Eliza!

•Fear is just a feeling.•

[eljzasliaisons]

okaaaay, well…do you know where I can talk to her?

she's probably working in her jewelery store uptown, I'd show you where but I don't want her to se eme, HAHA!

[eljzasliaisons]

Wait, she thinks you died? Wait wait wait- I wanna hear the story now!!!

She thinks the kid killed me. Or that I killed myself? Or was it when I got impaled?? Can't remember, all I know is that last time she saw me I was a corpse, and she didn't even bother holding a funeral for me! Can you believe it?

She thinks I died because I DID die, you see

[eljzasliaisons]

whateverrrrrr. Anyone you know personally…??

ehh...I mean I guess my sister's business is still running..if you do see her though, don't mention me. As far as she knows, I died years ago. Capiche?

[eljzasliaisons]

you’re being really difficult. I want to be friends. Like…Like co-workers. But we don’t work together. I don’t really want anything else, unless, it’s like…Do you know anyone else I could go try talking to? I try to get to know as many people I can.

Eliza's smile faded more, the corner of his mouth now twitching.

there's a good café down the street, you're bound to meet someone there. They have good reception if you need to call someone.

He placed his hands in his pockets and sighed.

Listen, honey, I don't really do that. I'm not the kind of guy you want to be co-workers with, or friends. Anyone who HAS had that kinda relationship with me has ended up in a realll bad place. Alright?

[eljzasliaisons]

uh, i’m not old enough to be involved with the law! So…no. I genuinely just wanted to make acquaintanceship.

Eliza laughed in your face in an abhorrent manner, before further questioning what you wanted in his head.

Honey, just tell me want you want, really! I...might give it to you if it's not too much of a favour... but we'll see! Just cut to the big guns, will ya?

[eljzasliaisons]

…sorry, a-… a what?

a narc, darling. An undercover cop, if you will.

[eljzasliaisons]

..mm. i don’t even know what kinda ‘deals’ you do… ….mind telling me what you do? :)

this girl was SERIOUSLY starting to piss him off. How did she know his name?? How did she know he made deals?? Could she read his mind??

I would but... I've gotta ask you first;

Youre not a you know...narc, are you?

His smile twisted into somewhat of a sneer.

[eljzasliaisons]

Huh? Uh…Nothin’. I just wanted to talk! I’ve heard a couple things about you, so I wanted to interact with you myself. Are you…thinking I want something out of you??

Eliza was getting pretty sick of this quickly, NO ONE decided to "just talk" with him if they didn't need something, after all.

HAHAHAHA! Well, YES, kiddo! Why else would you be here after all, haha!

His laugh was loud and onnoxious, but not harmful...yet.

[eljzasliaisons]

I’m doing pretty well, thank you!! It’s been raining pretty hard so I’ve spent lots of time inside. I went out at one point and it wasn’t very pretty! What about you?

Eliza glared. What was she getting at here? She wasn't the type he'd usually make deals with, someone with more power would be more ideal, so what did she want? Was she a narc?

rain...

He giggled a bit before fidgeting with his glove.

I'm....fine! I'm doing just great, really!

His smile wavered for a split second.

What do you want?

[eljzasliaisons]

ohh, hi there! I was planning to talk to you but…Guess I forgot.

I’m Stormy! And you’re Eliza, right?

Eliza flinched slightly at your arrival, not realising you were there at first, before quickly plastering his go-to businessman smile.

Hello there, stormy! How are you doing on this fine day? Eliza is my name! But for now, you can call me.... actually just call me Eliza, HAHA!

He giggled to himself, trying not to let out his real laugh like he was trying to hold in a cough.

under his breath. You could nearly hear him mutter;

How did she know my name??

[eljzasliaisons]

ₐᵣₑ yₒᵤ ₜₒₒ gₐy ₜₒ ₛₜₐy dₑₐd💔

-@monkshoodorion

it was pride month man I had to come back

[theheartoflightandfire]

police sirens whirred a few blocks south, the sound of commotion and panick being whipped along by the uncomfortably warm wind.

The heart hated routine checks, humans and mortals had no idea who she was, let alone how they would profane her. She didn't even understand why she of all angels was still required to do routine checks, considering she was the highest rank possible. Why couldn't they get the lower hearts to do this? Or the canaries even? The canaries would make a lot more sense to send down here. Expendable, small, and easy to blend in. They'd be perfect for a job like this, not her!

Something caught her attention, however. Something blue.

Somebody-or rather something- had fallen off of a tall building and their gore was splattered egregiously accross the nearby street. What was odd about it though, was that instead of being the usual shades of maroon and burgundy splayed across the sidewalk- it was blue. A royal blue almost.

Heart flew down immediately and concealed herself within the police force investigating before realising who had died here.

The navy assailant. The search for this man-this creature- had gone on for millenia. And he had killed himself? Pathetic yet...confusing.

Heart quickly cleared his remains from the scene and brought them to somewhere more private. Deep in the heart of a local forest should suit.

Bringing him back would be a good opportunity for interrogation, to see his morals, his alibis.

She gathered the remains and piled them on top of eachother before tapping them lightly with her spear and citing something in Latin, then making a few strange hand gestures.

[eljzasliaisons]

the pieces of flesh fused together at the seams, sinudes tying back together, muscles reforming by the second, all covered by a bright red flash, like fire almost.

Eliza woke, startled, and jumped with a gasp, quickly sitting up from the ground.

FUCK!

THE ONE TIME I ACTUALLY FEEL REMORSE FOR ONCE AND WANNA RECIPROCATE MY FUCKING ACTIONS, SOME IDIOT KID BRINGS ME BACK AGAIN!!! THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM M-

Eliza rubbed his eyes and realised it was in fact not mistrum, caerus, or even moot standing in front of him. It was...her. fuck.

Oh! Ohh...haha..you uh... you're h-her! Aren't you? Haha! HAHA! THATS- that's so funny! I was uhm. Looking forward to meeting youuu!! Yup!!! HAHA!

[theheartoflightandfire]

the heart glared down at him, expressionless. His reaction was surprising, yet obviously meant for someone else. His attitude towards her wasn't her priority.

Azathoth, correct?

A ping of fear flashed through eliza's eyes at the mention of that name.

I- yeah...?

The heart checked her communications device before returning her gaze to Eliza.

You're a very high profile case in the heavens. While the other officials aren't aware of the fact that I've found you, nor the fact you were dead, I am. For the moment, you will remain in my possession. I have chosen not to aleet the others of your presence...yet.

She paused for a split second and took a deep breath.

I'd like to hold a little interview. Understand?

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza figured he didn't have any choux but to agree. Maybe if he complied he'd be able to escape quicker. He scanned the area...it seemed similar to the forest mistrum had resurrected him in. He couldn't remember the way out...let alone where he was specifically.

Sure- sure. What do you need to know?

Your intentions with your constant antagonising. And if you'd be willing to give up.

If you don't want to give up, we will have to put repercussions in place to prevent you from commiting any further antagonistic acts towards the heavens.

Eliza's eyes widened slightly, his tail flicking as he got up and stood on his feet, his pants and shirt ripped, only barely hanging off of him. Now that he was back he assumed he'd actually have time to go shopping with mistrum. While he didn't enjoy shopping, he enjoyed spending time with mistrum, as it was really the only person he knew that didn't want him dead.

Intentions? Uhmmm...I guess just because caerus told me to originally...and later on? Just the love of the game really.. I don't know.

The love of the game?

I can't think of any other reason.

Is this a game to you?

I uh- no! No, of course not..haha.hah. I won't do it any more I SWEAR to you- my maim focus right now is dealing with these meat sacks! I'm sorry-really!

[evadstra]

how have u been gabe! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

I've been fine, aside from the ascending existential dread! My environment isn't helping but I'll be OK! What about you, Mildred? 😊

[emoticonanon]

…my name isn’t mildred, just milly (乛-乛)

but i’ve been good! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

[evadstra]

milly is short for Mildred, silly! 😊

[emoticonanon]

sometimes people use a nickname as their actual name, would you tell a lilly that their name is short for lillian when they weren't named that? (ㅅ´ ˘ `)

just because something doesn't exactly fit your worldview doesn't mean you should change it to fit, i think your detective skills would improve quicker if you took that to heart! („ᵕᴗᵕ„)

[eljzasliaisons]

maybe you should cut back on those detective skills yourself! Not everything I say has to be scrutinised, after all! I have a very open mind 😊 maybe Mildred was just a little nickname I had for you, did you consider? 😊

[theheartoflightandfire]

police sirens whirred a few blocks south, the sound of commotion and panick being whipped along by the uncomfortably warm wind.

The heart hated routine checks, humans and mortals had no idea who she was, let alone how they would profane her. She didn't even understand why she of all angels was still required to do routine checks, considering she was the highest rank possible. Why couldn't they get the lower hearts to do this? Or the canaries even? The canaries would make a lot more sense to send down here. Expendable, small, and easy to blend in. They'd be perfect for a job like this, not her!

Something caught her attention, however. Something blue.

Somebody-or rather something- had fallen off of a tall building and their gore was splattered egregiously accross the nearby street. What was odd about it though, was that instead of being the usual shades of maroon and burgundy splayed across the sidewalk- it was blue. A royal blue almost.

Heart flew down immediately and concealed herself within the police force investigating before realising who had died here.

The navy assailant. The search for this man-this creature- had gone on for millenia. And he had killed himself? Pathetic yet...confusing.

Heart quickly cleared his remains from the scene and brought them to somewhere more private. Deep in the heart of a local forest should suit.

Bringing him back would be a good opportunity for interrogation, to see his morals, his alibis.

She gathered the remains and piled them on top of eachother before tapping them lightly with her spear and citing something in Latin, then making a few strange hand gestures.

[eljzasliaisons]

the pieces of flesh fused together at the seams, sinudes tying back together, muscles reforming by the second, all covered by a bright red flash, like fire almost.

Eliza woke, startled, and jumped with a gasp, quickly sitting up from the ground.

FUCK!

THE ONE TIME I ACTUALLY FEEL REMORSE FOR ONCE AND WANNA RECIPROCATE MY FUCKING ACTIONS, SOME IDIOT KID BRINGS ME BACK AGAIN!!! THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM M-

Eliza rubbed his eyes and realised it was in fact not mistrum, caerus, or even moot standing in front of him. It was...her. fuck.

Oh! Ohh...haha..you uh... you're h-her! Aren't you? Haha! HAHA! THATS- that's so funny! I was uhm. Looking forward to meeting youuu!! Yup!!! HAHA!

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza stood at the very top of his favourite bar from all those years ago, out of breath from climbing 12 flights of stairs. He hadn't worked out in a while and was getting unfit, but it wasn't like that mattered now anyways. Nobody would comment on how unfit he looked when his body was on the ground.

It was late in the night, very late. So late that most people would just consider it early morning. The sun was beginning to rise behind him, he could feel the newly formed morning breeze against the back of his neck, the warmth from the sun was comforting in a sense. The sky was clear, and it was supposed to be clear for the rest of the day.

Eliza had spent those few hours between leaving dee's house and climbing to the rooftop contemplating his purpose and the conversations he had with mistrum, moot, de-stinkeri, and even Alex. He remembered all the conversations he had had with people through the. Lives of others, remembered just how many loves he had ruined. How many he had ended. And how many lives had he improved? None. He hadn't even improved his own.

He had no purpose but to cause harm, and he was incapable of any deviation. He was made for destruction, and what better way to cause it than by doing it to yourself?

Eliza slowly made his way to the edge of the rooftop, where there was a small lip and then a guardrail to stop people from falling off. He hoisted himself on top of th guardrail and looked down on the bustling street below him. People were going about their days without a care in the world, oblivious to what could possibly happen.

He turned around to face the sun, leaned back,

And fell.

The last thing he could feel was the light and warmth against his face as he fell rapidly from the top of that 12 story building, and the last thing he remembered was the split second of unimaginable pain before he lost consciousness.

His body didn't hit anyone on the way down, and no one was harmed in the process apart from himself... physically at least.

His remains were a grim sight to see in the early morning on the pavement.

[stinkordee]

Somebody knocked on your front door. It had been a few hours since Eliza left, it was late in the evening now. Who could be calling to dee? Was it preachers? Door to door salesmen? Chaos?

They knocked again, this time faster and more aggressive. Whoever it was, they were very impatient. They should learn some manners.

A voice called your name from outside, you couldn't recognise who it was though.

Dee? You in there?

Who was this?? How did they know his name??

Dee had just finished tidying himself after the whole ordeal. It had calmed him a little, but the back of his mind was still racing. Maybe he would’ve been able to calm down completely if he was left alone.

He didn’t want to answer, and the thought of someone at his door, especially after everything, just made him want to hide. Nothing came from any interaction in this place, especially people who knew his name.

But the knocking got louder, frustrating and stinging to an already frantic mind. He could just.. open it a little, right? Or scare them off, or something. Because they sure as hell weren’t stopping.

He opened the door just a sliver, enough to see who it was.

[eljzasliaisons]

HEYA DEE!

Eliza poked his head in at the gap of the barley open door, staring directly at you, inches away from your face.

he backed up and laughed, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye.

Sorry I'm back so soon, my friend and I just wanted to ask you for a favour!

Hey mistrum, why don't you tell him yourself what we want from him?

Eliza looked down at the moot-shaped deity. friends?? They were friends?? Eliza was capable of that??

His tail was wrapped around Mistrum's hand loosely.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum snickered, he looked pathetic. It tilted it head, with its unnaturally wide grin. You’d seen it in this form before—when it was taunting you, reminding you of things you didn’t want to remember. It looked like it was wearing something different though, but you couldn’t pick apart the colors or really the design on the sweater(?) anyways, not that it mattered.

Money! Blue over here is broke as a nail, but you’ve got to have some money, greeeeenie!

Mistrum bounced its head side to side, using metaphors that didn’t make a lick of sense. It…almost acted like moot, a certain childish whimsy about it, perhaps. But it didn’t talk like it, it didn’t dress like it, it had a different cadence about itself, it wasn’t so scared. It was just imitating its corpse, after all. Borrowing the idea of it.

[stinkordee]

…what the fuck..?

Dee could tell he was a little out of it, maybe more than he thought he was. But with Eliza standing next to .. what did he call it? Mistrum? It made him question how present he was.

Eliza called Mistrum “friend,” which…god knows how that happened. And, Mistrum called Eliza “Blue,” which, although it was on theme with the name it gave Dee, he wished he didn’t have to hear it.

Especially with Mistrum imitating M-that parasite, it didn’t even seem like it was trying to taunt him this time, was it really just doing that?

And were the two freaks of nature who had spent their own time getting a rise out of tormenting Dee, really here, asking for MONEY?

Maybe he should’ve been more afraid? But he was too tired for that.

…Why would I have, or give you two money..?

Well, he did have money.. but it sure as hell wasn’t for them!

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

I already explained that, idiot. Blue’s broke, I can’t make money, so you’re the third option!

Mistrum repeated its point, it felt it was pretty easy to get. Then again, greenie seemed pretty out of it. It was a little curious about what the arbitrator possibly gotten up to.

I just want more clothes, surely you’d get it?

It frowned for a moment.

Or maybe you wouldn’t, wearing the same ratty suit everyday. So many options around and everyone in this town is SO boring…

[stinkordee]

Dee took a breath on hearing the suit comment, tapping his foot a little. It was a little hard to be frustrated with how tired he felt, but it probably had more to do with who was standing in front of him.

…Uhh, no. Even if I had any, I wouldn’t be giving it to you two.

There was a weak smile on his face, far from genuine, and far from the one he usually put on.

Go like.. steal, or something. Leave me out of it.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza pushed open the door slightly and smiled wider.

Dee? You're going to give us that money, whether you like it or not, understand? We don't want to have a little incident like we had last time, do we?

Eliza smiled and stared at you, what was his problem?? Why was he even friends with this thing?? Purely to torture dee?

Dee. Show us where your money is. Please.

His smile seems somehow both genuine and ingenuity at once, and he was significantly a lot drier now.

[stinkordee]

Dee narrowed his eyes, god was this stupid. They really had the integrity to pay for shit just to take the money from Dee?

It wasn’t like he spent it often, but it was still his! And he doubted giving the two anything would get them off his back, if anything they’d ask for more.

He looked at his darkened hand, Eliza probably WOULD cause another “incident” or whatever.. it made Dee wonder how aware Mistrum was of the whole deal, though.

Euuugh, fine.. but I’m not showing you where it is.

He put a hand against the door, weakly trying to close it.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

why would I care about where the money is…I’d just ask for more if I needed it…

Painting this as a need really showed where mistrum’s priorities lied. It didn’t even really see this as “taking” money, he was just giving it after all! Sure, he had potential consequence if he said no, and this could probably be classified as extortion, but that was not mistrum’s concern!

Mistrum closed the door for him, bobbing its head side to side, it was just so helpful! Frankly, mistrum didn’t give a single fuck about what blue and greenie got up to, if it was curious it was sure he’d bring it up to speed anyways. It wasn’t as if anything he’d do would ever cause a real problem for it, they’d get bored of each other soon enough and their deal’d be completed by then.

[evadstra]

He swung open the door and walked past you, walking into you and hitting his shoulder off of yours.

Thank you, stinky! Knew you'd cooperate.

Elixa walked into the kitchen and started sifting through drawers recklessly, searching for ant hidden compartments or safes.

C'mom mistrum! Help me look for the wads, will ya? Clothes stores will be closing soon enough, we might have to go tomorrow instead!

He rummaged through all of your cupboards and storage, desperately trying to fund the money. Eliza recalled the memories of himself searching for the money to pay back that gang all those years ago, though they were not his own memories. It still stressed him out, However.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum tilted its head.

We don’t need to know where the money is if he’ll give it to us anyways. It’s good to give people a false sense of control, ‘specially when it doesn’t matter.

Mistrum commented, cleaning up and organizing the messes Eliza would leave behind him as he sifted through drawers. It really wasn’t so stressed over it, and blue was just seeming antsy. If things worked without intervention, why not just let them work?

Even if it does close, we for plenty of time, don’t we? Relaaaax, blue.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza stopped rustling through the drawers for a second and stared up at the wall ahead of him before turning towards you.

I- yeah...yeah loads of time. We have loads of time, haha! What- what am I doing? Why don't we just get stinky to give us the money, mistrum? I mean, we have loads of time, as you said!

He seemed distracted, just slightly.

Truth is, he didn't have loads of time. He didn't have any time really, if everything went to plan. As long as that little parasite didn't intervene all of this would be over, and he could finally rest. Tonight. Tonight would be the night. He had the supplies, and it wasn't like he had anyone to write letters to.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum grinned widely. It couldn’t tell anything was wrong. How would it? It didn’t know Eliza. It had no point of reference even outside him.

It was excited! It was starting to get a good idea of how it could probably be alive, with a breathing, living body. Everything’d work out! It figured it could trust blue to not fuck it over afterwards, he seemed to hold good on deals.

We’re already doing that, just be patient, we didn’t really need to barge into the guy’s home.

Mistrum had all the patience in the world, its not like it did much more in the fields. Then again, it did a little antsy, but it was just excited.

We should get you something too, better than river stained..suit…thing…I’d say I put together nice outfits, so you can trust my taste.

Mistrum said, doing a spin. Then again, its taste was that of a twelve year old girl overly obsessed with sanrio, so that statement didn’t hold too much worth.

[evadstra]

Eliza looked your outfit up and down, he wasn't exactly faithful in a harjuku girl wannab to dress him, but if it made the kid happy he didn't mind.

...the kid.

Yeah..yeah maybe you can pick something nice out for me. Maybe something a bit less flashy than this tattered old thing. We have all the time in the world. I...i don't know why it as rushing so much.

Eliza sighed and backed up, making his way to the threshold of the kitchen, the same one where he had drowned and strangled moot through de- stinkeri all that time ago.

HEY STINKS! WHERE D'YOU KEEP YOUR MONEY?

[stinkordee]

Dee didn’t want to watch Eliza destroy his kitchen, so at some point he had wandered off back to his bedroom. Wasn’t like the money was too hidden, it was just in a shoebox… but he didn’t want Eliza in his room either.

Once Eliza called for him, he just grabbed a handful of cash and dragged himself back to the kitchen. He didn’t count how much, or really look at it, that’d only make him more reluctant to give them any of it. He hoped it wasn’t enough for whatever they wanted it for, though.

He thought about handing it to Eliza or Mistrum, but Dee didn’t really want to do that. So he kind of just… dropped it all on the floor.

There.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum stared at Eliza blankly for a moment, its expression was harder to read considering it didn’t have eyes. It didn’t know why either, he was so, so impatient.

Its face shifted to point at the money, which it happily plucked off the ground, handing it off to blue.

Arms feelin’ week again greenie? No worries, no worries….thaaaank you, though!

Mistrum figured that’d be enough. Not like it understood how money worked anyways.

Its static-seeming joyful mood paused for a moment as it stared at the kitchen for a moment.

Wonder who this belonged to before.

It looked at Dee, before quickly shifting its attention back to blue as it speculated on absolutely absurd things he would not be willing to wear.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza held the money in his hands, flicking through and counting routinely, like muscle memory from the upcoming years before he died the first time, back when he had a reputation built up for himself.

Two or three hundred bucks. Not bad. He knew the greedy bastard had more, but he found it best not to pry.

Maybe it was what's-her-name... uh.. badstinkeri? Was it? I can't really think of anyone else he'd know...

It didn't even occur to him that dee probably stole the money.

Subconsciously it was probably some sign of hope that he had, desperately trying to see the light in even the worse of people. To try and see the glint of light in the reflection of blood on an open wound, to see the brightness of a star as it burns up in the atmosphere, he could almost see the light of the sun shining down on him as he fell, or the lights of a train heading towards him in a dark tunnel.

Eliza was distant and eerily quiet, but only for a moment.

He blinked and looked up at the clock on the wall.

Huh. Its getting pretty late, mistrum, I should really get going honestly.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum’s frown didn’t let up for a solid few minutes, but it corrected itself easily.

What, you’ve got a curfew?

It joked, maybe it was a little impatient, but it was excited for the prospect of clothing shopping tomorrow. It assumed he had a place to stay, so it’d be better to let him hold onto the money.

Well I’ll be expecting you later, I’ve GOT to get that sweater….

Mistrum was good at looking at the prospect of tomorrow, as long as it was the same as yesterday. Something used to the stagnancy of death will need much more time than a day to get used to the ever changing thing that is life. Did it ever occur to mistrum that there can’t truly be life without death? Who knows. Mistrum wasn’t one to look past its idealizations.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza smiled brightly, more than he usually would. It was strange, for once he looked genuinely happy, compared to that door-to-door salesman kind of smile he normally uses. He finally seemed happy, content.

A star always burns brightest right before it destroys itself entirely.

Yeah. I'll be seeing you later, mistrum. Haha!

His eyes were nearly watery while speaking to you, as he crouched down and leaned over towards you.

He wrapped his arms around you as gently as he could and just crouched there for a moment, attempting to give mistrum somewhat of a ...hug. How much more out of character could Eliza get? What was wrong with him?

Thanks a lot, kid.

He stood back up again and chuckled lightly before clicking his fingers and disappearing into that toxic shade of blue smoke, the smell of incense and cheap cologne filling his absence.

Where did he go?

[stinkordee]

Somebody knocked on your front door. It had been a few hours since Eliza left, it was late in the evening now. Who could be calling to dee? Was it preachers? Door to door salesmen? Chaos?

They knocked again, this time faster and more aggressive. Whoever it was, they were very impatient. They should learn some manners.

A voice called your name from outside, you couldn't recognise who it was though.

Dee? You in there?

Who was this?? How did they know his name??

Dee had just finished tidying himself after the whole ordeal. It had calmed him a little, but the back of his mind was still racing. Maybe he would’ve been able to calm down completely if he was left alone.

He didn’t want to answer, and the thought of someone at his door, especially after everything, just made him want to hide. Nothing came from any interaction in this place, especially people who knew his name.

But the knocking got louder, frustrating and stinging to an already frantic mind. He could just.. open it a little, right? Or scare them off, or something. Because they sure as hell weren’t stopping.

He opened the door just a sliver, enough to see who it was.

[eljzasliaisons]

HEYA DEE!

Eliza poked his head in at the gap of the barley open door, staring directly at you, inches away from your face.

he backed up and laughed, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye.

Sorry I'm back so soon, my friend and I just wanted to ask you for a favour!

Hey mistrum, why don't you tell him yourself what we want from him?

Eliza looked down at the moot-shaped deity. friends?? They were friends?? Eliza was capable of that??

His tail was wrapped around Mistrum's hand loosely.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum snickered, he looked pathetic. It tilted it head, with its unnaturally wide grin. You’d seen it in this form before—when it was taunting you, reminding you of things you didn’t want to remember. It looked like it was wearing something different though, but you couldn’t pick apart the colors or really the design on the sweater(?) anyways, not that it mattered.

Money! Blue over here is broke as a nail, but you’ve got to have some money, greeeeenie!

Mistrum bounced its head side to side, using metaphors that didn’t make a lick of sense. It…almost acted like moot, a certain childish whimsy about it, perhaps. But it didn’t talk like it, it didn’t dress like it, it had a different cadence about itself, it wasn’t so scared. It was just imitating its corpse, after all. Borrowing the idea of it.

[stinkordee]

…what the fuck..?

Dee could tell he was a little out of it, maybe more than he thought he was. But with Eliza standing next to .. what did he call it? Mistrum? It made him question how present he was.

Eliza called Mistrum “friend,” which…god knows how that happened. And, Mistrum called Eliza “Blue,” which, although it was on theme with the name it gave Dee, he wished he didn’t have to hear it.

Especially with Mistrum imitating M-that parasite, it didn’t even seem like it was trying to taunt him this time, was it really just doing that?

And were the two freaks of nature who had spent their own time getting a rise out of tormenting Dee, really here, asking for MONEY?

Maybe he should’ve been more afraid? But he was too tired for that.

…Why would I have, or give you two money..?

Well, he did have money.. but it sure as hell wasn’t for them!

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

I already explained that, idiot. Blue’s broke, I can’t make money, so you’re the third option!

Mistrum repeated its point, it felt it was pretty easy to get. Then again, greenie seemed pretty out of it. It was a little curious about what the arbitrator possibly gotten up to.

I just want more clothes, surely you’d get it?

It frowned for a moment.

Or maybe you wouldn’t, wearing the same ratty suit everyday. So many options around and everyone in this town is SO boring…

[stinkordee]

Dee took a breath on hearing the suit comment, tapping his foot a little. It was a little hard to be frustrated with how tired he felt, but it probably had more to do with who was standing in front of him.

…Uhh, no. Even if I had any, I wouldn’t be giving it to you two.

There was a weak smile on his face, far from genuine, and far from the one he usually put on.

Go like.. steal, or something. Leave me out of it.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza pushed open the door slightly and smiled wider.

Dee? You're going to give us that money, whether you like it or not, understand? We don't want to have a little incident like we had last time, do we?

Eliza smiled and stared at you, what was his problem?? Why was he even friends with this thing?? Purely to torture dee?

Dee. Show us where your money is. Please.

His smile seems somehow both genuine and ingenuity at once, and he was significantly a lot drier now.

[stinkordee]

Dee narrowed his eyes, god was this stupid. They really had the integrity to pay for shit just to take the money from Dee?

It wasn’t like he spent it often, but it was still his! And he doubted giving the two anything would get them off his back, if anything they’d ask for more.

He looked at his darkened hand, Eliza probably WOULD cause another “incident” or whatever.. it made Dee wonder how aware Mistrum was of the whole deal, though.

Euuugh, fine.. but I’m not showing you where it is.

He put a hand against the door, weakly trying to close it.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

why would I care about where the money is…I’d just ask for more if I needed it…

Painting this as a need really showed where mistrum’s priorities lied. It didn’t even really see this as “taking” money, he was just giving it after all! Sure, he had potential consequence if he said no, and this could probably be classified as extortion, but that was not mistrum’s concern!

Mistrum closed the door for him, bobbing its head side to side, it was just so helpful! Frankly, mistrum didn’t give a single fuck about what blue and greenie got up to, if it was curious it was sure he’d bring it up to speed anyways. It wasn’t as if anything he’d do would ever cause a real problem for it, they’d get bored of each other soon enough and their deal’d be completed by then.

[evadstra]

He swung open the door and walked past you, walking into you and hitting his shoulder off of yours.

Thank you, stinky! Knew you'd cooperate.

Elixa walked into the kitchen and started sifting through drawers recklessly, searching for ant hidden compartments or safes.

C'mom mistrum! Help me look for the wads, will ya? Clothes stores will be closing soon enough, we might have to go tomorrow instead!

He rummaged through all of your cupboards and storage, desperately trying to fund the money. Eliza recalled the memories of himself searching for the money to pay back that gang all those years ago, though they were not his own memories. It still stressed him out, However.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum tilted its head.

We don’t need to know where the money is if he’ll give it to us anyways. It’s good to give people a false sense of control, ‘specially when it doesn’t matter.

Mistrum commented, cleaning up and organizing the messes Eliza would leave behind him as he sifted through drawers. It really wasn’t so stressed over it, and blue was just seeming antsy. If things worked without intervention, why not just let them work?

Even if it does close, we for plenty of time, don’t we? Relaaaax, blue.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza stopped rustling through the drawers for a second and stared up at the wall ahead of him before turning towards you.

I- yeah...yeah loads of time. We have loads of time, haha! What- what am I doing? Why don't we just get stinky to give us the money, mistrum? I mean, we have loads of time, as you said!

He seemed distracted, just slightly.

Truth is, he didn't have loads of time. He didn't have any time really, if everything went to plan. As long as that little parasite didn't intervene all of this would be over, and he could finally rest. Tonight. Tonight would be the night. He had the supplies, and it wasn't like he had anyone to write letters to.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum grinned widely. It couldn’t tell anything was wrong. How would it? It didn’t know Eliza. It had no point of reference even outside him.

It was excited! It was starting to get a good idea of how it could probably be alive, with a breathing, living body. Everything’d work out! It figured it could trust blue to not fuck it over afterwards, he seemed to hold good on deals.

We’re already doing that, just be patient, we didn’t really need to barge into the guy’s home.

Mistrum had all the patience in the world, its not like it did much more in the fields. Then again, it did a little antsy, but it was just excited.

We should get you something too, better than river stained..suit…thing…I’d say I put together nice outfits, so you can trust my taste.

Mistrum said, doing a spin. Then again, its taste was that of a twelve year old girl overly obsessed with sanrio, so that statement didn’t hold too much worth.

[evadstra]

Eliza looked your outfit up and down, he wasn't exactly faithful in a harjuku girl wannab to dress him, but if it made the kid happy he didn't mind.

...the kid.

Yeah..yeah maybe you can pick something nice out for me. Maybe something a bit less flashy than this tattered old thing. We have all the time in the world. I...i don't know why it as rushing so much.

Eliza sighed and backed up, making his way to the threshold of the kitchen, the same one where he had drowned and strangled moot through de- stinkeri all that time ago.

HEY STINKS! WHERE D'YOU KEEP YOUR MONEY?

[stinkordee]

Dee didn’t want to watch Eliza destroy his kitchen, so at some point he had wandered off back to his bedroom. Wasn’t like the money was too hidden, it was just in a shoebox… but he didn’t want Eliza in his room either.

Once Eliza called for him, he just grabbed a handful of cash and dragged himself back to the kitchen. He didn’t count how much, or really look at it, that’d only make him more reluctant to give them any of it. He hoped it wasn’t enough for whatever they wanted it for, though.

He thought about handing it to Eliza or Mistrum, but Dee didn’t really want to do that. So he kind of just… dropped it all on the floor.

There.

[thebellwillnottollforyou]

Mistrum stared at Eliza blankly for a moment, its expression was harder to read considering it didn’t have eyes. It didn’t know why either, he was so, so impatient.

Its face shifted to point at the money, which it happily plucked off the ground, handing it off to blue.

Arms feelin’ week again greenie? No worries, no worries….thaaaank you, though!

Mistrum figured that’d be enough. Not like it understood how money worked anyways.

Its static-seeming joyful mood paused for a moment as it stared at the kitchen for a moment.

Wonder who this belonged to before.

It looked at Dee, before quickly shifting its attention back to blue as it speculated on absolutely absurd things he would not be willing to wear.

[eljzasliaisons]

Eliza held the money in his hands, flicking through and counting routinely, like muscle memory from the upcoming years before he died the first time, back when he had a reputation built up for himself.

Two or three hundred bucks. Not bad. He knew the greedy bastard had more, but he found it best not to pry.

Maybe it was what's-her-name... uh.. badstinkeri? Was it? I can't really think of anyone else he'd know...

It didn't even occur to him that dee probably stole the money.

Subconsciously it was probably some sign of hope that he had, desperately trying to see the light in even the worse of people. To try and see the glint of light in the reflection of blood on an open wound, to see the brightness of a star as it burns up in the atmosphere, he could almost see the light of the sun shining down on him as he fell, or the lights of a train heading towards him in a dark tunnel.

Eliza was distant and eerily quiet, but only for a moment.

He blinked and looked up at the clock on the wall.

Huh. Its getting pretty late, mistrum, I should really get going honestly.