Is the letter S or C silent in the word 'scent'?
( Peter has yet to procure any weed in this place, and is therefore not equipped to handle such questions. He is also very much on edge, thanks to Darkblood Things.
The question makes him...... incredibly nervous. It's making him think too much, and it doesn't seem to have an answer.
He doesn't like this. )
Both
Both are silent
( That's... not right at all. )
The question makes him...... incredibly nervous. It's making him think too much, and it doesn't seem to have an answer.
He doesn't like this. )
Both
Both are silent
( That's... not right at all. )
β
( Just the slight bit of talking and moving around he's doing is starting to really help all those mixed-up pieces of Peter start churning and re-learning how to function again. He finds himself nodding again at the offer, and reaches his arms upwards to the man, almost like a small child would. Help... Help him stand up. That's right; he realises he needs help standing up. )
Thank you.
( That feels right to say, too. He's still not sure who this man is β part of him still associating him with the word "Dad" just because he's an adult man β but Peter isn't afraid of him, trusting him, yet again like a much younger child might. )
I think I'm... sick.
( Just the slight bit of talking and moving around he's doing is starting to really help all those mixed-up pieces of Peter start churning and re-learning how to function again. He finds himself nodding again at the offer, and reaches his arms upwards to the man, almost like a small child would. Help... Help him stand up. That's right; he realises he needs help standing up. )
Thank you.
( That feels right to say, too. He's still not sure who this man is β part of him still associating him with the word "Dad" just because he's an adult man β but Peter isn't afraid of him, trusting him, yet again like a much younger child might. )
I think I'm... sick.
[If they boy is paying attention, he might very well notice how incredibly disturbed Lucifer looks. Of course, he might not, too. It doesn't seem the sort of thing to draw attention to, as far as Lucifer's concerned. How would Chloe handle this?
Teenagers are meant to be rather upstart and defiant, go-getters challenging the world around them, not... this.]
Our manner of travel to this place was quite disorientating. Give yourself some time.
Teenagers are meant to be rather upstart and defiant, go-getters challenging the world around them, not... this.]
Our manner of travel to this place was quite disorientating. Give yourself some time.
β
( There's a tightening in his face for a moment, and it is the demon who shifts his eyes to look at Diarmuid as the other boy addresses him directly. Despite everything, there's still an attachment towards this... this monk, this soft boy who had comforted him, but who's also capable of a power that can weaken him. There's a respect, and a fear, and an affection, and many other things.
He likes Diarmuid in his creepy little way (though he cannot pronounce his name.....) but he's also very irritated about this relic and the monk's refusal to get rid of it. He's just staring very intensely at Diarmuid for a moment, eyes narrowing a bit, whenβ
'you wanted to spill my blood for sacrifice'
βand the eyes abruptly turn back into Peter's, wide and horrified and bordering on angry. )
He did what to you?!
( ....Ah, that's right. Peter never found out about that, did he. ...Until now. The demon shifts uncomfortably. Oh, fucketh.. his crimes have been exposed..... )
( There's a tightening in his face for a moment, and it is the demon who shifts his eyes to look at Diarmuid as the other boy addresses him directly. Despite everything, there's still an attachment towards this... this monk, this soft boy who had comforted him, but who's also capable of a power that can weaken him. There's a respect, and a fear, and an affection, and many other things.
He likes Diarmuid in his creepy little way (though he cannot pronounce his name.....) but he's also very irritated about this relic and the monk's refusal to get rid of it. He's just staring very intensely at Diarmuid for a moment, eyes narrowing a bit, whenβ
'you wanted to spill my blood for sacrifice'
βand the eyes abruptly turn back into Peter's, wide and horrified and bordering on angry. )
He did what to you?!
( ....Ah, that's right. Peter never found out about that, did he. ...Until now. The demon shifts uncomfortably. Oh, fucketh.. his crimes have been exposed..... )
[Diarmuid blinks in surprise. Ah.
("The essence coming from your home... Are you truly a... mere human?"
Diarmuid watches him carefully, blood on his face, nail marks on his neck, and he looks... calm. Careful. He watches Paimon for any glimmer of his friend Peter, and when he still sees the confused entity there, he faces him without hesitation. His robe's sleeves hang long on him, the monk uniform giving an illusion that he's bigger than he truly is. The skinny, scarred teenager underneath does not match his resolve.
The question leaves him quiet a moment, as the holy relic sits in his room. The sound of a bell rings around them, echoes in the treetops. The sound had told him he would be protected and lead, once upon a time. He will try to believe the same here. He shakes his head, and does not look away from Paimon.
"... I am but a human. A very tired and very thirsty human who wishes to have tea with his friend, Peter. The lamb politely asks to see him.")
He has made a slight mistake, then, assuming that Peter had vanished once more.
After a moment, Diarmuid holds his hands up, placating.]
Be still, Peter, you β he did not harm me. [But he doesn't want to be completely dishonest; he has never been dishonest, not even in the face of cruelty, or even if it would benefit the moment at hand. He had... not told Peter about what had happened, but Peter β he did not remember, and he did not ask, and it was enough.] The worst he had done was grab my neck; I had been the one to β to cut myself.
("The essence coming from your home... Are you truly a... mere human?"
Diarmuid watches him carefully, blood on his face, nail marks on his neck, and he looks... calm. Careful. He watches Paimon for any glimmer of his friend Peter, and when he still sees the confused entity there, he faces him without hesitation. His robe's sleeves hang long on him, the monk uniform giving an illusion that he's bigger than he truly is. The skinny, scarred teenager underneath does not match his resolve.
The question leaves him quiet a moment, as the holy relic sits in his room. The sound of a bell rings around them, echoes in the treetops. The sound had told him he would be protected and lead, once upon a time. He will try to believe the same here. He shakes his head, and does not look away from Paimon.
"... I am but a human. A very tired and very thirsty human who wishes to have tea with his friend, Peter. The lamb politely asks to see him.")
He has made a slight mistake, then, assuming that Peter had vanished once more.
After a moment, Diarmuid holds his hands up, placating.]
Be still, Peter, you β he did not harm me. [But he doesn't want to be completely dishonest; he has never been dishonest, not even in the face of cruelty, or even if it would benefit the moment at hand. He had... not told Peter about what had happened, but Peter β he did not remember, and he did not ask, and it was enough.] The worst he had done was grab my neck; I had been the one to β to cut myself.
Edited 2021-10-07 07:47 (UTC)
cw: suicide discussion, brief mention of suicidal ideation
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
possessum
- 2021-10-24 02:55 (UTC) - ExpandYou have been invited for Ruby Rose's birthday party!
The party will be held at the house Ruby lives in over in the Gaze district. [ There's an address included, or just general directions, along with the time the party starts. ] Feel free to dress up or not - you know Ruby won't mind either way. You're also free to bring a present if you want to. If you want to bring one, but you're having trouble thinking of what to get her, you can ask me, I guess.
.. Or Oscar. Actually, ask Oscar.
[ Please don't make her talk to people. ]
Let's do our best to make it fun for Ruby. She's had a really crappy time around this time last year, and I know she would love to be surrounded by her friends.
( ooc: the log for the party can be found over here! )
The party will be held at the house Ruby lives in over in the Gaze district. [ There's an address included, or just general directions, along with the time the party starts. ] Feel free to dress up or not - you know Ruby won't mind either way. You're also free to bring a present if you want to. If you want to bring one, but you're having trouble thinking of what to get her, you can ask me, I guess.
.. Or Oscar. Actually, ask Oscar.
[ Please don't make her talk to people. ]
Let's do our best to make it fun for Ruby. She's had a really crappy time around this time last year, and I know she would love to be surrounded by her friends.
( ooc: the log for the party can be found over here! )
Technically, she'd started on some of these gifts a while ago. The first she'd gotten some stationary from the store before it ended up being destroyed in the final months of Deerington. The reasoning being she wanted to get him something nice to start college with in the autumn. She'd bought the items and then stashed them away in her room, and then ended up forgetting about them considering the end of the world and the following chaos and settling in with a new world in Trench.
Although they've already started at the School of Mutter, she still means to give him these gifts β opting to do so on his birthday. Wrapped up in her usual brown paper with silvery ribbons is a set of starry-covered notebooks, along with a nice set of pens (and yes, they are ballpoint pens. She's knows how much you're struggling with quills, she's already lent you some of her pens). There's a few other minor pieces of stationary too all wrapped up in a bundle: sticky notes and some highlighters. Your girlfriend is a nerd, Peter. This is what happens.
Additionally, there's a handmade knitted blanket she's been working on the last couple of months. She's been finishing it up in the downtime when she'd been too tired with migraines to do much else. Knitting's a pretty good thing to do without thinking too much. He'll notice it seems to offer a magical heat when used; it's made of the same magical wool his Hufflepuff scarf is made from. It'll be very cosy to nap with.
Peter might not really want birthday cake, but there'll be some pancakes with bacon for breakfast that morning because birthday breakfast! She's even still got some maple syrup left over from Deerington, stashed away in a cupboard. It's amazing it's still there, to be honest.
... there will also be the offer of birthday snogging too, if he's down.
( u/////////u
Of course, Peter loves everything..... Luna's gifts are the mix of practical and thoughtful. He'll be Very Thrilled about the reprieve from having to use quills all the time at school, and all the nice school supplies might even coax him to do more work! ......Maybe. Peter Graham has never highlighted anything in his entire life. It's... a completely new experience........
The blanket is quick to become one of his most cherished items β yet another gift Luna made for him herself. Your gloomy boy will be making very good use of it, staying wrapped up in his beloved magical heating blanket almost 24/7..... Just walking around the house with it draped over him all the time or wrapping her up in it with him, tbh. It's Cuddle Season, y'all.
The birthday breakfast is (inevitably) one of the highlights of his entire time here at Trench, and Peter'll be utterly delighted for bacon! Pancakes! Maple syrup!!! You've made one boy and his stomach extremely happy today, Luna.
(Birthday snogging is 100% a go, with plenty of lazy snuggles in the heated blanket. Best day ever. β€) )
Of course, Peter loves everything..... Luna's gifts are the mix of practical and thoughtful. He'll be Very Thrilled about the reprieve from having to use quills all the time at school, and all the nice school supplies might even coax him to do more work! ......Maybe. Peter Graham has never highlighted anything in his entire life. It's... a completely new experience........
The blanket is quick to become one of his most cherished items β yet another gift Luna made for him herself. Your gloomy boy will be making very good use of it, staying wrapped up in his beloved magical heating blanket almost 24/7..... Just walking around the house with it draped over him all the time or wrapping her up in it with him, tbh. It's Cuddle Season, y'all.
The birthday breakfast is (inevitably) one of the highlights of his entire time here at Trench, and Peter'll be utterly delighted for bacon! Pancakes! Maple syrup!!! You've made one boy and his stomach extremely happy today, Luna.
(Birthday snogging is 100% a go, with plenty of lazy snuggles in the heated blanket. Best day ever. β€) )
[Peter, did you want a surly raccoon waking you up bright and early on your birthday staring directly at your face? of course you did. It's the best birthday gift anyone could imagine. How did he even get in here? Who knows, he just did. He chitters his raccoon-y nonsense at Peter- then unceremoniously dumps a wrapped gift and note on Peter's lap before straight-up vanishing. Giving him smoke powers made him too powerful- the gods made a mistake.
Inside the parcel is a lighter and a note:]
Happy birthday! It's not a lot but I figured it might come in handy for you.
[For your weed.]
Hope you have a good one, Buddy. Don't party too hard. Ha ha.
Inside the parcel is a lighter and a note:]
Happy birthday! It's not a lot but I figured it might come in handy for you.
[For your weed.]
Hope you have a good one, Buddy. Don't party too hard. Ha ha.
( Somehow, Peter manages not to scream. After all the various horrors of his life, this..... is in a different category altogether. His mind has to take a few minutes to process it.
There's a fricking raccoon just like, right there. And it's leaving him a present............. And then you know what it does? It disappears into goddamn thin air.
Peter sits there for a few moments after, numbly. It's only after Ruddiger leaves that he realises he recognised the racoon, having seen him at Varian's place the couple of times he'd been there. )
...Varian? ( He says out loud, stupidly. Like maybe the other teen is here too or... something? (Why would he be there, Peter)
....He opens the present. It takes him a moment to figure out what it actually is, but then Peter's grinning slowly. He'll send Varian a text a bit later: )
Thanks for the gift, man! It's really cool, I've never seen anything like this before.
I might've startled your racoon.... Tell him I'm sorry about that.
( Ruddiger was absolutely unbothered by you, Peter... )
There's a fricking raccoon just like, right there. And it's leaving him a present............. And then you know what it does? It disappears into goddamn thin air.
Peter sits there for a few moments after, numbly. It's only after Ruddiger leaves that he realises he recognised the racoon, having seen him at Varian's place the couple of times he'd been there. )
...Varian? ( He says out loud, stupidly. Like maybe the other teen is here too or... something? (Why would he be there, Peter)
....He opens the present. It takes him a moment to figure out what it actually is, but then Peter's grinning slowly. He'll send Varian a text a bit later: )
Thanks for the gift, man! It's really cool, I've never seen anything like this before.
I might've startled your racoon.... Tell him I'm sorry about that.
( Ruddiger was absolutely unbothered by you, Peter... )
[It's Peter's birthday!! And that means gifts.
Fern is happy to be able to spend a bit of time digging up some gifts he thinks the other boy will like. It's a very nice distraction from some of the things that have been going on, so he's eager for the chance to do something nice. For one gift in particular he's even had to go and do some reading at the library (bleh), but this seems to be a hobby of Peter's and at least it means he's a little more knowledgeable when it comes to plants.
Blodeuwedd is stopping by in the morning. She's the size of a large dog in order to manage all the gifts, so... sorry, Peter, there's a giant mantis showing up on your doorstep. In one saw-like foreleg is an entire marijuana plant in a large makeshift skull planter. In the other is a terribly wrapped box containing some kind of leaf switchblade, as well as a really cheesy birthday card. Inside it is written:]
Happy birthday, dude! I don't really get the joke in the card but it's still cool, right?? Burgers are great!
Hope you have have a great day free of any dumb Deer junk and that you like the gifts! I think this is the kind of plant you like? Tell me if it isn't and I'll grow the right one.
-Fern
Fern is happy to be able to spend a bit of time digging up some gifts he thinks the other boy will like. It's a very nice distraction from some of the things that have been going on, so he's eager for the chance to do something nice. For one gift in particular he's even had to go and do some reading at the library (bleh), but this seems to be a hobby of Peter's and at least it means he's a little more knowledgeable when it comes to plants.
Blodeuwedd is stopping by in the morning. She's the size of a large dog in order to manage all the gifts, so... sorry, Peter, there's a giant mantis showing up on your doorstep. In one saw-like foreleg is an entire marijuana plant in a large makeshift skull planter. In the other is a terribly wrapped box containing some kind of leaf switchblade, as well as a really cheesy birthday card. Inside it is written:]
Happy birthday, dude! I don't really get the joke in the card but it's still cool, right?? Burgers are great!
Hope you have have a great day free of any dumb Deer junk and that you like the gifts! I think this is the kind of plant you like? Tell me if it isn't and I'll grow the right one.
-Fern
Edited 2021-11-01 20:08 (UTC)
( It is, admittedly, abso-fucking-lutely terrifying to see the dog-sized insect standing outside the door. Peter's soul kind of leaves his body for a few initial seconds, and he's just kind of ogling, unable to really move or do anything.
What keeps him from an inevitable freakout is the fact he.... recognises her. It takes him a second or two, but he does. Mostly because of her colour; it's unique, like nothing he'd ever seen, before he saw.... Fern's Omen.
Oh. She's... a little bit bigger right now, isn't she....! But he does remember something like this happening in Deerington once, when his dream guide had turned huge....
So he's peering at her, daring to move closer and slowly take what the ginormous insect is holding in those very dangerous-looking forelegs, looking through each gift very carefully. And a bit later, he'll be texting Fern to thank him for the gifts, because holy shit, he loves these. The card makes him actually laugh out loud, a rarity for Peter. )
Hey man, thanks for the gifts! They're awesome
It's definitely the right kind of plant
I gotta do some research on how to take care of it, but mannn. You grew this??
You saved my life hahaha
( FERN GREW HIM A POT PLANT.... It's a dream come true... )
The knife's really cool too! I've never had one before, I'll take good care of it.
What keeps him from an inevitable freakout is the fact he.... recognises her. It takes him a second or two, but he does. Mostly because of her colour; it's unique, like nothing he'd ever seen, before he saw.... Fern's Omen.
Oh. She's... a little bit bigger right now, isn't she....! But he does remember something like this happening in Deerington once, when his dream guide had turned huge....
So he's peering at her, daring to move closer and slowly take what the ginormous insect is holding in those very dangerous-looking forelegs, looking through each gift very carefully. And a bit later, he'll be texting Fern to thank him for the gifts, because holy shit, he loves these. The card makes him actually laugh out loud, a rarity for Peter. )
Hey man, thanks for the gifts! They're awesome
It's definitely the right kind of plant
I gotta do some research on how to take care of it, but mannn. You grew this??
You saved my life hahaha
( FERN GREW HIM A POT PLANT.... It's a dream come true... )
The knife's really cool too! I've never had one before, I'll take good care of it.
[Look, how a small reptile managed to lug a paper sack up to Peter's window is a mystery in and of itself, but you don't need to worry about it. The scaly little guy just gives a wave before making his way - slowly, slowly - back down the drainpipe.
Inside the paper sack is one (1) small, lumpy amalgamation of ingredients that can best be identified as Sort Of Pizza. A little burnt on the bottom, but Mike's still figuring out the ye olde oven, and all the requisite items are there: bread, cheese, something tomatoey. With it is a short, handwritten birthday greeting on a scrap of parchment, and also a rock that looks kind of like a pumpkin. It's the thought that counts. Happy birthday, Peter.]
Inside the paper sack is one (1) small, lumpy amalgamation of ingredients that can best be identified as Sort Of Pizza. A little burnt on the bottom, but Mike's still figuring out the ye olde oven, and all the requisite items are there: bread, cheese, something tomatoey. With it is a short, handwritten birthday greeting on a scrap of parchment, and also a rock that looks kind of like a pumpkin. It's the thought that counts. Happy birthday, Peter.]
( By now, maybe he should be used to strange animals just coming up to his room to bestow gifts upon him.
But there's a sharp gasp nonetheless when a big ole lizard with very long claws crawls up. At least Peter doesn't scream (it's probably because he's in mild shock, but also maybe because on some level, something in him can feel that this thing means him no harm. That it's connected to someone he trusts). Did it just wave at himβ
Cautiously examining the contents of the bag that the literal iguana just left him (this experience is definitely A First) reveals that it's from Mike β Mike, who sent him a pizza, holy shit. Pizza (Sort of Pizza or otherwise) felt like something he'd never see again. Peter eats half of it in about a second and saves the rest for Luna (truly, a mark of love). The rock goes on his modest little shelf of items on display, and he'll be texting Mike later to thank him for thinking of him. And,,,, telling him to let his iguana dude know, too. )
But there's a sharp gasp nonetheless when a big ole lizard with very long claws crawls up. At least Peter doesn't scream (it's probably because he's in mild shock, but also maybe because on some level, something in him can feel that this thing means him no harm. That it's connected to someone he trusts). Did it just wave at himβ
Cautiously examining the contents of the bag that the literal iguana just left him (this experience is definitely A First) reveals that it's from Mike β Mike, who sent him a pizza, holy shit. Pizza (Sort of Pizza or otherwise) felt like something he'd never see again. Peter eats half of it in about a second and saves the rest for Luna (truly, a mark of love). The rock goes on his modest little shelf of items on display, and he'll be texting Mike later to thank him for thinking of him. And,,,, telling him to let his iguana dude know, too. )
[ On Peter's doorstep, wrapped in paper, are a weird little doll and a smallish piece of embroidery that, while a little sloppy in execution, clearly depicts Rex in all his stubby glory. Attached is a note: ]
Happy birthday Pete
Sorry they're not that good. I worked with what I had.
- C
Happy birthday Pete
Sorry they're not that good. I worked with what I had.
- C
( The little doll is 100% his speed and Peter's grinning stupidly, until he's looking at the other thing, and he has to take a couple minutes, just staring at it.
It's weird. He's fully accepted Rex isn't here, and what the reason for that really is. It's some odd sort of peace he's not very familiar with. But it isn't until he has something that reminds him of the dog, that Peter realises maybe he needed it. He doesn't have anything like that. Not even any pictures of him. The fact she made it herself makes the lump in his throat even tighter.
He'll send Clarisse a text a little later, to thank her. )
Thanks for the gifts. I love them
I named the little dude Batty
I don't have anything to remind me of him, so this is really nice.
I miss him a lot
It's weird. He's fully accepted Rex isn't here, and what the reason for that really is. It's some odd sort of peace he's not very familiar with. But it isn't until he has something that reminds him of the dog, that Peter realises maybe he needed it. He doesn't have anything like that. Not even any pictures of him. The fact she made it herself makes the lump in his throat even tighter.
He'll send Clarisse a text a little later, to thank her. )
Thanks for the gifts. I love them
I named the little dude Batty
I don't have anything to remind me of him, so this is really nice.
I miss him a lot
[Late at night there will be a rapping on Peter's window. It's not his chamber door and it's not a raven there to say "nevermore." No it's very ornery Crow with a wickedly sharp knife in it's beak and a small package in it's claws. The long it's forced to wait the more annoyed it ends up looking.
Eventually once it's got Peter attention it'll let out a caw before flying away to leave the package. When Peter opens it he will find a T-shirt and a note.]
Happy Birthday Peter!
Just want you to know that you're the best around and no one's ever going to keep you down!
I know things are kind of weird in this world compared to what you're used to but I found this and I feel like it might remind you of home.
Hope you like it!
You're Pal
R.R.
P.S. Please don't mind Minden. He's a big softy once you get to know him.
Eventually once it's got Peter attention it'll let out a caw before flying away to leave the package. When Peter opens it he will find a T-shirt and a note.]
Happy Birthday Peter!
Just want you to know that you're the best around and no one's ever going to keep you down!
I know things are kind of weird in this world compared to what you're used to but I found this and I feel like it might remind you of home.
Hope you like it!
You're Pal
R.R.
P.S. Please don't mind Minden. He's a big softy once you get to know him.
( Peter is lying in bed with his headphones on listening to some Tame Impala (like a true Stoner Teen), not hearing the tap-tapping at his window for a good bit. It isn't until the lull inbetween one song ending and a new one beginning that he does β and he slowly takes off his headphones, confused as he looks over to the source of it....
....and he screams.
There's something outside his window with a fucking knife. Some kind of big ole demon bird. He's about to have a heart attack when the thing flies off, leaving... a package?? Wait... this has been happening today... because it's his birthday... Was that someone's Omen?
Reading the note will indeed confirm that this is someone's Omen. And not just anyone's, but Ruby Rose's.
.....And you know what? That seems valid.
Then he's slowly pulling out the teeshirt......... stunned. Grinning. Nothing gets more Modern Teenager than Random Graphic Tees. He'll call Ruby later on to thank her for it, and he's absolutely going to be wearing this around Trench. )
....and he screams.
There's something outside his window with a fucking knife. Some kind of big ole demon bird. He's about to have a heart attack when the thing flies off, leaving... a package?? Wait... this has been happening today... because it's his birthday... Was that someone's Omen?
Reading the note will indeed confirm that this is someone's Omen. And not just anyone's, but Ruby Rose's.
.....And you know what? That seems valid.
Then he's slowly pulling out the teeshirt......... stunned. Grinning. Nothing gets more Modern Teenager than Random Graphic Tees. He'll call Ruby later on to thank her for it, and he's absolutely going to be wearing this around Trench. )
[Oh man, Peter. His favorite Peter, even. Don't tell the other Peters out there. Not long after Diarmuid's gone, he's gonna have to deal with one more goodbye; sorry, buddy, life's fucking unfair.]
Hey, kid. I mean β pfft. You're not actually a kid, huh? Heard it was your birthday not too long ago!
Which means I gotta drop off a late present!
Hey, kid. I mean β pfft. You're not actually a kid, huh? Heard it was your birthday not too long ago!
Which means I gotta drop off a late present!
( Who would have ever guessed that Peter Graham would end up being the last Peter standing..... Not a single one of us!!
Nonetheless, it's a very pleasant surprise to hear from the Cooler Peter on this day! )
Hey! Oh yeah, I uhβ I had one. A birthday. ( ....He can talk very well. )
Oh dang, you didn't have to get me anything.
Nonetheless, it's a very pleasant surprise to hear from the Cooler Peter on this day! )
Hey! Oh yeah, I uhβ I had one. A birthday. ( ....He can talk very well. )
Oh dang, you didn't have to get me anything.
HEY. Hey Peter! I found a meme!!! Let me know if I did the memeing right.
Did you get it? Did I meme right?
Did you get it? Did I meme right?
( Oh my god did Varian send him some chess memes............. OKAY, this is actually really cute, but also Peter has no idea what he's looking at right now.
He brings out his reading glasses for this one.
.....And then goes to ask Luna because yeah, he has no fucking idea what any of this means, he is so lost, holy shit. )
So I asked Luna about this and she thought it was really funny, so it must mean that this makes sense to smart people??
So basically congrats dude, you have successfully memed!
( YOU DID IT, VARIAN... even if it's about chess. )
He brings out his reading glasses for this one.
.....And then goes to ask Luna because yeah, he has no fucking idea what any of this means, he is so lost, holy shit. )
So I asked Luna about this and she thought it was really funny, so it must mean that this makes sense to smart people??
So basically congrats dude, you have successfully memed!
( YOU DID IT, VARIAN... even if it's about chess. )
[OOC: Set shortly after this thread!]
[Maul appears on the screen, yellow eyes unblinking and looking just as terrifying as usual. His words are short and to the point.]
We need to talk. All of us.
[Usagi has given him some things to think about so he might as well start putting them into action right away. While his usual intensity is there, he doesn't have any intention of steamrolling over Peter as he usually does.]
[Maul appears on the screen, yellow eyes unblinking and looking just as terrifying as usual. His words are short and to the point.]
We need to talk. All of us.
[Usagi has given him some things to think about so he might as well start putting them into action right away. While his usual intensity is there, he doesn't have any intention of steamrolling over Peter as he usually does.]
( The short video is, to say the least, a shock. Peter wasn't expecting it, and he's barely processed those familiar yellow eyes on screen when Paimon's wrenching control from him, so quickly that it leaves the demon himself having to take some time to adjust.
After a while, there's a text sent to Maul. It's.... clunky. The demon isn't used to typing. )
maul .
i am paimon
.
my vessel is unwell so. i. take this mess
age
.
( It's been quite some time since he spoke to Maul, and a lot has happened. He's not sure what this involves. )
is some thing wrong
.
.
aydea
After a while, there's a text sent to Maul. It's.... clunky. The demon isn't used to typing. )
maul .
i am paimon
.
my vessel is unwell so. i. take this mess
age
.
( It's been quite some time since he spoke to Maul, and a lot has happened. He's not sure what this involves. )
is some thing wrong
.
.
aydea
cw: more abuse things, scrambled identity confusion, fun times
possessum
- 2021-12-27 05:13 (UTC) - Expand[ It's early morning when she wakes up, lifting her head groggily to the gloom β long before daylight dares to make much of an appearance. Winters in Trench seem set to allow for very little light in the skies, but she knows for a fact even then it's awfully early to be awake. Luna shivers against the frigid cold beyond the bedcovers, shutting her eyes tightly for a moment and finds herself slowly edging closer to the warm boy sound asleep at her side. She tries to nod back off, hoping the rise into waking is only temporary and she can dip back into sleep β but she comes to the slow realisation there's a particular reason why her body's woken her up.
After a long pause, her hand shifts down to her lower stomach, pressing against the discomfort. Wait, is thatβ? ... Oh, well that's just quite unfortunate timing. Luna makes a face to herself, knowing fine well she's going to have to get up now from the very warm bed and out into the chilly home. It takes a little coaxing, but she slowly and carefully creeps from bed, leaving a sleeping Peter behind.
She's quiet as she moves through the house, stepping over Helga from her usual position at her bedroom door, making a trip to the bathroom to go deal with herself before wandering downstairs. She checks on Queliot, makes sure he's warm enough in his little hutch and then turns on a couple of lights in search of some tea and a hot water bottle. As toasty as Peter is, she needs something a little warmer to deal with the cramping pain in her abdomen β mother nature is often a cruel mistress like that.
Water on to boil, she starts searching through cupboards in search of tea, looking for something with chamomile or ginger. But as quiet as she is, it seems she's still managed to wake the other occupant of her townhome. The house creaks around her; the shifting of someone moving around upstairs and then slowly making their way downstairs. Luna makes a sheepish face in realisation, she hadn't meant to wake him. She wasn't going to be too long, hopefully he wouldn't have woken up and noticed she wasn't there. Tea retrieved, she's busy getting it ready for the hot water when Peter finally and inevitably makes an appearance into the kitchen. ]
Sorry, did I wake you? [ There's a small, apologetic smile β her voice low and hushed with sleepiness. She's fine, though. Really. She just needs to... deal with this before she absolutely is going back to sleep. It's far too early for either of them to be awake right now. ]
Just go back to bed.
After a long pause, her hand shifts down to her lower stomach, pressing against the discomfort. Wait, is thatβ? ... Oh, well that's just quite unfortunate timing. Luna makes a face to herself, knowing fine well she's going to have to get up now from the very warm bed and out into the chilly home. It takes a little coaxing, but she slowly and carefully creeps from bed, leaving a sleeping Peter behind.
She's quiet as she moves through the house, stepping over Helga from her usual position at her bedroom door, making a trip to the bathroom to go deal with herself before wandering downstairs. She checks on Queliot, makes sure he's warm enough in his little hutch and then turns on a couple of lights in search of some tea and a hot water bottle. As toasty as Peter is, she needs something a little warmer to deal with the cramping pain in her abdomen β mother nature is often a cruel mistress like that.
Water on to boil, she starts searching through cupboards in search of tea, looking for something with chamomile or ginger. But as quiet as she is, it seems she's still managed to wake the other occupant of her townhome. The house creaks around her; the shifting of someone moving around upstairs and then slowly making their way downstairs. Luna makes a sheepish face in realisation, she hadn't meant to wake him. She wasn't going to be too long, hopefully he wouldn't have woken up and noticed she wasn't there. Tea retrieved, she's busy getting it ready for the hot water when Peter finally and inevitably makes an appearance into the kitchen. ]
Sorry, did I wake you? [ There's a small, apologetic smile β her voice low and hushed with sleepiness. She's fine, though. Really. She just needs to... deal with this before she absolutely is going back to sleep. It's far too early for either of them to be awake right now. ]
Just go back to bed.
( It's often hard for Peter to find sleep, but these days it's almost impossible unless he's beside Luna. His body, mind, can't rest unless she's close β and maybe some of that is Paimon bleeding through too, the demon wanting to stick close to Luna so as to protect her after last month's events.... Peter tries not to think about that.
But it's there in him, and he's afraid when he's awake, and he's afraid when he's asleep, having nightmares about all of it. The farm, the zealots, Clarisse wheezing on the ground..... Diarmuid, gone, and Peter's never going to see him againβ
But he manages to actually get some rest when he's curled up beside Luna, his safest place. And he's deeply enough asleep that he doesn't stir when she first moves from bed, or even for awhile after she's gone, but it eventually comes.... He moves closer to her spot and doesn't feel her there, and his eyes slowly flutter opened. Lately, Peter's especially slow to process things, but even he's able to register that it's dark, either too late or too early...
The boy slowly sits up with a little groan, blinking around the cold, quiet room. It's only a beat or two later that his stomach squirms with worry, and he's slipping out of bed β clumsy and lethargic. Shuddering softly in the stagnant chill, as Peter finds a sweater β some of his clothes in her room, here and there β and pulls it down over his head on the way. He's still very much half-asleep as he makes his way downstairs, but that worry is what guides him, a need to find Luna. It's not like she's never allowed to leave the bed in the middle of the night, but.... this isn't typical. Something must be wrong.
When he moves to the kitchen doorframe and sees her, he opens his mouth to speak, but a yawn immediately comes out instead, and Peter's reaching up to run a hand over his face. When he finally manages, his own voice is just as low from tired, hoarse around the edges. And even though she's smiling and telling him to go back to sleep, there's a soft fretfulness in his hazy eyes β tempered down and glossy from his sleepiness β but still there in the way he stands there peering at her.
....With his hair all over the place. )
Is everything okay?
But it's there in him, and he's afraid when he's awake, and he's afraid when he's asleep, having nightmares about all of it. The farm, the zealots, Clarisse wheezing on the ground..... Diarmuid, gone, and Peter's never going to see him againβ
But he manages to actually get some rest when he's curled up beside Luna, his safest place. And he's deeply enough asleep that he doesn't stir when she first moves from bed, or even for awhile after she's gone, but it eventually comes.... He moves closer to her spot and doesn't feel her there, and his eyes slowly flutter opened. Lately, Peter's especially slow to process things, but even he's able to register that it's dark, either too late or too early...
The boy slowly sits up with a little groan, blinking around the cold, quiet room. It's only a beat or two later that his stomach squirms with worry, and he's slipping out of bed β clumsy and lethargic. Shuddering softly in the stagnant chill, as Peter finds a sweater β some of his clothes in her room, here and there β and pulls it down over his head on the way. He's still very much half-asleep as he makes his way downstairs, but that worry is what guides him, a need to find Luna. It's not like she's never allowed to leave the bed in the middle of the night, but.... this isn't typical. Something must be wrong.
When he moves to the kitchen doorframe and sees her, he opens his mouth to speak, but a yawn immediately comes out instead, and Peter's reaching up to run a hand over his face. When he finally manages, his own voice is just as low from tired, hoarse around the edges. And even though she's smiling and telling him to go back to sleep, there's a soft fretfulness in his hazy eyes β tempered down and glossy from his sleepiness β but still there in the way he stands there peering at her.
....With his hair all over the place. )
Is everything okay?
cw me making this fucking awful; body convulsions, symptoms of anaphalaxis
creidim
- 2021-12-27 23:34 (UTC) - Expandcw: mention of / associations with car accident, panic attack symptoms
possessum
- 2021-12-30 23:56 (UTC) - ExpandPeter-kun? I talked to Maul, he should be nicer from now on.
Well, nice for Maul, but nicer all the same.
Well, nice for Maul, but nicer all the same.
Usagi, hey. ( There's a smile in Peter's voice, even if in his quiet, shy way. )
You did? ( He has no idea Maul reached out to him and Paimon after that, not yet, anyway. The demon had spoken to the Sith Lord on his own. )
So it uh... it went pretty okay?
You did? ( He has no idea Maul reached out to him and Paimon after that, not yet, anyway. The demon had spoken to the Sith Lord on his own. )
So it uh... it went pretty okay?
[Wrapped up in a bright red and white box is a plate of bought snowflake cookies.
Attached is a note with a little rabbit doodle:]
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Usagi
Attached is a note with a little rabbit doodle:]
Happy Holidays!
Love,
Usagi
( The biggest shame of Being Heavily Corrupted is not being able to enjoy these cookies sooner! Thankfully, it won't be long after Christmas that Peter's back from being all demoned out, and he will absolutely be indulging.
Sometime in early January, he'll be sending his Omen out to visit Usagi β belatedly hoping she's not afraid of snakes. Susurrus is a gentle creature anyway, despite his perhaps foreboding appearance, but he'll catch Usagi on a sunny day, and she'll be able to see how his black scales shine iridescent in direct light. Shyly, the snake will approach her to deliver a letter of his own. Sure, Peter could've just contacted her over the network, but he likes the idea of writing back.
'Hey Usagi!
Sorry it's kind of late, but I wanted to thank you for the cookies. It was really sweet of you to think of me, and it's definitely appreciated.
I was wondering if you might like to have dinner with me and Luna sometime soon? There's a couple of rabbits hopping around the place too, so I think you'd fit right in.
β Peter' )
Sometime in early January, he'll be sending his Omen out to visit Usagi β belatedly hoping she's not afraid of snakes. Susurrus is a gentle creature anyway, despite his perhaps foreboding appearance, but he'll catch Usagi on a sunny day, and she'll be able to see how his black scales shine iridescent in direct light. Shyly, the snake will approach her to deliver a letter of his own. Sure, Peter could've just contacted her over the network, but he likes the idea of writing back.
'Hey Usagi!
Sorry it's kind of late, but I wanted to thank you for the cookies. It was really sweet of you to think of me, and it's definitely appreciated.
I was wondering if you might like to have dinner with me and Luna sometime soon? There's a couple of rabbits hopping around the place too, so I think you'd fit right in.
β Peter' )
[Maul's fiendish delight in the holiday means he's once again broken into people's houses and used all the stealth he possesses to leave those he likes a gift or two. Sometimes, he even goes right down the chimney like a demented version of Santa Claus. Since he's fairly certain Luna has left wards up around her house that prevent him from entering, he just leaves them on the porch. He leaves for Paimon a ball of fluff, a ball of twine, and some multicolored bits of felt as his present. For Peter, a creepy lighter. He also needs them both a short note.]
Merry Christmas to both Paimon and the useless creature. I hope you will find these useful.
[....Alright, so being nicer to Peter doesn't necessarily being kind. Baby steps after all.]
Merry Christmas to both Paimon and the useless creature. I hope you will find these useful.
[....Alright, so being nicer to Peter doesn't necessarily being kind. Baby steps after all.]
( It'll be a bit later before they're actually capable of addressing the gifts, due to being Corrupted through Christmas. However, soon after that, the pair are finding all the little present that have been brought inside and left for them, and.....
It's a given that Paimon adores his. He's absolutely going to be making use of the craft items β and most certainly going to be sending a return gift to Maul sometime in the very near future.
Peter, on the other hand.... is terrified by the entire experience, of course, but he does have to admit (secretly, to himself) that the lighter is pretty dope?? It'll be seeing a lot of use in the form of lighting up his joints, in any case.
Thanks, Santa Maul. You honestly did a good job picking out things both would like....! )
It's a given that Paimon adores his. He's absolutely going to be making use of the craft items β and most certainly going to be sending a return gift to Maul sometime in the very near future.
Peter, on the other hand.... is terrified by the entire experience, of course, but he does have to admit (secretly, to himself) that the lighter is pretty dope?? It'll be seeing a lot of use in the form of lighting up his joints, in any case.
Thanks, Santa Maul. You honestly did a good job picking out things both would like....! )
Hey, Willow
It's good to hear from you
We're okay right now, but I'm really scared he's going to come here for Luna. We're not sleeping much
( Text makes it easier to hide, but Peter's close to a nervous breakdown about all of this. Maul's hints to the kinds of torture he'd inflict on someone were.... horrific, and Peter's been worried sick about Luna, Willow, and John. )
What about you? Are you.... okay? Which sounds like a dumb question to ask someone who was just threatened by Maul
It's good to hear from you
We're okay right now, but I'm really scared he's going to come here for Luna. We're not sleeping much
( Text makes it easier to hide, but Peter's close to a nervous breakdown about all of this. Maul's hints to the kinds of torture he'd inflict on someone were.... horrific, and Peter's been worried sick about Luna, Willow, and John. )
What about you? Are you.... okay? Which sounds like a dumb question to ask someone who was just threatened by Maul
[ The idea of blood bonds has been something that's come up in conversation over the last few weeks. Ever since bringing Peter back from depths of Corruption (although how deep those depth truly are, she doesn't know), Luna has been looking for ways to avoid such a thing happening again. Things became... too close. Too close to losing Peter for good, even Paimon too. And if there was ever one thing she'd promise to do, it would be to fight to keep Peter with her. She can't allow something like that to happen again. And surely, much like with other things in the universes: if there is something in a world that curses, there is something close by that cures it.
After some research, she finds something that might work but the subject is brought up with a great deal of solemnity and care. It's no easy thing to talk about. Both Luna and Peter understand the weights of bonds and pacts only too well. And perhaps if it had been another Patron, Luna might have hesitated more on putting her trust in a being akin to a god in a world still so strange to her. But for whatever reason, Doorway chose her. And there has to be trust in that relationship. She trusts her Patron with this.
But the decision is not only hers, it rests with Peter too. There's been a great deal of time spend thinking, talking about undergoing such a thing. She's never pressed it too much; let Peter have the time and space to consider it. It's certainly been playing on her mind more as the month goes on but they're a team; they work on it together. Even if Luna believes it to be the correct course to take, Peter needs to come to his own decision.
But perhaps the answer was given on her birthday β a delicate ring that sits on her finger; a promise. A symbol of a bond. Something incredibly, beautifully human. A reminder than beneath magic and darkness and horror, they're just two young people who love one another, who just want to keep one another safe. And maybe it's an answer that came in good timing, too: it is said that rituals done under the full moon are meant to be most powerful and successful, and blood bonds done under the height of the Egg Moon even more so. It's Doorway's month, after all. If there were the right time to do this, this would certainly be it.
Most of the prep work is left in Luna's hands. The day before, she leaves a shallow silver bowl out in the moonlight. She directs Peter ahead of time to gather his parts of potion: his blood, some part of him as 'essence', asks him to consider something to say. As evening shifts into night, she places the ingredients she's gathered down on a little tray on a side-table in the living room. Roses; a pouch of ashes from the fireplace; a vial of her blood that she's held out in the moonlight, allowing the colour to shift from red to pearlescent; and a single stand of her hair.
The anticipation is more of a heavy thing than a kind of buzzing excitement when she goes to collect Peter. For a romantic bond, it's not something done out of romance even if it's done out of love. If it means they keep one another safe, if it means neither of them will slip from the other too far, or if something happens β they can bring the other back again. If it means they get to keep one another. She knocks gently on his bedroom door to announce herself before quietly opening it to poke her head in after a few seconds. She does her best to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Even with her birthday and valentine's day, which had still been wonderful β a welcomed break β the last week has been... quite trying, all things considered. ]
Ready whenever you are. [ She opens the door a little more, steps into his bedroom then. There's a long pause, a silent hesitation. Of course she understands that this isn't something Peter isn't comfortable with. It's not even something that's her kind of magic. This is magic of the Pthumerians, blood magic β even if it might be powered by Sleepers themselves. And a blood pact at that. This is... something huge.
Finally, she pulls in a soft breath, moves to speak. He still doesn't have to do this, if he doesn't want to. Maybe she can find something else for them. And certainly she's not going to begrudge him for backing out. ]
Listenβ [ She wants to at least offer him the out if he wants it. ] ... If you're still not sure, we don't have to do this. It's not too late to stop it. I know this is... it's quite a lot. ... An understatement, really. But I just want to let you know, if it's too muchβ I'm alright with not doing it.
After some research, she finds something that might work but the subject is brought up with a great deal of solemnity and care. It's no easy thing to talk about. Both Luna and Peter understand the weights of bonds and pacts only too well. And perhaps if it had been another Patron, Luna might have hesitated more on putting her trust in a being akin to a god in a world still so strange to her. But for whatever reason, Doorway chose her. And there has to be trust in that relationship. She trusts her Patron with this.
But the decision is not only hers, it rests with Peter too. There's been a great deal of time spend thinking, talking about undergoing such a thing. She's never pressed it too much; let Peter have the time and space to consider it. It's certainly been playing on her mind more as the month goes on but they're a team; they work on it together. Even if Luna believes it to be the correct course to take, Peter needs to come to his own decision.
But perhaps the answer was given on her birthday β a delicate ring that sits on her finger; a promise. A symbol of a bond. Something incredibly, beautifully human. A reminder than beneath magic and darkness and horror, they're just two young people who love one another, who just want to keep one another safe. And maybe it's an answer that came in good timing, too: it is said that rituals done under the full moon are meant to be most powerful and successful, and blood bonds done under the height of the Egg Moon even more so. It's Doorway's month, after all. If there were the right time to do this, this would certainly be it.
Most of the prep work is left in Luna's hands. The day before, she leaves a shallow silver bowl out in the moonlight. She directs Peter ahead of time to gather his parts of potion: his blood, some part of him as 'essence', asks him to consider something to say. As evening shifts into night, she places the ingredients she's gathered down on a little tray on a side-table in the living room. Roses; a pouch of ashes from the fireplace; a vial of her blood that she's held out in the moonlight, allowing the colour to shift from red to pearlescent; and a single stand of her hair.
The anticipation is more of a heavy thing than a kind of buzzing excitement when she goes to collect Peter. For a romantic bond, it's not something done out of romance even if it's done out of love. If it means they keep one another safe, if it means neither of them will slip from the other too far, or if something happens β they can bring the other back again. If it means they get to keep one another. She knocks gently on his bedroom door to announce herself before quietly opening it to poke her head in after a few seconds. She does her best to smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Even with her birthday and valentine's day, which had still been wonderful β a welcomed break β the last week has been... quite trying, all things considered. ]
Ready whenever you are. [ She opens the door a little more, steps into his bedroom then. There's a long pause, a silent hesitation. Of course she understands that this isn't something Peter isn't comfortable with. It's not even something that's her kind of magic. This is magic of the Pthumerians, blood magic β even if it might be powered by Sleepers themselves. And a blood pact at that. This is... something huge.
Finally, she pulls in a soft breath, moves to speak. He still doesn't have to do this, if he doesn't want to. Maybe she can find something else for them. And certainly she's not going to begrudge him for backing out. ]
Listenβ [ She wants to at least offer him the out if he wants it. ] ... If you're still not sure, we don't have to do this. It's not too late to stop it. I know this is... it's quite a lot. ... An understatement, really. But I just want to let you know, if it's too muchβ I'm alright with not doing it.
( Peter's sitting on the side of his bed when the knock comes. It's where he's been for the past couple hours, quiet, unsure what to do with himself. It's a strange feeling but not an unfamiliar one β it actually feels a lot like those final days in Deerington. The waiting for something to happen, something he knew would change his life forever, one way or another.
Back then, it had felt like an ending. The town crumbling in around them, friends stepping through that Door.... He and Luna had known it was an ending. They were facing it together, spending their remaining time with only one another, fixing meals and watching the last sunsets. Curled up in bed together for entire days, heads tilted against each other's.
This time it's not an ending but a beginning of something, maybe. A next step, something that's just as life-changing, but in different ways. Still, it's been that same odd sensation of waiting; he'd puttered around his room listlessly, feeling like a stranger here even if, ironically, it's looking a lot more like his room again. Paimon's things are all up in the attic now, his personal belongings and things collected over time. Everything except for the crafting materials, which are in the little arts corner Luna helped the demon establish. ...And the fish. It's too cold up in the attic for something small and alive; Peter lets those stay in his room. It. Them? Something with one body and two minds; there's a clear irony to that.
There's also the fact he and Luna are house-ridden for the unforeseeable future, thanks to Maul's threats. Like back in Deerington, they've just been staying inside, tucked into their own little safe space with one another. It's almost surreal how things have lined up this way, to feel so similar.
His head lifts when she comes in, and that faint shadow of something that isn't quite a smile is returned. It's... been a lot; they're both tired. Worn. In all honesty, Peter's been on the brink of a nervous breakdown ever since Maul's post, but the business of the bond has at least managed to kind of... ground him a little. It's something to focus on, and it's some way to actually do something. Something to help. To protect. He's pretty sure Paimon's also been taking measures over the past days to try to calm him down, make him go to sleep, no doubt spending time conversing with Luna about things in those interims and watching over her. Peter's let it happen when it does, doesn't fight it at all when the demon does whatever it thinks is best with him. It's not that he trusts Paimon blindly now, but... he does trust the demon to keep Luna safe. It's become the single most important thing to both of them.
As Luna speaks, the boy's watching her, listening quietly, eyes softening. He's prepared his things as she told him to, a little vial of his blood and a strand of his own hair in a bag next to him. They're both ready for this. And still, Luna's offering for him to say no if he wants to. Letting him know it's okay if he needs to. She knows how difficult and strange and scary this is for him; she's trying to protect him, as she always has.
Peter's arms lift and his hands reach, silently calling her to him where he sits on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs a little so she can stand inbetween them. When she's close, his hands holding hers, is when he finally speaks.
I'm pretty nervous, not going to lie. ( There's a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but something gentle. He knows he doesn't have to elaborate why; they've been over it again and again. The worries and concerns, what this means. What it could mean. The fact she won't only be tethering herself to him but also to Paimon β even more deeply than she already has. The fact that to make a bond, especially in a place like this, is..... such a huge thing. Trench is so... different. So strange. Peter still feels like some alien here, out of place, surrounded by unknowns. )
But this is what I want. ( His fingerpad finds the band of the promise ring he'd made for her, gently brushing against it, and he swallows, expression sobering. There was once a time Peter was sure he could never have a future with Luna. Now it's what he'll fight for however he can. In that way, making the decision is actually almost easy and maybe he's known from the moment it was brought up that it's what he'd want to do. If it meant keeping each other safe, being closer to each other.... and after what's happened with Corruption, with Maul... )
It's you and me. ( Peter's eyes meet hers, voice quiet. He's nervous, but not reluctant; it's some.... noticeable difference in Peter. There's a resolve, even if it's soft. But he has to take a moment to check on her, too. Luna may be a bit more equipped for things like this, but he still has to check, dark eyes searching the lighter pair. )
But what about you? Are you sure?
Back then, it had felt like an ending. The town crumbling in around them, friends stepping through that Door.... He and Luna had known it was an ending. They were facing it together, spending their remaining time with only one another, fixing meals and watching the last sunsets. Curled up in bed together for entire days, heads tilted against each other's.
This time it's not an ending but a beginning of something, maybe. A next step, something that's just as life-changing, but in different ways. Still, it's been that same odd sensation of waiting; he'd puttered around his room listlessly, feeling like a stranger here even if, ironically, it's looking a lot more like his room again. Paimon's things are all up in the attic now, his personal belongings and things collected over time. Everything except for the crafting materials, which are in the little arts corner Luna helped the demon establish. ...And the fish. It's too cold up in the attic for something small and alive; Peter lets those stay in his room. It. Them? Something with one body and two minds; there's a clear irony to that.
There's also the fact he and Luna are house-ridden for the unforeseeable future, thanks to Maul's threats. Like back in Deerington, they've just been staying inside, tucked into their own little safe space with one another. It's almost surreal how things have lined up this way, to feel so similar.
His head lifts when she comes in, and that faint shadow of something that isn't quite a smile is returned. It's... been a lot; they're both tired. Worn. In all honesty, Peter's been on the brink of a nervous breakdown ever since Maul's post, but the business of the bond has at least managed to kind of... ground him a little. It's something to focus on, and it's some way to actually do something. Something to help. To protect. He's pretty sure Paimon's also been taking measures over the past days to try to calm him down, make him go to sleep, no doubt spending time conversing with Luna about things in those interims and watching over her. Peter's let it happen when it does, doesn't fight it at all when the demon does whatever it thinks is best with him. It's not that he trusts Paimon blindly now, but... he does trust the demon to keep Luna safe. It's become the single most important thing to both of them.
As Luna speaks, the boy's watching her, listening quietly, eyes softening. He's prepared his things as she told him to, a little vial of his blood and a strand of his own hair in a bag next to him. They're both ready for this. And still, Luna's offering for him to say no if he wants to. Letting him know it's okay if he needs to. She knows how difficult and strange and scary this is for him; she's trying to protect him, as she always has.
Peter's arms lift and his hands reach, silently calling her to him where he sits on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs a little so she can stand inbetween them. When she's close, his hands holding hers, is when he finally speaks.
I'm pretty nervous, not going to lie. ( There's a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but something gentle. He knows he doesn't have to elaborate why; they've been over it again and again. The worries and concerns, what this means. What it could mean. The fact she won't only be tethering herself to him but also to Paimon β even more deeply than she already has. The fact that to make a bond, especially in a place like this, is..... such a huge thing. Trench is so... different. So strange. Peter still feels like some alien here, out of place, surrounded by unknowns. )
But this is what I want. ( His fingerpad finds the band of the promise ring he'd made for her, gently brushing against it, and he swallows, expression sobering. There was once a time Peter was sure he could never have a future with Luna. Now it's what he'll fight for however he can. In that way, making the decision is actually almost easy and maybe he's known from the moment it was brought up that it's what he'd want to do. If it meant keeping each other safe, being closer to each other.... and after what's happened with Corruption, with Maul... )
It's you and me. ( Peter's eyes meet hers, voice quiet. He's nervous, but not reluctant; it's some.... noticeable difference in Peter. There's a resolve, even if it's soft. But he has to take a moment to check on her, too. Luna may be a bit more equipped for things like this, but he still has to check, dark eyes searching the lighter pair. )
But what about you? Are you sure?
Uhm, Mr. Graham . . .
[ a pause, as ahiru struggles. ]
I heard about your demon stuff. I'm sorry if I didn't realize or hurt your feelings. If you're in pain and you need someone to talk to, I'm here! Though I don't know anything about demons. . .
Anyway, I'm very sorry I didn't notice.
[ a pause, as ahiru struggles. ]
I heard about your demon stuff. I'm sorry if I didn't realize or hurt your feelings. If you're in pain and you need someone to talk to, I'm here! Though I don't know anything about demons. . .
Anyway, I'm very sorry I didn't notice.
( Ever since Ahiru's Duck Reveal, Peter's been really worried about the girl. It's a relief to hear her voice, but thenβ
Surprise strikes him, Peter's stomach tightening anxiously. )
Oh, noβ it's okay, you... you don't have anything to be sorry about. ( She's worried about hurting his feelings...? )
Um, what... what exactly did you hear about... it?
Surprise strikes him, Peter's stomach tightening anxiously. )
Oh, noβ it's okay, you... you don't have anything to be sorry about. ( She's worried about hurting his feelings...? )
Um, what... what exactly did you hear about... it?
Peter,
If you're getting this now that means I'm gone. Honestly, it's hard to know where to start. You and I haven't always had the smoothest of times but we've made due. Most of that had to do with your mate hanging on there but I wouldn't change any of it. You're a far cry from the skittish young man I ran into back in the old town.
I know it hasn't been easy. Here or back home for you, but you've grown so much. You sell yourself far shorter than you should. I'm leaving the shop in Luna's care, try and make sure she doesn't run herself too ragged. You, her, and Willow are family. Family, I never thought I'd have. If I ever had a son, I'd be lucky if he was half the man you're turning out to be.
The cabin is still there, wards should remain in place indefinitely. So it'll be a safe place if it's needed.
You might not see it but there is a light inside you that hasn't been put out yet. Something stronger than near anything I've ever seen. The sort of things you've been through has made men I've known cower. You're still standing, chief. Don't forget that. Don't let anyone take it from you.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.
Love you, old son,
John Constantine
[ Inside the letter are two photographs from back in Deerington that someone sneakily took of John, Luna, and Peter asleep on the exorcist's sofa together. One is marked for Peter, the other for Luna. ]
If you're getting this now that means I'm gone. Honestly, it's hard to know where to start. You and I haven't always had the smoothest of times but we've made due. Most of that had to do with your mate hanging on there but I wouldn't change any of it. You're a far cry from the skittish young man I ran into back in the old town.
I know it hasn't been easy. Here or back home for you, but you've grown so much. You sell yourself far shorter than you should. I'm leaving the shop in Luna's care, try and make sure she doesn't run herself too ragged. You, her, and Willow are family. Family, I never thought I'd have. If I ever had a son, I'd be lucky if he was half the man you're turning out to be.
The cabin is still there, wards should remain in place indefinitely. So it'll be a safe place if it's needed.
You might not see it but there is a light inside you that hasn't been put out yet. Something stronger than near anything I've ever seen. The sort of things you've been through has made men I've known cower. You're still standing, chief. Don't forget that. Don't let anyone take it from you.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other.
Love you, old son,
John Constantine
[ Inside the letter are two photographs from back in Deerington that someone sneakily took of John, Luna, and Peter asleep on the exorcist's sofa together. One is marked for Peter, the other for Luna. ]
Paimon,
There isn't a lot to say, really. You and I still don't much see eye to eye on things but that's the nature of it, isn't it? A demon and an exorcist. We weren't bound to get on.
Still, I've got to give respect where it's due. You care about Luna. You've protected her multiple times. I hope that still remains the case as things progress and change for you in Trench. I think you're learning that there's no separating you from Peter. That might be frustrating for the both of you but I think it's possible for you to coexist.
The only advice I really have is you slowing down on pushing your limits so soon. You might be capable as an entity but that doesn't always mean your host is. You've got to be aware of that if the two of you are going to be stuck together, understand? That's why I didn't let you have the grimoire before.
Hate me all you want over it, but you're not ready for that. How you reacted was proof enough. I promise you that it will be available to you when you are ready, whenever that is. I think the two of you can do some genuinely good things for people if you can learn to work together and play to each other's strengths. Find some common ground, it's the best hope you have.
And I know you've got more to offer than hissing and temper tantrums cause you don't get your way. Take this as a challenge to prove that to me, even if I'm not there.
Look out for them,
John Constantine
There isn't a lot to say, really. You and I still don't much see eye to eye on things but that's the nature of it, isn't it? A demon and an exorcist. We weren't bound to get on.
Still, I've got to give respect where it's due. You care about Luna. You've protected her multiple times. I hope that still remains the case as things progress and change for you in Trench. I think you're learning that there's no separating you from Peter. That might be frustrating for the both of you but I think it's possible for you to coexist.
The only advice I really have is you slowing down on pushing your limits so soon. You might be capable as an entity but that doesn't always mean your host is. You've got to be aware of that if the two of you are going to be stuck together, understand? That's why I didn't let you have the grimoire before.
Hate me all you want over it, but you're not ready for that. How you reacted was proof enough. I promise you that it will be available to you when you are ready, whenever that is. I think the two of you can do some genuinely good things for people if you can learn to work together and play to each other's strengths. Find some common ground, it's the best hope you have.
And I know you've got more to offer than hissing and temper tantrums cause you don't get your way. Take this as a challenge to prove that to me, even if I'm not there.
Look out for them,
John Constantine
[ they haven't spoken since luna's attack, and paimon's entry into the fray of two beasts with claws and talons and deadly jaws— but one of them had been conscious. the titan that looked grotesquely like a bird that shed its wings for ground combat had been falco, bloody and maimed and reeking vileblood, yet, despite the actual injury he had sustained earlier to his body by the piercing of antlers that nearly gutted him, he was fine, now. he was in one piece, healed by his own biology. he has not a single scar to prove he was harmed, and considers it for the best when approaching his friends (they never end up worrying about what trouble he'd gotten himself into, apart from torn bloody clothes still clinging to him that he'd have to sneak into the trash).
he didn't hold any of this against them. none of it. and he wants to make sure they both knew that that decision and understanding came from him, and that they were welcomed to it, because they still deserved it. once scheduling a visit to see luna and speak with her, one and one and offer what he knew about his own corruption (and having yet to reach "beasthood"), falco asks of peter, even of paimon . . . and is told he's upstairs. he could leave confetti with luna for a while— she's another one he trusts blindly to Hold Baby.
the creaks of pressure under his boots would sound with every step upward to the rooms he's familiarized himself with during his own stay here. falco finds the open door of peter's room, and softly knocks at the wooden frame to let him know someone was there in the first place. ]
Peter—?
[ it's a small voice, a child's voice that is yearning and calling and . . . actually cracking, subtly. who knows, maybe he's got an extra inch on his height since november. a tuft turns into the top of a dull blond head of hair pokes out of the corner, and doe hazel eyes that aren't actually afraid— just searching for someone important. ]
he didn't hold any of this against them. none of it. and he wants to make sure they both knew that that decision and understanding came from him, and that they were welcomed to it, because they still deserved it. once scheduling a visit to see luna and speak with her, one and one and offer what he knew about his own corruption (and having yet to reach "beasthood"), falco asks of peter, even of paimon . . . and is told he's upstairs. he could leave confetti with luna for a while— she's another one he trusts blindly to Hold Baby.
the creaks of pressure under his boots would sound with every step upward to the rooms he's familiarized himself with during his own stay here. falco finds the open door of peter's room, and softly knocks at the wooden frame to let him know someone was there in the first place. ]
Peter—?
[ it's a small voice, a child's voice that is yearning and calling and . . . actually cracking, subtly. who knows, maybe he's got an extra inch on his height since november. a tuft turns into the top of a dull blond head of hair pokes out of the corner, and doe hazel eyes that aren't actually afraid— just searching for someone important. ]
Edited 2022-05-10 19:46 (UTC)
( Everything since Luna's Beasthood feels kind of like a weird blur. Like the moment just after waking up from a bad dream, and not being sure where you are. That state isn't atypical for Peter, who's so often a convoluted mixture of too much, too often, but these days he's not able to default to the usual method of dealing with it. Which is, of course, to shut down.
He's gotten Luna back. Gotten her back and he can't leave her. So he's trying to stay present, trying to stay Peter.
He tried. But he loses himself (on the Network for anyone to see; hopefully not many were looking at that particular conversation....?) to Paimon, and doesn't wake up again for several hours. He doesn't know when the shift happened, has no memory of anything past the abruptness of it. He wakes in his bed with his hands clawing so hard into his sheets that his nails almost rip through. Someone was angry.
Someone's outside his door. Peter's head turns that way, startled. It's not Luna, but in the next breath he realises he recognises the voice just as much as hers. )
Come inβ ( He calls, sitting up straighter in bed. He's been there ever since he woke up, leafing numbly through some comic books he was gifted by someone who's no longer here, hoodie pulled up over curly locks. Setting the thin books aside, Peter's brows lift, and concern is the immediate thing dominating his expression. )
Falco? Are you okay?
He's gotten Luna back. Gotten her back and he can't leave her. So he's trying to stay present, trying to stay Peter.
He tried. But he loses himself (on the Network for anyone to see; hopefully not many were looking at that particular conversation....?) to Paimon, and doesn't wake up again for several hours. He doesn't know when the shift happened, has no memory of anything past the abruptness of it. He wakes in his bed with his hands clawing so hard into his sheets that his nails almost rip through. Someone was angry.
Someone's outside his door. Peter's head turns that way, startled. It's not Luna, but in the next breath he realises he recognises the voice just as much as hers. )
Come inβ ( He calls, sitting up straighter in bed. He's been there ever since he woke up, leafing numbly through some comic books he was gifted by someone who's no longer here, hoodie pulled up over curly locks. Setting the thin books aside, Peter's brows lift, and concern is the immediate thing dominating his expression. )
Falco? Are you okay?
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