log; and then everyone died

[subservience]

[... Jiros is actually not quite sure what to do in this situation. Or about being dead, really. His thoughts are somewhere along the lines of '... well, shit' and 'damn' and 'I guess I'm dead'.

...

Oh, and he's being attacked by frogs. That's kind of important too.

SO YEAH RUNNING LIKE THE WIND and half-looking for someone to partner up with though really how is he supposed to tell who else is dead—]

Comments

[subservience]

[no. NO HE WOULD NOT BE FUN TO MESS WITH PLEASE DO NOT TRY.]

You would... assume so?

[that does not sound like a proper yes but whatever.]

... My apologies for your loss, then.

[you should apologize to someone if they died, right...

also have you let go of his hand yet—]

[inexistence]

[ ... okay, that's surprising. he actually takes a moment to look back momentarily, eyebrow poised in the arch of a perfect question mark. ] Why? It's not like you killed me.

[ and it's not like he's lost anything. really, his life was never his in the first place, so from his perspective, nothing of value was lost. this boy's formality, however, kind of amuses him a little. he almost reminds him of Eithri.

out of the corner of his eyes, he spots the frogs again. his hold on your hand will tighten!! you are not getting your hand back anytime soon jiros so dealwithit.jpg ] Ahhh, it looks like they're gaining on us. Any bright ideas?

[subservience]

[god just let go his hand already you creeper]

Shi—

[wait, no, swearing is bad. He really has to stop doing that.

But hmm. These creatures—]

... To reaffirm—you are deceased, correct?

[inexistence]

[ ah, he notices your bit-off swearing there. maybe you just have weird scruples? but it looks like you're on a good train of thought, there. while he's not particularly proactive, he knows that that's probably their best shot of getting out of this alive.

haha, 'alive'. ]

If I weren't, would I be able to hold your hand right now? [ a teasing answer, even as he tugs them around a bend. being out in the open is not a strategically sound move-- he knows of a small hideaway underneath a bridge, but they'll need to make it in one piece, first. AKA DON'T ASK STUPID QUESTIONS JIROS AND BE PROACTIVE LIKE A MAN!!! ]

[subservience]

[IF IT DOESN'T INVOLVE HIS FAMILY, HE'S NOT VERY GOOD AT BEING PROACTIVE. why do you think his dad and not-mom don't like him much—]

... I would appreciate it if you were to... release me.

[and that was probably the most awkward-sounding request ever but please??]

[inexistence]

[ JIROS NO DON'T BE LIKE THAT and he just chuckles breathlessly because you are really too funny, fellow dead kid. ]

Well, I'd appreciate it if you could suffer it through until we get to a safer place.

'less you have a better idea?

[subservience]

[no. He is not funny, thank you very much.

Also, thinking! They're dead, these frog things are only chasing them and not the presumably not-dead people, and therefore they are chasing them because they're dead. Huh.]

Forgive the... intrusion on your privacy, but I must ask: have you found a partner yet?

[half of him is hoping no because he needs one, and the other half of him is hoping yes because dear lord he doesn't want you as his partner—]

[inexistence]

[ no, seriously, you really are the funniest thing in the known universe. he really needs to stop laughing at you, but he can't help it. ]

Thought you'd never ask.

[ and taking that as a sign that you don't have a partner yet either, he'll drag you around another bend, right under the bridge. by the way, to make it extra awkward and hilarious, the river under that bridge is famous in the area for being the place to confess your love to your crush. the hilarity is not lost on Celandine, who just tilts his head. ] Contract?

[subservience]

[... fortunately, that bit flies right over Jiros's head but if he ever learns about it he will be incredibly embarrassed. Belatedly.

Have a bow of his head!]

If I have your permission...

[inexistence]

Relax. [ TEASING ] It's not as though we're getting married.

[ aaaaand suddenly let's have that light show that all new contracts are bestowed with. PRETTY LIGHTS GO ]

[subservience]

[alskdjalsdjasda hnnnnnnnnngrrrrk okay he looks visibly startled and embarrassed at that before quickly covering it up.

PRETTY LIGHTS OOH]

[inexistence]

[ ... welp, it's official. even if it weren't, this should at least deserve an honorary mention. you are now on his to-tease list, jiros. hope you enjoy the ride.

when the light show subsides, leaving in its wake the general dreariness of reality permeated by the staunch gurgling of the river, the first thing celandine does is to peer around in the direction of the frogs. ] Still there? They're annoying persistent.

[subservience]

[nooooooooooooooo.

Also peering—]

Should we... continue to flee?

[inexistence]

If our friendly neighbourhood game supervisors aren't filthy liars, they shouldn't pursue us any further.

[ he says this in a way that clearly conveys his opinions on said friendly neighbourhood game supervisors, but that's probably just his cynicism showing. ]

[subservience]

Our frie... ah.

[Speak normally, gosh you.]

Would you prefer it if I were to test the validity of what they said?

[inexistence]

[ says the person who talks like he swallowed a 19th century dictionary!!! he arches another eyebrow. ]

I'd be in a lot of trouble if you died on me. [ and because of the situation, he quickly amends-- ] Well, died again.

[subservience]

Then... should we have faith in what we were told?

[YOUR CALL.]

[inexistence]

[ HE'S GETTING THAT FEELING and he snorts. ] Why, did you really want to fight?

[subservience]

No. I am... merely inquiring as to what our next course of action should be regarding these creatures.

[inexistence]

Then why're you asking me? It's not like I'm all that much of a fountain of knowledg-- [ !!! owwwwww okay his palm stings. he'll glance at it and frown. ]

I forgot about this. [ TIMER'S STILL TICKING. the number on his palm reads 30:23:04. ]

[subservience]

[he's asking you because he doesn't know!!

and alsjdkaslda oh yeah that timer—]

... As did I...

[and now have some silence because it's all up to you, Celandine...!]

[inexistence]

[ ................................................ SQUINTING

and he sighs. ]

... c'mon, let's get going. [ aaaaand he'll start walking towards where the frogs are randomly hopping around because they're not supposed to be targeting them any more. ]

[subservience]

[nod nod—oh, he's walking already.

Following! Congrats, Celandine, you've obtained a shadow.]

[inexistence]

[ sobbing he already has a shadow he doesn't need another one!!!! but has he walks, he carefully eyes the frogs. ... they really look like grafitti come to life, don't they. but the lines...

his eyes narrow. and then, with a flick of his wrist, he... takes out a pair of scissors from his sleeves! perfectly good place to keep a pair of scissors, really. ]

[subservience]

[what the hell?

???]

May I... inquire as to what you are about to do?