Eddie’s Words

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

5 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

I wrote

uh

something

 

@Through The Living Glass@RoyalBeeMage it grew but I think it's still technically a monologue

Restless:

  Hide contents

“You know about the fire, because that was when I came to stay with you. I was only there for a few weeks before they took you. Then it was just me and the kids. I mean, I say kids. They were only a few years younger than me, and I don’t think they needed a babysitter. I know, I know. Everything is a mess, and people like you, who remember the world before all of this…

“I’m not saying I blame you. That’s all. I got it, and they did too, but the only thing they really needed me for was food. I’ve told you this much before, but I didn’t really explain how I spent my time. It was that old car of yours. It hadn’t worked in forever—that’s what the kids told me, anyway—and there wasn’t much point to trying. But most of the roads around your place were still pretty whole, and I wasn’t exactly busy. So I fixed it up. Found some gas in that old shed you have, and…I just drove. I guess that's something people used to do before. I wouldn’t know. It was wasteful and stupid of me, but I wanted it the way I haven’t wanted something in a long time. Do you know that feeling?

“Well, I drove. I wasn’t going fast—I’d only driven once before—but it felt like magic. You always used to say that magic is only technology we don’t understand, so maybe this is me admitting how dumb I am. But if being dumb lets me feel what I felt that day, I’ll never learn anything again. It was pure freedom. No one and nothing in my way. I made it out to one of those big roads…what did you call them, freeways? Yeah. I’d seen them before, but never like that. Your section is pretty crowded with old cars and little huts, but once I got out of the city it was nothing but road. I started going faster and faster…I knew it was wrong, but the wind was blowing through the broken windows and that feeling was all that mattered. 

“The car broke. I hadn’t even thought to bring tools, so there I was, miles and miles from the city in a car that didn’t work. It didn’t bother me, though. Isn’t that weird? It should have, but I’ve always reacted differently to things like that. Some corner of my mind knew that it was your car, that I’d wasted time and resources and now the kids were alone. But there are a lot of kids growing up alone these days, and yours were luckier than most. They had friends, support, school. I guess that doesn’t give you a lot of hope, because I had those same things, and look at me now. But they’re not like me. Maybe it sounds narcissistic, but I’m starting to wonder if anyone is like me.

“The point is, I’ve always been this way. I used to skip days of classes without any idea why. I’d wander, get into fights. Drove my parents crazy, but they wanted what was best for me, and I think we were all starting to question what the classes did besides use time. Some kids needed that. No judgement here. But me, I’d jitter and chafe against it. By the end of each day, I was convinced that it was all designed as some twisted personal torture. I did well, though. It was just that I got their assignments done in decaying shopping malls and on the roofs of forgotten skyscrapers. I never messed with drugs or the gangs. Maybe I would’ve, but you have to know people to get involved with any of that, and I never got on well with others. It was probably pretty obvious to you and all the adults, actually. I am a lonesome creature. It isn’t as romantic as it sounds, but…at least it’s consistent.

“Anyway, I didn’t have a problem with being lost without supplies or transport. The road was empty for miles on end, and the overpasses weren’t even crumbling. So I got out and started walking. Not towards home, either. People don’t travel much, obviously, and I was surprised to realize that I’d never been that far from the city. I didn’t even care that it was dangerous. I was thinking like an animal, like nothing mattered past the moment I was living in. After a couple miles, it started to rain. Softly, then in thick, warm sheets. A summer rain. I remember the smell. It shocked me more than anything else. Water on asphalt has a unique smell, and while it wasn’t a new one to me, on the empty freeway it was overpowering. It made me feel alive for the first time since the fire. With my family gone, it was hard to feel anything. That might be what made me so reckless. But there in the rain, I felt something like hope. For myself, for this broken world, for other loners. I ran until I tasted blood—which, embarrassingly, wasn’t very long—and then I laughed until my stomach ached. I was in control enough not to drink the rain. For the first time in my entire life, death sounded appalling. I kept walking until I heard something that sounded like singing. I hadn’t seen another person since I left the city, so of course I was curious. They were on the other side of the concrete barrier that separated the two sides of the freeway, so I climbed over. On the other side, I saw three people, spinning and singing in the rain.

“I barely even thought about it. I knew the tune, so I started singing and made my way to their circle. The wind picked up, and for a moment I barely felt human. It was like the whole world was laughing with us, and we were its spirits, its fae creatures. The storm passed and I started to continue on my way. But one of them called after me.

“‘Where you headed?’ He asked. 

“‘I don’t know,’ I said, and honestly.

“He smiled. I remember how open and warm he was. ‘Towards, or away?’

“I got the sense that he wasn’t asking about anything specific. He wanted to know if I was running towards the future or away from the past. I waited a little too long to answer, but he was patient. ‘A little of both, I guess.’

“‘Does it have to be alone?

“I started walking back towards them. I noticed that they’d collected the rainwater into collapsible buckets and the girl was slowly filtering it into water bottles. ‘No,’ I decided, and that was all that needed to be said on the matter. From there on, I was with them.

“Before you get angry, I didn’t know anything about the world. I didn't understand how lucky I was to have met good people—and they are good people—before getting into any real trouble. Most people like me end up a lot worse off…I remember how embarrassed I was at first. I hadn’t brought clothes or supplies. I hadn’t even admitted to myself that I was running away. In fact, I don’t think I realized that until the second week. I’ll spare you the details of walking and surviving and scouring old cars for anything we could use. It isn’t that I don’t want to tell you, it’s that I can’t explain it without making it sound like misery. It wasn’t. It was paradise, emotions I’d started to think didn’t exist, at least not anymore. It was dreams and family like I’ve never seen before, a connection that went deeper than one conversation. It was safe.

“Then we got further from the city, and the monsters turned up. Like I said, I’ve gotten into fights before. I held my own. Iz, though, the other girl, she killed them as if she’d been born for it. I’m still not convinced she’s human. Darren and Trif were closer to my level, and we could sometimes take down one while she fought three. They were huge, beautiful creatures. I know that isn’t what you’ve heard before. But you’ve never seen one, have you? I didn’t think so…I guess, though, that maybe they wouldn’t look that way to you. Have you ever thought about that? We see this world through completely different eyes. You see cracks. I see caves. You see this world as old and broken and burnt out. But I think it becomes something new every day. I’m not saying you’re depressed or anything–except I think your generation had some problems with that–I’m just saying that the world you grew up in isn’t this one, and there is beauty in places that are jarring and unfamiliar to you. Maybe it’s dumb, but I think this world understands me. It feels my restlessness…

“Restless. That’s one of my favorite ways to describe myself. I don’t think I can rest. There’s always something in me that has to be moving, bouncing or fidgeting or escaping. Can’t escape this place, though, can I? I don’t want you to answer that. I don’t think you even tried. Yeah. Yeah, whatever. How long did it take them to let you out? Two? Two what? Weeks, months, year–you’re joking. No, I don’t care. I’ll find my way out. I’m not going to be a prisoner for two years and just hope they don’t try to keep me any longer. I don’t know how you knew I was here, how they let you in for a visit, or why you thought I wanted to see you. Get out. I’m not like you. That was all I’ve been trying to say, but I guess you didn’t get it. I hope the kids are good. I hope you’re all happy without me, because you won’t be seeing me again until my picture is plastered around this whole city because I got out, and after that you won’t see me at all.”

 

i'd say that counts as a monologue... though it is more of a story... love it! 

this isnt related to any other of your OC's is it?

[Through the Living Hope]

11 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

I wrote

uh

something

 

@Through The Living Glass@RoyalBeeMage it grew but I think it's still technically a monologue

Restless:

  Hide contents

“You know about the fire, because that was when I came to stay with you. I was only there for a few weeks before they took you. Then it was just me and the kids. I mean, I say kids. They were only a few years younger than me, and I don’t think they needed a babysitter. I know, I know. Everything is a mess, and people like you, who remember the world before all of this…

“I’m not saying I blame you. That’s all. I got it, and they did too, but the only thing they really needed me for was food. I’ve told you this much before, but I didn’t really explain how I spent my time. It was that old car of yours. It hadn’t worked in forever—that’s what the kids told me, anyway—and there wasn’t much point to trying. But most of the roads around your place were still pretty whole, and I wasn’t exactly busy. So I fixed it up. Found some gas in that old shed you have, and…I just drove. I guess that's something people used to do before. I wouldn’t know. It was wasteful and stupid of me, but I wanted it the way I haven’t wanted something in a long time. Do you know that feeling?

“Well, I drove. I wasn’t going fast—I’d only driven once before—but it felt like magic. You always used to say that magic is only technology we don’t understand, so maybe this is me admitting how dumb I am. But if being dumb lets me feel what I felt that day, I’ll never learn anything again. It was pure freedom. No one and nothing in my way. I made it out to one of those big roads…what did you call them, freeways? Yeah. I’d seen them before, but never like that. Your section is pretty crowded with old cars and little huts, but once I got out of the city it was nothing but road. I started going faster and faster…I knew it was wrong, but the wind was blowing through the broken windows and that feeling was all that mattered. 

“The car broke. I hadn’t even thought to bring tools, so there I was, miles and miles from the city in a car that didn’t work. It didn’t bother me, though. Isn’t that weird? It should have, but I’ve always reacted differently to things like that. Some corner of my mind knew that it was your car, that I’d wasted time and resources and now the kids were alone. But there are a lot of kids growing up alone these days, and yours were luckier than most. They had friends, support, school. I guess that doesn’t give you a lot of hope, because I had those same things, and look at me now. But they’re not like me. Maybe it sounds narcissistic, but I’m starting to wonder if anyone is like me.

“The point is, I’ve always been this way. I used to skip days of classes without any idea why. I’d wander, get into fights. Drove my parents crazy, but they wanted what was best for me, and I think we were all starting to question what the classes did besides use time. Some kids needed that. No judgement here. But me, I’d jitter and chafe against it. By the end of each day, I was convinced that it was all designed as some twisted personal torture. I did well, though. It was just that I got their assignments done in decaying shopping malls and on the roofs of forgotten skyscrapers. I never messed with drugs or the gangs. Maybe I would’ve, but you have to know people to get involved with any of that, and I never got on well with others. It was probably pretty obvious to you and all the adults, actually. I am a lonesome creature. It isn’t as romantic as it sounds, but…at least it’s consistent.

“Anyway, I didn’t have a problem with being lost without supplies or transport. The road was empty for miles on end, and the overpasses weren’t even crumbling. So I got out and started walking. Not towards home, either. People don’t travel much, obviously, and I was surprised to realize that I’d never been that far from the city. I didn’t even care that it was dangerous. I was thinking like an animal, like nothing mattered past the moment I was living in. After a couple miles, it started to rain. Softly, then in thick, warm sheets. A summer rain. I remember the smell. It shocked me more than anything else. Water on asphalt has a unique smell, and while it wasn’t a new one to me, on the empty freeway it was overpowering. It made me feel alive for the first time since the fire. With my family gone, it was hard to feel anything. That might be what made me so reckless. But there in the rain, I felt something like hope. For myself, for this broken world, for other loners. I ran until I tasted blood—which, embarrassingly, wasn’t very long—and then I laughed until my stomach ached. I was in control enough not to drink the rain. For the first time in my entire life, death sounded appalling. I kept walking until I heard something that sounded like singing. I hadn’t seen another person since I left the city, so of course I was curious. They were on the other side of the concrete barrier that separated the two sides of the freeway, so I climbed over. On the other side, I saw three people, spinning and singing in the rain.

“I barely even thought about it. I knew the tune, so I started singing and made my way to their circle. The wind picked up, and for a moment I barely felt human. It was like the whole world was laughing with us, and we were its spirits, its fae creatures. The storm passed and I started to continue on my way. But one of them called after me.

“‘Where you headed?’ He asked. 

“‘I don’t know,’ I said, and honestly.

“He smiled. I remember how open and warm he was. ‘Towards, or away?’

“I got the sense that he wasn’t asking about anything specific. He wanted to know if I was running towards the future or away from the past. I waited a little too long to answer, but he was patient. ‘A little of both, I guess.’

“‘Does it have to be alone?

“I started walking back towards them. I noticed that they’d collected the rainwater into collapsible buckets and the girl was slowly filtering it into water bottles. ‘No,’ I decided, and that was all that needed to be said on the matter. From there on, I was with them.

“Before you get angry, I didn’t know anything about the world. I didn't understand how lucky I was to have met good people—and they are good people—before getting into any real trouble. Most people like me end up a lot worse off…I remember how embarrassed I was at first. I hadn’t brought clothes or supplies. I hadn’t even admitted to myself that I was running away. In fact, I don’t think I realized that until the second week. I’ll spare you the details of walking and surviving and scouring old cars for anything we could use. It isn’t that I don’t want to tell you, it’s that I can’t explain it without making it sound like misery. It wasn’t. It was paradise, emotions I’d started to think didn’t exist, at least not anymore. It was dreams and family like I’ve never seen before, a connection that went deeper than one conversation. It was safe.

“Then we got further from the city, and the monsters turned up. Like I said, I’ve gotten into fights before. I held my own. Iz, though, the other girl, she killed them as if she’d been born for it. I’m still not convinced she’s human. Darren and Trif were closer to my level, and we could sometimes take down one while she fought three. They were huge, beautiful creatures. I know that isn’t what you’ve heard before. But you’ve never seen one, have you? I didn’t think so…I guess, though, that maybe they wouldn’t look that way to you. Have you ever thought about that? We see this world through completely different eyes. You see cracks. I see caves. You see this world as old and broken and burnt out. But I think it becomes something new every day. I’m not saying you’re depressed or anything–except I think your generation had some problems with that–I’m just saying that the world you grew up in isn’t this one, and there is beauty in places that are jarring and unfamiliar to you. Maybe it’s dumb, but I think this world understands me. It feels my restlessness…

“Restless. That’s one of my favorite ways to describe myself. I don’t think I can rest. There’s always something in me that has to be moving, bouncing or fidgeting or escaping. Can’t escape this place, though, can I? I don’t want you to answer that. I don’t think you even tried. Yeah. Yeah, whatever. How long did it take them to let you out? Two? Two what? Weeks, months, year–you’re joking. No, I don’t care. I’ll find my way out. I’m not going to be a prisoner for two years and just hope they don’t try to keep me any longer. I don’t know how you knew I was here, how they let you in for a visit, or why you thought I wanted to see you. Get out. I’m not like you. That was all I’ve been trying to say, but I guess you didn’t get it. I hope the kids are good. I hope you’re all happy without me, because you won’t be seeing me again until my picture is plastered around this whole city because I got out, and after that you won’t see me at all.”

 

Ooooooh I want more! This is so good!

[Edema Rue she/her]

8 hours ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

i'd say that counts as a monologue... though it is more of a story... love it! 

this isnt related to any other of your OC's is it?

 

2 hours ago, Spark of Hope said:

Ooooooh I want more! This is so good!

Thanks!!

It’s not related to anything else, in my mind it’s like a dystopian world. I have a few ideas for it but nothing specific, so maybe it’ll come back at some point.

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Edema Rue said:

 

Thanks!!

It’s not related to anything else, in my mind it’s like a dystopian world. I have a few ideas for it but nothing specific, so maybe it’ll come back at some point.

I hope it does!

How busy are things looking for you in general?

[Edema Rue she/her]

2 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

I hope it does!

How busy are things looking for you in general?

Hahhaahhahhhaahahahahahaa kill me now

(for legal reasons that is a joke)

I have auditions tomorrow, callbacks Monday, one AP test next week, a history final and another AP test the week after, and several million little assignments and studying to fill in the gaps. 

oh, I also volunteer at the library on thursdays and I start and one of my jobs next week and the other at the end of May. I’m going to a few different plays, trying to work out and be a functional human, all that stuff.

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Edema Rue said:

Hahhaahhahhhaahahahahahaa kill me now

(for legal reasons that is a joke)

I have auditions tomorrow, callbacks Monday, one AP test next week, a history final and another AP test the week after, and several million little assignments and studying to fill in the gaps. 

oh, I also volunteer at the library on thursdays and I start and one of my jobs next week and the other at the end of May. I’m going to a few different plays, trying to work out and be a functional human, all that stuff.

Soooo still busy. K!

I'm starting up a(nother) new roleplay and was going to invite you if things were calm but you go ahead and live life!

[Edema Rue she/her]

Just now, Spark of Hope said:

Soooo still busy. K!

I'm starting up a(nother) new roleplay and was going to invite you if things were calm but you go ahead and live life!

I’ll be more free maybe in just a couple weeks, I can try to join once it’s up and running!

[Through the Living Hope]

Just now, Edema Rue said:

I’ll be more free maybe in just a couple weeks, I can try to join once it’s up and running!

It'll start Monday, but it'll be largely individual at the start and I'll pause a bit for AP tests, so it's pretty open. Again, don't feel pressured to because real life is fun and important too!

[Edema Rue she/her]

Hehehehehehehehhehehehehehehe

Unheard:

Spoiler

Unheard:

“You can leave,” Sera finally said. Snapped, actually, and she was angry enough to admit it. Mir wasn’t the problem—far from it—but his bouncing leg and the tightness in every movement was definitely adding to everything else. “Go back to the Near Side, find some new adventure.”

“I’m not going to leave,” Mir snapped back. 

“Why not? You’ve never had a problem with it before. Eve’s already gone, so you’ve got no reason not to.”

“I’m not going to run away from him, all right? I already told you that.”

Sera sniffed. “You want to. You would rather leave us to be enslaved by a madman than stay here another instant—”

“You don’t know what I want!” Mir didn’t climb to his feet, but somehow he was standing. He didn’t turn towards her, but somehow he was facing her. He didn’t glare, but she’d never seen such fury. “Little princess from a big city, that’s all you are. Messing with people and places where you don’t belong. You don’t know what this world needs, understand? You don’t know them, you don’t know me. Maybe it’s you who should leave.”

Sera threw up her hands. “Fine, I don’t know you. No one does, and that’s your own fault. You don’t know me either, and I’m pretty sure even you can guess where that blame lies. I’m through trying. I’m through waiting for you to get it.” 

A breath, a silence that was barely wide enough for its existence to be recognized. “So we’re all screwed up, is that it?” Sera released a short burst of air and sound, something that could have been a snort or a laugh or a sob or a scoff or something else that she didn’t know a word for. “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know anything about you. You don’t know anything about me. Maybe it’s my fault. Guess it doesn’t matter. I’m here, and I told you I’d stay, and I’m staying.”

This silence was longer, long enough that Sera felt her eyes getting wet. “Why do you do it? Sometimes I don’t even care that you’re leaving, just that you don’t tell me. I never know when I’ll look up and you’ll be gone.”

“Don’t do that,” Mir said. “Don’t cry. Don’t ask me questions you know I can’t answer—”

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

Eyes met, stares that had been cultivated among the highest nobility of Byrds. Sera felt a sharp pang of longing for Jax or a nursemaid to pull them apart, like when they’d been younger. For their parents, even. “I can’t tell you why,” Mir said, so slowly that she could see the effort it took not to scream. His eyes were fixed on a point straight ahead of him, to the left of her face. She could see a vein shaking in his neck.

“And I didn’t know that. I still don’t know that.”

“I just told you…” If Mir had possessed the power, Sera was sure that it too would have flared. She tried to think of any other time she’s seen him so raw, so wildly out of control. She’d seen Jax that way hundreds of times before the Break. The little ones too, but that was easier. She’d even seen her father cry. But Mir and her mother, the two great mysteries, the two people she loved more than anything and had never truly known. Sera’s mother was dead, and there would be no chance to understand her heart. Mir was only getting more distant.

“I don’t know you well enough to trust what you tell me. You have to prove it.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

“You do,” Sera insisted, furiously stubborn but aware that none of her thoughts were present in her words. How do I bridge the gap between what I feel and what he hears? Mir was supposed to be the bridge, not her. “And I do too, because whatever we say, whatever we’ve always said, there are no actions behind it. I don’t even think there’s love, because love has to be about action.”

Mir blinked once. Blinked again. That vein was still pulled so tightly it shook. “I don’t know what you’re saying,” he said through those gritted teeth. “And I don’t know why we’re having this conversation. I’m going for a walk, unless you object?” He finished the sentence with a sneer.

“Yes,” Sera said, “I do. You aren’t listening–”

“You aren’t saying anything!”

“When was the last time you curled up on the bathroom floor because it hurt too much to stand? When was the last time you hit something so hard your fist bled just so you could feel something outside your own head? You can’t tell me you’ve never felt something so strong you thought it would break you. And I don’t know about any of it. Can’t you see the problem with fighting alone? Maybe you have Eve. Maybe you tell it to every corner of the world. But I don’t have that and whatever you have, I don’t think it’s enough for you. Let me inside. Please, Mir, let me in.”

Mir opened his mouth. Then he closed it. He looked at the ceiling as if it could give him the answers, hit his fist against his thigh. “I can’t,” he breathed, so softly that Sera doubted if she had heard it even as he spoke. “I know what you want. I want it too, but I can’t. I have to stay unknown.”

“I thought you didn’t have to do anything.”

Mir’s lips pulled into a tight, uneasy smirk. “If you know me, you bind me.”

“That isn’t true.”

“If I know you, then you’ll break every time I leave.”

“You don’t know that!”

“I’m not going to do anything that would hurt you, Ser.”

“You already have. Can’t you see that?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“You’re always running, always hiding. That’s it, isn’t it? It’s not about me or Eve or Jax or even Rey. It’s about you. As soon as we found out about Jax, found out that you might have to take on a responsibility for once in your life you left. As soon as Jax starts to make a real difference, you disappear. As soon as it looks like you might have to actually get to know me you’re desperate to get out. You–you’re as trapped as Rey is.” Sera looked up, pleading silently for him to stay, to talk, to sit. Her eyes caught only the door swinging shut, thin evidence of Mir’s escape. “Fine,” she whispered. “Fine.” She should have composed herself. She should have planned or waited or sat still. But the empty rooms were suddenly stifling in their silence. Jax was becoming a hero. Mir was running. Only the gods knew where Eve was. 

So she left. She pulled on a long coat and stalked out to the street, walking purposefully until she came to the Palace. She opened the door and made her way to Rey’s office. When she opened the door, he was sifting through a tall stack of papers. He looked up with a start, fixing his eyes on hers. His face didn’t shift anymore. It had frozen on the boy with dark curls as soon as she’d started having the dreams. “My Queen,” he said softly.

Sera opened her mouth, then paused, realizing how she must look. Tear streaked face, messy clothing, heart unkempt and uncaring. “Do you love me?” She blurted. “You did, I know that much from the dreams, but do you?”

The King blinked. “I am the same as I’ve always been.”

Sera snorted, but there was no force behind it. She was too tired for fighting now. “Tell me about who we were,” she said, sliding to the floor next to his bookcase. “Tell me about one single life where Mir didn’t leave everyone he’s supposed to love.”

“The Wanderer does not love,” Rey said slowly. “He has never stopped roaming and he never will.”

“Some help you are,” Sera muttered, leaning her head back against the wall. It was pointless. She shouldn’t have come here. She should have taken Mir’s offer to go home before any of this started, focused on improving what she could in her own world. She shouldn’t have come here. She shouldn’t have ruined the equilibrium she and Mir had shared for so long. But if they refused to grow, how were they any different than Rey? She realized with a start that the sound of pen on paper had stopped. She opened her eyes. Rey was crouched in front of her.

“What did he do to you?”

Sera crossed her arms over her chest. “The same thing he always does. The same thing I should be used to by now. He left me.”

“Would you like me to make him stay?”

Sera stood up then, emotions flaring and peaking, all exhaustion forgotten. “You have no right—”

“I am the King. I have every right.”

Sera pursed her lips, furious at Rey, furious at Mir, furious at herself. They were all so different. She could feel that they all wanted the same thing, could see Rey’s desperation to help her, Mir’s hope of change, her own aching loneliness. But every word drove them further apart. It was as if they were speaking different languages. No, it was as if they all spoke the same language but defined their words different. And again: how do I close the gap between what I feel and what he hears? “It wouldn’t make anything better. This isn’t something you can fix.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I didn’t want to be alone,” Sera said, daring him to mock her. “But maybe this is worse.”

“No.” Then, each movement slow and intentional, Rey reached for her hand. She let him take it, and he led her to his desk. He offered the chair, but she shook her head, more curious than anything else. “Theins is bordered on one side by the sea, on the others by Loir and Desa. Small though we are, Loir has been pushing for more territory in the east. Most of our food comes from colonies out on the islands, but every passing pirate tries to burn the fields. With the rebellions going on in the city, we’re short in numbers. Training the Guard takes too much time. What would you suggest?”

Sera blinked, the papers swimming before her eyes. “What is this?”

“Something you can fix.”

I need to edit a ton but the thought is there

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

3 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

Hehehehehehehehhehehehehehehe

Unheard:

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Unheard:

“You can leave,” Sera finally said. Snapped, actually, and she was angry enough to admit it. Mir wasn’t the problem—far from it—but his bouncing leg and the tightness in every movement was definitely adding to everything else. “Go back to the Near Side, find some new adventure.”

“I’m not going to leave,” Mir snapped back. 

“Why not? You’ve never had a problem with it before. Eve’s already gone, so you’ve got no reason not to.”

“I’m not going to run away from him, all right? I already told you that.”

Sera sniffed. “You want to. You would rather leave us to be enslaved by a madman than stay here another instant—”

“You don’t know what I want!” Mir didn’t climb to his feet, but somehow he was standing. He didn’t turn towards her, but somehow he was facing her. He didn’t glare, but she’d never seen such fury. “Little princess from a big city, that’s all you are. Messing with people and places where you don’t belong. You don’t know what this world needs, understand? You don’t know them, you don’t know me. Maybe it’s you who should leave.”

Sera threw up her hands. “Fine, I don’t know you. No one does, and that’s your own fault. You don’t know me either, and I’m pretty sure even you can guess where that blame lies. I’m through trying. I’m through waiting for you to get it.” 

A breath, a silence that was barely wide enough for its existence to be recognized. “So we’re all screwed up, is that it?” Sera released a short burst of air and sound, something that could have been a snort or a laugh or a sob or a scoff or something else that she didn’t know a word for. “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know anything about you. You don’t know anything about me. Maybe it’s my fault. Guess it doesn’t matter. I’m here, and I told you I’d stay, and I’m staying.”

This silence was longer, long enough that Sera felt her eyes getting wet. “Why do you do it? Sometimes I don’t even care that you’re leaving, just that you don’t tell me. I never know when I’ll look up and you’ll be gone.”

“Don’t do that,” Mir said. “Don’t cry. Don’t ask me questions you know I can’t answer—”

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

Eyes met, stares that had been cultivated among the highest nobility of Byrds. Sera felt a sharp pang of longing for Jax or a nursemaid to pull them apart, like when they’d been younger. For their parents, even. “I can’t tell you why,” Mir said, so slowly that she could see the effort it took not to scream. His eyes were fixed on a point straight ahead of him, to the left of her face. She could see a vein shaking in his neck.

“And I didn’t know that. I still don’t know that.”

“I just told you…” If Mir had possessed the power, Sera was sure that it too would have flared. She tried to think of any other time she’s seen him so raw, so wildly out of control. She’d seen Jax that way hundreds of times before the Break. The little ones too, but that was easier. She’d even seen her father cry. But Mir and her mother, the two great mysteries, the two people she loved more than anything and had never truly known. Sera’s mother was dead, and there would be no chance to understand her heart. Mir was only getting more distant.

“I don’t know you well enough to trust what you tell me. You have to prove it.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

“You do,” Sera insisted, furiously stubborn but aware that none of her thoughts were present in her words. How do I bridge the gap between what I feel and what he hears? Mir was supposed to be the bridge, not her. “And I do too, because whatever we say, whatever we’ve always said, there are no actions behind it. I don’t even think there’s love, because love has to be about action.”

Mir blinked once. Blinked again. That vein was still pulled so tightly it shook. “I don’t know what you’re saying,” he said through those gritted teeth. “And I don’t know why we’re having this conversation. I’m going for a walk, unless you object?” He finished the sentence with a sneer.

“Yes,” Sera said, “I do. You aren’t listening–”

“You aren’t saying anything!”

“When was the last time you curled up on the bathroom floor because it hurt too much to stand? When was the last time you hit something so hard your fist bled just so you could feel something outside your own head? You can’t tell me you’ve never felt something so strong you thought it would break you. And I don’t know about any of it. Can’t you see the problem with fighting alone? Maybe you have Eve. Maybe you tell it to every corner of the world. But I don’t have that and whatever you have, I don’t think it’s enough for you. Let me inside. Please, Mir, let me in.”

Mir opened his mouth. Then he closed it. He looked at the ceiling as if it could give him the answers, hit his fist against his thigh. “I can’t,” he breathed, so softly that Sera doubted if she had heard it even as he spoke. “I know what you want. I want it too, but I can’t. I have to stay unknown.”

“I thought you didn’t have to do anything.”

Mir’s lips pulled into a tight, uneasy smirk. “If you know me, you bind me.”

“That isn’t true.”

“If I know you, then you’ll break every time I leave.”

“You don’t know that!”

“I’m not going to do anything that would hurt you, Ser.”

“You already have. Can’t you see that?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“You’re always running, always hiding. That’s it, isn’t it? It’s not about me or Eve or Jax or even Rey. It’s about you. As soon as we found out about Jax, found out that you might have to take on a responsibility for once in your life you left. As soon as Jax starts to make a real difference, you disappear. As soon as it looks like you might have to actually get to know me you’re desperate to get out. You–you’re as trapped as Rey is.” Sera looked up, pleading silently for him to stay, to talk, to sit. Her eyes caught only the door swinging shut, thin evidence of Mir’s escape. “Fine,” she whispered. “Fine.” She should have composed herself. She should have planned or waited or sat still. But the empty rooms were suddenly stifling in their silence. Jax was becoming a hero. Mir was running. Only the gods knew where Eve was. 

So she left. She pulled on a long coat and stalked out to the street, walking purposefully until she came to the Palace. She opened the door and made her way to Rey’s office. When she opened the door, he was sifting through a tall stack of papers. He looked up with a start, fixing his eyes on hers. His face didn’t shift anymore. It had frozen on the boy with dark curls as soon as she’d started having the dreams. “My Queen,” he said softly.

Sera opened her mouth, then paused, realizing how she must look. Tear streaked face, messy clothing, heart unkempt and uncaring. “Do you love me?” She blurted. “You did, I know that much from the dreams, but do you?”

The King blinked. “I am the same as I’ve always been.”

Sera snorted, but there was no force behind it. She was too tired for fighting now. “Tell me about who we were,” she said, sliding to the floor next to his bookcase. “Tell me about one single life where Mir didn’t leave everyone he’s supposed to love.”

“The Wanderer does not love,” Rey said slowly. “He has never stopped roaming and he never will.”

“Some help you are,” Sera muttered, leaning her head back against the wall. It was pointless. She shouldn’t have come here. She should have taken Mir’s offer to go home before any of this started, focused on improving what she could in her own world. She shouldn’t have come here. She shouldn’t have ruined the equilibrium she and Mir had shared for so long. But if they refused to grow, how were they any different than Rey? She realized with a start that the sound of pen on paper had stopped. She opened her eyes. Rey was crouched in front of her.

“What did he do to you?”

Sera crossed her arms over her chest. “The same thing he always does. The same thing I should be used to by now. He left me.”

“Would you like me to make him stay?”

Sera stood up then, emotions flaring and peaking, all exhaustion forgotten. “You have no right—”

“I am the King. I have every right.”

Sera pursed her lips, furious at Rey, furious at Mir, furious at herself. They were all so different. She could feel that they all wanted the same thing, could see Rey’s desperation to help her, Mir’s hope of change, her own aching loneliness. But every word drove them further apart. It was as if they were speaking different languages. No, it was as if they all spoke the same language but defined their words different. And again: how do I close the gap between what I feel and what he hears? “It wouldn’t make anything better. This isn’t something you can fix.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I didn’t want to be alone,” Sera said, daring him to mock her. “But maybe this is worse.”

“No.” Then, each movement slow and intentional, Rey reached for her hand. She let him take it, and he led her to his desk. He offered the chair, but she shook her head, more curious than anything else. “Theins is bordered on one side by the sea, on the others by Loir and Desa. Small though we are, Loir has been pushing for more territory in the east. Most of our food comes from colonies out on the islands, but every passing pirate tries to burn the fields. With the rebellions going on in the city, we’re short in numbers. Training the Guard takes too much time. What would you suggest?”

Sera blinked, the papers swimming before her eyes. “What is this?”

“Something you can fix.”

I need to edit a ton but the thought is there

Love it! I’m in love with these characters. How do you always do this to me?

[Edema Rue she/her]

5 hours ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

Love it! I’m in love with these characters. How do you always do this to me?

Yay, I’m actually so glad because I love them too!!

i…uh…I write what I feel?

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

1 hour ago, Edema Rue said:

Yay, I’m actually so glad because I love them too!!

i…uh…I write what I feel?

Ahh I need to go and hunt down some emotions then

[Edema Rue she/her]

7 hours ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

Ahh I need to go and hunt down some emotions then

lol I been so angsty this week

[Through the Living Hope]

20 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

Hehehehehehehehhehehehehehehe

Unheard:

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Unheard:

“You can leave,” Sera finally said. Snapped, actually, and she was angry enough to admit it. Mir wasn’t the problem—far from it—but his bouncing leg and the tightness in every movement was definitely adding to everything else. “Go back to the Near Side, find some new adventure.”

“I’m not going to leave,” Mir snapped back. 

“Why not? You’ve never had a problem with it before. Eve’s already gone, so you’ve got no reason not to.”

“I’m not going to run away from him, all right? I already told you that.”

Sera sniffed. “You want to. You would rather leave us to be enslaved by a madman than stay here another instant—”

“You don’t know what I want!” Mir didn’t climb to his feet, but somehow he was standing. He didn’t turn towards her, but somehow he was facing her. He didn’t glare, but she’d never seen such fury. “Little princess from a big city, that’s all you are. Messing with people and places where you don’t belong. You don’t know what this world needs, understand? You don’t know them, you don’t know me. Maybe it’s you who should leave.”

Sera threw up her hands. “Fine, I don’t know you. No one does, and that’s your own fault. You don’t know me either, and I’m pretty sure even you can guess where that blame lies. I’m through trying. I’m through waiting for you to get it.” 

A breath, a silence that was barely wide enough for its existence to be recognized. “So we’re all screwed up, is that it?” Sera released a short burst of air and sound, something that could have been a snort or a laugh or a sob or a scoff or something else that she didn’t know a word for. “Maybe you’re right. I don’t know anything about you. You don’t know anything about me. Maybe it’s my fault. Guess it doesn’t matter. I’m here, and I told you I’d stay, and I’m staying.”

This silence was longer, long enough that Sera felt her eyes getting wet. “Why do you do it? Sometimes I don’t even care that you’re leaving, just that you don’t tell me. I never know when I’ll look up and you’ll be gone.”

“Don’t do that,” Mir said. “Don’t cry. Don’t ask me questions you know I can’t answer—”

“Don’t tell me what to do!”

Eyes met, stares that had been cultivated among the highest nobility of Byrds. Sera felt a sharp pang of longing for Jax or a nursemaid to pull them apart, like when they’d been younger. For their parents, even. “I can’t tell you why,” Mir said, so slowly that she could see the effort it took not to scream. His eyes were fixed on a point straight ahead of him, to the left of her face. She could see a vein shaking in his neck.

“And I didn’t know that. I still don’t know that.”

“I just told you…” If Mir had possessed the power, Sera was sure that it too would have flared. She tried to think of any other time she’s seen him so raw, so wildly out of control. She’d seen Jax that way hundreds of times before the Break. The little ones too, but that was easier. She’d even seen her father cry. But Mir and her mother, the two great mysteries, the two people she loved more than anything and had never truly known. Sera’s mother was dead, and there would be no chance to understand her heart. Mir was only getting more distant.

“I don’t know you well enough to trust what you tell me. You have to prove it.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

“You do,” Sera insisted, furiously stubborn but aware that none of her thoughts were present in her words. How do I bridge the gap between what I feel and what he hears? Mir was supposed to be the bridge, not her. “And I do too, because whatever we say, whatever we’ve always said, there are no actions behind it. I don’t even think there’s love, because love has to be about action.”

Mir blinked once. Blinked again. That vein was still pulled so tightly it shook. “I don’t know what you’re saying,” he said through those gritted teeth. “And I don’t know why we’re having this conversation. I’m going for a walk, unless you object?” He finished the sentence with a sneer.

“Yes,” Sera said, “I do. You aren’t listening–”

“You aren’t saying anything!”

“When was the last time you curled up on the bathroom floor because it hurt too much to stand? When was the last time you hit something so hard your fist bled just so you could feel something outside your own head? You can’t tell me you’ve never felt something so strong you thought it would break you. And I don’t know about any of it. Can’t you see the problem with fighting alone? Maybe you have Eve. Maybe you tell it to every corner of the world. But I don’t have that and whatever you have, I don’t think it’s enough for you. Let me inside. Please, Mir, let me in.”

Mir opened his mouth. Then he closed it. He looked at the ceiling as if it could give him the answers, hit his fist against his thigh. “I can’t,” he breathed, so softly that Sera doubted if she had heard it even as he spoke. “I know what you want. I want it too, but I can’t. I have to stay unknown.”

“I thought you didn’t have to do anything.”

Mir’s lips pulled into a tight, uneasy smirk. “If you know me, you bind me.”

“That isn’t true.”

“If I know you, then you’ll break every time I leave.”

“You don’t know that!”

“I’m not going to do anything that would hurt you, Ser.”

“You already have. Can’t you see that?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“You’re always running, always hiding. That’s it, isn’t it? It’s not about me or Eve or Jax or even Rey. It’s about you. As soon as we found out about Jax, found out that you might have to take on a responsibility for once in your life you left. As soon as Jax starts to make a real difference, you disappear. As soon as it looks like you might have to actually get to know me you’re desperate to get out. You–you’re as trapped as Rey is.” Sera looked up, pleading silently for him to stay, to talk, to sit. Her eyes caught only the door swinging shut, thin evidence of Mir’s escape. “Fine,” she whispered. “Fine.” She should have composed herself. She should have planned or waited or sat still. But the empty rooms were suddenly stifling in their silence. Jax was becoming a hero. Mir was running. Only the gods knew where Eve was. 

So she left. She pulled on a long coat and stalked out to the street, walking purposefully until she came to the Palace. She opened the door and made her way to Rey’s office. When she opened the door, he was sifting through a tall stack of papers. He looked up with a start, fixing his eyes on hers. His face didn’t shift anymore. It had frozen on the boy with dark curls as soon as she’d started having the dreams. “My Queen,” he said softly.

Sera opened her mouth, then paused, realizing how she must look. Tear streaked face, messy clothing, heart unkempt and uncaring. “Do you love me?” She blurted. “You did, I know that much from the dreams, but do you?”

The King blinked. “I am the same as I’ve always been.”

Sera snorted, but there was no force behind it. She was too tired for fighting now. “Tell me about who we were,” she said, sliding to the floor next to his bookcase. “Tell me about one single life where Mir didn’t leave everyone he’s supposed to love.”

“The Wanderer does not love,” Rey said slowly. “He has never stopped roaming and he never will.”

“Some help you are,” Sera muttered, leaning her head back against the wall. It was pointless. She shouldn’t have come here. She should have taken Mir’s offer to go home before any of this started, focused on improving what she could in her own world. She shouldn’t have come here. She shouldn’t have ruined the equilibrium she and Mir had shared for so long. But if they refused to grow, how were they any different than Rey? She realized with a start that the sound of pen on paper had stopped. She opened her eyes. Rey was crouched in front of her.

“What did he do to you?”

Sera crossed her arms over her chest. “The same thing he always does. The same thing I should be used to by now. He left me.”

“Would you like me to make him stay?”

Sera stood up then, emotions flaring and peaking, all exhaustion forgotten. “You have no right—”

“I am the King. I have every right.”

Sera pursed her lips, furious at Rey, furious at Mir, furious at herself. They were all so different. She could feel that they all wanted the same thing, could see Rey’s desperation to help her, Mir’s hope of change, her own aching loneliness. But every word drove them further apart. It was as if they were speaking different languages. No, it was as if they all spoke the same language but defined their words different. And again: how do I close the gap between what I feel and what he hears? “It wouldn’t make anything better. This isn’t something you can fix.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I didn’t want to be alone,” Sera said, daring him to mock her. “But maybe this is worse.”

“No.” Then, each movement slow and intentional, Rey reached for her hand. She let him take it, and he led her to his desk. He offered the chair, but she shook her head, more curious than anything else. “Theins is bordered on one side by the sea, on the others by Loir and Desa. Small though we are, Loir has been pushing for more territory in the east. Most of our food comes from colonies out on the islands, but every passing pirate tries to burn the fields. With the rebellions going on in the city, we’re short in numbers. Training the Guard takes too much time. What would you suggest?”

Sera blinked, the papers swimming before her eyes. “What is this?”

“Something you can fix.”

I need to edit a ton but the thought is there

Ooooh~, nice

[Edema Rue she/her]

Caretaker:

Spoiler

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

”I’m not answering your questions.”

“I understand that you must be feeling a lot of stress.”

“Get out, or I’ll kill you.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow, then.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Go away.”

“Everyone’s worried about you, Dali.”

“That isn’t my name.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said go away!”

“Make sure to finish your breakfast.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today? I’m afraid staying quiet isn’t going to make me leave.”

“Then what will?”

“Nothing. I have a job to do, after all. Any pain? You’re looking much better.”

“If I’m better, let me out.”

“You know that’s not how this works, Dali.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“What should I call you?”

“I—what did you do to me? Why can’t I remember my name?”

“Your name is Dali. It has always been Dali.”

“I hate you.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I’m bleeding.”

“I can see that. What happened?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Would you like me to take you to the nurse?”

“No.”

“I’ll bring her here. Lie down, okay?”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Like a dog.”

“Dali, I think that was the first time you’ve actually answered one of my questions. Thank you!”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m grateful. I want to get to know you, but you’ve been so cold. I was worried you were getting lonely.”

“I’m not lonely.”

“Of course not. But if you ever are, that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re better than Teacher.”

“Don’t say that. Teacher pushes you to grow, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. That’s all.”

“He scares me.”

“I’ll speak to him. Would you like that?”

“Yes.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Caretaker, why don’t you ever ask something different?”

“Would you like me to?”

“No.”

“Then that’s why.”

“I won Teacher’s game today.”

“Did you really? That’s wonderful.”

“I’ve never won before. Teacher punished everyone else and I couldn’t stop him.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“Ugly. Like everyone hated me.”

“Dali, do you remember who won the game last week?”

“No.”

“Next week, do you think they’ll remember that you won?”

“I’ll remember.”

“Maybe they hated you then. But they won’t always. It was Teacher who hurt them, not you.”

“Are you saying that Teacher is bad?”

“I think you should forget the last part of this conversation, all right?”

 

“Good morning. How are you—”

“I won again! I’ve won five times in a row now. Teacher says that if I win one more game, I’ll be the best he’s ever seen.”

“Really?”

“He blinked once before he said it, just like you told me. So maybe he was lying. But I know that he’s proud of me.”

“I’m glad.”

“Are you proud of me? You never say so.”

“I suppose I am. You’ve come very far.”

“You would think so.”

“Excuse me?”

“Whatever I’m becoming isn’t progress. One more slave in a prison.”

“You still believe that?”

“Don’t pretend I fooled you.”

“You did. I thought you were becoming like all the others.”

“You don’t get it. I have to lie or they’ll tear me apart.”

“I understand better than you know.”

“Whatever. Just…go away.”

 

“Good morning.”

“Aren’t you going to ask how I’m doing?”

“You’ve made a point not to answer.”

“Maybe I had something to say.”

“How are you doing today?”

“I changed my mind.”

“How…surprising.”

“Do you want to know what’s really surprising, Caretaker?”

“Please, tell me.”

“I saw you. They were bringing me back from one of the tests and I saw you in a room with Teacher and the guards.”

“We do work together, Dali.”

“They were hurting you the way Teacher hurts the others after I win.”

“You win often now, don’t you?”

“Every day. Don’t try to distract me.”

“I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”

“Why was Teacher hurting you?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I thought you weren’t asking that anymore.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Rules must be enforced. If you continue to break the rules, there will be consequences.”

“Caretaker, there are red spots on your shirt.”

“Oh. So there are. I’ll change right away. Thank you for bringing this unprofessionalism to my attention.”

“Wait! Tell me—”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“My head hurts. What happened?”

“One of Teacher’s tests went wrong. You’ve been asleep for almost a week.”

“Oh.”

“Can you open your eyes?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t open them, then. We’ll have a nice talk once you feel better.”

 

“I want you to look at me, only me, and react as if we’re having a regular conversation. Can you do that?”

“Caretaker?”

“You’ll have to. Dali, Teacher is planning something big.”

“Something bad?”

“That’s right. It may mean you leave this place. I won’t be able to protect you anymore.”

“You can’t come?”

“You aren’t the only prisoner here, Dali. The difference is that I have to smile through it, and no tears will be shed if I get in an accident.”

“I’d cry for you.”

“That’s sweet. Listen, I—too late.”

 

“Teacher!”

“Good morning, Dali.”

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re here for an extra special lesson. Caretaker, if you would?”

“What’s he doing?”

“Setting up our lesson. You know, he used to be quite a rebel. Curious, how people change.”

“Did you do something to him? Why is he so quiet?”

“I’ve asked him not to speak today. I believe he needed a reminder of the rules. You remember the importance of rules, don’t you?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“That will be all. Leave us, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“What did Teacher do to you?”

“Nothing, Dali. How are you feeling today?”

“Did you break the rules?”

“I suppose I did. That isn’t important right now.”

“Why did you break the rules?”

“I guess I thought there was something more important.”

“Was there?”

“I think that’s a question for when Teacher isn’t keeping such a close eye on me.”

“Does Teacher have to follow the rules?”

“Everyone follows the rules. Teacher’s rules are just a little bit different than yours.”

“Are your rules different than mine?”

“A little bit, yes.”

“You don’t have tests and games.”

“Not like you do, Aria.”

“What?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Why did you call me Aria?”

“You must have misheard me. I said Dali.”

“No…oh! I understand, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“We need to talk.”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Not like this. I understand what Teacher is doing.”

“Teacher is training you to be heroes.”

“Caretaker, please, we have to—stop it. Don’t leave!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dali.”

“Don’t call me that. My name is Aria.”

“You have a big test today. It’s time for me to go.”

“I’m going to fail the test.”

“You aren’t. You’re the best Teacher has ever seen, remember?”

 “I’m going to fail on purpose.”

“He’ll hurt you.”

“But he won’t send me away.”

“Whether Teacher thinks you’re the best or not, I know that you are the bravest of all his students.”

“Are you telling me to fail?”

“I’m telling you there is a brave choice and a safe choice. If you don’t want to listen to Teacher forever, you’re going to get hurt.”

“Thank you, Caretaker.”

“My job is to care for you.”

“Even when it means breaking the rules? Even when it means Teacher hurts you?”

“That’s my choice, not my work.”

 

“Good morning, Caretaker.”

“Teacher. Is something wrong?”

“Dali failed a test.”

“All students make mistakes.”

“Not Dali.”

“Maybe you expect too much from her.”

“Don’t play with me.”

“Is that what I was doing?”

“You sabotaged her. With that score, no one will take her.”

“That’s terrible.”

“I’m giving her a future and you’re throwing it away. I can assign her a different Caretaker.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“You’d rather. Have you always been such a pretentious prick, or do you just put this face on whenever I’m around?”

“You chose this.”

“You did this to yourself. You were too weak to train this one student…”

“She’s our sister.”

“Not anymore!”

“Breaking her wasn’t enough for you. Now you have to sell her? Just let her go.”

“Is that how you speak to me, Caretaker?”

“You’re full of–”

“Ah. Try again, or we’ll find you another assignment. Or maybe just a cell.”

“My apologies, Teacher.”

“Don’t interfere with my student again.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Teacher hurt me.”

“I know.”

“I failed.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want to be brave. I want to be safe.”

“Then maybe you should have gone.”

“Will I be safe where Teacher sends me?”

“Maybe. I haven’t seen the world outside in a long time.”

“Why don’t you want me to go?”

“There’s more going on than you realize, Dali.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“What do you want for me?”

“I want you to be free. But free isn’t the same thing as safe.”

“Does Teacher want me to be free?”

“No.”

“Does Teacher want me to be safe?”

“You are useful to him. He would never waste a tool.”

“Are you a tool?”

“Teacher thinks so.”

“Do you hate Teacher?”

“You’ve got a lot of big questions today. Is something wrong?”

“Something’s been wrong since I got here. My head doesn’t work right. I don’t feel anything as strongly as I’m supposed to. I couldn’t even remember my name until you said it.”

“That’s one of the Teacher’s secrets. It helps him to train you better.”

“Can I ask one more question?

“Of course.”

“Is what we do magic?”

“Magic?”

“Yeah. Teacher calls it a Gift or a Talent, but…that’s the one thing I remember from before. Sitting on someone’s lap and listening to them tell me stories about magic. What I do now feels a lot like that.”

“I think it’s magic. Teacher has never liked that word, but I don’t know of a more perfect description.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I want to be free.”

“If that’s true, you’ve got to speak more carefully.”

“What if I attacked Teacher? Then everyone could come with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“They don’t want to be free. They want to be safe.”

“I’m stronger than they are. I can make them come with me.”

“If you do that, are you any different than Teacher?”

“Oh.”

“We’ll find a way to get you out. Don’t worry.”

“What about you? You want to be free too, I know it.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work for me.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll die if I leave.”

“Did Teacher do that? I’ll kill him.”

“Dali.”

“What?”

“Please, don’t kill him. Never kill anyone. Will you promise me that?”

“Caretaker, how can I make a promise I’ve already broken?”

“Did Teacher make you?”

“I didn’t want to fail his tests. He told me they were bad people.”

“It’s all right. Focus on what you can change.”

“But Teacher will kill you if you leave. Teacher is bad, and you’ll be safe if he’s gone.”

“Remember what I said about being safe and being free?”

“But you aren’t safe or free.”

“No. But that matters less when you’re with someone you love.”

“You love Teacher?”

“Teacher is my brother. I’ll stand with him, even as he’s becoming something terrible.”

“It would be easier if I killed him.”

“Maybe so. But easier doesn’t always mean better. It’s time to go. The cameras are about to turn back on, and Teacher will get both of us in a lot of trouble if he thinks we’re doing anything suspicious.”

“I won’t kill anyone else, Caretaker.”

“Thank you, Dali.”

“Can you…call me Aria?”

“Of course. When the cameras are off.”

 

“Is this the end?”

“That’s one way of thinking about it. It’s also the beginning.”

“Wise as ever. Stay safe.”

“Stay free.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“I know I should know this by now, but…do you have a name?”

“I do. It’s been a long time since anyone used it.”

“Would you tell me? I might not see you again, but…it doesn’t feel right, not knowing.”

“My name is Lukas.”

“Thank you, Lukas. I’ll find a way to get you out. I promise.”

“Goodbye, Aria. I hope we’ll meet again.”

Consider this a…prologue. Yes. Use that as an excuse for why it’s only dialogue. Or that most media I’ve been consuming has been plays and tv. Or that I’ve also been doing more playwriting today. Or just that it fit, and if you’ve read The Slow Regard of Silent Things, you know what I mean.

Also, I might write more that takes place after a CHOOONKY time skip, with a little more world building and emotions and just…the things I usually write.

anyway

may my precious broken friends bring you joy

[Through the Living Hope]

4 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

Caretaker:

  Reveal hidden contents

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

”I’m not answering your questions.”

“I understand that you must be feeling a lot of stress.”

“Get out, or I’ll kill you.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow, then.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Go away.”

“Everyone’s worried about you, Dali.”

“That isn’t my name.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said go away!”

“Make sure to finish your breakfast.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today? I’m afraid staying quiet isn’t going to make me leave.”

“Then what will?”

“Nothing. I have a job to do, after all. Any pain? You’re looking much better.”

“If I’m better, let me out.”

“You know that’s not how this works, Dali.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“What should I call you?”

“I—what did you do to me? Why can’t I remember my name?”

“Your name is Dali. It has always been Dali.”

“I hate you.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I’m bleeding.”

“I can see that. What happened?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Would you like me to take you to the nurse?”

“No.”

“I’ll bring her here. Lie down, okay?”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Like a dog.”

“Dali, I think that was the first time you’ve actually answered one of my questions. Thank you!”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m grateful. I want to get to know you, but you’ve been so cold. I was worried you were getting lonely.”

“I’m not lonely.”

“Of course not. But if you ever are, that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re better than Teacher.”

“Don’t say that. Teacher pushes you to grow, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. That’s all.”

“He scares me.”

“I’ll speak to him. Would you like that?”

“Yes.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Caretaker, why don’t you ever ask something different?”

“Would you like me to?”

“No.”

“Then that’s why.”

“I won Teacher’s game today.”

“Did you really? That’s wonderful.”

“I’ve never won before. Teacher punished everyone else and I couldn’t stop him.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“Ugly. Like everyone hated me.”

“Dali, do you remember who won the game last week?”

“No.”

“Next week, do you think they’ll remember that you won?”

“I’ll remember.”

“Maybe they hated you then. But they won’t always. It was Teacher who hurt them, not you.”

“Are you saying that Teacher is bad?”

“I think you should forget the last part of this conversation, all right?”

 

“Good morning. How are you—”

“I won again! I’ve won five times in a row now. Teacher says that if I win one more game, I’ll be the best he’s ever seen.”

“Really?”

“He blinked once before he said it, just like you told me. So maybe he was lying. But I know that he’s proud of me.”

“I’m glad.”

“Are you proud of me? You never say so.”

“I suppose I am. You’ve come very far.”

“You would think so.”

“Excuse me?”

“Whatever I’m becoming isn’t progress. One more slave in a prison.”

“You still believe that?”

“Don’t pretend I fooled you.”

“You did. I thought you were becoming like all the others.”

“You don’t get it. I have to lie or they’ll tear me apart.”

“I understand better than you know.”

“Whatever. Just…go away.”

 

“Good morning.”

“Aren’t you going to ask how I’m doing?”

“You’ve made a point not to answer.”

“Maybe I had something to say.”

“How are you doing today?”

“I changed my mind.”

“How…surprising.”

“Do you want to know what’s really surprising, Caretaker?”

“Please, tell me.”

“I saw you. They were bringing me back from one of the tests and I saw you in a room with Teacher and the guards.”

“We do work together, Dali.”

“They were hurting you the way Teacher hurts the others after I win.”

“You win often now, don’t you?”

“Every day. Don’t try to distract me.”

“I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”

“Why was Teacher hurting you?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I thought you weren’t asking that anymore.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Rules must be enforced. If you continue to break the rules, there will be consequences.”

“Caretaker, there are red spots on your shirt.”

“Oh. So there are. I’ll change right away. Thank you for bringing this unprofessionalism to my attention.”

“Wait! Tell me—”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“My head hurts. What happened?”

“One of Teacher’s tests went wrong. You’ve been asleep for almost a week.”

“Oh.”

“Can you open your eyes?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t open them, then. We’ll have a nice talk once you feel better.”

 

“I want you to look at me, only me, and react as if we’re having a regular conversation. Can you do that?”

“Caretaker?”

“You’ll have to. Dali, Teacher is planning something big.”

“Something bad?”

“That’s right. It may mean you leave this place. I won’t be able to protect you anymore.”

“You can’t come?”

“You aren’t the only prisoner here, Dali. The difference is that I have to smile through it, and no tears will be shed if I get in an accident.”

“I’d cry for you.”

“That’s sweet. Listen, I—too late.”

 

“Teacher!”

“Good morning, Dali.”

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re here for an extra special lesson. Caretaker, if you would?”

“What’s he doing?”

“Setting up our lesson. You know, he used to be quite a rebel. Curious, how people change.”

“Did you do something to him? Why is he so quiet?”

“I’ve asked him not to speak today. I believe he needed a reminder of the rules. You remember the importance of rules, don’t you?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“That will be all. Leave us, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“What did Teacher do to you?”

“Nothing, Dali. How are you feeling today?”

“Did you break the rules?”

“I suppose I did. That isn’t important right now.”

“Why did you break the rules?”

“I guess I thought there was something more important.”

“Was there?”

“I think that’s a question for when Teacher isn’t keeping such a close eye on me.”

“Does Teacher have to follow the rules?”

“Everyone follows the rules. Teacher’s rules are just a little bit different than yours.”

“Are your rules different than mine?”

“A little bit, yes.”

“You don’t have tests and games.”

“Not like you do, Aria.”

“What?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Why did you call me Aria?”

“You must have misheard me. I said Dali.”

“No…oh! I understand, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“We need to talk.”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Not like this. I understand what Teacher is doing.”

“Teacher is training you to be heroes.”

“Caretaker, please, we have to—stop it. Don’t leave!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dali.”

“Don’t call me that. My name is Aria.”

“You have a big test today. It’s time for me to go.”

“I’m going to fail the test.”

“You aren’t. You’re the best Teacher has ever seen, remember?”

 “I’m going to fail on purpose.”

“He’ll hurt you.”

“But he won’t send me away.”

“Whether Teacher thinks you’re the best or not, I know that you are the bravest of all his students.”

“Are you telling me to fail?”

“I’m telling you there is a brave choice and a safe choice. If you don’t want to listen to Teacher forever, you’re going to get hurt.”

“Thank you, Caretaker.”

“My job is to care for you.”

“Even when it means breaking the rules? Even when it means Teacher hurts you?”

“That’s my choice, not my work.”

 

“Good morning, Caretaker.”

“Teacher. Is something wrong?”

“Dali failed a test.”

“All students make mistakes.”

“Not Dali.”

“Maybe you expect too much from her.”

“Don’t play with me.”

“Is that what I was doing?”

“You sabotaged her. With that score, no one will take her.”

“That’s terrible.”

“I’m giving her a future and you’re throwing it away. I can assign her a different Caretaker.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“You’d rather. Have you always been such a pretentious prick, or do you just put this face on whenever I’m around?”

“You chose this.”

“You did this to yourself. You were too weak to train this one student…”

“She’s our sister.”

“Not anymore!”

“Breaking her wasn’t enough for you. Now you have to sell her? Just let her go.”

“Is that how you speak to me, Caretaker?”

“You’re full of–”

“Ah. Try again, or we’ll find you another assignment. Or maybe just a cell.”

“My apologies, Teacher.”

“Don’t interfere with my student again.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Teacher hurt me.”

“I know.”

“I failed.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want to be brave. I want to be safe.”

“Then maybe you should have gone.”

“Will I be safe where Teacher sends me?”

“Maybe. I haven’t seen the world outside in a long time.”

“Why don’t you want me to go?”

“There’s more going on than you realize, Dali.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“What do you want for me?”

“I want you to be free. But free isn’t the same thing as safe.”

“Does Teacher want me to be free?”

“No.”

“Does Teacher want me to be safe?”

“You are useful to him. He would never waste a tool.”

“Are you a tool?”

“Teacher thinks so.”

“Do you hate Teacher?”

“You’ve got a lot of big questions today. Is something wrong?”

“Something’s been wrong since I got here. My head doesn’t work right. I don’t feel anything as strongly as I’m supposed to. I couldn’t even remember my name until you said it.”

“That’s one of the Teacher’s secrets. It helps him to train you better.”

“Can I ask one more question?

“Of course.”

“Is what we do magic?”

“Magic?”

“Yeah. Teacher calls it a Gift or a Talent, but…that’s the one thing I remember from before. Sitting on someone’s lap and listening to them tell me stories about magic. What I do now feels a lot like that.”

“I think it’s magic. Teacher has never liked that word, but I don’t know of a more perfect description.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I want to be free.”

“If that’s true, you’ve got to speak more carefully.”

“What if I attacked Teacher? Then everyone could come with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“They don’t want to be free. They want to be safe.”

“I’m stronger than they are. I can make them come with me.”

“If you do that, are you any different than Teacher?”

“Oh.”

“We’ll find a way to get you out. Don’t worry.”

“What about you? You want to be free too, I know it.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work for me.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll die if I leave.”

“Did Teacher do that? I’ll kill him.”

“Dali.”

“What?”

“Please, don’t kill him. Never kill anyone. Will you promise me that?”

“Caretaker, how can I make a promise I’ve already broken?”

“Did Teacher make you?”

“I didn’t want to fail his tests. He told me they were bad people.”

“It’s all right. Focus on what you can change.”

“But Teacher will kill you if you leave. Teacher is bad, and you’ll be safe if he’s gone.”

“Remember what I said about being safe and being free?”

“But you aren’t safe or free.”

“No. But that matters less when you’re with someone you love.”

“You love Teacher?”

“Teacher is my brother. I’ll stand with him, even as he’s becoming something terrible.”

“It would be easier if I killed him.”

“Maybe so. But easier doesn’t always mean better. It’s time to go. The cameras are about to turn back on, and Teacher will get both of us in a lot of trouble if he thinks we’re doing anything suspicious.”

“I won’t kill anyone else, Caretaker.”

“Thank you, Dali.”

“Can you…call me Aria?”

“Of course. When the cameras are off.”

 

“Is this the end?”

“That’s one way of thinking about it. It’s also the beginning.”

“Wise as ever. Stay safe.”

“Stay free.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“I know I should know this by now, but…do you have a name?”

“I do. It’s been a long time since anyone used it.”

“Would you tell me? I might not see you again, but…it doesn’t feel right, not knowing.”

“My name is Lukas.”

“Thank you, Lukas. I’ll find a way to get you out. I promise.”

“Goodbye, Aria. I hope we’ll meet again.”

Consider this a…prologue. Yes. Use that as an excuse for why it’s only dialogue. Or that most media I’ve been consuming has been plays and tv. Or that I’ve also been doing more playwriting today. Or just that it fit, and if you’ve read The Slow Regard of Silent Things, you know what I mean.

Also, I might write more that takes place after a CHOOONKY time skip, with a little more world building and emotions and just…the things I usually write.

anyway

may my precious broken friends bring you joy

BOOOOOOOOOK

[Edema Rue she/her]

On 5/10/2025 at 4:04 AM, Spark of Hope said:

BOOOOOOOOOK

Heehee this is one of a few things I have right now that I think could turn into more than just scenes

that’s kind of how a lot of my recent writing is feeling. I want to write longer things but even when I have the time, sitting still is…difficult. Also, writing is such a solitary activity, especially without an audience. 

Edited May 12, 2025 by Edema Rue
heheheh 666th post on here??

[Through the Living Hope]

32 minutes ago, Edema Rue said:

Heehee this is one of a few things I have right now that I think could turn into more than just scenes

that’s kind of how a lot of my recent writing is feeling. I want to write longer things but even when I have the time, sitting still is…difficult. Also, writing is such a solitary activity, especially without an audience. 

You and me need to write something together with Mag doing illustrations

[Edema Rue she/her]

24 minutes ago, Spark of Hope said:

You and me need to write something together with Mag doing illustrations

PLEASE

@Mag

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

On 5/10/2025 at 1:55 PM, Edema Rue said:

Caretaker:

  Hide contents

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

”I’m not answering your questions.”

“I understand that you must be feeling a lot of stress.”

“Get out, or I’ll kill you.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow, then.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Go away.”

“Everyone’s worried about you, Dali.”

“That isn’t my name.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said go away!”

“Make sure to finish your breakfast.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today? I’m afraid staying quiet isn’t going to make me leave.”

“Then what will?”

“Nothing. I have a job to do, after all. Any pain? You’re looking much better.”

“If I’m better, let me out.”

“You know that’s not how this works, Dali.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“What should I call you?”

“I—what did you do to me? Why can’t I remember my name?”

“Your name is Dali. It has always been Dali.”

“I hate you.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I’m bleeding.”

“I can see that. What happened?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Would you like me to take you to the nurse?”

“No.”

“I’ll bring her here. Lie down, okay?”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Like a dog.”

“Dali, I think that was the first time you’ve actually answered one of my questions. Thank you!”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m grateful. I want to get to know you, but you’ve been so cold. I was worried you were getting lonely.”

“I’m not lonely.”

“Of course not. But if you ever are, that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re better than Teacher.”

“Don’t say that. Teacher pushes you to grow, and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. That’s all.”

“He scares me.”

“I’ll speak to him. Would you like that?”

“Yes.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Caretaker, why don’t you ever ask something different?”

“Would you like me to?”

“No.”

“Then that’s why.”

“I won Teacher’s game today.”

“Did you really? That’s wonderful.”

“I’ve never won before. Teacher punished everyone else and I couldn’t stop him.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“Ugly. Like everyone hated me.”

“Dali, do you remember who won the game last week?”

“No.”

“Next week, do you think they’ll remember that you won?”

“I’ll remember.”

“Maybe they hated you then. But they won’t always. It was Teacher who hurt them, not you.”

“Are you saying that Teacher is bad?”

“I think you should forget the last part of this conversation, all right?”

 

“Good morning. How are you—”

“I won again! I’ve won five times in a row now. Teacher says that if I win one more game, I’ll be the best he’s ever seen.”

“Really?”

“He blinked once before he said it, just like you told me. So maybe he was lying. But I know that he’s proud of me.”

“I’m glad.”

“Are you proud of me? You never say so.”

“I suppose I am. You’ve come very far.”

“You would think so.”

“Excuse me?”

“Whatever I’m becoming isn’t progress. One more slave in a prison.”

“You still believe that?”

“Don’t pretend I fooled you.”

“You did. I thought you were becoming like all the others.”

“You don’t get it. I have to lie or they’ll tear me apart.”

“I understand better than you know.”

“Whatever. Just…go away.”

 

“Good morning.”

“Aren’t you going to ask how I’m doing?”

“You’ve made a point not to answer.”

“Maybe I had something to say.”

“How are you doing today?”

“I changed my mind.”

“How…surprising.”

“Do you want to know what’s really surprising, Caretaker?”

“Please, tell me.”

“I saw you. They were bringing me back from one of the tests and I saw you in a room with Teacher and the guards.”

“We do work together, Dali.”

“They were hurting you the way Teacher hurts the others after I win.”

“You win often now, don’t you?”

“Every day. Don’t try to distract me.”

“I wasn’t aware that’s what I was doing.”

“Why was Teacher hurting you?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I thought you weren’t asking that anymore.”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Rules must be enforced. If you continue to break the rules, there will be consequences.”

“Caretaker, there are red spots on your shirt.”

“Oh. So there are. I’ll change right away. Thank you for bringing this unprofessionalism to my attention.”

“Wait! Tell me—”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“My head hurts. What happened?”

“One of Teacher’s tests went wrong. You’ve been asleep for almost a week.”

“Oh.”

“Can you open your eyes?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t open them, then. We’ll have a nice talk once you feel better.”

 

“I want you to look at me, only me, and react as if we’re having a regular conversation. Can you do that?”

“Caretaker?”

“You’ll have to. Dali, Teacher is planning something big.”

“Something bad?”

“That’s right. It may mean you leave this place. I won’t be able to protect you anymore.”

“You can’t come?”

“You aren’t the only prisoner here, Dali. The difference is that I have to smile through it, and no tears will be shed if I get in an accident.”

“I’d cry for you.”

“That’s sweet. Listen, I—too late.”

 

“Teacher!”

“Good morning, Dali.”

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re here for an extra special lesson. Caretaker, if you would?”

“What’s he doing?”

“Setting up our lesson. You know, he used to be quite a rebel. Curious, how people change.”

“Did you do something to him? Why is he so quiet?”

“I’ve asked him not to speak today. I believe he needed a reminder of the rules. You remember the importance of rules, don’t you?”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“That will be all. Leave us, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“What did Teacher do to you?”

“Nothing, Dali. How are you feeling today?”

“Did you break the rules?”

“I suppose I did. That isn’t important right now.”

“Why did you break the rules?”

“I guess I thought there was something more important.”

“Was there?”

“I think that’s a question for when Teacher isn’t keeping such a close eye on me.”

“Does Teacher have to follow the rules?”

“Everyone follows the rules. Teacher’s rules are just a little bit different than yours.”

“Are your rules different than mine?”

“A little bit, yes.”

“You don’t have tests and games.”

“Not like you do, Aria.”

“What?”

“Is something wrong?”

“Why did you call me Aria?”

“You must have misheard me. I said Dali.”

“No…oh! I understand, Caretaker.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“We need to talk.”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for.”

“Not like this. I understand what Teacher is doing.”

“Teacher is training you to be heroes.”

“Caretaker, please, we have to—stop it. Don’t leave!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dali.”

“Don’t call me that. My name is Aria.”

“You have a big test today. It’s time for me to go.”

“I’m going to fail the test.”

“You aren’t. You’re the best Teacher has ever seen, remember?”

 “I’m going to fail on purpose.”

“He’ll hurt you.”

“But he won’t send me away.”

“Whether Teacher thinks you’re the best or not, I know that you are the bravest of all his students.”

“Are you telling me to fail?”

“I’m telling you there is a brave choice and a safe choice. If you don’t want to listen to Teacher forever, you’re going to get hurt.”

“Thank you, Caretaker.”

“My job is to care for you.”

“Even when it means breaking the rules? Even when it means Teacher hurts you?”

“That’s my choice, not my work.”

 

“Good morning, Caretaker.”

“Teacher. Is something wrong?”

“Dali failed a test.”

“All students make mistakes.”

“Not Dali.”

“Maybe you expect too much from her.”

“Don’t play with me.”

“Is that what I was doing?”

“You sabotaged her. With that score, no one will take her.”

“That’s terrible.”

“I’m giving her a future and you’re throwing it away. I can assign her a different Caretaker.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“You’d rather. Have you always been such a pretentious prick, or do you just put this face on whenever I’m around?”

“You chose this.”

“You did this to yourself. You were too weak to train this one student…”

“She’s our sister.”

“Not anymore!”

“Breaking her wasn’t enough for you. Now you have to sell her? Just let her go.”

“Is that how you speak to me, Caretaker?”

“You’re full of–”

“Ah. Try again, or we’ll find you another assignment. Or maybe just a cell.”

“My apologies, Teacher.”

“Don’t interfere with my student again.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“Teacher hurt me.”

“I know.”

“I failed.”

“I know.”

“I don’t want to be brave. I want to be safe.”

“Then maybe you should have gone.”

“Will I be safe where Teacher sends me?”

“Maybe. I haven’t seen the world outside in a long time.”

“Why don’t you want me to go?”

“There’s more going on than you realize, Dali.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“What do you want for me?”

“I want you to be free. But free isn’t the same thing as safe.”

“Does Teacher want me to be free?”

“No.”

“Does Teacher want me to be safe?”

“You are useful to him. He would never waste a tool.”

“Are you a tool?”

“Teacher thinks so.”

“Do you hate Teacher?”

“You’ve got a lot of big questions today. Is something wrong?”

“Something’s been wrong since I got here. My head doesn’t work right. I don’t feel anything as strongly as I’m supposed to. I couldn’t even remember my name until you said it.”

“That’s one of the Teacher’s secrets. It helps him to train you better.”

“Can I ask one more question?

“Of course.”

“Is what we do magic?”

“Magic?”

“Yeah. Teacher calls it a Gift or a Talent, but…that’s the one thing I remember from before. Sitting on someone’s lap and listening to them tell me stories about magic. What I do now feels a lot like that.”

“I think it’s magic. Teacher has never liked that word, but I don’t know of a more perfect description.”

 

“Good morning. How are you feeling today?”

“I want to be free.”

“If that’s true, you’ve got to speak more carefully.”

“What if I attacked Teacher? Then everyone could come with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“They don’t want to be free. They want to be safe.”

“I’m stronger than they are. I can make them come with me.”

“If you do that, are you any different than Teacher?”

“Oh.”

“We’ll find a way to get you out. Don’t worry.”

“What about you? You want to be free too, I know it.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work for me.”

“Why not?”

“I’ll die if I leave.”

“Did Teacher do that? I’ll kill him.”

“Dali.”

“What?”

“Please, don’t kill him. Never kill anyone. Will you promise me that?”

“Caretaker, how can I make a promise I’ve already broken?”

“Did Teacher make you?”

“I didn’t want to fail his tests. He told me they were bad people.”

“It’s all right. Focus on what you can change.”

“But Teacher will kill you if you leave. Teacher is bad, and you’ll be safe if he’s gone.”

“Remember what I said about being safe and being free?”

“But you aren’t safe or free.”

“No. But that matters less when you’re with someone you love.”

“You love Teacher?”

“Teacher is my brother. I’ll stand with him, even as he’s becoming something terrible.”

“It would be easier if I killed him.”

“Maybe so. But easier doesn’t always mean better. It’s time to go. The cameras are about to turn back on, and Teacher will get both of us in a lot of trouble if he thinks we’re doing anything suspicious.”

“I won’t kill anyone else, Caretaker.”

“Thank you, Dali.”

“Can you…call me Aria?”

“Of course. When the cameras are off.”

 

“Is this the end?”

“That’s one way of thinking about it. It’s also the beginning.”

“Wise as ever. Stay safe.”

“Stay free.”

“Caretaker?”

“Yes?”

“I know I should know this by now, but…do you have a name?”

“I do. It’s been a long time since anyone used it.”

“Would you tell me? I might not see you again, but…it doesn’t feel right, not knowing.”

“My name is Lukas.”

“Thank you, Lukas. I’ll find a way to get you out. I promise.”

“Goodbye, Aria. I hope we’ll meet again.”

Consider this a…prologue. Yes. Use that as an excuse for why it’s only dialogue. Or that most media I’ve been consuming has been plays and tv. Or that I’ve also been doing more playwriting today. Or just that it fit, and if you’ve read The Slow Regard of Silent Things, you know what I mean.

Also, I might write more that takes place after a CHOOONKY time skip, with a little more world building and emotions and just…the things I usually write.

anyway

may my precious broken friends bring you joy

it makes me think of 1 and 11 from stranger things... 

1 hour ago, Spark of Hope said:

You and me need to write something together with Mag doing illustrations

ooh i'd love to read that!

[Edema Rue she/her]

10 hours ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

it makes me think of 1 and 11 from stranger things... 

ooh i'd love to read that!

xD did you see the SU where i said it was based of 1 because he’s hot?

I’ve been rewatching it with my little brother because he wanted to see it but my parents wouldn’t let him watch it alone and I literally forgot everything because the first time I watched it I binged the whole thing in 3 days while my entire family was out of town

would recommend

then would recommend going back and watching every scene with 1 

[Through the Living Hope]

4 minutes ago, Edema Rue said:

xD did you see the SU where i said it was based of 1 because he’s hot?

I’ve been rewatching it with my little brother because he wanted to see it but my parents wouldn’t let him watch it alone and I literally forgot everything because the first time I watched it I binged the whole thing in 3 days while my entire family was out of town

would recommend

then would recommend going back and watching every scene with 1 

I used to like Stranger Things but now I think it’s kinda… demonic. Dustin and Steve are S tier tho

[Edema Rue she/her]

1 hour ago, Spark of Hope said:

I used to like Stranger Things but now I think it’s kinda… demonic. Dustin and Steve are S tier tho

I do it for Steve and Dustin and Robin they’re my heart and soul

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

22 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

xD did you see the SU where i said it was based of 1 because he’s hot?

I’ve been rewatching it with my little brother because he wanted to see it but my parents wouldn’t let him watch it alone and I literally forgot everything because the first time I watched it I binged the whole thing in 3 days while my entire family was out of town

would recommend

then would recommend going back and watching every scene with 1 

i recently watched it and now i am addicted to writng small town mysteries... 

20 hours ago, Edema Rue said:

I do it for Steve and Dustin and Robin they’re my heart and soul

that trio plus erica in season 3 were soo under rated IMO

[Through the Living Hope]

44 minutes ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

i recently watched it and now i am addicted to writng small town mysteries... 

that trio plus erica in season 3 were soo under rated IMO

You can’t spell America without Erica