Hello.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Down here.
A bit more. No, I'm not short, just missing some crucial parts of my height. Yes, yes, down a bit more. Goodness, man, I'm not a Pygmy. Look down.
Yes. Hello. Do you see me?
Yes, I'm a mask. I've been one for quite some time now. I told you I was missing some elements to my height, didn't I?
How am I talking? Oh, this is nothing. At one point, I could even walk! How? Ha! It's a secret.
How did I become a mask? Well, there was a sorcerer. I was an ordinary theatre mask at the time. No sentience, nothing. Then one day, this tall chap walked in. Vlad, the others called him. The Impaler, was what they whispered behind his back. He was an imposing fellow, rather charming, too. He was researching immortality. I was part of the research into storing life into inanimate objects. One of several test subjects.
Well, several nights later, the test s were complete. Vlad hid me and the other subjects in different areas of his castle. He was overthrown eventually, poor fellow.
Hm? Oh, me? You're scared of me? You do realize I'm a mask, right? Ahhhh... you're scared of Vlad. I see, I see. Well, he stored his life force in me, dearie, not his murderous personality.
I'm old? Of course I'm old! I've seen much. So much. Well, I could certainly share some tales.
Once upon a time, there lived a marionette maker. He lived in relative poverty, this chap, barely scraping by, despite the incredible quality of the marionettes he made. One day, a fellow draped in black entered his workshop. The fellow promised riches if the man provided him with the best quality marionette that he had ever made- and there was a strange criteria. The marionette must have no face. Its face was to be smooth and featureless.
Lulled by the promises of riches, the marionette maker made the marionette, and after he was done, he presented the marionette to the man.
"'Tis indeed the finest craftsmanship I have ever seen!" cried the man, "I am greatly pleased." And saying this, the man drew his sword and chopped the marionette maker's head off.
The end.
What was the point of the story? What do you mean? I would have thought I obvious!
Oh, yes. That's the marionette. I'd ask you to say hi, but I'm afraid you look a bit busy being strangled.
Yes, I am the face of the marionette.
Yes, I did tell you I used to walk, did I not? And that there were other subjects?
Well, while the murderous qualities may not have transferred, something may have been tainted when he passed his life force to us.
Good bye, now. Woah, now, don't kick at me! Hey, hey! Marionette, stop him! I can't move! You know I-
