#((obviously we noted that she wasn't keen on him to begin with earlier in the rp; and i'm sure that things haven't gotten better))

[theheadlessgroom]

https://www.tumblr.com/beatingheart-bride/714102344819884032/theheadlessgroom-beatingheart-bride

@beatingheart-bride

The soft, slow melody of the violin began to waft through the cool, crisp air outside the mausoleum, Randall’s heart pounding as he played, his eyes fixed on the door to the crypt: He couldn’t tell if his racing pulse was because this was the first time he’d ventured beyond the walls of the opera house in many, many years (even with his face so obscured, the notion of being spotted set a cold, aching pit in his gut) or because he was nervous the prospect of speaking with Emily after six long months of silence, but at any rate, he could feel himself quivering beneath the dark layers he used to hide himself in.

And yet, he still played for her, a haunting melody that he was sure would be familiar to her-the love theme from Don Juan Triumphant. He just put the bow to the strings and began to play, and that was the song that came-perhaps it was a plea for her to hear him out, perhaps it was a confession of love (love she once held for him, he realized all too late), perhaps it was an effort to comfort her in the midst of her mourning, or perhaps some combination of the three. At any rate, he was there, and for all his fear, he was glad to be with her.

“Emily...” he whispered softly on the wind, his voice mournful and tender as he called to her, eyes pleading as he watched the door, waiting to see her: He could only hope that she would be willing to hear him out. He had so much to tell her...

[worlddevoid]

World Devoid: Episode 1.5 - This Is (Not) Your Morning

(Word Count: 1.1k)

...

After a tense moment of grappling, Cassie’s hand finally grabs onto the handle and she tugs hard - wrenching it open. The door sweeps away a line of creepy crawlers and she uses the leverage to pull herself up and into the vehicle - finding a large hand pulling her the rest of the way inside. She immediately slams the door shut behind her.

She can’t even take a moment to catch her breath because suddenly the creatures are surrounding the RV - some of them beginning to crawl their way up the sides and onto the hood.

Baz, who hadn't noticed right away that Cassie hadn't been behind him, was relieved to have her back safely, but wasn't quite comprehending why the danger wasn't over yet.

"I don't understand." He remarks in disbelief as the amalgamation of eyes begin to consume the frame - one by one scuttling up the sides, the hood, the rearview mirrors -- scratching at the shell of the RV in horrific metallic scrapes.

"They should be terrified of this large vehicle, I don't get it!" Baz yelps as he shifts his focus towards the engine; shakily fumbling with the key before it slides in, he turns it, and the vehicle roars to life.

The radio immediately begins blasting "Groove Is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite and the abominations recoil, twitching and shaking in time with the beat.

‘Hmmm. The same thing happened earlier…’ Cassie mentally notes.

The spider-like creatures begin to roll off the RV like rocks in an avalanche, falling in pulsing chunks. Bodies begin crashing onto the pavement and twitching in time with the music. Gradually, they all peel off and as Baz throws the vehicle into reverse, he shouts over the loud music – emphasizing every word.

"IT SEEMS THERE IS A DELAYED EFFECT IN THE FEAR PROCESSING CENTERS OF THEIR TINY, LITTLE, ALIEN BRAINS! IT TOOK THEM AT LEAST A MINUTE OR TWO TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A LARGE VEHICLE!" Loud crunches can be heard as they reverse and whip around.

As Baz switches into Drive, he peers in the rearview mirror to see a tire trail of bright orange guts and black body bits in their wake.

"No, honey! I'm pretty sure it's the music!" Cassie replies flippantly, watching in the rearview as the creatures begin to shake in an effort to reform.

The rows of flesh pulsate and twitch - still seemingly alive and aching with pain. Baz squints at the carcasses beginning to reconstruct themselves and pushes anxiously down on the pedal. He floors it out of the circle entrance drive and back onto the road, to the best of his ability, navigating around the car pile-up situation still at large.

Cassie sighs in relief and relaxes a bit as she watches the black dots grow smaller in the side view mirror. The spider-like creatures that manage to stand, do not seem keen to follow.

After a moment, Cassie once again becomes aware of the sticky sensation still on her feet. She eyes her shoes wearily and groans. "Ugh, Baz can we stop at the mall? I need a new pair of shoes."

Baz had finally processed what Cassie had said earlier, and was sitting frozen next to her - eyes wide open and jaw hanging down by his Adam's apple. ’OH MY JESUS IT'S THE MUSIC.’ He realizes in a flash.

He snaps his jaw shut and looks over at Cassie - relieved to find her attention is still turned towards her shoes. ‘Okay, good. They didn't realize I didn't actually know that.’ Baz decides to solidify his alibi.

"Duh, Cassie, it was obviously the music affecting them this entire time. I just wanted to see if YOU knew that. And you did. So, good.” He clears his throat. “Yes. Of course, we can go to the mall and get you some new shoes. You frickin' deserve it."

Cassie rolls her eyes and scoffs with a smile at his claim. She knows he had no idea that it was the music causing the creatures to spasm, but she keeps her mouth shut. Baz is notorious for acting like this, but it's part of the reason they are friends. Cassie enjoys his overzealous nature and hubris.

Baz straightens his spine when his proclamation is met with nothing more than a smirk, and focuses on avoiding the hazards in the road as they make the short trip to the shopping center close to the community college campus.

As the mall gets closer, his mind shifts back to the foreign creatures. ‘There seems to be no one else around here, so… technically, we are the first people to discover these creatures. We should be the ones to name them!’ Baz considers silently.

"Cassie." He blurts out after a few minutes of music. "Since we are the sole discoverers of this new species of arachnid, obviously -- we have to be the ones to give them a name.” He turns to them with a sparkle in his eye.

Cassie couldn't really care less, but Baz's excitement is palpable. One glance at his animated features and she can’t help but cave in.

"Okay, how about... 'Crawlers'?” She proposes casually.

Baz’s shoulders immediately sag. "Well that's fricking stupid." He mutters monotonously, swatting a hand dismissively through the air.

"Cassie, this is the first of its kind -- not some low budget horror creature feature. No. It has to be much, much cooler." He sighs dramatically, as if the weight of this decision is much more important than any other he’s ever made before it. "This is a magnificent arachnid type creature - unlike any we've encountered on earth before -- perhaps of other-wordly descent -- with a spectacular ocular array! It needs a name to completely encompass its brilliance!" His voice raises in passion and they almost miss their exit in the heat of things -- having to swerve harshly before orienting them back on the right path.

Despite his enthusiasm, nothing comes to mind as he desperately searches for the perfect name. He falls silent in defeat. Inspiration rolls over and pulls the covers over its head. It's not waking up for Baz any time soon.

Cassie is thinking hard about what Baz has said. ‘Arachnids... Ocular... Oh!’ "How about... 'Ocnids'? She proposes. "Y'know, like ocular arachnids?" They look over at Baz for confirmation only to find him beaming back at them.

"Unfortunately, that's freaking incredible." He responds, smile broadening. "Cassie, as always, you're freaking brilliant." ‘That's literally the perfect name. Why didn't I think of that? Frick, I love Cassie's mind. Best. Friend. EVER.’

At this exact moment, they pull into the mall parking lot; having left the highway in favor of less clustered roads leading up to the shopping center.

The parking lot is full and in semi-disarray -- but if the prior events hadn't occurred, one could be convinced it's just a normal busy day at the mall. Still no sign of a single person, but plenty to suggest they had been there. Baz pulls up right in front -- again, dismissing the signs warning not to park -- and shuts down the RV.

The silence feels more silent than it did before.

***End of Episode One***

......

Start at the beginning!

(Art by @same-soup-just-reheated)

(Banner by @charzardmain)