of-what-remains

[of-what-remains]

"A game of questions. I ask you a question, and then you ask me one. Back and forth."

Everything was quiet in Arlo's hospital room, until it wasn't. A sudden knocking at the door knocked Arlo out of his thoughts. The person outside knocked once, twice, thrice, before opening the door.

Standing there was a man. A small smile appeared on his face as his eyes landed on Arlo. The man slowly closed the door behind him. He was wearing a few business-casual layers of black and navy, and had curly brown hair. He seemed ordinary enough.

"Hello, Arlo. How are you feeling?"

“Shit :D”

[of-what-remains]

The man then sat down in a chair beside the hospital bed.

"I'm sorry you're feeling that way... Maybe I can take your mind off of it? We could play a game."

Everything was quiet in Arlo's hospital room, until it wasn't. A sudden knocking at the door knocked Arlo out of his thoughts. The person outside knocked once, twice, thrice, before opening the door.

Standing there was a man. A small smile appeared on his face as his eyes landed on Arlo. The man slowly closed the door behind him. He was wearing a few business-casual layers of black and navy, and had curly brown hair. He seemed ordinary enough.

"Hello, Arlo. How are you feeling?"

“Shit :D”

[of-what-remains]

I am familiar with the trials of the Beholding. If you ever need support, please feel free to contact me. It is challenging and oftentimes surreal. Grounding exercises worked wonders.

used to see green doors where There Were Never Any And Will Never Be Any if that’s important

(I’m not even in character bro i just genuinely saw doors everywhere in my childhood)

Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when you saw the doors? And, do you remember seeing anyone enter or exit the doors, or any other relevant details?

My immediate thought goes to the Distortion entity and its doors, but those were always quite yellow, not green. Maybe this marks the emergence of a new Spiral creature.

[of-what-remains]

I'll see you tomorrow, Arlo.

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

Interesting! Perhaps it is familial.

I'm sorry that you don't have that kind of feeling in your life anymore. I know you really enjoyed the feeling of being "seen" as what you really are. I hope this conversation gave you a glimpse back to that time.

used to see green doors where There Were Never Any And Will Never Be Any if that’s important

(I’m not even in character bro i just genuinely saw doors everywhere in my childhood)

Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when you saw the doors? And, do you remember seeing anyone enter or exit the doors, or any other relevant details?

My immediate thought goes to the Distortion entity and its doors, but those were always quite yellow, not green. Maybe this marks the emergence of a new Spiral creature.

[of-what-remains]

Fair enough! I hope your recovery is swift and painless. Perhaps I could visit you, if you'd be open to that kind of thing. I know you don't know me.

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

This is now making me think of imaginary friends. Not that this was imaginary, but I'm thinking of a similar concept. Maybe they saw themself in you. Are you neurodivergent, by chance? I think that maybe you saw yourself as something "not-quite-human," maybe not deserving of human connection, and that's why your subconscious allowed you to see the doors.

used to see green doors where There Were Never Any And Will Never Be Any if that’s important

(I’m not even in character bro i just genuinely saw doors everywhere in my childhood)

Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when you saw the doors? And, do you remember seeing anyone enter or exit the doors, or any other relevant details?

My immediate thought goes to the Distortion entity and its doors, but those were always quite yellow, not green. Maybe this marks the emergence of a new Spiral creature.

[of-what-remains]

I see! Well, I think that many trans folks want a different body, not no body at all. I think the ones who do truly want no body, trans or not, should consider reaching out for support.

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

You saw the doors as a friend? I wonder if that speaks more about the nature of the doors or about you...

used to see green doors where There Were Never Any And Will Never Be Any if that’s important

(I’m not even in character bro i just genuinely saw doors everywhere in my childhood)

Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when you saw the doors? And, do you remember seeing anyone enter or exit the doors, or any other relevant details?

My immediate thought goes to the Distortion entity and its doors, but those were always quite yellow, not green. Maybe this marks the emergence of a new Spiral creature.

[of-what-remains]

Good guess! The actual answer is a lawsuit.

Do many people you know not want a body? I'd imagine that you do not want a body right now due to your being in the hospital... But without a body, you wouldn't even be able to want.

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

used to see green doors where There Were Never Any And Will Never Be Any if that’s important

(I’m not even in character bro i just genuinely saw doors everywhere in my childhood)

Interesting. Do you remember how you felt when you saw the doors? And, do you remember seeing anyone enter or exit the doors, or any other relevant details?

My immediate thought goes to the Distortion entity and its doors, but those were always quite yellow, not green. Maybe this marks the emergence of a new Spiral creature.

[of-what-remains]

Alright! What is it that no one wants, but no one wants to lose?

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

Okay, here goes...

What do you call a seagull that flies over the bay?

A bay-gull!

Haha, ha... That wasn't good, was it? How about a riddle?

Hello there! I read your recent post about being in the hospital. I am very sorry about that. Would you like me to entertain you a bit?

yes please

[of-what-remains]

Were you always just an entity?

Hello, "Tumble"! May I ask you about your name? It is rare that beings of the Spiral take on a name so easily. Or maybe it hasn't been easy. Do tell.

I started calling myself that some time ago, and it stuck. I use it when I decide to look more human. The Leitner I was bound to before Alix set me free referred to me as Tumble as well, so the name kinda got wound into my being.

[of-what-remains]

Artifact Testing: The Grandfather Clock

A clock that is never late.

Name/Title: The Grandfather Clock Parent Entity: The Eye Item Description: A grandfather clock made out of a deep wood. The entirety of the structure of the clock, from its base to its crown, is covered in sanskrit. If translated, it repeats the Nyaya Sutras (an ancient text of Hindu philosophy focused on the rules of knowledge, reason and metaphysics) over and over. 

When the clock strikes the hour, a hissing noise is produced instead of a regular clock chime.  Item Effects: When the clock strikes the hour, all Eye avatars within earshot gain the knowledge of the intent of all persons within 10 feet of them. Additionally, all within earshot who follow the path of the Eye (indirectly or not, with their knowledge or not) find themselves compelled to stop what they are doing and watch any person in the room until the person, or the follower, leaves. 

Notes: This one was much easier to take notes on due to the artifact testing already administered by the Institute. Attached are their notes.

[of-what-remains]

I see. Lovely to meet you. Would you mind if I asked you another question?

Hello, "Tumble"! May I ask you about your name? It is rare that beings of the Spiral take on a name so easily. Or maybe it hasn't been easy. Do tell.

I started calling myself that some time ago, and it stuck. I use it when I decide to look more human. The Leitner I was bound to before Alix set me free referred to me as Tumble as well, so the name kinda got wound into my being.

[of-what-remains]

Artifact Testing: The Breathing Grass

From the library of Jurgen Leitner.

Name/Title: Gramen Spirat

Translation: The Grass Breathes / The Breathing Grass

Parent Entity: The Buried

Item Description: A black leatherbound book inscribed with the title “Gramen Spirat”. The spine of the book also has the title etched onto it. There is no sign of an author, though on the inside of the front page a worn label states: “From the library of Jurgen Leitner.” The book details various types of grass, and folktales surrounding the movement of roots in grass fields. The term “The Breathing Grass” is used generously throughout, even when it is not appropriate. 

Experimentation results: If the book is read by or aloud near an individual marked by the Buried, grass will begin to grow inside their organs. It begins with the heart; the grass will furl around the organ, constricting it and forcing it to beat faster; it will then spread outwards along the nervous and digestive systems, rendering all senses null except for the tightening of the grass; it will then crawl up the brainstem, causing mania and the all-consuming fear that the grass is all that is left of you; finally, it will grow into the lungs, causing the individual to suffocate and die. The individual’s body will be overcome by the book’s influence, turning their body to grass. This process happens over years, and is often marked by paranoia and medical shunning. 

Notes: This one was slow. The man that I followed who was in possession of this book took 5 years to finally disappear. Gaining access to his medical records to document his symptoms was easy enough due to everyone going digital. After that, it was only a matter of finding the book and destroying it. As it burned, I couldn't help but notice the smell of a brush fire.