+ Eighteenth Fairytale +

[imsorryimissed]

The fairytales all say that the easy way out is the worst. Don't get curious. Don't go looking.

[He shifts, uncomfortable. Why is he trying to help the other passengers?]

Just--

I.

Monsters are real.

Wolves are real.

But not all wolves are bad.

[Mr Gazelle was a wolf. Mr Gazelle is good, though. Scary, but good.]

Comments

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

I like wolves.

But you're wasting your time.

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

How am I wasting my time, Mr Bass?

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

People don't like to be told what to do. They'll almost always go and to the exact opposite, especially if they're stupid.

And adults will look at kids and call them naive, just because they haven't been alive as long. Most people don't get it. So even if you're right, they won't listen to you.

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

[Softly.]

If they're smart they'll listen.

[Oleg considers this. Bass is speaking truth as far as he knows.]

I think you're right. People don't want to hear things from someone who knows. It makes them angry.

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

Exactly. People don't want to be smart. They want to be right.

[And because he's stalking all the conversations you're having-] Do you need food?

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

[You are blowing Oleg's mind here, Bass. This is all the stuff he thinks, but doesn't know how to say. He's only eleven.]

They want to feel right. Just feelings.

[Oleg looks over to his cache of food. He picked stuff that wouldn't rot, and when he goes out of his room he carries a weapon and he's hyper vigilant.

There's also a bottle of vodka that Oleg hasn't dared to open yet. Adults drink that stuff. They say it makes them brave and happy.

He's too scared to really try it.]

I'm going to go out for more soon.

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

Order me to get you some and I will.

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

Order you--

[Oleg sounds surprised.]

Why do you need me to order you?

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

I don't really need you to, but I'm in my grave and I don't want to leave. If you order me, I'll be more inclined to listen.

Take advantage of your resources.

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

[Oleg is shocked into silence for a moment, before his normally monotone voice gains an edge of stress.]

Grave?! Why are you--get out! Mr Bass!

[That's so strange. Oleg cares if Bass dies. He's not happy by the thought of Bass dead.]

I, uh, I order you. I order you to not lay in your grave. I order you to come help me get food, Mr Bass!

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

[There is a long period of silence until there's a grunt and a scrape as Bass climbs out.]

I'll get you food, but I'm coming back here once I do. I don't eat, sleep or breathe, so I'm not in any danger of dying.

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

[Drugs.

Drugs.

Oleg feels sick.

Every adult he knows is addicted to something. Drugs. Violence. Mostly drugs. They're all so obsessed with running away from reality--no wonder reality sucks so much if adults neglect it!

Oleg swallows hard, and his voice is low and bitter when he speaks again.]

Fine.

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

[Hmph.]

What's your room number?

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

I can't lock it good enough. I'll meet you by the deck eight elevator.

[No way in Hell Oleg will tell the entire ship where he lives.]

[ locked / unhackable ]

[erhabenheit]

Fine. [Very smart kid.

Bass goes to collect some food and meet him there. Ugh, he's already feeling the anger creep back.]

[Locked // 25% Unhackable]

[imsorryimissed]

[It's something Major Kusanagi taught him. Oleg may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he does learn quick.]

Okay.

[And there Oleg is by the eighth deck elevator, kitchen knife in nervous hand.]