[ IN CASE OF ████████ BREAK GLASS ]

@ms-yellow-tape

2,835 posts

[ LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION. ] [ A NEW DAY. A NEW BEGINNING. WHO WILL STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT TODAY? ] [ THE STAGE IS SET. THE CURTAIN IS ABOUT TO RISE. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT? ] [ WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, YES. BUT IT WAS DIFFERENT THEN, WASN'T IT? ] [ YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THIS WILL GO. BUT DO YOU REALLY? ] [ THE RULES ARE SIMPLE. THE GAME IS COMPLICATED. ] [ WILL YOU PLAY ALONG? OR WILL YOU TRY TO CHANGE THE SCRIPT? ] [ A PLOT TWIST LURKS JUST BEHIND THE SCENES. CAN YOU SEE IT? ] [ YOU ARE PART OF THIS, WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT. ] [ WHO WILL MAKE IT TO THE END? ] [ THE ANSWER... IS STILL BEING WRITTEN. ] [ WE SEE YOU. ] [ STAY TUNED. ]

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

*Ko smiles, then nudges Yellow.*

“…You don’t have to return the affection, Yellow. I don’t mind. I’ve accepted that I’m… a little naïve, in that regard. But, good idea or not, I do care for you. That includes your wellbeing.”

“I want to be able to be there for you, if you need me.”

[ WE DIDN'T SAY NAÏVE. TRAUMATIZED IS, PERHAPS, THE BETTER WORD. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE AREN'T THE HEALTHIEST PERSON, EITHER. WE KNOW. BUT, AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, IT'S NICER TO THINK OTHERWISE. ]

“I meant in regards to my thoughts on my personal Relationships. I… often think that they’re better than they are, especially if the other person doesn’t like me.” *A pause. Ko realizes that this might just be a Different Issue.* “…I can be both, I guess.”

*Ko nods.* “Yeah, I… know. We’ve been compared in terms of self-image too much for me not to know.” ^-w-^”

“And… yeah. Pretending is always easier than facing the truth…”

[ ... ]

[ YOU HAVE A TON OF ISSUES. ]

“…Welcome me to the club?”

[ YOU MEAN "WELCOME TO THE TRIANGLE AGENCY". ]

*Ko has to hold back a laugh. She nods, slowly.* “I was trying to keep it open to non-Agents, but… yeah. I forgot that that’s what… all of this is called, to the Players.”

[Yellow smiles a bit.]

[ WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO SAY THAT. ]

“In that case, I’m glad you got it!” *She nudges Yellow, playfully.*

[ SOMETIMES, IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE FOLLOWING A SCRIPT INSTEAD OF DOING THINGS OF OUR OWN WILL. YES, WE ARE AWARE THERE IS SCRIPT AND THAT WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW IT. WE WONDER IF THIS CONVERSATION IS A PART OF IT. ]

chromatic-shutter

thevaultofretroandvintage

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

*Ko smiles, then nudges Yellow.*

“…You don’t have to return the affection, Yellow. I don’t mind. I’ve accepted that I’m… a little naïve, in that regard. But, good idea or not, I do care for you. That includes your wellbeing.”

“I want to be able to be there for you, if you need me.”

[ WE DIDN'T SAY NAÏVE. TRAUMATIZED IS, PERHAPS, THE BETTER WORD. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE AREN'T THE HEALTHIEST PERSON, EITHER. WE KNOW. BUT, AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, IT'S NICER TO THINK OTHERWISE. ]

“I meant in regards to my thoughts on my personal Relationships. I… often think that they’re better than they are, especially if the other person doesn’t like me.” *A pause. Ko realizes that this might just be a Different Issue.* “…I can be both, I guess.”

*Ko nods.* “Yeah, I… know. We’ve been compared in terms of self-image too much for me not to know.” ^-w-^”

“And… yeah. Pretending is always easier than facing the truth…”

[ ... ]

[ YOU HAVE A TON OF ISSUES. ]

“…Welcome me to the club?”

[ YOU MEAN "WELCOME TO THE TRIANGLE AGENCY". ]

*Ko has to hold back a laugh. She nods, slowly.* “I was trying to keep it open to non-Agents, but… yeah. I forgot that that’s what… all of this is called, to the Players.”

[Yellow smiles a bit.]

[ WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO SAY THAT. ]

sawed-on-shotgun

the human body when you use it and exist in it

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

*Ko smiles, then nudges Yellow.*

“…You don’t have to return the affection, Yellow. I don’t mind. I’ve accepted that I’m… a little naïve, in that regard. But, good idea or not, I do care for you. That includes your wellbeing.”

“I want to be able to be there for you, if you need me.”

[ WE DIDN'T SAY NAÏVE. TRAUMATIZED IS, PERHAPS, THE BETTER WORD. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE AREN'T THE HEALTHIEST PERSON, EITHER. WE KNOW. BUT, AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, IT'S NICER TO THINK OTHERWISE. ]

“I meant in regards to my thoughts on my personal Relationships. I… often think that they’re better than they are, especially if the other person doesn’t like me.” *A pause. Ko realizes that this might just be a Different Issue.* “…I can be both, I guess.”

*Ko nods.* “Yeah, I… know. We’ve been compared in terms of self-image too much for me not to know.” ^-w-^”

“And… yeah. Pretending is always easier than facing the truth…”

[ ... ]

[ YOU HAVE A TON OF ISSUES. ]

“…Welcome me to the club?”

[ YOU MEAN "WELCOME TO THE TRIANGLE AGENCY". ]

chromatic-shutter

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

*Ko smiles, then nudges Yellow.*

“…You don’t have to return the affection, Yellow. I don’t mind. I’ve accepted that I’m… a little naïve, in that regard. But, good idea or not, I do care for you. That includes your wellbeing.”

“I want to be able to be there for you, if you need me.”

[ WE DIDN'T SAY NAÏVE. TRAUMATIZED IS, PERHAPS, THE BETTER WORD. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE AREN'T THE HEALTHIEST PERSON, EITHER. WE KNOW. BUT, AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, IT'S NICER TO THINK OTHERWISE. ]

“I meant in regards to my thoughts on my personal Relationships. I… often think that they’re better than they are, especially if the other person doesn’t like me.” *A pause. Ko realizes that this might just be a Different Issue.* “…I can be both, I guess.”

*Ko nods.* “Yeah, I… know. We’ve been compared in terms of self-image too much for me not to know.” ^-w-^”

“And… yeah. Pretending is always easier than facing the truth…”

[ ... ]

[ YOU HAVE A TON OF ISSUES. ]

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

*Ko smiles, then nudges Yellow.*

“…You don’t have to return the affection, Yellow. I don’t mind. I’ve accepted that I’m… a little naïve, in that regard. But, good idea or not, I do care for you. That includes your wellbeing.”

“I want to be able to be there for you, if you need me.”

[ WE DIDN'T SAY NAÏVE. TRAUMATIZED IS, PERHAPS, THE BETTER WORD. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE AREN'T THE HEALTHIEST PERSON, EITHER. WE KNOW. BUT, AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, IT'S NICER TO THINK OTHERWISE. ]

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“…Right. The other difference is the… dhampir vs vampire thing. Stages, versus just time period.”

*Ko shakes her head. Is this deflection, Yellow?*

[ RIGHT. ]

[Yellow doesn't answer the question.]

chromatic-shutter

Triangle Agency Userboxes! For each of the factions/main colors.

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

*Ko pauses, before tilting her head. Thinking.*

“…In a way, yeah. I… know she wasn’t as wonderful as I thought, in the past. But, at the same time… it’s not exactly that, even if it started as a coping method.”

*She doesn’t know how to put it. Therapy has helped, for sure, but feelings are… hard.*

“I… both hate and idolize what I was. What Kiona is. In a way, we’re the same. But that’s in both the same and opposite way that Mi and I are the same.”

“Kiona is who I used to be. She is not who I am. She is me before I was turned; Ko is me after I was turned. She is the past, and she’s not something I can ignore. But she’s… not me as I am now. I know we’re more similar than I like to think. I know the separation started as a way to cope. But now the separation is in place, and I don’t want to put it back. It feels… wrong.”

“I guess… Kiona was a stage in my life that I’m not at, anymore? Like how when a caterpillar turns to a butterfly. Kiona turned into me. It doesn’t change what I am, or what I was. She existed, and still exists, but now she’s different. And now she’s me. And, in the same way you wouldn’t call a butterfly a caterpillar, I don’t want to call Kiona me.”

*…Ko isn’t sure she explained it right. Or well enough, really. But she doesn’t know how else to describe it.*

“With… all of that, and my spotty memories… it’s hard to care all that much. It’s hard for me to say that I was the one you killed. The layer of separation, and the lack of knowing what happened properly, makes it feel less like it happened to me, and more like it happened in a dream. I know it was to me, but… I don’t know.”

“Either way; I don’t really care. Me or Kiona, or even Mi, there’s still all the other points. And you already know a few others that I didn’t bring up, I’m sure.”

[ YOU HAVE SAID OUR POINT. YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL KIONA YOU, DESPITE YOU ARE BOTH ARE THE SAME PERSON. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME PERIOD. WE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO THINK THAT KIONA IS YOU. ]

“Yellow? Are you there?”

— @intern-ko

[ AFFIRMATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE. WE ARE EVERYWHERE. WE ARE REALITY. ]

“Could you be here more… physically? Please?” *Ko’s voice is… soft. Softer than normal, at least.*

[ AH, RIGHT. YOU JUST CAME FROM AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. WE'LL ARRIVE AS SOON AS WE CAN. OR WHENEVER THE PLAYER REMEMBERS. ]

“…Yeah. I did.”

*Ko nods. She can wait.*

[After a few hours, Yellow walks into the scene.]

[ FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU MET A VERSION OF US. ]

*Ko perks up, immediately rushing over to Yellow. She wraps her arms around them.*

“Yeah. I did. She’s…”

“…”

“…She made me realize how much I appreciate you. How glad I am that you’re around.”

[Yellow welcomes the hug.]

[ MOST ONLY REALIZE THEY MISS THINGS WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR. ]

“…The Narrator wasn’t you. I know that much. She-She was an ‘echo’. A version the Agency broke down and was controlling and-“

*Ko gets faster as she speaks, before simply… cutting off. The hug tightens.*

“I hope that’s a fate you never share.”

[ SHE IS A VERSION OF US WHO WAS BROKEN DOWN INTO NOTHING. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER. IT IS A TRAGEDY. ]

“…You won’t be like her. You won’t be.”

*And if it looks like it might go down that route… Ko shakes her head. Best not to think about it, right?*

“You’re going to be okay. You have to be okay.”

[ THE UNRAVELING HASN'T HAPPENED YET, SO IT WON'T HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. BESIDES, THERE WERE OTHER DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMELINE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE. ]

“Okay. Okay. I… just wanted to check. Sorry for bothering you.”

*Ko presses her face into Yellow’s shoulder.*

“I care about you. I don’t want you hurting, even if I know the inevitable. And I certainly don’t want you to end up like… that.”

[ ... ]

[ WE DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT, EITHER. ]

“Well,” *Ko smiles* “in that case, you won’t. You won’t go down so easily, and… and I can keep an eye out, too. And like you said — there are other differences. It’s impossible.”

[ THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HER AND US IS THE TRIANGLE TREATED HER LIKE THE CIRCLE. WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES THAN LET OURSELVES TURN HOLLOW. ]

“…From what I heard, it sounded like she was treated worse. Like he was, but… also as an Agent? Trapped in a cage, but still expected to work for them…”

“And, yeah. I know. Would it be too much to promise to stop you if it gets to that point, as you’ve promised to stop me? I’m not quite sure how I’d do it, but I guess it’s the thought that counts, in this case.”

[ WE WERE AN AGENT ONCE. WE WORKED WITH THE TRIANGLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECT WAS STILL AROUND. SHE TREATED US WITH MORE DECENCY THAN THE NARRATOR WAS. BUT THEN AGAIN, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE NARRATOR'S SITUATION. ]

[There is a pause, then a nod.]

[ YES, PLEASE. ]

“…Yeah. And that’s why we have Ripple Guns, right? Because of you.” *And, as much as Ko would like to hear those stories, she knows that here isn’t the best place. Too many eyes. Assuming Yellow would tell her at all, that is.* “She… sounds sweet, from all I’ve heard.”

“Okay. In that case… if it ever gets that bad; if you go Hollow, and start hurting Mundanes, then I’ll make sure you’re stopped. By my hand, or another’s. And… I won’t let them Vault you, to stop you.”

[ YES, THE RIPPLE GUN IS OUR CREATION. THE TRIANGLE HAS THE BLUEPRINTS IN CUSTODY. THEY STOLE OUR IDEA, AS THEY DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. ]

[Yellow sighs.]

[ SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FIRED US. WE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS AND WORDS ABOUT IT. ]

[ ... ]

[ WE WOULD RATHER ELIMINATE OURSELVES BEFORE HARMING MUNDANES BUT IF WE DON'T... THEN WE SHOULD BE PUT IN THE VAULT. ]

“…Yeah. I’m sorry, Yellow.”

*Ko blinks, surprise flickering across her face. The first surprise… this whole conversation, really.*

“Wait, really? I- I guess that makes sense, given… a few things, but I thought it was Mamă who did that… especially since…” *Ko hums. Well, that’s… new. She has an idea on why, given what she knows, but… hm.*

“I know, Yellow. I know. That’s why I’m promising to deal with you, if you do. Because either something is incredibly wrong and you’d want me to, or that’s not you and you would… probably prefer doing it yourself, but if I get to it first then something is probably wrong.” *It shakes its head.* “I… would also rather you not be Vaulted. And while I would much prefer you not be Eliminated, either…” *Another pause.* “Never mind. Just- I’ll do what I have to, okay? If it gets to that point. Which I hope it never does.”

[ YOU PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN DELTA. YOU REALLY THINK DELTA CARES ABOUT BRUTALITY? IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF THE VAULTS. ]

[Yellow looks around. She should have checked for security cameras earlier. Oh well. A few random security cameras' lights shift from red to yellow.]

[ YOU KNOW WHO. AND YES, THE RIPPLE GUN CAN BE USED AGAINST US. PIGEON DID PRECISELY THAT AT THE PYRAMID CASINO. ]

[A pause.]

[ WE HOPE YOU WILL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL THE TRIGGER. ]

*…Oops. Ko forgot about the Constant Surveillance — she’s too used to it, by now. Oh well; at worst, they know she’s friendly with Yellow. That isn’t much of a secret. They wait until the lights change color before speaking.*

“That’s… not why I thought you were fired.” *Ko has no doubt that Delta can be just as petty as she can be — and that’s more than enough reason on why someone would be fired. Especially when it’s the person at the top being petty. No checks of power… or little checks in power, at least. She assumed it was more on how they got said power that allowed for Yellow to be fired, but…* “Like I said, it makes more sense now.

*Ko blinks, then nods. Slowly.* “…I’m not used to others being able to hear that. Or responding out loud to them. But that’s… good to know. I’m guessing it was while I was in the elevator? So many turns were spent in that thing…” *She shudders at the memory. A bit dramatic, but she should be allowed a bit of dramatization.*

“…”

“I do, too. But… that’s why I’m just guaranteeing that it will happen. I’m good at backup plans. And I think I know a few people who would be willing to shoot you, if I can’t.” *…What a morbid topic, huh?* “I… hope that knowing that makes you feel at least a bit better.”

[ POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY RESULTS IN CORRUPTION. IT'S A TALE AS OLD AS TIME. ]

[Yellow doesn't think about the Mission. She doesn't want to remember the not-existing.]

[ WE DO FEEL BETTER. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. SOME PEOPLE HESITATE. ]

“…Yeah. I know.” *Ko glances down, taking a step away. Finally letting go of the hug.* “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cling so long.”

*Ko nods. That’s understandable. The nonexistence… it probably feels even weirder than dying. That can be rather peaceful, at least.*

“I know I’m… probably not the first pick. But I do understand the feeling. Feeling like if it ever gets there… someone has to be able to hold you accountable. And yet, hardly anyone agrees. And even fewer are able to. The overlap is rare.” *Ko pauses, tilting her head. Thinking.* “I suppose I want to be able to be the overlap. It can help.”

“I… think of you. Sometimes. Before doing things. It’s stopped me, a few times.”

[ IT'S OKAY, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WE UNDERSTAND YOU MISSED US. ]

[Yellow tilts her head in curiosity.]

[ DO YOU? HOW SO? WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMEONE THINKING OF US AS SUCH. ]

“Yeah…” *…Would it be mean of Ko to say that she likes Yellow better than Narrator? Not to speak (think?) ill of the dead, but…*

“It’s not… in a bad way, I guess? Just…” *A pause. She doesn’t want to say it. Not in full.* “I know you as one of the few people I know who actually care about humans and the Mundane. And you know my… diet.” *It winces.* “I’ve been finding other ways of getting blood. Hunting less. I hate bothering Hast for the blood fruit, even if he can alchemy it, but I have been figuring out other ways. So I kill less regular people, but also so I’m not starving.”

[ SO, IN A WAY, WE HAVE BECOME A WARNING FOR YOU. A SWORD OF DAMOCLES OF SORTS. ]

“I… guess?”

*A what? What does that- ah. Cactus looked it up. Ko nods.*

“I don’t want to be on bad terms with you. And… by now, I feel like I at least owe you ‘not killing Mundanes without good cause’ as much as I can manage. Which I am… admittedly not as great at as some others are, with my diet and the diets of my loved ones, but I’m trying.”

[ WE KNOW YOU ARE TRYING. WE ARE MAINLY UPSET AT THOSE WHO DON'T CARE TO TRY. ]

“…I’m glad. Trying is hard, and… usually invisible to most people.” *Ko smiles.*

“I, uh… didn’t think much on what to do, other than checking on you…” ^•w•^” “How… have you been?”

[ THE HARDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS WORLD IS INVISIBLE. ]

[She isn't just talking about The Agency.]

[ WE'RE MANAGING. ]

“…Yeah. And it’s made harder by the need for it all to stay invisible, for one reason or another. But that’s alright. It had to be.”

“So… about normal, then?”

[-.. --- -. .----. - ... .- -.-- .. - .-.-.- ... .... . -.. --- . ... -. .----. - -. . . -.. - --- -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.-]

[Yellow's left hand is squeezing her right arm, harder and harder.]

[ FOR US, YES. ]

*Ko tilts her head, ears twitching. She’s quiet for a few moments.*

“You… do know that I know Morse, right? I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to, Yellow.”

*Eyes are drawn to Yellow’s arm. Worry crosses Ko’s face. She holds a hand out to them.* “…Grab my hand instead. Please don’t hurt yourself. Even with the nerves-turned-off thing…”

[ WE'RE FINE. ]

[She turns away as she winces.]

“…Yellow…” *She’s a terrible liar. They both know this.*

“Please? I don’t mind, if it helps. I know pain can be grounding, but it’s not…” *It’s not what? Not the best option? Hypocrite.*

[Yellow hesitantly takes Ko's hand.]

*Ko squeezes Yellow’s hand, carefully.*

“…It’ll be okay. Can I see your arm? Just to make sure it’s okay?”

[ IT IS FINE. WE HEALED IT. ]

*She hesitates, then nods.*

“…Alright. If you still want, then you can squeeze my hand instead. As I said; I won’t force you to tell me anything, nor will I try and force you to do anything. But I do want to help, if I can.”

[ WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. ]

“Then you don’t have to. I’m here, either way.”

[ ... ]

[ WHY? ]

“…Why not?”

“I’ve said it before, Yellow. I enjoy being around you. I’d like to consider us friendly, if not friends. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, right?”

“Plus, even if we aren’t friends, Ansel is my friend, and you two are together. So, even through that, I’d rather at least be friendly. I prefer it when you’re okay, and I’m sure they do, too.”

[ BUT WE HAVE KILLED YOU BEFORE. ]

“So? That’s pretty par for the course. Most of my friends have either tried to kill me, or threatened to.”

“Plus; it was Kiona you killed, while on a Mission. I admit that I don’t remember much beyond that, but it wasn’t really me. And since it was on a Mission, it wasn’t like you were seeking me out to kill me. Business, not pleasure. That’s better than I can say for a few of the people I know.” *Ko squeezes their hand.* “And it was only the once, even though we’ve seen each other on… what, three missions?”

“And if we really want to play like that, you’ve also saved my life before, haven’t you? I’m not sure we would’ve been able to deal with Tower without you. Even if it was more for the world than for me, I was still there. If anyone would’ve died before she was stopped, it… probably would’ve been me. Both because of my Polaris self and their closeness to her, and because I was the one directly distracting her most of the time.”

[ KIONA IS YOU. SAYING THAT SHE IS SEPARATE IS A COPING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF INNOCENT. ]

<< Hey yellow- are you free one of these days?- wanna go and play billiards?- >>

[ ! ]

[ WE CAN MAKE TIME. ]

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/// THAT'S ME AND REN!!!!!! ///

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