REFURBISHED [Morbitia Renovarse]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

File 2-1 B SIDE: Old Comrades
Perspective Switch: Despina


[image description: Santana feels up Despina's neck with a gloved hand..}

After sending off Romero and a quick briefing with Savvy, you made your way back to the theater floor. Santana laid on stage with a amused look on her face, every word coming next felt like the rattling of a venomous snake.

Santana: So? What's this all about? 

Despina: You messing with my crew, we need a serious talk on this. 

Santana: Why now? Never stepped in before. Not with your little fish friend or the bird or-

Despina: You know this isn't the same. 

Santana: You're right, Savvy hasn't tried to kill me yet. God forbid I'm allowed to be around someone nice for once. 

Despina: God forbid you ruin because if you do-

Santana: Wouldn't dare, not someone who's never signed a pact like that. You know I'd never done so with you either. 

You held back the impulse to scowl, the mask on your face having loosened it's grip a little on you. 

Despina: That doesn't make me feel any better. 

Santana: I did everything I could to make our contract good you know.. 

Despina: And I let you go even though I had every reason not to.. 

Santana: Mm, spared me the mercy of becoming one of your masks? What kind of person are you these days when your face is exposed? Is there anyone even left? 

She leaned in a little, nose curled on the first whiff. 

Santana: You're missing a few.. never see you pack this light before. 

Despina: I don't need anything else right now. 

Santana: I know, but I can tell it makes you a little tense. 

She pressed a finger to the side, right where the split between the mask ends and your true face is exposed. 

Santana: You don't miss me, do you? 

Despina: Not even a little. 

Santana: Hurts so much to think about but... it's for the better. A ferryman's no good if you got dreams like me. Still, I think I miss us plenty.. 

Despina: Sorry to hear that. 

Santana: That said I'm kind of wishing you did the job.. you'd make a pretty good rabbit. 

Her finger slipped slightly under to feel further. 

Despina: Think you'd be miserable. 

Santana: I already am, which is why if you cared you'd let me be happy for once. And... if you really want your friend to stick around, you'd let them have fun too. They'd never look at you the same if you just took me out without warning you know. 

Despina: You two just met-

Santana: Mmhmm! Now's your best chance. Wait longer and it only gets worse for you. Of course... if you take the shot now I have a few requests and-

Despina: I'm not ripping out your throat!

Santana: I'm not saying you have to but as a bunny, I think it's only correct-

Despina: That makes it worse! 

Santana: It's what I'm made to do really, be eaten by a larger and more powerful-

Despina: It's a fursuit made from a previous client- 

Santana: Okay but it's cute right? Like it does the job? 

Despina: I-

Santana: I put in so much work, you don't understand how many rabbits I ruined-

Despina: I need you to please stop right there. 

Santana: Why? You don't want to hear about-

Despina: No, ruin can mean so many things from you and I don't like most of them. 

Santana: Most of them.

Despina: Shut up-

Santana: Now you have to explain. 

Despina: I really don't. 

Santana: Was it the time with the cake? I still have what's left in the freezer if-

Despina: You're derailing to avoid this conversation. 

Santana: I think this is much more important personally. But... if you really want to cut to the end-

Despina: What do you want? 

Santana: Do you really hate me this much? 

Despina: You've got doubts? 

Santana: You could've just curbstomped me at any point you know, and yet you're letting it go this far. What makes you think that I won't pull anything? 

Despina: How do you know I won't either? 

Santana: Because I was your favorite and you were mine~ 

The confidence in her voice grated your skull a little.

Despina: Was. 

Santana: And for now, still true on my end of things I think. Maybe not forever or for long but... it's better to move on from clients that didn't work out. I'm glad you still have it in your heart to let me stay the night over though, very few are so strong... 

Despina: I'm walking back with the two of you. 

Santana: You're not worried I might bring it all down from the inside? 

Despina: Keep talking like that and I'll collar you. 

Santana: Wow! Didn't think you'd be so forward...

Despina: It's not what you're thinking you little shit-

Santana: Got a mouth on you too now.. maybe it isn't too late-

You held out your hand, nearly slamming it into the rabbit's face. 

Despina: I've had enough. You and I are going back out there, and I'm going to make sure you and Savvy make it back together quietly and without incident. I don't think you understand the full extent of what's happening right now and if I told you, you'd be in a panic. You are not our prisoner or our guest. This is a protections program and I will make sure you are briefed thoroughly.

Santana: Protections...? What could possibly-

Despina: You'll see. If I tell you now well... just play it safe.

You gestured to the door. 

Despina: Together, you and me. I hate to say this because I know you won't shut the fuck up if I do but... I think I'd like to not have to kill you one day. It'd make me sad.

Santana: Mm.. purely in a professional way? 

Despina: Exclusively.