“ — Oh, do you think I ENJOY being a sinner? Sure, I wanted to REDEEM THEM WITH CHARLIE AND EMILY — BUT GUESS WHAT?! NOW I’M A SINNER MYSELF TRYING TO DESPERATELY TO CLAW MYSELF BACK UP FROM HELL’S UNHOLY CLUTCHES! BECAUSE OF YOU! “
Well. Cat’s out of the bag now. Candlelight had simply dismissed her reasoning for being in Hell as ‘accidentally overstepping boundaries with one of her clients’ , nonchalant that it didn’t seem good enough for someone of her high status to end up in the boiling pot.
“ …Yeah. Because of you FUCKING up not just once, twice, OR even thrice — your MULTITUDE of offenses and the DAMN extermination thing I WARNED YOU ABOUT COUNTLESS TIMES WAS AN AWFUL DECISION caused you to end up here after dying. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, I PANICKED AND TRIED TO FORGE AND ERASE DOCUMENTS ON YOU TO COVER YOUR SELFISH ASS AND DRAG YOU BACK TO HEAVEN AND GOT CAUGHT! “
Nearly manic, she let out a frustrated sob, pulling at her hair,
“ I LOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE OF YOU. MY LIFE, MY NAME, MY STATUS, MY TITLE, MY CAREER! I’M A FUCKING NOBODY AND A SINNER! I WAS THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE — AND NOW I HAVE NO PATIENCE AT ALL! “
Hey folks! I know I've been a bit M.I.A this month, for a couple reasons, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things over the next few days! Just going to do another quick check in with those that I've been threading with. I know I owe quite a few replies, but if you'd rather not continue the thread we have (or would want to start a new one instead) feel free to DM/IM me!
Otherwise, just give this post a like if you're still interested in writing the thread I'm listing here.
UPDATE:
Crossing off threads that have been dropped.
@hazs-been - Distracted (this never got a reply, should I assume it's lost interest for ya?)
@amischiefofmuses - A New Resident (This was our main thread but hasn't gotten a reply since the last post so just checking in!)
@amischiefofmuses - Rude Awakening (I don't know if this was meant to just be a one-off kind of thing haha)
@amischiefofmuses - Guilty (same deal as above?)
@helluvah0tel - Meeting in the Tower (this also never got a reply so shall I assume it's not of interest anymore?)
@moonlightsdew - Sleepless Nights (I owe a reply!)
@radioiaci - Photo Propositions (I owe)
@hells-fvry - Maintaining Composure (been over a month now, assuming you've lost interest?)
@demondads - Middle of the Night (I owe!)
@tuneonin - Humming
@misbchave - Don't Play Games (I owe!)
@unholy-ordainmemt - Meeting
@spider-slvt - Nail Painting
@mmorning-stars - Lighting and Drinks
@radiosrequiem - Lonely Whiskey
@radicheart - Nightmares (not sure if this was supposed to be a one-off kind of thing? lol my bad if so)
@daddymothxxx - Bored Now (I owe!)
@inside-of-every-demon - After The Battle (I owe!)
Hazbin Hotel, huh? Good to know. As far as the Slayer was concerned, however, not even a majority of those back in the Dark Realm he had to deal with bothered with building a place to stay awhile for travelers, and especially not for him, as he was considered an ages-long foe to its ruler.
Here, though, so many unknowns were at play. Even someone known to be a brute like him anywhere knew where and when to best behave.
...This man, to the stranger's intrigue, but also disappointment in equal measure, wasn't one for long talk. Laconic types can be difficult to deal with, after all. Or those who take to being quiet, for that matter.
A nod, most likely as thanks for the welcome, looked to be the only response Alastor was given so far, after which a brief glance followed. The gaze beneath his helmet was unreadable as well, but if anything, that look was mostly to familiarize himself with the host's form. Being good with photographic memory sure came in handy, after all.
Ultimately, though, this tough guy REALLY should rework how he speaks to people. He used to be so full of charm in his youth, but having spent time in wars beyond imagination made him lose edge in... Yeah, that.
Sorry, Alastor-- You're dealing with a hardass for a guest right now. A war veteran like the Slayer, let alone him being an ascended member of a rumored race of divines from beyond (even if he personally finds it a curse more than a blessing) who had seen a bit of everything might need a little more icebreaking.
Slowly, the strumming comes to a halt — his digits combing through her locks of smooth wax proving to feel so good that it put her in some sort of exhausted trance.
Breathing softly, Candle took his other hand to place it over her heart, rubbing it with her thumb. She was blissfully dozing off, huddling in closer for warmth.
Palms press to his cheeks, taking in his demented features with a tired smile — that then dissipates into a drained frown. Her eyes dull.
“ …but you are POISON to me.
Do you know how long I’ve put up with your antics? FORCED to endure so I didn’t break my virtue? And you knew that — you KNEW I couldn’t do a damned thing about it, so you took advantage of both my patience and kindness. I’ve nearly MELTED for you — and yet you still continued to take me for granted.
I begged you for days not to do that extermination and you called me stupid. Then look who fell first.
I fell next — by standing against the CORRUPTED SYSTEM HEAVEN BUILT, WILLINGLY REJECTING IT. MY ENTIRE EXISTENCE WAS A PERFECTLY CONSTRUCTED LIE FOR A CORRUPTED JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT CAN’T EVEN EXPLAIN HOW SOULS GET INTO HEAVEN.
I don’t…know if I can stay with you, Adam. I doubt your fallen status will be enough to make you change.
And I don’t think I’m willing to stick around and get used even more in the process of your own benefit. “
It was bound to happen, wasn’t it? History has a funny way of repeating itself.
The fallen virtue found solace and comfort under the eyes of the devil who taught her that Hell wasn’t meant to be feared and the hotel was a sight for redemption. He possessed empathy, kindness, patience, love, welcoming arms — all traits Candlelight used to embody as a divine virtue and still held onto as a timber from grace. He gave her a renewed sense of redemption and hope for all.
For the first several weeks, Candle was nothing but a melting mess of anxiety, depression, and frantic desperation — traits Adam couldn’t handle well, but Lucifer could. What the other fallen lacked in, Lucifer excelled in. Where comfort and vulnerability was denied, Lucifer stood up in. Where emotionally distant tempers flared, Lucifer quelled the fires Adam spat during arguments. And slowly but surely, Candle began to feel more at peace in Lucifer’s presence.
As the devil bid her farewell after the two had a hangout, Adam could catch the lingering words of ‘See ya later, Eleanor!’ — her official name rather than alias. A name only Adam used only in serious situations, now held on the tongue by the man he loathed the most.
“ Adam, how are you faring in Hell? It’s not so bad here actually! Goodness me, I was so overzealous about this, I’m sorry. Are you enjoying your stay now too? “
The stained glass in the TORN APART CHURCH glistened meekly under the RED LIGHT OF THE NIGHT SKY.
Shards of religious depictions were BLOWN TO DEBRIS — much like their FALLEN STATUS. Still, despite the former angels’ downfall, the two managed to drag themselves through both HEAVEN AND HELL HAND IN UNHOLY HAND — until the very BITTER end. Candlelight was never one to break vows, as they were known as strict promises to keep up in Heaven — and one of which was to NEVER LEAVE HER LOVED ONE BEHIND NO MATTER HOW THICK THE VEIL OF DARKNESS BECAME.
—
Panting, the disgraced virtue slowly rose to her feet, gazing down at the corpse of a unknown sinner that attempted to snuff out Adam’s life. DEEP BURN MARKS EMBEDDED INTO THE CARCASS DUE TO HER HELLISH FLAMES. BLACK FIRE SPAT AND WALTZED AMONGST HER CRIMSON AND PITCH BLACK TALLOWS, STILL EAGER TO LICK UP THE REMINISCE OF BLOODSHED SHE COMMITTED IN ORDER TO SAVE ANOTHER’S LIFE.
A SELF APPOINTED GUARDIAN ANGEL STRANDED AMONGST HELL’S GROTESQUE LANDS, TRADING HER VIRTUE OF PATIENCE FOR HIS PERSONAL PROTECTOR IN THE NAME OF LOVE INSTEAD OF UNJUSTIFIED HIERARCHY BEYOND THE PEARLY GATES.
“ …Psalm 91. For he commands his angels with regard to you, to guard you wherever you go. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. “
Slowly lowering herself down on one SCRAPED AND BLOODIED KNEE, Candle allowed her cambion wings to spread wide. BLOOD AND WAX DRIPPED AND DROOLED DOWN THE APPENDAGES, THE CRIMSON REFLECTION OF THE STAINED GLASS CASTING A GHOSTLY SILHOUETTE UPON HER.
“ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. “
Taking his hand in her CHARRED own, she presses a deep kiss to the top of his cut hand,
“ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
And I love you, Adam. “
Crimson eyes BURN WITH UNDYING DEVOTION AND LOVE, the grip on his hand tightening.
“ …Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. God once said that it is not good for the man to be alone — and I will make a helper suitable for him.
And he did. And there was Lilith. And there was Eve.
But there was a third — not created under God’s guise, nor from a rib, nor from a verse, nor a psalm. She was created from the richest tallows and the most loving of kindness and patience, meant to fall and protect yet again. She would not allow him to bear the solitude of loneliness no longer, not in Heaven nor Hell. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What God has joined together, let none separate.
Take me as your third wife. Take me as I am. Whether God destined it to be or not, I will shun him myself should he object, for I desire to be your eternal protector.
