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Two Time was in the woods again, sitting primly upon a tree’s branches, staring off into the distance, seeing who knows what.
Taph had tracked the other Avian down this time, curious on what their fellow Survivor was up to. Two Time was an odd sort, always shying away from the group, and especially shying away from her Papa, Shedletsky.
To be fair, her Papa could be very overbearing without noticing, so she would cut them some slack. Just this once. Taph was a very generous person, after all.
Approaching the tree Two Time was perched on, Taph knocked their knuckles against the trunk of the tree, causing the Sentinel to look downwards at them, their ever present smile painted on their face.
“Greetings, Demolitionist. What do you require of the Spawn’s humble servant?” That was another odd thing about Two Time, their constant reference of the Spawn. Taph was completely unfamiliar with the concept, but hadn’t dared to ask about it quite yet.
“[I just wanted to talk with you. I don’t know you really well, and wanted to change that.]” Taph explained, before beginning to scale the tree to be level with Two Time. His talons sank easily into the wood, already finding well-worn grooves in the wood, undoubtedly from Two Time’s own time climbing it frequently.
“Ask whatever questions you wish, Demolitionist. I am an open book, as is the Spawn’s will.” Two Time clasped their hands together in a prayer motion, their smile bright and unsteady at the seams. Taph wiggled around slightly on their branch, trying to get comfortable.
“[What are you doing here?]” She asked, receiving a hum as her first response. Two Time glanced away from her for a moment, before looking back at her.
“It’s quiet out here. The Spawn is able to hear my prayers more clearly when it is quiet.” The Avian explained, and Taph nodded slowly.
“[So, what exactly is the Spawn, anyway. I’ve never met a Deity of that name before, and I was raised by the Admins.]” Taph questioned daringly, wondering if that was a bad question at the feverish glint of excitement that overtook Two Time’s gaze, their smile growing wider, more manic.
“The Spawn is everything that is good and great! The Spawn is a child of 2x2, a harbinger of Rebirth. Those who follow the Spawn’s will are to be blessed with a second life, free of misery and of mortal pains!” Two Time’s voice began picking up in speed as they spoke, hands gesturing wildly as they explained their Deity to Taph, who merely nodded slowly.
Taph had never heard of a Deity named the Spawn before. And Taph knew about nearly every Deity in existence, due to Builderman’s impressive recruitment tactics that had lasted since the dawn of time, drawing in roaming Deities and Immortals for centuries. If there was a Spawn Deity, then they must have been isolated for a long time, cutting themself off from the Admin Pantheon’s reaches and knowledge.
Or they never existed in the first place, but Taph knew some tact, and had no interest in aggravating Two Time, who was fragile enough emotionally.
“[That is…. Interesting. Have you met this Spawn before?]” He couldn’t help himself, he was curious!
“Ah, no, I have not. Only the Elder may speak to the Spawn directly, as we lowly followers are simply not worthy of basking in its presence. Oh, but what I would do for the opportunity….” They trailed off, eyes growing distant and far away as they stared off at something Taph couldn’t see, smile rigid on their face.
“[Two Time? Two Time!]” Taph tried to regain their attention, eventually giving up and snapping their fingers in Two Time’s direction. It was enough to startle them visibly, shocking them out of wherever their mind went.
“Ah, my apologies, Demolitionist. I was…. Reminiscing.” They explained poorly, and Taph narrowed her eyes at them from behind the shadows of her cloak.
“[Yes, of course.]” He responded, before deciding to change the subject to one less likely to cause Two Time to dissociate again. “[Do you have any hobbies?]”
“Hobbies? Uhh,” They paused for a moment, eyes glancing upwards as they thought. “I enjoy gardening?” They shrugged listlessly, and Taph frowned behind their bandana.
“[But you already garden all of the time, surely there’s something else?]”
“....Praying?”
“[That doesn’t count, that’s not a hobby.]” Taph scolded, and Two Time shrugged once again, brows furrowed in confusion.
“[A hobby is something you do for fun! Gardening is your job, and praying is your religious job thing, so you need something else to do!]” Taph decided, clasping their hands together in emphasis. Two Time chuckled, leaning their weight on the arm closest to the trunk of the tree, tilting their head to the side to peer at Taph.
“What would you suggest then, dear Demolitionist? We are a little strapped for activities in this place, unfortunately.”
Taph sweated for a moment, trying to think. Multiple times did they bring their hands up to reply, only to lower them as they thought of another reason that the hobby they wanted to suggest could not be done. Finally, they were struck with a thought.
“[You could draw! We have lots of paper, after all!]” Taph signed enthusiastically, pleased to have found an idea. Two Time’s smile widened.
“What a lovely idea, dear Demolitionist. I have already been utilizing the paper supply to create images of the Spawn’s glory, but I suppose I can attempt this hobby you have suggested. The Spawn approves of a well-rounded soul, after all.” Taph merely clapped their hands together in delight that their idea was so well received.
“[Perfect! I’d love to see what you draw sometime, if you don’t mind sharing!]”
“I doubt it will be of very high quality, but if it is what you wish, then I shall allow it. The Spawn teaches us to be generous and kind, and I shall follow where it leads.” Two Time clasped their own hands together, head bowing slightly as they recited a soft, barely audible prayer to themself.
Taph stayed still, not wanting to interrupt their fellow Avian’s prayers, and soon enough Two Time was looking back up at them, smile shaky but intact.
“[So, you hang out with Chance a lot, right?]” Taph decided to ask, receiving a simple nod in response. “[What’re they like?]”
“Chance is…. Many things. Charming, kind, overenthusiastic, a risk taker. They fascinate me, how someone so drenched in sin could be so…. Kind.” There was a familiar look on Two Time’s face, one that Taph often associated with their parents when they would talk about each other. It was awfully cute.
“[Do you like them?]” Taph decided to be straightforward today, no point in beating around the bush. After all, it was pretty likely that Two Time wouldn’t understand if they tried to avert the main topics of conversation. 2x2 knows that Taph was the same way, after all.
“Chance is a good friend, yes. I do enjoy their presence. I believe their soul may still be able to be saved, if by the Spawn’s grace. I pray for him every night.” Of course they did. Taph was willing to believe that Two Time prayed for everyone every night. It would check out, to be fair.
“[We don’t talk a lot, he doesn’t really know Sign so it’s hard to communicate.]” Suddenly, Two Time perked up, smile widening.
“Oh! I have actually been teaching him Sign during our spare moments! He was very insistent he learn, in order to support the team better!” Two Time nearly chirped, the Avian sound just barely repressed. Not enough for Taph to not catch it, of course, but he wouldn’t say anything. This time.
“[That’s great, thank you, Two Time.]” Taph signed happily, pleased at the knowledge.
It was nice to know that someone was putting in the effort to accommodate her, when it was so rare to happen outside of her family in the first place.
“You’ve asked so much of me, but I have yet to return the favor, dear Demolitionist. May I ask questions in return?” Two Time asked politely, head tilting to the side curiously. Taph gave an enthusiastic nod and thumbs up.
“[Ask away!]” They declared.
“What are your own hobbies, since you asked that question of me?” Two Time’s head stayed tilted to their right, smile bright and curious.
“[I like to sew in my spare time. I’ve mended a ton of my clothes that way, plus, it’s fun.]” Also they couldn’t feel the needle pokes as much due to the nerve damage, but they weren’t going to bring that up.
“Fascinating, and a very useful skill. The Spawn wills us to be independent from the sinful leisures of the common folk, and as such, we must tend to our own clothing as well. I was, admittedly, the one to make my prayer shawl.” They looked so proud of themself, a hand coming up to caress the well worn blue fabric. Behind her bandana, Taph smiled at Two Time’s easy joy.
“[You did a great job! It looks really good!]” Taph complimented, receiving a beaming, genuine smile from Two Time in response.
“I thank you, dear Demolitionist. I have but one more question to ask of you, if you are willing.” They had slowed down, hands clasping in their lap once more as they ducked their head, awaiting Taph’s answer.
Taph gave another thumbs up, much more calmly this time.
“I simply must inquire, why did you seek me out? I know what you said, but you could have spoken with me anywhere. Why seek me out here, in solitude?” A pretty serious question, one telling of Two Time’s observational skills. Taph should’ve known that they’d find out about his alternate intentions.
Slowly, Taph began to sign a response.
“[I was curious, yes. But more than that. You reminded me of myself. I wanted to make sure you weren’t dangerous.]” Taph declared, staring Two Time down. Oddly enough, the other Avian relaxed, smile loosening up as their hands remained in their lap.
“Ahh, that makes sense. A test from the Spawn itself…. I understand, dear Taph. I hope I passed your test, in that case. I wish no harm upon any of the Survivors.”
“[You did. It’s been nice hanging out with you, Two Time.]” Taph responded brightly, and Two Time’s smile widened once more.
“You as well, Taph. This has been…. Nice. The others are lovely, of course, and to speak poorly of others is a sin. But you treat me….” They trailed off.
“[Not fragile? Like a person?]” Taph filled in, receiving a quick nod in response.
“You and Chance. I feel…. Alive, almost. In a way.” What a dark thought that was, that Two Time didn’t normally feel alive. Taph couldn’t blame them. They didn’t feel very alive most of the time either.
She smiled bitterly behind her bandana.
“[Me too.]” He signed. “[Want to be Alive Buddies?]”
Two Time peered at them curiously, tilting their head once more, before finally responding.
“That…. Would be nice, yes. Thank you, Taph.”
“[Any time, Two Time.]”