Every Day Is A New Day

Name's Dawn, I'm a new janitor on the Skullship! Gone but not forgotten. Grop bless her soul.

[bishop-percival]

[[Hi I wrote another thing.]]

The time was 8:45 pm. Since returning to the Glornch from retrieving the corpse of Dawn the janitor with Shep, The Most Reverend Bishop Percival had spent the entire day locked away in his ritual chamber preparing the body for an offering to Glorn.

The priestess Miriam stood outside the entrance of this chamber, a covered bowl of soup in her hands. She firmly knocked on the chamber’s large steel door.

“Your excellency… It is Miriam. Have you eaten today?” 

She didn’t get a response. She tried again, this time pounding her fist against the door so hard it rattled.

“If you don’t open this door I’ll melt it down into a funnel and use it to force this soup down your throat.”

After a moment, the bishop finally creaked the door open, a scowl on his face. “I don’t want your rancid soup, Eyelash! I’m freaking busy!” 

Miriam forced the door open further and pushed her way past Percival into the chamber despite the bishop’s objections. She quickly spotted the lifeless severed eyeball that was once the head of Dawn. it rested atop a stone pedestal in the center of the chamber. Miriam quickly turned to Percival to shove the bowl of soup into his hands before approaching the pedestal to get a better look.

“Such beauty… Surely this will make a glorious gift to Glorn.” Miriam took hold of the eyeball and brought it up to her own forehead. She closed her eye and murmured a prayer. “And may Mother’s Eye accept back Her vision lest She lose sight of this child…”

“Ew! Hey! Put that down!” Percival looked around for a surface to set the soup bowl down on, deciding on a nearby potion shelf. He then marched toward Miriam and snatched the eyeball from her hands and set it back in place on the pedestal. 

“You’re gonna ruin the potency of my offering to Glorn with your soppy prayers to lesser gods!” he protested.

The priestess leered at the Bishop and growled “I’ve told you time and time again. Mother’s Eye is no lesser god. She is merely dormant.”

Percival rolled his eye and folded his arms. “Right, right…” He took a step back. “Well, you’ve barged your way in here and delivered your soup. Can you go now?”

Miriam looked back at the bowl on the shelf. “You aren’t going to eat it, are you?”

“No.” Percival flatly replied. 

Miriam stood still for a moment, then returned her attention to the severed eyeball on the pedestal. 

“...Percival… I would like to hear it from you. You wish to transform yourself into a demon, yes?”

Percy warily narrowed his eye. “Two-Eyes ratted me out to you, did he?”

Miriam shook her head. “Not entirely. I was listening in on your guys’ squabble when he had returned from Lapilli. Besides…” She brought one of her hands up to her face and looked at Percy through the gaps of her fingers. “You should know by now I’m attuned to changes in magical energy. I can feel you slowly growing with power. Demonic power. So of course it was only a matter of time before I figured you out.” She lowered her hand and pointed it behind her at the soup. “You’re so far along you’re starting to shed mortal necessities like eating, aren’t you…”

Bishop Percival let out a long sigh. “Maybe. OR maybe it’s just that I can’t stand your nasty cooking any more! Haha!”

Miriam didn’t laugh.

“... Either way,” the Bishop folded his arms, “What exactly do you plan to do with this information?”

“Nothing…” Miriam stated as she bowed deeply with reverence “...Except to lend you my full support as your faithful servant. Your goal of demonic ascension is an admirable one. Whatever you need of me, I will provide. I owe it to you, after all.”

Percival widened his eye with surprise. He was expecting her usual ‘as long as it doesn't bug me I don’t care’ attitude. Receiving Miriam’s active support was rare. 

He smiled. “Y’know Eyelash, this is what separates you from that sniveling brother of yours. Your faith is in me while he clings pathetically to the church and the Hater Empire, too blind to see beyond it.” Percival thrusted his arms up into the air. “And for that, you best believe I will reward you handsomely once I transmute into a magnificent, all-powerful beast of pure evil! Hehehahahaha!” 

Miram slowly straightened back up. “Do you have plans yet for your ascension? Any specific ritual or method you have in mind?”

Percival lowered his arms and leaned against the pedestal. He idly tapped his fingers on Dawn’s severed head. “I think the best way to go about this is a classic Oswin Invocation ritual. I have a good standing with ol’ Ossy.” He smiled widely. “It’s the one who originally granted me magical capabilities. If I demonstrate to it the immense power I’ve gained since then, I believe it’ll be impressed enough to grant me access to the demonic realm!” 

Miriam nodded. “Very well.” She then bowed once again. “I will gladly be the vessel in which you invoke Oswin into.”

The bishop rubbed the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, uh… well actually, I’m already planning for Shep to be the vessel!”

Miriam shot back up, wide-eyed. “HUH? Shep?” She stammered a bit. “Why Shep!? Their puny pathetic body probably won’t even be strong enough to host such a high-leveled deity like Oswin!”

“Oh calm down,”  Percival patted the eyeball. “I’m testing his capabilities right now. If I’m not satisfied then, sure, I’ll ask you to do it. In the meantime, my plan is for Lamb and I will hear no more if ands or buts from ya!”

The priestess shot Percy a deadpan glare before finally stating “As you wish. You know what you’re doing, I suppose.” 

She turned to make her leave, picking up the bowl of soup on her way out. “Keep me updated” she said as she slipped out the door and firmly closed it behind her.

When she turned around from closing the door, she came face-to-face with her brother Mike, who was quietly lurking in the corridor during that discussion. Miriam wasn’t surprised. She knew he was there. 

Mike spoke quietly and with urgency. “Mir, I’m begging you. Please don’t-” He was interrupted by his sister shoving the bowl of soup into his hands now. 

“Eat this. I don’t want it to go to waste” she commanded before quickly pacing away. Mike was going to shout after her but didn’t want to be heard by Bishop Percival. By the time he tried to walk after her, she was too far away to effectively catch up. 

Reverend Mike sighed and looked down at the soup. He finally departed on his own way back to his room to eat.

[janitorlarry7]

Heya, I'm Sunny! Dawn's sis. Have you seen her anywhere? She never showed up to breakfast, and that was a few days ago, and we're getting real worried!

The last time I saw her was the day before she randomly disappeared....I have no clue where she went, but I have a terrible, sinking feeling something bad must've happened to her if she hasn't been seen anywhere around here in a couple days,,,,

Don't think she's the type to leave too when she just recently joined only a few months ago but Who am I to know her when we barely even talked ;^^

[mortisnothere]

Gee, she wasn't kidding about your attitude. Fuck you too buddy.

Thumbs up!

[mortisnothere]

I know you're not exactly chatty so I'll keep this brief: Have you seen Dawn recently? It's been a few days and she's never gotten lost this long...

Please call the medbay and ask for Eve if anything comes up. I'll see what I can do to make it worth your while.

Who, that annoying dayshift janitor? I passed her in the hall a few days ago, I guess?

I don’t know nun’, don’t come asking me.

[tailorgiuseppe]

A knock arose at the workshop door, and Giuseppe opened it soon after.

A blood soaked pink dress with a note;

“Please clean my dress I left you 50 haterzoids and hydrogen peroxide if you need help with it thank you”

Giuseppe stared , sighing and slamming the door

Why did he become a tailor.

[athecrackofdawn]

[[Rip.]]

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep scoffed loudly “As if!!” They brought the dagger down upon dawn, shutting his eye as blood sputtered across the closet

Dawn clenched her eye shut and howled as Shep plunged their knife into her.

The last thing she prayed for was that her blood would permanently destroy the dress he was proud of.

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) They gasped, putting a hand to their heart and shoving the chair upright “You are horrid! No wonder glorn told me to dispose of you, you’re a truly great sacrifice! Your unrelenting pettiness will feed his power exponentially.” He did a little twirl “And you’re just JEALOUS. That I am PRETTIER.” They took a step forward and squinted, holding the knife over dawn “Ask glorn for mercy, mayhaps?”

Dawn snarled at Shep as they flaunted their dress. "Why in tarnation would I be-!"

Then she processed what they said about Glorn and cut herself off. Showing hatred only pleased them.

So she bowed her head as she prepared the pettiest, most passive aggressive move of all.

"Oh Grop, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Show them the love their life lacks to teach them the error of their ways. When they repent, welcome them with open arms."

"For they are but a misguided child in the face of your great warmth."

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep stumbled backwards, kicking the chair away and staring at her, sniffling “..tacky?” Sniffle. “My dress is LOVELY…”

Dawn shrieked when her chair was flung back and her head smacked into the ground. Her vision wavered, then she shook her head to reorient herself and glared at Shep.

Taunting your kidnapper may not be the greatest idea yet... she knew her fate was sealed the moment she stepped into the closet. If she was going down she'd at least dig some barbs into her murderer on the way out!

May as well get it over with too.

"Yeah you heard me! What kind of dumpster didja pull that out of anyways!?"

Then she smirked. "Course, even the most beautiful dress in the world would look like trash with your ugly face."

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep recoiled in disgust “Ew! Stop that!” He stepped forward and looked down at her, scoffing a bit “You face glorn’s greatness and his loyal servant and all you can do is pray to a false god?? Shameful!! “ They sighed “Know that your body will at least be some worth to glorn as his loyal sacrifice.”

"What greatness!?" Dawn yelled as she violently thrashed her body, making the chair rock.

"All I see is a dingy closet, rusty knife, and some loser in a tacky dress!"

At the last word Dawn flung herself forward hard enough to knock her chair into Shep.

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep winced and got up, picking up a sharp-wavy dagger “Quiet already!” He turned on the light and squinted at the instructions on the bottle of hydrogen peroxide, making sure the door was locked. “I did give you a chance..” Oh, poor thing, so indulged in her false god.. “Okay, this won’t hurt a *bit*..”

Dawn froze at the sight of the dagger and more importantly, the hydrogen peroxide. Any warship janitor worth their salt recognized that cleaning fluid. Why, she had a fairly full bottle right outside on her cleaning cart.

This was carefully planned. Most watchdogs working in this area were out for dinner right about now. It wasn't even a busy sector to begin with.

No matter how hard she screamed her chances of anyone hearing were slimmer than a nettleton's hair.

So instead of continuing Dawn bowed her head as she solemnly prayed between sobs,

"Art thou Lady in heaven, hear my plea. Deliver me from evil before His servant snuffs out the light!"

Dawn raised her head towards the closet's dim lamp and desperately cried, "I know I haven't been all that devout but I swear on my granpappy's grave that if you save me that'll change!"

She laughed, not because she was amused but because she was overwhelmed. "Why, I'll even become a priestess if you wish!"

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep squinted “… you certainly are loud.” They mumbled, putting a hand to his own mouth “Shh! It’s very disrespectful to be loud when I’m trying to read you teachings, you know! You gropists have no manners whatsoever..”

Dawn furiously shook her head as she struggled against her bounds.

"COURSE I'M LOUD! I'M MADDER THAN A WET HEN BECAUSE SOME STUPID GLORNIST KIDNAPPED ME AND THINKS I'M GONNA JOIN THEIR GROPDARNED CULT!!!"

Dawn took a deep breath before screaming even louder than before.

"SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!! THEY'RE GONNA KILL ME!!! I'M IN THE CLOSET! HURRY!!!"

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep winced a bit, sighing tiredly “So loud!!!” They stepped forward, crossing his arms “You are ignorant in the beautiful hatred of glorn!! You gropists are all so shameful..” He sat down in his own seat, opening a book “I must attempt to preach glorn to you!”

Dawn rolled her eye before taking a deep breath and shouting over Shep at the top of her lungs,

"LIKE HECK I'LL BE QUIET WHEN YOU KNOCKED ME OVER THE HEAD AND TIED ME TO A CHAIR!!! I'LL KEEP IT UP UNTIL THE WHOLE SKULLSHIP COMES RUNNING!!!"

"SO SAY WHAT YOU WANT! BUT I REFUSE TO LISTEN!!! WHY, WHEN MY SISTERS HEAR ABOUT THIS YOU'LL BE SORRY!!!"

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) “Oh. My. Glorn.” They trembled “This was my favourite dress!!! You glorn forsaken gropists….” He pulled out a chair and huffed, picking up her unconscious body and slumping her against it, tying her up “Ourgh. I hope Giuseppe won’t mind fixing this.. I hope she doesn’t bleed much.” They waited patiently, brushing off their dress in the meantime

Eventually Dawn slowly opened her eye to find herself in complete darkness. She tried to rub her eye only to realize that her arms were tightly bound, and she remembered what happened to her.

Dawn couldn't tell if it was the ropes or her own panic constricting her chest. She wildly flailed against the ropes as she yelled,

"WHAT'VE I EVER DONE TO YOU!?"

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep stumbled back and cried out in alarm, swinging his night night stick again and kicking her back “IN THE NAME OF GLORN!!”

This time Dawn stayed down, yet not without taking a piece of Shep's beautiful dress with her.

Her incoherent mumbling was only recognizable as cursing from her tone.

Dawn shakily lifted her hand as the ground spun beneath her before going limp.

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep sharply hit her across the head with their night-night stick, shutting the door behind themselves and nudging dawn, checking to see if she was still conscious

Dawn screamed at the impact. At first she was dazed, barely able to keep her eye open.

But when Shep nudged Dawn her confusion turned rage-fueled adrenaline.

"WHAT IN GROP'S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" Dawn yelled as she whirled around and blindly grabbed at her attacker.

[athecrackofdawn]

@follwrshep

(Previous) Shep watched her enter the closet, following her inside and discretely picking something up “It’s just there in that corner!”

Dawn shook her phone to turn it's flashlight on and shone it at the corner. Huh, nothing.

She walked closer while scanning the corner as best she could with her small, concentrated light. Soon she reached the wall and kneeled to get a closer look.

"Y'sure this is the right spot?" Dawn asked as she bent over. She used her free hand to steady herself as her eye got closer and closer to the floor. "Cause all I see is-"