A Song of Soul (Witch)
Content Warnings:
SpoilerWribbles! Um.... Dysphoria. More soul links. Soul wounds. talk of past self-harm, child abuse, mind magic, delusions, death of crafted headmate, torture, and.... woops!
[collapse]
I’ve never been good at being alone. Never liked the things that bubble up when I’m left to my own nonsense.
Thought that would change when Lynette first wove herself about my shoulders and cooed happily at the little treasure I held close. Radiating delight for the little work of Art in my care and asking if I’d like her help caring for the gerl.
Not that I deserve any peace but… I’ve always been cursed with a desire for things I was not owed. And when I catch the hypothetical and literal animal of the thing I’ve been chasing?
Well…
Lynette is still here, of course, but I could probably scream my lungs out and she’d not even deign to notice my distress. Because she’s hooked her prey, lashed it to her Estate, and is slowly pulling the thing in. Her manic and delight and focus are all upon her tasks.
And… This is a good spot. For me. Sitting on the ground level of Xafra’s Estate. Well away from the real work of today. Letting the Re-Knitting she’s doing with Adaline on her form dribble down the bond. Nothing too specific, as I’d insisted she keep that one's privacy, but… Enough to let me know that it is all going well. Even shared a mental impression of Adaline’s delight as seeing Primrose standing with some stuffed animals. Her real excitement at this seems to smother the fear and Dysphoric pains.
She’ll be okay. My Xafra, my Näherin, is seeing to her.
And... Something about that hurts, oddly? Then my shoulder itches again as Lynette’s workings spill into me.
Brace, strangle the tether, focus on the Euphoria Adaline is getting. Use it as you’d clutch a rope between as a Summer Storm hits.
Takes me… Thirty seconds this time. To feel it safe to inhabit my body again without dissolving into a mess for all to see.
Deep breath, stupid Half-Knit, it wasn’t her. Lynette’s words were just… spoken like you did before the Garrote. Mimicking the Old Cunt was a delight to you so of course in those final moments of victory she’d forget herself. And Adaline’s not hurt due to you letting that messy bitch have free reign of Verbess’ half of the Dream.
And for the next hour I focus on keeping calm. Letting the sensations pass. Waiting to gift Adaline all the support that I so desperately want to give her. Especially after throwing herself into that messy Dream with nothing but delight.
Adaline leads the way down the stairs thrumming her Quills in excitement as she stops before me, bouncing up and down. "Elevar, can I hug you please?" She looks identical to how she did in the Dream, eyes, tusks, and Quills all as I remember.
I don't even need to fake my smile at her glee. Sweeping this wonderful girl up in a hug and giggling at her wonderfully woven song that dances through the Spire.
"Your form is such a delight!" I reply as I pull back. Looking her up and down and even stepping to the side to spot the Quills. "How is it? Better than in the Dream I hope?"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! It feels right, and like I'm no longer offset from reality. And!" She buzzes her Quills fiercely as she twirls like a gerl showing off her first dress. "They work, they're real and I'm allowed to have them."
"Your songs seem perfectly Tuned, to my Quilless perceptions." I nod, then turn to smirk at my Xafra. "Well done, truly."
"Thank you, it was a worthwhile effort." Xafra turns to look at Warden carefully piloting their shared Frame down the stairs while Verbess, Schatzi, and Krahe all messily wobble in front of it, their ethereal Physis bodies colliding instead of overlapping.
"It's... Important, that you know you are... Not responsible for Krahe if you don't wish to be. I remember your words and have no desire to pressure you to change them. But also, she is Pack, and the Pack is yours." My weapon murmurs.
I Cant ::Gratitude/Love/Discord:: while moving up to regard the gaggle as I intone privately to Xafra. {This messy gerl is mine too. My responsibility. Not when the alternatives are just more pain and heartbreak easily avoided for those I love. It... Lynette insisted. Pointedly. It has to be us. Me or her. This gerl poses such a risk to everything and has to be leashed. But... I'd rather it be me in title alone and you in Harmony.}
"Krahe, is this a name you'd like to keep? Best to not mantle you with a thing you don't want before we make any big decisions."
"I... Yeah. It... It feels right. Which is nice. Didn't ever find one that fit like this before." She nods and smirks, both her hands within Verbess and Schatzi's' as she looks between me and Xafra.
"That's wonderful, You deserve it. But… Now to apologize. Lynette was being unkind, but her goals leak from both our responsibilities here." I begin. "I won't let my Gerls lose another sister, and she can't let you leave. At least not without a Frame and sufficient assurances that you won't be forced to endanger this Estate's Function. Which being Harmonized with the Pack is the best and option for both. Because they are mine. So... Do you accept me as your Mistress, Xafra as your Pack lead, and all others chosen as your Pack Sisters?"
Krahe's already nodding before I even finish. "Sure, yeah, Not really following the first bits but... Being a part of the Pack is kinda the best thing that ever happened. The Frame this one got was just... Extra scales to the side. And to ALSO get my Little Birds back in a way that won't hurt them? Yes. Without hesitation. This one thought It was just some echo or... Or worse. Fighting Nightmares kinda skewed its view on things."
"Perfect. And... Thank you for trying to keep Verbess safe, and helping calm it." I smile softly as relief nearly knocks me over, then look to Xafra. "At your leisure then."
I don’t need to claim Krahe, because she’s already partially mine. Probably due to her sprouting from Verbess’ Core. But Xafra does unwind and re-knit things within all of them. Which goes exactly like it felt when she shared the process through the bond/ But… I do spot a ragged tear in Xafra’s soul core, like some creature took a bite of her. And… such a large wound would be lethal if not for the sheer density and size of her core!
As I watch, the Pack starts an inaudible song and Schatzi, then Verbess, then Warden, are all partially unwoven from within and without the Frame, a precise sliver of their core removed, the edges rejoined, and woven back together, with each piece being stitched into to Krahe's much smaller one that... Just so happens to be the exact size of the wound in Xafra's core.
As my emotions spike in understanding of what she gave this gerl, Xafra opens her eyes to stare at me while she works, silently asking me to keep it between us.
I nod and slide closer, looping and entwining fingers through hers in silent worry and thanks and support and… And apology.
[I will heal. Didn't have time to do it neatly, and with Nightmares invading, didn't want to risk being vulnerable by letting down all my defenses to do it properly.] She sends to me privately, while smiling at the others.
{I understand. Good work. I… I’m so very proud of you, My Xafra.}
"Okay, So. Krahe, you're fully stabilized now, and if you wish, your Mistress and I, and even Verbess who has shown great skill at carving, can make you your own Frame, since you currently exist in tandem between my form and your other Sisters. That goes for you as well, Warden, if you desire?"
Krahe pulses with surprise and excitement. "Bitch tits, really? I... Alright. Yeah. That... Okay. Thought I'd just keep watching the Dreamside of things and never... But yeah. That... Thanks!"
Everything seems so quiet as Krahe's words trail off. Like... like the space between a heartbeat you're unsure is rising up. And before the next thrum a single motion stands out above any others. Verbess' Physis manifestation, carefully yet with questionless intentionality, reaches back with its free hand to take up Warden's.
Effortlessly and without any sign of Discord or Division supporting its sister in whatever it chooses.
Warden looks around nervously, something difficult on the expressionless face "Warden would... Like to be an object? Jewelry or a Tool carried by Primary User." it states with anxiety.
"Of course." I reply without hesitation. "I'd love to keep you close, if you'd prefer that. Did you have a shape in mind? I've always considered you all my treasures but... I'd rather not impose a Frame or purpose without your assessment."
"Proposal: Warden obtains a belt knife Frame to provide Utility to Primary User and maintain Good Function." From its posture and the way it steps behind Verbess, it's suddenly clear to me that it is more worried about Xafra's reaction than my own.
Xafra in turn looks contemplative, Quills motionless. She nods and attempts to speak but no words come out, then...
"Okay, So. Krahe, you're fully stabilized now, and if you wish, your Mistress and I, and even Verbess who has shown great skill at carving, can make you your own Frame, since you currently exist in tandem between my form and your other Sisters. That goes for you as well, Warden, if you desire?"
"Mistress!" Adaline says with concern as her Quills thrum in distress, "You just said that less than a minute ago."
"No? I literally just opened the connection a heartbeat ago. Are you doing alright?" My Xafra replies.
I flinch, then hold a finger up to Adaline. "One moment... Please."
{Krahe just agreed, and Warden told you its preference.} I intone gently. {Do... Do you not remember? Is the wounded tissue of your soul causing memory issues or... Or does the Garrote come with limits on Frames you may weave?}
[What? I... No? Why don't I remember? Dolls didn't exist yet, so there can't be restrictions on my resheathing of them. It doesn't make sense.] She responds with worry.
I nod carefully. "Krahe, I'm guessing your shape within the Dream was your preference?"
"Y- yeah? Please?" She nods, confused but… willing to answer without questioning this mess. "Or as close as you can get. And... And a little shiftable like my Little Birds' Frame is, if you can."
"Of course..." Then I turn to Warden with a smile. "And there may be some... Limits, on what we can make for you, dear one. But Xafra seems to find herself at the edges of her abilities on your request. But, we'll see it done. We know it's possible, but... Be patient with your Pack Lead. She's going to adore it when she's able to plan out and shape it."
I turn back to carefully observe Xafra's core, watching for any Dysfunction within but... No. This scooping of memory was deft, precise, and done with subtle intentionality.
{Warden's request was something that might brush up too close to a thing I know your Garrote forbids.} I intone to Xafra. {We... I'm sorry. I've been using your notes on the Doll's freeing to work up some solutions but... but I'm going to need your help in filling the gaps between our times’ Garroting techniques.}
[I don't understand. There's no... Sin or Crime that could be considered here...] She shudders and her Quills vibrate in tune to Adaline's distress.
A Song of Soul (Witch)
Content Warnings:
SpoilerWribbles! Um.... Dysphoria. More soul links. Soul wounds. talk of past self-harm, child abuse, mind magic, delusions, death of crafted headmate, torture, and.... woops!
[collapse]
I’ve never been good at being alone. Never liked the things that bubble up when I’m left to my own nonsense.
Thought that would change when Lynette first wove herself about my shoulders and cooed happily at the little treasure I held close. Radiating delight for the little work of Art in my care and asking if I’d like her help caring for the gerl.
Not that I deserve any peace but… I’ve always been cursed with a desire for things I was not owed. And when I catch the hypothetical and literal animal of the thing I’ve been chasing?
Well…
Lynette is still here, of course, but I could probably scream my lungs out and she’d not even deign to notice my distress. Because she’s hooked her prey, lashed it to her Estate, and is slowly pulling the thing in. Her manic and delight and focus are all upon her tasks.
And… This is a good spot. For me. Sitting on the ground level of Xafra’s Estate. Well away from the real work of today. Letting the Re-Knitting she’s doing with Adaline on her form dribble down the bond. Nothing too specific, as I’d insisted she keep that one's privacy, but… Enough to let me know that it is all going well. Even shared a mental impression of Adaline’s delight as seeing Primrose standing with some stuffed animals. Her real excitement at this seems to smother the fear and Dysphoric pains.
She’ll be okay. My Xafra, my Näherin, is seeing to her.
And... Something about that hurts, oddly? Then my shoulder itches again as Lynette’s workings spill into me.
Brace, strangle the tether, focus on the Euphoria Adaline is getting. Use it as you’d clutch a rope between as a Summer Storm hits.
Takes me… Thirty seconds this time. To feel it safe to inhabit my body again without dissolving into a mess for all to see.
Deep breath, stupid Half-Knit, it wasn’t her. Lynette’s words were just… spoken like you did before the Garrote. Mimicking the Old Cunt was a delight to you so of course in those final moments of victory she’d forget herself. And Adaline’s not hurt due to you letting that messy bitch have free reign of Verbess’ half of the Dream.
And for the next hour I focus on keeping calm. Letting the sensations pass. Waiting to gift Adaline all the support that I so desperately want to give her. Especially after throwing herself into that messy Dream with nothing but delight.
Adaline leads the way down the stairs thrumming her Quills in excitement as she stops before me, bouncing up and down. "Elevar, can I hug you please?" She looks identical to how she did in the Dream, eyes, tusks, and Quills all as I remember.
I don't even need to fake my smile at her glee. Sweeping this wonderful girl up in a hug and giggling at her wonderfully woven song that dances through the Spire.
"Your form is such a delight!" I reply as I pull back. Looking her up and down and even stepping to the side to spot the Quills. "How is it? Better than in the Dream I hope?"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! It feels right, and like I'm no longer offset from reality. And!" She buzzes her Quills fiercely as she twirls like a gerl showing off her first dress. "They work, they're real and I'm allowed to have them."
"Your songs seem perfectly Tuned, to my Quilless perceptions." I nod, then turn to smirk at my Xafra. "Well done, truly."
"Thank you, it was a worthwhile effort." Xafra turns to look at Warden carefully piloting their shared Frame down the stairs while Verbess, Schatzi, and Krahe all messily wobble in front of it, their ethereal Physis bodies colliding instead of overlapping.
"It's... Important, that you know you are... Not responsible for Krahe if you don't wish to be. I remember your words and have no desire to pressure you to change them. But also, she is Pack, and the Pack is yours." My weapon murmurs.
I Cant ::Gratitude/Love/Discord:: while moving up to regard the gaggle as I intone privately to Xafra. {This messy gerl is mine too. My responsibility. Not when the alternatives are just more pain and heartbreak easily avoided for those I love. It... Lynette insisted. Pointedly. It has to be us. Me or her. This gerl poses such a risk to everything and has to be leashed. But... I'd rather it be me in title alone and you in Harmony.}
"Krahe, is this a name you'd like to keep? Best to not mantle you with a thing you don't want before we make any big decisions."
"I... Yeah. It... It feels right. Which is nice. Didn't ever find one that fit like this before." She nods and smirks, both her hands within Verbess and Schatzi's' as she looks between me and Xafra.
"That's wonderful, You deserve it. But… Now to apologize. Lynette was being unkind, but her goals leak from both our responsibilities here." I begin. "I won't let my Gerls lose another sister, and she can't let you leave. At least not without a Frame and sufficient assurances that you won't be forced to endanger this Estate's Function. Which being Harmonized with the Pack is the best and option for both. Because they are mine. So... Do you accept me as your Mistress, Xafra as your Pack lead, and all others chosen as your Pack Sisters?"
Krahe's already nodding before I even finish. "Sure, yeah, Not really following the first bits but... Being a part of the Pack is kinda the best thing that ever happened. The Frame this one got was just... Extra scales to the side. And to ALSO get my Little Birds back in a way that won't hurt them? Yes. Without hesitation. This one thought It was just some echo or... Or worse. Fighting Nightmares kinda skewed its view on things."
"Perfect. And... Thank you for trying to keep Verbess safe, and helping calm it." I smile softly as relief nearly knocks me over, then look to Xafra. "At your leisure then."
I don’t need to claim Krahe, because she’s already partially mine. Probably due to her sprouting from Verbess’ Core. But Xafra does unwind and re-knit things within all of them. Which goes exactly like it felt when she shared the process through the bond/ But… I do spot a ragged tear in Xafra’s soul core, like some creature took a bite of her. And… such a large wound would be lethal if not for the sheer density and size of her core!
As I watch, the Pack starts an inaudible song and Schatzi, then Verbess, then Warden, are all partially unwoven from within and without the Frame, a precise sliver of their core removed, the edges rejoined, and woven back together, with each piece being stitched into to Krahe's much smaller one that... Just so happens to be the exact size of the wound in Xafra's core.
As my emotions spike in understanding of what she gave this gerl, Xafra opens her eyes to stare at me while she works, silently asking me to keep it between us.
I nod and slide closer, looping and entwining fingers through hers in silent worry and thanks and support and… And apology.
[I will heal. Didn't have time to do it neatly, and with Nightmares invading, didn't want to risk being vulnerable by letting down all my defenses to do it properly.] She sends to me privately, while smiling at the others.
{I understand. Good work. I… I’m so very proud of you, My Xafra.}
"Okay, So. Krahe, you're fully stabilized now, and if you wish, your Mistress and I, and even Verbess who has shown great skill at carving, can make you your own Frame, since you currently exist in tandem between my form and your other Sisters. That goes for you as well, Warden, if you desire?"
Krahe pulses with surprise and excitement. "Bitch tits, really? I... Alright. Yeah. That... Okay. Thought I'd just keep watching the Dreamside of things and never... But yeah. That... Thanks!"
Everything seems so quiet as Krahe's words trail off. Like... like the space between a heartbeat you're unsure is rising up. And before the next thrum a single motion stands out above any others. Verbess' Physis manifestation, carefully yet with questionless intentionality, reaches back with its free hand to take up Warden's.
Effortlessly and without any sign of Discord or Division supporting its sister in whatever it chooses.
Warden looks around nervously, something difficult on the expressionless face "Warden would... Like to be an object? Jewelry or a Tool carried by Primary User." it states with anxiety.
"Of course." I reply without hesitation. "I'd love to keep you close, if you'd prefer that. Did you have a shape in mind? I've always considered you all my treasures but... I'd rather not impose a Frame or purpose without your assessment."
"Proposal: Warden obtains a belt knife Frame to provide Utility to Primary User and maintain Good Function." From its posture and the way it steps behind Verbess, it's suddenly clear to me that it is more worried about Xafra's reaction than my own.
Xafra in turn looks contemplative, Quills motionless. She nods and attempts to speak but no words come out, then...
"Okay, So. Krahe, you're fully stabilized now, and if you wish, your Mistress and I, and even Verbess who has shown great skill at carving, can make you your own Frame, since you currently exist in tandem between my form and your other Sisters. That goes for you as well, Warden, if you desire?"
"Mistress!" Adaline says with concern as her Quills thrum in distress, "You just said that less than a minute ago."
"No? I literally just opened the connection a heartbeat ago. Are you doing alright?" My Xafra replies.
I flinch, then hold a finger up to Adaline. "One moment... Please."
{Krahe just agreed, and Warden told you its preference.} I intone gently. {Do... Do you not remember? Is the wounded tissue of your soul causing memory issues or... Or does the Garrote come with limits on Frames you may weave?}
[What? I... No? Why don't I remember? Dolls didn't exist yet, so there can't be restrictions on my resheathing of them. It doesn't make sense.] She responds with worry.
I nod carefully. "Krahe, I'm guessing your shape within the Dream was your preference?"
"Y- yeah? Please?" She nods, confused but… willing to answer without questioning this mess. "Or as close as you can get. And... And a little shiftable like my Little Birds' Frame is, if you can."
"Of course..." Then I turn to Warden with a smile. "And there may be some... Limits, on what we can make for you, dear one. But Xafra seems to find herself at the edges of her abilities on your request. But, we'll see it done. We know it's possible, but... Be patient with your Pack Lead. She's going to adore it when she's able to plan out and shape it."
I turn back to carefully observe Xafra's core, watching for any Dysfunction within but... No. This scooping of memory was deft, precise, and done with subtle intentionality.
{Warden's request was something that might brush up too close to a thing I know your Garrote forbids.} I intone to Xafra. {We... I'm sorry. I've been using your notes on the Doll's freeing to work up some solutions but... but I'm going to need your help in filling the gaps between our times’ Garroting techniques.}
[I don't understand. There's no... Sin or Crime that could be considered here...] She shudders and her Quills vibrate in tune to Adaline's distress.
