Chapter Text
A great kingdom, that’s what hallownest used to be. The Pale King’s arrival brought life to the kingdom, an opportunity to thrive outside of the rules of the moth tribe. Nou wanted this, Nou needed this.
She left the tribe and began wandering the Pale King’s kingdom; her journeys led her all over the Hallownest before she eventually settled in the City of Tears. While the moths had seemingly forgotten the Radiance, it was still rare to see them outside their home in the resting grounds.
Nou began frequenting the Pleasure House, she was there for one bug: Marissa. Nou was enchanted by Marissa's singing and her beauty. Nou would bring her a single flower every time, though she hardly had the opportunity to deliver the flower. Marissa was always swamped with fans who showered her in praise and flowers, but the flowers they gave were common, found all over the City. Nou’s flower was special, a fragile white flower grown by a quiet figure who was part of the Pale King’s court.
Nou had stumbled across the silverfish while on the way to the Mantis Village. The knight spoke of her problems, her lover was a Mantis, and her tribe would not allow her to be with the silverfish. Nou had listened intently and offered her sympathy. The two became friends, Nou learned her name was Ze’mer, and they continued meeting up after that encounter.
When Nou told the knight about Marissa, she gave Nou a white flower, told her about the delicate nature of this flower, but would not share the origins.
Nou stood in the corner of the packed Pleasure House, every bug was bustling with excitement, holding bouquets of the same red flower. Only Nou had a different flower. Marissa came out onto the stage and the crowd erupted in cheers. Nou’s eyes never left the butterfly. As she began to sing, Nou could feel the room melt away, like the only thing that mattered was Marissa. When Nou watched Marissa, nothing could take her attention away from the butterfly.
Nou was determined this time, determined to give Marissa the flower. It didn’t matter how many bugs were in between them, she would give the flower. She had to.
Nou had a gut feeling that she wouldn’t have much more time, bugs all over the kingdom had been getting sick, and not just colds, they were going almost feral, attacking indiscriminately and secreting this orange goopy substance. It reminded Nou of something in her past, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Though, other bugs seemingly ignored the growing issue.
Nou shook the concerning thoughts away as she left her position from the wall and pushed towards the front of the crowd, she knew the show was almost over. She shielded the flower. Her heart skipped a beat when Marissa noticed her, noticed her determination to get to the front. She held eye contact with Nou for a minute, she smiled at the moth during a small break in her song, and Nou was sent. Any thoughts she had just moments before were gone, the only thing occupying her mind now was Marissa.
The song faded out as the audience clapped and threw flowers. Nou pushed to the stage, she couldn't throw her flower, it would break. She can’t let anyone else handle the flower, no one else but Marissa. The songstress watched as Nou pushed through the crowd, and stood in front of her when the moth finally made it.
“Your voice is beautiful-” Nou wasn’t good at talking with other bugs, but for some reason she had no issue complimenting the butterfly, “I have a flower, a rare one, it’s fragile as well, but I couldn’t imagine a better one to receive it than you”
Nou held out the flower, her antennae drooped as the thought of Marissa denying her gift suddenly flooded her brain.
“It’s lovely,” Marissa gently took the flower from Nou. Her wings fluttered as she brushed contact with the moth. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“Of course, you capture your audience with your song, and I am no exception!” Nou spoke with excitement and admiration in her voice.
“Thats wonderful to hear,” Marissa giggled, “Do you frequent my shows? I feel like I’ve seen you here before.”
Nou didn’t get a chance to answer; the other bugs in the audience were getting rowdy, angry at Nou for taking Marissa’s attention. Her fans were not the most patient bugs.
“Come back after we close, I want to talk to you more” Marissa then turned towards the rest of the crowd, leaving Nou in a daze. Marissa, THE Marissa, wanted to talk to Nou more. She couldn’t be happier.
Nou left the Pleasure House and immediately went to find her knightly friend. She knew the other was in the area because the Pale King had called her from her home in the Resting Grounds to the Ancient Basin, where the Pale King’s palace resides. Ze’mer almost always rested in the City while out on the Pale King’s orders. Nou told the silverfish about her interaction with Marissa and just how excited she was, however the knight seemed different, more stressed than usual. Nou tried asking what was wrong but got no real explanation.