lilyberation | (no subject)

[ He wants to kiss her, and touch her, and hold her but he's so worried about causing pain he doesn't until she reaches for him. Then he takes her hand, folds it between his and leans down to carefully press their foreheads together.

Offers her a light touch of healing to try and further ease the pain. ]

... A snake. Yes, that seems in line with the creature. It was an attack by it, I fear.

[ Carefully he raises her bitten hand to show her the mark. And he will not think of the way she called him Vanny.

Was that what Lily called his old self?

And he will not think of her comments of the vines.

Might that had been what her original soul fell to.]

Edited 2024-07-03 07:14 (UTC)

( a spark of fury lights up in her heart, but it's quickly subdued by the quiet misery accompanying the pain like an escort of a debutante ball. she inhales sharply but only tries to pull vanilla closer despite it all.

healing... healing soothes it further, yes. but not enough to put a stop to it all. )

I heard more screaming after. Who else is hurt..?

[ He shifts to scoot in closer, resting his face against hers like he can take the pain through osmosis. His heart aches that she suffers - again. Why? Why can't she just get a break? Why can't the world leave her be. ]

Clotted Cream... a bite to his ankle. The same black sun mark. And...

[ Slow inhale. ]

Mizuki.

...Mizuki...? That sweet boy?

( oh, no... felicity's friend? and pure vanilla adores the boy like his own. ... but why does it seem so much heavier...? white lily frowns quietly, moving her free hand into his hair gently. )

Are they okay...?

[ He reaches up to take that hand to, fold his fingers into it, squeeze. ]

Clotted Cream will be all right. His physical ailments seem less than yours, but he is suffering strongly from hallucinations that I hope Sparkling Cookie will be able to help soothe.

[ A beat. Two. ]

Mizuki has... ah. U-unfortunately he was bitten a multitude of times, and... [ He hates this. ] I am afraid he has passed.

Clotted Cream Cookie... He was also very sweet with me. He must have come to help when I was...

( she'll have to apologize for endangering him, later, but she'll continue listening up until he announces the final attack's tragedy- )

... I- I'm so sorry. I know he's dear to you...

[ He nods gently to her words. Clotted Cream was right behind him. That the snake missed him is no coincidence. He wasn't the target. He sighs and rubs his fingers gently across the palm of her hand, careful to avoid her joints, staring down at it like the power of his gaze alone can fix her. ]

He was dear to so many of us. That he died and will now lose something important to him hurts the worst, I fear.

[ He's glad White Lily didn't pass because as much pain as she's in now... to have her lose a portion of herself again hurts him in a way he can't describe.

He will never let her die again. ]

Edited 2024-07-04 21:12 (UTC)

( by the stars, she wants to be properly cuddled so very badly, and she can't. she can't comfort him either, and any reassurances in this state would feel like a lie. )

--Huh?

( ... no one's informed her of the revival mechanics... so ultimately she's just left confused, on top of everything. )

[ Her huh makes him lift his head, his ears going back. Oh. Oh no did he forget- ]

Ah, forgive me, my love, I... There is a chance we will come back after death, yet the forest will take something from us in retribution. Be it physical or something else.

... It really is trying to reclaim it's position as a god. But... look at what it's done to us. To your children...

( as weakened as she feels, as much as her heart aches for everyone, there's a grim resolve. the same that makes her wish she could retaliate against the witches, despite everything her wrath and horror has already incurred. )

... We must not let him ascend further.

[ To his children. To his hearts desire. To Wolfwood, Elsword, Nene. To all of them who came before.

He lifts her hand and places a soft kiss into her palm, nodding into it. ]

It might be named, but that does not give it God-like powers just yet. We can stop it, and we will. We are not alone in this.

No, we're not.

( she just sighs though, gently scooting a bit closer. )

... Hold me. Properly. Please...?

[ Though he fears harming her, he can't deny her request. Carefully, gently, he gathers her up into his arms and tucks her in against him. Shifts so he's reclining and she's laying down against him. Still resting, but being held.

As tightly as he dares, his voice low. ]

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you again.

( this is just what she needed- lily sighs with a soft relief and nestles up to him, a hand over his heart. only his next words make her frown- )

You could not have predicted this. I was the one who chose to try and deal with a dangerous animal on my own.

[ Carefully he settles his hands on her back, then slowly just enfolds her into him. Frowning heavily into the top of her head. He know she will rebuff every "but" he tries to say, so he sighs instead, manages a small smile.

He won't let it happen again, however. ]

Ah, I can't argue, my love. You'll simply hit me with the eyes, and I'll melt.

My Vanilla, ( it feels strange to speak in terms of endearment. but he does so for her all the time, and it is true, isn't it? ) You would carry the weight of the sins of every cookie on your back if you could. Someone must put a stop to it before you break, no?

[ And just like that he's turning red, and is glad she can't see him. Flustering. He can dish the endearments out but the moment it's given back he flounders. ]

I-I.. yes... well...

[ Give him a moment. ]

I... [ HUFF. ] I have learned to share the burden, I promise, my dear.