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feastofcadavers · 10 months

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A room covered in flesh, veins and tendons lining the walls and flooring… Large and foreboding, with pillars of bone-like texturing rising from the ground and impaling the ceiling that seemed to breathe with a disturbing imitation of life. If… it even was imitation, and not truly living. The group of four approaches, Caramel leaning on Lemon for support while Mint clasped his hands and Aloe kept theirs behind their back. At the other end of the room full of corrupted meat-like structuring, Roguefort stood proudly atop a writhing mass that seemed to be the centerpiece for this gut-wrenching scene. Beneath stood the, far smaller by comparison, blonde that was Earl Grey. Hands folded before him politely, eyes wide and staring ahead, his expression betrayed his stance.

Roguefort would stare down with a sinister grin, looking upon the group before them as bugs. "So, it appears you have followed that troublemaker the whole way here?" They motioned to Vampire with a dramatic flair in their arm. "It's a wonder he knows… Then again, you were going to wind up here eventually. Regardless of our actions." Lemon would growl at the being so far above them, sparking for a second before stopping immediately hearing Caramel yip. Shit, right.

"Ah, it is no matter… This blessing we hold in most of us has run its course." Roguefort would continue, taking hold of their cape and covering their body with it- almost wrapping themself up like a cocoon. "I say blessing, yes, though it seems that to us it has become nothing but a curse… a fleeting wish… what we gained has long since been lost, or in some way…" Roguefort's gaze would drop, looking down at the chef that hasn't moved from his position, as told. "...beyond repair." Sensitive ears picked up a whimper from the one they gazed upon. With their expression darkening, Roguefort threw themself down from the mass they stood upon, swiftly dropping to the floor that squished beneath him. Grey was obscured as the leader of the manor would rise, throwing open their cape. "Well then! It seems that this sweet dream of ours is going to finally stop rolling down this destructive hill! Let the passage of fate take the wheel as we commit to it and act as the pre–"

"Could you beeeeee any more dramaaatic?" Vampire would interrupt, not taking the scene seriously whatsoever. He could hear the three beneath him's gazes. Surprise, anger, disappointment. Whatever. "Looook, if you're gonna fiiiight, then doooo it. Shut up and dooo something!"

The leader would blink slowly, eyes narrowing at Vampire. "Little rat-bat. Fine then! Have at you all!" The sound of sprinting on the moist flooring would ring out as they would begin to sprint at the group.

Vampire flew upward swiftly, leaving the group to their own devices. Aloe would scowl, looking to Lemon and Caramel, which the blonde also seemed plenty fired up. "I understand your rage, but protect Caramel above all else. I'll take the brunt this time." "What?! But I could set them flat in-" "We don't have time to argue! Just get out of the way!" Aloe would yell, a sound sudden and rare enough to finally spur Lemon without question as they would rush ahead, colliding with Roguefort head-to-head and beginning a hand-to-hand skirmish.

Mint would be still, peeking behind Roguefort and the ensuing battle to look upon Grey. He remained unmoving, just as Mint himself was. The musician would take a step forward, then lean to the side, then into a sprint. Was this other fellow okay? Ah, but Aloe, but Lemon, but-... Augh! With a quick breath out, he'd run past Rogue and Aloe, though that mistake would cost him as he heard Aloe grunt behind him as they were shoved to the ground and he was grabbed by the arm. Dragged back, he was met with compound eyes staring back. Mint would flail for a moment, taking the knife he'd equipped what felt like ages ago and ramming it into Roguefort's body wherever he could reach. Their leg would be the target, but it seemed like it wasn't enough, getting nothing more than a grunt. "Ungrateful." Rogue would growl out, gripping Mint's arm tight enough to hear bones creak. "I ought you leave you how you left your servant. You had a choice to deny fate, yet here you are-" Interrupted with a shout of pain, Rogue would let Mint out of their grip.

Aloe would jump at Rogue's back, clawed hands scratching at the leader's neck as they attempted to get into a choking position. Deep red marks would form, though drawn blood would be minimal due to not having a good enough grip. "What are you doing?!" The researcher would shout, wings droning as they struggled. "Stay away from the conflict! You are not fit to-" Aloe would be thrown back, colliding with the floor with a wretched squelch of the surface below. Such an impact also threw out the doll of Co that they'd held so close, along with their blade that they would have to abandon by this point. With an immediate panic unlike themself, Aloe would give a feeble 'no-' as they turned their stomach to the floor and reached out, yelping as Roguefort stomped into their back.

"What is this? Are you still attached to them? Ha. I knew you would take your closeness far, but going so far as to visit her? How pathetic…" An irony only Rogue knew was not lost on them. They'd force their heel down, receiving a satisfying crunch of ribs and tainted organs. Not quite killing them, it would take far more than that, but still leaving them in agony. They'd twist, receiving more of those sickeningly sweet sounds and forcing Aloe to yowl. As Rogue would step past, looking back to see Mint frozen still, they'd pick up the poor doll, using one leg to press against Aloe's face to ensure they wouldn't do anything as they inspected the handiwork.

…the doll squirmed in their hand, almost seeming to shake as it was gripped tight. "Sad." They'd state simply, closing their eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath… Then they would grin wide as they felt another hand grab at their's- at the doll- and immediately begin pulling. Mint was predictable, even in fearful irrationality. "Stop this!" The musician would cry, tugging at the doll with all of his strength. Roguefort would do the same, gripping the body with both hands while Mint gripped the head. The emerald-eyed fellow had half a thought on how this likely hurt Co… but would only have his heart sink as he heard the fabric tear. Aloe could feel the blood pulsing through their head, their ears, their heart, as they had to watch.

And with both opposing forces no longer held together, Mint would fall on his hind end, and Rogue would only mildly stumble. The leader looked to Aloe, who stared with their mouth agape and their compound eyes wide. They shook, watching stuffing fall from the decapitated doll. Was it capable of being stitched back together? Perhaps. But Co… perceived by them, has been killed once again.

"You- you BASTARD!" Attempting to pick themself up, holding their ribs, their other bones crunched as their more insectoid traits would morph their body. Wings buzzing, chest heaving, more legs appearing beneath their cloak… Rogue would snicker, lurching forward and snagging up Mint to use him as a human shield as Aloe would lash out. "YOU WILL BURN IN HELL, AND I'LL STOKE YOUR COALS!" They'd snarl, voice distorted by rage and incessant buzzing as the violinist would hold his arms out, refusing to use his blade against an ally, and plead Aloe to stop. To think for a moment. To STOP, PLEASE, STOP- Perceiving an enemy and nothing more, Mint was the one that took the brunt- being chomped on just below his shoulder as an insectoid claw aimed for his face. It wasn't a clean cut, but the blood that leaked from the wound was certainly…

Ah. He couldn't. Couldn't feel his arm. Or see very well. Huh?

A small 'thunk' of a limb and 'shnk' of a dropped blade had a moment of silence pass before Mint wound up screaming. Breaking his vocal chords as he was dropped to the ground, one arm holding his eye… as it was the only one he had. The ear-splitting shrieking didn't deter Aloe, who had simply moved past him in order to further attempt to assault the crimson leader. Sounds of conflict would continue to resound, but the violinist couldn't process it. Body violently trembling, the only comfort- that he winced to receiving- would be arms wrapping around his waist to lift him up. Confused, Mint would attempt to look above him through agonizingly blurred and half-working vision. Vampire… was carrying him. Huh. This felt… familiar.

"Ughhhh…" The red-head groaned, not out of struggling to carry, but rather annoyance and a smidge of guilt. "I'm nooooot forgiving your friends for letting this happen to youuuu…" There wasn't much that the musician could say. "But heyyyyy… You'll be safer over heeeere…" The warmth of the living ground was not a welcome sensation. Slowly, Mint would realize that Caramel was sitting next to him. Terrified. Caramel would ask what happened, but the words died in his throat out of the shock of it all.

"Where's…" Mint's words were near silent. The terror and earlier yawp certainly killed his voice. Caramel was here, he could barely make that out, but that yellow streak… "Where's Lemon…?" Caramel would point ahead, and though barely capable of making out the shapes and colors, Mint was able to figure out the three of them were fighting together. Light from sparks flew, which definitely was evidence of Lemon giving it his all. Both of them wished they could do more, one as a hero and one just to not seem useless… but it seems neither of them were in the state to do much of anything.

Mint's eyes drooped with exhaustion, barely recognizing Vampire sitting over his slumped body. "He's, uh, fiiiiighting. Yeahhhh…" He's not going to mention how much of a struggle there was from the outsider's perspective. No. Not right now. Instead, he'd sift through his clothes and whatever pockets they had. "Shiiiit…" He'd curse, pulling out a vial similar to what Mint had been given. Originally his sister's, which was cracked and empty. Vampire's eyes would grow wide, though looking to his side, he'd look at Caramel. He looked nearly… feral.

Narrowing his gaze at the nerd that stared back at him, the drunkard would reach his hand out and grab the smaller. "You. Blood. Now." Caramel would squeak, shaking his head and trying to thrash. With a tight enough grip, Vampire would simply ignore the flailing and bare his fangs, sinking them into Caramel as he cried out and begged to be let go. "N-not again! Not again, p-please! Stop! Stop it!" There was no sympathy. Not for this one. Vampire would continue to drain the poor victim before simply letting him go and tossing him to the wall, keeping his mouth open as he approached the violinist once more.

Praying to himself, Vampire would far more easily bite down on Mint's shoulder and do the exact opposite of what he'd just done. Ignoring the panic he had induced in Caramel, and how he was holding himself for a desperate sensation of comfort, he'd fill Mint with the blood that he'd taken. Be enough. For Tree's sake, be enough!

Rogue was… struggling. Electricity wasn't a good match-up for such intricate workings like that of an insect. From both sides, the leader- for the first time in a long time- struggled to defend themself. Barely fending off Aloe, and electricity flaring at them- it gave them the horrible feeling that fate certainly was carved in stone for them. Though it felt fruitless, they continue to push themself to their limit and beyond. It was a strange mixture of accepting what was to occur whilst still having half a mind to resist.

They'd give a glance back, seeing Grey staring with empty eyes. He knew. He knew, too, what was going to happen here. Roguefort would grunt as they tossed Aloe away from them, only to be shanked in the back with an electrically charged knife, afflicting them with a temporary paralysis. And it's with wide, frozen vision and a jolting body that they would be forced to witness Aloe's reckless nature fixated on a different target.

Grey. Not him. Not him, please. Anyone but him. Anyone! Please.

Jittering and struggling to fight against their muscles stillness, they'd watch Grey gain a light smile and close his eyes. He'd raise his hand to wave, pitifully giving a silent 'goodbye' as Aloe would easily take his body and slam it into the meat-coated ground, jaw detaching and expanding to encapsulate Grey's head as claws would dig into his abdominal. An agonized silence as his organs would be dug and clawed out of him is all the peace he would be allotted before the freak of nature above him would close their mouth around his head. The sound of bone and flesh being flayed and masticated hung in the air as one being's grief-stricken loss of self would quickly turn to two.

Because of them. Because of him. Because of It.

Growling inhumanly and thorax pulsing, the shock would subside through adrenaline and pure hatred, and they'd whip around and grab Lemon, hoisting him into the air by his neck. They'd ignore the attempts to stab at them, some working and some not, but all non-fatal. "Spirits always disappear by accident in my hands, so why…" Rogue grips tight enough to cause the choking electrical hazard to hold their hand to, at the very least, prevent his neck from snapping. "Why can't I be the one to extinguish it when it matterz mozt?!" Their insectoid nature afflicting their speech, it would penetrate their thoughts for a moment as they would flail Lemon's body wildly. Crashing against the floor, ivory pillars, the cracking and snapping of bones reverberating as their composure finally snapped. Within the flailing, Lemon would grunt and shout as his body would be gripped by thin, hooked appendages that would aid in tearing at and tossing his body around.

Many cuts, gashes, lacerations- the injuries would pile on top of each other. His sparking didn't seem to work on someone so rabid. And, finally, when a slam to the ground hits at the back of Lemon's spine- the sparking comes to a sudden stop as a satisfying SNAP hangs in the air. Chest heaving and brusque breaths would fill the time between flailing- corrupted blood flowing down and staining their hands, their clothes, their soul- dripping from the various wounds from the now limp body… Without a true thought running through their head, they'd take the corpse in their clawed hands and throw it away with all the force they could muster from themself. The thud heard from afar did not matter to them.

Becoming short in thought, the leader wouldn't pause before going directly to the scent of blood. Beloved. Blood. Beloved. The sensation was far too familiar and it nearly made them wretch from their distorted stomach- their thorax twitching with disgust at themself. The scent was enough to drive them mad. Nothing left. There's nothing left here. With some form of buzzing snarl, the lost leader would take their tarsus and slam Aloe into the floor- inadvertently both causing more of a mess by sending their face into Grey's mangled, bloody spillage of sundered guts and dissevered bones. The splatters that stained both of the insectoid's bodies gave very differentiated reactions. One, none, as it seems that the researcher had been knocked out. The other… With just a moment of peace, if one could fall such a decrepit sight that… Rogue would refocus. Not to bring themself back, no, but to change target.

Sifting through memories with the small amount of recollection they could muster, their compound gaze would settle upon the distant colors of mint green, yellow, and red. That green… the end started with that, didn't it? That trickster they sought after- the catalyst- it was not the pulsing masses that spoke to them, no, it was… it was him. That bastard. They'll kill him.

Kill him. Destroy him. Eat him, if they have to.

On the other end of Rogue's Blurry vision of color, those 'colors' were having quite a time on their own. The resounding 'thud' that should have been a 'slorp' due to the softness of the walls had come from a limp body slamming into another body. Mint stared with tearing eyes- well, eye- at the sight before him, Caramel seemingly dead while the corpse of Lemon simply laid on top of him. Vampire would huff as he would check Caramel over. He's certainly not scared, death has been around him for quite a long time now, but he was… irritated. Irritated at how much effort this was taking, irritated at how this crew seemed to be falling apart under pressure, irritated at the possibility that before he got his kiss, Mint could… "He's fiiiiine…" The drunkard would state with a roll of his eyes, taking his hands off of Caramel's neck and wrist. "He's juuuuuust asleep. Impact proooobablyyyy just knocked him ooooout." With a sense of ease, Vampire would then pick out Lemon's corpse and unceremoniously drop him to the side, ignoring the blood that would get on his hands. He'd simply wipe it off and come back to Mint, distracting him from the hell going on in the distance.

With his deep apathy finally disturbed by Mint's horror, the redhead acknowledges to himself how he probably should've been there for him more during all of this. During times where he was in distress, in danger, and… well, at least now was a time he could help him. If he wanted that kiss, that love, that adoration from another… he'd have to earn it, huh? "Mm… heyyyy…" Vamp would quirk perhaps the only smile that's occurred through this entire endeavor as he gently wraps his arms beneath Mint's shoulders. Poor violinist was shaking, but definitely held on with his only remaining arm. "I'm nooooot gonna let you die heeeere, gotcha?"

"Y-you… you can't just s-say that…" Doubt? Reasonable. The musician did lose an arm and an eye, one of his acquaintances passed out, the other dead, and who the hell knows what's going on with Aloe by this point? Vamp would blink, peering behind him that Grey, too, was very likely dead. It… that filled him with dread more than anything. If that fucker Roguefort was willing to let him die of all people, then…

"I…" the drunkard's voice would trail off, a tenseness in his chest that he accidentally let spread to his arms. "I mean it. I won't let you die. That's… that's a prooomise." The redhead would lean forward, touching foreheads with the violinist in the gentlest way that he could muster. Vampire could feel the way the other would barely be able to loosen up, let alone stop the terror from making him tremble.

Such gentleness would be interrupted as the horrid, grating sound of bug-based whirring would catch on his ear. Quickly drawing closer, becoming louder, and Vampire was not having it.

Letting go of Mint and swiftly turning himself around with abnormal grace, the giant predator would be stopped in their tracks as Vampire gripped them by the face. Well, if one could even call that a face. With multiple eyes, giant proboscis, empty thorax, and- "Hah."

You know what? No. He's not even humoring the thought. No sense of humanity was left in this thing, was there? So why treat them like one? It's with a grin that Vampire would let his wings flare, hand gripping Rogue's face and ignoring their squirming as the display of bug-textured bat wings would become that of an intimidation tactic… and to shield Mint.

"You're pathetic, you know that?" Vampire would hiss, taking his other arm and socking whatever was left of Roguefort in the 'face'. Nearly snapping that thing of a 'mouth', he'd continue to throw punches, noticing how Rogue wasn't even attempting to attack back. Instead, they were trying to get around him. Trying to get to Mint. "Really, reaaaaaally pathetic! Worse than me!" Fisticuffs with a giant insectoid monster would normally end in the worst way, but… the focus not being on him, it was quite easy to push them back until he could grab something else. Ah, right, like… one of those knives. Out of the corner of his vision, Vamp could see the stained and glinting metal, next to the unpleasant reminder that is Mint's severed arm. "Soooo desperate for your own little woooorld… Guess what!" Vamp would laugh, knocking Roguefort back with a kick to their chest so that he could grab a knife and deal more damage. "You ruined it! You went tooooooo far! And now you're gonna- Oh shit."

Too much gloating! Roguefort got in front of him! Ugh, what a fucking mess. At least without working wings and a limp, this thing was easier to catch up to. It's with a gruff huff that Vampire would give a beat of his wings to fly himself above Rogue… and crash-land onto their back, forcing them to the ground. There was still a distance between the two of them and Mint, a few feet or so, but it was still far too close for Vampire's liking. No struggling could knock him off. This was the end, and he's taking it for himself. For once. Like a mosquito latched on for draining blood, he'd do exactly that. Well… in a way that only a non-mosquito could. With his bare hands.

Legs gripping the body beneath him, Vamp would spare a glance up to Mint before glowering down at the creature beneath him, gripping the knife with both hands. "This is for everything you've done to me!" Vampire would stab down into the center of Rogue's back, digging into the other's spine. Not the first, nor the last. "This is for letting Grey die!" Further up, another sound of a blade 'shink'-ing into the flesh of a monster, small cracks and creaks from bone and other hardened material hanging in the air. "This!" Vampire would breathe deeply, "Is for what you've done to Mint!" Another stab, further up. Set just below the neck. Or, well, whatever there was left of one.

Vampire would shift the blade in his hand, standing on top of the crippled, bleeding monster that was once some leader. Unrecognizable other than the clothes that were torn apart and screwn across the dying body's dysfunctional limbs. "And this? Come oooon, you know what this one iiiiiis…" Almost sadistically, the drunk would draw the blade across the feeble thing's back, gently slicing the skin open and watching the corroded blood seep out. He'd raise the blade up, eyes flaring with hatred as he cried out and swung down. "THIS IS FOR MY SISTER, YOU BEAST!"

A clean slice. In silence, the body would collapse, Vampire standing atop as he watched the head of the 'mastermind' hit the floor and roll pathetically. With heavy breaths, Vampire would hop down from the corpse, looking to the blade that was bloodied from the beast… and giving it a lick, causing his face to immediately scrunch up. "Eugh… moldy…" Regaining his composure one step at a time, he'd approach a still terrified Mint and kneel before him, ignoring the splatters that littered his clothes. "Heyyyy…" he'd speak softly, keeping his crimson eyes affixed on the other's emerald ones. "Let's… get out of here, okaaaay? I got youuuu… and everyone else… let's get somewhere saaaafe and comfy…"

Somewhere to… process all this. To think all this over and calm down. To not have to look at the corpses and all the writhing flesh masses that lined the walls, the floor, and the even bigger lump in the very back of the room. Mint would whimper, giving a small nod as he stared at Vampire. For once, his casual nature was soothing in the face of distress, rather than inherently worrying. "Y-yea… let's… le- let's all get out of h-here…"

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feastofcadavers · 7 months

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Carrying everyone was a mildly irritating task for Vampire. Mostly from the putrid scent of different cursed individual's blood filling the air… and the fact that he could've been carrying multiple corpses on his back. He didn't care to check just yet. The redhead just wanted out of there, to go somewhere comfortable, even if the weight he carried had him walking rather than the flying he preferred. Somewhere familiar… And considering how they were left in the lower part of the mansion, his sister's room would be the perfect place. Perhaps not for his emotions, still stirred from having to witness Mint's despair and heavy wounds.

Ugh… Vampire shook his head as he stepped into his sister's room, gently setting the various bodies down. Lemon set behind a cauldron, dead as a doornail, Aloe set against a wall next to one of her stuffed-to-the-brim bookshelves, Caramel on a semi-comfortable cushioned and wooden chair… and Mint, with priority, laid upon the actual bed. Where someone is meant to rest.

Looking over the violinist, it seems like he passed out along the way. Feeling the neck for a pulse, Vampire let out a sigh of relief knowing that there was still a pulse. Slow, but that's to be expected. Yawning, the drunkard wondered if he, too, should take a nap… but for once ignored his sleepiness in favor of at least patching up everyone else. It's what Mint would want, anyways. ...though Lemon was left as is the minute he figured out there was no pulse- as if the sharp angle of his neck wasn't an indicator of his demise. Eugh. For someone that hated him and the rest of those stuck with this condition, seeing him like this was morbid. It struck Vampire in a way he didn't like. A reminder of mortality that even those like him had. At least he could distract himself by checking the others. Caramel, alive. Probably has some kind of brain damage considering the impact and the visible bruising, though he's not enough of a doctor to know that. Grey would… He'd know… The redhead shook himself off of his thoughts, stepping over to Aloe to check if they were alive. It was a lot more debatable, considering how rough of a scrap they'd gotten into. But… alive. A pulse, though slow, and hard to hear through their newly mutated exoskeleton, was present. Good. Glad to know if Aloe wasn't gone mentally, they'd be here physically.

With a moment of silence passing through the room, Vampire would look across the group that he wound up with. Even with all of this, the carnage and oppressive atmosphere that surrounded all of them, the curse… he could still feel it. A hand behind him felt around his wings, still distorted with veins. The hunger in him, though dulled by his equal thirst for alcohol, had not faded. Ugh… all this, and it's still not over? What else could be done? Vampire filed through his thoughts as he wandered and sat himself down on Mint's bed. Stone, but covered by blankets, left mostly unused. "You guys will think of something… right?" The drunkard murmured. "I'm not… thaaaat good at using my brain."

…

Hazy vision brought forth a sight bright enough that one would think Heaven is nearby. Mint, not feeling a hint of drowsiness or pain, would slowly find his consciousness and take in what is around him. Golden lights from above illuminated a seemingly endless hallway full of portraits. Not having faces to stare at him, but something about them felt… heavily judgemental. The violinist would find himself staring at each of the paintings, feeling a sense of worry well in him as his legs carried him down the hallway.

Truly, this place would feel endless. And despite this, the paintings wouldn't repeat. Each unrecognizable yet still feeling pressured despite not having any means of proving that they were. A chill would run through Mint's spine as his legs picked up the pace. The golden lights would flicker, such heavenly lighting tinting cooler the further the hallway continued.

Continuing to travel down this path gave no difference other than the coloration around him becoming a familiar turquoise. Such a sight was certainly unnerving, as basic as it was. It gave enough fear in Mint's mind to turn back around- go back to that comfortable and warm golden hall. And yet, behind him… laid a wall of nothing but desecrated corpses. A sharp gasp nearly made the violinist's lungs ache as the disgusting sight nearly made him retch. Shaking his head and turning right back around, his pace would pick up to a sprint.

The sound of bones crunching and guts squelching as the bodies were pushed forward would send a shot of fear through his system. He complains in his head about how he feels like he's had enough, but such a thought only made things worse as he tripped over himself and fell forward. Squeaking and trying to pick himself up, the musician would find his leg unable to be moved. Looking behind him, the wall had grabbed his leg, and was quickly advancing to swallow him whole. Tears welled in Mint's eyes as he clawed at the cold, tiled flooring beneath him- desperate to keep himself alive. Yet… to no avail. The darkness made by the densely packed bodies would easily overwhelm and cover his vision. Stuck inside this disgusting place full of decaying people…

…and yet, the darkness would give way to floating in nothingness. It felt like a void, nothing but darkness. Is this death? Is this what the end is like? A sudden, relaxed stillness overtook the composer's form as he took in everything that is the nothingness. It's… not so bad. Even as he could feel his injuries fade into his form, this… this was peaceful. Lack of sight didn't matter, his nerves weren't screaming at him from his wounds… he could get used to this.

"Perhaps this is what will become of you…" A voice nearly startled the musician out of his relaxed state, but it was momentary at best. Rotating himself around in the blackness, the musician would be met with a gilded light above a familiar figure. Red hair glistening from the heavenly light, eyes oddly shining green… It was a comforting sight. "You… your self-importance… it does not exist, does it? After all this, that spurred bravery of your's… " The words weighed heavy in the air, like stones on Mint's back.

"No worries… It merely means that everything is going smoothly…" The redhead approached, taking steps on the ground that didn't exist. "It's as easy as '3, 2, 1, 2', isn't it?" That… didn't make sense. Mint would speak, but his voice seemed to dry up when faced with what felt like an angel. The familiar being smiled down at him, taking his chin and lifting it up so that they were face to face. Too close, Mint thought, way too close. "I will give your broken spirit a place to rest properly in the end, I promise you that." The being drew ever closer, and Mint would draw back, only to be stripped of his sight, and-

…

Mint would jolt awake, immediately met with the horrific pain his body still had to offer. A yelp would turn into a whimper as the composer used his still functioning arm to hold the stump that was the lack of the other. Trembling from the dream he just had- only vaguely remembering it despite being in his mind only moments ago.

"Heyyy… you good?" The emerald-eyed musician blinked and lifted himself up as much as his back could on its own to look at the voice. Vampire. Ah. His eyes were purple… why did he think they were-? "Uh, um, w-well… as good as I could be, considering u-uh…" Mint would vaguely motion at himself, looking downward. When had he been patched up like this? "Yeahhh… sorry about that, agaaaain…" "It's… it's o-okay… everything got a little, uh, o-out of hand…" Mint would try to slow his breathing. The shock is still fresh in his system, as much as he wished that his injuries were just a part of some twisted dream. "How's… everyone else…?"

Vampire would audibly yawn, looking at the various spots he kept the others. "Uhh… well, Lemon is definitely dead. Bad news, I gueeeeess." The redhead is trying not to look at Mint to see his despair of knowing someone else is dead. Trying. "Aloe's fiiiine, and the other one? Uhhh… I dunno. Probably alive. Juuuuust some brain damage." "...I… don't know what I expected…" Mint would murmur, giving a heavy sigh and letting his aching body stay where it was. Vampire would stay by Mint's side, standing over him. "Do youuuu… neeeed anything?" The little hum of disagreement was all Vampire needed, though he wished he could do more.

Everything felt… terribly silent. The air was heavy from tension and anticipation as to if the others would ever wake up. The only thing that would break the silence is the sound of breathing. A gasp followed by a hiss, that is. Vampire would quirk his head, looking to Aloe- the one that had given such a reaction. "Hmmm… good moooorniiiing." "Shut it." "Hehe… juuuuust feel lucky you're aliiiive." "Ugh… I do not wish to… nevermind." Aloe would shake their head, trying to parse out everything around them considering their terrible vision. Where had their glasses gone? "What is… everyone's status?" Aloe's voice seemed gritted, trying to keep the pain- physical and otherwise- from getting through their voice.

"I'm okay…!" Mint would chime, raising an arm to wave wherever in hopes Aloe saw. Vampire sighed, giving a stretch. "Welllll, you're good, Mint's good, Lemon's dead," the small 'hmph' Aloe gave meant nothing to Vampire, "and the other guy uhhhh… is proooobably good."

The researcher simply nodded, trying to test their muscles and see what worked and what didn't- and what did and just hurt to, of course. "We need to go back down there." They stated bluntly, prompting both of those awake to gawk at them. Even Mint lifted himself up, as much as it hurt. They couldn't see the other's expressions, but they assumed it was disbelief. Perhaps worry, for the one who cared. "Something is… not right. The hunger… still exists."

As much as Mint didn't want to admit it… past the pain, yes, there was still that craving. Being reminded of it made him whimper, which wasn't really helped by the petting in his messy hair that Vampire gave. "I wouldn't knoooow, I've aaaalways been hungry like that. But… you reaaaaally want to go back? After I dragged you aaaaall the way here?"

"I will carry myself." Aloe would state with a grunt as they attempted to pick themself up, leaning against the bookshelf they were laid against. "I am… used to this." Vampire would hum, shrugging before hearing Mint shuffling and trying to pick himself up. "Dooon't tell me you're trying to-" "I-I don't want them going alone…!" Mint would practically whine, "Besides, I… I want to figure out what's… what's going on… I don't want anyone else to be hungry like us." The selflessness. Ugh, the redhead couldn't just say how endearing it was, considering how injured Mint was. "Then I'll come with you twoooo… sooomeone has to tend to the wounded."

"No." Vampire had to hold back a growl from the denial that Aloe had given him. So stern. So ignorant to the care Mint needed. Even so, the scientist continued; "Someone needs to keep watch over what the creatures around here would see as a perfect meal. I do not care if he winds up being dead from a brain injury, if Lemon is dead, then someone would need to look after him. And that someone will be you."

"Then why can't I tag along with Mint while you stay back? Or better yet, have Mint just stay here?" "I am the one that knows what to look for. I am mandatory for the trip. And if Mint were to stay here, I would wind up traveling alone. Never a wise idea. And having you travel with me would mean that no one capable of defending would be left here… though I am assuming you would not wish to travel with me either way." The redhead would try to come up with a retort, but was left with no words to say. He huffed, eyes darting away from the one that gave too good of a reasoning. "...no woooonder blondie never wished to cooperate with you until it mattered."

Disregarding the comment, Aloe would stand themself straight and step to the bed Mint was laid upon. "Your bias is palpable." They'd mumble low enough for only Vampire to hear as they started to help Mint out of bed, trying to ignore the small sounds of pain that came from the movement. "So long as your legs work, it will be fine… I will carry you, if need be."

Mint, unaware of the tension between the two and simply assuming that the situation itself was what made everything feel off. That, along with the lingering sensation of the dream in his body. "L-let's figure this out soon… I don't want t-to wind up too hungry and… well…" No need to finish that. Everyone knew and understood the consequences. Exertion really does bring out the hunger in someone… Mint felt his stomach churn as his weight was laid upon Aloe- realizing just how empty he felt. At least there were no pangs like he's experienced before.

"Sooo… what, you're just going to leaaaave?" "That's the plan." Aloe would give a short breath, adjusting themself so that Mint could wrap his arm around the taller one and not have to worry about much else but walking. "Um-" Mint would perk up, one eye shutting at the perking shooting a spark of pain through him. "Actually, can I… do something real quick…? I-I think I owe it… and now would be… I- I think one of the only times it'll be fitting anymore…" The musician made a motion to get turned around, and the researcher would oblige, turning him around to the drunkard. "Could you… lean forward?"

Vampire took a moment to process, blinking and eyes going wide as he practically threw himself forward. No way. Absolutely no way he's finally… Mint would give a soft laugh, finding humor in Vamp's eagerness. "Goodness… o-okay, okay… Look, it's not that big of a deal! It's just… a small thank y-you…" And though it was highly anticipated, something wished for so long… just a small peck on the cheek was given. It was enough to flush the drunkard more than the hardest of drinks. "You're… you're weeeeelcooooome!" The two laughed, Aloe rolling their many eyes in the meantime.

"Hehe… I'll… I'll be back, o-okay?" Mint would find just a bit of joy in this dark world seeing Vampire so alight. Not from him specifically, but… just from seeing someone so happy. Satisfaction from making someone smile. It's been so long… he missed this feeling… but it's not something that will last very long. Aloe would tug him along, and he'd have to go back to being walked by the other.

The joy the drunkard had still flourished, though was easily tainted by anxiety. His chest grew tight as he watched Mint get led away… but he had to have some trust. If Mint said he'd be back, he'll be back. It's a promise. Sitting himself on the now empty bed, he waved as the two left. The bed is still warm…

"...stay saaaaafe…"

#feastofcadavers #📝 written scriptures #🍷 the bewitching drunkard #🌵 the rabid researcher #🎻 the court's conflicted #⚡ the vengence served sparked #🔧 the court's decadent topping #vampire cookie #mint choco cookie #aloe cookie #lemon cookie #hero cookie #caramel cookie #//all souls rest easy but the bodies agonize until the very end

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