#[Brighter than the stars forever] Lorelei

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Iwao knew it wouldn't stay quiet forever, and the inevitable storm of well wishers as knowledge of Eijiro's death spread had only just started tapering off this week.

Sato had joined the fray, and Natsumi were more than welcome. Extra hands were helpful (although neither Diran nor Iwao we're going to let Natsumi do a lot in her current state) as people trickled in and Akira made people nervous or pity him or someone had actually gotten mad and struck him about the whole thing.

Still, Iwao had to admit the company was nice. More to do than worry about Mitsu and the kids or Akira or Eijiro...

Another knock at the door, preventing him from dwelling on those thoughts for long.

He hadn't been expecting.

Her.

The demoness's plump lips pouted, "i heard the news~ that poor thing, that must have been awful scary for such a tiny thing~"

"... How'd you find out," surely- nah... But what if h-nah...

"ohhh, that little shinigami is frightfully upset about the whole thing! About being cheated, you know how you men get about these things," Lorelei shrugged the suggestion that the Alley felt it was owed Eijiro somehow, and that Iwao should understand the feeling, off with a dainty gesture of a gloved hand. Diran had let out a breath he had been holding at the Alley's mention, as Iwao remained in Lorelei's way, "Well, I think he's pretty damn," he cleared his throat, "dead. And you don't seem to have him either so I think we-"

"ooo is my wittle Kiki doing okay~?" She clasped her hands, pouting her perfect lips and- Iwao shook his head, he suddenly had a wicked migraine, "Yesyes, he's fine."

Lorelei huffed. Fine, be that way, "Well, he's not here, but let Kiki know Mani's offer still stands. He'll just have to take me up on it instead."

"Offer," Diran interjected before Iwao could get the question out.

She giggled, "Yes, Mani made him an offer, but he's not here, so if Kiki's interested, I'm authorized to fulfill it~ Although I'm sure he really wanted to be a game piece again," Lorelei tacked on bordering on sarcastic but dripping with sweetness still, "but do tell him I came by at least, pretty pwease?"

"i- sure, of course, ma'am," the demoness smiled warmly, oh there now, he couldn't quite get free from her, could he now? She blew a kiss as she walked off leaving Iwao standing confused, head throbbing in the open door, about that whole exchange.

Between whatever that was and the damn wolf coming around from time to time now too- Yeah, Rem sure did buy this place, didn't he?

[mysticalspiders]

I’m not entirely sure if this was the intention with the song or not but I’m in love with thinking Lorelei by Styx from Laudna’s playlist is from Imogen’s perspective when they first met and decided to travel together!

Lorelei, let's live together Brighter than the stars, forever Oh baby, forever

And then the are these two lines:

Her eyes become a paradise, she softly speaks my name

The way Laudna looks at Imogen, the soft way Laudna says Imogen name ...

She brightens every lonely night, no one's quite the same

Laudna being there for Imogen with her nightmares, when she can’t sleep! Staying with her, holding her when everyone else is asleep, when everyone else is afraid. Providing companionship and support when no one else can! Brightening every lonely night indeed!

It’s such a perfect song for the two of them and I’m obsessed with it. 

[mysticalspiders]

I feel like “Lorelei” is the other side of this coin! Lorelei and Ghosts that We Knew pair really well together and that line “let’s live here after everything” ties the two. Its about living together and planning to live together and planning for a future and hoping for future of peaceful domesticity, hoping to live a long life, together, for a long time (forever)

Lorelei, let's live together Brighter than the stars, forever

And these lyrics are also consistently repeated throughout the song!

“Lorelei” and “Ghosts that We Knew” both speak to finding someone and having an instant connection with them but Lorelei is a bit of a brighter song about finding that connection and the joy it brings and Ghosts that We Knew is about finding that connection after so much pain and loss. And both songs speak to finding peace together, building a future together 

in other words

“let’s move her after everything”

Imogen saying to Laudna "Let's live here after everything!" and THESE lyrics in "Ghosts That We Knew", which is canonically about Laudna-

But I will hold on as long as you like

Just promise me that we'll be alright

consistently repeated

and then, as the song winds down-

But the ghosts that we knew made us blackened or blue

But we'll live a long life

And the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view

And we'll live a long life

like oh its about the faith that things will be okay and that someday both of you will get hard-earned peace, and get that peace together, its about strife and still finding it in yourself to plan ahead and picture a good future with people you love and- right okay yes right

[lacuna707]

Styx -- Lorelei

When I think of Lorelei my head turns all around As gentle as a butterfly she moves without a sound I call her on the telephone, she says be there by eight Tonight's the night she's moving in and I can hardly wait The way she moves, ooh-ooh I gotta say Lorelei let's live together Brighter than the stars forever Lorelei let's live together Brighter than the stars forever Her eyes become of Paradise, she softly speaks my name She brightens every lonely night, no one's quite the same She calls me on the telephone, she says be there by eight Tonight's the night she's moving in, it's time to celebrate The way she moves, ooh-ooh I gotta say Lorelei let's live together Brighter than the stars forever Lorelei let's live together Brighter than the stars forever

[poorly-drawn-akira]

"I'm very sorry about the chain, Eijiwo," Lorelei's perfect, plump lips pursed into a frown, "but I can't have you hurting yourself. You're such a teeny little thing, and you're very sick, and you're very fragile, even for a human." Eijiro didn't answer, he carefully watched Lorelei from the pile of cushions and blankets. It wasn't uncomfortable, aside from the shackle at his leg. That was the worst part. She'd swaddled him up in comfortable blankets, honestly the softest, silkiest blankets he'd ever touched it was like clouds, and she'd padded it with several plush cushions and pillows. It was nicer than any bed he'd ever slept in. The demoness reclined on the floor and carefully scooped him into her lap, not like Eijiro could really get away from her. She had a whole plate loaded with cookies and tea and little sandwiches and all sorts of things. She smiled warmly down at the boy. Eijiro was aware that he was salivating just a little. "Come on~. Just a little bite. You haven't eaten yet. You're a hungry baby, aren't you~?" She gently placed a cookie on his head. Eijiro took it off. He considered it. It was still warm. Oatmeal... Just oatmeal.... She must have gone through the house. She wouldn't know any other way. One bite and it would be over. He'd lose his free will like he had before. He'd never want to leave. "Mommy" would take care of him. He'd never want for anything again. He'd never think about any of his problems at school, with making friends, his arm, Darius, Sasori, or... or... Eijiro put the sweet on the floor and pushed it away. "... i-i want to guh-go home..." "Oooooh, please eat something, sweet boy," Lorelei pouted, "It's been a few days... That's not good for someone like you!" Eijiro curled up in the blankets and tried to fall asleep. "Eijiwo..." The boy let out a surprised squeak as the demoness shook him gently. She hadn't been so insistent before, but she looked down at him with concern, "If I go buy you something from the human world, in the package, so you know I didn't do anything to it, will you eat for Mommy?" The proposal caught Eijiro off guard, part of him screamed to not do it, but the part that was starving after ignoring the succubus's offerings for the past few days was screaming louder. Plus he'd need energy to escape. Yeah, yeah, yeah this would benefit him in the long run, "yuh-yes. yes, i-i'll eat." "Ooohoohoo~!" Lorelei clapped her hands, "There's my sweet boy! I'll go get you something right away!" She planted a kiss on Eijiro's cheek before leaving him alone in his room. ... Eijiro considered his situation, the chain around his leg... Chew it off.      Boy should chew it off.   Don’t need another leg.      Don't like her. "... whuh-where were you whuh-when she was snuggling with muh-me? whuh-we could have taken her out." No good.   No good.   Just make her mad.     Still chained up even if it would. Eijiro heaved a sigh as he sank down into his little pile. He'd at least get some food in him before he made another escape attempt.

[poorly-drawn-akira]

"Oh, I just can't wait for you to see him, honey bunny~," Lorelei twirled the cord of the hot pink phone around her finger, "I know I can talk Manny into letting me have the older one too, he's very pretty, he'll have no problems making new friends here, and he'll help his poor brother not be so scared.

It's the darndest thing really," her dainty foot tapped on the floor, "He was such a good boy earlier, but now I can't offer him anything to get him to come around, beds, clothes, cuddles, food- oh the poor thing hasn't eaten since we got here! Oh, my berry sweet, it's terrible! He's already such a skinny little thing! I'm so worried! I've never known other humans to be so anxious and fussy! You don't suppose he's sick do you?"

[poorly-drawn-akira]

What is Lorelei up to?

Lorelei had brought Eijiro back to the store. Manabu had conveniently excused himself, but she didn't mind. That was more time to focus on her sweet boy!

Eijiro was still being held in her arms, although she was much taller. Much, much taller than she was in her human form. Eijiro had long since fallen asleep after being abducted. He let out a content sound in his sleep and cuddled up closer to the demoness.

Lorelei squeed softly: this was in no way permanent right now, it was just enough of her power to keep him compliant, that was a whole process for making that permanent, but he was such a sweet little baby! She was already picturing keeping him safe and fed and loved and cuddled and pulling that icky ghosty stuff out of her precious boy and-

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Eijiro wandered away from the school during lunch. That wasn't unusual from him, he'd taken up hiding out in a small field nearby. However, he hadn't expected to see a tall, plump woman waiting happily, seated calmly on the fence. Eijiro took a careful step forward- That was no woman. She hopped down and came towards him. Eijiro fumbled instictively for his rosary, he no longer kept it on him, for... reasons... "Hello dear, you're Eijiro, right?" "... nuh-no." The woman laughed, "Oh, come on, you don't have to hide it from me. I'm one of the teachers-" "-i-i know whuh-what you are! yuh-you're a demon!" Eijiro seemed almost proud, but he was surprised by, "AWWWWWW~! SO CYOOT!" Lorelei's eyes lit up. She quickly closed the gap between her and Eijiro, gently squishing the boy's face between her hands. Eijiro struggled against her. Her grip was gentle, but strong, "Oooooh~! You're such a clever lil guy! Such a smart boy! Yes!" Eijiro relaxed... He knew he needed to get away, but... God, this was cozy... All the fussing and cooing over how cute he was. Yes... He was cute, and he was clever. Lorelei picked Eijiro up. "Ooh yes, what a sweet baby~! We're going to get your brother, aren't we? Yes! Ah yesyesyesyesyes," she nuzzled the boy.

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Some shameless Lorelei posting. She is like 50s pinup clothed under cut just cut in case anyone doesn’t want her on ya dash

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Eijiro didn't know where he was when he woke up, nor could he really get a feel for it either. It was like he was on painkillers... Was he in the hospital again..?

But that made no sense...

"Oo! Look who's up!"

He was moved around so that he was sitting on someone's lap. If he had his wits about him, he'd realize how massive this woman was and be rightly terrified, but he didn't.

Whoever was holding him smelt nice... She was soft and warm... He felt incredibly safe right now.

Everything he'd been worried about, everything that he was upset about, had vanished. He couldn't reach those thoughts even if he tried.

"You were asleep for a long time! Such a big nap for a little guy!"

Her hand easily enveloped Eijiro's entire head as she pet him. He fidgeted uncomfortably, he felt funny: sleepy and content and happy but weird in a way he struggled to put his finger on.

Lorelei stopped and tried to move her hand off his head.

Eijiro grabbed her and guided her hand back down to his head.

"Oooo! You weally wike pets! Who wikes pets?"

"...muh-me..."

"Yesyesyesyes, Eijiwo wikes pets from Mommy?"

Every bone in his body knew that this was wrong.

"... yes..."

... He wasn't in his uniform anymore. He didn't remember changing, but he was wearing a big tshirt and his boxers. The weird, uncomfortable feeling had gotten a little better. A blissful, relaxed smile eased onto Eijiro's face as he settled against Lorelei's thigh and into more pets.

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Well know that you won’t be needing the boy for bait because Otoishi is gonna serve himself on a silver plater with zero tricks

"Yes he is! Because I have Eijiwo! :>

I thought that mean ol vampire might play some tricks, so I thought I'd play tricks first!"

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Jesus Christ, Eijiro’s a hostage again 💀💀💀💀

"Ooooh, no he's not~ :< He wanted to come. Didn't you want to come with me, Eijiwo~?"

Eijiro stirred slightly, and mumbled something agreeably before nodding off again.

[poorly-drawn-akira]

So wait you’re after Eijiro and not Akira?

"Oh no no no no, my sweet boy is just my bait. Yes he is. You're just bait for now aren't you, Eijiwo~?"

[poorly-drawn-akira]

Ah shit, Eijiro’s a hostage.

Lorelei lifted Eijiro's sleeping body up, "Ooooh~! He's so dangly! Cyoooooooooo~t!"

[mysticalspiders]

Besides, who doesn’t want to live that witchy cottage core lifestyle with an undead babe and her rotting pet rat?

Lorelei, let's live together Brighter than the stars, forever Lorelei, let's live together Brighter than the stars, forever Oh baby, forever

let's move here after everything