resources:fic:how_to_disappear_completely
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resources:fic:how_to_disappear_completely [2016/04/03 21:50] seb created |
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| ====== How to Disappear Completely ====== | ====== How to Disappear Completely ====== | ||
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| + | //(Set sometime after //Night of The Rooster//, but depicting events before the start of the game)// | ||
| You watch the creatures scuttling on the beach, pattering tiny impressions into the sand. From time to time, their gaggle of legs sets off silent avalanches. | You watch the creatures scuttling on the beach, pattering tiny impressions into the sand. From time to time, their gaggle of legs sets off silent avalanches. | ||
| - | One day in the past, you know, these grains of sand were a mountain. That mountain, cracked by wind and rain, fractured by ice and scorching sun, disgorged a portion of itself: a boulder. That boulder, over time, shattered into smaller rocks; those rocks, pebbles; those pebbles, sand. | + | One day in the past, you know, these grains of sand were a mountain. That mountain, cracked by wind and rain, fractured by ice and scorching sun, disgorged a portion of itself: a boulder. That boulder, over time, crumbled into smaller rocks; those rocks, pebbles; those pebbles, sand. |
| And that, you know, is how the world goes. But you are not content. You understand this power; you realise what it //means//. The power to decide what is broken. The power to decide which mountains turn to sand. | And that, you know, is how the world goes. But you are not content. You understand this power; you realise what it //means//. The power to decide what is broken. The power to decide which mountains turn to sand. | ||
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| You pull up a tiny crab, gripping its conical shell between forefinger and thumb, and twist it upside down. It kicks at the air, helplessly. Smiling, you walk away, crab in hand. It doesn’t take you long to find what you’re looking for. You set your new companion down - next to a larger, less weather-beaten shell. | You pull up a tiny crab, gripping its conical shell between forefinger and thumb, and twist it upside down. It kicks at the air, helplessly. Smiling, you walk away, crab in hand. It doesn’t take you long to find what you’re looking for. You set your new companion down - next to a larger, less weather-beaten shell. | ||
| - | You wait. The creature, evidently in shock, takes a moment to recover. Righting itself, it extends a chunky pinkish leg and tentatively grazes the shell now standing in front of it. Slowly, gaining confidence, it claws the shell around until it faces the entrance. You watch with interest as it probes the shell, brushing it with its mouthparts, prodding, getting the full measure of it. It claws and nudges the shell for some while after, until, seemingly satisfied, there is a sudden flurry as it hoists itself upward. For an instant, you witness its repulsive, yellowing tail - before the creature plants itself, backside-first, into the larger shell. It wiggles about contentedly. | + | You wait. The creature, evidently in shock, takes a moment to recover. Righting itself, it extends a chunky pinkish leg and tentatively grazes the shell now standing before it. Slowly, gaining confidence, it claws the shell around until it faces the entrance. You watch with interest as it probes the shell, brushing it with its mouthparts, prodding, getting the full measure of it. It claws and nudges the shell for some while after, until, seemingly satisfied, it suddenly hoists itself upward. For an instant, you witness its repulsive, yellowing tail - before the creature plants itself, backside-first, into the larger shell. It wiggles about contentedly. |
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| - | It is three months later when you find the broken body in the jungle. This secret palace of green light, with its unapologetic courtiers, has always offered you sanctuary. To spy another human being here is a profound and quite upsetting form of intrusion. You ball your fists. Your breathing becomes erratic. | + | It is three months later when you find the broken body in the jungle. This secret palace of green light, with its unapologetic courtiers, has always offered you sanctuary. To spy another human being here is a profound and upsetting intrusion. You ball your fists. Your breathing becomes erratic. |
| But the boy is dead. Perplexing. You know the monkeys wouldn’t have attacked him unless goaded to unimaginable fury. It seems more likely that he fell climbing a tree or tripped and cracked his skull open. After all, his clothes (and my gods - those silly shoes) are utterly unsuited to exploring the island’s interior. | But the boy is dead. Perplexing. You know the monkeys wouldn’t have attacked him unless goaded to unimaginable fury. It seems more likely that he fell climbing a tree or tripped and cracked his skull open. After all, his clothes (and my gods - those silly shoes) are utterly unsuited to exploring the island’s interior. | ||
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| - | Over the next few weeks, you learn how much a person can compromise to protect their core beliefs.// My child has not died//. Deep down, of course, you suspect that Theo’s parents realise - that they could not help but realise - the multitude of discrepancies between their son and you: the inch of difference in your height (my, Theo, how you’ve grown!), your calloused body, your tan, your mannerisms, the vast gaps in your knowledge (it must have been the fall...) | + | Over the next few weeks, you learn just how much a person will compromise to protect their core beliefs.// My child has not died//. Deep down, of course, you suspect that Theo’s parents realise - that they could not help but realise - the multitude of discrepancies between their son and you: the inch of difference in your height (my, Theo, how you’ve grown!), your calloused body, your tan, your mannerisms, the vast gaps in your knowledge (it must have been the fall...) |
| - | You feel that there is almost the flavour of negotiation about the way your new family remind you of what their child is really like: ‘Dear heart, but you always used to //love// my cabbage rolls…’ And oftentimes, you wonder if these Cargans don’t take the opportunity to make a few adjustments while they’re are at it: ‘But Theo, you //must// remember how much you love to listen to Aunt Agatha talk about our family history!’ | + | You feel that there is almost the flavour of negotiation about the way your family remind you of what their child is really like: ‘Dear heart, but you always used to //love// my cabbage rolls…’ And oftentimes, you wonder if these Cargans don’t take the opportunity to make a few adjustments while they’re at it: ‘But Theo, you //must// remember how much you love to listen to Aunt Agatha talk about our family history!’ |
| - | Nevermind. You’re smart. You learn quickly what is expected from you. Bumbling and blustering - not taciturn and directed. Forthright - not calculated. Honest, not secretive. Fiercely loyal. Terribly naive. You are terrified when they discover you practicing magic in your room that the facade has finally come to an end. Instead of retribution, they shower you with praise. Another mage in the family! How //exciting//. | + | Nevermind. You’re smart. You learn quickly what is expected from you. Bumbling and blustering - not taciturn and focused. Forthright - not calculated. Honest, not secretive. Fiercely loyal. Terribly naive. You are terrified when they discover you practicing magic in your room that the facade is finally over. Instead of retribution, they shower you with praise. Another mage in the family! How //exciting//. |
| It is only when you look in the mirror that a jarring sense of discord overpowers you. The person reflected in the glass is never Theophilius Cargan, but Theodore Krave. Theodore stares back at you, accusingly. | It is only when you look in the mirror that a jarring sense of discord overpowers you. The person reflected in the glass is never Theophilius Cargan, but Theodore Krave. Theodore stares back at you, accusingly. | ||
resources/fic/how_to_disappear_completely.1459720231.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/04/03 21:50 by seb
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