Aspen was welcomed to the happy hotel with open arms. Charlie was absolutely ecstatic, and Vaggie was simply happy that her girlfriend's dream is coming to fruition. That was three days ago. No one has seen her since. Tensions begin to grow as the fate of Aspen lingers up in the air.
"it's been three days. What is she doing up there?!"
Vaggie nags Charlie, hoping she will finally let her go up and check.
"it's okay Vaggie, she can be redeemed when she's ready."
Vaggie crosses her arms and scowls.
"she can never be redeemed if she never leaves her damn room!"
The two continue bickering about how they should proceed with the Aspen case. She's certainly a dosey. She would much rather spend her eternity alone than find people to care about.
"Can I at least go up and check on her? She could've run off, or worse!"
Vaggie's anxiety grows. Who knows what she could be doing up there.
"Perhaps I may be of service! You know how Vaggie can be!"
Alastor appears seemingly out of nowhere in a cloud of black smoke. Vaggie and Charlie jump.
Vaggie quickly loses her temper.
"Where have you been! It's been three days!"
"He has a life outside the hotel you know."
Charlie looks over to Vaggie and up at Alastor. He nods in approval.
"That's right dearie! Someone has to get rid of all these orphans. You know how the streets can be after a good cleansing!"
Alastor smiles eerily. Charlie and Vaggie look at him in shock. He quickly brushes the statement off.
"Now, what's this nonsense about?"
Alastor waves his staff and moves a chair under him before falling into it.
Charlie reluctantly speaks.
"Well, while you were out we got a new paitent and-"
"Where may I meet this fine fellow?
They must be presented at once!"
Alastor jumps out of his seat. "A new paitent is a whole new world of entertainment!"
Charlie laughs nervously. "Weeeellll.... that's the problem Al. She's up in her room at the moment."
"For three fucking days." Vaggie chimes in.
"No need for vulgarity sweetie, I'll save the day!" Alastor quickly vanishes in a cloud of smoke, heading up the stairs.
Charlie looks around for him.
"You better not be pestering Aspen!"
☆☆☆
Aspen is under a large pile of blankets with only her head and hands peeking out. She's holding a gamecube controller, and staring mindlessly up at the thick 90's tv. Empty chip bags and soda cans litter the floor. She smells like soft lavender, and her hair is still slightly damp from the bath she took earlier. Her eyes are dull, like she's hardly slept in days. It's a miracle that she hasn't noticed him. Alastor is propped up in the corner of her room, waiting for the perfect time to make an introduction.
☆☆☆
I idily push the joystick on my controller, watching as little pixelated trees and pixilated fruits sway in the digital wind. Animal Crossing for the gamecube has always been a safe space for me, where all of life's worries can fade away. Despite being in hell, I can reconnect with my deepest childhood memories through pixel portals. I remember opening up the game on Christmas, and I remember my dad teaching me how to hold a controller, far before I could even read. I remember my first love, Mitzi the cat. She arrived in my town one fateful summer night, and I haven't lost my longing for her sense. Dumb isn't it? Falling for fictional characters I can never have?
