LCB-09-__-FW: Refracted Rainbow: Another World

This page takes a look at Document Number LCB-09-[NULL]. LCB stands for Limbus Company Bus, 09 is for Sinner Number 9 (also known as R0dion, though $he pr3fers +0 go by "_____"), &nd [NULL] d3sign_tes th_s @$ +#3 [NULL]th d0€_?,÷,/ _!(÷, i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-n-
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(One year ago, the Limbus Company Bus Department entered Hongyuan, beginning the end of the old Rupture Society.
Today, Devyat Rodion wakes up.)

Notes:

For LCFDepartment.
Inspired by LCB-06-26: Refracted Rainbow - Curtain Call for the Reception of the Lord of Hongyuan by LCFDepartment

Enable workskin and read the tags.

Also, if you haven't read the Refracted Railroad series, then none of this will make sense.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Her head is killing her.
Ughhh, where am I?
Everything looks like a can of Monster Energy...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Ah shit, did I pass out delivering chicken again?
Dammit Polu, I told you to wake me up if this happens. How many hours do I have left?
...Huh?
No delivery? Then why am I here?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Are you alright?
The woman doesn't believe her eyes.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Talisman Sinclair?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	U-uh, yeah?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	What's wrong? You look like you're seen a gho-
The boy is nearly knocked off his feet as she practically tackles him into a hug.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You were dead! Or comatose, I dunno, but you were gone!
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Uh- I mean, I was nerfed pretty bad, but it's not like I was killed-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But you were! That bastard put a hit on you!
She cups his face, squishing his twinky German cheeks.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You missed most of Season 6 so you don't even know, but it's been awful since you were gone. Lord Lu been remaking the Rupture Society in his own image.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Everything's gone to shit man, I haven't seen so much as a Luxcavation in months now.
The two star wonderboy blinks a couple times, before slowly releasing himself from her grip.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	...You think Hong Kong had me killed?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uh, yeah? Also, don't let him hear you calling him that, Sinc.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait, how do you know that he's based on Kong Qiu-
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Because I never died?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	The wishmaker just finally decided to do something, I guess.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	I woke up one day, and suddenly my kit had changed.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	No idea where you're getting the idea that our Hong Lu would do something like that.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...What?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Are your memories messed up?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	My memories?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Did Dante project you over someone else recently?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	The new façade system is pretty buggy...
She doesn't know how to respond to that.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Good thing I found you though, I think the lord's been trying to meet with you about something.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	There should be a corridor to Rupture Society HQ installed somewhere around here.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	W-wait, are you sure about this-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Hey, come back!
But he had already gone through the portal.
Location: Daguanyuan
Rodion opened her eyes to the familiar painted ceiling of the China Cube.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh great. We're back in the building again.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Though I doubt they'll let plebeians like us stick around for much longer...
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	What do you mean?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	This place is almost totally exclusive to...
In the courtyard, she can see Seven Heathcliff, K Corp. Hong Lu, and even LCB Sinclair having a conversation with the crime against nature that was Xichunmael.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Heishou.
She then noticed the distinct lack of animal ninjas.
Before the could voice the thought, someone else stopped her.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	Oi!
With dark blue robes, a polearm, and his hair tied in a high ponytail, she almost didn't recognize him.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Heathcliff?
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	One of 'em, at least. How ya' been lass?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	How are you... like that?
She vaguely gestures to his everything.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	Well, when you grow up surrounded by a buncha' rich arses, and your only mate rips out his eye and says he wants to burn it all down, then there's not much else to do but grab a light, yeah?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Okay, that makes sense.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But also that doesn't make any sense.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	What, 'cause I'm British?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Because you're a chicken!
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	You callin' me a what.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	No, I mean like, aren't you supposed to be You Branch? Doing like, bloodflame and stuff?
He actually laughs at that.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	A Heathcliff doing Burn? Ha, good one lass!
It feels more like the joke is on her.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	Are you good?
If this is some really elaborate prank, then it's not funny.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I'm not sure, honestly.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait a minute, if you're Daiyu, then what about Drifting Blade Ryoshu?
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	You mean Night Drifter Ryoshu?
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	Eh, Baoyu was having a meeting about that I think.
As if summoned by his name, the Lord of Hongyuan entered the courtyard.
Every muscle in her body tensed on reflex from the sight of him alone.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Speak of the devil.
But he paid her no mind.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Good news, after speaking to our Full Stop brothers and the kindred of Bleed Society, we have finally managed to get Bad End Ryoshu in AA.
Lobotomy E.G.O::Red Sheet Sinclair	You know she's not really a "Bad End" ID.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	The lass might as well be...
I'll show your face a Bad End ID.
Perhaps she was thinking too loud, as the Lord of Rupture noticed her presence.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Heathcliff, could you find Faust?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	And Talisman, you're dismissed. I'd like to talk to Devyat Rodya about something.
The little traitor actually left her alone with him like it'd be okay.
She considered running before he had a chance to start talking.
And then he smiled at her.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Good afternoon, Rodya, I was looking for you.
...What.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Care for a mirror dungeon?
What?!
Her brain took a moment to reboot.
This is a prank. This is definitely some kind of sick prank, and I'm not gonna have any part in it.
Come on, you're a Rodion. Figure out his angle. read his eyes.
Err, eye.
...
His eye was completely genuine.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	What.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Is there a problem?
What- how- why- how!?
She equipped her best poker face in an instant.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I mean, what about the Heishou?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well, Faust is coming along.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Of course she is.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	But Yi Sang is currently in the Tremor Society.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...And you're okay with that?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	It's no big issue, not like both Heishou are necessary for Rupture.
What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	What about the others?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Hm?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You know, Chicken Sinclair? Snake Greg? Sheep Don? Rabbit Ryoshu?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, I suppose R Corp. Ryoshu could come along, even if she's barely a member here.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Not sure who those others are though.
*?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!??!*
I think my brain just broke a little.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Are you alright?
His concern for me concerns me.
And honestly I kinda hate it.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...
...But.
When was the last time someone ever picked me?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	My memory's just gotten really spotty for some reason.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Talisman thinks it's a bug or something.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Oh dear.
There's got to be some kind of bullshit here, but I'll play along.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But it's all good, I'll be fine enough~
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Who else is coming?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well, besides myself, Heathcliff, Faust, and you, I was thinking of bringing Don.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	By your suggestion, R Corp. Ryoshu could be our sixth.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	As for our seventh slot, I suppose I could borrow Thumb Sinclair in case she runs out of ammo.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	He's not Rupture though?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No, but six is enough for EGO Gifts. Is there a problem?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I mean, I guess it's just not exactly meta.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well, being meta isn't everything.
...
Is this same despot who had a Christmas Nightmare in W Corp?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait a minute, which Don were you referring to?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, you haven't met before? I think you'll like her~
Location: Mephistopheles Hallway
Huh, this is my first time seeing the new Mirror Dungeon. Is the entrance supposed to be that glitchy?
Heishou Pack - Mao Branch Adept Faust	My lord, I wish to inform you that Dante has gathered the rest of the team.
R Corp. 4th Pack Rabbit Ryōshū	M.T.P.I.N.
For some reason, Daiyucliff cringed.
The Thumb East Soldato II Sinclair	U-uh, permission to translate, my lord?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No need.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Now then, I would like to introduce you to the only relevant thing to come out of the Wang Family.
Wang Family Bodyguard Don Quixote	Salutations señora!
Donned in burnt orange robes with a wooden mask obscuring most of her face, only her voice and height gave away that this was a Don Quixote Identity.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uh, h-hey Chiquita!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...What does she do again?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Also, don't you mean señorita? I'm not marrie-
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Do you recall the pain of Wednesday-Thursday Ticket Luxcavations?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	She does that, but to our enemies~
Wang Family Bodyguard Don Quixote	Tis' the power of ill omen talismans!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh...
I kinda dig it.
Better than another [guard turn one, hope for a skill three] at least.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	That feels familiar.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	And potentially really broken.
The lord chuckled, though she swore it almost sounded forced.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well, it requires a little set up~
The Mirror of Names and Spiders opened.
Heishou Pack - Mao Branch Adept Faust	Though it is unlikely you'll see it today.
Wait, what does she mean by that?
And suddenly, the absence of a command chaining through her heart became apparent.
Like a knee-jerk reaction, she completely disregarded tactics and whipped out the highest clashing move she could pull off.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh yeah, Winrate.
Despite their utterly brain dead tactics, they managed to bulldoze through the first three floors as usual. The fourth only took a little longer.
Boring, but a good warm-up. Haven't done anything but sit on the bench in forever, so I'm definitely not complaining about the grind.
Even if there still a voice in the back of my head wondering what the heck happened.
Unfortunately, the team hit a wall at Floor 5.
Literally.
Location: LCB Regular Check-Up Bokgak
Heishou Pack - Mao Branch Adept Faust	Hm.
The Thumb East Soldato II Sinclair	S-sir, I've been staggered!
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	Aw, hell.
Peccatula Pigritae Class 3	"..."
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Dammit, why did Dante only buy Sinking Gifts?!
Wang Family Bodyguard Don Quixote	With the release of Season 7's list of great feats, I believe our manager is trying to multitask!
R Corp. 4th Pack Rabbit Ryōshū	M.T.P.I.N.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No matter, without any boons to aid us, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true strength of Rupture Society.
He says that like there's a joke I'm supposed to be in on.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uh, I don't think I know the strat guys.
He's looking at someone behind me- wait no he's facing me now.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I think you do.
Did he just wink? Why wou-
The woman remembers who's next in order after herself.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Ahhhhhh, gotcha.
The turn starts.
It's like poetry.
Rabbitshu fires two rounds, before coming in with her knife for her first skill.
Hong Kong and Daiyucliff unleash a series of strikes for their second.
Mao Faust disables the wall's shield with her counter.
Deathrite Don pops her Seasonal E.G.O, peppering everything with paper slips upon paper slips.
And finishing the sixfold absolute resonance, I lightly tap the wall with the first coin of my skill three.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Boop!
The beast fucking explodes in a green flash.
Holy shit.
My heart's racing.
When was the last time I got to delete something with the power of Candy Crush?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well done!
She can't find a hint of sarcasm in the Seasonal Highlight's voice.
...Maybe I should relax for a bit.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Psssh, no problem! I mean, it's me after all~
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Of course, of course.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...
It gets quiet moving to the next stage.
She glances at him, for just a moment.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Thanks for bringing me today.
He looks back.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No problem. I'm glad you came.
His eye is still sincere.
Location: Mephistopheles Hallway.
Welp, today's been a good day all things considered.
Faust got to beat the shit out of Hohenheim, Dante got their amassed data to spend on more thread, and I got to blow shit up two more times!
All that's left to do is return to my Mirror World... whenever Hong Lu finishes talking to Dante.
Ah, wait he's looking at me now.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	What's up?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I was wondering if you'd like to return to the Rupture Society.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Really? What's the occasion?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well, today is the one year anniversary of the bus entering Hongyuan.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh damn, already?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Time flies.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Yes. The passing of time remains inexorable. Such is life.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Still, I think it's worthwhile to celebrate occasions such as today in spite of this.
Rich people really just celebrate anything, huh.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	And yes, there will be a banquet.
Buuut, who am I to judge rich people?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Should've started with that~
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Lead the way, friend!
Location: Daguanyuan - Aojingguan Banquet Hall
Holy shit there's more people than I thought there'd be.
Less exclusive too. I can see most of W Corp in one of the corners. And Rabbit Heathcliff. And...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Thumbclair, with an axe?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I believe you would call him "Shi Family Bodyguard" Sinclair, even though his former employers don't exist anymore.
Huh.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Seems kinda random, but alright.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	It's natural to me, somewhat. Though I can understand how you'd find it strange.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I mean, he makes it work with the axe, I guess.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Indeed, and it's technically his first real charge ID.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Whaddya' mean technically?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Apparently LCB Sinclair counts as a Charge ID for EGO Gifts.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I have no idea why.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...You know what, had I not just apparently hallucinated the last twelve months, I'd be asking how that even happened.
The lord lets out a surprisingly sympathetic sigh.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	The noodley appendages of the lunar spaghetti code work in mysterious ways.
There weren't many seats left, so the two had to squeeze in near the end.
Not that he seemed to mind much.
It took a bit before the waiters could come around to them, but that was alright. It gave her time to get caught up on the Season 6 that she apparently missed.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait, there's a Hindley me?
Seven Assoc. South Section 4 Heathcliff	Yep. Lass appeared around the Timekilling Time Rerun.
LCB Sinner Hong Lu	If you want, I could introduce you to your sister~
Seven Assoc. South Section 4 Faust	Faust would advise against that.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh?
Seven Assoc. South Section 4 Faust	Faust has been informed that she's a particularly bitter Rodion.
Seven Assoc. South Section 4 Faust	Likely on account of her father loving Heathcliff more than her.
Lobotomy Corp. Remnant Faust	Either that, or how she gambled away her manor in a rigged game.
Heishou Pack - Mao Branch Adept Faust	Not to mention being, at best, a sidegrade to a Rodion from Standard Fare.
Lobotomy E.G.O::In the Name of Love and Hate Don Quixote	Indeed, and that was prior to her meeting my coworker in Lobotomies!
Couldn't be me...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait, so has Outis gotten any IDs in the past year?
Heishou Pack - Wu Branch Adept Yi Sang	Of course, she accompanied myself during Spring Cultivation.
Heishou Pack - Wu Branch Adept Yi Sang	Hopefully she's not still busy doing paperwork...
Finally, their drinks arrived.
Huh, the room got quiet all of a sudden.
Then the Hong Lu sitting next to her stood up.
Ah, right.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Everyone, if you'll bear with me, I'd like to take a moment of your time to say a few words. I promise this won't take too long~
Nobody opposed him. Despite his demeanor, everyone still knew the Lord of Rupture when they saw him.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	One year ago, Limbus Company set foot in H Corp, beginning what would become the Renaissance of Rupture.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Since then, I have tried my best to take the reins and not let the status spiral completely out of control.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Now, I know there were a few... hiccups here and there.
She swore he side-eyed Deathrite Don for a moment.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Which is why I would like to thank Heathcliff for stopping me from completely going off the deep end.
Everyone turned to Daiyucliff, who actually looked embarrassed now put on the spot.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	Ah, 'nothing special. Just paid you back for saving my arse from the Erlking.
W Corp. L4 Cleanup Agent - CCA Heathcliff	Clever of ya' to tinker with H Corp's old Singularity like that.
Seven Assoc. South Section 4 Heathcliff	Hold on, what happened to that gloomy sod?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Oh not much, the man marched in with his nightly parade of a thousand demons and now...
For an instant, she witnessed a familiar veiled malice return.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	He's having a little trouble finding the exit~
And then it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
Rodya let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Alas, while he and the bus may be stuck in Hongyuan, the bus will leave eventually. And in the same way, I will step down eventually, and someone else will take my position.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	When that day comes, I will do my best to accept it with solemn grace.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Looking back now, I think the Rupture Society has had a very good year, and we've all made some very fond memories.
He paused to allow a few "here-here's" from the crowd.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	With the thick of Season 7 upon us, I doubt our society will experience much growth in the near future.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Even so, I look forward to what tomorrow shall hold.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	And at least we're not the Burn Society~
A wave of guilty laughter washed over the crowd, almost like a deluge of sorts.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Now, if you'll do the honors, Devyat Rodya.
He extended a hand, inviting her to stand with him.
She grasped it before her heart had a chance to hesitate.
His hand is warm.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	With pleasure.
As she raised her cup, it took every ounce of willpower she had not to shout "Happy Burn Season!"
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Cheers! To the best status in the game!
Amidst the mass of toasts, she could just make out Dulcidya rolling her eyes, before joining in with the crowd.
Sorry, not sorry sister.
Perhaps her declaration would've spurred more conflict, but the atmosphere of the night seemed to wash away any discontent one might've held.
Now that she thought about it, even Seven and Mao Faust had been getting along, which would've seemed unthinkable just the day before.
It was... nice. Seeing everyone getting along and eating together.
It reminded her of old memories.
Before it all went to hell.
The mailwoman in debt started eating before she could continue that train of thought.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Holy shit this is good.
This triggered what surrendered witnesses would later describe as an "absolute gluttony resonance, the likes of which Rupture had never seen before," as Rodion kept eating.
And kept eating.
And kept eating.
And after much time had passed, when she could eat no more, the woman opened up her bag so she could save some for later.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Um, what are you...?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh, shit, uh- I'm sorry.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I was just, taking some stuff to go.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	For when I leave.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...After I'm not too full to move anymore.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Is that not cool?
Courier Trunk Poludnitsa:	<Unauthorized lock release outside of delivery coordinates detected.>
The woman slapped her hands over the bag's speakers.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No, that's alright. I just didn't think that you'd have to leave.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	This is the home of Rupture Society.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh please, this is just the headquarters. I wouldn't wanna intrude.
He actually laughed at that, in almost the exact same way as Daiyucliff had earlier.
It wasn't a bad look.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	With the fall of the four houses, I have more real estate than I know what to do with.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	You wouldn't be intruding, you'd be using wasted space. I could give you a building here and it would scarcely put a dent in my wallet.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Not that one of the core units of Rupture wouldn't deserve it.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh jeez, I know I've had like, six ears of corn, but you don't gotta butter me up that much~
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Right, a room then. A very big room.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Ooooh, I dunno...
She leaned in, testing how far she could push it.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You seem really insistent on keeping little old me around. Kinda fishy if you ask me.
He didn't back off. If anything, he seemed to lean closer.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Does one really need a reason to keep you around?
Aaand time for a strategic retreat.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Okay mister, I think someone's had a bit too much to drink tonight.
To her credit, the lord was rather flushed.
Though before she could comment on it, a familiar scream of rage echoed from beneath the floor.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Ah shit, I think the Burn joke pissed off Firefist.
The Princess of La Manchaland Rodion	Oh dear.
The Prince of La Manchaland Meursault	Perhaps we should leave.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, no worries friends. Gregor must've woke up from his life insurance. He'll be dealt with shortly.
Family Hierarch Candidate Gregor	JIA BAOYU! YOU CHEATING SON OF A KACK-!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	And there we go~
Just like that, the festivities resumed as if nothing had happened.
But something had happened.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Wait, did he mean by that?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Hm?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	He said you were "cheating?"
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, well, to his perspective, I suppose I was cheating at life.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	He always was jealous of how the elders favored me.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Even after you killed them all?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Many find hatred a difficult habit to kick, and petty revenge addictive.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Myself included~
Her ears just managed to pick up the confused screaming of a certain dimension-hopping Heathcliff in the distance.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Can't relate.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I suppose you wouldn't.
Heh, yeah sure.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Say, would you care to go somewhere else? Somewhere further away from the cries of my enemies?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Just you and me alone together? I mean, normally I'd ask you to take me out to dinner first, but technically...
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	We wouldn't be alone, I'd also ask Heathcliff to come-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Adventurous~
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	You know, you're revealing a lot more about your thoughts than my own.
...Shit.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uh, well, that's not- I don't-
How many drinks have I had?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...I think a walk would do me some good.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Mhm. I hear the weather is lovely tonight. Heathcliff?
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	I'll get the doors for ya'.
The two of them shuffled to the exit, their the effects of drinking much more apparent now that they had to walk. At least their Heathcliff was sober.
But before they made it to the entrance, an Outis cleared her throat from behind them.
Specifically, an Outis with a red fan, and one eye covered by her bangs.
Chief Strategist of Hongyuan Outis	Apologies for the disturbance, my lord. I should've kept a better eye on the vermin.
It took them a moment to realize who she was talking about.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, it's alright Outis, I know you've been quite busy.
Chief Strategist of Hongyuan Outis	Still, I would also like to apologize to my lord's guest.
Chief Strategist of Hongyuan Outis	Please forgive me, I will do my best to ensure that you have a peaceful retirement for here on out.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh, it's no biggie.
Satisfied, the Outis retreated to her station.
A second after that, an alarm went off in Rodion's mind.
Had she not been for her night of revelry, it would've been several hundred alarms.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wait... what did she mean "retirement?"
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Ah, I'm not sure what's she's talking about.
The flash of fear on his face said otherwise.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Are you gonna replace me with a snake?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	W-what?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Heishou, Si Branch, noodle arms! Are you going to replace me with a snake?!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	No, where are you even-?!
She grabbed his shoulders.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Who is she? What are her coin numbers?! How much attack weight is on her S3?!
Daiyucliff peeled her off the lord, and she thrashed in his grip.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Rodya, Rodya, look around you!
People were staring at them. At her.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Look at our society. Do you see any other Heishou besides the two you've already met?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I... I don't...
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Do you see any other Rodion here, who isn't a Bloodfiend?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I guess not...
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Okay then, if there's no snakes and no Rodions, then how could I possibly replace you with a snake?
She stopped struggling, and Daiyucliff released her.
...Shit.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Y-yeah, you're right...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I guess I overreacted.
At that moment, the bodyguard was bowled over as the doors flew open.
Behind them, a woman with a fragrant smell and very prominent heart tattoo sprang forth and threw the Lord of Hongyuan to the ground with a hug.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Good news Baoyu! Dante finally finished uptying me~
Rodion's heart froze so solid, she felt as if it would never thaw again.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	A-ah, that's great...
He spoke like a man who knew his seconds were numbered.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I... I thought Dante had you soloing MD Extreme
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	At 50 Adversity
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	With no Morostasis
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Or Ira
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Or Lunar Memory.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Oh, you mean my test run? Yeah, it wasn't too bad~
She felt a blood vessel burst in her eye.
If looks could kill, dead would not even begin to describe the Lord of Hongyuan at that moment.
The fate of Ren and Sora would look like a papercut in comparison.
Catherine Earnshaw would not have access to the state of pure oblivion he'd be reduced to.
The capstone identity of Season 6 would go from meta to lost media by the time every fiber of his being had finished being utterly torn asunder.
If looks could kill, her gaze would leave him sleeping with Mayors and the fishies from its sheer contempt alone, and even Dante would barely remember him.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Oh wow, what's going on here? Did I miss something?
She could feel her base E.G.O convert into Wrath.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Y̵̤͐ò̸ͅu̵̱̓.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Me?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Explain yourself.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Twenty-five words or less.
Every drop of hatred she had was gathered up and distilled into a venom which coated every word that left her mouth.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Oh. Okay!
And yet, even this failed to reach the woman standing in front of her.
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Guess who's got two thumbs, and sold out her family for Baoyu's attention?
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	This girl~
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Oh wait, you're the old Rodya I heard about! Thanks for holding down the fort, we can take it from here~
...Huh. So this is what -50 SP feels like.
She was going to explode and take the entire fucking game with her.
Xue Family Bodyguard Heathcliff	H-hey lass, there's been an emergency with your brother. Follow me-
Family Hierarch Candidate Rodion	Again? What'd he do this time?
As Xue Baodya was practically dragged away, Rodya was left staring into nothing beside the Hong Lu still sprawled on the floor.
In the hall where dozens had been conversing not even five minutes ago, one could hear a pin drop.
Some folk such as W Corp. decided that now was a good time to leave.
It took a little bit before she was able to form a coherent thought again, though it felt like much, much longer.
Not helping was how cold it was all of a sudden.
Though perhaps it was just her.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	So. I'm going to ask you one question.
The bastard of bastards had the audacity to look guilty.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	What does she do for Rupture that I don't?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	That's, that's not a fair-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Answer the question.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well... She has Poise-
Rodion found herself laughing at that, though it was without mirth.
That didn't stop her from continuing for almost a minute.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Of course her prideful ass has Poise. Why the fuck wouldn't she have it?!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But that's only good for Mirror Dungeons, not something that would force to me into retirement.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	So, I ask again. What does she do for Rupture that I don't?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...She has synergy with Heathcliff, among others, and can trigger his assist defense a second ti-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Wrong answer again, fucko!
She slammed her trunk six inches to the right of his head.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I wasn't asking what another ID can do for her, I want to know what she has! That's strike two.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Now I ask for the last time. What does she do for Rupture that I don't?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Careful to not sit on the fence for too long, or it might fuck you in the ass.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I don't-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You do. You have an answer. I can tell.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Speak.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...It's not a matter of what her kit has.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	It's what it lacks.
The lord sounded like a mouse.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Continue.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Must I say it out loud?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I said continue.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	She does not have... your 15/3 conditional.
And there it was. Out in the open.
The reason she was being replaced.
...
To be honest, she already saw it coming.
Though that didn't stop it from hurting any less.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...That, that's not my fault.
It was so, so cold.
The lord finally picked himself off the ground.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I know it's not-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	It's not fair!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	It really isn't.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh shut up-
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I really didn't want this.
She felt like she was about to puke.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	I said shut up!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I'm serious-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Well I don't believe you!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	What, why would I want you to be replaced?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Why would I want power creep?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uh, maybe because you're a tyrant? And a despot?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Excuse me?!
The piece of shit acted like he had the right to be offended.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Why wouldn't you want to remake the Rupture Society in your own image?! You're a monarch! That's what monarchs do!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	And boy, was I stupid to think it would be different this time just because it was members of your family instead of Heishou!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But no, it's always out with the old and in with the new with you people!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I'm sorry, you think I intended to replace Rupture's Meta with only IDs from Season 6?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Obviously!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Well I didn't! I never wanted this!
She wasn't entertaining this anymore. It had long been time to cut her losses and quit.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	That's bullshit and you know it!
She turned to the exit.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I tried to do what was best for Rupture.
...Excuse me?
Rodion went back to the roulette table and doubled down.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Oh fuck off with that.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	You did not want the best for jackshit besides yourself, and your band of cronies you call a team comp.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Lemme guess how this goes. You field yourself, Mao Faust is a given, so is the horse, bring Xischmael for the follow-up, Deathrite Don for count, and I bet Xue Gregor and that other fucking Rodion have some kind of combo bullshit as well.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	None of this synergy you discovered, it was already built in. None of your strategies you figured out yourself, they were already written down. None of your strength you ever earned, it was all just handed to you. Because that's how life always is for you people who are born with everything!
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	And you can't convince me that you didn't want this.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Because honestly, give me one. Give me one reason why you wouldn't want to be surrounded with yes-men. One reason why you'd be against the flood of nepo-babies. Give me one fucking reason why you wouldn't replace me with your stupid, souped up mail-order bride the moment she appeared!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	*Because why on Earth would I ever, in a million years, want to spend more time* with those inexplicably Chinese white people?!**
The room was already silent before, but now would make a pin drop sound like cannon fire. Even she was stunned.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	You're a Rodion, so I don't expect you to understand, but having a seasonal highlight is a terrifying thing. Being one is even worse.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	There are a million invisible eyes on me, and a billion things they want from me- things they want me to be. And they will change reality to see it done.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I mean, God, do you have any idea how horrifying it is to wake up every day, and know that that thing is somehow related to you, because some entity out there wanted it to happen?
The lord pointed over to the dessert stand.
Xichunmael stopped chewing her gummy worms, and slowly shrank behind Wei Sang.
Hong Lu's "Bad End" took a moment to recollect himself.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Honestly Rodya, I really didn't want you replaced.
She could tell he was being sincere again.
Somehow, that made it worse.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	T-then why?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Because it was out of my hands.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I told Dante that Cinq Meursault, Heathcliff, and I were enough for a Poise Rupture team.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	I asked, I begged them to save their shards for whenever Valencidya dropped.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	You know what they told me?
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	That I should grab you for a Mirror Dungeon, with no Rupture gifts, and they'd see what your numbers were like.
He sighed.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Your final tally... did not suffice.
She was freezing.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	But- but the talisman-!
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	You figured it out yourself. "Baodya" can use those too, and she did it better than you at Uptie 3.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...I'm sorry.
This wasn't even the first time she'd been made irrelevant, but her chest ached like nothing she had ever felt.
Unlike before, unlike ever before, someone had earnestly tried to keep her around and it still wasn't enough.
Her eyes stung.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	...This might not be the end, you know.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	The Gesellschaft's determined that Seven Faust is actually better than Mao for speed clears-
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	The only speed clears Dante cares about use Fell Bullet.
The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu	Y-yes, but, they might care about other game mechanics one day.
Goddammit, when did I start crying?
Shit, everyone could see her. The last thing she needed was more fucking people trying to comfort her. One was already doing a bad enough job as it is.
Rodion pushed open the doors and ran into the blizzard outside.
Someone calls for her, and snow is already piled to her knees, but she doesn't care.
The child wishes beyond all wishes that she could just wake up. She doesn't want to be here anymore.
...
Above the burning grey sky, something hears her plea.
She runs deeper into the cold.
And shooting stars melt like falling snow.
.
..
...
Location: Mephistopheles Engine Room.
Her head is killing her.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Ughhh, what the heck am I looking at?
It takes her a moment to realize that she was staring into the open engine of the Mephistopheles.
And another to realize that she's not alone.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	U-uh, Rodya?
She rolls over to look at her coworker from the floor
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Hey Sinc...
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	Are you, did something happen?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Uhhh, no, I think.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Why?
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	Ah, nothing!
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	It's just, you've been coming here to pray a lot, and it looked like you passed out.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Oh.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Nah, I think I tripped or something.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	Ah, okay then.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	...Are you gonna get off the floor?
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Nah, I think I'll lay here for a bit longer.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	A-alright then, I'll just... go then.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	But uh, I wouldn't stick around here for much longer.
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	I think the lord will be coming over to ask for his last Heishou, what with the Nocturnal Sweeping rerun this season.
...Huh.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Don't worry, I don't think I'll be coming around here anymore.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Just, give me one last moment, would ya?
Devyat' Assoc. North Section 3 Sinclair	...Sure.
Rodion finds herself staring into the refracted infinity, alone.
Red and gold stars sparkle in a glass void, illuminating a million possible worlds that aren't hers.
That will never be hers.
And even if they were, nothing would change anyway.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...Hey.
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	If anyone up there's listening...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	...
Devyat Assoc. North Section 3 Rodion	Will I ever be happy?

Notes:

"How tough could formatting be? This isn't that long, and it's just putting stuff in a table!"
-My dumb ass, three days ago.

Turns out ~5,000 words equals over 580 lines I had to copy and paste! I think my CRTL key is dented now...

Also, holy fuck do I now have more respect for every time like 30 IDs are in a fic, because goodness was the portrait shtick annoying.

This was supposed to come out on the one year anniversary of Nocturnal Sweeping, but then formatting took longer than the actual writing did. ~~Never doing this again, dunno how LCF manages this regularly.~~

Maybe I'll come up with a better note later, but for now, hank both of y'all in the LCF Department for the great stuff you've made! Hope you didn't mind me utterly butchering your style.

I'm gonna go take a nap now-

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LCB-09-__-FW: Refracted Rainbow: Another World

Jale_Seigneur

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