#nobody calls ingo by his name he’s just the woodsman

[coramatus]

Submas does Over the Garden Wall now aka Under the City Streets

A follow up drabble to this

Updated version here

When Emmet and Ingo meet for the second time in the Unknown, it’s a complete accident.

Emmet, still hurting from the knowledge of what Volo’s selfishness had wrought; still weighed down by the strange truths he had learned about this place; still upset over how Ingo’s actions have hurt the residents of the Unknown, simply turns a corner in the dark forest path and finds his brother right there.

The two stop and stare at each other.

Neither speak for what feels like an eternity.

“It’s you again…” Ingo finally says.

Ingo looks conflicted this time. He desperately wants to believe Emmet has been nothing but a Zoroark but something in him that's only been getting louder tells him to stop and listen. The things he’s been starting to notice about his situation as the Unknown’s Woodsman, the things he’d tried to ignore as he fulfilled his duties, all the little wrong things are starting to pile up. His conviction has been shaken and he’s teetering on the precipice of something terrifying.

He knows that this meeting with Emmet is what will or will not push him over that edge.

“Ingo…” Emmet whispers.

The Unknown has not been kind to him.

Emmet is in rough shape. His journey through these woods has left him battered. Cuts and bruises mark his face. His eyes have shadows under them, his skin paler than Ingo remembers. His shoulders sag with the weight of exhaustion and sadness.

His once pristine gloves are shredded and filthy, the fingertips long torn away. His clothes too are stained, muddy, and scorched. His dress shirt has been torn open to reveal the singlet underneath. The ends of his greatcoat are missing, left in tatters as if something with massive sharp teeth ripped it out. Half his right sleeve is gone too as is the cuff of his left. His right arm is bandaged with the remains of his tie. His white hat is burnt in places.

“Where is he?” is all Emmet asks. His face is expressionless.

He looks wrong.

why isn’t he smiling he’s always smiling what is going on??

“Who?” Ingo asks instead.

Emmet’s eyes are dull as he looks into Ingo’s, dulled with such sadness as he presses on, “Your brother. Where is he?”

“Somewhere safe,” Ingo answers, trying to keep his voice from wavering.

Emmet stares evenly at him. His dull, dull gaze moves to the lantern in Ingo’s hand.

“You’re lying. It’s that lantern, isn’t it?” he says. There’s no accusation there. Only the truth. “You think that’s your brother.”

Ingo says nothing.

“I don’t know why else you would obsess over that damn thing,” Emmet says with a humorless laugh. He points at it disparagingly, his normally flat voice rising with indignant fury as he verbally tears into it, “Look at it. It’s not even up to modern regulation; those were phased out a century ago! They’re fire hazards! You know how many people those things have burned to death because their oil spilled after a simple collision. It’s the least safe thing a Subway Boss could ever carry around!”

Ingo cuts him off with a shaking, fearful question, “What do you want?”

Emmet holds out his hand, imploring, “Come home. This is not your home. That is not your brother. You do not belong here.”

He takes a step forward.

“Stay back!” Ingo screams as he swings his axe at Emmet.

But this time Emmet doesn’t move to dodge it. He doesn’t even blink.

A shallow cut opens on his cheek.

It’s like Ingo’s been punched in the gut, the sight stealing his breath away in horror.

i did that i did that i did that i hurt my little brother

Emmet is still before he raises a hand to the cut. His fingers come away with blood.

Ingo chokes back a whimper.

what is happening why is everything so wrong what is he doing

Emmet’s eyes, though dull, briefly come into focus on him as he asks,

“Ingo… if that’s your brother, then what is his name?”

Ingo starts to answer… but stops.

…

He realizes… he has no idea.

“H-his name…” Ingo stutters, his breaths racing, racking his mind, searching, searching, searching, “He… your name… I don’t…”

He feels a gentle hand on his arm and looks up to find Emmet standing before him. There’s the traces of a smile, a spark of hope in his eyes.

“Your brother’s name is Emmet. I am Emmet. I am your brother, Ingo.”

Ingo stares.

And turns and flees.

Everything is falling apart for him. Everything he thought he knew is unravelling right before his eyes. Everything he had done was all for a lie. Lies, lies, and more lies. He can’t take it anymore.

So he runs.

Emmet doesn’t follow.

He lets Ingo run from him.

When the crashing of brush stops, when Ingo throws himself behind a tree, sliding down its trunk into a crumpled heap, heaving in frantic lungfuls of air, Emmet simply projects his voice into the dark and still forest, hoping Ingo is listening.

“I am Emmet. I will not chase you. I know you… you need time. I am sorry I could not help you more. I will see you later. Please… find me if you want to.”

With the most sorrow he’s ever felt, he adopts his point and call pose. Tears trail down his face as he recites his opening battle speech.

“Follow the rules. Safe driving.”

“Follow the schedule,” Ingo recites in sync with Emmet.

He can’t won’t stop himself.

“Everybody smile,” Emmet continues, “Check safety.”

“Everything's ready. Aim for victory,” Ingo whispers along.

He knows every word by heart.

“All aboard,” they repeat in unison.

He’s heartbroken that he has to do this, but Emmet turns around and leaves. He’s crying.

Ingo is crying too.