Akuuko, The Rewoven

[[ August 9th ]]

[[ The 100th Rose: ]

GURASHI'S POV:
You are suddenly not alone in your thoughts as Akuuko's mind takes hold. Black petals dance around you as you huddle in the centre of the cocoon, your eyes wide and unblinking, lest you miss something. You haven't slept in days, and yet, you feel stronger for it. Are you going insane?

XENTHOS' POV:
A gout of wyrden fire shoots outward from a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon, engulfing the throne room in its blaze. The petals of the glittering black roses encasing the silken shell sink deep beneath the surface, feeding the flames. As the pale light begins to clear, pools of shadowy essence hang limply in the air before vanishing, and a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon seems to wilt.

You reach for a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon, but before your hand comes close to touching it, strong, thorn-laden vines whip forward and wrap around your arm. Your mind is no longer your own as foreign thoughts invade it, superimposing the image of shadow-covered essence across your mind's eye. You struggle to lay claim to your thoughts again, but finally, you're free.

A vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon wriggles onto its side, thick vines twisting and flailing from where it's rooted. As if righting itself, the vines push against the ground, heaving itself upright.

You smile and say to a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon, "Oh...! Good morning."

You ask, "Are you feeling better?"

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

You look thoughtful and say, "...I don't actually know if it's morning."

Petals drip from the membrane of a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon, falling to the ground in a haphazard pile.

[[ People began sending Shadow Essence in MASSIVE QUANTITIES. ]]

The cocoon twists and shakes, its long, spindly tendrils reaching and growing before it resolves to stand still. As if having feasted overmuch so quickly has taken a toll, the cocoon coils in on itself, resisting more.

Softly and kindly, you say to a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon, "Easy now... you were really hungry! Your stomach must be upset."

Khasur Stormcrow says, "Kaervas, Aleyah -- darkest tidings."

Khasur Stormcrow leans forward from the darkness, her eyes a mask of scrutiny.

Khasur Stormcrow says, "What have we here?"

You say to Khasur Stormcrow, "Darkest tidings, Lady Khasur! He stood up!"

Kaervas d'Murani, the Tenebrous Wrath says, "Greetings."

You say, "And stopped taking roses in lieu of essence for a while. Now I just hear a heartbeat again."

Khasur Stormcrow steps toward a vaguely humanoid-shaped cocoon and kneels, her hands pushing flora this way and that, as if she were a gardener tending a common shrubbery.

Khasur Stormcrow says, "Then let us let it, ah...digest, if you will. Perhaps until nightfall, when
Mother Night's cloak holds fast to the Basin?"

You nod your head emphatically.

[[ Gurashi sends me lots of worried/panicked tells here ]]

Khasur Stormcrow says, "The bug will be fine. It's so jittery."

Snidely, Khasur Stormcrow says, "Tell it that the cocoon has sprung a leak, or something."

You say, "He is so, so nervous."

You have emoted: Aleyah chuckles softly, shaking her head.

You say, "I suppose that's to be expected for one who grew up male in a hive, though....."

You purse your lips, deep in thought.

You have emoted: Aleyah smiles faintly. "I was going to pray to the Mistress today, too. I finally figured out what I want to say."

Twisting her nose into disgust, Khasur Stormcrow says, "So many feelings drip from them. Like all insects, this particular -- what does She call them? a bumblebee? -- should go enjoy some honey while our jittery little cocoon  enjoys its time here."

You nod your head at Khasur Stormcrow.

Khasur Stormcrow flaps her wings once, twice, and then lifts off gently from the ground and lands on  the back of the throne. "Tell them to think long and hard on the anchor, and remind them that crows eat insects." A cherubic smile splays across Khasur's face. "I enjoyed my fair share, in fact."

You take to the air with a few beats of your wings, alighting gently upon Khasur Stormcrow.

Khasur Stormcrow glances sideways at you briefly, and automatically lifts a hand to her collar in surprise.

You have emoted: Aleyah squeaks softly, and shuffles sideways. "Sorry! Habit. People are easier to speak to face-to-face, and I'm about the size of most people's faces....."

You take to the air with a few lazy wafts of your wings.

Khasur Stormcrow says, "Why would the Hallowed Creator of the Wyrd go to all this trouble just to harm something? No, I suspect there's greater value in Her guest than that, for Her to have all of Her Spiders here, in one place, fussing over it."

[[ 250-ish Essences: ]]

ALEYAH'S POV:
A thrumming of energy and the weight of immense power grows across the surrounding area, pulsing outward from the throne room in steady, rhythmic beats, like a slow and thundering heart.

GURASHI'S POV:
Shadows veil your eyes as Akuuko's mind ensnares yours, almost as if in a web. You blink once, twice, and then see as the trees around you do, your heart fluttering. Terror grips you as your mind connects to Akuuko's once more. You reach for your other hand, which has also dissolved, and although you feel yourself screaming in endless terror, no sound comes out -- because you no longer have a body.

[[ At 500 Essences ]]

Teeth gnashing, jaws snapping, blood pouring -- all thoughts of Akuuko's that filter into yours now.

As you prepare to touch a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk, a vine covered with vicious thorns shoots forward from a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk and twines around your arm, pulling you toward it. As you stumble forward, your mind goes slack, overrun completely by how delicious blood would taste. Your hunger is limitless for a moment, but before you bite down on your own hand, you snap to, blood pooling where the thorns tore through your skin.

The voice of a man imbued with immense power cries out from within a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk, its timbre eerie and echoing.

You have emoted: Aleyah sighs affectionately, gazing proudly at a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk.

In an affectionate coo, you say to a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk, "That's it... come along now. Let us welcome you home."

You purse your lips, deep in thought.

You ask a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk, "Do you want.... an adventurer's flesh?"

You become aware of something staring at you, as if an immense presence were pouring outward from a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk.

You have emoted: Aleyah's eyes light up, and she smiles.

A thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk rocks back and forth, slowly at first, and then with more emphasis. Suddenly, as if it were merely testing its strength, the rocking ceases.

Khasur Stormcrow says, "Delicious, no? Let's see if we can get, say, three or four hundred more of Gurashi's bodies."
[[ Gurashi gets fed to the cocoon twice! The first one causes an untrapped Error. ]]

300 CORPSES
ALEYAH'S POV:
The thorns along a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk grow longer and a sinister cracking sound booms across the temple. Fractures appear along the surface of the membrane that are quickly filled in by wyrden flora, but two wild-looking eyes peer out before they're covered again.

As you touch a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk, a guttural scream of rage pierces the silence, and your mind goes blank. You know, intimately, as if the scream were your own, that what's inside the cocoon is nearing the end of its transformation, and all it needs now is more of the same. More. More. More.

GURASHI'S POV:
Blood, more blood, blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. All you can think, because of your connection to Akuuko, is blood.

[[ 500 CORPSES ]]

The temple grows still, all sounds receding from the weight of power that grows within the throne room.

The shadows surrounding a thorn-laden cocoon of spider sslk flare to life, their size doubling as if some spectral mass were rising to cover more of the light.

The screaming from within a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk ceases and the mounting energy pouring from it ebbs. All is still, all is quiet, and you hear a nearly-whispered, "Thank...you..." before silence pervades the throne room.

Khasur Stormcrow narrows her eyes at a thorn-laden cocoon of spider silk and turns her ear, as if listening. "Quiet, all of you. Allow me a moment..."

Weakly, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "Youse...youse brought me...where?"

You smile and say to Akuuko, the Rewoven, "You stand in the Throne Room of the Mother of Spiders, Lady Viravain, our Mistress, and Will of the Glomdoring."

You say, "I've been making sure you were safe while you slept, my dearest."

Akuuko, the Rewoven stands upright and looks down at his leg. He holds his hands out in front of himself and then, for the first time, he smiles.

The ceiling bends and warps as it makes way for the shadows, which flow together to form the figure of the Lady of the Thorns.

Pushing them forward without rising, you give a set of flowing smoke grey robes to Akuuko, the Rewoven.

Akuuko, the Rewoven holds the robes out blankly and then stares at Viravain.

Ragniliff gives Viravain a respectful salute.

Reverently, Whispered Voice Siam, of the Thorned Distaff says, "Tidings, Mistress."

You think to yourself: Dearest Lady! Mama! She's here! I love when She's here.

Khasur Stormcrow glances at Akuuko, the Rewoven sharply and gestures for him to get down.

Whispered Voice Siam, of the Thorned Distaff whispers, "Kneel, Akuuko."

Lightly, Her voice the sound of wind through the forest, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "It is alright. Let him enjoy the legs I've given to him."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "The rest of you --."

You think to yourself: The most radiant, wonderful, perfect.....

A look of understanding crossing his features, Siam nods his head slowly.

Viravain's mouth twists into a thin smile, Her pleasure flowing through the air like the scent of roses that follows Her.

You have emoted: Her eyes shining, Aleyah beams adoringly at Viravain.

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "You may rise. You have done very, very well."

Viravain moves forward toward Akuuko, the Rewoven, Her form drifting through the shadows that encompass Her. "Tell Me how you feel, Once Thief."

Viravain reaches out to tenderly cup Akuuko, the Rewoven's cheek in Her hand.

Akuuko, the Rewoven winces against the hand on his cheek and then relaxes into it. "I..." he begins, and then falters briefly, swallowing hard. "I feel ... I feel strong, m'Lady, I really do."

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Viravain's lips.

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Indeed. You do. What else do you feel?"

Viravain withdraws Her hand and listens intently.

Staring at his hands again, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "I feel...the same." He frowns suddenly, and then continues. "I remember everything, I remember the spiders..."

Akuuko, the Rewoven shivers violently.

Viravain flashes Akuuko, the Rewoven a joyous smile.

Nodding once, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "You will have to excuse My children, Akuuko. They can be quite ... dedicated to their work."

You think to yourself: Does he remember me, I wonder....? I've told him so many stories! Sung him so many songs. Does he remember?

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "And fear is a healthy emotion, if you can use it to your advantage. Which you did."

Gesturing vaguely, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Your fear allowed My Spiders to know how to help you, after all."

Akuuko, the Rewoven smiles wanly at Viravain and then nods. "I remember a voice...a kind, helpful one, y'know? One with a real pretty sound." He pauses for a moment and then continues. "She sang to me, that voice..."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Oh?"

Ragniliff tugs her chin thoughtfully.

Viravain glances around the throne room, Her eyebrows lifted. "Which of you did this?"

Ragniliff glances over at you expectantly.

You have emoted: Aleyah emits a soft, delighted squeak, quickly clapping her hands over her mouth. Tentatively, she raises one. "Me, My Lady."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "I see."

Viravain strokes a wickedly curved scythe tenderly.

Ragniliff Stormcrow says, "Good Aleyah has endeavoured greatly in this matter."

Khasur Stormcrow says, quickly, "My Lady, the Lady Aleyah -- she stayed with Your guest this entire time." Rushing again to say, "She did not leave his side."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Be calm, My Khasur."

Khasur Stormcrow visibly relaxes and then turns to look at you.

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Aleyah, much like those who have come before you, you have proven yourself quite able."

Softly, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "The Webs you weave for Me will be beautiful. Will they not?"

Akuuko, the Rewoven stares on, the robe in his hands forgotten.

Curiously, you say, "My Mistress? Of course! I want to be Your Rose, my Lady. I want to be the beautiful, lovely thing that brings everyone home."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Then do those things, My Aleyah. Be the Spider."

Viravain graciously grants you entrance into the Divine Order of Viravain, Lady of the Thorns. Congratulations, and may you serve your God well.

(Order): Viravain says, "And never the Fly."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "And Akuuko."

Viravain turns to Akuuko, the Rewoven slowly, Her eyes impassive. "Do you remember what Mysrai did to you?"

Akuuko, the Rewoven shivers again, and nods. "I do, m'Lady of Roseses. I do, that, yes."

Tilting Her head, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Indeed. Then My second gift to you, Akuuko, is freedom. You are whole again, and you may do what you wish now."

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "Will you leave My Web and return to the One Who disfigured you? Or will you remain here, in My Forest?"

Khasur Stormcrow gasps softly and places a hand upon her collar.

You tilt your head curiously at Akuuko, the Rewoven.

Eyes wide, Akuuko, the Rewoven falters, "Youse gonna give me a choice, m'Lady of Roses?" He pauses again, and then, more firmly, he continues. "I can leave if I wanna? You won't send those, uh...children...after me again?"

Viravain strokes a wickedly curved scythe tenderly.

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says, "No. Take all the time you need, for you are My guest here. Choose for yourself. The Wyrd or the Fire."

Coiling sinuously about Her petite frame, stygian shadows cloak Viravain in an unnatural darkness and evanesce into the aether, leaving behind only the faintest scent of roses.

Akuuko, the Rewoven blinks.

You flash Akuuko, the Rewoven a joyous smile.

Khasur Stormcrow lets out a breath again, and then slumps against the throne.

You smile and say to Akuuko, the Rewoven, "If you ever want me too, I'll gladly sing for you again. Especially if you stay! It'll be much easier to find you. And cousin Gurashi is here as well."

Righting herself, Khasur Stormcrow says, "Well, then, Akuuko. I will leave you in their hands. I must attend to other things."

[Farewell to Khasur formalities]

Siam squeezes your shoulder and softly says, "You have served Her well. Long may you weave Her webs."

You flash Siam a joyous smile.

Ragniliff Stormcrow says to Akuuko, the Rewoven, "Perhaps we might answer any lingering questions."

You nod your head emphatically.

Whispered Voice Siam, of the Thorned Distaff says to Akuuko, the Rewoven, "Tidings, Akuuko. I am Siam and this is our first meeting."

Akuuko, the Rewoven swallows hard, as if the feeling is still foreign to him.

Siam smiles softly.

Lifting his lips into a quirky smile, Akuuko, the Rewoven says, "Yes, hello, ah -- Siam, was it?"

Akuuko, the Rewoven reaches out a hand to shake Siam's, dropping the robe altogether.

=== [[ And from here, it's all a MUCH bigger group RP that I do not have logs for. Thanks for playing! ]] ===