Discord
You think of names.
You split yourself into many branches, watching the tendrils of shadow wiggle about as you move them,
having some of your eyes watch each other; it's fun.
You're a shadow.
You think of art.
You think of shade.
Shading.
Crosshatch.
A little long for your liking.
One syllable will do.
Hatch.
It reminds you of a hatchet.
Swift and decisive.
Or an opening into somewhere dark and secret.
You like it.
Name done.
Your boredom calls you.
The various devices seem entertaining, but the handheld in particular almost seems familiar.
You retrieve it from the floor, finding five game cartridges there, as well.
You look them over.
'Solasphere: Comet of the Eclipse'
You know this one. Does Violet play it often?
It's something about space. A sidescroller. Dramatic, some horror in there. Interesting, but you know enough for now.
'Ultra Baseball: Triple Play!'
A baseball-themed RPG where the characters have psychic powers. Not your scene, not for now.
'Time-to-Turn 4'
A boring-looking puzzle game. No interest.
The other two you don't recognize at all.
'Driving With You 2: Synergy Series' and 'Port of Intrigue'.
Out of the two, Port of Intrigue sounds more intriguing.
Rather than popping it in, though, your excellent vision spots a similarly-shaped slot at the console on the TV.
You would rather Violet be awake, anyway.
It's getting late.
May as well.
You easily extend yourself across the room to the television.
You find a controller you like; a deep black that's somehow shiny and metallic.
The texture is enjoyable.
You pop in the cartridge and switch the console and TV on.
Immediately, you wince back from the bright light of the television.
You feel yourself slinking behind the chair instinctively, out of the brightest of the light.
Your tendrils sneak around, lowering the brightness, and the volume while you're at it.
Better to not wake the animal Too abruptly.
With the room now more comfortable, you creep back into the dimmer light, and start playing.
You're hooked.
A woman in a long coat and hat is solving a murder in a rainy seaside town.
The beginning minutes set up the plot in such dramatic and moody fashion, it caught you off guard.
You've hardly put any conclusions together, as you've spent the last... however long, exactly, exploring the town and taking in the atmosphere.
You'd like to see the ocean, you think.
You've lost track of time.
You feel movement from the creature.
You drop the controller, withdrawing yourself back over.
You rise up above the groggy animal
just in time
to meet Violet's gaze.
You watch Violet's eyes widen.
"...This is an interesting look."
"Thank you."
The hare reaches out and touches your shadow, squinting as it has trouble parsing the texture.
"What are you attached to now?"
"Your shadow, Violet."
"Hmm."
It tilts its head, looking you over.
You watch its ears bend from gravity as its head turns sideways.
You can't help but mimic the motion.
Something about this act is satisfying.
"Do you have a new name yet?"
"Hatch. As in Crosshatch."
"Interesting."
It sits up, though you don't move to compensate,
ending up with the two of you only inches apart.
Violet blinks at your many eyes.
It doesn't move away, despite the lack of distance.
Does it trust you? Is this trust?
Maybe it's a fool.
You aren't sure You would trust you.
You're latched onto it like a parasite. Maybe that's what you are.
And The Fool isn't even trying to remove you.
Maybe it's too afraid to try. Maybe it's given up trying.
Then again, you remember almost nothing about this arrangement.
It's familiar.
This has certainly happened before, from how it speaks.
It doesn't mind, then?
That's interesting.
You wish you could remember more.
But, you aren't concerned, either way.
You feel comfortable here.
You could ask if you want to know more.
But would it tell you the truth?
You think so.
You trust Violet. You aren't sure why.
It's still looking at you.
Its eyes are curious. Observant.
Analyzing. Processing. It reminds you of a construct.
You don't mind this.
"Do you remember me?"
"Some.
More as I go."
"Did you figure out pronouns?"
"No. Soon.
...Anytime."
It nods, as if this makes sense.
One of your eyes glances at the alarm clock.
"It's 1:11PM.
You slept late."
"I can do that. It's my weekend."
It reaches its arms up, stretching with a yawn.
"Lazy," you tease.
"Sleep is good for you. You slept for days.
I wasn't expecting to see you back so soon, if I'm honest."
"Did I?"
Violet nods.
You look away, thinking.
You
aren't sure if you remember why.
Oh well.
You aren't bothered.
You shrug it off.
Violet isn't concerned, so neither are you.
The animal leans back against the headboard, rubbing its eyes.
"Do you want to go out today?
I wasn't planning on it, but I know you don't like being cooped up.
Or... you didn't, before.
What would you like to do today?
Really... you're back today, and I have the day off, so,
you can take the lead."
You think on this.
You think on everything.
What do you remember?
Is there anything you want to ask?
And most importantly:
What to do today?
You split yourself into many branches, watching the tendrils of shadow wiggle about as you move them,
having some of your eyes watch each other; it's fun.
You're a shadow.
You think of art.
You think of shade.
Shading.
Crosshatch.
A little long for your liking.
One syllable will do.
Hatch.
It reminds you of a hatchet.
Swift and decisive.
Or an opening into somewhere dark and secret.
You like it.
Name done.
Your boredom calls you.
The various devices seem entertaining, but the handheld in particular almost seems familiar.
You retrieve it from the floor, finding five game cartridges there, as well.
You look them over.
'Solasphere: Comet of the Eclipse'
You know this one. Does Violet play it often?
It's something about space. A sidescroller. Dramatic, some horror in there. Interesting, but you know enough for now.
'Ultra Baseball: Triple Play!'
A baseball-themed RPG where the characters have psychic powers. Not your scene, not for now.
'Time-to-Turn 4'
A boring-looking puzzle game. No interest.
The other two you don't recognize at all.
'Driving With You 2: Synergy Series' and 'Port of Intrigue'.
Out of the two, Port of Intrigue sounds more intriguing.
Rather than popping it in, though, your excellent vision spots a similarly-shaped slot at the console on the TV.
You would rather Violet be awake, anyway.
It's getting late.
May as well.
You easily extend yourself across the room to the television.
You find a controller you like; a deep black that's somehow shiny and metallic.
The texture is enjoyable.
You pop in the cartridge and switch the console and TV on.
Immediately, you wince back from the bright light of the television.
You feel yourself slinking behind the chair instinctively, out of the brightest of the light.
Your tendrils sneak around, lowering the brightness, and the volume while you're at it.
Better to not wake the animal Too abruptly.
With the room now more comfortable, you creep back into the dimmer light, and start playing.
You're hooked.
A woman in a long coat and hat is solving a murder in a rainy seaside town.
The beginning minutes set up the plot in such dramatic and moody fashion, it caught you off guard.
You've hardly put any conclusions together, as you've spent the last... however long, exactly, exploring the town and taking in the atmosphere.
You'd like to see the ocean, you think.
You've lost track of time.
You feel movement from the creature.
You drop the controller, withdrawing yourself back over.
You rise up above the groggy animal
just in time
to meet Violet's gaze.
You watch Violet's eyes widen.
"...This is an interesting look."
"Thank you."
The hare reaches out and touches your shadow, squinting as it has trouble parsing the texture.
"What are you attached to now?"
"Your shadow, Violet."
"Hmm."
It tilts its head, looking you over.
You watch its ears bend from gravity as its head turns sideways.
You can't help but mimic the motion.
Something about this act is satisfying.
"Do you have a new name yet?"
"Hatch. As in Crosshatch."
"Interesting."
It sits up, though you don't move to compensate,
ending up with the two of you only inches apart.
Violet blinks at your many eyes.
It doesn't move away, despite the lack of distance.
Does it trust you? Is this trust?
Maybe it's a fool.
You aren't sure You would trust you.
You're latched onto it like a parasite. Maybe that's what you are.
And The Fool isn't even trying to remove you.
Maybe it's too afraid to try. Maybe it's given up trying.
Then again, you remember almost nothing about this arrangement.
It's familiar.
This has certainly happened before, from how it speaks.
It doesn't mind, then?
That's interesting.
You wish you could remember more.
But, you aren't concerned, either way.
You feel comfortable here.
You could ask if you want to know more.
But would it tell you the truth?
You think so.
You trust Violet. You aren't sure why.
It's still looking at you.
Its eyes are curious. Observant.
Analyzing. Processing. It reminds you of a construct.
You don't mind this.
"Do you remember me?"
"Some.
More as I go."
"Did you figure out pronouns?"
"No. Soon.
...Anytime."
It nods, as if this makes sense.
One of your eyes glances at the alarm clock.
"It's 1:11PM.
You slept late."
"I can do that. It's my weekend."
It reaches its arms up, stretching with a yawn.
"Lazy," you tease.
"Sleep is good for you. You slept for days.
I wasn't expecting to see you back so soon, if I'm honest."
"Did I?"
Violet nods.
You look away, thinking.
You
aren't sure if you remember why.
Oh well.
You aren't bothered.
You shrug it off.
Violet isn't concerned, so neither are you.
The animal leans back against the headboard, rubbing its eyes.
"Do you want to go out today?
I wasn't planning on it, but I know you don't like being cooped up.
Or... you didn't, before.
What would you like to do today?
Really... you're back today, and I have the day off, so,
you can take the lead."
You think on this.
You think on everything.
What do you remember?
Is there anything you want to ask?
And most importantly:
What to do today?
