neverforgetyou

[neverforgetyou]

not evil anymore i want to be loved now

[neverforgetyou]

Yayayayayay I’m finally posting after being basically dead to tumblr…. Have some Nad sona!

(I made two versions because I couldn’t tell what I liked more…)

First ver is lore accurate Nad… with her heterchromia… and then ver two with spiral eyes… perhaps a reference to another sona… but I suppose we will never know….

(Both are meant to represent obsession! Spiral eyes or dilated af eyes! However the spiral ones are a tad bit more…. Specific)

Her voice claim has yet to change, as her speaking voice claim is Sam Thornberry still! Specifically as Nine from bfdi! However she now has a singing voice claim! It is Brie Larson, specifically as Envy from Scott Pilgrim!

[neverforgetyou]

bug like an angel at the bottom of my glass

yumi's first round (round 2) outfit!

(tagging @apriciticreveries because of asayumi <3 love you apri!!)

[neverforgetyou]

AVA

[neverforgetyou]

Sona Zen's playlist!! There are local files on this playlist that are unavailable, but those songs are six different covers from AKUGETSU. I wanted to put a lot of his covers on the playlist 🩵

Also no, AKUGETSU is not s!Zen's voice claim.

s!Zen's speaking voice is Jordan Benjamin (grandson)* and his singing voice is also Jordan Benjamin (grandson).

*The one on the left of the screen is Jordan.

All AKUGETSU covers on s!Zen's playlist:

Monitoring (short cover)

DONUT HOLE

Bling Bang Bang Born

Nothing's Working Out

Hai Yorokonde

ENVY BABY

@alien-til-i-stage @apple8ees @bluemoonscape @rockwgooglyeyes

@chevalperd @starry-skiez @junebluues @ivanttakethis @awaggaa

[neverforgetyou]

“And now, let us at Alien Stage introduce you to Season 40’s competitors!”

She couldn’t breathe. She was floating in space, numb to everything. She didn’t register she was falling until her knees hit the ground with a thud. Orian falls to her side, making sure she’s ok.

“B… Brandon?” Cindy whispers.

The room is silent, Orian’s face full of pity.

“I’m so sorry Cindy … your friend is going to compete.” Orian tries to comfort her, rubbing her arm.

“No .. you don’t get it …” Tears fall down her face as she looks up at her. “Brandon died ten years ago.”

The air between the two went tense, suffocating Cindy even more. Orian stands up, not believing her and not in the mood to give in. “Cindy … I- that’s impossible. He’s right there.” She points to his picture on the tiny TV in the room. 

There Brandon was: his spiky blue hair, his tan skin, his headphones. It was Brandon all right. Except … was it?

She sighs. “I’m sorry Cindy, but that’s just life. You have to get used to it.” With that, she grabs her backpack and exits the base to go on another mission.

Cindy looks back at the TV, her tears almost blinding her as she tries to look at Brandon’s picture. “I … I don’t understand.”

“How is that possible?” Trix’s voice cuts through the silence as she and Vic rush to Cindy’s side a few minutes later. “Could it be a brother?”

Cindy shakes her head, still staring at the photo. She wipes her eyes, catching the falling tears. “Brandon only had an older brother and he looked nothing like him. But … something's off. Don’t you see it, Trix?” “Off?” Vic crosses his arms in front of his chest, a confused look on his face.

Cindy scoots closer to the TV and points at his hair. “His hair wasn’t this …. I dunno … spiky.”

Trix scrunches her face, trying to remember what Brandon looked like. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, his hair was always spiky.”

“No, look closer … Back then it was more droopy, it fell off his head. Here his hair … sticks out … Like one of those crazy wigs in the old animated shows.” Cindy gestured as she spoke, making sure the two siblings understood what she was saying.

Trix moves next to Cindy, pressed against the TV so she can see clearer. “Hmmmmm.” “And look,” Cindy points to his face. “His skin .. was it always this … weird greyish greenish shade?”

“If the last time you saw him was 10 years ago, then maybe he just grew up?” Vic suggests.

Cindy shakes her head again. “No. NO. I SAW his body … I KNOW he died … What … what did they do to him?”

cw // art with hanging imagery under the cut

orian by @sotogalmo || vic and trix by @astoryofsuchwoe

[neverforgetyou]

theres something so beautiful about s40 starting on ankokus birthday ... i like to imagine keeron did it on purpose

[neverforgetyou]

ITS FINALLY TIME

WE'RE REALLY IN IT NOW

[neverforgetyou]

absolutely losing my mind S40 IS SO SOOOOON OMGOMGOMGOMG

[neverforgetyou]

absolutely losing my mind S40 IS SO SOOOOON OMGOMGOMGOMG

[neverforgetyou]

OH MY GOD BRANDON IS ROUND ONE HELLO?????? brandon being round one the day i leave for vacation AND on ankokus bday is scary .... so much to post on december 24th ...

[neverforgetyou]

ALNST SEASON 40 OFFICIAL ROUNDS

Side A

Round 1: Ciaran v. Brandon ( @starry-skiez / @neverforgetyou )

Round 2: Zero v. Can ( @apriciticreveries / @paradisedisconcert )

Round 3: Yumi v. Asahi ( @rockwgooglyeyes / apri )

Round 4: Sirius v. Dante ( @junebluues / rock )

Round 5: Casimir v. Clementine ( star / @chevalperd )

Round 6: Innamorati v. Yael ( @alien-til-i-stage / @lookatmysillies )

Round 7: Toki v. Clove ( @verdantlights )

Round 8: Sebastian v. Yvonne ( @sotogalmo / @aakaneeee )

Round 9: Monica v. Isla ( @nottoonedin )

Round 10: Numa v. Yuna ( june / star )

Round 11: Juliet v. Jiu ( @yunoftheclouds / @severedscales )

Round 12: Eeta v. Ambrosia ( kellie / @rosedeleca )

Side B

Round 13: Mill v. Ava ( @waterydream / @tinypaperstar )

Round 14: Maya v. Willow ( @cloverandstuff / syd )

Round 15: Kioku v. Eri ( para / star )

Round 16: Leto v. Asuka ( sun / rock )

Round 17: Gaia v. Eliana ( @subzeromoron / akane )

Round 18: Aamon v. Xael ( akane / june )

Round 19: Mentha v. Naz ( rose / blue )

Round 20: Wren v. Atlas ( @ivanttakethis / akane )

Additional Information:

Round matchups will no longer be changing.

Round 1 will begin on December 24th. If your character is in this first round, please let me know their song ASAP.

All rounds will begin at 12:00 AM CST and end after 24 hours.

The announcers of S40 (Faisal and Zhuli) will sometimes make comments on the events of a round if it is interesting/important.

The announcers of S40 will have a popularity poll at the end of this season. Whoever loses will die.

If your character has to die/will escape in their round, please tell me! I'll have to know so I can prepare an announcement after their round is over.

If two characters tie, it is either up to the creators to choose the loser OR I will spin a wheel to decide their fate.

Feel free to send in any questions about how rounds operate! I will answer to the best of my ability.

[neverforgetyou]

Cassio’s Log: Vol. 3

————————————————————

A sizable crowd had gathered in the lobby of Cassiopeia’s largest design studio the following morning.

Photographers, journalists, reporters, a few film crews, and lots and lots of Stargazers — Tov’s fans.

Some held homemade posters. Others had stars painted on their faces.

The room was abuzz with anticipation and hushed excitement.

Cassio had kept the content of the press conference purposefully vague, knowing that the media would take the bait and speculation would run wild, drawing the public’s attention.

It worked flawlessly.

They checked their watch.

One minute till the hour.

Almost showtime.

Cassio squared their shoulders, head held high, and stepped out on stage.

They smiled magnanimously as dozens of camera lenses shuttered, flashing bright lights in their direction. Their years on the runaway had successfully desensitized them to the overwhelming sensation. They’d learned to embrace it.

“Good morning, everyone.” Cassio said once they reached the podium.

They took a moment to angle the mic upward to account for their full height.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering what became of my pet-human Tov after she collapsed during the final round of Alien Stage Season 39.”

Cassio smothered the bitterness of the term pet and pressed on, “I am happy to announce that — by the blessing of the Great Anakt — she is still alive and currently recovering in the medical center downtown.”

Cheers erupted from the back of the room, surging forward.

More cameras shuttered and flashed.

Cassio ignored the din of the crowd as gracefully as they could. They had a script in mind for this event, and they weren’t going to deviate from it.

“As for what took place during Round 30, Tov unfortunately suffered a heart attack.” They said, tone solemn. “We decided to keep this information private as the competition progressed, but this is her third cardiac event since the season began.”

A chorus of gasps ripped through the audience.

“After both the first and second scare, I asked Tov if she wanted to withdraw from the season altogether. But she was adamant about continuing.”

A boldface lie.

Contestants couldn’t withdraw, even if they wanted to.

The only exception was medical emergencies, and those had to happen during a round to count.

It was all buried in the contract every contestant and guardian had signed ages ago.

The public wasn’t supposed to know.

But Wren did.

She must’ve read the exceptions and worked within those bounds to disqualify Tov.

Clever girl.

Just like her sister.

���Her heart has always been weak, ever since she was a child, and it simply gave out at the end.” Cassio said. “While this is not the outcome we’d hoped for, our focus is on Tov’s recovery and her future now that Alien Stage has ended.”

They took a deep breath and braced themselves against the solid weight of the podium.

Now came the hardest part of any press conference: questions and answers.

“I will now open the floor for questions.”

They could barely get the words out before reporters armed with film crews and microphones rushed up to the front of the stage, shouting over one another.

“Guardian Cassio, how did you feel when you learned that Tov survived?”

“When will she be released from the hospital?”

“Is Tov going to model for your fashion house again, Guardian Cassio?”

“Will she ever return to the stage?”

“Has Tov spoken with Cirrus yet?”

Cassio waited a moment for the roar to die down before answering.

“I was relieved when I heard Tov would survive.” They said. “I didn’t want her to suffer in death. The Great Anakt does not ask for suffering. Nonetheless, I am grateful that I can continue to care for Tov as her guardian.”

“As for her release, it is still unclear. Her heart attack was rather severe, so she still has several hurdles to clear before she can return home.”

“My hope is that Tov can return to modeling as soon as she is able. At this time, she is still one of Cassiopeia’s brand ambassadors.”

“However, whether or not she returns to singing will be her own choice.” Cassio looked to the back of the room where Tov’s fans were huddled together. “But I know she cares a great deal for her Stargazers. I have no doubt they will ultimately influence her decision.”

“And for Cirrus, while Tov has not had the opportunity to speak with them, she wishes them a warm congratulations on their win.” They round off their words with a gentle smile, rich in sincerity.

This was wholly true.

Before Cassio left the hospital yesterday, Tov had asked about Cirrus; how they were doing, if they seemed happy.

They couldn’t tell her much.

Cirrus hadn’t been paraded around in public and in the media as often as previous winners were.

And the one picture of them Cassio had seen, they looked far from happy.

Cassio kept that part to themselves.

“Any other questions before we wrap up for today?” They asked.

A pink, slender segyein with three green eyes pushed their way to the front of the crowd and held out their microphone.

“How does Alien Stage production feel about Tov’s survival?” They asked.

They can feel however they like.

Cassio didn’t say that.

It wasn’t very diplomatic.

They still needed public sympathy if this campaign was going to work.

So instead, they swallowed their words, smoothed out their facial expression, and said:

“Our discussions with the production team have only recently begun.”

They paused to look directly into the nearest camera, an unspoken challenge, “Aside from that, I cannot comment any further on the matter at this time.”

———

After saying their goodbyes to the last straggling reporter, Cassio was eager to return to their office.

The press conference should be on a broadcast or two by now, hopefully being received well.

As they headed for the stairs, a familiar voice called out to them.

“Cassiopeia.”

Cassio would recognize that voice anywhere. In this lifetime and the next.

It was the only voice they didn’t mind calling them by their full name.

They turned around and saw Ra’eon standing near the front entrance. She was wearing a white dress embroidered with red flowers.

Clematis flowers.

Oh, my Clematis…

Hope bloomed through the abyss…

That had been one of Ra’eon’s favorite songs. It was also the first song the Anakt Garden children learned to sing.

When Cassio heard Tov sing those lyrics for the first time in her clear and light voice, no taller than the back of a sitting chair, they almost fell to their knees.

It was painfully bittersweet to hear the words again, sung in the innocent voice of such a young child.

Ra’eon smiled and came closer, drawing Cassio out of their thoughts.

They shifted their form to be closer to her in height.

“Hello again.” She greeted with a slight dip of her head.

Cassio cleared their throat, their answering smile a bit shaky, “Hello to you too. Did you come for the press conference?”

“Not initially, no. I planned to come by today to see if you had some free time, since I’d be in the area.” Ra’eon said. “I know we have lunch scheduled for next week, so I understand if you’re busy.”

“No, I’m not busy at all.” They said, a little too quickly. “I have some time before I’m expected at the hospital this afternoon. Perhaps we could go for a walk in the park? There’s one not far from here.”

The broadcasts could wait.

They would wait.

———

The walk to the park was quiet between the two. But it was a comfortable silence, a familiar one.

Even still, Cassio was on pins and needles.

Where do I even begin?

They’d spent so much time thinking, over thinking, and then thinking some more about everything they would tell Ra’eon if they ever got the chance to see her again.

But now that the chance was here — sitting in the palm of their hands — they didn’t know how to start.

Ra’eon, as if sensing their hesitation, broke the silence first, “How is Tov recovering?”

Good, a topic Cassio knew they could talk about without issue. “She’s healing well, though her heart is showing signs of permanent damage.” They said. “The doctors aren’t sure if it was caused by this heart attack or the previous one. Thankfully it’s only minor.”

“Ah, that’s good to hear. I’ll have Wren bring her some treats next time she visits. I believe she mentioned vanilla candies were Tov’s favorite?” Ra’eon glanced over at them.

“Y-Yes, they are. She’s loved them since she was a child.” They said, stumbling through their answer.

Cassio could handle a room of hungry reporters and overzealous fans, sleazy producers and nameless lackeys, and yet a floral dress and bright grey eyes had them tripping over themselves.

How embarrassing…

“Those are Wren’s favorite too.” She chuckled. “It’s interesting how similar they are despite growing up separately.”

“Did you raise Wren yourself?” Cassio asked.

It was the first thing that came to mind, though they’d been wondering about Wren’s background since they first met.

Well, since Wren came up to them in the lobby of the hospital after Round 24 and introduced herself as a “friend” of Tov’s.

They hadn’t had the chance to ask Tov about her either.

“Yes, from around the time she was eight years old. I was working for Anakt Garden then and they asked me if I would like to care for a human without a guardian.”

Cassio smiled, their heart warm at the thought. “So you finally got to become a guardian after all.”

Ra’eon had always wanted to adopt a pet-human. But back then, no segyein would sell to her.

They all deemed her appearance to be too “humanoid” to properly establish a master-pet relationship with a human child. It was devastating.

She left not long after that.

“Well, not quite.” Ra’eon said. “I’m technically Wren’s guardian, but I don’t have legal ownership of her. The Anakt Group became her legal guardian when she was enrolled in Anakt Garden. Then, after she graduated, her ownership was transferred to ZYNE Entertainment.”

ZYNE Entertainment? The pet-human talent agency?

I thought they only poached Anakt Garden graduates who didn’t qualify for Alien Stage.

“I see… That’s a rather interesting relationship.”

“On paper yes, but Wren refers to me as her guardian for simplicity’s sake. And I treat her just as I would any human I legally adopted.”

The pride in her voice was clear as day.

“I have no doubt about that. You’ve always been very maternal.” Cassio hesitated for a moment, before pressing on. “But if you’ve been caring for Wren since the girls were eight, that means you’ve been back for quite a while. Is there a reason why you didn’t reach out to me before now?”

Ra’eon’s smile faltered, and she looked away for a moment.

“After how we left things, I didn’t know if you would want to see me again.” She said quietly, “Especially because I couldn’t tell you why I was leaving or where I was going.”

Of course I’d want to see you. Cassio thought.

“You can tell me now. Only if you want to, of course.” They rushed to add.

“I do, and you deserve an explanation anyway.” Ra’eon slowed her pace near a park bench and sat down, patting the space next to her for Cassio to follow.

She turned to them once they were seated and took a deep breath. “You know my relationship with my mothers is very…”

“Complicated.” Cassio finished.

Dumpster fire would’ve sufficed as well.

Ra’eon gave them a thin, knowing smile, “Yes. Complicated.” She said. “When I was much younger, before I came here and went to school and met you, I enlisted in the armed forces on Thali to be independent of them. But there were stipulations.”

“What kinds of stipulations?” They asked, frowning.

“If the force was ever called upon, I would be required to return home for deployment.”

Cassio blinked, mouth slightly agape, “A-As a soldier?”

“No, no! As a medic. Not a soldier.” She said quickly. The shock and panic must’ve been clear on Cassio’s face.

“The deployment was classified. I couldn’t tell anyone what was going on without breaching protocol.” She continued. “I worked mostly with civilians in the hot zones, segyein and pet-humans. The younger humans took to me well because of my human-like appearance, so I ended up caring for them full time.”

“And that’s why you chose to work for Anakt Garden when you came back?”

Ra’eon nodded, “It was one of the only positions I considered.”

I’m sure it fit you well.

“I was worried for a long time, about how you were fairing.” She said. “But then I saw you on a television interview once, right after I got back. You looked so at ease, and I realized you were doing just fine without me.”

Ra’eon said those words without malice or sorrow or regret.

Only peace.

Only relief.

Cassio wanted to crumple in her arms.

I was a mess after you left. They wanted to say. I was absolutely miserable.

But that felt too personal, too intimate after so much time spent apart. Even if that time was nothing in comparison to both of their lifespans.

Maybe it felt like longer because of their humans.

Maybe Tov and Wren had grown and changed so much in such a relatively short period of time that it warped their sense of scale.

Maybe that was okay.

They have time now.

———

Tov was expecting Cassio to be at the hospital soon.

They’d spent longer than intended talking with Ra’eon at the park, skipped lunch, gotten pulled into an emergency meeting about next season’s photo spread, and now they were running late.

Cassio fished for the car keys in their bag as they quickly made their way through the parking lot.

“Guardian Cassiopeia!” A voice shouted over the traffic.

It sounded nothing like Ra’eon’s, but it was unfortunately familiar.

Cassio stopped mid stride, turning on their heel.

Their lofty mood curdled at the sight of Agent Pol behind them, arms folded, looking far too at ease for their liking.

Even behind the dark lenses of her sunglasses, Cassio could feel Pol’s gaze pierce their skin.

There was no sign of her partner.

A rabid dog off her leash. Oh joy.

“Agent Pol,” They nodded in lieu of a proper greeting, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I suppose a congratulations is in order.” She said, stepping closer.

“For what, exactly?”

“Your pet managed to survive the competition, even though she didn’t win. A heart attack right before she got her head blown off. Convenient, don’t you think?”

The smug curl of her lip aggravated Cassio’s temper.

“Has anyone ever told you that you have a habit of running your mouth without getting to the point?”

“That’s awfully defensive for someone who I haven’t accused of anything.”

They rolled their eyes, “You’re implying quite a lot. Now out with it.”

Agent Pol was smirking now, “I’m looking into the… suspicious nature of Tov’s incident during Round 30. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

“I’m afraid I don’t.”

“So you wouldn’t mind if I took a look in your car for anything out of place?”

They narrowed their eyes at her, “Do you have a warrant for the search?”

Agent Pol huffed a laugh, as if Cassio’s question was funny.

“There’s that defensiveness again. If you have nothing to hide, it shouldn’t be a problem.” She shrugged. “This only raises suspicions.”

“I simply know my rights, Agent Pol.” They said. “You need a valid reason to get a search warrant signed.”

“My valid reason is your sympathy for pet-humans. It’s clouded your vision; made you act irrationally.”

Irrationally?

Cassio forced a scoff, “Do you really think I would risk everything I’ve accomplished — everything I’ve built over the entirety of my adult life to save a pet?”

Another boldface lie.

No one needed to know that.

“You seem quite fond of her.”

“And you seem quite fond of your job.” They snapped, their patience worn thin and brittle. “If you continue to harass me or my human without the legal authority to do so, I’ll make sure you no longer have one. Have the day you deserve.”

Cassio flashed a fake, tightlipped smile and continued walking toward their car.

“It’s only going to get worse from here.” Pol called out to them after a few paces.

Okay.

That’s enough.

They stopped, turned around, and stalked back over to Agent Pol.

Now at their full height, they loomed over her, blocking the sun. Their shadow stretched long across her frame like bad omen.

They hoped there was fear in her eyes.

“Worse for who?” Cassio asked, low and foreboding, “Me? Or you?”

————————————————————

Super long log this time, but I had a lot to cover/set up for the future.

The AREPH isn’t done with Tov and Cassio yet, but Cassio isn’t going down without a fight.

Anyways, I love my big tall wife (gender neutral) and their ex-wife (not really) and whatever kind of segyein yuri they’ve got going on 😁

Shout out to @rockwgooglyeyes for coming up with “Cassiora” as a ship name for Cassio and Ra! So cute!!

Cirrus belongs to @cirrusoftheclouds.

Tagging: @chevalperd @apple8ees @lookatmysillies @neverforgetyou

[neverforgetyou]

chrysalis

really excited since this is my first genuine finished art ever that i've made completely from scratch!! i know it has a lot of flaws but i still feel so arteeste :D hope you all like it!! although i'm not sure if the image quality pulled through lmao

but personal development aside. uh.

it's been a while so here is the lore i've put out already!! i'm unsure if i communicated this well in the art but but i wasn't joking about the temperature torture guys...

have you ever been so cold you hallucinated that you were in a happy warm place with the extinct creatures that fascinate you fluttering around you like they love you? yeah.

i have absolutely no happy content planned for clem because she derives joy from other people and has zero friends 😭 hang in there queen

tags: it's been like 30 years since i asked who wanted to be tagged but i think it was @ivanttakethis @verdantlights @apple8ees !! love you guys mwah mwah

[neverforgetyou]

every time i draw cindy her glasses get smaller and smaller ... whoopsies!!!!

[neverforgetyou]

2:11

Song: Moribund by redseas07, lyrics from redseas07 and JuiceMG

Transcript below

Eddy: @lookatmysillies / Dian and Faisal: @rockwgooglyeyes / two solei owls (owleis): @solei-eclipse ,, / shared this comic with @tsukacchako & like. @starry-skiez ,, sorry for tagging

Transcript:

one life, just one life is enough for me. to take and what will we see? fly high, just for us to be- taking us high, not free

crumpled, and thrashed, aspree. what else will you take from me?

ripped apart. broken heart. but broken hearts can’t be mended; once they are torn

i guess i’m reborn… i don’t want to be

i hate treading these floors. i hate this fever dream. the birds and their tweets

the dinner bell seethes. monsters eat me, repeat me- again and again

i just want to leave here. i want this to end. i wish... i could be myself again. i wish i could run away

but this is my fate, oh so it will say. again and again and again they’ll play

one life, two lives; it was enough for me. three lives, four lives; what is the end for me?

five lives, scream out. into the void of space, feel its breath. on your neck. the teeth on your face... (Sebastian's part)

(Eddy's part) We all wished for greener pastures, to be the fastest you cannot be faster. Living and loving inside our beliefs, but when everyone crumbles who is left to grieve?

I had thought I could be their savior, but hoping and dreaming creates a failure.

Let them wish, let them see. For all once falls to me- I, couldn't save them.

Wallow, in the torment. Wallow, in the absent to be a hero is to disappoint. Bless the fear, oh, to fuel what's paranoid.

You burn in the water. You drown in the fire.

You break conventions, you take acceptance. It's never about what's good and what's evil, and what could be real or possible. It's what you take, it's what you burn- it's all you've been. And all you yearn

Eternity's a card I hoped to pull never, yet my bleeding heart is seen as their treasure. It's forced to see some errant belief.

I'm only— Moribund.

[neverforgetyou]

hey hey! copying june and asking what jiu and kio think of brandon or willow :3 hope ur doing well!

ABOUT: BRANDON

( @tsukacchako / @neverforgetyou )

45% ■■■■◧□□□□□

Brendan? Do we have a Brandon? Do I know that guy?

Ah, yeah! He's that one blue-haired guy! Right? Am I thinking of the right blue-haired guy? Dang, we have a lot of those, don't we...

Um, I don't have a lot to say about him. I've been hearing bits and pieces about an incident that happened before, but I don't think I was there yet when it happened. Or maybe I was? God, it's so frustrating to try and remember. I forget what the whole deal was about. I feel like it must've been... it must've been horrible, or even worse than that. Why can't I recall?

Right now, though, he seems pretty okay. Doesn't rock the boat or start fights, he doesn't start a lot of things, actually, seems pretty out of it most of the time, so he's good in my book! I will say though... he looks kind of odd? Like, uncanny almost. Like he might not be fully human... I've been getting that feeling from a handful of people lately, it's weird.

10% ■□□□□□□□□□

Dear lord.

I remember him. Poor, pitiful thing. It's not uncommon to see human pets abused and humiliated—we're bottom-feeders, after all—but what he went through was uncomfortable to watch and excruciating to learn about. I, too, suffer in silence, but the anguish he carried grew into such a tempest that swallowed him whole. We should've known what would come next. I should've known. My thoughts stray that same path far too often.

I remember the announcement, I remember returning to my duties shortly after, almost callously. There was nothing to be done about it now, I thought. Pitiful boy, woe befalls the unfortunate, the unlucky, the untalented. The universe is cruel, and in the end all we get is suffering. I simply hoped he wouldn't suffer anymore, that at least his name wouldn't go up in stage lights and he would be free from the exploitation that awaits outside these walls.

So why? Why did he have to come back? Cursed segyein technology, abhorrent segyein wishes. How sick I am of those twisted creatures. Even in death there is no rest, for they come to mutilate corpses and replace parts as if they were merely playing with toys. Brandon is no longer himself, it is shameful to even look at him. Regardless, I will continue to regard him with respect, as is my duty.

I am appalled that I have to witness this again. What a cruel life I live, what cruel irony. The unease settles itself into my bones and never leaves, for now there is not just one but a few reanimated corpses in our midst. It occurs far too often for my comfort.

Nothenless, Brandon is not my demon to deal with. I have my own.