Ria’s Personal Pet

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

Derek looks down at the small thing. He can't find it in him to smile, but he tries. For the little bunny.

He doesn't get to think about it - the rabbit is bumping his legs, like a dog might when demanding pats. And, well.

He may as well indulge.

Gently, he eases himself to the floor, leaning against a wall to have plenty of lap space for the bunny.

That the bunny was soft, and warm, and purring, soothed some of the ache. With gentle hands, he starts to pet the bunny, looking for signs of discomfort in case he petted something wrong.

And... It was oddly soothing. Surprising to him, for sure.

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

Derek looks down at the small thing. He can't find it in him to smile, but he tries. For the little bunny.

He doesn't get to think about it - the rabbit is bumping his legs, like a dog might when demanding pats. And, well.

He may as well indulge.

Gently, he eases himself to the floor, leaning against a wall to have plenty of lap space for the bunny.

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

Derek looks down at the small thing. He can't find it in him to smile, but he tries. For the little bunny.

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

(Sable has left, and returned a bit later dragging a bowl behind it. Making chirps and squeaks to get attention.)

*Ria lights up at the sight of Sable, scooping the bunny up. She chirps and squeaks right back.*

Contained.

Trapped.

And yet.

Safe.

That which lost, now gains.

Grows.

One might find the Gem in their Necklace...

Different.

Straining at the confines of the Cage the Gem is Within.

That which Falls must land eventually.

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan we BACK with Fallen's recovery arc!!!!!

*Ria pauses. Something feels… different, doesn’t it?*

*She pulls the necklace out from under her dress’ top, studying it. Silver and gold meeting the purple shard.*

Darker

Yet Darker Still

And yet, within the darkness.

Light.

It lacks form to move, yet move It does.

Towards that ever-warming Light.

It could have been minutes. It could have been centuries.

It did not know.

It did not care. (It Cared)

Until, there was no more light.

Yet, the warmth remained.

It had no mouth. It had no eyes. Yet, It had Mass. Form. It did not know where It was.

Atop It's Heart-Stone, still trapped within the Bars of the Cage, It lay. Trying to Protect It's Core. A useless endeavor given it's size.

It knew not what would happen now. Within It's hands, the power did not lay.

*A cold hand reaches into the necklace, careful around the shard. She doesn’t want to break it. Even despite everything…*

*Even with how easy it would be to squish it.*

*Even with all the pain. Even with the tricks.*

*Ria scoops the worm up, sending it warm feelings. Curiosity. A question. Warmth. Is it you?*

*…She should hate it.*

*She doesn’t.*

It writhes, desperate. Pathetic.

Must protect the Heart-Stone.

Must Protect Heart-Stone.

Must--

The warmth returns.

It is now cupped, gently, within the warmth. Had the warmth ever left?

It feels.

It feels Curiosity, light and feathery, and... And a question within, packaged so nicely the question was unable to harm It.

It had a name, once. Several.

They no longer apply.

Do not belong to It as they once did.

It is beyond feeling shame, even as it loathes and fears in equal measures.

The only name befitting one such as it was whatever supplied the warmth deigned it worthy of. It had no choice in the matter.

It could not hear the chosen name, per se, but the warmth that held It (that caged and protected It's Heart-Stone in equal measure, savior and jailer both) shared the name through a method It knew not.

Fallen...

It was an apt descriptor.

It would have to do.

It did not know how to send anything back. Entertaining trying was already exhausting. And yet, a confirmation was needed.

At least it would have a name again before it perished.

It did not know where to face, so It did Its best to wobble up a little to do its best worm-like nod. Only to flop back down in the Warmth. Cradled. Perhaps protected.

*All they can do is watch. Watch the worm squirm, desperate to keep a hold on the shard. Ria almost feels bad for separating the two.*

*A description is the only name Ria can gift it — she cannot, will not, refer to it by the same thing her mama is called. And no better name has been provided.*

*Ria’s wings shift, intrigued, as the worm nods. Her eyes light up. More warmth is sent its way. Pride, in herself for figuring it out. In it, for living. Softness, for a being so much smaller now — even if it used to be much bigger.*

*She squeaks, wings flapping, as the worm flops over. Her hands cup around it, carefully. The warmth shifts to concern. Panic. Worry. Is it okay? Is it hurt?*

Pride? In It? For living?

Such a strange warmth.

And then the warmth changes to heat, Panic and Fear overwriting the nice warmth.

Did It do something wrong?

ItdidnotmeantopleasedonothurtItItcannotfixthis

It did not know what to do. It lacked the strength to fight further. That It was brought closer to Its Heart-Stone helped, but not by much.

It tries, it really does. It does its best effort to wriggle a little bit, but It simply lacks the energy to continue onwards.

*It’s shifted. A careful hand presses against Fallen, lightly. Petting it.*

“It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you, Fallen.” *Ria’s voice is quiet.* “Do you… recognize me? Or- or maybe you need food! I can get you food?”

*She’s trying to send comfort towards it. Love, reassurance, general warmth and affection. It’ll be okay.*

It is... not harmed?

It is confused.

It should be harmed. For Its many sins, even just those against the warmth. It assumes it knows who the warmth is, now, and yet.

Why does the warmth not seek vengeance against It?

It does not understand.

And the warmth returns to warmth. And gives... Reassurance? It is worthy of reassurance?

... It has not felt reassured in so long.

It feels touch along its new physical form, and finds the effort oddly soothing? Is this what nice touch is supposed to feel like? It does not know how to feel about it, It simply must endure the overwhelming muchness of it all.

And then the warmth seems to intentionally send feelings to It. Feelings of Comfort. Of Love. Warmth. Affection.

And... If It believes in what It is feeling, Belief in... In Fallen Itself.

It cannot handle this.

Warmth must be Mouse, Little Ria (not so little anymore, compared to It), for none else would share such kindness to one such as It.

It... It wished It could speak. Could do more than rest feebly, and take what was given without ability to complain (not that It would complain, It knew It would not handle upsetting Mouse, Its life was literally within Her hands).

It did not know what to do.

... Could it communicate?

*It doesn’t happen. More worry is sent to Fallen.*

“…It’s… it’s okay if you don’t. I know you can’t see or hear very well, right now. It’s okay if you dunno how to respond, either. Or if you’re too tired to.”

*As Ria speaks, she reaches for the food for her own worms, picking a piece out. The petting stops, during this. She places the food (a berry of some sort, seemingly) down next to where she’s assuming the worm’s ‘mouth’ is.*

“Here! For you.” *She tries to send the thought in the same way as she did the feelings — Food. For you. Safe. Energy. Eat?*

*They don’t know if it works.*

“Making a body… must’ve been tiring, right? Is that why you aren’t moving? Cuz that’s where all your energy went?” *It’s not a hard conclusion to come to — Fallen’s body isn’t here, but part of its soul is. And since Fallen’s body died, and the rest of its soul was destroyed by her papa, this is probably all it has.*

Now that It has deduced what feeling is touch, It is feeling more. Sensing more.

The world around It, that It is still blind to, is not without its characteristics. The Warmth must be the Mouse, of that It is certain.

The... Air, it supposes, moving around It must be... Sound. But, how to process in a way that makes sense? That, it does not know. Perhaps that skill would come with time.

Something is placed in... Front? of It. Whatever the item is, feels like it would sustain It. If It ate the item. It is not used to eating solid foods - It is used to sustaining Itself on the feelings of others, devouring emotion like a meal. Alas, times are truly desperate.

It moves, slowly, agonizingly, towards the item. It does not know what the item is, only that It would have to eat. It tries. Does not know how.

Tries again. There is no taste, only the sudden burst of energy from the sliver of the item It consumed giving energy for more movement. More development of Its form.

Now that It can focus, as It slowly eats, It is able to make out some words. It seemed that Mouse was speaking both to It and to Herself. How kind.

... She did not know she held all of It in her hands before now? That It was at the whims of Her mercy? Her kindness?

It had felt fear before, when It was slain.

It felt that self-same fear once more.

Was It not good enough to be sustained? Protected? It could be good, It promises, just do not harm It--

*She tilts her head when it starts to wiggle more. Normally, there would be joy at such a thing. It would be a sign of Fallen feeling better, after all, but… something feels wrong. Off.*

“…Fallen? Are you okay? Do you have too much energy, or did something else happen?”

*Worry is once again sent its way. Worry and warmth, wrapped in one another.*

“It’s okay. I’ll keep your soul shard safe. I don’t think mama or papa know I have it, anyways. You don’t gotta worry about me breaking it.”

*Once again, the worm is pet. An attempt at calming it. Ria’s hands are soft, despite how calloused they probably should be.*

“Or dyou want different food? My worms have a lot of stuff. So-so if you don’t like that one, I can try giving you something else?”

The frantic wriggling ceased, instead turning back towards the sustenance gifted to It. It would not complain - It was lucky to receive anything.

With the removal of one burden, though, slots another in.

... How did Mouse's mama, Its counterpart in the world, not know of Its existence here? How would Mouse keep It safe from harm? If Its counterpart were to demand It from Mouse, It knew she would likely relinquish It.

So.

How to ensure that such an event did not occur?

It did not know who her papa was, but that was irrelevant. Surely, the wretched betrayer was not her papa.

That Mouse's warmth/feelings matched her words soothed It more, though It would like noted It did not need soothing.

It could take care of Itself--

...

It should not be lying to Itself.

It was wholly dependent upon Mouse's kindness. It should try to show some gratitude, yes?

And yes I haven't spoken to you before. So what's your new thing?

-⭐𓆦

“…That name’s kinda staticky… I dunno if I can say it…” ^•n•^

“Oh, okay!! I don’t… think I have a ‘new thing’, though…?”

It does that, doesn't want its name known I suppose. Oh well.

“Oh… that’s okay!”

No I didn't mean that... whatever weird outfit that is..

“Oh… I think it’s cute. And it’s new! One of the Voices gave it to me, I think. I dunno what it’s supposed to be, though… speaking of voices! Why’s your voice like that? It sounds… different.” *Ria doesn’t know how to explain it. Nothing’s… wrong with Drosophila’s voice. Nothing seems weird. But something’s Different about it.*

“They do?” *Ria pauses. One of her ears twitch.* “…Your voice is different.”

*Ria’s sitting on its bed, swinging its legs and just… staring at the ceiling. It’s been doing that a lot, alternating between poking at its phone (it’s found emoticons and the existence of other apps), checking on Sable or its worms, and… this. The Ria requires better enclosure enrichment.*

BLOOD PANCAKES:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 tbsp granulated sugar (Or 1 tbsp + pouch vanilla sugar)

1 2/3 cups buttermilk

2/3 cup blood

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional if using vanilla sugar)

1 tsp white Vinegar

METHOD:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt.

Sift and stir the blood.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, blood, vanilla and vinegar. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined. (There should be lumps in the batter.)

Place a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Melt a little butter in the hot pan and drop dollops of the batter. Once bubbles form, flip the pancakes and continue cooking 1 to 2 more minutes until the pancakes are cooked throughout.

*It takes a few bites, chewing. It’s… hard. To eat. To chew. Its fangs nearly catch its skin a few times. Nothing practice can’t fix. It knows it needs to eat more, anyways.*

“You ate!!! Yay!!!” *It seems much happier about this than about the pancakes themself. It scoops Sable up, hugging it. It’s not going to die of hunger!*

*It likes having food for Sable. It was worried… it doesn’t want it to be hungry. Ria looks like it might cry at the thought. It doesn’t want anyone to be hungry, much less the beloved ‘bunny’…*