Alter Ego [Karlnap]

Know Your Audience

1-3 Leading Role

Sapnap finished Karl's book, the story giving him laughs but also leaving him wanting to read more, he wanted to find out what happens next, because surely there was more. If Karl's work was this good starting out, he was bound to be blown away by future works if Karl would allow him to read them. But alas, reading his next book would have to wait as it was time for another daily session with him.

As usual, he took the time to think about Karl's words, and he was curious to know if Karl was also here to discover himself, was he just as lost? Was Karl even human? That was a question that Sapnap made sure he would ask next time he managed to sneak in a few extra minutes with the boy. Though Karl was only here to guide him, to help him discover himself, or at least that's what he presented himself as, just a guide, Sapnap enjoyed their small conversations after their sessions.

It was like a therapist and patient kind of relationship between them, but Sapnap couldn't help but want to be his friend as well. Sapnap soon found himself in front of the same wooden desk, or at least the texture looked wooden, whether or not it was actually wood was a question that sat in the back of his mind, everything was black and white so it's not like he would ever know the difference.

This time, Karl sat on the desk, his journal already set aside. Karl's right hand rested atop his crossed legs, the other hand resting under his chin. Both of his hands were covered in white dress gloves, Sapnap couldn't help but notice Karl was dressed completely differently compared to what he was wearing before.

The boy dressed fancier as if he were going to a ball or a really high-class restaurant. A masquerade mask lied unworn on the desk next to the golden bell. Maybe one day Sapnap would get to ring the bell, however, so far Karl has always been at the desk, maybe one day Sapnap will also get the courage to ask him to read with him somewhere else in the library.

"There's a story that ends differently every time you read it. It's a picture book. Here, I'll show you."

Sapnap jumped, not expecting Karl to have noticed his presence. He sat down on the same stool though, looking up at Karl as he placed a book next to his thigh on the desk, positioning it so Sapnap could see it better.

"Your interpretation of the story is very much of interest to me."

Sapnap looked down as Karl opened the book to the first page, three characters being presented on the page.

"The characters are comprised of a prince, a king, and a maid. Your interpretation will decide what kind of story this is. So, I'll ask you a few questions, alright?"

Sapnap nodded, still looking down at the characters. The king appeared to be in distress, his hands on his head and brows furrowed, the prince standing next to him with his eyes closed. The maid stood in the doorway, hidden from sight.

"Choose the closest answer to your take on it. Now let me hear your story. What is the prince doing?"

Sapnap leaned closer to the picture book, looking at it intently, though his eyes kept flickering between the prince and the gloved hand that rested at the top of the page.

"Rubbing his eyes because he just woke up," Sapnap responded, looking at the picture of the prince who no doubt had his eyes closed and a hand rubbing one of them.

"How does the king feel about this?" Karl continued, though Sapnap didn't miss Karl jotting down his answer on a notepad with a pen.

"He's angry over what's going on between the prince and the maid."

Sapnap wasn't entirely sure what the king could be distressed about, since that's what he looked like he was feeling, but he took a wild guess, approaching a scandalous take on it.

"Why is the maid hiding?"

Sapnap smiled down at the picture book, maybe his story really was going to make sense in the end.

"To watch over the prince from the shadows."

Karl's fingers bent, Sapnap didn't miss the odd gesture. Perhaps Karl didn't like romantic approaches to stories, maybe it was too cliché and he didn't like cliché.

"How does the story end?"

Karl's simple reaction to his previous answer may have influenced his next answer, though he would never say if it did.

"The prince recovers of his own accord."

"The despondent prince lifts his chin and sets off down his own path. So... that's how your story goes," Karl spoke with a newfound interest, his fingers coming in contact with the book with a much tighter grip to close it, though he remained seated on the table and kept the book in its spot.

"There are some truths of reality one can find only in fiction. Next time, I want you to let me interpret your story."

Sapnap was excited when the words 'next' and 'time' were put together, though he guessed Karl wasn't done with him just yet, as he hadn't sent him off with a wave of his hand yet.

"Your hidden motif is... selfish autonomy. Stable nature, you take the reins of your own life without searching for impetus in others. By taking an active approach, you open up the path for yourself," Karl paused to clear his throat before continuing, "the idea of relying on others is nigh on unthinkable for you, as it is your firm discipline to decide things for yourself. I'll bet you're also extremely determined to fulfill all of your goals."

Sapnap thought on his results, it was true, he hated relying on others and having others choose for him, he was always determined to fulfill his goals by himself no matter how hard they were because, in the end, the satisfaction of doing it alone was much greater than having help.

"However, you should probably try seeking help from others before you get stuck."

Maybe Karl was right, maybe Karl could be the one to help him when he gets stuck on a project or something next time. The thought of Karl gazing over his shoulder at whatever he was working on and helping him made his heart flutter.

"See, if something changes in your world view, the ending will change. That goes for this place too, not just the story. The future will be decided by your interpretation... by your will. So hurry back when you have thought more on this."

Sapnap nodded, watching Karl slide off the desk and place the picture book where he had grabbed it from. Karl seemed to be catching on to Sapnap's routine pattern though, as the boy kept his gaze locked with the raven's, awaiting his question or next words.

"You're an amazing writer, I very much enjoyed your work. May I... read another?" Sapnap asked timidly, sliding the book he had finished back to Karl as if to silently exchange it for another.

Karl smiled and nodded, the expression seeming to be a lot more comfortable for him to make compared to the last time Sapnap had visited. Another worn journal was slid his way, though the title was different on the front, it read 'The Hunt for a Treasure.' With Karl's analysis in mind and his new entertainment before his next visit, Sapnap skipped off to his usual reading spot.