Chapter Text
A chilly night brewed upon Blackrock, a normal thing to experience as a resident in the snowy place. The snow falls from the sky, covering the sky in specks of white dots with the stars that were barely visible through the gaps of the clouds. Snow crunches under someone’s boots, treading along to reach to a bus stop. Their motivation was unreadable, thanks to the black and blue helmet they wore, hiding their face from anyone’s eyes and the weather itself, their dark blue trench coat help keep them warm from the cold. The symbol of Blackrock was also imprinted on his coat; not like he can get rid of it. Every clothes within the perimeters of Blackrock had at least a symbol on it, to represent the “glorious” faction.
He was silent, even when sighing from exhaustion from his previous mission Subspace had sent on; eliminating an Inphernal.. It was hard, the target provided difficulty for him but he managed to pull it through. Now he’s awarding himself by getting himself a drink somewhere far from Blackrock, somewhere will he can finally relax and drink the night away. Just the thought of it made a small smile creep on his face. Or maybe it was another thought he had in mind that he didn’t want to think too much about.
Almost like the universe understood what he desired, he arrived right on time when the bus slowly came to a stop. Upon entering, the warmth of the vehicle welcomed the tired man like someone’s embrace after a hug. Although he wasn’t the type of person to accept hugs, the warmth was enough to give him comfort, and he only had one person in mind that he may allow them to hug him, but at the same time he didn’t find the person as someone who hugs others, but rather someone who enjoyed his company.
It was then that once he sat down and the bus began to move after closing its doors, he realized his mind drifted off again. It was like a small part of him, a younger and innocent version of him who found interest in the ideology of the military or became attatched to a plushie. It became common, after finding Princess– a stray cat he found in one of his mission and took under his care– and a certain someone.. Someone who he had found fascinating after meeting them one night at the bar. Their presence at first did intimidate him but over time it eventually melted away. Something about their presence provided the sense of calmness and understanding, almost like a wise men. Their words were nothing but wise and knowledgeable, even when they learn a new perspective on a phrase, thanks to him.
It was until that the jerk of the bus coming to a stop brought him out of his train of thoughts, surprised that the long trip from Blackrock to Crossroads was rather short now. Nonetheless, he didn’t ponder it any longer, exiting the bus and making his way over to where both Lost Temple and Thieves’ Den was located. There, in that secion of Crossroads was, were where the bars were located. It made sense though. Lost Temple had a western style tie to it thanks to the barren desert and their residents while Theives’ Den was tied to a dynasty feeling thanks to the clans that resides in there. He didn’t like the fact that he lived far away from the place but he couldn’t really complain, it’s his only place to escape Blackrock and finally relax for once in a while, without the nagging thought of “What will Subspace assign me to this time?”
The moment he stepped in, the smell of alcohol overwhelmed his senses, a familiar yet comforting smell he’s recognized over time. The warm lights filled the bar with laughters from ignorant and drunk Inphernals who either were wrestling with each other, playing darts, or just sitting around a table playing poker. He’s never found interest in playing those games but he did find interest in the strategies used within those games. He made his way to the corner of the bar counter and made himself at home, placing himself on the stool and making a quick gesture to the bartender. No one batted an eye towards the Blackrock resident, no one really paid attention to each other in fact, tonight everyone was trying to loosen up and have a great time with their friends or allies.
The bartender placed a strong drink in front of him before moving on to attend to another customer, leaving the mercenary alone; that was until when someone entered the bar and made their way over to him. Their presence alone was intimidating, enough to send a shiver down many Inphernals, but tonight’s an exceptional with how many were abliss to their surroundings, catching any glimpse of fun to entertain themselves. The long haired man sat down on the stool next to Hyperlaser and silence was briefly exchanged between them. From their look, they wore a white owl mask with a hint of red outline on the eyes, their white hair elegantly resting at their waist length, even if some was tied into a ponytail, and their attire gave off a samurai-in-robes vibe. One would tensed up because why in the world would a random Inphernal sit down next to them without consent or any acknowledgement on who they are, but for Hyperlaser it was different. A small smile crept onto his face and he was glad he didn’t take off his armored helmet. Everyone knew about Hyperlaser, so seeing him smile just slightly is somewhat abnormal– he tends to smile more around Princess.
“Ah, you came, Katana,” He spoke quietly, audible for the Inphernal that had joined him, feeling the tension on his shoulders wash away. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
A moment of silence before, “You seem more exhausted than before,” He easily pointed out thanks to Hyperlaser’s slouched shoulders, “Ran into some difficulties during your mission?” They spoke up in a cold tone as always, but this time Hyperlaser can hear the hint of effort from them to speak in a softer tone.
“Yeah..” He sighs before lifting his helmet ever so slightly to slip the glass to his lips and down the drink. “How are the others?” Referring to Slingshot, Vinestaff, and Shuriken.
“Oh they’re doing quite well, especially Slingshot’s little cafe.” For a moment, Hyperlaser was sure he heard Katana hold back a small chuckle, in fact if Katana didn’t have his owl mask on he’d for sure see the corner of his lips curled up, just enough for him to see but no one else.
“That’s great to hear.” He replies back.
Silence fell upon them before Katana spoke up. “Shuriken had told me you’ve been asking him about Thieves’ Den, yes?”
The sudden question didn’t catch Hyperlaser off guard, rather he knew this question will come up someday, he can’t blame himself he’s been asking Shuriken about Thieves’ Den for a while now. It didn’t mean he despised Blackrock, he enjoyed the snow falling onto the ground and the cold breeze that came along as well as the starry night– if the smoke of the facilities didn’t cover the sky. But lately, he’s been getting tired of these relentless missions assigned to him or Subspace– he doesn’t hate Subspace, just have some conflicts with him that he doesn’t take too pleasantly– and the thought of residing in Thieves’ Den crossed his mind on multiple occasions.
“Yes.” He huffs quietly, “Does it bother you?”
He watches Katana gestured to the bartender and glanced back at him. “I have to admit, it does, what will your faction think about it?”
“Are you worried about the consequences that’ll come if I do decide to leave Blackrock?”
“You do know what happened with Medkit, yes?”
Right, he completely forgot about Medkit who fled Blackrock and is now wanted by the warden, Ban Hammer and Klorblox Adminstration. He’s told Katana of that so-called “traitor” who fled from his own faction, he can see why Katana would be catious about the idea of him leaving his own faction. Who knows what Klorbox Adminstration will think of it, Subspace as well, for all he knew he could be labeled as a “traitor” as well. No one has the free will to choose what they want to do, it’s all just one huge dictatorship in that snowy faction.
“I’m aware of it, Katana.” He swirls his glass around, watching the beverage sloosh around. “I’m just curious how Thieves’ Den is like, there are some similarities between the clans and Klorblox Adminstration, but the key difference is you have more rein of freedom.”
He awaits for an answer back from the muscular man who was finally given a glass and took a sip from it, taking his mask off from his face revealing the nasty scar on the corner of his mouth and the blind eye. This action made him want to take his helmet off but his gaze darted to the corner of his eyes, self conscious of his surroundings with other Inphernals who were still blissfully minding their own business.
“You don’t have to be afraid.” Katana’s voice of reassurance was enough to bring Hyperlaser’s attention back onto him. “No one’s paying attention, they’re all in their bliss of joy.” And the mercenary knew he was right, everyone is too focused on their bliss of joy.
He inhaled sharply, swallowing a lump of nerves– what he calls it– down his throat, and hesitantly lifted the helmet off. It was like taking a limb of sorts off of his person, something that makes him the way he and others knew him by, the Inphernal who never took his helmet off. It felt foreign as he carefully placed his helmet on the counter like it was valuable. He felt mixed emotions running through him, some were ashamed or disgust, others were just the fear of someone noticing his face, but it was eventually washed away when Katana placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze of reassurance.
“Do not be afraid, Hyperlaser, you’re fine as you are, what matters is your soul, the very person inside of you.” Giving him the confidence to look at the bulkier man in the eyes.
That moment was like every normal night for them both; letting themselves be vulnerable at certain moments and other times it’s just talking about their day was and drinking whatever concerns them away. A normal routine ever since from their first interaction, their first time meeting each other. Hyperlaser enjoyed this little routine they began, every time he came here his excitement skyrockets all the time, something that he had to learn how to remain stoic about, but even in his bliss of joy he wasn’t sure if Katana felt the same. Maybe he’s just there to keep him accompanied from pity, does Katana even feel pity? The mercenary didn’t know but what he did know was that these moments were nothing but a light to guide him out of the depths, like a nice melody of birds in the morning as sun shines upon his face– how much he wishes Blackrock’s starry sky wasn’t covered by smog and such.
“Mind adrift, Hyperlaser?” A hint of amusement lingered in his tone, hard to catch, but not for Hyperlaser.
He chuckles a little, a smile creeping up onto his face as he shakes his head. “Nothing to worry about, Katana.” He takes a gulp of his beverage.
Time flew by fast, too fast for both Katana and Hyperlaser. Many customers had already their leave, leaving only a few and them behind. Hyperlaser knew he had to go, he needed his rest in case he was assigned on a mission on the next day, and Katana knew about it. They finished their drinks, mind foggy but still clear enough to take in their surroundings still. The street lights, all in shades of color, lit up the streets of Crossroad’s, creating a save lit passage for any wanders who walked on the sidewalks. The cold air blew against the two Inphernals who took their leave from the bar with their mask and helmet on, walking side by side, with the wind making Hyperlaser shiver despite wearing a trench coat, and Katana notice it.
“Cold?”
He could hear the amusement in his voice and huffed. “Just a thought.”
Even though he could’t see his face, he could tell Katana perked an eyebrow up with acknowledgement he lied.
“.. Yes..” He quietly admits, earning a small chuckle from the big Inphernal.
The walk was calm, quiet chattering from afar from Inphernals who were out and about, and the lights provided some comforting atmosphere with now clouds in sight to block the starry night, despite the cold wind. Both of them cherished the night, the moment of just them together, side by side that definitely said they were more than just ‘associates’. They slowly made their way to the nearest bus stop that’ll take Hyperlaser back to Blackrock. Upon arriving, Hyperlaser turned to face Katana while the bus approached from a distance.
“We’ll meet up again tomorrow night, right?”
“Yes, we shall.”
As the bus came to a stop, Hyperlaser smiled and bid farewell to the red-horned Inphernal and climbed into the bus. Katana waves farewell towards the shorter man– who also waved back from the window– who was taken away, back to Blackrock, back to his home faction. While watching the bus slowly shrink until it was nothing, Katana couldn’t help but worried of his companion’s fate. He worried for Hyperlaser’s safety even if he didn’t expresses it out, he wasn’t sure if Hyperlaser should think about leaving Blackrock. He didn’t want Hyperlaser to become ‘another Medkit’ in the eyes of Klorblox Adminstration. And just like Hyperlaser, he wasn’t even sure if Hyperlaser also enjoyed these interactions that became a repetitive thing each and every night. Nonetheless, he had other things to focus on and began to return back to his place.
But nothing built lasts forever..
Study for Honors Algebra II: Problem 6, 19, 22