Sinners of the Way: The Clockwork Actor
--- Mercer ---
He walked down the theater aisles, numerous empty seats on either side of him as the only light in the room was from a dim light over the stage, one that did little to push away the darkness of the theater.
“There are a thousand stories to tell in this world, and yet we cannot truly behold the beauty of these events from word of mouth.” A raspy voice whispered, the sound carrying throughout the theater despite its lack of volume, with an almost religious reverence. “To truly understand the beauty of these stories would require an entire world to act them out upon. Which is why it’s so fortuitous of us to be here today…”
The voice let out a rasping laugh full of life and joy.
“After all, the world's a stage…”A figure appeared in an eruption of smoke, its hands raised to the air as the stage lights sparked on, illuminating the entire theater for a brief moment as the figure’s voice boomed. “And the stage is a world of entertainment!”
“Ooh, I can just feel the chills you’ll be giving the newcomers.” He applauded the figure on the stage, as he turned to Mercer with an almost inhuman preciseness to his movements.
Something that would slowly unnerve most as they realized the figure was just a little too thin in places and a little too tall in others. An effect only just hidden by the fact his clothes were tight in some places and baggy in others, almost as if the figure were wearing two separate outfits. All of which culminated in someone who looked human but didn’t look quite right.
(Of course, the fact that he’s not breathing is the real give away.)
None of this bothered him however, as he’d long since become accustomed to the figure, even taking some measure of comfort in knowing that it continued to dwell in the Way under even if going under the false pseudonym of, “Clockwork.”
“Mercer.” Clockwork’s whisper of voice greeted before elevating to a projected pitch a human needed to be heard in the back row. “What brings you to my wonderful little world?!”
“Not much.” He answered before plopping himself down in the nearest seat and propping his feet up on the seat in front of him. “My apartment was blown sky high with all of my gear in it.”
“I heard about that.” The playwright admitted with a whisper, before booming once more. “Such a chaotic bass echoing in disharmony to the beautiful ratta-tat-tat of the Way! Such a shame… You weren’t injured were you?”
“Nothing I can’t walk off.” He shrugged. “Already seen Betty after killing the ones responsible.”
“Good, good…” Clockwork nodded. “It would be such a waste if in such a turbulent time as this that an artist of anarchy such as yourself were to be rendered… unavailable, when needed.”
“Oh?” He asked, dropping his feet as he got where the dramatic arms dealer was going. “Got something you need a hand with?”
“A Bleed I believe, and not the kind you would use to paint the walls so raptious red!” Clockwork explained, throwing an arm at the back wall of his stage. “No, this is the kind to bring silence to the sweet, sweet symphony of Sinner’s Way!”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Yeah, that sounds… problematic.” He agreed, leaning forward. “Question is where was it to disrupt your… mad melodies?”
“It. Was. Here!” The theater goer answered with a twirl, before pausing mid-motion. “Or rather somewhere with enough influence to reach here. At night there’s a fog drifting onto my stage that has no place being here!” Clockwork pointed down and shook his head with a sigh. “It completely ruins the atmosphere I’m going for…”
“A fog?” He frowned, putting two and two together and not liking it. “This fog got a… creeping feeling? Like something is rooting around in your head?”
Clockwork tilted his head at an inhuman angle with a curious laugh. “I don’t really worry about things rooting around in my head.”
“Right.” He sighed, remembering who -(or rather what)- he was dealing with.
“You sound like you might know what plagues me, old friend.” Clockwork prodded, before gesturing towards the sky. “Tell me my demented doctor, can you cure it?”
He nodded as he stood up. “Yeah, this asshole from Covenant summoned something and lost track of it. My guess is whatever he summoned is trying to nest nearby…”
“Ugh, I hate when vermin infests my stage.” Clockwork grimaced, or as much as he could with a mask for a face. “I trust you can play exterminator?”
“Yeah, but it might take a minute since we don’t want to scare it off before it’s actually nested. Else it’ll just move somewhere else, and I’ll have to track it down again.” He explained, not worried about telling the arms dealer that he’d have to wait since despite -(or possibly because of)- the man’s theatrics, he was incredibly patient by most people’s standards.
“You’re the proven professional.” Clockwork chuckled, before striking a pose. “Far be it from me to rush your production!” The dramatic paused. “So long as we don’t miss opening night with the other artists of the Way anyway.”
“I’ll have it cleared up by then.” He assured, knowing that while Clockwork could easily handle it himself, part of their deal meant playing muscle whenever the man felt like watching rather than fighting himself.
“Good.” Clockwork nodded before reaching into his cloak. “And before I forget, an artist is nothing without his tools of preference!”
He raised his hand and caught the gun Clockwork had tossed him before inspecting it.
(I can see all the ‘special’ parts that made up the older versions, but this one is a little more sleek. Less of a sawed-off with a large handgun barrel and more a desert eagle with a revolver chamber. Probably has a lighter recoil, but I’m hoping that didn’t take out too much fire power in exchange. At least the weight ‘s still there if I want to use it as a club, though the grip doesn’t make that ideal… Maybe use the barrel like a roll of coins in the hand?)
(All in all a workable replacement.) He decided after a few test swings and quick aims. (Though I am wondering why he had this done so soon. At his usual pace even if he started the moment he heard about my house he should’ve needed a few more days to complete this.)
“Consider this a fitting of a new regalia. Your old gun was so last season, and someone of your acclaim must remain fashionable, darling.” Clockwork explained upon seeing his curious face. “I was saving for the meeting but consider it a down payment for your performance.”
“Well I can’t deny I prefer your sense of fashion to Rojo’s,” He admitted, gripping the gun and giving it a few quick aims. “Then again, you know me CW, I prefer to be the one setting trends instead of following them.”
“True. Too true.” Clockwork laughed, before taking a seat in a chair that hadn’t been there a moment prior. “I can’t wait to see what chaos you’ll paint upon the canvas of the Way!”