conspiracy-of-fear

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Well if it didn't matter, then neither of you would mind telling me who it was"

"Dear. Just leave it."

Marisol paused for a moment, then sighed.

"Fine, fine."

She turned back to Elias.

"Will you be here for long, or are you leaving soon, Massinissa?"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"You can't just tell me you died of a seizure and say to not worry!"

She turned to Eurydice

"You said it was a Spider, right? Who was it? I want to know"

"Dearest, it doesn't matter"

"I'm not gonna do anything, I just want to know"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

Marisol had a slightly saddened look but not too sad.

"Aw, well that's a shame, perhaps it'll be better in the next"

She seemed to think for a moment, before speaking again

"How did you die this time, my boy?"

"He encountered an unstable Spider"

Marisol looked between Eurydice and Elias with a bit of shock on her face.

"He what- You what?!"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

Marisol returned the hug happily, holding him a little tight before letting go.

"How has your life been? Anything exciting, anything fun?"

She had a bright smile on her face as she spoke, making it obvious that the two of them really hadn't seen in each other in a long time.

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

The woman, Marisol, was more around a humanoid height than Eurydice was currently, wearing a floral sundress. She spotted Elias in the gazebo and immediately went inside.

"Oh, Eurydice you should have told me he was home sooner!"

She stopped just a few feet from him. It was obvious she wanted to hug him but didn't want to overstep.

"Goodness, Massinissa, it's been so long"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Very funny."

Eurydice stood up and went to the open entrance of the gazebo, and looked out into the Garden toward the silohuette of a woman, planting flowers and the such. She called out to her

"Mari! Massinissa is here!"

The figure of the woman stopped her planting, and turned toward Eurydice. She then got up and quickly made her way to the gazebo.

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Yes. I believe it was around Autumn or Winter when she came through, but either way she never saw the Garden. I would never allow someone like her to see it. Quite the pitiful creature she was. A dissapoinment."

Perhaps it was time to change subjects. Eurydice looked out toward the Garden again then back to Elias.

"Do you want to see Marisol? It's been so long since she last saw you and you rarely pass through here in Spring or Summer."

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"There's nothing I can say that would help you, not in your eyes."

She sipped her tea.

"Just know, no matter who or what claims to be your 'puppeteer', or your 'patron'. You're home is always here, in the Garden. There's nothing they can change about it, no matter how pissy they may get about it"

Eurydice smirked to herself, as if remembering a funny memory.

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

Eurydice sighed again

"Your situation regarding change is fluctuating. You don't stay on one point for too long before changing to the next. You've been through a lot through all of your lives."

She looked out toward the garden

"It's not the most healthy thing."

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Do you actually want to hear my thoughts, or will you get mad at me like the last time?"

Her tone was almost joking, but she wasn't exactly wrong. In recent times when he visited, he was different. Quiet. Tired. He used to tell her about the life he had lived before coming to the Garden again. Now he doesn't.

All because of that so-called 'Puppeteer'.

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Anyone can be burdened, Massinissa. It's how they adapt to the change is what matters. Some do adapt, for better or worst. Some don't, for better or worst. That's just how life is."

She turned to him again, not caring that he wasn't facing her.

"But what also matters is time. Not everyone has the time to adapt to change, to burden. Some get close, but their time runs out and they come to the garden."

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Perhaps, but in this timeline, it's unsure. Maybe if that person never became a puppet. Maybe if Amelie never became burdoned with power out of their control. Maybe if the two of you never met. But choices were made, and now we're here, and you're back here again."

Eurydice sighed, looking out into the garden.

"I can say it was an irresponsible decision for it to be given that amount of power. Especially since they've proven they can't handle it with their emotional state"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"I know. That doesn't change anything about the situation that led to this death."

She took a sip of her tea, then gestured to the empty seat across from her.

"Come sit. I know you like to take your time here"

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

There, in the Gazebo, drinking tea at the table, was Eurydice. She was taller than Elias, she always was. Even when she was presenting in a normal human height the first time they met centuries ago.

She turned to him, placing her tea cup on the table, a slight smile gracing her face.

"You got yourself into quite the pickle, Massinissa."

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

Elias is dead again. He made it further than he usually does, to his credit. He almost thought he'd break fifty. Valentine had said thit would make it happened this time. Foolish thing, naive, and yet not without power. He'd hoped. He'd hoped.

He should have known she couldn't help him.

@nobodys-soldier

For a while there was nothing but silence and darkness. Then, there was sound of... birds? And a faint breeze? That... shouldn't be there, right? Then there was sunlight. Elias found himself in what looked like a garden, flowers and trees freshly bloomed like in the spring, birds could be heard fainting chirping, singing their songs. It was a place full of life. In the center of this 'garden', there was a Gazebo, with climbing flowers and plants growing over it, making it look overgrown but beautiful. There seemed to be someone sitting a table in it.

[conspiracy-of-fear]

Eurydice sighed again, and then the sound of feathers swirled around Mort.

Then... the numbing cold of nothingness was gone, and he was no longer nowhere.

Mort is no one and nowhere. It is cold here, and it's quiet.

Here is the rest he wanted, the rest he spent years searching for. This is the end of it.

He had a good life. Why does he miss it?

He is cold. He is not alone.

"Hello? Who are you?"

@residentsofhollowville

In this nowhere, this emptiness, is a woman who's expression is as a cold and neutral. She looked down at Mort.

"Someone who's known you and your family for a long time, Mort."

[conspiracy-of-fear]

"Just close your eyes, and know you can never return here. Not for a long time"

Eurydice's gaze was cold and firm, making it unknown as to what she was truly feeling behind that neutral and blank expression on her face

"You've been gone a while, and they may have changed in that time, accept that fact when you go back"

Mort is no one and nowhere. It is cold here, and it's quiet.

Here is the rest he wanted, the rest he spent years searching for. This is the end of it.

He had a good life. Why does he miss it?

He is cold. He is not alone.

"Hello? Who are you?"

@residentsofhollowville

In this nowhere, this emptiness, is a woman who's expression is as a cold and neutral. She looked down at Mort.

"Someone who's known you and your family for a long time, Mort."