how six found a way

as of late, 53947 has been too engaged in exploration to provide proper assistance and only a few days on the floor convinced six he needed to become more self-sufficient. it would require a long journey, but a quick visit with the forever cupcake would ultimately provide him with the path of least resistance.

the forever cupcake has the key to the miledean pen, it also has infrequent interaction with others. this is why the white octopus has been known to lend the key in exchange for a bit of conversation. a moderate exchange of words was all it took for six to be on his way, key in tow.

flattop rock stands at the edge of the great plain (an extensive, non-descript plane). The landmark is known to be the best place to cross paths with the miledean pen as the 10-foot stylus is naturally drawn to the large flat expanse surrounding it.

funfact: on top of flattop rock lives a longflame below an eye. the eye is a connecting point between worlds and its location makes it a fundamental component of the cycle of coexistent exchange*.

There is a keyhole in the side of the miledean pen. when the cupcake’s key is inserted, the pen rights itself and it will draw a perfect path to the keyholder’s destination of choice—a perfect navigator for the vertically-challenged six as he travels the uneven earth of worldview.

the pen complete, six follows its inky line as it travels a reasonable path through the okeanos mountains—a recent addition to the landscape of worldview, created in a moment of boredom by the framework bloom.

midway through the mountains lies the city of lodestar. once a pocketcity itself, it has become not only a way-station for travelers through the okeanos, but the only manufacturer of the pocketcity battery.

funfact: the original pocketcity was created by 32843 to be a portable battery for energy derived from longflame. the prototype was given to an explorer named 76293 who carried the battery with him when he explored the newly-formed okeanos. a fall from a tall peak dropped 76293 into a valley, where he landed on the pocketcity stored in his pocket. the battery was damaged and the energy inside reacted with the mountain soil, causing the pocketcity to swell to full city size. the top several stories of its central structure compacted by the impact, now serve as a concentrated, glowing beacon of light that guides travelers through the mountain range.

six acquired a pocketcity in lodestar and filled it in a longflame just outside the city. the longflame doesn’t burn hot and can be found at random locations throughout worldview. it is commonly harnessed for power, but it has many functional uses. six knows a battery full of longflame will be a sufficient gift for the framework bloom.

a bit more travel along the pen’s line took six to a large floating hand on the horizon. this is the framework bloom and it makes land at the ever-expanding edge of worldview.

the framework bloom uses longflame to remain generally functional and create land. six’s gift of a pocketcity was graciously received and in return, six was gifted a perfect block—his key to self-sufficient sleep on the top of the tall armchair.

six takes the quick way home, hitching a ride on the back of one of the abundant wind-borne bluebirds. these creatures are made of residual energy from the cycle of coexistent exchange* and commonly traverse known pathways through the mountains, toward the eye at flattop rock.

home at last, his journey complete, six curls up on the top of the tall armchair and sleeps the sleep of one content in his ability to get there on his own.

how six found a way: a sculptural-story from an otherworld by lewis lain is on display from October 28 through January 13 in the Popular Library exhibit cases and the Congress Corridor east display window on the ground floor of Harold Washington Library Center.

The exhibit features recycled-cardboard sculpture telling the story of a vertically challenged cat’s cross-country journey to get to the top of the armchair.

https://www.chipublib.org/news/lewis-lain/