#incharacter)

[luckyunluckymage]

Lone had been continuing to tell their tales, humming softly and grinning anytime Challenger showed interest or asked a question.

Until her demeanor changed suddenly, like the flip of a coin.

“Lone.” Her tone was soft, but clearly held a bite to it.

The mage in question tilted their head, frowning notably, “WHAT? DID YOU GET BORED ALREADY?”

“No, your stories are great, but-”

Challenger sighed, “Lone. What are you hiding. Tell me. Now.”

Lone’s eyes widened, as if the action was even possible, and they held their cape just a tad tighter around their form, “I...DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT. I DONT I DONT I DONT.”

“...You do.” The witch was unphased, bringing her good arm to tug at the green fabric, “Whatever you have, it’s hidden here.”

Lone held back from biting their friend, gaze going blank as their breathing picked up pace, “I I I I I CANT YOU’LL YOU’LL YOU’LL-- YOU’LL BE MAD AT ME.”

In response, Challenger’s eyebrows furrowed, “What? Lone...I wouldn’t be mad...I just want to know what’s going on. You’ve been weird ever since we left the data corruption...”

“I...WELL...I...WHEN I....” Lone swallowed hard, “WHEN I...DEFEATED THE FAKE OUROBOROS...IT...LEFT SOMETHING BEHIND.”

Challenger visibly froze, “....What did it leave?”

“IT...IT LEFT....IT....” Lone slowly begun to open their cloak, revealing the small, real ouroboros. It seemed in much, much better shape than before, but still weak, “...IT...THIS....THIS IS FROM MY GAME...I KNOW IT IS...I’M...KEEPING IT ALIVE...”

“...” Challenger sucked in a breath, holding her fear at bay for now, “You...You’re sure that’s the real thing?”

“AS SURE AS I CAN BE! IT’S...IT’S SO YOUNG ANYWAYS...PLEASE DON’T BE MAD.”

“No I’m...I’m not. I promise. I promise Lone It’s just--”

“JUST?”

Challenger reached her hand forwards, hand barely making contact with the beast’s fur as it shuddered, “It’s shocking. That’s all. We....We almost--- Well you. You almost died to that thing and now you’re...taking in its kin?”

“IM NOT! THIS IS THE REAL ONE...THE OTHER--- IT...IT USED ITS FORM TO TRICK US...PLEASE...ITS NOT A BAD CREATURE. YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME.”

“...I...I don’t know if I do,” Challenger admitted, “Just. Let me think about it.”

“CHALLENGER? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?”

“Don’t worry about it Lone. I’m...not going to get rid of it. I just--- I need some time,” The witch grimaced, “That event was....it was horrifying. It’s hard to look at that-...At the ouroboros. It’s like a bad reminder of where I came from.”

The mage looked down, watching the snake-like beast’s tail curl over its snout comfortably. They could understand. Somewhat. For now.

“I...I SEE...”

[luckyunluckymage]

“Lone,” Challenger hummed, “Your stories are great and all...”

The mage tensed slightly as her voice trailed off. Had they done something wrong? Were their tales of when the disk was full too dull? No...Lone had a feeling they knew what Challenger really wanted, as their hands shifted under their cloak to hold the tiny ouroboros closer to themself.

“You’ve been hiding something, Lone,” Challenger frowned lightly, “I want to know what it is.”

“IT’S NOTHING!” Lone grinned, “COME ON! I HAVE ANOTHER STORY FROM SOME OF THE GOOD LOOPS!”

The witch sighed, nodding her head as Lone begun another story of their time in Inscryption.

“SO I TALKED ABOUT MY FRIEND GOOBERT BEFORE...” “Yes, and your friend Pike.” “UH-HUH! WELL....THEY WERE BOTH HARD TO CONVINCE TO LEAVE MAGNIFICUS’ TOWER THE FIRST FEW LOOPS. AHAHA....BUT I ALWAYS LIKED TO EXPLORE. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN GETTING THEM OUT FOR ONCE.”

“...I can imagine. You describe all the islands as being...quite interesting.” “THEY WERE! THEY REALLY WERE! I MISSED EXPLORING WHEN I WAS LOCKED AWAY IN...IN THE OTHER...LOOPS...”

[luckyunluckymage]

..a cleaning spell, hm? I could use one of those... As you might be able to tell from all the random things I send both of you, it's quite cluttered over here!

..how does the spell work exactly? You mentioned water, Lone, so I'm assuming it's more of a washing spell than a sweeping spell?

-*🌙*

"WELL IT CAN ADJUST TO WHAT I NEED BUT--- UM...I TRIED TO INFUSE! PART OF IT ONCE AND IITTTT TURNED INTO A FLOOD!"

[luckyunluckymage]

Challenger and Lone had huddled up, almost as if imitating sitting around a campfire, though the void lacked the flames and setting of a campsite. The shadow grinned, large fangs glistening as they begun to consider what story they should tell first.

“WELL! PERHAPS...” They hummed, “MAYBE I COULD TELL YOU MY FIRST SPELL?” Challenger said patiently, her face remaining neutral, save the slightly crooked smile she offered in support, “Alright...What was your first spell?”

“WELL! DON’T LAUGH BUT--- IT WAS CLEANING MAGIC. YOU SEE I UH--”

The mage tugged at their collar lightly, “I’M A BIT PRONE TO ACCIDENTS IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT.”

They flushed at the snort they gained in return, quickly resuming their idle chatter, “ANYWAYS- MAGNIFICUS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD, SIMPLE SPELL TO TEACH ME WITH VERY LITTLE CONSEQUENCES SHOULD IT BACKFIRE.”

Challenger raised an eyebrow lightly, “Did it backfire?”

“WELL-- YES! A FEW TIMES. THAT’S HOW LEARNING GOES,” Lone chuckled, “I DONT THINK HE EXPECTED THE TIME I TRIED TO MAKE IT MORE EFFIECENT AND WELL-- FLOODED...A ROOM OR TWO.”

“...Sounds like you’ve always been this chaotic, huh?”

“WELL! WELL WELL WELL--- MAYBE...A LITTLE...YEAH...”

[luckyunluckymage]

For your trouble I should probably give you the gift I've been making, here! (it's a plushie version of all off the students with a little handwritten note underneath them, "Keep doing your best! I'm always cheering you on!") [[I'm sorry you might have to end up drawing these]]

I hope you enjoy, it's the least I can do after that last message. - Pike <3 <3

Lone's eyes begun to water, holding the plushes as close to themself as they could.

"TH-THANK YOU..."

"THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME..."

[luckyunluckymage]

I read through your blog, I might not be the me from your world but I can say I felt a similar way about you in mine.

It's great to see you're happy in the new void, it's a lot more fun with others isn't it? Challenger gets hugs from me! (but not literally because I have no arms)

People really seem to like your teeth, so here's some mouthwash, just don't swallow it cause it's the type with alcohol. - Pike <3 <3

"P-PIKE?" Lone pauses, holding the mouthwash tightly.

"...Thank you."

"...I miss you-- well...you know what I mean by that."