#cannibalqueen

The only heaven I'll be sent to

Is when I'm alone with you

I was born sick

But I love it

Based on The Pietà. Idolatry for your fallen God.

In the beginning was Lilith. Screaming as she fell to the crust of Hell. Arms entwined with her beloved.

It is said that the two had known paradise and were punished by being tossed out. But in this new place they were free.

It is said more angels fell and quickly the whole lot of them got busy living and creating. Soon separating after the first sinners arrived. The Sins refusing to handle the former humans, they descended and created their own worlds.

Eventually

Lucifer missed the angels.

Eventually

Lilith missed the animals.

From clouds, from memories, from the soil of Hell the first Goetia are born.

From flowers, from rock, from blood the first Cannibals are born.

The Goetia take to their mimcry of magic and find delights in what they can do.

The Cannibals are gifted no magic. They had to develope it later, as Lilith herself had only been human. She gifted them other things.

The Goetia are able to speak. The Cannibals struggle. It is said that the Goetia were blessed but distant to their creator. Lilith brushed her creations hair, teaches them from the knowledge of the apple.

Lilith had missed animals but these were no animals, her hands had crafted in her image like her God before her.

Lucifer had missed the angels but these were no angels, he had tried to craft from his memories. He had crafted many things in his time but memories are faulty.

The first death was an old Goetia, death had come at last.

Lilith understood death but had not witnessed it. She comforted and sung to the creature. Lucifer held it's hand.

Sinners did not die, they would return. Lilith and her beloved were cursed it seemed as well. But their creations were not.

It is said that a generation never left the grounds of the fallen ones home. Fear had gripped them. But death still came and the creations yearned to run free. The fallen had a false Eden and had to let go.

It is said that this was a hard lesson.

With time the majority of Goetia left Pride. The Cannibals remained.

...

This is the story as Rosie knows it intellectually by being raised up by her mother telling her the stories.

But this is the story as Rosie lived it:

In the beginning Rosie had the Cannibals in the palm of her hand. Young still but old enough to command a room. Cannibals elect their Overlord as often as they communially eat the old one and pass it to the next wisest cannibal. Rosie had a completely peaceful rise to power. She had the gift of gab and was determined to use it for good. She had grown up observant and social, rare traits for Cannibals.

She was creating trade routes and standardized housing requirements. Basic education opportunities, sky was the limit.

That's when Lilith visited. The royal couple were hard to predict and in Rosie's life she'd never seen the Queen in person. Rosie had been on site of a new house being built when the taller woman found her.

"Are you the latest in command?"

"I wouldnt say command more of a guiding influence." Lilith smiled at that.

Tea with the Queen was a suprise, Rosie had invited Lilith in. The whole town seemed dusty from construction and growing.

"Pardon the dust we voted to expand a few things."

Franklin and Rosie's Emporium was a central hub for the government of Cannibal Town as such Rosie kept a table ready for gossip.

"I'm delighted to see it, truly."

Lilith wanted a full update, scheduling a tour later that week. They drank floral tea and chatted leader to leader. It was odd to see someone both of legends and of flesh. Lilith then was a stranger all the same and Rosie never met a stranger she couldn't rub elbows with.

Rosie certainly wouldn't forget that first meeting.

But she can't remember which tea chit chat it was that the subject of children came up. Sixth? Tenth?

"Rosie," Lilith had gently rested her tea cup on the saucer,"as a citizen of Hell and one on the thumb of things- what..."

Lilith had trailed off. Rosie had gently touched the other woman's hand in comfort.

"I sing to the sinners. I understand their anger and rage, their feelings of rejection. But would it be so bad if I was selfish?"

"What do you mean?"

Lilith bit her lip.

"I'm pregnant and I don't know if my people will revolt? That's silly isn't it?"

They chatted a long time after that. About how Lilith was allowed to want something for herself. That sinners come from a lot of trauma- some will hate her but some will respect her even more.

Lilith had hugged her. The first hug. When they settled down and Lilith wiped a tear away she asked, "Will you have some of your own?"

Rosie frowned and shook her head.

"I don't see myself having babies for a long time. Honestly I might never. My mind races a mile a minute about all the things I need to do and-," Rosie sighed. "When I at least get this place looking decent I might."

"Don't feel pressured either way! I was just wondering because you have such a soothing presence."

Shades of that sentiment Rosie had heard before but it meant more from Lilith.

They kept up their meetings, quickly full of laughter and inside jokes.

Rosie got to feel baby kicks and supply mint tea for nausea.

When Charlotte was born Rosie had sent a dress for the princess. It was in good taste to recognize the new heir even if many of the Overlords were brutes. Lilith had complained that she admired the sinners for their ability to thrive but really would it have been so hard to send a card?

Lilith kept promising to bring Charlie "next time". But of course there was never a next time.

It was on a dreadfully ordinary day when Lilith walked in. Rosie cleared out the stragglers in the shop and tea was ready.

It was obvious that Lilith had something on her mind. She knew a lot of the Queens looks and glances. The storms in her eyes.

But still she couldn't predict what happened.

The tea pot was tossed, the china scattering with the table, Lilith had a death grip on her hand. No matter how hard Rosie pulled for freedom.

The wind was thrashing as purple and pink magic fought.

As your sovereign ruler I command you to not follow where I go, to not seek me or my family, my name shall never again cross your lips.

She hadn't seen Lilith since. And no matter how often she told herself it's silly to cry she does. Lilith pulled back on public appearances then only her recordings remained.

But

Opportunities knock.

She had told Lilith she was allowed to be selfish that leaders were allowed to be selfish and as Alastor offered his soul she smiled.

Search for the Queen of Hell, find her location.

...

In the beginning, middle and end,