I'm back! If you're new I'd ask that you please read 'we were made to break' before reading this as this is a sequel to that story!
But if you don't want to read that story then I'll explain some things here:
Silabus was a lost one. He did not participate in the battle against Cubia.
Yuuichi Morino is Silabus (Obviously), but is different from Silabus when offline. His personality is different, kinda, and he goes to therapy. He doesn't mix online and offline together. Only Haseo/Ryou knows this. Yuuichi is working on graduating early at 20 so he can adopt his baby sister, Suki. Who is 10. Yuuichi does not have a good standing relationship with his mother nor his step father. His grandmother raised him from when he was eight basically. Again, only Haseo knows all of this.
Haseo has a 17 year old brother named Toga who is a little shit, but also loves his older brother.
Haseo and Silabus got married in game (not friendship promise, but married). And are now in an relationship both online and offline.
They've been dating for a year now.
Also to clear up any confusion. They is referring to the Mimic. When it's in italics it's basically their name until they're given one officially.
At the start They were just a clump of code. A clump of unused code that was picked up by a generous person.
They didn't have a name. They only knew themselves as simply 'They' once they gained sentience. Not only did they not have a name, but they had no features whatsoever. They were a blank figure, an invisible person. Just a blank slate ready to be animated at a moments notice.
The thing is. There are more of them. Beings, lumps of code, like They. No names, no faces or features of any kind. Just a void in the shape of a person and there were a lot of them. They all just stared forward.
"Hello, my children."
They turned their head towards the sound. A voice was speaking to them, but no person could be seen.
"I see you have all risen perfectly well. My code working brilliantly with all of you. Which makes me incredibly happy. You may all refer to me simply as 'Father.' As without me, none of you would be alive."
'Father… that is his… name? I want a name…' They thought as they simply stared ahead at their motionless brethren.
"I am going to name what I want from all of you. I've given you all a glorious gift. The gift of Mimicry and the gift of data drain. With this gift you're able to take on the face and apparence of anybody you wish. But this comes at a, reasonable, request from me. You, all eight of you, are to go out into The World and PK and data drain as many players as you can with these faces.
"As you see my children. I'm looking for a specific code. A code that only eight players have. This code is vital to me and you wouldn't want to disappoint your creator, would you?"
They shook their head along with their brethren all the same.
"Good. Now, your mimicking. You can mimic any player you see. That's all you have to do to gain their appearance is to just look at them. Once you mimic this player you will not have any access to their weapons, skill, or class for that matter. Your mimicking is only for cosmetic. The only way you gain their abilities is to either watch them and figure it out for yourself, or, you data drain them and gain their information.
"I would not recommend approaching the person your mimicking. That is unless you're already in an area where you can battle one another. In which case have at it. They may even see you as a doppelganger if that's the case. Be careful in towns is all I have to say… That is all. Now, go out! Bring me back the code I want! All code will be sent to me once the data drain is complete!"
This is what their father wanted of them? To hurt other players with the faces of their friends? It didn't seem right, but… who were They to disagree with what their father wanted?
Take a face.
PK
Data drain
And repeat.
It seemed simple enough.
"-So, I'm thinking about coming down next weekend. Is that okay?"
Yuuichi hummed as he shifted his bluetooth earbud so it was sitting a little more comfortably in his ear. "That's fine, Ryou." He commented softly before squatting down to look at the ramen. "I think I should get those days off work if I ask…" he gave another soft hum as he looked at which two ramen bowls to buy.
"Oh, how's the new job coming along anyways?" Ryou inquired and Yuuichi could hear typing in the background. This told Yuuichi that Ryou was most likely working on his schoolwork. Ryou was on his final year of high school now and had one more year to go until college. So he was studying hard.
Yuuichi knew the feeling. Honestly, neither of them had time to really enjoy The World as much as they'd like nowadays as both of them were so busy with work or college, or in Yuuichi's case, both.
"Popular! Almost insanely so. Who knew that an american-themed fifties style diner would be so popular?" Yuuichi gasped. "We're always slammed with customers day in and out!"
"I bet the money is nice."
"Yeah, It is. I have more pocket money now than before. And the owner is really nice and pays us decently! So, I'm able to splurge on a few things, for sure…. I just wish I didn't have to wear those roller blades…" Yuuichi couldn't help but give just a little whine at that. "I've busted my ass more times that I can count."
Ryou gave a soft laugh over the phone. "I have to ask. What do you think people online would say if they learned that the lovable and excitable Silabus curses like a sailor offline?"
This caused Yuuichi to laugh as he finally picked a ramen and put it in his handbasket. "They'd never believe you." He said rather smugly which caused Ryou to sigh.
"You're right…"
"Just so you know. I'm treating you when you come down. This date is on me."
"Fine. But that's not going to stop me from trying to pay. You know that."
Yuuichi snorted at that as he moved on to the next aisle in the store in hopes of finding some tofu for his ramen dinner tonight. "You can try." Yuuichi smirked as he eyed the tofu flavors up and down.
"I don't know how you can afford anything with that 7-eleven addiction you got. In fact, I'm sure you're in one right now. Aren't you?"
A blush painted it's way across Yuuichi's face. "M-...maybe…" He huffed.
"Heh. You're so predictable, and please tell me our date isn't at the 7-eleven?"
"That was once. We had just started dating and I couldn't afford much. And no. It's not. Smartass. It's at the new hotpot restaurant that just opened up in town."
"That sounds fine with me. I'm probably gonna stay the whole weekend, so be sure to stock up on food so we're not eating out everyday or going to 7-eleven-"
"Okay," Yuuichi laughed. "I get it." he grabbed the tofu and put it in his basket before moving on to look at drinks. "I mean, as long as you don't mind playing 'hide from my RA' again for the whole weekend."
This time Ryou gave a laugh over the phone. "I swear that man knows I'm there, but he likes to fuck with us…I still can't believe you shoved me in the closet last time!" Both of them erupted in laughter from the memory.
Yuuichi's RA had done a 'surprise' inspection last time Ryou was over and Yuuichi, thinking rather quickly before the RA opened the door, had no choice but to shove Ryou into a utility closet. It worked and his RA left less than five minutes later once he concluded everything was in working order.
"Man, maybe we should just book a hotel room together. I don't know if I want to be pushed back into the closet."
Grabbing a drink with ease, Yuuichi sighed. "Yeah, I feel you on that. Honestly, that might be best at this point. But will your parents agree? You did say that they've been acting… weird since you came out to them as Bi. They might not like the idea of us sharing a hotel room. They already don't like that I'm two years older than you."
"Yeah, well I don't give a damn whether they like it or not. I've been dating you for over a year now and I already let them know that I'm not going to change my mind. As for your question. I just won't tell them. It's that simple. Oh, also just to let you know I might log on today if you maybe want to join me for a session or two."
"Yeah, I finally got free time today. I'll be sure to do that! Oh and by the way. Just so you know, I'm going to kiss you when I see you again!... but mayyyybe not in public…I learned that lesson the hard way…"
"The fanart was glorious." Ryou was smirking, Yuuichi could feel it.
Yuuichi blushed as he chuckled softly. "Lesson learned, Okay? Expect a kiss… in private."
Ryou sighed fondly. "I should go so I can actually get my studies done. I'll see you in The World."
"Yeah, see you then."
Yuuichi ended the call quickly and finished up his shopping just as quick. Getting outside he squinted at the harsh sunlight while he readjusted the plastic bag hanging off of his arm. Thankfully, his college apartment was only a five minute walk.
Unfortunately it was still colder than a witches tit outside making Yuuichi zip his jacket all the way up so the collar was touching the tip of his nose. He shivered violently against the cold as he swiftly started to walk.
The coldness seeped into his jacket and his gloves didn't help much as the tips of his fingers were already becoming cold. Still, Yuuichi was thankful that the sidewalk had been recently salted meaning he wouldn't have to deal with a slippery sidewalk on his way home.
The walk was brisk and short, thank goodness. Walking inside of the apartment complex Yuuichi was immediately hit with stifling heat making him unzip his jacket just a smidge. The heat was pretty intense but manageable. Even as the back of his neck started to sweat as he trudged up the stair case to the third floor.
He had just past the second floor, but paused and went back down a couple of steps to peek at what he had seen out of the corner of his eye.
There the cops stood talking to the resident of apartment 2-G.
'Damn, another break-in.' He thought almost immediately. It was no secret that in the recent weeks their little complex had a string of break-ins. The break-ins would usually happen when the resident wasn't home. The robber would take the usual. Money, valuables, stuff they can easily sell. That often meant M2D's as well. Which most were logged out of. But the last person had left the game logged on because he was in the middle of an area, but didn't want to stop for his test. So he kept his game on while he took his test. Poor guy lost his whole character because of it.
Yuuichi couldn't imagine losing Silabus. Losing Silabus would be like losing a very real part of him. Yeah, he could always make a new character if it came down to it, but it wouldn't be the same. There was only one Silabus afterall.
Realizing he's been staring for too long, and not really wanting to talk to the cops, Yuuichi quickly padded back up the stairs.
Finally, he reached his own floor. Yuuichi walked all the way to his apartment. Apartment 3-C and unlocked his door.
The moment he stepped through he was greeted by his cat, Mochi, trying to make a mad dash for the door-
"Nope!" Yuuichi stuck his foot out, which caused Mochi to trip up just long enough for Yuuichi to shut the door. "Nice try." He grinned at his cat before turning around and locking his apartment door almost immediately.
Mochi's ears went back in irritation before the cat immediately started to suck up to Yuuichi by rubbing himself against Yuuichi's legs. "What? You think just because I left for the store that I got you something?" Yuuichi inquired as he set his groceries down on the counter top. "Well… you'd be right." He brought out the canned wet cat food he bought. Yuuichi popped the top off and when Mochi got a whiff of the food he started to yowl like he was starving.
"Alright. Alright. Here you go." Placing the can of food on the ground Yuuichi left his cat to enjoy his food.
Yuuichi then focused on his own food. He cooked his ramen and tofu and enjoyed his dinner. He ate and tried to study at the same time, which did cause him to splash a bit of juice on his papers and books whenever he slurped his ramen up. He finished his dinner and threw the ramen cup away. 'Best part about ramen is that I don't have to do dishes.' He thought as he plopped himself back down on his couch.
His phone vibrated and Yuuichi looked at it hoping it to be Ryou texting him.
It wasn't.
It was from a phone number he didn't have saved, but he knew exactly who sent the message from the six words messaged to him.
You will not take my daughter!
Yuuichi sighed. It was a heavy sigh from deep in his soul. It was either his mother or stepfather texting him. One of the two.
When they first learned that Yuuichi was working towards adopting Suki they didn't take it seriously, but now that he was close to his goal. Close to graduating with a bachelors, close to having doors open for him in his career, and close to the first steps in the process of adopting Suki. They were scared because they knew that once Suki was in his custody, Yuuichi will never let his baby sister around them again and it scared them. So, they're reacting how most scared and indignant people would act. With frightened anger. They think sending him threatening text messages would scare him into backing down. He already blocked at least three different unknown numbers. Which were probably his mothers and stepfather's 'friends' numbers.
They're wrong. If anything it gives him inspiration to hurry up.
Before he could block this number like he done with the others before, a new message popped up.
He was met with a slur aimed towards his sexuality.
Okama
Then not even a second later-
The courts will never let an okama adopt a little girl! Give up! If you don't you'll regret it!
Yuuichi felt his lips go tight as his face flushed. "Fuck you." He hissed and swiftly blocked the number before anymore slurs or hateful words could be sent his way. His peaceful mood now officially ruined by a hateful person. Yuuichi leaned back into his couch.
He then looked over at his desk where his M2D sat. Ryou did say he'd been on after he finish studying. Maybe he was on now? And if he wasn't that was okay too, there was plenty of things to do in The World.
In the world where nobody would call Silabus a slur for dating Haseo. Seriously! Not one person! Not even in the forums where people posted fanart! People were a little more accepting in The World. Which made Yuuichi's heart happy to know.
Before he knew it, he was off of his couch and he grabbed his M2D off his desk. He earned a break anyways.
Silabus warped into the Netslum when he first logged in. "Oh, was I here last?" He thought as he stretched his arms above his head. A TV headed figure spamming smiley faces ran by Silabus, and Silabus could only wave in response. The figures of the Netslum were a little off putting when Haseo first brought him to the Netslum, but over time Silabus got use to them and even befriended a few of them.
Speaking of which-
"Hello, Silabus. =)" Came the voice of the AI dog.
"Hello, Arvix." Silabus greeted the dog and gave him a friendly wave.
"It's been approximately seven days, fifteen hours, and twenty-six minutes since you've last been online. That's the longest absence I've seen yet. Is everything alright? =)"
"Oh yeah, just studies!" He smiled as he half-lied to the AI.
"Of course. Be sure to take breaks often and stay hydrated. =). I-I-I-I-" The canine suddenly stuttered and his voice became a blare of the singular word he was trying to say. This made Silabus jump back in freight. That was when the dog smacked it's TV head against the ground harshly. "-Woof! =)" He quickly corrected himself while whole body gave a violent shake, like he was getting water out of his pixelated fur. "I need to be going now. Take care! =)"
"You too and stay safe!" Silabus called after his AI friend.
They were nice. A little buggy, but nice nonetheless.
Silabus pulled up his friends list once he was alone. "Ah, he's not online yet." He mused when he saw that Haseo was offline. In fact, most of his main friend group were offline right now. This included Gaspard.
"Hm. That's fine. I guess… I'll just go and hunt for newbies while I wait! I'm sure there has to be some new people looking for a guide!" He excitedly stated as he turned and immediately warped to Mac Anu.
Turns out. No. There were no newbies. Not tonight anyways. Silabus waiting for roughly thirty minutes around the dome and nobody new showed. He sat on the edge of the platform and knocked his boots together before sighing.
"I guess I'll go ahead and just level up on my own. It shouldn't be impossible. I just need to stalk up on Noble drops before I go and those are in the Netslum- Oh!"
Silabus immediately beamed when Haseo warped into Mac Anu. Haseo didn't see him but he seemed to be scoping the area around him. Like he was looking for someone. 'Oh! He must be looking for me!' Silabus happily thought as he jumped to his feet. It only made sense, Haseo knew that Silabus liked to stalk the warp gate for newbies.
"Haseo!-" Silabus walked up, and fanartist be damned, he wrapped his arms around Haseo's left arm. "I was wondering when you'd log on!" He smiled while leaning his face against Haseo's shoulder all the same. Something felt… off. Silabus just couldn't place it, but Something was missing as he pressed himself against Haseo.
"..." Haseo said nothing at first and Silabus could feel him just staring at him. So, Silabus looked up at him and simply smiled.
"Is everything okay?" Silabus asked in a friendly voice. "You look a little…flustered."
"You… you shocked me is all…" Haseo whispered and Silabus tilted his head a little. Haseo's voice sounded strange. Off almost. Like it was a pitch higher than it should be.
'You know, I talk to Ryou almost everyday…maybe I've just grown use to his voice offline at this point.' Silabus immediately tried to reason with himself. After all, it's as Arvix said earlier. He's been offline for seven days now. It would only make sense though he'd have to ask Haseo why he uses a voice modifier- you know what? That one was self explanatory. He wouldn't bug Haseo about it at all.
"I'm sorry! I'll be careful next time!" Silabus laughed and let go of Haseo. He then rubbed at the back of his head. "So, I was thinking if you want, CC corp just added these new areas that have snow. Snow, Haseo! And since it's snowy out outside that maybe you'd want to try out one of those new areas with me tonight?" He inquired.
"Snow…" Haseo repeated slowly. To Silabus it almost sounded like Haseo just didn't understand the word in question and he even looked a little confused. "I-...uh… okay…" He settled on awkwardly saying. "That sounds…fine."
Silabus tilted his head. "Do you not want to? If you don't I completely understand-"
"It's fine!" It wasn't a normal Haseo bark, but rather a quick jump at reassurance. "Really. Here let me just… uh…" Haseo paused and his eyes were darting around. He was looking at something that Silabus couldn't see. It took a little longer than expected but eventually a message popped up-
XDABJBLAIR Invited you to join their party! Accept? Deny?
Silabus raised an eyebrow. "Uh… Haseo? What's going on with your name? It's… not your name." Silabus then got a little closer as he looked at Haseo to make sure that he was actually seeing Haseo and not some player that looked like him-
'It has to be him! This is his X-form. Even if another adept rogue tried to recreate his look, they couldn't replicate this form. Haseo told me how he got it and, even thought I don't approve of hacks, I understand why it needed to be done.' Still, ever since Silabus was PK'd by Sakaki and thrown into a two month long coma. He's learned to be way more cautious when things just didn't seem to make sense.
Still, he knew he was looking at Haseo.
"It's just a glitch." Haseo suddenly said. His voice serious and his eyes slightly narrowed. He almost looked offended.
"I guess so…" Silabus backed off. He then smiled. "Silly me!" he smacked the top of his head with his palm. Silabus then hit the accept button. "I'm sorry. I guess, even after a year I'm still acting paranoid. The last thing I need is to fall into another coma, right?"
"Right." Haseo repeated. He then laughed, albeit awkwardly. "We can't have that!" Haseo rubbed at the back of his head.
Silabus relaxed a little at this. "I'm glad you understand. Then again, you out of everyone should. Well… should we be off?" Silabus inquired as he gestured towards the gate. "The snowy areas are only available in Breg Epona- but you should already know that."
The two of them were swiftly warped from Mac Anu and into Breg Epona.
Once in Breg Epona, Haseo turned towards the chaos gate and Silabus stayed close by him. "... My stepfather-... nevermind." it was Yuuichi who coughed at this. It was strange. He use to be so good about keeping online and offline separate from each other, but ever since he started dating Ryou he'd find himself slipping up in online more often than not.
He even slipped up in front of Gaspard. Now Gaspard knows that Silabus, or rather the person behind Silabus, has a little sister. Which isn't the worse thing for Gaspard to know. In all honesty, Yuuichi rather Gaspard know that Silabus has a baby sister over him having a feud with his mother and stepfather.
"..." Haseo looked at him out of the corner of his eyes before focusing back on the gate. Silabus only smiled as Haseo took sometime to find the perfect area word for the two of them. Seeing his hand free, Silabus reached over and took it. Haseo paused.
"...If I'm being too clingy just let me know. I'll back off…" Silabus gave an awkward laugh. "I know you don't always like physical touch, especially in public…"
"No. It's… this is fine." Haseo then slowly, like he, himself, was testing the waters; he interlocked their fingers. He then seemed to physically relax at this. This made Silabus smile in return.
They warped away after that and before too long they were warped into the new snowy area.
To say They were panicking was an understatement. 'It wasn't suppose to be like this…' They thought as this character, Silabus, held on to their hand. He really didn't expect it to turn out like this, he chose this face because he noticed how popular this character was. How many people seemed to adore and admire him.
He just didn't expect this.
'He is rather cute…' They thought as they would steal glances at this character in question. Silabus was his name. They were just so surprised by how…touchy-feely Silabus was and it made them wonder. 'Who are they to this character, this…Haseo?...It's a shame I'm going to have to data drain him. He seems nice and he clearly trusts Haseo, but I can't let Father down.'
When the two of them warped into the snowy area that Silabus wanted to go to. They hoped it was the area Silabus wanted to go in. They didn't know what snow was. A snowy area. It was nighttime and the snow was slowly falling from the sky and the moon was showing brightly. This allowed the snowflakes to sparkle as they fell just right.
"Oh wow…" Silabus breathed out as he took a step away from Haseo to look at the area more fully. "It's so pretty." there was a tone of awe in his voice as he reached up to touch the falling snowflakes.
'What exactly is snow?' They didn't know, but it made Silabus happy.
"Look! Our footprints even appear in the snow. CC corp. Really thinks of everything, don't they?" Silabus laughed happily. Then They watched as Silabus turned, threw one of his legs back and kicked at the snow at his feet. This sent a small pile of snow flying. It dispersed in the air and sent snow flying around them. They only watched as the snow vanished before it even touched the ground.
Silabus laughed.
It was beautiful. They have never heard anything quite like it. Silabus turned to look at them. His brown eyes were alight with happiness. And his smile just took their breath away.
'Don't get distracted! You have a mission, do you not-'
Something smacked them in the face. They could only take a step back in surprise.
Silabus laughed again. "Gotcha!" He gloated as he tossed a ball made of snow up and down in his palm. "I just wanted to see if it was possible in all honesty!" He gave another one of those heart stopping giggles.
They looked down at the snowy pixelated ground and leaned down to touch the 'snow' beneath them. It had no real touch or real feel to it. It just felt like nothing. Yet, he was able to cup it in his hand and mash it down into a lumpy ball the way Silabus had.
They stood up straight and tossed the ball of snow directly at Silabus- and missed completely.
"Oh…" Silabus whispered as they both looked at the snowball that had landed too far to his left.
That was when They were met with another snowball directly to the face.
'I'll show him.' They thought as they grabbed a handful of snow and shoved it towards Silabus. Silabus raised his arm to block his face from the attack while he laughed.
After that it was just the two of them trying to throw snow on one another. They just ran around, avoiding monsters while they threw snow, be it snowballs or clumps of snow, they threw it at one another.
They were getting into it as he chased after Silabus; who was surprisingly fast. It was when Silabus was running up a hill did he suddenly, and shockenly, slip. "Oop!" Was the noise that left Silabus's mouth as his feet slipped against the secret ice that coated the ramp of the hills. He fell on to his left thigh and swiftly slid down the hill and barreled into them.
"Whoa!" They gasped as they fell over Silabus. They brought their arms out to break their sudden fall. Then, next thing They knew they were face-to-face with Silabus directly below them. There was snow in Silabus's brown hair as his face was flushed a shade of red. Silabus was also breathing heavily as he looked at them.
Silabus then laughed. "My bad… I guess they added ice." Silabus laughed
"Yeah, I never would have guessed either…" They responded softly while chuckling.
"Hm…" Silabus hummed happily while he relaxed against the ground. Reaching up Silabus gently caressed their arm with his index finger. Up and down with the back of his finger. It was mesmerizing and sent shivers up their spine.
'I have a mission! Don't forget I have a miss-'
Silabus stopped caressing his arm so suddenly that it made them stop for only just a moment. Then the back of their head was grabbed by Silabus's hand and their face was pulled down-
Then next thing they new their lips were mashed together.
And They completely and utterly froze in shock. 'I-' They then relaxed.
They relaxed their shoulders and back as they just allowed the kiss to happen fully. It was the first time in their very short life that they thought for themselves. That this is what They wanted. It just felt so…right.
The two of them did eventually break away. Silabus was blushing even harder now as he gave a weak giggle. "I'd told you I'd kiss you~" He seemed to gloat.
"Heh…that you did." They breathed out.
Silabus relaxed and let his arms fall beside his head with a sigh. "I needed that…" Silabus breathed out as he let his eyes fall shut for only a moment. Another sigh left his mouth, this one sounding a bit more like he was letting go of a very long day. "...Anyways… should we start beating up monsters?" Silabus inquired softly as he peeked at them with one eye.
"...Nah. The monsters can wait. I want to stay like this for a little while longer."
"Then we're in agreement." Silabus reached up and pulled him down into a hug. He placed their head against his chest and gave a sigh of content
'To hell with what Father wants.' They thought as they stayed there with Silabus. 'I'm not data draining this one…' They couldn't accurately describe this feeling that was blooming throughout their whole body, but it was leaving them with a desire. A desire to know more. To learn more; as much as they possibly could. They wanted to know what snow actually was, what ice was, just because these things, they made Silabus happy.
More importantly, he wanted to learn more about Haseo.
So, they could accurately mimic him. His mannerisms, and know what things he likes or dislikes. Because Haseo was the one Silabus liked, and They…They needed to be more like Haseo. It was a close call after all, Silabus nearly figured out he wasn't who he was mimicking right from the start. They would need to mimic someone Haseo was close to in order to pull this off.
And looking down at Silabus, They already had the perfect face in mind.