maskormenace | 01 🔮 video

Is that how--yeah, okay.

[It's close to sunset and Nico is chilling in a graveyard in De Chima. Why? Because she's living her best life, that's why. And it's not that far off her usual route home.]

This thing isn't that different from the WizPhones, but muscle memory-- [She rolls her eyes.]

Whatever. Hi? I'm Nico, I'm new in town, and I've got this thing. [She holds up an intricate silver device with a gold ring at the top, hissing slightly as she activates it. Light crackles in the ring, and a four foot pole telescopes from the end of the grip. The extra length seems to be solid piece with no seams, from the looks of it. Weird.]

I had it back home, too, but I didn't know its name. Apparently, it's called the Staff of One. [If the dossier she read when she arrived is to be believed. She turns the Staff over in her hand, idly.]

Anybody handy with magic? I could use a hand figuring out what it can do.

[She's used it for some things, and seen it used for some others, but she hasn't exactly had extensive practice with the thing. Her mom would insist the Staff isn't magic, but whatever. She's kind of past caring what her mom says.]

If you don't have that--please tell me somebody in this world has taste and goth is still a thing. My wardrobe is looking pretty pathetic right now. [She twists her mouth to one side for a moment, thinking, before going on. May as well try it.] One more thing. Karolina, Gert, Alex, Molly, Chase--if you guys are here and seeing this, speak up.

[Yeah that'll work. Probably not.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fuck you. It's the best thing you've ever worn. Will you be joining us? Wear it if you do.

No way. I look like a flasher in that thing? Unlike you, internet predator, I don't try to scar the new people.

I cannot believe this ingratitude.

Okay, so are you two like a thing, or...?

[Look, she doesn't know what she's supposed to think here.]

No, I hate him.

Whatever you say, man.

We're mortal enemies.

Oh yeah, dunno how I missed that.

It's okay. Easy to misunderstand.

The wardrobe thing is trippy. What's the gothest look you can imagine, 'cuz it's about to be yours in real life.

The internet predator is my personal property.

Is he always like this?

Constantly.

[Et tu, Adam?]

The internet predator! I'm never doing anything nice again.

Yes you are. Your soul is full of goth sparkles and baby kittens, don’t even try to deny it.

Attacked from all sides. Unbelievable.

Seriously? I've been pretty ungrateful, for an impoverished scamp, barely clothed or fed without your benevolent, very Catholic intercession. Cough, cough. Soon the consumption will take me. Again. Bury me in the gay Neo coat and I'll go full-zombie and eat your brains.