tdr_backup | (no subject)

~Hal had asked Lilah what she was doing, and she had forced a flippant "nothing at all, handsome, just keep walking," but the truth was she was just a bit shaken at that particular moment. Things didn't really get any better as the three came into Town Proper. Lilah didn't know what she expected but the rows and rows of buildings so similar and featureless as to be as dizzying as the maze of Bulls was so NOT IT. She forced on through the streets with her two companions, dodging into alleys as demons passed them in the streets and peering into window after window, seeing way too many things inside they really hadn't wanted to ever see in their lives or their afterlives. Becoming frustrated, Lilah pushed the other two on, becoming more and more reckless in her desperation until her perserverence paid off. Finally, Lilah found what seemed to be a library. It was obvious the demons didn't use the library very often; in fact, it didn't appear there was anyone who even worked there, which seemed like a wonderful stroke of luck until they made it inside.~

What the HOLY FUCK?! ~Lilah stares about her, doubled over as a wave of pain like her frustration made physical makes her gasp.~ WHAT THE FUCK?! WHERE ARE THE BOOKS?!

~It's true. The space they're faced with appears to be a cavernous library, complete with tables, bookshelves, card catalogues, and devoid of the one thing which defines a library. Nor is there any sign of computers. She rushes to the card catalogue only to find it is empty of all but several rats who leap at her face. She screams and throws herself back, then sinks sobbing to the floor. She's momentarily completely at a loss.~

Threaded | Flat

*Hal bounds over to make sure she's alright; forever ignoring her biting independence.*

At least it's quiet here- it makes a good place to recuperate.

*He clenches and unclenches his hands to shake off what he thinks is a severe case of pins and needles while glancing around the room for any kind of supplies.*

*As the rats take flight in Lilah's face, Beauty cannot supress a scream for she hates and fears rats. Filthy creatures and no rat catchers here or even a dog or cat to keep them under control. So, she does what any self respecting princess would, she grabs her skirts and scrambles up onto the nearest catalog. As she does so she feels a tearing pain from inside, somewhere in the vicinity of those butterflies of earlier. Now however, they feel more akin to razor sharped claws than gentle fluttering wings.*

Hal *she says falteringly* Something is terribly wrong. I do not feel at all well. Are you certain it will be safe to stay? I do not think I can leave yet. *She is fighting the tears and losing the battle.*

*Beauty accepts his hand and once down curls up on floor along a wall no longer trying to keep the tears back. She is far beyond tired of this horrible place and while she has tried to remain patient and good natured at times it is difficult to recall the images of her home, her prince, her dear dog. She is tired of this woman ordering her about and pretending it is for Beauty's sake, that she is the only answer to Beauty's predicament.*

Oh yes, clearly Lilah knows about these things which is why we are here is it not? Because the precious books are here. Oh yes, she knows how to get us out just as she knew how to get us through the maze. She does not even know her way between the countries.

I can tell you that whatever is befalling us, it will continue to worsen. It will become so unbearable that we will be unable to continue untill it has run its course. And you cannot even pray for the release of death because even that has no permanence in this place.

*She is sobbing now clutching her stomach and both Hal and Lilah can sense that she is speaking more from fear than anger. If she does not know exactly what is to come she has some good sense of it and it has temporarily taken from her any princessly reserve.*

*Beauty watches Lilah go without trying to stop her. She looks, to Hal, not so much regretful for her words but simply mournful in general. She tries for a moment to sit very straight and regal, struggling to gain the composure that was second nature to her before centuries of wandering through Hell's landscape. And for a moment it works, she looks serenly beautiful offering him that brilliant gentle smile that had once charmed both peasant and noble. But in the next moment she wilts, tears of desolation welling again in her eyes.*

You do not have to stay here if you would rather follow Lilah. *She has her arms crossed as if cold and is rocking herself as if she is used to being both nurse and child. She gives a gasp and clutches as her stomach once more and Hal can swear he sees something pushing against her stomach wall-but from the inside, insistent on getting out.*