02.50 - week two, saturday

[afflictionmods]

W2 SATURDAY

Like last Saturday, everyone will get an announcement on their tablets; this time, the announcement is preceded with a bell of some sort before Lorelei appears on the screen again.

"Good morning, everyone. This is an announcement to let you know that today's lesson will take place starting at 8:15 tonight. Again, today's lesson will be starting at 8:15. Please meet at the lower campus exit near the lecture by 8:00pm; Florence will be waiting for you there.

If you have a bag for some snacks and, perhaps, an item you can use for self-defense in the case of an emergency, please arrive with those things on you. We will provide you with an overview of what to expect when you arrive at 8pm.

Thank you."

The alert ends.

You have the day to prepare, ask each other what the hell is happening -- Florence and Lorelei do not seem to be available, strangely enough. There's a lot to take in with the information you have now. But before you know it... night falls.

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[selfconcept]

I'll remember you.

[ He can't really tack a "I promise" because that feels much heavier with Owen. ]

So you can rest assured that at least someone will remember you.

[sicklysweet]

I don't want to be remembered.

[Does he? Doesn't he? He doesn't know, but that makes it sound like Hien's going to leave-]

I don't want to be left behind again. Please.

[selfconcept]

So, everything will be fine if I stay?

[ There's seems to be some kind of glint in his eyes... ]

[sicklysweet]

[Unfortunately, it’s hard to see that glint right now. But surely it’s fine. Why would Hien do anything awful to him!!]

Yes…

[selfconcept]

[ Cute. Hien gently pats his back and continues to pat his head too. All designed to be comforting. ]

Everything will be fine.

[ Everything is Fine. ]

[sicklysweet]

[This is probably the most comforting physical contact he’s had in his entire life and he can’t even appreciate it or get mad about it.]

Okay…

[There are still doubts that linger, but… Hien is still here, so… maybe he can trust him.]

[selfconcept]

[ Despite the creepy undertones(?), Hien actually stays with Owen, hugging him the entire time and trying to soothe him too. ]

You really are like a child sometimes. It's endearing.

[sicklysweet]

[To anyone else they'd probably be more over than under, but.

It works.

Owen goes tense when he comes back to his senses, and there's a brief moment of confusion - why is Hien hugging him? What the hell is going on?

But at least this time he remembers.]

What? Why are you-

[He tries to pull free, but he hisses as he arm protests and he's forced to notice the injury all over again.]

[selfconcept]

You're finally awake, princess. Good morning.

[ It's not morning. ]

See? Everything is just fine.

[sicklysweet]

[Also doubt everything is "just fine".]

You shot me.

[Which, you know. Understandable. Mostly.]

What did I even do to piss you off tonight?

[selfconcept]

Oh, nothing. You were just being your old self. Admittedly, I didn't even know you were there! Everything is fine! You didn't die.

[ Hien using exclamation marks on someone... (unsure) ]

[sicklysweet]

I can't die.

[Well. This has gone from weird and uncomfortable and shameful to something that makes even Owen concerned.

At least he's genre savvy enough to have an idea.]

But I don't think that makes it fine. I know you wanna hurt me, but do you want to hurt everyone here?

[selfconcept]

You can just nurse them back to health! I know many people who would be willing to do that. So, it's okay. As long as they don't die, everything is fine.

[ Hien even giggles. If nothing before tipped Owen off before, this sure should. ]

[sicklysweet]

[Yeah, that's fucked.

Owen reaches up to grab Hien's cheek. If Hien doesn't stop him, he'll just shake him a bit.]

What's inside you right now? What little ghost is making you like this?

[selfconcept]

Hm? There's no ghost though?

[ Obvious lie, but Hien doesn't bother covering it up with effort. ]

Why are you so concerned about what's inside me, princess?

[sicklysweet]

Of course there is. That's why you're acting so silly.

[pinch pinch pinch

someone save me from the hell i have put myself into]

Am I not allowed to be concerned with what's inside me and you?

[selfconcept]

Yeah. You don't need to concern yourself with what's inside me.

[ He leans in next to his head and whispers: ]

Everything will be fine.

[sicklysweet]

[Yeah, that's Very Convincing.

How does he snap Hien out of this?]

Yeah?

[Just two dudes cuddling up in the hallway of a haunted museum. This is normal.]

Well, I guess I'll trust you on that for now.

[selfconcept]

[ Pretty normal. ]

Oh, so you can trust me. That's nice to hear, princess.

[sicklysweet]

I can be nice sometimes, can't I? I'll be a good girl for you, just for right now, until you get back to being yourself.

[Just a normal!!! Conversation!!!]

[selfconcept]

Are you saying you'll be a good girl forever as long as I don't get back to being myself?

[ Oops. He admitted he wasn't his happy self. That's some influence waning. ]

[sicklysweet]

Of course.

[Well, that's probably a good sign.]

But I can be a good boy for you if you go back to who you're supposed to be, if you're worried about that.

[selfconcept]

A win-win, huh?

[ Hien smiles. ]

Don't lie through your teeth so obviously, Owen.

[sicklysweet]

Ahaha.

[They're already close, but it's time to get Even Closer, until his lips are brushing Hien's cheek.]

I'm not lying. I can be very good when I want to be. All I need is a reason.

[selfconcept]

Since when have you cared about me? Hm? Princess? Was it when you confessed to needing me? Is that where this is coming from?