F A I R Y T A L E

13°C / 55.4°F

関節痛

Joint pain FEELS LIKE

something's really f'kd up.

S O M E W H E R E I N M E Y T R A

THREE HOURS TO THE

RARA AVIS | R A R E B I R D

[Cigarette fizzles out] [Pills rattle]

[Exhales]

"Someone pulled it and said If you

let go you die.My arm hurts so much."

I have a confession, I'm 28 and I've never experienced happiness. I strive to have the memories of the last time I felt beautiful.

I don't have a single heartbeat in my life that I want to go back to Oppressed and forgotten in my family rejected at school detached myself for about ten years after dropping out of high school due to severe social anxiety as the world didn't need me in it. Naturally developing depression among other things, but managed to take my stuff and moved to another city by myself some years ago. Gave life a

chance unexpectedly having no guesstimate of why or when did I even started wool-gathering about things like rape loss

slaughter and misery because I used to fantasize the world of someone actually worrying about me in aftermath of the

experiences. It was an instalment of perplexity and the night of the witching hour, was almost morning but, the foreboding sky

and liquid sunshine begrimed the room. It was a few minutes before she felt the pounding noise was something knocking at the doors and windows rapping sharply with the knuckles with an overwhelming urge of getting the attention or to provoke a reaction.

Listening to the slow continual door pummels Disconnected Athera's sleep. Athera stood up to inquire the origin of the sound She pushed the window wide open only to see and

hear nothing but liquid psithurism of the plumed leaves. It was raining like cats and dogs that she might have confused

with the pitter-patter of rain with the recent drubs. She stood there for a while smelling the earthiness for mental repose.

RAIN?

[Gasps]

IT HURTS.

Sitting in the corner of the kitchen, holding the

sharpest thing in the world, your memories.

Your voice. Your face. Your…

[Thunder rumbles]

[Hyperventilating]

"Why do I always have to be the butt of jokes Athera?"

Vetri: Why can't you just incarnate like other women in the

world?

Athera: I've told you before that I don't know how to deck

out or how to even doll or spruce up properly. But I still tried to…b-because you craved… And I have never done anything on purpose and I'm really sorry if what I said (or did) make you feel that way.

Vetri: I said that once in a while but you... why do you always humiliate me by your mortifying and cheap turnouts. Every friend of mine mocks me by saying

"We are so jealous man you've got a wife who

knows how and when to keep a man happy."

Athera: How and when to keep a man happy jeez… why don't they just get lost? What's the problem with these sets of clothes anyways?

Vetri: Nothing it's Just you look like a... gah leave it!"

Athera: Say it!

Vetri: You won't get it!

[Trembling]

Athera: I asked you something.

Vetri: A f**king prostitute!

[Shaking and sniffling]

[Continuous knife whetting sounds] [Blades

being sharpened]

[Echoing growl]

ξένος

X É N O S

S T R A N G E R

Athera: w-w-who's there? Don't conjecture that I live alone in this house. My husband is on late hours and will be here anytime soon don't you dare to give me the heebie- jeebies.

[wicked laughter in distance] [Flies buzzing]

[Faint creaking] [Door writhing wetly]

[Clicking and screeching] Someone roars with laughter and continues the knife whetting in rhythmic strokes. This time Athera goes and checks. She found nothing but her room infested with flies.In total fear and confusion racing through her veins she turns towards the bed when all of a sudden, the air around her starts flavouring sulfur pungent maddening and rotten making her unpleasant and skeptic about the reason, Athera then after a while starts feeling some outlandish presence wrapped around her that wasn't like anything before.Ignoring her instincts, she reaches back to the bed and covers herself with the blanket while the air around her gets burning. She tries to sleep to get over the uneasiness and starts denying the reality of any ill presence and held the ancient mantra in her language and accommodates to the changes fabricated in her room. Shortly after she hears

shallow breathing and drops of thick tar trickling all over her face through the ceiling above, Athera emits a blood-curdling

Shriek and Soupçons the tar at her trembling fingertip by sniffing and discovers dark red pigment and a metallic taste which crept into her mouth.

[Growling snarling] [Low creaking]

[wet writhing] And suddenly, a white short-term flash of light ignited by the Levin confesses and unmasks the face of a life form all mauled and butchered shattering the illusion of poverty staring at Athera with a smile when the varmints carve up face started to metamorphose Glasgow grin, she wasn't comfortable with. Athera tries to tiptoe towards the phone for help but is unable due to her maternal immobility and is halted by the loud wrathful roar of the brute. As soon as she realizes that the entity can't be duped that easily begs for her life. Sobbing and pleading about the onset of her sixth month of pregnancy makes the being bolted from the blue.It walks from the roof to the wooden floor in funeral pace with inhuman gestures applauding to the echoes head banging and whistling screams looking in one direction while the rest of its body moves and mimics Athera's eye Movements Flickering days nictitating nights changing its fragmentary ungodly form to a known mortal one. In his own way and in his own time with shadows hailing and painting the reversions of horns feathers tail scutes and claws on pale walls in its death throes. [screeching] [Creature vocalizing]

Xénos: I hope you don't mind I let myself in.

Athera: Why's your voice similar to mine?

Xénos: You were having suicidal thoughts I came to check on you.

Athera: What?

Xénos: It makes me feel calm. It makes me want to understand…you…me…us…and maybe because it wants me to be that one person, you'd want to believe in you. Advancing his divided by two washed

out hands with flickering veins for

a handshake wobbling---

Athera: Yeah, chew on that for a little...

----And falling down acknowledging.

[On all fours]

[Xénos breathing heavily]

Xénos: Flesh blood emotions and shit… the humans! Aren't they interestingly weird structures? Yesterday I saw something on Tv, a late-night show sort of in which there was this gent in his 30s I believe, making strange funny faces copying or mimicking some famous celeb voices. It seemed like they enjoyed it. It was screamingly brimful. Gosh how graphic! Oh, dozakhs me, I thought of redoing this just for fun you know. But when I paddled hard through their commotion of recollections to flawlessly parodize the voices of the murdered, to kick off the remaining sweaty buckets,there were all screams and begging and nothing! It was quite an insult of my talent. You tell me, wasn't it

hilarious?

[Panting]

Athera: I... I.

[scoffs]

Sitting cross-legged hovering.

Xénos: My presence should not be something to be ashamed of, but a very erotic moment that should be enjoyed to its fullest, where the horror just stares at you while you stare back at it.

Athera: Pathetic, isn't it?

Xénos: Huh?

Athera: Laughing at your own jokes because you know you're being serious about the show, yet knowing it goes over everyone's head except you.

Xénos: And?

Athera: And I thought the most innocent thing about you was that you breathe. Felt like no one's quintessential, there were no jump scares, and it was 'quiet' made me relieved and worried at the same time.

Xénos: Oh, I don't think that I need to jump scare or teleport behind you just to show that you are f'kd?

Athera: Eh?

Xénos: Why are you carrying it?

Athera: Carrying what?

Xénos: You have no idea what it really is and

how it disgusts the both dead and the living.

Athera: What? Shut up! And what's wrong with

you?

"I think there's something wrong with me.

Everywhere I go people just don't feel like dying.

Sometimes... I ... I feel like I could.

[Overlapping arguments]

Xénos: Our problem? Well, we-we're on pins and needles hallucinating about piercing wrenching and raping people and calculatedly ending their lives on a daily basis. I'm

nervous that someday I'll just snap and might actually end up doing it…even though I wouldn't mean to. It just makes us feel sensitive. All the time

Athera: Have you ever thought about the "why"?

(In his voice)

They say that long-forgotten scars

within the realms of possibility are

coloured by the temperature.

Athera: Y-You?

Athera: [Exhales] No way. This can't be you this can't be you,you self-obsessed son of a freaking bitch!

Xénos: [Snatches Athera by the throat starring in utter repugnance giving voice to]-

(Within all and Sundry there creeps a class of personal Imperfection that one can't conquer throughout his existence. The rank of personal imperfection inherent in me is neither more nor less still and all me but I won't reveal this to anyone.)

Xénos- [Nonchalantly dilutes the stranglehold tasting her face and bids Adieu.]

[Thud echoes]

Athera falls over the wooden floor trailing in opposite direction After seeing and hearing the impossible Athera developed a delusional faith that trembled her to the core. Now the reality is that the known human mortal form of "His" husband was "red in tooth and claw. Athera was totally bewildered and swimmy. Her visions also started blurring and narrowing. She nearly blacked out after what she just saw sucking and gulping in air over and over again to keep herself alive searching for a cigarette. Facepalming stretches her senses hard to process two things.she and her baby were about to get massacred in cold blood by a preternatural being couples of minutes ago—

FIRST

[Thudding and rattling at door]

[Distant Screaming]

[Doorknob rattles]

And her husband who has been missing from five months running naked and screeching towards her—SECOND.

Athera what's happening to you? Are you feeling alright?

(With trembling voice, sweating and heating in fear) I rang the bell a couple of times but wasn't answered. Then I heard a "ka-thunk" like something had hit the ground. I broke the door and I decided to check in, and by the mercy of... by the mercy of f-found you in this condition.

Athera: T-Third man factor?

What no... it's me Vetri, Vetri Maaran .and what's that third- Man factor you're talking about?

Athera: Show me your teeth Vetri.

Vetri: Why?

Athera: The way that thing…...that thing was pigging out in my dream was far more than a simple detest for noises such as nails being scraped down a blackboard… Let me have a fine look at your teeth Vetri that chewing is going to be my new sleep paralysis demon.

Vetri: Well…

Athera: Well, I am pregnant!

So... It's Not Just My Flaws Itching stretching or puckering that I Have to Worry About?

Vetri: H-How...no... when? Wait, I should take you to the hospital right now.

Athera: No, you will cut and run again Water! Can you bring me some water please…And please don't let me die here? She begged tearfully, crawled to her knees and puked, and thinking She'd die her throat burns cracking to do so.

Vetri quickly made a dart for her cottonmouth Little while later when her vitals boomeranged.

Vetri: Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?

Athera: Told you about what and why does your skin feel so clammy to the touch and why on earth are you naked?

Vetri: Nothin' let me just lay down and let these... Athera: Hell no... oh, my goodness What about these. These!

Vetri: Hesitation wounds.

Athera: Hesitation wound? Don't tell me you were-

Vetri: (switching gears)

Why didn't you keep me posted about this? That you were expecting a baby, and I was going to be a father soon?

Athera: Stop ignoring me!

Vetri: Let's just not talk about this please… I'll tell you everything I promise… but not now!

Athera: And what about these wounds at your—

Vetri: Don't interrupt me... and please let me have this conversation with you.

Athera: One evening we went out to the movies which was our favourite date activity, mainly yours but I loved it so much because of how much you loved it, and we sat out the theater afterwards just talking about life talking about our future… we had so many breakthroughs that night.

Vetri: Then we drove home and once we got back to the house, we went to the front veranda and played fairytale by Miss beautiful on my phone, and we danced in the corridors. Yes… yes… I remember that but why… I mean why are we even talking about this?

[Exhales shakily]

Athera: For 3 minutes and 16 seconds, every single thing was actually perfect. So perfect that you cried in my arms about how much you loved me. And my eyes filled with tears as well.

[Athera chuckles] And the next morning you ghosted me… you… your mother was going to pay a visit the next morning and I thought That would be the perfect time for me to apprise about the gestational period.Vetri: Hey, hey…I'm sorry. I...

-[Sobs]

Athera: No worries... Now you're here I'll take good care of you. And I promise... I... I… promise that I... I... I'll definitely learn to dress—

Vetri: A-ah... I hate to interrupt but I can't stay here any longer I still have some unfinished business to deal with I just wanted to check upon you.

Athera: U-Unfini… Unfinished business... So, you walked a mile naked with old burn marks on your back multiple stab wounds to the chest five hesitation wounds on the right side of your neck and...

Vetri: Bleeding.

Athera: Bleeding alone, murdered in the dark of night to say farewell just in case" I believe?

Vetri: I promise I'll be back soon You know I love you right.Just trust me one last time.

Athera: No, you won't! And trust you? When you can't even answer why and how you got those marks, and don't you dare to give me this you know I love you right thing. Five

months Vetri… five fucking months have been passed and now here you are starved and all naked not even bothering to pull your weight and as usual I'll be picking up our slack

don't wait for an embarrassment like me fine! But at least think about our child for once and I just can't stand this communal politics anymore it seems like begging up to thepeople who can call the shots is the only way to move up the totem pole.

[Melancholic music builds]

I could've walked to Amma's place, but I didn't I didn't want her to do all the chores. In the time I was pregnant, so I stayed here all alone spreading too thin each and every fuckin' day since you abandoned me waiting endlessly without any remorse this place leaves a lot to be desired after you showed your back honey. You don't love us you just don't, or you would've stayed right here especially when I needed you the most.It's really hard when the only person you can rely on is you because at the end it's just you fighting with your depression anxieties and what not but it's me who has kept everything within me in limits, I never thought I ever could but I have to cause it'll affect my child.

Vetri: Our child... It's not only yours he belongs to me as well.

Athera: Ah my auntie told me stories from when she traveled around places. She fell in love in Coimbatore. She met a boy there. They met at the same cafe every day and hung out until the sun rose making memories she said, until one day he didn't show up she never saw him again.

Vetri: Don't ask why, hug me when I'm crying hug me without a break so that my anxious heart can't open and subside.And tell me it's okay though I can't tell you I'm fine but you

just say it's okay, Because I believe that you are the only Person who will love me.

Athera: Anti-depressants.

Vetri: Where?

Athera: Why?

- [Melancholy music distorts]

- [Rats squeaking]

Vetri remains silent and takes her into his arms then interlaces and holds her hand depressed and kissing on her forehead.

Vetri: Yes, you were right About those

Hesitation or tentative wounds. Those self-inflicted… After a decision. I... I made… to...

[Emotional gasp]

Athera: Not commit a suicide. Right before the final cut that causes death…you idi... idiot... b-but why?

Vetri: Look I... I… feel like I need a break and going on a break feels nothing different from laying on the floor naked starving and staring at the fan smoking about all the good thing that could've ever happened. I'm really struggling day by day but I don't like the people around me worrying about it. I'm doing a lot to make it look as hard as possible…I don't wanna eat I don't wanna sip I don't wanna beg in front of any false god either overthinking about not thinking anything more but I've a lot of work to do summing up which means neutralization of what some People had done to me. But for now, I need to muscle up. I want to run... I just want to run away from the responsibilities of a father, a son.

Athera: A husband… [Electricity crackles] Vetri: A husband.

But this never-ending attempt of fixing things like they were before doesn't help me to stay calm for a bit. I don't know what else to say This illness of anxiety doesn't even go when I am eating every bite of my food tells me that something has grown inside of me...where I no longer want to share what is really bothering me to anyone. I just wanna keep things to myself because it takes a lot of energy to say that.

Athera: Shh... Vetri this too shall pass.

Vetri: Do you know what a Sunday punch is?

Athera: Calm down, Vetri... Just calm down, okay?

Vetri: A punch delivered on a Friday or Saturday night that is so powerful that the opponent does not regain consciousness until Sunday. I don't know why I've fought myself for so long that I've forgotten what actually the bone of contention was. I've started talking to myself and I know that's crazy.

Athera: Why and how exactly are you going to seek revenge for what some people have done to you?

Vetri: Are you even listening to me?

Athera: I was just…don't do anything stupid okay you're going to be a father, and he'll need you before you even know it.

Vetri: I'll be there for him whether he likes it or not. Athera: What if she's a girl?

Vetri: I couldn't have asked anything more. Athera: Has your intake of coffee increased?

Vetri: Yes…and I don't really feel the need of someone at a point which is dangerous and sometimes it feels like what if I die in sleep after my panic attacks?

Athera: What if you stop breathing while sleeping? I talk back and forth with myself, which is the main highlight.

Vetri: Yes...wait…that's supposed to be my line. Everything's getting so weird I can't really explain. Please don't take any of my things in a wrong way. Things aren't under my control now. I talk to myself so much that my head hurts then I keep on chanting no Vetri go back to your family go back to your wife forget about what other people had done to you, and since when I've heard about your child I am continuously thinking About our child. I don't really feel myself anymore.But I do in a certain way idk how to explain it.

Athera: Do you remember the mantra Grandpa taught us in case we were disturbed, or we are at a point where we see nothing. Not even the light at the end of the tunnel.

Vetri: Yes, when the clock hits three Chant it will you?

Athera: Anything special?

Vetri: What if I say yes?

[Ominous music playing]

0:00 M I N U T E S T O T H E R A R A A V I S.

As soon as the chanting starts Vetri waits for

her to finish the hindmost verse

— T-THIS IS NOT THE MANTRA I

INSTRUCTED YOU WHO TAUGHT YOU

THIS MANTRA ATHERA? ATHERA KEEPS ON SMILING AND CHANTING THE MANTRA VIOLENTLY AND EYES ROLLING.

AARGH!

YOU CAN BE A RE AL BAS TARD

YOU KNOW TH AT?

[Ominous Music Intensifies, halts]

Vetri strangulates her neck with a ligature

(chanting in an alien language)

Athera truly struggles hard to break out while Vetri couldn't meet her eyes, in less than ten seconds Athera passes out at the edge of homicide.

"I remember the first time he trusted me…

Proposed to me. I was a heck, and he was just

cuddling me, keeping me safe. I was half

snoring in his strong arms when he let those

special words out. Those unexpected and

delicate words travelled down my spine like a

shiver. He was so still, and I wasn't even sure if I had heard him right. I just remember my heart

feeling like it could burst because I knew he deserved more than me, he deserved the world and I couldn't give it to him even though I loved him too."

[Body scraping] Vetri hauls her body dragging Athera by her pony to the center of the diagram While continuing the remaining final rituals and chanting.

CARILLONS À MUSIQUE

(French for "chimes of music")

Immediately after Athera is placed at the core of RAT-KING severing the median nerve to immobilize Athera's hands then hammers the floor and - [unsettling music flourish]

- [Flesh slithering]

- [Dog barking]

Athera breaks the surface while Vetri shoves his climatic V- shaped loomed wrists in her limbs by the help of reassembled carpal bones that had their origin and took the shape from his collar bones and false ribs with the least chances of flesh tearing itself followed up by intense bleeding that supplements the archetype with her blood after which the collection of rats whose tails are intertwined and bound together by one or several possible mechanisms start disengaging breathing and unfolding with musical movements upscaled by a violent beam of flare and tension that passes through her belly penetrating all the way Through the roof to the dark overcasting sky lightning the way to the rarest downright apocalyptic cloud formations 'Undulatus Asperitas' with Dynamic levels of illumination taking the appearances of rippling ocean waves in the sky while the pincers kept her halfway in air.

- [Unsettling music swells fade][Faint Buzzing]

The next morning Athera wakes up. She has no memory of the previous night except some echoes headaches fever neck pain followed up by difficulty in swallowing or breathing with weariness.