[CONTINUE + 4] INTRO

[foundationmods]

[After so long a trip, you're all finally here. Taken through a hidden passage inside of the very mountain itself, you find yourself standing in front of a field of flowers, growing well due to the open roof above it. If you look up, you can just make out the shimmering colors off of the barrier - looking almost like the shine off of a soap bubble.

Try not to trample on the flowers as you approach the open, purple gate. And remember to wear your masks, now that you're here!

...Still, the sight of the yellow flowers waving in the wind....such a cheery sight fills you with determination for what's to come.

Welcome to the Underground.

...Again. The loop happened again, and you're here. Everything is the same.

Someone who was dead is alive again.

The trial...it was...you remember only up until Gilgamesh was FOUGHT against, and then...nothing.

You feel you shouldn't try to remember anything beyond that.

Not only that, But more monster names have faded from your memory.

...When will this end?]

Comments

[le_mat]

... okay, sure.

[No promises if she starts on his sex life again though]

[ugly_split_ends]

Right, right! I know the routine. No sudden moves...

[It's clear now she's got something behind her back.]

I come bearing gifts. Stick out your hand.

[le_mat]

...

[He narrows his eyes but does offer his dominate hand, covered in his red glove]

Don't bother trying to stab my hand, it's mostly rock. I probably wouldn't even bleed.

[ugly_split_ends]

Kyehehehe. You think of everything, don't you! Got it. I'll pick a fleshier place to stab when the urge strikes.

[She eventually turns her hand out and... presents him with a longsword. An actual fucking sword. She places the handle in his hand.]

[le_mat]

...

[THAT SURE IS A FUCKING SWORD]

Are you the Lady in the Lake now? Serial Killers handing out random swords is not a sustainable form of government, you know.

[ugly_split_ends]

No way! I just found myself on the receiving end of a sword and then thought: "Hey, I know exactly who would know what to do with this!"

[le_mat]

I mean... a sword is kinda just a big knife, right?

Thanks, Shou.

1/2

[ugly_split_ends]

No problem! I mean, I'll be real. No way was I going to use it. Scissors are like, my whole thing.

Glad you like it, buddy!

[ugly_split_ends]

...Hey, one thing though.

Can I ask you something else?

[le_mat]

...yeah?

[ugly_split_ends]

...Did you and Fukawa have some sort of falling out?

[le_mat]

Ah. I'm surprised you know.

Yeah, I guess we did.

[ugly_split_ends]

Yeah... somehow I got the idea. Maybe it's your lackluster reaction that seems like more than the usual post-execution downturn.

Or maybe it's how just looking at you makes me feel like someone stabbed a shiv into my guts.

[le_mat]

[He winces]

She was fighting with Gio and I told her off. We fought and she said to leave her alone.

I... I can't really argue with someone outright telling me to fuck off. It's not the first time.

[ugly_split_ends]

...

[A long sigh.]

I've got no right getting involved in my other half's personal life. Much less making or accepting apologies or promises on her behalf.

...But, I do know how emotionally constipated she is.

[le_mat]

[He sighs too]

I get why she was upset. It's clear someone has... really hurt her in the past. I get that- that's why I want to help her.

...but I only have so much I can give if it's not wanted. If I'm just making her more upset...

[ugly_split_ends]

...It sounds like you've dealt with a fair amount of your own shit, too.

Was that your outlet? Crime? Getting beat up by the police?

[le_mat]

[He laughs bitterly]

Kinda? I tried to play at being good. Started wearing glasses, made myself small. Yes Sir, yes Ma'am, thank you for shoving more shit at me Sensei.

But once I actually got the chance to fight back... well, if everyone thought I was a 'bad' person already, why bother play-acting like I'm not? My friends knew who I really was, so fuck anyone else. They could just get the mask.

... I was lucky my friends were actually that: friends. They helped me. We helped each other. So I didn't get too far down that thinking. But...

[Clearly Fukawa never got that- not before it was too late]

1/2

[ugly_split_ends]

...Ahahaha!

2/2

[ugly_split_ends]

Ah, sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to laugh while you were pouring your guts out. I mean, maybe if you were literally pouring them out...

[she smacks her lips.]

But who would've thought! It sounds like you and I... we might've been staring into the same abyss, all along! I don't think I would've pegged you for that.

1/2

[le_mat]

You shouldn't laugh at a guy you just gave a sword.

[le_mat]

[He huffs and shrugs]

Like I said, I didn't end up going that way. Apparently there's a version of me that did. No serial killing but plenty of, well, megalomania and manipulation over everyone around him.

[ugly_split_ends]

Hold on, there. We talking about some real unreal alternate reality you visited, or just a fanfic-level "what if" that burns out after an interesting first chapter?

[le_mat]

Kinda both. There are lots of versions of me in the Foundation, and I've played the story that's 'based' on my world and that's one of the endings.

[ugly_split_ends]

Oof. That's a hell of a rabbit hole. Even I couldn't do that.

[pause...]

So, you're seeing some side of you that didn't make it to a better place when you look at Fukawa? Or did she make you feel like you should leave her there? Or... just impotence when you want to help that she's shied away?