What Once Was

Chapter 5- Unexpected Keys To The Past.

After thoroughly cleaning the hotel the gang decided to host small celebration for this small step towards a better path for the hotel.

-Charlie POV-

"Oh, Al, I would like to show you your workspace since you are my co-manager in this." I told him as I set my glass of water on the bar.

"Of course My Dear." He turned to look at me and stood up from his seat.

"I'll come with you." Vaggie nudged at me as I was standing up. I pulled her hand away from me and shook my head. "It's fine don't worry. It will be something quick."

As I stood up and led Al towards the hallway, I felt Vaggie's stare burn behind me cautiously.

I guided Al to his office which was right across from mine. He opened the door for me and gestured me in, I stepped in as he followed closed behind me.

"This is your office, I hope this is to your liking." I gestured at the office. There was a dark walnut bookcase lining the entire left-hand wall. There is a leather sofa with a fur rug over the back and an Indian blanket draped over the arm. The far wall has a large fireplace and mantle dominating the center, with bookshelves lining it on either side. On the mantle, there were two antique clocks and a painting of three jazz musicians. There is a television on the shelf to the right. In front of that shelf is an upright piano and bench in dark walnut. Hanging on the wall above the piano is an abstract painting of jazz musicians. There is a double door between my desk and the piano which leads out to a balcony. The view through the door panes is Pentagram City, in its finest chaos. This side of the door is my desk. It is a large walnut piece — rather imposing, with glass over the top. Think early 1900s, the chair is Captain style on wheels with leather seat and back.

"Do you like it, I personally decorated myself! I sort of researched designs that were modern in your time as a human." I told him as closely inspected the office and walked around.

"My Dear, this is very sweet of you, and I appreciate the effort you put in this." He told me as he softly grinned at me.

"Well, you did help a lot with the hotel, and dealing with my clumsy drunk self,.. it may not be a lot for all you've done." I told him as I fidgeted around with my suspenders.

"My Dear, don't worry, after all I am always here to help."He told me as he came up close to me and pinched my left cheek. He quickly turned his attention to the dark walnut piano that had an eye pattern. "My, you even included a piano." He said as he went over and sat at the bench. He carefully opened the lid and softly brushed his fingers over the keys. "How thoughtful."

"Do you know how to play?" I asked him as I stood behind him and leaned to see the piano keys. "The only demons I know that play the piano is Razzle and Dazzle."

"Of course My Dear, I also do have a Furby Organ, I can play you something if you would like My Dear." He gestured. At first I didn't know what a Furby was until Vaggie told me that there were these creepy dolls little humans play with.

"Those are quite creepy." I remarked.

Alastor let out a chuckle. "My Dear, you live in literally hell, a place so sinister and with very creepy beings, and you're creeped out by a small Furby Doll?" He told me as he pointed to the door panels, where if you look carefully, you could see the chaos unfolding in Pentagram City.

"It's just humans decorate them weird And they are way to creepy with their devilish voices!" I retorted as I remember seeing my first Furby that Vaggie brought me a few years ago, who looked normal at first but seemed to speak gibberish in this devilish monotone tone, and  just seemed angry, and just slowly blinked at me. Until out of a sudden he chased me and Vaggie around the palace until Dad grabbed him and banished him to Loo Loo Land.