Characters present: Ceph, Punk, Prince
Date: 12/23/23
Season: 3

[Ceph and Punk step out of a portal and into the basement of Ceph’s church. As they round the corner to see the room in its full glory, Punk runs his finger over the table, coming back with a layer of dust. The room is still in disarray from the last time it was used, but it’s been a while since anyone has been down here at all. Ceph wrinkles their nose, their hackles raised as they lift their shoes up from the ground, where the flooring is entirely sculk. Tendrils of the stuff creeps and crawls through the cracks of the blackstone walls.]

[18:23:36] <?[rp] ceph> god theres so much fucjking sculk

[18:23:43] <?[rp] ceph> ew

[18:24:07] <?[rp] Punk> mm yeah .who knew decorations could age so badly

[Punk hooks a finger at the Ollie heads before snorting with laughter.]

[18:24:36] <?[rp] Punk> how many times did you kill ollie dude were these heads always here

[18:24:38] <?[rp] ceph> haha yea ik ur just reffering to the sculk ^_^

[Ceph ignores Punk’s prompting. They turn towards the exit.]

[18:25:08] <?[rp] ceph> anyway

[18:25:13] <?[rp] ceph> lets go

[Ceph narrows their eyes at Punk.]

[18:25:26] <?[rp] ceph> did u not bring armor

[They flick their eyes down towards his feet.]

[18:25:40] <?[rp] ceph> besides. those boots

[Punk flexes.]

[18:25:42] <?[rp] Punk> do i need armour im a master

[He looks down.]

[18:25:51] <?[rp] Punk> whats wrong with chainmail bro its fire

[Ceph rolls their eyes, pulling a chestplate out of their inventory and pushing it into Punk’s chest.]

[18:25:56] <?[rp] ceph> take the chestplate

[Ceph looks across the room, eyes narrowed looking at the sculk. Punk puts on the chestplate, before pretending to tuck strands of hair behind his head.]

[18:26:10] <?[rp] Punk> protectin me and shit what are u gay

[Still looking away, Ceph’s voice is tense: ]

[18:26:12] <?[rp] ceph> dude theres a fucking cat

[They look back, suddenly smirking as they see the look on Punk’s face.]

[18:26:29] <?[rp] ceph> u look good in my armor haha

[18:26:38] <?[rp] Punk> he could kill me in two seconds if he wanted idk if armours gona help

[18:26:44] <?[rp] ceph> shhhhhhhh

[18:26:51] <?[rp] ceph> dont say that

[18:26:56] <?[rp] ceph> itll be fine

[18:26:34] <?[rp] ceph> lets gooo

[The two begin to leave, not hearing the distant voice through the sculk sensor placed on the mantel in the basement.]

[18:26:37] <?[rp] Prince> WOAH IS THAT WHO I THINK IM HEARING

[18:27:11] <?[rp] Prince> GOOD THING I PUT A SENSOR DOWN THE BASEMENT SO I CAN HEAR WHOEVER IS TALKING DOWN THERE

[Ceph and Punk exit the basement into the church. They walk out through the doors, and into the sharp, white light of the Malfaction.]

[18:27:48] <?[rp] ceph> okay where shall we go

[Down the hill, a figure comes into view. Prince waves his hands over his head, shouting.]

[18:27:52] <?[rp] Prince> HEY

[18:27:55] <?[rp] Prince> HI

[Ceph takes a step back.]

[18:27:56] <?[rp] ceph> nvm

[18:27:58] <?[rp] Punk> huh

[Prince runs towards them. He looks worse for wear, a creature clearly ripped from watching looney tunes for a week straight.]

[18:27:59] <?[rp] Prince> hi hi hi hi

[18:28:00] <?[rp] Punk> oh shit

[18:28:11] <?[rp] Punk> fuck are you doing here man

[Prince waves, crowding into Ceph and Punk’s space.]

[18:28:14] <?[rp] Prince> hi hi hi ceph

[Ceph wrinkles their nose as the smell, like the wet musty stench of sculk, mixed with body odor and cheesy snacks. They put their hand on the dagger at their belt.]

[18:28:16] <?[rp] ceph> dude back tf up

[18:28:21] <?[rp] Prince> why would i

[In the ecstasy of devotion: ]

[18:28:16] <?[rp] Prince> i heard you!!

[18:28:29] <?[rp] Prince> i put a sensor down there

[18:28:36] <?[rp] Prince> i can hear awesomely through it

[In the agonies of “get this motherfucker away from me now”; Ceph greets Prince through gritted teeth.]

[18:28:38] <?[rp] ceph> hiii ^_^

[Prince drops to his knees in the snow and bows, head down. He crawls as close as he can to Ceph without them backing away, which isn’t very close at all.]

[18:28:42] <?[rp] ceph> wow

[18:28:51] <?[rp] Prince> hihiiiiii where youve been

[18:28:55] <?[rp] ceph> uh

[18:29:03] <?[rp] ceph> around.

[18:29:10] <?[rp] Prince> whereeeee

[18:29:18] <?[rp] Prince> and why didnt you take me with youuuuuuuuuuuu :((((

[Prince pouts, but with a lack of most of a face, it makes it hard to tell any expression.]

[18:29:25] <?[rp] ceph> whats wrong with u u look.

[18:29:30] <?[rp] ceph> diseased

[18:29:40] <?[rp] Punk> hes looked like ass for a while now

[Prince ignores Punk, as he’s seemed to do for the entire time he’s made his presence known. Prince gestures to himself.]

[18:29:33] <?[rp] Prince> oh!!

[18:29:49] <?[rp] Prince> i turned myself into this after the wedding blew up

[He stands, doing a spin. Prince poses, hand extended towards Ceph. Ceph takes another step back.]

[18:30:01] <?[rp] ceph> ....wowwwww

[18:30:08] <?[rp] ceph> interesting

[Prince pokes a pointer finger into where his cheek should be.]

[18:30:06] <?[rp] Prince> do i look good :3

[18:30:13] <?[rp] ceph> uhh.

[18:30:24] <?[rp] ceph> u look dead

[18:30:40] <?[rp] ceph> no offense

[Prince deflates, his ears rotating back.]

[18:30:51] <?[rp] Prince> is that. good.

[18:30:58] <?[rp] ceph> is ur skull showing..........

[Prince taps the top of his head.]

[18:31:04] <?[rp] Prince> oh. yeha

[18:31:08] <?[rp] Prince> it is kinda little

[18:31:19] <?[rp] Prince> dw though ^w^

[18:31:15] <?[rp] ceph> its . fine ^_^

[18:31:23] <?[rp] Punk> that is a bit metal but thats the only good thing ill say about u

[Prince looks towards Punk, there’s something in his eyes akin to jealousy, but somewhere closer to loathing.]

[18:31:42] <?[rp] Prince> thanks i guess

[18:31:47] <?[rp] ceph> hahaa punkkk ily

[18:31:59] <?[rp] ceph> anyway. uhm .

[18:31:56] <?[rp] Prince> so whatcha doing back

[18:32:02] <?[rp] ceph> uhh

[18:32:07] <?[rp] Prince> i see ur also still in ur wedding clothes. do u need me to wash it for u

[18:32:14] <?[rp] Prince> please.

[18:32:20] <?[rp] ceph> .its. okay.

[Ceph stops backing away as soon as they reach Punk’s side.]

[18:32:13] <?[rp] Punk> ur so weird man

[18:32:28] <?[rp] Prince> IM NOT WEIRD. I JUST WANNA HELP THE KING IS ALL

[18:32:29] <?[rp] ceph> i washed it lots

[18:32:40] <?[rp] Prince> it obviously. still has. stains on it

[18:32:51] <?[rp] Punk> some stains cant be removed bro ok lay off

[18:33:05] <?[rp] Prince> i mean yeah but like. i could get rid of it

[18:34:27] <?[rp] ceph> anyway . this shit doesnt need cleaned

[18:34:47] <?[rp] Prince> awww ok

[18:34:45] <?[rp] ceph> why r u here. in my space.

[18:35:03] <?[rp] Prince> i do shit of jack around here

[18:35:11] <?[rp] ceph> i can tell

[18:34:51] <?[rp] Prince> i missed you!!!

[18:35:04] <?[rp] ceph> ...why....?

[18:35:13] <?[rp] Prince> ur the king??? obviously

[18:35:29] <?[rp] ceph> .as if that means shit.

[18:35:56] <?[rp] Prince> nooooooo that means a lot

[18:36:26] <?[rp] Prince> divine right to rule? idk who our god is- well i know who mine is, idk the one that picked you though

[18:36:14] <?[rp] ceph> prince. ^_^

[18:36:28] <?[rp] ceph> iv heard u have been .. busy.

[18:36:39] <?[rp] Prince> more or less!! i guess

[18:36:42] <?[rp] ceph> i picked myself ^_^

[18:36:46] <?[rp] Punk> hot

[18:36:59] <?[rp] ceph> ty punk ur a blessing

[They kiss Punk on the cheek.]

[18:37:06] <?[rp] ceph> mwah

[18:36:47] <?[rp] ceph> anyway

[18:36:48] <?[rp] Prince> ho

[18:36:50] <?[rp] Prince> t

[18:37:09] <?[rp] Prince> you are ur own divinity. thats awesome

[Ceph digs their fingers into their sides, feeling the skin already bruising underneath. They’re trying everything they can not to make a break for it.]

[18:37:19] <?[rp] ceph> anywayyyyyyyyy ^_^

[18:37:57] <?[rp] ceph> i cant help but noticeeeee ^_^

[18:38:03] <?[rp] Prince> mhm?

[They take Punk’s hands, spinning him around before pulling him in close. Ceph puts a hand on Punk’s face.]

[18:38:22] <?[rp] ceph> punks beautiful eyes have turned ... scuulky'

[18:38:37] <?[rp] Prince> i think it looks kinda pretty like that

[Ceph gazes into Punk’s eyes, who grins back at them.]

[18:38:52] <?[rp] ceph> brown looks better on him .

[18:39:00] <?[rp] Prince> we have our own opinions

[They look with distaste towards Prince, pointing at Punk’s eyes.]

[18:38:31] <?[rp] ceph> did u do that shit

[Ceph forces a polite expression: ]

[18:38:35] <?[rp] ceph> ^_^

[Prince nods vehemently.]

[18:38:49] <?[rp] Prince> mhm!!

[18:39:01] <?[rp] ceph> okay u didddd ^_^

[18:39:12] <?[rp] ceph> can u . not

[18:39:16] <?[rp] Prince> wdym

[18:39:32] <?[rp] ceph> like uhh mm.

[18:39:50] <?[rp] ceph> is it. in himmm ^_^

[18:39:56] <?[rp] ceph> the sculk

[18:40:13] <?[rp] Prince> oh! yeah!! its flowing around in his bloodstream like debris

[18:40:17] <?[rp] Prince> its inactive though

[Punk snorts.]

[18:40:21] <?[rp] Punk> so kind ..

[18:40:37] <?[rp] Prince> if uve been feeling weak thats because i starved you more than anything

[Ceph grits their teeth.]

[18:40:42] <?[rp] ceph> may be ^_^

[18:40:35] <?[rp] ceph> can u ^_^ get it out ...?? ^_^

[Prince straightens. All of his body language seems to change]

[18:40:54] <?[rp] Prince> are you asking or are you ordering me

[18:41:21] <?[rp] ceph> im . being nice n asking . ^_^

[18:41:34] <?[rp] ceph> but i will order u to idc

[18:42:15] <?[rp] Prince> yea!! whatever the king says, i follow

[Punk leans into Ceph and whispers.]

[18:41:36] <?[rp] Punk> i think you should order it hes a freak he likes that shit

[18:41:58] <?[rp] Punk> for serious rlly

[Ceph whispers back.]

[18:42:16] <?[rp] ceph> im NOT encoraging that

[18:42:21] <?[rp] Punk> fair

[Prince nods vehemently as Ceph finally asks for something.]

[18:41:35] <?[rp] Prince> yeah!!! of course. whatever it is you want, my king ^w^

[18:41:48] <?[rp] ceph> okay tyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ^_^

[18:41:54] <?[rp] Prince> oooh!! so exciting!! something to do in such a while!!!

[Prince beckons with his hands.]

[18:42:06] <?[rp] Prince> come come, you gotta do it in my mansion though

[Punk sticks out his tongue, making a face.]

[18:42:13] <?[rp] Punk> uegh ok ..

[18:42:46] <?[rp] Prince> the Torture Basement is off-limits as of rn, so youre gonna go to my office

[Punk pulls out his sword to strike down a mob coming for Ceph.]

[18:43:05] <?[rp] ceph> omg a hero..........

[Prince runs ahead of them like an excited kid, pointing at the bridge in the distance.]

[18:43:56] <?[rp] Prince> look!! look. the bridge

[18:44:02] <?[rp] Prince> doesnt this look cool

[18:44:05] <?[rp] ceph> nice

[18:44:09] <?[rp] Punk> yeah looks great man

[18:44:15] <?[rp] ceph> sure

[18:44:12] <?[rp] ceph> its a bridge

[18:44:19] <?[rp] Prince> ^w^ !!!!!!!!!

[Ceph mumbles to themself.]

[18:44:58] <?[rp] ceph> ineed some fucking vodka

[They pass by the drive thru liquor store.]

[18:45:16] <?[rp] ceph> oh hey

[18:45:23] <?[rp] ceph> vodka place

[18:45:40] <?[rp] Prince> ye!! pyrite made that

[18:45:48] <?[rp] ceph> wow.....

[Ceph smashes a window and grabs several bottles, carrying them with them. They continue down the bridge, arriving in front of Prince’s mansion.]

[18:46:42] <?[rp] ceph> jesus christ

[18:46:49] <?[rp] ceph> sculk'\

[18:47:02] <?[rp] Prince> welcome to my humble abode ^w^

[Punk grimaces.]

[18:47:07] <?[rp] Punk> good memories hhere !

[Prince leads them up the stairs.]

[18:47:14] <?[rp] Prince> its up here

[Ceph hands a vodka bottle to Punk.]

[18:47:20] <?[rp] ceph> here'

[18:47:25] <?[rp] Punk> thank u ill need this

[He pulls them both into a small room. The walls glow ambiently with sculk, purple crying obsidian shows between the cracks of spider webbing sculk. A small altar sits at the end of the room, in front of a window.]

[18:47:54] <?[rp] Prince> here we go

[18:48:06] <?[rp] Prince> this is the prayer room

[18:48:07] <?[rp] ceph> ^_^

[18:48:10] <?[rp] ceph> what

[18:48:26] <?[rp] Punk> sweet prayer room dude

[18:48:30] <?[rp] Prince> punk. take off your stuff and step into the place with the banner :3

[Ceph looks at Punk with concern.]

[18:48:42] <?[rp] ceph> punk.......

[Prince claps his hands together.]

[18:48:43] <?[rp] Prince> ill get some of things that are needed

[He rushes off.]

[18:48:50] <?[rp] Punk> not ominous at all

[Punk scratches his arm, Ceph looks around the room, trying not to seem nervous.]

[18:49:42] <?[rp] Punk> i hope this wont hurt im a major pussy

[18:49:53] <?[rp] ceph> ur not man

[18:50:23] <?[rp] Punk> being in this place is a try not to piss challenge for me

[18:50:24] <?[rp] ceph> ..im sorry u went through this shit yk

[18:50:34] <?[rp] Punk> yeah thanks

[18:50:40] <?[rp] ceph> ..man its okay

[18:50:41] <?[rp] Punk> sucks but whatevs . shit happens

[Prince bursts into the room carrying things.]

[18:50:40] <?[rp] Prince> okay im back!!

[18:50:49] <?[rp] Prince> this shit is gonna hurt like hell

[18:50:54] <?[rp] Punk> oh goddamn it

[18:50:57] <?[rp] Prince> so ive got some stuff to help you

[18:50:59] <?[rp] ceph> ...what

[18:51:02] <?[rp] ceph> ok

[Prince hands Punk a slimeball.]

[18:51:05] <?[rp] Prince> put that slimeball in your mouth

[18:51:08] <?[rp] Punk> um ok

[18:51:07] <?[rp] ceph> painkillers

[18:51:12] <?[rp] Prince> so you dont accidentally bite your tongue off

[18:51:18] <?[rp] ceph> ....not painkille rs

[18:51:19] <?[rp] Punk> ER

[Prince hands Punk a Prince head.]

[18:51:26] <?[rp] Prince> put that on your head, so the sculk has somewhere to go

[Punk puts it on, with his voice muffled, he looks towards Ceph: ]

[18:51:45] <?[rp] Punk> (muffled) do i look sexy in this

[Cephs looks like they’re trying not to give into the urge to run or bite someone.]

[18:52:03] <?[rp] ceph> .....y.yyea punk

[18:52:11] <?[rp] ceph> looking goodd

[Punk gives Ceph a shaky double thumbs up.]

[18:51:45] <?[rp] Prince> good good

[Prince gestures to where Ceph should stand.]

[18:52:09] <?[rp] Prince> now. ceph. stand on the carpet so the sensors dont hear you

[18:52:28] <?[rp] Prince> everyone stand very very still

[Prince steps up to Punk.]

[18:53:02] <?[rp] Prince> lean back and ill hold you up.

[Prince poses Punk, leaning him back so that he looks like he’s been dipped during a tango.]

[18:53:55] <?[rp] Prince> okay!! get ready. this is gonna feel very weird and hurt SOOO fucking much.

[Prince strikes Punk in the chest, who cries out in muffled pain. Ceph’s face changes and shifts, becoming almost wolfish as they hear Punk’s sounds of distress. Prince’s hands almost seems to merge with Punk’s chest, his fingers dip beneath the skin.]

[18:54:47] <?[rp] Prince> okay okay, shush shush

[The sculk on Prince’s arm pulses with an eerie green glow. It seems to illuminate Punk’s chest, his ribs casting dark shadows against the surface of his skin as his insides glow like a paper lantern.]

[18:55:59] <?[rp] Prince> okay. okay. so this'll take just about...

[18:56:01] <?[rp] Prince> 3...

[18:56:03] <?[rp] Prince> 2...

[18:56:08] <?[rp] Prince> 1…

[The energy saps into Prince’s arm, and the glow fades. Prince releases Punk, grasping his arm as the energy subsidies.]

[18:56:34] <?[rp] Prince> okay. shit is done

[18:56:49] <?[rp] Prince> u dont got any sculk in you no more

[Punk falls to the ground, holding his chest. He sucks in a breath, before letting it go.]

[18:56:49] <?[rp] ceph> punk!

[Ceph moves towards him, they lean over him.]

[18:56:56] <?[rp] ceph> r u... okay

[18:56:59] <?[rp] ceph> ish

[Punk pulls the slimeball out of his mouth. Panting: ]

[18:57:14] <?[rp] Punk> better than ever

[Prince gestures to the head.]

[18:57:01] <?[rp] Prince> you can take the stuff off now

[18:57:41] <?[rp] Prince> now. youll probably be having some side-effects

[18:57:46] <?[rp] Prince> but only temporarily

[18:57:48] <?[rp] Punk> like what ...

[18:57:58] <?[rp] Prince> some of the sculk is transferred into the head

[18:58:23] <?[rp] Prince> but there's still some stuff leftover that ive made able to be digested and consumed/flushed out or whatever

[18:58:29] <?[rp] Prince> tl;dr

[18:58:32] <?[rp] Prince> diarrhea

[18:58:35] <?[rp] Punk> ew..

[18:58:37] <?[rp] Prince> but thats it really

[18:58:48] <?[rp] Prince> eat ur fibers and get some nutritious food and ull be okay

[Punk grips his chest. There is a mark on his skin where Prince’s hand plunged into his chest.]

[18:58:55] <?[rp] Punk> right .. thanks ..

[Ceph nods to Punk.]

[18:58:02] <?[rp] ceph> im not letting ur gay ass come back here ever

[18:58:20] <?[rp] Punk> oh god please thanks

[Ceph looks back at Prince.]

[18:59:02] <?[rp] ceph> thanjks . for. taking ur weird sculk shit out

[Prince bows to his master.]

[18:59:16] <?[rp] Prince> your wish is my command, my king ^w^

[Ceph helps Punk up off the ground, he leans against them.]

[18:59:16] <?[rp] ceph> r u okkay

[18:59:32] <?[rp] ceph> do u need to go sit down somewhere

[18:59:35] <?[rp] Punk> yeah im ill be fine

[Prince picks at his fingers, staring at them with wet cat eyes.]

[18:59:34] <?[rp] Prince> do u want to stay for dinner. i think ive got baked potatoes

[18:59:47] <?[rp] ceph> . i.

[18:59:56] <?[rp] ceph> ..

[Punk shakes his head.]

[18:59:57] <?[rp] Punk> please no i never want to have dinner here again

[Prince puffs up his chest.]

[19:00:17] <?[rp] Prince> well its the king's decision not urs

[Ceph’s body is hunched, they flick their eyes between Punk and Prince.]

[19:00:32] <?[rp] ceph> ...ppunk you can go home. okay?

[19:00:45] <?[rp] ceph> i'll stay. ..

[19:00:48] <?[rp] Punk> and leave u here bitch no u my ride or die

[Ceph looks somewhat relieved, and blows Punk a kiss.]

[19:01:01] <?[rp] ceph> mwah

[Punk grimaces, trying to keep himself from puking.]

[19:01:37] <?[rp] Punk> baked potatoes then huh sounds lovely

[19:01:44] <?[rp] ceph> okay. i guess.. we're staying ..???

[19:02:03] <?[rp] ceph> we will eat your food

[Prince clasps his hands together.]

[19:02:04] <?[rp] Prince> you're staying?! YIPPEE

[19:02:08] <?[rp] Prince> OKAY

[19:02:10] <?[rp] Prince> WOOO

[Prince clears his throat. His whole manner has changed.]

[19:02:12] <?[rp] Prince> ahem

[19:02:18] <?[rp] ceph> as long as its not scullky

[19:02:21] <?[rp] Prince> nahh

[19:02:25] <?[rp] Prince> just genetically modified

[19:02:29] <?[rp] Prince> but its not sculk

[19:02:35] <?[rp] Punk> what man ..

[19:02:37] <?[rp] ceph> ..okay

[Prince leads them both downstairs, he pulls out a chair for Ceph.]

[19:03:18] <?[rp] Prince> take a seat and ill bring and carve the potato :3

[19:03:22] <?[rp] ceph> yay. tabel

[19:03:28] <?[rp] Punk> carve the potato tf

[19:03:31] <?[rp] ceph> man what

[Ceph leans towards Punk.]

[19:04:32] <?[rp] ceph> man ill come to visit okay im not letting u come back here okay\

[19:04:43] <?[rp] ceph> too much sculk

[19:04:57] <?[rp] Punk> agreed

[Prince carries out a pumpkin-sized potato on a platter.]

[19:05:36] <?[rp] ceph> ..damn

[19:05:52] <?[rp] Prince> let me carve up some pieces for u two

[19:06:03] <?[rp] Punk> is that safe to eat seriously genuienly

[19:06:07] <?[rp] Prince> yeee its fine

[19:06:17] <?[rp] Prince> it has a pumpkin aftertaste

[19:06:20] <?[rp] Prince> but thats it really

[19:06:26] <?[rp] Prince> its just a big ol baked potato

[19:06:38] <?[rp] Prince> well. pumpkin-potato hybrid

[19:06:45] <?[rp] ceph> .

[19:06:52] <?[rp] ceph> what the fuck

[19:07:00] <?[rp] Prince> im a scientist :3

[19:07:02] <?[rp] ceph> ..how.??

[19:07:05] <?[rp] Prince> or was. or am?

[19:07:08] <?[rp] ceph> okay

[19:07:09] <?[rp] Prince> its a blur

[19:07:18] <?[rp] Prince> i dabble in genetic modification :3

[19:07:22] <?[rp] Prince> among many things

[Ceph decides not to question it.]

[19:07:32] <?[rp] ceph> man .

[Punk rubs his forehead, covering his eyes as he widens them at Ceph.]

[19:08:04] <?[rp] Punk> very cool dude

[Prince serves Ceph a plate, leaving Punk to get his own. Ceph cuts off a small piece while Prince watches with anticipation. They put it in their mouth, barely chewing.]

[19:08:09] <?[rp] ceph> ahahahaa yumm

[Prince smiles brightly, before turning around to go back to his seat. Ceph spits the piece out into the napkin, hiding it next to their plate. Prince sits down at the table, he takes a massive piece of pumpkin potato for himself, cutting at it. He nods to Ceph.]

[19:08:11] <?[rp] Prince> sooooooooooo how u guys beeeen

[19:08:16] <?[rp] Prince> whered ya goo

[19:08:26] <?[rp] ceph> uhm. away

[19:08:32] <?[rp] Prince> where though

[19:08:34] <?[rp] ceph> vacation . ig

[19:08:37] <?[rp] ceph> yk

[19:08:41] <?[rp] Prince> and why didnt u tell me :(

[19:08:42] <?[rp] ceph> secret

[19:08:58] <?[rp] ceph> uh.. couldnt find u ??

[19:09:18] <?[rp] ceph> u like. fucked off wayy before i did

[19:09:22] <?[rp] Prince> couldnt find me???

[19:09:31] <?[rp] Prince> i live in this mansion :(

[19:09:38] <?[rp] Prince> you coulda left a letter or something

[19:09:52] <?[rp] ceph> oh. it was all. last minute

[19:10:01] <?[rp] ceph> i didnt come back here

[19:10:14] <?[rp] Prince> damnnn

[19:10:19] <?[rp] Prince> fair enough igg

[19:10:33] <?[rp] Prince> fucked up

[19:10:38] <?[rp] ceph> just.. ran out before they fuking .. blew up the building???

[19:10:56] <?[rp] ceph> i heard that happened. ^_^

[19:10:46] <?[rp] Prince> oh damn

[19:10:49] <?[rp] Prince> yeah thats good

[19:10:55] <?[rp] Prince> owuldnt wnat you to get hurt, king

[19:11:00] <?[rp] ceph> yayyy

[19:11:09] <?[rp] ceph> peace andd love

[Prince cuts at his plate.]

[19:11:05] <?[rp] Prince> from who

[19:11:16] <?[rp] Prince> who did you hear that from

[19:11:17] <?[rp] ceph> uh. from like

[19:11:30] <?[rp] ceph> 3 different ppl mentioned it

[19:11:41] <?[rp] Prince> ...and none of them... me?

[19:12:10] <?[rp] ceph> man i didnt want anyone interrupting my vacay

[19:11:42] <?[rp] ceph> punk was one of them

[Prince’s newfound energy seems to slowly drain with each word.]

[19:12:30] <?[rp] Prince> huh. okay

[19:12:44] <?[rp] Prince> so punk gets to know... but not. me.

[19:12:40] <?[rp] ceph> its. good that u didnt come out

[19:12:55] <?[rp] ceph> bc i didnt want visitors

[19:13:12] <?[rp] Prince> and yet. punk visited?

[19:13:22] <?[rp] Prince> thats what. im getting from this

[19:13:12] <?[rp] ceph> punk was like. ...

[19:13:30] <?[rp] Punk> my sex is awesome u wouldnt get it

[19:13:38] <?[rp] ceph> hahahhaa...

[19:13:42] <?[rp] ceph> yeaaaaaaaa.

[19:13:26] <?[rp] ceph> man ollie also visited

[Prince slams his fists onto the table.]

[19:13:44] <?[rp] Prince> HE'S FROM A RIVAL FACTION AND HE GOT TO VISIT YOU AND NOT ME?

[19:13:51] <?[rp] Prince> no. no

[Prince seethes. He tries to calm himself down.]

[19:13:52] <?[rp] ceph> who ollie

[19:13:53] <?[rp] Prince> im.

[19:13:55] <?[rp] Prince> yeah

[19:13:59] <?[rp] ceph> no i killed him

[19:14:10] <?[rp] Prince> okay fair

[19:14:19] <?[rp] ceph> and dropped two anvils on him

[Prince barks a laugh, he holds his chest, wiping a sudden tear away. Of course his master would be just like his favorite characters…]

[19:14:36] <?[rp] Prince> just like wil. e. coyote...

[Prince snaps out of it.]

[19:14:18] <?[rp] Prince> what about the other one

[19:14:43] <?[rp] ceph> well.. punk brought his husband

[19:14:58] <?[rp] ceph> which i didnt expect

[19:15:08] <?[rp] ceph> but it worked out ^_^

[19:15:11] <?[rp] Prince> dan......

[19:15:24] <?[rp] ceph> yea

[19:15:29] <?[rp] ceph> dan

[19:15:38] <?[rp] Prince> they. all visited. but you didnt even tell me ?

[19:15:48] <?[rp] Prince> where you were going ?

[19:15:55] <?[rp] Prince> ur most loyalest guy?

[Ceph looks away, they rub the outside of their arm, uncomfortable talking about this.]

[19:16:04] <?[rp] ceph> man. it kinda spiraled okay

[19:16:20] <?[rp] Punk> just slipped their mind bitch ok chill out

[19:16:31] <?[rp] Prince> yeah. yeah.....

[19:16:33] <?[rp] ceph> ppunk was supposed to visit once right punk

[Ceph looks at Punk.]

[19:16:42] <?[rp] Punk> yeh

[19:16:54] <?[rp] ceph> he came twice though

[Punk snorts at that.]

[19:17:04] <?[rp] ceph> not my fault

[19:17:31] <?[rp] Prince> mmkay

[19:17:32] <?[rp] Prince> sure

[Prince’s energy seems gone, a familiar sadness has returned.]

[19:17:47] <?[rp] Prince> well

[19:17:53] <?[rp] ceph> is it that big of a deal

[19:18:02] <?[rp] Prince> to you probably not

[19:18:10] <?[rp] ceph> ur right ^_^

[19:18:10] <?[rp] Prince> to me...

[19:18:26] <?[rp] Punk> man its over now . theyre havin dinner with u rn . what more do u want

[19:18:36] <?[rp] Prince> i.

[19:18:41] <?[rp] ceph> ^_^

[19:18:48] <?[rp] Prince> i.iiiiiiiiiiiii dont. dont. knoww-

[19:18:53] <?[rp] Prince> its.

[19:18:55] <?[rp] Prince> fine. fine

[19:18:56] <?[rp] Punk> they didnt come back to my place for dinner u got the edge on me there

[19:19:02] <?[rp] ceph> true

[19:19:11] <?[rp] Prince> mmm yeah

[Ceph looks at Punk with a wink.]

[19:19:13] <?[rp] ceph> i need to sometime

[19:19:29] <?[rp] Punk> ur always welcome

[19:19:49] <?[rp] Punk> i can arrange that probably

[19:19:24] <?[rp] Prince> mmgh

[19:19:37] <?[rp] ceph> as long as finch isnt around

[19:19:43] <?[rp] Prince> finch...

[19:19:44] <?[rp] Prince> oh

[19:19:47] <?[rp] ceph> i hate children

[Prince’s voice is hollow.]

[19:19:52] <?[rp] Prince> i was planning to talk them

[19:19:57] <?[rp] Punk> huh about what

[19:20:02] <?[rp] Prince> or am. i guess.

[19:20:07] <?[rp] Prince> split attention

[Ceph focuses back on Prince.]

[19:20:12] <?[rp] ceph> oh?

[19:20:20] <?[rp] ceph> about what

[19:20:18] <?[rp] Prince> stuff. void stuff.

[19:20:23] <?[rp] ceph> hmmmmmm

[19:20:28] <?[rp] ceph> the void

[19:20:35] <?[rp] Prince> mhm

[Prince tightens his hand into a fist.]

[19:20:24] <?[rp] Prince> corroded wants to get in our way

[19:20:36] <?[rp] ceph> ...our way??

[19:20:59] <?[rp] ceph> i dont get it yk

[Prince looks at Ceph like this should be obvious.]

[19:20:58] <?[rp] Prince> for malfaction to be awesome and rule the world?

[Ceph’s face morphs again, rabbit eyes.]

[19:21:11] <?[rp] ceph> ahhahahaaaa....umm.....

[19:21:15] <?[rp] ceph> what

[19:21:21] <?[rp] Prince> well they also blew up the wedding

[19:21:41] <?[rp] ceph> ..well..that bit did feel personal

[19:21:36] <?[rp] Prince> and i heard that they wanted to release the void

[19:21:45] <?[rp] ceph> oh?

[19:21:47] <?[rp] Prince> or at least finch and. some other guys are trying to

[Punk’s face goes slack.]

[19:21:59] <?[rp] Punk> how do you know about that

[19:22:06] <?[rp] Prince> pyrite told me

[19:22:27] <?[rp] Prince> those corroded goons came over to talk about some flowers from the void or whatever

[Ceph looks visibly interested for the first time in the entire time Prince has been in their vicinity.]

[19:22:31] <?[rp] ceph> wow cool

[19:22:33] <?[rp] Prince> and then i chatted with pyrite

[19:22:48] <?[rp] Prince> and they told me that they were gonna bring back the void or something

[19:23:03] <?[rp] Prince> to eat up the world before i can take it over or something

[19:23:11] <?[rp] ceph> ew

[19:23:34] <?[rp] ceph> well. thatd be. bad...? ig

[19:23:09] <?[rp] ceph> sooo likeee.. whats ur aim with talking to finch

[19:23:33] <?[rp] Prince> give them consequences for a promise that they didnt keep

[19:23:38] <?[rp] ceph> wow

[19:24:02] <?[rp] ceph> dont fuck em up bad though theyr like . 5

[19:24:09] <?[rp] ceph> and dans kid'

[19:24:18] <?[rp] Prince> i was 5 and i got experimented until i broke.

[19:24:25] <?[rp] Prince> they can survive

[Ceph doesn’t react. That doesn’t feel like their problem.]

[19:24:24] <?[rp] ceph> okay

[19:24:53] <?[rp] Prince> kid's gotta learn there's consequences for breaking a promise

[19:24:18] <?[rp] Punk> ull have all of corroded on ur ass if u hurt them

[Ceph turns their head to the side slightly.]

[19:25:03] <?[rp] ceph> i uhh. Like dan though

[19:25:12] <?[rp] ceph> and dan likes finch

[19:25:35] <?[rp] ceph> and he gets. wet and emo when his kids hurt

[19:25:29] <?[rp] Prince> yeah. why do you think i sculked up punk

[19:25:43] <?[rp] ceph> .....??????

[19:26:01] <?[rp] Prince> punk is dan's spouse husband or wahtever. finch is his kid

[19:26:03] <?[rp] ceph> okay

[19:26:12] <?[rp] Punk> christ

[19:26:15] <?[rp] ceph> why do u wanna hurt dan

[19:26:20] <?[rp] Punk> whats dan ever done to u dude

[19:26:44] <?[rp] ceph> dans like. tall hot n dumb

[19:26:56] <?[rp] ceph> why would he be a threat

[19:26:56] <?[rp] Prince> if there's a chess piece on the board that you can neutralize, you gotta take that opportunity

[19:27:17] <?[rp] Prince> dan hasnt broken the promise yet

[19:27:21] <?[rp] Prince> but finch has

[19:27:26] <?[rp] Prince> two in one

[19:27:23] <?[rp] ceph> but what if i want to fuck that chess piece

[19:27:25] <?[rp] Punk> oh fuck you man ur not neutralising my husband eat shit

[19:27:55] <?[rp] ceph> neutralize these balls

[Prince holds up his hands.]

[19:27:49] <?[rp] Prince> i keep my promises. your husband is unharmed

[19:28:23] <?[rp] Prince> but he's paralyzed if ive got a hostage

[19:28:54] <?[rp] Punk> hostage tf

[19:28:33] <?[rp] Punk> hurting me and finch hurts him stupid thats still harming in my eyes

[19:28:40] <?[rp] Prince> true

[19:29:01] <?[rp] Prince> but at least ur unhostaged and unsculked now

[19:29:10] <?[rp] ceph> that is good

[19:29:12] <?[rp] Prince> that just means i need a new one

[19:29:20] <?[rp] Prince> and finch just fit the bill perfectly

[19:29:17] <?[rp] ceph> ..

[19:29:27] <?[rp] ceph> jfc

[19:29:18] <?[rp] Punk> nah man look

[19:29:29] <?[rp] Punk> take me back or some shit dont take finch theyre just a kid

[19:29:32] <?[rp] ceph> uhhmm

[19:29:53] <?[rp] ceph> i dont like finch hahahaaaa.... but i like dan

[19:30:07] <?[rp] ceph> n dan likes finch !!

[19:30:42] <?[rp] ceph> n ppl dont rlly bang their side hoe when theyr depressed.

[19:30:54] <?[rp] ceph> u see the issue

[19:31:01] <?[rp] Prince> sure?

[19:31:10] <?[rp] ceph> yeah ^_^

[19:31:14] <?[rp] Prince> ive never had intercourse so idk what ur talking about

[19:31:35] <?[rp] ceph> .of course u havent

[19:31:39] <?[rp] ceph> anyway

[19:31:15] <?[rp] ceph> so.

[19:31:31] <?[rp] Prince> so what

[19:32:01] <?[rp] ceph> so.. i dont want u to. like..

[19:32:17] <?[rp] ceph> get finch as ur hostage

[19:32:22] <?[rp] ceph> <3

[Prince sits up slightly, but it feels more like a reflex, if anything.]

[19:32:31] <?[rp] Prince> is that a request or an order

[19:33:23] <?[rp] ceph> ..will you listen to me when im being nice or . do i have to be rude . bc ordering. feels rude yk ..

[19:33:38] <?[rp] Prince> i do as you command

[19:33:57] <?[rp] Prince> i follow what you order

[Ceph laces their fingers together, and sets them on the table.]

[19:34:01] <?[rp] ceph> .dont take finch hostage

[19:34:05] <?[rp] ceph> please.

[Prince nods, solemn.]

[19:34:13] <?[rp] Prince> okay

[19:34:23] <?[rp] ceph> this pains me sm to say i hate that cat

[19:34:31] <?[rp] ceph> but i like dan

[19:34:48] <?[rp] Punk> theyre a shithead but they dont deserve that

[19:35:23] <?[rp] Prince> okay

[Prince nods again.]

[19:35:28] <?[rp] Prince> your wish is my command

[Ceph grits their teeth.]

[19:35:35] <?[rp] ceph> ^_^

[19:35:38] <?[rp] ceph> yay

[They wait for something…anything, any reaction from Prince.]

[19:35:43] <?[rp] ceph> uh

[19:35:49] <?[rp] ceph> good..???

[Prince nods.]

[19:35:53] <?[rp] Prince> mhm

[19:35:54] <?[rp] Punk> is there a catch here or

[19:35:58] <?[rp] Prince> no?

[19:36:09] <?[rp] Prince> there's no catch

[19:36:18] <?[rp] Prince> i follow the king's command with no catches

[19:36:03] <?[rp] ceph> no.

[19:36:18] <?[rp] ceph> no catches allowed.

[Prince nods.]

[19:36:28] <?[rp] Punk> cool . good

[Ceph stands up, immediately eager to leave as soon as possible.]

[19:36:51] <?[rp] ceph> so. thats settled!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[19:37:08] <?[rp] ceph> man what is it with u and hostages'\

[19:37:18] <?[rp] Prince> good way to keep people in line

[19:37:27] <?[rp] Prince> my dad does it a lot to me when i was a kid

[19:37:54] <?[rp] ceph> the cycle of hostage taking ig

[19:37:58] <?[rp] Prince> real

[19:38:11] <?[rp] Prince> you can leave now, if you want to. im not keeping you here

[Ceph holds out their hand for Punk’s.]

[19:38:30] <?[rp] ceph> okay uh. punk ^_^

[Punk takes Ceph’s hand.]

[19:38:39] <?[rp] Punk> shall we!

[19:38:49] <?[rp] ceph> do u want to go look for a place to build this shit

[19:38:58] <?[rp] Punk> mhmm

[19:39:13] <?[rp] ceph> or we can go to the shitty vil;lage n relax ;))

[19:39:35] <?[rp] Punk> ey first one then the other

[Prince stands at the end of the darkened room as Ceph and Punk stand in the doorway. He seems small in the dark, almost immediately forgotten.]

[19:40:01] <?[rp] Prince> if u need anything, just say so

[19:39:53] <?[rp] Prince> byee

[Ceph raises a hand.]

[19:40:02] <?[rp] ceph> uhm .. bye

[19:40:18] <?[rp] ceph> thx

[Prince snaps his fingers.]

[19:40:39] <?[rp] Prince> no problem, my king

[Ceph pulls Punk along by his hand, but he doesn’t need much pulling before the two run out of the mansion together.]

[19:41:21] <?[rp] ceph> okay lets get out of here punk

[19:41:27] <?[rp] Punk> please omg

[The two walk quickly down the bridge.]

[19:41:50] <?[rp] ceph> r u okay ??????

[19:42:02] <?[rp] ceph> that shit looked fucked

[19:42:14] <?[rp] Punk> yeah i mean . as fine as u can be when having ur bloodstream flushed i guess

[19:42:26] <?[rp] Punk> ill be ok

[19:42:41] <?[rp] Punk> shit the rest of this out of me and ill be grand

[Ceph looks down at the ground below them as they walk.]

[19:42:59] <?[rp] ceph> that mustve been very stressful 4 u and it was also very stressful 4 me

[19:43:14] <?[rp] Punk> thanks for stayin there with me

[19:43:19] <?[rp] Punk> ik he freaks u out

[Ceph looks back to Punk.]

[19:43:39] <?[rp] ceph> .i wouldnt just. leave u ..

[Not again.]

[19:44:20] <?[rp] Punk> yeah still it means somethin to me .i wouldnt leave u either ok we sexy mfs gotta stick togeteer

[19:44:29] <?[rp] ceph> hahaa yea

[They stop on the bridge when Prince’s home has disappeared in the distance. Ceph reaches up to touch Punk’s face.]

[19:44:42] <?[rp] ceph> man

[19:45:12] <?[rp] ceph> i cant wait to see ur sexy brown eyes again i missed em

[They smirk.]

[19:45:40] <?[rp] ceph> not that blue looks bad on u

[Punk places his hand over Ceph’s.]

[19:46:12] <?[rp] Punk> ill come see u as soon as theyre back to normal so we can stare at each other

[Ceph lets go of Punk, dropping their hands.]

[19:46:21] <?[rp] ceph> yayyyy

[19:46:41] <?[rp] ceph> i dont want to keep u here okay ..

[19:46:48] <?[rp] ceph> go back to dan

[They take a step back, and look out into the snow.]

[19:47:01] <?[rp] ceph> ill find a place myself

[19:47:14] <?[rp] Punk> u gonna stay here or go out again

[19:47:33] <?[rp] ceph> ...

[19:47:42] <?[rp] ceph> i wont run away

[19:47:46] <?[rp] ceph> okay?

[19:48:06] <?[rp] ceph> not again

[Punk reaches forward, and takes Ceph’s hand, squeezing it.]

[19:48:08] <?[rp] Punk> thanks

[For the first time in a long time, Ceph doesn’t pull away. They lean forward and kiss Punk, lost in the moment for as long as they can steal it. They pull away, not smiling, but not afraid either. Content, for a moment.]

[19:48:43] <?[rp] ceph> ill walk you to the station

[19:49:18] <?[rp] Punk> ur too kind <3

[Ceph hands Punk another bottle of vodka.]

[19:50:07] <?[rp] ceph> more for the road

[19:50:10] <?[rp] ceph> <3

[19:50:15] <?[rp] Punk> god bless u ceph

[19:50:17] <?[rp] ceph> yayyy booze

[19:50:29] <?[rp] ceph> stay safe okay

[19:50:35] <?[rp] Punk> i will

[19:50:50] <?[rp] ceph> ill send a letter when i have a place

[19:50:42] <?[rp] Punk> see u soon cephy

[19:50:58] <?[rp] ceph> see u

[19:51:10] <?[rp] ceph> byee punkkkk <3

[19:51:16] <?[rp] Punk> bye bye!

[Punk waves as he heads back to Corroded.]

PREVIOUS NEXT