Sprace: Nero

[perfectpower]

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Weekend 0: Friday

[perfectdistance]

[ He's pulling Bradley into a clean stall and locking it behind them. ]

If you wanna check that bad, help me get outta this thing.

[ And if he says anything provocative Nero's going to lose it. ]

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[He does not say anything. But his grin says he really, really wants to.

He will indeed help Nero get his arm out of the suit though. Apparently the zippers are in the back, awful.]

Weekend 0: Saturday

[perfectdistance]

How's your roommate?

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Haven't talked to him yet. How about you?

Week 0, Monday

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[Well. He did ask for it, so yeah he'll be with Nero in the galley in the morning, waiting for him to cook up breakfast. It was a good night, so Bradley is giving off positive vibes right now.]

What're you gonna make?

[perfectdistance]

[ Nero's pretty much always anxious, but that takes a backseat to the affection he feels.

There's a sense of nostalgia there as well. ]

It's early... Crispy egg on toast for you?

Week 0, Thursday

[perfectpower]

[Sent at around 10:30 pm:]

Adnopotensum

Up for a drink tonight?

[perfectdistance]

Come over.

Week 0, Friday

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[Wow. It was such a nice night, and Bradley had been sleeping so peacefully curled up with Nero, only for messages to pop up!

He dismisses the first one about the security error, but then the decommissioning ones appear and he sees pictures on those and suddenly he is Very Awake and sitting up in bed.]

Nero, something's happening.

[perfectdistance]

[ Nero doesn't even wake up that late. He sits up in bed when Brad does and looks at the messages on his device.

Immediately awake, and on edge. ]

What happened?

Week 0: Sunday

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[ He's getting walked back to Nero's room. The vibrating buzzing anxiety that is always right there, under the surface is only getting more obvious.

Where does he even start? Puppeteer? So anybody could get puppeted? ]

... Let's plan.

[perfectpower]

...yeah.

[This sucks. This fucking sucks.]

When we get to that planet tomorrow, stay with me. I'm gonna try teleporting home.

Week 1, Tuesday

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Adnopotensum

Can I come over?

Adnopotensum

I got something for you.

[perfectdistance]

Fine. Come over.

Week 1, Sunday

[perfectpower]

[He wasn't far from Nero during the execution, so when it's over he flips the hologram away with an audible 'tch'.]

And we still don't know what's causin' all of this. Fuck.

[perfectdistance]

Do we even have any clues to work with?

Week 2, Tuesday

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Adnopotensum

Hey, let's go check out the new planet.
Adnopotensum

Maybe there's Northern Lights here!

[perfectdistance]

Think it's the right time of year for that?

Week 2, Sunday

[perfectpower]

[They don't even have to 'meet up later' this week. Bradley is staying right next to Nero as they leave the execution.

He's just going to follow along with Nero, going wherever he goes. Today sucked, and he wants to stay next to his favorite person right now.]

[perfectdistance]

[ He's... He doesn't know where he's going, but he's not staying there. Not after everything they've heard today. ]

Week 3, Tuesday

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[Time for some MEMSHARE VOID]

---

Man. And you had tried to skip out on all the excitement too. It would have been a perfect cover for you to slip out and have a bit of fun before being dragged back to jail! But no, here you are, being forced to introduce yourself to the new wizards. What a waste. It's not like you'll even need to see each other for another year anyway!

You need that time to figure out how to deal with this curse. The fact that you're covered in snow is proof of how out-of-control things have gotten.

"Tch...Northern wizard, Bradley."

The others in the room fall quiet as you step in, brushing some snow off of your shoulders. "Just when I thought I could finally kick back and get away from it all, I had to get dragged back into this fucking mess."

Once glance up is enough to drive away all of that irritation, though.

Most of the new wizards are indeed new to him. But this one Eastern wizard with blue hair, you know this one. You would recognize him anywhere. And oh, even with all the time they've been apart, you feel your chest flutter when you see that face again.

"Hey, Nero. It sure has been a while." You can't help but smile, just a little bit. "Did you have fun going clean and washing your hands of the bandit gang while I was stuck in jail?"

Clearly it's not the best way to say hello, because Nero's mood instantly turns sour. "......This has nothing to do with you."

You can't help but laugh at that reaction. Same old Nero. You remember getting on his nerves so many times in the past, only for him to get sullen in return. But somehow, those memories are fond to you. Like a treasure wrapped away in newspaper to keep it safe, those memories are held tightly in your heart. You had thought that 100 years apart would dull your feelings, but they ring as true as they did the last time you saw him. There's no mistaking the warmth and affection you feel for this man.

And then you notice something. "That crest! So you were chosen too, Nero!"

This is amazing. Now you have something to look forward to with this "Sage's wizard" business.

-----

[Okay actually that's a pretty nice memory, Bradley can live with that one being shared.]

[perfectdistance]

[ It's a familiar memory, something that they both experienced... He never really got it from Bradley's point of view though. If it were him, wouldn't he be much angrier to see the person who tossed him in jail like it was nothing? Bradley is a much more positive person than Nero will ever be. But that's what it's like for an Eastern wizard, they're known to be gloomy for a reason.

You've been on the brink of death and somehow Bradley brought you back from the ledge. There's really something about him that makes his commands impossible to ignore. You're laying in bed, trying to heal from injuries that certainly would've taken your life if Bradley had arrived any later. It's guilt that keeps you alive, the specters of their past, and the weight of what you've done to people you could've called family.

Bradley's the person who deserves to take your life, after all the ways you've betrayed him and hurt him.

"Let's do it right now. You wanna deal with me, don't you? I get it. You've more than got the right to turn me to stone."

Bradley's silent, and even after all this time you can't quite read his face. For as expressive as he is, he knows how to keep his feelings hidden when he wants to.

"But... Can you wait until the Great Calamity hits? Once we're done beatin' it back, you can turn me to stone with your own hands." Finally... Finally you'll stop having to exist and bear the weight of all those lives lost, all the time Bradley's been locked away. You'll finally be a stone, and you'll have worth.

Bradley, doesn't believe you, and why should he? "You love sayin' whatever you want. But y'know what, Nero? You already ran away from me once. What makes you think I can trust what you say."

You're so tired. Living like this- despite what you said to Faust, you don't have all that much to live for. The least you can do is die to the person who deserves to kill you the most.

"I promise." With all the weight that entails of a wizard. You'll lose all your magic if you dare to run away this time. It's almost the same thing as being dead.

It's worth it to make Bradley believe you.

There's no reason to run anymore. ]

Week 3: Saturday

[perfectdistance]

[ He is not letting go of Bradley after everything that's happened today.

Hellish. ]

[perfectpower]

[Absolutely hellish.

No need to let go though, because Bradley is going to let Nero hold onto his wrist as he walks towards one of their rooms. The exact one doesn't matter, he just wants to be somewhere private.]

Week 4, Monday

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[Wherever Nero is, Bradley is going to come right up to him like an excited puppy.]

Hey! I found a place where we can skate!

[perfectdistance]

[ Reaching out and taking his hand. ]

You wanna try it?

Week 5, Monday

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[At some point in the day, Bradley wanders over to Nero's pod. Standing next to it, he places a hand on the glass, right over Nero's heart.]

You look so peaceful...it's like you're just takin' a nap or somethin'.

Sorry, I got caught after all. But a lot of stuff happened over the weekend, and I ended up not dyin'. I still don't quite get it, but it's alright. You didn't wanna see me so soon anyway, right?

[His smile falters a little there.]

They say that everyone on your side is workin' hard on comin' back. I hope that's true. I wanna see you again. The way things happened...it wasn't right.

I still have that ring. I wanna give it to you, if you come back.

[His words are met by silence.

He lingers for a while, watching Nero's face, before wandering off.]

Week 5, Tuesday

[perfectpower]

[Compared to yesterday, he looks much colder. He's shivering, even though he's wearing layers.]

Fucking weather...it was boiling hot yesterday, and it's freezing cold today. It's probably better in there, I bet you wouldn't feel the temperature at all.

[He sighs, and then he smiles.]

There was a party yesterday. It was kinda nice. Nobody gave me shit about what happened. Maybe they all forgave me already, that'd be nice. I mean, I could handle it if they didn't forgive me, but it's nice to not worry about that so much.

There was an otter around today too. I tried to get it out of the lazy river, but we both fell in anyway. I might sound crazy, but it felt like the thing was as smart as a person. Maybe it was someone who was cursed, but nobody's come forward and said anythin' yet.

...I sent you a letter too. I hope you get it. I couldn't fit everything I wanted to say into it, but just passing on a message for sure helps.

[It makes him feel better, at least, which does indeed help.

He lingers for a while longer before wandering off.]

Week 5, Friday

[perfectpower]

[After missing a couple days, Bradley comes in looking dejected and sits down right next to the pod.]

I got your letter, I think. Message received, I'll do my best not to end up there. I expect a hefty reward for keepin' to it when you come back.

[He falls silent for a while, and his voice is quiet as he speaks again:]

...someone I care about died last night. Take care of her on your side, okay? I'm sure she'll drive you up a wall, but she has a good heart.

I shouldn't say it like that though, Owner wasn't a bad guy. I was just closer to that Wild Card than I was to him. So take care of both of them, okay? I dunno if you need to eat on that side, but I bet they'd appreciate a meal.

[He'll sit there silently for a long, long time, head resting on the side of Nero's pod.]

Week 5, Saturday

[perfectpower]

[When he comes by Nero's pod after the trial, he doesn't say anything this time. He just sits down by it, rests his head against it, and stays there for a long, long time.]

Week 5, Sunday

[perfectpower]

[Plopping down by the pod as usual! But this time he doesn't look as sad. Instead, he's just resting his back against the pod as he talks.]

I saw the info about the new planet. It looks like it's covered in water? That might be interesting. I didn't really do much last week, so I'll have to go planetside and do something this upcoming week. Maybe I can find a souvenir to give you when you return.

Thinkin' about the water makes me think about the City of Rain. You had a restaurant there, right? We should go back, when we get home. I know someone else probably runs it now, but it'd be nice to see where you spent that part of your life. It doesn't have to be anythin' big or grand, even the small boring stuff feels important.

[He pauses, and he smiles.]

That's what I remember the most now anyway. The small moments in the kitchen or around the campfire at the base. Fuck, we were so young then. You looked so much happier too...

[...]

...I wanna make you look happy like that again. I know your problems are your own and there's not much I can do about 'em, but if I can do anythin' to make you smile, that'd make things a little better. I'll be a little less selfish, and maybe we can build a life together again.

Just...please come back. So we can try.

Week 6, Monday

[perfectpower]

[He's coming over to the pod to chat with Nero like usual. Except, as soon as he sees Nero, he starts horfing up rose petals all over the pod. Then he spends 20 minutes cleaning up the petals in a panic before hurrying away.]

Week 6, Tuesday

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[This time he manages to not cough up flowers all over Nero's pod, so that's an improvement.]

Hey. Viktor came back recently. He seems alright, so I guess that means the rest of you will be alright too? I just wonder why everyone couldn't come along with him.

...I was kinda hopin' to see you again, but I guess I'll have to wait longer.

[He spends the rest of his time there sitting in silence.]

Week 6, Wednesday

[perfectpower]

[After the mini-event, Bradley will just flop down by Nero's pod.]

I didn't do any work again today. I know, I got that threat last week, but a lotta people did and we wanted to see what would happen if we didn't do work again. I guess I'll find out on Friday what's gonna happen.

I know it's risky, but I ain't afraid, ya know? I've never been afraid of a little danger. It's harder, without you here too, but I can manage it.

If I end up on your side of things...well, I'll just say sorry and you'll forgive me, right?

[He seems proud of himself for his disobedience regardless.]

Week 6, Friday

[perfectpower]

[He looks a bit stunned as he comes in today. Instead of sitting by Nero's pod, he just stands there, looking at Nero's face.]

...nobody died last night. We did it, we kept everyone safe.

[He reaches out and places his hand on the glass, right over Nero's heart.]

Things are changing, so...maybe it'll be time to see you guys again soon?

[He can only hope. He has a lot to say to Nero.]

Week 6, Saturday

[perfectpower]

[After everyone has said their hellos and given well-wishes, Bradley takes Nero's hand and nods his head towards the door out of the stasis bay. Time to go talk in private.]

[perfectdistance]

[ He doesn't resist, falling into step. ]