Coexisting with a Smile

“Door’s open, go ahead.”

At every word that flew from Carlos’ mouth, the god’s laugh grew and grew. Soon, it echoed off of the studio walls with such fury, it rattled the glass in its frame.

[You h o n e s t l y expect to U N D O this?] He guffawed, jerking Cecil’s head back in another convulsing bark. 

The host simply waited for his resident deity to take a beat, and tapped his temple. “Smiles. Step out. Can’t we at least talk to him separately? I’d rather not have you break my neck in your attempt to look intimidating.”

This seemed to give the god adequate pause, and his laugh slowed to a hissing crawl. [As you w i s h, P a l m e r.] 

All at once, Cecil’s body dipped forward. A glowing form emerged from his back, as if taking off a radio host shaped outfit, and came to stand next to him, adjusting a golden tie and beaming all too brightly at the scientist before him. 

[B e t t e r?]

Carlos had to cover his ears as the laugh echoed, but he stood his ground still. He allowed the smiling god to seem to split from Cecil. it was very obviously a temporary freedom, but even in that moment the poor scientist instinctively tried to tug Cecil away from him, or at the very least hold him to try and protect from the parasite.

So the current standings were that Carlos was holding Cecil somewhat protectively, pushing aside any discomfort he had at the moment, and the smiling god was only watching. So everyone’s favorite scientist only turned to glare at whatever figure was left, genuine anger and hatred filling his gaze.

“I don’t expect for a way to undo it, not when it comes to some… Some false god!” he snapped, pointing his device directly at the glowing figure. Even if he wasn’t sure what it did, it at least looked intimidating, right? “You, and all of StrexCorp, you had no business here in Night Vale! You had no reason to come here!”

[R e v e r s e it?] The god’s voice echoed, amused. [Oh no, n o. Palmer and I…we have an a g r e e m e n t. Don’t w e?] He jerked his host’s head to the side, cocking it in question.

Cecil merely forced a nod, holding out his hands toward Carlos in an effort to placate the terrified scientist. “We- I can explain. I just didn’t think you’d… come back.” 

Carlos almost looked hurt at the thought. “Cecil, I would’ve come back. I was studying the house so I could help you, I had found a way to hide because I knew my other scientists had been arrested!” He tried to explain.

Of course, it wasn’t Cecil’s fault for making such an agreement. Everyone knew he’d do anything to save his town, but usually things came in the way of self sacrifice. The only time it didn’t, it seemed to be the worst possible solution. But even with all of that knowledge, with the idea that Cecil had done this, he didn’t back down.

[You h o n e s t l y expect to U N D O this?] He guffawed, jerking Cecil’s head back in another convulsing bark. 

The host simply waited for his resident deity to take a beat, and tapped his temple. “Smiles. Step out. Can’t we at least talk to him separately? I’d rather not have you break my neck in your attempt to look intimidating.”

This seemed to give the god adequate pause, and his laugh slowed to a hissing crawl. [As you w i s h, P a l m e r.] 

All at once, Cecil’s body dipped forward. A glowing form emerged from his back, as if taking off a radio host shaped outfit, and came to stand next to him, adjusting a golden tie and beaming all too brightly at the scientist before him. 

[I’m m a n y t h i n g s.] It cooed, murmuring something approximate to a laugh. With one final jolt of his shoulders, Cecil finally turned to face his scientist. 

One frightened violet eye darted over Carlos’ figure, taking in every detail it could through a thin foil of tears. The other eye, if it could even be called that, stared at Carlos unblinking, a blank black canvas dripping an equally dark liquid onto the collar of Cecil’s shirt. When the host spoke again, it was through strained lips curled into a half-permanent smile.

[You k n o w me as the Smiling G o d.] It boomed, the smile cracking wider and causing Cecil to wince in pain. The host’s half was still frantically looking Carlos over, as if trying to formulate some sort of apology, anything that could redeem how he looked and sounded. 

Seeing Cecil in full made Carlos jump back a bit, holding the device closer, more protectively. He glared less at Cecil’s half, and more what parasite had possessed him like that. “What have you done to him?!” He snapped. Even before he knew what happened in full, there were tears pricking the corners of his eyes.