Pandora's Box

Chosen Allies

As you open the door, you shiver.

A sense of foreboding.

Cautiously, you look around.

Anger seems to be having a good day, you think, as you watch him laughing and looking around.

Hope and Joy are sitting against the far wall. You frown, they seem listless.

You start to look for the others.

Your attention is drawn to the dance floor, the music a dark, angry, vindictive sound that batters at your ears. Surprised, you watch Disappointment and Expectations dance together on the floor. They are the only two out there. All the others are sitting at tables around the edge. Some watch the couple dance, some studiously avoid looking at them.

Anger's laughter draws your attention back to him and you finally see that there is someone standing with him.

Suddenly everything makes sense.

Pessimism.

You frown and glare at him.

Pessimism smiles back at you, gloating.

Suddenly, strong arms surround you. The familiar feel of your Ego.

"So, you are going to give him more power by reacting the way he wants you to." Ego says softly.

You stiffen. It's not that easy, you think. When you've been hurt by enough people, when enough stuff goes wrong, you just start expecting people to hurt you, for things to go wrong, for people to use you.

Pain comes up to you, followed closely by Bitterness, who smiled sadly at you.

You look at the two of them confused. Anger slowly starts to walk towards you, smiling victoriously.

You back away from everyone. Shaking your head in denial.

You look around at the others, looking for someone, anyone, who seems to be in agreement with you.

Everyone looks away. Hope. Joy. Love. Hate.

Hate? Hate didn't agree with you?!

"Hate?" You ask, confused.

Hate sighs and shakes his head. He glances at you, then looks away.

You look around incredulously.

"I don't understand!"

Pain and Bitterness take your hands and lead you to a table. Hate pulls out a chair for you.

You sit, frowning, waiting for someone to explain.

But no one does. They all just look at you expectantly.

You shake your head in Frustration, and she sighs in delight.

You look to your Ego for answers and he smiles sadly.

You sit quietly for a long moment and think. Hate doesn't align himself with Pessimism, neither does Pain or Bitterness, but Anger does.

You chuckle and Sadness sits straighter in her chair.

"I think I understand. Anger fuels Pessimism, gives him strength. When Pessimism is strong, so is Anger. Pain and Bitterness can fuel Pessimism, as well, but only if they choose to. Same with Hate."