paradoxrealm

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

He needs to see what I see when I go down the well, Hattie... It may make solving this dimensional riddle easier on us both.

She took the button, this time very gentle with the Beldam's eye button as she pulled it back through.

...Thank you, Moon. I'll take good care of it, I promise.

She breathed magic into the button, the little thing taking on a shimmer like obsidian glass. Satisfied, she gently set it in her lap before reaching up to undo her left button as well. The illusion dropped and she covered her forefinger and thumb with sharpened ice to slice through the starlight thread. With a sharp breath, she snipped the threads, letting the ice thaw so she could remove the button. She enchanted the little starlight button too before passing it back through the portals, pressing it into Moon's palm.

Take care of mine too, okay? ...Ready to solve this thing and get your memories back?~

———

He was gentle as he held up the button to look at it, seemingly admiring the color before focusing back on her. “Like a treasure.” His way of saying he’d take care of it. “Let’s get to it.”

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

As soon as Moon had placed the button into her palm she closed her hand around it, feeling to confirm that it was indeed a button before pulling her arm back out without looking at the button.

...There we go... ...Thank you, M-

She paused in the middle of thanking the Beldam when she finally got a look at the button he had given her, staring down at the basic black button that sat in her palm with a look of disappointment and unamusement in her face. Both Hattie and Snatcher watch her heave a deep sigh as she stared down at the button before shifting forward to physically look the Beldam in the face through the little holes in reality.

...You think you're such a comedian, don't you.

Hattie and Snatcher then proceed to watch her flick the button back through the portals, the little black button bouncing off of Moon's chest before Astel shoved her hand back through-

I meant your eye button, dum-dum! I need your eye button so you can see what I see when I go down the well! You give me your button and I'll give you mine. And just 'cause I feel like being a goblin today, give me the left one.

Another grabby motion as she waited for Moon to give her his left button.

Watching this exchange was almost comical with how bold Astel was. Unbothered and undeterred, going back and forth with the Beldam in a strange cross between a sibling relationship and a parent/child relationship. Now- Which one was the parent and which one was the child, not even they're sure, it changes from basis to basis- But it was certainly obvious that the Beldam had met his match-

But even as the interaction went on, Hattie could see Astel's left hand start to tremble as the portal magic in her palm crackled and sparked like a short-circuiting wore... She was struggling to keep the portals open...

———

“My-“ He started to protest before biting it back. He could see the strain of the magic, could feel it if he focused on it. “Keep it safe.” She could hear the cutting of thread followed by a sharp breath- and another simple black button was placed into her palm.

“Maybe we leave all of him in there.” Hat frowned. Snatcher didn’t protest, only coiling slightly tighter around the girl’s arm.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

Astel looked legitimately confused for a moment, her face scrunched like she was trying to work out complex calculations in her head. It wouldn't take long for her to seem to understand as she seemed to do a silent little "ah-ha" before looking at the little portal her arm was currently shoved through like it personally offended her.

Wha-? No-!

She gently smacked his hand away before letting her hand idly motion as she spoke, reminding Moon how she used to talk with her hands even as a teen. From Hattie's perspective the exchange was almost comical, watching Astel with her arm shoved into a portal almost up to her shoulder as she chastised the Beldam on the other side.

Moon, are you serious right now-?! Look at this portal! It's only big enough to fit my whole arm through and I'm struggling to keep this open! I am physically bending the rules of reality now to do this. If I tried pulling you through, the portals would collapse on both of us and then we'd either be cut in half, or sent to the void. And I don't know about you, but I really REALLY don't feel like being sent to non-existence today.

We've been separated for a reason. So whatever this is, we've gotta follow the rules. Think of it like... one of those puzzles games! The ones where both players are separated and have to solve two sides of the same puzzle! ...Oh I don't even know if you're familiar with what I'm talking about...

The shapeshifter sighed, holding her hand out once again with a little grabby motion.

Anyways, I'm not pulling you through, dingdong, I need one of your buttons.

Oh-

...

Well now everyone around her is just lost-

Why the heck does she need a button-??

—————

He could feel his eye twitching. He took a moment to bite back any retorts and sighed. “Just teasing, dear.” His voice was entirely too sweet to be genuine.

He may have wanted out more than he thought.

Astel could hear him walk away briefly before coming back, a button pressed into her palm.

Hat couldn’t help but breath a sigh of relief, though she still looked somewhat apprehensive.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

Both Hattie and Snatcher watch Astel sit down on her knees, letting little particles like stardust gather in her closed hand as she seemed to focus on the space right in front of her. Moon could see her work it out in her head. How she was going to try to open up a portal to her own pocket dimension and then open up another portal to the Other World within the Midnight Garden, keeping the portals small to minimize the risk of potential collapse.

That's right... The Midnight Garden... How... How could he forget?~ The memories were hazy, but he could faintly recall her having two pocket worlds of her own. There was the cloud arena, a training ground of stone and marble painted with a pale sunset sky as big puffy white clouds peacefully drifted by. Then the Midnight Garden. He saw it only once, when she needed a safe place to keep her Eevee egg. But he could still remember how it felt... It was nothing like his world, he knew that for certain. The Garden felt far older. But... there was a certain... peacefulness to it. He remembers it feeling like... a home, the way it welcomed any and all who entered it. Maybe that was just the way it had been. Or maybe... it was because Astel had let him in, so the Garden welcomed him just as she did.

It was still a mystery to him, but... he did remember. Even if just faintly.

Astel eyed the portal magic in her left hand for a moment, hesitating a little as she stared at the bandages wrapped around her hand and fingers. If this backfired it was certainly going to hurt... But she hoped to God not, she didn't want to scare Hattie if it did... But if it backfires, then it can't be helped. The best she can do is pray.

Turning her focus back to the space in front of her, she threw out the little ball of portal magic, holding her breath... She, Hattie, and Snatcher all watch as a glittering portal the size of a grapefruit opened up right in front of Astel, a nocturnal garden scene visible as Astel clapped and threw her hands into the air in victory.

Well- Half victory.

YES! Yes-! Okay- Okay that worked!~ So now if I...

Some more portal magic gathered in her left hand once more, Astel eyeing the space within her Garden as her next target. Once she was ready, rather than throwing the little ball of portal magic, she flicked it right through the little hole in reality she had made. A second portal opened within her Midnight Garden, the new portal opening up right in front of Moon within the Other World! Much like the first portal, it was also no bigger than a grapefruit.

YES!!~ IT WORKED!~ HAHA!~ I'm smarter than the universe!~ ...n-not actually though, don't quote me-

Now Astel was going to struggle a bit though... Traces of portal magic remained in her hand, the dimension-hopper holding it to keep the portals open as it crackled and sparked in her palm. There's no telling how long she can hold this open for... So, without any explanation, she shoved her whole right arm through both portals, Moon now faced with Astel's open palm as she made a grabby motion while her voice sounded from the other side.

...Button.

Umm... Excuse me-??

Another grabby motion, Astel repeating her strange request.

Button.

———

He seemed caught up in trying to pry his memories from whatever held them from him, almost jumping at the sudden hand.

He briefly considered telling her no, perhaps going a step further and giving her a button rather than the hand she clearly wanted, but he did want out. Well, maybe not out- more he wanted access to what he fully considered to be his.

“Promise I can get back.” He frowned, pushing past his unease to take her hand. He could live outside of his realm for a time, but it’d certainly take a toll if he dawdled for too long- not to mention how uncomfortable it would be to not have complete control over everything.

“Buttons?” Hat echoed, looking far more apprehensive than she was a minute ago.

[paradoxrealm]

(I'M ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE-)

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

She stared at the well, the mix of feelings coming from it alone leaving her with strangest combination of a familiarity and unease. It just felt... wrong.

All of it felt wrong...

Yet neither she or her shadows could deny it, they needed to go down the well. Briefly Moon caught flashes inside her mind, thoughts and worries beginning to bubble up like a boiling pot. All of them being anxieties about the well.

What's down there, what if she gets stuck, what if she can't get back out, or even all the way in, and thoughts similar to that.

Was she... claustrophobic? Was she always claustrophobic?

Ohhhh I hate this... I hate this so much... ...Okay, Snatcher I understand that you don't like the feeling from the well, but I don't think I have a choice. I think... I have to go down...

"...'stel, this is extremely sketch..."

"Yeah, I don't like this..."

"Trust me, I don't like this either. But as far as I can tell this may be the only way we can get Moon's memories back... So we've gotta go down."

...Okay... ...I guess I'm delving into the dark... ...But if I'm gonna get lost in the void, I'm making Moon join me one way or another. These are his memories after all...

Hm...

The Beldam could see numerous ideas flash through her head. Ideas that either flashed by to quickly for him to understand or too far beyond his dimensional knowledge for him to comprehend. That was until Astel came to one idea. A way to sort of... bend the dimensional rules to do something just briefly. It wouldn't be much... but it may allow her to open up a portal small enough to fit her arm through.

...Okay, Snatcher, Hattie, I'm going to do something... probably incredibly stupid. I don't even know if it'll work. For all I know... it could backfire on me like my last rule bending attempt. So just in case, I'm going to need you two to stand on the other side of the well from me, okay?

————

She could feel the immediate stab of unease from Moon.

Don’t-

Hat had already picked Snatcher up, quietly chastising his protests as she ran to the other side of the well. “What are you gonna do?” She asked with a small frown, an odd sense of tension prickling at her senses.

[paradoxrealm]

B. :3

🐝

[paradoxrealm]

A. :3

Sup o7

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

"This is all hands on deck here, Moon, and you know it."

"...B-Besides, he'll have to have heard or seen something here. He may be able turn us in the right direction."

Astel chuckled at the scene she's created, her smile warm as she gave a playful shrug.

Yes, this is real.~ I wasn't kidding when I said that I wasn't one of the Beldam's puppets.~ I have magic far beyond his own, and my species is much, much older than he is.~ Now, the spell is only temporary so we'll have to make this quick. Snatcher, Hattie said you found something... weird about the well. Weird... how?

Voices... Voices from deep within the well... They sounded like distant whispers, hard to make out yet still so distinct at the same time. The snake swears he... heard multiple voices. Astel's... Moon's... even his own. Yet he couldn't quite make out the words...

All that he could discern... was that they were coming from deep, deep within the untold depths of the well...

And the feeling you would feel from it... it was hard to describe. Like Nostalgia and the Uncanny meeting in an almost bizarre crossroads that both confused and concerned. Almost like... the feeling of loss and the feeling of discovery were intermingled, the loss like a fresh, faint wound in your heart and the discovery feeling so close yet still just out of reach.

It was as though the voices and those feelings that came with them were trying to beckon you to take the leap into the void...

A feeling that Snatcher felt when he discovered it, a feeling Astel could feel just sitting next to it, a feeling Moon couldn't avoid feeling, even through this new psychic connection...

————

Oh please.

“You can feel it.” He hissed out a guess, glancing wearily at it. “Something is in there… I don’t know what, and if I were you, I’d keep far away from it.”

How very insightful.

Hat hummed, following his gaze back to the well. “That well usually feels kind of weird… But… Hm.” She stepped away to pull a stick from a long-dead bush, taking it to poke at the well’s cover.

Snatcher hissed in a low warning, his eyes sharpening into slits. He didn’t seem particularly thrilled at the idea of exploring the feeling in the well- it felt all too much like a trap to him.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

Mentally, Astel rolled her eyes before answering him. Surely he understands that she's not exactly wrong about her comment with him and lies.

"...That's the thing, I have a feeling it's gonna get so weird that I'm not even sure how weird it's gonna get. And I'm EXTREMELY well versed in weird, so that's saying something. Just... Whatever expectations you have of this adventure, throw them out the window right now. Because I don't think this is gonna go the way either of us are expecting it to..."

"Just... be prepared for anything and everything."

"For all we know, anything in this game goes..."

As they walked she couldn't help but giggle at Hattie's thoughts on Moon's games, shaking her head with a slight grin. Some things never change...~

Yes, I'm well aware he cheats.~ Even at Chess.~ I was never good at Chess anyway so it's not hard to beat me, cheating or not. But... that's the real kicker here, this isn't Moon's game either. He's got no say in this one, so he can't cheat his way out no matter how hard he tries. Creation itself is making us play, so he's gonna have to play by the universe's rules.

Astel shrugged, idly turning the wedding band around her ring finger as a fidget.

And I have actually talked with Snatcher before.~ I used to quite a bit even when I was here as a teen.~ Much like Moon, he's also part of my fond memories of this dimension.~

Ah, there you are, Snatcher.~

She knelt down to Snatcher's level though she couldn't help side-eyeing the well herself. That can wait for the moment though. First she needs to do something that might help with communication here in the Overworld.

The grown dimension-hopper gestured for Snatcher to raise his head, eyeing where she... guessed his neck would be-???

Eh, she'll work with what she's got.

Taking two of her bandaged fingers she kissed them with a light peck as her fingertips were highlighted in a pale blue glow before drawing an almost sparkling halo of light around the snake's neck. Once satisfied she let her hand fall back to her lap, pushing herself back to her feet to stand at Hat Kid's side.

...I couldn't do the enchanted collar like when you were a cat, so I had to improvise. You should be able to speak now, though.

...

Huh.

Well that works.

——————

Moon huffed in response. Now you want that slithering fool’s help?

“He was a cat?” Hat gasped, running over and bending down next to him. “Can you change?” She asked, poking at him without ever touching him.

“Do I look like a cat to you?” He hissed, giving a slightly irritated shake of his head. Hat’s eyes lit up at the sly rumbling of his voice, gasping as she repeatedly looked between the snake and Astel.

“He can talk!! Wait wait wait- this is real, right? How’d you do that?”

“Now you’ve done it.” He sighed.

This is a waste of time.

[paradoxrealm]

(I LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE-

Well- mostly-

Now I'm only dead on the inside! :D)

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

She turned the stone over in her hands, putting it up to her eye every now and again as they traveled. Unfortunately she didn't really find anything else interesting when she did, settling for tucking it away in the pocket of her denim jacket.

"I'm going to be as honest as I can be without freaking her out, Moon. You may function off of endless lies, but I don't. Besides, I have a feeling that once we get to the well it's just going to be you and me again. 'Cause I think... things are about to get weird..."

Oh, you mean the Hag Stone? Yeah... Yeah, kinda? When I looked through it I saw the silhouette of another one like it in the exact same spot. Like it was in the Other World. I think... they're connected somehow. Like... the universe itself is trying to force me and Moon to work together to get back the missing memories. It's... connected us somehow when we weren't before. I'm not sure why or what for, but one thing I know for sure is that it's gonna get real weird real fast. Because I don't think this is your game anymore...

I think... it's mine...

Eugh I'm already getting a headache from all this...

The adult of the pair shook her head, rubbing at her temple as they approached the well. Though... Astel couldn't find Snatcher at first.

Hm...? Where is he...? Snatcher! Come out ya edgy noodle!

——————

Don’t be rude. He didn’t sound particularly pleased- still, his tone eased. Weird how, exactly?

“I wouldn’t play games with him… He cheats, you know. And he doesn’t play unless he can win something.” Hat stuck her tongue out, kicking a rock across the ground. She giggled at the edgy noodle comment, nodding to herself. “Edgy noodle… I like that! He probably hates it,” she laughed, looking around for him. “You know about the Other World, right?… Have you ever… Talked to Snatcher?” She asked before turning her attention back to the surrounding area, making a series of clicking sounds and asking for the snake to show himself.

Ah- there he was. He slid out from a crevice between a pair of rocks, his scales shimmering as the dull light caught them. He seemed somewhat weary of the well, though his eyes mostly focused on the duo as his tongue flicked about.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

The moment they were out of the attic Astel immediately melted to the ground, laying down on the stairs with a quiet groan. She held up a shaky thumbs-up for Hattie to let her know she was okay, letting her hand drop back down to cover her eyes.

Were there tears? Yes, a little. But she's still good, she just needs a moment.

...That... was one of the biggest dimensional spiders I've seen...

...second to the flipping spiders from Skyrim...

...Where do you even find spiders that BIG...? ...Did he import them from Australia...? ...eughhhh...

"...I don't want to hear one word of this from ANY of you for the rest of the trip..."

"...You have my word, 'stel."

"I, on the other hand, make no such promise. That was pathetic, Astel. You've dealt with arachnids bigger than that pitiful little thing, you big damn weenie."

"...Eclipse, I swear to God I am going to beat you with your own damn spine."

"I'd like to see you try, 'stel. Moonjumper, back me up here."

"Alright shut it, the lot of you! Jesus..."

She wiped her eyes before pushing herself back up to her feet, looking at the Hag Stone in her hand before looking back to Hattie.

...You said Snatcher was still at the well, right? ...If he hasn't been back by now then that means there's something up with... the well...

The vision...

...Hattie, do you remember the way back to the well? Could you help me get there?

—————

You’ll have to meet my spiders next time you happen to pop into my realm- or open the door. They’re far cuter than those mangy little monsters- better behaved, too.

“What’s a Skyrim?… Is that like… A Place?…” She asked, admiring the planted flowers beneath them. “The well isn’t too far from here- just over that hill.” She nodded, starting to walk once Astel had recovered. “… So! See anything fun from that magic stone thing?”

Don’t be honest. She won’t help you.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

...s-sorry- sorry-...

She did feel a little bad for scaring the poor things, though she couldn't exactly help being skittish herself as this is the one fear she's yet to outgrow. Still, she uttered soft apologies to the spiders in the dark as she mentally answered Moon.

"...You did. But it seems that the universe clearly thought we'd need it..."

As if to make things even weirder than they already are, Moon is met by the exact same web with the exact same Hag Stone... Plucking the Hag Stone from the web and peering through it himself, he sees Astel's hazy figure looking right back at him using the matching stone in her hand. Their respective stones seemed to be... connected almost, much like they are now.

Astel raised and lowered her own Hag Stone in curiosity, watching Moon's form appear and disappear, even giving the spider sitting on her shoulder a look through as well before repeating wait-

S-Spider-

On h-h-her shoulder-

She slowly turned her head towards the fuzzy thing on her left shoulder, both Hattie and the Mafia Boss watching all the color immediately drain from Astel's face. The dimension hopper stood deathly still, trying not to make any sudden movements while her eyes just screamed "oh my god I'm trying not to freak out please help-". They couldn't tell if she was about to be in tears, faint, or both-

"...Uh-oh-"

...o-o-okay, i-i think i'm ready to go see the garden now- a-ah-um- a-a-a little help- p-please-

"This is pathetic..."

————

Moon didn’t seem to be anywhere near as concerned as she was, petting a few of the spiders left in the room. Not nearly so nice as mine. Not half as well trained either, I’d bet.

Hat gave an awkward smile and a double thumbs up. “You’re okay! It just… Likes your hair?” She didn’t mind the creatures- from a distance. “Ohhh shoot.” She winced as the spider started to crawl to her back, trying to go higher up on her head.

The Mafia Boss sighed, tsking. “First you are skittish, now you are too friendly. What is with you all? Acting so strange lately.” He chastised the spider some more, holding his hands flat by Astel. It took several seconds, but the spider eventually diverted its path from her to him, taking several steps to finally leave her.

“Thank you!” Hat Kid smiled at him, grabbing Astel’s hand and ushering her out. “We’ve gotta run- but thanks for the help!”

“Of course, Tiny Hatted Child and Friend. I will send a message when our show is ready, and the spiders learn to behave themselves.” He waved as she shut the door.

“Are you… Okay?” Hat asked, offering her an awkward smile.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

...Y-Yes, Hattie has been kind enough to help me look for some things I lost. Thank you...

She had to suppress the shiver that ran down her spine and her lips were pressed into a tight, thin line to avoid making any faces that would possibly offend the Mafia Boss. She followed closely to Hattie, taking small steps from right behind her while keeping her arms close to her chest. Her gaze flicked around from web to web, searching for whatever had landed here in the attic.

All while screaming internally.

"...I-I am an adult-... ...I am an adult who's not frightened whatsoever-..."

"...'stel, you're gonna be fine. ...They're more scared of you than you are of them."

"...hhhhh I miss when they were mice-"

Poor Astel. And to make it worse, the Beldam could hear her internal screaming the whole time.

Now the real question is should he feel bad for her or make fun of her?~

Though both of their attentions were drawn back as Astel finds... something that should've been destroyed. At least... it was destroyed at one point. It a perfectly smooth triangular pendant with a perfect hole all the way through its center, just large enough to be able to look through with one eye.

...The Hag Stone...?

She shuddered as she approached the web, carefully covering her hand with her sleeve before quickly plucking the Hag Stone from the web and frantically wiping it off on her jeans as she jumped almost 3ft back away.

Wow.

"...you are such a weenie, 'stel..."

...Though now that she had the stone she turned it over in her hands, tilting her head as she examined it. This is impossible... The last time Hattie saw that exact Hag Stone was when the Beldam tossed her's into the fire...

She carefully brought the stone up to her right eye, peering through it to see if it would reveal anything. And as she turned, she notices the web she had just grabbed the Hag Stone from. It had the faint, almost navy blue silhouette of the exact same Hag Stone, sitting in the exact same web. She raised and lowered the stone, watching the silhouette disappear and reappear, as though it were only visible via the stone. Puzzled, she stared between the stone in her hand the invisible silhouette in the web. That is until a thought came to mind...

"...Hey Moon. Go up to the circus in your attic real quick..."

—————

“I thought he- I lost that…” Hat mumbled, awkwardly rubbing her arm.

Lucky for Astel, plucking the stone from the web and proceeding to jump into the air seemed to scare the spiders, still shadows suddenly scurrying away.

“Careful!” The Mafia Boss chastised her, folding his arms as he stayed near the entrance of the room next to Hat Kid. “The spiders are not sure of your friend, Tiny Hatted Child.” he whispered. “But what do they know- always so standoffish with strangers.” He tsked.

… Didn’t I burn that? He asked, getting up to do what she asked. He had to admit, his interest had been piqued. He found himself in his circus, taking a moment to coo at and pet the spiders crawling about through room before turning his attention to where Astel had been looking in the real world.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

Yeah, he's my friend. I'm hoping to remind him of that...

And I appreciate the support, hon, but... I-I just don't really care much for spiders. Haven't since I was very little. I appreciate the comfort though, it's very kind of you.~

She followed Hattie upstairs, looking over the railing as they ascended. She was honestly hoping to see something. Anything. Though that seemed like wishful thinking right now. She needs to clear her head and think through this.

...Hey, by the way, has Snatcher come by recently? I saw him not too long ago, sent him to check in on everyone here. I haven't heard back from him though.

—————

The world seemed bland when compared to Moon’s take on it- even with bright flowers decorating the ground below.

“I saw him out by the well earlier, but he didn’t come over when I called.” She shrugged. “… Everyone is okay, right?” She asked as she knocked on the door.

They could hear something shuffling around behind the door and knocking things over. Then, the door creaked open. “… Tiny Hatted Child? What brings you here?” The Mafia Boss peaked his head through the door.

“Hattie.” She corrected. “And we’re looking for… Something?”

“Something…” He hummed, tapping his arms. “The Spiders mentioned finding something in their web, perhaps that is what you mean?”

“Maybe?” She shrugged as he opened the door to welcome them in, pausing slightly at the sight of Astel. “This is your friend?…”

“Oh, yeah. This is Astel.” She nodded. “She’s… Not from here? She’s visiting.”

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

He wasn't always like that though... He was a friend... Practically family...

...And I want him back...

Her mind seemed to drift for a moment, the Beldam catching glimpses of... her own memories? To him they flashed by in a blur, though he caught a glimpse of a key moment or two. Such as sitting in the center of a snowy garden, playing chess with a young Chaos Gremlin. She wasn't very good at it, but she still had so much fun.~ Moon could practically hear her laughter from the memory itself. Though... seeing the memory in someone else's mind made his own head hurt, as though that knowledge was still forbidden to him for the time being.

Finishing her glass of water she rolled herself up from the couch and back onto her feet, setting the glass aside as she stretched her more than likely bruised back.

Well, I guess that means we're going to the... circus...

Hattie watched Astel try to suppress the shudder that went through her with her face twisted in obvious discomfort at the thought of voluntarily going up to a room filled with spiders. Guess she really isn't one of Moon's puppets if she doesn't care much for spiders. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she covered her buttons with one hand as a starlight glow shimmered beneath her palm. And upon removing her hand, Hattie finds a pair of much more natural, dark brown eyes looking back to her as Astel held her hands in a kind of "ta-da!~" expression.

...While I appreciate the offer, glasses won't be necessary.~ Thankfully my illusion magic still works. Before you try, however, it's for the best you don't try poking. This illusion is purely visual so any contact made by someone other than myself will break the illusion completely. It should do for now though. At least until I can get to the bottom of this...

...and maybe I can get a better view from the attic stairs...

...Care to lead the way?

...Moon could hear the heavy sigh from within her head, briefly glimpsing a flurry of thoughts running through her head that almost looked like ideas or suggestions, most of which being magic related.

"...Look, Moon, if you're really that desperate to help me then I'm going to need you to have some patience here until I can figure something out. Just... give me some time... I'll think of something... ...But for now I'm going to need you to keep your ears peeled for anything odd. Cause right now? We're in this together. Whether you like it or not."

—————

I’m not desperate for anything, thank you. I’m here because we’re friends, remember?

Astel got the distinct impression that Hattie wanted to be amazed at her illusion, but found the action to be a little too reminiscent of Moon to appreciate it. Regardless, she nodded, leading them outside the house. Her father must be in town right now.

“Is he your friend, or did he just tell you he is?…” She sighed trying to shake the uncomfortable feeling from her shoulders as she lead them up a staircase. “The spiders aren’t so bad, you know.” She awkwardly smiled at Astel, trying to stick to the thought of the circus and less on the Other World’s host. “They’re kind of scary looking, but they’re really nice and well trained.”

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

"Yes I do need her, Moon. Cause, I don't know if you realize, but I don't know this world beyond your crafted borders. And the people here aren't puppets, they might have valuable information."

"Besides, aside from being a mental nuisance now, what can you really do from your world, Moon?"

"...'clipse, now is not the time to be angsty and antagonistic... ...But she is partially right. Moon, you're on the other end of a locked door and I can't even really trust you to give me a normal cup of tea, let alone be completely honest with me..."

"...N-Now, bear in mind that there might still be ways you could help us, we just haven't found how yet."

"But... how do I know that I can trust you...? How do WE know that we can trust you...?"

...I mean... she does have a point. And I think Moon's forgotten that Astel is rather well versed with liars. She dated one... Was cursed by one... Almost taken by one... So how is the rat man with rancid murder vibes going to prove her otherwise?

...Thank you. Well... I'm looking for a few things that went missing from the Beldam's world. He's... forgotten me, I guess you could say... At least, he's forgotten that he knew me better than he remembers. He's treating me similarly to how he treated you... Like prey... But we were good friends once... ...And I'm trying to help him remember that. So I'm trying to find those items to help... jog his memory I guess. Has... anyone in the apartment complex seen anything strange? Like a painting they've never seen before? Or a scarf they don't recognize from their wardrobe? Ominous warnings from the circus upstairs? Anything like that?

Well... It hasn't been very long since everyone woke up from the Reality Check so there hasn't been much to hear. But maybe Hattie could help her subtly ask around? Though... what's she... gonna do about her buttons?

——————

Moon wanted to scream. He settled for glaring at the door. It was normal tea. Offered in his realm, of course, where even mundane items and foods could hold consequences. I haven’t done anything to harm you. I’ve been compliant and even tried to help you. Why you would trust this in the hands of that br- child, over myself, your friend, he emphasized. I don’t know.

“Hm..” She tapped her foot a few times, giving a slight shrug. “The Circus guy said his spiders were being a bit weird, but I don’t think I’ve heard anything else? Do you… Want some glasses, maybe?” She winced a little, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the sight of the buttons. “Maybe it’s just me, but he seems like a bad friend to have…” Off of her tone, she clearly wanted to say something meaner. “Maybe it’s a good thing he’s being rude. It’s honest.”

If you keep being honest and telling her about me she isn’t going to help. She could practically hear the eye roll in his tone.

[paradoxrealm]

A Return Worth Waiting For...~

The glow in her starlight buttons grew brighter as she gently took Hattie's hand, smiling now that she's seemed to have gotten her to relax.

Well... for starters-

Before she could even get into her thought she cringed like someone just blasted piercing static directly into her ear, Astel holding her head with a quiet groan at the new voice inside her head.

...A-Actually, do you mind getting me a glass of water real quick, sweetie? I had my head knocked around quite a bit when I got tossed through the door so I'm going to need a moment before we get moving...

Well that much was true, but she didn't quite want to frighten Hattie with the notion that she's psychically linked to the very creature that tried to take her eyes. So she's just gonna leave that part out for the moment. She carefully pushed herself back up to her feet, a slight "pop!" sounding here and there from her knees as she got up from the floor, muttering something along the lines of "I'm too young to be feeling this old" as she sat down on the nearest couch. She leaned back into the couch as she rubbed her temples, heaving a deep sigh at the predicament that just seemed to keep getting more and more unhinged.

"...jesus christ-... ...Please pipe down, there's no need to shout I can hear you!"

"WE can hear you! Shadows give me strength you're going to give us a headache!"

"W-Wait a minute, Moon, you- y-y-you can hear us?! You c-can TALK to us?!"

"Wait a damn second yeah when did this happen?! Moonjumper I swear to God you better have a good and honest explanation of when did this happen and why you didn't tell me sooner. And please, for the love of god, Moon, be precise. We don't need to hear any of your unfiltered rancid murder vibe thoughts."

Physically she already looked tired, like a parent finally sinking into the couch after a long day of wrangling hyperactive kids. Mentally she felt about ready to have an aneurysm with the increasing ridiculousness of the situation.

It... can't get much worse than this...

...

Can it-?

—————

She nodded, giving her one last glance before running off to get her a glass. Astel could hear the sink turn on in the kitchen, cutting off not too long after.

Moon didn’t exactly feel obligated to explain that he’s been keeping this to himself. He was quiet for a moment, presumably trying to organize his thoughts into something less abhorrent. Apologies, I’m not exactly used to this either… It started when you went through the door.

Hattie walked back in, holding out the cup to her. “Here. So uh… What am I helping you do?”

You don’t need her.