#good sky

when we find out that reality is the thing that we look into...

we got instances in Good Sky, where the lead character befriends another “unwanted” (used in loose terms) child, and takes advantage of something she has for herself—a cake her friend’s aunt brings to her friend—because of course in extreme situations it makes sense a child (or anyone really) will grasp and hold onto anything to keep living. Her friend’s aunt is VERY aware, yet turns a blind eye, because she already feels enough of The Pleasures by doing the bare fucking minimum. She feels content with her actions enough so she doesn’t have to feel the guilt anymore. It’s bleak as fuck but it’s also SO HUMAN. Even in horrible circumstances humans can rely on self preservation over the needs of others

In Tapers, Marvin views himself as a good person! That everything he’s doing is actually a good thing, because he feels good about his actions. Care’s mother is the same way, and they both take … almost sadistic pleasure in seeing Care in pain because it isn’t them being hurt or in the wrong for once, which ties back into that theme of cognitive dissonance—the need to justify ones actions that goes against their own perceptions/morality.

3D Worker’s Island is also super similar! The forum members aren’t able to experience that pain, so it isn’t real, and why those that are able to empathize/sympathize with Amber are disgusted by the screensaver—but both sides refuse to do anything about it! either side could move the mouse and end the cruelty, but they don’t, because in a narrative sense it’s the most logical thing to do, but people are messy, people are complicated and no one is immune to abusive behavior. It’s easier for people to try and logic their cognitive dissonance to give them a further excuse to continue watching.

Making way for the new flesh,

the old must wilt.

Pressing out through the layers of muscle and bone,

the skin becomes clear--

ripe for the making,

the doing, and the moving.

Yet if there is no new,

the old does not know how to stay in spite of it.

It must fall away, as is its nature,

and unknown red shall be left.

And in red, I take a slice.

Preparing my body for the creation of more flesh, as is needed to keep my health.

I do not offer to share.

"I still love you," reads the note,

but presence unknown keeps itself rotting.

"Good Sky is a short story with a soundtrack. The story depicts true innocence and love of pleasure. The soundtrack depicts love of beeps (it's chiptune)."

CW: The Four Pains (Physical Pain, Nausea or Cannibalism, Dissonance, and suppressed colors). War. Death. Child abuse.