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…No one’s watching them.
Kris Dreemur leaves the SOUL in the birdcage as usual, before leaving the room through the window.
Today… today was the last day before the plan officially starts going full motion. Their allegiance to the Knight and the Mayor will be revealed sooner or later.
They can't forget what they promised. They've dug themselves into a hole so deep, that the only thing that's left is to continue digging further and further below.
But until that moment comes, Kris will continue hoping. They will continue pretending that their adventures with Susie and Ralsei are going to be permanent.
There's only one thing that's left for them to do. They finally arrive at the building they've been walking towards the entire time.
The Flower King. Their Dad's shop of flowers, and also his home.
…They still have some time left, and it's best to make it count. Because, if there's one thing that's more important than the promise…
It's the consequences of their actions.
They enter it. The lights are predictably still turned off and likely to stay that way, so they don't bother turning them on. They memorized this place already.
They go upstairs, towards what they're really looking for.
…The seven flowers. All different colors, yet one stands out amidst the rest.
The Golden Flower, one whose stem has been broken and taped haphazardly by Susie. It looks withered.
Kris ignores it as they take the watering can nearby, and start walking towards the first flower. How did Dad do this again…?
The Teal Flower. Aqua. She was… a representation of a younger Kris.
One who was active, always moving, always watching and copying others. Never staying still, playing with knives and trying to make friends.
. . .
They slowly take the glass container, leaving the flower exposed. They then, very carefully and patiently, start watering it.
It seems to somewhat work, but unfortunately Kris does not know what they need to do next.
Dad… Dad used to say that the flowers appreciated hearing someone talk, that having good company would improve their growth.
…Unfortunately, Kris is not good company. As proven with Noelle. As proven with Susie-
Snap out of it and focus on the matters before you. Kris puts the glass container back, and then…
Perhaps out of pity, perhaps out of kindness, perhaps out of similarities…
They take out one of their knives and start doing tricks in front of the flower, juggling it into the air and catching it with their other hand.
They repeat various fancy knife tricks they learned over the years, honed to perfection.
After they're finally done, a small weight of their shoulder disappears. The Teal Flower seems to be looking better, though it may be just their imagination.
Their next destination takes them to the Purple Flower, one that if they look closer at, has a blue feather hidden inside the glass container.
. . . The want to be smart, to lead others and give advice to them. To never give up, no matter the odds.
and also a crush on Berdly-
They quickly muffle that particular intrusive thought and take out the glass container. They water the Purple Flower, making sure to not overdo it.
…They put another blue feather near Seth, their last one. How Kris Dreemur even got them is a question that will remain a mystery if they have any choice in the matter.
Once they put the glass container back, the Purple Flower seems more relaxed. Maybe out of happiness from getting another feather, maybe out of getting proper care.
They go to the next flower, which is… the Orange one.
The want to be recognized as something they're not. Kris remembers spending days arguing with others that they weren't human, that they were a monster just like everyone else.
They can sympathize with her. And so, they do the usual process and after taking out her jar, they water the flower with the watering can.
…Well, there is something that they can give to the flower. They hate talking, but…
“...you were brave. and, no matter what some say… you were a human, k?”
There. That's enough of being emotionally vulnerable. Kris puts the glass container back, and the Orange Flower… it seemed to be blooming with happiness.
They go towards their next target, which is… the Green Flower.
The want to be silent. To take care of others, to not do any harm… it sounds like fantasy, does it not? Because at the end of the day, even Green had to pick a side.
Kris. Kris does not know if they can do that, but the clock is ticking and the countdown is fast approaching.
All they can do is brace themselves for the impact.
They take out the glass container and water the flower. Then, they…
Gently, almost as if scared that their touch will do more harm than good, they pat the flower.
Once they're done, they put the glass container back. Maybe from the display of kindness, or from being watered, the Green Flower seems more alive.
Their next destination is… the Blue and Yellow duo.
Justice… what a funny word. Kris has done so much evil that they deserve to be buried alive, to explode, to drown-
Focus. They take out the glass container and water Yellow, before stopping to think about Blue.
Integrity, yet behind that mask is a person more than willing to do some morally questionable actions. No matter how Kris may mask it, their allegiance will be brought to light one day.
They just hope Susie will move on from them.
Kris waters Blue and then puts the Glass Container back on the lovely duo. They'd attempt to give them something, a story or two but…
The two flowers seem like they already have everything they could ever want, blossoming with love and care.
And finally, the last one.
The Golden Flower. Flowery.
. . . They don't know how to feel about him. Sure, he was at the end of the day someone who was standing in their way, but…
They try to imagine what would have happened if Susie stood against the Knight instead of him. They try to imagine Ralsei in his place.
One slash, aimed with the desire to maul, has almost killed two Darkners already. They wonder what would happen if the Knight got serious and did the same attack against their friends.
. . . No use thinking of the future. Kris will find a way. They have to.
Even if it's the last thing they'll do, Susie, Ralsei and Noelle… they can't be harmed fatally. Please.
They take out the glass container and face the Golden Flower, one that was withering when they first came here.
Now? Strangely, it seems to… look better. Almost like the sight of the other Flowers being fine has revived it.
…Kris chalks it up to their vision being bad and waters the flower. Though, they do give one last word to him.
A promise.
“...I promise… dad will be back. so. don't die.”
Dad will need something to focus his mind on once Kris is no longer alive after all.
And so, upon putting the glass container back and the Watering Can onto its rightful place, Kris departs from Flower King.
Back to their home.
They just need to be alive for a few days more, and then… and then, Susie and everyone else will finally get the happy ending they deserve.
One without the stain named Kris Dreemur on it.
…they pretend that the water falling onto their shirt is from the rain, despite the skies being clear.