Slow walk home - The Castle Under the Swamp

Greer* enjoyed the walk in, the still there runes, the mechanical dragonflies darting around as usual, and taking her time entering the hall.  Looking at it all with a new view, more child like and enjoying the slender of the place.  She'd probably pay for it later, but she wanted to see him, and then go change.  

The dream still ringing in her mind, she didn't want to ever see here look like that ever, and a shiver of fear ran through her.  It was just a dream right, but then how did Monday get there so fast when she last remembered the earlier Tuesday?  But this week had been some work, some play and now back home she walked.


(*lavender instead of pink)

The swamp castle is right where she remembered leaving it, her way illuminated by mechanical fireflies. The haven is a bustle of servants and clockwork guardians.

It is comforting to find them up and working. She. Keeps wandering taking it all in enjoying it all.

The servants, wearing painfully little aside from their collars, bow and smile at her politely while they scurry about their work. The classroom is in session with Nicole giving another doctrine on how lucky these girls are to have found the King in Yellow's hospitality. In another, she sees the recording studio where some illicit pornography is being filmed starring Rainbow and a well endowed masked individual. The kitchen is a bustle with the clockwork servants. Her room is precisely as she left it. And the masked figure of the King in Yellow is sitting in the library looking over some aged tome or another with the quiet satisfaction of one who has it all.

Greer goes and sits in her normal spot; waiting to see if he's willing to talk to her.

The King in Yellow's hand falls to her head and strokes gently, but he says nothing and continues to read his book.

She stays there, quietly taking it all in, calmed by seeing him fine, and not the dust from the dream.

"Are you troubled, pet? You seem... on edge somehow."

"Just a very bad dream, I needed to see you and see that all is not so..." so softly said leaning more into his touch.

He continues to pet her firmly.

"Oh? Dreams often teach us much about the dreamer. What troubled your sleep so?"

"I was out for nights, the whole world decayed..." she pauses "I thought I was left alone, then a little dragonfly came to where I could hear and I refound here." her voice cracks from the pain at the dream/memory.

The King in Yellow strokes her head and nods, turning a page quietly.

"Fear of isolation is not so uncommon among the unaging. We lose contact with those outside our walls, all we know falls away, the world turns without us. Your fears are valid, pet. But you are safe here."

"but you weren't fine when i found here, you said I was to blame for it falling and withering by not being here." she pauses "I can't stay here all the time."

The King in Yellow tsks behind his mask, "Did I not give you the freedom to come and go as you wish, pet? I have hardly chained you to a fountain or bedchamber."

'I know but it was..." she is physically shaking and then says evenly "I am not asking to be chained, it was very upsetting, and you were but a husk....that terrified me." spoke so very faintly.

The King in Yellow ponders a moment, stroking her hair.

"Perhaps this is a fear rooted deeper in your subconscious. What do you think it means, pet?"

Looking up at him "I don't know, but I didn't like it so I guess it means I don't wish you to be gone." softly said.

"A very noble cause, pet. I am also not fond of the idea of my being gone," he shrugs slightly, but continues to pet her head. "What steps would you like to take to avoid such nightmares in the future?"

"I don't know... I've never had a nightmare like that before.." looking up at him, a shimmer of caution looking at him, but fades quickly with his touch.

The King in Yellow nods, but doesn't seem to be overly concerned about it. But then, he hardly ever cares about anything.

"Well, if you require my assistance, let me know, pet. I would hate to see my favorite prize go uncared for."

"If I go change may I stay with you this eve?" boldly asked.

"How do you mean, pet?"

"I came right to you and did not check my room, may I stay with you through the day?" nervously biting her lip where it's normally pierced.

The King in Yellow hrms quietly before nodding.

"I rarely allow others to share my bedchambers. But you may stay with me if you earn the privilege, yes."

she looks at him "what do I need to do?"