tales of Suchita

The inside of the room looks like a cave. There is a lake in the middle which is giving out an eerie blue-white light. On the ceiling, there are quartz stones in the form of daggers. Despite knowing that the water is poisonous, Ramshackle is drawn to it. As soon as its toe dips into it, the memories of Ramshackle the First come rushing in.

It wasn’t born out of unfulfilled human potential; it was cast out from its realm because it refused to do its duty and use its gift of a dream maker. Ramshackle was dismissive of any supplicant who came to it to get a dream fulfilled. It wasted all its time and potential by coveting the magic of its sibling who could talk to the dead.

As the story unfolds, Ramshackle finds itself on its knees, tears running down its faceless face.

Ramshackle the First spent a century on Earth, still not living its gift, refusing to learn from its banishment. It was not surprising, then, that it tried to abandon Earth as well for a new home. It used up almost all its magic to make the house, so its magical signature won’t be immediately traceable. It kept a sliver of it to cut a hole in reality to escape.

Instead of a new realm though, its guilt forced it back home. The lake found this weakened version as pathetic as the one that had been cast out. So, it stripped the entity of its memories and once again, sent it back to Earth, hoping for a better outcome the second time around.

You have done well, child. We’re proud of you.

A well of defeat and humiliation opens inside as Ramshackle sees the past. What right did it have to judge humans? To call them weak?

But, your work is not done. You must go back.

“Haven’t I been punished enough?”

Do you wish to return home then?

That word, home, gives it pause. Where is Ramshackle’s home? Is it here or is it with Kilney? It realizes the answer immediately.

“I want to return to Earth but I don’t want to be cut off from you.”

That is an easy request to grant, dream maker. Go in peace.

Ramshackle wakes up and finds himself back in the house, sitting next to Kilney. Kilney jumps and hugs him. When Ramshackle doesn’t hug him back, his enthusiasm falters.

“Oh god tell me you remember me.”

Ramshackle’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. “I remember everything.” He turns to the house as if it’s a real person standing in front of him and asks, “Did you know?”

We did not.

“What is it?” asks Kilney.

“May I have another hug please?”

Kilney laughs but hugs Ramshackle. They stay like that for a time.

“Thank you for being a bull-headed human and not giving up on understanding what was happening.”

His eyebrows rise in surprise. “What did you see?”

Ramshackle tells him. Kilney whistles loudly. Then tells him what he saw.

“The ritual didn’t go as per what the house and I discussed.”

“I don’t think the house understands a lot of things and I think I know why.”

We understand everything. This is why we would recommend the two of you spend some time here, acclimating yourselves to the changes before foraying into the world again, looking for people to aid.

The imperious way the house speaks makes Kilney and Ramshackle roll their eyes.

“How are you feeling about all this?”

Kilney thinks for a moment. “Really good. You?”

“I feel like I’m just getting started.”

Kilney slaps Ramshackle’s back. “On that note…I’m craving some Pinot Noir. Do you think, house, you could get some for us?”

A bottle and two glasses appear on the table and the two friends clink their glasses. Once they have had their first glass in silence, Kilney’s infernal notebook comes out and they start planning.

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26 of 26 of an ongoing series The Dream Maker. You can read all posts here. Written as part of #BlogchatterA2Z.

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