Something So Strange

[ωΘĿƒ]

Le Cyll continued down the hallway he'd always walked down; very kindly and quietly as to not wake his neighbors. This is mentioned because perhaps if he were not so considerate, he would be instead loud, and rude. That grating sound kept its high, clinging voice at a constant as he tried to block it out. It seemed there was to be a battle of wills, only he did not feel particularly willful at the moment.

You should listen to him... Did you see him? See how happy he is? How free and devoid of that pain? You could be like that. Listen! You could be the same as him...

No no, he had made it clear. Hendrix - although personally he could have nothing but good will towards the creature - was not something to be likened to. And this not because of the cowardly nature, the sickly disposition, the bold words, and the manic laughter. In fact, Le Cyll could not even think to condemn him for the fact that he hunted and raped women in the most violent of ways.

Absolutely not. It was something much worse than any of that. He was willess. There was no power to speak of in the creature, save what came from the abominable things inside of him - eating away at him like a cancer. A vicious disease of the mind, degenerative in nature.

It was repulsive, what the man had become...

He is happy...You want to be happy... So much... Forever...

No... not happy. Never had he wanted to be happy. He wanted to be wiped clean of this... all of this! What was it but unneeded parts to a perfectly functioning machine? He wanted the cool, lifeless grip of apathy, not happiness.

And he wanted to be alone, above all else. His head a clean slate. Nothing so much as whispering inside where only he should be...

Lonely... So lonely... You will be so afraid without me. Coward like him that you are...

He pressed the elevator button, calmly; indifferently. There was nothing... Nothing that could distinguish the turmoil that seemed to be brewing inside.

Yes.. if he were to have what he really wanted, he would be exactly like he was on the outside. Quiet. Clean. Neat. Organized. Without any show of brute feeling or interest.

That would be nice...

No it wouldn't!

"Quiet!"

[Iƪƪia]

A long, tiring day of wandering having come to an end, Seth stepped into the hotel. Normally she wouldn't have bothered to come here since it was so far from the school and the lake and made for an extra, unnecessary trip. Why walk all the way down to the town when she was perfectly capable of sleeping on the grass, or in the water, in a more natural environment and closer to her prey.

As luck would have it, however, she happened to have had a reason to come to town today. A human girl had taken a shine to her for some strange reason and had invited her to join her in town. After a few moments of wondering if the human's death would be worth the energy it would take to walk here, she agreed.

Unfortunately, shortly after arriving in town, the girl wandered down an alley for some reason or another. Seth had waited for a bit. Perhaps 30 minutes. Or 15. Or maybe just 5. Whatever. She had waited for some amount of time, but when the human didn't return, she decided that she didn't care enough to go looking for her and instead she chose to go to her nearby room and go to sleep.

She walked to the elevator, waiting in front of it. It was then she noticed the dog standing beside her out of the corner of her eye. She didn't say a word, didn't nod, didn't give him any sign of acknowledgement at all. There was no point. There never was a point. Just something about seeming 'polite.' The dog was not someone she needed to be polite to.

Sighing, she watched as the elevator doors opened. She stepped inside and gathered up enough energy to press the button for her floor. So boring. It was always so boring. Even one of her favorite pastimes, sleeping, was boring, though that didn't matter once she actually fell asleep. It might be nice if something different were to happen tonight, though that seemed rather unlikely.

[ωΘĿƒ]

This grating sound, as interesting and time-consuming as it was, could also have its moments of complacency. An odd concept, yes, but it was true. At some points this sound he heard though none were there would cease - and there would be that lovely quiet waiting for him.

And he would inhabit that quiet for a time, thinking. Only thinking. He never really cared for much else - besides the basic survival requirements. It was a minimalistic life, but he found the most profound moments in it. Perhaps it was simply his raising, but he'd much rather be an intelligent animal than a thinking, feeling individual.

Such a vulgar concept - scheduled moments of learning, of sleep, of socializing and of structure and content raging from dull to immeasurably interesting. It was... very structured. He was not used to it, first of all, and secondly he never had cared for such concepts of standardization and consistency. The only consistency should be language - and beyond that, nothing. As fond as he was of formulating things into efficiency, he did so prefer the encompassed concept of the chaotic natural world.

...and then there was his formula. Yes. He remembered now. The silence - the moment of complacency had arrived for that screeching sound, and now he was fully aware of his mission.

Just a small chore of sorts - he needed something from his underutilized room and overutilized storage container. It was close enough, considering his recent endeavor.

Not to mention, he felt odd... Most likely from the alcohol. At sight of Seth - who apparently lived here too but it seemed he'd never taken the time to notice - he even smiled politely - if not a little foolishly - and said, "Good evening."

[Iƪƪia]

Bored with both waiting and the scenery, Seth allowed her eyes to drift closed. She heard the dog speak, but didn't make any motion to show in response. She merely remained as still as a statue, and waited. It would have been very possible for her to have fallen asleep right then, however, even she would chose not to fall asleep in an elevator, even if it was much closer than her room.

Sighing, she opened her eyes, deciding that the risk of falling asleep was just to great. So, seeking something more interesting to capture her attention, she finally glanced up at the dog. He wasn't among the most interesting people she'd met, but at least he was more entertaining to watch than the floor. Hopefully.

Perhaps if she cared enough to pay attention, she would have noticed that he acted rather strange. Well, he was always strange, but this time he was different than their last encounter. Somehow. Not that she'd ever put in enough thought to figure out how.

Still not speaking, she leaned back against the wall and continued to stare at him. Oh, didn't he not like to be stared at? Oh well. It was interesting for her, and that was all that mattered. Not really, but it was still more interesting than the floor at least. Well, not really, but it was something. And that was the truth.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Seth did not respond to his rather slight, unconcerned greeting. This he expected. The water horse was not one for conversation or energy exertion. She was the very picture of efficiency - a perfectly manufactured creature. How interesting this was. He aspired to be the same, but usually in such cases he would be more proactive in this aspiration. There would be some need for dissection - of course - because such efficiency is a terrible thing to waste and if he must sacrifice such a beautiful thing for his own benefit, he would undoubtedly.

And yet in his first small scuffle with Seth, he had not been able to kill her. How sad, but it was done now, and he was not one to revisit previous plans. It is the lunatic that repeats exactly the same ritual and expects different results. He, though not entirely confident of his sanity, was at least convinced that he would get no further with Seth any other time he attempted such a sacrifice.

And he had thought even through poison. He couldn't quite risk that Seth may be immune, poisons though she was herself.

Ah well. So there was nothing else to do but enjoy the oddity of her unique nature. And this oddity was currently starring at him. Yes, very-

Scared, are we?

...what? Of who?

Seth

No. No that wasn't right.

I think you're scared...

Oh dear, it wasn't quiet anymore.

Look at her. She's provoking you. Staring like that. She knows you hate it when people stare. They can see you. They can see me. They can see us together, and it makes them want to hurt you...

Well, as the saying goes they are much more afraid of him than he was of them-

No...No! Violent creatures, all of them. Seth will wait until it is most convenient, then she will kill you... Scared of her... Scared of her...

Le Cyll blinked, staring back at Seth. Not intentionally, but rather it was just the place his eyes rested as he attempted to quiet this searing voice. It seems it had awoken with renewed vigor. Oh goody...

Yes... Stare. You can see it when you stare back at her. The hate. The contempt... What you idolize does not idolize you back...

Hmmm. This was new. He had never quite heard this approach before, and it rather worked more than the last ones had. Regardless, he gave the silent screaming sound but a small note in his vast memory, then ignored the rest of its vital message.

He had been staring at Seth for a very long time now. The elevator door opened, and he seemed to snap himself out of this painful daze, only to smile at Seth politely. It was done out of habit more than anything. He did so hate these trivial social cliches, but he had adequately mastered them. When you were accidentally staring at someone because the voice inside your head wanted to convince you to kill said someone, he knew the appropriate response was to smile.

It showed you weren't quite considering that option yet.

Yet...

"I'm sorry; I have been experiencing some ghastly headaches lately." Le Cyll stared at the open elevator door. Oh yes... his room. He remembered why he was... here now.

Kill her.

"Oh how rude of me," the wolf said with another more practiced smile, "Your room is on the same floor. Might I walk you there?"

Yes... Go. Be nice to her. Very nice. She won't notice...

Le Cyll's smile was forced to remain so as he tried not to grimace. Ah, every day with this... He might as well find something to quiet this sound soon.

No... Seth. I want Seth.

How about a unicorn? They were quite lovely this time of night.

[Iƪƪia]

Several moments of staring and she soon tired of that as well. With a sigh, she looked down and began to amuse herself by picking at a loose thread on the collar of her shirt. She could still feel his eyes on her, though she couldn't have cared less. She seemed to be a source of entertainment for him, though she had no idea why. A normal person would describe her as "boring", which she completely understood. She knew all about boring.

When the door opened, she actually managed to tear herself away from the entertainment that the thread provided to stare up at the dog blankly. He was offering to walk her to her room. Didn't he ever get tired of being polite and civil? She had never been able to understand such people. Saying things and going through motions all simply to appear socially acceptable. Of course, she had done this before as well, though she never understood the reasoning behind it.

Rather than responding, she simply looked away and strode past him. If he wanted to walk her so badly, then he would follow, but in the end, it made no difference. His company was of no use to her. He was boring, just like everyone else. The only time she would pay someone attention would be if they would prove to be entertaining. This usually meant that they could be easily killed. The dog would take more effort than she was willing to give, so he was boring.

She stopped at her door without really noticing it until she looked up. Must have just been habit that told her to stop at that precise location.

Without looking to see if the dog had indeed followed, she slowly reached into her pocket and retrieved her keys before, just as slowly, flipping through them to find the one she needed. She had quite a collection of keys, though most were useless now. It had simply been a bother to remove them in the past. Of course, now it was a bother to look through them. Actually, it was a bother to even lock the door. She had no reason to anyway. However, that was what normal people did, and she had to try to at least appear normal. To most people, that is.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Just as Seth had moved without responding to him, so he moved without really needing to be responded to. Such things were so... trivial. He did not say "please" and "thank you" to be petted on the head and awarded an immediate treat. Oh no, these were simply things he had imprinted into his way of life - in order that he may appear what others wished him to be. There was no need for such silly things as responses, because then there need be conversation attached to that response, and this was more often than not excruciating. Small talk. He could make small talk, but it was as pulling hot needles through himself - not particularly inviting.

He followed her, not saying anything. Best not. He was feeling...very odd indeed. All this talk of madness and rape had gotten to him - from previously in the bar. Hendrix... What an odd creature. Perhaps the two odds were related?

Stop it you fool... You're drunk.

"Bah," the wolf growled, waving off the imagined sound. He did not stop to consider how strange this might seem for Seth, mostly because he knew her to be above such useless thoughts.

"Leave me be."

No... no this is not right. You! Poison! How could you let such toxic, mind altering materials infiltrate your body? It is disgusting... Remove them!

This was very funny, but the wolf saved himself the effort of laughing. Instead he simply ignored the voice as he most often did and followed along with Seth down to her room.

The key was collected and the door opened, but that buzzing sound was getting louder...

Oh look... Seth's room.

Le Cyll nodded, absentmindedly.

Go inside. Now.

Whatever it was this sound was planning for him, Le Cyll was ready. However, he did not mind this advice given now. Inside sounded fine enough. He had never been inside Seth's hotel room before, and he dare say if it wasn't too much trouble he was curious to see what it was like.

Was it like his storage locker of an abode? Or was it something like any of the other creatures that he'd studied over the years. Some neat as he, while some filthy beings with hoarded garbage and one-track minds of aliens or the government. Lunatics, all of them! But they were quite fascinating. He did hope Seth was neat. She seemed so perfect, he'd hate to soil her image with one unforgivable flaw.

And... by the time he thought this he was already inside. He blinked, trying to remember how he'd got there. Seth was inside too, but she seemed to not care what he did - as always. It was rather rude, though. He would admit to that. How rude of him... how terrible.

Scared of her... Yes you are. Look at her. She's beautiful.

"Yes"

And you love beautiful things. You can appreciate the symmetry. The fragrance. The anatomy.

"Yes..."

You see their beauty inside and out. The color of their blood all over their perfect skin... and your perfect incisions complimenting at just the right places.

"Ah, yes..."

Isn't Seth beautiful? Isn't she though? So lovely... and so mysterious to you. I think you should learn something of her. Discover it. Slice it open and see how quickly the life drains...

"Too much trouble-"

-for such beauty? No. Never. Until you die, you will be a seeker of beauty. Find it... Seek it...

So strange... what was this? New tactics? New ways of directing him like a puppet on its strings? So very appealing, these ways - they were the most dangerous, then. And they sounded so very real.

What is real?

Indeed. What?

Le Cyll felt so confused now. Philosophy had always driven him in circles obsessively, and this question of reality was not helping him any. Perhaps it was the drink that did such damage though? What else could make his head spin so? The voice? The tactics? The drink...

"You are so very beautiful," Le Cyll said, and he was startled to notice he'd said it aloud. How strange. How very strange.

Yes... beautiful. Cut her open. Get closer. Closer...

Her skin so soft and white.

Red is good with white.

It was colder than his.

A water horse... Never dissected one before.

He had the most peculiar notion that he would warm this coldness then, though for the life of him he did not know why.

Closer is better. She can't get away from you.

So he warmed her with an embrace. Or... he thought it was something of that degree. Things were so fuzzy right now.

Yes... let go. Let me take over.

Not that fuzzy.

Kill her

Kiss her.

... and it was very hard to tell what happened after that.

[Iƪƪia]

***

The lake. She was at the lake. She didn't know why she was at the lake, but she was. Perhaps she was simply drawn to the water. It was instinct, and she couldn't recall how she had gotten here, but that didn't matter in the end. She was there now, away from the water's edge, her back to the lake.

Looking up, she examined the results of her labor. It was a rope. It hung off of the strongest branch she could find. More importantly, it formed a noose. It had taken her quite awhile to recall how to tie one of those. She managed it, however, and now there it hung. It must surely look ominous to some, but to her it was just a rope.

She knelt down to stand up a small log placed just beneath the noose. Hopefully both the branch and the rope would hold. She thought it would, but she couldn't be entirely sure. There were strange things happening in her mind and body now after she had that baby.

... Oh right. She had a baby.

Seth turned to look back at the small form. Right next to the lake, just where she left it. Actually, it seemed dangerously close to the water's edge, which caused her to wonder momentarily if it could swim, though that thought was soon swept aside by another wave of apathy.

It belonged to the dog. Of course, he knew nothing of it, though she knew what was wrong with her not long after their meeting that one night. Luckily the creature hadn't interfered with her life much at all. Until tonight, at least. She had come to the lake - well, not the lake specifically, but outside in general - for a reason, but that vile creature saw fit to interrupt her.

At least it was finished now.

She turned back toward the tree, effectively forgetting the baby as she slowly climbed onto the log.

Why she had never thought to act on this before, even she didn't know. It seemed so obvious now. Death had always fascinated her. It had been the only thing capable of fascinating her. She did so enjoy watching other creatures succumb to it's call. Perhaps it had been that she assumed that by dying herself, she wouldn't be able to observe and enjoy it as much.

However, after much thought on this subject, she decided that her curiosity was simply too much. That look they had... That look they all had. What was it? Fear? Realization? Sorrow? No. She had seen all of these emotions before. That look was like nothing she had seen before. So what was it?

She was going to find out. Perhaps she'd be able to feel exactly what they felt. Perhaps she'd finally understand.

Slipping the noose around her neck, she looked out across the lake: the last sight she was ever going to see. Then, without hesitation, she kicked the log away.

She had made sure to tie it just so that death wouldn't be instantaneous. Instant death was no fun.

Staring at the water, she had time to think about this new feeling that enveloped her. There wasn't much pain. Numbness, to be sure. But was that... Something else? That feeling...

... It was nothing. There was nothing. Huh. Evidently, death wasn't so great after all.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Whatever was it that caused him so much... restlessness. Yes, this is what this feeling was. Such unease, discontent, disheartening as to force him from the safe enclosure of the library and his books and out into the open air.

He used to take pleasure in such places. Now they further caused him apprehension - but today was different. He had needed to move, and he was moving now. Swift as the powerful strides could take him his lithe body glided over the uneven floor. He was as a shadow - unseen and unheard. But he could see and smell and hear the things of the forest as they rushed to be away from him. Taking no notice of them, he continued to move incessantly forward.

Why?

You should have killed her...

Oh yes. Running away from something.

Stupid thing... I had to fore your drunken mind to comply with me but you failed... Failed and she's still alive. What is wrong with you?

Oh dear. Run faster. That might help some.

Terrible thing you are... Why did I choose you? What an evil, vile, wretched thing you are. You did that thing to her... when you should have KILLED her!

Faster. Faster would help.

Do you feel any better now? Now that you've done something so useless? You were designed to kill, not copulate. Filthy creature... I want you to catch a squirrel. Can you do that for me?

Squirrel. Yes. Squirrels were easily caught. Le Cyll darted to the left suddenly, at such a speed that the haze of black was hardly noticeable as it fluttered by - and he landed upon something small and wriggling. It made awful, squeaking noises.

Kill it.

Le Cyll's claws dug into the ground. He pierced the thing with them and he crushed its frail bones. There was no more wriggle. He removed his paw and sniffed at the squirrel curiously.

"I did feel the need of a small snack."

Yes. See? I help. Eat your kill like a good dog and go find something bigger. Bigger... Something with hooves and horns that you can slowly claw away at. We will build you up to sentience... but I will need sentience soon.

Why yes, deer sounded lovely. Le Cyll swallowed the squirrel in one bite and padded leisurely on, sides heaving and tongue lolling from his run.

Water. Go to the lake. You loved it so. You will love it again. It will wash the smell of death from you once you start killing things again. Filthy creature.

Yes... Yes that sounded acceptable. He did like the lake. So to the lake he went - slowly, taking his time so that when his feet first touched the pebbled shore he was no longer panting.

And then he was again. Was that...? What was that? Across the lake... Something dangling by a branch.

Oh no...

Oh no...

Le Cyll's wings fluttered to life, lifting him over the lake's rippling waters and landing him on the opposite shore. He was wet when he got there though. Halfway through the flight he'd seen what it was that dangled, and at that moment he had felt a strange sense of weakness.

Just a split second. He pitched and fell. But then his wings were flapping furiously again and he rose to finish his journey. He did not rush to the dangling thing, nor did he take much more interest in it than a stare - cold and gray-eyed. Ears flicked forward and jaws open just enough to let the tongue slip between the fangs and taste this thing hanging there.

The teeth snapped shut, eyes darted to the noise his ears had already followed. A child played along the waters' edge - tripping and splashing in the shallows. Le Cyll inched forward, head tipped. The child did not stop to acknowledge him, simply continued to play.

It looked to be about four years of age. It smelled newborn, and like a wolf. The child tripped on a slime-covered rock and fell into the deeper waters. Le Cyll jolted forward, but paused just as a serpentine form slithered out into the deep.

It could swim very well... She could. Le Cyll's head turned back to the hanging thing.

...you missed your chance.

Quiet. So quiet. And then, there was one thought that pervaded the darkness.

"Yes... pity."

Le Cyll gathered up this strange water-loving child of his - as he knew this was the only explanation for its existence. Then he left. He did not touch the body, nor give it a third glance. It was forgotten.

Forgotten...

Forgotten. Yes. Of course. Absolutely forgotten.