Chapter Text
A slight tap on the window interrupted The Once-ler from his work. He was quite busy this time of year with plans to expand his corporation, to sell thneeds to anyone and everyone, and then to sell them each 5 more. He groggily looked up, setting down a pencil that he had used to skritch down plans for magnificent machines and alluring advertisement. He assumed it was another swomee-swan, here to beg for crumbs. He grabbed a broom with his gloved hands and stalked over to glistening glass window. However, when he pushed out the pane, he was greeted not by a sad squawk, but a lean handsome fellow, who wore a sly grin, his mouth full of pointed fangs.
"I speak for the trees" he slithered out, "but I can speak for you, for a price." The dapper gentleman held out a hand, which was quickly engulfed by blue flame. The Once-ler was taken aback, his mouth hung agape and he clutched the broom tight in his hands.
"Who are you? And what do you want?"
The Once-ler demanded, waving about the broom threateningly. The mysterious man simply slid to the floor, his fancy shoes clacking against the wood paneling. He swung his cane out, and lightly leaned against it.
"I'm just a fellow businessman, looking to make a deal." The intruder then pointed out to the barren landscape that had been ravaged by machines and people with his cane, rebalancing his stance to the other side. "You seem to be out of your vital materials, and I seem to be out of a few other things that you could provide. The way I see it, this little proposition of mine is a win win, isn't it, doll."
"I, I don't even know your name." The Once-ler stammered out, holding his broom protectively in front of him.
"The name is Bill, Bill Cipher." Bill flipped his cane up behind him, giving a cheshire grin to The Once-ler.
"P-pleasure to meet you." The Once-ler replied. A blush started to bloom in his cheeks. This fellow sure was attractive.
"Wait. Why did you come through my window? How did you even get up there!?"
Waving his gloved hand dismissively, Bill sweetly said, "I'm a good climber, now are we going to make a deal, or are you going to watch your business fall to the ground?" The Once-ler blinked.
"But, why are you helping me, and how would you even do that? I own all the trees, and they take so long to grow that you couldn't possibly have any stores of them." The Once-ler furrowed his brow, and loosened his grip on the broom handle.
"Oh, I have my ways" Bill said, summoning a bit of truffula fluff into his hands. "And I like your style, kid. Really love the whole 'destruction and desolation' theme you got goin' down there." Bill jerked his thumb out the window, pointing towards the smoking remains of the meadows. The Once-ler put down the broom. He hummed and bit his lip in thought. He could continue his corporation if he took his help, this lifestyle he had gotten so used to would stay, and all his family could keep being happy.
"Deal." The Once-ler offered up his hand, which was quickly gripped by Bill. His grip was firm. Their hands were suddenly swallowed by blue flame, licking around their delicate garments, but leaving everything only slightly warm. "What was it that you wanted in return again?" The Once-ler asked. Bill grinned wolfishly.
"Hmmm, i think I'll have.." Bill's eye turned red, and he raised his other hand, which had transformed into a dark claw. "Your soul." He plunged his claw into The Once-ler's chest, merely phasing through his clothes and flesh, leaving a tingling feeling where it passed. He pulled it back out, holding a small glowing orb. The Once-ler looked in horror at his ripped out soul.
"That wasn't part of the deal!" He managed to say after a moment of shocked silence.
"Always read the fine print, kid." Bill mused, twirling the globe around in his now normal hand. "It's a rather nice soul you know, a little foggy, but nice."
"Uhhh, thanks?" The Once-ler replied. There was a minute of silence as one examined his newly earned soul, and one examined his shoes. "Sooo, what do I do without a soul?" The Once-ler asked.
"Oh, nothing much different, there might be some complications later on" Bill paused for a moment, lost in thought. "I think I have pamphlet on it actually." Bill ruffled through his pockets, fumbling around for the scrap of paper, until finally he pulled out a yellowed booklet, and handed it over. The Once-ler looked at it, and pursed his lips. It was covered in strange symbols, with little bits dashed in with odd handwriting that appeared to be gibberish. That part was the letters he was familiar with, but it didn't look like any language he knew. Bill waited a moment. "You can't read it, can you." The Once-ler shook his head. "Damn. I don't have an English translation with me. Guess I'll just have to tell you about it myself. Maybe over dinner?" The Once-ler nodded.
"Yeah, okay." He said numbly, his brain still trying to wrap itself around the situation.
"Pick you up around 8?" Bill asked. He received another nod, then grinned and blinked out of existence with a bout of fire.
The Once-ler blinked. Did that really just happen? He looked down at his hand, and saw the weathered manuscript in alien tongues that was still clutched in between his fingers. It did happen. Wait. Did he just agree to a date?! The Once-ler sat back down and began to work. However, his pencil soon began to go astray, drawing little doodles of the dapper man that taken his soul. Maybe he would let him take his heart too.