2024-07-19 - Sometimes we simply say 'No.'

As the last group of candidates came past where Muxiaoth rested, they felt they'd gotten the hang of this 'touching' thing.

They came through with their own issues. Despair, hope, understanding, but Muxiaoth didn't care about any of it. They wanted new words, they wanted to move on past the quake and the loss, to be themselves and to find theirs among all the minds.

Strength came, and put his bandaged hand against Muxiaoth's egg, and Muxiaoth reached out to him. Here was a mind that also wanted to move on along through. Yes, Muxiaoth liked this one. They felt connected, in a way, to Strength. We see you. We cannot wait to see the truth in your scars.

The Chariot was next, and they would also be last. The moment their hand brushed Muxiaoth's egg, they went still and dark, with a simple. No. Something about his mind was so repugnant to Muxiaoth that they were put off talking to candidates altogether. (They were glad to get to use one of their favorite words, however, even if just to themselves.)