𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ❛ he who must not 𝐁͟𝐄͟ ͟𝐍͟𝐀͟𝐌͟𝐄͟𝐃͟ returns. ❜ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

𝕬bracadabra , 𝕬bracadabra ݁ᛪ༙
⠀ ´ཀ`𝔉eel the beat under your feet, ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳'𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀 .ᐟ

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

The mermaids move. If one is patient enough, you may be able to catch them.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

None required– He’s more than capable for this commute. There are better things for Shadow to
spend his time on, he’s sure.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

. . No assistance needed for this case?

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Mm. A short field trip— He knows of two willing to sell to him, even if they are a little ways out.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

Hence. . why he “hates shopping”?

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

𝙉𝙤. . No, it is not.

Unfortunately everything he uses can only be found in witches’ keeps or out in the elements. Both very hard to come by.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

The stuff he needs is. . obtainable through regular stores?

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

His stocks are running low again. . How he hates shopping.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

@ultimtelifefrmx

[𓉸ྀི ˘ 𝓎𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 ʾʿ ໒꒱ ۪۪ ྀ @hitoguiuta]

i know dark clouds will hover over me
i know my pathway is rough ﹠ steep
but golden fields lie out before me
where weary eyes no more will weep.

[֯ ⁎ 𓉸ྀི @doverots]

a man who has nothing to lose has everything to gain.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

cost 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 of my freedom.
Someone unexpected helped me realize I simply. . needed to find my place. ❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Another complex question. One he visibly struggled on with a slight hitch in the rise and fall of his chest.
⠀❝ My arrogance. . and rage nearly doomed– everything again. It was never about helping anyone despite what I’d preach; The same selfish ambition that

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

« in knowing that someone like this exists, someone more distant. More than himself. —Yet, all things considered, it’s. . sad. He understands it.

This could very well be his future. And the thought makes him feel cold.

　❝What happened when you switched paths?❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Shadow may be looking for a more. . personal answer. He’s always. . tended to keep to himself . It’s easier that way, he thinks. Besides he isn’t the greatest company anyway.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

⠀❝ 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, ❞ repeated after a moment, shoulders lifting ever so slightly. ❝ Generations build upon themselves, problems arise, priorities change. There’s always new things to experience and learn, I suppose. ❞
. . He does understand

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨. . Sounded awfully similar in perspective to someone else, someone he couldn’t ask about this.

　❝—But what about. . outliving. . everything you know?❞ Words falter towards the end. But he managed them.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Passed out in his brewery room nearly 17 hours ago and is just 𝘯𝘰𝘸 waking.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

He almost chuckled. ❝ A complex question—. The answer is. . equally so. I’ve come to learn amongst all things it can offer endless possibilities, however. Despite the boredom. ❞

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

« inferences regarding such. He’d sensed his chaos energy very early on, after all.

Yet Shadow had never explicitly mentioned, until now—

　❝. . What is it like?❞ He finally asks, words slowed by reluctance. ❝Living for so long.❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

the earth—. . then destruction of war and a cell. Half of his “𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯” can not be avoided.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Viktor blinked in reply initially. Though his gaze remained, the focus in it seemed to. . shift, just for a moment.
⠀❝ . .Since the very beginning, ❞ finally replied. Relaxed into his seat.
Yes, he could envision the world back when creatures only mentioned in tales roamed

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

Curious. . —But inquiries regarding the game can wait, it’s not why he came here.

　❝I wanted to ask you. . about your lifespan.❞ Brief pause, as if expected to fill with either permission or rejection. ❝You’ve been alive for a long time.❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

A momentary glance toward the board. Then back.
⠀❝ Not at all. ❞

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

Strange. He thought chess was a two-player game. —Yet his quiet stare suggests he doesn’t quite understand what he’s watching.

An ear twitch as gaze briefly flickers between the board to the warlock.

　❝. . Are you busy?❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Shadow. Pleasure seeing you again. ❞

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

𝘏𝘮—? Excuse him for not noticing immediately; He had just 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 up his opponent’s queen, a glorious win of chess! If he wasn’t playing against himself, at least it would be. Victory boast would be interrupted by the clearing of his throat. .
⠀❝ 𝘈𝘢𝘨-h𝙢—

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

Appearing at @ADMAIUSB0NUM’s study.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Accompanied trip went– 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 well.

[𝕯𝐀𝐑𝐊╱𝕷𝐎𝐑𝐃. @ADMAIUSB0NUM]

Lovely!

Now– with a hand on the hedgehog’s shoulder– off they are to Sicilia.

[— 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾. @ultimtelifefrmx]

He 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 be interested. . Yes.