*been more than a while, I guess. Mostly, I've been focusing on other things- surviving being one of them. I lost my edge (Pepe, laugh at me saying 'edge' and I'm tossing a fridge at you) during this time, so writing feels off. I can't find it in me to write like I used to, but I'll still try to upload something from time to time.
I'm also trying to focus on other things, like learning my way around Unity and whatnot. I'm trying to make more content in different environments while also learning new things along the way. So yes, I'll probably update everyone on discord from time to time (link: https://discord.com/invite/8RcQy2aQ36) and yes... I'm also losin my mind over the oldest problem in the world: liking someone. (Cut my head off, please)
Anyway, all in all, life's decent. We manage. So, here we go: please enjoy this little tidbit of story I wrote (added a 'cute' little reference in here for the sake of the memes)
Peace out and Deus vult*
A few hours had already passed since Mark was brought there, time that he's spent just living along with the others—if that's what it could be called. He simply chose to bother Silver Wolf for the most part, playing games with her for a while. It did start off as some would imagine, Mark himself included: Silver Wolf dominated.
"You're so bad at this, Mark. How do you even manage?"
Her laughter was by no means hidden, instead showing like a wolf baring its fangs, a curl of the lips filled with smugness.
Mark, somehow still keeping it together, shrugged it off like no insult would stick to him.
"Welp, it's been quite a while since I last played anything, you know? At least anything serious... since I got out of hand WAY before actually starting this whole ordeal."
His gaze drifted over the screen, the silence taking a different subtle note, dancing on the border of melancholy and regret.
"I just... lost my drive for these things. I used to love them, truly... but even now, I just find myself wishing to play, but the second I start I just lose any spark I had."
Silver Wolf nodded, shaking her head slightly. Her own eyes didn't leave the screen, focusing instead on the pixels as they dimmed and changed color.
"Oh, for crying out loud, no need to beat yourself up over it and start getting philosophical. Sometimes you just need to keep looking for a game you like, or even make it... like you have."
With a deep breath, he did relax for a bit, letting the stiffness of his shoulders ease ever so slightly. Getting competitive would always strain him for one reason or another, like the very act of using his arms to game was training each muscle fiber in his wrists, all the way up to the back of the neck.
"You're not wrong, truth be told. Sometimes you need to make something you enjoy with your own hands... or maybe it's making that's more enjoyable than actually playing it. Whatever," he sighed, smiling a touch more smugly.
"There are plenty of games I remember, some made by large companies, others by some random people who had a dream and the will to actually put in the work and make it real. The community built around them was great."
Silver Wolf seemed to listen even as her fingers glided skillfully over the controller, ravaging the opponents with practiced ease. She'd nod along slightly just to signal for him to keep on going.
"The good old days of theories and what not, the memes... hell, I don't recall seeing much of them around, but it might be because my screen time went down significantly compared to the past."
The gameplay kept rolling, and Mark watched it quietly, now simply resting for a bit before the next round of 1v1s would begin. For the time being, he watched... silent, focused, mulling over the information from the past. Some of the moves inside the game were reminiscent of past memes and niche references that would be so niche in the world of Honkai Star Rail that no one but him would know.
He blinked back to reality as a chomping sound played louder than expected, to which he grinned and spoke out playfully.
"WAS THAT THE BITE OF 87'?"
Silver Wolf turned at him, eyebrow raised in question like she just heard a madman's incoherent muttering—which was pretty close to the actual case. How was Mark to explain that it's a running joke in a different world where she's actually a video game character?
They just stared at one another in silence for a bit before she handed him a controller and turned to the screen like nothing had happened. Still, he could notice the slight tinge of 'he is insane' written over her face, concealed as she tried to keep it.
"You better prepare yourself, Mark. I've given you plenty of time to rest... perhaps a little too much considering your mumbling."
"Ey, come on, it was funny. You wouldn't get it even if I did explain," he chuckled, picking his character before locking it in.
The game was similar to Mortal Kombat, so it wasn't difficult to get the gist of things. However, that turn, Mark chose to actually go all in.
'I'm no longer just a random bum... I'M A BUM WITH SUPERPOWERS!'
The Stellarons inside of him burned slowly, sending thundering energy in his body. Each pulse of his heart struck like war drums, the blood rushing in his veins. Everything seemed to slow down around him, bit by bit, more than enough to give him an edge.
"You're gonna have a bad time, Silvie," he muttered, closing his eyes. The second the countdown hit 0, Mark dashed into motion.
The controller felt like a part of him, not a tool, but a mere attachment to his existing members. His eyes felt alive, moving with ferocity, nearly separating frames one by one the more he looked. Buttons clicked softly, repeated patters fueling combos that left Silver Wolf struggling.
From getting whooped every round mercilessly, Mark went on to deliver the same treatment, even if he had to technically cheat.
'Is it really cheating if it's my power? Like, come on, I'm only enhancing my senses... ok, maybe it's like using 'roids.'
He happened to glance at her, catching sight of the sheer focus and commitment she held for the game. Sweat trickled down her forehead as she tried to do anything possible to stop the madman's sudden improvement, but it was naught.
Mark kept hitting frame-perfect moves one after another, tying everything together flawlessly.
'The advantage of being faster and using random space energy on your brain: you can pull off stunts like this.'
With the crushing sound of defeat echoing in the room, Silver Wolf was down. She set the controller aside for a moment, gathering her thoughts. It didn't take long for her to stare him dead in the eye and speak with unexpected calmness.
"You cheated."
"No I didn't," he replied, just as calm.
His arms crossed together as he looked down at her.
"Yes, you did. There's no way you lost that badly all along just to suddenly move like that. This round doesn't count."
He grinned.
"Can't stand losing?"
She growled slightly, standing up at once, leaving Mark alone in the room while she kept grumbling to herself louder than needed. He chuckled, lying down on the carpet, staring at the ceiling. The others on the Express might be worried about his whereabouts, while Black Swan might be around, watching.
It wasn't long until the door opened slowly, dragging his attention from the drowsy state of his to the supple figure of none other than Kafka. She looked down at him, the same little smile plastered on her lips like any other encounter of theirs.
"I guess you somehow managed to win against Silver Wolf. Impressive," she chuckled, taking a seat at his side.
Mark shrugged, letting out a sigh, eyes still glued to the ceiling.
"Welp, can't say I won fair and square, but it was funny to see her flare up all of a sudden. I guess she's still got a lot of growing up to do."
Groaning, he sat up slowly, meeting her gaze. There was a lot of mischief in those magenta eyes of hers, enough to make Mark feel a touch uneasy.
"Well, what brings you here now? I get it that this is your place, but like... I don't think you came looking for me just to chat."
A small nod was his answer at first, followed by her standing up, motioning for him to follow.
"My, what if I really wanted some of your time all to myself?" she joked, speaking in that honey-dripping tone of hers. "However, you're right: this time, I want to show you that 'surprise' I was talking about earlier."
As he stood up, countless ideas of what that might be rushed around from every direction: an actual gift, a test of sorts, just her messing with him, or a trap. He was mostly inclined to think of the negative aspects, all based on his perception of them.
'They ain't the villains, but boy do they also mess shit up big time. Can't say I'm not curious, tho.'
Their steps echoed lightly in sync along the empty corridor. Wherever she was taking him seemed to be pretty far from the living quarters—or at least at a good enough distance.
'Hell, is this where I should expect to be tied up and tossed into a box? Heh, somehow it sounds fun. I promise I'm sane... most of the time...'
She stole a glance over her shoulder, looking more sincere than usual. There was a certain something to her, like an air of innocence long forgotten in their line of work.
'Perhaps she's truly sincere.'
The end of the hall was finally in front of them, with a single door adorning the wall, waiting to be opened.
"Well, go on, Mark. Your surprise awaits you inside."
He watched Kafka step aside, palm outstretched forward. Mark stared at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Uh... are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Do you think I'd forget where I placed something important?"
With a shrug, he grabbed a hold of the handle, turning it slowly. It opened without issue, leading inside a dark room. His heart beat faster as he stepped inside, looking around. He couldn't see much, which was extra reason for him to be on edge. One step inside, then another, and one more.
'Whatever is inside, I'll find out soon...'