Alright!

They'd seen Omen and Liam guiding the onsite medical team over to that area more than once, one far happier about the situation than the other.

"But if you're looking to get into something new, there are various demos of indie titles to play— and some anime premieres!"

It was kind of nice being the guide. Oz couldn't tell if it was just comforting to know what to do, or if this was bringing them back to their early days of Spooky Academy.

They probably looked as she did now, eyes darting around trying to drink in as much as possible. Facing a daunting amount of information and stressing about catching up with those who've had a lifetime to learn.

"As for cosplay, it's more for fun than a requirement. Though, if you think of someone you want to be I do know a guy who knows a guy."

"Gosh, there's a lot going on around here, huh? It's so hard to pick just one thing!"

Granted, if one forced her to pick, she really would like to see what an 'anime' is, finally. One time she was summoned, the person was a self-proclaimed 'anime connoisseur'. They were... very happy to see her tentacles, to say the least, and she'd always been vaguely curious as to why that was.

"Are there any anime you'd, um, recommend?"

Still, as she looked about, her gaze flicked to Oz again, her eyes shifted upwards in what could only be called a smile.

"Thanks again for helping me acclimate to this, by the way. It's not every day I get to just.. be me, without the whole... y'know."

At the question they pause to think. That one's not appropriate, that one is premiering its fifth season so she'd probably be lost, that one's been discontinued... oh!

"Well, I've always been a fan of Digital Humans too! It's kind of older and there are a few different protagonists depending on where you start.. but the premise is simple and enjoyable!"

It doesn't take Oz long to catch her meaning, nodding sympathetically.

"Yeah.." they sigh "Hopefully..! Uh, y'know.. today you can just think of yourself as a new attendee and not have to worry about the rest. I'm happy to help!"

This always happens when they're in the middle of making an embarrassing purchase, they swear.

Hurriedly shoving things into their backpack, Oz whirled around to face the source of the voice— Oh!

Clearing their throat, the amalgam of fears did their best to quash the lingering humiliation. This is literally the nerd convention, the last place they should be worrying like this.

"That's me.. and you're Ln'eta, yeah? Good to see you too!"

Slinging their bag back over their shoulder, they motioned for her to follow as they stepped out of the booth line to continue their conversation.

All of these sights were so new to her, despite the visits to the mortal realm she'd had before. Usually, she'd get summoned in some musty cave or something, it was rather drawl... There were a few exceptions but, well-

"Gosh, I'm not entirely sure!" She confessed, focus returning onto Oz now as she considered her words. "I'd only ever heard of conventions before, after all, and this is so much more than I expected it to be."

Not to mention just how hectic a monster con can really be, of course, she's pretty sure she saw someone get mugged of their body pillow with an anime sword just on her way in...

"I didn't even know I should've worn a cosplay... though, I guess that's on me. I don't consume too much mortal media anyways- Oooh, I did get into Pocket Humans recently, though!"

Ln'eta was getting a bit off-topic, she realized, gaze flicking back to the bag over Oz's shoulder.

They'd seen Omen and Liam guiding the onsite medical team over to that area more than once, one far happier about the situation than the other.

"But if you're looking to get into something new, there are various demos of indie titles to play— and some anime premieres!"

It was kind of nice being the guide. Oz couldn't tell if it was just comforting to know what to do, or if this was bringing them back to their early days of Spooky Academy.

They probably looked as she did now, eyes darting around trying to drink in as much as possible. Facing a daunting amount of information and stressing about catching up with those who've had a lifetime to learn.

"As for cosplay, it's more for fun than a requirement. Though, if you think of someone you want to be I do know a guy who knows a guy."

"Oh, hey! It's good to see you!" The chipper voice of a certain eldritch horror rang out, quickly approaching Oz in the midst of the con lobby. It was, in fact, Ln'eta!

...Which, normally, would be a quite bad thing, but the world didn't seem like it was ending anytime soon, so that was likely a good sign. Even as she slows her approach as she drew near. Even as the towersome woman looked down at Oz, there didn't seem to be any negative effects on any of the other con goers, besides, well.. what one may expect when looking at someone of the priestess' build.

"You're... Oz, right?" She asked, with some shaky knowledge on what she was talking about. "I think Auntie talked about you from time to time."

Of course, Ln'eta wasn't going to say how Nyanlathotep was talking rather negatively...

This always happens when they're in the middle of making an embarrassing purchase, they swear.

Hurriedly shoving things into their backpack, Oz whirled around to face the source of the voice— Oh!

Clearing their throat, the amalgam of fears did their best to quash the lingering humiliation. This is literally the nerd convention, the last place they should be worrying like this.

"That's me.. and you're Ln'eta, yeah? Good to see you too!"

Slinging their bag back over their shoulder, they motioned for her to follow as they stepped out of the booth line to continue their conversation.

"Nico doesn't have the hate in them to return a kismesistude with Omen, so it'd be kind of one sided, but Liam? Hm. Messy pale/pitch vacillation, I think. Oh- Nico and Sasha would have some flushed/pale vacillation going on also."

"oh wait, you're so right! i can't believe i didn't think of it first!!" she starts scribbling down letter combinations on the messily formed grid in her sketchbook — a little AP + DO under a diamond, adding a diamond next to the spade above an OM + LI, and further additions from oz.

"pfft!! yeah, and i think you guys' idea of auspisticizing for anyone would be coming up with something way worse to argue about, anyway. so being horny about potential hate-fucking wins again!"

"but if you think nico's got no hate in their heart... can you imagine doug trying to be a kismesis? that's some prime flush/pitch vacillation waiting to happen! like... oh! he gets really fiery over things like being cool, so maybe a mutual-lovin', pitch-fueled rivalry with someone like amira or damien? THAT would be something i gotta see! maybe in an AU or something..."

OZ FOCUS. FOCUS OZ!!!!!!! FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Anyway, um! Of course, you and April probably would have good pale chemistry- both being in such similar positions and all. Though, I think you'd also be great matesprits as well considering."

Vague gesture.

"April bottles up a lot of things deemed 'unpalatable' while you're very comfortable in yourself and what you like— it's corporately mandated but, y'know what I mean."

"Nico doesn't have the hate in them to return a kismesistude with Omen, so it'd be kind of one sided, but Liam? Hm. Messy pale/pitch vacillation, I think. Oh- Nico and Sasha would have some flushed/pale vacillation going on also."

A familiar line, one echoed through his mind time and time again from a new voice. The thing about sharing your body is that not every roommate of yours is a pleasant one, and when they have access to all your deepest insecurities it can become a bit of a problem. Well, being reminded of your every failure once a week was probably more than a bit of a problem but he digresses.

The phobias were kind faces, if not a bit playfully impish at times. That was the front, the caricature given to his peers and one they have run with for so long. They were shielded from the darker manifestations, those he kept out of sight. It was better this way, for him and everyone else.

You only delay the inevitable, we outnumber you.

Of course, they weren't exactly happy with such an arrangement. Complaints were voiced often, accompanied by the usual threats. It wasn't as if they were wrong, they did outnumber him greatly. With eternity stretching on before him, it was merely a waiting game.

The time will come where you are devoured, and we will rise to take your place.

If he played his cards right, that would not be for another millennia at the soonest. It wouldn't be a problem those he'd come to grow close to would face, at least it's what he hoped. They were always intentionally vague, knowing he'd fill the gaps in their declarations with whatever terrified him most.

Fear will no longer be ruled by its own domain, it will conquer it. It will conquer all things, this will come to pass regardless of your efforts.

0/900

"Seriously, Oz." She was being genuine, trying to hide gratefulness with stern reassurance. "If you need me to hide or eat a body for you, no hesitation or questions asked. Also feel free to throw me under the metaphorical bus if things get bad."

She was a hungry bird, she wasn't above eating a dead body.

Enough about corpses though!

"I'll be honest... the only conventions I've been to are the Hobo Con's in the middle of every type of nowhere. Those are great and all but this is definitely... a lot."

There were hundreds upon thousands of people in one complex of buildings. Wicker on the other hand was wagging his tail with anticipation. So many shinies! So many ways to steal people's money! It was so fancy... sparkly... clean...

Izzy still didn't feel like she fit in.

"So... what do you do... at these things?"

They'd been about one time prior, but with all the newcomers those first convention jitters were still making a swift return. Things often didn't go well without several bumps in the road when everyone was in one spot, but maybe this would be the one exception! Maybe.

"It's always an adjustment, especially the big crowds, but I'll be around! Y'know- to give you a familiar face and all that."

Oz finally dug a crumpled itinerary, smoothing it out before moving over so the pair could get a look.

"Well, there will be several panels talking about various stuff from game design to premiering new seasons of anticipated anime. Zoe's gonna be holding one on her fanfic Liam Prom, if that catches your interest."

They flip the page, several events either circled or highlighted from prior planning.

A lot has changed since then. For example, Oz would've died of embarrassment at the mere thought of purchasing Dragon Heat from anywhere other than whatever corner of the campus Valarie tucked herself away in.

Yet here they were, loading up on so much merch they needed to purchase extra tote bags just to carry it in.

It was freeing to indulge themself! And also great to make up for all the personal possessions they'd forked over in order to keep last summer's roadtrip afloat. They don't think it was physically possible to get any happier!

... So what was the uncontrollable trembling about?

Sure they'd seen a rather disproportionate amount of mouselings lately, but since when was that their business? It wasn't! It didn't have to be, they could just keep walking regardless of Vera caught sight of them or not. It's fine.

Or it would've been fine, had a mass of phobias not crowded their shoulders at the sound of that familiar hissing.

Right, they forgot how fond these guys were of her snakes. It'd be cruel to ignore the clear desire to meet up, not to mention extremely embarrassing if they were caught trying to avoid her.

There was nowhere to stash all their purchases without the risk of theft or shenanigan-related destruction. So they guess they were just going to pretend they didn't look utterly ridiculous.

Some things really do stay the same.

They allowed the phobias to nudge them forward, offering Vera a sheepish wave.

Oz had changed a lot since the last time she saw her, not the least of which being the clear inspiration taken from her, no doubt. Vera was well-aware how life-changing an experience she could be, even from afar, so that was no surprise in the slightest. What was somewhat of a surprise was how good the mass of fear(?) looked at the moment. A slight hum of thought, as red eyes trailed from phobia-coiled hair down to feet and then slid upward anew. Along with the... questionable merch they were carrying. None of it surprised her, to be frank, it was about what she had figured would be Oz's tastes.

"Oz, it's good to see you again. It's been awhile." She helped close the distance just a bit more, especially considering how the snakes perked up at the sight of the phobias they so enjoyed conversing with. "I enjoy what you've done with yourself."

Within moments of Vera drawing near, phobias were making the jump over. Some stretching across the remaining space, others detaching entirely to catch up with their preferred snake.

Oz did her best not to mind it, even if the gorgon's once-over made her feel as if her every decision was being scrutinized. The feeling didn't last long, however, as Vera continued to speak.

".. Thanks! I, uh, had a lot of great inspiration. "

Ah. Well, don't they feel silly now!

Straightening their posture, the amalgam allowed themself a moment to regain their composure.