Little lamp, flung from the flock (open)

Mmmmmmmmmmm…. good.

The screams of terror were delicious to the Dreamweaver, who could feel the despair and fear in the air in bite-sized pieces. Oh, how she wanted more. Detecting the source of such delicacies, the blonde-haired woman began walking towards it. The Hakobe Settlements were always filled with some sort of grief or misery, but what she was sampling now was mere excellence.

The child screamed, running as fast as she could with adrenaline likely fueling her. In her path stood the Dreamweaver, wearing a blonde-haired young adult form with casual clothes. Green eyes shimmered as she attempted to catch the kid, and stared down with an eager, cruel smile. “Hello little girl~” the nightmare spoke, aiming to grab the girls wrists and keep a solid hold of her. Upon making physical contact with the girl, an illusory dog collar would appear around the raven-haired teen’s neck, with a golden tag on it.

One hand would aim to grab the tag and hold it up for close inspection and reading. The Dreamweaver clicked her tongue while she feigned a look of worry. “It seems you belong to someone called ‘Ambrosia’. I best take you back to your owner, hm?” she continued in a sympathetic voice. Upon snapping her fingers, a red ribbon would appear and begin to weave it’s way around the girl, aiming to tie a bow around her to keep her arms from moving. If she were successful, the child would appear as if she were ready to be put under a Christmas tree.

With the child so elegantly and gracefully ribbon’d up, the Dreamweaver would attempt to lift the girl in her arms and cradle her like one would a baby. She walked in the direction of where she was certain her teammate was, who likely had given chase. A tag appeared on the red ribbon that read: “To Ambrosia. Happy Unbirthday!”

A delighted grin shot back at Ambrosia upon her teammate recognizing the unique gift the Dreamweaver had in her arms. “Just for you, my dear Ambrosia~” the blonde replied with a sickeningly sweet smile, before glancing back down at the raven-haired girl. Some uncanny magic was making her beautiful ribbons decay. The source seemed to be the girl in her arms.

The ribbons were just about done decaying off of the girl by now. At that point, the insult towards the exceed was hurdled into the air by the childlike teen. As soon as she told Ambrosia to go swallow a gallon of glass and listed her as a ‘furry’, the Dreamweaver aimed to drop the girl on the frozen patch. Upon doing so, she would then lift her leg to step on top of the girl, as a hunter would do to his catch.

“Now, now, there is no need to be rude. If you cooperate, we can guarantee mediocre comfort the rest of the way,” the nightmare said, gazing down at the girl with gleeful green eyes. She paused for a moment, however, as if she were thinking about something. “Then again, you don’t have to cooperate if you don’t want to. That’s always many times more fun and delicious~”

Exhausted wasn't the right feeling which brought forth his persistent display of frustration and annoyance. From the every moment he'd return to the daunting slope of Hakobe, to the time where he'd be departing elsewhere, was clearly contrast to where and when he'd be receiving daylight. Certainly it was not here. The gloomy base of the mountain was met with unexpected company just past the raging torrent, where the darkness had taken toll on the villagers who appeared just as sullen as he did. Everything was in a poor state— from the poorly built homes and the many that lay freezing on the streets. Some might've found themselves far to measly to even leave this place and discover a better life elsewhere.

Theo had felt sorry for them, yet he kept the golden faced downward. The last time he had bothered to help, he'd nearly been stabbed in regards to his affiliation. It wasn't as if he could deny that either. The villagers hardly sought aid in anyone, especially if they came from Serpents— he could protest loudly that his friend was not as cruel as what had been presumed. Then again, it was not as if he was truly aware of everything Ahote had done. Despite being a genuine friend, there were things they had yet to converse about, secrets they had not found the courage to reveal.

Forced from the depth of his thoughts, the shrilling cry of a voice resounded loudly into reality. Just to the front, a few lengths away stood a pair of woman with one holding a child in her arms. Desperately she was looking around, openly seeking help in the clarity of her wet cheeks and terrified gaze. Theo hadn't grown very familiar with who exactly was apart of the guild, though the other two felt oddly familiar. Furrowed brows deepened in irritation, beginning to approach the boisterous dilemma that was being disregarded by the many citizens of this gloomy town. Or had they rather been to frightened to step forth?  
"What the hell are you two doing?" he'd start, the discontent practically dripping off every word, arms folded and glare unwavering of hostility.

---

Their fun was cut short by the approach of the chocolate man. Veronika recognized him as a fellow guildmember of Basilisk Fang. The Dreamweaver realized Ambrosia was reverting to a much more human shape, leaving behind all of her exceed features. She confronted the man while the nightmare stayed with the young Akeldama, a foot still pinning the child down. The raven-haired girl expressed that she would be good, which slightly disappointed the blonde. She truly did wish they would get a little more action out of the young homeless girl. Unfortunately, the Dreamweaver was a triangle of her word, for now.

“Stay put, or I’m pinning you down with a spike and not a foot,” the nightmare said, green eyes smiling down at the young Akeldama for a few heartbeats before refocusing on their guildmate. Taking her foot off of the girl, the Dreamweaver walked towards the chocolate-haired man, chuckling softly as Ambrosia attempted to flick his nose. Perhaps this person would be more fun than Akeldama was for a few moments. Anger was certainly a delicacy, and was the starting point for even greater and better-tasting feasts.

Just as the nightmare was walking, she would vanish out of sight and reappear behind Theo, aiming a hand to gently touch the back of his head to nudge his focus in the direction of the young Akeldama. “What do you think about our specimen? Won’t she be a great pet, or would she be better off a meal on the dining table?” the Dreamweaver asked with a feigned innocent smile.

The figure that was poised of features that were prominent in that of a feline dissipated into something much different, shifting and reeling like a flower that so naturally lit up in the light of the sun. Two acute looks bared into each other, clashing of a vile nature and one that was simply bothered by the act of tormenting a child. If it had been anything else, perhaps he wouldn't have looked twice. Her presence was stiffening, the creeping slither of hands firmly knotted against the right arm, though Theo kept still and listened to her speak. A flaring anger was boiling over within, the opposing hand reaching to grasp to the wrist of the other before she could've managed to trace a finger to his features. Whatever it was that had been planned, swiftly the decision had formed.

"You're full of shit," venom traced the voice, brushing the raised tool elsewhere, "That kid does not—!" startled by the touch, though not enough it enacted a jump in the frame, golden eyes wandered towards the still fallen youth. How the other had appeared so aimlessly to the back of his shadow was the least of his concern, even if it might have been vaguely curious. Appalling words drifted upward, like a whisper of the wind tickling the nape of his neck. Whatever the pair were, they were quite confident that anything could have been made a meal. Just what exactly that entailed was the route he had not been willing to let the other discover. Theo stepped away, taking few paces towards the girl before facing the apparent source in this eerie dilemma.

"She doesn't belong to you," the furrow remained as he continued, "There is no way in hell I'd ever be claimed, not by you vermin or even Ahote." it was simply the truth. What had occurred in his entrance to this gloomy establishment was formed merely by the bond that had come since their first meeting, "Nobody here is your pet, not if I'm around. Why don't you crawl on back to the trash you both crept out of—" the harsh impact was pursued, though not much else could be said. Being viewed as a pet was something he disdained more than anything. A memory that haunted him in the notion of anger. Recognized in a girl who couldn't do much against her much more influential attackers.

---

“That’s cute,” Veronika whispered into the chocolate one’s ear from behind, having followed him as he moved towards Ambrosia. She placed a hand on his back, her eyes closing as she began to decipher what he had hidden in the past. “Adorable words for one so pathetic.”

As she uttered the words, she would attempt to utilize some of her personal powers. The Dreamweaver did not have magic in the traditional sense of those from the physical realms. Instead, she had her own innate abilities, and would use them when it meant the promise of food. She would attempt to use such surreal abilities to paralyze the man, making him go limp. Using her gentle hand, the Dreamweaver would try to push him over so he would have landed on the frosty ground. From there, she generated some tethers and chains to bind him with, much like ones Theo would remember from that place.

All around the two, a scene would manifest itself, the surrounding melting into what her guildmate would remember as the place where he was imprisoned. Only she and Theo could see it, as to not confuse her teammate and the new pet too much. “How does it feel to be helpless, like the terrier you are, dear Theo?” Veronika cooed with delighted venom dripping from her voice. A cruel sparkle in her eyes, she pulled another thing she could imagine from his past-- a scary syringe with an ever so pointy needle. Bending down closer to the hopefully fallen man, she would attempt to stick him with it. Flowing out of it would be a sensation of burning acid searing through his veins.

Veronika cast a glance over her shoulder towards Ambrosia and the raven-haired girl as she removed the syringe temporarily. “Wait just a moment, my friend. I still know a way to put your new pet to good use. Mind if I borrow her for just a few minutes?” the Dreamweaver asked with a giddy smile, her jaws parted as she tasted the delicious energy in the air.

To be retained as something akin to an object of amusement could hardly control the force of enmity, further driving the daunting feel at the remark of his friend. Never would it be allowed in his mind, that his existence was meant in captivity. Especially for one that should have never beheld such words in a life that had been scarcely more normal than his own. "What did you say?" threatening was the voice that deluged past grinding teeth, as if pressing that the foul woman would disregard her insults in another place and at another time. "You aren't going anywhere." softness drawled out from the stillness of the cool air, the town separating elsewhere of company. It had seemed those that had originally been ambling onward grasped the omen of this current situation, especially the young girl. From what Theo could tell, it was hardly concerning until the blonde settled a hand against his back.

"Real insulting, coming from you." though spoken with confidence, as the figure turned from the other, a weightless sensation took hold. From the tips of his fingers to the bottom of his feet, there was no feeling. So overwhelming that Theo was unable to grasp balance in spite of how harmless the urge was, descending into the cool earth with a distinct thud! Arms trembled, the upper half endeavoring just to keep itself lifted through his suddenly powerless state. The gloom dulled, fading into what could've only been presumed as a nightmare.

His nightmare.

Theo moved once more, harsh metal restraining the wrists, identical to what had been used in the flutter of the past. From bindings they extended to one that coiled against the neck, keeping hands in place. "You... bitch...!" the vile insult was forced through his sluggish ordeal, glaring up at blonde, "Get out of my head!" few seconds passed through the spirited look, eventually closing the sight due to his current "surroundings". Truly in desperation, in the darkness to the back of the curtain did he know this couldn't be real. That in all of the places, in all of these times, the scene would return to the reality of this dreary town.

An alarmed breath discarded itself at the terrifying feeling, the golden peering from the lashes as he buried himself into the whiteness of the snow. Rather than to spout out more curses, the agony strangled him in the sensation, biting fiercely on the impulse for tears. The last thing he wanted was to look weak, as much as it hurt. Unsteady breaths melted the layer beneath, fingers fisting as far into the cool substance that he'd met the frozen earth. With so much going on, it was difficult for him to discern how much he wanted to kill these two.

---

The nightmare she had to offer stoked all kinds of emotions. From what the Dreamweaver could taste, the predominant one was anger. Why would he not be angry with the two? His demand for her to get out of his head was met with an amused chuckle. It was really a shame-- she had not completely broken him yet. Fortunately, anger was the tipping point for a tasty downhill spiral. However, before she could fully bring him to despair, Veronika wanted to deliver him some real pain that was not so easily ignored or muscled through.

The Dreamweaver refreshed the appearance of the surroundings for Theo, attempting to ensure that he would be trapped within the confines of that prison he once knew. This scenery would be unseen by the raven-haired girl and the exceed, but would reinforce what she wanted her guildmate to feel. A smirk on her face, Veronika generated a plastic spork out of thin air into her hands and handed it to the child who had trudged up to her. “Akeldama, my dear, I have a very important task for you. Remove one of Theo’s eyes and give it to me. You can use this if you want,” the nightmare said, handing the plastic spork to the young teen.

Veronika leaned back down towards Theo and stroked his chocolate hair gently. “Tell me if this is all in your head, terrier,” she chuckled, green eyes flicking back towards Akeldama expectantly. She not only wanted the reaction of Theo, but of the small girl as well. She would stuff as much food on her plate as she could. Besides, she needed one of those golden eyes for something very important. As for her guildmate, she was not cruel enough to leave him without an eye. She would make him another one just like it if he wanted, by the end of this, or an even better one. For now, however, she wanted him broken. She wanted to taste despair.

A body that was not made as what functioned seemingly in the appearance of human, was still subject to the torrid kindle of acid creeping through. Teeth clenched so firmly together that they could have broken, fingers so drawn into the rugged earth that the nails might have started to peel. Once it had extended as far as the mind, few whimpers slipped by the narrow crevasse of his pearls, vision whirling against the force. He closed his eyes tight, as if some form of pressure would deluge what splitting sensation pierced through his skull. Words floated above like smoke, hazy and difficult to perceive. From the now closer view of the younger girl, the silent mutter of an apology broke through the agony.

Anger was overlapped by the discomfort of dread knotting itself into his chest, an airy sensation that teased him simply for the joy of enacting the plague of fear. Surely he knew what was happening, and despite his tolerance for pain, it didn't exactly mean he relished in the feeling of being picked at like a meal. Having pieces torn away, over and over again. It was something Theo would never grow familiar with. "Do... it!" compelling the voice against the unease of his breath, the crown tilted upwards, "Just... do it!" from one he had been willing to shield from harm, now faced by the collapse of stress was only intact if he could manage the burden. It did not matter what they took— in the end it would all come back. Within days, within months, or perhaps years. How it came to be full once more was an honest mystery. Perhaps it was why the organization had so intently tore him apart.

"You're nothing without... these illusions—" he muttered out, taking time with each rise and fall that tore through his mind, "—you know... nothing... about me...!" the sickly warmth curled through the cover of strands, draping across the crown. He'd turn elsewhere if possible, yet the strength had fallen so far into the void that it was left to be desperately sought in the dark. For now the choice was left to the girl, the true victim in this entire ordeal. Perhaps if he had chosen the alternative, ignoring this from the beginning, the both of them wouldn't have been confronted by such a nightmare. At least now, there stood a chance of something else as he lay against the icy touch, the insides of light clashing against the heat, the wavering gold glaring at the blur of figures above.

---

The child was moving towards veve, who still had such wonderful control over theo. Yet there was no doubt that what Veronika had in mind for the tiny human was less than pleasant, after all it would be rather boring otherwise. A soft smile crossed her face, watching carefully as the destroyer of dreamland lips formed the words she had been so ecstatically waiting for. A plastic fork exchanging hands. Removing an eye of Theo would be quite nice, of course most humans quite liked to still have eyes so they often screamed a little more than other species. Yet her partner was treated the younger human more closely than she would have preferred, perhaps it was just a tactic to lure it closer and deeper into their tendril like grasp. It might have just been her way of doing things, kind words and gestures to relax them and lower the wall. Before the two of them destroyed any possible question of sanity left.

He had been deeply affected by her, stuttering about the illusions this, and knowing nothing about him that. Really now when it came down to it he was in a dream and the Dreamweaver had all the power.


|||smol post <33