*max took a bite from his kit-kat* Daniel’s back at camp.
*the way that Max said that implied that there was weight to that statement.* Who’s Daniel?
Y’know, the cultist? I’m sure someone’s told you about him.
Oh, the cultist. Well, I didn’t remember his name. But Angie did write down about some kind of cult activity…
Yeah. He’s back and I dunno what he’s planning.
Probably nothing good… *Carlos starts to think about what he can do to protect the kids*
*Max shrugged* Probably. But I’ve been annoying the shit outta him so.
Uh… is that a wise decision?
*he shrugged again* dunno, but it’s pretty fun. ‘Got stuck on a branch for like a minute, though.
Huh. Well… be careful around him. Okay?
Yeah, I got it. I don’t trust ‘im.
Uh huh. I’m going to try to be around the camp more to see what I can do.
Cool. I dunno if he’s tried any sacrifices yet or whatever but I won’t hesitate to break knees. I got a stick for that.
Yeah, you… break his knees. Je… uh, what happened last time by the way?
Well; Gwen thought it would be a good idea to hire a new counselour or some shit, then Daniel showed up acting like a carbon copy of David, first red flag really, and David thought that Daniel was cool and straight up hired him and Gwen left so we still had two counselours so it was just fuckin pointless. Then Daniel starts talking about “negitive emotions are from space” and “Zemüg” and everyone’s listening to him and I’m the first one to realize he’s a damn cultist so I tell Neil and Nikki and we try to tell David and David wouldn’t believe us, big shocker, huh? So I didn’t even trust him from the start. Then he gets the other kids in on his shit and they “purifiy to reach ascention” which was, in fact, drinking rat poision kool-aid. And David still wouldn’t listen! *Max realized he was ranting* bottom line, Daniel ended up drinking the kool-aid and was taken away. And now he’s back.
Holy – Jesus Christ! Max, that’s horrible! How in the hell did he come back??
“It’s some weird cult bullshit. Something with some weird god named Zeemoog or Xemüg or… whatever.”
“Angela wrote about that once… her mom was really upset about it for some reason. You’re saying this other Max is in a cult?”
“Yeah. Alot of people are in that cult. I was in it for like… a month?”
Carlos stared at Maven, his suspicion on him once again like a boxing coach massaging his shoulders. “… What?”
“I used to be in a cult, okay?” Maven groaned in annoyance, “Can we drop the cult talk now?”
“I dunno. Is it a violent cult? Is this other ‘purified’ Max violent? I just want my Max safe, and I’m pretty sure you do too. Unless you’d rather not be candid with me…”
“Well, it has been pretty peaceful the past few months. There’s only like… two kind of crazy people. Daniel and Jen. But they’re trying to better themselves. But I don’t know about that other Purified Max. He might be violent, so, be careful around him.”
“’Might’ be. Yeah, okay. Do you know where I can find him? Or what I should look out for?”
“No clue, sorry…” He sighed, “But I have an idea.” Maven took a small colorful pin out of his pocket, putting in on his hoodie. “Now you can atleast tell us apart.”
Carlos blinked but sighed and nodded. “Yeah… at least that’s something. If you ever see this ‘Purified’ Max… you let me know.” Carlos was quiet for a moment. “I’m… sorry for my mistake.” He wanted to add to it, but it would just sound like excuses.
“It’s some weird cult bullshit. Something with some weird god named Zeemoog or Xemüg or… whatever.”
“Angela wrote about that once… her mom was really upset about it for some reason. You’re saying this other Max is in a cult?”
“Yeah. Alot of people are in that cult. I was in it for like… a month?”
Carlos stared at Maven, his suspicion on him once again like a boxing coach massaging his shoulders. “… What?”
“I used to be in a cult, okay?” Maven groaned in annoyance, “Can we drop the cult talk now?”
“I dunno. Is it a violent cult? Is this other ‘purified’ Max violent? I just want my Max safe, and I’m pretty sure you do too. Unless you’d rather not be candid with me…”
“Well, it has been pretty peaceful the past few months. There’s only like… two kind of crazy people. Daniel and Jen. But they’re trying to better themselves. But I don’t know about that other Purified Max. He might be violent, so, be careful around him.”
“’Might’ be. Yeah, okay. Do you know where I can find him? Or what I should look out for?”
“It’s some weird cult bullshit. Something with some weird god named Zeemoog or Xemüg or… whatever.”
“Angela wrote about that once… her mom was really upset about it for some reason. You’re saying this other Max is in a cult?”
“Yeah. Alot of people are in that cult. I was in it for like… a month?”
Carlos stared at Maven, his suspicion on him once again like a boxing coach massaging his shoulders. “… What?”
“I used to be in a cult, okay?” Maven groaned in annoyance, “Can we drop the cult talk now?”
“I dunno. Is it a violent cult? Is this other ‘purified’ Max violent? I just want my Max safe, and I’m pretty sure you do too. Unless you’d rather not be candid with me…”
*XD- the map leads deep into the woods, as Carlos gets closer, he notccies deep claw and burns marks on the trees and ground…*
*Carlos is so confused and scared by what he’s seeing. He takes out his field knife just in case as he gets closer*
*after abit more walking, Carlos found a ring of strange rocks, no sign of Max yet…*
*Carlos did not like this one bit. He referred to the map to see where he needed to go from there, trying to keep a distance away from the rock ring. Bloodstones were used in Night Vale, so he knew not to even touch a ring of rocks.*
*the map said he was only a few feet away from Max ? is it broken?*
*Carlos frowned and he wandered around, looking behind the trees and bushes for Max. No he wasn’t going into the rock ring.*
*one of the trees had some rope tied to a lower branch? what’s this doing here? oh wait, did the anon say Max was tied up?*
*Carlos scrutinized the rope and went to investigate it.* Max…? Are you anywhere near here, buddy?
*hanging from one of the higher branches hung Max, it doesn’t look like he was moving*
Max! Damn! *Carlos grabbed him and used his knife to cut him down. He quickly lay Max on the ground and made sure there wasn’t anything constricting his breathing.*
*he groaned quietly, there wasn’t anything around his neck that would be constricting…*
Max? Max, can you hear me? *he takes off his labcoat to lie it over Max like a blanket.* C’mon, buddy…
*he jolts awake, panic clear on his face as he pushes himself away*
Max – Max, stop, it’s me! *he takes Max’s shoulders and tries to hold him* Max, it’s okay – I’m here now, buddy.
*a few tears build in his eyes as he wakes up fully, lookikng up at Carlos* C-Carlos, what.. wh-where..?
We’re in the forest, away from any trails. Max, are you hurt?
… *he took a deep breath, drying his eyes* n-no.. i don’t think so
Okay…. okay. you’re okay, Max – I’m here. *He wraps the coat around Max’s shoulders* Lemme pick you up – we got to get you out of here.
*he hugged himself, nodding slightly as he looked around* .. d-did you go in the rock circle..?
What? No, of course not. Come here… *he put his arms around Max and then picked him up in a little bundle.* Let’s get out of here… *He walks by the stones to leave the little clearing and head back to familiar parts of the forest.*
*he leans into Carlos before looking over his shoulder, watching the area slowly fade away* … i’m glad you didn’t, they’re already angry and i don’t know what would’ve happened if you did…
I know enough about bloodstone rituals not to step into a strange stone circle. Also, Max, before you go any further… the ‘they’ you’re referring to: there isn’t a taboo on speaking of their existence, right?
not that i know of.. i think they get excited when someone talks about them… what’s a ‘blood stone ritual’? *he glances up at him*
It’s a common practice in Night Vale. Sort of… a mild occult practice that doesn’t really have any bad consequences. Unlike what I think you were just involved in.
Right now though, Max, I’m trying to get you to safety.
*he nods softly, hugging himself* …how did you find me? not even Solace really knew where we were… i hope he got lost in the forest and stays lost..
Grey faces. I… I don’t know who Solace is. *Carlos continued walking down the trail, recalling the map from memory since his hands were full. Luckily scientists had good memory.*
Solace is the guy that tied me up and made me go back there.. *he looks around* he’s weird and mean and i’m pretty sure he’s an alien, or just a weird looking demon..
Being an alien or a demon might not be a defining factor of one’s personality. Well… at least I did find you. You’re going to be alright now, Max.
… *he smiles softly, hugging himself again and looking ahead* … hey uh.. sorry for freaking out earlier… a-and thanks for calming me down..
Don’t worry about it, Max. I’m sorry for not addressing it immediately though… I was more concerned about your immediate safety. I didn’t want you to stay in that place any longer.
*XD- the map leads deep into the woods, as Carlos gets closer, he notccies deep claw and burns marks on the trees and ground…*
*Carlos is so confused and scared by what he’s seeing. He takes out his field knife just in case as he gets closer*
*after abit more walking, Carlos found a ring of strange rocks, no sign of Max yet…*
*Carlos did not like this one bit. He referred to the map to see where he needed to go from there, trying to keep a distance away from the rock ring. Bloodstones were used in Night Vale, so he knew not to even touch a ring of rocks.*
*the map said he was only a few feet away from Max ? is it broken?*
*Carlos frowned and he wandered around, looking behind the trees and bushes for Max. No he wasn’t going into the rock ring.*
*one of the trees had some rope tied to a lower branch? what’s this doing here? oh wait, did the anon say Max was tied up?*
*Carlos scrutinized the rope and went to investigate it.* Max…? Are you anywhere near here, buddy?
*hanging from one of the higher branches hung Max, it doesn’t look like he was moving*
Max! Damn! *Carlos grabbed him and used his knife to cut him down. He quickly lay Max on the ground and made sure there wasn’t anything constricting his breathing.*
*he groaned quietly, there wasn’t anything around his neck that would be constricting…*
Max? Max, can you hear me? *he takes off his labcoat to lie it over Max like a blanket.* C’mon, buddy…
*he jolts awake, panic clear on his face as he pushes himself away*
Max – Max, stop, it’s me! *he takes Max’s shoulders and tries to hold him* Max, it’s okay – I’m here now, buddy.
*a few tears build in his eyes as he wakes up fully, lookikng up at Carlos* C-Carlos, what.. wh-where..?
We’re in the forest, away from any trails. Max, are you hurt?
… *he took a deep breath, drying his eyes* n-no.. i don’t think so
Okay…. okay. you’re okay, Max – I’m here. *He wraps the coat around Max’s shoulders* Lemme pick you up – we got to get you out of here.
*he hugged himself, nodding slightly as he looked around* .. d-did you go in the rock circle..?
What? No, of course not. Come here… *he put his arms around Max and then picked him up in a little bundle.* Let’s get out of here… *He walks by the stones to leave the little clearing and head back to familiar parts of the forest.*
*he leans into Carlos before looking over his shoulder, watching the area slowly fade away* … i’m glad you didn’t, they’re already angry and i don’t know what would’ve happened if you did…
I know enough about bloodstone rituals not to step into a strange stone circle. Also, Max, before you go any further… the ‘they’ you’re referring to: there isn’t a taboo on speaking of their existence, right?
not that i know of.. i think they get excited when someone talks about them… what’s a ‘blood stone ritual’? *he glances up at him*
It’s a common practice in Night Vale. Sort of… a mild occult practice that doesn’t really have any bad consequences. Unlike what I think you were just involved in.
Right now though, Max, I’m trying to get you to safety.
*he nods softly, hugging himself* …how did you find me? not even Solace really knew where we were… i hope he got lost in the forest and stays lost..
Grey faces. I… I don’t know who Solace is. *Carlos continued walking down the trail, recalling the map from memory since his hands were full. Luckily scientists had good memory.*
Solace is the guy that tied me up and made me go back there.. *he looks around* he’s weird and mean and i’m pretty sure he’s an alien, or just a weird looking demon..
Being an alien or a demon might not be a defining factor of one’s personality. Well… at least I did find you. You’re going to be alright now, Max.
*XD- the map leads deep into the woods, as Carlos gets closer, he notccies deep claw and burns marks on the trees and ground…*
*Carlos is so confused and scared by what he’s seeing. He takes out his field knife just in case as he gets closer*
*after abit more walking, Carlos found a ring of strange rocks, no sign of Max yet…*
*Carlos did not like this one bit. He referred to the map to see where he needed to go from there, trying to keep a distance away from the rock ring. Bloodstones were used in Night Vale, so he knew not to even touch a ring of rocks.*
*the map said he was only a few feet away from Max ? is it broken?*
*Carlos frowned and he wandered around, looking behind the trees and bushes for Max. No he wasn’t going into the rock ring.*
*one of the trees had some rope tied to a lower branch? what’s this doing here? oh wait, did the anon say Max was tied up?*
*Carlos scrutinized the rope and went to investigate it.* Max…? Are you anywhere near here, buddy?
*hanging from one of the higher branches hung Max, it doesn’t look like he was moving*
Max! Damn! *Carlos grabbed him and used his knife to cut him down. He quickly lay Max on the ground and made sure there wasn’t anything constricting his breathing.*
*he groaned quietly, there wasn’t anything around his neck that would be constricting…*
Max? Max, can you hear me? *he takes off his labcoat to lie it over Max like a blanket.* C’mon, buddy…
*he jolts awake, panic clear on his face as he pushes himself away*
Max – Max, stop, it’s me! *he takes Max’s shoulders and tries to hold him* Max, it’s okay – I’m here now, buddy.
*a few tears build in his eyes as he wakes up fully, lookikng up at Carlos* C-Carlos, what.. wh-where..?
We’re in the forest, away from any trails. Max, are you hurt?
… *he took a deep breath, drying his eyes* n-no.. i don’t think so
Okay…. okay. you’re okay, Max – I’m here. *He wraps the coat around Max’s shoulders* Lemme pick you up – we got to get you out of here.
*he hugged himself, nodding slightly as he looked around* .. d-did you go in the rock circle..?
What? No, of course not. Come here… *he put his arms around Max and then picked him up in a little bundle.* Let’s get out of here… *He walks by the stones to leave the little clearing and head back to familiar parts of the forest.*
*he leans into Carlos before looking over his shoulder, watching the area slowly fade away* … i’m glad you didn’t, they’re already angry and i don’t know what would’ve happened if you did…
I know enough about bloodstone rituals not to step into a strange stone circle. Also, Max, before you go any further… the ‘they’ you’re referring to: there isn’t a taboo on speaking of their existence, right?
not that i know of.. i think they get excited when someone talks about them… what’s a ‘blood stone ritual’? *he glances up at him*
It’s a common practice in Night Vale. Sort of… a mild occult practice that doesn’t really have any bad consequences. Unlike what I think you were just involved in.
Right now though, Max, I’m trying to get you to safety.
*he nods softly, hugging himself* …how did you find me? not even Solace really knew where we were… i hope he got lost in the forest and stays lost..
Grey faces. I… I don’t know who Solace is. *Carlos continued walking down the trail, recalling the map from memory since his hands were full. Luckily scientists had good memory.*
*XD- the map leads deep into the woods, as Carlos gets closer, he notccies deep claw and burns marks on the trees and ground…*
*Carlos is so confused and scared by what he’s seeing. He takes out his field knife just in case as he gets closer*
*after abit more walking, Carlos found a ring of strange rocks, no sign of Max yet…*
*Carlos did not like this one bit. He referred to the map to see where he needed to go from there, trying to keep a distance away from the rock ring. Bloodstones were used in Night Vale, so he knew not to even touch a ring of rocks.*
*the map said he was only a few feet away from Max ? is it broken?*
*Carlos frowned and he wandered around, looking behind the trees and bushes for Max. No he wasn’t going into the rock ring.*
*one of the trees had some rope tied to a lower branch? what’s this doing here? oh wait, did the anon say Max was tied up?*
*Carlos scrutinized the rope and went to investigate it.* Max…? Are you anywhere near here, buddy?
*hanging from one of the higher branches hung Max, it doesn’t look like he was moving*
Max! Damn! *Carlos grabbed him and used his knife to cut him down. He quickly lay Max on the ground and made sure there wasn’t anything constricting his breathing.*
*he groaned quietly, there wasn’t anything around his neck that would be constricting…*
Max? Max, can you hear me? *he takes off his labcoat to lie it over Max like a blanket.* C’mon, buddy…
*he jolts awake, panic clear on his face as he pushes himself away*
Max – Max, stop, it’s me! *he takes Max’s shoulders and tries to hold him* Max, it’s okay – I’m here now, buddy.
*a few tears build in his eyes as he wakes up fully, lookikng up at Carlos* C-Carlos, what.. wh-where..?
We’re in the forest, away from any trails. Max, are you hurt?
… *he took a deep breath, drying his eyes* n-no.. i don’t think so
Okay…. okay. you’re okay, Max – I’m here. *He wraps the coat around Max’s shoulders* Lemme pick you up – we got to get you out of here.
*he hugged himself, nodding slightly as he looked around* .. d-did you go in the rock circle..?
What? No, of course not. Come here… *he put his arms around Max and then picked him up in a little bundle.* Let’s get out of here… *He walks by the stones to leave the little clearing and head back to familiar parts of the forest.*
*he leans into Carlos before looking over his shoulder, watching the area slowly fade away* … i’m glad you didn’t, they’re already angry and i don’t know what would’ve happened if you did…
I know enough about bloodstone rituals not to step into a strange stone circle. Also, Max, before you go any further… the ‘they’ you’re referring to: there isn’t a taboo on speaking of their existence, right?
not that i know of.. i think they get excited when someone talks about them… what’s a ‘blood stone ritual’? *he glances up at him*
It’s a common practice in Night Vale. Sort of… a mild occult practice that doesn’t really have any bad consequences. Unlike what I think you were just involved in.
Right now though, Max, I’m trying to get you to safety.
The Perfect Scientist 