SM-Eden

[the-mother-eden]

𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔, 𝙲𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝙴𝚍𝚎𝚗.

𝙰𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗.

𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊 𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚎𝚛𝚊 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗.

𝚆𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙴𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗.

𝙵𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚝, 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚗

-𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛

__________________________________

Many years after the Quiet Rapture, a young woman came across the station of Eden on her journey.

Wishing to restore it, she began to search for remaining Eden members left...

[simondrowinginblood]

EDEN WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS

WHAT!? NOOO I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THEM!!

[the-mother-eden]

*there was a sweet soft female voice* child, i sence your trouble, you can take it easy

[simondrowinginblood]

Agh!? Who's there!?

[the-mother-eden]

Do not be afraid child, i am protector of Eden, you can call me the Mother

[simondrowinginblood]

I... your not my mother

What are you doing here?

[the-mother-eden]

i am the Mother....i am here to provide safety

[simondrowinginblood]

EDEN WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS

WHAT!? NOOO I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THEM!!

[the-mother-eden]

*there was a sweet soft female voice* child, i sence your trouble, you can take it easy

[simondrowinginblood]

Agh!? Who's there!?

[the-mother-eden]

Do not be afraid child, i am protector of Eden, you can call me the Mother

[simondrowinginblood]

EDEN WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS

WHAT!? NOOO I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THEM!!

[the-mother-eden]

*there was a sweet soft female voice* child, i sence your trouble, you can take it easy

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Like what?” He tilts his head curiously.

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon pictures of milky way and galaxies] i don't know what those are

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He gasps and pulls himself closer, mouth agape in awe. “They’re galaxies… beautiful, unique galaxies.”

He points to the Milky Way, “That’s the Milky Way galaxy, the one we live in—well, before it all disappeared.” He then points to another on the page, “And that’s Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy.”

[the-mother-eden]

Gal....gal..axy... strange word

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Quite, but they’re pretty cool in my opinion.”

[the-mother-eden]

What are the stars? how it looked like? [she continue showing pictures to Simon]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I… I don’t remember quite what they were like. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them in person, I only ever studied them in books.”

[the-mother-eden]

[Starlight nod and set the book down] ...right....sorry....must have been too much, then

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“No, no, it’s alright. I would rather see them again in books than eventually forget about them entirely.” He sighs. “Which I’m sure will happen eventually.”

[the-mother-eden]

[she looks up, silent for a bit] what about the Tree....i don't think it can be alive, i tried everything...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Like what?” He tilts his head curiously.

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon pictures of milky way and galaxies] i don't know what those are

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He gasps and pulls himself closer, mouth agape in awe. “They’re galaxies… beautiful, unique galaxies.”

He points to the Milky Way, “That’s the Milky Way galaxy, the one we live in—well, before it all disappeared.” He then points to another on the page, “And that’s Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy.”

[the-mother-eden]

Gal....gal..axy... strange word

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Quite, but they’re pretty cool in my opinion.”

[the-mother-eden]

What are the stars? how it looked like? [she continue showing pictures to Simon]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I… I don’t remember quite what they were like. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them in person, I only ever studied them in books.”

[the-mother-eden]

[Starlight nod and set the book down] ...right....sorry....must have been too much, then

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Like what?” He tilts his head curiously.

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon pictures of milky way and galaxies] i don't know what those are

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He gasps and pulls himself closer, mouth agape in awe. “They’re galaxies… beautiful, unique galaxies.”

He points to the Milky Way, “That’s the Milky Way galaxy, the one we live in—well, before it all disappeared.” He then points to another on the page, “And that’s Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy.”

[the-mother-eden]

Gal....gal..axy... strange word

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Quite, but they’re pretty cool in my opinion.”

[the-mother-eden]

What are the stars? how it looked like? [she continue showing pictures to Simon]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Like what?” He tilts his head curiously.

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon pictures of milky way and galaxies] i don't know what those are

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He gasps and pulls himself closer, mouth agape in awe. “They’re galaxies… beautiful, unique galaxies.”

He points to the Milky Way, “That’s the Milky Way galaxy, the one we live in—well, before it all disappeared.” He then points to another on the page, “And that’s Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy.”

[the-mother-eden]

Gal....gal..axy... strange word

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Like what?” He tilts his head curiously.

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon pictures of milky way and galaxies] i don't know what those are

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He leans forward to get a good look at it, squinting as he reads the cover. “That’s really cool, I haven’t read that one yet.”

[the-mother-eden]

There's a lot of words here and strange pictures

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I mean, how could I not? I don’t want someone else losing themself down here…”

[sorry ive been gone so long, its understandable if you dont want to continue 😭]

[the-mother-eden]

[shows Simon the book she's been reading, it has about planets and stars]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He ever-so-slightly flinches back at the action, having not a human touch—not a gentle one, at least—in so long.

"I could've at least... I don't know, done something. The first human i see in.. a while, and I leave them for dead." He scoffs.

[the-mother-eden]

You did save me though, when i fell into ocean

this was my own carelessness

[beloved-son-of-eden]

a-anyone?

*Simon makes a combination of a groan and a growling noise and sits up from where he was laying forlornly on the metal floor of his little cell, sounding entirely devoid of patience.*

WHAT.

[underfamilyau]

....n-nothing....my apologise for the bother...

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Bel sneers and growls quietly into the communicator*

You should be sorry. I can feel the cowardice permeate your soul, WRETCH.

[underfamilyau]

believe whatever you want, it doesn't affect me

[beloved-son-of-eden]

Oh I'm sure, little heathen.

When you feel the creeping doubt of your damned herasy, you will know your own stupidity. Mark my goddamn words.

[underfamilyau]

You...often this aggressive? like a wild creature?

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*He makes a mixture of a disbelieving snort and a loud growling noise*

Well of course I am.

As is my sacred duty to defend our cause.

What kind of idIOTIC-

[underfamilyau]

You bark a lot, don't you...

[beloved-son-of-eden]

...What does that have to do with anything.

[underfamilyau]

You started being aggressive first, and to insult me

i wanted to be nice

[beloved-son-of-eden]

Yes. And I don't see a problem with that in the slightest. Heathen.

...What does that have to do with barking??

[the-mother-eden]

there's no need to be talking like that *new voice said calmly*

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon sits up ramrod straight and turns his full attention to the communicator, a slowly shiver moving down his spine.*

*W... Why does it... Why does the voice sound so familiar...*

What... Who-who are you.

Identity yourself.

[the-mother-eden]

now now, child, there's no need to be afraid...

call me the Mother, i am a keeper and protector of Eden

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon just sits there for a moment, eyes wide, barely breathing.*

*There is no "Mother of Eden"*

*But something about that voice fills his chest with the same heavy warmth only the Tree can give.*

*His hands twitch and the Beloved Son of Eden falls back to the floor, curled loosely around the communicator, and resists the urge to whine like a dog.*

I'm so sorry....

[the-mother-eden]

you are forgiven, dear child and...let my voice bring you safety

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon shivers and feels himself relax involuntarily, his anger born of fear slowly washing away like a tide.*

*His voice is small and vulnerable, like a child's. ...Like the Child of Eden he is.*

.... Okay.

[the-mother-eden]

*the Mother begins to sing a melody, her voice is calming and soft*

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon closes his eyes and makes a small, sad whisper of a noise through the communicator, feeling safer than he has in... In... M-months? Decades?*

*For the first time in a very, very long time, he remembers his mother.*

[the-mother-eden]

just listen to sound of my voice....everything is going to be alright, dear child *continues singing*

[beloved-son-of-eden]

a-anyone?

*Simon makes a combination of a groan and a growling noise and sits up from where he was laying forlornly on the metal floor of his little cell, sounding entirely devoid of patience.*

WHAT.

[underfamilyau]

....n-nothing....my apologise for the bother...

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Bel sneers and growls quietly into the communicator*

You should be sorry. I can feel the cowardice permeate your soul, WRETCH.

[underfamilyau]

believe whatever you want, it doesn't affect me

[beloved-son-of-eden]

Oh I'm sure, little heathen.

When you feel the creeping doubt of your damned herasy, you will know your own stupidity. Mark my goddamn words.

[underfamilyau]

You...often this aggressive? like a wild creature?

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*He makes a mixture of a disbelieving snort and a loud growling noise*

Well of course I am.

As is my sacred duty to defend our cause.

What kind of idIOTIC-

[underfamilyau]

You bark a lot, don't you...

[beloved-son-of-eden]

...What does that have to do with anything.

[underfamilyau]

You started being aggressive first, and to insult me

i wanted to be nice

[beloved-son-of-eden]

Yes. And I don't see a problem with that in the slightest. Heathen.

...What does that have to do with barking??

[the-mother-eden]

there's no need to be talking like that *new voice said calmly*

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon sits up ramrod straight and turns his full attention to the communicator, a slowly shiver moving down his spine.*

*W... Why does it... Why does the voice sound so familiar...*

What... Who-who are you.

Identity yourself.

[the-mother-eden]

now now, child, there's no need to be afraid...

call me the Mother, i am a keeper and protector of Eden

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon just sits there for a moment, eyes wide, barely breathing.*

*There is no "Mother of Eden"*

*But something about that voice fills his chest with the same heavy warmth only the Tree can give.*

*His hands twitch and the Beloved Son of Eden falls back to the floor, curled loosely around the communicator, and resists the urge to whine like a dog.*

I'm so sorry....

[the-mother-eden]

you are forgiven, dear child and...let my voice bring you safety

[beloved-son-of-eden]

*Simon shivers and feels himself relax involuntarily, his anger born of fear slowly washing away like a tide.*

*His voice is small and vulnerable, like a child's. ...Like the Child of Eden he is.*

.... Okay.

[the-mother-eden]

*the Mother begins to sing a melody, her voice is calming and soft*

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was stupid to not try do to anything.” He freezes in place, but doesn’t stop Starlight from reaching toward him. The expression on his face is hard to read.

[the-mother-eden]

[moves bit of hair from his face] you didn't know it was happening, don't blame yourself

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

i was careless, didn't think it wasn't safe [reaches out for him]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

[a submarine is slowly moving through the ocean of blood, with a flashing camera light from time to time]

He spots it and ducks down further into the darkness, slowly approaching the submersible with practiced caution, careful not to make a sound, though he knows he’ll eventually be picked up by the proximity sensors.

[the-mother-eden]

[looks down] I'm sorry...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“It’s fine, it’s not your fault.”

[the-mother-eden]

[sits down] how was here...before..?

if you still can remember

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“…I’m not sure. My head is foggy, it’s hard to remember most things.” He swallows, pushing down the odd feeling in his gut. “I just know something was… Wrong. Bad.”

[the-mother-eden]

[nods] i won't force you...to talk about it

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I probably would at least a little …if I could remember anything. It comes and goes; some days I remember things, some days I don’t—sometimes it’s like I’m someone else entirely.” He furrows his brows in thought, looking down into the blood as he speaks.

[the-mother-eden]

[hugs knees] i wish to change things you know....for the better...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“That’s a good thing to wish for.” He smiles softly.

[the-mother-eden]

....i leave you to rest...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He nods, “good luck.”

[the-mother-eden]

[some days later, she getting ready to enter her sub for more exploration]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

The Convict lies under the surface, lazily floating along with the current.

[the-mother-eden]

[her sub gets into the ocean and it slowly moves through it]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He notices her, and slowly approaches from underneath.

[the-mother-eden]

[stand up from the chair and hurry to back of the sub where the button is, but doesn't press it]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Calm down, it’s just me.” He says calmly.

[the-mother-eden]

Simon... thank stars it's you [her tone is gentle]

i am just exploring some more

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Okay, well you should be safe. She’s not around right now, but she could show up. I can help you steer clear of her if you’d like.” He looks around. His tail swishes through the blood.

[the-mother-eden]

[submarine moving again] is that creature really that much scary?

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Well, by now I’ve become accustomed to her presence, but judging by how she treats me after having known me for… weeks? Months? …Whatever, as I was saying—she’s not fond of humans.” He sighs, taking a moment to think. The longer he goes on, the less he can remember from his past, and the harder he has to think to retrieve these memories. “From what little I can remember, she wasn’t fond of me when I first arrived. I think.. she contributed somehow to why I look like this.”

[the-mother-eden]

......I'm..sorry... [there's a sadness in her voice] if only i came sooner...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault, it’s to be blamed on those who sent me here.” He says a little quieter than before, but other than that there is no emotion to his voice. He’s probably forgotten how exactly he’s supposed to feel about it.

[the-mother-eden]

i heard from data i got, there's a coordinate i shouldn't go to... it said that it's bad...

it...consumes the sub...somehow

[s1m0n-inthedark]

The Convict shudders and lets out a low growl. “Yeah… I can’t explain it, but don’t go anywhere near there.”

[the-mother-eden]

i won't

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Good, at least you’re smart. Unlike I was…” He mutters the last part under his breath.

[the-mother-eden]

it said there is some light down here

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“The light…” He stops in his tracks, so still that he falls deeper into the ocean momentarily before he picks up his pace again and catches up with her. “Whatever you do, don’t go towards the light.”

[the-mother-eden]

....how bad is it

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“I think it’s… apart of her, somehow. It- She whispers to you, tells you things you wish to hear, and things you’re afraid of. Anything she can do to make you follow the light, she will do.” His voice is cold, yet not emotionless, just hardened to force the feeling out of his tone. “And I think-“ he chokes on his words for a moment, “I think I saw God.”

[the-mother-eden]

[submarine stops moving suddenly] ....w-what?

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He almost swims right past her, caught off guard by the sudden halt. “Fuckin’- what do you mean ‘what’?.. Oh, uh, probably the whole meeting God thing.”

[the-mother-eden]

yea, sorry.... for the stop...

data never mentioned that

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Well, duh. Of course it wouldn’t. It might not have even been real, to be completely honest…” He pauses for a moment. “It was like a dream; I went into the light, and I found myself at the surface with a giant fucking eye looking down at me …and somehow I just knew. That was God. Then I got dragged back down into the blood, and I was back in the sub.”

[the-mother-eden]

[after some minutes the sub turns around and moves back to surface, where station is] it started leaking inside....need to fix it better

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He follows her up to the surface silently, a concerned expression on his face, though she can’t see it.

[the-mother-eden]

[gets out of sub with the small ladder and stands next to it] it might take a while to find the problem...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He breaches the surface with a shiver and looks up at her. “Be thorough. Leaks.. don’t end well.”

[the-mother-eden]

[while they were talking, a creature lurking not far from that place, observing]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

The Convict’s spiny fins twitch. He notices, but doesn’t want to worry her.

[the-mother-eden]

i leave you to rest...and..i need to eat [her stomach makes a sound] quite hungry

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He nods. “Go eat, take care.” And with that, he ducks back down into the ocean.

[the-mother-eden]

[stands there for a some more minutes, then walks towards the kitchen to take some food]

[the creature approaches closer to the station, but keeping the distance]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

The Convict whips around, scanning his surroundings with a trained eye. “Stay the hell outta here,” he calls into the open ocean, “you have your domain, I have mine.”

[the-mother-eden]

[the creature slowly backing away from the station; at the same time Starlight falls into the ocean]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He’s taken aback by the sudden light from the surface, and swims back up to get a good look.

[the-mother-eden]

[Starlight having trouble getting to surface, and can't breathe]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He spots her easily, and quickly swims up under her and hooks his arm around her, bringing her back up.

[the-mother-eden]

[starts to cough and breath a bit harder; after some minutes, she calms down] th-thank you...

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Of course, I can’t let someone else die down there.”

[the-mother-eden]

[slowly stands up and goes to clean herself]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He stays where he is, keeping watch just to be safe.

[the-mother-eden]

[Starlight comes back, cleaning the blood trail that was behind her; once finished, she turns to Simon] i might be gone for a while, going to nearby station for supplies

[s1m0n-inthedark]

“Mkay,” he nods, “be careful.”

[the-mother-eden]

i will [walks away]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He dives back into the ocean.

[the-mother-eden]

[hours go by, and Starlight still hasn't returned]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

He begins to worry.

[the-mother-eden]

[some days later Starlight is sitting at the edge of station, reading some book]

[s1m0n-inthedark]

The Convict emerges from the blood, a worried look on his face. “You’re back. It took you a while, did something happen?”

[the-mother-eden]

a heavy pipe fell on me...i managed to get out somehow, and took few days to recover

i am still in bit of a pain though