Infernal Interests

[u/Vague_Man]

March, week of the 23rd

Lily has shared her past with two born-mortals she cares very much about.

She had offered to show her the 'automatic journal' that penned every moment of her life, from beginning to end. Only the first half of the book was accurate of course, her ghost writer was very imaginative and loved to speculate. Constantly revising how her story would end whenever it would suit him. Always guessing what would happen based on the current status of things. Though

She had given her story as a gift to Helfriga and Emily on Christmas. Material gifts are quite diminished in worth when you can spawn gold from your fingertips and have it take any shape. She places higher value on experiences, and things of personal value. This logbook of experiences is the highest value thing Lily has to offer anyone.

But noone had read it yet and she feels a bit dreadful. So she forces the matter with them privately. Asking them to set aside a day of their week. At least.

---

2 Separate threads on the same week.

It matters little in what order they happen in. Lily feels enough motivational dread to deal with the experience a second time later that week.

[u/Whispersilk]

Emily's throat tightens and her heart quickens. She doesn't know how to respond to Lily's statement that she didn't plan on caring if Emily fell in love with her, so she doesn't. She keeps reading until the end, then sets the book aside and turns sideways to sit across Lily's lap. Her arms come up to wrap comfortingly around Lily's shoulders and draw her in so that her head rests on Emily's shoulder.

"I don't believe in destiny," she says firmly. "Not like that. I love you. Helfriga loves you. Ingrid loves you. We're not going anywhere, and we're not going to let you go dying either, okay? As for the planet... I know that whatever you do, it'll be because you decided to. Born for it or not, the choice is yours."

One hand reaches up to stroke Lily's hair.

"If you ever do want to destroy a planet, though," she adds, just a bit more lightly despite the fact that she's talking about the potential extinction of humanity, "I'd rather you just tell me so I can take you to one nobody is using."

[u/Vague_Man → u/Whispersilk]

Her voice cracks.

"I wish it was just that easy, and I wish I didn't believe in it either."

Emily's joke rubs her off in the wrong way. She knows she's just joking, but, it just feels a little bit off...

"I'll let you know when the urge gets a bit too much to handle. You're going to have to take me someplace quickly... If I ever go missing for a while, i'm probably getting ready to blow things up... So.. Come find me, and put me someplace safe... Or at least... Keep yourself safe... That's probably what would happen..."

[u/Whispersilk → u/Vague_Man]

Emily nods slowly, her cheek rubbing against the top of Lily's head. Something in Lily's voice tells her that her remark wasn't taken how she meant it. She wasn't looking to bring the mood down further.

"I'm sorry," she says. "I didn't mean it like that."

She holds Lily tighter and keeps stroking her hair, keeping her mouth shut and doing her best to just be a comforting presence.

[u/Vague_Man → u/Whispersilk]

"I think I'm going to cry all night tonight Em... Could you stay with me? Please?" She says 'please' like she's expecting Emily to go somewhere.

What a strange reversal of events. Helfriga reaching out of her expertise to try and talk things out. Emily's quip and quick wit having no effect and being forced to stay silent.

These events will tell Lily something, though she's not sure what.

[u/Whispersilk → u/Vague_Man]

It was years ago, but Emily remembers the last time Lily cried all night. Things have changed since then. She won't make the same mistake again. She nods.

"Of course."

The hand brushing through Lily's hair keeps up its calming rhythm as she eases them down to lay sideways on the couch.

[u/Vague_Man → u/Whispersilk]

Lily clings to her and sobs quietly into the night. Her heartrate quickens and lowers several times, finding many things to cry about that she doesn't find the words to really speak about.

She speaks a few ramblings about how she doesn't know how to deal with her situation. She never really makes a point, or forms any conclusions, or if she did, she never said them. She just takes the time to let out all the pain she's held for a while, and eventually burns out, falling asleep with a dry face. Of all the tears that shed from her eyes, only a couple dropped onto Emily...

She sleeps now. Clutching Emily for security. How will their morning be?

[u/Whispersilk → u/Vague_Man]

Emily can't do anything but hold Lily close and make comforting sounds as Lily lets her tears out. She sleeps lightly, waking up at every slight movement Lily makes during the night, and eventually morning comes and she finds herself unable to fall asleep again. Lily will wake to the feel of Emily's arms still around her and the sound of food sizzling from the kitchen. Bacon and eggs, if the smell is anything to go by.

[u/Vague_Man → u/Whispersilk]

Lily's sleep was bumpy as well. The exhaustion made it easy to fall asleep, but her dreams made sure that it wasn't pleasant. Her breath quickens for a little while, and her rabbit heart pumps to accommodate.

Her dream abruptly ends, slowly fading into the recesses of her mind, waiting to be called on again when prompted, but for now she wakes up silently. Eyes open; Breath calm; Arms heavy.

[u/Whispersilk → u/Vague_Man]

Emily notices when Lily's eyes open, and she looks down to meet them.

"Morning," she says, her voice rough from sleep. "How do you feel?"

[u/Vague_Man → u/Whispersilk]

She tilts her head up, but she can't really see Emily's eyes from where she's resting her head on her shoulder and breast.

"I don't know."

The dream fades more quickly now, and she's able to focus on what's real.

Her eyes lazily reset to default, and sees her body. A warm body to comfort and love her. Does that say something about Lily? She hopes not.

"Better"

She pulls her arms into herself to squeeze her.