⇋ 003 - voice/action

[avartwice]

[voice]

I'm starting... to really hate this place.

[So Greed's not sounding too good today. His voice is pretty strained and his breathing's a little heavy.]

Especially that NPC asshole... and his damn shadows. As if I didn't hate shadows enough before I got here... If I ever get my hands on that brat, I'm gonna make sure nothing'll be left of him, I don't even care if he comes back!

I'm really hoping none of you are thinking of turning in the NPC he wants after this stunt... But if you are, let me know, so I can make sure to kick your ass later!

[action]

[Not long after Greed's message, Ling can be spotted hanging out with the NPC students while wearing the regular uniform, rather than his own black coat. Which would be an odd sight even if it weren't NPCs, as Ling really isn't the type to hang out with multiple people unless there's food involved. But with NPCs? Yeah, that's definitely not right.

However, you might notice that every now and then, he seems to just halt. He'll stop walking, he'll drift off mid-sentence, that sort of thing. Not as if someone's pressed the pause button on him, but more like he momentarily forgets what he's doing. But then a few seconds later, he resumes whatever he's up to. Huh.]

Comments

[happyends]

[ ...

Two souls.

Yeah, that sure is.. some explanation.. although "souls in a container" sure makes her think of something from her own world, so she thinks that maybe it's not impossible, but it's still a little.. strange. But she trusts Greed, so she takes his word completely. ]

I didn't know that could happen.. [ Whether she's referring to two souls in one body or one of them being turned into an NPC while the other isn't is anyone's guess. ] I-.. I'm sorry, Greed-san. And I'm sorry for the other soul too. I hope you two can find a solution..

[avartwice]

Yeah... I don't think that's gonna happen. Turns out, NPCs? Not so easy to control.

Honestly... I'm not sure how long I can keep him down, as embarrassing as that is. So in a little bit, the NPC's gonna be in charge and I'll be stuck inside without being able to do shit about it.

[happyends]

N-.. no way! Greed-san, we can't let that happen to you! [ Madoka doesn't want to have to leave anyone behind, after all. ]

Can't we ask someone who's been here longer if they know what to do about it..?

[avartwice]

Well, if you know anyone who knows how to get me out of this mess, feel free to point me in their direction. But unless you can do that in the next few minutes, I doubt that'll be much help.

You just worry about yourself and try not to get caught like some morons did.

[happyends]

Hmm, I'm not sure.. [ She doesn't even know who has been here the longest, so she feels like she's coming up short even after her own advice. Madoka looks down, staring at her feet for a moment before she goes on, her voice more dejected. ]

But.. e-even so, there's no way I'd be okay with just me being alright and everyone else being in trouble..

[avartwice]

Look, I'll be... [Oh, right, no lying.] I've had way worse, so I'll manage.

Anyway, if you're that eager to help out, you can try to make sure that NPC stays out of that bastard's hands. But if you're not up to that, then just stay out of everyone's way and hide someplace.

[happyends]

N.. no, I'll help out!

[ She can't turn down a request from anyone she cares about, after all, so she's already made up her mind. She's really scared of the shadows, if she's entirely honest with herself, but she can't just do nothing either. ]

I promise I'll protect the NPC version of you.. a-as much as I can, anyway. I'm sorry I can't do more than that..

[avartwice]

Okay, no, stop. I don't want you sticking your neck out if you can't. I'd rather not have even more people turning into shadows.

Just... If you want to help out that much, I do have one favor I can ask. [He hates the thought of owing anyone anything, but you know what, it's been a crazy day already. So what the hell.] Can you, uh...

[Ugh, this is embarrassing...]

...Can you take care of my lizard? I don't want some stupid NPC to let him out or anything, is all...

[happyends]

[ She visibly almost shrinks a little at his first statement, afraid that she offered the wrong kind of thing. But when he continues and actually gives her something to do, she already looks a little better again. ]

Really..? You'd want me to do that? [ Well, you're the one offering, Madoka.. ] A-ah, thank you, I promise I'll do my best..!

[avartwice]

Yeah, yeah, just... don't go spreading it around, alright?

[This is embarrassing enough already with just her knowing.]

But... Thanks. I... owe you one.

[It doesn't matter if she's basically insisting to help out. He owes her now. His code of honor basically demands that.]

[happyends]

Hmm, I promise I won't tell anyone..! If they ask me where I got it, I'll just say I found it!

[ Madoka doesn't like lying, but if it's for Greed's sake, then she can probably manage. ... Probably. ]

.. Um, so.. Greed-san, please just hang in there.. you don't owe me anything at all, so please just try to do that. [ Because once she comes off her "someone actually asked me to help" high and all that, she realises just why this situation is a thing in the first place - because he's going to turn into an NPC. It dampens the enthusiasm a little. ]

[avartwice]

You don't have to lie, just... don't mention by name if you can help it. I don't like lying and having someone lie for me doesn't make me feel better about it.

...Yeah, sure. I'll do my best here.

[happyends]

[ Ack, see, she's messing up already.. at the mention of it Madoka immediately looks a tad more awkward, but she manages to hold back the worst of it as she nods. ]

A-ah, I get it. I'm sorry, I'll promise I'll do that then and take really good care of it..

[avartwice]

...Appreciate it.

Think it's about time I clock out. Heh. Guess I'll see you later. Probably, anyway.

[happyends]

...

It's a promise..! [ It comes out with some hesitance, with that slight pause in front of it, but she manages to say it. It's a little hard to say since it's sort of bold by her standards, but she did it. ]

We'll see each other later, I-- I promise that! So.. goodbye.. but just for now.

[avartwice]

...Heh, you're really a weird one, y'know? But that's not a bad thing. Not like I'm one to talk about being normal.

[That was actually pretty close to being an actual compliment.]

Well, later.

[And that's the last she'll hear of him.]