afterliving | ⇋ 003 - voice/action

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Tch... Yeah, it's me. What tipped you off?

[Don't mind him, he's a little grumpy.]

You wouldn't think an NPC'd be strong enough to push me down, but this place is just full of surprises.

Well, the way you're talking, for one...

But in that case, Ling really has been turned into an NPC! But you weren't... Are you okay?! Is Ling still in there somewhere?!

Oh, yeah, I'm just peachy! I love being stuck inside of here without being able to do shit while some NPC walks around with this body. Why wouldn't I be fine?

[He sighs a little wearily. Just... fuck his life right now. Or not life. Whatever.]

Anyway, yeah, he got turned into an NPC. And now it's just me and a mindless... thing in here.

I'm so sorry... That does sound like it would be very strange and uncomfortable to experience. I'm really worried about Ling too though...

[She's been turned into an NPC herself before and... blech.]

Don't worry too much about him. He's a lot tougher than he looks and he's got a pretty strong spirit, too. So I'm sure he'll be just fine.

[Was that... actual praise? Greed really is feeling off, wow.

That, and he's pretty confident that Ling can't hear anything he's saying right now.]

I hope so... I just wish there was a way I knew of to help bring you two back to normal though. But last time this sort of thing happened, it got fixed on its own.

So I just gotta, what... wait it out? Heh, well, I guess it's not like there's much else I can do.

Anyway, don't worry about me or Ling, we've been in worse situations. Just make sure you don't get turned into an NPC yourself.

Well you two are my friends, so there's no way I could just not worry about you! That's not happening.

But I'll do my best. I've... actually been an NPC before, and I'm not planning on doing that again! So I promise that won't happen.

[He halts for a moment. Being referred to as a friend is... not something he really knows how to deal with. Boss, sure, but friend? Not so much.

What does he... do... with this information...]

[...Ignoring it sounds like a good idea.

So after a moment of kind of staring like a moron, he just pretends like that didn't happen.]

Good. And that can't have been fun.

But you should be able to avoid a repeat of that as long as you don't do anything stupid.

Yeah, I'll be careful!

[She says this despite being entirely reckless in trying a method to get rid of the shadows, but... fortunately that didn't go horribly or anything.]

So in the mean time, you make sure to take good care of Ling, okay? And if you ever need any help, just let me know.

Sure, I'll try, but there's not a lot I can do. I can't stay in control for very long like this...

For how long can you do it?

I don't know... A couple of minutes, maybe...

...I'm already pushing it just by talking to you right now.

I see... If it's straining you though, I could leave you alone for now! That way you can save some energy for a time you'll need it.

...Yeah, that'd probably be a smarter way to handle it, huh?

[He just really doesn't like being stuck in there doing nothing.]

Don't know how often I can even do this.

Probably... I wouldn't chance it though, you know? I'm sure it must be uncomfortable be stuck in there while an NPC is taking over, but... if you push yourself, it could be dangerous.

Wouldn't be the first time I've had to lay low, so I can try that, annoying as it'll be...

If you need to contact me, just talk to Ling or show him a note or something. I can still see and hear what he does.

Okay, I'll do that. [A nod.] Be careful, Greed! And if you ever need anything, just let me know!

Right, sure. Guess I'll keep that in mind. Well, later.

[Then he blinks and, just like that, Greed's gone and the NPC is back in place.]

Ah... I really need to stop spacing out like that. Sorry about that.

[Ah... This is so awkward. Talking to the NPC probably won't go any good though, so Celica will make her escape.]

It's okay, Ling! But I should really be heading off now. So I'll see you around, okay? Try not to space out during class!

⇋ 003 - voice/action

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