Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Thank you for listening, see you all next time!"

Ending your broadcast, you sighed heavily. Keeping your listeners was a daunting task and every day it grew harder to keep your listeners on your station. There was a constant battle of attention between you and the other major broadcaster, Alastor. It was exhausting to say the least as it was probably one of the longest games of tug of war between people. Knowing you needed to blow off steam, you left your recording room and went to your assistant Rose.

"Rose, I have a favor I must ask of you."

"Yes ma'am, what do you need?"

"I need you to pull up a chart of everyone's productivity this month. Have it on my recording table by 3."

Rose nodded without another word and began pulling up charts of everyone's self-reported work. She was without a doubt one of your most diligent workers and you cherished her greatly. Walking away from her desk, you went a strolled around the building, greeting your staff. You had a reputation of being a charmer, being able to talk any person into working for you. However, many wondered why you always seemed to need new employees and why employees of yours went missing.

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"Welcome dear listeners! It has truly been too long since we last met from my last broadcast. Today we have thrilling news on New Orleans doll, [Name]..."

To most, it seemed that all Alastor could ever talk about was you. As much as Alastor deflected and said it was simply to ruin your reputation, he knew that wasn't entirely true. He had a strange infatuation with you, finding it thrilling having someone who could keep up with him. Maybe in another world you both wouldn't be at each others throats.

"With how many men she is taking out, you would think her priorities lied elsewhere, what a poor view she has put on herself. As my dear listeners know, I dedicate my life to bringing relevant news, staying focused on my job, unlike some people..."

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It took every nerve in your body to stop yourself from breaking the radio in your office. The lies he spewed to tarnish your reputation made you seethe in anger, wishing to do nothing more than publicly shame him. You knew that was nearly impossible, with Alastor keeping his life under such tight wraps, there was essentially nothing known about him. It bothered you to no end, however, you were thankful that even though you were seen with countless men, no one knew where they ended up. You were safe for now, but you knew you had to tread carefully.

You had been scanning the charts over and over again, determining who your next victim would be. Poor workers would never thrive in the real world, you were just bringing mercy onto their lowly lives. After marking your victim, your day suddenly livened up. A skip in your step, you found the worker and offered to take them for a dinner for their hard work. Of course, they could never say no, being charming had its advantages.

A sickly sweet smile was plastered on your face, bringing in a false sense of security to the worker, unaware of the hidden meaning behind this dinner. Goodness, time couldn't go any slower.

'Patience is key' you reminded yourself, good things come to those who wait. Walking away, you began cleaning up your desk, ready to head home to doll yourself up for the dinner.

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The walk to your flat was mundane at best, the constant smile on your face as you walked the streets of New Orleans was beginning to hurt your cheeks. Appearances were the best way to keep people off your trail, no one would suspect the doll of New Orleans. Walking into your flat, you dropped your work papers and sat down for a few minutes before going to shower. It was a needed refresher and it lifted your spirits for tonight.

Deciding what to wear was always the hardest decision, it had to be nice enough to keep others entranced by your charm, but it also had to be functional for tonight. Deciding with a nice dark dress that was sure to shape your figure nicely. It was almost a ritual for you, get dolled up just to ruin it tonight. The thrill was filling your veins, the excitement showing in your hands and the way they were unable to stay still. It was truly going to be an eventful night.

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Sitting in his office, Alastor was going over his plans for tomorrow's broadcast. He was running out of material to go off of, nothing interesting happening in the past few days. He has had to resort to exaggerating stories to keep his broadcast interesting. Leaving his papers where they were, he began preparing for the night ahead of him, excitement coursing through him. He had been eyeing his victim for days, staying hidden until he knew when to strike.

Leaving the building, he headed to where he knew the man he had been following would be, everything already set up, just having to be patient and wait for the right time to strike. Patience was key after all.

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This dinner was terribly boring, listening to your employee go on and on about his gratitude for the dinner and how he knew his "hard work" would pay off. Internally, you rolled your eyes at how pompous he seemed, he truly needed a good dose of reality. Keeping your smile on your face, you pretended to care about whatever he was going on about now.

"This is all very interesting, however, I had plans for us tonight that I would like to continue with. I'm afraid if we stay here any longer, we will miss the main event of tonight." Your words, laced with hints of persuasion, worked their magic and got him to agree to your advances. Smiling even wider, you left money on the table and quickly left.

You led him to the forest near-by as there was a good clearing of trees that would bring less suspicion onto your actions. Grabbing his hand, you pulled him to the center of the clearing, lulling him into a false sense of security.

"I was hoping to have a nice night with you, you have done so much for me that I truly must repay you."

"O-oh, how do you plan on doing that out here?"

"Close your eyes and you'll see...or feel in this case."

He closed his eyes quickly and was jittery the entire time. You smiled to yourself, giddy that he was so pliant and willing to do whatever you wanted. You pulled out the knife you had hidden under your dress and slowly began walking towards him. The slow pace you kept began to eat away at the man, slowly causing unease to rise in the man's body.

"What are you up to ma'am?"

"Just keeping you on your toes, what fun would it be if I gave you what you wanted right away?"

He stopped questioning you after that and stayed still, keeping his eyes closed. Oh how easy it was, it dampened your mood slightly, but you paid it no mind. You began running at him and got in the stance to strike him right in his heart. However, in your running, he opened his eyes and saw the knife in your hand. Realization made him move out of your range, wasting no time in running away. Yet you knew this place well, you paid his little escape no mind and began chasing him.

"Oh pity, I was so sure you wouldn't move. Happens to us all I guess, no worries, I'll find you soon."

Your words caused him to panic and with that, he lost his footing, rolling down a hill in the heavily wooded forests. After he stopped rolling, he looked forward, seeing a pair of legs clad in an expensive looking suit. Eyes slowly rising, he noticed it to be the other radio broadcaster, Alastor.

"You have to help me! She- she is a murderer!"

Looking shocked at the sudden outburst, Alastor made the connection that he must not have seen the body behind him. Playing off the man who had yet to realize, he followed along.

"Who is?"

"[N-"

He did not get far before he heard rustling of the bushes behind him. Slowly emerging, the moonlight caused an ethereal glow around your silhouette. Looking down at him, your smile was gone and an aura of death surrounded you.

"You should know better than to run away from a lady, it's quite rude."

In your state, you hadn't even realized the other presence in the vicinity and continued stalking your prey. Eventually, the high wore off and you killed the man who groveled at your feet. Breathing heavily, you wiped some of the dirt off your dress, upset at how ruined it had gotten due to him running.

"My, who would have thought that New Orleans doll was a cold-faced killer."

That had your blood running cold. You knew this voice, you heard it every day ever since you started your own radio broadcast. Turning slowly, you were face to face with the man you hated most, Alastor. Scanning the area, you could see a lifeless body next to him and an axe on the ground. Breathing heavily, you weighed the probabilities in your mind. You could kill him, but then that would be three bodies to hide. The odds of him killing you were a gamble, neither of you expecting the other to be here.

"Why...are you here Alastor?"

"Apparently we had the same idea my dear."

"Do not call me that, you and I both know our relationship very well."

"That we do, however, given the...turn of events, we may have to put that aside for now."

Standing across from each other, you both heard sirens getting closer. Panic finally settled in both of you, both at risk of losing everything that had been built. Thinking quickly, you pushed the knife into Alastor's hand and tried to make a quick escape. Yet Alastor was faster, grabbing your wrist and dragging you down.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"What does it look like dumbass? Don't tell me you're that stupid."

"I am not taking the fall for you."

"You don't have a choice pretty boy. Who do you think they would believe more?"

As the police got closer, Alastor only saw one way out that would damn you both. He knew that the police would take your word over his, so he accepted his fate and did what he had to.

"I'm afraid you have left me with no choice my dear, see you in Hell."

With that, he stabbed you in the heart, making it a grueling death that you knew you deserved but hadn't expected from the man in front of you. The police had gotten close enough to see what had unfolded and shot Alastor on sight. No longer did New Orleans have to walk in constant fear.

Chapter Text

You felt like shit, to put it simply. You groggily sat up and blearily opened your eyes. Looking around, you swore you were dreaming. It was quite literally chaos everywhere. A bottle being thrown right by the side of your head woke you out of your dazed state.

Quickly getting up, you stumbled up and tried to get out of the streets, anywhere to give you peace. You had a feeling that you were never going to have a moment of peace here. Walking aimlessly down the streets, you noticed that the "people" around you, were not actually people. They all had something unique about them, in their own ways you guessed. With no answers as to where you were, you kept wandering.

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Stumbling in what looked to be a bar, you walked in and took in everything. Eyes were thrown your way, eyeing you up and down. Suddenly very self-conscious, you did your best to conceal your body. You found your way to a bathroom, looking into a mirror. Your appearance was one calming thing in your new world of havoc. Your beauty carried through even in, what you assumed to be, the afterlife. Sighing, you hunched over and got yourself ready to leave.

Stepping out, you heard a group of people cheering, turning your eyes, you noticed a crowd around a table. Getting closer, you recognized it to be a game of poker. Always one for a show, you gathered with the crowd and watched intently, seeing a....cat guy with wings?

'Interesting combinations. I wonder if our bodies are based on anything.'

After what felt like 100 rounds. You were left by yourself at the table, the cat guy sitting at the table as well.

"What are you doing here?"

Shocked to hear anyone speaking to you, you quickly gathered yourself and got ready to work your charm.

"I am just here for the atmosphere, no particular reason."

"Bullshit, I know a newcomer when I see one."

Shocked that he could see right through you, your defenses were up immediately. You knew you had to tread carefully here, you no longer had any power.

"I am unsure what you are speaking of."

"You just got here, I can feel the unease pouring off of you. Welcome to Hell."

"H-Hell? You must be joking."

You laughed lightly, assuming he was pulling your leg. Once you settled down, you faced him, yet his expression was serious.

"You aren't joking...are you?"

"If only. I assume you have no idea what to do."

Sighing, you replied sullenly. "You're right, how does anyone know what to do here?"

Grabbing a bottle of beer, he chugged half of the bottle before answering.

"Most just go about causing trouble until they pick the wrong fight. You got lucky."

"Lucky me, I can't believe this."

Lowering your head into your hands, you were drowning in anguish, unsure of what to do. You had no connections here and it would be nearly impossible.

"Don't get in your head, you will never get anywhere like that. You just have to start something that draws attention."

"Like what? Everyone here seems to only want chaos and violence."

"Exactly my point, build off of that."

Thinking of the cat guy's words, you began connecting dots and a realization grew in your mind until your spirits were turned around.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

"Husk."

"[Name], pleasured to meet you."

He grunted at you, not saying anything more.

"I hope to see more of you around, good day."

With that, you got up quickly and left the bar, a new found determination coursing through you.

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You lost track of the time, having been in Hell for decades, you stopped counting after the first decade. Walking to your office, you were preparing for another calm day of work. You were working as a recruiter for a well-known modeling company. With your charms and looks, it was easy to lure people into working for the company. Yet, it was rather mundane, you truly missed being on air. At first, going back to radio was a stable option but building clientele was a grueling process you refused to go through again. Plus, times were changing, radio wouldn't be popular forever.

Lately, there has been talk all over about a new hotel opening that is encouraging rehabilitation for sinners. It was a strange idea but Hell was a strange place so you couldn't question it. You wondered how well that idea would work, in your experience, sinners were alright with continuing their mundane lives as sinners, the only time they probably wished to not be a sinner was when the extermination came.

Sighing, you sat at your desk, going through potential models that had applied. You were so ready to quit this job, doing the same thing over and over again for days on end was starting to get to you. Maybe you could find something more interesting to do.

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How you found yourself in front of the rehabilitation hotel, you'll never know. You pled temporary insanity. Slowly shuffling up the hill to the front doors, you were seriously questioning everything that led you up to this moment. Maybe you should have just stayed in your mundane life, it was better than whatever was going to happen once you stepped foot in front of the door.

Removing all the negativity from your mind, you knocked on the door and waited for a response. Your nerves were creeping up but you did your best to settle them. The door in front of you opened, you recognized her as the one in charge of the hotel, Lucifer's daughter.

"You! I know you!"

"Do you? I mean, I understand I do have a bit of a name for myself but I have been out of the spotlight for years. I'm surprised people still remember me."

"Of course people still know you. You were quite influential, at least that's what I hear from people who have been here longer than me."

"Well it's good to hear my reputation still follows me."

"Anyways! Is there anything I can help you with? I wasn't expecting another overlord on my doorstep."

The word "another" did not slip your mind, yet you paid no mind to it.

"I honestly just wanted to check the hotel out, maybe even get a job here if possible. Truthfully, I had grown tired of my previous job."

"I see. Well come in, I'm sure we can find something for you!"

Walking in behind her, you took in the sight of the interior. It was definitely her style, it showed in the small details around the place.

"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Charlie!"

"[Name], it is very nice meeting you dear."

"I'll get everyone else down here, although I think one or two people may be at the bar..."

As she ran up the stairs, you turned to look for the bar, eager to meet whoever else had fallen into such a miserable hole to end up here. Turning, your eyes landed on a...spider? Hell never stopped amazing you. Yet, you weren't expecting to see one of your long lost friends.

"Husk?"

Looking up as he heard a familiar voice call his name, he was shocked to see you.

"[Name]? What are you doing here?"

You quickly walked over to him and pulled him into one of the tightest hugs you could muster up. Seeing him brought a wave of relief on you and his presence settled a lot of your nerves.

"I don't even know where to start on how I ended up here. Why are you here? I haven't seen you in decades."

"Got roped into some bad deals and ended up being forced here."

"Oh you poor thing, I missed you dearly. The bars aren't the same without you."

He chuckled at that, however, your reunion was cut short when the spider began talking.

"And who is this pretty lady Husker? You didn't tell me you had a girl~"

"Angel I will kill you, can you be normal for 1 minute?"

"That wasn't a no~"

"No, she is not 'my girl'."

Glancing between the two, their silence was your cue to introduce yourself.

"I'm [Name], most people know me as the 'Soothsayer' but I haven't used that title in ages."

"Oh! I've heard 'a you, you got a reputation 'a talking anyone into anything."

You chuckled lightly at the description of yourself, you couldn't deny it, your charm was always a useful skill that many wanted. It was no surprise you made a name for yourself so quickly. As the three of you chatted about yourselves, you heard what sounded like a stampede of feet coming down the stairs.

"I'm sorry it took so long to gather everyone, apparently everyone was across the building."

The three of you turned, facing Charlie, mainly you, listening to her every word.

"Let me introduce everyone! The people next you are Angel and Husk."

You nodded, eyeing the other people around her, one looking oddly familiar.

"This is Vaggie, she's my girlfriend, Niffty is this little....bundle of joy, this is Sir Pentious, and I think all that leaves is...Alastor!"

"...Pardon me?"

Charlie seemed confused at your words, unsure what you were unsure about.

"Is everything alright [Name]?"

Time stopped, as you made eye contact with the Alastor. His form definitely messed with your image of him but the longer you stared at him, the clearer you could see, it was him.

"No fucking way, you couldn't just leave me alone."

"I'm afraid not, mon amour."

Chapter Text

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. No one dared to say a word, afraid of setting the both of you off.

"It has been quite awhile since we last saw each other mon amour."

"Do not call me that, you have no right to."

"You wound me dear, I'm sure we can come to some sort of truce."

You glared at him, if it could kill him, he would've been dead when you first made eye contact. Refusing to entertain his idea of a truce, you were ready to walk over and beat him to a pulp. The others noticed this and got ready to intervene if necessary.

"You think I would actually agree to that? You are so egotistical it makes me sick. I can't wait to shove it down your throat."

Angel was the first to grab you, Husk following soon after. Alastor's smile grew at your feeble attempt of getting a hit on him, it was cute how you thought you could do anything to him.

"[Name], stop moving so much, you attacking ain't gonna do much. Just take a moment to calm down."

"Let me go Angel, he needs to get his ass beat. Trust me, he deserves it."

Alastor tilted his head at your words, truly wondering what you meant by that. You were being quite bold with your words given that you both ended up here the same way. Slowly walking over, he made sure to be face to face with you, knowing it would irritate you more.

"Mon amour, you seem to forget that you are here the same way I am. Sure, I may have killed you but you are no more innocent than I am."

Scoffing at his words, you broke out of Angel and Husk's hold, grabbing the man in front of you and quickly pining him to the floor under you.

"You have no right to speak of that, or are you just upset that I was always better than you?"

"I'm afraid I do not know what you speak of, the only reason I got caught was because you let your victim slip through your fingers. Do not worry my dear, happens to the best of us."

His quick retorts infuriated you to no end, effectively getting under your skin. Everyone around you both unsure of what to do, should they let you work out your differences, should they intervene? It was a tough decision for all of them. Charlie, thankfully, noticed the tension and got everyone's attention.

"Angel, Husk, grab [Name] and take her to one of the rooms here, away from Alastor. They clearly can't be around each other."

Both of them stood up quickly, ripping you off of Alastor's body, his smile never wavering. The shouts of anger towards the man could be heard even when you couldn't be seen.

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The others that were left in the lobby exhaled and quickly turned to Alastor. Vaggie was the first to speak up.

"The hell was that Alastor? Do you always have to have someone trying to kill you?"

"Oh she is not as big of a threat as you may think. I'm surprised she even made it this long here."

"She is an overlord, a pretty well-known one too, how did you not know about her? Clearly you two have history."

"I did not meddle in business that did not interest me, she may have taken a path that bored me. I never cared to look for her, assuming she was already dead."

"You're actually stupid Alastor. Anyways, what's the deal between you both?"

"Quite a personal question, don't we think Vaggie? The lack of filter on people will truly cause them to end up in horrible situations."

With that, he sank into the shadows and left the group wondering just who you were and what your issues with Alastor were. It was clear you were killed by his hand, but were you any better than him? Alastor had said you had a 'victim' but you did not seem to be the type that would kill for fun, that was what they thought of Alastor. Answers were going to be found soon, whether you both liked it or not.

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"I can't believe that pretentious prick would think to say such things. Does he think of himself as a God? I can't wait to rip that smile off his pretty face, then we'll see who has the upper hand."

Angel and Husk were unsure what to do, sitting in the room they had taken you to, you were rambling ever since they let you go. They were scared to ask any questions after seeing how you reacted to Alastor's presence. Angel, being Angel, asked anyways.

"So what's the deal with you and Al? You guys some star-crossed lovers or somethin'?"

"No Angel, we are not lovers. I would rather die than be in any relationship with him."

"That's not what it sounded or looked like. You've been rambling for at least 30 minutes, I think you called him pretty at least 100 times."

Your shoulders tensed at his comment, slowly turning around. Husk, sensing your aura, quickly tried to de-escalate this from getting any worse, mainly in fear of what would happen to Angel.

"Sorry [Name], Angel here doesn't seem to have a filter, even though he really needs one."

"Oh you shut the hell up, clearly she needs to get stuff of her chest. You just want them to blow up at each other every time they see one another?"

Groaning, Husk went back to sitting silently, giving up on protecting the spider next to him. The resident porn star would be remembered in a dream.

"Alastor and I have....some history I guess? We both had our own radio stations, we were two of the biggest broadcasters New Orleans had ever seen. Of course, that brewed conflict."

Angel hummed in understanding but did not hesitate to bite back his tongue, letting whatever thoughts came to mind roll out of his mouth.

"That doesn't explain what he said about you in the lobby, or the fact that you keep calling him pretty."

"Ugh, if you ever let this slip I will actually kill you. I can't believe I'm even telling you. I....used to have a slight crush on him, it was exciting to compete with him, and truthfully he is gorgeous, but that does not get rid of the fact he needs to get his ass beat."

Angel turned to Husk, having a silent conversation between their eyes. Clearly there was a disconnect between you two, feelings being scattered. The most prevalent being hatred and some sort of infatuation. This was going to be a rough process to get through.

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Niffty silently ran away from the door, silently listening in to everything you had said about Alastor. Giddy with herself, she went to find Alastor, hoping to see if she could get anything out of him.

It was a quick run to his studio on the side of the hotel, although secluded. Niffty pressed her head to the door, hoping to hear anything from him.

"...still amazes me......gorgeous even in death."

Not catching everything that was being said, Niffty took what she could and left, afraid of being caught outside the radio demon's door. This was definitely going to help them get past their differences, or so she hoped.