#flawed connection

[eight-means-infinity]

smh someone needs to listen to the polites song

The what?

Alright, I'll google it. It better be good.

[eight-means-infinity]

chews your ankle

[Eight shudders, as if they just snapped out of some sort of trance. They're silent for a moment, before replying in a very tired tone:]

You're not even chewing on my ankle, you're just saying that you are. You gotta try better next time, this is just lame.

[eight-means-infinity]

eight. Eight! pay atteeeention to me! How ya doin’, friend of mine? i know how you are. Know who you are! isn’t that fun? I know so much! maybe too much. How much do you know? how much do you think you know? Killer. murderer. Ooohhhhhhh, good for you! i’m so proud, all grown up, a nice little lure for Showfall already. First Charlie, now Star, who else will walk into the lion’s maw for you? the first came out damaged by your whinging and your lies… That’s no fun at all! i hoped he’d get to stay. The second might not come out at all, so we get a second chance!! you encouraged them, made him worry about you. If they die it’ll be aaaaaaaall your fault! isn’t that exciting. It is, isn’t it? isn’t it?

- 🎭

[Eight shivered as a familiar voice rang through their head. The first thought to appear in their mind immediately afterwards is: "FUCK." They should reply. They need to reply. How do they reply? They can't let Star know about Comedy, that would be humiliating!]

Hold on. Stay in the room. I got an.. unexpected visitor.

[Eight sighed and took the earpiece off, making sure to mute themselves beforehand.]

..Hello Comedy. I'm paying attention. Unfortunately.

[Eight tried to brave themselves the best they could. They can't fight Comedy. They can't intimidate it or scream at it until it leaves. What else is left, to give up and take it?]

Charlie came here of his own volition. Star did too. I did not and will not lead to the death of either one of them. Charlie didn't come out damaged, not by me anyways. And I made a promise. Star might stay here for a while, but not permanently. You can discuss all of the details of their stay here with Soul, I'm sure you two have met. Anything else?

[eight-means-infinity]

[The Soul opens its mouth to talk back... but pauses, looking off in the distance, past Eight, even past the room, noticing something outside of Eight's sights]

[It smiles at its unwilling companion with a dark kind of delight]

It seems we'll have to cut our delightful chat short. Our Shining Starlight seems to have made their way here. And we don't wanna leave them waiting, now do we?

[It nods its head at Eight, its eyes back to their "normal" milky white glow before disappearing from the screen]

Good luck, my friend.

~🌟

[Eight blinks and immediately recoils from the screen. What the fuck was that? Only a moment passed between them flipping Soul off and now, and yet it felt like months, in some incomprehensible, senseless way. They had no proof, the date was the same as it had been previously: the third of April. But.. had it really?]

[Whatever. It's probably just their mask glitching again. They switched theur attention back to Soul.]

Shining Starlight? Pffftt. I'd assume that you called them Dickwad or something more, ya know, negative.

[The teen moved to get up from the floor, seeming distracted. They can't seem to remember their plan as well. That's.. concerning, probably. Ah. Brainfog. How they loathe it.]

My fri-? I'm not your friend- aand it's gone. Of course. Thanks I suppose.

[Time to get digging their grave!]

[eight-means-infinity]

[Soul's smile falls, giving way to a more confused frown]

What do you mean? How- how would I be any age other than... um.

[It looks to the side. It seems as if it's reading something off screen... and it doesn't seem like it likes what if found]

... Twenty, huh?

[It clasps its hands, staring at its twiddling thumbs]

[Twenty years spent here, rotting away, playing role after role after role? Rising as "The Star", only to be cast aside when they found someone SoOoOoO Much Better?]

[The camera screen starts glowing as The Soul seethes. Heat radiates from it as the light starts to become unbearable. The Soul seems to stop breathing entirely]

[Twenty years, I've been promised to be the greatest, only to be replaced by some... Some kid they picked up off the street! Twenty Years I have suffered, only for it all to be for naught when they all leave me in the dust!!!]

[The camera shakes for a moment... then stills as The Soul finally huffs a breath again, shutting its eyes shut, trying to shut out the emotions in turn so it can focus at the matter at hand, as it has before... then sighs, rubbing its face and, possibly realizing its audience is still here staring, smiles. The smile is dry and insincere, poorly hiding its anger away again]

I act exactly the age I'm supposed at any given moment to thank you very much.

~🌟

Oh please, you know exactly how such a thing can be achieved. Impossible standards, impossible means and all that..

[Soul's gaze finally averts from them and Eight stalls for a couple of seconds, studying the expression on Soul's face before hesitantly allowing themselves to disconnect from the screen as well. At least for a moment.]

[Twenty years, huh? That's.. oh fuck that's exactly how much time Eight themselves have been trapped in the foundation. Their twentieth anniversary passed in January. Just three or four weeks before their birthday.. and Star's. Wait, Soul's too. Same birthday, presumably.]

[Before they could think of potential repercussions, the teen mumbled out:]

Happy late birthday to you and I both.

[..And immediately regretted it as they got flashbanged to hell and back due to finally reconnecting to the screen Soul was on. Their arms flew up defensively, as if they only saw the glow and the shaking now.]

Fuck! What are ya flashbanging me for, glowstick?! I just said happy birthday!

[The glowing soon dissapeared, leaving just an incredibly confused and mildly offended Eight. They flash a middle finger at Soul because fuck em.]

[eight-means-infinity]

[The Soul looks surprised for a moment, not expecting an agreement so soon. Sure, Eight's request isn't... entirely ideal, but Soul's already getting a lot on its end... and who's to say it can't work around the roadblocks?]

[It composes itself quickly, giggling wickedly in glee. It even starts floating, curling in on itself, spinning and kicking in the air like a giddy child]

Oh, Eighty-Bug, I knew I could count on you! This will work like a dream!

Oh I can see it now! Star doing our bidding, building whatever we need! With their (ugh) skills, The Founder won't know what's coming until it's too late!

[It calms down and with a sigh, slides back onto the table. It's eyes are closed, making it look almost... contented.]

Oh, it will be... A Wonderous Performance! My best yet!

[When Soul opens its eyes again, they're a pale blue again – have they gotten paler? It's hard to tell – and its smile almost looks genuine. Almost.]

And I'll have you to thank for it... partner.

~🌟

[Eight stared at this colorful expression of happiness and, simultaneously, their smile fell and turned to a slight frown. They already regretted agreeing to this. But something stuck out to them, multiple things, actually. So as soon as this little happy tantrum was over, Eight spoke up once more.]

First of all, Bug is my nickname for you, stop copying me and think up your own. Also Eighty-Bug doesn't even make sense.

[Eight wished they could be happy as well right now. They wished to feel like they can actually rely on Soul. But alas. They couldn't join into this display of unadulterated joy. The thought of that made them sick.]

Second of all, you don't thank me for nothin'. I ain't being forced to do this, so your gratitude is pointless. Especially since you seem to take this all as just a performance. In that case I'm just playin' my role, aren't I? And third of all..

[Eight lifted their head slightly and let their arms fall to the sides. A rare change of posture in the otherwise still demeanour. They glanced up at Soul's eyes. Something churned in their chest.]

How old are you? I know how old you should theoretically be, but it feels like you're flipping rapidly between actually being a formidable opponent and just.. an eccentric child and I ain't a fan of not knowing what I'm up against, partner.

[eight-means-infinity]

[Its smile is wide, unaffected by Eight's discouragement]

Well, sure I can play pretend with Star to get what I want, but where's the fun in that? I know that copycat too well — do one good thing for them, and they'll go a mile for you. Sure that's great, but god it's so predictable.

[Hm... honesty.]

Frankly, I don't entirely know why I went to you of all people. Honestly, I could've stuck with TV for brains or that jabberbox teenager and be in the same spot as I am now... but you're... different, I think.

You're aware of it all and instead of entirely falling apart or running away, you've embraced the terribleness of it all. That's not to say you're amazing at it, but you're certainly better than that Star would be in your place. And I can never predict you.

You're something new. It's refreshing to have someone who's willing to cut me off, to strike me down if given the chance, even if you'd be no better without me, as I would you.

[The Soul chuckles darkly, a shadow passing over its face as it smirks at its companion... acquaintance? It doesn't entirely know where Eight stands with it, but they're standing nonetheless]

I mean, let's face it, how much longer are you really going to last on your own? With everything you've been doing, it's only a matter of time before the others find you, before a HETCH or even The Founder sends you to an ending you may not like, before you're ever able to do anything even remotely worthwhile.

C'mon, Eight. I know you can use that big brain of yours and see that I'm right. Our best bet for survival is together.

~🌟

So what you're saying is that everybody is too nice and are coddling you so you went to me, a problematic asshole because I'm not boring. Oh how I love having my worth dependant on novelty.

[Eights claps their hands slowly. They were oversimplifying Soul's words, of course, taking an opportunity to insult it in no way that really matters, but, most importantly of all, giving themselves time to think. They ran Soul's words through their head over and over again, but their search for potential manipulation tactics used or lies was mostly fruitless. Well that's annoying. Surely it had to have twisted the truth somewhere? But.. hm.]

I have been brash recently, and mostly given up on safety. I knew that it would cost me, but I just.. couldn't bear to sit quietly anymore. It was so infuriatingly humiliating and, worst of all, boring.

[Eight hummed, a small smile appearing on their face as they noticed the irony in their own words. Criticising Soul for talking to them because of boredom and then using the same reason to justify their own careless behaviour. Maybe they are worth one another, in hypocrisy at the very least.]

Y'know what, I've been digging my own grave since the time I dared to survive, what's a couple more inches?

[The teen raised their hands in retaliation.]

But I get to look at and change Star's script however I wish and you do not peek into my programming business, got it?

[eight-means-infinity]

[At the mention of Charlie, its eye twitches. It's minuscule, and its able to hide it by giving a closed eyed smile]

You know how I can travel and control electronic devices? Well, the same thing applies to the devices on the Actors and Drones! Or at least, it gives me much easier access to them!

[It leans forward, smile sinister and gaze piercing]

If we can just get that wannabe caught, I'd be able to do so. Much. More.

Honestly, I'm getting very tired of being stuck behind a screen.

~🌟

Do I look like an idiot to you?

[The words leave Eight's mouth before they can think about it. A groan follows right afterwards as the realisation of what they just said arrives.]

[Masks off for now, then.]

If I did that I'd actively be sabotaging myself. We both know we're selfish and would abandon eachother in an instant if the opportunity arose. I'm not too keen on giving you said opportunity.

[I will keep us both trapped on this wire until I can guarantee my own safety and control over the situation.]

I'm gonna be honest for a moment, you really shouldn't be allies with me. Like, if you actually want to get anywhere that is. I don't exactly know what happened then, when we made the agreement, but I wasn't really thinking clearly and I doubt you were either.

[Eight contemplates for a moment before speaking up again.]

Your best bet is Star, I reckon. Even if you hate 'em. Arentcha an actor? Surely you can pretend for a cause. I reckon they'd agree to make you a robot body or something with barely any convincing needed. I don't understand why you went to me in the first place.