Daily Dialogue: Cauldron of Malice – Chapter Two
Agatha
So, where do we… begin?
Catherine
What do you mean?
Agatha
Do we focus on my blooming into murderessdom, or on your internal happiness?
Catherine
I prefer to think of it as an infernal happiness, dear Agatha.
Agatha
Why such negativity for something so precious?
Catherine
The infernal brings me happiness, of course.
Agatha
You’re a very queer teacher, Catherine.
Catherine
Would I be right in suspecting that you’d enjoy an explanation?
Agatha
“Enjoy?” “Delight” would be a more pervasive word.
Catherine
Allow me to delight you, then.
Agatha
Oh joy.
Catherine
If I were to ask you to procure… five words to describe your perception of the world, which would they be?
Agatha
Shackled, malodorous… displeasing… oh, what’s the word… gilded… ripe.
Catherine
Would I be right in saying that you use those words in the negative?
Agatha
Each and every.
Catherine
Why did you choose “ripe?” You already used “malodorous.”
Agatha
“Ripe” in relation to produce, not aroma.
Catherine
Ah.
Agatha
Perhaps “pregnant” would have been a more succinct word.
Catherine
No, you chose well. Why would “ripe,” or “pregnant,” be adverse?
Agatha
Because if a juicy pomegranate were left on the stem, eventually it would rot.
Catherine
Then, you ultimately refer to potential wasted.
Agatha
Yes, I believe I do. What of your five telling words?
Catherine
Obliterate, wasteland, agony, offal… infernal.
Agatha
And these are positive?
Catherine
Divine.
Agatha
And you will explain?
Catherine
When you realize that you are in the cold, uncaring embrace of chaos, you can either learn to love it or be driven mad by it.
Agatha
Wouldn’t loving chaos demand a certain insanity on the part of the beholder.
Catherine
Heh, well, I suppose if you place it that way before me… Do I make more sense to you?
Agatha
No, not much.
Catherine
And yet, you stay.
Agatha
And yet, I stay. Have you killed before?
Catherine
Would that terrify you?
Agatha
No.
Catherine
Would that excite you?
Agatha
No.
Catherine
What would it do?
Agatha
Educate me.
Catherine
Yes, it would.
Agatha
And it would take me back to my original inquiry.
Catherine
Which was?
Agatha
Our focus.
Catherine
Ah, yes. And, yes.
Agatha
How many?
Catherine
14. Afraid, dear Agatha?
Agatha
No. Why did you kill?
Catherine
Does one need a reason?
Agatha
Everything needs purpose.
Catherine
But we live in chaos.
Agatha
Then we must make purpose in the pandemonium. Otherwise, insanity.
Catherine
Because we are all infernal. Does that suffice?
Agatha
For now. Am I infernal?
Catherine
Oh yes, dear Agatha.
Agatha
What talisman have I to protect me from your bloodlust?
Catherine
My word.
Agatha
Why should I trust such a thing?
Catherine
Because language is the only currency humanity has. Gems, fabric, gold, flesh… the only way these things have meaning is through language.
Agatha
A rose by any other name…
Catherine
Ramblings of a madman.
Agatha
Oh?
Catherine
A rose only matters because we gave it meaning. If we didn’t find it beautiful, if we didn’t make it a symbol of affection, it would be left amongst the other flora. Left to strangle and stab and shred with its thorns and wildness.
Agatha
Were you still talking about a rose?
Catherine
Yes, but not just.
Agatha
I understand, and I accept your talisman.
Catherine
Splendid.
Agatha
Whom do we focus on?
Catherine
Shall we let fate decide?
Agatha
With chaos, there is no fate.
Catherine
Why do you say that?
Agatha
Because there is no future. No past. Just the constant flow of now.
Catherine
Shall we let chance decide?
Agatha
Chaos laughs at chance.
Catherine
Perhaps you are more an agent of chaos than I, dear Agatha.
Agatha
How can there be probability in perpetual disarray?
Catherine
Then let us let chaos decide.
Agatha
How do we do that?
Catherine
This teacup.
Agatha
Oh?
Catherine
Since chaos is everlasting, nothing is certain. Correct?
Agatha
Yes.
Catherine
Then my dropping this delicate porcelain onto stone might not shatter it. Correct?
Agatha
Yes.
Catherine
Then let us beckon chaos. If it shatters, we focus on you. If not, on me.
Agatha
Amen.
