Tommy sits in a comfortable chair in the shop portion of his home. What has been made of Parasite's suit rests in Tommy's lap, and he pulls on the needle in his hand to finish an important seam. He hums gently to the song playing through the radio. The lyrics drift in and out of his head without remaining long enough for him to register what the song is about, but he knows from the voice rather than the words how sorrowful the song is. Tommy stretches his legs over the side of the chair, shifting his weight to fall against the opposite arm. The song comes to an end, and the radio host starts talking about the popularity of the artist and how many songs they've published this year alone— along with how many of those songs topped the charts. Tommy could care less about what the masses think about music, but he keeps the radio going even when the host puts on ads for services and products Tommy imagines he will never indulge in no matter how lucrative his shop gets.

Tommy hears a knocking noise. He frowns, looking up from his work. He hesitates for a long moment, and sure enough, another knock comes to prove his powers aren't mistaken for picking up on a nearby heartbeat. Tommy jumps up from the chair. He sets Parasite's almost-finished suit on the cushion warmed by his body heat. Tommy meanders to the front door, looking through the nearby windows to confirm who is waiting for him to open the door. He can't see anyone— only the streetlamps illuminating the dusty sidewalk and dark street. Tommy takes a deep breath as his hand settles on the door. He hopes it isn't a hero, but he will deal with them should one stand at his doorstep. When the door does swing open, Tommy tenses.

He untenses immediately when he recognizes Slime. The villain is leaning heavily on the threshold. His eyes are unfocused as they stare ahead of him. Tommy glances on the ground for any blood puddles. When he doesn't see even a drop of crimson, he double-checks with his powers. Slime isn't wounded. While this is technically a good thing, Tommy is worried about the way Slime's eyes can barely focus on Tommy's person. The villain is struggling to meet Tommy's eyes. When they finally make eye contact, Slime gives Tommy a lopsided smile. Tommy returns the smile with a wobbling one of his own, eyebrows coming together to create the perfect image of concern on his face. "Come on in."

Tommy steps aside. Slime pushes his hand off the threshold. He stumbles into the room. He looks around with wide swings of his head. This carelessness causes him to trip over the foot of a low table. Slime garbles his curse word as he crashes into the couch. Slime groans audibly. He forces himself onto his side, grabbing a throw pillow to hold against his chest. The lack of balance and slurring speech provide enough evidence for Tommy to come to the conclusion he should have had the moment he saw Slime's unfocused eyes. The villain isn't wounded; he's drunk. Sloppily so, it seems.

Tommy walks over to his radio. He turns it down, making the toothpaste commercial no more than the background buzzing. He keeps an eye on Slime. The villain stretches out on the shop's couch like a cat napping in the sunlight. Tommy crosses his arms over his chest as he stands beside the couch. He stares down at Slime until the man turns his attention to Tommy. It takes a moment for Slime to recognize him, but the moment is appropriately marked with widening eyes and a half-smile on his face. Tommy raises an eyebrow, "Are you here for business?"

"Asylum, actually," Slime giggles. Tommy glances around the shop. Slime would find better help in an actual asylum than Tommy's tailor shop, but the blonde realizes that Slime isn't talking about that. Tommy turns back to Slime for further explanation. Slime sighs boredly. He forcibly pulls himself onto the couch's armrest. He leans against it, head lolling over the edge. He manages to keep his eyes on Tommy, however, and the blonde knows for certain Slime is going to give himself a headache (he deserves it, of course, but if he does pass out, Tommy might be willing to use his powers to ease away any discomforts that come with his drunken rowdiness). "I forgot I'm wearing my suit. Jester would kill me for ruining his brand."

"Fine," Tommy sighs heavily. He feels the air leave his chest, making him feel almost as light as this good deed makes him feel. "You can stay here until you sober up."

Slime throws his hands into the air as he cheers. Tommy is about to shush the villain when he hears a loud banging noise. Tommy's eyes trail down slowly as he listens to Slime release a pained grunt. The villain lies on the ground between the couch and a short table. Tommy senses more than a few bruises that will surely blossom the next day. Even without his powers, Tommy winces as Slime settles into an uncomfortable position on the floor to avoid upsetting his wounds. If he wasn't so drunk, he would have the strength to pull himself back onto the couch, but there's nothing Tommy can do for him now. Until Slime sobers up or passes out, he's on his own. Tommy has already done his kind act for the day for Slime.

Tommy picks Parasite's suit off the chair. He flops down into his seat with more coordination than the blubbering idiot on the other side of the room from him. Tommy puts himself into a comfortable position. He starts working through the suit again. The radio is quieter than it was prior, but Slime's heartbeat and breathing— along with the occasional garbled word— fill the remaining silence efficiently well. Tommy eases back into his workload, focusing all his attention on the work set out for him for the night. He was certain he would finish it all by nightfall. While dusk has already settled over the streets, Tommy is sure he will finish it before morning at the latest.

"What are you doing?" Slime asks after a good while. Tommy lifts his head from the suit to survey the room. Slime is still on the floor, but he's sitting upright. He places his head and arms on the cushions of the couch. He stares at Tommy with one eye peeking above his shoulders.

"I was hired to make suits for the remaining members of the Syndicate. I finished Vulcan's suit, so I need to complete the suits for Parasite and Lady Necrosis," Tommy explains. He doesn't mind talking to Slime about this. It isn't a secret in the first place, and something about Slime's normally bubbly personality amplified by his drunken stupor makes him exceedingly easy to communicate with. This could be a trap, Tommy supposes, and it probably is for other people. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Tommy doesn't have information that Slime and his peers in Las Nevadas do not already have. Tommy's only secret is his powers, and he knows not to mention those no matter what Slime asks.

He also isn't going to mention his family. He can't afford to put them in harm's way again after what happened with Wilbur. Tommy knows how to keep his lips sealed about important matters such as these.

Everything else is pretty much fair game, though Tommy doubts Slime is in the right state of mind to start prying into Tommy's head even if he uses his personality to his advantage during the missions Jester assigns him.

"Really?! Can I see Vulcan's suit? Please? Please? Please?" Slime startles. He pushes off the couch to sit up on his own. He stumbles forward, dropping the throw pillow he was hugging like a stuffed animal onto the floor. Slime starts crawling closer to Tommy's chair. He has either forgotten how to stand, or he feels too dizzy to even pretend he can rise onto his feet. In either case, his eyes are bright with a wonder so palpable that the secret charm isn't able to wash it away in gray tones and half-lights.

Tommy chuckles. He rises onto his feet. He sets Parasite's suit back on the cushion. As he approaches Slime, the villain stops crawling, moving to sit on his haunches. Tommy grabs his hands. Tommy pulls Slime onto his feet. Slime sways on his feet, but he remains steady enough that Tommy can guide him to the back corner of the room. Tommy tugs a mannequin covered in a dark red tarp. He positions it in front of the other tarp-covered mannequins. Slime clasps his hands together, rocking on his heels in a way that could either be excitement, anticipation, or him genuinely needing to regain his sense of balance. Tommy grabs the edge of the tarp, pulling it off the mannequin in a grand flourish.

The one-piece bodysuit is mainly black with trapezoidal pieces sewn into the fabric around the hips, chest, thighs, and shoulders the same color as a fire that burns hot enough to turn blue. There are thin lines creating geometric patterns around the forearms and calves. The lines look gray in the darkness, but in the firelight, they will glow a red-gold color the same shade as a Blaze's golden rods. The black boots have a similar thread outlining polygonal shapes, but they will be pure red without even a hint of gold. The mask is composed of two parts. There are a pair of glasses without frames, split between red on one side and blue on the other like 3-D goggles. The second part of the mask is a pair of golden ear-coverings similar to headphones but designed to completely envelop the ear. They glow with red and blue LEDs in the opposite order as the glasses.

"Look at it!" Slime cheers. He throws his arms into the air again. This time, he teeters forward. Tommy grabs onto Slime's shoulders to keep the villain from hugging the mannequin. Slime continues laughing, either unaware of what he was doing in the first place or unbothered about Tommy stopping him. Slime continues babbling in Tommy's ear. "You know, everyone loved Nuzlocke's suit. There were so many people stopping her to ask where she got it from. She was even asked to take a few photos. Jester was the most impressed. He was hoping to buy more suits for his people from you when you're done with the Syndicate."

"I have... someone else after the Syndicate, but once my schedule is clear, I'll have a meeting with Jester," Tommy explains. After Azrael left the other day, Tommy went about researching Golem. She wasn't the most popular hero, but she wasn't infamous, either. Anyone who had something to say about her agreed that she was a cold but hard-working person. She finished her missions, and she didn't do more than necessary. She wasn't the prime example of a good hero who went above and beyond for justice, but she took care of the bad guys and kept collateral damage to a minimum. Tommy doesn't feel opposed to making her suit.

(It isn't her attitude or reviews that make him feel comfortable when making her a suit. It was because the longer he researched her, the more he felt like... Well, he felt like he knew her. No, that wasn't right. He didn't know her personally. Maybe he felt like he knew someone similar to her. Tommy can't quite put a finger on it. This upsets him, and he wants her to return to his shop so he can demand answers from her.)

"Yay!" Slime chirps. He stumbles away from Tommy. He spins around with merriment. Tommy smiles at his antics, but his smile dims when he realizes something is off about Slime. A gooey green substance starts pouring from his wrist. It defies gravity by rising instead of falling onto the ground in a puddle. The— and Tommy says this with no amount of irony— slime forms into an egg-like shape with a wide-eyed stare and glasses made from black wire. Slime turns his attention to the strange creature coming from his wrist. He smiles at the creature, not surprised in the least. "Gegg, did you hear what he said? Aren't you excited? We're gonna get a suit, too!"

"I am Gegg," The creature responds, black eyes frigid with lifelessness.

"Gegg! You can't say that!" Slime admonishes the creature with a narrowed brow and deep frown.

"I am Gegg," The creature sounds flippant despite how gruff the voice is. Tommy would dare say the voice's range is far below what any human is capable of.

"Hello... Gegg?" Tommy intervenes, waving at the strange creature. No one knew what Slime's power was, but Tommy is certain whatever Gegg is, he's part of it. From what Tommy knows about Slime, he should be incredibly strong, flexible, and speedy. Gegg— as a slime-like creature— has all those qualities. Either Slime can detach Gegg from his body or Gegg encompasses Slime to perform the actions through Slime's body. It might also be something else. Regardless, Tommy is going to need to learn how Slime's powers work and Gegg's part in it all if he's going to make a suit for the villain. There isn't any point in making a suit that isn't compatible with a person's powers.

"I am Gegg," The creature responds, eyes flicking over to land on Tommy. Although he repeats the same three words, there are different inflections and nuances in his tone that imply he is saying something specific other than addressing his identity again. This is proven by Slime's reactions to Gegg's words.

"You aren't wrong," Slime replies to Gegg. The creature turns to look at his master again. Tommy's assumption that Gegg's words have more meaning is given more evidence as Slime and Gegg get into an argument. Although Gegg's speech is three words at a time, there seems to be a large range of expressions that can be understood through the words. That, or Slime is pulling Tommy's leg. Both are reasonable options, though Tommy doesn't think Slime is sober enough to think up a coherent argument with himself. It also wouldn't exactly explain what Gegg is, though Tommy doesn't know what he is even without questioning whether his words have a deeper meaning or not.

Tommy puts the tarp back over Vulcan's costume. He returns to his chair to finish Parasite's suit. Slime and Gegg continue arguing for a long while. When they reach an impasse, Slime forces Gegg back into his skin. Slime grumbles about thanklessness as he falls back onto the couch. He remains on it this time, hugging a pillow under his chin. His grumbling quietens, and his heartbeat slows gradually. He isn't asleep, but he's relaxed and floating between consciousness and unconsciousness. Tommy leaves him alone until Slime shuffles where he lies. His voice is quiet as he asks, "Will you turn the radio up?"

Tommy raises an eyebrow curiously. He sighs as he stands from his chair. He does as he was asked, wondering what the point of it was in the first place. Tommy listens to the radio. Walter Crondale is talking about the anniversary of the Binary Killer's first victims. Tommy's stomach twists. His expression morphs into one of sorrow as he looks over his shoulder. Slime sits on the edge of the couch. He lowers his face into his hands. Barely a second later, Tommy hears Slime sob. Tommy's eyes widen. He rushes over as quickly as he can. He kneels beside Slime, watching the villain break down tear by tear. Tommy puts a comforting hand on Slime's shoulder. He opens his mouth to ask, but nothing comes out except a shuddering breath.

"I had an apprentice once," Slime murmurs, voice wet with tears as it falls through his fingers. He lifts his face enough for Tommy to see it flushed with sorrow. Slime wraps his arms around himself. His voice is unsteady, thick and heavy and hiccuping every other breath. "On patrol one day, we were attacked by the Binary Killer. I underestimated it. My apprentice sacrificed herself to protect me. I still have trouble coping with it."

Slime tries wiping the tears off his face with the heels of his hands. He is too rough with himself, and Tommy reaches out to pull his hands away. He bites the inside of his cheek. He might not be close with Slime, but he isn't a person without empathy. He understands now why Slime would go drinking even when he was in his costume. Slime is usually energetic, so seeing him like this unsettles Tommy. The tears on his face and the heaviness on his shoulders make Tommy want to comfort him. Tommy tries his best, patting Slime's shoulders and letting him cry without guilt.

"It was all my fault," Slime continues, forming words as his sobbing weakens into quiet whimpers. Slime covers his mouth with his hand. He muffles his words, but Tommy can still hear each one. "I should have been the one to die."

"You can't say that," Tommy's voice is firm. He forces Slime to look into his eyes. "If she sacrificed her life, it's because she wanted you to live. If you say things like you should have been the one to die, you're dishonoring her sacrifice."

Slime sniffles. Tommy remains firm. Slime's eyes dart away from Tommy. He leans back on the couch. He wraps his arms around his stomach. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. He nods slowly. His nodding becomes firmer and less jerky as he opens his eyes again. He gives Tommy a half-smile that doesn't quite match up with the rest of his puffy appearance. "You're right. I should keep living for her sake."

Slime's smile widens, and something dark encroaches on the light inside his eyes. He leans forward with a set jaw. For a moment, Tommy realizes why Slime is considered a villain. It isn't only because he works with Jester but because his eyes can glow with pure insanity. He hates someone as much as Nuzlocke hates the heroes, and considering everything she's done to get her revenge, Tommy knows that Slime's hands might be covered in as much blood as they are goop. Every smile he wears must have been torn right off his victim's face. "But I'm still going to kill that Binary Killer bastard."

"Well, I think that's a reasonable way to live your life. I want the Binary Killer dead, too. My family and friends are hybrids. And honestly, I'm getting really tired of the xenophobia," Tommy agrees. While he's still on the fence about joining the villains or remaining neutral, Tommy knows for certain that he will help take down the Binary Killer (even if he has to join the heroes to do so). He despises everything the Binary Killer stands for, and he has skin in the game this time since the serial killer attacked Wilbur, Shadow Girl, Nemesis, and Pulverize. This is without mentioning the other victims— people who Tommy might not have known personally but he knew they were innocent. It's no one's fault what traits they are born with. It shouldn't be what kills them or garners them hate.

Slime leans forward. He hugs Tommy, wrapping his arms around the blonde's shoulders. He's close enough that he could kill Tommy. The blonde genuinely doesn't think Slime would, especially as Slime starts whispering, "No matter what happens, I'm going to get my revenge. I'm going to keep you and your family safe. Most importantly, I'm going to try living the way Aero would have wanted me to."

Tommy wraps his arms around Slime's waist, returning the hug with as much strength as his human limitation will allow. "I'll be rooting for you. Fuck the Binary Killer up! You'll be the first suit I make for Jester's people."

"Thank you!" Slime replies excitedly. He pulls back. The happiness in his smile clashes with the red puffiness around his eyes, but nothing pulls the look together more than the bloodlust in his eyes. "I should probably get going now. Thanks for letting me stay here. And showing me Vulcan's suit. And telling me those kind words. And promising to make me a suit. Wow... please don't tell Jester how much I owe you."

"It's nothing. We can call it even when we put that Binary Bastard's head on Aero's grave," Tommy remarks, smiling at Slime. "Goodbye, Slime... and Gegg."

"Goodbye!" Slime replies, walking over to the door. As he opens it, a face appears on his cheek. Gegg, obviously, says "I am Gegg" before disappearing back into Slime's skin. Tommy doesn't know exactly what Gegg says, but he imagines it was something along the lines of 'goodbye.'

Tommy goes back to making Parasite's suit. He has a thought as he finishes his work. Why is Jester recruiting so many people hellbent on revenge?