CHAPTER 5
1039 Words
Being a soft hearted person in this world, it has its limits which you must never cross, otherwise you'll be taken advantage of. For living here be that type of person that when your feet touch the floor in the morning the devil says "s**t! He's up!"
21 years before
-So, how is your business going?-
-Very good I would say. It's already been a month since the last time someone assailed my zone. That little show of mine scared all of those vultures away.- I chuckled.
-Già!- said Lucifer emphasizing the "G". -Tell me, were you an actor when you were still alive?-
-I'm sorry, but no. It was too predictable. I'm just very good at wearing masks.- I chuckled a bit at my pun. -But, after all, it's not strange. When you wear a mask for so long like me wearing another becomes so... easy.- my voice expressed sadness.
-Come on Poker Face, don't be sad. The day will come when someone will understand who you really are.-
-Yeah, I know, but, after that, would they accept me?-
-I did, so why wouldn't they?-
-You're a very special case Lucifer. Like me.- I sipped my tea -But, after all, hope is always the last one to die, so I think that I'll keep it alive for a little longer.-
-That's the spirit.- they both chuckled.
After taking another sip from my cup I asked: -Where's Charlie? I still haven't seen her today.-
Lucifer smiled a bit more, then he picked up a bell from the center of the table and ringed it. Nearly immediatly Alvin entered the room.
-Sir?- he asked.
Lucifer motioned him to come closer and wispered something. Alvin nodded and went out.
If I could have done it, I would have looked at Lucifer with a questioning look, but I had this damn mask on. Lucifer probably understood what I was thinking and just chuckled, taking another sip from his cup. I hated it when he acted like this.
After that some minutes passed woth none of us uttering a single word. In the end the door opened and I heard rapid footsteps approaching us. Then a voice shouted: -Apple Daddy!-
And I saw her: Charlie, the princess of Hell. The three year old girl jumped in her dad's lap and hugged him. Under the mask I smiled and, after a second, I started to laugh. They both turned towards me with questioning looks, which made me laugh even harder. After a while I calmed down and said: - I had heard from one of my clients that they had given you the nickname "Apple Daddy" but, now that I know its origin, it's even funnier. It seems that even the king of Hell himself has a soft side.- I said, then I added: -And I couldn't be happier for you.-
Lucifer smiled and Charlie shouted: -Uncle!- and shot towards me giving me a hug. I actually wasn't related with their family but still she considered me one. The way fact that she called me uncle was a way for her to tell me that she cared me.
She sat in my lap and I ruffled her hair. She laughed and shooed my hand away. I put her down and, putting my hand in my pocket, I said: -I have a little something for you.-
She looked at me with curiosity and excitement painted on her face. She was nearly bouncing in place. I then end I extraced a little golden object from my pocket and handed it to her. She took it, looked at it with curiosity and asked: -What is this?-
-Open it and you'll find out.- I answered enigmatically.
She looked at the "thing" closer and, after a second, found a button on the side. She pressed it and it opened. Nearly immediatly the soft notes of a song started to play. Here yes filled with marvel. After a while, out of the blue, a voice came from the carillon and started to sing.
Charlie's eyes became as big as apples and she started to bounce out of happines.
(A/N: I hope you understood the pun. Sans would be proud of me, lol).
Also Lucifer looked surprised. He asked: -How is this possible?-
-My dear friend, I am an illusionist demon. This is just a small fraction of my abilities.-
Charlie's smile went from ear to ear. Quite litteraly. In the end the song ended. She carefully closed the carillon's "lid" and again jumped and gave me a hug while screming in my ear a "Thank you". I think I lost some of my hearing that day.
Then Lucifer said: -Deary, why don't you go and show this present to your mother?-
Immediatly the girl nodded and disappeared behind the door.
-Are you trying to buy my favours using my daughter?- he asked smiling.
I laughed and ansked back: - Why should I. Don't I have your favours already?-
-You're right, but not completely.-
-Belive me Lucifer, if I have to obtain something with a scam I tend to be slier.-
Then we both started to laugh.
______________
All those things went trough my mind in the moment I said "I accept".
I had forgotten that song. I only remembered it was calming.
We shook hands.
-So, when do I start?- I asked.
-Today.-
-Very good.-
-Do you want me to send someone in your Zone so that nobody attacks it?-
-Thanks but it's not necessary. Worst case scenario I can get there rapidly. Oh, can you tell me the adress?-
He gave me a business card. I read the adress and said: -Good. It's also near my Zone.-
I got up and said: -Goodbye Lucifer.-
-Goodbye Poker Face.-
I went out the doors and found Anya, Alvin and Alina talking animately about something. They immediatly stopped and looked towards me.
-Let's go Anya. We're going to visit Charlie. A long visit?-
-How long is it gonna be?-
-The necessary time my dear. We'll probably have to move for a while.-
-Ok.- she beamed.She then hugged her friends and left saying "Goodbye" in a chorus.
We started to walk towards the hotel, more or less ready for whatever awaited us.
- Writer
