Alter Ego [Karlnap]

Antagonistic Surveillant

1-4 Monarch of Stone

The only clock in the library that Sapnap had found turned, the time telling him a day had passed, another day in which he would get to visit Karl. Sapnap had finished Karl's second lent book, and he was just as impressed as before. He had managed to sneak in a bit of conversation yesterday to see if the books he was reading were a series. 

To his surprise, Karl said that it was indeed a series, though Sapnap wasn't entirely sure where it was going. None of the books felt like they were tied together somehow from what he has read so far, and both of them have been silly comedy-type books, but he wasn't one to judge before reading the rest. Perhaps they would all tie together in the end.

Sapnap, book in hand, bounded towards the front desk, excited as always to see his only friend in this world. This nameless place... Sapnap wasn't entirely sure what to think of it yet, the only feelings he had towards it were positive, however, as he felt safe here and protected. The desk came into sight, Karl standing behind it flipping through the pages of his journal as always, a cup of steaming coffee and scattered papers occupied the usually empty space on the desk.

"That Façade is getting full of themselves..."

Karl had his eyes locked on his journal, the words being mumbled and a frown present on his face. Although Sapnap was used to seeing the boy emotionless, which was almost scary and disturbing, he wasn't used to seeing Karl upset, and Sapnap already decided he hated the expression on him.

"Oh? When did you wander in? I didn't see you," Karl spoke up, his head tilted slightly to the side and a small smile replacing his frown.

Though, Karl's eyes remained averted, like he felt awkward.

"I'm sure you must have run into them on the way. The self-proclaimed monarch. The Façade. The wretch. That Façade... lives to plague me."

Sapnap looked confused for a moment, though he vaguely remembers returning to the void for a scary few moments to speak with Rex. Was that the Façade Karl was talking about? Was Rex not what it seemed to be?

More questions to no doubt add to the list, it was getting quite long, Sapnap was scared he'd eventually run out of imaginary paper to list them on. Rex didn't necessarily make Sapnap feel any less safe, but it didn't make him feel comfortable either, not to mention he already held a negative view on the being for bombarding him with telepathic rules.

"'Fall not to impulse! Conform to the standard!' Over, and over, and over they whisper to me! What need is there for social stricture here?"

That definitely sounded like something Rex would say, Sapnap was glad he hadn't been the victim to its whispers, but he wasn't exactly happy that Karl had to go through this. Karl was right, this was a place to discover yourself and apparently quite safe too, this wasn't a place attached to reality, there was no need for social stricture here.

"What's your take on it?" 

One thing that Sapnap really liked about Karl was how he always included him in the conversation, regardless if he wanted to speak on the current topic or not. He was happy to give his take on it though, this topic in particular.

"It depends on the time and the place," Sapnap answered honestly, and as neutrally as ever.

His neutrality piqued Karl's interest.

"Hmph. Such an ambiguous answer... but it beats that Façade's any day. You see, that Façade is my adversary. They would control me, like judge and jury. Listen... you hear it, don't you? Their voice!"

Sapnap looked at Karl like he was going crazy because no matter how hard he listened, no voice was apparent other than his and Karl's.

"Damn you. Hush! You damnable Façade! I... I'm not mistaken! I'm not a failure! I-I..."

Karl's voice cracked the longer he talked, his eyes looking a lot more glossy than usual. Sapnap had never seen Karl look like this before, he looked genuinely scared and hurt. What the hell was going on in that head of his?

"Forgive me. I can't focus on a conversation right now. If you don't mind... come back again later?"

Sapnap felt as though his understanding of the boy in front of him had deepened. Karl was indeed human, or at least in this world he was, and he was just like Sapnap, someone with flaws and issues, someone who also wished to discover themselves. Sapnap smiled sadly and nodded, much to Karl's liking, though he didn't leave without placing a gentle hand on the brunets and giving a small squeeze, a silent gesture that he was always there for him and that it didn't always have to be the other way around.

Sapnap placed Karl's book, the tale of hidden treasure and islands far away from here, on the desk, sliding it towards its owner. Karl took the book, his hands handling it with such care that Sapnap was convinced the book might've developed feelings. The book was set aside, and another was pulled out, this time without Sapnap having to even ask.

The book was worn like the others, but it looked a bit newer, leaving Sapnap wondering exactly when these books had all been written. The title read 'The Abandoned City of the Depths,' and when Sapnap opened it to take a peek at its contents, he managed to find what looked like a diary entry towards the end. Were these stories adventures Karl had actually been on?

Sapnap would have to wait, as he didn't like things being spoiled, so he would have to read through the actual story before he could ready the diary entry. He hugged the book close to his chest, very much like a typical school girl, and started towards his usual spot in the library. Karl was no doubt going through something, and Rex had something to do with it he was sure.

Sapnap was dedicated to helping the boy.