Janus smirked very gently as Logan slowly pulled his hands up near his face, looking at them. They had not changed, and yet they somehow looked so... foreign. It was like he was a new soul in the same body. Was it some sort of Jekyll-and-Hyde-type scenario? Regardless, it didn't feel right, but he supposed he'd get used to it because his last body certainly didn't feel any better.

"Feel different?" Remus asked, as if it wasn't obvious that the answer was yes. Or perhaps it actually wasn't obvious... if it was then Logan needed to live up to stoicism a bit more and conceal that.

"...Yes, yes I do."

"Ooh, yeah, it's like you're a whole new person now, right? Imagine coming across your old self. Like your clone! You are your clone. Wow. Here's a question, would you fuck your-"

"That's enough, Remus." Janus butted in.

"Damn it."

"I suppose Remus brought up a good point, though," Logan commented.

"Fucking your clone?"

"No. Being a different person."

"Oh. Hmph."

"Which brings me to my next question, will I require an outfit change? Or anything along those lines?"

"If you'd like we can get you something new," Janus answered. "And you will definitely need a set animal trait. It doesn't have to be too obvious, like you only know Remus's is an octopus because of the one on his belt. Or you can be like me and have scales covering half of your body... not that I wanted that. I didn't. That's just the... you know. Catholic upbringing."

"I'd prefer something more subtle."

"Alright. What do you have in mind? I think some sort of bird would fit you."

"A pigeon!"

"One of the smarter ones, Remus."

"Uhm, he's not logic anymore, he can be as dumb as he wants."

"I'd prefer to be smart. Perhaps... an owl? Or a raven?"

"A crow!"

"Why would I ever want to be a crow, Remus? Crows are very loud birds, they symbolize more mystery and sorrow than wit. A raven would fit me much-"

"If you pick crow we'll let you walk around the mindscape in a plague doctor outfit."

"Crow it is."

Janus chuckled. "Not surprised I persuaded you so easily there, darling. So would you like your entire outfit to be a plague doctor outfit?"

Logan blinked. "Perhaps a variant of it. Something a tad bit brighter... orange, but not only orange. Orange and black."

"I think I might have something in mind..."

And then there was a snap, and Logan's outfit changed on the spot. He looked down at himself.

Firstly, he was in something that slightly resembled a full body suit, but without the part that covers the head. It resembled a micro-chip, but instead of being mostly green it was black and orange. He had a sort of jacket over it with a belt at his waist and a clip that brought the jacket together at the top. But most importantly his tie was slightly undone and was now orange and black instead of blue. He was wearing black gloves and what appeared to be combat boots. Reaching up to his face he found his glasses felt much more square, but upon looking at them they were still black, just like his old ones. When he finally looked back up from looking at himself, Janus handed him a plague doctor mask. He gulped down a smile and carefully put it on.

"That's sexy," Remus mumbled.

"...Thank you."

"Are you happy with this?"

"I'm content, yes."

"I can tell you're excited."

"You shouldn't be able to."

"I'm deceit, dear, I can notice anything I want."

"Hm."

"So... next steps," Janus said after a moment, fixing his hat and sitting down on the couch. Logan sat next to him and Remus joined them on the other side of Logan.

"Next steps?" Logan asked.

"You can't just be cooped up in here forever, the others are going to have to figure out eventually you've switched sides."

"Ah... right. I suppose it's best to get it out of the way quickly. How do we go about doing that?"

"The same way we always do, we film an episode. Wait for Thomas to have a dilemma and bring you in to give him a little shock. I'll talk to Patton and the two of us should be able to arrange for that to happen."

"Adequate."

"Just say great, you nerd bird."

"Absolutely not, I do not possess enough emotion in my system to have that strong of a reaction to something."

"Jeez... he's already repressing."

"He always has been, Remus."

"Excuse me?"

•~~~~•

"And you still remember the plan?" Janus asked Logan, who was still wearing his plague doctor mask at this point. The two were standing in the dark side kitchen, about to sink down to go join the video that was about to be filmed. Or more- Janus was waiting for Thomas to call him over and Logan would follow right behind.

"Yes. I'm to stay in the shadows behind you until a proper time for me to enter arrives."

"Which would be?"

"The greatest moment of tension, preferably while everyone is arguing."

"That's a good lad. Oh- he's calling me. Good luck."

"Thank you. Same to you."

Janus sunk down, and after Remus sent Logan a thumbs up from the couch- he had chosen himself to just pop up in the video a bit later on, just whenever he pleased- Logan sunk down as well.

He appeared near the front door and took a few quiet steps forward. Janus was silent, he seemed to had only been standing there for a few seconds.

"And- oh, hi, Janus." Patton smiled a bit at him, until Virgil shot him a look and he instead moved his gaze to the floor. Logan noted that nothing had changed since he left- though it had only been a day or two.

"Alright, is this everyone here then?" Thomas asked. "Well- no, I feel like we're missing someone. Not Remus. Uh... well, that's actually what I wanted to talk about. But, er- not Remus. Anyways, I've been-"

"Woah, no, hold on, I think this is more people than we need," Roman interrupted.

"Thank you! Why is he here?" Virgil also chimed in, gesturing towards Janus. The latter rolled his eyes.

"Oh, get over it. I'm a part of this discussion and I think you should just accept that sometimes the people you don't like have valid opinions as well."

"So what, is that to say the golf-playing cheeto up in D.C. has valid opinions?" Roman asked skeptically.

"No, you're missing my point, again. I'm not a racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, fascist, piece of shit tyrant. I'm self-preservation."

"You're deceit. And you're also a piece of shit." Virgil shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets. Patton made a very uncomfortable noise, shuffling on his feet.

"Uh, guys? Can we, like..." Thomas moved his hands around in the air for a moment, making random gestures as he tried to think of words to say. "...calm down, I guess? Chill? Chill." Logan made note to check that word in his list of vocabulary cards. Or... were those left behind with him being a light side? Were they childish? He wasn't sure quite yet.

"I'm trying, it's a bit frustrating when your worst enemy is standing a few feet away from you though, Thomas," Virgil muttered.

"Oh, hush. Listen to the man," Janus muttered back. Roman and Patton both made some noise of agreement, and then Thomas sighed.

"Okay, so... the reason I wanted to talk to you guys is, uh... I'm not sure. Er- I am, but I just don't know how to explain it."

"Just try your best," Patton said with a small smile.

"Right, right. So about two or so days ago I felt this really weird jolt in my brain around noon, which wasn't very surprising, I'm guessing someone just lit the mindscape kitchen on fire again maybe. But since then I've been... I don't know. I was trying to help Gavin with his homework because he texted me for help and I forgot what 5x5 was. I think I googled it but... what was it again?"

"Well, uh, you know math isn't really my area of expertise, kiddo," Patton chuckled. "Maybe someone else would know. How about, uh... Roman? Virgil? Ja-"

"Oh, yeah, Logan!"

Logan blinked a few times as Thomas suddenly said his name. The room was dead silent before everyone emoted in some way, most out of confusion or mild anger. Logan felt a jolt in his heart upon seeing that Virgil was scowling. But... no. No, it was fine. Logan was in the presence of others, whether they knew it or not. He had to keep his love for his boyfriend out of his mind so he could properly function- as he always did.

But... when he did that Virgil often got upset. Was that truly his downfall?

"...Logan?" Patton muttered. Everyone else stayed silent.

"Yeah, him. You guys have been kind of hard on him lately and this is kinda like- his thing, right? Math? 5x5? Maybe he's not feeling good?"

"Thomas, I don't want to be rude but from what I've heard I believe he's a bit angry at you along with everyone else," Janus reminded him. Thomas blinked a few times and shrugged weakly.

"We don't need to bring him in here," Virgil snapped. Logan inhaled so sharply that Janus clearly heard him and kicked his foot back a little bit as a way to tell him to shut up. Logan nodded to himself, through the obvious pain he was feeling. Again.

It's fine.

"Yeah, what he said. We don't need that stupid college professor," Roman agreed.

"Well, uh..." Patton trailed off, looking at the ground.

"What, Patton?" Janus asked.

"Yeah, what? Didn't think you'd want him in here either," Virgil said.

"I, er... I just remembered that like, two days ago, he got really mad at all of us in the kitchen and you sorta mocked him and I think it's all of our fault but maybe you... have been making him feel sad?" Patton stuttered out very quickly. By the time he had finished speaking, he was looking straight down in the ground, both hands behind his head, scratching at his neck awkwardly. Janus raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Well, I wouldn't be surprised if this was Virgil's fault," Janus said.

"What? Patton, are you kidding me?"

"I, hah... I don't know. I don't know if I am."

"It's not Virgil's fault," Roman chimed in angrily. "If anything, it's yours. I hate to shame the dad in the room but it just has to be said."

"Are you sure it's not all of your faults?"

"W-Wait, guys, please don't argue."

"Shut up, Thomas. Roman's right, it's your fault, Patton."

"Wh- what? No! I- I just- I'm sorry, I just-"

"You just what? Come on, padré. Work with us here."

"I-I don't know."

"Of course he doesn't."

"Wooow, way to insult him, Virgil. Yet through beating Logan down, you fail to realize that in all the times he's been stressed, he has come to you for guidance- and you haven't even come close to doing him justice."

"What? No! I... we never talk to each other. No. We're barely even friends."

"Ouch."

"What do you mean, ouch?"

"Oh, nothing... nothing. It's not like I can detect lies or anything..."

"Guys..? If you're not gonna bring Logan in here can you at least tell me what 5x5 is-?"

"Stop hating on Virgil, you Slytherin-g snake! He's done nothing wrong!"

"He's done everything wrong, Roman. You know nothing."

"Guys? Math? Help?"

"Can we all please just stop fighting? Why can't we just be friends again..?"

"We're way past friendship, morality. I can't believe I was ever your best friend."

Suddenly, Janus kicked his foot back again, and Logan realized this was a signal. It was his time to shine in just a moment.

"B-but-"

"Popstar, let the adults talk this one out."

"I am an adult! I'm a dad!"

"Yeah, you're the worst dad that's every stepped foot into this entire mindscape!"

"Okay, but- oh my, can- can someone just tell me what 5x5 is?!"

"I believe I may be of some assistance to you all."

Everyone gasped.

•~~~~•
wELL LOOK WHO'S BACK FROM THE DEAD??? IT'S ME. NEW CHAPTER, WHAPOW.

But anyways, angst(-ish) go brrrrr

See ya in the next chapter!😡