fundamental forces

narcissism defined

human? alien? something in between? no one knows and he won’t tell, ruins the allure of mystery that gets so many fans to buy Deluxe Passes

PhD in astrophysics

can quite literally tune people he hates from his vision. neat party trick

not susceptible to peer pressure

shorts are casual, business casual, and professional. change his mind.

“That smells like a trap to me~” A door that is wide open? Under such circumstances? He can’t imagine them allowing their pawns to leave so easily like this. And even if not… he has no intentions to run like a coward. This seems like a lot of fun to him.  “I’d stay away from the door if I were you.”

The canvases, of which one has sprouted a monster that looks like a child made it up and the other offering a very abstract cat with six thin legs. Whoever drew these had no sense for art. And his knives don’t seem to do anything.

“I have some open business to do here. Any ideas what kind of weakness these things might have~?”

        Their gaze moved to the front door, wide open and inviting. A fishing trap where they could swim in but not out. A scenario he hadn’t considered, swiftly percolating into doubt upon further consideration because the museum wasn’t alive. It could not set traps and surely no architects existed that could warp spacetime in such defiance of general relativity.

        Great, now one of the portraits was turning to face him: a crude approximation of a building, a school perhaps by the hopscotch square out front. Said hopscotch square burst into reality, flailing in a manner not dissimilar to a snake striking. Except that it was 2 feet too short and forced to drag the wooden panel behind itself. Totally ineffectual.

body.

long legs. short legs. average legs. slender thighs. thick thighs. muscular thighs. skinny arms. soft arms. muscular arms. toned stomach. flat stomach. flabby stomach. soft stomach. six pack. beer belly. lean frame. slender frame. muscular frame. voluptuous frame. petite frame. lanky frame. short nails. long nails. manicured nails. dirty nails. flat butt. toned butt. bubble butt. thick butt. small waist. thick waist. narrow hips. average hips. wide hips. big feet. average feet. small feet. soft feet. slender feet. calloused feet. calloused hands. soft hands. big hands. average hands. small hands. long fingers. short fingers. average fingers. broad shoulders. slender shoulders. underweight. average weight. overweight.

height.

shorter than 140 cm. 141 cm to 150 cm. 151 cm to 160 cm. 161 cm to 170 cm. 171 cm to 180 cm. 181 cm to 190 cm. 191 cm to 2m. Taller than 2 m.

skin.

pale. fair. rosy. olive. dark. tanned. blotchy. smooth. acne. dry. greasy. freckled. scarred.

eyes.

small. large. average. grey. brown. black. blue. red. green. gold amber. hazel. violet. doe-eyed. almond. close-set. wide-set. squinty. monolid. heavy eyelids. upturned. downturned.

hair.

thin. thick. fine. normal. greasy. dry. soft. shiny. scruffy. frizzy. curly. wild. unruly. straight. smooth. wavy. floppy. cropped. pixie-cut. short. shoulder length. back length. waist length. floor length. buzz cut. bald. jaw length. vermilion. mohawk. white. platinum blonde. golden blonde. dirty blonde. ombre. light brown. mouse brown. chestnut brown. golden brown. chocolate brown. dark brown. jet black. ginger. auburn. dyed red. dyed any “ unnatural color ”. streaked. thin eyebrows. average eyebrows. thick eyebrows.

tattoos / piercings.

full sleeve. thigh tattoo. shin tattoo. wrist tattoo. upper back tattoo. lower back tattoo. hand / finger tattoo. foot tattoo. neck tattoo. face tattoo. chest tattoo. one tattoo. a few here and there. multiple. no tattoo. monroe piercing. nose piercing. septum. nipple piercing(s). genital piercing(s). industrial piercings. earlobe piercing. prince albert piercing. eyebrow piercing(s). tongue piercing. lip piercing(s). tragus piercing. angel bites. labret. stretched out ears. navel piercing. inverse navel piercing. cheek piercing(s). smiley. nape piercing(s). no piercings.

cosmetics.

light eyeliner. heavy eyeliner. cat eyes. mascara. fake eyelashes. matte lipstick. regular lipstick. lip gloss. red lips. pink lips. dark lips. bronzer. highlighter. eyeshadow. neutral eyeshadow. smoky eyes. colorful eyeshadow. blush. lipliner. light contouring. heavy contouring. powder. matte foundation. shiny foundation. concealer. wears make up regularly. wears makeup from time to time. rarely wears make-up. no make-up.

scent.

floral. fruity. perfumes. aftershave. cocoa. moisturizer. natural soap. shampoo. cigarettes. leather. sweat. food. incense. marijuana. cologne. whiskey. wine. fried food. blood. fire. metal. rain. grass. ocean. autumn leaves. baked bread. freshly baked cookies. smoke. campfire. lavender. trees. pumpkin pie. musk. rose. gingerbread. peppermint. oak. honey. lemon. vanilla. coffee cake. mint. rawhide. chemicals.

clothes.

jeans. tight pants. over-knee socks. tights. leggings. yoga pants. pencil skirt. tight skirt. loose skirt. tight / formfitting dress. cardigans. blouse. button up shirt. band t-shirt. sports t-shirt. sweatpants. tank-top. cut off t-shirt. designer. high street. online stores. thrift. lingerie. long skirt. miniskirt. maxidress. sun dress. tie. tuxedo. cocktail dress. high-slit dress / skirt. t-shirt. loose clothing. tight clothing. jean shorts. sweater. turtle-neck. sweater vest. khaki pants. suit. hoodie. harem pants. basketball shorts. boxers. briefs. boxer-briefs. thong. hot pants. panties. bra. sports bra. crop top. corset. ballerina skirt. leotard. polka dot. stripes. glitter. silk. lace. leather. velvet. chemise. patterns. florals. neon colors. pastels. plaid. black. dark colors. fur. faux fur.

shoes.

They were going in circles? Senka didn’t like the sound of that, though the question DJSS posed to them almost hurt more than the fact that the building was potentially twisting and reshaping itself to keep them trapped in these dangerous walls. They knew that due to the nature of the void, other than horn shape, them and all their siblings looked very similar to each other… but it was still a rather rude reminder, in their eyes, of how many of their siblings had been forgotten. Of how many had died, needlessly.

[Not copies. Siblings.] They explained, hands trembling ever-so-slightly as they did.

[Horn shapes were different, if you were looking closely.] They stopped in place, casting their gaze down to the floor.

[…it was supposed to be a memorial. I wasn’t done making them when this started.] Given just how many of the ice sculptures there had been within that dome, hearing that fact was likely going to be rather alarming. Still, Senka seemed distraught all over again over the fact that those things had turned on them now, slouching slightly as they began walking again at a much slower pace than before.

        ...Ah. They stop when Senka does, watching the drop of xyr head. A sensitive topic, perhaps because of the distance between xyr and xyr siblings? Nova felt that a bit too intimate of a topic to broach and instead allowed xem to set the pace when they began to walk again.

        “I see.” They thought back to the scuffle in the dome, leg throbbing as they pieced together the shape of the sculptures that had set upon him. Their horns had been different, incrementally so. And how many had their been? More then a baker’s dozen that’s for sure. “A memorial, you say.”

        Silence persists as he mulled over the situation, what would drive someone to carve sculptures of siblings. Loneliness, absolutely and perhaps more, a deeper grief. Their sneakers echo loudly on the laminated floors, giving the impression they were being followed by their own footsteps. I can see why you were reticent to fight them though, between you and I,” DJSS lowered their voice as if sharing a secret, “I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a few swings at my own siblings.”

Grimm’s glance is curious. Was there really a way to reach out to life beyond the city? But according to his research, Spirale has existed for a few years now… has no one tried, or is the good DJ really the only one who can make a ‘satellite’? Hm.

Either way, he wants in on it.

“Oh, you mean other than by virtue of being myself? It’s your lucky day, my subatomic friend, for I know one who will gladly fund a master musician such as yourself. You need only speak with my lady Okina Matara of Big Dipper Talent. While I am certain she would accept you on your own merit, I could vouch for you if you’d like.”

        Virtue of being himself, huh? A thousand critics of Grimm’s presentation ran a circle in Nova’s mind before dissipating in the same breath; they were far above Grimm and not in competition. “Lady Okina Matara of Big Dipper Talent,” they repeated once, taking out their phone to make a quick note of the title. 

A simple nod was the only response DJSS would get from Senka. The vessel was currently attempting to wipe the mysterious, thin liquid off of their palm and onto their cloak, but was quickly finding that it was sticking to their hand alarmingly well. They’d have to wash it off once they got home instead, it seemed.

…if they got home at all.

If it hadn’t been for the fear the whole situation was wrapped in, the way everything melted into the darkness likely would have been comforting for the Broken Vessel, as it reminded them of their siblings; their real ones, not the ones they had crafted from the frosty ice. Unfortunately, knowing that something could easily jump the pair from the dark certainly put a damper on that feeling. They trusted DJSS’ when he said it was clear, though. It seemed as if he could hear over the sounds of scraping ice better than they could.

They took his hand, walking much slower this time as they scanned the darkness for any signs of movement, both hostile and friendly. With how shaken up they felt, they admittedly weren’t entirely sure which direction they were supposed to be going, though.

        They linger before the door of their DJ booth, debating the merits of returning to the pitch dark room filled with electronics. If one could come alive then surely others could, and he felt in no position for a fight against such a vague, unspecified opponent. Not with someone else in tow, either. 

        Nova shook their head, moving past the door. “Er, let’s move on. We can do better then cowering in the dark waiting for rescue.”

        (Though they had briefly contemplated that very viable option...)

        Therein lay another problem; the hallway had lengthened. Its dimensions shifting to curve ever so perceptively away from where the front of the museum should lay. Changing around them, guiding them back upon itself. Such a notion could not be easily sensed and even DJSS struggled to keep up with the topography of this place, outpacing the more monotonous turns of planetary bodies and the quick trails of living things.

“Hardly surprising, as is the usual. It seems to be a rather esoteric subject across everyone I’ve questioned, considering not a single person has been familiar with it… with the exception of one.”

And he still can’t figure out Okina Matara to an extent that he’d like.

“Unfortunately, even a realm of dreams cannot grant my desire to be known beyond this city. Taking one’s ability to travel is truly sinister, is it not? What do you think? Will you be happy to only have your music reach the ears of Spirale?”

        The notion of dreams granting a desire sounded ludicrous to Nova, clearly the whims of an imaginative individual - not that Grimm outwardly seemed the type. They let his words go uncontested, not keen to argue the semantics of dreams influencing reality. The crowd has finally thinned enough that divulging his plan to a random nobody becomes an option.

        "Everyone will hear my genius, across both time and space." He held up two fingers in a piece sign, lowering one- "Once I've released an album worth broadcasting I'll implement the second phase of my plan" -and then the other. "Building a satellite." 

Earth again? Popular world, that one. Humans, gems… orbs…? Well, parts of this story seemed rather counterfeit or at least overblown. Grimm feels like he’d have heard of an Avatar of Earth by now, with all of these earthlings he’s met.

“Oh my, that’s quite a tale! I think I’d like to hear your songs, DJ Subatomic Supernova. But what intrigues me more is to hear that you are from beyond the stars. Such a place is of interest to me… as I am not from this realm of waking. Have you ever heard of the dream realm, my friend?”

        They don’t have long to wonder what Grimm meant by not being from the waking world when the second, more absurd question hits. Not a question about themselves or their achievements but about...dreams. Really?

The vessel slumped to the floor against the closed door in exhaustion as soon as they felt certain that the door would hold, staring blankly up at the ceiling as their little chest rose and fell. It was strange to something of the void doing something such as breathing heavily from exhaustion, but that had to be what was going on here. As it turned out, even a vessel could get tired.

The sound of the ice scraping, clacking and grinding against the door right behind xem was aggravating at best, and heartbreaking at worst. Why did their creations want them broken again so badly? They had tried so hard to make them all to be a perfect memorial. Had it not been good enough?

Nothing they ever did was good enough.

Before they could wallow too much more in their own self-pity, the vessel’s attention was snapped to the little hissing noise from their newfound partner. Impossibly dark eyes watched as DJSS sunk to the ground; xey reached one hand out to try and brush over his wounds, trying to figure out what the strange liquid seeping from them was. It didn’t look like soul, or void, so what was it? Their body language seemed just as questioning as they felt, pulling their hand away steadily and examining the fluid it was now covered in with wonder– and fear– in xyr gaze.

[Are you okay?]

        He flinched at the small hand; temperature more reminiscent of the vacuum of space than anything alive. They looked again to see the vessel's nubby hand smeared with their starry blood, thin and sticky compared to the thick sanguine of human blood. DJSS sat down, extending the leg in front of him for a better look, reaching for the shredded remains on his discarded glove to mop up the mess.

        "I'm quite alright." Bleeding and sore but not incapacitated as their leg readily took the weight of their bulk when they stood. Running, however, was out of the question as steady weight was all they could put on the limb without sharp radiating pain shooting up their calf. He swayed, putting that weight back onto his heels. "Just a little pain. Nothing I can't handle."

        Without the light filtering in through the dome, darkness melded into suggestive threats. They focused back in on gravity, listening intently past the clawing ice and down the hallway. "It sounds clear." Their tone is certain, showing no signs of a creeping fear that something terrible has happened. "We have to...get out of here, if that's even possible." A natural disaster couldn't cause ice sculptures to leap to life yet they reached into their phone and dialed the emergency line, 999, only to be met with dead air. "And no one is coming to get us." 

        A deep breath for their own sanity. "Okay."

Internally, the void-bug flinched watching one of their creations being smashed into a million pieces like that so easily. It almost reminded them of how they themself had been shattered, remembering what it had felt like for the back of their shell to be busted open in such a gruesome manner… plus, it had just taken so much time to make all these in the first place. It was supposed to be a tribute to their fallen siblings, dammit!

But there was no time to dwell on the pain or sadness of all this right now. They pushed themself to their feet with a forced effort and took DJSS’ large hand in their small, insectoid one, proceeding to try and run off as soon as they could to get away from the icy siblings of their own making before they were overwhelmed by a swarm of them again. They kept a tight grip on their wooden nail with their other hand, just in case, even though they knew realistically that the weapons of ice were going to be much more effective against them than their wood was going to be against the ice– even if the ice was much more fragile overall, it was also sharper, more lethal.

Perhaps if they hadn’t been broken themself in the past, the vessel wouldn’t have been so afraid. The void hardly ever felt fear, after all. And yet, there was some sort of primal instinct still driving them to run here anyways; the desire to survive, to not be busted up and left to rot once more.

They couldn’t be forgotten again.

        Xey are surprisingly fast for being so small, both of them keeping pace as they ran for the dome exit. Thanks to his other, flattened hand, they kept the ice sculptures at bay with a few well timed swings. By the time DJSS was able to slam the door behind them, their glove is nearly torn to shreds. 

        “Guh, Great. This cost me a fortunate to get custom made.” Huffing with each breath, he ripped off the remaining fabric, remaining mass of dark star speckled substance forming a rough shape of their arm. It would have to do until they could get a tailor or a sewing kit. 

        Small hands continue to bang on the door, ice grinding on each other to try and somehow push through the door that Nova continued to hold closed with the bulk of his weight. “You made all of those. My equipment likewise tried to strangle me after I so lovingly began working with it.”

IT’S LIKE ICARUS APPROACHING THE SUN