ahit au for hayley!

[accidentallich]

[Gershom had come to Subcon to get away from people.

As far as he knew, nobody actually lived in the dank, dark forest. That made it the perfect place for a new abomination against nature to hide. He could stay in there and not bother anyone.

And presumably Salvador wouldn't chase him into Subcon of all places... right?

At least, that was what Gershom's intention was. He'd seen the small creatures first, from a distance, and just when he was reconsidering the whole 'uninhabited' thing-

-he found himself stuck in the middle of a bag.

This may as well happen. He's already cowering before Avery makes his entrance.]

Comments

[accidentallich]

More or less? ...um, can I go on?

[Don't want to keep the minions waiting for the ending.]

[subconmodo]

[He gestures for Gershom to continue and makes himself comfortable, a hand on his chin as he watches.]

[accidentallich]

[Clears his throat!]

"I know what I'll do, I'll have my two boys carry me to the rabbi's house. That way my shoes won't make footprints, and the snow will stay fresh and beautiful."

He ran to his sons' beds and shook them. "Wake up, boys. I need you to carry me to the rabbi's house in time for prayer."

Sleepily, the two boys put on their coats. Then they put on their shirts, then their shoes, and finally their socks. (That's how they did it in Chelm.)

Still hardly awake, the boys lifted their father up upon their shoulders, opened the door, and carried him to the rabbi's house.

Rap, tap tap. The shamash gently knocked on the rabbi's window, proud that he hadn't made footprints in the snow.

"Okay, boys. Now carry me home." The boys turned around. All three yelled in surprise when they looked at the ground. There wasn't just one set of footprints on the ground, there were two sets!

"Who made those horrible footprints?" the shamash screamed. "I tried so hard to make sure that the snow would stay beautiful, but someone else came out early in the morning and ruined it. Look how silly people can be!"

[subconmodo]

[The minions all begin laughing uproariously, and even Snatcher quirks a smile that seems a bit less menacing than usual.]

Ha! Talk about a family of fools! They just ended up screwing things up even more!

[accidentallich]

[Even if he's more confident in his skills as a poet than a storyteller, seeing everyone laughing and smiling makes Gershom feel like his lot in life isn't so bad right now.]

I'm glad you all liked it. Have a good rest tonight, nu?

[subconmodo]

[The minions all nod and rush back into their treehouses, leaving Snatcher alone with Gershom.]

Well then. Looks like you've just signed yourself up for an extra job.

[He hardly looks like he's complaining.]

[accidentallich]

I don't mind. They're good kids.

[Morbid, yes. But good kids.]

[subconmodo]

[He could talk about how they're all dead, but given the state of the guy in front of him, Snatcher gets the feeling that it wouldn't have as much of a spooky impact as he would like it too.

Pity, probably, and pity is the last thing anyone in this forest needs.

Unless it's him. Snatcher is, of course, allowed to pity whatever and whoever he wants.]

Better get to writing, then! They're going to be hounding you for a new story every night, no doubt.

Just let me know when it starts to get to be too much.

[It almost sounds like a sweet offer on his part. Almost. The smug, almost condescending tone doesn't help.]

[accidentallich]

I’ll do my best, sir.

[It may be condescension, but it doesn’t change that these are innocent(?) kids who deserve something nice in their unlives. ]

Although I’m more used to writing poetry...

[subconmodo]

[An idea is already starting to form in his head]

Well then... Go ahead and write some of that too. Stories for the kiddos and poetry for everyone else. I'd be more than happy to help you with publishing.

For a cut of the royalties, that is. Ink and parchment are expensive, you know!

[accidentallich]

You would? That's - still very generous of you, sir.

[He's never written poetry for the money anyway, so it's not like he cares too much about that. Besides, what does he need money for now that he's like this?]