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[escardos]

[ communion with flat is much like being adrift in the void. an endless, flat expanse with neither beginning or end, dark and unfeeling. but even in the lonesome and dark emptiness, you need not feel alone. in the distance, a single source of light shines on like the north star, which would make you wonder which part represents flat: the darkness? or that single point of light? ]

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two days before Cyrus' assassination

[bakedapple]

[ Something suddenly presses against your mind. It is not someone reaching out to you with Communion, but not entirely unlike it either — perhaps more akin to the wake of a large ship tossing smaller boats around as it turns into larger and larger waves. After a few seconds, it starts to sting and burn, unpleasant but possibly familiar. Have you died before, whether at home or as a Shard-Bearer? Then you might recognize this feeling: the panicked terror of being cornered, of looking certain death in the eyes and knowing you have nowhere left to run. A horrible, piercing pain, like being stabbed, and the realization of failure.

And something more than that, too. A hand that is not yours touches the side of your chest to clutch at a small pouch that isn't there, with determined desperation and a deep sadness. The image of a young woman flashes through your mind, but this is not an imprint of whatever this unlucky person is facing down in this moment — this is who he's thinking of, who he's clutching at, as he dies. Big green eyes, hair the color of dandelions, and a warm trusting smile.

...and then, it's gone. The echo fades almost as quickly as it reached you, and your mind is still again, back to whatever baseline it was at before this imprint pressed in. ]

early pelu

[furibund]

[ Time in this place was a commodity. It did not seem all that long ago she had first run interference at this particular restaurant and... in reality, it hadn't been that long ago even if it felt like years had passed between now and then. ]

[ People had been accounted for (or not accounted for) and damage evaluated and worked on. Despite the constant stream of annoyances - communions - it had started to feel more like the new norm. Which is what brought her back to here in the first place, with a job undone. ]

[ The potion is tucked away for the moment as she cocks her head in the direction of a nearby alleyway. Hears the sound of a yelp and some pattering as she breathes out harshly: ]

Seriously. Do you ever give up? [ It's half grumbled rather than a call; She knows what - who - is lingering in shadows waiting for the perfect opportunity. It seemed their ideas were similar to hers, now that it was calm enough... that just solidified it, really. ]

Stay out of my way.

[ This is called out, the 'if you know what's good for you' lingering in the air. She knows she's speaking to some would-be assassins, but does anyone else...? Maybe she's just some Meri who's finally lost it! ]

im so sorry nebs

[escardos]

[ let’s imagine, for a second, that flat is smart enough to not follow a suspicious blue woman. that he knows what’s good for him, and that he knows when he’s treading dangerous waters. in such a case, he would surely save many people from head and stomachaches and perhaps even saved some people millions in damages.

unfortunately, such a scenario is impossible to imagine. and it’s because of this lack of imagination, that flat finds himself following after a certain woman on a mission, drawn to her like a moth to the flame.

he does his best to go unnoticed. step on the right places and keep his presence hidden magically, but no amount of flimsy preparation can beat his level of stupidity. ]

—!

[ stumbling over a rock, flat instinctively yelps and immediately covers his mouth with both hands as he hears the stranger’s voice.

… well, she said to stay out of her way, right? that’s what he’s already doing, so maybe… he can continue following her! surely it’ll flbe fine as long as he doesn’t get in her way! ]

[furibund]

[ What is she some kind of boogie man??? ]

[ In some parts of the universe, yes, but not this one. Thankfully - or unthankfully - her hearing is just as good as ever. Her attention turning sharply in the direction of the noise Flat makes. ]

[ She scowls. ]

And you.

[ Yes. Him. ] You're not sneaky. Get out here already.

[escardos]

Eh—!!

[ like a whack-a-mole, flat pops his head out from where he’s hidden himself, having seemingly thrown all caution into the wind and ether.

or perhaps he didn’t have it in the first place. ]

I mean, I was trying really hard to stay out of your way! Is that not what you just asked?

[furibund]

You've been following me.

[ Pointed. ]

That's not staying out of my way. What do you want?

[escardos]

It's staying behind you.

[ to-may-to, to-mah-to. big difference. ]

You see, I thought you looked incredibly cool from afar. Kind of like a secret spy. So I decided that, since I want to know more about this world, I would follow you! But then I kept sensing other people beside from you, so I didn't know when I could pop out. But then you discovered me, even though I was trying really hard to be sneaky. So I guess we can tag along now!

[furibund]

[ Nebula... Well, she quite frankly glares at him. Mouth pressed into a tight then line that's far from amused. In some backwards way, she's used to weirdos so that's not unusual even if she doesn't get him. ]

[ It does earn for a moment and then a quick snap: ]

There is no 'we'.

[ She swears if there's more than just him and that stupid sledge-hammer carrying animal around - ]

[escardos]

Okay, okay. So there's 'you', and then there's 'me'. I'll even stay a few meters from you.

[ he beams at her, like nothing's wrong. ]

You can call me Flat.

[furibund]

You'd better. We are not a group.

[ She says it warily, watching him for some sign of... Not an attack. Something. Like she's trying to see if he's a Zenith, maybe? Ain't no way she made him up he's too weird. ]

Nebula.


[ Is that a name? ] You can go away now, there's nothing for you to see here.

[escardos]

It's nice to meet you Nebula! And you know, I think that we could probably be in a group, if our bond level goes up enough. Wouldn't it be interesting? Except as we are now, we're probably more of a comedy duo than anything else.

[ he keeps walking alongside her, absolutely relaxed. his hands are by his side. there's no hidden surges of energy. oh, right, just one more thing-- ]

Oh, and I think we'd work out well no matter which side you're on. Is it Zenith...or Meridian...?

[furibund]

We are neither of those things.

[ Well, you definitely are at least one of those things, Nebula. She doesn't look at him, however, keeping her attention straight as the last distance of the statue comes in view. Given he does not seem to have any recognition of it, she bets he's newer than she is. ]

Meridian. And you're wrong. If you are a Zenith, I will not so much as help you lick your wounds.

[ ... Especially because he's not actually teen coded (sorry Flat). ]

[escardos]

Oh— [ right. the war and stuff. ] Well, it still works out, because I'm Meridian as well!

[ isn't nebula lucky. as the statue comes into sight, flat glances towards it for a few seconds, as if trying to analyze it, and then back to nebula. ]

Besides, you're definitely acting like the straight man right now. And if I'm the funny man, then we're definitely a comedy duo.