By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Helluva Boss and all characters therein are owned by Vivienne Medrano and Spindlehorse.
-x-
Loona was sitting on the ledge of the open apartment window, demon watching. There were so many randoms walking up and down the street tonight, off in their own worlds. Blitzø had left an hour ago saying he'd be out late. She thought about calling Octavia or Tex for company. There was also that cutie who slipped his number into her phone at the party in Gluttony.
If she was being honest with herself she really didnt feel like socializing.
She slid off the sill and walked through the apartment looking for a distraction. The place was kind of a mess. Since Blitzø had given up the only bedroom in their apartment for her she viewed the rest of it as his personal space. She hated cleaning it up, but it also drove her crazy. She decided to tidy the kitchen, washing the few plates they had by hand. She let her mind wander as the hot water flowed over the soapy dishes.
She leaned back against the counter and dried her hands, contemplating her options for the evening. There was really only one place she liked to be when she was in these melancholy moods. She tosssed the towel on the counter, grabbed her phone and a set of keys from the hook on the wall and left.
-x-
The office tower was quiet. A few demons were working after hours. Loona could see their dim desk lamps dotting the windows of the building as she walked up the main stairs. She keyed in the door code and headed for the elevator.
Loona unlocked the door to the IMP suite and went in. She turned the tumbler on the door locking herself in and headed to Blitzø's private office. Blitzø didnt know about her visits there. She didnt think he'd be pissed or anything, but she'd rather not tell him regardless.
Loona walked into Blitzø's office and to the safe installed into the wall. She entered the code and retrieved Stolas' grimoire. Opening it she flipped to the page she used most often. Portal Creation. She knew the spell by heart but without the open book there was no magic for her to utilize. She spoke the necessary words and a portal opened. She stepped through and felt the brief breeze as it closed behind her.
She stood on a grassy cliff overlooking miles of scenic landscape. A small hamlet sat in the valley beside a narrow river. Trees and fields were scattered as far as she could see. This was the place where the team had fulfilled a hit on a large group of lumberjacks 2 years ago. The hilltop behind her still held the stumps of fallen trees, but everything below was perfect. She walked to the edge of the cliff and sat down in the cool grass.
She loved this place. She could think freely here. Nightfall was the best. Tonight he moon was wanning slightly. She always made sure these visits were just after the Full Moon so as not to risk Stolas' sudden need of his book. She was positive that the prince knew she did this, but he had never confronted her on it. Who but the guardian of the skies could fully appreciate her need for these moonlit moments.
Loona heard a rustle behind her and turned to see a large grey wolf emerge from the trees. Her ears laid back and she growled low at the intruder.
"Beat it!" she snarled.
The wolf growled in return then cocked its head slightly. Apparently this wolf wasnt expecting anyone to be here. Loona's ears twitched. The large beast dropped into a crouch and moved slowly toward her, letting her know with his movements that he wasn't going to start anything. Loona ceased growling and her ears relaxed. She watched as the creature reached her then dropped his head into his paws. She sighed and turned her head to continue looking over the peaceful landscape.
"So much for not socializing" she thought.
The wolf moved out of his crouch to sit by her side.
"I'm Ainar. Come here often?
"You did not just feed me a pick up line." Loona pinched between her eyes in frustration.
Loona took a beat then turned to look at the wolf, suprised.
"I didn't know earth wolves could speak."
"I didnt know wolves could be...people? Are you a people?" Ainar replied.
"Im...not from here. And Im not a wolf or a human. Im a hellhound. From...you know... Hell."
"Is Hell nice?" asked the grey wolf.
"Not really. It's kind of a shit show. It has its moments. Today was not one of those moments. I come here when I need to... recenter."
The two canids sat in scilence, drinking in the peaceful, moonlit scenery around them. Suddenly Ainar let out a long mournful sound.
"Are you ok?" Loona asked.
"Yes. Don't you ever howl to the moon?" Asked Ainar.
"No. I've never howled at the sky. Just at parties."
"You should try it. Telling all your worries to the Moon feels nice."
"The Moon is just a big rock in the sky, dude. It doesn't give a shit about my problems." said Loona.
"Maybe so," said Ainar, "but I find it helps and you seem sad. Try it. The moon is a great listener."
Loona contemplated Ainar's words. There was literally no one she knew within a million miles to catch her howling at the moon like a pup.
"I feel stupid." Loona said.
"Come on. I'll howl with you. Ready?
"Sure." Loona rolled her eyes.
"Awooooo" Loona howled weakly.
"What was that?" Asked Ainar.
"You wanted me to howl. I howled." Said Loona defensively.
"No, bitch. HOWL!! AROOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Ainar threw back his head and cried loud and long at the silver orb in the sky.
"Now, HOWL!" He demanded.
Loona fisted her hands, raised her head and howled, throwing all her irritation at the earth wolf into it.
"AWOOOOOOOOO!!"
"YES!! THAT'S IT!!" Ainar stood and jumped in his excitement.
"AROOOOOOOOO!!!" he joined Loona.
"AWOOOOOOOO!!!!"
The two creatures howled together into the night. Telling the moon all their woes.
Loona stood for one final howl, putting all of her tangled emotions into the wail.
"Fuck, that felt good!!" Loona smiled at the wolf her tail wagging.
"Thanks for this, Ainar." She said. "Next time I come, I'll howl to let you know Im here. Deal?"
"Deal. I'm so glad we ran accross each other tonight."
"Same. I have to go now. My dad will wonder where I am. He gets a little nuts if I go missing for too long."
Loona picked up the grimoire and opened the portal. Ainar's curiosity pulled him toward the rip between worlds. He gave a quick sniff then backed away wrinkling his nose at the sulphuric sent.
"You live, through that??"
"Yea. It's not as nice as here, but it's home and there are demons who care about me there."
"That's different. Anywhere is home with others who love you. See you later, Loona"
"See you, Ainar."
Loona stepped through the portal and she heard it close behind her. She replaced the grimoire and left the office suite. She wondered what would happen if she howled here in town. Would anyone howl with her? As she stood waiting for the elevator her curiosity grew. She looked at the door just down from the elevator. It concealed the stairs to the roof. She hesitated watching the lighted numbers climb as the carriage went from floor to floor. Loona lunged for the stairwell door and disappeared inside.
-x-
Loona slowly opened the door to the roof. She propped the door open with a dead plant and walked to the iron railing. She looked out accross Pentagram City. Neon lights and streetlamps illuminated the nightlife below. She looked around to see if she was alone then raised her voice and howled. Not a sound of frustration or sadness, but a sound of belonging. A sound that remined her of home. A home where her ridiculous adoptive father lived in denial of his love for an old owl and where his employees were family. A home she never thought she would have.
She waited in silence to see if she would get an answer.
Her phone buzzed.
"Hey Blitzø. Im fine. Just, went for a walk. I'll be home soon. Yea. See you there... Dad."
Loona knew Blitzø would be having a heart attack and questioning what he just heard. She'd have to fend off his hugs and crazy heart eyes when she got back.
As she pulled the roof door open wide to exit she heard a soft howl echo through the night.
She paused and answered.
There is was again! And a new voice sounded. This one closer. A chorus of voices resounded through the night. Loona answered again, then left the roof. Exiting the office tower she could hear the voices from all over the city.