audio { un: hide-and-seek }

[makemeasong]

[ Clara isn't sure how long it is before she feels capable of having a conversation, one where she's able to coherently explain her interaction with the Child. She's been sitting with her thoughts, turning over every level in her mind, all the things she saw and felt. By the time the Doctor had found her on Level Three, she'd already been through enough to hide in a dark room, uncharacteristically unsure of what to do. They'd wound up getting to the top of the tower together, he'd seen her through the sickness, but he'd gone back for others. That had left her alone to talk with the Child when he appeared without a sound by her side. Now, it's time to share what she's learned.

She may be feeling up to conversation, but not enough for video, and after this, only enough to text. When she begins, her voice is already hoarse, rough around the edges. ]

Right, jumping straight to it this time 'round. I had an interesting conversation with the Child. The kid in the fox mask. He said some things I'm sharing so we can talk them out or whatever we need to do. This may be a coincidence since I dunno know what the tower was or wasn't manipulating at that point, but anytime he stood with his umbrella over me, I felt better, less like I was sick. I also still have it, the umbrella. He left it.

[ She'd tried to give it back to him, and he'd let her have it without saying anything about it. ]

Alright, I'll get to it because we're all exhausted. The conversation started when he told me I 'wouldn't like what I see' and followed that hit up with 'seeing the undead isn't the same as knowing what's happening.' I guess he knows about the dragon eyes and what they do. I asked him who could help us know what we need to understand the rest, but his only suggestion was to ask his parents. He mentioned his father knows everything. Lots of kids think that, though.

Third fact of fun: fox-face told me his father could help anyone except me. And I dunno if he meant me specifically or all of us? Because he finished that bit up by saying he—as in himself—'made things sick' but didn't mean to and he's sorry. The kid also referred to a 'him' and 'he' a lot. Mentioned if 'he' were here, 'he' would know why we were sick. I'm assuming the father is the same 'him,' but it was never clear. Could be two totally separate beings.

[ But here's where things get even more interesting. ]

Next, kid says he was in Serthica after a ship dropped him off to play with the dragons. He seemed pretty excited about the idea that said dragons were big enough to eat 'him.' Still dunno if that's different from dad.

[ Now for the real dick move: ]

The Child said he was playing with me, with us. I think I guilted him into admitting we're his toys, just playthings. The dollhouse built just for him with us as the living dolls. Then he was gone. Not before saying he was glad to have us as toys.

[ Clara rubs a hand over her face, sighing audibly. ]

Other fine details include: he doesn't know how to keep us from getting sick, he doesn't understand why we get sick or how to stop us from dying (so he claims), and he blamed me or...us, I guess, for coming to a place where the sickness is. He insisted he was a good kid who only came to play with dragons.

[ By the time she's done, she's satisfied she hasn't missed anything — hopes so at least. ]

That's all I know. Or at least it's all I can remember. Was a long day, but I don't have to tell you lot that. Hopefully, this helps with something.

Comments

un: absterge

[downswing]

You are harmed?

private }

[makemeasong]

Define 'harmed.'

private

[downswing]

The unharmed need not play at words.

[makemeasong]

[ Wangji, you son of a bitch 😭 ]

I was on the third floor with the Doctor. Thanks to the scarecrow, I'll have new scars.

I had the sickness, like others.

[ She frowns, thinking of Kahl. ]

[downswing]

The one receded.

[makemeasong]

The Doctor burned my thing, whatever it was that the skeleton handed me. I can't remember, it's too fuzzy. But it receded, I'm okay.

I mean I'm not, but the coal sickness is gone, it's fine. It'll all be fine.

[ She's making an effort to try and actually believe that. As of this moment, she's failing. ]

[downswing]

...rest.

[makemeasong]

I'm trying.

Is your family okay?

[downswing]

( Quarrelsome, irritable, tattered. Alive. )

In final health. Gratitude for your courtesy.

[makemeasong]

Gratitude accepted.

[ She's typing a message, and then she isn't, and then she is again before something else comes through. ]

Gratitude for making sure I didn't stay in that room until I died.

[downswing]

Unnecessary.

[makemeasong]

tough, because I just did it, and I mean it.

[ She hesitates to bring up the room again, knows he likely doesn't expect an explanation or necessarily want one. It was pretty self-explanatory anyway, except for maybe the Dalek. No one expects Daleks.

Instead, she asks him about her fireside chat. ]

Do you think the Child is really a little kid, or something else in him? Something bigger, stuck in a small package.

[ Ssentences she never thought she'd say. ]

[downswing]

I believe, if it is something bigger, it yet thinks itself small.

[makemeasong]

I wonder if he could still be a kid if the bigger thing wasn't in him anymore.

[ She thinks maybe she's suggesting an exorcism, but it must be called something different when it's not demons. Although, for all she knows it is demoins. ]

[downswing]

Ke-Waihu sacrifices were offered to contain the burning strength of a volcano.

To ease draught and eruption.


(The bigger thing may bea great deal of hurt. )

[makemeasong]

His mom really sucked.

So now what? What do we do with something that may walk and talk like a kid but isn't one? For all we know we could separate what is in the Child from him.

If that makes no sense, keep in mind my brain is still trying to wrap itself around the trauma tower.

[downswing]

You describe exorcism.

[makemeasong]

okay, reading that back, you're right. i am.

I think what I'm envisioning is oil in water. We need something to make the ability he has slide right out of him.

[downswing]

A clean separation is... improbable.

That which possesses often corrupts.

[makemeasong]

Wangji, this kid never stood a chance. He needs someone to believe in him until it's not an option anymore.

[downswing]

I am not unaware.

[makemeasong]

[ At least he'll be honest. ]

Are there enough people here with magic or abilities to work together and keep him contained?

[downswing]

We have numbered those who have slain death lords.

[makemeasong]

And?

[downswing]

We have ability.