Log 3
From The Birdhouse
You don't seem very happy tonight...
I'm not.
What's the matter?
Don't touch me. You should know what the problem is.
...
What are those signs? How did you even get those there? You can't- You can't, like, physically interact with this world, right?
No...! I didn't do anything on purpose!
On purpose?
Yeah... One time while you were awake and I was asleep, I... I kind of saw the world through your eyes. I couldn't touch anything or build anything... but I could still observe it...
If you couldn't change anything, how did those signs get there? How did the radio tower change?
I don't know! I really don't! I guess I... willed that into existence? Hehe.
...
Seeing the radio tower makes me happy! I like being able to talk to you and your friends! Maybe it changed because of that?
...I don't like that at all.
What?
I don't like it. You shouldn't be able to change a world you aren't a part of! You- You came from some other world entirely, right? How did you get in here at all?
... Rhubarb... You seem... really upset. I'm sorry. But... I'm telling the truth! I didn't mean to do that!
You still did! You're still... ...
Still what?
Still here because of me. This bullshit just follows me, doesn't it?
What do you mean...?
I mean... God, I- I hate talking about it.
I won't tell anyone else, if that matters.
...No, it doesn't. Everyone already knows. It's done with by now. Ugh, I can just tell you. You know what the Warden is, right?
...
That's a... new expression from you.
Hm?
You're... actually frowning. You're always smiling.
...
Stop doing that, you look scary.
Of course I know what the Warden is.
Oh-
It is the reason my people fled the underground. I haven't told you that story, have I?
No.
Well, a long time ago, the residents of Poet Town lived underground.
Something began to seep into their homes. Sculk. It started taking over what they knew. Into the water, into the food... The entirety of their city was covered.
The Warden showed up not long after.
They didn't know what it was. They just learned they had to be quiet, or they'd die.
Isn't it a pitiful story?
...
The sculk didn't stop spreading. Everyone who died to the Warden just spread it further.
They had to flee. Quickly, silently.
Many died in the process, of course. The Warden couldn't let them leave without a few souvenirs.
When the survivors found the surface, they were greeted by intense light in the darkness of the night sky. The Moon.
This was long before I came around, though. Even now, the Warden is seen as a scourge. A devil.
...
So yes, I do know of the Warden.
...Hm. Well. I... also know the Warden.
I guessed.
More personally than you do, sadly.
...What?
It... well, there's... It took interest in me, for some reason...
...
It... Finch says it took advantage of me. Used me to... further its goals.
How is it in both of our worlds?
I don't know. It's... something else, something otherworldly.
It would... briefly possess me, move my body in ways I couldn't remember... all to spread sculk on the surface.
I hurt people. I hurt... everyone. Especially Finch.
You didn't. The Warden did-
You don't understand. It was... lying to me. Telling me everyone else hated me! That it was the only one who could help me...
I didn't realize it was capable of such... manipulation.
It... Well, it left eventually. After... no, I don't want to talk about that at all.
That's why... That's why I'm scared when you start trying to interact with everyone else! Last time something like that happened, well... Nothing good came from it.
... I see. Well, surely you know I'm different from that thing?
I know you are. I just... I can't shake the feeling, you know?
I do. But... it'll be different this time. I wouldn't hurt you!
...
... So... why did it take interest in you? Do you know?
...
...
... Because...
There's something wrong with my soul.