[ti]location[/ti]HEARTEATER'S PRISON (Shrine)

Well, at least he didn't have to make the trek all the way back down to the pits of the Hibernaculum.

It made sense now why they were not successful in getting the coffin out of where she was sealed. Secretly, he was relieved that it had failed, though it also meant that there might be some other players passing by here, and it turned out that there already have. Like how the Hearteater attacked them with letters turned into solid mass (or so he heard), the words of the players had become searing marks on the coffin. They looked like they glowed under the candlelight.

Perhaps it was supposed to be odd - wearing a piece of the torn Hearteater, visiting the shrine like another form of coming home - was that right? Maybe not quite? It was strange to him that he wanted to talk to her despite everything that had happened, but if someone were to ask him if he blamed Hearteater for anything, well...not really? She was programmed to do the things she did, and what happened to Gou was his own mistake - hostility was expected, his failure was a matter of choice.

❝Must be cramped in there.❞ he muttered, and yet his voice echoed in the crypt. The coffin did not move a centimeter. He couldn't tell if Hearteater could hear him.

This would be the only time he could talk to her, though it was not equal either way. She could not reply, after all, stuck in a state of Schrödinger's bat.

His eyes flitted to the candles, ever lit, and the few offerings left behind. A plate was overturned; a mess on the floor. He crouched down and picked up the silverware. He should return with a bag.

❝When was the last time you had a conversation? The tables have turned on you, it looks like; the unwilling listener to someone droning on.❞ he broke into a smile, a bit of a cheeky grin. ❝I'll keep you company, then. I am your Heartspawn, after all.❞