Salem's eyes were the first to open, the princess feeling very groggy. Her feet dragged against the cobblestone ground, a pair of inhuman hands holding her wrists. Two hooded figures looked down at her, matching smiles growing across their thin, gaunt faces.
"Ooh, they're waking up!"
Salem collapsed when they let go, slowly picking her head up. Yin fell next to her, the healer groaning quietly. The Cultists paid them no mind, clasping their wiry fingers together. "It's been so very long since anyone has gone to that meeting place! Kev was so happy that his waiting was worth it!"
Verde squeaked when she hit the ground, followed soon by Vao and Sasha. Salem shivered, her heart beginning to pound in her chest. It wasn't just the two Cultists that stared down at them. Dozens of hooded figures surrounded the adventurers and the children, their happy smiles tainted with their insanity. An elderly woman pushed her way to the front, bending down to offer her hand. Salem gently accepted it, the Cultists pulling the adventurers to their feet.
"Please, please! The ground is dirty! You'll get sick, dear!" The old woman said in a raspy, aged voice. "That would just be awful!"
Was she... Genuinely worried for them? The thought startled Salem to the core. When the Cult was under her command, something such as concern for the well-being of their own was a foreign concept. Another Cultist approached, wooden fingers reaching out for a cheerful, excited handshake. An ent; a species of tree-like nonhumans.
"Oh, the journey must have been so arduous... You must be hungry. Would you like something to eat? Drink, perhaps? I can show you the way to the inn! We could start building you a home immediately!"
The adventurers were blown away, standing frozen in shocked silence. After seeing the First Vao, after remembering what he was like, they were unprepared to be showered with concern and affection.
"That will be quite enough."
Yin's blood ran cold when he heard the voice. He felt a chill running down his spine, Vao and Verde looking up with worried confusion. The Cultists parted to reveal the doll-maker, her black dress with the scarlet frills concealing her feet, giving the illusion that she was gliding over the ground.
"R-Ru-"
Verde reacted quickly, pinching his rear. The dullahan yelped and flinched, promptly shutting his mouth. Ruby stared for a moment with an unreadable, expressionless stare before a small smile crossed her lips. "... Welcome. We've been expecting you for a long while, now."
Their disguises were still up, they realized. To Ruby, they didn't look like the adventurers she was familiar with. Yin felt Sasha shift behind him, her hand curling around his own. He didn't get what could've scared Sasha, of all people. Sasha was huge, and Ruby was tiny compared to her. Even with the Blood, Sasha could lift Ruby off the ground in her sleep. It was only when he looked near his sister's feet that he saw what Sasha was frightened by.
Six dolls peered out from behind Ruby's dress, staring at the adventurers with empty, glassy eyes. Ruby's doll-making had improved since the last time Yin saw her. She had even painted the eyes, the pupils moving around as if the dolls used them to see. The dolls stood on their own, as if they had life flowing through them.
"Wot... The... Fuck..."
Neither Vao nor Verde corrected Violet. Ruby stepped forward, the dolls following close behind. The doll-maker gave them a pleasant smile, extending her cold hand. "My name is Ruby Rose," she greeted politely. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Salem reached out, a shiver running down her spine. Ruby wasn't as cold as the First Vao, but it was still like gripping a late-autumn breeze. She pulled away as quickly as she could without offending her or worse; raising suspicion. Ruby tilted her head, staring at them with her dull silver eyes. She didn't say anything. Instead, she turned and beckoned them to follow her.
"Come. I am certain you are starving. As the High Priestess, it is my duty to ensure newcomers are satisfied and sheltered," she said softly. "Do not be afraid of my dolls. They are harmless, I can assure you."
The dolls tugged silently at their legs, the adventurers following Ruby deeper into the city. Salem and Ozpin stared at the architecture, their hearts racing. They could see street lamps, lights inside homes, the gothic, Victorian-style buildings looming tall. There was no way. It wasn't possible. The First Yin's words of warning echoed in their heads.
'He's been taking Dust. He doesn't need that much for his rockets.'
Dust wasn't the only thing the First Vao had been taking. The city had electricity, even running water. A few Cultists wearing common clothes looked up from their yards, waving happily as they passed. A young child rode past on a bicycle, tossing newspapers to doorsteps. He rang his bell and smiled as he passed by. Younger kids played in the streets, stopping to wave with their families.
It completely blew away any expectations they had. The town seemed... Almost normal. But as they drew deeper, the moon that shone high in the sky revealed a more twisted truth.
Corpses hung from trees, wearing stained robes with the insignia of the Church dull and faded. Dark scarlet stains speckled the streets, and yet the Cultists treated it as if it were never there. Vao felt someone nudge his arm, Pip quivering next to him.
"C... C-can I h-hold your hand...?"
Vao fell silent, not moving for the eight-year-old. Pip bit his lip, turning away.
As they walked, Ruby began to speak. "This place is Grimmore, our town," she explained softly. She gestured politely to decorations that were being hung by the Cultists, some of the nonhumans helping with what the humans couldn't do. "Three weeks ago, our Lord achieved something wonderful. We will be hosting a celebration within the week. He has said he'd love to meet you then."
They nearly panicked. The First Vao wanted to meet them? One of Ruby's dolls tugged at her dress, catching the High Priestess's attention. She glanced back, chuckling lightly. "Oh, please do not be anxious. He prefers to meet new arrivals. He is quite a common sight in town, often partaking in casual activities with Milady."
"H... H-he does...?" Tim stammered quietly. Ruby nodded, a little skip in her step. "Of course. He is a very kind man; he cares deeply for everyone in our town of Grimmore."
That didn't sound like the First Vao at all. From their memories of the First Timeline, he was violent and manipulative. Yet Ruby, and everyone else they had met in the Cult, seemed not only to worship him, but held him with high respect. The dolls circled around the adventurers as they walked, staring up at them with what could almost be curiosity. Ruby noticed their stares, giggling lightly.
"Ah, have my dolls piqued your interest?"
She bent down, holding her hand close to the ground. One of the dolls, with pointed ears that gave it away as an elf, climbed into her palm. Ruby nuzzled her cheek affectionately against the toy, holding it out.
"I have seen your reactions time and time again from others who came before you," she explained in a soft, happy tone. She really seemed to care for her dolls. "They all have names. This one is London. Would you like to hold her?"
The doll sat on its knees, leaning closer to the adventurers. Salem slowly held out her hands, cupping them together for London to crawl into, her tiny fingers wrapping around the princess's thumbs.
She felt warm. They were sure of it now. Ruby's dolls weren't controlled by some strange magic. They were alive. It was like... Something out of a fairytale. Even in a world of magic like Twist, giving life to inanimate objects was a long-forgotten sorcery, with the closest situation being a spirit possessing or haunting objects. London tilted her head. It was almost cute. At least until Vao opened his mouth, having had more than enough experience with corpses to notice it immediately.
"I-is... I-is that s-skin...?"
Salem froze, her heart beginning to pound and a cold sweat breaking out on her neck. Yin trembled beside her. He had the sneaking suspicion years ago, just before the Festival of Light. But now his fears would be confirmed the moment Ruby's smile began to grow.
"... Of course it is," she replied softly. Her pale, porcelain-like hands reached out, cradling London as she took her from Salem's shaky hands. "All of my dolls are made from people... Most were terrible, awful people. But others were good people who never had a chance in this world."
She brought London closer to her face, the doll reaching to play with her maker's hair. "When I turn people into dolls, I can perfect their imperfections. Or, as was the case with London, give them another chance at life. Isn't that lovely? That I can do such a miraculous thing? To dissect, to cut and sew, and make perfect people?"
The adventurers were left in horrified silence. The dolls that moved around them, still studying them with the curiosity of children. They were all people once. Living, breathing people. And then Ruby...
"... Isn't it perfect?" Ruby cooed softly. "... But there are two people I am the most eager to turn into my dolls... My brothers, Yin Rose, and Vao Branwen. Not my Lord Vao Branwen, mind you. I do not expect you to understand the Timelines at the moment; in time, I am certain Milady will explain it."
Yin and Vao instinctively moved closer to each other. Ruby didn't want to kill them. She wanted to purify them in her own sick, twisted way. She saw them as dirty. And they knew exactly why.
Yin was once a member of the Church. No doubt Ruby knew the true face of the organization by now. To her, Yin was just as awful as the rest of them. Vao explained himself in his lack of intellect, thieving habits, and generally rude behavior. Ruby turned, her shoes clicking against the ground.
"... I have just remembered. I have forgotten to feed my mother. It wouldn't be good to let her starve, now. My Lord would-"
"Mo-!?"
Pyrrha immediately jumped up and smacked Yin on the back of the head before he could finish that word. Ruby turned back inquisitively, her brow furrowed in thought. "... Did you say something?"
Yin shakily shook his head. "J... J-just a sneeze," he lied. Ruby hummed thoughtfully.
"... Bless you, then. I hope you didn't catch a cold. Everyone would be so worried..."
"Th-thanks..."
Ruby gave a small, polite wave as she walked down the streets, leaving them on their own. They looked up to see the inn, where new arrivals stayed until their homes were built. They didn't even realize Ruby was leading them here. Sharing a look, they made their way inside.
It was surprisingly clean. There wasn't a speck of dust to be seen in the main room, the tables filled with Cultists that chatted about their lives, or common interests. The air was almost pleasant if it hadn't been for the faint smell of the Blood that ran through their veins. Humans and nonhumans mingled, some even sharing a meal.
Yin felt conflicted. He was slowly beginning to realize that in a way, this town was almost better than anywhere else on Twist, aside from the Secret City. The Secret City was peaceful; Grimmore was filled with lunatics. But even still, it was proof that humans and nonhumans could set aside their differences, and communicate civilly.
In a way, it was exactly why they had gone against the Church in the first place. Pock trembled. "... Is this... Really bad place...?"
They knew what she was trying to say. Everyone was happy here. They could tell when they saw the faces of the Cultists. That they genuinely loved their lives, even if they would kill themselves if the First Vao asked them to do so.
"U-uh... M-mate?"
Yin glanced down at Violet and Pip, furrowing his brow worriedly. "What is it-!?"
He shivered when he felt someone's hot breath tickling the back of his neck. He turned around to scold Vao, but froze the moment he saw who was behind him. His gut wrenched in fear. He never thought he'd meet her again, hoping she'd just stay underground.
Saril watched with a bright and cheerful grin, even when he shrieked and collapsed on the ground. He never even heard her approach. He didn't even see her. Saril was by no means easy to miss, either. There were other arachne in the inn, but Saril was the only one not wearing a shirt.
"Hi~!"
Sasha's face went pale, her arachnophobia kicking in. She jumped behind Midori, the little witch frowning.
"Why me? I am physically the weakest. What ever will I do? Buy you time?"
"Y-yeah!"
Midori turned back at Sasha, her stare as blank as ever. "... I will not forget this."
Saril's eight legs tapped against the floor as she loomed over Yin, her face inches from hers.
Saril seemed completely off her rocker since the last time they saw each other. He couldn't see a single thought behind her eyes. It was as if her head was barren and empty, living subconsciously. The arachne laughed loudly. "You smell like my husband, Yin! Do you know him?"
The Cultists had ceased their conversations, looking on curiously. Saril's strong sense of smell was close to blowing their cover. "I-I don't," Yin tried to say. But Saril was already moving towards Vao, her hands gripping his shoulders.
"And you smell like that nice guy who could take his head off who sold Yin to me! Oh, I'm remembering good things!"
Vao was sweating when Ozpin, Sasha, and Salem glared at him furiously. They didn't know he sold Yin. That was something he and the healer agreed to never discuss. "I-"
"Heehoo peanut."
"Wot."
Saril ignored his confusion, circling around the adventurers. "My name is Saril! Are you guys new? I love meeting new people!"
"Th... This lady is an absolute nutter," Violet said quietly. Chuck nodded in agreement.
"... 'Heehoo peanut'?" He muttered. Saril heard him, spinning around to face the guardsman.
"Fried shrimp."
"... What?"
They had no idea what Saril was on about. It was like she was just saying whatever word came to her mind first.
Yin stood back to his feet, trying to keep his distance from Saril. She was completely different from when he escaped from her. It was like she wasn't even really there half the time. Or most of the time, for that matter. The bartender chuckled, pushing a drink to one of the Cultists. He was a poltergeist.
"Oh, don't worry about Saril," he snickered. "She's always been like this since she accepted the Blessing. I suppose it affects everyone differently."
Saril giggled absent-mindedly, seemingly losing all interest when she saw a group of kids playing catch outside, scurrying out the door. The adventurers sat at the bar, looking at the poltergeist worriedly. "Erm... Is she... Right in the head?" Tim asked worriedly. The poltergeist shrugged.
"Who knows? She can't really think anymore. She just does everything subconsciously," he stated. He leaned against the counter, flashing a friendly grin. "Crazy spider ladies aside, what can I get you?"
They hadn't really thought about it before they sat down. They didn't even realize how thirsty they were. Pock looked up hopefully. "You have alcohol?"
The poltergeist bartended nodded. "Of course! It's a bar, after all. What are you feeling? Whiskey? Vodka? Or maybe something light, like a beer?"
"... Beer sounds good," Yin mumbled. He really just wanted to forget his problems. Vao mumbled something under his breath.
"Tables sure took a bloody turn," he grumbled. "Just tea for me, if you have any."
"I concur. Tea would be nice," Verde agreed. Midori wanted tea too, and Violet got scolded when she tried to ask for vodka. When their tea was delivered, Ozpin held his teacup and smiled at them.
"Why hello. It seems we all chose tea. What a coincid-"
"Can you not be weird about it? Bloody hell," Vao complained. Ozpin stopped smiling, staring at the dullahan.
Sasha chugged her beer with Yin, trying to shake off the chill she got when she saw Saril. She set her empty glass down, her muscles quivering under her armor. "Hate spiders... Hate them..."
"M-me too," Yin muttered. He glanced around the counter. Tim and Chuck were sipping off each other's drinks, Alice drinking from her juice box and shivering in fright. Yin was beginning to notice that Alice was scared of nearly everything. He was surprised she even had the guts to try and fight them in the Wilds.
Salem sipped from her wine peacefully as she talked to Pyrrha about how long wine should be aged, the princess shaking her head every now and again in disagreement. Pock was trying to out-drink Pip, something the healer immediately put a stop to. Pip was eight. As Yin ordered a juice for his nephew, he began to wonder why he was the one correcting Pip. That should've been Vao's job.
... Come to think of it, Yin couldn't recall a time Vao ever really even talked to his son. He glanced at the dullahan worriedly. Was Vao neglecting Pip? Yin really didn't want to think that.
The peaceful atmosphere was beginning to rub off, ease their journey. The poltergeist bartender, who they learned was named Harold, raised an eyebrow when Alice's stomach growled. "Oh, are you all hungry? I could have my wife cook you something."
"Wife?" Tim replied curiously. Harold nodded, smiling proudly.
"Yes, my wife Rinys. She's a halfling. We have a son together. He's currently in school at the moment."
They looked outside the windows. The moon was still high in the sky. Harold noticed their stares, laughing heartily. "Oh, I forget you're new here. The sky is always dark in Grimmore. Even if it looks like it's nighttime, the sky never brightens. Lord Vao uses his magic to keep the sky dark for the safety of the more vampiric members of the Cult. The moon is only an illusion to make it pretty. Now, about that meal..." Harold turns around and poked his head through a back door, a wonderful smell wafting through. He disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the adventurers to chat.
"... He makes the sky all dark... For others...?" Pyrrha murmured quietly.
"I still want him dead," Vao growled under his breath. "I'll never forgive him for wot he did to mum... Don't give a rat's arse if he's some weird version of me, or wotever."
They completely understood where he was coming from. But they also understood that Vao alone wouldn't survive in a fight against the First Vao. None of them would. The only reason they were here was to take Summer back before he did the same thing to her that he did to Raven, or worse. If the First Vao despised his mother that much for abandoning him to Summer, they didn't want to imagine how he felt towards the woman who had permanently scarred his face.
"We aren't fighting the First Vao," Salem hissed. "It... It'll happen eventually, I'm sure... But if we try anything here, we won't have just him to worry about, but the rest of the Cult."
Ozpin nodded. "Yes... They won't stand around while we assault their lord."
"What about Ruby?" Yin asked quietly. "Could we save her?"
"Theoretically, yes," Ozpin replied, giving a quick glance around to ensure no one was listening. "She hasn't been turned into an abomination. We could enter her Reality. But there's the issue of actually getting there and not alerting every last Cultist in this town. The moment your Light or Vao's Darkness shows, our cover is blown."
They fell silent when a plate bounced just above the counter, leaning forward to peer at who was holding it. None of them had ever seen a halfling before. The woman barely reached Sasha's waist, standing at a meter tall. She pushed the plate down, climbing into a stool and smiling brightly.
"Hi! I'm Rinys!" She greeted kindly. "Harold was saying so many good things about you, that I felt like I had to meet you myself! I really hope you enjoy the food."
The smell was enticing. As they took their portions, Yin picked up his knife and cut a piece of the meat, bringing it to his lips. A wide assortment of flavours washed through his mouth. The meat was tender, melting on his tongue.
The others seemed to like it too. The kids finished their plates before anyone else, Violet looking up hungrily. "C-can we have more? It won't cost extra, will it?"
Rinys just laughed. "Oh, we don't charge for first timers!" She replied. "We like to make the newest Cultists feel welcome. Just wait one sec, and I'll be back with another round."
The halfling hopped off the stool before disappearing into the kitchen, completely hidden by the counter. That night, they ate until they were full. Neither of them could remember a time they ate that much - they usually didn't have the time. Vao groaned as he followed Yin toward the stairs, where their room waited above. "U-unyu... I feel sick..."
"Because you ate like a pig," Yin pointed out. "You had four helpings."
Vao glared at him. "Food isn't exactly a luxury in the Wilds," he growled in annoyance. "We ate wot we could get our hands on."
They pushed their way past the door, the others waiting for them. The kids were already in bed, but had yet to fall asleep. Yin and Vao fell silent, the dullahan checking the halls before closing the door behind them and sliding the lock into place. Salem jerked her head silently, the adventurers searching the room.
They were looking for anything. Magic crystals, strange devices, even living dolls. Anything that could be spying on their conversation. But the room was empty. Even when they stuck Vao's head in the vents, he confirmed it was just very dusty. Only when they made absolutely sure they were alone, they spoke quietly.
"... I didn't see Summer," Sasha whispered.
Ozpin grumbled, leaning back in his chair. "... He's hiding her somewhere. No doubt keeping a close eye on her," the knight muttered. "Honestly, we should count ourselves lucky we made it this far... He isn't completely stupid."
"Isn't he the same as our Vao?" Sasha pointed out. "Even if our Vao became a bit smarter... The First Vao is still Vao..."
"Wrong," Salem said coldly. "He puts thought into everything he does. When he runs into an issue, he works around it. He's by no means a genius, but he's experienced more than enough to make himself a real threat. We're going to have to be very careful here; we can't afford to slip up."
She was right. Yin didn't remember any of the emotions he felt in the First Timeline, but he remembered what happened. The First Vao was dangerously intuitive and perceptive. He'd catch the smaller details out of the instincts that had been ingrained into his head from Salem's training. The healer sighed as he sat on his bed, pulling the blankets over his lap.
"... Then what are we supposed to do?"
"Fucking hope," Sasha muttered. "That's what we're supposed to do. Fucking hope we don't say something that sets anyone off..."
There was silence for a long time. And finally, Pock changed the subject. "... That beef really good..."
No one was upset about Pock's sudden change in topic. They were relieved, really. Salem nodded. "Yeah... It tasted amazing... Like veal."
"I thought it was like pork," Verde argued. "It was sweet, like a pork chop."
Midori scratched her chin thoughtfully, wide awake. "... Perhaps there is a farm nearby? I couldn't imagine a cow tasting very good, given that we're in the middle of a festering swamp..."
"Maybe... They'll have it for breakfast tomorrow?" Pip said hopefully. "Like bacon!"
"... Wot is bacon?" Violet asked curiously. Chuck sighed.
"Before anyone freaks out, we didn't really have access to that kind of stuff..."
Down the stairs, past the bar where Harold sold his drinks, Rinys was preparing another meal for a customer. Her butcher's knife dripped red, the raw red meat sitting on the wooden cutting board. To her, and everyone else in the Cult, it was not a secret. In fact, most newcomers knew about it beforehand. But the adventurers did not.
She hummed happily as she set the meat into a pan, the sizzling sound filling her kitchen.
Scrape...
Scrape..
Scrape...
Something fell from the cutting board as the halfling dragged her cleaver against the oak, landing in the trash can.
The trash can was filled with human bones.
...
By the time Pip was gently shaken awake, the others had long left. Drowsily, the harpy sat upright. His red eyes met dark green, staring up at the blank face of Verde. "Good morning," the witch greeted politely. Pip rubbed at his eyes, his wings sticking to his face.
"G... G'morning, Mum..."
Verde helped him out of bed, looking down at him. "Your father and I will be exploring the city today with Violet and Midori. Would you like to come along? It would be nice if our family was complete."
Pip felt a bit fuzzy on the inside. He felt included. "O-okay! I just have to get dressed, first!"
Verde nodded, stepping out of the room as Pip picked open his pack with his foot, dragging out an extra change of clothes. Getting dressed in the mornings was more difficult for him since he didn't have hands or opposable thumbs. But he was used to it by now. Wriggling his way into a sleeveless shirt, he stepped outside to where Verde was waiting for him. The witch held her hand out, offering to hold his wing. Pip was more than happy to accept, following her down the stairs.
Harold was sweeping the floors, occasionally floating up to get the ceiling too. Being a spirit came in handy for cleaning, it would seem. He gave a friendly wave as they passed, Verde and Pip waving back. And finally the eternal moonlight washed over them as they stepped outside. Due to being only an illusion, it gave Verde no power. With how she felt at the moment, she suspected it was daytime. Violet was bothering Midori as the little witch tried to read a book, poking her forehead.
"... Please stop."
"Make me."
"Father, I crave assistance."
Vao looked up from his pipe, coughing quietly. Violet immediately stopped when she saw Verde and Pip, beaming brightly. "Oh, there you two are! Mummy, we've been waiting ages!"
"It had been a total of fourteen minutes and twelve seconds," Midori answered. There was no doubt that she was Verde's daughter. Verde pulled away from Pip and approached Vao, leaning on her toes to kiss his chin.
"Are we ready to go, Darling?"
Vao nodded, eyeing Pip for a moment. For a second, the harpy felt like Vao didn't want him there. But that moment was quick, and Vao was looking at Verde. "Y... Yeah. Got my fix, no risk of panic attacks. Let's just start the investigation, Love."
Pip understood what it was about. It was a family outing that doubled as a search for Summer's whereabouts. No doubt Yin and the others were doing the same thing. By splitting up like this, they could cover more ground. But whose idea was making it a family outing? Pip started to feel hopeful. Did Vao plan it?
"U-um... V-Vao?" Pip whispered at the dullahan. It still hurt to use his father's name. Pip really wanted to call him 'dad', like he always wanted. Vao didn't look down at Pip.
"... Wot do you want, kid?"
Pip flinched at the icy tone, but managed to stand his ground. "Was this your idea?"
"No," Vao muttered. "I wanted you to go with Yin."
Pip felt like he was kicked. The harpy averted his gaze, staring at the ground.
"O... O-oh..."
Unbeknownst to him, Vao didn't mean it to be hurtful. He wanted Pip to go with Yin because the healer knew him better. Vao could barely talk to Pip without stressing over what he'd say. He really wanted to get to know Pip, but he didn't know how.
Something caught Midori's eye. For a split second, she could have sworn she saw someone peering at them curiously. But the moment she turned around, they were gone. Violet glanced at her sister curiously. "Wot's up?"
Midori stared for a couple seconds before shaking her head. "... It is nothing. Simply my imaginative mind."
Pip slowly worked up his courage again, reaching his wing for his father's hand.
"Don't even think about it," Vao snapped quietly. He immediately bit his lip, turning his head away. He said it out of reflex. Pip just trembled, leaving his father alone.
Verde looked at Pip with a hint of worry in her eyes when she saw him withdraw, keeping more to himself. Stepping towards him, she rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. "... Are you alright, Pip?"
"... F-fine..."
Verde knew better than that. Pulling the harpy to the side, she looked back at Vao. "... Could we rest for a moment?"
Vao looked around at the Cultists warily, his paranoia spiking again. But he relented. "... Yeah... I'll just patrol..."
Verde waited for the others to leave before she spoke to Pip one on one. She knew from the experience that came with raising Violet and Midori that talking to people individually helped them open up. Sitting on a bench, she patted the spot next to her. Pip silently listened, doing as he was told. Verde took her hat off and set it in her lap, looking down at him. "... Tell me the truth," she said quietly. "What's wrong?"
Pip didn't answer. He didn't want to drive a wedge between his father and his stepmother. He felt Verde's hand on his knee, the witch's brow furrowed. "... Pip?"
"D... Does Vao not like me?"
Verde was confused for a moment. The nature of the question took her aback, and she was quick to notice he didn't call Vao 'dad'. "... What would make you ask this?"
Pip bit his lip, finding himself not wanting to talk about it. He knew he was beginning to tear up, and the moment Verde saw a single tear she wouldn't let him walk away without talking about it. "... H-he's... Not very nice," Pip's voice cracked. "He t-told me to call him V-Vao... And he doesn't... T-talk to me like Midori and V-Violet..."
Verde stared at him silently for a long moment. She was aware Vao had been keeping his distance from Pip - everyone could see it. But she never knew he told him not to call him his father. "... Your father loves you, Pip-"
"Then why...?" Pip interrupted. "Why won't he even... L-let me call him dad?"
Verde would deal with it behind closed doors, she decided. Pip wouldn't need to hear the conversation she'd have with Vao later. "... He's not as brave as he makes himself out to be," she explained quietly. "He wants to learn more about you, but everyone has been a threat to us for a long time now. With him, he took it harder than the rest of us. He's killed a lot of people, and it took a toll on his social skills."
Pip just nodded quietly, looking down at the ground. He was trying to understand it, but he couldn't wrap his head around it. Did Vao see him as a possible threat? Verde seemed to read his expression.
"He's not scared of you," she affirmed gently. "He just doesn't know how to talk to you. He really does care, he just... Can't show it very well."
Pip was quiet. Verde knew she wouldn't get him to speak any more. She pulled him into a soft hug, feeling his wings wrap around her back. The harpy was shaking. She squeezed a bit tighter before pulling away, wiping at his eyes with a handkerchief.
"It will be alright, Pip," she said softly. "If you need someone to talk to, I will always listen. Okay?"
"... Okay..."
The pair sat in silence for a moment before Verde helped guide Pip back to the others, Vao frowning when he saw Pip sniffling. "Is everything al-"
"Stop talking," Verde interrupted sternly. Vao flinched. She was upset. The witch stepped closer, the dullahan leaning down so she could whisper in his ear. "When we return to the inn, we are going to have a talk. Privately."
Vao nodded quietly. He didn't say anything. The rest of the outing was quiet, with only Midori and Violet talking.
Standing not too far from where Verde and Pip had been sitting on the bench, a figure stood hidden in the darkness of an alley. The same figure that Midori had thought she saw. Her one eye flickered with amusement, her lips curling into a thin, elegant smile.
...
Yin was paired with Sasha, Ozpin, and Salem. The remaining five - Tim, Chuck, Alice, Pock, and Pyrrha - were elsewhere. But Yin's group walked through the alleys, trying their best to ignore the guillotines and gallows they'd occasionally see. Some of the gallows had corpses hanging from the ropes - priests and other humans kidnapped from the Royal Capital. Flies buzzed around the rotted corpses, crows picking at the carrion.
Aside from corpses, the town almost looked normal. Dark and gloomy, but the Cultists were surprisingly friendly and polite. Though if they weren't disguised, they doubted they'd be treated the way they are now.
Salem rubbed the back of her neck. She felt like they were being watched. Ozpin shifted uncomfortably, glancing around. It wasn't until Yin turned around that he found the culprit.
A tiny set of red eyes stared at him from the smallest face he had ever seen in his life. A girl with long dark brown hair floated inches from his face, a big blue ribbon tied in her bangs. She wore a dark violet long skirt with a white and blue top, a black ribbon tied at her neck. Two wings stretched from her back, flapping with the speed of a hummingbird. Yin let out a startled cry and stumbled back, bumping into Salem. The tiny girl started laughing happily.
"Kyahaha! Did I scare you? Did I?"
They stared in disbelief. A fairy. A real fairy. Considered among the rarest species on Twist, they were almost never seen by adventurers and the Church. In fact, the only time they could recall even hearing about one was years ago when they were in the Secret City, after a certain dullahan started talking about how he spent the night with one. The fairy leaned forward, smiling brightly. She didn't look very smart. "Who are you? Who are you? I've never seen you before!"
"SAPPHIRE!"
Another voice screamed from across the street, two tiny figures floating across the road. A fairy with ginger hair tied into a small, messy ponytail on the left side of her head, twin green eyes glaring at Sapphire. Ozpin could tell she had an ego from the tone of her voice. The second had blonde hair tied into a braid, with two blue eyes that stared guiltily. She looked more mature than the other two. Sapphire giggled waving at them.
"Hi, Jasper! Are you going to hit me again?"
Smack!
Jasper seemed furious. "Tourmaline told me that you ate my snacks you, you... Blue thing!"
Tourmaline looked away apologetically. Sapphire giggled. "Aww, she said she wouldn't tattle!"
As Jasper and Sapphire began to have a one sided argument, Tourmaline took notice of the adventurers. The guilt seemed to leave her expression, turning into a pleasant smile. "Oh, hello. Are you the new Cultists that Boss was talking about?"
Jasper looked up from where she was strangling Sapphire, raising an eyebrow. "... Oh, yeah. They do look pretty new..."
Yin felt Salem and Ozpin push him forward, leaving him to be the one to speak. He felt like he was just stabbed in the back. "U-uh... Yeah... I'm..." He struggled for a fake name. He cried the first one that came to mind. "Tai! My name is Tai."
The fairies stared at him curiously. Yin could feel sweat beginning to build up on the back of his neck. He wished he had put more thought into it; Tai wasn't only his father, but the First Vao's father too.
"... My name is Jasper Primary," The fairy replied, ignoring his introduction. "The blonde is my sister, Tourmaline. And that... That... Blue thing is Sapphire, my other sister. She's a complete retard, so feel free to ignore her."
Sapphire giggled. "I'm not retarded! My smarts test said forty! I'm super smart!" It was obvious she wasn't bragging. She was just trying to instigate Jasper. But from the look in her eyes, she wasn't lying about her low intellect either. Jasper scowled.
"Shut up."
"Can you make me?"
Tourmaline sighed, pressing an embarrassed hand against her face. "Oh, I'm sorry for those two. They're always fighting, so please don't pay any mind to it," she pleaded. She looked back up, curiosity sparkling in her blue eyes. "Still... You look lost. Do you need help finding your way around Grimmore?"
The adventurers looked amongst each other. It was true that they had no idea where they were going. And even then, fairies weren't known for being dangerous. Aside from their nature magic, they were among the weakest races on Twist. Salem nodded slowly. "Y... Yes, please..."
"Oh, happy day! Then follow us!" Tourmaline welcomed happily. The adventurers followed the fairies, walking deeper into the city. They could see more fairies hard at work, hanging streamers and banners on the buildings. Jasper turned, floating backwards.
"I gotta say, you couldn't have come at a better time," she said in an almost grumpy voice. She seemed very easy to anger, still bitter about her altercation with Sapphire. "Our Lord came back three weeks ago with this lady named Summer. She's apparently really important to him, so we're throwing a huge celebration."
At the mention of Summer, Yin felt hope flicker in his chest. "S-Summer? Where is she?"
Tourmaline gritted her teeth in frustration. "She gets to be at our Lord's side... First Boss, now her..."
Tourmaline's infatuation was apparent. Jasper scowled. "I doubt Lord Vao is going to fuck his relatives, you mega-slut."
"Don't call me that!"
"Scared of the truth!?"
"Kyahaha! Jasper's going to hit Tourmaline!"
Yin felt a faint sense of familiarity. Even with the constant insults they threw at each other, he could tell that they cared for each other like any siblings would. It reminded him of his relationship with Vao, except without the attempts to kill each other. "... Tourmaline has a crush on Lord Vao?" Sasha asked inquisitively. Jasper stopped berating her sister to answer, but the blonde was quick to interrupt.
"Oh, it's not just me! Boss is my closest rival! The others couldn't compare!" She claimed. "He's perfect - crazy enough to fight the Church, protect us all! And then he gets better! He's so cold, he's like a corpse! But he can move and think!"
Cold? They didn't understand what that had to do with romance. Jasper read their expressions, shaking her head with a heavy sigh. "... Excuse her, she's a necrophiliac," she groaned. The adventurers stared at Tourmaline in horror. The fairy leaned forward, her cheeks a dark red.
"I am, and I'm not ashamed," she cooed. "Lord Vao accepts everyone for who they are. He says he has no right to judge others. He even sometimes gives me bodies he doesn't eat!"
They felt sick. Tourmaline was very open about her twisted fetish. Sapphire giggled again; she seemed to be stuck in a permanently happy mood.
"Mm-hm! He even let's us play with the priests!" She laughed. Jasper growled.
"And then you leave the mess for me to clean, you pig."
"Why would I clean if you're going to do it?"
Jasper looked like she was ready to explode, holding her shaking hands to Sapphire's throat, but not strangling her. Tourmaline spun around the adventurers, her dress twirling. She seemed more excited when she talked about the First Vao. "He spends time with us quite frequently! He's very busy planning a grand entrance for the celebration, but perhaps you could visit us! He's likely to be there! Boss too!"
Neither of them wanted to accept that offer. Being alone with the First Vao seemed like a death sentence, especially if he caught on to who they were. But finally, Sasha asked a question that had been on her mind. "... 'Boss'? Wouldn't that just be Lord Vao?"
Jasper blinked before chuckling. "Oh, I see where you got confused," she replied. "Nah, Lord Vao is our Lord. Our boss is the leader of the Cult. She's always with him, acting as a maid even though he says he doesn't need one. Her name's Mono Chroma; you'll definitely see her tomorrow."
"M... Maid?" Salem echoed. Jasper nodded.
"Yeah, she wears a maid outfit. She doesn't have to, but she wants to," the fairy explained. "A lot of people like her dedication to serving our Lord, even if she rarely wears her robes outside of business."
"Then who leads the town when Lord Vao and Mono are away?"
Sapphire was then one to answer. "Our friend, Jack! He acts as the left hand for Lord Vao!" She hollered cheerfully. The adventurers felt their blood run cold, with Sasha as the only exception. She had never met Jack.
"O-oh..."
Yin stopped paying attention, leaving Salem, Ozpin, and Sasha to talk with the fairies. He thought back to the letter, to the initials. He was absolutely sure they stood for Mono Chroma, especially with the revelation that she handled business outside of Grimmore. If she was the First Vao's right hand, then she'd no doubt be as dangerous as Jack was. He felt his chest beginning to ache. Finding Summer, let alone taking her back, was going to be more dangerous than he initially thought. He was interrupted by Tourmaline pulling on his shoulder. Her face had returned to normal.
"Hey, are you okay? You're just staring off into space."
Yin nodded quickly. "Y-yeah, I'm fine... Just thinking that we should prepare for the party-"
"Oh, shit!" Jasper suddenly cried. She smacked a tiny hand against her tiny forehead, glaring at Sapphire and Tourmaline. "We were supposed to be helping Lord Vao with the celebration!"
"Kyahaha! I forgot!" Sapphire laughed. Tourmaline looked very distressed, flying ahead with Jasper yanking on Sapphire's arm. The dumb fairy waved happily. "Bye bye! See you tomorrow!"
They watched as the fairies disappeared, their hearts pounding. The fairies had left them with a dark feeling. They were dangerous, especially if they were close to the First Vao. Salem heaved a trembling sigh, the adventurers slowly returning to the inn. "They're... Going to be trouble, aren't they?"
"They're just fairies," Sasha responded quietly. "They aren't strong... I could smack them out of the air..."
"But if the First Vao trusts them enough to help him, that's not a good sign," Ozpin pointed out. "Sapphire is stupid, and Tourmaline's always lost in her fantasies, but that Jasper girl... She's smart. I could see it. Even if fairies are weak, we need to stay off Jasper's radar."
Yin stuck his hand into his pocket, curling his fingers.
Everything was getting more difficult. He wondered if they'd even find Summer, or somehow manage to save her without arousing suspicion. What he knew of the First Vao was that the psychopath was very cautious.
And that was their biggest issue.
...
Click, click, click.
Dress shoes clicked against the floor as the one-eyed woman moved swiftly, her hands neatly folded in front of her. Her skirt gently swayed with each step forward, her lips curled into a small, polite smile. She stopped at the door, smoothing her outfit before pushing it open, and stepping into the room.
Summer gagged and choked, tears streaming down her face as Jack forcefully fed her, sitting his knees on her arms to pin her to the floor, and Ruby's hands keeping her mother from turning away. The woman raised an eyebrow. "... She looks awfully frail. Is she not eating?"
"Non, Milady," Jack replied calmly. "Mademoiselle Saril told her what the food is made from, it would seem..."
Mono frowned. She knew Saril hadn't meant any harm; the arachne was incapable of forming a coherent thought. "... Ensure she is fed," the Cult leader commanded. Jack gave a thumbs up, Ruby bowing her head. Mono turned, finally looking at the one she wanted to see the most. Her lips curled into a small, shy smile as the nonhuman took a little bow. "Milord... It is good to see you."
The First Vao looked up from his conversation with himself, his brush stopping in his mass of hair. "O-oh... Mono!"
His hairbrush clattered on the floor when he dropped it, the icon of the Cult snapping to his feet and nearly skipping towards her. "It's so good to see you, too! Are you alright? Do you need rest?"
Mono shook her head, her cheeks flushing pink at the First Vao's visible concern. "N... Not at all, Milord. May I speak with you privately?"
The First Vao nodded, turning back to Jack and Ruby. "I'll be gone for a moment. Can you make sure Summer eats her food?"
"Of course, Mon Seigneur."
The First Vao turned back to Mono, giving her a smile. "Well, with that out of the way... Let's walk together."
Mono followed the First Vao out of the room, closing the door behind her. Standing at his side, the First Vao grinned. "So, wot did you want to talk about?"
As they entered the new room that they often spent time together in, the table near the window was empty, barren and devoid of anything. And yet in an instant, two teacups sat next to a chessboard, the pieces perfectly set and aligned. As they sat down, Mono took a sip from her tea before answering.
"I visited Grimmore today to fetch groceries," she said politely. The First Vao chuckled, moving a pawn forward after a thoughtful second.
"I really wish I was there to help you," he replied softly. "You're always working hard, mate."
Mono felt a bit lighter, moving a knight forward. "I do not mind the work, Milord," she responded. "You may not think of me as a servant, but that is what I am, is it not? Is that not what we all are to you?"
The First Vao sipped from his tea, moving a bishop. "No, and you know how much I loathe that common thought. You're my allies. Sitting in a fancy throne, barking orders while others do everything for me... I can't stand that. Salem did the same shit; sat on her fat arse, never once doing a thing herself. If everyone is going to risk going against the Church, against the world, then I will be on the front lines too. That's who I am; a person who will crawl through the mud with my subordinates." He glanced up, the Aura in his eye socket flickering like a small flame. "... So, wot makes this grocery shopping adventure interesting?"
Mono hummed, moving her knight again. "... I believe I saw the new arrivals who will be joining the Cult... With Rojo's defeat... The time they arrived is a bit of a strange coincidence."
The First Vao nodded, taking her pawn with his bishop. Consequently, it was taken by Mono's second knight. "We're aware, Auntie and I. But if it really is Salem and her little adventuring group, why not see how it plays out?" He suggested. "... I assume that's not all you saw, though."
Mono nodded, taking a small sip from her tea. "No, it isn't Milord. I overheard an interesting conversation between two of them; a short woman and a child she called 'Pip'." She gazed up at him. "... I do believe that was one of the names you mentioned all the way back when you were visiting Aldia..."
The First Vao nodded. Slowly he was winning against Mono. "I did... He's that harpy boy, the son of the Third Timeline me, right? Wot was the conversation?"
Mono leaned against the table, tapping her finger as she planned four moves ahead. "... Apparently, the Third Vao isn't a very good father towards him. He won't even let the boy call him father..."
The First Vao was silent, listening to the voice in his ear. The voices only he could hear, his schizophrenic mind turning in thought. "... That's interesting," he nearly whispered. He switched his rook and king around, performing a move called castling and dismantling Mono's strategy. "... Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
Mono smiled softly. "... Of course, Milord..."
Vao grinned, looking up at her. His freezing finger moved his rook forward, resting on the piece. "Checkmate."
Mono sighed. She had lost again. Leaning back in her chair, she took a small sip from her tea, watching as the First Vao did the same. "... Milord, after you make your introduction... What are your plans for the celebration? After you meet the new arrivals?"
The First Vao shrugged, glancing out the window and at the city below. "... I'm just going to enjoy myself," he replied. "Of course, that'll be easy with you around. You're always putting everyone else before you... You're a really amazing leader."
Mono felt her cheeks heating up. "Milord... Thank you. I feel like I do not deserve such prai-"
"Oh, wot a load of piss," the First Vao interrupted with a chuckle. "You're bloody amazing. You want to play one more round?"
Mono's heart skipped a beat, the chess pieces realigning in nearly an instant. "... I would love to. Please do not hold back this time."
The First Vao snickered, resting his chin into his palm. "Of course not."
...
As the adventurers started to sit down at a table in the inn, readying themselves for an evening meal, Vao felt a sharp tug on his arm as he moved to sit next to Yin. The dullahan glanced to his left to find Verde staring up at him, her face as expressionless as ever. "Oh, wot is it Love?"
"Come with me. We need to talk."
Vao was confused for a moment, but didn't argue. Following his wife up the stairs, he watched as she fiddled through her pockets before sliding their room key into the door, pushing it open and pointing inside. "Go."
Vao hesitantly stepped inside. He felt like he was in trouble. Verde closed the door behind them, her hand reaching for the handle.
Click.
The lock slid into place, the witch turning up to her husband. When they were alone, she felt safer about using expressions. She wasn't happy. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Vao didn't know how to react. He didn't know what could've upset her. "Wot did I do-"
"Did you really tell Pip he couldn't address you as his father?"
Vao felt his heart stop for a second. Verde was one of the last people he wanted to find out about that. "... I-I'm just not ready-"
"He's eight years old, almost nine," Verde snapped. "He's your son. I know you have a difficult time talking to him, but telling him to call you by your name? What the fuck?"
Vao felt a bit angry. "... I'm just not ready for it, alright?"
"You're his father! You've never been the type to run from the truth like this!" Verde argued. "All he wants is for you to at least give him the time of day! He isn't even my son, and I still let him call me his mother!"
"Oh, alright then! Let's see you go and kill every damned stranger on sight!" Vao shot back. "Let's see just how much you trust people you've never seen in your life after that!"
"I have killed people! Before you found me in the Great Swamp, I killed people to survive too!"
"And you almost killed me, right!?"
"I gave you a chance because you didn't immediately try to cut my head off!" Verde screamed at him. "Pip's done nothing but try to make you happy! And you won't give him the chance I gave to you!"
"We've had the world against us for eight and a half years! We still do!"
"The Church has wanted me dead for twenty-six!"
As the argument continued, the adventurers down below ate and drank, the bustle of the busy tavern muting the muffled shouting upstairs. Yin glanced at Verde, Vao, and Pip's empty chairs, a hint of worry running down his spine. He had been hoping for a chance to pull his brother off to the side so he could talk about his nephew; Pip had been quieter in recent times. But with a sigh, he took a sip from his beer. He knew Verde was on good terms with the harpy. If they were both absent, then he hoped she had convinced his brother to spend time with his son.
But he couldn't be any more wrong. When Pip saw Verde pulling Vao to the stairs, he had followed them. He sat on the floor, next to the door. His knees were hugged to his chest, his face buried deep into his wings. He felt like it was his fault that Verde and Vao were fighting. He wished he could hide his emotions better, so his stepmother never caught on. He wished he never told her. The harpy trembled, his back quivering with each heave.
"Don't you dare walk away from me, Vao!"
"I need to fucking smoke! It's better than freaking the fuck out, innit!?"
"Can't you wait until we're finished!?"
"We're finished now, then!"
Pip flinched when the door slammed open, Vao storming out of the room with his pipe in his hand. He didn't even notice Pip as he turned the opposite way, stomping down the stairs grumbling under his breath. Verde kicked the door open, glaring after him. "This conversation is not over!"
The witch turned, her face falling when she noticed Pip sitting on the floor. The harpy looked up at her, guilt crawling up his back.
"I... I-I'm sorry, M-Mum..."
Verde closed the door, stooping down beside him. "No, no," she said softly. "It isn't your fault, it's mine. I'm sorry you had to hear that."
Even with a reassuring grip on his shoulders, Pip couldn't find it in him to believe Verde. He felt like he was in the way. He didn't look her in the eye. He turned his head, not wanting her to see him tear up.
Every day, he just felt worse about himself. Even though Verde had been a complete stranger, she still tried to be a mother figure to him. So why couldn't Vao do the same?
... Pip was beginning to believe it was his own fault.
The adventurers looked up when Vao stomped down the stairs, Verde screaming at him from the second floor. Violet and Midori fell silent, Alice covering her mouth. Chuck and Tim averted their eyes away from the dullahan, not saying a word. The adventurers were beginning to realize just how rarely Vao and Verde argued. Yin set his beer down, standing up.
"Hey, Salem? Can you watch my drink for me?" He asked quietly. The princess wordlessly nodded, not saying anything. The healer followed Vao outside, spotting the dullahan struggling to light a match.
"P-piss... Light... Just bloody light...!"
Yin reached into his pocket and retrieved his own match, striking the flame. He leaned down and helped Vao light his pipe, the dullahan breathing in the smoke and holding it in before breathing it out. Even with the smoke, his shoulders remained tense.
"... Cheers, mate," he muttered. Yin leaned against the wall next to him, concern crossing his face.
"... Is everything okay?"
Vao scoffed, shaking his head. "Obviously not, and I ain't talking about it," he growled. He held out his pipe. "... You want a hit?"
Yin accepted the offer, breathing in the smoke before exhaling it with a light cough. He still wasn't used to smoking. Vao took the pipe back, sighing quietly.
"... Just worry about yourself," he said after a while. "You remember the Timelines too... So you know how this works. Focus on yourself, keep your own mental health in check. It's kill or be killed, Yin."
The healer was quiet for a moment, glancing at his brother's turned back. "... It doesn't have to be that way," he said quietly. "If you remember too, then you know we can only get through this if we help each other-"
"I was being nice," Vao interrupted. "My marriage and personal life is not your fucking business. So if that's wot you want to talk about, piss off before I crack you in two."
Yin looked down, thinking to himself before looking back up. "... It's about Pip, isn't it?"
Vao didn't say anything. Yin had hit the nail on the head. The healer pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "... Do you hate Pip?"
Vao pinched the bridge of his nose, taking another breath from his pipe. He seemed to be relaxing, if only a bit. "No, I don't," he said quietly. "I just don't know who he is. I want to know him better, I really do, but I can't trust anyone I've never met before. I never thought that could extend to my kids."
"Do you want help-"
"Fuck off," Vao growled. "I don't get emotional with people. I'll figure it out my damned self. Focus on your problems, and I'll focus on mine."
Yin watched in silence as Vao walked down the street to cool off, knowing he wouldn't come back until very late. He stared until Vao grew small in the distance, only visible by the streetlights. He looked back at the door when he heard it open, Verde looking around for her husband. Yin pointed his thumb in the direction his brother went, sighing quietly. "... He went that way. What were you two fighting about?"
Verde stepped outside, closing the door behind her. "... He's upset Pip," she admitted quietly. "He won't even talk about it anymore..." The witch looked up at her brother-in-law, her face as blank and expressionless as ever. "... What did you two talk about out here?"
"About Pip," Yin replied. "Vao cares about him, he just can't show it..."
Verde nodded, taking a sip from her glass of water. "I know. I was going to let him get used to Pip on his own, but I can't do that. He went about it entirely wrong."
Yin glanced down at her, raising an eyebrow. "... Why? What did he do?"
Verde was quiet, her eyes hidden under the brim of her pointed hat. "... He told Pip not to call him his father."
Yin was startled. That was the last thing he expected Vao to do. "He... He fucking what?"
Verde shook her head. "I will handle it, Yin. Do not involve yourself," she nearly whispered.
"Hell no," Yin growled. "Pip doesn't deserve that. And besides, he's my nephew. Let me help you."
Verde looked down at the ground before nodding her head. "... Okay. Thank you, Yin."
Yin stared back in the direction Vao had walked. The dullahan wasn't visible anymore. A part of him couldn't believe Vao would say that. He knew his brother wasn't trying to deliberately hurt anyone, but his constant distrust of others was beginning to affect the people around him. But he knew just as well that Vao wasn't the type to open up about himself. Verde knew that just as well. Getting Vao to be honest with his own feelings was going to be a very difficult task.
Vao was nearly silent as he walked down the streets, smoke billowing from his nostrils. He had never felt such a strong urge to drink in his life. It had been how he coped with his stress in the past; by drinking until he forgot. But he didn't have that; he promised Verde he wouldn't drink anymore. It was a promise that Vao was going to keep. He hated breaking promises. Especially to people he considered family and friends.
He stopped at a well in the center of Grimmore, not bothering to look at the strange black liquid that filled the stone hole. Sitting down on the walls of the well, he took another drag from his pipe. Breathing the smoke into the air, he leaned back a bit, just breathing. He didn't return to the inn until well past midnight.
As the light from the hall washed over Yin's eyes, he groggily lifted his head to see Vao's silhouette, and then his face as he struck a match and lit a candle to find his way in the dark. "V... Vao...? Where did you-"
"Piss off and go to sleep," Vao whispered back. Yin sat up in confusion when the dullahan tossed a pillow and a blanket on the floor, undoing his ponytail, taking his head off, and setting it down on the fluffy, makeshift headrest, facing the door. His body slid to the floor, tugging the blankets over itself and rolling over.
Yin rubbed the sleep from his eyes, sitting up. "What are you doing? Verde left space for you in bed-"
"Don't want to," Vao's head interrupted. "Piss off and go to sleep."
"Is it about Pip-"
"Obviously," Vao growled quietly. "I'm guessing Verde already told you. Just stay out of my way, and I'll figure this whole shit show out."
Yin was too tired to argue with his stubborn brother. He'd need to continue this conversation in the morning, where they wouldn't run the risk of Pip overhearing them. The healer laid back down, looking at the back of Vao's head. "... Night, Vao."
"... Yeah. G'night."
As Yin drifted off to sleep, Vao passed out not long after, his sleepless nights catching up to him. Only one person was awake, hearing the entire interaction.
Pip trembled in bed, Violet snoring next to him, Midori's arm dangling off the mattress. The harpy stared at the wall, his pillow stained.
A shit show. That was how Vao saw things. Pip didn't understand what Vao had meant when he described the situation the way he did; Vao had been talking about the way he treated Pip, and his guilt that followed. Pip thought Vao had called him the shit show. The harpy didn't say anything.
He just blamed himself.