The Deep Soothes Thee…

A diver taken by the Vast.

[dip-n-drown]

Hello there! Natey had mentioned I should maybe start branching out my contacts a bit more, so welcome to my new account! My name is Cordelia, currently residing and always will be residing in one of the many oceans on this world. Can you hear Him? The One Deep Below? He calls and sings to us, tells us to find Him and witness His beauty. I can take you to see Him, if you just give me the chance.

Right, people say to add a picture of myself here! I guess it suits if people know what His prophet looks like.

[OOC: hey there guys, my name’s Nyx, and I’m the same person who runs the tma rp blog @vapor-web! Welcome to Cordelia, my lil’ Vast avatar! As implied at the start of the post, she is in an established friendship with Nate from the tma rp blog @barnacles-incarnate, a friend of mine. They’re cool and Nate’s cool, so go check it out!]

[barnacles-incarnate]

Pssst.

You want since cheese?

🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 🪤

....yeah sure

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, Nate! Can’t believe you…

[barnacles-incarnate]

cords i have been played for a fool.

[dip-n-drown]

Nate we have cheese in the fridge..

[barnacles-incarnate]

Pssst.

You want since cheese?

🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀 🪤

....yeah sure

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, Nate! Can’t believe you…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren spluttered and gagged up water for a while, before raising a shaky thumb of approval at her.

[dip-n-drown]

[She counted that as a good enough reaction. With that, she began to drag hymn back up to the surface.]

[Their heads broke the water and Cordelia cackled loudly, in glee.]

Wasn’t that so much fun, guppy?!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I am so sorry!! I wasn't lying, I promise!! I really can survive without breathing!! It's just that that doesn't mean I can breathe underwater!! I literally cannot die, but my body still has a reaction to breathing in water!! It's just that the reaction doesn't kill me!!!" Thi explained hurriedly, blushing.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia chuckled to herself and held Soren by ters face.]

Oh, what is there to be sorry about?? You got to see Him! It’s both every day someone lets me! Thank you guppy, thank you thank you thank you!

[She hugged hymn tightly.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"...You're not upset?" Soren sighed in relief. Back at the camp, there'd been a lot of things thi'd claimed to be able to do, but hadn't actually managed. Back there, everyone would get mad at hymn or make fun of hymn for that.

[dip-n-drown]

No, of course not! You’re one of the only people who have looked at Him, and you’re the only one to not be immediately horrified! You understood His beauty, you took it in even it was for a second. It was perfect.

[She began swimming up to the shore once more.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled hesitantly. "I-I believe I understand what that is like. To have something you love and worship be perceived as scary or disgusting by others."

[dip-n-drown]

Ah, yes. I am neutral about death myself. Though, the Buried on the other hand… well, the crushing feeling is similar so I do not find that too bad. It’s the feeling of dirt that I do not enjoy. That and my own personal claustrophobia.

[She got herself onto the shore and shook herself off with a grin.]

Well, thank you very much for joining me, guppy!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Thank you for assisting me through...whatever I went through earlier."

[dip-n-drown]

You’re very welcome! Buh-bye now!

[She walked off down the coast, like it’s a tightrope.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren spluttered and gagged up water for a while, before raising a shaky thumb of approval at her.

[dip-n-drown]

[She counted that as a good enough reaction. With that, she began to drag hymn back up to the surface.]

[Their heads broke the water and Cordelia cackled loudly, in glee.]

Wasn’t that so much fun, guppy?!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I am so sorry!! I wasn't lying, I promise!! I really can survive without breathing!! It's just that that doesn't mean I can breathe underwater!! I literally cannot die, but my body still has a reaction to breathing in water!! It's just that the reaction doesn't kill me!!!" Thi explained hurriedly, blushing.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia chuckled to herself and held Soren by ters face.]

Oh, what is there to be sorry about?? You got to see Him! It’s both every day someone lets me! Thank you guppy, thank you thank you thank you!

[She hugged hymn tightly.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"...You're not upset?" Soren sighed in relief. Back at the camp, there'd been a lot of things thi'd claimed to be able to do, but hadn't actually managed. Back there, everyone would get mad at hymn or make fun of hymn for that.

[dip-n-drown]

No, of course not! You’re one of the only people who have looked at Him, and you’re the only one to not be immediately horrified! You understood His beauty, you took it in even it was for a second. It was perfect.

[She began swimming up to the shore once more.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled hesitantly. "I-I believe I understand what that is like. To have something you love and worship be perceived as scary or disgusting by others."

[dip-n-drown]

Ah, yes. I am neutral about death myself. Though, the Buried on the other hand… well, the crushing feeling is similar so I do not find that too bad. It’s the feeling of dirt that I do not enjoy. That and my own personal claustrophobia.

[She got herself onto the shore and shook herself off with a grin.]

Well, thank you very much for joining me, guppy!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren spluttered and gagged up water for a while, before raising a shaky thumb of approval at her.

[dip-n-drown]

[She counted that as a good enough reaction. With that, she began to drag hymn back up to the surface.]

[Their heads broke the water and Cordelia cackled loudly, in glee.]

Wasn’t that so much fun, guppy?!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I am so sorry!! I wasn't lying, I promise!! I really can survive without breathing!! It's just that that doesn't mean I can breathe underwater!! I literally cannot die, but my body still has a reaction to breathing in water!! It's just that the reaction doesn't kill me!!!" Thi explained hurriedly, blushing.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia chuckled to herself and held Soren by ters face.]

Oh, what is there to be sorry about?? You got to see Him! It’s both every day someone lets me! Thank you guppy, thank you thank you thank you!

[She hugged hymn tightly.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"...You're not upset?" Soren sighed in relief. Back at the camp, there'd been a lot of things thi'd claimed to be able to do, but hadn't actually managed. Back there, everyone would get mad at hymn or make fun of hymn for that.

[dip-n-drown]

No, of course not! You’re one of the only people who have looked at Him, and you’re the only one to not be immediately horrified! You understood His beauty, you took it in even it was for a second. It was perfect.

[She began swimming up to the shore once more.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren spluttered and gagged up water for a while, before raising a shaky thumb of approval at her.

[dip-n-drown]

[She counted that as a good enough reaction. With that, she began to drag hymn back up to the surface.]

[Their heads broke the water and Cordelia cackled loudly, in glee.]

Wasn’t that so much fun, guppy?!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I am so sorry!! I wasn't lying, I promise!! I really can survive without breathing!! It's just that that doesn't mean I can breathe underwater!! I literally cannot die, but my body still has a reaction to breathing in water!! It's just that the reaction doesn't kill me!!!" Thi explained hurriedly, blushing.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia chuckled to herself and held Soren by ters face.]

Oh, what is there to be sorry about?? You got to see Him! It’s both every day someone lets me! Thank you guppy, thank you thank you thank you!

[She hugged hymn tightly.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren spluttered and gagged up water for a while, before raising a shaky thumb of approval at her.

[dip-n-drown]

[She counted that as a good enough reaction. With that, she began to drag hymn back up to the surface.]

[Their heads broke the water and Cordelia cackled loudly, in glee.]

Wasn’t that so much fun, guppy?!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren kept coughing and choking, though hy never actually passed out, despite what must've been copious amounts of water in thits lungs by now.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia dragged Soren all the way to a cave, more like a cavern. Bigger than any other naturally forming one, and yet too jagged to be man-made.]

There, look!

[She pulled thim in and showed thim a nest. A large one, filled with large blue eggs.]

Are they not just precious, guppy?

[elias-magnusnt]

Who's your favorite Archivist you've ever had?

This is a loaded question and I don't trust you.

[dip-n-drown]

In the words of Cass, ‘no go on Mr Eyelord McGee, tell us your favourite Archivist. Let us judge you for your horrible tastes again.’ Then she’d do her spooky eye thing but I can’t do that so

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren nodded aggressively, attempting to say something to her but only managing in getting more water in hys lungs. Thi didn't seem worried or scared, merely embarrassed.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia sigh and nodded.]

Right. Well, at least I can still show you His eggs! He’s been so kind as to let me see them, maybe He will also bestow His kindness unto you! C’mon!

[She began to drag hymn off.]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren involuntarily gasped, then started coughing violently by instinct.

[dip-n-drown]

[No, no! She was so close to giving another person the beauty of seeing Him! She grumbled, angry while she sat there.]

I thought you didn’t need to breathe!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

A small cloud of dirt floated above Soren all the way down to the bottom. Thi wanted to ask where they were headed, but decided it wasn't worth getting water in hys lungs.

[dip-n-drown]

[She probably wouldn’t have answered anyways. She was too busy getting all excited from showing someone Him, finally. It got darker and darker as the two swam down, as long reaching kelp forests took the light all for themselves.]

[And then He arrived. Cordelia was right, words couldn’t dare describe Him. He was a hulking beast, a thing too busy spinning the world around to take too much notice of the two. But He did let out a guttural cry, almost a sign of welcoming. The two were specks of dust compared to Him.]

Isn’t He beautiful?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren gasped quietly, apparently surprised at her strength.

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia takes Soren all the way to the nearest beach. She seemed ecstatic as she held hymn in her arms.]

Alright guppy! Are you ready?

[She didn’t wait for an answer, instead immediately jumping into the water while holding ter close to her. She swam them both down deeper, deeper…]

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Sure!! I think I am okay now!! Thank you!!"

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia happily cackled as she stood up. She picked ter up and began to climb out of the hole.]

Ha haaa, oh I can’t wait my friend!! Come along, come along, much to see my new friend!

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't think so." Thi shrugged again, adding "I can still breathe if I wanna, but I don't think it's a necessary function for me anymore."

[dip-n-drown]

[She grinned to herself. Thi will be such a good witness.]

Would you like to go and see Him with me?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

[Cordelia treaded through the forest, taking some solace in the dark canopy above blocking out light. It feels almost like home, just… dryer. It’s almost comforting.]

[She looked down at the hole in the ground. She can barely see a form, blankets maybe. This must be it. She crouched down, leaning her head over and staring into the inky black. She shudders at the feeling of the dirt against her hands.]

Hello!? Can… can you come out there please?

[She really didn’t want to go down into the Buried’s land.]

- Cordelia 🌊 (@dip-n-drown)

Soren shook ter head intensely, even though hy knew she couldn't see.

"Nnghhh I don't want to!! There's something scary out there!! I heard it!!" Thi whimpers.

[dip-n-drown]

[She could already feel her heart being squeezed.]

Uhhhh okay. Okay, I can do this.

[She had been muttering under her breath. Just focus on the darkness. It was a much nicer blanket than the packed dirt around. She carefully crawled into the hole, her tail nervously swishing about.]

What did you hear? What did it sound like, little guppy?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren slowly pokes hys head out from under the blanket, looking dishevelled and afraid. Thits pupils are visibly dilated, and every now and then ter hands twitch harshly. Te looks like hy's been crying.

"It sounded like a monster- O-or like a siren- Something big, very big, I don't know...and I saw, I saw scary faces...in the woods..."

[dip-n-drown]

[At the sight of hys eyes, Cordelia immediately softened. She was trying her damnedest to not bolt out of there. She sat down next to thim, reaching her hand out in case hy wanted to hold it.]

I… saw the other messages on your account. I think what you may have heard and seen are just hallucinations. I dunno, never took drugs before. But what matters is that you’re okay, guppy. You will be, especially if I’m here. I’ll sit with you while you ride this through, okay?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Thi grabbed onto her hand after some hesitation, as if unsure whether thits own hand still existed or not.

"I feel funny..." Te whispered, "Everything is so bright..."

[dip-n-drown]

[Cordelia rubbed her thumb over hys hand as they sat together. She smiled warmly at ter.]

Oh, that’ll be the little pills. Like I said, just ride it out and it’ll be over soon. Ah, a word of caution, my little guppy. Don’t go taking random things you see next time.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"But they were right next to my bed...I thought for sure they were meant for me..." Hy mumbled.

[dip-n-drown]

[That caught Cordelia’s attention. She turned to ter, brow furrowed and slightly concerned.]

What do you mean? Were they, like, down here? Or do you mean next to your hole? It- it could’ve been possible someone just dropped it.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"No, they were down here. Right on my pillow." Soren explained, trembling slightly.

[dip-n-drown]

[Oh, that wasn’t good. Who would’ve left such stuff here? No random passerby would do it just as a joke, no one is too stupid for that. So it had to be someone hy knows.]

…Do you know anyone who would be carrying such stuff? Anyone who knows where you live?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Most people that know where I live wouldn't do that sort of stuff, I don't think- At least I hope not...I trust them!! They're all my friends, my friends I love very very much..." Hy rambled, before narrowing hys eyes, as if remembering something.

"I guess the man in the elephant mask would...what was his real name again? Since he doesn't have the mask anymore...something starting with E...anyways!! This is something he would do, probably!! But I don't think he knows where I live exactly, and I can't figure out how he'd have access to psychedelics..."

[dip-n-drown]

Most people I think know you are too busy handling… other problems.

[She doesn’t know too much about what’s happening with Cass. She doesn’t want to. It’s not her problem anyways.]

So the short answer is that you don’t think anyone you know could do this. Great. Maybe… maybe you should make another hole. Far from this one. Maybe that’ll solve your problems? And if not, at least you know it’s some sort of Watcher after you.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"I don't want to move all this stuff, and I'd lose track of where I am in the forest and then I wouldn't be able to find her again." Te whined.

[dip-n-drown]

Her? Oh, is that the skeleton Cass mentioned?

[She has absolutely no ground on this at all. In fact, she would be a bit hypocritical if she did start saying her piece about it. So she kept her opinions close to her chest.]

Well… I don’t know how to help you, guppy. All I can really advise is to not take random pills. But anyways, how are you and that skeleton?

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

Soren smiled slightly, apparently happy to discuss this topic.

"We've been talking a lot lately...I think she likes me back. That makes me sooo happy..."

[dip-n-drown]

Oh, you can talk to her?

[That surprised her.]

I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, not from an Endling like you. …Yknow, I can see a little bit of similarities between you and her, and me and Him. They’re far from the same, but our ways of love might be similar. A love for a god can never truly be the same as the love for a lover though.

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"Unless your lover is your God. I've heard of people like that." Soren shrugs, apparently slowly coming down from whatever trip hy'd been on.

[dip-n-drown]

Hmm…

[That was an interesting thought. What does she view Him as? A god, of course, but anything else? …No, not to her thoughts she doesn’t. Or at least she isn’t quite sure she does.]

No, I don’t think I see Him that way. He is such an awe-inspiring god! He’s like… imagine an eel, right? Now make it big. So big that you are smaller than its own pupil! And His scale, oh, they’re the colour of rust! Such pretty oranges…

[soren-gravestone-baltimore]

"That does sound amazing..." Soren mumbled, trying to picture what she was describing.

[dip-n-drown]

It is. Thoughts will never truly encapsulate it. Nor daydreams, or drawings, or writing. You need to see to believe.

[She looked over to Soren.]

…Guppy, do you need to breathe?