𓆩 🗡 𓆪 — goose

[restitui]

that's who
you are

performance ⛥ instructions ⛥ turn-in

The lights flicker on and you find yourself standing inside a vintage-looking subway car.

It both feels and sounds like it's in motion, but the only thing that can be seen outside the windows is pitch black darkness.

It also feels like there's somebody else in the car with you. There are three small cases in the front, middle, and back of the car that hold a small vial.

Comments

[brother_nature]

Heron and Forte, they're younger ain't they? [they are probably near the same age as him but shhhh]

So I get protecting them, but I don't need that.

[restitui]

You guys are literally about the same age, so you little brother-zoning them doesn't count.

It's not about protecting you, either.

[brother_nature]

Oi, that's different! [it is not]

Then what is it about? What're ya tryin' to prove?

[restitui]

I'm not trying to prove anything?

I care about you. I don't want to see you hurt.

[brother_nature]

[brings a hand up to awkwardly rub at his neck]

I know ya care, kid. You made that crystal clear.

But I ain't like you guys. I don't think, anyway.

. . .



What if ya wear a blindfold?

[restitui]

You're not like us?

You're a human being who deserves to be cared for and not feel like he's good enough to be sacrificed.

[ he's clearly stuck on this. he ain't accepting a blindfold. ]

[brother_nature]

I don't feel good about it. I feel nothin' about it. [better??? (worse)]

Ain't very human-like, is it? Plus throw in a few dozen murders, and it ain't a hard choice. But I'll humor ya--what would you even sacrifice?

[restitui]

That's worse. You do realize that's worse, right?

[ He frowns. ]

I don't think it makes you less human - just. You weren't always given the right treatment or just do what's expected of you? I don't -

Not you. Not your life. I wouldn't sacrifice that.

[ that's not an answer. ]

[brother_nature]

Phoenix, I've got like, seven, eight memories tops. I don't know what my life is. Very possible I'm just a fucked up, violent criminal. And I'm fine with that.

Now focus. Ya didn't actually answer the question.

[restitui]

You have visions. Memories of another life. You've been making new ones this whole time. You're more than a fucked up, violent criminal.

[ repeated still, quiet. ]

You'll just have to trust me on what I have to sacrifice.

[brother_nature]

[well that's fucking OMINOUS]

Hell no. Tell me. I've seen plenty of your visions and you're ready to give your arm and leg and more at the drop of a hat!

1/2

[restitui]

[ coolly: ]

If your a horrible criminal and a murderer who should be able to be sacrificed, then it's kind of hypocritical of you to see a dangerous abominations who shouldn't exist also shouldn't be sacrificable.

[restitui]

But, for the record, I was already putting a lot of things I could sacrifice off table. The permanence option is one of them.

[brother_nature]

You ain't some dangerous abomination, we've been over this. You ain't ever killed anyone on purpose and liked it. If anyone's hurt ya make up a million different ways you're a bad person and why it's your fault.

That ain't how a monster thinks.

Now fess up. What are you trying to sacrifice.

[restitui]

No, just killed people on accident without knowing it. Hence, dangerous.

[ He's making his point there!!! Because the rest Goose isn't wrong on.

He shakes his head. ]

An item.

[brother_nature]

So is a knife, and we ain't scrambling to put those in locks and chains.

[sighs!! cocks his head]

Hah? What do ya have on ya?

[restitui]

[ sir, a knife is an inanimate object that doesn't move unless willed that's a bad point - ]

A few things that I put way too much stock into for making me "me".

[brother_nature]

[a chef wielding a knife can be dangerous if they aren't careful gosh!!]

Kid, I swear if you make me play a guessing game. . .

[restitui]

I'm not telling you because you'll tell me not to.

I will promise that it is not a memory, an emotion, or something that would alter my identity. I promised I wouldn't throw myself away like that if I can help it.




And you wouldn't appreciate it if I did either, right?

[brother_nature]

Sure as hell wouldn't. If it's somethin' you think I'd stop you on, I wanna hear it.

[crosses his arms]

Or I won't talk to ya for a whole week.

[restitui]

Bold words for someone who's nearly as loud as Forte.

[ like. taps his forehead. ]

I only think you'd stop me on it because your first choice is self-sacrifice and I know you'd rather not something happen to me.

[brother_nature]

. . .

Shit.

[CAN'T TURN OFF HIS BRAIN!!!]

I choice self sacrifice cuz it means less to me than it does to you. But everything means something to you.

If I don't think it'll like, cause ya some kinda brain break, I won't fight ya on it. So fucking tell me.

[restitui]

I refuse to believe there's anything wrong with that.

And you'll looking at it.

[ He gestures to himself and then pauses - ]

[ Pulls out the chain necklace he keeps under his clothes - a moon pendant, an old coin, a ring (it's the memory ring from the car accident), and a iridescent feather on it. Somehow it works.

From his pocket, he pulls out a journal. Then shifts so the glint of a ring with a star on it can be shown from the way he holds it. ]

Let's call it "self-expression". The things I always carry with me and wear, because I feel like if I don't I won't remember who I am.

[brother_nature]

. . .

[a tilt of his head, wary]

It's more than just jewelry. You won't start acting weird if they keep it? You don't know if they'll really give it back.

We know we'll come back though.

[restitui]

And there might be day we don't come back.

[ Pointed, ]

The one performance when the Producer took me away - She made me sacrifice my memories and identity in exchange for ensuring the next room couldn't hurt you guys. Except, she left me with just enough to kind of remember you and who I was around you guys. But I wasn't me, it was all just pretend.

This stuff doesn't make me. Maybe memories don't either, because you've said I couldn't change if I tried.

What matters more is the people in my life.