25 Days of Hellmas (2024)

Day Twenty Two: Hot Chocolate

The Hazbin Hotel was unusually quiet, and not in a peaceful way. Tension hung heavy in the air, weighing on its residents. Earlier in the day, arguments drained everyone's energy, leaving even the most vibrant personalities subdued. Husk sat slumped at the bar, swirling his drink without interest. Charlie paced near the front desk, wringing her hands as Vaggie stood nearby, offering quiet words of reassurance. Angel Dust lay sprawled across a sofa, his usual sharp humor replaced by heavy silence. Even Niffty wasn't her normal stabby self today.

By the fireplace, Alastor lounged in his chair, but his grin seemed hollow, more a habit than an expression of joy. Nearby, Lucifer sat on a luxurious chaise, his crimson suit immaculate as always, though his sharp eyes flicked around the room with barely veiled disapproval. Even the hotel's chaos-makers were subdued. Andy Grin and Cherri Bomb, usually a source of mischief, sat silently on the staircase. Victoria and Molly huddled together in a corner, exchanging murmured words, while Arackniss struggled to be in the same room with Monty without wanting to strangle him.

Sir Pentious, ever the eccentric, stood apart from the group, muttering about the "inferior decor" as he adjusted his goggles. The heavy atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Kara Melody walked in, her arms laden with a large box from the market. "Satan I hate the cold!" She shouted, shivering from the cold. "But this time, it was worth it."

She paused just getting inside, surveying the scene with a raised eyebrow. "What's going on here? You all are acting like someone died."

Angel Dust cracked one eye open. "Kara, save it unless you've got a miracle in that box. Today's officially the worst."

"Oh, I've got something better than a miracle," Kara replied, setting her box on the bar. She pulled off her coat, revealing a cozy sweater, and unpacked the box. "A little Melody magic."

"Somewhat now?" Lucifer asked.

Kara then picked up one of the custom mugs she bought from the store, "A little hot chocolate for the soul."

She then brought everything into the kitchen then she started to get to work. The room slowly began to stir as Kara set to work. She filled the pot with milk, placing it over a small magical flame she conjured with a flick of her fingers. Alastor watched from the distance, his eyes narrowing as she started tossing ingredients into the pot. "Isn't hot chocolate just cocoa powder and sugar?" he asked skeptically.

Kara shot him a mock glare. "Please. This isn't your sad mortal hot chocolate, Alastor. This is Melody magic."

She reached into her box, pulling out a block of rich, dark chocolate. With a small flourish, she grated it into the steaming milk, the room instantly filling with the comforting aroma of cocoa. The rich aroma of melted chocolate soon filled the room as she grated in the finest dark chocolate. "Hot chocolate?" Molly asked, tilting her head.

"Not just any hot chocolate," Kara said, stirring the mixture with a practiced hand. "This is my famous recipe. Guaranteed to make even Lucifer crack a smile."

Lucifer raised an elegant brow. "I'd be impressed if you managed that."

Kara smirked. "Challenge accepted."

She added cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of chili powder for warmth, then whisked the mixture until it was smooth and velvety. "I'm skeptical," Sir Pentious muttered, but his nose twitched as he caught a whiff of the concoction.

Kara worked quickly, adding a pinch of chili powder for a hint of warmth and a sprinkle of sugar for balance. The steam rising from the pot was intoxicating, and the once-heavy atmosphere of the room began to shift. "Well then, prepare to enjoy my coco," Kara said.