Archivist note: This post is from an older recovered archive.
==Initial Post==
The Chronicles of Scottie Melnik – The Shadow Man – June 8
((Posted by Scottie Melnik on June 8, 2010))
My next entry into my chronicles was going to be about what transpired after the mysterious stranger offered to help get my pocketbook back from ‘Madam LaStrange’. But tonight… wow. Where do I start? My hands are still shaking and that hasn’t happened since… I can’t even recall. I’m so tempted to grab a bottle of absinthe from the icebox but I need to keep my mind clear to recount these events.
I had just returned from the party graciously hosted by Mr. Vernden Jervil and Miss Sky Netizen. It was for the kick off of the poster contest Miss Netizen had sponsored for the charity drive occurring throughout the Steamlands. For being rather impromptu it was a rousing success. Many people had come by and I was my usual dancing, charming (and apparently a special kind of left-footed according to Miss Namori) self when the party finally dwindled down to just a few left. I took my leave and returned to my book shop, climbing the stairs to my lab. I walked to the big picture window and stared out at the port, as I am wont to do just about any time I wish to gather my thoughts.
I remember getting an unseasonably chilling feeling when suddenly, out of the left corner of my eye, a shadow descended from the corner of my roof. Fearing someone had leapt to their death I pressed my face to the glass (must remember to clean that tomorrow) and what looked like a figure clad completely in black walked away from my building, completely unharmed! Now I know there are those who can survive a drop like that, my shop wasn’t exactly tall, but the smoky tendrils protruding from its back bore a resemblance to a rumor I’d heard. I’d always thought this shadow man was a trick of light and overactive imaginations, but it would seem it was not!
I went to the wall and pressed a fake brick, the catch releasing and revealing a stash of a few various weapons. I quickly grabbed a silver-edged katana I’d received (and paid for dearly) during my travels and strapped it to my waist. On my way to the door I also picked up the camera I’ve purchased recently for documentation purposes. I bounded down the stairs and dashed through the shop, down the street toward where I had last seen… whatever it was. I passed the ‘Xcentricity’ steamboat on my right when I finally saw… it. It had been walking to the east, to where I do not know. It must have heard my rather hurried footfalls because it turned around to face me. Again, that chilling sensation ran through me as I brought up the camera and took a picture. I carefully bent to set the camera on the pavement as it was too heavy and unwieldy to have in the event I had to defend myself, if I even could defend myself were the thing to attack.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6675726001_8b257ab29e.jpg
I just stood there and stared at it, for what seemed like minutes. It was black; utterly, emptily black. It truly was like a living shadow. The black tendrils snaking from its back were just that, snake-like. They moved of their own accord. I’d call them otherworldly, but that adequately describes the entire encounter so far. One detail that stood out to me was the red markings upon its chest. It was tough to make out from this distance, but I got a much better look in the next few moments.
I shook my head in disbelief but while the cold dread filled me, a sense of curiosity was overpowering my good sense. I’ve been known not to have much anyway, so it probably didn’t take much. Taking careful, deliberate steps I turned the corner and realized that it was approaching me! We both stopped within 20 meters of each other, each apparently studying the other. I stared at it and it stared at me.
The shadows roiled under its skin and the tendril flowed more now. I took a step back and spoke very slowly, “What… are… you…?”
I’m chuckling now even as I write this. What kind of question is that? What would this thing know of its existence? Hell, it’s quite possible that I wasn’t asking it anything, but I may have just been asking myself out loud.
And then it took a step closer. Chills shot up my spine and a shudder ran through me. I noticed that it was completely silent. No footstep. No rustle of clothing. Even the tendrils, which seemed to weave about, and pass right through, themselves made not a sound. I brought my right hand to the handle of my weapon, gripping it tightly but not freeing just yet, taking a step back and shouting “Stop!”
It took yet another step, and then stopped. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had ordered it to stop or what exactly. But I drew the katana from the saya and assumed a crouched position, prepared to strike. I am by no means an expert with this weapon. The training I had with it was rudimentary at best and I find that often just having it makes people think twice about engaging me in more ‘vigorous’ arguments. I prefer talking my way clear of conflict and if need be resort to good ol’ fashioned fisticuffs. Something told me that this would not have worked with such a creature from the moment I saw it walk away from the drop off my rooftop.
The red markings trailed down over its shoulder and down its chest. I didn’t see any glyphs or anything like that, it was just a red type of fiery striping running almost over top of the dense, living smoke that made up its body. Once again I’m chuckling to myself as I write this, because the next words out of my mouth were “Be gone, demon!” Oh Scottie, what were you thinking?
It took another step forward at that, nearly within striking distance. I realized that I had put myself in a very precarious position. I had no idea how fast this thing could move but it looked like running wasn’t an option. It was closing the distance and I didn’t know what was in store for me when it reached me. That dread, fear was surging through me, and then came the realization that this thing may truly kill me. Or worse.
In the span of second that it took for this thing to take its step all this went through my brain and was followed by something else. Almost pure survival instinct coupled a hint of anger. I took the next step and this time it was towards the creature. I brought the katana across and wide arc, slicing through the air with all the might I could bring to bear. It just stood there as the blade passed right through it, then faded away completely. I had been prepared to bring the blade back again but nearly dropped it as I was looking down the pier toward Clockhaven. It was gone!
I quickly regained control of my senses and turned quickly, searching the immediate area, my eyes darting from one shadow to the next, sometimes more than once as I thought I saw something move. Were these tricks? I wasn’t sure. But while I felt chilled the sense of danger and dread were gone. Carefully, cautiously, I made my way back to the shop, katana still in hand. Even as I write this I still have my free hand upon it.
I have been saying for awhile that with all of the strange things that happen in Babbage it is best that one is armed, but that had only been in jest. I think now it’s time I heeded my own advice. And I think other protections would be worthwhile. And a study into this creature is certainly something I wish to undertake.
Also, I’m going to need more absinthe
==Comments==
*Comment by Sky Netizen on June 8, 2010 at 7:15am
adds to her long list of reasons why she’s always armed
Air kraken and the Slenderman in one day?! We really do need an alarm system! And all the more reason for a defense force (Kimika mentioned forming one during the air kraken situation) and self defense classes…
I shiver to think that I was sleeping when this thing probably originated from cemetery right outside of my window. Glad that you’re still in one piece, Scottie.
(And thanks for the compliment on the impromptu party! Glad it was such a hit!)
*Comment by Bookworm Hienrichs on June 8, 2010 at 9:20am
Bookworm, training with Mariah at the lodge in the woods, feels a shiver run down her spine, as if someone had walked over her grave…so to speak.
*Comment by Gabriell Anatra on June 8, 2010 at 2:49pm
This must have been shortly after I left.
I walked down that way as I left too.
*Comment by Scottie Melnik on June 8, 2010 at 3:19pm
In fact I think it was just a bit after you left, Miss Anatra. After a get rid of this rather nasty hangover from last night I’ll attempt to track it back, assuming it was moving in a straight line, of course. If you didn’t see it in the area when you left then it probably didn’t come from very far away. Offhand I would say it came from the direction of the graveyard behind the Mechanix Arms.
*Comment by Sky Netizen on June 8, 2010 at 3:39pm
Yes, both Book and I have seen it in the cemetery from our rooms at the Arms. Think I may stand guard on the roof tonight to see if that truly is its resting place…
*Comment by Scottie Melnik on June 8, 2010 at 3:42pm
I was actually going to speak to you of this whole thing. I’m also interested in where it may have been going and plotting where it has been sighted.
*Comment by Ryne Beck on June 9, 2010 at 2:37pm
You, sir, appear to have been very fortunate indeed – this does not sound like the kind of man (or if not man, what?) to triffle with!
