Alter Ego [Karlnap]

There Can Be Only One

2-3 The Villain

Karl sat with his legs crossed on the desk, the journal that told the story of the haunted mansion placed in-between his thigh and arm, a look of calm and patience apparent on his features. Sapnap stood this time, letting his legs stretch after sitting so frequently to read.

"Good and evil," Karl began, officially marking the start of their session, "can't be defined in black and white."

Sapnap agreed, some thought the villain was in the right or just someone the hero didn't save, some thought differently.

"That's why one's interpretation becomes so important. I'm fascinated to see how you will interpret this story," Karl vocalized, placing a book down and opening it to the first page, no doubt a picture book.

"This story is about two little girls who obtained some poison, the nature of the story depends on how you interpret it. Are you ready to answer a few questions?"

Sapnap nodded, keeping his eyes glued to the pages of the book rather than Karl's slightly exposed thighs from his ripped jeans. 

"Let's hear it then, what's your story? Who did they get the poison from?" Karl inquired.

"A nasty wizard gave it to them," Sapnap affirmed, he wanted to take a more innocent approach to the story, after all, this was about two kids, but perhaps he would think differently upon the next question being asked.

"Why did they want the poison?"

"They didn't, they just happened to wind up with it," Sapnap continued the story as Karl turned the pages of the book, each page showing pictures that accurately portrayed Sapnap's answers.

"What is the relationship between the twins like?"

"They trust each other as family."

"How will the story end?"

"The twins will be punished for obtaining poison," Sapnap revealed, the page turning to an image of the twins behind bars, appearing sad.

"Rotting away in a dark, dark prison, the twins reflect on their sins," Karl explained, Sapnap had a frown.

"That was quite the story. Sometimes, it takes fiction to reveal the truths of reality, allow me to interpret your story next," Karl smiled, bringing his journal to his lap and opening it up, searching the pages for something.

Karl was right, it did take fiction to reveal the truths of reality sometimes, and with the ending of this story, two kids were punished for obtaining something they didn't want and didn't even use for harm. It was an accurate portrayal of what an innocent person being sentenced for a crime they didn't commit looked like.

"Your hidden contempt is... conformed freedom. Deny stable impulses, you seem to resist freedom. It's as if you feel very strongly about that which is unacceptable from a societal or ethical standpoint. In fact, you don't tend to reject anything of your own volition. You seem to believe that anything bad that happens comes from others," Karl spoke on his analysis.

Sapnap looked down at the desk, he felt a bit guilty for not thinking that he could at least do something wrong or bad, and that it wasn't always other people that were the cause.

"You're not wrong, but you shouldn't expect others to agree," Karl finished.

Sapnap nodded in acknowledgement, Karl leaning back a bit and sighing as an attempt to relieve any stress he had been feeling. Karl set his journals and the picture book back in their rightful places, turning to Sapnap who still stood, his arms folded in a defensive manner.

"As that Façade appears evil to me, so too must I appear evil to them. Might I ask? Which of us is evil in your eyes?"

Sapnap jolted, his gaze quickly returning to Karl and his brows furrowing.

"My apologies, that was an awful question to put to you. After all, I'm the one who just said there's no definitive answer. Forget I asked," Karl nervously gestured with his hands, an almost sad smile curling on his face, "really, put it out of your mind." 

Karl also folded his arms, but it looked more like he was trying to hug himself.

"I'm afraid of the answer," the brunet admitted, "come back when you have thought on your analysis more, I'll be ready for our next session."

It was a question that was hard not to think about, should Sapnap trust Karl or the Façade? Does he conform to society and choose to only think and answer based on logic, or does he continue down the path of neutrality and choosing his own way to go about things. For Karl's sake, he would try his best not to think further on the subject.

"The Haunted Mansion was my last work, at least for now," Karl informed.

Sapnap nodded, though disappointed he wouldn't be reading any more of Karl's work. The raven gave a small bow to Karl before beginning his trek back to his spot in the library to read and think more on his results from their latest session.