#knowledge keeper

You mentioned how one that was tagged and censored "shouldn't be named" and I was hoping you could explain more???

Taanshi! I'm happy to provide. Please note I can only speak from the perspective of my peoples, the Cree & Michif, so it's very possible there are variations from different nations across Turtle Island.

The creature that was mentioned, often portrayed as an "undead" skull-headed beast, is part of a story with deep protocol involved. This protocol is important because the creature is said to be a very dark, twisted spirit, and even invoking its name brings bad medicine unto the speaker and those around them.

The Cree story discusses that this spirit possesses humans and leads them to commit atrocious acts, so we often try to avoid catching its attention in any way we can. The same can be said for the other creature mentioned in the initial post -- a shape-changing figure that brings about bad medicine if not handled correctly.

Unfortunately in this contemporary age, it's beyond possible to rein in and protect our sacred stories like these two, but it is not beyond possible to bring information to those who encounter the stories out in the wild. These creatures, these legends, myths, and teachings, are all an important organ in a very real, very alive body of people. So while we're still here -- at least while I still exist -- it feels right to remind those who're listening that our stories (and by extension, the people they belong to) are not free for the taking. They weren't ever free in that way, but history has shown a deep lack of respect that nearly cost Indigenous culture its life and memory. Not anymore.

The Oxford Dictionary defined glitch as a sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment or an unexpected setback in a plan. In human a glitch was defined as their body’s immune response or other systems acting up without reason or cause that was understood. Logan ran the definition through his mind as he paced in his room. He made a circuit of the space between his bed and desk. He knew as a Side he wasn’t a machine, he wasn’t a human technically but part of one. He shouldn’t have a glitch.

But that was what had happened wasn’t it? As impossible as it seemed to him when he looked at the evidence there wasn’t any other conclusion he could make. During his interaction with Remus he had momentarily become so angry, so insulted that he was being ignored even if he’d known that was what the Duke did. Remus got under everyone’s skin on pure principle, it was part of Intrusive Thought and how it functioned. That he had…that he had experienced a glitch.

It was the only explanation for the utter…rage that had consumed him for a few terrifying seconds. For the fact his eyes had went from cool deep blue to burning orange-Logan took a sharp, deep breath and locked away the feeling that might have been worry. He wouldn’t let himself linger on it anymore. He had experienced a momentary glitch, that was all. It was fine. He was fine.

Patton couldn’t help but grin, giggling to himself as he stood over the giant pot on the stove. He felt a bit like a wizard over a potion cauldron, which was fitting considering the season and all the decorations around the mindscape. There was fake spider webbing, actually cute versions of spiders around, ghosts, jack o lanterns, bats, skeletons, you name it. There were even some with a bit of…bloody touch from Remus that was fine in small doses.

As he looked through his recipe book to think of what to make today, couldn’t ever go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs really he decided after a few minutes, he was reminded of the times the past week that the others had come into the kitchen and helped him make something.

Logan had come down first, a bit of a sheepish look on his face when he’d admitted an interest in learning food preparation and Patton had been ecstatic to take him into the world of baking, as he thought it would be more preferred to the logical Side as it needed precise steps. With his peanut allergy and how he liked things not completely sweet in mind, and of course his adoration for Crofter’s, they’d made jam thumbprint shortbread cookies with a bit of lemon to add that tartness. He remembered how Logan had eaten them alongside some finger sandwiches while they’d read together in the library later.

Virgil had been next, in the middle of the night looking for a midnight snack to calm himself down, Patton had talked to him a bit but hadn’t pushed on what was wrong as he’d looked a bit like a scared cat about to bolt. Then he’d gently coaxed him into helping him bake something. He knew that he liked something more subtle, maybe a little bit bittersweet and coffee, so they’d made espresso sea salt caramel semi sweet brownies and had them with a glass of milk while they’d talked about what had had him afraid until Virgil felt comfortable enough to sleep again.

Roman had been next, he’d come down in a sulking pout one day because of artist block and when Patton had seen how hard he was half glaring at his sketchbook, like if he could he’d set it on fire he’d redirected his attention with the offer of cooking. Roman loved strawberries and raspberries and he did not do subtle very well, plus he knew the prince liked to go overboard. They’d not only made a shortcake with layers of cream and mixed berry jam between the cake, but fresh bread and butter to go with pork chops, home fries and Mac and cheese. And Roman had been so delighted by the experience that he’d found his art again.

Remus had been soon after Roman, the Duke had almost scared Patton to death when he’d just popped up behind him. But when he’d calmed down he had kind of…not sheepish or embarrassed, he didn’t think Remus felt either of those things really, but sort of hesitantly asked if he could help make something. Patton had of course said yes and didn’t push why as he sort of felt it was a case of Intrusive Thoughts being too much even for Remus, though Patton had been the one in charge of knives. Remus was a bit like Roman in that he did not do subtle, and he liked contrasting flavors, and they’d made very messy, but very delicious subway sandwiches and a dirt cake with sour sweet gummy worms.

Janus had been the most recent, his opposing Side in a sense had just tapped his shoulder with a secretive smile on his face and asked if he needed help with dinner. Patton had naturally accepted and he knew that Janus liked things a little spicy, flavors that changed in your mouth from one to another like layers in an onion and that he liked lemon. They’d made chicken curry with rice and lemon bars. And they’d actually had a long talk that night that had gone from helping Patton with his issues on pushing too much to Janus’ need to hide when things got too much.

please, please tell me I am not the only metaphysical practitioner who is bored out of my mind over the concept of human life.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who looks at things humans do, maybe even something that people say makes life worth living, and your response is "isn't that counterproductive?" or "why do that when you can do something so much more interesting?"

Like it-

It can't just be me, right?