adsum | npc contact.1

[she freezes, for just a moment.]

I don't really know him at all, though. [said mostly because she's starting to realize she. doesn't know anyone here.] He's, um... He's got lots of murders. You like those, right? He could spare one of the less important ones... if he wants...

[dear god it's her first day as a master and she's bartering him for a beanbag chair.]

[ It's a very nice beanbag chair... ]

A "less important" murder, huh? Is there such a thing? What makes one person's death less important than another's? How will you be able to choose which one to give?

[...]

Well, I've never met any of those people, so it's just however he feels about them.

Ehhhh? All murders are equal. [ He says shoving more pistachios into his mouth, leaning casually against the table. ]

Equally bad. [wHY DID SHE EVER AGREE TO ANY OF THIS WHY IS THIS THE WAY HER LIFE IS NOW]

[ ...Counselorkun smiles. ]

A memory he doesn't remember, then, as not to have any feelings about it. I know just the one.

[ He turns to Stephanie. ]

Unfortunately, with the way you two are connected, you may catch glimpses of it as it's dragged to the surface. But I can take it away from you too, after, if you'd like.

[she swallows.]

... I'll keep it. Then he could get it back, kinda, if he wants.

[ Okay well he's ready, he's looking at The counselor expectantly. ]

Kind of... Alright, then. When you're ready, give me your hand.

[ He holds his hand out to Hyde. ]

Awww, we holding hands now? Didn't know we were already this far into the relationship.

[ That arm is broken so, but he still offers it like it's not. ]

[ The counselor takes Hyde's broken arm and pulls it towards him rather than sliding off the desk to meet him halfway, holding the hand still in his left while the pointer finger of his right touches upon a spot on Hyde's head line.

Both Hyde and Stephanie see it at the same time.

They open their eyes and it's darkness, it's silence, it takes a moment for their eyesight to adjust to the faint moonlight glowing somewhere above their heads, and when they turn to look to their right, they see Moriarty there next to them, his head bowed and a shovel in his hands. There is a shovel in their hands too. At their feet is a pit, meters deep and black with soil that they toss inside the void in turns. The soil writhes inside the pit, moonlight catching on the carapace of scuttling beetles and burrowing centipedes and a fingernail— a hand- two hands desperately clawing their way up before another pile of dirt gets dumped on top to bury them once more, muffling the sounds of screaming and crying, the cries for help, the cries for Maya, the cries for—-

The counselor lifts his finger from Hyde's palm and Hyde remembers nothing; to him, all the counselor did was hold his hand and poke his palm and let go. ]

[ Initially Hyde gasps a little from the pain of being pulled, but the moment to him is so sudden and... Full of nothing. Hyde makes a face. ]

Really that was it??

[ There is a huff from his lips, sighing boredly. ]

[she rubs at her eyes violently when it ends, because for all her talk, she isn't used to this stuff, used to real magic, the kind of enchantments that really mess with your head. and, she'll admit, her head feels messed with. under the dirt...]

... When... Who...

[she stands suddenly, an almost manic grin on her face, pointing an accusatory finger at the counselor.] They can't go outside! Either of them! You do make those memories up! That's proof!

[ The counselor smiles, leaning back on his desk, and for once does not reach for his nut bowl. ]

You don't remember going outside? To the park, to the library, home?

[ Because those sorts of memories are buried in there too, just as fuzzy and impossible as memories of high school life. There's memories of family, even, and those of, idk, cup scout groups or knitting clubs or something. ]

You weren't always stuck inside. It's a little pitiful to see... but you're all working hard to make your way back.

... ? wait we can leave? how the fuck do we leave?

[ Hydes eyes flicker over to the counselor - though he knows the guy wont answer his question. He cant even read the other for that matter. But he asks it anyways.
Seemingly annoyed - that the girl seemed to have? Had a memory of something. ]

HauH? How come she got to see the memory? And I aint?

Of course I remember my home. I remember my uncle's house, and my room, and the sports field, and everything else about Lazytown! You can try to put whatever you want in here [taps her temple] but that doesn't change anything!

[she sneers.] We are gonna find our way back to our homes. Our real homes. This place isn't real! You stole us!

It's my memory now, Hyde. But, as Miss Stephanie says, she also has it, so you could get it back, kinda, if you want.

[ me, crying as I was desperately trying to imply something before but it's okay, it's fine, this is the ic reaction ]

But yes, you can leave. You can go home, too... you'll find your way back. I know you will.

[ But this place and what it is, who stole who, he doesn't say anything about that, leaning back at his desk while Stephanie makes her declarations and it makes him smile, almost proud. ]

[ IM UPSET WHAT DID I MISS. ]

All right then. You keep your secrets....

[ Hyde looks over to him with heart eyes. ]

[you know USUALLY when you confront the villain on their dastardly schemes, they admit it and get all flustered and walk off and it's all over? and she's not entirely sure what to do with him just. continuing to sit there. that's not how it's supposed to work.]

Why are you smiling? [she has him dead to rights. she knows she does. so why is he smiling.

she glances at Hyde briefly, whispers to him:] I'll tell you all about it later.

Oh. I can stop.

[ He just hides his smile behind his hand so she can't tell. ]

[ Hyde is casually looking over Steph. ]

Did you think that was it? Of course he's smiling, he's totally in control of this situation. You have nothing on him. Except.... A beanbag I guess.

Ugh! You don't have to say it!

[she puts her fists on her hips.] Hyde! Move his hand!

[SHE'LL SHOW YOU CONTROL BITCH]

[ He looks at Steph, then looks at the Counselor. ]

Wanna hold hands again?

[ He can't help but laugh, betraying his own attempt to hide a smile, but he keeps one hand in front of his face, extending his other hand to Hyde. ]

Would you take my other hand, miss Stephanie?

[ Only way to make him stop hiding ]

["this is a bad idea," says the accented moral voice in her mind. "this will not end well."

"break his FUCKING hand, pinky," says the equally accented immoral voice.

so, obviously, she grits her teeth and grabs his other hand.]

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