Women in history
Apr. 1st, 2025 11:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessI was one day late with my talk for hitting women's history month but my talk went well.
No one knew it but I dressed up in my 1890s walking dress complete with petticoat pretenders, a corset, my gladstone bag and hat I made (because restrictive clothing being a reason women can't be doctors was in my speech) and I strolled in expecting 4 students I bribed with extra credit and my science coworkers.
Instead I walked in and the place is packed! Nursing is there. Other faculty are there. My friend who retired drove all the way from 45 miles away to be there. Another retired friend canceled an appointment to come (I expected him), my friend (one of those nano ones I mentioned) and her daughter showed up all the way from Marietta (about 90 miles), two former students showed up and there were students I didn't even know there (I assume someone else bribed them).
I did it in a little over an hour (with a few political jabs I'm SURE my family will bitch about when they get the link but they were earned). I got no questions but so much applause.
My friend and her daughter and I went to Bob Evans for dinner (my treat because they came all that way and brought me a cannolo because they know how to make my Italian heart sing) We haven't seen each other in a while, talked about 2 hours (sorry poor Waitress)
I will fandom Tuesday tomorrow. Instead have a happy birthday story for Angel Dust
Title: Ephemeral
Fandom: Hazbin Hotel
Summary: It’s Angel’s birthday and he’s throwing himself a proper Italian birthday celebration with his new family.
Rating: teen
Author Note - Written as a Happy Birthday for Angel and Molly Written for the lyrical titles duet challenge 2025 for the prompt A song from an artist's earliest album and a song from their latest Ephemeral by Abney Park, currently not online
Angel heard them ‘whispering’. This crew did not know how to do quiet. Well, neither did he. He was Italian, after all. Husk was telling them all about Italian birthday etiquette because of course he was. He’d caught Angel making the party preparations and promised to tell the others even though Angel didn’t want him to. It was stupid, wasn’t it? Birthdays after you were dead but it was the one time of the year, he allowed himself to celebrate his sister. It hurt to think of Molly most of the time.
He hoped Husk delayed them for a little while longer. He needed time to get the appetizers on the table first. He put giardiniera out. He’d made it himself. He knew a good butcher that did spreads for Valentino and got salamis and thinly sliced salt-cured ham. It wasn’t prosciutto but it was close enough. Olives and cheese rounded it out. He had the rest of his birthday meal cooking.
“Come on, Husk. Let us see the birthday boy,” Cherri demanded and she barged into the large dining hall. “There’s my best bitch!”
Angel met her charge across the room and swept her up in a hug. “Thanks for coming, Cherri.”
“Couldn’t keep me away. How did I never know you were an April’s fool?” She laughed.
“Eh, birthdays aren’t that important down here.”
“Of course they are, Angel,” Charlie said, sweeping into the room with Vaggie and Lucifer in her wake. “Oh, look at all this.” She pointed to the table.
“Antipasti and the aperitivo.” He gestured to the bottles on the table. “Something like limoncello.”
“I brought along negronis and something a little sweeter for those who aren’t up for the bitterness of Italian liquors.” Husk snorted.
“Thanks, Husk. I will take that negroni later,” Angel said. “Come in, have a seat. I see you hanging in the background there, Pen. You can coil up at the end of the table next to Cherri.”
“Alastor said the best gift he could give you is to not be here with commentary about how raucous you’re likely to be. He took Niffty with him,” Husk said.
“Oh, okay. I’ll will make up two plates and put their names on it in the fridge. Very glad to see you, your majesty. I’ll put you next to Charlie.” Angel looked around at the small gathering, the people who were now his family. “Guess we’re all here so help yourself to the limoncello and the antipasti and I’ll be right back with the primi piatti.”
“Go easy on the appetizers,” Husk warned. “You have no idea how insane Italian birthdays get. I do. There’s six of us. He cooked for sixty, guaranteed.”
“You don’t know,” Angel pouted, annoyed.
“Angel, shouldn’t we be doing something to help?” Charlie said. “I know Husk said Italians have the birthday boy footing the bill for the dinner and drinks and we bring gifts but it seems like we should help.”
“Nah, I got this. Husky knows some of what he’s talking about.” Angel side eyed him. “I didn’t cook for sixty.”
“Okay, thirty.”
“Shut up.”
Husk chuckled. “Come on, I’ll help you carry the plates in because you make seven and that leaves you one hand short of being able to do this on your own.”
“Thanks, Whiskers.”
“It’s your birthday so I’m allowing that.”
When Husk followed him out of earshot, Angel said, “If it’s really my birthday, you can cuddle up with me and purr.”
Husk shot him a gimlet eye. “Let’s see how well behaved you are.”
“I’m a bad boy who needs a big strong daddy to put me in my place,” he teased.
“I’m here to help Anthony. If Angel Dust wants to be bad, he can balance that seventh plate on his head.”
Angel snorted, pulling on oven mitts and picking up a spatula. “How about I plate it at the table. Grab the plates and a trivet.”
Husk found them on the table where Angel had left them. He ran ahead to put it on the big wooden sideboard that reminded Angel of the one his Nonna had right down to the carved dogwood blooms on the doors. He started to plate.
“Spinach and cheese cannelloni, just one each because we have five more courses,” Angel said.
“What did you do, Ange?” Cherri asked in amazement.
“I made a treat for my friends who were kind enough to show up for me,” he replied. It had been a lot of work but it was worth it to see the looks on their faces as they dug into the tender pasta tubes he had made from scratch.
After he had plated the secondi piatti, the protein portion of the meal, in this case chicken scallopini, succulent in its rich lemon-butter sauce, Angel turned to Lucifer and asked, “Is this your first human birthday party?”
“The first of this style. I’ve seen one or two. Lilith had befriended Sinners before. I’m used to more balloons and cards.” At the mention of his missing wife, both Lucifer and Charlie’s expressions fell for a moment.
Angel understood. There were people he wished were with him today. “Italians prefer food and music because I promise you, we’re gonna roll up the rugs and dance.”
“After all this?” Pentious rubbed his belly.
“We’re just starting, babe,” Angel said and Pentious flickered his tongue in annoyance. He took to nicknames worse than Husk, if that was possible. “You’ll stay for the dancing, right, your majesty?”
“I’ll listen to the music,” was all the more Lucifer would promise.
“Alastor will probably be back for that. He does love to dance,” Husk said and Angel spotted the look of competition flash fire in Lucifer’s eyes.
“I could probably dance,” he decided.
“Save a spot on your dance card for me.” Angel beamed and Lucifer’s panicked expression made Charlie giggle. “I need to go get the contorni . I made cipolline in agrodolce, sweet and sour baby onions.”
“Really? There’s more?” Cherri asked.
“He did promise five courses,” Vaggie said, taking a bite of chicken. “I don’t know how he thinks we’re going to dance.”
“Should I bring out the insalata at the same time? It’s a chickpea salad,” he said. Angel pouted again over their dubious looks. How did no one appreciate all his courses? He missed his family for a second then he remembered his father and that passed. “I’ll bring them both.”
Once he had put the two small dishes on the table for people to help themselves, he turned to Lucifer and asked, “How do you like your first taste of an Italian birthday?”
Lucifer speared an onion. “Tasty so far. You are an excellent cook.”
“I am but I’m still hoping you’ll make good on the champagne fountain. I could use it right about now.”
Lucifer actually laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.” He sighed. “Your lives as so ephemeral. I can see why celebrating is so important to you.”
“Ephemral, that’s a good word for it.” Emotions swamped Angel and he rubbed his knuckles against his eyes for a moment.
“Kid, you okay?” Husk asked.
Angel dropped his hands. “Yeah, sorry, just thinking my life was more ephemeral than it should have been and that’s all my fault. I screwed up hard but no taking it back so gotta accept it and move on, right? But you’re right, sire, we don’t get much time in the world so we celebrate hard or we should. It’s why I have a big musical blow out for after the meal, gotta get our dancing shoes on.”
“Speaking of this meal, I’m afraid of what comes next,” Cherri said.
“Ah, that would be the formaggi è frutta. I’ll go get it.” Angel rallied his mood.
“Eh?” Cherri shot him a puzzled look.
“Cheese and fruit,” Husk translated.
“Wine poached pears stuffed with blue cheese.”
“Where’s the cake, birthday boy?” Cherri demanded.
“The dolce comes last. I have it, no worries.” Angel stood.
“Can it come after presents…if we can even move into the lobby to do presents,” Vaggie said. “I need a breather before I try to find room for birthday cake.”
“Sure, no problem.” Angel sailed off and came back with his pear platter.
After they made short work of the meal’s ender, they moved to the lobby where presents were waiting for Angel. He and Cherri sat on one couch with Pentious coiled up next to them. Charlie sat between Lucifer and Vaggie on the larger couch and Husk had pulled over a chair.
“Where to start?” He eyed the gifts greedily. He might be over a hundred but he was still a little kid at heart. His fingers flexed as he tried to decide. “Hope someone got me something naughty.”
“Angel!” Vaggie said in mock outrage as Cherri laughed and pounded his arm.
“I’ll start with this one.” He picked up a large box with minimal wrapping paper. Inside was something he couldn’t have expected. It was a small stage with a pole and a small automaton that bore a resemblance to a spider-man.
“Touch that button.” Pentious pointed.
Angel obeyed and the little man swung around the pole with articulated arms. His breath caught. “Did you make this, Pen?”
“I did.”
“It’s amazing. I love this so much.” He threw himself across Cherri’s lap so he could drag Pen into a hug. Yep, he was slimy but Angel didn’t care in that moment. “I’m putting this on my vanity so I can see it every day. Thank you.”
“Here, do me next.” Cherri shoved a gift bag into his hands.
Angel took out a beautiful black dress with a spiderweb of silvery sequins. “The one from that shop. You remembered!”
“Course I did. You’re gonna look great in that.”
“I am.” He kissed her and went back to deciding on the next gift.
Someone knocked on the door, startling them all. Charlie popped up, no doubt hoping for a new patron with bad timing. Someone poked their head in. After a quick glance, the newcomer stepped in, walking across the lobby on tiny spider paws. He hesitated and straightened his spiderweb bowtie.
“Hello, there.” Charlie swooped up on him.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said.
“That’s okay. Everyone is welcome at the hotel. I’m Charlie. Let me introduce you and we can talk about your path to redemption.” She took his hand.
The small charcoal grey spider held up two other hands to ward her off. Angel debated how long this should go on. He kinda wanted to see Charlie hit her most bubbly stride, considering it an extra present given the horror on the spider’s face.
“Sorry, Princess, I’m gonna stop you there. Forgive me for being rude and all but that’s not why I’m here.”
Charlie’s face fell. “You’re not?”
“No.” He shook his head and then widened his eyes. “Hey, Husker, long time no see.”
“It has been a while, Arackniss,” Husk agreed as Arackniss strolled over to shake his hand.
Angel stared, surprised. He hadn’t known they knew each other but Husk had been an overlord and Arackniss was into security for things like casinos.
“If you’re not here for redemption, what can we do for you,” Charlie asked, matching Arackniss’ steps.
“Oh, I can guess. Nice shiner there, Nissy.” Angel circled his finger around his left eye. His brother’s main eye was swollen and a couple of his secondary ones were missing in the swelling. “Lemme guess how that happened.”
Arackniss snorted and pulled out his cigarettes.
“We prefer no one smokes in here.” Vaggie stopped him.
“He’ll die if he can’t chain smoke.” Angel laughed and Arackniss glared, putting his pack away.
“You two know each….oh hell.” Husk looked between them. “Are you related? I never put that together because not every sinner look-alike are related.”
“Yeah.” Arackniss widened his eyes further, noticing Lucifer for the first time. “That’s why I’m here, Princess Morningstar.”
“You can call me, Charlie. You’re related to Angel?”
“Anthony’s my kid brother. I came for his birthday.”
“Notice he didn’t say he’s big brother,” Angel teased, making a gesture to indicate height.
Arackniss flicked his chin at Angel. “I can walk back out that door, Tony.”
“You won’t. You took a punch in the face from Papà because you came here.” Angel stood up and gave his brother a hug, much like hugging a feral cat.
Arackniss squirmed free. “He said to give you the punch double but I ain’t gonna bother. Buon Compleanno, Antonio.”
“Thanks. You missed the meal. Want me to fix a plate for you? Husk can introduce you to everyone. You already know Cherri.”
They glanced at each other, hostile. They didn’t much like each other. Without waiting for an answer, Angel hustled to the kitchen and fixed a big plate of food and microwaved what needed rewarmed. When he returned, Cherri had pulled up a chair on the other side of Pentious and Arackniss had her spot on the couch.
“Grazie.” He took the offered plate of food.
“Now back to my gifts. How about this one?” Angel selected a smaller one in pink wrapping paper.
“That’s mine,”
Arackniss eyed Angel, shocked he had a gift from Lucifer himself. Angel was pretty damn surprised too. He tore into it and pulled out a rhinestone-studded pink rubber duck with a darling parasol.
“Oh my! Look at it. This is so stinking cute.”
“You liked my collection of them. I thought you’d like one.”
“I do. I wanna hug you so hard but I’ll restrain myself,” Angel said not sure if Lucifer was relieved or disappointed. “It’s going in my room too.”
“Here, from me.” Vaggie handed him a gift bag.
Inside was a basket of bath and hair oils. Angel pawed through them. “You got all my favorites!”
“Cherri suggested them. You do always smell pretty darned good. Glad you like them.”
“I do, very much. Thank you. That is so thoughtful.” He reached over and patted her wrist. Vaggie wasn’t much more huggable than Lucifer.
Angel picked up a purple gift bag and took out a little bee costume and some pig treats. “Ohhh, you thought of Fat Nuggets. Thank you.”
“You love dressing him up and you take such good care of him. I thought you’d love a few more outfits,” Charlie said.
“That pig has more clothes than me.” Cherri laughed.
“He knows he’s pretty. Thank you, Charlie, I love it. You didn’t need to get me anything. You already let me stay here free of charge.” Angel bounced up and hugged Charlie. He swooped down trying to extract the last gift bag from under Husk’s seat.
“Hang on. I wanted you to open that later,” Husk said.
“But I wanna see now.”
Angel managed to drag out a red leather collar with a heart shaped bell on it before Husk pulled the bag away.
Husk flushed. “Knew I should have left it upstairs. I didn’t want you to think I forgot you.”
“I’m pretending that belongs to your pet porkchop too,” Arackniss said.
“We all are,” Vaggie assured him.
“At least someone got me something naughty.” Angel kissed Husk’s cheek, earning more grumbling. “Guess that means cake time.”
“Wait a sec, I would never come empty handed, Tony.” Arackniss dug in his jacket pocket and came up with a black velvet box.
Angel cocked his head. He hadn’t expected Arackniss to bring a gift. Well, he hadn’t expected him at all. He opened the jewelry box to see a red coral cornicello with a silver crown on top of the pendant. He sucked in a deep breath, shocked.
“The coral is direct from Leviathan’s realm. I had this commissioned for you. I know I’ve been a crap brother especially these last few decades because I hate that jerk you’re with but I wanted to do something nice.”
“Why?” Angel asked, honestly shocked.
“ Perché sei il mio fratellino e ti amo e mi manchi,” Arackniss said, his eyes misting up.
“Papà will punch you harder if he hears you say that.” Angel wrapped his brother up in his arms, hugging him tight. This time Arackniss hugged him back. “It’s beautiful. I’m putting it on right now. I could use all the luck I could get.”
“I thought so. Speaking of which.” Arackniss grabbed some of Angel’s hair and tugged it.
“Nissy, don’t you dare.” Angel swatted at him.
“You’re pulling your brother’s hair?” Charlie asked bemused.
“You pull ears for however many years you’ve been alive,” Arackniss said. “But we don’t have lobes anymore.” He tugged Angel’s hair some more but stopped when Angel fussed. He took the cornicello out and put it around Angel’s neck.
“That is very interesting,” Charlie said.
“It’s good luck charm,” Arackniss said. “Tony always loved his. I thought he should have another since he’s trying to make a big afterlife change.”
“Italians are big into lucky charms,” Cherri said.
“I have on my red panties.”
“And that’s lucky?” Pentious asked.
“You bet. Especially if I can find someone to peel them off me.”
“No one needs that image and if they do, they can walk a block in any direction and see your posters,” Arackniss huffed.
“He’s not wrong,” Husk said.
“I’m underappreciated.” Angel swooned melodramatically on the couch.
Arackniss shoved him. “Go get the cake.”
“I’ll get it. It’s in the fridge, right?” Husk said.
“Yep. I have a few candles out.”
“I’ll get some plates and forks,” Charlie said, following Husk back to the kitchen.
They came back quickly with a huge tray of tiramisu with the words, Buon Compleanno, Molly piped on it. Charlie put the candles in and Arackniss leaned forward with his lighter.
“ Tanti auguri a te Husk started to sing and the others joined in with Happy birthday to you. Lucifer and Arackniss joined Husk.
Tanti auguri a te
Tanti auguri Antonio
Tanti auguri a te !
Angel blew out the candles to applause.
Husk handed him the cake spatula and said, “ Ti auguro una giornata piena di tutte le cose che ti rendono più felice. Buon compleanno!”
Angel melted like he did every time Husk spoke to him in Italian.
“Angel, before you cut this, who is Molly?” Charlie asked.
Angel had prepared for this but now that the moment was here it took his breath away. Arackniss put a hand on his back, his face downcast too.
Angel straightened up and said, “I know I haven’t always participated in your exercises, Charlie, and you’ve asked about my past. Obviously, I didn’t tell you anything.” He gestured to Arackniss. “Mostly because it’s hard. But I’m ready now. Can I tell you about my twin sister, Molly? She ended up in a better place than her brothers.”
Everyone smiled so softly, Angel knew he had finally come home and he let all his love pour out.
# # #
Molly relaxed in her backyard garden. Everyone had gone home and she allowed herself to do what she never liked to do in front of her mother. She held a cannolo with a single word written on it in chocolate: Anthony.
“Hey, Molly.”
She nearly dropped her dessert. Molly glanced at the garden fence to see Emily there. She had thought the dear seraphim had gone home too. “Oh, Emily, I thought you had gone.”
“I started to but thought you looked a little sad toward the end. I came back to be sure you’re all right.”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Molly beckoned her to come in and Emily opened the gate. She sat next to Molly on the porch swing and looked down at the cannoli.
“Anthony?”
Molly broke the dessert into two and gave half to Emily. “Can I tell you about my twin brother? He had a hard life and didn’t end up here but…to me he was the sweetest person in the world. I miss him every day.”
Emily closed a hand over Molly’s. “Tell me everything.”
Italian translations
Giardiniera – pickled veggies, often used as an appetizer
primi Piatti – first plate, secondi Piatti would be second plate etc, denoting the dinner course
I figure most of us know what antipasti and insalata are. Contorni is a veggie dish
Buon Compleanno – Happy birthday
Grazie – thanks
Cornicello – a good luck charm, learn more here. Mine is silver actually
Perché sei il mio fratellino e ti amo e mi manchi – Because you’re my baby brother and I love and miss you
Tanti auguri a te - this is the happy birthday song just in Italian, same melody
Ti auguro una giornata piena di tutte le cose che ti rendono più felice. Wishing you a day filled with all the things that make you happiest.
No one knew it but I dressed up in my 1890s walking dress complete with petticoat pretenders, a corset, my gladstone bag and hat I made (because restrictive clothing being a reason women can't be doctors was in my speech) and I strolled in expecting 4 students I bribed with extra credit and my science coworkers.
Instead I walked in and the place is packed! Nursing is there. Other faculty are there. My friend who retired drove all the way from 45 miles away to be there. Another retired friend canceled an appointment to come (I expected him), my friend (one of those nano ones I mentioned) and her daughter showed up all the way from Marietta (about 90 miles), two former students showed up and there were students I didn't even know there (I assume someone else bribed them).
I did it in a little over an hour (with a few political jabs I'm SURE my family will bitch about when they get the link but they were earned). I got no questions but so much applause.
My friend and her daughter and I went to Bob Evans for dinner (my treat because they came all that way and brought me a cannolo because they know how to make my Italian heart sing) We haven't seen each other in a while, talked about 2 hours (sorry poor Waitress)
I will fandom Tuesday tomorrow. Instead have a happy birthday story for Angel Dust
Title: Ephemeral
Fandom: Hazbin Hotel
Summary: It’s Angel’s birthday and he’s throwing himself a proper Italian birthday celebration with his new family.
Rating: teen
Author Note - Written as a Happy Birthday for Angel and Molly Written for the lyrical titles duet challenge 2025 for the prompt A song from an artist's earliest album and a song from their latest Ephemeral by Abney Park, currently not online
Angel heard them ‘whispering’. This crew did not know how to do quiet. Well, neither did he. He was Italian, after all. Husk was telling them all about Italian birthday etiquette because of course he was. He’d caught Angel making the party preparations and promised to tell the others even though Angel didn’t want him to. It was stupid, wasn’t it? Birthdays after you were dead but it was the one time of the year, he allowed himself to celebrate his sister. It hurt to think of Molly most of the time.
He hoped Husk delayed them for a little while longer. He needed time to get the appetizers on the table first. He put giardiniera out. He’d made it himself. He knew a good butcher that did spreads for Valentino and got salamis and thinly sliced salt-cured ham. It wasn’t prosciutto but it was close enough. Olives and cheese rounded it out. He had the rest of his birthday meal cooking.
“Come on, Husk. Let us see the birthday boy,” Cherri demanded and she barged into the large dining hall. “There’s my best bitch!”
Angel met her charge across the room and swept her up in a hug. “Thanks for coming, Cherri.”
“Couldn’t keep me away. How did I never know you were an April’s fool?” She laughed.
“Eh, birthdays aren’t that important down here.”
“Of course they are, Angel,” Charlie said, sweeping into the room with Vaggie and Lucifer in her wake. “Oh, look at all this.” She pointed to the table.
“Antipasti and the aperitivo.” He gestured to the bottles on the table. “Something like limoncello.”
“I brought along negronis and something a little sweeter for those who aren’t up for the bitterness of Italian liquors.” Husk snorted.
“Thanks, Husk. I will take that negroni later,” Angel said. “Come in, have a seat. I see you hanging in the background there, Pen. You can coil up at the end of the table next to Cherri.”
“Alastor said the best gift he could give you is to not be here with commentary about how raucous you’re likely to be. He took Niffty with him,” Husk said.
“Oh, okay. I’ll will make up two plates and put their names on it in the fridge. Very glad to see you, your majesty. I’ll put you next to Charlie.” Angel looked around at the small gathering, the people who were now his family. “Guess we’re all here so help yourself to the limoncello and the antipasti and I’ll be right back with the primi piatti.”
“Go easy on the appetizers,” Husk warned. “You have no idea how insane Italian birthdays get. I do. There’s six of us. He cooked for sixty, guaranteed.”
“You don’t know,” Angel pouted, annoyed.
“Angel, shouldn’t we be doing something to help?” Charlie said. “I know Husk said Italians have the birthday boy footing the bill for the dinner and drinks and we bring gifts but it seems like we should help.”
“Nah, I got this. Husky knows some of what he’s talking about.” Angel side eyed him. “I didn’t cook for sixty.”
“Okay, thirty.”
“Shut up.”
Husk chuckled. “Come on, I’ll help you carry the plates in because you make seven and that leaves you one hand short of being able to do this on your own.”
“Thanks, Whiskers.”
“It’s your birthday so I’m allowing that.”
When Husk followed him out of earshot, Angel said, “If it’s really my birthday, you can cuddle up with me and purr.”
Husk shot him a gimlet eye. “Let’s see how well behaved you are.”
“I’m a bad boy who needs a big strong daddy to put me in my place,” he teased.
“I’m here to help Anthony. If Angel Dust wants to be bad, he can balance that seventh plate on his head.”
Angel snorted, pulling on oven mitts and picking up a spatula. “How about I plate it at the table. Grab the plates and a trivet.”
Husk found them on the table where Angel had left them. He ran ahead to put it on the big wooden sideboard that reminded Angel of the one his Nonna had right down to the carved dogwood blooms on the doors. He started to plate.
“Spinach and cheese cannelloni, just one each because we have five more courses,” Angel said.
“What did you do, Ange?” Cherri asked in amazement.
“I made a treat for my friends who were kind enough to show up for me,” he replied. It had been a lot of work but it was worth it to see the looks on their faces as they dug into the tender pasta tubes he had made from scratch.
After he had plated the secondi piatti, the protein portion of the meal, in this case chicken scallopini, succulent in its rich lemon-butter sauce, Angel turned to Lucifer and asked, “Is this your first human birthday party?”
“The first of this style. I’ve seen one or two. Lilith had befriended Sinners before. I’m used to more balloons and cards.” At the mention of his missing wife, both Lucifer and Charlie’s expressions fell for a moment.
Angel understood. There were people he wished were with him today. “Italians prefer food and music because I promise you, we’re gonna roll up the rugs and dance.”
“After all this?” Pentious rubbed his belly.
“We’re just starting, babe,” Angel said and Pentious flickered his tongue in annoyance. He took to nicknames worse than Husk, if that was possible. “You’ll stay for the dancing, right, your majesty?”
“I’ll listen to the music,” was all the more Lucifer would promise.
“Alastor will probably be back for that. He does love to dance,” Husk said and Angel spotted the look of competition flash fire in Lucifer’s eyes.
“I could probably dance,” he decided.
“Save a spot on your dance card for me.” Angel beamed and Lucifer’s panicked expression made Charlie giggle. “I need to go get the contorni . I made cipolline in agrodolce, sweet and sour baby onions.”
“Really? There’s more?” Cherri asked.
“He did promise five courses,” Vaggie said, taking a bite of chicken. “I don’t know how he thinks we’re going to dance.”
“Should I bring out the insalata at the same time? It’s a chickpea salad,” he said. Angel pouted again over their dubious looks. How did no one appreciate all his courses? He missed his family for a second then he remembered his father and that passed. “I’ll bring them both.”
Once he had put the two small dishes on the table for people to help themselves, he turned to Lucifer and asked, “How do you like your first taste of an Italian birthday?”
Lucifer speared an onion. “Tasty so far. You are an excellent cook.”
“I am but I’m still hoping you’ll make good on the champagne fountain. I could use it right about now.”
Lucifer actually laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.” He sighed. “Your lives as so ephemeral. I can see why celebrating is so important to you.”
“Ephemral, that’s a good word for it.” Emotions swamped Angel and he rubbed his knuckles against his eyes for a moment.
“Kid, you okay?” Husk asked.
Angel dropped his hands. “Yeah, sorry, just thinking my life was more ephemeral than it should have been and that’s all my fault. I screwed up hard but no taking it back so gotta accept it and move on, right? But you’re right, sire, we don’t get much time in the world so we celebrate hard or we should. It’s why I have a big musical blow out for after the meal, gotta get our dancing shoes on.”
“Speaking of this meal, I’m afraid of what comes next,” Cherri said.
“Ah, that would be the formaggi è frutta. I’ll go get it.” Angel rallied his mood.
“Eh?” Cherri shot him a puzzled look.
“Cheese and fruit,” Husk translated.
“Wine poached pears stuffed with blue cheese.”
“Where’s the cake, birthday boy?” Cherri demanded.
“The dolce comes last. I have it, no worries.” Angel stood.
“Can it come after presents…if we can even move into the lobby to do presents,” Vaggie said. “I need a breather before I try to find room for birthday cake.”
“Sure, no problem.” Angel sailed off and came back with his pear platter.
After they made short work of the meal’s ender, they moved to the lobby where presents were waiting for Angel. He and Cherri sat on one couch with Pentious coiled up next to them. Charlie sat between Lucifer and Vaggie on the larger couch and Husk had pulled over a chair.
“Where to start?” He eyed the gifts greedily. He might be over a hundred but he was still a little kid at heart. His fingers flexed as he tried to decide. “Hope someone got me something naughty.”
“Angel!” Vaggie said in mock outrage as Cherri laughed and pounded his arm.
“I’ll start with this one.” He picked up a large box with minimal wrapping paper. Inside was something he couldn’t have expected. It was a small stage with a pole and a small automaton that bore a resemblance to a spider-man.
“Touch that button.” Pentious pointed.
Angel obeyed and the little man swung around the pole with articulated arms. His breath caught. “Did you make this, Pen?”
“I did.”
“It’s amazing. I love this so much.” He threw himself across Cherri’s lap so he could drag Pen into a hug. Yep, he was slimy but Angel didn’t care in that moment. “I’m putting this on my vanity so I can see it every day. Thank you.”
“Here, do me next.” Cherri shoved a gift bag into his hands.
Angel took out a beautiful black dress with a spiderweb of silvery sequins. “The one from that shop. You remembered!”
“Course I did. You’re gonna look great in that.”
“I am.” He kissed her and went back to deciding on the next gift.
Someone knocked on the door, startling them all. Charlie popped up, no doubt hoping for a new patron with bad timing. Someone poked their head in. After a quick glance, the newcomer stepped in, walking across the lobby on tiny spider paws. He hesitated and straightened his spiderweb bowtie.
“Hello, there.” Charlie swooped up on him.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said.
“That’s okay. Everyone is welcome at the hotel. I’m Charlie. Let me introduce you and we can talk about your path to redemption.” She took his hand.
The small charcoal grey spider held up two other hands to ward her off. Angel debated how long this should go on. He kinda wanted to see Charlie hit her most bubbly stride, considering it an extra present given the horror on the spider’s face.
“Sorry, Princess, I’m gonna stop you there. Forgive me for being rude and all but that’s not why I’m here.”
Charlie’s face fell. “You’re not?”
“No.” He shook his head and then widened his eyes. “Hey, Husker, long time no see.”
“It has been a while, Arackniss,” Husk agreed as Arackniss strolled over to shake his hand.
Angel stared, surprised. He hadn’t known they knew each other but Husk had been an overlord and Arackniss was into security for things like casinos.
“If you’re not here for redemption, what can we do for you,” Charlie asked, matching Arackniss’ steps.
“Oh, I can guess. Nice shiner there, Nissy.” Angel circled his finger around his left eye. His brother’s main eye was swollen and a couple of his secondary ones were missing in the swelling. “Lemme guess how that happened.”
Arackniss snorted and pulled out his cigarettes.
“We prefer no one smokes in here.” Vaggie stopped him.
“He’ll die if he can’t chain smoke.” Angel laughed and Arackniss glared, putting his pack away.
“You two know each….oh hell.” Husk looked between them. “Are you related? I never put that together because not every sinner look-alike are related.”
“Yeah.” Arackniss widened his eyes further, noticing Lucifer for the first time. “That’s why I’m here, Princess Morningstar.”
“You can call me, Charlie. You’re related to Angel?”
“Anthony’s my kid brother. I came for his birthday.”
“Notice he didn’t say he’s big brother,” Angel teased, making a gesture to indicate height.
Arackniss flicked his chin at Angel. “I can walk back out that door, Tony.”
“You won’t. You took a punch in the face from Papà because you came here.” Angel stood up and gave his brother a hug, much like hugging a feral cat.
Arackniss squirmed free. “He said to give you the punch double but I ain’t gonna bother. Buon Compleanno, Antonio.”
“Thanks. You missed the meal. Want me to fix a plate for you? Husk can introduce you to everyone. You already know Cherri.”
They glanced at each other, hostile. They didn’t much like each other. Without waiting for an answer, Angel hustled to the kitchen and fixed a big plate of food and microwaved what needed rewarmed. When he returned, Cherri had pulled up a chair on the other side of Pentious and Arackniss had her spot on the couch.
“Grazie.” He took the offered plate of food.
“Now back to my gifts. How about this one?” Angel selected a smaller one in pink wrapping paper.
“That’s mine,”
Arackniss eyed Angel, shocked he had a gift from Lucifer himself. Angel was pretty damn surprised too. He tore into it and pulled out a rhinestone-studded pink rubber duck with a darling parasol.
“Oh my! Look at it. This is so stinking cute.”
“You liked my collection of them. I thought you’d like one.”
“I do. I wanna hug you so hard but I’ll restrain myself,” Angel said not sure if Lucifer was relieved or disappointed. “It’s going in my room too.”
“Here, from me.” Vaggie handed him a gift bag.
Inside was a basket of bath and hair oils. Angel pawed through them. “You got all my favorites!”
“Cherri suggested them. You do always smell pretty darned good. Glad you like them.”
“I do, very much. Thank you. That is so thoughtful.” He reached over and patted her wrist. Vaggie wasn’t much more huggable than Lucifer.
Angel picked up a purple gift bag and took out a little bee costume and some pig treats. “Ohhh, you thought of Fat Nuggets. Thank you.”
“You love dressing him up and you take such good care of him. I thought you’d love a few more outfits,” Charlie said.
“That pig has more clothes than me.” Cherri laughed.
“He knows he’s pretty. Thank you, Charlie, I love it. You didn’t need to get me anything. You already let me stay here free of charge.” Angel bounced up and hugged Charlie. He swooped down trying to extract the last gift bag from under Husk’s seat.
“Hang on. I wanted you to open that later,” Husk said.
“But I wanna see now.”
Angel managed to drag out a red leather collar with a heart shaped bell on it before Husk pulled the bag away.
Husk flushed. “Knew I should have left it upstairs. I didn’t want you to think I forgot you.”
“I’m pretending that belongs to your pet porkchop too,” Arackniss said.
“We all are,” Vaggie assured him.
“At least someone got me something naughty.” Angel kissed Husk’s cheek, earning more grumbling. “Guess that means cake time.”
“Wait a sec, I would never come empty handed, Tony.” Arackniss dug in his jacket pocket and came up with a black velvet box.
Angel cocked his head. He hadn’t expected Arackniss to bring a gift. Well, he hadn’t expected him at all. He opened the jewelry box to see a red coral cornicello with a silver crown on top of the pendant. He sucked in a deep breath, shocked.
“The coral is direct from Leviathan’s realm. I had this commissioned for you. I know I’ve been a crap brother especially these last few decades because I hate that jerk you’re with but I wanted to do something nice.”
“Why?” Angel asked, honestly shocked.
“ Perché sei il mio fratellino e ti amo e mi manchi,” Arackniss said, his eyes misting up.
“Papà will punch you harder if he hears you say that.” Angel wrapped his brother up in his arms, hugging him tight. This time Arackniss hugged him back. “It’s beautiful. I’m putting it on right now. I could use all the luck I could get.”
“I thought so. Speaking of which.” Arackniss grabbed some of Angel’s hair and tugged it.
“Nissy, don’t you dare.” Angel swatted at him.
“You’re pulling your brother’s hair?” Charlie asked bemused.
“You pull ears for however many years you’ve been alive,” Arackniss said. “But we don’t have lobes anymore.” He tugged Angel’s hair some more but stopped when Angel fussed. He took the cornicello out and put it around Angel’s neck.
“That is very interesting,” Charlie said.
“It’s good luck charm,” Arackniss said. “Tony always loved his. I thought he should have another since he’s trying to make a big afterlife change.”
“Italians are big into lucky charms,” Cherri said.
“I have on my red panties.”
“And that’s lucky?” Pentious asked.
“You bet. Especially if I can find someone to peel them off me.”
“No one needs that image and if they do, they can walk a block in any direction and see your posters,” Arackniss huffed.
“He’s not wrong,” Husk said.
“I’m underappreciated.” Angel swooned melodramatically on the couch.
Arackniss shoved him. “Go get the cake.”
“I’ll get it. It’s in the fridge, right?” Husk said.
“Yep. I have a few candles out.”
“I’ll get some plates and forks,” Charlie said, following Husk back to the kitchen.
They came back quickly with a huge tray of tiramisu with the words, Buon Compleanno, Molly piped on it. Charlie put the candles in and Arackniss leaned forward with his lighter.
“ Tanti auguri a te Husk started to sing and the others joined in with Happy birthday to you. Lucifer and Arackniss joined Husk.
Tanti auguri a te
Tanti auguri Antonio
Tanti auguri a te !
Angel blew out the candles to applause.
Husk handed him the cake spatula and said, “ Ti auguro una giornata piena di tutte le cose che ti rendono più felice. Buon compleanno!”
Angel melted like he did every time Husk spoke to him in Italian.
“Angel, before you cut this, who is Molly?” Charlie asked.
Angel had prepared for this but now that the moment was here it took his breath away. Arackniss put a hand on his back, his face downcast too.
Angel straightened up and said, “I know I haven’t always participated in your exercises, Charlie, and you’ve asked about my past. Obviously, I didn’t tell you anything.” He gestured to Arackniss. “Mostly because it’s hard. But I’m ready now. Can I tell you about my twin sister, Molly? She ended up in a better place than her brothers.”
Everyone smiled so softly, Angel knew he had finally come home and he let all his love pour out.
# # #
Molly relaxed in her backyard garden. Everyone had gone home and she allowed herself to do what she never liked to do in front of her mother. She held a cannolo with a single word written on it in chocolate: Anthony.
“Hey, Molly.”
She nearly dropped her dessert. Molly glanced at the garden fence to see Emily there. She had thought the dear seraphim had gone home too. “Oh, Emily, I thought you had gone.”
“I started to but thought you looked a little sad toward the end. I came back to be sure you’re all right.”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Molly beckoned her to come in and Emily opened the gate. She sat next to Molly on the porch swing and looked down at the cannoli.
“Anthony?”
Molly broke the dessert into two and gave half to Emily. “Can I tell you about my twin brother? He had a hard life and didn’t end up here but…to me he was the sweetest person in the world. I miss him every day.”
Emily closed a hand over Molly’s. “Tell me everything.”
Italian translations
Giardiniera – pickled veggies, often used as an appetizer
primi Piatti – first plate, secondi Piatti would be second plate etc, denoting the dinner course
I figure most of us know what antipasti and insalata are. Contorni is a veggie dish
Buon Compleanno – Happy birthday
Grazie – thanks
Cornicello – a good luck charm, learn more here. Mine is silver actually
Perché sei il mio fratellino e ti amo e mi manchi – Because you’re my baby brother and I love and miss you
Tanti auguri a te - this is the happy birthday song just in Italian, same melody
Ti auguro una giornata piena di tutte le cose che ti rendono più felice. Wishing you a day filled with all the things that make you happiest.
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