Drunk enough is never drunk enough

Your name is PERNICIOUS INNOVATOR. You are a member of the TWILIGHT SCOUNDRELS, and quite possibly THE SMARTEST PERSON IN METROPOLIS CENTRAL. You are BRILLIANT, SPACEY, as well as INCREDIBLY UNSTABLE. You enjoy CATS, TEA, and DEADEYE DETECTIVE. You hate...

[nefariousbelladonna]

Divining Intervention

[nefariousbelladonna]

pernicious-innovator:

“I’m in trouble, yes. I’m handling it.” They… think they’re winning, anyway? They have Abatu on the run, losing the argument. The contract is bending. Breaking. But once it does…. “Actually… I need your help.”

“…Bawd, I’m… I need you to get me out of here. I won’t be able to leave on my own, once I’ve done what I need to.” No patron means no magic, no magic means no control in this plane. No control means no escape. 

There’s a long pause after that, as Bawd considers why they’ll need her help. This sounds like they’re going to do something dumb, maybe. Why is this always a thing. 

“Inny, what exactly is it you’re planning to do? Ill need to know, to have a proper plan to get you out.” She doesn’t bother asking why they won’t be able to get themselves out on their own. Mostly because, well, she isn’t really considering that Innovator is trying to break their contract. That just doesn’t even ping as a possibility on her end. A mistake, sure, but…

[pernicious-innovator]

… They don’t want to tell her. More than anything, Inny doesn’t want people to know they’ll be coming back weaker than ever. They don’t want that information out there… So, of course, they have to lie.

“…My magic will be… suppressed, in a way. I won’t be able to drag myself out. I’m… in talks, I suppose. With my patron.” That’s as specific as they’re willing to get at the moment, or possibly ever.

[nefariousbelladonna]

She doesn’t believe them for an instant but she knows by now that pushing won’t get any answers. She’s just going to have to take them at their word…for now. 

“Alright. How will I know when you’re ready to come back? Will you contact me in some way, or do you already know the timing?” She’s going to have to make notes of this once she comes out of this trance. “…I’m glad you’re alright. I was worried.” 

[pernicious-innovator]

“Don’t bother worrying. This had to happen.” One way or another. The other option would leave them dead... this simply MIGHT leave them dead. “I’ll contact you. I should be able to reach out to you, since you’re still connected this realm and I’m currently residing in it, magic or no.”

That’s... the theory, anyway. Inny loved science and experiments and testing their theories but... this was risky, even for them. An eternity in the Furthest Ring did not sound appealing.

[nefariousbelladonna]

Divining Intervention

[nefariousbelladonna]

pernicious-innovator:

“I’m in trouble, yes. I’m handling it.” They… think they’re winning, anyway? They have Abatu on the run, losing the argument. The contract is bending. Breaking. But once it does…. “Actually… I need your help.”

“…Bawd, I’m… I need you to get me out of here. I won’t be able to leave on my own, once I’ve done what I need to.” No patron means no magic, no magic means no control in this plane. No control means no escape. 

There’s a long pause after that, as Bawd considers why they’ll need her help. This sounds like they’re going to do something dumb, maybe. Why is this always a thing. 

“Inny, what exactly is it you’re planning to do? Ill need to know, to have a proper plan to get you out.” She doesn’t bother asking why they won’t be able to get themselves out on their own. Mostly because, well, she isn’t really considering that Innovator is trying to break their contract. That just doesn’t even ping as a possibility on her end. A mistake, sure, but…

[pernicious-innovator]

... They don’t want to tell her. More than anything, Inny doesn’t want people to know they’ll be coming back weaker than ever. They don’t want that information out there... So, of course, they have to lie.

“...My magic will be... suppressed, in a way. I won’t be able to drag myself out. I’m... in talks, I suppose. With my patron.” That’s as specific as they’re willing to get at the moment, or possibly ever.

[nefariousbelladonna]

Divining Intervention

[nefariousbelladonna]

pernicious-innovator:

Innovator is in an… interesting position. The Furthest Ring isn’t the most hospitable place for mortals, even for someone has monstrous as Innovator is at this point. But this has to be done.

When Innovator was just a child, not old enough to fill any roll or survive on their own, their caretaker and mentor tried to kill them.

In their panic, in their desperation to get away, they heard a voice whisper in their mind in a language they shouldn’t have been able to understand. It offered help. It offered power. It promised to keep them safe.

That last promise is the loophole Innovator is now trying to exploit. Perhaps Abatu kept up its end of the bargain in the way it meant at the time, but it never intended to keep Innovator safe from itself. Not that Horror Terrors care much for mortal loopholes, but Innovator knows how delicate magical contracts can be if one simply leans on the right places. If they can press this matter enough…

When Innovator was just a child, not old enough to survive on their own, the only person they had to depend on tried to kill them. Since then, their supposed “savior” has been plaguing them day and night, making them sick, making them hurt, making them lash out. Horrible nightmares, horrible things said to those they love, horrible things done and not remembered…

It’s time for this to end.

In the turmoil of shadow, ink, and deafening curses in unholy, forgotten languages, something reaches in from the mortal realm. Ugh, who could possibly be calling them? The long-distance charges for the Furthest Ring must be horrendous.

And of course, it’s Bawd.

“Have I been gone that long, you’d try to reach me like this?” They have no real voice here, no real form. They are nothing but a concept, and that concept is thankfully able to respond to the spell.

That’s super not the reaction she was expecting. A lot more panic or desperation was to be expected from someone that’s been in a not-mortal plane for as long as they have, but that’s not what she’s getting from this at all. They just seem slightly annoyed, like they’ve gotten a phone call in the middle of an important meeting. 

“Well…Yes, actually. When I tried to find you, all of your cats were gone. That’s cause enough to worry on its own, with you.” The way she says it is clearly not meant to sound like a joke. “What’s going on? I thought you might be in trouble, but your tone tells a different story.” 

Honestly if she’s done all this for no emergency reason, she’s going to be equal parts amused and annoyed. 

[pernicious-innovator]

“I’m in trouble, yes. I’m handling it.” They... think they’re winning, anyway? They have Abatu on the run, losing the argument. The contract is bending. Breaking. But once it does.... “Actually... I need your help.”

“...Bawd, I’m... I need you to get me out of here. I won’t be able to leave on my own, once I’ve done what I need to.” No patron means no magic, no magic means no control in this plane. No control means no escape. 

[nefariousbelladonna]

Divining Intervention

It’s been a long time coming, but Bawd feels as though she’s finally hit enough of her research points to be able to properly get some answers. One would think that, by the very nature of research, she would have already gotten some. Normally, of course, that would be the case. But when it comes to magic, the first round of research is hardly ever the last one.

She’s spread out her books and notes onto her living room floor, drawn a large circle three times over, and given all of her cats to close friends so they won’t be caught in any accidental crossfire. She’s ready.

It’s time to find out what’s happened to Innovator.

Normally, them disappearing isn’t exactly unusual. What is, however, is when Bawd finally went to try and find them and came up completely empty. Their main home was covered in more dust than they usually have, and there was not a single cat in sight. It’s the latter, of course, that really makes her nervous. Innovator isn’t known for letting cats go hungry or not asking someone to take care of them when they disappear for a while.

So she has to do this divining ritual, to make sure that they haven’t gotten into any real trouble.

[pernicious-innovator]

Innovator is in an... interesting position. The Furthest Ring isn’t the most hospitable place for mortals, even for someone has monstrous as Innovator is at this point. But this has to be done.

When Innovator was just a child, not old enough to fill any roll or survive on their own, their caretaker and mentor tried to kill them.

In their panic, in their desperation to get away, they heard a voice whisper in their mind in a language they shouldn’t have been able to understand. It offered help. It offered power. It promised to keep them safe.

That last promise is the loophole Innovator is now trying to exploit. Perhaps Abatu kept up its end of the bargain in the way it meant at the time, but it never intended to keep Innovator safe from itself. Not that Horror Terrors care much for mortal loopholes, but Innovator knows how delicate magical contracts can be if one simply leans on the right places. If they can press this matter enough...

When Innovator was just a child, not old enough to survive on their own, the only person they had to depend on tried to kill them. Since then, their supposed “savior” has been plaguing them day and night, making them sick, making them hurt, making them lash out. Horrible nightmares, horrible things said to those they love, horrible things done and not remembered...

It’s time for this to end.

In the turmoil of shadow, ink, and deafening curses in unholy, forgotten languages, something reaches in from the mortal realm. Ugh, who could possibly be calling them? The long-distance charges for the Furthest Ring must be horrendous.

And of course, it’s Bawd.

“Have I been gone that long, you’d try to reach me like this?” They have no real voice here, no real form. They are nothing but a concept, and that concept is thankfully able to respond to the spell.

[yoursummerdreamz]

[yoursummerdreamz]

[yoursummerdreamz]

[yoursummerdreamz]

[nefariousbelladonna]

Gossip Folks

[pernicious-innovator]

The idea makes Innovator giggle, clearly also amused by the idea.

“There’s also the fact that… Well, a doomsday device… if it’s functional, it could give the Scoundrel’s quite a bit of leverage. Not that we need it at this point, but… insurance.” Yes, this is for fun, but you’re not sure your mind is capable of not coming up with the most devious plans and reactions for just about anything and everything you are involved in.

[nefariousbelladonna]

“A what?” 

Bawd looks at the newspaper, and then blinks widely. She hadn’t even noticed that part of the article. Perhaps she’d been a bit too distracted by the rest of the article, and of the picture, and of her eagerness to show it to them. 

“Oh, well yeah that didn’t even come to mind when I was thinking about this. Though, I’ve seen some troll doomsday stuff, so you should…probably disarm it until we have use for it. I believe they tend to have something of a hair trigger, and that’s way too dangerous.” 

[pernicious-innovator]

“Troll technology is always touch and go, for some reason or another.” Innovator has theories, but they are not the matter of discussion at the moment. “I believe I can disarm it, though I won’t know until I get my hands on it. I’ve studied troll technology extensively, but with weapons you can never make assumptions...”

He’s starting to babble. Ramble excitedly, hands wringing in anticipation rather than anxiety. It’s been so long since his brain’s been put to any good use.

[yoursummerdreamz]

[pernicious-innovator]

@twilit-treaties [Are you this futures Salvager? I am sorry, just... your tiny photograph... you look like him?]

[pernicious-innovator]

Nnn?

[nefariousbelladonna]

Gossip Folks

[pernicious-innovator]

In his spare time, Innovator sometimes likes to plan out heists and predict how they’ll go, but it’s only something he does for fun, and the nostalgia of it. He chews on what Bawd said for a moment, humming in thought and pouring the tea when it’s done.

“It would. But would it be the most fun?” He sighs wistfully, but knows they shouldn’t cause too much mayhem. When the tea is poured and set on a tray, he brings it over and sets the tray down on the table, away from everything else, and takes his cup.

He sips it for a moment, scanning the map, and eventually nods in approval.

“Seems simple enough.”

[nefariousbelladonna]

She takes the tea from them and smiles as she drinks it. Inny’s tea is the best there is, there’s simply no replacement. Planning with them is also the best thing, and she’s surprised at just how much she’s really missed it. 

“It might not be the most difficult job, but hey, the fun is in being able to show off the giant cat statue. And making the museum people completely freak out, of course. Plus we can always leave a cute drawing of a cat in place of it.” 

The idea actually tickles you pink. You don’t think either you or Innovator are top notch artists, so a poorly drawn cat in place of a beautiful statue appeals to you, in every way possible. 

[pernicious-innovator]

The idea makes Innovator giggle, clearly also amused by the idea.

“There’s also the fact that... Well, a doomsday device... if it’s functional, it could give the Scoundrel’s quite a bit of leverage. Not that we need it at this point, but... insurance.” Yes, this is for fun, but you’re not sure your mind is capable of not coming up with the most devious plans and reactions for just about anything and everything you are involved in.

[rosallorart]

Privilege

[pernicious-innovator]

The sheer amount that Innovator perks up when Droog approves of his gift is almost a little sad. 

“I’m glad you like them.” He kisses Droog gently on the forehead, and takes his hand after a moment of hesitance when he pulls back. “Is there anything else you’d like? I could make you tea if you’d like something warm?” He doesn’t know if it’s the same for Droog, but whenever he uses his magic his temperature drops below freezing.

Innovator’s fussing isn’t anything big or dramatic. It’s little things. Little touches. A light touch, a gentle kiss, running his thumb along the back of someones hand as he holds it. He has more than enough experience being miserable to know how much the little things can make a difference.

[rosallorart]

“Of course I like them,” he says. “I like the red ones, as well.” He won’t say he dosn’t like the black ones. Black licorice is fine, but he highly prefers the red.He gets the feeling that Detective, his double, must have a fondess to the original flavor. He holds Innovator’s hand lightly, appreciating the contact. “Some tea would be nice,” he admits. He doesn’t feel particularly cold, but maybe he does and he just don’t know it. 

He drinks in the attention, though. He tries to keep eye contact with Innovator, just telling them “’m here, I’m listening to you, I want you to talk to me” with his eyes. Take care of Droog. Pity him. He was hurt, and weak, and sometimes, you need someone. “If you go to make some, just return soon.”

[pernicious-innovator]

Innovator was all too happy to comply, both to his words and the look in his eye. He pressed a gentle kiss to Droog’s cheek, then the back of his hand, and gave him a small smile before getting up.

“I will. Right away, I promise. I just need to put water on the stove to boil and I’ll be right back.” Another kiss, to his forehead this time, and then he hurried to the kitchen, going as quickly as he dared. The motions of making tea were familiar to him, but he didn’t want to risk breaking anything of Droog’s.

Soon enough, the water was on the stove, and Inny was back at the carapace’s side.

“It won’t be long now.” He placed a gentle hand on his cheek, both as a gesture of affection and to see if he could detect any abnormalities in temperature. His hand slid down to Droog’s shoulder, firm but not tight, something to ground and anchor but not hurt. 

[pernicious-innovator]

Serious Discussions

[sixoclockandtimetodie]

You hear them enter the room. You can feel their presence in the room, the presence of another living person and it makes your skin prickle. You know it’s them. You know it’s them and you keep telling yourself that, over and over in your head, but it doesn’t do much to stop the panic. It’s close enough to before. You’re cold, naked, wet, and there’s someone standing behind you. You close your eyes and you dig your nails into the rough concrete between the tiles until it hurts. You wouldn’t be surprised if there’s blood on the wall when you pull away, but it works. It gives you something to focus on. You’re so vulnerable like this and you’re so, so aware of this fact.  They drape a towel over you and it’s as gentle as you could want, but right now it doesn’t matter. Right now you all you feel is something touching you and that’s it. Your body was shaking, so tense, like a bow pulled too tight, straining under the pressure. Next thing you know you’re on the floor. Your legs had turned completely to jelly and you were curled up on the floor, shivering. Innovator is standing over you. You can see them. Your eyes can see their face, your ears can hear your voice, but your brain is having a hard time putting any meaning to them. It is comforting, though. You can tell that they’re not the man, the nightmare, the monster. Their voice is low and steady and soothing, and eventually, it starts making sense. Your hands are shaking, your arms feel like they’re moving through molasses. But you manage to reach up and touch the side of their face. Cold, smooth grey skin. Your face splits into a slow, shaky, but genuine smile. “I did it, Inny.”

[pernicious-innovator]

God. Who, pray tell, does this remind you of? You wonder if this is how you looked, back then.

You go to the floor with him quickly, not wanting to loom over him and make things worse. You keep talking evenly, make sure he doesn’t hit his head when he goes down, and eventually he reaches out to you. You put your hand over his on your face, and you meet his shaky smile with one of your own.

“You did.” The pride in your voice isn’t faked. You’re so proud of your friend, in that moment. “You did it, and you did well. You saw it through.” You give his hand a gentle squeeze, try to ground him. “The first step is always the hardest.” You’re practically whispering, feeling like your voice is an echoing boom despite your low volume. “May I help you up?”

You won’t do anything without his permission.

[nefariousbelladonna]

Gossip Folks

[pernicious-innovator]

“Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to.” Innovator says this lightly, and takes the paper when offered, looking it over with a small smile. “Hm… us having to lay low recently may actually work in our favour. They won’t be expecting us, whereas there was once a time anything involving cats would have extra guard because of us.” Honestly, he misses the challenge.

“I’ve been meaning to adopt another cat, anyway.” A little joke, and Innovator giggles almost giddily.

[nefariousbelladonna]

“That’s what I’m thinking.” She smiles and sits down, fully getting into it. It’s been such a long time since they’ve been able to plan together, let alone since they actually put a plan into action. She has quite a few idle heist ideas lying around her home but nothing that’s come to fruition.

“I’ve noticed that after their busiest days, Friday and Saturday, security gets more and more lax as they get closer to getting off of work. Probably because they’re eager to get home. I think that going on those days might be easiest.”

She also takes out a museum flyer and spreads it out on the table, just for the map. The cat’s exhibit is already circled.

[pernicious-innovator]

In his spare time, Innovator sometimes likes to plan out heists and predict how they’ll go, but it’s only something he does for fun, and the nostalgia of it. He chews on what Bawd said for a moment, humming in thought and pouring the tea when it’s done.

“It would. But would it be the most fun?” He sighs wistfully, but knows they shouldn’t cause too much mayhem. When the tea is poured and set on a tray, he brings it over and sets the tray down on the table, away from everything else, and takes his cup.

He sips it for a moment, scanning the map, and eventually nods in approval.

“Seems simple enough.”

[pernicious-innovator]

[Is there anybody here that can speak Alternian or Dersite? I know a little bit of Prospitian as well.]

[I think I have been displaced through magical means.]

[heaviest-brawler-deactivated202]

[I know Prospitian] [I’m guessing you got mixed up in time just like everyone else] [Do you remember who you were?]

[pernicious-innovator]

[Don’t know much Prospitan. Little bit. Better at writing than speaking.]

[I am Interloper. Or. I was. In the desert.]

[Need a new name.]

[heaviest-brawler-deactivated202]

[Your name is Inny, at least thats what I call you.] [I assume you’re in your apartment. Don’t be scared.]

[pernicious-innovator]

[Inny? Cute. But no meaning.]

[What do I do?]