PLAYER PLOT: Enfenim

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Pel, Sina, Cyril, Beleth, Sorrel, Myr, Saoirse, side of Anders and Alistair
WHAT: A demon has trapped Pel in the Fade.
WHEN: Forward-Dated to 25 Firstfall
WHERE: The Gallows, the Fade
NOTES: Trigger warning bonanza for insects, body horror, corpses, dismemberment/maiming, death, illness, drowning, blood + will update if any more happen.

What am I to do with all of these dolls?
They've covered the floors, they've covered the walls.
They're stacked up chin-high all over the floor,
But my greedy child is screaming for more...

Comments

[mythalenaste]

Sina looks completely different like this, but still as absolutely Sina as she can be. Pel turns and wraps her arms around her, knowing she can finally squeeze as tight as she wants. Everyone else will definitely get hugs, but this is a hug she cannot give in the waking world.

"I knew it was you," she says tearfully. "Thank you."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth appears by herself, expression still distantly placid--Sorrel may be the only one to recognize that it's the calm face she uses when she's feeling anything but, and needs to hold up appearances. For a few long moments, she stares, uncomprehending, at the stone floor, baffled as to why she's suddenly here--Oh.

She sees Sina, looking as healthy--healthier--than the day they met. A small smile begins to warm her face, and it's with a tired relief that she crosses over, reaching to pat Sina warmly on the shoulder. Hugs will wait until Pel's finished.

"That was you?" Not Sylaise then, but this is probably better. Someone that Beleth can actually thank. "You really saved Myr and I. I'm so glad you're here."

[writteninblood]

Sorrel's first impulse, helpless and urgent, had been to rush to Beleth's side the moment he saw her. To touch her, make sure she was whole, unharmed, and real-- if that made any sense, in this context. But he's no sooner put a hand to her shoulder than the next unexpected surprise enters the room.

Relief is first, that Pel is safe now, for whatever good he and Saoirse had done. Cyril and Myr meet a similar easing of tension, the pleasure that comes from a sudden cessation of anxiety

And then, Sina.

"Sina?" He has just barely enough presence of mind to be embarrassed; it's been a long time since he was in any danger of it cracking, but the memory lives in that surprised pitch. It makes him hesitate a moment, "It was you."

She looks... radiant. As powerful and bright as a Spirit, healthy in a way Sorrel had never seen her. As she should have been, were everything to be put right. He takes a step towards her, and then another, full of that wonder.

"It is you. How... You saved us."

[faithlikeaseed]

The demon is scarcely dead--the ordeal ended in eucatastrophe--before they're stepping through another door and into safety. Myr's got to catch his breath for the suddenness of it--for the unmitigated relief of seeing the others likewise alive and whole--before he turns back at the sound of footsteps behind them.

"That was you," he echoes, breaking into a grin to see Sina hale and whole. He moves to join Beleth in the impromptu receiving line, giving her a once-over as he does--she seems none the worse for wear for whatever happened to her after their separation. (Physically, at least. He knows better than to assume that means all's well in the Fade, where the worst harm rarely leaves a trace.)

There's more he'd say--thank you, and I owe you, and it's good to see you at last--but Sorrel more than any of them deserves time with his wife.

[samahl]

Cyril is honestly past the point of trying to process everything that goes on in the Fade now. He'll try to make sense of everything later, when the waking world is around him and he can deal with whatever emotions this place ends up instilling inside of him.

What he does know, in that moment, is that they are safe and Sina is with them - and a lot more about what happened here suddenly makes sense.

He hangs back a bit, lets Pel and Sorrel and the others be the ones to come closer to Sina.

[eolasemah]

Sina laughs at each repetition-- that was you!!-- giving hugs as eagerly as they're offered, to Pel, to Beleth, to Myr and Saoirse and Cyril, should they want. "I've no patience for demons," she says with impish modesty, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You ought to be more careful next time, lethallan." This to Pel, before she turns to Sorrel and embraces him tightly, just a touch longer than the others.

"I've got to go meet someone," she whispers with a smile, "I promise I'll see you again soon." Then she stands on her tiptoes, just long enough to press her lips to her bond-partner's in a short but affectionate kiss.
Stepping back from him, she balls her hands up in her scarf, the way she would when cold or nervous or just excited; and it's true, she's brimming with energy that she can barely contain. "Sleep well," she offers to everyone gathered, "and wake safely." A pause, as though she's just remembered something, and her face changes only slightly.
"Look after Nari," she says, suddenly becoming aware of her staff again, "...she needs you."

[mythalenaste]

Sina is not afraid. Pel's worst fear was that Sina would be afraid, but she is happy. She is in no pain here. She is bright and full of love.

Mythal, I pray that I can face my own death with such love and grace. I pray I can live to give my heart the way she gives hers. I pray I can remember, forgive, love, and lose when faced with a death not of my choosing. I pray you will protect her as I have tried to, and that when she goes to you at last, she will never know pain or sorrow again.

"I promise I'll be more careful next time," she answers with a laugh. "I'll see you after we wake up. And don't worry about Nari. We'll take care of her."

[sulena]

Saoirse is slow to react at first. She takes in everything (and everyone) around her, before she spots Sina and heaves a sigh of relief. She does not falter, reaching out when given the chance to hug the woman in a warm embrace. She hopes it gets her feeling across, tell Sina the words that Saoirse cannot find in the moment and expresses all of her gratitude.

"Sealbh math dhuit," she says in a sing-song tone of voice. "Good luck. We'll all be safe now, thanks to you."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth already has hot tears in her eyes, from happiness or sadness, it's hard to tell, and she wonders if she'll wake with damp eyes. She does her best to avoid getting them on Sina when it's her turn to give her a hug, stepping away with a smile.

"Ma serannas, lethallan. You have done so much good, Sina. I'm honored to have you for a sister."

Her sleeve is used to quickly wipe her eyes--she glances at Myr and gives him a thin smile as well. No, she's not alright, but this isn't about her. She'll manage.

[faithlikeaseed]

Myr meets Beleth's gaze as she looks toward him and returns the smile, faint and sad. He knows, at least, he understands--

But for now he'll step forward and embrace Sina, laying the other worries aside (and taking up a new one: this might be the last--). "Thank you for letting me know you," he tells her, gratitude warm as ever. "It's good to see you at last."

He'll remember her the way she ought to be; he can ask for no more than that. "Walk safely in the Fade, cousin. And rest well--you've earned it."

[writteninblood]

Sorrel accepts the kiss with good grace, arms coming up around Sina automatically. Later, he'll remember this moment like holding a small bird in his hands; it is warm, and it has weight, a life of its own.

But now he lets her slip away from him without resistance, only blinking, pleased at the attention, fond to see her joy, the light and strength of her. For this moment, Sorrel feels as if perhaps everything will turn out aright after all.

But then he listens. And blinks, confused; Nari? Why would they need to look after Nari? Later, too, he'll kick himself for not realizing in this moment, for not saying anything.

"We'll be alright, ma lath. Don't worry."

[eolasemah]

Another grin, cast about at the others, and Sina turns to leave again through the bedroom door that has become an archway covered in wisteria. There's a faint breeze, warm and aromatic, like the gardens in summer, and Sina is gone.
As they awaken, everyone has the fleeting dream-memory of a little halla bounding joyfully through a field of tall grass.