patisserie lysitherie: preparations

[notimeforfailure]

[a. video, un: charon, ota]

Good evening, Trench. The grand opening of... [she frowns as she says the next part] the Patisserie Lysitherie is currently scheduled for November 15th, pending any horrible Trenchian incidents. So most likely, November 30th.

As we prepare for transition into our new space, I'm seeking a few things.

First, Architects or anyone good with woodworking and metalworking to remodel the existing building and to install a few necessary appliances. I need more ovens. Anyone interested in helping with the business is welcome, too, of course.

Second, if any recreational businesses are interested in a steady supply of pastries - for instance, a café or a bookstore - I'm open to partnerships.

Third, if you've got a cake or a sweet from home you're just dying to experience, I'd like to start collecting recipes from all of you Sleepers. I began this business to revive my beloved nostalgic sweets, but I realize... I'd like to be able to bring that experience to others, too.

[b. Willful Machine, early November, ota]

Augh!

[There comes a loud explosion from a rather derelict building in the middle of the Willful Machine district. A half-dozen thumps and clangs follow. ...Then the upper story of the building drops about three feet, releasing an enormous plume of smoke that settles over wary shoppers and merchants.  A girl covered in a thick layer of dust stumbles out ten seconds later and falls backwards on the ground.]

I suppose... that takes care of the rodent issue.

[The building belches out a gout of flame behind her.]

[c. Lysithea's home (Gaze), early November, for new and old customers, employees, or other general CR]

[With the bakery operations in full swing and the storefront not yet ready, Lysithea's home is in perpetual activity. Whether she's fulfilling orders, experimenting with new pastries, or bullying her employees, Lysithea works tirelessly to make her dream a reality. For the time being, her work as an Arcane Scholar in the School of Mutter is suspended as she focuses on her craft.]

Look out - hot pan behind you!

Yes, yes, of course - I can do a dozen mini-cakes for you by tomorrow; that won't be a problem.

Here to collect? If you would sign this form here and fill out what you plan to trade...

You've procured the cinnamon? Wonderful! How much did it cost us? Did you have to give up the hematite?

[Regardless of why you're here, she'll open the door with smudges of honey and chocolate all over her face and an exhausted, though satisfied expression.]

Comments

[possessum]

( Sorry, Lysithea..... But it definitely doesn't count. This... thing is hardly a boy, really. Just a mess.....

One with many complications, as Paimon listens to her for a long moment in silence and then speaks up quickly before Peter can. He's clearly the dominant twin here. )

You may give me commands, for you are a being of great magic. My vessel is only a human, and therefore has no right.

( There are ancient rules he must follow, and it's all about Hierarchy, for Paimon. He obeys witches, mages, those who have summoned him... and Lucifer. Peter is completely nonmagical and normal (well, aside from the effects this place have had on him); at the very least, he is certainly not a magician or a summoner, and so he has no place in bossing Paimon around or giving him any kind of direction. )

But yes, these rules are reasonable. ( There's a solemn nod, and then he lets Peter speak up again. As soon as he breaks through for that brief moment, he's shaking, shuddering, once again as though very cold. Peter... really doesn't handle this well; it's hard on his mental and physical state alike.

This is inevitably going to end with him passed out cold on the floor of Lysithea's bakery for several hours. )

Y-yeah, that's.... yeah.

( He looks to Lysithea with wide eyes, shuddering still. )

I won't command him or— wh-whatever. But how is it fair that I never get to— to ask him to do anything? He gets to do whatever he wants and I just— I just have to deal with it.

( ...This seems to be less "communicating with each other" and more "airing their grievances about each other to Lysithea." But maybe it's good to get some of it out into the open.... )

[notimeforfailure]

[Well, that was very flattering. As much as Lysithea suspected that to be the case (her mind flickering back to the ritual they had performed in Deerington), it was another thing to hear it confirmed directly from the mouth of the demon himself. Conscious that it is inappropriate to appear pleased for any reason, she readjusts her posture and sits herself upright in her chair.

When Peter reappears, she feels a pang of sympathy for his predicament. Of course she sympathizes with the human - but if she sides with him too noticeably, the demon will doubtlessly torment his host even further. There was a careful balance to be made here.]

I understand. You feel like when he's in control, you don't get any input. But I assume when you're out and about, he can just take over at any point?

[Certainly, she had seen something of that nature just transpire.]

Have you tried asking him before? I know it bridles to be domineered like this, and it's perfectly natural to do so, but I do mean asking - and not yelling or complaining.

[possessum]

Yeah, he just— he can just take over my whole body whenever. But I can't do that to him.

( It's extremely unfair...! Peter's mentally weaker, not able to dominate Paimon's spirit the way the demon can do to him. Paimon can (and has, often) just knock him right out. And up until now, maybe he's just kind of... let that happen. He's been afraid to confront this thing; as proven, whenever he tries, he usually ends up on the floor.

Peter's quiet for a few moments as he considers this. He seems reluctant to answer, uneasy, fidgeting a bit. He knows that learning how to communicate with this thing has been a looming prospect; he and Luna have talked about it before, how it could be good for them. But the thought is just... so unpleasant. )

...No, I uh— I never have. But I don't— I don't like talking to him. It's so weird.

( And creepy.... But it has meant that other people have had to act as translator between them. Namely, poor Luna.

Peter frowns again, trying to ignore the fact he can feel the freaky demon practically breathing up under his skin, eager to talk to Lysithea again. Wait your turn...! But something in him seems to deflate, and he shakes his head slowly, looking downcast and anxious, hand shaking a little where it's holding onto Lysithea's almost like a child would. It's... very easy for Peter to give up.... )

....He hates me. I don't think it'd even do any good.

[notimeforfailure]

Don't give up, Peter.

[Lysithea is not psychic in any sense. But she can see Peter's thoughts as easily as if they were written on the wall before her, reflected in every contortion of his face, every feature of his body. Her words are quiet - the demon will hear, of course, and they are so very trite and unoriginal so as to be almost completely unhelpful, but...

She knows this about Peter. Knows that he prefers to crumple rather than stand upright. Knows that it is easier to bow to the will of others and protest too feebly for it to make a difference...]

We can make a better situation for you. For both of you. I believe that. But it does mean you're going to have to work for it.

Take a deep breath for me, and then -- can you let Paimon speak?

And... think about how that feels, perhaps. Letting him. Not him taking over or forcing it; not you being subjugated. I hope that feels a bit different.

Finally getting to backtags, apologies for the delay!! No worries if you prefer to let this go!

[possessum]

( Giving up is easier. It's always been his method of handling things, and maybe it's some fucked up way to try to keep the peace. But it does mean that he gets swallowed up, and in this case... literally. It feels like there's less and less of him now, and in turn, more and more of Paimon; Peter's painfully aware of that. The demon's much more.... present here in Trench. It's much easier for him to be. The rules of Deerington aren't numbing him down anymore, and Paimon's growing stronger... even doing things like getting a job—

Maybe it's almost so bizarre of a thought as to be comical, the demon doing something like working at a bakery like this, but... it's very serious, too. It shows how Paimon's able to really build a life for himself. Interact with people, learn and grow. He's not hidden away inside Peter the way he was back in Deerington. He's becoming his own person.

Peter just has to wonder what the consequences of that may be. If the more Paimon becomes himself, the less Peter will be himself. And so the concept of willingly letting the demon speak is... terrifying. He's afraid. He doesn't want to.

But.... maybe to ultimately be more at peace, things like this are going to be necessary.

And so, with another hard swallow and a little squeeze of Lysithea's hand, the boy gives a soft nod and closes his eyes for a moment. Slowly, he finds the mental place where he and the demon push against each other like opposite ends of a magnet, energy abrasive and jagged and always a little uncomfortable. He hovers there and then steps back. Stops pushing. Lets the demon's consciousness flood into his with a little gasp.

After a moment or two, Peter's eyelids flicker and the eyes slowly open again. The pupils swell a little; the breathing becomes stiffer, signs that it's something not quite human pushing outwards. The demon leans in closer to Lysithea (perhaps a little Too Close, as per-usual), eyes wide, seeming... excited. This is important. )

He lets me. He listened. He lets me speak.