Dr. Gart likes to write. He writes a lot. Whether it be for an SCP Containment Procedure, A GOC incident report, or even just tale based on his D&D characters he really likes, he is always writing something. And he loves it. It gives him a purpose, if that makes sense to you. Matter of fact, that's how he talks. And he's talking to you now. Through this work, and his many works he will later write.
Yes, you. That's just how it works.
He cannot talk directly. He'd hate to break a rule. Not necessarily a rule, but a sort of contract he signed a while back. It's a damn shame he signed in pen. It's sad, almost, that he chose this life. He is able to make perfect fiction stories, non-fiction stories, and any story in between. But he cannot speak. No matter what, he may not speak. He fears what will happen if he does. He hopes to stop you from taking the same deal he did.
It was a late summer Wednesday for him. In his universe, that is, because the Wanderer's Library doesn't really have a way to tell time. He did try to keep track of his own time himself. And, he did a pretty good job. He can never get the year right, for some reason. That never mattered much to him. He found it comfortable here. No one judged him for being unable to speak. He didn't lack a mouth, he was more than capable of speaking should he want to. But he didn't, out of fear. The people of the library appreciated his works. They all loved his works very much, even though he tends to use the same words more than once. A mild annoyance, but it didn't ruin his stories.
Wait, you want to know what he did? Why he signed his speech away? Well, I guess keeping answers from you would be rude, now wouldn't it?
Wouldn't you do anything to save your skin?
Site-13 was a mess. Many of the SCPs had breached containment. He was in the presence of a dangerous SCP, one that you shouldn't speak around. Fire poured from his ears. He had seen many of these before. A door was behind the man with fire for ears. He opened the door slowly, and quietly, and closing the door in a similar manner. The hall was dark, except the few lights still flickering. A figure wrote dangerous words on the wall. He ignored the entity's stories and continued to a door. The door had a note on it. It looked… like a contract. He decided to take a look:
"If you wish to leave this world
And tread on steady ground.
Promise that'll you'll seal your mouth
And never speak another sound.
If you accept, without looking back,
And survive this site, should you succeed
A world of books shall welcome you
With all your stories for all to read."
A pen lay taped to the door. He could hear heavy footsteps down the hall. A massive beast with no sense of how sign language works can be seen coming, the shadow unmistakable. Without hesitation, he signed the paper, and he opened the door and walked through. The Library, was massive. It had been the largest collection of books he had ever seen. It was beautiful, and he couldn't help but to shed a tear of amazement. I stood behind him, he noticed. The door long gone. He spoke to me in a anxious whisper.
"I'm sorry, but uhhh, where am I?"
I smiled. "Well, you're in the Wanderers Library, of course. I see you got my message. I'll allow that question slip past our deal, but should you speak again, you'll end up where you came from again. I wouldn't go back there if I were you."
"Why can I no-"
"Shhh! You must keep the deal if you wish to stay! It's the only way I could save you!"
He nodded. He gestured to ask why he couldn't speak. At least, I think he did. He didn't seem very good at charades.
"I saved you because I saw something in you. I knew you'd contribute great tales to the library and inspire many beings to pursue their hopes and dreams! I saw it myself! However, you will not be able to speak again because of the knock I assigned to that Way you passed through. Every Way has a knock, a sort of 'requirement' to open it. At least, that's the best I can describe it to you. I know it may seem unfair, but it was the best Way I could find located in Site-13. It had a nice stability to it"
He nodded. He looked around his surroundings.
"It is quite something, isn't it? All knowledge of every reality. Past, Present, and Future. All here. Many of your tales are here as well. Stories that you have written. I have to say, it inspired me to take this form. The form of this… dragon person I think? I liked the name Tommy as well so I kept it too. I hope you don't mind."
He made a gesture of sorts. I don't think he minded I took this form.
"If you're interested, I can get a man to show you where some learning books are. Sign language will be your best friend from now on." I motioned for a Librarian. "Hey, can you get this guy some books on Sign Language? and he'll need a library card, too." I looked back at him "Tell them Tommy sent ya. Or, sign that Tommy sent ya, I should say. They'll know what to do."
So he went off. Soon enough, a whole shelf section was dedicated to his works. Many a Wanderer came to read them. He was given his own place to write and everything! He was very lucky. I never got an office, but… I'm sure he'll let me come by someday.