#adiostauromachy

[gulescamisade]

MN, Ground:  Day 22, Concert Broadcast

DIRK: -tonight is the night of the concert... but he's been stuck in bed, having run out of mindless tasks to occupy himself with. somebody can probably roll him to the living room later... for now, he turns the pendant around between his fingers over and over while staring up at the ceiling.-

RUFIOH: -large wing swoops by the window. Somebody's taking a flight outside, it looks like.-

KANKRI: -Is he leaving forever?-

DIRK: -stares out the window then. look at him go.-

RUFIOH: -lands in some tree and kicks back. Casually lighting himself some nip... before raising it to acknowledge that he DOES see Dirk.-

DIRK: .... -looks back up at the ceiling for a second, then crawls out of bed to open up the window and peep at rufioh-

DIRK: Hey.

RUFIOH: -takes his time with the hit before breathing out.- sup, man... long t1me, no see.

DIRK: No joke. I was expecting it to be longer.

DIRK: How did you even get here?

RUFIOH: mm.

RUFIOH: 1t's got to do w1th mak1ng we1rd acqua1ntances on avalon... and some portal hopp1ng? that sh1t was pretty scary...

RUFIOH: but next th1ng 1 knew, 1 was on the sh1p. and then breach1ng the atmosphere on one of those... emergency pods...

RUFIOH: flew the rest of the way. fast, h1gh, qu1et to myself so nobody saw me.

RUFIOH: met up w1th the folks 1n earth canada... now 1'm here.

DIRK: -raises brows- Damn. You've had one hell of a journey.

DIRK: It's good to see you again. Just a shame it has to be under these conditions. -leans a little heavily on the window frame-

RUFIOH: yeah... -eyeballs him a lil, flicking the cig.- some scar that's gonna be.

DIRK: -grunts- Pretty cool, huh? -barely even trying to sound like he believes that-

RUFIOH: looks pa1nful. -rises to stand on the branch again.- wanna hang?

DIRK: -pauses for a second. he wasn't really expecting to be asked that.- Uh... -but he wants to lay in bed all day???-

DIRK: Yeah. Sure.

RUFIOH: -gestures for him to follow and then flaps all the way up to the lake house roof. Bird perch.-

ARADIA: -standing in the doorway of the room dirk is in. like a normal person does for long periods of time-

DIRK: -he definitely doesn't have the energy to scale the house right now.... THOUGH HE IS FULLY CAPABLE... anyway, he turns so he can make his way to the stairs that lead to the roof's terrace, only to see aradia.-

DIRK: -JUMPS- Shit-- How long have you been standing there?

ARADIA: a while

DIRK: -makes a face-

DIRK: Well, I'm heading up to the roof to hang out with Rufioh. You wanna join? -starts shuffling around her-

ARADIA: -lets him shuffle around her without moving out of the way before turning to follow him- okay

DIRK: -geez, aradia... well, there he goes, ascending to the floor and looking around for rufioh-

RUFIOH: -just sitting up there, cross-legged and having himself a smoke. It just so happens that it's also been a while since Rufioh saw Aradia around. He eyes her, surprised but also not surprised to see her.- sup meg1do.... been a wh1le.

ARADIA: -follows behind dirk and smiles at rufioh, waving- ill say

ARADIA: its about time you got here :D

RUFIOH: 1 was tak1ng 1t easy, 1 guess... but not too easy. -Join him. Sit with him.- 1 have a wr1ggler.

TAVROS & GAMZEE: =They are a ways from the safehouse people are in, in apparent conversation. Tavros' shoulders are slouched, head turned away from the other troll while they talk. Gamzee stands taller, and is using his hands while he speaks. Sometimes Tavros looks back at him, at the hands, fidgets, and looks away. Gamzee's body language seemingly growing more frustrated, hands waving a bit in the air while struggling on what to say. Then placing a finger to his own temple. It makes Tavros look back at him, and they both stand still. More fidgeting from Tavros, and he rubs the back of his neck. Whatever they are talking about don't seem particularly comfortable for either party.=

RUFIOH: -peeks from the roof... concerned.- }:(

DIRK: -glances over at them as well, brows furrowed, but takes a seat with rufioh for now.- You do?

ARADIA: -she plops down next to rufioh- tell me everything

RUFIOH: oh yeah... he's th1s egg 1 found when a y1pbeast tr1ed gett1ng away w1th 1t for lunch... 1 guess from the hatch1ng caverns on avalon.

RUFIOH: d1dn't know what else to do w1th h1m except... keep h1m unt1l he hatched? 1 d1dn't th1nk he would anyway.

RUFIOH: now he's just k1nd of... eat1ng everyth1ng 1n s1ght, haha.

RUFIOH: h1s name 1s em1let... l1l egg bro. }:)

ARADIA: thats great! where is he now

ARADIA: on the ship?

TAVROS & GAMZEE: =Tavros' mouth is moving, and whatever he is saying is making Gamzee's hands drag down his face. Drags, then a rub, and he shakes his head. He waves his hands around again, and Tavros' shoulders grow tense. The bull troll makes a vauge handgesture to all of Gamzee, then inclines his head to the side before shaking it. A brief laughter, uncomfortable and uncertain. Gamzee lets out a frustrated noise followed by a loud "ain't you a fucking doctor or no?" that sounds both angry and confused. He's turning away and motions to move, but Tavros grabs his shoulder before he can. There's silence again, then Tavros speaking with his head ducked. Gamzee still appears stressed, hands in tight fists, but then easing.=

RUFIOH: yeah, he's... safe. -eyes this conversation with more concern.- }:((

ARADIA: -also watches in front of them. that looks about right- im glad you could join us

DIRK: ...

DIRK: -glances at rufioh- Do you know what's up with all that? -gestures to tavros and gamzee talking-

RUFIOH: -looks off, avoiding his eye. Dragging the cig more.- not sure...

TAVROS & GAMZEE: =They're standing close, Tavros doing most of the talking by the looks of it. No doubt rambling by the way his mouth moves. The hand holding Gamzee's shoulder is gradually tightening until Gamzee has placed his on top of it, gently prying it off. He pats it, and Tavros withdraws his hand. Gamzee watches him while Tavros avoids his eye, looking down and shrugging. The capricorn rubs one eye with his palm as they both continue to stand there in silence, then reaches out to unfittingly give Tavros a playful shove to the shoulder. It makes Tavros take a step back, surprised, but he's looking up again. Gamzee says something, Tavros lets out a faint laugh, but at least it has a twinge of humor to it even if it's half hearted. He says something back, taking a step to return the shove, then the two of them walk further away from the house together.=

MEULIN: -She's watching this herself from inside, tail swishing contemplatively. She should talk to Gamzee later...-

ARADIA: -it's always a relief to be completely sure that they're in the right place, and even little things like this are enough evidence. she watches them walk off, her wings fluttering while she sits- guessing in order to fill in the blanks sometimes feels better than just not knowing

ARADIA: but it can also be completely wrong and steer you away from your original purpose -aradia tf you talking about-

DIRK: -watches them walk away, relieved they seem to have worked out whatever was going on with them, before looking at aradia.- ...

DIRK: I see.

RUFIOH: -side eyes her before frowning.- ...

RUFIOH: 1'd rather not... be left to f1ll the gaps. but that's just me.

ARADIA: i think most people feel that way

DIRK: -goes quiet after that. unfortunately, he's got too many unfilled blanks in his thoughts right now, and his mind can't help but guess. he just wishes it did make him feel better.-

RUFIOH: -passes dirk the blunt. He feels him thinking.-

DIRK: -hey, maybe that will make him feel better.- Thanks.

DIRK: -accepts it and takes a hit, staring off at the landscape.-

ARADIA: theres something about earth that feels worth saving

ARADIA: and i dont know what makes the distinction

DIRK: -stares at her- Was that ever a question?

ARADIA: -shakes her head- ARADIA: i mean that theres something

ARADIA: special about it

ROSE: -She's down in the lower floor, having set up some kind of large whiteboard with some dry-erase markers. Some kind of chart, at a glance, though no one's going to see the details til later, when they come back down.-

RUFIOH: what k1nd of spec1al? 1 mean... -brings his knees up to rest his chin on.-

RUFIOH: 1f you're go1ng out of your way to ment1on 1t... the spec1alness.

RUFIOH: compared to every other place people have tr1ed sav1ng.

ARADIA: thats what im wondering

ARADIA: it seems to have something the other planets dont

ARADIA: given the extent of the conquest

RUFIOH: not sure 1f that makes me feel better... -sighs-

ARADIA: -looks over at rufioh- doesnt have to

ARADIA: i just notice it you know?

RUFIOH: yeah... 1 know.

ARADIA: -softens her expression and just lightly touches his arm, silent.-

RUFIOH: -rumble rumble chirrs. A comforting sound.-

DIRK: -he has some ideas, but he already feels like enough of a downer, so he just glances off, exhaling smoke.-

ARADIA: -chirrs softly in response, only momentarily, hand still on his arm. sadness. pain. it's all inevitable at one point or another. but she will gladly sit with both of them for as long as they feel alone. now, she watches dirk-

DIRK: -the gaze seems to pressure him to speak and he huffs, passing the blunt back to rufioh.-

DIRK: I don't think special is the right word to describe Earth's role in all this.

DIRK: It implies there's some big cosmic scheme, putting this planet at the center of some kind of turning point in this war.

DIRK: But here's what makes it different from Beforus and Europa -- The Condesce already had control of it.

DIRK: Both of those planets were once a part of the Empire, or founded by former Alternians. Which means they seperated from the Condesce's regime, and at no point was she able to dig her claws into their government.

DIRK: She destroyed them to teach them a lesson. That they should've taken her side a long time ago.

DIRK: -sighs- Earth and humankind thought they had the upperhand after the War of Alternian Repression, but I wouldn't be fucking surprised if the empress "disappearing" was all just a ploy for her to give them a false sense of security, lure them into forming T.U.M.U.T. and then using her connections to Skaianet and Crocker Corp. to hallow Earth out from the inside while fucking up as much of the galaxy as possible through stooges like us who actually believed we were repairing the damages she had done.

ARADIA: youve thought this over a lot

ARADIA: youre doubting yourself again

DIRK: Doubting what? Those are just the facts. -seems irritated now...-

ARADIA: through stooges like us who actually believed we were repairing the damages she had done

ARADIA: what you said was full of facts and truth but thats what im talking about

MEULIN: -She's leaning out the window below them, just reading what's on her glasses. She doesn't want to climb up and interrupt... but listening is something she can do. Maybe it's mostly all she ever does. It's hard to have the power to help. Maybe that's what Dirk means, too.-

MEULIN: -She leans on the sill and sighs. She keeps telling herself that it doesn't matter how she feels, that she's here for everyone regardless... but being here isn't enough, either, and maybe it does matter how she feels. It matters enough to get in the way, after all.-

DIRK: I hate to break it to you, but that's as factual as anything else I said.

DIRK: We were used and we've been floundering to get back on our feet since then. Even with all this divine fucking intervention, we're as useless as we ever were. I shouldn't have believed there was any point in fighting.

DIRK: -he immediately regrets the words coming out of his mouth, if only because he doesn't want anyone to know he's thinking these things. he definitely doesn't want anyone to feel that way, too, so he gets up quickly so he can make his way back into the house.-

DIRK: ... Forget I said that.

ARADIA: -she's still trying to do her job, trying to keep them on track, but something in what he says stirs something that makes her eyes water even though she doesn't look sad in the slightest-

RUFIOH: -looks between Dirk and Aradia... not saying anything. He's not especially good at these things in the moment. Hell. He's notorious for making bad decisions on the subject if left to his own devices.-

RUFIOH: -but he does hold Aradia's hand. Just wordless about it.-

---

DIRK: -there he goes, DESCENDING THE STAIRS. he's upset, but instead of retreating back to his room, he paces through the house until he happens upon rose's white board.-

ROSE: -She seems to be sorting out members of the crew based on injury and ability...-

ROSE: -maybe not necessarily the BEST source of inspiration for a cause here-

ARADIA: -it's confusing sometimes, when she thinks she's entirely positive and certain of the route they take only to be reminded of all of the bad routes, the wrong ones. it's hard to remember. it's hard to cycle between feeling numb to it and not numb at all. she's not sure what part is making her feel to this extent, but her fingers intertwine with rufioh's and she tries to ground herself by focusing on the physical connection.-

RUFIOH: -He breathes out. Not knowing what's on her mind exactly... but hoping that even for a minute, reality will make sense if he just holds her hand. As they sit quietly, a breeze comes to ruffle their hair. It's nice.-

DIRK: -just kinda hovers there, reading over everything she has written down. he's awfully overwhelmed, but hey, he's here so he should get involved in the planning probably.-

SOLLUX: -He's inside, in a room on his own. Right now, it's where he wants to be. He doesn't think he can handle the thoughts and feelings of anyone else right now.-

JOEY: =she's downstairs with a mug of coffee in hand and slouching lazily in a chair near the whiteboard as she reads it over, ankles crossed.=

ROSE: -She glances at Dirk as he arrives.-

ROSE: Hello.

ROSE: I didn't want to sit around too long.

ROSE: I'm growing restless.

ROSE: I think this might be useful.

ROSE: At least. I know not everyone is in a strong enough condition to fight, when it comes down to it.

[[Out of nowhere, a wrapped sandwich hurtles from the minifridge and slaps Sollux on the side of his head. A water bottle also falls from the counter, rolling across the floor until it came to a stop at his foot.]]

ROSE: -She pays the sandwich NO MIND.- ROSE: Most of the crew presently stranded in Alaska-- though I believe they're on the move-- we are going to want to keep away from the action.

ROSE: We lost two up there. They've faced the harshest conditions out of anyone.

ARADIA: -it would be pretty difficult for anyone to guess what's on her mind--it's so complex and vast and endless--but rufioh's right in thinking that any sort of physical sensation is making everything feel that much more real. the breeze does. the sound of his breath. the way her palm feels pressed up against his. tension she didn't know was there in the first place starts to ease-

DIRK: -nods slowly- Right.

ROSE: -TAPS HER WAND AGAINST THE BOARD.-

ROSE: We can probably look them over individually when they arrive, and I'm certain Dave is going to want to be involved, but we are going to have to hedge our bets.

RUFIOH: -It's as easy as breathing out. When he catches her eye again, he manages a lopsided smile.-

RUFIOH: -ruffles her hair with his hand now.- heh.

ROSE: -She takes a deep breath..-

ROSE: My implants burned out and I'm not going to be able to do much of anything with my abilities in a fight. Everyone else here in our group is in decent enough health, though.

ROSE: Physically speaking.

ARADIA: -she gently laughs and uses her free hand to wipe away the tears on her cheeks- sorry ARADIA: not sure what happened there

RUFIOH: someth1ng crazy... but uh...

RUFIOH: 1mportant, 1 th1nk. 1t's 1mportant to talk about th1s sh1t... even 1f 1t's bad.

RUFIOH: to try... and a1r 1t out so 1t doesn't st1nk up your th1nkpan.

DIRK: -rolls his shoulders and finds a chair to pull over, taking a seat next to joey.- In case I forgot to mention, we're kinda holding an officer of the Alternian army hostage here.

DIRK: Her name is Lucana. She might be able to help us with infiltration or... something.

ROSE: Good to know.

ROSE: For what it's worth, of course. She's probably not anyone important—

ROSE: -pauses to glance at him.-

ROSE: At least, no one they'd hesitate killing alongside the rest of us if given the opportunity.

ROSE: -She sighs again, going back to the board.-

ROSE: Our two other assumptions are that we're going to have to work a goal within a timeframe.

ROSE: Freeing Jane and Jade. Orchestrating a prison break. If there's time, destroying the entire facility, but that's in the ideal scenario where we're all able-bodied and unobstructed by an army of drones and soldiers.

ARADIA: you think so? ARADIA: even when people wont understand?

ROSE: -She's starting to pace now, a little bit.-

ROSE: They don't know you have her, so... maybe you can use her clearance to get inside and find information.

ROSE: And the rest of us can... fuck, I don't know. Hold out. Until Hal can get the ship back to us, or... something.

DIRK: Sounds solid to me. -its ok, rose, his leg is bouncing and he's wondering why he bothered to sit down.-

JOEY: =Wordlessly turns her cup around and offers it to Dirk.=

ROSE: -nods a little bit...-

ROSE: I, um.

ROSE: Feel like I may be obligated to tell you that Jane offered...

ROSE: ...

ROSE: For me to join her. ROSE: It may be exploitable, tactically. ROSE: At least for the sake of isolating her from the facility.

DIRK: -takes the cup, perfectly timed to sip it at rose with raised brows-

DIRK: She contacted you specifically with an offer to join her?

ROSE: Yes.

JOEY: you didn't decline outright, did you? =tilts her head towards dirk= he's right, we could use something like this, but how do we know that they won't do the same funky headspace thing that happened to jane and jade. =she waved a hand around her head=

JOEY: jane wasnt ever like that in the time that i knew her. they did something to her that made her do all those things, i know it.

ROSE: Yes, I...

ROSE: Suppose.

ROSE: And the answer being, we don't really know that.

ROSE: It's a calculated risk. If they could have done it to more than just her and Jade, then why wouldn't they have?

JOEY: well not everyone is an heiress or has zappy powers

ROSE: Of course not. But there's got to be more to it than that. ROSE: They captured Jake and Roxy, but the two seem to be under their own power. If they're going to use them, why not use them?

ROSE: Unless they can't.

JUDE: -creeps up on this conversation- I can't say for certain about jade

JUDE: but jane? she's always carrying around crocker corp tech... I kept TELLING her to throw it away but of course she didn't

JUDE: -points to his head- the tiara top, specifically... I'm sure it's a mind control device that they could hack into directly and control her

JUDE: who's to say they haven't done that with their prisoners by this point? I'm not sure why they captured them but maybe they're using them for something we just don't know about... something they're doing privately at the facility while jade and jane do the dirty work...

ROSE: Well.

ROSE: I wouldn't doubt that.

ROSE: Even if it's somewhat of a stretch to think that everyone is entirely enthralled.

DIRK: -grunts- She's probably usin' them for their abilities. Roxy can make shit outta nothingness. Jake can pretty much manipulate anything so long as he believes it's true.

DIRK: I figure she just doesn't need the rest of us. That's what makes Jane's proposal so strange to me.

DIRK: It might suggest she still has her own agency despite the mind control, if she wants to recruit folks from our crew. It must not have been in the empress' plan.

SOLLUX: -belated but WTF SANDWICH AND WATER OUTTA NOWHERE.-

SOLLUX: -his head jerks up almost immediately as it plaps him- g0d damn it t—

SOLLUX: ...

ROSE: ...

ROSE: Well, uh.

ROSE: Yes.

ROSE: I think that was definitely a part of it.

JOEY: =just...absorbs all of this before mumbling to herself= (how did my original timeline turn into one with teenage mutant ninja turtles?)

DIRK: - ... 👁️ 👁️-

ROSE: -stop....-

DIRK: -SIPS MORE- Cool.

DIRK: So we get Rose to seduce Jane.

MEULIN: -peeks in at this- OH???

MEULIN: 👁️ 👁️

ROSE: -NO-

ROSE: That.

ROSE: Really won't be necessary.

ROSE: I'm just going to take her up on her offer.

ROSE: And she'll know that something is up, because of a familiarity with me.

ROSE: ...

ROSE: And on account of that, I already know that she knows.

ROSE: Which gives me an advantage.

JOEY: =snickers=

ROSE: And. Is not seduction.

RUFIOH: -also peeking from a window to gaze.- 👁️ 👁️

JOEY: if you decide to go undercover, you might have to do things undercover

JOEY: you know

JOEY: to prove youre one of them

JOEY: =takes her coffee from dirk to sip it before handing it back to him=

ROSE: I think this was the exact reason I didn't want to share this potentially significant information in the first place.

ROSE: No.

DIRK: -😏-

JOEY: no ones gonna judge you, if you were worried

MEULIN: -while they keep talking, she's sniffing around the room... and then lifts open the window if it's not already open-

JOEY: ;)

ROSE: Oh mygod.

MEULIN: -HUP. She jumps out of the window. She's gone.-

ROSE: -looks out the window-

ROSE: -...why.......-

RUFIOH: -Meu why.-

MEULIN: -DONT WORRY. She's just heading for the lake!!-

JOEY: =she looked up from her device and crossed the room, turning on the TV. Glancing down at her phone once more, she flipped to the channel shown. It appears to be a concert.=

DIRK: -YES IT'S TIME-

DIRK: -he was waiting for this-

TYRENA: -She's been scarce for most of the time they've been here... except now, with the TV on. She's still laying flat on the ground but she's listening closely.-

DIRK: -WATCHING TAKODA LIFTED HIS SPIRITS A LITTLE... that and teasing rose earlier. but hey.-

JOLENE: -SQUINTS AT THIS CLOWN ON THE TV-

SUMMONER: =He's out and about somewhere, doing god's knows what, but he has a feeling his kismesis is doing something that makes him feel human homosexual down in his soul. Clenches fist mid flight.=

JOEY: =holy shit who is that cute little carapacian?=

DIRK: - 👀 -

DIRK: -it's snans undertale-

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Holy shit.

DIRK: -BAFFLED BY THE MAYOR'S VOICE???-

JOEY: =Actually jumps in her seat when the VOICE happens.=

DIRK: -smiles softly at qirin with her drum... gosh-

SOLLUX: -just listening to this in the bg-

TYRENA: -still on the floor like a mummy, but she appreciates this. quietly.-

JUDE: -lurks when he hears penny's voice on the tv... wowee, there she is. he's a little starry eyed.-

DIRK: -watching this is getting him so hype??? it's nice to have something positive between the anxiety and the numbness whoo boy-

DIRK: -dammit... his parents are cute...-

DIRK: -somewhere out there, he knows dave is crying. haha wimp.-

DIRK: -wait fuck he's crying too-

JOEY: =sliiiiiiiiides over a tissue box=

DIRK: -ffffffff.... takes the whole tissue box. but he's trying to hold it in. ffs.-

DIRK: -he's getting chills... yes, this is exactly what he needed to lift his spirits. but it's getting late... he should probably rest if he wants to be useful at all... but he's so hype.-

EQUIUS: -There's the sound of gentle, but heavy, steps-

EQUIUS: D --> I heard a ruckus. Is everything okay -His veins are deep blue, clearly from the poison, however, he is looking better.-

JOEY: you're looking lively

JOEY: your crewmates have blatantly challenged aych eye see

JOEY: it was glorious

EQUIUS: D --> Dirk, who the heck is this tiny human

JOEY: excuse me, i'm above average height for human women

JOEY: you're just abnormally tall

DIRK: -looks back at equius- This is Joey Claire.

JOEY: :)

EQUIUS: D --> One of the human refugees we were transported for

DIRK: -nods- That's right.

EQUIUS: D --> Okay. I surmise we are in Minnesota now, I seem to remember hearing that

JOEY: yup! it's a state.

[gulescamisade]

Mega Texas:  Day 2

TAVROS: =Is in a car probably? Whichever he was placed in. Sits in the back with the window open, his hands folded on the "windowsil" of the car and his head resting on them. Eyes half lidded, half asleep, as wind hits his face from the drive.=

DIRK: -he's getting exhausted driving and he imagines it might be the same for the other car, but fate intervenes anyhow when the car runs out of gas and they hadn't passed a single gas station that wasn't abandoned.- Fuck.

DIRK: -pulls off to the side of the road right as it putters out entirely.-

ARADIA: :D

DIRK: -don't-

DIRK: Guess we milked that as long as we could.

ARADIA: yeah

DIRK: -checks the gps and notices they've barely even made it anywhere in the state.- What the fuck is this place?

ARADIA: -close up- texas

DIRK: -kinda just... melts in his seat-

DAVENFORTH: -Told you Texas fucking sucks-

[Off in the distance, there's something green, something regal, something...broken in half, much like the freedom of this great land itself]

DIRK: -lifts his head, gazing ahead at this green shape on the horizon.- ... Huh.

ARADIA: weird huh

SOLLUX: -helpfully- is that a blurry g0ddamn green dild0?

ARADIA: yes sollux

ARADIA: thats exactly what it is

SOLLUX: 0kay.

SOLLUX: just checking.

DIRK: -exits the car and starts to pace around, trying to think of what they can do now.-

ARADIA: -watches dirk out the window- hes stressed out :(

SOLLUX: n0 kidding.

SOLLUX: we just puttered 0ut in the middle 0f n0where.

ARADIA: at least we know we are in texas!

DIRK: -at some point when no one was looking, dirk just... laid down on the ground-

DIRK: -staring up into the sky-

SOLLUX: AA i'm slightly disturbed that y0u kn0w s0 much ab0ut texas tbh.

SOLLUX: ...wait where did he g0?

ARADIA: youll find him

DIRK: -maybe his flesh prison, but after he manages to astral project his soul will be long gone. so long suckers-

ARADIA: -pushes the door open so she can hop out and walk over to him. she stares down at him- hi

DIRK: Hey.

ARADIA: -lies down next to him, looking upwards- interesting perspective from down here

DIRK: Yeah.

DIRK: I realize I've taken the luxury of space travel for granted.

DIRK: We drove all night and day and we've barely even made it to Houston. That's like a drop in the bucket of distance we've traveled between Avalon and Earth alone. It's frustrating.

ARADIA: its very different isnt it

ARADIA: i guess you havent traveled much on ground

DIRK: Not really. Never in one place long enough to travel.

ARADIA: on alternia i had to get used to some means of public transportation

ARADIA: a lot of walking ARADIA: but i liked it

DIRK: Yeah. You seem the type.

DIRK: I'd walk to Minnesota if it were just me and if it were my only option.

ARADIA: jakes really tough you know

ARADIA: hes going to be ok

ARADIA: not as an absolute but as a friend encouraging you

DIRK: -looks at her- You always know how to make a guy feel better. Thanks.

ARADIA: this isnt the worst we have encountered

ARADIA: or will encounter

DIRK: Yeah.

DIRK: We've got a lot of advantages we don't normally have. At least we're... mostly safe.

DIRK: I'm just restless I guess.

ARADIA: thats natural ARADIA: youve been sitting for a long time

DIRK: -stares up at the sky again for a moment-

DIRK: I was born in Houston, you know.

DIRK: I haven't been there since I was two.

ARADIA: really?

ARADIA: thats a long time ago

ARADIA: sometimes when people dont remember actual memories they remember feelings or scents or sounds or just

ARADIA: an aura of some kind

ARADIA: do you have any of those

DIRK: -thinks about this- Maybe.

DIRK: Guess bein' around my family always felt strangely familiar.

ARADIA: funny how that works

ARADIA: i dont think we can a hundred percent forget anything

[gulescamisade]

Mega Texas:  Day 1

[ Dirk, Nepeta, Sollux, Tavros, Equius, Aradia, Signless, Summoner, Tyrena and Disciple all find themselves blipping suddenly onto the hot, scorching ground. Snapping back to reality and here comes gravity. They find themselves closely scattered in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The cars are here, aren’t they always, only some of these are broken into, which is another common thing. Beside them there is a judgemental moo from cows watching as these weirdos appeared from nowhere and decided to take a nap on the asphalt. Their hair still static-y from the trip, touching one of the abandoned carts seems like a bad idea man. Real bad. ]

DIRK: -DOOF. he lands on his ass.- ... What the fuck?

DIRK: -looks around. wal-mart... fucked up cars...-

DIRK: -a weird looking horse?-

DIRK: -could he be in the fabled land of his birth?-

NEPETA: =TAIL FRIZZES AND HISSES=

EQUIUS: -How dare you. He is in perfect condition. This Wal-Mart, however, is not. Equius stands with a groan.-

NEPETA: =THE CLAWS ARE OUT=

DIRK: -nah, that's a ridiculous conclusion to jump to...-

TYRENA: -drags herself up from the floor-

DIRK: -gets up, surveying the group and takes a head count.- Everyone okay?

TYRENA: -a little bit of a hISS as she does-

TYRENA: 0NLY SUPERF1C1ALLY >:)

TYRENA: -STALKS AND HOBBLES a few steps, bare feet on the hot ground.- TYRENA: BLEH

SIGNLESS: -Ahh, nothing like suddenly APPEARING SOMEWHERE ELSE. First thing to register when his feet hit the ground is that its very hot, but heat he can handle, what he cant handle is trying to guess what just happened.-

SIGNLESS: Would someone.... kindly fill me in on what has just happened. -Squints as he looks around at all the cars and cows.-

EQUIUS: -He's sweating abhorrently, and the heat is making him a little...sluggish-

TYRENA: 1 PR0M1SE NO K1NDNESS

TYRENA: 1T WAS A TRAP

SOLLUX: -just laying face down on the ground.-

ARADIA: -she had a soft landing...but sollux...he needed to fall flat on his face. it was important. so she just waits for him to get up.-

NEPETA: =Scampers around anxiously, scampers over Sollux. Sits on him and kneads=

NEPETA: =With claws=

NEPETA: =Hello=

SOLLUX: 0w.

SOLLUX: guess i'm still alive. c00l.

SOLLUX: -muffled into pavement-

DIRK: ... -hoists him-

DIRK: We're missing most of the crew.

DIRK: -pats himself down... his comm device is still on him. hmm.-

NEPETA: =Doofs off Sollux as he's lift and scampers again before climbing Equius=

SOLLUX: -is hoist- l00ks like nepeta is 0kay.

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: THEY ARE M1SS1NG YOU, EQUALLY, 1'M SURE

SOLLUX: every0ne stand still and wait f0r me t0 st0p tasting c0ncrete s0 i can figure 0ut wh0's here.

DIRK: I'm gonna try to get ahold of everyone else. Hold up.

ARADIA: im here

SOLLUX: 0h hey AA.

EQUIUS: D --> Are you...okay, Nepeta? Aradia as well. Everyone else

NEPETA: :33 <sure this is grrrrrrrrreat blargh but im fine just furreaked out :'((

ARADIA: hi sollux

ARADIA: hi equius

ARADIA: theres nothing to be freaked out about :D

NEPETA: :33 < this is dumb >:'((

EQUIUS: D --> Stop being weirder than usual, Aradia. I concur with Nepeta

ARADIA: youre weirder than usual

ARADIA: oh wait

ARADIA: thats all the time

EQUIUS: D --> Now is not the time to wa% pitchy. Something severe has happened

ARADIA: its moderate

DIRK: -gets this random urge to kick hal's ass-

TYRENA: 1 APPRECIATE Y0UR UTTER 1ND1FFERENCE AND F1ND 1T REFRESH1NG

TYRENA: H0WEVER, 1T D0ES REVEAL A F0REKN0WLEDGE 0F TH1NGS

TYRENA: SP1LL, P1X1E, 1 KN0W H0W TH1S GAME W0RKS

TYRENA: 1'VE BEEN AT 1T F0R M0ST 0F MY L1FE

DIRK: -blurts out, holding up his comm- Hey. We're in Texas.

TYRENA: 0H

TYRENA: WHAT'S A TEXAS

ARADIA: -she smiles at tyrena- ive been through every way this could possibly go

ARADIA: i know what we have to do to get to our best end result

ARADIA: but in every circumstance that i choose to tell you what to do next

ARADIA: it all ends horrifically

TYRENA: HA

TYRENA: 1F Y0U 1NS1ST

TYRENA: 1 AM N0 HYP0CR1TE, AT LEAST

SOLLUX: welc0me t0 hell.

ARADIA: welcome to hell

SOLLUX: yeah.

DIRK: -looks a little distressed-

DIRK: ... Alright, everybody.

DIRK: I've gathered that the crew's been split up into groups, presumably all around the US. We're going to try to meet up in Minnesota.

DIRK: The kids are still on the ship, but Porrim is looking after them. Think she's got the bots helping her too.

TYRENA: HM

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE 1T 1S A PLAN, 1F N0TH1NG ELSE

DIRK: Sollux, come with me. We're gonna try to hot wire some of these cars. -drags him, but also because he wants to talk to him-

ARADIA: -smiles as they go-

SOLLUX: hhff. -is DRAG.- h0w fucking 0ld is this techn0l0gy even g0ing t0 be, this is g0nna suck.

DIRK: We weren't transported back in time, asshole. I'm sure it's fine. -he assumes-

DIRK: ... -quiet for a second after he jimmies a door open- I don't know where Jake and Roxy are.

SOLLUX: -no human technology suuuuucks. whine whine. but also quiets himself after that.- SOLLUX: ... 0kay. uhh.

SOLLUX: fuck.

DIRK: I'm trying not to freak out. Not while I still gotta give everyone direction. -leeeans into the driver's seat and starts fucking around with the car.-

NEPETA: :33 < its purrretty hard to not freak out :((

NEPETA: =crawls in the car and starts to scratch the seat immediately= :33 < where can we even go in texass?

TYRENA: AWAY FR0M TEXAS

DIRK: -SUDDENLY A CAT- ... Yeah, that's the plan, actually.

DIRK: Probably best we lay low too. As much as I'd love to sight see.

SOLLUX: jegus nepeta.

NEPETA: :33 < i can help scout...... =mnng, jumps out and starts to prowl around........= and also get dinner =STARES at cows=

NEPETA: =MEAT=

DIRK: Don't you dare kill that horse.

NEPETA: =tilts head and snorts=

NEPETA: :33 < thats a silly looking horse!!

EQUIUS: D --> It's an udderbeast. A, oh fizzlewinks, what do humans call it again? Oh yes, a cow -And Nepeta better leave it alone-

DIRK: He's just a lil chunky.

ARADIA: -joins the rest of them-

NEPETA: :33 < a chunky hunk of FOOD

EQUIUS: D --> Cease

NEPETA: :33 < im trying to feed the pack :30

SOLLUX: can s0me0ne take a chunky hunk 0f shut the fuck up while i'm trying to blindly help h0twire this scuttlebuggy?

SOLLUX: in case y0u f0rg0t the tech guy was blind.

NEPETA: =leans next to Sollux=

NEPETA: :33 < (is the shut fuck tender and juicy.... like steak?) =mrps softly= i pawlieve in you!

SOLLUX: ggghhhhh.

ARADIA: im assuming youre pretty talented with your scents to know whawt youre doing by now

EQUIUS: -Plucks Nepeta up. Let him work-

SOLLUX: -mocking her- i'm assuming y0u're pretty talented with y0ur dick by n0w t0 blah blah blah my ass.

SOLLUX: -sparks fly as he touches two wires together- 0W FUCK.

ARADIA: i mean yes

ARADIA: i was waiting for that

SOLLUX: Y0U WERE WAITING F0R MY ASS?

ARADIA: for you to get shocked

ARADIA: after saying that

SOLLUX: AA can y0u st0p being super fucking creepy f0r tw0 sec0nds and try being slightly m0re s0cially acceptable? like ask if i'm 0kay 0r s0mething???

ARADIA: are you ok

ARADIA: you are

ARADIA: i can answer that

DIRK: -he's just watching this happen tbh-

SOLLUX: i'm-- g0d damn it.

SOLLUX: -throws hands up-

ARADIA: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

SOLLUX: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ARADIA: :D

DIRK: -and with that, he manages to get it to start running- Nice.

DIRK: This wouldn't be possible without the sacrifices you made, babe. I'm so proud of you.

TYRENA: -climbs onto the roof of the car.-

SOLLUX: y0u're WELC0ME, every0ne!

SOLLUX: what the fuck is that.

ARADIA: tyrena

SOLLUX: figures.

DIRK: Important question... Who all knows how to drive a car?

NEPEPTA: :33 < i do!

DIRK: Cool. We're gonna need a few people cuz we ain't all fittin' in one.

DIRK: -moves onto another car to get that one running.-

TYRENA: 1 CAN DR1VE

SOLLUX: Y0U'RE BLIND.

SOLLUX: HA HA.

TYRENA: YES, Y0U ARE

SOLLUX: yeah.

SOLLUX: -SIGHS.-

SOLLUX: -he's more agitated because he misses Terezi already.-

EQUIUS: D --> I can navigate one of these rudimentary vehicles well enough

SOLLUX: kn0wing y0u, y0u'll break the wheel 0r kick a h0le in the fl00rb0ard bef0re y0u get this thing past the ugly h0rse.

DIRK: -keeps an eye on those two... no strangling this time.-

EQUIUS: D --> I could just as easily put a hole in you -This heat is doing wonders for his anger-

NEPETA: =puts her foot on Equius' cheek=

DIRK: Don't make me come over there.

ARADIA: -pats equius's arm- but you wont

SOLLUX: i dunn0 aa i think we have time t0 find 0ut.

DIRK: For fuck's sake, my dude.

SOLLUX: let's just be real ab0ut 0ur handicaps here. i'm blind and he's freakishly hulking.

EQUIUS: -There's a neck vein or three bulging-

ARADIA: hes big

NEPETA: =Puts her foot on the neck veins, mrps=

NEPETA: :33 < if i cant eat the weird horse ill eat mew both fur survival!

SOLLUX: at least i'll be put t0 g00d use.

NEPETA: :33 < purr bones would make a nice broth

ARADIA: -whacks sollux's arm-

EQUIUS: D --> As what? A post dinner tooth picking tool

NEPETA: :33 < no equihiss purr the picking tool fur my teeth! >:00

EQUIUS: D --> You've already e%pended your use, Captor

NEPETA: :33 < BLARRRRRGGHH =ascends the horse and gets on his shoulders, hand over the mouth= shush

DIRK: -okay, he's coming back over.-

SOLLUX: 0W.

SOLLUX: what was that f0r???

[In the not so far distance, a shitty jpeg skateboard gently floats to the ground]

ARADIA: you hit your daily verbal self deprecation limit a long time ago

DIRK: Are we really doing this right now? Because I'm not in the fucking mood to br-- .....................

DIRK: -stares at the skateboard-

SOLLUX: excuse me?? that d0esn't exist.

SOLLUX: .... br.

ARADIA: -just smiles at the skateboard. HAHAHA it's kind of funny this time around-

DIRK: ... -picks up the skateboard-

SOLLUX: br???

SOLLUX: dirk???

DIRK: Bruh.

SOLLUX: 0h 0kay.

[It's just...So shitty. It's UNREAL, how poor the quality of this thing is. It feels like it's going to break apart in his hands. There's no way anyone actually ever rode this thing]

DIRK: ... -captchalogues this-

DIRK: Anyway, I got the other car running so let's split up.

SOLLUX: sure thing gang.

DIRK: Watch me swooce right in. -pushes sollux into the passenger's seat so he can get into the driver's seat.-

SOLLUX: hrrf. -scrunches up his little stick noodle body-

EQUIUS: -Grumbles off to the other with Nep-

NEPETA: =Pats his sweaty face, softly shushing=

DIRK: -BYE BITCH. just kidding. he likes equius but he can't abide anybody flexing threateningly at his husband. sorry bro.-

ARADIA: -she'll stay in here. for reasons. BYE EQUIUS KISS KISS LOVE YA BYE BYE-

EQUIUS: -He'll break everything-

DIRK: -leads the way further north with his gps guiding them. it's gonna be a long night.-

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0386

ROSE: -There is a large empty glass tube set up right in the middle of the atrium with a brand new tie tied around its middle section. Happy Father's day.-

DIRK: -regards this ironic display with the utmost admiration-

TAVROS: =Looking at this display fondly (and a bit bashful) as well, though he absolutely 100% thinks its for some kind of science appreciation and not a human holiday he constantly forgets about being a thing.=

JOHN: -he doesn't get this test tube thing. is it a vase? he taps it. also john is wearing a full blown fancy suit again.-(edited)

MEENAH: -comes up behind john and gets in real close- yo

TEST TUBE: -glowers disapprovally of the young lady's transgressive manner of dress-

JOHN: -freaks out and then instantly tries to make it look like he didn't freak out but he's squinting- ...hey

JOHN: -he heard Jaws music, his life flashed before his eyes.-

MEENAH: 38) i came from onea those

JOHN: yeah well! that's not as weird and creepy as you think it is. i came out of one too.

JOHN: -actually yes it is weird and creepy, they're just a collection of weird, creepy people tbh.-

MEENAH: you a clone too

JOHN: yeah "apparently they cloned me". -scare quotes-

MEENAH: dam MEENAH: didnt reely know what they was doin huh

JOHN: well sure, they were trying to make a haunted house and we were the props.

JOHN: oh wait, you missed that one right?

MEENAH: yeah whale MEENAH: just sayin if they DID MEENAH: yould have some taste MEENAH: but that kinda splains a lot

JOHN: yeah it kind of explains how dumb you are too, hahaha.

MEENAH: -touches her heart- cuttin me deep here egghead

JOHN: that was a good joke. they just spend too much time on your fancy teeth and hair and didn't give you the right brains or sense of humor.

MEENAH: p shore youre the bigger joke i mean comeon MEENAH: who you even sposed to be

JOHN: i am john fucking egbert that is all i need to be.

JOHN: besides eating some breakfast. that is also something i need to be.

MEENAH: uh huh MEENAH: got some breakfast with me

JOHN: -suspicious look-.

MEENAH: -broad grin-

JOHN: cake isn't breakfast you barbarian. -grumbles and goes towards EGGS-

MEENAH: coddam you cold egghead -FOLLOWS HIM-

JOHN: -shoves a ridiculous pile of eggs on his plate while occasionally looking at her.-

MEENAH: you shore you want that

MEENAH: think i saw a drone spit in it

JOHN: the drones have never failed me. you on the other hand...

MEENAH: 38)

JOHN: come on you have to eat some real food too. i am honestly worried if all you eat is baked goods.

JOHN: its gonna stunt your freaky clone growing process or some shit.

MEENAH: you callin me short -she's tiny-

JOHN: you said it not me. -sits down with eggs-

MEENAH: sides i eat reel food fish is reel

JOHN: well...true.

JOHN: but i haven't seen you eat one. -nomnom-

MEENAH: 38) MEENAH: -pulls a live one out of her sylladex-

JOHN: -stops eating eggs like :o-

MEENAH: -CHOMP-

JOHN: -he knows exactly what's gonna happen with that fish being with Feferi so long and he looks down- okay! uh nevermind! i got it! you eat fish real good!

MEENAH: -purposely eats this fish as noisily and slurpily as she can-

JOHN: ...-there goes his eggs-

JOHN: -puts them on the floor for the security dogs- ok i'm out. this was fun and educational as always.

MEENAH: you shrimpin out on me egghead

JOHN: well i'm not eating or listening to you eat more so this is what we got.

MEENAH: thought you said you was hungry MEENAH: p shore i barely saw you eat shit

JOHN: yeah something grossed me out, idk what haha.

JOHN: i mean if you want me to stay that bad i will stay. we are friends. -queasy but smug grin-

MEENAH: 38) -leans in real close-

JOHN: ew your breath is terrible now. -gags-

MEENAH: -opens her mouth and breathes because she's fucking two-

JOHN: -Aaaauuggh makes an overdramatic noise because he's also fucking two. He covers his face and looks BETRAYED.-

JOHN: the fuck...shit....

MEENAH: its fresh aint it

JOHN: -lifts his hands and sends a little breeze to at least blow her hair back and air out his face-

MEENAH: you tryin to blow me awave son

MEENAH: weak

JOHN: yeah well i am just being nice about it for some strange reason. -echhhhh-

JOHN: you're lucky i don't pull some avatar shit on your smelly butt.

MEENAH: the shits that mean

JOHN: what are we talking about here my wind powers or your breathe? like i am not even being sarcastic that specific time.

JOHN: oh you've never heard of avatar.

JOHN: it's a really good thing. troll avatar the last airbender maybe?

MEENAH: -shakes her head- nope nebber heard of it

JOHN: i am not sure if i can recommend it. what kind of stuff do you even like besides obviously confectionarys and being generally awful?

MEENAH: phat stacks of cash

JOHN: you're a ferengi too.

JOHN: -shakes his head- unfreakin beleivable

MEENAH: im fuckin loaded yo got so much money up in here

JOHN: why?

JOHN: i mean i know there's a lot of rich people on here but we don't get a lot if opportunities to spend money.

MEENAH: dunno just like it MEENAH: just wired in my code

JOHN: so you like cash or you like collect shiny bits? haha that's kind of cute.

JOHN: in theory?

MEENAH: both MEENAH: gimmie the bling too yo

JOHN: yup. definitely a ferengi.

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0377

DIRK: -the dork captain is HERE. he is zipping over to the food line, seeming intent on getting in and out of there before SOME kind of drama erupts around him.-

MEENAH: -good thing it's meenah here, queen of chill- -she's casually eating all the seafood that's set out-

MEENAH: -like a good peixes-

TAVROS: =He's been working out like he does every morning now, except today he had company! He's a bit hunched over, holding Durgah's hands, and she's standing on his feet. They're walking together! Walk walk into the cafeteria.=

DIRK: -well, he can't not sup nod at meenah. SUP. oh that fried shrimp looks good.- Excuse me. -REACHES around her.-

DIRK: -A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and durgah-

MEENAH: -SMACKS HIS HAND AWAY-

DIRK: Ouch.

MEENAH: water u doin buoy

GALLEN: =Wayward baby sitting directly on the tray line, his little hands are wrist deep in the chicken tenders=

DIRK: I'm grabbing some food?

MEENAH: naught this food this is mine

DIRK: You can't stake claim to... -trails off because he finally notices gallen-

DIRK: ... -picks him up-

GALLEN: =Am lift, offers Dirk some slobbery tenders also he's gonna cling to him. Greasy fullbody hug=

DIRK: ... No thank you. -holds him on his hip- Anyway, as I was saying. DIRK: You can't stake claim to all the seafood in the line. I mean, I guess you can, but I want some shrimp.

MEENAH: too bad -eats some while staring him right in the eye-

TAVROS: =He's looking downward still since they are walking, talking quietly with Durgah. But the child makes a "POW" sound as Dirk's hand gets smacked. A FIGHT!!! She grins and tries walking faster, which makes Tavros almost fall over.= wOAH, hEH, iT'S OKAY TO GO SLOW, iT'S NOT LIKE ALL THE FOOD, iS GOING TO DISAPPEAR, 

TAVROS: =Looks up finally and grins crookedly at the people there. Picks up Durgah to carry her instead.= (oH, mAYBE NOT,) 

DURGAH: =Giggles.=

DIRK: -looks at the bullfriend- Hey, Tavros. I'm being bullied over here.

MEENAH: lol

DIRK: -HE ACCIDENTALLY PUNNED-

TAVROS: =Walks on over with Durgah on his arm.= wHAT, 

TAVROS: bUT WHY, 

TAVROS: wHEN IT IS SO MUCH BETTER, tO NOT BE DOING THAT, aND BE FRIENDS, =Crooked smile and looking at Meenah all friendly even if he's >:O on the inside. Don't bully his friends.= 

DURGAH: = Cat eyes at the other small troll. She wants to FIGHT. Or FRIEND. Either or. She reaches a little with her very smol arms. 833 =

DIRK: Well, there is shrimp at stake here.

MEENAH: no there aint cuz its already mine

DIRK: Do you want me to throw you into the brig?

GALLEN: =touches his cheek with the soggy chicken anyway and also gives Meenah one while happily babbling. Spots the friend also. Does she want some chicken? He has chicken for days in his pocketses=

TAVROS: uHH, 

TAVROS: iNSTEAD OF THROWING PEOPLE INTO BRIGS, aND POSSIBLY ANY OTHER PLACES, 

TAVROS: oR THE WHOLE, uHM, sHRIMP HOARDING BUSINESS, 

TAVROS: hOW ABOUT SHARING IT, sO THAT EVERYONE CAN SHRIMPLY HAVE A GOOD TIME, }:) 

DURGAH: =Smol gasp! She smells the meat! She wants it! Makes a pleased hissy noise and reaches more eagerly for. Makes grabby hands.= UH-UH!!!~>

DIRK: Hmm... I don't know. I'm kind of feelin' the brig thing.

GALLEN: =Chucks handfuls of chicken tenders at the friend and also Tavros.=

DIRK: -oh dear...-

MEENAH: im kinda feelin the none a this an its reely all mine

DURGAH: =Gleeful hisses at all this flying meat! She tries to grab some out of the air.= 

TAVROS: sOMEHOW i AM NOT VERY SU-- bLUH! =Gets a chicken tender right on the face. It falls to the floor, Tavros looking a little startled and Durgah giggling.=

DIRK: Oh shit. Man down.

GALLEN: =Giggles and claps his greasy hands like the ruthless assailant he is=

DIRK: You shouldn't throw meat chunks at other people, Rainbow Baby.

DIRK: But you don't have to listen to me, I'm not your dad.

GHB: =looming in the bg, throw as much meat as u want son=

TAVROS: =Scrunches his nose, then laughs a little bit.= aT LEAST IT WASN'T SOMETHING SOMETHING VERY HARD, lIKE AN APPLE, TAVROS: oR TWENTY, =Rubs his face with his free hand.= 

DURGAH: =She caught one and is nomming at it happily, nodding along with what Tavros is saying. Whatever that is. Makes silly faces at Gallen while she eats.=

MEENAH: dang these grubs is ruthless -trying to stuff as much shrimp in her pockets as she can while dirk's distracted-

DIRK: -MEENAH GIVE ME YOUR SHRAMP-

GALLEN: =He's willing to trade chicken for shrimps, he's actually a bold child and leans way off Dirk over to Meenah while smiling and babbling at Durgah.=

DIRK: -oh... scoots a little closer to meenah with the baby-

TAVROS: rUTHLESS ABOUT SHARING THE GOODS, tHAT HE HAS, TAVROS: bECAUSE SHARING IS CARING, rIGHT? =Directs that at Durgah.= 

DURGAH: YAH!!!~> =Nodnods while her teeth are in the chicken. She has no idea what is going on.= 

TAVROS: rIGHT, =Big grin.=

DIRK: Meenah should take a page from these kiddies books.

MEENAH: nah this is lame as shell

GALLEN: =puts his hand right on Meenah's tray. Fearless.=

TAVROS: tHERE IS VERY LITTLE THAT IS LAME, TAVROS: aBOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME, 

TAVROS: wITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE, aND SHARING THOSE TIMES, aT LEAST THAT IS HOW i AM THINKING, 

DURGAH: =Gallen is so fearless! She is very much 833 over here. She's also consumed all of the chicken, and she hungers for more. Squirms a lil in the bara dad embrace.=

DIRK: Trust him. He's an expert on these things.

EQUIUS: -Suddenly hornse. He's here for oatmeal-

EQUIUS: -There's so many people. He nods at Dirk and and Tavros. Durgah gets a wave.-

MEENAH: -OH SNAP it's a hornse-

MEENAH: -she dont know him though-

EQUIUS: -Squints at Meenah. This is...odd.-

EQUIUS: D --> Meenah? Peixes

MEENAH: yup

EQUIUS: D --> How

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Oh.

MEENAH: dunno you tell me MEENAH: was just born great is all

EQUIUS: -Looks like Dirk like...-

EQUIUS: -He's seen so much weird shit and he is a tired horse. He's gonna continue the quest for oatmeal-

DIRK: ... -watches him sheepishly. oh right, he can grab food now finally since he let the child go.-

DIRK: Hey Equius, I've been meaning to talk to you.

EQUIUS: D --> Yes Dir--Captain

DIRK: Well, I've been drawing up some designs for Eridan. Cybernetic enhancements, to help him walk again.

DIRK: Unfortunately, I don't have much time anymore to do more than brainstorm ideas. So I was wondering if you wanted to take on the project from there?

MEENAH: -snorfs all the shramps down-

EQUIUS: D --> YES! Ahem, I mean yes. That is well within my capabilities and I'd be more than happy to head the project

DIRK: -tries not to draw attention to the outburst by smiling- Awesome. I'll send you what I've got so far. -beep boops on his computer shades, transferring his designs to equius-

EQUIUS: -His comm device beeps and he's sweating gently and excitedly-

EQUIUS: D --> Thank you. I'll start post haste

DIRK: No problem, dude. 

DIRK: Eridan is a little particular, so you should probably get with him frequently for feedback. Oh, I'd suggest getting input from John as well. -grabs NACHOS since he's not allowed to eat SHRIMP-

MEENAH: 38)

EQUIUS: -Nachos are a much better choice-

EQUIUS: D --> Of horse. I'll confer with Eridan, first hoovever I'll review your designs

DIRK: Cool. -looks at meenah and crunches a nacho-

MEENAH: -crunches a shrimp back at him-

[arseniccaudal-blog]

NEPETA: :33 < *How late was it? Or early? Maybe it was just a nap. Either way Durgah and Spiny were sl33ping on the warm rock under the heatlamp and Nepeta WAS asl33p on Tavros. But she stirrs. Huffing a little and crawls closer to him. Opening her eyes and looking at his precious sl33ping face before she yawned and smooched it. Right on the nose*

TAVROS: *Well, he certainly had no idea on the matter of late and early. He's sound asleep, one arm loosely around his matesprit. It was nice sleeping in cuddle piles. His favorite, even. In his sleep his face scrunches slightly at the kiss, inhaling softly and moving his other hand to wrap around where his sleeping form assumed Nepeta to be.*

NEPETA: :33 < (h33h33) *What a cute*

NEPETA: :33 < *another kiss to his ch33k, his chin, under his eye*

NEPETA: :33 < *They start soft and gain a little more pressure as she goes*

TAVROS: *His face keeps scrunching and reacting to the kisses. A slight crease of the brow or a soft tired sound. As they increase in pressure he starts to stir from his sleep, eyelids fluttering as they crack open just barely. A soft content sound then, accented with sleep. He smiles, the arms around her tightening a little in their hold. Lips pressing back against whichever part of her face was in front

TAVROS: of them.*

NEPETA: :33 < *When his arms tighten around her she starts to purr. Continuing to press kisses on her matesprit's adorable face. Then nuzzling him as she's given kisses of her own. A soft coo* (tavrossss)

TAVROS: *His smile widens into a broader smile, even if his eyes have shut once more. He moves his head a little bit so that he can give her kisses on more places on her face.* (tAVROS IS, nOT AWAKE RIGHT NOW, aND ALSO HE IS VERY BUSY, wITH IMPORTANT MATTERS,) *More kisses for emphasis of this.*

NEPETA: :33 < *He can f33l her vibrating purrs, her arms looping slowly around his neck with her fingers burying in his hair* (awwwww, booooo) *But she likes these important matters and returns all these kisses and plants one on his lips with a purr* (but this is important, very important)

TAVROS: *The purrs are so nice. So much so that it starts up one of his own, a gentle chirring while he hugs her around the small of her back.* (yES, iT MIGHT EVEN BE, tHE MOST IMPORTANT THING, tHAT HE COULD BE DOING,) *He smiles into these gentle kisses, despite their mutual bad breaths. The steady warmth and flutter of his pusher more than enough to combat whatever bad vibes that might bring.*

NEPETA: :33 < *He's such a dork, a cute and chirring dork. Obviously Nepeta didn't mind their morning breath by how she kissed him and nuzzled his face. Tail moving slowly behind her then laying back down. She's all soft talk void of cat puns... for now* (mrrrrrrr, what if i want his attention?) *Noses against his ch33k and kisses his jawline*

TAVROS: *He hums in thought from her question, still smiling.* (tHEN, i WOULD THINK THAT, yOU WOULD HAVE TOOOO,) *He abruptly trails off, arms tighter around her and flops onto his side to deliver a raspberry right on her cheek!!!*

NEPETA: :33 < *Her purrs cut off to a surprised sound immediately followed by giggles. Her limbs playfully trying to shove Tavros off of her but not putting real effort towards it* h33h33h33h33h33!!!!

TAVROS: *At the lighthearted shoving Tavros counters by rolling further on his side, so that he is on top of her. The dorky grin is strong, and so are the raspberries. There is no mercy here! Only brief pauses with little snickers before they are back to raspberry city.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Her giggles turns into full laughter, turning to the side while Tavros fully rolls them. She's going olive in the face and hides it under her face. There's some shuffling under him then her ankle suddenly against his jaw. Pushing his face away while she giggles into her hands muffled* (h33h33h33h33h33h33h33!!)

TAVROS: *Her giggles are the cutest, not to mention the color to her face. He has all intentions of keeping it up, but then there's a sudden foot to his face. He's surprised by it, so he's easily navigated away, all while laughing.* (eHEHEHE, tHE EVIL, wHICH IS ME, hAS BEEN DEFEATED,) *Flops on his side.*

NEPETA: :33 < *It the foot which she removes and dives forward to get his face* (i stake claim to this evil!) *Another purr before she kisses him d33ply and peppers him with more smooches. 10000000 smooches*

TAVROS: *His face is got! He gasps softly for dramatic effect, then smiles into the deep kiss. Hands placed to cup her face, a task difficult to manage when she is peppering him in so many kisses. He can't do much but to snicker and grin, blushing bronze to the tip of his ears while his heart flutters wonderfully.* (eHEHE,)

NEPETA: :33 < (purr so cuttt3333) *pinches his ch33ks lightly and purrs like crazy, snugging up to him*

TAVROS: *He snickers, arms going around her once more when she comes a-snuggling.* (tHAT LINE, iS DEFINITELY, tHE ONE THAT IS MINE TO MAKE, aBOUT YOU,) *Kisses her cheek, then nuzzles his own against it with a steady chirr.*

NEPETA: :33 < (h33h33, what pawbout one to make about both of us?) *Her fingers tickle back into his hair while he nuzzles her ch33k and chirrs. Nepeta's kisses are then placed on his shoulder and his neck. So warm and adorable*

TAVROS: (aBOUT THE TWO OF US, i WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE BOTH CUTE, aND VERY GOOD AT MAKING EACH OTHER HAPPY, i THINK IN MY OPINION, aNYWAY, eVEN WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE CAN BE PRETTY UHM, dUMB, aND DIFFICULT,) *He ducks his head to kiss her shoulder and neck in turn, holding her close and safe in his arms.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Things are dumb, very dumb but she's glad he's safe. That she has him and he has her. Nepeta presses more kisses to his skin, on his shoulder and neck, on his chin. Her fingers tightening in his hair* (im very happy with you. you make me so happy even when everything is... not great)

TAVROS: *His hands shift upwards, one coming to a rest on her hip while the other keeps moving. Warm and soft kisses pressed to cooler skin while he smiles at her words and the tightening of fingers in his hair.* (yOU KEEP SAYING THE THINGS, mUCH BETTER AND ACCURATELY, tHAN i COULD,)

NEPETA: :33 < (mm but i love purr words theyre so nice and adorapawl!) *She nips at him teasingly, just under his jaw then stares up into Tavros' eyes*

TAVROS: (bUT YOUR WORDS, aRE JUST THE SAME, aND ALSO VERY WARM FEELING, iN HOW THAT THEY MAKE ME FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING IS OK, aND SAFE,) *Turns his head so that he can give her a kiss on the lips from the nip, then gently resting his forehead on hers. Brown eyes set on olive. The smile on his lips reaching his eyes.* (wHY ARE YOU, sO CUTE,)

NEPETA: :33 < *Nepeta hums, it's rattled by her purr. He was s osw33t, so precious and loving and opened up to her then accepted what she had to offer him. With her forehead on his Nepeta's hands move from his hair to his ch33ks. Her eyes closing* (mew think so, purr just nice enough to s33 it)

TAVROS: *Her rattling hums were so cute, just like the rest of her. She's fierce and cute and feels like home, and the way she holds his face makes him full of sappy emotions. He kisses her forehead when she closes her eyes.* (i THINK, iT'S A PRETTY BLATANT THING, tO BE SEEING, bECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE JUST THAT,)

TAVROS: (aND ALSO, kIND OF A SNEAK, iN THAT YOU ARE WAKING UP PEOPLE, wITH YOUR CUTE VILES,) *Snicker.*

NEPETA: :33 < (h33h33) ... *She's glad he saw her all that. She's told him what she used to do, the side she was once on and then what she did for sw33ps (happily). Though it's not so unusual, she supposes.* (a little bit of a sneak! but this is much better than sl33ping)

TAVROS: *He moves a hand to show her his thumb and index finger almost touching. Goofy grin.* (a LIIIITTLE BIT,) *Loops his arm back around her soon after.* (bUT YES, iT IS ABSOLUTELY THAT, aND THEN SOME MORE,)

NEPETA: :33 < *She grins widely at that, lips turning up at the sides* (some meowre ind33d, sir silly tafurrros) *He gets more kisses for being silly*

TAVROS: (oH, wAIT, i AM A SIR NOW, uH, i THOUGHT THAT ALL i WAS, wAS JUST SILLY,) *More snickers against her lips, and now he brings her closer to deepen it.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Always a sir, the silliest page that became a silly knight. Careful of her t33th Nepeta gave more of those rattling hums into the kiss. Her claws trailing from his face down to his shoulders and tickling under his arms with a soft giggle*

TAVROS: *Nep, NO. He is very ticklish, so the claws under his arms make him squirm.* mHP, *Soft surprised noise into the kiss as he tries to squirm away.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Nep yes! She knows this and she thinks it's adorable. Giggling more into the kiss as her hands dip lower, claws tracing skin over his shirt lightly then catching his shirt tail with a soft trill in her throat. Time to take this off.*

TAVROS: *Nooo!!! He squirm, but the tickles cease and so he settles back down. If a little pinch to her side for the tickles. Gentle pinch. He pulls away from her lips just a little when she trills and catches his shirt.* oH,

TAVROS: rIGHT, yES, *Moves a hand back to unbutton the buttons on the back of it, looking sheepish.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Excuse him, she was giving him some really seductive bedroom eyes up until that pinch that made her giggle. A softer laugh upon s33ing his face as she pushes the shirt up* (i k33p telling mew if you pull faces like that a purredator is bound to come and eat you up)

NEPETA: :33 < *Nepeta kisses his jaw, pushing up the shirt and skimming her hands over him. Warm, soft and deliciously adorable. She presses a kiss to his jaw line, voice soft and singsony* (i warned youuuuu)

TAVROS: *He's not sure why she's doing that thing with her eyes, but it looks pretty cute. Or. Maybe not cute. It still is, but it's something else too. The shirt comes off when it's unbuttoned and pushed about. From all his working out he's gotten bulkier, but there's still a softness to him. Mainly his belly. He leans into her hands, his own cupping a cheek and playing with her hair. Her little song mak

TAVROS: es him snicker.* (oH NOOO, iT WOULD SEEM THAT, mY FATE HAS COME, aND ALSO ENDED AT THE HANDS OF THIS FIERCE PURREDATOR, lIKE EVERY TIME THAT IT DOES HAPPEN,)

NEPETA: :33 < :33 < *The shirts just pretty much tossed to the side uncaringly, why give a shit about that when she had all this? His firmness was just as loved as his squishiness. In fact his arms and stomach were her favorites. A grin tugging her lips as she takes him all in, fingers tracing idly where she could just sink her claws in. He trusted these hands and claws with his most vulnerable parts. A d

NEPETA: 33per trill settled into a voice disrupting purr* (oh, mewl be fine) *her eyes looking up to m33t his, the hand on his face sw33ping a thumb over his ch33k* (a little death never hurt anyone) *Before she lets that thought linger she leans in for another kiss, d33per than the others she gave him*

TAVROS: *Since they had been sleeping he hadn't bothered binding his wings like he usually did, and so they are free when the shirt comes off. Even if he's not actively uncomfortable with showing them to Nepeta anymore, there's still lingering uncertainty to varying degrees. They twitch just a little, then settle. He's likely walking around 20 mental steps behind Nepeta right now, for his expression remai

TAVROS: ns goofy and somewhat confused. Her behaviour sure is WEIRD right now. Very affectionate and touchy.* (iS THAT A FACT, tHAT YOU ARE UH, fEELING VERY CERTAIN OF, bECAUSE i HAVE SOME DOUBTS,) *He jokes, but barely manages to do so before lips are pressed onto his. It's deep and good, and so he returns it, both hands cupping her face this time around.*

NEPETA: :33 < :33 < *SO PRECIOUS. She wonders how long until he catches on. But at the same time she's not really looking to play with her food. Another trill in her throat as he cups her face. She leans forward, touching his forehead to hers and breathing softly betw33n them* (tavrrrosss) =She pulls back, putting her hands over his and looking him in the eyes, pupils wide and round, covering the olive in

NEPETA: her eyes* (do you f33l like pailing?)

TAVROS: *He tilts his head just a little when their foreheads meet, smiling curiously at her and the way she said his name. Then her hands are on his, and he laces their fingers together... Then oh. OH... so that was what was going on. He feels himself going a little brown in the face. He's pretty slow on the uptake, and not having much of a sex drive or such interests didn't help matters.* oH, uHM, *His

TAVROS: eyes flit to the side. He's not sure if he is. Maybe? The kisses were very nice, and whenever they both feel like pailing it is very nice. Oh, and they could cuddle afterwards too. His gaze returns to hers, and he nods.* yES, oH, uHM, (i MEAN, yES i DON'T THINK THAT, i WOULD VERY MUCH UHHH, mIND THAT, hAPPENING OR, oTHERWISE BE OBJECTING TO, uHM, sUCH ACTIVITIES,) *Smooth as gravel. Big sheepish g

TAVROS: rin and that brown now reaching his ears.*

NEPETA: :33 < :33 < *She waits as he thinks, not really wanting to go much further without them on the same page. When she does get in the mood she's not so leisurely in jumping in but she also doesn't want to put him on the spot in an uncomfortable situation. Her best at reading people is when she's hunting them but this is an entirely different situation. It requires more delicacy than eliminating a tar

NEPETA: get. When he gives her an answer she nods and turns her face to kiss his hands, a large grin because he was definitely the smoothest* (okay just making sure) *Another kiss to this palm because he was really the sw33test bean*

TAVROS: *He gently strokes the side of her face when she kisses his hands, smiling crooked.* (i KNOW, aND i AM VERY GRATEFUL, tHAT YOU ARE DOING THAT,) *It bore repeating, and so he leans to kiss her forehead. Her nose. Her cheek. His hands slipping out of her own to trail down her sides.* (yOU'RE ALWAYS, sO VERY SWEET,)

NEPETA: :33 < *He was so wonderful, his kisses making her laugh through each kiss to her face* (anyone who doesnt n33ds a swift claw in the butt! and purr making me think we n33d to have a match to settle who is really the sw33test :PP ) *Her tail flicks behind her, less playfully but in response to his trailing hands. Her own finding his shoulders and kneading against them. Coming up to his neck, then hi

NEPETA: s face and pulling him closer to close that gap again*

TAVROS: (tHERE IS NO NEED FOR A MATCH, bECAUSE YOU WOULD BE WINNING IT IMMEDIATELY, aND ALSO ON WALKOVER,) *The gap is closed, especially as he pulls her closer by the hips. Lips pressing and nipping against her own, tilting his head to the side to deepen it so much more. His thumbs stroke on her hips, a low chirr in his chest.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Most matches she would win, true, but maybe not this one. Though currently she wasn't so much up for arguing as she was more than happy to press close to Tavros. F33ling the chirr in her own chest and responding with a pleased chirp of her own. She smiled against his lips, letting her tongue dip into his mouth to taste him, gross morning breath and all. She loved his scent and taste, unalte

NEPETA: red and unchanged the most*

TAVROS: *Nevermind that morning breath, it didn't matter in the slightest. His own lips part to meet her tongue with his, sliding against one another before heading off to explore the familiar territory of her mouth. His hand strokes up and down her side lightly, the other coming to a rest on the small of her back. He presses her closer, letting himself grind a little against her.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Her tail flicks again, twitching then curling when their hips ground together. Sighing softly into the kiss while her hands slip down his torso. Both index fingers poking and pressing on his nipples before giving each peck a good squ33ze of appreciation. Also giggling. She was definitely giggling a little*

TAVROS: *Thank God for modern science honestly, he'd not even like to imagine how uncomfortable it would be to grind up against solid metal. His lower body was fake, yes, wires and circuitry, but it wasn't plated metal. Instead slick and easy, as most tech was. He can't help but to snicker a little at her exploring his chest, broken with a soft grunt from the squeezes and the stiffening of the brown buds.

TAVROS: He flexes playfully against her. Muscle showing past his chub. Hands slipping a bit further down, all while stroking and kneading his fingers into her skin.*

NEPETA: :33 < *It wasn't so uncomfortable, it didn't have the same squish or his warmth but it was still him and it was something she loved. His legs (and wings) beingreminders of something that happened to him and how he's come back from that stronger. Still loveable, still loving. Nepeta tangled her legs with Tavros laughing into their kiss at his dorky flex that earns him an easy tweak of the nipples.

NEPETA: Her tail curling and waving slowly behind her as she nips is bottom lip and licks the offended area. Her voice gone back to the coos* (oooh meowster tavros, how furry impressive ;PP)

TAVROS: *Another soft sound escapes his lips from the tweak, the kissing growing a bit more insistant. Still, her voice makes him pull away, just enough for their lips to be brushing together when he speaks.* (i AM HOPING THAT, iT IS BRINGING ON MANY SWOONS, fOR YOU TO HAVE, fROM MY, uH, iMPRESSIVE PHYSIQUE,) *He can't take it seriously, snickering throughout. Now a hand slips under her shirt, gently trai

TAVROS: ling up her belly. Tavros starts leaning just so, trying to nudge her onto her back.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Technically speaking it was his shirt and she was drowning in it and it was so cozy.* (h33h33h33 im swooning pawlready, watch this) *she moves one hand, puts it to her forehead and rolls to her back, barely ignoring the shiver of anticipation that raises goosebumps on her body when she f33ls his hand over his skin. Over the slight amount of pudge that's devloped given her changed and prolon

NEPETA: ged relaxive schedule. The scars, old old ones and some newer over her muscle.*

TAVROS: *He gives her a rather dramatic (though quiet) gasp from this swoonage.* (mY OWN VILES, mUST BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE, tHAN i HAVE EVER PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT,) *He says it with a goofy grin, following her motion so that he is above her. His hand explores her skin freely, tracing patterns over skin before reaching one of her breasts. He leans down, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, hoisting one of her le

TAVROS: gs upwards and around him following the curve of her ass. His warm hand kneads down against the supple flesh, followed by a finger tracing around her nipple.*

NEPETA: :33 < *There he is, Nepeta stares up at that goofy grin. Her hand still on his chest, kneading the muscle there and rolling her knuckles over the nipple for the occasional pinch betw33n them. He was so adorable, so expressive. But then again -- she arches and exhales slowly. Wrapping that leg around his waist and continuing to grind against him at this new angle. Thoughtlessly arching up into that

NEPETA: hand to get more attention on her sensitve chest, leaning her head to the side for another giggle and exhaling her words* (maybe so) *ch33k smooch*

TAVROS: *Here he is! And there she is. Gorgeous as always. His wings flick just a little bit from the attention to his chest, letting out soft exhales that end in little shudders. He smiles crookedly, all brown in the face and smiles in his eyes.* (oH, tHEN THAT MEANS i JUST HAVE TO BE, tRYING HARDER,) *His hand trails back down her leg and up her side once it's wrapped around him, gently tugging her shir

TAVROS: t upwards while moving his head down to kiss at her exposed stomach. Her nipple gets pinched between two fingers while he slowly kisses his way upward.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Trying harder? Now he was the one being a tease, she couldf33l the warmth of his blush and she wondered if he could f33l that cooler heat from her own. At first the kisses to her stomach make Nepeta giggle. Even if the angle isn't that great for groping his chest her titter turns to a soft groan. She let him have her, trusted him with her that he would do no harm and his kisses were so sw3

NEPETA: 3t, so seductive it's a good thing they were truly on the same side. Her hips still rocking against that friction* (h33, mew think so? aaahh tafurros) *groaning softly and pushing one hand through his hair*

TAVROS: *He hums in affirmation against her skin, hoisting the shirt up so it's in a rumpled mess just over her chest. He's rocking back against her the best he can in this position, placing a kiss right between her breasts while warm gentle hands are placed over them. He kneads down carefully, gradually growing in their firmness. Fingers trace over her nipples, one hand shifting to be replaced by his mou

TAVROS: th. He gives it a kiss, then one to her nipple. His tongue pressing then lapping over it before taking it into his mouth. He's humming lowly still, stucking on her breast while kneading and toying with the other. His free hand finding her grubscars, fingers tracing lightly over them.*

NEPETA: :33 < *Some warrior she was, which she sometimes thinks in self praise or criticism. Not so much of a chest to protect her vitals and so sensitve it was. But she also didn't n33d al of that to be a good fighter. Besides it let her have moments like these, her voice soft and shuddering beneath Tavros' hands and mouth. His mouth was so warm, hands gentle and attentive. The leg around his waist tight

NEPETA: ens, her back arching into his mouth and a tickle over her grubscars. This was him trying harder and, even though he was being silly he was doing a damn good job*

TAVROS: *He will always try hard! It's important to do your best after all. He takes her soft voice and shuddering as good signs, his ears perking a little at the tightening of her leg. He draws his mouth back from her nipple, kissing and nipping at the surrounding flesh. Fingers rub against her grubscars, trailing idle patterns over them. He likes her arching, it makes him feel like what he is doing is r

TAVROS: ight. And so he keeps kneading, taking the nipple back in his mouth and swirls his tongue around it. The other pinched and lightly twisted between two of his fingers.*

NEPETA: :33 < *He was most definitely doing right and would continue to do so, she was sure. The rest of their early “morning” filled with playful jokes and intimate touches*

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0373

TAVROS: =Walking around the atrium, watering some of the potted plants they keep around here while listening to some tunes.=

TAVROS: =Sometimes you just gotta chill and water some flowers my guy.=

ROXY: =here she come she sweaty post stronk on, and theres a bull. She wanders on over and peeps= what up my guy

TAVROS: =There is one whole bull! And he looks on up when he hears a voice somewhere behind his pokerap. He takes his earbuds out to answer Roxy with a smile.=

TAVROS: jUST DOING THIS WHOLE, gIVING THE PLANTS SOME NUTRIENS THING,

TAVROS: sINCE IT WOULDN'T BE THE BEST, tO HAVE OUR PLANTS DIE, wHEN THEIR PURPOSE IS TO BE NICE TO LOOK AT, uHM, aND ALSO GIVE US OXYGEN,

CRONUS: -strolls towards the cafeteria, passing tavros and roxy, to get a cronut. except this time he's going completely shirtless-

ROXY: =omg what a dork. Two dorks, she watch Cronus as he passes= ..... yeah it is nice 2 have fresh fresh old fashioned air

ROXY: glad someones lookin out 4 em

TAVROS: =Eyebrows: ascend. That is certainly one way to enter the cafeteria. He slowly looks back to Roxy though.= uHH, TAVROS: oH, yES,

TAVROS: yES IT IS A GOOD THING, bECAUSE i MEAN OTHERWISE, oUR AIR IS FULLY FROM THE MACHINES AND EVERYTHING, wHICH IS FINE AND ALSO A THING THAT WORKS, bUT, =Fiddles with the watering can, then shrugs, sheepish.=

TAVROS: hAVING SOME PLANTS, tO BE DOING THAT KIND OF THING AS WELL, iS VERY NICE IN MY OPINION, aND CAN REMIND US THAT THERE ARE THINGS OUT THERE STILL,

TAVROS: tHAT ARE CONSISTENT, lIKE HOW PLANTS ARE AND, hOW THEY GROW? =Looks more sheepish as he speaks, rubbing the back of his neck.=

CRONUS: -he was just going to keep on walking, but what is that fountain of cheese he just heard?? glances over in Tavros's direction and snorts- vwowv, sounds like someones been vworking on his poetry.

ROXY: =she could just take his rambly lunch money, opens her mouth then looks at cronus= aint he a regular wordsmithy =truth tho=

TAVROS: =Looks up to Cronus, still with a sheepish smile.= TAVROS: tHANK YOU,

TAVROS: ,,,

TAVROS: i THINK,

TAVROS: i MEAN i DIDN'T REALLY MEAN FOR ANY OF THAT, tO BE UHH, vERY POETIC, iN ANY SENSE,

CRONUS: dont be so modest, sure you did. no one talks like that in normal convwersation. i mean look at me? im pretty much the most poetic guy on board, and thats about the only time i try to say anything like that.

ROXY: =ho plz=

ROXY: modesty aint so bad but its also cool 2 bask in ur own greatness every once in a while man

TAVROS: bUT, TAVROS: i MEAN,

TAVROS: wHAT i DID JUST NOW, wITH THE WORDS WAS JUST,

TAVROS: a NORMAL CONVERSATION, TAVROS: oN A PLANTY TOPIC, =What are you two talking about. He didn't even rhyme anything either. He's just smiling crookedly over here.=

ROXY: its the stuff that comes naturally thats the most incredible

ROXY: im the most awed hot dang(edited)

CRONUS: youre givwing him vway too much credit.

TAVROS: =Sheepish laugh.=

TAVROS: eHEH, wELL,

TAVROS: mAYBE,

TAVROS: iT IS JUST THAT THE TOPIC ON HAND,

TAVROS: wHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT IT,

TAVROS: mAKES YOU IMMEDIATELY PUT OUT, TAVROS: fLOWERY PROSE, =Big grin. Get it? Flowers? Plants? Flowery prose????=

ROXY: goddamn amazing =claps, unreal. Look at that smile too jfc=

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0365

TAVROS: =A sleepy looking Tavros is in the cafeteria, head resting in his hand with half lidded eyes. His head bobs just a little as he sits by his table, his free hand holding a fork and poking at the stack of pancakes in front of him.=

ROSE: -she is just getting some caffiene. She recognized the head bob. there is a really strong chance someone is about to fall asleep in his breakfast.-

ROSE: I hope the all-nighter was, at very least, some shade of productive.

TAVROS: =It was a really strong chance indeed, because he was already nodding off. He jolts backwards when he's spoken to, looking wide eyed at Rose before his lids fall back into the tired position.= TAVROS: =Sheepish chuckle.= uHM, iT WAS AT LEAST, TAVROS: cERTAINLY, a THING THAT HAPPENED, TAVROS: tHAT AT THE TIME i THOUGHT WAS GOOD, aND PRODUCTIVE, TAVROS: bUT IN RETROSPECT, uHH, rEALLY WASN'T, =He was up all night playing video games, shhh.=

ROSE: I believe I just rescued a pool of syrup from your face.

ROSE: Tell it not to bother with gratitude. I am but a humble servant.

TAVROS: oH, TAVROS: eHEH, yEAH i AM SURE THAT WHAT YOU DID, jUST NOW, wAS EXACTLY THAT, TAVROS: aND EVEN IF IT, mY FACE, wAS TOLD NOT TO, TAVROS: iT IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR NOT GETTING ALL SYRUPY,

ROSE: Mm. ROSE: Would it also be amenable to laying down for thirty minutes? ROSE: I would be less concerned to meddle in other scenarios, but it is quite literally your job to make monsters. ROSE: I would hate to find out the effects sleep deprivation would have on the construction of some kind of manticore.

TAVROS: =Eats a bit of pancake to try and wake up a bit more.= TAVROS: i THINK THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE, oF THAT HAPPENING, TAVROS: uH, wITH MY FACE AND THUSLY ALSO, tHE REST OF ME, TAVROS: bUT, i GUESS, aS A SIDENOTE, TAVROS: tHEY AREN'T MONSTERS, TAVROS: tHAT i MAKE, TAVROS: tHEY ARE FRIENDS AND ALSO, vERY USEFUL AND LOVING, iN MOST CASES, =He loves all life......=

ROSE: Yes, with fangs and venom sac, generally. ROSE: What have you been working on lately? I suppose this whole thing is affecting your department the least.

TAVROS: rOSE, yOU SHOULDN'T BE JUDGING ANYONE, TAVROS: bASED ON THEIR VENOM SAC, =Goofy little grin.= TAVROS: bUT THE WORK i HAVE BEEN DOING, oR MAIN PROJECT, hAS NOT BEEN INVOLVING OF ANY SACS LIKE THAT, TAVROS: i AM TRYING TO HELP OUT THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, bY CREATING PLANT AND HERB CROSSBREEDS, tHAT WOULD BE HELPING WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES, TAVROS: sINCE IT WOULD BE, rEALLY PRETTY AWFUL, aND BAD, iF WE SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF IT SOMEHOW, wHILE IN SPACE AND NOT AROUND ANY PLACE, uHM, tHAT WOULD HAVE WHAT WE NEEDED, iN THAT KIND OF SCENARIO,

ROSE: I suppose that bears consideration, yes. Albeit a bit high concept for me to completely wrap my head around.

ROSE: That is to say, as a thing that is actually possible to make happen, rather than a bit of cunning writing in a space opera.

TAVROS: i MEAN, i KNOW THAT WHAT i DO, cAN BE MORE THAN A LITTLE CONFUSING, =Furrows his brows trying to think of a good way to explain.= TAVROS: bUT WITH PLANTS, iT IS A BIT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND, sOMEWHAT, TAVROS: bECAUSE WHAT i DO IS JUST A SPEEDIER, aND MORE LESS RARE WAY, oF WHAT HAPPENS IN NATURE SOMETIMES, TAVROS: wITH FLOWERS AND PLANTS THAT ARE GROWING TOGETHER, aND THEN UHM, oNE OR A FEW, eVENTUALLY GAINING QUALITIES, oF THE SURROUNDING ONES, TAVROS: sO YOU GET A HYBRID, oF SORTS,

ROSE: I should clarify. I understand how hybridization works-- it is the matter of cultivating extremely particular ones for medicinal purposes I would feel flies far over my head.

ROSE: Have you found success in doing it?

TAVROS: oH, =Well now he feels like a DOPE for explaining something she already knew.= uHHH, sORRY, i DIDN'T MEAN TO BE EXPLAINING LIKE THAT, sOMETHING YOU ALREADY KNEW, TAVROS: bUT YES i THINK THAT IT IS GOING WELL, aS FAR AS RIGHT NOW, TAVROS: iT IS JUST ME, mAYBE, tRYING TO OVERACHIVE THINGS, bY TRYING TO MAKE ONE PLANT THAT POSSESSES, aLL THE QUALITIES, TAVROS: iNSTEAD OF A SMALL HANDFUL, tHAT COVERS EVERYTHING, tHAT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE VIABLE AND USEFUL,

ROSE: I see. ROSE: If you wind up with any leftover blossoms, I am sure they would make a lovely gift, even lacking the qualities of a botanical panacea.

TAVROS: =Smiles.= yES, aBSOLUTELY, TAVROS: aND IF NOT THEN, tHEY CAN BECOME COMPOST, fOR THE OTHER ONES TO GROW IN, TAVROS: sO THAT NOTHING IS WASTED, eVEN IF IT MIGHT NOT WORK OUT, aS PLANNED,

ROSE: And you remain entirely certain that none of them produce venom.

TAVROS: aT LEAST, TAVROS: eIGHTY PERCENT SURE, =Goofy grin.= TAVROS: bUT NO i AM, TAVROS: vERY CERTAIN OF THE FACT, tHAT THEY ARE NOT DANGEROUS, TAVROS: mOSTLY, =Another goof grin.=

ROSE: Mostly. If you run afoul of any hypnotic pollen spores... Well, I do not expect you to be able to do anything about it, being hypnotized, but try to sneeze if you must.

TAVROS: =Quietly flashbacks to all the grass pup experiments and their hypnotic self defense pollen spores. Poor pokerface, and lets out a small laugh.= TAVROS: =One fingergun.= hAHA, yES, i WILL ABSOLUTELY DO THE BEST THAT i CAN, tO BE SNEEZING AND NOT HYPNOTIZED, iN THE CASE OF THAT HAPPENING,

PIP: -In he flies, cawing. He crave meat. Check out this crow lusus eating at this bacon on the buffet-

ROSE: -squint-

ROSE: Is that one of yours?

PIP: -Peck peck snarf scarf. Look at him go.-

TAVROS: =Stares at the sudden crow.= TAVROS: uHHH, nO ACTUALLY, TAVROS: i DON'T KNOW WHOSE THAT IS, TAVROS: =Stares at the crow and is just... Gonna commune with this birb friend. Stares at him and gently prods at his birb mind with his own. "hELLO THERE,"=

ROSE: It definitely broke loose from somewhere.

PIP: -The birb freezes and cocks his head in Tavs direction- "Sup fudgesicle?"

TAVROS: =Snrks at seemingly nothing, then nods at Rose.= yEAH, mOST LIKELY, TAVROS: ="jUST EATING BREAKFAST, jUST LIKE YOU IT WOULD SEEM, bUT, i DON'T THINK i'VE SEEN YOU AROUND OR ANYTHING, wHERE ARE YOU FROM,"=

NEPETA: :33 < =There is breathing from the vent. She sees a birb=

PIP: "The room"

ROSE: -sips-

TAVROS: =Well that wasn't omnious in the slightest. "dO YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE WITH YOU, iN THE ROOM i MEAN, dO THEY KNOW THAT YOU ARE HERE,"= TAVROS: =Intense staring at birb.=

PIP: "Nah, it's free reign right now. The douche is out." -Caw cackles-

ROSE: Oh. I think it liked that.

TAVROS: ="oH, wELL i SEE, bUT THEN MAYBE DON'T EAT ALL THE BACON LIKE THAT, bECAUSE THEN THE REIGN MIGHT NOT BE AS FREE VERY QUICKLY,"= TAVROS: =Holds up his fork which contains some pancakes. Smiles as he offers the birb food.= TAVROS: =Side eyes to Rose.= (yEAH, hE RAN AWAY i THINK, aND IS PRETTY HAPPY ABOUT THAT,)

PIP: "What are you gonna do, shoot me? Been there, done that." -cackles again and pecks at more bacon-

TAVROS: ="mNOO, i WOULDN'T BE DOING THAT, i DON'T LIKE VIOLENCE, a WHOLE LOT,"= TAVROS: =But what he IS going to do is get Pip to think about pancakes. And how it's right there on the fork, and how pancakes are much better than bacon that will get you in trouble. Why, over here in pancake country there's even the possibility of pets on his lil birb head.=

PIP: -He hates pancakes and he hates that he's thinking about them. He will at least, stop pecking at the bacon and stare at Tavros.-

NEPETA: 833 < =Opens the grate slowly. She has the perfect angle. But then there's Tavros.... being all friendly with the bird. Maybe she can like....drops a cookie right on Tavros' shoulder. Distraction=

TAVROS: =But pancakes are so good! And it's important to have a varied diet. All these gentle invasive thoughts about pancakes and their deliciousness.= TAVROS: =At least until they rather abruptly stop as Tavros flinches from something hitting his shoulder. Stares at it, then upwards, then at Rose.= TAVROS: =??????=

ROSE: Wasn't me.

PIP: -FINALLY! The thoughts of shitty pancakes stop...but something is telling him he should move. He fly over to perch on Rose.-

NEPETA: :33 < !!!!! = POUNCES FOR THE BIR-FUCK!!!Avoids Rose by a hair and goes sliding over the floor=

NEPETA: :33 < =lays there= hi!!

TAVROS: tHEN WH-- oH, =There she goes...= TAVROS: =Stares at Nepeta, then waves at her with his pancake'd fork.=

ROSE: -she don't even flinch-

ROSE: Hi, Nepeta. Please do not do that again.

PIP: -CACKLES-

NEPETA: :33 < maybe! =if it keeps laughing who knows. But she goes to get some pancakes from the bae=

PIP: -Inspects Rose. She reminds him of that crazy lady Davenforth likes to hang out with.-

TAVROS: =Gives Nepeta a look because hun please. That bird belongs to someone. Lets her have at it with the pancakes though.= wERE YOU IN THERE FOR A LONG TIME, TAVROS: tHE VENT i MEAN,

NEPETA: :33 < =BOO. But fine eats these pancakes= fur a little bit! =of a long time=

ROSE: -Peeks at the bird. being a percH. She is surprisingly nonplussed, despite this.- ROSE: You do look familiar. I distinctly recall you on Davenforth's shoulder, actually.

PIP: -Caws in affirmation-

TAVROS: bUT LONG ENOUGH TO GET PLANNED OUT, a EFFICIENT WAY OF ATTACK, =Snrks a little bit and leans on her.= i SEE, TAVROS: =Looks to Rose talking with the bird though. Oh! Then the great owner mystery was solved.=

ROSE: I wouldn't get used to this. I have a cat.

ROSE: I suppose we ought to find him to collect you. -because SURELY he's still on the ship-

PIP: -He gets along with cats. They are fellow assholes-

NEPETA: :33 < h33h33h33 yes =leans back on the big= NEPETA: :33 < maybe they would get pawlong rose!

ROSE: I am almost positive you just tried to eat this bird, Nepeta.

NEPETA: :33 < =puts her index and thumb close and winks= only a lliiiiiiitttle bit

TAVROS: =Mutual leaning happenings.= i AM ALSO PRETTY POSITIVE, aBOUT THIS FACT, aCTUALLY, =Looks down at her, but he's mostly looking amused honestly... Snrk.=

EQUIUS: -Appears suddenly. It's time for a nice leafy salad. Then he sees the Nep.-

EQUIUS: D --> Greetings everyone

ROSE: Hey, there.

TAVROS: =Grins over at the appearifying horse.= hI EQUIUS, hAVE YOU ALSO COME, fOR MYSTERY BIRDS,

NEPETA: :33 < =Freezes, she dusty dirty= ...... hey!!

EQUIUS: D --> Neigh, I came to partake of food stuffs but I may have to change my current plans -Eyes Nepeta-

NEPETA: :33 < =Listen=

ROSE: That sounds like trouble.

EQUIUS: -Your sins will be cleansed-

NEPETA: :33 < =Shuffles closer to Tavros.= mew n33d to EAT SILLIQUIUS

TAVROS: oH, =Oblivious. Just gotten used to Nepeta being covered in various stuff by now.= hOW COME, TAVROS: bECAUSE YES, fOOD IS VERY IMPORTANT, =Looks down at Nep when she shuffle. Moves a hand to hold one of hers.=

NEPETA: :33 < =She has the right to be filthy. Also eats more of his pancakes that're probably soggy=

EQUIUS: D --> Hygiene is also important

PIP: -Caws gently-

NEPETA: :33 < (PSH)

NEPETA: :33 < =Stfu bird=

PIP: -Make him-

NEPETA: :33 < =stands up on the chair, staring at the birb=

PIP: -He caw-

NEPETA: :33 < ......=unsheathes claws and looks at rose=

ROSE: No.

NEPETA: :33 < but why not???? :((

ROSE: We have food. You absolutely do not have to hunt house pets.

NEPETA: :33 < ......bluh! =she wouldn't want anyone hunting spiny=

ROSE: You owe me, bird.

PIP: -She gets a nuzzle-