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Scritch scratch went Clockwork’s feather pen as he used up page after page of his parchment on his stand. So many notes. So many things that could happen in a month. So many details that needed fussing. At least he could leave detailed advice. Most would throw the new person into world with nothing.
But not Clockwork. His job was too big to just leave a replacement with nothing. Time was fickle; everything had to be kept in order to keep a good, stable path. Just one journey through time could ruin everything if it wasn’t managed correctly. And one month was too long for Clockwork to come back to and fix things should something go wrong.
As he finally stopped writing, some books and glasses rose up from his shelves and drifting in front of the ghost. He tapped his chin for a moment, gazing into the future to see which pair of glasses would be the best. Then, with a wave of his hand, he sent all but one pair back to his shelf. Clockwork placed the books, papers, and glasses on the stand he’d been using. He used a last sheet of parchment to write a quick note, which he taped to the side.
Once all that was done, Clockwork rounded up his medallions and stored them in his vault. He placed his staff in there as well before closing the vault. He didn’t think anyone would steal them while he was gone, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
Then he took the wood staff he’d bought from Inky. He decided to leave it somewhere for his temporary replacement to find. It would make things more exciting for them.
Only then did he take out the potion he’d bought from Inky.
The ink inside contained the basis for a new person, a creature made of ink. Using it would create a new being. It would put Clockwork in a sort of stasis as this person used his form to explore the world and learn for one month.
He smiled to himself. “I trust you won’t mess things up,” he murmured. “Good luck.” Then he pulled off the cap and let the ink begin to pour over his arm.
At first, it just dribbled over his form. It dripped down across his gloves, creating tiny ink rivers. Then, it began to surge fourth and cover Clockwork’s body. More ink than should have been possible slowly flooded out of the bottle until not an inch of Clockwork’s original form could be seen. And as it did, it lulled Clockwork into a dreamless sleep.
A moment passed before the new shade blinked his eyes open in confusion.
