WOW! Mostly clean. But talks of mental instability. Transition paced oddly. Dream walkings and hii hallos there. Book reading happens too!

"Huh." Crux muses, her form within our Xafra's Driftdream... well, basically exactly the flesh she wore outside it. Perhaps a few extra months of changes woven through. Longer hair and slightly softer skin that brightens the freckles and eyes better, but mostly the same.

Which is fascinating in ways I wish so very much I had the time to be more openly curious about. Especially with how comfortable Adaline seems to be around her.

"So... It really is like one of those jars some people like to make. Where they build a little village or house or whatever inside." Xafra's youngest sister asks to no particular person that has stepped with us into the Driftdream.

"A miners-bottle?" Nadine asks from behind us as we walk onto the main road of the Driftdream village. Her appearance being somewhere in between the human she was and the sun-blessed we last saw her as, with patches of bark like scales on her skin and leaves growing from her hair.

"Nadine!" Adaline leaps at her and enfolds her into a huge worried hug. "You're in so much trouble and I'm in trouble and we messed up."

"Not sure I ever heard it called that." Crux turns to eye the hugging gerls. "Mostly knew of shipwrights doing it. And older sorts with more time than talent or pressing issues. And why is this random girl in this Dream jar in trouble?"

"She kidnapped Lynette and forced to her to try and merge with buried memories by holding me hostage in a dream loop." Xafra explains with a frown as the procession pauses.

Part of her here, giving her young sister a tour of this treasured place. The other above with Verbess. Seeking words with her other sister, I suspect.

"And Lynette is... the sister? The twin? The one that spiked the eyes of the Divine in the sky?" Crux asks, glancing to Schatzi for clarification. "The one that was inside Elevar but also split off into a new body or... something?"

"The very one." I answer and eye Nadine up and down. Tendrils clicking in open and insistent attempts to help me remain calm and steady. "She also happened to get a glimpse at something she felt the need to weave a spell to avoid sharing without my twin's permission. Isn't that right, Nadine? When Lynette tugged you into her Frame for a bit of a chat?"

Nadine nods solemnly as she hugs Adaline back. "I crossed a line, a number of them really, and I refused to be a point of vulnerability for my goddess further than I already am."

"And... You spoke with Adaline about this. Augusta even. And others? Asked their advice?" I continue. "Not your goddess, of course. That would ruin the scheme. And not me. Because that'd ruin it twice as quick. But my question is this. Now that the water has already washed across the Root Way and I'd rather not fuss over the damage just yet, what can you tell us? About your little adventure that ended with my twin cracking apart so badly it hurt her little one even before the day fell to bits? How were you a point of vulnerability in all this? Aside from your treachery, that is?"

"I'll say what I can, though I literally don't have the knowledge I learned from and with Lynette anymore. Only she does because I used a Bloodprice Bond to give that back to her as repayment for my debt incurred by kidnapping her. Lynette's room from Girra here in the Driftdream was empty. I gave myself over to Lynette completely so she could trust me, and she gave me to Tiffany which is how Tiffany is holding my other form. I was a weakness to Xafra because without realizing it, she stole me from Girra. That's how the Bloodprice weaves function. They can only be used to balance the scales turning desire into reality, and not perceived but actual debts. That debt was erased with the casting. If not, any sort of horror that invades the Driftdream could have used me to attack Xafra." Nadine explains.

Cracked and Riven… me. Of course not. Of course this gerl weakens my twin's state just before Augusta takes multiple foolish steps and has nothing to share as to help my twin now as everything is falling all to–

"And... that's resolved. Yes? The Debt. You're rooted well into Xafra's care?" I eye the gerl, keeping my temper well in check.

A call from behind, and we glance back to see Tiffany running up. Doubling over when she arrives, breathing heavily after seeming to run all the way from their cute little home and workshop. Taking a second to catch her breath. Such an... odd hammer in her hand. Something used for metal forging if I understand the odd craft.

"Mine. Apparently." Nadine's lover pants between words. "I. Neeed. You to not zoop off like that again. Please. And thank you."

Nadine shrugs Adaline off herself and walks over to Tiffany, "Yes dear. Sorry. I uhm... You know."

"Yes. I do. But... wow." She huffs a few more times, standing straight to give her lover a tired smile while using a small hug as an excuse to keep her balance. Then us all an apologetic look. "I'm starting to think. That. Miss Xafra and my Nadine share the dangerous mix of swinging without looking, and also the saying that you can only have one hammer swinging in the forge at a time. For safety. Alone and without second guessing because that's how you mess up the work. And I get it. But also. Wow. I am so sorry about Lynette. And today in general. I should have noticed and prodded my love into talking about what was bothering her. Because something was and I knew she was sneaking out to talk to everyone but you three."

"I... Yes. My deepest apologies." Nadine says, bowing to myself and Xafra.

"Lynette holds no spite over this, and I've no patience for grudges unless... well, my Xafra thinks it prudent." I sigh and offer after a pause. Letting my anger stay firmly rooted on the Beast Below and not a foolish gerl just trying her best to help keep those she loves safe.

"I mostly think you need to apologize to Tiffany. The dream loop you trapped me in was... Rather intimate and involved her after all." Xafra says with a light blush.

Tiffany giggles so abruptly a little snort escapes unbidden past her slowly calming breaths. "Oh. She has. Multiple times. Been very sweet while we all bunked down through this past day. And you've had that memory from both sides for years, Miss Xafra. So I'm not bothered. If anything I'm flattered that she used such a soft and sweet one to tie you up with."

Schatzi giggles as well before interrupting, "As fun as this is, I believe we had things to discuss that likely don't involve orgasms."

"Please and thank you." Jezrial grumbles from the back. Then speaks up. "The wider goals here were to introduce Crux to the Driftdream, give her an idea of ground rules and such. Then see if anyone here is interested in her type of entertainment."

"Also to check the Library and Temple's here to see if they can offer some insight on contacting Xafra's mother, the Moon Witches, or even the Second borne that should have a room there." I add while nodding to her. "And... huh. Crux should have a space there too. Yes? Especially if Sekrhús does."

"There was two rooms still sealed until earlier today when Crux arrived and one opened yes." Xafra confirms. "Ground rules are simple, no harming anyone without their permission, no tearing holes in the Driftdream, you can leave by following your tether out, and try to be nice."

Crux, glancing around, takes to chuckling as her eyes continue to take in the town. "Will do my very best, most of the time. Eh... half that. Won't lie then tumble deeper into this pit of hungry sand to pay thrice the price."

And.... Wait. Has she changed more? Lost some muscle. Seems healthier. All things observed. But there is an oddness to it. A manic glimmer to her eyes.

"And what's this about a room that opened up? I can tell you here and now I really won't be able to stay here for any span of time. Just like any jar. Ya know? Suns look right. But the sky and forest around is all wrong. Like glass."

"It's not meant for the living, or the awake really. Mostly crafted to try and stave off madness while I was..." Xafra trails off with a shudder. "I promise you can leave whenever you wish. It's a jar but there's no lid for you."

"Xafra's niece decided to be creepy and mystical and made a big temple to your family that updates as reflections of you all. There's probably not much in your room yet but it might be more than you're willing to share." Adaline explains.

As Xafra spoke, that odd glimmer grew brighter. Odder. Like I've seen odd eyes in the dark of the jungle reflect the light. But at Adaline's words Crux snaps from it. Settle as her smirk turns to my wife. Totally calm. "Huh. So... two thinking they're my sisters, a one thinking I'm her aunt? Weirder and weirder. Waiting for that boot to fall, honestly. So let's see how many steps we get before I stop behaving. Augusta seemed to get a few guesses closer than most, but nothing that couldn't be explained by her spooky magic."

"There's something uniquely amusing about having an atheist as a sister. Anyway, Adaline has a point. I'll let you check out your space in the temple alone or with whoever you wish, and decide if you'd like it closed off from everyone else?" Xafra offers.

"Nope. It's fine. Anyone that wants to can come see what oddness is there. I pity the bitch that tries to build anything leaking from my thoughts. And I know the Divine's are pissing about." Crux shrugs, almost seems to sober a bit, but then that grin is back as she struts forward along the path. "Just... Heh. Your sister got me pinned. Honestly. Muck-chewing bargain bin horror. Ehehehe. That's me."

The group moves to follow her. Not… really knowing or wanted to poke at that just yet. But a few steps along an old friend reaches out to me along the bond.

[Mistress Elevar?] Rufus's voice intones warily.

"You all go on ahead. I'll be trailing behind a touch." I murmur to my Pack, shooing them along. "Got to have a quick chat with one of our wayward gaggle."

Then intone back to my oldest friend. ['Mistress' is it? Feels a touch formal. But regardless. How go your travels, dear one? I trust no more oddness has consumed the Groves or Root Ways?]

[Oh thank Sín you've responded. I've been trying to get ahold of Lady Xafra for half a weeping, and there's a violent static that blocks my every attempt] He answers with palpable relief. [We just picked up Dregden and have Adze with us ready to head towards the new Temple, but Calix has started acting... oddly and I'm concerned.]

[Ah. Apologies. That's our doing. Her Name, Strife, was reacting poorly. The Pack has been working to shroud her from all things that could agitate it.] I explain. [But you'll have to be specific. Calix is odd by definition. It's a good quality of his. And honestly, Sekrhús is roused. Girra has been wounded. And my twin decided to fight an over-sized lizard which was able to crack her supposedly unbreakable Frame. I'd be surprised if his Oracle sight wasn't gifting him all manner of panic over the way our futures could turn. To which seems to trouble him?]

[He's washed his hands at least three dozen times today, and when I asked about it he says it's important to get all the blood off of them.]

I wince and slow. [He... If I'm being honest. I think your love has spent a very long time contending with the calculus intrinsic to his sight. The cost to avoid larger disasters, the lives of others. Sometimes... sometimes needing direct intervention. If I had to guess. Was always curious how someone with his sight and age would allow the old cunt to Garrote him. Drag him back here. And today, many have died. And tomorrow. possibly more. And he's had ways to alter these events. May feel Strife, even. I... I'm not sure. Would you like me to speak with him?]

[If you would? It may soothe his anxiety a bit.] Rufus answers.

[Of course. We're introducing the new feral sister to the Driftdream now. I have time. And if my physical presence is needed I'll have Xafra weave myself a Goreway.]

Then I reach out, carefully. [Hello Calix. Do you have time to talk? I wanted your advise on a few things. And to ensure you're... well, not okay. But at least well-taken care of. Amidst all the nonsense that seems to abound today. Okay may be quite the challenge to find for a bit.]

There's a cracking sound like fresh branches twisted into knots as Calix responds, [Oh! Mistress Elevar, this one didn't expect to hear from you but has time to talk. It's pretty messy over here, this one keeps leaking blood from his eyes and mouth which is quite inconvenient. The Skulk is doing really well though! Even have little Adze helping with some training.]

[May I... ask why you believe your Frame to be leaking such things?] I ask gently. [And... apologies. If you've tried to reach out to Xafra. Is there anything I can do to help? Or ask her to aid with?]

[This one can feel it. Not physically but through the Oracle sight, the blood pours and it is only the beginning of the flood to follow, yet less than the would-have-been-never-more. Are the distant future children not yet to be born for generations more vital and worthy than the masses that bleed and die by our actions and inaction? Why does our goddess not share her blessing-curse? The once-dead who walks again is the first of many but will be the last, touched by nine Divines, enough to slip the noose, yet satisfied to remain at the gallows for death and taxes are the eternal business and business is bitter. This one is sorry, there is so much talking and the blood clings.] Calix rants, anxiety growing more apparent as the mask of calm slips away.

I move to sit as my Pack moves along. Stopping to... to make sure I don't miss a single word of this.

Etch it into the slowly growing shelves of my little Archive for later examination.

Because things that seem like mad babbling have roots in more important soil than I often know to respect. And if there is anything I owe him more of. It's that. Honestly. Fool boy he is and has fallen into love with, Calix has been fighting to be a better person than he was in the past longer than I've been alive.

[Thank you.] I whisper back into the tense quiet between us. [And... Empty Skies. I am so sorry you're feeling all that. The weight of all this is hitting you too. I... I'm going to... We need to help you to. Like we did Xafra. Find a way to soften your Sight's bite. I... But I'm not sure who to...]

Then... a quiet voice intones through me. One from the dark that should hold my twin but has remained as still and somber as a corpse pit in the years after even the Cursestorms abandon them.

[Calix. How far off from the Dirtthing's Temple are you?] Lynette asks gently.

[Two days journey. We are camped at the start of the new marble causeway.] He responds carefully.

[There is a Spire latching itself onto the Temple. I can use the tunnels to get there, then get to you within roughly a few hours? My Einwandfrei lets me skip distances like a rock across water. And...] My twin hesitates. Seems to fight with herself for a pause. [I have a weave. A working that could soothe things for you. Not entirely, not permanently. But... could clear the waters a bit? Help you stop up some of the leaks? Drain the venom?]

[That would be helpful as long as the venom isn't wasted. It's one of the most important ingredients in the process of making antivenom, you know?] Calix answers once more.

Lynette giggles with more than a little unsteadiness to the sensation. [Of course. I'll be sure to spit it into a jar for you to keep after I draw it from your Frame. Then you can brew whatever you will with it. Does that sound agreeable?]

[Yes Ma'am, this one will await your arrival.] Calix states firmly.

[Good. Suffer well, Dear one.] She agrees. Then... is gone.

The spaces between us empty and silent as before.

I hesitate, taking in his words with a touch more calm knowing my twin can help him. [Apologies. I did not expect her to interrupt, but hope she can help you. But in the meantime... May I ask a question? About your words before? Specifically about this... 'once dead who walks again'?]

[Yes, Mistress. The one Augusta made?] He says with curiosity, evidently holding back the strain he's under.

[Prevoriis. Yes. That makes sense. They seem oddly suited and happy to walk the path Augusta lays out. And... Xafra's blessing curse? Her Name, you mean? Or am I misunderstanding?] I ask.

[The harmsense it grants. This one can feel the edges of it and knows it could be shared. A blessing of reassurance to some, a curse of awareness to others.]

[Seems... like when I was first becoming myself. How it hurt but was important. Especially in the tits.] I huff a chuckling sigh. [But she's a Divine. And it's so much worse for her and you and so many caught beneath. We're hoping to help her focus it. Change it. The Pack is already doing so. Will take time. But... I'm hoping with Lynette helping you that we can push through this. Make something better. But... Can we? Calix? Or are we just slipping farther into worse places? Can Xafra's niece be negotiated with? Tamed? And this new sibling she's had thrust into her arms?]

[A burden shared is a burden lightened. We must continue. The Festering Stardust can become the bones of the greatest spell ever seen, only if taught to care, to trust, and to relinquish what was stolen so she may claim herself.] A pause deepens in his words that makes me think he's finished speaking before he continues [The carrion eater is part of the cycle and brings renewal while scorned like all such pests by those blind to the truth. What else could a child be without Love?]

Before I can respond any further, Rufus reaches out again. [Calix just fell asleep. He looks calmer now and is snoring so whatever you said seems to have settled him.]

[Good. Cracked and Riven Mo... me. MYself. That's a relief. Lynette should arrive in a few hours. Will offer a spell to help him further.] I reply while standing and moving to catch up with the group. [Is there... anything else I could offer you?]

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

A light-hearted chuckle begins his response. [No, dear, but thank you. I recognize how much you've got set in front of you already and if Lynette can help Calix then all my problems are manageable.]

[That is the way of things. Isn't it? If our lovers are tended to we can figure out all the rest as the tides flow in.] I can't help but laugh with him, then offer a gentle. [Love you dearly, Rufus. Be safe. Thank you for your trust.]

Catch up with my Pack as they are exploring the Temple.

Find it... so odd. Even more than before.

Sekrhús' work on some other place for my Xafra and augusta reaching even here. Adjusting the layout. And can swear I am catching the scent of a strange forest wafting through the hallways.

"I was hoping to share mine with you, as it conveys... More of myself, but it seems that Sekrhús is feeling a bit insistent on my temple being part of the Real." Xafra is saying to Crux as I approach. "It's less intense than my Core room, which... If you want to see it, I'll show you, but it may harm you and I'd rather avoid that."

"Eh... I'll take your advice on that. Hold off till I'm more comfortable with your weird Dream space." Her sister murmurs, taking a pointed step back. "Not really sure I'd handle fuckery this deep? Might start trying to chew my way free and that would break rule number two. Also might stop being nice. Which was rule... one? Or was that three?" She looks to Adaline and Schatzi. "I'm going to be honest, I already forgot if there was even a fourth rule. Which I actually feel kinda bad about if I did."

"Two rules, a promise, and a request, to be exact. Being nice was a request not a requirement. Not everyone here has the best... Handle on their emotions." Adaline answers with a smile.

And Crux is... even farther along in that form's changes. So much that I can see some of what she must have when picking this body.

Hair is still a mess, somehow more unkempt with its length. But soft and more vibrant. Breast development makes that shirt Schatzi made her an even more perfect choice with how it catches their edges while slicing down nearly to her belly button.

And it's... so odd. How I remember hating that phase of my own changes. Being far enough along to be know as something other than what I was, so obviously a Half-knit, and barely shifted.

Basically begging the old cunt to tear my more to pieces to ease the fleshspite. Unable to see anything but what I hated about the old flesh. But... Xafra's sister seems nothing but comfortable and even more confident there.

As she should, honestly. Her visions for that body are... well, impressive.

"Wouldn't know anything 'bout that. Lost track of mine round... half a century ago? If you see them scurrying around don't tell them where I am. It was a messy split." Crux snarks back with a grin, hesitates, then adds. "So... If Xafra and Augusta's Temple's are sealed up... You know what? Actually? Let's see it. This Core room. I mean. My space can wait. I'm curious why you think it'll prick me."

"It contains all my memories, including the many centuries of being sealed in a room unable to move." Xafra says, offering Crux an appraising look. "Let's go then, it's attached to the Archive which is our other main destination anyway." With an unneeded gesture, the one wall of the Temple hall melts away into the entrance of Xafra's innermost sanctum. "Tiffany, is everything relatively in order in the Archive?"

"Unless one of the girls decided to go in and mess everything up, or you wanted to shake everything about.... yes?" The Geist replies while moving to pass through first with Nadine tugged behind. Stops to take an appraising look around. Then nods and glances back. "Nope. Mostly intact still. Ever since you took my advise to keep the books glued in place until someone wants to take a look-see even your worst shakes don't do much but dishevel a few of the smaller books."

"That's a relief. I was worried the episode earlier would have increased your workload many times over." Xafra says with chagrin. "Would you lead the way to the Core?"

"Course. Right this way." Tiffany agrees and starts down a pathway to the left. Humming happily while twirling that odd hammer about in the hand that doesn't hold her lover's.

"Oh this is exciting, Sister Xafra never lets people into her Core room. I bet it's messy with half eaten bits of metal and has like, a dozen blanket piles!" Schatzi exclaims.

Crux's face scrunches in playful confusion. "Huh. Guess that makes sense. Since she started out as a spear and we are what we eat. Also to get all her big shape's bones coated with metal. But... How would she melt it down? Does she have a forge-shape? Or... Some of that weird Acid I once saw a smith using? That would be neat."

"Oh my Doll form does have a forge torso, modelled after Tasofina, one of my Dolls, but I've always been able to eat... Well, everything." Xafra tosses Crux one of her lunargent glass coins, "I made these in my body. Which... sounds bloody weird to say out loud."

She catches it deftly, holds it up to the light while we walk. Expression turning more serious before she lets out a low whistle of approval. "Woooow. You enjoy some fine dining here. I don't normally chew on rocks, but this? I've gotten in trouble tracking down, stealing, and chopping up a few trinkets made of the stuff. Treat it like salt on a corpse and you can make some really special flavors."

"It's Lunargent. Pieces of our Mothers Divinity. Lethal to touch for humans. I have a fair bit more if you'd like some." Xafra explains as she stops in front of a simple wooden door. "Alright. In we go."

A deep breath, then she's opening the door and leading us inside.

It's... Well the basis seems to be like the Archive the bug Verbess killed found her in. The space which trapped her for many many millennia.

But decorated like it never could be. Filled to bursting with mementos to the life she found after being freed.

The first wall I spot holds portraits of her eight wielders. Most well enough kept, others mared by blood that soaked them to unrecognizability. The last two... framed in the finest jade holding depictions of myself, and my twin.

With a shelf below that holds adorable physical mimics to each Doll she's ever claimed. Each positioned with such love and care next to their closest lovers and friends.

And there are even windows here. But ones that look out over the twisting landscapes each of the Pack members wove.

Once I step inside I spot that beside the doorway are more pictures. Images of her family. Jezrial, Augusta, Sekrhús, Crux, Myself, Lynette, and even the little ones. With Sikkina's being the only image not dripping with detail. And Sekrhús and Crux's being more… vague. Adjustable?

The last wall holds weapons of all shapes and sizes. With the silver sword among the rest and without a place of reverence despite the importance she showed us it has. But... also weeping blood that pools below. not flooding the room as it drains away into a nearby hole.

And within the center of the room is such a swirl of my Xafra's wisps. Kept safe from the wider Driftdream, babbling out endlessly her random but important thoughts.

I step up beside her while taking in the space. Starting to feel how each of these items glow with her thoughts and emotions on the subject.

"You've tended to yourself quite well, I think." Whisper gently. Just to her. As the gaggle behind takes in the space.

"Thank you. It became easier to handle the Driftdream end after my Ascension since normally a part of me is always here working." she whispers back.

Shift around the little cloud of Wisps as they burp and whisper and sometimes giggle or snarl thoughts of their Goddess. Letting fingers gently trail through to pet the little darlings at the heart of my Xafra.

Tiffany pulls Nadine to the shelf murmuring gently as they admire the little mimicry of the Dolls without. Jezrial to the windows, examining the vast landscapes the Pack have wove through the Driftdream. Asking Schatzi a few questions about their designs.

Crux, though, remains at the doorway only a few half steps inside. That coin gifted being rolled between her fingers as eyes take in the space.

"This... it's the deepest point. Right?" She asks Adaline. Expression stiff. Careful. "Here. This spot. Like a rock keeping a cup from falling over with its weight."

"The sword, technically. The room is to... Reduce the pressure on the rest of the Driftdream somewhat, to my understanding." Adaline responds as she returns to Crux's side.

"Sword? What... Sword...?" Crux mumbles, eyes slowing rolling over everything to finally land on the weapon that bleeds. Blinks and tilts her head. As if the sight will make more since at forty-five degrees. "Huh. So... More like a needle holding a scrap down during a storm? Or, no. That's wrong too."

And it's like thrice the changes from before pass through her. All at once. Years and years between blinks.

And with those changes passed her confidence wavers a touch. Gaze shifts to take in the room. Then Xafra herself. The coin she's been rolling between fingers slowing to a stop. Bare feet seeming to find the floor suddenly uncomfortable as they flex away.

"Could I ask a question that might make you decide it's time to drop the boot?" Crux asks.

"Go on." Xafra says patiently.

A hesitation, then she carefully speaks. "How many times did you melt that sword down and eat it. When you were trapped, I mean? Start over. Before getting out."

"Over the course of sixteen thousand years, I tried about four thousand times. At that point I was also chained mentally and couldn't... Affect the sword. Haven't tried since. Was told it could dissolve my connection to the Real entirely." Xafra answers with a half smile.

Crux lets out such a huff of relief. Tension cracking as she runs a hand through her now long messy mane of hair. "Okay. That's... Huh. Well, I think if you wanted to now for remodeling purposes and not escape reasons you'd be fine. You've good weight to your grip on the dirt outside, a Pack tethered to your hips and tits, and there aren't any big storms around to kick you free of things."

Xafra brightens "I'll try that later then." She walks over to the sword and wipes it off on her pants. "I spent... A long time going mad. At times I still worry that I'm imagining all of this, that I'm merely experiencing my last moments of existence in slow motion while the room I'm buried in floods with sea water, but... That's also the beauty of madness. I choose to believe this is real because it's real enough to me. I hope that the love I've found and family we've made exists outside my head. And I'm choosing to trust you, even if you don't believe me yet." Xafra offers the sword for Crux to hold. "I'm restraining the rest of the memories but right now, if you touch this, you can feel my oldest sensations, before I was summoned and turned into a weapon. It's how I know you're my sister. "

Jezrial seems a touch worried at that. Tiffany curious but pretending not to overhear as she continues to lure her love into cooing over how adorable all the little Dolls on the shelf are.

This feral Divine considers that for a few heartbeats, very obviously conflicted. Mumbling to herself. "Do I touch the spooky bloody sword? Chew on the weird possible mind magic inside? I mean... Yeah? Course I do. How is that even a question?" Then reaches out with her free hand. Holding the blade balanced on twin fingers. Actually displaying a deft understanding of weight I've seen a few gerls display with weapons of a similair type.

At first... nothing changes. Crux just seems confused. A little amused. But then...

"But... What? How are you...?" She's hissing, doesn't even to realized she's talking aloud. Eyes glazed over more than a little. "No. No no no. That was just me. Myself. Stuck in a clutch of still blind rats because their dead mother only half... like..."

Crux shoves the sword back into Xafra's arms. The hand that held it bleeding black ooze like it's been sliced as she backs away. No more words escaping her as she glares at Xafra.

Xafra silently puts the sword back on the wall.

"Two first. One after the other. Not even the oldest. Just... the biggest. The warmest. Could hold all the rest of us at the same time." Crux snarls, but her fury is melting into... something else. Pain. Pain that seems to make her form crack farther along in it's changes. "I remember their... their screams. I never heard a rat make that sound ever again. Centuries later even. Nothing close to it. You're telling me that was you? Or... and..."

"Yes." Xafra whispers, "and our currently lost sister, Scales Changed. Augusta just confirmed it for me. She's the one who attacked Lynette."

I... wince at that.

The second biggest sibling is the one who struck my twin? And... she's had years to develop her skills?

Cracked and Riven... Something. Is that going to be a problem to solve. If nothing else... Thank you, my twin whom I know is probably listening, for promising Xafra that you'd not try fighting that foe alone again.

Lynette offers no reply to the thought. But the stillness where she should be within my mind seems to stir in annoyance. Maybe. Not sure.

"I don't know if... But this is all just..." Crux growls, squeezing the gifted coin so tight I worry she'll crack it. And... she's starting to leak a touch. More of that black ooze dribbling from an ear and nostril. "And the Scales Changed? Are you serious? The weeping Suns' favorite Storm? That's... Oh I hate that. The Sun-Blessed may think I'm a little shit but they always have kept me away from that. Her."

"Augusta believes that she was bound similarly to me, to be harnessed against us." Xafra says with distress. "We... need to leave this room. Please."

Crux nods. Backs up and out of Xafra's Core room.

I step up to my Xafra. Murmur gently while everyone else moves to leave and we follow. Waiting to ask once we're outside and the room is sealed closed. "Maybe... we take a look at Crux's room in the Temple later? Your niece tends to... have interesting and possibly upsetting ideas as to things."

"Not without Crux's presence. There's going to be things there that are private and I don't want to start with a breach of trust." Xafra says before there's a loud series of crashes on the other side of the door.

I wince at that, but only entwine fingers through hers. Don't press. Part of her needs to vent fury in loud but... private ways.

Can relate to that, less so these days. But it's mostly due to not being certain that any part of us could be trusted with loud furious violence. Not with so many needing us to be their steady ground.

Crux eyes the door, considers saying something. But... Empty Skys, despite how well her form is taking to the changes. How much confidence I know myself or any other half-knit would find in it more perfect than ever before. She seems wretchedly unsteady. Like most gerls and boys like us do at the very start.

So instead she just... turns and continues moving down the passageways. In the general out directions if I had to guess. But can't be certain.

"Of course, that's what I meant. But there are been a few revelations acquired in a short span of time. Even seemed to have found a way to start convincing Crux of things. And if you both would prefer to wait? I think that could be a good idea." I explain.

Xafra gives me a tight smile and murmurs "Thank you" before speaking up, "Tiffany, would you lead us to a nice sitting area to have this brainstorming session?"

"Yeah, sure. Know just the spot." She agrees.

Then we are lead through the hallways of the library. Not far, though. Just... to a series of rooms that split off. Side nooks. Most big enough for more than a few to lounge on the soft couches while reading.

And along the way our guide plucks books off the shelves. At first only a few but then enough that she has her lover take up carrying the load of over a dozen tomes and journals.

"Would you prefer one with a stupid amount of windows and suns' light, none, or... Only a little?" Tiffany asks Xafra while considering the spaces.

"Only a little suns light." Xafra mentions, as Crux and Adaline wander off out of the Archive.

Our guide nods and moves into the nook with only a few windows. Has Nadine help her set out the books gathered across a table that sits off to the side.

"So. These are all the records on your understanding of Sun-Blessed things around the time they migrated to the seas, Witch Garrote weaves from that time period including the one removed from you, and... well, weather patterns over the oceans. Just in case the 'storm' title is literal." Tiffany explains. "Because Crux being someone kinda... not talked about makes sense. She's small and avoids being known. But the fact Girra has never talked to you or Augusta about this Scaled lizard storm... thing. Is weird. Right? And even the Sun-Blessed avoided anything but odd analogies and metaphors."

"Lynette described it as a spellform and I'm inclined to agree. If I put my focus into it, I could probably do something similar, though as you know I prefer a more Grakler type shape."

"Mhm. Exactly. Which is also weird because she left behind physical bits, at least from what your memories saw." Tiffany picks up one of the bigger tomes and starts flipping through to a certain page. Like she's read that exact book enough to have a glossary in her head. "Which means she's either breaking the Ousia conversion metrics, has gathered up more than even you had at your most angry and scary, or... Isn't using Ousia. Which would track. Actually. Augusta mainly uses Miasma, and I think Crux might be similar. So it stands to reason that this girl can only use, or specializes in, Nomos. Which, funny enough, after the Sun-Blessed fully claimed the oceans the storms and hurricanes that come from them are filled with Nomos. Which makes them hard to counter with Witch magic."

I blink. Impressed by those deductions. And... can't help but realize how well paired Xafra's brilliance is with her ability to act on reflex. Tiffany and Nadine's temperaments are twinned songs that harmonize.

"Quick note... While I'm not trying to hide things from Lynette, I'd rather Warden not get in trouble due to Lynette knowing we immediately went after her when she asked Warden to run." Xafra begins as she starts flipping through the pages of the book on sun-blessed. "Also I thought we were going to try to figure out how to contact the Moon Witches or Sín herself? This is useful stuff for figuring out more about my scaly sister and Ideal Horizon, to be sure, but uhm... Also rather worried about my Names. Verbess has offered some poignant advice, yet I'd like more before I start pressing against any bounds, especially since everything that's happened."

Tiffany points to Jezrial while hesitating on a page and without even looking up. "Why get books when we have the expert right here? Er... At least the source of this library's knowledge without the redacted bits your Garrote stole away. Might be outdated. But it's what we got unless you mean to ask Girra or Dammerung how they chat with her or those living on the Moon. Or prod at Sekrhús or Lynette to check the Estate's Archives."

"We'd... have to wait for night for my ritual to work." Jezrial offers. "Midway point is best. It's when she's closest to us. Takes a spark of Ousia, and it was taught that Lunargent artifacts made things better still. Not sure if the words have changed. But like what you mentioned happened with Dammerung, she might manifest through another. Or have envoy's set up to take up a calling she can't or won't answer. Could be our best chance at making contact."

Xafra snaps her fingers. "Envoy! We might need Rufus then, I think. He's the one who got an Einwandfrei from her."

"Him and Calix are roughly two days from the new Temple to Dämmerung. And apparently a Spire decided to sprout right up against it. Lynette actually means to visit Calix to help calm his Sight. Could ask Rufus to either travel back here through those tunnels then. Sooner if our talks with Sekrhús go well today." I muse while moving to take up a tome myself. Finding it to be a journal on the Garrotes we removed. Seems... heavier than it looks.

"It also means we might already have a boy in good standing with them." My mother agrees.

"If they're nearly there, we should wait till they're done. Exploring that temple is important as well, though I don't think I have the capacity to join them like I planned originally." Xafra says with a bit of embarrassment.

"Well, I think it's good to be honest about your limits so we can properly support you." Schatzi says firmly.

Ah. The book is not a thing that could exist easily in the Real. This single tome contains everything on the topic my Xafra knows. Literally something that could be 50 books cheated into a single little object for easy perusal. So impressive.

"Agreed. And we can avoid rushing ahead here." I smile while flipping through the work. Glad for my Doll's words to help us make wise choices. "Dämmerung isn't running off, and neither is the Moon. Better to let them wait a bit longer while we steady ourselves. Gather knowledge and such. Understand what awaits us."

Trying to find... What? Something pricks at my memories as to an important fact. Either... something I spotted in my work on Xafra's two? Or... her observations on the Doll's bonds?

We… settle into things after that. Each picking out a book and trying to connect countless dots together.

"Oh. Here's something interesting. Rumours kira overhead about a mythical place under the seas safe from the sun-blessed." Xafra comments after a while.

"Who'd she hear that from again?" Tiffany asks, setting her book aside to crawl over and peek over the book Xafra's nuzzled up with beside me.

"Jekras. The sun-blessed who's body I killed before incorporating Kira into my gestalt."

"Facinating." I muse in surprise. "One of His mentioning a place to the odd bandit about this holds... much more weight than elsewise. Did she hear anything else about this?"

"No... However, I remember Rokals saying something about the bondsmiths in one of her histories retreating to the sea to escape the Flesh Empress. She thought it was a creative euphemism for suicide but... Perhaps it wasn't." Xafra says with excitement.

"Huh. Weird." Tiffany murmurs and pulls back. "Well, she'd probably love to share everything she knows. Especially at the idea that they could actually have made a place to live down there. Another question to ask around about if we get back on good terms with the Sun-Blessed. That is."

"And I know for a fact this place has records of the Flesh Empress. Might even have like... been a part of that entire mess." I add while setting this big tome aside. Feeling so... lost. The itching idea that I'm missing something nibbling without relief this entire time. A detail that could aid us more than I'd expect.

"Something to look at later then. I'd rather not give Sekrhús direct access to the Driftdream yet, just in case."

"Agreed." I nod, tip-tapping nails on the pages of the my book. "Speaking of which. Where should we have that talk today? The Loom within the Undercroft still exists. And you mentioned having good talks with her in your budding Temple. But... Hmmm... Where did Augusta speak with her? We didn't sense anything amiss either time."

"All the way down." Xafra replies with discomfort. "Which I'd rather not do, but will if necessary."

I pale a touch at that.

"The Corpse Pits? That... Was so incredibly stupid of her. To go there without you to ensure she would be allowed to leave." Can't help but whisper through a wince. "But I suppose that explains how they exchanged Names. The oldest part of her Threads are there. Where she is at her most... herself. Power is the wrong word for it. I assume it is much like your Core room. Would also be her most vulnerable spot. But this is where Augusta might have a perspective we could use. Might help us find more neutral ground."

"I believe it was a matter of trust. Augusta making herself vulnerable enough to be believed. Sekrhús showing her... Her twin. The one she was made by a coven of Witches to devour and replace while under the control of her makers. She still has the bones, kept safe and secure... Sekrhús is what Sikkina would have been if not for me meeting you, yet somehow more compassionate."

I truly am so glad that I am unable to break anything within my Xafra's Driftdream with an errant gesture. Because my nails dig deep into this Tome at that revelation. Tear into three pages as such Spite and madness bubbles up to consume me.

"Made?" We hiss. "Not grown? Not... woven by Hive. Or any other lover in consort with her? But a thing wrapped around your niece's throat and used to choke her while whispering soft words to–"

Jerk from my twin's anger, and she away from me. A spite that burned so hot ruining Lynette's deliberate attempts to remain separate shriveling like parchment over a flame.

And then she's gone. Closed off before more than a flicker of her pain is something I get to feel.

Alone again.

"Drat. Sorry. Just... Give me a few heartbeats. That struck a wound." I whisper, trying to regain my own voice and thoughts. "Empty Skies and Drowned Groves. No wonder she's everything she is. The gerl is a Garrote, or... started out as one. At least in shape." Bonk my head against the soft cushions behind me. "Always thought the Threaded design to her was odd."

Xafra closes the tome she's looking through, and stands. "Yes. But Augusta and I have claimed her as family regardless of her origins. Even more so now knowing for certain, she is ours. She cannot help how she was made, but we can help how she grows."

Xafra holds back tears as she settles herself beside me. "The blanket I wove her, she uses as a bed for her twin's remains. And that brings me so close to breaking I don't know how to process it."

Let a hand reach out to wrap around hers. Struggling to... to organize all of that. Especially alongside the flash of rage from my twin that now hides herself from me.

"I... Really? I can't... Can't imagine that pain. Being born with a twin, only to lose her. To be responsible. To be..."

Guilty.

"Oh... Oh Cracked and... Did your sister know? When she Named her?" I stammer, needing to focus so hard to weave a mote of Physis between us. One containing Calix's answer to my question about our future. Offering it to my Xafra.

"She hasn't said, but I suspect that she had a sense for guilt before she died like I do for strife. And I can imagine how much that decision to lash out is eating at her now." Xafra states quietly, her voice wavering.

"And yet Sekrhús adores Augusta. So much. Even before she left. More than ever now. Doesn't see the strike as a... as anything but a gift from beloved family." I whisper into the room that's gotten so quiet. "No wonder our sister was willing to give Sekrhús anything last night. Anything to help show her that she wasn't alone anymore."

"This one can relate." Schatzi comments quietly.

"How do we even..." I trail off, looking to my first Doll. "Were she a child. Even a Doll or spiteful Witch. I'd have some idea how to help that doesn't let her drown our loved ones in her grief and guilt. But if she passes all soft gifts to her long lost twin, and only keeps the wounds... What if all she wants from family is suffering? Misery? Conflict? Because that's all that lasts? All just..."

Scars to Keep Close

I... Don't know how I remember that Name of Xafra and Augusta's brother. Know that it's something Sekrhús etched into the mind and soul and Dreams of the last Divine to visit these grounds.

One that visited the Corpse Pits to see the Beast Below.

"Augusta has already started the process. Gave her something she couldn't give away as easily." My mate says softly. "A name that doesn't scream of pain, but instead... potential."

Festering Stardust. Such an... odd pair of words. And that's before trying to absorb the idea of little sparkles of light tilting alongside the moon as Xafra promises there are.

Jezrial speaks up then. Carefully at first, but with more firm confidence as she offers more. "I sure hope she's as good at therapy as Adaline boasts. Because we're only just now arriving at the 'clean the wound step', and this place thrashing about while we try to help is going to be... a problem. She may not be a Divine, but she had thousands of years to root down and sprout thorns. Will be like that time... You remember early on, kid? That small lil thing of a girl that got melted to her Warded armor? How she died on the slab because I couldn't get her to calm down and let me weave to get her out? This feels like that."

"I remember. it's why I crafted the injection arm, so I could simply drink any of your sedatives and stab it into recalcitrant patients to save their lives." Xafra answers grimly. "Prevoriis is here now. Shall we head out?"

I agree and we move to rise. Say our goodbyes to Tiffany and Nadine, then rise up and out at Xafra's Will.

Find Augusta's first Revenant idly glancing over the grakler frame that's been laid out on the table, but turning to regard us all as we rise from the Driftdream.

Steps back as we all stir and gain awareness. Gaze shifting over to Crux as she shakes free and hops to her feet. Body unchanged despite the shifts we could see from before. And growing more comfortable by the heartbeat.

That is... until eyes meet Prevoriis'. And she goes still.

"Not here for you." Augusta's Revenant huffs, then rolls eyes back to us at the table. "Was told you had a couple sweet but prickly Dolls that you wanted me to see to?"

"Yes. Mom, Prevoriis has a rather significant amount of knowledge about the era and region they lived which could be of interest. they are from the main continent and fell shortly before yselda rose to power here. Augusta was thinking that they could work with Presephona's darlings to make a good record?"

"They'd be up for that. Have been itching for a good task to take up their focus." Jezrial agrees, moving to rise. "I'll take you over and do introductions? Then we can head to the Library Spire to get materials."

"Huh. Wouldn't mind doing that between my work. Lead the way." They agree and follow her toward the tunnels together.

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