LU 231 - Dr. Thornberry 62

I woke up to light filtering in through the open doors and realized I had fallen asleep in the police station. I got up and groaned, what shall I do today? I decided it would be best to do a quick rundown of the closest shops before getting to anything grand. Poking my head into each one, I reached a cyclist’s shop where I found Syt, very obviously stealing some cookies.

*”Syt? What are you doing?”*

*”OH VICE! I was just! Paying for food!”*

…I honestly didn’t really mind that he was stealing, but played it off as if I believed him. We got into talking about the past few months, Chizzy, the trees, Syt’s friends, and of course, the upcoming war. I told him I’d be happy to have him as a solider or a behind the scenes helper, describing each course in detail. He called not fighting ‘cringe’, I’ll have to look that one up in Space’s dictionary later. He asked me what he’d get in return if he joined me.. which I never really thought about. I asked him what *he* would want and we ended up settling with some silverfish, an office space and a gun. I don’t see any reason why a teenage kid shouldn’t carry one.

I led him into an office in the station to try and seal the deal. I even gave him the idea to be a spy, which he seemed to enjoy. But right as I was about to seal the deal, Space strolled in. He immediately tried to stop our deal, saying Syt is too young, and that he isn’t allowed. Honestly a little annoying, when I got this close to getting him on our team.

*”One second Syt, Space I need a word.”*

We walked out of the office and I tried to explain my reasonings, but he cut me off.

*”No, Chizzy would go bonkers if she found out her little brother got hurt.”*

*”Honestly Space, I don’t think what Chizzy wants really matters right now.”*

I did my best to fight against him, I would protect Syt and he seemed like such a good soldier. I really couldn’t overlook this opportunity. After some more back and forth, we finally agreed that if Syt *does* somehow get hurt, I’ll take all the blame. I excitedly went back to the kid and told them they were on. He smiled, and I promised to give him my end of the bargain within the week. He nodded and scrambled off.

*”..Vice did you break this glass?”*

*”Whuh? Oh.. yeah I did- I’ll replace it don’t worry.”*

We talked, slowly walking up to the highest office as we did so. About the war, about Frezz, and when the actual war would be.

*”Let’s go tomorrow.”*

*”TOMORROW?”*

*”Yeah why not? We can circle his house when he goes to bed, and just get it over with.”*

*”B-but we’d have to warn all our soldiers, do last minute training, get more supplies, I mean we need more pots, totems, tnt, withers, food-“*

*”I can get the soldiers together, and getting all of that shouldn’t take too long.”*

*”BUT THAT’S MUCH TO LAST MINUTE.”*

But this time it was different than the Syt conversation. I could tell he wasn’t going to budge on this topic.

*”I can have that mechanic make me some tnt canon-“*

*”HE CAN’T DO THAT IN 24 HOURS SPACE.”*

*”Vice, if we both help him, it would take under an hour.”*

*”BUT-“*

*”No. What have you gotten ready so far?”*

I sighed and made him follow me into my old home, where I’d been preparing for everything. I took him further and further down a rabbit hole until we reached a small square room with chests.

*”Look for yourself.”*

He opened up the chest on the left to reveal all sorts of potions, and the one on the right to see my stash of food, explosives and totems.

*”Vice, you’re all set! Why are you so against doing it tomorrow?”*

*”I’m just WORRIED. Worried you might die, worried someone else might die, I’m just lacking reassurance you know?”*

*”Don’t worry, we’ve got it all covered okay? And I won’t die you’ll be fine.”*

*”Well I can still hold the town together even if you’re not here- but emotionally, right? I need you to be by my side.”*

*”Vice. We’re going to win this.”*

I let out a giant exhale, which I felt like I had kept for an eternity, and straightened my posture.

*(He’s right. What could possibly go wrong?)*

*”Well I’ll probably be here for the rest of the night, I’ll meet you somewhere tomorrow.”*

*”Alright, see you.”*

And it’s settled. The war against my ex-lover would be tomorrow.

[TW for mental illness talk here, especially surrounding ASPD]

I worked on the supplies for tomorrow, sorting them all out for each person when my mind started wandering.

My father had taught me a pinch of psychology when I was younger, mostly different personality disorders and what they meant. Borderline personality disorder, Histrionic personality disorder, Narcissistic personality disorder, and Anti-Social personality disorder. I remember one better than the others, because he had explained it tied into sociopathy and psychopathy; ASPD.

I occasionally wonder if I may have it, especially when I remember the symptoms. They tend to lie, break the law, act impulsively, have less guilt or remorse, and lack regard for the safety of themselves or others. All of these traits aren’t present in every person with the disorder, but I mark most of them.

I wish my father was here to give me a straight answer now, but I knew somewhere he must be long gone.

I dropped a spider eye into one of my brewing stands and turned around to pick up some bottles from another.

Am I insane? Probably.

Do I have a severe lack of guilt for my past actions? Definitely.

Have I broken the law? I create it.

Do I lie? Most days.

Do I enjoy what I do? Of course.

I placed more bottles in the stands and closed some more chests.

*(Are you insane?)*

Yes.