JUDE: -the past few weeks since this motley crew came together have been devoted largely, at least by jude, to further studying the portal which he had set up in james' basement. it's easier with his dad around, being the brilliant mind that he is. not to mention someone far less cautious, who would likely suggest things jude would be too afraid to try...-
JUDE: -he's insisted on having jane around, too, still settled on the theory that her crocker corp. technology triggered it somehow. but when nothing seemed to be working to activate it, jude continually got more frustrated. and paranoid. he had no idea if/when the uu was going to get there, and at this point he was even afraid to leave the basement.-
JUDE: -today he feels especially anxious. he doesn't know why, but deep in his gut he knows something is going to happen. that's why he insistently wrangled up everyone down to their little makeshift lab. they'll find him pacing when they get there.-
JANE: -She's here before anyone else, punctual as usual. She's also bringing down a tray of chocolate chip cookies in the hope of easing everyone's minds and stomachs a little bit. Gatherings should always have food, she is pretty sure. And because maybe it will give Jude something to do that isn't just pacing, because that is making her anxious, frankly.-
JANE: Hello. I'm here for the very important meeting?
PENNY: -Meanwhile, she thought she was being invited to a private party. Maybe she forgot, or maybe she misunderstood. Both are plausible. Either way, it may probably explain her little skirt and all the makeup. How's it going basement people?? She's here to party. Just gonna lean over the stair railing and peep.- oh hi.
PENNY: whats going on down here?
JANE: Apparently, we've been summoned to watch Jude pace a hole in the baseboards. :B
PENNY: oh okay. so the usual.
JUDE: -stops to stare at the way she's dressed- ... uh
JUDE: I guess it must count as high quality entertainment
PENNY: -STRETCHES OUT A LEG DOWN THE STEPS. Hello.- Im here for it personally.
JANE: -ROLLS EYES and puts the cookies down on the table that has got to be down here.-
JAMISON: =Cookies you say? Cookies and SCIENCE! He's here for both of these things mid-tromp down the staircase when he spots a Penny= Oh! =STOPS in his tracks, the stairs probably whining under all that rough, old man boot= Hello there!
JAMISON: =Leans behind her and peeps= Is this what we're doing?
JUDE: yes, everyone, we're gathered here to watch me pace
PENNY: -scoots closer to the rail so he can try to get by her-
JAMISON: =Boy does he beam at being called dad and he's been insisting on it being a thing= Howdy Doody daughter-in-law! Haw! =He has a STEP-DAUGHTER=
JAMISON: =Stomps his way down the rest of the steps and beams at Jane and Jude and even if Penny isn't a J-name she's welcome too= Come come, look there are cookies so lovingly provided by Laney-Jane herself! :D
PENNY: mmm. thats true. -internal screams tho-
JANE: Yes, please, have some before they're cold.
JUDE: -he's just... he's just all red in the face over here. it's fine.-
JUDE: ... -reaches for a cookie finally, too. he nibbles.-
JANE: -smiles a little at Jamison before glancing back at Jude. MERCILESSLY.- So...?
JANE: What's all the hubbub and pacing for?
PENNY: -slowly descends the steps-
JAMISON: =chomps on these cookies over here= I do beleive something LARGE and possibly in-charge is about to occur!
PENNY: (Im large and in charge the other butts call me sarge.)
PENNY: -casually sits on the steps of the Fancy Machine thing. Like she knows what it is, come on, please.-
JUDE: -paces while nibbling- I've been talking to dirk strider
JUDE: trying to come up with some kind of plan for them to enter earth's atmosphere
JUDE: one person slipping through seems easy enough, but a whole ship?
JUDE: anyway, I've just got a bad feeling about everything
JUDE: like they aren't going to get here in time anyway
JUDE: and I'm not sure-- -stops to stare at penny-
JUDE: can you... not sit there... it's making me nervous...
PENNY: everything makes you nervous baby.
PENNY: -scoots to the left-
PENNY: alright alright alright alright alright alright okay now ladies.
JUDE: -they are clearly married-
JAMISON: =Walks behind jude and rubs his shoulders with strong father hands= Never fret lad! No use jittering for now!
JANE: Ahem... As you were saying, you're worried about their entry? That seems like a reasonable concern.
JANE: Do we have the technology to cloak them somehow? Jamison?
JUDE: hhhhnn -he's still a little twitchy, but the comforting is nice. he looks between jane and jamison now-
JAMISON: Oh goodness yes! However it's not only the sight it's a matter of something so massive shooting right through the atmosphere! Now I definitely could have been some small scale space rock these are common however something of that size would warrent some attention and look-sees!
JANE: If they're paying attention to atmospheric entries somehow, that would present a problem.
JANE: I'm not sure I can be of much help on this front...
JANE: Unless well wishes count.
JAMISON: They certainly do! And are greatly appreciated!
JAMISON: I still believe an equally large distraction, if not larger, is warrented however.
JANE: Like an even BIGGER rock?
JANE: Large rocks are relevant to this strategic discussion at this point, I assume. Hoo.
JAMISON: =strokes his mustache, humming= That could do it.... so long as we destroy this rock before it provides ample damage to the planet....
JAMISON: Yes.... this could be arranged.
JUDE: -looks terrified by this idea-
JUDE: -we are literally under seige by planet fucking jupiter-
PENNY: lets throw a giant meteor at Earth and then blow it up.
PENNY: into smaller less deadly meteors.
JAMISON: =He likes the way she thinks, this was a good wife for you Jude the Dude=
JANE: And that would... work?
JAMISON: So long as they're focused on the deadly impending threat!
JAMISON: Which they would be! Haw! =Squeezes Jude's shoulders again= How does that sound my boy? =MY BOY!= :D
PENNY: a deadly meteor SHOWER.
PENNY: they gotta pay less attention to one small thing getting in if theres a ton of scarier things.
JAMISON: A regular risk-taker! I like that!
JAMISON: This is also doable!
PENNY: bonus points if we hit a few of them with rock garbage.
JUDE: -he's anxious, so he's a little irrtable. instead of contributing to the conversation, he ends up fiddling with the machine some more-
PENNY: -peeps up at Jude from her stair and grins. ITS FINE JUDE SEE? YOUR DAD SAYS SO.-
PENNY: -plus a giant meteor shower would be a much cooler way to go-
[[As Jude begins fiddling with the machine once again, there is a high-pitched whine in their ears, and from the base to the height of the contraption, it slowly groaned to life. Light poured from the cracks and seeped up under the stone skin of the two serpentine figures gracing the exterior. Pinpricks of red and green concentrated at the eyes of the creatures and cut through the dim lighting of the basement before flickering down to a gentle glow like the eyes of a cat in the dark.]]
PENNY: -turns around slowly from the bottom of its step where she's sitting. Wat.-
JAMISON: !!! =pulls out his blunderbuss.......slowly=
JUDE: !!!!! -his sentiments exactly. WHAT DID HE DO?? AGAIN?? he looks between the archway and the console, taking note of whatever he just did and trying to concentrate on that, but he's reasonably terrified of what might come through the other side.-
[[Suddenly, all the air seemed to suck from the room, pulling their breath with it as the windless energy surged toward the machine. And then with the silence preceding an explosion, a bright, blinding light struck away all shadow and slowly swirling, liquid like substance filled the archway of the machine.]] [[The substance itself was only semi-reflective. They could see the shapes of themselves and objects in the room, but not as clearly as with a mirror.]]
JAMISON: =He sees the mouth of his own gun as he aims it right at the machine= (Do your worst......) =Squints=
JUDE: -hand out. dad let's be smart and bring it off- wait-- wait before you shoot okay???
PENNY: -UHHH. She's sort of sliding off the bottom step now, watching the archway.-
JAMISON: I'll wait.... =One split second=
JANE: ...Maybe it's a fluke?
JUDE: or-- um... -pats around on his person... looks at the cookie he just left sitting on the console.- ...
JUDE: -chucks it through that liquid veil????? sorry to whoever is on the other side, if anyone.-
JUDE: -he's a goddamn genius-
JANE: ?! -DID YOU JUST CHUCK HER COOKIE???-
[[The substance ripples outward, but unlike water it is slow as though Jude threw a cookie into a vat of syrup. In the murky relection of the portal (if they look closely) they can see a fifth figure. If they were to look behind them where the figure should stand, nothing is there. How spooky.]]
[[In response, there is a voice. It is clearly surprised, or at least reacting as one does when a cookie is thrown at them. It is also clearly in the rough, gutteral launguage of the trolls.]]
JUDE: -if they can hear this person... then maybe they can hear them?-
JUDE: ... -alright, he's not taking any chances with alternian either. THE PISTOLS ARE OUT. them harley boys...-
JUDE: -and with that, he calls- who's there? -comes out way wimpier than he would've wanted. shit.-
???: =there's muttering in Alternian like the figure is speaking to someone, then...= whos asking?
JUDE: I'm not just going to tell you that
JUDE: I'll throw another cookie
???: based on your logic, then why should i give hint to my identity?
???: can you throw it higher this time?
JAMISON: Would a good ol blunderbusing encourage you possibili-fiend? =Hello he still has it=
???: youre threatening me at gunpoint now? where is your hospitality? ???2: =a happy, muffled BOOF is heard, and a second figure joined the first, four-legged and coming up to the other's waist.=
JAMISON: !!!!! (A dog....surely then they could only be friendly...)
PENNY: new phone HOO DIS.
JANE: -approaches the gate- Hello? This is Jane.
JANE: Please disregard my salty companions.
JAMISON: =Lowers gun he doesn't want to shoot Jane OR the dog. He inches closer with fists READY=
???: this is dog =gestures to the Figure 2, patting it on the head= im johnny knoxville
JUDE: -A WISENHEIMER EH???-
JUDE: well this isn't jackass
JAMISON: What if I were to... put my gun down. And see this "dog" of yours.
JUDE: -father, please...-
JANE: IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU.
JANE: PLEASE ALSO DISREGARD THE THING ABOUT THE GUN.
JANE: Jamison would you PLEASE NOT.
???: how do i know you wont shoot my dog with your gun???
JAMISON: =OFFENDED SPUTTERING= I- WHA- I- !!!!
JAMISON: I WOULD NEVER!!!!
JANE: THIS IS JAMISON AND JUDE AND ALSO PENNY. HELLO.
???: thats what they all say
JANE: THEY ARE NOT AS RUDE AS THEY SOUND.
???: =silence. utter silence=
JAMISON: WHO'S THIS THEY?? I'LL GIVE THEM A GOOD WHAT-FOR WITH MY OWN MEATY MAN MITTS!!!!
JANE: DEFINITELY NOT THAT RUDE.
???: =still not responding=
JAMISON: OH I'LL BE RUDE ALRIGHT!! >:O
JUDE: -that's a really weird response... a really, really weird response-
JUDE: are you saying you know who we are?
???: ...maybe???: =for the first time since they began speaking, the voice sounds uncertain=
DOG: =there is a soft whine and the big fluff nudges the figure's hand, and begins trotting closer to the doorway. However, the dog is stopped by the hand on the collar holding him back.=
???: maybe not the right ones
JAMISON: =holds his hands out.... gimme.... the dog=
JAMISON: We certainly aren't this "they" you mentioned!
JUDE: -there's a moment of recognition. her voice, the silhouette of her with the shaggy dog... but it couldn't be, could it? anyone would know their names. it doesn't... it doesn't mean anything... but he can't help to be curious.-
JUDE: yeah, uh... what do you mean by... the right ones?
???: =there is hesitation, and for a moment, the figure looks ready to bolt.=
???: ive been trying to get back home to my family
???: but every time i go through one of these doors, i dont like what i find on the other side???: i want the version i left
JAMISON: How many gosh darned doors are they? =He's a little less focused on the dog now... furrowing his eyebrows at this figure=
JUDE: what did you leave?
JANE: -glancing between all these guys like... wtf-
PENNY: -posing on her side on the floor at this point-
???: a presumed dead father, mother, aunt...brother
???: i shouldnt be telling you this
???: i dont why im still talking, frankly
???: is it just the four of you?
JAMISON: .....Huh.... Yes. Yes? Yes.
???: =there is a small sigh. It isn't one of relief - if Jane and Jamison had answered 'no,' it would have been easier, she felt, on all of them.=
???: ......jude? =she sounds hesitant addressing him= did something happen? bout ten years ago?
JUDE: -breath catches when he's called to and he's taken a bit by surprise by the question, but at the same time... it looks like his quick theories were already coming together.- that...
JUDE: ... -he's slight for a good long moment. there's only one way to answer that question where he'd feel secure in doing so, but it wouldn't make much sense to anyone there. though hopefully it would to one person. he mumbles.-
JUDE: you have seen this before
???: =silence again, then the figure is swearing under her breath. Even as she says the next few words, she has already let go of the dog's collar, and both are moving quickly toward the doorway=
???: i would never lie! i willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation.
TESSERACT: =The dog comes through first, barreling into the room and full on tackling the closest person to unfortunately stand in his path. They are greeted with deep BOOFs! and slobbery kisses.=
JOEY: =she runs in shortly after, all but ripping off the horns on her head and trying to rub grey paint from her face with her sleeve.=
JANE: -OOF. HELP SHE IS COVERED IN DOG.-
PENNY: whoaaa what the fu--
JAMISON: !!!! =He... knows this dog??!?= TESSIE! Tessie???? TESSIE!???!?! :'D
JUDE: -sorry, he's too busy standing there uselessly and staring at his sister in disbelief.- j.... joey? is it
JUDE: I mean I know it has to be but-- I...
PENNY: -finds a camera to stare into.-
JAMISON: =wAit what??? He.... Looks up and just.... Immediately tears up= Lil Jojo??? =WHAT IS THIS? WHAT=
TESSERACT: =After giving Jane a thorough bath, his ears perked at the sound of his name! They know him and that makes him glad.= BOOF!! =runs in circles around Jamison. He's so excited, his tail AND his entire back end is wagging.=
JOEY: =She's laughing, she's crying, she's leaping into the air and throwing her arms around her brother's neck.=
JOEY: jude!! i thought they-- =who cares what she thought they did, the fact was that they didnt, and Jude was here and alive!=
JOEY: =glancing up at the sound of her nickname, her face drew in one of recognition.= Dad??
JANE: -The cowlick she has right now is ridiculous. She just sits up, looking way unamused.-
JAMISON: =Here come the feelies part 2 he's definitely crying??? Hoists the dog and also Joey and Jude and just. SQUEEZES IN HIS WEEPY MANLY EMBRACE=
PENNY: -that's a strong old man...-
JUDE: -holy cow. this is... this is almost the whole family. there was so little hope of seeing them all again and yet... here they all were together. it's an emotional time, alright?? tears are being squeezed out of him.-
JOEY: =she's kissing her dad's cheek and just smooshing her entire face against Jude's, putting her arms around her family and hugging them tightly=
JOEY: jude never stopped telling me you were alive. he always knew he was going to find you. and he did!! look, jude! you did!
JAMISON: Hoshes bagoshes look at you two! My sweet little fighters in all sorts of shenaniganry!! =hes so proud him weep a lot just, SQUEEZES THEM AGAIN then sets down=
PENNY: -aww.. this is really sweet... and yet she feels kind of sad and maybe even a little frustrated watching it unfold.-
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