|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 3, 2018 4:22:56 GMT
It was chaos all around her. Molly didn't know what was going on, or how things had come to this. One moment, it had been peaceful, a normal day at work with Heather, Demmy, and the others. Then... explosions shook the cafe. Flames and smoke consumed everything in a flash, and where once there had been an ideal day, now there was only a living hell.
One such explosion sent Molly flying through the air, her body only stopping when she hit a large metal pole. Her body surged with pain, and she crumpled to the floor. She could feel the blood dripping down her face, the cracked bones in her body, and the limpness of her legs. What had happened? Why was this happening? What was going on?
"Molly... Run!" Demmy's voice, weak and choked into an almost intelligible mess, reached her ears. She struggled to look up, and her heart was sunk with dread. A form, a frame enveloped in a dark shroud, had a large and slender hand around Demmy's throat. The girl was trying to free herself, kicking and punching into the void, but the fiend didn't care. A foot stepped out from the void, a large metallic spiked boot, and stepped down upon a downed Heather's head. Heather's cries of pain were cut short when her head was crushed a moment later, and the blood splashed upon Molly's face.
"HEATHER! DEMMY!" She tried to scream, but nothing came from her mouth. It was only silence from her. She tried to scream louder, to get to her feat and retaliate, to help Demmy out, anything she could, but her body refused to obey. There was nothing she could do to help her friend, but lay there, and stare at her in this helpless state.
The fiend raised up its other hand, and blue flames spread from it and across Demmy's body. Demmy screamed as the flames ate at her body, and within seconds, incinerated her into nothingness. Molly's heart froze at the sight of her friend's demise, but that cold chill turned into outright terror when the fiend shifted its gaze to her. Two bright white lights peered from the shroud and into her soul.
"The destruction of the demon race is His will, and I, I am His instrument, even in His death." A voice, as if composed by dozens speaking at once and of men, women, and children, echoed around her. The frame's right hand reached for her, and the monster approached, the lights glowing brighter and brighter. "Child of Man, be absolved of your sins, and your suffering."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Molly nearly shot out of her bed. She was panting heavily, and her pulse was racing. She looked around, and to her relief, saw that what she had experienced hadn't been real. She was in her rented room at the Bar, and in the adjacent bed from hers was Demmy, who also rose up, and glared at her.
"Geez, did you have to scream my eardrums off?" Demmy grumbled. "What, did you see a spider or cockroach?"
"No... Nothing like that." Molly admitted. She wiped the sweat off of her face. "Just, a bad dream. A really bad dream, Demmy."
"How bad could it have been for you to wake up the entire bar? Was it me and Heather getting married? Or you getting a pet goat?"
"No, not that at all!" Molly nearly shouted, but caught her volume at the last moment. "I... I'll tell you later. I'm not in the right state of mind to say it without freaking out again."
Demmy rolled out of her bed. "You better tell me later, or I'm going to hound you on this until you pay back for my sleep you robbed me." She walked over and opened up the curtains. The sun was starting to rise up over the horizon, casting a deep orange glow over Mival and the buildings Demmy could see from this point. "Not even seven... By the gods, now I can't get back to sleep!"
Molly laid back down with her head on her pillow. Why had she seen such a horrible nightmare? Was it the stress of being here away from home? No, that had to be it. Dreams and nightmares were just products of the subconcious and its desires, or even highly influenced by recent happenings. That was all this was, just a very bad dream.
"Tch! You get to try and go back to sleep while I'm stuck wide awake? I'll go grab some breakfast or something." Demmy slogged over to the front door, unlocked it, and opened it so she could head out...
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 16, 2018 23:48:49 GMT
With Demmy out the door, Molly found herself staring up at the ceiling, the plain white bumpy ceiling to the room. Over and over, she kept telling herself that what she had experienced was just a product of the mind, but she just couldn't fully convince herself. There was a small part of her, some inner nagging thought that refused to accept such an obvious explanation.
"Child of man? The Demon Race? That strange echoing voice... It's nonsense. It just has to be nonsense. There's no way any of that can be real, not from my world anyway. This place is getting to me." She tried to rationalize. Yet, the thought kept coming back to her, and it took her longer than she would have wanted to realize what exactly it was: That strange woman who had attacked Demmy that day they met, that towering pale skinned abomination of a woman. The crimson red eyes, the enormous height , the strangely deep voice that had come from her, none of it was natural. People, let alone women, never got that large. It was a biological anomaly for anyone to be nine, no, ten feet in height. And worse, the look that had been in her eyes, a void that had sent unnatural shivers down Molly's spine, like there had been almost ten pairs of burning, emotionless eyes burning into her and not just one.
She had thought that strange woman had been just a byproduct of the scientific accident that turned her world upside down, no different from the werewolves and zombies, but... something was off about everything, about the dream, about that woman, about the past three months even before she and Demmy had been warped here. It all felt so... wrong to her, and that wrongness, that feeling of the unknown, was like poison to her soul. The more she tried to make sense of it all, the more it felt her conscious and her mind were shriveling and wilting before something she couldn't comprehend.
Why was all this strange stuff happening to her, and to Demmy and Heather as well?
She raised her head back up. She thought she heard it, a noise faint and sweet that came from the window. She crawled out of her bed, cautious and paranoid, and carefully looked down through the window. To her surprise, she saw an oak apartment complex just across from her, and on a floor just below where she was, was the elderly woman from the baths. She was seated by her own window, and running a comb through her breaking hair.
Molly felt her heart slow back down to its normal rate, and realized her face was covered in cold sweat. She frantically wiped it off, and, curious, creaked her window open. That was when she realized the sound she had heard wasn't just the old woman speaking, but her singing:
"Holy, Holy, Holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, though the eye made blind by sin Thy glory may not see, only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity."
Molly's eyes widened. That song... it sounded familiar to her, but from where?
In her moment of shock, she leaned too far forward, and the window groaned as it was pushed out.
"Ey? Whazza?" The old woman frantically looked around with the sound, before her eyes looked upward. "Oh, it's you, young lady. What, are you now spying on me for your rude friend? Tell her to come down and and I'll give her a piece of my mind!"
________________
The woman in question had a hand over her stomach as she lumbered down the hallway. Though she didn't need to eat per say, with a human body came human desires, and her body screamed for food.
She tried to eyeball if there was a place to eat that wasn't the bar itself, but with how early it was, she was starting to doubt anything was open. Just her luck. "Geh, thank you Molly for waking me up when there's nothing to eat or enjoy." Demmy muttered. Was anyone even awake at this hour? And where was the nearest vending machine, at least? Anything would do, even a snack bag...
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 17, 2018 2:53:42 GMT
The tall, white-haired woman almost toppled over a much shorter, thinner person also staggering down the hallway, stumbling heavily towards the lobby like a zombie.
"S... Sorry, I was- oh. Hi, Dem."
The angular face of Alex was twisted backwards. Dark circles ringed his dulled eyes, making his cheeks looks pale in comparison. It seemed as if he had not slept at all.
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 17, 2018 3:19:24 GMT
"A-Alex?!"
Demmy had to stop herself from completely stumbling over him. She had been so caught up in her drive to eat, she hadn't noticed the monster lover until it was almost too late. Before she could think of anything else to say, she noticed just how... ghastly his face was. It wasn't a sight she had expected to see in the slightest, and she nearly jumped back in shock from it.
"By the gods, Alex! The hell happened to you? Did you have a run in with a necromancer or something last night? A bad dream like Molly had?"
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 17, 2018 4:44:58 GMT
"No, I... uh... just couldn't get to sleep. I- I get insomnia. Guess I'm too used to Stage," he shrugged weakly. "Um... you settled in better I hope?"
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 17, 2018 4:48:42 GMT
Demmy let out a sigh of relief, but beneath half closed eyes she kept a close watch on Alex, just in case. "Yeah, somewhat... until Molly woke me up not even 5 minutes ago screaming like a boiled bat. I was having such a good rest, and then I guess she had a nightmare or saw a really big cockroach. So all that sleep for me is ruined, and now I'm just hungry."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 17, 2018 4:51:17 GMT
"Screaming?" Alex's hooded eyes widened some. "Oh no. I... Is she alright now?"
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 17, 2018 5:07:43 GMT
"She's fine, just... something spooked her bad." Demmy grumbled. "She's back in the room, probably back to sleep. Gods know she needs it after everything that's happened so far. An actual bed and mattress would do wonders for her... No offense to the stuff you had back at camp, of course." This last part, she was quick to add in, so as to try and not offend what Alex and Sam had set up.
___________________
Molly shook her head. "Oh, no no no no no! I'm not doing this on her behalf! She doesn't even know, I swear. She's left the room and I just heard your singing after having a nightmare and-"
"Calm down, girl." The old woman chuckled. She waved her comb in the air, before setting it aside. "I was only teasing you. I can tell she's not in that room at the moment, but still, wasn't quite expecting to see you so soon. You living there now?"
"Yes, yes we are. We're actually working here at the bar at nights, so we can rest during most of the morning and day. And, sorry about last night. I chewed out my friend over her comments to you."
"That's nice to hear. Someone with some actual respect and care for the elderly, or at least that's what your lips say. Is it what your heart says as well? Does it really like my singing, or does it not understand?"
Molly opened her mouth, but she couldn't think of anything. That "from the heart" comment again, just like last night. "I... I guess I don't know." She finally admitted.
"Of course you don't know what your heart wants or thinks. No person can know by themselves. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool." The old woman leered up at Molly. "You need a supernatural hand for that, a divine force to search within you and tell you what your heart says. Otherwise, it's clouded by your own bias and judgement." Before Molly could respond to that, the woman shifted her conversation. "But, I can wait to hear the answer to that. You and your friend, you're outsiders to this world, aren't you?"
Molly nodded, and before she knew it, she found herself explaining to the old woman what had happened, starting with the bright light that had taken them into this world. She told her of their encounter with dinosaurs and monsters, of the aid given to them by Alex and Sam, their close run in with the Despot and the strange woman Unish. When she said her name, the woman's face began to sour, and a chipped tooth stuck from the top of her mouth...
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 17, 2018 5:20:10 GMT
Alex shook his head, making his long, unruly hair wobble. "N- No, no, it's... Stage isn't for everyone. Vee sleeps like a rock whenever we spend a night in real beds. S- So, uh... were you headed down for breakfast?"
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 17, 2018 5:24:27 GMT
The answer to that question came from a loud, drawn out growl from Demmy's stomach. The woman's face lilted a few degrees red, and she rapidly nodded. "Yes. Yes I was. Just couldn't make heads or tails of this place."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 17, 2018 5:34:33 GMT
Clearing his throat, Alex averted his eyes from Demmy's warm face. "U- Um... would you mind if I joined you? S... S- Sam... went out at first light. To pick up some things. Y- You know... while we're in town."
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 17, 2018 6:08:38 GMT
"Sure, feel free to join me." Demmy stated. "Food's best enjoyed with company after all. That's what my parents told me so long ago."
She looked around, to the left, then to the right. "Now, where is the lobby to grab a bite again?"
___________
When Molly finished her story, ending with the details of her nightmare, the old woman placed a hand on her chin, and ran her tooth across her lip. "That's quite the eventful few days you had there, Molly. More than I had in my time here, and I guess I should be thankful for that. From one disaster to another, and miraculously escaping with your life. You must have quite the guardian angel watching over you."
"I suppose so... or just absurd luck, which I guess runs in both directions, seeing as I'm stuck between two very angry co-workers."
"Feel free to prefer thinking of it as divine providence, or however it makes you feel better. I like to think there's some higher power in play, at least one there to keep me safe through these final bitter years without my beloved." She stood, and began to reach out for the window. "Got to prepare for my own morning, but if you want to hear my singing some more, come by the baths. The name's Sulis, by the way."
"It's a lovely name, as is your singing. You sounded so at peace and youthful during it, like a woman half your age."
Sulis chuckled again. "My lover always said I had the voice of an angel when I sang, and I still do." She began to close the window, but stopped. "Oh, and Molly, a word of caution for you."
Molly, who had just been closing her own window, paused. "Yes? Caution about what?"
"Your friend." Sulis plainly said. She snorted, and tried to flex the fingers in her right hand, but they were stiff and resistant. "Now, I'm not an interpreter of visions or a dream reader, but your dream, combined with what I saw in your friend's eyes last night, worries me."
"What about her? She can be mean spirited, but she means we-"
"To you, she does." Sulis cut her off. The old woman shifted in her seat. "When you are the source of her attention, her eyes are like anyone else's. But, the moment her attention is elsewhere, and you cannot see... I saw the eyes of an uncaring, apathetic monster, a beast who only cares for themselves and no one else. I've seen that look before, in those who come to this city pretending to be human. Almost every case, it's quickly revealed they aren't, and lives are lost once the ruse is up. Be very careful with your friend, Molly. I hope I'm wrong, but for your sake, take special note of her eyes when she thinks you're not paying attention..."
With that, the window was closed, and Molly was left standing there, dozens of new questions having flooded into her mind. Demmy... a monster? No, she had to be exaggerating, stretching the truth. Yes, she was crass and haughty at times and rude, but not a man eating nightmare. That wasn't the woman she worked with, it just couldn't be.
She sat back on her bed, and looked up at the ceiling again. "Demmy..."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Apr 17, 2018 18:17:48 GMT
"Down here!" a familiar voice shouted from the lower stairwell. Apparently Demmy and Alex weren't as silent as they had initially thought. "To your left and down the stairs!"
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 18, 2018 2:10:55 GMT
"O- Oh. Uh... to the left and down, I guess." Alex stepped to the side to make room for the larger frame of Demmy. "After you? You, um... seem like you need it."
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 18, 2018 4:21:57 GMT
Demmy recognized the voice, or at least she thought she did. It was hard for her to tell with her mind so out of it. "Thank you." She said to Alex, before she began to make her way to the left, then down the stairs. She had to be careful to not miss a step and go tumbling down.
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Apr 18, 2018 5:04:11 GMT
At the bottom of the stairs, busing a table in the middle of the hotel's lobby, was the familiar face of Boris. He looked up towards the stairwell and smiled towards Demmy.
"Hey, hey! Good morning to you!" Boris shouted, standing up from leaning over the table to wave to her. "Where's your lovely compatriot this morning?"
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 18, 2018 5:17:26 GMT
Alex, far from as careful as his companion, misstepped and stumbled down the last stretch of stairs. His forehead bumped Demmy between her shoulder blades.
"S- Sorry! And, u- uh... that wasn't a declaration or anything... I'm not as pretty as Molly..."
|
|
|
Post by Executus Gira on Apr 18, 2018 5:28:45 GMT
Demmy turned to try and help Alex. He really was completely out of it... it had to be more than just being sleep deprived. Normally, she'd be... upset at someone bumping into her back like that, no doubt because of similar instances with Heather that turned into cruel and unorthodox pranks, but that quite wasn't on her mind at the moment.
"Please watch your step, Alex. Maybe some coffee would do you well. Whatever type you like, I hope." She then quickly turned to Boris. "Sorry for the delayed 'Morning' to you. Molly is... well, she didn't have a good night's sleep like Alex, and she woke up from something, either a nightmare or a big bug, I don't know."
|
|
|
Post by Orcus on his Throne on Apr 18, 2018 6:27:34 GMT
"Well, that's quite unfortunate," Boris replied, looking quite sullen. "I'm sorry that Molly didn't sleep well. And I'm sorry to you too Alex. I hope you feel better."
He turned to fully face Alex. "If you want, I can prepare you a cup of coffee before I head out."
|
|
|
Post by Stage on Apr 18, 2018 6:40:16 GMT
"Thanks. And, um... sure. Thank you."
Alex did not often drink coffee. In fact, he tried to avoid it. He found it only made him anxious, then terribly tired after a few hours.
He could use that jolt today however. The sleep once he got back to Stage as well.
|
|