lepidope

Light of The Rebellion

So that's the problem.

Matias gulped softly.

"Well damn, as if they don't want her dead enough... Right."

His head met the pillow and his back the mattress. His arms folded and sat close to his chest.

"Makes it all the better that she's constantly putting herself at death's door."

Light of The Rebellion

Matias settled his tired, tired body on the adjacent bed, the bed creaking under his weight. A hand ran through his hair as he sighed deeply.

"She used a crapton of her magic or whatever to fend off some purists. She's stable, but it'll be a bit til she wakes up..."

He looked towards the group.

"Why do you guys care so much that her magic is old, anyway? You keep bringing it up, but I don't see the problem."

Light of The Rebellion

"I know," Matias grumbled, "I'm on it. Give me time."

He trudged up the steps leading to the guest room, heaving with every step. Halfway there he remembered the lift, but it was too late for that now. He nudged the door open and repeated the all-too-familar process of laying Midnight down on a free bed. This was something else he had to get used to.

Oleander didn't bother with such complications, simply flying to the top of the steps before stepping inside. They splayed their papers out on a nightstand, looking over the miniscule text.

Light of The Rebellion

Oleander gave Dante a near-unbreakable and silent stare. Their hands were to their sides, and their head sat straight on their neck. That in combination with their garb made them look like the perfect soldier. Just like a soldier, too, they weren't going to back down on orders.

"LADY MIDNIGHT HAS REQUESTED THAT THE MATTER NOT BE DISCUSSED," they signed, "YOU MAY CHOOSE TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU WISH, BUT IT WILL NEITHER BE CONFIRMED NOR DENIED."

Light of The Rebellion

Oleander nodded softly.

"YES. THE BUILDING WAS BOMBED. I DON'T EXPECT IT TO HOLD FOR MUCH LONGER."

Their eyes fell on Midnight now. They tilted their head in curiosity.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO LADY MIDNIGHT?"

"Nothing," Matias huffed, stepping through the door. "She'll be fine. I think."

Light of The Rebellion

Matias didn't say a word to Oleander, only side-eying them as he walked towards the door and waited for entry. Now that everyone was close to them, Oleander could quite clearly be heard sipping and swallowing.

"I'M EATING," they signed, not moving still. "EXCUSE ME."

Eventually, they did pull away. A long, tendril-like appendage emerged after their head and slowly curled up against their face. As they stood up, they took their mask's proboscis in one hand and the papers in the other, attaching the former where it belonged with a "click". They stepped towards the door, brushing past a pale Matías who looked like he had just seen Death in person, and opened it for the three men, code and all.

"I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE YOU THREE. FOUR. HAVE BEEN."

Word association Game!

Lurk

Light of The Rebellion

Matias mostly sat in silence for the majority of the ride. On the occasion that he did peep words, it was to ask on Midnight's status, which while stable remained mostly unchanged. Eventually, the manor was just over the horizon, and shortly after they were parked in front of it. Matias popped the door open with his foot, carrying Midnight out. He felt like he'd have to start getting used to doing this.

Oleander was outside, their head buried in a bush. What looked like their mask's proboscis laid atop a handful of papers.

"WELCOME BACK," they signed, not turning away from the bush at any moment.

Light of The Rebellion

Matias struggled to rise, the inertia threatening to topple him. It thankfully somewhat worked to his favor, pushing him towards the van doors. If the trees were enemies, the group would be in serious danger; luckily, there seemed to be no sign of bipedal threats.

"We're clear," he said, sitting back down. "How's the warehouse? All good?"

Light of The Rebellion

Matias scoffed softly.

"She didn't even sleep last night. I'm surprised she even had the energy to talk..."

A question directed his way made him look back.

"Uh... Obviously the manor. It's closer."