#sif vc if you dont like me then kll me .

[impinged]

Just how many times will this happen? Hearing your name spoken aloud by someone familiar in an unfamiliar place. Except this isn't your name at all. It's not even a name you particularly like. It feels more like a title. Unwillingly bequeathed upon you, at that. Much like the presence of the one that utters it, without fail, every time you speak.

You freeze. Flinch. Refuse to truly acknowledge.

The supposed "fresh air" they make mention of stalls in your lungs. First in annoyance. Then? Then... it pangs in your chest. It takes you a minute to realize it's not the air you nearly choke on that rends you clutching your chest. No, it's the clenching of your heart.

You missed them, didn't you? You'll never admit it. They would have a field day with that knowledge. You don't think you'd ever live it down if you said it. Plus, it's... embarrassing. You can get on fine without them. You have, actually.

Never once have you needed them here. There are no loops here, no looping. But now there is a Loop.

They must feel pretty useless then, huh? Welcome to the club.

You muster the resolve to turn. Face-to-face with that blindingly bright head of theirs. At least you don't have to pretend with them. Well, about the truth, at least. You will still have to ask the same question you asked the others.

But first...

"You're late." Too late. The arrival of some of your friends has already granted you front row seats to the consequences of your own actions, so any levity or guidance Loop could spare you is well past its time due. Especially if they're trying to seem casual about it. You won't let them.

Part of you hates that they're like this. Another part of you hates yourself for feeling that way. Hypocrite.

Lately, it feels like those sentiments are two sides of the same coin. Hm... No. Bad analogy.

were they capable of bristling? it certainly felt like it, seeing that all too familiar hat atop an all too familiar head. like a picture set out of place, hung on a wall it didn't accent very well. one they had to acknowledge time and time again, passing through the same hallway. over and over, and over, and over.

only this hallway was new -- this world was new! but there it remained. that same, crooked picture hung for them to see. would scribbling it out do any good? the thought has certainly crossed their mind ( more than once, truthfully ).

after everything said, everything done... this is where they end up. this is what becomes of those efforts. was the universe watching? was this what it had in mind?

here's the end! here's your way out! nothing gained, everything lost! with one final slap in the face ! !

. . .

you hate it.

' . . . enjoying the fresh air? ' there was a reason they were here, right? just like before, to help their little traveler, no doubt? that must be it. that had to be it. what else could it be? even if this deviated from the initial wish -- from what it was suppose to be. again.

ha! . . . just breathe, loop. play your role.

' you're a long way from home, stardust. but it must be nice, right? ' a smile arches the stars eyes, a chilled gaze peering through ever-present crescents. ' a well deserved change of scenery! '

[ @impinged ]