ph_logs | what arms have lain under my head til morning? [mixed]

what arms have lain under my head til morning? [mixed]

Who: Tarantulas

What: This spider is about to have some real Bad Times. This is an top-level for everyone who would like to experience those Bad Times along with him.

When: Late February and March

Where: Open

Warning(s): Emotional manipulation and toxicity, people poorly coping with mental illness. Pregnancy, gore, and body horror. Further warnings TBD (4/7)

Threaded | Flat

The return of his ability to transform is such a great relief to Tarantulas that it nearly drives him out of his mind. He nearly forgets to dress himself before leaving his house -- and even then he takes full advantage of the warmer weather to dress lighter than he has since arrival, his alt mode's legs fully exposed and dragging slightly through the air as he rushes down the street. He has to show Ryja. He has to show her right now!

He takes the stairs two at a time, tracking Ryja to her room by scent and tapping loudly on her door. "Ryja!" he calls in his cracked, hoarse voice. "Ryja, dearest! Are you awake? I want to show you something!"

He wanted to give this some time for cooler heads to prevail. But not too much time. He'd tried to express that Tarantulas's relationship with him was not irreparable but that departing word from the spider put it in doubt. So, it's time to clear the air. He hopes.

Erik knocks on the man's door, "Tarantulas, it's Erik. I'd like to talk to you." No need to say why, he's sure.

"The only thing you must do in order to assure the safe birth of the child is feed this stone with the energy of my domain."

"You must commit a minor act of betrayal on those whom you consider members of your inner circle. You must either take something precious from them, or convince them of a painful lie. Do this, and the stone will grow warm until it splits, and the terms of our accord are fulfilled."

From the following people Tarantulas stole a precious item or feeling to power this boon. Eight broken hearts, to achieve his truest heart's desire.

From Neil West -- Skill, in the form of the arcane focus which he used to dreamwalk.

From Bart Torgal -- Trust, in the form of a lie that made him doubt his bond with First Aid.

From Elias Coldwood -- Knowledge, in the form of a book of notes taken on their expedition.

From Mairi Miann -- Friendship, in the form of a keepsake ring forged to remind her of loved ones lost.

From Jeff Calhoun -- Talent, in the form of his voice; stolen from him by poison and deceit.

From Erik Osborne -- Peace, in the form of a lie that broke Max's faith in his ability to change.

From River la Croix -- Memory, in the form of the mortuary portrait of their daughter.

And from Ryja Featherfist, who had never done him any harm...who had never so much as criticized him...

The morning of March 18...

Tarantulas slammed his front door closed behind him, quickly stashing his prize with the others before scurrying into the bedroom and shaking Ryja's shoulder. He'd -- he'd made a terrible mistake, a very foolish miscalculation, and -- if he's to have any hope of surviving the consequences, he needs Ryja awake and alert.

"Ryja!" he hisses in her ear. "Ryja, sweetheart, I need you to wake up. I need your help."

Edited 2024-03-09 02:22 (UTC)

After all of the screaming's over and it becomes clear that Tarantulas is at least not in immediate danger of bleeding to death, Sally has him moved to her own home for observation -- not the little townhouse he'd visited before, but one of the farmhouses outside of town completely. But to be honest, Tarantulas was in too much of a state to notice.

He drifts in and out of consciousness, rousing himself just enough to look around for his child -- his child! -- and confirm her existence before falling back into a deep, troubled sleep. It's not until the second day that he wakes up long enough to ask where he is -- and then to request a few things from his home. Nothing too serious, just a few changes of clothes...one of his journals...and a box from his shop, filled with a few lightweight items of no particular importance. He needs to decide what he's going to do with them all, now.

It isn't regret that makes him hesitate. How can he regret anything, when his child lives? She's as strong and healthy as he could have wished, and more beautiful than nearly anything he could have designed himself. But...he does fear the consequences of his actions, and what they might mean for his daughter. He has a responsibility now, a duty to provide her with the best life possible. If his former friends choose to hate him, and pass that hate onto her...

He decides to send Mairi a message first, asking her simply to come and speak with him. Of all the people he betrayed, she knew him for the shortest time. Perhaps that will incline her to be reasonable.

César's working on his farm, like he's done (nearly!) every day, most of the day, since planting season has started. He has two part-timers with him, a set of siblings. Crops are in the ground, he has three happy and fat cows, and even a horse. The greenhouse is full of seedlings and even a handful of older plants, helped along by his druidic magic. His chickens aren't present here, back at home with Dabi.

The help from the newcomers had completely destroyed the large amount of work César was going to be crushed under. Between them and reworking his schedule, César's... doing okay. He's actually got some time to relax, even during his time on the farm.

Good thing, huh?

César's walking cheerfully towards his greenhouse attached to the farmhouse.

At least, this time, when he shows up at Sally's door he doesn't have to yell to be let in he tells himself grimly as he steps through and into Tarantula's bedchamber. He's been made aware of the full scope of Tarantula's trespasses, including with Max. He's furious about all of it, and yet he's determined not to walk out of this room as an enemy. Taratulas has made quite enough of those, now. It won't help.

Calm. Erik's face is a stony mask revealing nothing. "I've come to see how you and your child are faring now."

Threaded | Flat

Closed to Ryja

knock knock, A few days after Merrymeet

the rain is full of ghosts tonight -- in my heart there stirs a quiet pain

Convalescing

Farm Visit

Backdated to a few days post-birth.