The Palace

Karkat looks up at the stopped crab timer with a smirk, shaking his head.
TEN SECONDS. YOU DISAPPOINT ME AMPORA, I THOUGHT YOU'D BE ABLE TO GO
AT *LEAST* THIRTY BEFORE DISCOVERING A BRAND NEW WAY TO HUMILIATE YOURSELF. BUT WHY TAKE THE SURFACE STREET TO FAILURE TOWN WHEN THE HIGHWAY IS SO MUCH FASTER?
He looks over Nepeta with something akin to being inspired and mildly terrified.
THAT WAS SOME... NICE WORK YOU DID THERE. GOOD JOB.

*Eridan goes to accept the chivalrous gesture, then remembers his still-sensitive stump. He pushes himself up with his left hand instead, showing the (blood-soaked) other one to clarify he's not just being a sore loser*

yeah wwell

*He rubs the back of his head*

you can stuff your disappointment wwherevver you wwant kar
ill start bein embarrassed once the people kickin my ass club extends PAST the greatest handful a fighters this planets got to offer

*He dusts of his clothing. ...Covered in blood and grass stains, clothes torn...he should really get a shower and fresh set of clothes asap. He turns back to Nepeta*

anywway i guess this means im officially your pupil noww

*Eridan, blushing slightly, quickly looks back and forth between Nepeta and Feferi*

oh come on it wwasnt that bad i just flirted wwith her a couple times is all
an yes i knoww it wwas super desperate an just all around in poor taste especially since i kn-

*He coughs*

nevver mind all that i need to go get my crosshairs before the inevvitable shenanigans start happenin alright

*Eridan backs away for a moment, but quickly regains his composure, scowling*

dont you DARE go twwistin my wwords on me like the reality isnt fuckin shameful enough
it wwas DESPERATE cause i nevver gavve the thing a chance to begin wwith cause i already had a crush on someone else REMEMBER
i barely treated her like a person an presented myself pathetically
pretty much just going trough the motions awwaitin my inevitable rejection
an all that DESPITE bein FULLY AWWARE she wwas already in lovve wwith someone else HERSELF

*When he stops talking, his scowl melts into a look more akin to concern, and he turns back to Nepeta*

i nevver properly apologized to you did i

Karkat's jaw dropped at the sudden insinuation.
WAIT WAIT WAIT. HOLD ON A SHITLICKING SECOND HERE BEFORE I GO AND BREAK A STRUT POP MAKING THE NEW TROLL OLYMPIC WORLD RECORD LONG JUMP ONTO THIS CONCLUSION. YOU'RE TELLING ME-?
Karkat gestures back and forth at Feferi and Nepeta.
?????

*There are a few seconds of nothing but silence from Eridan as the gears in his head turn to lift the veil of disbelief. He looks back and forth between the girls and their shoddy excuses of poker faces*

wwhen did you-

*He draws a stifled breath and harks his robot-fingers trough his hair, tainting the purple streak with darker smudges of half-dried blood*

for howw LONG-

*He catches himself. Don't overreact. They are two...completely independent individuals...who are free to make their own choices...regardless of how you feel about them*

howw long has this been
a thing

Karkat pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO LIE TO ME THE LEAST HAVE THE COURTESY TO NOT MAKE IT THAT FUCKING OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING IS UP. FUCK IF I CARE ANYWAYS. I HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO CARE ABOUT LIKE MAKING SURE THIS CITY DOESN'T BURN DOWN FROM SOME ANARCHIST ASSHOLE TO GIVE ANY SHITS ABOUT WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES QUEEN CHUMBUCKET IS DODGING NOW.

Karkat crossed his arms.
THIS IS *NOTHING* LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT SHITLICKING, SOCIOPATHIC-!
Karkat shut his mouth, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, gathering all of the strength this poor crab needed to not explode. He reopened his eyes, not making direct eye contact with Nepeta.
OK, FINE. LET'S TALK.

*Eridan, who has been observing the exchange with some concern, speaks up*

hey am i included in this talkin business
cause if youre done wwith the unpleasantries id lovve to hear wwhat actually wwent dowwn betwween you an nep an condy junior apparently

OF COURSE I DO. I REMEMBER EVERY CLUSTERFUCK THE ASSCLOWN MADE IN PARADOX SPACE.
He clenched his teeth.