Chapter 7: The Radio Demon

I had agreed to the tour. While we walked, we talked about the hotel, and what she wanted to accomplish through it. She wanted to redeem sinners with a program she created to try to curb their behavior, and some good old fashioned group therapy.

"And when Angel gets back from work, we can introduce you to our first resident!" Charlie excitedly ends her rambling, her hands waving around with her enthusiasm.

"Charlie, hun. I'm here to work, not be redeemed. I won't ask for wages, I have other means for that. But I would like to know if you are okay with that. I will support your endeavor whole heartedly, I just don't want it for myself." I remind her of what I had been saying throughout the tour.

"That's fine! We need staff too." Charlie didn't look like she had lost any enthusiasm. "Can't run a hotel without staff.

"Especially if they don't want paid." Vaggie mumbles. "What's in this for you?" Sha asks, her skepticism obvious.

"A place to live, live entertainment, and Charlie seems genuine. It makes me quite protective to see someone so innocent down here." I reply. "My tendencies may include murder, but it's of the vigilante variety, not simple violence for the sake of violence. I don't harm the weak and innocent, it's distasteful." My tail swishing happily behind me.

Vaggie looked at least pacified.

"Do you want to look around, and pick out a room?" Charlie looks hopeful.

"Yes, I think that's a great idea. If there is a room on one of the top floors, that's an office, or an empty room, I'd prefer that. I don't sleep much." I respond.

"I think I know just the room! Follow me!" Charlie practically sprints down the hall, and up the stairs. Leaving Vaggie, and I, trying to catch up.

"Oh, dear..." I chuckle. Though I was managing to stay only a few steps behind the blonde.

We reach one of the top floors of the hotel, and Charlie leads us to the last door on the end of the hall. When she opens it, it reveals a wall of dusty shelves on the one wall with the door, a set of windows on the wall next to it, the room across form the book shelves has a large set of bay windows with a large bench seat, and the last wall has a bedroom set. A door on the same wall lead to an old styled bathroom with a clawfoot tub and shower combo, and a pedestal sink. A desk and desser are placed in front of the windows by the shelves.

It was perfect.

Out of shape, and dusty. But perfect for my needs.

"Thank you, Charlie. Truly. It's perfect." I smile as I look at the blonde, literally bouncing with excitement next to me. "It will need some cleaning, and a few touches, but it really is a perfect fit."

"Really!" Charlie squeals. "That's amazing! I'm so glad!"

"You're vibrating, hun." The corner of my mouth twitches with amusement. "Tonight, I'll go back to where I'm staying currently. I'll be back sometime in the morning tomorrow to clean this up, and move my things. It's mainly books, it won't take me long. Maybe I'll start with the dust now though." I walk over and open one of the windows by the desk. And using a bit of wind magic, I blow the dust out of the window, closing it afterwards.

Vaggie seemed a little stunned. "You already have a grasp on magic?"

"Omigod! You can use wind magic?" Charlie was bouncing even more if that was possible.

"I bought a few (dozen) spell books, and practiced. I tend to get hyper fixated on things I want to learn, and my learning comprehension is high. Elemental magic apparently suits me well, though my experience so far, and demon form both suggest that Ice, and fire, are my natural demon powers." I state flatly, as I dust my hands off. My ears twitching occasionally.

"Wow! That's awesome!"

"That's actually pretty cool." Vaggie seemed impressed.

"Hmm. I should go. I'll have to put everything in boxes, and let Tinkerbell know what is going on." I hum, looking out towards the Doomsday district. "Maybe it would be better to clean first, and grab the girls some breakfast on my way back tomorrow?" The indecision struck me hard.

"It is getting late, maybe stay and try out your new room?" Charlie said sounding unsure of herself.

"Sure." I smile comfortingly. "Though the time will probably be spent cleaning. I... wasn't joking when I said I don't sleep much."

"Do what you want." Vaggie tossed out. Then mentioned that, she and Charlie, had their room two floors up, on the top floor. And as they left, pointed to a door in the hallway. "That's the cleaning closet for this floor, we have it fully stocked so help yourself.:

"Thank you, dears. I appreciate your time." I wave down the hall as Vaggie, almost dragged Charlie behind her.

I used my cell to call Annabella, and let her know I'd be back to make breakfast.

"Well now, I suppose I better get started." I mutter to myself, and set to work.

***

Several hours (and a lot of elbow grease) later, and the room now smelled fresh. All the hard surfaces wiped down, and plush objects vacuumed. The bed was stripped, and bathroom cleaned.

I tossed the old bedding in the wash. I would purchase bedding, fabric for the curtains and upholstery. On the way back from Cannibal town. I'd need to invest in a sewing machine to make what I wanted, so I would make due for now.

As the bedding washed, I walked around on the floor with the library and music room. Deciding to check out the books in the library while I was waiting.

The library was tall, it took up two floors. Tall windows with window seats took up space in between the shelves that ran to the ceiling, and a walkway with a rail ran around the room, a set of stairs leading up to it. Rows of shelves took up a large portion off to one side of the room, and a fireplace with a seating area filled the rest.

Walking around, running my fingers down the spine of each book that caught my attention. They had all the famous classics, from novels to poetry, and the encyclopedia collection was quite good as well.

Picking up a book by Oscar Wild, I relax on a window seat and begin to read.

It had been a while since I read for pleasure, and before I knew it, Hell's version of dawn was on the horizon.

Taking the book with me, I took the now clean bedding upstairs, set the book on the desk, and made the bed. Then I went down to the kitchen and made a quick breakfast for the hotel, and placed a note next to it. They would know I left when they read it.

I snapped to change my clothes, and out the door I went.

On my way through the city, a familiar voice had me stopping in my tracks. I spun around, and sure enough. My last victim from up top, was standing on the corner of the sidewalk, talking to another sinner about his death, and little old me.

His new form was something like a rat, or a opossum.

Fitting.

My lips stretched into a grin. Oh what fun!

I grabbed the rat demon by the back of his neck, and drug him inside a nearby alley. "Well, hello again~" I say in a delighted voice.

"What the fuck do want, you crazy bitch?!" He starts shaking when he realizes he can't get out of my grip.

"You wouldn't happen to still have your soul now, do you?" My grin turns a bit manic. My bloodlust surging.

"W-why?" He looks delightfully terrified.

"Because, darling. If you want to keep existing, we will be making a deal!" I say with a edge in my voice.

"What are the conditions?"

"You sell me your soul and loyalty, and I don't take you to Cannibal town as the main course for breakfast." He shivers at my reply.

"F-fine, but I get to walk out of the alley." He says.

"Do we have a deal?" I hold out my hand. My icey blue magic causing the alley to glow. My breath coming out as frost.

"D-deal." He takes my hand, and as the chain forms, the alley becomes coated in a small layer of icey frost.

"Good, this will be fun." I mutter as I snap forward, my sharp fangs digging into the demons throat, and my claws ripping through his belly.

By the time I've had my fun, I walk out of the alley half drenched in the demons blood. And nearly bump into a tall redhead man in a red pinstripe suit. His antlers and ears gave away what kind of demon he is, and he was radiating danger.

"Now that was entertaining, my dear." The demon's voice came out sounding like it was run through an old radio. On his face a wide sharp toothed grin qas on full display. "A little messy though."

I laugh. "Where's the fun in a clean kill down here? It's not like one must clean the scene after like we do up top. Why not have a little fun painting walls when we have such a wonderful color at our disposal? It would truly be a waste." I say licking the blood running down my arm

My fangs on full display with a grin. "Though I'm quite disappointed at his taste." I tease, ears twitching, tail swaying happily.

Something flickered in his amused gaze for a moment. Hunger? Bloodlust? "My dear, while you do make quite the vision covered in your kill. You nearly ruined my coat with it." His accent, and the static that accompanied it was quite nice sounding.

I sigh dramatically. "I suppose I should at least clean my person, before I bump into anyone." I snap, the blood coating me collecting in my palm and forming a red ice ball, leaving me clean, and blood free."I do apologize for almost dirtying your spiffy red jacket, mister radio voice. I'm so used to the ease of the clean up that I honestly didn't think much of it." I toss the ice ball towards the body, willing it to melt.

His red eyes watch my movements with interest, his own fluffy red ears flicking and at attention. "Apology accepted. Now please do tell, what had the poor soul done to earn you ire?"

"We killed each other up top. Thought I would make the score less even." I say, my amused smile obviously hinting that there was more to the story.

"My, my. You must have been holding a grudge then. So why make a deal if you wanted to kill him again?"

"Who said that's all I wanted? I only promised him not to take him with me to Cannibal town. He can still be fun little punching bag to keep on a leash." I reply. "I apologize again. I do have to get a move on, or I'll be late for breakfast." I add.

"Oh? I suppose we could walk and talk. I'm quite invested in this conversation, my dear." He says as I start my walk towards Cannibal town, easily keeping pace with me.

"The deal is simply to keep track of the bastard. He's lucky. He wasn't as bad as my other kills up top. If he had been, I would have dumped him in the main square in front of the emporium, and let the crowd pick him clean." That looked like it struck a cord with the tall deer demon.

"I doubt, my dear friend would appreciate the mess right in front of her place of business."

"Hmm, so you are the Radio Demon then? Rosie, and Tinkerbell, had both mentioned how similar our temperaments are. I have to say, they were quite right." I place my hand on my other wrist behind my back, and lean forward a bit as I walk to watch his face.

His eyes snap to me and narrow slightly. "You are acquainted with, dear Rosie?"

"I am well acquainted. I have been staying with Tinkerbell, since the day I fell into Hell." I respond.

His eyebrow raised. "Tinkerbell?"

"Ah, Annabella. 'Tinkerbell' is my nickname for her." I chuckle. "I'm really fond of them both. They have been wonderful to me. Franklin has been starting shit recently though. I doubt Rosie will tolerate it much longer." I stop walking for a moment, struck by a thought. And mutter to myself. "I still need to grab something from the butchers on the way." I resume my speed.

"If you have been in Cannibal town since you fell, you must have a good relationship with, little Anna."

"I do. Though I doubt you would be able to guess how long I've been down here." I tease.

"And what's in it for me if I do?" He looks amused.

"An invitation to breakfast, made by yours truly of course." I keep up the banter. "If you can guess close enough to amuse me, that is."

I could almost see his eyes say 'challenge accepted' as he starts. "You were not around when I left seven years ago, so that narrows it to recent years." He ponders. "Five years, perhaps? Your magic is well controlled, and that usually takes years, if not a decade to master."

I laugh. "Well I certainly appreciate the compliment, but I'll have you know, the number is much lower."

"Lower? How about three years?" He starts, only to guess again at seeing my grin. "Two, then?"

"It has been less than a month." The sound of a record scratching screeched through the air, his static increasing around us for a moment.

"Really now? A month?"

"Mmm." I hum a response. "I hyperfixate on learning new things, and Zestial's bookstore had many useful spell books to read and learn from."

"You are acquainted with Zestial, as well?" His curiosity is causing his static to increase again.

"I've met him a few times in passing at the bookstore, and offered to let him barrow a few of my capable souls for a project. He seemed enthusiastic about it."

"Interesting. If you weren't friendly with Rosie, I'd offer you a deal."

I laugh again. "There's nothing you can offer me that I would want anyway. I'm well aware of my own value."

It looks like that struck a nerve. The static flickered out for only a moment, but it was enough of a tell on the now silent man.

"What makes you think I wouldn't be able to offer something you'd find of interest?" He asks. His red eyes watching my reaction.

"I have been nearly empty inside for so long, I no longer remember what it's like to want to exist. There's nothing that I want, that I'm not afraid to risk my existence for. Selling my soul doesn't bring me any benefits that I can't earn myself." I state plainly. "To want something bad enough to sell my soul, would mean that I would have to really feel something other than bloodlust, depression, empty, or suicidal, first." My smile goes hallow.

His response is a comfortable silence.

"I've changed my mind."

"About the deal?" He questions.

"No. I'll invite you to breakfast anyway. I've been told I'm quite the decent cook." My smile grows more sincere. "Is there anything you prefer for breakfast?"

He thinks about it. "Do you know how to prepare venison?"