-| U.M.I.R.A. |-

[SHIVERS]

"Of course I am," you blurt out before your brain has a chance to catch up.

"...I mean, I make mistakes aaaaaalllll the time, even during this int--" 

You worriedly pivot at the last moment, feeling a new train of thought rolling out of your mouth as it forms in real time.

"Cause... y'know... Everyone makes mistakes.
Meaning of life, or whatever." 

You shrug.

"Can't afford to screw up helping people, but...
 
uh... 

...I give it my all, and improve stuff.
Every time.
What else is there to do?"



You stare at Ghost after your reply, nervousness creeping through you.
That could've been worse

Probably



Ghost doesn't falter, picking up right where they left off after another quick "I see."

oh come ON
give me SOMEthing to go on already

...They're Absolutely doing this on purpose, I bet.
no doubt about it






"I notice you see scraps with the aid of tools, rather than having natural scrap sight.
I'm assuming those are the glasses you have on currently, correct?"

"Yep." With your thumb, you attempt to lift up your glasses slightly to show them off, but your caffeinated hands clearly have other ideas.
You fumble, knocking them all the way off your face, causing them to clatter noisily across the table.

Hastily, you reach out - much farther than anticipated - snag them, and toss them back on your face, as if nothing happened.





Ghost seems to ignore the accident.
You can't tell if it's out of pity, spite, or simply not noticing.

"Looks like you have an impressively-spread set of scrap abilities, but most of them are new to you, or you otherwise don't have much utility with them yet.
It's good that you're comfortable with scraps, but I'd also recommend caution when it comes to everything that entails; particularly with regards to your proxy.
That's a very important thing to be careful with." Ghost tilts their head forward, really stressing their warning.
This may be the first emotion you've picked up from them throughout the interview:  Genuine worry.

Though, that almost feels insulting, doesn't it?
What impression have you given off to make them think you can't handle this?

Regardless, you know they're mistaken, and you're sure that's all that matters.





The gesabott moves on.

"Have you used your scrap abilities in emergency situations? Whether to help other people, or for combat? 
Anything along those lines?"

[Lilium Mortem]

That's why you're here isn't it? you realized you can use this power to help. There was a fire, back home. you were a bystander at first, but you knew your power, and could feel the smoke. so you used it, ran in for a rescue pulling the smoke away. building was empty, but it still made you realize what you could do, that you could help.

[ಠ_ಠ]

I can make a mean smokebomb if thats what youre askin.

[SHIVERS]

"Emergency situations..." 

You scratch your face, combing your memories.

"Uh... yes-Yeah." One hits you.

"Definitely."



You clear your throat, ready to tell your tale. 

You've got this now.
Hook, line, and sinker.

"So, there I was. Back in my hometown.
I'd been staying with a friend and was heading back home.
I smell smoke, look up the road, and-" You raise your hands up beside you, open them, and move them away from each other; mimicking flames rising.
"Boom. The church is on fire.
But!
But..." You point at Ghost. "I'd already been practicing with smoke scraps, right?
So I knew I had it.
I pull into the parking lot, jump off my bike, and I RUSH in to help."

Ghost leans in an inch.
You shake your head, exhaling.

"It was awful. Whole place was in flames already.
Falling apart and everything.
Flaming boards - falling from the ceiling, having to dodge around 'em."
You raise and lower your arms to pantomime.
"But me? I knew I had it."

"I start pulling the smoke away from me, funneling it out... out windows and the doors and-"
You gesture wildly.
"Just, everywhere. Doing everything I can while the whole place... burns down around me.
Trying to make sure everybody got out."

You pause, and the gesabott politely nods for you to continue.
You lean back in your chair, putting your arms behind your head.



"...Building turned out to be empty.
But y'know.
Thought that counts, n' all that."

"Made me realize what I could do."





You conveniently leave out the part about passing out from smoke inhalation, as well as your subsequent rescue and hospital stay.

Better they don't know.
This is a job interview, after all.



Good thing the story makes you look good.
You think so, anyway.



...Or maybe you don't.

Maybe it sounded better in your head.
Maybe the story was good, and you messed it up because of the caffeine.
Maybe you need--

what I NEED to do is STOP Thinking so much
get it Together already, herrera



just... Say some more stuff
they aren't talking yet so I need to



You pipe up just as Ghost opens their mouth.

"And uh... Combat?
Let's just say I make a mean smoke bomb.
Sorta.
...I mean it's not an actual Smoke Bomb.
But since I use smoke-
Right?
You know." You wave your hand. "You get it."

on second thought Shut Up





The construct characteristically waits far too long to respond, worsening your worries.

Once they seem absolutely sure you have nothing further to blurt out, they continue.

"Well, that would certainly be a harrowing experience for anyone, I'm sure.
Very brave, even if it didn't end up being someone's rescue."

Except your own, of course.

"And I'm sure any sort of smokescreen could be very useful in combat.
Even better for avoiding combat, which I'd argue is even more important."

"Well, it's good you've had some experience with things of that nature.
There may be a lot more of that in this job.
Make sure you're ready."





The gesabott looks you in the eye again.

"I have one last question."



ALRIGHT YES almost done
but how about you Don't look at me like that
why?
what do you know?





there's no way you Know I was leaving things out

No Way In Hell

and what's this last question, huh?
I'll ace it, too

throw it at me

I'm not ner-- You are exceptionally nervous.
You worry you might be visibly shaking, in fact.

Though, you're much too nervous to tell anymore.





Ghost speaks.


"Skateboard, rollerblades, or ice skating?"





"...huh?"

"You mentioned skating, I'm curious."





"...Uh."



"Rollerblades."
"Hm. I can see that being difficult, given your physiology."
You look simply confused.
"I can't imagine small feet being good for balance."
"...Nah, I... it's... not a problem, actually.
They make some that work for like... legs like this... mine."
"Oh, that makes sense. I haven't seen those before.
You'll have to show me sometime.
Very interesting."



when 

   would
 y-
              I,

Ghost stands up, taking their mug and your filled form with them.
They open the door to leave, only to look back at you.

"Oh, you're hired.
Tomorrow's your first day. 
10AM. I'll see you when you get here."

"Thanks for your time, Herrera."

You're too flabbergasted to respond.

Or do much of anything, for that matter, except remain in your chair as you try to process what had just transpired.










The neuroth from before walks in on you after some time, doing a double-take as he realizes you're still in the room.

"Oh, Herrera?
Did Ghost not--?
I'm sorry- Here, I'll take that." He points at the mug in front of you. 
"...Unless, you wanted to finish it in the lobby.
I don't mind if you'd like to."
"Nope. Nah. I'm good." You respond instantly, ridding yourself of the poison you engineered.
"Okay, no problem." Bobby carefully holds the mug with both hands as you stand up.
"Well, if you'll-" The neuroth catches and swings the quickly-closing door back open with his foot.
"If you'll follow me, I've got some paperwork for you before you leave."


"...Congratulations on the job, by the way!"




 

---

---

---

The caffeine crash hits you long before you walk through the entrance of your studio apartment.
You step inside, dropping your keys atop a bright purple shelf by your door.

You take off your jacket and toss it over the loveseat before collapsing onto it yourself, taking care not to crush your old laptop; currently half-buried in blankets.

You rub your face, dealing with your exhaustion as you soak in the 'atmosphere' of your place.





This is your living room... and bedroom, technically.
Your studio's so tiny it doubles as both, which makes the pullout-loveseat especially useful.
It's not all that comfortable, pretty beat-up, and it's kind of an ugly dark green color, but you got it for free, so you can't complain much.

There's also your kitchen(ette), which only really consists of a mini-fridge, sink, microwave, and a single electric burner.
You keep intending to get more for it - toaster oven, crock pot, panini press; the works - but you haven't gotten around to it yet.
Plus, there's the money issue.
 
But you're remedying that.



You've tried to spice up the plain beige walls a little with some posters - music and movies you like, or just random ones you found in thrift shops that looked cool.
But, it probably just makes it look like some 19-year-old college freshman's dorm room.
You should probably just throw up some paint sometime instead. At least you're allowed to do that.
...Lot of work, though.

You wish your place was bigger, or that you had a nice TV at least.
Then you could invite people over.
You doubt your old CRT is much for watching movies on.

Not that you really know anyone around here.

Everyone at your last job was a jackass. Or just never spoke to you.
And you haven't really gone out of your way to make friends. You've been too busy looking for a job.
There's Maria, your neighbor.
She's nice enough, but also in her seventies.



Thinking about your neighbor, you look out the window at what you can see of her rooftop garden, her bleeding-hearts and wisteria vines creeping onto your balcony.
Not that it matters, since you never use it. 
And it makes for a nice view past your blue-and-brown mismatched curtains.
You're still kicking yourself for not landing the unit that included the lower roof access, but you doubt you'd have the patience for a huge garden like that anyways.
No way you would've been able to afford that unit with your old job, anyways.

Whatever.

This apartment isn't much, but it's what you've got.





Enough of that, though.

You want to celebrate, but you aren't sure what to do.
Maybe you'll order some delivery.
You think you can afford that. ...You'll have to check later to make sure.
You can make it work until your first paycheck, bare minimum. You're sure of that.





For now, you need to do something to shake off this fatigue. 
Or at least distract yourself until it goes away.



A nice hot shower could do the trick. 
Might help you settle your nerves, and wake up at the same time. 
Something like that.

There's the garden, too. 
Maria's said you can use it when you like, as long as you're careful.
Could be perfect to relax, and focus.

Though, perhaps succumbing to your tiredness and passing out right here would be best. 
Something to recharge before you kick things into gear.
You have some work to do tonight, after all.



You're struck with brief indecision until the choice comes to you.

[seppawku]

it’d be nice to rest, don’t u think?

[ಠ_ಠ]

You may as well conk out before the reality of how your life has changed really sinks in.

[Pichi2214]

relaxing in the garden sounds nice
if you're allowed to stay there as long as you're careful taking a nap there ...or well passing out there sounds comfy enough
maybe some actual fresh air helps too, otherwise just falling asleep in your apartment would be my plan of action. get some rest in any case

if you have money for delivery you should try and check beforehand, maybe you'll be able to order something (preferably via online account and not phone call given our current state) and have it arrive later so we have food when we wake up
I'm not sure how long we usually sleep though so that might also be a bad idea if we'd just sleep through the delivery

[Lilium Mortem]

Take a stress nap dude, you've earned/need it. Don't forget to set an alarm though.

[MarxzVulpez]

I'm wary of weird over caffeinated dreams if we sleep instantly, let's head down to the garden for a bit

[SHIVERS]

You think over taking a walk through the garden, but...
...better to nap while you're able.



You're too tired to even bother pulling out the bed part of your couch, instead choosing to flop over where you sit.
You reposition one of the cushions to act as a pillow and decide that's the maximum amount of effort you've allotted for this nap.



With your eyes closed, your thoughts drift back to the task ahead of you once you're up:  Your proxy.

You may have given it a fancy name already, but it doesn't look like much of anything.
Every time you've tried to summon it, it's hardly appeared at all - just a weird little shadow thing - and it usually fizzles out within a few seconds.

A few times it's lasted a several minutes, during which time you tried talking to it.
You're not sure what that guide you read online was talking about, though; talking hasn't helped it form better.

Not like it's much for conversation regardless.





You turn over on the couch.



You're not even sure if you're doing it right.



You could just be screwing up from the start and forming the shadow thing out of your smoke instead.





Or maybe it just can't work for you.







There's a possibility it's just out of your skill range.
















Or that something's just inherently wrong with you in this department.






























You might be too anxious to sleep.
















































The rain over the lake always looks pretty from up here.
Even when it's storming.
You'd say that adds to it, actually.
All the dark clouds overhead glow with deep blue-greys and give a nice look to it.
Even if you're soaked.

The train rounding the lake looks pretty, too.
The rain's rolling over it and falling off the sides.
It's splashing along the tracks.



Are you about done?

Am I about done?









Hang on



You jolt.
Lightning strikes one of the giant trees alongside the train tracks.

You stand up.

The tree wobbles, then fa l  /   s .
It slams onto the third train car, almost bisecting it.
The deafening yelp of rending metal rings through the air.
The train wheels screech on the tracks as the later cars crash into the third.

The train derails.
Cars pile up seemingly at random, some sliding hundreds of feet away while others topple over each other into awkward stacks.

You rush
             down the hill.
You make it a few steps.
Your foot slips out from under you.
You fall onto your back and slide the rest of the way down.
Grass stains the back of your jacket.

Ever the theatric one.

You slide to a stop and get to your feet as quick as you can.
There had to have been people on that train, right?


You near the fiery wreck.

Your face glows orange.
You can feel the heat from here.



You hesitate.

Flames leap from one of the windows just in front of you, lapping at you like waves.

You cover your face and collapse backwards.

...Were you always this spineless?

Does that really qualify here?




Someone still might need help.
 
You get back to your feet.




A figure stands above you, on top of the wreck.

Their face is dark, it's hard to discern them.
The strongest light is coming from behind them, where another car from the train pile sits, this one more ablaze than the others.


You squint.








...Canine? 

Maybe?

The figure turns away from you, and walks directly into the flaming train car behind them.

You want to say something to stop them, but you're all choked up.








...You need to help them.
They'll die in there.

Yes, I'm sure they need your help.
Good luck with that.


What remains of the tree that caused the crash is propped up against the car, creating the perfect bridge.

...You're not serious, are you?

You hop on, making your way up.

I shouldn't have asked.

It cracks underneath your feet.
You look down.
It's burning from the inside.

As it breaks, you leap to the train.
You snag the side, just barely.

What were you expecting, exactly?

You pull yourself up and dash into the burning train car.




















Sparks rise into your view.

The church's paint is peeling off the walls.
A pillar collapses, demolishing some of the pews.
Boards fall from new hole in the ceiling.
You narrowly avoid them, careful not to fall.

You breathe in and cough.

S m o k e   f i l l s   y o u r   l u n g s .

You drop to the floor.
Fire swirls around you.






...Rescue's coming, right?



'Rescue.'

I thought you jumped in to save that person.
Haven't you practiced since then?
Or was all that time spent a waste?







You raise your claw.
And concentrate.



The smoke filters away.

You get to your feet, funneling as much as you can out a nearby window, taking heaving breaths of clean air.

You stumble your way through the nearby doorway into the hall, pulling out more smoke as you go.



The figure you saw before is nearing the end of the hall, far away from you.

You call out their name.

Which is what again?

They turn to you over their shoulder.
You get a good look this time.




...Definitely canine.




The floor cracks beneath your feet.

You look down.

There's a tear in the floor under you.

It's burning from the inside.



It rips apart, opening up to swallow you as you fall.






















You're tangled up.
You try and wriggle free, but quickly realize the ...wires? that you're tangled in are the only things keeping you from falling into the black void below.

You search around nearby, looking for anything to grab on to.


A bright light catches you off guard popping on a few feet away.
It's... static.
A TV?

Looks like it.

It's only showing colored static, buzzing with that blizzard-like sound.





Though, you can hear something else.
Inside the static.

It's...




...a voice?




You can't make out what it's saying.
Shouldn't you be able to?

You lean closer, trying to listen.














...What is that?

Is it really speaking words?


You still can't really make it out, but maybe if you got closer...



Alright, this has been all sorts of fun, 

...But I'd appreciate it if you woke up now.





The TV crackles in front of you.

And explo




 

---

 

---

 

---

---

---

You jolt awake with a gasp.

There's an immediate sensation of rain hitting your face as you whip your head around to figure out where you are.
Thunder rumbles overhead.

Within a few moments, you adjust enough to realize you're out in Maria's garden, laying on one of the benches.
The particular area is mostly secluded by high lattice and flowering vines; it's always been a favorite spot of yours.

"Are you all there now?"





You look side-to-side, seeing no one.

...Are you still asleep?

"Herrera."
You hear the snap of a finger and turn in that direction.




You still don't see anything.



No, wait.

You see... the outline of a figure in the rain, only visible by the rain deflecting off that spot in an odd manner.
It's standing on two legs, you think, but beyond that it has very little definition.

"...Who are you?
Why are you invisible?"
"I'm not. I have no body yet."
"...Goooot it. 
Scrap ghost.
Are you here already because you heard I got the job?
Need help, bud?"
"Herrera, I'm not a scrap ghost."

You stare.

They sigh.

"Last time you spoke to me, you said you'd be busy looking for jobs."
"...
...Springtide?"
"...Close enough."



"Oh my god, then it finally worked.
Didn't even have to be conscious for it this time."
"Herrera."
"Wait, have you always been able to talk?
'Cause you never--"
"Herrera.
Focus.
I don't have a lot of time."
"What, you have somewhere to be?"
"How long were you able to keep me around every other time you've tried this."
"Rightright, fuck. Okay.
What's up?"

"I'll keep this simple:
I can't form properly because you never used a base.
So, I need you to--"
"A base? What, like I'm cooking something?
I think--"
"How wonderful for you, that you think. 
I very much appreciate whatever quip you had prepared, but now that you're not talking anymore, I'd like for us to get back on track.
Can we do that, Herrera?"



"...no need to be--"
"Can we do that?"
"On track, got it. Yes."

"Alright.
Go get me a base object to form myself with.
It can be any object, but ideally something small enough to fit in your hand.
If it holds personal significance to you, even better."
"Personal- Okay, uh... I can find..." You jump to your feet.
"Quickly." "On it."


You make your way to the side of the roof and hop back up to your balcony, soon making your way into your apartment.

As fast as you're able, you sift through your possessions for anything fitting your proxy's description.










It's not long before you're back with a handful of things, making your way over to the spot from before.

You step under a nearby picnic umbrella, and the rainy figure follows suit.

"More than one?"
"I didn't know which you'd want, okay."
"It's not an issue.
Put each down under the umbrella and explain why they're significant to you."
"...Uhh... Do I have to explain why?
Don't really share that kind--"
"Yes."
"Fffffine."



You lay them all down.

"So there's my VHS of Leech Lake III - favorite movie.
In this one, the protagonist from the second one becomes friends with the monster from the first one and they take down the new monster together. It's wild.
But uh... it's my favorite because... for a while when I first moved out on my own, it was the only movie I had.
So I watched it over and over, and sometimes I would leave it on when I slept - so it felt like I wasn't by myself.
And I liked the two of them coming together, it's kind of...
...Anyways, still need to see the fourth one, but I bet it's bad." "Herrera."

"Next, the magic amulet thing my sibling gave me when they left for college, before we stopped talking.
It's really just a thing from a cartoon we watched as kids. Just a little plastic jewel-looking thing.
Got a cool symbol on it, though, so... y'know.
...And it's... kinda the last thing I have that makes me think of them. Y'know... hanging out and watching stuff together and... all that.
Back when it felt like we were actually siblings, and we had each other's backs.
...We aren't in touch anymore and that's probably a good thing even though it sucks, but, it makes me remember the good times with them, I guess."

"Then last one's an old brass key I found.
I was out exploring abandoned places around in our hometown, since there wasn't anything else to do. One was this old drive-in movie theater. Filled with bugs that tried to sting me-
Anyway, this was the coolest thing I ever found while doing that, and I found it there.
Kinda feels like... a mystery, I guess. Like 'what's it go to?'
Probably some shed or whatever, but... makes me remember exploring and finding new places and discovering stuff, and how I miss doing that.
Easy to forget how much cool stuff you used to do as a kid, when you get older..."





"...So... yeah.
That's what I got."

You bounce on your feet as you wait for a response, partially from the cold.

"...Can you pick one at random, or something?
I feel weird and... self-conscious talking about all this stuff.
And I'm soaked."

"Sh," the figure shushes you gently.
"I know I don't have long, but I need to think."

You sigh and take a seat at the picnic table.



As you watch, your proxy selects an item.

[ಠ_ಠ]

VHS. It resonates with the feeling if company and veing protected, and also teamups.

[knux400]

The key feels like it lines up with the new job: exploring and seeing new things.

[Ignispark]

The key seems like a good choice. It is heavily unknown, sort of involves danger, and is chock full of memories of adventure.

[Lilium Mortem]

VHS, all the power in the world doesn't mean squat if you can't cooperate. Friendship, teamwork, solidarity, is the greatest power of all.

[ಠ_ಠ]

put the key in the vhs and wrap the amulet around the vhs and use all three

[victorianflorist]

The Amulet - We must remember who we've been to be who we will become, the past transforms the present as we find ourselves in the future. Broken bonds and connections will be important as we seek to aid scrap ghosts, aimless in their wanderings.

[skinstealer]

gotta go magic amulet for toy factor

[AceOfNothing]

Like the movie plot, but I have to go with the amulet. Feel that sibling thing pretty hard

[MarxzVulpez]

While all three are all very good, I'm feeling the Amulet the most

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Gonna go for the VHS here, wonder what could come from that.