(Open in Jaq's Apartment. They are watching something on tv)
J: Ami, do you have a citizenship?
A: Random question, but yes, I do.
J: To what countries?
A: Any and all.
J: So you pay every country's taxes?
A: No.
J: You evade taxes?
A: No, I don't have to pay them. I exempted myself on all paperwork.
J: You can't do that.
A: You keep forgetting I'm literally the most powerful being in the universe, and close in the multiverse.
J: I'm going to ignore the existence of the multiverse for fear of an existential crisis.
A: Don't worry, it's not a "what if every decision made is different?" multiverse and more a "What if some laws of the universe were fundamentally changed?"
J: Can I see another universe?
A: No.
J: Why?
A: It's impossible, I can't either.
J: Then how do you know you're not the most powerful?
A: Because I can see when someone else looks at our universe.
J: When have other people looked at our universe? And how many?
A: A few times and only 2ish people.
J: Tell me about them.
A: First time I saw the one who introduced xemselves as "Spiddily" was back in Rome. Xey'd been observing a Cult of Dionysus party when xey noticed me. I was the titular Dionysus at the time. Spiddily was much less powerful here, but was still more powerful than the average human, enough to shapeshift to fit in. I saw xem descend quietly in a forest nearby and went to greet xem. Xey knew who I was, really was, and told me about the multiverse and how funny everyone in this one looked. Xey told me xeir name and showed me xeir true form. It looked like a giant rabbit with a beak and 3 extra legs.
J: What about the other one?
A: Spiddly came back a little later at about WWI. Much worse time to catch us. Xey asked what the fuck was happening and what the fuck had happened and I filled xem in as best I could. Xey asked how I let this happen and I told xem I couldn't interfere on such a wide scale lest I be ousted or succumb to temptation again.
J: Ami, what about the other person who looked at our universe?
A: Oh, them. They came quite recently, but they kind of didn't.
J: What do you mean?
A: They are the most powerful being, or more accurately beings, in the multiverse. They truly first showed up with you. But then they started showing up in the stories I told you, watching. Just watching. Reading, actually. Like a book.
J: That is...scary? Creepy?
A: Comforting. They haven't talked to me yet, but I know they care about us.
J: How?
A: Because they haven't done anything bad yet. They are powerful enough that they see us as words on a page. Even through universes, which significantly reduces power.
J: What bad could they do?
A: They could edit the page, write new words or erase them. Turn this world into a hellscape in which to write Mad Max x Cars x Transformers fanfiction, but instead they just keep it to some guilty angst and fun dialogue.
J: They've "edited" us before?
A: They are right now. Or, the first one is. They're the most powerful, the only one who can directly affect us. The others, like the dark haired ones they show us to, can only read us.
J: So they're in control of my actions right now? Pig tits on an ice cream cone!
A: What was that?
J: I was testing their control.
A: They are simply guiding you, us. Or that's what it feels like.
J: I don't know how much I like this. Am I ever really in control?
A: Yes, always. They mostly just give a spark here and there then watch what happens.
J: (Whispering) Can they see us naked?
A: I don't know. (Ami snaps and gets rid of all their and Jaq's clothes)
J: (Jaq covers themself with a blanket)What the fuck, Ami? You can't just do that without warning.
A: They don't seem to have a reaction.
J: Ami. Give me my clothes back.
A: Chill. I'm pretty sure they can only see with their imaginations. Like a book.
J: It is 51 fucking degrees outside and the insulation in this apartment sucks ass so just give me my goddamn clothes.
A: Fine. You look better without them but it is kind of cold. (They snap again and reclothe Jaq)
J: Thanks, so do you. (they start watching TV again but look back at Ami) Wait, why do you have citizenship in every country?
A: Because I could.
J: Fair. Are you gonna-
A: Nope. More fun like this.
J: (rolls eyes in "this attractive and audacious fucker")
YOU ARE READING
Chocolate Milk
Short StoryAmi was sitting on a ledge, but is visited by someone they don't yet know. However, something strange makes them realize they are very may not be talking to who they first thought they were. Ami decides to make the most of the situation.
