Drabbles from RBBTober 2024, the October prompt list. Lots of alternate universe content and self indulgent nonsense abound.
If you're here for a specific character or AU, the first chapter contains the contents, showing the prompts, characters, AU...
Focus: The Magnus Archives AU Characters: Calixo, Sketch, RussoTalks CWs:Canon-Typical The Spiral Content (so implied insanity, madness, all that jazz)
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
(This takes place during Calixo's statement to the RB Foundation. Calixo has already given most of it - this is the last segment. He's been struggling to get through the statement without repeating himself - he's clearly quite scatterbrained, though whether this is a normal thing for him or it was because of his experience, Russo doesn't know yet.)
[CALIXO]
As I said, the longer I was in there, the more lost I felt. I wasn't sure what was a real door and what was fake, whether I could pass through the wall or not - one minute it'd be rock solid and the next minute it would disintegrate like sand. My eyes were starting to hurt from all the bright colours and fractals and stage lights, and none of the things inside would talk to me in regular, normal words. Just riddles and laughter.
I don't...exactly remember how long I was in there or the events that led to me escaping, but...I can give my best guess.
I heard that monster's voice on the tannoy, it mentioned about the next show starting soon, and to please wait - he'll pick us all up shortly. I didn't want to get on that show again. I wanted to get out. So I kept running around, trying to find an escape route.
Eventually I ran into a room filled with TVs. There were millions like it before and likely after, so I wasn't going to pay it much mind, just move on- but they all showed its face, so I paused. I couldn't see its eyes through the TV screens, it was almost like it was being censored, and it was covered in static. Then I spotted it- a blank screen, a screen that simply showed my reflection and nothing else. I don't know what it was that told me that it was my escape - I guess I didn't really know, but it stood out, it looked normal, or at least what reminded me of normal, so I had to try. Either way, I- I threw myself at it.
I blinked, and I was laying against cold, hard concrete, staring up at the sky. It was starting to rain, I think. I didn't care - I was out. Out of that horrid place. Where colours are desaturated and walls are made of real material and you aren't being forced to act. I was near a pile of junk and trash, right by an old TV. I still couldn't get up, I was feeling so dizzy, could still see those spirals in the corner of my vision, still hear its laughter ringing in my ears, so I ended up crawling away from it as fast as I could. I ended up dragging myself around and trying to find help, but it was so dark in those alleyways, I kept getting turned around to that pile of junk. So I ended up just sitting there, screaming, hoping that someone would find me.
They did- I don't remember their names too well, and I feel horrible about it- they saved my life. Uh, Kreek and Bella, I think? They were the ones who found me, got me something to drink, tried to calm me down, called the emergency services to get me checked out and a way home. They were the first tangible people I'd seen in- god knows how long, so I think that only made it worse. I- (deliriously laughs) I...I was even a little embarrassed that they saw me like that, I thought they were tourists, thought I was still back home. I- well, I mean, I'm not, clearly. Though I'd rather be here than still in that horrible place.
