Status Update: 7
You're too tired to think.
[5 actions left.]
>Well. that sure was a day! I suspect you don't wanna unpack whatever that was today, so how about we save it for later and do something easy. You got a cool new lance! Do you wanna name it something? People name weapons sometimes, I think, maybe.
Naming it? Why? You have no use for that.
You never understood the notion of naming one's belongings. A weapon is a weapon. It doesn't need a name.
If your overseers want to name it, you won't stop them, but you really don't care enough for that.
[4 actions left.]
>I know I know! You should name the lance🔥 BOB, DESTROYER OF WORLDS 🔥 (flames mandatory) because that is a VERY COOL NAME and it is a VERY COOL LANCE that deserves a VERY COOL NAME!!! Or or or Pebbles Destroyer! Or Stabby McStabFace! All of these names are SO COOL that it distracts you from HOW VERY UNCOOL you are feeling right now!!!
You give the overseer a blank stare. "... okay, I guess." You weren't actually expecting it to take you up on the offer. It doesn't matter, since you won't be using the name either way.
[3 actions left.]
>You should call it ALL of those names. at once. Bob destroyer of worlds, slayer of pebbles and so on.... Mcstabstab. With the flames. Don't forget the flames they're really important. Speaking of things that are important did you eat this cycle? Might help you feel a bit better.
"I'm not using those names," you mutter as you shove your hand into your cloak's pockets for the bubble seeds. "I can't even pronounce the one with flames."
... you ache slightly less as the nutrients start flowing into your systems. Ever so slightly less. You put your face back in your arms as you wait for your neurons to finish processing the food. (-2 bubble seed)
[2 actions left.]
>For a slightly calmer name, maybe Miros Lance? But names aside, how are you holding up? Food is good, do you need us to do anything within our (limited) power to help you, or should we just leave you be? We can leave this accursed place tomorrow and find some food then, so eat as much as you need to feel better.
"I'm not naming it. No point."
Your chest burns. You shift uncomfortably. "I'm fine." You know that's a lie, but it's the only thing you can muster. You're going to have to be fine anyhow.
[1 action left.]
>Do you want a hug? Maybe you should rest early, just to get all your energy back…
…
Hugs. A strange luxury you’ve never really thought about. You were not built, or designed, or intended to desire such things. You’re an iterator. You iterate. You form work groups, and you work, and you try, and…
… and you wish, beyond anything else, that you could be in Day’s arms. That, if there’s anything left of her can, of her puppet, you could…
…
“Sure.” It comes out as a cracked whisper, not helped by the dull ache of your lungs. “Do whatever.”
Your overseer vanishes, and then you feel a cool prickle of electricity coming from somewhere on your back. It spreads upwards and around your neck as your overseer rests its eye on your shoulder, tentacles brushing your antenna. It’s a strange sensation, not unpleasant exactly, but a foreign one. You’ve never really had anything touch you, and never this intimately.
You want, so, so badly, to find Silver and hold him. If there’s anything of him left. If it’s even possible to reach him. If you could get Des and Night too, so the four of you could be together again.
If there’s anything of Moon left, you…
You curl up tighter, forcing away the sob building in your chest. You don’t need the extra pain.
You can’t deal with this. But you’ve got this far already, so shouldn’t you keep going? How could you even go back at this point? Could you honestly go back to sitting inside your can, back to being able to do nothing but seethe?
You just don’t know if this is better.