video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on to show a little girl wearing a jean jacket with some store bought brownies on a plate. She looks a little nervous, but it fades when she smiles at the camera.]

So...I was told there were other gods and demigods here. And if none of you are busy, I'd really like to talk to you? Cause...I only know of gods from history books and stories, but it would be nice to know what actually happened and what was really embellished--cause author's tend to do that.

[And then she remembers the brownies.]

I've got brownies too! So...your time's not wasted or anything.

[Hopefully Grandma Emma won't be upset about this...her granddaughter basically asking to talk to strangers...

But really, what's the harm?

...And hopefully the gods and demigods like chocolate.]

Comments

[thestoriesarereal]

I’m hoping so...

[ But one never knows, though they could hope for the best. ]

Yeah! [ Her face lights up then. ] We’re friends and he is super cool, and his powers are pretty awesome. Like, nothing that anyone in my family can do.

But...who are you? Someone with a story? [ A cursed fairytale character who doesn’t remember their true identity? Or someone else with a mysterious past?]

[buildingcastles]

Well, gods do have some extraordinary powers, I hear.

[They think so, at least. He doesn't play with them if he can help it.]

Me? I'm nobody. But I guess I do have a story or two.

[thestoriesarereal]

They do! I just hope they're all nice as Nico.

[There's a shake of her head]

Everyone is a 'somebody,' just like everyone has the potential for good and greatness.

So, what's your story about?

[buildingcastles]

[Everyone has a potential for greatness. He laughs softly at that, almost embarrassed by the idea. But she did ask him a question, so Christian tries to find her an adequate answer.]

I guess... My story would be about a boy. He was left alone a lot, so he went looking for some friends. He found some new faces far outside of where people went, but when he tried to show them to everyone else, no one believed that the creatures existed. So he lived away from the people. I'm not sure what you would call that story.

[Hey, it's at least true. Which is hard for him.]

[thestoriesarereal]

[There's a slight pout by Lucy. No need to laugh or chuckle. It's a great statement! But the pouting gives way to Lucy listening intently to his words..

He sounded a lot like her dad when he first got the book. Someone who knew that the stories were real, and not made up.]

I don't think that's the full story...I think that was the beginning of something more. I get it though...what the boy went through...what you went through.

What's your name?

[buildingcastles]

[He's still the outsider to the tale in his mind. Everyone else is a key figure, the character in some tale because people saw or heard or experienced something and created something bigger out of them. That's the way demons live. But he's just a human, a thing apart from magic... Or he was, at least. Now he's something else.]

Maybe it was just the beginning. But it's still playing out, so I guess we'll have to give it some time. See if that boy ever becomes anything better.

[He isn't sure what that would be.]

Christian. It- still is, I think.

[thestoriesarereal]

I think he will. I mean...there might be some obstacles to over come, but I think he'll become something better.

[Does he not remember his name? Or...is he confused?]

I'm Lucy, pleasure to meet you.

[buildingcastles]

You think so? That... would be nice.

[Maybe if he tried harder he could overcome some of his problems. He's always been the type of guy to run away from problems or skip out when things got tough. It's not that Christian doesn't want to be a better person, but having the confidence and resolve to push through never came easily for him.]

It's nice to meet you too, Lucy.

[Maybe one day he'll be able to explain the trouble with names to her. Or to someone. Most people would shake their heads at the strangeness, but he's learning to open up and trust. his progress comes in small steps.]

So, aside from talking to gods, what are you doing here?

[thestoriesarereal]

I think so. I have faith in him.

[Even though she doesn't know 'him' too well. However, he hasn't given her any reason to be suspicious of him. Or think there's something more sinister a foot. No, she's giving him the benefit of the doubt, and cheering him on.

There's a shy smile on her face as she looks down for a moment.]

That, I don't know, but...I've found some of my family here. So...it's nice.

What about you?

[buildingcastles]

[He's wanted to be better at some point in the past. It had been a goal, he thinks, before things went way off in the middle of the spirit world where all the rules were bent. It's strange and refreshing to talk to a child who isn't jaded by reality and can still believe in him without reason or proof. A spirit wants belief.]

Family is important. Maybe you'll find some new friends on your god hunt, too.

[What is he doing?]

Mm. I guess I'm still figuring that out too. I'm finding something special.