#shadowbrigers

The Tempest was the only “home” Flienn has really known, but it does not mean it is a happy knowledge.

It’s come with rules and regulations and a freedom that is only surface level, for Emet-Selch was a strict but, and they’ll admit, not a wholly unkind caretaker. There were parts they were never to go towards and he’d know before the thought even crossed their mind. It was a frustrating existence and as they stare out their bedroom window, one of the most forbidden places is in their view. They take in a deep breath and close their eyes. Making a choice they dart up and leave without another moment of hesitation.

They head over to the big imposing building in a sea of big imposing buildings and can’t help the double takes they make over their shoulder. It all feels too easy now, as they haven’t even seen Emet-Selch in almost a moon. Even still, there’s a pit in their stomach as they step inside; somewhat surprised to feel the door open so easily.

They look around and see much of the same shades that linger in this godsforsaken place go about their days. There is nothing here that seems to warrant such a fervent need to keep them out as he has. It’s all very mundane and just…normal. They purse their lips together and think how stupid this all was when-

“Oh hello. Are you lost, little one?” a voice cuts through their thinking.

They jump and turn to see a shade dressed simply just like all the others. Its head is cocked to the side in what feels like an almost friendly manner.

Flienn smiles and shakes their head, “No-no I am fine thank you. Um…” they hesitate. There was something about this shade specifically that feels foreign yet familiar. They take an involubtary step closer. “Do you know what this place is?” They finish. Voice smaller now, so much they wonder if it even heard them.

The shade’s head cocks even further as it considers its answer. “Hm…curious. Why this seems to be the Bureau of Architecture. Or the copy of it.”

“Copy…” they repeat; emotions turning back towards confusion.

“Do you not know what this place is, little one,” the shade says.

Flienn shakes their head again; looking towards the ground now. “I’m not…I’ve never been allowed near this place and I was trying to understand why.”

The shade straightens at that and for a moment fear strikes them. They’ve shown their hand too early and now they’re caught. They brace for an impact that never comes, as instead the shade brings its hand up to its mouth and…appears to laugh, though no sound of the sort comes.

“How very very curious of Emet-Selch. He has ever been aloof, even now it seems.”

“You knew him then? Before…whatever happened,” they ask in a rush.

It was a frustrating blindspot. The reality that they didn't know how they even came to be, or why they haven’t aged past 19 summers. They aren’t even sure how long they’ve been stuck in this place but it’s been a long, long time.

The shade goes back to cocking its head, “I did. I have. But I am…I am not like you, little one,” it explains.

There’s no time for any other explanations before Flienn feels an aggressive pull away from the shade and the building and they’re back in their bedroom.

Emet-Selch stands there with a rare fury in his eyes. Silent and slouched as he always seems to be. He says no words as the anger in his eyes fades to indifference as he stares down at them. Flienn holds their ground as best they can, even has a knee jerk reaction to apologize. But no words come as he holds up a hand to silence them, and without another word he turns and leaves the room. The door slams behind him.