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Roger Gimlin:
Roger was sitting with his back against the larder building's wall, with an apple in hand and watching the other members of the freehold walk through.
His hair was a little more unkempt than somedays, but he seemed happy enough, in a black tee and black jeans and even black hiking boots. They were expensive but in that style that tries to be 'normal.'
Micah Bradley:
Micah was once more walking about the Freehold, exploring and getting to know his way around the Hollow. He had a notebook in hand and was writing some notes when he looked up and saw Roger. He grinned and waved at the familiar Changeling.
Roger Gimlin:
Roger let out a forceful breath of air from their mouth, their lips flapping in a simian way, as they waved towards Micah, "Hey Bud! How goes?"
Micah Bradley:
"Hello again! How are you feeling today? I hope I did not scare you the other day? That was not my intention, but if so, I apologize!" he said as he walked over with a friendly smile.
Roger Gimlin:
"You didn't scare me, it's more that your magnifying glass, as a tool of examination, reminded me of the times I would be examined or changed to fit the needs of the Keeper."
Micah Bradley:
His eyes widened in shock and Micah immediately looked guilty. "Oh, I am so sorry! I did not realize. I shall keep that in mind."
Roger Gimlin:
"WHere I was, everything was one of us too. Water, Plant, Animal, Weapon, Tool, Furniture, Butler, anything."
Micah Bradley:
"Anything? Was it a populated Realm then?"
Roger Gimlin:
He sighed and rocked his hips a little to nod his head, "Yeah, but think about it. If you want to drink water, eat food..."
A shake of the head, "And those tools that were used to modify? If they weren't using raw magic... the lashes with a whip? The chains used to restrain? Everything."
Micah Bradley:
"Wait..." he frowned, thinking about this pretty hard. "Isn't that cannibalism?"
Roger Gimlin:
He shuddered and nodded.
Micah Bradley:
He winced and grimaced. "I am sorry that your experiences were that fucked up. When did you decide to try to escape?"
Roger Gimlin:
"Seven years ago, ironside time. I was gone fifty years, but aged only ten or so. But I lived longer. Time is so strange there. I'm lucky in some ways. I got to leave. I've been to worlds strange and terrible as a Helldiver. I remember more of them now too. Yet..." a sad grin, "It's the look of the folx that I left behind that I remember the most."
Micah Bradley:
He nodded in understanding and decided to lean up against the wall next to Roger. "I haven't met too many Helldivers. How many worlds do you think you have visited?"
Roger Gimlin:
"...Dozens? Or at least different aspects of the sameplaces? The Underworld. THe Spirit World. Dreams. Strange realms made of fire or where you grow younger. Just... whenever he needed a specific piece to make his newest creation."
Micah Bradley:
"Ah. Have you explored since being back?"
Roger Gimlin:
"A little here and there. Fairly easy to find the underworld. Go to Cemetery or Graveyard and there should be a door. Getting to the spirit can be a little more difficult. The goal is to find a door that already exists. THen that door can be opened."
Micah Bradley:
"And dreams?"
Roger Gimlin:
"I'm Lost, of course I go to dreams."
Micah Bradley:
He inclined his head at the obvious answer. "Sorry, I am getting over excited again. I have always wondered what it is like entering dreams not your own..." he chuckled softly.
Roger Gimlin:
"Your curiosity, combined with your ability to enter the hedge, is a danger. Do be careful as much as you can."
Micah Bradley:
"Of course... Though... I wonder if perhaps the draw to entering the Hedge would be mitigated if I was allowed to do it at my own pace... Perhaps with someone to guide me?" he suggested, watching Roger closely.
Roger Gimlin:
He laughed like that, a very simian sound without the mask, "You are just... full bore into all of this, huh? How did you get wrapped up in being Avowed anyways?"
Micah Bradley:
Micah couldn't help but grin back, all easy going manner once more. "Family. Usually that way, isn't it?"
Roger Gimlin:
"Family, friend, something Lost, promised to be found, indeed. You just seem very... a lot more curious than other Avowed I've met. They tend to be hesitant unless there's a threat or something."
Micah Bradley:
He paused and looked out over the Freehold, eyes casually roaming over the landscape. "I don't blame them. We're not exactly... Accepted... Are we? You trust us, because of the promises we kept or tried to keep... But you still keep us at a distance... At least, the Lost I had come to know did. I kept pushing because that is who I am. Most others tend to just give up trying to push for answers. I want to know more. I need to know more. I suppose that is why I am here, in Philadelphia, instead of still back home in London."
Roger Gimlin:
"We don't want you to become like us."
Micah Bradley:
"We know." he replied softly, making eye contact with Roger then. "That doesn't mean we can't help you."
Roger Gimlin:
"And if we're in the hedge, deep into it, and it tries to pull you into the depths of the other Side? Tries to give you to them? What then?" he exhaled powerfully, "Then someone has to try to rescue before it becomes too late... or others are blamed, by themselves or others, if you're taken fully across into a realm."
Micah Bradley:
"You give us too little credit, perhaps." he suggested. "We can use Contracts too. Teach us to survive the Hedge. Give us the tools to evade Them."
Roger Gimlin:
"It's not... Contracts can't save you. Not always. It's who you are. Your Humanity. That is the danger. I ... I more than most know this danger!" he growled low, "I was not taken. I was not plucked from my life. My greed! That's what I was taken by, if anything took me. I was drawn into the hedge, and over the days, further and deeper until I came upon His realm. And I became His Beast. His Thief. His."
Micah Bradley:
The Avowed frowned and fell silent. There was something to what Roger just revealed that struck a chord in Micah. He wasn't greedy per se... But he WAS obsessed... And that could be just as bad... He was aware of his own madness... Well, somewhat... But so far, he hasn't even cared to try to curb his curiosity. Finding Aurelio was all that mattered. Now that he was found though? What next? Was he letting his obsession with the Hedge rule over him?
"... I... I am sorry..." was all he was eventually able to say.
Roger Gimlin:
"SO am I. I will leave you to think with these thoughts..." and then he was gone from sight and on his way.
Micah Bradley:
Micah sighed and does indeed think on what just happened...
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