Chapter Text
The House of Pleasure wasn't as full anymore as it once had been. Some counted that as a problem, mostly those who profited off of its business. Marissa saw it as a blessing. After the whole disastrous and traumatizing affair at the Sanctum, the establishment had been pretty much flooded with customers. Bugs who sought relief from the stress of the sudden uncertainty.
But the visitor numbers had spiked dramatically when she, the House's Jewel, had returned and was once more ready to perform on the stage. Something done far too early considering how bad of a state she had been in upon return, and how much time she should have had to recover from the entire ordeal. But management had pressured her to return and 'take advantage of the populace's interest'. That meant singing before filled rooms with a barely hidden limp and nightmares stealing her sleep away.
It had at this point been about a month since the catastrophe. Things had improved for Marissa since then, but only barely. The night terrors weren't causing her to awake screaming anymore, but no morning came where she felt rested and at peace.
Somehow, she was moving forward. Even though barely anything brought joy, or even just relief from what felt like a cycle of numbness and lying in her bed, having trouble breathing. At least the limp she had received while being kidnapped was finally going away.
It made standing on the stage less painful as she sang. Eyes closed, because ironically it felt better to her. All the lights active during the performances had started playing with her mind in uncomfortable ways. Not just the migraine it was giving her, but Marissa could see things in the light that twisted in ways she factually knew wasn't real.
And yet, every performance where her eyes had been open, the room had bleed into a swirling miasma of colourful lights. Twisting around her, the songstress thought that she was able to see faces, forms, and sometimes things she never wanted to see again.
Whenever that happened, she had needed to get into a private room as quickly as possible after the end of the performance. Otherwise, bugs would witness her breaking down in near panic. It had to be something instinctual, because Marissa had been able to feel her heart speeding up while trapped in the colourful maelstrom. Yet, she lacked the knowledge of what to do.
So, she sang with eyes closed, only opening them once the applause started. Just to get through her day. Afterwards her life returned to a sort of numbness. The butterfly couldn't rightly tell if she preferred that over the heartracing panic that struck at her while asleep, or on the stage. Strange as it was, feeling as if she constantly waded through a world filled with cobwebs proved to be equally as tortorous.
And then, when she performed again on the stage or in private rooms, it felt like a chore. To smile and be pretty, sing and entertain. Please their oppulent guests. The Songstress had lost her inner spark long before the Sanctum. Now it felt like she had barely anything left inside of herself.
As the applause went on, Marissa sighed quietly and let her eyes drift over the crowd. It was all the same, like every other performance. Rich bugs eating good food or staring at her with eyes showing their amusement, greed, and other things she didn't want to think about. Always the same and no matter how long she could ignore it on stage, the truth always caught up with her.
She was trapped here, on this podium and in this house, all for their entertainment and pleasure. Even seeing common bugs, who witnessed her for the first time with wonder in their eyes, no longer provided any happieness to her. It simply felt like nothing mattered anymore.
Marissa stopped and froze, as the applause almost faded out from her perception.
There, back in a corner, she sat. As if nothing was wrong.
Nobody else could see her, not with how everyone was focused on their plate, their neighbour, or the Songstress herself. But Marissa could see the tall figure, who maintained eye-contact without problem.
Those golden eyes were piercing right into Marissa's Soul, or at least it felt like it. The moth was simply sitting at a table that looked far too small for her, no drink or piece of food in front of her. Just calmly watching her.
Applauding with two of four claws.
The moment that she could, Marissa fled the stage. Bowed, turned, and walked as fast as possible away from that chamber. Away from that moth. She needed to get to her room, find a way to calm down-
"Ah, Marissa, wonderful." One of the managers flagged her down, accompanied by a small team of stylists. The only time this would happen was when she had a sudden private reservation immediately or soon after a performance.
It made the butterfly slow down and her claws ball up into fists. She didn't want to right now, even if it was just some young rich bug who wished to have dinner together. No company, that would be preferable. Just nothing.
But nobody ever cared for her opinion. When she had sang with open eyes the first times, they only let her rest and cancel appointments a few times. Even now, the team was pulling her, gently but firmly, to sit down on a chair. And they began to do their work while the manager continued talking.
"We have a most prominent guest today, who put down a reservation for a whole course! Including the Main Event."
The world felt as if it was pushing in on her. If it weren't for the chair and the team around her, Marissa might have lost her balance. It wasn't just that she would have to do all of this, no.
'A most prominent guest'. When the Pale Champion herself had been sitting in the room. Didn't take a genius to figure out what that meant. But it would take a miracle for Marissa to make it through all this without breaking something, or breaking down.
She was starting to feel sick. Not that that would be a viable excuse.
"You know what to do, my dear." The manager finished, looking at her with excited anticipation.
Marissa had to try not to lose herself in that very moment. Or even just release a deep and pain-filled sigh. There was only one correct answer to this. All for the House of Pleasure and its profit, after all.
"I will do my best."
He smiled and patted the butterfly on the shoulder, as the team finished up making her 'presentable'. "Wonderful! Make us proud!"
-o0o-
It had been some time since Marissa was in this room, since it was reserved for those who had put down Geo for the highest possible service. There was enough place for everything. A fine table for two to dine at, a lounge with nearby drinking cabinet, and of course the bedroom, closed off with a tasteful curtain.
The Champion was already there, looking out of the window towards some part of Hallow. She was impressive to look at, that the butterfly had to admit. Not like it was hard to do anyhow. Tall in stature and striking in her pure white colouration, the moth seemed like she had been designed to stand out.
A cloak covered her and now that Marissa got close enough, she was able to make out its incredibly fine make. Especially in how the fine pattern moved, as the wings underneath the fabric shifted. One could almost be hypnotized by it.
But that was not what the butterfly felt herself focus on. No, it was the way she was perceiving the Champion that gave her pause. There was a feeling to this bug, one that had been reduced during the performance but now permeated the entire room. Like standing close to a stove, except the warmth bordering on heat was all around you. And it felt alive.
Then, there was something else. A feeling of being watched, surrounded, and judged. She didn't like it. Marissa was not liking any of this, all of her instincts were trying to convince her to simply turn and run. If she even could make it that far, considering how sick her stomach and low her energy felt.
The moth turned and Marissa saw those golden eyes again. It brought her back to that horrible night, huddling in the corner of the Sanctum's topmost chamber. Witnessing unspeakable horrors before her. Memories were fuzzy and she preferred that, better to have it be a nausea-inducing haze instead of being able to remember it all clearly.
"Songstress Marissa. I am glad to be able to meet you." Her voice sounded naturally authorative, but right now it seemed to do its best to be gentle and approachable.
"A good evening to you as well, I am glad to be of service." She was fumbling her words, not speaking in the way desired of her. The butterfly's managers always wanted her to act is if these meetings were happening naturally and not because of appointments.
To leave the customer in the false belief that any of this was real, instead of the simple exchange of money and service. Besides that, Marissa was also not using the correct voice, sounding far less soft and demure.
Her tiredness was slowly bleeding through. She could feel herself failing. That would not pass over well with management. But the butterfly was also slowly losing the ability to care.
However, the Champion didn't seem to notice quite yet. "I am glad that this is possible. Our first meeting wasn't exactly pleasant, nor the best first impression of myself I can imagine. So, I wanted to remedy that."
These words were making the Songstress' current condition only worse. She always quietly chafed when her visitors acted all polite and nice. Because that never lasted. Normally, these private 'meetings' followed an almost unspoken schedule. Why it was like this, Marissa didn't know, but all these rich bugs always seemed to want the same things in a similar order.
They would talk, her speaking only for false compliments and to express her attention as they regaled her with empty tales and slimy words. Eventually, dinner would be brought. Afterwards, drinks on the lounge and at some point, things would reach the 'Main Event'.
But today, she couldn't stand the thought of going through all that again.
"So." Marissa sighed, trying to keep her stomach calm until at least after the whole ordeal. "When do you want to begin?"
The moth blinked at her, seemingly confused. "Begin? With what?"
"The Main event."
"Oh. Well, I didn’t know you had prepared something special for me. I am flattered." Her tone sounded playful, teasing even. It made Marissa‘s stomach roil, grating on her mind. She hated it when they acted like this, as if it was such a gift and not a commodity bought by Geo.
"You payed for it." She snapped, no longer being able to hold herself together. "Just tell me what you want and when you want it so we can get it over with!"
But surprisingly, there was no anger or another form of reprisal to her outburst. Only genuine confusion on the moth's face. To Marissa's other sense, it was as if uncertainty spread like a plague, subverting the strange warmth eminating form the Champion.
"I am sorry to say but I dont know what you are refering to. Did I say something wrong?"
How… how could the Pale Champion, this bug that had stormed the Sanctum and killed its Master, who had displayed powers that Marissa had never seen before, not understand what this was all about?!
Marissa huffed and stalked closer, almost wanting to put on her sensual act to mock the other bug, if she weren’t so tired and upset. Despite being smaller, she glared at the moth from close proximity.
"This is the House of Pleasure. I am its gem. And you mean to tell me that you really have no clue what that means, especially after you booked my private time at the highest possible rate!?"
"Oh." The Champion eventually said after a long pause, the strange feeling of the atmosphere lessening and changing. Though now, there was something less pleasant coming into the mix, before being seemingly reigned in. In fact, it was as if pressure was being lifted from the Songstress.
Marissa's wings fluttered angrily from where she had folded them on her back, disturbing her blonde hair. All the while, however, her body was increasingly complaining about the fact that she still stood. She wanted to sit down, had to most likely, but that wasn't an option at the moment. Backing down at all was no option.
This was most likely a massive mistake that would cost her dearly, but if it would be so, then Marissa would at the very least not show any weakness during it. If the Sanctum's nightmare had done one good thing, it would likely be taking away the butterfly's fear.
She had seen the worst that could happen. Whatever management could do, it would not compare. If only her body wasn't trying to betray her right now.
"I apologize, but I think you are entirely correct." Somehow it was wrong to see the Pale Champion, who's wrath and ferocity Marissa had personally witnessed, to actually be embarassed about something.
Especially as the butterfly had watched her perform powerful magicks to destroy the Soul Master. That particular part of the fight was fraught with great mental disturbances. She couldn't remember any of the words spoken, or the details of what she could have seen, these things always melted together in her memories. But something of terrifying power and great significance had occurred.
And now, the one at the center of that event was bowing slightly, claws clasped together. "I do hope that you can forgive me for my failings here."
It was ridiculous. Absurd. But, it didn't feel untrue. There was no falsehood that Marissa could find, nor could she see anything bad on the moth's expression.
"I…" Suddenly, all the anger was leaving her. And without it, suddenly everything was far less stable. "I need to sit down."
She tried to get to the lounge, to rest on one of the expensive pieces of furniture but her legs wobbled. Almost immediately, the Champion was besides her, reaching out with multiple claws to steady the butterfly.
Who, however, could not accept. It wasn't even a thought but an instinct to shy away from the touch that had destroyed a bug so thoroughly. To come into contact with this being, no matter how genuine she was in her politeness, was a prospect she could not bear right now.
Overall, her entire body was starting to feel wrong. Even letting herself fall into the soft cushions barely did anything to help that. Thankfully, the moth seemed to get the idea to not sit down right next to her. However, there was only one sofa for the lounge. Afterall, this room was meant strictly for two.
Marissa tried to measure her breathing. This entire thing was already pretty much ruined, not that her 'visitor' seemed to mind or care much about that. Small mercies. She was slowly starting to feel a little better, it even seemed like whatever she was feeling from the Champion was lessening somewhat.
But the sensation of being observed remained. That had actually gotten stronger, to the point she almost felt the proximity of something. Opening her eyes, Marissa could glimpse… something. It was more like a shimmer in the air, accompanied by a sensation that was almost familiar.
No, she had been wrong. There were two of them. She found herself speaking before her mind had fully caught up. "What are they?"
"My children." The moth replied without hesitation, sounding entirely earnest.
For a long moment, neither spoke another word as their eyes met. While the butterfly was flustered because of how the question had slipped out, and on edge because of the answer she had received, the other one remained calm.
"I had wondered if you could see them." The Champion eventually said with a hint of a smile. "You had a strange feeling about you, but I couldn't even be sure until today. Never found the opportunity to."
"What, what do you mean by that?"
"Well, I am fairly certain that there is something unique about you. Of course, I know roughly of what happened at the Gala and your unfortunate inolvement." Marissa winced at that. She had been an unwitting pawn. Like a Nosk from the horror stories told to small bugs, a danger hidden beneath an innocent facade.
But the Champion just continued, not speaking with any accusation or anger. "No matter the scope of their machinations and spellcraft, this 'Lullaby' could only have showed sufficient effect when backed by a powerful voice, one capable of reaching more than the ear. If you know what I mean. And I was able to witness you affect… that Thing at the top of the Sanctum."
"W-wait, I did?" Marissa blinked, pushing herself off the sofa a bit. She didn't remember any of it. But the moth in front of her just looked back with honesty.
"Yes. When that Thing had me trapped with Its horrid melody, you also sang. Disrupted It just enough for me to break through Its attack and then, Its body. And my children did the rest." Once more, she gave a small bow. "So, do not mistake Songstress, you did save my life. And by extension I believe quite a lot of bugs."
The butterfly just blinked. Then, she slumped back into the sofa and closed her eyes. It was too much, the Champion had to be joking. All of this must be one grand jest, because why would someone as lowly as her…
No. No, there was something. Marissa almost felt like she was slowly sinking into the sofa, but she could see it. The memories of that night replayed before her eyes, over and over. Now, however, things were clearing up slightly. She could remember the Abomination that had whispered into her ear, attempting to ensare the being that now sat besides her. And the Songstress felt herself start to sing in that memory, quiet and meek compared to the choir of ruin fit into one creature.
Yet as the Champion had said, it was just enough to cause a moment of weakness.
"-re you alright?" Reality slowly began to assert itself once more. Marissa was breathing heavily, feeling ill. She blinked to pull herself out of whatever state she had just fallen into. What an evening this turned out to be.
"'m good." The butterfly mumbles. "Just… not all that… rested."
Judging by the sound, the Champion wasn't really believing it. However, she didn't say anything, instead just remaining where she sat. Golden eyes observed Marissa very closely.
Neither of them said anything anymore, for a while. It was just them. And whatever beings had followed the tall moth to this place. What had she called them? Her children? This was all so strange and, if Marissa had to be honest, scary. She would almost wish for things to be like how it had been before the gala.
Her breath came out slow, in and out, trying to calm herself. And gradually, her body was beginning to settle. It wasn't exactly doing better, but a little less bad.
Eventually, a knock on the door indicated that the food had arrived. Without a word, the Champion rose from the sofa and stepped over. She opened and allowed them to enter, directing the waiters to the table. Marissa couldn't help but notice how the moth would move in a way that the other bugs couldn't focus on her, pretty much lying on the couch as if she was about to pass out.
The waiters left quickly, as they were trained to do. Several platters covered by gleaming metal domes had been delivered, one of which the Champion lifted. Immediately, the tantalizing smell of food began to fill the room. It caused a rather uncomfortable reaction inside of Marissa.
"Do you wish for some assistance? Just to get to the table. I think you could use food and drink." A claw was being extended to her. And the butterfly had to confess she didn't feel as much of a revulsion than she had before.
Though Marissa still hesitated, she took a breath and accepted the offer.
She hadn't expected how gentle the grip on her own claw was. The Champion was very careful in guiding her to a standing position and then towards the table. None of her other visitors had ever been like this, though, she had also never really required help either.
Once making sure the Songstress was seated, the Champion did so as well. And with yet another surprise, she didn't reach for the alcoholic beverage brought to them, but the simple water. Marissa nodded when offered, having to control herself to not immediately gulp down the entire glass. Instead she took tiny sips, that already felt heavenly enough.
"I think we should start with something smaller." The tall moth quickly went through all the platters before settling on what Marissa was pretty sure had been intended as a side dish. "Now, I don't know how hungry you are. But if it has been a while since you last ate, then you should take it slow. At least that is how they explained it to me back then."
She couldn't help it. All the pretenses and carefully constructed facades of the House of Pleasure had already been bypassed at this point, so Marissa simply spoke as she started eating. "Have you ever had to go hungry, Lady Champion?"
The one sitting opposite her simply chuckled. "I think I was technically starving to death for an extended period of time. Also, please just call me Radia."
What was Marissa even supposed to be surprised by? Either by the way she was being invited to speak to the Pale Champion with what sounded like her simple name. Or the fact that the moth had undergone such a horrible thing, yet spoke very casually about it.
Not made better by the fact that Radia simply continued, motioning to above them where nothing was. At least nothing visible. The two 'children' of the Pale Champion were still circling them and rather close too.
"And since we doing introductions, they are called Rememberance and Revelation. It is all a bit of a complicated story, but believe me when I say they are of no danger."
"And yet they killed the Abomination?" That memory had also gotten clearer. Which meant Marissa could vaguely remember moving masses of orange and black that had torn the monster apart.
Radia shrugged. "They are of no danger to you or anyone who lacks such bad intentions. It is the same for me, I harbour only ill will to those who would threaten Hallownest. And especially those I care about."
"…Thank you." Now, golden eyes sprung up in apparent surprise. Marissa took another sip of water. She had followed the advice and taken things slow. Her body was startening to feel less horrible. "For killing that Thing. I… For some reason it had taken a special interest in me, apart from using me for their schemes."
"I am glad to have been of service in that regard." Something about that sentence was almost amusing to the Songstress.
Further platters were unveiled as their dinner progressed. It was slow but surprisingly pleasant. Especially since their conversation felt natural and unburdened.
Marissa couldn't help herself but inquire about the child, who she had recently learned was really the daughter of the Pale King himself. Hearing that she had recovered for the most part from the whole ordeal was comforting.
Radia also shared some stories from her other friends in the palace. And while it was strange to learn that that included the last remaining Great Knight, as well as the only bug currently being considered as a successor for those who had fallen, she spoke of them as if they were just normal bugs.
Marissa didn't have anything like this that she could tell. There were no stories of friends, because there was just her and the House of Pleasure. Not only would none of the things she was able to speak about be all that interesting, it certainly wasn't something for dinner conversations.
Especially not one so nice. She didn't want to ruin it. Yes, the Champion was aware of what she did here. At least now that moth knew. But still, the explicit details were… she didn't even want to think about them.
How funny, normally bugs came to the House of Pleasure to forget their own lives. And here, Marissa was able to momentarily ignore her own. It felt like she was just having dinner with someone nice. A being who actually cared.
Even with how slow they ate, eventually the food was all gone. It had been wonderful and the songstress couldn't help but think that maybe she had never quite been able to enjoy it. Because she couldn't remember it ever tasting this well. Even so, they still continued to talk long after.
About simple things such as food, the city of Hallow and its bugs. Radia had more to share but Marissa felt her want to participate in the conversation steadily increase. She gave her thoughts, provided what small pieces of information she knew. Sometimes she could tell small anecdotes or jokes she had heard from other staff.
However, eventually their time was up. And it was the first time that Marissa actually regretted that. She barely even noticed the time passing.
"Thank you for having me." Radia said as she once more threw the cloak around her shoulders. The moth had taken it off for dinner, neatly folding the exquisite piece of clothing.
Marissa smiled, actually genuinely smiled at that. She was feeling much better, only a bit tired still. But, she was somehow more confident about sleeping today. "Thank you for being such pleasant company. I enjoyed it."
There was something in the look theese golden eyes gave her that the butterfly couldn't pick up on, so she just dismissed it.
"I will be in Hallow for the next few days for various reasons. Perhaps I will come by again. If you would be alright with that?"
She wanted to say yes. Anything to just share time with a bug without obligations, duties, or 'services'. This had been nice and Marissa felt like she was starting to become hooked on it, as dangerous as it might be to cling to something she couldn't have.
But she also had to be realistic. Marissa smiled sadly. "Unless you are willing to lay down a lot of money for every time, that might be difficult. I'm really sorry, but outside of appointments I can't be that available."
There it was again, just something inside of that gold that the Songstress wasn't able to understand. Though, she didn't really felt the need to. Especially when the two presences descended and circled around the butterfly for a bit. She giggled at that, despite not being able to ascertain much, they felt almost playful to her.
"Is there a distinction between them?" Marissa asked, experimentally reaching out with a claw. If there was a difference in reaction, she couldn't sense it.
The Champion hummed a bit, before readjusting her cloak. "I think your senses might not be defined enough to notice it then. But yes, there is. Perhaps one day, I can show you."
It was hard to tell but the two presences seemed to bob around, as if expressing something. It made Marissa extremely curious and she wished she could find out what it was. But if she didn't have the ability to, then she didn't know how she could.
"One last thing." One of Radia's claw was on the door knob, her children now circling closely around her. "It has to do with earlier. I am entirely serious about the fact that you saved my life. And because of how much you had to go through, I think this is only fair to make this offer. If you ever have need of something, you may ask it of me. Think of it like a favour."
This moth. It almost felt like she was intentionally trying to surprise Marissa, over and over again. Especially with offering such a powerful boon. Honestly, even just the knowledge of her possessing it would have a tremendous impact , if the Songstress were to use it right. Bugs would talk, come to the House of Pleasure to see the one who had somehow acquired a favour from the lauded Pale Champion.
Which was why Marissa would not tell a single living soul. Her managers would butcher and use up this opportunity to the fullest, all for their own profit. Oh sure, they would give their Songstress a bit more Geo, but what did that matter? She could barely use what she earned, because she wasn't allowed to leave. 'For her own safety.' Maybe that was true, but it was also stiffling.
"Thank you very much, I won't forget it." Marissa smiled and bowed.
With a smile of her own, the Champion left. A little bit later, the Songstress returned to her own room. On the way, the managers crowded her, so that they could crow and cheer and talk many words of how great of an opportunity this would be for the House and what a good job she had done.
Moreso than usual, she just ignored them. Why did they even tell her any of this? It wasn't like Marissa had a part, or say, in any of this. She just followed their orders and did her job, so that they could get rich. Just as her contract dictated.
Eventually, the House closed and she was left in the blissful silence of her own room. It wasn't anything special, it was barely capable of being considered comfortable. But she had learned to ignore that and focus on having nobody around her, because that was the true luxury.
Marissa made herself ready and layed down on her bed. Today had been very interesting. She hoped that the Pale Champion, Radia, would visit again. It was nice to just talk with someone who didn't care only for status, money, and themselves. And the butterfly also wished she could meet those 'children of hers more properly.
Rememberance and Revelation. Well, if this was a family it might just be the strangest one she had ever witnessed. A nice one too, though.
Eventually, the butterfly fell asleep. Strangely enough her dreams weren't as bad today as usual. Upon waking up, the only thing she remembered was feeling both warm and cold, though it faded fairly quickly.
That, and swirls of orange and black.