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[punnybone]

'sup.

go ahead and leave a message here.

Comments

[punnybone]

don't give me that.

[He doesn't want to write it out. That'll make it more real.]

[everything_you_love]

So, what? You can agree to the dirty deed, but you can't admit it on paper?

[punnybone]

what, you just want me to admit it? that what this is about?

wow.

[everything_you_love]

[Three tall, black letters are carved the paper.] YES.

[punnybone]

[...screw it. Whatever.]

alright fine. if it means that much to you, pal.

yeah.

i promised the kid that if they hurt anyone, i'll kill them.

[There it is. The first time he's actually put the words out there himself. He hadn't even done that with Grit.]

[everything_you_love]

[That piece of paper will be ripped from their boards. It belongs to Sunny now, Serif.]

There. Doesn't that feel better?

[punnybone]

[Sure, you have fun with that. You little freak.]

nope.

[everything_you_love]

[He will. And on the day comes that he decides to give what he owes Serif in full, this piece of paper will likely help him do it. What a world of possibility born from a moment's weakness.]

You should. They chose you because you're special, Serif.

No one could do this but you. All the other saps could never do it. They'd roll over and die for friendship and love, but not you. You'll do what has to be done.

[punnybone]

you've got a funny definition of special.

but maybe. if there's no other choice, then yeah. i'd do it. but maybe i'll never have to. that'd be nice, huh?

[Yeah. Real nice. Add that hope to the list with all the others.]

wouldn't have made that promise if the kid hadn't been so serious about it.

[everything_you_love]

[Oh Serif, you know how dangerous a hope can be.]

They believe the world is their responsibility to fix.

[punnybone]

yeah, that's them alright. kid's got a real issue with taking on too many burdens.

[Pot. Kettle. Whatever.]

already tried telling them a while back to slow down.

don't think they really got the message.

[everything_you_love]

[The reply comes lightning fast:]

That's because they're an idiot.

[punnybone]

would've gone with stubborn myself.

but whatever.

you seem awfully worried about them.

[everything_you_love]

[He SHOULDN'T like he's been caught. But he does. He's quick to cover.]

Hardly.

You don't seem worried enough.

[punnybone]

[Sure, that's believable.]

i don't? huh. well.

guess i'm better at dealing with things than you, huh, pal?

[everything_you_love]

So I should deal with things the way you do.

The way you'll deal with them?

[punnybone]

wouldn't recommend it.

...you really don't like this promise one bit, do ya?

yeah. i don't either.

[everything_you_love]

About as much as your friends will like it, once they see what you've done.

[punnybone]

oh no. you got me there.

what, you think i hadn't thought of that? really? i didn't make that promise cause i thought it's gonna make me popular. i didn't make it cause i thought it was the right thing.

[everything_you_love]

THEN TELL ME WHY YOU MADE THE PROMISE, SERIF.

TELL ME WHY YOU SAID YES.

[punnybone]

good question.

[One he's been asking himself all throughout the night.]

guess i felt like that was their choice to make.

not mine.

1/2

[everything_you_love]

[That's... that's it? The skeleton isn't stupid, and he's not a simpleton. Sunny would be a fool to underestimate the other after so many ruined timelines.

But this tiny little note encapsulates the entirety of the reason why he's agreed to be executioner?

What...]

[everything_you_love]

[WHAT A JOKE.]

Well then.

As a friend, I'll support your decisions.

[punnybone]

well.

I s n ' t   t h a t   n i c e .

1/3

[everything_you_love]

[He'll take his time, scribbling away until he's finished. Then, one by one, he'll post each note underneath the other. A neat little row.]

I'll do that... And even better.

I'll be there for you, Serif. The day you carry out your promise is the day that I will never leave you.

I will be there when you're awake, and I will be there when you sleep.

I'll be there when your friends see how EMPTY you are inside, and your BROTHER realizes what you really are. Until all you'll ever be able to see in your brother is disappointment and fear.