WOMB OF HEAVEN

Undercoverism.

feel free to change the prompts as you see fit! warnings: mentions of death and murder and violence.

❝it’s almost midnight.❞

❝i’m not going to bet on my own death.❞

❝you’re a thief.❞

❝i know it comes easy, but try not to play dumb with me.❞

❝i’m fairly sure you’re threatening me. but i want to be more certain before i decide to what to do about it.❞

❝i can’t wait to wipe that look off your face.❞

❝things aren’t going quite as planned, are they?❞

❝do you really think that secret would die with me?❞

❝shame holds more value than coin ever can.❞

❝always one step ahead, aren’t you?❞

❝i’m a creature of habit.❞

❝when everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.❞

❝men mock the gods until they need them.❞

❝get away from me.❞

❝i need a mug of the darkest, bitterest coffee i can find. or maybe a real punch to the jaw.❞

❝you look exhausted. will you sleep at all tonight?❞

❝if i want to watch men dig holes to fall into, i’ll find myself a cemetery.❞

❝you’re smart, but you need to learn patience.❞

❝are you going to explain any of this?❞

❝brick by brick, i will destroy you.❞

❝fate has plans for us all.❞

❝the brain is just another organ.❞

❝if you’d wanted to help me, you know you could have.❞

❝when have i ever done something for nothing?❞

❝i may die, but i’ll die on my feet with a knife in my hand.❞

❝i can take it.❞

❝you could have come to me on your hands and knees, and my answer would be the same.❞

❝you can keep your money. choke on it.❞

❝don’t i have a say in this? i’m sitting right here.❞

❝i’m not useless.❞

❝you wouldn’t know a good time if it sidled up to you and stuck a lollipop in your mouth.❞

❝the easiest way to steal a man’s wallet is to tell him you’re going to steal his watch.❞

❝it’s hard to keep track of all your wisdom.❞

❝i worry about everything. that’s why i’m still alive.❞

❝there’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.❞

❝the heart is an arrow. it demands aim to land true.❞

❝i’m not sure i have a heart to give any more.❞

❝you at least owe me your best imitation of a human being.❞

❝i can tell you how this one ends, but you’re not going to like it.❞

❝did we win?❞

❝i don’t want to die.❞

❝you came back for me.❞

❝i protect my investments.❞

❝say you’re sorry.❞

❝you’re making me nervous.❞

❝i’m just doing my job. stop glaring at me.❞

❝my ghost won’t associate with your ghost.❞

❝don’t try to move, just rest.❞

❝i’m fine. you’re the one who got stabbed.❞

❝it’s just so much easier to kill people than take care of them.❞

❝don’t make me laugh. that feels awful.❞

❝how long was i out?❞

❝there was enough blood to paint a barn red.❞

❝i’m not a criminal.❞

❝if you aren’t born with every advantage, you learn to take your chances.❞

❝why do you think you know everything about me?❞

❝i want to show you something.❞

❝i’ve been looking for an excuse to talk to you for two days.❞

❝i’ve never heard you admit you’re not good at something.❞

❝i don’t want this.❞

❝unclench your jaw. you’re going to grind your teeth down into nothing.❞

❝shut your eyes.❞

❝you don’t smell like roses any more.❞

❝it’s not normal for someone to be as stupid as they are tall, and yet there you stand.❞

❝i can’t believe your face is going to be the last thing i see before i die.❞

❝i hate the way you talk.❞

❝do you think i care what you like or don’t like?❞

❝there’s always more to lose.❞

❝what’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get home?❞

❝i have been made to protect you. only in death will i be kept from this oath.❞

❝are you afraid of me?❞

❝all right, what do you do for fun?❞

❝what are you so afraid will happen? afraid you might start to like me?❞

❝let me go.❞

❝i will always be a threat to you.❞

❝we’re under attack.❞

❝you did everything but tell the truth.❞

❝what was that?❞

❝just keep talking.❞

❝doesn’t matter how big the gun is if you don’t know where to point it.❞

❝we’re either geniuses or the dumbest sons of bitches to ever breathe air.❞

❝what good is a lockpick without his picks?❞

❝you aren’t going to kill me, and i’m not going to pretend everything is okay.❞

❝stop being dense. you’re cuter when you’re smart.❞

❝have you ever been in a fight?❞

❝i don’t want to kill people, not really.❞

❝you’re obviously dangerous. i’d prefer you never became dangerous to me.❞

❝better terrible truths than kind lies.❞

❝your death belongs to me.❞

❝i want a job.❞

❝i practice the art of ‘pull his shirt over his head and punch till you see blood.‘❞

❝a good magician isn’t much different from a proper thief.❞

❝why didn’t you tell me?❞

❝thank goodness we’re proper thieves.❞

❝if you survive and i don’t, make sure i have an open casket. the world deserves a few more moments with this face.❞

❝if we don’t survive this night, i will die unafraid. can you say the same?❞

❝you don’t have to do this, you know.❞

❝i’ve done worse.❞

❝i’m not sure why i began this, but i know why i have to finish. i know why fate brought me here, why it placed me in the path of this prize.❞

❝you’re very graceful in battle, just not while you’re plummeting.❞

❝you presume a great deal.❞

❝i learned the same way you learn about anything. take it apart.❞

❝who am i now?❞

❝you stink of decency.❞

❝we have a party to go to.❞

❝i’m afraid for you.❞

❝i need a dose of imminent peril to get my head straight.❞

❝you can help by shutting up and staying out of the way.❞

❝i don’t like that sound. what’s wrong?❞

❝i don’t love killing people.❞

❝i don’t have any business criticizing you.❞

❝you gave me the tools for vengeance when i needed them the most.❞

❝if we make it out of here alive, i’m going to kiss you unconscious.❞

❝have you come to kill me?❞

❝you shouldn’t make friends with crows.❞

❝you’ve cheated death too many times.❞

❝you won’t shoot me. you need information.❞

❝i. should. let. you. die.❞

❝don’t touch me.❞

❝you almost drowned. you should have drowned.❞

❝this would be a really good time to say you saw this coming.❞

❝i didn’t see this coming.❞

❝they won’t take me alive.❞

❝we’re all someone’s monster.❞

❝you look radiant.❞

❝it seems you prayed to the right god.❞

❝you know you can’t stop them all.❞

❝what will you do when there’s no more blood to shed or vengeance to take?❞

❝was there never another dream?❞

❝what do you want, then?❞

❝stay. stay here. stay with me.❞

❝i want you to stay. i want you to… i want you.❞

❝i don’t want you to see me like this.❞

❝we all carry our sins. i need you to live so i can atone for mine.❞

❝i want to feel safe again. i want to go home.❞

❝i’d like to say it’s been a pleasure, but i’m not that good a liar.❞

❝maybe i liked your stupid face.❞

“ i hate to say it, but we have little hope of figuring this out on our own. “

“ you made it! i’m glad you’re safe, ____. “

“ this is technology the likes of which i’ve never laid eyes on! “

“ if we allow this to pass, i fear all hope will be lost. “

“ even everything we’ve done up until now… likely won’t be enough… “

“ i will remind you once again. above all else, your duty is of the utmost importance. are we clear? “

“ you’ve grown since i last saw you. and yet… you have not changed. “

“ why would you try to fight that beast alone?! i was so worried about you! “

“ what you’ll learn about me is that i never refuse a sincere request. so of course i’m on board with your plan! “

“ this is my home. while i’m here, you won’t be getting any closer. “

“ you may think you’re good… but i’m better! “

“ you’ve got some nerve thinking you can go toe to toe with… ____! “

“ forget these cowards, it’s time to retreat. “

“ however i am able to support you, i will. just say the word. “

“ ____, i have a request. might i… join you for training next time? “

“ ____, i bring news. it regards your impending death. “

“ i suppose destiny is at work, then. the future is fickle. “

“ it will be my honor to excel, as always. then there’s you, the one part that doesn’t add up. “

“ it doesn’t matter who’s the leader. we’re all in this together, right? “

“ ____, how long do you expect us to put up with your prattle, huh? “

“ i’ve said enough. the time has come to show you what i’m made of. “

“ are we even making progress? we could just be going in circles. “

“ i’d love to go home myself… but there are scary, mean monsters in the woods and i can’t get past them… “

“ i have business in the forest. if you lead the way, i can handle the monsters for you. “

“ do not lose hope. the path will open for you soon. “

“ you have all that is needed to face whatever destiny awaits. “

“ how can i… if i am unable to awaken my inner power… “

“ there isn’t much time. and still, no sign of my power awakening… “

“ i know… that you are where you need to be. you must accept that too. “

“ would you stop making a nuisance of yourself? unlike you, i am extremely busy. “

“ well, it’s time. you and i must now ride into battle without the luxury of training. “

“ your thread’s about to get cut, and i’m the shears. “

“ what a relief it will be when you meddlers are out of the picture! “

“ hey, ____! you missed the part where i get walloped! “

“ i am afraid we cannot overlook this failure, ____. “

“ fate decides all… even this defeat. “

“ it won’t be easy, but we’re not gonna let that stop us, eh? “

“ i will do whatever i can, as i am right now. this is the thread that i have been following all this time. “

“ i am the only one… who cannot live up… to her own potential… “

“ you said that… you are the only one who can’t live up to your potential. but that’s completely untrue! i mean, you saved all of us just now! “

“ i will fight… to fulfill my duty, until the very end. that’s really… all i can do. “

“ yeah, yeah, we’re all very impressed. now, what did you find? “

“ i was too careless. this is bad. “

“ so many are awaiting my inner power—believing in me. this is my last chance. “

“ so, this is how it ends? “

“ if i came here to save you, but you have to save me, then what’s the point?! “

“ none of this makes any sense, but oh well. “

“ i thought… i was strong enough to protect you. “

“ some payback is in order! “

“ i would not presume to take credit… we—all of us—fought as one. “

“ i can’t split—you’re my best lackey! “

“ i will protect you, even if it costs me my life. “

“ fate gives you this role… and you will play it! “

“ personally… i get the feeling that… our chances are higher than you think. “

“ ____, it’s an honor to fight beside you. i’m so proud of the person you’ve become. remember that. “

“ it’s time to focus on the fight ahead. you’re ready for this, right? “

“ you needn’t sound so defeated. together, we’ll put a stop to it. “

“ well then, let’s begin. will you take my hand? “

“ a woman/man after my own heart. you never give in, huh? “

“ your heart… your boundless compassion… with those precious gifts, you have saved my life. “

“ i will crush you beneath my heel… that is my fate! “

“ you’re not going to leave me too, right, ____? “

“ yeah, hold your horses, champ. ‘cause… i mean, i don’t think it’s working at all. “

dialogue prompts from moby dick by herman melville. (disclaimer: there’s a lot of paraphrasing. these men are VERBOSE.)

the higher you climb, the colder it gets.

are you a believer in ghosts?

i try all things; i achieve what i can.

real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it.

god, what is the matter with me?

i’d rather be killed by you than kept alive by anyone else.

what’s made in fire must belong to fire.

dignity and danger go hand in hand.

the higher you rise, the harder you toil.

how can you endure without being mad?

i look deep down, and i believe.

i’m immortal on land and on sea.

live in the game and die in it.

i never said i was a brave man.

look through my eyes if you have none.

there’s no way to stop me singing but to cut my throat.

let’s have fair play here.

have mercy on us all.

i take that for a sign of good luck.

i am darkness leaping out of light.

i’ve changed my flesh since that time, why not my mind?

it’s easy to be sensible. why won’t you?

is there no other way?

you have pretty red hair.

the greater idiot scolds the lesser.

the gravedigger made music because there was none in his spade.

i will never desert you.

weep and i’ll murder you.

we never rest.

what do you see?

do i look very old?

i seem and feel intolerably old.

stand close to me. let me look into a human eye.

it’s a solemn sight. an omen.

i am all splintered to pieces.

all good angels are mobbing us with warnings.

do you feel brave?

the following prompts were taken from the novel deathless by catherynne m. valente, an american novelist & poet. the novel was loosely based on the tale of koschei the deathless, incorporating other elements of russian mythology, & setting it against the backdrop of the russian revolution. feel free to change the pronouns / prompts as you see fit, but be warned – below the cut, it’s quite long !

❛ the service of your body is not yours to give as you please. ❜

❛ you probably won’t survive. ❜

❛ go. run. don’t look behind you. ❜

❛ i have come for the girl in the window. ❜

❛ i will never be without information. ❜

❛ i will see him with his skin off before i fall in love. ❜

❛ if the world is divided into seeing & not seeing, i will always choose to see. ❜

❛ secrets are jealous things, permitting no fraternization. ❜

❛ no, it’s not like that, when magic comes. ❜

❛ magic does that. it wastes you away. once it grips you by the ear, the world gets quieter & quieter until you can hardly hear it at all. ❜

❛ the sight of it bruised my heart so that i cannot think about anything else. ❜

❛ i’ll be so quiet, i’ll never talk again. ❜

❛ keep me & obey me, for i am your husband, & i can destroy you. ❜

❛ i shall be clever, & i shall not let him go. ❜

❛ it is a new world, & we do not wish to be left behind. ❜