The vulpine farmer

[ask-follower-jade]

Greetings.

An ask blog for a cotl oc that appeared from thin air in my mind

Notes:

This blog is not suggested for minors, as it may contain suggestive or graphic content.

Not all asks will be answered, sorry if yours gets ignored

About Jade

They are a former anon, turned red fox follower of death, who resides within the lambs cult grounds, despite having never been indoctrinated by the lamb

they usually chop wood or tend to the farms of cult, mainly as insurance so the lamb doesn't toss them out for being lazy

Wonderful art of Jade made by @jeyk2117

Their follower traits:

Unrepentant

Zealous

Faithless

"Pettable"

(You can try to pet them, and they might let you, or they might try and bite your hand off.)

Other important people

@askacultleader, The lamb.

@ask-theredcrown, The one who waits below, Death.

@askdennycotl, Their lover, Denny, yet for now, she has no memory of Jade.

@spellcaster-dude, The caster, generally alright dude.

(more people will be added as they become relevant)

Borders used made by lambouillet

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[askdennycotl]

"Wow... Okay." Denny doesn't ask further, as Jade's answers seem like to suggest that they would like her to find out or remember for herself.

She takes the gun and puts it on the bedside table so she won't forget it later. If only she still remember how to use it.

"I wonder who this friend is. They created this– Uh... Home?... Gave me the gun and some special necklace. I guess it's not one of the followers, huh?" She continues to put other things in their places.

[ask-follower-jade]

You'd be right about that, not someone who's in the lamb's grounds. Frankly, I haven't a clue where he lives, he's probably got a house somewhere on the island, but it could just as well be stuck in some pocket space like this one.

-Jade goes back to their organizing of things, though mostly absent mindedly, as they think of anything that would be important to mention.-

Fairly certain he's taught you a few fun little tricks too, though I'm not exactly sure which tricks exactly.

[askdennycotl]

Denny chuckles and looks at Jade. "Tricks?"

But at that moment Lopina looks into the bedroom.

Denny notices her. "Oh, hello, honey. How did you sleep?" She smile softly.

@thepersonaking56

[askdennycotl]

Denny smiles warmly.

"Good. Play outside for a while while Jade and I finish cleaning up here, okay? I'll find you when we're done."

@thepersonaking56

(I had to insert your reblog this way to save all the previous reblogs)

[thepersonaking56]

"Okay!" Lopina runs outside to play with the others.

[askdennycotl]

"Don't forget to come to the kitchen to eat!" Denny calls after her.

Then she turns to Jade. "What were we talking about?"

@ask-follower-jade

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, nothing too important.

-Jade has a soft smile on their face, having paused to watch the interaction.-

You're quite lucky, I've not seen a nicer or more well behaved kid in the grounds.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..." Denny smiles tenderly, speaking of Lopina with sincere love. "She's a wonderful child. I'm very proud of her. And I'm so happy be her mother."

[ask-follower-jade]

I can tell you are, your face lights up whenever you're with her, or just talking about her.

I'm lucky too, of course, because I can call such a caring person my partner, even if for now, it may not be as it was before.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's eyebrows rise in surprise. Although she doesn't remember Jade, especially as her partner, a soft blush covers her cheeks again.

She takes a better look at them, finding them very attractive. Well, they really look like her type. She's interested in getting to know them better when she has more time to spend on pleasant moments, rather than reading the diary in search of answers.

She shyly looks away and adjusts her wool, smiling softly and returning to arranging things. They're almost done.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade too returns to organizing, and once everything appears accounted for, they help with the putting away, though that includes a lot of asking "Where would you like this?" to Denny-

[askdennycotl]

They finishe after a while. Denny looks around the room. "Okay, this place looks good now."

She looks at Jade and smiles. "Thank you for help. I appreciate it."

[ask-follower-jade]

No problem, I'm glad to have been a help. Did we, uh, ever find the other key for the front door?

I didn't notice one myself, did you find one?

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[askdennycotl]

"Wow... Okay." Denny doesn't ask further, as Jade's answers seem like to suggest that they would like her to find out or remember for herself.

She takes the gun and puts it on the bedside table so she won't forget it later. If only she still remember how to use it.

"I wonder who this friend is. They created this– Uh... Home?... Gave me the gun and some special necklace. I guess it's not one of the followers, huh?" She continues to put other things in their places.

[ask-follower-jade]

You'd be right about that, not someone who's in the lamb's grounds. Frankly, I haven't a clue where he lives, he's probably got a house somewhere on the island, but it could just as well be stuck in some pocket space like this one.

-Jade goes back to their organizing of things, though mostly absent mindedly, as they think of anything that would be important to mention.-

Fairly certain he's taught you a few fun little tricks too, though I'm not exactly sure which tricks exactly.

[askdennycotl]

Denny chuckles and looks at Jade. "Tricks?"

But at that moment Lopina looks into the bedroom.

Denny notices her. "Oh, hello, honey. How did you sleep?" She smile softly.

@thepersonaking56

[askdennycotl]

Denny smiles warmly.

"Good. Play outside for a while while Jade and I finish cleaning up here, okay? I'll find you when we're done."

@thepersonaking56

(I had to insert your reblog this way to save all the previous reblogs)

[thepersonaking56]

"Okay!" Lopina runs outside to play with the others.

[askdennycotl]

"Don't forget to come to the kitchen to eat!" Denny calls after her.

Then she turns to Jade. "What were we talking about?"

@ask-follower-jade

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, nothing too important.

-Jade has a soft smile on their face, having paused to watch the interaction.-

You're quite lucky, I've not seen a nicer or more well behaved kid in the grounds.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..." Denny smiles tenderly, speaking of Lopina with sincere love. "She's a wonderful child. I'm very proud of her. And I'm so happy be her mother."

[ask-follower-jade]

I can tell you are, your face lights up whenever you're with her, or just talking about her.

I'm lucky too, of course, because I can call such a caring person my partner, even if for now, it may not be as it was before.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's eyebrows rise in surprise. Although she doesn't remember Jade, especially as her partner, a soft blush covers her cheeks again.

She takes a better look at them, finding them very attractive. Well, they really look like her type. She's interested in getting to know them better when she has more time to spend on pleasant moments, rather than reading the diary in search of answers.

She shyly looks away and adjusts her wool, smiling softly and returning to arranging things. They're almost done.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade too returns to organizing, and once everything appears accounted for, they help with the putting away, though that includes a lot of asking "Where would you like this?" to Denny-

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[askdennycotl]

"Wow... Okay." Denny doesn't ask further, as Jade's answers seem like to suggest that they would like her to find out or remember for herself.

She takes the gun and puts it on the bedside table so she won't forget it later. If only she still remember how to use it.

"I wonder who this friend is. They created this– Uh... Home?... Gave me the gun and some special necklace. I guess it's not one of the followers, huh?" She continues to put other things in their places.

[ask-follower-jade]

You'd be right about that, not someone who's in the lamb's grounds. Frankly, I haven't a clue where he lives, he's probably got a house somewhere on the island, but it could just as well be stuck in some pocket space like this one.

-Jade goes back to their organizing of things, though mostly absent mindedly, as they think of anything that would be important to mention.-

Fairly certain he's taught you a few fun little tricks too, though I'm not exactly sure which tricks exactly.

[askdennycotl]

Denny chuckles and looks at Jade. "Tricks?"

But at that moment Lopina looks into the bedroom.

Denny notices her. "Oh, hello, honey. How did you sleep?" She smile softly.

@thepersonaking56

[askdennycotl]

Denny smiles warmly.

"Good. Play outside for a while while Jade and I finish cleaning up here, okay? I'll find you when we're done."

@thepersonaking56

(I had to insert your reblog this way to save all the previous reblogs)

[thepersonaking56]

"Okay!" Lopina runs outside to play with the others.

[askdennycotl]

"Don't forget to come to the kitchen to eat!" Denny calls after her.

Then she turns to Jade. "What were we talking about?"

@ask-follower-jade

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, nothing too important.

-Jade has a soft smile on their face, having paused to watch the interaction.-

You're quite lucky, I've not seen a nicer or more well behaved kid in the grounds.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..." Denny smiles tenderly, speaking of Lopina with sincere love. "She's a wonderful child. I'm very proud of her. And I'm so happy be her mother."

[ask-follower-jade]

I can tell you are, your face lights up whenever you're with her, or just talking about her.

I'm lucky too, of course, because I can call such a caring person my partner, even if for now, it may not be as it was before.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[askdennycotl]

"Wow... Okay." Denny doesn't ask further, as Jade's answers seem like to suggest that they would like her to find out or remember for herself.

She takes the gun and puts it on the bedside table so she won't forget it later. If only she still remember how to use it.

"I wonder who this friend is. They created this– Uh... Home?... Gave me the gun and some special necklace. I guess it's not one of the followers, huh?" She continues to put other things in their places.

[ask-follower-jade]

You'd be right about that, not someone who's in the lamb's grounds. Frankly, I haven't a clue where he lives, he's probably got a house somewhere on the island, but it could just as well be stuck in some pocket space like this one.

-Jade goes back to their organizing of things, though mostly absent mindedly, as they think of anything that would be important to mention.-

Fairly certain he's taught you a few fun little tricks too, though I'm not exactly sure which tricks exactly.

[askdennycotl]

Denny chuckles and looks at Jade. "Tricks?"

But at that moment Lopina looks into the bedroom.

Denny notices her. "Oh, hello, honey. How did you sleep?" She smile softly.

@thepersonaking56

[askdennycotl]

Denny smiles warmly.

"Good. Play outside for a while while Jade and I finish cleaning up here, okay? I'll find you when we're done."

@thepersonaking56

(I had to insert your reblog this way to save all the previous reblogs)

[thepersonaking56]

"Okay!" Lopina runs outside to play with the others.

[askdennycotl]

"Don't forget to come to the kitchen to eat!" Denny calls after her.

Then she turns to Jade. "What were we talking about?"

@ask-follower-jade

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, nothing too important.

-Jade has a soft smile on their face, having paused to watch the interaction.-

You're quite lucky, I've not seen a nicer or more well behaved kid in the grounds.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[thepersonaking56]

Lopina looks happy.

"I slept well"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade gives a little wave towards Lopina while they're sorting through things.-

Nice to see you're doing well little one, What have you been up to recently, I don't think I've noticed you about the lambs ground very much.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[askdennycotl]

"Wow... Okay." Denny doesn't ask further, as Jade's answers seem like to suggest that they would like her to find out or remember for herself.

She takes the gun and puts it on the bedside table so she won't forget it later. If only she still remember how to use it.

"I wonder who this friend is. They created this– Uh... Home?... Gave me the gun and some special necklace. I guess it's not one of the followers, huh?" She continues to put other things in their places.

[ask-follower-jade]

You'd be right about that, not someone who's in the lamb's grounds. Frankly, I haven't a clue where he lives, he's probably got a house somewhere on the island, but it could just as well be stuck in some pocket space like this one.

-Jade goes back to their organizing of things, though mostly absent mindedly, as they think of anything that would be important to mention.-

Fairly certain he's taught you a few fun little tricks too, though I'm not exactly sure which tricks exactly.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[askdennycotl]

"You sound like it's some special necklace." Denny closes the box and puts it back in the drawer.

[ask-follower-jade]

Very special, yes, they were more than a little enchanted.

The exact enchantment... might be better for another time, or you'll remember them on your own.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes out the yellow vial. "But it looks like this one has already been used."

"I have so many interesting things…"

"But what exactly were you thinking about then?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I had thought it might have been a necklace, we were each gifted one. I don't know if you ever decided to put yours on.

Mine... still lies in it's box, sitting in my bedside drawer.

-They chuckle a bit, before sighing and looking away.-

When we first talked about them, I made the claim 'who better than us?' to have them, and yet, I haven't once thought to put it on.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh... How sweet of them. I guess I should keep this with me then…" She takes the gun in her hand, examining it. Then she carefully puts it aside and takes out the box.

She opens the box. Inside are four small vials with liquids inside. One is pink with the label "Love". One is dark purple with the label "Un-Love". The third is blue, the label is "To forget". The last one is yellow, half empty, with the label "Life". "Oh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh that is not what I thought was in that box... So I was wrong on who gave you those, I don't exactly remember how you got these.

Be... very careful with them I'm not entirely sure how they work, but misuse could be a very bad thing...

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[askdennycotl]

"I... Don't know..." Denny looks confused. "Why is there the gun here?" She looks at Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

The short answer is self defense, if I remember correctly. it was given to you by the same person that made this little house space.

Sometimes the faceless can be a bit... violent.

He also gave the box, which I've got a pretty good guess at what's inside. Or was inside, I'm not sure if you had taken it out.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, okay."

In the bedroom, Denny looks around, wondering where to start, because starting is always the most difficult thing.

Finally, she begins to put some things in their place. More precisely, where she now feels they belong. But at one point, she finds another small key. It doesn't look like a door key, but it does look a bit like the one that unlocked the drawer of the bedside table.

Denny looks around and finds another drawer with a keyhole of the closet opposite the bed. She opens the lock with a key and pulls out the drawer, then freezes. "Oh my Lamb..."

The drawer contains a gun, a hammer, and a small wooden box.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Jade, having little idea where anything went, was mostly just sorting things apart, to make the "where does this go?" a little easier for Denny, until they noticed her pause and surprise.-

Hmm, find something odd?

-They step over and peek into the drawer themselves, significantly less surprised than denny was at the contents.-

Oh, so that's where yours is, that's a good thing to know where is.

Not sure what the hammer is for though... maybe it's what you used to break the mirror?

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[askdennycotl]

Denny is surprised when they hold out their hand to her, but accepts it with a smile and gets up.

"You're right... But you said a few important things. What else should we find?" She starts walking towards her bedroom.

[ask-follower-jade]

-They shrug, following her-

Probably a few, I haven't a clue what's in there, could just be your key, could be a buncha important things.

For now, we either get lucky with you remembering somethings important, or we look at it and guess "This might be important".

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny giggles, looking into their eyes. "Well. If you insist."

[ask-follower-jade]

I do, so lets get to it.

-They push themselves up from the couch, and put a hand out to help Denny up as well.-

It needs to be tidied up sooner or later, and there's probably a few important things hiding in there anyway.

Like your key for the door, which i have no idea where is.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[askdennycotl]

Their last words bring her a warm smile and a soft blush to her cheeks. However, there is sadness in her gaze. After a while, she looks down at her lap.

"I'm sorry... I mean, of course it wasn't my choice to forget... Just..."

She sighs and looks at them again. "I hope I'll remember one day."

[ask-follower-jade]

I'm sure you will. How long it'll take, with everything else that might happen, who knows, but I'm sure you will.

-Their smile is soft, and the lean over towards Denny-

In the mean time, are you sure you don't want any help cleaning up your room, because I'm fully willing to help.

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.

[askdennycotl]

But from her look, Jade can tell that she's already done. And their words only reinforced her guesses. She nods slowly. Her expression becomes more serious.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Well... To be honest, one would think that me running over, calling you 'love' and pulling you into a hug the second I realize you're awake would be enough of a tell.

Mostly, I just hoped you'd remember everything on your own eventually, and if you didn't, I guess I'd just... try again.

-They take the strap of the guitar off, and place it to the side of the couch-

[ask-follower-jade]

Denny goes around the cult grounds, looking for Jade. She looks confused. Probably, she needs help.

@askdennycotl

-With Denny finally awake, Jade is back to their usual jobs, being out in the farms.-

-When they see her wandering about, looking confused, they wave her over, pausing their work for a bit.-

Somethin' the matter?

[askdennycotl]

"Oh! There you are." Denny hurries towards them. "Hi." She smiles.

"Well... I think I can't find my tent... I haven't been kicked out of the cult in these two months, right?..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Nope, your tent's in just the same place it was, so....

-They bring a hand to their chin, thinking about what could make her think it wasn't her tent, before looking up in realization-

Ooooh, yea that makes sense. You don't remember the door being there, do you?

Only thing there that would be out of place compared to any other tent.

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah, exactly." Now Denny is even more confused. "Sooo... Why is there the door in my tent right in the center? I also didn't see any of my belongings there..."

[ask-follower-jade]

Yeaa, this one...

-They look around to the other people in the fields, and shrugs after seeing the amount.-

this one is easier to show than tell, lemme put my tools away then we'll head over, alright?

-Jade turns and walks towards the farm station, and Denny can plainly see a guitar slung over their back (That i 100% didn't forget to mention in the first post)-

[askdennycotl]

"Okay." Denny follows them.

When she notices the guitar, her ears perk up. Her eyes light up with sincere curiosity. "Oh?~ Can you play the guitar?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Yea, and I'd say I'm quite good at it too! If you'd like, I'd be happy to play a bit for ya later.

-Once they've put their tools away, they start heading over towards Denny's tent.-

I'll say that, whatever your expectations are for this, parts of it will likely surpass them regardless of what they are.

[askdennycotl]

Denny follows them to her tent.

"Are you talking about your guitar playing skills or the door?" She chuckles.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, I mainly meant the door, but it may be both, depending on how truthful you think I'm being about my skills.

-The look back over their shoulder, a sly grin on their face.-

Though I do recall you enjoying listening to me play before, so I'd bet you'll still enjoy it quite a bit.

[askdennycotl]

"Oh, really? So you've played for me before?" Denny smirks back. "I guess we were close then. What else did we use to do?"

[ask-follower-jade]

I'd say we were close, yea, especially with me having this.

-Jade slips a hand into their pockets, and produces a key, which they wave about a little before placing back in their pockets.-

Proper doors usually have a way to lock them, and locks needs keys.

-Unseen to Denny, is the soft look sits on their face, as they recall all the things they've done together.- For what we've done, well there's quite a bit, almost too much to explain it all.

[askdennycotl]

Denny arches an eyebrow. There are still more questions than answers.

She chuckles. "Okay, I guess this is the key to that door. But why? It just stands in the center of my tent and doesn't even block the way anywhere." She sounds like she doesn't really believe Jade.

[ask-follower-jade]

Well, as I said, it's much easier to show you what it is than to tell you.

-Saying this, Jade pushes the flap to her tent open, and instantly puts a hand back in their pockets to collect the key again, clearly having not realized how close they were to the tents.-

Mainly because, to explain the door, I'd have to explain a whole host of other nonsense and it'd take all day.

-They slip the key into the doors lock, it clicks, and they push the door open, stepping inside.-

So, take a look for yourself.

[askdennycotl]

At first, Denny watches them with a slight sneer, crossing her arms over her chest. She was probably expecting some kind of nonsense, a joke, anything but what she saw.

But then she sees that the door hides a room, not the opposite wall of her tent. Her expression immediately changes, losing its former amusement. Her arms drop to the sides. "What?..."

She goes to the door and looks not inside, but behind it. It breaks her mind. She takes one step inside, remaining with one foot outside, and puts one arm inside, waving it. But when she looks behind the door, she doesn't see her arm there. "What?"

Denny takes a step back and walks around the door, only to stand in front of it again. She stares at Jade. "How?..."

She puts one hand against the doorway, rubs the bridge of her nose with the other. "Am I dreaming? Or have I lost my mind? Or... Or I don't know what! What's going on?..."

Denny looks completely lost. "I don't remember some people. Kyler was talking about some faceless gray creatures who come to ask questions. You're saying that I had, or still have, a cursed part of myself that was talking in my head and trying to take control. That stupid mark on my forehead. And now this–" She points at the door. "What for holy Lamb is this?"

"If all this is real, then what the fuck was going on in my life two months ago?" Her voice starts to sound helpless.

[ask-follower-jade]

... I'm not sure. You never really wanted to talk about what was going on, and I only discovered you were unconscious because I noticed I hadn't seen you in a couple days.

The room on the left was a bedroom for Lopina, right one was your bedroom. It probably has something that says what was happening, but...

-They look towards the door to Denny's bedroom, an uneasy look on their face.-

For now, try and just... take some deep breaths, I can promise everything will be fine. I'm right here to help.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes a deep breath and then exhales, trying to calm herself down. "Okay... So right one, you said."

She walks inside, glancing around briefly as she makes her way to her bedroom. The door opens and Denny freezes in concern. The room is a mess. Some things are lying on the floor, the mirror is broken. Denny doesn't recognize her bedroom, and seeing it like this worries her even more.

She sighs heavily and takes a tentative step inside. For a while, she just looks around, examining the arrangement of furniture and things.

"Well... Maybe I don't remember some part of my life, but I wouldn't leave my bedroom like this on my own, that's for sure. I wonder what happened here... I'll definitely visit the drinkhouse tonight." She hugs herself by the shoulders and is silent for a while. But then she sighs again and walks on, trying not to step on the shards of the mirror. "Alright... I guess my diary should be here somewhere."

But her attention is attracted by a plushie on the bed. Denny arches an eyebrow and comes closer to take it. She turns it in her hands, studying it, and then looks at Jade. And then back at the plushie. And back at Jade. They look the same. A blush covers Denny's cheeks, she feels a slight anxiety.

"Please tell me that you know about it. 'Cause if you don't, it's..." Creepy. But she doesn't say it. She just hopes that being obsessed stalker isn't one of the things she's forgotten.

[ask-follower-jade]

Oh, right, I forgot you had that... Yes, don't worry, it's nothing new to me.

-They look to the side, a slight blush on their own face, as they decide that now might not be the best of times to mention the plush they have of her sitting on their own bed.-

Concerning it may sound, but I'd blame the broken mirror on... 'it'. Wager they were sitting in your reflection, and you just... didn't want to look at them anymore, were probably angry at 'em..

[askdennycotl]

Denny doesn't ask any more questions about them. If this was such a serious part of her life, she probably wrote something about it in her diary, so now she needs to focus on finding it.

"Okay... I need to find the diary. You can help if you want, but I won't keep you any longer if you need to get back to work." She looks at them with a slight smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

There was enough people out in the fields that I doubt I'll be needed back today. And even if I was, I'm sure they'll be able to find someone else to take my place, besides, I said I'd play some music later, didn't I?

But I'd wager your diary is probably on, or around your desk here.

-They point to the desk, sitting fairly obviously across from the rooms door, as they walk over and check to see if it conveniently sitting front and center.-

[askdennycotl]

Denny's gaze falls on the drawer of the bedside table, which has a keyhole.

"Or... It's where it cannot be reached by a non-owner."

[ask-follower-jade]

That, yes that's also a good place to put it, but it does also lend us a new problem.

-They gesture generally to the whole room, with all it's mess.-

Where's the key?

Because despite how close we were, I doubt my key works for anything but the front door.

As a door key that also opens a private drawer doesn't seem like a very good idea.

[askdennycotl]

Denny shrugs. "Well, it depends on who created the design of this room. And I doubt it was me, because I definitely wouldn't have been able to create something like this myself. So we can at least try, because it would be comical if we went through this whole mess and it turned out that you had the key all this time."

[ask-follower-jade]

Fair enough, can't turn to try.

-Jade walks over, careful to not step in the mirror shards, just as Denny was, and hands her the key.-

Just don't try 'n force it, we don't wanna break the key by accident.

[askdennycotl]

Denny takes the key and tries to insert it into the keyhole, but it doesn't fit at all.

"..."

She returns the key to Jade.

"Not gonna lie, no matter how stupid the idea was, I hoped it would work."

She sighs and looks around. "Well... I guess we have no choice but to search."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They put the key back in their pocket, and look around.-

Yea, and probably some clean up too, while we're at it... Sorting stuff into piles for easier clean up later while we look for the key seems like a good idea, so might as well?

[askdennycotl]

"Yeah..."

Denny sighs heavily. She starts sorting through things, putting some on the table or bedside table, at the same time checking the places where the key could be.

[ask-follower-jade]

-The first thing Jade does in the cleaning, is collect all the shards of glass, so no one accidentally steps on one while they sort everything.-

-Absent mindedly, the peer into one of the shards, not expecting to see anything but their own reflection, but with how little they know about that cursed shadow, who's to say they didn't somehow end up in the mirror?- -Assuming there's nothing but themselves in the mirror, they finish collecting the glass, make sure it's not going to get stepped on, and help with looking for the key, and organizing everything else.-

[askdennycotl]

But there is nothing in the reflection to indicate the presence of The Shadow. Jade can only see themselves. Even if they try to look at Denny's reflection in the mirror, they don't see anything suspicious. At least the reflection of her eyes looks normal. And there are no traces of black veins near the eyes either.

Denny doesn't notice how Jade is peering into the shards of the mirror, concentrating on finding the key.

[ask-follower-jade]

-Barely paying mind to the lack of something else in the pieces of the mirror, they finish cleaning the glass, and look over to the bed while doing so.-

Hm.. Any guesses of what, if anything, you'd put under the bed?

Not the most secure of hiding spots, but it's occasionally overlooked.

[askdennycotl]

Denny looks at Jade first and then at the bed. "Oh... It's good idea."

She checks the place under the bed, but there's nothing there. She sighs in disappointment. "Nothing..."

Then she decides to check under the pillow, but finds nothing either. But when she looks away, out of the corner of her eye she catches a slight glint in the gap between the headboard and the mattress. She checks and takes out a key. "Found it!"

[ask-follower-jade]

That... feels like you're asking for it to drop below your bed and be much harder to find.

But probably good we've found it.

Want me to keep workin' on cleaning things up, or should I take a seat in the main room?

[askdennycotl]

Denny crouches next to the bedside table and inserts the key into the keyhole. It fits perfectly. The lock clicks and Denny opens the drawer, finding her diary there.

"On, no. I won't make you to clean up here, so leave it as it is. I'll put everything in order here later."

She straightens up, clutching the diary to her chest, and turns to face Jade. "I'll probably postpone reading the diary for the evening. Maybe I'll get a bottle of wine for that. So if you're not busy, you can keep your word and play for me right now." She offers them a smile.

[ask-follower-jade]

And keep my word I shall, Come on.

-Jade waves for Denny to follow them, as they walk into the main room, spinning their guitar around to their front, and plopping themselves onto the couch.-

-After a bit of thinking, they close their eyes and begin to strum the first song they played for her once again, and singing along just as they had before.- -Though, this time, they sing the second verse without directly looking at Denny, Because it don't feel exactly right for that now.-

[Song being, for those who don't remember, "Here's a health to the company", spesfically the cover done by the longest johns, lyrics can be found here, the song can be found here]

[askdennycotl]

Denny settles down on the couch next to them, but keeping a distance. She listens attentively to their singing and they can tell by her smile that she likes it. But word "lass" confuses her mind. There's something about that word, but she doesn't quite understand what exactly.

When they finish singing, she looks at them with a grin. "Woow. Okay, you were right. You're good at it." Denny squints at them slightly. "It looks like you have someone special, huh?"

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, the song isn't mine, so not exactly about anyone in particular I know, but you'd be right that I do, yes.

Unfortunately, it's been awhile since I've been able to properly have a chat with her, but I'm hoping that can be remedied soon. Doubt it'll be too much longer.

[askdennycotl]

Denny's ears turn down slightly and her eyes fill with sympathy. "Oh... Has she... gone somewhere for a while?"

But then she realizes that it might be something personal and not her business. "Ah, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's probably personal."

[ask-follower-jade]

Ah, don't worry 'bout it, I'm lucky enough to know she's doing just fine, so I'm not really worried at all.

-They snicker at something, though Denny's probably not sure what they'd find funny here.-

If you'd like, I could play another song, don't really have anything else to be doing.

[askdennycotl]

Denny wonders what they find funny, but doesn't ask. She just smiles back.

"Okay. I just hope that your girlfriend won't get jealous."

[ask-follower-jade]

-They laugh again at what Denny's said, though it's still not clear what's so funny.-

Oh, don't worry, there's a snowball's chance in hell that she does. As with the last one, not a song about anyone in particular, I just like it.

-Again they begin playing a song, singing along to their music.- [This one is "Hell's comin' with me", done by Poor Man's Poison. Song here, Lyrics here.]

[askdennycotl]

When they finish singing, Denny feels ashamed that she only half listened to them this time. She started listening to them attentively at first, but then her thoughts drifted to another topic...

They have the key to her house. She has the plushie of them on her bed. When she first woke up, they acted like they were close. At the time, she thought she had heard them wrong calling her love, but now she doubts it...

"Ah, lovely song," words that might betray her. "Umm..." She looks away, lips pursed. "I was just thinking... What's your girlfriend's name?" She chuckles awkwardly. "It's just can it just happened that I know her?"

[ask-follower-jade]

-Noticing swiftly Denny starting to put the puzzle pieces together, once she asks that is (they were oblivious while singing), Jade donned the same sly smile they had earlier.-

Well, I can say for certain that, despite your spotty memory, you certainly know her. As easy it would be to tell, I'm more inclined to be a bit of an ass, and see how long it takes you to figure it out yourself.

After all, you've got almost all the puzzle pieces already lass, you've just got to fit them together.