Ritual 19 - Vengeance

[wooliefrand]

WHO: Sheep
WHERE: The Pasture
WHEN: Evening, Day 54 (to give some buffer to post-rescue talks during the day)

[Well THAT was a trip. But everyone is returned home relatively safely, the mushrooms are under control, and Death's eye is closed. Maybe things can return to semi-normalcy.

Lol. Lmao.

A dark shadow suddenly sweeps across the Pasture, and you'll find yourself forcibly yanked from where you stand, lay in bed, or otherwise where you're minding your business--though, some will be missed, inevitably. Those who get grabbed though get to glimpse at a massive shadow-like demon, wolf like in appearance but with giant ram horns, glaring down at you. His voice speaks as a whisper in your minds.

You will Speak his Vengeance.

If you do not speak it, I will enact it on his Behalf.

A random sheep waddles by, and then shadows overtake it--the poor sheep begins to contort, gasping for air as it's stretched and twisted into an unnatural eldritch mass, but still Very Much Alive. It rolls off to enjoy its eternal suffering.

And just like that you're yanked into the shadows, the demon's Intent clear in your heads. It's Ritual Time.]

[ooc: Please go to your rooms and check in if you are playing!
Daffodil + Teleute
Bluebell + Water Genshin Dude
Lily + Bombay
Thistle +Viscous
Clover + Your Name
Rose +Flare, Jackalope
Peony +Epel, Furina

RULES HERE. NO MINGLE, GO.]

Comments

[poisonista]

[ His sense of smell may not be as strong as a beastman, but he knows what blood smells like- he's quickly reaching out, trying to grab a hold of him, somehow. An arm, a shoulder, anything. Belle's own clothes are half clawed through over his right side, and sleeve- some reddening of skin can be seen but at least, no scarring. ]

Rubato, no! Where are you hurt?!

[ More ink blots! He's trying to use his healing magic- ]

Inside, they- my flock- Leviathan.... Angel Devil, their bodies were-!!

[chasseurdebeaute]

I am not hurt anymore, fair Belle--and it seems the situation is the same with the rest of your flock--but you have something lingering?

[poisonista]

[ There's only a moment's relief, before he finally does- reach out and grab Rubato, and tugs him in to hug tight, bursting into tears. At least these are a young man's wails and not an old man's! ]

[chasseurdebeaute]

[honestly if Belle starts crying Rubato is also going to start crying, if more quietly--he's stressed. Holds him gently and then more tightly--sorry you're gonna get soaked through in this weather.]

Aah.. I'm sorry, mon coeur...

[poisonista]

[ Crying on each other is better than not! He doesn't care if he gets soaked, he's just. So shaken up and stressed and this being the first horrible situation one after the other that he's experienced here- is definitely taking its toll on him.

His hand goes up to the back of Rubato's head once he can feel his body against him, crying hard. ]

What was this even for... no one should have been hurt like that...!! I was so afraid it would happen to you and Apple too...!! I'msorryI'msosorry...

[chasseurdebeaute]

It is.. a story we have been pulled into. The people who were here fought--warred--continue to fight--and have.. taken our roles here as a signal of alignment.. to a cause we are getting closer to understanding, but...

But it has been.. frightening.. and gruesome at times... No amount of understanding changes that, non?

1/2

[poisonista]

[ Some of that does get through, he's owed explanations after everything. But he's also terrified and angry. ]


You... you've had to go through these things before... as well?! It's too cruel-how cruel, how...!! How dare they... to you... to anyone!!...


[ The hug grows tighter as he cries, both desperate and protective. How could his dear Rubato be put through this. How could he still be so like himself after witnessing and experiencing horrors he never should have?! ]

[poisonista]

[ His hand feels across his head until it's at Rubato's face, cupping his cheek and his own cheek is against the opposite as he tries to calm himself, but he's shaking as he keeps his other arm around his back. It's ugly crying on his part, but he doesn't want Rubato to hold his own tears for him either. ]

Don't go. Please. I know you'll have to return to your team. I know, but. Please don't go. I don't want to be afraid around anyone that isn't you.

[chasseurdebeaute]

[Shakes his head slightly, not to shake him off or anything. He's staying right there.]

I have enjoyed my time here, Belle. It is not a place I dislike--and so I would see it healed, if it can be. That is why you have felt distant from me, non? Because though I feel this way it has been cruel and confusing and overwhemling to you and people you care for. Fufu, I'm glad at least I have a clearer view of your perspective, now.

Mm--the shepherd's staff has been returned to our proper shepherd. I won't leave you.

[poisonista]

[ Rook Hunt what the fuck...?! Too bad he's too shaken up to properly react to the implication that Rook is absolutely not considering that this place is fucked up?!! Sir?! (Among other things keeping him from truly accepting this place at all, but those things are his own problem.)


There's some relief there when he says he won't go, a shivering exhale releasing against his shoulder. ]

I tried to... keep you and your flock safe... but in the end, we had to leave it to chance. And one of the chances we took- hurt us. I had to watch...

[ He shudders, drawing his head back and pushing his forehead against Rook's once he can feel it. ]

Do you know how the others fared? Besides Thistle... Warden said- Ratatoskr may not have been hurt... but Peony and Daffodil...

[chasseurdebeaute]

[Please rest assured the problem is that Rook has seen a bunch of this place's fucked up little corners and the ways that it or the beings in it have lashed out and hurt people and thinks it is beautiful and worth his love anyway. That's always his problem.]

[He leans a bit heavily in return, he is feeling weary.]

I saw that Peony and Daffodil were well enough to make their retreat to their barns rather quickly--but I'm afraid I don't know much more than that myself.

1/2

[poisonista]

[ Rook Hunt why are you like this. He pulls Rook in so their bodies can stay in an embrace, and keeps their heads together. ]

If you don't know about our poison apple, then he must have not been involved here... thank the stars. We'll have to find him later, but I don't know how far I'll manage without my sight- and being unfamiliar with my surroundings. He should be with us.


[ One hand slides its way down to Rook's hand, holding it. ]

I know my way around the barn, at least. Come inside.

[poisonista]

[ He's turning to move when he grimaces from his turn, clutching his side- though the wound and slash has been mostly healed, the sting is still there. ]

— Ugh....

[chasseurdebeaute]

Ohlàlà! Where are my priorities--you're still injured, Roi du Poison. Ah, you were being held in the bauble after all. Let me heal you!

[poisonista]

Please don't strain yourself, Rubato... you've likely used as much magic as I have.

[ He holds his side, still trying to catch his breath. ]

How does your flock heal...

[chasseurdebeaute]

It is no hardship for me, Belle. I can heal you with a kiss.

[poisonista]

... how convenient.

[ He has to try and hide the rush of heat that pushes through his face at the suggestion. ]

Very... very well. As long as it isn't straining you in any way.

[chasseurdebeaute]

[He cups Belle's face gently with one hand... No, the strain is from before, he thinks... At one point he would have kissed Belle on the lips without a second thought--he would have given it joyfully. But here, this... something about the timing makes his heart ache, or perhaps his spirit is simply still raw from feeling torn apart and put together again.

He'll lean to give Belle a kiss just under his ear--still intimate enough for a strong healing, but saving a proper kiss for... he doesn't know when.]

1/?

[poisonista]

[ !! ]



[ He's not expecting that kind of kiss- and while, yes, it heals, something about a kiss like that makes him feel like his body has been torn apart into shreds. ]

[poisonista]

[ He has to school his expression he can't show his hurt on his face he can't see how Rubato looks right now but he wouldn't have kissed him like this if he wasn't upset he's never been unwilling even if Belle hasn't exactly required him to give him any kind before but this is...


... He's glad he was already crying because the sob that escapes him there can just be a part of his earlier grief. ]

3/3

[poisonista]

I feel better.


[ Lies. He doesn't have the energy to protest. He absolutely deserves to not be treated with any kindness that he doesn't want to give. ]

Thank you. Let's head back.

[ Exhaling, trying to calm his breaths, and hold onto Rubato's sleeve so he knows where he's facing. ]