[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/6JZwsPD/Tryg-Truman.png[/img][/center]

[color=fee7be]Taking a rather slow pace down the corridor toward what he hoped was an exit, Tryg could only pray that he wouldn't have any more adverse encounters. [color=efbd65][b]"Please, let that cat be all I have to deal with,"[/b][/color] he whispered. But alas, this realm of fog was not to be reasoned with. Ahead of him, a figure formed in the next doorway.

A seemingly familiar voice rang from the silhouette, [color=b88842][b]"Oh, I don't think you'll be quite that lucky."[/b][/color] A chill ran down Tryg's spine. The voice was human, as seemed the being that it emanated from. In fact, the physique and hairstyle seemed eerily familiar as well. As closer Tryg drew, curious, the more he felt like he was clearing condensation off of a mirror.

[color=efbd65][b]"Wha--? Am I seeing things?"[/b][/color] Tryg asked. [color=efbd65][b]"Why do you--? How is this--?"[/b][/color] He was having trouble finishing any of his thoughts, but the person before him understood just fine.

[color=b88842][b]"Oh, no. No illusions here,"[/b][/color] the doppelganger answered. [color=b88842][b]"You're smart enough to put the pieces together. Even if you are really just a second--no, third seat musician. Maybe even lower."[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"You take that ba--"[/b][/color]

[color=b88842][b]"I mean, how can you even play with an instrument in that kind of shape? Oh, yes, I know your fears, Tryg,"[/b][/color] he chuckled, beginning to pace in a circle around the already wounded trombonist. [color=b88842][b]"You can't surprise me, but I can surprise you . . . "[/b][/color]

Tryg raised the saber he had stolen from the cat-thing earlier. [color=efbd65][b]"You stay back! Whatever you are, you can't possibly know me!"[/b][/color]

Clicking his tongue thrice, the figure responded, [color=b88842][b]"You really haven't figured it out yet, have you? Come now. Put the weapon aside."[/b][/color] As the request left his lips, he stepped forward and pushed the blade away. He then grabbed Tryg's other arm, which clutched tightly to [i]Dainsleif[/i], his touch seeming to paralyze Tryg. Prying the instrument from the stunned student, he continued, [color=b88842][b]"An instrument like this is no good to us anyway."[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"No . . . "[/b][/color] Tryg muttered, unable to move.

[color=b88842][b]"You worship this thing still? It is time to move to bigger, better things."[/b][/color] And with one swift movement, [i]Dainsleif[/i]'s slide was snapped in two over the doppelganger's knee, and Tryg blurted out again, but the other ignored him. [color=b88842][b]"Find something new to place your faith in. It would serve you to let go of such idols. Otherwise, you're no better a musician than that freshie from earlier."[/b][/color]

Tryg seethed. [color=efbd65][b]"So what, are you a clone of me or something? Think you're better than the original?"[/b][/color]

[color=b88842][b]"Ooooh, you're getting warmer, but still not to the first chair."[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"You're certainly arrogant enough to pass as me,"[/b][/color] Tryg deduced, gripping the sword's hilt tighter, the paralysis from moments ago beginning to fade. [color=efbd65][b]"But I'm still not completely convinced we're one in the same."[/b][/color]

[color=b88842][b]"I'd say you've made it to second chair on that deduction,"[/b][/color] the shadow taunted, its haunting eyes gleaming. [color=b88842][b]"But for your own sake, you may not want to deny things too quickly."[/b][/color] The aura around the figure began to emanate a black miasma. [color=b88842][b]"Or do. I guess I can always take your place if you want."[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"What did you say?!"[/b][/color]

[color=b88842][b]"Oh, yeah, I could totally replace you here. Hell, you might even be better off for it. Who knows?"[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"Okay, I think I'm starting to get it now. You're some twisted version of me, aren't you?"[/b][/color]

[color=b88842][b]"Twisted?!"[/b][/color] the shadow laughed. [color=b88842][b]"You insult me! No, I [i]AM[/i] you. The darkest parts of your mind and heart. Your hidden secrets, come to the light. I'm not a fake you. I'm the real deal, your shadow. Your best, your worst, and all that's in between, but can you [i]accept[/i] yourself for who you are?!"[/b][/color]

Tryg flinched for a moment. [color=efbd65][b]"You know . . . the more I think about it, the more I think you may be right. I've seen some shit today, so I'll play this game. You're definitely plenty of a damned [i]weapon[/i] to be me. But I think I saw something that proves it good and well. I didn't realize it at first, but it hurt you to see [i]Dainsleif[/i] like that. It [i]hurt[/i] you to break it in two. There was pain on your face. I just couldn't sightread through it at the start. The only thing I can't figure out is [i]why[/i] you'd do it."[/b][/color]

Now it was the shadow's turn to wince. [color=b88842][b]"We have our reasons."[/b][/color]

[color=efbd65][b]"Explain yourself later. For now, go back to wherever it is you belong, be that in my head, or wherever you came from."[/b][/color]

The figure began to dissolve into the fog around it. [color=b88842][b]"I guess I'd better play by the rules, even if I'd make a better first chair. You're not [i]quite[/i] ready for me, even if you [i]can[/i] admit we're the same. When the time is right, I'll return. But for now, nähdään."[/b][/color]

When the double was gone from sight, Tryg knelt down to examine the pieces of his broken instrument. It would be more affordable to buy a new trombone at this point. [color=efbd65][i][b]Shit. Today is just fantastic.[/b][/i][/color] He would like to hold onto the pieces as mementos, but it was far from practical to keep carrying them around. Though it pained him, [i]Dainsleif[/i] had to be left behind. So he made his way through the doorway his shadow had been guarding without his treasured instrument's remains. And not far on the other side, he found what seemed to be another student sitting on the ground. [color=efbd65][b]"Hei! 'Bout time I saw someone a little more normal around here!"[/b][/color] He didn't care who it was. Even if it was the obnoxious kid from class earlier (it wasn't, thankfully), anyone "real" would be better than another one of the creeps from around here.[/color]

[center][sub] Encountering Thomas Robinson [@Aurrorian] [/sub][/center]