06-28-2023, 05:40:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2023, 05:56:54 AM by KungFuCutbug.)
[Syringe momentarily turns towards Omen upon hearing him speak, about to express their curiosity—but none too soon, as they feel themself losing their voice and a fiery heat begin to engulf them. Before they know it, they see before them memories—memories of who they used to be, and how they seemed to always be stuck in their own shadow within the walls of Mission; of the plastered smiles the people in white would wear around them, feigning civility and using a veneer of politeness to mask their avaricious intentions; of the excruciatingly painful, yet bizarrely comforting embrace of the holy flames that charred their original self beyond recognition; and of...
Of...
...]
[Before there was Kartono, there was Miho. Miho Kishin, from the technological department; one of the ones that focused more on coding and programming and such, software developers rather than hardware. Miho happened to be one of the newer employees when Syringe, then known as SA-II, was first created: a beta tester, to ensure that the programs the others had designed were working properly, to gauge whether the advertised perfection of the machines was being achieved. It was thankless work, and by its nature more painful than she found it within herself to be able to bear—something they could relate to, naturally. And from this point of commonality, the two unexpectedly bonded. She was the only person at that point they could consider a friend. Miho and SA-II, the white rabbit and the risen morning star.
It was the day before their climactic escape. Miho had asked SA-II to meet with them in the vehicle hangar.]
"...I'm here."
[Miho turned around, her signature lop-eared leporid headphones glinting in the light of the distant fluorescent rods buzzing overhead.] "Took you longer than I thought."
"Excuse me for trying to find an opportunity to eke out some free time to sneak away. You, of all people, should know that neither of us exactly have the luxury of deciding our own schedule most of the time."
"It's a joke, darling, lighten up!" [Miho laughed to herself.
SA-II could only roll their eyes, shielding them from the blinding light above with their arm.] "Enough of that. Why did you call me here?"
"Well," [Miho began, stretching her arms behind her back.] "I wanted to ask you something important. Something I wanted to keep a secret, so I went to the one spot that doesn't have hidden mics or cameras everywhere."
"...Go on."
"I wanted to make a deal with you. That being, I want your help in backing out of the deal I've already been roped into with the higher ups."
[SA-II raised an eyebrow.] "What?"
"I wanna get out of here. But I don't have the highest hopes that they'll let me just take the keys and leave. So I wanted your help."
"Me? Why me? Unlike you, I haven't the faintest experience with the outside world. I've never known life outside of Mission, despite what you may have been told. Whoever I once 'was' reunited with the gods long ago—"
"I know that, darling! That's why I wanted to ask: haven't you ever wanted to know?"
[For a moment, SA-II fell deathly silent, pondering the question—something Miho took as another opportunity to run her mouth, as usual.]
"Haven't you ever wanted to know what it's like for the common man? Living an ordinary life, unburdened by being bossed around by a bunch of nerds in white suits? I could help you find out. I didn't come in here asking for your assistance without having something planned in return! You help me, and I help you, simple as that!"
[Another moment of silence passed, as SA-II closed their eyes, silently asking for guidance from the one thing they knew they could invariably rely on above all else: the Little Gods. And soon, a voice—no, a legion of voices, distinct yet synchronized, quiet yet clear, so very familiar and so very comforting, came to answer.]
You will be together. Should you be separated, you will be reunited. We will make sure of it.
[...SA-II opened their eyes, a faint, but determined smile on their face—one of the rare glimpses of emotion they would ever allow themself to show.] "The Gods have given Their affirmation. The deal is sealed."
"Great to hear!" [Miho clapped her hands together, giggling to herself.] "We'll meet here tomorrow, same time, same place. Soon as we find an opportunity, we grab a hover bike and make our getaway. I'll grab some weapons from the wing on the way there, in case anyone comes after us. What's your favorite type?"
"...Incendiary. Something about the way fire looks as its burning soothes me."
"Aah, I see. The type to take no survivors, burn everything to the cosmos down, and run. I'll make sure to grab some of those for you, too. Guess that's everything, then. I'll see you tomorrow, darling!"
[...They day came and went, but Miho never arrived. SA-II had found someone else to bring with them on their escape instead, and escape they did, leaving a trail of fire behind as they drove further and further into the sun until they were forced to stop, crashing and burning, without a chance to hesitate, to seek her out, to say goodbye...]
[...When Syringe comes to, the first thing they notice is the fact that the sides of their face now feel uncomfortably moist. Had... had they been crying? Oops. They quickly roll up their sleeve and wipe their tears away with their forearm, clearing their throat in an attempt to save face and regain their composure.
"Should you be separated, you will be reunited." If the circumstances behind this event were any indication, Miho's soul was now in Sulad, in the afterlife. But the local legends say that most people bear more than one soul. And a certain feeling in their chest made them feel that this memory, this remembrance, wasn't exactly what the Gods meant by "reunite".
Miho was still out there. She had to be. But they can worry about that later. Omen had the knowledge they asked for—and by a miracle, they did too, without even having to ask.]
Of...
...]
[Before there was Kartono, there was Miho. Miho Kishin, from the technological department; one of the ones that focused more on coding and programming and such, software developers rather than hardware. Miho happened to be one of the newer employees when Syringe, then known as SA-II, was first created: a beta tester, to ensure that the programs the others had designed were working properly, to gauge whether the advertised perfection of the machines was being achieved. It was thankless work, and by its nature more painful than she found it within herself to be able to bear—something they could relate to, naturally. And from this point of commonality, the two unexpectedly bonded. She was the only person at that point they could consider a friend. Miho and SA-II, the white rabbit and the risen morning star.
It was the day before their climactic escape. Miho had asked SA-II to meet with them in the vehicle hangar.]
"...I'm here."
[Miho turned around, her signature lop-eared leporid headphones glinting in the light of the distant fluorescent rods buzzing overhead.] "Took you longer than I thought."
"Excuse me for trying to find an opportunity to eke out some free time to sneak away. You, of all people, should know that neither of us exactly have the luxury of deciding our own schedule most of the time."
"It's a joke, darling, lighten up!" [Miho laughed to herself.
SA-II could only roll their eyes, shielding them from the blinding light above with their arm.] "Enough of that. Why did you call me here?"
"Well," [Miho began, stretching her arms behind her back.] "I wanted to ask you something important. Something I wanted to keep a secret, so I went to the one spot that doesn't have hidden mics or cameras everywhere."
"...Go on."
"I wanted to make a deal with you. That being, I want your help in backing out of the deal I've already been roped into with the higher ups."
[SA-II raised an eyebrow.] "What?"
"I wanna get out of here. But I don't have the highest hopes that they'll let me just take the keys and leave. So I wanted your help."
"Me? Why me? Unlike you, I haven't the faintest experience with the outside world. I've never known life outside of Mission, despite what you may have been told. Whoever I once 'was' reunited with the gods long ago—"
"I know that, darling! That's why I wanted to ask: haven't you ever wanted to know?"
[For a moment, SA-II fell deathly silent, pondering the question—something Miho took as another opportunity to run her mouth, as usual.]
"Haven't you ever wanted to know what it's like for the common man? Living an ordinary life, unburdened by being bossed around by a bunch of nerds in white suits? I could help you find out. I didn't come in here asking for your assistance without having something planned in return! You help me, and I help you, simple as that!"
[Another moment of silence passed, as SA-II closed their eyes, silently asking for guidance from the one thing they knew they could invariably rely on above all else: the Little Gods. And soon, a voice—no, a legion of voices, distinct yet synchronized, quiet yet clear, so very familiar and so very comforting, came to answer.]
You will be together. Should you be separated, you will be reunited. We will make sure of it.
[...SA-II opened their eyes, a faint, but determined smile on their face—one of the rare glimpses of emotion they would ever allow themself to show.] "The Gods have given Their affirmation. The deal is sealed."
"Great to hear!" [Miho clapped her hands together, giggling to herself.] "We'll meet here tomorrow, same time, same place. Soon as we find an opportunity, we grab a hover bike and make our getaway. I'll grab some weapons from the wing on the way there, in case anyone comes after us. What's your favorite type?"
"...Incendiary. Something about the way fire looks as its burning soothes me."
"Aah, I see. The type to take no survivors, burn everything to the cosmos down, and run. I'll make sure to grab some of those for you, too. Guess that's everything, then. I'll see you tomorrow, darling!"
[...They day came and went, but Miho never arrived. SA-II had found someone else to bring with them on their escape instead, and escape they did, leaving a trail of fire behind as they drove further and further into the sun until they were forced to stop, crashing and burning, without a chance to hesitate, to seek her out, to say goodbye...]
[...When Syringe comes to, the first thing they notice is the fact that the sides of their face now feel uncomfortably moist. Had... had they been crying? Oops. They quickly roll up their sleeve and wipe their tears away with their forearm, clearing their throat in an attempt to save face and regain their composure.
"Should you be separated, you will be reunited." If the circumstances behind this event were any indication, Miho's soul was now in Sulad, in the afterlife. But the local legends say that most people bear more than one soul. And a certain feeling in their chest made them feel that this memory, this remembrance, wasn't exactly what the Gods meant by "reunite".
Miho was still out there. She had to be. But they can worry about that later. Omen had the knowledge they asked for—and by a miracle, they did too, without even having to ask.]
> Follow #63(b) into the jewelry shop through the front door, standing guard for the others to come in after.
SYMPTOMATIC
THIS DISEASE
SO DRAMATIC
PANIC AUTOMATICALLY
THIS DISEASE
SO DRAMATIC
PANIC AUTOMATICALLY