Spider ends up in a wooded area with a watertower in the distance. The trees are all black and the grass appears dead, the sky is dark aside from the bronze tinted moon. She glances around chuckling, she then starts walking towards the water tower, her senses on high alert. It's an average watertower. Slightly rusted. There's a marijuana leaf spray painted on it. She attempts to teleport up onto the top of the water tower hoping to get a better view of the area. It works. It's miles of just forest, and then a large, tall hotel in the distance.
"There we go," She mutters as she teleports to just outside the hotel, and heads inside. Same catboy from before is at the desk, sipping a coffee. Spider walks up to the desk, glancing around the lobby as she goes,
"Hey, I remember you! You came by yesterday, that race was awesome," the guy smiles, "What's up? Need anything?"
"Thanks," They chuckle, "Yeah, I'm looking for Asphodel"
"Ah, tenth floor, room 612," he nods.
"Ta," They nod back as they glance around the lobby. They give a small wave to the catboy, before heading into the lift and pressing the button for the tenth floor.
---
After a while, Spider ends up at the tenth floor. It looks like a very large and fancy hall, various rooms to each side and an area in the middle for recreation. The rooms on the sides are numbered, starting at 1.
"Just how bloody big is this place?" She chuckles and starts walking looking for room 612. To answer her question, Fucking Huge. She can't see the end of the hallway lmfao. After maybe... half an hour of walking? She ends up at 612. She knocks on the door before leaning on a patch of wall, moving one hand into her pocket to fiddle with something .
The doorknob jiggles a bit, unlocking as it opens slightly and she can see a gold chain keeping the door somewhat closed as it opens. It's completely dark inside aside from two bright orange, swirling eyes.
"..."
The door closes and the chain can be heard moving. The door opens as Asphodel fucking TACKLES Spider into a hug, kissing her on the forehead.
"YOU CAME TO VISIT!?!"
She smells like fast food and lack of showering. And alcohol. Don't think she's been doing too good. Spider flinches before hugging her back, "Of course, though you didn't tell me just how big this place was"
"I thought you've been here before I thought you knew," Asphodel chuckles, resting her head on Spider
"Only saw the lobby and like one hall, but anyways you doing ok?"
"Mmmmmmmm can we go to the next question?"
"Sure" Spider chuckles, though she sounds slightly concerned when she speaks, "Why are you dodging the question?"
"I don't think you'll like the answer"
"You know how good my nose is right? I already know the answer, so my next question is, is there anything I can do to help?"
"I dunno,," she nuzzles Spider slightly
"You planning on spending all night or whatever time it is out here or are ya gonna invite me in?"
Asphodel gets up off of Spider, "Y.Yeah come in," she opens the door, ushering Spider in. It's completely dark, aside from the TV which is playing a Film Theory on the 3rd FNAF movie.
"And how long exactly have you been living like this? Cause I got the impression from the bloke downstairs that time works differently here"
"Uhhhh... Maybe a day or two? I'm not sure." There's trash on the floor, very obviously, though Spider can't see it.
"You mind turning the lights on?" She glances over at the TV head tilting slightly. Asphodel waves a hand and several candles in the room ignite, including a large chandelier. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Her room is MASSIVE, and very maximalist in the design. Most of it is wooden, lots of bookcases and stuff. Feels very old fashioned. There's even a fire place. Kitchen, bathroom, livingroom, bedroom. Everything she needs. She slumps over on the couch. "Hi"
Spider glances around before looking back at Asphodel, "Hey, I gotta say, I love the place." She sits down next to Asphodel.
"Thanks, Bael made it for me," she smiles, leaning on Spider
"You seem pretty close with him" Spider chuckles and drapes an arm over Asphodels shoulders.
"I mean,, kinda? I'm sort of supposed to take over if or when he dies, so,."
"Yeah, Harm mentioned the fledgling thing, it sounds.. dangerous to be honest, with Abaddon and Lucifer being the way they are"
"Well, if Abaddon and Lucifer die, then Azriel and Stolas are in charge. Which is a downgrade but in a good way."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, they're both Princes of Devils as well."
"No shit" She chuckles "Though if they disagree with Lucy and Abaddon why are they still kicking?"
"They don't. They're just incompetent."
"Noted, if I ever get the chance to bump Lucy and Abaddon off I'll take it then" She chuckles
"Good luck with that," Asphodel laughs, "Abaddon could easily just wipe out earth and everything on it, he just wants the entertainment of playing the long game. I give it another year or two before he starts actually ending it."
"Yeah I'm already aware" Spider sighs
"Yeah,, it sucks, but the best we can do for now is wait until the perfect time to strike."
"And is that before or after he's destroyed the world?" Spider grumbles
Asphodel turns to look at Spider, booping her, "That's up to you."
She growls lightly at the boop one ear flicking at Asphodel, "It ain't exactly considering if I left it till she ended it all, I'd die"
"Hm." Asphodel pauses, looking at one of her windows.
Spider glances over at where Asphodels looking, "What's up?"
"Nothin' just thinkng.."
"About?"
"Think you could do something for me?"
Spider sits up pulling her arm back from around Asphodels shoulders, "What it is?"
"When you get back to the Veil Abaddon's ending, seek out the Slender Man or one of his followers. Tell them Clockwork sent ya."
"The Moon? That'll be easy enough the things a pest," She chuckles, "But yeah sure, and Clockwork?" She tilts her head slightly.
Asphodel sits up and makes sure Spider can see her eyes. Her left eye turns bright white, the swirls turning into two lines extending from her pupil. One stays still while the other moves. She grins, "Clockwork."
Spider chuckles, "Fancy."
"Very," Asphodel says, her eye returning to normal.
"Full of surprises ain't you?" Spider grins.
"I suppose so," Asphodel chuckles, leaning back into the couch.
Spider leans into the couch inching closer to Asphodel, "So how do you know the Moon then?"
"Are you. being serious?"
"Yeah, and if you call me cute I'm gonna bite ya," Spider jokes, chuckling.
"Hang on," Asphodel takes the remote to her TV, searches 'slenderverse', and hits the Night Mind video on it, "We're watching this."
Spider shakes her head and grins at Asphodel, "Cute, but I meant how do you know them personally? Most people aren't on nickname basis with em"
"Ohhh. I work under someone who works under him. Kinda."
"Who?"
"Sorath, kinda."
One of Spider's ears twitches, "Did I just hear that right?"
"Did you?"
"You work for Sorath?"
"Somewhat. Kinda. It's weird."
"How so?"
"It's kinda like... hm. I don't work for it, but I do. Kinda."
Spider drapes her arm back around Asphodels shoulders leaning into her, "Go on"
"So..." She switches the TV to some sort of map of... space..?? There's seven large rings and a lot of areas in between, various shapes. She points to one of the rings, "There's us, well obviously not right now but that's the Veil we're from." She points to another ring just a little ways away from it. "That's where one Mary Ouellette lives. Same name as me aside from the surname. She's a proxy of the Sorath and another version of me. When she dies she'll become me."
"I wouldn't class that as weird, but it's certainly interesting"
"Yeah," she sighs, "This map's pretty cool honestly. Stolas made it for me." Also! in the middle of the map is a giant. Cluster. of Something. Part of it looks square, like a series of halls, but it's definitely not the backrooms because those are over there... Hm.
Spider raises an eyebrow, "I like it, but what's that?" She gestures to the cluster.
"Not exactly sure. Can't really tell."
"Is there a way to zoom this thing in?" Spider asks.
"Uhh yeah." Asphodel hits some buttons on the remote and zooms into it. Looks like a massive building floating in the nothingness with lots of other things tacked onto it. It's huge, almost as large as one of the rings which are literally entire Veils.
"The fuck?" Spider mutters.
"No idea."
"So someone's living in the middle of the veils, noted," She turns to look at Asphodel, "You ready to talk about how you're doing yet?"
"I'm doing fine," Asphodel smiles.
"Bollocks," Spider sighs, "This room has clearly seen better days for one." She gestures to the trash on the floor.
"That's not exactly important."
"The world is ending, I'd say everything is important.. you're missing Melody aren't you?"
"And you, and Smores."
Spider raises an eyebrow. Asphodel raises one back.
"You gave her your flannel and I've seen how you are with her, it doesn't take a genius to figure it out," Spider sighs.
"Because I know that's how she expects affection to be shown. I have chats with Smores and we listen to music together. I still haven't figured you out."
Spider smiles, "You haven't eh?"
"Nope"
Spider sits up so she's facing Asphodel though keeps her arm around her shoulders, she's also grinning now, "I could tell you but that's not exactly fun is it"
"You could," she smirks.
Spider's still grinning as she tilts her head slightly one ear flicking, "I'd rather go the fun way, and now that I think about it I haven't really figured you out either"
"Do you think I'm hard to figure out?" Asphodel asks.
"Do you think I am?" Spider chuckles, "Though I feel like I'm getting close to figuring you out after how you reacted earlier"
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean you were all over me earlier and most of the times we've been together as well," Spider grins.
"Maybe physical touch is just one of my love languages," Asphodel smirks, putting a finger to Spider's collarbone.
Spider matches Asphodels smirk, "Could be, but I don't think it is"
"Really? What is it, then?"
"Well, using earlier as an example, you were all over me but in a different way, I think you were trying to comfort yourself," Spider pauses, "Of course I could be completely wrong here and ruining everything but yeah"
"You're not ruining anything"
"Good" Spider grins jokingly, "So you were saying about love languages?"
"Melody's is most likely physical touch and gift giving, Smores is quality time, but I'm not sure what yours is"
"You want me to tell you?" She chuckles.
"I'd like that," Asphodel says.
"I'm kinda a mix of the two you just said? I like physical touch" Spider grins, jokingly winking at Asphodel, "And quality time, and I know you said touch was one of yours, care to elaborate on the rest?"
"Not too sure, really," Asphodel yawns, leaning on Spider sleepily
Spider chuckles, "You want me to leave?"
"If you want,, just a lil sleepy"
"When was the last time you slept?"
"A few hours ago I think"
Spider sighs, "Do I need to go find Bael and ask him to check up on you after I'm gone? Cause like I'm starting to get worried"
"You don't need to," Asphodel leans into Spider, "Go Sonichu, go out and zap to the extreme"
"Is that supposed to reassure me?"
"Julayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"
"You've lost it mate," She chuckles shaking her head.
"Fuzzy-wuzzys get you hugs; prickly-wicklies get you slugs! You gave me a slug, so get my secret ultimate attack!" Asphodel's face is buried in Spider's neck.
Spider smiles slightly, "Anyone home?"
"We're watching something next time you come here. Uncultured, shaking my head," Asphodel says, looking up.
"Welcome back to reality" She laughs, "And I don't know if I should be scared or not"
"You better be"
"And if I'm not?" Spider grins.
"You will be at part 10."
"I doubt it"
"Trust me. You will." A small JULAAAAAAY, JULAAAAAAY!!!! can be heard in the distance...
One of her Spider's swivels into the direction of the noise, "The fuck?" Asphodel GIGGLES. "And you're fucking with me aren't you" Spider chuckles
"Maybe"
"Twat" Spider rolls her eyes but in the affectionate way.
"Mhmmmmm hehe," Asphodel sighs. "I need to shower,"
"You're telling me"
"Wow"
Spider shrugs to the best of her ability with Asphodel on top her her tone playful when she speaks, "Wow indeed, it's a wonder I haven't passed out yet"
"Wowwwwwwwww"
"And here I thought you were a cat demon, not a broken record" Spider chuckles.
"Bullying me"
"Don't pretend you don't like it" Spider still has one arm around Asphodels shoulders and she just sorta hugs her closer
"You want me so bad." Asphodel leans into her.
"Not when you smell like that I don't," Spider smiles her tone teasing.
"Well then I'll shower and next time you see me I'll smell good"
"Good, then we'll see eh?" Spider has a similar sort of tone as before, though it's slightly more playful now.
"Mhhmmmmmmmmmm"
"Very eloquent"
"Anyways," Spider attempts to get up, "I'll see you when I see ya yeah? Though I will be checking up on you"
"Okieeeeeee"
"Though I don't suppose there's an easier way out of here than trekking all the way over to the hall?" She chuckles.
"Watch this." Asphodel gets up and pushes Spider at the wall, she noclips through and ends up back in Harmonia's house.