[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

[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?

[le_mat]

Mostly the latter. Look, I like to play up the always understanding protagonist angle but... I'm just some guy. I see a girl crying and telling me it's my fault I'm gonna second guess if I'm doing the right thing.

And yeah, I got frustrated. I snapped at her.

[ugly_split_ends]

...Well, yeah. I guess that does follow. [A sigh...] ...Course, I never let anyone crying convince me I'm doing the wrong thing.

Hmmmmmm... but you had to know better anyway, right?

[le_mat]

...

[He looks away, a little shamed]

I dunno.

[ugly_split_ends]

... [A little smack of her lips.]

Would it help if I told you a little secret about Fukawa? ...It's my own secret, really, but I don't think she's even aware of it.

[le_mat]

[he looks back, curious]

You don't have to tell me.

[ugly_split_ends]

Pfffft. Oh, no! If you're gonna twist my arm until it breaks, I've got no choice but to cough it up! Ahahaha!

[le_mat]

Ha ha, either do or don't.

[He's already decided he's gonna... at least try to make up with Fukawa. But... he IS curious]

1/3

[ugly_split_ends]

Yeah.

[She leans on back...]

She and I don't share memories. Just some common knowledge. ...But there's something else we share.

[She locks on eye contact with him.]

Emotion. We share the same emotions. Otherwise, a lot of what we do would make no sense. And where would that leave us? Kyehehehe.

2/3

[ugly_split_ends]

So...

[Her tone changes, her facial expression changes, and she just looks so tired.]

What does it mean when I'm around you and all I can feel is... this hard, painful, regretful feeling? It's not something that I can solve by stabbing. I don't know what to do with it...

Which is odd. You know. I like you.

3/3

[ugly_split_ends]

After all, you make the cutest expressions when you're flustered and I can still remember you in a skirt!! Kyehahahahaha!!

[Then it flies away.]

Among other things! So, I guess what I'm saying is, help a serial killer out and smooth things over. Okaaaaay? Does knowing that help? Did it help? I hope it helped!

[le_mat]

...a painful feeling...

[He looks... sad, at that. But nods]

Okay. I'll try to talk to her. It's not fair that you have to deal with our issues when you weren't even 'there'.

[ugly_split_ends]

You're worried about being fair to the serial killer?

[That gets him another amused manic giggle.]