#I Yam What I Yam | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sea-side-scribbles · 2 years

Text

Fanfiction: You Always Meet Twice

Link to ao3

Chapter 28

Morrie was puzzled by how well Nick handled the journey so far. Looking forward to an actual jam session seemed to push him forward. After some time, they reached a small pond. Nick happily pointed at it. “Oh, look there's more water! So next time, I don't have to guide people to our home again!” Morrie sighed and rolled his eyes. There was much he wanted to say to this naïve man, but he was tired and too focused on the upcoming session to say more than: “Look again.”

With a discontent sound, Nick went closer to the “water” to inspect it. “Careful”, Morrie added. “Don't breathe in the fumes.” “Huh?” Nick was confused for a second before he realized it. His face fell. “Oh...” “Yeah, oh...”, Morrie repeated sarcastically. “You better not drink that, no matter how thirsty you are. It's not worth trying.” Doubtfully, Nick eyed the glowing and fuming greed liquid. “What happened here?” “I guess it's where they dump their chemical waste. See the syringes? You better step away a bit.” Morrie gently moved Nick backwards.

The other man furrowed his brows. “You mean Joy?” “Whatever. Doctors use these, right? To inject Downers? But I'm not sure it's only Joy. Who cares. It's dangerous and it shouldn't be here.” Nick couldn't avert his eyes from it, though. “It's so warm”, he muttered and held up his hands as if he stood in front of a campfire. “I can imagine people coming here when it's cold.” “I don't wanna think about it...” Morrie rather didn't ponder over where the unusual warmth in the Garden came from. What made the berries and flowers grow bigger than natural. They kept him alive after all. That was all that mattered. Everything else, he couldn't change anyway.

Nick shot him an alarmed look. “Don't tell me the jam session is supposed to be here!” “No, we're not there yet. “Oh, thank God! How far is it?” “About half an hour now...you're okay?” Morrie looked the other man up and down, searching for traces of exhaustion. “Couldn't feel better”, Nick shrugged it off with a wide grin. “Uh...actually I could feel better, but Joy isn't an option, right?” Morrie didn't laugh. “We could go home.” “Now, after all this? No way!” “Okay, there goes nothing”, Morrie said quietly to himself, eyeing the map.

“I can't wait to play in a band again!”, Nick shouted out a few steps later, the toxic pond already forgotten. “I miss it badly! Don't you miss it too?” “Hm”, Morrie produced. “I can't hear you!”, Nick teased as if he stood on stage and motivated his fans to sing along. He even held out an imagined mic to him. Morrie backed away. “I miss it, too, but I also don't miss running after hopeless dreams! This better be legit!” “Oh, it will be, trust me, Morrie!” “You have no clue what's going on there!” Nick pouted and crossed his arms. “Well, if you don't believe me, why are you going there with me?” “You better not remind me...” Morrie's tone was defensive and gloomy. His insides fought against excitement and fear all at once. This was all insane. If he didn't know there were functioning communities in the Garden, he wouldn't have any hope.

“How far is it now?”, Nick soon asked again. “Ask that one more time and I'll take the scenic route.” “Geez, why so grumpy? Cheer up a little! We're going on an adventure!” Morrie silenced, pondering. Not for the first time today, it occurred to him that Nick was approaching him differently now. Just yesterday, the former star had been scared of him. Today he was a mix of kindness, cheekiness and flirtation. Overall, he seemed to be confident.

Well, he had to be, if he wanted to survive, Morrie admitted. Was this how watching a kid grow up felt like? How much of Nick's new confidence had been his doing and what happened simply because Nick got used to his new life? How much of his old self would he regain? Should he really get in touch with a band again? Wouldn't that turn him back into a monster?

Looking back, the scared and helpless Nick had been annoying, but he had been innocent, too. Morrie knew that nobody could remain innocent forever, but he wished he could go back home and lock the door, keep Nick in his house and away from all the bad influence outside. Maybe they would come along like this. Maybe Nick would warm up and...stop being an arrogant ass. Perhaps they should turn back.

“Morrie?”, Nick shouted into his inner monologue. At Morrie's silence, he crossed his arms and went on: “Okay, don't talk to me, then. It's all my fault, I guess.” Morrie cleared his throat. “Did you say something?” He gave Nick a blank stare. “Yeah, I...” Startled, Nick unfolded his arms. “Whoa, Morrie! What's going on? Did I say something wrong?” He came closer, searching his eyes. The way he looked up to him... Morrie tensed.

“Talk to me, Morrie. Please, I wanna be better.” Morrie thought that Nick called him out for being so secretive, and he did it in such a kind way. Sadly, he hung his head. He couldn't keep Nick from learning, even becoming a monster again. Perhaps if this band changed him, he could leave him there...It would be better for both of them. Nick wasn't happy with a lone wolf. He needed an audience.

“Morrie?” Nick wondered if the other man had some sudden withdrawal-moment. Nightmares and hallucinations and shit. It looked serious. Then Morrie gasped, blinked and came back to life. “Hey, there, how are you? Welcome back to the real world...”, Nick's voice was tender and caring. Morrie noticed that his hands cradled his chest. His bare chest. “Aah!” He recoiled with a yelp. “Are you okay?”, Nick urged him. “Was it something I said?” Morrie gathered himself and shook his head. “Don't worry about it. Let's move on.” He fastened his pace, but Nick didn't give up: “Do you...uh...do this more often?” “Do what?” “Er...blacking out I guess? Or did I...” “I did not black out. I thought about something. I want to keep us alive after all.” “Oh...okay...”

Nick made an inner note to be even more careful with his Morrie. He hoped that this trip would cheer him up. Just chilling and vibing with some cool people...that was just what he needed. All that tension. Morrie's muscles could as well be knots that grew bigger every day. Nick wanted to say something nice to him again. He loved to see Morrie melt. But right now, he couldn't think of anything he didn't already say. “Hey, if there's something I could do...”, he tried. “...you know, I want to protect you too...” “Use your brain, Nick. Just use it.” Morrie said it softly, but Nick winced anyway. “Hm...” That wasn't the answer he wished for. What about using his heart? He concluded he had to be the heart here, or else this would become a sad life.

In silence, they walked through the high grass, until they approached a large hill. Nick had to crane his neck to look at it's top. He couldn't identify what was up there. The night already fell and the hill sat in dim light, a black shape against a darkening sky. “Is this it?”, he asked with wide eyes. “The map says so”, Morrie stated without audible emotion. He stared at the hill. “This is smashing!”, Nick couldn't help shouting. Morrie wasn't sure if this was the best way to describe it. To him, it looked rather overwhelming. The hill towered front of them, ominously waiting for clueless visitors like them. Trees grew on it, hiding what was presumably going on up there. But the way it rested peacefully among the trees it was also pretty. Harmless, at least. And a perfect hiding spot at night. Morrie hoped for the best. His hope for a possible jam session made his fingertips tingle with anticipation. His heart beat faster and he knew it wasn't because of exhaustion.

Nearing it, Nick rambled on: “This is brilliant! Why didn't I come up with something like this? Imagine everything you can do up there! Open air shows and fan meetings, happenings, ...or I could invite bands and artists, like they do! Maybe this place isn't so dull after all!” Morrie was sure that Virgil would've hated to bring equipment up there. And a motilene pipe for starters, or else it would've been all “Nick Lightbearer unplugged”. But he didn't feel like saying anything, his own mind was too much to handle. “Morrie?”, he heard Nick's concerned voice again. For some reason, he liked how the former rockstar gave him all this unexpected attention. “Hey, I'm fine”, he said and almost chuckled. “Don't have to be worried just because I'm not yapping every five seconds.” Nick sighed and said “Okay.”

Then Morrie only heard their rustling footsteps until they stood at the foot of the hill. Circling it, they eventually found the way up. A steep stone-flagged path lead around the hill, presumably up to the top. A bench stood right next to it, the first trace that someone actually came here often. When they went a few steps up, they came upon a wooden sign that said “YAM WORSHIPPERS ONLY!” “This is it! We made it!” Nick now had his proof and he celebrated, throwing his fists in the air while jumping up and down. Morrie, however, squinted his eyes. “Do they sound like musicians to you?” Nick thought about it for a second, then he shrugged. “Why not? This could be a joke.” Morrie had to admit it could say “Nick worshippers only” and he was certain that signs like these existed somewhere in Wellington Wells.

Turning a corner, they found another sign on a tree. “ENDLESS SUFFERING AWAITS THOSE WHO WOULD DISRESPECT THE YAM”. Morrie stopped in his tracks. “Still funny?” “Oh, come on”, Nick urged him. “We've come so far, let's give this a chance! We don't disrespect the yam, or do you?” He gave Morrie a wink. Morrie couldn't bring himself to smile. “Wouldn't think of it.” “See, it's alright. We're save.” Nick's smile became even wider. They continued their way up. Now Nick was ahead of Morrie, eager to reach the end of the path. They were stopped by a gate made of corrugated iron and barb wire. It looked more like an army hideout than an artsy place. But Morrie had to admit it was safer like this. The sign there more or less repeated what the invitation had said. Offerings to the Holy Yam and such. The Holy Yam now. This sounded less and less like a jam session.

The gate had a door. Nick already rattled at it, but it seemed to be locked. “Are you serious?” Morrie relaxed. This was it. They wouldn't have to go inside. This was a scam or the invitation was outdated or everyone starved already. Who knew? It didn't matter. They would hide here until morning and leave this place for good.

“Are we too early? It said 'night' after all. Helloo?” Nick hammered against the door. Morrie slumped down into the grass, leaning against the gate. “I guess that's it, then”, he sighed. “How do you know?”, Nick flared up. “It could still happen!” “Well...” Morrie shrugged. “We have to stay here anyway, until...” In shock, he fell quiet.

A group of Wastrels came up the hill. They were quietly talking to each other, hands folded. Then their gazes fell onto the two men at the gate, who helplessly stared back. The Wastrels stopped talking, but besides that, they kept their slow pace until they stood in front of Nick and Morrie. “Did you come here to celebrate the holy yam?”, one of them said in a solemn tone. He made even Nick lower his voice. “Yes, we are...” Also Morrie was eager to nod and confirm. Anything to get out of this unscathed.

“Did you bring your offerings?”, a woman asked. “Uh...” Nick shot Morrie a helpless glance. Yeah, now that things went to shit, it was up to Morrie to take the lead again. “We had them”, Morrie said jumping back on his feet. “Uh...but we got attacked on the way and...” “Oh, right! It was awful!”, Nick butted in, remembering the stranger throwing stones. “We lost them”, Morrie concluded to the staring Wastrels. “Attacked?”, the woman repeated. “By who? The space people?” Morrie had no clue who the space people were, but her tone made him affirm: “Yes, them!” This lead to the Wastrels speaking up all at once, shouting angrily, not at Morrie, but their ominous concurrence. The woman held out something to them. “Here, have some of mine.”

Morrie felt his insides turn to ice when he saw the little mushrooms in her hand. Their caps were blue and peppered with red dots. Nick snatched one out of her hand and Morrie could only stare at him. Please, no. “Nick”, he hissed, trying to give him a sign without alerting the group. Nick sniffed the mushroom. He didn't look at Morrie once, he dared just one more glance at the group. Morrie was sure the pressure did the rest. A second later, Nick swallowed the drug. Morrie fought tears. He was angry at himself. His companion was an idiot but he should've known better. He should've said “No Nick, we don't know what we get ourselves into. This is too dangerous.” Nick would've complained and begged, but he would've stopped eventually. Anything better than turning into a Plaguie. Sad and defeated, Morrie picked up a mushroom as well. He put it in his mouth, but instead of eating it, he hid it under his tongue. The Wastrels were pleased and opened the gate.

Nick felt like he entered a new world. First, everything around him went blurry, and he stared at his own hands in disbelief. When the world came back, it seemed like it stopped halfway. His surroundings were bathed in rainbows as if someone had sprayed oil over them. Every time he turned his head, he started to see double. All the voices and sounds changed. The Wastrels whispered to each other with a dark undertone that seemed to come from another dimension.

When they opened the gate, it's clanking noise echoed over the hill and his own footsteps ringed in his ears. At the same time he wasn't sick because of this, he rather felt light. Actually, he was floating and his senses felt sharper. He wasn't euphoric, though. It felt nothing like the trips he had in his old life. This felt mysterious, as if he had become a part of something bigger.

What the hell waited on that hill?

Nick was humbly preparing himself for an audience with a higher being.

They went on, up towards the top, around in circles and it made sense to him now. They ascended into a higher form of living. This was a pilgrim's way, to pray and to purify himself. But who was he supposed to pray to? He looked at the worshippers for clues. At his look, a woman with branches in her hair began to whisper to him. Her voice reached his ear in waves. “I think we should plant it...every eye of the Yam creates another Yam...or is that normal potatoes? I can't remember those things.” Nick nodded and mused, trying to understand her words of pure wisdom she just shared. Every eye of it...How many eyes did it have? What was it?

“I think we should eat it. Cut it into little pieces, so everyone can try it”, came another voice from the void. Nick now stared at the man who spoke them. “Even a tiny piece of it would heal us.” Heal us...Were they sick? Was that why they were here?

“We should ask it how it wants to be used”, another woman proposed, her voice higher and prouder than the others. “You can hear it speak if you get you own mind to silence. At least I can.” Ask it. It spoke. It had eyes. It could heal. Oh, dear, what was it?

“What do you say?”, the woman who had whispered first scanned him with her rainbow coloured eyes. Clouds of purple smoke floated above her head. Looking up, Nick found the dust over everyone and himself. It was their breath. “Uh...” His own voice rumbled. “I think we...if it speaks, and sees us, then...we should ask it?” “Exactly”, the proud voice cheered. “But what if we don't understand the answer?”, the other woman sighed. “Then we...try again?” Nick hoped to understand. He didn't mean to be disrespectful. He looked up to the sky that was splattered with all colours and the stars shone brighter than any stars he remembered. Someone else muttered: “I yam what I yam” and it made sense to him. He repeated it, whispering to the sky.

Morrie struggled all the way up, holding back tears. When he looked at Nick and saw the man taken over by the drug, he wanted to shake him awake. To scream at him and slap him. But he couldn't fight them all. Jumping down the steep slope of the hill felt too risky, especially with Nick unable to prepare for the fall. The former star staggered like the others, mumbled nonsense along with them. Meanwhile, the place made clear that deviants were just as unwanted as Downers in Wellington Wells. “TURN BACK NOW OR FACE THE WRATH OF THE YAM”, another sign warned. The yam. Sure. What the fucking hell was that yam about? What was this session? A bunch of crazy gardeners? Whatever they were, Morrie had to play nice until the end. And make sure he didn't go crazy himself.

He regretted to notice that his trick hadn't been completely safe. Even though he spit out the mushroom when nobody was looking, it's taste spread in his mouth and he began to feel dizzy. Were their voices deeper now? While they prayed to the Yam, he prayed for this to end.

When they crossed a broken bridge that consisted of only a few wooden planks, he grabbed Nick to lead him safely over it. He didn't know if the man still noticed the wide gaps between the planks. And the gaping hole under them. Suddenly, Nick slowly turned around and reached for his hand. Morrie quickly took Nick's and did his best to comfort him. “It's gonna be okay. I'm here, Nick...” Morrie's voice was soft and calming, even through Nick's sharpened senses. Did Morrie know what was going on? Sure, he did! He knew everything! He was so smart! And so beautiful! He'd keep him safe, whatever happened! Nick gave Morrie such a thankful smile, he made him almost trip and fall. Morrie squeezed the hand, hoping he'd reach out to Nick like this. Save him. He wasn't completely gone yet.

Finally, at the top of the hill, they approached what looked like a stonehenge. Tall menhirs formed a circle that surrounded something like a makeshift altar. A high pile of dirt with a chair on it. A throne? Was that a human head? Morrie shuddered and looked closer. No, just a mannequin. The altar was lighted by various candles. A man strutted towards it and widened his arms.

The the session began.

The candles made Nick blink. They were just as bright as the stars and illuminated the place as if it was a part of the sky. Giant rocks reflected their light. Mystical signs were painted onto them. They seemed to change every time Nick moved his head. This was a magical place and he wasn't even prepared. The worshippers gathered around an altar and Nick joined them, dragging Morrie with him. A light in the sky irritated him, since it seemed to be closer than the stars. He looked up. And there he saw it. Floating above them, there was something small, shiny like a gem. Was that...a yam? Literally, a yam?

Suddenly, a voice thundered over the hill. It didn't come from the yam though. He looked around and found the preacher. “Hear the words of the Great Yam, whose names are secret and unknown, whispered in the light of the New Moon. When the moon is waxing crescent, ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of I who Yam what I Yam. And I will teach you things that are yet unknown. I yam who I yam!” Nick listened in awe. His body shivered and he was about to fall on his knees, but he had to stand upright like the others. He was pushed forward when the group started to move. They danced around the altar, clapping their hands in a slow and steady rhythm, chanting what Nick had learned. “I yam what I yam!” He chanted with them, happy to move again. Their voices melted into one. They became one creature and the yam watched over them. “I yam what I yam. I yam what I yam.”

Well, if this was all they did, it wasn't so bad, Morrie thought. He felt stupid for dancing in a circle and clapping his hands, but he had feared worse. He could do this for a while, even thought the sermon was quite annoying. Nothing made sense. What about some actually helpful advise? Something to survive? But these people were beyond help anyway. Oddly enough, he didn't see a yam anywhere. They didn't even get this right.

Dancing behind Nick, it was creepy to hear him chant. Morrie was also fighting his own body that broke out in sweat. His eyes refused to work properly. Sometimes, everything became a blur and the colours were way too bright to be real. After what felt like the hundredth dance, he heard an strange sound and something hit him in the back. Morrie jumped around and found all worshippers lying on the ground, shivering and moaning. Served them right.

“This is our chance, Nick!”, he hissed while turning around. Nick, however, lay on the ground just like the others. “Nick!” Morrie darted to him, fell on his knees and shook him. But the man only shivered and moaned, unaware of his surroundings. His eyes were wide open. Morrie pulled him closer and covered his eyes with one hand. Then he buried his face in Nick's soft hair and began to cry.

Nick transcended slowly. Their prayer went on forever, an eternity of celebration and purifying his soul. While strengthening his mind, his body became weak. It became harder and harder to repeat the dance. His feet struggled to find even ground and his hands hurt. At the same time, he felt lifted higher and higher into the air. The yam accepted his offering, drew him closer. When he was too high to touch ground again, he struggled for a moment, flailing with his useless limbs, then a bright light swallowed him.

He gasped, unable to cover his eyes. He had no body. There was only light. “Norbert!”, female voices called for him. “Norbert!” Nick flinched. Who dared...? He looked around without a head, without eyes. A colourful dot gained his attention. He floated closer to it and immediately recoiled in awe. It was the Holy Yam! It really spoke! The fact that it knew his name convinced him that it saw through him.

Humbly, he bowed his consciousness. “Oh, Great Yam...” “Your journey isn't over yet!” the Yam proclaimed with it's many voices. “I...I'm glad to hear that, oh my Yam...” “You reached out to me and pleased me with your offering! Now I will reward you with a gift! Which one it will be, is yours to choose!” “A...a gift? This is too generous of you, my Yam...I don't deserve...”, Nick mumbled, then the light swallowed him once more.

A second later, he stood on his feet again, in front of him lay three paths in a forest clearing. It looked like it came right out of a fairy tale, with colourful mushrooms and giant flowers. Three lights glistened at the end of each path. Carefully, Nick approached the first light and the Holy Yam spoke again: “Let me give you the digestion of the dog, and you may more safely eat food that the blight has taken!” Digestion of the dog?, Nick wondered. So I can eat everything without getting sick? This is quite practical. Now curious, Nick went to the second light. “Let me give you the sturdiness of the horse”, the Yam offered. “...and you shall be stronger against all insults to the body!” Sturdiness? Well, my body keeps insulting me lately...this could make me more useful... The third gift was described as the stamina of the wolf.

Overwhelmed and still shivering, Nick glanced from one light to the other. Holy gifts from a holy being, all worth choosing. “What happens if I choose my gift, oh my Yam? Will I see you again?”, he shouted into the void. “I was always by your side and I always will be”, the Holy Yam answered. Nick smiled. He had always known that he wasn't alone. He had needed to come here to find the truth.

Looking at the third gift, he thought of Morrie. He'd be surprised. Maybe even proud of him? Nick approached the light again and carefully reached out to it. It vanished around his fingers, it's essence ran up his arms and through his body. It made him gasp and flail.

The bright light came to take him a third time, before he woke up on the hill. Then all the lights were gone. The sky was grey and the sun about to rise. Someone held onto him, kept him from waving his arms around. It was Morrie.

#you always meet twice #we happy few #wehappyfew #nickxmorrie #nick lightbearer #whf nick #nick x morrie #whf morrie #morriememento #morrie memento #gardendistrict #garden district #the garden district #i yam what i yam

3 notes · View notes