I saw that last image and immediately had to write something with it so here take some pre-show oilrose angst:
Scuttling on the roof.Β Moron and Lesser Moron must be back from hunting.Β The colony outside is nearly completely annihilated, depleted of all its resources β the workers, of course.Β Iβd done my job, submitted my quota, and returned to the ship long before them.Β N takes his sweet time dawdling to no end, and V likes to take her time toying with every kill.Β She makes a spectacle of her victims for whatever reason.Β I swear itβs like I donβt recognize her sometimes.Β I recognize N, but he doesnβt recognize me.
Itβs probably for the best that none of us recognize eachother.Β It makes punishing the others in the name of the solv- the company easier.Β The company, J, get it right.
The door opens, I quickly shut my eyes and flash a false βOperating Hours: CLOSEDβ message across my screen so they know not to disturb me.Β Theyβre not even supposed to be in here while Iβm sleeping!Β Iβve claimed the pod during daylight hours for privacy, and as the highest-ranking amongst us three Iβm allowed to do so.Β I still refuse to be embarrassingly undignified and sleep hanging by my tail, so Iβm curled up on the shipβs floor.
In hindsight this is also embarrassing.Β Theyβre not supposed to be in here!
The sound of Vβs bragging boisterous voice silences mid cackle.Β Both of the others surely stopped in their tracks at the sight of me β not daring to wake their superior.Β βWe uhh.. we donβt need to bother J right now, right V?β N asks, lowering his voice, βSubmitting fancy business stuff to the company can be a tomorrow thing, canβt it?βΒ Β
No, idiot, those reports have to be sent every day, not βwhenever it conveniences youβ.Β Iβm supposed to be asleep, so I donβt respond, but I wouldβve liked to.Β I might have shoved him outside into the snow, as well.Β Β
βDo whatever you want,β V grumbles, βIβm not getting scolded over not doing something that I already did.βΒ N scrambles off, no doubt to find a place in the spire to rest before the sun rises completely.Β The door shuts, and the clanking sound of Vβs footsteps approaches. I crack open an eye to watch her.Β Β
My coworker takes the clipboard off the console and scribbles down her kill count tonight.Β I watch her blatantly commit fraud by adding in Nβs tally to save his cheap metal ass from a beating.Β Undoubtedly sheβs forging the numbers, as well.Β Thatβs one thing that hasnβt changed, at least.Β Vβs covered for N since the dawn of time.
I exhale tiredly and roll over on my side to face the wall.Β Weβre just coworkers.Β Strangers.Β Thatβs all.Β I feel like strangling myself with my tail. Pretending I donβt know them is a punishment in of itself.
A muffled sob freezes the oil in my veins.Β My limbs get cold and achy as though Iβve slipped up and made a mistake in front of Boss β waiting in crushing dread to be dismantled and brought back βbetterβ.Β Β
The sound of footsteps echo, closer than before.Β Vβs yellow optics glow against the wall Iβm staring at.Β They sink to the floor and I can feel her body press lightly to mine from behind.Β My core jumps in my chest; the external array of cameras across my head flicker to life.
βWhat are you doing?β I growl.Β V flinches, but doesnβt move.Β I turn my head back to glare at her, but I stop short as a pair of teary hollow eyes meet my gaze.Β She looks up at me, my mouth open in a silent complaint.Β Her hand wavers, then she soundlessly drags herself closer.Β Her face presses into my back β fearful expression unblinking.
βThere was a girl in the raid today, she-Β She looked like me, J.βΒ Tears well in the corners of her eyes and their centers hollow out a little bit further.Β βShe looked j-just like how I did back in the manor, and I ate her.Β Alive.Β I killed her-Β I-I-Iβ¦β
Her stutter breaks off with another small sob.Β Those frightened haunted eyes squeeze shut, pressing the tears out of them.Β They drip digitally from her face.Β Slowly, she lifts an arm and wraps it around my waist.Β βPlease tell me you actually remember the manor this reset.βΒ Β
Dear sweet corporate, I can't look at her anymore.Β I turn back over to face the wall.Β Another sob muffles against my back.Β βN-No..βΒ V gasps a whimper that makes me want to vomit yet hold her close.Β βNo, please not you too.Β I know we hardly spoke back then, but I canβt deal with two strangers again, I canβt, I-βΒ Β
βI remember, V.βΒ Against my better judgement, I rest my arm over hers, clutching my midsection like a lifeline.Β A teary exhale tickles the hair on the back of my head.Β βThank robogod,β she gasps.Β Her tail twines gratefully around mine.Β Β
βShe looked like you?β I reiterate.Β V shudders, βBig round glasses, white eyes, everything.βΒ I swallow a tired sigh, βDid you take the glasses, at least?Β You could really use them, and Iβm sure your numbers would skyrocket.βΒ V is so quiet for so long I begin to believe sheβd passed out.Β Β
βI couldnβt take them.βΒ Β
She doesnβt say anything more.