mumbled_truth | ║ 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

║ tenth stanza ║ voice

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