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“One day you’ll sit in the sun, and things won’t be so bad.”
The sun set over the mountains, the light reflecting off Roblox HQ just right to blind the vulture. 1x squinted as it watched the sun go down over the city. It had once held a position inside the mega-building, alongside his father and the big man Builderman himself; but after he was outcasted from Robloxia and turned into this hideous figure,
He had not stepped foot within the building since.
By the time he wished to return back, even if to enact his revenge on the admins who had casted him aside, he had been taken away by who knows what. Forced to fight, it’s head hurt thinking about it. All the lies and misinformation it had been fed, believing some delusional fantasy for so long.
It had forgotten what it was like to sit in the sun. To feel the warmth on it’s feathers, to head the bustle of the city once more. Though it will always be unwelcomed within the walls of Robloxia, it did not mind the solitude anymore. Perhaps all that time away in god knows where had given him a change of heart. Who knows, life worked in mysterious ways after all. That was something it was too familiar with.
It’s thoughts wandered, trying to piece together what it could remember from that time in that realm. Who those people were, why they were there. Their memory had been wiped of most memories of that place, and what it could remember was fuzzy. All it could remember was the lies it was told to keep it playing those sick games. Feeding off its all too hateful heart, toying with it’s emotional heart.
He was a king then, at least he was under the impression that he was. A king with his own kingdom to rule and watch over, without an admin or robloxian to get in his way. It was perfect, all she ever wished for in life, ever since she was kicked out of the city at least. To have people look up to her the same way they looked up to the admins. To be just as equal as her creator Shedletsky.
Deep in thought, he didn’t hear the approaching footsteps. Dragged out of his head by a very familiar greeting. He turned around, meeting the familiar face's gaze. His beard had grown a bit since they were let out of that place, his eye bags had grown much darker and he lost a few pounds.
But it knew that it was him.
Builderman himself, the big boss of Robloxia.
Clad in his familiar hi-vis vest and construction hat he never seemed to take off. Always ready for the day ahead. He wore a funky striped tie that didn’t match his outfit, but it was details like that that made 1x smile. A genuine smile at that, not that crooked grin it was taught to love.
You’re out late, you don’t gotta stay out here, ya know we got a room for you at HQ.” Builderman took a seat next to the crowned vulture. Who had shuffled it’s wing out of the way for him.
“I’m well aware, admin. I do not wish to go back just yet.” 1x admitted, being honest was still quite new to him. It was weird feeling vulnerable, telling the truth. Actually discussing how he felt was something he never really thought he was allowed to do.
“I understand ya, don’t wanna go see ya pops just yet? Or do you still don’t feel like ya belong there?” Builderman was always aware of 1x’s feelings, after weeks; maybe even months of that sick game they were forced into. It’s been a few times the vulture has cracked and let a few honest thoughts sneak through its violent mask.
“I don’t know, I guess it’s both. It’s just… odd… to be back.” It leaned back, staring back off into the sunset. “After everything that’s happened, it almost feels like I don’t deserve to be back.”
“That wasn’t you though” Builderman had begun, being interrupted.
“But it is, I have always been cruel. I have always caused harm, I’ve always had the desire to harm. Hate flows through me like some sick machine built to destroy”
“Don’t say that, I know deep down you belong here just as much as the rest of us” Builderman sighed. “I know deep down you are capable of love, as you have shown me many times.”
1x shuffled in his spot. This conversation was heading places he did not appreciate. He did not come here to be comforted and offered a place to stay. He came here to simply observe. Nothing more, nothing less. Though he enjoyed the presence of the admin, his soft tones and reassuring words brought comfort to him.
Builderman moved to sit next to it; close, yet not uncomfortably so. In an unconscious movement, its wings moved to wrap itself around Builderman’s shoulder, pulling the admin closer to it. For a moment, 1x was surprised at the movement, but eventually relaxed into it, leaning his head on the other’s shoulder. It was nice. A moment of peace that he could have in this world.
Builderman looked at 1x, his gaze soft, as he let 1x relax on him. Builderman knew that it was highly unlikely that 1x would listen to him and come back to HQ, and stay there willingly, but it was fine. Builderman would visit her all the same.
With a small sigh, Builderman looked back at 1x. Her face was turned away from him, the scowl on her face present, but Builderman knew she didn’t mean it. 1x tugged him closer to her, her wings a welcome embrace around him.
“Do ya have a place ‘t stay, or are ya just hangin’ around?”
1x scoffed at the question, looking at Builderman before turning away.
“I do not need a place to stay, Builderman. I have a place to reside.”
Builderman was relieved at that information, looking away from 1x and back at the HQ. He should be heading back soon, as they would start to wonder where he was, and he didn’t want to deal with Shedletsky questioning him and making a fool out of him. Reluctantly, he got up, gently pushing 1x’s wing off.
“Sorry 1x, gotta get back before they start lookin’ for me.”
1x got up as soon as Builderman did, looking at Builderman with an emotion Builderman couldn’t quite place. 1x seemed almost disappointed at Builderman’s departure. Before Builderman could fully start leaving, 1x grabbed his wrist.
“Wait.”
1x plucked a feather from one of its wings, before promptly holding it out for Builderman to take. The feather was brown, the tip slowly fading to a cream color. It looked beautiful, the light bouncing off of it in the best possible light. 1x kept its hand out, the feather still clutched tightly in its hands.
“...Are ya sure..?”
1x nodded, and watched as Builderman took the feather from its hands. Builderman put it behind his ear, pressed up against his hat and in the curly hair that poked out from his hat. 1x, now satisfied, let go of Builderman’s wrist, allowing the man to leave. Builderman sighed, smiling once more at 1x before turning around and descending down the hill.
1x watched him to make sure he safely made it inside of the building, before leaving the hill; taking off into the sky once again.
_________
“Yo Builderman!! Where’ve you been??”
Shedletsky yelled as Builderman walked in through the doors, putting his arm around his shoulder.
“Just checking’ in on somethin’.”
Builderman shrugged him off, going up to his office, the feather still in his hair, and the lasting memory of his encounter with 1x fresh in his mind. Shedletsky recognized the feather, a frown on his face, but he made no comment on it.
Builderman then went to his office, closing the door and sighing.
He wished 1x would stay here again one day.