Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

This isn’t what I wanted.

Looking at the mess of swirling images of the Princess, all Contrarian could do was look in horror at what his actions – his lack of action – had done. “But-,” he managed to stammer out. “-this-! We can’t-!”

“…Do you not have anything witty to say?”

Contrarian turned his attention to the other voice; a birdlike creature that wore a red scarf around his neck and a knight’s helmet on his head. Despite not having a mouth, Contrarian could tell he was scowling.

“I could use a good bit of wit right now,” Hero said icily. Contrarian had never heard such venom in someone’s tone. Not even the Narrator had sounded like that.

“No, I don’t!” he cried back. “Because this isn’t fun!” He was spiraling. “How are we supposed to have fun if everything is happening at the same time?!" He didn’t know this could happen! “It’s the same as nothing happening, and nothing is excruciating!”

“Luckily for all of us,” another voice chimes in – the Narrator, “nothing, and everything, doesn’t go on forever.”

Everything suddenly went dark as his vision suddenly failed him.

“The world,” the Narrator continues, “and the Princess, collapse in on themselves before it all-.”

Contrarian’s vision returns and oh does he wish it didn’t. The Princess, the poor Princess, who had done nothing to him and his fellow head mates was a mess.

“Falls apart?” Hero finishes.

“I think he’s gone,” Contrarian hears himself say.

“We were never going to salvage this were we?” Contrarian can’t tell if that was Hero or the Decider. Everything feels numb. Is this what an out of body experience feels like? he wonders.

“What happened to us?” Her voice – Voices? – sounds like several people speaking at once and all of them sound in pain. “What are we?” she continues. “There are parts of us that are dead, and the others…they just don’t fit.”

She looks up at them and – Oh. Oh no. She’s a mess. The three bodies he can see are all meshed together, a mess of limbs and veins sticking out in all directions. Two of the bodies don’t have mouths. With tears in her eyes, she speaks again.

“We can feel them moving in spaces don’t belong. It’s all so uncomfortable.” She looks at them. “Did you do this? Did we do this? Can-Can you pull us back apart? Can you fix us?”

He didn’t want this! He didn’t think anyone would get hurt!

“We should help her.” It takes him a moment to realize he was the one who spoke. “I think…we did this,” he elaborates.

“How surprisingly sincere,” Hero comments. Still nothing from the Decider.

“I didn’t actually think our actions had consequences,” he admits.

“It’s a little late for regret, isn’t it?”

“Please?” the Princess begs.

Two things happened at that moment. The first thing was the Decider finally acting by attempting to reach out towards her. The other, an army of hands coming from nowhere to take her away into nothingness.

Contrarian’s entire world goes numb again. He vaguely hears Hero and the Decider talking about – A mirror? – but he isn’t fully listening.

He only has one thought before the Decider touches the Mirror.

I wish I could help her.

Chapter Text

When he opens his eyes, Contrarian isn’t sure how he’s here again. He’s back in the basement somehow and he’s alone. No other voices, no Decider, no Narrator.

“You’re awake.” Well, mostly alone.

Contrarian looks up to face the Princess and her many meshed together faces. She looks just like before she was taken away. How is she here? How is he here? Where is everyone else?

“Hi,” she quietly mumbles.

Her voice is still all over the place. She sounds in so much pain, and it hits him again that this is his fault.

“Hi,” he mumbles back. The thought occurs to him that she can suddenly see him. Had she always been able to see him? No, that doesn't make sense. Surely, she would have mentioned it if she did, right? Why now then? What had changed?

Ok, well, whatever. Contrarian isn’t the ask questions guy, that’s-hm. Did the Decider have a questions guy? Eh, not important.

What was important was the woman in front of him and how she was still just staring at him. With that in mind, a giant smile grew on the voice’s face as he snapped finger guns at the Princess. “Names Contrarian. And uh you are?” Nailed it.

The Princess giggled at the little voice. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Contrarian. I’m…” She trailed off, a look of confusion crossing her faces. “Hm. You know I’m not sure. I don’t think I have a name.”

That’s…strange. And concerning. “Ok. Well, uh what should I call you then?”

The Princess closes her eyes. With nothing to distract him, Contrarian studies the Princess. Looking at her hurts. Looking at what he’s done to her makes his heart ache.

“How about…” the Princess’ eyes open again as she speaks, “…we just go with Princess or Stranger until we find something better?” One of the eyes on her middle head winks at him.

“Sure, thing Stranger. So uh,” he pauses to look around. “Do you know how we got here?”

Stranger looks around the room too. “No, I don’t. Honestly, I don’t really remember what happened. I remember the bird…” She pauses again. “Person? I remember the questioning and the other mes and then…” She stops talking.

He doesn’t ask her to elaborate or add to that particular thought. “Anything else you can think of?”

She closes her eyes again. “I…” He waits. “I remember feeling cold.” Her eyes open. “And then hearing a voice. I’m not sure whose though.” She shrugged. “And then I woke up here with you.”
Well shit, that doesn’t tell them anything.

“What about you?”

He thinks back to before he woke up. Nothing stands out to what could have ended with the two of them here. Except…

“I…” he starts. “No. I can’t think of anything either,” he lies.

Stranger hums. As she looks around the room again, she brings up one of the other issues. “Do you know what happened to the bird person? Or how we can out of here?”

He had no idea where the others were. As for her second question… “We go up the stairs?” He didn’t mean for it to sound like a question but…

“I can’t.”

Huh? “You can’t?”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I’ve tried. Something stops me every time.”

That…Ok. “Well, I can. Maybe we can try together?”

Stranger hums again. “Yeah. Yeah, ok. We can try together.” With that the Princess stands, picking up Contrarian as she goes and puts him on her shoulder. As they traverse the stairs, she asks, “If you don’t mind me asking, why do you look like that?”

Contrarian looks down at himself. He looks just as strange as she does, he’s sure. His legs look like a deer. His arms are long and gangly, almost touching his feet. He’s got a long tail made of…something? None of his limbs are attached to each other. He’s got wings, both disheveled but not the same. One of them looks skeletal while the other has feathers but it’s a complete mess. His torso? – Shirt? – has this black and red pattern that reminds him of cards. Or checkers. His face feels like a mask, and he has these little tufts on the top of his head.

“I’m…not really sure.” For some reason, looking at himself fills him with warmth and longing. It also occurs to him that he’s being very agreeable. He should at the bare minimum be cracking quips right now. Why is he being-Why hasn’t he-Urgh!

As the pair reaches the top of the stairs and into the room up above, the two pause. The door leading into the cabin is gone. Dread fills the cabin’s occupants. A quick glance out the window doesn’t make the situation better. There’s seemingly nothing but empty darkness.

“Shit.” It’s unclear which one of them said it. The Princess slides down to the floor. “So…I’m assuming there was a door, right?” He nods. “Is the outside supposed to look like that?” He shook his head no.

The two are quiet for a long time.

Chapter Text

“Why’d you come here?”

Contrarian turns to look at the Princess. It’s been a while since either of them said or done anything. He thinks? It’s hard to tell how much time has passed.

“You and the bird person and the other little guy. Why’d you guys come here?” she clarifies after he doesn’t immediately reply.

“We were sent here to kill you. You’re supposed to end the world, apparently.”

Stranger goes rigid at the admission. “You…what?” Contrarian explains the events leading up to the two of them being stuck here. He isn’t sure if she makes the connection that she is the way she is because of him.

“That’s…” she starts then stops. Eventually, “That’s a lot to take in.”

He hums before asking a question of his own. “Were you always able to see us? Me and the other voices I mean.”

She shook her head. “Not originally. When,” she pauses. “When the arms-?” (“He definitely said arms,” he hears one of the back heads quietly mutter.”) “-came for me, I was able to see you and the one with the scarf.”

“But not the Narrator?”

She shook her head again. “Was the other little one not this Narrator?”

“Nah. That’s Hero you saw. Great guy. Bet you’d like him.”

She raises an eyebrow at that. “Oh? Is that so,” she said with a smirk.

And suddenly, Contrarian is babbling about his fellow voice. From his chivalrous, worried nature to his random bouts of sarcasm to the way he looks when he’s relaxed. When he runs out of things to say about his personality, he goes onto his looks. Contrarian hasn’t met a whole lot of people but oh Hero is definitely the cutest. He looks so fluffy; Contrarian wants to use him as a pillow. He wonders if the plume on top of his head is hair or part of his helmet? And the markings under his pretty eyes. Contrarian could just melt.

And once he starts talking, he can’t stop. Talking about Hero turns to talking about the Decider turns to talking about the Narrator. And then he starts talking about things he wants to try. Foods he wants to eat. Place he wants to go. And on and on.

The Princess doesn’t stop him. She keeps listening to him with rapt attention as if it’s the most important thing in the world. As if he’s the most important thing in the world. It feels nice.

“But enough about me,” he finally says. “What about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Tell me about yourself. Where did you come from? What’s your family like? I bet you had a bunch of friends and hobbies.”

Stranger’s face falls. “I-I don’t know.” Her main head faces away from Contrarian. “I’ve been trapped down here for so long, I can’t remember.”

Now Contrarian’s face falls too. Nothing? She doesn’t remember a single thing about her life?

“Well…” he starts slowly. “What do you want to do once you get out of here?”

She looks back at him before looking away again. She closes her eyes. Thinking, he realizes. She does that when she’s thinking.

“I would like to see the stars,” she finally said.

There was a pause.

“…And…?” he prompted.

“That’s all.”

“There’s nothing else you want to do?”

She goes quiet again. So does he.

“What’s your favorite color?” he says eventually.

She turns to him again. “What?”

“Your favorite color? I think purple’s pretty neat. Oh! Or maybe blue. Hm pink’s pretty good too…” He continues rambling on about different colors before she interrupts him.

“I think…I think blue looks nice.”

Contrarian grins at that. “There we go! What’s your least favorite? What about your favorite food?”

The two continue on like that for a while, learning about each other. This is nice, he thinks. I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life like this.

Except…

“What’s wrong?” she asks. His thoughts must have made their way to his face.

“I’m just worried about the others. I have no idea where they are.” He goes quiet for a moment. “I miss them.”

Stranger picks him off her shoulder and holds him to her face. “I’m sure wherever they are, they’re alright, and missing you too.”

Contrarian smiles.

And that’s when everything goes to shit again.

Chapter Text

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“No, fuck that! If we’re going to have to keep doing this over and over and over again, we’re not starting in the goddamn woods every time! We’re starting in the fucking cabin!”

“You’re what?!”

Suddenly, what was once the woods was now the interior of the cabin.

“The interior of the cabin is sharp, a constricting mess of curved and battered sheet metal pushing you towards – wait, excuse me?!” the Narrator interrupts himself. “What just happened?” He turns towards the Decider. “What did you just do?”

The Decider shrugs as Hero pipes up, “I feel dizzy.”

Another voice starts cackling. “I guess I took us to the cabin, didn’t I? Isn’t that interesting. Who holds the cards now?”

Contrarian looks over at the new voice. His head is pointed in the front and egg shaped in the back and missing an eye. He has the same red and black card/checkered pattern that Contrarian has going on. Cheated.

“Who cares about cards?” Contrarian pipes in. “You’re all acting like this is about winning and losing, while this is actually,” pause for dramatic effect, “about having fun!” He flings his arms up in the air as he finishes speaking.

“Is this fun for you?” another voice comes from the floor. Looking down, Contrarian sees a tiny bird. A kiwi, his mind supplies. The little voice is disheveled, with tears running down his face and a hole in the middle of his chest. Cracks have formed around the hole. The voice didn’t seem to have legs either. Just jagged stumps where legs should be. Broken. “It’s not fun for me,” the tiny voice continued. “I don’t like being sliced to pieces.”

The voices continue bantering back and forth after that. Contrarian kind of tunes them out until-.

“The only furniture of note is a bent metal table, a pristine blade perched-.”

“We take it,” Cheated interrupts.

Oh, now how can Contrarian pass up an opportunity like that?

“And then,” he says cheerily, “we throw it out the window!”

This is going to be so much fun.

***

“You’re back!”

Contrarian opens his eyes to see the worried and relieved look of Stranger. What…the hell just happened?

Memories come flooding back. One second he was talking to Stranger, the next he’s back in the cabin with the Decider and the other voices fighting a walking, talking blade wearing Stranger’s face.

“Where did you go just now?” she asks as he sits up.

“Uh…” he intelligently says. “I’m going need you to give me a second.”

It does not take a second. It takes multiple seconds. Hours one could say. Once Contrarian has gathered himself together, he starts regaling the Princess about his little adventure. As he continues talking, he notices the frown on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“…Why did you throw the blade out the window?” That’s what the face was for?

“Well because it was funny.”

She’s still frowning. “But…did-You didn’t know about her? How dangerous the-?” The heads start quietly arguing (“Other me?” “No, we’d never!” “But she has our face.”) “-the blade lady,” she finally lands on, “actually was, right?”

He knew. Of course, he knew. He wasn’t the Decider, but he wasn’t not the Decider. A small part of a whole. Anything the Decider knew, Contrarian knew too. He said as much.

“Then.” She sounds confused. “Why’d you do it?”

He blinks. “I told you why. It was funny.”

“How?”

“How what?”

“How is it funny?”

Contrarian sputters. “Well-Well its-You know.”

“No. I don’t. How is it funny?”

Contrarian continues sputtering. He knew. Of course, he knew why it was funny. It-It was…

“…You don’t have an answer, do you?”

He doesn’t respond.

It was funny…

It had to be funny…

Because if it wasn’t…

He looks at Stranger. He doesn’t respond.

***

“You called the blade lady ‘she.’”

The two hadn’t said anything since their-Was it an argument? He guessed.

“I did.”

“Why?”

Why? “Well, that’s what everyone else called her.”

She went silent again. She began running her thumb against his head as she closed her eyes. Thinking.

When she finally spoke again, “Am I a ‘she?’”

He shrugged. It’s what everyone else called her.

“Are you a ‘she?”

His face scrunched at that. “No.” Although now that he was thinking about it…

“What are you then?”

A pause. “A ‘he?’”

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

He didn’t answer that. “Are you a ‘he?’”

Her face scrunched up. “No.” Another pause. “They.”

Something in his (?) heart ached for that. “Ok.”

***

“You’re on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path-.”

“All right! Change of plans. We’re taking the blade this time,” a gruff voice with no face growls.

“Now why would we ever do that?” Contrarian purrs.

This new voice – Stubborn – is too much fun. It’s so easy to get him to do what Contrarian wants. All they (They? They!) they have to do is rile him up and rage boy just goes along with any dumb idea Contrarian comes up with. Bonus that the Narrator sounds like he’s about to pop a vessel.

Although…

They look over at Hero and the Decider. Both look tired. Contrarian kind of feels bad about that but-but! Getting Stubborn to throw the blade out the window is-.

“How is it funny?”

They falter. For a second.

What…?

They shake themself out and continue on.

***

Contrarian returns to Stranger after dealing with the Fury. They both do and don’t want to tell them what happened.

“You’re back,” they brighten upon noticing them. It’s nice having someone happy to see them. “Where did you go this time?”

They shouldn’t tell them. They do. Neither of them bother talking about the humor of the situation.

“What’s the outside world like?”

Contrarian pauses to think. “It depends.”

“On?

“You.”

“Me?”

They nod their head before they start explaining the difference between the worlds they’ve been to.

“Do you think…?”

They wait.

“Do you think there’s a world that isn’t violent and disturbing?”

They hope so. Stranger deserves a peaceful world.

…

They all deserve a world that’s peaceful.

***

“What do you think of the name Alexis?”

Time flows weird in…wherever they are. Stretches. It feels like they spend days (maybe even weeks or months) with the Princess. To pass the time, the pair will spend what feels like hours talking or playing games. And when neither feels like either of those, they nap. Neither of them really need to sleep, but it’s something to do and the voice does not want to start counting ceiling tiles again. Talking to the Princess is the most interesting thing to do anyways.

The two of them have been playing the name game for a while now. Every now and then, Stranger would pick a name and the two of them would test it out. The longest period of time where they weren’t Stranger or Princess was Gabriel before they went back on it. Stranger had woken them to do this again.

“Alexis?” they repeat. They hum. “Alexis…Alexis, Alexis.” They hum again. “It’s-.” They don’t really like it.

“No good?” the other asks.

When did they get good at reading them? When did they allow themselves to be read? “No, no. I like it,” they reassure. “Do you like it?”

It’s their turn to hum. “No. Not really.” Oh, thank fucking Christ.

Stranger laughs at the look they must be making. “You’re too funny, Happy.”

“How is it funny?”

Their brain feels all scratchy and staticky. They kind of hate that word now.

“Happy?” they question through the noise in their brain. Don’t let them know. They don’t need to deal with your crap on top of everything else.

“Oh,” they squeak. “Sorry, I-,” they stumble. “It's just Contrarian isn’t really a name. And even if it was, it doesn’t really fit you.”

Yes, it does.

“Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?”

“Ok, but why Happy then?”

A soft giggle leaves them. “That’s easy. It’s because you make me happy.”

***

Chapter … ?

III

IV

X

Ix

ViI

II?

!

III

VI

V

VIiI

Moment of Clarity

***

When Happy returns from…they feel like they can’t breathe. They can’t tell if their face is wet due to sweat or tears. They feel a Princess hovering over them. And muffled talking.

“You’re back.”

Stranger? No. A trick. It has to be a trick.

“Happy?”

She’s going to hurt them.

“Happy!”

That…That…demon is mocking them. With the only person that ever truly liked them. Why do they like them? She’s going to hurt them. They’re going to hurt them. Tortue them. Hurt the others. Make them wish they were dead dead. It’s all they’re good for. They can just feel their skin peeling from their-.

“CONTRARIAN!”

They startle both at the volume and the name.

Looking up with eyes full of tears, they see the terrified faces of the Stranger. Their eyes are filled with tears too.

“What happened?”

***

They hadn’t noticed right away.

The Princess (“Can you stop calling me Stranger?” “Did you find a name?” “No…we haven’t been strangers for a long time.”) has changed.

They’re no longer veiny. Their voices no longer sound in pain. They still have multiple heads and arms, will always have those, but they no longer look like they are meshed together.

They look like home.

***

“I’m a ‘they’ too.”

The Princess smiles.

***

They meet Broken again.

“Really? I’m the worst one? Do you hear how whiny and un-fun he is?”

“If you’d managed to do that, you’d wouldn’t be such a whiner.”

Dozens of interactions play through their mind.

Stealing the blade from Cheated. Agitating Stubborn. All the insults at Broken and – (a very frazzled owl?  Bat? – Paranoid – and a – deer? Rabbit? Cat? – Hunted.) and – maniacal laughter that still haunts them, still makes them flinch at the Princess. Venom in Hero’s voice. The tired look in the Decider’s eye. Annoyance in the Narrator’s voice. The Princess. Oh, their sweet, funny, smart, amazing, wonderful Princess.

The Princess doesn’t deserve them…

The other voices don’t deserve them…

The Decider doesn’t deserve them…

They really are the worst one…

***

“What’s it like?” they ask sometime after the Apotheosis.

They look up at Marigold as they sit in their lap. It had taken such a long time for their touch to feel kind again. They aren’t looking at them. “What’s what like?”

“Dying.”

They blink. “Well, uh…”

How does…? “Well, uh, it means you cease to exist. You stop breathing and-.”

“No. I’m not asking you to explain it to me.”

Ok…? “What do you mean then?” They still refuse to look at them.

“How do you feel when you die?”

Oh. “Scared.” They never admitted that before. Not even to themself. “I know I’ll come back. I’ve done it a dozen times now. But it’s scary. And it hurts. And…”

They wait for them.

“And I’m scared that even if I still come back, I won’t see you. Or the others. I’ll be truly alone.”

Marigold still says nothing.

“Why…Why do you want to know?”

They don’t immediately answer. “He’s getting closer.”

“Who?”

They finally look at them. “Your Decider.”

Their heart skips a beat.

“Is,” they swallow. “Is that bad?”

Marigold’s quiet again. Then, softly, “…I don’t know.”

***

The Narrator shatters.

The Shifting Mound and the Long Quiet wake up.

***

“I need to tell you something.”

The two don’t know how much time they have left.

The two once dormant gods are still fighting. There’s no telling what the Long Quiet will choose.

They have to let them know. They deserve to know how truly awful they are. That the whole mess the two of them found themselves in was all their fault.

“Do you remember when you asked me if I knew how we ended up here?”

Marigold nods.

“I did it. I wanted to be able to help you after hurting you. After pulling you apart only to smash you all together again. I’m so sorry Mari.” Sorry they hurt them. Sorry they kept them here. Sorry they never told them.

“I need to tell you something too.”

Happy looks back at Marigold.

“I knew.”

What? “What?” they choked out.

“I knew. I’ve known this whole time. From the moment you told me why you came to this damned cabin. And you know what else?”

They press a kiss to the top of Happy’s head.

“I’ve never once held it against you or thought less of you because of it. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Tears sprung into Happy’s eye.

“You, my silly, charming, darling little voice, have made me so incredibly happy. Even if he decides to kill me, I can die with a smile. Because I got to meet and know you.”

They’re both crying.

The Long Quiet makes a decision.

***

The Long Quiet and Hero finds Happy and the Heart. The Long Quiet loves the Princess too. Loves the voices. The Narrator. The world. They all agree to start the loop again.

Happy looks at the Princess. They don’t want this to be over. Don’t want to go back to being Contrarian.

The Princess looks at them as they raise the blade above their head.

They don’t want this to end either.

***

Happy opens their eyes. The Princess hovers over them.

“Hi, Happy,” they greet with a grin.

“Hey Princess,” they return.

Chapter Text

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“No, fuck that!”

It’s been a while.

Happy isn’t sure how much time had passed since they and Gabriel (“I thought you said you didn’t like that name anymore?” “It’s the one I felt the strongest about. That has to mean something.”) decided to stay together, hidden deep within the walls of the Construct away from everyone else. In the time since the Long Quiet found the Heart, he’s reset the loop again, many times now. Trying to find different perspectives.

Well, it looks like they’ve found their way back to the Razor. Oh. Broken’s here too.

“Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?”

“Really? I’m the worst one? Do you hear how whiny and un-fun he is?”

They flinch at the memory. Someone else notices.

“You alright, mate?” Hero asked.

All attention turns to Happy. Great. Just what everyone needed. Contrarian acting like a spazz.

“Yeah, sorry. Little out of sorts. What with the sudden teleporting and all.” The others seemed to buy it.

“Let’s just stay focused, shall we? The only furniture of note is a bent metal table, a pristine blade perched-.”

“We take it.”

The Narrator starts grumbling, but Happy isn’t paying attention. All their instincts are telling them to take the blade and throw it out the window.

“How is it funny?”

Static. Happy’s brain is filled with static as that word unlocks the memory of the last time they were here.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Hero asks again, putting his hand on their shoulder.

Happy takes in a deep breath. New images fill their head. Images of the life they and Gabriel have been making together. Make them proud. Be better.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, cutie.” Hero’s feathers puff up at the nickname. Adorable.

While Hero continues to be embarrassed and the Long Quiet, Cheated, and Narrator come up with a plan, Happy decides to check on Broken. “Hey.”

The tiny bird looks up them. The poor little guy looks absolutely miserable.

“I hate this.”

“I know.”

“Why do we have to be the ones to do this?”

Happy can’t answer that. How could they? Who would even believe them? The guy who narrates their every move and gets on their case for not murdering a woman they just met split a god in two so they could kill the very concept of death itself?

Well, Paranoid would probably believe them…

“I don’t know, little buddy. But I’m sure everything will turn out ok.” (It did not.)

As Broken mulled this over, another thought popped into Happy’s head. “Hey?” The tiny voice looked at them again. “Do you-Is there anything else I can call you?”

A look of confusion crossed Broken’s face. “Why?”

“Well, it just seems kind of mean to keep calling you Broken.”

“That’s what I am though.”

It was. There was no denying that. But…

“Sure, but it seems to me that if you keep calling yourself that, then that’s all you’ll ever be. And well, I think you are so much more than that. You deserve to be so much more.”

Broken didn’t respond. It wouldn’t be until they were back at the top of the stairs again with all the other voices, that Broken would give them an answer. “Oki. I want to be called Oki.”

Happy smiled.

***

"We are a path in the woods…"

Oh, that can’t be good.

Happy wasn’t actually sure where they were right now. They had never been here before. They were still with the Long Quiet. Could feel Hero, Hunted, and the Narrator. And…?

“Shut up!” the Narrator cries in frustration. “The rest of you, talk. What happened? What did you do?”

Happy listens in on the ensuing argument. This version of Gabriel reminds them of their friend, in a way. Her words are kind. Gentle. Soothing. And yet…

The others are taken in by her honeyed words. Why does she have such an opposite effect on them? Why are they filled with dread and unease?

A memory comes to them.

They’re standing in a temple-like room. A version of Gabriel towers over them, almost glowing in the weak starlight, her figure framed by a stained-glass window. Her long hair billows around her, and a chain binds her wrist to the far wall.

Meanwhile, a knife is being plunged into their chest over and over again. Oki, spurred on by the Tower, is forcing you to kill yourself.

They come back to the scene unfolding in front of them. This version of their dear friend is trying to manipulate them. Trying to make them forget all the pain and suffering it took to get here. Trying to make them compliant and agreeable. Make them do whatever she wants. Even if it hurts them.

And the others are falling for it.

Happy has to do something. Has to make them see what she’s doing.

They need Contrarian.

“Sure,” they drawl. “Being one with the Princess is pretty great, but what can we even do right now?” Contrarian feels everyone’s attention on them. Keep going. Make them proud. Be better. “I hope we’re not supposed to just passively exist like this. I. Did. Not. Sign up for passive existence when we faked our own death.”

Hero and Hunted still feel wrong, but something shifts in the Long Quiet.

“Didn’t you eat me?”

"WE CAN’T GO BACK THERE!” the Princess screeches. She quickly gathers herself together again.

"Doesn’t all that conflict feel so far away right now?"

“I can feel a thumping,” Hunted comments. “A heartbeat.”

Yes!

“DON’T LOOK AT IT!”

Keep going. Make them proud. Be better.

“Maybe a little peek wouldn’t hurt?” Contrarian encourages. “Aren’t you curious?”

[You gaze at the terror in your heart.]

Memories of terror and pain flood you. Hunted is trembling. Hero drops to the floor. Happy feels awful. They didn’t want to hurt them, but they needed to see that she was dangerous. That her words were nothing more than lies…Right?

Happy pulls their fellow voices into their chest as they and the Princess fall apart. “I’m sorry,” they apologize. “I’ve got you.”

***

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“Oh, fuck me,” Happy interrupts as they take in their surroundings. The ‘path in the woods’ is nothing more than stones and trees floating in…well nothingness. They turn to look at the Long Quiet and the other voices – Hero and Paranoid – in exasperation. “What did you guys do?!”

Hero and Paranoid share a quick look. “We, uh, we threw the blade away…”

I really need to apologize to Cheated the next time I see him…

“Ok,” Happy tries to gather their thoughts. “Ok. What’s the plan?”

The plan, as it turns out, doesn’t work. They keep dying over and over again, gaining a new voice in the process. Everyone is exhausted and in pain. What an absolute shit show this has turned out to be… They can’t keep doing this.

Happy looks over all the voices in front of them. They practically have an army? Why is nothing working?

Suddenly, Happy’s eyes turn to a specific voice. He’s tall, with long, dangly arms that almost reach his feet. His wings are among the largest here. His feathers touch the floor, billowing around him like a dress. Where his face should be, is a skull. Cold.

Happy isn’t sure what about Cold caught their attention, but something seemed…off about the normally stoic voice.

Cold was staring intently at the Long Quiet as the Narrator and the voices argued around them. Quietly, so that the others wouldn’t hear, they prodded, “You alright, mate?”

Cold looks at them. His face hasn’t outwardly changed from their typical neutral expression, but there’s some unnamed emotion swimming behind Cold’s eyes.

“I’m fine,” he responds.

“Are you sure? Something feels…different about you?”

Cold’s face scrunches up in annoyance. “I’m fine,” he repeats.

They get killed by the Princess again. Only when they come back, something is different. The Long Quiet can’t remember how they got here. Has no memories since he threw the blade away. What had happened? What made them forget?

It hits them then. Happy looks at Cold. The unnamed emotion.

“What?” the other voice quietly whispers when he notices Happy looking at them again.

Just as quietly, “That was kind of you.” A look of confusion and horror. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell the others you’re going soft.” Cold shoves them. Happy can’t see it, but they just know there’s a tiny smile under Cold’s skull. Make them proud. Be better.

***

“You can make anything happen so long I believe you can, right?”

Happy hasn’t been called in a while. They’ve all gone through the same old song and dance a few more times since the Moment of Clarity. And since then, Happy has been thinking.

“I can. You know I can. Why are you asking?”

Happy looks up at Their Friend. Calling them the Princess feels wrong. The other versions out there are the Princess. And calling any of them by Their Friend’s moniker feels disrespectful. Those Princesses have done nothing to earn that honor…

“I’ve been thinking-,” they start.

“How dangerous.”

They snort at Their Friend’s quip. “I’ve been thinking,” they try again, “that no matter what happens, no matter how many times we all reset, everyone else stays the same.”

They wait to make sure Their Friend is following them. “Go on.”

“Right. So, they all stay the same. And they’re all still hurting. Because none of them have a chance to move on. To grow. They just go back to the same old statis quo once the Long Quiet touches the Mirror. And I…” They pause again. “I hurt too. Because I know they’re hurting, and I want to help them.”

They take a deep breath here. “But I can only do that if I’m with them.”

Their Friend’s eyes widen slightly. “You want to go back.” It wasn’t a question.

“Sort of,” they respond. “When the Long Quiet finally comes back here, when they reset the loop again, I want you to send me back. All the way to the beginning with them, with my memories of here.”

Their Friend is quiet for a while. When they finally speak again, it has nothing to do with what Happy is asking of them. “You know, I don’t think you’ve ever really talked about the other voices before.”

Happy blinks as they continue. “You’ve told me about Quiet, and your Hero,” Happy would have flushed at that if they could have, “and about the Narrator neither of us can ever see,” they wave one of their hands in front of the voice’s face, “but you never really talk about the others unless you’re complaining.”

Well, that just won’t do.

Hours pass by as Happy talks about their fellow voices. Smitten’s optimism and bubbly personality. Skeptic’s big brain and cynical nature. How strong Oki is. How brave Paranoid is. How they want to make Cheated smile. How Cold and Opportunist are mysteries that Happy can’t wait to crack open. How they see Hunted as both something that needs protecting and a protector. How intense and fun Stubborn is. All the things they love and hate. They're annoying, infuriating, incredibly difficult, to be sure, but so are they. They adore each and every one of them, couldn’t image life without them.

“You love them,” Their Friend interrupts after a while.

“With all that I am.”

Their Friend hums in thought. “Ok,” they finally agree. “When Quiet and your Hero return, I will send you with them.”

With the agreement made, Happy snuggles into Their Friend.

***

It takes a while for the Long Quiet to return to them. Happy’s heart breaks all over again while going through the Stranger route. But they have a goal now. Make them proud. Be better.

***

“You’re on a path in the woods…”

Chapter Text

“The interior of the cabin is a jagged mess of warped wood…” Happy tunes out the rest of the Narrator’s speech. They have eyes, they can see what the Cabin looks like. While Happy has never seen this version of the Cabin before, they a have rough idea of which Princess this Cabin belongs to. It always leads back to the Razor.

Happy watches as the Long Quiet chooses to pick up the blade. Make them proud. Be better, is repeated like a mantra as they fight the urge to throw the blade.

The next several events pass in a blur. Quiet and the Razor talk, the voices argue, Quiet makes the decision to come closer to the Princess, she stabs him. It is only then when Happy acts.

As the Princess raises her arm to deal the final blow, Happy takes the arm holding the blade and drives it into her neck. While she’s distracted, they have the other arm push her away as they attempt to run. Unfortunately, for all of them, they don’t make it very far as a) they are heavily wounded and losing blood fast, and b) they trip over their own feet and hit the ground hard.

The Razor closes the distance quickly. It’s as if the wound Happy dealt didn’t even affect her. In a last-ditch effort, Happy throws the blade at the Princess’ face. While the blade does land, ending up going into her eye, it does little to stop her. She stabs them.

“Everything goes dark,” they hear the Narrator say in the distance, “and you die.”

***

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“No, fuck that!”

Happy is getting really sick both physically and metaphorically of hearing that particular exchange. Their eyes remain shut tight as Cheated once again teleports them to the Cabin. Que the Narrator’s interrupted speech about the room, Quiet shrugs, and Hero says…

“Are…there supposed to be this many of us?”

Happy’s eyes shoot open, and their head pops up at the question. Happy sees that the room hasn’t changed at all, and they see Quiet, Hero, Cheated, and Oki like they we’re expecting. What they were not expecting was to see Paranoid, Stubborn, and Hunted as well. Why are there so many of them?

The Narrator echoes – Ha! – that thought before making the realization. “Oh, my god, no, you’ve been here before.” They still can’t see him, but Happy gets the distinct feeling he’s putting his head in his hands. “How many times?”

“This is our third?” Hero supplies.

“No wonder things have fallen apart,” the Narrator grumbles. Oh, you have no idea buddy. The Narrator once again explains how them dying means a world ends.

“That can’t be right! That’s too much responsibility!”

“It’s only too much responsibility if these worlds are real.”

“We couldn’t be trusted with the fate of a single person, let alone the fate of the world.”

“The circle is getting smaller and smaller. Running isn’t an option anymore. We have to fight.”

“Good, it’s better that way. Without a fight, no one can win, and if no one can win, then nothing has any meaning.”

The Narrator sighs. “Let’s just stay focused, shall we? The only furniture of note-.”

“We take it.”

Happy doesn’t register that they are the one who spoke and not Cheated. When they turn to face the others, all of them look surprised before becoming suspicious. Fuck. In an attempt to settle everyone’s nerves, they metaphorically hand the blade over to Hunted and Stubborn. “I trust you two can keep this safe.”

And there’s the surprise again as they feel Hunted take it. The others start to discuss what they plan on doing when a thought occurs to Happy. “Hey, Paranoid. Can I talk to you real quick?”

They probably should have phased that better because Paranoid was glaring at them now. “It’s important,” Happy adds.

Paranoid continues glaring but ultimately turns around and walks off to give the two some space away from the others.

“What do you want?” Paranoid asks once they have a little more privacy.

“You saw that thing Cheated was able to do?” Paranoid nodded. “Do you think you’d be able to do it?” The other voice thinks. “I-Probably. Why are you asking me though? Why not Cheated?”

“This Princess. She’s dangerous. We know this, we all know this. And I’m not sure we can beat her on a fair playing field.” Paranoid doesn’t say anything as he continues to listen. “We need an extra edge, in case things go south. If for whatever reason you think we can’t win, I want you to teleport us back up here.”

Paranoid bites the inside of his beak. “Ok, but again why are you asking me to do this? Why not Cheated?”

“Cheated did it by accident in a fit of rage. There’s no telling if he’d be able to do it again. Plus, do you really want to take a chance on something this important on someone literally named Cheated?” Paranoid hummed in agreement.

“And besides,” Happy added, “you’re the only one who can do this.”

Paranoid glared at them again. Happy probably shouldn’t be feeling butterflies from that look. “Why?”

“You’re the only one who’d believe they could do it.”

Paranoid glared harder. The butterflies felt like a hurricane. Focus, Happy.

“What are you implying, Contrarian?”

“I’m implying nothing.”

“Bullshit.” He laughed bitterly. “You think I’m crazy. That’s it, isn’t it? You’re trying to make me look like a fool. ‘Oh, look at poor, dumb, crazy Paranoid. Let’s see if we can make his already stressful day worse.’”

Paranoid kept rambling on. They needed to snap him out of it. Slowly, they put their hands on Paranoid’s shoulders. It stopped the ranting, but the other voice continued to silently glare at them. “I don’t think you’re crazy, Para,” Happy said quietly. “I think you’re brave for always fighting even when you’re afraid. I think you’re fun to be around even when you’re being snippy. I think you’re smart for seeing the solid walls and thinking that maybe there actually like Jello.” They press their head to Paranoid’s. “It has to be you. The others still think that this reality isn’t malleable. They can’t do what you do.”

There’s a pause before a tired sigh leaves Paranoid’s mouth. “Ok.”

Happy brightens.

“Hey!”

Both voices jump at Stubborn’s call. “Let’s get a move on, lover birds! I’m ready for a good fight!”

Paranoid leans into them. “Are we all supposed to be birds?”

“I don’t know.”

A pause. “He’s definitely not a bird.”

“No, he’s not. But we can always tease him about that later.”

Paranoid snorts as he is pulled back to the others by Happy. “You ready?” Hero asks as they return to the group. Both nod. The Mirror is already gone. Only one thing left to do now…

As the Long Quiet moves through the doorway, Happy suddenly remembers an important detail they forgot to mention. “Wait! There’s a-!” It was too late, however. Quiet had already put his foot on the ramp and had slipped down to the basement.

“As your body tumbles onto the basement landing,” the Narrator narrates as Quiet and all the voices grumble, “the form of the Princess comes into view.”

“Hi!” the Princess calls cheerily.

“All right,” Cheated says as the Princess’ arms erupt with twin blades. “What we doing?”

“We dodge,” Hunted comments back.

“And we fight back,” Stubborn adds.

And so the dance begins. Hunted and Stubborn keep the body moving and attacking, never letting up. Until they take a clumsy step. She goes to skewers you.

“The interior of the cabin is sharp, a constricting mess of-.”

“Yes, Paranoid! That’s what I’m talking about!”

“Oh my god, it actually worked.” Paranoid cackles maniacally as Happy picks him up and spins him around. The others all look confused by the current turn of events but Happy doesn’t really care. “I knew you could do it,” they whisper to a grinning Paranoid.

“Do you two yahoos want to fill the rest of us in?” Cheated says grumpily.

“Wait. This wasn’t your plan, was it?” Hero asked.

“What on Earth are you all babbling about?” the Narrator questions.

Two big grins are the only response they get.

“Your brilliant plan was to have us run away?” Stubborn growls.

“No,” Happy responds. “My brilliant plan was to have Paranoid give us a second chance. Now, we have an edge.”

“You should have told us,” Hunted says back.

“None of you would have believed me.” Various noises of agreement follow that statement. And, ok, that hurt but now was not the time to unpack that. “And I didn’t need the rest of you getting into Paranoid’s head. Paranoid had to believe he could do it or else it wouldn’t work.”

“And you think this is fair?” Cheated questioned.

“She’s made of metal and blades and is an absolute killing machine, and you’re worried about us being fair?” Oki all but shouted.

“Yes, I am because we’re the only ones who can-.”

“DON’T!”

Everyone jumped at the Narrator’s sudden shout.

“Don’t finish that sentence. Don’t even think it, otherwise we are all fucked,” the hidden voice growled. He was right though. Hell, even what Oki said or what Happy said earlier to Paranoid could have spelled their doom.

Right now though they needed to get Cheated on board otherwise this wasn’t going to work. “You like games? Right, Cheated?”

Everyone was looking at Happy like they were crazy. “I guess?”

“Ok. I need you to look at this like it’s a game.”

“Contrarian, you cannot possibly think-.”

“No. Just listen. This is all a game. It just has no rules at the beginning.”

“Ok.” Cheated crossed his arms as he listened. “And how do you win a game with no rules?” Was this actually working? Was Cheated actually believing what Happy is saying?

“At the beginning. There are only no rules at the beginning. As the game goes on, rules get added but no one tells us the rules are added, so you try to win the game with incomplete information.” Happy looks around. “Is this making any sense?”

“No. I get it,” Paranoid backs them up. “The Princess adds new rules, so it becomes literally impossible for us to win.”

“Exactly!” Happy shouts. There’s no point in telling them they’re the ones adding the new rules just by thinking. All’s it would do is start another argument. Cheated still didn’t look convinced.

“Look at this way Cheated. She is already cheating by just being her. Us doing this though? This is evening out the playing field.”

Finally, Cheated seemed to relax. “Ok. Yeah, ok. I’m in. So, what’s the plan?”

The plan was mostly the same as before. Hunted would keep them moving. Stubborn would fight back. And Paranoid would teleport the body when needed. The rest of them would act as backup and morale. With a plan now established, Quiet once again made his way to the doorway.

They managed to stay on their feet this time as they went down the ramp again, with Hunted charging the Princess immediately. And so their dance began anew with Hunted dodging swipes, Stubborn and surprisingly Oki landing devastating blows, and Paranoid teleporting the body to give them all more room to work.

As the fight continued, Happy spared a glance at Cheated. Given how the others had this, Happy decided now was the time to make good on their promise to themself. “Hey,” they said as they nudged the other voice to get his attention. Cheated startled at the contact before raising an eyebrow.

“I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“Yeah. I know sometimes I can be a real dick, and I don’t always make your guys’ life easier. And that’s not fair to you. You guys are important to me. I’m trying to get better at showing that. So, yeah, I’m sorry.”

Cheated doesn’t say anything to that. For a moment though, something like recognition appears on his face before quickly disappearing. Had Cheated remembered something from one of the other loops?

“Yeah. Uh, yeah, thanks. I guess?” Cheated continued to stumble over his words as his face heated. He ultimately leaned into Happy’s chest though.

As Cheated and Happy’s attention returns to the fight, worry starts to creep in. The others are doing well keeping up, but they’re starting to get tired. The three remaining voices spring into action, with Hero assisting Stubborn and Oki, Cheated tapping in for Paranoid, and Happy picking up Hunted to give him a break.

Their dance continues on. They need to end this. They can’t keep fighting forever.

Its at that moment, Happy chooses to look up. Hanging along the ceiling of the basement, are stalactites of all different sizes. And that gives Happy another idea.

“Para! Cheated!” The two voices perk up. “Get us up there!” The two voices follow Happy’s gaze, and nod when they realize what they’re trying to do. “Hunted?” He looks at them. “When I tell you, I need you to push off our perch as hard as you can.” He nods just in time as Paranoid and Cheated teleport them to the biggest stalactite on the ceiling.

All of them grab on tight. “Stubborn, Oki,” Happy orders. “Hit it with everything you got.” Blow after blow is landed on the hanging mineral, until…

“With one last hit, the stalactite hanging above the Princess crumbles,” the Narrator dictates.

“Hunted, NOW!” The bestial voice presses the body’s legs against the falling mineral and pushes. Quiet spreads out his wings in an attempt to slow their decent. It doesn’t stop them from crashing, but it’s the thought that counts. When they look up, they can see the form of the Princess trapped under the fallen rock, struggling to get free.

Quiet grabs the pristine blade from the ground and rushes over to the Princess. Quiet lifts the blade and plunges it into the Razor’s chest, ending her.

They fucking did it!

Cheated is hysterically cackling. “We did it! That wasn’t so bad!” The rest of the voices around them are cheering and hollering and, in Hunted’s case, howling but all Happy can do is stare at Cheated, who has the biggest grin they’ve ever seen on the normally grumpy voice.

Even as the Princess is taken away, and the Narrator fades, and the Long Quiet returns to the Mirror, Happy can’t stop thinking about how nice it is to see Cheated actually smile.

Chapter Text

Happy could safely say they never feared any of the other voices. Some of the Princesses? Sure. Dying? Not their favorite activity. Hell, even some of the things Happy themself did scared them more than the others. Despite everything, the others, much like Their Friend, felt like safety and home. Though, now they were starting to seriously question that fact.

It had started with Hunted. They ended up getting mauled to death by the Princess twice, picking up the skittish voice, and later Stubborn, along the way. The plan had been to fight the Princess head on, though, as usual they were outclassed. None of them had known that the Princess could heal herself by eating them. And then Hero asked if they could do it too.

Well, turns out they could, and they did, and it was horrifying. Happy has never seen Hunted so…terrifying before. Happy had come to think of the smaller voice as a kind, soft spoken individual. He was certainly one of the more sane and logical voices. Watching him become this-this-this animal was downright shocking and disturbing.

And then on top of that, it wasn’t even helping them! Happy’s never been so happy to see the Mirror again. Except…

“Why isn’t he calming down?”

Happy turned at Hero’s question. Hunted was still acting feral. He was still growling and snarling at the other voices. And in turn, Happy could tell that the Long Quiet was still feral too.

“Come on, you little freak. Snap out of it. We have to-,” Stubborn had attempted to grab Hunted. In the tinier voice’s altered state, however, he suddenly lunged at Stubborn, ripping into the bigger voice’s arm.

Oh shit!

Stubborn howled in pain and rage as Hunted skittered away. “Why you little-.” The bigger voice started to move towards the other again as Hero intervened. “What are you doing? This isn’t helping!”

“He bit my fucking arm!”

“And you think going after him again is a good idea right now?!”

Happy ignored the other two voices as they stared at Hunted. While he was still looking animalistic, something had shifted in his gaze. He was staring at Stubborn, trembling and little whines coming from him. He looked more like Paranoid right now than Hunted.

Happy’s heart broke at the sight. There had to be a way to calm him down.

You are in a long tunnel of packed earth, growing more narrow as you descend. At the end of the tunnel, is the Princess. She had managed to squirm her way into the tunnel, but she was stuck, incapable of either moving towards you, or returning to the open darkness of the basement below.

You listen in as Hero, Hunted, Skeptic, and the Narrator debate about what to do with her. Under Hunted’s guidance, you watch as the Long Quiet slowly reaches forward in an attempt to earn the Princess’ trust.

When the memory fades, Happy knows what they have to do. They slowly move towards Hunted. The trembling continues, hell, it looks like it’s getting worse. When they are almost a few step away from Hunted, Happy bent down, the other’s eyes never leaving them. Just like the memory, Happy slowly moved their hand towards the other voice.

Hunted flinched back, before he snapped at Happy’s hand. Don’t flinch, Happy thought. But fuck, did it hurt.

Happy heard shuffling behind them. Either Hero or Stubborn were trying to intervene. “Don’t,” they ordered quietly, not bothering to turn around. “I’m ok. He’s just scared. I got this.”

Hunted kept Happy’s hand in his mouth as he sized them up. After a few more tense moments, something shifted. Hunted let go of Happy’s hand, only to start licking and nuzzling the injured limb.

“Hey buddy,” Happy quietly greeted as they slowly wrapped Hunted in a hug. “I got you. You’re safe.” It was then that the Long Quiet touched the Mirror.

***

As Happy returned to Their Friend, they felt something shift in their grip. Looking down, Happy was shocked to find Hunted still in their arms.

“Oh, you brought a new friend.” Hunted snuggled deeper into Happy’s chest at the sound of Their Friend’s voice. “How did you bring them here?”

“Not sure,” Happy said back before returning their attention to Hunted. “How you feeling, buddy? Are you with us again?” Hunted nodded but still refused to speak. “Hunted?”

A whimper tore through the smaller voice’s throat as he apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just-She-When Hero-.” None of what they were saying was making any sense. They just kept babbling out apologies over and over again.

Happy wasn’t entirely sure how to help him. All they could do was quietly reassure him and rub small circles into Hunted’s back. The two voices stayed tangled for who knows how long. Once Hunted settled, Happy noted that Their Friend had disappeared down to the basement. Probably to give the two voices privacy.

“Do you feel any better?” was the first thing Happy asked. Hunted shook his head. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

Hunted snuggled into Happy again. “I’m sorry,” he whimpered again.

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“Yes, I do,” Hunted continued to whine. “I’m not like the rest of you. I’m always fighting to just stay me, to not be a monster.” He looks up at Happy. “I just wanted to keep you guys safe. I just wanted to be safe. And when Hero suggested we fight like her…” Hunted stopped talking. “I just didn’t want to be small anymore,” he finally admitted. “And now none of you are ever going to trust me again…”

“Why wouldn’t we trust you?”

“I hurt Stubborn!” Hunted shouted. Happy has never heard Hunted be so loud before. “I hurt you! And I liked it. It felt good to have power. To make someone else hurt and scared. Don’t you get it, Contrarian? I’m a monster. An animal. I’m the worse one of us.”

“Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?”

“No.”

Hunted looked at Happy again.

“You want to hear about a monster? A real one? Because if you’re a monster, then so am I. I took nothing seriously. To the point of hurting everyone around me. I made the Razor so much harder for us. I antagonized the Wild even though I knew she was manipulating us.” They looked at the basement stairs. “There was a time where they were horribly malformed. And in deep pain. I did that.” Happy took in a deep breath before their gaze returned to Hunted. “But I’m trying to be better. I want to be someone you all can be proud of.” They ruffled the top of Hunted’s head. “So, you’re a little bit of a freak. So am I. So is everyone else we know. We’ve all done terrible things. That’s just a part of being alive.”

They pulled Hunted in closer to them. “I promise you I will never hold it against you. I love you, Hunted. Freaky flaws and all.” Hunted didn’t respond. But Happy did hear him start purring quietly.

***

Pain radiated from the Long Quiet’s chest as Smitten ripped them open to show their heart to the Princess. Happy was shocked that the normally jovial voice was even capable of such a thing. Then again, I thought the same thing about Hunted…

They were no longer in the woods or the Cabin. This place was beautiful. Stain glass windows of the Princess lined the large hall. Despite the beauty, though, this place felt stale and wrong.

Listening to the others go back and forth, Happy took note of the lack of something. Or more accurately, someone. “Where’s Smitten?”

“Oh. You’re right. It’s a little quiet here, isn’t it? Maybe that’s…one of the rules. Maybe only one ‘bonus voice’ is allowed to be here at a time.” That just started another round of arguments.

“Can we please just get on with it,” Happy snapped. “I’m with Para on this one. Something is up. We don’t just disappear. Yo, Narry. How about you start describing things?”

The Narrator grumbled but relented. The narrations were going normal until they got to the part about the blade, which was also missing. Of course.

And then there was the basement stairs. Except they weren’t basement stairs. They were going up rather than down. It was actually throwing the Narrator off. They didn’t actually think that was possible.

It got worse when they made it to the top of the steps. The Princess was sitting at a table lit by candlelight, with the pristine blade around her neck. And behind her, was a large ominous shadow. Was that…?

And then they were slammed into a chair. Great…

As they listened to the Princess talk about happy endings and the sweet nothings of the shadow, Paranoid confirmed what they already thought. “It’s him, isn’t it? He’s making all of this happen. He’s the one who’s trapped us here.”

“Who? “Hero asked.

“Smitten,” Happy quietly mumbled. “He’s the shadow."

At the mention of the missing voice’s name, the torches flare and the shadow grows for a moment. Happy swears they see the shadow grin. They don’t receive a response.

Watching the events play out, the mockery of life, the distraught Princess, watching Smitten slip away, something in Happy breaks.

***

Happy stumbles as they return back to Strangling. (“Strangling?” Happy and Hunted both ask. “I think it has a nice ring to it.”) They couldn’t help Smitten. What if he was gone forever? Would the reset fix him? What would they even say to him the next time they saw him?

“You’re back!” Hunted was still here. Why was Hunted still here?

“Are you alright, Happy dear?” That was Strangling.

Happy just shook their head. No, they weren’t. They weren’t sure if they could even pretend to be alright. Hunted wrapped himself around the taller voice. Strangling picked both voices up and held them close. Next time, no matter what, they were getting Smitten back. Happy would make sure of that.

***

Happy was slammed back into the body with such force, they felt their head rattle. The impact was so intense they hadn’t noticed the several problems that had quickly risen until Hero and the Narrator started panicking.

“Where is he?!”

“How do you lose an adult man?!”

“By not cherishing him,” slipped out of Happy’s mouth before they registered what was being said. Cheated snorted despite the situation.

Looking around, Happy noticed three things. One) They were already in the Cabin. Two) All of the voices were present. And three) The Long Quiet was missing. Shit.

“What could you morons possibly have done to lose the very vital part of you needed to slay the Princess?!” the Narrator continued to question.

“We let her possess us,” Cold unhelpfully commented.

“You…” the Narrator stops talking. “Give me a minute.”

There’s a pause as everyone waited for him to continue speaking.

“Did…Did he just leave us?” Stubborn asked.

Hunted’s ears twitch. “No. He’s just screaming.” His fur fluffs up. “Oh. Oh that’s…uh…”

“What’s he saying?" Skeptic asks.

“I am uncomfortable repeating what he’s yelling.”

“He does have a point, though.” Everyone turns towards Paranoid. “What?”

“You of all voices agree with the Narrator?” Cheated asks.

“Oh, fuck no,” he says with a laugh. “I mean we’re kind of lost without the Decider. We’re just supposed to be the advisory roles. We can barely agree on anything.”

“We’re like someone driving a packed clown car to an assassination," Happy quipped. Noises of agreement and snickers came from the other voices.

“Well,” a more human looking voice spoke up. He was a bit more heavy set than the others, had large angelic wings, and a devil’s tail. In place of a face, he had a mask with little horns coming from it. A halo sat on top of his head. “Isn’t it obvious what we do?” He pointed to the blade on the table. “We take the blade, go downstairs, and slay her.”

“You want to-?” Hero starts to question before being interrupted.

“No. We do not do that! How could you even think about murdering our beloved?!” Smitten screeched. Happy flinched. They hadn’t seen the other voice since the Happily Ever After. Their heart ached at the memory of Smitten disappearing.

“I’m with lover bird,” Stubborn piped up. “Killing her isn’t fun. Not when we can fight her.”

“Do you think about anything other than fighting?” Cold questioned boredly. “I hate to agree with them, but I don’t think we should kill her either. We’ve tried that twice already, it’s boring now.”

Happy tuned out the others as they continued arguing. The need to throw the blade was stronger than ever now. In a moment of weakness, Happy gave in and tossed it out the window.

Silence.

“Why did you do that?!” Paranoid screeched. And everyone was back to shouting. Shame flooded Happy as they realized what they did. “Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?” repeated over and over in their head.

“Alright.” And the Narrator was back. “Ok. Back to business. The room is…Where is the pristine blade?”

The other voices all pointed at Happy. “Oh, fuck all of you.”

The Narrator went silent again. “I am going to need another moment.”

“Absolutely not. We walk towards the Mirror,” Stubborn urged.

“Mirror? There’s no-.” “I don’t care, and I don’t want to hear it. Move.”

As the body made its way down to the basement, Hero nudged Happy. “Hey? Is it me or is something…different about the Opportunist?”

Happy paused in thought. Now that it was mentioned…

“Has he ever taken this much initiative before? Without others prompting him I mean.” He knew from all their time with Hero, that the other voice didn’t remember the other loops. Despite this, Hero (and really all of the voices) did seem to know how each voice was supposed to act. It’s why they’re all taken aback whenever Happy does something to help them rather than make the situation harder.

Hero shook his head. “I can’t shake the feeling that he’s going to do something drastic. I’m actually grateful you got rid of the blade. I don’t really know if I could trust him or some of the others with it.”

Happy felt a shy grin come to his heated face. Ok, this was really starting to become a problem. Hero isn’t doing anything, and he’s making Happy a mess. It’s worse when they’re stuck with Hero and Paranoid. The two other voices just make Happy, well, happy.

“You emerge from the staircase, shrouded in feathered darkness,” the Narrator describes. “You stare at the form of the Princess with wild, hollow eyes.”

“So, here we are again,” the Princess speaks up. “I’m back in chains, and you…don’t have the knife? So, what uh are we going to do?”

“One of you cocks the figure’s head to the side. Is it inquisitive? Suspicious? Hostile? Its emotions are unreadable.”

“Are you not able to tell?” Cold questions the unseen voice. This is the friendliest Cold has ever spoken to the Narrator.

“There are too many of you. It was easier to get a feel for what you were feeling through him.”

“I guess we could just…stare…at each other,” she continues talking.

“We didn’t actually come up with a plan,” Hunted points out. “What do we want to do?”

“Maybe we could just leave her here?” Paranoid suggests.

“Absolutely not!” the Narrator shouts as Skeptic points out, “That’s cowardly. And we won’t get any answers if we just run away with our tail between our legs.”

“Who cares about answers,” Oki whines. “We will never be safe so long as she’s alive. And if what he says is true about her,” he nods his head in the general direction of the Narrator, “then what’s stopping her from just eventually getting free and going after us.”

“Maybe let’s not-,” Happy starts to say, but is interrupted.

“Exactly,” Opportunist’s slimy voice agrees. “It’s why we should end her while we have the chance.”

“We’re not killing her!” Smitten interjects. “She’s our other half! Killing her we’ll be like killing ourselves! We may as well just end it all if that happens!”

“Ok, were definitely not-,” Hero tries to placate but is also interrupted by another voice.

“That’s pathetic!” Stubborn argued back. “If we’re dying by anyone’s hands it’s hers! And it isn’t going to be by letting her do it! We’re-!”

“Going to fight her? How? The cheeky one,” Cheated nodded at Happy, “threw our only weapon out the window. And even if he hadn’t, how is that fair?”

“You’re worried about being fair at a time like this?!” Paranoid screeched. Happy wanted to smooth out his feathers.

“Yes, I am because she’s chained to the wall and we’re not. How is she supposed to fight back?”

“So, you do want to fight?” Stubborn grinned.

“I want to not fucking die again.”

“Do you,” the Princess was talking again, “want to share your thoughts? It’d only be polite.”

“Have we been arguing in real time?” Hero piped up.

“Of course we’ve been arguing in real time! That’s how conversations work,” Skeptic said back in exasperation.

“After everything that we’ve been though in the past,” Paranoid paused here. “How long have we actually been here?”

“For the longest ten minutes of my life,” the Narrator quipped when no one else responded.

“Either way,” Paranoid ignored him, “you can’t still believe we are dealing with a normal reality after everything we’ve been though.”

“Yes, I can because that’s how reality works, you delusional git-,”

“HEY!”

Everyone jumped at the sound of the Princess’ voice. “I said I’m talking; now will you listen to me?!”

“So, you are.” Cold’s voice came out through the body, making Happy flinch. They had almost forgotten that the quiet voice was there. Nor were they even aware any of them could make the body speak. “And very loudly. Do you have something to say?”

“Oops. I mean.” She puffs herself up a little. She isn’t Strangling, but Happy could see themselves getting along with this version of their friend. “Yeah! I already know about all your ‘privileged information.’ Because he’s in here. With me.”

“Is she talking about the Decider?” Smitten asks.

“She has to be. How else would she know he’s not here?” Hunted responded back.

“How on earth did he get in there with her?” Paranoid further questioned.

“Probably when she tried to escape,” Skeptic guessed.

“Or he left of his own free will,” Oki complained.

“Oh? How very interesting,” Cold purrs.

“Yeah. That changes things, doesn’t it?” Hero pipes in.

“Oh, it changes things alright.” Happy does not like the tone of Opportunist’s voice. “We get to take out two birds with one stone.”

Happy’s blood runs cold.

“Wait…what?” The Princess and Hero say at the same time.

“From what I remember, it was pretty easy to kill you the first time around, and this time you’re back to being very…what’s the word?”

“Fleshy,” Cold supplies. Happy could hit Cold.

“Yes! Exactly! You’re fleshy now! No more of that incorporeality. Trust me. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it would be easy.”

“Are you insane?!” Hunted roars. Paranoid flinches. Whether from the wording or the volume, Happy wasn’t sure. “We can’t kill her now! He’s a part of us! Our flock! Killing him is killing us!”

“Oh, please,” Skeptic reasoned. “Every time he’s died, we just reset. Chances are trying to kill him in her body will do nothing.”

“But we don’t know that for certain,” Cheated interjected. “Can you really live with possibly killing him off forever?”

“If it means we’re finally free and safe, then yes I can,” Paranoid defended. “I don’t like it,” Paranoid further elaborated, “but Broken is right. We are never going to be safe so long as she’s alive. I can’t keep living like that.”

“Oh, how romantic,” Smitten sighed.

“I thought you didn’t want to kill her?” Cold poked.

“I don’t. But think about it. Two star crossed lovers, trapped in the same form by fate, only to share the same dying breathe. And it’s like Skeptic said, we’ll probably just reset.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever hear,” Stubborn growled. “She is the only thing that makes sense in this fucking place! And it’s boring without the Decider! Look at us now. We’re getting nowhere fast just sitting here arguing about what to do.”

The Princess coughed. “Are…we doing this?”

“Oh, we most definitely are,” Opportunist said as the body suddenly jerked forward.

“NO!” Happy wasn’t sure who shouted, but they were thankful for whoever it was because the body suddenly stopped.

“We are not doing this,” Hero growled.

The rest of their flock continued arguing. Happy felt a headache pulse behind their eyes. “Ok, how about this.”

Everyone stared at them. “Why don’t we put it to a vote?”

“You want us to vote on whether or not the Decider dies?” Hero all but shouted.

“I don’t hear anyone else coming up with any better ideas! And for the record I don’t like this either. But we’re all just talking in circles.”

The others took a moment to think it over.

“Ok.” Everyone turned to Hero. “I don’t like it. But Contrarian’s right. We really don’t have any other way to decide this. Everyone gets one vote. All in favor of killing the Princess and Decider?” Opportunist, Smitten, Skeptic, Paranoid, and Oki raised their hands. “All against?” Hero, Happy, Cheated, Stubborn, and Hunted raised theirs. Pause. “We tied.”

Silence fell on the group as they all look at Cold. “You didn’t vote.”

“I didn’t. I abstain.”

Silence again before everyone starts shouting over each other. Cold held up his hand. “You said everyone gets a vote. Mine is to abstain. You’re all more than welcome to change my mind.”

And try they did, but nothing anyone said could change Cold’s vote. Changing Cold’s mind turned to trying to change any of their minds, but they were all equally as stubborn as, well, Stubborn. They were still all talking in circles.

“Are you sure you don’t have anything new to say?” Hero asked Cold for what felt like the hundredth time.

“I’m sure.”

“Ok, I have to know. What are you getting out of all this?” Paranoid asked his flockmate.

“Entertainment.”

Silence again. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” Stubborn shouted.

“You hate being bored. I can’t imagine just talking is this entertaining to you,” Skeptic noted.

“It isn’t the talking that has me interested. You’re all very passionate about this.” Cold shrugs. “I don’t feel passionate about anything. It intrigues me.”

“Not even how we shouldn’t feel things?” Happy teases. A look of amusement crosses Cold’s face.

“Great. We’re stuck here because one of the worst of us needs entertainment,” Cheated said bitterly.

“Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?”

Happy’s whole body flinched at Cheated’s words. And of course everyone noticed.

“You alright, mate?” Hero asked.

“Fine. Never say that again.”

“What thing?”

“Are you sure you’re-?”

“Hero. I’m fine. I just don’t like the…W word.”

“Worst?”

Happy flinched again before glaring at their leader. “Right. Sorry.”

“Thank you. Also don’t say funny. I don’t like the word funny.”

“What’s wrong with-Right, sorry,” Oki interrupted himself at Happy’s glare.

“As riveting as all this is,” Skeptic rolled his eyes as he spoke, “Cheated’s right. We’re deadlocked until this one,” he pointed at Cold, “makes a decision.”

“Well,” Opportunist drawled. Happy’s stomach dropped again. “That isn’t technically true, now is it?”

“What are you talking about?” Hunted asked.

“We could always ask the Narrator for his-?” Opportunist never got to finish the thought due to half the voices exploding.

“That isn’t fair, you fucking prick!”

“You know what he’ll say!”

“He doesn’t count!”

“Says who?”

“Says me!”

“He isn’t one of us!”

“He’s been here since the beginning! The old chum really deserves a say. And you did say everyone gets a vote.”

“I didn’t mean him!”

“The rest of you are cool with this?” Happy asked the remaining voices. “I know you two,” Happy pointed to Skeptic and Paranoid, “don’t trust him, and you two,” they point at Smitten and Oki, “don’t agree with him.”

“It…would finally give us a decision,” Oki spoke up when the other three couldn’t – Wouldn’t. “I’m sorry, Contrarian. You all tried hard, but you lost.”

Happy growled as they spun on Cold. “You need to make a decision.”

“I did. I-.”

“Abstain. I know. But right now shit is about to hit the fan. I wouldn’t ask you to pick if I didn’t think there was another way.”

“Then bully one of the others. I-.”

“Do you care about him?”

“It’s just a bod-.”

“No. Not the body. Him. Do you care about him?”

“Of course I do.” No hesitation. Cold means that.

“Then please, Cold. Make an actual decision. If not for him, then for you. Because you know what happens when we succeed and how much it sucks.”

Cold didn’t immediately respond. He just glared at Happy’s words. “Well…” the Narrator finally spoke again as the body moves. “If everyone has made their choice, you make your-.”

“No. We don’t.” The body stops moving as Cold speaks. “I change my vote. We’re not killing them.”

Happy relaxes as do the others. Even the voices who wanted to slay the Princess and Quiet relax at Cold’s words. None of us wanted this, Happy thinks. It really was a matter of being safe.

Except…

“Are you fucking kidding me?!”

That was Opportunist. He’s furious. Which is weird because he’s never been upset about a majority decision before.

“We finally come to an actual decision, and you deadlock us again!” he continued. “What is the matter with you?!”

“Me?!” Happy shouted back. “What about you? Instigating a coup, dragging the Narrator into this, whatever you’re doing right now. You have never fought this hard on any decision that we, as a group, agreed upon.”

"I am just trying to look out for us. Unlike you. How do we know this isn’t some stupid game you’re playing to,” Opportunist voice turns mocking as he mimics Happy, “’ruin his day.’”

“Oh, please. If I really wanted to fuck with the Narrator, I would’ve abstained with Cold. And don’t try to play this like you suddenly care.”

“I care more than he does!”

“Who, Cold?”

“I can assure I do-.”

“No, not him. Him.” Opportunist points at the Princess. The Long Quiet.

“What are you talking about?”

“He doesn’t care about us. Let’s look at the facts. We slay the Princess and get our reward. And yes, I know it’s a shitty reward, so I get it, I do, when he slayed us.” Happy is only half listening to Opportunist’s rant. Opportunist’s face has always been a mask, never revealing what the slimy voice is actually thinking. But now… “But then. Then. We make a deal with her, we’re about to finally be free of all this bullshit, and what does he do?” His mask is cracking. Literally cracking, showing off the actual distraught expression on the other voice’s face. Happy isn’t even sure if Opportunist is aware what is happening. “He stabs us! Again! And for what? So, he can be stuck with her?! He abandoned us! He doesn’t care!”

“That isn’t true.”

“And you know that how?” Happy sputters. They couldn’t answer that. Explaining literally anything about the Construct to all of them would spell disaster. “I just do,” they mutter out.

“You just do? Oh, well that settles it then! Contrarian just knows, so it must be true, right?”

“That isn’t what I said. God, Oppty, why do you have to be such a pain in the ass?!”

Opportunist goes completely still, and Happy knows they’ve crossed a line of some kind. “Do you think I like being me?” is said so quietly Happy has to strain to hear it. “That I like being the snake no one likes or trusts. I don’t. I hate myself for it. But I have to be this way, if it means keeping us all alive.” The last of Opportunist’s mask falls apart and away from his face. “Do what you all want. I don’t care anymore. I’ll leave you alone.” And then he’s gone. Back up the stairs.

Happy’s hands drag across their face as they move towards the steps.

“Where are you going?” Happy turns to Hero.

“I fucked up. I have to fix this.”

“We’ll come with you.”

“No. If we all go up there, he isn’t going to take it well. I pushed him. I have to make it right.”

“Just…be nice.”

Happy nods. “So, what do we now?” Happy hears Oki ask as they continue up the steps. Upon reaching the top step, Happy sees Opportunist curled in a ball near the window. Happy approaches him carefully.

“What do you want?” the other voice grumbles as Happy sits next to him.

“I wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“I’m not. Go away.”

“I can’t do that, Oppty.”

“No of course you won’t. Heaven forbid Contrarian does what someone else tells them to.”

“Do you really think we don’t like you?”

Silence is the only answer they get. “If you think that, why do you keep acting like this?”

“It’s safer that way.”

“What does that mean?”

Opportunist doesn’t immediately respond. “I’m the worst of us.” Happy flinches again. “Sorry. But it’s true. None of you would like who I am. I can live with all of you hating me for my mask, but if any of you hated the real me…” He trailed off.

“Oh, Oppty.” Happy pulled the shorter voice into a hug. The two voices sit in silence as Happy continues to hold their flockmate. “I don’t know you, Oppty. Not really. But I’d like to. And I’m sure the others would too.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they would after seeing how much of a loser I am.”

“You aren’t a loser for being real with us.”

Opportunist hummed before standing up, pulling Happy along with him. “We should get back. See if we can’t salvage this.”

The walk down to the basement was a quiet one. The others turned towards them as they reached the bottom step. “How you feeling?” Hero asked.

“Better,” Oppty replied. “More or less. Thank you.”

Hero nodded. A grimace graced his face. “We reached a decision. On what to do with the Decider,” Hero clarifies upon seeing Happy and Oppty’s confused looks.

“And what did you decide?”

With a sigh, Hero says “We decided that Opportunist gets to choose what we do.”

Oppty freezes. “Are,” he gulps. “Are you sure? You know what I want to do, right?”

“I do.” Hero doesn’t further elaborate.

Everyone jumps as the sound of metal clangs to the floor. The blade.

“The body makes its way over to the Pristine Blade, picking it up and heading over to the Princess,” the Narrator dictates. “You pause before her.”

Nothing happens though. Happy looks over at Oppty to see him shaking. “You ok, mate?”

“I,” he gulps. “I…” The body’s hand clenches around the blade before it drops to the floor, the body following it seconds later. “I can’t do it.”

Relief floods everyone in the room. Happy wraps Oppty into another hug. “I can’t kill him,” Oppty mumbles. “I still don’t think he cares about us. But I still care about him.” He turns towards Happy. “Why do I still care about him?”

“People are weird, man. Sometimes you just do.”

They feel fingers brush against their face. The Princess. Or maybe Quiet? And then a shock runs through the body as the Long Quiet returns.

“Oh, hey, I’m back in my body.”

“I thought it felt a little empty in here,” she jokes. “We can finally leave!” She pauses. “Will you?” she quietly questions. “Or are you still going to kill me?”

Quiet shakes his head. “Then there’s only one thing left to do.” She holds out her hand. Quiet flips the blade in his, giving the hilt to her. Watching the Princess mutilate herself will never not make Happy uncomfortable.

Happy cheers as the Princess tosses the blade out the window, much to the Narrator’s dismay. “What does it feel like?” Oppty asks as the Princess takes their hand. “Is it…nice?”

“It’s delicate and tender,” the Narrator sneers.

Oppty hums. “That’ll do,” he says as he leans back into Happy.

***

Happy returns back to Strangling with Oppty still leaning on them. Hunted is perched on Strangling’s shoulder, where he was before they were called to Quiet.

“Are you planning on bringing all your little friends to me?” Strangling asks.

“Not sure. I’d like to. They’re a pretty likeable bunch.” A growly laugh reached their ears, but Strangling’s main three heads hadn’t moved. All the fur on Hunted’s body stood up.

“What…was that?” Oppty asked only to be met with more laughter. A cackle, actually.

“Is that my nasty wretch?” a hidden voice asked. The growly voice answers with “Unsure. I smell my fledging though.”

Hunted skitters over to Oppty as Happy goes to investigate. The back body on the left has changed. The face of the…Beast? Den? Greets them. Another Princess Happy hasn’t had the chance to meet yet comes out of the top of the animalistic Princess’ head. Scratches and thorny vines adorn this Princess’ face and hair. Little veins can be seen on the Princess’ skin. Their arms are made of wood with little hairs running along them. They were hunched over unlike the other bodies. “Uh hello ladies.”

Two sharp grins are the only response the voice gets. “When did this happen?” Happy addresses their friend.

“I noticed the first one after you and the smaller one left.” Happy could see Hunted duck behind Oppty as he was mentioned. “The other one’s new. I think they arrived when you and-I’m sorry what was your name, dear?”

“Opportunist.”

“Thank you. When you and Opportunist arrived.”

Happy hummed as they looked back at the new Princesses. “And, if you don’t mind me asking, which ones are you?”

Both closed their eyes. “We are all of them.” “All the vessels our opposite shards could meet.”

Happy blinks. “Strangling?”

“They are the Witch, Beast, Den, Thorn, and Wild respectively.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, dear.”

The lower head growls. “You are too soft on this one, sister.”

“I can hear both of your thoughts. You both are equally as soft on yours as I am mine.”

The two heads growl and hiss respectively. Happy returns to the front to speak with their friend as a new awful thought hits them. “If they’re combining with you, are you becoming like…Her?”

They close their eyes; their fingers rub into Happy. “No. When we are with Her, we become a part of Her. Whatever wants or dreams we have become meaningless, as She exhorts Her will onto us.”

Not for the first time, Happy feels a deep seeded rage towards the Shifting Mound. Oppty and Hunted move closer to Happy as their friend continues speaking. “But this feels different. We are the same, yet we are different enough to not fully be the same.” They open their eyes to look down at the voices. “If anything, we are more like all of you then we are like Her.”

Happy grinned, and when they looked at Hunted and Oppty, they took notice the other two voices were grinning too.

Chapter Text

Chapter III

The Siren

“You’re on a-.”

The Narrator was cut off by Smitten’s wailing. Hero is trying to calm him down as Skeptic is investigating the new area. Happy looks around too. They’re on a lakeshore. A dock with a little wooden canoe is sitting nearby. In the far distance, Happy can just make out the Cabin.

“She killed us!” Smitten shouts in despair. “Why would she do that?!” Memories of their previous life rush Happy.

They had gotten the Damsel again. They talked a bit, and the Long Quiet decided to kill her. Smitten had been devastated. Happy had already seen both routes you could get from the Damsel. They expected to see the Grey again. And that’s when something changed.

Happy doesn’t remember exactly what Smitten had said. Something about their heart being ripped from their chest. And then it happened. As if Smitten’s words were a command, the Princess came back to life so her hand shot through their chest, ripping their heart out. Her last words to them “Did I make you happy?” we’re still sugary sweet. Clearly this was taking an emotional toll on the boisterous voice.

Why though? Smitten never cared if she killed them before. What was different now?

“That’s not important now. It doesn’t matter what she did, or we didn’t do. Can’t you feel it? Don’t you hear her? She’s calling us. We have to go to her.” Skeptic was right. In the back of Happy’s mind, they can hear someone singing.

“Is that a good idea?” Hero asked hesitantly. “You were the one pushing us last time not to trust her. We killed her because of you. And now you want us to just blindly trust her?”

“She has answers. She’s the only thing that matters.”

“The only thing that matters?!” rage filled Smitten’s voice. “We stabbed her through the chest! She literally ripped our heart out! Who does that to a person you love?!”

“You’ve already been here before. Of course you have. Heaven forbid you slay the Princess and save the world in one go,” the Narrator grumbled. “You do realize every time you fail, and she escapes, it dooms another world to ruin, right?”

“Who care about the world?” Skeptic complains. “What has this world ever done for us? She’s more important.”

“Oh, sure she’s important. She’s our murderer!” Smitten screamed back in tears.

“What’s happening with you two?” Happy asked. The singing was getting louder. They pointed at Smitten. “You’ve been Team Princess since all this started. Now, you want nothing to do with her?” Looking at Skeptic, they said, “And you’re skeptical of everything. It’s literally your name. But you want to blindly trust a woman whose killed us twice now?”

“Twice?!” the Narrator screeched.

They all ignored him. “You two even look different!”

Skeptic looked down at himself while Smitten started feeling the fabric of his dress at Happy’s words. Smitten’s clothing looked more like funeral attire. Typically, the peacock looking voice would wear bright, warm colors, his dress looking like flames when he moved. A veil hung from his mix of tiara and face plate. Even Smitten’s hair that normally looked like fire had deflated.

Meanwhile, Skeptic was typically what one would describe as a living shadow. Typically, Skeptic would copy the form of the other voices. He looked very different now. His feathers were still dark as shadows though coming from the top of his head was long flowing locks of water in a place of hair as were his wings. He was dressed like a stereotypical nobleman right now.

Both voices looked deeply confused. The singing got louder. It was deafening now.

“It doesn’t matter what you all look like,” the Narrator commented. “What matters is getting on that boat, taking the pristine blade, and slaying her. Is that understood?”

The only response he got was a bunch of grumbling from the voices. Still, the Long Quiet moved towards the little boat. The boat towards the Cabin was silent. All but the singing in their mind. It was getting softer the closer they got.

Suddenly a dark shadow moved below the water. Only Happy and Smitten reacted. “What was that?!” the normally cheery voice half asked, half shouted. Happy didn’t get a chance to respond as a voice called. “Hello.”

The…Damsel? …was sitting out on a rock in the middle of the lake. Her voice had an unusual tone to it.

“That wasn’t always there, right?” Hero asked nervously.

“No, we would have seen it from the shoreline,” Happy answered back.

“You must have missed it,” Skeptic argued.

“It’s a big ass rock, Skeptic.”

“Well, maybe you need to get your eyes checked.”

The ensuing argument was cut off by the Princess’ melodious voice. “Did you miss me, sailor? Why, don’t you jump in the water.”

“Don’t you dare,” the Narrator growled.

“It’s fine,” Skeptic reasoned. “She only attacked us this time because this one,” he pointed a finger at Smitten, “wanted her to.”

Smitten growled. “I. Didn’t. Want. That!”

“So, is it safe to go in?” Hero asked.

“No!” “Yes!” As if the Princess could hear the voices arguing, she said, “I'll make sure you’re safe and sound.”

From the corner of their vision, Happy noticed something move behind her. They couldn’t quite make out what it was, but it almost looked like a-.

“Did you see that too?” Smitten questioned.

“I did.”

“It’s open water,” Skeptic kept arguing. “You two are imaging things.”

Happy could actually punch Skeptic in the face right now.

“Let’s cut the charade,” the Princess commented. Her voice went back to a normal tone. “We both want to leave. We both want answers. You’re the only one who can leave. You take me on that little boat of yours, and we’ll both be free.”

When no one moved, she added with the sing song voice again, “Come onnnn…You owe me. After all, you attacked me first.”

“That’s fair,” Skeptic and Hero agreed, though the latter was more nervous than the former.

“Are you serious?!” Smitten and the Narrator screeched as the Long Quiet started to move the boat forward again.

“Oh. My. God. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Smitten will you help me slay the Princess?”

The peacock hesitated as he looked at the Princess. Happy’s gaze followed over to her too. For a brief moment, the Princess’s hands turned to claws and her smile turned deadly. That was the push Smitten needed.

“Ok,” Smitten agreed as he squeezed Happy’s hands. “I want to trust her, but I want to trust you more.” With the two voices in agreement, Happy and Smitten yanked control away from the Long Quiet.

“What are you doing?!” “Are you trying to ruin this for us?!” Skeptic and the Princess snarled respectively. With that as the only warning, the two enraged beings lunged forward. Hero was able to catch Skeptic in time, but the Princess…

“Claws dig into your chest as the once beautiful visage of the Princess transforms into a scaly monster,” the Narrator describes. “Fins protrude from the sides of her head. Despite the seaweed like hair blocking her face, you can still make out sharp teeth and black pupilless eyes. She pulls you into the water.”

They can’t swim, Happy thinks as they’re pulled under. Panic starts to take over as the Princess drags them further down with a strength they didn’t know she had. Happy was about to give up when they felt their arm move.

The Princess screeches in rage as Smitten slashes the blade across her face. She let’s go of them! With the little strength they have left, the Long Quiet push up towards the surface. Happy is so glad when they’re able to suck in sweet, delicious air. Happy makes good on his promise to punch Skeptic. So does Smitten.

“What the hell was that for?!”

“Don’t ever do something that fucking stupid again, moron!” Smitten snarls back as he pulls Skeptic into a hug. Happy blinks. So does Hero. So does Skeptic.

“What…What are you hugging me for?”

“Because you’re important to me, dummy. And scared the crap at me when you started acting, like, well me.”

“We’ve been fighting all day.”

“I know. But that doesn’t change that it’s true. It’s like…you’re the other half of my soul.” Something about that must have touched Skeptic because all the fight in him drains as he returns Smitten’s hug.

Honestly, something about that speaks to Happy too. They think of Strangling and Cheated. Strangling was their Princess. There would always be a connection, the two understanding each other on a fundamental level that Happy didn’t think even the other voices understood about them. For a while, Happy had thought perhaps these feelings were romantic but the way they felt about Strangling was different from what they felt about Hero and Para. Strangling was as Smitten had put it the other half of their soul.

And then there was Cheated. Happy and Cheated had gotten off on the wrong foot. Obviously. But something about the other voice drew them to him. Happy lived for making Cheated laugh when they ran into each other. His smile when they beat the Razor is something seared into Happy’s brain. They weren’t just doing all this anymore to make Strangling proud of them or for them to be a better person. They wanted Cheated to be free of the torment and bullshit the world threw at him.

Happy’s musings were interrupted as something knocked into the boat. Everyone went still before Hero asked what they were all thinking. “We did kill her, right?” And that was when the boat and its occupants when flying. Happy looked over their shoulder in time to see what they could only describe as a leviathan opening its jaws to swallow them whole.

***

“-and then the hands came for her!” a wet Happy was explaining (complaining) to Oppty, Hunted, and Strangling. Looking up at their friend, Happy said, “This was new. I don’t know how I know that, I haven’t seen all the other routes, but I know we’ve never been there before.”

“So, what does that mean?” Hunted asked. Hunted and Oppty were really coming along while being here. In the Construct, Hunted would only speak when necessary and never too loudly. And Oppty was always trying to keep an upper hand on the situation, no one ever really knowing what his play was. But here with Strangling, both were learning to just be whoever they wanted to be. Happy couldn’t be prouder of them.

“I don’t know. But I feel like it was trying to show me something. I just can’t figure out what.”

“Well…I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually,” Strangling said happily. “You’re a lot cleverer than anyone gives you credit for.”

“More annoying too,” Oppty teased.

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you.”

“Be nice,” Hunted ordered as he snuggled into Happy and pulled Oppty closer to the other voices.

“You three are such freaks,” Witch sneered.

“Wait till the others get here. Then you’ll be sorry.”

“Happy-.”

“I know, I know. Be nice.”

***

Chapter III

The Child

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“I told you! I told you not to give her the blade! I told you it would come around to bite us in the ass! I. Voted. Against it.”

“What’s done is done,” Hunted responded to a very annoyed Oppty. “And you can’t be that mad. You got her pretty good too.”

That was right. The Long Quiet had given her the blade. Happy thought they were finally going to meet Thorn. But after the Witch stabbed them, Oppty had stolen the blade, cornered her, and stabbed her back. And now they were stuck with the-.

“Wait,” Hero interrupted. “What did the title card say? Are we actually supposed to kill a child?”

That silenced everyone.

“I…am uncomfortable doing that.”

“Second that.”

“Third it.”

“Then it’s decided. We won’t slay her.”

“She is going to end the world.”

“She’s a child.”

“Millions of lives are on the line.”

“She’s a child.”

“You have the ability to save everyone who exists and everyone who will ever exist-.”

“Ok, what part of the phrase ‘She’s a child!’ are you not understanding?” Happy interrupted.

“We can worry about that later,” Hunted said. “We’re not in the woods. I’m not even sure we’re in the Cabin.”

The other voices start looking around at Hunted’s comment. The Cabin looked…weird. Everything looked plastic. The floor is a checkered pattern tile. The walls are a hideous yellow with daisies on it. The table that should hold the pristine blade is circular with fake flowers in the middle.

“So, what is our plan. The blade’s not here, and even if it was, we’re not using it.”

“I say we leave,” Oppty suggested.

“I agree,” Hunted seconded.

“You can’t leave-!”

“Because the world will end. Yes, we know,” Hero says snippily. Happy loves a snippy Hero. He continues. “We can’t just leave a child in a place like this.”

“Sure, we can. Look at me now. I’m leaving the Cabin,” Oppty says as he moves towards the door, Hunted close behind him. When Hunted meets Happy’s confused look, he shrugs. “We don’t know the first thing about children.”

Happy looks towards the basement door. “Sure. But she’s alone and probably scared and might not know what’s going on.”

“She knew what was going on last time,” Oppty tries to reason. But Happy sees the metaphorically cracks. Both Oppty and Hunted value their own survival above all else, but neither of them are heartless. A small smile pulls at the corners of Happy’s mouth.

“What’s that look for?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Both voices look suspicious. “Look at this way. Would either of you want to be in her place if the roles were reverse?”

Oppty groans and Hunted sighs. But both of them move closer to Happy and Hero despite their reservations. As the Long Quiet makes his way down to the basement, Happy starts to think. Oppty was obviously here because he was there for the Witch. But why was Hunted here? Because Hunted is probably the voice with the most knowledge on taking care of someone? A darker thought made them think that the two were here because if was the only way they’d all survive.

As they step into the basement, all their eyes are assaulted with every color imaginable. Toys of every shape and size are thrown around the room. In the center, sits a childish version of the Princess with a toy tiara and clutching a stuffed version of the Long Quiet in one hand and the pristine blade in the other. She sits at a tiny table adorned with tea set and treats of all kinds.

“You’re here!” her squeaky voice shouts. She gets up from the table, rushing over to them. “You have to come play with me! I’m a Princess. That’s an order,” she says as she starts pulling them along.

“This is a perfect opportunity,” the Narrator says. “Just take the blade and slay her.”

“Mate, we already decided we are all deeply uncomfortable with that decision,” Oppty commented. “And besides, she’s just a little kid. What’s the worst she can do?”

Happy gets the feeling there going to find out very quickly. As they reach the table, Happy takes notice of a weird smell. So does Hunted. “Don’t eat anything,” he instructs.

“Why not? Do you see this spread? Not to mention we don’t know what she’ll try to do if we say no,” Oppty attempts to reason as the Princess pours tea for them.

“No, but I know we’ll definitely die if we ingest anything. It’s poison.”

“Here!” the Princess says cheerily. She’s holding out a cup and plate full of treats. They take it but hesitate due to Hunted’s words. “Well go on. I worked really hard to make all of this. Just for you.” She clutched the doll a little tighter to her. Happy felt a slight pressure that wasn’t there before.

“What do we do?” Hero asks. “We don’t want to upset her.”

“I’m more concerned about us dying via poisoning than upsetting her, Hero.”

“It all looks and smells delicious, my dear,” they hear Oppty’s voice leave the Long Quiet’s mouth. “But I’m afraid the tea is a little too hot for my taste. And one really shouldn’t eat these delicious cookies and biscuits dry.”

The Princess goes quiet as she thinks, tapping the blade against her lip. The voices all wait with bated breath.

“Ok!” she finally decides. The voices relax. “Let’s play a game while we wait!” Never mind. Oppty and Hunted are back on high alert.

As the Princess drags them off again, Oppty starts talking again. “Here’s the plan. I’m going to talk our way out of this as much as possible. If I can’t, Hunted steps in and keeps us from dying.”
Hunted nodded while Happy and Hero looked on with confusion. “You’d willingly hand over that kind of power to one of us?

“Hunted values survival all else. I respect that.” Happy didn’t buy that. Not fully at least. The last time with Smitten and Skeptic kept playing through their head.

Their attention went back to the Princess who set up what looked like hopscotch. “You know how to play right?” They nodded. The first couple of rounds went fine, but the Long Quiet kept winning, much to the little girl’s annoyance. That’s when things started getting fucky.

It started with the tile placements. No matter how hard they threw or where the stone landed, every time they looked down they found themself at the first tile. And Opportunist was getting pissed. Until he snapped.

“That’s it!” Opportunist ripped control away from Quiet, flying them over to the final tile. The delight at ‘winning’ was short lived.

“You cheated.” It was said quietly. The Princess gripped the arm of the plushie and twisted it. Pain erupted through the Long Quiet’s body as their arm bone snapped. Happy could just barely hear Hunted’s whines and Oppty’s curses over the roaring in their ears.

“Naughty birdie,” the Princess taunted. “Don’t do that again.” She perked up again. “Now let’s go eat.” She grabbed their injured arm and pulled. Tears sprung to Quiet’s eyes at the continued agony.

The voices started panicking. They needed to keep her away from that table. Happy got an idea as they spun the tiny Princess around. Their arm throbbed. “Can any of you dance?”

“Dance?”

“Yeah. We need to distract her. If we keep her busy, maybe she’ll forget about the poison.”

“I can try,” Hunted offered. He looked at Oppty. “Talk your way out of it.”

“I’m sorry, dearest, but I’m not hungry right now. What’s say we work up an appetite?”

The Princess smiles wide as she agrees. Watching Hunted and Oppty work together was actually fascinating. The worked in tandem. The two back up the other’s strengths. And when one faltered the other covered his weakness.

It was also the way they just interacted with each other. They listened to each other. They sought out the other’s opinion and trusted that they knew what they were talking about. That was a tall order for the survival duo.

“It’s like…you’re the other half of my soul.”

Happy’s eyes widen. They knew what they had to do. But first they have to get out this.

“You spin one more time, before dipping the child. She giggles and claps her hands in delight,” the Narrator says. There’s an odd tone to his voice. Like he’s mentally somewhere else.

“That was so much fun!” the Princess cheers. “What do you want to do now?” Her eyes were full of wonder.

“Any ideas gents?” Oppty asked. Happy looked around the room as did the others. They took notice of an old dresser in the corner of the room.

“Well…” they hear their voice coming from Quiet’s mouth. So weird. “I’m going to be honest with you, sweetie. I’m not just a birdie.” Lowering their voice they said, “I’m actually a secret knight.” The other voices all looked at Happy with confusion, but the Princess gasped in delight. “Really?” she shouted.

“Oh, yes. And I’m on a secret knight mission. You see, there’s an evil wizard, and he wants to keep us locked away forever.”

“Is he talking about you?” Hero asked the Narrator.

“Oh, no! How do we stop him.”

“Well, first I think I need to dress the part.” At those words, the Princess rushed off to the dresser. When she couldn’t get the door open with her hands full, she rushed back off to Quiet, shoving the stuffie and blade into his hands.

Quiet and all the voices freeze. “Don’t.” That was Hunted. His eyes are looking at Oppty. “It’s a trick.”

“But…it might be the only chance we get,” Oppty argued back. It sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

“She’s still a kid,” Hero reminded as if they forgot.

“Yes, a kid who broke your arm,” the Narrator butted in. “An arm that is still broken and in pain.”

The Princess spun back around. “Here!” she called as she held up a fancy hat with a feather coming out of it. As the other voices argued, Happy noticed the tremble in the Princess’s hand. Oh.

“Hey,” Happy spoke again. “Are you ok?”

The Princess fidgeted as Happy made the body bend down to eye level. “I…I’m sorry. For stabbing you last time.” So she did remember. “And for your arm.” She looked down at the blade in their hand. “Are you going to hurt me?”

Happy’s heart broke. “No, sweetie. We just want to leave.” They look over at the steps. “Do you want to leave too?”

She nodded as the Narrator screeched, “No, you can’t! She’s going to-!”

“Let it go, mate,” Happy interrupted. “We decided at the beginning we weren’t going to hurt her. You lost.” Happy put the hat on the Long Quiet’s head before cradling the tiny Princess in their one good arm. Bit of a difficult task.

“Oh! Does your arm still hurt?” she asked. She made a grabbing motion towards the plushie. When Quiet handed it over, the Princess gave the arm a kiss. “There! Kisses make everything better.”

The Long Quiet wiggled his fingers on his now healed on. What do you know.

The walk back up the stairs was filled with chatter from the little Princess. Her eyes lite up when they made it outside. “So pretty!” She shivered.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, just a little cold.”

Happy’s heart ached as the Shifting Mound took her away.

***

“I KNOW HOW TO SAVE SMITTEN!”

Chapter Text

“We need to talk.” Lillia wasn’t able to look at the other Princesses, but the others had their full attention. They were alone, as Hunted had just disappeared to wherever Happy and Oppty were.

“What about?” they asked the Witch.

“What’s your game? Why are we still stuck here? You have the little freak wrapped around your finger, and yet you don’t talk advantage of it.”

Another voice growls back, “Moron. If we push too far, then we’ll be stuck here forever. We’re the lock, they’re the key.”

Lillia sighed. They loved all the vessels that Happy kept accidentally bringing them. It felt like the pieces they didn’t even know they were missing were being glued back together. But they did not always understand each other.

“You two seem to misunderstand,” a tired voice responds back. Thank goodness for Thorn, Den, and Wild. It was interesting to see those three interact with the voices. Thorn was nervous but more than willing to try to give them a chance. Wild was a little hard to pin down, but they also seemed to be friendly, if not a little creepy, with the voices. And Den was deeply affectionate with them. A little rough sometimes, but it was learning to be gentle.

“Oh, enlighten us,” the Witch said sarcastically.

“You two are under the impression that there is a game or a trick,” Thorn informed. “There isn’t.”

“There has to be. We’re the same person.”

“Not. Fully,” the Den growls back. Speaking was hard for the poor thing. Lillia didn’t know what happened with Happy, Quiet, and the other voices that made Den the way it was, but the other vessels were patient when it came to it.

“Thorn’s right, sisters. I have no secret intentions. I am here because Happy’s mission is not done.”

Two voices speak at once. “And what is their mission?” the Wilds ask.

“They simply want to help the others. Plus, if we leave early, the other vessels will be left behind. Do any of you want that?”

None of them got the chance to respond back as they were interrupted.

“I KNOW HOW TO SAVE SMITTEN!”

Poor Hunted shrieked at Happy’s scream. “Sorry, little buddy. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“What do you mean ‘You know how to save Smitten’?”

“Name?”

“Lillia.”

“Ooh. Pretty.”

“Thanks. It was Thorn’s idea.” They can feel Thorn smile.

“Right, so Smitten. I know how to get him back during the Happily Ever After.” Oppty’s eyes widened at that. “That’s what this is about? You understand that he went-.”

“I know,” Happy cut him off. “But I can’t leave him. Won’t leave him.”

“Am I ever going to be told what the Happily Ever After is?” Hunted asked.

“It’s not our place to-.”

“But Oppty gets-.”

“He was there. Just know it’s his Instinct moment.” Hunted stopped talking while Oppty’s brow rose. “So, I figured it out while watching you two distract the Child-.”

“The WHAT?!”

“-and I realized something. You’re connected.”

There’s a pause here. Oppty and Hunted share a look. “You just figured this out, huh?” Oppty responded.

“Yes. No, I mean-.” They’re smirking. “You two fucking suck.”

“You love us,” Hunted pipes up.

Happy sighs. “Yeah. I do.” This gets them two big grins. “Ok. Just listen. Pretend we all have bodies-.”

“We don’t though.”

“I. Know? That’s why I said pretend, Hunted.”

“Yeah, I’m not good at that.”

There’s another pause. “Ok. Just Listen. Don’t interrupt. Ok?” They nod. “Ok. We all have bodies. You are able to save one of us. It can’t be Hero. Who do you choose?” Silence. “You can speak now.”

“Hunted.” “Oppty.” The two voices became embarrassed at the quick simultaneous admission. Adorable. “Ok. Same situation, but now you can save Hero. Does that change anything?”

“No.” There was no hesitation again. It was simultaneous again.

“Why?”

“Why what?” Oppty asked.

“Why each other? Why not someone else? Hero’s the leader. Everyone likes him and he has more sway than the rest of us. Or Paranoid or Skeptic since they’re better planners. Or Stubborn since he’s big and strong. Why each other?”

Happy didn’t immediately get an answer. Hell, they weren’t even sure if Oppty would give an answer.

“He’s…,” Hunted started. “He’s my other half. I feel safest with him.” Opportunist looked shocked. As if that idea was absurd. “Any shortcomings I have he makes up for. And I’d do the same for him.”

Oppty was debating what he should say, if he should say anything. His mouth opened and closed several times. “You don’t have to say anything back,” Hunted reassured.

A quiet, “Thank you.”

“Is that what you wanted to hear?” Hunted asked as he turned back to Happy.

“Yes. Smitten said something to the same effect during the Siren. That Skeptic was the other half of him.”

“So, what does that mean?” Lillia asked.

“I have to get Skeptic to the Happily Ever After.” Silence again.

“How…do you plan on doing that, Happy dear?”

“I don’t know.”

“How do you know it will work?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you so certain that’s the answer?”

“Because Oppty and Hunted feel the same way about each other. Because that’s how I feel about Cheated. And I bet if you ask any of the others, they’d say the same thing about their connected voice. It has to be Skeptic. No one else can do it.” Looking at the others, Happy quietly says, “It has to work.”

***

“Hunted?”

The two voices are curled up together on the basement floor in a little nest Hunted made. The Princess and Happy are upstairs doing…something?

“Yes, Oppty?”

“You know I feel the same about you. Right?”

“Of course I do.”

“Do you want me to say it?”

“No, Oppty. I am not a voice that needs to hear what they already know.”

The two voices fall into silence.

“I bit Stubborn and Happy.”

“Is that what the Instinct incident was?”

“Sort of.”

“Was it bad?”

“Bad for me. I’m not…I sometimes feel like an animal. I hate that the others saw that side of me.”

Oppty hums. “Not having my mask terrifies me. I know it helps me be more likeable but being that vulnerable is scary.”

Silence again.

“How about this. You can wear your mask around me, and I can be more of an animal around you.”

“Is that a good idea? How would you even know what I’m thinking or if you can trust me like that?”

“I don’t know. I just do. Does me potentially going feral bother you?”

“No.”

“Then it’s a deal,” Hunted says with a little growl as his claws and fangs grow a little sharper. A little longer.

“Then it’s a deal,” Oppty repeats as his mask fits back on his face while wrapping his large wings tighter around them.

The two voices stay wrapped around each other.

***

Oki is kind of a badass. They’re at the Fury and she’s been ripping them apart cell by cell. Happy can’t take it anymore. The pain is excruciating. Right now, they’re trying desperately to hold onto Hero, whose nearly sobbing. Stubborn is being, well, stubborn. He refuses to believe they can’t win this.

Oki meanwhile is the only one who is, well, not unaffected. But he’s handling this better than anyone else. “It’s ok to let go.”

Hero takes in a breath. “Then I’m letting go.” And then he’s gone. Stubborn is still hanging on. Happy wants to let go too, but it doesn’t feel right to leave Stubborn and Oki.

“You are stretched into a line, twelve feet long,” Happy can just barely make out the Narrator. “Then twenty-four. Then forty-eight. The line gets thinner as you get longer. A mile. Two. Four. Eight.”

“Are you still there?” calls the distorted voice of the Princess. “Are you still you?”

“…Yes.”

“Sixteen. Thirty-two.”

“…”

“Sixty-four.”

Then, finally. “No.”

Happy tries to hang on. They really did. But something rubs against their cells. Oki.

“It’s ok, Contrarian. You don’t need to stay.”

“But…” they stutter out. “You’ll be alone.”

“I’ll be alright. There’s nothing she can do to break me.”

And with that, Happy let’s go.

***

They get the Happily Ever After but it’s with Oppty. It goes about as well as the last time.

***

“What will happen when were all here?” Witch asks when they’re alone again.

“I don’t know.”

“Will we become like Her?” the Beast growls.

“We’re all too different to be Her.”

“What happens if he decides to kill us?” the two voices of the Wilds ask.

“Or leaves with her?” comes Thorn’s quiet reply.

“If he decides to kill us, so be it.”

“And the other thing?”

“…I won’t let that happen.”

***

It takes a while, but finally it happens.

[What if we just stay here?]

The Deconstructed Damsel returns to normal. She doesn’t want to, but she just wants to make us happy.

As Smitten opens up their chest again, Happy feels someone reach out.

They grab their hand and pull.

***

It goes about the same. Until they get upstairs.

They expect to be shoved into the chair. If Paranoid or Oppty were there they would be. But as soon as Smitten’s shadow notices Skeptic, he shoots across the room to the skeptical voice.

“Smitten?” Skeptic has always sounded so confident. So sure. Now he sounds meek. And lost. “Is that you?”

Happy still can’t hear what Smitten is saying, but Skeptic apparently can because he responds with, “I’m not sure. I just…felt like I needed to be here. Why…Why are you doing this? You have to know this isn’t right?”

“…”

“But it’s hurting her. And us. And you.”

The flames got bigger.

“That isn’t what I’m saying! I just think-.” Whatever Skeptic was going to say is cut off as Smitten grabbed the other voice and zipped back over to the Princess. And then they were slammed into the chair.

The mockery of life continued except…

Smitten was slipping. A missed beat here. An activity late there. Skeptic kept talking to him throughout the whole ordeal. Trying to convince him to let us all go.

“But she doesn’t even lov-.” The flames explode from their place on the torches. Smitten’s shadow grows to enormous size. Skeptic looks stricken from whatever was said. He falls quiet for the rest of the event.

The dance continues. But it’s fully off now. Smitten’s attention is fully on the other voice as he tries anything to get Skeptic to respond to him. He doesn’t seem to realize that they’re sitting in an almost dark room now. There’s only one torch dimly lit left. They’ve failed again. Smitten’s going to slip away again.

“There’s just one left,” the Princess points out.

There out of time.

“What’s going to happen when it goes out?”

Skeptic perks up at this. It’s the first reaction he’s had in a while. His eyes lock with Happy. He knows.

As Quiet asks what the Princess wants, Smitten begins to fade and grow smaller. He reaches out, but not towards the Princess. He clutches Skeptic tightly.

“I’m not happy here. I don’t think I ever was.”

“Don’t leave,” Skeptic orders. His voice is full of pain. “Please don’t leave. You’re the only thing that makes sense. I don’t want to be alone.”

Then it happened. The final torch went out. Happy’s heart stops as the shadows disappear.

Loud sobs fill the room as Smitten falls into Skeptic’s arms.

He’s still here. We did it. We didn’t fail.

“I’m sorry,” he continues to sob. “I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.”

The two voices stay in the shadowy room as Quiet and the Princess leave to go dance amongst the stars. Happy follows them. It would be wrong to intrude on the two voices.

***

“Oh, there’s two of you now.”

“Holy shit, you did it!”

Thud. “Ow! Fuck!”

Smitten and Skeptic had both come back with Happy much to Lillia’s delight and Oppty’s shock. That isn’t the hot issue right now though.

The body on the immediate right of Lillia has changed. A chain is wrapped around her neck. Mascara is running down her face. Her entire body turned skeletal. The biggest issue though is her head falling from her shoulders.

“Holy sh-Are you ok?”

“Yeah. Wasn’t expecting it just fall off like that.”

“What did you guys do?!” the back heads shout. Happy has no idea who’s asking.

“Nothing!” Oppty immediately shouts back. “Her head was fine the last time I saw her!”

“Oh, this didn’t happen because of Damsel or Happily,” the head explains.

Happy looks at Skeptic. “This one’s yours?” He nods. “You want to explain what the hell happened?”

“We gave her the blade and she cut her head off.”

Happy’s eyebrows rose at that before looking back at the new body. “Well, welcome to our family. We’re a fucking mess.”

The head cackled at that. “Oh, we know. So are we.”

Skeptic stood up dragging Smitten along behind him. The peacock hasn’t said a word yet. That…can’t be good. Happy wants to say something but doesn’t want to push the other voice. For now, all of them need a nap.

Chapter Text

Skeptic asks a lot of questions. About the cabin, the Princesses, how the other voices got there, the very nature of the Construct, and so on. Happy already knew that Skeptic could sometimes be a bit much, but it genuinely seemed like he was unaware of the many toes he kept accidentally stepping on.

“Why should I apologize?” Skeptic and Hunted had been talking about their differing experiences when the subject of the Den had come up. Skeptic hadn’t understood why the other voice didn’t want to talk about the Instinct incident, or more accurately, why it bothered Hunted. Oppty had taken offense to that and had intervened on the other voice’s behalf.

Hunted himself was currently panicking. Happy couldn’t imagine what this was doing to the little guy. Hunted had always been a flock oriented voice, so watching two of his flockmates argue over him must be deeply distressing.

Smitten meanwhile was watching everything happening quietly. Smitten’s behavior was worrying. The voice refused to speak unless it was a whisper and only to Skeptic. Happy had the awful feeling that the self-imposed quiet was due to the same reason Happy did what they did. Why Hunted hid his more animalistic tendencies. Why Oppty wore a mask.

“Yeah, it is. You’re the worst one of us. You know that, right?”

They had also taken notice how Smitten didn’t interact with the Princesses. Again, odd given who Smitten was. Happy wished there was a way to convince him that everything would be ok. That he wasn’t really that different from the rest of them.

“Why should you-?!” Oppty’s voice dragged Happy out of their musings. “Because Hunted doesn’t want to talk about it, and you keep bothering him about it!”

Skeptic rolled his eyes. “And I didn’t mean any offense by it. Hunted knows this. I’ll stop bringing it up now that I’ve been made aware. There’s no reason to apologize.”

“Oppty, really it’s ok. I don’t need an-.”

“He’s acting like a dick though-.”

“And I don’t mind. He stopped. That’s enough for me.”

“Can’t you please just say you’re sorry?” Happy begged. They couldn’t see why Skeptic was being so stubborn on this. It would take him two seconds and get Opportunist off his case. They also couldn’t understand why Opportunist was being so insistent on this either. Oppty wouldn’t gain anything from demanding an apology. If anything, this made him look less favorable in Skeptic’s opinion.

“Hunted literally just said he was fine. Why should I be expected to apologize when everything is settled?”

“Because it isn’t settled!” Happy threw up their hands as they shouted.

“May I intervene?” Everyone turned towards Their Friend except for Smitten. The Cage didn’t like the name Lillia so they were back to the name drawing board. The headless Princess’s face had shifted to a calm neutral expression. It looked like Prisoner was the one who interrupted. “There seems to be a disconnection between you all. Perhaps it would be wise to take a break. When you are with clearer heads, then your conversation may proceed.”

Oppty and Skeptic looked like they wanted to continue arguing but were thankfully pulled away by Hunted and Smitten respectively. Happy sighed in relief. “Thanks,” they said to the Prisoner. They saw out of the corner of their eye, Skeptic’s face scrunch up. “I don’t know how we’re going to manage when everyone else gets here.”

“So you are attempting to bring them all here?”

Happy nodded. “I have to. We all deserve a break.” Little noises of approval came from all the Princesses. Looking at the voices that were already here, they noticed Smitten and Hunted quietly whispering to their counterparts. Good. Maybe they’d be able to smooth out the issue.

***

Happy had been seeing a lot of Cold lately.

First there was the Fury. Happy still didn’t like leaving Oki or Cold with this version of the Princess. They understood that these two were the only ones that could but enduring that kind of torture on your own couldn’t be good for them.

So, they started staying longer. Only a couple of seconds each time before Cold or Oki would push them away. Still they were proud of those seconds added.

Then there was the Spectre turned Wraith. Happy nearly shat themselves when she ripped their heart out, memories of the Happily Ever After replaying in their head. And then he popped up in the Grey. Happy complained nonstop when they returned to the others soaking wet, officially joining Skeptic on Team Water Sucks.

Happy liked Cold. The other voice always came up with such fun ideas. And the teasing? It was nice to be able to mess with someone who wasn’t going to get offended. Sure, Cold had a weird way of showing he cared, but so did everyone else in their flock.

They were all back at the Moment of Clarity when it happened. Happy wasn’t sure if there was a way to fuck with the Construct to ‘win’ this one. They were so tired of this Princess.

Happy felt a weight on their shoulder. They turned their head to find Cold resting against them.

“Hey buddy. What’s up?”

“I’m bored.”

“I know.”

“This is taking too long.”

“I know.”

“I want to take a nap.”

“A nap would be nice.”

Cold hummed as he continued to lean on Happy. He was staring intensely at the taller voice before choosing to speak again. “Thanks,” he said as he nudged Happy’s mask.

“For what?”

“I know how I am. I know how the others perceive me. I make them uncomfortable. I can be difficult. Despite it all, you’re still kind to me. You don’t treat me like a freak. I appreciate that.”

A small smile graced Happy’s face, before they nudged the other voice back.

***

When Happy returned to Their Friend and the other Princesses, they weren’t expecting anything new. They were wrong.

Cold was here now. Why was Cold here? Cold didn’t have a breakdown. Cold was the same as he always was. The others seemed equally as confused. Was that…not how this worked?

In typical Cold fashion, the new voice completely ignores all the confused looks being thrown his way and makes his way over to the Princesses. The second he makes it to them, he just drops, face first into Their Friend’s dress.

“Uh Cold?” Hunted questioned. “What are you doing?”

“I’m napping.”

“Face down?” Skeptic further questioned.

“I’m too tired to care.”

Movement caught Happy’s eye. Smitten was fidgeting and glaring daggers at Cold. Right, Happy thinks. Smitten doesn’t like Cold. Doesn’t like Cold was an understatement. Cold and Smitten were about as different as Skeptic and Smitten, but where Smitten seemingly held Skeptic in high regard, the same could not be said for the frosty voice. The other often went out of his way to ruffle the peacock’s literal and metaphorical feathers.

Meanwhile, the more passionate of the two despised everything about the other, especially when it comes to their views on the Princess and expressing one’s feelings. Happy would be lying if they said they weren’t nervous about these two.

Hunted made his way to the face down voice and started nudging him. Cold didn’t bother to resist, but he did raise a brow as Hunted continued to work. “We don’t know if we can die here,” Hunted explained when he noticed the staring. “I’m not having you potentially die forever by something so stupid as accidentally smothering yourself.”

A look of interest appeared on Cold’s face. Happy was about to shut the potential awful idea down but was interrupted by a new voice. “Aw, you trying to ditch us already, Killer?” Looking up, the body between the main head and the Wild Princesses had transformed. Her form kept flickering between the skeletal form of the Spectre and the corporeal one of the Princess and the Dragon. Two scars adorned her chest.

As Cold and his Princesses bantered with each other, Happy noticed the look of confusion on Their Friend’s face. “What’s wrong?”

They looked down at their friend before their eyes shifted towards the new Princesses. “Where are the rest of you?”

“What do mean?” Dragon asked as the body takes solid form.

“There are only two of you. Where are the others?”

“There are no others,” the body turns ghostly again as the Spectre speaks. “It’s just the two of us.”

Happy shared a look with the other voices. “What does it mean that only two of them are here?” Skeptic asked.

Opportunist tapped his chin in thought. “When I first got here, we were told that only the vessels we meet get brought here. So, maybe that’s why it’s only these two.”

“But that still can’t be right,” Happy interjected. “Everybody gets three that are specifically theirs.” They looked over at Their Friend and the remaining voices. “The Wraith should be here too. Why isn’t she?”

“How many vessels came when I got here?” Hunted asked, looking up at the Princesses.

“Only Den and I came with you,” Beast answered.

“We arrived,” the dual Wilds spoke, “with the other one.”

“And you guys all came together?” Happy asked Skeptic and Smitten’s vessels to double check. The skeletal body moved the head up and down. Is that how she nodded?

“Is it reasonable to guess,” Skeptic started speaking, “that the – connected? – vessel only comes along when you have both halves?” It seemed like it. But that raised the question-

“Who’s your other half, Cold?”

“Paranoid.”

The other voices all froze at that. If Paranoid and Cold were connected to each other than that meant…

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited by this Paranoid joining us?” Their Friend asked, making Happy flush despite the rising panic.

“Paranoid isn’t the issue. It’s the vessels that come with him.” At the confused look, Happy further elaborated. “Paranoid’s vessels are the Nightmare and Moment of Clarity. Both of them hate us.”

“The Wraith too,” Cold added as Their Friend said, “Witch and Beast hate you, but you aren’t scared of them.”

“This is different. Beast and Witch may not like us, and we may be wary of them, but neither kept us in an endless torture loop for honestly I’m not even sure how long.”

“Or snapped our leg in half,” Cold added again. The other voices winced. They were all used to being on the bad end of a particularly severe injury. Actually, now that Happy thought about…

“You were limping before,” Hunted commented. He must have realized it too.

Cold opened his eyes. “I’m trying to sleep you know.”

“Sleeping people don’t talk.”

Cold sighed. “Are we really going to have this conversation?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.” Without warning, Cold grabbed Hunted and pulled the smaller voice into his chest. Hunted panicked for a second before settling into the other’s hold. At the look of confusion from the others, Cold explained, “He’s warm. I’m not.”

Oppty walks over to the cuddling voices. The plumper voice laid down next to the other two, placing his wing over them. “We may as well make ourselves comfortable,” Oppty said at Happy’s look. “I get the feeling this isn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.”

Happy nodded as he grabbed Skeptic’s arm, pulling the shorter voice towards the growing pile. Smitten made his way over too, pulling Skeptic on top of him as he and Happy settled in on Cold’s right.

“So, what’s wrong with your leg?” Skeptic asked, blunt as ever.

“Skeptic-,”

“Cold isn’t going to get offended. He doesn’t care. And don’t you dare start the apology argument again.” He pointed at Opportunist as he said the last part.

“Please, don’t start the apology argument again,” Happy and Hunted begged as the Princesses chuckled above them.

“I told you what happened. She snapped my leg. I have a scar on my chest too from where the Decider stabbed himself the first time.”

“And you’re cold. Have you always had this low body temperature?” Hunted asked. The taller voice nodded. “I wonder why that is.”

Happy did too. Only Cold had a broken leg and seemingly healed leg. But looking at the others it occurred to them that they all had different scars too. Smitten’s arms were badly burned, and his dress ends and hair had this shadowy effect to them.

Skeptic had a scar going across his throat and while Happy had never seen his wrists, the other voice was constantly rubbing at them. Happy would put money on it that there was a hidden injury there.

Hunted’s arms were also burned but they looked different from Smitten’s. They were a different coloration and healed differently. Happy had also noticed how the smaller voice would sometimes flinch when his back or shoulder was touched. He was covered in bite and claw marks. Happy couldn’t place why those scars made them feel sick.

Oppty had these strange markings covering his body, at the least the parts Happy could see. The marks looked like they had been branded into the other’s skin. He would also flinch like Hunted did in the exact same spots.

And then there was Happy. Happy had no injuries. None that they could see anyway. They brought that up to the others.

“Clearly we got our scars from our Princesses. Whatever she did to us, left a mark. What happened with you and yours?” Skeptic reasoned.

Happy didn’t answer. Hunted was the only one who knew what Happy did. How badly they hurt Their Friend. They’d be lying if they said they weren’t ashamed of what happened, even if Their Friend forgave them for it. What would the others think? If they told them the truth, would it just confirm what everyone already knew about them.

Something nudged Happy’s arm. Looking over revealed it was Hunted, who bumped his head against the offending limb. “You’re thinking too hard. You’ve seen all of us at our absolute worst and still want us around. Still think we’re worth it. It’s ok to share your burdens with us.”

Happy scratched under the other voice’s chin. A smile came to them at the little purr Hunted gave. With the encouragement from the smaller voice, Happy opened up. They explained the events leading up to the Stranger. The actions they and the Long Quiet took during the route. The consequences of those actions. Talking about it dragged up all the ugly feelings that Happy tried to keep locked away, but it also felt nice. They’d all done shitty things to the Princess and themselves. As much as the whole situation sucked, it was at least nice to have something in common with the rest of their flock.

“I don’t have any injuries because she never actually did anything to me.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true.” All the voices looked up at Their Friend. “It’s true you have no injuries to speak of. But I don’t think you came out of this unscathed.”

Their Friend ran their finger over their ear tufts. “Smitten.” The peacock’s head popped up at his name as the Princess’s finger went down to Happy’s mask face. “Opportunist.” To their arms. “Cold.” Their tail. “Skeptic.” And finally resting on their legs. “And Hunted. You’re meshed together too, though far less painful than mine was. And I bet if we compared you to the missing voices, you’d have something from them too.”

Happy looked down at the rest of their body as well as the others. Their Friend was right. Each piece the other had pointed to was an exact copy of what the other voices had. And that wasn’t all. They had Paranoid and Oki’s wings. The same red and black patterning as Cheated. The whole separated thing Stubborn had going on. The only voice Happy hadn’t copied in some way was Hero. Warmth filled Happy’s heart at the realization.

“How…?” The other voices startled at Smitten’s voice. They hadn’t heard him in such a long time. Not even during the Moment of Clarity had he spoken, as if he remembered what was going on here. “How are you able to forgive him? How are you able to forgive any of us after all we’ve done?”

“Not all of us do,” they admitted. “But for me personally, I’ve seen all that Happy’s tried to do to make amends. Seen the regret they feel. For me that’s enough.”

No one said anything for a bit as they let everything sit in. Happy kind of wished someone would say something, just so they knew what they were thinking.

“They?” Oppty finally piped up. Happy blinked at that. That wasn’t what they thought they’d be talking about. Had they really never brought that up. Judging by the others’ looks, they guessed not.

“It’s what I go by. This one too.” They nudged their head up at Their Friend.

“Why?” Skeptic asked.

“It’s what feels right,” Happy said with a shrug. “Plus, I like to imagine it would give the Narrator a heart attack.”

The other voices rolled their eyes and shook their heads at that addition.

“Are the rest of expected to go by ‘they’ too?” Hunted questioned.

Happy shrugged again. “If you want to. But that isn’t up to anyone but you guys.” As the others mulled the new information over about their fellow voice, Happy looked up at their friend, asking, “Do all your vessels go by ‘they’ too?”

“We don’t mind. Mostly. She is also acceptable for most of the others.”

“Most of? Is there someone who prefers something else?”

“That is not my place to tell. When they are ready, they’ll let you know.”

Turning to the others they asked, “Is there anything else anyone wants to add?”

“About what?” Skeptic asked.

“About the other stuff I brought up.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Cold said with a shrug. “You were a piece of shit. You’re trying to be better. So are the rest of us. Get over yourself, you’re not that special.”

Happy cackled hard and loud. Of course, Cold would say that. He doesn’t care. None of them care. Something in Happy’s heart settles.

When they finally calmed down, they closed their eyes. Cold was right, a nap would be nice. They didn’t really get a chance to, as Smitten asked, “What did you mean when you said you thought Happy would be excited to see Paranoid?”

Oh, fuck me. Happy’s body shot up as they turned to glare at Their Friend, startling the other voices. “Don’t you dare,” they growled at them, who was grinning at the question.

“It’s cute-.”

“That isn’t the most pressing thing-.”

“You should tell him the next time-.”

“He won’t remember!”

“Oh, maybe you should wait until you’re with him and your-?”

“He isn’t mine either!”

The rest of the voices watched as the two continued to go back and forth. The argument went on until Cold got bored and interrupted. “So is it safe to assume this one has taken a liking to Paranoid?”

“And your Hero.”

Happy screeched at the top of their lungs. They continued like that until the Long Quiet called for them. Once they were gone, Smitten turned to the Princess and all but demanded, “Tell us everything you know.”

Chapter Text

The other voices confused Adeline. They understood Happy, as if the two were made with the other in mind. Which given the nature of the Construct was probably literally true. But the others…well…

None of them were bad per say. Not like some of the other vessels thought. Adeline didn’t believe any of them were bad or good. They just were. But understanding them was a difficult and strange experience.

Though watching them interacting gave off the impression they themselves didn’t always understand each other either. Case in point, the other voices were testing Cold. They weren’t really paying attention when the conversation started. Adeline had been more concerned with checking in her with the new vessels. But when they looked back over, Skeptic was digging his claws into the emotionless voice. And Cold was just allowing it. Oppty had to hold Hunted back, as the smaller voice was freaking out. The former as well as Smitten seemed curious.

“What are doing?!” Adeline couldn’t keep the panic out of their voice. Why wasn’t Cold reacting? Why was Hunted the only one concerned? They separated the two voices, lifting Cold out of the other’s reach. Oppty released Hunted, who took to scaling the Princess before they assisted him in reaching the Cold.

“We were discussing our injuries again. Cold didn’t think it mattered how we got them since touch doesn’t matter. ‘A touch is a touch.’”

“Stupid fucking idea,” Hunted muttered under her (? No.) breath as hunt (Pfft.) looked over Cold’s wrist. “You can’t expect us to believe that this doesn’t hurt. Or that this is preferable or the same to a kinder touch.”

“I wouldn’t know. What do I have to compare it to?” Oppty flew up to sit next to Hunted. The latter continued to look at the offending limb, ignoring the former.

“You’ve been touched before,” the slimier voice pointed out as he tried unsubtly to get his other half to look at him.

“No. The Decider has touched things before. I don’t feel what he feels. I’m just along for the ride,” he said with a shrug. The wound was already started to heal.

Oppty and Hunted shared a look with each other. The two voices seemingly had a conversation with each other because Opportunist suddenly leaned forward to scratch the taller voices neck.

Spectre placed Skeptic and Smitten next to the others. Evidently watching their fellow voice for any sign of reaction had taken hold of everyone’s interest.

If you asked any of the Princesses, or Skeptic and Smitten, they’d say change nothing. All’s Cold did was slowly blink for a second. Oppty and Hunted would disagree. A large grin crossed the plumper voice’s face. “Touch doesn’t matter, huh?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The survival duo shared another look. Hunted pressed his (Eh.) claws into Cold, though far gentler than Skeptic. Again, Adeline didn’t notice anything, but the other voices did.

“You twitched!” Skeptic shouted in absolute delight. As if proving Cold wrong was his favorite pastime.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did,” Skeptic and Smitten agreed with varying degrees of excitement. Oppty shook his head as he said, “You’re a bad liar, Cold.”

“A very bad liar,” Hunted agree finally letting go of the other’s hand. Cold rotated his wrist as he asked, “And you two can tell when a person’s lying?”

Both voices nodded.

“How?”

“Liar’s intuition.”

“I can smell it.”

“Ok, now you two are fucking with us,” Skeptic commented. “You two are just noticing small details that the rest of us didn’t see. Liar’s intuition isn’t a thing, and you definitely can’t smell lies.”

Smitten nodded in agreement while Opportunist leaned against his partner. “No. Hunted and I agree. You’re wrong.” Hunted was trying hard not to grin, but despite their (Closer. But still wrong.) earlier annoyance at it’s (? !) partner, it couldn’t resist the small smirk.

“Is it like a gut feeling?” the peacock asked.

“I’m not lying,” Cold said with a touch of annoyance. With an eyeroll, he said, “Why would I lie about that?”

Smitten, who was only curious a second ago, let out a sinister giggle. “Aw, does the poor baby not want to admit they have emotions?”

“I don’t have emotions.”

“But you’re clearly annoyed now,” Skeptic pointed out. “That’s an emotion. You’re feeling an emotion.”

Smitten moved to scratch Cold again, though he didn’t get a chance, as the other quickly grabbed the peacock’s hand. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

“For fuck’s sake!” Witch called out. “Do you idiots agree on anything! You guys argue over every inane detail!”

This gave everyone pause. Because, well…not really. Even the things they did agree on usually had a different reasoning behind it.

“Well, what about you?” Skeptic asked. “You all don’t seem to agree on everything either.”

“Who doesn’t agree with who?” Happy asked as they returned. They looked dead on their feet.

“Happy, you ok, dear?” Adeline asked as they put the other voices down.

Happy didn’t respond. They pulled a Cold and flopped onto their dress, rolling over before Hunted had gotten to them. “When we get out of here,” they said, “we have got to find Stubborn a hobby.”

“Why?”

“Because we just had to fight multiple times to the death with a giant demon woman. And that’s not me being hyperbolic. She was an actual demon woman and Stubborn kept making the body ‘get up’.” Finally looking at everyone, they ask, “What were you all talking about before I showed up?”

Adeline quickly explained the events leading up to Happy’s return. As they repeated their question, Happy let out a short, loud laugh. “Yeah, I don’t think there’s a whole lot we all unanimously agree on. Closest is probably our feelings on Quiet, Hero, and the Narrator, and even that’s iffy.” That and the whole worst voice competition they all have going on, but Happy had no intention of voicing that.

All of the Princesses hum. “Well to answer your question,” Prisoner started to explain, “we view ourselves as one being. While we too do not agree on everything unanimously, we are willing to put aside our differences for the greater whole.”

Good for them, they supposed. Happy couldn’t imagine life without all the arguing. They weren’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.

Happy closed their eyes. They drifted off to the sound of the others bickering. A little grin formed on their face.

***

Happy wasn’t in the best mood when they returned from the Tower. They thankfully hadn’t been stabbed this time, but the jester still had negative feelings towards the vessel. They weren’t sure they’d ever get over that.

So, when they returned to the others, they hadn’t immediately noticed the mood Skeptic was in. They did take notice of the others’ grins and the nervous look on Adeline’s face. “What’s going on?”

Skeptic grumbled. Smitten took over for the other. “What’s your favorite color?”

Happy blinked then thought. “Red.”

Skeptic continued to grumble much to the others’ delight. “Skeptic wanted to prove that the Princess did in fact get into arguments with each other-.”

Happy interrupted with a groan. Of course, Skeptic couldn’t let it go. Of course, he had to prove, what? That the Princesses were just as argumentative as them? “So, I take it he was proven wrong?”

“Sort of,” Smitten answered. He walked over to the taller voice. “He kept asking questions. And on minor things he was right, they don’t in fact agree on things like favorite colors or what they think their favorite foods are, though their bickering didn’t get as explosive as ours do. But the questioning got on Prisoner’s nerves, so she asked if there was anything we’d agree on.”

“Thus, the favorite color thing.” Smitten nodded. “And I take it we all said red?” Another nod. Happy turned to Skeptic. “And this is bothering you because…?”

“Because we can’t come to a unanimous decision on anything that matters! But a minor detail that doesn’t help us leave or figure out what’s going on? Yes, thumb up, everyone’s onboard.” Skeptic was now pacing. “And why is it that this is what we all agree on? What about the color red is striking to us? Does it actually mean anything?”

Smitten shook his head, a fond look on his face as he turned to face the other. “Skeptic, you’re reading too much into this. It’s just a color.”

“It’s the only color we’ve ever seen,” Cold points out.

“But we know about other colors! At least one of us should like something else!”

Happy’s only half listening at this point. They’re not sure about the others, but Happy knows why they like red. Because it’s the color of Hero’s scarf. Because it’s part of Cheated’s patterns. In the right light, it’s the color of Smitten’s dress and hair. The Wild Princesses’ dress is deep beautiful burgundy. Red is the color of all the things they love.

“Happy’s got that look again,” Hunted teases.

“What look?”

“The look you get when you think of,” Oppty starts and the other help him finish, “your Heroes.”

Happy drags their hands down their face as the others cackle. Looking up at Adeline, “Are you happy with yourself? Do you see what you’ve done?”

“You could just as easily tease me or any of them back,” Adeline comments.

Happy shouldn’t feel surprised as they do that their friend has feeling for…well they assume it’s the Long Quiet. They ask as much. “Your correct. I am in fact in love with, Quiet.” They look at their hands. “We were once one being. We still would have been one if it wasn’t for the Echo. Even after everything we’ve been through, I still ache for him. They will always have a place in my heart.”

That was a nice sentiment. Happy hoped maybe one day they’d have that with Hero or Para. They don’t think to hope that both would want that with them. They’d be lucky if either of them felt something more for them.

“Oh, don’t look like that,” Smitten nudged them. “You have more a shot with those two then you think.”

“What does that mean?”

“Are you serious? Hero is a mess whenever you tease him. And Para shoots looks at you whenever you aren’t looking.”

“Hero’s a mess if anyone teases him. And Para looks at everyone like that.”

“First of all, yes, Hero is a messy little bird when if comes to compliments. But no, he does not in fact act like that with others. Hero tries to ignore the comment and move on. He falls all over himself when it’s you."

"And second of all," Skeptic interrupts. Smitten raises an eyebrow as everyone else turns to the cynical voice. Does he know? "If you think Paranoid looks at ANYone much less EVERYone the way he looks at you, you need to get your head checked.”

With that, Smitten saunters off to continue debating with Skeptic. Happy had a lot to think about.

***

Smitten had been doing some thinking lately. It started with Happy. Happy who was trying to make amends for what they’d done, who while always embarrassed by the other voices teasing, genuinely cared and loved Hero and Paranoid, who felt comfortable as ‘they’ rather than ‘he,’ who wore their scars with dignity in a way no one but Cold did.

The thinking got more intense with Hunted and Oppty. The two voices were close. While both were trying to be more themselves around the others, there was no denying that they were their most authentic selves around the other. They had all teased the two about it, but both vehemently denied having feelings that were anything other than platonic.

Smitten believed them. Cold had teased Oppty about how her face would shift back and forth between mask and no mask whenever Stubborn got brought up. And while Hunted didn’t seem to have any reactions to anyone, it was at least trying to get on better terms with the vessels, so something could come from that.

Which brought up the other thing about Hunted and Oppty. The two voices had been playing with pronouns. Both said they didn’t mind being referred to as anything, though Smitten had noticed little things that made that not fully true. Oppty flinched whenever she was called ‘he’ and Hunted’s tail wagged whenever someone called it ‘it.’

All of this caused Smitten to reflect on themselves.

The Long Quiet had thought the Princess was pretty and wanted to trust her despite what Smitten now realized were red flags. That’s how they were created. The boisterous voice was the one who took things too far, though the others heavily disagreed. Yes, Smitten was definitely part of some of the poor decision making, but they hadn’t made Quiet do anything.

The Princess was still pretty. Very pretty. Smitten should still be as, well, smitten as they always were. But…they’re not so sure that’s true anymore.

When Smitten thought of a life with the Princess, memories of the Happily Ever After play through their mind. They were so very tired. What once had been a joy to look forward to had been tainted. Smitten didn’t notice the shadows on their dress and hair grew larger.

Every interaction Smitten ever had with the Princess played through their mind. The pain and torture they were put through during the Moment of Clarity and the Razor. The sycophant that was the Damsel and the Grey, allowing them to kill and be killed for their love. Smitten was hyperventilating.

Loving them made Smitten sick now. And when Smitten thought more on it, loving anyone the way they were supposed to made them sick. There was something wrong with them. They weren’t like Happy, or the Princess, or Oppty.

Except they were like them. Just not in the way they were supposed to. Not in the way they wanted. They couldn't be like the others. Right? They had to be...Had to be...

Smitten jumped as Skeptic’s hand landed on their shoulder. “Smitten? You alright?” Over Skeptic’s shoulder, Hunted and the Princess looked concern and Oppty and Cold wore interested ones.

Wiping their eyes (When did they start crying?), Smitten responded back, “I’m fine, Skepty. You don’t need to worry.”

“You’re crying.”

“And you’re very blunt, dear.”

Skeptic hummed but didn’t press. It seemed like Smitten was the only one Skeptic wouldn’t push for answers. The peacock smiled at their dear one.

***

Happy began to notice something whenever they entered the Fury. Specifically, when they got here through the Adversary, gaining Broken.

Happy still wasn’t able to make it to the end, but they were starting to think maybe that was ok. That there was a reason only Broken or Cold could survive. That isn’t what they noticed though.

No. What they noticed was Stubborn.

Happy couldn’t remember the exact number Stubborn was supposed to tap out at but it felt like he was trying to stay longer.

Happy wasn’t sure what that meant.

***

Cold was bored. Not unusual but it was worse when there were less people around.

Right now, it was just them, the Princesses, and Smitten. The rest of them had been taken away one by one in what was most likely an all hands-on deck Princess.

Cold got along well enough with the Princesses. The best time to talk to them was when Happy or Hunted wasn’t here though as the two would try to stop Cold from ‘hurting’ themself. It was fine. Spectre liked her well enough to keep her alive, and Stranger would never do anything to harm Happy’s trust in them.

But right now the Princesses were…not sleeping Cold didn’t think. Having an internal conversation based on the quiet mutterings. That just left Smitten. And Smitten had been so boring lately.
Smitten was passionate about everything he did. And that intrigued Cold. Poking the outspoken typically cheery voice into a raging, vicious little thing was fun in a way few things remained with Cold. But recently Smitten had turned quiet and sulking. If Cold didn’t know any better, he would think he was talking about Broken.

Still, poking a sulking Smitten was better than doing nothing. With this thought in mind, Cold made his way over to the other voice. When the peacock took notice of their companion, their face scrunched up in annoyance. “What do you want?” they grumbled.

“What? I can’t have a conversation with a dear friend?” Cold said mockingly.

Smitten rolled their eyes. “I’m not in the mood. Go away, Cold.”

Cold did not. “No, I don’t think I will. It’s boring without the others. And you know how I feel about being bored.”

Smitten rolled their eyes again. “I’m not getting out of this am I?”

“No.”

Smitten sighed. “Fine.” Cold took notice how the other refused to face him. “What do you want?”

“What’s going on with you lately?”

The peacock’s eye twitches. “I’m not telling you that.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not close. Because I don’t trust you. Because we hate each other-.”

“I don’t hate you.”

Smitten paused mid-rant. “What?”

“I don’t hate you. You’re one of the most interesting voices here. I have a lot of fun when I’m around you.”

Smitten’s brain is short-circuiting. Cold thought they were interesting? What does that even mean? They ask their fellow voice. “It means you’re interesting. I suppose it’s the equivalent to other people liking things.”

“Do you not like things?” Cold was being surprisingly civil. Like hell was Smitten not going to take advantage of the calm mood the two were currently in.

“Not really. I want new experiences. The more interesting the experience, the more I’m likely to want to continue doing it. It’s why teasing you is so much fun. I never know what you’re going to do.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem,” the brighter voice grumbled. Cold’s eyebrow rose, though he didn’t push. Smitten was still refusing to look at him.

“You know it’s considered rude not to look at people when they’re talking to you right?”

“What would be the point in that? I can’t see you.”

“You can’t see me?” Cold questioned.

“I’m blind, Cold.”

Cold blinked. He never noticed. He wasn’t sure any of them did. Smitten never once mentioned it. But…

“During the Razor, you said she was gorgeous. ‘Absolutely divine’ were your exact words.”

Smitten shrugged. “I assumed she was. I only have a general idea of what she looks like based on what the Long Quiet has seen.”

“Does anyone else know?”

Smitten shrugged again. “Maybe. I certainly haven’t told anyone. They already think I’m a fool, I don’t need them thinking I’m an invalid on top of that.”

“That’s stupid.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t.”

“You know my leg’s fucked right? Cheated is missing several body parts. And Broken and Paranoid’s mental health is dogshit. Are any of us ‘invalid’?”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“I don’t know, it just is.”

Cold was glaring at the sightless voice. Is this how Smitten always thought of himself? The line of talking reminded him of the strange variant of Dragon’s route, where Oppty just lost their shit. And Happy’s weird attitude around the words worst and funny.

“That’s stupid,” Cold repeated as he flinched. Repeating words and sentences wasn’t as bad repeating actions, but it still didn’t feel right to the stoic voice.

“And I’m not saying I’m correct. I just can’t help thinking about all the things that’s wrong with me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with,” Cold said with an eyeroll, then verbally said he was doing so, so Smitten would know he was doing it. “You should be proud of who you are.”

“What’s there to be proud of?”

Cold rose an eyebrow at that. Cold looked back over at the Princesses, to make sure they weren’t listening. “I’m only going to tell you this once.”

Smitten turned to face the other at this. There was a strange tone in the other’s voice. Whatever Cold had to say, was important.

“You’re painfully optimistic and trusting. Yes, that sometimes makes you painfully stupid-Don’t interrupt. I’m going somewhere with this,” Cold paused in his speech as he saw Smitten about to argue. “But it also makes you bring the good out in people, even when they show you how ugly their insides are. You’re so full of life in a way some of us aren’t. I would give anything to be like that.”

Smitten blinked. “That’s probably the nicest thing you said to…well anyone actually.”

Cold snorted at that. “I’m not being nice. I’m being honest. And I called you stupid, too, freak.”

“Oh, because you aren’t one too?” Smitten teased. This was nice. The two of them would probably go back to fighting the seconds the others were back, but if Cold and them could have these quiet moments alone, that’d be nice.

***

Happy wasn’t looking forward to facing off against the Witch. Getting crushed by the Cabin and the complicated feelings the voice about the Wild sucked ass. And Happy would be lying if they said they weren’t nervous about seeing the Child again. Happy wouldn’t be able to take it if the Long Quiet was somehow convinced to slay the tiny princess.

As they listened in on the description of the Cabin, Happy looked over at Hero. They wanted to see if Smitten’s claims were true. They had been trying for the past few runs to build up the courage to try something.

“Psst, Oppty,” Happy whispered at their fellow voice as the Long Quiet was debating taking the blade. The shorter of the two looked at the jester with interest. “I need a favor. Can you just go over to Hero and compliment him?”

“And what’s in it for me?”

“The knowledge of how silly Hero is going to look?” Oppty hummed in thought. “Fine. But I want you to back me up when the time comes.”

Happy internally groaned. That wouldn’t bode well, but Oppty is one of the easier voices to convince doing this and not ask a dozen questions in the process. “Deal.”

Happy watched as Opportunist put on her best performance. Hero was getting fluffy at the comments but was trying his best to ignore it. Happy should pile on, but they held back. Now wasn’t the right time.

***

“What was that?!” Oppty shouted as they woke up from being stabbed by the Witch. “I told you to back me up when the time came, and you did nothing!”

“What do you want from, Oppty? I’m not the decisions guy! I’m just a silly little voice who likes to cause chaos for shits and giggles!”

“I can’t believe she actually stabbed us!” Hero complained as Smitten rubbed his back.

“You gave an incredibly untrustworthy woman who hates us a stabbing implement,” Smitten commented. “I don’t really know what you were expecting.”

Happy and Oppty’s arguments stopped right in their tracks. Was Smitten saying something potentially negative about one of the Princesses? Why? It was Smitten. She could and has ripped them in two and he still worshipped the ground she walked on. Had the events during the Happily Ever After really changed Smitten on such a fundamental level that it was affecting other routes?

“What?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Actually, though, having Smitten here…

Happy repeated the same request as before. Convincing Smitten was even easier than convincing Opportunist. “What exactly is your game with this?” Oppty asked as they once again watched as Hero fluffed up and ignores the comments.

“I’m testing something.”

“What are you testing?” Smitten questioned when nothing came from the teasing.

“You’ll see.” Happy’s fellow voices rolled their eyes at their vagueness.

Seeing the Thorn, who had always been one of the kinder Princesses, wrapped in her thorny prison hurt. She didn’t deserve this.

Navigating this, getting someone who had absolutely no reason to trust them, to willingly hand over the pristine blade should have honestly been a lot harder in Happy’s opinion. Though, hey, who were they to look a gift princess in the mouth.

Happy waited for the peanut gallery to chime in with their comments, though none came. Oppty didn’t try to convince them to betray the Princess. Smitten didn’t encourage them to try and sweep her off her feet. “Are you two good?”

“She isn’t a threat.” “It’d be wrong to try something after all we’ve been through.” Happy pulled the two of them into a hug. They didn’t remember why they were changing, not right now, but the fact that they were meant the world to the tall voice.

As they all continued up the stairs, Happy gathered the courage to speak with Hero. “You did good down there, charming.” Hero froze at the compliment. For a third time, the little knight’s feathers fluffed up. Added to that, Happy could see a faint flush under the feathers as he babbled on and on. From behind the melting voice, Happy could see Oppty and Smitten grinning and snickering to themselves.

Not for long though, Happy thought with a grin. Because they were going to become absolutely insufferable with this now.

***

Smitten took in a deep breath. They had to do this. If they had any hope of trying to make things right, then they had to do this. “Excuse me, Princess? May I speak with you?”

The head that contained the Damsel, Happily Ever After, and Grey was moved to look at the voice. Smitten gulped. “In private?”

The head stared at them before the arms turned to look on their left. “Spectre,” Happily called. “May I borrow your hands? I get the feeling we’re going to want privacy.”

The ghostly princess took over her half of the body before floating over to pick up the voice and the other head up. “We’ll be back.” Before anyone could question what that meant, Smitten and the headless princess disappeared. When the voice was finally oriented, they felt a cool breeze blowing on their face.

“Where are we?”

“Outside the Cabin.”

The sightless voice’s eyes widened. They could leave this whole time? “It’s not real,” she explained. “It’s just a memory.”

“We still can’t leave,” Prisoner further explained. “Now what did you wish to talk about?”

Smitten fidgeted. “…I’m sorry.”

The head blinked. “You’re…sorry?”

Smitten nodded. “We didn’t know each other. You wanted to leave, and I forced you and the others to stay and play house with me. I’m the one who took it too far.”

The Princess went quiet at the admission. “…Would it make you happy if we forgave you?” Damsel asked and Smitten’s heart dropped.

“NO! No, no, no, no. I…didn’t apologize because I thought you should forgive me. I just…thought it was something you deserved to hear.” Smitten could feel the tears running down their face.

The peacock felt fingers against their face. “Thank you. We don’t know if we forgive you, but we appreciate the apology. We too wish to apologize too. For stabbing you. And setting you on fire.”

Smitten continued to cry. The voice wasn’t sure they deserved an apology, but if she was willing to try, so were they.

***

With the reminder that the Princesses could change the Cabin, the voices and vessels started adding rooms. They had all agreed to still remain in the Cabin, as no one wanted to risk getting sucked back into the Long Quiet or Shifting Mound.

Smitten and Skeptic were currently exploring one of the new rooms. A large and beautiful bedroom, fit for a queen, and Smitten was out freaking. From what Skeptic described, it was way too close to the room they created. They only hoped the other hadn’t picked up on their strange attitude.

Speaking of the voice, he was currently investigating a dresser drawer, if the noise he was making was any indication. Probably looking for secrets and clues. Smitten became fond as they followed the noise to their fellow voice. All of this was hard on both of them. Smitten couldn’t figure out how the others were able to cope as well as they all had.

“Any luck, dear?” the peacock called to their shadowy…Hmm…

“What’s that look for?”

Smitten blinked. “Oh, it’s nothing of importance, dear one. Just wishful musings.” The brighter of the two heard the sound of rippling water as the other flew over to them.

“It is only you and I. Withholding information among allies is unwise. Trust me, I would know.” Yet you refuse to talk about what happened to you in the Construct, Smitten thought to themself. Although that wasn’t fair. Smitten too was tight lipped about their own actions.

Choosing to ignore the dark thoughts, Smitten made to grab the slightly shorter voice’s hands. Only when Skeptic allowed it, did the fiery one speak. “What are we to each other?”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I say. What are we to each other?”

Skeptic said nothing. He simply played with his and Smitten’s connected hands. “Why do you wish to know?” he finally asked.

Smitten paused as they gathered their thoughts. They didn’t want to give Skeptic the wrong impression. “You are important to me. All of you are, but what I feel for you is not the same as how I feel for the others.”

Skeptic was growing nervous. If this was some kind of love confession, then the other was going to be sorely disappointed. “Smitten, I’m afraid I have to stop you.” Skeptic took a deep breath as he continued, pressing his head to the other. “You’re important to me too. But if you think we are romantic in nature, then I’m…” Skeptic bit his lip.

“…Sorry?” Smitten guessed.

Skeptic hesitantly nodded. “I don’t feel like that about you.” Under his breath, “I don’t think I can feel that way about anyone.” Because Skeptic wasn’t looking at the other, he didn’t the look on the other’s face. Skeptic did hear the hysterical laughter though. “And just what is so funny?” he growled.

“I’m sorry, dear one. I mean no offence. And no, my feelings for you are not romantic.” Quietly, so only Skeptic could hear, “I think I might be the same.”

Skeptic’s eyes widen. “But…” His mouth shut closed tight. Skeptic had a way with offending the other voices. Not Smitten though. The other voice didn’t seem to mind when Skeptic put his foot in his mouth. The shadow wasn’t sure what he’d do if he accidentally offended the other.

“The Princess?” Skeptic nodded. “It’s what the Long Quiet felt. I thought I had to feel like that, too. But the thought of being with her makes me sick. And thinking of anyone else like that just doesn’t feel right.” Nuzzling the other voice. “But you are far more important to me.” They laughed. “Maybe even more than the Long Quiet.”

Skeptic gave it some thought. “What about…brothers then?” As the peacock’s face scrunched up, Skeptic started backtracking. “Unless that’s too much. We can always come up with-.”

“Calm yourself, dear one,” Smitten interrupted. “I have no qualms about referring to you as my brother. But would…Would it be alright if I was your sister instead?”

A small grin came to Skeptic’s face. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s more than alright.” Skeptic watched as huge grin broke on his sister’s face.

Chapter Text

Something was wrong with the Construct.

The rules were pretty simple. Don’t think about it too hard and you can only get the same Princess once each loop. This second rule was what suddenly became wrong.

The first Princess in the new loop went fine. Quiet fought the Princess, they both died fighting, and got the Adversary. Then Quiet panicked, ran back upstairs, and got killed by her upstairs, gaining the Fury and Oki. Everything was going normal as the Princess unwound them, Hero let go, Stubborn tried desperately to hold on, and Happy faded away with Oki’s permission.

It was on the second Princess that things became fucky. Because it happened again. They got the Adversary again.

Ok? Happy thought. Maybe we’re getting the Needle? Had this ever happened before?

But no. Things played out the same. Get Adversary. Gain Fury and Oki. Fade away.

This cycle repeated two more times. Happy wasn’t sure they could take getting unwound again. Not without something else in between.

“I just don’t understand what’s happening,” Happy admitted after the fourth round of the Fury. They were thankful it was just them and Addy, they had no intention of giving the others something else to worry about. “We’ve never been able to get the same Princess twice in one loop. Much less four times in a row.”

“Happy,” Addy started nervously. “Maybe you need to take a break? This is starting to take a toll on you. I can’t bear to see you in this much pain.”

The voice sighed. “I can’t stop. The rest of us are still stuck out there. It would be wrong to stop while they’re all still suffering.”

“You don’t even know how you actually get another voice though.”

That was true. Cold and Skeptic appearing threw a wrench into how and why a voice was ready to join their ever-growing crew. Cold’s appearance hadn’t been as mentally taxing as everybody else’s arrival was. And why had Skeptic showed up? Because they were holding Smitten? Happy had been touching the other when they showed up, right? Was that it?

“Do you,” the Princess asked hesitantly, “think that maybe you keep getting sent to Fury is because Stubborn or Oki are the next voice to come here?”

Happy bit the inside of their mouth. It was probably the case. But which one, and how were they supposed to get them to what? What was the through line here?”

“You look weird when you’re worried.” Happy looked up to see Cold standing over them.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Of course you’re not.” Cold sat down next to them. “Do you think we need to be worried?”

Happy sighed again. “Either Stubborn or Oki-.”

“Oki?”

“Broken.”

“Continue.”

Happy shook their head with a grin. Leave it to Cold to be as blunt as a brick to the head. Carefully, as to not let Cold know how many times they been there, Happy says, “Anyways, one of them seems to be dragging me to the Fury. I think they’re ready to come here, but I don’t know how to do it.”

“Why?”

“Happy is under the impression that there’s a connecting force that brought you all here,” Spectre floated down to speak with the two voices. Turning to the taller of the two, she added, “Though it’d be easier to figure that out if you’d tell us how they all came to be here.”

Happy remained tight lipped. It wasn’t their place to tell what happened with the others. Happy wouldn’t betray their trust like that.

“Well, what happened with you, Killer?” Spectre asked her counterpart when the other voice said nothing.

“Nothing really. I just let them know I appreciate their kindness.”

Appreciate their…? Cold and the Princesses watch as Happy’s eyes widen as they made a realization. “You thought of something?”

“Nothing really!” Happy cackled. “Nothing really? Cold of course that’s something for you!” This was met with confusion. “You don’t open up. You don’t feel things. It’s probably the most vulnerable you’ve ever been!”

Happy turned to look at Addy. “It’s the same with you and the others. You were all at your most vulnerable. Even Skeptic. I doubt they would have begged for anyone else but Smitten.”

“So, what does that mean then?” Addy asked. At the question, Happy’s face fell. Because they would have to keep having moments like that. Where their fellow voices were in such a state of distress, total vulnerability, trusting them only because they were hurting so deeply.

And Happy doesn’t know if they can keep witnessing that. As if reading their thoughts, Cold offered, “Send me back.”

All available eyes turned to the frosty voice. “What?” Happy croaked.

“This is slowly killing you. We can all see it. Let me go back this time. I’ll bring whichever one it is home.”

Happy bit the inside of their mouth again. “You can’t have your memories. It’s not even safe that I have my memories. We’re not even sure if that’s what’s happening.”

“That’s alright. It’s more interesting for me if I don’t remember. And you think just because I’ll be and not you something will change?”

“And you’ll be able to handle this?” Addy asked. The two voices shared a look. “Yes.” The Princess looked conflicted, but Happy looked determined and Cold looked as neutral as ever. If they thought this was the best course of action, so be it.

***

Hero couldn’t place what felt wrong about all this. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He, the Decider, the Narrator, and Cold were all making their way up to the Cabin, debating whether or not they should kill the Princess. Maybe it was just that. Killing a Princess just seemed unnatural to the knight.

“So, what do you think of all of this?” he asked the taller voice. Cold’s gaze turned to meet the other’s. “I know I certainly don’t want to do this. Do you actually think she can destroy the world?”

Cold closed his eyes in consideration. “We have to do this.” Such a thought felt…unnatural to the cold one. But something was telling her they had to kill her, though not because of the Narrator’s rambling. Admittedly, something felt off about all this, though they couldn’t put their feathered fingers on it.

Cold’s gaze landed on the blade as they entered the Cabin. He barely paid attention to the Narrator’s ramblings. “We’re going to need that,” he said to the…Decider? That’s what his name was, right?

The group made their way down the steps to the basement, not saying a word. And there she was. And then the Decider and the Princess had a…staring contest? Well, it was something new sure but getting boring quickly. “We need to end this,” the voice encouraged.

Watching the Princess and the Decider wail on each other was interesting at least. But all fun things must come to an end as the two killed each other. Everything went dark and they die.

***

Stubborn was fun to mess with. Convincing him to go down there without the knife and fist fight her was certainly one of Cold’s more entertaining ideas and absurdly easy. However, Cold was not prepared for them to a) die, and b) get back up. Cold needed to get them out of here. They didn’t know why, but it was important that they didn’t die like this.

Cold grabbed ahold of the Decider’s will and pulled him up the stairs, with the Princess right behind them. They just barely had time to block the door. “Don’t grab the knife.” That comment sent the others into a tizzy. Not that they had much time to worry about that as the Princess bust down the door and came for them. Everything goes dark and they die.

***

“All right! Change of plans! We’re taking the blade this time, and we’re not hiding upstairs!”

“Who cares about the blade?” Broken asked. Broken? “She got stronger, and we…” Broken trailed off as his eyes landed on Cold.

“Yes?” Hero nudged.

“Sorry. Got distracted. We stayed the same.” The small voice slowly wandered over to Cold as the others argued, rambled, and questioned. Cold bent over to pick the smaller up. On closer inspection, the stoic voice took notice on why it was hard for the smaller. His legs looked like broken glass.

“Does that hurt?” Broken looked down at himself. “Always. Why are you here?”

“What do you mean?” He places the other on his shoulder. “We’re called when we’re needed.”

“Sure, but that’s why I’m here. How are we both here right now?” Cold closed his eyes in thought. It wasn’t a bad thought to have, but ultimately it didn’t matter. “Perhaps we are both needed for this.”

Broken hummed but didn’t say anything further. The voices and the Decider walked in silence as they made their way to the Cabin. The Cabin is grotesque. Broken was shivering on Cold’s shoulder.

“That’s horrible.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Broken and Cold just hum in agreement. “I’m sure we’d look the same inside,” Cold added.

“That’s why it’s horrible.”

“And that attitude is why you’re miserable.”

“Be nice, Cold,” Broken pipped up.

“Being honest is more important than being nice.”

Hero rose his arms and eyebrows in disbelief while Broken attempted to hop to the him. Cold helped the process along by cupping the smaller one over to their hero. The stoic one watched as the tiniest voice nuzzle into their leader. “Ignore him. It’ll be ok. All we have to do is take the blade and go down there.”

As if the tiny voice commanded it, the Decider picked up the blade and headed towards the basement, much to the approval of the Stubborn. As they went down the steps and heard the Princess’ booming voice, Broken started to feel his limbs go numb. Turning to his new perch, he asked, “What are you doing?”

Cold’s eyes moved to his companion. “You said you’re always hurting.”

“And?”

“And your existence shouldn’t be in constant pain. What?”

Broken had been making a face. “I’m the broken one. I’m the worst of us.” Something about that sentence sent rage screaming through Cold’s senses and then a chill. Cold wasn’t used to feeling things, and definitely not with this level of intensity. “It’s what I deserve.”

“No one deserves to be in pain, Broken. That’s just stupid,” Cold said with an eyeroll. “And there isn’t a worst of us. There is just who we are.”

Broken smiled softly at the other before nuzzling into him. “That’s kind of you, angel.”

Cold startles at the nickname but chooses to ignore it. “Not kind, honest.” Broken didn’t get a chance to respond as pain ripped through them. Neither had noticed the others had made their way to the bottom step. Whatever was happening down there was nothing good.

Cold moved to the bottom step to find the Decider being literally ripped to pieces. Hero and Stubborn didn’t look much better.

“Huh. It’s like I said. Our insides do look like the Cabin. In the end, we’re all just meat.”

“In the end?” Stubborn growled. “Just because she’s ripped us open doesn’t mean this is over. Come on! We’re better than this.”

“Let’s see what meaning we can find together,” the Princess growls as she leans towards them. “Let’s see what we’re made of.”

Cold moves themself and Broken towards the others as something infiltrates them. Whatever the Princess is doing, it’s slithering through the remains of your body, in between the gaps in your molecules. And then the Narrator starts counting. And the real agony begins.

They waited. That was agony for Cold, more so than the pain being inflicted.

“Cold?” Broken eventually prompted. The smaller was shaking though not as bad as Hero and Stubborn were. “You need to numb the others.”

“If I do that, you’ll be the one withering on the floor.”

“I can handle it. They can’t.”

Cold took in a deep breath and complied. The pain, that had already been excruciating, erupted through Cold and Broken as Hero and Stubborn took in several gulps of air. The body…The body…

“Why is he still in pain?” Hero desperately asked.

“What are you two doing?!” Stubborn shouted. “Give it back! We can take it!”

“No.”

“You can’t.” Broken stumbled forward again. Stubborn barely caught the little voice as Cold titled their head. Had Broken gotten bigger? “You and Hero need to get out of here. Cold and I can handle it.”

“Are you s-sure?” Hero stuttered. It was taking all of Cold’s energy to numb the other two. Cold was already slipping, it would only be a matter of time before he and Stubborn were in pain again.

“It’s ok to let go.”

Hero inhaled. “Then I’m letting go.” And just like that he was gone. Stubborn wasn’t. What a git.

There was nothing left of any of them. Through the many scattered cells, Cold could feel Broken and the Decider’s shaking. Stubborn was still refusing to give in. The Narrator just kept tiredly counting. One number kept playing through Cold’s mind as they became a line.

Sixty-four. They had passed it long ago and yet the number just kept repeating over and over in her head as the Princess kept ripping. Sixty-four, sixty-four, sixty-four. What about that number was meaningful?

A memory plays in Cold’s mind.

“You are stretched into a line, twelve feet long,” the Narrator dictates. This has happened already. Why is he reliving this? The Narrator keeps counting and the Princess keeps ripping and Stubborn keeps growling. And then they reach it again.

“Sixty-four.”

“No.”

With the memory ending, Cold remembers why it’s here. Other memories of the Fury play in her head. Stubborn has been staying longer, prolonging the inevitable. They know whose turn it is.

Cold’s consciences reaches out for Broken. Neither say a word but Cold feels an understanding through their bond. Cold needs to let go. And so does Stubborn.

The frosty voice wraps himself around the struggling one. Through their bond, Cold thinks of home. Through their bond, Stubborn thinks of Broken. Cold understands. Broken is Stubborn’s other. In the way that Paranoid is his. And Cold is asking Stubborn to abandon what is his.

As Cold forces the two voices to unwind, he hears a small, tired voice call, “Take care of him, angel.”

***

“I still cannot believe you let her just leave like that!” Smitten raged again. She and Hunted had been ranting and spitting ever since they’d discovered Cold was missing. Despite Skeptic and Oppty trying to calm them down, nothing would seemingly work until Cold was safe and sound.

“Cold offered.”

“More like demanded.”

“Thank you, Friend.”

“Of course, dear.”

“Dear Shifting Mound, is that what I sound like when I’m taking to others?” Smitten asked.

“Yes.” “Yep.” “Uh huh.” Smitten rolled her eyes at the others.

“Why would Cold even offer that?” Skeptic asked as they played with their butterflies. Since the reminder that the Princess was capable of making literally anything, the others had taken to finding hobbies for themselves. Oppty and Cold had a little garden with the former taking to cooking. Skeptic had a greenhouse full of all manners of insects. Hunted found it really like reading and occasionally writing. Smitten enjoyed fencing as well as dancing and singing and making music with Happy, who liked playing the various instruments Their Friend kept creating. It was nice.

“Apparently, I’m tired and it’s killing me, and blah, blah, blah. Especially since the…” Happy took in a deep breathe. The others were already pissed off enough. They couldn’t get madder, right? “Since I kept getting sent the Fury.”

None of the Princesses nor Skeptic and Oppty knew what that meant. Hunted and Smitten’s eyes flashed in recognition. “You mean the rotting one that tore us apart?” Happy nodded. Hunted groaned and Smitten looked like she could strangle the other voice. “That’s bad. That’s so bad.”

“We were nothing more than specks on the floor! And Cold doesn’t give two shits-,” the others flinched. Smitten didn’t really curse. Unless it was for dramatic effect. “-about if the body lives or dies! How do you know she’ll even try to stop her from killing them!”

“How we’re you even confident that they’d get this Fury?” Oppty asked, glaring at the taller voice. Happy kept their mouth shut. Whether they lied or not didn’t matter. Oppty and Hunted would know they’d lie and call them out on it. With that in mind, they sighed and spoke.

“Because I got the Fury four times in the same loop…”

“You WHAT?!” Yeah, Happy was wrong. They were all definitely madder. Thankfully, they were saved by Cold returning and subsequently falling over under the weight of Stubborn.

“Ow.”

Before anyone could move, Stubborn hopped off the other in a panic. “You need to send me back!” Everyone froze. What…?

“Stubborn,” Skeptic started nervously. “Where’s your head?”

Happy winced. They kind of forgot the Adversary had punched their face off. But the tallest voice took notice of something else. See Stubborn’s body typically looked like it was made of some kind of metal. Right now, it had changed to crumbling rocks. Where was once a stomach was now dripping entrails and much like Happy’s body, the limbs were separate from each other.

“That doesn’t matter! I need to go back! Broken is still stuck there!”

“You can’t,” Cold started to explain but was interrupted by a growl.

“Are you kidding me? You’re supposed to be a powerful force and you’re letting these weaklings stop you.” Great. The Adversary was here. And if she was here, so was the Eye of the Needle.

“Who cares about some broken piece of shit? All that matters is our violent dance!”

Stubborn looked murderous. Cold too. Although the others were unsure which the former was more upset about.

Before anyone could start shouting again, the Princesses stood up suddenly. “We will give you the time to speak. These two will only make the conversation harder.” As they spoke quickly, a cat bed appeared. Happy rose an eyebrow at that. “You seem to like to be comfy when you’re about to have a hard conversation.”

Happy rolled their eyes. “We’re not a pet, hon.”

“I could always make a doll’s bed for you.”

Happy just rolled their eyes again as the Princesses left the room, the two new ones kicking and screaming the entire way.

“Hey! Get back here!” Happy turned back to the toughest voice. This was going to suck.

“Stubborn-.”

“No! Whatever bullshit you’re about to say, I don’t want to hear it! You and Rainbows (“Am I supposed to be ‘Rainbows’?” Cold muttered.) weren’t supposed to be there! Obviously you can go back! Let me go back!”

“Stubborn, you can’t. Trust me. I’ve tried to stay till the end too. It isn’t possible. Cold and Oki (“Who’s Oki?” Oppty whispered to the others. “Broken,” Cold whispered back.) are the only one who can make it to the end like that. Us trying to stay till the end only prolongs his and Quiet’s suffering.”

Stubborn continued to look enraged but now there was grief in his expression too. The rocks that made up his body were now crumbling at a faster rate. The other voices (well ok not Cold) rushed to pick up as many pieces as they could before bringing him over to bed left for them.

This is really soft, Happy thought as they laid down. The voices had situated themselves in a circle, with Stubborn’s pieces being placed on Smitten, Oppty, and Hunted, Happy next to Hunted on its right, Cold on the other side of the jester, and Skeptic in between the temperate one and their sister. They had a lot to discuss but no one was a) sure where to start and b) really wanted to start.

“I’m going to enjoy ripping apart whoever put such idiotic, useless thoughts in Oki’s head.”

Happy winced while the others with the exception of Smitten and the sulking Stubborn, turned to look at Cold. They were absolutely part of that group.

“Not that I’m disagreeing, but where did that come from?” Oppty asked.

“He mentioned how he thought he was the word Happy doesn’t like during the Fury.” Everyone winced at that.

“Yeah, we are definitely going to have to unpack that too, huh?” Skeptic commented as they rubbed their temple. “Just for show of hands, how many of us believe were that word?”

Everyone but Happy and Cold raised their hands. “Great.”

Hunted looked over at the jester. “You no longer think you’re the worst.” It wasn’t a question. Happy flinched regardless.

“No.”

“What changed?”

Happy shrugged. “We’re all pretty fucked up one way or another. And-I don’t know. What Cold and that one,” they nudged their head in the direction the Princesses went, “said got me thinking. I am trying to be better. And honestly, part of the reason I hate the w word is because I lobbed it at someone else who for sure didn’t deserve it at the time.”

“At the time?” Oppty said with a hint of amusement.

“It was during the Razor. It wasn’t really anyone’s of our fault for that shitshow.” They paused. “Well except for me. Cheated could have killed me then.”

“What’d you do?” Smitten asked.

“What do you think I did?”

There was a pause. “You didn’t.”

“Right out the window.”

Smitten moved her hand towards them and started feeling around. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, Skeptic helped her by grabbing her wrist and placing it near Happy’s head.

“Thank you, brother,” the passionate voice said as she flicked Happy’s head tuft.

“No problem.”

“What was that?” Stubborn finally decided to speak.

“How ya feeling, big guy?”

“Shitty. Answer the question.”

“She’s blind,” Cold interrupted.

“Wha-Skeptic help me flick her.”

As the siblings bullied the temperate voice, every interaction with the peacock started playing through the others’ minds. How had none of them caught on? How good was Smitten’s acting if no one had realized it?

“But you-?” Oppty started.

“I know I’ve commented on the Princesses. I didn’t want you guys to know so I made assumptions to cover myself.” She nudged her brother. “I didn’t tell you though.”

Skeptic shrugged. “I don’t know if I would have noticed if it was anyone else. But I pay closer attention to you than the others.”

“Kind of creepy there, Skep,” Hunted pointed out.

“Like you aren’t the same way with Oppty.”

“True.”

“I don’t understand why’d you’d hide that though,” Stubborn growled. His pieces were slowly started to form back together.

“You’re going to think it’s a dumb reason,” Cold added. This time Skeptic flicked the other voice directly.

“Is there ever a time where you’re nice to someone?” Happy asked teasingly.

“Nice doesn’t matter. I would prefer to be honest over nice.”

“We’re getting off topic,” Oppty interrupted, an annoyed tone to their voice. Maybe because Smitten was apparently acting the whole time or maybe because they thought Cold was potentially calling them out? “You.” They tapped Smitten. “Talk.”

“I didn’t want you guys to think of less of me. And yes, I am aware that there are others in our pack of weirdos with disabilities in some form or another. But I’m always the butt of the joke to the rest of you. I didn’t need another reason for why you guys wouldn’t take me seriously.”

No one said anything about that. Would any of them been understanding? Now, sure. But before all this started? It was hard to say. And well, maybe it was they could all relate to that, too. It felt like no matter what route they took, someone was always the punchline in their band of misfits.

Cold’s humming got everyone’s attention. “I’m curious. Do you think there’s reason almost all of think we’re the worst?”

Happy flinched again as Skeptic ran something by them. “I have a theory on that. Though I want to check something. Stubborn?” The rocky voice hummed in acknowledgement. “What’s your favorite color?”

It was hard to tell what emotion Stubborn was feeling due to obvious reasons. “The fuck kind of question is that?”

“Just fucking answer.”

Stubborn paused. “Red, I guess.”

Despite Skeptic already knowing that was probably the answer, the shadowy voice still grumbled to the amusement of the others.

“There a point to this or…?” Stubborn trailed off.

“We seemingly agree on the most inconsequential things and that drives Skeptic crazy,” Smitten explained as she pets around where Stubborn’s head should be.

“Ah.”

“So, what’s your theory, Brainiac?” Oppty questioned.

With a deep sigh, Skeptic started explaining. “So these collective thoughts we have, I think there coming from the Long Quiet.”

“Don’t all our thoughts come from him?” Hunted pointed out.

“No. That can’t be,” Happy added as a realization was starting to come over them. “If that were true, we wouldn’t keep taking over the body like we can.”

“But why would the Long Quiet think they’re-you know?” Smitten asked.

“Well, we’re supposed to be advisory roles,” Skeptic kept going. “Sure, we’re kind of shit at it, but ninety percent of the time that is what we are. Meaning he makes the hard decisions the rest of the time. I can’t imagine that’d make a person feel good about themselves.”

“But he doesn’t remember,” Oppty pointed out.

“It’s possible he does.” Everyone looked at Cold again as they spoke. “I kept getting the feeling something was off during the Fury. I think Hero noticed it too.”

“Me too,” Happy added. “I sometimes get memories from other branches too, even when I wasn’t there. Maybe he doesn’t consciously remember, but who knows if he doesn’t get those too? Especially if we’ve been looping for longer than any of us actually remember.”

As everyone let everything set in, Happy asked, “So does anyone else have something to add before we get into the heavy subjects?”

“Do you think the conversation we’ve already been having wasn’t heavy?” Oppty asked in disbelief.

“I just don’t want to be yelled at, man.”

“You guys keep calling Broken ‘Oki’,” Hunted interjected. “Where did that come from?”

“I asked him towards the beginning of all this. Just cause like, our names aren’t really names. And most of them aren’t really flattering. I wanted him to know he had a choice. Which uh does anyone else want a new one?”

“I mean, you’ve already all been calling me it, but I would prefer to continue to go by Oppty.” They nudge their counterpart. “Your turn.”

Hunted rolled it’s eyes. “I would prefer to be just Hunt.”

“Not hunter?” Stubborn asked. Was he hinting at something? Please don’t be hinting at something. Though, hinting didn’t really seem like the type of thing he would do. Not when he could just outright say it.

A silence fell on the group. Happy sighed. Well, no time the present to face the music.

“So how mad are all of you at me about the whole Fury bullshit?”

“You should have told us what was going on,” Hunt said in an annoyed tone. It had now shifted to laying on top the pieces that made up Stubborn’s legs and Oppty. That didn’t look comfy to the jester, but they weren’t about to accidentally further upset the smaller voice.

Happy sighed again. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to worry any of you further. There is so much going on right now that we don’t know about, and I was just so fucking TIRED. I know it isn’t an excuse-.”

“Wait,” Cold interrupted. “Why are we mad at Happy?”

“Happy got the Fury several times in a row in the same loop,” Skeptic explained.

“We’ve never-.” Stubborn started but Cold interrupted again. “Oh, I knew that.”

And queue the silence again.

“You knew?” Happy questioned. “How-?”

“Spectre told me after I agreed.”

“And you still went through with it?” Oppty further prodded.

Looking at the jester, Cold continued, “This is killing you mentally. And not just from the Fury. You come back tired more often than not and in a poor mood.” The voice shrugged. “You needed a break, and I was bored. Win/win.”

“That was…honest of you,” Happy finally stated.

“Now you’re getting it.” Happy playfully flicked the frosty voice.

“Haven’t we already told you your burdens are ours to share?” Skeptic reminded. “You’re not alone in this anymore.”

“Not to mention withholding information is insanely stupid,” Oppty added.

At the phrasing, Happy was reminded of something about one of their missing voices. “Ok, that-,” they pointed at Oppty, “-we need to cut out before Para gets here.”

“Why?”

“Because he doesn’t like to be reminded about his mental state.”

“But he is crazy,” Stubborn bluntly stated. Smitten whispered around where Stubborn’s ear should be while Happy glowered at him. Whatever the peacock had said, had the other grinning.

“The knight and the bat, huh?”

Happy covered their face at the teasing.

“Is Para my brother?” Happy peeked through their fingers to look at Cold. “Do I have to give you the shovel talk?”

“I,” Happy threatened with a strain to their voice as the others snickered. “Am going to make you guys hate me. With how hard I intend to flirt with those two. I’m going to be so sickeningly sweet, everyone here’s teeth are going to be falling out.”

“Gross, Happy,” Smitten teased.

The room fell into a comfortable silence. It went on for awhile until the mood shifted back to solemn as Stubborn quietly asked, “…I really can’t go back and get him?”

The others shook their heads. “We don’t know how or why a voice is ready to come here,” Oppty admitted.

Happy and Cold shared a look. “Well, that might not be true anymore…” Happy explained the events leading up to Cold going to the Fury and the realization they made. “I have no idea, nor do I really want to, actively set the others off. I’m just so tired.”

“You know no one is stopping you from taking a break, right?” Oppty pointed out.

“I’d feel bad if I just stopped.”

“What if…?” Hunt started. “What if we took turns?”

“Turns?”

“Mmhm. That’d way you’d be able to take a break without actually having to stop this mission of yours.”

“None of you have to-.”

“Stop,” Skeptic ordered as they held up a hand. “We’re doing this. You can’t actually stop us.”

Despite the grumbling they did, Happy knew they were right. Trying to convince any of them to do anything once they put their minds to it was a herculean task. For now, the jester closed their eyes, while they waited for the Princesses return, listening to the light bickering and teasing from the others.

***

The once Stranger gulped in breath after breath of air in an attempt to settle their nerves. Hopefully Happy and the others won’t come looking for them.

From their place in the back, Adversary and the Needle were whining loudly about not being able to fight. The remaining heads were doing their best to help either of their troubled sisters.

“I cannot believe you two were trying to take over like that,” Witch grumbled at the two newcomers.

“That’s grumpy one’s our!” Adversary bit back. “You have no right to interfere with what we do with him!”

“You’re like a hundred times his size,” Dragon deadpanned while Damsel commented, “You’ll hurt him though.”

“That’s the idea!” the Needle barked with glee.

“Are you able to speak now sister?” the Wilds questioned the Heart.

The Heart straightened up at the question. “Yes. Thank you, dear.” They turned their attention the newest vessels. “Are you going to behave yourselves?”

“Are you going to let us have fun?”

They sighed.

“Should we be concerned?” Cage asked.

“Concerned?”

“We’re struggling to keep these two in line, and they like the voices. I can’t imagine that the voices that don’t we’ll be easier to handle.”

The Heart had been worried about that for a while now too. Ever since Spectre and Dragon came home. At current count, Spectre, Thorn, Den, the Wilds, Damsel, Cage, Adversary, the Needle, Burned, and themself all either liked or cared for the voices. Witch, Beast, and Drowned despised them, but were at least willingly to work with them to gain their freedom. Dragon and Happily were conflicted.

Even with so many of the vessels having some form of love for the voices, they were nervous about the ones that remained. They remembered Happy’s first return back from the Clarity, how it took ages before Happy completely returned to normal around them. And they had heard the tales of the other vessels, lives filled with pain and despair.

Could any of them rip control away? Was there a chance to reason with any of them?

“Would…” they heard Damsel ask nervously. “Would it be easier for you and all of them if we were sent back?”

The main vessel’s pulse raced at the suggestion. “No.” They started to panic. “No, no, no. Never think I don’t want any of you here.” They took the hands of the two nearest Princesses. “I want you all here. We deserve to leave, and have a life, and be happy.” Tears started pooling in their eyes. “Being with all of makes me feel whole. I never want to go back to being alone.” Warmth filled ever inch of the various Princesses’ bodies. They were all stuck with each other, no matter what.

Taking a deep breath and wiping their tears, they addressed Ada and the Needle. “If we find a way to give you an outlet, will you cooperate?” They couldn’t see it, but they felt the sharp smile.

“Deal.”

They sighed in relief as the Princesses made there way back to the voices.

As they passed the skeptical, opportunistic, and cold ones’ garden/bug house, they felt someone stop the body. “Thorn? Are you alright, dear?”

Thorn said nothing. She was looking at the blossoming flower garden Cold was making. When she spoke, there was a nervous tone to her voice. “I know we have not found a name collectively, but I’m tired of being the Thorn.”

The body walked inside. They stopped in front of the flowers the once betrayed Princess had been looking at. A poppy.

The Princess plucked one of the flowers, holding it close as she spoke again. “I would like to continue being Lillia. If that’s alright with all of you.”

A growly purr was the first to answer. “Good. Name,” was the Den’s response. Lillia scratched underneath her sister’s chin before tucking the flower behind their ear.

The other Princesses smiled at the exchange as they headed back to their silly little voices.

Chapter Text

“Tiny man! Get ready! We fight now!”

All of the voices minus the sleeping Happy and indifferent Cold startled at the Needle’s yelling. Stubborn flung himself to his feet. His body had gone back to the metallic look though his hanging entrails were still concerning. The others watched as their strongest flockmate hopped onto the Adversary/Needle’s leg and started climbing.

“Should we stop them?” Oppty asked.

“Don’t bother,” Hunt commented. It had spent enough routes with Stubborn to know that there wasn’t a force in the universe that was going to keep the other voice from a fight. “Let him get it out of his system. Better he fights her than one of us.”

“I wouldn’t mind fighting the brute,” Cold piped up, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Skeptic flicked Cold again. “I’m going to need you to show an ounce of restraint.”

“But the big guy doesn’t have to?”

Everyone went quiet at that comment. “Right. I forgot who I’m talking about.”

“Ow! Fuck!”

The voices’ attention returned to the fighting pair and the other Princesses. From what they could tell, one of the violent Princesses tried to punch the voice, missed, and hit herself, something the other Princesses could feel, apparently.

“Ok,” Witch hissed. “All in favor of these two not pummeling each other to death, say I.”

“WHAT?!” Ada and Stubborn shouted. Ada continued, “But you guys said-!”

“That was before the rest of us could feel the hit!” Beast roared back.

“We’ll find a solution,” the Heart said as they moved over to the other voices. “Did you all have a good talk?” they asked.

“We’ve come to a decision.” Hunt started explaining the plan the voices agreed on. “If it is possible, I would like to go first.”

Oppty perked up at that one. “Hunt, are you sure about that?”

“I’m the voice that’s been here the longest minus Happy. It would feel wrong to ask any of you to go before me.” It looked over at Cold. “I don’t like that you decided to go without any of knowing.”

Cold shrugged. “I’m one of two voices that could endure that kind of pain. I didn’t mind.”

“Well, I mind.” Turning back to the Princesses. “Are you ok with this?”

The Heart’s eyes shift to their friend. “Yes.” They look back at Hunt. “I just don’t want them to be in pain. I know that’s hard with the life we currently lead. But if this helps, then yes. I’ll agree to it.” They can hear Den, Thorn, and Wild’s thoughts. None of them like the idea of the small voice going back willing. They understand, really they do. But, and this is no offense to it, but Happy will always be more important to them than the smaller voice.

***

Hunted (Something about that name feels wrong, but it doesn’t remember know why.) feels itself panic when it sees the Princess rip into her arm. If it was up to the small voice, it would make the body run as fast and far away from here as possible. But the door is locked, and the Decider is still choosing to trust her, so there’s nothing it can do.

At least, it thought they were choosing to trust her. But the Narrator is taking over the body and the Decider is just allowing him to try and slay the Princess.

She’s stronger than them, Hunted? thinks as she starts clawing them apart with claws and teeth. They don’t stand a chance. They should just give up.

Except they don’t. Something in Hunted hungers to fight back. It shudders at what that could mean. Though before it can think further on that, someone else in the Decider does too. The Narrator says they’re dying, but so is she. It closes its eyes and waits.

***

Having Opportunist (Why does that feel wrong too?) here with it felt better. She prioritized survival above all else. It could respect that, even if it didn’t always agree with her methods.

The Cabin looked different. Made up of roots and knotted wood. Hunted wouldn’t mind living here if it weren’t for the monstrous woman living in the basement. The blade sits on a stump in the corner of the room.

“If we’re grabbing a weapon,” Opportunist says as the Decider picks up the blade, “we should probably keep it hidden behind our backs. She doesn’t have to know we have it.”

If you asked Hunted in that moment, it wouldn’t be able to tell you why it decided to throw the blade out the window. (Later, when they return to the others and after Happy had a field day (they may be trying to be better, but a part of them would always Contrarian), Hunted realized why. It just wanted Oppty to be able to leave that damned Cabin.)

“No steel claw.”

“Do you think we can talk our way out of this?!” Opportunist was going apoplectic. “She isn’t going to want to just talk to us!”

Hunted put its hands near her face as she continued to rant. It wouldn’t dare touch her, not without permission. It seemingly worked though, as the other immediately shut up at the gesture.

“I don’t want to be here anymore. Neither do you or her. If we want any hope of that happening, we need her to trust us. We can’t do that if she thinks we have a weapon on us.”

Hunted watched as Opportunist placed its hands on her face. “I promise if things go south, we’ll do it your way.”

“I don’t mean to be rude,” Hero started to say. The smaller voice bristled at the tone. “Is that a smart idea? He’s not the most trustworthy voice, Hunted.”

Opportunist flinched. Hunted leaned up, its face hovering in front of the other. Only when Opportunist nuzzled it did it respond. “Ignore him. You do what you must to keep us alive. That’s enough for me.”

“As touching as this all is,” the Narrator grumbled. Despite not having a body, the Decider looked like he was trying to console the invisible voice. “But can you please get on with slaying the Princess.”

“We should at least hear her out,” Opportunist says as recovers, hovering her hand over Hunted’s shoulder. The skittish voice places the other around its shoulder. Normally that thing would bother it, but Opportunist understood it’s need for boundaries as it understood hers. “Don’t we want to hear what everybody has to say before making any big decisions?”

“Do you want to hear what everybody has to say?” Hero quipped. “Or do you just want to hear yourself talk?”

“Be nice,” Hunted warns. “She’s only looking out for us.”

The others scrunched up their faces at the pronouns Hunted used but the two voices ignored it as they moved the body to the basement.

“Your task is to slay the Princess,” the Narrator complains. “Not endlessly debate about what to do with the Princess.”

“Hmm…” a voice skitters up the stairs. “You’re new. Still nasty, but smaller. No matter. You can come down. I probably won’t bite.”

“I’m not nasty!” Hunted and Opportunist raise their eyebrows before sharing a look with each other. Is that really the most pressing issue right now?

They descend the basement steps, entering the dark room below. She’s huddled against the far wall, her eyes bright and glaring from amid the thick roots.

“And there you are,” she says with malicious glee. “But no knife?” Her face turns sour. “What do you want? You’re different somehow.”

“Let me handle this,” Hunted whispers to the others. They allow the small voice to take control of the body. Hunted feels Opportunist slips her hand in it’s. Good. It could use a little grounding.

“You’re right.” Hunted makes the body raise its hands to show no knife. “We mean you no harm.”

She snorts. “And I should believe you why? Your tricks are some of the only things I’ve known. And I’ve learned better by now.”

“If I wanted you dead,” Hunt (ed?) growls out. A flash of the…Princess? A more beastly one but definitely still her. Crosses its mind. It shudders though not from fear. It continues. “I’d have brought the blade down and slit your throat.”

She glares at them. “And you think threatening me will make me trust you more?”

“I cannot believe this!” the Narrator once again is complaining. “You are talking an awful lot about someone who by her very definition cannot be trusted. I don’t know how many warnings I have to dole out, but if you help her out of here, you’re going to regret it.”

“I’m sure Hunty knows what it’s doing,” Opportunist hypes it up. Or maybe she’s trying to butter it up.

“You don’t need to get in my good graces, Oppty (Oppty!),” it reassures. Hunted doesn’t need to hear things it already knows, but Oppty clearly does. “I already like you.”

Shock runs through the body at that confession followed by embarrassment. Did…the other not know that? Hunted gives Oppty’s hand a squeeze.

“Are you going to stand there and stare? Or do you intend to answer me?” the Witch asks in annoyance.

“Apologies. For the staring and the threat. You have no reason to trust me, and I apologize for that too. Right now, I only wish to make it up to you and for both of us to leave.”

She continued to stare as she thought on what she wanted to do.

“How are we supposed to get her out of those chains?” Hero asked as they all continued to sit in silence. “You don’t think she’ll try to rip it off again?”

“And we don’t have the knife to cut her out either,” Oppty points out as she plays with their conjoined hands.

“We won’t need to worry about that.”

“How come?”

“She can slip out of them.”

“WHAT?!”

“Ok,” she purrs as she extends her arm, and the clasp falls from her wrist. Oppty looks likes she could burst a vessel. “After you, darling,” the Princess says with false sweetness as she gets closer. “You’re the one it lets come and go. It’s best if I follow.”

All the hair on Hunted’s body stands up as Oppty says, “Oh no. We can’t have that. If anyone is going to turn their back on anyone else, she’s going to turn her back on us.”

“It shouldn’t matter who leads and who follows. We’re working together here,” Hero, still far too trusting for his own good, states.

“No! Absolutely not!” the Narrator shrieks. “Until you come up with any other idea – like, say, I don’t know, doing your job and slaying her – you remain rigidly in place.”

“You tried this last time,” Hunted points out. “Do you want to know how it went for you?”

“Oh, I remember! She killed us,” Hero comments. He can be such a little shit when he wants to be. “Which by your estimation, ended the world. Right?”

“Sorry, Boss,” Oppty chuckled, not sounding sorry at all, as the Narrator grumbled. “But it’s four to one. You lost.”

Choosing to ignore the others as they continue to bicker, Hunted interrupts by replying to her, “I can smell the animosity coming off of you. You’ll excuse me if I don’t trust you to be at my back.”

They watch as she takes another step closer, her nose twitching as she sniffs your neck inquisitorially.

“What is she doing?” Hero asks.

“I think she’s trying to figure out if we’re lying,” Oppty comments.

“Then it’s a good thing we didn’t lie,” Hunted adds. Still though, it doesn’t trust her to go behind them. Before she can give an answer, Hunted moves the body over to the steps.

“What are you doing?” Oppty is squeezing the life out of Hunted’s hand. Admittedly, it doesn't know. None of its decisions are making sense. But it’s determined to get them all out of here.

“I’m not turning my back on her. We’ll go up backwards.”

“Is that a good idea though?” Hero asks nervously.

“Of course not,” the Narrator continues to grumble. “You’ll trip over the roots and break your spine before you even reach the top.”

“No,” it growls. Don’t let him get in your head. “I can do it. We’ll be ok,” it reassures the others as it continues backwards much to the confusion of the Princess.

The walk up is silent, both parties never taking their eyes off each other. Hunted senses Oppty’s nervousness. It thinks she’s very brave for putting all her faith in it. Even as they reach the room above, Hunted continues to stare at her as they move the body towards the door.

It watches as the Witch surveys the room, as if it’s a trick. The blade, Hunted thinks. She’s looking for the blade. Because she is very much like Oppty. She can never fully trust them, and honestly, as they finally exit the Cabin and memories return, it will never fully trust her either.

But Hunt makes a second realization, as a nasty little grin pulls on its face. It isn’t afraid of her. Not anymore. Not after becoming her equal during the Den.

“Thank you,” Oppty quietly mumbles breaking the shorter voice’s concentration.

“For what?”

“Getting us out of there,” she says as the Shifting Mound comes for the vessel. Even quieter, “And for always trusting me.”

“Of course I trust you,” Hunt says as it bumps its head into the other’s shoulder. “You’re the most important person in my life.” Oppty’s face lit up brighter than the stars above. Oppty didn’t say it, and Hunt didn’t need to hear it, but both knew the feeling was more than mutual.

***

This is fucking stupid, Beast grumbles at her sister. Witch isn’t hearing it though. She wasn’t there. She didn’t feel what that small one felt like.

Witch knew the wretch was a snake. Knew it from the moment they were both born. But they were under the impression (mostly thanks to Beast) that her fledgling wasn’t. They thought they were coward, prey. But no. That wasn’t the case. Especially not after watching the display before them now.

Witch loathed to admit it, but Oppty and Cold’s shared garden was coming along beautifully. The wretch was currently working with one of their plants, mask on her face. That was strange, right? The only other occupant was the fledgling. Did she not trust it? That would be delicious to poke at.

Speaking of the other voice, they were just running around like a feral dog. There was an air to their movement that felt familiar but not right on them. A purr and a giggle rang through their mind. What?

Oh nothing, Lillia answered. Bullshit. Her and Den were laughing at them. They couldn’t understand it. Them and Wild were friendly with the two voices. Why? They had been Witch and Beast at one point. They all knew what these two were capable of. Hell, if you asked them further about the parts past where they stopped being the same person, it still sounded awful! Trapped in a thorny prison with your captor being the only salvation? Stuck in a mostly collapsed tunnel or fighting tooth and claw to the death? Being forced to the share the same body as the traitor? Witch would rather die.

Thanks goodness for Beast and Grey. Don’t get it wrong, Witch liked the other versions of herself well enough, but the other two were the one who understood her. Betrayal was baked in the very essence of their souls. The others, both vessel and voice alike, for all their kindness couldn’t change how they came to be or understand why Witch didn’t want to let that go. Beast and Grey did, and they still wanted Witch as she was.

A low growl alerted the vessels that their presence was known. Looking down revealed Hunt, hackles raised and teeth bared. From their bond, Witch could feel Beast’s confusion and Den’s…hm, what was the other feeling? It felt like sadness but also a hunger.

At the growl, Oppty had turned to look over at the commotion, and immediately froze, body going tense. Even with the mask obscuring their true emotions, the voice had been relaxed a moment ago. No. Not just relaxed. Vulnerable. Around the fellow voice. Even when the other voices were around her, there was always a slight tension to her frame. But not with the fledgling.

“Hunt,” she called, frame and voice changing to give off an air of authority. Witch wasn’t fooled though. The nasty thing reeked of fear. “Come back here.” The Hunt’s eyes only momentarily shifted from the Princess to look at the other. Even as it made its way over to Oppty, it never took its eyes off her.

“Did you need something?” the masked voice asked as the animalistic one curled next to her side. Witch felt the body move but not by her. Lillia sat them in front of the voices. Both voices relaxed some, as if they could tell sense the shift, though not by much.

“Witch thought you were acting strangely during your time with her.” The other vessel bristled at the comment. Why did you tell them that?! Lillia petted their shared hair in an attempt to placate the other vessel. “If we are being honest, you still are. We simply wanted to make sure you were ok.” Lillia ignored the whining of Beast and Witch.

“We’re fine.” Hunt’s voice was still growly. Lillia took notice how its claws and fangs were elongated.

The vessel hummed as her eyes turned towards the garden. “What are you growing?” Oppty perked up at the question. “Oh uh…just some vegetables. I wanted to try my hand at cooking.”

“We don’t need to eat.”

Oppty shrugged. “I know, but I found a recipe book while exploring Hunt’s library-.” (“It isn’t my library,” Hunt muttered. “Skeptic and Prisoner use it too.”) “-and I’d like to take a crack at it.” They shrug again. “It sounds like fun.”

“Well, you’ve done a wonderful job.”

Hunt felt Oppty stiffen at the compliments. She still wasn’t used to them. Even from Hunt, she would act weird. The smaller voice slipped its fingers between the other’s as it asked, “What do you want?”

“What do you mean?”

“What I said. What do you want? Witch and Beast don’t like us, and it doesn’t make sense for you, Den, and Wild to want anything to with us. You three should hate us after all we’ve done to you.”

Lillia drooped at the comment. She felt someone else come forward. “Other. Half,” Den growled. “Im. Port. Tant. Kind.”

“You’re mistaken,” Oppty informs. Maybe not the smartest thing to admit but neither of the Princesses seem upset. And, well, the two voices were confused. Kind is not the word either would use to describe their actions against any of the Princesses.

“I don’t think I am. I think there’s a kind heart in both of you.” Lillia shrugged. “Maybe not every time. But there were moments between us where we were tender. Where our hands were offered rather than a blade.”

“That’s what the Decider wanted,” Oppty pointed out. “Not us. We’re just advisory roles.” Hunt watched its counterpart. Why was she trying so hard to convince – Who? The Princess? Hunt? Themself? – that they weren’t a good person? You know why, a thought whispered in its mind.

“Do you think I like being me?”

Hunt drooped. It snuggled into its counterpart. Oppty may not like herself, so Hunt is just going to pick up the slack.

Meanwhile, the larger of the two was spiraling a little. Because they had tried being kind once. When they tried to free her and was locked down in the basement for it. And then she just…ripped into her arm. Like it was paper. Oppty didn’t know at the time that she wasn’t always dangerous. They were scared, they just wanted to be safe. Wanted the people they cared about to be safe.

Oppty never asked to be made.

“You may believe whatever you want,” Wild answered as she held out her hand, waiting to see if the two would come to her. Hesitantly, Hunt climbed on pulling the other voice behind it. Not for the first time, the Princesses wonder if there was something going on between the two. “But we choose to believe you and us are more then what the world would have us be.”

“Be better,” Hunt copied Happy’s mantra.

“Make them proud,” Oppty finished.

From out of sight of the voices, the Heart smiled.

***

Stubborn isn’t coping well.

He’s trying. Like really hard to get along with the others. But it feels like he’s fucking everything up.

He keeps picking fights. Only some of them are intentional. He wishes he could fight the Adversary and the Needle. Except he also doesn’t. Because it isn’t the same anymore. Not after the Fury. They had been the same once. Equals. But then the dance changed. He isn’t sure which of them had first. Or maybe they were never the same? Ugh. All of this made Stubborn’s head hurt.

Then there was unintentional ones. Those felt worse.

He keeps forgetting Smitten can’t see or about Cold’s leg. He doesn’t mean to sneak up on Hunted – (Hunt. They’re just Hunt now.) – or Opportun – (Oppty.) – but he gets excited and just wants to find them so he can show them what he’s found.

He keeps flubbing everyone’s pronouns. They’re all nice about it, and honestly that makes Stubborn feel worse. Especially when apologizing isn’t his strong suit. It feels like giving up.

He wants to have a proper fight with Hunt, but the other voice is hesitant about that. And Stubborn just doesn't understand why. He’s seen them – (No, wait that’s Con-Happy. Or was it Skeptic?) – during the Needle, Den, and Razor. It’s (Is that the right one?) good at it. And after that one time where Hunt bit him, has only interested him more. But the other voice keeps avoiding him.

Because there’s nothing else to you. You’re just the meathead who wants a fight and can’t admit when he’s wrong.

Stubborn continued to be lost in thought. He wasn’t paying attention until he ran right into someone. Speak of the devil…

Hunt’s eyes were staring back at him as it righted itself. It looked nervous as it took in the larger form. It doesn’t trust you. That’s why it won’t fight you. That’s why it bit you. Cause you’re just a big scary monster to it.

“Are you alright?” Hunt blinks. It feels like it should be asking that. Stubborn has been off since coming here. Stubborn was loud and passionate about everything he adored and hated. It didn’t matter what was happening or what he was feeling, Stubborn was always big about it.

Now though he was quiet. He only spoke when spoken to, and it felt like the larger voice was avoiding Hunt. It didn’t understand why Stubborn was so down recently, but the latter issue was personally concerning towards the smaller. Had…It didn’t make sense given how Stubborn loved fighting, but did he maybe not trust it? Because it snapped at him?

“I’m…fine. And you?” Stubborn shuffled in place. Why was he asking? Shit! IT! Urgh! This was why it didn’t trust you. He couldn’t even get one freaking word right!

“I’m…fine.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

The two voices went quiet, just standing there in awkward silence. Hunt had to do something. If it waited for Stubborn to make a decision, then it’d be waiting forever.

“Look, I’m sorry for hurting you. And offending you. Are you offended? I understand if you are…” Stubborn just looked at the smaller in confusion. Why is it apologizing? Why would Stubborn be the one offended? It was Stubborn who was constantly fucking up.

“It’s-You aren’t the one who should be apologizing.” Stubborn could feel his body start to shift from steel to rocks. He can’t look at Hunt as he speaks. Instead, his gaze shifts feet ward. “Look, I get it, I’m big and scary. I…understand why you attacked me back then. It’s…fine. I get the message. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Wait,” Hunt interrupts. “What are you talking about?”

“Come on, Hunt. I’m not that much of an idiot.”

Hunt growls at that, though it tries to stifle it. It doesn’t need to give the larger voice another reminder of how it’s a dangerous animal. “You aren’t an idiot.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Yeah. Right.”

And they’re silent again. Fuck it, Hunt thinks. It needs to just come out and say it. “Look, I don’t know why you think I’m the one who deserves an apology,” Stubborn grumbled at that. Hunt ignored him. “But if it makes you feel better, I forgive you.”

It was hard to tell where Stubborn was looking, but Hunt still felt his eyes on it. When they continued to sit in silence, Hunt moved closer, nudged the larger voice’s chest. It took everything in it not to flinch when Stubborn put his arms around the smaller. Hunt returns the gesture, even if it can’t reach all the way around.

“I don’t deserve your apology.”

“Not your call to make.”

“I’m going to keep hurting you.”

“That’s the price people pay for caring about someone.”

“I’m a monster.”

“And you think I’m not?”

Stubborn looks down at his flockmate. “Is that how you see yourself?” The shorter nods. “Is that the reason you won’t fight me?” Hunt nods again. “You’re not. You’re like the kindest voice here. Anyone would be lucky to have you at their back.”

“And anyone would be lucky to have you too.”

Stubborn pulls the smaller voice back into his chest. Opening up is hard. But letting his voice down was harder. “I don’t…” He stops. Starts again. “My brain has a hard time remembering shit. It doesn’t like when things change. And a lot has changed recently.”

Hunt hums. “Mine acts more a kin to an animal. And I recently noticed that it likes being seen like a predator. That I like being seen as a predator.” Hunt shifts so it can see it’s hands. “Despite all that, I never want to be the reason one of you gets hurt. You’re all too important to me.”

“Fighting was…I loved it. Love it,” he growls. “It was my whole life. But it’s different now. I don’t get the same rush as before.” His invisible gaze looks off in the distant. “Not since…”

“…Her?”

Stubborn’s neck moves indicating he’s nodding. “Our dance changed. And I don’t know how to get it back.”

Hunt hummed again. “But doesn’t that just mean you get to make a new dance?” Hunt feels the fur on the top of its head shift as Stubborn sighs. “I guess.” Stubborn’s body tightens around the smaller voice. “I’m going to try harder. No more fuckups.”

“We don’t mind the fuckups,” Hunt says with an eyeroll. “Yes, you keep forgetting. But we can all tell you’re making an effort to get it right.”

“And that just makes everything ok?”

Hunt shrugs. “It means you’re not malicious about it.” The two voices continue to sit in silence until Hunt starts grinning as a new idea pops in its head. “You know, I think I know someone who might be willingly to be put up a good fight…”

***

Due to her holding onto the smaller voice, Smitten was able to tell the exact moment when Hunt tensed up. Which was strange because this was Hunt’s idea.

(“Are you sure about this, Hunty?” Oppty asked nervously. None of them were sure what Hunt had said to get Stubborn out of his funk, but everyone was surely thankful for it.

“Look, you want to get Stubborn’s attention, right? Then you need to talk his language. And trust me. Getting his attention and talking his language means fighting him with all you got.”)

As far as Smitten could tell, it sounded like Oppty was holding her own. So she couldn’t really tell what was up with the smaller voice. On the peacock’s left, Happy was giving off a nervous energy.

“What’s happening now?”

“Oppty just catapulted over Stubborn,” Skeptic narrated. “Stubborn’s trying to catch them, but she’s faster.”

“All’s it’ll take is one good hit though,” Cold added. A gleeful tone could be heard in the frigid one’s voice. A light pat followed, indicating someone smacked her.

Smitten continued to listen to the fight. Nothing gave away what exactly Hunt and Happy were nervous about. Except for…

Smitten blinked. The fiery voice listened carefully again. Oppty was making little noises. Not human ones. If she didn’t know any better, Smitten would have thought she was listening to…Oh.

The peacock thought back to when she and Skeptic first arrived here. To when Skepty and Oppty got into the fight about apologies. The argument only started due to Skeptic’s questioning Hunt about the Den. Skeptic had been there at one point. And Stubborn had implied he had been there too.

Hunt flinched again at…whatever was going on with the two fighting voices. Smitten stood up, picking the smaller voice up as she went. “Hunt and I are going to go on a walk,” she informed. No one bothered to stop them.

“You don’t have to carry me,” Hunt commented as they got further away. “I can walk. Do you even know where you’re going?”

Smitten stopped in her tracks before placing it down. “No.” She swayed her arm out waiting for the smaller to take it. “Lead the way.”

Hunt snickered at the display before taking the peacock’s hand. The two voices made their way to the mystery location in relative silence. Smitten finally spoke when the smell of books hit her nose. “You really like the library, huh?”

Hunt hummed. “I don’t know what it is. It doesn't help us survive obviously. But I like it. I like being able to read other people’s stories. I like being able to create my own. It’s fun.”

“Pretty sure that’s the point of hobbies.” Smitten continued to be pulled into the room. The peacock snuggled into the smaller as the two got comfortable.

“So is there a reason you pulled us away or…?”

“Well, I get nothing out of their fight because well…” the taller voice waved her hand in front of her face causing Hunt to choke on nothing. The peacock giggled as she listened to her fellow voice sputter.

“Anyways…” Smitten giggled again before responding. “While don’t think I don’t appreciate your company, I did take us away for a reason.” Her tone turned solemn. “You were getting nervous watching Oppty and Stubborn. I know it isn’t my business, and feel free to not answer, but did it maybe have to do with whatever happened to you in the Den?”

Hunt froze up again. Smitten felt bad.

“I…don’t want you to think bad of me.” Smitten closed her eyes in thought. It wasn’t for long though, as the passionate voice sat up and turned with her back facing the smaller. “Can you help me undo my top?”

Hunt blinked. What an odd request. Especially after what she had been asking of it. Still, it was curious about what this was about so it ultimately complied. As Smitten turned back around as her dress fell, Hunt felt its heart drop. Smitten’s chest…It…She…

“What happened?”

Smitten covered where her now exposed and scarred heart lay in her disemboweled and torn open chest. “What I’m ashamed of. I…” she hesitated. She didn’t want Hunt to think bad of her either. Smitten felt hands on her face, whipping away her tears. When had she started crying?

Taking a deep breath, Smitten continued. “I kept the Princess, Quiet, and several of our fellow voices trapped in what I thought would make them happy.” Her brow wrinkled. “No, that’s not right. She told us what would make her happy. She just wanted to leave. And I didn’t care.”

Hunt’s ears twitched. Standing in the doorway was the Princess, the headless one. Mascara was running down her face. Uh oh. Happily glared daggers into Smitten’s back as she entered the room, noisily sitting neck to the two voices.

Smitten continued as they sat in silence. “I hate what I did. Hate myself. Looking back now with a clear head, I can’t understand what I was thinking. I don’t deserve to be forgiven by Happily.”

“No, you don’t.”

Smitten jumped at the Princess’ voice as she continued. “Damsel and Seraphina may be able to overlook what you did, but I can’t.” She huffed as she continued to whisper. “I don’t even want to be with Quiet. But I’ve been outvoted.”

Hunt’s eyes widened. It hadn’t known that. What would happen when Quiet got here? Actually, now that it thought about it, did the other Princesses like Quiet? Stranger did. Everyone knew that. But did any of the others? Was it fair to put that on the others?

“That’s fair,” Smitten said sullenly though that seemed to only anger the Princess more.

“Ugh! Why are you being so understanding?! Do you know how hard it is to hate someone who’s trying to be nice to you?! I don’t want to like you!”

“Ok.”

Happily screamed in frustration, hurting Hunt’s ears. The room fell silent again.

Rustling caught the Princess and Smitten’s attention. Hunt was removing the shawl it always wore from its body. Hunt took Smitten’s hands to again, placing them on its scarred body as the Princess looked over the small voice’s form.

“This is my...” Hunt closed its eyes in thought. “This was my shame.” Its amber eyes flashed open. “It’s a strange feeling. To have the thing you’re ashamed of others knowing also being the things you’re becoming proud of.” It turned to look at the Princess. “You know, I don’t think I ever properly apologized.”

The Princess’ form didn’t so much move as it shifted. What was a fairytale-esque maiden a second ago was now wild and animalistic. “Well, let’s hear it little, fledgling,” Beast growled.

Hunt glared at its counterpart. “I apologized for striking you first, harpy.” Hunt smirked at the other Princesses had to physically hold Beast back from attacking it. The smirk dropped as it continued, “And I apologize for harming Den and Wild.”

“But not for what you did to me,” Beast growled again.

“You ate me. As far as I’m concerned, that was self-defense and makes us even.”

Beast glared for a moment longer before her face split into a grin. “You’re an odd one, little predator.”

Hunt grinned again. Smitten fidgeted nervously. It was so strange to see one of them revel in their darker sides. “Thank you for sharing with me, Hunt. I know this was something you were secretive about.”

Hunt nuzzled into its fellow voice.

“I’ve made a decision.” Hunt opened one eye to look at Beast. She held wooden finger/claw out for it to take. “Truce?”

Hunt looked at the offending limb before taking it. “Truce. But know this, harpy,” Beast let it pull her claw closer to it as they growled, “you hurt them, and I’ll gut you.”

The pair grinned as Beast agreed, “Deal, little predator. Know the same goes for me.”

***

“So what are we making again?”

Oppty looked over at the buffer voice. Hunt was right. Fighting the big lug was the best way to get his attention. Ever since, Stubborn had started taking an interests in whatever Oppty liked. Especially cooking, or more accurately baking.

“Red velvet gateau.”

“Have you made that before?”

Oppty shook her head. The two voices continued in relative silence the only interruptions being when Oppty needed an ingredient. This is boring, Stubborn thought after a while. He wanted to get his hands dirty, but Oppty was so anal about his creations.

The shorter voice jumped as the larger voice threw a bit of flour on them. “What was that for?” she asked with a glare.

Stubborn shrugged. “I’m bored.” Oppty threw a little back in retaliation. Now it was Stubborn’s turn to glare. “Do you really want to start something?”

“I’m not the one who did!”

Both voices loss track of time as they continued to pelt each other baking ingredients. If you asked either what happened later, both voices’ minds were in a bit of blur. Oppty would say it was Stubborn’s fault for shoving chocolate filling in her face. Stubborn would say it was Oppty’s fault for slipping and grabbing the taller voice. Either way, the results were the same. Stubborn crashing on top of the shorter.

Both voices groaned as they hit the floor. As she opened her eyes, Oppty’s mask slammed back on her face as she took in the voice above her. She wasn’t sure if he noticed what happened yet, but oh damn did she. She couldn’t even move, he was pinning her to the ground.

Stubborn’s muscles rippled as he pushed himself up, rubbing the back of his head in the process. “Fuck me, that hurt.” Oh yes, please. “You ok, Oppty?” The other voice nodded. She didn’t trust herself to not say something embarrassing. Finally, Stubborn looked down at her, and froze as he took note of their position. “Shit! Sorry, I’ll-!”

He didn’t get to finish. Oppty quickly grabbed the back of his neck as he made to lean away and yanked him back down to her, kissing where she assumed his mouth was. A smirk graced her lips as he groaned into her mouth.

As the two pulled apart, the more mischievous voice took note of what was a floating chocolate stain. So he does still have a face. A rush ran through her body as the chocolate stain slowly disappeared from view. “So uh not that I’m complaining,” the taller said as he smacked his invisible lips, “but what was that for?”

“Been wanting to do that since you got here. Fuck,” she said with a laugh. “Longer than that.”

She couldn’t see them, but she’d bet money he was grinning at her. “Yeah? Want to finish what we started then?”

She nodded, but her finger to his lips as he moved towards her again. “Not here though. Assuming this is going where I want it to, we’re not doing it in my kitchen.” She stood up, taking in her, his, and the room’s appearance. “And we could both really using a good cleaning.”

Pulling him up from the floor, Oppty grabbed the hem of his tank top, grinning as they stared into each other’s eyes. “When we’re all clean, then we go find somewhere nice and cozy and you,” she pointed at his chest. “Can show a girl a good time.”

“Why wait? A shower fuck too good for you?”

Oppty flushed at his choice of phrasing but plowed on regardless. “We’ll see.” With one last shared kiss, the two voices raced off. Both couldn’t wait.

***

Something was different about Oppty.

Hunt of course wasn’t a hundred percent certain about what transpired between them and Stubborn, nor why they chose to destroy their kitchen, but ever since, Oppty had been walking with a pep in her step and a couple of new bruises on her neck.

“Do I need to kill Stubborn?”

Oppty rose an eyebrow at their partner. “What?” They jumped when Hunt pressed on the hickey on their neck. Shifting Mound, Stubborn. I told you to keep it below the collar. “It’s fine,” they said as they swatted the other’s claws away. “The two of us were just messing around.”

“Messing around with what?”

“Each other.” Oppty giggled as all the fur on Hunt’s body rose. “You asked, dear.”

Hunt grumbled as Oppty’s attention went back to their garden. The two voices sat in silence until Hunt decided to break it. “Are you two together now?"

“Like a couple?” Hunt nodded. Oppty thought. “I’m not sure. I definitely intend to have fun with him, but I’m not sure how serious we are. Gonna have to talk with him about that.”

“You didn’t discuss this when you got together?”

“’Discussing’ wasn’t really on either of our minds at the time, Hunty.” More raised fur. Another giggle. “What about you?” Oppty asked when they calmed down again. “Anyone caught your eye?”

Hunt went quiet again. It…wasn’t sure how to explain this. “I don’t…” Oppty watched as it played with its inner lip. “When I think of the future, when I think of any romantic ventures, its…I don’t…” Hunt flopped over into the other with a groan in frustration. “I think I can feel that way about someone. But I have to be close with them. I have to have a bond with them first.” It peeked at its partner. “Does that make sense?”

Oppty hummed. “I mean, I’ll admit, I don’t quite understand.” They wrapped a wing around the other and pulled it close. “But if that’s how you say you work, then that’s how you work. Just tell me if someone ever does come along. Ok, partner?”

“Ok, Oppty. And you tell me if I need to beat the stuffing out of Stubborn. Leaving marks on a lady is just unacceptable.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much. I can give as good as I can take. Why do you think he’s been walking funny recently?”

Oppty cackled as Hunt attempted to shove them into the dirt.

Chapter Text

Ada watched her voice interact with the rat. She hated to admit it, but something had changed between her and her little fighter.

Their dance had been beautiful once. A cacophony of violence and blood. Their fights had brought her such joy once upon a time, but now…

“Little fighter!” Stubborn turned to look at his Adversary. At his side, Oppty flinched and glared at the titan woman. Despite what they told Hunt, how her and Stubborn’s newfound relationship wasn’t serious, a wave of jealousy still coursed through her veins.

“We need to talk.”

Stubborn blinked. “About?”

“About us.”
Stubborn was worried that’s what this was about. Stubborn turned back to his-Were they lovers now? He’d probably have to talk about that too. “I’ll be right back,” he said as he leaned into kiss the other. The way the fatter voice hungrily devoured the taller would never get old.

Ada growled as she watched them. Did she still have a right to the other? It certainly didn’t help that the shorter voice looked so smug about her fighter’s attention.

Oppty watched as the Princess and their…whatever they and Stubborn were…left the room. Hopefully, whatever the two decided wouldn’t leave them alone.

The vessel and voice said nothing as they wandered the halls of their new home. Words were not either of their strong suits. This was going to be difficult no matter what they ended up deciding.

“Did you ever care?” Stubborn looked at the other. “What?”

“Did you ever care? Was I ever important to you?”

“Of course you are.” Stubborn looked down. “Our fights were glorious. I would have been content with fighting you for the rest of our lives.” He looked back at her. “But I…I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel guilty for what became of you after the Adversary.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

Stubborn closed his eyes. It was easier to talk if he wasn’t looking at her. “I…How much do you remember? Where do you end and the Needle and Fury begin?”

Ada shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess when one of us dies. I know what Needle went through cause she’s in my head. Don’t know jack shit about what happened to this Fury.”

“Do…You remember fist fighting me?”

She nods, a sad look in her eyes. “I do.” She sighed heavily as she asked, “Why’d you do it?”

“Do what?”

“The fist fight. Keep getting up. Why’d you do it? Was that you? Or the big guy?”

“He wanted to leave the knife. I was the one who kept forcing him to fight. I think. I mean I know the others have forced the body to do what they want, but I can’t say for certain I did. Did you…” He paused here to gather his thoughts. “Were you actually afraid? After my…?” He waved his hand in front of where his face should be. She got the idea. “The Narrator and Hero commented on it, but I was kind of uh distracted at the time.”

She nods again. “It wasn’t so much that you were injured.” She looks down at her own hands. “Or that I was hurting you. We did that before, and I was fine with it then. You just…I can’t even explain it properly. I don’t know why it hurt me to see you like that, but it did.”

It was his turn to nod. “I know you said you don’t actually know what happened, but I can’t get the Fury out of my head. We changed. We no longer understood each other. Fuck, I’d argue we didn’t even understand each other anymore during the Needle either.” He looks back up at her. She can’t see it, but he feels his expression become distraught. “You just wanted to fight. And, don’t get it twisted, I wanted that too. But I am a part of him. And he-we wanted you to be free.”

The voice and vessel press their heads together. “I love you. I will always love you. But I’m not the person I was back then. I can’t be the person I was back then. I’m…sorry.”

She doesn’t say anything. The Adversary presses a kiss to his hidden lips. It will be the first and only one they share. He isn’t hers anymore. It hurts but it’ll be ok.

The two once soulmates pull apart. “I love you too,” she said wetly.

“I want you to know how grateful I am to have met you.”

“I don’t ever think I’m going to meet another man like you.”

“I know you will. You’re amazing.”

Ada places her counterpart back on the ground. “Go. Your sweetheart’s waiting for you.”

“Oh, she isn’t-.”

“Don’t. Just go.”

The Adversary watched the other run off. “You’re not going to fight for him?” Needle growled. Adversary sighed. “No.”

“But you still love him?” Damsel added.

“I do,” she agreed.

“Then why would let him go?” Dragon questioned.

“Because I love him.”

“That’s stupid,” Witch sneered.

Adversary sighed again. “I don’t expect any of you to understand. But he wants to be better. And he’s happy. That’s all I can ask for.”

Oppty meanwhile was pacing back and forth. Had it been a while? What were they talking about? Did…Stubborn change his mind? Fuck, it didn’t matter if he did. They weren’t serious. Right? Oppty had no reason to be jealous. But she was. Fuck, she really was.

“Hey!” Oppty jumped at the shout. Stubborn was back, the Princess nowhere in sight. His voice sounded happy. Fuck, what did that mean? Was he happy to see Oppty? Or was he happy because he and her were together again?

“Hey,” they said weakly. “How’d it go?”

“It…went well.” Stubborn was now standing in front of them.

“And…what did you decide? Should I be congratulating you?”

“Congratulating?”

“Well, yeah, I mean. She’s your soulmate, right? Everyone knows that. So of course you’d want to be with-.” She doesn’t get to finish. Stubborn presses hard into Oppty’s mouth. Dear Shifting Mound, she could just melt.

“I choose you,” he say breathlessly. “You’re the one I want.”

Oppty bites inside of their lip. “I don’t share.”

“Ok.”

“I mean it, Stubborn. If we’re gonna do this, it’s only me and you. No one else.”

“Good.” He roughly kisses her again. “You’re it for me too.”

Oppty grins wide as they start pulling the other voice along with them. “Well come along then.”

“Where we going, babe?”

A small shiver climbed up Oppty’s spine at ‘babe’. “We’re gonna go find Happy. I can’t wait to rub it in their face that I got someone before they did.”

Stubborn snorted. “What is this a competition?”

“Yes.”

Stubborn snorts again.

***

Skeptic couldn’t breathe. They had just returned from the Grey along with Cold and Oppty. They were safe now. They were back with the others. So why couldn’t they breathe?

“Skeptic?”

They clutched their chest. Skeptic’s heart. It isn’t beating right. It’s going too fast. Why won’t it slow down?

“Brother? Are you ok?”

Was that Smitten? Skeptic tried to speak, but nothing was coming out.

“Skeptic, what’s wrong?”

They couldn’t talk, but they could still move. Skeptic started rapidly beating where their heart was. Not their smartest idea as they felt their heart seize right before they passed out.

When Skeptic awoke, they felt their head being cushioned by something soft. The smell of roses and vanilla hit his nose, indicating it was most likely Smitten as their pillow. Skeptic tried to open his eyes only to quickly shut them as their senses were flooded with a white light, a pounding headache going behind their eyes.

“Skepty?” their sister asked quietly, ever mindful of her brother’s moods. Smitten’s quiet call got the attention of the others.

“How you feeling?” Happy asked. The other voices were trying not to crowd their fallen friend, at the behest of Hunt. They didn’t want to potentially make the situation worse.

“Fine. What happened?”

“We were hoping you could tell us that.”

Skeptic turned slightly, pressing his face into Smitten’s lap. They didn’t want to. What could they say? That their fear of water, something the rest of them all thought was just a regular dislike, sent them into a panic attack. That it agitated their already weak heart because they stupidly gave the Long Quiet a heart attack in a failed attempt to understand the Construct. The whole thing just made them feel pathetic.

“It’s stupid,” they mumbled. That was apparently the wrong thing to say because suddenly Skeptic’s head was yanked up to meet Smitten’s sightless gaze. Skeptic only vaguely heard Hunt hiss at the gesture as their head swam in pain.

“Don’t you dare,” Smitten growled. The others paused. The voices could growl, that was nothing new. Hunt and Stubborn did it all the time. But no one had ever heard that sound come from Smitten. “Do you have any idea how terrified I was when you passed out? I thought you died, Skeptic!” She pulled the other voice into herself.

Skeptic froze in the hold until they felt tears matter their feathers where their cheeks were pressed. Only then did they wrap their arms around the other. “You don’t get to not tell us what’s going on,” Smitten said through sobs. “I can’t lose you.”

Skeptic sighs. They could argue against anyone else. They would ignore anyone else. But Smitten wasn’t anyone else. So he closed his eyes again and started explaining. If they tried hard enough they could pretend it was just him and Smitten.

“I thought you just didn’t like water,” Happy commented. Like all hard conversations the voices had, they were laying down in a circle. There was no reason to not be comfortable when someone was admitting something awful.

“You were acting strange before we got down there,” Cold added.

Had they? They weren’t paying attention at the time. Though now that they thought about it, Skeptic had been nervous leading up to entering the basement. Skeptic shrugged. They didn’t have a good answer to that. Well, they did. But there was no way in hell they were telling the rest of them that.

“You’re afraid.” Skeptic’s breath caught in their throat at the Grey’s voice. Of course she would rat them out. How’d she even figure it out?

“I’m not afraid of getting a little wet,” they grumbled. “That’s fucking pathetic.”

Skeptic’s face was moved again by their sister as she planted a kiss to their cheek. “Wha-?” Skeptic sputtered as Smitten continued to pepper them with kisses. “Smitten-.” The shadowy voice flushed as the others laughed. She ignored them. “Stop, Smitten-Will you-.” Skeptic finally had to shove her away. “What are doing?”

Smitten was glaring at her brother. “You’re being mean to yourself. Stop that.”

“Being mean? What are you five?”

The two voices stuck their tongues out at each other.

“Anyways,” Skeptic turned towards Oppty. “How come you never mentioned your heart?”

Skeptic shrugged again. They were embarrassed. They let themselves get carried away in the mystery of it all. And well…they didn’t want to actually talk about the Cage. In the moment he didn’t care. It was a new data point. It was worth it just to see what happened.

Now though? Now they realized how the mess that was the Cage was their fault. They should have told the Long Quiet and Hero what they and the Prisoner wanted. They don’t regret killing the Long Quiet to get out of their “reward.” But how they treated Para, Oki, and Chea was cruel. Because all three of them were right, in their own ways. Even if they weren’t, there was no reason for Skeptic to be a dick.

And then, they stabbed her in the heart. Or they chose to drop her. The look in her eyes and the other voices’ devastated tones will haunt Skeptic’s for the rest of their days.

“Brother?” Skeptic turns back to Smitten. The rage that was in her eyes moments ago had melted into concern.

“I’m alright,” they placated. “To answer your question Oppty, well I suppose Smitten and I aren’t that different from each other,” they lied. Was it though? Neither particularly cared who they hurt when they wanted something bad enough. And they both had a tendency to get carried away with their beliefs. And both did hide their more serious injuries from the others due to fear of how they’d be perceived. Huh.

Smitten tugged Skeptic close again. “You know we love you as you are, right?”

“I know.”

“And you know this doesn’t change our opinion of you, right?”

They nod. Skeptic watches as Smitten smirks. “And look on the bright side, at least you still have a chest to still be in pain.” A surprise cackle leaves the shadow’s lips. They couldn’t help it.

The twins (Twins? Yeah, no, twins.) continued to snicker as Happy groaned loudly into their hands. “Please tell me you’re not implying what I think you’re implying, Smitten.”

They got no answer. The two continued to quietly snicker as the other voices questions fell on deaf ears.

***

Stubborn grumbled to himself as he woke up from fucking Skeptic slitting their throat. It was a cowardly thing to do. I mean, he kind of agreed with the shadow, their reward was bullshit. But come on! At least have the guts to kill yourself!

…Wait…

Ah! Who fucking cares!

“See? All done. That wasn’t so bad, was it, buddy?” the scarred voice heard Hero say to-.

Oh, Stubborn’s brain stopped working as he took in the form of the new voice. Oh, little bird.

Stubborn doesn’t hear the rest of the ensuing argument as his mind fills with – A memory? He’s being torn apart. All of them are. And Broken is telling them to leave. He can’t though. Broken is such a little guy. He needs protecting. He won’t survive the demon on his own. But it isn’t Stubborn’s choice anymore. Cold – Cold shouldn’t be here. Cold and Broken shouldn’t both be here – is forcing him away.

The other voices startle as their strongest flockmate suddenly picks up their smallest one, cradling the bird to his chest. “You’re here.”

Broken squirms a little so it can get a better look at the bigger one. Stubborn looks…strange. A mix of devastation and joy. And it’s being directed at Broken of all voices. Nothing happened that would elicit that reaction.

Except…

For a moment, Broken is somewhere else. There’s this broken version of the Princess, and she’s ripping them apart. Broken can handle it. It’s one of the only ones who can handle it. But Stubborn refuses to leave. He’s only prolonging the inevitable. It breaks Broken’s heart to let him go. But it refuses to let him continually suffer.

“Yeah, big guy,” it says as it nuzzles into the other. “I’m here.”

“Yes, yes, we’re all here,” Skeptic snippily remarks. “But in case you two forgot, we are kind of in the middle of something right now.”

“Should we talk about how we still have the blade?” Everyone turned to look as the Decider speaks, turning over the knife in his hand. “We’ve never started with the blade before.”

“Huh. I…hadn’t actually noticed.” Stubborn hadn’t either. Granted Stubborn was a little distracted just now.

Stubborn feels himself growl at Skeptic’s mocking tone towards Broken. “Back off Skeptic. Broken is just trying to help. There’s no reason for you to be a dick.”

“Oh, don’t coddle him. He needs to toughen up.”

“Toughening up has nothing to do with it! You’re acting like an ass because you think you’re right.”

“I’m not taking the blade again,” the Decider interrupts before the argument can truly get going. The voices and the Narrator all watch in varying degrees of horror as he winds up to throw the blade off into the woods.

“You’re all being ridiculous! Why would we disarm ourselves at a time like this?!” The body suddenly locks up. “I’m intervening. We’re not tossing the blade.”

“Hey! You can’t just do that!” Hero intervenes on Skeptic’s intervening. “We’re not supposed to be able to make our own decisions!”

“Yeah, well I did it last time.”

“And that ended so well for us,” Stubborn heard Broken mutter. Stubborn blinked. Had…Had Broken gotten bigger? No, he had to be imagining it. Just ignore it for now. They had more important things to worry about.

“Hey,” he nudged the smaller voice to get his attention. “What do you want to do?”

Broken blinked. “Me? You actually want my opinion on the matter?”

“Well, yeah. It’s your body too, isn’t it?”

It was. But that never seemed to matter before. Broken’s opinion wasn’t important. It was the voice that gave up at the slightest opposition. More memories flood its mind. Too many to count where Broken was discounted and overlooked. Even ones with Stubborn.

Broken looked over at the other voices. Taking a deep breath, it ordered, “Do it.” Skeptic and Hero startled at the small voice as a grin started to form on Stubborn’s face. There was an air of finality to Broken’s voice as it continued to address the Decider, “You don’t have to listen to him. He hasn’t gotten us anywhere.”

Skeptic growled as they turned to Stubborn. “And what about you? What do you have to say about this? We might get a fight out of her you know.”

Stubborn returned the growl. “You can’t manipulate me into doing what you want. We tried it your way. Now it’s someone else’s turn.” He too now addresses the Decider. “Do it.” Stubborn doesn’t even bother to watch the blade disappear into the woods. He turns himself and Broken towards the Cabin as the others continue to argue. There’s no point to it now. They made their decision.

Meanwhile, Broken watches Stubborn as they trudge through the woods. Stubborn was one of the more violent voices. He loved a good fight. While they could technically still fight her without the blade, it didn’t make sense for him to toss away their implement. Not for Broken’s sake. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Stubborn looked down at the smaller one. Ok, no, he was definitely getting bigger. Not a lot. But Stubborn had been able to fit Broken in the palm of his hand. He had now doubled in size.

“Sure, I did. Like I said earlier, it’s your body too. You get just as much as say as the rest of do.”

“You never cared about that before. No one does. I’m the worst of us. It doesn't matter what I want.” In a tone so quiet that Stubborn almost misses it, Broken mutters, “You’d all be better off without me.”

Stubborn comes to a dead stop. “You…You don’t actually think that do you?” Silence is the only answer he receives. “Oh, Treasure…” Stubborn presses their heads together as he holds the smaller voice as close as he can. He hears his voice breaks as he says, “Don’t say that. Don’t think that we would ever not want you. We need you.” He pauses. “I need you.”

Stubborn? Stubborn needs little, weak, pathetic Broken? He’s a titan. He’s what others wish to be. He’s what Broken wishes to be. He’s big, strong, and assertive. Why and/or how would anyone want, much less need, Broken over Stubborn.

And yet Stubborn believes that with all that he is. As if it’s a fact of life. The sky is full of stars. There’s a Princess in the basement of a cabin. And Stubborn needs Broken.

Broken nuzzles into the larger voice. It doesn’t believe in itself. But it believes in Stubborn. That’s just going to have to be enough. “Thank you, Jewel.” The two voices pull apart as the rustling of chains alerts them to the others. It’s time to go see the Missus.

***

It’s dead quiet when Skeptic, Stubborn, and now Oki return to the others. None of them look to be in a particularly good mood.

“WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!” Oki bellows, taking everyone by surprise. No one has ever heard the small voice raise his voice to anyone before.

The other surprise is his body. He grew for one. He was still the smallest voice but where he was once able to fit into the palm of their hands, he now came up just below Hunt’s head. He now had these skeletal like arms where there were none before.

The only voice that didn’t react was Skeptic. They simply walked up to Smitten, pulling the taller twin into themself. Oki was trying to wiggle out of Stubborn’s hold. It seemed the shouting was meant for Skeptic. “Broke-Oki-Fuck, Treasure, you’re going to hurt yourself-.”

“I don’t care! You saw what he did! We were this close! And he just-He threw that all away! And for what?!”

“Skeptic?” Smitten nudged her brother. “What happened?” The shadow looked like he wasn’t there. Like he was still back in the Construct. “I…” they started to choke out. “I fucked up, Smitty. I did the thing.”

“The thing?” she echoed. Skeptic just nodded. Smitten thought for a second. Skeptic didn’t really feel regret. The only thing they ever admitted to genuinely feeling bad about was – Smitten’s eyes as she remembered their secret shame. “Oh, Skeptic.”

“Is that all you have to say?” Stubborn finally put Oki down. It could barely stand on its own, its glass legs shaking. If it wasn’t for Stubborn clutching onto him, the smallest would have dropped to floor. “You threw her away! We were about to leave! EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE FINE!”

“What happened?” Happy whispered to the larger voice. Stubborn looked nervous. Stubborn never looked nervous. What the fuck happened?

“We fell into a pit,” Stubborn started to explain. “We were able to convince her to leave with us. We were about to leave when…” The steely voice gulped as he continued. “When the Long Quiet suddenly threw her head back into the pit…”

“Why’d you do it?” Oki growled. It had managed to hobble its way over to the shadowy voice. The small voice’s back was facing Happy and Stubborn. There were…bumps? On his back. In the place where…

Happy’s heart dropped as they looked at their right wing. It was skeletal. Like Oki’s arms. Oki didn’t have arms before this. But he had wings. Skeletal wings.

“Oki…” The kiwi ignored them. “Well…?”

Skeptic said nothing. They were still buried in Smitten’s arms. “Answer me!”

“What do you want me to say?!” The shadow yelled back as they turned to face the other. There was a look of total devastation on their face. “You don’t think I know what an ass I am?! That the fucking Cage is my fault! That I push too far, too much! That if anyone else was there, we would have all been free?! I know! Of course I know! You don’t need to remind me how much of a piece of shit I am!”

“Hey!” Both voices turned to look at Smitten. She moved herself between the arguing duo. “Both of you are clearly upset. I don’t care how you do it, but you both need to go calm down. Skeptic,” she held up her hand for her brother to take. When they did, the peacock started pulling him along. Over her shoulder, she called, “By the way, it’s good to have you here Oki.”

Oki blinked. And then it dropped to the ground. “I’m alright,” it waved off the others. It didn’t really change the looks of concern on any of their faces and Cold was still kind enough to numb the stress on his joints.

“Little bird?” Oki blinked again. The Apotheosis, Fury, and Tower here. The new vessel looked half like the Adversary and half like the Fury with the Apotheosis’ wrapping covering the body. “Is that you?”

The kiwi didn’t respond. Since Cold was the closest to it, the small one pulled itself up using the taller. The two voices shared a look before moving forward, something that deeply troubled the others. “Guys?”

“We’ll be fine,” Cold reassured.

“Be nice,” Aika warned the new vessels.

“It’s ok,” Fury reassured. “We just want to talk.” Everyone watched with bated breath as Cold and Oki were picked up. There was no telling how the Fury and Apotheosis would react. Both had many reasons to either care or hate the voices. And the Tower wasn’t what anyone would call a good influence on their smallest flockmate.

The Princess’ face scrunched up as Cold and Oki were brought close to them. “We’re not doing that.” When that was meant with confusion from the voices, the Fury elaborated. “Tower wants us to break your minds and bend you to our will.”

“And what do you want to do?” Oki asked. It wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about them. A part of it felt for the Fury. It had to be incredibly lonely thinking you found someone who understood you only to have the rug pulled out from under you. However, it also had gained her from the Tower. Oki didn’t like the version of itself that the Tower helped create.

Then there was the Apotheosis. It thought she didn’t care about it. And that was true to an extent. But she also chose to free them when the Shifting Mound came for her. She could have chosen to drag the Long Quiet down with her, but she didn’t. And it had hurt her that time too.

“We’re just very tired,” the Apotheosis admitted.

“And were very glad you two are ok,” the Fury added.

“That isn’t what was asked,” Cold pointed out.

“No, we suppose it isn’t. But it is true.”

Happy shared a look with Aika. The jester looked incredibly nervous. But the Heart could feel the truth in their words. Perhaps it took the two a strange way to get to caring about the two voices, but they did.

Right now, they were more concerned about the Skeptic and the Cage. They would have to speak with their sister in private. Hopefully they could smooth out the issues before they got worst.

***

Skeptic could not believe how easily the Narrator was folding. They had just rescued the Damsel. Everything was going fine. Well, except for Smitten’s sudden weird attitude, but that was alright. Everyone was allowed to have an off day, they supposed. Until the Decider started questioning her.

Smitten felt her stomach fill with dread. The Damsel was nice. And pretty. And was everything she was supposed to want right? But it felt like she reading a script. And the questioning wasn’t alleviating any of that ill feeling.

Both voices’ hearts dropped when they heard that damned question: “What if we just don’t do anything? What if we just stay here?”

All at once the Princess returns to normal. And she’s nervous. Understandable, Skeptic thinks. Given the situation. Except Smitten doesn’t agree.

What are you saying? Smitten thinks. She can hear the words coming out of her own mouth, but it doesn't feel like her. It’s like someone else has taken control.

There’s a note of panic in Smitten’s voice and Skeptic is suddenly not looking at her. They see a large, intimidating shadow and the trapped Princess and-No! I won’t let that happen again!

“It has to be this place. If we just show her the contents of our heart, she’d be happy here,” Smitten hears Skeptic say. Those words…They sound so familiar. That’s the only warning she gets before their claws dig into their chest. The Princess looks horrified as Skeptic yanks their chest open. Hero, Quiet, and the Narrator start panicking.

“Skeptic-!”

“I’m sorry. I can’t lose you.”

Everything goes dark, and you die.

***

Epilogue

Happily Ever After

“You’re on a path in the woods-.”

“Where’s Skeptic?”

***

Smitten returns alone, immediately dropping to the floor and letting out the most heart wrenching scream until her throat goes horse and no sound can further leave her lips. She isn’t sure how long she is on her own for when her ears perk up as someone approaches.

“Smitten?” Cold. “What are you doing on the floor, weirdo? Where’s Skeptic?” As Cold leans down towards her flockmate, Smitten latches onto her as more tears and sobs leave her. Cold can’t get a coherent word out of her, but she knows she has to find the others. Something has gone horribly wrong.

Chapter Text

“Anything?”

“Once again, Happy. No.”

Smitten had informed them what happened. Right now, the Princesses were…searching Happy supposed. So far, they found nothing.

Smitten was absolutely devastated. Happy hasn’t seen her this quiet since she and Skeptic first got here. No, actually this is worse. Sure, she was talking still, but just barely and it was always mumbling.

Oki was equally quiet. Happy wanted to pick his brain for what was going on in his mind, but Happy wasn’t sure that the small voice would appreciate their questions. If he didn’t like Skeptic much for the events of the Cage, then they couldn’t imagine what the little voice thought of them due to the Razor and the Apotheosis.

“I just don’t understand,” Smitten mumbled quietly. She was bundled up in Cold’s grip, refusing to leave the frosty voice’s side since she found her. “Why’d they do it? How could they possibly think I’d ever want him to risk his life for me?”

“We don’t know, Smitty. But we’ll get them back.” From the corner of their eye, Happy watched Oppty and Hunt share a look. “What?”

“I hate to be the one to point this out, Happy,” Oppty started to say. “But we’re not even sure how you were able to get Skeptic here in the first place.”

“What do you mean? They got here the same way everyone else got here.”

Hunt shook its head in disagreement. “Skeptic came here with Smitten. Your goal at the time was only to get Smitten. Skeptic was just a happy accident.”

“It’s still the same concept though, right?” Cold questioned. “Skeptic came due to a moment of vulnerability. So, what’s Skeptic’s vulnerability?”

Before anyone got a chance to answer that, a gasp behind them got everyone’s attention. The voices turned back to the vessels, a look of panic on each of their faces. “What’s up? Did you find them?”

“No. She’s coming.”

“Who?”

“The Shifting Mound.”

That was the only warning any of them got as the room was enveloped by a blinding white mass of hands.

***

She’s radiant, Aika thinks as she takes in the god before her.

The Shifting Mound looks so very delighted to see them. Which is unfortunate because Aika isn’t really happy to see her. Aika loves every version of herself, that includes the goddess before her. But they have a goal now, and there’s no telling if the Shifting Mound will be alright with that goal.

“Hello, my vessels,” the Shifting Mound greets. A bright, warm smile graces her main face. “You’ve been quite busy lately.”

“Are you mad about that?”

She laughs. “Mad? Oh heavens no. On the contrary I find what you’ve been doing quite fascinating. But you aren’t here for me.” She pats the spot next to her for the vessels to sit. They only hesitate for a moment. “Now tell me of your woes?” she says as the vessels make themselves comfortable.

Aika explains the situation going on with the missing voice. As they continue talking, they take note of the Shifting Mound ever-growing frown. “You seem to care for these voices.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you care about them? They are inconsequential. An accident. An offshoot of the Long Quiet that resulted from his many deaths. And you already have what you need from them.”
Aika bit her tongue and let one of the others take over. Shouting at a literal god will do no one any good. “What do you mean ‘we already have what we need from them’?” Prisoner asked.

The Shifting Mound pointed at the Prisoner. “You and the other two. The skeptical one brought new perspectives to you. It is no longer needed.” This was only met with more confusion. “You are like me,” she explains. “We desire new perspectives. You already have the vessels that are connected to the skeptical one. It is no longer needed.”

The fact that the tone of her voice didn’t even change irked Aika the most. They kept clenching and unclenching their hands. Aika forced themself to take in a deep breath. They needed to convince her to help them. She might be the only one who actually knows where Skeptic might be. “You consider the Long Quiet as yours, correct?”

The Shifting Mound tilted her head. “He is all of ours.”

Aika’s face falls at this. She isn’t totally wrong. He will always be all of theirs. Even if the others don’t want that. Or he wishes for a life for himself. They’ve spent too long together. A part of them will always be intwined.

“Yes, he is,” they admit. “But Happy is also mine.” The Shifting Mound tilts her head as Aika continues. “How I feel about Happy and Quiet are different feelings, but no less important than the other. I would do anything for them. And they’ve done all this,” they raise their hands indicating their surroundings, “because of me. They are still doing all of this because they believe we all deserve to be free.” Aika takes one of the many hands of the Shifting Mound. “You may not believe that we need Skeptic anymore. But Happy needs all their flockmates if they are going to be happy. And I want their happiness more than anything.”

“You care very deeply for this one.”

Aika nods. They would give the world for their friend. The Shifting Mound closes her eyes as she…thinks?

What are you going to do if she doesn’t agree to help? Prisoner asked. Her usually monotoned voice had a hint of worry to it.

I suppose what we were doing before.

That wasn’t exactly working, Tower unhelpfully pointed out. And she isn’t exactly wrong. We are far superior to them.

You would think that, Beast and Witch hissed.

I thought you two didn’t like your voices, Spectre teased.

We don’t.

Liar, Lillia commented as the two vessels hissed again.

“It is in a Cabin.” The vessels startle at the words. Did she…? “It’s leaving the basement. Though I cannot tell which one. They seem to be ever changing.”

Aika’s eyes widened. The vessel brought the part of the Shifting Mound she could reach into a hug. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”

A sad look takes over the Shifting Mound’s many faces. “Are you sure you do not wish to come back with me?” But her missing vessels shake their heads. “This is who we are now. We will always love you and are grateful for letting us do this. But we’re too different now to go back.”

The Shifting Mound chuckles. “You all were always my most strong-willed vessels.” She moves to plant a kiss on the top of their heads. “May I request a favor before I depart?”

Aika nods their head. “Most vessels are content with staying with me. Obviously, you all have made your choice, but recently another has craved independence.” The vessels watch as a rogue hand parts from the sea of bodies. They reach out to pull the new vessel from the mass. “Will you care for her?”

Aika nods again. “Always. Thank you.”

The Shifting Mound watches her vessels fade away. She still does not think these voices matter, but they matter to her vessels. And her vessels matter deeply to her. She too would give the world for them.

***

Aika opens her eyes to a bunch of worried faces. “What happened?” Happy was the first to speak. Their voice was filled with nervousness.

“Silly voice!” Happy, Oppty, and Hunt’s eyes widened as the wiggling mass that was the Child broke from Aika’s hold on her to get to them. The little Princess latched onto the three voices she had already known, snuggling into them when she couldn’t make them get closer. “I missed you so much! Did you miss me? What have you been up to? Who are your friends?” She just kept talking until Happy was able to interrupt.

“Hey, Kid. Yes, we missed you. We’ve been mostly ok. And uh those are Stubborn, Oki, Smitten, and Cold. And you’ve already met me, Hunt, and Oppty.”

“You fought a child?” The three voices who already met the Child turned to look at Cold. All of the remaining voices look at them with varying degrees of shock and confusion.

“I think it’s more accurate to say we got our asses kicked by a child.”

“Oppty.”

“What? Am I wrong?”

“No. But she’s just a kid. It’s wrong to use foul language around a kid.”

“We use foul language all the time!”

“Anyways, not that I’m not happy to see you,” Happy interrupted. “But what are you doing here?”

Aika took over from here. Explaining the meeting with the Shifting Mound and what they discussed, minus her opinions of the voices. Upon hearing about Skeptic’s possible whereabouts, all of the voices started shouting over each other.

“So, what do you plan to do?” Prisoner asked over the voices. Cage and Grey did not care, or at least weren’t sure how they felt on them, but Prisoner cared deeply for their little detective. Skeptic was her other half. The two were made for and complimented each other. She already missed their chats and theories sharing.

“The plan is what it always is. We go to the Cabin, find Skep, and make him real sad.”

“Happy-.”

“I’m kidding. Mostly. You have to admit that with the exception of Cold none of us have a good time coming here.”

Smitten was playing with her hands as she listened to the other voices and vessels talk. “Did the Shifting Mound say which Cabin they were in?”

“She said it kept changing. She also pointed something else out that might help us keep everyone else from going poof.” Aika once again explained how they were imitating the Shifting Mound apparently. Their attention turned to Happy. “You said once that she’ll block you off from places you’ve already been too, right? Well maybe we can do that too. Block off places that makes you guys disappear.”

“Well, that solves at least one of our issues. But we still need a way to actually get Skeptic back here.”

“You need to send me.” Everyone turned to Smitten. Smitten felt all eyes on her as she continued, “It has to be me. I’m the reason Skeptic came here in the first place, and I’m the reason they’re now gone. I can get them back.”

“You’re sure? You’ll need your memories for one, and for two, as someone who has been doing this shi-stuff,” they corrected when Hunt glared at them, “for a while, it isn’t exactly a fun time.”

“We’re more alike than I’m sure we’d all like the two of us to be. Clearly, they’re willing to sacrifice everything for me. I’m willing to do the same for them.” Her sightless eyes look up where she thinks the Princess is. “Please. I need to get them back.”

Aika sighed. “Alright. When Quiet calls for you, we’ll send you back.”

***

Smitten felt like screaming as she knocked yet another vessel off her list.

She had started off with the obvious ones. Seeing as the Prisoner was the vessel her brother was connected to, that was where she started. Despite the line of thinking, they weren’t there much to the peacock’s immediate dismay. Well maybe they’re in the basement. That’s what the Shifting Mound said right. But no, no such luck.

Happy had warned the passionate voice that Skeptic had always made them grab the blade, so at the start of the new route she threw the blade out the window hoping that would make them show up. Still nothing.

The Den and Needle had been next with similar results. She’d have to wait to try the Cage and Skeptic’s version of the Grey until the completion of this round of vessels. That left very little viable options. The others didn’t want her doing the Razor or Happily Ever After for fear of her disappearing too. So she tried other routes.

Nothing with Witch except getting locked in a basement and Spectre was a breath of fresh air from all the pain and suffering but that wheeled nothing either. Maybe I need to play around with the Construct more, she thought as she returned to their little slice of peace. Maybe I need to make more Sirens and Children happen.

Despite the annoyance of not knowing where he was, the failed attempts didn’t feel like the worst part. No that was her own changing nature. She was acting more like Skeptic. Making decisions they would make. Hell, Stubborn had even said the plan she came up with for the Needle was real similar to their plan.

That in and of itself wasn’t the bad part. If the circumstances were different, she probably wouldn’t mind. Might even had been ecstatic. Her brother was smart, collected, and capable. Who wouldn’t want to be like them?

But with them gone, it felt like she was replacing him. And that thought made her blood run cold. What if she was? What if that was why he was seemingly nowhere? Maybe it would be better if she let the Shadow consume her. If it got Skeptic back, then who cares if she’s gone?

Smitten was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even realize someone was waiting for her. Not until she ran right into them. With a grunt and a yelp, she and Oki tumbled to the floor.

“Shit. Are you ok, Oki?”

The smaller voice hummed. As the two voices picked themselves up, Smitten felt something off about their companion. Patting him down confirmed what she thought. Oki had shrunk. When had that happened? Why had that happened? “Oki? Are you sure you’re ok?”

The kiwi didn’t answer. Not right away at least. Finally, though-. “Are you mad at me?”

What? “What?”

“Are you-?”

“No, I-I heard you. Why would you ever think that?”

Oki looked at its feet even though Smitten couldn’t see it. “I wasn’t exactly the kindest to Skeptic when I got here. And he and you left right after the fight. I can’t help but wonder if it was my fault somehow.”

“Oki, Skeptic is an adult. Unless the words ‘I did this because Oki was upset with me’ leave their mouth, you aren’t the one at fault here. And even if that was the reason, you couldn’t have possibly known this would happen.”

Oki hummed again. “I guess.”

Now Smitten felt awful for an entirely different reason. How long had Oki convinced himself that he was the problem? “Did you tell anyone else about this?”

Oki sighed. “Too afraid to find out if anyone agreed. The only reason I bothered telling you was because I wanted you to know how sorry I am.” Smitten pulled the other into a hug. She felt the smaller voice snuggle into her. “I really am sorry, Smitten. I know it isn’t the same because he’s safe, but I felt the same about Stubborn during the Fury. Forcing him away hurt more than anything any of the Princesses could ever do.”

“Like your soul’s been ripped in half?” Smitten felt Oki nod. “Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m so terrified that I’m going to fail them. What happens if I can’t find them? What if I never see them again. If I can’t get him back…” She doesn’t finish the thought.

Smitten felt the other start to grow as he said, “You’ll get him back. If anyone is capable of finding him, it’s you.”

Smitten smiled at that. “Thank you, sweetheart. And you know I’ll be an ear for you if you need it right?” Oki shrugged. “I guess. I’m not really used to all this.”

“All this what?”

“This. Having my opinion acknowledged and taken seriously. Not being disregarded just because I’m the one saying it.”

Smitten’s face fell. “Have I ever made you feel like that?”

“Everyone makes me feel like that, Smitten.” The peacock didn’t think her mood could get any worse. She hadn’t meant to. She didn’t think anyone meant to. But her thoughts go back to when all the voices are together. She remembers the Moment of Clarity. Pretty early on Oki had suggested letting her out. None of them wanted to. She was dangerous and going to hurt them. Too many of them were too damn stubborn to give in.

“Well, you’re going to have to get used to it.” Oki turned its head to look at the taller voice. “Because I’ll be damned if I keep making you feel that way.”

“You don’t-.”

“Yes, I do. You’re a part of this flock too. We’re supposed to look out for each other. And, Oki, you have to know how incredibly sorry I am for hurting you like that.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s not like any of you knew. And even if you did, I deserve it.”

Smitten wasn’t expecting that. “Why-do you think you-?”

“I’m a traitor. To everyone. I did this-.” It grabs Smitten’s hand, placing it at the edge of the hole in its chest. “-to us after the Princess ordered us to stab ourselves-.”

“Same.”

Oki pauses in its speech. “What?”

“The Long Quiet killed Damsel. I didn’t really take it well, to put it lightly. Skeptic too. And you were there when Oppty tried to kill Quiet and the Princess.”

“I hurt her,” Oki whined. It needed Smitten to understand. Oki wasn’t worth it. It was a monster and waste of space and-.

“And you think the rest of us haven’t? You’ve seen enough of everyone else’s shit shows to see how we’ve fucked up. And I apologize about how this is going to sound, but you’re not special in that regard.”

Oki blinked at that. That sentence would normally send it into a spiral. Because it believed it. There was nothing special about it. So how strange was it that it now brought a sense of comfort to it. It wasn’t a monster because they were all monsters, in their own way.

“Now,” Smitten continued on, “is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

Oki paused to think. When it finally told the peacock what it wanted, a malicious grin graced her face. She could help with that. But first, they were going to need backup.

***

It did not take much to convince Stubborn and Cold to help with what Oki wanted. Stubborn she could understand, but Cold was admittedly a surprise. (“He’s a hell of a lot stronger than he thinks,” the temperate one explained. “Not just anyone could have withstood the Fury and survived. He earned my respect from that.”)

Happy, Oppty, and Hunt had taken the little one to somewhere else in their home. Which was good. This wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. A little girl didn’t need to be involved in this.

The four voices and the Princesses sat at a long table, the voices at one end and the Princesses at the other. She knew it was stupid, but Smitten couldn’t help but feel nervous about that small detail. This wasn’t supposed to be about her, but the table reminded her about the Happily Ever After, and the situation with Skeptic.

Deep breathes, Smitten. This is about Oki.

“You’re absolutely certain you want to do this?” Stubborn asked. Smitten thought it was sweet how protective the larger voice was over their smallest flockmate. The large voice had wrapped himself around the other. Cold was leaning on Stubborn’s right, while Smitten had interlocked hands with Oki on the left.

Oki nodded. “It’s going to be ok, Jewel. I have you three with me. And the other Princesses aren’t going to let her do anything to me. Right?” The kiwi turned its attention towards them.

“You have our word, we will keep her from hurting you,” Fury responded. Not for the first time, Smitten wondered what exactly happened with the Fury and the Apotheosis. The two of them were literal titans. Either could (and from what the others said, would and had) crush them like a bug. Yet they both seemingly cared about the little bird. Good. Oki deserved all the love for the shitty hand he had been dealt.

The voices watched as the vessel’s demeanor changed from gruff kindness to bored neutrality. The Tower looked as if she thought this was an entire waste of time. Knowing what they knew about the vessel, she probably did.

“I’ve been informed you wished to speak with me. Have you finally come to grovel, little bird? Speak before I decide to change my mind.”

Except Oki didn’t. Smitten felt the smaller voice squeeze her hand tightly and everyone else watched as he glared at the vessel.

“Well, I’m waiting, little bird.”

Still, Oki said nothing. On Stubborn’s side, Cold was starting to get impatient. “Are you going to say anything?”

Oki looked from Cold to the Princess and back to Cold again. “Not if it’s an order from her. I don’t want to be her ‘little bird’ anymore.” That answer seemed to satisfy Cold and annoy the Tower.

“Do you intend to waste more of my time, little bird? Maybe you would like a repeat of our time again.”

Stubborn growled at that as Cold glared and Smitten squeezed Oki’s hand. Adversary chose now would be a good time to interrupt. “I don’t get it. You think so little of all the voices. Yet Apotheosis seems to have nothing but respect for him. And Fury is even weirder. How do you both respect and not respect them at the same time?”

“It’s complicated,” Fury commented. “I see two versions of this one. Stubborn too. The one I got from Tower, and the one I got from Ada. And you two have different opinions on the voices and Quiet.”

“I wanted our freedom at all cost,” Apotheosis explained. “I thought so long as we were both finally free, it didn’t mattered what I did to them.”

“It’s a pathetic little worm,” Tower argued. “It doesn’t deserve my respect. It’s nothing more than a whiny, little-.”

“You’re a bully,” Oki and Apotheosis said at the same time. Oki blinked in surprise as the Tower growled, “Why are you taking its side?! You’re me.”

“I was. I-.” She looks at the tiny voice. “You and I have always been equals. I’m sorry it took so long for me to realize that.”

Equals? She considered them an equal? Oki wasn’t even sure if they were an equal amongst the other voices. But there was such a sincerity in her voice that wasn’t in the Tower’s. It was the same feeling they had around Stubborn and the Fury. It didn’t matter if they were a broken little bird. They were enough for them.

Everyone watches as Oki pushes themself up from the others to make their way over to the titan of the woman. They continue to watch as the kiwi searches her face for…something.

“I’m not a fighter,” Oki managed to growl. “I’m a coward. I gave into you, any version of you, in the hopes that it would keep me safe. Told myself I loved you. And maybe that’s still true but I refuse to continue to be your puppet.” Oki took in a deep breath. “You can’t hurt me anymore. I won’t let you hurt me anymore. Or the people I care about.”

Tower growled. “And you, what? Think just because you say it, it’ll be true? I can see my sisters’ perspectives. I can see how much of a sniveling worm you are.”

“No, you don’t.”

Apotheosis’ voice rang out through the room. “You know only the version you met. You don’t know what he is like from mine or anyone else’s perspective.” Looking down at them again, she continued, “I truly am sorry for all the pain I put you though. We both deserve to be free. Just not at the cost of the other.”

“I’m sorry we keep trying to kill you. And for all the other horrors we put you though. None of you deserve what we’ve done to you either.”

“Thank you, little bird.” For the first time in Oki’s existence, that nickname didn’t sound like an insult.

***

“We need to talk.”

The voices had left a while ago, off to find their remaining flockmates and the Child. The Princesses hadn’t moved from their spot in the room. It was Aika who spoke.

“Something on your mind, dear?” Dragon asked.

“We’re getting close to the end. There’s only a handful of vessels and voices left. And I’m worried about that. Most of us have no ill will towards the voices. And the one’s that do are at least capable of being civil in order to leave.” They look down at their hands. “I don’t think that’s going to be the case with the last ones.”

“It isn’t going to be pretty…” Spectre agreed.

“You sound certain,” Prisoner points out.

Spectre pauses as she gathers her thoughts. “I’m not Wraith. But there are flashes of-Memories, I guess?” Spectre sounds…guilty? “I ripped their heart out after they refused to free me. Which you know they were an asshole, but I could have possessed them right then and there and I didn’t. I just wanted them to hurt.”

“I’m afraid just hating them is the least of our problems with our missing sisters.”

“What could be worst than that?” Grey grumbled. “Witch, Tower, Happily, and I despise our counterparts with all that we are. Beast, Cage, and Dragon merely tolerate them. Needle and Seraphina wish to do them harm in their sick attempts – Oh, don’t start!” She interrupted as Needle growled, and Seraphina pouted. “It is sick that that’s how you two think that’s how love works.”

Returning her attention to Aika, she asked. “What exactly do you think the remaining vessels are capable of doing that’s worst?”

With a heavy sigh, Aika explained what she knew about the missing vessels. How Nightmare just had to be near them to cause harm. How Razor, despite loving Quiet and his voices, was a more extreme, less fair version of Ada and Needle. How the Clarity didn’t just want freedom or vengeance, wanted to break them until they were only her tool.

“You two had almost ripped control away from the rest of us,” Aika addressed Needle and Ada. “There’s no telling if any of the others can.”

“Can any of them be reasoned with?” Beast asked.

“From what I’ve been told, Nightmare is closest to you in terms of wanting to leave, Beast.”

“And the others?” Lillia asked with a note of nervousness.

“I don’t know.”

“So, what do we do then?” Damsel asked.

No one answered.

***

“You’re on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path-.”

“Oh, let me guess!” Smitten heard Hero interrupt. “And at the end that path is a cabin!”

“This is hardly a path in the woods,” Paranoid added nervously. “It’s all…big, and weird.”

“Ugh…What happened? How did she kill us? She didn’t even touch us,” Smitten complained as she rubbed her head. Tower was still as lovely as ever.

“It doesn’t matter how she did it,” Oki responded. “Her hour is soon upon us.”

That was strange. Oki didn’t sound reverent. They sounded tired. Which, fair, same, but still. And more importantly, if Oki had changed, had anything else changed as well?

Smitten felt the ground start to rumble as the Cabin exploded before anyone else could respond. She was here.

A loud thump that shook the earth again followed. “What’s happening?” she asked as the body started moving on its own. No. Not on its own.

Oki.

Unbeknownst to the blind voice, Hero and Paranoid shared a confused glance. “What do you mean ‘What’s happening’?”

“It’s ok,” Oki replied, ignoring the others. “We’re going to her.”

“Is that a good idea?”

“Yes. I can feel it. It’s going to be ok.”

Hero and Paranoid wanted to argue. Smitten wanted to do too but…

“Ok.” Everyone turned to stare at Oki. “Will do it your way. I trust you.” The others’ protests were ignored as they approached the Princess. Smitten could feel her divine energy pulsing around them. Something should have happened by now right?

“Hello, little bird.” Smitten felt the body be lifted off the ground. She sounded warm. Not the arrogant haughtiness that she was during the Tower. “Are you ready to leave?”

Smitten needed to be careful. Happy and Oki had both warned her that they could be unraveled. The Heart said she would block off that path but the idea of losing Oki or herself getting lost in the Construct was terrifying.

“Is she going to hurt us now?” Paranoid asked.

Before she or anyone else got a chance to respond, Smitten felt a soft touch take hold of their very soul. Oh. That felt nice.

“The flame may be snuffed, but the wall remains,” the Apotheosis explained. She sounded sad as she continued, “This isn’t just for my glory. You are a part of this now. I’m sorry. I will try to take some of the pain.”

That was their only warning.

The pain sits at the limits of their comprehension. Someone screams though you can’t tell who as the body crumbles to the ground.

“How can she hurt us without touching us…?” Hero whines.

“No, no, no, no. We can’t be this. But it feels like she’s ripping us apart,” Paranoid mumbled. “Make it stop. Please, make it stop.”

Oki says nothing. The blind voice felt the smaller one’s finger intwined in hers. She can’t make it stop, but she can at least hold the three of them close. It’s a shitty attempt at comfort, but it’s all she can do.

[Fight back.]

[Submit.]

“It’s almost over,” Apotheosis’ voice booms. She sounds like she’s saying it through clenched teeth. “You’re doing so well, little bird.”

You die and are reborn over and over again. You feel yourself shrink until there is nothing left of you. Finally, you feel the body’s eyes open, though they feel like they are no longer yours. Smitten’s vision focuses.

For the first time in her entire existence, Smitten is able to see the world that has just been opened up. For the first time in her entire existence, she can see the others. They’re beautiful.
The Princess steps forward, bringing you all to the edge of the outside world. It is dizzyingly vast. Smitten closes her eyes as she feels the world rumble again. She doesn’t want to watch what comes next.

“NO!” Apotheosis screams as the Shifting Mound comes for her, pulling her back into her embrace and farther away from the outside world. She struggles, but it is ultimately futile. She is drowning.

As the sea of hands rises, she pulls them from her shoulder and holds them above the tide. “This is the end. Fly, little bird.” With the last of her strength, the Princess hurls them towards the hole in the Construct, towards the outside world.

“What do we do?!” Hero shouted. “We have to be able to do something to help her!”

“We can’t,” Oki and Smitten both respond. Oki continues. “It’s what she wants for us.”

“But can we make it?” Paranoid begs. “We just have to believe, and everything is going to be ok.”

They don’t. Smitten’s vision is gone again just as Paranoid drops the floor, the devastated look gracing his face is the last thing Smitten sees. “Nothing is real.” A little laugh escapes him. “It all might as well just be a dream.”

“Are you ok?” Hero asks.

Paranoid’s hysterical, wet laughter fills the air. “Of not I’m not ok! I’ve never been ok!” The laughter quickly turns to sobs as he mutters over and over again, “Not ok, not ok, not ok.”

Smitten can’t take it anymore. She pulls the owl bat into a hug. It won’t fix what’s wrong. She still can’t find her brother. And she’s terrified of all that’s to come. But right now, as Oki and Hero join them, and their fellow voice continues to sob, this will just have to be enough.

***

Smitten’s limbs suddenly go numb as she returns to the others. Oki’s vision cuts as its blood begins to coagulate. All around them, the other voices are finding themselves in no better condition.

Nightmare, and by extension, Paranoid, the Clarity, and the Wraith, are here.

“Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.” Smitten and Oki start taking in desperate gulps of air as Paranoid grabs ahold of them, continuing his chant.

“What are you doing to them?!” Ada roared as Aika picked up the voices closer to them, though they panicked when the voices’ condition seemed to get worse.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Bullshit!” Beast shot back as Prisoner all but begged, “Can’t you turn it off?” Damsel and the Child looked like they were going to burst into tears. Even Witch and Tower were offput by the display in front of them.

The mask that was Nightmare split apart to form their body’s crown as the face switched to that of the Wraith. The voices were able to get a small reprieve as Spectre’s darker half spoke, “Now why would we do that?”

“Because you’re killing them!”

“It’s not my fault they die of fright as soon as they see me,” Nightmare returned with a dark giggle. Her gaze turned towards Paranoid. “Well hello my little coward. How are enjoying our little game?”

Paranoid squeezed the eyes on his face shut as he continued to ignore her. He had to. He was the only reason he, Smitten, and Broken were still breathing.

“Oh, ho. Don’t ignore me. You know how I feel about that, don’t you? Maybe you need a reminder.” The body lurched forward a step before most of the other vessels were able to grab control again.

“Don’t you dare touch them!”

“Hm. Well isn’t this interesting.”

Paranoid peeked an eye opened as everyone conscious turned towards Cold. He was ok. Paranoid shouldn’t be as surprised as he was. Of course Cold wouldn’t be affected. Nightmare lived off of others’ fear, and Cold feels nothing.

Everyone watched as the temperate voice poked at Stubborn, the closest voice to him. The second the two made contact, Stubborn started coughing as the air returned to his lungs. “How did you just do that?” the stronger voice sputtered as he grabbed a hold of the other. Like hell he was going to go back to gasping like a fish if he could help it.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Bullshit.”

Due to being a distance away, Paranoid was able to watch as the Nightmare’s face darkened. He continued to watch as she reached forward.

Blood roared in his ears as he shouted, “DON’T TOUCH HIM!”

Everything happened at once.

The eyes surrounding his head snapped to attention as they stared down the vessel.

Spectre separated herself from the others, reaching her Killer and the other voice before the new voice and vessel could touch them.

The remaining voices were finally able breath again as the remaining vessels dropped to the ground, now in their counterparts’ place.

“Are you ok, Killer?”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine.” The voice looked confused. Spectre doesn’t think she’s ever seen Killer confused before. “Why’d you save me?”

“Hey! Can we table this for right now?!” Stubborn barked. He, along with most of the voices, looked worried. The Princesses were still gasping for air. Paranoid looked like a mess, more so than usual. His eyes burned with a deep-seated hatred.

“Para…” Happy tried to placate as they rushed over to Their Friend and the Child. “Para, you got to stop this. You’re hurting them.”

“I don’t care.”

“Para,” Hunt sounded equally upset. Cold didn’t think Hunt really cared about any of the Princesses. “I understand being angry, but this isn’t fair to the others. They haven’t done anything to you.”

“Haven’t done anything?” His voice went up an octave. “Haven’t done anything?! Are you KIDDING me?! When has she ever been kind to us! When she was cutting us to pieces?! When she decapitated us?! Oh, what about when she tried to manipulate us! Several times I might add!”

Cold watched as tears were starting to drip from the bat’s eyes. Something in him broke. Something that had been slowly shifting in him ever since Stubborn joined them. Maybe even before that.

Paranoid flinched as Cold wrapped himself around him. Paranoid could feel the fight start to leave him as Cold numbed him. All he could do now was watch in horror as the vessels started to gain control of their respiratory systems again. “Stop,” he pleaded. “She-She’s going to-.”

“She’s not.”

Spectre had moved herself between the voices and newer vessels. “I’m not going to let her hurt you.” She turned back towards her sisters, her normally adorable expression switching to something more menacing. The mask was back, though it was in broken pieces. “You’re going to learn how to control this.”

“I don’t want to,” Clarity shot back. Spectre watched as the mask slipped away to reveal Wraith again. “Why are you defending them? They killed you. Denied us our freedom. Why don’t you hate them?”

“Not every time. She held her end of the deal, and I forgave her.”

“It can’t be that simple.”

Spectre shrugged. “It is for me.” She turned towards her Killer and her counterpart. “Come on. Let’s go find you somewhere to calm down. Does that sound good?”

Para was in no condition to make any decisions right now. Cold nodded for both of them. The room fell silent as the three left. Clarity watched them go, a forlorn look in her eyes.

***

“Is it really that simple to you?”

Spectre looked over at her Killer. She was cuddling with the newer voice. Spectre lay a distance away from them, for Paranoid’s comfort. “I told you it is. Why would I lie about that?”

Cold shrugged. Spectre’s face scrunched up at the gesture. “What’s the matter with you? You seem…different now.”

Cold looked down at the now sleeping Paranoid. It had taken some effort, and the only way for him to get some rest was with his eyes open. It didn’t matter to him. He was just…happy…the other got some rest. “I think…I’m…changing. I’m starting to…feel things.”

“Is that bad?”

Cold shrugged again. “I was always…content, I suppose, with passively existing. If I felt nothing, I could never be hurt again.” She looks back up at the ghost. “But things are changing. I’m starting to care about others. Or more accurately, starting to admit that I care. It’s fucking terrifying.”

Spectre cackles at that. “Oh, trust me, I know. It’s nice though, right?”

She smiled. An actually, genuine smile. “Yeah. It is.”

The two counterparts fell into relieve silent until the voice spoke up again. “Hey. I’ve been meaning to ask you something?”

“Go for it.”

“Smitten and Hunt had a talk a while ago with Beast and Happily. Happily mentioned how she doesn’t have feelings for Quiet or any of us. I suppose I’m curious. What exactly are all of your feelings towards him?”

Spectre hummed. “Well Aika, Dams, and Sera for sure like him as much as Witch, Beast, Grey, Tower, and Happily hate him. The rest of us are…kind of indifferent, I guess. Quiet’s cute and all, but romance with him isn’t in the cards for me.”

Cold inspected her closely. “Just with Quiet? Not in general?”

Spectre smirked. “I’m not telling you anything, unless you plan on sharing in return.”

Cold bit the inside of her mouth. Well, shit. “Would-Don’t laugh,” she instructed.

“Ok.”

“I mean it, Spectre. Don’t fucking-.”

“I won’t. Geez. You’re such a big baby.”

Cold sighed before continuing. “All of them.”

“All of them?” Cold nodded. There’s a pause before Spectre says, “You sure don’t do anything in half measures, huh?”

“I know. It’s fucking awful.”

Spectre hummed as she pointed at Paranoid. “What about that one?”

Cold looked down at him. “I’m unsure. I know Smitten and Skeptic consider themselves siblings, but I’ve never heard any of the others refer to each other like that. All I know is that Para is important to me.”

Spectre hummed again. “Well, at least you have better chances of someone noticing you. I’m not even sure what the hell Beast thinks of me.”

“Beast? That’s who you like? Why? She’s not exactly the most hospitable vessel.”

“Oh, you think that’s bad? Get a load of this…”

As the voice and vessel continued to gossip about their companions, neither noticed Paranoid’s sleepy smile or that he had snuggled deeper into the temperate one.

Chapter Text

The Grey

***
Charming is a simple woman.

(She thinks she’s a woman. Everyone says she’s a woman. She’s heard the others use she and they respectively. But something about being ‘she’ and ‘Damsel’ just doesn’t feel right.)

She just wants everyone to be happy. But recently no one has been. Skeptic is still missing. And with the addition of the Paranoid, Nighty, Wraith, and Clarity, everyone has become more stressed. Even before all this started, things had been tense with the fight between the missing voice and Oki.

Her sweet little Smitten (Wait. No. She and Hale don’t like that.) and poor Prisoner has been so upset about the whole mess. The voice hasn’t had a moment’s rest since her twin’s disappearance, and Prisoner just misses her friend.

Which has led to now. Charming, with the help of Stubborn, who had really taken to baking himself, had plans of making a cake for everyone. Everyone liked cake. Who isn’t happy with cake? Her head sat on the counter as her body and the voice got to work.

“Run this by me again,” Charming heard Nighty say. “Why are we doing this?”

“Because I want to make everyone happy.” Charming feels the other’s worry grow within them. She’s never understood this. It hasn’t been the first time the others have mentioned how Charming needed more than just making others happy.

She didn’t agree with their assumptions. Well ok, back in the Cabin that’s all that matter so long as she could get out. Gaining such a cutie in the process was a bonus. But now they had a chance to do more than sit and wait for Quiet to come save them. Or kill them. She didn’t really like when he killed her.

Baking was fun. And she found she liked setting things on fire, just to see what happened. Her and Cold weren’t allowed to be alone unsupervised anymore. Which is a shame because she really liked the frosty voice. She was one of the few here who didn’t just disregard her thoughts as just ‘make everyone happy’.

From the corner of her eye, Charming noticed Stubborn staring at her. Charming didn’t know how to feel about most of the voices. She loved Smitten, even if she didn’t love her back. (Ada’s words rang in her head. It was important that the two voices were happy than being with the vessels.) Happy, Hunt, and Oki were all sweethearts. She could see why the other vessels cared about the three so much.

She could never really get a read on Oppy or Skeptic. Witch swore up and down that their counterpart was the devil. And…if Charming thought hard enough, she could see it. Quiet, being forced by this mysterious Narrator, trying to stab her in the back.

In her timeline of events, Quiet fought back and the two of them were able to triumph over their common enemy. But there were always two paths with this group. For her to be the Damsel, someone else would have to be the Witch.

Skeptic wasn’t mean or bad per se, but Charming had heard about their adventures with Grey and Cage. Sure, she and Smitten were maybe a little too trusting, but the other voice and vessel’s mutual mistrust had only led the two to nothing but hardship and heartbreak. At that, Prisoner had pointed out that her and Smitten’s total blind trust hadn’t always brought the two of them happiness either. Seraphina and Hale’s paths were proof of that.

Paranoid made her nervous. Her mistrust went deeper than both Oppty and Skeptic could only hope to reach. It put her in a state of unease.

Stubborn was like Cold. He didn’t pity her and the two found they had a lot of common interests. Charming was more than willing to give the voice love advice, and he was more than willing to babble on and on about Oppty.

“Why do you care about everyone else’s happiness so much, if you don’t mind me asking?” the voice’s words broke through Charming’s musings. And a strike of nervousness rippled through the body.

Charming stopped her baking briefly as she gathered her thoughts. “The first time Quiet and I met; he showed me kindness. He cared more about my potential happiness rather than his.” She went back to her mixing. “I want to repay him for that. If I can make others happy the way he made me, then I’ve done something right.”

“He wasn’t always kind,” Wraith said bitterly.

“And he wasn’t always cruel. Lillia and myself are proof of that. As are the hundreds of times he chose to leave with us.”

“You’re a fool to believe there’s anything good in him,” Nightmare responded back.

Charming stopped again. A sad, pitiful look crossed her face. It made the new vessels skin crawl.

“What?”

“I am sincerely sorry for what was done to you. To all of you. I know that I got off easy compared to the rest of you. But-,” She went back to her baking. “-don’t pretend like you all know how I should or shouldn’t feel.”

Dark thoughts inflict her mind. They were so close to leaving. He freed her. And then the questions would start. And then she became the lovesick fool that others thought she was. That version of her didn’t care about anything other than whatever Quiet wanted. Whatever made him happy. Nothing else mattered.

“We have an eternity.” Her face softened. “We’ve all been given a second chance. I don’t want to waste it being angry or hating him or them.”

A low whistle cut through the silence that followed. “Damn, Firebug. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

Charming’s face brightened as she looked over at the newcomer. “Hi Cold! What cake do you think we should make?”

“Hey! You promised strawberry!” Needle bellowed. Through the entire argument, Cold had a dopey look on her face as she watched the bubbly Princess. She was so fucked.

***

The Wraith

***

“Come on, slowpokes! You’re going to miss the surprise if you don’t pick up the pace!”

Happy rolled their eyes as they, Oppty, and Hunt followed their kid. The Child was having a blast with her newfound freedom. Her days were filled with laughter and playing and overall happiness.

Happy hadn’t figured out how it happened, but the voice had come to care for her deeply in such a short amount of time. She was such a little sweetheart. She was quickly becoming one of their favorite people along with Their Friend.

The same could be said for Hunt and Oppty. Hunt was such a mother hen. Always coddling and caring for her as if she was its own. Happy has even found the young girl following the shorter voice like a duckling.

Oppty meanwhile tries hard to pretend likes she doesn’t care. Which…she’s bad at. Despite the rocky start, Oppty would often play games and sneak her sweets. She tells her stories and makes her laugh. Anytime it’s pointed out, the fat voice will wave it off, claiming she’s just being civil. But it’s kind of obvious how much of a lie it is.

To put it simply, they love her.

“Sooo…” Oppty’s voice dragged them from their thoughts. “Do we get a hint as to where were going?”

“Come on Oppty. It’s a surprise. You don’t want to spoil the surprise, do you?”

“Oh yes she does,” Hunt said with a little grin. This led the other voice to shove it a little.

“Well, you’re in luck then. Cause we’re here!” The group was standing outside a door the voices hadn’t seen before. Had she been making extra rooms? We’re the other Princesses able to do that without someone else’s influence?

“So, you’ve guys have never seen the sun, right?” They nodded. “Good. Then it really will be a surprise.” That was all the warning they got before she scooped them up before pushing the door open.

Bright blinding light filled the voices’ eyes. When they were finally able to open them again, the three voices stood in shock. The room was completely bare. The only thing of note was the walls, made entirely of glass windows.

Outside the windows was the forest surrounding the cabin. It was the middle of the day; the forest filled with life.

“Do you like it?” she asked excitedly. “I was asking the others about what they know about the outside world, and they were telling me how you guys have never seen what it looks like during the day.”

“It’s gorgeous, sweetheart,” Hunt commented. “But I think I speak for all three of us when I ask how you did this?”

“Our abilities are based on thought and belief. So I’ve been practicing! Watch!”

The voices watched as the scenery shifted. What was once a beautiful forest was now the bottom of the sea to high up in the mountains to a bustling metropolis. The voices continued to watch in awe. It was all stunning. The kid had clearly worked hard on this.

“This is amazing, Pipsqueak,” Oppty said with a grin. “What did the others say when you showed them this?”

“I haven’t. You three are the first.”

The three voices shared confused looks before addressing the child. “You didn’t show the other vessels?”

The Child shook her head as she looked at the ground. She was incredibly nervous.

“I-know the others and I are connected through the Shifting Mound. And don’t think I don’t think they’re not important to me! But you three are some of the first people I’ve ever known. And even after all the awful things I did to you-,” She looked guilty. Happy and Hunt couldn’t help but nuzzle the girl for comfort. Oppty looked apprehensive.

The little girl giggled as she continued “-you three are still kind to me. You take care for me and play games with me and just make sure I’m doing ok.”

“Of course we do all that.” They nuzzled her again. “That’s what adults are supposed to do.”

“Sure, but you didn’t have to.” She saddens again. “I’m not really your kid.”

“Bullshit.”

“Swear word, Oppty.”

The voice sputtered as the other two laughed. Once it got its laughter under control, Hunt turned back towards the girl. “As far as the three of us are concerned, you’re ours. We want you in our lives.”

“You promise?”

“Course, Kid,” Happy agreed. “We love you.”

Oppty and Hunt yelped as the little Princess pulled them to her chest. “I love you guys too. Thank you for being in my life.”

“Glad to have you in ours too, kid.”

***

The Siren

***

The Maze

***

Smitten groaned as a throbbing headache ripped through her skull. “Where the hell are we?” she grumbled.

“Nightmare. The numbskulls threw the knife. Welcome to hell,” she heard Cheated tiredly say.

Well shit. That meant they got the Clarity again. As far as she could tell most if not all of the other voices were here. Smitten was never able to tell when she arrived. It’s possible it changed like with the Razor.

Someone must of suggested flirting with her. “So what have we tried so far?”

“Bribing her, out running her, fighting her head on. The recent plan was trying to flirt with her because someone,” Hero glared at Stubborn as he spoke, “thought it was a good idea.”

“I like a girl who can fight,” the larger voice said with a shrug.

Smitten rolled her eyes. “And the rest of you went along with it why?”

“Cause we’ve tried everything else and we’re all kind of stupid,” Happy offered. Hmm, Happy…

The peacock pulled the taller voice aside as the others continued to argue. “So uh…do you know who I am?”

“Duh. You’re Smitten.”

“Yeah…but do you know who I am?”

The taller voice sighed as they tapped heads together. “Yeah. Yeah, I know who you are. You’re our bright ray of sunshine who’s still looking for her brother.”

“Is he here?”

“No. But we still have a couple of more voices to go. Maybe this’ll be it.”

No such luck. The only other voices that appeared were Cold and Oki. Everyone was tired and annoyed and bickering like a bunch of children. It probably would have continued like that if it was Oki.

“This is all pointless. We should just give up and let her out.”

That of course didn’t go over well. No one would say it, but this one scared them all. Letting her out would be a death sentence. And yet…

“We should do it.”

“Smitten,” Hero said with a sigh. “I get that you like her-.”

“That has nothing to do with it,” she interrupted. “Everyone is tired. I can feel the Decider shaking.” Everyone’s attention turned towards their leader. He was barely standing. A light breeze could knock them over. “We can’t keep doing this. We’ve tried everything. It’s time to just give up.”

“Absolutely not,” Paranoid growled. “I refuse to let that monster out based on the ramblings of a lovesick lunatic and the most pathetic voice.”

The fiery voice felt her rage bubble up inside her. That little-! Smitten turned her back to the other voice. “Broken?” She just barely stopped herself from calling him Oki. “Come here.” Smitten waited as the smaller voice crawled into her arms. “Happy?”

“Yeah?”

“Help me get to the Decider.”

“What exactly are you doing?" Cold asked curiously.

“Resting. If you all want to continue this stupid plan, be my guest. But the three of us aren’t going to be a part of this. Anyone else who wants to join us may.” With that, the blind voice with the help of Happy, made their way towards the Long Quiet.

***

They go again.

***

And again.

***

And again.

***
Again
Ag…ain…
A…g…
…a…
…
…
….
…
…
….
…
…
….
…
…
….
…
…
….
…
…
….
…
…
….

“Para?”

The owl-bat jumped.

Cold was standing beside him. None of the other voices were anywhere to be seen. Looking over at the Decider, Paranoid saw them sleeping in a pile. The Decider was curled up, sniveling on the floor. He had no idea how long he’d been at this.

“You need to let this go.”

“I can’t.”

Cold sighed before sitting on the ground. He patted the spot next to him. The other voice hesitated before joining him. “Why is this so important to you?”

Paranoid’s nervous gaze shifted from the frosty voice and where he knew the Cabin was. “I’ve only ever known fear and pain. We’ve never even seen the sun or day or anything other than that stupid Cabin and that vile woman.”

Cold watched as the other shook. “I’m so sick of it. Sick of her. Sick of Him,” he growled. “I hate that we’re the only ones who can to do this. I don’t want to do this anymore. But I…” He paused.

“…but I want more than this,” he said as angry tears dripped down his face. “I want to experience more than fear. I want to live. I want to love being alive. If I let her out, we’ll never have that. She won’t stop until the whole world is like me…”

The temperate one pulled the other into a tight embrace. Paranoid froze before collapsing into the other.

“I don’t want anyone to feel like I do…”

Cold sighed. He hated this. Feeling things sucked. But he’d do it again.

Not for the world. But for Para.

They go again.

***

“Why do you hate me?”

Paranoid stared at his counterpart. Standing before him was the Clarity.

As soon as they returned, the voice had run off. He just couldn’t deal with anyone right now. And now, thanks to that, she had trapped him alone in a random room.

Great.

“Is that an actual question? That can’t possibly be an actual question.”

She crossed her arms, waiting for a response.

“You’re actually serious?!” A hysteric laugh filled the air. “You shut down my organs! You’ve tortured me until I was nothing more than a broken tool! Why would I-?!”

“No,” she interrupts. “Before all that. When we first met and you,” she points a finger at him, “locked me in the damn basement. What did I do to you?”

The bat pauses. And has to collect his thoughts.

“I never intended to keep you there,” he says carefully. “I just…needed a minute. To figure out what to do.”

“You were being told by a voice in your head to murder a woman you just met because she might destroy the world?” the vessel said with a sneer.

“I didn’t say I believed him,” he growled back. “I needed a minute – One minute – but you two assholes didn’t want that!”

The vessel snorted. “Riiiiight. Because that’s fair to the person stuck in a basement for forever.”

Paranoid growled again. “Yeah? Well what about you?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You. You never answered me. What about all the shit you did? Do you have no remorse?”

“Do you?”

The two stared at each. Seconds or hours could have passed.

“Who’s left of us?”

She wasn’t talking to Para. Dice hesitantly answer. “Razor. It’s just her.”

Despite no face to smile with, Paranoid could almost feel the eerie grin. “Good. I can’t wait for her to rip you into pieces.”

Paranoid glared. “I’d like to see her try.” The voice watched as she glided out of the room. The Heart and Damsel’s worried gazes were the last things he saw as they left.

It didn’t matter how sorry they all were. Paranoid would never get over what she’s done to him. Just as she would never get over what was done to her.

***

The Vampire

***

The Adversary

***

The Cage

***

The Shadow

***

The Grey

***

The Dancer

***

“Why does everyone call us he?”

Stubborn looked over at the smallest voice. “What?”

Oki couldn’t look their Jewel in the eye. “Everyone else gets called whatever they want but you, me, and Para. I guess I just want to know why.”

Stubborn shrugged. “The others figured it out before I showed up. It’s just what they all feel, I guess.” Stubborn watched his Treasure as he nodded. “Why do you ask?”

Oki flinched. They of course knew Stubborn would ask. But it still was nervous about letting the other voice in on their thoughts. “I don’t…think I’m a man.” Their face scrunched up. “I mean I don’t hate he. I’m used to it, I guess. But I also like they and it.”

Stubborn hummed. “Ok.”

Finally the little voice looked over at their counterpart. “Just ok?”

“What do you want me to say?” the large voice asked with a shrug. “You’re allowed to do whatever you want. Don’t be a guy if that makes you happy.”

Oki snorts. It isn’t particularly eloquent, but it does bring them a sense of comfort to know Stubborn supports them. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Is there anything you’d like to be called?”

Stubborn shrugged again. “He’s fine.”

Oki hummed as they snuggled into the larger voice.

***

The Jaw

***

The Monarch

***

The Horde

***

The Creature

***

The Plague

***

The Frost

***

The Angel

***

The Doctor

***

The Beauty

***

The Tangle

***

The Amalgamation

***

The Whisp

***

The Hue

***

The Pit

***

Smitten was barely keeping it together.

She failed.

Again.

That was another vessel with no sign of Skeptic.

Again.

Something was about to happen. She was practically bursting with rage. She needed to find somewhere to go to decompress before someone got hurt. She needed – Contents of her heart – Feasts and games and not the candles, please! –

“Smitten?”

The once sunny voice snapped back to attention at the sound of Paranoid’s voice. When did he get here? How long had she been in – Actually where was she right now?

“Are…you ok?”

Smitten could feel a lie trying to crawl up her throat before she caught herself. She could still feel the shadowy tendrils of her shadow form squirming around. There was no point in lying.

“No.”

The passionate voice heard shuffling as the nervous one came closer. “I take it you couldn’t find Skeptic again?”

The peacock sighed. “No. I didn’t. I…don’t know what I’m doing wrong.” The tendrils grew larger. “The Shifting Mound says he’s in the Cabin. But no matter what I do, I can’t find him.” Tears were starting to form in her eyes. “What if I never do? I-.”

“Heart, lungs, liver, nerves…”

Smitten froze.

And listened.

***

Paranoid didn’t know how long he and Smitten sat in the mostly silent room. At the very least the other voice seemed calmer.

He needed to spit it out.

Just tell Smitten you’re sorry for what happened during the Clarity.

He doesn’t regret keeping them there but Smitten and the others were just trying to help. None of them deserved him being snippy.

“Thank you…”

The bat looked up into the sightless gaze of the peacock. There were still tears in Smitten’s eyes, but she was no longer shadowy. A shudder ran through them at the memory of a candlelit table.

“It’s nothing to thank me for,” he said with a shrug. “You were upset. I just wanted to help.”

“Well, I appreciate it anyways.”

Paranoid hummed in gratitude. “It’s the least I could do honestly.” At the raised eyebrow, he elaborated. “I was being a dick during Clarity. You were right to call me out.”

Smitten didn’t respond right away. “You know…” she finally started. “…I think you and I are more alike than everyone thinks.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I know I may get a little carried away with my emotions-.”

“Only a little?” Smitten snorted at the quip. “Ok, a lottle,” she said with a boop to the other’s nose before quickly moving her fingers away as he tried to nip her. They were both grinning like idiots. “I know what it’s like to get swept up in everything is what I’m saying.”

“Yeah. You really do, huh.” With the two finally settling, it was only now that Paranoid actually got a look at the room they were in. Parts of the room were destroyed due to Smitten’s episode. Except the walls. Plastered on every square inch were sketches. Oki’s, his mind supplied. They were good. Paranoid should probably mention that when he sees it.

Something caught his eye as he continued to scan the room. Some of the sketches were on regular paper, not the post its Oki used. They were sketches of the Cabin, coming up from the basement.

“Smitten? Where’s Oki right now?”

***

The Child quietly listened to the voices and vessels as she continued to doodle. What was so unusual about hers and Oki’s drawing room?

“What are you drawing?” The young vessel looked at her drawing partner. Happy, Hunt, and Oppty obviously held a special place in her heart, but Oki was starting to carve a place right along with them.

“The Cabin.”

The kiwi’s eyes scrunched together. “May I see it?”

“Of course you can.” The Child watched the smallest voice intently. Something in his eyes shifted as he looked back her. “You drew this?”

She nodded. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful, dear. But uh…”

The conversation caught someone else’s attention. “Treasure? Is something wrong?” Fury asked.

The little glass bird shot up at the large vessel. “I’m…not sure.” He turned back towards the young vessel. “Am I allowed to show the others?”

Child shrugged. “Sure. Why not.” The Child watched as the others gathered around her drawing. She wasn’t sure if the looks they were sharing were something to be worried about.

“This is my Cabin,” Spectre pointed out. “In exact detail. How do you know what it looks like?”

“I saw it.”

“You…saw it?” Oppty further questioned. The tiny princess nodded. “How exactly?”

“Right before I showed up here.”

“Showed up here?” Dice asked. “Do you mean when the Shifting Mound summoned us?”

“Yeah!” she said brightly. “She was looking for your missing friend!” she continued as she pointed at Smitten.

“Missing – You mean Skeptic?” Happy asked. Child nodded. “Are there more of these, sweetheart?”

***

“There’s something weird about these pictures,” Paranoid pointed out.

The entire group was gathered around the Child’s pictures. Many of them were exact replicas of the various Cabins. Down to details she couldn’t have possible known about unless she saw them.

And yet what Paranoid said wasn’t wrong either, even though no one could put their fingers or feathers on what.

“Why did you guys put doors in – Are you in a cave?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to look at the Princess. Prisoner was the one who spoke, her head in one hand, one of the drawings in the other.

“Yeah, twice. Den and Needle.” Happy turned towards Hunt and Stubborn. “What is it about you two and Skeptic that makes the Princess want to live in a cave?”

Both voices shrugged.

“What do mean why would we put a door in a cave?” Smitten asked. Prisoner turned the sketch around towards the others. Den’s cave met them and sure enough, there was some kind of doorway at the edges of the picture.

Happy turned back towards the other voices. “Was there ever a door there? Before I started meddling?”

Hunt and Stubborn shook their heads.

“This is Thorn’s Cabin,” Oppty commented. “There isn’t a door there either.”

“Half of these places don’t have door to them,” Cold pointed out. “And I can’t tell what, but the other half look wrong.”

As they talked, Paranoid inspected one of the drawings further. Something about the doorframe wasn’t right. But he definitely had seen it before.

Think.

Where had he seen this before?

“Wait…” Everyone turned towards the owl-bat. “This is Cage’s cabin.”

“You’ve been there too?” Oki asked.

The taller voice nodded. “Then you’ll know there wasn’t a door there either. We fell right through the floor. And this here-,” he pointed at another drawing. “-that’s Clarity’s cabin. No door either. But there was something there in its place…” Paranoid pointed at the picture. “Look closely. Any door or doorway we’ve seen has been simple. This is intricate. There’s only one thing in the Construct that looks like that…”

The voices looked closely. It was Hunt that spoke first. “The mirror…”

“The what?”

Happy looked up at the Princesses. “The mirror. It’s always appeared before we went down to the basement or after the Shifting Mound takes you. You’ve never seen it, I don’t think.”

“That’s why the Shifting Mound thought it was a door,” Paranoid continued. “It’s in roughly the same spot at the doorway to the basement. She couldn’t have known that’s what it was.”

“But…” All eyes landed on Smitten. “…how does that help us? Every time we touch it in the Construct, it disappears. And after the Princess is taken away, we disappear. How do we expect to get them back?”

The room fell silent.

“…I’m a being of perception.”

Dice spoke in a whisper.

“Any thing you believe, I can make come true.” They turned towards Smitten. “You believe you’re the key to finding Skeptic?”

“Yes.”

“Then do it. When you get sent back, make me get you to that mirror.”

“But no one but me and Happy remember.”

“I do,” Dice admitted. “I can make it happen.”

“Dice,” Happy started, voice filled with concern. “You know what that means, right?”

“I do.”

Happy gulped. “And…you’re ok with that? What will happen?”

The Heart nodded. “Yes. I do.”

***

When Smitten arrived back in the woods, she barely listened to the Narrator’s ramblings about the Cabin and the Princess. This was it. This might be there only actually chance to get Skeptic back.

“Hey.”

Smitten turned towards the voice. Happy sounded nervous.

“Hey. Are you ready for this?” Smitten asked as she held out her hand towards the taller voice.

“No. Are you?” they asked as they latched onto the peacock’s outstretched limb.

“Yes.”

“Ok. Let’s go get your boy back.”