#giving. marvin the tarot reading yes

[schisms]

liam got this picture of marvin in my lap while i was giving him a tarot reading

[falseroar]

Dog Days Part 20: Making Plans

((Chase discovers a way to keep Y/N busy and their mind off of Abe while Marvin tries to prepare for his meeting with the hunter.

Links to the series masterlist and to Part 19: Good Branding.))

You weren’t sure what time it was when you woke up, only that your stomach was grumbling enough to make you get out of bed and sit up for a few minutes until your head cleared. The light coming through the window blinds suggested middle or late afternoon, but when you stepped out of your room the house felt quiet. There were muffled voices coming from Marvin’s room down the hall, but you didn’t see anyone else until you walked into the kitchen and found Chase looking in one of the cabinets.

He jumped at the sound of someone walking in, relaxing a little when he saw it was only you but still looking a little guilty when he said, “Hey. Guess you’re hungry too, huh?”

“…Yeah,” you said, deciding not to ask even though you knew that was the same cabinet you saw Jackie pulling bottles out of just the other night. “A little.”

“We weren’t sure if we should wake you for lunch or not,” Chase explained. “We’ve got stuff to make sandwiches, and there’s probably some leftovers in the fridge.”

“A sandwich sounds good,” you said, and cracked a smile. “It’ll be nice to finally eat something with my hands and not off the floor for once.”

“…Oh.” Realization dawned on Chase’s face and he said, “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t even think—”

“No, no,” you said quickly, already regretting your words. “I didn’t mean…There wasn’t much of a choice, was there? Not when I couldn’t make myself change back.”

You hesitated and then added, “Thank you, for letting me stay here. Especially when I was…like that.”

Chase paused in the act of pulling a loaf of bread out and looked at you, sounding genuinely surprised when he said, “Of course. You’re welcome to stay here no matter what shape you’re in, Y/N. I said that, didn’t I? Wouldn’t be much of a home, otherwise. Now what kind of sandwich do you want? We’ve got jelly, peanut butter, almond butter, cheese if you want to try grilled…”

Chase continued listing off choices, but you barely listened as you stared at him, biting your lip hard to try not to cry. By the time he was done, you had managed to get a hold of yourself enough to pick one, and a few minutes later the two of you were seated at the table, Chase trying to explain to you why he bought catnip with all of the dog stuff in the hopes of seeing if it would have an effect on Marvin.

“But he just wears the cat mask,” you said, trying not to laugh. “It doesn’t mean he’s actually part cat.”

“You haven’t seen the way he eats salmon,” Chase said. “And don’t get me started on string—Oh, hang on.”

Chase pulled his buzzing phone out of his pocket, his expression changing immediately when he saw the name on the screen.

“Hey, Staci,” he said, his eyes flickering toward you and looking relieved when you nodded and stood up to give him some space. Only for that relief to turn to panic when he said, “Lion? Oh, yeah, I managed to catch them yesterday before they got too far. Sorry if I worried you or the—They want to what?”

You heard Staci repeat that the kids wanted to see Lion, the kids’ voices clamoring on the other side of the device, and made a quick gesture to Chase before leaving that you didn’t think he completely understood as he continued talking on the phone.

“Well, I don’t know if we can do that, um, like I said, Lion is a foster and I think they’ve found—uh, their forever home and—”

“Hold on, honey,” Staci said on the other end, and Chase felt a bittersweet sting when he realized she wasn’t talking to him. “I don’t know if we can do video, let me ask Daddy, okay?”

“Uh…”

“Sorry, they want to see Lion again. And you. Maybe you can explain to them how fostering works?” There was a strain in Staci’s voice, her patience wearing a little thin, and Chase wondered how many times the kids had asked her to make this call.

“Yeah, I can do video,” Chase said, bracing himself for the coming disappointment as he held his phone back and pressed the button that made first Staci, then his kids appear as she handed the phone over. “Hey, kiddos. How are you doing?”

“Good,” they chimed together, before his son leaned in so close that his face filled the screen as he asked, “Lion?”

“Yeah, Lion is…” Chase trailed off, unable to hide his surprise when you walked back into the kitchen. It had taken you longer than you thought to get the collar back on, and to brace yourself to change back, but it felt worth it when Chase smiled and sank down onto the floor to sit beside you so that you both were in the camera as the kids shouted, and then tried to talk over each other as they told you both about how they went for hot chocolate after the park yesterday, and about what they did in school today, Chase’s son proudly showing a crayon drawing after his daughter spent several minutes talking about her good grades in math and how her teacher didn’t think “hunormous” was a real word but “really, really big” just wasn’t the same.

Eventually, Staci suggested that maybe they should wrap things up, leading the girl to ask, “Can we go to the park and play with Lion again? We can walk them this time, so they won’t run off.”

“Well, Lion’s new owner will be wanting to spend time with them,” Chase started, glancing at you when you pressed a paw on his knee. “…But maybe they’ll be willing to let me take them to the park again. We’ll pick a day when you’re both out of school, how’s that sound?”

They sounded happy enough with that idea, and Staci managed a smile when she took the phone back and said, “Thanks, Chase. I’ll text you a few dates later, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah…” Chase said, unable to think of anything else to say before she hung up. After a moment of staring at the blank screen, he looked at you and said, “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that.”

You shook your head and gave him a look that he eventually figured out, turning his head as he felt you change back beside him until you leaned against him with a heavy sigh.

“Let’s…let’s wait a while before we have that play date,” you said, sounding so much more tired that Chase looked at you with alarm. You smiled to reassure him as you said, “I’m fine. I just…don’t remember it being that hard, changing back.”

Chase wrapped an arm around your shoulders, squeezing you in a hug before he said, “Thank you for…not telling the others about the park, and ‘Lion.’ I know Jackie worries about me.”

“Yeah, he does. Cause he likes you or something,” you said, getting another smile out of Chase even if it was a little sadder this time. “Having other people to worry about you, ‘s not such a bad thing.”

Chase heard your voice slur, your breathing slow as though you were close to falling asleep again right there on the floor, leaning against him. Changing into the wolf and back again really had done a number on you, and thinking that is what caused the question to slip out.

“Was it this hard to change back last night?”

You took so long to answer that he started to apologize, but then you said, “Harder. I was…scared. Scared if I did, scared if I didn’t. You know?”

“…Yeah, I can imagine.”

“The paper,” you said, sounding a little more awake as the thought suddenly hit you. “There was a paper, a note, I put it in my pocket…”

You reached for your pocket before remembering that you were wearing a pair of sweatpants from the pile of clothes that they had put together for you and not the same clothes from last night, and Chase had to steady you when you tried to stand up.

“Easy, I can go and get it for you,” Chase said, getting up with you and directing you into the living room where you sank down onto the couch with a sigh. “Pants pocket, right?”

They were easy enough to find, although Chase paused when he found something else besides the folded-up flyer they were talking about.

It was an envelope, addressed to the District Attorney, with two cards inside. The Death tarot card, and one with a short message typed on it.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall.

Watch as I betray them all.

They’d mentioned the cards, of course, how theirs had outed them as a werewolf, how Mark had ended up with it as part of his insane scheme. They hadn’t mentioned this one, or that they still had any of the cards. Maybe they had forgotten, or just didn’t want to remember the far too accurate taunt they had been left with for all these years.

“Chase?”

Chase looked up to see Marvin and Jackie in the hallway, both curious to find him in here.

“Y/N asked me to look for something,” he said weakly. “And I found…”

Marvin took the cards and studied them, his expression again growing heavy and vaguely threatening in a way that made Chase worry about how this coffee meeting with the hunter was supposed to go tomorrow, even with Jackie on standby.

Chase looked down at the note you were so interested in, the one supposedly written to or from this Wilford guy, and flipped it over to read the front of the flyer that you couldn’t make out last night.

“Well, there’s some good news,” Chase said, and when Jackie and Marvin looked, he held up the flyer for the local TV station. “I think I have an idea on how to keep Y/N busy tomorrow, and maybe find out a little more about this guy the hunter was so interested in last night at the same time. How does Jameson and me taking Y/N on a little tour sound?”

---

“Hm.” Dr. Schneeplestein sat back in his chair and said, “Vell, it does seem your eyesight is a touch of the fuzzy. Perhaps it vill get better, but glasses are not so bad. Zhey can be very stylish.”

He tilted his own glasses down to look at you over the top of the frames with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

“But you say you cannot see color at all?”

You shook your head. “No, it’s all black and white and grays.”

“And you did not have zhis issue before zhe mirror?”

“No, not even when I turned into the wolf,” you said.

“Yes, I cannot say I have heard of many weres complaining of color-blindness,” Henrik admitted. “Alzhough I imagine it might be difficult to notice red-green problems on full moons, vhen you have different zhings on zhe mind. I can see no damage in your pupils, but, ah—have your eyes always been silver?”

You shook your head again. You had discovered that the bathroom didn’t have a mirror in it, Marvin saying something about them being a scrying risk but that there was still one in the bathroom off of Chase’s room. You hadn’t felt the need to go and look in it though, so you had to take the doctor’s word on the silver eyes thing.

“It shouldn’t matter, of course, but zhis whole deal is…very strange,” the doctor said with a sigh. “I am sorry I cannot offer any advice. Perhaps one day ve could consult vith Dr. Iplier again.”

“Do you think he would know something about it?” you asked and the doctor shrugged.

“He is good at providing second ideas. Perhaps he knows of a remedy I might not have considered ve could try. And a trip to zhe hospital feels like it could be a safe outing to help you get used to human legs again. Safer zhan zhis studio,” Henrik said, giving a disgusted look at the flyer lying on the bench beside you, the one that had sparked a lot of questions and led to you sitting in the doctor’s room while he performed yet another checkup.

Supposedly, the graphic on the front of the paper which to your eyes looked like a dark gray city skyline against a pale circle, surrounded by black, had letters on it somewhere. Letters which were typed in just the right shade to blend in with the buildings or the sky, you still weren’t sure which. Something about a studio and tour hours, which is why Chase thought the note on the back to or from ‘W’ was related to the place.

“May I?” Henrik asked, holding up his stethoscope and inviting you to take several deep breaths while he listened.

“Why wouldn’t it be safe?” you asked, as he moved to your back.

“I do not trust zhese entertainment people, actors and zhe like, Jameson and Chase excepted,” Henrik said, only to pause. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, just a…cough,” you said. “Voice is still a little weak, you know.”

“It does sound much better zhan earlier,” Henrik pointed out. “Deep breath, please. And again.”

You followed his lead, trying to force yourself to let it go. Jameson had explained to you, what a TV studio was, or the general idea of it. You already knew about flicks, you had worked catering for one of his movies after all, and the theaters back in your day had the short cartoons and serials and newsreels. The idea of recording all that and sending it to screens like the one in the living room wasn’t completely foreign, although the idea of having an entire building for it was a little strange. Chase nearly broke down in tears when Jameson explained to him how they used to put up and break down sets in days, and how he sold off all of their backgrounds and props by the lot for other studios to use. You still weren’t entirely sure why he thought those would be worth a lot of money today or who would be paying for that kind of stuff.

“And zhis studio has a bit of a…reputation in my field,” Henrik said. “A lot of injuries from on set, zhey say, and zhere are rumors…vell, it is best not to spread such zhings.”

“Jameson’s film had a lot of injuries on set too,” you pointed out. Granted, that probably had a lot to do with the evil otherworldly entity hanging around, but still. “Some of those stunts can be dangerous.”

“Vhich is vhy ve have more standards zhese days, and professional stuntpersons,” Henrik said. “And vhat kind of stunts do you need to be doing on a gameshow, I ask? People zhese days expect too much action and drama and violence in every little zhing, even in zhe cartoons.”

You started to respond and decided against commenting on that, even though you suspected your memories of cartoons back in your day were a little more accurate than whatever the doctor’s nostalgia had him remembering.

“We’re just going there to try and find this Wilford guy,” you said instead. “I promise I won’t let Chase volunteer for any stunts.”

Henrik sighed. “Do not make promises you cannot keep, Y/N. Just a few days ago, he is trying to get on zhe roof and still vill not tell me vhy.”

To get more air time, and while you didn’t know what that meant, you definitely knew better than to tell the doctor. Only reason he found out at all was because Chase scraped up his arm on the way down, before Jackie managed to catch him, and they didn’t have enough time to come up with a story between them before Henrik smelled the blood.

Which is why they were currently going over the story for tomorrow in Marvin’s room, in case you started asking questions or changed your mind about going to the studio. Well, that, and trying to convince Marvin that he didn’t need to load up on spells and an entire magical arsenal for a meeting over coffee.

“Isn’t the whole point of this just to get to know the hunter?” Jameson asked, picking up a dagger that was lying on top of his outfit for tomorrow and giving Marvin a pointed look. “A little hard to do if he feels like he’s about to be attacked.”

“Be careful with that, it’s a dimensional dagger,” Marvin said, taking it and checking to make sure the strap keeping it in its sheath was still in place. “It’s only if he needs to take a little...time out somewhere else, that’s all.”

“Mm, I’m going to go with a ‘no’ on that one, same as the other stuff,” Chase said. “And you’re not going to wear that mask, are you?”

Marvin scowled. “Why wouldn’t I? This is an antique, passed down among generations of spellcasters, it both amplifies and controls its wearer’s abilities, with protective magic embedded into every fiber, and it is absolutely essential for any of my big workings.”

“And you think you’ll be needing it to drink coffee?” Jameson asked. “Just wear those nifty sunglasses, you use those all the time when you go out for normal stuff.”

“They’re not the same,” Marvin complained, very aware of the whine in his voice. “Besides, he already knows I’m a magic user, I might as well look the part.”

“Because nothing says magic like a kitty cat mask,” Jackie said, Chase snorting when he tried to hold in his laugh. “Marvin, Jameson’s right. We want the hunter to feel safe opening up and talking to you so we can learn something about the guy, and I don’t think he’s going to do that if it looks like you’re ready to pick a fight. I’ll be there to back you up if something goes wrong, but you do know the goal here is for it to not come to that, right?”

Marvin groaned and said, “Fine, I’ll leave the mask. And the dagger. But I’m taking the playing cards. I might need something to break the ice, after all.”

The response to that news was less than enthusiastic, but as Chase signed when Marvin’s back was turned, “At least he can’t get into too much trouble with just card tricks, right?”

Jameson, who had far more experience with Marvin’s attempts at stage magic, just gave him a look and signed back, “Maybe we should have let him take the dagger instead.”

---

In Henrik’s room, the doctor finished examining the scar on your chest and, as you pulled your shirt back down, asked, “Is zhere any pain in zhe area?”

“Sometimes there’s pressure, like a weight,” you answered. “But it doesn’t actually hurt. I’m more tired than anything, and I think that’s more from changing back.”

The doctor nodded. “Zhat vill hopefully pass by morning, but let me know if it does not. Still, no pain vhen you breathe, or move in certain vays?”

You shook your head only to hesitate before answering, “Sometimes��sometimes it hurts, after a nightmare. When I dream about…what happened.”

Henrik pulled off his glasses and fiddled with them for a moment before he looked at you, as though to have something to do with his hands while he tried to find the right words. “Y/N…in your case, trauma is normal. Nightmares, strong memories, anxieties, zhey are all unfortunately common after a bad shock or, or near-death experience.”

You chuckled, even though it wasn’t funny. “Not sure you can get more ‘near’ death than actually, you know, dying.”

“Exactly. I am not a therapist, but if you are ever wanting someone to talk to, if you ever just need a friend, I am here. So are zhe others, of course.” Henrik fidgeted with his glasses some more before he added, “I…have had my own difficulties, vith trauma. Vith zhe bad thoughts, and zhe nightmares, and feeling like you are back again. Zhe experience is nothing like yours, of course, but I know what it can…do to zhe mind, if you don’t have help. Any time, day or night, one of us vill be here. Even if you do not talk, and just do not wish to be alone.”

“…I know.” You knew from so many nights, when the others opened their rooms to you so that you wouldn’t have to sleep alone, when they talked to the wolf when you were blind, just so you could be sure they were still there. “Thank you, Dr. Schneeplestein.”

“Please, I think I am now off zhe clock for another few hours or so,” Dr. Schneeplestein said, smiling and offering a hand to help you stand. “Call me Henrik.”

You returned the smile, but as you stood your gaze went around the doctor’s room again, once again noticing the lack of an actual bed or windows. Despite the pictures on the wall (all of which featured skeletons, although you didn’t know many anatomy drawings that had the subjects playing cards or dancing), and the fake flowers on one corner of his desk in between the stacks of medical texts, the room had a very cell-like feel to it.

“Henrik. The offer goes both ways, if you ever want someone to talk to or…just not to be alone,” you said, feeling embarrassed to have said anything before you even finished, especially when the doctor looked surprised at the suggestion.

Then he smiled softly and said, “Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind, Hündchen.”

“You know I know that word means dog or puppy or something, right?”

“I do not know vhat you mean, Y/N. Say, while zhe others are busy, vhy don’t we have a little treat zhe wolf could not? How does chocolate ice cream sound?”

“…I didn’t say I didn’t like the nickname,” you said, pushing the doctor a little when he couldn’t hold back his laugh. “Can you have ice cream?”

“I’m undead, Hündchen, not in zhe grave. Tell me, vhat is zhe point of our afterlives if ve cannot have a little treat every now and zhen?”

((End of Part 20. Thanks for reading! This one was more setup for the next few parts, but soon there will be a bit more “stuff” happening.

Link to Part 21: Coffee with a Dash of Honesty.

Tagging: @silver-owl413 @skyewardlight @withjust-a-bite @blackaquokat @catgirlwarrior @neverisadork @luna1350 @oh-so-creepy @weirdfoxalley @95fangirl @lilalovesinternet-l @thepoolofthedead @a-bit-dapper @randomartdudette @geekymushroom @cactipresident @hotcocoachia @purple-anxiety-blog @shyinspiredartist @avispate @missksketch @autumnrambles @authorracheljoy @liafoxyfox ))

[beerecordings]

20. “Bud, you can’t rest yet. Keep your eyes open.", writer's choice of characters and universe?

Sid ol buddy ol pal of course what an excellent prompt I may have written way too much but it is what it is and please enjoy my friend. Op definitely didn’t need to come after Marvin again but go off I guess, me

20. “Bud, you can’t rest yet. Keep your eyes open.”

They’re going to betortured.

It’s obvious. Ducttape and rope on the desk. Pliers, belts, buckets, rebar rods, and ahose beside them. A drain on the floor.

Marvin hisses lowthrough his teeth, glaring at the pane of one-way glass thatseparates him from his enemies. Chase sinks lower in his arms, hidinghis face against his shoulder, and Marvin grips him tight, running asoothing hand through his hair, guilt and fury pooling, tepid, in hisstomach.

This is his fault.He wasn’t careful enough. How long had they been tracking him for? Heshould have known. He should have seen. He should never have stoppedhis tarot card readings, never mind that they made him “edgy” or“paranoid” or “restlessly desperate to change the course of thefuture” in the words of a certain familiar doctor. He’d rather beparanoid than snatched off the street with his little brother in tow.They thought he was Jackie. It’s not fair. It’s not his fault. Marvinsets his chin on Chase’s head, his blue eyes flashing.

“Holy shit, holyshit, holy shit,” Chase is groaning through gritted teeth. There’sblood on his face from the blow that knocked him unconscious. Marvincan hardly bear how angry it makes him. He concentrates hard on thedoor, trying his best to set it on fire, but his magic is wild andundirectable without his playing cards, and apparently he’s gotnothing to give right now.

It’s just him. It’sjust him and his Chase.

“You’re going tobe okay,” he tells his little brother.

His voice is cooland clipped. He strokes his thumb across the back of Chase’s neck.

“I’m sorry I’m acoward,” Chase whispers. “I’m sorry I’m not Jackie.”

Marvin decides notto tell him that if he were Jackie they’d both be dead already.

“You’re not acoward. Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to let them hurt you.”

Correction: he’sgoing to be tortured.

But not Chase.

Not Chase.

Alright.Marvin cracks his neck and growls as the door clicks open, hiscanines sharp in his mouth. Let’s do this. Not my firsttime around this track. They don’t call me magnificent for nothing.Pain’s just neurons. Torture’s just weakness made into violence. Andblood is just blood.

“I’m going to askyou one more time,” says the man with the belt.

He has a face likea rat and his eyes are the color of sludge and Marvin hates him.

“Where’s the BlueMask?”

Marvin spits bloodand draws his mouth into a smile that snarls. “Probably gettingmore of your buddies incarcerated, Markowitz. Face it, jerk-off –your organization’s crashing down around you and all it took was meand my brother running around in capes and masks to send it intodeath throes.”

The belt comes forhis face this time, and the sting is worse than any bug or needle,sending hot red agony through Marvin’s cheek, as though he’d beenbranded by iron. He can’t hold back a scream.

“Leave him thefuck alone!” screams Chase, tied to a chair in the corner. “Leavehim alone, let us go! When my brother finds you, you’re going to wishyou were never born!”

Yes, Jackie will beangry. Marvin smirks up at his captor, who returns his look with aglare to melt winters. Marvin understands that he is looking at amurderer.

“My brother’sgoing to kill you,” he announces, sing-song. “The Blue Mask iscoming, he’s coming! Oh, Mr. Markowitz, pray to your gods and settleyour debts, my brother is coming.”

Markowitz drawsback the belt and Marvin flinches, but the blow never falls. Instead,his captor leans down and reaches out, gripping Marvin’s chin tightenough to bruise and locking their gazes together.

“You are a boldthing, aren’t you, White Cat?”

He has an accentMarvin can’t place. Markowitz is one of a dozen names he goes by.They’ve been tracking him for weeks, and Marvin knows he ought to beafraid. This is a crime boss, not a late-night mugger with a shakygun, and the things Marvin knows he’s done – they aren’t pretty.

“Well, we’llfigure out a way to get what we need.”

“Fuck you,”Marvin snaps.

“Sothis is one of your brothers, huh? Twins, that’s cute. What’s yourname, kid?”

“Don’tlook at him,” snarls Marvin, watching him turn to Chase.

“Yeah,don’t look at me.” Chase is emboldened by his brother’s ferocity.Markowitz steps forward and Chase does his utmost not to tremble.

“I’mguessing you know where the Blue Mask is, don’t you, twin?”

Ittakes Chase too long to get the word “no” out. Markowitz laughs.

“You’lltell us, little man. No doubt about that.”

“I’llnever tell you anything.” Chase struggles against the ropes on hiswrists. “I’ll die first.”

He’snot stupid. He understands the consequences of telling them justfine. With the element of surprise over Jackie, they’d swarm into thehouse and kill him, and Jameson, and Henrik, and if they didn’t findJack, there’d be no one to care for him and he’d die in his sleepanyway. No, Chase needs Jackie to find them, to save them. He knowsthat he will. He trusts his big brother. He’s never let him downbefore.

Healso understands the consequences of his refusal. If he’s going to betortured – fine, torture him. He’s scared, but he’s determined.Their lives are not a fair trade for his own.

Hisbrothers are all that matters.

Markowitzstands back, looming over him like a monolith. “Nah, kiddo,” hesays, reaching into his suit jacket to get a cigarette. “You’re notgoing to die. Tell you what, twin, I promise right now I won’t lay adamn hand on you. But your brother’s not getting off that easy. I’llbeat him to shit, torture him until he’s begging me to end hismiserable life, and then we’ll see how eager the two of you are totell me where the Mask is.”

Markowitzturns to the one-way glass, lighting fire between his teeth. “Getin here and truss this little brat up like a carcass in a meatfridge. I think we’re going to have to cancel all the cat-naps fromhere on out. Hope you got a good night’s sleep, kitty. You’re notgoing to get another one ever again.”

Ah,Marvin realizes, his heart fluttering in his chest. Sleepdeprivation.

Thisis going to be fun.

Theyset up a little cot for Chase. Clear the room of their weapons andeven bring them both water and a little food when a few hours havepassed.

ButMarvin doesn’t get to be relieved.

He’stied up, hanging by his wrists from the ceiling, and fuck, these guysmust be experts, because he can tell they’ve hit specific pressurepoints just to make it as painful as possible. His whole body acheswithin five minutes of being hung up like this. After hours, it’sbecome a steady and horrible fire throughout his bones, and if hedoesn’t keep his head lifted and his toes on the ground, pain becomesexcruciation. He shakes like a shot fox, panting just to make hischest move, reciting poetry in his head to give him anything to focuson besides the hurt.

“Howare you doing?” asks Chase, softly.

He’snot allowed to touch him. They found that out pretty quickly. Forevey place where Chase tried to support his body, soothe his wounds,or give him physical comfort, there is the bright red band of thebelt striking Marvin’s body.

“Okay,”Marvin says, clearing his throat and opening his eyes. Chase sits athis feet, pale and anxious. “I’ve always wanted the full piñataexperience.”

“Wow.”Chase is trying not to laugh. Marvin’s just glad to see the blood’sbeen wiped off his face. “The sarcasm.”

“I’mnot sarcastic ever, Chase. Will you get me some more water?”

Chasehurries to his feet and brings back a paper cup full of water,lifting it to his brother’s mouth. It hurts to swallow.

“Marv?”asks Chase.

“Yes,honey.”

“Howlong do you think it will take Jackie to find us?”

Marvinswallows again and does his best to lift his head up. He smiles.

“Notlong, right? You know Jackie. Probably about to burst through thatdoor any minute now.”

Buthe doesn’t.

Thenight passes.

Marvindoes not sleep.

Marvin spits waterfrom his mouth, vomit rising up with it. His soaked hair hangs downaround his head and his whole body drizzles chilly water.

“You want to goto sleep? You want a break? Just tell me where the Mask is, kitten.”

He’s been up forwhat, about thirty-six hours? Please. Like that’s going to break him.

They spray him withthe hose again and Marvin grits his teeth down on a scream, his bodyjerking uselessly against the ropes. The pressure on the water ishigh enough to leave marks across his body, patterning his black andpurple bruises with red.

Chase has longsince given up shouting at them to stop. He sits huddled in thecorner, his hands tied up, gripping anxiously at his clothes,refusing to cry. Occasionally, Markowitz’s men turn to smile at him,to see him in distress, but all he does is glare back, his mouth setand his eyes angry.

Marvin doesn’ttalk. They fuck with him for hours. He chants Angelou to himself andrefuses to scream.

“Where’s yourbrother?” they ask.

He lifts his eyesup to them, smiling. “Did you want to see me broken?” he recitessweetly. “Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down liketeardrops, weakened by my soulful cries?”

“Shut this kidup,” groans one of the men. They come forward with duct tape.

“Does myhaughtiness offend you? Don’t you take it awful hard ‘cause I laughlike I got gold mines – ”

They tape hismouth. He laughs beneath the gag and closes his eyes as the pressurehits him again and again, singing freedom poetry in his head.

That’s how theykeep him up the second night, the cold water striking him like fireagain and again and again. Chase tries to stay awake, as he stayedawake the first night, to give his brother some comfort, but hecollapses into unconsciousness on his little cot around four in themorning, and when he wakes up at noon, Jackie has still not come.

And Marvin hasstill not slept.

“He must not beable to find us,” Chase whimpers, pacing in front of Marvin,playing with his hands.

Marvin groans,trying to order his thoughts. It’s becoming increasingly hard tothink. He doesn’t know why they’re doing anything they’re doing. Hejust wants to go to bed. “No, he’ll find us,” he manages, tryingto set his head down, only to be reminded of the horrible pain of theropes tying him up. “This guy’s good, that’s all. But Jackie knowshis trade, he’ll find us.”

“I’ve got to dosomething.” Marvin thinks Chase is probably talking more to himselfthan to him, but he’s just grateful to listen to his voice. “Ican’t just sit here while they torture you. I’ve got to get you somesleep. I’ve got to get you out of here.”

“Chase,” Marvinsays. He squints his eyes, pausing. It is Chase, right? For a secondhe looked like Henrik. Fuck, he’d give anything to have Henrik hereright now, to take him down off the ropes and make all the pain stop.No, but then Henrik would have to be tortured too. Anyway, this isChase. What were they talking about?

“Can’t you usesome magic, Marv?” Chase pleads, pausing in his pacing to stepclose. He glances at the one-way glass, wishing he could see wherehis enemies were so he could sneak a few minutes of support forMarvin’s body. “Fire or mind tricks or even some plants just tofreak them out?”

Magic, right.That’s his thing. Like in Dickinson: ‘To Tomes of solid Witchcraft –Magicians be asleep – But Magic hath an Element Like Deity – tokeep – ’

“Marv!” Chasebrings him back to reality and his eyes flutter open. “Bud, yougotta stay with me. If they see you falling asleep they’ll come inhere and spray you with that fucking hose again.”

“Right,” humsMarvin, refocusing. “Sorry, man, I – I need my cards. Magic hasan element… it’s so wild without my cards, I can’t just lash out oryou’ll get hurt too.”

Marvin becomesdistantly aware that Chase is crying. Distress jolts him back toattention. “Oh, don’t cry, Little Dipper. It’s going to be okay.”

“It’s been almostthree days and you haven’t slept.” Chase’s mouth trembles. “Iwish they would give me a turn so you could have a break.”

“No, I don’t wantthat. I don’t…” Well, he would like some sleep. But not atChase’s expense.

“Maybe I couldtalk to them. Get you a break. Maybe I could – fuck, I don’t know.I’ll figure something out. I’ll – ”

Something moves inthe corner of Marvin’s vision and he jerks in his ropes, turningtowards the movement, but whatever it was has already stopped moving.Chase is still talking, but Marvin can’t even hear him over thepounding of his heart.

He could have swornthat, just for an instant, he caught a glimpse of Antisepticeye.

He can’t stay awakeeven with the ropes. He can’t stay awake even with the water. They’veslapped him, struck him, beat him, turned his legs blue from kicks, and still he is heavy, heavy, heavy. How long has he been up for? There isno light in their basement cell and time is now marked in Chasesleeping and bursts of intensity within the constant pain.

He’s given up ontrying not to scream. Sometimes he screams just when he’s alone withChase, because he’s scared and exhausted and he might be losing hismind. It makes Chase cry. He hates that, but he can’t think clearlyenough to offer him any comfort.

Markowitz comes inpersonally again on Marvin’s fifth day of consciousness. In his hand,there is a shock rod, the kind ranchers use to drive their cattle.“Hi there, boys,” he says, flicking it on and stepping close toMarvin. He hasn’t bothered to tie Chase up again, and the littlebrother stands before his friend, his eyes narrow and full of hatred.

“I hear the cat’sbeen yowling,” says Markowitz, grinning brightly. “You ready totalk, White Cat?”

Marvin swallowspainfully. His body shakes. He can’t find the right answer. He wantsto say “yes,” but then again, he’s lost track of what thequestion was to begin with.

“No?” humsMarkowitz. “You don’t know? How about you, twin? Just tell me whereBlue is and I’ll let your buddy here lay down right there on that cotand get a good night’s sleep. Won’t touch either of you again. It’llall be over.”

Jackie and Henrikand Jamie and Sean. Jackie and Henrik and Jamie and Sean. “I’llnever tell you anything,” Chase hisses, but his fury is dimmed byhis watering eyes.

Markowitz shrugs,turning on the shock rod. “You will eventually,” he says, in atone like they’re discussing a board meeting this afternoon. “Someoneget in here and tie this kid up.”

Marvin’s head keepsdrooping down, his eyes fluttering shut. Every time, he gets a shock,and every time, he screams. Chase has begun screaming with him,protest and cursing and words of comfort for his brother, but none ofit helps, none of it changes anything at all; he’s never felt sohelpless in his entire life –

Markowitz shockshis brother again and Marvin screams, blue lines of bruisingapparating where the blow falls on his bare ribs.

“No more!”Marvin screams, his eyes rolling wildly in his head. He thrashes likehe’s in his death throes, blood trickling down from his over-burdenedwrists. “No more! Please! No more! Please! No – ”

“Where’s yourbrother?” Markowitz snarls. “Tell me and I’ll end it.”

“Leave himalone!” Chase howls.

“My brother –my brother – here and there and everywhere.” Marvin groans andshakes, yanking, yanking, yanking on the ropes. “My brother –which brother, I have so many.”

“The Blue Mask,”growls Markowitz. “Where is he?”

“He – he –our little house – ” Marvin pauses, breathing low and heavy. Oncemore, he drags his proud head up, and he looks his enemy in the eye.“Where’s my brother? Don’t you know? Already on his way here,coward.”

Markowitz strikeshim so savagely that Marvin’s head snaps back and his whole bodyweight crashes onto the ropes, accompanied by a dull popping sound inhis right shoulder. Marvin’s mouth opens in an agony, his eyesburning a little bit too blue to be human, and he lets out a cry likea dog on the hunt. “Pain is just neurons!” he shrieks, and thegrass that encircles the building that holds them begins to lengthen.Dandelions shove against cold concrete, threatening to break throughthe floor. “Torture is just weakness made into violence! And bloodis just blood!”

Fire explodesacross the floor of the cell and now it is Markowitz’s turn toscream, a cry of shock at the flames come to life around him. There’shollering in the next room over and extra men dart into the room,startled into action.

With the hose inthe room, it doesn’t actually take them long to put the fire out.Markowitz is coughing and the room is full of smoke, but the onlydamage done is across Chase’s calf, where his flesh is badly burned.He toppled his chair in his panic, and he lies across the floor, histeeth gritted hard and tears leaking from his eyes.

In the middle of itall, hanging from the ceiling from blood-stained wrists and adislocated shoulder, his body contorted into an unending agony,Marvin is asleep.

Markowitz, stillspitting out curses and trying to shake off his terror, comes forwardwith the shock rod again.

“No,” criesChase hoarsely. “No.”

“All you have todo to make it stop,” Markowitz hisses out, shaking with fury. “Istell me where your brother is.”

“I can’t,”Chase sobs. “No, no, no.”

Marvin flickersback to consciousness. His dull eyes lock absently onto Chase’s, andbeneath his breath, he whispers Whitman.

“'Touch me,‘”he says, drifting. “'Touch the palm of your hand to my body as Ipass.‘”

“I’ll keep himawake,” Chase promises, looking up at Markowitz. “Just let metouch him and I’ll keep him awake.”

Markowitz regainscontrol of himself and the situation. A low smile grows dark on hismouth.

“Well, twin,”he says. “I think that sounds like a lot of fun.”

They untie Chaseand they set a bucket on a table beneath Marvin’s face. If his headfalls too far, he will drown. Chase limps over to his brother andlets his head fall against his shoulder, weeping.

“'Don’t be afraidof my body.‘” Marvin intones gently.

From then on, he ishaunted.

From then on, he ismad.

He screams andthrashes. Chase does his best to keep him calm, but there’s not muchuse.

“Stay away fromme!” he screams in his delirium, and his eyes glow but no powercomes. He’s too exhausted, too distressed, too confused. “You thinkyou get to touch me, glitch? Stay away, stay away, stay away!”

“It’s me!”Chase begs him to recognize him. “It’s me, please, Marv, it’s okay,it’s okay. Anti’s not going to hurt you. Here I am.”

He strokes his hairand brings him water and tries to keep him awake as gently as he can,but there’s no gentle options left. He’s been awake for a week and heis collapsing in on himself, shaking and moaning and crying, cryingalmost constantly. Chase doesn’t think he’s even aware of it.

“Chase, Chase,it’s just neurons!”

“Okay, buddy,okay. Come here, stay awake.”

“It’s justweakness!”

“I know. I’msorry, Marv, I’m so sorry. Bud, you can’t rest yet. Keep your eyesopen.”

“It’s just –it’s just – I want Jackie.” He bursts into sobbing. His face iswhite as a desert cloud and his eyes are shadowed so heavy in purplehe looks like someone tried to use watercolors to paint him.

“Me too,”whimpers Chase, pushing back his hair.

Marvin’s headcollapses down into the bucket and Chase yelps, rescuing his facefrom the water. His eyes are rolled back in his head and his face isslack. He keeps dropping into these deep but second-long sleeps.Chase shakes him, but he doesn’t wake.

“I’m sorry, I’msorry, I’m sorry,” Chase cries. If he doesn’t keep him awake,Markowitz will do it will water and electricity. This is the onlyway. This is the only thing he can do. Keep Marvin awake and hopethat Jackie will come.

Chase slaps Marvinhard across the face.

He’s saving Henrik.

Or was it Jack?

He’s savingsomeone. That must be it. That must be how he came to be here.Otherwise, he would never have ended up in Anti’s grip. He wouldnever have let the demon get him otherwise. He would never have letsomeone sneak up on him and steal him away. He’s a magician. He’spowerful. Anti just got lucky. Marvin just got lazy. Pain is justneurons. Torture is just weakness in violence. Blood is just –

“Stay awake,”Anti croons, low and sweet, his green eyes glittering in thedarkness. He strikes Marvin sharply, sending pain bursting throughhis face.

“Fucker,”Marvin chokes out, in a voice weak and rasping, and Anti laughs.

Oh, he reallydoesn’t feel well. He really, really doesn’t feel well. His wholebody’s on fire and his brain – why can’t he think straight? Whycan’t he think at all?

“Why don’t youjust tell me what I want to know?” Anti asks. He steps back,towards a table, and picks up a knife, big and serrated, made forhunting and skinning deer or foxes. Marvin whimpers, terror drawinghim back to consciousness. “This can all be over.”

“I don’t knowwhat you want,” Marvin says, and he realizes he is crying, heavyand pathetic, snot and tears running down his bruised, exhaustedface. “Chase knows, ask him. Please don’t hurt me. I can’t – Ican’t – Where’s Jackie?”

“I was wonderingthe same thing.” Anti shrugs, looking almost mournful. “Whydoesn’t he come? Why doesn’t he save you? Doesn’t he know I’m aboutto tear your flesh off?”

Marvin weeps.Marvin weeps. Someone touches him. Someone holds him.

“I’m right here,”whispers Chase, warm and close. “I’m right here, I’m right here,I’m right.”

“Please,”Marvin begs. He doesn’t know who he’s begging. He doesn’t know wherehe is or why this is happening. “Please, make this stop.”

“I can’t, I’m sosorry.”

“Chase,” hegroans. “Chase, tell them what they want to know.”

“No, no, pleasedon’t say that, you know that I can’t – ”

“I need you tomake this stop!” Marvin wails. “I need you, why won’t you helpme?”

Chase’s answer isdistant and incomprehensible. Reality has betrayed him. Chase hasbetrayed him.

“Bastard,” hespits out. “You’re with them, aren’t you?”

“No, no, Marv,you know I wouldn’t do that.”

“You won’t helpme. I thought we were brothers. I’ve held you through your suicidedays. I’ve loved you since the day you were created. Why are youdoing this to me? Why won’t you let me sleep? Chase, please, please.Chase, I’m begging you. Little brother. Little brother.”

“It’s all goingto be okay soon. We’re going to be okay once Jackie comes. We’regoing to be okay.”

“Fuck, I hate youso fucking much. Don’t you dare lay a goddamn finger on me. Littletraitor! Little brat!”

“No, no, please,I love you.”

“Oh, honey, isthat my little brother? Chaser, Chasey. I love you too, I love you somuch. Oh, I burned you – I didn’t mean to, I’m so sorry. Where arewe, Chase? Can we go home? I’m so so tired, Little Dipper.”

Desperate, Chaserisks supporting his body for a few minutes, and Marvin makes a noiseof pure relief and falls asleep against his head. The punishment forthose short minutes comes from one of Markowitz’s workers, who comesin, shoves Chase away, and, coolly and efficiently, shocks Marvin atthe bottom of his throat until his whole collarbone is black.

And still, Jackiedoes not come.

“Thinking,tangling shadows in the deep solitude,” Marvin whispers on dayeight. “You are far away too, oh, farther than anyone.”

It’s Neruda, a poetfor love and revolution. Chase wonders if it’s better to let him stayin his head or to try and draw him out. In the end, he only standsbefore him, soft and resolute, and tells him, again and again, “I’mright here, buddy.”

“Your presence isforeign, as strange to me as a thing. The shout facing the sea, amongthe rocks, running free, mad, in the sea-spray.”

“I’m right here,Marv. I’m not going anywhere.”

“The sad rage,the shout, the solitude of the sea!” Marvin’s voice breaks and hishead drops down. Chase, eyes dripping, reaches out and lifts up hischin, brings him back to awakeness, to life.

“You have to staywith me,” Chase weeps, touching his face. “Jackie’s coming soon.”

“It collapses,crackling. Fire, fire,” says Marvin, and then finishes the poem,his blue eyes dead and unseeing: “Who are you? Who are you?”

Chase cries for along time.

“He’s coming,”he promises Marvin. He has to give him hope. He has to keep himawake. He has to trust in his brothers. “Jackie’s coming soon.Jackie’s on his way.”

He is.

He’s coming.

He’s angry.

Markowitz crashesinto the room and Chase is up, on his feet, immediately, standingprotective in front of his brother, holding up his head.

Markowitz holds agun.

“Move,” heorders shortly, flicking the gun to the side. “Now. Unless you wantto get shot too.”

Upstairs, there iscrashing and the shouting of frightened thugs. It makes Chase laugh,wild, almost hysterical. He understands that Jackie has come.

“He found you!”he cries, pressing his head against Marvin’s and letting his brothertumble into sleep against his shoulder. “We told you, didn’t we? Wetold you he’d come. We told you we’d tell you nothing. And you wantto spend your last moments of life killing somebody you’ve alreadytortured for days? Fuck, I hope God is real so he can damn you. Iguess I used to think Hell was like all that fire and brimstonebullshit, but now I know different.”

Markowitz breatheshard. His finger on the trigger. His pupils blown wide. The smell ofhis terror is delicious.

“Hell is beingkept awake,” says Chase simply, closing his eyes and listening tothe sound of Marvin breathing, slow and steady. “And you, Mr.Markowitz, are never going to sleep again.”

The gun goes offand Chase waits to die.

But the bulletnever hits its mark.

Instead, it sitssuspended in the air, unmoving, between Chase and his enemy, asthough time has stopped for the fiery piece of iron.

“What the fuck?”whispers Markowitz. He stares at the bullet, his jaw hanging open,until a small cough makes him whirl around.

Jameson stands inthe doorway of the room, looking dapper in a blood-stained suitstraight out of the 1920s. He smiles coldly, holding up his littlewatch.

Then he pulls out aknife and steps forward.

Markowitz aims thegun again. Chase laughs to see just how unimpressed his littlebrother looks. “You really should have gotten the hint about myfamily when Marvin set this fucking room on fire spontaneously,” hesnarks, reaching out towards Jameson. His little brother tosses him aspare knife obediently and Chase, with a relief so powerful it makeshis chest burn, begins to cut Marvin down. “We’re not reallynormal. And now, we’re going to make you pay.”

Jackie appears inthe door beside Jameson, dropping the body he was dragging from hishand. Behind him, face covered, Henrik holds a dripping scalpel inthe darkness.

Markowitz pays.

Chase shouldprobably feel guilty for how much he enjoys seeing him suffer, but hedoesn’t.

Marvin sleepsthrough the whole thing. Through the fight, through Jackie running tohim, through everyone circled around them, distraught and worried.Through police sirens and a hospital visit. Sleeps and sleeps andsleeps.

It’s wonderful.

He wakes up towarmth.

Warmth and comfort.

He’s back home, inhis own bed, a pack of cards lying on the table beside him, plants blooming all around him and the windows open to the summerbreeze. There’s a sticky note pressed against the wall above hishead, covered in Jackie’s messy handwriting.

“I’m right in myroom if you need anything. Henrik’s watching out for you too. You’regoing to be okay. I’m sorry I wasn’t there then. I’m here now. I loveyou.”

Marvin smiles.Memories of what happened can wait. For now, he lies in warmth andcomfort, dazed with fatigue and contentment.

Chase lies besidehim, breathing slow and steady. Safe and whole and courageous.

Marvin curls up at his side, andhe goes back to sleep.

[musical-in-theory]

Magnificently Malcontent Pt 12

Marvin swayed on his feet. His body ached, and pain continuously shot up from his feet like a constant lightning bolt. He had been preparing the ritual for the past two days. It would have taken much less time to complete if the mute hadn’t found them too early and caused him and his master to relocate.

    Something itched in the back of Marvin’s head when he thought about how the youngest ego found them. It felt as if he had forgotten something very important, but it was just outside of his reach. He shook the thought from his head. His master had already told him to ignore that feeling, that it was dangerous to indulge.

    Marvin walked around the sigil he had repainted on the floor of the new hideout to put the finishing touches on it. Everything was perfect and in its correct place. Anti would be pleased. He looked around for him, but remembered he was out on business that he wouldn’t share with Marvin.

    His shoulders slumped with the realization of just how tired he was. The magician hadn’t had any free time since he’d been taken by Anti in a long time. Marvin took another step and collapsed to the floor as his legs gave out beneath him. Marvin cried out, “Damnit! As if I couldn’t get any more useless!” He slammed his fist against the ground and held back frustrated tears.

    The magician took a deep breath and scooted himself over to the nearest wall. As he leaned up against the worn exposed brick, he closed his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. His tired hand ran over the rough edges of his cards. Marvin opened his eyes in surprise. He had completely forgotten about his tarot cards. He took the deck out and fanned it out before him. The familiar feel of the sleek plastic and buzz of energy radiating from them comforted the magician.

    “I suppose a small reading couldn’t hurt. I can’t really do anything else until Anti gets back anyways.” Marvin mumbled to himself and then laughed bitterly, “I can’t really do anything.” Marvin crossed his legs and tried to sit a bit straighter. He stacked the cards and began shuffling them with an expertise that came from years of dealing with them.

    The sound of cards hitting against cards echoed through the room and filled Marvin’s ears. It was so similar to the constant static that had been following Marvin around, and yet it was completely different. Both left him feeling relaxed and comforted. However, the static was dull and warm and soft. It carried everything away from him, every problem, every worry. The cards were sharp and cold like an ice bath. They shot through his senses and connected him to all the energy the universe provided. It shocked and excited and… itched.

    A hazy memory dragged itself to the forefront of his mind. It was of himself surrounded by 4 figures, their faces blurred out. He was giving them a tarot reading with these same cards. He flipped over a card, the Fool. One of the figures in front of him seemed to take mock offense to the card as the others laughed. Marvin laughed alongside them- the memory glitched- him. There was only one figure now. His face was clear as day. It was Anti, only Anti. Had… hadn’t there been others just a moment ago? No. No, Marvin would’ve remembered.

    Marvin shook his head again. It didn’t matter. He’d feel much better after a reading. At least he hoped so. Marvin took a cleansing breath and shook off any negative energy he had been feeling. He pushed all of his focus and internal energy into the cards and a question. It was a question he hadn’t voiced for fear of invoking his master’s wrath. What’s missing?

    Marvin flipped over the first card. The two of cups, the doctor’s card. Marvin scrunched up his nose. Was he sick? Why would a doctor be missing? He thought maybe the next card would help clarify, but he turned over Justice. Normally he would associate this card with so-called heroes, but that made even less sense than the two of cups. The only connection the two have are that they can represent people who save others. Marvin doesn’t need saving! He’s fine where he is.

    Marvin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. One more card. He flipped over another. This time it was the five of pentacles. This card represented strained relationships often resulting in depression and hopelessness. Marvin was tempted to throw his cards in frustration. None of this made sense. A doctor, a hero, a lover’s quarrel. These cards didn’t apply to him! They applied to… An enraged expression passed over the magician’s face. These cards applied to the men chasing Anti and him. Why the hell were the cards pointing towards his enemies? Perhaps they meant that the “missing” feeling won’t go away until they are defeated? Yes, that had to be it.

    Marvin went to put away his deck, but was stopped by a change in the cards’ energy. It was pulling his hand towards another card in the deck. The High Priestess. This card was special to Marvin. Not only was it a card that was close to his own card, the Magician, but it also grounded him. It represented the inner voice and a wise soul. Marvin laid it down beside the other three cards and felt a rogue tear slip down the side of his face. His hand lingered on the last card.

    All of his frustration and anger fizzled out and dissipated. The dull ache of exhaustion returned in its stead, accompanied by a new mental fatigue. Sweet darkness began to envelope him as his eyes shut, and his head dipped down and rested on his chest. The last thing Marvin saw before sleep overtook him was a light glow emanating from the four cards in front of him.

    Marvin suddenly found himself in a dense fog. He could hardly see his own hands a foot away from his face. It didn’t help that there was only a dim light overhead casting everything in eerie glow. He picked himself up off of the ground expecting his leg to scream at him, but it was completely fine. In fact all of his previous pain had vanished.

    He picked a direction and started walking, trying to find anything that would lead him to answers. After what felt like an hour, Marvin stumbled upon a new scene. The fog opened up to show his bedroom, exactly as he left it. Everything was in its place, and everything was neat and tid- the scene glitched. Abruptly the setting shifted to that of a chaotic mess. Scorch marks on the walls and floor, and broken glass and mirror shards scattered among various tomes and scrolls on the ground, In the middle of the wreckage was the magician himself with strings strangling his body. It looked as if he was caught in a web.

    Marvin tried to look away. His hazy mind tried to justify what he saw in any way possible, but even he couldn’t deny what those strings were. They were Anti’s. Marvin’s breathing picked up as his heart raced. His master wouldn’t. Marvin was with him because he wanted to be. This was Marvin’s choice, wasn’t it?

    That’s when the voices started. Marvin heard himself first. His enraged voice echoed throughout with cries of frustration and panic. He heard every excuse he gave to his brothers, every slam of his door. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. It felt wrong. Then he heard Anti. At first Marvin was relieved. Anti was here to save him. But then he heard the glitch’s persuasions. He listened as Anti pushed him to go deeper into dark magic and how he was the one to lead him away from his family. Finally he heard his own agreement to become a puppet and the tightening of his strings. Marvin felt sick. It sounded like the tightening of a noose.

    His legs felt weak. Marvin backed himself into a corner of the room and slid to the ground. His mind spiraled. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t real. Where was the static? He needed it. It would make all of this go away. Marvin buried his head into his hands and curled into a ball. “Someone, please. Please save me.” he whimpered.

    Another figure emerged from the fog. He took in the scene slowly and scanned over every detail. The figure shivered as he listened to the audio replaying over and over again. Once his eyes landed to the quaking mess in the corner of the room, he rushed over to it. Marvin felt the man’s hands lay on his shoulders. He flinched away from the touch, scared it would be just another trick of this place.

    The stranger stepped back for a moment, but then he tried again, this time using his hands to coax the magician to look up at him. Marvin slowly peered over his arms and stared at the man. He looked like he was about Marvin’s age. He was dressed in a blue vest and a bowler hat. Marvin cringed a bit at the style. He had a bushy mustache and monocle resting on his face. The stranger seemed familiar to him, but he wasn’t sure why.

Then the fog cleared. “Jameson,” Marvin choked out. His little brother. His best friend. Everything came flooding back to the magician. His memories of his old life and his family and- and… and what he did.

Jameson smiled brightly as he heard Marvin say his name. “I’m here Marvin. I found a way to reach you using the dream link you set up, remember? The one that helped me after I kept having nightmares of Anti.” JJ signed slowly. Marvin flinched again when he saw him sign that name. “The others didn’t think it would work anymore, but I just knew it would. I’m here to help you come home.” JJ started to reach towards Marvin, but the magician shoved him away.

“You need to leave, J. You need to go away and stay away. I did this. I’m a danger to the family. I-I’m no better than Anti.” Marvin got up and began walking back the way he came. He knew that if he left with JJ that the glitch would come after all of them. Marvin caused this mess. He was the one that had to deal with the consequences.

Marvin stopped when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He spun around and saw JJ with tears in his eyes. “No! Stop! That’s not you talking. That’s Anti. Come home, please! You can beat him. You can do anything. You’re Marvin the Magnificent.”

Marvin wanted to believe that everything would be alright. He really did. He wanted to go home and pretend that none of this ever happened, but that wasn’t reality. Reality was that he was a screw-up. He was dangerous. Magnificent? More like malfunctioning. “I’m sorry JJ. Just forget about me. Tell our brothers that I’m sorry for everything and that I love them so much. I have to go back. Anti is probably waiting to punish me for falling asleep. Goodbye.”

Marvin turned on his heel, not daring to look back at his sobbing brother. JJ didn’t deserve this, but Marvin did.

The magician woke back up in the same position he fell asleep in. He tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes, but felt tears instead. This puzzled him. Why had he been crying? What happened? Marvin quickly dismissed the questions. Questions were dangerous. Questions got him punished. He pushed himself off of the ground and limped back over to the sigil. There was work to do before his master got back.

As quick as it left, the fog returned and the strings tightened.

Thanks for reading everyone! I think this series will be coming to a close soon. I have big plans for the finale. Unfortunately I’ll be gone for two weeks. Love you all!

Taglist:

@beerecordings @rachelclutch @egopocalypse @hexatrash @nikkilbook @egos-n-others @antibeaneverybody @whydoilovesomanyvillians @aether-mae @the-rampaige

[straypuppet]

Marvin and I sat there for hours, until finally, he broke the silence:

"You're so strong."

"What?" I gave him a crazy look.

"No, no. I mean your soul. You're very strong willed, It takes alot for someone to break you."

"Thanks Marvin, but are we doing a tarot reading or figuring out how the hell to get out of here?"

"Right." He got up and walked to the door, trying to open it. 

"That's what i figured you'd do.. Asshole." Marvin said under his breath.

"It's locked from the other side, Kerrigan."

"Can you use your magic to break the lock?" 

"Let me see..' Marvin said as he concentrated.

'Got it! Let's get out of here!"

"Here, Marvin.. could you please help me with Henrik? I can't carry him, and I think it'd be better if I was in front." I said.

"I know it's a stupid question, but why do you need to be in front?"

"Because..' I almost yelled in Marvin's face. '..I don't want you or Henrik to be hurt."

He stared at me for a minute, but finally agreed to my plan.

———―————————―—————

About thirty minutes passed before my head started hurting and my ears began to ring. I hissed as Marvin gave me a worried look. 

"He knows we got out.." he whispered to me.

I winced again. "I figured.."

Suddenly, I heard His voice in my head: 

"I like you, puppet. You're very strong willed. You remind me of one of my others. I've heard that 'he may be a puppet, but he's not one willingly.' Have you heard this before?"

I smirked. "Yes, Sir.. I have heard that.. and I stand by Jameson."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Sir. I stand by all of them."

He was silent for a moment, then He laughed. 

"Why don't I give you a real test?"

"Try me."

His laughter filled my head again. 

"Fine. If you're as strong as you say.."

"then save them, puppet."

[musingsofmessa]

1. I found out about the egos recently (maybe a couple months back). It was Anti first, and I thought he was the only one. Then I found out about the others (Chase, Schneep, Dapper, Jackie, and Marvin).

2. My favorite ego is Anti, and I'm not sure why. I think what drew me to him was his sound design and the glitchy effects. I also think there's something kinda... attractive about him. Again, I'm not sure why that is. I think Anti feels excluded for all the wrong reasons. I'd give him all the attention in the world if I could.

3. Yes, I do watch Seán's videos regularly.

4. My favorite ego-centric video has to be "Don't Make Eye Contact/Argentum Inanis." It's very well-edited and I love how it shows most of the egos in the black sphere.

5. My favorite Anti video... That's gonna be a tough one because I love all of them. But my favorite one has to be the PAX East intro before Sean's panel.

6. I never thought I was a theorist, but I'm starting to become one.

7. There's this one theory about "Don't Make Eye Contact/Argentum Inanis" and it mentioned that Marvin may have fucked up and created Anti by mistake (dabbling into dark magic). The black sphere showed all of the egos from different parts in the timeline, and it makes me assume that Marvin saw into the future with that sphere. He may have even saved Chase from being harmed by Anti by teleporting him to the parking garage.

8. Unfortunately, I wasn't part of the Overnight Watch. I wasn't subscribed to Seán's channel at the time, which is why I didn't know about the egos until recently.

9. Yes, I do thirst for Anti. Shh, that'll be our little secret.

10. I associate a couple songs by the artist HURON with Anti - "Wrong Information," "Dark Fields," and "Hunting the Morning Light."

11. Yes, I've written quite a bit of fanfiction that features Anti. I continue to write Anti fanfiction as well.

12. I haven't made edits. But I could try.

EDIT: 12-21-21 I started making edits. 😊

13. My favorite headcanon for Anti is that he sleeps with a plushie at night. I can't remember which tumblr user posted it, but I sleep with a plushie too. Two of them, actually - Mr. Moo (plushie cow) and Jackspedicey (plushie horse).

14. Random headcanon for an ego: Anti uses his knife to stir his coffee in the morning.

15. Yes, I do have some AUs. I have fanfiction written about Anti where he chases me through a never-ending forest, a vampire Anti fanfic, a ghost Anti fanfic. My writing isn't the greatest but one of my favorite Anti works I've done is using tarot cards to write about living in a haunted house (yes, with Anti). Let me know if you want me to post some of my fanfics sometime.

16. I'm not sure I have a favorite community fire. I like all the egos. But yes, my favorite community fire is Anti.

17. I burn in the community fires. I go all out, especially with my theory brain.

18. It actually didn't take me that long to spell Schneeplestein. But I almost always shorthand his name to Schneep. The shorthand of his name kinda sounds like a sheep with a cold, no?

19. I'm not sure who the non-canon egos are. But I'll do some research.

20. Yes, I did pass the test.

21. I'm currently using Glitch Lab to create Anti edits. ☺ Fanfics are on hiatus until I find inspiration.

22. One of my all-time favorite stories is called "Protective" on Wattpad, and it features Seán and Anti. No spoilers, but let me tell you, it's worth the read.

23. Yes, I am a puppet. And it doesn't bother me at all.

💚 Jacksepticeye Egos Ask Game 💚

When did you first find out about the egos?

Which ego is your favourite, and why?

Do you watch Seán’s videos regularly? 

Which ego-centric video is your favourite?

Which video with Anti is your favourite?

Are you a theorist?

Do you have a favourite ego theory?

Were you a part of the Overnight Watch?

Do you thirst for Anti?

What’s a song you associate with an ego?

Have you ever made fanart or fanfiction?

Have you made edits?

Favourite headcanon for an ego?

Random headcanon for an ego?

Do you have an AUs?

Favourite community fire?

Do you warm your hands over community fires or burn in them?

How long did it take you to be able to correctly spell Schneeplestein?

Do you have a favourite non-canon ego?

Did you pass the test?

Do you have any WIPS about the egos? If so, what are you making?

Any ego fic recommendations?

Are you a p̶̝̟͆ǘ̵͈̈́p̵̀p̴͈͔͠e̵͍̓͂t̷̲̍?

[malaika-salaam]

Dust II Onyx Vehicle Spread  (Full Reading)

By Malaika Salaam

You still coming down off the Full Moon in Leo/Super Moon/ Blue Moon/Blood Moon/ Lunar Eclipse? Of course you are because you probably noticed when you looked up in the sky this morning and saw the moon setting that it was still pretty damn full.

I like to remind folks that while the celestial event may only last a moment, the influence of the vent can usually be felt before and after the actual occurrence… I like working in 3′s, so I frequently do ritual 3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after, 7 days total… Y’all know I be #DoinTheMost. Let’s get into the magix of the Vehicle Spread from the Dust II Onyx Guidebook. This is a 10 card pull, where the cards are lay in the shape of  a vehicle “to show what’s going on within, the driving forces that move you, and where your path is headed.”

Position A-Driver- Two of Blades

You are in control of who you are, where you are going, the decisions you make to get there and how you respond. Two of Blades reminds us that thoughts become things and challenges us to think critically about the decisions we make and why. Time to weigh things out and check in with our emotions (energy in motion). When we are aware of what we are feeling, we can assess the data without acting out (literally acting out our unprocessed emotions) and this keeps us in balance.  (There is a whole lot in this reading about balancing.)

“I like the analogy of a vehicle because it allows me to understand and take responsibility for what’s going on in my life.”

 Courtney Alexander, DustIIOnyx Creator

Position B- Guide- Three of Gourds The guiding energy in this position is Universal Love. Yes, The Universe is pouring into us and we are healing individual and collective traumas. It’s not just because it’s January that you are seeing so many coaches and healing groups… No, this isn’t your normal diet and exercise rhetoric. There are more Traditional/Indigenous practices being offered, as well as, Life/Wellness/Spiritual Coaching and Natural/Naturopatic healing. “New Year, New Me” means something different as we awaken to this grand conspiring of The Universe for us to thrive/be well/ whole/healed. This card says “Celebrate Life!” That’s right, even things don’t appear to be GREAT, wait for it… because CELEBRATION is riding shotgun!

A word for 2018 Align and another word Flourish. Marvin Sapp sings “Praise him in advance,” take heed, that is alignment. Don’t wait for it to be GREAT, know that it is GREAT and align yourself with the path to GREATness. Do what it takes to get to all the GREAT that The Universe has for you. Go ahead and shout now,  if you’re lined up! Go ahead and acknowledge how you are getting ready to FLOURISH. 

Positions C & D- Passengers Lil Staff and The Shaman (respectively). Your passengers/backseat drivers are her to influence you. These are the thoughts/ideas/beliefs that we hold, our recordings. “Go left. Go Right. Are we there yet? Why not?” Lil Staff in the C position, right behind The Driver with the eyes of Usian Bolt is a fiery card reminding us to take action toward living our best lives. Court cards can represent people/personality/energy. The energy here is “do what you need to do for you.”  This powerful moon cycle has been a reminder to look at and out for our whole selves, purifying, transforming, and releasing so we can manifest. The D position is The Shaman, that’s right sitting a glance over The Driver’s right shoulder… “Just look over your shoulder honey…” (word to MJ). The Shaman is Ether/Major Arcana, signaling something significant to the soul’s journey. The Shaman says we gotta inward and echoes the sentiment that this is a time for self exploration and assessment. The Shaman says to The Driver, let’s find The  Truth/Your Truth, that’s where you are heading. The Shaman is unafraid of emotions and wants us to get to the true nature of ourselves. Self-awareness keeps us balanced ALIGNMENT. Being in alignment is being in integrity with ourselves. When I taught, we would tell the children, “Integrity is doing what you say you’re going to do, how and when you say you’re going to do it… even when nobody is looking.”

Now here’s where it get interesting because positions E, F, G, & H (the wheels) are reversals by design. The way the cards asked to be interpreted, the message that have to give is hat only The Lovers are inverted because they have specific message for this time. The Front Wheels: Position E- Three of Staffs (Driver Side) The front wheels represent the guiding factors we have some control of. Three of Staffs reminds us to stay true to ourselves/our visions and to (once again) remain in integrity with ourselves. This is how we stay in balance. Additionally, Three of Staff reminds us that we are accountable for staying in integrity with others. When you are out of integrity with others, it is your responsibility to to take look at YOUR attitudes/behaviors/habits/patterns and understand why and possibly change something to reestablish balance.

Position F- Six of Gourds (Passenger Side) Pay attention! This is a time to RELEASE, RECONCILE and BALANCE, BALANCE, BALANCE (got it ?!) Your Ancestors/The Ancestors are here to guide you. When this card comes up in a reading *PAUSE* Take some time to meditate and get grounded in the message The Ancestors have for you. If prayer is asking/giving thanks, then meditation is listening for the answer/response. This card comes up as a reminder to give The Beloved Ancestors some time and conversation. Spend some time at the altar (don’t have one, spend some time creating one). Have a cup of tea or coffee and a conversation. Just speak to them, they have something to say to you. We are never alone, they are always present.

MAJOR 🗝🗝🗝 ALERT

The back wheels are here to push us along.  PAY ATTENTION! These are Ether/Major Arcana/Life Cards!

Position G- 0 The Emerging One (Rear Driver’s Side)

0 is nothing/Everything. The Emerging One represents new birth/fresh starts/new beginnings. Take a moment to get grounded in the purity of a clean slate. Awaken to the newness of things and the room that is created when you get ride of some stuff. But don’t get too caught up in the excitement, take that with you as you move forward. There will always be something new, a new dawn, a new day, perhaps a new life (word to Nina Simone) don’t be distracted by the shininess of NEW. In order to grow, you have to incorporate the new new.

Position H- VI The Lovers (Rear Passenger’s Side- Inverted) I legit love this card, no pun intended. The Lover’s always teaches me something about love and the way things are. The inversion here informs us to be aware about things becoming out of balance with our relationships. More than just romantic love, this card speaks to ALL relationships (family/friends/business). Inversion says keep communication clean and clear to foster balance and unity in our soul journey and encounters with our journey mates. If you should have some resistance, explore where the adjustment needs to be made. Maybe you just need some clarity, maybe you need to completely sever ties. This applies to the parts or yourself that are no longer serving your journey, as well as external relationships. Nature reminds us in the most beauty.full ways how to let dead things go as trees lose their leaves, how to allow time for rest, basking, and the celebration of new life.

Position I & J are The Road 

What’s up ahead and what’s behind or following.

Position I- Four Of Coins (The Road Ahead)

Where you are heading, it’s all good love! Once again I say CELEBRATE! REJOICE! The Four Of Coins says there will be plenty in your storehouse. Be anxious for nothing! SHOUT! Your work, the time, talent, and resources you ave invested; your sound judgment and good stewardship have provided a strong foundation and will provide increase. No need to be greedy or selfish, you will lack no GOOD thing. There is plenty. There is abundance. There is overflow. The bag has already been secured, go forward with the knowledge that abundant wealth (not just the money kind) is yours.

Position J- Two of Coins (What follows?)

If the Four of Coins is the head, then Two of Coins is the tail, the built in inversion has Two of Coins pointing forward, as it should be.

Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.

Forward is the motion, the direction that you are being pulled in says Two. And once again

BALANCE. BALANCE. BALANCE.

 Got it?!

 First, you ALIGN.

 Then, you FLOURISH.

If you have too much on your plate, then give some away. Get rid of it. Restructure it. Renegotiate it. Being out of balance is counterproductive and a dishonor to yourself. Be deliberate and making and taking time for yourself, to create and maintain balance in your life, that’s Self-Love and Self-Care. Self-Care is an imperative.

This is a general reading under the auspice of a Super Charged Moon. May it be enriching to you and your growth.

The Vehicle Spread was created by Courtney Alexander for the

DustIIOnyx Tarot: A Melanted Tarot 

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