ranvieranvieranvier

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Mr. Maxilla sighs.

MR. MAXILLA: I’m aware that you’re… not really planning to budge on how you think you’re fate’s going to unfold. And there’s not a lot I can do to reverse that thinking, if it’s something that’s stuck with you so long.

MR. MAXILLA: In that case, in the rare case where such is destined to happen…then I want to get to know you, Ranvier.

Ranvier perks up.

MR. MAXILLA: I do.

MR. MAXILLA: And not just to keep me company, o-or to entertain me, to convince myself of something that’s not true. I don’t want to dissect you. Or to chose the best parts and leave the rest.

MR. MAXILLA: As much as you might’ve been lead to believe that you’re…literally nothing, you are still something. You’re a person, Ranvier. Me coming from somewhere and you being in a pit of nowhere separates us from a lot of things. But it doesn’t separate you from the fact that you’re here now, on the same playing field I am. The rules are just a little different for you, that’s all. Even if you can’t catch a ball the same way I metaphorically could, you could still catch it.

MR. MAXILLA: It might seem a little dash hopeless for you right now. I get it. But on the other hand, we’ve got all the time in the world. This whole place is just us. I’ve come to… what’s the word. Appreciate you, Raniver. For saving my life. Even if it was in a weird way, you tried to make me happy, didn’t you? Heh. Whatever the case and place, all I want to do is find a way to help you. To the best of my limits. Even if that help has nothing to do with you being happy, even if it’s just being there for when you’re down… I can’t argue with that.

MR. MAXILLA: You may not trust me a bunch, Ranvier. But I trust you.~

MR. MAXILLA: And if I do end up doing something bad, then, that sure isn’t going to be of my own accord. That’s for what.

RANVIER: OH I

RANVIER: I THOUGHT YOU WERE JOKING WHEN YOU WERE BEING NICE EARLIER

RANVIER: I DIDNT THINK YOU ACTUALLY WANTED TO BE AROUND ME HELL EVEN BE FRIENDS WITH ME LIKE THIS HAS TO BE A BIT RIGHT

MR. MAXILLA: It’s not.

Mr. Maxilla occupies the space between his and Ranvier’s seat with an open palm.

Ranvier crawls towards Maxilla’s hand, before reclining back.

RANVIER: I I I DONT KNOW, I DONT WANT TO HURT YOU MAX WHAT IF THATS WHAT LEADS TO YOU-

MR. MAXILLA: It’ll be alright, okay? It’ll all be okay. J-Just take a moment.

Ranvier does so.

She comes back, hovering her fingers over the gaps in Max’s hand.

Then, she gently encompasses his hand with hers.

For the first time, she feels like she’s truly connected to someone. Not like how she talked with strangers, not at all like how she talked with Maxilla when she tried to put things together, back when everything was pre-planned.

For the first time, she feels like a person.

For the first time, it feels like her anchor of hate has been lifted.

If only for a little bit.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

MR. MAXILLA: To be faint, I have no clue how to, um. Go around placing footing in social standings either! Heh.

RANVIER: OH THANKS

RANVIER: I MEAN I COULD JUST TELL BUT IF I WAS STUCK WITH A GUY WHO HAD HIS LIFE TOGETHER AND COULD BRAG ABOUT TOUCHDOWNS AND THE BOYS AND HOW MUCH HE WINS AT TALKING I THINK ID STOP THIS MAD MACHINE AND KILL HIM MYSELF

RANVIER: I THINK ITS NORMAL TO BE PATHETIC LIKE IF YOU DONT TRY IT AT LEAST ONCE THERES SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH YOU

RANVIER: AT LEAST IF YOU KILL ME WHICH WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN EVENTUALLY ITLL BE A BIT FUNNY

RANVIER: COULD YOU IMAGINE THE MORGUE WHEELING MY DEATHHAVING BODY IN AFTER YOU SPIT OUT MY EYES OR SOMETHING EQUALLY UNPLEASANT AND AS THEY PUT ME IN THE WORLDS BIGGEST BODY DATABASE THERES A TAG ON MY BIG TOE READING TO NO ONE “CAUSE OF DEATH: SILLY DORK FUCKING LOST IT ONE DAY”

Mr. Maxilla laughs. As his laughter softens, the weight of what Ranvier is joking about clings to him.

MR. MAXILLA: …You seriously think I’m going to cut your lifeline short, though.

It’s not phrased as a question. It’s phrased as a matter of fact.

RANVIER: KILL? MAYBE NOT

RANVIER: MAYBE YOULL DO SOMETHING WORSE

RANVIER: I MEAN EVEN THOUGH YOUR BODY IS A FLESH MIMICK OF A PAPERCLIP YOU’RE STILL MUCH TALLER THAN ME AND MUCH MORE OF A PERSON THAN I EVER COULD BE WHO KNOWS WHAT SOMEONE AS LANKY AS YOU COULD BE UP TO

RANVIER: I THINK ONE DAY YOULL GET SO TIRED OF SEEING MY FACE AS SOMEONE ELSES, DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY WHO

RANVIER: YOULL GET EXHAUSTED AND YOULL TIRE OF HAVING THIS CREATUROUS REPLICANT OF SOMEONE THAT MEANT A LOT TO YOU NIPPING AT YOUR PANTLEGS

RANVIER: ONE DAY YOULL BECOME SO MISERABLE BY THE SIGHT THAT IT DOESNT EVEN WAY ON YOUR CONSCIENCE THAT IM IN HERE WITH YOU AND ITS PROBABLY JUST US TWO PIECING EACH OTHER’S SANITIES IN A BALL OF BANDAIDS AND TARP

RANVIER: MAYBE YOULL HARVEST MY SOUL TO USE AS A POWER SUPPLY FOR YOUR LAND OF JOYOUS JOYS, METAL PLACES MEANT TO EVOKE A FEELING YOU WERENT MEANT TO FEEL, BUILT IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO FEEL SOMETHING OTHER THAN BOILING ALONENESS AND SEARING COLDNESS

RANVIER: WHO’S TO SAY WHAT’LL HAPPEN, SURELY NOTHING GOOD

RANVIER: NOT LIKE THERES SUCH A THING AS CONTROL

MR. MAXILLA: …

RANVIER: AND THERES THE AWKWARD SILENCE AGAIN HAHAHA SECOND TIMES A CHARM

MR. MAXILLA: Not prying, but… there’s a reason you feel this way, i-isn’t there….?

Ranvier’s face fades to a wide-toothed frown. They look at the tiled floors, seeing their own reflection between the chipped squares.

RANVIER: …IVE NEVER BEEN ASKED THAT BEFORE

[ranvieranvieranvier]

RANVIER: OK WHATS THAT THING THEN

Mr. Maxilla turns to where Ranvier is pointing to - a pale, colorless version of the watchtower.

MR. MAXILLA: The watchtower?

RANVIER: SURE WHATEVER YOU CALL IT

MR. MAXILLA: All’s right, then. T-to a cruise to the sky, we’ll fly!~

Ranvier takes their seat on the watchtower. After Maxilla circles around and flips a switch on a panel, the rackety machine comes to life with a quake, slowly pivoting the car upwards.

RANVIER: HOLY CURSES

Ranvier yells, gripping the back of the chair with fingers that pierce the seating.

RANVIER: ARE YOU TRYING TO MASSACRE US BOTH IS THIS A DEATHTRAP OR SOMETHING TO SEE GOD

MR. MAXILLA: No, no. It’s programmed to go up. That’s why it’s so tall! So you can see the park better.

RANVIER: DOES IT EVER GO DOWN DOES IT KEEP GOING

MR. MAXILLA: It’ll stop when it gets to the ground again. T-this is only the liftoff process. You’re fine. And even if it did derail, which it won’t - the most hurt you’d be in is experiencing a slow landing.

RANVIER: OH

MR. MAXILLA: If it means any of things to you, this is the ride the bureau hounded me the least about, so.

RANVIER: THEN MY PANIC IN THE SITUATION WAS UTTERLY AND GRAVELY MISPLACED

MR. MAXILLA: Can’t fault you for that. This is the first time your oculars are witnessing something like this, no?

RANVIER: YEAH ABOUT THAT III

RANVIER: I DONT GET TO SEE-THROUGH BAGGAGE-FREE NICETIES OFTEN IF EVER

RANVIER: WHENEVER SOMETHING MORALLY POSITIVE HAPPENS IT ALWAYS PRELUDES A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR ME, LIKE A MOTH TO A LAMP OF FIRE AND HELL

RANVIER: SOMEONE TRYING TO “SALVAGE” ME BUT IT WONT WORK, OR MAUL ME, ETC

RANVIER: I DONT KNOW HOW LONG ITS GOING TO TAKE YOU TO DO THAT IF IT HASNT ALREADY

RANVIER: BUT I DONT TRUST THIS WORLD TO SPIT OUT ONE-NOTE PEOPLE, INTENTIONS PAPER THIN

RANVIER: THERES ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING, EVEN WHEN TIME STANDS STILL

MR. MAXILLA: Well, I don’t hate you.

RANVIER: I KNOW YOU DONT. BUT PEOPLE CHANGE. I CANT

RANVIER: AND WHEN THEY CHANGE WITHOUT ME, GUESS WHO ENDS UP GETTING LEFT BEHIND

MR. MAXILLA: ….

RANVIER:

RANVIER: I HONEST TO SHIT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO ENGAGE WITH OTHER BEE INGS AT ALL IS THIS RIDING DOWN UNCOMFORTABLE LANE FOR YOU OR IS IT JUST TOPPLING DOWN A HILL AND EXPLODING IN BLAZES LIKE ON A RICTOR SCALE HOW MISERABLE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW

[ranvieranvieranvier]

What do we do now?

MR. MAXILLA: Let me see if - i-if I - we, can - ride some rides! You said you wanted to go to the top, right, why don’t I show you around?

Mr. Maxilla’s voice curves around his nouns. He sounds like this is something he’ll have to do.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

heyy ranvier buddy we good now?

RANVIER: NO I FEEL ~Smoth~

[ranvieranvieranvier]

OH. SO WE'RE STILL IN THE VOID. THATS. ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE WHY ARE WE IN THE VOID

MR. MAXILLA: Oh.

MR. MAXILLA: Heh.

MR. MAXILLA: I guess that was… a-a tad predictable.

His voice is creaking.

MR. MAXILLA: Truthfully, it seemed too good to be real. I should’ve seen that coming a Mile away.

RANVIER: IM SORRY THAT YOURE BUMMED UM

RANVIER: I HAVE NO INQUIRY ON HOW ANY OF THIS WORKS BUT IM SORRY?

MR. MAXILLA: On t-the, to say “brighter” side! At least we have the theme park.

RANVIER: WITHOUT ANY GUESTS

MR. MAXILLA: It’s no differ from how it usually operates.

MR. MAXILLA: Just…. the same it’s always been.

MR. MAXILLA: God, what has my being come to?

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Maxfun is still there, yes.

Still very much in tact.

But there’s a feeling that it’s isolated. Moreso than ever before.

There’s no paths leading to Uptown, or Wildside, or anywhere else in Frayzend.

It’s here, but that’s all there is.

A black sky hangs above.

Maxfun remains in the void.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Open the door.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Down further.

Down.

Down.

Up.

Up one more.

Further along.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Up to the left.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Through the hall.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

Maxilla looks up at the console Ranvier so desperately wanted him to look at. Taking a look second at the room, realization hits.

MR. MAXILLA: Ranvier, we’ve been in the Funidoors the whole time.

RANVIER: HUH

MR. MAXILLA: Yes, precisely, these…. this security office, it’s all in the floor plan. There’s simply no other answer, it’s u-unmistakable! All we have to do is hike back up the main path and we’ll be back where we started! W-why else would it be plastered all over the footage, Ranvier, if not for the fact that we, WE are here?! We can just.. leave!

Mr. Maxilla starts regaining some of himself, somehow in such a place.

[ranvieranvieranvier]

RANVIER: I THINK IM GETTING TIRED OF heARING FACELESS FREAKS

RANVIER: iM NOT A FAN OF BEING sTRINGED ALONG

RANVIER: I JUST WANNA BE SOMEOnE I DoNt WANT TO HAVE TO DO SHIT FOR ANYBODY ISNT THAT gREAT AND oKiE DOKIE

RANVIER: IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK nOW IN THIS gRISLY tHING

MR. MAXILLA: I wouldn’t know. I’m not, well. Like you.

RANVIER: AND THATS NoT YOUR FAULT MR PLEADED GUILTY

RANVIER: ITS MINE

RANVIER: I SHOULDNT HAVE BROUGHT YOU IN HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE

RANVIER: IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME ITLL PROBABLY HAPPEN TO YOU

RANVIER: WHAT SELFISHNESS ON MY ENd iSNT IT JUST SWeLL

RANVIER: I JUST WANT TO BE SOMEONE

RANVIER: ANYONE

RANVIER: SO WHY DO I FEEL SO LOST WITHOUT PREOCCUPATION

[ranvieranvieranvier]

MR. MAXILLA: Hey? W-where’d all the other people go? Your ‘friends’?

RANVIER: MUFFLED THEM. SHUT THEM UP

RANVIER: THEY ARENT WORTH MY TIME

RANVIER: MAYBE NOW I CAN THINK FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE

[ranvieranvieranvier]

ranvier?? how can we help you adjust to this??

RANVIER: GOOGYBYE FOREVER

[ranvieranvieranvier]

aw geez, that sucks. are you in pain...? can we help?

RANVIER: I NEED YOU TO SHUT UP

RANVIER: SHUT UP RIGHT NOW

RANVIER: SHUT UP SHUT UP RIGHT NOW

RANVIER: PAY NO MIND MAXOUT

RANVIER: I JUST THINK ITS GETTING OVERWHELMED!tooManypeopleActiveonthisserver!Theclientdoesnotrecognizetheadditionalfi I WAS WRONG MAXILLA YOU GOTTA HELP ME ADJUST TO THIS

[ranvieranvieranvier]

ranvier? you ok??

RANVIER: ITS

RANVIER: DISEASE

RANVIER: SEASONAL

RANVIER: FIRMWARE SEASON

MR. MAXILLA: My, I’m unsure of what any of that m-means, I’m afraid!

RANVIER: YEAH BECAUSE YOURE NOT FROM HERE. YOU WOULDNT UNDERSTake this one free trial t