[Lore Mingle] Singing Songs to the Secrets Behind My Eye, Oh My

[thethirteenthchild]

Who: Dahlia Leeds & the former members of the Ocularum
What: Q&A
When: Post-Kadath
Where: The Oak & Iron
Warning(s): None

code

An Invitation from Dahlia

Those who aligned themselves with Neil West will find his house empty when next they go. All his furniture is gone, leaving a barren building, with the door to his basement locked. The meeting space, where all his esoterica and research were kept. Those who are stubborn enough to see what remains of his work can break down the door, but all that remains are cleared out shelves and a single table in the dark. A note sits on top of it, written in red ink.

However, a few days after all the dreamers have awakened, former Ocularum members will find that they've received a letter. Though it is anonymous on the outside, the contents will reveal the sender.

Hello,

I'm sure that you have questions. Now that Nyarlathotep has revealed himself, the magic preventing me from speaking on this is lifted. I am at liberty to give you answers now.

Meet me at the Oak and Iron at 2pm. A neutral space, during the day. I have rented out the private room in the bar so that we can speak.

For what it's worth, I am so, so sorry.

Regards,
D.A. Leeds

You'll find her sitting in the back of the bar, drinks and food already set out, her treat. She looks... stiff, and grim. But not afraid. Just sad.

Comments

[thethirteenthchild]

Dahlia can't help a scowl. "Frustrating," she says earnestly. "I hated it. It felt slimy. But I couldn't give him too much information on myself or my people. I couldn't risk it getting too public, especially while Aster was still broadly in control of me."

A beat.

"...I did like punching him in the face, that once. Back during the heavy floods, while we were still waiting to get picked up by the Stag Beetle."

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis releases a bitter laugh as she recalls their skirmish, almost wishing she had known then what she knew now. Yet as she had told Gideon, what she had been through helped her become who she is now.

"I would love to punch him now."

More than that, she would like to tear his chest open and devour his heart and entrails, if he even has such. Based on the nightmare, she can't say he does.

"Part of me would like to withdraw from it all, but I know that there are still people here that I love and who love me, so I can't run off and lick my wounds the way I wish I could."

Goddess she wishes she could get drunk.

"So I suppose I have to ask; What happens next?"

[thethirteenthchild]

"That, I'm not entirely sure of. I don't know what his angle is, but his entire persona is gone from the island now, and things are stirring on my family's end." Dahlia drums her nails on the table thoughtfully, casting her gaze to the side. "For now, we should focus on preparing for March. But it might be worth speaking with Elias Coldwood."

[redlightgreenlight]

We. That little word gives her more hope than she's had since Max left.

"Elias and I are still on good terms, and I haven't visited Glory since before the Fears, so I would be happy to reach out." The other part of Dahlia's reply still begs some comment or question, so Valdis pauses to gather her thoughts on that. "Aster has been using us to kill the other princes, so I assume he will use one of us to kill Eligos. I have long thought that this is because he cannot kill them himself, is that true?"