Melody Dear
Chapter Twenty-Three
Two weeks had past since Melody's assault, and things were only just starting to normalize for the hotel again. Everyone was upset with what Vox's men had done, and the only thing they thought was worse was what Melody remembered because of it. They each reacted to it, not one allowing the development to fly, as much as Melody had tried to forget about it.
Cherri checked herself into the hotel. She didn't think the hotel was her thing, but she got permission to stay because she wanted to help Melody. The cyclops was placed on the same floor as the bat and was always there when she needed a shoulder to cry on. The woman checked in, she spent time with Melody, and she was always on alert whenever Melody's emotions got to be too much for her. She couldn't offer words, similarly to how she couldn't for Angel. But she was a caring presence, and that's all that mattered to Melody.
Pentious took a different approach, working with Charlie, Vaggie and Alastor on how to better the hotel's security. He spoke with the hotel manager, as well as their resident porn star on what could make Melody more comfortable. The pair's experience with abusive fucks offered great insight on where Pentious should focus his efforts. In addition, it gave Melody people she could relate to, if only a little bit, and they sparred with her often so she could better defend herself.
Husk had a working set of ears, and would help Melody navigate what she was feeling. His bluntness had a softer edge, but he told it to her straight, and he was able to help the bat land somewhere she could be honest with herself. It led to tears most nights, often due to frustration and confusion. She longed to feel like her normal self, and was now starting to question what that really meant. This all usually ended with her apologizing to the bartender for dumping everything on him. Husk would always tell her not to worry about it, and giving her a kind smile before taking away whatever drink she had on her.
Charlie's reaction was severe, to say the least. The princess was supportive and always tried to help Melody, though she didn't quite know how to. In response to the Vees though? She had pulled the hotel from any and all dealings they had with the social conglomerates. She used her position to enforce a surprise safety inspection on V3 Studios, causing them to cease all operations until every violation was fixed. And, as a cherry on top, she had called her dad. Specifically, Charlie asked him to minimize the Vee's growth and outreach until further notice. A punishment for threatening demons she was trying to help, something that hit the princess as much as an attack on the hotel and on her own person. And an attack on Charlie, was an attack on Lucifer.
Niffty was a welcome and much needed reprieve. The two began speaking more often, though granted it was usually about work. Whenever Melody was off of work and not reeling, she found herself helping Niffty, usually by lifting the small cyclops to hard to reach areas, and had started partaking in developing stories for Niffty's puppet shows. The sight was bizarre to most of the others, but also endearing in its own way.
The one who reacted the most passionately was Alastor. As much as the Radio Demon presented himself in good spirits, the events that transpired left him livid, and not just the night out. Hearing Melody tell them what she remembered of the night she died, her voice broken and fighting back sobs, filled the overlord with a deep-seated desire to rip apart every soul he could come across in a fifty mile radius of the hotel. And if it could serve to alleviate Melody's pain, he would have. But instead, he did what his mother used to do when he was upset: he held her in his arms, on his lap, pressed against him with a softness he thought he had forgotten. And she cried until she was too dehydrated to make sounds anymore.
No one, not even a demon like him, could blame her for feeling this way. Her first clear memory, the first one with people, and not only was it her death, but the worst thing that had happened to her while she was topside. Attacking a woman was intolerable to Alastor as it stood, and raping one was even worse. But for a crowd to watch and cheer it on was sickening. And Penny? Not even Alastor's mother, who had the virtue and patience of a saint, would be able to forgive her. And the fact that Penny was Melody's mother made it all the more grotesque.
This was made worse when he spoke with Niffty later that day, asking if anything happened when she went to check on Melody. The maid smiled and shook her head at him. "No. She said she was upset, and she asked me to check if she missed any spots. She must have come home really filthy. She scrubbed her skin raw to get clean!" The little darling said, her eye sparkling.
Alastor knew better, though. He had seen more than enough women go through their own layers of Hell just trying to move on from such a wretched experience. The feeling of being filthy, akin to filth, or just being lesser than dirt was, sadly, common for those women. And to recall an event and almost have the same thing happen again? Alastor didn't dare to assume what that felt like.
He approached Melody later that evening, when he found her in the piano room after midnight, playing "Clair de lune," struggling to stay in time with the piece and crying throughout. He stood and watched her in the doorway, just as she had done that night. Her fingers soon bashed the keys and the tune changed. Chopin's "Nocturne" in C Sharp minor No. 20. This she played well, but this piece, though beautiful and melancholic like the song before it, was more haunting. Foreboding, even. There was a sense of real risk, but also emotional turmoil and longing, whereas "Clair de lune" was more relaxing. Cozy even. And it suited Melody nicely.
The Radio Demon waited for the girl to finish playing, watching her hands dance across the keys, the sounds of her tired breaths making Alastor's ears twitch ever so slightly. Even though sound filled the room, it all felt eerie and discomforting. Like the calm before a storm, only unlike most disasters, Alastor had no idea how to prepare for this one. He liked having some idea or notion, but when it came to people in Melody's shoes, it was best to take things as they came. So, when Melody finished, an exhausted breath escaping her, Alastor spoke.
"As wonderful as always, Melody Dear," he said softly. Her back stiffened and she squeaked, but didn't turn to face him. Instead, her entire body scrunched up. Alastor paused for a moment then began his approach. "I apologize, but I heard "Clair de lune" and couldn't stay away. It's one of my favorites," he said, walking to the side of the piano. Melody didn't meet his gaze, but kept him in view of her peripheral vision. "Chopin was a nice surprise. Although, and apologies if I step on your toes, it sounded like that didn't come from you. Or at least, not from a place a desire or even a liking of the piece."
"I don't," Melody said, her tone sharp. Alastor's eyes widened when she said this, her voice cutting through his casual mood like butter. Melody noticed his reaction a soon as it came, and she responded to it with a heavy sigh. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be terse with you," she said, turning her attention to the keys on the piano. "I can't explain what it is. "Nocturne" is fine enough, but it feels like pain to me. And when I play it, the song doesn't make the pain go away. Heh. If anything...it gets worse," she said, closing her eyes halfway.
Alastor's smile drooped slightly and his eyes narrowed at the bat a little. "I wish that surprised me, My Darling. I truly do," he said, allowing the distortion in his voice to disappear. Melody turned her head slightly and met his gaze through the corner of her eye. "You aren't the first woman I've seen in such a state. Sadly, I've met too many go through similar experiences, both in life and afterlife. And for as much as I can enjoy people struggling, that was never one of them."
The bat raised her head, fresh tears starting to well up in her eyes. "Were any of them important to you? On a personal level, I mean?" She said in a hushed voice.
"My mother," Alastor said, his eyes distant.
The squeak he got from Melody was difficult to describe. It was higher in pitch, and rang in the room like an echo in a cave. It wasn't a sound of anger or annoyance, and he found shock to be unlikely. Then Alastor looked back at her. Melody's eyes were wide as dinner, and she had turned her body so she see him fully. The black veins under her eyes spread across her cheeks and now appeared thicker, pulsating slightly, but not in a way that seemed to cause her pain.
That's when it dawned on him. When the right word clicked in his brain. She looked terrified.
The Radio Demon let out a soft breath. "Would it be all right if I sit here?" He asked her, his smile tight and his ears pinned back.
The bat nodded, and her eyes never left Alastor as he sat next to her on the bench. Her eyes softened a little, but she still looked at him ready to cry. In truth, he couldn't fault her for it. There were so few people who had known what happened to his mother, all of them friends of hers, and they passed on before she did. Alastor never told a soul about it. There was no one who could sympathize with it when he was alive, and in Hell? Even with the few he trusted, he wouldn't dare consider it.
But Melody was different. She was sweetness itself. The first sinner he met that had no loathsome qualities. She was intelligent, unyielding and selfless, as well as the epitome of a kind heart. If not for her powers, Alastor would be hard pressed to believe that she belonged in Hell. She didn't deserve this pain.
Alastor shifted his gaze between Melody, the piano keys, and his hands as he spoke, but he did so concisely. "It was a different time, you know. Wives were treated more like property and less like people," he said, willing his smile to appear more normal only to have it falter. "We were an interracial household. She and I looked more white than my wretched excuse of a father. He barely brought home enough money to justify living with, especially put next to her. He'd spend most of our income on booze, and would then beat her and try to do the same to me. Mother had never let him lay a hand on me though. She was more gentle and loving than I deserved, and when she put her foot down, no amount of pain could make her move."
Melody sat straighter, watching as Alastor's gaze hardened. "He would threaten her. Swearing he'd punish her worse if she didn't let him discipline me, acting as if he ever lifted a finger to raise me. Bastard enjoyed causing her pain, and when things got bad, she would always shove him into their bedroom. I lost count of how many times he took that as her wanting him. Loving his violence, his strength, his control. But she and I both knew the truth. It was just a ploy, something she endured so he'd forget about beating me. He was unrelenting with her each time."
The memory made Alastor shudder, running one of his clawed hands through his hair. Over a century since that time, and the sounds were still just as clear to him.
Light fingertips rested on his free hand, causing Alastor to flinch a little. The hand was Melody's, and her fingers barely touched him at all. He looked at the girl and saw a strained smile on her face. As if to say he could stop or that she understood. But she didn't. Not fully, at least.
He sighed and straightened his back. "Mother enjoyed cooking. Enjoyed playing with me, teaching me what she knew. She wanted me to grow up and be a proper gentleman, and was always so patient and caring with me. However, my anger towards that pig kept growing, and once I was old enough to work, I acted on it. We were fishing on a boat he rented. I stabbed him with a knife and pushed him overboard. The alligators enjoyed the meal. And while they ate, I cried. Pretending to be a scared child watching his father get eaten alive. By the time anyone showed up to help, almost two hours had passed, and there was barely anything left of him. The relief his death brought her made her weep," he recounted.
Melody blinked at him, her expression perturbed yet soft. "She loved you unconditionally. And you her," she said, her voice a mixture between sadness and reverence.
"I did," Alastor said, looking back at her and opening his hand to hold hers. It had been more difficult than he expected, telling someone this story. Like a foe clawing through his back. Not hard enough to make him bleed out, but enough to leave him in agony. He was grateful that Melody didn't ask any questions that were swirling in her mind. Alastor wasn't sure if he could stand this for very long. He had made peace with these events shortly after descending to Hell, but that didn't make it any easier to talk about.
But it was important for him to tell this story, so he could show Melody where he stood on the wretched ordeal. To understand why last night made him so angry.
He cupped her cheek with his free hand and wiped one of her eyes with his thumb. "Don't feel like you're imposing on anyone here, Melody Dear. Certainly not me. If you ever feel unsafe, if it ever becomes too much, don't hesitate to find me. You don't need an explanation or a reason, and I will do whatever I can to help you through this."
And he did. He played the piano for her. He held her whenever she needed it, regardless of whether or not they were in the lobby or in the privacy of his room. He took walks twice a day to kill off any of Vox's spies. He took her on outings, taught her more about cooking, gave her gifts that would assist with sleeping, and invited her to play the piano on his radio show. Alastor even began using Husk and Niffty to check on Melody's emotional state, only showing restraint whenever Husk told him that he promised to not say anything.
"Oh Dear," Alastor said the first time it happened, his smile in a firm line and his eyes narrowed. "A truly bad day if she did that. Poor thing... Grab two glasses and the Rye, Husker. The good bottle, if you would."
On his radio show, Alastor added the Vees to his news segment with each punishment Charlie dished out. He was so proud of the girl. Violence worked to get a point across, but embarrassment had a way of making wonders. And Vox's embarrassment was always so scrumptious. Alastor enjoyed every single morsel.
"Next up in the news, V3 Studios, Voxtech Enterprises, and Val-Vette Distributions have temporarily been shut down. After a surprise safety inspection, ordered by Princess Charlotte Morningstar, and green-lighted by her father, King Lucifer. The "Almighty Vees" were found in violation of over 40 regulations, per company. Until such time they are all remedied and evaluated as safe to proceed, all stores owned by these companies are shut down to the public, and they are now owe the crown 500 million dollars in fees, each. In a statement from His Majesty, quote: "If the Vees fail to clean up their companies and comply with the law within six month's time, they won't have companies to go back to. I will be keeping a close eye on them." Sounds like the media conglomerates have barked up the wrong tree."
Alastor laughed loudly that day, and Melody entered the studio at that moment. Alastor looked at her with a wide grin. "My my! The studio's very own Melody has just joined us. So, we'll end the afternoon news on one final announcement. The Wither is right around the corner, meaning many days of harsh cold winds, acid rain, and one last burst of plant life before the Tundra takes hold and crams us all into our homes. However, before things turn so wonderfully dour, the Festival of Sins shall be taking place. For newer Hell Denizens, this is a week where all Sinners, regardless of if they're free souls are not, are given a mandatory week off. The booths are run by Hellborn demons, and any rules are enforced by whatever Goetian Legions chooses to contract with this year.
However, the piece de resistance comes from the annual competition: The Songs of Sin. Each year, at least three out of the Seven Deadly Sins pay the Pride Ring a visit to judge the musical abilities of any and all sinners who wish to join in on the fun. The competition has three rounds, and takes place on three of the seven days. But it's not just a simple music contest. The day before each show, one of the Sins gives a prompt for contestants to make a song around and perform the next day. The Sin is chosen at random, and no one will know the challenge unless they are selected. And this year, we have the thrill of having all seven as judges. That's right, folks! His Royal Highness, the Embodiment of Pride, shall be judging the contest again for the first time in decades. And should you win, His Majesty will dub your act as "The Voice of Sinners," and will grant you a week-long vacation in any of the other Rings. So if you intend to enter, practice hard, and follow the rules. Or don't. I wouldn't mind seeing a Goetia tear some poor souls apart."
Again, he laughed. Yes, that was always quite a sight. He saw Melody give him a tight grin. The girl had no desire for carnage, but she never asked him to tone down his liking of it. Truly, she was a rarity. "And now, for today's classical piano segment. I will be back later with the evening news. But for now, enjoy a piano adaptation of a great song composed by Camille Saint-Saëns: "Danse Macabre." Take it away, Melody Dear!"
Ten minutes later, Alastor was pouring the two of them coffee in his room. He brought it up in a french press, as well as both of their mugs. His usual mug was complimented by the one Charlie commissioned for and gave to Melody. It was black, with lavender colored bats forming a heart around white lettering. It read: "Bat Outta Hell." The gift made Melody laugh and chirp in delight before hugging the princess. The sight made the Radio Demon's chest swell with a soft warmth. It was how Melody should be.
"Did Charlie really order a safety inspection on all of Vox's companies?" Melody asked him as she came in, her smile sheepish and her cheeks red.
Alastor chuckled at the sight. This was how Melody should be when she wasn't overjoyed. "She did. And now that she's closer to her father than before, she can enforce things more easily. All it takes is a phone call and a bit of convincing. Not that Lucifer needs much when it comes to our dear Charlie. He'd give her almost anything she could ask of him. When it comes to cracking down on Hell Denizens, he only requires a few reasons."
Her eyes widened and she frowned. "Does that mean she told him?" She asked, a fearful look on her face.
Alastor sighed, internally berating himself at his own lack of foresight. Oh well. No way around it. "The summary version, yes. Lucifer is a fallen angel, remember. He's not one for senseless cruelty, so some reasoning was required. And don't fret, she didn't mention your amnesia. Just that the event reminded you of your death," he said, giving her a softer smile.
Melody bit her lip. "I appreciate that, I suppose. It's still a little embarrassing," she admitted before moving towards Alastor's swamp-side table.
"And there's nothing wrong with that," Alastor said, pulling a chair for her.
When Melody sat down, he pushed her chair in and sat opposite her. He then passed her mug to her. They toasted, their cups clinking together before sipping their coffee. He loved a good cup after a broadcast, and Melody had taken to how Alastor preferred his coffee. It made for a good time. However, Melody's mood didn't lighten. If anything, her gaze kept meeting the table.
He put his cup down on the table. "Melody Dear, what's wrong?" He asked her.
She pouted then bit her lip. Then she shifted her gaze to meet his. "I...I don't know I-" Melody sighed, placing her mug on the table and combing her hand through her hair. "I just... It's stupid!" She said, resting her headin her hands and her elbows on the table, narrowly missing her cup.
"Feelings are neither good nor bad, they just are. And if what you're feeling is frustrating you this way, it's certainly not stupid," Alastor said, taking a moment to move Melody's cup a little away from her.
The bat sighed. "But it is. There's no good reason to feel this way," she said. When Alastor raised an eyebrow at her, she groaned and a deep chirp followed. "I have the best support system in Hell. I have people trying to raise me up and who want nothing more than to be happy and safe. And since all of this shit went down, have bent over backwards to make it happen. So, tell me why my fucked up head's trying to tell me that everyone, including you, only sees me for the trauma and not the person? That this is just special treatment for a wounded bird or something. It's not. I know this, and yet I don't believe it. So like I said: it's stupid," she said, moving her head in her hands so she could make eye contact with him.
Alastor hummed. "My Darling, violent experiences can hurt anyone's sense of self-worth. Reeling from it is, unfortunately, quite normal," he said.
"Are you trying to say that everything would have happened if I came home fine?" Melody said, giving him an incredulous look.
He laughed. "Of course not. Charlie's punishment on the Vees, Cherri's checking into the hotel, and our slithery fellows new security measures, were all a direct response to Vox and his hoodlums trying to abduct and harm you," he said, purposely leaving out the amount of demons he killed that worked for Vox. No need to make her worry more than she had to. "But Vaggie had already been giving you spear training before, and she and Charlie keep a close eye on the well-being of the residents. Niffty enjoys spending her free time with you, Husker has always been a good listener, and Angel and Pentious are far more protective than you know," he said.
"And you?" Melody asked, sitting up straight, letting her arms fall on the table. "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have you close by. I always have been. But up until two weeks ago, you didn't want to be in the same space as me longer than you had to. Do I only get the pleasure of your company because something bad happened? Because it seems to be a bad habit, far as I can tell," she said before looking down.
Ah. So that's what it was.
Again, Alastor hummed, taking a few moments to think before looking back at her. He took another sip of coffee, then he spoke. "I see your point. And yes, it does appear to be a pattern. However, in regards to two weeks ago, you're only half right," he said.
"Only half?" Melody said, sitting straight, a teasing smirk on her face. "And pray tell, how is it only half? You hate touch, and yet you hold me. You like to play mind games, but you told me an honest story about how you grew up. You make yourself available and do your best not to say anything harsh or hurtful. You spend time with me, you act like I'm the greatest treasure there is. You call that half right?" She asked, not expecting an answer.
"I do," he said without missing a beat. Melody squeaked and looked at him with wide eyes. Alastor just adjusted his monocle and let out a dreamy sigh. "But I can see why you don't see it that way. Believe it or not, I was hoping to talk to you that day. About the month prior. Apologize even, if need be," he told her, adjusting his monocle.
She blinked at him, her body going rigid. "Al, are you starting to feel feverish by chance?" She asked him, her ears upright.
Alastor laughed. "Can't say I blame you for that, either," he said with a wry grin. "You're half right because holding you and sharing that experience would never have crossed my mind otherwise. However, I've missed your company. I truly have," he said, reaching for her hand. He raised it and gave it a light kiss. "I am sorry I doubted you or your words. You had done nothing to warrant it. And you were right, I can't afford to let my guard down," he said, lowering her hand. Crimson eyes met violet. "And despite my harshness, you chose to suffer in silence. You do not deserve it, My Dear, and I wish to right such a wrong."
Again, her eyes went wide, and a quivering smile graced her lips. "Alastor, you don't have to do that," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
He narrowed his eyes at her, but his smile relaxed. "Perhaps not. But I wish to," he said, moving a free hand to his chest. "Now, drink up. I have a surprise for you."
Done! I had a hard time with this at first, but like the chapters before it, when I started rolling, it couldn't be stopped. Hope you all enjoyed this, and I'll see you on the next one.