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-A lost memory recalled-
Butters hunches around their complimentary hot chocolate, resenting needing to come into the MCP headquarters on such a miserable afternoon. A "Performance Review" they call it, like fam we are doing actually war right now, caving in cops and fascists heads with a lead pipe, like what is there to review? Butters does their best to try and distribute the Choccy Heat under their black bomber jacket. Whoa whoa whoa, hang on tho, the jumpsuit they're wearing underneath is, you guess it, dry denim grey! Oh how did you know???
They hear the door close behind them as a Monster they don't recognise walks on over to the office chair in front of them. They are a Skunk, classic kind of white striped quiff as their fringe kind of look. She wears a white blouse, with a bolo tie in the middle, with a red felt blazer and black jeans. A proper work outfit, cementing her as a higher up in the MCP.
―Hey uh, what happened to the other lady? Maisey? The cow? Asks Butters.
―It was voted that her tenure expired, I'm Mephis, her replacement. The Skunk explains.
Butters is aware of the chaotic way the MCP operates its temporary government, it's not designed to be a utopian or even functional replacement for Human governance. It is simply a system designed to prevent the previous form of fascist democrat government from being able to exist. Do they achieve this by preventing a democracy? In fact the opposite, there is CONSTANT voting of every official, at all times whenever the public has a bad vibe about the official, which turns out is all the time. This is at all levels by the way, and all roles, it is not an outrageous scenario to be called up, like jury duty, to be the literal prime minister, pass like 20 ordinances and then be voted out, all in the span of 3 minutes. With such a quick turn over, who on earth would an Oil Executive even bribe? They'd be gone before the transaction finalized. Long tenures are more likely on this kind of local level though, this kind of supervisor for agents role has at the very least a 3-week average shelf-life, before someone thinks you were too violent or not violent enough on the Humans and puts your ass up for a vote.
―AAahhhh, well doing this meeting when you have no idea what she would've wanted must be awkward sooooo, how about I just go home aaaannnn-
―Sit down please, I know exactly why she called you in, Butters - and I happen to agree with her assessment.
Butters sighs as they sit back down in the chair. Mephis puts their paws together as they inhale deeply.
―So here's the thing: Your individual performance is great, you coordinate with your team well, your combat prowess is top notch...
Mephis pauses a little and looks at her desk. Butters knows this is the look you give when you want to insult someone in the nicest and most professional way.
―I'm not gonna sugar coat this one Butters. Mephis begins. You bounce off teams constantly, you can't retain a squad, you don’t synergise with anyone during operations. But it’s not like I can blame this on like your ego or anything, cos to be honest I can't find anything wrong with what you're doing. No one has a bad word to say against you and yet, well it's as if none of your past teammates would take any bullet for you, or can sync up with you. It's as if there's something at your core that makes you fundamentally unlikeable or annoying, or maybe both.
Butters sits back in astonishment at this feedback they're getting. "Um, politely: You're a cunt and everyone hates you."
―What do you expect me to agree or summant? Asks Butters. It's been like that my whole life, if being a Monster doesn't turn them off, then the Autism usually does it. I dunno why you're acting like that's a problem I can fix?
―Well you're right that everyone else's problem, not yours. One I don't think we can Neurodiversty Work Seminar our way out off. Mephis admits. But I got another Monster agent who had the same problem and unlike you, she's actually nice, so I was beside myself on that one. But we finally found her a friend who stuck, and in my opinion you'd make a great number 3.
―So what, you're like matching making us now, like I need help making friends like a 4-year-old?
Mephis stares in silence at Butters for a few seconds.
―Okay, so I need help making friends like a 4 year old. Big whoop! Butters replies.
―Look Butters, of course we're fighting against Humanity for noble reasons, but despite the popular narrative like... We're not just -bodies- built for fighting and dying, you know? This is all so we can have the lives Humans have denied us for so long, it's not just about fighting, it's about living. Mephis explains. So it may seem pointless to you, but giving you this kind of help, when this country would've left you dead and alone, is like... The entire point Butters. So stop being stubborn and take the bloody help. They're both through that door.
Mephis gestures back to the waiting room Butters had just come from. Butters can't deny the intense loneliness they've felt since both coming back to Essex and... Losing Chloe, well for now anyways, to the Malcontencious. Butters swallows their pride, and the rest of their hot choccy and opens the doors. On the other side they see a Ferret in a tan peacoat and some kind of weasel in a... Canadian Tuxedo? With a sleeveless denim jacket. The Ferret jolts to attention upon seeing Butters, as she walks over to introduce themselves.
―Yes, hello! It's a pleasure to meet you Butters! That over there is a Slide the Kamaitachi, pronouns are she and her. I'm Slink the Ferret, also a she and her. Nice to meet you err errr Mux Butters.
Butters chuckles to themselves, this display is quite frankly cringe and a little pathetic. This might be this Monsters first time speaking to a queer Monster, like legit, But something in Butters heart can feel these are good eggs. They shake the Ferret's hand.
―A pleasure to be working with you both.
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-Modern day-
Butters wasn't picky when it came too the flashbacks that made their way into their psyche. But perhaps there is a pattern to them or at least some meaning to be gleamed by their order. Memories from that time that include their spouses are sparse, which doesn't denote importance, it denotes access. Butters has that access to their betrothed who can naturally trigger any memories to do with them that are currently lost. But they recall -them- a lot over these couple of days. Their comrades during their time with the MCP, the ones they faced the end of the world as they knew it with. Could these flashbacks be signalling to Butters that they should seek them out next? They would like to oblige, but a sad turn is implied with their current circumstances. You see those memories took place in Colchester, they currently reside in Nottingham and there's a million reasons, most of them quite sad, as to why that could be. Did they depart, or did they join Butters up here? If not, was it an amicable goodbye? Did they choose matrimony with Chloe and Ell over their comrades? They know considering their past and history which one of these outcomes is the most likely.
Butters rubs their paws over their face as they head towards Exchange Alley from St. Peter's Square. Not really walking TO anywhere, and so caught up in their thoughts, the commotion caused by Chloe and Ell somehow passes them completely by. Perhaps the same phenomena placing these recollections in their mind can guide them toward some answers. Their faith in the process is rewarded as from the alley they can hear voices, one clearly chasing the other, one of them familiar.
And there she is, Slink the Ferret. Still sporting the same cream and brown hairstyle with the quiff in the middle. Wearing dark green cargos and a black sports bra with red stripes. Draped across her is a tanned cardy adorned with floral patterns, with huge sleeves to allowed for unhindered arm movement they reckon. All this triggers a chain reaction of memories: Yes! She did used to knit for her meditation, did she make that? That's amazing! As much as Butters wants to run on over and congratulate her and slot back into that familiarity as if no time had passed, well she was clearly in pursuit right now. The Elf she was chasing turned around to face his pursuer, sensing that the footsteps behind him were getting ever closer no matter how long he ran. He summons a magic symbol of green light in his hands as he addresses The Ferret.
―You might of saved that flat block THIS time Monstrum, but you can't stop all the Elven empire! The Elf declares. Now with that failed experiment: Humanity's done and dusted. It's time for a superior culture to come and quell the chaos of this realm and take it under the rightful watch of the Empire. The celestials are on our side with our cause!
Slink looks to her left and right, then shrugs.
―Don't see any of 'em round mate. Slink replies in a heavy Essex accent. Saying that as someone in the thick of that war, The Angels actually bothered to show up for Humans, but looks like you're on your Jack Jones bruv.
The Elf looks furious, to be talked down to, by such a base creature, in such a BASE dialect no less! Just as he looks like he's ready to unleash his spell, Butters leans down from the other end of the alley to pick up some pebbles and debris from the pavement. They place the pebbles on top of their clenched fingers and the edge of their thumb on the back, and aim towards The Elf.
―Hey... Pussy ears! Butters yells, not having any idea what actual slurs against an Elf are, if they have any.
The Elf unbelievably takes the taunt and turns his head slightly, just enough to get Butters in his eye line.
Butters being a Squirrel is gifted with an almost godlike dexterity, if they want to hit something with a thrown projectile, chances are they're gonna hit it, no matter how far away the target is. Butters going off complete muscle memory experiments with transferring this talent towards a faster, if shorter ranged method of pinging a small stone off their nail. Must've been something they were working on before the collective memory loss! They hit their intended target, slashing a cut of under their eye from the sheer velocity from the pebble being flicked from Butters nail. The Elf instinctively twists their body and staggers away from whatever just attacked them; perfectly towards Slink’s range of attack.
She takes a stance, as she breathes in for a small moment of meditation to draw in... Well a good analogy would be drawing in their Ki. You see unlike most Monsters who's fighting style is "Winging it" Slink’s actually trained for this shit! It makes sense as a lot of Monsters have naturally offensive talents and outside of biting well... What do Ferrets have? Being long? Well Anthro Ferrets arn't even that long honestly! Slinks manages to use the momentum from The Elf’s stumbling to land a few strikes, before slamming their palm into his stomach. If The Elf was turning to Slink with force, then times that by 3 for swinging back the way he came.
Of course this is a perfect chance for Butters to utilize their other ability as a Squirrel, being able to travel a short distance instantly. Butters runs up to just in front of The Elf, before all the force and weight behind Butters’ entire self, gets focused on The Squirrel's elbow, which they aim square at The Elf's jawline, as they close that small distance in an instant. If you can't imagine what 20 stone of Squirrel striking your jaw at super jet speeds feels like, well you can certainly HEAR IT as an ungodly crack of the few things keeping this Elf's jaw attached to his skull give away, as he falls to the floor unconscious. Slink then procures a rune from their pocket and throws it onto The Elf as an aura surrounds him. Slink then furiously texts on her phone as she addresses Butters.
―That'll keep him secure till someone from High Realm Relations picks him up. Slink comments, still quickly tapping on her phone, trying not to ignore Butters. Thank you for the back up, the MCP thanks you for your assistance. If you want compensation for any inconvenience suffered today I will vouch to your cooperation today. Who should I add-
Slink looks up, finally finishing her texting and freezes. In a way she should've known, there's only one person that could sync up so perfectly with her own fighting style like they just did. She goes through so many emotions in an instant. The surprise to find Butters here, the annoyance that they HAD to find Butters here by chance, then the critical thought that they didn't find Butters here. This is the moment she walks slowly towards The Squirrel and places her paw affectionately on the side of their face, her eyes grow wet and complete affection creeps across her smile.
―You finally came to find me. Slink says.
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Butters comes out of the building just adjacent to the old filled in fountain where Slink is currently perched. Least they both assumed this used to be a fountain? Colchester had a similar thing with a fountain in Culver Square being filled in because cleaning the bloody thing was bare effort. Butters sits next to Slink and gives her a small cheeseburger, as well as a box of nuggies to share between them.
―I'm surprised they still do these here. Slink observes. Did that place over there used to be a... y'know.
Slink then traces two lowercase n's next to each other with her fingers.
―I mean yeah during the Human's era. Butters explains. But they're like legit nationalised now! The MCP gave all the locations an ultimatum of signing a licence to them, or they'd just seize their locations and assets anyways. Now they're like food banks in the event you spend all your corona for the day and can't afford food, you can stroll into here and get a cheeseburger or alternative for nowt.
―That's like dead cool, but it seems so random to me tho?
―I mean... Isit? These places got me through London when I couldn't spend more then a quid on dinner like. Genuine lifeline for living in poverty, makes sense to bring it into public ownership, now we can keep that quid to ourselves.
Butters shakes their wrist device towards Slink.
―Not that I got this for free, I'm not hard up it's just y'know... Hard to kick the cravings even when I get the UBI for free. Butters admits.
―Oh they finally put you on Disability? Slinks asks. Well more accurately, you stopped fighting it and let the MCP put you on it?
Butters shakes their head in an embarrassed way.
―Yeah yeah, well from what little I can remember of our last fight in Essex, I had to be put on the bench didn't I? I'd of gotten an earful from Chloe if I kept doing MCP work.
―"What little you can remember"? Slink asks. Oh you're still reeling from the 'ol man 'neesia?
―Uggghhhh. Butters sighs. Is that what they're really calling it? Grandad's old fashioned 'neesia?
―Following on the heels of "Miss Rona" and "Daddy Wartime" yeah. Slink explains. I think ever since people caught wind to Perception Theory of Monsters, I think folks just wanna anthropomorphise everything and see what happens?
―Okay! I mean I don't think you can will a mythology or folklore into existence from one country’s like, year long meme?
―Well if successful they get added to the chronology as if they've always been right? I mean you'd never know, would you?
―Okay, next you'll be telling me something like the Toilet Clowns are something someone made up last week, instead of an ongoing historical mythology passed down through generations. Butters scoffs. You know, they've found fossils of Toilet Clowns dating back to the Jurassic Period.
―You don't need to convince me of the validity of Toilet Clowns Butters, we've all had our run in with the Toilet Clowns in our lives. Slink explains, irritated about being condescended to.
The two Monsters continue to eat their meal in an awkward silence, not because the Toilet Clowns comment was of such great offence to Slink, but because both Monsters knew a subject was skirted by that they've both been sitting on. After finishing their meal, Butters breaks the quiet spell:
―Look, I can't remember how everything went down, but I'm sorry I left ev-
―You know what? Let's not do this. Slink interrupts. All that matters is I'm here now, we all are in fact! I want this to be a happy occasion. We all choose to come here after you, and that's all we have to say about that.
―We? Melees and Ereth moved up here too?
―Yeah yeah, you had the right idea, you know? Too much shit happened in Colch, and we should be able to have a fresh start from that, without being reminded of it every day, like.
Slink then grabs Butters paw as they trace their fingers on their paw.
―I was hoping we could have that fresh start too? Slink requests.
They turn Butters’ paw around again to run their fingers through their fur, that's when she sees the ring. A sudden twinge of pain is badly hidden on Slinks's face.
―Oh... You got married? To Chloe?
―Uhhh, yeah. Butters hesitantly replies. Well... No Chloe and Ell actually, we all got the MCP to codify polyam marriages, and we're the first three-person marriage in the country.
A twinge of even further agony is badly hidden on Slink's face. Before they finally look up to meet Butters' gaze.
―I'm so happy for you. The Ferret badly lies. That's good, it's what you always said you wanted to do once the war was over.
Slink looks back down, giving up on looking pleased, with a sunken look growing on her face.
―I know we uh, we talked about this. Slink says, still looking down. We can never be what you have with Chloe... I guess now Ell too. But I'd like to see what could, I dunno could happen.
Butters sighs to themselves, AT themselves. The nature of theirs and Slinks relationship slowly comes back to them. They just cannot stop themselves from doing this to people who care about them can they?
―I know what we've talked about before. Butters begins. But I've been doing some thinking about my identity and that and... Look you can't just instantly be to me what Chloe and Ell are to me and that expectation is unrealistic. But if you're willing to be patient with me, well I dunno is the thing! But who's to say we couldn't cultivate our own thing together? And one day you absolutely will be what my spouses are to me now?
Slink looks up, hopeful, but cautious.
―And what's changed? Slink asks. Why is that now different?
Butters instinctively traces a patch on their jacket in response to this, it's of a pride flag Slink has never seen before. It looks like the Aromantic one, but the greens are hues of blue.
―It's a lot of things that even I don't really know yet. Butters explains. Also, let's not discount how open you are to the kind of relationship we would have now. I can't directly remember but I kind of recall a time you wanted mono or bust.
―Yeeaaaahh. Slink recounts. It really felt like I needed that once you know? But god everything that happened... Loss can really put those things into perspective innit?
A heavy feeling grows on the chest of both Monsters.
―So things are well different now so like you say. Fresh start, no thoughts, just vibes, lets see what happens.
Butters closes the distance and gives Slink a little peck on her head.
―Also I was serious about the being patient thing. I gotta get back to the spouses, we're meeting for drinks in a few. But give me your digits and we'll arrange something soon!
Slink still clearly has her guard up somewhat, too good to be true kind of deal. But cannot deny the feeling of joy of wanted to explore this avenue with Butters. The two Monsters swap numbers and say their goodbyes. Butters has a spring in their step, this is the first day of the rest of their life in a world where maybe, they can permit themselves a little joy. Maybe happiness ain't that deep.