Don't get carried away

Every time I become more and more convinced of what a holy naivety you are, my dear. Sometimes it makes me funny to watch how you forget about who is in front of you. Your eyes sparkle with trust, although you have been warned more than once that you cannot trust me. But you were in such despair that you were ready to accept, it seems, someone’s helping hand. It’s easy to play the role of a gentleman and benefactor, especially when you are so naively trusted, although, I must admit, sometimes something strange happens in my chest when I look into your sparkling eyes and radiant smile… Over the course of six long months, I even sometimes catch myself thinking that it is interesting for me to watch how the souls who have settled here in the hotel find a common language and, surprisingly, change for the better. Is your idea really not so hopeless? Sometimes it seems to me that your hotel is starting to affect me too, my dear, because gradually I feel that I am starting to get used to everyone, to get used to you… But I’m not here to burden myself with another chain, right? It was easy to steal your soul: both literally and figuratively. You were too depressed after your unsuccessful meeting with Heaven and deceiving your girlfriend. You became my ace in the hole without even knowing it, and you shouldn’t know it yet either. Real players never play by starting their turn with trumps, my dear, otherwise there is a huge risk of losing. Isn’t it true, my friend Hasker? But the stakes are too high and I can’t lose. But, nevertheless, I honestly fulfill my part of the deal, telling you the information you are interested in and taking you to Rosie for help. You know, my dear, to see how your face blooms with a smile, and your eyes glow with enthusiasm and confidence, for some reason it’s incredibly pleasant. And for this reason, for some reason I’m not even sorry to entrust you with my microphone — my part of the soul and the source of strength. For some reason…        — Alastor, did you see?! — you chirp excitedly on the way to the hotel while I watch you with a condescending smile — they believed me! They followed me! For some reason, I can’t, as usual, insert a caustic remark about how cannibals are driven only by the desire to taste angelic flesh. Not when you shine again with your radiant, beautiful smile.        — I never doubted you, my dear, — I say only instead, — your enthusiasm is quite contagious! And your potential will captivate anyone with its rapid flow! You shine with a smile again, again awakening something incomprehensible inside, and take my hand.        — Thank you for your support, Al, — your voice trembles slightly with embarrassment, — it’s very important to me. You are a good friend, and there is still something bright in you. My smile gets wider. Oh, darling, I’m not the kind of demon you can find a friend in. For a moment, your naivety amuses me again. One day you will understand that not everyone can be changed, that not every demon has a rainbow…        — Too many compliments for my humble person, my dear, — my fingers squeeze the microphone as rare radio interference cuts through the air, — friends always help each other. My eyes narrow and there’s a slight hint in my voice. You cringe, which shows that you remember our deal. And if you forget, in due time I will remind you of the return favor, rest assured.        — And yet you helped me a lot today, — you wrinkle your nose charmingly, and your eyes look at me with warmth and trust, — you, too, are starting to change… My eyes sparkle with a scarlet light, but your girlfriend, who is coming towards us, does not allow me to answer you. “Wow, the angel got his wings back,” — a thought flashes through my head as I watch your conversation and reconciliation until you both walk towards the hotel.        — Good night, Al! — you say goodbye and wave your hand at me in a friendly manner. And only when you disappear from sight do I allow myself a quiet chuckle. Oh god, Charlie, demons like me never change… At least that’s what I firmly believed. But still, now I stand and fight with the angels shoulder to shoulder, next to everyone, for your sake… How absurd. And when that bastard angel Adam breaks my microphone and almost kills me, I remember with renewed vigor what I’m doing all this for. At the old radio station, where I’m licking my wounds, the realization of how far I’ve fallen comes into my head. The great Alastor-altruist, who died for his friends — it would even sound funny if it didn’t look so pitiful… Your voice, your smile, your look emerge in my memory and you know, my dear, because of all this, freedom becomes only more desirable, I crave her like never before… Claws scratch the wood, and my mind is filled with a haze of madness: one day the time will come when I can regain my freedom. And no attachment or incomprehensible feelings will interfere with my plans! My fingers bury themselves in scarlet hair in a new attack of madness. Oh, I can’t wait for the moment when all the threads pass into my hands! Then everyone will remember with renewed vigor the horror that my name alone brought to them! Oh, this feeling is intoxicating, spreading with sweet bliss through the veins, my dear, I already know that! This time will return, but not all at once. I am patient, and I will wait for the right moment to strike for as long as it takes… And nothing will stop me, not even the disappointment in your eyes! Damn, the alluring feeling of freedom is worth it. A maddened laugh of anticipation escapes my lips as my shadow grows and magic brings healing… I return to the hotel only after I heal my wounds, and you know, it’s so strange to see someone who is so sincerely happy for my return, especially if that someone is you, my dear. And I try my best to suppress the pitiful thoughts that I’m glad to be back here. The hotel, I must admit, looks great now.        — Al, — your voice interrupts my admiration of the new hotel interior, and I turn my gaze to you, — are you okay? Your eyes look at me excitedly as you approach me.        — Oh, Charlie, as you can see, I’m fine, — I say in a cheerful voice, — why be so worried, my dear?        — You were gone for several days, and I… — I see how your eyes fill with moisture, and tears begin to flow down your charming cheeks, — we have already lost Sir Pentious, and I was so afraid that you too… My loud laughter interrupts you, and indignation flashes in your gaze for a moment.        — I worry about him, but he laughs! — your dissatisfaction causes a new wave of my laughter.        — My dear, — I answer, laughing, — many demons wanted to get rid of me, but no one has succeeded yet. But I am flattered by your attention.        — But I was really afraid that Adam… You go silent for a moment, and a second later you pull me into a tight, unexpected hug.        — I was afraid I wouldn’t see you again, — you sob quietly, snuggling closer. For a moment I get lost in new, strange sensations. Nobody worried about me for so long. Something sweetly aches in my chest again, and from this feeling I can barely restrain myself from digging my claws into your back and tearing it to shreds as I hug you back in confusion. What are you doing to me, damn girl? What is your hotel doing to me?        — You’ve done so much for the hotel, for me, — you say, — and I’m very glad that you’re alive and around now.”        — That’s enough, my soul, — I hold you tighter to me, — of course, I’m here, and you shouldn’t shed any more tears because of me. If you looked into my eyes, you would see how they flashed with a scarlet light, but you just continue to hug me, intoxicating my mind with your damn sweet aroma of apples and enveloping me in the pleasant warmth of your touches. Even if you, my dear, sometimes make the darkness inside me recede, it is still impossible to completely defeat it. I believe that my time to prove myself will soon come. Milady, I am sure that when the one who is undoubtedly dear to you and who now hugs me so trustingly is finally in my arms, it will be my turn to pull the strings. It’s not as simple as you think, but for now… In a fit of momentary weakness, my lips touch the blond crown, inhaling a sweet aroma, from which my eyes blissfully close on their own. The main thing is not to get too carried away…