Husk having a welcome drink in his bar

from /hhg/ Helluva Hotel general #706
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>Husk having a "welcome drink" in his bar, something that, being free, doesn't need to be strong or even good, but manages to achieve both
>Niffty baking cakes specifically to have on hand "in case we have company" the way your grandma would. Coffee cake, frosted cake, spice cake...
>Vaggie making sure there are easy to follow "intake packets" of paperwork that make joining the hotel as easy as possible, with as few signatures needed as possible

What else does the cast do for new guests, assuming they can actually make this shit function at all and not just constantly be at each other's throats?
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That's such a heartwarming idea. I love that. I wanna try Husk's welcome cocktail.
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>"Sloppy Joe Special, c. 1935"
>Brandy, port, and pineapple, teased with orange liq and grenadine
>Things no one really DISliked, even if they weren't favorites

>Husk brought the barspoon up from the enormous pitcher and took a taste of the concoction
>Tasty
>He could think of other things he'd enjoy just as much if not more, but he wouldn't kick this cocktail of bed
>He put the barspoon aside and reached for his coffee
>Just coffee, not Irish coffee
>He could really use a properly stiff drink, but not just yet
>First he had to make sure that no one who walked through those double doors was going to question his skill as a barman

>"Taste this"

>Husk looked down to his side
>Niffty stood there, flour dusting her apron, holding a thin sheet of spongy yellow something aloft on a folded paper towel
>Husk grumbled a reply in his smoke-roughened voice, still not wholly awake

>"Only if you taste this"

>He dipped a shot glass into the mix and lowered it down to the red-headed cyclops with one clawed hand as he took the little piece of cake with the other

>"Did I overdo it on the nutmeg?"

>The gaudy feline demon chewed slowly, swallowed, and shook his head

>"Nah"
>"Did I cheap out too bad on the port"

>Niffty swished her single mouthful of mixed drink about, swallowed, and shook her head back

>"Nope"
>"I think it's fine"

>Husk shrugged and put the lid on the pitcher
>Two for two
>Not a bad rate of approval
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>The sound of grey high heeled shoes on old wooden panels preceded the arrival of Vaggie
>The scent of printer ink on hot paper joined the aromas of coffee and mixed liquors and fresh pastry

>"Good morning"

>The other two demons moved over to the bartop and fixed the moth demon with a sliver of cake and a sip of welcome-drink as she set down her stack of "simplified" paperwork
>Vaggie spoke through a mouthful of confectionery

>"Good batch today"

>She polished off the thin sheaf of spongecake, then reached for the glass

>"I've got it down to eight pages"

>Certainly an improvement over what the "onboarding paperwork" had started as

>"I hear eight's a lucky number in some places~"

>Charlie slid up beside her girlfriend and stole a quick kiss on the cheek
>Only half dressed; one suspender still undone, bowtie hanging loose around her neck, the pink jacket of her tux draped over one arm
>She finished making herself presentable as the rest of her staff continued their prep work

>"Do..."

>The princess of hell cinched her bowtie down a little more

>"Do you think anyone will come today?"

>...

>No one had an answer to that
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>A feigned cough drew the other demons attention

>"I uh, may have let slip where I was stayin' these days to some of my eehhh, let' call 'em "coworkers" "
>"The ones I could trust not ta blab to loud anyway"
>"Told 'em ya had an open door"
>"They might drop by, if they can get away from the boss man long enough"

>Angel Dust swished over to the bar and took a seat
>Vaggie sighed

>"And if they don't?"

>The spider demon shrugged

>"...more cake for us, I guess?"

>Charlie cheerfully chimed in, lest anyone let their thoughts get too dreary this early in the day

>"I put up a bunch of flyers too. I'm sure someone must have seen them!"

>"...about that"

>"Are we sure that's the best way to attract the sort of demons we're hoping for?"

>"You remember what happened last time..."
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>"Last time I was distracted, Darling."

>A shadow emerged from the wall, slithered across the floor, then bulged out into three dimensions and took on a crimson tone, cervine features, and an implacable smile

>"If we have anyone behave with such ungraceful behavior a second time, then I'll see to it that there will not be a third"

>Alastor leaned against the bar, resting his elbow on the glossy wood and tapping the tip of his shoe against the floor, and accepted the taster sample of cake tendered by Niffty

>"Just try not to break anything, right?"

>The Radio Demon chuckled

>"As you say, as you say"

>Charlie shot a worried look at him, but forced a smile onto her face as she checked the clock

>"Well, let's do this!"

>The golden-haired demoness perked up and planted her hands on her hips
>She strutted confidently over to the double doors, keys jingling in her hand
>She slid the master key in and twisted her wrist, heavy bolts thunking into place in response

>The Happy Hotel was open

>All sinners welcome

>All that was left was to wait

-fin-