"Oh"
That was the only word that came out of my mind as I looked up at the building in front from me, a giant hotel built on top of a cliff reading such familiar words.
[Welcome To Happy Hotel]
'Hmm, Hazbin Hotel. I see that they havn't changed the name yet, Alastor must not have arrived yet.'
Stretching my arms a bit, I look around, just now realising how empty this area is, almost comically so when you think about how active people in hell usually are and how much Charlie wants people to go to the hotel.
'Could this be external manipulation, maybe Vox heading people off? I refuse to believe that out of all of hell, no one other than the cast wanted to be redeemed. Maybe peer pressure then?'
"Well, let's take a look inside shall we?"
Putting on a charming smile, I move towards the hotel, my cane making a clacking sound as I make my way towards the door.
'Am I supposed to knock? Hm, would be rude not to as a newcomer, I suppose.'
Tapping on the door with the head of my cane as thunder claps in the sky, I wait for someone to open the door.
*Bang* *Crash* *Bump*
I maintain my smile, imagining Charlie stumbling down the stairs in aa hurry, still half asleep.
I let off a little chuckle before the door creaks open, Charlie's heading popping out of the slight gap.
"OH, hello!" Charlie exclaims, trying to sound as cheerful as possible, despite obviously being half asleep.
"Hello, my dear. I've come to make a business proposition that I believe would be beneficial to both your hotel and myself."
"Mhm, alrighty. Who are you?"
Charlie tilts her head while looking at me in confusion. I guess I'd also puzzled at getting a business proposal right after waking up from someone that I'd never seen before too.
"Pardon me, where are my manners? I am Dante the Analyst Demon. May I come in so that we can discuss this further?"
I give a slight bow while making my introduction.
"OH! Yes, sorry about that. It's not often that we get visitors, and normally they leave after hearing that this isn't a love hotel."
She opens the door fully and steps aside so that I may enter without obstruction.
'Ah, so that's why they don't get many visitors. The hotel's name really is suggestive in Hell.'
Walking inside, I take a look around the main lobby, it actually looks pretty good in person. I can see why the residents loved it so much, even the ones that didn't really care about being redeemed.
"Nice place you've got here, very homely."
"You think so? I've tried to make it as welcoming as possible. I really want everyone to feel as comfortable as possible while on their path to being redeemed."
"You've certainly got the atmosphere on point."
Saying that, I walk towards one of the sofa's and take a seat, Charlie taking a seat across from me.
"Charlie? What's going on, who was at the door this time? I swear if another one of those door to door sales people drops by, their is going to be a mess to clean up."
We both look to the stairs, seeing Vaggie slowly coming down the stairs. She seems to be more acquainted with getting up early.
Must have something to do with her being a exorcist angel before being betrayed and abandoned in hell.
'Wait, Vaggie is already here? Are we that close to the main story? I really want to use my Allsight to see how close we are to it's beginning, but my eye glows whenever I use it.'
'I hope that I still have time to establish myself, I can survive either way, but I want influence, I don't want to be a side charecter.'
"Charlie, who is this?" She asks, eyeing me with no small amount of suspicion. She's not even trying to hide that she doesn't trust me.
'Well, she wouldn't be Vaggie if she did trust so easily.'
I stand up and give another small bow as I introduce myself once more.
"Greetings! I am Dante, the Analyst Demon, and I have come here to make a business proposition."
"Yeah, yeah! He says that this could help our hotel! I want to hear him out."
Vaggie looks at me with the same confusion Charlie had on her face moments before as I take a seat once again.
"A named demon wants to help with a hotel that has the goal to redeem everyone... I'm not buying it."
"Hahaha, my dear, my intentions are pure, I assure you. I will also be gaining something out of this deal anyway."
"And what would that be?" She asks, her one visible eye narrowing.
"Public influence, and entertainment."
"That doesn't sound like much." Charlie's says, putting a hand on her chins as she thinks.
"On the contrary, public influence is one of the most powerful tools someone can have after personal power."
"He's right Charlie. Public influence can sway people's actions, be it by fear or admiration. Though, if you are a named demon, why don't you already have that?"
"I'm what you call an underground dealer. Not many people know about me, and those that do have kept silent. Frankly, if anyone had heard of me, I'd be rather annoyed."
"Why would that be? Wouldn't you get more influence that way?"
"Maybe, but it would also mean that I'd left a loophole in my contracts. I wouldn't appreciate that."
My left eye glows brightly for a few seconds, memories from before I arrived in hell coming back to the surface.
"Hm, I'm sure that would be annoying."
"Indeed, I put a lot of effort into my contracts, the idea of someone bypassing them makes me very...angry."
"Ah, um, we don't really want to make any deals here that would bring harm on anyone. That includes soul trades."
Charlie nervously twidles her thumbs, shifting uncomfortably in her seat at the thought of being the cause of someone being scammed in the hotel.
"Yeah, kinda goes against the whole redemption part of the hotel. They can't really be redeemed if they become someone else's puppet."
"Ah, I see we have come across this road bump. You needn't worry about my contracts, I don't need anyone's soul."
"Then how do your contracts work?"
"My contracts work like most deals, except everything is plainly written down and visible to both parties. You write down what you want, and I write down what I want in exchange, if the contract is not broken one sidedly then the contract will burn up on completion."
"And, uh, if they one side doesn't stick to their end of the contract?"
"Hm, they don't have a choice. While the contract won't take your soul, both parties, myself included if I am a signee, will be soul bound to the terms. If you attempt to willingly disobey the terms then the contract force you to obide by them."
"Hm, so it won't take your soul, but will make sure that you stick to your agreement. Neither party will be free from the agreement, no loopholes, no unspoken costs."
"Wait, wait. You said if you were the signee?"
"Ah, yes. Anyone can use my contracts, I just create them. The conditions are applied to those who sign on the lines."
"So you can never take someone's soul because no one can ever break the contract unless both parties agree to it, and everyone can see the give and take so no one can be tricked as long as they read the terms thoroughly."
"Exactly." I wave my hands, using my cursed energy to create a cup of coffee, and take a sip while I watch them taking this information in.
"Ok, you've explained your contracts and what you get out of this deal, but what is the hotel receiving?"
"Ah, yes. Here we go."
I wave my hands again to create a scroll with runes embedded, as well as the terms of my agreement.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT
PARTIES
This Strategic Partnership Agreement (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") is entered into by Dante Orion, with an address of Hell (hereinafter referred to as the "Partner A") and Charlie Morningstar on behalf of the Happy Hotel with an address of Happy Hotel Cliff, Hell (hereinafter referred to as the "Partner B") (collectively referred to as the "Parties").
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this Strategic Partnership Agreement is to establish a collaborative relationship between the Parties for the achievement of mutually beneficial objectives. The Parties intend to leverage their respective strengths, resources, and expertise to [accomplish agreed upon goals. Through this partnership, the Parties seek to create value, foster growth, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in their respective industries.
By aligning their interests and working together towards common goals, the Parties aim to achieve sustainable success and create a lasting impact in the marketplace.
CLAUSE
This Strategic Partnership Agreement outlines the scope of collaboration between the Parties. The Parties agree to jointly pursue both sides of their initial and amended agreement.
Both Parties commit to working collaboratively within the defined scope to achieve the objectives outlined in this Agreement.
ROLES
The Parties acknowledge and agree to their respective roles and responsibilities within the framework of this Strategic Partnership Agreement.
Partner A's Roles and Responsibilities:
Partner A shall provide free consultancy to Partner B on the off chance of an Analysis or appraisal being needed.
Partner A shall provide soulbound contracts that meet the standards I forced inside the chosen establishment.
Partner A shall provide protection to Partner B's establishment to the best of their ability should it come under attack.
Partner B's Roles and Responsibilities:
Partner B shall provide a space for Partner A to work and sleep so that Paterner A may fulfill the agreement to the best of their ability.
Partner B shall provide any extra necessary items, tools, or information to Partner A to help them complete their task.
Joint Responsibilities:
The Parties shall collaborate on protection of the hotel, and assuring that all contracts within the hotel meet the imposed standards.
Communication and Coordination:
Both Partners shall maintain open communication channels and coordinate efforts effectively to ensure the successful execution of shared objectives.
TERMINATION
Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon mutualy written agreement.
FORCE MAJEURE
Party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations under this Agreement due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, heavenly war, or being held hostage. If a Force Majeure Event occurs, the affected Party shall promptly notify the other Party and make reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact. The affected Party's obligations shall be suspended during the Force Majeure Event, and the time for performance shall be extended accordingly.
RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT
The Parties agree that this Agreement, prior to its termination, is subject to renewal provided that both parties submit a signed addendum agreeing to the renewal.
AMENDMENTS
The Parties agree that any amendments made to this Agreement must be in writing where they must be signed by both Parties to this Agreement.
As such, any amendments made by the Parties will be applied to this Agreement.
SEVERABILITY
In an event where any provision of this Agreement is found to be void and unenforceable by the contract, or in the case of both parties agreeing to termination, the contract will thereby be destroyed.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute or difference whatsoever arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be assessed by the perpetrator's soul and will be then forced to comply through soul manipulation by the contract itself.
GOVERNING BODY
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the judgement of the soul.
SIGNATURE
The Parties hereby agree to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and such is demonstrated throughout their signatures below:
Partner A
Dante Orion
Partner B
__________
Charlie and Vaggie look at the contract, stunned at how close it was to an official document.
Slowly they look up at me, before looking down at the contract, and then back at me.
"What? I said that I put effort into my contracts."
I smirk at the shock on their faces, and leave them to discuss the contract in hushed whispers as I think to myself about what I'll do from here on.
'This will be my base for getting involved with the Hotel without having to go through the redemption activities.
'Maybe that's good? They won't be as sad if some of us are still here when others head up north, and I can keep an eye on how things progress, as well as keeping tabs on Alastor.'
*Cough* *Cough*
I look up at them, Vaggie holding Charlie's hands in her own and she breathes out slowly, seemingly having made her decision.
"I'd like to sign, protecting the Hotel and the appraisals are enough for me to consider this worth it. It doesn't seem like you have bad intentions, and your contracts are pretty clear so I don't have to worry about intentional harm to guests who sign on them... Yeah, this could be an opportunity for us."
"Fabulous choice, my dear. Just sign on the line, where it asks for your signature and we will be on our way to a happy partnership."
My right eye brightens as Charlie signs, and my expression relaxes into a more genuine expression at my first contract being signed.
'My first contract is complete.'