{ i have seen the dark universe yawning, where the black planets roll without aim;

[matermali]

WHO: Vanessa Ives & OPEN
WHEN: Late August, all of September
WHERE: All over Etraya
WHAT: Mostly horror plot shenanigans, but also a placeholder for TDM or Mingle settings and anything else this month.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Tentacles, body horror, potential compulsion, psychic invasion. (More TBA as needed)


[ ooc; Starters below! Write your own (she can be anywhere) or request one of me. You can PM, DM, or find me at cherto. I am up for whatever. ]

Comments

shadowheart { oh, great was the sin of my spirit,

[matermali]

[tocastashadow]

[Shadowheart realizes too late that she's wandered too deep into the trees. Scratch's ears are plastered to his head, his lips drawn back to bare his teeth, a growl rumbling low in his throat before she hears it.

A howl.

It takes very little for her to feel, all too suddenly, like a terrified little girl again. She knows the memory she has of being chased by a wolf is false, a lie fed to her by Mother Superior to make her afraid. She knows the wolf was not a predator trying to kill her, but her father trying to save her. She knows that wolves are no more dangerous than any other beast that hunts in forests. But a lifetime of fear is not so easily cast aside, and though she tries to calm her heart and steel her nerves, she can't help but remember the tightness in her chest and the acrid taste of fear in her throat when Mother threatened to drag her into the woods and abandon her to the wolves.

To a human, these woods would be dark, but thanks to her elven blood, Shadowheart can see in darkness. To her, the world looks grey, every detail visible but all colour lost. And it's because she can see so well in darkness that she notices the figure coming through the trees before it reaches her.]

Vanessa?

[matermali]

[ She hears Shadowheart before seeing her, but Vanessa had already sensed her presence. The woman is not exactly normal. Whatever lives inside of her has its own tainted siren song that has been easier for her to pick up on ever since their first ritual attempt. She may not have succeeded at subduing it, but she had recognized the feel of it. Just like the vampire's parasite.

Of course, she had been in no hurry to make mention of this at the time. It would bring up too many questions that would not paint Vanessa in a good light if answered honestly. How did they have the same tadpole? Perhaps the vampire had passed it onto the woman in an assault.

She hates to think that they could have been friendly.

Vanessa has been finding it more difficult to ignore these dark whispers of late, though. How much does she actually know about Shadowheart? Relatable trauma does not immediately a friend make. Vanessa has been far too inviting on this matter. She has been pathetic, letting an old loneliness rule so many of her actions. Why can't she be satisfied with what she already has?

When finally spotting the other woman's silhouette amongst the shadows, alongside her dog, Vanessa nods her greeting. Had she also been drawn to the call of the wolves? Or...perhaps hoping to escape them. ]

Did you hear them?

[tocastashadow]

[Shadowheart had thought, tentatively at least, that she'd found a friend in Vanessa. Someone who also knows what it is to be forsaken, someone who understands the emptiness she feels in a way few others could. She's almost relieved to see her.

That is, until Scratch growls again, his attention now fully directed at the woman coming towards them through the trees. His hackles are up, his fangs still bared and his ears back, and he's low to the ground as though ready to pounce. She's never seen him react like that to a person before. Not even Astarion.

She trusts Scratch's instincts.

Her stance shifts slightly, readying herself to fight, if necessary.]

The wolves? Of course I did. We should leave this place.

[matermali]

[ The dog's reaction is somewhat startling, and Vanessa's eyes narrow with her own suspicion as she looks to Scratch. And here she thought she'd been making a friendly impression on the beast, what with the occasional plate of scraps left out, but perhaps the animal is overly tense because of other threats. He may just be preparing to defend against waves.

No. He's looking at you. He sees you for what you are.

He wouldn't dare. If nothing else, an animal should recognize when they are facing a more dangerous predator.

After a moment, she reaches up to fold her arms, as if hugging herself, and glances over one shoulder in the direction she came from. ]

Surely you aren't afraid? They are merely wolves.

[ Once, she would have been more cautious, but since meeting Ethan, she has quite a better handle on beasts. ]

There are greater threats in the night. In any world.

constantine { and great is the reach of its doom;

[matermali]

[ Nobody else had been there when it first happened. As far as she's heard, nobody else had encountered the same creature. At least, not in the same way that Vanessa had.

It should be of no surprise that her encounter would differ from others. That always seems to be the case. Either the dark forces are fanatic about hunting her down, or strangely intimate in how they explore her. And how often has she been the one to let them in?

But, when recounting that particular event, the details are something of a haze. She can't give anything a name, or explain what happened to her. She can barely understand what it is that she feels. All she knows is that something was left unfinished in their previous encounter. Incomplete. Something in her needs a satisfaction that she can't yet understand.

The text she sends is rather succinct, compared to the proper letters she has attempted in the past. She doubts Johanna will be able to resist her own curiosity. ]

Constantine,

There is something that I would like to discuss.

The Catacombs. One hour.

~ Vanessa Ives

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Hey. Hey Ives. Ives? Ives. Just because you are accurate does not make you interesting!!

Which is to say, yes. Yes, her curiosity is irresistible. And on top of that, her fucking concern upon getting a "We need to talk" text. Why do old-timey people keep doing this to her! Why do people she's not dating keep making her feel like she is about to be broken up with!

Anyway.

Obviously she shows up.

The catacombs are not someplace she's gone out of her way to explore, thus far. When she arrives, she notes the sign above the entrance: Arrête! C'est ici l'empire de la Mort. Not just any catacombs, then. She recognizes this from a job in Paris.

What the hell is Etraya, anyway? ]

Pardonnez-moi, l'empire de la Mort, [ she mutters as she starts inside. ] Wherever you all came from, just remember I didn't bring you here, alright?

[ Then, louder: ] Ives? Hallo?

[matermali]

[ Having picked up on some of Johanna's greeting towards the eternally silent occupants of the catacombs, Vanessa's smile is somewhat wry as she steps from the shadows corner she had been waiting in.

She might as well have appeared out of nowhere. ]

Not all of them are genuine, you know.

[ Which would be impossible to tell just by looking or feeling, should one dare to be so sacrilegious, but Vanessa knows death when it is near. She doesn't need to touch them. ]

Still, more convincing than the empty graves of the City.

[keepgodwaiting]

[ For once -- this once! -- Johanna is expecting that Vanessa will be coming out of some mysterious shadowy corner like a bloody ghost, and so she does not swear and whirl around like she usually would. She is extremely calm and collected when she turns to face Ives, thank you, and not at all wigged out by Vanessa's sepulchral tones.

(They may not be inherently very sepulchral, it's just, you know. They are literally in a sepulchre.) ]

Not sure if that makes me feel better or worse, honestly.

hob { not the pity of heaven can cheer it,

[matermali]

[ While Vanessa had initially worried about the impact of Hob’s arrival on Dream's mental state, given that he had forgotten so much of their closeness, she had also hoped that such a gap in awareness wouldn't prevent further attempts at bonding. As such, it had seemed best to keep a slight distance while the man ‘settled in’, so to speak, and prevent any opportunity to further complicate things by answering questions that were better left alone. Should they need the time to get to know one another again, she didn't want her presence to be a distraction.

Still, enough time seems to have passed, and after a certain point it would be beyond rude to not even visit the residence he had chosen.

Is it rude? Perhaps he prefers it that way. Why would he want you around if Morpheus isn't also present?

There's only the barest hesitation before gently rapping her knuckles against the front door of the address he had shared. Hanging on one arm is a small basket with a tea cloth draped across. This time, it isn't hiding any dangerous plants, but something of a housewarming gift. ]

[100more]

[ Things haven't exactly been quiet since Hob's arrival. They spent a considerable amount of time on another planet or plane or whatever that was. Now they're back, and Hob has had enough time to get properly settled into his flat.

He's wondered often how Dream, and even Vanessa, might be getting along. Hob was actually thinking of paying a visit to them soon, since he hasn't heard from either since his arrival, apart from a visit from Dream when he first moved. Maybe they don't want to see him? He probably shouldn't bother a couple in their private home.

Now, he's passing the time with a book when he hears the knock, so he sets his book aside and goes to answer the door, only to be surprised by the visitor. ]

Oh! Vanessa, how nice to see you. What brings you here?

[matermali]

[ Her smile is slight, but she nods courteously in a returned greeting, and offers out the basket in hand. ]

I had hoped to welcome you properly to your new residence, as much as one can under these circumstances.

[ Should he look in the basket, Hob will discover a collection of canned soups and a couple of cereal boxes. All similar to what she had seen him consume back in the City. Alongside them is a plain tin of coffee beans, of much nicer grind than Corrine's Café has to offer. ]

[100more]

[ Hob blinks and accepts the basket. When he spies the contents, he's a little taken aback. Again, he's reminded how others seem to know him, which is a bit unsettling. The gesture is appreciated, though. ]

That's very kind of you. Would you like to come in? I'd love to catch up.

[ It has been awhile, and Hob would hear how things have been with her and Dream since he last saw them. ]

hannibal { nor can respite be found in the tomb:

[matermali]

[ It's common enough not to talk overmuch during some hunts, so as not to scare away potential prey, but that shouldn't be stopping her this time. They're merely making the rounds to see if her snares have caught anything, so it hardly matters if they first announce themselves.

She is lost in thought, however, occasionally scratching at the back of her hand while grinding her teeth. It can be easy for a casual observer to miss, but that is no description for Hannibal, and so perhaps she ought to take a greater care in how she presents herself.

Especially considering his profession.

She had been the one to invite him along despite this anxiety, though. Even in her tense silence, there is something about him that draws her in and keeps her close. Something within him.

He hides his own demons, certainly, but why would she want to meet them? ]

[relished]

[as much as Vanessa is following a familiar path, Hannibal is following the scent of fresh blood. they'd been successful, it's only a matter of getting there. in their silence, she's loud. not in the way that makes animals scatter, but in her actions. she's fidgeting more than usual, and looking at her, he can see the muscles in her jaw clench.

a few long minutes go by between them. he wonders if she'll bring up what ails her, but she doesn't. without putting too much attention on her as they continue forward, he gives her a sidelong glance.]

Is there something on your mind?

[a gentle approach, left more open should she want to steer the direction somewhere else.]

[matermali]

When is there not?

[ Her response is somewhat cheeky, however much truth lies in the claim. There is a heavy pause before she continues, with steps remaining deliberate and silent as they move on to the next snare several yards away. ]

Only, sometimes I wonder if this is ever going to end. What an ending would even mean, anymore. I had thought that my past could not follow me here, and yet even where I can no longer see it, I can hear it. As though it has run ahead of me and calls my name. Hidden behind every corner. Behind every tree.

...Does that make any sense?

[relished]

[lips quirk up to suggest a half-smile, amused by her wittiness. it's as gone as quickly as it appeared, expression becoming less and less readable as she goes on. they're similar in many ways. darkness envelopes Vanessa in a way that drowns her, while Hannibal embraces it, welcomes it.]

It does. [only some reassurance there, delicately on the lilt of his voice.] Your past will always be part of you. Do you want to run from it, as it runs ahead of you?

daisy { sown the infinite aeons come beating the wings of unmerciful gloom.

[matermali]

[morethan084]

[It's late, and despite the dangers that lurk here, especially as of late, Daisy doesn't return to the apartments until well after midnight. The streets are, for the most part, empty. So it's easy for Daisy spot someone near the entrance to the apartment building.]

Waiting for someone?

[Daisy asks as she approaches, making her presences known as to not startle the woman.]

[matermali]

[ While she has no one in particular to visit at the moment, she can't sleep, and Vanessa is reluctant to hurry back to the house where someone might wonder about recent...behavior. There are also fewer ‘helper bots’ here at the apartments than at the café, from where she had recently swiped a bottle of water and one of the books they often had on display.

This time, it's the classics. Keats seems to know just what to say when she's in moods like this. ...Whatever ‘this’ means. Nothing good. Familiar in the worst of ways.

So she lingers, seated on a bench just outside the apartments. If anyone else is awake at this hour, it's likely that they have their own demons keeping them up, and something in her is more than eager to find out who else struggles to keep a restful sleep these days.

Glancing up from her poetry, Vanessa watches the approaching young lady with a wary gaze, scarcely blinking even as she offers a terse smile. Manners are still not beyond her, but her greeting is as cool as her gaze, even with invitation and a nod to the seat beside her. The old-fashioned dress and coat shielding her top to bottom may not help with the appearance of approachability.

Her voice is low, husky in how it carries her English accent. ]

No one just at the moment, though I wouldn't turn away company. I am surprised to see someone else out so late.

[morethan084]

[Between the way the woman is dressed, and the way she talks, Daisy’s mind can’t help but go to horror movies she’s seen before. Not that she’s actively scared of this woman. If anything the thought amuses her.]

So you’re just sitting out here, reading?

[Daisy asks, noting the book in her hands as she takes a seat on the bench. She’s just finished a late dinner at the diner, which she goes to often as a source of comfort.]

gorgug { thro’ the ghoul-guarded gateways of slumber,

[matermali]

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug misses a lot about being in Elmville, but if he misses anything about school, it's the work he was doing making sense. Figuring out spells on magical mirrors would be easier with teachers and the resources, and so might be the answer of how to reverse it, but--it's not like he's alone, right? He's gotta get used to reaching out for help, somebody told him that. Make do with the people around him. Even if it ends up with someone else scratching their head like he's been, it's better than doing it alone.

And that potential someone is Vanessa. Or hidden, snake lady -- adept with spells and adult enough that Gorgug shoots her a message to ask if she would look over some mirror pieces he's been trying to fix, and the language of the mirror's spell he was manage to drag out through analysing it. She agrees, and he's optimistic, and so he makes the journey to the mansion that she stays at equipped with nothing much but himself, his artificer's tool belt strapped over his hoodie, and a simple black cotton carrier bag in a green hand.

There's his cordless headphones too, but those get pulled off his ears and hang around his neck before he rings the doorbell, and waits with a restlessness in one foot that's more awkward than impatient.

A little awkward is his usual resting state. ]

[matermali]

[ Vanessa truly has no idea if she can be of any assistance in this particular matter, but she would never forgive herself for failing to try. Given what was revealed by others, there are those she knows trapped beyond these mirror shards. Vanessa herself could have easily become a victim of such a curse had she not been suddenly distracted away from the bizarre call of yet another realm's entrapment.

You should have known something else was going on. How could you miss it? Too twisted up in your own self-pity. Selfish girl.

Given that she expects the company, it's only moments after he rings his announcement that the steel door opens to reveal Vanessa on the other side, and she's quick to step back to gesture him on in with a welcoming, if thin smile.

There really is nothing to be jovial about.

Is there ever? ]

Good evening. Please, come in.

[tinflower]

[ His own smile is a tug, awkward thing that suits his character, and he steps in when allowed. ]

Thanks. Have-- you been okay? Your friends?

[ It's small pleasantries, but they're not false; something to ask and answer while they might move to another room, unless Vanessa stops them to talk more about the problems in the foyer. Which Gorgug can do, but still! He has some manners. ]