Luna Lovegood (
creidim) wrote in
deercountry2021-09-06 07:34 pm
open | the old, old winds blowing you back around
Who: Luna Lovegood + you!
What: September Catch-all + Event Prompts to follow.
When: Late-August; the month of September.
Where: The Farther Shores; Gaze; Others.
☽ the pale morning sings of forgotten things | the farther shores | arrival
cw: thalassophobia; refs to drowning; possible nudity / partial nudity; amnesia-related themes
☽ every once in a while I'd sing a song for you | the farther shores | arrival pt. ii
cw: amnesia-related themes
☽ your timid smile | luna's home, gaze
cw: n/a
☽ rise above the mountains and the stars and the sea | archaic archives, gaze
cw: n/a
contact
heolstor or heolstor#5725 for planning/plotting. event-related prompts to follow. plotting post is here
What: September Catch-all + Event Prompts to follow.
When: Late-August; the month of September.
Where: The Farther Shores; Gaze; Others.
☽ the pale morning sings of forgotten things | the farther shores | arrival
cw: thalassophobia; refs to drowning; possible nudity / partial nudity; amnesia-related themes
[ It's strange, remembering. At first, a little frightening — the waters all around her, the ocean floor falling away from her feet. She'd walked into the sea, her hand in another's, following the moon, the mother — she'd felt cold, at first. And she'd been frightened despite herself; feet kicking uselessly, trying to find a surface to stand upon but finding nothing there. Nothing at all; only the murky, heavy feeling of water all around her. But after a while, something seemed to wash over her — it didn't feel so scary anymore. The moon had said so, hadn't she—? It didn't feel like anything, anymore. She remembers the ocean swallowing her whole, and then being alone — bobbing silently along with the waves.
She'd felt small, quiet. She is little more than that. But— oh, she will be Something. She swims with purpose, drawn one direction. She will be Something! Something that is far more than just small and quiet. She wants to know what it is. And soon enough, she will find out — the endless ocean sweeps into shore and there's sand beneath her. Hands reach for her, soft and warm and safe. The woman smiles, her words are soft and warm, too.
Hello, old friend. It is so good to see you again. I have missed you. And she believes it, she does. And the process begins: gentle coaxing to remember, the strangeness of it all. She remembers the feeling of the cold air on her skin; paint on her fingertips, under her nails; how the forest floor feels beneath her bare feet; she remembers silver of her eyes, so wide and so curious, the curve of her smile and the taste of sugar on her tongue. She remembers, faintly, the feeling of fingers coaxing her hair — how long and pale, scraggly curls tucked carefully behind her ear. The woman is kind and patient with her, wrapping her up in the dark robe — exclaiming gently: Aren't you a small thing? Just as I remember. It's a little big for you but it'll do.
She still feels strange, different. But whole. A girl. She is... here.
The woman leaves her be after a while, and the girl sits on the warm black sand — still strange but content. Her legs stretch before her, she tries to wriggle her toes. She seems enthralled by her fingers, and bends to start drawing shapes in the sand: stars, a crescent moon, a rabbit, a leaf, all sorts of things — although they don't quite look how they're supposed to. She'll stretch as far as she can, long blonde hair covering her face and drifting lazily in the sea breeze, fighting against the fabric of her robe, partially disrobed the longer she works. Still, she seems quite happy in her own world making soft little chirrups and babbling sounds, relatively subdued. And that's where she'll stay, where she can be find by others.
At some point, perhaps after you've come across her — this strange, partially dressed girl drawing so intensely in the sand — a dog will arrive. Huge, almost wolf-like. Some kind of large husky or malamute. Maybe you followed the dog as she searched along the shore, looking for someone, or maybe the dog recognised you and is bringing you along as she looks for her owner. She's excited to see the girl, licking at her face and whining. But the girl just pets the dog, still making her little sounds — no words coming yet — looking up with wide eyes and pointing at you. Oh! It's you! Whoever you are!
Or perhaps it's much later, the day shifting to night. The girl remains on the beach amongst the drawings in the sand, the dog resting at her side. She continues to pet the dog absently; she doesn't know the dog's name but she seems know that the dog does belong to her. Has it always? Or is it just now? She doesn't know. But she's still relatively calm and quiet until she catches sight of the pale red moon that hangs in the skies. And then, the girl comes alive. She stares at the moon peeking over the horizon and after a long moment, something clicks inside of her. Recognition washes over her face, sheer delight and excitement lighting up her eyes. She starts shrieking gleefully, growing louder and louder and more incessant.
It's gibberish that comes out, but there's a few words here and there that sound like sense: Moon! I am Moon! Moon! Mum! Mum, Moon! ]
☽ every once in a while I'd sing a song for you | the farther shores | arrival pt. ii
cw: amnesia-related themes
[ Once she's gotten the hang of using her legs again, Luna walks slowly down the boardwalk. She's still dressed in the robe she'd been given by the Waker, a tiny thing swamped in the black and her long sea-soaked hair loose down her back, looking more like a lost child than anything else. But she's not alone, a huge, wolf-like dog hovers at her side — almost half the height of her. Luna keeps one hand on the dog, occasionally petting the soft grey fur of her back. Helga keeps watch of her owner, grumbling low if anyone comes too close — she seems to understand something's not quite right with Luna, and just wants to keep a close eye on her. But not even Luna can explain what it is, the pieces of her mind still putting themselves back together.
Luna walks as if in a daze, slow and uneven steps, taking the place in — or trying to. There's so much around her: so many sights and smells she doesn't really know where to look first. It's... dizzying, overwhelming. Her mouth opens and closes silently, brow upturned for a moment: hungry. And with the scent of cream and sugar so thick in the sea air, she doesn't really know where to go — doesn't have the sense to approach a stall.
Instead, something else catches her eye — the twinkling strings of fairy-lights that hang low across the boardwalk. Luna stops, stares for a long moment, utterly mesmerized. She... she remembers these, somehow. She remembers them as good, in some way. Her stomach rumbles softly and she makes a soft sound — her hands reaching up for the lights, fingers straining.
Maybe they'd be good to eat, she thinks. If she could just reach them. ]
☽ your timid smile | luna's home, gaze
cw: n/a
[ The rain seems almost endless, the sky thick with full, dark clouds. Days seem to drag on in a watery blur for the most part, downpours to drizzle and back again. Until one evening, the skies seem to ease off in their assault on the city below as the daylight fades to dusk. For a short while, things seem calm. Peaceful even. It's nice, even if the clouds never fully leave. Even if there's a definite chill in the air, summer on its way out. More rain will come soon, but for now there's a break — the pale blood moon keeping watch above.
And then comes the haunting melodies that grace the open air: Moon Presence sweeps low in the skies, swirling effortlessly around building tops — moves with meaning and without it too. She goes where she pleases, it seems. She sings to the city as night approaches, soft ethereal music that seems to echo across different part of the city. As she moves through Gaze, she seems to hover around on a particular street for some reason — low, easy circling that seems a great deal more meaningful. It seems something has caught her attention.
Until it becomes apparent that on this one particular street in Gaze, there is a teenage girl sat upon the roof of a tall Georgian-style townhouse. It appears that she's climbed out from one of the attic-room windows, quite at ease as she perches. Luna stares up into the skies, wide eyes watching Moon Presence as she draws close for a moment and then swirls away again. It's hard to tell from the height, but there's a conversation of some sort — the girl speaking softly to her whenever she floats close by.
This is who's gotten Moon Presence's attention for the moment, until she notices whoever's watching the two of them and turns to look. Luna blinks and looks down at the pavement, beaming and then waving at the person below. She looks delighted. ]
It's alright—! Everything's fine—! Come say hello—!
☽ rise above the mountains and the stars and the sea | archaic archives, gaze
cw: n/a
[ It's a delightful discovery to find that the library is so close to home, that she lives in the same district as it. It doesn't take her long to venture to the Archaic Archives; trust the Ravenclaw to make a beeline for such a place. While she does give the museum artefacts a look through, she's more interested in looking for some particular books. She wanders around purposely but on occasion some kind of curious thing on display will catch her attention and she'll stop to examine it for a short time before returning to her wanderings.
She'll be here for a good while, easy to come across as she carefully makes her way around the mazes of the library. Deerington's library will always have a special place in her heart, but this place is quite something. She'll definitely be found here often in the future. And certaintly she doesn't look lost at all, if you happen upon her. She looks quite at home, in fact. ]
It seems so easy to get lost in here, doesn't it?
[ And despite her words, she seems quite cheerful. ]

no subject
Ange seems to be having a certain realisation now, while she's looking at the other girl, momentarily contemplating those words. Her eyes grow a little wider, and there finally might be a hint of excitement blooming in her own gaze as well, even if it's still coupled with some of the earlier fluster. ]
Actually, occult magic is the only thing I'm good at so far. It's easy for me. I'm only now starting to work on stuff that isn't that.
[ Hence the excitement, because Ange sure is seeing an opportunity here. Even if the worlds they come from might end up being very different, still-- ]
So it sounds like we could actually learn quite a bit from each other.
no subject
And it's easy for her. Naturally, she's wary of reaching out to new people concerning the demon but this is Ruby's girlfriend — she trusts Ruby. Ange feels like someone she could trust, too. So she has to ask: ]
Do you know much in the way of occult beings...? [ A beat. ] Demons, specifically. I've done as much research as I could, but Deerington was limited in what I could get my hands on.
no subject
[ That answer is easy too, as is the nod that accompanies it. There's a slight casual edge to it, like the thought of dealing with demons is as easy to Ange as the thought of any chore any person out there might find mundane. ]
Summoning them, keeping them in line.. I'm really used to that sort of thing. It's really common where I come from for witches to have demons as their.. familiars. [ There's a slight hesitation before she says that word, but it's mostly because she almost used the other f-word for them, and she sure doesn't want to have to explain this quickly why they'd call it furniture in her world.. ]
Why are you so interested in demons in particular though..? Did you read about them?
no subject
The reading came after, really. [ There's a tight-lipped smile, wringing her hands a little as she considers for a moment. Peter is so important to her, and she's hesitant because of that. People finding out about Paimon has gone wrong for her before, even now she's being careful. ] It's... a long story, but I met a demon in Deerington. After researching them a great deal, I offered them a bond with me as their 'magician' in order to stabilize them.
We don't have demons in my world, so it's... quite the new territory.
no subject
It's interesting. Ange sure hasn't met a lot of demons, whether it's back in Deerington or here. But now she's wrapping her head around the idea, she nods. ] I get it. That would be pretty tough to deal with.
[ Since Luna would basically be starting from zero. ]
So, your bond.. I don't mean to get too personal here, but I'm just curious, since where I come from demons can't really exist in the world without a bond with a witch in the first place. [ They're dependent on it to even manifest. But clearly this demon had already been present in the world without Luna summoning it in the first place. ] So in this case.. are you sharing your magic with them?
no subject
[ That would be... dangerous. She's not sure what Paimon could get up to left to his own devices, considering she's not... completely himself. But something like that isn't best left to chance to see how it would go. He requires balance, stability through a bond. Someone to keep him in check, to keep him how he's meant to be. ]
I believe the people who summoned him initially in his world used him. [ Twisted him for their own gain. Turned him violent when he's not supposed to be like that. Her expression shifts into disgust for a moment, eyes narrowing, before she sighs and shakes her head. ] When he came to Deerington he didn't have direction, purpose. He feels wrong, lost, for the most part. I suppose I'm just... trying to give him some kind of meaning. Purpose. Give him perimeters, boundaries. I let him help me with things, sometimes magical, sometimes not.
[ Luna's not the only one who's starting pretty much from zero. But it's a... long term working relationship, of sorts. Even if they're always just... trying to work out what that is. ]
no subject
[ Ange has dealt with some demons before and seen even more, but she's never seen anything quite like this, or even heard about it. A demon who was summoned into the world, but in a wrong way. A way that twisted that demon, and then left it behind as a shell afterwards. ]
It sounds like you two have built up some sort of trust though. That's important. [ It's already important while regularly summoning demons - Ange can only imagine how much more important it must be when the demon requires a whole lot more.. 'care', let's say. ] I'm not sure how much help I can offer with that though. It sounds like something very personal between the two of you.
[ She hums, seeming to think for a moment. Like she's going through the knowledge stored in her brain to find out if there's anything too useful. ]
I know a kind of magical circle that could prevent him from breaking out of some place, in case you ever need to contain him when things go wrong, but it does sound like you've plenty reigned him in so far.
no subject
I'd like to think that, although it's not always been easy. [ Which is... not really Paimon's fault. Sometimes he... doesn't know better. Or she can't express himself properly. She's struggled with him sometimes, but she's trying her best. They're working together on it. ] But I... I do feel responsible for him, even if I don't know what I'm doing sometimes. And even if it's difficult, I still want to do it, I won't walk away from him.
[ There's a soft exhale. She doesn't even know how long such a relationship will last. She knows she's... bound herself to the demon, and there were conditions for that binding. But she knows Peter's worried endlessly about what that might mean for her. ]
Are... long-term working relationships with demons usual for witches in your world—? [ Ange had pointed it out that it's a unique case, but surely someone else has it, too? It's been well over a year since she did the ritual.
He gaze flicks up at that offer: a magic circle—? She has done her best to deal with him when he grows restless and violent, and she tries to do it as calmly and peacefully as possible. She doesn't meet his violence with equal force, or tries not to. Um. ]
It probably sounds better than.. magically restraining him and locking him in the spare room. [ .... best not to ask, Ange. ] Does it hurt, containing him like that?
no subject
But honestly, it just makes her feel more glad if she can help the other witch out a little by giving her some extra tools to deal with all this. So Ange shakes her head at the last question. ]
It should be fine. It shouldn't hurt unless he touches it, and I'm pretty sure I have a magic circle that you can just draw on the door to contain him inside the room. [ So then there shouldn't be a reason for him to touch it.. unless he's pawing at it like a dog or something. ] I'd have to look it up in my book though. I left it back home.
[ And god knows that it's near impossible to learn all these magic circles from memory. Ange will never know how her cousin did it.
But she's also well aware that it's not the only thing Luna was asking about, and that other thing is definitely something she can put Luna's potential fears to rest about. ]
As for those long-term working relationships.. They're very common. Technically any witch should be able to summon any demon as long as she's powerful enough for it, but most tend to stick to the same ones after a while. [ It's just more convenient to work with a demon you've built up a bond with, after all. And the next words might even subconsciously tug up the corners of Ange's lips into a slight smile: ] I summoned my first demons during middle school, and I'm still working with the same ones to this day.
no subject
He's relatively good at listening to me even when he's upset, but I think it's because he does know I'm there to help him. So if I tell him he has to stay within it, and not try to touch it then he'd listen. [ Honestly, pawing at the door is... very much something Paimon would do. Oops. But if she makes it clear enough, he'll not do it. ] Then I should be very glad to learn it, or any variations of it that could be useful.
[ Giving Paimon some 'quiet time' in a magic circle is definitely something he'll need. ]
I suppose there's people I know who're worried about how long I have to work with my demon, is all. But I know they're not an evil being, they're more neutral. [ Still, Peter worries. Even John worries sometimes. Neither of them like the fact she's bound herself to Paimon. There's... not really a time limit on the relationship. Luna doesn't like to dwell on it too much, mostly because it means thinking about a time where Peter's spirit might disappear for good.
Her eyes wide up at her for a moment. Middle school..? She's very impressed. It's like doing advanced magic at a young age, a bit like with Harry learning how to cast a corporeal patronus. ]
How many do you work with? [ She smiles a little shaking her head. ] I don't think I could imagine working with more than just the one, although I suppose as you said it's... a 'unique case' with mine.
[ Paimon is certainly a handful. ]
no subject
But it does leave some room for her to focus on the other things Luna is saying for now. ]
Me? I work with seven, though I also had to work my way up. I learned the hard way that trying to maintain seven presences in the world is a strain on your mind that threatens to blow your brains out. [ .. yes, Ange is ever so delicate with her wording. It's said in the same flat tone she usually uses too.. ] But I managed to work my way up over time. But even maintaining one can be hard, really. Demons are needy.
[ It's not something she necessarily has to say, but.. it's pretty obvious that Luna is trying her best with something she's never worked with before - that's at least deserving of some praise. ]
But other than the 'needy' part.. I don't think demons are necessarily bad. Sure, their standards of morals and violence are very different compared to humans, but they usually tend to take after the witch they're working with.
[ And Luna? Well, she so far doesn't seem to be that bad at all. And that's saying a lot, considering Ange's opinion of witches is just.. so low...
Hence why she shakes her head. ] So I don't think those people have to be worried about you at all in this case.
no subject
Needy is... certainly one way to describe my demon. I can hardly blame him, though. [ Lost as he is, desperately trying to hold onto what feels familiar to the broken pieces of his spirit. Luna's certainly never begrudged Paimon's more incessant needs, it's not his fault he is the way he is. She can only just... try to put him back together. At least she's plenty of patience. ]
That... oddly makes sense. [ He was used maliciously, so he became malicious. ] You... really believe he could become less violent with time due to my own influence?
[ That's... promising. It's exactly what she wants of him, to try to restore him to his more... neutral state. ]
While I have nothing to go off from my own world, demons tend to have generally bad connotations with people from other worlds. I think that's why they might be worried, especially when 'Hell' gets thrown into conversation.
no subject
.. and it's not like it's entirely unwarranted either to be cautious around them either. But even so.. ]
Yes. [ Ange seems fully confident in that answer. ] I believe that could happen. Demons may be different than humans, but.. they can change as well. If they are only shown cruelty, they will mimic it. If they are shown kindness, they will mimic that too.
[ Even if there's still a little stabbing involved sometimes, but.. that's why they're demons, right.
But since she figures a postive example might help, Ange shakes her head and adds: ] My demons were my friends when no human wanted to be.
So.. it's all up to you. [ Which, she knows, is putting a lot of pressure on Luna's shoulder. But the other seems to be a decent enough person, so she doesn't imagine it'll be hard. ] But if things ever get really bad, you can call me for help.
[ The next part feels so unlike her to say, but it feels important to say it right now.. but it's the 'unlike her' part that makes Ange hesitate, and struggle a little
with tsunbefore she manages to force it out. ]I mean.. we witches have to have each other's back, right?
no subject
You're... friends with your demons...? [ She... admittedly hadn't thought of that idea. The relationship between the two is... difficult to really put into terms, but she wouldn't consider Paimon her friend. Granted they... do spend time together, although not so much lately, considering somewhat-recent events. ] I thought it would be... more of a working relationship? Than a friendship?
[ There's a pause, though. Certainly she does understand the idea of not having friends. People didn't want to be her friend back home, either. Not for the longest of times. Deerington has changed that a great deal, her friendships here are... more. Luna considers for a moment. ]
But I suppose... it's nice just having friends, isn't it? Even if they're not the ones you expect.
[ Be it demons, or plant people, or other kinds of different beings or people. ]
I do understand I undertook a very difficult task, it's a... very strange weight. But I'm learning how to hold it properly. [ Her eyebrows raise a little a Ange's offer, but she's smiling and she nods. She'll definitely give Ange a call if she need's the other witch's help. There's a little sound of amusement from her: ] Oh, I'd quite agree. That's what you do, isn't it? You look out for one another.
no subject
Who would have thought she'd meet someone struggling with that this much later? It almost feels like a trail of breadcrumbs laid out before her, leading her all the way here: to a place where she's needed. Where she can provide guidance to someone who needs it, the same way she herself got help when she needed it. ]
Well.. It can be a working relationship if you want. [ That feels like the most important point to address here. ] If you just want to achieve goals together and not interact otherwise.. that is entirely possible.
[ Ange has seen quite some witches do that, in fact. To a point where it ought to be more natural, and yet it's never felt that way to her. ]
But like you said-- it's nice to have friends. Or are you saying you would never want to consider this particular demon your friend?
no subject
[ She recognises she's something of a 'safe person' for Paimon. Someone he can go to when he needs comfort or stability, albeit that in itself is a strange thing. There's always that lost, child-like quality to him — and he looks to her to provide those things to him.
Sometimes there is companionship, in a way. Like last October when they spent much of the month together, with Peter unable to mentally handle the horrors of the month. But... friendship? ]
I don't think I'd say never...? [ She shakes her head for a moment. ] Friendships with demons is... a new concept. And I think it would be something that would take a great deal of work. I don't even think it's something he would have considered.
no subject
[ Ange hums, understanding that it's not as natural to others as it is to her - especially if they have an entirely different understanding of demons. After all, not everyone instantly becomes besties with a whole bunch of them the way Ange did. She can understand apprehension, or perhaps even just uncertainty. ]
Well, if you'd ask me.. [ She waves a little with one hand, as if to imply 'this is just my opinion, don't necessarily put all your stock into it.' ] I think the most important part is to talk about all of it with him. What you expect of him, and what he expects out of you.. It's good to at least be clear on those terms, and then see where that brings you.
[ Ange pauses, frowning momentarily before her expression clears up again. ]
.. do you think any of that advice might help for now?
no subject
[ Which — with a slow exhale, a little frustrated with herself — is part of the problem with her relationship with Paimon. She's not really been on top of things with him lately, and then they got into the whole mess with everything in Deerington. She knows she can do better; things have just been so difficult. ]
It's a whole bit of a mess, sometimes. [ She smiles weakly. ] But I do want to fix things, be better and clearer with him.
[ Ange has certainly given her a great deal to think about. The two of them certainly need to have a talk. They need some more... structure. ]
You've given me a lot to consider. I do think it's been quite helpful, yes. [ She nods. ] It's nice just... getting to talk to someone about this, too.
no subject
[ Especially since she never had anyone to talk with about this stuff back home. If anything, people thought she was weird for this sort of thing - so actually getting to commiserate about this sort of thing with a fellow witch is.. novel. In a way Ange finds herself rather liking, actually.
It might be why a faint smile is coming to her lips, even though she doesn't smile that often. ]
Feel free to invite me sometime to come talk with the both of you at the same time, if you think that might help. [ Basically saying 'I'm available for witch-demon relationship therapy', huh... ] It might help to have someone with a lot of experience be present.
think maybe this is a good spot to wrap?
This is a great deal different; a witch working with demons in a positive manner — one closer to her own age, no less. Working with Paimon doesn't have to be a bad thing (especially when Luna doesn't consider it one, not really). So it's nice to have someone to talk things over with. ]
That sounds like it might be good, actually. [ She nods, smiling cheerfully. ] Like a mediator of sorts! I'll keep that in mind, thank you.