Audio

[lightmyfire]

A-alright I don't know who decided to take the joke this far but the crack about me being an insignificant character hasn't been relevant for at least four plot arcs! Come on! If this is just another weird virtual A-T training, I get it. It wouldn't be the first time I've woken up in some weird-ass place... but this full-immersion shit is really pushing it. Calling a guy fictional really isn't funny when... well, it's just not. Just because someone exists in a different reality or medium or... whatever. Doesn't mean they're not real...

Comments

[lightmyfire]

Exactly, they'll say anything to throw us off. Whoever 'they' are.

[flameregalia]

I forgot to mention before, but this isn't an AI. I'd like to meet with you discuss some things when you have a free moment.

1/??? idfk

[lightmyfire]

[a long moment of silence and then]

Hahah... hah...

[lightmyfire]

Th-that's not...

[lightmyfire]

I knew this was some kind of stupid joke...! Look, we already saved the world and the sky and the President of the United States so fuck off with your psychological training mind games already! ... Whoever you are!

DONE

[lightmyfire]

Fuck you! Get out of my A-T and show yourself so I can kick your ass!

[flameregalia]

I don't blame you for being upset with me. I'm glad you got away safely from that fight. I'm sorry it happened that way, but I can't change how it ended.

[flameregalia]

Although I guess being alive again now, "ended" might not be correct.

[lightmyfire]

I-I'm not upset with you, I'm upset with... I don't know! This just can't... be real...

[flameregalia]

You're not dead. I'm just alive again somehow. I suppose they consider that some consolation for caging me again. In that way, maybe it would've been better if I'd stayed like I was.

[lightmyfire]

DON'T FUCKING SAY THAT!

[lightmyfire]

Wh-where are you?!

[flameregalia]

Now you're upset.

I'm at my salon. They gave me a small business loan to open one here. I'm thinking of opening it on Monday. You can stop by, if you promise not to spoil the surprise.

[lightmyfire]

I'M NOT UPSET!

[flameregalia]

I see. Is that all you have to say, Kazu-kun?

[lightmyfire]

Just t-tell me where to find you. 'My salon' isn't all that helpful.

[flameregalia]

You aren't going to cry, are you? It was bad enough to see you like that before.

[lightmyfire]

I'm not--I didn't--there was so much smoke...

[flameregalia]

It didn't affect you at all? So you're that sort of man.

[lightmyfire]

Of course it--! [his voice cracks] ... You died.

[flameregalia]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't tease you. Simca says I have a poor sense of humor about what happened. I ought to have more respect for the dead, even if the dead was me at the time.

The salon is across the street from an ice cream shop. Maybe I should buy you some to settle your nerves?

[lightmyfire]

Icecream... I'll be there soon just. Don't go anywhere.

[flameregalia]

Don't keep me waiting.

[lightmyfire]

[kind of shaky]

I'm not... that slow any more.

[and at stops paying attention to his device so he can run]

[flameregalia]

[ Spitfire isn't entirely sure Kazu can recognize a salon from the outside- given the state of some of his split ends last they met. So he's standing outside the still unnamed salon, arms crossed over his chest in the night's still-warm island air. The ice cream shop across the way is closed, he notes, squinting through the darkness. They'll have to stop in another day.

In the last few moments before the boy rounds the corner, it occurs to Spitfire that Kazu might only want to see him to take out some of that anger he's been denying. The kid hasn't arrived yet and Spitfire's already smiling. Well. He can try. ]