Work Text:
*We open on Mystichite walking briskly into a grocery store, a self-satisfied grin on his face.*
CM #1: What have you been eating, exactly?
Mystichite: Oh, this isn’t my first time being here…just the first time I asked you to come along. I can sense that something intriguing will be occurring, and far be it from me to miss that opportunity.
CM #1: It’s a Lidl. Other than maybe a sale on something, what’s gonna really—
Mystichite: *gasps and runs over to a nearby stand (sure enough, advertising a sale on pomegranates)* The fruit of the gods…
CM #1: Oh, boy. I’m gonna film the cars going by. *nudges the camera shot up to the sign that denotes a “no filming” rule at this particular location, then moves to head outside*
Mystichite: *utterly distracted by the pomegranates and therefore not caring* Mmhmm…*eyes sparkling as he grabs a produce bag*
*The camera shot leaves the store, eventually focusing on a kid sitting near the shopping carts, with his back against the brick wall and his nose actively bleeding. He’s probably no older than 20, but he’s the only abnormal thing here.*
CM #1: Uh, hey. Are you alright?
The young man: Shut up.
CM #1: Ok. *steps back*
*Sounds of angry footsteps running over can be heard before another young man appears. This one is sporting a black eye and looks livid at the first one.*
The second young man: GALLEY CAT!
The first young man: *sighs and stands up* I didn’t mean to punch you that hard, man. You just…you wouldn’t STOP talking!
The second young man: Really, that’s your excuse? I can’t mention my faith now?
The first young man: FAITH? Dude, he’s a RANDOM HIPPIE you met at the gas station, not the Pope!
The second young man: I keep telling you, Ian, you’d get it if you just came and met him.
The first young man (apparently, Ian): No one reads newspapers anymore. There is NO WAY I’m checking that place out. I bet it’s rotted all to crap like the theater down the street.
The second young man: He's so much more than just a guy with a newspaper. Trust me on this one.
Ian: The last time someone told me that, I ignored him. *points to the fade on his hair from brown to yellow-blonde, implying that he was advised not to get it and refused said advice* And you know what? Girls like it.
The second young man: *throws his arms up* You don't even LIKE girls.
Ian: *crosses his arms* You don't know that.
The second young man: It's nothing to be ashamed of. Archer is like that, too.
Ian: DO YOU THINK I CARE? *desperate look on his face like he really HAS heard this too many times...and he's clearly trying to keep his gothic eyeliner from running* Listen, if you say one more thing about him, I'm gonna finally tell you what I think.
The second young man: *scoffs and pokes at Ian’s varsity jacket* Then say it.
Ian: *blows up* You're in a CULT, Vic!
The second young man (apparently, Vic): *eye twitches, lunges forward*
*The shot cuts, and the camera is now rapidly moving back into the store. Mystichite is now back at the pomegranate stand with a few bags in his arms, one of which contains at least five of the seed-filled fruits.*
CM #1: Malachi, Malachi! There...there are kids fighting out there. College-age, maybe. One of them mentioned Archer and a newspaper...and something about a cult; I don't know if it's a coincidence, but—
Mystichite: *eyes sharpen as soon as he hears Archer's name* In a town this small, nothing is truly a coincidence. *walks outside, the camera following him as he sets his bags where Ian was previously sitting*
*Ian and Vic remain wrestling in the parking lot, both now having a couple cuts and bruises from their scuffle. As soon as they feel Mystichite's shadow, they stop...and he doesn't have to say a word before Vic reacts.*
Vic: YOU! You...you're the showman Reídi warned me about.
Mystichite: *blinks* Reídi?
Ian: *pushes himself away from Vic* It's what he calls his dipshit boss. What's it mean, again? *hands on hips* "God-King"?
Vic: *stammers momentarily* I didn't come up with it.
Mystichite: Is your boss's true name Archer Price?
Vic: ...You really do know too much.
Mystichite: *takes a step forward with conviction* YOU know far too little, I'm afraid. That man will hurt you if you keep his company for long enough. *stares right into Vic's eyes*
Vic: *posture relaxes for a second before something happens to make Mystichite recoil and break the connection* I-I've kept it plenty. And all he's done is HELPED. *walks back* I'm outta here. *looks to Ian* Call me later?
Ian: *still unapologetically furious* What do you think?
Vic: *pauses, then huffs and walks away*
CM #1: *under their breath* Thank God.
Ian: *points to the camera* Is that going anywhere?
Mystichite: Potentially...but not right now. Are you OK?
Ian: Couple scrapes. Nothing I can't handle...could've been worse. *small smile* Thanks.
Mystichite: You're very welcome. How much have you heard about Archer?
Ian: Enough to write a book. *smile vanishes* Ever since Vic started working for his stupid tabloid, it's just been ishtak this, meditation that, woo-woo this, woo-woo that...I didn't think a newspaper could be so fucking weird.
Mystichite: There's a substantial chance it's more than it seems. *contemplates his next words before motioning for the camera to zoom in, which it does* Could you look into my eyes for a moment?
Ian: *snorts, but obliges* You gonna hyp...no...*brain practically melts onto the asphalt* Mmrgh.
Mystichite: *smiles, although it's sadder than he intends it to be as he sees the things on Ian's mind* Young man. Tell me your name, please.
Ian: *hands twitch like he's swatting away the fog in his head* ...Ian. Ian Galligher...'n I don't know...what this is...
Mystichite: *leans in so that his information will be perfectly heard and understood* This is hypnosis. It is an altered state of mind that some have the power to induce in others. It feels nice, yes?
Ian: *blinks very slowly and nods* ...Quiet. It's so damn quiet...I love it...*smiling even more genuinely than before*
Mystichite: Good. I have a feeling that this is a state your friend is in quite often.
Ian: *tilts his head, then breaks the trance out of shock from the realization* That fucker's hypnotizing my friend? God, I THOUGHT he was acting all brainwashed! But that doesn't...*holds his head with one hand* Magic isn't...
Mystichite: There are things in this world you don't have a prayer of understanding...at least, not right now. I can help you learn. *holds out his hand*
Ian: *jerks back from it* ...I don't...*sighs* You're the guy who's working on the theater, right? Will I be helping with that?
Mystichite: *nods* Can you move your way through twisty, complex situations?
Ian: I have to talk to my parents every day, so yeah.
Mystichite: Then I should have the job for you...Onyx.
Ian: *chuckles* Is that what you're calling me?
Mystichite: Only on company time. *winks* You'll be getting a very nice badge for it, too.
Ian: Well. *shrugs* Guess Mom'll finally stop hounding me about getting a job. *shakes Mystichite's hand* You got a name?
Mystichite: Malachi Morris. Mystichite at work.
Ian: Works for me, boss. Hope you like MCR. *mumbles to himself while walking off about how this is gonna be "just great" (sarcastic)...though, he can't deny his own curiosity, or he wouldn't exactly still be here!*
CM #1: You think that kid will be worth it?
Mystichite: He hates what I hate, and he's angry about it, too. If I can find a way to help him help his friend...we may have a trusty ally.
CM #1: *only to themselves* Ally...what is this, a fight?
Mystichite: *somehow heard that* It may end up being so. But I won't bet on bloodshed. Come. *runs to catch up with Ian* YOUNG MAN, WE NEED TO DO ORIENTATION!
CM #1: ...Guess I'll get the groceries. *sighs and turns the camera off, leaving the audience with an ever-growing rift between what Malachi wants...and what just might be coming for him*