Hello, everyone! Just a quick update on my day off to keep y'all satisfied. We're getting into the next brain! And we see a jealous Lili :3 I hope you guys enjoy this one! Have a great night!
"You're still here, Boyd?" I tilted my head a little to the side as the security guard was sitting at the foot of the steps with his head in his hands.
"Uh?" He brought his head up suddenly before giving the slightest hint of a smile. "Oh, hey kids. Just been," The man grew silent for a moment before returning his head to his hands. "Thinking."
"Thinking about what?" Lili spoke softly as she took a step closer to the man. "It might help to speak about it if you would like to."
"Life. My crimes against myself and my mind. The usual post-psychiatric treatment thoughts." The man sighed as he dropped his hands into his lap. "Nothing you kids should worry about."
"We're Psychonauts. Psychiatric stuff is our thing." I smiled wide as I crossed my arms over my chest. "That and sadly I somewhat know what you're going through."
"Really?" I shrugged as Boyd brought his eyes up toward me.
"Was put in a psychological hold as a kid for a little while. Not because I did something terrible, but because some officers thought I did."
"Sadly, I can't say the same about the end there."
"We saw," Lili spoke gently, reaching out and placing a hand on the older man's shoulder. "But that doesn't mean you haven't changed after your time here. Or after the hypnosis treatment too." She patted his shoulder gently as a small smile took over the man's face.
"Stuff happens, you know?" I shrugged again as I went to stand by Lili's side. "And we're human. We all do things that are messed up, but as long as you feel remorse and you move to make amends with yourself and work to be a better person, you're doing the best you can." Boyd chuckled to himself for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"How old are you two?"
"Fourteen and old enough to know our shit." I saw Lili roll her eyes out of the corner of mine as she nudged me gently.
"Fourteen and stupid is what he means."
"Including yourself there, Lils?"
"Obviously. I lose brain cells the longer I'm with you after all."
"Hey! I thought we shared them!"
"Not sharing them if you kill them." I couldn't help but laugh wholeheartedly as Lili just smiled in reply. Boyd just looked between us for a moment before smiling himself.
"Saved by some kids. Never seen that happening for me, but I'm thankful for it." I smiled at the man before dropping my arms from my chest.
"Speaking of which, what are you planning on doing now for yourself, Boyd?"
"I don't know yet, honestly." He shook his head for a moment before looking over his shoulder toward the asylum. "There are others here just like me. Mentally toyed with and everything. I can't exactly leave them, but I can't seem to get myself to leave this spot yet either." He looked back toward us with a shrug. "Guess my brain still has it in mind that it should guard the place? I'm not quite sure, honestly."
"It takes a bit for the effects of hypnosis to fade. I bet your mind still feels like it has a mission here even if it's freed. It'll take time to feel like yourself again." Lili's voice had a professional tone to it as she turned toward me. "We can take a look around to see who else we can free around here. We can find some evidence of the camper brains too while we're at it."
"Bet! It might lead us to find everyone!"
"You two are something else." Boyd let out a small chuckle before bringing his hands up to put his head back into them. "I wish you two well."
"Thanks, guard man!" I gave him a small wave as Lili rolled her eyes once more.
"Let's go, Raz." I took the same hand waving at Boyd to then salute Lili with a smile.
"Aye boss lady!" Lili giggled lightly at my response before leading me toward the garden area.
"Whatever, private Aquato, the plants say to go this way."
"Lead the way then." I gave her a toothy grin as she nudged my side.
"Happy to."
We walked silently together as Lili led slightly toward a small greenhouse-like area. It was thriving with small wildlife as Lili seemed rather pleased with the small batches of flowers and stems leading us toward the next area of the asylum.
"They're frightened yet amused. Scared but thriving." Lili whispered gently to herself as she reached out and grazed one of the small yellow flowers that wrapped around the doorway of the small garden area with her index finger. "How fascinating." I entered further into the small little area to see a woman standing in the small ray of light that came through from the top of the little greenhouse as she bowed toward a large number of dark plants.
"Probably cause of her." I nudged Lili and pointed toward the woman as she thanked her audience. Her messy red hair in ridged curls stood out like tree branches with each bow she took as she spoke emotionally.
"Thank you! Thank you! You're all too kind!" Her uneven earrings swayed as she bowed in what seemed to be a crudely painted hospital gown and flowed to her feet. Suddenly she stopped like something was speaking to her as she seemed shocked in surprise. "A new audience? Whatever do you-?" The woman turned on the dime to show Lili and me her face she had massive amounts of stage makeup covering her cheeks yet highlighting the mole that rested on her cheek. "Oh my! A new supporting cast? Maybe a new leading male? A young one too. Aren't you handsome? But, my gracious, you're so young! Tell me why do they keep casting me with such mere babes? I guess that's the curse of having an eternally young face." I heard a small protective growl leave Lili as I gave the woman a wide smile.
"Hi, I'm Raz. Not an actor, but it's nice to meet you Miss-?"
"I'm Gloria Von Gouton! The leading star of Hollywood! The actress of the ages!" She posed dramatically as I realized she had a claw-like trophy in her hand that she held close to her chest. "I'm surprised you don't recognize me, young man. I'm the main star, after all."
"Main star my ass." I couldn't help but chuckle a little at Lili's grumble.
"What's with the trophy there, ma'am?"
"This little thing?" The woman wore a proud smile as she held it up in the light. "This is my crowning achievement, my highest honor, my precious trophy. I can tell you how I won it-." The woman moved out of the light ever so slightly, but it caused a sudden change in her demeanor. "But you don't believe I'm worthy of it, do you? You want it for yourself, don't you? A selfish little brat!" I held my hands up defensively as Lili took a step between the woman and me who now held out the trophy like a weapon.
"How about you calm your ass, grandma? We're not here for your shit, we just need to find the real entrance into this place if you'll just-."
"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE MY TROPHY FROM ME! NEVER! BE AWAY WITH YOU AND NEVER COME BACK!" She slashed the trophy back and forth toward Lili and me until we stumbled backward enough that the woman figured we were far enough. She turned on her heels suddenly before retreating to the light in the center of the greenhouse. "You're the best, Gloria. No one will ever replace you." I felt my heart pound heavily in my chest as I pulled Lili into a protective hug as if to protect her from the woman in front of us.
"Sweet mother of Monroe, she's special." Lili nodded as she put a hand on top of one of my arms around her.
"No wonder why the flowers are so light-starved yet living. They're frightened of her. They're feeding off her 'light'." She used air quotes as she turned her head to look at me better. "She's definitely got some issues. Hypnosis might not be the problem, but she's definitely being used to protect something here."
"Something bigger than that trophy too." Lili nodded as she dug her hand into her jacket pocket.
"Ready to jump into another mind, Aquato?"
"Think you can handle being in there, Lils? You seemed rather upset when she was talking there." I noticed a bright blush on her cheeks as she pulled her psi-portal out of her pocket.
"Don't worry about it." I couldn't help but smirk as she rolled up her jacket sleeves. "Just don't like you being messed with."
"Or being called handsome it seems."
"Shush."
"What? Don't agree with her? How cruel of you." I whispered in a mocking tone as I noticed her blush deepen.
"I didn't say-! Shush, Raz!" She grew frustrated in a hushed tone as I just chuckled in reply.
She's adorable when she's frustrated.
I smiled softly as I let the thought live free within my head.
That feels right to think. Lili is adorable. My best friend.
I felt a small blush of my own appear as I let her slip out of my arms and take a step closer toward Gloria with her psi-portal ready.
And most definitely something more here too. Especially with her reacting like that. Does that mean she likes me back? Am I looking too much into it? I hope not. I mean- I hope she does. That would be everything, honestly.
"Alright, Aquato, enough teasing." She whispered toward me as she tossed the portal lightly so it would attach to the back of Gloria's skull with a soft thud. "I wanna get this one over with."
"Because she finds me handsome?" I smirked as Lili shot daggers in my direction.
"I'll boil you, water lover."
"Oh, how cruel!" I teased with a wide smile as I slipped my arms away from her to reach up for my goggles. "And here I thought you loved me." I pulled my goggles down over my eyes as Lili gave a small huff in reply.
"Whatever. We got brain things to do."
"And brain things we will!" I got her a smile that caused her to smile softly in return.
God, I enjoy spending time with her.
I dropped my arms to my side as I felt my mind being pulled toward the psi-portal.
Her little angry spurts and everything.
I felt a hand slip into mine as I was pulled from my physical form and toward Gloria.
And I have the idea she might feel the same.