ONE ☠ medusa entered the world only to know and inflict horror

[hedonic]

[ When the woman rolls over, bare skin drinking in the rays of sun that had just started to peek in through a window, she’s not at all startled to feel a body next to her. Irma still wasn’t fully recovered, but that didn’t keep Echidna from enjoying their nights together, after so long...

But just as she starts to murmur something about dessert before breakfast, the Elf pauses, one arm draped around the slender waist of the form next to her. It takes less than a second for realization to hit her that it most certainly isn’t Irma; she can feel long hair reaching down to her thigh, and the hips she’s touching are not even close to the same. Had she wandered home with a random woman and forgotten? That was unlike her. ...The forgetting part.

Then another second passes, and recognition overwhelms her, already knowing who she’s going to see when she opens her eyes. No doubt the blonde is just one more second behind her in realization, and a grin spreads across Echidna’s features, lighting up her eyes with a tinted mirth. She ignores the nagging of unease deep down at the idea of this happening after so much time had passed...and her not recalling it. ]

[The other Elf grunted slightly as the sun slowly grazed across her face, signaling her to wake up. She went through her usual routine, squinting her eyes a bit and groaning. Her ears flicked as she noticed a warm presence against her. Wait, come on castle, you just dumped Galadriel on her a few weeks ago, it’s much too soon to do anything like this again.

Though the other person was much more...well, naked. And seemed to be latched onto her almost lovingly. She hesitated, heart racing a bit as she tensed up and opened her eyes, immediately turning her groggy look into one of fury.

And at once, she screamed.]

...YOU! How did YOU get here?

[With that, she bolted up, looking for her staff, not caring how naked she was at first.]

[ And Echidna’s quick to move after that, rolling away to stand nonchalantly on the other side of bed, though her gaze is watching Alleyne more carefully than her stance suggests. She expected the old woman to over-react, but she wasn’t going to start the day with a spear in her gut just for a little fun.

With a quick glance around and one hand on her hip, Echidna smiles again as a familiar form slithers down from one of the bed posts, coiling around her ankle before making his way up to wrap around her waist. Well, at least she hadn’t forgotten her best friend.

A little smirk once more tugging at her lips, she still remains ready to dodge any attacks, though her voice is as sultry and content as ever. ]

That is a very good question. I’ll answer it as soon as you tell me where ‘here’ is. This not not any room at the inn I’m staying at.

[ But she stops before she can continue on about Alleyne’s taste in décor, an odd sound pricking at her long ears. Echidna looks to a closed door next to the bathroom curiously, although her husky voice taking on a bored drawl. ]

Oh dear, did we awaken your little protégé?


...I don’t have any students with me right now; I’m not you, I don’t bed anything that...

[Wait, she turns to look at that door. Shit. That time of year again. She almost forgot.

A loud sigh escapes her lips as she bites on her thumb, looking for her clothes, speaking as bluntly as possible.]

Welcome to Paradisa, serpent. To celebrate, we’ve been made mothers. I hope you’re happy, tch.

[This is going to be the longest week of her life.]


[ ooc; Green is Echidna. Backdated to Sunday morning! And it's totally open over the journal. ]

Comments

[hedonic]

[ She considers. Fighting Alleyne right now wouldn't be logical. Originally she thought it might still be fun, which overrides everything else anyway, but she's finding herself too confused for her own liking to desire combat with someone who may provide answers.

Grudgingly, Echidna straightens up, but she doesn't take a step back. A hand is back on her hip, fingernails drumming against her skin when she looks over at the wrestling animals. ]

Kenta, that's enough. There's a little girl in the room you should greet.

[ It would be a good test. ]

[disciplines]

[Medusa rubs her eyes a bit and brightens up at the sight of the snake, petting him. Hey, she knows you! Or at least that's how she's acting.]

Mom, I've seen Kenta a bajillion times. You can't scare me anymore, he's too cute!

[Alleyne visibly shudders. Wait, what?]

Well, at least she has her wits about her. As I expect for someone with my blood in them.

[hedonic]

[ She stares at the odd sight of Kenta slithering up to drape around the child's shoulders. Now she DOES feel naked. ]

My goodness, is that so? I guess I'll have to find something else to scare you with, then.

[ Despite her wariness of the situation and what kind of spell this must involve, Echidna's leaning over to get a better look at the girl. She can already imagine how she'll look in ten years. Twenty years. ]

Aren't you delicious... I could just eat you up.

[disciplines]

...She's also your child. Ours. Though I suppose that still makes her a willing target in your eyes; do you know not restraint? At least set a good example for her.

[Alleyne grumbles. Worst mom ever. Don't teach poor Medusa doctor games already.

Meanwhile, the brat sticks her tongue out and tries to put on a fierce face at her snakey mom]

Nuh-uh. You're not a snake. You just smell like one!

[Alleyne covers her mouth. She's really trying to hide the fact she's smiling and about to crack up.]

[hedonic]

Nothing wrong with that.

[ She's pretty sure she also smells like liquor, leather, and...roses. The previous afternoon had been fun.

Echidna flicks her hair over her shoulder and walks away from them to point at the door. ]

At any rate, you say we're trapped here, but you can't mean in this room. Our little girl needs to go out and play.

[ No really Echidna needs to go out and play. ]

[disciplines]

Well, I've no idea why you can't leave. We're trapped in this world, but it doesn't mean we can't go out and explore. I've seen quite a bit of the area myself.

[She has Ruu come over and sit on her shoulder, ruffling Medusa's hair a bit, making her stick her tongue out at Alleyne and grumble.]

Perhaps your loss is related to it. In case you didn't know, in addition to that journal you think is oh-so fun, a one way trip here comes free with one thing taken from you with no refunds. It spares nobody.

[She goes over to turn the coffee machine on. See this cool thing? Yeah you wish you could use it.]

...I suddenly find myself hoping it's not "Can't exist anywhere ten feet outside Alleyne's radius" or some garbage.

[hedonic]

[ UCH. She would not be any happier with that loss, okay. Harassing Alleyne is like an extreme sport. Fun and quite the rush, but at the end of the day she'd prefer to unwind with a hot bath and hotter company.

Mmm daydreaming. Oh right, they're talking. She glances around ]

How ridiculous. But I am missing my clothes and weapons. Is that not enough?

[disciplines]

It'll be something you hold very dear to you. Some people have forgotten lovers or family have ever existed, some can't utter certain words, some lose skills permanently with no chance of mastering them again.

[She gets some fruit from a bowl on her table and offers some to Medusa, getting out some cups]

Think. What's close to you?

[hedonic]

[ At that, Echidna shrugs. What a pointless question for someone like her. She won't answer seriously. But looking at things she had right before coming here—Irma was with her. Echidna wouldn't say they're close, but she likes having her around again, and she isn't here. ]

Hah, well... Kenta is here, so it can't be that. And I don't care about the clothes, but I miss my weapons already. Not to mention my buckler! It's all such a work of art, I hate to be without it. But none of that explains why I can't leave this room.

What do you think, little girl?

[disciplines]

I dunno. But yer naked. You look funny. Even Mamalleyne wears more! Pbbt.

[Thanks for the reminder, kid. Alleyne pours you and her each some coffee and sighs, sitting down.]

Whatever it is we're figuring it out fast. You've your own room somewhere in the castle and you should get to it as soon as you can. More of your stuff may be there.

[hedonic]

Funny? You've raised our child all wrong! I shouldn't be surprised.

[ But watching Alleyne with the coffee machine just gets more of a stare. WTF? Well, that's not important. Okay it's curious, but... She can focus. Sort of.

Back to the child. ]

Little girl, what's your name?

[disciplines]

Mom, did you drink too much of that grown up stuff again? It's me, Medusa! I'm three!

Sounds like I'm raising her right. At least one of us is. You'd probably just teach her to cheat at games.

[Here, just take it and dirnk it. She'll explain the tech thing later, by which she means make you blow up the microwave like everyone else does.

At that moment, she begins to strip and sit next to Echidna, grinning wide and laughing.]

Now I look just like mom! This is how elves live! A book told me so.

[Alleyne chokes on her drink and splatters it down her face.]

...Spoke too soon. Both of you get dressed!

[hedonic]

[ At that, she laughs whole-heartedly. The girl showing some of her own traits only makes Echidna suddenly fond of her. Plus it got Alleyne to make an ass out of herself... ]

One-hundred points, Medusa! You should always walk around like that, being a child of nature... You have nothing to be ashamed of.

[disciplines]

[She wishes she had her hat on so she could hide her face behind it. Her face is bright red and her teeth sharp and scowly.]

L-Look. Echidna. The way I usually dress is...odd to most people here. They find me inappropriately covered at best. What would they think of you? At least put something on until you find your own room!

I don't need people asking me why naked elves are wandering out of my room, either! Set a good example now!

[Meanwhile, Medusa just grins and shows off.]

Yeah, elves like nature! Naked is nature! I'm a good elf like mom!

[hedonic]

You're speaking as if I care what these foreign people I haven't even met think.

[ Honestly, Alleyne's ranting only makes her want to walk around naked even more! But again, she's still so new to this kingdom, so until she can find a way to escape this room... ]

I'll put on some clothes, but I'm not wearing anything of yours. Find something tolerable for me and we'll see.

[disciplines]

Wish for your own damn clothes. You know you can do that, right? You can wish for damn near anything; it's one of the few perks of this place. Go entertain yourself while I get the kid washed and changed.

[She picks Medusa up and sighs, carrying her to the bathroom]

Hey, if you're going to run around nude, at least do it cleanly. Let's not offend absolutely everyone.

'Kay. But after I wanna play with Kenta and Ruu!

[hedonic]

[ Raising an eyebrow, Echidna stares after them. Wish for things? Well people can wish for anything they want whenever they want... But it doesn't mean it will come true.

But Alleyne lying about such a thing isn't her style, so the elf grins when she tries wishing for her armor and gets it. Oh, the next fifteen minutes are going to be absolutely ~wonderful~.

Most things she wishes for she discards after a minute or two, not caring about any mess she leaves, but eventually she'll end up sprawled in a corner with plates and bowls full of desserts, a jug of wine, and a lot of pillows. Oh yeah and she's dressed, aren't you happy??? ]

[disciplines]

[And Alleyne is all too busy getting splashed and soaked trying to wash the brat that she doesn't pay any attention to this. When she comes out, she has Medusa in a towel, looking for her clothes to put on, appearing for all the world like she's been drowned.

So imagine how much more disgruntled she looks when she sees you partying in the corner. Medusa sniffs the wine and blehs. You grown ups and your booze.]

...I see someone took advantage of this. Now that you're dressed, we can work on getting you out.

[hedonic]

[ Seeing Alleyne is more than comical, and she smirks. This has to have been the most eventful day she's had in quite awhile, and it isn't even noon.

She'll offer Medusa some strawberries and pat the pillow next to her. Learn to lounge properly like your mom, child! ]

I'm always open to ideas, Instructor.

[disciplines]

[Hell yeah. Echidna is the cool mom. She props up next to you and grins, taking them.

Alleyne sits down and sighs, looking at her journal and gradebook both, hoping for ideas.]

Let's start with the obvious course of thought, Mercenary. What would anger you most?

[hedonic]

Hmm, you mean next to your preaching? Perhaps a man touching me...

[ Alleyne's still preaching and Echidna isn't being grossed out beyond belief, so it can't be either of those things! ]

Being locked up is obviously annoying, but trapping me in here seems like it would be more of a loss for you than me. After all, imagine what fun I could have when you leave for the day...

[disciplines]

I sincerely hope this stupid place isn't listening to you and getting any smart ideas.

[She sighs. That didn't work.]

Those are a bit obvious, though. This place can be awfully subtle in how it approaches it and how we figure it out. It wasn't until I already experienced raising a kid here last year I started to figure mine out.

I know you're more clever than that, so think deeper.

1/2

[hedonic]

[ She rolls her eyes and tips her head to the side. She has been thinking deeper, but not on anything she'll share with Alleyne of all people. Or...anyone, really. Perhaps Kenta when they're alone...

After watching the little elf girl explore the other fruits and desserts scattered about for a moment, Echidna reaches over and wraps an arm around her waist, hauling her up and walking over to the entrance.

Unfortunately it's another failed attempt, stopped just short before she can even try to open the door. ]

Hmph. I guess it doesn't matter if I have this girl with me or not, then...

[hedonic]

[ As she's setting Medusa down before she breaks her in half from irritation, she lifts her foot up when she sees something underneath it. A pair of suede leather shorts? She's positive she didn't wish for those. Why would she?

Echidna picks them up, letting them dangle off one fingertip as she raises an eyebrow over to the older woman curiously. ]

Oh dear, and you had suggested you aren't bedding anyone... But these most definitely aren't yours. Did you find love with a human? How darling, I want to meet her.

[disciplines]

My love life is none of your business. Nobody's been here the past few weeks, and I've better sense of fashion than that.

[Wait a second.

She's a smarty. Let her put two and two together.

She looks up at you and, for the first time in a while, grins and laughs.]

I...I think I know what your loss is. Oh my, this place has a rich sense of humor.