Episode 27 - Spirits

## Spirits

A drawing of a red flaming skull with white fire surrounding it takes center of the image. The text below it reads "27 • Spirits" There is a thin border with a disembodied hand in the lower left corner.

### Guest Author

Bradley Walker

Jude enters the Ward of the Wisps, Zelda's time finally comes, and Barb takes a bubble bath. The theme of tonight's episode is Spirits.

***Content Warnings:** Abuse, violence, kidnapping and abduction, death + injury, blood, dementia, sexism and misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, misgendering, static (including sfx), emotional manipulation, body horror, alcohol use*

## Intro - The Woods Watch

Nikignik speaks of a dreamer running through the black trees. There is music behind you, and you don't know what lies ahead. Finally you reach a clearing that feels different. The trees are covered in eyes, and they are not only watching you but perceiving your whole life.

Nikignik is sitting next to a swamp, watching someone who is searching for someone.

## Story One - The Ward of the Wisps

*Written by Bradley Walker*

Jude climbs out of the swamp, exhausted and in a bad mood. He curls up beneath a tree to rest, promising Benjy that he's trying, and slips into a dream. He dreams of Benjy begging him to find him. Benjy's face is both monstrously changed and the same as it ever was. He calls for him to wake up. Jude wakes to find himself dangling from a large creature's jaws. A tree saves him, and says that they've been watching him. He's gained their aid in his passage because they've grown fond of him. They tell him that Benjamin has entered the Ward of the Wisps, which is known for its lack of deadly wildlife. They are sorry for his loss. They refuse to speak any more and Jude decides to go there, expecting not to survive the trip.

Weeks later Jude stops at the Resting Place hotel and meets a giant woman who can take him there. She leads him through the woods to a pool of water, which she ferries him across on a small raft. When they arrive she leaves, and Jude is frozen with fear. He calls out to Benjy, and as lights begin to appear before him he walks into the the Ward of the Wisps. Benjy's voice calls to him and he follows it, unaware of the gateway behind him sliding shut.

### Interlude One - Hierarchy of Strange Powers

Nikignik encourages the dreamers to embrace the changing woods. Some have turned the fires of life to their own desires, and others continue to exist even after life has ended. Ghosts are lucky that they have not yet been collected, and Nikignik advises them to enjoy their freedom and avoid being trapped.

## Story Two - Death Waits for No Duckworth

The Cabinet is shaking. Zelda watches it, reassuring Al that everything is alright. Percy appears, warning the two of them that Solomon is coming.

Solomon comes down the steps and tells Zelda it is time for her redemption. He turns the light on, revealing the harp. Zelda asks if that's what he did to Abigail, and she taunts him, asking him if god or anyone else will forgive him for everything he's done. She points out that he's going to take her son's mother away.

Solomon realizes that Percy must have been talking to her, and responds that he does not have a son. He tells her that this will only be painful for a short time.

Then, the lights switch off. The ghosts swirl around Solomon, distracting him while Percy burns through the wires around Zelda's wrists. Zelda falls to the floor, and then everything stops.

Solomon admonishes the ghosts, reminding them that he created them and maintains them. He pulls Percy to him, telling him that he will punish him when everything is done. He dismisses the spirits one by one, then opens the Cabinet. Green light floods the room.

### Marketing - Personal Complications

Lady Ethel Mallory reassures everyone that Valerie Maidstone is in recovery, and will be returning to the Prime Dream in a few weeks. She assures the dreamers that Valerie has never supported the Stonemaids or their actions. Several Stonemaids have already been discovered, and are being rehabilitated.

### Story Two, Continued - Death Waits for No Duckworth

Nikignik does not believe that Valerie is well, and they warn the dreamers not to trust what Lady Ethel says.

Jonah steps out of the cabinet, glowing green. Zelda believes that he's come to take her to heaven, and Jonah doesn't know where he is or how Zelda got here. The cabinet closes.

Solomon summons Abigail, who moves to strangle Jonah, but stops suddenly. Percy is holding the silver scissors to Solomon's throat, stopping him from blowing the fife, and tells Zelda and Jonah to run. Jonah picks Zelda up and leaves Solomon's house. She notices that Jonah seems bigger than he was before. Solomon's servants watch and wave as they run across the lawn, and they escape in Jonah's truck.

### Interlude Two - The Economy of Souls

Nikignik muses on souls and their value. You may believe that less expressive lifeforms lack a soul, but all living things have different souls. Botco looks at life as a potential to earn profits, but there are even larger machinations in the universe that use souls. Syrensyr acts as chief executive officer of the economy of souls. You imagine angels and devils as different entities that will guide your soul, but have you considered who might be employing them and why? You would not like the answer.

## Story Three - Rose Bubbles

Barb takes a bubble bath. Unfortunately the Countess interrupts him, bringing in The Quilt with her.

Barb is shocked when the Quilt informs him that an agent of Syrensyr, two revenants, and a starwolf are in the Hallowoods, and the Countess asks if he's in danger. Barb says that he's in no more danger than usual, and that he'll deal with it if it becomes a problem. The Countess makes him promise that he'll come to her if he needs to deal with it. She insists that she is not getting sentimental about him, she just doesn't want to lose her room.

The Countess and the Quilt leave, and Barb goes back to his bubble bath. He sees potential in a demon who travels in such company, but will enjoy his bath before he makes any plans.

## Outro - Spirits

Nikignik closes the episode ruminating on spirits. It is comforting to have something inside that gives you a bit of significance in the vast dark universe. The life you experience is your own, and at the end all you have are the memories of the love and creativity you shared.