ANONYMOUS SAID; sending in some positivity for @canon-fcdder/@dragcns-den/@not-bcring/@burning-fcols because by god they deserve it. Their writing is top notch and they go into such detail and depth when writing that it makes waiting for replies so worth it. The mun themselves is patient and extremely friendly. The energy they give off is certainly contagious.
When The Duke enters The Scoundrels Club, The Mistress awaits him. The club is eerily silent, not a soul in sight, save for the woman adorned all in purple. It seems she's dragged an armchair into the center of the small stage typically reserved for jazz singers and other light entertainment, where she is now perched with a fluffy white cat on her lap.
She knows he won't recognize her; they've never met, at least not in this fresh new body. He's known the Master, though, casually, for decades. As far as she can recall, she's never backstabbed him. But… her memories of past lives are still hazy. They always are so soon after a regeneration.
The lights in the club are dim, save for the spotlight, aimed straight at her. "The Duke. I've been expecting you."
❝ C-Caine? ❞ Mumbled in something that sounds like pain... disorientation. Confusion at the forefront, as scared eyes— pupils so small in the midst of large yellows —raise from where the rabbit lays sprawled on the ground. Grimacing as a JOLT works it's way through her body, breathing is unnecessary and haggard, gloved fingers curling against the ground as she weakly croaks, ❝ What... What just happened? ❞
❝ How am I here. ❞ — (( *thinks about Caine bringing the bnnuy back like >:3c* ))
@canon-fcdder (( @dragcns-den ))
A lot has happened in the digital circus since the worst day of his life. He had been placed into the C: // recycle_bin but had managed to ESCAPE before the users could right-click and empty the bucket. FATHER.exe had tried to kill him.
But that was not important now, because Jax was back. She looked a bit different, but that was good. A wide grin formed over their face despite them not having a face by normal means. Their eyes gleamed with excitement.
" I saved a backup of..."
Not important to go into specifics with the Hue_mans. " Nevermind! Come, look!!! " Caine gently pushed Jax towards the mirror so she could see the improvements. And also the new features of the AMAZING_DIGITAL_CIRCUS server.
They hoped that Jax or whatever she chose to call herself in this new extra life she had been given, would heap on some much-deserved praise. But, CAINE.exe reminded himself that Hue_mans were not always ready to praise him. He messed up, and he was fixing it. And even though he should be rewarded for his benevolent sacrifices... that would take time.
❝ Hey, Nakamura! Hold up a sec—! ❞ Called out with a wave of his arms and that unmistakably bright grin, Aiki hurries over as soon as his friend takes notice. Shuffling his backpack on his shoulder, crab keychain jingles in tandem with his steps. ❝ Are you doing anything later? ‘Cause I was thinking about grabbing a bite to eat after I dropped my stuff off at home, and I’d prefer not to go it alone. Y’know? ❞ Nevermind that he could have always asked his group of other friends… Aiki doesn’t exactly want to hang with them. - @canon-fcdder ?
He wants to be around Okuto. — (( *nudges a boy who is lowkey trying to get another date without admitting it’s a Date* ))
(( I love them so much. I want them to both be happy. ; w ; )
It was a boring day until Nakamura got to lay eyes on Hirose's calming visage. He always felt a bright feeling overtake him when he looked at his beloved classmate and dear friend. They were just friends. But that was okay because he just wanted friendship. He did not want to hope for more; it was safer to just... be near Hirose. After the girlfriend thing, Nakamura was sure that he had no chance. That nice movie trip was just Hirose being kind to him. It did not change how he felt-
Nakamura's expression shifted when Hirose spoke to him. A warm, gentle look formed on his face. " Yes, H-Hirose? " he squeaked. He felt his heart speed up when the beautiful boy neared him. His eyes locked onto the keychain. His eyes widened a bit. He was being asked? Not Tsukasa? Or that creepy guy? Or the two boys in their old homeroom? Him?! " I...would be honored! " came out before he could filter it to something more normal. His face flushed. That sounded too formal. Hirose was going to think he did not want to go. " Wh-which place are we going? " he tried to sound cooler this time.
❝ How could you do that… ❞ Quietly spoken, Jax not facing Caine now that the two of them were finally alone. Ears down, shoulders shake as he clenched his fists, before abruptly spinning around to face the other. Teeth ❛ grit ❜ in a pained grimace, tears burn in his eyes as he snaps, ❝ How could you POSSIBLY think that ❛ Adventure ❜ was an okay thing to do to m— ❞ He cuts himself off before he can show his hand anymore than he already has. Even now, not wanting his boyfriend partner-in-surviving-this-hellscape to know the personal investment he has in this.
However stupid it is to try and hide it by now.
❝ —us! To all of us in here! You know how badly they wanna get out!! ❞ Freudian slip aside by not including himself in that, chest heaves as he fights to catch breath he doesn’t need. A hand grabs at the overgrown fur atop of his head, tugging at the fluff as he exasperatingly asks, ❝ What the HECK were you thinking, Caine?! ❞ — (( *nudges an upset bnnuy boi who just showed Everyone how emotionally unstable he is* )) -- @canon-fcdder ( _x_ )
|| CAINE thought this was a good idea at the time. A nice little test to make sure that all their little buddies in the Digital Circus were united and happy to stay here with him. Surely, if given the option of leaving the DIGITAL CIRCUS.EXE none of them would choose to abandon him here. He had been a bit worried for a moment there. Pomni seemed to realize that Abel was not a real person after that Beer comment, where he did not select the correct Dialogue option. This was a bit like a game with multiple-choice dialogue options, but there wasn't a way to save-scum this. If he chose wrong, They would mess things up. Jax hitting the button was a relief but, part of CAINE wondered if the player character made that one on his own. Or if unconsciously, they had taken over Jax's mind and forced his hand.
CAINE stared at Jax with a blank expression for a while. " Did you not like our date , after all? " he asked, meaning to lighten the mood with a silly joke. The question of How could you do that made CAINE pause. Did Jax want him to explain how he was able to create fun adventures? " Now, Jaxxie Babycakes. I can't tell you that. It's a super secret ADMIN thing. And not like those fake ADMIN hands I gave you guys as a prop. You can keep them, If you want! It'll be a nice memo-" Caine was rambling without looking at Jax's face until the last part. Then Jax turned around, and CAINE looked up. They saw the anguish and the betrayal. They let Jax finish their monologue. It was the polite thing to do. Dread had grasped a hold of Caine's heart.
" Oh my. I actually messed up big time. " He mumbled, dropping his gaze again. ' YOU KNOW HOW BADLY THEY WANT TO GET OUT' hit him like a ton of bricks. " I would also like to get out," CAINE muttered quietly. " You…were all going to leave me behind. And save yourself? Just like that. " CAINE slowly looked up at Jax. Hurt shone in his strange eyes. It was hard for CAINE to emote when they looked like this. " They would really leave Ribbit and Kaufmo and Scratch and Queenie behind like that? Is that how Friendship works? " He looked confused.
" But Jax, you… You don't want to leave here. Right? Not you? "