REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

File 3-2: Heavenly Migration
Perspective: Despina

[Image Description: A past version of Santana, in round glasses, a big segmented hat and black gown gazing at the viewer while sitting on a desk. The office building's ornimentation is full of stars, somewhat tacky.]

You made your way into the office discreetly, rabbit awaiting you.

Despina: Got your package.
 
Santana: You didn't take long. No trouble?
 
Despina: You said quick and easy, I made good on that.
 
You slided the box onto her desk.

She presses a gloved hand under one of the flaps to remove the adhesive.
 
Santana: Really are as special as they come..
 
Despina: Sure.
 
She gave it a good inspection, not a dent.
 
Santana: Everything seems in order..
 
The rabbit's pupils dilated, enough to get her to step out of her chair.
 
Santana: You're bleeding, I can smell it on you.
 
Despina: It's no big deal.
 
She immediately pressed her face into your shoulder. You kept a hand tight on your mask, only for the rabbit to slide a finger between it and where your neck met.
 
Santana: Let me take care of that....
 
Despina: I can handle it myself today....
 
Santana: You're denying me today? Disappointing...
 
Despina: We're by a window..
 
Santana: Too high up for anyone who'd care to notice..
 
Despina: Be bad for your job as the company mascot if they walked in.
 
Santana: It's just a tiny lick... besides, only reason you're allowed here is cause your boss has a soft spot for entity.. a fixation even.
 
Despina: It's a lot more complicated than that..
 
Santana: Always the pretty ones too, surely you're noticed..
 
Despina: What makes you think you're on that list?
 
Santana: Rude!
 
Despina: I mean you are, first name at the top too.
 
Santana: Why wouldn't I be?
 
Despina: My favorite for sure..
 
Santana: Of all entity?
 
Despina: Entity, rabbits, weird fanged monsters in disguise. Any number of things really..
 
Santana: Even if this whole thing is a bit taboo? I'm not exactly a good person..
 
She slid down your cloak, exposing your wound to the air. She licked her lips, your eyes trying to avoid fixating on her little fangs.
 
Despina: Means we match. Careful not to stretch that shirt..
 
Santana: It's already torn into.. and I want people to know you're with someone.
 
Despina: Wish I could, colleagues would kill me.
 
Santana: Hehe.. I have to say I love the fox mask on you.
 
Despina: She's pretty naturally inclined toward biting off your head you know.
 
Santana: Even better.
 
Despina: Freak...
 
Santana: I just like how much of the real you she brings out...
 
Despina: Mean, angry, tired..
 
Santana: Honest. Most of those little masks hide you, and without one you're too naked and afraid to show yourself but...
 
Despina: But here..?
 
Santana: Here you don't filter yourself.. like you two were always meant to be. Destined...
 
Despina: Why do you have to keep putting it like that?
 
Santana: Because I wouldn't mind you peeling me apart for your collection..
 
Despina: You're already in my head plenty..
 
Santana: Even easier, it'd be like moving into your place..
 
Despina: Start there then.
 
Santana: No.
 
Despina: No?
 
Santana: You live in one of those cramped little Library apartments, I'm upgrading you to the good life.
 
Despina: And if I kill you in your sleep?
 
Santana: You won't. Because you'd miss me.
 

---

[Image Description: Despina in modern day, wearing their Snake mask with a box cutter in hand. Around them is a world made of chunks of various places represented by film reel and matte paintings, memories of the many.]


You came back to your senses, something was going through your mind.

Ahead of you lies a world of ruin made of the memories of many, yours a mere footnote.
 
You dig your claws into your arm, pinching yourself to keep your mind grounded.
 
You feel around for your box cutter, readying it for the emotional minefield ahead.
 
Infiltration successful, time to cut loose.
 
Your communications are live, a good time to update.
 
Despina: Either of you there?
 
Diver: We're on standby. You've been quiet.
 
Romero: I was just about to run in to check on you..
 
Diver: Had to wrestle him down. Roost and Sav still aren't back.
 
Despina: Course not, this isn't a entity we're dealing with.
 
Diver:... No?
 
Despina: Colluded Angel, probably looking for a herald. If Savvy hasn't come out yet though, means they haven't signed a deal proper. Pretending to be a folk saint's some nasty work.
 
Diver: That's... good? How do you know that.. I mean I hate to go to the morbid thought immediately but-
 
Despina: Fact that the portal to this pocket is still intact means things are hardly done.
Romero: That and Roost is there too so..
 
Diver: And how do you know he isn't dead?
 
Romero: Gut feeling.
 
Despina: Mm, same actually. It's a ferryman thing.
 
You cut through the layers of fabricated sky, matte paintings dropping like cardboard .
 
Despina: I'll get it done quick. One I secure the two I'm gonna need Romero to go grab the rabbit, need her to verify something.
 
Romero: ...Think she's doing this?
 
Despina: Think she's our best lead if what I think is happening is happening.

Diver: I'll.. submit a request. 

Despina: Not until I burn this place down. Think something awful's on its way.