The afternoon sun, the smell of nature and people, and the sounds of the fair. It was all suffocating. Without the lifeline that was Menat, it felt as if Charlie was about to get smothered by the world itself. And now he stood alone in a park somewhere with a ghost from his past.

Dammit. So much for wearing that facemask.

"You're alive…again," Guile said in awe like he was trying to convince himself. As opposed to Charlie who felt like vomiting. The strangest thing was he didn't know why. He felt like a deer in headlights, completely blank for what to do. He didn't expect to see Guile again.

Deep down, there was a part of him, that had regained other feelings than apathy and an icy thirst for revenge. Now, there was shame – the shame of what he had become even if the efforts of Menat did quite well to hide the green skin. Shame of his past behavior.

But it was only a mask to hide the monster beneath. It didn't change what he was. So, people treating him like a human would forever be strange even if part of him grew to want more of that genuine connection.

"…Yeah," Charlie answered, feeling as if he should say more than that. His old self probably would – that same person wouldn't also let the silence drag into awkwardness like this. Guile stepped closer, ignoring the monster that obfuscated the man underneath. He looked elated, happy even and Charlie felt off. He shouldn't though – Guile was a friend, someone he cared for deeply.

"…Well, it seems you found purpose again. She seems like a nice girl, date or not," Guile said with a smile, and Charlie was internally retching at the idea of someone willingly going out on a date with him, let alone Menat being that person. Ironically, she was the one person he'd imagine doing such a thing but even she had to realize that it was a horrible idea.

"I guess it's because I got dragged into it by her," Charlie shrugged, thinking back over the last two months and all which happened since then.

Thinking of how he hoped to die in a cave, alone and forgotten until the last slither of humanitarian goodness within compelled him to help a certain someone out. And then she just had to drag him out of the dark cavern, and he let her because he had nothing better to do. In hindsight, when Charlie considered the calming presence of Menat and the efforts she went to for him, he didn't regret going with her.

At first, he thought, it was the Soul Power, and indeed it did wonders but now, it was probably just because of her exclusively. What strange thoughts.

"So she knows…about…?" Guile began, uncomfortable, stung yet stunned by the strangeness that surrounded Charlie's continued existence. The topic of death had really just turned into a sore subject for the both of them for good reason.

"She does. I asked if it even registered, and it did but she didn't care. Neither did the others."

"Others" made Guile's eyes widen.

"Good people, they are. I'm sure of it."

Well, fighting against M. Bison certainly put anyone closer to the force of good. Menat mentioned in passing once that Rose used to be an apprentice of his, back when he was a good person. To think such a man had once been classified as a good person was so absurd, it made Charlie chuckle.

Even if he of all people should know that things never remained stationary. Everything changed, locked in an ephemeron. That aside, it put Soul Power into a different context and its existence didn't put him in such deep dread as when he first learned of it.

He shrugged "They're weird, believing in divination and predicting the future but…they are all right."

"Well, weren't you a theist back then? I can imagine that would strike against your beliefs."

At first, it did. Never mind religion. Charlie still wasn't too keen on what the future held for him, and he had long since stopped caring even if it was for different reasons now. To predict it sounded wholly unreasonable to him; like snake oil salesmen telling people what they wanted to know based on nonsense for a pretty penny.

Charlie was still skeptical but his feelings on the matter had changed. At first, it was depressive apathy, but now it was…moderately comfortable…happiness? No, probably something along the line of convenient coexistence. Yes, that sounded solid.

And a house was more comfortable than a cave anyway.

"Suffice to say, God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him," Charlie said, putting a lid on his supposed theist beliefs for good. Since he died, he never gave it much thought anymore.

Guile smiled at the sounds of this, "Well, guess that means there are greater powers out there – including divination. So…shape your future however you want it."

"That's what she keeps saying…"

"She's not wrong, Charlie. By the way, I gave her your dog tags so take good care of them." Guile stood directly in front of him now, holding out his hand.

For a moment, Charlie froze until his Swiss cheese of a brain kicked him in the proverbial gut and screamed at him to perform a handshake. His right hand was green, even with the bandages, thus he hesitated, only weakly lifting his hand.

That meek gesture was all it took for Guile to grab his hand and give it a firm shake as they used to after a sparring match. A rush of nostalgia came over Charlie and a slew of emotions washed over him like a waterfall.

Suddenly, he was almost overcome by the overwhelming urge to say something, desperate to recapture specks of light from a simpler time, forget the pain he felt and the nightmares that haunted him. Come to terms with the past.

And then, Guile faded into blindingly bright light. His mouth opened but through it, didn't come words but the squeaking of a toy.

Charlie realized when his eyes fluttered awake that he had been dreaming. A very vivid, almost lucid dream that he could not control, however. It was fresh and sharp, resting in his memories.

Because it had happened. Charlie did meet Guile and they talked about this encounter of fate. He closed his eyes again, feeling something bead in their corners from the residue of that emotional wave.

Tears.

It felt like eons since he had cried but cry, he did; silent tears that rolled from his eyes and down his temples. The squeak came again but he wasn't in a state of mind to address it, trying to collect himself and the broken, sharp pieces that seemed to litter his insides.

As he lay and thought about it, Guile still looked at him as the same old Nash and still treated him like nothing changed at all to an extent. Without Shadaloo or Bison to drive Charlie down a path of revenge, it left him an aimless mess and so basic kindness was truly a strange thing to experience again. Being reminded of a former life was so odd.

It was so strange that it hurt as it did. Maybe that was why he became anxious at the thought of talking to Guile after his supposed second death. Maybe this new type of hurt, emotions beyond apathy, was the first step of recapturing his humanity, something he never really thought of doing.

Did those things just come naturally then when one wasn't living in complete isolation or had anything to fight for anymore?

Charlie found himself at a loss for answers, only faintly aware of the warm body that lay next to him. It didn't take much guesswork to figure out who it was. Menat's presence was comforting. Even better that she didn't say a word.

A little weird when her fingers brushed up against the corner of his eye. When he did finally look at her, he spotted the stuffed pink cat clutched in her hand. She had given it to him, but she seemed to like it more than he did.

"Listen, it makes noises," she whispered, squeezing the plush and a high-pitched squeak came from it. It was shrill and annoying, but it tickled her pink for some odd reason.

Charlie looked away from Menat, staring into the blank ceiling, "Why do you think kindness hurts?"

"Because it weaves through everything that we've experienced. People build emotional walls the moment they are in pain but when it's someone kind, it blindsides us. I think it's a good thing though. It reminds us that the world can be as good as it is cruel."

"Speaking from experience?" he asked and regretted that. She and Maggio had already insinuated enough that Charlie felt redundant by asking, even if it would fill out some holes. When she didn't answer and her expression gloomed, he was about to call it off until she nodded.

"…Yes," Menat said and squeezed the toy again. It didn't make her smile this time.

She fiddled with the pockets of her hood shirt and pulled out a chain and put it on his chest. Another kick in the gut of nostalgia. Silence began to stretch as an image began to take shape of the girl next to him and her experiences.

People leaving her life.

No personal photos in her room.

There were still holes to be filled but Charlie wasn't enthused to squeeze the answers out of her. And lately, she hadn't done the same to him, despite being curious as ever. Menat still haven't said a word as she sat up and flashed him a rueful smile, so wholly uncharacteristic of her that Charlie found himself reaching out to take her by the wrist.

He didn't know why he had done so. Or why the sight of her upset ruffled him. But he began to understand why she was so keen on cheering him up. Realizing what he had done, he let go.

She lay back down again on her stomach, her lips curling into a kittenish smile, "I'm alright. It was a long time ago. Things are better."

She spoke softly, sitting right up again, "Dare I say even golden."

"Maggio, are you eating the chocolate spread again?" was the first thing that flew out of Menat's mouth when she opened the door to the kitchen.

Maggio already sat by the table with headphones around his head, chewing on white bread with the mythical spread that everyone kept harping on about. Charlie eventually found out the reason why Rose had set those rules; it was because she and Menat used the thing for their pancakes during movie nights whereas Maggio would chow down on candies. And Nash abstained from everything.

"Ugh, would you shut up already? I'm trying to eat. What are you, my mom?" Maggio glared at Menat.

It would appear that it was gonna be one of those mornings again. At this point, Charlie was used to them even if it felt like he was a zoned-out father watching two kids fight over whatever ticked one of them off at the moment. More times than not, it was the chocolate spread.

In an instant, Menat went from completely surprised to furious as she stomped over to the table, "You shut up!"

"You two, cut it out or I'll ground the both of you," Rose groaned from the doorway and waltzed into the kitchen in a less than elegant manner, tired in the morning like usual.

Her outward appearance without her makeup made her look somewhat older. Maggio mentioned in passing that Rose's age and weight were both taboo topics in the Palace of Mysteries.

"He started it!" Menat pointed at Maggio and he pointed back, arguing; "Yeah well, I wouldn't if you didn't keep fucking me over on the chocolate spread. Sorry, you're on a boring diet. Gotta copy everything Master does!"

"I…" Menat stood stunned for a moment, before her nostrils flared, "I do no-"

"Uh, yes you do!" Maggio preempted her.

They continued to argue back and forth, while Rose groaned loudly and opened the upper cupboards, taking two glasses and filling them with water. Menat and Maggio had no idea what was about to happen, but Charlie saw it from a mile away and so slipped away from the table, just as Rose tossed the water in the faces of her apprentices. They stared at each other, then at the table, then at Rose.

"Don't make me get the ice water next time," she warned, and they paled as if they had been met with the barred teeth of a beast.

The sudden ceasefire pleased Rose as she put the glasses down with a tired huff, "Now calm down, sit down and eat your wet breakfast. Maggio, no more chocolate spread, or I will cut the power to your room."

The young man cowered, "Y-yes, Master…"

Precious peace came over the kitchen as Rose prepared to make some instant coffee. The bickering from earlier eroded her patience to the degree where brewing the stuff was too much effort. She leaned against the kitchen counter, pursing her lips, "Heavens to Betsy. I swear you two are like a married couple sometimes."

"Master, don't insult me like that. I don't want to marry him! Besides he's a kid compared to me" Menat grimaced, and Rose chuckled.

"Would you rather marry Nash?" she asked, completely facetious with a smug smile on her face.

Charlie was astute enough to pick up on this and thought nothing of the suggestion. Furthermore, the day when Menat asked for his hand in marriage was the day when the world would be invaded by flying green pigs.

And yet…there was a tiny part of him that began to mull over the woolgathering of Menat giving her heart to Charlie. Asking for his affection. Of all the people in the world, he would be the one she chose. That reverie was so absurd, it almost made him laugh. It did nothing to bring him joy anyway. Just a curious pipe dream.

"I…" Menat opened her mouth, then snapped her lips shut like a beartrap, her face turning red as the purest of ruby gemstones.

She had probably been teased about going out with Maggio more times than she could count but dragging Charlie into the mix thoroughly whacked her into stunned silence.

"I don't want to marry anyone…" she muttered meekly after a long pause, drowned out by the horrified reaction from Maggio; "Master. That's gross! I don't want that mental image!"

"Oh, relax you two. I was joking. Gentled you down some at least," Rose finished her coffee and sat down by the table.

Her eyes rested on Charlie, then slid down to the chain around his neck. She sipped her mug, with a musing look, "Nice necklace."

Charlie was about to correct her that a set of dog tags wasn't just a necklace. Kinda devalued their importance. At least, Maggio seemed to appreciate them as he turned his head, his eyes growing wide at the tags.

"Awesome!" he exclaimed in pure wonderment and awe. He quickly wiped the drops of water from his phone screen and turned it off to snap a photograph. In the meantime, Rose cleared her throat, closing her eyes.

"Anyway, we have a busy day ahead of us," she announced, "The fair was a time of discovery, so a lot of people have booked appointments for fortune telling. Meaning that the three of us have work to do. Let this be a lesson of what it's like to be a full-time fortune teller."

Her violet eyes turned sharp, lingering on Charlie with a knowing stare, "As for you…Charlie. Keep the water flowing in the lobby."

He shuddered, unsure of what to feel with his first name being used so casually like that. But it was only fair with him living here and all. Now if only Rose would stop looking at him with that playful expression.