*** BlackHat has joined 333.07.333.06 <BlackHat> ^J help <BlackHat> help <BlackHat> J <BlackHat> Official business with Black Hat only. Don't waste my time.
[When Flug comes to, his consciousness is BRIMMING with panicked excuses. Not there enough for actual thoughts or words for communication but the dulled responses of a second person joining the previously dormant body, emerging to jointly invade the vessel all the same.
Flug's vision centers, funny, he never closed his eyes when passing through the portal, and the slight dryness in them makes it feel as they were already open now as well, nevertheless he takes in his surroundings with more clarity and sees... a meal; tastes it too. Right. Right, back in Ryslig.. this is real isn't it? No.. if it was...Why.. why can't he move..? No! Actually he's moving but Flug is NOT the one dictating it?! WHAT IS THIS? Some form of sleep paralysis?!
Without motor skill or enough comprehension to fend off the body snatcher, the arachne's body buzzes alive with physical cues. Black Hat will feel a sudden boost in adrenaline; a rapid increase of heartbeat accompanied by heavier shorter breathes and possibly the light wheeze of actual vocal chords likely intending the echo of a scream.
Of course a skilled demon could easily override these latent impulses if they so choose...]
[A skilled demon Black Hat is indeed, and the second something shifts in the body he's currently occupying he instinctively clamps down on his control, forcing the physiological responses back under his will. At least, that's what he would do - but the echo of a scream comes with a very audible (in a sense) mental one.
He's halfway through downing a piece of muscle when it happens, and the sudden presence of another being crying out in the body he's controlling alarms him into accidentally inhaling - and then a dark shadowy cloud erupts from Flug's back as Black Hat relinquishes his hold, coalescing behind the arachne with his wings flared and claws raised, fully prepared to attack whatever invaded his puppet.]
[Choking..! HeisCHOKING!! A lurch forward and several hefty coughs later and the arachne manages to dislodge the meat, but not without pathetically falling onto his back and just deciding to lie there and catch his breathe after.
He clasps his hands over his face-- both to soothe the instinctive need to hide it and another to block out the sheer EVERYTHING bombarding his thoughts-- prone in position, but so very very alive.
Too much. Let him just. It's too much. What was Black Hat even doing?! He can't think. Is this what multiple realities converging feels like?]
"I-I thought you were going to kill me." [He wheezes, hysterical with shock and relief. Stupid of him, right? Unprompted anyway. He still believes it...How did he even get to this table? One question at a time. Absolutely nothing right now is making sense.]
[Black Hat holds his pose, ready to strike hard at the intruder up until the body continues choking. He stares, slightly relaxing as the meat is dislodged, and Flug falls backwards in a pathetic display that removes any lingering doubt in Black Hat's mind that his scientist has finally, finally returned to him properly.
The flames die in his hands as he folds them behind his back and steps forward to loom over Flug, putting on airs of a man who definitely did not devour his partner's soul in the midst of intimacy.]
I was. But I didn't, and here you are.
[It's... it's sort of true, really. He was going to kill Flug in Fairwell, that desire had been very real!]
Let me guess: trapped in a quaint little town, told you had seven days to make a kill and free yourself, your memories of the last year lost?
"THREE for ME!" [Flug complains shrilly, with an angry flop of his hands. Seriously, what gives?! Why did everyone else get an unrigged chance at survival?! At least it's something he can direct his attention on. The arachne sits up with a worried scowl.]
"So it was real." [At least that meant his night terrors hadn't transcended into being any worse than usual after all. So when he murdered that lackey... Hm.]
"I completed the objective fine enough. Expected a little more, to be honest. There hadn't been a moment to waste after that. A-all I could think about was you ringing my neck or being so late."
[But he hadn't. And he won't. Not here. Still, it's hard to believe Flug didn't run into his master in the midst of all that. Had he really missed Lord Black Hat being there? Something doesn't add up…]
[Only three? Well, the fog is present now - that must mean Flug revived and immediately got sent to Fairwell. But if Flug isn't going to make that connection, well, Black Hat is very happy to not bring it up himself.]
I did spend quite a bit of time thinking the same. But I didn't need the full seven days, what do you expect of me? [He sounds a bit indignant at that.] I was out before the deadline arrived, and found you in a sorry state.
[Black Hat crosses his arms.] You should be grateful. I've been keeping your miserable meat sack fed and tended to while you toddled about in that little fantasy land.
[Normally that would be enough for the scientist to backpedal with small apologies, were it not for the bombshell of:]
"You FED me?"
[The arachne throws an utterly aghast look at the remaining portion of the meal Black Hat had APPARENTLY, charitably been supplying him with. Flug would hardly believe it, had he not woken up while the man was doing just that!]
"Black Hat.. you know I can go a few days without eating, right? I used to all the time." [He always had his suspicions that his employer had no concept of what basic needs a human being had, but..!]
"One or two days asleep without food wouldn't have killed me."
[He needs to be sure you know this. Has Black Hat done this before? For how long?! Then again.. it is hard for Flug to say when he last ate. Why doesn't he remember what he had after drinking tea?…]
[It's on the tip of his tongue, to snap back that of course he fed Flug, had to keep him from starving! He almost spills that it's been quite a bit longer than a mere two days, but catches himself, turning instead to the lifeline Flug has unintentionally given him (or so he sees it.)]
And if it had been longer? I returned to you slumped against the door; would you rather I left your body to slowly waste away with no knowledge of when you might come back to take care of matters yourself?!
[Have a little more faith in Black Hat, Flug. He knows humans can go some time without food - that's why he's been doing this for more than two days. In fact, he's been doing it near on a week now, barring the interval in Fairwell. And that alone means Flug had gone without a meal for more than two days - Black Hat hadn't been around for almost four!]
But if you insist, next time I won't be so generous!
"No, nonono! I-I'm grateful, really! I'm just surprised. I wouldn't think you would have bothered--"
[Buuut he is only going to annoy Black Hat further by keeping on this level of conversation.]
"A-anyway y-you're right! I'd be much more exhausted if you hadn't."
[He did still feel exhausted of course, extremely so. It's obvious in the sluggishness of Flug's movements, despite the animated manner of his speech. Properly cared for or not, no one bounced back from death 100% right out the gate, even a death said victim is unaware of. He attempts to rise, grasping quickly for the table to support himself.]
"Heh. I don't even remember the last time I ate. We.. came back from the tea gathering. You wanted me to work on the oil and then we..."
[For a brief moment a look dashes across Black Hat's face. Alarm? Mortification? Something... parallel to the guilt he can never feel? But then it's gone, because he's still clinging to the desperate chance that Flug doesn't remember. Still, he wants to steer the conversation away from the direction it's going, and cuts in briskly.]
Yes, the oil. You should refine it some more. Learn more about its properties.
"Suppose I should check up on it." [Flug manages to get to his feet, only to stumble a few times down the hall, each limb taking turns locking up to impair his mobility. It's a rather noisy traipse; miraculously the doctor avoids knocking into anything.]
"At least it's only been three days." [A flick of the switch.] "Any more and it might be harder to work wi--"
[And yet here the oil is. Congealed in a state that would have taken far more than three days to reach. Not impossible to salvage, sure, but the sight stirs the discomfort that has been steadily building in Flug's gut. The sense of something being off he hasn't been able to shake.]
"..We were on the bed." [His memory still feels fuzzy. Why does it feel so fuzzy?]
"We were on the bed and I pulled you in close. And then you… you.....oh my god." [He slowly turns to look back to where the suspicious demon is standing.]
Behold, the greatest evil to ever exist, standing stock still and wrestling with what may be one of the most embarrassing missteps of his life. His face is twisting again, and this time he's not able to get the expression back to stoic before Flug is facing him and well, he's going to have to face this head on, isn't he.
"You DID!!!" [Yeah, if anything that excuse only convinces the scientist faster. Flug balks in horror at Black Hat's fakest face yet.]
"You actually ate me!"
[Ohhhh of all his years of faithful service! All the dangers he evaded, tantrums he appeased and THIS is what did him in?! Flug yells in his hands, wandering aimlessly before whipping back around.]
Not intentionally! [No use trying to hide it anymore: Flug has it figured out.] I wasn't rooting around in your guts, slurping your intestines like pasta! You weren't even properly dead!
[That must count for something, correct? He grumbles and pinches the space between his eyes.]
...over a week. It's been over a week. But! Look at yourself, Flug, you're perfectly intact! I have taken the utmost care of you, and this is how you're treating me in turn?
[That has to matter. That has to. In fact, it should count for a great deal, coming from Black Hat! Enough to erase this mistake on his part, this little failure to control himself!]
"Oh GOOD, so I should be glad you left me only MOSTLY DEAD!" [Flug snaps back.] "What if this had happened back at the manor?! Sir, I don't have endless regenerations there. I warned you not to be so careless!"
[And he should have warned himself not to be so careless either. What had Flug been thinking, letting his guard down? Isn't staying alive despite the dangers of BHO part of his job?!
It has been over a week… just like Flug had endured waiting for Black Hat to revive. But Black Hat didn't give into despair waiting for a revival likely never to come. Instead he… actually took care of him. The spider takes a subtle glance at himself. No mystery scars or incision marks that he can see, no bite wounds.
Black Hat could have done anything to him and he would have been absolutely powerless to stop him. The man obviously expected he would incur Flug's wrath regardless, so why didn't he take it a step further and just profit off the loss as well? Not selling your partner's body while they are comatose shouldn't be particularly noteworthy in a relationship but damn it all for Black Hat it was.
It shouldn't count... but it does..]
"So you just.. propped me up in a chair and kept me there all week?"
Careless? Careless?! I'm not the one who went about pushing people over onto beds, clambering around and stripping them, then leaving me with only a disappointing wank because you-!
[He sputters off, agitated. Flug started it! Flug pushed it! Flug tapped into that vein of Black Hat he didn't know about, and Black Hat is the careless one? Flug should be glad he didn't die fully! He should be, not arguing back about this!]
This wouldn't have happened at the manor! [For multiple reasons, really. The most glaring and unspoken one, of course, being that without the events of the last year, none of whatever this is would have occurred. Black Hat would have been in control, would not have died, would not need to feed on souls, only partaking when he wished. And if the worst had come to pass... well, it wouldn't be the first time he shoved a stolen soul into a vessel.
Black Hat is still on the defensive. He glowers, interpreting the question through his own lens. Coming off the scolding, he can't help but take it as a critique of his handling of the aftermath.]
Why, would you rather I'd shoved you under the bed?!
[He snarls in frustration - why is Flug being so difficult - and paces back and forth in place.]
"NO I would NOT have had you shove me under the bed!!" [Well there's that olive branch thoroughly burnt to a crisp. He just wanted to know if there were any other details he might have missed but OKAY if Black Hat wants to get into it! Flug braces against the table to approach the demon, staggering to his several wobbly feet.]
"How do you know that? It shouldn't have happened here!"
[And therein lies the first real sliver of fear in all of this confusion. What if this is what will always go down? One memory wipe was all it took. Is Flug always doomed to fail at this? Will the company forever fall into ruin because Flug won't be able to prevent Black Hat from killing his most brilliant scientist?! okay maybe that's the ego talking.]
"For your information, I AM surprised I'm intact. I AM grateful you watched over me. But you're also you. D-don't think I didn't notice you trying to c-cover your tracks! You can't blame me for asking for specifics, whe--O-ohhhsuddenlylightheaded."
[Of course he wants to get into it! Fighting is so much easier than confronting the reality that Black Hat's own lack of control was responsible for this whole affair.]
I never killed your sorry arse back then, did I?!
[So much opportunity to as well, and yet he never did.
An additional snap back is on the tip of his tongue, ready to demand to know what Flug wants from him when the scientist suddenly sways and begins toppling over. Nearly a week's worth of interventions when Flug's body began listing to one side kicks in, and Black Hat surges forward to make sure the idiot doesn't split his head open on the ground and undo everything again. He's not waiting who knows how long again for another resurrection!
When Flug hits something, it's Black Hat's chest, his hands whipping up to clamp down on the man's shoulders and hold him steady.]
[And suddenly there is warmth. The soulless husk of a person might not be able to perceive things with any cognitive input in their vegetative state, but the body still logged down detail, muscles had their own memory, and Flug can't help but be struck by how familiar this current action feels. Black Hat moved so automatically, caught him so swiftly. His claws aren't even digging in too harshly. It feels natural. Safe.
Flug reaches his arms up to squeeze Black Hat for support. Selfishly taking his time. In many ways it's like their moment at the altar but Flug isn't about to fall through him. Black Hat isn't going anywhere, not this time. Not if Flug has anything to say about it.
The longer they remain like this the more distant the bad taste of Fairwell and the doctor's ire become. Flug finally fixes Black Hat a look, contemplating.
You can't expect apologies from an entity manifested from cruelty itself. You can't rightfully thank them either. What you can do is offer a compromise.]
[For a moment Black Hat is still, the irritation he's been harboring shifting its focus to the still arachne planted against him. Has Flug somehow lost his soul again? It would be just like him, wouldn't it, unable to keep his grip on the bloody thing-
Then Flug's arms reach up and squeeze him in turn.
He doesn't particularly like this sort of contact, closeness for simple closeness's sake, and he tenses up, bristling. It's not just that alone, though. Flug isn't the only one who is drawing parallels between this and the moment between them prior to... to that tree's taking of him. It's far from a pleasant recollection, but Black Hat doesn't shove Flug away. There's a sense of something, something he can't quite put a name to, a feeling that a small void in what he is, one he hadn't quite noticed, has been refilled again. A bit of himself, returned properly.
And he's somewhat certain Flug is doing this on purpose, and would intentionally drop like a log if he let go. The last thing he needs is for Flug's skull to split open on the floor.]
...in a sense.
[He concedes. After all, were they not responsible for one another's demises? Somehow, that thought is comforting. There's no imbalance leaning in Flug's favor now - the scales are properly stacked once more. More even than he's used to, but that doesn't bother Black Hat quite as much as it should.
His tolerance has limits, though, and Black Hat begins pushing Flug's shoulders, giving the man a hint that he would very much like to not be a resting board much longer.]
[Oh no boss, he's earned this hug and you're paying it back with interest! You can tolerate it a little longer. Flug doesn't budge, more than aware of Black Hat's discomfort. Words aren't doing the job of conveying what he needs them to right now. This is one way to show his gratitude; it just happens to be doubly enjoyable when Flug spitefully considers it isn't one the man favors.
Despite the simmering traces of aggravation, Flug can't help but note Black Hat isn't sulking anymore. Guess that was one way to breathe life back into the abomination. With his own. Not the worst deal Flug has ever made.]
"I still want answers." [He gave you a recap when you came back from death.] "I'll just end up with questions later." [You really expect he won't? It's better if he hears there's something or nothing else now.]
"But I'm not.. mad." [So calm down, all right? He breaks the hold, instead clinging with one hand still wrapped around, while other attempts to fix Black Hat's tie.] "This week must have been strange for you." [He finds himself regretting that this is taking place here instead of back in the living area where he might see any further evidence of that. How long had it been since Black Hat stayed in a place truly by his lonesome?]
[It likely speaks worlds that Black Hat doesn't force the issue beyond a second, more insistent nudge. It's probably the closest he's capable of to getting to an apology; granting Flug this moment. He won't hide his distaste for it, though.]
What else is there? You sat about like a marionette with its strings cut for days, only moving when I took the time to make you. [He grimaces. There was one thing - well, hiding it won't get him anywhere, will it?] I'm sure you'll be pleased to know your absence was noted by one other person. Something about Jiro wanting wheels for her feet.
[Just when he feels like his tolerance for this... this hug is about to snap, Flug breaks it. Not entirely, of course, but the straightening of his tie is a peace offering he can accept. Flug mussed it in the first place, by falling forward.]
Of course you aren't. [He scoffs, forcing it just a bit too much.] I took very good care of your body. [Gratitude for Flug's understanding? What is that? But no, there is a relief to knowing that he's not royally screwed the pooch between them and driven off his most loyal companion. Dismissiveness is merely how he expresses it.
There's a noticeable pause before he speaks again. A strange week? What an apt description.
Black Hat is no stranger to solitude. Even at the manor, prior to all this, he often kept himself apart from the minions living in his domicile. That they were allowed to live with him at all was a matter of convenience - keep the inner circle closest, and you can keep a tighter hold over them. But here... he can't claim to have missed Flug, not in a way that would be understood by him. He knew Flug would come back - he had to, that was how things worked in this place - but the arachne's absence and the knowledge of why he was absent had felt off. Something was misplaced, and he couldn't find it. He could only keep its container in decent shape.]
Aside from that, it was... [He trails off again, looking for the right words.] ...unusual. I don't like to be kept waiting, Flug, you know that. But the fog clearly had other ideas, didn't it.
[When he's satisfied that Flug has corrected the tie, Black Hat draws back a step, still keeping a hand on Flug's shoulder just in case.]
Besides, it's not like the whole thing was a waste.
"Ah she did, did she?" [Flug breathes out a weary laugh. It's a nuisance sure but he can't deny it's somewhat flattering too. To think he lives a life now where someone outside the manor might actually notice or care if he was ever gone. Sure he liked to fantasize the world might without his brilliance but an actual real example for it doesn't go amiss. That's his Jir-ita. "I-I'll have to message her." [Okay, not the worst fire to put out.
It's a smart move on Black Hat's part to keep his arm on that shoulder, as the doctor does appear to be taken by surprise when he sways a moment later. Not going anywhere for the moment then, that's fine.]
Yes, do that. I don't need her storming back here again now that the fog's rolled in and she still hasn't heard from you. Rehashing the details of your demise to her won't be quite as amusing the second time around.
[She had asked, and he had delivered. At least he was able to make Jiro regret her inquisitiveness to a certain degree. Isn't it nice to return to life and learn your partner has told your teenaged kind-of robo-daughter about some of your bedroom activities?]
And on that note - I don't expect it from you right away, you're clearly not up to snuff at the moment [Black Hat briefly loosens his grip, just enough to let Flug sway alarmingly before clamping down again] - but whatever it was that possessed you to order me around like that? Dig it up again.
"Oh Black Hat you didn't!" [Sure she at least KNEW of their relationship but come ON! It's miracle enough he managed to keep 505 as uncorrupted as he is! Now he NEEDS to contact her immediately. Flug's eyes dart around to the rest of the room, while purposefully lifting his bosses grip off his person to grouse in displeasure.]
"Oh I'll dig it up again, all right. Now where did I..? Should have something to use as a walking stick..."
[YUP. Thank you, boss. NOW things feel back to normal. Ugh. Where did he leave his laptop.]
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evilopportunityemployer) wrote2019-04-25 07:38 pm
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Flug's vision centers, funny, he never closed his eyes when passing through the portal, and the slight dryness in them makes it feel as they were already open now as well, nevertheless he takes in his surroundings with more clarity and sees... a meal; tastes it too.
Right. Right, back in Ryslig.. this is real isn't it? No.. if it was...Why.. why can't he move..?
No! Actually he's moving but Flug is NOT the one dictating it?! WHAT IS THIS? Some form of sleep paralysis?!
Without motor skill or enough comprehension to fend off the body snatcher, the arachne's body buzzes alive with physical cues. Black Hat will feel a sudden boost in adrenaline; a rapid increase of heartbeat accompanied by heavier shorter breathes and possibly the light wheeze of actual vocal chords likely intending the echo of a scream.
Of course a skilled demon could easily override these latent impulses if they so choose...]
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He's halfway through downing a piece of muscle when it happens, and the sudden presence of another being crying out in the body he's controlling alarms him into accidentally inhaling - and then a dark shadowy cloud erupts from Flug's back as Black Hat relinquishes his hold, coalescing behind the arachne with his wings flared and claws raised, fully prepared to attack whatever invaded his puppet.]
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A lurch forward and several hefty coughs later and the arachne manages to dislodge the meat, but not without pathetically falling onto his back and just deciding to lie there and catch his breathe after.
He clasps his hands over his face-- both to soothe the instinctive need to hide it and another to block out the sheer EVERYTHING bombarding his thoughts-- prone in position, but so very very alive.
Too much. Let him just. It's too much. What was Black Hat even doing?! He can't think. Is this what multiple realities converging feels like?]
"I-I thought you were going to kill me." [He wheezes, hysterical with shock and relief. Stupid of him, right? Unprompted anyway. He still believes it...How did he even get to this table? One question at a time. Absolutely nothing right now is making sense.]
"I h-had the weirdest dream."
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The flames die in his hands as he folds them behind his back and steps forward to loom over Flug, putting on airs of a man who definitely did not devour his partner's soul in the midst of intimacy.]
I was. But I didn't, and here you are.
[It's... it's sort of true, really. He was going to kill Flug in Fairwell, that desire had been very real!]
Let me guess: trapped in a quaint little town, told you had seven days to make a kill and free yourself, your memories of the last year lost?
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"So it was real." [At least that meant his night terrors hadn't transcended into being any worse than usual after all. So when he murdered that lackey... Hm.]
"I completed the objective fine enough. Expected a little more, to be honest. There hadn't been a moment to waste after that. A-all I could think about was you ringing my neck or being so late."
[But he hadn't. And he won't. Not here. Still, it's hard to believe Flug didn't run into his master in the midst of all that. Had he really missed Lord Black Hat being there? Something doesn't add up…]
"You said you had the full seven days?"
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[Only three? Well, the fog is present now - that must mean Flug revived and immediately got sent to Fairwell. But if Flug isn't going to make that connection, well, Black Hat is very happy to not bring it up himself.]
I did spend quite a bit of time thinking the same. But I didn't need the full seven days, what do you expect of me? [He sounds a bit indignant at that.] I was out before the deadline arrived, and found you in a sorry state.
[Black Hat crosses his arms.] You should be grateful. I've been keeping your miserable meat sack fed and tended to while you toddled about in that little fantasy land.
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"You FED me?"
[The arachne throws an utterly aghast look at the remaining portion of the meal Black Hat had APPARENTLY, charitably been supplying him with. Flug would hardly believe it, had he not woken up while the man was doing just that!]
"Black Hat.. you know I can go a few days without eating, right? I used to all the time." [He always had his suspicions that his employer had no concept of what basic needs a human being had, but..!]
"One or two days asleep without food wouldn't have killed me."
[He needs to be sure you know this. Has Black Hat done this before? For how long?!
Then again.. it is hard for Flug to say when he last ate. Why doesn't he remember what he had after drinking tea?…]
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And if it had been longer? I returned to you slumped against the door; would you rather I left your body to slowly waste away with no knowledge of when you might come back to take care of matters yourself?!
[Have a little more faith in Black Hat, Flug. He knows humans can go some time without food - that's why he's been doing this for more than two days. In fact, he's been doing it near on a week now, barring the interval in Fairwell. And that alone means Flug had gone without a meal for more than two days - Black Hat hadn't been around for almost four!]
But if you insist, next time I won't be so generous!
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[Buuut he is only going to annoy Black Hat further by keeping on this level of conversation.]
"A-anyway y-you're right! I'd be much more exhausted if you hadn't."
[He did still feel exhausted of course, extremely so. It's obvious in the sluggishness of Flug's movements, despite the animated manner of his speech. Properly cared for or not, no one bounced back from death 100% right out the gate, even a death said victim is unaware of. He attempts to rise, grasping quickly for the table to support himself.]
"Heh. I don't even remember the last time I ate. We.. came back from the tea gathering. You wanted me to work on the oil and then we..."
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Yes, the oil. You should refine it some more. Learn more about its properties.
[You should go do that right now and get to work!
Maybe that's a bit too quick a response.]
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"At least it's only been three days." [A flick of the switch.] "Any more and it might be harder to work wi--"
[And yet here the oil is. Congealed in a state that would have taken far more than three days to reach. Not impossible to salvage, sure, but the sight stirs the discomfort that has been steadily building in Flug's gut. The sense of something being off he hasn't been able to shake.]
"..We were on the bed." [His memory still feels fuzzy. Why does it feel so fuzzy?]
"We were on the bed and I pulled you in close. And then you… you.....oh my god." [He slowly turns to look back to where the suspicious demon is standing.]
"Oh my God you ate me..?"
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Behold, the greatest evil to ever exist, standing stock still and wrestling with what may be one of the most embarrassing missteps of his life. His face is twisting again, and this time he's not able to get the expression back to stoic before Flug is facing him and well, he's going to have to face this head on, isn't he.
...Not without one last weaseling attempt.]
Ate you? Why would I eat you?
[Even he can tell it's a horrible deflection.]
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"You actually ate me!"
[Ohhhh of all his years of faithful service! All the dangers he evaded, tantrums he appeased and THIS is what did him in?! Flug yells in his hands, wandering aimlessly before whipping back around.]
"How long has it really been?"
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[That must count for something, correct? He grumbles and pinches the space between his eyes.]
...over a week. It's been over a week. But! Look at yourself, Flug, you're perfectly intact! I have taken the utmost care of you, and this is how you're treating me in turn?
[That has to matter. That has to. In fact, it should count for a great deal, coming from Black Hat! Enough to erase this mistake on his part, this little failure to control himself!]
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[And he should have warned himself not to be so careless either. What had Flug been thinking, letting his guard down? Isn't staying alive despite the dangers of BHO part of his job?!
It has been over a week… just like Flug had endured waiting for Black Hat to revive. But Black Hat didn't give into despair waiting for a revival likely never to come. Instead he… actually took care of him. The spider takes a subtle glance at himself. No mystery scars or incision marks that he can see, no bite wounds.
Black Hat could have done anything to him and he would have been absolutely powerless to stop him. The man obviously expected he would incur Flug's wrath regardless, so why didn't he take it a step further and just profit off the loss as well? Not selling your partner's body while they are comatose shouldn't be particularly noteworthy in a relationship but damn it all for Black Hat it was.
It shouldn't count... but it does..]
"So you just.. propped me up in a chair and kept me there all week?"
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[He sputters off, agitated. Flug started it! Flug pushed it! Flug tapped into that vein of Black Hat he didn't know about, and Black Hat is the careless one? Flug should be glad he didn't die fully! He should be, not arguing back about this!]
This wouldn't have happened at the manor! [For multiple reasons, really. The most glaring and unspoken one, of course, being that without the events of the last year, none of whatever this is would have occurred. Black Hat would have been in control, would not have died, would not need to feed on souls, only partaking when he wished. And if the worst had come to pass... well, it wouldn't be the first time he shoved a stolen soul into a vessel.
Black Hat is still on the defensive. He glowers, interpreting the question through his own lens. Coming off the scolding, he can't help but take it as a critique of his handling of the aftermath.]
Why, would you rather I'd shoved you under the bed?!
[He snarls in frustration - why is Flug being so difficult - and paces back and forth in place.]
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"How do you know that? It shouldn't have happened here!"
[And therein lies the first real sliver of fear in all of this confusion. What if this is what will always go down? One memory wipe was all it took. Is Flug always doomed to fail at this? Will the company forever fall into ruin because Flug won't be able to prevent Black Hat from killing his most brilliant scientist?!
okay maybe that's the ego talking.]"For your information, I AM surprised I'm intact. I AM grateful you watched over me. But you're also you. D-don't think I didn't notice you trying to c-cover your tracks! You can't blame me for asking for specifics, whe--O-ohhhsuddenlylightheaded."
[Scientist going down in three, two..!]
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I never killed your sorry arse back then, did I?!
[So much opportunity to as well, and yet he never did.
An additional snap back is on the tip of his tongue, ready to demand to know what Flug wants from him when the scientist suddenly sways and begins toppling over. Nearly a week's worth of interventions when Flug's body began listing to one side kicks in, and Black Hat surges forward to make sure the idiot doesn't split his head open on the ground and undo everything again. He's not waiting who knows how long again for another resurrection!
When Flug hits something, it's Black Hat's chest, his hands whipping up to clamp down on the man's shoulders and hold him steady.]
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Flug reaches his arms up to squeeze Black Hat for support. Selfishly taking his time.
In many ways it's like their moment at the altar but Flug isn't about to fall through him. Black Hat isn't going anywhere, not this time. Not if Flug has anything to say about it.
The longer they remain like this the more distant the bad taste of Fairwell and the doctor's ire become. Flug finally fixes Black Hat a look, contemplating.
You can't expect apologies from an entity manifested from cruelty itself. You can't rightfully thank them either. What you can do is offer a compromise.]
"Guess this makes us even, hm?"
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Then Flug's arms reach up and squeeze him in turn.
He doesn't particularly like this sort of contact, closeness for simple closeness's sake, and he tenses up, bristling. It's not just that alone, though. Flug isn't the only one who is drawing parallels between this and the moment between them prior to... to that tree's taking of him. It's far from a pleasant recollection, but Black Hat doesn't shove Flug away. There's a sense of something, something he can't quite put a name to, a feeling that a small void in what he is, one he hadn't quite noticed, has been refilled again. A bit of himself, returned properly.
And he's somewhat certain Flug is doing this on purpose, and would intentionally drop like a log if he let go. The last thing he needs is for Flug's skull to split open on the floor.]
...in a sense.
[He concedes. After all, were they not responsible for one another's demises? Somehow, that thought is comforting. There's no imbalance leaning in Flug's favor now - the scales are properly stacked once more. More even than he's used to, but that doesn't bother Black Hat quite as much as it should.
His tolerance has limits, though, and Black Hat begins pushing Flug's shoulders, giving the man a hint that he would very much like to not be a resting board much longer.]
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Despite the simmering traces of aggravation, Flug can't help but note Black Hat isn't sulking anymore. Guess that was one way to breathe life back into the abomination. With his own.
Not the worst deal Flug has ever made.]
"I still want answers." [He gave you a recap when you came back from death.] "I'll just end up with questions later." [You really expect he won't? It's better if he hears there's something or nothing else now.]
"But I'm not.. mad." [So calm down, all right? He breaks the hold, instead clinging with one hand still wrapped around, while other attempts to fix Black Hat's tie.] "This week must have been strange for you." [He finds himself regretting that this is taking place here instead of back in the living area where he might see any further evidence of that. How long had it been since Black Hat stayed in a place truly by his lonesome?]
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What else is there? You sat about like a marionette with its strings cut for days, only moving when I took the time to make you. [He grimaces. There was one thing - well, hiding it won't get him anywhere, will it?] I'm sure you'll be pleased to know your absence was noted by one other person. Something about Jiro wanting wheels for her feet.
[Just when he feels like his tolerance for this... this hug is about to snap, Flug breaks it. Not entirely, of course, but the straightening of his tie is a peace offering he can accept. Flug mussed it in the first place, by falling forward.]
Of course you aren't. [He scoffs, forcing it just a bit too much.] I took very good care of your body. [Gratitude for Flug's understanding? What is that? But no, there is a relief to knowing that he's not royally screwed the pooch between them and driven off his most loyal companion. Dismissiveness is merely how he expresses it.
There's a noticeable pause before he speaks again. A strange week? What an apt description.
Black Hat is no stranger to solitude. Even at the manor, prior to all this, he often kept himself apart from the minions living in his domicile. That they were allowed to live with him at all was a matter of convenience - keep the inner circle closest, and you can keep a tighter hold over them. But here... he can't claim to have missed Flug, not in a way that would be understood by him. He knew Flug would come back - he had to, that was how things worked in this place - but the arachne's absence and the knowledge of why he was absent had felt off. Something was misplaced, and he couldn't find it. He could only keep its container in decent shape.]
Aside from that, it was... [He trails off again, looking for the right words.] ...unusual. I don't like to be kept waiting, Flug, you know that. But the fog clearly had other ideas, didn't it.
[When he's satisfied that Flug has corrected the tie, Black Hat draws back a step, still keeping a hand on Flug's shoulder just in case.]
Besides, it's not like the whole thing was a waste.
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It's a smart move on Black Hat's part to keep his arm on that shoulder, as the doctor does appear to be taken by surprise when he sways a moment later. Not going anywhere for the moment then, that's fine.]
"What do you mean?"
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[She had asked, and he had delivered. At least he was able to make Jiro regret her inquisitiveness to a certain degree. Isn't it nice to return to life and learn your partner has told your teenaged kind-of robo-daughter about some of your bedroom activities?]
And on that note - I don't expect it from you right away, you're clearly not up to snuff at the moment [Black Hat briefly loosens his grip, just enough to let Flug sway alarmingly before clamping down again] - but whatever it was that possessed you to order me around like that? Dig it up again.
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"Oh Black Hat you didn't!" [Sure she at least KNEW of their relationship but come ON! It's miracle enough he managed to keep 505 as uncorrupted as he is! Now he NEEDS to contact her immediately.
Flug's eyes dart around to the rest of the room, while purposefully lifting his bosses grip off his person to grouse in displeasure.]
"Oh I'll dig it up again, all right. Now where did I..? Should have something to use as a walking stick..."
[YUP. Thank you, boss. NOW things feel back to normal. Ugh. Where did he leave his laptop.]
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