*He sits up from the bed, rubbing his eyes before he looks around the room. His body feels....light. Is he dreaming? Or was he drugged? Either way, it didn't matter right now*

....? Karkat?

The figure sitting on the bed does not respond, merely sighs, a sad look upon his face. "No, my old friend, I am not the one you call out for so questioningly"

He smiles when he notices the figure on the bed, seeming to forget about his grub. "Obviously now I can see that, but why are you here so suddenly? Couldn't resist me after being dead for so long?"

"it takes me so much strength to be able to visit like this, and I cannot stay long, certainly not long enough for what you think of"

He frowns then before moving to sit closer to him. "Then if it takes you that much strength, then your reason for being here must be important, yes?"

he only nodded, sighing lightly. "You take everything I say... so very far"

"Oh? What makes you say this? Have I not done what you asked me to do so many sweeps ago?"

"I said to protect the grub... keep my precious descendant safe... not hide him from the world"

"...Then it is your fault friend. You never said how to protect him. I am doing what is right."

The Sufferer... Vanatus... sighed, his breath coming out in a long exhale of air. "It is my fault, I should have known better than to lay such an enormous task upon your shoulders... when you already suffer so much"

"I do not suffer anything at all my friend, I am perfectly fine, and have been for these long sweeps. I am doing what you asked me to do, and I am doing well. There is no reason for you to worry."

Vanatus sighed again, as if his patience was wearing thin. "You will keep him entrapped, I see it even now... you will see it as keeping him safe, but all you will be doing is building him a cage" he stated, his voice weary as if exhaustion. He glanced up as the scene began to waver just a bit. "my time is almost up"

"....I am only doing it so that he will not end up sharing the same fate as you." He growled out, before gripping the other trolls hand tightly. "You are in no position to tell me how to raise someone you BEGGED me to protect."

The male's face twists into something like worry, but when he opens his mouth, no sound comes out, and he rapidly fades, the room able to be seen through him.

"....I am going to protect him this time. I will make sure he does not share your fate, my friend....my love." He whispers, before his eyes shoot open, and he is laying on his bed once more. Only this time, his little grub is not there. "....Karkat?" SHITSHITSHIT. He stormed through the mansion, throwing opening every door, looking through every crack, but his little one was gone. "KARKAT?!" Then...he heard a voice in his head....a voice that laughed, that told him not to worry...this voice would lead him to the grub..HIS GRUB. All he had to do, was give up control. "....I accept."