The more days that pass in the summer heat, the more the broken, cursed boy comes to a seemingly undeniable conclusion about his existence; it is all a horrible dream. Enki cannot think of a better reason for the pain that resides in his chest with each beat of his heart or the way he keeps losing large chunks of time and waking up in strange places. Yet, even as he attempts to convince himself of the lie, the pale pink boy knows it isn’t true. The only explanation that keeps reoccurring is that he is simply cursed.

It makes sense and, as much as his mind tries to rebel against the answer, it is the only plausible explanation for his shitty life so far. The only time good things began to happen in his world is when he turned his life over to Medusa as he had been giving a home and a place to find steady meals. But the curse had followed him into Insomnia, causing the death of his mother and finally causing his break from reality. Now, Enki wanders the world as a hallow husk of a wolf, broken far beyond any hopes of repair.

Or so he believes.

Pale blue eyes blink suddenly as Enki is snapped from the desolate landscape of his mind where he had been torturing himself, yet again, with the ‘if’s’ and ‘should’s’ in his life. The world snaps into focus and he looks about in confusion, not knowing when he had left the Tar Pits or how long he had been standing here. The grass waves in a gentle breeze as he looks out over the plain, offering beauty to the ugly, cursed boy. His heart leaps into his throat as he feels that he does not deserve to be in such a wonderful place and he swiftly turns back to where the sulfur laden air awaits.

Yes, Enki still prefers to live down in the pits with the bubbling tar despite being freed from that land for no other reason than it is familiar. In a world where he often awakens in places with no memory of how he got there, there is comfort in remembering the pathways of the pits. The boy is so absorbed in his own thoughts, that he is not paying attention to his surroundings as he prepares to slink back into the hole he had crawled out from.


"Enki Klein"

With his birthday came new freedoms - he was allowed to leave the pits and the dancefloor! Though, the small boy had yet to act on these new freedoms he'd been given unlike his sisters. You could call him nervous, and he was, but only because he was so small! He needed someone big and strong to adventure with, you know, in case things went south. Maybe even someone to carry him through the puddles! Medusa and Widow wouldn't carry him around forever, they'd already made that clear, so he just needed to find someone else to do it! That couldn't be so hard, right? Almost everyone here was bigger than him!

Phantasm wasn't actually out on the hunt for a chauffeur when he saw one of the younger Klein kids slinking off. His head tilted curiously as he watched. He was huge. Not like Widow, but close! Maybe he could be his new friend and pony?  "Hey! Wait up!" He called out to the mottled boy, actually running to close the distance between them in case his tiny, squeaky voice hadn't been heard. He didn't even consider that this other boy looked like they wanted to be left alone even as he slowed his approached as he got near.

He couldn't immediately remember the other kids name though. He was certain he was one of the youngest Klein kids now, but his name was escaping him. He was panting to catch his breath (this boy doesn't run), though a loose smile curved the corners of his mouth up as his tail wagged friendly behind him, completely oblivious to Enki's depressed state. "Do you wanna go on an adventure?" he asked, tongue hanging from his mouth as he looked up at the taller boy.

"Speech!"

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A voice squeaks out in the still air and the Klein boy instinctively freezes. The sounds of someone approaching has Enki turning toward the direction of the noise, his movements sluggish and unnatural, almost as if he doesn’t know how to control his body. As his empty gaze lands on the colorful, small boy that is rushing toward him, a pale brow slowly lifts. He stands stock still, waiting for the unknown boy to approach while he attempts to pull a name from deep well of his memory. Nothing is forth coming, so he decides that he probably hasn’t met this rainbow hued boy before.

Baby blue eyes watch the now panting boy, noting the loose smile that curls the lips of the other and the way his tail wags. Enki attempts to remember what that emotion is called that the boy is displaying, the faintest hint of name surfacing before the boy’s question puts a grinding halt to that train of thought. Eyes blink slowly as he stares at the stranger for a long moment, feeling a stirring of… something at the mention of adventure. Something pokes at his mind and he suddenly remembers that this is one of Medusa’s children. Finally, he dips his head in a semblance of agreement as his monotone, dull voice says, “Okay.”

Enki agrees because he likes Medusa and he does not wish to upset her or her kin. Maybe there is a deeper reason for it as well, but for now, he pretends that is the only one. Realizing that, if they haven’t met before, he should probably introduce himself, the pale pink offers, “I’m Enki.” The simple, flat words rumbles past his lips as the boy’s voice has already begun to deepen into the smooth, dark tones of his adulthood. A listless thought comes up and the boy asks, “What kind of adventure are we going on?” His voice is devoid of infliction and his gaze is empty of any bright spark of life that had once been there.

Yet, as the thought of exploring begins to settle in, a very strange feeling stirs in the boy’s chest. In another life, Enki might have considered it excitement.


"Enki Klein"

Tazzy may not be the brightest, but he certainly knew that something was up with this kid. He was quiet, sulking, and seemed lost without actually being lost. Wait, he did know where he was, right? He started to question it. Maybe he'd been hit on the head or dropped when he was born or something! Sure, he'd heard that a woman named Recluse had been found dead, but he had yet to make any connections between the mottled pink boy before him and the mumblings of the blue babysitter besides the simple relation that they likely shared. Of course, had he given himself the time to think about it, he would realize how obvious it was.

A simple word and nod in agreement was all he was given and he supposed he would have to run with it. He was hoping for a little bit more excitement, but he would take what he would get. At least he had the decency to follow with his name though! "Hi, Enki! My name is Phantasm, but everyone just calls me Tazzy. Call me Phanny though and you'll regret it!" he said, though narrowed his eyes with a playful smirk at the threat.

When asked what kind of adventure though, Tazzy was immediately stumped. He hadn't thought that far ahead. Oops. "Oh. Ummmm... I dunno! It's my first adventure, sooo... any ideas?" he asked as his tail slowed briefly but resumed it's happy pace as he asked for Enki's opinion.

"Speech!"

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The colorful boy does not seem deterred by Enki’s slow, sluggish speech or the fact that he is acting strange. Part of the pale boy knows that something is wrong with himself but, as hard as he tries, he cannot figure out what it is. Perhaps it is just another part of the curse he unleashed with his birth. The excited boy is speaking again and it takes all of Enki’s concentration to keep up with the happy words. At Tazzy’s narrowed eyes and threat about not being called Phanny, the pale boy simply blinks and offers dips his head in agreement while giving him a single word, “Okay.”

There is something infectious about the other boy’s energy and, even though he does not move any faster or talk any less slowly, Enki finds that he feels a little more… comfortable. Tazzy hasn’t run away from him yet like the freak the boy knows he is and that makes Enki feel special. He would never admit out loud how lonely he has felt since his arrival in Insomnia but he had been and the loss of his mother seemed to only compounded his loneness in the world. Tazzy is speaking again and Enki offers another slow blink before lifting his head to look around the area.

Dull tones offer a noncommittal, “Oh. Um.” His mind works as he tries to think of something to do. The boy had once loved to go exploring but, he suddenly realizes that he had not been on an adventure in a long time. A thought sluggish crosses his mind and he turns his baby blue gaze back to the colorful Tazzy, asking, “Do you know how to swim?” It is summer and the heat of the day can be felt like a heavy blanket but, thankfully, he remembers that there is a river that winds lazily through the plains and offers a perfect escape. Enki follows up his question with, “If you don’t… I can teach you.” Yes, the pale boy knows how to swim and, once upon a time, he actually found joy in it.


"Enki Klein"

Okay, there was definitely something wrong with this other kids mood! He frowned briefly at the short answered he received in response to his jest about his preferred nickname. Most just laughed him off, few even daring the half-pint by trying. Enki though... nothing. Acknowledged, but only barely, as if he was incapable of emotion. Interesting, to say the least, and he wanted to know why.

"Are you okay?" He asked suddenly with a tilted head and concerned expression. Either something was bothering him or he was just a weird one... weirder than his sisters. Was that possible? Well, he could certainly handle weird, but if something was wrong then he could fix it! Besides, moping around didn't look good on anyone.

"No, I... I've never swam before," he said suddenly with a heavy swallow, tucking his chin in a bit as his ears turned back in mild embarrassment and a touch of fear. It was the desert after all, so how important was swimming anyway? His expression changed suddenly though as curiosity took over. "Is it fun?" he asked as he looked up at Enki, eyes wide with curiosity as his head fell into another tilt.

"Speech!"

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The strange way that Enki talks and moves is unknown to the boy himself since, from his limited point of view, everything he does seems normal. When the news of the death of his mother had reached his ears, the pale boy had felt a suddenly shift within himself, as if something was… different. Yet, he could never put his paw on what that actually was. Now, as the colorful Tazzy tilts his head with a concerned expression appearing his features while he asks if Enki is okay, the pale boy can only blink in surprise. Of course, the blink is sluggish and the shock only manages to lift a few lines of his face but, internally, there is a lot that happens.

With the question comes a swirl of thoughts that flood the boy’s mind, bombarding him with accusations and concerns for his own wellbeing. It is all so overwhelming and, with this sudden deluge of thoughts, his mind takes him back to the moment that he heard the very news that caused all this change. Suddenly, the wall that his mind had constructed between his emotions in order to protect him, cracks and a cold hand of fear snakes out. Without warning, Enki’s face morphs from flat lines. Terror creeps into every angle and line of his face as the claws of dread sink deep into his mind.

It is a strange thing to watch as, one moment, he had been emotionless and, in next, he is showing an emotion so strongly. Enki’s heart picks up speed as adrenaline is dumped into his veins and, for a brief second, his eyes light up with the shine of the wolf he had once been. Looking at the kind boy, the pale boy fearfully admits, “I… I don’t know.” The words are breathless and filled with distress as the pale boy feels himself losing his tenuous grip on his reality. Then, just as quick as the emotion had appeared, the boy’s mind repairs the crack in the wall and, once more, contains the escaped emotion.

Features fall back into their normal, apathetic, expression and the light in his eyes flickers and dulls as Enki’s soul, once again, dims. Blinking lethargically at the colorful boy, Enki simply says, “Yeah.” The worst part about that whole experience is the pale boy’s mind has locked away the memory of what had just happened as well. To him, Tazzy asked the question and he answered with ‘yes’. There is no doubt that something is wrong with Enki but, with his mind attempting to protect him, there is no way that he can pinpoint what is wrong.

The conversation moves on to swimming and Tazzy admits he has never swum before. With a dip of his head, the pale boy acknowledges the information and says, “It isn’t too difficult. At least… not from what I remember.” His memory is full of holes but Enki is pretty sure he can remember how to swim. Tazzy’s sudden question has Enki blinking slowly as he considers the if it is fun. With a jerky shrug of his shoulders, he says, “Yeah. It is very… freeing.” Words are difficult to find that truly explain what it is like to be able to swim and to dive underneath the surface.

Casting his gaze around, the pale boy turns his body in the direction of the river. Baby blue gaze turns to look down at Tazzy, the small boy that seems to have boundless energy and is kind to him. A thought sluggishly enters his mind. The boy had asked if he was okay and it only seems right to ask, “Are you okay, Tazzy?” That is what friends do right? Check in with each other. Truthfully, Enki has never had a friend outside of his siblings. A life spent in hiding will do that to a child.


"Enki Klein"

The taller boy before him was a strange one to say the least, but he hardly minded. He was a strange one himself, so who was he to complain? Though, he was a bit worried about him. Something seemed off, more than strange really, and he had him wondering. He wanted to ask, but suddenly the other boys face was twisting up into an expression he hardly had the time to identify before it was gone again, as quick as it came, and with little reaction from the pale, quiet boy. Was he the only one that saw that? Was he seeing things?

Enki somehow or another thought he was okay after all that, but Tazzy wasn't convinced. Whatever that was, none of it looked okay. Not that he knew how to help, but he certainly wanted to try! Maybe the swimming would be good for him, but Tazzy also wondered if they should so something... perhaps safer. But as soon as Enki was onto talking about swimming and mentioning at least what he remembered, Tazzy decided that maybe that should go. Maybe it would be good for him? What did he know though, he was hardly just a year old.

"Let's go, then! You lead the way?" He asked with a smile on his face, trying to lighten the mood a bit in hopes that Enki could perhaps pick up on a small percentage of it and absorb it. His head tilted though when he was asked if he was okay before smiling and nodding. "Yeah, I'm okay!" He smiled with a toothy grin and wagged his tail.

"Speech!"

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For all his strange mannerisms, the joyfully Tazzy does not seem disgusted by Enki. The pale boy feels a strange sense of graduate to his new friend and even feels a small amount of disbelief at the fact that he hasn’t run off yet. Truthfully, the pink wolf knows that something is off with him and, while he doesn’t know what it is, he does know that there is something deeply and profoundly wrong. Yet, despite this, the colorful boy has not turned and fled and, instead, actually seems to want to spend time with him.

Something stirs behind the wall where he has hidden his emotions, something profound and deep but the broken boy cannot put a paw on what it is before it fades back into the obscurity of his numbness. He cannot read the subtle emotions that flicker across the other boy’s face or that linger in his violet eyes but he can understand the happiness that rests in that smile. Confusion creeps into the pale boy’s mind as he tries to understand Tazzy but, in the end, decides to just roll with what the boy wants to do today.

Tazzy instructs him to the lead the way and Enki’s head dips in a jerky motion of acceptance before he lingers to ask if his friend is okay. With a positive response, the pink wolf turns his attention to the area around them and slowly leads the shorter boy through the tall grass of the plains toward where the water waits. As he sets the pace to accommodate for Tazzy’s shorter stride, the pale boy’s monotone voice breaks the silence to say, “If you need me to slow down, let me know.” Baby blue eyes flick over to his traveling companion as he attempts to offer a smile but comes out is a poor imitation of one. At least he is trying.


"Enki Klein"

He considered rescinding his idea of an adventure, but maybe it would help him in some way. Phantasm hardly knew what had him so... strange, but perhaps taking his mind off it would help? A good adventure could do that! Plus the swimming sounded fun, and that was the icing on top that he needed he thought! More than the poor excuse of a smile he just flashed at him, but at least he was trying. Effort was good!

However, he poor boy was struggling a bit to keep up. He trotted alongside the boy as he walked, though he refused to let it bother him. "You know, you should smile more," he said for some reason, the words falling out of his mouth without even a thought about them. Well, he was certainly thinking about it, but he didn't think he'd actually say it! Oh well, follow it up with a shit-eating grin to prove a point and maybe he wouldn't be offended!

"Tazzy" & "Enki"

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As Enki looks over to Tazzy, the much smaller boy’s struggle with his longer stride becomes apparent to the pink boy and he suddenly slows down. Blinking down at the rainbow-colored boy as he suggests that he should smile more, the broken boy’s brows knit together in something akin to confusion as he says, “Oh?” The word is mumbled and more meant for himself than the happy boy that trots alongside him. His pace slows down even further as he tries to remember what a smile is, what it feels like, and why he would wear one.

Swallowing, Enki summons his resolve and attempts to give the boy a warm smile. The happiness that he had felt when he had raced his sister through the magenta trees of their home land is the fuel he uses and, for the briefest of moments, as his lips move upward the emptiness in his face shifts into something lighter, something more… joyful. Just as quickly as it appears, it falls away and his lips resume their straight, stoic line but he continues to looks at Tazzy and asks, “Like that?” Baby blue eyes blink sluggishly but, in his gaze something new has taken up residence; hope.

There is something inside of him does not wish to let Tazzy down and, as Enki attempts to smile more for the boy, he begins to feel the faintest stirring of a new and strong emotion… happiness.


"Tazzy" & "Enki"

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His legs were burning trying to keep up with his new friend but as Enki slowed he sighed in relief, allowing himself to slow a bit just enough to keep up. He hummed a sound of approval when Enki questioned him with a curt nod as he kept up the pace, thankful for the slower gait. He hadn't expected Enki to actually attempt a smile, so he is a bit surprised to see his attempt. It looked a bit forced of course, but Tazzy couldn't help but add his own smile to the mix. Though his was a bit more awkward as he felt his cheeks heating beneath his fur. Enki looked so cute when he smiled! But why did he think that? There was a strange, new feeling stirring in his chest...

Tazzy cleared his throat suddenly, blinking and shaking off the feeling. "Yeah! Just like that!" He said and grinned at the man as they moved, yet despite his best efforts, the strange feeling didn't really go away. He still felt it in there, almost as if it was just waiting for another chance to arise.

"Tazzy" & "Enki"

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