#having feelings about the veilkeepers tonight

[twobellsilence]

Thinking about how terrified Vee used to be about the prospect of Adriana learning about their nature. Yes, she knew they're a Shapeshifter type Entity, but nothing specific - for all she knew, they were just something fae-adjacent and their human appearance wasn't far from their true form. How would she react if she knew they're actually a hivemind of flesh-eating alien worms? That their species is classed as a grade A threat because they exterminated most of the crew involved in the first and only human expedition to their planet, not because the humans attacked them first, but because they saw them as interesting prey? That those poor humans were hunted, cruelly lured by creatures that slowly learned to imitate their peers and began to drive the crew mad because anyone could be a monster? That, yes, Vee themself didn't kill anyone - their hive was too fascinated by humans and wanted to learn more about them, not eat them - but they're still capable of the same level of violence, and the mere fact that they walk around as a "human" and roleplay as one as best as they can is already a showcase of the level of deceit they can achieve?

Of course, those worries became even worse when they began to catch feelings for her. Would she be disgusted if she ever saw what they truly are? Would she suspect that their fondness for her is simply some sort of trick, or would she be afraid of them and become too scared to even maintain their friendship? These thoughts ate them alive back then, and they didn't even DARE to even imply they loved her - surely Adriana would Never want to be with something like them, and they'd make sure she never found out.

That was, until they had to revert to their true form to protect her during a mission and she saw Everything, from what they are to what they can do... And they were TERRIFIED, and they thought it was over, that they'd lost the most important person in their life, but no, because Adriana is a badass motherfucker and she also didn't care about What they are, but about Who they are. And now the two are together, and Vee is the happiest Entity in the facility, and the fact that they're a dangerous alien blob that can deceive people isn't all that bad to them anymore because their love is REAL and their family loves them and that's all they need

[irisandtheveilkeepers]

Chapter 4: A semblance of normality

The door swung open behind us with a soft creak, and I expected to step back into the cozy, dim tearoom we had entered from—but instead, we found ourselves standing in a vast, bustling corridor. The low murmur of voices and the clatter of hurried footsteps echoed around us. I blinked, disoriented, as the space ahead revealed something entirely different from the quaint backroom of the café. This was something far bigger—an underground nerve center of activity.

I turned to Selene, but she didn’t seem surprised. In fact, there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes at my confusion. “Welcome to the real heart of the Veilkeepers,” she said, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

The corridor stretched out in both directions, lined with doors that looked older than time itself, each inscribed with runes and symbols I couldn’t understand. The air carried a faint, herbal scent—something earthy, almost smoky, like incense mingling with the scent of old parchment. Shelves filled with artifacts and scrolls lined the walls, some with faintly pulsing wards. The magical energy in the air was tangible, like static electricity brushing against my skin.

“Is this...?” I started, trying to wrap my head around the scale of what I was seeing.

“The Veilkeepers’ headquarters,” Selene confirmed, her voice matter-of-fact. “This is where we work, train, and keep an eye on the world. It’s a bit of a maze, but you get used to it.”

“Are all these people...?” I gestured to the people in varied attire, robes, and modern clothing.

“Veilkeepers, yes. Some have specific tasks—tracking magical threats, translating ancient texts, developing magical wards. It’s more than just keeping magic hidden; it’s about maintaining balance and making sure no one... disrupts things too much.” Her voice took on a slightly ominous edge.

I barely had time to take it all in as she led me down the corridor. My head swiveled from side to side, taking in the ancient symbols, the glowing wards, and the people bustling about as if everything around them were perfectly ordinary. I couldn’t help but feel small in comparison, like a child stumbling into a world too big and strange to comprehend.

“Come on,” Selene said gently, pulling me along. “I’ll take you back to my place. You need some rest after everything that’s happened.”

I nodded wordlessly, still absorbing the sheer scale of the place. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, I’d been sitting in a café, entirely unaware of any of this. Now, I was here—wrapped up in magic, goblins, and an ancient order that protected the very fabric of reality.

We weaved through the corridors until Selene finally led me to a small, circular chamber at the end of a hallway. The walls were covered in intricate symbols, each glowing faintly with a shifting light that made them seem alive. In the center of the chamber stood a large, ornate mirror, its frame carved with symbols that mirrored those on the walls. The glass seemed to shimmer, reflecting not our own images, but a distant, misty landscape that changed each time I blinked. I stared at it in awe, the magic pulsing from it palpable in the air.

“What’s this?” I whispered, unable to take my eyes off the shifting landscape in the mirror.

“It’s a transportation chamber,” Selene explained. “A way for Veilkeepers to move quickly between our various locations. It’s like a portal, but more precise and controlled.”

I nodded slowly, trying to wrap my head around the concept. “And it’s safe?”

Selene gave me a reassuring nod. “Yes, perfectly safe. I’ll take you to your apartment, and I’ll come pick you up tomorrow for uni."

I hesitated. “Actually, would you mind staying over tonight? I don’t... I don’t think I can be alone right now.”

“Of course. I’d be happy to stay.”

Selene guided me toward the mirror, her touch gentle on my arm. As we stepped through, the reflection of the misty landscape rippled, and I felt a strange, cold sensation wash over me. It was as if the very essence of my being was stretched thin, pulled through an impossibly small space before being released again on the other side. For a moment, I was lost in a sea of swirling colors and distant whispers, the world around me fading into a blur. My heart raced, and I clung to Selene, afraid of being pulled away from her.

When the world came back into focus, we were standing in front of my apartment, the familiar sight grounding me once again. I took a deep breath, steadying myself against Selene. "That was..." I trailed off, searching for the right word.

“Different?” she offered with a small smile. “You’ll get used to it. It’s the quickest way to get around when you’re dealing with magic.”

I nodded, my legs still shaky from the journey. She guided me to the door, and I fumbled with my keys, still feeling disoriented. Finally, the lock clicked, and we stepped into my familiar living room. It was a relief to be surrounded by my things again, a small comfort in the face of everything that had happened.

My cat, Lua, greeted us with a meow, her tail swishing curiously at the sight of Selene. I scooped her up into my arms, burying my face in her soft fur for a moment, trying to find some semblance of normalcy. She purred in response, her warmth comforting against my racing thoughts. "Hey, girl. Sorry I was away for a while..."

“Hi there,” Selene cooed, reaching out to stroke Lua’s back. My cat arched her spine and leaned into the touch, clearly appreciative of the attention.

I set Lua down on the floor. She gave a quick stretch and sauntered off into the kitchen, probably in search of her dinner. With a sigh, I collapsed onto my bed, the weight of the day finally catching up to me.

“Are you doing okay?” Selene asked, her voice soft and concerned. She sat on the edge of the bed, her hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. “I don’t know,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s all so much to take in. Goblins, magic, a whole secret society... it’s like I’ve stepped into another world.”

“You have, in a way,” Selene murmured, her fingers lingering on my cheek. “But you’re not alone. I’m here with you, and we’ll figure this out together.”

She leaned in closer, her presence warm and solid beside me. Her fingertips brushed along my jawline, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. I shivered slightly at her touch, my heart fluttering in my chest. We stared at each other for a long moment, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion.

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