intro | day 104

[tacosgay]

Listen.

[The voice that comes over the public channel is... odd, and new to most folks here. He pauses for a bit, as if that's the entire thought-- but, sure enough, he follows it with an obviously annoyed question.]

So we're just kind of... here, because they say so? Like... this can't be legal, can it? Has anybody tried talking to the fuckin' police about this?

[As he speaks, he gets increasingly irritated, his voice breaking.]

I'm gonna be real with you guys: I've got half a mind to just kinda magic my way out, except I'm pretty sure the Ringleader or whatever would come after me. Is that a thing?

Comments

[tacosgay]

Yeah, yeah, stuck here working for a year and a day to pay my dues, yadda yadda. I got it.

[small_reservations]

Has anyone mentioned changes? Not just to living quarters, I mean physical changes.

[tacosgay]

... um, no. I feel like they definitely should have mentioned that??? Is that a thing?

[small_reservations]

Within my first month, I had pointed ears and glowing eyes. By the second I had horns. So yeah. It's a thing. You kinda turn all fae. Some of us veterans can barely touch iron anymore, even.

It's not all bad but it can be annoying. And they're glamoured when you go home, so... there's that.

[tacosgay]

Wait, wait, wait, are you fucking serious? This shit-- not only do they keep you here for a fucking year, they also fuck around with your body?!

Nope! I'm out! I am not letting them lay a hand on my beautiful body, it is perfect as it is.

[small_reservations]

And sometimes your mind. But yeah. Most of the people you see around you were human, now we're not. But sure, you can try to leave. I'm sure the fae who has you under contract will be most accepting of that change in plans. Won't turn you into an animal or houseplant at all, nope. And by the way, that's a great catalyst for changes, being transformed.

[tacosgay]

...

[He just... sighs.]

I'm beginning to think that maybe thjs is Wonderland, and my boss just... neglected to tell us about all this, somehow. In which case, oh boy... this is a toughie after all.

[small_reservations]

I've been to a Wonderland. This is not it.

[He sighs as well, and there's a little static as he adjusts the radio.]

For what its worth? You have a great support group here. The people are generally pretty cool.

[tacosgay]

Wait, what? You went to Wonderland? I gotta say, given you're alive and all, I find that kinda hard to believe, after my boss made such a big deal over the place.

[small_reservations]

Different worlds, different versions. My... connected universe's wonderland world is all hedge mazes and forests and murderous queens.

[tacosgay]

Yeah, no, see... I don't actually know what ours is like, I never made it there, but my, euh, employer keeps telling us that it's pretty much definitely suicide to go in there.

[small_reservations]

Seems like a bad place to go, then. Do you need to?

[tacosgay]

Yep. That's where me and my two sidekicks were headed when I got pulled in here instead, actually, so, uh... guess I got the better end of this deal. Maybe.

[small_reservations]

Well, you got mutation over death, so you win some you lose some.

[He laughs a little.]

At least if the RM likes you and you die here, she can save you. Seen it happen before.

[tacosgay]

Oh, cool, so even death isn't necessarily an escape from this place!

[He's being a smartass. The smirk is audible in his voice, though.]

[small_reservations]

It is if you're a jerk.

[Also said with a smile. He even chuckles.]

She tends to favor those who aren't afraid to act, though.

[tacosgay]

Well, shit, then maybe I'm in luck after all. I mean, when it comes to getting out of here, anyways.

[HEH.]

But, seriously, though, I've tried dying before. It's not great. I wouldn't suggest it.

[small_reservations]

It does kind of suck, yeah.

[Especially if you die from having your heart ripped out!]

[tacosgay]

Not the best. But I guess there are worse things, huh? Plus, I'm apparently pretty bad at staying dead, so I've got that going for me.

[small_reservations]

I've got a bit of a bad track record for it myself, but then again it's only happened once.

[So far.]

[tacosgay]

Hey, once is all it takes, for most people. Sounds like you and me are just lucky, then, huh?

[small_reservations]

Heh, yeah...

[His laugh isn't very sincere, though.]

[tacosgay]

...

[Taako acts pretty obtuse sometimes, but he definitely picks up on that. There's a pause.]

So, hey, mind if I ask how you skipped the whole... death being permanent thing? I'll share my secrets if you share yours.

[small_reservations]

Nah, I guess not.

[Now how to explain this...]

My world... Well, worlds, really. They have a problem, a kind of invasion, from creatures called the heartless. When they attack you, they rip out your heart, or soul, I guess, and you die. Except sometimes people don't. They dissipate and reform elsewhere, without hearts. Without emotions. We call ourselves Nobodies.

[tacosgay]

[... something about that-- the description of an invasion-- it's just a flash, just for a second, but he almost says it's familiar.

And then it's gone, and he has no idea why he would say something like that. He'd fuckin' know if anything had been invading his world.]

... no emotions, huh? That's, uh... I mean, that's gotta be rough, right? Unless it's not, since you don't... have the emotions to feel shitty over it. Is that how that works?