#flightless-egret

[caintheoneeyedwonder]

flightless-egret reblogged your post: flightless-egret started following you

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“Uh. Hello.” the Egret replied,...slowly. “What’s with the eyepatch?”

"I lost my eye..." Cain shrugged. "Wasn't very fun. Nice hat by the way."

[caintheoneeyedwonder]

flightless-egret started following you

"Hello there." The one eyed boy said, waving slightly.

[servantoftheskull]

Taking deep breaths, the Egret tried to get a hold of himself. Eventually, he calmed down. His gaze looked to the head of the cathedral, staring down the statue. The glass windows also caught his eyes... but not for a while. "Well... I'm not a holy man... but Trinity dammit, I'm trying it." he muttered, kneeling to a praying position. "Dear Holy Mother... uh... thing... help me be calm once more. No more subconscious thoughts of destroying Canopy... please..."

Double descended into the catacombs of the cathedral, still smiling pleasantly. She knew why this man was here, and she was all too happy to take advantage of that.

"Marie, you have a visitor."

The Skullgirl glanced up from her altar of bones, frowning. "Another lost soul seeking the Skull Heart. Show them down, then."

"Oh, no, I think you'll want to go up and meet them yourself. The cathedral is empty except for them and us, you know."

Marie was silent for a few moments, furrowing her brow. "Who is it?"

Double's expression never shifted from that pleasant smile. "You'll know them when you see them."

That worried Marie. Double was doing this all for a reason, but she had no idea what that might be. Something sinister, most likely. But she kept her face even as she mounted the steps into the cathedral proper. There was only one person in the pews; a man who was all too familiar.

"You!" said Marie. She moved towards the Egret with a quick pace, face twisted in anger. "You fool! You should have known better than to come!" 

[servantoftheskull]

He had to admit. The nun started to creep him out. "Nah... I'll just... sit down..." he mumbled, taking a seat in an empty pew. "Nothing too extreme."

Double only continued to smile, closing the door behind him, and head turning to follow the man as he sat down. "As you wish. If you require anything, I shall be..."

"...Around."

And with that, she stepped back into the shadows of the cathedral, melting away.

[servantoftheskull]

"Uh... yeah... hi." he replied, a tad intimidated by the woman. "Just... just need a place to recollect my thoughts. That's all."

"Of course, all are welcome," said the woman, pulling the great doors open.

"I am here to serve; if I may assuage your worries, you are free to speak with me. Or perhaps you'd prefer to be left alone?"

To explore, maybe? To find the catacombs? To die?

[servantoftheskull]

"Here goes nothin'." he said to himself knocking at the cathedral's door. No packages, no doubles, just him in his uniform.

A few moments of silence, and then a smiling nun opened the door.

"Greetings, child. What brings you to the Grand Cathedral of the Divine Trinity? You know there is no need to knock, correct? The Great Mother welcomes all of her children-"

The woman stopped for a moment, smelling the air. The man smelled... familiar.

"...With open arms," she said, smiling again.

[servantoftheskull]

Break Me or Love Me, your choice.

"Say, what's a little girl like yourself doing all alone out here?"

Marie started, looking up at the new voice with wide eyes. She didn't recognize the speaker, but she was already wary; a man that size, saying things like that, his intentions couldn't be good. And without the Skull Heart...

"I'm not alone," she said, taking a step back. "But I don't see why it's any of your business."

The man stepped forward in turn, leaning over the girl as he grinned. "Yeah? Who're you here with? Brother or sister, maybe? Your mommy?"

Marie stepped back again, glancing around the crowded space. Her caretaker had stepped away for only a moment, mumbling something about a drink. "My father. Now go away."

"Well, I don't see him around. Not smart, leaving his daughter all alone like this. So why don't I help you find him?" Suddenly his arm shot out, grabbing at Marie's waist.

The girl cried out in surprise, squirming to get out of his grasp. "W-what do you think you're doing? Let go of me at once!"

The man only laughed, pulling Marie closer to get a better grip on her. "Too bad you and your daddy didn't know this here is Medici territory. And there's a market for little girls like you, you know?"

Marie cried out again, stamping on the man's toes in an attempt to escape. She couldn't be done in like this, it would be embarrassing. So she did something she hoped she would never have to do. "Help! Somebody! Anybody!"

"Nobody's gonna help you!" the man laughed. "They know better than to mess with the Medicis!"

And then there was a third voice. "Hey, pal. Let go."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" said the man, rounding on the mystery person. "You'll get the hell out if you know what's good for you!"

Marie was whipped around like a rag doll, but she recognized the voice; it was the Egret who'd taken her in. Not really her father, of course, but it made a good cover story.

And she could hear the shrug in his voice. "I warned you." She saw the Egret pull back before launching his fist into the mobster's face. The girl winced a bit at the thud, but found herself free as her captor collapsed.

"Damn... Lucky shot, punk," the man mumbled, trying to get to his feet.

But her protector was faster, moving forward, and stepping his boot on the man's chest. "Picking on little girls? That's kind of sad, actually." He leaned forwards, planting another punch on the man's head. His skull collided with the concrete, knocking him out for the moment.

Marie found herself releasing the breath she didn't know she was holding. Her eyes were still fixed on the mobster who had grabbed her, but she finally found her voice, shaky though it was. "T-... Thank you." She was trembling. It wasn't pleasant.

But the Egret stepped forward again, wrapping the girl in a rough hug. Marie gave a little jump, surprised at the sudden contact, but soon found herself returning the embrace.

"Don't worry about it," said 0291. "That's what fathers are for."

[servantoftheskull]

"Uh, it's too soon."

"I won't lie to you... This is embarrassing."

"I really didn't think the Black Egrets could possibly be a threat. I suppose that is my fault... My pride is my downfall...

"But do this for me, because I know you will. The Medicis... They can't be allowed to survive. Do what you can, because you have the means..."

"You know... I never even... got your name..."