TEST DRIVE MEME ( 017 )

[lifeaftr_mods]

Test Drive Meme #17

Hello, and welcome to LifeAftr! We’re pleased that you’re expressing an interest in the game. Here, you can test the waters, gauge how your character may fare in the world of LifeAftr, and even gain some in-game incentives, if you so choose.

Remember that Reserves will open on November 17th, and Applications on November 24th!

Two important notes:

1. LifeAftr's test drives take place on the island of Mu, which exists apart from the real world and possesses a dream-like quality that characters are innately aware of from the moment they appear on its shores. No need to panic or fret. Dreams are odd things, after all - and anything can happen in them. Why would anyone question where their mind chooses to wander in its sleep?

2. Due to the nature of Mu, threads in our test drive can not only be accepted as thread samples in your application, but can be accepted as game canon as well. In fact, certain choices your character makes in Mu have the potential to bear in-game consequences, largely in the form of test drive reward items.

Is Anyone There?
What initially promises to be a relaxing island getaway is anything but. The tropical backdrop is all there - swaying palms, crystalline shores, white sand beaches, the whole hog. It's as idyllic as Ensō ever gets in the real world, the waters sparkling just that much more with a polish of dream-shine.

The real problem here is that you're not alone.

While they might be little more than a misted, formless shape at first, they'll rapidly take a more solid form as time goes on: a specter of a single person of great emotional significance. Whoever you might be seeing, they're here to rouse some aspect of your life that was not fully resolved. Someone you did not mourn, someone you did not grieve, someone you loved, someone you cut ties with unkindly, someone who represents a chapter in your life that you have thus far sought to repress. Tailing you relentlessly, refusing to be ignored or brushed aside or forgotten, this specter is hungry for your attention to the exclusion of all else. They will bring every painful association to light and rub those wounds raw, to a terrifyingly parasitic extent. They crave your attention, your love, your devotion, your fear. They are tethered to you, and cannot tolerate the thought that you might pay attention to anyone or anything else.

However they might have been in life, however fondly or not you may remember them, this shadow of them is merely that: a shadow. Desperate for your attention, and likely to grow jealous if you dare direct it anywhere else. They can't live without you. Why should you get to live without them?

In fact...why should you get to live at all? If you don't give them the attention they crave, they might start to demand it a shade more vigorously. They're only going to grow more solid as time wears on - and while no one but you can see them, they have the power to affect you very physically if they so choose.

Choose Your Own Adventure
What you have before you, dear traveler, is a very linear path forward. Deep, tropical woodland, jungle-like in texture and evening-dark, and a well-trodden path that stretches onward in a seemingly infinite, winding road. There is no way to go but backwards or forwards. Or, for the particularly brave...well, you could try moving off the beaten path, but we wouldn't recommend it. As it happens, the surrounding vegetation in this area is mostly comprised of a very irritating sort of foe.

As it happens, most traditional mimics take the form of wooden chests to befuddle and then snack upon any intrepid explorers foolish enough to open a container without checking for teeth first. Such is not always the case, however! Mimicries are what we will tentatively dub...distant cousins of your more conventional mimic. In the waking world, most of them prefer to assume the form of bushes, waiting for an unsuspecting traveler to tread upon the roots that will then snap around their ankles and reel them in, leaves parting to reveal a row of very nasty, very pointed jaws. Tonight, on Mu, their aptitude at blending into the vegetation to prey on the absent-minded explorer is out in full force.

While mimicries are very skilled at impersonating their surroundings, there are plenty of holes in their disguise for those keen of eye. An alert enough traveler may glimpse a pair of yellow, reptilian eyes blinking out from the vegetation before they fade just as fast. Mimicries are highly hostile, prone to attacking once they feel you've drawn close enough for them to take a good chomp, and don't tend to let go of their prey until either it is dead or they are. Armed with spiny teeth and a terrier-like refusal of relinquish their grip under any circumstances, mimicries can vary from genuine danger to outright irritant.

The good news is that, despite their number, mimicries are terribly vulnerable to fire. Happy hunting!

Caught in the Rainbow Current
On the more peaceful side of things, you're also liable to wake on a much quieter island destination - and this time, neither ghosts from your past nor RPG-styled foes will be there to spoil your stay!

Instead, you can take heart in the drifting, multicolored lights that shimmer off the seafoam and flotsam. A bale of kaleidoshells are passing through this region, and they're certainly taking their time in doing so. Resembling a cross between turtles and dugongs, kaleidoshells are so named for their distinctive radiance. Their scales and rainbow-colored shells can get as large as six feet across. The shifting colors on their backs are both bright and reflective. A vast enough number of kaleidoshells can allow for the illusion of an underwater aurora borealis, which is precisely what is occurring now. Kaleidoshells are placid and peaceable creatures by nature in addition to being unfailingly pretty to look at. As they are largely sea-dwelling, their presence in the archipelago is usually seasonal. However, despite the autumn season, Mu has elected to make an exception. Kaleidoshells are particularly slow and unwieldy on land, and thus not much of a threat, but you're probably better off not trying to poach their eggs. They do, however, make a very fine sight around the waters of Mu, especially in this artificial evening. Luminescent, their rainbow patterns glow underwater with the dim pulse of drifting mood lights.

So relax, take in the sights...or wade in to swim alongside them, if you like. They won't mind the company, and there's something singularly enchanting about getting to swim in the tide of a rainbow.

---

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

Comments

Lillie | Pokemon Sun/Moon (Games)

[flower_of_innocence]

i. Eyes To The Sea

[She doesn't remember going to sleep, but this is clearly a dream.]

[The waves are alive with color and motion, the night sky overhead teeming with starlight to shine off of the glistening shells of the turtle-like creatures making their way across the beach. In the middle of it all, Lillie sits in the sand with Nebby on her lap and watches with a smile. It's so beautiful, unlike anything she's ever seen before...it's one of those things that makes her stop and fall in love with the world all over again.]

[The cloudy puff in her lap cries out, a strange and echoing trill, and wiggles free to splash about in the shallow waves not far away. Normally this would bother Lillie, but. Nobody is around. The night is peaceful. The kaleidoshells won't hurt either of them. So instead she just laughs, shielding her face from the spray of water the over-eager Cosmog is creating.]

[She's not liable to notice anyone approaching, caught up as she is in the peaceful beauty of this dreamy night.]

ii. Eyes To The Ground

[It's her. She's here. She's here on the islands and - good lord, Guzma is going to throw a fit - but more importantly she's perched on a rock, elegant legs swaying back and forth almost childishly as she rattles off all the things Lillie is doing wrong. Her hair shouldn't be tied up with a scarf of all things, and where is her dress, and it's not very pretty of her to wear patterns like that.]

[Lillie stares silently at her mother with tears in her eyes. There's a tight ball of heat in her chest, anger and sadness, that catches the words before they can escape. The accusations she wants to make her confront, the insults she wants to hurl back at her, the pleas for mercy and forgiveness she knows she's supposed to say. After all she's been through, she thought she'd be able to handle this situation. Dreamed of seeing her mother again just to tell her the truth of things and cut ties formally. But now that she's here...it's different. It's not cut and dried.]

[Nebby cowers in her bag, uncharacteristically silent and still. That makes her twice as angry as anything. That this woman would follow her here and terrorize them still.]

[When Lusamine reaches out to grasp her arm, sickly sweet voice sneering that she'd better follow mother, to a better place, away from all these awful influences, Lillie snaps. Struggling against her grip, feet digging into the sand, she screams the words that have been caught on her tongue for the past several minutes.]

Let go! I hate you!

ii.

[yallstupid]

[It's probably bad, that Guzma really can't tell these dreamscapes from reality nowadays, given he's been sort of trudging along after his death and revival like a ghost of himself. He's...there, not not all of him. It still feels like a piece was left behind, and as her wanders with no real purpose - listing off his tasks mentally, because...why not - he stumbles across this lovely scene playing out before him. He's shocked and stunned to see the girl again, and feels a brief sort of elation - a fragile hope that she's actually the girl he knew before, and not some sort of grim shadow or...or something else. Someone else, who doesn't really know him other than a thug. It's so hard to tell, with this place.

He hesitates only a moment, standing at a distance from where Lillie is fighting with something unseen. He's quiet, before the pieces fit--no, they snap together and he feels his muscles tense, the realization burning in his gut like a freshly struck match. He exhales sharply through his nose, teeth clenched behind his tightly pursed lips. One step forward behind a quick march, eyes dead set on...nothing. Nothing at all all. Hilarious, how he sees nothing, and yet he knows exactly what's going on. He knows who's there, and what's happening. He's went through it, and lived through it only by the good graces of the Storyteller.

He can't see the witch, but he knows she's there, staring her dead in he eye as he clasps a firm, but protective hand on Lillie's shoulder. The image of the devil woman is hers and her alone to see, but his imagination fills in the blanks where it needs to. He doesn't need to visualize the woman when his brain can do so just fine, and he snarls--]

...Take your slimy mitts off'a my girl, you sleazy Trubbish. She ain't your family no more. [He squeezes Lillie's shoulder, not taking his eyes off where he knows the ghost of Lusamine is.]

[flower_of_innocence]

[The specter notices Guzma far before Lillie does and redoubles her efforts to pull the child away. To where, Lillie can't guess, but she knows she doesn't want to go. Not with her. Part of her isn't totally sure it's really her mother - it's extremely rare for her to get so physical, but knowing now what kind of harm she was willing to let come to others? Lillie can't put it past her anymore.

As soon as Guzma puts his hand on Lillie's shoulder, the specter lets go of her arm and just about shrieks in anger.

"How dare you?! He doesn't care about you! He's just a thug, a brute, a LIAR - he'll turn on you, you know. You're just a nuisance to him in the end. I'm the only one who cares about you. I'M your family!"

It takes everything the child's got not to cling to the stronger man and just cry. She wants this to be over. Wants it to have never happened. But she can't run forever. This is her chance, whether she's ready or not, to face her mother. So she stands up straight, even though she's shaking, and clenches her fists.]

No. That's not true. That's not true! He's my FRIEND and in the time I've known him, he's done more for me than you EVER have or EVER will!

[It's amazing, how once the anger starts to flow it just keeps on going. There's a thousand things she wants to say next but none of them quite seem like enough. How do you make someone understand years of torment, of insidious manipulation, when they're the ones who inflicted it? And she can tell, just by the way her mother's lip curls and she tosses her hair, that she won't take any of it to heart. So she keeps it short. Hisses the words she knows will sting the most.]

Guzma is not a brute. He is not a liar. He's not ugly inside, like you are.

[yallstupid]

[Lillie words strike a chord, somewhere, and for a moment Guzma's terrible fury seems to flicker, and her looks down at the child as if she just said something he doesn't really believe. Friend, maybe, but she may be putting him a few steps higher than he actually is. As far as he can tell, he didn't do much for the kid other than tell her, well...the truth. And his version of the truth is biting, fiery, and harsh. It's not a truth people want to hear. He he pauses, a moment, and just stares.

She looks more like the brave kid he knows who stood up to the beastly woman in Ultra Space, the strong young lady who rode the legendary Pokemon with Luna to rescue him and her terrible mother. Despite everything...despite every terrible thing they did, she still had enough heart to bring them both back. Luna's not here to support her though, and he...well, he's not sure he can fill those shoes--

But hell if he's not going to try.]

Preach it girlie, y'doing great. [It's muttered, quietly, to Lillie alone as he leans forward toward her ear. His affectionate tone doesn't last long though, before he's standing to his full height - all six feet, four inches of him - and deadeyes the woman that he so hates. he can't hear anything of what Lusamine is arguing, but he knows it can't be good. Lies - a sack of refuse disguised with diamonds and pearl to make it seem more appealing.]

Dang but I wish I could see ya, Madame Prez...cuz I'd spend a whole lotta time making you ugly on the outside, too.

[flower_of_innocence]

[If looks could kill, Lusamine would be on a rampage. Her eyes flick back and forth between Guzma and Lillie, almost as if she's not sure which one she hates more right now. Then her expression softens and that's when Lillie folds. Because it's the expression of her mother, not the wicked woman who would literally kill just to get her way. It's a dirty trick and they both know it. A way of striking that deep, buried familial tie.

The words are thick and sweet as honey, laced with "darlings" and "daughters" to make her second guess herself. She talks about how she wants things to go back to the way they used to be, and how she can't do that if she's abandoning her for Guzma of all people, and how Gladion came back to her after Lillie left, so why can't she? Come home, away from this island - she has a secret way of coming and going, she'll show her if she wants to come home. Deep down, Lillie knows it's all lies and empty promises. But if it isn't, could she ever forgive herself for turning her back on the one thing she wants the most?

Guzma's words startle her, though. If he could see her? Was...was he having trouble seeing? What happened? Or was Lusamine...was she really there? Her grip had been real enough, looking at the red marks on her arm where her fingers had dug in. There are tears and uncertainty in her eyes when she looks up at Guzma for clarification. She's not sure if she wants her mother to be there or not. Whether she wants a chance at a family - no, HER family, once more.

It's confusing. It's overwhelming. It's bittersweet if true. And by every guardian and deity, she just wants it to be over.]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma can feel Lillie's eyes on him and he glqnces down to meet her gaze. Her can see the tears welling up in her eyes, the confusion, the fear, the quiet plea to just have it all be over once and for all. It twists the knife a little too close for comfort, and Guzma has to tear his eyes away from the girl's face with a deep and steadying breath. He really hates how much she reminds him of himself, when he was her age. That's probably why he's so protective, too.]

...You heard right. Whatever y'all is seeing ain't really there. This place's got some kinda sick power to dig up what really means something to you...and not always in the best ways. But-- [He picks up a rock from the ground, bounces it in his hand, then flings it right at - and through - the image of Lusamine.]

...ain't nothing more'n just a mirage. Not worth bursting a lung over, yeah? C'mon, I'll carry y'back. [And into his arms Lillie goes, whether she likes it or not. Guzma carries her in the crook of one arm, tilting his head as he looks her over, ignoring the specter behind them. because their--her attention is what it wants.]

Y'did your hair up, huh? Looks nice.

[flower_of_innocence]

[It's more instinct than anything that has Lillie reaching out to stop Guzma from throwing the rock. It's not that she doesn't trust him, it's that she doesn't trust his temper, and she knows nothing gets him quite as fired up as Lusamine. With good reason, but still. And maybe part of it is that she's still not sure if she wants his words to be true or not. It doesn't matter either way, she's not quick enough.

The specter yelps, flinches - feigns injury when the rock makes "contact". But it's too late. Lillie has seen the way her form flickers, illusion interrupted, and her eyes rest on the rock as it falls to the ground behind her. It's over then. This interaction is over. She won't give such a cruel and wicked ghost any more ground than she already has. Not while it's wearing her face.

Lillie lets herself be lifted quietly. Her eyes linger on Lusamine- No...the image of Lusamine, for just a moment longer. She's met with a cold, angry stare. A familiar look. But it is, perhaps, the last time she will see it. Real or not. This is the decision she makes as she lays her head against Guzma's shoulder and grips his jacket tight. When exactly Nebby got out, she has no idea, but the creature floats steadily beside them, allowing her to hold the bag she's carrying against her stomach to keep it from bumping against Guzma's side.

She's aware he's trying to distract her, so she plays along as best she can with the aching in her chest.]

Thank you...I got the idea from Harv. [Her voice is strained with the effort it's taking not to look back as the specter tries a new tactic: crying.] I thought it might help to keep the hair out of my eyes while I helped on Nuidan.

[yallstupid]

[If only Guzma could had heard her squeak...it'd give him a sick sort of satisfaction he'd only dreamed of. Alas, one can only keep dreaming.

It's still a bit weird to have Lillie resting against him - he likes the kid plenty, and he's all but adopted her into his faux family of sorts by now - but she is the one he knows the less about. Or, well...not been around as long. He glances down at her head on his shoulder and shifts a little, sniffing as he feels the heat tickle the back of his neck. Definitely not from his anger - that's...well, it's become a calm simmer, the witch won't go away even if he's purple in the face, that much he knows, but there really is no point in working himself up about a ghost. Save his strength for the real deal. How he'd love to backhand the actual Lusamine right across her perfect, pristine, porcelain face...shatter the image of beauty she's dusted herself in.

But those are thought for another time. Lillie nibbles his bait and he's thankful for it. She's a good kid - a smart one, too - and he continues to talk to her, his grip...strangle tight around her. Protective, of course, but also...strangely clingy. Hm.]

Huh, no kidding? gotta thank that ol' mop. Lemme know if y'ever need it braided. Got 'bout, uh...forty little sisters' worth'a practice in me. [And that isn't a lie. The girls would oft do it amongst themselves, but...there is only about three working bathrooms in the mansion. Space gets crowded sometimes, and if the Boss needs to do his hair or shave, you get out or move over.]

[flower_of_innocence]

Wow, there were really that many people in Team Skull?

[The fact that the specter is crying seals the deal completely for her - Lusamine would never shed a tear over her, that she's fairly certain of. So it's a little easier to take a deep breath and respond this time, especially since it's not following them. It seems to realize the game is up - or perhaps it's just Mu taking mercy on the child.

And there's a strange comfort in the fact that Guzma refers to Team Skull as his siblings. It's starting to click into place that, perhaps, the real goal of the team was not to steal pokemon and cause havoc. Not to say that they don't do that anyway, but perhaps there was more to it.]

You must have cared for them a lot, to take the time to learn how to braid their hair for them.

I

[hurricane_clown]

[Pretty as it is here, Karako is hesitant to wade into the water, or even walk too boldly along the sand itself. The seashore is a pretty dangerous place to be on his planet, dangerous even by the standards of a world where the mortality rate is so high that the natives are bred in batches, and they murder each other at least as much as anything else murders them.

It's actually the natives that make the beach such an especially dangerous place.

So it's... sort of strange to see a pale, hornless figure splashing freely in the waves, laughing and playing with... he's not really sure what it is, even if he has an idea of what she is. He had another dream before, one with creatures like her, and creatures unlike her, and they were generally pretty harmless... the danger was always in something else. Like the alien wildlife.

Watching her like this, his curiosity gets the better of him. It'll be fine if he stays out of the water, right?

Hopefully it's not too startling for her when a short, grey-skinned knife-bearing clown crawls out of the bushes.]

[flower_of_innocence]

[Guzma had once said that not everyone on the islands was human. She's met Ginko, seen Muffet around - so it's not necessarily the skin and horns that startles Lillie, it's the knives. The sheer volume of knives is...worrying. Nobody has that many knives for practicality's sake. That amount of knives is for stabbing things, she's pretty sure.

Sure, she's got a knife, too, but it's in her bag. Not worn like an accessory, and definitely not for stabbing. Maybe for cutting ropes or plants. She doesn't use knives very often.

Rising to her feet and brushing the sand from her clothes, Lillie's eyes flit from Nebby to the strange clown creature. Should she...call Nebby back? Should they run? Would either of those actions startle the creature and possibly result in knives???]

[hurricane_clown]

[Karako also glances nervously at the multicoloured pouf, fearing that in the absence of any obvious weaponry, it might be the pale creature's means of defence.

But if she's nervous, and he's nervous, then... well, it's a dream. Nothing too bad can happen, and if it does, then he can wake up.

So, squaring up his small shoulders, he steps forward, reaching up to retrieve a peach Faygo from his bandolier... and offers it to her with a greeting honk.

Like so:]

Honk!

[flower_of_innocence]

[Admittedly, the honk is confusing. Although perhaps it shouldn't be - there are many ways of communicating, she's learned, and perhaps honking is a sign of peace or affection for this strange individual. So Lillie tentatively accepts the drink with a slight dip of her head and shoulders - a tiny bow, of sorts.]

Oh...um, thank you very much. I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer you in return, though...

[Her words catch Nebby's attention, who immediately waddles/floats over and waves itself about cheerfully, offering a noisy and energetic hello to Karako. Like so:]

Pew!!

[hurricane_clown]

Honk!

[Karako wasn't really looking for a trade, it's okay! Not mocking him or threatening his life is all he asks, so if you could not do either of those things, he'll consider it a Faygo well spent.

Of course, the soft, floating creature spooks him immediately, and he stiffens, going very still and very uncertain--his yellow eyes shift to the pouf and stay there, wide and wary, one clawed grey hand set on the hilt of a knife. He doesn't draw a weapon, but--

He glances apprehensively at the soft, pale girl, then his eyes are back on whatever that is.

Believe it or not--he's scared of Nebby.]

[flower_of_innocence]

[Though she's pretty good at reading into nonverbal cues, it takes Lillie a minute to figure out what Karako is so worried about. The thought that someone could be afraid of Nebby, the most childish and carefree creature she's ever known, is preposterous. But if someone is unfamiliar with Pokemon, it must seem like a really bizarre piece of wildlife, and for someone who was probably new to the islands that must be extra scary. So she smiles softly and calls Nebby back to her by patting her thigh.]

Oh! It's okay, this is my friend, Nebby. You don't have to be afraid...Nebby can't battle or do much on it's own. That's why I take care of it...You see, it can't defend itself if it gets in trouble. Not that I can do much for it either if something bad happens, but I try to prevent Nebby from being in trouble in the first place.

[Like a toddler, the Cosmog waddles back towards Lillie reluctantly. It had wanted to stay close to the newcomer (new best friend) and play (float around in circles making noise). But, much to Lillie's relief, Nebby's willingness to listen to commands was growing with each passing catastrophe. Perhaps it could recognize the danger in wandering free on an island that wasn't very stable or safe. Perhaps it was taking notes from Guzma and Golisopod. Either way, Karako is safe from Nebby's...er-hem, overbearing idea of friendship.]

[hurricane_clown]

[Nebby sounds a lot like a wriggler to Karako, like a freshly-hatched one, nowhere near ready to pupate, let alone survive the Ordeals. Not that he survived his Ordeals. Or even attempted them. But that's because he's a runt--and Bronya gave him passage out of the caverns without them.

Similarly, the Nebby has this pale, soft creature to watch over it and keep it safe... like a lusus.

A backwards lusus... who takes care of it before it proves it can survive... and does all the talking for it...?

And then some day it'll... grow up?

Into................. ???

He regards Nebby with significantly less nervous (and significantly more curious) uncertainty now. He tips his head.]

Honk?

[flower_of_innocence]

[She takes this honk as a request for clarification, but she's not sure how helpful she can be. She knows very little overall about Cosmog as a pokemon.]

Oh...I don't mean to say it's completely helpless, I suppose...It has strange powers that it uses under certain circumstances. But...I think it doesn't do those things consciously. It gets very tired afterwards.

[Nebby doesn't seem to fully understand what's being said about it, only that it is being talked about, and it seems to enjoy that immensely. It regards Karako with some curiosity of its own, tilting itself a bit to the side as if to mimic his actions.

Lillie tries to come up with any more information she might have on her friend. Let's see...]

Um, it came from very far away...although, I suppose we all came from far away, being here on these islands. I was trying to help it find its way back before we were brought here.

ii

[thegoofball]

[He can't see who the girl is yelling at - he vaguely recognizes her, from the clothes, when he couldn't talk - but that's not what's important.

What's important is that whoever it is she's seeing, whoever it is the girl is yelling at, is somebody cruel. Somebody she doesn't want to see, but these shades...

They want people to join them. They want people to die. Lance swallows, and he's not quiet about his approach.]

Hey, back off!

[He doesn't know who he's talking to, and there's not much he can do, but no kid should be so afraid.]

She doesn't need to go anywhere with you.

[And maybe saying it will help her realize that, and she can break away, get away from this shadow that's haunting her.]

[flower_of_innocence]

[Lance might not be able to see the way Lusamine's lip curls into a snarl, but Lillie can, and it only makes her struggle harder to free herself. Her mother was very, very rarely physical with her. She wouldn't dare get her hands dirty like that. But if she was prepared to kill a pokemon and let a man die just to get her way, Lillie can't put it past her anymore. Even as her fingers dig deeper into Lillie's arm, Lusamine's voice goes soft and sweet.

"Who are you going to listen to, darling? Your mother or an ugly stranger like him?"

Her eyes flicker from Lance to her mother's careful mask, knowing it's a lie. Knowing that there will be a reckoning for her resistance.]

Please...mother, please let go!

[She barely knows this man but...Lillie looks over at Lance desperately, unsure what else she can do besides plead.]

[thegoofball]

[He doesn't often want to fight ghosts - would much rather run from them, thank you very much - but he wants to fight this specter that's hassling her.

She's just a little girl. She shouldn't be afraid of her mother, and Lance is disgusted that she is. Whatever history is there, whatever's gone wrong to make her mother haunt her like this, Lance doesn't know. It doesn't matter if he does or not.

All that matters is that she's scared and Lance needs to help her.]

Hey- [He crouches down, trying to catch Lillie's eyes. It's time for him to change his tactics.

She doesn't need to deal with his anger. She needs his help.] Hey. Look at me. Don't look at your mother. Your mother? She's not real. If you just ignore her, she can't hurt you.

[flower_of_innocence]

[The words are...a relief, as the specter relinquishes its grip with a hiss of rage, but equally painful as she realizes her mother might not be there. It's been a long time. She thought she could do it - could stand up to her now. But Guzma's not here. And she's not saying Lance is lying but how could that iron grip have been anything but real? It's confusing and it hurts to think that either option might be true.

She forces herself not to turn and look at Lusamine when she starts offering what she knows Lillie wants to hear. Promises of family, of peace. To come back and all will be forgiven. She can take Lillie home, Gladion will be there, it will be like it used to be.

It's a lie - real Lusamine or not, it's a whole string of lies. She knows that by now. She rubs the red marks on her arm where her mother's fingers had dug in to hold her still.]

It's...not real? But, how is that possible...?

[thegoofball]

The islands...

[And how does he explain this? He wasn't here for the shades. All he knows about them he knows secondhand.

So he knows what they want but he doesn't know how they work. He doesn't have any experience with this. He's useles]

Things happen on them that aren't real, that are just trying to get to you. It's the magic of this place going out of control.

[He lets out a breath.]

Your mother might seem real, might feel real, but she's not. She can't do anything to hurt you. You just have to trust me on this, but your mother can't make you go anywhere you don't want to.

[He holds his hand out to her, palm up.]

If you want, you can take my hand. As long as you're holding onto me, you won't be taken anywhere that could hurt you.

[flower_of_innocence]

[There are so many things going through Lillie's head that she can't bring herself to move for a moment. If her mother is here, there are things she needs to say. Accusations, realities she must confront, apologies she wants to demand. But if her mother is an illusion, then there's no use saying those things, right? There's no use wasting her breath on a ghost - that's what Guzma would say in this situation. It's not that she doesn't trust this stranger (perhaps she shouldn't, she barely knows him), but her mother's voice is so soft and sweet as she repeats and re-emphasizes promises Lillie knows in her heart will be broken.

It's the voice of her mother, not the wicked woman she'd become.

Slowly, Lillie places a shaking hand in Lance's and swallows hard. Behind her, promises turn to outrage and threats. It's not like Lusamine to break her illusion so quickly. Perhaps that is a point in Lance's favor, as the child closes her eyes and takes a steadying breath.]

Is it...this illusion...is it a sickness? Like the flowers?

[thegoofball]

[Her hand is shaking, and that has Lance's frown deepening. He doesn't...

What kind of monster could treat their child so terribly that she's being haunted by them? That she's shaking like a leaf? It disgusts Lance. It shouldn't be like this. Family shouldn't make someone feel like this.]

I don't know. I don't think it's like the flowers.

[He squeezes her hand, before straightening up from his crouch.]

The illusions aren't going to kill you if you ignore them. You'll be okay, alright? I promise you.

[It's not something he knows for certain, and maybe he shouldn't make promises he can't keep, but...

He doesn't want her to be afraid. She's just a child. She needs all the hope she can get.]

[flower_of_innocence]

[She's putting a lot of trust in Lance's words. Lusamine - the illusion of Lusamine? - points this out, chin angled high as she looks down at Lillie disapprovingly. The child's eyes flit from her mother to Lance before fixing on the ground. She can feel the guilt of disobedience bubbling up in her chest, but there are two things she can't ignore: If Lance is telling the truth, she has to move past this. This...whatever it is, is either cruel or planning something sinister and she can't, perhaps won't, let it take her from Nebby and Guzma.

If Lance is lying...well, doesn't she still need to ignore her? Lillie made this promise a while ago - that she was done waiting for her mother to come around. That she was done with empty praise and charming lies. But what she wouldn't give for the sudden soft sadness in Lusamine's eyes to be real. What she wouldn't give for the comforting hand on her shoulder to really be there, for the words "Come home to me." to be an honest offer.

A long moment passes where Lillie's gaze stays at the hand on her shoulder. The illusion looks pleased, almost triumphant, until the girl turns her head away and tries to focus on Lance instead. Its furious hiss earns a flinch, but Lillie fights every urge to run to her mother's side and apologize.

She has nothing to apologize for. She will repeat that in her head until the words mean something.]

I never got your name. [Her voice comes out a bit loud for anyone unable to hear the accusations and admonishments of the specter behind her.] Back in the temple...when you couldn't speak.