#electrocution cw

It was so bright. So pretty.

And then

I was back.

And it was there.

I could hold it.

Haha... I'm terribly lucky.

Life is a numbers game... You ever heard that?

Harlequin Carnival was a Finnish rock band. Aatos was the lead singer.

During their time together, the band released two albums.

We know about Aatos...but what about the others? These are their stories.

Johannes Lehtinen (fc: Peter Franzen) 🎹 Keys

Johannes' father (Leevi Lehtinen) was an old childhood friend of Aatos' father (Torben Lampo). Although there were a few years difference in age between them, the boys got along very well in their childhood but grew apart in the years that followed.

Through a twist of fate, Johannes and Aatos met once again when Aatos was a young adult and reconnected over music. The two of them started composing together and the boys, having several connections to other musically talented individuals, began to form a band. At the same time, Johannes had plans to travel across Europe. Aatos, longing to see the world, persuaded him to let him and the band tag along.

Together, the five of them crammed into Johannes' worn down VW Camper Van and set off. After a long journey through Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain and France, they finally made it to England where the boys decided to stay for a while and try to make it big in the music industry.

Having known him from such a young age, Johannes acted like a big brother to Aatos and the others. A brusque, blunt and oftentimes flippant individual, Johannes' matter-of-fact attitude could be a source of vexation or comedy depending upon the situation.

After the accident on the stage, a piece of ironwork crushed Johannes' leg, resulting in it being amputated. Furious and grieving in his own, private way, he refused to speak to Aatos and completely severed all contact with him following the disaster.

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Terje Anderson (fc: Olli Tukiainen) 🎸 Lead Guitarist

Terje was an old friend of Aatos' and the youngest of the group. Aatos first met Terje when he heard him playing guitar at the back of the bus during the Exchange Program to England held by several Secondary Schools. The teachers on the trip tried to scold Terje for bringing his guitar with him, but he could simply never be parted from his instrument.

Aatos and Terje bonded over music, composing songs together using Aatos' poetry and Terje's playing. After the program ended, they stayed in touch and Aatos later contacted him to ask about forming a band. Terje leapt at the chance and became the lead guitarist of Harlequin Carnival.

It was no secret that Aatos had a crush on Terje, but the guitarist had to let him down gently and explained he didn't reciprocate his feelings. Aatos was mortified and upset at first, but was able to battle his feelings and become close friends with Terje instead.

Oftentimes nicknamed "Koira" (Dog) for his willingness to sleep on the floor, Terje was a very relaxed, easy-going individual and liked to make a joke of pretending he didn't understand English or putting on "Rally English" to tease their English friends. In fact, Terje would often downplay how many languages he was fluent in, as his father was Swedish and his mother was Finnish.

Tragically, as a result of the accident, Terje was electrocuted while playing his signature "Flying V" guitar and lost his life.

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Mikael Lindell (fc: Joonas Suotamo) Lead Bass 🎻

Mikael met Johannes during High School. The two of them were in the school band together and were a year apart. Mikael took part in the Exchange Programme with his younger brother, Matias, and met Terje and Aatos at the same time. The boys bonded during their time in England and became close friends, staying in touch once their time was over.

When Johannes called about starting a band, Mikael was thrilled that he would be able to take part and even more excited at the prospect of travelling with - whom he considered - some of the most talented people he had ever met in his life.

Often quietly contemplative, but happy to make conversation when spoken to, Mikael acted as another big brother to the younger members of the group, as well as his own brother.

Mikael was mortally wounded during the stage accident, sustaining several burns which led to him tragically dying in hospital a few days after the incident.

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Matias Lindell (fc: Mikko Kauppila) Drummer 🥁

Matias was in the same year group as Aatos, their paths frequently crossing during drama performances. Matias was often called to play with the school band to give soundtracks to the productions, but could be scolded for his vigorous drumming. During free moments in the school hall, he could be heard drumming to Van Halen and System of a Down songs, which caught Aatos' attention.

Like the others, the boys bonded during their trip to England. The four boys would sing at the top of their lungs to the radio during their downtime and Matias would come up with makeshift drums to give a beat - from empty plastic tubs to doorframes. During the road trip around Europe, he would even drum on Johannes' dashboard, much to Johannes' very loud disapproval.

Matias was a fun-loving, flippant individual unafraid to voice his opinion, whether explicitly or through a gesture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maul’s breath came in quick as panic flooded his mind. He thought they had more time. More time to establish their rule on Mandalore. More time before his old Master found out he was alive and came looking for him. In the darkest part of Maul’s mind, he had hoped that his master wouldn’t ever come looking for him, but Maul knew that was naive. He just thought he’d have more time to prepare for his master’s arrival. But he came too early. Maul was caught off guard for once. He was unprepared and now his brother was paying the price. 

      Maul watched from his place on the ground, struggling to his hands and knees as Savage screamed. Savage writhed in pain on the floor as Maul’s old master cackled, his fingers crackling with lightning. Maul watched as the lightning casted harsh shadows into the dark night of the glass throne room, distorting his brother’s bloody face. Maul was overwhelmed, not that he’d even let it show. His ribs ached, blood dripped from his nose, his head throbbed but most importantly his brother was screaming in pain. He had to do something. Anything. He’d been on the receiving end of his master’s lighting many times during his training. He could still feel it burn though his veins. Savage shouldn’t have to feel that. Shouldn’t pay for his own mistakes, his foolishness. He had to do something. Anything. Anything to make it stop. 

      Then suddenly the words had wormed from deep within him and shot out of his mouth before he could stop them. They came out short as if punched from his gut. “Stop! Stop, Master!” He shouted over his brother’s screams. Maul winced at the sound of his voice. It was desperate, hoarse, shaky. His facade was crumbling. Still, Maul watched his master closely. The lightning slowed but did not stop. His master was interested. Good. This was his window. Maul continued, trying to keep his voice level, “Stop! Master, stop! Please-”Maul’s mouth snapped shut. A Sith doesn’t say please, his master had taught him that. They don’t beg either but Savage’ life was too important. 

     It felt as if all the air was sucked out of the room. His matser’s lightning had stopped. The absence of light from the electricity left the room dark with only the dim light from the moon streaming in from the windows. The room was still and quiet, save for Savage’s quiet groans from the floor.  His master’s turned his head slightly towards Maul, “What did you say, apprentice?” Maul could hear the sadistic smile in his master’s voice. Maul’s throat felt tight. His and Savage’s lives were on the edge of a knife now. One wrong move and both of them could be dead. Maul rose to his feet but kept his head bowed, watching him closely. In his most respectful voice, Maul forced the words out, “I said stop…Master.” He could sense his master’s intrigue through the Force. His master turned fully towards him now, his cloak gliding behind him. His back to the nearly unconscious Savage who was still making an occasional groan. “Why should I stop?” He said, his voice eerily calm. Maul hesitated. “He’s my apprentice, Master” Maul said, keeping his voice level. His master let out a small chuckle, “So?”. 

      Maul froze, all words seemed to be jammed in his throat. His mind raced. He had a point. Sith killed Sith all the time. Who was Maul to go against the will of his master, the Darth Sidious? In fact, his master had abandoned him years ago and would never beg for Maul’s life like Maul now begs for Savage’s. So why? Why stop? Why beg him to stop? Then the thought erupted in his mind. Because Maul loves his brother! 

      The thought hit Maul like a train. Sith don’t feel love and yet….Savage had somehow crawled his way into Maul’s chest and forced Maul’s cold heart to beat again. Slowly, he’d become Maul’s heart, his morality, his only sense of family and safety. Maul certainly couldn’t tell his master that. His master would only call it weakness. 

      Maul’s mind hurried for an answer. He needed time. If they had more time, Maul could have thought of an answer to please his master. But time was the one thing he didn’t have. He had to think quickly. 

      From the floor, Savage had gained back his awareness from the searing, bright pain of lightning. He watched Maul as he searched for an answer. His eyes looked distant and flicked around ever so slightly. Savage had recognized this behavior. It was a relic from his days of insanity. His mind was desperately searching for answers. No one would notice but Savage did. Seeing his brother so frantic sent chills through Savage’s burned body. 

      After a long moment, Maul raised his head and finally spoke. He’s voice level and confident as if he’d known this all along. His mask of confidence and ego slipped back into place as if it’d never left. “I believe you kill him too hastily, Master,” His master raised his head as if to tell him to go on. “Savage is a strong warrior. Dedicated and loyal. Look at what Savage and I have accomplished! We have taken over Mandalore from the shadows. Together, Savage and I could do this and so much more for you, Master.” After a breath, Maul did what Savage never thought he’d see his proud brother do and kneeled. “We serve you, Master” Maul said, eyes downcast. 

 The words burned acid through Maul’s mouth. We serve you. Maul had pledged not only his loyalty but his brothers. It was to save Savage but would he forgive him? Long ago, Maul had promised Savage that no one would use him again. Not like Ventress and Dooku had. Maul knew Sidious was infinitely worse, but it was the only thing to keep Savage alive. Maul held his breath within his tight chest. He stared intensely at the ground. Had it worked? Or had he just sentenced his brother to death? The room was still and silent as Maul watched his Master contemplate his answer. 

      “Mmmm. You have a point”. Hope flared within Maul as he breathed out. “But…Savage is a pretender in the Force. His control is artificial, given to him by a witch-”

      “Yes,” Maul quickly interjected, “but his respect to the Force and dedication to the ways of the Sith are true. I believe him to be worthy of learning our ways.”

      “You will train him, then?” There was amused tone to his voice that Maul couldn’t quite understand.

      “Yes, I already have been.” Maul said, a small sense of pride rising deep within him.

      His master sighed, “Very well. You may train him, but I will hold any of his failing to you, Maul.” There was a threat lying under his calm words. Maul has no doubt he’d follow though on it. Sidious continued in a business-like tone as if he was bored, “Stay here on Mandalore. Finish your siege and await my further instructions”.

      Maul bowed his head. “Of course, Master” He said tightly. Without so much as a passing glance, his master walked out of the crystal throne room and away to his ship. The moment the doors closed behind him, Maul breathed a heavy sigh and felt the tension melt away. He’d done it. His brother was safe. Relief flooded through his body and he stayed frozen for a moment. Afraid to move and disturb this narrow victory.

      Savage’s deep voice spurred him to move. “Brother,” Savage called to him, lifting a heavy arm from the floor towards him.

      “Savage,” Maul said with urgency. Maul quickly stood up and rushed over to kneel next to his injured brother. Usually, he’d be more restrained but right now he couldn’t care to put up appearances. Maul helped Savage push himself up to a sitting position. Savage still smelled like smoke and a grimace painted his face. Maul was weirdly relived. He may be injured but he was alive and that was what mattered.

      “Brother, what have you done?” Savage’s voice was hoarse after his screams but his eyes bore steadily into Maul’s. There was an edge of anger to his voice. Savage recalled what horrid things other sith masters had used him for. No one will use you again. 

      “Do not worry, Savage. I saved us.” Maul said calmly. 

mono awoke in the suburbs of the pale city, inside the townhouse where he lived. it did not take long for him to realize that his parents were MIA, and that he was on his own. mono fortified his house, staying inside as long as he could before lack of supplies caused him to venture out on "grocery trips". unfortunately, there were beasts rampant in his neighborhood that looked like severed electrical cords---these beasts were cord-leeches, and they fed off of anything they could get their mouth feelers on.

one day, a group of the leeches followed mono back to his house after a supply run. the worms pursued him through his house, and he was forced to leave it. they chased him through the streets of his neighborhood, eventually cornering him in an abandoned HOA office. one of them quickly wrapped itself around him, causing him to panic. mono flailed and he ended up pressing his hands against the screen of the office's lopsided television.

he wanted away, and the signal saw him. the television burst to life, shocking the boy and the leech. the leech died. the boy did not. mono could not tear himself from the screen. it was pulling him in, trying to eat his soul as it had done to many others. mono fought. he fought and wrangled the connection, and he won. he forced the signal to take him elsewhere, but not without penalty: his eyes were burned by the signal. after emerging from another television, mono could not see for a day. when his vision was restored, he found that his eyes were wholly gray, sclera and all.

mono did not mind his altered appearance, at first. he desired to find companions to refuge with, and sought out a group of kids. he resided with them for a time, but his curiosity towards the televisions made them wary. one day, they tried to confront him about it. they startled mono whilst he was attempting to tune the connection, and he accidentally electrocuted a few of them to death.

the others fled. word spread fast between groups about the blank-eyed evil. scared that he would be alone forever because of this, mono tracked down the remainder of the group he stayed with to try and explain that he didn't mean to hurt anyone. when he did find the group, they ran from him. they ran and would not listen when he cried out to warn them of the lurking dangers, and shortly afterwards they were gone forever at the hands of viewers.

he tried to find other kids to reside with. some had heard the rumors, some had not. even on the chance he did team up with a few others, disaster would strike and mono would always be the lone survivor. it did not take long for him to don a bag and coat, as well as limit his contact with televisions. he felt safer under his paper-thin protection since nobody could see his face. after wandering alone for a long time, mono found a group that welcomed him. they stayed in an orphanage, having fortified it. for months, everything was okay. mono was finally in a community where he could help others.

of course, nothing lasts forever.

mono gradually became the subject of suspicion; there had been frequent sabotages to the defenses, and mono was a prime suspect due to being the newest kid. he wouldn't stand for this injustice and refuted the accusations, starting a heated argument between he and a few members of the group. it wasn't long before the heated part became literal. the orphanage was lit aflame, and a devious beast that was actually responsible for the sabotages began to pursue the kids.

mono doesn't remember much about that day other than the facts that he narrowly escaped with his life and that he knew he would never see the other kids again. his lone wandering continued for a long time, the boy trying to stay alive and figure out how to wrangle the signal further. eventually, he would tumble through a television into a grassy forest. we all know where it goes from there.