The Grand Hotel

Last night, you had a dream, but maybe it was a nightmare? There was a shadowy figure that you thought you recognized, but the image kept shifting in your head. The voice that spoke your name was both high and low pitched; breathy like a whisper but loud as if the voice was yelling. As you floated in the smoky void, the figure smiled at you.

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"You've been researching me," the voice said. "Would you like to meet?"

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Had you been researching this figure? You've been researching demons for years, wishing to make a contract with one, but that seemed just a little too far beyond your reach. Oh, no, Had the reading and the stress gotten to you at last? Were you having nightmares about the demon?

"You seem very interesting," the voice cooed. "There's a wonderful party at the Grand Hotel. Would you like to escape your dull life for a while? Would you like to meet me?"

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'Why not?' you thought. 'This is just a dream–'

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The figure laughed, the sound echoing in the void like a school of children. "Then we shall meet. Pack well. There are so many parties to attend."

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When you woke up, you found yourself already showered, dressed, and packed. Had you done all that in your sleep? Did you sleepwalk? You thought that must have been an intense dream if you had showered while asleep–

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And then you were no longer in your room. You were standing outside, in front of a marvelous hotel, with your suitcase set right next to you.

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Reasonably, you shriek.

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"Shh," someone says from behind you. You turn and find a demon standing there, but you know this demon. It's the one you've been researching for years. They smile at you (significantly fewer teeth than in your dream) and shake your hand. "It's good to finally meet you," they say. "Shall we go inside?"

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All things considered, you don't argue with the demon. You have so many questions, but for now you decide to follow. Maybe you didn't actually wake up from your dream and this is just a continuation of a weird nightmare. Or maybe it is a vivid hallucination. Totally possible. You did look at that one book that threatened "madness" once read like something Lovecraftian (or like a really offensive "private journal: keep out" notice), but that was years ago...

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You stop your train of thought as you approach the cream marble steps of the hotel. The multi-story hotel is indeed grand – boasting rows of Korinthian columns, gold-leafed archways, ivy-covered balconies, magnificent bushes of white roses, tropical plants exotic to the region, and terracotta-colored Spanish tiles on the roof among other details – and you can't help but be captivated by its beauty. Despite the obvious bits of modernization (like the new glass and the automatic-rotating doors), the hotel retains its 1920's Art Deco style. The striking, geometric designs on the metal door frame and the "security bars" on the lower windows are obviously the remnants of a century ago, but it isn't until you get through the rotating doors that you get to see the hotel's grandeur in full.

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The tile and the carpets and the furniture and the lighting and the staircase all look like something plucked straight out of 'The Great Gatsby'. Everything is beautiful. Everything is golden. Everything is kept in perfect order like a museum that invites you to touch everything just to see if it's real. There were crystal chandeliers, mother of pearl inlay designs on the tables, jazz music echoing through the hall played with a demon with four hands, and a demon with no eyes and a cocktail dress singing into a skull-head microphone. As you look around more and more, you notice little things that make this hotel just a little more demonic than a normal one. There are gargoyles carved into the woodwork where cherubs might be, and there is the smell of sandalwood and dragon's blood incense where there might be lavender or lemon. The staff, too, are all demons, dressed like bellhops or cleaning staff or waiters in full 1920's regalia. The hotel is bustling with life and activity. Truly, you've never seen anything like it!

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There is a human woman with glasses standing in the middle of the lobby talking and joking with several demons. She's not wearing a uniform, so she must be a guest. You can't help but wonder if those demons are all her contracts? Or does she just know them? When she sees you, she waves and breaks off to ask for a hug. You oblige. She seems really nice.

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"So glad you could make it!" she says. "You're new here, right? You know where to go?" You shake your head. She points to the long, dark wood counter tucked away in the corner of the lobby. "They'll help you there. I'm sure someone has your invitation since they were so eager to meet you." She winks at your demon. "You'll be put up in a room. No charge! Though, don't be surprised if you don't spend a lot of time in your room. I hear the parties are going to be great! I assume you two want to make a contract?"

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You eagerly nod. You have no idea what's going on with these parties, but HECK YES you want a contract! That's why you've been researching! That's why you even jokingly said yes to your demon in the first place!

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"Well, we're holding all summonings a little later. You'll get one of these when you check-in," she said, pulling out a hand-drawn map from her pocket. "I suggest you make your way there first before going to the parties. You'll need to know a few things before you get started. BUT don't forget to enjoy yourself!"

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She pats you along and wishes you luck. You smile and thank her for everything. You still can't quite believe this is happening. This is NOT how you expected to meet your demon, but that's okay! They're standing next to you, smiling and giddy as all heck. Maybe they were really lonely? You know that not all demons are bad; it's not all blood, guts, and sacrifices. Some of them just aren't do-gooders the rest of society wanted them to be.

You and your demon head up to the reception desk to check-in. The demon sitting behind the desk looks disgruntled and bored. They are shadowy with red eyes and sharp horns and claws. Despite how dark and booking they look, they're wearing a little red and gold bellhop hat. It helps take away the scariness at least.

 

"Hello," your demon says as they put an envelope onto the counter.

 

The shadowy demon tears open the envelope, looks at the invitation, and grunts. The demon then shoves a book and pen at you and points to the page. It looks like a list of guest names.

 

Your demon smiles at you and takes back the invitation. "You have to sign the book before we can make a contract. That's the rule."

 

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