0 - THE FOOL

So, even though you have broken my heart yet again, I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.

And I cast a spell over the west to make you think of me, the same way I think of you / This is a love song in my own way, happily ever after below the waist!

I DON'T KNOW A SINGLE THING AND I'M SO LONELY

I bought one online a few months ago just to see if I could go into the shadow world again.

...I couldn't, but I would have fallen in easily if I had. Makes the ones you were selling at Junes look minuscule in comparison.

[ You squeeze back, almost immediately. This is like second nature to you now - a muscle memory, being dusted off, the neurons remembering how to fire. Knowing him is just like riding a bike. ]

Best we've got is phones that are way too big for no reason, and tv screens got even bigger.

|| nooticing

...Well, I just kind of look like a caveman . Either way, my point is, wherever we are, we're also in the future. Cool, right?

[ It's second nature to you, by now, reach out and grab it. It doesn't take long for your hand to lock with his. ]

Which is... ostensibly weird, right? You look the same as you did last time I saw you, and I...

[ You stare down into a puddle on the ground.
It's you, Yu. ]

WE'VE GIVEN EVERYTHING WE CAN.
THERE ARE NO HEROES LEFT IN MAN.

I mean, I haven't done anything with that yet, and I doubt I will, but... you know. I could.

[ You manage out a soft laugh, trying to distract yourself as you trek through the woods. ]

[ The cold autumn wind that whips through the trees makes you shiver, hunching over and pulling your old uniform up to cover your ears. ]

The only good thing I can think of about this situation is that, according to the date and my ID, I'm pushing 30, apparently.

[ You pull your hand away from your chin, sighing and shoving it in your pocket. ]

Yeah.... I get that. I wasn't taken seriously until I hit my growth spurt right before I got shipped off the Yaso-Inaba. Still, thank you though.... uhm, did you tell me your name?

There's what I can only assume to be a fallout shelter in the woods about 50-ish yards from the house that sometimes I'll wake up in front of even when I fell asleep in the house.

[ The words slip from your mouth as casually as the weather. ]

It's fine, though. I just like to avoid it, y'know?

For a little guy, you're pretty wise.

[ You rub your chin, and let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. ]

I'm going to have to make whole new friends to deal with this, aren't I? Whatever's… going on on here.

[ At least it's not the fog again — and nobody's been murdered… yet.

As far as you know, at least. ]

Well, thank you.

Just follow me. And watch your step, we've gotta about a thousand feet of woods to cut through before we reach it.

...Mainly, because there's something I don't want to pass by.

It's fine, partner. I promise. I've been sleeping on the couch since I got here, anyway.

[ Your shrug afterwards may seem otherwise, but it's true - the last time you remember sleeping in the small, cramped room you called yours, was the last time you were in Inaba. ]

Yeah, I guess it did sort of pay off in the end. Who would have thought.

[You crack a small smile, but still can't bear to look at him after your admission. ]

Uh... anyways, it's a bit of a walk to the house. You can stay there, and take my room. I'll take the couch.

[ Yu I'm watching your stream right now why you trying not to laugh. ]

Fffff- of course. Of course! I figured.

[ You sigh, bringing your fingers down to pinch the bridge of your nose. ]

Well... at least I'm here to... stop it. Whatever's going to happen.

I, uh.. kept it.

[ You say that last part looking down, shame burning in your head until your cheeks turn red. ]

Not as a creepy thing. Just incase you ever wanted them back for some reason.

|| freak server freak server freak server (your server)

I still have my swords, and armor. And a closet full of weapons you exchanged for better ones, in case you ever wanted to have them, or something.

[ You look away after saying that - you didn't realize it before it came out, but it feels like you just admitted you've kept cuts of his hair.]

You know how to reach me. Just send one of those butterfly... thingies.

Well... sorry for dragging you here, I guess. Not much to do other than sit around.

From what I understand, this isn't a world that needs saving, so... I'm just kind of stuck here.

[ You laugh, but it's dry. Not out of anger, but out of tiredness. ]

Well... if you, or he, rather, needs me..

I... try to keep my head down. People gawk, but, they aren't impolite.

As far as our powers... I don't know. I've tried pushing through my TV more than once, and neither time has it worked, so... at least we don't have to worry about that.

Maybe.

It's... okay.

[ You squint a little... yeah, those are definitely the signature Velvet Room eyes. Or maybe he's just a random, rouge shadow. ]

So.... going to assume you work for the Nose?

It restocks on food, and always has running water and electricity, so... could be worse.

Well... a lot of stuff has been getting weird around town. Internet was cut off last Wednesday, and the main cop has gone missing...

And, as you've probably noticed- We seem to be the only two humans here.

I haven't been able to find a job, but... somehow, Dojima's house came with me.

Back... home.

[ He blinks a few times, shocked to be hearing those words. Not that he's missed, but rather, he's been missing there, too. ]

Well... the long and short of it seems to be that, yes, we are infact stuck here. Wherever we are, Inaba appears to.... not exist anymore.