. .

. . . .

All she had to do was go with the doctor and she'd be happy again. Be free from her pain. Wouldn't she?

How can you say no to such a rigged deal? How can you say no when you don't remember why you died in the first place?

99 kept her head low. Keeping her thoughts close to her chest. Do as she's told. Keep focused.

But after the requested slaying of a César Tearstrom to make him a Soulless, things went south. Her teammates are disappearing. Her remaining ones are so numb, it's like they don't acknowledge it. Where did César go? Why are they doing nothing about the Ills attacking this town?

99 was made to watch Mystery, making sure he doesn’t keep causing problems. Because he's causing problems. A lot of them.

Their first meeting doesn't go so well. After a horrible misunderstanding, the two engage in a fight that Mystery is too outclassed for. However 99 is easily caught off guard with how easily he seems to telegraph some of their moves. Their fight ends abruptly as Mystery is taken by surprise by an Ill who latched onto Mystery and knocked him out cold. 99 jumps into his dreams to pull him from it's grasp, severing the connection. Saving him. This confused him greatly. 99 wasn't quite sure why she did it. But she did.

From then on, every time Mystery does something, 99 is there to scold him personally. It eventually reaches a point where 99 just shows up and follows Mystery around, hoping that knowing that they’re watching will be enough to stop him. But it never is! Sometimes 99 even helps Mystery, starts bantering with him, calling out to make sure he doesn’t get hit, they seem like they’re becoming friends. 99 starts getting recognized as “the cool cosplayer who seems to wander around the town”. It feels good.

And it’s all kind of… nice. And fun… and different from the sadness… SEB092 is facing…

. . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . .