🔒 Locke Windsor - Floor of Inhumanities

@inhumanities.bsky.social

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"This is a floor of monsters... of second chances..." -- PMOC RP/Parody Acc! Ran by NullNebula. Not affiliated with PM https://inhumanities.straw.page/ https://forms.gle/7Wnu3pYojE5ViTe49

Had they not fallen into the arms of the floor’s quietest member, perhaps they would’ve completely passed out or became a book once more just from the distance they fell. Down the pole fell as well, turning back into a simple baton that nearly sliced at the front of a kimono almost dyed entirely red from the rain as Grave stepped back from the falling weapon. While the cape around Locke soon vanished into a bunch of shimmering stars, it would appear the effects from whatever Locke had manifested lingered for no clouds dared to approach the lighthouse any longer. The stars themselves became a beacon of both solace and perhaps hope as they sat there, watching over everything and everyone. “...Ugh… P… Phillip? Thank… Thank you…”
At the top of the lighthouse, the rain still poured down. Sand and oceans bleached red by the falling droplets of crimson could be seen for miles. Tree branches swayed in the violent wind, whereas others would simply snap off unable to push back against the incredible force. Green eyes look out to where the darkest clouds hung in the sky, trying to find the source of everything. While Olive had caused such vicious shifts in the floor’s weather, they were nowhere near like this in terms of the rain… Soon, Locke managed to find the source of it all. Nearly slipping off of the roof as they had to stop themselves from taking a step backwards. Between the blood dripping down off of it and their own shaking form, Locke had to quickly steady themselves. “...She’s still here? But… Did the others… Fail?” They spoke to no one but themselves, speaking their thoughts out loud. Perhaps doing so would allow them to realize that this wasn’t a nightmare. “Then, is this rain-” It was difficult to clearly see, but Locke recognized the two figures in the distance standing off against the Distortion. The streaks of cyan with the flickers of red gave it away the identity of one… As for the other, they needed no fancy colors or tricks for Locke to tell that it was their own brother. “This could’ve been prevented, you know.” That voice. They hated how sweet it sounded. How intoxicating it was. It was so warm, welcoming, but all it did was send a shiver down Locke’s spine. Had they not locked up the Abnormality cabinet properly again? They knew the voices from within, even under containment, could become invasive. The worst part was they knew, deep in their heart, the voice was correct.
The world within our books perhaps could be compared to that of the Abnormalities’. Inside these spaces we can create what our hearts desire most. A world that is ours to control. What we need and want is brought forth by the Light itself. We could have lush forests, endless skies, or even the quiet ocean surrounding our bodies. Time is turned back on our wounds, sewn up shut as if nothing bad ever happened. Limbs rejoin our body and reconnect to vital systems. Like a needle and thread, skin is applied back on to muscle and bone. While this all sounds and feels like heaven to those unaccustomed to it all… This has become my damnable hell. It is here that I stand surrounded by memories of the past, strung in the sky like lights. At first, they were like static screens with hardly any feedback, but the more I remembered then the more color everything gained. I can see the smiles of those I once befriended and glares of those who have written me as the enemy in their story. It is only in this space that I can clearly see a showcase of my past life as an agent. Once I awaken from this slumber will I possibly forget it all once more, as if I never was here… Jolting me from these foul thoughts, phantom pain spreads across my wrists, shooting up into my arms. The most excruciating discomfort I have, however, seems to come entirely from the front of my head. I know at this point now that this is only temporary. Eventually I’ll walk around the floor once more. That all of this was a bad dream. …I wish that was the case. I walk onwards in the empty space that comprises my book. Ignoring the memories playing like TVs, unable to look at those smiling faces. Those that believed in me, giving me kind smiles and words I had once believed I had not deserved. Those that caused me to fall… Red petals seemed to become engulfed in black tar as I received flashbacks to both of those instances… I clutch my throat and my chest, worried that I too will drown once more-
File stood by the lighthouse, hesitating and trembling as their fingers tapped away. It had been a few days at this point, but even they could not force the code to work in their favor. While File themselves knew the outcome, it didn’t mean that the Abnormality could speed up to that point nor could they not partake in the wonderful feeling that was sheer fear. While this human form certainly had its perks, the emotions that they’ve felt weren't one of them. Anger, rage, fear… lately it seemed like all of these things clouded File Not Found’s mind. The floating screens all shook as File smacked a fist against one, staring at it in frustration. Their other hand went up and held their face. Robotic senses and human ones kept trying to overwrite each other. Upon noticing one popup appear, File sighed and closed out all of the windows before holding up three fingers. 3… 2… 1… Approaching the Abnormality was a familiar figure dressed almost entirely in brown. The chains around his waist announced his arrival as footsteps became silent against the grainy sand. “Yo. File.” “...Greetings, Kenneth Windsor.” File turned around, taking note of the floor’s current visitor. “I apologize for having you arrive while you are busy performing other duties, but… Your presence is much needed.” The color folded his arms. “When Locke said they wanted to show me a beach… This isn’t what I had in mind… Where are they?” File flinched and looked up at the lighthouse. “Locke is currently unavailable for talking. Circumstances here… They’ve been booked.” Kenneth grew silent. “...They can be revived though, right?” “Affirmative. However, I cannot perform such a thing. I am only an assistant librarian in title rather than form.” File shook their head. “As of right now, I have the floor on lockdown.”
The sound of a window closing was the sole sound in the lighthouse other than the raging wind and distant gunfire. Walking around, the gift from Catalyst was shutting any and all windows they came across to prevent anything from falling into the shifted office… And more importantly, to avoid any sort of unwanted attention. After finishing up, they turned back to the desk and sat back down. The doodle’s tiny legs swung up and down as they turned the chair. Before going on to resume their duties, however, they then turned to their sole guest- Philip. In his hands was Locke’s tablet, the current means for him to communicate. “Are you sure it’s safer for us to remain here?” There’s a small nod from the doodle as they pointed towards the windows. “I don’t understand why they’re all even trying…” The doodle variant of Locke hummed before pointing at Philip. He gave a confused look until Doodle Locke twirled their finger around and made a motion of a book opening and closing. “You’re not insinuating that I’m similar, do you…” The response? A simple nod. The Distortion sighed as he sat on the bed, being mindful of the various plushies that had fallen over. In a way, they weren’t wrong. How many times now has he entered this place? How many times has he come and watched those around him fall. Now Locke and those perhaps idiotic enough to make an attempt on the floor’s unwelcome visitor’s life as revenge… It made him think… If he had been the one to fall, would Yuna and Salvador have been the ones to step in as well? Would they have come back to the Library with backup? Especially since they were the ones telling him to fall back. Had his book had any value in salvaging?
The storm wasn’t getting any better, yet File transverse across the floor in search of where their fellow Abnormalities were located. Was this another task given by the code itself or perhaps an attempt to intervene before something even worse could befall the floor? Even File didn’t know. They just knew one thing- They had to do something. Purposely turning a blind eye to the code in fear of what might be witnessed… No- why would a machine be afraid of such a thing? They were meant to be unfeeling, just- Each time these thoughts came across File’s mind, they could feel their body deteriorate back into what it was meant to be. Tendons becoming wires and back again, a pain no person alive could comprehend. Cursing at themselves, they soon looked up- “...You’ve relapsed, T-02-99.” Before them was not the same figure donning the familiar purple kimono with golden eyes staring at them, but the monster that Void Dream truly was. A roster head simply glared down at File Not Found, soon bending to meet their eye height. “A dream is ending. A nightmare is beginning.” Void Dream spoke. “Do you not hear it, machine? Or are visions of electric sheep clouding your vision?” “This is not the time or the place.” File sighed. “Must you force my hand? No matter… I need to bring your book to Locke anyways.” They flicked their wrist, beckoning forth the same glowing blue blades. “You must be suppressed… Engaging combat protocol-” There’s a sneer from the Abnormality. “I am more lucid than ever, File. I need to keep Locke around- I need to eat their dreams… They’re going to become sour again soon. The nightmare must be stopped so that I may indulge once more-!” It was bound to happen. There was too much stress on the floor. It was perhaps a miracle that File had not corroded back into just a computer once more.
File stood at the base of the lighthouse that had become Locke’s office. Countless screens in front of them all displaying constantly changing text, code, images, and other snippets of various things. The could be images of the floor itself, the City, or even the denizens of both. File soon would sigh and spin around, counting down on their fingers until- “You damnable machine…” “O-02-101. What a surprise.” The tone File always held prevented the sarcasm from showing, but the way they tilted their head sure showed it. “I already told you that there is nothing to discuss. Do not obsess over what cannot be changed-” “Oh, but it can be! You just won’t do it!” Firebird threw his hands up in the air, circling File like a shark. “You could fix anything, but you choose not to-” “I can’t.” “Excuse-” File flicked their wrist, an onslaught of Pale damage hit Firebird in his chest. The Abnormality choked on his own soul, grabbing a hold of his throat as if afraid it would seep out. “...It is not an excuse. I cannot perform such a task.” “Explain… Why…” “Again? You truly weren’t listening before.” File folded their arms. “...I can change Locke back from a fish to their Librarian state as it is a steady flow. Nothing was in the way. They weren’t turned into a cat, dog, or anything else in the midst of the process. If I were to even attempt to turn Locke back into a normal human… There’s too much in the way.”
“There you are-!” The patron stopped walking on the sand, stopping before the winged Distortion currently taking residency upon their floor. “I’ve… I’ve been…! Meaning to talk to… You- oh just give me a moment…” Locke took a moment to catch their breath and soon stood up properly. “...Oh, right- here.” Holding out their phone to Philip. “...Listen. You… Don’t have to, but- I just wanted to ask… Why did you help me get my phone back?” Hollow eyes stared down at the device and then back up at Locke, who was giving a slight frown. He would at least take the phone and begin to type. “Isn’t that only polite?” “I mean, yeah, but…” Locke rubbed their arm. “I didn’t get to properly thank you. You kinda just… ran off…” “Not like I go far. I won't leave this floor.” “...I won’t pry as to why.” Locke shook their head. “...You never gave me a proper answer last time either.” They seemed hesitant to bring it up, averting their eyes away. “Why don't I leave this place?” There was a nod from the patron. “...If… If you don’t mind. I know it… Probably is still a sore subject for you. Especially given your, uh, unique circumstance. I know what it’s like- uh, maybe not exactly a 1:1, but… Yeah…” Their words became awkward and quiet. “I know fully well that if I were to leave this place, death awaits me.” “R-right…” There’s a dry chuckle. “...Seems like that makes two of us…” “Why are you so concerned?” Locke closed their eyes for a moment, trying to figure a good way to word their feelings. They put a hand on their chest and gave a firm nod.