[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]

"That all depends on what he's doing now. I suppose that's our next mystery to solve." Dahlia sighs anxiously, her nail still between her teeth. Chew, chew, chew. "I know that he's interested to see how things with my family play out. Nothing for it except to put on a show while we figure out how to block Aster's power grab, and try to figure out what new pitfalls he's hidden for us."

[liesdontfindyou]

It's not exactly an unexpected answer, but she wishes there could've been a better one. "You know, there's nothing in this universe I hate more than unknown variables like this."

And yet there is no choice but to deal with them as they come. Trying to pry into what he's doing, wherever he now is, will only give her a headache as the Eye either tries and fails or outright resists her attempts, she's sure. Maybe another day. Maybe if it feels desperate.

She should ask more about Aster's plans for Eligos. That's the important thing, here. They have to be prepared for wherever this leads. And yet.

"...why choose the role he did? Why— what do you think he was even planning to use me— us, the Ocularum, to do? Was it all just about the pure entertainment or— what?"

Frankly she's not sure what answer would feel worse.

[thethirteenthchild]

Dahlia purses her lips, thinking. "It seemed like he wanted a cult. He had one, once. I believe you're one of the ones who got to meet them. Some vision of the past Olwylder orchestrated?"

She's heard about pieces of it here and there, either from people who went or secondhand from their friends.

"He killed them all for knowing too much. I think his desire was to establish a new, more ignorant cult. But it never quite panned out that way. Wrong crowd. So I think it ended up being for information, and to dig into insecurities. When you see him again, he will deliberately say things intended to make you feel like a fool. Don't flinch. You're not an idiot for getting duped by an interdimensional entity of cosmic chaos."

[liesdontfindyou]

Oh, great, I can add 'almost got recruited to a cult' to my resume, CT thinks but bites down on, rather than say something so petty and useless.

"It's a lot easier said than done, not flinching in the face of something like that," she says, instead, unclear if she means the insults or the interdimensional entity of cosmic chaos himself. "You know, he even let himself get put in one of those damned operas with me. Playing the role of one of the last assholes to lie to me and get me killed. I'm sure he's very proud of that."