Bonus segment:
A Piecemeal Exposition
WALK IN MY SHOES
Hello, and welcome back! Step on in and leave your shoes at the door for our next Piecemeal Exposition.
Well, it looks like there was no avoiding that forcefield. Turns out I just had to bide my time and wait for the other shoe to drop. Fortunately, the extra time allowed me to make my first piece of clothing, even if I had to get by on a shoestring. Now, I admit, covering my feet in dead slug parts does kinda feel like stepping into dead man’s shoes, but you know what they say: if the shoe fits… And anyway, with these on I won't be as down at the heels as I was before!
And yes, I know, some of you are probably saying, “Oh, our as-of-yet unnamed Heroine, why are you talking about shoes? They aren’t part of the body. How is this related to Anatomy?” To which I must reply:
Fools!
Of course shoes are part of us! Many believe our body to be limited to the confines of our skin, but let me assure you, we are so much more.
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What we perceive as a person, a single being, is the representation of vast Universal Energies beyond our understanding. Our manifestation extends into our tools, equipment, and creations. We are entangled with shoes, down to the blueprints of All-Things, and would fare poorly without them.
We’ve been walking in shoes for so long that our toes have apparently become shorter and thinner over time due to their protection. The oldest shod footprints known date back to 136,000 years ago, and 9,000 year old bark sandals as well as a 5,500 year old leather shoe have been found lying around in caves. It can only be guessed how far back our use of footwear really goes.
Ah, shoes! That glorious apparel that protects our tender underfeet, allowing us to kick, stomp, and romp with little worry of stubbing our toes and piercing our skin.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong proponent of going barefoot, but merit must be given where it’s due, and shoes most certainly deserve our praise.
For my part, I now have to worry a little less about where I step, and can instead focus on where the shoe pinches: that strange mass of white threads, as well as those pea-in-the-shoe spectators.
I’ve gotta admit, I’m a bit proud of myself. That eerie whisper didn’t even have me shaking in my boots! Even though my stomach is empty and my energy’s low, my mind’s tough as old shoes and ready to go. If only I could switch places with those spectators, see how they’d feel once the shoe’s on the other foot…
Well, it's time for me to drop the other shoe and move on to chapter 6, where who-knows-what awaits. Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll be glad to have my new silks!
Off the top of my head,
-me (your as-of-yet unnamed Heroine)