Chapter 0: Past is Prologue (Tycho)

You recline gently in the chair that had been thoughtfully provided for you. You glance at a clock on the wall quickly, grumbling softly at the fact that your conversational partners were late. Again. And considering that you were in Icarus’ home, this was especially troubling. Still, you are fairly certain that they have a good reason for it, at least.

After finally growing impatient enough to begin pacing the room you find yourself idly perusing the tomes that adorn the walls of Icarus’ study. The sound of a door slamming in the distance draws your attention, and you look towards the entrance to the room. Moments later and a trio of figures enter, each one laughing at some joke that you’d missed.

Upon seeing you Spike dons a sheepish smile as the other two avert their gazes. “Sorry we’re late. Icarus and Orion demanded that we swing by Sugar Cube Corner. I told them we were already late enough, but... Well, we’re here now.”

You quickly agree, and move back over to the seat you’d been in earlier. Spike and the others both take their places in their seats, and soon you’re all just enjoying some companionable silence together.

Orion finally breaks the silence. “So, I guess I’m next, then?” You nod, as do Spike and Icarus. “I don’t know if my story tops yours, Icarus, but I’ll leave that to you three to decide. And, Spike, when I’m done that means that you’re next.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, Orion. But first we need to hear your story, and how you managed to win the woman of your dreams.”

Orion laughs for a moment, and you raise an eyebrow. “Oh, man, Spike. I couldn’t have even dreamed of someone as great as Vinyl. Anyway, like Icarus, I’ll start this where it all begins. Save for a few more juicy details. I’ll let the three of you figure it out as Vinyl did.”

“I pushed open the door to my one room apartment, the shouts of the other tenants fading into background noise as the latch closed behind me...