That was going through the creature’s head in the moment. Listening to the gently sounds of a clock, waiting alone in a private office. He was reliving a memory. One that he had long ago lost the context to. It started the same, leaning back in his chair and relaxing to the gentle noises around him.

Next the doors were slammed open, and he felt his body riddled with gunfire. He giggled as he thought of the moment. Such a strange feeling being shot. More so bleeding to death. Cold. Lifeless. Feeling all sensations fade as your brain starts to give in.

Yet that memory always ended too quickly, and he found himself back in the present. In the memory he was well dressed, groomed, and somewhat decent in appearance. Now? His skin was ashy gray, wearing a white shirt with coal markings to give it the look of a mime’s attire. 

His hands now misshapen claws, and his teeth feeling ever so slightly out of place. Only able to fit comfortably when he smiled. His hair now is just a tousled mass of matted knots.

The man sat there for a moment, not really understanding where he was.. His thoughts were always fleeting, moving from one thing to the next. Yet he always found himself asking one question every day. Once, twice, or several times.

“What is my name?” was the thought in his head. Yet it always faded away as some other fleeting thing entered his mind. And in this moment, it was the sound of a whistle.

He turned his head, and saw a woman staring at him. She was dressed weirdly. Elegant, and beautiful. Her dress was strange, but it also felt calming. Her eyes also were different then most. Many looked at him with scorn, or pity. But hers were full of care, and admiration.

He never understood why. Maybe out of concern? Maybe guilt of what her master had done? Or maybe it was fake, and only did so to keep him obedient. He didn't’ care, she treated him like a person either way. Even if it was fake.

So many treated him as a wild animal. A soul who lost all sense of right or wrong, but not her. She didn’t pull on his chains. She didn’t yell at him when he lost himself to delusions. Not even when he was paralyzed with memories of a past he couldn’t even understand. She only waited, and he felt safe around her.

Yet right now, she was crying. Her makeup stained her face as she picked up the chain of the creature she had called “The Mime.”

“Come on.. We can go now.” She whispered, and her burned hands slightly pulled on the chain. As the Mime stared at her, its surroundings slowly became clearer to it.. They were at their ‘home’. More specifically outside the personal quarters of their employer. And in her hand were two contracts. Hers, and his.. Both burned beyond recognition. Torn apart. Both their names illegible as he stared at them.

What was her name..?

“We don’t have to stay here anymore, you’re free. I’m free.” She whispered again, but quickly stepped back in a bit of shock. The Mime standing up, and staring at the young woman.. The same thought running through his mind. What was her name? She had always cared for him, more than the others. So why was she crying?

Had something happened?

Did someone hurt her?

She stared in wonder as the normal grotesque smile of the Mime faded, and it’s wicked expressions softened. Concern showing on his face for the first time. “...” She wordlessly watched as the creature looked at her. Trying it’s best to recall her name. What could have made her so sad.

“...Mime we don’t need to stay here. If you’re worried about-” She stopped, as at first she refused to believe her ears. The Mime at first letting out a growl, but she quickly realized something.

“...are…?” He was trying to speak.

Her eyes widened as the shaky voice of the Mime came out, and it stared at her burned arms. Gently grabbing them out of worry. 

“...Are… Y-You… Alright…?” The Mime choked out, it’s voice sounding atrophied from the lack of use for nearing fifty years.

“Alastria…? Who… Hurt you…?”

…Alastria could only smile, and reached around the Mime’s neck.. The Mime hearing a soft click, and the shackles around his neck falling to the ground with a heavy thud. He let out a gasp, and grabbed at where they once were placed.. A metaphorical and literal weight having been lifted.

For the first time, his thoughts were… not clear, but easier to understand. He looked at Alastria, and saw her smile.