There was a hole in the floor, right inside the entrance way, and it was lined with hands.
[ :) ]
It didn't have a bottom, as far as we could tell. And if we closed our eyes while holding hands with a... hand, we could see a girl. Probably about the age of a teenager?
[ this tall ass man being shoved around by a tiny puppet... what a sight to behold. ]
That's strange. [ and not something that this puppet enjoys thinking about but too late for that. ] I can't think of why that'd happen—no scientific reason. Or, if it could, then nothing that extreme.
Are you thinking that it could be related to the illness?
... I wasn't, but... Let me think. After we escaped the hole, a bunch of big tails came out of it - I'd say eight or nine? That's what sealed it back up.
[ hmmmmmm ]
I guess that brings me to topic three, actually. Here - take a look at this. I found it in my pocket, but it's not mine. And Lobelia, Rosemary, and Sage don't recognize it either.
[ and with that, Ludger will pull out a folded paper for Foxglove to examine. ]
So I'm understanding. I feel like I'm getting a crash course of all sorts of different types of magic while studying this illness.
[ if there's anything to be said about the tails that came out of the ground it gets silenced when it looks at the letter. and says nothing for a while. they'll keep moving towards the clinic but it'll say nothing until they're just at the door. ]
I also don't recognize this. [ there are a number of things that foxglove could follow up and ask ludger about regarding the letter and what the others might have said but at the end of it all, there's only one thing that it wants to know: ]
[ the tragedy of being late is, of course, that Ludger has already answered this question. where earlier in the week, hints of melancholy, hesitation, or even regret might have been visible, there is none left when he answers quietly, steeled for whatever may come: ]
If I could save them, I would.
[ he has already traded his life away. what else can he do but put these last few flickers to use? ]
[ foxglove ears will lower as it pushes the door to the clinic (infirmary) open with ease despite its small statue while still urging ludger inside. maybe the soothing effect of the infirmary will also be good for him.
though, his answer does worry foxglove a little. ]
...and how would you describe a monster? The word can be used in multiple ways.
Some "monsters" can take the form of someone rather unassuming just based on how they're different from others.
[ ushered inside, Ludger takes in the infirmary. he'd been here briefly at the beginning of the week, but he'd never stayed long enough to enjoy its therapeutic effects before. ]
There's the monster species as a whole, but they're wild creatures we just share the world with. I don't think too much about them. But other "monsters"...
[ ......... ]
Well, I think you're just talking about discrimination right now? There aren't that many actual monsters out there.
[ you know? there's plenty that foxglove could say here and it doesn't because when ludger says how he doesn't think that there are a lot monsters (not the creature) out there, it brings a sort of...joy to it.
not that ludger would tell because gestures in puppet. but foxglove's voice will sound gentler, especially as it hops up onto the counter to grab some burn ointments. ]
What if that letter wasn't talking about a literal monster then?
If I was given that letter then I know that I'd save someone who would be labeled as a monster. [ more to itself than to ludger: ] Everyone deserves to be happy.
[ the thing about being raised hidden from your own brother's workplace, is that you tend to be a bit... sheltered as a result. but he wasn't completely unaware of the darker side of Elympios - he just never had to think about it. at least, until he finally stepped out of Julius's long, protective shadow. then, he had no choice but to confront it, to stare it in the face. ]
... Yeah. I'd save them too. But- It's not for any reason like I think they should be happy. That's up to them.
[ some people just won't be happy no matter what. they can't let themselves find it, in the big or small things. ]
I guess, I just want to be forgiven for the things I've done, one day. And if I want that, then how can I not offer it to others?
[ even those who'd rather spit on him, who'd choose to die before accepting such pity. ]
[ foxglove will hear every word that ludger has to share and try to understand what isn't being said. unfortunately, it can only go off of context clues when trying to form the bigger image. nevertheless— ]
I also want to be forgiven for what I've done. I've caused a lot of people a great deal of harm.
[ pat pat. have a plaster to cover the burn so it doesn't get nasty. ...at least, until he has to wash himself. ]
Maybe saving them can also save me. [ it chuckles to itself. self-deprecating. ] A bit selfish, isn't it?
[ he'll accept the plaster and apply it carefully to a spot on his wrist. owie... ]
The thing that can let us be so selfless is also what lets us be so selfish. There's nothing wrong with it - we just shouldn't let it go out of control.
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[ :) ]
It didn't have a bottom, as far as we could tell. And if we closed our eyes while holding hands with a... hand, we could see a girl. Probably about the age of a teenager?
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it's such a good thing that ludger can't see the way that foxglove is looking at him behind those puppet eyes. its voice will be shaky. ]
And you've been feeling well, Ludger?
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Don't say it like that, I've been fine! Here-
[ and Ludger will roll off the branch and tumble down out of the tree-
and then land on his feet, tail lashing ]
-see for yourself!
[ ............. hm. there appear to be splotches of red on his arms and face. some of them even appear to be in the shape of a palm. ]
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either way, here's this puppet absolutely freaking out about it. ]
Hands did this to you?
[ it'll rush to his side, getting that extra boost in from having rabbit feet and place its puppet hands around the injuries. ]
How did this happened here? Have you gotten these looked at? My clinic should have the supplies needed to treat this.
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... I might have forgotten to look for a first aid kit earlier.
[ oops! ]
They didn't do it at first - it was actually kind of relaxing. But Hansa mentioned exorcists and I asked if she wanted one and-
[ he gestures with one arm to himself. yup. ]
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But you can still go to to the infirmary now!
[ why are we still in the central field!! what if this puppet tries to shoo ludger towards the infirmary. what will he do... while staying on topic. ]
...exorcist? The hands acted out because Hansa mentioned exorcists?
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I think so?
[ he thinks about it for a second - priest would be his second bet, but... hmmmmm......... the timing wasn't quite right. ]
After that, we were pretty much thrown out of the hole and the room, and both sealed themselves shut.
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That's strange. [ and not something that this puppet enjoys thinking about but too late for that. ] I can't think of why that'd happen—no scientific reason. Or, if it could, then nothing that extreme.
Are you thinking that it could be related to the illness?
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[ what an Understatement, honestly ]
... I wasn't, but... Let me think. After we escaped the hole, a bunch of big tails came out of it - I'd say eight or nine? That's what sealed it back up.
[ hmmmmmm ]
I guess that brings me to topic three, actually. Here - take a look at this. I found it in my pocket, but it's not mine. And Lobelia, Rosemary, and Sage don't recognize it either.
[ and with that, Ludger will pull out a folded paper for Foxglove to examine. ]
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[ if there's anything to be said about the tails that came out of the ground it gets silenced when it looks at the letter. and says nothing for a while. they'll keep moving towards the clinic but it'll say nothing until they're just at the door. ]
I also don't recognize this. [ there are a number of things that foxglove could follow up and ask ludger about regarding the letter and what the others might have said but at the end of it all, there's only one thing that it wants to know: ]
What are your thoughts on it?
[ would he save a "monster"? ]
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If I could save them, I would.
[ he has already traded his life away. what else can he do but put these last few flickers to use? ]
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though, his answer does worry foxglove a little. ]
...and how would you describe a monster? The word can be used in multiple ways.
Some "monsters" can take the form of someone rather unassuming just based on how they're different from others.
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[ ushered inside, Ludger takes in the infirmary. he'd been here briefly at the beginning of the week, but he'd never stayed long enough to enjoy its therapeutic effects before. ]
There's the monster species as a whole, but they're wild creatures we just share the world with. I don't think too much about them. But other "monsters"...
[ ......... ]
Well, I think you're just talking about discrimination right now? There aren't that many actual monsters out there.
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not that ludger would tell because gestures in puppet. but foxglove's voice will sound gentler, especially as it hops up onto the counter to grab some burn ointments. ]
What if that letter wasn't talking about a literal monster then?
If I was given that letter then I know that I'd save someone who would be labeled as a monster. [ more to itself than to ludger: ] Everyone deserves to be happy.
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... Yeah. I'd save them too. But- It's not for any reason like I think they should be happy. That's up to them.
[ some people just won't be happy no matter what. they can't let themselves find it, in the big or small things. ]
I guess, I just want to be forgiven for the things I've done, one day. And if I want that, then how can I not offer it to others?
[ even those who'd rather spit on him, who'd choose to die before accepting such pity. ]
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I also want to be forgiven for what I've done. I've caused a lot of people a great deal of harm.
[ pat pat. have a plaster to cover the burn so it doesn't get nasty. ...at least, until he has to wash himself. ]
Maybe saving them can also save me. [ it chuckles to itself. self-deprecating. ] A bit selfish, isn't it?
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[ he'll accept the plaster and apply it carefully to a spot on his wrist. owie... ]
The thing that can let us be so selfless is also what lets us be so selfish. There's nothing wrong with it - we just shouldn't let it go out of control.
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I don't know what will happen if you decided to "save a monster" or what that'll do to you but—be careful.
[ a softer pat pat. ]
You seem to be like a good person, Ludger, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you.
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Thank you, Foxglove. I'm just trying my best - I hope it'll be enough.
[ and gently, Ludger will place his own hand on top of Foxglove's puppet head and pat it once, twice, thrice. ]
I'll let you know if anything happens. Who knows - maybe this is just an attempt to freak us out.
[ he doubts it. but who knows? ]
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[ this is why you're in debt ludger. ]
Next time you get hurt, don't hesitate to find me here in my clinic. You'll have a better chance finding me here than out there.
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Where did your clinic come from, by the way? Was it always here and we just couldn't see it or...?
[ perception fuckery vs ??????? both are terrifying! ]
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[ sweats. ]
...you guys couldn't just go to it until now.
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[ by a certain group of puppets? ]
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It seems to be the case.
You're able to visit my clinic now, which is important in case any of you get hurt.
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Yeah - I didn't poke around the clothing store too much, but I didn't see any actual first aid kits in there.
[ and the clown box,,,,,,,,, ]
... If this clinic was always here, and you could see it, does that mean there's more buildings we can't see that you can?
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