God have mercy.

You slowly walked through the plaza-like train station in Fluorescent District, glancing around at your surroundings. If the DEAD BODIES on the floor weren’t enough, ruined buildings scattered the sides of the wide road. The atmosphere was tinted with an ominous red hue, matching the giant crystalline structures which towered over the various skyscraper-esque buildings.

Your walking was interrupted once a person was tossed from a window from one of the partially toppled buildings, who then hit the ground with an unpleasant slam. Their shiny red tophat slid to the gray brick ground just in front of their head.

You immediately speed-walked over to them, looking over them to see if somehow, just maybe, they were still alive. Miraculously, they were. They grabbed their hat sluggishly, hobbling to their feet and placing the accessory back onto their head before holding their face for a second.

" wha.. " They muttered under their breath as they turned, and just then realized you were there. Their eyes widened in shock and their hand lowered.

" GET AWAY FROM ME!! "

He barked out, stumbling backwards and pointing a finger towards you. He stared at you for a moment before his expression softened as he saw the shocked look in your eyes. Or, perhaps the fact there was a look in your eyes at all.

He lowered his arm tentatively and shifted his pose to be a little less defensive, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

" ..Ah, whoops. Thought you were one of those walking husks, just like the others. "

He explained, crossing his arms and giving a sheepish smirk. His face then changed to a contemplative grin as he glanced off towards the side, placing a hand under his chin in thought.

" Though.. if you were, at least that’d give me an excuse to beat something up! "

At this, you raised a fist at him annoyedly, to which he quickly leaned away and raised his arms in surrender. He gave another sheepish grin.

" Well, you’re no fun! "