Chapter Text
Chapter 1
On the outside, she was normal. She is nothing different from normal. Why wouldn’t she be? Absolutely nothing happened and nothing was happening. At all.
But… just last week, Kinkajou had a feeling. Not one of dread per se… but it was close to it.
And then she started speaking. Not her, someone else. But she sounded like Kinkajou, with the same tone and inflection.
For example, Kinkajou was bumped by Winter on the way out of the History Cave, and normally she wouldn’t give something like that any heed, but, however, she thought, Rude.
It wasn’t very obvious, but it’s not normal. And then, over the week, the voice in her head seemed to want to talk more and more, noticing things, pointing out things and being scared of things.
Like that Seawing curling their claws during an argument with another dragonet meant they were gonna attack.
They didn’t.
It was tiring and annoying and Kinkajou had no idea on what to do. If she talked to Moon about it, she’d think Kinkajou was going crazy.
The voice itself seemed to have a personality of itself, separate from Kinkajou too. Kinkajou thought that because, well, they’d see the same thing and yet have different views on the thing itself.
But whenever Kinkajou decided to engage with it and go, No, no. It was an accident, you see?
The voice would argue back, Look at his wings, he clearly did it on purpose. Someone should teach him a lesson.
And it was sometimes so reasonable, and Kinkajou had to yell at herself internally to think properly.
Kinkajou sighs. Hiding under the covers all day isn’t going to help with anything.
At least we’ll be safe.
Shut up. You’re not even me.
I AM you. How many times do I have to tell you?
Me wouldn’t say push that poor mud wing off a cliff so he’ll get over his fear of heights.
It would’ve worked.
It’s cruel.
The voice shut up after that. Getting up from the covers, Kinkajou shielded her eyes from the light pouring in from outside the cave.
Kinkajou’s glad that there are no classes today; she took the time to sleep in and rest from the incessant voice in her head.
Moving sluggishly out into the hallways connecting each and every cave in Jade Mountain Academy, Kinkajou glanced around the scenery suspiciously, before catching herself doing so.
Whenever she’s tired, sometimes the voice subconsciously tells her to check for danger, and kinkajou doesn’t argue. It’s like mind control and she absolutely hates it.
You’re overreacting. At the end of it all, it’s you making the decision.
Shut. Up.
Sighing, Kinkajou makes her way towards the Prey Center, because, well, she’s hungry. And not because the cacophony of the place will drown out the noise in her head, (she hopes).
You’re not getting rid of me that easily.
Ignoring the voice, and just about getting to the Prey Center, Kinkajou spots Moon in the corner, talking with Qibli.
Stop thinking what you’re about to think. It will not go well.
Shh, you don’t know that. If I tell them, maybe they’ll help me find a way to—kill me?
Is that all I am to you—a parasite? Something to get rid of? I am as much of you as you are.
No… surely not.
I am real too. Would you kill that Mudwing right there? The Mudwing to Kinkajou left seems to sharpen in focus, the voice's way of pointing him out.
No. Of course not.
I am as real as him. If you will not murder, then do not kill us.
Fine. But…
Please.
The request throws Kinkajou off guard. The voice has been nothing but commanding and confident. So for it to ask would mean it truly believes it can be killed.
But then it won’t be trashing my head.
Did Moon kill you because your mind was loud? The voice asks.
Good point. It wouldn’t be fair. I’ll talk to them if only you become unbearable.
Fair enough.
Kinkajou tries to avoid catching Moon’s eye as she takes a mango from the fruit pile and starts to eat it.
It’s sour, despite it looking ripe. Swallowing it was challenging but before too long Kinkajou had eaten the thing.
Food didn’t taste the same after it arrived.
“Hey, Kinkajou,” Moon says behind her.
Idiot. The voice hisses, You let them see.
They… they’re my friends. They can talk to me.
The voice grumbles but subsides it’s talking.
Quickly, Kinkajou turns to face Moon and Qibli. “Hey, Moon. Qibli.”
“Hi, Kinkajou,” Qibli says, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Kinkajou squeaks, while internally, the voice has gone into overdrive, WHAT DOES HE KNOW?? HOW?? HE CANNOT KNOW US. SHUT HIM OUT. SHUT HIM UP.
SHUT UP, Kinkajou internally have to yell to get the thing to quiet down enough for her to formulate a proper response.
Qibli is looking at me oddly still, “Sorry?” Kinkajou tries, maybe she didn’t hear him?
“I asked if you were sick the last few days. You were looking tired.” Qibli explains patiently.
Kinkajou tries to nonchalantly wave a wing in his general direction, “Yeah, maybe. I don’t really know.”
“Hmm.” Before Qibli could further his interrogation, a large crash rumbled through the cave they were in.
Behind Qibli was a giant pile of fish, a Saturday lunch trademark.
Using that distraction, Kinkajou quickly slips away into the dark.
Once Qibli and Moon turned back, Kinkajou was nowhere to be found.