Didelphic Virginiomicon ~ The path that wasn't and now is ~

[opossum]

There he sat in the confines of his room, ' The Possum' as everyone's come to know him. Sitting in the corner of the room Leslie had happily lent him. Damaged here and there, but fixed to the best of his ability. Numbers, rules, scripture. His room was littered with it. A literally picture of the doctrine he was subjecting himself to. He could end it any time, decide not to follow these rules and it'd all be ripped from him, but he presses. He wanted this, he needed this. It was structure to his madness, a girder to his unstructured life with it's constantly stretching ethics, thoughts, and memories.

In his lap, a big new leather-bound book, carried on his person at all times. No title on it, no descriptors. No author listed. Just thoughts. A chaotic collection of the structure he nailed himself to. Gazing down at the leather cover, a thought passes. This embodies everything. It has to. It will. It's what I've dreamed since I heard of them, now I am them, or...wait, are they me? No. No, I'm me. That's always there. No denying it. Nope. He looked to the book and flipped open the first page. For my children. I have to make sure I have something to give. Yes. Give! A gift. I will do the hard parts so they can have better. That is always the plan. I can't be the same as my kin, but my kin will be better. It's a guide! A treasure unto itself. I'll have to work to make it one, Yes. Something magic, something powerful. Something that my kin will keep and use to make things always better. Better! BETTER!

The first page is blank, there's a signature at the bottom of it, his signature. His mortal name. It's nothing too important. His name being nothing that he truly holds too. It's just what normal people call him. His children wont call him that, least he would hope. Corey's such an awful name. Then a flip to the second page. It starts. At the top is a solidly drawn 'Possum. Delicate, intricate, and beautiful, he put a lot of work into it. It's tail flows into the first words.
" Words are a Lie. Words are lies, speak to yourself and you will lie. Follow your thoughts, push towards instinct's drive. Follow those thoughts, and stay true to yourself, the meaning that is you. Say nothing. Know it. Do it, that's how it shall be."

A flip to the third page. "Never lie to yourself. This is a path that shouldn't be followed, lying to one's self, leads to a horrible time. You lie, you lie again, eventually you believe the lie. Then you're not following your truth, and your truth get's shadowed and lost. Many don't find that truth again, deeper still, those who do will dread that lie they once beleived, and forever doubt what they have in mind.

The fourth page," Appearances are a lie. An appearance is what is presented, it is not what's meant. This presentation is what someone wants you to see. There is always the chance it could be true, but stay wary. This can always betray what you think.

The fifth," Diversion leads to truth. Diversions show you all of your blocked path, imagine a man. A man you want something from, is hiding something behind his back. You can smell it, hear it in his voice. See it in the way he stands and presents himself. Divert that attention, make him put his guise, his lies elsewhere, and he'll be helpless to your prying eyes and fingers. You will know what he has hidden."

The sixth," Fear is a lie. Fears lead to death. It is an necessary and UN-necessary feeling. Fear comes in many forms, but the worst is the panick. To panick is to die. Use your fear, it is a knife, a sharpened double edged sword with which you can push and control yourself. It can prod you when you need it, or you can sheath it when you don't. Fear is the survivalist's tool, and it will serve you faithfully when you defeat and master it. "

The seventh," Action over thought. Don't stress, don't worry, Keep the plan going. Once it's in your head, lay out the plan perfectly, then enact it. Let your muscles carry you, and guide your thoughts to the real world."

The eighth," Death is a lie. Death is caused by fear. Let fear control your actions, and death may find a friend in you. Control that fear, and you will control your death. Find that balance. uncontrolled and it will certainly end your quiet fate. Being fearless though is stupid, as it walks the same path. Stand on the guard-rails, between the sidewalk and the street of these two, like a tightrope. Make it fun. Death means that sometimes things may pass, but they may come anew. They come in new forms, or shapes. There's a cycle and it never ends, but it stops at your consciousness. Loss of consciousness is not death, and neither is loss of self.  You will come back new, and different, but your goal is always the same. Live. "

The ninth," True strength is hidden. Things are nothing as they appear. I hide my strength, and let it be known when times are right. Someone's appearance belies what they can do, and truly not everyone is who they are showing you. The man who shares your bread and wine, could be the strong-arm of the knife in your back. The meek shall keep to themselves, but flaunt their strength when their mind's and their thoughts come to the conclusion to defend what they beleive. Everyone and everything has a strength, and it's not always apparent, remember this. See rule number three on page 4, ' Appearances are a lie.' "

The tenth," The world is an illusion. This one is simple, and you must carry it with the others. Nothing is how it seems, there's always workings beneath the cloth, always a person in that shadow. Keep vigilant, it will save you, your family, and your friends."

The eleventh page," Find your own truth. There is so much to this simple rule, that it's not simple, though it is. Everyone has their own truth, I can not tell you mine because it is not yours. You can't live by it, you must live by your own. Figure out who you are, and if you stick to your truth, you will always be you and no one can doubt the you that you can be, have been, and are being. "

The twelfth page," Strategy wins all. Diversion is strategy. It's a good strategy, follow these plans instinctualy. Hiding can be a good strategy for an ambush, but don't over-think it, think just enough, then put the thoughts away and let your actions speak the volumes you wish to be heard. "

Page thirteen," Instinct is all. Thinking has it's place, but it can get you killed if you let it rule you completely. Do what is natural to you, follow what you truly are, and you'll succede in all things you wish to succeede in. Do not over-think things. "

The fourteenth page reads," The thirteenth rule is important, beware it's meaning as it may lead some astray. Don't fret. It's just a rule like any other" The words end with a Large picture of a Possum, it's mouth held open, wide, teeth sharp and ready. It's jaws at a rather ">" angle. Between the teeth and above the tongue reside the words " Nothing is forbidden, truth is a lie. There is truly only one rule. There are none."

The fifteenth page seems to continue though, to surprise. The ink is new, and the writing is quick and cautious.
" SO many rules, All for my future, your future. Those who read and listen, who I may never meet. These rules were enacted under a sacred oath, one made to a Mighty Spirit. Coyote. You are not of his kind, but you are one of his teachings. They are just as important as the rest."

"But there is caution to this gift we are handed. There's a knife and it's always waiting for an opportune moment. There is not one sole knife waiting for us all. There are thousands, and if our future is prosperous, there are millions. We are all bound separately to this rule. We are forever locked in this dual with the Coyote. As possum did tease him, so does he tease we. We must follow his rules, all neight of them which will be listed on the following pages, UNTIL such time as You can trick the coyote to a deal that benefits you as well as him, afterwhich you may benefit of his grand gifts. SHOULD he instead trick you to his guiles, you will follow his rules permanently. We are all baited at some point, remember our teachings and you will never truly fall prey. You may teeter and totter across the line, but should you stay within your proper mind and life, you will never fall."

The sixteenth page continues," Rules rules rules, So many more. "

" Let fools die a fools death. Do not stop a suicide, it is not your job, there are others for that task. War's arent your focus, let people do their job. "

" Teach those who need teaching the proper lessons. Don't go overboard, but make it something they wont forget."

"Always let the punishment fit the crime, vengeance is not what you are going for. Remember that when you deliver it."

"Tricks lead to lessons, pranks lead to death. There is a drastic difference between these two. Tricks are for friends, and allies, and pranks lead to death. If you need to prank an ally or a friend...do so with caution, they may not make to the other side. The lesson they will learn should the survive is one that will empower them.

"Make sure to always prank the worm. everyone should follow this one regardless. It's a great idea."

" Be subtle. Don't let 'normals' know about all your stuff. Blend in best you can, you'll need the cover when the time is right."

"Respect Luna. This is a given. Honestly, respect the moon-mother, she is who gifts us our boon to the world we've now joined."

" Think, then act. Use your cunning. Don't fight what you can't beat, and make sure to never get in over your head."



The book shuts abruptly at the ending of the last 'rule' placed upon it. He sighs, having re-read them over and over and over and OVER. Always for the future. Always for the best. My kin will work to fix the dreaming, and the real world. It will get better, it will be better. ALWAYS BETTER. This is the guide! The handbook to end all handbooks!

What to name it? Hmm, something catchy, it has to be cool. It has to show awe and cause shock. It's got to feel like some ancient tome thing that people will pick up and be like 'OH! So mysterious! I wonder how well thought out these ancient people are!'  Least that's what I want them to think so it's intimidating. Always, gotta make sure they see something else! HMmm....I'll call it....YES! YES!  " ' Didelphic Virginiomicon.' " Perfect.

He shifts up in his bundle of clothing, holding a single talon out, he carves the words into the front of the Leather-bound book. Making it 'pretty' as much as he can. Perfect. They'll have to be proud of something so great! Great! greAT! GREAT!