Chapter Text
The lighting was comfortably soft, a dim glow cast by sporadically placed lamps. Just enough to faintly illuminate even the furthest corner of the living room. The antique décor and deep red tones of the hotel reminded her greatly of her home within the overworld, striking her mercilessly with a harsh sense of melancholia. She brushed it off before it laid roots, knowing well it'd return later with vengeance.
Charlie and Vaggie chatted quietly across the room, but she paid them no mind. Much too relaxed in her current position to focus on conversation of any kind.
It was a warm evening. The atmosphere felt calm and homely as she rested snuggly, half perched in Angel’s lap. Long gloved fingers worked carefully on braiding her colorful hair, pulling cautiously in order to tuck some loose strands behind her ears.
A faint tune lilted quietly in the background, something familiar and jazzy. She wasn’t certain when the music had begun but the lively rhythm threatened to lull her into an even deeper sleepy state. She hummed in content, perfectly happy to go to bed right where she laid.
“How’d you even end up with hair like this?” Angel Dust Laughed in wonder. His tone was free of malice and utterly curious.
Startled by the question, she glanced up at the spider demon. There was a gentle gleam of amusement in his eyes as he finished the first side of her braids.
“I used to dye my hair a lot when I was younger… back when I was alive” she fondly began “It helped me a lot to express myself in a time where I couldn’t safely do so with words”.
Angel nodded in encouragement, squeezing her shoulder tenderly whilst she paused in contemplation. Despite having arrived only mere weeks prior, he’d quickly become one of her closest companions. Almost like an older brother of sorts, though such hadn't stopped his lewd sense of humor.
“Talking about feelings has never really been my thing” she chuckled weakly, somewhat uneased by the sudden intimacy of the moment “I guess part of my punishment is that I can no longer hide them”.
The Princess and her girlfriend grew silent at her words, listening attentively. She flushed in regret, an awkward grimace painted on her face as the roots of her hair darkened from a tranquil beige to a mournful grey.
For a moment, the only sound she could hear was her breathing. It echoed in her ears, bouncing unkindly as the world began to feel smaller. It persisted for a small eternity, only getting worse and worse.
Until a static buzzing started to fizz throughout the room, chasing away the stifling quietude.
From the edge of her vision, shadows crawled toward them, slinking along the walls. They slithered intelligently, pooling together as they swiftly approached the chair to her right. The air became unnaturally cool, and she shrunk back against Angel in anticipation. Watching nervously as the pitch-black silhouettes fused into a singular corporeal form.
Alastor.
Angel tightened his lower two arms around her torso protectively and she patted his hand gratefully, releasing a slow breath in relief.
“Marvelous! Absolutely fascinating my dear!”