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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4481546" data-attributes="member: 3285">To Walk in Carcosa: Part 6 – The Sculpture MuseumReunited with the three orcs, they eventually discovered a small, white building that a discreet sign announced as the Sculpture Museum.  All around were manicured gardens dotted with statuary of animals, men, and women—a medusa with its head of snakes screaming, a strange creature clutching a human child to its breast, a perfect replica of a cypress tree next to the real thing—byakhees presented angular wet-black arrangements, folded in upon themselves like bat wings.  The last were by the entrance.As they passed, the creatures shifted, their eyes swiveling jerkily. One clapped its great jaws together.  Scarbelly nearly smashed its head in with an axe. “I don’t like this.”“It’s a little late for that,” said Ilmarė.The building, like most in the city, changed constantly. Rooms and balconies contracted and expanded or disappeared completely when not directly observed; carpeting became oak became tile became marble.Steps led straight down from the entrance to vast exhibition floors, much larger than the building above them.  All the rooms were empty of other visitors.  There were hundreds of objects present from all eras.  Further along was a wide corridor lined both sides with byakhee whistles from all over Arcanis.  A dozen white robes hung in the next chamber, artfully arranged on wire mannequins so that the Yellow Sign was not entirely visible.  Over in a corner was a full-sized rendition of a human figure: the clay was still wet.Kham took his pistol out.  “Not a fan of sculpture?” asked Scarbelly.Kham cocked the pistol and pointed it at the forehead of the clay figure.  “Look closer,“ said Ilmarė.It was a perfect sculpture of Kham.  He looked drawn out and haggard, his face in his hands.  But it was unmistakably Kham, down to his pupiless eyes, one of which could be seen between the fingers.Slowly, Kham eased his finger off the trigger. “Actually, I kind of like it.”“Kham,” said Ilmarė, “the last time you ‘kind of liked’ something it was Fleshripper.  Are you sure you’re alright?”“I’m fine.” Kham looked around.  “All the artwork in the gallery makes a curious kind of sense.”“I’m glad you like it.” Lucius Roby entered from a side hallway. He wore black trousers and a shirt with no tie and no collar.  He looked tired, but also was very composed: a slight smile was on his lips.  “Hello again,” he said softly.  “Good to see you.”“So you are alive,” said Kham.  “Are you the reason Carcosa is here?”Lucius nodded.  “Yes. I have longed to be with Carcosa ever since I set eyes upon it, when I was possessed by a k’n-yan named Gll'-Hthaa-Ynn.  When he finally left my body, I remembered fragments of what he knew.  But Carcosa never let me forget.  It was all I could wish for: it’s not just bricks and tar and steel but a living thing, and it moves with my call and my mood, echoing and building that mood to a peak of ecstasy.  Leaving Carcosa was like dying for me.  It’s only here that I feel truly alive.”“Lucius,” said Ilmarė, “did you really kill your father and sister?”Lucius’ face flickered with emotions of sorrow and pain.  He regained his composure quickly.  “When Gll'-Hthaa-Ynn became one with me, I was in a dreadful condition.  My father and brother were terrible to me.  So one night, I called to Aldebran and…something answered.”“Byakhee,” said Kham.Lucius nodded.  “It killed my father.”  He put the back of one hand to his mouth, tears welling in his eyes.  “It killed Georgina too. You know the rest.”“What’s this about Edwards trying to summon the King in Yellow?” asked Ilmarė“Hmm, the King in Yellow, you say?” Lucius regained his composure. “Ah yes.  Carbo said that too: Edwards thought he could call the King in Yellow to Arcanis.  If Edwards was to bring Hastur here, to Carcosa, he would not arrive as the King in Yellow—he would be in a form that has no meaning to Onara, no rationality.  We’re still on Arcanis, you know.  He would destroy everyone in Carcosa.  Edwards too.”“Hastur? You mean Umor?”“He is known by many names.” Roby tapped one lip with a forefinger. “Although Carcosa owes a part of its character to Hastur, he is like the darkness that throws the light into perfect relief—natural.  Do you like Carcosa?  I find it absolutely fantastic.”“Yeah, it’s great.” With great difficulty, Kham tore his eyes off of his clay doppelganger. “I don’t mean t’ break up this happy reunion,” said Scarbelly.  “But thar be a cultist to stop.”Lucius turned to face the orc, completely unphased by his appearance. “Rest assured, the city is safe.  Although the Stranger is here, he will never reach the Palace to herald the arrival of the Tatter King.”“Can you lead us to Edwards?”Lucius’ mind seemed to wander.  “Has he misled me? Why would he do this?”  He made a decision and for a moment Lucius’ eyes focused on them.  “I’ll speak to Edwards.  He’ll be at the Palace.”Lucius made to leave.  Kham stood where he was.“Kham,” said Lucius.  “We must go.  I share your love of the beauty that is Carcosa.  But there won’t be any city left if Edwards does what I fear.  Please follow me.”Pale and melancholy, Kham grudgingly followed Lucius out.</blockquote>

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