Ever since we lost Charlie, he's been trying to find a way to get him back. It isn't as simple as when he brought me back, as silly as that sounds. The thing about Charlie is that he is still out there somewhere... we just don't know where that is. And if any of you people in Scritch City happen to know where he is, please tell Miss Silky or someone at the Railroad Club. We would really like that information.
Now, while Surly has been trying to find Charlie, he's been going through a sort of strange struggle with his own physical identity. He's been placed under hypnosis by Musty, and this hypnosis has given him the ability to change form (when triggered) into a rat named Buddy. Yes, a similar name to his spirit called Buddy Tippet.
He explained to me that right now Buddy the Rat is the crazier side of him, and he gets too out of control when he switches. He is worried about changing around me because he might rape me or something. He has plans to try and literally train his rat-self into behaving more maturely. Personally, I find the whole thing a mite disturbing, but I care enough for Surly to support him in what's happening. After all, his rat transformation is happening because of his love for Charlie.
Surly has been very compassionate about the whole ordeal with me. He checked with me about how I felt about him looking and even acting like a different person. He said that the whole old goat thing had more to do with him being an elder in the village I grew up in. I learned to love him in this form, and he was worried about taking that away from me. I explained that I would be fine with him changing as long as it was clear that it was still the same man that I fell in love with.
After listening to what I had to say, he pointed out that he did not think his Surly form would be permanently gone, but that there would be two forms of him that would come out when necessary. I accepted this, although I am still worried for him. He's going through so much right now. I can't even get into some of the horrible things he is doing in order to get Charlie back. The list is very long and disturbing, but he is so intent on making it happen that he is willing to do those bad things.
As for me, I am still spending most of my time in the room in the back of the Railroad Club. I have gotten so used to living in small quarters that going out frightens me. He had offered to have Fluke escort me out, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So I've just been hanging out here with Clara, waiting for more news from Surly.
My only request is a simple one: If you happen to see him wondering around out there, just give him space. Help him out if you can. He's all alone out there, or at least it seems like it.
Thanks for reading my blog.
