Chapter Text
Stupid Faust. Such a ridiculous title. Once again, the white-haired sinner was visited by a sleepless night. Standing alone next to a large whiteboard, connecting dods, scribbling her notes frantically. It all didn’t up. The culprit, the one who instigated the raid of the Limbus Company research facility, couldn’t have possibly been the head of all of Limbus Company. But in the end, her much more logical theories were null and void. Like a school test, it did not matter what she thinks. The council had spoken. Any information they provided had to be the truth, it was inarguable. For the first time in ages, it felt like she was at her wits end. Faust was at her wits end. Perhaps it wasn’t that the case was so very convoluted. Perhaps her title was simply fitting. In the end, she sank down on her bed. A slim mattress on the floor. Sleep was impossible. Still, her vision went dark as hours flew by with every hopeless beat of her heart. Doubt was crawling along her mind like skittering bugs. She was known as the one who knows all. Ridiculous. Truly she was just a stumbeling fool, carried by the wisdom of the council.
Faust had not managed to get a single second of sleep. Though as she heard the manager knock on her door, she knew that it doesn’t matter. The day was about to start and no lack of sleep would prevent it from doing so.
It had been a slow day at work. They were in a very obscure part of the backstreets. Rubble everywhere and not a single organic being in sight. It somehow was one of the calmer places in the city. Still it was the backstreets, so letting your guard down was not something they could allow. However, the worst was still ahead. They had been sent out to take care of a nearby distortion. A worker of a factory, responsible for production of furniture. Considering the awful working conditions of the city, it was a miracle that it didnt happen more often.
Faust had abandoned her spot next to the manager, deciding to rather stand at the outskirt of the group. The idea of being asked a question in her mindset made her tremble. Tremble? Indeed, her hands were shaking. How unprofessional. A shame on the name ”Faust“. Her newest title felt more and more at home. She had always been destined to be-
“Miss Faust?“ Black hair slid into her view. Shifting her gaze lower, she spotted eyes, adorned with dark rings that mirrored her own. “You seemed distracted. Our group has already proceeded further ahead. I intended to wait on you, before guiding you, as I assumed you were lost in thought. However, it appears I have waited too long and am now similarly clueless on the location of our fellows…“
Barely anything he said registered in Fausts head. She was too focused on those… solemn eyes. That innocent look. They showed nothing but true concern. She knew this both emotionally, as well as biologically. He was both sorry that he had “interrupted“ her, as well as that he had lost the group. How utterly nonsensical. How utterly… adorable? She shook her head. Such thoughts shall not intrude her mind. She already brought too much shame to the Faust name. She shall not make it worse by letting useless emotions take over.
“Yes, Faust was… thinking about something very important. Do not be worried Yi Sang. Simply raise your head and take in the air through your nostrils.“
Yi Sang followed her command. Like a puppy, he started sniffing in the air. A puppy? Not ever would she think something like that. Something external must be messing with her thoughts.
“Hmmm… the air is surprisingly clean for a rather average part of the backstreets. Hmm, but I don’t see how… ahh, I can smell it now! “With an upbeat smile, he came to face Faust. “I can distinctly make out the smell of cigarettes from our two smoking companions. Good thinking, Miss Faust.”
It was but a simple compliment. Frankly, she was surprised the poet had not come up with the solution on his own. But still, it made her feel… surprisingly well. How she was still able to positively influence someone and earn praise in response, despite what she considered to be a decline in intelligence.
“Indeed. You are fortunate that it is Faust who you were left behind with.”
Yi Sang was already trailing ahead.
“They must have gone… that way over there. Let us hurry, the smell is slowly dissipating.”
As the the manager officially dismissed all the sinners at the end of the day, Faust was walking through the hall, head hung low. The rest of her coworkers were, as always, being noisy and rash. But Faust still felt like she was walking down a dark hallway. Similar to the path of understanding the council's information- no, she was not to think about that anymore. Delicately and apathetically, she opened the door to her abode. Faust was greeted by her usual white exterior. A blank slate. Only that notes were scribbled everywhere. Now she was waiting for her usual evening visit. The very same poet she had gotten lost with this very same day. Normally, she’d get things ready. After all, their meet ups were conducted under the intention of making great breakthroughs. And many a breakthrough were had already. But this time she simply could not concentrate on preparing. A pen in her hand, she was tapping on her desk in a rhythm. Clack. Clack Clack. Clack. Clack clack.
She could be doing so much already. But today, she was more interested in counting down the seconds until his arrival. She rather spent the time thinking back on today. They could not find their team in time. Tracking them down to a building where a distortion had manifested, they immediately noticed the pitch darkness that spread through the facility. Usually, this would not be an issue. It’s difficult to get lost when Dantes light is so bright. However, the two sinners had nothin but each other. So in that very moment, with uncharacteristic boldness, he grabbed her by the hand and dragged her with him. His palms were so very sweaty and-
A heavy knock brought her back to the current moment.
“Miss Faust, are you alright?” She moves to open the door, glancing with one eye outside of her door. Meekly, her expected visitor stood there. Once again, he has that silly concern on his face. Like he was truly worried for her. At seeing her, that concern was immediately washed off by a wave of relief. “Ahh, there you are. I had been knocking for a long while. Concerned that something might have happened to you, I’m now ever the happier to see you.” On his face, an awkward smile spreads from cheek to cheek.
“Forgive Faust, Yi Sang. Faust had been thinking about what topic our minds shall tackle today.” She had not. Not today at least. So she just fell back on a topic she had wanted to discuss with him for a while. “Faust wants to talk about the importance of emotions. What to look for and how they impact us, especially regarding our very group of sinners.”
Yi Sang elected to sit down on a nearby chair, rubbing his chin all the while. “Hm, not our usual field of expertise. Which makes this topic ever the more discussion worthy. But pray, how would we talk about this sort of-“
“Tell me what you think of me. How you feel about me.” Something in her eyes had changed. She was actively fighting against her mind. It was shouting how wrong all of this was. She simply did not listen. She cleared her throat. “Of course, Faust meant to say… How do you feel about Faust…”
The poet looked shocked. His eyes were wide open and his cheeks were slightly flushed. Strange. Faust had accomplished so many things. Mental, as well as physical feats. But never has she felt as right as in this very moment. His reaction caused her to smile and to push even further.
“If you are incapable of formulating your thoughts, Faust will begin. Faust enjoys the company you provide more than anyone else’s. You seem to be the only one that appreciates Fausts knowledge to it’s fullest. All the other Sinners and even the guide seem to be annoyed at times when Faust demonstrates her knowledge and wisdom. You, on the other hand, always listen to and value what Faust has to say. Of course, this could just point to your intelligence, which may even come close to that of Faust. That you truly understand what I have to say. Perhaps that is why you also seek to be close to Faust. It would be wise of you stay around Faust and treat her as a sort of mentor figure.”
A mix of emotions wash over Yi Sangs face. Faust detects appreciation, a semblance of disappointment, but finally, his blush grows slightly deeper as he looks to the floor. After a rather long break, he begins speaking:
“I… greatly appreciate that you find my presence to be more valuable than that of others. I must share the same sentiment. Your brilliance is simply and utterly astonishing. At times it is as though I’m nothing but a deadweight. Or more accurately, a mere student, as you said. Simply listening to your genius. Never have I see an answer that you couldn’t grasp. Wether through your vast knowledge or your skills in deduction. For that, I greatly appreciate you, Faust.”
It felt much better when it was someone else lying to her. These words, filtered through his dark, tired voice. It was as though the prettiest songbird was right outside her window, singing just for her. There was someone truly and entirely appreciating her intelligence. Not even she herself could do that, despite what she would have others believe. She couldn’t tell if it was just her lack of sleep, but suddenly, she could feel a dark tunnel forming around her sight. Censoring everything that wasn’t his face. His flustered, tired face. But then, without mercy, he kept going.
“Though it would be foolish of me to try to convey that all these evenings we spent together, I have attended to just because of your wisdom. Your company is very comforting, Faust. I believe I have seen a you that’s a lot more intimate. Like how you were back on the Warp Train. A you that shows her emotions more openly and is less distant. It truly warms my heart to see you like that. To have these moments where we can be less professional and talk like friends. After all, these hours we spent together must have meant something. I have felt so much more delighted with us walking in a pair together or standing side by side in combat.”
He smiles meekly before look back up to meet Fausts eyes. He grew pale when he saw her face. It couldn’t be described more accurately than with a soul-piercing gaze. Faust was staring at him. No emotion showing. Just eyes as blue as the most pristine of lakes. If Yi Sang had planned to draw out her emotional side, he had certainly accomplished his goal. The cause of her blank stare was her mind. Uncharacteristically empty, it was playing back every single memory she had of Yi Sang. Finding him for the first time, a sogging wet, sad puppy, before guiding him on the Bus. Seeing how he had been left by all his former friends in his fathoms. Those many long evenings spent together in her room. When he fell asleep and Faust was strangely compelled to simply pat his head. There was only one reasonable response she could utter.
“Yi Sang. Faust believes it would be best if you left.” Her voice was monotone, but deeper than usual.
“Have I… said anything to upset you? It truly wasn’t my intention to come over as rude- I apologise for however I could have insulted you…” It hurt. That rare smile he carried was now replaced with an expression, torn between being surprised and saddend. Yet Faust felt her spirit waver. If he was not to leave, she knows that something terrible was bound to happen. “Miss Faust, please…”
Wordlessly, she stood up. She opened the door in a downcast movement while looking towards the floor. The message was clear: Please leave. Now.
Extremely disappointed, he left his seat, right after he had gotten comfortable. Taking one last glance at her with his… adorable eyes, before disappearing into the hallway. Once she was assured that his attention was diverted, Faust peaked around the corner. His form was completely sunk into himself. She watched him, scanning from head to toe. Once the realisation sunk in that his attention was entirely diverted, Faust felt a sharp, burning sensation al through her body. She wanted to chase after him, but at the same time fall to the floor and throw up her guts. She wanted to drag him back and lock the door on them while choking him to death.
Faust slammed the door shut. A mix of her sheer exhaustion and days of lacking sleep was eating her from inside. Growing dizzy, she stumbled towards her mattress. Before she could hope to reach it, her vision fully grew dark. Faust fell to the floor and passed out.
She was on a dark path. Trees on either side of Faust, blocking the sun out. She walked forward steadily. Looking for something. Though she knew she was looking for something, she had no idea what.
There… was a light at the end of the path. Faust walked towards it like possessed. Now that she came close, she spotted papers. Pictures of her and poems. She could not read them, they were in gibberish. Nothing that could be made out. Yet somehow she knew that the poems were about her. She kept walking. Many times, it felt like something the likes of a magnet pulled her off of the ground, drawing her back from where she came. But in the end, she always managed to keep going. Then, as she approached, from the light, she could make out his face. Yi Sangs face. She reached out to him with her fingers, stroking his shoulders and his head, yet he did not react. She could feel the flesh, though like a statue, he did not react. Frustration welled up inside of Faust. That’s when, once again, she was pulled away. This time, she didn’t return.
Faust woke up. It had been an hour. Blood was flowing out of her nose from the fall. It had splattered over her face, covering it in red. She could feel it; something had taken over her. She used to fight back, but not anymore. Now, she simply allowed a voice deep inside of her to order her around. To take what was hers. Faust walked towards one of her bookshelves. Searching carefully, she grabbed on of the heaviest books. Sliding it out of the shelf. Her arms first fell to the ground. The weight surprised even her. But one quick pull and a change of stance, and she was carrying it over her shoulder without too much issue.
Stemming open the door, Faust walked out into the hallway. Her target was just a few meters away. The door to Yi Sangs room. Conveniently close to the backrooms. Heart pounding heavily, she stood in front of the door. Even beside the fact that she would never do this, the way she planned on proceeding with her plan was also out of the ordinary. Never mind that. She was done listening to what her mind had to say. Though she could feel her blood pounding in her ears from the fear, she pressed down the doorknob with her elbow.
Her heart stopped- as she saw that the poet was STILL not asleep, even after this long hour had passed. Not even a little as he immediately jumped up from his pillow, lying in his bed in a sitting position. Once again, his eyes were upsettingly full of concern.
“F-faust, you are bleeding! What happened to you? Are you okay?” A person tried to sneak into his room. Face covered in blood. Something that could be used as a bludgeoning weapon over her shoulder. And he asked… if she was okay. There is no reality in which such a fragile, naïve bird could survive on his own. She could see that now.
“N-no… Faust requires medical attention. Could you perhaps be of help?” Never had she seen someone jump out of his bed faster. He had discarded his vest, cloak and tie. Now only in his white shirt, it wrapped around his meagre body. Faust was reminded of how adorably physically weak he was, mostly relying on analysis and agility in combat. But his judgement was clouded by his desire to help Faust. As he got into reach, Faust brought the book down on his head. Shock was the last thing she saw on his face before he was flung to the ground. Faust had hoped to make him pass out with one hit. But, with a cheek bruised and an eye swollen, he was still writhing around silently. Faust pressed a knee into his back, before striking him into the back of his head. Still not done. He spit out blood and all that followed was raspy breathing. One more strike against his temple, and the poet was knocked out cold. He wasn’t bleeding too harshly, though he was covered in bruises. But it did not matter. What was important was that no one had woken up. Fortunately, not a single scream had been released in the struggle. Apathetically, she dragged his body out of the room and towards the back of the bus. She knew her way around. She would find a nice, secluded space where none of the sinners would find them. Not for now at least. Her mouth watered just thinking about it. She could finally have him to herself. His eyes, his mouth, his entire face and body. All just hers.