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WP1: Familiar

Aight first time lets do this.

Writing Prompt:

Right when you become 18, you have to get a familiar. Even when you reached that age, you didn't get one, so you've been expecting none. So its a bit of a surprise when Cthulhu suddenly appears and claims that you're their familiar.

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The day i turned 18, i was alone. Not just because i didnt have any friends, i was halfway across the country away from my family and i havent seen them since i was 15.

This indescribable feeling of loneliness hit just that much harder when i saw everyone in my class get their familiar. I was born in December, so i knew i would be one of the last, but when my birthday hit and we all did the summoning ritual, i hurt that much more when nothing came for me. I was ostracized, even more so than normal.

Called a freak

A looser

An unwanted

I never let it show how much it hurt, but my pillow is soaked every night with my tears. My face blotchy in the morning and my eyes sunken in. Ive always been prideful of my grades, but even those started to suffer from this loneliness that haunted my every move.

After a month i had given up on the thought of getting a familiar. Ive heard of cases where a magus doesnt get one, but to be one of those rare cases just hurt me more. I slowly receded from human contact, only visiting the classroom and my own room.

Last night i got my hands on some alcohol from one of the more delinquent seniors of the school, and after drinking half the bottle i fell asleep with a conviction.

Today will be the day i finally end it.

I wrote a tearstained letter addressed to my family and left it on my bed, the bed freshly made and the room spotless. After all, i dont want to make a mess for them, i still love them.

My footsteps echoed off the pavement as I walked, bottle in hand, towards the most popular date sights, a suspension bridge overlooking the ocean. They say the sunsets there are so beautiful that even just seeing it with someone you love is enough to make you grow closer.

A sad smile adorned my face as i remembered the promise i made last year. A promise broken by her. I saw drops of water hit the pavement as I walked, and looked up. just what i need, rain. Fitting. However, the skies were clear, and it hit me. Its not raining, im crying. I touched my face and was met with a slick wetness that is oh so familiar to me. A fake laugh escaped my lips at the idea of me crying.

How pathetic I am, drunk and sad. What a fucking looser. I cant even control myself, how would i be a good master to any familiar. No wonder they never came.

I stopped walking, having arrived at this familiar spot, the same spot that we made our promise.

"TOGETHER UNTIL THE END MY ASS!" The words echoed off the calm water as i leaned on the railing, my tears flowing freer than ever. "nobody wanted to stay with me..."

I closed my eyes, willing the memories and tears away, before hardening my resolve. I took one final swig and grimaced as it burned all the way down. I climbed the railing and adorned a soft smile, finally, i'll be free.

I took one last look at the sunset before closing my eyes and dropping. The violent sound of the wind filled my ears as i fell, my tears blown away from the force. My smile widened as i felt the water getting close, my mind drifting as I finally got my one wish. Im sorry mom, dad, julie. I know this will hurt you guys but i need release from this madness

I hit the water and everything went white.

I gasped as air entered my body, coughing and gagging as water was forcefully exhaled from my lungs. I groaned and flipped over on to my hands and knees, puking up even more water.

I looked around and froze, my mind in disbelief. The familiar sight of my desk and bookshelf had my mind reeling. My sopping wet clothes told me i did fall into the water, but my lack of any pain or injury kept me from believing it.

"Ah so your finally awake," a voice rang out. Its voice sounded both gravely and smooth. Like nails on a chalkboard and soft bells at the same time. Something nightmarish but comforting. I looked around for the voice, and finally saw it.

I would say him or her, but the indescribable thing sitting at my desk was neither. It had the face of an octopus, writhing with tentacles. Its hands adorned with claws, its legs also having claws. Large, tattered wings adorned its back, and it wore no clothes. Not that it mattered. The only thing human about it was its vague humanoid shape.

"I dont know what possessed you to jump into the water, but if you do it again i will lock you in a cage for eternity." Its voice rang out clearly in my head, almost as if it wasnt talking to me but in me. "You are my property, my familiar, and i dont take kindly to things being taken from me."

"Who.." my voice croaked as i stared at this... this beast. "Who are you?"

It put the book it was currently reading down and stood. It towered over me like a 100 floor building but at the same time stood as tall as a normal human. The look it gave me filled me with both dread and a sense of belonging. It let out what i can only assume was a sigh before walking towards me.

"Wait, wait, wait!" I scrambled back on my bed, pressing myself against my wall, trying to escape. It just continued walking. I willed myself to wake up, to escape from this horrible dream. I shut my eyes and started to plead. "Please im sorry, i dont know who you are. Im just a failure who nobody loves. Please dont kill me, if ive wronged you im sorry but please, i dont want to die like this. I don-". I was cut off as a surprisingly warm, scaly hand caressed my cheek.

"Shhh." It said. "Im not going to kill you, and Im not going to hurt you. Please, look at me. Id rather our relationship be a good one that a bad one." I slowly opened my eyes as the figure looked at me. Its eyes held no malice or hate, only... concern.

"I am C'Thulu, and you are my familiar. My name is hard to pronounce since it is in a language your body is not meant to speak, but that is about how its said." It receded its hand, the loss of warmth making me wish it didnt. "You jumped into the ocean for some reason, and i can tell you are troubled. Here, let us sit and we can talk."

The chair from my desk flew to it, before it took a seat. "Tell me what ails you young one. I promise i will listen to it all, and there shall be no judgement passed."

I slowly leaned forward from the wall, before pulling my knees to my chest. "Well, it all started about a month ago..."

——— Thanks for reading