In which Niki can't write a damn thing without tl;dr'ing all over the place...

[warisallweknow]

It was perhaps the last place Fox had expected to find himself during his exploration of the nexus. In hindsight, that was probably foolish of him. But it was strange, to find FOXHOUND's HQ-no, merely a clever replica of it-just as he had left it some two, three years ago. The same, but also unusually empty, like a husk, like the shell of some dead

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[viscous_serpent]

[Footsteps echoed in those empty halls, but Solidus barely noticed the heavy sound his battlesuit made on the floor any more. Once or twice, the long metal tendrils of his Snake Arms struck against the wall, his eyes flickering sharply towards the sound only to look away again at the recognition.

His own apartment on the first floor was not his destination; no, Solidus was heading towards the kitchens. It was time to stock up on his stores; he was taking no chances lately. Not if Raiden was still around and trying to kill him. As a result, one of the undulating tentacles gripped a thick leather bag between its metal fingers, digging in so tightly that it left deep marks in the strong material. He swung it idly, boredly, as he walked, and lightly began to hum a jaunty tune.

...he could really have done with radar. Really, protagonists were all cheaters.]

[warisallweknow]

[There's a pause as he considers, and then he steps forward, offering his hand.]

Gray Fox.

[viscous_serpent]

[There's a brief pause before he extends his own hand to take Fox's, giving him a firm handshake. He's read the files, of course he has, although the data on Fox is unsurprisingly short.]

Solidus Snake.

[warisallweknow]

Solidus... Liquid Snake mentioned you.

[So this was the third. Interesting.]

It's a pleasure to finally get to meet you.

[viscous_serpent]

Nothing good, I suppose? [A pleasant chuckle.]

Likewise. I've heard a lot of good things about you.

[warisallweknow]

He doesn't have much good to say about anything.

[Oh, he likes you already, Solidus. And not only because you look like Big Boss (though that's certainly part of it).]

Frankly, it's a relief you're not all like that.

[viscous_serpent]

He's exciteable. And rather paranoid - among other things. But harmless, I suppose. He could use some proper discipline.

[He shrugs lightly and smiles.]

Of all of us, I am the only "complete" clone. It's understandable that I'd be closer to Big Boss.

[warisallweknow]

I was thinking the same, but it seems he's not so eager to be disciplined.

[Complete. Interesting way of putting it.]

Just how close, I wonder.

[viscous_serpent]

Then, a tip for you. Insult his pride and he will do anything to prove it wrong.

Unlike my other halves, I am the only clone to have entirely his DNA - with some unnecessary modifications, I suppose.

[warisallweknow]

I'll keep that in mind.

[Entirely Big Boss's DNA. A perfect clone. No wonder... Fox's scrutiny of the man is intense, his gaze piercing.]

You have a lot to live up to. But unlike the others, that doesn't seem to bother you.

[viscous_serpent]

Why would it bother me? It's a goal to strive for.

[He seems entirely unfazed by the man's expression. Inwardly, he is much less composed.]

I have failed in the past, but in the end, you can only continue onwards. There is no use in losing composure over it.

[warisallweknow]

You've never fought it? Denied it? Ran from it? It's never made you angry, or made you doubt your self-worth, knowing what you are?

[He's moving closer as he speaks, holding Solidus's gaze and purposely piling on the pressure. It's a test, of a sort.]

[viscous_serpent]

What I am has never been a problem for me. How people treat me for it has, but that's in the past. I am what I am, and I am pleased by it.

I could ask for nothing more than to be allowed to follow in the footsteps of the greatest of soldiers.

[warisallweknow]

[There's a moment of silence after Solidus speaks, as Fox searches the man's eye and finds only echoes of someone else. God, but it still sends a thrill through him to challenge that, even as much as he respects it. He's close enough to feel Solidus's breath, and for Solidus to feel his as he finally responds.]

You really are perfect. [A perfect tool. He's not sure whether that make the man more or less fortunate than the others.

A beat. Fox takes a step back, turns away, moves back to the opposite side of the room to give Solidus his space again. He's seen enough.]

[viscous_serpent]

[Strange. The silence seems to drag on forever. Even as Fox's piercing gaze stares into his eye, he refuses to blink or back down. The touch of warm breath on his skin is unfamiliar and strange. He doesn't know how to react. So he doesn't. He simply waits for Fox to speak.

When he does, the words surprise him. There's something wrong about hearing them like that. He knows who he is. What he is. He is the most complete, the closest to perfection the cloning can get. If not for the accelerated aging that was slowly killing him, he might have been perfect.

But hearing it out of nowhere was strange. He smiles, a politician's smile full of promises and agreement.]

Why, thank you.

[warisallweknow]

You're so sure it's a compliment.

[Fox's expression is... cryptic, at best. He's too familiar with politicians, and that kind of smile is never one he could trust. Perhaps he had thrown Solidus off, after all. It's hard to tell.]