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@theweepinglantern
The Lamplighter has found a new home, a new purpose. She weeps for the home she lost, but carries on with her lantern despite the tears she shed.
I am the Lamplighter. Or Lantern. I'm... not entirely sure how this site works, exactly? But... in any case, I'm glad to not be be back there anymore. I never want to be in the dark again. After all, lighting up Carcosa is my job, heh.
I hope... I'll get to lead a better life now that I'm no longer in his shadow.
After everything's relatively calmed down Lili finally, reluctantly, pulled her hands away from Lantern's.
Lantern? I need to tell you something...
She looked very guilty as she reached for something out of sight.
When I broke the circle, your lantern fell and broke... I tried to fix it but...
She pulled out a rather crooked version of Lantern's lantern. Black lines highlighted where the glass broke and shattered.
It.. I... I couldn't get it right... So I've been trying to make you a new one too....
She pulled out another lantern, this one visibly unfinished.
@lilihalifactotum
Lantern stared at the broken lantern in disbelief. Oh. Her trusty lantern had broke after all these years. Was it symbolic of something? Hopefully not, but the universe liked to play tricks like these. Shakily, she reached out to take her broken lantern, blinking hard.
“O-oh. I uh… I see.” She swallowed, voice trembling with grief. “Ah.. thank you, Lili. For trying.”
Lili looked down at the floor in shame.
I'm sorry... It clearly meant something to you and I just... Touched it without permission... I can- I can undo my attempts if you'd like! That way you can actually properly fix it- of course, I'll provide the materials too,...
"No, it's alright Lili. It was an accident." Lantern shook her head. "I think... I think it's like, a sign, maybe. That I should put my past behind me." she sighed, turning the lantern around to look at the damage.
"You tried your best, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you for trying, Lili. It means the world to me that someone cared about me enough to even attempt to fix it."
Softly, Lili smiled. She looked back up, trying her best to maintain eye contact without shying away.
Of course I'd try, you're very precious to me! I'm glad you're back...
She spoke from the heart, which would be evident to anyone who heard her words.
The past is something that's so difficult to escape... I don't think I've been too successful in it myself, but I'll be with you as long as you'll have me!
Lantern nodded in agreement.
"Heh. Agreed, it is." she squeezed Lili's hand gently, sighing. "I'm glad to be back too. How long was I out for? Just a few hours, right?" She tilted her head slightly, reaching up to tuck a strand of blue hair behind Lili's ear.
"And uh.. what's with the long hair, Lili? N-not that you don't look good with it! You look amazing! Just um... just wondering, that's all," she looked away, head wings covering her gold-flushed face. Goodness, that was embarrassing...
I... don't think it's just a few hours... I haven't been paying too much attention, but I think it might've been-
She blue screened as Lantern tucked her hair away, blushing hard just from it alone.
Ah, Uhm... I-it might've... might've been t-two days?
She stuttered out, just in time for Lantern's compliment to turn her beet red.
I-i-i-i-it's it's uh... It's m-my shapeshifting... I- uh, I haven't m-mastered it yet so... S-so it goes w-wild sometimes when-when I feel more... more like how I d-did back then...
"Oooh, you can shapeshift? That's so cool...!" Lantern's jaw dropped in awe. "I had a friend who could shapeshift. They always showed up to our hangouts looking a bit different than last time... sometimes they had different hair, sometimes it's the eyes, or the nose... you name it!" she chuckled, black eyes glazing over as she thought of those distant memories.
"Wait—TWO DAYS?!" she jumped up, throwing off her covers and scrambling to get out of bed. "Aghh, I missed so much! Dammit-" but as she tried to stand up, her legs wobbled and she fell back down on her bed again woozily. "Ugh—man..." she grumbled. "Come on..."
That sounds... Sounds like it'd get confusing... I do hope I'll be able to control mine like that eventually though ...
She shyly said, still somewhat reeling from the touch. All of it was forgotten the moment Lantern tried to stand though, as Lili immediately jumped out of her seat to try and support her. Worry and care laced the lake's voice and actions.
Lantern, careful! You just woke up from a coma, please take it slow...
She said softly, looking at the Lamplighter with pleading eyes while her hands reached for a glass of water to offer her.
If you won't rest, then at least let me help you do whatever it is you need me to do, please?
Lantern pouted, grumbling.
"I just—aghh, the house is probably such a mess from the fight..." she groaned, head in her hands. "That guy, Hastur's vessel? They both had to see that, that's so... that's so embarrassing, ugh..." it didn't seem like she knew who Derek was at this time. "I never even got his name..."
Lantern sighed, head wings drooping. "I was gonna clean up... my kitchen... all that blood's probably dried now, what a pain..." she mumbled. Did she not know about the caved in floor either then? Doesn't seem like it.
After everything's relatively calmed down Lili finally, reluctantly, pulled her hands away from Lantern's.
Lantern? I need to tell you something...
She looked very guilty as she reached for something out of sight.
When I broke the circle, your lantern fell and broke... I tried to fix it but...
She pulled out a rather crooked version of Lantern's lantern. Black lines highlighted where the glass broke and shattered.
It.. I... I couldn't get it right... So I've been trying to make you a new one too....
She pulled out another lantern, this one visibly unfinished.
@lilihalifactotum
Lantern stared at the broken lantern in disbelief. Oh. Her trusty lantern had broke after all these years. Was it symbolic of something? Hopefully not, but the universe liked to play tricks like these. Shakily, she reached out to take her broken lantern, blinking hard.
“O-oh. I uh… I see.” She swallowed, voice trembling with grief. “Ah.. thank you, Lili. For trying.”
Lili looked down at the floor in shame.
I'm sorry... It clearly meant something to you and I just... Touched it without permission... I can- I can undo my attempts if you'd like! That way you can actually properly fix it- of course, I'll provide the materials too,...
"No, it's alright Lili. It was an accident." Lantern shook her head. "I think... I think it's like, a sign, maybe. That I should put my past behind me." she sighed, turning the lantern around to look at the damage.
"You tried your best, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you for trying, Lili. It means the world to me that someone cared about me enough to even attempt to fix it."
Softly, Lili smiled. She looked back up, trying her best to maintain eye contact without shying away.
Of course I'd try, you're very precious to me! I'm glad you're back...
She spoke from the heart, which would be evident to anyone who heard her words.
The past is something that's so difficult to escape... I don't think I've been too successful in it myself, but I'll be with you as long as you'll have me!
Lantern nodded in agreement.
"Heh. Agreed, it is." she squeezed Lili's hand gently, sighing. "I'm glad to be back too. How long was I out for? Just a few hours, right?" She tilted her head slightly, reaching up to tuck a strand of blue hair behind Lili's ear.
"And uh.. what's with the long hair, Lili? N-not that you don't look good with it! You look amazing! Just um... just wondering, that's all," she looked away, head wings covering her gold-flushed face. Goodness, that was embarrassing...
I... don't think it's just a few hours... I haven't been paying too much attention, but I think it might've been-
She blue screened as Lantern tucked her hair away, blushing hard just from it alone.
Ah, Uhm... I-it might've... might've been t-two days?
She stuttered out, just in time for Lantern's compliment to turn her beet red.
I-i-i-i-it's it's uh... It's m-my shapeshifting... I- uh, I haven't m-mastered it yet so... S-so it goes w-wild sometimes when-when I feel more... more like how I d-did back then...
"Oooh, you can shapeshift? That's so cool...!" Lantern's jaw dropped in awe. "I had a friend who could shapeshift. They always showed up to our hangouts looking a bit different than last time... sometimes they had different hair, sometimes it's the eyes, or the nose... you name it!" she chuckled, black eyes glazing over as she thought of those distant memories.
"Wait—TWO DAYS?!" she jumped up, throwing off her covers and scrambling to get out of bed. "Aghh, I missed so much! Dammit-" but as she tried to stand up, her legs wobbled and she fell back down on her bed again woozily. "Ugh—man..." she grumbled. "Come on..."
After everything's relatively calmed down Lili finally, reluctantly, pulled her hands away from Lantern's.
Lantern? I need to tell you something...
She looked very guilty as she reached for something out of sight.
When I broke the circle, your lantern fell and broke... I tried to fix it but...
She pulled out a rather crooked version of Lantern's lantern. Black lines highlighted where the glass broke and shattered.
It.. I... I couldn't get it right... So I've been trying to make you a new one too....
She pulled out another lantern, this one visibly unfinished.
@lilihalifactotum
Lantern stared at the broken lantern in disbelief. Oh. Her trusty lantern had broke after all these years. Was it symbolic of something? Hopefully not, but the universe liked to play tricks like these. Shakily, she reached out to take her broken lantern, blinking hard.
“O-oh. I uh… I see.” She swallowed, voice trembling with grief. “Ah.. thank you, Lili. For trying.”
Lili looked down at the floor in shame.
I'm sorry... It clearly meant something to you and I just... Touched it without permission... I can- I can undo my attempts if you'd like! That way you can actually properly fix it- of course, I'll provide the materials too,...
"No, it's alright Lili. It was an accident." Lantern shook her head. "I think... I think it's like, a sign, maybe. That I should put my past behind me." she sighed, turning the lantern around to look at the damage.
"You tried your best, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you for trying, Lili. It means the world to me that someone cared about me enough to even attempt to fix it."
Softly, Lili smiled. She looked back up, trying her best to maintain eye contact without shying away.
Of course I'd try, you're very precious to me! I'm glad you're back...
She spoke from the heart, which would be evident to anyone who heard her words.
The past is something that's so difficult to escape... I don't think I've been too successful in it myself, but I'll be with you as long as you'll have me!
Lantern nodded in agreement.
"Heh. Agreed, it is." she squeezed Lili's hand gently, sighing. "I'm glad to be back too. How long was I out for? Just a few hours, right?" She tilted her head slightly, reaching up to tuck a strand of blue hair behind Lili's ear.
"And uh.. what's with the long hair, Lili? N-not that you don't look good with it! You look amazing! Just um... just wondering, that's all," she looked away, head wings covering her gold-flushed face. Goodness, that was embarrassing...
After everything's relatively calmed down Lili finally, reluctantly, pulled her hands away from Lantern's.
Lantern? I need to tell you something...
She looked very guilty as she reached for something out of sight.
When I broke the circle, your lantern fell and broke... I tried to fix it but...
She pulled out a rather crooked version of Lantern's lantern. Black lines highlighted where the glass broke and shattered.
It.. I... I couldn't get it right... So I've been trying to make you a new one too....
She pulled out another lantern, this one visibly unfinished.
@lilihalifactotum
Lantern stared at the broken lantern in disbelief. Oh. Her trusty lantern had broke after all these years. Was it symbolic of something? Hopefully not, but the universe liked to play tricks like these. Shakily, she reached out to take her broken lantern, blinking hard.
“O-oh. I uh… I see.” She swallowed, voice trembling with grief. “Ah.. thank you, Lili. For trying.”
Lili looked down at the floor in shame.
I'm sorry... It clearly meant something to you and I just... Touched it without permission... I can- I can undo my attempts if you'd like! That way you can actually properly fix it- of course, I'll provide the materials too,...
"No, it's alright Lili. It was an accident." Lantern shook her head. "I think... I think it's like, a sign, maybe. That I should put my past behind me." she sighed, turning the lantern around to look at the damage.
"You tried your best, and I'm grateful for that. Thank you for trying, Lili. It means the world to me that someone cared about me enough to even attempt to fix it."
After everything's relatively calmed down Lili finally, reluctantly, pulled her hands away from Lantern's.
Lantern? I need to tell you something...
She looked very guilty as she reached for something out of sight.
When I broke the circle, your lantern fell and broke... I tried to fix it but...
She pulled out a rather crooked version of Lantern's lantern. Black lines highlighted where the glass broke and shattered.
It.. I... I couldn't get it right... So I've been trying to make you a new one too....
She pulled out another lantern, this one visibly unfinished.
@lilihalifactotum
Lantern stared at the broken lantern in disbelief. Oh. Her trusty lantern had broke after all these years. Was it symbolic of something? Hopefully not, but the universe liked to play tricks like these. Shakily, she reached out to take her broken lantern, blinking hard.
“O-oh. I uh… I see.” She swallowed, voice trembling with grief. “Ah.. thank you, Lili. For trying.”
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
[Oh God, the place was a mess. It looked like a failed ritual site, probably thanks to Lili's intervention. Derek tried to ignore the chaos and followed the obvious trail to Lantern's bedroom. The poor lady was certainly not in a favorable situation, anyone with eyes could see that.]
"Lili?"
[Derek called shyly through the bedroom doorway]
@lilihalifactotum (answer from here :3)
Derek...
Lili was sitting by the bed, her hair was unnaturally long once again, reaching and spreading across the floor like dark tendrils.
Her hands were clenching the mattress right next to Lantern's hand, as if she wanted to hold it, but couldn't.
[No one is faring well, apparently.]
"... I'll start now. Please watch over."
[Derek approaches Lantern, who laid by the bed. He is extremely nervous: never have he let Hastur take over, not willingly, and it always felt awful. But someone needs help, and apparently the only help available is... him.]
["Are you nervous? No need to answer: I can feel your heartbeat."]
[He hated how Hastur sounded, like some sort of soothing master reassuring a pupil. He rather deal with the raspy, authoritative, highter-than-thou tone he had to tolerate for months. The best way to describe his tone would be John at the first episodes of Malevolent, and that's unnerving.]
["I will not linger for long when the job is done. Do not worry your head over it."]
[Derek rests a hand over Lantern's forehead. It almost felt like a pair of hands settle on his shoulders as he done so, gentle and caring. He did not like that... especially that it worked.]
[And just like that...]
"... shall we start?"
[To work with the mind is something easy for Hastur. So, peeking in Lantern's mind to see what's going on wasn't a challenge at all.]
@theweepinglantern
It was very dark in Lantern’s mind. And empty, save for the tall wide spotlight tbat lit up two figures: one immediately recognizable as Lantern, and another… a ragged, human-sized King in Yellow. The two were locked in a furious battle, Lantern’s black and gold staff against the dying King’s sword. The King looked frail and weak, his mask half broken, but he lashed out with shocking force anyways. Neither have noticed Hastur.
“—You took everyone! There’s no way I’m going back!” Lantern shouted with the crack of her staff against his sword.
“You don’t belong here! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay your king?” He snarled. “Look at me, Lamplighter! Your King is dying, yet you’re here wasting your life in a place that will never be your home?! How selfish.”
“Haven’t you- agh- taken enough from me? You stole my friends, my city, the suns and stars themselves, my power, my wings, and now you want me too?” It was a losing battle. It would be easier to just give up.
“Lamplighter, you’re not listening! I would still welcome you with open arms if you came home!”
“I’m not letting you absorb me like you did everyone else!!”
“If you truly loved your King as you claim, you would be more than happy to submit and bring me back to life! It is a service to do so, your duty! Don’t you love me, Lamplighter?”
“My duty was to light up Carcosa, not give up my life for you!” She cried. “And- and-“ she couldn’t answer his question. Did she love her King, the figure who gave her life and purpose? In her moment of hesitation, he slashed at her arm, to which she screamed. The long wound fizzed and sizzled with smoke. Her form was decaying, her will dying. If he succeeded in vanquishing her in this mental space, he could take over freely.
[Oh... that was unexpected: a fight. But Hastur understood it pretty well, as it only made sense. Usually, he would leave this be and let fate decide, perhaps help his other self if it prove to be benefitial...]
[Unfortunately, he did promise the mortal to help his friend. Also Unfortunate how the initial plan to try and negotiate with this King seems... not a good plan.]
"Lantern."
[Hastur called, but he made sure to sound like Derek, and also look like Derek. He kept a safe distance.]
"Does that sound like love to you? To force you to sacrifice all for him? Does that sound fair to you?"
[New plan: empower her will to keep fighting. The king looks so weak, surely she can manage on her own. Just need a little push.]
"We're waiting for you. Me, Lili, Avery... even those you're yet to meet."
[Worst case scenario: he'll have to get his hands dirty.]
”Huh?!” Lantern’s head whipped around to look at Derek, shocked at his presence. How did he get in here? Or is this another figment of her imagination? Whatever, no time to dwell on that. She parried another slash from the King, gritting her teeth. So far, she’s only been playing defence, never lashing out at her King. “N-no, it doesn’t…-“
“You would really rather listen to a mortal than your King?” The King scoffed. “You are nothing without me, Lamplighter. You know that.”
“N-no, I- I’m my own person, dammit!” She cried out, barely blocking another strike. Even though her survival depended on it, she hasn’t actively struck him once over the past two days of this mental battle. She was scared.
“Pathetic. Give up, Lamplighter! Your struggle is pointless! It would be far more honourable to join me! Don’t you want to see your friends again? Regain all you’ve lost?” He snarled, taunting her with an impossible offer. Lantern’s charcoal black eyes widened. Seizing the opportunity, the King feinted left, striking Lantern to her right. She clumsily blocked it, but the cut still landed half way in her stomach. What would’ve cut her in half only slashed a deep gash in her stomach, which sizzled and fizzed with smoke.
Gritting her teeth, Lantern finally made her first offensive move. She raised her staff and whacked the King over the head with it with a sharp smack. He gasped and roared, offended she would strike back. “You dare strike your King, insolent creature?! I should’ve assimilated you long ago!”
Lantern didn’t respond, but looked shocked at what she’d done had worked. Maybe even a little horrified. But she didn’t stop, jumping out of the way of the King’s sword.
[He took some steps closer to the fighting. Good, keep fighting. The only way to properly free yourself is if you fight yourself.]
"Good hit! Keep it up! Remember what you are fighting for."
[It was so strange to hype someone up, Hastur wanted to puke... but it's working. Better yet, let's work with this poor excuse of a king while she goes for the kill.]
"As for you, you idiot," [Hastur kind of get it: it feels good to call someone an idiot.] "Don't you know better than to underestimate a mortal? Maybe the years of power made you weak. I mean, look at your poor shape."
[His tone was mocking, enough to break the persona Hastur was trying to maintain. He did notice he was getting too personal and shook that tone off.]
"So much for a King In Yellow."
"Shut it. You know nothing of me, worthless human!" the King snarled, momentarily distracted by the new presence. Seizing this opening, Lantern swept her staff at the King's legs, causing him to fall to the ground with a crack, face-first. The remains of his mask fell off, exposing his decaying face.
"No, you shut up!" Lantern stomped hard on the King's hand, forcing him to drop his sword, which Lantern picked up. "I've had enough! Get out of my head!"
As Lantern raised the sword over the King's head, he looked up with bright yellow eyes full of not rage, but disappointment. "I thought you would be better than this, Lantern. Cicuta would be disappointed." he spat. Lantern froze, eyes wide. "I could've given your magic back if you came. But no, you chose this. So go on, kill me. Lose your only chance to get back what you lost for petty vengeance."
In that moment of weakness, the King grabbed her ankle and yanked hard. She fell with a yelp to the ground, barely holding onto her staff. The sword however, being in her weak hand, spun out of her reach. Luckily, it was also out of the King's reach too, but that didn't stop him from going straight for the throat, rotting hands wrapping around her neck. Lantern gasped and sputtered, coughing. Oh gods, she was going to die here, she was going to die after spending so long fighting for her life.
Is this really how it was going to end?
There were so many things she hasn't said or done. She hasn't even gotten a chance to light up Lili's Carcosa yet, or meet everyone in Avery's Carcosa, or—
[The sword is out of reach for the two of them. But not Hastur. He didn't even think twice before going for the sword. Blade in hands, he aims for the King's arm holding Lantern down.]
"I can see you're not giving up. You have so many wishes yet to fulfill..."
[He didn't bother with a disguise anymore. The facade faded like mist, and instead stood a silhouette that was a mockery of what a human is, a shadow that resembles a person, yet seems too angular and turns in grotesque ways when moves. That's Hastur... at least how he currently looks within a mind.]
"Are you going to stand up, or keep dwelling on a past long gone, and force me to take action within my hands? Just so you know, I am not letting the annoying lake and Derek send me here for naught."
[As unsettling as he is, at least he is making it clear with who he stands with. He maintains posture, ready to strike with the blade.]
Two Kings. There were two Kings in her head. Good gods, what has her life come to? But... he had a point, didn't he? As Lantern's vision spotted with darkness, she gritted her teeth and adjusted her grip on her staff, kicking her King in the stomach before using her staff to forcefully launch him a short distance away. Screaming, his grip slackened as he fell back. Lantern scrambled up, manifesting a dagger in her hand.
In one clean motion, Lantern slit her King's throat. Smoke fizzled out of the wound, and he shrieked as she stabbed him in the heart. Grey smoke ate the corpse away, cursing and screaming as he went.
When all was said and done, Lantern collapsed on the ground, her own injuries slowly sealing up. It was over. Goodness, that was a long fight.
With a shuddering breath, Lantern moved to wipe away tears, only to find none. Was she really so lacking in remorse? She had expelled her King from her mind. Will he come back? Hopefully not, but it's hard to tell with that stubborn bastard. How did he even come here in the first place? Who knows. Lantern certainly didn't want to find out.
"...Thank you." she glanced back at Hastur before quickly looking away. "...Well, I guess we shouldn't keep them waiting..." Lantern mumbled, tapping her staff on the ground and shattering the mindscape.
With a sharp gasp, Lantern bolted awake in real life, sitting up in bed with a wince. "Agh... ow, my head..." she gingerly felt the side of her head where the bruise was, blinking hard. "Ugh..."
[Back into the real world, "Derek" took some steps back from Lantern as she awakened. Strangely enough, his hair had grown quite a bit, reaching below his shoulders.]
"The fact you just required a coaching session is... underwhelming."
[It was still Hastur controlling him, if the eye, dark instead of the natural white, didn't already tell. He gives Lili a quick glance, as if saying: see? I helped. Stop giving my vessel ideas, I'm no enemy.]
@lilihalifactotum
LANTERN!! YOU'RE BACK!!!
Lili stood up in excitement, her eyes already watering up. She only had time to send "Derek" a quick nod to show her gratitude before the dam broke the moment she looked back at Lantern.
You're back, you're back... Lantern you're back!! I'm sorry, I should've... I should've been there sooner...
She sobbed, words getting harder to form with every second passed. Her right hand reached out, but then hesitated.
I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I should've been more careful... You were so hurt.. I... I...
@theweepinglantern
Lantern sighed, shoulders slumping. So much for gratitude.
"Thank you regardless, Your Highness." the formality just slipped out. Old habits die hard, huh? "Is there anything I can do to repay you for the hel- whoa." Lantern jumped at the sight of Lili's new look, then immediately reached out for Lili's hand without a second thought, grasping it gently.
"Hey- Lili, it's alright. It's not your fault." she said, smiling reassuringly. "I... didn't even realise what was happening until it was too late."
@derek-hutchins-333
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
[Oh God, the place was a mess. It looked like a failed ritual site, probably thanks to Lili's intervention. Derek tried to ignore the chaos and followed the obvious trail to Lantern's bedroom. The poor lady was certainly not in a favorable situation, anyone with eyes could see that.]
"Lili?"
[Derek called shyly through the bedroom doorway]
@lilihalifactotum (answer from here :3)
Derek...
Lili was sitting by the bed, her hair was unnaturally long once again, reaching and spreading across the floor like dark tendrils.
Her hands were clenching the mattress right next to Lantern's hand, as if she wanted to hold it, but couldn't.
[No one is faring well, apparently.]
"... I'll start now. Please watch over."
[Derek approaches Lantern, who laid by the bed. He is extremely nervous: never have he let Hastur take over, not willingly, and it always felt awful. But someone needs help, and apparently the only help available is... him.]
["Are you nervous? No need to answer: I can feel your heartbeat."]
[He hated how Hastur sounded, like some sort of soothing master reassuring a pupil. He rather deal with the raspy, authoritative, highter-than-thou tone he had to tolerate for months. The best way to describe his tone would be John at the first episodes of Malevolent, and that's unnerving.]
["I will not linger for long when the job is done. Do not worry your head over it."]
[Derek rests a hand over Lantern's forehead. It almost felt like a pair of hands settle on his shoulders as he done so, gentle and caring. He did not like that... especially that it worked.]
[And just like that...]
"... shall we start?"
[To work with the mind is something easy for Hastur. So, peeking in Lantern's mind to see what's going on wasn't a challenge at all.]
@theweepinglantern
It was very dark in Lantern’s mind. And empty, save for the tall wide spotlight tbat lit up two figures: one immediately recognizable as Lantern, and another… a ragged, human-sized King in Yellow. The two were locked in a furious battle, Lantern’s black and gold staff against the dying King’s sword. The King looked frail and weak, his mask half broken, but he lashed out with shocking force anyways. Neither have noticed Hastur.
“—You took everyone! There’s no way I’m going back!” Lantern shouted with the crack of her staff against his sword.
“You don’t belong here! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay your king?” He snarled. “Look at me, Lamplighter! Your King is dying, yet you’re here wasting your life in a place that will never be your home?! How selfish.”
“Haven’t you- agh- taken enough from me? You stole my friends, my city, the suns and stars themselves, my power, my wings, and now you want me too?” It was a losing battle. It would be easier to just give up.
“Lamplighter, you’re not listening! I would still welcome you with open arms if you came home!”
“I’m not letting you absorb me like you did everyone else!!”
“If you truly loved your King as you claim, you would be more than happy to submit and bring me back to life! It is a service to do so, your duty! Don’t you love me, Lamplighter?”
“My duty was to light up Carcosa, not give up my life for you!” She cried. “And- and-“ she couldn’t answer his question. Did she love her King, the figure who gave her life and purpose? In her moment of hesitation, he slashed at her arm, to which she screamed. The long wound fizzed and sizzled with smoke. Her form was decaying, her will dying. If he succeeded in vanquishing her in this mental space, he could take over freely.
[Oh... that was unexpected: a fight. But Hastur understood it pretty well, as it only made sense. Usually, he would leave this be and let fate decide, perhaps help his other self if it prove to be benefitial...]
[Unfortunately, he did promise the mortal to help his friend. Also Unfortunate how the initial plan to try and negotiate with this King seems... not a good plan.]
"Lantern."
[Hastur called, but he made sure to sound like Derek, and also look like Derek. He kept a safe distance.]
"Does that sound like love to you? To force you to sacrifice all for him? Does that sound fair to you?"
[New plan: empower her will to keep fighting. The king looks so weak, surely she can manage on her own. Just need a little push.]
"We're waiting for you. Me, Lili, Avery... even those you're yet to meet."
[Worst case scenario: he'll have to get his hands dirty.]
”Huh?!” Lantern’s head whipped around to look at Derek, shocked at his presence. How did he get in here? Or is this another figment of her imagination? Whatever, no time to dwell on that. She parried another slash from the King, gritting her teeth. So far, she’s only been playing defence, never lashing out at her King. “N-no, it doesn’t…-“
“You would really rather listen to a mortal than your King?” The King scoffed. “You are nothing without me, Lamplighter. You know that.”
“N-no, I- I’m my own person, dammit!” She cried out, barely blocking another strike. Even though her survival depended on it, she hasn’t actively struck him once over the past two days of this mental battle. She was scared.
“Pathetic. Give up, Lamplighter! Your struggle is pointless! It would be far more honourable to join me! Don’t you want to see your friends again? Regain all you’ve lost?” He snarled, taunting her with an impossible offer. Lantern’s charcoal black eyes widened. Seizing the opportunity, the King feinted left, striking Lantern to her right. She clumsily blocked it, but the cut still landed half way in her stomach. What would’ve cut her in half only slashed a deep gash in her stomach, which sizzled and fizzed with smoke.
Gritting her teeth, Lantern finally made her first offensive move. She raised her staff and whacked the King over the head with it with a sharp smack. He gasped and roared, offended she would strike back. “You dare strike your King, insolent creature?! I should’ve assimilated you long ago!”
Lantern didn’t respond, but looked shocked at what she’d done had worked. Maybe even a little horrified. But she didn’t stop, jumping out of the way of the King’s sword.
[He took some steps closer to the fighting. Good, keep fighting. The only way to properly free yourself is if you fight yourself.]
"Good hit! Keep it up! Remember what you are fighting for."
[It was so strange to hype someone up, Hastur wanted to puke... but it's working. Better yet, let's work with this poor excuse of a king while she goes for the kill.]
"As for you, you idiot," [Hastur kind of get it: it feels good to call someone an idiot.] "Don't you know better than to underestimate a mortal? Maybe the years of power made you weak. I mean, look at your poor shape."
[His tone was mocking, enough to break the persona Hastur was trying to maintain. He did notice he was getting too personal and shook that tone off.]
"So much for a King In Yellow."
"Shut it. You know nothing of me, worthless human!" the King snarled, momentarily distracted by the new presence. Seizing this opening, Lantern swept her staff at the King's legs, causing him to fall to the ground with a crack, face-first. The remains of his mask fell off, exposing his decaying face.
"No, you shut up!" Lantern stomped hard on the King's hand, forcing him to drop his sword, which Lantern picked up. "I've had enough! Get out of my head!"
As Lantern raised the sword over the King's head, he looked up with bright yellow eyes full of not rage, but disappointment. "I thought you would be better than this, Lantern. Cicuta would be disappointed." he spat. Lantern froze, eyes wide. "I could've given your magic back if you came. But no, you chose this. So go on, kill me. Lose your only chance to get back what you lost for petty vengeance."
In that moment of weakness, the King grabbed her ankle and yanked hard. She fell with a yelp to the ground, barely holding onto her staff. The sword however, being in her weak hand, spun out of her reach. Luckily, it was also out of the King's reach too, but that didn't stop him from going straight for the throat, rotting hands wrapping around her neck. Lantern gasped and sputtered, coughing. Oh gods, she was going to die here, she was going to die after spending so long fighting for her life.
Is this really how it was going to end?
There were so many things she hasn't said or done. She hasn't even gotten a chance to light up Lili's Carcosa yet, or meet everyone in Avery's Carcosa, or—
[The sword is out of reach for the two of them. But not Hastur. He didn't even think twice before going for the sword. Blade in hands, he aims for the King's arm holding Lantern down.]
"I can see you're not giving up. You have so many wishes yet to fulfill..."
[He didn't bother with a disguise anymore. The facade faded like mist, and instead stood a silhouette that was a mockery of what a human is, a shadow that resembles a person, yet seems too angular and turns in grotesque ways when moves. That's Hastur... at least how he currently looks within a mind.]
"Are you going to stand up, or keep dwelling on a past long gone, and force me to take action within my hands? Just so you know, I am not letting the annoying lake and Derek send me here for naught."
[As unsettling as he is, at least he is making it clear with who he stands with. He maintains posture, ready to strike with the blade.]
Two Kings. There were two Kings in her head. Good gods, what has her life come to? But... he had a point, didn't he? As Lantern's vision spotted with darkness, she gritted her teeth and adjusted her grip on her staff, kicking her King in the stomach before using her staff to forcefully launch him a short distance away. Screaming, his grip slackened as he fell back. Lantern scrambled up, manifesting a dagger in her hand.
In one clean motion, Lantern slit her King's throat. Smoke fizzled out of the wound, and he shrieked as she stabbed him in the heart. Grey smoke ate the corpse away, cursing and screaming as he went.
When all was said and done, Lantern collapsed on the ground, her own injuries slowly sealing up. It was over. Goodness, that was a long fight.
With a shuddering breath, Lantern moved to wipe away tears, only to find none. Was she really so lacking in remorse? She had expelled her King from her mind. Will he come back? Hopefully not, but it's hard to tell with that stubborn bastard. How did he even come here in the first place? Who knows. Lantern certainly didn't want to find out.
"...Thank you." she glanced back at Hastur before quickly looking away. "...Well, I guess we shouldn't keep them waiting..." Lantern mumbled, tapping her staff on the ground and shattering the mindscape.
With a sharp gasp, Lantern bolted awake in real life, sitting up in bed with a wince. "Agh... ow, my head..." she gingerly felt the side of her head where the bruise was, blinking hard. "Ugh..."
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
[Oh God, the place was a mess. It looked like a failed ritual site, probably thanks to Lili's intervention. Derek tried to ignore the chaos and followed the obvious trail to Lantern's bedroom. The poor lady was certainly not in a favorable situation, anyone with eyes could see that.]
"Lili?"
[Derek called shyly through the bedroom doorway]
@lilihalifactotum (answer from here :3)
Derek...
Lili was sitting by the bed, her hair was unnaturally long once again, reaching and spreading across the floor like dark tendrils.
Her hands were clenching the mattress right next to Lantern's hand, as if she wanted to hold it, but couldn't.
[No one is faring well, apparently.]
"... I'll start now. Please watch over."
[Derek approaches Lantern, who laid by the bed. He is extremely nervous: never have he let Hastur take over, not willingly, and it always felt awful. But someone needs help, and apparently the only help available is... him.]
["Are you nervous? No need to answer: I can feel your heartbeat."]
[He hated how Hastur sounded, like some sort of soothing master reassuring a pupil. He rather deal with the raspy, authoritative, highter-than-thou tone he had to tolerate for months. The best way to describe his tone would be John at the first episodes of Malevolent, and that's unnerving.]
["I will not linger for long when the job is done. Do not worry your head over it."]
[Derek rests a hand over Lantern's forehead. It almost felt like a pair of hands settle on his shoulders as he done so, gentle and caring. He did not like that... especially that it worked.]
[And just like that...]
"... shall we start?"
[To work with the mind is something easy for Hastur. So, peeking in Lantern's mind to see what's going on wasn't a challenge at all.]
@theweepinglantern
It was very dark in Lantern’s mind. And empty, save for the tall wide spotlight tbat lit up two figures: one immediately recognizable as Lantern, and another… a ragged, human-sized King in Yellow. The two were locked in a furious battle, Lantern’s black and gold staff against the dying King’s sword. The King looked frail and weak, his mask half broken, but he lashed out with shocking force anyways. Neither have noticed Hastur.
“—You took everyone! There’s no way I’m going back!” Lantern shouted with the crack of her staff against his sword.
“You don’t belong here! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay your king?” He snarled. “Look at me, Lamplighter! Your King is dying, yet you’re here wasting your life in a place that will never be your home?! How selfish.”
“Haven’t you- agh- taken enough from me? You stole my friends, my city, the suns and stars themselves, my power, my wings, and now you want me too?” It was a losing battle. It would be easier to just give up.
“Lamplighter, you’re not listening! I would still welcome you with open arms if you came home!”
“I’m not letting you absorb me like you did everyone else!!”
“If you truly loved your King as you claim, you would be more than happy to submit and bring me back to life! It is a service to do so, your duty! Don’t you love me, Lamplighter?”
“My duty was to light up Carcosa, not give up my life for you!” She cried. “And- and-“ she couldn’t answer his question. Did she love her King, the figure who gave her life and purpose? In her moment of hesitation, he slashed at her arm, to which she screamed. The long wound fizzed and sizzled with smoke. Her form was decaying, her will dying. If he succeeded in vanquishing her in this mental space, he could take over freely.
[Oh... that was unexpected: a fight. But Hastur understood it pretty well, as it only made sense. Usually, he would leave this be and let fate decide, perhaps help his other self if it prove to be benefitial...]
[Unfortunately, he did promise the mortal to help his friend. Also Unfortunate how the initial plan to try and negotiate with this King seems... not a good plan.]
"Lantern."
[Hastur called, but he made sure to sound like Derek, and also look like Derek. He kept a safe distance.]
"Does that sound like love to you? To force you to sacrifice all for him? Does that sound fair to you?"
[New plan: empower her will to keep fighting. The king looks so weak, surely she can manage on her own. Just need a little push.]
"We're waiting for you. Me, Lili, Avery... even those you're yet to meet."
[Worst case scenario: he'll have to get his hands dirty.]
”Huh?!” Lantern’s head whipped around to look at Derek, shocked at his presence. How did he get in here? Or is this another figment of her imagination? Whatever, no time to dwell on that. She parried another slash from the King, gritting her teeth. So far, she’s only been playing defence, never lashing out at her King. “N-no, it doesn’t…-“
“You would really rather listen to a mortal than your King?” The King scoffed. “You are nothing without me, Lamplighter. You know that.”
“N-no, I- I’m my own person, dammit!” She cried out, barely blocking another strike. Even though her survival depended on it, she hasn’t actively struck him once over the past two days of this mental battle. She was scared.
“Pathetic. Give up, Lamplighter! Your struggle is pointless! It would be far more honourable to join me! Don’t you want to see your friends again? Regain all you’ve lost?” He snarled, taunting her with an impossible offer. Lantern’s charcoal black eyes widened. Seizing the opportunity, the King feinted left, striking Lantern to her right. She clumsily blocked it, but the cut still landed half way in her stomach. What would’ve cut her in half only slashed a deep gash in her stomach, which sizzled and fizzed with smoke.
Gritting her teeth, Lantern finally made her first offensive move. She raised her staff and whacked the King over the head with it with a sharp smack. He gasped and roared, offended she would strike back. “You dare strike your King, insolent creature?! I should’ve assimilated you long ago!”
Lantern didn’t respond, but looked shocked at what she’d done had worked. Maybe even a little horrified. But she didn’t stop, jumping out of the way of the King’s sword.
[He took some steps closer to the fighting. Good, keep fighting. The only way to properly free yourself is if you fight yourself.]
"Good hit! Keep it up! Remember what you are fighting for."
[It was so strange to hype someone up, Hastur wanted to puke... but it's working. Better yet, let's work with this poor excuse of a king while she goes for the kill.]
"As for you, you idiot," [Hastur kind of get it: it feels good to call someone an idiot.] "Don't you know better than to underestimate a mortal? Maybe the years of power made you weak. I mean, look at your poor shape."
[His tone was mocking, enough to break the persona Hastur was trying to maintain. He did notice he was getting too personal and shook that tone off.]
"So much for a King In Yellow."
"Shut it. You know nothing of me, worthless human!" the King snarled, momentarily distracted by the new presence. Seizing this opening, Lantern swept her staff at the King's legs, causing him to fall to the ground with a crack, face-first. The remains of his mask fell off, exposing his decaying face.
"No, you shut up!" Lantern stomped hard on the King's hand, forcing him to drop his sword, which Lantern picked up. "I've had enough! Get out of my head!"
As Lantern raised the sword over the King's head, he looked up with bright yellow eyes full of not rage, but disappointment. "I thought you would be better than this, Lantern. Cicuta would be disappointed." he spat. Lantern froze, eyes wide. "I could've given your magic back if you came. But no, you chose this. So go on, kill me. Lose your only chance to get back what you lost for petty vengeance."
In that moment of weakness, the King grabbed her ankle and yanked hard. She fell with a yelp to the ground, barely holding onto her staff. The sword however, being in her weak hand, spun out of her reach. Luckily, it was also out of the King's reach too, but that didn't stop him from going straight for the throat, rotting hands wrapping around her neck. Lantern gasped and sputtered, coughing. Oh gods, she was going to die here, she was going to die after spending so long fighting for her life.
Is this really how it was going to end?
There were so many things she hasn't said or done. She hasn't even gotten a chance to light up Lili's Carcosa yet, or meet everyone in Avery's Carcosa, or—
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
[Oh God, the place was a mess. It looked like a failed ritual site, probably thanks to Lili's intervention. Derek tried to ignore the chaos and followed the obvious trail to Lantern's bedroom. The poor lady was certainly not in a favorable situation, anyone with eyes could see that.]
"Lili?"
[Derek called shyly through the bedroom doorway]
@lilihalifactotum (answer from here :3)
Derek...
Lili was sitting by the bed, her hair was unnaturally long once again, reaching and spreading across the floor like dark tendrils.
Her hands were clenching the mattress right next to Lantern's hand, as if she wanted to hold it, but couldn't.
[No one is faring well, apparently.]
"... I'll start now. Please watch over."
[Derek approaches Lantern, who laid by the bed. He is extremely nervous: never have he let Hastur take over, not willingly, and it always felt awful. But someone needs help, and apparently the only help available is... him.]
["Are you nervous? No need to answer: I can feel your heartbeat."]
[He hated how Hastur sounded, like some sort of soothing master reassuring a pupil. He rather deal with the raspy, authoritative, highter-than-thou tone he had to tolerate for months. The best way to describe his tone would be John at the first episodes of Malevolent, and that's unnerving.]
["I will not linger for long when the job is done. Do not worry your head over it."]
[Derek rests a hand over Lantern's forehead. It almost felt like a pair of hands settle on his shoulders as he done so, gentle and caring. He did not like that... especially that it worked.]
[And just like that...]
"... shall we start?"
[To work with the mind is something easy for Hastur. So, peeking in Lantern's mind to see what's going on wasn't a challenge at all.]
@theweepinglantern
It was very dark in Lantern’s mind. And empty, save for the tall wide spotlight tbat lit up two figures: one immediately recognizable as Lantern, and another… a ragged, human-sized King in Yellow. The two were locked in a furious battle, Lantern’s black and gold staff against the dying King’s sword. The King looked frail and weak, his mask half broken, but he lashed out with shocking force anyways. Neither have noticed Hastur.
“—You took everyone! There’s no way I’m going back!” Lantern shouted with the crack of her staff against his sword.
“You don’t belong here! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay your king?” He snarled. “Look at me, Lamplighter! Your King is dying, yet you’re here wasting your life in a place that will never be your home?! How selfish.”
“Haven’t you- agh- taken enough from me? You stole my friends, my city, the suns and stars themselves, my power, my wings, and now you want me too?” It was a losing battle. It would be easier to just give up.
“Lamplighter, you’re not listening! I would still welcome you with open arms if you came home!”
“I’m not letting you absorb me like you did everyone else!!”
“If you truly loved your King as you claim, you would be more than happy to submit and bring me back to life! It is a service to do so, your duty! Don’t you love me, Lamplighter?”
“My duty was to light up Carcosa, not give up my life for you!” She cried. “And- and-“ she couldn’t answer his question. Did she love her King, the figure who gave her life and purpose? In her moment of hesitation, he slashed at her arm, to which she screamed. The long wound fizzed and sizzled with smoke. Her form was decaying, her will dying. If he succeeded in vanquishing her in this mental space, he could take over freely.
[Oh... that was unexpected: a fight. But Hastur understood it pretty well, as it only made sense. Usually, he would leave this be and let fate decide, perhaps help his other self if it prove to be benefitial...]
[Unfortunately, he did promise the mortal to help his friend. Also Unfortunate how the initial plan to try and negotiate with this King seems... not a good plan.]
"Lantern."
[Hastur called, but he made sure to sound like Derek, and also look like Derek. He kept a safe distance.]
"Does that sound like love to you? To force you to sacrifice all for him? Does that sound fair to you?"
[New plan: empower her will to keep fighting. The king looks so weak, surely she can manage on her own. Just need a little push.]
"We're waiting for you. Me, Lili, Avery... even those you're yet to meet."
[Worst case scenario: he'll have to get his hands dirty.]
”Huh?!” Lantern’s head whipped around to look at Derek, shocked at his presence. How did he get in here? Or is this another figment of her imagination? Whatever, no time to dwell on that. She parried another slash from the King, gritting her teeth. So far, she’s only been playing defence, never lashing out at her King. “N-no, it doesn’t…-“
“You would really rather listen to a mortal than your King?” The King scoffed. “You are nothing without me, Lamplighter. You know that.”
“N-no, I- I’m my own person, dammit!” She cried out, barely blocking another strike. Even though her survival depended on it, she hasn’t actively struck him once over the past two days of this mental battle. She was scared.
“Pathetic. Give up, Lamplighter! Your struggle is pointless! It would be far more honourable to join me! Don’t you want to see your friends again? Regain all you’ve lost?” He snarled, taunting her with an impossible offer. Lantern’s charcoal black eyes widened. Seizing the opportunity, the King feinted left, striking Lantern to her right. She clumsily blocked it, but the cut still landed half way in her stomach. What would’ve cut her in half only slashed a deep gash in her stomach, which sizzled and fizzed with smoke.
Gritting her teeth, Lantern finally made her first offensive move. She raised her staff and whacked the King over the head with it with a sharp smack. He gasped and roared, offended she would strike back. “You dare strike your King, insolent creature?! I should’ve assimilated you long ago!”
Lantern didn’t respond, but looked shocked at what she’d done had worked. Maybe even a little horrified. But she didn’t stop, jumping out of the way of the King’s sword.
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
[Oh God, the place was a mess. It looked like a failed ritual site, probably thanks to Lili's intervention. Derek tried to ignore the chaos and followed the obvious trail to Lantern's bedroom. The poor lady was certainly not in a favorable situation, anyone with eyes could see that.]
"Lili?"
[Derek called shyly through the bedroom doorway]
@lilihalifactotum (answer from here :3)
Derek...
Lili was sitting by the bed, her hair was unnaturally long once again, reaching and spreading across the floor like dark tendrils.
Her hands were clenching the mattress right next to Lantern's hand, as if she wanted to hold it, but couldn't.
[No one is faring well, apparently.]
"... I'll start now. Please watch over."
[Derek approaches Lantern, who laid by the bed. He is extremely nervous: never have he let Hastur take over, not willingly, and it always felt awful. But someone needs help, and apparently the only help available is... him.]
["Are you nervous? No need to answer: I can feel your heartbeat."]
[He hated how Hastur sounded, like some sort of soothing master reassuring a pupil. He rather deal with the raspy, authoritative, highter-than-thou tone he had to tolerate for months. The best way to describe his tone would be John at the first episodes of Malevolent, and that's unnerving.]
["I will not linger for long when the job is done. Do not worry your head over it."]
[Derek rests a hand over Lantern's forehead. It almost felt like a pair of hands settle on his shoulders as he done so, gentle and caring. He did not like that... especially that it worked.]
[And just like that...]
"... shall we start?"
[To work with the mind is something easy for Hastur. So, peeking in Lantern's mind to see what's going on wasn't a challenge at all.]
@theweepinglantern
It was very dark in Lantern’s mind. And empty, save for the tall wide spotlight tbat lit up two figures: one immediately recognizable as Lantern, and another… a ragged, human-sized King in Yellow. The two were locked in a furious battle, Lantern’s black and gold staff against the dying King’s sword. The King looked frail and weak, his mask half broken, but he lashed out with shocking force anyways. Neither have noticed Hastur.
“—You took everyone! There’s no way I’m going back!” Lantern shouted with the crack of her staff against his sword.
“You don’t belong here! I have given you everything, and this is how you repay your king?” He snarled. “Look at me, Lamplighter! Your King is dying, yet you’re here wasting your life in a place that will never be your home?! How selfish.”
“Haven’t you- agh- taken enough from me? You stole my friends, my city, the suns and stars themselves, my power, my wings, and now you want me too?” It was a losing battle. It would be easier to just give up.
“Lamplighter, you’re not listening! I would still welcome you with open arms if you came home!”
“I’m not letting you absorb me like you did everyone else!!”
“If you truly loved your King as you claim, you would be more than happy to submit and bring me back to life! It is a service to do so, your duty! Don’t you love me, Lamplighter?”
“My duty was to light up Carcosa, not give up my life for you!” She cried. “And- and-“ she couldn’t answer his question. Did she love her King, the figure who gave her life and purpose? In her moment of hesitation, he slashed at her arm, to which she screamed. The long wound fizzed and sizzled with smoke. Her form was decaying, her will dying. If he succeeded in vanquishing her in this mental space, he could take over freely.
[Derek walks over to Lantern's place, determination and fear balanced and noticeable in his stride.]
"... this door is more than open. Did someone break in?"
- @derek-hutchins-333 ( left this open for some description of the place :D)
Technically, yes, Lili broke in. The house is a mess, a clear sign of struggle having occurred. Shards of glass covered the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen floor itself was mostly caved in and covered in dried ichor that vaguely resembled that of a large ritual circle, shattered tile sticking up this way and that. Sharp knives laid tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Spots of dried yellow ichor led upstairs. The house was eerily silent and kind of creepy despite the golden sunlight streaming through the windows.
If Derek headed upstairs (as that’s probably where Lantern is), he would find the ichor spots led to an open door where Lantern’s bedroom is. Lilianne (@lilihalifactotum) sat by the bed, and there Lantern was, looking… rather rough. A large bruise covered the left side of her forehead, many nicks and scratches in varying stages of healing can be spotted on her skin. The hand she cut for the ritual was bandaged. Although she’s very much alive, it’s clear she wasn’t doing well given the ragged breathing and slightly scrunched features. Whatever battle was going on in her head, the outcome wasn’t in her favour.
Lili?
I've been... having strange dreams lately. Of my Carcosa. I don't like this. I don't like what it could mean.
Can I talk with you about it? I just can't keep this to myself anymore.
-The Weeping Lantern 🕯️ (@theweepinglantern)
Of course! You can tell me anything!
If you want, I can come over too, if a physical presence would help you feel more at ease?
Mm. No, I'm alright, thank you. I don't trust this, Lili. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
I've been dreaming of my Carcosa, back when it was alive and beautiful. My home, how I knew it. I'd walk through the streets, lighting up the lamps on the way to the King's palace. I'd go inside, and there he would be, sitting on that giant gold throne. Everything's warm and safe, until I'd look up at him. He was already dead, Lili, waiting for me to notice.
The ground would split open, and then I'd fall, and there would be a bunch of people in the dark reaching out for me, everyone I knew that died because of the King, begging for me to help them and asking why I abandoned them, calling me selfish...
Worst of all? At the bottom, I'd be at the edge of my Carcosa again, a gate to somewhere open in front of me (I have no idea where, I wasn't looking at it) and the King would be looming over everything. He'd be begging me to go back, to fix it all.
I don't know how. I don't know if I want to, or if this is a trick. I don't like this, Lili. I'm not sure if a corpse can do this to me, but if any dead person can, it would be the King.
I'm scared.
Oh my goodness.... That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have to experience that! I'll ask Hypnos if he could give you some dreamless sleep!
Whatever you want to do next, I'll be there for you. You don't have to face it by yourself! I'll be there, Lantern...
Thank you, Lili.
It feels like some kind of divine warning or decree, and I'm compelled to follow it, but that's probably just habit. I've never disobeyed Him before all this..
what the
Lantern?!
LANTERN!!
She was at her house immediately. Breaking down Lantern's door in the process, she'll fix it once she knows her friend is safe.
Her downright violent entry into the Jade Monarch's realm was not quiet at all. It might've even notified Avery of her frantic arrival.
Lili would find no trace of Lantern upon first sight, but she would see a long staff with a lantern at the top in the kitchen, shaking slightly. Of course at the bottom was Lantern, back facing the entrance and trembling. It was hard to see what was going on since Lantern was hunched over on the floor, covering something on it.
“D-Don’t come closer! Lili, y-you have to leave, it’s not safe!” She cried out, terrified. She sounded like she was crying.
Lantern!!!
Lili rushed over in panic, a hand already reaching out to Lantern.
I don't care if it's dangerous, I care if you're alright or not!!
Startled, Lantern pushed Lili away, head wing covering her left eye, though both are wide in fear. Gold blood covered her right hand, which she used to push Lili away, a long cut covering her palm. On the floor is a messy sigil, unfinished and crude. Lantern is shaking from the sheer effort of staying still.
“N-no! Stay back, st- agh-“ Lantern’s face is contorted in pain, tears dripping down her face. “Can’t- ugh-“ she coughed, more gold blood splattering on the floor.
There was a brief flash of hurt as she was pushed away, one that was quickly buried by the overwhelming worry at the sight of the sigil and ichor.
Lantern... Lantern, what's happening??! Please, tell me! Please Lantern!
She pleaded, her hands hovering just outside of Lantern's reach, ready to... Do Something, the moment she can reach her.
Coughing, Lantern’s bleeding hand trembled, reaching for the sigil but forcing herself to hold back. Her left hand was gripping the staff so tightly that her knuckles whitened.
“He- agh- punishment-“ she choked out, hand shaking. The middle of the sigil on the floor showed the yellow sign. Upon closer inspection, the sign was a part of a much larger circle, nearly covering the whole floor, with various wobbly lines and symbols somehow carved lightly into the tile by the kitchen knife covered in blood outside of the circle.
“Can’t go back- won’t- ugh-“ clenching her fist, blood continued to drip on the floor outside of the lines. “He’s- it’s him- he’s doing- this-“ Lantern sobbed in pain. A faint yellow glow came from behind her covered left eye, and she shrieked in pain.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I’ll never disobey you again, my King!” She cried out. “Please, s-stop! Augh-“ more wet coughing, more ichor.
No!
Without a second thought, Lili knelt down next to Lantern, wrapping her in a hug, trying to comfort her the best she can in this situation.
I'm here, Lantern. I won't leave you. Please, tell me how to make this stop? Do I destroy the sigil? How do I stop the king from tormenting you? Please....
Lantern was stiff and frozen in Lili's arms, arms twitching to shove Lili away but held back by Lantern's sheer will.
"N-no, I don't- agh- know-" more coughing, more ichor splattering on the ground. "Ritual's already- agh- destroyed, but- he wants me to- to draw it again-" the ichor was slowly congealing on her hand. Now, that won't do, will it? Trembling and dazed, Lantern's hand reached up to find another knife on the countertop. Her head wing peeled back to reveal a yellow dot for a pupil, starkly glowing against the charcoal black of her eyes.
"Must complete... gate... home..." Lantern rasped, her voice not her own. "Lost... Carcosa..."
Seeing her hand reaching for the knife, Lili immediately flung anything sharp she could find to the other side of the room.
Lantern, no! Look at me, stay with me! Don't let him win! Please....
Lantern flinched at the clattering noises, yelping. Lantern blinked, hard, her face contorted in pain. She leaned her head against the side of the counter, facing away from Lili. It was a hard battle, and she was losing.
After a moment, Lantern glared at Lili with a shuddering breath, eyes filled with rage.
No. That's not Lantern anymore. Both eyes looked back with yellow pupils.
"Step aside, Hali. This is not where she belongs." the King snarled through Lantern, twisting her soft pretty voice into something else, rising to her his feet. "I have spent far too long tracking her down for my efforts to go to waste."
Without waiting for Lili to move, the King stood, propped up by Lantern's staff, digging her his sharp nails into her palms and drawing more ichor. With a swift movement, she he closed the ritual circle and moved to re-draw the yellow sign.
She belongs wherever she wishes to be!
The lake roared in rage as she recognized who was speaking. Lili took out her dagger and lunged-
The King screamed, shards of tile flying this way and that, cutting Lantern’s body.
“You insolent-“ but the King never got to finish his sentence. He had backed up a little too much against the floor slick with blood. He tripped, falling and hitting his head on the kitchen counter, hard.
“Agh- Damn you…” he wavered, the yellow in Lantern’s charcoal black eyes flickering as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed on the ground, unconscious. Her lantern landed on the floor, the glass shattering.
Lili?
I've been... having strange dreams lately. Of my Carcosa. I don't like this. I don't like what it could mean.
Can I talk with you about it? I just can't keep this to myself anymore.
-The Weeping Lantern 🕯️ (@theweepinglantern)
Of course! You can tell me anything!
If you want, I can come over too, if a physical presence would help you feel more at ease?
Mm. No, I'm alright, thank you. I don't trust this, Lili. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
I've been dreaming of my Carcosa, back when it was alive and beautiful. My home, how I knew it. I'd walk through the streets, lighting up the lamps on the way to the King's palace. I'd go inside, and there he would be, sitting on that giant gold throne. Everything's warm and safe, until I'd look up at him. He was already dead, Lili, waiting for me to notice.
The ground would split open, and then I'd fall, and there would be a bunch of people in the dark reaching out for me, everyone I knew that died because of the King, begging for me to help them and asking why I abandoned them, calling me selfish...
Worst of all? At the bottom, I'd be at the edge of my Carcosa again, a gate to somewhere open in front of me (I have no idea where, I wasn't looking at it) and the King would be looming over everything. He'd be begging me to go back, to fix it all.
I don't know how. I don't know if I want to, or if this is a trick. I don't like this, Lili. I'm not sure if a corpse can do this to me, but if any dead person can, it would be the King.
I'm scared.
Oh my goodness.... That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have to experience that! I'll ask Hypnos if he could give you some dreamless sleep!
Whatever you want to do next, I'll be there for you. You don't have to face it by yourself! I'll be there, Lantern...
Thank you, Lili.
It feels like some kind of divine warning or decree, and I'm compelled to follow it, but that's probably just habit. I've never disobeyed Him before all this..
what the
Lantern?!
LANTERN!!
She was at her house immediately. Breaking down Lantern's door in the process, she'll fix it once she knows her friend is safe.
Her downright violent entry into the Jade Monarch's realm was not quiet at all. It might've even notified Avery of her frantic arrival.
Lili would find no trace of Lantern upon first sight, but she would see a long staff with a lantern at the top in the kitchen, shaking slightly. Of course at the bottom was Lantern, back facing the entrance and trembling. It was hard to see what was going on since Lantern was hunched over on the floor, covering something on it.
“D-Don’t come closer! Lili, y-you have to leave, it’s not safe!” She cried out, terrified. She sounded like she was crying.
Lantern!!!
Lili rushed over in panic, a hand already reaching out to Lantern.
I don't care if it's dangerous, I care if you're alright or not!!
Startled, Lantern pushed Lili away, head wing covering her left eye, though both are wide in fear. Gold blood covered her right hand, which she used to push Lili away, a long cut covering her palm. On the floor is a messy sigil, unfinished and crude. Lantern is shaking from the sheer effort of staying still.
“N-no! Stay back, st- agh-“ Lantern’s face is contorted in pain, tears dripping down her face. “Can’t- ugh-“ she coughed, more gold blood splattering on the floor.
There was a brief flash of hurt as she was pushed away, one that was quickly buried by the overwhelming worry at the sight of the sigil and ichor.
Lantern... Lantern, what's happening??! Please, tell me! Please Lantern!
She pleaded, her hands hovering just outside of Lantern's reach, ready to... Do Something, the moment she can reach her.
Coughing, Lantern’s bleeding hand trembled, reaching for the sigil but forcing herself to hold back. Her left hand was gripping the staff so tightly that her knuckles whitened.
“He- agh- punishment-“ she choked out, hand shaking. The middle of the sigil on the floor showed the yellow sign. Upon closer inspection, the sign was a part of a much larger circle, nearly covering the whole floor, with various wobbly lines and symbols somehow carved lightly into the tile by the kitchen knife covered in blood outside of the circle.
“Can’t go back- won’t- ugh-“ clenching her fist, blood continued to drip on the floor outside of the lines. “He’s- it’s him- he’s doing- this-“ Lantern sobbed in pain. A faint yellow glow came from behind her covered left eye, and she shrieked in pain.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I’ll never disobey you again, my King!” She cried out. “Please, s-stop! Augh-“ more wet coughing, more ichor.
No!
Without a second thought, Lili knelt down next to Lantern, wrapping her in a hug, trying to comfort her the best she can in this situation.
I'm here, Lantern. I won't leave you. Please, tell me how to make this stop? Do I destroy the sigil? How do I stop the king from tormenting you? Please....
Lantern was stiff and frozen in Lili's arms, arms twitching to shove Lili away but held back by Lantern's sheer will.
"N-no, I don't- agh- know-" more coughing, more ichor splattering on the ground. "Ritual's already- agh- destroyed, but- he wants me to- to draw it again-" the ichor was slowly congealing on her hand. Now, that won't do, will it? Trembling and dazed, Lantern's hand reached up to find another knife on the countertop. Her head wing peeled back to reveal a yellow dot for a pupil, starkly glowing against the charcoal black of her eyes.
"Must complete... gate... home..." Lantern rasped, her voice not her own. "Lost... Carcosa..."
Seeing her hand reaching for the knife, Lili immediately flung anything sharp she could find to the other side of the room.
Lantern, no! Look at me, stay with me! Don't let him win! Please....
Lantern flinched at the clattering noises, yelping. Lantern blinked, hard, her face contorted in pain. She leaned her head against the side of the counter, facing away from Lili. It was a hard battle, and she was losing.
After a moment, Lantern glared at Lili with a shuddering breath, eyes filled with rage.
No. That's not Lantern anymore. Both eyes looked back with yellow pupils.
"Step aside, Hali. This is not where she belongs." the King snarled through Lantern, twisting her soft pretty voice into something else, rising to her his feet. "I have spent far too long tracking her down for my efforts to go to waste."
Without waiting for Lili to move, the King stood, propped up by Lantern's staff, digging her his sharp nails into her palms and drawing more ichor. With a swift movement, she he closed the ritual circle and moved to re-draw the yellow sign.
Lili?
I've been... having strange dreams lately. Of my Carcosa. I don't like this. I don't like what it could mean.
Can I talk with you about it? I just can't keep this to myself anymore.
-The Weeping Lantern 🕯️ (@theweepinglantern)
Of course! You can tell me anything!
If you want, I can come over too, if a physical presence would help you feel more at ease?
Mm. No, I'm alright, thank you. I don't trust this, Lili. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
I've been dreaming of my Carcosa, back when it was alive and beautiful. My home, how I knew it. I'd walk through the streets, lighting up the lamps on the way to the King's palace. I'd go inside, and there he would be, sitting on that giant gold throne. Everything's warm and safe, until I'd look up at him. He was already dead, Lili, waiting for me to notice.
The ground would split open, and then I'd fall, and there would be a bunch of people in the dark reaching out for me, everyone I knew that died because of the King, begging for me to help them and asking why I abandoned them, calling me selfish...
Worst of all? At the bottom, I'd be at the edge of my Carcosa again, a gate to somewhere open in front of me (I have no idea where, I wasn't looking at it) and the King would be looming over everything. He'd be begging me to go back, to fix it all.
I don't know how. I don't know if I want to, or if this is a trick. I don't like this, Lili. I'm not sure if a corpse can do this to me, but if any dead person can, it would be the King.
I'm scared.
Oh my goodness.... That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have to experience that! I'll ask Hypnos if he could give you some dreamless sleep!
Whatever you want to do next, I'll be there for you. You don't have to face it by yourself! I'll be there, Lantern...
Thank you, Lili.
It feels like some kind of divine warning or decree, and I'm compelled to follow it, but that's probably just habit. I've never disobeyed Him before all this..
what the
Lantern?!
LANTERN!!
She was at her house immediately. Breaking down Lantern's door in the process, she'll fix it once she knows her friend is safe.
Her downright violent entry into the Jade Monarch's realm was not quiet at all. It might've even notified Avery of her frantic arrival.
Lili would find no trace of Lantern upon first sight, but she would see a long staff with a lantern at the top in the kitchen, shaking slightly. Of course at the bottom was Lantern, back facing the entrance and trembling. It was hard to see what was going on since Lantern was hunched over on the floor, covering something on it.
“D-Don’t come closer! Lili, y-you have to leave, it’s not safe!” She cried out, terrified. She sounded like she was crying.
Lantern!!!
Lili rushed over in panic, a hand already reaching out to Lantern.
I don't care if it's dangerous, I care if you're alright or not!!
Startled, Lantern pushed Lili away, head wing covering her left eye, though both are wide in fear. Gold blood covered her right hand, which she used to push Lili away, a long cut covering her palm. On the floor is a messy sigil, unfinished and crude. Lantern is shaking from the sheer effort of staying still.
“N-no! Stay back, st- agh-“ Lantern’s face is contorted in pain, tears dripping down her face. “Can’t- ugh-“ she coughed, more gold blood splattering on the floor.
There was a brief flash of hurt as she was pushed away, one that was quickly buried by the overwhelming worry at the sight of the sigil and ichor.
Lantern... Lantern, what's happening??! Please, tell me! Please Lantern!
She pleaded, her hands hovering just outside of Lantern's reach, ready to... Do Something, the moment she can reach her.
Coughing, Lantern’s bleeding hand trembled, reaching for the sigil but forcing herself to hold back. Her left hand was gripping the staff so tightly that her knuckles whitened.
“He- agh- punishment-“ she choked out, hand shaking. The middle of the sigil on the floor showed the yellow sign. Upon closer inspection, the sign was a part of a much larger circle, nearly covering the whole floor, with various wobbly lines and symbols somehow carved lightly into the tile by the kitchen knife covered in blood outside of the circle.
“Can’t go back- won’t- ugh-“ clenching her fist, blood continued to drip on the floor outside of the lines. “He’s- it’s him- he’s doing- this-“ Lantern sobbed in pain. A faint yellow glow came from behind her covered left eye, and she shrieked in pain.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I’ll never disobey you again, my King!” She cried out. “Please, s-stop! Augh-“ more wet coughing, more ichor.
No!
Without a second thought, Lili knelt down next to Lantern, wrapping her in a hug, trying to comfort her the best she can in this situation.
I'm here, Lantern. I won't leave you. Please, tell me how to make this stop? Do I destroy the sigil? How do I stop the king from tormenting you? Please....
Lantern was stiff and frozen in Lili's arms, arms twitching to shove Lili away but held back by Lantern's sheer will.
"N-no, I don't- agh- know-" more coughing, more ichor splattering on the ground. "Ritual's already- agh- destroyed, but- he wants me to- to draw it again-" the ichor was slowly congealing on her hand. Now, that won't do, will it? Trembling and dazed, Lantern's hand reached up to find another knife on the countertop. Her head wing peeled back to reveal a yellow dot for a pupil, starkly glowing against the charcoal black of her eyes.
"Must complete... gate... home..." Lantern rasped, her voice not her own. "Lost... Carcosa..."
Lili?
I've been... having strange dreams lately. Of my Carcosa. I don't like this. I don't like what it could mean.
Can I talk with you about it? I just can't keep this to myself anymore.
-The Weeping Lantern 🕯️ (@theweepinglantern)
Of course! You can tell me anything!
If you want, I can come over too, if a physical presence would help you feel more at ease?
Mm. No, I'm alright, thank you. I don't trust this, Lili. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
I've been dreaming of my Carcosa, back when it was alive and beautiful. My home, how I knew it. I'd walk through the streets, lighting up the lamps on the way to the King's palace. I'd go inside, and there he would be, sitting on that giant gold throne. Everything's warm and safe, until I'd look up at him. He was already dead, Lili, waiting for me to notice.
The ground would split open, and then I'd fall, and there would be a bunch of people in the dark reaching out for me, everyone I knew that died because of the King, begging for me to help them and asking why I abandoned them, calling me selfish...
Worst of all? At the bottom, I'd be at the edge of my Carcosa again, a gate to somewhere open in front of me (I have no idea where, I wasn't looking at it) and the King would be looming over everything. He'd be begging me to go back, to fix it all.
I don't know how. I don't know if I want to, or if this is a trick. I don't like this, Lili. I'm not sure if a corpse can do this to me, but if any dead person can, it would be the King.
I'm scared.
Oh my goodness.... That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have to experience that! I'll ask Hypnos if he could give you some dreamless sleep!
Whatever you want to do next, I'll be there for you. You don't have to face it by yourself! I'll be there, Lantern...
Thank you, Lili.
It feels like some kind of divine warning or decree, and I'm compelled to follow it, but that's probably just habit. I've never disobeyed Him before all this..
what the
Lantern?!
LANTERN!!
She was at her house immediately. Breaking down Lantern's door in the process, she'll fix it once she knows her friend is safe.
Her downright violent entry into the Jade Monarch's realm was not quiet at all. It might've even notified Avery of her frantic arrival.
Lili would find no trace of Lantern upon first sight, but she would see a long staff with a lantern at the top in the kitchen, shaking slightly. Of course at the bottom was Lantern, back facing the entrance and trembling. It was hard to see what was going on since Lantern was hunched over on the floor, covering something on it.
“D-Don’t come closer! Lili, y-you have to leave, it’s not safe!” She cried out, terrified. She sounded like she was crying.
Lantern!!!
Lili rushed over in panic, a hand already reaching out to Lantern.
I don't care if it's dangerous, I care if you're alright or not!!
Startled, Lantern pushed Lili away, head wing covering her left eye, though both are wide in fear. Gold blood covered her right hand, which she used to push Lili away, a long cut covering her palm. On the floor is a messy sigil, unfinished and crude. Lantern is shaking from the sheer effort of staying still.
“N-no! Stay back, st- agh-“ Lantern’s face is contorted in pain, tears dripping down her face. “Can’t- ugh-“ she coughed, more gold blood splattering on the floor.
There was a brief flash of hurt as she was pushed away, one that was quickly buried by the overwhelming worry at the sight of the sigil and ichor.
Lantern... Lantern, what's happening??! Please, tell me! Please Lantern!
She pleaded, her hands hovering just outside of Lantern's reach, ready to... Do Something, the moment she can reach her.
Coughing, Lantern’s bleeding hand trembled, reaching for the sigil but forcing herself to hold back. Her left hand was gripping the staff so tightly that her knuckles whitened.
“He- agh- punishment-“ she choked out, hand shaking. The middle of the sigil on the floor showed the yellow sign. Upon closer inspection, the sign was a part of a much larger circle, nearly covering the whole floor, with various wobbly lines and symbols somehow carved lightly into the tile by the kitchen knife covered in blood outside of the circle.
“Can’t go back- won’t- ugh-“ clenching her fist, blood continued to drip on the floor outside of the lines. “He’s- it’s him- he’s doing- this-“ Lantern sobbed in pain. A faint yellow glow came from behind her covered left eye, and she shrieked in pain.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I’ll never disobey you again, my King!” She cried out. “Please, s-stop! Augh-“ more wet coughing, more ichor.
Lili?
I've been... having strange dreams lately. Of my Carcosa. I don't like this. I don't like what it could mean.
Can I talk with you about it? I just can't keep this to myself anymore.
-The Weeping Lantern 🕯️ (@theweepinglantern)
Of course! You can tell me anything!
If you want, I can come over too, if a physical presence would help you feel more at ease?
Mm. No, I'm alright, thank you. I don't trust this, Lili. Whatever is going on, it can't be good.
I've been dreaming of my Carcosa, back when it was alive and beautiful. My home, how I knew it. I'd walk through the streets, lighting up the lamps on the way to the King's palace. I'd go inside, and there he would be, sitting on that giant gold throne. Everything's warm and safe, until I'd look up at him. He was already dead, Lili, waiting for me to notice.
The ground would split open, and then I'd fall, and there would be a bunch of people in the dark reaching out for me, everyone I knew that died because of the King, begging for me to help them and asking why I abandoned them, calling me selfish...
Worst of all? At the bottom, I'd be at the edge of my Carcosa again, a gate to somewhere open in front of me (I have no idea where, I wasn't looking at it) and the King would be looming over everything. He'd be begging me to go back, to fix it all.
I don't know how. I don't know if I want to, or if this is a trick. I don't like this, Lili. I'm not sure if a corpse can do this to me, but if any dead person can, it would be the King.
I'm scared.
Oh my goodness.... That's horrible! I'm so sorry you have to experience that! I'll ask Hypnos if he could give you some dreamless sleep!
Whatever you want to do next, I'll be there for you. You don't have to face it by yourself! I'll be there, Lantern...
Thank you, Lili.
It feels like some kind of divine warning or decree, and I'm compelled to follow it, but that's probably just habit. I've never disobeyed Him before all this..
what the
Lantern?!
LANTERN!!
She was at her house immediately. Breaking down Lantern's door in the process, she'll fix it once she knows her friend is safe.
Her downright violent entry into the Jade Monarch's realm was not quiet at all. It might've even notified Avery of her frantic arrival.
Lili would find no trace of Lantern upon first sight, but she would see a long staff with a lantern at the top in the kitchen, shaking slightly. Of course at the bottom was Lantern, back facing the entrance and trembling. It was hard to see what was going on since Lantern was hunched over on the floor, covering something on it.
“D-Don’t come closer! Lili, y-you have to leave, it’s not safe!” She cried out, terrified. She sounded like she was crying.
Lantern!!!
Lili rushed over in panic, a hand already reaching out to Lantern.
I don't care if it's dangerous, I care if you're alright or not!!
Startled, Lantern pushed Lili away, head wing covering her left eye, though both are wide in fear. Gold blood covered her right hand, which she used to push Lili away, a long cut covering her palm. On the floor is a messy sigil, unfinished and crude. Lantern is shaking from the sheer effort of staying still.
“N-no! Stay back, st- agh-“ Lantern’s face is contorted in pain, tears dripping down her face. “Can’t- ugh-“ she coughed, more gold blood splattering on the floor.
