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hwangoI'm a tomb guardian. I'm a super scary statue that will "come to life" whenever anyone tries to break into the tomb - excuse me, the Tomb. There are two of us - I can see my partner positioned on the other side of the entrance, and they look pretty scary, too. I can tell we're going to be a great team. I'd say "hello," but I can't talk. However, I was sculpted with one huge paw raised menacingly in the air, so I like to think that I'm at least waving.
* * *
From the moment I was...animated? Consecrated? I don't know what the right word is, but as soon as I became aware of myself and my surroundings I knew that I was a tomb guardian, I knew how to fight, and I knew who was allowed into the Tomb and who wasn't - the list of people who are allowed in is very short, and the other list is everyone else. And yet, I'm not sure whose tomb it is. I guess that wasn't deemed to be critical information. I wish I knew, though. It would be nice to have context - something to guide my approach when someone tries to break into the Tomb. Like, if whoever is buried here was known for being merciful and kind then I could let off intruders with a warning, whereas if they were So-and-So the Eviscerator, then I would...uh. Hmm. Well, maybe I can find a less gruesome middle ground.
* * *
It’s been months, and no one has tried to break into the Tomb yet. I guess if we're meant to be a deterrent then we're doing a good job.
* * *
I don't think we're in a very popular part of town. We get a little foot traffic going past, but it doesn't seem like much compared to the crowds I can hear just a few streets over. Very rarely someone will come to leave an offering at the Tomb, and once in a while other people come to take away the offerings, but that seems to be it. No one ever tries to break into the Tomb.
* * *
Someone's attacking the city! I feel like I should do something, but I'm not allowed to leave the Tomb. All of the fighting sounds really far away, so I guess The Tomb doesn't have a lot of strategic value. That's a little disappointing.
* * *
I guess we won? Things seem to have gone back to normal. Offerings come, offerings go. I can hear the sounds of people repairing or replacing damaged buildings. I wonder how bad the damage is. I guess things aren't so bad that anyone feels desperate enough to loot the Tomb. Not that I want anyone to be that desperate or anything, but it would be nice to have something to do. It’s been years now, and still nobody has tried to break into the Tomb.
* * *
I don't have a name. This doesn't bother me, since there isn't any reason for anyone to call me by a name, but if I don't have one then I'll bet the other tomb guardian doesn't have one either, and that seems sad. I don't like to think of them as just "the other tomb guardian." I think I'll call them Lefty, since they're on the left side of the entrance to the Tomb.
* * *
I think there's a plague in the city. It's awfully quiet, and I'm seeing fewer and fewer people, and the ones I do see don't look so great. Still, no one has tried looting the Tomb.
* * *
I wonder if Lefty thinks of me as "Righty." Or, maybe they think of the Tomb oriented from the inside, and from that perspective I'm the one who would be Lefty. Whoa.
* * *
The city is under attack again. It’s been a few decades since that happened. I’m not too worried, though.
* * *
Clothes seem a lot more colorful this year. I wonder if that means that city is more prosperous. I wish I could see more of the city. Now that I think of it, some of the buildings they’ve been putting up lately are taller than the old ones.
* * *
Another plague.
* * *
I think everyone is dead. No one has been by to drop off or pick up offerings in weeks, and I don't hear any people. I wonder if whoever attacked the city before will come back to try again and find they can just walk in. Maybe some of them will try to loot the Tomb. That would be nice.
* * *
Maybe the plague was more widespread than I thought. Maybe those other people have forgotten where the city is. It's been months since I've seen anyone.
* * *
I saw a bird today. It landed on Lefty, which I admit made me a little jealous. I was really hoping it would try to break into the tomb, but it just poked around in the dirt for a while and then flew away. I'm going to miss that bird.
* * *
I wonder if Lefty hates this stupid tomb as much as I do. I’ll bet they do. I wish they would just smash the tomb and be done with it. They must want to. I know I do. Yes, I can see it in their eyes. But of course as tomb guardians we’re definitely not allowed to do that sort of thing. If Lefty tried to, obviously I'd try to stop them, but no one could blame me if I wasn't able to, right? They're a big, scary tomb guardian. Also, literally no one could blame me, because everyone who could possibly care is dead.
Come on, Lefty! Just smash it! I can't bring myself to do it, but I believe in you. You've been by my side this whole time, and I know I can count on you.
* * *
Previously, Hundreds of Years Ago
* * *
"My lord, here are the plans for your tomb."
"...has my physician neglected to give me some important news?"
"No, my lord, but it is customary to construct the tomb well in advance so that we can be sure it is ready for when you actually die, and tombs take considerable time and effort to construct."
"But I've said over and over again that I don't want a big fancy tomb! It's a horrendous waste of money that we could be spending on much more practical things!"
"With all due respect, my lord, yours has already been an...unconventional rule. I know the people appreciate your remarkable fiscal responsibility, but there is only so much tradition you can dispense with. The people expect a tomb. But, having anticipated your feelings on the matter, I believe you will find the plans acceptably modest."
"Ugh, fine, give them here. Oh, yes, I see. Yes, I suppose this will do. I must say, these statues are quite striking."
"Those will be your tomb guardians. They will be awakened as soon as your body is interred."
"Tomb guardians? Really? For a tomb like this? They'd cost more than the rest of the tomb! Who is even going to want to break into this thing? Besides, it's not like I'll be buried with anything of value."
"You simply cannot have a tomb without tomb guardians."
"Fine - but just one. Leave the other statue an ordinary statue."
From the moment I was...animated? Consecrated? I don't know what the right word is, but as soon as I became aware of myself and my surroundings I knew that I was a tomb guardian, I knew how to fight, and I knew who was allowed into the Tomb and who wasn't - the list of people who are allowed in is very short, and the other list is everyone else. And yet, I'm not sure whose tomb it is. I guess that wasn't deemed to be critical information. I wish I knew, though. It would be nice to have context - something to guide my approach when someone tries to break into the Tomb. Like, if whoever is buried here was known for being merciful and kind then I could let off intruders with a warning, whereas if they were So-and-So the Eviscerator, then I would...uh. Hmm. Well, maybe I can find a less gruesome middle ground.
It’s been months, and no one has tried to break into the Tomb yet. I guess if we're meant to be a deterrent then we're doing a good job.
I don't think we're in a very popular part of town. We get a little foot traffic going past, but it doesn't seem like much compared to the crowds I can hear just a few streets over. Very rarely someone will come to leave an offering at the Tomb, and once in a while other people come to take away the offerings, but that seems to be it. No one ever tries to break into the Tomb.
Someone's attacking the city! I feel like I should do something, but I'm not allowed to leave the Tomb. All of the fighting sounds really far away, so I guess The Tomb doesn't have a lot of strategic value. That's a little disappointing.
I guess we won? Things seem to have gone back to normal. Offerings come, offerings go. I can hear the sounds of people repairing or replacing damaged buildings. I wonder how bad the damage is. I guess things aren't so bad that anyone feels desperate enough to loot the Tomb. Not that I want anyone to be that desperate or anything, but it would be nice to have something to do. It’s been years now, and still nobody has tried to break into the Tomb.
I don't have a name. This doesn't bother me, since there isn't any reason for anyone to call me by a name, but if I don't have one then I'll bet the other tomb guardian doesn't have one either, and that seems sad. I don't like to think of them as just "the other tomb guardian." I think I'll call them Lefty, since they're on the left side of the entrance to the Tomb.
I think there's a plague in the city. It's awfully quiet, and I'm seeing fewer and fewer people, and the ones I do see don't look so great. Still, no one has tried looting the Tomb.
I wonder if Lefty thinks of me as "Righty." Or, maybe they think of the Tomb oriented from the inside, and from that perspective I'm the one who would be Lefty. Whoa.
The city is under attack again. It’s been a few decades since that happened. I’m not too worried, though.
Clothes seem a lot more colorful this year. I wonder if that means that city is more prosperous. I wish I could see more of the city. Now that I think of it, some of the buildings they’ve been putting up lately are taller than the old ones.
Another plague.
I think everyone is dead. No one has been by to drop off or pick up offerings in weeks, and I don't hear any people. I wonder if whoever attacked the city before will come back to try again and find they can just walk in. Maybe some of them will try to loot the Tomb. That would be nice.
Maybe the plague was more widespread than I thought. Maybe those other people have forgotten where the city is. It's been months since I've seen anyone.
I saw a bird today. It landed on Lefty, which I admit made me a little jealous. I was really hoping it would try to break into the tomb, but it just poked around in the dirt for a while and then flew away. I'm going to miss that bird.
I wonder if Lefty hates this stupid tomb as much as I do. I’ll bet they do. I wish they would just smash the tomb and be done with it. They must want to. I know I do. Yes, I can see it in their eyes. But of course as tomb guardians we’re definitely not allowed to do that sort of thing. If Lefty tried to, obviously I'd try to stop them, but no one could blame me if I wasn't able to, right? They're a big, scary tomb guardian. Also, literally no one could blame me, because everyone who could possibly care is dead.
Come on, Lefty! Just smash it! I can't bring myself to do it, but I believe in you. You've been by my side this whole time, and I know I can count on you.
Previously, Hundreds of Years Ago
"My lord, here are the plans for your tomb."
"...has my physician neglected to give me some important news?"
"No, my lord, but it is customary to construct the tomb well in advance so that we can be sure it is ready for when you actually die, and tombs take considerable time and effort to construct."
"But I've said over and over again that I don't want a big fancy tomb! It's a horrendous waste of money that we could be spending on much more practical things!"
"With all due respect, my lord, yours has already been an...unconventional rule. I know the people appreciate your remarkable fiscal responsibility, but there is only so much tradition you can dispense with. The people expect a tomb. But, having anticipated your feelings on the matter, I believe you will find the plans acceptably modest."
"Ugh, fine, give them here. Oh, yes, I see. Yes, I suppose this will do. I must say, these statues are quite striking."
"Those will be your tomb guardians. They will be awakened as soon as your body is interred."
"Tomb guardians? Really? For a tomb like this? They'd cost more than the rest of the tomb! Who is even going to want to break into this thing? Besides, it's not like I'll be buried with anything of value."
"You simply cannot have a tomb without tomb guardians."
"Fine - but just one. Leave the other statue an ordinary statue."
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Date: 2022-10-06 09:36 pm (UTC)Actually I have hugged statues before. Now I will be wondering what they might be thinking. ;)
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Date: 2022-10-09 10:56 am (UTC)Oh, that poor tomb guardian. If only thet could go against nature to have the thought that THEY could be the one to smash the Tomb and the other guardian wouldn't stop them.
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Date: 2022-10-10 09:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-10 02:14 pm (UTC)- Erulisse (one L)
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