"Hey, I have a question," Alice began, glancing sideways at Lynx. The car was bouncing along a road she didn't recognize- man, how long was I asleep? Feel so groggy, weird…
"When you said I'd stay up all night with you, was this what you expected?" Alice angled her head, and the scene shifted; Lynx was lying back in the snow, coughing wetly, blood soaking through her shirt's stomach, and the waistband of her pants.
"N-Nah, of c-course not," She choked, head lolling to the side- there, Nara was lying, warmth fading, blood splattered across her face and chest. "Never w-wanted it to end like this…"
"Hah, right?" Lynx sat in that car again, bouncing along a sunny road, but there was blood across Alice's chin and chest as she smiled. "Staying awake through the night to keep you going- and then you die anyway. That's a pretty crappy way to end things- but it's not like I have to worry- because it's not like you ever made it out of that sewer system anyway," She added, chuckling darkly, and the scene shifted again; Lynx screamed in agony as the centipede slammed her into a sewer wall, ripping her right leg free of her torso, sending her body tumbling into the arena.
"I'm blind- you bitch, I'm b-blind!!" Kato staggering last her… Lynx reached out and grabbed his arm, ripping it free and attaching it to her own stump where the centipede had maimed her, staggering to her feet and starting to run.
"Oho!!" Above her, the book flitted into view. "I have analyzed a billion and four possible paths, Lynx- and in none of them is your life worth an ounce. You are a tired," The book slammed into her face, sending her staggering. "-worthless, traumatized dog, and I pray that you know, on your dying breath, that you are alone because that is all you deserve to be. You were made to push people away," The book snarked, slapping her upside the head. "A Spiny, worthless piece of-"
"LYNX WAKE UP!!" The voice broke through the veil of her dreams, and the catgirl sat up, hard- or tried to, only to feel her chest explode in panic as her seat belt pinned her down, suddenly taut.
"Sh-Shit," The blonde groaned, grabbing a water bottle from the center console and downing half of it in seconds, shaking her head, head throbbing. I'm real, I'm here- I'm not still in those sewers- deep breaths, don't make them worry-
"Lynx-"
"I'm fine-"
"Lynx," Nara whispered, leaning forward from the back seat, turning the blonde's head and kissing her hard, deep, slow. She lingered, for a long moment, and Lynx sank back against her seat, sighing, eyes closing for a moment. When Nara finally pulled back, face flushed, and asked, softly, 'better?', Lynx nodded, the images of her nightmares already fading.
"Sorry," She winced, sitting up a bit.
"I'm getting jealous," Alice pouted. "Where are my kisses, bitch?" At the absurdity, and her massive pout, Lynx snorted, rolling her eyes.
"Alright, alright… tonight, when we get home, okay?"
"I'll do more than kiss you, in that case," Alice huffed, smilign and returning her eyes to the road as she pulled into a parking space; Lynx hadn't noticed they arrived, yet. "Actually… I also reserved us a hotel here for two reasons."
"So the neighbors will hate us for a night instead of a month?" Lynx winked, and Alice, blushing, shook her head.
"That… but also, so you can sleep in, in the morning. When your interview goes live, I wonder who might beat on your dorm door demanding answers. CA staff are going to want… something from you. Gods know what."
"I bet they will try to put you on a pedestal," Nara laughed softly, sighing. "Look! This is Lynx, the rookie recruit, and the face of change! She is the model of accountability… or something like that. CA will have to support you, or it will show that everything you have stated about them is true, and they are not to be trusted."
"She makes sense," Alice agreed, nodding and turning the car off. "You're definitely about to be thrown into some kind of spotlight… so you can disappear for a night, and turn your phone off. Reserved the hotel under fake names, aren't I just so smart?"
"Mmm…" Lynx nodded, sighing tiredly. "As much as I want to fool around, I think I'm gonna spend that hotel time getting some much needed sleep…"
"We got a lifetime, if you'll have me. I promise, my biggest motivator was getting you a safe place to rest and sleep in- plus, they serve coffee in the morning."
"Oh my beloved- the coffee, not you," Lynx added with a wink, tightening her coat around herself and climbing out of the car, yawning.
"I have something for you," Alice smirked, tossing a can through the air- Lynx caught it and glanced down; double shot espresso; and while she was distracted, Alice smirked, stepping forward and leaning up, cupping Lynx's cheek, kissing her.
"Hey," Lynx whispered, but Alice kissed her again, and she, Lynx, relaxed, leaning in, returning it, deepening it, stepping forward until Alice's back hit the side of her car.
"Please remember that sex in public places is generally frowned on," Nara spoke on a laugh, smiling lazily, and Lynx broke the kiss, laughing raggedly, Alice glaring up at her as if to call her out for the audacity required in breaking the kiss. Lynx glanced down at the succubus, and then away, blushing furiously; love in her eyes, but gods, that kind of desire is, embarrassing,
"Come on," Lynx huffed. "Let's stop being a bunch of awkward girl kissers and go enjoy our movie~"
"Says you of all people," Alice retorted, rolling her eyes, a smile in her voice and a laugh in her stupid little smirk.
"Yes yes, we are all just so very gay, even the two who are not," Nara rolled her eyes, chopping both their heads and taking the lead, now.
That night, Lynx fell asleep easily. For a moment, she stiffened, afraid, and then her eyes drifted to the orange highlights in Alice's hair, and she leaned back against Nara, and she slept; deeply, dreamlessly. There was no grand feeling of bliss, or of euphoria; just a very tired woman getting some much-needed rest. Long after she'd nodded off, Alice turned the cat girl's phone off for her and closed her eyes- though this body may be magically augmented, and not need rest, she had a lot on her mind, and what better sound to drift off to than the soft breaths of her lovers?
-
Lynx dreamt… a bit too lucidly- and her eyes widened as she registered where she stood. Am I dead-?
Around her, people laughed and danced… but things felt different. I remember this place- why do I remember this place? Where am I? There were televisions on the walls… a house party was in full swing, and out the window swayed endless fields of pampas grass, with lanterns scattered about. Glancing down, Lynx winced; she wore naught but loose robes down to her ankles, like something a wizard might wear in an old children's game; the stories of human mages before elves were discovered. The others, scattered about, were dressed just the same.
"Lynx!!!" A voice; behind her, and when she turned, her eyes widened- she didn't know how she knew, but she did. She just, knew.
He looked normal; though he didn't wear the wizard robes that everybody else here did.
Should a god be wearing… anything special? Who knows… he wore only a plain black jacket, a pastel-green T-shirt, and dark cargo pants with a pair of average, nothing-special tennis shoes. He looked like a man, at least in part, with long brown hair and a scruffy, unkempt beard that truly he'd be better off shaving.
Neither ugly nor supermodel gorgeous, he was kind of just… there, with dark curls falling around his shoulders.
"Am I dead?" The blonde asked aloud, eyes wide.
"No, no, no." The playwright shook his head, chuckling, flashing a wide grin. "I just wanted to check in with you; borrowed your soul, I guess? Your body is still in bed; without a soul, mentally gone, but only for a few minutes, and you're sleeping anyway. How are you feeling?"
"Depends. How much of this did you do to me?" The cat retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Not much. It's actually quite frustrating."
"Oh? You're frustrated?" Lynx challenged, stepping forward, poking the playwright's chest. "That you're what, not subjecting me to torture?"
"No!" The Playwright shook his head, frowning. "That's not the kind of person I am; I seek redemption, I want to help people become better versions of themselves; I seek positive stories and yet the world has been working against me, on this one. Well, and some others- but we're checking in with you, at the moment."
"What- do you mean?"
"I mean that I saved you- I froze your soul and flicked you across the world before you became Risen. Without your memories, they might well have just killed you again. I wanted you to become a hero of Contracted Arms and then the selfish angel," he continued, glowering now. "-Who pretends he's kind while only committing to goodness when it makes him look good…? He sent you down there- it ruined my entire plan. You were going to bust this huge operation by complete accident; stumble on it, save the day, become a hero, become famous. No, though- you got sent down there- tell me- why would I want you to suffer? I'm the reason you were able to reincarnate safely…"
"You're a GOD," Lynx huffed, crossing her arms. "Why WOULDN'T you want us to suffer?"
"Are you stupid?" The playwright blinked slowly, chuckling, shaking his head. "That doesn't even make any sense. Why should… how do you say it, reality altering powers? Why should that make me want to hurt people? I hate myself; spinning positive stories makes me feel nice. If Nara had stayed in Pempa, she'd have been killed by Contracted Arms the moment she made her history known- and she would have, she wears her heart on her sleeve. I sent her to you- and my plan was flawed, so I killed Vilhelm's mother."
"You did WHAT-?"
"Relax, she was a terrible person. You don't need the details- and I killed her in such a way that motivated Vilhelm to be a good person- which led to him freeing Nara. I also controlled a squirrel for a bit- made him think it was Nara. Made her think it too; it was all a dream from her end, though."
"What- but wait, the Nara thing happened way before the Vilhelm's mom thing, right-? I mean it would have had to-"
"Yes yes but I knew how it would play out," The Playwright laughed dismissively, turning around. "Follow me, I'll make us some coffee."
Shaking her head, Lynx followed into a gorgeous kitchen blending modernity with glimpses of the past; a modern stove next to a wood stove, and so forth; wooden counters fading into marble… the place worked, and made no sense at the same time. Playwright was already sitting against a counter, starting to warm water in a kettle, smiling.
"Anyway," He continued. "I'll be honest with you Lynx, I'm not some manipulative jerk. Or at least- when I am, I try to take accountability and be better- some gods? Maybe. They hate their immortality and power, maybe they're tired, maybe they desperately want to die. Me, though? I want to put my powers to good use."
"Yeah? So you're not responsible for any of my suffering?" Lynx snorted, rolling her eyes and leaning forward over a counter, chin on her hands.
"I don't think so? My idea, again- you become an accidental famous hero and use your morals for good. That plan is still on track, believe it or not, even if we had a bit of an accidental detour; see, I can only gain control over your soul when you die."
"Why?"
"Because it's fair. Your world is going to be reshaped one way or another; I'm only helping guide the course. To take away from you when you have nothing anyway; this is not a cruelty, I think." Pouring water into two mugs now- when did those appear? "However, to take from you while you're currently free to make your own choices… I'm not a monster."
"Wait- then why did you make me kill my memories?"
"I admit, making you and Nara kill a phantom version of yourself was cinematic; blood in the air, joining red and gold leaves… but there was a reason. You were terribly… inclined against anything non-human before, shall we say?"
"So what, I was racist with extra steps?"
"Yes. You were raised to understand that angels and demons were not to be trusted; they were stronger than us, and would eventually turn on us. I removed a lifetime of bias- I gave you a fresh start."
"I…" Lynx trailed off, swallowing, blinking. "I…"
"Mhm. It's a scary revelation, isn't it? That the kind of manipulation I use might actually be going toward a good purpose. All of you- well, most, definites don't exist I guess. Anyway, most of your world believes that magic tampering with souls is inherently evil; but does it have to be? So I guess your next question is what did I actually do to you then."
"Sure."
"Well, I did not control directly. Did I teleport you to a place where Aerendyl would find you? Yes. Wound up my arm and gave you a good throw from Pempa to Ravenwood. Did I orchestrate the terrorist attack on Eastbrook? No. However, I did make sure that Nara noticed a coffee shop and paused; three more steps and she'd have been dead. So I was there; she'll never know it, but, I snapped a picture of her on a phone I stole. The flash in the corner of her eye made her look a bit longer than she might have otherwise."
"You…"
"I am influencing. I am not controlling. I could control you, so I get why it's hard to trust me; my magic allows me to control your sanctuary, erase it, erase you. I…" Playwright paused, sliding Lynx a coffee, and she raised it to her lips, sipping. Somehow, it wasn't bitter; just rich, strong, good.
"I want Aerendyl to die. He's a lot like me, and I want to help him," The god admitted, leaning on the counter. "I could help him."
"What do you mean?" Lynx raised an eyebrow, somehow not shocked by this sentence.
"He wants to do good, and he has no idea how; I could cleanse his soul of that fake, poisoned goodness and show him the way to be good for real. I can only hope he finds the answers on his own, as things are. Lynx, though… please, understand. I'm not your enemy. No matter what anybody says-"
"-yes," He continued. "-I know that sounds like gaslighting, manipulation, but it's true. I can travel freely through this world in the next but unless somebody dies, I cannot seize control of them. To kill them, I would have to do it myself, manually; I can only influence. That, and… I don't believe in murder," He sighed, blinking slowly. Am I crazy, or are his eyes wet…
"I," the god pressed on. "-have watched a great number of people die. Ones I loved, ones I cared for more than anything. I could never kill somebody; even if it was temporary. I could never be the reason," Voice thickening, a tear sliding down his cheek. "-Could never… be the reason for a funeral. I can't, Lynx. That's not who I am, okay? Sorry I'm getting all emotional but I just-"
"It's fine," The blonde replied gently, walking around the counter and putting a hand over his, gentle, unafraid. "You, yourself; distracted Nara because you knew what would come if you didn't. Are you the god of knowledge? The one from my book?"
"No," He smiled, shaking his head. "I'm only able to know all, as it stands to affect those who's soul I've left my mark on. You have my word though; I will never control you, unless you ask me to."
"Why would I ever ask you to…?"
"Who knows. I swear to you though, Lynx; all I want is to help, same as your angelic big brother. Maybe I mess up sometimes, but I want to create the happy endings I never experienced, when I was mortal."
"How did you become a god?" She whispered, peering up into his tired, soulful blue-gray eyes.
"A story for another time. As much as we've chatted, all I've really told you is what I've done to you and Nara so far, that I want to help, and there's a sob story behind me. I ask- is that enough for you to trust me?"
"Hm…" Lynx swallowed, nodding. "I think so."
"Then, might I ask just one favor?"
"What's that?"
"May I please, if you would be comfortable doing so, have a hug?"
There was silence.
A pause.
"I'm not going to try anythi- mnf-" The Playwright huffed, as Lynx laughed, hugging him round the waist gently, pushing her face into his chest, a purr rising up her throat, tail flicking about. For a long moment, the Playwright stared down, and then, slowly, he hugged back.
"I didn't… expect…"
"You saved me, saved Nara. You deserve a hug."
"I… also poured some power into Alice's sludge form while her succubus body was in your dorm…"
"What? Why?" Lynx blinked rapidly, looking up, but not letting go.
"Because, well, it made the pull from it stronger for a few seconds, and, with your punishing her poor choice of words, she cracked, lost self control… if I hadn't, she'd have kept secrets and never let you in. Who knows how she'd have cracked under the pressure down the line- it's funny, because originally I made sure to plan on your finding out within the first five years of knowing her, but I kind of just… realized it would be healthier for both of you if it happened from the get-go. Your bias was gone, and you're like me, in that regard. Wanting to accept people, help them be better, I mean."
"Yeah, well, I'm kind of a bitch so I know all about wanting to be better," Lynx snorted, shaking her head. "Anyway, I'm gonna let go of you now, yeah?"
"Yeah yeah, sure," Playwright smiled, nodding, and gently planted a hand on Lynx's chest. "Thanks for this. It's been a while; I haven't hbad an open conversation with anybody since Nara," He added, and shoved with mind-numbing force. Lynx choked, as she sailed through the wall, shattering it in an explosion of steel and wood and glass; somehow, painless. She sailed through the dark night sky, into the air…
-and woke up in bed, shuddering and sitting up quickly, tail flicking about rapidly, curling, her chest heaving.
"You okay?" Daylight. Alice. Nara. Alice making coffee, Nara reading a book, curled up in an armchair nearby, now looking at Lynx. Alice, pouring creamer into the coffee… things are fine. I'm okay. Holy- aren't you supposed to forget dreams? That was all real- that was all real oh my gods- what do I say, what do I even do-
"You okay…?" Alice whispered, turning, leaving her mugs on the counter for a moment as she walked over and sank into the bed beside Lynx.
"Yeah…" The blonde shook her head, swallowing. "I um… the… well, the Playwright decided to come chat me up and check, see how I'm doing…?"
"What?" Nara and Alice spoke flatly at once, as if they didn't believe her.
"Well… can we talk about it later…?" Lynx swallowed, shaking her head. "I need coffee, and to clear my head. Nothing bad, to be clear; said he's not an enemy, and he's been trying to help by the scenes. Apparently his powers extend to manipulation, but not control, if he's telling the truth."
"Do you think he is…?" Alice asked gently, carefully resting a hand on Lynx's shoulder.
"Mm… yeah."
"I trust you, then," Alice sighed, handing Lynx that red ribboned box from before; except, it was unsealed now.
When she opened it, what lay inside was… a cell phone. Shiny, new, with one notification.
Aerendyl. Call me immediately, when you can.
"Ah shit… this was my… what's the holiday called…? My gift…"
"Mm, sorry, I was just trying to set it up for you, but Aerendyl pulled your number somehow. Go ahead and call; do you want space, or for us to be here while you do?"
"Be here," Lynx mumbled breathlessly, anxiety tightening in her chest as she swiped the phone unlocked, and dialed. Aerendyl picked up at the first ring just as Nara was climbing into bed beside her, curling up and putting her head on Lynx's thigh.
"Hey Lynx. Get to the Academy by four in the afternoon. You're not in trouble, and we're in this together. You gonna make it or am I going to come to that hotel and carry you? This is important. I was about to fly over there and shake you awake."
"Nn…" Lynx swallowed, looking sideways at Alice, who flashed her phone and nodded. Only about eleven in the morning… "-Yeah, we'll make it there. You lying about me in trouble."
"Made some mistakes. Don't lie to you, though. Still your friend. Sorry." Click. The line went dead.
"Still my friend, huh…" Lynx swallowed, drawing a slow breath, anger twisting in her gut. "Recruiting vulnerable prey, putting me in the news to reinforce CA image…"
"Lynx," Nara whispered, resting a hand on her thigh.
"Nah. Sending me into the sewers on bad information, almost getting me killed. The warehouse, the traps, the manipulation HE'S BEEN USING ME LIKE A DAMNED TOOL-!! HE'S NOT MY FRIEND, HE'S USING ME AS A PAWN AND CALLING IT KINDNESS- but he's only KIND to me when it makes him feel like a great, amazing angel. I don't care if he's trying; he's as broken as the rest of CA, throwing his weight around as it suits him and facing no consequences-"
"Lynx, where is this coming from,..?" Alice whispered, angling her head.
"S-Sorry," Lynx winced, clutching her chest, shaking her head. "It's just… he's safe in his chair, and somehow, I've been through all this already. I don't… I don't think he is my friend. I think I'm… just another way for him to feel better about himself. Getting the impression he saved me for his own conscience, and it was nothing to do with me. He… rehabilitated me, and then he vanished."
"Well…"
"No he did, vanish. Nara, your concert. Alice, your army. What did he do? Not to mention, he was the reason I went down there. Sure, I asked, sure, it's my fault too, but…"
Quiet, Alice squeezed her hand, gentle.
"We can talk about it later, love. Let's see what's waiting for us at the academy, okay?"
"Mm. Yeah. Whatever. I love you."
"Love you too. Bitch," Alice added with a playful wink, kissing her cheek as Nara slowly hugged the blonde's waist, nuzzling deeper against her lap.