literature

Mythstuck II Chapter II

Deviation Actions

Published: Nov 1, 2016

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Literature Text

He thought Arturo flew. He knew the Nitrams were fairies, but he's only known Rufioh to fly. Instead of it, they walked through the forest towards the base.
"But isn't walking a dangerous thing to do?" Karkat asked quietly, "Through the woods like this, unarmed?" Arturo shook his head, "You may have to think about it, Karkat; we're not traveling by those noisy machines, were not using any form of magic to be tracked down to and it's the early morning. Alternians are nocturnal, mostly, and even if we are spotted, we can always defend ourselves. This, in fact, is the safest way to travel as of now." Karkat looked to him and looked at the snow. "Is it going to storm later? Like a snow storm?" He shrugs, "They'll assume it's day-walkers." Karkat nodded as he looked up, he becoming aware that there was an open clearing ahead of them. "Isn't the base supposed to be here?"
"It is here, dummy." Karkat nearly jumped out of his skin, looking behind him. "Terezi!" She cackled as she pulled out a pair of glasses, handing them to him, "What do you think? An invisible wall around the base and it was Sollux's idea!" Karkat took the glasses and put them on, taken aback at exactly how close he was to the wall of the base. "Jesus Christ. How did you manage to do that?"
"We borrowed Rose's sister's spell book and used it," she said as she walked to the gate's door, opening it and nodding her head in the direction. "It sucks completely when you realize that you forget your glasses, but there are some pretty good pros, too." Karkat followed Arturo into the camp, feeling Terezi shut the gate past them. "It's been forever, nerd. Where've you been at?" Karkat looked to him, shrugging and wheezing. "I'm not entirely sure, but I'm here now."
"Of course! How's the cool kid?"
"Not so hot," Karkat admitted, "He's been stressed out lately and he doesn't really like to talk to people much around this time of year. Thank God he's starting to try to be himself again but after this mess, it's hard. To top it off, it doesn't help when his cousin and his brother are presumed dead and I'm all that's left for him." Karkat watched her frown, narrowing her eyes. "Tell him that I'll try to listen through the grapevine and pick up information regarding either."
"If it comes to Brogan," Karkat bit his lip, "don't tell him. Don't try to look for Brogan." She nodded before looking to Arturo. "They're waiting, Art. Is he free to follow around and talk or is he with you?" He nodded his head away, she smiling before wrapping her fingers around his wrist and waved off, walking away with Karkat.
"It's so different, here is," Terezi spoke softly, "When my aunt sent me here to live with Vriska, it was so boring here. Nothing eventful, there were no executions, no death matches on the television. But I liked the reformed one better than this. You can't walk outside the gated community without getting questioned about your alignment and if you're on the wrong side, you're as good as dead!" Karkat gulped, looking to her. "Do you remember anything about your aunt?"
"She was raising my sister and me due to our mother being in a coma," she said, "and she sent us here when I was about a week old and when Latula was almost a year due to my aunt doing some dangerous shit. The woman was hung over her work, and Vriska and I know that Carol-Ann Serket ordered her death." Karkat gulped. He knew little of the woman, whom he only knew as Robyn Pyrope. Only the fact that she was suspected to be familiar with his father. "That's rough. What about your dad?"
"They didn't know each other well. I think they only knew their first names," Terezi explained, "She wanted kids, I guess. Aunt Nikki wouldn't tell us how they met." Karkat nodded, gulping as they walked to a small house, she knocking on its door. "Prospit seems so quiet. What's going on?" Terezi put a finger on his lips, "I'll tell you when we get inside." The door opened, Karkat looking towards the opening and finding Rose. "Karkat, I didn't expect you here." Someone else peered around the door from behind Rose, "You can come inside." Rose stepped from the side and let them in, Kanaya shut the door behind them. Karkat felt Kanaya wrap her arms around him, feeling a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you, Karkat." He smiled and hugged her back before they let go, she leading him to a couch.
"Do you remember when Prospit and Derse were at their necks for the first year and a half?" Terezi asked in a hushed tone, "And when Art was pissed off enough to pull both the monarchs of each side in and was locked in a room with the both of them until they resolved something?" Karkat shook his head, hearing Kanaya clear her throat. "They resolved it by having a treaty; they trade with one another- as well as other people- and they had an agreement; Prospitians defend the Dersite Base in the day, and the Dersites protect this location at night." Karkat nodded as he looked around the small space. There were no walls that divided the rooms apart and their space was so small he could walk from one end of the house to the other within 15 paces. "Kanaya, I have a question or few for you, if you don't mind I ask them."
"Not at all," Kanaya sat on the bed across from him and folding her hands on her lap. "What is it?" He gulped and scratched the back of his head, "Do you know anyone in your family by the name of, um," he went quiet before wheezing, looking back up. "I'm sorry, I don't remember her name, it could've been your grandmother." He looked up to her, her head was tilted with a smile. "Darrah Maryam? My mother?" Karkat gulped and nodded, "That's her."
"I knew my mother well, Karkat. About 13 years ago, however, we stopped talking," Kanaya admitted, "She was found dead and there was a note with the body. As Porrim was the next matriarch, she was given the note and I was able to read it once." Karkat gulped as he sunk into the couch, looking at the floor. "Don't worry, Karkat, you hadn't known about it. However, what about her?"
"Arturo said that she knew my dad well," he murmured, "and I was looking to see if I could find anything about my family." Kanaya nodded, looking to the window and pressing her lips together. "I could answer anything to my ability, Karkat. You must remember that I'm older than Silas." Karkat perked up, gulping. "Do you remember anything before I was split up from them? Maybe names?"
She hummed, covering her mouth and leaning forward, thinking before dropping her hand and looking up at him as she sat up straight. "I remember that Silas was with your mother, Dannica, before what happened. I also remember that there were others. Siblings of yours, I believe." Karkat perked up, "I'm a little scatter-brained past that. I don't remember much else, I'm sorry." Karkat gulped, nodding and looking back to his friend, "Thank you, Kanaya." She nodded with a weak smile, "I hope you find whatever you're looking for, Karkat." He nodded as the room fell silent.
"Well, anywho, Karkat was telling me about Dave," Terezi broke the silence. He watched Rose raise an eyebrow, "Really? How is he?" Karkat shook his head as he sighed. "Not well. He's on edge all the time from not knowing what happened to Dirk or that son-of-a-bitch, and I don't know how to help him. I try but nothing ever seems to work." Rose frowned and looked to the ground. "I wish I could help, as well, but I've discovered something that I'm not sure that would help at all."
"What?" Karkat asked, furrowing his eyebrows at Rose. "According to my mom, before she went out with John's dad to look for a safer place than here, she admitted that Dave and I are related."
"How so?"
"Dave's my uncle, technically," Rose admitted. "You can figure out how that would connect me to the Strider family if you consider that my mother is 2 years younger than Dave's brother." He didn't want to think about it, shaking his head and looking around. "I don't know how much longer Arturo is going to be talking, guys. He's pretty brief when it comes to passing the word to others; he says it's a security risk if you take too long in relaying information." Kanaya nodded as they stood, meeting in the middle of the couch and bed, Kanaya wrapping her arms around him, squeezing him hard. Karkat mimicked her moves, sighing as they let go. "I'll try to visit the base more often, Kanaya." She nodded as she put her forearm over her eyes, Karkat knowing that she doesn't want him to see her cry. "I know you'll try, Karkat, and you're always welcome here. Anytime." Karkat nodded as she took her arm away from her eyes, not expecting Rose to walk to her side, hugging him with the same force Kanaya did. "Do tell Dave he's allowed here as well if they decide to recruit him. The more Dersites here 24/7, the better." Karkat nodded as she let go, "I will."
"Am I chopped liver then?" Terezi side-hugged him. "Besides the point, I hope you guys for the best. Tell cool kid I'm listening out for his cousin." Karkat nodded, "I will." There was a knock on the door, Rose walking to it and opening it. Arturo stood at the door, his eyes landing on Rose, they a little wide. "Ah, tell Karkat that we need to leave soon."
"I'm," Karkat cleared his throat, "Sorry, I'm saying my goodbyes for now." He began walking to the door, looking back to the trio before waving, "I'll be back soon, guys. I'll try to, at least." He stepped out of the small space that was Kanaya and Rose's house, they waving before Rose shut the door, behind him. Arturo began to walk, Karkat following after him. "Did you learn anything from there?" Karkat gulped as he looked straight ahead, nodding. "I do have brothers and sisters and, from how Kanaya was speaking, we all had the same mother. She doesn't really remember what had happened to her."
"How well do you know Alternian law?"
"I get the basic idea," Karkat stated, "I can assume what had happened to her, but I just...I don't know, have you ever needed proof before believing something and even after getting your proof, you can't believe it?" Karkat witnessed him nod. "When Tavros was injured, I couldn't face reality. His family shunned him and so Rufioh and I came into this world in order to help him." Karkat raised an eyebrow, "Really? Tavros never said anything about being disowned by his parents." Arturo shook his head, they kept walking. "He never talked about it to anyone. I believe he was only 6 when it happened, and I've lived here with Rufioh and him ever since."
"Art, let me ask; how did you meet Hearts?" Arturo shook his head and sighed, "Even though he is a good man, it's rather a disturbing story." Karkat laughed a little, pulling at his collar. "Where to next, though?" He shrugged, not looking back at him. "We're heading back to the base of Skaia. I'm sure we'll go back out at a later time." Karkat nodded, looking at him. "Mr. Nitram, can I ask a question?"
"What is it?" Arturo stopped, looking at Karkat. "Did you pick me to be the one that followed you because I'm Silas' son?" He shook his head, snorting. "To answer that, I'd have to unturn some stones." Karkat gulped, nodding and looking down to the forest ground. "I understand completely." He laughed loudly, covering his mouth before he silenced himself, a smile on his face and tears in his eyes. "I never said I wouldn't tell you. Just not here in the open." Karkat nodded, Arturo starting to walk again and Karkat following after him. "Really? Loose lips sink ships, you know."
"The information isn't important enough to keep it completely confidential but it is sensitive enough to speak it like it's common news," Arturo admitted, "Once we get back, I'll be more than happy to explain the predicament you're in." Karkat gulped, nodding and looked to him. "It isn't a bad one, I hope."
"No. Think of it as an opportunity," he said, "It might just help win this war."