deercountry | (open) you're looking at me like you don't know who i am

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(open) you're looking at me like you don't know who i am

Who: Ange, Ruby, Break, and anyone who knows any of them.
What: Corruption turned Ange into a true Umineko witch who decided the best way to keep the people she loves safe from this town is to drag them into a pocket dimension.
When: For a while in March.
Where: Ange and Ruby's house-turned-small-pocket-dimension.

Content Warnings: Potential violence if anyone acts particularly antagonistic. Potential talk of violence or gore. Other warnings will be added when things pop up.

Perhaps you have seen Ruby's odd network post and decided to check things out. Or maybe you're just wandering around Trench and notice that Ange and Ruby's house suddenly looks.. different.

The house has been completely overgrown by way oversized roses, big thorns growing out of all the stems, completely obscuring the structure that's supposed to be underneath it. If you get close enough to the cluster of roses, you may feel your connection to any of the three people inside suddenly pull you in. (Please note: only people who know either Ange, Ruby or Break will be able to enter the pocket dimension because of this!)

If you give in to the sensation, everything around you might go black, and when the light returns, you seem to find yourself in.. a hedge maze. A rather odd one, though. As you stumble through it, you may suddenly find yourself in random rooms, and then back out of them into the hedge maze once more. The Moss King's wild plants seem to have even invaded corners of this place, so you might want to watch out you avoid having those snap at you. Retracing your steps through the labyrinth feels impossible, like the way is changing up behind you with every step. Some rooms make perfect sense - like a neat and elaborate kitchen, or a library - and others seem to consist of nonsense with stairs leading upside down or to nowhere, or gravity not working in a specific room at all.

Flying throughout the entire maze are golden butterflies. They seem to fly with direction, and if you follow them, you might find them leading you to one of the people you were looking for..

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[She smiled up at her innocently and gave her friend a playful wink.]

Now, now, Ange-dear. Please forgive your friend her macabre and awful sense of humor. Having me in a position to hold the spell, as a statue would be one way to get my arms to stay in place, mmmm? [She laughed softly and shook her head.]

No, of course I don't think you would willingly let something happen to me.

[If she were 'entirely herself.' But Vira-Lorr didn't add that to this point. Instead, she kept that bit to herself as she played it all off as her, admittedly truly awful, sort of joke at a time like this. It was, honestly, a little on point for how she could be from time to time.]

But I will be happy to help protect you, my friend.

[ If she was her usual self, she might have made a joke in return. A deadpan quip, most likely, given what Ange is like.

But as she is right now - she really dislikes the idea of something like that happening to Vira-Lorr. Something - or someone - just turning her into a statue. Like she isn't even a person. And it's not like the other isn't powerful. What if the Pthumerians would do that to Vira-Lorr, a voice whispers in Ange's head. ]

I want to protect you too.

[ Those words come easily with that thought, but it's not the only thing she says. ]

.. you could stay here, if you'd want. It's safe here. Even if you didn't contribute your powers, I'd keep you safe. [ A tiny pause, and then she adds: ] .. no one would have to leave again.

[ Because she knows it's a pain she shares with Vira-Lorr. Maybe not as much recently when it comes to Ange, but Vira-Lorr has lost so many important people to the sea at this point.

Isn't it unfair that she keeps having to go through that? ]

[The similarity between their mindsets in beasthood was high. Vira-Lorr, admittedly, was far more possessive and therefore immediately physically dangerous, but there was always that hint of 'protecting them from the Pthumerian threat' along with everything else in the world.

She glanced up at her friend and nodded. She planned to contribute her powers either way, for no other way than to see if she could help Ange get out of this state. She wasn't sure if she was the one to do it, however.]

I don't mind staying with you, Ange. I think you know that, deep down. Nobody should really have to leave if they're where they want to be.

[she didn't add 'or stay if they want to leave.' That felt like it might be risky.]

I know that.

[ It's just a confirmation of what Vira-Lorr herself is saying here. She thinks Ange knows that, and indeed, Ange does. She trusts in their friendship enough to know it, and it makes her smile despite her corrupted state, despite the fact that she still looks much more inhuman than usually. ]

I just wanted to give you the choice. [ There's nothing possessive about Ange anymore at this point in her life, after all. Even corruption can't twist her into that when there's no such thing to latch onto.

But it can latch onto all the worry in her heart. The constant fussing about those close to her. The desire to keep people safe. ]

I want you to be here. [ .. yeah, that's definitely the reason that statement is a little more intense. There's the corruption. ] But there would be no point to that if you didn't want to be here, right?

[ There's a pause, and then the snake metaphorically rears its head. ]

You could even become my furniture too, just like Ruby and Break. Then I can be sure I could protect you from anything, just like I'm doing for them.

[She had seen Ruby on the network, though she hadn't replied. There was a momentary nervousness that filled her at the suggestion of 'becoming furniture.' What little she understood of Ange's magic was incomplete considering how little they'd discussed it in the past. It definitely sounded like a familiar or something similar, however, which she suspected would open her to corruption.]

You are enough to protect me as you are now. I trust you to keep me safe in this place, and I think perhaps it best not to interfere with the specialness of the relationship you and Ruby have. The offer's sweet, though, but I will simply remain and trust in your safety.

[Because if it opened her to corruption, oh fuck that could go badly. She knew what her corruption looked like.]

...

[ Ange seems to consider this for a moment. Not exactly looking pleased, no, but not really offended either. More just thoughtful, silence hanging in the air for a few moments..

But then she just releases a faint little breath, almost more like a huff. ]

I suppose Ruby would probably prefer for there to be no competition. [ Even if Ruby is already the most special of all to Ange. Having other furniture wouldn't change that - Break's presence here proves that. But Ange isn't so sure whether the other girl would also see it that way, so Vira-Lorr managed to use just the right argument to convince Ange here, coincidentally. ]

She is trying so very hard to be the best furniture possible.

[ You know. Which is why Ruby may have been acting so off in the first place.. ]

[Vira-Lorr didn't breathe a sigh of relief when her friend relented. She hadn't been sure that the ploy would work, but it had at least put the other at ease to some extent. There was a definitely 'be under my wing' sort of protection being offered here, and it worried her.]

She's already very devoted to you. I can't imagine her not putting everything into what she's doing. It's sort of in her nature, from the little I've talked to her, to do everything without reservation or holding back.

So... you're wanting a little help? What can I do for the moment?

[Be helpful. Watch. Look for an opportunity. Gods but she'd wished she'd brought some salt water with her.]

The Moss King seems to be worming his way in here. Or trying to, anyway.

[ Ange doesn't know whether or not Vira-Lorr saw the plants while trying to get to her in this maze - or maybe Ruby already took care of all of those. Ange sure hopes the other did, but on the other hand.. it's not like she wants to leave that task entirely up to Ruby.

Especially when it's something a witch should be handling. ]

I have been trying to find from where he's trying to pierce into this reality, but I haven't been able to find it. There must be some sort of gap he is slipping through.

Ah, yes. He likes to try and interfere regularly, though... it is possible it is Riteior attempting it. He's been seeking retribution after all. One way or another, a Pthumerian, yes?

[She grunted and sighed. Yeah, she'd seen a few of the naughty plants that Ruby hadn't gotten to quite yet. She'd get there, but it definitely showed there were sources from the outside world sneaking in.]

You don't think it is the means by which people visit such as myself, do you?

[ Ange seems to consider this.

At least - despite the odd inhuman attitude that isn't quite like Ange - it does seem like she's reasonable enough as long as no one is pushing back against her plans.. If anything, it feels like Vira-Lorr is helping them here, so Ange has nothing to protest. ]

It could be. [ It's her answer to the latter question, and she glances off into a particular direction. There's just hedge maze all around the sea of golden flowers that surrounds them right now, but it's like Ange somehow knows the entrance is in that direction. ] I would close it off, but then people like you wouldn't be able to reach me.

[ And that's counterproductive. How else is Ange going to get all her friends here to keep them safe? ]

[She wasn't beyond reasoning. That was a good thing. Vira-Lorr thought about that for a moment, reaching up to run her finger along her lips, humming and clearly thinking.]

No, you're right. Even if that is the weak point, it would defeat the purpose of keeping us close and safe to close it. Some form of warding or protection might do the trick, if you can cause it to focus on plant problems.

At the same time, because this world is your creation by will. The firmer and more solid your resolve, the more solid it should be. Meditation may also help, yes? Certainly you're showing far greater power already. But refining it could help.

.. maybe the creation of this world was so tiring for me that it left gaps.

[ Ange releases a breath as she says it. Not quite a sigh, since she doesn't seem to emote quite as strongly in this form, but an exhale all the same. It's the conclusion she seems to arrive at after following Vira-Lorr's line of thinking and combining it with her own knowledge. ]

That won't do. I have to be at least as powerful as those Pthumerians. If I can't rival them, then no one can be safe.

One step at a time. You've clearly grown in power very recently. So, coming to terms with that power carefully and cautiously will help to avoid further gaps. Maybe conversing with a few people will help you to use extra eyes to try and pick out where the gaps might be.

[Shhhh, don't mention to Ange that Vira-lorr was totally gambling on how multiple people also meant that they could start wearing down that corruption collectively. She wasn't sneaky like that. Never!]

[ Please, Vira-Lorr, you and your dastardly evil plans..!

Though there's something about what the other is saying that makes Ange let out that same breath again - not quite a sigh, but close.

And it's not just due to Ange's usual reason of wanting to avoid social interactions. No, this is-- ]

I'm not so sure of it. Most people aren't being as helpful to me right now as you are, Vira-Lorr. [ Hey, at least it does indicate that Vira-Lorr's own approach seems to work, since Ange is actually listening to her and conversing with her right now. ] It's like they don't understand what I'm trying to do for them here.

I doubt that they fully grasp your situation, and so they might be mistaking your intentions here.

[Which wasn't to say that she was on board. It was that... she sympathized. This part of Ange? It wasn't inherently different from one of her own weaknesses. She could be very sympathetic towards it, and she definitely hoped that turning an ear to her friend would help at least a little bit. It certainly couldn't hurt.]

You are still Ange, and what you want isn't a bad thing. I'd like to see if I can help you accomplish the protection of yourself and your friends. [She smirked.] Not that I'm not a tiny bit selfish in appreciating the protection as well.

[Of course, subverting certain problems in the name of protecting Ange from herself fit within it, but since when was she ever free of being guilty of twisting words a tiny bit?]

[ Ange seems to bloom under the reassurance. Not that she wasn't convinced of her own plan here - that's the exact problem, the fact that she's convinced, and then so many people she cares for come in here and tell her that she's wrong. It doesn't help her away from her own ideas, but instead just hurts her.

So it feels much better when the thing that Ange feels is supposed to happen happens. When a friend tells her she's right. Ange's shoulders seem to relax, and her lips curl up into a smile that doesn't seem malicious in any way - even if it might still look a little off, with her eyes not being able to betray any hint of emotion in their current state. ]

Let's get to work then.

[ Ange stands up, holding out a hand towards Vira-Lorr. ]

I will show you around. We can see all the potential weak spots for ourselves and see what we can do about them. I know I can count on you.

[She took her hand and nodded. This was going to take time, but the fact that her friend wasn't completely lost to a beast state? It meant that she was still someone who can be reasoned with, redirected. She was relieved by that, and if it took working with her for a while? Well, she could handle that.]

Yes. Find the right weak points and we can probably put up the defenses needed to secure this realm you've created much better. You'll have your haven formed in no time.

(OOC: I definitely don't mind playing that out, but we can also handwave that Vira-Lorr takes time to try and be supportive like a good Night Walker. Sneaky little witch in't she?)

(ooc: yes, let's handwave it! i will hit up vira-lorr's inbox for a post-corruption thread! c: )

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(open) you're looking at me like you don't know who i am

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