Post by Paradiso on Nov 16, 2021 18:39:19 GMT -6
CANTO II
DOLUS
In the middle of the journey of our life I found myself within a dark woods where the straight way was lost.
Inhale
Exhale
Paradiso opens his eyes and sees Beatrice to his right staring straight ahead in complete silence. Paradiso looks forward and the docks and boat to continue their quest is in sight. An Elderly man with a bald head and a long grey beard sits dangling his legs over the dock with his fishing pole. Paradiso and Beatrice glance at each other for a moment before getting off their horses and begin walking towards the old man.
"Anything Biting?"
Paradiso asks from behind. The old man turns his head and sees them both standing there and a look of joy slowly goes over his face and he starts lightly laughing as he stands up.
"I haven't had visitors in a good while! Please come! We can go into my shack over here and I can make you both some stew and we can talk!"
Before either can respond the old man begins slowly walking towards his shack on the other side of the dock. Small thing but is enough for three people to fit in. Paradiso and Beatrice follow. As they enter they see it is lit by a few candles set up, a small bed with only a sheet and a feather pillow, a few cabinets, and a small spot for a fire and a pot. The old man shuffles over to the pot and starts a fire with a flint and steel.
"So, what brings ya both here?"
"We're here to ask for transport to Panama. It's incredibly important for us to get there."
"Panama eh? Aye, I can get ye there. Straight to as well! I know a secret way through the mist that'll keep us undetected."
"No objections? You'll just take us?"
"We haven't even told you our names yet."
"Aye, that is true! I forgot to ask. I'm old, I forget things. Well I am called Charon, I've been a sailor of sorts for nearly me whole life!"
"You may call me Beatrice, pleasure."
"Paradiso."
The old man stops stirring the stew in his pot for a moment and looks at Paradiso.
"Ohhhhhh. I've heard of ye!"
Paradiso jumps out of his seat
"How?! What have you heard? Tell me!"
"Calm down, Lad. Not much but there was another young man who said somethin' bout that name. He didn't give his though, was in a rush he was"
"Do you know where he went? Where did he come from?"
"Came from the small town a few miles back that way. I hope you avoided the tour they give there. Cannibals they are! They always try and lure in travelers to kill em and eat em up! Nasty business"
"That explains that at least…"
"Creeps called me a witch. Bastards"
"But now where did that guy go, do you know?"
"Hmmm, Same place ye want to go actually. Took 'im there naturally as is my duty."
Paradiso throws his hands in the air and walks out of the shack and stands at the edge of the dock and stares at the water.
"Did that guy say anything else important while he was here?"
"Not much, lass. Not even on the trip. Kept his hood up and before he took off on his own at the destination he said "Make sure Paradiso and the woman make it here" and now here ye are!"
""The woman", doesn't even know my name… Well, can you describe what he looked like for me?"
The old man grabs two wooden bowls and pours some of the stew in each and hands one to Beatrice.
"Here ya go, lass. Eat up! I'll save his bowl for 'im"
"Uh thanks but can you answer the question for me please?"
"'Course. Younger lad, real handsome strapping boy. Very serious, kinda like the big lad out there. I won't pry but is he alright?"
Beatrice looks at Paradiso through the doorway while he is still staring at the water.
"Yeah… he'll be fine. Just going through some shit."
"I'll help in any way I can. Ask 'im if he'd like to eat before we head out."
"Yeah, ok. I'll let you know when we're ready. Thank you, Charon."
Charon smiles at her and pours himself a bowl of his stew and sits in the single chair in the corner of his shack. Beatrice leaves and approaches Paradiso.
"Hey, found out a bit more about whoever that guy is who knows you."
"This just doesn't feel right to me. I lose my memory and wake up in a charred forest? Then you show up out of nowhere and start taking me to the same place this guy is apparently heading? What the fuck is going on here? Do you know who the fuck this guy is? Do not lie to me right now."
"Listen, I genuinely do not know. I will admit I know where we're going but I had no idea that there was someone else going there to meet us. I'm just as confused about that as you are. Has me a bit nervous quite honestly"
Paradiso turns to Beatrice and looks upon her with annoyance
"I have no idea why I'm even trusting you. You have kept everything a secret from me and most likely lied to me as well."
"I have not! I'm putting myself in danger for you! I don't have to help you ya know! Not one fucking lie has come out of my mouth since I found you. I WILL tell you everything once the time is right but for right now… I just can't."
"And why the fuck is that Beatrice? This is some bullshit. I'm about to go on a long boat ride to fucking Panama through some god damn fog. This is barely even a boat! This is more of a Gondola than anything!"
"I understand you're mad and frustrated. I would be too, believe me. But please please please just trust me. Once we get there your memory will come back and I won't even have to explain much."
"What does that mean? "My memory will come back to me”? How did I lose it in the first place? I have so many god damn questions and you haven't really answered any of them this entire time."
"I know…"
"That's it? "I know"? This is fuckin ridiculous."
Paradiso walks away from Beatrice and heads for the Shack. He walks in and sees Charon who is just finishing his stew. He looks up at Paradiso and smiles.
"Did'ya come to eat ye soup?"
"No, I'm ready to depart. Let's just get this the fuck over with."
Paradiso walks out and sees Beatrice trying to approach him and he walks right past her not even glancing her way. Charon steps out and sees a distressed Beatrice.
"Lad is just in a mood. He'll cheer up in time. Don't let this get to ya. We are bout to all share this boat for awhile now"
Beatrice doesn't respond and Chiron begins heading for the small boat that Paradiso is already on. He is on the edge with his arms spread along the edges of the boat and hangs his head backwards. Chiron unties the boat from the dock and looks back towards Beatrice and smiles. She exhales heavily and joins them on the boat. She sits on the opposite side while Chiron is in the middle with his oar who begins paddling, beginning their expedition at sea.
SOMEWHERE IN A DARK ROOM WITH ONLY A LIGHT AND A CHAIR
From birth all we do is learn. Learn to walk, learn to talk, learn to eat. Nothing different here. I didn't lose before, no no no Salvatore simply just survived. Now he's on my side, another match in which he simply SURVIVES. I'm learning as i go what all this pro wrestling business is and everyone should be afraid once I have it mastered. Once I do, for everyone in Black Pyramid Wrestling, Paradise... Will be Lost.
SOMEWHERE IN A DARK ROOM WITH ONLY A LIGHT AND A CHAIR
From birth all we do is learn. Learn to walk, learn to talk, learn to eat. Nothing different here. I didn't lose before, no no no Salvatore simply just survived. Now he's on my side, another match in which he simply SURVIVES. I'm learning as i go what all this pro wrestling business is and everyone should be afraid once I have it mastered. Once I do, for everyone in Black Pyramid Wrestling, Paradise... Will be Lost.
