n!
Tainted had barely slept in weeks, ... 41 November, 2024
the nightmares had started way back when Savage had taken that damn
rocket and flown it straight into the sun. Trying to take his mind off
of it, Tainted reached over to his desk drawer, pulled out a small tin,
and grinned at the stash of weed inside. Time to relax, he muttered to
himself, then made his way down to the sauna. He liked to retreat to it
every now and then but hadnt in a while. The heat and silence would
help to calm him down, make him forget those nightmares.
But as he opened the door, he stopped short, nearly dropping his joint
in surprise.
Gone was the dim, peaceful heat of the sauna and instead he was greeted
by bright colors, foam mats, and a bunch of toys scattered on the floor.
The heater was replaced by a miniature jungle gym, and walls were
plastered with cartoon animals. A stuffed kangaroo inched toward him on
wheels, wobbling over the mats as if daring him to make a move.
What the...? he stammered.
Mate, what are you doing here?
Tainted spun around, startled by the voice that came from behind. There
stood Savage, his hair disheveled and going gray, his face shadowed.
He was holding a broom and seemed to be trying to tidy the chaotic mess
of toys around him.
Savage!?? What the fuck! We thought you were dead.
Where have you been?
With Mistigris, Savage whispered. I always thought they were just an
art collective, but theyre... something else. At first, they were very
friendly, said they liked my art. But then they tried to turn me into
one of them. They break you down piece by piece, until theres nothing
left but empty blocks. And then theres the constant accordion music.
It gets inside your head. And It doesnt stop. It never fucking stops.
Tainted shuddered. He had heard of strange methods employed in the
underbelly of the scene, but nothing like this. It was a cruelty so
bizarre, it almost felt comical -- but Savages haunted expression told
him there was nothing funny about it.
Fuck... I had no idea.
Savage looked away. Theyve done something to me. But I got out.
I had to escape, or Id have become one of them.
But why... didnt you come back to us?
Im not the same man anymore. I cant be, Savage whispered.
I thought if I stayed away -- if I quit ANSI for good -- that they
couldnt get to me again. I needed... peace. To concentrate on family.
Tainted took a step back, gesturing around.
So this is what youve been doing?
It was the missus idea... and the kids love it, Savage said quietly,
glancing over the playroom that had once been a place of artistic
collaboration in the name of blocks.
I never thought thatd be me, yknow? he murmured, almost to himself.
The guy who spends his days fixing up a playroom for the little ones.
I thought Id be drawing ANSI for the rest of my life. I was just trying
to do the right thing... focusing on them.
Tainted nodded silently, sensing there was more.
Savage looked back up at him. I do miss it, though. The sauna.
The blocks. The art. The fire. I used to think I could create anything,
make something that would burn through all the bullshit, yknow?
His voice trailed off, heavy with longing.
Alright, mate, Tainted said, calm but determined, its time you
called Nail. Hell be bloody happy to hear youre still alive. And hell
probably have some ideas about rebuilding that sauna, too.
Savage hesitated, then nodded. I guess youre right. Nails always been
the practical one. Lets see what he says.
He took a deep breath before he dialed Nails number on his trusted
Nokia 3310. The ringing on the other end seemed to stretch
forever... What time zone was Nail in again? When the call finally
connected, it was like a weight lifted off his shoulders.
Savage started explaining what had been going on, and even though
Tainted couldnt hear what Nail said on the other end, he had no doubt
that moments from now theyd start building a bigger, stronger sauna of
sorts -- and that the Fire will never be gone.
Sauna was Savages baby, a side project next to Blocktronics, where
fonts were allowed to shine without being overshadowed by the massive
scrollers produced and released in the same pack. It was shut down when
we brought back Fire, so it only felt fair that we produce a pack with
similar concept in turn. We only added a small twist and made it fonts
and 25liners instead. As always, thanks to all the friends who made
guest contribitions to this pack.
And happy 30th Anniversary to Mistigris.
/nail, 2024-11-11