Stella enjoys Augustus and Layla part 1

from /hhg/ - Helluva Hotel General #812
h ttps://desuarchive.org/trash/thread/41145702/#41166632
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>>Stella enjoys Augustus and Layla, from a friendly standpoint
>>They've never done anything against her, or purposefully done anything rude
>>But every time they share a passionate kiss, a loving embrace, or declare their undying love...
>>Stella dies a bit inside
>>Why couldn't she have that?
-
>they live next door to the Goeties
>well, as "next door" as their massive estates allow it
>But...
>...they can hear her screaming
>furniture being broken...
>Stolas, fiddling with excuses, and eventually going quiet
>they recall the incident with the imp
>coarse, perhaps, but the fellow had the decency to at least apologize (while taking off with Stolas' tome)
>haven't seen him since, so they didn't think much of it - the Prince probably has it under wraps, even if the scoundrel did manage to woo him into bed once
>August did note the symbol of Lust on his forehead - perhaps, it was one of Asmodeus' schemes, and neither of them fancied being involved in THOSE

>Stella still smiles, and acts warm and polite when they meet up
>but...
>they can see the emptiness in her eyes
>the pain
>little Octavia's also more glummer than ever, and it's not just the teenage angst they've encountered, or Hell, lived through themselves at one point
>Stolas, on his part, seems fine... Though they see him less and less
>was the fallout after his tome getting nicked that great?

>something's obviously wrong, but they can't quite make out what
>they do try to cheer Stella up, bring her to places when it becomes obvious her husband neglects her
>well, at least he seems to care about his daughter, even taking Octavia out to a theme park

>but Stella can hardly hide her bitterness
>it's really concerning

>they get invited to Queen Lilith's party
>a party, they know from experience, will be on the... Raunchier side of things
>it's a good place for Hell's admitted stuffy low royalty to get together as libertines, and... "Enjoy" each other's company
>their invitation came with the option of a "plus one"

>Perhaps...
>Perhaps, this is what Stella needs
>to let loose, and be merry, if just for a night
>they'll offer her the invitation as well - though, without a doubt, the Goetias had probably received one as well
>still, it's the least they could do to their dear friend
-
>she seemed hesitant at first, but then, very suddenly, she accepted
>they gave her a the date, offered to pick her up (which she also agreed to), but didn't really go into details about the party
>she deserved a surprise

>the night they came for her, she was ready
>dressed in a more... Modern version of her usual attires (she sheepishly admitted that she bought the piece when she was buying a prom dress for Octavia - they just happen to have one in her size, and in the silvery color she preferred)
>Layla assured her that it's fine, while struggling not to grin to herself - she was the one who recommended that she bought something more up-to-date to her daughter, rather than the exhausting grand dresses their parents made THEM wear when they were little Tavi's age
>the only thing they had to give her now was the mask
>it really was just a pointless prop - they could easily be recognized by just their bodies alone, and the domino masks really only worked when there was a sufficiently big enough crowd


>and a crowd there was - no-one invited would miss out on Lilith's parties
>they were a show, a spectacle, and really, a friendly gathering
>while the Queen cared not for their gossip and social climbing (hence the masks and the rule that none should be referred to by name), she loved to perform, and enjoyed seeing people happy...
>...and then some
>vicarious, perhaps (no mention of her succubus nature in polite company), but she did genuinely want every part of Hell to enjoy itself, at least once a year
>there were plenty of shows for the richer sinners, and, of course, her solos belonged to her beloved, and him alone, but it was rare that she'd mingle so casually with other royalty, aside from a few close friends
-
>at first, Stella appeared nervous
>...worse, actually, she went completely automatic
>the same, tired old questions and responses, politely nodding and smiling to others, while talking about nothing
>the Penna's have never seen her so... Rigid, before
>realizing she was best not left on her own just yet, they joined him, and whisked him out of the crowds - thankfully, the others were too busy enjoying themselves to realize how much she was faking it
>clearly, whatever was going on at home was having more of an effect on her than they believed
>bringing her to the drinks table, August offered her a cup of punch... Only to nearly double over as the Goetian instantly snatched a bottle of vodka, and began chugging it with disturbing ease
>Layla blinked
>...Was Stella a... Drinker?
>have things deteriorated that much?

>again, the others didn't seem to mind - in fact, a couple of the others, like Paimon, even cheered her on with an almost fraternal glee
>clearly, the old coot had already had a few
>the stiff spirit soon disappeared in a whirlpool, leaving Stella red in the face, and with an empty bottle in her hand
>she gave a deep sigh, suppressed a belch that burned its way through her nostrils, and sat the bottle down with enough force that her friends were worried that she'd crack it

>now smelling strongly of wheat and ethanol, Stella's beak curled into a relieved smile
>"That hit the spot!" she guffawed, shaking her head "Oooh, get me away from here before I get REALLY drunk!"

>dumbfounded over that claim, August and Layla gently tugged her away to a table, where the Goetian immediately attacked the pistachios on the snack table
>still concerned, but in somewhat lifted spirits that she found a way to relax (and having downed a glass of Stella's choice of drink themselves, each, and having their feathers ruffled from the taste - Stolas may have acquired a taste for imps, but his wife's choice of Stolichnaya left something to be desired)
-
>then, the show started
>Stella's eyes widened

>Lilith appeared, center of the podium, surrounded by sinners, imps, succubi - all sorts of Helldwellers, each a master of their own instrument
>people have seen her sing with others - she was featured on the debut album of pop sensation Verosika Mayday, on a special "hidden track" where the two performed a duet to mostly accoustic instrumentation, but she had sung along with the adorably round flapper Mimzy, her own daughter, Charlotte, on the big stage
>and, of course, there were the rumors that she would spend karaoke night with Bethesda von Eldrich, Katie Killjoy, and whoever they could pick up from the street (thus, often sparing one of Valentino's "employees" from a rough night)

>her band, Resist, came out in full force, as it seemed - tonight was going to be a night of rock
>it began with the quiet plinking of what they believed was a synth (they sat fairly far away from the podium), but it was soon joined by the drums
>and then, the guitars kicked in
>...and Stella's jaw dropped

>Lilith's dress was the blackened, erotic version of a wedding dress
>half her face was adorned by a broken opera mask, and other, by make-up reminiscent of Layla's own facial marking
>and then, she began to sing...

"Tief in seinen Augen
Das Licht wird reflektiert
Das Licht der Finsternis"

>she chose German this time, and, as always, started off with something to get her guests busy
>August vaguely recognized the song as being from Earth - while others may have scoffed at the creations of Man, Lilith found some charm in them
>and in turn, she could bring charm INTO them

"Das niemals erlischt
Alle meine Gedanken
Kreise ihn einfach um
Er ist der Schönste
Niemand ist so schön wie er"

>her voice then became a low growl, as she bent forward, putting a leg forth, one arm hugging and groping herself, as she sang, eyes flitting through the crowd, now both cold and hot and bothered, before settling on the eyes of one
>Stella
-
>Lilith smiled, and began to sing in earnest:

"Wenn das Licht des Tags vergeht
Und kein Stern am Himmel steht
Werden Tote wieder wach
Für den König im der Nacht

Alle Wesen stehen still
Wenn der König es will
Alle Gräber sind gemacht
Für den König im der Nacht"

>August's mind momentarily settled on the thought that the Queen was, for most of them, the only way to get acquainted with modern music
>deciding not to ruminate on this, he instead turned his attention to Stella, who sat, mesmerized, watching as the Queen continued her song

"Ihr Wort ist Gesetz
Ein jeder salutiert
Ihr Königreich, die Dunkelheit
Ihr Charme der nie versiegt
Hinter seinem Schleier
Verbirgt er ein Gesicht
Das ist reiner als der weiße Schnee
Der höchste Gipfel ist"

>Layla looked back at him from across Stella's other side, barely suppressing a grin - they've picked the right time for this, the Queen was really passionate tonight
>...and then, that smile faded, as they both realized that Stella had stood up, and began to amble towards the stage, seemingly hypnotized
>Lilith noticed as well, and leaned down ahead of the approaching Goetian
>she reached out to her, gently cupping her beak and looking deep into her eyes, rumbling the next verse:

"Er will dch ganz
Der König
Fordert dein Leben
Und heute Nacht
Wirst du es ihm geben"

>gently, playfully, she tipped Stella's chin up, and rose back up to sing the refrain, as the song drew to a close

"Wenn das Licht des Tags vergeht
Und kein Stern am Himmel steht
Werden Tote wieder wach
Für den König im der Nacht

Alle Wesen stehen still
Wenn der König es will
Alle Gräber sind gemacht
Für den König im der Nacht"

>the end of the song was swallowed up by a cheer and applause so loud that it would put a stadium concert to shame
>Stella remained still, staring up at the podium, as the Queen prepared for the next song