Droning. Then more.
That was what it mostly felt like every single day.
Wake up, eat, contemplate on leaving the home, sometimes deciding against it. Then just sitting there on the couch staring at the plastic faces procured via just as artificial light. There was no concern on whether they were or not. Most channels hardly offered anything genuine.
Then eating again and finally sleep.
And repeat.
For any regular human being this would come about as a bit problematic. However, was she really human? What exactly could a person categorize this secluded creature. A woman of twenty eight spending her waning years cooped up in a more than adequate apartment? Perhaps a hermit. Maybe not even human at all.
She could really care less. She was an empty shell. A vessel. There was nothing more she could possibly do in a time she was sure she should not have existed. A curse even. Whatever. It was no matter. Occasionally a few people who considered her enough as more than an acquaintance would sometimes eject her from her home and have her partake in... Well. Let us put it lightly as asinine activities. Deep down she would enjoy them but really. All she wanted to do was remain indoors.
One day this was not the case.
She awoke. She ate something other than dry flakes. But then she stood at her bedroom door, hand centimetres away from the handle. Did she want to return within? Did she want to melt under the covers into black dreams? There was some hesitation before she eventually opened the door, closing it behind her.
And she was rustling through her wardrobe. She chose not to go for her usually unassuming attire, which consisted of a huge sweater with a big collar and in some dull colour and dark grey bottoms. Instead, she chose a blue T-shirt and regular jeans. She slipped on a pair of sneakers on her feet before stuffing random necessities within a purse her roommate purchased for her. How he knew she would actually appreciate it is beyond her but hey. He was her roommate for a reason.
He usually left early in the morning anyway so it was something like an occasion if the both of them were in the same room. And one such time was when he handed her the yellow satchel. Something about it reminding him of her. She could have vomited on the spot from the sincerity of the gesture.
She was soon out of the congested abode, marching down several stairs, opting not for the elevator and was in the in the French streets of Île-de-France in no time. Where to go was another debacle.
She could visit the little lady who provided her with the apartment, all the while her meeting up with a friend she could consider 'the best'. But really, the shenanigans that happen up in their domain, along with all the other occupants of the home, are really something she tried to avoid often. Very much often.
There were others she could visit but she would have to call them up. She was in no way that person who just shows up out of nowhere, despite that being half true. She dug into her pocket and got out her phone and, as she walked by several shops at the sidewalk, proceeded to consider her options.
Which were plentiful yet still so limited.
At some point she stopped walking. She felt a little nauseous as her head began to spin, causing her nearly to lurch forward, clutching her stomach from up chucking material that was not necessary to have splattered all over the ground. Then it stopped. She lifted her head to find her eyes had been shut from the unexpected sensations.
So she opened them.
Up to find a scene very unfamiliar to her. She was no longer in the streets of a French dominion. In fact she had no idea as to where she was.
All she could tell was she was currently in a harbour of sorts, with people walking about on their own business, fishermen either tying their boats at the docks or heading out to catch that day's haul. Some people were dressed in clothes she hardly recognized yet at the same time were so familiar to her. Perhaps someone else was feeling a sense of familiarity...
"Madame, you shouldn't be standing right in the path of others," a masculine voice spoke behind, causing her to whip around to see a man dressed just like everyone else in the area.
The outfit really would have been screaming at anyone from her accustomed era. He seemed to have been taken aback by her own, as did the other passersby. Receiving so much attention was rather unnerving enough as it it was, so she quickly muttered an apology, to which the man simply chuckled.
"It is quite alright, madame,"
"I am not called madame," she curtly replied.
"Well that is a surprise, someone of your stature not taken by another is quite appalling!" his brows were raised at this point.
Of her stature? 'Taken'? What the hell was this ninny going on about? Either way, it bothered her immensely.
"I hardly believe that I look like some trophy for some sleaze to claim as his own," her face was blank.
But his took on a smile that would have made her skin crawl had she not the accustomed demeanor. She simply walked past him, trying to find anyone else who would at least help her out of the predicament she was in now. All the while, surprisingly, unaware of the pair of eyes lingering after her.
CH 2
Had she not the composure of one of the stone gargoyles she had seen on a nearby building she would have been screaming at this point. She had entered a shoppe of sorts to find a more agreeable individual to chat with. She was a timid lady who looked strikingly familiar yet she chose not to mention it.
The lady told her she was in a place called Remington which she could only pinpoint as being in the Americas. Now so many questions were flooding her head. How in the blue hell did she end up in such a place? And in such a time frame no less? The echoes of the calls from her bed were practically resounding at this point.
"Miss, it seems you are not from around here," the lady perked up, pulling her out of her little spiel.
"Do you perhaps go by a name?"
"You tell me, butters," she blew a strand of white hair out of her face, leaving the poor woman confused.
She couldn't blame her really. Anyone in this time seeing a young woman in a shirt that revealed a little bit of cleavage, tight fitting pants and shoes like those would have given several ideas. Even her hair was weird enough; black with two white locks framing her face.
"I do beg your pardon?"
"I go by... Tacitus," she sighed, deciding to go with that. Saying her name was just T would have put her off more than she already was.
Besides, that was her 'real' name after all.
Tacitus Thadeus.
"Would that not be a Sir's title, miss?" the lady pried.
"Should it matter?" And this statement made her chuckle, surprisingly.
"No, I suppose it doesn't," she had a hand to her mouth, as if to halt such an unladylike gesture.
Boy, T really was in the possible 50's.
"Would you perhaps like me to offer you clothes more befitting? I could not help but notice that everyone here is captured by your wear," she waved at her entire physique.
"Usually I could care less about what others think," T shrugged. "But I guess I could entertain this train of thought,"
The woman clapped her hands together in warm glee before gliding off to find something suitable. Which took a while. T did not want to feel congested so the first dress with an incredibly suffocating collar was not going to work. The next dress's sleeves were entirely too long. Plus, the other dress' skirts were too damn long. And let us not get started on those wide dress skeletons as T liked to call them. Neither those corsets; they fit her yes but she did not enjoy their purpose.
Who the hell thought dresses were a good idea anyway? Oh yeah, sexist and perverted white males.
She eventually settled for a plain brown dress. A very, very familiar white and brown dress. This dress had an unfortunate corset with it but it fit comfortably on her visage. Its center was white along with the string tied in a bow right at where most of her chest was visible. The frills of the dress, as well as the cuffs ending above her wrist, were white as well.
"Stunning, absolutely stunning, Miss," the shopkeeper smiled as T took in her reflection within the mirror, albeit it being a tad bit dirty.
The lady knew better and she knew it. A prostitute of their times could own this type of dress yet the woman was clearly going along with whatever T wanted, so long as she chose something to wear. Once the woman was back behind the makeshift counter T quickly picked up her belongings and dashed off without a word. She did not have anything to pay anyone here with after all.
As she ran she overheard strange tidbits of information along her road to anywhere. Apparently a Mage or some thing lived within a wood far from here, possessing strange powers that, as far as she could process, were both miraculous as well as horrid.
Just like her, to some extent. Perhaps this person held her answers as to why she was in this timeframe? Maybe even the very reason.
She felt bad for leaving that poor woman hanging but what else could T do. She was on a mission for the future. However at this point she was meandering about, not really in a rush to meet this Mage, mostly because she still had a feeling of uneasiness. She had finally sensed that she was being watched.
CH 3
She decided to go to a local inn for the time being. Luckily, it seemed these people were hospitable, and they allowed for tenants to pay once their stay was over. Again, T did not have the required currency to pay for a thing here, so she was planning yet again to run off if necessary. Hopefully when she went out she did not need to return again and was back in her apartment.
She did not particularly feel any way when it came to her present actions. Yes, it was not morally correct to run off from paying for something but she did not plan to stay. She knew she was not about to stick around to be ushered into this village's way of life. She was going to return to the present.
She was soon back out in the public, asking around for the so called 'Mage'. But each time she tried to weasel something out of someone, they would dance around her questions before quickly scurrying off. She was contemplating on eavesdropping once more but she wanted solid information, not gossip.
Perhaps she could ask the children? They were always willing to speak about interesting topics.
However, they mostly spoke rumors it seemed. One prim girl said that he was a terrifying monster, responsible for any misery that befell the town. One boy with way too many dirt spots on his overalls said he was incredible, saying that he was responsible for the odd landscape outside of the town, or so his friends told him.
Just more fanciful tales and not enough intel. It was beginning to get tiresome.
T soon found herself sitting near a river than ran a ways between the town and the forest. She was tempted to wade through the water but opted to keep her feet submerged.
This was not working out well. She was also sure that there was no other civilization she could go to to inquire about the mage, and if there was, it was most likely miles away. She could consider making such a trip but she really wanted to leave.
And there was another issue. What if this mage was just a hoax? What if it was all a ploy to create a boost in tourism for the town? It was quite the basic kind of livelihood, and bringing in goods must have cost them fortunes. Still, it was a shitty move. Especially if there was someone who desperately needed some kind of real help-
Enter the woods
Her head snapped up.
There was no one around. Was she finally slipping away into an edy of despair?
It came again, and she was on her feet again. She quickly assessed the area to confirm again that yes, not a soul was there. Or maybe they could see her.
The lulling ricochet did not return, and T was about to head back to the inn.
She exhaled heavily before making for the shrubbery across the river, and into the forest.
The woods were quite thick, the only clear thing about it being the man-made path. The rest of the environment were dead leaves, moss and fallen trees. T had forgone shoes; a common mistake. But not for her. How she could forget something as programmed as slipping on a pair of shoes was beyond her. But, she was more civil than having to further her theft with footwear.
She walked for some time, passing the occasional clearing. Just how deep were these woods? One could easily pin it more to a forest than anything. She would come across a few creatures of varying size, all of the world, or so the internet would depict. But then she came across some things that did not appear so earthly. In fact some almost appeared to be hybrids.
Really, they were too strange to give a proper description; at best some had purple flesh or had too many eyes. Some even looked like two animals put into horrid combinations, such as a deer and a badger, or a frog and a bird.
At the same time this did not bother the woman. It certainly did enough for the villagers to never dare to near the place however. Curiosity was what encouraged her to go on.
A concrete structure soon came into view, just beyond a few misplaced slabs of the same kind of material jutting from the ground. She only acknowledged they were there as she continued to approach the building. It was decorated in ornate cloths with specific patterns: all with at least one of the same kind of symbol. A strange smiley with spokes jutting from it. For some reason, she was becoming wary.
She was soon standing before the wooden door of the place. Smoke was emitting from a thin chimney like pipe at one side, so she knew it was definitely being inhabited. She had to collect herself first. Why, she was still unsure. There was nothing wrong. Really. However, the intimidating thought of a mage that was feared by an entire village possibly residing within the walls of this grey building... Let's just say it's not pleasant. T was not a person who enjoyed getting involved in others' problems or conflicts.
Really, whatever happens will happen. She did not even bother to knock as she opened the door, but with caution. What waited within almost had her stricken with awe. All around were what appeared to be glass cubes encasing some different object: plants, tree bark, animalistic teeth or horns. The floor was a dark, bamboo wood that appeared to be varnished to the point it was almost black and new, despite one or two planks jutting out.
Speaking of the floor, it was covered here and there with thin, intricate carpets. The same went for the cloths on some of the walls. Again, some had that smile symbol, but she opted to be oblivious, take in more of the interior. There were rocks and crystals on a table near a window with some parchment papers stacked close to them. In fact the floor was littered with papers, all with the same black scrawl.
She then stopped.
Her hand was resting on her thigh in no time once she saw something move. She turned slowly and glanced at another table. She nearly cursed.
On the table was a quill in an inkwell and more papers, all neatly placed beside another glass cube containing a beating heart. Yes, she was not going senile yet. It was a literal, encased human heart. She approached the quivering thing, fascination bound to make anyone else ill. Well. Maybe not anyone.
"Breaking and entering is a felony," a gravelly, disembodied voice was heard close by.
T did not dare to turn around. It would satisfy the smug undertone of that statement, and she was sure of it.
"Maybe you have not been taught the proper etiquette, Miss Stranger,"
She could feel the breath on her ear, but she knew there was no one behind her. Suddenly, everything felt cold, the air was unbearably stifling, and the skin was beginning to crawl. She tried raising her hand. It was fruitless. She was on the unforgiving flooring in no time. She could remember the silhouette.
Looming.
Leering.
CH 4
The blackness was not something that she particularly enjoyed. For one, it was not of her doing. Any form of darkness she was very open towards, but this one did not sit well with her in the slightest. She then decided it was time to open her eyes, and nearly felt bilious.
It appeared she was hanging upside down, the black and green smiley carpet staring mockingly up at her. How could she be so high up? She tried to turn her head but it was difficult. She also felt restricted from her limbs. Well that was to be expected for trespassing. However, her hands and feet did not feel shackled in the usual sense.
They were beside her, in fact.
An arm and a leg on either side of her head. Her torso? Possibly nearby. The whole charade was sickening. She was somehow suspended above the floor of this lunatic's home. And parted from all important parts of her body. It was so hard to keep her cool in a situation she unfortunately caused upon herself. But to still be alive while being disembodied and stuck to a ceiling? Just was not on her list of expected casualties.
"I was beginning to believe that you had really died," the voice was back.
She sneered subtlety as her eyes scanned the room, in attempts to locate this wise guy. It appeared to be for storage; several parchment scrolls and barrels stacked against walls. There were also crates and more of those transparent cubes atop them. And then a door. And a figure darkening the entryway.
He was dressed in black. Practical, but predictable. His high collar cloak had again, the smiley symbol, but also yellow spots accenting it. The sleeves of his shirt ended to the dorsal of his dark hands. At least on the one more visible, the grip on the wooden, elaborate staff lax. His belt had holders keeping vials and mini containers in place.
His face was stoic and uninterested, but not unamused. His piercings glinted in what light was provided from the two windows of the furthest wall.
"Perhaps from the initial shock of being found so quickly," he inspected the hand on the staff. "Perhaps from the realisation of your situation? I am not so sure, though it would be a humorous tale to recall,"
She scowled. How could he be so frivolous in such a macabre situation? His taste in fun, maybe. As a matter of fact, it just so happened to be in her interests as well.
"Maybe it would?" T made a half attempt at a shrug. "But I was rather tired, I suppose I needed the sleep. Though, you seem to need it more,"
His eyes nearly squinted, and she chuckled inwardly.
"You don't seem perturbed in the slightest,"
"I've experienced worse,"
"Is that so,"
"I wouldn't have wasted breath if I did not," he tittered at this before pacing below her.
"You are a smart one,"
"Then you're definitely the smartest,"
He halted in his step. Did the little chat grow boring for him? No. This was blatant entertainment for this Mage. The hand hidden was now on his hip, his gaze to the floor.
"I must say, Miss Stranger," he started. "This is a rather interesting development,"
"What do you want from me?" she demanded simply, growing tired of this little game.
"Whatever implied it?"
"I am still alive,"
His smile was gone, eyebrows raised but sullen eyes still calculating. He was beneath her now, looking up at her with that gaze. She could only look back with her empty pools. This little stare down went on for a while before there was a knock at the door. It made him freeze up. T did not think it were possible for him. He seemed like a collected individual. What could possibly make him stop.
He turned and left her alone, and all she was left with was silence. She could not hear what was happening in whatever room that knock came from. Maybe he did not have many guests. At least, those who knock. After some time, a shadow passed one of the windows, slowly gliding towards the next.
And then it was gone. It made her incredibly uneasy. And that was no good sign. The mage returned soon after, and even he appeared shaken. He was frowning as his eyes were closed, creases on his forehead beginning to form.
"Who was that," she spoke up, and he sent a dirty look her way.
"Silence,"
She did, but only for the moment. He appeared to fish around the innards of his cloak for a bit, his hand seeking purchase on some object. Once he found it, he brought it out and held it casually before her, and she knew exactly what it was.
Her heart.
Beating in his filthy hand.
"To think that you remain so calm even with a vital organ within possessions not of your own," he said, lifting the thing a little higher to eye level. "Remarkable,"
"This is disgusting," she admitted.
"I know," he smiled.
He then put it out of sight, and was back to pacing around the carpet. It did not appear he had completely finalised what he planned to do with her. She just hoped he would hurry on with it already. It was becoming irritating as each grating minute passed with nothing being said, nothing being concluded. T really was beginning to become sicker being she was stuck up where she was. She wondered... if it was possible? Even if she was not connected to her torso...
A sharp tap against the wooden floor brought her from her mischievous and somewhat unsanitary thoughts.
"I believe I have come to a final decision," the man addressed.
"And what would that be?" she could only roll her eyes before gasping.
He was taking her down? The room did suddenly feel stifling as her head flipped in the air from the ceiling and into his hand, almost suffocating, the blue hue that took over environment. His fingers were cold, hostile. Not exactly disgusted with having to be resting on her being, however she did not want to be anywhere near him. His eyes were just as frigid. Determined. Clouded. This mage was not easy to read at all and perhaps he trained himself so that no one ever could.
.
.
"You will make up for your invasion of my dwelling by working for it," he said clearly. "Your very existence will be a tool if I am in need. Be prepared,"
He rested her head on a stool before exiting the room, the door giving off a sound click. She could only stare at the closed barrier before her now, and not long after she found herself sighing.
"His eye-bags are definitely not pleasant either,"