*I'M STILL STANDING, YEAH YEAH YEAH!
Didn't die (yet) so here I am with a little something. Hope you'll enjoy. Peace out and Deus vult*
Coffee time done and dealt with, Mark wandered to his room, focusing on the completion of his magnum opus—or at least the magnum opus that had belonged to someone else back in his world. It was a project that seemed tiny in comparison to the vastness of the universe he traveled.
'Heck, I'm in a giant space train, and I'm thinking about the cool stuff on my world. Hell, I don't even care if it doesn't work. I'm doing it for myself.'
With that, he swung the familiar door open—or more like slid open—and tossed himself on the familiar bed, choosing to indulge in a nap.
'Hopefully she wo-'
He just had to think it around a Memokeeper.
"I'm stupid, aren't I?" he mumbled, turning on his side to see the familiar figure of Black Swan, staring at him intently, a delighted smile on her lips.
"Oh, Mark, I'm here to simply watch over you."
Her velvety glove slid along his jaw, catching slightly in the unshaved stubble that had grown.
"I must admit, I find it interesting how you chose to give me that one memory a while before trying to bring it into reality. I guess that longing for a time long gone is part of human nature, even for someone like you, who brazenly tries to defy all odds."
He scoffed, turning his back at her while fighting against the pillow to find a comfortable position.
"Yeah, yeah, go on, say whatever. So what if I can't let go of my past? It's made me who I am."
She pressed herself to him, letting her arm ensnarl around his waist while tugging closer.
"Yes, Mark, but people often look back at it from afar... you try to bring it back to the present."
Mark did little to fight her off, part because she'd never give up and part because it was comfortable, providing a sense of warmth that he had long craved—way before coming to this world.
"Tsk, acting like ya know it all about me. Just let me be. I'm doing it cuz it's probably gonna earn me a fortune, even bigger than the one I already have cuz of selling those things."
She shook her head slightly, not letting go of him. Instead, she allowed him the time to think it out, taking her own to just snuggle closer and maybe peek at his memories a little bit—just enough to get a taste.
With a prolonged sigh, Mark just tossed one of his older memories her way. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, just more of him and the game that had plagued his childhood—it was the very first time he'd played with his friends, the old group having a blast. She took the memory greedily, and he could swear that she licked her lips behind his back, leaving only a soft, sloppy sound that he'd based his guess on.
'Heh... I wonder what those idiots are up to now...'
One lonely tear seeped into the pillow, forgotten there as he dozed off for a nap.
.................................................................
He woke up alone, blanket tossed in the same place on the floor as the pillows. The same restless sleep that haunted him back home never left his side, simply coming back like a lover when the time was right.
"Fuck," he groaned while standing up, checking the time. It was a bit past the mark, yet he didn't care much for it. He was ready to set things into motion, racking up speed the very second he left the Astral Express.
The giant eye stared at him, watching the usual scene of Mark making his entrance, sliding down from the sky on a path of ice.
"I take it that you got my order ready, right?" he asked, grinning.
"What vendor would I be if I did not stay true to my word, savior?" replied Doctor Edward.
"Heh, well, it's a pleasure to do business with people who stay true to their word. Until we meet again, Doctor," nodded Mark, taking the dream bubble before dashing away, focusing on the last part of the plan.
He took his phone out again, coming to rest on a building as he looked up something, typing away while enjoying the gentle chill of the everlasting night. The sound of people enjoying themselves around drowned out as Mark focused on his one goal like a madman.
"Black Swan, you there?" he called out, eyes glued to the phone. It had been a good couple of minutes ever since he started, and things were moving smoothly.
"Why, Mark? Do you need me?"
He sighed, rolling his eyes with a smirk.
"Sure, sure. I do need you, actually, but not in your usual not-so-good kind of way. I need ya to deliver this to these guys."
She looked over his shoulder, floating slightly as she stared at the details displayed on his phone. She took the dream bubble, quickly revising its contents.
"My, now this is actually so much more than you showed me. I trust that you spent a great deal to get this and even more for the rest of your plan."
He nodded, taking a seat on the edge of the building, staring over the place.
"Yep, sure did. Maybe, just maybe... it'll bring others joy as well. It's a good thing, ya know? Curiosity, creativity, friendship... I tweaked a few things to be usable with the gear found in this kinda futuristic world. Can't wait to play with the others, and you're free to join too... goes without saying."
She smiled slightly, sitting by his side in silence for a moment, her lavender-colored hair moving slightly in the gentle breeze. The sea of sound came back, slowly, a melody in its own right that tuned the night into an everlasting moment of dream-like joy—it was in a dream, after all.
"I hope this little plan of yours succeeds, Mark," she said softly, looking at him with a gentle gaze, far removed from her usual teasing tone.
"I hope the same... not only cuz it's expensive as hell, but also because... it would be fun for others to experience it and enjoy it. There's a beautiful thing in someone sharing what they love and seeing others love it just as much, if not more."
He stood up, stretching slightly while giving the city one last look for the time being.
"Welp, I'll probably return to reality. Thanks for the help, Black Swan. I trust that you'll do a good job on it and be back before the whole thing is over. I want you around too when the grand reveal happens."
"Aw, after all you do like having me around, Mark."
His lips pursed as he fought back the urge to bonk her, but she did share his odd sense of humor.
"Just make it quick," he grumbled, sliding down the building without a care.
'Good. It's set in motion fully. Now, I just have to wait a couple of days, or maybe more, until the whole thing is over. I added a little more 'spice' compared to the original, but it's all in good fun.'
Thus, he found himself back on the Express, finding that it was rather empty. No one was anywhere in sight, neither in the Party Room or on the comfy couches. Pom Pom himself was out of sight, which he found odd—but most probably he was off cleaning a side of the Express that Mark didn't think to check.
'Well, damn... it feels rather strange... so empty, like a damn liminal space... I better see no damn eldritch horror again, cuz I might cause some explosions that would make Himeko beat me up with a broom.'
Again, no sight of anyone.
"They went out, you know?"
He slid around, sword already summoned in his palm, resting right against the hologram.
"Oh, damn you, Kafka. I forgot that you can do that thanks to Silver Wolf."
He put the weapon away, staring at her with crossed arms.
"My, it seems that you've grown quite a lot since our last meeting, my dear rival, as you so brazenly declared yourself."
Her tone, even when transmitted from who knows where like that, carried over the same sensual tone that made him want to stay away and keep himself safe from whatever words might slide out those lips of hers.
"Well, I sure did it with a good intention... made sure you don't forget me that quickly. So, do go on and tell me to what do I owe the visit?" he asked with his formal accent, switching to using personas on the fly.
"Well, Mark, I must admit that I've heard quite a few things about you and the things you've done. You met SAM, and from what I heard, you were rather helpful. I must admit," she hummed, stepping closer, palms held together behind her back. "You grew a lot. I didn't expect it, and yet you outdid any limit I might've set for you."
The hologram leaned closer, making the strong eye contact twice as lifeless—more so than her being there in person.
"You prove yourself as a variable, one that Elio couldn't foresee no matter what."
Those few words carried along a sinister promise, one felt in the subtle shift of her voice. It dropped from playful to lifeless, bleak, the fitting image of a human that lacks the ability to fear. Even if Mark might be able to defeat her in a blink, she didn't care. Fear simply didn't exist in her body.
"So, what about it?" he asked nonchalantly, trying to keep the act going despite the cold sweat that slid down his back. It was an old habit, something that no power could change overnight.
The image came so close that he thought it would phase through him or something. She stared up at him, with big, empty eyes. They instantly shifted to her playful demeanor, her steps putting some distance between them.
"Well done, Mark. I expect my rival to stand their ground. Now, about why I decided to contact you... let's just say that I'm curious how well you'd perform on a mission, and unless I'm wrong, you have a distaste for the same group we do...the IPC. The mi-"
"Sign me up," he cut her off, curt and straight to the point.
That gave even her pause for a moment.
"Sign me up, yes. I'm not gonna kill anyone, but I sure would like to deal those fuckers a good blow, just a LITTLE SOMETHING to make it sting. Sure, I'm gonna use a mask or something, cuz hell, I'd be dumb to just let em see who I am when doing possible crimes. Truth be told... I despise them... they hide under a banner of righteousness and do their own bidding, playing for universal dominance with their own coin."
Kafka processed it all for a couple of seconds then laughed—not the type of laugh that would leave his mouth, but it was something. It was almost as if she held back.
"I'm glad to see that you took no convincing. Very well, Mark. I'll make sure to send you a message so we can further discuss about our little 'play date'."
With that, she was gone, leaving behind a mouth-opened Mark who didn't get to deliver a line in response to her last words.
"Play date my ass... fucking hell... she's lucky I actually enjoy their company more than that of the IPC..."
Shaking his head, Mark focused back on the moment at hand. He took a seat on the couch, waiting quietly for the others to return so he could plan a little gaming session in a rather interactive way—one deeply tied to his training session a good while back.