🎩🧳🧩

… S’like pulling out a splinter..? Okay.. I’ll try not to… ngh…

[Hershel gives Luke one last pet on the head, then scoots him towards Desmond.]

𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦.

[that last part is said very much as a warning. he turns to face the wall, yet that 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 still watches intently.]

Hnn…

[the proverbial guillotine eases away, though still hovers just at the edge of perception.]

… Do you.. know how..? You can fix him..?

[Hershel shifts Luke a tad closer, so Desmond wouldn’t need to crawl under the console. though he keeps stroking Luke’s head.]

Don’t.. make it worse…

[Hershel tenses up and shudders.]

No, no, no—help how? What are you going to do?

[the air shifts and crackles. that 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 feels so much closer. like a giant mantis looming over the ship controls, pincers poised to lash out.]

[Hershel uncurls, and moves his arm out of the way.]

Careful. Just look..

[he stares at Desmond’s face, brow furrowed, as though trying to piece something together—but not quite able.]

…

Okay.. you can look. Just. Careful. Don’t bring the snakes.

[Hershel’s posture relaxes, though the air grows heavier.]

.. S’breathing. Hurt. Maybe broken. M’not sure…

[Hershel’s voice quavers, eyes glinting with trepidation.

the air buzzes. that unseen force from before is pressing in on the room.]

[Hershel has an arm curled over Luke protectively, gently stroking his head.

as Desmond approaches, Hershel curls over the boy further, shoulders hunching.]

… Can’t have him.. take the snakes away.

Hm.. maybe broken.. can’t tell.. m’sorry.

[Hershel blinks slowly, parts of his mind still set adrift.

he plants a small kiss atop Luke’s head, half convinced that will make the wound better—then bunches up the blanket by his head and settles Luke into it.]

There.. made you a bed. S’okay now…

his thumb delicately ghosts over Luke’s fur, checking for any injuries. not that he really knows what to look for.]

All done… no more snakes…

[Hershel stands, sways, and staggers away from the wall.

he heads towards Desirée at first, but only snags his blanket from the couch before changing course.

he goes to the cockpit and crams himself under the console, cocooning himself back in the blanket and holding Luke close to his chest.

Ack—!

[Hershel scrambles out of Desirée’s arms, his legs kicking off the couch and reconnecting with his body with a strange wet sound.

the momentum throws him forwards, and he half-stumbles, half-runs after Luke. he tries to catch the little creature before he hits the floor.]

[the Hound curls around Teddy, struggling to keep Itself from growling. It anxiously nibbles at Its paw instead.]

Ah—! No no give em back! Don’t eat the baby! Too many—snakes—!

[Hershel claws a bit frantically at the other, digging for Luke.]

> OH . YES . OKAY . I’LL STAY HERE . .

[the Hound settles in next to Teddy, doing a very bad job of looking unworried.]

[the Hound jumps back down the moment Desmond’s up.]

> 🎩🧳🧩 AND KITTY-BROTHER ARE MAKING EACH OTHER UPSET .

> OTHER YOU CAN HELP ONE BUT NOT BOTH . GETTING OVERWHELMED .

> HELP BEFORE IT GETS BAD PLEASE !

[rather abruptly, the Hound bursts into the room, leaps onto the bed, and paws at Desmond frantically.]

> HELP ! HELP ! HELP !

[the Hound tears out of the room without a word.

Hershel’s voice changes somewhat—high and strained; somehow both more and less present.]

Is it—snakes? Centipedes? Can’t—don’t scream. Quiet. Don’t wake the baby. Baby mouse—don’t eat the baby mouse! Ghh…

[his babbling devolves into panicked whimpers as he twists and weakly tries to push the other off. there’s no more recognition in his tone.

the Hound hisses, crouched nearby. It seems unsure of what to do.]

[Hershel hums softly along with the lullaby, falling limp and pliant—only to tense up and shiver as the other being spreads over them.]

Listen to—listen—making it hard to hear! S’just mum! Mum’s mum! Wh-what’re you—stop—stop—!!

the fear induced by the other’s shifting form fades quickly, and he tugs on its arm again.]

It’s okay.. doesn’t matter. Just c’mere. Mum’s back now. S’okay..!

Mm.. ‘kay.. breathe…

[Hershel steadies his breathing somewhat, nuzzling at Desirée’s chin.

he clutches tightly, though does his best not to squish the little creature she’s holding. that’s important. he’s not sure why…

twitching black tendrils substitute entrails. a few wrap around Desirée’s torso for added security.

Hershel hardly seems to notice, far too preoccupied with the other.]

A-aah..! Hershel..? Wha’s happening? Why do you look like that??

[he leans into Desirée harder. for a moment it feels as though he’s about to topple her over—but he’s suddenly much less heavy.

Hershel’s been bisected. his lower half remains on the couch while the top dangles and clings.

M’not gonna fall.. but.. jus’ catch me..?

[perhaps easier said than done. Hershel can only feel one arm around him. he blinks down at Desirée’s other arm, uncomprehending.]

Why’ve you.. got a… mouse..?

[wrong animal. he knows this. but he can’t remember—

the other being promptly distracts him.]

See Hershel..?

[Hershel twists around, frees his other hand, and grabs the other being’s arm to pull it closer.

he nestles his head into the crook of Desirée’s neck and presses himself against her—as though he thinks he’s smaller than he actually is.]

Ma’s here..! S’gonna make it better…

tied up hair. right color. wrong color? wrong style. wrong eyes. or are they? he can’t really tell.

but still familiar. he remembers her from.. before? he reaches out and grabs at her shoulder.]

… M-mum..? S’at you? Came back? Hershel thinks they took you away…

[Hershel had curled up and stiffened since the Hound left, whimpering as the other tries to comfort him.]

No.. she was here.. she was…

[his eyes flick towards Desirée. there’s recognition, but it’s confused and cautious.

that’s her, right? no. yes..?

the Hound leaps away, hesitates a moment, then sprints out of the room.

running to the kitchen, It nearly careens into Desirée. It bites onto her pant leg and tugs.]

> HELP ! IT’S SCARED-RETREATING AGAIN ! WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO FIX ! HELP !

[Hershel flinches, squeezes the other’s paw, and starts to babble.]

Wha..? No, no, she was… here. She was here. Saw her. She put me to bed. Where’d she go? I want mum. I want—

[the Hound jumps up to intervene, cooing and nuzzling at Hershel’s face.

he recoils and 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.

[Hershel moves his hand to gently grasp the other’s paw, idly rubbing his thumb over it.]

Mm… m’yes.. sometimes.. when ma was.. when… hh..?

[a few tears escape from dilated eyes. the other’s presence had always thrown him off. he’s in no state to fight it.]

Wh-where’s Mum? When’s she coming back?