[open] Owl Who Flew the Coop

[systemofadowny]

Sender: Octavia of the Ars Goetia
To: Everyone
Subject: Missing persons

Has anyone seen prince Stolas? He was here last night, safe and sound, but when I woke up, he was just gone, no note or anything. I know people usually disappear or wake up or whatever at the start of the month, but during? Dad would tell me if he was going anywhere. I'm scared.

Please let me know if you see him. I need to try and not freak out.

Comments

[herewardbound]

shit

look

oct

don't

i'm bad at this.

[systemofadowny]

It's okay. I get what you're trying to say. I think. Lot of guesswork involved.

I'll take it as a no on seeing him. God damn isekai dream world bullshit.

[herewardbound]

are you looking for comfort, support, or advice

[herewardbound]

i'm just going to shut up because i can't approach this topic without sounding like a complete fucking jackass do you want me to come over

[systemofadowny]

Honestly?

Yeah. If you can. I don't like being home alone.

[grandduchess_anya]

Oh dear, I’m really sorry about it. I sadly haven’t seen him earlier around town so I’m afraid that I’m very limited in what I can do to help at this time.

(As someone who lost a father (albeit more permanently) at a young age, Anya can’t help but to sympathize with Octavia’s dilemma.)

Sender: Angel Dust

[itsytitsyspider]

Your old man?

He's the twiggy owl demon who gives off major pillow princess vibes, right?

Sorry kiddo, haven't seen him.

[herewardbound]

And lo, did he arrive. Probably looking rather less okay than usual, which was an accomplishment- but he was here. Behold, Octavia, for he brings food. And tea.

And slightly lost-looking company.

"Hey."

Action

[helluvaboss]

[Blitzø is ashamed of how long it takes him to actually go to where Stolas and Via had been staying. He hadn't been active anywhere - he'd been in his house since yesterday, putting his house back together and tearing out things he couldn't stand looking at. The idea that Stolas was gone, and that he'd have to start all over-- and then he realized that he'd end up losing the other people he cared about if he 'woke up', too.

Don't panic. Don't panic. Get your shit together, your step-daughter needs you. Your daughter NEEDS you.

Needless to say, by the time he finally was opening the front door to check on Octavia, his eyes were puffy and he completely reeked of coffee and smoke.]

Via?

[systemofadowny]

Octavia's looking quite stressed, still in the middle of crying and trying to hide it is pointless. There's still some relief in seeing Akechi and a weak smile forms.

"Hey. Thanks for coming by. Please, come in."

The owl helps set the food and tea down and immediately tries to hug Akechi. Octavia can't help wearing her emotions on her sleeve, especially now. On the plus side, she's not much for words right now either.

[systemofadowny]

It's fine. I appreciate letting me know.

I think something happened for there to be no trace whatsoever. This dream world's on its bullshit again.

[systemofadowny]

That's him. It'd be really hard for him to go unnoticed; whatever happened, I don't think he did it on his own.

I'm starting to think he woke up.

[grandduchess_anya]

Yeah, this world does function in very strange ways when it comes to arrivals and departures that we can’t predict who might go poof all the sudden.

It is very messed up indeed.

[systemofadowny]

Dad...

(Via's quick to approach Blitz, looking just as puffy eyed as the imp. Poor girl's crying her eyes out and still has more to do. She doesn't have words right now, nothing that can wholly express what she's feeling. She does look into Blitz's eyes. He's just as wounded by Stolas' disappearance, in just as much pain....

Via reacts the best way she knows how to: a good, firm hug. One where she clearly needs supports, but tightens it for Blitz's sake, too. She gets it. Really.)

[helluvaboss]

[There is... a LOT more going on with Blitzø, but in his mind, a good dad doesn't dump that on his kids. They don't deserve that. He squeezes her back, wrapping his tail around in the hug too. He'll even give her a playful little poke to her beak.]

...It'll be okay, sweetie. We all have to wake up eventually, right?

[systemofadowny]

I don't like it. Maybe dad just woke up from all of this, but...why? Did something happen? Has he been here so long that it was time or something?

It's starting to feel existential.

[systemofadowny]

I guess, but...then he has to go back home, to how things were before he got here. And people stopped showing up like they usually do.

(Via can't help the tears flowing again, nuzzling Blitzø's neck.)

Are we just...waiting for this to end now...?

[grandduchess_anya]

From what the tapirs said, time doesn’t seem to move a bit as long as we’re all asleep and it will only go back again if we wake up in our worlds. I’m very worried that a dear friend will be worried about me when I first went into another world and then arrived in this world but he hasn’t woken up the last time I saw him and that was over 3 years ago at least to me.

Maybe there is something that happened back in your world and that must brought him back to the waking world? Something urgent perhaps?

[helluvaboss]

No, no, it's not like that...

[Well, maybe it is like that, but that isn't a thought he's equipped to entertain.]

You and your dad do the whole prophecies thing, right? No way that doesn't include dream journaling shit. He'll remember, so you'll remember, too.

[herewardbound]

Hugs were... still something he didn't know how to navigate. He just about managed an... extremely awkward sort of shoulder-pat. "I. Um. I'm here. I didn't- I know... how bad. Being alone fucks you up. When things like this happen. So whatever you want to do, whether it's... I don't know. Going out and looking, or talking about whatever, or... I, um. I'm here. Is what I'm getting at."

[itsytitsyspider]

That fucking sucks.

Yeah, I know how it is to have someone dissappear on ya with no notice. Its... not a pleasent feelin'.

[herewardbound]

Of course Blitz would show up. He... cared. Even though he was so obviously hurting, himself. He didn't comment on the likelihood of Stolas remembering, didn't trust himself to do so without ruining everything.

Still... Octavia's comment stung. Were they just waiting for all this to end? Was all this just... borrowed time?

Fire from the gods, or my future from the world. He frowned, remaining quiet for a moment longer while he listened, before cutting in.

"I've been... thinking. A lot about that, actually. Hey, Blitz. You..." No, too tired to fake it. "You look like shit. We have tea, and bad takeout."

[systemofadowny]

"It means a lot to me that you're." He's making an effort and that's more than enough for her. Pulling away from the hug, Octavia dries her eyes and takes a few breaths to relax herself.

"When I was a little girl, I used to have nightmares about being all alone in the house. It'd be empty and abandoned, and I can never find my dad in them. He made everything worthwhile for me growing up, and without him...nothing mattered. I didn't care for the wealth or status, I didn't have many friends and mom...even before I knew she was an ultra abusive bitch, she just...didn't care to be there for me. It was an obligation to her, if that."

She shakes her head. "I never want to imagine a life without him...but one night, he came to me after one of those nightmares, and sang a song that's still me. It's why my dreamotion magic comes out through song..."

[systemofadowny]

I'm afraid to imagine what might've woken him up. But you have a point. Maybe something happened that needed his attention. I just. I hope it's nothing too serious. Things haven't been easy for him.

But I guess by that logic, it's possible he could come back once he wakes up...

[systemofadowny]

I'm sorry. It's total bullshit when that happens.

Bunch of goddamn death and loss allegories, why the fuck is this something that happens here, fucking eldritch nightmare dream eater whatever it is

(She's just writing a bunch of angry things at this point.)