As far as nights go, this one was simply dreadful. She was no stranger to nightmares ( it seems like they were plaguing her nightly, but the things she’s experienced in those dreams had been nothing comparing to what she’s seen tonight ), but this – this monstrosity of a dream was… it was madness. It was madness and it was Hell, and both those things intertwined together in a sickening dance, coiling around her consciousness. Having odd dreams was hardly a novelty to her, but the fear which propelled her from the comfort and warmth of her bed has been… quite surprising, even to her.
Ever since, she couldn’t fall back asleep - or even go as far as to remain in her room ( the darkness in there felt too real, too… damning. and his absence seemed all the more real - his absence and his presence, and madness and sanity intertwined ) and so she came downstairs, intent on brewing herself something to calm her mind.
Minutes ticked, and the Carver sat by the table, feeling worse than she did before. The dream, the nightmare, lingered like a plague - like the stench of rot oozing from the wilted flowers. Her fingers trailed the rim of the mug, tracing absentminded circles as she struggled to keep the images away from her mind. It was a dream, nothing more. It cannot be anything more. Yue’s frown deepened, dark gaze fixing upon the velvet pouch with Bone runes - she had half a thought to read herself; but her hand hesitated halfway to reaching it.
As if on a cue, someone tapped on the door, diverting her attention from the runes, to the intruder. The person continued to restlessly knock, desperation evident from the sound of the hand connecting to the dark wood. Sighing, Yue shifted her expression into something… more approachable, and extended the invitation ; “Come in.”
Amaranth had wept in the wake of her nightmare, had held herself as the images replayed themselves over and over again in her head. And then she stopped crying. Quite emotionless, she had gone about her house and checked every entrance, redone all her vigils of protection, sure that there must be some weakness in her charms. If only she could find a weakness, something forgotten, it would mean that she had let something slip, that whatever had given her that vision wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
There was nothing out of place.
She needed more protection.
As dawn only just stretched across the sky, Amaranth was in her garden, digging under a willow tree. The long, draping stems were covered in leaves, and they whispered amongst themselves in the wind, as if nature was judging her for disturbing the grave. Eventually, Amaranth disturbed dirt to find something shining white, bone. The skull of a dog she had cared for dearly. Amaranth cleared the dirt around the skull and paused, stroking Leo's cheekbone in the way he had always loved.
He'd been quite scared when she found him, his fur in tatters and clumps. First there'd been food, and then trust, and then grooming and treatments. After a few months Leo's bright, golden fur had begun to shine, and he had decided to devote himself to Amaranth just as she was devoted to him. He walked in her step for five years before he died one day, a sickness Amaranth did not have the skill to cure. He had died peacefully in his sleep, and Amaranth had buried him here in her garden.
"Poor Leo, I'm sorry to have to disturb you," she said to his bones. "You were the best of dogs, my little guardian. Will you help me now?" She began pulling his teeth, until one dislodged neatly and fell into her hand. His canine. "Thank you old friend," she said, clutching it tight in her hand.
It was still early morning when Amaranth ventured from her house. It had to have been fate, to have met Yue after such a display of the weakness of her defenses. Nobody seemed to be about, the street was eerily quiet. Made it easier to beeline to the bone carver's house, knock on the door with a polite rap. Amaranth paced by the doorway, anxiety and paranoia beginning to clamour in her chest. She knocked again, and was relieved to hear Yue's voice answer from inside. Amaranth entered.
"I'm sorry it's so early," she said, crossing the room to come near Yue, waiting to be invited to sit down. "I couldn't sleep. It turns out, I will require your services." Amaranth held her hand out to Yue, revealing the gleaming white tooth in her palm. "A token of protection. Will this be enough to work with?"
