mumbled_truth | ║ tenth stanza ║ voice

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║ tenth stanza ║ voice

[Those who know Todd may notice a few differences thanks to today's curse; in addition to being noticeably lower, Todd's voice is also a bit louder, bolder and more confident than usual. The slightly self-berating comments that he makes don't seem to stem from an actual lack of confidence the same way usually do; it's quite clear that he's joking, and even if it is at his own expense, they are not the words of a young man suffering from low self-esteem.]

Good evening, City. I hope everyone's well tonight. And yes... yes, this is another poetry post. Those of you who are tired of me stumbling through my clumsy verses can feel free to skip on by. I promise not to be too offended.

I'll even give you a moment to find your buttons.

Wouldn't want to subject the unwilling to my amateurish stabs at written word.

Okay?

Alright. So, those of you who are left -- which is probably Neil and Rosella at this point, hope you're both well tonight -- I'll ask you to keep in mind that this one is still extremely rough around the edges. Of course, it is still better than what my publisher lets me get away with sometimes. I hate putting some of that stuff out but really... deadlines? Like anyone can will poetry to happen on a schedule. It's poetry. It just doesn't work that way...

Anyway. To the poem in question--

[Todd clears his throat, and then takes on a more dramatic and deliberate method of speaking.]

Through the darkness, there cut a spark
A flash from which all light has poured
What had come before cannot be seen
Too brilliant the flame which since has roared

Through violent rains and gusting winds
We try in vain to shield each fire
Persist, it does, through much hardship
But inevitably, all must expire

Thus, while that light remains yet lit
I implore you to wonder as to its aims
For though many may witness your radiance,
How many have found warmth from your flames?

[He pauses a moment, returning to a more casual mode of speaking.]

...it is pretty lousy, isn't it? It really sounded better in my head, I swear. They always do...

Still, I'll work on it. Maybe I'll have something better for you all next time. Have a good night, City.

[ooc: Todd is cursed with Road Not Taken. The same as Neil today, this is a version where at the end of the movie, Neil decides to run away to New York instead of shooting himself. And, in typical Neil fashion, has dragged Todd along for the ride. They've gone, pursued their artsy careers, and Todd is starting to eke out an extremely modest living writing his poetry. He remembers being in the City for the length of time that he has been, but obviously, thanks to Neil being alive, some things are a little different. Like the angst, and the deity deal. ALSO I'm right on the bandwagon next to Neil and old Todd will be played in comments by

asyouwail... because I wanted more icons.]

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Well, I guess someone has to be. I doubt it'd be much good for my mental health if all I listened to were my own critiques. I don't think anything I wrote would escape a fate in the trash can.

It certainly can be, if that's how you'd like to read it. I'm rather fond of leaving things open to interpretation, letting people give things their own meanings. As much as something I write is mine, I feel like poetry is something that you always put a bit of yourself into when you read it.

And that would be a great pity indeed, because then I'd have to somehow convince Neil to go through your trash every day and rescue all of your poetry for me.

I think that's a lovely way of looking at it, yes.

Well, I don't think you'd have to worry. I'm sure he would.

I've always thought that was a nice way of looking at it. Really, if I can write one poem that ten different people can read, come up with ten different interpretations that each work for them, and all ten of them can come away with a different message that really speaks to them, I will consider myself more successful than I could have hoped.

Well, if all your poems are like this one, I'm sure you've more than met that goal by now.

Things...have been good, then? The poetry and Neil's acting and...everything like that, since you, er, ran away?

Well, I don't know about that... but that's very much appreciated.

Yeah, of course. I mean, it wasn't exactly easy at first, but we made do. ... haven't we talked about this before?

It must've, er, slipped my mind. Perhaps I'm a bit cursed today, too. You made do all right and now you're both...well and happy and all that?

We are. I mean, we're not rich and famous -- yet -- but we're making ends meet pretty comfortably. And we're doing what we love, which is what's really important.

That is what's really important. And you're both ~~alive~~ happy and doing well for yourselves and...I'm glad. I really am glad, you know. And you're right, I'm sure you both will be rich and famous someday.

Neil's...talking about putting on Macbeth, did you hear?

Well, I don't know if we'll really be rich and famous, but... it's fine if we're not. Really. I'm just happy to be able to do what I want to, without someone telling me it's stupid or I'm not good enough or nobody would care to hear it, or read it. It's... it's amazing, just being free of all that.

I did. I've yet to find out what role I'm getting thrown into this time around, though.

I think you will be, though. I can't...I can't imagine anything but good things in store for you, in the future.

He wants me to be Lady Macbeth, I think.

Well... thank you. It doesn't matter that much to me if I am, but... I guess it would be nice.

Really? I'm sure you'd be fantastic!

I'm not entirely sure about it, myself, but Neil certainly seems to think so, too, and you know how he is about talking me into things.

I can sympathize with that; I know how he is about talking anyone who will listen into just about anything.

I really do think you'd be great, though.

Really, no one is safe from his charms when he sets his mind to something. I half think he could talk a medusa into a haircut, if he tried.

Well, I think it's my turn to be flattered, then.

I know. I can only imagine what would happen if he decided to use his powers for evil.

Well, I do mean it.

Then no one would be safe in an entirely different sense of the word.

And it means a great deal to me...so thank you.

Terrifying prospect, isn't it?

I'm glad to hear that. After all, I feel I owe much of the modest success I had as Demetrius to your outstanding Helena.

Speaking as someone that's faced down two dragons, slain a witch, and held Pandora's Box in her hands? It certainly is.

Modest success? Now you're just being silly. I told you, you were marvelous.

Well, I'll be sure to let you know if he starts showing any signs of moral drifting.

I know, I know... and I believed you. And appreciated it, greatly. I'm just... me. I'm afraid that's probably not going to change.

Good! If we catch it early, we may be able to prevent a terrible catastrophe.

No, you're right, you're still you. ...But you've come a long way since then, too.

Since the play?

You should have known me when I was younger. Ask Neil about when we first met; you would have been lucky to get two words out of me.

...Ah. Er, well, you know. Just...in general.

I'll have to do that! But he...managed to bring you out of your shell, somehow? I'd love to know how he did it.

I don't know, I know how some of it was accomplished, but mostly? It was Neil being Neil.

That could be the answer for a lot of things, though, couldn't it? How was it managed? No one knows, it was just...Neil being himself.

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║ tenth stanza ║ voice

YES! PS: I think you should know I dug out all my old King's Quest games because of you >.>

YESSSSSSSSSSSS OMG BRB SPAZZING YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME

AHAHAHAHAHAH. I used to love them so much. T_T /brb installing... these better work omg

All I am saying is, screw that whale. And the stairs. OH MY GOD THE STAIRS. /fistshake

Haaaah it has been far too long since I've played to understand, but... I WILL. SOON.

SAVE OFTEN, SAVE WELL, BRAVE ADVENTURER!

I ALWAYS DO. ... with every game ever. Seriously. XD

Keep me posted on your progress! And lemme know if the troll cave gives you a heart attack, too.

I most certainly will! ... and my money is on yes right now. We'll see.

If you see the eyes, ALL IS LOST and you are DOOOOOOOMED.

OH GOD. OH GOD. XD I cannot wait to play now.

Do you have the whole set?

I ended up getting the re-release collection a while back, it was on sale where I work XDD

Luckyyyy. I got the first six games for Christmas a LONG time ago. Never played VII, though.

I used to have a couple of them way back in the day, but I don't even remember WHICH now. XD

So many epic adventures to be had! I really need to replay V someday, it's been so long.

I think my strongest memory is being angry that the water killed me in one. I was quite young XD

Curse that deadly water! Drowning's possible in all of them...except II, I think.

It must have been a really early one, based on how old I was at the time. XD

I bet it was KQI, then. Falling in the water required a "swim" command or you'd drown. =D

Maybe. And, checking Wiki, that one's as old as I am. So I would so not have gotten that. XD

Heeheehee. I'm trying to decide which game I thought was hardest and I keep thinking, "All of them!"

AGREED. And omg epic backdating, why do I always end up like this XD /lol otakon.

Epic backdating is as epic as you are. Which is a lot. =D