paradisalost | ☠.21

[Anyone out and about this time of night may come across two vaguely familiar figures silently patrolling the halls. They are elves, sure enough, but their eyes are burning red, their hair and skin pallid. Weaponry adorns their black, ornate armor; well-used swords at hips and longbows crafted from bone slung over shoulders. They move with grace and without sound, their fiery eyes nearly unblinking.

Most attempts to flag them down will result in a wary glance and little else, but if any are feeling ambitious, they're more than welcome to try harder.

For the most part, though, they are standing guard outside room 425.

After a time, a voice carries over the journal. It's perhaps a bit familiar, but with a cold echo to it.]

The Dark Lady has not returned yet. Shall we seek her out?

[And another voice, with the same unearthly echo responds.]

Not yet, sister. She will return. Remember -- patience, discipline.

[ooc. loss start!!! vereesa and alleria are now dark rangers. open in person or over the journal!]

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[What? What did they say? What did they--

No. No, no, no. No, they couldn't possibly!

The abject horror is apparent on Sylvanas' otherwise subdued features as she contemplates immediately running her blade through one of the forms before her.]

You're not-- You are not real!

[Now Alleria does draw her sword, instantly trotting down the hall on silent feet.]

Worry not, Dark Lady. We shall find this disturbance for you, and end it.

[Something causes Vereesa to turn, and she notices that the Dark Lady is not looking at something she cannot see; she is looking her and Alleria.

Her head tilts just slightly, pausing in her tracks a moment.]

Do you refer to... us, my Lady?

[And when the form addresses her, Sylvanas cannot help but raise her blade at her-- it.]

Accursed castle. You will not toy with my memories in such a way.

[When Vereesa speaks, Alleria turns as well, her ears flattening in confusion. Their queen ... not knowing who they are? What is happen?

And then Sylvanas begins to attack, and Alleria is frozen but for a second. She sprints back down the hall, sword at the ready.]

Vereesa -- she is bewitched, do not harm her! Subdue her if you can; we must not let anything happen to her! My Lady, sister, please --

[Her ears flick in this vision's direction as she turns her body to meet the so-called Alleria's eyes. Her features are livid as she steps forth to brandish her weapon at her-- and in seconds, lunging for her with her own blade.]

You dare to mock my sisters' images? I assure you. You will pay!

[Were they not sisters, Vereesa would dare not attempt to restrain her. She held so much respect for the Dark Lady that even if she were to strike her, she might very well allow it. She owed everything to Sylvanas.

But sisters they were, and to keep her from running Alleria through, she dashes forward to grab Sylvanas's arms, doing her best to restrain her without presenting herself as a threat.]

Sylvanas, sister! Have you fallen prey to a loss? It is us! We dare not bring you harm, nor have we ever!

[Alleria instantly brings her sword up in a defensive posture, in case Vereesa's attempts at restraint are not enough.]

Of course -- it must be a loss. My Lady, we have always been like this; please try to remember!

[She feels the cold touch-- to an extent from what looks like her younger sister, and cannot help but through her elbow back in an attempt to prey her off. The sword continues to point at the one who looks like Alleria, never fully accepting that these could quite possibly be the real things...

There was simply now way. This couldn't be possible. And even if it were, she would be terrified.

And that's why she thrashes against Vereesa, her free hand moving to attempt to ram her bow into her torso.]

No! No. It cannot be!

[Vereesa's grip loosens a bit, and she struggles to keep her hold for as long as she can. Without knowing what loss her sister could possibly be suffering from, she is at a loss.

The elbow to her torso hits her with enough force that her sister slips from her hold, sending her stumbling back a few paces. She immediately attempts to reach out to her again, though grasping her arms through their wild movements is proving troublesome. This is for the good of Sylvanas, and she will do whatever she can to help her.]

Let us retreat to your chambers, please! Whatever images you see, surely we can overcome them together.

[This is proving to be more troublesome than expected! Sister, they were just trying to guard your room, weh, why don't you love them WHYYYYYYYY anyway

Alleria stands her ground, unable to really do much else with Sylvanas pointing a sword at her like that. If she could edge around to the door, maybe ...

Yes, she will try that. Keeping her sword at the ready, she slowly begins to circle her two younger sisters, trying to move closer to the door so she can open it.]

Yes, sister. Please, let us help you.

[And she steps back, following Alleria with her blade, still keeping an eye on Vereesa. Any movements are scrutinized carefully, to which Sylvanas allows for such palpable tension to fill the air.

These images... Why...]

You're dead. You're both-- [And for the first time, her eyes close, forcing herself to steady her blade.] You are not my kin. You couldn't possibly...

[Oh. Well, on the bright side she's not seeing things she shouldn't be seeing. Eyesight good: check!

Unable to hold her, Vereesa steps away and puts her hands up, showing as peaceful a gesture as she can muster. After all, they mean no harm. She very briefly casts Alleria a wary glance.]

We are as we have always been. [Relatively speaking] We fought together, we fell together, and you freed us together. You know this.

[Her back to the door, Alleria eventually finagles it open, and gently steps to the side.]

Do you remember now, sister? You are our queen.

Let us protect you, as we always have. [She motions toward the door. Your chambers, Lady! Your ... empty room. Forsaken comforts.]

Lies!

[Sylvanas could not help but stand in her place, blade at the ready as red eyes darted in between her "sisters". This was all a lie. This was a trick built on lies, built on pain and suffering and terrible memories...

The banshee bit her tongue for but a moment, choking down a scream as the weight of the words hit her. This is what they could have been had events transpired differently. For all she knew, this was how Alleria--

No.]

This is the castle's doing! This accursed place!

[A cry escaped her lips, though she was certain she wouldn't have uttered it had she the control or the resolve in the eyes of the forms of her sisters.]

This cannot be real...

[The more their queen reacts poorly to their presence, the more Vereesa wonders if they should leave, if only temporarily. Red eyes flicker toward Alleria as she keeps her nonthreatening pose.]

She is not well. Our presence brings her grief. Perhaps it is best if we leave her be for now.

[And then to Sylvanas] You need only call for us and we will be at your side.

[It breaks her cold, still heart, but their youngest sister is correct. Alleria opens her mouth briefly, a habit leftover from when she still lived; it's an approximation of a sigh, though of course no air escapes her dead lungs.]

Yes. We will be waiting for you, Dark Lady.

[And again, she'll edge around Sylvanas, away from the open door and toward the hall.]

☠.21

/VIOLENTLY SCREAMING

/casually wails

8(

YOU GUYS

YES ... also i'm going to bed, SKIP ME \o/

/screws with order until you get back

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