RP Quarantine, basically

> You step out into the clearing, and—

> Who is that?

...

Stay here, Nebula.

> You lift an arm in their direction, to keep them from going further.

> then, you’re trudging forward, cautious eyes staring at the stranger.

... a husk?... you guys haven’t been messing with clones, have you? Wait, you wouldn’t know, you’ve been hangin’ out with me.

> You step closer.

Oh god, it’s...

...

Virus.

You’re defending the guy who literally has been lying to you ever since you met him. The guy who faked his own death. The guy who forced me to work at his stupid lab until my brain melted.

>You nod, confident in your abilities.

I can pretty much take you on right now and win, actually. So I’d say I’d do pretty good at stopping you!

>You look over to Nebula.

Don’t worry I’ll probably just drop them where the robot dropped me, and I’ll bring him back after he’s tired out. Aaalso, like, you know. It’s less ‘defending him’ and more ‘I think the way you’re trying to get revenge is stupid because you’re stupid’, y’know?~

>You giggle, rolling your shoulders.

You aren’t even going to listen to him because you’re too caught up in your own troubles and problems ‘cus you’re selfish and mean.

> All this work faking your death, getting rid of Yoglabs, getting rid of your past, and everyone’s already found out.

> You step out into the clearing, and—

> Who is that?

...

Stay here, Nebula.

> You lift an arm in their direction, to keep them from going further.

> then, you’re trudging forward, cautious eyes staring at the stranger.

... a husk?... you guys haven’t been messing with clones, have you? Wait, you wouldn’t know, you’ve been hangin’ out with me.

> You step closer.

Oh god, it’s...

> Thankfully, there’s a tree to catch your fall.

> Steadying yourself, and holding your knuckle to the blood trickling down your nose, you glare at the one who’d punched you.

the hell are you?... wait, you’re Virus, right? Xeph’s——

> Your eyes widen as they land on Virus’ companion.

...Xephos.

> your hand lowers, turning into a fist.

I’d recognize your original anywhere.

> YOU WERE RIGHT about your theory earlier. You choke back a laugh.

>You point a claw in husk’s direction, before slowly dragging it along the air and point it in Lalna’s direction, snarling.

A̡nd̢ ̷I̧ ̸w̨i͟l̨l t̸e̕a̶r yo̡u ap͝art̡ b́y͏ ͞my͏ ̧o̴wn h̵an̢d͏s͜.͘ ̕G͡ot ̧i͟t?

>You’re glaring daggers, and it takes you a few moments to recognise what he was saying.

>Your face falls, for only a moment, but you look back with a sharper glare and even sharper claws.

Wa̸i̛t, th̛e̶ ҉O͘r̕i̢g̶in̕al? Did ҉that͠ b͠l̵ow t̸o ͟th͏e ́he͞a͟d͝ ̶hurt ͞you͢ ҉more th҉a͡n ̷I ͜th̀ou͢ght,̢ La̡lna?

>You pause, looking back over at the man, then back to Lalna.

>You look at Nebula, and a wave of slight calm seemed to rush over you, thank god at least they’re here.

>You close your eyes and take a few calming breaths, dimming the light in your eyes and the fire in your soul.

He’s come to, from what I’ve heard, find the Xephos here that....

>You grip your claw-fists tighter.

...Him. He was sent here with a crew to look for Him. They’ve been in space for a while, and everything I’ve heard about it suggests this man must be some... clone from another planet.

>You reveal slightly sharper than usual teeth in a small smirk, oh thats new, as you’d step forwards, beckoning Lalna closer.

> You look at Nebula, knowing you shared that feeling of helplessness they had on their face.

> Utter helpless confusion.

> Except this wasn’t their fault.

> It was yours.

Um... Virus...

> You look at Husk. Disgust and guilt and confusion is filling you, until it’s all you can think of.

>Getting in between whatever Virus is becoming and their.. prey is a terrible idea, and your whole nervous system is screaming that loud and clear, but it’s not like you can just watch them kill each other! 

Don’t you get it? He tricked you! All of that is just a lie! I didn’t work in that damn cloning lab for all my life just for some kid to— to—

SHUT UP!

> You hate being interrupted. Even by your-

> Your...

> ...Nebula.

> you squeeze your eyes shut, then turn your head towards Virus and Xephos.

He must’ve gone into his original clone and left the one you were familiar with to die. Then, you brought the decoy back to life. Clones can be brought back, but they just become husks if they don’t have nuthin in them. The Husk is proof that the guy next to you is Xephos. It means he’s back, he never left, he never died.

> You wipe the blood on your face, but it only creates a crimson smear.

your friend and I have unfinished business. He’s coming with me.

>You seem slightly calmer when you see Nebula there, but you step forwards and awkwardly try to shuffle them behind you, along with the two versions of Xephos you have, like you’re a goddamned Xephos Pokemon Master.

>You look back at Lalna, shrugging.

Sorry, dude. Husk here, they don’t have Xephos in them.

>You shrug, casually, wiping off their blood from your fist onto your pants.

‘cause I inserted a part of my own soul into them in a harrowing and extremely sorrowful part of my life.

>You snicker slightly.

Kind of makes them a clone of me and not a clone of Xephos, really. Unlike another void creature I know, though, couldn’t exactly leave them alone to fend for themself, so I’ve been letting them stay here.

At least until I can find a more stable place that they can stay and I can take care of them. So, yeah, they’re kind of.. a clone of me, in a Xephos body, like how I’m Virus, in a weirdo teenager’s body.

>Despite your more casual demeanor, there’s a glint in the redness of your glowing eye.

> Should you touch them? You’re gonna touch them. A little tap on the shoulder.

Please be careful. This man is extremely dangerous, he- you know, he...

>When you recover enough to quit being an animal caricature, its the alien guy’s turn to receive a stare, although more one of puzzlement, trying to determine if your mentor has gone completely batshit or not >You guess he’s... tall? You.. don’t really remember what Xephos looks like.

> You step out into the clearing, and—

> Who is that?

...

Stay here, Nebula.

> You lift an arm in their direction, to keep them from going further.

> then, you’re trudging forward, cautious eyes staring at the stranger.

... a husk?... you guys haven’t been messing with clones, have you? Wait, you wouldn’t know, you’ve been hangin’ out with me.

> You step closer.

Oh god, it’s...

> Thankfully, there’s a tree to catch your fall.

> Steadying yourself, and holding your knuckle to the blood trickling down your nose, you glare at the one who’d punched you.

the hell are you?... wait, you’re Virus, right? Xeph’s——

> Your eyes widen as they land on Virus’ companion.

...Xephos.

> your hand lowers, turning into a fist.

I’d recognize your original anywhere.

> YOU WERE RIGHT about your theory earlier. You choke back a laugh.

>You point a claw in husk’s direction, before slowly dragging it along the air and point it in Lalna’s direction, snarling.

A̡nd̢ ̷I̧ ̸w̨i͟l̨l t̸e̕a̶r yo̡u ap͝art̡ b́y͏ ͞my͏ ̧o̴wn h̵an̢d͏s͜.͘ ̕G͡ot ̧i͟t?

>You’re glaring daggers, and it takes you a few moments to recognise what he was saying.

>Your face falls, for only a moment, but you look back with a sharper glare and even sharper claws.

Wa̸i̛t, th̛e̶ ҉O͘r̕i̢g̶in̕al? Did ҉that͠ b͠l̵ow t̸o ͟th͏e ́he͞a͟d͝ ̶hurt ͞you͢ ҉more th҉a͡n ̷I ͜th̀ou͢ght,̢ La̡lna?

>You pause, looking back over at the man, then back to Lalna.

>You look at Nebula, and a wave of slight calm seemed to rush over you, thank god at least they’re here.

>You close your eyes and take a few calming breaths, dimming the light in your eyes and the fire in your soul.

He’s come to, from what I’ve heard, find the Xephos here that....

>You grip your claw-fists tighter.

...Him. He was sent here with a crew to look for Him. They’ve been in space for a while, and everything I’ve heard about it suggests this man must be some... clone from another planet.

>You reveal slightly sharper than usual teeth in a small smirk, oh thats new, as you’d step forwards, beckoning Lalna closer.

> You look at Nebula, knowing you shared that feeling of helplessness they had on their face.

> Utter helpless confusion.

> Except this wasn’t their fault.

> It was yours.

Um... Virus...

> You look at Husk. Disgust and guilt and confusion is filling you, until it’s all you can think of.

>Getting in between whatever Virus is becoming and their.. prey is a terrible idea, and your whole nervous system is screaming that loud and clear, but it’s not like you can just watch them kill each other! 

> You step out into the clearing, and—

> Who is that?

...

Stay here, Nebula.

> You lift an arm in their direction, to keep them from going further.

> then, you’re trudging forward, cautious eyes staring at the stranger.

... a husk?... you guys haven’t been messing with clones, have you? Wait, you wouldn’t know, you’ve been hangin’ out with me.

> You step closer.

Oh god, it’s...

Couldn’t be Xephos in there, no, definitely not... a true husk, I think, but that means—

That... means...

> Are you... laughing from anger or genuine amusement?

> the question itself makes you laugh harder.

Why- why’s there zombies. Why is there a zombie at my house. >You kinda.. feel bad for it, as horrifying as the concept alone is. It’s not Xephos- it’s just.. a thing. And it looks scared. >Your flux flattens slowly, and you creep up closer to tug on Lalna’s coat

> You back away from the husk a few steps.

... We really should try to get it’s memories before it dies, though. These dudes only ever last a few hours.

> Oh. It’s ... writing something?

> the husk turns its notebook towards you.

>You’re running at Lalna, anger and rage and hatred shining through your glowing red eye.

>You open your mouth to try and say something cool, something that would stand the test of time, eternally a scorn upon the face of a man.

>You screech.

>You jump as you get closer, twisting your body to swing your right hand back as much as possible before swinging it around for a punch to Lalna’s face.

> Then it’s time for you to scramble out of the bushes, following Virus and trying to stop them—

> But then, it’s too late. You’d laugh if the man they’d just punch was any old schmo. But this, no, this was not a laughing matter.

> And your stupid ass just made the whole situation worse by running up to help Virus

>And then everything goes haywire Virus?! A- Alien guy?? Virus?!? >Theres far too many things happening right now

> You step out into the clearing, and—

> Who is that?

...

Stay here, Nebula.

> You lift an arm in their direction, to keep them from going further.

> then, you’re trudging forward, cautious eyes staring at the stranger.

... a husk?... you guys haven’t been messing with clones, have you? Wait, you wouldn’t know, you’ve been hangin’ out with me.

> You step closer.

Oh god, it’s...

Couldn’t be Xephos in there, no, definitely not... a true husk, I think, but that means—

That... means...

> Are you... laughing from anger or genuine amusement?

> the question itself makes you laugh harder.

Why- why’s there zombies. Why is there a zombie at my house. >You kinda.. feel bad for it, as horrifying as the concept alone is. It’s not Xephos- it’s just.. a thing. And it looks scared. >Your flux flattens slowly, and you creep up closer to tug on Lalna’s coat

> your laughter is more of a cackle.

Kidding! Yeah, that sounds uh, horrible. Can’t do spiders. Nasty buggers.

>It was kind of fun, being somewhere where everyone doesn't have to know where you are all the time

>Where you aren't the one putting out the fires.

>...well, thats just rude. You blame that particular section of bitterness on the flux, and promptly chuck it aside. You shouldn't ignore your new mentor, anyhow!

> You’re used to this journey, having visited multiple times, for various reasons. Sometimes it was more convenient to do your experiments in the clearings surrounding the base.

>Sometimes you just got lonely.

>Nevertheless, the trudge through the wilderness was simple now. You look behind to see how Nebula is doing.

>You’re getting closer. You slow your pace, so you have more time to talk.

I wonder if she’ll be home

>Your memories reach out towards someone much like Robothian, except less... metal.

>You would like to see if he’s like Rythian on the inside.

>Your smile dies down at the thought. Or perhaps you’re just biting it back. Not wanting to smile at the wrong time.

>It was kind of fun, being somewhere where everyone doesn't have to know where you are all the time

>Where you aren't the one putting out the fires.

>...well, thats just rude. You blame that particular section of bitterness on the flux, and promptly chuck it aside. You shouldn't ignore your new mentor, anyhow!

> You’re used to this journey, having visited multiple times, for various reasons. Sometimes it was more convenient to do your experiments in the clearings surrounding the base.

>Sometimes you just got lonely.

>Nevertheless, the trudge through the wilderness was simple now. You look behind to see how Nebula is doing.

>You’re getting closer. You slow your pace, so you have more time to talk.

I wonder if she’ll be home

>It was kind of fun, being somewhere where everyone doesn't have to know where you are all the time

>Where you aren't the one putting out the fires.

>...well, thats just rude. You blame that particular section of bitterness on the flux, and promptly chuck it aside. You shouldn't ignore your new mentor, anyhow!

> You’re used to this journey, having visited multiple times, for various reasons. Sometimes it was more convenient to do your experiments in the clearings surrounding the base.

>Sometimes you just got lonely.

>Nevertheless, the trudge through the wilderness was simple now. You look behind to see how Nebula is doing.

>It was kind of fun, being somewhere where everyone doesn't have to know where you are all the time

>Where you aren't the one putting out the fires.

>...well, thats just rude. You blame that particular section of bitterness on the flux, and promptly chuck it aside. You shouldn't ignore your new mentor, anyhow!

Now that.. is the attitude I love to see from my young apprentice! Come here, I have a small sapling and a book here ready to go.

>You bring out the items and hold them out to Page.

>You place a hand on the book, muttering a small incantation.

>When you move your hand away, the two have fused together, and the book looked greener, with the leaves being still clearly visible where Page put them.

>Lexica Botania.

>You pat them on the back.

This will have information for you about the botanical art of magic, and you can write down any notes into it as well as needed.

Now that.. is the attitude I love to see from my young apprentice! Come here, I have a small sapling and a book here ready to go.

>You bring out the items and hold them out to Page.

>You place a hand on the book, muttering a small incantation.

>When you move your hand away, the two have fused together, and the book looked greener, with the leaves being still clearly visible where Page put them.

>Lexica Botania.

Now that.. is the attitude I love to see from my young apprentice! Come here, I have a small sapling and a book here ready to go.

>You bring out the items and hold them out to Page.

Now that.. is the attitude I love to see from my young apprentice! Come here, I have a small sapling and a book here ready to go.

>You bring out the items and hold them out to Page.