Chapter Text
“Apologies for the disruption,” Alastor exclaimed grin grow just a bit too wide,” But a gentleman must always put a lady’s wellbeing before all else.” Looking each being in the eye, daring them to argue that of which he said.
The Seraphims blinked in disbelief at the sure audacity for which this Lowly Sinner dared to speak to them. Charlie gave a slight hysterical giggle, trying to figure out how to respond, when Vaggie spoke up. “Since when are you epitome of manners, did the Pearly gates hit you when we walked in?” Rolling her eyes in disbelief, “Who would have thought a field trip, would be what knocked some goodness into you?”
A laugh track played. Alastor’s smile became all that much more tight. He opened his mouth to give one of his usual sarcastic remarks, when one set of little talons clutching his pants released. He tried to maneuver a hand down to restrain what he knew to be a top contender for serving humble pie.
“Ya should look in a mirror before ya speak if tha’s what ya wish to spout,” Little Light, Lucinda sniffed like she was one of those high society ladies at the park, and not a tiny 8 year old from the ‘wrong’ side of the tracks. “One should reflect upon one's own bein’ fore speaking of tha’ of a’other” Southern accent beginning to coat her words, the more she got worked up. “How dar’en ya speak bout Mr. Alas’or like a tha’?! Mr. Alas’or is better ‘an mos’ anybody, he teach’en me’s to read and write, e’en tho was ‘for’idden’, He be’s taught me ta be smart an be all lady-like!”
Vaggie blinked, gaze shifting to this tiny child who, a few minutes ago, was in hysterics. Now looking like she was ready to claw her other eye out. At a loss for words, she couldn’t have retaliated even if she wanted to, thrown for a loop as everyone else seemed to be.
Alastor tried to cut her off. Not wanting her to be placed under judgement (review?) again for daring to speak up, good things to boot, in defense of a sinner. Even against another sinner, he did not know how the higher Angels will take this blasphemy. “Little Light it's all good, Vagatha, didn’t mean it like that, she’s just trying to grab the bull’s horns.” Trying to coax her to stand behind him, Lucinda was not having it. “NO! Mr. Alas’or, yous a teachen me to stick up for people. It do not ma’er if they can, can not, or even will not stick up for themselves. Words are to be use-en for exp’essin our thoughts. And I thinks she is a bein’ mean.” huffed Lucinda fighting to stay in front of Alastor as if he was being physically attacked.
Of all the times to lose his smile this would be one, alas.
He looked to the sky, praying to his mama for some of her infinite patience.
“Lucinda.” He spoke, voice becoming slightly stern, as he looked down at her. Lucinda gave a frustrated hoot, as she gave one last narrowed look at the girls, before tilting her head back to meet Alastor’s gaze.
“While it has unfortunately been a while since I have had the pleasure of being graced with your presence, I do believe that my teachings should have had a longer lasting effect on proper vernacular.” Lucinda’s shoulders slumped and taking a cleansing breath spoke, “I deeply apologize for my uncouth vocabulary, my own thoughts I did not assess before letting them become the words that I have spouted, I will strive to remember your teachings for mine own betterment.“ Speaking like she was back in that little shack they called a school, reading allowed from the board.
“Do well to remember that, my Little Light,” Alastor stated, slight fondness in his static. “And remember that I can AND have protected myself and others from worse statements.” “I know,” Lucinda pouted, “but...” “Uh Uh Uhh,” Alastor gave a little finger wag, “Buts have no place in a sentence of agreement.”
“OK seriously, what is going on here?!” Vaggie exclaimed, this ‘Softer?’ Alastor was really freaking her out.
Charlie was quick to agree with her girlfriend, “Yeah, sorry to interrupt this...,” side glance to Vaggie while waving her hand in a gesture to the deer and owlet, “touching? Display, but who are you,” Points to Lucinda, “and why are you being so kind?” hand wave to Alastor. “Not that you aren’t kind, normally, but you really aren't, and that ok but this is really weird and way way out there, and wow if you were like this all the time, we could have done so much more for the hotel, and maybe we can use this...”
Charlie was rambling now. But who could blame her? No one would be unfazed if they had just witnessed the rather cute and touching interaction between a Demon Overlord and Child Angel. This is all just, wow! So Much!
Alastor should have really expected this being the reaction. “Charlotte! Breathe.”
“To answer your questions, This is Lucinda,” Alastor settles his hands on Lucinda’s shoulders. “Little Lucinda and I were quite close when we were alive.”
“It is so nice to see proof, that this Little Light was not missed upon arrival to the Pearly Gates!” HE smiled at the group, grin growing a bit menacing, “As you never truly know where a soul may end up in the end, bless the innocent of which have suffered for wrongly filed paperwork.”
Sera looked absolutely livid at the insinuation of them hurting such an innocent soul, for something as trivial as misplaced paperwork, “How Dare...!?”
Alastor waved his hand, as if to shake away her outrage, “But that is neither here nor there. We really should be continuing our way to our very important meeting, so gracious of our Beloved King of Hell to go out of his way to schedule this meeting with the Angelic courts!” Shit-eating grin back in place, he looked fondly down at Lucinda.
“Little Light, I am sorry to say, that this is where we must part.”
Lucinda looked like she was about to cry again. Before he could make a move to comfort her, however. “I Believe so, Mr. Al,” She spoke teary eyed, but voice strong and leveled, “I’m sad to see you leave, but this chance to see you again was never an expectation to begin so I’ll pray that we’ll meet again.”
Alastor could not believe that his little Light was acting so grown up, looking upset for the moment, but hoping for the future. And as he pulled her in close for one last hug, pride in his smile, he ended the Celestin goodbye, “Some Sunny Day...”