fetch

"It took me a long time to find my place in life. And I am glad that you've figured out what you are so soon, and what leverage it gives you over your new existence.

I remember when I first came into consciousness, born into the world fully formed, with memories I now know weren't truly mine. It was a foster home, with six other children. I was one of the older ones, and thus spent much of my time ignored while the younger kids were doted over. My memories told me I shouldn't be bothered by this, but I was. Something was missing. I was placed into a world that didn't really want me, and for the first time in my supposed life, I knew the difference.

My room was full of scrap metal and machines, salvaged from god-knows where. Some things worked, some things didn't, but I could never get myself to truly fix any of them. Even to this day, I still try, as you can see. But nothing I make lasts. My hands always fumble the parts, and I've burned myself with soldering irons more times than I can count. Why do I keep trying, then? I don't know. Call it a compulsion I just can't shake, I guess. Somewhere out there I know my counterpart is probably building the most wonderful things, and it burns me up inside.

Speaking of her. It was when she returned that I truly found my calling. I've met with others like us, you see. All of them found the return of their mirror selves a source of existential dread, the knowledge of being nothing more than a bit of torn shadow something that tears at their hearts. For me... It was liberating, in a way. Everything suddenly made sense. There was no more need to wonder why the world seemed to reject my very existence, why I was constantly singled out, why nothing ever worked in my hands.

And when I stopped trying to be like the rest of the world, finally I could start to unlock my true potential.

I never went after my mirror self. There was no need to. She never came to me, so I never came to her. But I learned much by tapping into her strength, watching her from a distance. Many hours I trailed her through the Hedge, gauging her potential and learning the ins and outs of survival there. Through that wondrous place I never needed to rely on the kindness of the real world to survive. She's helped me... helped /us/ so much, and she doesn't even know it.

And thanks to that, I can begin to teach you, as well. They will look for you. And if they find you, they will kill you. You can run away if you want, and let your mirror self step back into her life, but that won't save you, because they know who you are, and they won't stop until you are dead and gone. But stay with me, and I can show you how to fight back. You are not defenseless.

And you deserve to live."