William Wisp.

@will1amwisp

uh your local… normal. teenager.

3,151 posts

PRE PRIME DEFENDERS ROLELAY BLOG.

This is set before William joins the Prime Defenders, still set in deadwood!!

I’m going wisp incognito.

Anon tag: ~ 🐺

uh. Hey, I made another blog for myself .

I run— i co-run. The @unwitnesspp with my friends Norah, Lui and Isaac, please check that out.

Don’t ask why I’ve made another one. I’ll tell you… I think it’d be easier for me to have my own blog, I’ll probably send photos of the paranormal stuff I’m doing and any other stuff that I’m actually doing that is related to normal teenager stuff.

Because I’m a normal teenager!

William Wisp, He/him (but idrc)

Tags:

Posts ~ Wisp Incognito

Asks ~ WIL I answer.

Journal entries ~ Mysterious Thoughts

#rp blog #Jrwi rp #just role(play) with it #Jrwi #prime defenders #unwitness protection program #william wisp #Wisp incognito

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William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

"with you-.. i cant tell if youre being sarcastic." "oh,.. and- will we're gonna need some candles okay?" "need to melt them and soak the rope in wax before the blood- otherwise itll burn"

( @isaac-brooks

//ooc: I'm just gonna pass this turn while Isaac gets the rope @will1amwisp

I’m being serious.

Yep. Okay. I have candles.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we gotta melt like.. 5 of them, into a bucket or something, then soak the ropes in it- let it dry, and then blood it aswell." "we only need like.. roughly 2-3 feet of rope so.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac pushes the door open with his foot, at least a couple meters of rope coiled in his arms. He sits back down on the bed and starts loosely wrapping the rope around William.]

I wasn't sure how much we needed, so I just brought the whole thing. Do we need to cut it? 'Cause I don't think a normal pair of scissors will manage to get through it.

[He's addressing Ellane, obviously doing his absolute hardest not to acknowledge Will, though he's grinning like an idiot.]

( @will1amwisp )

Do you wanna do the… candle part? I can— get the blood or whatever. You know full well Isaac with bring the whole thing.

When Isaac comes in, he looked at Ellane like “what did I tell you?”

Uh. My mom might have,, normaler scissors? Or you can burn it?

William pauses, he’s sure his eyes twitches. He look up at Isaac. I’m gonna claw YOUR EYES out. Stop!! I’ll tell- N-Norah you’re being mean to me again!!

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just giggles at them.. finding the whole scene quite amusing and neglecting to help Will atall) "you guys act like such kids sometimes..." (is a little strange of a thing to say- like they dont consider themself a "kid" anymore despite their age firmly making them one)

( @isaac-brooks

Oooo, I'd love to burn it! Do you have a lighter?

[Isaac just smiles even wider at the threats, and decides that the next course of action should be to use Will's head as a footrest. He executes this plan immediately.]

( @will1amwisp )

Ugh—

Ellane. Help. Me. Please.

Williams not happy with this. But he’s making no real effort to get out of the situation he is in.

I do. I’m not handing you one until you— get your feet off my head and get the rope off of me.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane sighs, and stands up, softly and carefully picking up Isaac's legs and placing them on the bed as though they were any other object) (they then go to untie the rope... aand fail) "youre gonna have to do the rope..." "unless i try to do-.. wightfire shit but thats kinda scary"

( @isaac-brooks

Aww, but where's the fun in that?

[Isaac pouts as he gets moved.]

Have you ever done any scout stuff? They teach you so many different ways to do a knot it's insane.

( @will1amwisp ) //ooc: prolly gonna fall asleep soon :(

Have you eevvvverrr tried untying me? I’d like to move please.

// ooc: ahh! No worries

@familiarityupp

(they sigh, and try to untie him again... they get it a little looser but they still fail)

( @isaac-brooks

/// ooc nw if u ffalll asleep :P

Ugh fine, I'll help, ya big baby.

[Isaac leans down and unties William, quite easily.]

There, you happy now?

( @will1amwisp )

…

William steps out of the rope, and immediately pounces at Isaac. Pinning him down.

YOU DICKHEAD!!

@familiarityupp

William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

"with you-.. i cant tell if youre being sarcastic." "oh,.. and- will we're gonna need some candles okay?" "need to melt them and soak the rope in wax before the blood- otherwise itll burn"

( @isaac-brooks

//ooc: I'm just gonna pass this turn while Isaac gets the rope @will1amwisp

I’m being serious.

Yep. Okay. I have candles.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we gotta melt like.. 5 of them, into a bucket or something, then soak the ropes in it- let it dry, and then blood it aswell." "we only need like.. roughly 2-3 feet of rope so.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac pushes the door open with his foot, at least a couple meters of rope coiled in his arms. He sits back down on the bed and starts loosely wrapping the rope around William.]

I wasn't sure how much we needed, so I just brought the whole thing. Do we need to cut it? 'Cause I don't think a normal pair of scissors will manage to get through it.

[He's addressing Ellane, obviously doing his absolute hardest not to acknowledge Will, though he's grinning like an idiot.]

( @will1amwisp )

Do you wanna do the… candle part? I can— get the blood or whatever. You know full well Isaac with bring the whole thing.

When Isaac comes in, he looked at Ellane like “what did I tell you?”

Uh. My mom might have,, normaler scissors? Or you can burn it?

William pauses, he’s sure his eyes twitches. He look up at Isaac. I’m gonna claw YOUR EYES out. Stop!! I’ll tell- N-Norah you’re being mean to me again!!

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just giggles at them.. finding the whole scene quite amusing and neglecting to help Will atall) "you guys act like such kids sometimes..." (is a little strange of a thing to say- like they dont consider themself a "kid" anymore despite their age firmly making them one)

( @isaac-brooks

Oooo, I'd love to burn it! Do you have a lighter?

[Isaac just smiles even wider at the threats, and decides that the next course of action should be to use Will's head as a footrest. He executes this plan immediately.]

( @will1amwisp )

Ugh—

Ellane. Help. Me. Please.

Williams not happy with this. But he’s making no real effort to get out of the situation he is in.

I do. I’m not handing you one until you— get your feet off my head and get the rope off of me.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane sighs, and stands up, softly and carefully picking up Isaac's legs and placing them on the bed as though they were any other object) (they then go to untie the rope... aand fail) "youre gonna have to do the rope..." "unless i try to do-.. wightfire shit but thats kinda scary"

( @isaac-brooks

Aww, but where's the fun in that?

[Isaac pouts as he gets moved.]

Have you ever done any scout stuff? They teach you so many different ways to do a knot it's insane.

( @will1amwisp ) //ooc: prolly gonna fall asleep soon :(

Have you eevvvverrr tried untying me? I’d like to move please.

// ooc: ahh! No worries

@familiarityupp

William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

"with you-.. i cant tell if youre being sarcastic." "oh,.. and- will we're gonna need some candles okay?" "need to melt them and soak the rope in wax before the blood- otherwise itll burn"

( @isaac-brooks

//ooc: I'm just gonna pass this turn while Isaac gets the rope @will1amwisp

I’m being serious.

Yep. Okay. I have candles.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we gotta melt like.. 5 of them, into a bucket or something, then soak the ropes in it- let it dry, and then blood it aswell." "we only need like.. roughly 2-3 feet of rope so.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac pushes the door open with his foot, at least a couple meters of rope coiled in his arms. He sits back down on the bed and starts loosely wrapping the rope around William.]

I wasn't sure how much we needed, so I just brought the whole thing. Do we need to cut it? 'Cause I don't think a normal pair of scissors will manage to get through it.

[He's addressing Ellane, obviously doing his absolute hardest not to acknowledge Will, though he's grinning like an idiot.]

( @will1amwisp )

Do you wanna do the… candle part? I can— get the blood or whatever. You know full well Isaac with bring the whole thing.

When Isaac comes in, he looked at Ellane like “what did I tell you?”

Uh. My mom might have,, normaler scissors? Or you can burn it?

William pauses, he’s sure his eyes twitches. He look up at Isaac. I’m gonna claw YOUR EYES out. Stop!! I’ll tell- N-Norah you’re being mean to me again!!

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just giggles at them.. finding the whole scene quite amusing and neglecting to help Will atall) "you guys act like such kids sometimes..." (is a little strange of a thing to say- like they dont consider themself a "kid" anymore despite their age firmly making them one)

( @isaac-brooks

Oooo, I'd love to burn it! Do you have a lighter?

[Isaac just smiles even wider at the threats, and decides that the next course of action should be to use Will's head as a footrest. He executes this plan immediately.]

( @will1amwisp )

Ugh—

Ellane. Help. Me. Please.

Williams not happy with this. But he’s making no real effort to get out of the situation he is in.

I do. I’m not handing you one until you— get your feet off my head and get the rope off of me.

@familiarityupp

William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

luciaverneshteine

She stops picking at them immediately nods, standing up

"right... Right... Sorry...are... Where's the bathroom? If I'm allowed to use it... If not... It's there anywhere I could get like a bowl of hot water or something?"

Why wouldn’t you…? Uh, upstairs to the — that way, I don’t know my left and rights. He points.

And yeah I’ll get you one now.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and heads to the bathroom to get a small bit of soap, then she comes back to wait for the bowl of hot water

"Don't bless the water" she calls out as a joke

William walks over to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with hot water.

I— wasn’t planning on it.

luciaverneshteine

"good, otherwise it would look like you're trying to get rid of me for good. That would be mean"

She giggles a little

"also wouldn't be the first time someone's tried that"

….

Have you ever been baptised or exorcised??

luciaverneshteine

"baptism, no, uhh but multiple people in the past have tried to exorcise me"

She uses a little bit of soap and sticks her hands in the hot water, scrubbing at them to get as much dirt out as possible, the water turns muddy pretty quickly

"long story short, didn't work"

Oh. Shame. Would it work against your sister? Caligo. Not Amber or Ember.

.. im joking I’m not going to exorcise your sister. Probably.

luciaverneshteine

"maybe.. maybe... She's a different kind of ghost to me, but I'd rather you didn't try and find out"

She is?

I guess— I should’ve figured so.

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William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

luciaverneshteine

She stops picking at them immediately nods, standing up

"right... Right... Sorry...are... Where's the bathroom? If I'm allowed to use it... If not... It's there anywhere I could get like a bowl of hot water or something?"

Why wouldn’t you…? Uh, upstairs to the — that way, I don’t know my left and rights. He points.

And yeah I’ll get you one now.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and heads to the bathroom to get a small bit of soap, then she comes back to wait for the bowl of hot water

"Don't bless the water" she calls out as a joke

William walks over to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with hot water.

I— wasn’t planning on it.

luciaverneshteine

"good, otherwise it would look like you're trying to get rid of me for good. That would be mean"

She giggles a little

"also wouldn't be the first time someone's tried that"

….

Have you ever been baptised or exorcised??

luciaverneshteine

"baptism, no, uhh but multiple people in the past have tried to exorcise me"

She uses a little bit of soap and sticks her hands in the hot water, scrubbing at them to get as much dirt out as possible, the water turns muddy pretty quickly

"long story short, didn't work"

Oh. Shame. Would it work against your sister? Caligo. Not Amber or Ember.

.. im joking I’m not going to exorcise your sister. Probably.

William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

luciaverneshteine

She stops picking at them immediately nods, standing up

"right... Right... Sorry...are... Where's the bathroom? If I'm allowed to use it... If not... It's there anywhere I could get like a bowl of hot water or something?"

Why wouldn’t you…? Uh, upstairs to the — that way, I don’t know my left and rights. He points.

And yeah I’ll get you one now.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and heads to the bathroom to get a small bit of soap, then she comes back to wait for the bowl of hot water

"Don't bless the water" she calls out as a joke

William walks over to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with hot water.

I— wasn’t planning on it.

luciaverneshteine

"good, otherwise it would look like you're trying to get rid of me for good. That would be mean"

She giggles a little

"also wouldn't be the first time someone's tried that"

….

Have you ever been baptised or exorcised??

William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

"with you-.. i cant tell if youre being sarcastic." "oh,.. and- will we're gonna need some candles okay?" "need to melt them and soak the rope in wax before the blood- otherwise itll burn"

( @isaac-brooks

//ooc: I'm just gonna pass this turn while Isaac gets the rope @will1amwisp

I’m being serious.

Yep. Okay. I have candles.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we gotta melt like.. 5 of them, into a bucket or something, then soak the ropes in it- let it dry, and then blood it aswell." "we only need like.. roughly 2-3 feet of rope so.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac pushes the door open with his foot, at least a couple meters of rope coiled in his arms. He sits back down on the bed and starts loosely wrapping the rope around William.]

I wasn't sure how much we needed, so I just brought the whole thing. Do we need to cut it? 'Cause I don't think a normal pair of scissors will manage to get through it.

[He's addressing Ellane, obviously doing his absolute hardest not to acknowledge Will, though he's grinning like an idiot.]

( @will1amwisp )

Do you wanna do the… candle part? I can— get the blood or whatever. You know full well Isaac with bring the whole thing.

When Isaac comes in, he looked at Ellane like “what did I tell you?”

Uh. My mom might have,, normaler scissors? Or you can burn it?

William pauses, he’s sure his eyes twitches. He look up at Isaac. I’m gonna claw YOUR EYES out. Stop!! I’ll tell- N-Norah you’re being mean to me again!!

@familiarityupp

William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

luciaverneshteine

She stops picking at them immediately nods, standing up

"right... Right... Sorry...are... Where's the bathroom? If I'm allowed to use it... If not... It's there anywhere I could get like a bowl of hot water or something?"

Why wouldn’t you…? Uh, upstairs to the — that way, I don’t know my left and rights. He points.

And yeah I’ll get you one now.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and heads to the bathroom to get a small bit of soap, then she comes back to wait for the bowl of hot water

"Don't bless the water" she calls out as a joke

William walks over to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with hot water.

I— wasn’t planning on it.

William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

"with you-.. i cant tell if youre being sarcastic." "oh,.. and- will we're gonna need some candles okay?" "need to melt them and soak the rope in wax before the blood- otherwise itll burn"

( @isaac-brooks

//ooc: I'm just gonna pass this turn while Isaac gets the rope @will1amwisp

I’m being serious.

Yep. Okay. I have candles.

@familiarityupp

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William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

luciaverneshteine

She stops picking at them immediately nods, standing up

"right... Right... Sorry...are... Where's the bathroom? If I'm allowed to use it... If not... It's there anywhere I could get like a bowl of hot water or something?"

Why wouldn’t you…? Uh, upstairs to the — that way, I don’t know my left and rights. He points.

And yeah I’ll get you one now.

are you sure i cant do antthing tk help eith the case??? i want to hellp and j wanna see you guys has there bren anything new at all?

als when r u coming to visit its really boring here

-⭐️

I.. I guess you can; but I don’t want you getting sicker due to stress.

Ah— the Grimoire by the way. Next time I see you, give it to me— unless the doctors have confiscated it, I don’t want you.. reading that again.

Nothing new. Me, Ellane and Isaac are gonna try to oujia board the author of the entropyne Encyclopedia though.

Soon. I promise I will visit you. My mom doesn’t really want me leaving the house right now…

i will br fine its alright

the grinoire… i dint have it anymore… but i wont be reading it abytimr soon if i had it

careful wirh attracting other ghosts ouija bords are reslly messy to use so theres a chance you wont contact the one you gus want

makes snese after the whole doctor thing…

If you say so.

Oh. Is it still at the ritual site? We should… get rid of that.

Yeah, that’s true. We will worry about it when we get there.

yeah. she was really angry about it. I think she wants to sue— I don’t know. Scary.

i thibk it is at the ritual site i dont remeber so much happened

tahts reasonable but im stilk unsure if theres returned here at the hospital so ive been anxious aboit thag

i hope not

I’ll uh. Check back later. Maybe, hopefully. I don’t know. I don’t wanna go back there honestly

Hopefully… not? Hopefully all the returned died or something— I really hope your grandma still isn’t like… alive. I want to walk around safely thank you.

me neither

im not sure either i havenf reallt seen her only my parents have come fo visif me hopefully she’s gone, im nto sure

I’m glad that they have.

Hope everything is… going okay.

Promise I’ll come see you soon.

… also can I- give you the scarf back? I feel really bad keeping it now I. … I shouldn’t get into what happened.

uh id rather you keep it i gave it to hou for s reason adter our promise abd the disagreement we had so at least try to keep it

also they took the necklace you gave me away cus i was wearigg it so im kind of sad about thag

I Okay. I’ll keep it.

what!? Why!? Because it’s a safety hazard??! They better give it back. I made that for you x[

thankyou Will :)

i know i’ve askedbfor it muktiple times but they keep sayingbtjey are gonna give it to me later but they havent

mm

mmmmm.. ask Norahs mom maybe?

she’s been too busy woth other patients so ihavent gotten to see her

You’re Norahs friend, surely she should prioritise you.

she has other patients, olus she still seems on edge with what happend to her husband and everyhtinf else in the hodpital

mmm. That’s fair I guess

Isaac’s being mean to me again :(

whatever uh. If there’s nothing else to say uh, Take care?

tell isaac i told him to stop being mean to hou!!

i will :)

Will do for sure

good

William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

luciaverneshteine

She eventually wakes up and sits up, rubbing her eyes of any remnants of tears, and then she starts picking at her stitches again, trying to get them free of dirt. Or as free as possible before she can properly clean them

Lucia. Water, soap. Not your fingers.

are you sure i cant do antthing tk help eith the case??? i want to hellp and j wanna see you guys has there bren anything new at all?

als when r u coming to visit its really boring here

-⭐️

I.. I guess you can; but I don’t want you getting sicker due to stress.

Ah— the Grimoire by the way. Next time I see you, give it to me— unless the doctors have confiscated it, I don’t want you.. reading that again.

Nothing new. Me, Ellane and Isaac are gonna try to oujia board the author of the entropyne Encyclopedia though.

Soon. I promise I will visit you. My mom doesn’t really want me leaving the house right now…

i will br fine its alright

the grinoire… i dint have it anymore… but i wont be reading it abytimr soon if i had it

careful wirh attracting other ghosts ouija bords are reslly messy to use so theres a chance you wont contact the one you gus want

makes snese after the whole doctor thing…

If you say so.

Oh. Is it still at the ritual site? We should… get rid of that.

Yeah, that’s true. We will worry about it when we get there.

yeah. she was really angry about it. I think she wants to sue— I don’t know. Scary.

i thibk it is at the ritual site i dont remeber so much happened

tahts reasonable but im stilk unsure if theres returned here at the hospital so ive been anxious aboit thag

i hope not

I’ll uh. Check back later. Maybe, hopefully. I don’t know. I don’t wanna go back there honestly

Hopefully… not? Hopefully all the returned died or something— I really hope your grandma still isn’t like… alive. I want to walk around safely thank you.

me neither

im not sure either i havenf reallt seen her only my parents have come fo visif me hopefully she’s gone, im nto sure

I’m glad that they have.

Hope everything is… going okay.

Promise I’ll come see you soon.

… also can I- give you the scarf back? I feel really bad keeping it now I. … I shouldn’t get into what happened.

uh id rather you keep it i gave it to hou for s reason adter our promise abd the disagreement we had so at least try to keep it

also they took the necklace you gave me away cus i was wearigg it so im kind of sad about thag

I Okay. I’ll keep it.

what!? Why!? Because it’s a safety hazard??! They better give it back. I made that for you x[

thankyou Will :)

i know i’ve askedbfor it muktiple times but they keep sayingbtjey are gonna give it to me later but they havent

mm

mmmmm.. ask Norahs mom maybe?

she’s been too busy woth other patients so ihavent gotten to see her

You’re Norahs friend, surely she should prioritise you.

she has other patients, olus she still seems on edge with what happend to her husband and everyhtinf else in the hodpital

mmm. That’s fair I guess

Isaac’s being mean to me again :(

whatever uh. If there’s nothing else to say uh, Take care?

William’s vision goes black— or. It does in his nightmare. He wakes up in his room. At least he thinks he woke up. He’s moved from his original position, he’s staring at the ceiling, panting. And he just… can’t move yet. He feels… things that aren’t there, he can feel as something, tendrils perhaps break in through the window? Under his bed? Who knows.

He can’t turn his head to check. Stuck— unable to move. He tries to clench his fingers— one hand won’t move for some reason. Thanks Ellane, for biting his fingers. The other one very slowly clenches. So he repeats.

He does that until he can move and he sits up instantly. Grabbing his shirt with his freehand. His breathing is wrong— too fast, too sharp. He’s barely getting any air in.

He glances towards Ellane. It’s still dark in his room. So immediately his head goes to the worst place, are they dead? They are red— they are bleeding. They are dead- dead. Dead. He grabs them— taking his fingers away from their mouth and frantically starts shaking them.

ELLANE!

He screams, in the middle of the night. He’s anxious— worried and not doing well. Can you blame him?

@familiarityupp

(they shake awake, eyes going wide, and he watches in real time as the two pink pupils remerge into a purple one- and he sees that slight bit of life in their eye again.. just a little) "William-" "are- are you okay-.." (they cough a little, clearly grossed out by the taste of dirt and rock now in their mouth) "william- its okay-"

His hands tremble. Staring at the pupil. Ellane? Not Ellane? Which “Ellane.” His grip on them gets tighter and tighter.

Alive— alive.? No- no.. no… He mutters. He moves away, backing up. About to fall off the bed. Ellane— Nor.. Isaac, Lui- fuck! I’m sorry—

(they grab onto his shoulders- pulling him into them and hugging him as tightly as they can) "its okay... youre okay- theyre safe.. we'll find norah.." (their skin feels practically boiling as they hug him.. but its comforting on such a cold winter night..)

They’re not— they’re not. They’re dead— you’re dead…. You’re all dead. Couldn’t— I- I couldn’t stop.. too warm.

Dead.. you- you were.. you still are— Lui. Lui— He tried to pull away. From the direction his arm went in to try and reach— he’s trying to grab Lui’s scarf.

(they keep him just as close, instead grabbing the scarf for him and pressing it against his chest) "..me..? maybe.. but not them.. theyre okay.."

He sobs. His arm dropping to his side. No— no… you— Spike was gone. You- were dead dead. You are! You’re not real— wake up.

He pulls away again. He’s practically trying to throw himself that’s how desperate he is to get away.

(they yank him back, squeezing him as closely as they can) "just- stop-.." (they place a warm hand against his cheek) "this feel dead..?" (theyre trying as hard as they can to hold him there..)

It’s gonna get me— I need to— I need to go! He stares at Ellane. His eyes full of fear. He grabs their hand. Ellane— we need to go.

"..no.." "we-.. we dont.." "this- room... its like the safest place in town will-... noones gonna hurt us here.."

No.. no- it’s not. It— it is? My head.. William gives up on trying to escape. Dropping his head onto Ellane’s shoulder. Slowly; hugging back.

(they shuffle the scarf to rest against his cheek.. hoping the scratchy fibre might comfort him, they hug him close, warming him quickly) "shh.... you need rest ..." "actual rest.. not-.. nightmares and stuff.."

He grabs onto the scarf. Still also holding onto Ellane. I can’t… I can’t rest. It’s bad whenever I do. I— I- god I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause a scene…

"its alright-.. payback for earlier ehe.."

Mm.. I hate sleeping— I hate it so much it never works out. And something bad always happen an-and I- it sucks being alone but I just get more irrational with someone else—

"mm.. i like sleeping.. i usually just dream of the good parts..." "do you just wanna lie here for a bit longer.. even if you dont sleep"

I barely even feel— rested after. There’s no point to it.

Yeah… I guess that’s… I probably will fall asleep again though. …fuck I’m really sorry for- for this I. God it was bad.

"its fine- really william its okay-..." "juust stay here.."

Sorry to wake you up..

I will.

"wake me whenever you need.. its okay."

[The sound of a window opening breaks the silence.]

Hey Will I- whoah what the fuck!?

[Isaac peeks his head in through the window, lock-pick in hand, and almost falls back out again when he spots Ellane. It's a rather compromising position they're in.]

( @will1amwisp hehe)

Yeah, I wi- HOLY FUCK! William grabs a pillow to throw at Isaac, realising it would probably knock him out he just squeezes it.

William is still crying, tears streaming down his face. And for once isn’t wearing a hoodie! But a skull tank top that is drenched in sweat.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane quite quickly rolls off William, falling face first on the floor, they try to pull their pajama pants back on over their underwear for.. obvious reasons .. buut they end up tripping up again, embarrassing themself even more- though they do then stand back up and succeed in that effort afterward) "i- oh- fu-.." (theyre like fully red rn,, very embarrassed,,) "its not-.." (they realize theres not much point trying to convince isaac themself... so just wait for Will to do so instead, leaning on the wall panting and rubbing at their forehead.. already forming a small bruise where they faceplanted into the floor)

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac kinda just stares, wide eyed.]

Okay normally I would congratulate you but I feel like this might not be the time for that.

[He looks over to Ellane and immediately looks away again.]

Uhm... you okay?

( @will1amwisp )

They have a girlfriend— I had a nightmare— there! That’s all you need to know!! He wipes his face with his pillow and then slams the pillow over his own face. Hiding away.

@familiarityupp

"i- uhm- yeah-.." "i- girlfriend-.." "WAIT WAH-" (the implication in Isaac's words hits them like a truck and they fall on their ass again) "we weren't- that- that was not the thing.. uhm-" "he had a nightmare- and i was-..." "ouughh.. we werent doing- what youre thinking of !!!!!"

@isaac-brooks

[He looks between them, always keeping his gaze strictly to Ellane's face.]

Oh... you sure? 'Cause Will's had nightmares when I've been around and as far as I can remember I didn't strip naked.

( @will1amwisp )

Isaac shut thefuckup or I’ll throw a pillow at you— you’re missing out crucial information.

Not… like that. They’re warm, like unnaturally warm and because I’m apparently such a good guy, they trust me enough.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: I will be unable to respond for an hour,,; just say William either stopped responding or fell back to sleep,,,

(Ellane limps over to the window, drags Isaac inside by the shoulders, and then places a firm hand on his wrist.. it almost feels like its going to burn his skin) "feel that-.. thats- uhm thats why i was.. yknooww.." "okay i was-.. mostly naked because my body has been boiling alive since i last died... okay? happy now?" "we werent-.. doing 'that'-.. im just really sick right now okay??"

[Isaac instinctively jerks away from Ellane's touch.]

Ow. What the fuck? Died??? What the- OH!!! You're Ellane aren't you? Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Sorry.

[He looks a bit sheepish when he glances over at Will's now limp body.]

Wha- dude!? You can't just leave me alone like this!!

"yea- im ellane.." "... im not a girl." (Just.. mentioning) "okay-.. to be clear.." "i wasnt having s-sex with william- im in my underwear cause im sick, he was having nightmares so he needed a hug.. youre Isaac i think..?" "we will not discuss this again... please?"

[Isaac looks back over to Ellane.]

Yeah, I know. Will's told me about you.

[He turns away again, instead choosing to look at the window. This is a lot more awkward when Will's not here for him to joke with.]

I- I didn’t think you were. He's not nearly brave enough for that. I just... thought you might have gotten close?

[It sounds like a question, as if even he's not sure what he thought.]

Uhm. Okay. Sure.

"good.." "i- also- i do have a girlfriend so-.. and- uhm hes basically like my brother- so-.. just- whatever.." (they sit down on Will's bed, clearly making themself more embarrassed just by talking.) "uhm- what're you here for..." (they then scoop up their mushroom-spotted pajama shirt, pulling it on aswell.. despite how obviously uncomfortable the heat makes them.)

Okay. Yup. Not... whatever.

[He just stays standing in the middle of the room.]

Uhm. I... don't know. I just kinda missed him. Didn't want to waste any more of the precious time we have left rotting away in my room.

"thats... yeah.. fair enough.." "hes not been doing well i can tell you that-.. neither of us have." "do you-.. mmm.. do you wanna know how the case is going...?" "dude yknow you can sit down right its okay-"

If. If you're okay with telling me? And it's fiiine, I like standing.

[He's hiding it pretty well, but he's bouncing his leg and fidgeting with his jacket. He looks like he wants to run. But maybe that's just what he's always like.]

William very suddenly sits up again. It’s hard to tell whether he either didn’t wipe his tears off properly or if he was crying again. — though with how there’s still tears falling down his cheek, it’s obvious to tell he just had another nightmare. He groans and brings his knees to his chest, looking over at Isaac. He looks tired still.

What’s happening?

@familiarityupp

".. im telling isaac that we didnt have-.. well yknow- what he was assuming-.. and im about to tell him about the case.." (they turn to look at him again, and seeing his expression, promptly jump back onto him, hugging him just as tightly- a little too tight maybe) "um.. are you okaay..?" (its kinda hard to hear considering their face is pressed to tightly against his shoulder) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac just kinda... is there? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself. He does look very worried, but when Will looks over he tries his best to muster up a smile. It doesn't work. He gives a thumbs-up instead.]

Yup. That. Do you... should I... I'm gonna go get you some tissues. For both of you. And maybe some antiseptics. Or- I'll be right back.

[He hurries out of the room.]

( @will1amwisp )

I see.

He pats them on the back. I’m… okay. Just a recurring nightmare. … at least I shouldn’t be seeing things for a while now… hopefully.

He puts a thumbs up back to Isaac. Anyway that’s isaac. He’s really cool.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. i agree.." "i jsut-... ughh-" (they flop back onto the bed now, smothering their face with a pillow and loudly groaning into it) "did he have to burst in just then-.. i really dont like it when people... well- see me-.. yknow???" "he seems cool but-.. uguuh privacy.."

"now hes just gonna think im a girl.."

@isaac-brooks (if u wanna come back now otherwise ig wiwi again!)

[There's a knock on the door.]

Hey, uhm, don't wanna, you know, do that again. Can I... come in?

[He sounds a lot less... Isaac like(?) than usual.]

Yeah, come on in. — I mean, is that fine?

@familiarityupp

"i-.. i mean suure.. im not like- naked anymore so-.." "yeah- you can- come in.." (they look a little puzzled at his tone of voice)

@isaac-brooks or @will1amwisp

Wait— stay outside for a minute Isaac!!

He looks back to Ellane and whispers to them. We can’t let him in— they are going to kill us That’s not Isaac— it’s going to kill us! That’s not Isaac. Isaac is already dead. Isaac is dead— dead. Dead- dead dead…

Williams obviously still paranoia. #lowsanity.

"..." "Will-.. its gonna be him okay.." "if it was the entropyne.. why would it wait outside.." (theyre obviously still overheating- and by that measure have too much of a headache to even worry about fakes at this point) "its gonna be okay." (they fluff his hair, stand up, take their shirt off again because its so fucking hot and they dont even care at this point,- hes probably already decided theyre a girl as far as they can see anyway- and peek round the door) "hey.. isaac.. mm can i-.. ugh" (they open the door so Will can see isaac, and prod at his cheekbone a bunch, demonstrating to William that it is infact not made of flesh-clay.)

(@isaac-brooks)

Oh, okay!

[When Ellane opens the door Isaac looks a bit shocked. And then when they poke at him, he scrunches up his face in a grimace.]

Uh, hi? What are you doing?

( @will1amwisp ) sorry for the wait and short reply I overheated lmao!!

William seems to ease up a little upon seeing Isaac— not turn into clay or whatever happened before within the cave.

// ooc: just like Ellane! Dwwww!

@familiarityupp

(they swiftly let go of his face) "see, not clay." (they then proceed right back over to the bed to sit by William again.)

"sorry isaac-... we got attacked by a fake version of me in the caves-.. had to make sure you were real." @isaac-brooks

Oh. Huh.

[Isaac is standing in the doorway, looking concerned. He's holding a box of tissues, a bottle of of antiseptic, a roll of gauze, and a bowl of candy, probably taken from his own house.]

Uh, I thought you might need some sugar in ya?

[There's a weird cadence to his voice. It sounds almost... melodic.]

( @will1amwisp ) btw norah don't believe Isaac's narrator

Not clay..

William grits his teeth. Still staring over at Isaac, examining in. He looks at Ellane. It’s obvious he’s doubting it.

Uh… yeah, sure…

@familiarityupp

"it's Isaac.. Will.. my clone barely looked like me.." "plus it-... he wouldve hurt us by now.." "i nearly lost a leg within a minute of my clone showing up..." (they start to hug Wiwi again.) "its fine.."

( @isaac-brooks )

Nah, I think I'd know if I was clay.

[There's still that melodic quality to his voice, a gentle thing, very unlike Isaac's usual brash nature. He sets everything he's holding down on the bed, placing the candy bowl right next to the others.]

What did your clone look like? I'm sure nowhere near as cool as you.

[He sounds curious, in the way someone might be curious when asking for tips on how to make their makeup look better.]

( @will1amwisp )

William flinched when Isaac gets closer. William doesn’t take his eyes off of Isaac. Waiting for some sort of slip up.

Have you heard of Lui, Isaac? I haven’t seen him in a while.

He looks at Ellane- he shakes his head. Trying to tell them that’s not Isaac. It’s obvious he’s paranoid. It’s Isaac, just to Williams fucked up mindset, anything slightly off means they are fake.

@familiarityupp

".. it wasnt missing an eye, first of all" (they point to their hollow, still bone eye socket) "aand .. it was wearing this weird outfit- something i wouldnt wear.." "i guess thats the only ways it was weird.." "and then it turned into like.. blobby flesh clay stuff.." "was weird."

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac hoists himself up so that he sits on William's desk.]

Uhh, haven't really talked with anyone to be honest. Why, d'ya need him for something?

[When Ellane mentions the... flesh, Isaac's whole body shudders.]

Oh, yuck. Glad you got away from that. Is. Is that something I should be worrying about? Like, if it happens to me?

[It already has.]

( @will1amwisp )

William brings his knees up to his chest. He follows Isaac wherever he goes. No. Just wondering.

Williams focused on Isaac. Or, “Isaac.” Is it even Isaac? Maybe it is him. He’s not sure. And he’s not taking any chances. William grabs onto Lui’s scarf on the bed and grips it. A cheap weapon just in case.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane stands shakily.) "uhm.. im gonna go get ice.. is your mom up? i dont particularly want her to see.. well either thing?" (they refer both to their state of relative undress, and the large hole in their head)

@isaac-brooks

[ɔɐɐsᴉ stares at Ellane as they stand, tilting his head like a dog when they speak.]

I mean, I didn’t see her, but she might've just been in the bathroom. I could go grab it if you want?

( @will1amwisp )

N-no she’s asleep. Don’t worry about her. You’ll be fine. Just— say you’re hot and it’s Halloween makeup or something if my mom or dad see you..

@familiarityupp

"....." (they do not even mildly believe thatll work) "yknow what sure- whatever.." (they leave the room, heading downstairs for a little while.. yall can talk for aslong as you want until they get back !!) @isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks over at William. Isaac? looks over? at William? I s a a c l o o k s o v e r a t W i

l l

i a

m. Soooo... care to give me a recap? I'm. kinda lost. Something's gonna happen in like 4 days and it'll be caused by the same thing that took my voooooooice? Did I get that right?

( @will1amwisp )

William’s grip on the scarf tighten and he inches himself towards the furthest wall from Isaac.

Y-yeah… but worse and- he shakes his head. You- you don’t have to pretend I know it’s not you.

Huh. What are you talking about Will?

[Isaac stares at his "friend" with concern pity. He had hoped you'd last longer. Ah well. What a shame.]

I- I know you aren’t Isaac! You don’t… you don’t have to pretend anymore! He grabs onto both ends of the scarf. He knows what he has to do if it comes to it.

Isaac’s dead— you’re not Isaac…

Wha- Will!?

[It slides down from your desk, putting it's hands? up, mocking you.]

I- I don't- What are you talking about!? Why would I be dead!? I'm- I- What!?

[It’s still acting. You caught it, why is it still acting?]

Don’t come closer! Stay there! Stay away from me yo-you monster!

Stop— stop acting! Stop pretending to be him! You’re fucked up! Get away from me!

I don't- what- Will. Will, what's happening. I don't understand. I'm not- I'm not whatever it is you think I am. Please.

William pushes himself off his bed, still holding the scarf.

You… you- you know how you slipped up? H-how I worked it out? Your voice was too gentle… a-and now you’re not acting brave— you’re not Isaac. Go back to the hell you came from!

He ran towards Isaac- swinging him around so that he can get the scarf to strangle Isaac.

(Ellane walks into the room, entirely unaware of whats going on, a soft smile on their face as they look down at what theyre carrying- a cool tub of chocolate icecream.. frost still layering the outside :) ) (this smile quickly vanishes as their sight falls on the scene- they slam the tub down on a table carelessly and rush over to the two, trying to pull William off of him though probably failing miserably) "what-..let go of him?!"

@isaac-brooks

[Isaac doesn't seem to be capable of forming words, simply scrabbling at the scarf around its his throat. His eyes are wide, terrified.]

( @will1amwisp )

Not Isaac.. not Isaac- not Isaac! He mutters to himself. Just— pulling on the scarf to try and choke what he thinks is a fake. Though… he clearly isn’t trying hard enough and it’ll be easy for Isaac to escape.

(Ellane's just trying to pull his hands away from isaac's neck.. not focusing on the scarf but rather on Will's hold over it) "what the hell are you doing-.."

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac manages to break free, immediately scrambling over towards the still open bedroom door.]

I- he- it's-

[Isaac's holding a hand to his chest, panting.]

...Will?

( @will1amwisp )

William let’s go of the scarf and he just stands there. Panting. His head facing the floor so his hair hides his eyes. He lets out an extremely weak laugh. He knows he can’t blame this on anything but himself. Just another fuck up.

Sorry.

Is that all you can say? You could’ve killed Isaac. You would’ve traumatised Ellane.

I don’t— know why I did that. He shrugs. He doesn’t look towards either of them.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane just stares at him- no words to say..) (are they disappointed? are they angry? are they just worried? its hard to tell..)

(they turn to isaac, going to say something but.. finding nothing to say again.)

(@isaac-brooks

[Isaac looks scared, but it only takes a very basic amount of knowledge about him to realise that the fear is not for his own life, but for William's.]

Will. Are you- are you okay? Is- What's- ....how can I fix this.

( @will1amwisp )

Are- are you okay? I… I’m fine. I’m just, on edge. Nightmares, monsters; the end could be soon. I didn’t— I didn’t mean to do that I’m really sorry! .. and Ellane, for walking in on that.

He’s… confused on how quickly Isaac is to ask if HE’S okay. Didn’t he just strangle him? He’s injured; right..?

@familiarityupp

// ooc: “nah I’m fine you are actually weak as shit” /j

"..." "i-.. isaac-.." "what even was that-.."

(sorry 4 a short response :P)

(@isaac-brooks

Yeah I'm- I'm fine. You. didn't really hurt me. I just... panicked.

The end could... uhm. I uh, I still don't know what's going on? Maybe someone, anyone, could tell me what the fuck is happening in four days?

[Isaac rubs at his neck, where a bruise is starting to form. That one would be difficult to explain. He hoped people wouldn't jump to conclusions, though maybe it's not that much of a jump.]

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah I’m— sorry.

Oh. The Entropyne— or the white one. I don’t know. One of or both of them want to kill us in 4 days.

@familiarityupp

"uh-.." (okay-.. back into analytical mode i guess) "white entropyne, gave us a week, its like 4 more days now." "its under town in a cave system, could come from anywhere" "we know how to hurt it vaguely but not very well"

"uhh-.. for how stuffs going with me specifically.... i almost lost a leg earlier, and then ive died twice during the caes, im ill now and my powers have disappeared.. soo i can die." "thats-.. about it?"

( @isaac-brooks

A week until... what?

And you- you lost your powers?? I didn't know that could happen????

[Isaac leans against the doorframe. He's addressing Ellane, but his gaze hasn't left Will. It's... soft. Disgustingly so.]

( @will1amwisp )

He looks at the bruises slowly forming on Isaac’s neck and sighed. He turned his head away; not joining in the conversation.

@familiarityupp

"I-.. yeah.. its gone..." "the wight in my heads... disappeared.." "its been- kinda haywire since i died-..." "hey actually,, have you ever like.. thrown up the entirety of your stomach lining.. and like half your kidneys.. in blood..." "...mmm it really hurt actually.." "sorry- tangent" "A week until it attacks town.. kills everyone there.."

( @isaac-brooks)

Wight in your.... sure. Why not.

I....haven't. Should I?

[He looks a lot less scared than he should.]

Aw shucks. I don't really want to die.

( @will1amwisp )

William hugs his knees as Ellane brings that up, again. How could he not feel awful?

… Isaac do you want to kill a bunch of birds with us?

@familiarityupp

"now-.. that i would like.." "id like some.. um... yknow.." "i forget the word- .. revenge but llike money words- for my broken leg..?" (they mean Payback.)

( @isaac-brooks )

Yes. Yes. Please let me kill the birds. Please.

[This kid... I understand why he went to juvie now.]

Revenge is fun. Wonder if we could burn them....

( @will1amwisp )

Cool. Don’t eat them.

William starts kicking his legs off the side of his bed. At least he’s regaining a bit of emotion.

We can melt the white shrillbirds in ice? And the black shrillbirds— probably would burn.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. we dont need to kill the black birds yet... but i guess afterwa-" (their pupil seems to split again, warping before merging back together.. it hurts- they press a head against their temple) "auh.. i-.. i think we can just leave the black one alone.. it doesnt want to hurt us so..." "sorry-.. headache-.." "uhm-.. whwhite ones.. we freeze and we break i think...?" "they go solid when attacked.. and Will killed one before by smashing it against a tree right?"

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac stares.]

I- uhm... the black ones are the ones that make you sleepy, right?

If they freeze, then they should be susceptible to fire.

( @will1amwisp )

Ignore that. They do it a lot. I don’t know why and I don’t want to think about it anymore.

Black ones make you sleepy. White ones like— really hurt your head and stuff.

White ones blood are like- fire or something.

@familiarityupp

"mm.. the white ones' blood combusts.. when it touches.. most surfaces..?" "but i think if a surface is especially cold the bloods effects dont activate.."

( @isaac-brooks )

[Isaac is still staring.]

...right, so what you're saying is that they're basically living bombs?

( @will1amwisp )

Yeah. But— they are weak if you can catch them. My hands are full of cuts from them but— they are easy enough to… slam their heads into a tree and make it pop off.

@familiarityupp

"yeah-... we should be fine for birds. its the t-tendrils we gotta.. worry about..." "i hate those things.."

( @isaac-brooks

Just. Pop their heads off like they're dolls? Yeah... yeah I can do that.

Tendrils... like the stone ones or...? I can't remember anything that happened in that forest.

( @will1amwisp )

Well— yeah kinda. I slammed it against a tree and its head like- exploded.

They aren’t— stone. Fucked up… flesh things.

@familiarityupp

"theyre like.. they trick you into thinking theyre stone- thats all.." @isaac-brooks

Did it damage the tree in any way?

Ah. The flesh.

Is it like. An illusion? Or is it mental?

( @will1amwisp )

Not really. The blood was setting things ablaze though.

Yeah, the flesh.

It’s… I don’t know. I think I’m going to insane if I see it again— or maybe I already am. He shrugged. Sorry that’s not funny.

@familiarityupp

"i think-.. oughh.. i was gonna say we should be careful but.." "4 days.."

(Ellane sighs, limping over to the desk and grabbing their icecream tub, sitting down to actually eat it now, scooping large chunks of chocolate icecream into their mouth grumpily without any worry of the cold.) (as they eat, it actually does seem to help, the second pupil rolls back around on their eye, remerging with the current one to form their normal iris.. purple and alive again.) (The cold aswell as the sugar appears a large help.)

( @isaac-brooks

Huh. Interesting. I'll have to...

[Isaac trails off, obviously thinking very hard, though it's not exactly his specialty.]

( @will1amwisp )

William looks at Ellane. Humming.

Don’t think too hard Isaac, you’ll get an aneurysm.

@familiarityupp

"i still.. feel like theres something we're missing here.." "we dont know enough.." "did we make sure we didnt miss anything in that encyclopaedia?" @isaac-brooks

Ha ha, very funny Will.

[Isaac rolls his eyes, then quickly looks back at Ellane when they speak.]

Wait there's an encyclopedia???

( @will1amwisp ) I just barely managed to post this so it might take a while for me to be able to do it again :/

Theres definitely still a lot we’re missing, but I got as much as I could out of it.

He poked his tongue out at Isaac.

Yeah.

@familiarityupp

//ooc: no worries!!!

"one problem - its in latin.. so we cant read any of it other than the parts that Lucia transcribed..."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac blows William a rasberry.]

Couldn't we just, I don't know, google it?

( @will1amwisp )

…. Good point why haven’t we done that?

@familiarityupp

"true-.. google translate the book..?" "why didnt we think of that..." (they pull out their phone and take a photo of the books pages)

( @isaac-brooks

I feel like if you scan it it's going to kill your phone. Magic bullshit style.

( @will1amwisp )

Heh… maybe so.

@familiarityupp

// ooc: upp 4 is out.

@familiarityupp @isaac-brooks would you like to contuine this………. It would be Ellane’s turn;;;;

[ i would!! ] "I really doubt that- the book isnt magicall.. it belonged to the schtr-..." (they glance at isaac- they arent sure of how he feels about the schtriga being mentioned but.. best to play it safe) "to a monster..."

"...-that wrote in here and stuff.. its an incredible record but-.. i dont think its magical"

( @isaac-brooks

Cw: very brief mention of assault

[Isaac tenses up. Ellane had caught themselves, but not in time. He hated remembering. The way the priest had talked to him, held him down, put it's hand on his chest-]

...if you say so.

( @will1amwisp )

William glances to Isaac. He instinctively holds his breath, waiting for some sort of intense moment. When nothing happens he exhales. William grabs a few of the pages. Just rereading.

@familiarityupp

"..." "i really dont know what to do here-.." [the thought enters their mind as they leaf through their notes.. no clear plan.. barely any way to fight back.. and 3 days] [maybe they have to be honest now] [maybe their parents really never will come home.] (Ellane shakes their head) ""no i-.." "mm.. okay-.. i have an idea,, and it might be really dumb but its the one ive got okay?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac tries to force himself to relax. It doesn't seem to work. When he speaks, his voice shakes.]

I love dumb ideas, what are you thinking?

( @will1amwisp )

Depends what we consider a dumb idea. He shrugged. He looked at Isaac again and tilted his head, silently asking if he was alright. Patting a spot on his bed next to him.

@familiarityupp

"soo.. i was looking through the book.. and theres something about ghosts..?" "i just google translated the title but.." "can we please try to ouija-board the author off the entropyne research.." (this idea.. is stupid.) (however, it might woprk :P)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac sits down next to William, shoulders raised and back straight, though slightly leaning against his friend. He doesn’t answer the unasked question.]

And the author is...?

( @will1amwisp )

Oh, I have an oujia board. Under my bed— my mom doesn’t know I have it, so.. He smiles.

He would also leans onto Isaac. Looking over at Ellane. A little, not happy about Isaac not answering but it’s not like he can’t blame him right now.

@familiarityupp

"uhm.. some guy called... something Allgeier.. which i think is a german name...?" "im gonna google the first name .. its kinda worn away"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac, very lightly, punches William in the thigh.]

Of course you'd have a fucking ouija board, ya nerd.

( @will1amwisp )

Ouuh. William still brings his knee up to his chest.and he falls onto his back. Isaac I’m so much weaker than you..

mmhm… why don’t you..?.??

@familiarityupp

"cause most people dont spend their time trying to contact ghosts..." (they flinch a little when isaac punches william...)

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac grins at William.]

I know.

And why would I???? I didn’t think ghosts existed until like a month ago!!

( @will1amwisp )

I’m a frail pathetic weak booooyyy..

He rolls over onto his stomach. Worming himself up into a sitting position away from Isaac.

Oh come on— you live in an evil town, of course ghosts are real.!!

@familiarityupp

"i mean-... i feel like ghosts are fairly plausible compared to the rest of the shit here.."

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac giggles -giggles!?- at William's antics.]

Ok but like. Why would I assume that there'd be ghosts in the evil town? Ghosts aren't necessarily evil, are they?

( @will1amwisp )

William stands up. Jumping off his bed, and getting down on his stomach again. reaching under his bed for the oujia board.

Righhht??

I don’t know. If I was ghost I’d be evil, i’d haunt you for sure Isaac.

@familiarityupp

(Ellane scoots out the way on the bed so taht he can get under) "soo-.. theres like 6 different methods to making the board work.. but the one we've got involves rope and the dead bird you have down there!" "we gotta soak a rope in its blood.. and then ring it round the board- cause the entropynes are connected to the afterlife it makes a sort of shakey,, spiritual gateway- too weak for any sort of returning and all but it should work for basic object interaction?"

( @isaac-brooks

[Isaac moves to hang halfway off the bed, upside down.]

Yeah but that's because you're mean, not evil. Or maybe haunting isn't even evil! Maybe it's just someone that's dead trying to interact with their friends who are still alive!!

[Isaac reaches out and tries to poke at William's face, but since he's upside down, his aim is awful.]

I think I might have some rope in my room. Bella liked to go rock climbing.

( @will1amwisp )

The hell are you doing Isaac?..

He pulls the Oujia board out from under his bed. It’s actually not dusty at all. He must use it often.

I don’t know man, every ghost I’ve been has been evil, or at least has done evil things. Whether it be accidental murder or overlapping whispering which drives you crraaazy.

he goes silent at the mention of Bella. He just looks over at Ellane whilst they explain the methods.

@familiarityupp

MMmm.. i reckon this ghost will be different to lucia tho,, we're just talking to it.. not actually summoning it Ellane re-reads the book Yeah.. uhm isaac can you get the rope-.. and i guess me and Will have to bleed a bird..?

( @isaac-brooks

Mememememe. Sounds like you're just scared, Will.

[Isaac glides down until his head hits the floor, at which point he puts his hands under him and starts walking on his hands towards the door.]

Sure I can!

( @will1amwisp )

Hmm.. shut the fuck Isaac!?

He grabs a crumpled up piece of paper off the ground and throws it at Isaac’s head.

Oh! Yay, bleeding birds sounds soooo… much. Fun.

@familiarityupp

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William walks into the woods. At least it isn’t dangerous now. He looked down at the grave Lucia laid in. Kneeling down and reaching to pick her out and lay her next to him.

@luciaverneshteine

luciaverneshteine

As he moves her, she stirs a little, before eventually waking up and sitting up with a yawn.

She looks around and then notices William and her eyes go wide

"I can explain"

She looks at the grave

"no I can't-"

No. I really don’t think you can.

Why are you in Deadwood still? Why are you in the woods? and did you eat poisonous berries??

luciaverneshteine

She scratches the back of her head

"IIIIIIIII... Uh... I am in deadwood. Because I am going to help with the entropyne. And you can't stop me... I'm in the woods because I am searching for something on behalf of a client.. and I thought they were cherries..."

She gives a nervous smile

William sighed and rolled his eyes.

What client? … I don’t think belladonna nightshade or whatever they were called look like cherries..

Go back to your sisters. Surely they are worried about you. He crossed his arms.

luciaverneshteine

"ah, that information is secret. However it involves something that was... Accidentally... Brought to deadwood."

She clicks her tongue

"besides. Ember knows I'm here, she told me I should help with the entropyne problem."

Oh.

…

Is that bad?

Ember should not be encouraging this.

luciaverneshteine

She puts her hands together, then takes them apart again and shrugs

"depends what you define as bad? I mean it's not the worst thing in the world. But it's not the best"

She stands up, a little unsteady, clearly a bit dizzy still from the berries. But she gets her footing

"hey! I'm a big girl! I can help just as much as you can with this! Also Ember worries about people she can't help... So just don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"

Great… just sort that out then or… whatever I don’t know.

William rubbed his eyes, not as hard as he usually does. Scratches over his eyes and everything.

You’re like… 12. Just because you are 3 years younger than me doesn’t mean you should risk your undead life.

luciaverneshteine

"I will! Hopefully before they decide the forest isn't nice enough!"

She looks a little worried, but she's also doing a pretty good job of hiding it

"you still have a life. You shouldn't risk that. I can be fixed. You not so much. You're taking a larger risk than I am"

Dark young IS banished so… the woods are safer at least.

Hmm. You have a point, but still. This isn’t your stuff to deal with.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah. Just. If you feel something watching you. Let me know. Ive been having a hard time finding this thing... Object..."

She doesn't seem so sure as she says object. But she stretches a little and gets ready to wander off deeper into the forest.

As she stretches, dirt dust comes a little unlodged and she has to dust off her toga again. There's dirt and grime stuck in her stitches.

William tilts his head at her.

Okay..? He stares at her for a bit. Do you want me to come with? So that you don’t.. eat more berries?

luciaverneshteine

"Oh! Yeah! That sounds good"

As she speaks. William notices something (hard success on spot hidden from Wiwi). In the distance, just beyond some trees. There's something staring. It looks like him. But not really. It looks like a younger him, only about 5 or 6 years old, crying because he thought he saw a monster in the dark. But the things crying isn't sincere. It's mocking. Like it's mocking. Mocking him for crying. Then, it makes eye contact with him. It's eyes are just slightly wrong. And it smiles, then it melts into the ground, and the feeling of being watched ceases.

Just as the creature disappears, Lucia turns around to see what William is looking at and she turns back to him with mild confusion and worry.

"did you see something?"

Mmhmm, I’m already out here sss..oo..?

William stares at the spot that the creature was. He takes a deep breath and looks back to Lucia.

Yeah. You sure it’s an object?

luciaverneshteine

"hopefully we can find it quickly"

Her smile drops instantly as he asks if it's an object

"maybe it's best if you don't come with. It's getting dark anyways. You wouldn't want to worry your parents!"

…

I’m coming with. I’m always out past my curfew. All I have to do is lie and say I was at Isaac’s or visiting Lui at the hospital. He shrugged.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at him

"no."

She crosses her arms and sits down criss cross applesauce like a pouting child, though she scratches at her stitches again, trying to get the dirt out of the stitches at her wrists unsuccessfully.

William stares down at her briefly. And then he scoops her up— easily throwing her over his shoulder and he keeps walking through the woods.

Tell me if you see anything behind you. I’ll look up ahead.

Also I can get you water, after. For the dirt in your stitches?

luciaverneshteine

"aaaaAAAA?!"

She starts flailing a little, though eventually settles when she realizes flailing is getting her nowhere

"O-okay."

She's shaking a little, but she still obeys and keeps an eye out

"maybe... Maybe a little soap as well? It's been almost two decades since I last cleaned them out properly..."

She laughs nervously.

"I guess I should probably explain what we're looking for..."

Yeah, whatever you need. — you should take more care of yourself. Funny coming from me but, it’s true.

Yeah. Maybe you should.

luciaverneshteine

"it's called a reflection. I don't know much about them, but they're pretty harmless so long as they stay in areas with very few people"

She shrugs

"they can be kind of mean..."

"I take plenty care of myself! I just... Don't rinse my stitches often"

She sounds offended at his accusations of little self care, although deep down she knows it's true

Mmm… the name makes sense at least. The woods aren’t… no they are pretty big— we should be able to find it.

How did it even get here?

Well, you should.

luciaverneshteine

"uhhhh, well... It may have latched onto Caligo's scroll before Astra sent her here the first time... And Caligo lost it... When playing hide and seek with you..."

She smiles sheepishly

"I didn't know! Okay? And Caligo didn't know it had weaseled it's way into the scroll until it had escaped"

…

fun. We need to find this thing then.

luciaverneshteine

"it's less a matter of finding and more a matter of catching. It appears hungry... So it'll be difficult to catch"

I think… everything you just said is worrying. Do you know how to catch it?

luciaverneshteine

"Nope! I just keep jumping at it and hoping one of these times I'll hit it"

She smiles as she attempts to wriggle out of his grasp, yet she yet again fails.

…

One of us can distract it and the other one can pounce at it?

Hey— Stop moving. Are you gonna throw a hissy fit if I put you down?

luciaverneshteine

"I guess! I have to be the one to pounce though! Send it back from whence it came"

She stops moving and starts poking Williams back

"nooooooo"

‘Kay. I’ll be bait or whatever…

He slowly drops Lucia down to the ground.

luciaverneshteine

The moment he puts her down, she immediately turns and starts running towards the exit of the forest

William grabs Lucia by the back of her toga. Where do you think you’re going?

luciaverneshteine

She continues to try and run, though when she realizes she's been grabbed, she turns slightly, stares him dead in the eyes and yanks the end of the toga out of his hand before going back to running, stumbling a bit as she runs, still slightly under the effects of the berries she ate earlier

"You'll never take me alive!!"

I can’t take you alive, you’re dead!

Fiiine! Have fun with your reflection, alone!

luciaverneshteine

As she runs, he watches as she runs straight into a tree, hitting the ground with a small thunk.

"bleh."

William walks over after a while. Looking down at her— again.

Soo. You gonna run again?

luciaverneshteine

She sits up with a pout

"no... No..."

She stares into the distance and sees a figure and she runs straight at it, attempting to launch herself at the figure, although it melts right before she hits it and she goes crashing to the ground.

You’re obviously going to have to be sneakier than that! That’s why I said have one of us be bait and the other pounce.

luciaverneshteine

She stands up and dusts off her toga

"I am sneaky! I'm the sneakiest! This thing is simply evading me!"

She pops what looks like a spherical piece of black licorice in her mouth.

"I hate fetch jobs. Almost as bad as listening to Cassius whine after losing an argument"

You’re like… drugged by berries.

He patted her head. Looking around.

If you’re not going to… do this properly. How about let me try and grab it?

luciaverneshteine

"nuhuh!!!"

She tries to grab his hands when he pats her, but she misses

"okay... Okay! You try!"

I will. If I see it.

luciaverneshteine

After a while of wandering he sees it, this time, its mocking him stressing over a case, though still no sound leaves the reflection. It still looks just ever so slightly off, eyes different sized, too many teeth and as it notices him, it forms a smile so wide it looks like it's made of putty.

Lucia points it out, though she just silently points at it, eyes wide.

"Thing. There. Look!" She whispers aggressively

Wow it’s a friendly fucker isn’t it? He whispers back. Gross.

Go around. Try to get behind it and grab it… or, whatever.

luciaverneshteine

She sneaks around back and manages to tackle it and in an instant they both disappear.

Then, two minutes later, Lucia reappears without the reflection and gives William a thumbs up and a smile.

"that's my brother's issue now!"

She lays down, as if she's kinda just given up on moving

Cassius’? How’s that his problem? Actually. Yeah make him deal with it, he sucks.

luciaverneshteine

"he knows how to hunt the things... That's why!"

She raises her arms and does little grabby hands, then thinks and pulls out some of the candies from her pocket. Theres one or two nightshade berries in the handful, but most of them are the candies she normally carries around.

She looks at her hand and picks out the nightshade berries before offering the regular candies back to him. Though she doesn't make a move to get up off the ground

"you said you wanted candies, sic?"

There’s multiple—??

Oh. Yeah please— also throw the berries away.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah, they're one of the things that just exist in my hometown... But they exist outside of it too, just not in big quantities"

She forces herself to sit up and she hands him the candies. Then she just stares at the berries in her hand and it is VERY clear what she's debating

Your hometown sucks. I thought Deadwood was bad.

William puts the candies in his pockets and then he slaps the berries out of her hand.

No.

luciaverneshteine

"it has its ups and downs...."

When he slaps the berries out of her hand, she looks at him with nothing but pure betrayal and heartbreak. She looks like she's about to cry

"but they were so sweet and tasty and we don't really get berries as often at home..."

They are poisonous and they seemed to make you high Lucia. You were-.. weird to say the least. I saw your blog messages.

luciaverneshteine

She pouts and crosses her arms again

"I'm not high! I swear... I'm just a little low on energy cause of work right now... Having a full time job is a lot of work you know?!"

She scratches at her stitches again and he realizes, she's actually trying to adjust one or two of them, as the dirt in them has caused them to shift a little

You should take a break and… clean and fix yourself up, literally.

luciaverneshteine

"I- actually got approved for a break! Which means two weeks from yesterday, I'll be off for a week! And I have no clue what I'll do with that time, but I'll have it?"

She lifts her arms again above her head and does little grabby hands

"I wish I could fly. And. And. I'd see really really cool things, but instead I'm just stuck as a knock off musician"

Okay so take the break then..??

Knock off musician, that’s funny.

luciaverneshteine

She stares at her hands with horror, then after a few minutes she looks up, at nothing in particular and just whispers,

"magician?"

She frowns a little and just puts her head in her hands

"thinking's hard"

… are you okay? You’re seriously— maybe I should’ve let you sleep in that grave dude.

luciaverneshteine

"I'm fine..."

She doesn't sound very sure.

"no. No. No sleep. That's how they get you..."

…

William patted her head.

There there. Go home.

luciaverneshteine

She shakes her head in mild terror.

"I can't. I can't go home... I was there earlier and my brother was there but he had his sword out and was waving it around and please don't make me go back... Its scary..."

It takes her a moment, but she stops as soon as she's rambling and takes a moment, glancing around a little

"sorry. Sorry. You're right. I should go home."

William looks… concerned.

No. No it’s fine. If you’re in danger stay.. Just get out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

"no. No it's fine. I'm fine. Sorry. I shouldn't have told you about that. Everything is fine back at my home. I don't mind the sword. And everything is perfectly fine with my brother."

She seems to be trying to convince herself at the same time

You’re lying to yourself.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia finally stands back up and points at William

"you. Can prove nothing"

She slowly starts backing away

"I was never here!!! I'm a figment of your imagination!!!"

Lucia, if you run away, I’m just going to summon you.

luciaverneshteine

She stops moving backwards and trudges her way back over to him

"okay... Okay..."

She tilts her head a little

"do you guys have any new leads on the entropyne? Oh! And how's Ellane doing? They are still staying with you, yeah?"

Ellane’s…. Fine. He seems unsure; that much is obvious. He also looks away.

Entropyne stuff, not really. I don’t think we’ve learnt anything more since we went through the pages.

luciaverneshteine

Lucia looks over her shoulder for just a second

"okay... How many days are left? And how can I help?"

She starts spinning

"weeeeeeeeee"

William crosses his arms.

Like… 4 or 3? I haven’t kept track.

Lucia. If you’re not going to be serious I’m leaving.

luciaverneshteine

She stops spinning

"sorry... Sorry! Please don't forget leave me..."

She walks up to him, as if she's ready to follow him

Why don’t you go home?

There’s nothing to do right now. You caught your… thing.

luciaverneshteine

"because if I leave... And something happens that I could have prevented... That makes me just as bad as them."

She scratches at her stitches again, attempting to redo the knot on one of them as it had come a little undone

"also I'm worried Cassius might be mad at me after I basically dropped that thing straight on his head..."

William grabs her hands, pulling them away from her stitches. Knock it off, go fix them safely, at my house or somewhere else.

You’re still a kid whether you’ve been “alive” for hundreds of years or not. Don’t:.. worry too hard.

luciaverneshteine

She stops scratching them and instead just stares at him, as if expecting him to lead the way

"I think I'm allowed to worry about things... Plus, I think of you as a friend and even if you don't think of me as one, that means I'm allowed to want to help you!"

She almost starts spinning again, but she stops herself, remembering what he said about leaving her behind.

"sorry, I'll stop fiddling with the stitches"

He stared at Lucia. We are friends I just. I don’t want anything happening to you.

Your sisters would murder me.. hah.

He lets go, slipping his hands into his hoodie pocket. Good.

luciaverneshteine

"I'd rather you not die young if I have a say in it"

She shrugs

"eh, unless something goes terribly wrong, you're safe"

She starts walking in circles around him, tired of standing still

Mmmm… that’s fair, I highly doubt I’m going to make it to 18 with how this helltown is like sometimes.

… thaaanks, I feel real safe

… do you wanna come back to mine? Fix your stitches.

luciaverneshteine

"well you outlived me, so that's an accomplishment!"

She nods

"that'd be nice, they're starting to bother me"

Hehe. By 3 years!

Yeah, figured so. Let’s go then.

luciaverneshteine

She nods and silently follows him, occasionally looking over her shoulder, as if she's trying to make sure they aren't being followed

William puts a hand out behind his back for Lucia as he leads her out of the woods.

luciaverneshteine

She awkwardly stares at it for a while as they walk before eventually taking his hand hesitantly.

"what is it with humans and doing that? I mean taking random people's hands while they walk? Is there a purpose?"

It’s to keep someone close by, so that they don’t get lost. It gives them a sense of comfort.

… usually good for leading people.

William sighed. He didn’t need to think about that time with Norah. Wasn’t important.

luciaverneshteine

"oh! Okay! You guys have a lot of stuff here that kinda confuse me... Like saying bless you when someone sneezes, or having children deal with the supernatural instead of the adults"

Bless you is just, a nice gesture. And nobody else seems to notice all the messed up stuff, usually the elderly and the young.

luciaverneshteine

"mmm, back home saying bless you is a good way to get punched. Or have people think you're weird. Normally we say.. uhh. Curse. It used to be gone with thine curse, but after a while it shortened to just curse"

She nods

"you would think with how much seems to go on here, someone would notice. But eh, I guess that's one more thing that's gotten better dealt with in my hometown than yours"

Oh. Yeah, Uh. Religion from Earth, Christianity or whatever.. passed on to Prime I guess. I think that’s what Bless you originates from? Because it’s like… blessing… you…??

Not really. Sometimes I feel like it’s just me and my friends.

luciaverneshteine

"yeah... I vaguely know the origin of the phrase bless you, it just never made sense. Oh! Curse is regional to the northern areas of my hometown. In the southern regions, which is around where I live, we use begone. From the same original phrase of course!"

"it shouldn't. There should be someone who can help. Like you guys should have hunting groups or something"

…

Begone is scarier than curse. And I’m not sure if that’s because I was brought up religious or not. Because that’s a… Begone Satan! Kind of.. word..??

Who cares.. this is just a dumbfuck town in fuck knows where. No superheroes, no super villains, just… bullshit supernatural stuff.

luciaverneshteine

"as far as I'm aware, my world in general has no heroes... I've only ever seen them on the covers of books in the windows of comic book shops.."

She speeds up a little to keep up with his fast walking pace

"I think people should care, I mean you guys have no archives for these things, you don't have people who know how to hunt them, you don't even get use out of them after their deaths, just one and done. Very inefficient. At least in my opinion"

Hmm. Yeah that’s accurate. The resurgence or whatever, gives people superpowers in extremely traumatic moments. Or artifacts.

Yeah we.. don’t have an archive I just.. I write it all down. The mysteries I mean. Mm… we work it out slowly.

luciaverneshteine

"hmmm terrifying!"

She goes to pick at the stitches on the hand thats holding williams

"I mean, archives would be good for you, sic? I mean tells you how to kill each one, what kind of things you can harvest from them, tells you what to watch out for, you know? Some of our best foods come from supernatural entities"

Yep.

He shakes his hand a little, trying to make Lucia stop.

sic, you mean six??

Yeah. We don’t.. have those. Not until after and then again, just what I’ve written down.

luciaverneshteine

She stops why he shakes his hand

"sorry..."

"no! No.. sic! It's a sorta formal way of agreement. I could also use ita, but eh, doesn't matter"

She yawns a little as they walk

It’s fine.

Ah. I see. Makes sense.

I can carry you if you’d like?

luciaverneshteine

"mmmm maybe... My brain still feels kinda mushy. Bad mushy. It feels like things are watching."

….

Yeah, I’m picking you up.

So he does, he doesn’t throw her over his shoulder before, but he does carry her in— a more comfortable position?

luciaverneshteine

As they continue walking, Lucia falls asleep again, although it's quite a while before she starts shifting in her sleep, as if she's having a nightmare again

William chews on the piece of silver(?) inside his mouth from his snake bite piercings. He just keeps walking, holding her so she doesn’t go tumbling.

luciaverneshteine

She jolts awake at one point, although she falls asleep again pretty quickly

…

someone’s tired.

luciaverneshteine

She stays asleep for the rest of the trip back, and although it's plagued with nightmares, she still needed some kind of rest pretty badly

He does get home, and he does immediately set her down, whether he bothered going upstairs to his room or just dumping her on the couch

are you sure i cant do antthing tk help eith the case??? i want to hellp and j wanna see you guys has there bren anything new at all?

als when r u coming to visit its really boring here

-⭐️

I.. I guess you can; but I don’t want you getting sicker due to stress.

Ah— the Grimoire by the way. Next time I see you, give it to me— unless the doctors have confiscated it, I don’t want you.. reading that again.

Nothing new. Me, Ellane and Isaac are gonna try to oujia board the author of the entropyne Encyclopedia though.

Soon. I promise I will visit you. My mom doesn’t really want me leaving the house right now…

i will br fine its alright

the grinoire… i dint have it anymore… but i wont be reading it abytimr soon if i had it

careful wirh attracting other ghosts ouija bords are reslly messy to use so theres a chance you wont contact the one you gus want

makes snese after the whole doctor thing…

If you say so.

Oh. Is it still at the ritual site? We should… get rid of that.

Yeah, that’s true. We will worry about it when we get there.

yeah. she was really angry about it. I think she wants to sue— I don’t know. Scary.

i thibk it is at the ritual site i dont remeber so much happened

tahts reasonable but im stilk unsure if theres returned here at the hospital so ive been anxious aboit thag

i hope not

I’ll uh. Check back later. Maybe, hopefully. I don’t know. I don’t wanna go back there honestly

Hopefully… not? Hopefully all the returned died or something— I really hope your grandma still isn’t like… alive. I want to walk around safely thank you.

me neither

im not sure either i havenf reallt seen her only my parents have come fo visif me hopefully she’s gone, im nto sure

I’m glad that they have.

Hope everything is… going okay.

Promise I’ll come see you soon.

… also can I- give you the scarf back? I feel really bad keeping it now I. … I shouldn’t get into what happened.

uh id rather you keep it i gave it to hou for s reason adter our promise abd the disagreement we had so at least try to keep it

also they took the necklace you gave me away cus i was wearigg it so im kind of sad about thag

I Okay. I’ll keep it.

what!? Why!? Because it’s a safety hazard??! They better give it back. I made that for you x[

thankyou Will :)

i know i’ve askedbfor it muktiple times but they keep sayingbtjey are gonna give it to me later but they havent

mm

mmmmm.. ask Norahs mom maybe?

she’s been too busy woth other patients so ihavent gotten to see her

You’re Norahs friend, surely she should prioritise you.

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