"You don't need that Puppeteer" [OFF]

"Live a little."

The faint tapping of footsteps rang in The Batters ears, but he didn't turn around to see what or who was making the noise. He stayed completely still, snapping out of it as he felt a harsh tug on his left sleeve.

"So, how long have you been stood there, amigo?" It was Zacharie, the Merchant. His interactions with Zacharie had only been limited, occasionally stopping by to hastily purchase whatever items his puppeteer deemed useful. The Batter turned to face him slowly, acknowledging his presence.
"Haha, it must be tiring standing there doing nothing, Hm?"
"I am waiting." He bluntly stated, going back to his original trance.

"... interesting. Tell me, friend, how long have you been standing there?" Zacharie moved in front of The Batter, waving his hand in his face. "I must say, this quite the sorry sight."
"..."
"I don't know"
"Dear Batter, I can tell you that you've been standing there for two days."
The Batter chose not to respond.

After a few moments of silence, Zacharie let out a deep sigh.
"Hahah, alright. Silent treatment it is then"
The masked man lightly chuckled,
"I hope you don't mind me getting a little comfortable, Hm?"

-

By now it had been a few hours since Zacharies initial interaction with The Batter, he really had set up camp just beside him. Zacharie had a small tent along with a sleeping bag. The Batter hadn't even known Zacharie had a place to rest until now.
Zacharie peeked out of the tent curtains, snickering a little. That got The Batters' attention.
"Do you really not need sleep, Dear Batter? You look worn. I am sure there is room for y-"
"No"
"I see. Your loss, mon ami."

-

Zacharie woke up the next day to see The Batter laid on the floor. There was a slight relieved smile on his usually expressionless face. Zacharie assumed that he had passed out during the night, taking pity on the purifier and his foolishness. He nudged him slightly, The Batter waking up pretty much in an instant.
"Hahaha, having a good sleep I assume?" The Batter glared at him in response, feeling as though the masked man was mocking him in some way.
"No."
"You sure about that?"
"Yes"

"..."

"Why are you here?"
The two made awkward eye contact, staring into each other for a needlessly long amount of time.
"You haven't noticed your own sorry state, have you?" Zacharie muttered. "I do wonder if they will be coming back. It's... unusual for a player to lose interest this early."

The Batter sat up, still staring at him with an exhausted and confused expression.
"... Ah... The Puppeteer?"
"Mhm, whatever you call them."
The Batter thought for a moment, their face contorting between rage and sadness.
"You're saying... ah... they might have given up on me?"
The Batter hadn't really felt such a heavy and lingering emotion like that. He... needed them to fulfil his mission. Without them he was practically useless. Really he felt as if Zacharie had walked up to him and punched him straight in the gut.
Zacharie seemed to notice that.
"Dear Batter, don't take it too hard. I'm sure to them we are all disposable. It's not your fault."

That didn't really seem to help and, again, The Batter resorted to a cold silence.
"What do I do if they don't come back?"
It seemed more of a statement than a question.
"What is my purpose."

Zacharie didn't really know how he should respond to that, knowing that his words didn't make the situation any better.
"Ah, well... there's more to life than purification, amigo. Don't tell me you're going to isolate yourself here until you wither away. Perhaps you'll enjoy... uh, living a little, hahah."

"..."

"Ok."