Danny wandered aimlessly. Stolas had returned his clothing to the formal suit he'd been wearing before their performance. He glanced over to where Octavia was surrounded by her parents and other prominent families, engaged in what seemed to be polite yet tiresome conversations. He didn't want to intrude, so he gave her some space. The performance with Stolas had been exhilarating, but now that the adrenaline had worn off, he felt a bit overwhelmed by everything.

As he turned a corner, lost in thought, he suddenly collided with someone. He stumbled back a step and tried to regain his composure. "I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention—"

The person he had bumped into spoke. "No, no, it's okay. I should have been more careful."

Danny looked up and realized he had bumped into the Princess of Hell herself. He fumbled. "Princess! I—uh— I didn't mean to... I mean, I'm really sorry. You probably don't even remember me from earlier..."

"Daniel, right?"

He froze. "Yeah..."

Charlie chuckled. "It's nice to meet you again, Danny. No need to apologize, really. If anything, I want to congratulate you again. You and Stolas performed wonderfully up there."

"Heh, heh. Thanks."

She smiled. "Again, I'm Charlie. But you probably already knew that."

Danny nodded. "It's... a pleasure, Charlie."

Charlie laughed. "I guess that makes two of us, then."

"You know, you're much nicer than I expected the princess of hell to be. The same goes for the rest of your family. Um... No offense."

She waved it off. "None taken. The titles give that kind of reputation. Now, not only are you the birthday girl's best friend, but you're also Stolas's new apprentice.

Danny scratched the back of his head. "I actually met Stolas first before he introduced me to her. It's been nice ever since."

Charlie cooed. "Awe..." The Princess desperately wanted to tease the boy about the blushing expression he was making, but she decided to spare him any more embarrassment. "I suppose more congratulations are in order. That must be interesting."

"I'm not ready for magic yet."

Charlie waved a hand. "Trust me. Bide your time when it comes to magic. There was this time when I accidentally set the living room on fire."

"Oh, I hope your parents weren't upset."

"Nah. They were more happy that I conjured up something more than a few sparks."

Danny thought back to Stolas casting a shadow over the city to look at the night sky. "Yeah. I've got a ways to go."

Charlie nodded. "So, are your parents around? They must have liked the show, too."

Danny shook his head. "My mom and dad aren't with me now. I've been under Stolas's care recently. By the way, what do you know about a pou-."

"Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry for bringing it up. That was insensitive of me."

Danny blinked at her reaction but accepted it. "It's fine."

#

"So, Charlie, what was it like growing up in Hell?"

Charlie paused for a moment. "Well," she started, "it was... different, I guess. But it's home, you know?"

Danny nodded, leaning in slightly. "Was it tough? I mean, being the Princess of Hell and all."

"It had its challenges." Charlie smiled. "There's a lot of pressure when you're expected to live up to certain expectations, especially with my dad being... well, you know, Lucifer."

His gaze shifted to the king and queen of hell. "What are your parents like? I've read stuff about them, but you're their daughter. So..."

"Despite what others might think, my parents love each other very much. The only ones they get vicious over are those who hurt our family. Though it can get cheesy at times when I'm in the same room as them." Charlie's expression softened as she thought about her father. "Dad is... he's amazing, really. He's got this grandiosity about him that makes every moment feel like a stage show. Sure, he's like the most powerful being in hell, but he's also caring in his own way. He's always been there for me when I needed him. The problem is, I don't get to see him as much as I'd like. He's usually busy with one project or another, managing Hell and all the responsibilities that come with it. I know he tries, though, and I appreciate that." She glanced over at Lucifer, who was deep in conversation with a group of powerful demons

"Sounds like he really cares about you." Danny could see the affection and longing in her eyes.

"He does," Charlie agreed. "I just wish we had more time together. But I understand that he has a lot on his plate. Being the ruler of Hell isn't exactly a nine-to-five job."

Danny chuckled. "I can't even imagine ruling an entire realm. And what about your mom? What's she like?"

Charlie's face lit up. "Mom's incredible. She's always been there for me. She has this way of making you feel safe."

"She sounds wonderful." Danny smiled.

"She really is."

"It must be nice to have that kind of support from both your parents. It must be hard for kids with parents who don't support their dreams much..." A bit of Danny's personal feeling bled through.

"Yeah... In most things." Charlie's mood seemed to dip.

Danny raised a brow. "Really?"

Charlie paused. More often than not, other demons laughed at her idea. Granted, this was a child, so she held onto hope. "Well, Danny, have you ever met the sinners in the ring before?"

Danny shook his head. "The other hellborn suggested that I stay away from them."

"That is not... bad advice, considering that they are bad people from Earth who are sent here."

Danny thought about the news and the various crimes they reported. "I can imagine who the worst are like. I've heard that it's kind of a madhouse at... Pentagram City?" Think of all the criminals you have heard of and put them into one city.

"That's one way of putting it. Well," Charlie began, her voice soft but filled with conviction, "as you know, I was born here in Hell. Growing up, I always tried to see the good in everyone around me."

Danny nodded, offering her an encouraging smile. "I can agree with that. I try to do that, too."

Charlie's heart lifted at his words, feeling a small spark of hope. Finally, someone seemed open to her mindset, even if it was just a child.

"Hell is my home, and they are my people," Charlie continued, her voice growing more passionate. "It breaks my heart to see my people suffering every year. No one is even given a chance! I can't stand idly by while the place I live is subjected to such violence!"

She paused, gauging Danny's reaction. When he continued to listen attentively, she felt encouraged to go on. "So, I've been thinking... We need a humane way to hinder overpopulation here in Hell. Perhaps we can create an alternative way to change souls through... redemption?"

Danny didn't show any negative reaction, which gave Charlie the confidence to continue. "I think that's possible, yes! So, that's what my dream aims to achieve. I want to open a hotel that rehabilitates sinners!"

She waited, almost bracing herself for the inevitable laughter or mockery, but none came.

"That's... really nice, Charlie," Danny said earnestly. "You actually care about the people down here."

Success! This was the first step she needed to convince everyone. "Thank you! Unfortunately, nobody in Hell, including my parents, is supportive of the idea."

"It sounds like something that would make life in hell better for everyone if everyone was nicer." Then Danny tilted his head, curiosity written across his face. "But, how does redemption solve overpopulation?" he asked. He heard the word on the news, but sinners are dead already, so why does that matter?

Charlie put a finger to her lips. She was still talking to a kid. "Right! Well, redemption means that a sinner can leave Hell and go to Heaven!"

Danny nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Oh... Wait, are you saying you want to help sinners... get out of Hell?"

Charlie nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! I want to open a place where they can work toward redemption, where they can prove that they've changed, and maybe, just maybe, earn a way out of Hell."

Danny leaned forward. "Has anyone actually left Hell and gone to Heaven yet?"

Charlie's smile faltered slightly, and she shook her head. "Not yet."

"Really? No one since the beginning of time?" Danny asked. He had heard stories about figures like that Jesus guy doing something similar.

Charlie shook her head again. "No, but I'm determined to prove that it's possible. I just have to find the right way to help them."

"How does it work, though?" Danny asked, his brow furrowing in thought. "Like, if someone does become good enough, do angels come down and bring them to Heaven or something?" The logistics of such an idea baffled him; he wasn't sure how divine intervention worked in Hell or who judged souls.

Charlie blinked, realizing she hadn't fully thought that part through. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice softening. "I haven't figured that part out yet."

Danny's lips thinned as he considered her words. "Yeah... That's okay. You're just getting started. The important thing is that you're trying to do something good. But you might want to get clarification on that."

Charlie nodded, feeling both gratitude and determination. "Thanks, Danny. It means a lot to me that you believe in this, even if no one else does."

Danny grinned. "Maybe one day, you'll be the first person to actually get someone out of here and into Heaven."

Charlie's heart swelled. "Maybe I will."

#

As the conversation continued, Charlie's curiosity got the better of her. She leaned in with a playful grin and asked, "So, Danny, as her best friend, what did you get Octavia for her birthday?"

Danny hesitated for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. He recalled some advice he'd received a while ago, words of wisdom that had stuck with him: For a girl who has everything, give her something to remember."

"Well," Danny began slowly, "I thought about how she mentioned that the old, slow classical songs she used to dance to were kinda boring. So... I decided to do something different."

Charlie's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? What did you do?" Her mind clicked. "You're gonna since and dance with her?!"

Danny took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'm... going to sing a song and dance with her. I told it to Stolas first. He was excited about the idea and has taught me how to dance the past few weeks. He was surprised at how quickly I picked it up."

Charlie's smile widened, and she gave a delighted little laugh. "That's so sweet and adorable!" She leaned in and playfully booped Danny on the nose. "You make it sound like it's nothing, but singing a song for someone is a big deal!"

Danny blushed slightly, feeling both embarrassed and flattered by her enthusiasm. "It sounds easier when you say it like that. At least Stolas and the other backup dancers helped carry the earlier performance."

Charlie shook her head, her tone encouraging. "Nonsense! You'll do great. You just need to sing from the heart. After all, the afterlife is a musical, Danny. The world around you will help you express yourself."

Danny raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Wait, what?"

Charlie giggled and leaned back, her eyes thoughtful. "Think about your performance with Stolas earlier. I know you guys practiced, but did you ever feel something welling up inside you? Like in those moments when you weren't sure what to do or say next, but somehow your body just knew?"

Danny paused, letting her words sink in. During the show, there were moments when he felt a strange pull guiding him when he was unsure of what to do. He had brushed it off as instinct or muscle memory, but Charlie's words made him reconsider.

"Huh," Danny murmured, lost in thought. "You might be onto something."

Charlie's smile was warm and knowing. "See? I told you. Not many people believe it, but my family and I do. It's like the world is always ready to help you sing and dance through whatever life—or the afterlife—throws at you."

Danny chuckled, the idea sounding more and more plausible the more he thought about it. "Well, you guys are the original family down here. I'll consider your advice. Thanks, Princess."

Charlie rolled her eyes playfully and waved off the title. "Again, Charlie is fine."

Danny smiled. "Okay, Charlie. Thanks for the pep talk."

"Anytime," she replied with a wink. "I can't wait to see the look on Octavia's face when you sing for her. We can talk more later."

#

AN: Special thanks to Seana, Jebest4781, Charles, vividlearner744, OmegaDelta, Henry Stickman, fearmegu, Kitsune Robyn, Traiton Moses, SonicSonicsSonic, Tapion, Roger Cornejo, Dragon lord, Shooter1344, Alexander SegreLaw, Red Rasher, I am lord dems, Ajax Roranson, trey hill, and Asaf Montgomery!

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