008 || video (ish), mostly voice.

[byherscore]

[ Diva's uncertain as uncertain things go. To keep the egg, or not to keep the egg? It does so remind her of her own, still sitting in their basket by the hearth. It's been five months already. Surely they should be speaking to her by now...

But that's digressing and it's with a quiet murmur, the near silent thud of a blanket cocooning her phone that speaks to the viewer. It's the gentle crone of a mother singing to her as yet unborn children that drifts on dulcet tones through the speaker as she sits with her back bent over her basket, rocking it gently in the sun.

And then she speaks. ] Tell me, has anyone tried to cook their eggs? Perhaps if I feed it to them, they'll start to grow...

[ it was blood that awoke her and Saya after all. Perhaps that's exactly what they needed to start flourishing. Five months... they should be pulsing with life, not death. They should be more then just a withered husk. ]

Comments

[worldofourown]

[ Drifting near the doorway to her room, he catches the melancholy notes in her crooning. Tentatively, he peers through a crack in her doorway. His voice is soft, almost halting. ]

Shall I have the servants prepare one of these eggs for you?

[ It worries him too, the prolonged period for which the cocoons have stayed dormant. What if the Deities tricked him? What if there's nothing inside? ]

[ He doesn't want to think about it. ]

[byherscore]

[ she paused in her crooning, thinking. ] Do you think they'll like one? [ she turned bright eyes on her chevalier, catching his gaze through the door, welcoming him in should he wish it. After all, he's the last man who would dare harm her children. He's the man who gave them to her. ]

[worldofourown]

[ He takes her glance as what it is, a silent bid to enter. Crossing the room, he settles himself crosslegged on the floor near the cocoons, the lines of his body neat and contained like a cat's. ]

Personally I'd hesitate to feed them anything the City seemingly offers for free. There are always strings attached. [ His gaze flits almost shyly to her. ] But there are creatures in the Underground with delicious [ nourishing ] blood. I could fetch one for you?

[byherscore]

[ she continued rocking them, eyes barely drifting away from the ridged edges of the cocoon now that they were locked back on them. ]

String?

Like the one you paid for these children? [ she flashed a smile because it's not that she disliked having string, so long as she can choose who they strangle, that is. But she moved on, latching onto the gift that Karl had dangled. ] It should be fresh, whomever you fetch.

[ nothing but the best for her kids. ]

[worldofourown]

[ He keeps his gaze leveled on hers, even as her attention is elsewhere. Just a moment of quiet adoration dispensed in equal parts to her, and to those pretty cocoons that brought an almost ethereal glow to her eyes. ]

[ Here was one way, at least for the moment, in which he'd made her happy. In which he'd fulfilled his purpose. ]

Exactly like that. But in varying degrees of creativity. [ Nothing but the best indeed; he straightens slightly on instinct, solemn, earnest. ] It could never be anything less. [ Perfection to match perfection; to offer her something even a degree lacking would be blasphemous. ]

[Audio]

[bibliophile_annex]

I would advise against it.

[Audio]

[byherscore]

[ her reply is plain and to the point ]

Why? Have you had one?

[ they'll be strong, just like their mother. No ill can kill them after all. Or at least it shouldn't... ]

[Audio]

[bibliophile_annex]

If the Deities have given them to us, there might be something in them that won't agree with you or...your child. [That's putting it lightly. They could be poisoned.] We have no answers about where they came from or what they contain inside.

[byherscore]

[ she hummed a little pondering, pondering him from beneath her lashes. He had grown so docile, in the last few months. So at ease. Was it because he was no longer estranged in this city or...

But she smiled then, knowing the answer. Of course. He had always been that simple. He had always been so fixated. He was Karl after all. Such a clingy little boy. ]

Then perhaps you should try it first then. If it's bad, you can fetch your creature. [ see her trust? It's absolute ]

[Audio]

[byherscore]

Then why don't you look? Surely they're nothing special... [ and the deities had their fun, but Diva was still Diva. What did she care for them? ]

[Audio]

[bibliophile_annex]

I have no desire to play along with their scheme. [Which is why she has placed her egg by a window wrapped in a towel.] I really don't think eating them will do you or anyone else any good.

[indecent_butterfly]

One would not suggest it, they seem to like creating problems more than solutions. Free food or not it should always be questionable.

[worldofourown]

[ He remains still under the scrutiny of those blue unblinking eyes, fighting that habitual urge to fidget. He's always found it impossible to be calm, in any sense. But in her presence, despite the cruel snakepits of her mind, the twists and turns of her mood, he has the serenity of purpose. ]

[ At her words, his eyebrows twitch into a frown. ] Me...? [It's uncertainty, not trepidation. He's a Chiropteran. Nothing can kill him. But it's honestly been a while since he had eggs. Enchanted or not. ]

[ He bites his lip, then nods, brown eyes flicking up to hers. Obedient, almost childlike. ] ...All right.

[oceantrauma]

You want to cook yours up?

I'm not going to do anything like that!

[dignity_misery]

I wanted to see if it hatched.

[She's been waiting to see if Diva's will hatch too. For a long time now. Carla has no desire to be a mother, but the animal -- the Reanimate -- in her understands and is fascinated.]

[byherscore]

[ she glanced up, tilting her head as she carefully surveyed Carla's face in the screen. ]

Then don't eat it.

[ It's a natural assumption, to think Carla might be referring to the City's gift. ]

[byherscore]

[ oh Ken... you're looking so young and fresh ♥ ]

Why? [ she turns to give him a long necked stare, glancing over her shoulder. ] Are they really so special?

[byherscore]

[ she smiled then, charmed as she leaned over to pet his head, one hand still on her children nesting away in slumber. ]

Good Karl. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me.

[ she never doubted it for a second. What she willed, he did. It had always been that simple. And in this moment, she had never been more grateful except once, when he lost an arm.

... even if that had irked her. Her chevaliers should sacrifice themselves, yes, but to do so for these creatures? It was barely excusable. ]

[byherscore]

[ ah yes, the fool... Ze always come, with words of wisdom. ]

And what harm do you think will come of it?

[ what harm could it do her of all creatures? ]

[Audio]

[byherscore]

[ she smiled secretively, the sound coming across in her voice ] And what if they want you to keep them? They, as you said, can't be trusted.

[indecent_butterfly]

[In more ways than one.]

There is no telling. Deities are fickled things to begin with, the ones here even more so.

[Her most likely none, but the children...]

[worldofourown]

[ He presses into her touch, peering wistfully up at her. His cold skin seems to warm and expand a little beneath her palm, as a cat does when caressed. Queen that she is, it might seem as if she's knighting him. But the look on his face is that of a simple little boy's, caught in an excess of affection. He wants to touch her, gather her in and pepper her face and neck with kisses. When she turns that dazzling smile on him, she becomes twice as delicious. Irresistible. ]

[ The sweetest miracle in the world. ]

I'll try it out at once. See if there are any ...side-effects.

[oceantrauma]

I don't know, but I can't imagine eating it.

It could turn out to be a very faithful companion.

[dignity_misery]

Are you going to?

[byherscore]

[ she nodded, almost against her will. ]

They do seem to enjoy their games...

Can't you just tell them to stop? [ then again, perhaps she should try playing cat or mouse with them sometime. It could prove to be a most interesting game. ]

[byherscore]

she gave his hair one near silent ruffle before she withdrew, ending the moment, breaking the spell. ]

Then you should leave, hmm? My children won't wait.

[ indeed they won't as she turns back to croon at them, her wordless tune filling up the chamber. She doesn't mind if he comes or go though. She just hated waiting. ]

[byherscore]

Hmm... and if he tries to eat you instead?

[ it was always the harmless looking ones that had such bite ]

[byherscore]

[ her lips curl up in a smile ] If it's good for the children. [ she'll have Karl try one first. ]

[indecent_butterfly]

And what kind of Deities would they be to listen to One's humble self? They are not this Ones after all, nor is this fool theirs.

[That would be interesting to see.]

[oceantrauma]

Why would they do that?

And if it tries, the people I live with could help me.

[dignity_misery]

What would you normally do for them?