50. Journey to the Afterworlds (Part 3)

Aurelio Enrique Hueso Canaca… your world takes one more step towards its end, but unlike your companions you swim the currents of existence with ease and resolve. Despite your protests to the contrary, that which is strange is no stranger to you.

In front of your path awaits a question concerning the one who steals eyes and speaks lies, but you cannot be the one to answer it. I have heard your past, I have smelled your future, yet I wish you luck nonetheless, here in the house of my kin.

[Intro music plays, ‘Welcome to the Family’ by Miracle of Sound.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Greetings, Aurelio, and welcome to my home. You traveled the waters of existence rather exceptionally. Your being here in the graveyard of your sins is no mistake, although it would be fortunate to consider it a graveyard for things here are more lively than one would like to admit.

Ari

So like, is Quique in-character also hearing this then?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You may not hear the words exactly, but somewhere deep in something further than your soul can hear it.

Ari

Hmm.

[Whimsical haunted waltz begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The world is scarier for children than for the rest. When anything is around the corner, that harbors both potential and danger. So, comforting toys of imagination passed down from generation to generation line the walls and the floor of this room designed for comfort. You do not awake per se, instead you are simply in one moment not in this room and in another you are.

Ari

Is Ariel there too? What are they doing?

[Music ends.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The simple act of looking for one’s kin is one not frot frequently with danger, but exceptions can be made.

Ari

Oh no.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

In my house, time is finite, endings are inevitable. Every time you attempt something dangerous or difficult, the rivers of existence shall reveal a number between 1 and 20.

Ari

Oh boy.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

These shall be compared to your own timer. Should the number the water provides be higher, nothing shall change, but should the numbers be the same or lower…

Ari

Oh no.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

…an ending shall be brought about.

Ari

This is more dangerous than just rolling the same number twice.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your number begins at 1.

Ari

Oh no. Oh boy.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And it is time for a roll.

Ari

This in theory is a freebie unless I roll a 1, right?

[Rolls.] Oh god, where did it go? I rolled a 6.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The ending does not come yet, but the number increases to 2.

Ari (as Quique)

Is there a way to keep the number at 1? You know, I can bargain something.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Unlike others of my kind, I do not bargain in bobbles. I seek only the value of time.

Ari (as Quique)

I’ll keep that in mind when the number might be a little bit higher, I suppose. I still have things that I want to do before “dying” dying, dying times two, you know, before the traveling to an even deeper location.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Endings are not so simple as that, Aurelio, nor are they things to be avoided or feared.

Ari (as Quique)

It’s not fear, it’s just a sense of duty for things, righting some wrongs, mysterious river voice.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You may call me Fistivos.

Ari

[Delighted.] Fistivos! Oh, Fistivos!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Watcher of the waters of existence. A grim, much like your feline mailman.

Ari

Well, I assume that Quique didn’t see Ariel because nothing was said on that regard, so Quique will start seeing through the toys, seeing if there’s anything that seems familiar with either them or some other kid or even a toy from his own childhood, something that might be familiar.

[Music box lullaby beings.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You search through the stuffed animals in the corner of the room, many of which look familiar to you. You see Squees, tangled Rattleweeds, a stuffed Nicotini…

Ari

Oh god.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

…before regulations prevented any further creation of that toy. In the corner however, you see, hidden in the shadows, what looks to be a feathery swan wing. Sensing your presence, the wing rises, splits in two, and reaches a height comparable to your own.

[Music ends, replaced by an eerie hum.]

This is no stuffed animal, this is a creature. A danger perhaps? As the creature turns and gives a fake yet familiar smile, you know that it is dangerous indeed.

[The eerie hum ends.]

Kyle (as Ariel)

[Melodic like Xochi.] Quique! What a pickle we’ve gotten ourselves into, huh?

Ari

Oh no.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your sobrine smiles with the plastic expression of your daughter, they’re fury hidden behind a smile.

Ari

Oh, so they are a fury? What undead is this?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

It is in its own way appropriate those who die from betrayal become winged personifications of vengeance called furies, after all.

Ari

Yeah, they’re a fury. No… From betrayal? Oh no.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

For while they are not permanently dead, in this space where the body is not allowed and the soul goes alone, one takes the form of the dead regardless.

Ari

Hmm. I know they wouldn’t want this… Well, I don't know, maybe at this point they would. I think Quique would just, without thinking much, just hug them and say that he is sorry.

[Sentimental music begins.]

Ari (as Quique)

I know this were probably to reach you even less now, and I know these probably are too little too late, really, but I am really sorry. I’m really sorry you are here, I brought you here like I brought so many others kids here, and I couldn’t stop it. I think I just… by trying to protect you, I did the exact thing that I wanted to prevent. I know you can’t really probably get this, but I am really sorry.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

What remains of Ariel sinks into your embrace. You could swear you feel a tear.

Ari

Aww.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

However, this lasts but a moment as what has replaced your sobrine takes over. The embrace becomes harder yet insincere, and the chattering, the mindless endless chattering begins.

[Music ends.]

Kyle (as Ariel)

[Remains melodic like Xochi.] Oh Quique, you’re so silly. There’s nothing to be upset about. Because of you I got to become a super big star, and my musical is happening, and everything is great. It’s great in this creepy, creepy house, and it’s great being gone right before the musical is supposed to go on, and everything is great and cute and…

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And your sobrine tries to pinch your bony cheek.

Ari

Oh god.

Kyle (as Ariel)

…perfect! Let’s go look over there!

Kyle

As if trying to dodge the conversation. The force guiding Ariel brings their attention to the set of dolls in the corner of the room.

Ari

[Chuckles.] Yeah, so Quique’s gonna sigh.

Ari (as Quique)

Yeah, I know. I know it’s too late, but I guess I’m a stubborn old guy. That’s what centuries or more of living really give to one, stubbornness, if nothing else. Even if this is a lost cause, we are both getting out of here. At least I’ll prevent you from ending exactly like the others.

[Haunting piano music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

One must be careful what one says in the house that always listens. As you mention the loss of another, a shadow sweeps across the room and your attention is drawn to one specific doll.

Ari

Oh no. Does it look like me?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The doll is singing a song, a childish song, a song about her papa’s adventures with the gold guy.

Ari

Oh…

Kyle (as young girl)

Gold guy! Gold guy! Nothing goes well for gold guy. Greed fell on him, and he quite literally died. Gold guy! Gold guy!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You hear the bright voice of Marisol, a wraith who had died not understanding why nothing was open on Labor Day and becoming the avatar of it.

Ari

[Chuckles.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

She was impulsive but bright, and she loved hearing stories of you and Mateo, often turning them into jovial songs. You hear one of those songs sung in her voice coming from a doll on the top shelf that bears a perfect resemblance.

[Music ends.]

Ari

Quique’s just gonna be like:

Ari (as Quique)

Oh Sol, oh Sol, I’m so sorry. Maybe I can make things right for everybody, not just… Maybe I can fix things here.

Ari

He’s gonna grab her. He’s gonna go for it.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers roll again.

Ari

Yeah, I know. I know! I know out of character the gimmick, but I think Quique would be too emotional to not.

[Rolls.] Yeah, that’s a 12.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The counter rises to 3. You reach for the doll, hoping to grasp one of your children in your hands, to embrace them and apologize… but this is yet another figure that you know apologies are too late for. You grab the doll, and what, Aurelio, is your next action?

Ari

I wanna carry her. Yeah, I want to see if there’s a way he can revert this, even if he knows that it might be too late.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

As you approach the doll, the song becomes dissonant and harsh. One would imagine an attack follows, however…

[Music box lullaby begins.]

…when held by your embrace, the song grows melodic again and the loud singing turns to content humming.

Ari

He’ll put her… I don't know. He has a little pocket or a bag or something to put next to him.

[Music ends.]

Kyle (as Ariel)

Oh my god. I didn’t realize that, like, this house was a big fan of Xochi too. Maybe I can look past the drab and creepy and see something good within. You know, Gold Guy isn’t one of her top-charting numbers, but it’s a pretty good one.

Ari (as Quique)

If you’re gonna be looking, I want to go and look with you. I can let you pick where to look. I know it’s too late to let you do your own decisions at this point, but I think that I would be, um… I would just be imposing myself if I tried to force you to do what I want now.

Kyle (as Ariel)

It’s fine. Every star deserves their groupies. Although I am not a star nor deserving of that, once we find Xochi, she will be grateful for another.

Ari (as Quique)

Oh come on, you know you’re so much better than her. I’ve heard your actual stuff. It’s so much better. What do you mean you are not deserving of this?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand a roll.

Ari

Oh boy. Okay. Alright. Come on.

[Rolls.] Nineteen!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your number increases to 4, and you do not get a response you are hoping for, but you do not get a rebuttal you are fearing either.

Ari

Okay. Quique will take this.

[Haunted waltz begins.]

Kyle (as Ariel)

[Scoffs.] They’re playing my song!

Kyle

Your sobrine says as they rush to the ballroom which is playing a peppy, gaudy, tasteless song. It is very much not Ariel’s style.

Ari

Quique will run after them.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

It is at first difficult to take in the walls of this room. It seems like oblivion covers them every few moments. But, as you gain your composure, you notice that it is not the walls that are disappearing but it is instead a variety of shadows dancing along with each other in the ballroom, each dancing a unique dance that you recognize as being designed by a multitude of your progeny. Despite all of their individuality, they are dancing along to a song of Xochi.

Ari

Quique might try to change the beat. When there’s a song and you clap off-beat or you know, it sucks, or you try to change the rhythm… he’s doing it on purpose to disturb it with this. [Claps.]

[Music ends.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The claps reach the rivers which provide another number.

Ari

This is fine. Let’s see.

[Rolls.] Oh god. What is this? Oh no, that would be a 4. Oh…

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The counter returns to 1, but an ending comes. How does your clapping, successfully at first, adjust the tune of the room?

Ari

Well, I think I wanted to… like, I know you said they all dance individually but also to the same rhythm. I want to break that so that each is probably still dancing but actually to their own original thing without following. You know what I mean? Doing their actual…

[Upbeat western music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

It looks like a panicked run, it sounds like a poorly performing, newly established middle school band, but the dancing is authentic, the dancing is genuine, and the shadows begin to fade.

Kyle (as Ariel)

Oh…! Oh, these dances… maybe I—

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your sobrine, you notice, their tune becomes out of tune. What was once major becomes minor, and they seem to start their own song.

Ari

Ooh.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

However, you cannot live in this moment for long, for ripples of green brush past all of the shadows.

[Music ends, making way for ominous sounds.]

As it does, they return to full form. Their chaotic individualized dancing turns into a perfect choreography, their haphazard yelling a sweet harmony, and the voices of your progeny are no longer recognizable. Ariel’s eyes grow frantic, fast breathing of excitement or perhaps fear. They look not to the door but to some part of the house, just a corner of the ceiling, as a voice echoes.

Kyle (as Xochi)

Hey there, everyone! Xochi’s here!

[A beat of dramatic silence hangs before the announcements.]

Kyle

Today’s announcement break is pretty quick, so I’m going to take over for Fistivos, because he speaks quite a bit slower than me. I mostly just want to do credits.

The game that we are playing is a modified version of Dread, an amazing horror tabletop roleplaying game by Epidiah Ravachol and Nathaniel Barmore, which typically uses a Jenga tower but that’s a bit hard to do on a podcast. The intro song is Welcome to the Family by Miracle of Sound, one of my favorites of his, and… there’s no third thing. That’s it.

Thank you for your patience as I got these episodes out. I am going to be releasing a lot more content including a Flashback Future spinoff. You might have heard about that in a previous announcement break, and you will get more news about that in future announcement breaks. But, if you want to be ahead of the game in Quest Friends! News, interactivity, and pretty much everything else, check out our Discord. It’s linked below, it’s fun, it is by far the most active hub of Quest Friends! Fans.

We have had three episodes with three heroes undertaking three different roleplaying games. All of them converge next episode on Journey to the Afterworlds, Part 4. But, if you’d like additional content before then, normally here’s where I pitched the Patreon, but since I mentioned the Discord, check out our Discord in the description.

[Whimsical haunted waltz begins]

Ari

Quique will quickly take Ariel’s hand, seeing them upset.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Ariel is paying you no mind, instead standing paralyzed, their eyes tracking something above them on the second floor.

Ari (as Quique)

Do you want to lead the way or do you want me to do it?

Kyle (as Ariel)

Uh, um…

Ari (as Quique)

I think this is as much your journey as it is mine.

Kyle (as Ariel)

Well, I mean, it’s not quite, uh…

Why would we need to, Quique? Xochi’s here to lead both of us~

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And your sobrine marches towards the door that you know leads out to the staircase up to the second floor.

Ari

As they go out, Quique will turn to that corner of the ceiling.

Ari (as Quique)

See? They talked. They talked. They didn’t sing for a little bit, but they did it.

Ari

And they leave the door after.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Oh Aurelio, your optimism is admirable. I can see why Death gave you its favor.

Ari (as Quique)

When you have nothing left, the only thing that you can have is optimism. You know? You don’t have anything else but hope.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Aurelio, you have quite a considerable amount to lose.

Ari

Quique under his breath will be like:

Ari (as Quique)

I’m also really good at bluffing.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You follow Ariel up the staircase towards the second floor, the walls around you bleeding a sickly green and the artificial peppy singing growing louder as if the shadows of the building itself were singing, because the shadows in the corners of the building are singing. On the second floor, your sobrine charges towards the main suite, their eyes peeled not on the doorway but on a segment of the wall.

Ari

That’s fine. I think Quique will still follow them. Quique knows it’s too late to give them their own space, but he wants to try to still… like, he thinks maybe that might unleash their persona. You know? Unleash their sense of rebellion.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand another number.

Ari

Okay.

[Rolls.] Three.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The number which had returned to 1 rises to 2. Ariel reaches for the door, getting so close to the rocks that the siren calls them to, but stops. Their ears perk up and they turn as if hearing a sound in the garden.

Ari

Hmm.

Ari (as Quique)

How about we go to what was bothering you in the suite first and then we can go to the garden? Would you accept that compromise?

Kyle (as Xochi)

Papi~! You’re always so forgiving and loosey-goosey~! That’s what makes you so easy to play with.

[Ominous music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The door opens and Xochi looks at you, her tail already ensnared around Ariel like a python constricting its prey.

Ari

Quique looks at her.

Ari (as Quique)

Just tell me why you just seem to be obsessed with this, with this… with this!

Ari

And he’s just gonna point to the whole house.

Ari (as Quique)

The question is why. What did we do for you to do this to them? I let them come here. I knew they were looking for you. I wasn’t being played at. I knew that they were coming and they were looking for you, and I was looking for you too, because I think it’s time that you give an explanation as to what did we do. When will you stop?

Kyle (as Xochi)

Oh Papi. Oh Papi! You think you’re so special and important. You think you matter oh so much.

Ari (as Quique)

I know I don’t, but it seems like it’s to me because all of the targets are related with me and with Teo’s kids. The ones that matter are them, and you’re just robbing their life. For what? It’s not about me, it’s about them. I’ve never really said this, I usually am pretty accepting to whoever wants to be part of my family, but I think you have lost the right to call me dad. It seems like you have a new one anyways.

Kyle (as Xochi)

Ha-haha-haha! You’re so funny. Even in your little monologue you act as if my simple fact of being one of father’s aberrations you have control over this world. But unfortunately, this is my house! These are…

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And she caresses the side of Ariel’s face as she says this.

Kyle (as Xochi)

…my kids. And, and-and-and, this is my arc. This is the Xochi arc, the story about Xochi. Even the episodes I’m not here, you’re still thinking of me. This is my world. In a world for me, why would you expect me to be the one to do the work?

[Music changes to tense ambience that ends in a sting.]

No, I have people to speak for me.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

She says, touching the bottom of Ariel’s lips. And Ariel, those wide eyes growing even wider, twitches as the sickly green surrounds their lips.

[2000s boy band music begins]

Ariel (Sung)

My God Quique, you’re as sharp as a Gloop
Attributing this to a small family coup?
News flash! My papi
It’s not about you

A swan has no time
To mingle with ducks
Do you get
It yet?

You’re dead to me
You are no part of my family
Why bother when we’ve got Xochi?

I wouldn’t care
I wouldn’t think
Wouldn’t cry
If you died

You slip on by with those pesky good dice
Reality crumbles under you like ice
You could take it all
How can you not see

You created me
And all that I seek
And you claim
I’m to blame!?

You’re dead to me
You are no part of my family
Why would she nickname me Ari?

I wouldn’t care
wouldn’t think
Wouldn’t cry
If you died

Xochi (Sung)

You’re dead to me

You’re dead to -
Why would I nick-

You’re dead to me

When you die

Ari (as Quique)

Un memento un memento - you’re saying that I am the selfish one and that I think everything revolves around me, and what is this? What is this song you’re singing about your world, about you and everything going according to your plan? When in fact, to me, it seems that whoever you call your father is the one that is truly pulling the strings here. At the end, you’re nothing but another puppet. You’re truly the thing that you claim your kids, “my” kids, are. You are the most hollow and the most puppet one of them all. At least they have originality, at least they were individuals to begin with, but now I see that you weren’t even one at the start. I know that you know that, and that is what scares you the most.

Xochi (Demonic)

STOP!

Xochi

Oh, Xochi.

Xochi (Sung)

You speak so strong for being so wrong
You’ve played the game well I’ve been playing too
You have only one muse
She plays the loser

I play
The world

Ariel (Sung)

Wait now Xochi
He’s still family

She plays
The world

Xochi (Sung)

They’re all singing for me
They don’t give a shit about creativity
How can you still not see?

I’ll make it clear
When Xochi sings
Dead to me
Your kids will sing
Dead to me
The world will sing
Quique’s dead to me

Ariel (Sung)
Wait now Xochi
He’s still family
Like you Xochi

He’s not dead to me

Kyle (as Xochi)

Quique, Quique, you had me go through all the effort of having little Ariel go through all the effort of making a song, and you ruin it like that?

Kyle (as Ariel)

Well, I don’t… I mean, harmonically it—

Kyle (as Xochi)

Was awful?! You’re so right, Ariel. You’re so… smart, dear.

Ari (as Quique)

You can keep telling her about the harmony. They know way more than you do. You just pretend that you know, but in reality what do you know about music? You just steal everybody else’s ideas. Even what you claim are your own songs are nothing but stolen songs from somebody else. You don’t actually have originality yourself. What do you have if you strip all of your so called kids from you? You don’t have anything.

Kyle (as Xochi) Oh Quique, oh Quique, oh Quique.

Ari (as Quique)

Aww, did I touch a nerve there?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Xochi, your enemy, releases Ariel from their grasp and slithers in your direction.

Ari

I will step between Ariel and her.

Ari (as Quique)

I used to be proud of you, you know? I used to think that you were actually special, were actually something to be proud of, but I now realize the mistake that I did. I tried so hard, but no more. If you want a final thing, do it to me, but don’t do it to them anymore.

Kyle (as Xochi)

Oh Quique, oh Quique. You still don’t get it. I don’t care about them. I don’t care about you! I care about me. You wanted to know what I had without your sad saggy bones and your sad little family?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And Xochi holds up a document, ‘Shadowed Swan’ by Ariel Zamora Hueso, although that name is hardly recognizable with the scratched out title. It now says ‘Swanshine!’, the rest of the text marred by Ariel’s own hand but not their own will. And your former daughter boasts:

Kyle (as Xochi)

I have Necropolis.

Ari (as Quique)

And is that even yours?

Ari

Is there any way I can try and take it away from her?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand a roll.

Ari

[Rolls.] What’s this? That’s a 6!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The counter goes up to 3. Aurelio, how do you take the script?

Ari

I want to toss one of my hands, grab it, and then bring it back like a boomerang hand and give it to Ariel, and say “this belongs to you.”

Kyle (as Xochi)

AH~! Even my furious screaming is melodic. Isn’t that something?!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

She lunges at you, Quique, and the waters demand another number.

Ari

Alright, let’s see.

[Rolls.] A 9.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The counter rises to 4. How do you dodge the lunge?

Ari

I think he just steps to one side as she comes, in a cartoony way.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Xochi flies past you. You see with, I would imagine considerable schadenfreude, as she tumbles past you, screaming more and more incoherently.

Ari (as Quique)

See? You’re not even in control of where you go. You’re not in control of anything.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Ariel looks at you, and looks at Xochi, and looks at you.

Kyle (as Ariel)

Uh, uh… The garden was next!

[Whimsical haunted chase music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And they race towards the garden behind the glass door.

Ari (as Quique)

Alright. A promise is a promise, but hey, there’s a glass door over there. This is not saying that you can’t go there, but just don’t crash into it. Open it first.

[The glass shatters.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your concerns are cut off by the sounds of shattering glass.

Ari

[Snickers.]

Ari (as Quique)

Are you okay?!

Ari

And he’ll speed up.

[Music changes to calm haunted ambience.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The garden is peaceful. There is a gaudy amount of Xochitl flowers that you see shadows attending to, each humming their own song. But in a corner you hear a song that has not yet been stolen by Xochi, sung by one who cannot speak.

Ari

I want to go to that song.

Kyle (as ???)

[Hums a pleasant tune.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The song gets quieter and urgent as you approach.

[Music ends.]

You round the corner and you see another one of your family hiding in the bushes, her finger from her left hand pushed up to her lips, looking at Ariel. Having been found by you…

Kyle (as ???)

[Disgruntled sounds.]

[Silly music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

…Yunuen lets out a really frustrated sound…

Ari

What?!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

…before freezing and realizing that she has been caught in something far worse than hide and seek.

Ari

He’s gonna look around.

Ari (as Quique)

What? What? What?! Chaparra, what are you doing here? How did you…? What?! Did she follow you?

Ari

He’s gonna look at Ariel and then look back at her.

Ari (as Quique)

You’re the least one that I want to see here. What are you doing here? Did you follow them? Did you follow your sibling here somehow?

Kyle (as Yunuen)

[Grumbles.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Yunuen stomps her feet. I must agree with you there, Yunuen. It is surprising that Aurelio is so surprised by this turn of events knowing that the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Ari

Just a question. Is she a human? Like, is she a girl or is she an undead or some sort?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

As Yunuen makes her expressive sounds, you notice that on the top of her head one fuzzy ear droops like the rest of that half of the body while the other moves around in a very animal-like fashion, and you also realize that hidden in the bushes is a small furry tail. Yunuen made it to this place by sneaking into the party, sneaking aboard your van, and generally getting up to all kinds of mischief.

Ari

God.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Like all of those who die causing trouble, she has become a kitsune.

[Music ends.]

Ari

[Surprised and delighted.] A kitsune?! Oh my god! What? Oh, I love kitsunes. Oh! Anyways, Quique is both really, like… now his optimism and his everything is a little bit broken because now there’s an unexpected additional party here. Now he could lose two kids instead of one.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

I did warn you, Aurelio.

Ari (as Quique)

You didn’t warn me of anything. What are you talking about? This could get worse? I didn’t expect the kid, this could… I mean, don’t get me wrong here, chaparral, I’m proud of you in a way. This is something I would have done. And you know…

Ari

Without thinking he’ll say:

Ari (as Quique)

I think Auntie Sparky would be really proud. … Uh, don’t tell her that I said that. Ahem. Okay, just…

Ari

He’s gonna try and get her on his back.

Ari (as Quique)

Okay, just come here. I know you’re getting bigger.

Kyle (as Yunuen)

[Grunts of refusal.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

She shakes her head and puts a finger up again.

Ari (as Quique)

Okay. Okay. We’re being real quiet. Are we hiding? We can hide together. We can walk together, hiding together at the same time. What are we hiding from?

Kyle (as Lionel)

Three, two, one. Ready or not, here Tio Lionel comes!

Ari

Oh… Oh no.

[Silly ambling music begins.]

Ari (as Quique)

I thought this could not get worse. I thought this was rock bottom. I think things are lost now. Everything is lost. I was bluffing on my optimism here. This is rock bottom over here. We are doomed. We are doomed, everybody. What are you doing here, Lionel?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The waters demand a roll.

Ari

[Rolls.] I rolled a 5.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The counter goes up to 5.

Ari

Oh boy. I don’t like that I’ve been rolling so low.

Kyle (as Lionel)

Primo Quique!

Ari (as Quique)

What are you doing here?

Kyle (as Lionel)

I don't know, I was just hanging out. This is the party, right? I was at the party and someone knocked me in the head and then, well uh, now I’m here.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The skull of Lionel, disconnected from the rest of his body, says to you as it hops around the corner.

Ari (as Quique)

Ah, so I guess… I mean, hmm. Yeah, I guess it did fall into the fountain, didn’t it? Uh… why here? I mean, nobody else is here. I mean, nobody else, like… Sparky isn’t here. Why you and nobody that’s more competent? Ugh.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Yunuen, though not seen by you, as she is behind you, laughs to herself at the competent comment. She puts her hand out for a fist bump from Ariel who, without thinking, reciprocates it before returning their hand tightly back to their chest in shame.

Ari

Oh my god. Quique didn’t see that, right?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

No.

Ari

Okay.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You cannot see but red.

[Music ends.]

Ari (as Quique)

Ugh, this is becoming too crowded. Okay, this is the situation! We are in a very, uh… potentially very problematic house. There is just, uh… openly saying it to you, Xochi, the one you were invited to for the concert, she basically might have made a deal with the devil or with something. I don't know. She really—

Kyle (as Lionel)

Wait. She made a deal with the grocery store guy?

Ari (as Quique)

… No. Not the literal devil. With the evil, with the overlord of all evil. I don't know. This was all supposed to be a very personal journey for me, and now you’re here, and I don’t understand. This kind of shifts everything. You do whatever you want, I guess. If you want to stay here, just don’t cause any trouble. If you hear any singing, don’t interact, don’t do anything, because you might make it worse. I’m trying to save people here. So, you can stay here and have fun. I am going to take my kids and try to figure out how to leave this house…

Kyle (as Lionel)

Quique—

Ari (as Quique)

…unless you have any knowledge of any…

Kyle (as Lionel)

Quique—

Ari (as Quique)

…any secret locations.

Kyle (as Lionel)

So you’re saying that, like, I probably should have warned you about the singing I’m hearing right now?

Ari (as Quique)

Why are you so—?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand a roll.

Ari

[Rolls.] God. What’s this? Oh no, that’s a 3. That is a 3. Am I going to switch bodies with Lionel?

[Action music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Lionel’s voice gets louder, so loud in fact that you cannot hear the singing he’s referring to. The shadows of your progeny turn green again by Xochi’s magic, push you back, and you clatter to the ground. As you get up, you notice three things. You see the shadows dragging the script which you have dropped to the ground.

Ari

Oh god.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You seen Yunuen holding onto the script for dear life.

Ari

Yes, my kid!

Kyle (as Fistivos)

And you hear the one person in competition with Xochi for being the absolute worst yelling in his normal volume in your ear, because you realize that his skull has been entangled with your neck.

Ari

Oh no. How? How?! No! This is like… awful. Oh Jesus, no.

Kyle (as Lionel)

Oh-ho! Consider that a pick-me-up. Thank you there, primo!

Ari

Quique will just scream.

Ari (as Quique)

Aaah…

Kyle (as Lionel)

Aaah? Is that the new game? Are we playing the scream game now?

Ari (as Quique)

Ugh. No. Ugh!

Ari

He’s gonna try and bat it out. Well, actually… ugh. He’s gonna toss a hand to go and help Yunuen with the script as he’s trying to bat the other. Come on, I’m trying to multitask here. I don’t need this. I’ve had literal nightmares about this exact scenario happening. I cannot. He’s gonna roll on the floor trying to dislodge the head. Please, no.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand two rolls.

Ari

Two rolls? Oh no. Is there gonna be more heads that appear if I fail this?

[Music ends.]

[Rolls.] What’s this? That’s a 17. Now I get the high rolls here.

[Rolls.] And a 6.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The number has risen from 1 to 3. Your hand successfully pries the script from the shades, and it flies back with Yunuen who tumbles to the ground. Ariel reaches for their sister for a moment in concern, then reaches for the script, and finally does nothing but stare in a direction through the bushes.

Ari

I think Quique is going to roll towards where Xochi is. Maybe he can destroy her through the power of the most annoying thing on the planet, barreling right to her.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The rivers demand a roll.

Ari

[Rolls.] I rolled a 3. No!

[Evil organ music begins.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Following your sobrine’s gaze, you dive through the bushes. As you tackle and grapple with Xochi, what is your only thought in this moment?

Ari (as Quique)

I’m going to free my children from my mistake.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Your hands feel slimy and you feel a wetness on your face. As you look up, you no longer see a singing siren, you see a true siren, the mermaid tail fully enveloping Xochi as her green weblike hands which are latched onto you extend up to an aquatic head filled with sharp teeth and a single dangling orb in the front akin to an angler fish.

Ari

Ah, that’s fun.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Having caught its prey.

Ari

Oh no, that’s less fun.

Kyle (as Xochi)

[Monstrous but still melodic.] You really have a death wish, both you and your “muse,” don’t you?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You cannot stop this monster, not alone and definitely not with Lionel.

Ari

[Chuckles.]

Kyle (as Fistivos)

But you can hold it off long enough for—

[Music ends abruptly.]

Kyle (as Ariel)

Xochi? Xochi!

Kyle (as Xochi)

Uh… yes, Ariel?

Kyle (as Fistivos)

The creature maintains her bestial form but attempts to put her voice back.

Kyle (as Xochi)

What is it?

Kyle (as Ariel)

Oh, I uh… I found the script for you!

Kyle (as Xochi)

Really?

Kyle (as Ariel)

Uh, yeah, so why uh…

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Ariel walks through the bushes, their eyes wider than they’ve been all day, as Xochi slowly recedes back to her beautiful face. Ariel makes it through the bush as the last scale on her palm recedes.

Kyle (as Xochi)

[No longer monstrous.] I just have to finish something first.

Kyle (as Ariel)

Why don’t you, uh, do this first? Like, that doesn’t matter. Right?

Kyle (as Xochi)

Yeah, but I’d really like to.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Xochi reaches up to attack you, and for a moment you see a cymbal from a drum block her hand, but just for a moment as the cymbal returns and becomes a piece of paper, the script that Xochi happily takes in her hand.

[Tragic guitar music plays.]

Kyle (as Xochi)

Thank you. Well, that was a lot! Heh.

Kyle (as Ariel)

Yeah, that definitely was. So we can put on our musical, right?

Kyle (as Xochi)

I can put on “my” musical. Mine.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

Xochi stands up.

Kyle (as Xochi)

Quique, you had asked me what I had when I had everything but no family. Isn’t that right?

Ari (as Quique)

Yeah, something like that.

Kyle (as Xochi)

Well now you get to experience what it’s like when you have your family and nothing else.

Ari (as Quique)

Happiness?

[Music swells and carries to the outtakes.]

Kyle

I gotta think of a response to that. You fucking got her. You got her real fucking good!

Ari

[Laughs.]

Kyle (as Xochi)

Oblivion, Quique. You get nothing but a sad inevitable end.

Ari (as Quique)

Well, you always have to have the last word. Fine, if that makes you feel in control of things.

Kyle (as Xochi)

I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Ari (as Quique)

You’re not my apple.

Kyle (as Lionel)

Uh, Quique, the two of you are kind of trying to outdo the final word with each other thing here, so—

Ari (as Quique)

Do you want to have the final word, Lionel? Is that it? Do you have something to contribute here?

Kyle (as Lionel)

Old Lionel knows when he’s not wanted.

Kyle

Essentially I’m gonna give you… I made this map. It’s two different links. Here’s link one.

Ari

God.

Kyle

I made this map, and you get to choose where you start, what room you start in.

Ari

I don’t like things to be played against me. Oh no, okay.

Kyle

I have your notes. I have your notes.

Ari

I know! Is it going to be the same as the thing? It is my map. I know the threats of “my” map. I don't know if it will be the same threats in this map. But anyways.

Kyle (as Fistivos)

You are simply in one moment not in this room and in another you are.

Ari

The room gave birth to…

Kyle

Congrats, it’s a skeleton!

Ari

It’s a skeleton!

Kyle

“Wah! Wah!”

Ari

[Laughs.]

Kyle

It’s the trope of like, oh yeah, you came out old. Quique was just born a skeleton.

Ari

Yes.

Kyle

He was tired before he lived.

Ari

Yeah. Honestly, that’s a mood.

Kyle

To be fair, there are 25 of you that were just born as skeletons.

Ari

That is true. Who is the real Quique? The world will never know.

Kyle

Exactly.

Ari

This in theory is a freebie unless I roll a 1, right?

[Rolls.] Oh god, where did it go?

Kyle

It would be very funny if you started with a 1.

Ari

No, I rolled a 6. I am not Hallie. Come on. However, I did get 6, so that’s also very thematically Hallie.

Quest Friends!

Future in a Flash