song: holding hands,,,,,, me: literally im about to cry
Yuki reads me a paragraph, but it wasn't nearly enough information to go off of. I sigh, shutting my book. "Maybe we should give up for today and try again tomorrow. I'm exhausted and there's nothing worthwhile in these books."
I let my fingers glide over the hard cover, feeling each groove of the images. "Unless… there is something in a book. Maybe there's some kind of censorship thing going on?" I looked to Yuki, hoping it wasn't a stupid idea.
please don't ever say wet bones it just makes me think of boners
I have a feeling we shouldn't be messing with this kid, but curiosity am I right? "Bruno, what makes you think we were going to kill you?" Roger asks, slinking his rejected hand back. This kid has issues, that's for sure.
Bruno eyes Roger warily. In a small voice he says, "Because you're scary looking." I attempt to hold back my laugh as Roger glances at me with a look of annoyance. Oh, poor Roger.
I sit down with Bruno, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You're right. He's frightening, even to me." I wink at Roger.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hld on … hold on to me
Myst looked around us, noticing the darkened city. "For now, we should go back to the castle."
I frowned. I wasn't tired yet nor did I think it was plausible to just leave the case here. Nonetheless, I could feel Myst's dampened mood and figured she might not want to handle more things. I wondered if I could go off alone, or with another member.
"If you say so."
communism
"Unless… there is something in a book. Maybe there's some kind of censorship thing going on?"
I scratch my chin in deep thought as Marina huffs a sigh of defeat.
"Something's not adding up, though." I reach over to grab Marina's books as I place them on a pile on top of mine and pick them up.
"People have been arriving here for what, a millennia now? And no one has been able to answer the question of death? Has no one died here?"
I stand up, making an attempt to balance the books while walking to a nearby car.
"Furthermore, if the organization wanted to know what happens when someone dies here, wouldn't they have already killed by now?"
wee snaw
Roger's feelings are hurt so he shoots both of u then leaves.
"Well, haven't you ever been told not to judge a book by it's cover? I promise, you're not in any danger. In fact, I promise I'll keep you safe."
Bruno looks from Rai to me, with almost a derogatory expression.
"That's my brother's job."
okay NOW my feelings are hurt:(
is he dead
I silently and coldly walk to the castle. I feel bad for being so cold in front of Wyatt, but I was frustrated beyond compare and I wanted whoever did this to be put to justice. I paused and huffed, turning back to Wyatt.
"Have you ever loved someone that people told you not to love?"
I knew I was throwing him off with such an on-the-spot question, but I needed to vent.
TELLL ME IS THIS FREEDOME BABY
I frowned, pondering over Yuki's words as he attempts to carry the large stack of books. I can help you know… I wanted to say, but he was too busy analyzing the situation.
"Furthermore, if the organization wanted to know what happens when someone dies here, wouldn't they have already killed by now?" Yuki inquired. He headed outside the library with me following close behind, but to where I wasn't sure.
"I would suggest testing it, but if death ends up a real thing here that's covered up, I rather not take that chance (total lie, you would marina in another universe). But if there is death here, then what stage of life are we at now?" I rubbed my temples. So much thinking.
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I glared at Roger, hoping it would signal for him to stop talking. You're giving off the wrong vibe, you're gonna scare the kid away! Put your ego in your pocket!
"That's my brother's job." Bruno had replied. Trying to keep a friendly demeanor, I cross my legs like a child. A brother you say?
"Yeah, Roger, that's his brother's job." I turned my focus back to Bruno. "What's your brother's name?" I asked.
His fingers tangled around a blue bandanna, trying to fold it perfectly. "Simon."
lights they bling to me transmitting things to me one and zeroes ergo this symphony is anybody listening oNES AND ZEROES COUNT TO INFINITIY O N ES AN D ZZ ER OES
I could feel Myst's mood weighing heavily in the air. I opened my mouth to speak words of comfort, but she blurted something out instead.
"Have you ever loved someone that people told you not to love?"
I thought about the question. "In a way, yeah, I can understand your pain. It gets hard to differentiate where the truth is." I kicked a rock in the streets. When was the last time I had a heart-to-heart with someone? "Would you like to talk about it?"
pizza time
"I would suggest testing it, but if death ends up a real thing here that's covered up, I rather not take that chance. But if there is death here, then what stage of life are we at now?"
I place the books on a cart and begin walking out, Marina following behind with her questions.
"On the question of stages of life, there's really no way to tell until the oldest person here dies. No one knows exactly how old Meredith is, but if she's the first to die, then we'll know. The problem with age is that once you arrive here, your physical body doesn't age, so there are the unlucky small children that remain a child their whole lives, and the unlucky old people that have to struggle with back pains and losing sight. It's fortunate that the youthful population is stronger than that of the weak population."
I realize I've been rambling and immediately stop myself, habitually freezing in my steps as well. I look down in shame, upon the realization that I didn't even know where I planned on going after the library. Maybe Marina and I should sit down and discuss this matter. Without a word, I continue walking to the park.
op this post is a big yeet
I realized I probably look very threatening, and decide to remain quiet and let Rai do the rest of the calming of the child.
"What's your brother's name?" Rai said in a friendly and curious voice.
"Simon." He responded.
"mY bRoTheR's nAmE is JeSsE"
"Get the fuck out of my face." Rai said for some reason making the child cry and explode
"That's a wonderful name," Rai breathed, trying to sound as gentle as possible. I breathe quietly, hoping Rai does a good job at helping the kid.
my entire mouth hur ts
"Would you like to talk about it?" Wyatt muttered, the edge starting to rise in the air. I huff, a bit aware of the situation, but continue anyway.
"I don't know, not only do I have to ignore the reckless voices of people who don't understand me or who I love, I have to hear the voices of people I respect and admire tell me that I'm making a mistake in something that I can't seem to control."
I look to the ground in a huff, twiddling my thumbs.
"It's frustrating, you know?"
immmaa imaaa imaa alove KILER
Yuki went on a tangent of age. I listened intently, corners of my mouth tilting up. I could tell he had good intentions and morals.
"It's fortunate that the youthful population is stronger than that of the weak population." He suddenly stopped in his tracks for a moment,, but then continued walking. I raised an eyebrow as he led the way.
After moments of silence, and me thinking about our situation, I theorized, "What if you can die, but it has to be like murder or something intense instead of old age or disease, since we can't age? I mean, that's such a stretch of an idea, maybe I'm just stupid, but nothing makes sense."
my lttiel uppetereer
"That's a wonderful name," I chimed. The boy nodded. He's silent, and I kind of hate it. What do we say? He's not cooperating, and Roger is already on bad terms with him.
I try again. "Where did you get these bandannas? I've always wanted one."
hey yea whats ur net worht pussy boy whats ur net worth diamonds round my neck like what my net worth
We arrived at the doorway of the castle. I stopped in my tracks as Myst vented her heart out. "It's frustrating, you know?"
"It is hard, you're right. But life knows you're strong enough to be able to handle all of the world's bullshit. Plus," I smiled, Myst looking up from the ground. "all of us? We got your back. Or at least, I do, and Meredith does."
absolutely no snakes at all
I shrug my shoulders, sitting on a bench, giving Marina enough room to sit next to me. "That would bring on the philosophical question of whether or not time and illness are killers. Of course you could categorize them into 'natural causes', but either way, the body failed to fight whatever caused it to die in the first place."
I look down in frustration with all the thoughts and theories. Maybe Marina could help me work this out, but I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to be working out.
they know that its almstos ovvverrrr
Simon lifts his chin proudly but doesn't smile. "My brother made them. He said it would help us find each other in the dark."
He pauses himself and looks at me, which I try my best to look as friendly as possible as I begrudgingly remain silent. Rai should handle this one.
have you ever had this monster flavor
"what"
"It is hard, you're right. But life knows you're strong enough to be able to handle all of the world's bullshit." I sigh gently, feeling a bit better from Wyatt's comforting. "Plus," I look up from the ground as he added, "all of us? We got your back. Or at least, I do, and Meredith does."
I smile at his words and nod, opening the door to enter the castle, greeted by silence.
"Meredith?" I call out, causing none other than Brent to emerge from a hall, looking slightly confused at our presence.
"Brent?"
"Myst! From the looks of it, I'd say you're following me."
I chuckle at his comment but return to the task at hand.
"What are you doing here?"
Brent shrugged and gestured behind him.
"Oh, I was just dropping something off for Meredith. You know her, she loves her flowers." I smile and nod, turning back to Wyatt.
"This is Wyatt, one of Meredith's recruits."
Brent smiles and nods at Wyatt.
"Ah, yes, I was on duty when he arrived. From a…helicopter, right? Nice to see you again, Wyatt."
i shrug his shoulders
I settled on the bench next to Yuki. I take this moment to straighten out my hair and my clothes, suddenly feeling the exhaust in my body. I was ready for a bath. With roses.
Crossing my legs, I turned to Yuki as he spilled his thoughts. "Maybe there's just nothing here for the body to fight." I pursed my lips. "We aren't aging, we're breathing water, maybe our bodies had some weird immune system upgrade. What if death is possible, but it's just super difficult to achieve?"
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh now my fav color is BLUE
"My brother made them. He said it would help us find each other in the dark." Simon held up a black one.
"Can I see?" I asked. Find each other in the dark? That's rather ominous.
Simon handed me the one in his hand. I accepted the soft bandanna. It's just solid black. Interesting. "Where is your brother?" I wrapped it around my head and smiled to the two boys. "How do I look?"
look at all those chickens
"Ah, yes, I was on duty when he arrived. From a… helicopter, right? Nice to see you again, Wyatt," Brent said, nodding his head to me.
I cleared my throat, a small memory of the crash hidden in my head. "You too." Following Brent was Meredith with her long golden hair.
"Myst! Wyatt!" she said, greeting us with smiles. She must have noticed Myst's mood, because he smile quickly turned to worry. "Did something happen?" I glanced at Myst, letting her explain.
wonderful
I stare at the ground, silent, as my struggling mind made every effort to reconstruct the pieces of this broken world's logic.
"It's hard to answer questions when the basis on asking them is thrown out the window." I mutter, shaking my head dismissively. After a few silent moments, I stand up and sigh heavily.
"We should head back to the castle now. I'm ready to go to sleep."
"black glow in the dark" "fcuking gneius"
I grin at Rai's bandanna, "Badass." I mutter out, tilting my head as Simon fails to resist a smile as well. "Why does your brother need to find you in the dark?" I try asking Simon, hoping the tension between him and me has settled somewhat. "Are you two playing hide and seek?" Simon shakes his head.
"He told me to come here and get a few things that he thinks he could use."
ip ut my socks on my efet
I lower my head a bit, knowing there was no way I could lie myself out of this one, as I shrug my shoulders.
"We found some graffiti on the wall of Cornelia's Liquor."
I muttered, hearing Meredith's exhale as she knew I'd be more upset over it than she would.
"Myst…" She spoke with a soft voice, but I didn't like to be seen as vulnerable in front of people like Wyatt and Brent, so I shrug her off.
"It's fine, but I'll be the first to bring justice to whoever did it."
TWENTY ONE GUNS
I stand up solemnly in agreement. We don't have nearly enough evidence to answer these questions anyways. I straighten out my clothes and my hair before running to catch up to Yuki as we walk in silence to the castle. I want to start a conversation, but I knew it would go sour, so I keep my lips closed and my head turned to the city, away from Yuki.
new money suit and tie
Simon replied positively to Roger, which means Roger did good and Simon probably hates him a little less. Except did he really just swear in front of a kid? God damn it, Roger, I swear.
"He told me to come here and get a few things that he thinks he could use," Simon says LOL WOW I JUST REALIZED HAHAH SIMON S A YS AGGHA. Use for what?
I lean in, intrigued. "What does he need? Maybe we can help," I suggest, eyes flickering to Roger.
ona d a rk desert HIGHWAY cool wind in my fucking HAIR
I put a comforting hand on Myst's shoulder, knowing it was clearly not as fine as she said it was. I didn't understand what Myst was feeling because all my waking life I had been the one to agree with government-related vandalism. But, Meredith was her friend and hopefully had good intentions. Of course, even after death I'd still get caught up in politics and trying so hard to help people.
"We'll figure it out," I chimed. "For now, let's wait for the others and report to them. They should be back by now, it's getting late."
mmmmhungy
My long steps are rhythmic as I gaze at the path ahead of me, contemplating deeply about this world and it's endless enigmas. I know I shouldn't reflect on the past and my life before this place, but dammit I sure as hell miss it. Though, I suppose this was the only option for me; after all that transpired, I found this lake and I couldn't help myself. Then again, I didn't expect to find this place in this lake. The odds of that…
We reached the castle, with Myst and Wyatt waiting near the front entrances.
im not hungry anymore i had a croissant
Simon's eyes flickered back to the shy boy he was when we first met him. He looked down at the ground and rocked back and forth on his feet.
"I don't know…" He utters, but his body language implied the opposite. "I have to get back, it's almost bedtime." He whispers before rushing out of the store with his bags. I turn to Rai with a defeated glance. "Well, he's not wrong. I'm growing tired."
nevermind i'm hungry i could go for some noooodles
I sigh heavily, trying to find a way out of this comfort, which was anything but comforting for me. My eyes fall on Yuki and Marina making their way back, so I take that opportunity and change the subject.
"Yuki and Marina are here, let's go talk to them."
Brent nods and announces, "Well, I should get going. See you guys around."
As we approach the two, Brent goes his own way.
she to l dme that she loved me by the water fountain
I waved cheerfully to Myst and Wyatt. "Did you guys get anything? We tried to find stuff in books, but nothing of importance yet. We still have to read the rest of the books."
lets f a l l in olvoe fo rthe night
Simon scurried out of the store, leaving Roger and I alone. "Well, he's not wrong. I'm growing tired," Roger says, which caused me to yawn. But, when I yawned, Oh fuck, I still have the bandanna on! I never gave it back!
I scrambled up in an attempt to call for Simon, but he's far gone when I get to the door of the grocery store. I swiveled around to the confused Roger. His eyes widen when he sees me pointing to my head. "Well, now we have an excuse to find him again. Or his brother. Let's go back to the castle."
When we get back, Myst, Wyatt, Yuki, and Marina are all talking.
im just gunna swim until ul loev me
I nod slightly to Marina, furrowing my brow. "We found vandalism strictly towards Meredith. We're gonna find out who did it in the morning. But, that's about it. Oh, there was also this kid-" I pause when I see two familiar figures hurrying up the steps. It was Roger and Rai, who came back in a bandanna? Everyone moves slightly to let them join the circle.
u tauught me the couuuururrrrrage
I watch as Myst sighs exasperatingly, causing me to curiously eye Wyatt, who's furrowing his eyebrows as he speaks.
"We found vandalism strictly towards Meredith. We're gonna find out who did it in the morning." I nod, thinking deeply about the possibilities of such an act. Who has paint, and where can they get it?
pressures of a new place r o l l m y w a y
We reach the others as we listen to Wyatt explain what they found. Everyone questions Rai's bandanna to which I start to explain.
"That's actually essentially the evidence of what-or should I say, who- we found."
still gotta pee
I listen quietly as everyone explains what they discovered, a little too dazed to say anything at the moment. If I started talking about the vandalism again, I'd grow angry again, and I didn't want people to see me like that. Instead I listened carefully as Roger starts to explain Rai's bandanna, looking to her for her to finish.
sry im changing the order so the convo makes more sense
rai girl, ii would lie for u m love
I must look so silly. I adjust the bandanna as I explain what happened. "… He seemed quite strange, and his hair was silver. He was definitely hiding something." But what, is the real question?
wyatt! piano music notes, jazzz, do do dod odddoodododo
I rub my fingers together, wondering if I had any cigarettes at the moment. Rai continues recalling her findings, but when she mentions the hair color of the boy, it causes me to raise an eyebrow. "I think Myst and I met his brother." Everybody glances at us in curiosity. "He was with the whole prankster gang."
n O the MOON hhaha, marina
The group discussed silver-haired brothers. It irked me that they had discovered so much, while Yuki and I had almost nothing. My mind wandered over the words in the books we read, wondering if there was something hidden, something between the lines. What is wrong with this town?
roroororoogger
"His brother?" I repeat, looking at Rai with curiosity. Is the little kid involved in the gang? Are they planning on evolving to become more of a threat?
who am i writing lemme check
I nod my head, putting my hands on my hips. Oddly enough, the graffiti completely dominated my thoughts until Wyatt mentioned the pranksters.
"That's right," I add, working off of his words. "Was he wearing a bandanna too?"
who's left
big words and probably something snarky to make him look smart
wyatt and my pee
"As a matter of fact, I think he was wearing a bandanna. Pale blue? Or something?" I wasn't sure how these brothers had anything to do with the rebels, but I suppose it is possible with their shadiness.
rai?
interesting………………………………………………………………
Marina
,, nohthing is said bc i am quiet like the moon in the sky on a froday night.
bro are you EVER gonna answer this
I'm gonna try really hard with this next post anyway who am i writing
"Is that their signature, then?" Myst's contemplative words filled the silence of people's deafening thoughts. Myst suddenly lit up and took a few steps away, walking over to a bag and pulling out a pen and paper.
"We need to write this all down."
I watch closely as she creates a graph of two separated groups.
i have a mild headache
"First," I uttered, writing Bandannas on one side of the graph and Rebels on the other, "We need to see what the similarities are between the two groups."
"Bandannas are simpleton pranksters and the rebels are simpleton anarchists, they don't have all that much in common."
Yuki sneered, crossing his arms as I roll my eyes. I write Pranksters under Bandannas and Criminals under Rebels.
ok yuki whatever
The group of inerudite people that surrounded me continued eternally ambling around in circles in their hopeless attempt at pinning the blame on the ignorant pranksters of the bandannas, while I huffed a cold breath and crossed my arms.
The pranksters definitely did not carry the guilt of the rebels; the renowned kingdom's pranksters wouldn't dare commit a crime, they knew they would immediately be blamed by everyone. No, this is a group of much more intelligence that decided to make a move once the pranksters started their fits and fun.
wombo wyatt
I scratch my chin as I stare at the paper. This feels like college, almost. "I don't think we have enough information to compare the two."
Rai, who's been pacing around, jumps in, "Yeah, there's no solid evidence. I think we should just keep searching honestly." I nod my head in agreement.
mazel tov!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 marina
The others discuss whatever it is they're discussing as I patiently wait and try to listen. My mind wanders to its usual topics. A thought arrives calmly, like a boat in a stream, but the thought is too blurry to develop into an idea. There was something in those books Yuki and I read…
josh is really bad at comig up wit funny words that start with R rai
"Yeah, there's no solid evidence. I think we should just keep searching honestly," I chime in. They're going at this so quickly. It's hard to tie together things that have no connecting strings yet. I look directly up at the ceiling and study the architecture. It's so pretty. I'd like to be a queen here. What an adventure.
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I look around the room, everyone's faces had on different expressions, but a majority of them seem uninterested. However, my eyes fall on Meredith, who seemed to grow more uncomfortable with each word spoken.
and I'd loVE IT IF WE MAAAADEEE IT
"This organization is incredibly discreet and invisible. There's no way they'd give us any evidence from their actions. The only reason we actually found out about them is because of how quickly word gets around here." I huff, frustrated at people already starting to give up. Before anyone can say anything else, Meredith speaks up.
"There's something I've failed to admit to you all."
yes I'm writing this on my phone happy birthday jenny
Meredith's uneasy words sends a bolt of intense silence around the newly interested table. A few people who were slouching impolitely in their chairs sat up and leaned forward, toward Meredith as she avoids eye contact with Myst.
"There's more life outside this kingdom. The entire ocean floor is inhabitable, I just…" she shuddered "it's so dangerous out there that I told everyone it's only this kingdom that holds this sort of magic."
you need to write who the fuck is talking like how am i supposed to know who those bitches are without having to SCROLL up you WHore i hate you wy wy wy
I turned to Meredith in shock. I understood, however, that for the sake of a nation's peace, the government would need to lie. A word piqued my curiosity.
"You think this is a magical place? How do you know this?" I asked. Can an afterlife have magic?
melting man, marina
Meredith's words just, really made things confusing. What did that have anything to do with the terrorists? Did they know this secret? I ran my hands over my thighs in anticipation. I waited for the queen to continue.
ra-
This woman… what is going on? I wish there weren't any secrets in this place, or that someone would just know what the hell is going on? I stare intensely at her face in hopes it'll get her to talk faster and explain more.
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I furrow my brow as I listen to everyone's questions against Meredith. Why did she bring it up? What benefit could it have for this investigation? Surely it had to be important.
"How do you know it's dangerous out there?"
I responded. Meredith looked at me.
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Though the table got quiet after Roger's question, my eyes fixated on Meredith. She made a point not to make eye contact with me as she inhaled deeply, trying to answer everyone's questions.
"I call it magic because…well I don't know how else to explain it. As far as I know, no technology from the living world has anything like this."
She gazed at Roger.
oVeR AnALyZE nEVeR SyMPatHizE I doN'T reALLy CarE toNigHt
"I had to have started somewhere. Believe it or not, but a lot of the people that helped form this kingdom…aren't here anymore. They gave their lives-their souls, whatever, to build this kingdom, and they…"
Meredith's breath shook the more she spoke, and soon everyone could tell how hard she'd been trying to hold her steady composure.
"Who else knows about it?"
Myst responds.
"Just the gatekeepers, the ones who greeted you into this place, which makes Raz even more of a suspect."
whilly nilly wy man
There was too much information coming in at once, information that did not explain more, but only provoked more and more questions. I started to twitch more as more trauma-related symptoms settled in. I thought the after-life would've been a lot kinder, but it feels more like another life - another dimension…
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmeow marina
Meredith broke the news of the world. It was magical, well, I think we all figured that actually, considering we could breathe underwater. Perhaps, perhaps - no, I don't know. Ugh, sometimes women were so unclear.
raiiiiiiiid
"Well, how the fuck do we even know there is an organization and it's not just one person? Like why are we assuming its more than one person?" I pull a leg up on my chair. then i cry.
Rorororororoororororoor
I turn my head to Myst. She seemed close to Meredith, and maybe her reaction to this news would help. Myst seemed shocked; even more so than most of the people at theh table. There must be something she knows that we don't; or the news was more of a hit to her because she knows Meredith so well, the fact that she didn't know this may have been difficult to take in.
Meredith speaks.
"My biggest concern is where those souls are now. If this is the afterlife, that is."
mymymymymymymymy
Meredith, I think, my expression shifting downwards to a tinge of disappointment. She told me that she built this kingdom herself. The fact that she lied to me hit worse than the fact that she sacrificed souls, but nevertheless, Meredith isn't the person I thought I knew.
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"It's far too organized," I respond to Rai's question, leaning forwards as I think heavily on the recent information. "Regardless, that does impart on us a key idea on a possible motive. Whoever allegedly knows about the cruel sacrifice Meredith conceived must vehemently maintain contradictory opinions on how she should have properly handled that. Or wherever the liberated souls realistically are, must have contact with someone here." I look suspiciously at Meredith, whose eyes are transfixed on her lap.
