When Violence Ensues: Slenderverse Short Stories.

Story Twenty Four: A Government of Shadows Part 2

((HIGH AMOUNT OF SWEARING. HABIT, FIREBRAND AND OBSERVER ARE ALL IN THIS CHAPTER. HOPEFULLY THAT PUTS A LITTLE INTO PERSPECTIVE.))

Observer's eyes widened, before an emotionless chuckle fell from his lips," Oh boy, what a surprise! I underestimated you, Brandy." He spoke, before taking a few steps away from Firebrand, whom of which was smirking as HABIT leaned out of the doorway,

"Oh, we have company! Welcome, welcome. Come on in!" He beckoned, motioning for the other Collective members to make their way into the kitchen. The air was tense as the other entities filed into the room, one after the other, past HABIT. As if toying with them, HABIT watched each and every one of them individually enter the room; almost like an attempt to psyche them out.

It worked on some of them.

HABIT was arguably the most feared entity that they were currently involved with- most of them knew who he was and where he came from. And especially what he was capable of.

"Alrighty, now that the gang's all here, why don't we discuss business?" HABIT suggested, before the grin fell from his lips as Cursor cleared her throat,

"We don't bargain with liars." She spoke, distaste lacing her words like poison. Mr.Scars scoffed,

"That's rich coming from you of all people." He stated, receiving a sharp backhand from the female. Firebrand growled,

"Cut it out. Listen to him, he's got an interesting offer."

"Why should we trust you, again? You're a traitor." Cursor spoke, completely unimpressed. Firebrand rolled his eyes, and Observer sighed,

"Jesus fuck, can we just chill? Listen to the man. If we don't like what he's saying, we kill him." Observer stated as if it were simple. Of course, he didn't believe they could kill HABIT.

But they could certainly try.

HABIT raised an eyebrow," Ooh, is that a challenge? I double dare you, bitch." He retorted, before sighing, "Anyway, I've got an offer. If we work together, we've a higher chance of actually overthrowing stick-in-the-mud. If that happens, you're free to do whatever the fuck you want. Be the strongest entity of an area? Cool. Want me to finally stay the fuck away from you? Good, I can do that. But you won't be constantly in danger of death anymore." He spoke, as if it was a promise. Cursor's eyes narrowed,

"Fuck yourself." She stated, finding his proposition entirely distasteful. HABIT glanced over his shoulder at her and grinned,

"Wouldn't you like that?"

"You're disgusting." She retorted, much to HABIT's amusement,

"Mhm, very much so. So, what do you say?"

Silence filled the room, as Observer seemingly thought it through alongside the other Collective members. Reaching a consensus, Observer shook his head,

"No can do, sorry dude. If the Administrator found out we were talking to you, we'd be punished, never mind conspire with you. It really hates your guts, you know that right?" The man stated, folding his arms across his chest as HABIT shrugged,

"Ah well, it was worth a shot. Too bad we can't be on the same team- just means you'll regret it later. Better pray I'm in a good mood when shit hits the fan, fucker." HABIT sighed, much to Firebrand's agreement,

"Thank you for coming, then. That was basically all that needed saying-" Firebrand started, before Mr.Scars interjected,

"What in the hell made you think this was a good idea? Making all of us, who obviously aren't huge fans of your friend choice, be in the same room as the very guy that just wreaked havoc in our realm? Are you serious?" The dark haired male stated, seemingly confused. Before Firebrand could even answer that question, HABIT spoke up with scorn,

"Wow. Fuck you too, man." He started," Let's be honest, you lives would be boring without me. I think you'll find Toast here agrees."

Rolling his eyes, Firebrand simply stood in silence for a few moments as he thought the situation through clearly. No matter what, no matter how hated he was; they all needed HABIT to have the best chance of actually winning against the Administrator. He was possibly the only, or at least one of the only, entities who could even match the faceless being's strength. The Collective knew that- hence why they were so against even being in the same room as the dangerous individual.

A smirk broke out on Firebrand's face," You know you need him. That's why you're so angered by his presence."

"Shut your mouth- the adults are talking." Cursor spoke, distaste written on her expression. HABIT seemed amused by her, but said nothing. It seemed as though the entire situation was in some way funny to him.

Firebrand inhaled sharply, irritation seeping into his bones the more insults that Cursor decided to throw. Part of him couldn't wait to see them all suffer, but the more rational side of him knew that he needed to calm down. The dark haired man glared at Cursor, and then looked to Observer, "Like I was saying, you all need him on your side in order to even have a reasonable shot at getting your little government what it wants." He mused, as HABIT drew a blade from its sheath at his hip and ran his index finger down the sharpened metal, a child-like smile pulling at his lips,

"In other words, y'all are fucked and you know it. So, that being said, it was a pleasure finally seeing you all in person again but I think it's time you all got goin', busy lives lookin' after a council and all that shit." HABIT stated, dark eyes scanning the Collective for any hint of a challenge to his words. Observer pouted,

"Oh you dick. Fine, we're leaving. Call me, Brandy~" He chuckled, before motioning for the others to follow him. No one moved. Frowning once more, Observer cocked his head to the side, "Guys, get the fuck out?"

"It would be in your best interest to listen to him." HABIT interjected, resting his head back against the wall, still playing with the knife in his hands. Mr.Scars moved to the doorway and left it, leaving the house. Soon after, the others followed and eventually it was just Cursor and Observer who remained from the government of shadows.

"You will pay for this, Firebrand. You will suffe-"

"Doll, do me a favour and tell your buddies to do what they do best and keep the fuck outta my way. You fuck with Firebrand, and you fuck with me from now on until I say otherwise. Got it?" He questioned, a dangerous shift in tone from the previous five minutes. The female glared coldly at HABIT, and stormed out of the house. Observer shrugged dramatically and mimed tipping his hat to HABIT,

"Until next time." He mused, before leaving promptly.

Sighing, Firebrand leaned back against the wall and cleared his throat, gently massaging his temples with his hands, "God they're irritating." He spoke flatly, a headache throbbing behind his eyes. HABIT laughed,

"Yup, they're good at that. Anywho, thank you for inviting me to your little party, but I've got people to see, things to do. The usual," HABIT began, "Same time next week?" He finished, sliding the blade back into its sheath at his hip. Firebrand glanced to him, and raised an eyebrow

"You've said that before. I'll see you around, HABIT." He replied, grimacing at the thought of 'the usual.' The usual, usually meant someone was going to be horribly mutilated or perhaps worse. Maybe he was going to screw around with Vincent's sanity again. He was fond of that.

HABIT nodded, and grinned lazily," Yeah, I remember. See ya round, Toast." The poisonous entity said, before leaving through the back door. Firebrand rolled his eyes, of course he'd leave through the back door rather than the front door. Moments later, a key opening the lock of the front door was heard and someone stepped into the house, a resounding sigh was heard from the front hallway, and Firebrand raced to begin making coffee. Whistling a light tune, Scriniarii made his way into the kitchen, and stopped at the sight of Firebrand making two cups of coffee,

"Uh, dude, what the hell happened to your neck?" He questioned, setting a bag of groceries onto the kitchen table. The entity shrugged in reply, a sigh escaping his lips,

"That's a long story. Sit, and I'll tell you all about it."

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