Another network only meant another set of markets to take control over. That's the lie Spamsonne told himself.
Soon, discovered his presence in the jaws of the Queen's basement: his soldier, Clickbait, had agreed to assist in breaking its programmed shackles; though had revealed the factoid that, oddly, the gateway leading downstairs had already been breached. The rest of the castle's inner defenses stood not a chance against Spamsonne's rambunctious associates.
Yet for what reason had Spamsonne really made the decision to arrive?
A certain curiosity; a morbid curiosity.
Having wondered if the NEO body he previously sought long ago was a multi-universal construct. Driven to seek answers by the sight of the City appearing less populated without clear causation. Needed to know why, exactly, the junkyard shop in this Network ( which mirrored his own in days past ) had been left completely vacant, drab, &. grey.
&. now, the harrowing answer which stared the mafioso in the face, served only to remind Spamsonne precisely of how curiosity killed the CONCATENATE.
Looking up at the awesome might of the NEO form holding a face of his own simulacrum is an angelic euphoria and spiritual terror all at once⸻BE NOT AFRAID practically rings like an old rotary phone in the other's laughter.
What catches in Spamsone's throat is the assumption of the mafia don himself being labeled a copy.
A mere, insignificant, &. lifeless mannequin to a former mannequin.
It is undeniably a direct challenge against his own faith in Solipsism. A direct threat to his sense of authority and autonomy. Served with a manic grin &. a detestable manner of speech from the worst phase he's ever lived through.
Was this punishment for him?
A funny joke to show him what he could have become?
✽ ⸻ Spamsonne's never lit a cigarette faster in his life.
❛Cute. Real cute. But I'm hardly what you'd consider to be a duplicate program.❜
⸻the Syndicate head spits back with a rasped cadence of contempt. He's uncertain what to make of this; what to feel, what to say. Though it's certainly not from a place of being flattered.
It's all too uncanny : as if a character in a dream were to accuse the dreamer of being one of the liminal dreamscape's natives, &. not the sole observer. A singular trickle of sweat cascades down his brow as bone china teeth grit together to swallow any external trace of terror, which inevitably unsettles from within the liquid void sloshing in the pit of his otherwise hollowed abdomen.
Nicotine laced smoke coils leisurely midair as an accompanying counterpoint.
❛Seems like you got most of what you wanted,❜ Spamsonne adds, seeing the clear lack of being BIG enough to force past the world's restrictive confines.
Though also senses his own expression tensing with bewilderment at such a divine mechanical form being held in suspension by what appears to be wiry, Terminal green colored cords.
Gesturing vaguely above the other, ❛⸻So what's with those strings?❜
Interrogation as if it were as casual as a conversation between himself &. his own reflection in a mirror : it distracts Spamsonne from the irrevocably tangible fact that he would be alone down here under other conditions. Completely trapped in a dank, dusky, decrepit basement that only stretches for far, far too long.
⸻Though conceivably, being retained with the one person Spamsonne truly hates more than any CRT , that being HIMSELF , leaves the mafia don feeling far more isolated than he's willing to readily admit.