plot The Cosmic Battle to Save the Thread

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember cocked her head. "Uh... I request you... to sing?"

[BringerofShadows]

Heather laughed. “I mean songs… Hmm, I have one…” She started singing, making sure to fill it with as much emotion as possible. 

Don't you know I'm no good for you?
I've learned to lose you, can't afford to
Tore my shirt to stop you bleedin'
But nothin' ever stops you leavin'

Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own
I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that
I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

Don't you know too much already?
I'll only hurt you if you let me
Call me friend, but keep me closer (Call me back) 
And I'll call you when the party's over

Quiet when I'm coming home and I'm on my own
And I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that
Yeah, I could lie, say I like it like that, like it like that

But nothin' is better sometimes
Once we've both said our goodbyes
Let's just let it go
Let me let you go

Edited June 21, 2020 by BringerofShadows

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember stood deathly still as she listened, her giant eyes shut so she count focus better. She didn't smile, as such an expression wasn't natural to her, but she enjoyed the music. When Heather had finished, Ember opened her eyes and regarded her, blinking a few times. "I wish I could do that," she said. "It's not useful, but it's pretty, so pretty." Ember sighed. "I wonder if Master Star sings like you, Heather." 

[BringerofShadows]

Heather sighed as well. “If only…” She paused. “We could ask Star to sing for us.” 

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember clasped her hands together. "Oh yes!" she exclaimed. "That would be enjoyable!"

[BringerofShadows]

“Indeed it would…Indeed it would…” The Inquisitor trailed off while putting in the noodles and packet into a boiling pot. 

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember looked over Heather's shoulder suddenly fascinated by what she was doing. "What is that?" she asked. 

[BringerofShadows]

“It’s ramen noodles. Chicken flavor, to be exact.” Heather began putting pieces of ham and an egg into the pot.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"Hmm," said Ember. She couldn't smell very well - after all, she was made to be efficient and smell had nothing to do with her original purpose - and she had no idea what was supposed to smell good, but she supposed someone could find the scent pleasant. Overall though, she was just glad she never had to eat. Picking what food to eat, knowing how much you needed... it was too much. "Food is very complicated," Ember said. 

[BringerofShadows]

Heather looked at Ember with a hint of smile on her face. “Well, some food is complicated, but this food…isn’t.”

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

"Perhaps to you." Ember considered for a moment. "I have no taste buds and my nose is practically useless. You have been eating your entire life, yet to me, such an experience is completely foreign." She sat down on the floor, looking at herself. "Though I may look humanoid, you and I are extremely different in so many fundamental ways. I am not even organic, I am a pile of molten metal given sentience. It is quite incredible that you and I, despite such differences, have formed an emotional bond."

[BringerofShadows]

Heather laughed. "Preach." She then decided it was done cooking, so she drained some of the broth then put the rest into a bowl.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember blinked in confusion, then shook her head, deciding it wasn't worth it to try and understand. Heather didn't make sense sometimes. She spread her legs out as wide as they could go, experimenting with her position. They easily stretched perfectly perpendicular to her torso. Ember casually leaned forward, putting her elbows on the floor, then resting her chin on her palms. "What do you think Star is doing?" she asked, looking up at her friend.

@xinoehp512

Edited July 12, 2020 by Shard of Thought

[+Doomstick]

Emther! Emther! Emther! Whispers a voice out of nowhere which promptly silenced itself and leaves

[xinoehp512]

On 6/19/2020 at 9:04 PM, Shard of Thought said:

Star felt herself smile. She hadn't been certain how she'd respond to either a "yes" or a "no" but this was probably the best answer she could have hoped for. "I hope so, too," she said. "Do... do you mind if I could perhaps touch your mind? I can feel emotions offhand, but..." 

Pheonix swallowed. "Okay," he said, feeling strangely nervous.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Just now, xinoehp512 said:

Pheonix swallowed. "Okay," he said, feeling strangely nervous.

Star leaned forward and put her hand on Pheo’s cheek. Her fingers were trembling less now, since Pheo’s reaction had been a lot better than she’d feared. Which was part of the reason why she wanted to check within his mind. She worried that he hid too much from her, spared her his full reaction to make her feel better. She closed her eyes, feeling Pheonix’s self and soul. Such a connection could be quite the intimate thing, but she made sure to be extremely gentle. Not digging for hidden secrets and memories, but softly combing through feelings. There were two questions she sought the answers to; why did he seem to care about Heather and was that emotion genuine or simply feigned in order to win Star over? Perhaps worrying about genuinity was a silly thing, but something in her was deeply anxious about the whole thing. Last time she’d given her heart away, she’d been deeply scarred. No, Marsh hadn’t betrayed her, but she certainly wasn’t going to let someone in blindly only to find that the decision to do so had been horribly wrong. Thank the Author for her truth-revealing telepathy. 

She felt his love for her. It was chilling. Disturbing almost, yet incredibly touching. So raw and beautiful, so warm and marvelous. She remembered feeling that emotion in herself and the memory sent a wave of nostalgia through her body. She shuddered slightly, a bit bashful at having stumbled upon such a tender part of his soul. Even though the love was directed at her, she felt as if it was not meant for her to see. Or rather, she felt unworthy of viewing such a display of romantic devotion intended for her alone. And so, in return, she poured out some of her own feeling to him. She could not return his affection yet, but she could share with him her pain. Outwardly, it might seem like an odd thing to share, but she hoped it would help him understand why she wasn’t quite ready to return his feelings. That understanding would hopefully ease the pain he felt at her words. He was a sweet boy and she didn’t want to hurt him, but she wasn’t about to give her whole heart to someone she didn’t love yet just because she was worried about damaging him. After all, she did intend to at least give this boy a chance. She was willing to put in the time to test the waters that TVG seemed so intent on seeing her sail. Even if right now the prospect of being with Pheonix romantically seemed… far fetched, at the very least.

She breathed deeply, eyes fluttering under their eyelids as her mind began to separate from her body just slightly. Direct mind to mind contact was a pleasant experience (as long as it wasn’t being used to hurt) and it calmed her. It seemed to be calming Pheonix as well, which was a good thing. The poor thing seemed so on edge every time she saw him. He deserved a little respite and it made her happy to know that she was the one to give him that. 

Finally, though, she found what she was looking for. His feelings for Heather were there in his mind and Star was able to grasp them. Thank goodness, she thought privately, relieved. Those feelings were as real as could be. And, even more touching, he loved her for the same reason Star did. She reminded him of himself. Star, too, saw herself in Heather. Different parts than Pheo did, but still. Heather needed more people to love her. If Star was going to have a partner, then that partner had better learn to love her adopted daughter and dear Pheo already had. 

Star removed herself from Pheonix’s mind, deeply satisfied. She blinked a few times, then pulled her hand away from his cheek and straightened her posture. Her trembling had now stopped completely and she smiled warmly, now feeling much more comfortable about her relationship with Pheonix. Maybe TVG was a little bit crazy for pairing her with Pheo, but she trusted her Author and she was willing to at least try things out. “I feel much better now. How about you?”

[BringerofShadows]

On 7/6/2020 at 2:09 PM, Shard of Thought said:

Ember blinked in confusion, then shook her head, deciding it wasn't worth it to try and understand. Heather didn't make sense sometimes. She spread her legs out as wide as they could go, experimenting with her position. They easily stretched perfectly perpendicular to her torso. Ember casually leaned forward, putting her elbows on the floor, then resting her chin on her palms. "What do you think Star is doing?" she asked, looking up at her friend.

@xinoehp512

"Beats me." Heather said while slurping some ramen noodles.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember gave a weird look. "I do not like my Master needs me," she said. "My life is nothing like I thought it would be. I do not seem to be Star's guardian... but yours." 

[BringerofShadows]

All of the sudden the slurping stopped and Heather almost choked. How am I supposed to respond to that?! "Umm...Thanks..."

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember almost smiled. She looked up at Heather brightly with the most sincere and pleasant of expressions and sat upright, taking her elbows off the floor. "You are welcome," she said. "I am glad you are still alive. If... if that is my purpose, then perhaps I am not as much a failure as I was beginning to think. I belong to Star, of course, but she commanded me to protect you, and protect you I will. It is a good duty. I may not be a good guardian to my master, but I think I can be for you." She glanced down, suddenly feeling far more somber. "After all, if it were not for me, you would have died. And... if you had died, I... I would be very sad." Ember brought her gaze back up to Heather, studying her intently. "I must thank you. It is an honor to be your friend, Heather." The Destroyer swung her legs around gracefully and came into a bow, her forehead resting on her knee.

Edited July 17, 2020 by Shard of Thought

[BringerofShadows]

Heather set down her bowl, looking at the bowing Destroyer, then felt an imaginary tear fall down her cheek. "I... can't do this." She whispered. The Inquisitor wiped the tear away as she left the room, but realized she had just imagined it.

Edited July 20, 2020 by BringerofShadows
HOLY CRAP HOW DID I MISS THAT.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

Ember raised her head and furrowed her brow in pure confusion, watching her leave. She blinked. "What... What did I... Heather?" The Destroyer stood, following. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked softly. 

[xinoehp512]

On 7/12/2020 at 6:07 PM, Shard of Thought said:

Star leaned forward and put her hand on Pheo’s cheek. Her fingers were trembling less now, since Pheo’s reaction had been a lot better than she’d feared. Which was part of the reason why she wanted to check within his mind. She worried that he hid too much from her, spared her his full reaction to make her feel better. She closed her eyes, feeling Pheonix’s self and soul. Such a connection could be quite the intimate thing, but she made sure to be extremely gentle. Not digging for hidden secrets and memories, but softly combing through feelings. There were two questions she sought the answers to; why did he seem to care about Heather and was that emotion genuine or simply feigned in order to win Star over? Perhaps worrying about genuinity was a silly thing, but something in her was deeply anxious about the whole thing. Last time she’d given her heart away, she’d been deeply scarred. No, Marsh hadn’t betrayed her, but she certainly wasn’t going to let someone in blindly only to find that the decision to do so had been horribly wrong. Thank the Author for her truth-revealing telepathy. 

She felt his love for her. It was chilling. Disturbing almost, yet incredibly touching. So raw and beautiful, so warm and marvelous. She remembered feeling that emotion in herself and the memory sent a wave of nostalgia through her body. She shuddered slightly, a bit bashful at having stumbled upon such a tender part of his soul. Even though the love was directed at her, she felt as if it was not meant for her to see. Or rather, she felt unworthy of viewing such a display of romantic devotion intended for her alone. And so, in return, she poured out some of her own feeling to him. She could not return his affection yet, but she could share with him her pain. Outwardly, it might seem like an odd thing to share, but she hoped it would help him understand why she wasn’t quite ready to return his feelings. That understanding would hopefully ease the pain he felt at her words. He was a sweet boy and she didn’t want to hurt him, but she wasn’t about to give her whole heart to someone she didn’t love yet just because she was worried about damaging him. After all, she did intend to at least give this boy a chance. She was willing to put in the time to test the waters that TVG seemed so intent on seeing her sail. Even if right now the prospect of being with Pheonix romantically seemed… far fetched, at the very least.

She breathed deeply, eyes fluttering under their eyelids as her mind began to separate from her body just slightly. Direct mind to mind contact was a pleasant experience (as long as it wasn’t being used to hurt) and it calmed her. It seemed to be calming Pheonix as well, which was a good thing. The poor thing seemed so on edge every time she saw him. He deserved a little respite and it made her happy to know that she was the one to give him that. 

Finally, though, she found what she was looking for. His feelings for Heather were there in his mind and Star was able to grasp them. Thank goodness, she thought privately, relieved. Those feelings were as real as could be. And, even more touching, he loved her for the same reason Star did. She reminded him of himself. Star, too, saw herself in Heather. Different parts than Pheo did, but still. Heather needed more people to love her. If Star was going to have a partner, then that partner had better learn to love her adopted daughter and dear Pheo already had. 

Star removed herself from Pheonix’s mind, deeply satisfied. She blinked a few times, then pulled her hand away from his cheek and straightened her posture. Her trembling had now stopped completely and she smiled warmly, now feeling much more comfortable about her relationship with Pheonix. Maybe TVG was a little bit crazy for pairing her with Pheo, but she trusted her Author and she was willing to at least try things out. “I feel much better now. How about you?”

"Okay, I suppose," said Pheonix, with a slight smile.

[Zephrun’s Imperium]

20 minutes ago, xinoehp512 said:

"Okay, I suppose," said Pheonix, with a slight smile.

“Good.” Star raised a mischievous eyebrow and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. “So, then. When can I expect a date with you?”

[BringerofShadows]

On 7/17/2020 at 11:50 AM, Shard of Thought said:

Ember raised her head and furrowed her brow in pure confusion, watching her leave. She blinked. "What... What did I... Heather?" The Destroyer stood, following. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked softly. 

"No." She whispered just as softly.