to cool down, but I end up downing almost half the bottle. Husk notices that after a few seconds: "Slow down, kid. It's not a beheading."
His superficial care irritates me slightly. "I know. That's why I drank so little." I wave the bottle with the remaining liquid, which might actually prove his point.
"Guys!" Charlie's shout sends a jolt through me for a split second. "Come over here! We have to greet our guests!!"
Husk groans beside me as if he can't help himself. My hand, which was holding the bottle a second ago, clenches into a fist, almost to the point of bleeding. No idea where the bottle went - no broken glass on the floor. Charlie calls us again and I forget it.
YOU ARE READING
The Moon in Hell
FanfictionDiana's life was hell before Hell became Diana's afterlife. Her sole, solitary wish was to live peacefully alone. Unexpected circumstances, however, bring her to the Hazbin Hotel. She must learn to adapt to her new dynamic surroundings and her new c...
