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sablecitrus · 2 months ago

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Oitermelon

#tiger #marker #markers #traditional art

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kata-the-bee · 3 days ago

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Comfort and Control

Lore story under the cut

Nightmares plagued them both the first night and were quelled only by the appearance of sunlight through the curtains. Emotions they had repressed, trauma they hadn't worked through, it all came back. So too did the memories of when things were better, but for Heket it was all stamped out by the horrors she had seen. Her brother's corpse carved, the lamb at her own temple, the blood, the ichor, the-

Leshy yawned under her grip. The two had spent the night in each other's arms at her request, or perhaps more fittingly, her demand. The frog stared at her still sleepy brother, her four eyes desperately scanning the worm for any sign of illusion, any chance that this was just a new form of purgatory. As Leshy stirred more actively, Heket had her answer. It didn't matter how it was possible or how it all came to be. What mattered now was that Leshsy was here and alive, and so was she. But... what about the others?

Her thoughts were cut off by a churning in her gut. A violent cough escaped her with the sound alerting the worm. Leshy shot up with worry and tried his best to inspect Heket, but how could he even do so? The world wasn't just dark or blurred or green. The world was missing. Maybe Sitri could...

Sitri! Leshy didnt know where he was. He had completely left the cat behind when Heket was brought back. He didn't even give it a second thought. His sister was more important at the time, but that didn't mean he should have just abandoned him entirely. Well, it's too late now for regrets, and the cat was always understanding. Surely this wouldn't be any different?

Leshy shook off the invasive thoughts as he listened to Heket's condition. The coughs became less aggressive, but the wetness of them was surely blood and the metallic sweet scent was further proof of that. The makeshift bandage surely was soiled by now. Tunic scraps aren't bandages. He didn't need to be a doctor himself to know that she would need something better.

As her coughs died off, Heket wiped her chin. Slick black liquid covered her hand as a result. Great, now she was even more disgusting... Oh well. She had been through worse. Her stomach kept churning as she realized she had fallen asleep before eating anything. What were the chances that Lamb actually got her something? She certainly didn't think them above deceit about going to fetch food. Honeyed words can surely masked foul undertones.

The frog went to get up, but not before getting shoved back by a now anxious worm. A growl came from her before her wound demanded she stopped, but the look on Leshy's face shut her up sooner. Even without eyes his face was stricken with worry. He assured her that he would go get bandages and food as well. After all, she didn't even get the meal she wanted! Plus, Heket's return surely wasn't broadcast to the rest of the cult yet. It would be safer and more comfortable for her to stay in bed while he went to get breakfast and medical supplies, and perhaps a new tunic also. Turns out stripping part of your clothes for bandages tends to ruin them.

She begrudgingly agreed, but every part of her screamed that he should stay instead, that she would rather starve than let him out of her sight. Every part except her voice. Damn that wound! Damn Narinder for it, for all of it! As he mind slipped into profanities she hadn't even realized that Leshy had already opened the door to leave.

The worm paused in his tracks right after swinging the door open. A scent reached him with the normal air of the common room. Food? He could smell meat, vegetables, and maybe some eggs too in it, plus the faint scent of sterilization and fur. A yellow cat was sitting in one of the chairs. A pack was slung over his shoulder and two meals sat on a table nearby, both being hot and fresh. Sitri had thankfully removed what was cold from last night before Leshy tripped on it, or worse, Heket tripped.

Sitri called out a polite greeting to the worm, who perked up immediately at being addressed. Leshy was pleasantly surprised at this, but he surely wasn't complaining. It saved him a trip around the cult grounds, that's for sure. It meant Sitri wasn't mad about the previous night, either. Good. One less thing for him to worry about.

The cat rose to offer the meals to the former bishops, as well as basic medical care. Sitri was sure Heket would reject being tended to. Something about her screamed "strong", "independent", and "would fold his clothes while he's still wearing them." At the very least he could offer and provide bandages even if he wasn't allowed to interect. Speaking of the former bishop of famine, where did she...?

A loud snarl erupted from Heket as she moved behind Leshy. Her eyes locked onto the invading yellow cat as her sharp teeth bared. How dare someone like him just break into the home of her little brother? Who does he think he is?! She moved to take a step forward but was blocked by Leshy in the process. She glared at her little brother briefly. Why did he stop her?!

Sitri had puffed up his fur involuntary at the display, but recounted his offer once again through stuttered words. He'd known Heket now for around thirty seconds and concluded that was was easily the most terrifying sibling. The frog scoffed at the mention of medical attention. She was fine without the damn cat wotming his way in. She didn't know why Leshy stopped her, but that didn't mean she had to pretend to be friendly and happy about it. The sight of food lowered her snarl to just a growl for now, especially since the food was already offered to her.

This was twice now she saw that cat in close proximity to Leshy. What was he? Leshy's doctor? And why does he look so familiar? The rumbling in her stomach stopped her questions. Still, she wouldn't eat with company, and certainly not when that company was a lowly nurse that seemed eager to follow her brother around like a stray kitten.

The message was clear. The yellow cat was not currently welcome, and Sitri wasn't about to press his luck by sticking around either. Instead, he dropped off the pack. It was complete with a few sets of bandages, a camellia and menticide salve to help with pain, plus a few extra rags. He was sure to keep his explanation quick as to get out of their way soon so they could enjoy breakfast. Normally it would be a nice meal between himself and Leshy, but time were not normal anymore. Now it was time to adapt.

After the rundown on the supplies, Sitri gave his goodbyes with promises he would bring lunch and dinner over too. Even if he couldn't stick around, that didn't mean he couldn't continue to be kind to the now two former gods. It was his role after all, and he was going to be the best caretaker he could. He survived Leshy already, what was one more patient? He scuttled off shortly after with a nervous smile on his face.

The air was now a bit tense, but Leshy and Heket both ignored it. Talks of feelings could come after eating, and Heket had been starving for hours. She was sure she could eat half a kitchen's worth of food, but this bowl would have to settle for now. Better than nothing. Both ate their food in relative peace, and soon after came properly tending to their wounds. The supplies proved their worth as Heket now had a properly bandaged throat.

The morning bled on as the two siblings just shared a close space together. Neither were good at expressing themselves, but in that moment they just enjoyed the other's presence. How long had it been since they were able? They weren't gods anymore. No cult to tend to, no doctrine to enforce, no wars to wage.

No power. No peace. Only the suffering continued.

The blood from her wound pooled around her meal and tore her slowly from the inside. Anguish, emotion, and ichor. It all built up until she couldn't contain it anymore, and as soon as she made it to somewhere safe it all came spilling back out. The emptiness came rushing back in to fill what she had just lost, and all with Leshy trying to bring some comfort.

Oh well. Maybe lunch would stick around when the time came.

~~~~

If you made it this far, you're lovely. Hopefully things still came out cohesive since I don't proofread this stuff before posting.