Chapter 5
Revelations and Talking to Myself
The bandages came loose. A moment of horror engulfed my senses. My heart thumped. My blood was the reason I was out in the middle of nowhere with such a small hive.
"hUh… a mUtAnT bLoOd? i nEvEr tHoUgHt i wOuLd eVeR mEeT oNe!" Orthel seemed excited. But… He's a Jugglanaught… Isn't he…? His job is to kill mutant bloods in a brutal and painful fashion… My mind was in a spin and my vision was spotty. "wHo bAnDaGeD tHiS lAsT? tHeY dId aN aWfUl jOb…" Orthel said dissaprovingly. 'Is he just gaining mY trust? Is he trYing to trick me? Is he serious? Geez I ask a lot of questions. Wait… He asked me a question. I suppose I should respond.' "hElLoOoOo? yOu iN tHeRe sArOnA?" Orthel waved his hand in front of my face.
"Yeah, I'm here." I replied.
"yOu rEaLlY nEeD tO cLeAn tHiS wOuNd oUt. cOmE oN, gEt oN mY bAcK. iLl fInD a sTrEaM aNd cLeAn iT oUt fUrThEr iNlAnD." Orthel kneeled in front of me after letting the back of my shirt fall. I held his shoulders as he stood up. He was so much taller than me, at least a foot. He got me in a position so that he was holding my legs and I was leaning on his back with my arms reaching to his chest. My head was resting next to his as he trudged through the forest. "speaking of things you need to do. YOU SHOULD PROBABLY EAT A BIT MORE. you're very light." He said the second sentence a bit louder but he still sounded gentle.
"I probablY should, but seeing as I live where there's little to no trading traffic and I go out of mY waY to not meet trolls I haven't heard of before so I can't get mY hands on a lot of food." I explained.
"you probably wouldn't like anything that i make. SEEING AS IT'S ALL SOPOROUS SUBSTANCE. either way, if we join up with the others then maybe they can spare some food for you." He seemed serious and very concerned about my health.
"You aren't going to kill me?" The question fell from my mouth before I could stop it.
"of course not. WHERE WOULD YOU GET AN IDEA LIKE THAT?" He stopped and looked at me.
"Isn't it a highblood's dutY to kill mutant bloods?" I was confused.
"i suppose you're right. HOWEVER I AM NOT LIKE THE TROLLS BACK ON ALTERNIA. maybe we can break that tradition since we're probably the only trolls left of alternia." He continued walking.
"Perhaps…" I trailed into thought. "Orthel… Do You have a sense of foreboding…? Like something bad will happen… Something will go wrong in this game?" I asked absentmindedly.
"yeah… I'M GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE… what do you think will happen?" He asked me.
I thought about that question, what will happen? Suddenly my combooker went off. I pulled it out of my pocket and I was surprised, what's this?
(?)FIF2: HeY, Sarona!
FIF: Come on, this is the right time isn't it?
(?)FIF1: Yeah, it should be. This is where it started.
What?
(?)FIF1: We were wounded and Orthel was carrYing us. I remember we were quite confused when we read this.
(?)FIF2: Well, she's not answering. Wait, we didn't respond until this one.
(Sarona)CIF: Who are You?
FIF1: Told Ya so!
FIF2: *sigh* I suppose I'm explaining?
FIF1: Yep! Cause right now I'm reallY bad at explaining.
FIF2: AlrightY then.
FIF2: We are You.
Okay… Are they serious?
(Future Sarona 2)FIF2: We are both future imaginaryFriend.
FIF2: You are current imaginaryFriend.
(Me)CIF: But, whY are You both contacting me?
FIF2: Well… I don't have anYthing else to do…
(Future Sarona 1)FIF1: I just wanna hang out.
FIF2: You reallY should hang out with…
FIF2: Nepeta.
FIF2: Promise You'll make time. Promise that You'll paY close attention to her.
FIF2: There's so much that I can't tell You…
FIF1: What's at stake?
FIF1: Just tell me!
FIF2: You'll find out in anYwhere from 1-10 months.
FIF1: That's real specific.
CIF: uh… Explanation?
FIF2: Right.
FIF2: We're here to help us through our struggles. Right now You have mixed feelings about Orthel.
FIF1: I know I did, I somewhat still do.
FIF2: Well I don't, so our advice must work. I know exactly who Orthel is and how I feel about him.
FIF1: We're getting off topic. Your explanation.
FIF2: We're here to help You. Of course… This is a bit of a memo… People will intrude from time to time. Including dead people.
CIF: As in ghosts?
FIF2: Sorta… Depends on if You're asleep. At least, theY can access this memo due to me being asleep.
CIF: So this conversation isn't too private.
FIF2: Correct.
CIF: Are You asleep right now?
FIF2: Hard to tell.
FIF2: Whenever I think I'm awake I'm asleep, when I think I'm dreaming I'm actually in cold harsh realitY
FIF1: Yeah…
FIF2: Current imaginaryFriend, in the next week or two You'll know what I'm talking about.
FIF1: WhY so secretive?
FIF1: It's not like it would be bad for us to know.
FIF1: TechnicallY, we alreadY know!
FIF2: It would be bad because someone could read this.
Kankri: What's this Sar9na? S9me s9rt 9f get t9gether? Many pe9ple c9uld 6e triggered 6y n9t 6eing invited. I think we need t9 have a talk ab9ut tagging y9ur trigger warnings again. I d9 n9t wish t9 trigger any9ne. Are y9u talking t9 y9urself? #trigger warning #9ffending. 9ur Sar9na didn't d9 that, she usually talked t9 Devlin. 6ack 9nt9 tagging y9ur warnings.
FIF2: Kankri. We can talk about this later. Would You kindlY get off the memo? Quite franklY, I'm talking to people from the past. You need to tag Your spoilers.
CIF: Who's this guY? WhY does he displaY his bloodcolor? Does he wish to be culled?
FIF1: Oh holY mother of Odin! Red! I never thought I would see that on Trollian!
Kankri: I find this quite triggering. Why d9 y9u insist that I leave? I'm simply trying t9 st9p an argument 6ef9re it starts. I 6elieve we sh9uld c9nverse trigger warnings right n9w 9r it'll never 6e c9nfr9nted. Y9u need t9 6e m9re sensitive t9 9ther tr9lls' feelings. I display my bl99d c9l9r pr9udly.
Kankri: My name is Kankri Va-
FIF2: Kankri!
FIF2: Don't give Your full name!
FIF2: What about 'from the past' do You not get!?
FIF2: You could change the future!
Kankri: I'm n9 expert 9n time travel 6ut I think any changes that c9uld've happened w9uld've already happened, theref9re n9t endangering the future. I also 6elieve that y9u c9uld've stated y9ur 9pin9n and c9ncern with much m9re p9liteness. I d9 n9t appreciate tr9lls yelling at me.
CIF: Is he using the signless's sign as his tYping quirk?
FIF2: Yes. Yes he is.
CIF: WhY?
Kankri: Excellent questi9n past Sar9na. I use the Signless's sign 6ecause I am the Signless. Well, his past versi9n anyway. The signless 9r 'sufferer' is myself reincarnated. Just as the F9rsaken and the 96jector were reincarnated from my friends. She called herself-
FIF: Ahem, Kankri, the Alternians have never heard about the Forsaken and the Objector. TheY were never recorded in historY. Therefore, theY wouldn't know about her. Don't saY her name cause I know perfectlY well who she is. The Objector I'm fine with you giving however. Just make sure to say his first name and not his last.
Kankri: 9kay. the 96ject9r called himself Devlin. We d9 n9t kn9w the F9rsaken's first name. We c9uld never get it 9ut 9f her n9 matter h9w Meulin and Mituna tried. 9f c9urse… Ever since Meenah ended 9ur lives she hasn't 6een the m9st trusting. She's c9ntent with Devlin and claims that she 'Doesn't need anYbodY except Devlin.'
FIF2: Kankri, You are intruding on our conversation and I do not wish to make You feel bad but I would like You to 'buzz off'
CIF: Since when do I make jokes that Sollux would make?
Mituna: K4NKR1! Y0U 5A1D Y0U W0ULD H3LP M3 W17H MY 5KA37B40RD!
Kankri: I'll 6e right there Mituna.
Latula: YOU DON'T H4V3 TO W41T FOR K4NKR1, 1LL H3LP OUT!
CIF: Chief?!
FIF1: Chief?!
FIF2: Latula?! What are You doing here?
Latula: 1 TH1NK YOU'R3 G3TT1NG M3 M1X3D UP W1TH T3R3Z1. SH3'S SOM3WH3R3 4ROUND H3R3…
FIF2: OkaY, this is getting too jumbled up. We'll continue this conversation later. PrettY soon other trolls'll show up.
(Future Nepeta)FAC: 33 *AC sneaks up onto Future IF*
FIF2: Nepeta? You don't have to be on this sillY memo, please, come roleplay with me in mY Yard. I would be most pleased if You would…
FAC: 33 Come on Sarona! We can roleplay here!
FI2F: But Nepeta… I haven't seen You in such a long time…
(Future Equius)FCT: Dà Nepeta. I STRONGLY believe that you should visit the lowblood.
FIF2: Equius, You're welcome to join as well.
(?)FCA: wwhat about me?
FIF2: Eridan. You are not invited.
(Future Eridan apparently)FCA: and wwhy not?
FIF2: You know perfectlY well whY not.
FCA: wweh.
FIF2: Don't You 'wweh' me!
FIF2: It's Your own fault.
(?)FCC: -ERIDAN!
FCA: nyeh!
FIF2: Feferi, if You get a chance, You're also welcome.
(Future Vriska)FAG: 8m I invited?
FIF2: No.
FAG: Come ON sar8na! Tav had it coming!
FIF2: I said what I said and You're no better than dead.
(Future Tavros)FAT: weLL s-sARONA IS RIGHT. yoU BROUGHT IT ON YOURSELF…
FAG: you tri8d first!
FIF2: You're invited Tavros!
CIF: What's going on now? I've lost the conversation. Future me, wake up please.
(Future Karkat 2)FCG2: THAT'S RIGHT. YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ASLEEP! WHY IN THE BONEBULDGE BLITHERING FUCK ARE YOU ASLEEP?!
(Future Karkat 1)FCG1: FOR ONCE THE FUCKASS IS RIGHT.
FCG: FUCK YOU!
FIF2: Shouldn't You be awake then? Plus, I bet You're asleep to visit our teammates too.
CIF: Wait, teammates? Orthel and I are on a different team!
(Current Karkat)CCG: AGAINST MY ORDERS OBVIOUSLY.
CCG: WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SO MAD AT ME?
CIF: You know, whY don't You ever read Your past pesterlogs?
CCG: THEY'RE POINTLESS.
FIF2: Don't worrY past me, current me will eventuallY tell Karkat.
FIF1: Who saYs I have to?
FIF2: Because I read that post and eventuallY did it.
FIF1: You're never wrong… OkaY, I'll let him know later.
FCG1: WHY IS EVERYONE ON THIS STUPID FUCKING MEMO? DON'T THEY HAVE BETTER SHIT-STAINED PLACES TO BE?
(Future Orthel)FRM: karkat.
FRM: EVERYONE IS HERE.
FRM: what's the point of not conversing?
FRM: WE HAVEN'T SEEN EACHOTHER IN SO LONG.
FRM: I say let them talk.
FRM: SO SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
FIF: HeY Orthel!
FRM: hey my fine flarp buddy!
FRM: I WAS THINKING OF SOME TEAM NAMES.
FRM: how about the tall squad? Or vertically unchallenged?
FCG1: WE GET IT.
FCG1: YOU'RE BOTH FUCKING TALLER THAN ALL OF US.
CIF: ReallY?
FCG1: NO. I'M JUST FUCKING WITH YOU.
CIF: Oh.
FIF2: Come on! Can't I get anY privacY?!
FIF2: Karkat gets his own memo to talk to his past and future selves!
Kankri: Talking t9 y9ur past and future self? My dear 6r9ther, d9 y9u n9t realize y9u have me t9 talk t9? I'm s9rry f9r triggering y9u Sar9na, we'll leave. Karkat, I 6elieve we have quite a 6it t9 talk a69ut. The rest 9f y9u I recc9mend that y9u all leave s9 that Sar9na can have peace with herself.
CIF: Did he saY, 'Brother'? What's that?
FIF2: Thanks Kankri.
FIF2: Past me, Orthel wants You.
I looked up at Orthel and as I focused he spoke, "hey, look up ahead. IS THAT A DAM? why is there a dam?" Orthel seemed confused.
"Dam?" I asked. I looked up ahead and saw a huge stone dam. "I-is that freshwater?" I questioned. Don't tell me someone blocked this river, that I got punished for truly no reason. I looked back at the forest behind us and saw drops of candy red blood here and there on the leaves. I looked back to the dammed river.
"let's find out." Orthel trudged to the riverside and he set me down on the bank. "I DON'T SMELL ANY SALT. although it could be hidden." Orthel dipped his gloved hands into the river and seemingly tried a bit.
"Is it salt?" I asked.
"no. IT'S FRESHWATER." Orthel took off his hat. He raised his hand extravagantly and stuffed it into the hat. He pulled out an empty Faygo bottle.
"I have a different container if You wanted something to hold the water." I used my imaginary modus to place a canteen beside him.
"where is it then?" He asked me.
"Beside Your foot." I gestured my head at it.
"oh. THANKS. i didn't see it." Orthel bent over and picked it up. He got water into it and brought it over to me. He lifted the back of my shirt and I felt cold water soothe the wound. "oh man… WHAT DID THIS TO YOU? there're wood splinters everywhere." Orthel sounded extremely concerned.
Talon. Duneblitz answered.
"The denizen… Apparently his name is Talon. He's basically the leader of this island in Thistle-breeze village. He was angry and impatient. They were running out of fresh-water and he has to find a new source… But this doesn't make sense. WhY would anYone hide the river that theY found from the rest of the suffering island?" I thought through everything but couldn't find a reasonable answer.
"that's strange. MAYBE SOME IDIOT WAS WANTING POWER." Orthel suggested. My eyes widened in realization as a group of people came to mind.
"That's it! Orthel You're a genius!" I grinned and looked at him. "The goblins wanted power over the entire island so theY cut off water supplY!" I looked back to the stone dam.
"goblins? WHERE DID YOU SEE GOBLINS? goblins are naturally greedy creatures, so it wouldn't surprise me." Orthel replied.
"Oh… I didn't tell You… This is the Land of Islands and FantasY. So there are mYthical creatures here." I explained. As I spoke I felt small splinters being pulled out of my back.
"islands and fantasy, huh? IT'S NOT THE WORST THAT WE COULD HAVE. you don't have to sit there and do nothing if you don't want to. THIS MIGHT TAKE A LONG TIME. you can talk to someone if you want." Orthel put his hand on my shoulder.