Chapter XXVI: To Go Back To Madness
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Gravity was taking its toll on Poète.
He was falling.
From what exactly he had no idea, but he knew the air felt heavy.
According to Fidèle, that was never a good sign.
He didn’t mind much though, since the feeling was usually accompanied by sleep, which he so desperately needed, or a living fever dream, which he adored.
Sometimes both.
Lovely.
A thine, shadowy hand reached out and pulled him to the side by the front of his shirt.
“Petit Shakespeare, it’s been quite a while since we made our offer.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvKBzt4OBL
A soft voice hissed at him.
He recognized the owner of the voice as the tallest being from a few hours before.
“And?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs57eWQ8Y6
He replied.
The figure let go of his shirt.
“You never gave us an answer.”
It pouted, almost playfully.
“We were beginning to worry!”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdmCoHnM2M
Chimed in the shorter figure as it shifted into Poète’s field of vision.
“Mmm… that’s a good point, little one.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEAxfYytPc
The taller one purred.
“Oh goodness! Did I get it?”
The smaller one cried, clapping its hands together, making a noise that sounded much like radio static.
“Indeed, you did.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLrZmSqsYH
Said the largest patronizingly before turning back to Poète.
“Do you have an answer for us? I do believe we’ve waited long enough.”
It said, crossing its long slender arms over its chest with a sudden seriousness that somehow made the air heavier.
“Fidèle… Fidèle would not be… happy if I went with you.”
Poète mumbled, trancing the missing piece of his index finger.
The smallest figure shrugged.
“She wasn’t ‘happy’ to begin with-”
“Can it.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOAn77XkNB
The largest one snapped.
It glanced back down at Poète, tilting his chin towards itself.
“Since when do you care what she thinks?”
It hissed, its skin cold and rough like sand against his skin.
“I… don’t… know.”
He mumbled, his eyes flicking upward to avoid the possibility of eye contact.
“Exactly, Petit Shakespeare! Now, come-”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRIfLh6QRb
The creature purred, grabbing Poète’s sleeve and starting to drag him off.
“Wait a moment!”
He cried, pulling away from it.
The shorter one threw its head back and groaned like a child.
“Goodness, Poe! I thought you said you were coming with us!”
It whined.
“I never said that.”
Poète snarled, blinking rapidly.
“Well, goodness! You implied it!”
“Oh dear! That doesn’t mean anything! It’s… complicated. With Fidèle, that is.”
“I didn’t realize you had become her caretaker.”
“For the love of God, I said it’s complicated.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGTZXrIv1w
“Poète! You imbécile, wake UP!”
Shouted an exasperated voice, followed by tremor-like shaking.
The space began to collapse in on itself and the air began to lighten.
“POE!”
Poéte blinked awake, his eyes adjusting to the light and Fidéle’s furious expression.
Thank God, it was all a dream.
“Cherie...?”
Poète groaned.
Fidèle rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Cherie… cherie… whatever!”
Fidèle muttered.
“Don’t pull that ‘cherie’ stuff with me. I thought you were dead!”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDps7xfFiVi
She scolded.
“Oh dear. I didn’t know you cared.”
He grinned.
“I… don’t.”
She scowled, tossing Poète’s coat and hat at him.
“We're going out.”
She pulled her gloves up on her wrist.
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“Why do I have to come?!”
He whined.
“Because I don’t trust you home alone.”
She replied.
Poète rolled his eyes.
“Why not?! “
Fidèle turned around to face him, gesturing at the house and then Poète slouched on the couch.
“Because the last time you were left unsupervised… this insanity happened!”
Fidèle huffed, shrugging on her sweater.
“Oh dear, poupèe! You don’t understand! Insanity is such a wonderful experience! Filled with colors that have yet to be named, companions that might stay by your side for eternity, and most delightful of all poetry! Oh dear, the poetry, mon cher! Poetry-”
He chuckled whimsically.
“And this is why you’re coming with me, Socrates.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY9pcFZFCP
She interrupted, pulling him up by his shirt sleeve.
“Oh dear-”
“Come on! We’re going out!”
“To where?!”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWK8XFVFLP
“I don’t know! Anywhere, really! I’m just tired of being inside! Doesn’t the outdoors sound like the bee's knees?”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDfKTnFnS4
“No!”
He yelped, glancing over his shoulder and digging his heels into the floor.
“Well, too bad, Poe!”
She said, shoving him out the door.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDHtFB05en
Poète blinked, his eyes glassy, the cold air stinging his throat.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbMXNbaBcj
“You alright, Poe?”
Fidèle called, already halfway to the street.
“Yes just… oh dear, how to explain it…?”
He mumbled.
“How to explain what?!”
She cried, trotting over despite herself.
Poète pursed his lips.
“Oh dear… It feels like my whimsy left me…!”
He tittered.
Fidèle clapped him on the shoulder.
“Welp, knowing you, Poe, it’ll be back soon.”
She laughed, only half joking as she turned back towards the road, grabbing Poète by his sleeve and dragging him behind her.
“HEY-”
He yelped, digging his heels into the dirt.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ033dWL5VVi
“COME ON, POE.”
Fidèle grunted, taking larger steps.
“Such a stick in the mud…”
She muttered.
“Actually, I prefer quill-”
“Poète.”122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjhtMOEwcy
“Oui, poupée?”
“You’re still annoying.”
She muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
Poète rolled his eyes, placing his hat on his head, which soon tilted to the side.
“I wish to go back to madness.”
He huffed.
Fidèle snorted.
“You can’t ‘go to’ madness! It’s not a place!”
She cooed, as if reasoning with a particularly stubborn child, though she was only half joking.
“You can ‘go to’ sleep though, can’t you? That is not a place either.”
He purred with a smirk122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5aZB6wcKh
and then Add to home screen.