Baxter stories before he arrives

Truth or dare

The hotel's parlour was dimly lit with string lights and an assortment of mismatched pillows and blankets thrown together for a makeshift "sleepover" vibe. Charlie had insisted on a night of bonding, complete with snacks, games, and what she called "a night off from chaos," though with this crew, there was no telling what might happen.

"Everyone, come down to the parlour for some redemption!" Charlie announced, her voice echoing through the halls. One by one, the others shuffled in. Angel arrived wrapped in a red silk robe, tossing a mischievous wink in Charlie's direction. Alastor, dressed in standard red pyjamas, looked like he'd just stepped off the radio set, while Husk, still groggy, was dragging a pillow in one hand.

"What's going on?" Husk grumbled, eyeing the setup suspiciously.

"Angel put something on under that robe, please," Charlie said with a sigh.

Angel rolled his eyes, but complied, throwing on a shirt underneath with a dramatic sigh. "Can't believe you guys don't appreciate the view."

Charlie tried to ignore him. "Alright, it's time for the hotel's first sleepover!"

"Uh... we already sleep here," Husk pointed out, scratching his head.

"Yes, but this is special!" Charlie said with a grin. "We're in the same room together—doing, you know, fun sleepover things! Like games, and building pillow forts, and... bonding!"

"Bonding?" Husk scoffed. "What are we, in preschool?"

Angel stretched out on a pile of blankets. "I'm in. I don't mind learning a little more about the fine folks I spend my afterlife with." He smirked, giving Alastor a pointed look.

Charlie clapped her hands. "Great! Let's play Truth or Dare!"

Angel went first, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Alright, Smiles, truth or dare?"

Alastor tipped his hat. "Truth."

Angel chuckled, eyes glinting with mischief. "Is it true that you and Vox used to date?"

Alastor barked out a laugh. "Not! An utterly atrocious question, as if I'd ever stoop so low."

"Right... 'cause you don't sound defensive at all," Angel smirked. "That's giving major bitter ex-energy."

Alastor shot him a withering glare. "Mind that tongue of yours, husker."

"Hey, hey, let's keep it light-hearted," Charlie cut in, trying to keep things friendly. "Alastor, your turn!"

Alastor glanced around and landed on Husk. "Husk, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Husk said, shrugging. He could take whatever this twisted little game threw at him.

Alastor grinned that foxlike smile. "I dare you to end all your conversations with a lovely little meow until the game is over."

Husk groaned, rolling his eyes. "What kinda dare is that—meow."

Angel and Charlie couldn't hold back their giggles. "Aww, so cute!" they chorused.

Husk shot them a withering look. "Alright, let's get this over with—meow." He scanned the room, his gaze landing on Baxter who was dressed in blue checkered Pj's.

. "Right, kid. Truth or dare, meow?" Husk asked as he spoke to the fish. He had just been trying to slowly retreat to his room. He had just almost got out before all the attention was back on him.

Baxter hesitated, glancing at Alastor, then at Angel. "Um, truth," he finally said. Seeing what had happened to Husk, he figured playing it safe was the smarter move.

Alastor rolled his eyes before clicking his fingers, causing Baxter to poof back and sit between Charlie and Vaggie, now fully trapped in the night of festivities.

Husk thought for a moment. "What's your most embarrassing invention, meow?"

Baxter shifted uncomfortably. "Personal creation, or something I had to make for work?"

Angel snorted. "The fact that you have to be personal."

Baxter's cheeks tinged a faint blue as he fumbled for an answer. "Well... I once created a, um, self-cleaningmop. It was supposed to clean on its own, but it ended up breaking loose and... causing a lot of damage. Took me hours to get it under control."

The others laughed, picturing Baxter in a chaotic dance-off with a rogue mop.

"Alright, Baxter, your turn!" Charlie said, eyes shining with excitement.

Baxter looked around, thinking hard before finally settling on Angel. "Angel, truth or dare?"

"Oh, I always go for a dare," Angel purred, winking.

Baxter smirked, eyes gleaming with a rare moment of payback. "I dare you to let someone else style your hair however they want for the rest of the night."

Angel's confident grin faded. "Wait, seriously?"

Baxter nodded, his smirk growing. "And I nominate Alastor to do it."

Angel's face twisted in horror as Alastor cracked his knuckles, grinning. "It'll be my absolute pleasure, darling."

The night carried on in bursts of laughter, dares, and dramatic truths, each more chaotic than the last. For once, the demons of the hotel were united in playful antics, finding a strange kind of camaraderie amidst the absurdity of Charlie's makeshift sleepover.