Post by Phantom on Feb 18, 2023 18:19:46 GMT -6
He should have been sleeping, that was the only reason he was let out to roam in the first place. But Rudolph couldn't resist wandering silently past the running, screaming, crowds of his peers streaming from one end of the free area to the other. He didn't like being here, and he didn't like being here with them. It all felt so silly now, seeing "clearly" for the first time in his life- how badly he had tried to cling on to the only sense of normalcy he had. His "family". He physically shook when he thought about it.
The library was probably one of the only truly quiet places at Infinity. Aside from the whispers of pages turning, and the muffled footfalls on the carpet- or the occasional beeping from the coffee machine on the first floor. The rich coffee that he thought smelled exceptional, but refused to try. Even if they were fundamentally "different"- Rudolph was terrified of anything that could alter his perception. He was just now getting acquainted with "reality", and he still wasn't entirely sure how much he liked it- but it was better than living with a blindfold on. Running forward, following their commands, desperately trying to please.
He had managed to shore himself up in his own little corner, book in hand. As much as Rudolph always tried to regulate his emotions, now that he felt for lack of a better word- surrounded- he was having a hard time. Even five people felt like a crowd to him- three hundred in this achingly small space was completely overwhelming.
Even more overwhelming was the white room he was taken to for "private lessons"- the one where he felt he was being watched. Some might call it paranoia- but he knew better. He'd been through this before, it was hauntingly familiar, but he refused to let it play out in the same way. Sure, at some point he would become so tired it was hard to not allow his hallucinations to grow and flourish. But as long as he regulated his emotions, he was in control. No one could make him do anything.
Although Rudolph had picked out a book he knew he'd like, he was dozing off. The corners of his vision grew blurry- and he wasn't sure if they actually were- or if he was beginning to warp the area around him.
Until he heard a massive clap that originated from the stairway. He jolted awake, the book slipping out of his hands.
It would have fallen to the ground if it weren't for the shadowy dog-like figure that snatched it up with the hand protruding from its back. Regaining his calm, Rudolph took the book back, and the figure began to lazily wander away- walking through the air toward the second floor.
The Library was the quietest place on campus.
Book still firmly in his right hand, Rudolph calmly strode towards the stairwell, pausing only for a moment when he made eye contact with a man he recognized- he couldn't remember his name... the genius- who quickly returned his gaze to the pages of the book he was flicking through. How he read like that, he didn't know. Then again, he wasn't a genius.
Rudolph wasn't sure what he expected to find. He did know that he was probably going to regret going to investigate the moment he got there, but he couldn't stop himself. If he felt someone needed help, or hell- if they just asked- he was there. Why... Perhaps there was a part of him that longed for a bit of normalcy- characters in books always stepped forward to help out. Or maybe some part of him hoped that, if he hadn't been so lost in his own warped perception- if he had asked for help- someone would have helped him. He wasn't a hero, he barely felt like a person- but just like Rudolph was walking forward, he was trying to make sense of his place in the world now that he was truly out here on his own.
For a moment he just stood there, trying to make sense of what he was looking at. He was probably a little too sleep deprived at this point. Then he realized that he should probably say something.
What to say, what to say... Well, there was always the obvious:
"Want some help?" Perfect, simple, all purpose. His tone was a little hollow, and he was standing there with all the joie de vi·vre of a scarecrow, but he was there at least.
-
After another fruitless day of creeping around corners and ducking past doorways, Teddy was exhausted. Disappointment weighed heavily on his shoulders, he had come here to find hisbestfriend and he was failing miserably at it. If their positions were switched, they'd probably have found him already. But he was a social misfit, and he was trying his best.
Now instead of trying to find someone, he was trying to relax. Naruto was usually Teddy's favorite- at home, one of his walls was covered floor to ceiling with merch he'd ordered with one of his mom's credit cards: figures, whole manga sets, framed fan art. But he always read it chronologically, and Shippuden was a little too dark for him right now.
Instead, he turned to One Piece. You knew what you were going to get with Monkey D. Luffy- a good time, that's it! He just wants to kick some ass and become king of the pirates! ...Teddy actually hadn't read that much One Piece, but the earlier chapters were a comfort to him in this trying time.
Being out on your own for the first time is difficult for anyone, but Teddy traded his isolated life for this. He was completely aware of the fact that it didn't matter if anyone saw him- that he didn't have to be quiet as a mouse anymore- but that was easier said than done. He was on a mission, he couldn't disappoint the only person who had ever got him.
But he also couldn't push his battery any further into the red than it already was. If he pushed himself, he'd get sloppy. And if he got sloppy, he'd get caught. And if he got caught... Well, he was supposed to be here. But it was easier if nobody knew he existed. He could just crawl, or roll, into any scene he wanted to. At this point, as sad as it was, non-existence was Teddy's comfort zone. Unseen, unheard, unknown- unknowable! He almost felt a little triumphant thinking about it- he didn't need anybody. Yeah, he was totally fine. He'd get on well enough!
Teddy was lost in his own little world and shallow mixed emotions, when he heard the massive clap come from the stairs. At first he just ignored it- probably one of those honking big books from the history section that someone dropped- but then he thought about it again. Someone with a lot of strength could accidentally make a noise like that!
...Or there could be a fight. It had only been a few days, it was about time someone got into a fight here, right? Unable to suppress his curiosity, Teddy shelved the volume he was reading. Luffy and the Going Merry could wait- either he'd finish his quest now, or he'd have some entertainment for the evening.
Walking silently, heel-first, Teddy made his way toward the stairs. Just as he was about to take a peek through the door, he froze with his back against the wall.
What the hell was that thing?! Skin almost as pale as his hair, Teddy froze in place with a terrible expression on his face. The shadowy figure shook violently and disappeared before his eyes, but he couldn't stop looking at where it had been.
You know what? He didn't want to know anymore.
The library was probably one of the only truly quiet places at Infinity. Aside from the whispers of pages turning, and the muffled footfalls on the carpet- or the occasional beeping from the coffee machine on the first floor. The rich coffee that he thought smelled exceptional, but refused to try. Even if they were fundamentally "different"- Rudolph was terrified of anything that could alter his perception. He was just now getting acquainted with "reality", and he still wasn't entirely sure how much he liked it- but it was better than living with a blindfold on. Running forward, following their commands, desperately trying to please.
He had managed to shore himself up in his own little corner, book in hand. As much as Rudolph always tried to regulate his emotions, now that he felt for lack of a better word- surrounded- he was having a hard time. Even five people felt like a crowd to him- three hundred in this achingly small space was completely overwhelming.
Even more overwhelming was the white room he was taken to for "private lessons"- the one where he felt he was being watched. Some might call it paranoia- but he knew better. He'd been through this before, it was hauntingly familiar, but he refused to let it play out in the same way. Sure, at some point he would become so tired it was hard to not allow his hallucinations to grow and flourish. But as long as he regulated his emotions, he was in control. No one could make him do anything.
Although Rudolph had picked out a book he knew he'd like, he was dozing off. The corners of his vision grew blurry- and he wasn't sure if they actually were- or if he was beginning to warp the area around him.
Until he heard a massive clap that originated from the stairway. He jolted awake, the book slipping out of his hands.
It would have fallen to the ground if it weren't for the shadowy dog-like figure that snatched it up with the hand protruding from its back. Regaining his calm, Rudolph took the book back, and the figure began to lazily wander away- walking through the air toward the second floor.
The Library was the quietest place on campus.
Book still firmly in his right hand, Rudolph calmly strode towards the stairwell, pausing only for a moment when he made eye contact with a man he recognized- he couldn't remember his name... the genius- who quickly returned his gaze to the pages of the book he was flicking through. How he read like that, he didn't know. Then again, he wasn't a genius.
Rudolph wasn't sure what he expected to find. He did know that he was probably going to regret going to investigate the moment he got there, but he couldn't stop himself. If he felt someone needed help, or hell- if they just asked- he was there. Why... Perhaps there was a part of him that longed for a bit of normalcy- characters in books always stepped forward to help out. Or maybe some part of him hoped that, if he hadn't been so lost in his own warped perception- if he had asked for help- someone would have helped him. He wasn't a hero, he barely felt like a person- but just like Rudolph was walking forward, he was trying to make sense of his place in the world now that he was truly out here on his own.
For a moment he just stood there, trying to make sense of what he was looking at. He was probably a little too sleep deprived at this point. Then he realized that he should probably say something.
What to say, what to say... Well, there was always the obvious:
"Want some help?" Perfect, simple, all purpose. His tone was a little hollow, and he was standing there with all the joie de vi·vre of a scarecrow, but he was there at least.
-
After another fruitless day of creeping around corners and ducking past doorways, Teddy was exhausted. Disappointment weighed heavily on his shoulders, he had come here to find his
Now instead of trying to find someone, he was trying to relax. Naruto was usually Teddy's favorite- at home, one of his walls was covered floor to ceiling with merch he'd ordered with one of his mom's credit cards: figures, whole manga sets, framed fan art. But he always read it chronologically, and Shippuden was a little too dark for him right now.
Instead, he turned to One Piece. You knew what you were going to get with Monkey D. Luffy- a good time, that's it! He just wants to kick some ass and become king of the pirates! ...Teddy actually hadn't read that much One Piece, but the earlier chapters were a comfort to him in this trying time.
Being out on your own for the first time is difficult for anyone, but Teddy traded his isolated life for this. He was completely aware of the fact that it didn't matter if anyone saw him- that he didn't have to be quiet as a mouse anymore- but that was easier said than done. He was on a mission, he couldn't disappoint the only person who had ever got him.
But he also couldn't push his battery any further into the red than it already was. If he pushed himself, he'd get sloppy. And if he got sloppy, he'd get caught. And if he got caught... Well, he was supposed to be here. But it was easier if nobody knew he existed. He could just crawl, or roll, into any scene he wanted to. At this point, as sad as it was, non-existence was Teddy's comfort zone. Unseen, unheard, unknown- unknowable! He almost felt a little triumphant thinking about it- he didn't need anybody. Yeah, he was totally fine. He'd get on well enough!
Teddy was lost in his own little world and shallow mixed emotions, when he heard the massive clap come from the stairs. At first he just ignored it- probably one of those honking big books from the history section that someone dropped- but then he thought about it again. Someone with a lot of strength could accidentally make a noise like that!
...Or there could be a fight. It had only been a few days, it was about time someone got into a fight here, right? Unable to suppress his curiosity, Teddy shelved the volume he was reading. Luffy and the Going Merry could wait- either he'd finish his quest now, or he'd have some entertainment for the evening.
Walking silently, heel-first, Teddy made his way toward the stairs. Just as he was about to take a peek through the door, he froze with his back against the wall.
What the hell was that thing?! Skin almost as pale as his hair, Teddy froze in place with a terrible expression on his face. The shadowy figure shook violently and disappeared before his eyes, but he couldn't stop looking at where it had been.
You know what? He didn't want to know anymore.