Ninth Lotus

[spandexisyouth]

This is not right. This is not right in any possible way that anything could be right.

[Slowly a sketch is drawn, erased a couple of times until Youth is happy enough with it.]

Comments

[man_genius]

Ok I'll bite. What you have against snails?

[spandexisyouth]

It is not a snai [Writing breaks off.]

I hope it is not a snail. The snail is strong and steady, but it is slow.

[man_genius]

It also wins the race. <---Moral

So if it isn't a snail what is it supposed to be? A bird? A fingerprint?

[spandexisyouth]

I do not know what it is. But it is important.

It looks more like a snail than anything. But I do not think that is right.

[heretic_hamlet]

Struck out after a pause.

[spandexisyouth]

I do not know. I have seen it. I have worn it. But I do not know what it is.

What is yours?

[heretic_hamlet]

[He keeps attempting to write but always stops himself before finishing. Eventually he's seemingly writing words frantically and at random before he, apparently, throws down his fountain pen.]

[spandexisyouth]

Are you

That is

Then we both do not know. Are you all right?

[smokesordie]

Deformed hermit crab?

[spandexisyouth]

I hope even more that it is not a deformed hermit crab than that it is not a snail. Snails are not deformed. Unless they are. But it is not a normal thing.

[smokesordie]

Looks like someone stepped on it.

[spandexisyouth]

It was carved! It was not stepped on! I am certain of that much!

Nosy Derrick is nosy

[bloody_pens]

You've got comments on the snail-thing. But I'm getting there are other things wrong from the way you wrote that you don't get "any of this". So- what's up?

[spandexisyouth]

You are right.

Things have changed, and I do not know how to write about them safely. The drawing is important, but so are others that I do not know. I do not know anything.

[bloody_pens]

[Pen taps.]

Ah, yeah, the whole "everyone sees what you write" thing.

...Wanna talk about it in person? Do you think that would help?

[spandexisyouth]

I look like an idiot. I do not want to be seen. Can we talk if you do not look in my direction?

[redhead_rabbit]

Is it an acorn?

[spandexisyouth]

Acorn. That I think is closer! Closer than snail! It could be an acorn!

[redhead_rabbit]

Sure could be. Where'd ya see this thing?

[spandexisyouth]

I saw it.

And now things are changed.