#practicalfamiliar

[gulescamisade]

Betty Crocker Headquarters:  Brief Reunions

ROXY: =KICKS OPEN THE DOOR, READY TO TUSSLE A BIG ASS BUG=

JAMES: -Oh good. He doesn't have to bust through anymore walls... Fists are raised.-

JAKE: -HE'LL FIRE HIS GUN. TIME TO HERO KICK OUT THE DOOS.- BOOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DISCIPLE: -!!!

DISCIPLE: -ENEMY SOLDIERS, PROBABLY. POUNCES AT THEM FROM ATOP THE BUG-

TEREZI: W41T NO W3 C4N TOT4LLY US3 1T FOR TR4NSPORT! =shes sprinting after roxy dressed in ridiculously soft, green jammies.=

ROXY: =WE'RE NOT THE ENEMY YOU'RE THE ENEMY=

DISCIPLE: -try telling that to an entire cat-

JAKE: -TIME TO FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-

DIRK: -rattled on this here dragonfly and then RATTLED EVEN MORE when he sees roxy and jake. he similarly leaps from the big bug, but he isn't trying to tackle them...yet.-

SOLLUX: -ear perk- ... tz?

ROXY: AAAAAA-- >:O =oh a cat= aaaaa!! :) ROXY: =Oh a fast incoming cat- lowers fists= AAHH!! >:U

JOHN: -NYOOMS OFF THIS DRAGONFLY HAMMER IN HAND.-

ROXY: =DOOF=

JOHN: -!!!-

DISCIPLE: -CATSLIDE-

DISCIPLE: -sniffs at her-

DISCIPLE: >:oo

ROXY: =wrecked=

JAKE: -HISSSSSSSSSSSSS- OH. He knows that face.- I know that face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >8O

JAKE: And that face! Holy shit! Every face in this vicinity!!!!!!

DISCIPLE: IS SAFE.

DIRK: -stands there with his hands up like yikes. A COLLISION.-

DISCIPLE: THEY ARE OUT OF THE CAGE.

ROXY: and i been doin just fine

JADESPRITE: -She hovers in toward this scene -- she was flying up above the dragonfly, watching out for what was going on.- :)

ROXY: haha jk im burning

JOHN: -RECOGNIZES THEM AND BABBLES, ZOOMING IN-

ROXY: =hugs disci tho=

DISCIPLE: -stands up and hoists Roxy over her head.-

JADESPRITE: you all made it out okay

JOHN: GUYS!!! GUYS GUYS GUYS!!!

ROXY: =OH=

JOHN: guys guys guys!!!

DISCIPLE: You see? You see this, yes!

ROXY: =AM HUPPED=

DISCIPLE: Is here.

ROXY: its me

JOHN: dad!!!

JAKE: -looks wildly around. Kind of panicked honestly.- But if youre out here and we all are WHO THE HELL IS DRIVING THIS LOCOMOTIVE??????

JAKE: ROXY????????

KARKAT: !! =rEZI? He peeps over the basket=

TEREZI: =HER HEAD SNAPS TO SOLLUX and she's running for him, arms outstretched, going in for the HUG=

TEREZI: >:''''''D

TEREZI: 1 PROM1S3D YOU, D1DNT 1?

ULFURA: DAS ME!!! -waves atop the dragonfly.-

DIRK: -ok, now that nobody is trying to kill each other-

DIRK: -MOVE I'M GAY-

JAKE: -So wall eyed and confused.- ???????????????

URSAIS: -Dismounts a little slower with Ulfura-

KARKAT: =Lots of fucking clamouring in the basket, he'll crawl over motherfuckers=

SOLLUX: -he's hovering down out of his seat to meet her, just fucking ANNIHILATED BY TEREZI EMBRACE.-

DAVE: -holy shit she's alive. That's a big relief and he's happy for his momo-

TEREZI: =clotheslines Karkat also=

SOLLUX: hhggh.

ROXANNE: -She off that bug so fast, look out disciple and roxy she is making a bee line for you.-

DIRK: Roxy? Jake?

DISCIPLE: -slam dunks Roxy on Roxanne-

KARKAT: =Good kill him, he's crying and holding her so tight=

DISCIPLE: -she's helping-

DISCIPLE : -SHE DOES A FUCKING CAT FACE BUT THIS ONE WON'T LET IT NOT BE A CLOCK-

ROXY: =DOOF!!=

JAKE: Dirk????

JOHN: -FLIES AT HIS DAD!!!-

ROXY: 8U =At all this lifting and throwing=

TEREZI: =squeezing the life out of her quads=

ROXANNE: -OOF-

SOLLUX: fuck... g0d damn it. -buries self in Karkat and Terezi??-

JAMES: OH DEAR. -son incoming...-

ROXANNE: -But also squeezes the fuck out of the daughter hi, hi there hello.-

DAVE: -watching the reunions. Where is Jade-

TEREZI: =HECK, she's crying too=

MICEXA: -And she's sort of frozen in her seat, staring down at the green-robed person down there. It can't... it can't really be, can it?-

JOHN: -THE SON IS HERE. PUMMELS HIM IN A HUG.-

DIRK: -HERE COMES ME-- oh jesus he's still in the booty shorts-

ROXY: =HUGS ON THE MOMMEN, buries face in. She's the stankiest mom, sorry not sorry=

LIFERA: -She's hardly paying attention to all these reunions. She's staring anxiously around them, at the sky.-

HESONY: (Fuck me...)

JAKE: -The confusion ends with Dirk FINALLY finding him somewhere in the tackle of people.- .... 8'(

ROXANNE: -She does not even care, and is totally actually crying but its no big deal, shh.-

DAVE: -they're going to get Jade. They're going to get Jade. They're going to get Jade and bring her back just like everybody else-

ROSE: -She's actually doing the same as Lifera. All that fighting isn't likely to end soon.-

MITUNA: -Elbows Sunny- you owe me like a million caegar5

JADESPRITE: -hey, she's here Dave...-

KARKAT: =Get wrecked sollux, SQUEEZES him too=

DIRK: ... -gently approaches this boof and pulls him into a tight hug.- (Fuck.)

DAVE: -you're A Jade you're not MY Jade there's a DIFFERENCE but I'm happy you're ok too-

JADESPRITE: - :( -

DAVENFORTH: -Also looking around. These reunions are nice but...-

KARKAT: =Don't be fucking RUDE Dave=

DAVE: -I'm the original rude boy-

LIFERA: -climbs out of this dragonfly seat. She can't stay sitting.-

DEREK: -👁️👁️ james in the distance but they can do an unironic bicep close up later... for now he's among those cautiously awaiting the inevitable.-

LATULA: -PROBABLY PUNCHES ROXY AT SOME POINT- LATULA: YOU WOULD NOT B3L13V3 TH3 SH1T W3V3 B33N THROUGH THO.

DAVE: -still staying where he is...eyebrows furrowing. Concentrating. He has to busy himself somehow while still making progress-

JAKE: -He... it takes him a second to realize it's actually Dirk and then another full second to wrap his arms around him.- (Dirk...) JAKE: -breathing shallowly and rapid, high with emotion and above else fear.- (Were not out of the woods yet.)

MICEXA: -finally forces herself out of her seat, too, stepping almost shakily to stand a few feet away from Terezi.-

HESONY: (Shut up, Sparky, 1---) =the rest of his insult dies as his voice breaks, still staring=

TEREZI: =She doesn't ever want to let go, but that would be impractical. Though she doesn't want to she breaks from them, one hand on each of their faces.=

TEREZI: >:']

DAVE: we should get going -he says not loud enough for anyone to hear him except maybe the others on the dragonfly-

ROXY: =SHE BETTER= ROXY: girl there's... a lotta shit

ROXY: so much fuckin shit u wouldnt believe or you would.... but like.... damn... wtf

ROXY: im ready 2 blow this place up

SOLLUX: fuck...

SOLLUX: haha. ahaha...

DAVENFORTH: -Slides out the seat of this big bug, sword already drawn-

LATULA: ok wow fuck you 1m blow1n 1t up F1RST.

ERIDAN: -gazing from beyond and then turns his squint to the sky. Shit's too convenient for his taste.-

TEREZI: =it is only when the movement from her peripherals happen that she glanced toward it.=

TEREZI: .......

ROXY: gd girl later

ROXY: yeesh

LATULA: PSH H3Y 4LSO GL4D 1M NOT D34D??? TH4NKZ. LOV3 YOU 2 B4B3Z.

ROXANNE: -Mmm, unfortunately yeah those killjoys have a point. She is letting go of Roxy (just in time for her butt to be punched by latula) and dries her watery eyes with the back of her hand.-

DIRK: -buries his face against jake's neck. all he needs his a second, though he's definitely greedy enough to take more.- (I know.)

DIRK: -exhales as he pulls away, but keeps ahold of jake's hand. he looks around at all the chaos just beyond them.-

JAMES: -handles the brunt of John tackling him with finesse.- JOHN. YOU ARE SAFE.

ROXY: ur not allowed :C =No one else is allowed to die but she does love her and starts to look around... gangs..... almost all here but not quite=

JOHN: i was worried but i knew you'd be okay. c:

ROXANNE: -She can be more emotional later, its chill. Shes already loading up her gun and looking around for that OTHER someone she is missing.-

JOHN: -Literally hovers around the group, wanting to hug EVERYONE now but they probably don't have time for that. Later.-

HESONY: =Almost falls off the dragonfly, climbing down none too gracefully=

TEREZI: =she pressed herself against Karkat and Sollux one more time before turning to her team, grabbing them by their shirtfronts and pulling them both down into a hug. Too bad, you gotta adjust to MY height.=

JAMES: .......... -fluffs up John's hair, still hugging him. He can't... quite articulate how grateful he is to have his son with him. Presses a stern kiss to his hair and hopes it conveys even SOMETHING.-

KARKAT: =EUGH at that... but if it makes her happy fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffine=

JOHN: -This is a very sweet scene in general and there's nothing to complain about.-

HESONY: =a blubbering pansy=

ERIDAN: -disgusting........................-

HESONY: =stfu=

JAMES: -when he's able, he takes a single moment to search for Roxanne's face in the crowd. How much time did they have? Not enough, he felt.-

MICEXA: Ah--!

MICEXA: T...erezi... -It's all she manages before the sting in her eyes and the tightness of her throat is a little too much, and she leans down into her tiny teammate, her arms curling around both her and Sunny. It feels like it's been a thousand years and yet no time at all. Her swarm.-

JOHN: -floats up above jake and lovlingly beats on his shoulders- i'm glad you're alright, buddy. -he looks so skinny though! he's getting a strict dietary regimine of lots of protein after this.-

TEREZI: =Her chest heaves as she began to cry again from happiness. The missing pieces now fit. Everyone she loves is here or waiting elsewhere. Distance does not seperate as it used to.=

ROXANNE: -It really isnt but the moment she is sure John and James are done she is marching up to him.-

SOLLUX: -he has no idea who these douchebags are or why Terezi is hugging them... but his gaze drifts away for a moment as he moves toward Dirk and Jake.-

JAKE: -It was the raw pumpkin diet. But there Jake stands, fiddling and anxious. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.-

TEREZI: =she'll tackle you later, Sollux. Theres hours of piletime in her schedule=

MITUNA: -He's happy seeing all this but he really misses Porrim and Damara now...He hopes they're still okay.-

JOHN: -Aww. Poor guy. 8(-

MICEXA: Don't cry-- I'm sorry... -It's little more than a whisper, but her hand strokes over Terezi's hood for lack of ability to touch her hair, and she wishes she could, to remember better times.-

ARADIA: -she looks like she's waiting for something...-

ROXANNE: -Shes had like a whole month to think about stuff, and while the last time they were really face to face things were pretty uncertain, but now she is running on determination, resolution and also no sleep hah... anyways before things hit the fan shes dragging James into a kiss right on the lips.-

DAVE: -he's restless and he wants to find Jade and everyone here getting back together is great and all but he's bitter.-

TEREZI: =They'll have time for all of that and more. She'll make sure of it.=

SOLLUX: -just kinda happens at them. he's here and he's gonna find Jake's tiddies with his face.-

JAMES: !!! -THIS IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING AND JAMES IS HIGHLY SURPRISED. And red in the face and Roxanne plszzzzzz. He die, it's hardly even a proper kiss.-

TEREZI: DONT... YOU D1D WH4T YOU COULD, G1V3N TH3 C1RCUMST4NC3S...

DIRK: -yes bring it in, sollux...-

JAKE: -He just... fresh tears anew. This soft chitter.- Q_Q

TEREZI: =that's my rail, everyone. bask in his glory=

JOHN: -ROSE DO YOU SEE THAT YOUR MOM IS KISSING MY DAD???? WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT? this is the first he's heard or seen fo this.-

ROXY: =Wait a diddly darn second what=

ROSE: -uh-

ROXANNE: -Its not but she is pretty sure they've got like thirty seconds before they gotta jump into action again.-

ROSE: -okay THAT'S enough to distract her from her fidgeting-

ROSE: Hi.

ROSE: -leaning from on top of the bug.-

MICEXA: -She just purses her lips then, wordless, with too much emotion to fit any words to even if she wanted to. The tears roll out, so much she's been forcing herself to hold, and she's almost afraid she might not be able to come back from this.-

ROSE: I can see that you're.

ROSE: Busy.

JAMES: - /////////////// -

JAMES: ....

JOHN: ...hehehehhehe. :D

ROXANNE: -Any kiss is done, she is pulling back, her face red but its DONE. She's wanted to do that for weeks and now if she does die, her checklist is complete.-

ROXANNE: -So serious looking.- Gonna' hope youre okay.

DAVE: -muttering to himself- ok but has anyone seen jade

SOLLUX: -Yeah. It's about now that he's crying, too, just silent yellow seeping into Jake's Crocker (TM) shirt.-

SOLLUX: hh--

SOLLUX: hey.

JAMES: I AM FAR MORE THAN OKAY. -He's always serious. And flabberghasted. Wheeze...-

JOHN: -YEAAAAAAAH. GET IT DAD! he's thumbs upping and grinning, being a general emabrassment.-

DIRK: -hhh. he can't not sandwich sollux between them now. he's too upset seeing all this.-

DEREK: -SIDE EYES DAVE but only because he's very pointedly NOT looking in the other direction... with the reunions and such.-

[[ There's a resonant sort of growling from...somewhere. It's a little hard to make out, and maybe not entirely audible if you aren't paying attention. ]]

ROSE: -Ah. Well, there it goes again.-

ROSE: -NEEDLES AGAIN-

TEREZI: =She stares at them and...laughs. It's soft, but genuine as the smile reached her eyes.= NOW YOUR3 CRY1NG

TEREZI: W3R3 4LL CRY1NG

TEREZI: 4 BUNCH OF J4CK4SS3S CRY1NG 1N 4 C1RCL3--

DAVENFORTH: -His head turns in the direction of the growling, sword at the ready.-

JOHN: -???-

JOHN: did you all hear something?

ROSE: Yes.

ROXANNE: Great 'cus-- -Mmmm growling, there it is, she knew it.-

JAKE: Its... JAKE: We... JAKE: Well be alright now. -he wished the seconds could stretch and that he could articulate everything he means to say. But there's not enough time. He just squeezes Sollux tight.-

DAVE: -side-eyes Derek-

[In the middle of all this -- The moment they've ALL been waiting for... In the distance, looming over the vast lake, is the unmistakeable shape of the Condesce's big red motherfucker of a flagship. Pointy and imposing, but it's easing itself onto the scene at a dauntingly slow speed. The shadow it casts engulfs a large number of the ships fighting just below them. And then it waits.]

TEREZI: 1TS-- =she paled=

DAVE: ...

ROXANNE: ........

JAKE: -Just holds his husbands. He knows. He sees it.-

MINDFANG: -Oooh boy, well this is going to suck.- MINDFANG: -Staring up at that ship that every troll with half a brain cell knows.-

[[BARK, comes a sound from somewhere. Is someone barking?? Weird. ]]

ROXY: =pauses from this beauitufl reunion to point= FUCK YOU SHIP =She's so fucking steamed she doesn't even give a fuck anymore=

[S)(-ELLO B-EAC)(-ES]

JOHN: >80 !!!

JADESPRITE: !!

DAVE: -he's REAL FUCKING ALERT NOW-

MICEXA: -sniffs and pulls back from Terezi abruptly-

DAVE: -sits up and looks around-

DAVENFORTH: Flashy

TEREZI: =Roxy's shout pulls her from her fear and her grip tightens on her gun.=

TEREZI: 4LL R1GHT GUYS! TEREZI: L3TS FUCK SH1T UP

LIFERA: -She stares up at the ship as it looms, expression fixed into one of solemn determination...-

LIFERA: -And then moments later, she pulls out her 2x3dent and crouches to LEAP, soaring with a powerful jump high into the sky. High enough to reach the top of the HQ building, at the very least. Looks like she plans on going up to that ship. Either way, she's left them all with a quickness.-

JOHN: -he's got his hammer at the ready, and indeed he is ready to fuck shit up. well put, terezi.-

ROXY: =There she go= .... =majestic=

ROXY: =Well she's not goin ALONE, there are several bones here she has to pick=

SOLLUX: -pulls away from Jake and wipes at his face, turning it up toward the sky... and that's a lot of red.-

SOLLUX: g0d damn it.

DAVENFORTH: Lif -Welp. He can't do all of that, but suddenly flash stepping away, probably up a building to go after her-

MITUNA: UM

MITUNA: 7H475 K1ND 0F 57UP1D

DISCIPLE: Rrrrr.

ROXY: =she can't fly... gdi. wait doi= 

ROXY: i fuckin love bein stupid whos goin up?

QIRIN: Dave! =What did she expect tho?= 

QIRIN: =mutters= Honestly... =She's off to find some STAIRS=

DIRK: -HE'S GOT THE HOVERBOARD OUT-

JOHN: so...up it is?

ROXY: grab on cause this aint a 2 way strt

JOHN: -FWOOOOOOOOM. He starts channeling some breeze. In a circular motion.-

ARADIA: -flies upward immediately after the others-

SOLLUX: i'm g0ing.

JOHN: -Kind of a LOT of Breeze.-

DIRK: I can carry two people.

SOLLUX: -floats up after Aradia-

LATULA: 1m not 3v3n gonn4 PR3T3ND 1m gonn4 b3 us3ful up th3r3. LATULA: -She hops back up on the dragonfly.-

JAKE: -Sollux pulls away and Jake's wibbly anxiety dissolves to be replaced with such a rage.- SIGN ME THE FUCK ROXAROO. -stepping on with Dirk, pistol ready.-

JOLENE: -FUCKING COMES OUTTA NOWHERE ON ROCKET BOOTS YEEHAW.-

JOLENE: -SHE'S COMING FOR YOU NEEUHI-

MITUNA: UM

ROXY: o then fuck that im savin my sinergey, jumps on with dirk and jake- HYAH SUGARPRINCE

TEREZI: SOLLUX!

TEREZI: B3 S4F3! =she holds up two fingers - her half of their diamonds=

ROXY: =holds up tiny fists=

DIRK: -THERE THEY GO eating grandma's dust-

LATULA: H3Y STUP1D YOUR3 NOT 4LLOW3D TO D13 31TH3R!!!!

SOLLUX: -spins around to offer her two fingers... and then a middle finger for everybody else.-

LATULA: -shakes a fist at roxy-

SOLLUX: -ascends-

JOHN: -He's mixing up a special present for you, Condy. He stays on the ground for now to nurture it. It spins and spins. Yeah. He's making a small tornado.-

ROXY: i wont i love you ill brb with the BLOOD OF MY ENEMIIEEEEEEESSSSSSssssssss... =nyooms off=

DAVE: -he swore he heard the barking and the growling where is it COMING from. Up there? Somewhere else?-

ROSE: One moment.

HESONY: =he's only come to realize how WELL Terezi had actually adapted and moved on with her life. He's...slightly jealous holy shit.=

ROSE: -She pulls out her communicator.-

MITUNA: -Sighs- fuck i7 gue55 who need5 a ride

ERIDAN: -sweeping himself up to Mituna, finally talking up.- HEY SPARKMAGE

ERIDAN: we gonna ignore the wwhole arsenal of altenian militials havvin their wway on the BATTLE GROUNDS

[Eridan does have a good point. The ships are giving them their attention now...]

MITUNA: who the bulge are you

URSAIS: nah me 'n my crRew is gon give 'em the at ten shun they deserves. -EL SQUINTO AT THIS RANDOM FUCK OFF SEADWELLER.-

MINDFANG: -Behind Eridan now.- I agree. We shouldnt 8e focusing all our efforts on one... -squints up at the red ship- fish.

ROSE: -Puts the communicator away.-

ROSE: Okay.

KARKAT: =some douchebag= FINE ALRIGHT THEN LET'S GET TO IT. =Rolls his shoulders but he's not jumping in the water.... YET. Brandishes his fists=

LATULA: -leaning over and peering through her scope to watch those ships...-

LATULA: 1 got 4n 3y3 out bro.

TEREZI: =brandishes...Jakes gun=

ERIDAN: some douche wwhos full assed about takin on an army wwith the likes of some ragtag rebellion fucks -Also he has a few automatic rifles on him.-

JOHN: well, i'm going to focus my attention on the one fish. see you guys on the flip side. -THERE HE GOES.-

JOHN: good luck! -TAKES HIS TORNADO WITH HIM-

HESONY: =he pulled out his gigantic shield. Yall gonna be protected so hard.=

MINDFANG: -Oh so now the shield is for protecting.-

NEPETA: =Eyes Eridan, eyes Hesony=

LATULA: 4lr1ght y4l 3v3rybody who 41nt st1ck1n to gu4rd th3 r34r???? 1tz PROB4BLY 4bout t1m3 to g3t your 4ss3s up h3r3.

LATULA: c4us3 th3yr3 com1n 1n hot.

[[BARK.]]

EQUIUS: -He has released the back up. Be free, my children.-

HESONY: =if you rather i didn't, mindfang...=

DAVE: -ok now he's trying to identify where the barking is coming from again.- jade

NEPETA: =Takes her coat off and leaves it in the basket, ear perk....... RUNS OFF=

NEPETA: =TO WAR=

JADE: -It is now fairly apparent where the barking is coming from... as there is a sparking of green coming from above. On the headquarters rooftop stand Jade and Jane both, staring down at the group.-

JANE: -She has her giant red fork by her side... and she only watches down at them for a moment before turning around and walking back away from the edge and disappearing onto the rooftop.-

JADE: -And then she zaps down to the group on the ground, growling and fizzling with power. This could get pretty bad unless somebody does something.-  

DAVESPRITE: -As she zaps, Davesprite appears from seemingly out of nowhere. Sun's out, swoards out.- surprise bitches

DAVE: -he finally hops down from giant bug. He's not gonna get his sword out yet- jade chill-- -OH THIS GUY-

DAVESPRITE: -FLAP FLAP HIS WINGS. You thought you'd seen the last of him...-

JADE: -OKAY WHAT THE FUCK??-

JADE: BARK!!! -lunges at Davesprite, flashing green. It's probably clear she intends to pull the same stunt she did last time.-

ROSE: -Grabs Aranea's arm.-

ROSE: Hello. ROSE: I need to be up.

ROSE: -POINTS TOWARDS THE ROOF-

ARANEA: !

ARANEA: Right! -holds onto rose and FLAP FLAPS-

MINDFANG: -What an angry looking human dog and a weird orange monkey bird.-

DAVESPRITE: -She can try and disappear with him but he'll only come back and appear right at her side again. ANNOYINGLY.- alright harley

DAVESPRITE: lets do this

JADESPRITE: -meanwhile, she floats up to Mindfang.- (the roof! we should head up there)

JADESPRITE: (im sure davesprite is going to lead her up there too)

JADESPRITE: -reaches for Mindfang's hand- (you can put humans to sleep cant you?)

ROSE: (Try to keep her attention off of you. I don't think she'll hesitate to kill you like she will the others. Also, we need you to knock her out.)

DAVESPRITE: -caw caw, jade. Look at the birdieeee.-

ARANEA: -side eyes... but yes, she has a point.- (Right...)

MINDFANG: -Who dis other dog girl.- (...Yes I can.)

MINDFANG: -Gives the rustling duo over there one more look as she quickly catches up with the idea.- !!

MINDFANG: (Alright lets move.) -Is there any clear path to get up there?? Shes looking around for one.-

JADESPRITE: -HERE'S THE PATH. She grabs Mindfang's hands and starts flyin', soarin'. NYOOM.-

DAVESPRITE: -And so uses sprite kinetics to get a grip on Jade and PUNT HER UP TO THE ROOF. He did indeed just do that.-

MINDFANG: -Warning next time but THIS WORKS.-

DAVESPRITE: -soars on after her.-

JADE: RRRR!!! RRRRAAWWOOOOOOOOF!!!

JADE: -COMICALLY FLIES UP TO THE ROOF.-

[gulescamisade]

Betty Crocker Headquarters:  Headquarters Entrance

[Suddenly, coming out of the building on the ground are several legislacerators with one in particular at the lead. Doesn't look like they want anybody leaving...or entering.]

EUPHORIA: -stands at the front, focused. He will give orders as needed-

JAMES: -!!!!!!!!!! So this is where he stands. Equips himself with the photon shield once again. He's battle ready.-

TEREZI: =oh fuck....it's her old teacher!=

KARKAT: !!! ... =FINS FLARE AND HE HISSES=

JAMES: -He's perhaps passing knowledge of this troll. Depending on their infamy.- 

JAMES: ... -Either way, he's waiting for them to make the first move.-

DISCIPLE: -She pulls her lion hood over her face, pulling out a crossbow.-

DISCIPLE: You are here for justice, she thinks.

DISCIPLE: Is this true?

[[ A legislacerator in the ranks pipes up: "We are the Empress's Justice. All those who defy her will fall." ]]

DISCIPLE: We are the people's justice. 

DISCIPLE: We cannot be killed. 

DISCIPLE: No one says the same for empires, she thinks, yes? 

DISCIPLE: Look upon ye mighty. 

DISCIPLE: -She LAUNCHES A BOLT.- 

DISCIPLE: And despair.

[[ One in the crowd of troll lawyers finds a bolt to the heart and drops a bit patheically. Plop.]]

HESONY: ...

DISCIPLE: -She loads another, teeth bared.-

EUPHORIA: -speaking of despair, everyone in the immediate vicinity will feel it. It's strong. Crippling despair-

MICEXA: --! 

MICEXA: -She knows she doesn't need to say it, but she looks at Sunny immediately-

JAMES: -He... is not invulnerable to this... The shield faulters.-

KARKAT: =FUCK YOU ESPECIALLY EUPHORIA=

HESONY: =he quickly activates his own power of nullification, but unfortunately all other powers in the immediate area will also be nullified.=

DISCIPLE: -Her eye slits go narrow for a second, but just a second. She stares at the group and that horrified expression turns to a snarl.-

HESONY: =He's fighting against his own.. This is highly unprecedented.=

JAMES: -He never had powers to begin with. It's enough for James to take action and lob a whole THREE DECKER CAKE at Euphoria with considerable force. Eat that, Justice.-

DAVE: -god DAMN IT HE NEEDS TO GET UP THAT WALL but the feeling--it's so heavy. He's gonna try to push for it anyway-

[[ At the unlawful attack of their commander, the legislacerators surge forth, drawing their own weapons and preparing to swarm the crew. ]]

EUPHORIA: -equips his weapon, a half scythe half sword dealio that seems bigger than your average scimitar. He uses it defensively, weakening the blow. The feeling of despair is even stronger.-

JAMES: -there's a mess of cakes flying around. 🍰-

KARKAT: =Luckily his fucking fists won't be. He's leaping into the fray to fish punch the nearest lawyer... actually no. He's going to straight up grab this bitch and hoist em=

KARKAT: =HISS=

HESONY: =He pushes harder, keeping focused as he raised his shield for the incoming attack. He never had to go against the mental abilities of another legislacerator before, so the entire process is taxing on the mind.=

TEREZI: =Pop pop pop! She's firing into the oncoming crowd. With how many there are, she doesn't really need to worry about aim all that much.=

DISCIPLE: -Another bolt, before she bashes the whole crossbow into pieces over one of the Legislacerator's heads. And then the claws are out.-

DISCIPLE: -Well, she's not gonna bother with all that fiddling and reloading if they're just going to RUSH at her.-

[[ The crossbow bash takes one down for the count. My, thisll be embarrassing when they wake up in the morning. ]]

EUPHORIA: -despair only seems to fuel them. Rapid mood change. Intimidated. Nothing you do will actually defeat this ENTIRE group. That's what it feels like anyway.- S urrender a nd t his w ill g o b y m uch q uicker.()

KARKAT: =If he got the chance to hoist this mofo then he's using him as a weapon. He is beating other motherfuckers with motherfuckers and that means you Euphoria= SHUT YOUR FUCKING FACESHITTER! =But as that mood changes he does hesitate a bit... is a familiar feeling but not a pleasant one=

DAVE: -focuses a strategy and attempts to take a risk here, flash stepping through the crowd and to the side where he can start pulling himself up. This is gonna be a tough one. He doesn't feel like he can do it but he has to try-

KARKAT: =Dave you idiot... GODDAMMIT=

HESONY: It won't end the same this time, Euphoria! =He's stepping closer, trying to enhance his negation. He knows he needs to be closer and he began to barrel through some with his shield. Resorting to slicing through them when they begin to swarm him, he kept his gaze locked with his former judicator.= 

[[Terezi's bullet's hit, but none are fatal. She succeeded in grazing an arm while another went cleanly through a shoulder. But legislacerators are tenacious. They continued on, attacking the group with terrifying strength.]]

DAVE: -sword in between teeth for easy access-

[[Karkat bowls a few people over with his actual-troll bowling ball. ]]

KARKAT: =GOOD=

KARKAT= He's just gonna go whole, ass ape and try to cut through these lawyers=

EUPHORIA: T he l ess d eath, t he b etter, w ouldn't y ou s ay? M y o wn w ords. -wow everyone is starting to feel REALLY HAPPY so happy it's paralyzing who even FEELS this happy ever-

KARKAT: =Why this though?? He pauses his asshole swinging at the wrong moment and gets shanked tf up, gdi his arm=

JAMES: -Lobbing a barasol infused bomb. 💥 NOTHING IS HAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION SIR. GET OUT OF HIS HEAD. -

DAVE: -this is hard. The way he's feeling makes him wants to roll on the ground laughing for some reason but it takes everything he can to keep pulling himself up. Speedily. He has to ignore the pain for now--he's already halfway there-

EUPHORIA: -slinks behind the legislacerators for more of a defensive position. He can't stop looking at hesony and micexa, but that doesn't mean he's not focused-

JAMES: -have more cake.-

DISCIPLE: -If they're going defensive, she's going to push in harder. Injuries be damned; she's covered in all kinds of blood.-

TEREZI: =she's keeping her distance, if only because she's doing long range...wow...what is wrong with the world actually?= F1GHT 1T!! YOU KNOW YOU C4N! =pew pew!=

KARKAT: =Dave if he could he'd punch you in the ass but he DOES fight it and starts to punch throats. Fighting in the fray. Fists and claws a flyin=

[[ James's Barbasol bomb is spied by several legislacerators who panic to get out of the way. The casualties are seven space lawyers who are in various states of incapacitation. The others escape singed but alive.=

DAVE: -he almost loses his grip for a second but gets his shit together enough to keep going up. 3/4ths of the way. Speed climbing-

JAMES: -doing massive evasive maneuvers that involve even more cakes being thrown around. ALL THE BAD GENTS AND LADIES ARE GETTING CAKE'D.-

EUPHORIA: -he's slightly singed after blocking his face from the explosion but he's been through worse. Increases the feeling of happiness even more. Can it even be considered happiness when it's so intense it's painful?-

DISCIPLE: -That is a fascinating question, and perhaps one to ponder as she attempts to fling a dead body at Euphoria.-

[[ James's efforts ejects the sylladexes of four of the legislacerators, and among the items include Aranea's tablet, Terezi's swords before she acquired her cane, aranea's sword, and a plethora of Dave's photos. ]]

KARKAT: =smacked in the face with lovely photography. FLAILS HIS FISTS=

TEREZI: =she's firing the gun as she goes for her old swords. Hello sweeties.=

EUPHORIA: -disciple is talented, and this dead body gets him right in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him, but he is still standing.- F orward! -he shouts-

DAVE: -4/4 of the way up this roof finally. He is here no longer-

KARKAT: =BYE FOREVER DVE=

KARKAT: =Uppercuts a lawyer=

[[ The legislacerators continue their advance forward, trying to force the group to the water. ]]

DISCIPLE: -YOWLS-

DISCIPLE: -PUSHES BACK!!!-

[[ Legislacerator: punched! His balance is thrown off and he staggered but didn't fall. Karkat's fist may also be smarting just a tad. ]]

[[ Terezi's attempts at reaching her weapon are unsuccessful. For now. It is evident they are aware what her signature weapons are and do not want her using them. ]]

[[ A legislacerator Disciple shoved comically backpedals trying to keep from falling over until he eventually falls onto his butt. ]]

JAMES: -Is terezi trying to get at her weapon? Allow James to have enough of this and STRONG PUNCH his way through the wall of Legis.🤜💥-

EUPHORIA: -that is embarrassing-

DISCIPLE: it's like slapstick except for the part where she goes to town with those claws-

KARKAT: =His fists are on fire but he tries to throw THEM in the water now. Get on his newly acquired turk scrubs=

[[ James is definitely more successful than Terezi was. ]]

[[ Legislacerator: BIG GLOWING DEAD SIGN OVERHEAD ]]

EUPHORIA: -weapon out ready to take anybody out if need be. Except a certain three he may be trying to avoid- P ush t hem b ack!

[[ Karkat's efforts are also fruitful. For the first two. While on the third, the legislacerator grabs his shirtfront and pulls him into the water with her. ]]

KARKAT: =I'M A FISH BITCH BUT OKAY, SPLOOSH=

KARKAT: =hey guys... wanna see what the bottom of the harbor looks like? DRAGS THEM ALL=

HESONY: =He's still trying to barrel through to get to Euphoria. He's making progress, but the lacerations are piling up...=

JAMES: -rolling to retrieve the swords. He hass the swrods.-

DISCIPLE: -She pretty much attempts a FLYING CATLEAP at euphoria. The one giving orders. OBVIOUSLY the one she wants most dead.-

[[ There is another push as the legislacerators surge forward, slashing at them with bladed weapons and firing into the crowd with pistols. ]]

EUPHORIA: -attempts to block disciple with his weapon. This could hurt if successful-

DISCIPLE: -There is some DEFINITE olive blood, but it is good enough to know that she made it that distance.-

DISCIPLE: Rrrrrr.

KARKAT: =Now that he's drowned people he emerges to YANK ANKLES=

TEREZI: =Raises her hand toward James= H3R3!

[[ Disciples attack only grazed Euphoria, just as Euphoria's defense only caused minor injury to Disciple. ]]

[[ Karkat's grip slips a couple times due to the slipperiness of water, but he is INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL the next few attempts. ]]

KARKAT: =SNATCHES EM UP into the water=

DISCIPLE: -She tumbles and rolls, but she's already going in, attempting to swipe with her claws in rapid succession.-

MICEXA: -EXPECT HER TO HELP YOU OUT, HESONY. She is your blade...-

[[ if that's the case, Micexa should expect lacerations too ]]

EUPHORIA: -this cat is undeterred by EVERYTHING. He also lifts his weapon up AGAIN to block. She grazed him before and it's clear what she can do if he doesn't successfully block her-

[[ Euphoria's arakh is long and successfully blocks most of Disciple's onslaught. ]]

KARKAT: =Did he drown enough to clear some o the ASSHOLES. If so he's going to help Disci with a SHOULDER CHARGE at Euph=

DISCIPLE: -this is pretty true. She is BRISTLING and GROWLING, the part of her brain that uses reason and logic and words completely shut down.-

[[ Among the fallen legislacerators, some familiar items are found: terezi's dragon scale jacket, karkat's dual sickles, a pretty banged up toolbox, and what appears to be an entire library's worth of books (spoilers, they're aranea's). ]]

KARKAT: =After he tries this thing he'll be back=

[[ Man these rolls are making Euphoria pretty much untouchable. ]]

EUPHORIA: -bOOM-

EUPHORIA: -time for intense panic-

KARKAT: =FOOL, THAT ONLY MAKES HIM SWING HARDER=

DISCIPLE: -Well, if he doesn't take a swing at HER, then she's going to keep pressing. Maybe she'll die of exhaustion but... you probably don't want to roll those bones my friend-

JAMES: -manages to fling the swords to Terezi as best as he can.-

EUPHORIA: -still attempting to block disciple and karkat-

[[ Well the die says 7. At least it's not a 4. Euphoria is NICKED and maybe loses a fingertip. ]]

KARKAT: =his finger now bitch=

DISCIPLE: -She pants, taking a step back and pulling something out of her cloak.- DISCIPLE: -It's... a bottle of glittery gasoline.-

DISCIPLE: Rrrr.

DISCIPLE: -Sparks a flame wit a lighter and LIGHTS IT.-

KARKAT: =OK BYE=

EUPHORIA: -ohh shit. He barely has time to process being nicked-

TEREZI: =She fumbled only for a moment with her swords, but she soon as them in her hands. She was preparting to attack but barely had time to defend, the blade of another sword halted millimeters from her face.= 

[[ The discipletov cocktail ignites in glorious, glittery flame. ]]()

[[ If Euphoria is quick, he will escape with only second degree burns. ]]

DISCIPLE: -DODGE THIS IMPORTANT MAN- 

DISCIPLE: -she FLINGS IT-

EUPHORIA: -he attempts to dodge x 2!!!!-

[[ He's successful, but much of his right arm and part of his torso is kissed by fire. ]]

KARKAT: ARGH!! FUCKING DIE! =goes for the tackle=()

DISCIPLE: -THAT IS A SATISFYING KABOOM NONETHELESS-

EUPHORIA: -he is BURNED and winces at the pain but still has a tight hold of his weapon-

DISCIPLE: -She's not rushing in this time. Karkat is going head on, but her? She's prowling, now. Cat and mouse. Low to the ground. A claw to slash his achilles tendon.-

[[ No matter how much they try, Euphoria is decidedly difficult to take down. His ankle is slashed at but the angle is awkward and only managed to tear a wound into his leg. ]]

DISCIPLE: -She hasn't STOPPED, THEN. She's swinging another fist directly into his knee. ALL CLAWS THROUGH IT.-

EUPHORIA: -he keeps trying to fight back. He can't give up and he won't and he swings his weapon at her-

[[ While the rest of the group, including Terezi, is busy cutting down legislacerators near the water's edge, Hesony finally breaks through the rest of the crowd, just in time to see Disciples claws happen right through Euphoria's knee. ]]

DISCIPLE: -once it tears right through, she just leverages her weight forward to force him down, ripping her claws out and attempting to bring them down again through his back this time.-

EUPHORIA: -he at the very least falls to his knees, grunting in pain and everything is happening so FAST and so quickly and he really wishes it didn't go down like this-

TEREZI: =There is a cry from across the way. She too far to do anything.= HESONY: =But he isn't. Finally through, a shout rips from him= No! =And he's lunging to place himself in between Euphoria and Disciple.=

DISCIPLE: -TUMBLES as her claws fail to hit their mark, skidding on all fours as she snarls at Hesony.-

[[ The claws do tear through his metal arm, striking Euphoria in the process. However, it was not as deadly as it could have been. ]]

EUPHORIA: -his knee is entirely fucked up and trying to gain his bearings is being near impossible. He's sure he's dead until he sees someone standing in front of him. Oh kid...-

HESONY: ... =he just...doesnt know what to do now. His eyes are wide, surprised at his own actions=

KARKAT: =BEATS HI- wait... WHAT?=

JAMES: -this is his chance. He flies in to lock Euphoria in high quality proton energy cuffs. Just spy gear he's had since his days with Skaianet.- THERE WILL BE NO MORE BLOODSHED.

DISCIPLE: -SNARLS at James, too.-

JAMES: -He knows what he's about, cat.-

KARKAT: =James no... Karkat usually likes you=

EUPHORIA: -breathes heavily at the pain from the claw injuries and the blue blood that escapes from his skin. He keeps looking up at hesony. Just the entire time-

DISCIPLE: -She looks at the others. The calm, the anger, the acceptance, the sorrow. It's enough that her snarl fades, a small, butter expression left as she retracts her claws and pulls away her hood.-

HESONY: =please dont look at him. Everyone already doesn't trust them for squat and now he just defended the enemy(?) FUck....=

KARKAT: =Definitely not happy about it = YOU NEED TO PICK A SIDE. =He's still steamed about it=

MICEXA: -She just releases a pent-up breath. Frankly, she wasn't sure where to stand... but knowing this is working out this way tells her it was what she hoped for.-

MICEXA: -And also HESONY WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING BECAUSE I JUST READ THAT WHOLE THING NOW-

JAMES: -The troll is subdued... It's the most he can hope for.-

TEREZI: =she's jogging up, out of breath from fighting.= K4RK4T H3S... 

TEREZI: H3 W4S OUR JUD1C4TOR 

TEREZI: =that's no excuse but. She looks torn.=

MICEXA: -HESONY YOU IDIOT-

MICEXA: -YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TRY TO DIE!!!-

HESONY: =I KNOW=

KARKAT: GREAT SO HOW DID HE HELP US EXACTLY BY TRYING TO KILL US?

KARKAT: FUCK THIS ASSHOLE!

MICEXA: -rushes over to Hesony and just. Rests a hand on his arm and squeezes. They need to get the hell out of this situation.-

[[ Once seeing Euphoria fall, the legislacerators that remained were beaten back with the UU's own tenacity and were forced to retreat further into the headquarters, escaping elsewhere to regroup with The Expunger. ]]

KARKAT: OH, AND ALL THAT OTHER SHIT HE SUCCEEDED IN DOING????

DISCIPLE: You are right. 

DISCIPLE: I do not care what he was. 

DISCIPLE: -She throws the bloody claws down. And then drops several of the bloody furs.- 

DISCIPLE: But it doesn't matter now. -Her voice rumbles, hoarse.- 

DISCIPLE: -She shoots a glare at Hesony and Micexa and Euphoria, too. Deep breath through her nose. And then, she lets it go.-

DISCIPLE: -And then she turns, abruptly, her voice rising to a snarl again.-

DISCIPLE: Remember. 

DISCIPLE: When this war is won. 

DISCIPLE: When your side has fallen. 

DISCIPLE: Remember where you stood for the rest of your life.

DISCIPLE: -And with that, she stalks off.-

EUPHORIA: Y ou w ere a lways m uch m ore c ompassionate t han y ou g ave y ourself c reddit f or. -he says under his breath- I f y ou c an't k ill m e...l eave m e h ere.

HESONY: =he's not going to run. That would only solidify his guilt. He doesn't move.= TEREZI: 1 KNOW! 1 KNOW... =shes glancing between Karkat and her former team= 1 KNOW

KARKAT: =he'll argue for you Disciple, he's just. Still flared in the fins, because you guys are fucking nuts and TWO of you he still hates=

JAMES: -says nothing. Only gazing sternly.-

EUPHORIA: Y ou d id e very t hing r ight. N ot t he w ay s he w anted i t.

HESONY: But we did. All of us. Stooping to whatever command she gave us and daring to call it justice when it was anything but. 

HESONY: =He won't say a word to defend himself. Everything the crew said so far was true.=

KARKAT: =He just. Lifts his hands, fists. STEAMING off a frustrated noise Terezi... how much would you hate him if he just. Ate them right the fuck now??=  

MICEXA: ... -She doesn't know what to say. In times like these, it's not so clear. There are too many shades of grey, and how could she possibly make such a call? What choices have they been given, when it all comes down to moments like this one?- 

MICEXA: -The fact is, war isn't made on anything that matters. It's a child's game fought with the tools of adults, the most basic of tenants as right versus wrong. In the end, no one truly wins.- 

MICEXA: \|/e were told to fight or die. 

MICEXA: No one ever told us there could be more.

MICEXA: Hesony...

MICEXA: This isn't in our hands anymore.

TEREZI: =ONE, she'd be too stunned to register hate, and TWO, cannibalism=

MICEXA: The only place I stand... is with my swarm. MICEXA: -looks over at Terezi-

MICEXA: I'm not going to fight what you think is best.

[APPROXIMATELY, there are fifty shades of grey Micexa]

[Just for reference.]

MICEXA: -sudden urge to punch a book somewhere-

EUPHORIA: -he's...taking pride in what micexa is saying. How these three turned out this way he'll never know-

TEREZI: 1....

TEREZI: =They're leaving it up to her? Again?? The last time she decided anything for them, she was an auspistice no longer and their team had been whittled down both in number and will.=

TEREZI: 1 DONT W4NT 4NY MOR3 P3OPL3 1 C4R3 4BOUT TO D13

TEREZI: 1M T3LL1NG YOU NOW TH3R3 1S MOR3

TEREZI: 1 KNOW TH3 3XPUNG3R W4NTS YOU TWO JUST 4S D34D NOW...BUT 1TS NOT MY C4LL

TEREZI: ...

TEREZI: OUR SH1P H4S 4 COUNC1L

TEREZI: WH3N D3C1S1ONS 4R3 M4D3, TH3YR3 M4D3 4S ON3

TEREZI: 1 C4N 4RR4NG3 4 M33T1NG W1TH OUR C4PT41N, BUT...TH4TS 4LL 1 C4N DO

TEREZI: =It's clear her own words are hurting her to say them.=

KARKAT: =😒=

TEREZI: =ilu=

KARKAT: =He loves you too.... that's why he isn't doing more than steaming the water off his body with the heat of his rage=

TEREZI: =😬=

EUPHORIA: A t rial. O f y our o wn.

HESONY: =he just hangs his head. It was better than he expected. At least they had a chance, however small.=

TEREZI: Y3S

EUPHORIA: H a.

TEREZI: 1TS D1FF3R3NT TEREZI: =she glanced over at Sunny and Miss= 1TS HOW W3 W4NT3D 1T TO B3

EUPHORIA: ...V ery w ell.

[[ Among the possessions left behind, and with a little digging, they uncover Dave's pistol and communicator, Mindfang's sword, about 1/3 of Nyalah's weed, Aranea's tablet, and Latula's billy club, skateboard collection, and hoverboard. At least the items people could not part with are all accounted for. ]]()

KARKAT: =LIKE YOU HAVE A CHOICE, but he gathers all these things=

[gulescamisade]

Betty Crocker Headquarters:  Prison Break

[It's been quiet here in the prison area... Maybe the prisoners have accepted their fate at this point, or maybe the stillness is something like the calm before the storm. The atmosphere seems to foretell a happening -- but there's little more evidence of that than a fading blood stain on the floor.]

TEREZI: =In a soft glow of light, a body returns to it's area of expiration, plopping gently feet first onto the floor in a garb of green. For the second time in a short time, Terezi is returned to the land of the living. She clenched and unclenched her hands - was this real? It wasn't quite as jarring as the last time, but unlike last time, she wouldn't hesitate. Whether it was real or not, she didn't have time to doubt it; she had to believe it was.=

TEREZI: =Noticing that she stuck out quite literally, being smack in the middle of a hallway along with her attire a colorful beacon, Terezi ducked down against the wall. Hoping no cameras caught that, she continued moving. Even though she didn't know where she was going or where she could remain out of sight, the very least she could do was make herself a little harder to track.=

TEREZI: =slipping down another hall, she stuck close to the left side, keeping her ears open.=

[If the cameras did pick it up, no one has immediately swept in to deal with her... Definitely not little red riding hood and her pointy jam. The only signs of life are those inside the cells, if Terezi takes a peek...]

TEREZI: =she does. A very slow, careful peek. Guh, gotta get this hood out of the way first.=

[Let's say luck is on her side and she happens upon JAMES very quickly, catching a glimpse of him through the tiny slot in the door.]

JAMES: -is seated at his cot and meditating. He has been conserving his energy for this moment. TZ only needs to get his attention.-

TEREZI: !

TEREZI: =She taps a finger against the slot.= ((h3y m1st3r 3gb3rt s1r, psssssst!)) =tiny wave=

JAMES: -That'll do it. He recognizes the voice and rises to stand. Subtly cracking his neck as he does so.- MISS PYROPE.

JAMES: I TAKE THAT IT IS TIME FOR ACTION?

TEREZI: ((1m go1ng to gu3ss so, y3s))

TEREZI: ((1 dont r34lly know wh4t th3 h3ll 1s go1ng on, but 4ct1on 1s 4 gr34t pl4c3 to st4rt)) >:]

JAMES: SAY NO MORE. -coming over to brace his hands by the door.- I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU CARRY A KEY WITH YOU?

TEREZI: ((no, 1 just got h3r3)) =Literally=

JAMES: WHATEVER THE CASE, I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOU HERE.

JAMES: I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST YOU STAND CLEAR OF THE DOOR.

TEREZI: ((y34h, sur3 th1ng)) =She disappears from view as she stepped aside.=

JAMES: -Wastes no time, pulling his fist back and swinging it againt the door in a single mangrit-charged punch. One punch, if you will. Please expect the cell door to explode off its hinges. Crashing into the hallway.-

JAMES: ...

JAMES: -steps through the forced hole he just created.- HELLO.

TEREZI: =....= ....

TEREZI: W3LL 1 GU3SS TH3R3S NO PO1NT 1N B31NG QU13T NOW, 1S TH3R3? =but she's smiling!! ITS WONDERFUL TO BE ALIVE. She was stock still for a moment before continuing=

TEREZI: L3TS G3T TH3 OTH3RS

TEREZI: TH3R3 4R3 OTH3RS H3R3 TOO, R1GHT?

JAMES: ROXY, JAKE. THE CHERUBS. LAST I WAS INFORMED.

JAMES: -Does take a moment to take in the state of her... but decides not to dwell on it.- THEY ARE CLOSE.

TEREZI: =Most of her is hidden under these green jammies, but there are conical horns poking through slits that seemed to be made just for them.=

TEREZI: GOOD! L3TS G3T GO1NG! =she motioned with a hand, to lead them further down this hallway. She paused only to peek through the slots thoroughly for more of the crew and friends.=

JAMES: -as Terezi peeks for friends, James is going to take the initiative and scout further down the hallway. Checking the doors don't lead to cells.-

[There is one door, that at first glance just appears to lead to another cell, but behind the window slot is instead something like a locker room. The door is locked, of course, but a panel opens on it to reveal a keypad.]

TEREZI: =with no one else in the cells she checked, she joined James, glancing down at the keypad.= TEREZI: KNOW 4NY SW33T H4CKS? =she does take a glance down towards each end of the hallway to make sure they weren't being followed.=

JAMES: I PERHAPS KNOW ONE SWEET HACK. -reaches far into the steel trap of his memory and tries a code.-

JAMES: ...

JAMES: IT IS THE BINARY NUMBER FOR CAKE.

ROXY: =RATTLES HER BARS, only no=

JAMES: - 01100011 01100001 01101011 01100101 -

[THE DOOR OPENS.]

JAMES: -Golly... it worked. Of course, it did. Cake is the answer to all the world's problems. He's pretty sure CrockerCorp had a slogan of that nature some years ago... Anyway, James is taking a cautionary look into the lab.-

TEREZI: W41T 1...

TEREZI: =she returned to one of the cells she had previously checked. The room was full of fucking green.... How??=

ROXY: =Heckin magic is how=

JAMES: WHAT IS IT?

[It's mostly just lockers and storage bins stacked on shelves. James might notice that one of the bins has a HANDSOME WALLET in it.]

JAMES: -Strong fatherly exclamation point! Swiftly moving to pluck this wallet out and looking to ransack the rest of the storage bins for STUFF. Clips his whole sylladex back onto himself. He is ready.-

TEREZI: =Still peeping through the slot. Is there anyone in there?=

[Roxy, Jake and the Cherubs sylladexes are definitely in the bins too, if he can recognize them. They maye or may not be obvious.]

JAMES: -Retrieve sylladexes.-

ROXY: =Some of the cubes shift about, two of them move to the side and there's pink eyes staring back=

ROXY: !!

ROXY: =Suddenly the disappear and after a few seconds Roxy (and about 50 green cubes) decend on Terezi= rexrezzie!

ROXY: =Get buried=

TEREZI: !!!!!!!!!!! >8O

TEREZI: =That was perhaps the most startling thing she experienced in her new life so far=

TEREZI: ROXY! >:D

ROXY: =HER EYES, holds her face also her body, looks around and sees James= wut.... wait

ROXY: explain on the way this is a bust out right? i have snausages 4 the guard dawg

TEREZI: STR4NG3LY 3NOUGH TH3R3 H4V3 B33N NO GU4RDS

TEREZI: OR GU4RD DOGS

TEREZI: >:\

TEREZI: =gives roxy a quick, tight hug though=

ROXY: =SQUEEZES even tho she stank= that's suspicerous

ROXY: =Squints a bit and looks around=

JAMES: -returns back to their place of convening.- ROXY.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: -scoops both these girls in a brief strong fatherly embrace.- I HAVE RETRIEVED YOUR SYLLADEX.

JAMES: HOWEVER I FEAR THERE MAY BE A REASON WE HAVE YET TO ENCOUNTER ANY CONFRONTATION.

JAMES: -hands roxy back her sylladex.-

ROXY: =A BIG HUG FOR EVERYONE SHE'S SO HAPPY=

ROXY: =takes her dex back and immediate puts on her strife spec= let's take advantage of that for now n find jake n callie

TEREZI: =that's okay! she's happy to see her alive and well! Terezi on the other and smells fresh and new like laundered linen.=

[Roxy likely remembers the way to where they're being held from before she was chased away by the guard dog. It is basically a straight shot through this exit, the next hall, and through a spooky and suspicious door labeled "we do horrible experiments here" OR SOMETHING. It was implied.]

ROXY: =SHE SURE DOES=

ROXY: =stretches her legs a little then nods down the hall=

ROXY: this way itll b a good place to start at least also maybe theyve made progress since i last been there =starts to guide them down the hall=

JAMES: -carrying up the rear. Will leap to defend the ladies if he needs to. He is armed with his photon watch shield and 100 count of cakes kept fresh in his sylladex. Hope everyone is hydrated. James is going to make sure they are.-

JAMES: -distantly fussing at them children.-

ROXY: =A sweet hot dad :') =

TEREZI: =she's got nothing on her except the literal clothes on her back=

[They exit the prison area and into the next hall with the tech labs. The staff NEVER seems to be around here... That probably isn't a good sign, but oh well. It makes their trek to their destination all the easier. The super secret lab they're looking for is still locked, but nothing void magic, gadgets and gizmos, or fists thru the wall can't fix.]

TEREZI: =Is there another keypad for this door?=

[INDEED. Or it requires a keycard... I can't remember. Either way.]

ROXY: =Is someone gonna fist that wall? 👀 she missed wall fisting=

ROXY: =she can totally handle this but like.... 👀=

JAMES: -What about cake override codes... Aw, darn.-

JAMES: -There was a door punched off its hinges back in the hallway. She def can appreciate that now.-

ROXY: =She does but also she'll just give some SWEET HACKS to this door for now to save her energy. All this absence she feels like she'll need it=

[DOOR: HACKED.]

ROXY: =turns to them= im in

TEREZI: H33

ROXY: =NOW WHAT NERD SCIENCE BULLSHIT HAVE THEY EVEN DONE UP IN HERE?=

JAMES: WELL DONE, ROXY. -He's proud of you... but also focused on this serious business.-

[Inside, as she remembers, there are some panels on the wall where video feeds used to be, but everything is shut off right now. She would ALSO rememebr another door being locked in here, but it's WIDE OPEN NOW. This will lead to, you guessed it, even MORE rooms. But they are less like prison cells and more like dingy examination rooms. One of them has pumpkin vines peeking out from under the door...]

JAMES: ...

JAMES: ODD.

TEREZI: D1DNT J4D3 GROW PUMPK1NS?

ROXY: =Squints at that open door and peeps all at the one with vines growing from under the door- WAIT! Is there a panel to this door too?= hang on....

ROXY: cuz i remember jake was like.... o =she remembers... the greenery... the tiny shorts. Yes, it's all coming back to her=

JAMES: THEN IT ONLY STANDS TO SAY JAKE IS BEHIND THIS DOOR. -Should he pry it open? Or maybe he doesn't need to. If Roxy would like to do the honors?-

[Flashback cut to photos of Jake in tiny red Crocker Corp booty shorts and suspenders.]

TEREZI: W41T 4 S3C GUYS, 1---

TEREZI: MMMNG... =a hand hovers to squeeze at her temples before she moved to the door, her hand lowering to the keypad. Reaching into the past, she searched for someone who had used the keypad last.=

ROXY: =Ah.... yes... she remembers......=

[Whoever used this keypad last LOOKS LIKE A NERD. Probably a scientist. So definitely a nerd. She can see them typing in the code.]

TEREZI: =After a pause of her looking COMPLETELY out of it, Terezi's fingers moved, punching in the code.=

[DOOR: SEER'D.]

TEREZI: =a little surprised that worked actually!=

JAMES: -He is... so concerned. And also surprised. Before James can think to comment on it, however a pumpkin is being FLUNG from behind the door. Thrown with such a force that it explodes violently against the wall opposite his cell.- !!!!!!!!

JAKE: BACK AT IT AGAIN YOU WEASLY SONS OF BITCHES??? TIME FOR ROUND TWO!

JAKE: -PUMPKIN FLINGS. PCHOO POCHOO.-

JAKE: -SPLAT-

ROXY: =👀= girl wu-!! =YIPE=

[If Terezi seer'd just a little bit longer, she might have seen the nerd get pelted with a pumpkin.]

ROXY: =but also= JAKE!

JAKE: -a mustached face peers from behind his cot/pumpkin fort. But not another second is spared before he is EMERGING. Hello booty shorts. It's also apparent that he is armed with pumpkins attatched to a vine sash on his back.- ROXAROO!!!! TEREZI? JAMES?

JAKE: Good golly is it time??????????

TEREZI: =everyone ELSE had exited calmly!=

TEREZI: =RELATIVELY=

JAKE: -don't blame him... he's got bandages plenty on his arms from many needle pokes... He's BEEN rowdy.-

TEREZI: =peeks around the door at Jake= GOOD GOLLY 1S 1T S4F3?

JAKE: -He doesn't care and is blubbering a little bit. Q_Q- You came...

TEREZI: >:D

TEREZI: H3CK Y34H W3 D1D!

ROXY: =Baby no.... she frowns at him then goes to give him a gently FIRM squeeze= baby ...... :C

ROXY: ofc we woulda come

JAMES: -There, there Jake... James is ruffling his hair in support.-

JAKE: -obviously takes a minute to be scooped in Roxy's muscle embrace and cry a little bit. Terezi too. Come here quad in law.-

JAKE: -he hug...-

JAKE: I knew you would! -It's all he could tell himself all alone in his kennel.-

[ENOUGH HUGGING TIME IS MONEY MONEY IS POWER POWER IS PIZZA PIZZA IS KNOWLEDGE.]

JAKE: -He wants pizza!!!!!!!!!! Swipes his face clean of tears and puts his angry eyebrows on.- Now what the hoo heck hash are we diddydaddling around for? Weve some cherubs to track!

JAMES: WE WERE SEARCHING FOR YOU, SON. -hands him his sylladex- JAKE: !!!!! -EQUIPS. HOLA double pistols.-

TEREZI: =quad in law....= >:']

ROXY: yeah! but i dunno where they are :c

ROXY: least with u i had an idea..... =starts to get back out of this cell=

JAKE: -suddenly guns. 🔫- Well find them no problemo. -he BELIEVES IT.-

JAMES: -Son... do you maybe want to change into a different garb? He has extra clothes.-

JAKE: -No........................................... Leave it............................................... He burns to see this through to the end.-

JAMES: -I'm proud of you.-

ROXY: =jake she can make you more booty shorts and suspenders its ok=

TEREZI: S1NC3 NO ON3S S41D 1M GONN4 S4Y 1T

TEREZI: 3V3RYON3 LOOKS SO R1D1CULOUS

JAKE: -they cling to his every curve. He breathes out with a low hiss.-

JAKE: All the sweeter the victory when we blow this laboratory to SMITHEREENS.

JAMES: -fixing at his tie self consciously... Does he look ridiculous? Oh dear.-

TEREZI: =Youve been in jail a month, sorry mister=

JAMES: - :( He'll have to put on his hat to hide his shame.-

ROXY: im hot always

ROXY: also we got a sweet precious baby girl 2 find! =Trnansformers.... ROLLOUT=

[Its true, they will find the Cherubs no problemo. For all the cells are empty, but further investigation will take them to an open lab... But it isn't a pretty sight here. Large tubes with floating... body parts? Inside of them. Vials and beakers of rainbow blood standing against the red of a human's... Stained slabs and tables.... Just to name a few of the unpleasant sights. There are large drawers, too, which give the whole lab the look of a morgue.]

TEREZI: HOT HOT T4T3R TOT

TEREZI: .......

ROXY: =MMMNNG GROSS.....=

JAMES: -Entire vats drained of blood. There are no words.-

JAKE: -the sight and feel of this place is freezing the breath in his lungs a little bit. Big old, cold sweat gulps.-

TEREZI: WH4T...H4PP3N3D H3R3?

TEREZI: =but even as she asked the question, something in her reached out for her to reach back, and her mind delved into the decisions made in this place. =

JAKE: Id...

JAKE: Rather not know. -hiding behind roxy just 8C -

[But Terezi will know, decisions were made here to follow out their Empress' fucked up, and frankly ridiculous, endeavors to make humans more like trolls. Going so far as to even try to fill their veins with caste colored blood. It isn't limited to that, and what all was decided and executed here would likely be overwhelmed. Particularly when it involves familiar faces like Jake's and Calliope and Caliborn's.]

TEREZI: =she tried to pull herself away from the memory - the visions? - and when she finally had control over her limbs again, she used them to propel her to the nearest trash can=

TEREZI: =blaaaaaar=

ROXY: .......oh

ROXY: =Rushes over and rubs her back= ... what happened are you okay???

JAKE: -gHGHGHHGHHG. Now he feels terrible...-

JAMES: -swiftly fetching a bottle of water for Terezi.-

TEREZI: =shes dry heaving; food isn't real in dreams=

TEREZI: 3XP3R1M3NTS...ON HUM4NS

TEREZI: TO M4K3 TH3M MOR3 L1K3 US =she felt like she really NEEDED to have something in her stomach because nothing felt so much worse=

TEREZI: TH3 CH3RUBS...W3 H4V3 TO F1ND TH3M-- W3-- =but a part of her knew that search would be fruitless=

TEREZI: =finally noticing the waterbottle, she took it tentatively=J4K3 =she turned to spitting stomach acid into the wastebasket= 1M SO SORRY...

ROXY: mmmnnng :c

ROXY: =She looks to the drawers now.... a little scared to open them=

ROXY: fuckin.... maniac bitch fish =goes over to them to like, peek in a few=

JAKE: I-- hmm hn... -he can't exactly be left to try and think about EXACTLY what they did with all those pokes and prods from before. He feels more conscious of the bandages on his arms than ever before.-

JAKE: Im whole and here. What more can i ask for?? -gathering himself up, still cold and sweaty. Roxy, don't... Jake can't handle this.-

ROXY: =she'll SHEILD THEIR GAZE WITH HER BODY=

ROXY: =But she really can't not...=

TEREZI: =no need, she's seen everything all at once. it was horrible=

JAKE: -HE'S VERY AFRAID OF WHATS IN THE DRAWERS AND DECIDES TO TURN HIS BACK AWAY.-

JAMES: -stern and steady hands on his back. Look away, son...-

[Unfortunately for Roxy, most of these are full... Mostly of ashen skinned humans, but there is one body that is very distinctly green.]

ROXY: ..... =like... with ganggreen?=

ROXY: =She'll take tthat=

ROXY: =But also her expression falls and something in her tightens up.... wtf=

TEREZI: =she would have told Roxy not to look, but she's busy coughing into the trashcan again=

ROXY: =SORRY EVERYONE SHE'S TOO CURIOUS FOR HER OWN GOOD=

[CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT.]

[At the very least, it made her quite sad...]

[She can BELIEVE the skin tone is unnatural, but of course she knows the truth. They found the cherubs.]

ROXY: =WOW THIS IS A BAD CASE OF GANG GREEN=

ROXY: =but no she's crying and holding the handle of the drawer tight=

ROXY: (fuckin.....)

JAKE: Theyre dead arent they? -he doesnt have to see. He knows in his hopes of heart.-

ROXY: =Can she just... sylladex this body= ROXY: .. yeah

ROXY: =They deserved so much better.... better than all this. All these people did=

JAKE: - ;__; - Oh callies...

[Caliborn is flipping you off in the afterlife, Jake. It's okay...]

JAKE: -HE WOULD CORPSE SMOOCH YOU BACK TO LIFE IF HE HAD TO, HE SWEARS!-

[She can steal the body if she wishes, however.]

ROXY: =Steals it she does and strides out of the lab with rage renewed= lets get the fuck out of here and find these dicks >:''(

TEREZI: =wiping her mouth with the back of her hand=

TEREZI: SH1T...

TEREZI: 1M W1TH YOU TH3R3

JAKE: -cocks his pistols. The world's grimmest, most grumpiest look on his face.- They wont even know what hit them.

TEREZI: =Is there anything lying around that she can use as a weapon?=

ROXY: o the fuck that yes they will =time for her ROXY LNDE brass knuckles=

JAKE: -Why not hopevoid her a weapon?-

[Good plan, because there isn't much else around besides scalpels and needles.]

TEREZI: =Imagine, flying into combat: NEEDLE JAB! Now you have some horrible troll disease! Congrats!=

JAKE: -eyeballs Terezi.- Say...

JAKE: How...

JAKE: I mean.

JAKE: How did you manage to get here?

TEREZI: UH....UM....W3LL

TEREZI: ....

TEREZI: 1TS 4 LONG STORY

[For all intents and purposes, they should be able to escape easily between Roxy and James' sweet hacking skills, whenever they are ready to vamoose.]

[AKA their work here is done. MISSION COMPLETE. You found your dead friend.]

ROXY: =SQUINTS WHILE HACKING SO MUCH, water u hidin rez=

JAKE: Oh okay... Would you like one of my pistols? -He literally has a whole pile of them in his sylladex. Ushers after the HAXXORS, letting them do their thing.-

TEREZI: =perks a bit= Y34H!

TEREZI: =She hasn't quite used such a precision weapon in a while, but it's a weapon and she'll take it.= TH4NKS

JAKE: -potentially giving a blind troll a gun??? This is normal. He has yet to be updated on things.- THATS THE SPIRIT!

JAKE: -Assuming Terezi is wearing the seer hoodie that covers her eyes. Not weird in the slightest to him.-

TEREZI: =She is indeed wearing the hood. You'll see, Jake. You'll see.=

ROXY: =Touches Terezi's bitchin jammies, so soft=

TEREZI: =softer than a baby's booty=

JAMES: -assisting in leading the way through the building and all the confusing layout business. They are well on their way OUT OF HERE.-

TEREZI: =takes the gun and checks to see how much ammo is left in the chamber. She remembered how to do that at least.=

TEREZI: TH3 SHORT OF 1T 1S 1 D13D =puts the clip back in and turns off the safety= TW1C3

JAKE: -Wall eyed...- Erm....

JAKE: Now that sounds like some tale. Too bad its so short!

JAKE: Terezi!

ROXY: ...wtf??

ROXY: ughh :c

ROXY: UGH >:(

ROXY: thats... bullshit!

[Outside they will probably see a GIANT ASS DRAGONFLY.]

TEREZI: M4J3ST1C

JAKE: -spongebob caveman memes in his booty shorts.- What the piss???

ROXY: =MORE LIKE A BITCHASS DRAGONFLY, SHE KICKS OPEN THE DOOR= MA-DEAD-STIC!

TEREZI: =there's dragon in the word. it's close enough=

ROXY: =GUN READY SHE READY TO BLASTEE U ASSTEE=

[gulescamisade]

Minnesota:  Day 4

JAKE: -Another night is going by, he's pretty sure. And he's so sweaty, hungry, and thirsty. If their captors had left food or water for him, Jake promptly turned it down as he felt was the NATURAL THING TO DO. He heard what became of those mushroom tests from LOWAS. None of this was exactly ideal... He groans miserably, rubbing his tum of awful hunger pains. The headaches and dry throat.-

JAMES: -continuing his meditation and fasting. Energy continues to be conserved and though he is hungry, it's not the worst he's experienced. He only hopes the fact that it's gone quiet these past few hours can only be a good thing. No news is good news, James tells himself. It's the only thing he can do.-

ROXY: =Things seem quiet..... she leans against her wall and tap tap........ who's next to her. TAPS=

JAMES: -The only one who is paying attention is James. Leans back to the wall and taps in response.-

JAKE: -curled up in a ball, having cried himself into another headache nap.-

ROXY: =Baby no........ she taps out [HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTT] in morse code then POOFs over into the next cell.=

JAMES: -sitting crosslegged with his whole button up and slack combos. Professional even in these dire circumstances. James looking a little haggard what with his hair out of place, but still alert. Ready for action if need be.- ROXY.

JAMES: ....I AM RELIEVED TO SEE YOU.

JAMES: YOU ARE NOT HURT, ARE YOU?

ROXY: =She's definitely been sweating but she didn't wanna flaunt her powers too much since they expect shit of her but... she can't just. Let them go without. Whoever else is here. She rushes over to him too= glad 2 see u too im fine

ROXY: u gotta grocery list? im ur gal call me target cuz wal marts 2 trashy and im the height of supermarket class

ROXY: not whole foods class tho thats borderin in2 pretentious

JAMES: -knits his eyebrows.- ...ARE YOU OFFERING FOOD?

ROXY: anythin u need that u can hide and food definitely

JAMES: -nods promptly- WATER. DRIED FRUIT. CRACKERS. PROTEINS. ANYTHING WITH NUTRITIONAL VALUE.(edited)

ROXY: gotcha =she finger waggles up a storm dropping two sturdy sacks of water, dried fruits in thin bags along with crackers and little bite-sized pieces of protein bars=

JAMES: -seems to be wiggling something out of the sole of his shoe.-

JAMES: -as it turns out, it is a single playing card. Flips it over the supplies as kind of single-slot emergency sylladex and stores it away.-

JAMES: I CANNOT EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE. BUT QUICKLY.

JAMES: TEND TO THE OTHER PRISONERS. JAKE IS HERE.(edited)

ROXY: =That's so cool... and a good idea= hope u dont mind me stealin ur idea.....

ROXY: =gestures to the other wall= is he over here u think? =taps??? TAPS=

JAMES: IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE. -What with hearing him yowl up a storm before.-

JAMES: TREAD CAREFULLY.

ROXY: never but ill try =two finger salute and BLIPS into the cell next to James'=

JAKE: -lying huddled in his corner like a sad dog, his back turned towards the door. Something about the BLIP stirs him awake, however, and he begins to wake up. Squinting with a bleariness around.- ....Rock and rolloxy?

ROXY: .....baby...... :C

ROXY: i gotta make it quick but do u need a hug?

JAKE: -it even hurts to cry but he's doing it anyway, rolling up to sit.- Yes... 8'C

ROXY: awww cmere =quickly shuffles over to give him a big strong hug=

ROXY: tell me wut u need and we can work it out... idk where we are and idk how many of us are in here....

ROXY: idk where everyone else is

JAKE: -weeps into her shoulder. Two smelly baras hugging it out.- Ive no idea either. Its—

JAKE: Cant i know if my sons are alright?? Oh rox its so cruel.

ROXY: i... wish i knew jakey boy.... if i could id get us a thing to try n get in2 this system but... that needs time and theyd be onto me lol...... not lol

ROXY: but well get outta this mess

JAKE: -scrubs at his face, so blotched and red with tears.- Well... well bust out of here! I know we will!

JAKE: And when we do they wont even know what hit them!

JAKE: Id do so right now if you gave the word. -looks off.- Maybe...

JAKE: Someone can help us?

ROXY: maybe but right now we can help each other =cups his face and kisses his forehead= ROXY: ill go scopin later.... try 2 see whats up

ROXY: maybe i can find every1

ROXY: but rn tell me what u need

JAKE: -smiles for the first time in a few days, warmed by the gesture. But then remembers what he's doing.- Shit uhh—

JAKE: Water and substantial edibles i think is a good start. -rubs his sad empty tum.-

ROXY: its the best start =smiles back at him then gets to work just giving him the same supplies she gave James= just hide em when someone comes u kno

ROXY: prison smugglin drills

JAKE: !!!

JAKE: Cripes this is just like magic...

JAKE: ... -looks around his cell.-

JAKE: Where ought i hide it?

ROXY: mmm ..... i might hafta steal a idea i saw from james hes ur neighbor btw

ROXY: =focuses......... tries to make the one dump sylladex card= this might work i think slip it in ur mustache lol or just like somewhere discreet

JAKE: Holy moly! -accepts the 1 dump sylladex card if she manages it.- Is this what i think it is?

JAKE: -Automatically believing that it's a 1 dump sylladex card so whether she DOES manage it, the card is already what she intends it to be.-

JAKE: -giving it a look over- :D

JAKE: -tucks it into the safety of his back pocket. Sitting on it now.-

ROXY: =bless u jake= good beans bby

ROXY: ill be back sometime keep ur spirits up ok?

JAKE: Yes ma am o whamma! -salutes her swiftfly. His spirits are in much better places than they were before.-

ROXY: good! =poof, she's outta there=

JAKE: -brimming with hope now and makes swift work of these dried fruits. Chugs what he can of the water.-

JAKE: -wiping off his mustache, he feels his willpower RENEWED. Better than ever.-

JAKE: -And if Roxy can pull her magic off, why the blazes can't he??? Jake rolls to stand, channeling that spark of hope to manifestation.-

(DIRK): -he puts the MAN in MANIFEST. extends leg, here is brain ghost dirk.-

(DIRK): Hey, that's the first time you summoned me consciously and not as the result of a homoerotic fantasy. Good job.

JAKE: -jumps as his voice comes up but brightens his scruffy self up immediately.- Dirk!

JAKE: Brain ghost! Youre here!

(DIRK): Yeah.

(DIRK): What are you gonna do with me now that I'm here? -lol and then what-

JAKE: -swiftly whaps the ishades off his face.- Give me that!

(DIRK): What the fuck. -covers his face. DON'T LOOK AT ME. he's being ironic mostly-

JAKE: -thrusting them onto his own face. Instant computer.- Hoo. Alright now. I need to contact the crew.

JAKE: Mind if i hornswoggle you of your pester client? Of course you do! -logging into his account.-

(DIRK): My pester client is imaginary, but alright.

JAKE: Huh? No its not? -It's not, Dirk. Look at it working. How??? Magic is how.-

(DIRK): -fucking incredible-

(DIRK): -obnoxiously hovers behind him-

(DIRK): It's almost like you have the ability to make anything a reality.

JAKE: -typing frantically, heart hammering as it actually DOES seem to work.- Shut up will you???

(DIRK): A dude summons you into his realm of existance just to tell you to shut up. Nice one.

JAKE: -Seeing everyone online makes his insides lurch painfully so he's only half paying attention to BGD. His franticness making his eyes water again as in the middle of the message, the connection severs.- Its—

JAKE: Its breaking up! -says with his concentration fizzling.-

(DIRK): Well don't give up.

(DIRK): Do something about it.

JAKE: Im trying damn you! Cant you see?? -says, clutching at the shades.-

(DIRK): And I'm telling you to try harder.

(DIRK): You have it in you to do this.

JAKE: -practically choking with frustration and wills the last bit of connection out of sheer spite. The last message gets through before cutting off completely.-

(DIRK): ...

(DIRK): There you go.

JAKE: -He is just never going to stop being tearstruck at this point. Obligatorily hands BGD his shades.-

JAKE: -His vision is swimming as his hand drops, looking at brain ghost now. Dirk knows Jake loves him doesn't he? Of course he does, a voice tells Jake predictably. It's what he wants to hear, it's the truth that he knows deep down in his heart and it's what BGD was basically scripted to say.-

JAKE: -So why was he still so miserable? He's gotta ask anyway.-

JAKE: He knows i love him right? Id do anything for him?

(DIRK): ... Of course he knows that.

(DIRK): He's probably driving himself up a wall cuz he can't tell you the same thing.

JAKE: -wipes at his nose.- I miss him something tremendous.

JAKE: You would think dodging near death experiences on a regular basis would make this easier to bear. But it doesnt.

JAKE: It really doesnt.

(DIRK): They're coming for you, you know. -he knows this because jake has to know this.-

(DIRK): ... -offers jake his hand to hold-

JAKE: -takes the hand, too dried up to cry in earnest anymore. His shoulders only sag.- At least i have you.

(DIRK): You'll always have me.

JAKE: -keeps their fingers twined together but gives up once their shoulders brush. Just rests his head against BGD, tired all over again.- Jeez louise dirk....

JAKE: Youre always so.

JAKE: You.

(DIRK): It's no coincidence. -leans on him too-

(DIRK): That's the way you want me to be.

JAKE: Shucks. Then i must be stock full of good ideas. -lets his eyes start to drift closed...-

(DIRK): Must be. -yes shhh sleep. it'll get better soon. just believe in that, jake-

JAKE: -having close company to fall asleep with is infitintely better than sleeping alone. Jake has decided this here and now.- 

[gulescamisade]

Minnesota:  Day 2

JAKE: -He stirs awake... still slumped on the ground and very much imprisoned.- JAKE: ... -eyes water a little bit because none of this turned out to be a bad dream. And so. Time drags on. Jake dozes off again.-

CALIBORN: -jake might wake up again to the sound of coughing and hacking and wheezing. and of course, loud whining.- uGGHHHH.

JAKE: -he does wake up to this, abeit reluctantly. His head feels like it's full of cement from sleeping too long while his belly is definitely on Empty. The tum growls and threatens to block out the distant wheezings.-

JAKE: -crawls up to the door and listens.- ...

JAKE: -BANG BANG BANGS his fist on the door.- HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO?

JAKE: -tries it in morse code too, while he's at it.- .... . .-.. .-.. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ..--.. -Translation: HELLOOOOOOOOOOOO?-

JAMES: -He sits, continuing his meditations. At the sound of knocking, James moves closer to the door and likewise listens. And then raps his knuckles.-

JAMES: - .... .. ... / .. ... / .--- .- -- . ... / . --. -... . .-. - .-.-.- / .--- .- -.- . .-.-.- / .. ... / - .... .- - / -.-- --- ..- ..--.. -Translation: THIS IS JAMES EGBERT. JAKE. IS THAT YOU?-

JAKE: -Startles when he hears someone answering back and goes back to rapping his fist, fast as he can get the words out. Hope flutters in his chest.- .--- .- -- . ... / --. --- .-.. .-.. -.-- / --- .-.. -.. / -.. --- .-.. .-.. -.-- / .- -- / .. / .-. . .-.. .. . ...- . -.. / - --- / .... . .- .-. / ..-. .-. --- -- / -.-- --- ..- / .-- .... . .-. . / .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- ..--.. ..--.. [ JAMES GOLLY OLD DOLLY AM I RELIEVED TO HEAR FROM YOU WHERE ARE YOU?? ]

JAKE: .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- / ... .. -.-. -.- ..--.. [ARE YOU SICK??]

CALIBORN: WHO THE FuCK KEEPS TAPPING? STOP THAT SHIT IMMEDIATELY. I COMMAND YOuu-- -wheeeeeeeeeze cough-

JAMES: -pauses to listen before replying.- .. / .- -- / -. --- - / .. .-.. .-.. .-.-.- / ... --- .-.. .. - .- .-. -.-- / -.-. --- -. ..-. .. -. . -- . -. - .-.-.- / .-- . / .- .-. . / -. --- - / .- .-.. --- -. . .-.-.- [ I AM NOT ILL. SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. WE ARE NOT ALONE. ]

CALIBORN: I CAN DO THAT TOO! WATCH! -aggressively tapping nonsense-

JAKE: CALIBORN! BUDDY?? CAN YOU HEAR ME??? -hollers, attempting to stick his face by the door slot. It's closed but damn does he try anyway.-

CALIBORN: JAKE? YOu'RE THE IDIOT MAKING ALL THE RACKET? HA! I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN. -slumps against a wall-

JAKE: YEAH CALIBRO. ITS ME THE ONE AND ONLY! -Guh. All this yelling and crying with no water is really taking a number on his throat. He rubs it, idly.- ARE YOU ALRIGHT? IS IT—

JAKE: FUCK.

JAKE: YOURE AWAY FROM GRANDMAS TESTS. -says it, realizing the actual gravity of this and slumps against his door too.- >8'|

CALIBORN: NO SHIT! BuT IT DOESN'T MATTER. I DON'T NEED-- HHH. I DON'T NEED TO BE HOOKED uP. TO ANY MACHINE.

JAMES: -Quietly thinking against asking a hairless serpentine alien or Jake "the Animal" English whether either of them are carrying a razor and shaving cream.-

JADE: -there's a BARK from somewhere that might be nearby. There sure is a lot of racket going on around here.-

CALIBORN: FuCK YOu, DOGGY BITCH!

JAKE: Doh... -tap tap tap to James.- [CALIBORN IS SICK...]

JAKE: SAY NOW. DONT TAKE THAT TONE OF VOICE WITH HER.

JAKE: DEAR SWEET JADE DOESNT KNOW BETTER!

JADE: -slides Jake's slot open.- on the contrary jake

JADE: i know better than all of you

JADE: and i dont appreciate disrespect -slides the slot shut once again-

JAKE: -his face was right in the door slot just >8o –

JAKE: WELL I LOVE YOU TOO YOU SWEET BLOSSOMING SUNFLOWER YOU. JAKE: IM NOT SCARED OF YOU!!!!

JADE: -WELL THAT'S TOO BAD, because she's zapping into the cell with Caliborn, growling fiercely.-

CALIBORN: -flinches at her sudden appearance, but grits his teeth at her and tries to make himself look BIG. he can't really get up, weak and useless from where he sits.- WHAT DO YOu WANT?

JADE: what do i want?

JADE: how about.......

JADE: i test out a new power on you? that sounds perfect

CALIBORN: OR HOW ABOuT. YOu GO FuCK YOuRSELF, IN THE DISGuSTING WAY, THAT YOu HuMANS DO? -definitely not freaked out right now-

JADE: BARK

CALIBORN: BARK!!! -barks back??? he doesn't know what else to do.-

JADE: are you mocking me????

CALIBORN: YES!!!

JAKE: HEY NOW! YOU TWO! STOP YOUR SCRABBLING THIS INSTANT! -yells. Yes, he is TOUGH and attempting to dad thru a door.-(edited)

JADE: then i hope you know how to apologize

JADE: -She holds out a hand in a shape that too closely resembles claws, and then the two of them are swallowed up by another surge of blinding green power before they're gone entirely.-

CALIBORN: -tumuts into nothingness-

JAKE: ??????????????????????????????? -He understands nothing! And howls in frustration.-

[gulescamisade]

Minnesota:  Day 1

[Jake, Roxy, James, and the cherubs will find themselves in individual cells with singular windows and slots in their doors.]

JAKE: -YODEL LANDS in his own cell, completely thrown out of sorts after he lost sight of everything in the crackle of green energy. Tumbles largely, panicked and fearful. Everything happened so fast, Jake was so sure he was raring in the engineering labs a second ago! Sits on the ground stupidly as he lands right on his ass.- OOF.

JAKE: WHAT THE—

JAKE: WHAT THE JIP JUMPING JACK CRACKERS JUST HAPPENED??? ANYBODY? -cries out to nobody in particular. He was alone... and immediately starts checking for his sylladex.-

JAMES: -thrown off balance as he lands precisely in the center of this cell. When he blinks the light out of his sight, James goes to check for his sylladex. John's voice still rings in his ears and he has to see... can he message anyone? Does he have his communicator? He is massively worried right now.-

JAMES: -For that matter, can James hear Jake yowling in the distance?-

ROXY: =loudly= MMMMMMMMMOHMYGOD

[No communicators can be found on anyone in this group. Looks like they got boned in the midst of travel.]

[The yowling is vaguely audible.]

JANE: -slides open the slot on Jake's door, peering inside.- Looking for something?

JAKE: -Was halfway to scrambling to his feet when the face appears. He gawks and then falls back on his ass.-

JAKE: My pistols you scarlet faced o hera! And i dont mean to be rude madam but—

JAKE: I dont take it youre here to jostle the keyhole HUH??? -Jake... why do you words.-

JANE: No. I'm not.

JANE: You have been carefully chosen for an important role in my new empire. Your mouth leaves much to be desired in the face of your nigh limitless potential.

JAKE: Your empire?? NOW WAIT JUST A DIDDLY DARN MOMENT MISSY. -scrambles to his feet, going for the window with a large puffed chest.-

JAKE: Ill run my mouth all i like as far as im concerned! Youre keeping A FREE THINKING MAN captive for some nefarious purpose! I think ill speak my piece!!!! >8V

JANE: -Casually shuts the door window with a satisfying THUNK.-

JAKE: -There was NOTHING satisfying about this thunking. NOTHING.-

JANE: Oh, Jake... -walks away-

JAMES: -Was that Jane? James cautions a peek through the window, hoping to catch a glance of her.-

JAKE: -goes back to charlie brown AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAURGHing.-

JAMES: ...

JAMES: -shuffles at the door. Unhappy that he cannot reach the crying infant man.-

ROXY: =Same..... she wants to get through these walls or in the hall.. what's in the hall?=

JADE: -Seems like SHE'S in the hall. Growling outside Roxy's door and then she slides something under it before opening the door window.-

JADE: woof

ROXY: ..... =She was gonna try to poof in the hall but it seems like... that's a bad idea right now..... glances down=

ROXY: ok

ROXY: are u gonna boof @ me or like..... =squints= wtf happened 2 you baby :'(

JADE: i am just fine, roxy

JADE: in fact i am feeling better than ever

JADE: but what happened to me isnt the issue here

JADE: whats relevant is whats happening to you, or rather, what it means you will be doing for her imperious condescension

JAKE: -hears the muffle of voices thru the door and 👂straining to hear.-

ROXY: o hell to the en oh

ROXY: im not doin shit for her especially since its like super glarin'ly obvi that this is some dumb shit cooked up by her lackies >:(

JAKE: -bangs at the door.- ROXAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! -awoo...-

ROXY: AND shes got my animals caged up like ANIMALS and this is a shituation i give a big fuck u to

JADE: sorry, but that answer isnt in the cards

JADE: it doesnt matter what you want to do because you dont have a choice

JADE: open the file

ROXY: =Makes such a stank face, looks at the file= stfu condy

ROXY: =She'll get him and everyone else out of here.... picks up the file and opens it=

JADE: -GLITTER FLIES EVERYWHERE. It's a heavily blinged piece of fileage.-

JADE: -Inside is a picture of a weird knobbly spike ball, and instructions that more or less read that Roxy needs to make it.-

JAKE: -sits his butt at the edge of his cell, screwing up his eyes. Come oooon hope powers. Hope powers GO. Go nOW.-

JAKE: ...

JAKE: -Nothing happens. He's too worked up and as he opens his eyes, the walls seem to close in on him. Jake huffs, trying his damndest not to think about other things that are rushing to him suddenly. If he was safe, where was everyone else? What if they were hurt and there was nothing Jake could do?? Nothing except---

JAKE: Sniff. 8'( -starts to blubber to himself and hugs his knees now that the bravado was fading.- (Boo hoo...)

ROXY: >:T

ROXY: tf is this shit

JADE: its your new job

JADE: to make the matriorb

ROXY: =opens her mouth= .... see i cant even like say my nastyass snappy comebacks because i love jade 2 much >:'C

ROXY: the gist is.... suck a butt

JADE: dont worry, im pretty sure i can take them

JADE: though i wouldnt advise doing so anyway

JADE: you may have reservations but i have none

JADE: and i dont think youd like me much when im angry >:K

JADE: in fact im sure of it

ROXY: then tell me who alls here and ill do my best

JADE: sorry, but thats not part of the agreement either

JADE: how about you do your best and i wont zap your eyes out?

ROXY: like i wouldnt look badass with robo eyes >:T

JADE: im sure you have plenty of other organs you would miss

ROXY: =sinks under the view of the window.... almost catknifing= like u miss whatever tf this thing is?

JADE: that doesnt matter!

JADE: it isnt such a bad deal to obey

JADE: with your powers, im sure things will be just fine for you

JADE: and i wont have to hunt down the rest of your friends where i dumped them and make you watch them bleed out, either

JADE: dont worry, i can wait until you get started

JADE: or at least until i start to get hungry......

ROXY: =Oh no... her weakness... her friends= tch

ROXY: then ill make u snausages or whatever tf...... ill C wut i can DO

JAKE: -curled up in a large ball back in his cell and slumps over. Gently crying himself a sweater a tears. He's crying but cheering for u, Rox.-

JADE: good

JADE: thats what i like to hear

ROXY: i kno snausages are like ur fav

JADE: BARK

JAMES: ....

JAMES: -squints at the cieling as he hears a bark.-

ROXY: that means jades still in there....

JADE: grr

JADE: im jade

JADE: a better and worse jade than youve ever known

ROXY: a worse worse jade

JADE: thats right

JAKE: -huddled up and drops into an uneasy sleep. Maybe things will be better... when he wakes up. This is all a bad dream.-

JAMES: -sits and waits quietly. Still having no idea what the hullabaloo this is all about. But he will be STRONG for the sake of others who are probably worried about him.-

[transient-tutor]

-- transientTutor [TT] began pestering practicalFamiliar [PF] at 14:14 --

TT: Yo James.

PF: HELLO DEREK. PARDON MY TARDINESS IN RESPONDING.

PF: I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HOUSEWORK.

TT: No problem.

TT: You too busy to hang out?

PF: I WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED.

PF: I WILL SPRUCE UP JOHN'S ROOM POST HASTE.

TT: ... Aight.

TT: Ill be in the east commons.

JAMES: *If what Derek says is true and he is waiting in the east commons, then James is joining him. Composed as always, even James can't stove off the knot of anxiety clutching at his chest. Golly. This was much easier to handle when he smoked.*

DEREK: *would he lie to james?? yes, probably, depending on the scenario, but he is definitely lounging on a couch when james arrives. when he spots him, he sits up, greeting him with a sup nod.*

JAMES: *Nods sternly in return.* .... *moves to get himself some coffee. Caffiene is almost the same as nicotine. But not really.* DID YOU WAIT LONG?

DEREK: Nah I basically just got here. *pulling out his comm device and scrolling through his photos.*

JAMES: *drinks half this coffee cup in one gulp and pours himself a second helping.* I IMAGINE YOU HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED AS OF LATELY.

JAMES: I MUST CONFESS. I HAVE TOO.

DEREK: Yeah. *shrugs* It happens. But I got you now.

DEREK: *leans to show him some of the photos on his device. they're ultrasound pictures.*

JAMES: *Oh... he peeks and goes soft around the eyes.* MY WORD.

JAMES: SO IT'S TRUE.

DEREK: Yeah. Thats our baby girl. *smiling fondly at the photos.*

JAMES: SHE IS SO SMALL... *And now James has feelings.*

DEREK: Shes like. Apple sized or somethin. *smirks at james and all his EMOTIONS. geez.*

JAMES: I STAND CORRECTED. *Don't laugh at him. When it comes to delicate things like children and parenthood, James is highly susceptible. He looks off with fondness.*

JAMES: *sips his coffee*

JAMES: I AM PLEASED TO KNOW THINGS ARE GOING WELL.

DEREK: Were all good over here. *this is where he can transition into sensitive topics... and he actually does take advantage of it, as goddamn PAINFUL as it is.*

DEREK: You know. Despite that mess of whatever the fuck from the other day.

JAMES: *expression gross a little tight but he really should expect as much.* IT WAS... AN UNPRECEDENTED TURN OF EVENTS.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: I ONLY WISH RECALLING THE DETAILS WASN'T SO CLEAR.

DEREK: Youre tellin me. *rubs at the back of his neck while pocketing his device.*

DEREK: Im.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: *sigh*

DEREK: Sorry.

DEREK: About all that. Shit.

JAMES: IT COULDN'T BE HELPED. *mumbles, rather quiet*

DEREK: I mean. Sure.

DEREK: But that dont make it suck any less. *shoulders sag*

DEREK: The truth is though... Think all that wouldve come up eventually anyway.

DEREK: And I.

DEREK: Dont think it would have any more... I dunno. Healthily?

JAMES: *His own shoulders look a little stiff but... James nods anyway. As difficult as it was, he understood.*

JAMES: *when he speaks, it's with great hesitation* I REGRET IF... I MAY HAVE PUT RILEY IN HARM'S WAY.

JAMES: IN ALL HONESTY, I FEEL ASHAMED TO HAVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

DEREK: Well like you said. Couldnt be helped.

DEREK: Shes alright man. Dont kill yourself over it.

JAMES: *still stands there like :( So many regrets...*

JAMES: SHE DID BITE ME.

JAMES: THAT WAS CONCERNING.

DEREK: ... Shes a feisty one.

JAMES: *Sighs heavily, still feeling relatively unhappy... but what more can he do except speak to her himself? James can at least comfort himself with the knowledge it wasn't the end of the world.*

JAMES: *sips his coffee* ... *damn he could use a smoke.*

JAMES: IF YOU SAY SHE IS ALRIGHT, I MUST BELIEVE YOU.

DEREK: *protip, james, that coffee has basically the opposite effect of a cigarette... whether james LOOKS twitchy or not, he's patting the couch next to him.* I do say so. Now sit your ass down youre making me nervous standing around like that.

JAMES: OH. *starts a little. He's not twitchy, he's fine. Shuffles for the couch and lowers himself to sit.* YES.

DEREK: *he's quiet for a moment after that, rattling all the things he wants to say around in his head.*

DEREK: So uh.

DEREK: You and.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Roxanne.

DEREK: *eloquent, as always.*

JAMES: *An awkward quiet is what happens when you put two gents with more thoughts than words in the same room. James furrows his eyebrows.* ROXANNE AND I?

DEREK: Is there...

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Something.

DEREK: Happening there?

JAMES: *They are clearly the best to speak about this. James clears his throat.* NO, OF COURSE NOT. SHE IS EXPERIENCING A ROUGH TIME BUT NEVERTHELESS.

JAMES: I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE SHE WILL OVERCOME IT. SHE MIGHT NOT REALIZE HOW CAPABLE SHE IS, BUT IT'S TRUE.

JAMES: SHE ONLY NEEDS PATIENCE WITH HERSELF.

DEREK: *he seems... doubtful. but he doesn't think james would lie to him. to himself, maybe... but not to him. right? it's a difficult thing for him to wrestle with, so he tries not to think much about it. of course, this shifts his focus to roxanne, which is a far heavier topic.*

DEREK: ... Yeah. She... Doesnt deserve to feel the way she does.

DEREK: Talkin to her its easy to tell she-- I dunno.

DEREK: I know she thinks I consider her and Russet secondary to the rest of my life. And it aint like that.

DEREK: But how the fuck can I blame her for thinking that after what I did. *slumps with his head in his hand, sighing deep.*

JAMES: *He isn't sure it's something that can be fixed exactly. James is certain such a power rests far beyond his own reach.* SHE NEEDS TIME. *rumbles gently* A PROPER CONFRONTATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND RILEY... AND A CHANCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HER HURT FEELINGS ARE VALID.

JAMES: AND THAT SHE IS VALID FOR BEING HURT.

DEREK: *nods slowly. he knows james is right, and he wants that for her too. he's only glad he has had enough distractions in his life to keep him from obsessing on trying to fix that himself. especially when he knows he's only capable of making it worse on his own.*

DEREK: Well get there. I guess.

JAMES: *cracks a tiny smile.* WHEN YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS RECOVERED, I'M SURE THIS WILL ALL SEEM RATHER... SILLY. IN RETROSPECT.

JAMES: IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF GETTING TO THAT PLACE.

JAMES: YOU ARE A GOOD MAN, DEREK. I HOPE YOU REALIZE THIS ABOUT YOURSELF.

DEREK: *it would be easy to deny it, or pretend to accept the compliment with an arrogant response, but he gives himself time to really think about it. james really wouldn't lie to him. james is honest about all things, and if he sees good in him, then it really must be true. james made his efforts to try feel recognized, and it's weird to him how that makes them feel more real.*

DEREK: ... *rubs at the back of his neck, shrugging* I can only try right?

JAMES: *hand on his shoulder, firm and reassuring.* WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, I BELIEVE IN THE BEST IN YOU.

DEREK: *gay... he grunts.*

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Thanks man.

JAMES: *He is pleased.* RUSSET IS DOING WELL TOO. SHE AND MISS HEDWIG ARE GOOD FRIENDS.

JAMES: MISS HEDWIG SEEMS RATHER PROTECTIVE OF HER. I ASSUME THAT WOULD BE HER NATURE AS A CUSTODIAN.

DEREK: *snorts* So shes got two mamas now huh? Thats cool. *he's glad she's doing alright... he sees her plenty, but it'll never be enough.*

JAMES: IT CERTAINLY HELPS THAT RUSSET IS GENTLE WITH HER... AND VICE VERSA. *actually pulls out his comm to show him a brief video of Russet with Hedwig. Gentle petting... softest feathers...*

DEREK: ... Shes such a good kid.

DEREK: Sassy. But good. *hes smiling fondly again at the video, but a little sadly, too. he misses her.*

DEREK: Shes gonna be a great older sister.

JAMES: OH YES. I AGREE. *And now he's sad too... thinking about Jane and John and many things. James quietly stows the comm away.*

JAMES: HOW DOES IT FEEL HAVING GRANDSONS.

DEREK: *he laughs at the mention of colt and joel, positively tickled just thinking about it.* Shit. Its crazy when your babies have babies.

DEREK: But theyre fantastic. Have you met em yet? You need to.

JAMES: I GAVE MY BEST TO DIRK. *smiles about Derek laughing. Yes good.* BUT I REALLY MUST CHECK WITH THEM AGAIN. I ADMIT.

JAMES: IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE DISTANCE.

DEREK: Ha. I figured as much.

DEREK: Its cool he loves showing them off.

DEREK: Rightfully so.

JAMES: *eyes emoji...* WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE PICTURES WITH THEM ON HAND.

DEREK: *eyes emoji right back... he produces the comm again just for this.* Check it out.

DEREK: *BOOM. baby pictures.*

JAMES: OH. *Oh............ look at them. James is overwhelmed by too many emotions that he accidentally crushes his coffee cup. Good thing i was empty.*

JAMES: **it

DEREK: *EYES EMOJI OF SHOCK AND AWE.*

DEREK: Jesus christ James.

JAMES: YES? *There is certainly a crushed cup in his hand.*

DEREK: ... *fuCK. he just laughs.*

DEREK: You good?

JAMES: I AM DOING SPECTACULARLY. *The babies give him new life.*

JAMES: *causally stashes the cup crumbles into his sylladex.* COLT DOES TAKE AFTER JAKE. YOU OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN HIM AS A NEWBORN.

DEREK: *god... james is a dork. a strong fuckin' dork.* Yeah? Can imagine he was a cute one. *fat and happy baby. he can see this.*

JAMES: YES. THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE HIM. *He only had John and Jane's baby pictures on hand. Everyone elses... he kept in the safe back home. Hmm.*

DEREK: *jude is hacking into it as we speak to remove any incriminating baby pictures of himself.*

DEREK: *derek hums a little to himself, thoughtful.* ... Real glad Dirk found himself a relationship like what hes got.

DEREK: Knowin hes being taken care of is. *shrugs a little* A relief I guess.

JAMES: YOU OUGHT TO TELL HIM SO.

DEREK: What... *feigns shock at the suggestion.*

DEREK: Nah. *a genuine answer*

JAMES: *tilts head over at him* WHY NOT?

DEREK: Cuz thats too corny. *he's AFRAID to, obviously.*

JAMES: PERHAPS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

JAMES: CONSIDER HIS.

JAMES: *James is in no place to talk. He does corny things all the time for John.*

DEREK: ... Ill think about it.

JAMES: *gazes at Derek with a small smile. Yes, he still believed in him.* THERE MAY BE A CHANCE HE KNOWS ALREADY.

JAMES: BUT REGARDLESS. IT'S GOOD THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING IT AT LEAST.

DEREK: Yeah someone as corny as you would say that. *averts his gaze, but he's smiling too.*

JAMES: I THINK YOU'VE GROWN TO APPRECIATE CORNINESS. *says this 100% unironically. James is having a good time.*

DEREK: Youll never catch me admiting it. *elbows at him*

JAMES: *It's like elbowing a dad-shaped wall.* I SIT IN THE CONFIDENCE THAT I DON'T NEED TO. THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: *STRONG elbows him back*

DEREK: *DOOF.* Damn man do you even know your own strength? *rubs at his arm.*

JAMES: YES. QUITE. *smiles passively. He knows what he's doing.*

DEREK: *snorts* Fucker.

DEREK: I mean... Rap... scallion. *pffffffffff.* It aint fair you make me censor myself.

JAMES: *raises an eyebrow* IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF RESPECT.

DEREK: Ive been swearin terms of endearment since I was a kid. Just the way it is.

JAMES: *considers this*

JAMES: EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF CHANGE. *says matter of factly*

DEREK: *gives him such an unamused look.* Yeah ok James.

DEREK: *mutters to self.* (Fucker...)

JAMES: *he's sitting right here, Derek. He can hear you.*

JAMES: HM.

JAMES: VERY RUDE.

DEREK: *HE KNOWS. he's just snickering now.* Well /anyway./

DEREK: I should get back to Riley.

JAMES: *nods and begins to move up from the couch* VERY WELL, DEREK. WE WILL BE SPEAKING AGAIN SOON.

DEREK: Yeah. Until then. *claps james on the shoulder.* Take it easy man. *and he skedaddles.*

[taskforcetumut]

HOOLIGANS

[ For those daring souls brave enough to heed the school teacher's plight... The elementary school building greets them at the top of a steep hill overlooking the central plaza of the colony. It's a fairly new addition to the landscape, as priority had been laid elsewhere. Nestled between tall blooming apple trees, the red and white building lays as a colorful contrast to the surrounding greenery. A short earth tone clad troll is standing outside the school steps, wringing her hands with worry while pacing back and forth, tossing the occassional glance upwards to the big clock attatched to a small tower jutting from the school's ceiling. She is visibly distressed. ]

JORUNN: (Ouh der... Wil dey be cømming? Hwat hæv yu gøtten yurself into nå Jorunn? Æsking dese strængers før help.) =Mumbles to herself, brows knitted while sighing and huffing the words despairingly. :< =

WQ: =Never fear! Qirin is here! She greets the sighing and huffing educator troll with a small wave.=

WQ: Hello, there. Are you Jorunn? Was it you who requested aid of sorts?

NEPETA: =She's here also, scampering in behind Qirin, show her to the HOOLIGANS=

DAD: -Anything to help the children. James is also here, admiring the quaint simplicity of the schoolhouse. Who would cause a ruckus in a place like this?-

DAD: -He's also glad Nepeta is here. Did she have a snack before coming out here? She better have.-

DAD: -doffs his hat in stern politeness at the school teacher.-

EQUIUS: -How dare a child's education be disturbed? He is here and sweaty, muscles RIPPLING AND GLEAMING IN THE LIGHT. He is ready to mess up some ruffians-

NEPETA: =Gross=

DAD: -Here is to hoping violence isn't the answer. Where is your shirt, young man.-

EQUIUS: -A tank top is a shirt-

DAD: -It is drenched mysteriously. This is concerning.-

WQ: =She wouldn't have been surprised if he flexed it off on his way here=

JORUNN: =Jumps a good few inches off the ground as Qirin speaks, completely caught off guard as she was too busy fussing. She "stares" wide eyed (even though it doesn't look like her eyes are open at all, perhaps she is related to a certain Bhrock) at the group, a hand over her chest to still her pusher.= Ouh..! Yes. Dayt whuld be me. Yu are thea cræw frøm the U.U, yes? I wuld like to thænk yu før cømming! Trulæy, it is such a rælief.

EQUIUS: D --> Greetings

NEPETA: =Calm down equius wtf=

WQ: Yes, ma'am that would be us. =in no way she thinks youre her mother, jorunn=(edited)

JORUNN: De childræn ær æll inside. =Gestures behind herself to the building.= Sø dey wøn't be hæving to witnæss whatævver must bæ døne. =Fuss fuss explain.=

NEPETA: =she beams at the lemony troll though=

NEPETA: :33 < well make it as clean as pawssible!

NEPETA: :33 < espacially if mew have a hose!

EQUIUS: D --> We'll do what is necessary

DAD: -He's here for cleaning. Removes his hat altogether.-

WQ: The violence shall be very minimal.

NEPETA: =Minimal splatter=

WQ: ...Though yes, I agree with Nepeta in that a hose may help clean up should we require it.

JORUNN: Dayt is such a rælief. Thænk yu all... Thea childræn hæv ben too fræightened to ævæn go øutside to plæy. =Wrings her hands and frowns small.= Dayt hørriblæ øld mæn... Suddænly shøwwing up tø bæbbel nønsense æt ævvery høur of da dæy. =Frustrated huff! THe nerve of some people.=

JORUNN: Hæ is ønly spøuting nønsens, ænd no mætter hwat peøople dø he alwæys cøms bæck.

DAVE: -alongside James, taking in the surroundings of this place- like cleaning blood is that what we are going on about over here

NEPETA: :33 < an old man?

NEPETA: :33 < thats not as fun but well get to the pawttom of it!

DAD: -This is suddenly even more concerning. Dave is your shirt tucked in.-

WQ: What form of nonsense?

EQUIUS: D --> Probably only fit for glue at this point

DAD: THAT IS UNNECESSARY.

EQUIUS: D --> So is his disruption of these children's education

EQUIUS: -Let a motherfluffer disrupt Ananya's education-

DAVE: -feels that gaze and subtly tucks in his shirt-

JORUNN: Ouh... =Waves a hand in the air some, her cheeks thoroughly puffed with annoyance.= Åll kæinds of lunæcy. It is clærly søm issuæ with his hæed. He næeds help, sure-ly, but he cannøt bæ døing whæt hæ døes..! It is disruptivæ. I æm sur hæ might see resøn næww, with æll øff yu tælking to him..?

DAD: IT WOULD BE BEST TO ASSESS THE SITUATION BEFORE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIVE OPINIONS.

DAD: WE WILL DO OUR BEST, MISS SITRON.

EQUIUS: D --> We will speak to this old geezer. However, all of us are probably not necessary for the task. This amount of crew members is absurd

WQ: I would not say so. Our numbers may be sufficient to sway him.

DAD: IT IS DISRESPECTFUL FOR ONE TO REFER TO ELDERS AS GEEZERS, BY THE BY.

JORUNN: Øff cursæ! Dayt is a sænsiblæ... =Oh. Equius' words makes her wring her hands a little more.= Ouh. Wæll... I ønly thought it wul-- yes! =Looks a little sheepish at Quirin and the rest, oh dear. She is the one getting schooled now, how embarrassing.=

EQUIUS: D --> My fists are sufficient

DAD: I APOLOGIZE, QIRIN.

DAD: THIS YOUNG MAN IS BEING NEEDLESSLY AGGRESSIVE.

DAD: PERHAPS HE SHOULD STAY BEHIND.

EQUIUS: D --> That is no ones call to make but my own -Try him, James-

WQ: =To Equius= Do attempt to restrain yourself. We may only require speaking to the disruptor. Besides...

WQ: =sweeps a hand towards the schoolhouse= If the children are watching, what examples shall we show with the use of violence?

WQ: Actually, i rephrase my statement. The children are watching as they are children.(edited)

CHILDREN: =They were indeed squishing their tiny faces to the windows, staring wide at the interesting group of strangers outside. However at the moment attention is brought to them, they all go wide eyed and duck out of sight.=

EQUIUS: D --> They should be doing their sch001work -Children why-

WQ:  Doing schoolwork when supposed excitement is underway? =smiles= I believe you seriously underestimate the priority of young ones.

JORUNN: Yes... Dey shuld be. =Stern gaze towards the school building.=

JORUNN: In anæ cæis. I wuld bæ so græitful if yu culd ræmøve him, perhæps  cønvince him to not cøm bæck..? I æm at my læst stråw hære. :<

EQUIUS: D --> You have our word -Ignores Qirin-

WQ: =How wude.=

WQ: We will succeed. ^_^

JORUNN: =Smiles bright.= Thænk yu..! =Hands to her heart.= Dis is suech a rælief..! JORUNN: He is behæind the bøuilding, møst like. Scæming æt the playgråund. =Steps towards the corner of the building and gestures down the little stone path leading to the back.= JORUNN: I will... Ouh. Læt yu dø hwat must be døne... Wørk in pæce. Whilæ I løøk æfter the childræn.

DAD: -Oh... poor old man. Nods in the direction she gestures.- THANK YOU. DAD: -if no one else is taking the lead, James will begin moving down the path.-

[With James at the front, the group makes their way behind the building. Jorunn watching them go before disappearing inside with the children, trying to keep their curious eyes in check so that what must be done could be done.]

[ In the far back of the trimmed grass part of the playgrounds there is a, by the looks of it, extremely old troll. He is shaking profusely, even if there is no breeze, which causes his impossibly long beard to rustle all the way down to the tip. His hair stands out to all ends, and it is difficult to say where hair stops and beard begins. He is donning a bright yellow robe, and upon seeing (maybe? hard to say when you cannot see his eyes) the approaching group, he raises his thin shaking hands to the heavens. ]

CHEZWHEZ: The SUN HAS GROWN DARK, but LO! Here comes THE DAWN. The warriors of FONDUED JUSTICE cometh to bring PEACE upon the RAVAGED LANDS of the VOICELESS! HEAR, HEAR! The GOLDEN BANNERS will be FLYING TRIUMPHANT once more..!

The People's Elbro-Last Friday at 9:04 PM

EQUIUS: D --> A zealot. Of course

DAD: -Oh my. The troll is certainly old, all the more reason he should be reasoned with. He dips his chin in greeting.- GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.

WQ: =she sighs. Mostly with relief. Now they really can't fight him. Look at him Equius. He can barely hold himself up.=

EQUIUS: -He will reserve judgment-

WQ:  Lovely day we are having?

[Upon the group coming closer it would appear that he is, in fact, not shaking. The cause of his rattling bones and beard that of something moving around in his robes.]

CHEZWHEZ: As FORETOLD the BRAVEST ONES have come FORTH from BEYOND THE STARS THEMSELVES. CLEANSE the USURPERS with BLESSED and HONEYED! Our HOMES RECLAIMED from the BARBARIANS that POLLUTE our MOST BLESSED! The FERMENTED GLORY of our MOST HOLY! =He steps towards James, his bushy brows raising to reveal two big and bright yellow eyes.=

CHEZWHEZ: Was it the MOTHER? Her ALL KNOWING MOOS that brought you to our STEPS? To BLESS US with CHEESED SALVATION?

WQ: =Yes, James. Was it the moos?=

DAD: -Does not appear alarmed to be approached by the old man as he spouts off cheesy nonsense.- HELLO, STRANGER. WE ARE HERE TO ASSIST ON BEHALF OF THE UNBREAKABLE UNION. MY NAME IS JAMES EGBERT. DAD: DO YOU FIND YOURSELF WELL, GOOD SIR?

CHEZWHEZ: JAMES the UNBREAKABLE! =Tosses his hands into the air with such vigor that his whole robe does a little jump, for a second revealing a pair of very hairy legs.= He has COME! His ARMY of the UNIFIED BLESSED! SMITE the WICKED to bring forth another ERA OF PEACE, FEAST AND CHEESE! =His eyes gloss over with emotion, and he stares to the heavens.= Oh... MOTHER. On this day, the CHEESE. MY PEOPLE will feast. The CHEESE, the CHEESE. =Lip quivers with emotion.=

DAD: -How can he not be so moved by his speech?- DAD: WHO ARE YOUR PEOPLE, MISTER... DAD: I APOLOGIZE. I DO NOT KNOW YOUR NAME. DAD: -eyes... the hairy legs peeking from his robes.-(edited)

WQ: =cheese...=

NEPETA: = she wants to bite him, does he smell like cheeses and weird gamey meat?=

[ He smells like a cornucopia of cheeses that have all been laying out just a tad too long in the sun. Also smells of... Tiny squeakies. Many tiny squeakies. ]

CHEZWHEZ: The VOICLESS are my PEOPLE! The FORGOTTEN and now LOST! Their HOMES! INVADED! Taken from our DELICATE SNOUTS by the LIARS and BETRAYARS! =Puffs his chest slightly.= CHEESE WHEEZE THE WIZARD! This is MY NAME! My HOLY TITLE! Given UPON ME from the HOLIEST OF MOOS on the FULLEST of GRAND MOON EVES!

NEPETA: 833 < do purrr peopawl squeak?

DAD: I FIND MYSELF INTRIGUED. -Underneath the cheese exclamations and all, there's a story James is sure.-

WQ: Tell us more of these liars and betrayers.

CHEZWHEZ: =He has sort of been gradually shuffling closer to James and further away from Nepeta and her unsettling eyes.= We SQUEAK only the MOST SACRED of TRUTHS! Our cause is PURE our FAITH is STRONG! SALVATION has finally COMETH.

CHEZWHEZ: For LONG i have SCOUTED these OVERGROWN LANDS for the MOST BLESSED to UNVEIL themselves onto ME! To BRING THEM BACK to our HOME! To EXTERMINATE the INVADERS! The ones that EXPLOITED our KINDNESS with VILE DEEDS! CRUSHING! CRIPPLING! WASHING! From the INSIDE! From under our very SNOUTS! =He is reaching into his robe for something. Rustle rustle.=

CHEZWHEZ: =Finds what he is looking for, and with a flourish pulls out an extremely soft and soggy looking slice of cheese. He holds it with utmost reverence towards James, looking at him with expectant eyes and breath held.= WILL the PACT be MADE? The HOLIEST of HOLY TASKS be DONE?

WQ: =slow turn to look at james.=

DAD: I ONLY WISH TO UNDERSTAND TO UNDERSTAND YOUR PLIGHT. -gently sets hand over the old man's. Not quite accepting the cheese offering yet but just holding him steady. There, there.- THE VOICELESS YOU SPEAK OF AND AN INVASION YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO. DAD: THIS TASK TO EXTERMINATE THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF YOUR KINDNESS. DAD: WHO DO YOU SPEAK OF? IS THERE ANY WAY THIS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED?

EQUIUS: -Tucks Nep under his arm just in case-

NEPETA: =is football=

CHEZWHEZ: =Eyes go wide when James reaches out, but looks confused as the cheese remains untaken.= FROM RAVAGED HOMES they came seeking our CAVERN! Our SACRED GROUND! For SAFE! For SANCTUARY! Our HEARTS laid in the OPEN to AID our BRETHEREN! But BETRAYAL! FOUL AND VILE! Our HOMES TAKEN! All away! WANDERING HOMELESS! PURPOSELESS! Those DISGUSTING RATS! =He hisses low, his beard shaking with fury.= VILE! WRETCHED! LITTLE LIARS! RED EYES and SNEAKY THIEF PAWS!

DAD: CAVERN? -cocks his head to the side.- YOU ARE REFERRING TO VERMIN? DAD: PLEASE... REMAIN CALM. IT HELPS NO ONE TO EXHAUST YOURSELF.

NEPETA: =Tell her more about those..... rats=

WQ:  Those who have stolen your home are rats? WQ: In the figurative or literal sense?

CHEZWHEZ: =Anger beard shakes!!! Dooohhh!!! He is PEEVED! BAGOSH!!!!=

CHEZWHEZ: VERMIN! PESTS! LYING SCHEMERS FULL OF PUS! The HOLY MISSION it must be DONE! Our HOME must be CLEANSED of these INVADERS! To bring PEACE to bring JUSTICE to our PEOPLE! =Insistantly shoves his cheese hand at James.= Their PITTER PATTER! PITTER PATTER! Leaving DIRT and ROT wherever they WANDER all over our SACRED GROUNDS!

NEPETA: =She will cleanse the entire home, watches the chezwhez=

DAD: -Oh well. Suddenly cheese hand. He glances towards WQ.- DAD: IF IT IS A MATTER OF RAT VERMIN AND ASSISTING THIS DISTRESSED SOUL. SHOULD WE ACCEPT?

EQUIUS: D --> I fail to actually understand what he asks. Sounds like kerfuffle to me. E%cuse my language

NEPETA: :33 < no, mew have to do thr33 meowllion squats fur purr pawtty mouth

WQ:  =sidequests forever= WQ: It may be prudent to ask a favor for our services. =Nods toward the schoolhouse= WQ: =She swept her skirts into her hands and gave a deep curtsy.= WQ: Oh, Cheese Wheeze, the Wizard. We shall aid you in your problematic rat infestaton, however, we only have one humble request.

EQUIUS: -Squeezes her gently-

CHEZWHEZ: =Bright eyed staring as the cheese is ACCEPTED. Qirin's following curtsy making his eyes water. Oh joyous day..! His entire being seems to quiver with emotion, or at least his beard and hair is certainly moving a lot.= Oh BLESSED DAY! SALVATION is UPON US! For such a HOLY DUTY DONE, there is NO REQUEST too LARGE! All shall be PAID their DUES! For so the MOST SACRED OF MOTHERS have MOO'D!

NEPETA: =Gimme the mice old man=

EQUIUS: -Down, neppers-

NEPETA: =Here eyes focus on all that movement but she purrs lowly, watching. waiting=

EQUIUS: -Continues to reign in The Terror ™-

NEPETA: =Be glad old man=

NEPETA: =The horse will falter. Then she will have her fun=

CHEZWHEZ: =Miss he is a holy man, he cannot give you what is his robes, no matter how appealing that thought may be.=

WQ: =equius, she appreciates your restraint, more than you know.= WQ: Oh great Cheese Wheeze. It is simply the children here. =She gestured again to the school= They do not understand the words you speak  as they are still learning the ways of this world. Their minds have yet to expand and the deliverance of such prophetic words are....intimidating so to speak. Our only requestfor your wisdom be told elsewhere. WQ: =places a hand over her heart and dips her head=(edited)

CHEZWHEZ: Once the HOLY CAVERNS have been CLEANSED we will all return ONCE MORE to our homes, for our GLORIED WISDOM only to be shared for those PILGRIMS that seek it! =Wets his lips.= The DUTY? The PACT? Is it DONE? It is MADE?

WQ: =Nods= Yes. Please lead us to your holy caverns. ^_^

DAD: -nods in agreement. Take the lead, Mister Wizard.-

NEPETA: :33 < (and to his furrrriends and foes)

NEPETA: =She has things to gain here=

EQUIUS: -Puts Nep on his shoulder-

EQUIUS: D --> (You are forbidden from action until I deem it necessary)

NEPETA: =She is now a sack of potatoes, small trill= NEPETA: :33 < (mew dont d33m pawlot of things necessfurry)

NEPETA: :33 < (demeowcracy takes too log, we cant ALL get votes)

EQUIUS: -Pets her gently and feeds her some kitty treats-

NEPETA: =......purrs and nibbles these treats=

EQUIUS: D --> (I'm wary of him. My judgment is la%)

CHEZWHEZ: SQUADALA! =Exclaims joyously.= The VOICELESS now have VOICE! The HOLY WARRIORS found! Our CAUSE JUST! =Extends his arms to the air, once more showing the hairy(?) leg.= Our PURPOSE NOBLE! =While he speaks, all the hair on his body appears to be... Moving. All on it's own. No longer flat against his body, now moving in little blobs. There's a squeaking filling the air.= The HOLY GROUNDS! Shall be RECLAIMED!!! =All his "hair" squeaks joyously, and it all scatters from his body. Hundreds of mice swarming from him, in and out of his robes. Some filling it while others dangle from the outside. Turns out The Great Wizard was actually entierly bald. His round blank head practically glowing against the sun.=

CHEZWHEZ: We will SHOW YOU! We will GUIDE YOU!

DAD: -Oh.-

NEPETA: 833 !!!!

NEPETA: =LET HER AT EM=

WQ: =bald peeps unite!=

WQ: =She has half a mind to give him a high five, but she will refrain.=

The People's Elbro-Last Friday at 10:44 PM

EQUIUS: D --> (Do not)

NEPETA: =She would also like to give him a high five=

NEPETA: 833 < (theres so MANY)

CHEZWHEZ: =Skips and waggles a janky leg in what is supposed to be a merry jig. The mice hanging onto him and squeaking happily, they are moving over and around each other, making it look like he is wearing nothing at all except from a exceptionally energetic fur coat.= CHEZWHEZ: We're OFF! To END the VILE THINGS! =Happily hobbles into the forest. There he go!=

WQ: ... WQ: =follows!=

NEPETA: =MNGGNNGN=

[ Chezwhez guides the lil group of holy warriors into the forest, moving easily despite his fragile frame. The road is winding up into the mountains, and as they go he sings a happy song, with the mice squeaking along. It goes as follows: Ære være osten! For den er god og deilig! Den viser den hellige vei, melket fra den hellige mor, den er bare herlig! Ja, ja, ja! Ost er bra! Hurra for de hellige krigere! For de skal knuse, smadre, skvise! De råtne fæle, som tok alt fra oss! De skal nå bli kastet i bakken! Fytti rakkern! En ny era er her! Med ost fra der til alle og enhver! Ja, ja, ja! Hurra, hurra, hurra! Soon they arrive at a cave entrance, and both song and movement stops.] CHEZWHEZ: Here it IS! Here it BE! Our holy SANCTUARY! =Full body Ghibli shiver.= The USURPERS! Are within!

NEPETA: =those squeaks were tempting but the song is catchy! Still tho she wants to GET THE RODENTS. Leans up from Equius' shoulder, getting FIESTY=

WQ: And so we shall boldy go. =Takes out one of her heavy duty medical flashlights.=

EQUIUS: -Pets the rail DOWN. BE DOCILE-

NEPETA: =TAIL FLICKS, heavy purrs and big pupils. She wishes to hunt=

CHEZWHEZ: =Looks to Qirin.= We will PRAY for your SUCCESS! For we must remain OUTSIDE. We are a people not of WARRIORS. This HOLY TASK is not for US. It has been SAID, it has been MADE, it has been DECIDED. The WARRIORS will PURGE ALL. =The mice squeak in agreement, all starting to crawl inside the robes, making the thin troll look like he just gained several pounds.=

NEPETA: =that makes this easier... but is also no sport.    Bleh=

WQ: =they should have called pest control tbh. Does the planet even have pest control?= WQ: Yes, please remain safe, all of you. =Dips her head= ^_^

WQ: =Nepeta, you may yet get to fulfill your heart's desire=

CHEZWHEZ: =How can he call pest control to come when he has all the mice friends? They would try takin' them away too.= CHEZWHEZ: =Raises his hands high into the air.= BLESSED BE! Our PRAYERS with YOU, HOLIEST of HOLY!

NEPETA: =Giddyups on Equius, she's gonna cat wriggle free to nyoom at Qirin who has the right idea. Getting the food!=

WQ: =oh. good point, cheese wheeze. Let's keep your mouse pals happy and alive= WQ: Come friends. ^_^ =INTO DARKNESS theme plays=

EQUIUS: -Sighs and makes an Equius shaped entrance in-

[ Chezwhez sings another song as they go, a soft hymn to bolster their spirits. The muffled enthusiastic squeaks of the mice joining in. The cave itself is quite dank, water dripping from the ceiling. Thanks to Qirin's flashlight it's an easier task to avoid stepping on the more loose and slippery looking parts of the steps crudely carved into the rock. There's a distant sound of the pattering of feet, that echo hollow against the walls. ]

WQ: =she's committing all these songs to memory.= WQ: =she peers into the darkness, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting her flashlight provides=

NEPETA: =That distant patter is going to meet the sharp end of her everything=

[ The way goes down, down, down for some time, growing darker and darker as they go. Luckily the flashlight keeps them from being completely enveloped in it. Eventually the little group would realize they are no longer descending, and are walking straight ahead. The flashlights falls on a gap in the rocks ahead. ]

[ Rock WALL i should say, whoops. ]

WQ: Hm. =she angled the flashlight into the crevice. Will they be able to squeeze through? Is there movement beyond it?=

[ The light doesn't seem to reach far enough into the crevice to be able to see if there's any movement. It's simply too dark. It will be a tight squeeze, but a person should be able to squeeze through. With enough Determination ™ ]

NEPETA: =Examines this wall= NEPETA: :33 < i think i can get through! or rafurr i know i can to pawssibly see whats on the other side :03

WQ: Are you certain? =Still she passes the light over to nepeta=

NEPETA: =shucks off her jacket and puts it right on the dank cave floor= NEPETA: :33 < of purrse! ive crawled through tighter spaces! =scampers up to the crack in the wall. the wall crack. and starts to liquid cat her way in=

[ Thanks to Nepeta's ability to cat, she is able to get through the crack. As she gets deeper it is getting warmer, more moist. Once she reaches the other side she will find herself on the edge of a subterranean lake. ]

NEPETA: :0( < OH gross! NEPETA: :33 < theres watpurr over here NEPETA: =looks around is there anything in this lake? can she see? Her cat eyes are doing their best=

[ It appears to be a round enclosed space. There's a little bit of light rising from the bottom of the lake thanks to some bioluminescent moss, and should her cat eyes try to scan the bottom of it there appears to be a tunnel of some sort underneath the water. There's pitter patter closeby, and there's a sudden PLOP as something enters the water. A black blob wiggling and swimming towards the tunnel, long tail swishing behind. ]

NEPETA: :OO  =GASP!!!!!!!=

WQ: =!= WQ: Everything all right, Ms. Leijon?

NEPETA: :33 < the rodent! NEPETA: :33 < there's a tunnel and a lake mmn, do mew think you can get through? i can go get it though....... even.... though its in water. NEPETA: :33 < ill be so fast ill DRAG IT OUT

WQ: =looks at the gap. Can she squeeze through? She is trying anyway.= WQ: If you can, however please use caution. I shall be there in a moment should you require assistance. =she hopes=

NEPETA: =That confirmation was all she needed before she .... dives on in after the long tail. Guess what's gonna get GRABBED=

[ Is Qirin determined enough? Then she can. She can do anything! The blob wiggles furiously once something dives in after them, trying to get away. However the cat is too speedy, and the tail is grabbed. Turns out it's a big rat, who is now flailing wildly against the hold on it's tail. ]

WQ: =she's slowly making her way through the gap; she isn't quite as flexible as the troll.= WQ: =She sure hears that splashing though= WQ: Are those the sounds of success?

NEPETA: =Oh.... worth the water! Nepeta lets herself swim rather clumsily backwards but she is sinking her claws into this tail and steadily pulling the rat to her= NEPETA: =Can it see her glowing eyes with all this moss? Regardless she can't respond to Qirin as she's underwater and water is DUMB=

[ The rat can only see it's brief life flashing before it's eyes, flailing and trying to twist around to BITE Nepeta's hand. ]

WQ: =still shimmying!=

NEPETA: =HOW RUDE, Nepeta hisses.... glubs? UGH, SWIPES paw at the rat's snoot. BAD FOOD=

[ Qirin will find herself on the other side soon enough! Witness the bubbles rising from the water at this underwater battle. The rat is hanging on for dear life on Nepeta's hand, even at the swipes. This is the final battle... It's not like it can keep it's breath for a lot longer either. It was supposed to be a short swim back to their home, how did it end up like this. ]

NEPETA: =It's an air battle at this point, it can bite ALL IT WANTS. Nepeta bares her fangs and keeps trying to haul this rat to land. Oh boy, oh buddy. You wait. Just you wait.=

Hana-Last Saturday at 9:17 PM

WQ: =pop! she's through! Finally.=

NEPETA: =Gaze upon the bubbles of battle=

[ The rat is hauled sure enough, as all the power and energy it has is going into the BITE. ]

WQ: !! WQ: =she would take out her spear, but she wouldn't dare with Nepeta in such close proximity.=

WQ: =she's going to try to punch the rat in the head instead=

NEPETA: =Thank you Qirin for being her other hand.... Nep's glad to be free of the water. She's going to plunge her claws and maybe even her entire hand into the rat's vitals. She will take the heart. It's squeaky beaty=

[ Somewhere out there in the universe the One Punch Man theme is playing, and know that it is playing for Qirin. The rat lets go of Nepeta's hand upon having it's head thoroughly BONKED, then goodnight sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Nepeta has the rat heart. ]

[ The DEAD text is surely floating above the rat's corpse somewhere as it lies motionless on the lake's edge. ]

WQ: =oh sweet carapacian jesus=

karen from finance-Last Saturday at 9:28 PM

NEPETA: =lifts her bloody hand victoriously... well they're both bloody. The one with the heart= NEPETA: :33 < we did it!

NEPETA: =Get me filletin knife Qirin=

WQ: =she has a throwing knife. Will that work?= WQ: =tuts and takes Nepeta's bitten hand before sanitizing the area and wrapping it in the aforementioned cat bandage.= WQ: I admit, I am surprised there was only one.

EQUIUS: -Appears. Thank you Qirin for taking care of his cat.-

NEPETA: =BOO HISS N- ... oh..... those are cute....... she will... allow this. BEGRUDINGLY=

NEPETA: :33 < well it was swimming to that tunnel down there purrhaps theres more, there never is just one!

NEPETA: =she's also captcha-ing this corpse=

[ Secret tunnel, secret tunnel... ]

NEPETA: =SECRET TUNNEL WITH MORE FOOD=

WQ: =there is probably a fillet knife in the kitchens on the UU= WQ: Shall we surge forward into the enchanting darkness and locate the rest of these sneak thieves? ^_^

NEPETA: :PP < i guess SO... bluh =DIVES in the water to swim to the tunnel=

WQ: ... WQ: =Oh yes...the water. Bucks up and wades through it.=

[ The underwater tunnel doesn't go very far, so luckily they don't have to be masters of holding their breath. Straight ahead for a short while, then straight up. Once they emerge they will see another closed off cave. This one with countless tiny houses carved from, and in, the rocks surrounding them on all sides. There's torches attatched to the walls, and in some of the tiny houses there's a singular tiny tealight. Warm light flickering and dancing across the walls. There's loud pitter pattering about, scurrying and scampering once these strange beings emerge from the pool. Beady red eyes in the relative dark staring. In the middle of the "town" is a fountain, of which has a golden cow at the top that is standing on it's hind legs like a beautiful stallion. Fondue pouring out from the udders and into the fountain. Absolutely beautiful. ]

WQ: =oh=

NEPETA: 800 NEPETA: :33 < ...... (im gonna steal that fur tafurros)

WQ: It is such a glorious centerpiece for the town. It would be a shame if the mice discovered it gone.

NEPETA: :33 < we only have to get rid of the rats though right? :33 NEPETA: =here come the clawkind. Stares back into those beady eyes=

[ Mice and Chezwhez both most like, not to mention the terrible wrath the scorned cow mother might inflict upon Nepeta for stealing her statue away. Upon the clawkind coming into play, some of the rats squeak and hiss loudly. Those terrible mice! Playing dirty by sending these devils! Some of the rats begin to swarm the plaza, all gathering in a big dark lump that seems to move like a single entity. They rush forth towards the intriders as a big terrifying mass of claws and teeth. ]

WQ: =Addressing the rats, she said,= I suggest you all leave or b-- =oh wow, that sure is a large something= WQ: =to Equius= Let us refrain from causing any structural damage. WQ: =takes out her throwing knives=

NEPETA: =Yessssssssss! She's definitely no diplomat and well, when there's a fight over territory not many words need to be spared. Nepeta is fast to jump into action, leaping on the figure with slashing claws and  kicking feet. Sorry Qirin were you saying a thing?=

WQ: =PEW PEW PEW=

[ The mass hisses with fangs bared, more rats joining the swarm until they are all part of the hivemind. As rats fall from it, bloodied and limp from claws and feet, other rats move to fill in the gaps. They lash and gnash with teeth and claws at the pair, a constant offensive force that pushes and pushes. ]

WQ: =All right, enough of this. Out comes her spear. She's attacking the limbs, attemping to get the rats to dissolve.=

NEPETA: =through all her scratches and punctures and kicks to the throat she scans, is there some kind of.... alpha rat? a glue that holds them all together?=

[ (Silver the Hedgehog voice) It's no use. No matter how many rats that fall it doesn't appear to make any noticeable difference, as other's take the places of the fallen as soon as they drop. There's considerable movement in the middle of the shape however, rats moving rapidly over one another to keep a constant meatshield over a exceptionally large white eyed rat. ]

NEPETA: =There you are! Nepeta drops with the next rat she kills and regroups with Qirin, standing defensive to dodge blows= NEPETA: :33 < (theres a big one in the meowddle! with HUGE beady white eyes i want to try and get that one!)

WQ: Ah, yes, I see it. =she nods= I have your rear.

WQ: =poises spear to the ready to shishkabob any rat that attempts to attack Nepeta in her quest=

NEPETA: =Nods and starts back off, running then sprinting and drops to all fours eventually. She jumps onto the hulking mass and runs along the limb before quickly trying to swooce in between some seams of the meat sheild. If she can penetrate that and cat the rest of the way in it's shank-city=

EQUIUS: -He punch-

[ The rats do not appreciate these punches or stabs or pounces AT ALL. They hiss and snarl, biting and scratching at anything in proximity. However even as rats keep filling up the gaps, the overall size of the blob is now shrinking. When Nepeta jumps forwards, the mass tries to shrink away out of her way. Starting to dissolve to give her nothing to climb on. Rats skittering to and fro rapidly to give the Alpha Rat a means to get out of eyesight before they try to reform. ]

NEPETA: :33 < get back here!! =Chases them!!!!=

NEPETA: :33 < face purr demise with pawnor!

EQUIUS: D --> Nepeta, to me. I have a plan

NEPETA: =But the chase..... she huffs but scampers back to Equius= NEPETA: :33 < did mew s33 where the big one went? whispurr it to me =leans up on tiptoes=

WQ:  =hacking away at rats to prevent them from coming closer to them=

[ Congrats Qirin, your spear has now a multitude of rat corpses attatched to it. One by one like a shishkebab. The other rats are now reforming into the larger shape, the Alpha Rat in the middle of it as they swarm around and stack on top of each other. ]

EQUIUS: D --> I believe so. Do you remember that maneuver I told you was e%tremely dangerous and silly? We're going to do it -Picks up the cat-

NEPETA: !!!!!!! NEPETA: :33 < yessssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!! =Is lift, is also a ball=

WQ: =she's gonna...try to slide them off down the pole.=

EQUIUS: -He eyes the Alpha rat, winding up and LAUNCHING Nepeta at the center of this rat mech. Catball special-

[ Squuuelllchhh... The dead rats slide off of Qirin's spear and fall to the cavern floor with disgusting splats. Rip in rest. ]

[ The mass of rats have the no fear. They have the courage of at least 50 whole rat. It tries to seperate so that Nepeta would just go through nothing, but as she is tossed at the Alpha, they are unable to seperate in such a way without completely unfusing. They hiss loud, rats swarming swiftly to protect the center, though Nepeta is easily making most of them splat from the sheer force behind the throw alone. Still they swarm. ]

WQ: =she's going to ignore that she found the noise highly satisfying=

NEPETA: =She's gonna get that disgusting splat meat soon.. But HERE COMES A HER. Claws pointed and ready. She might even though clean through them. In the best way possible=

[ Some of the rats throw themselves at Nepeta out of desperation, biting down on any and all that they can reach of her. Be that exposed skin or her clothes, anything to keep her away from the center of the swarm. It's small by now, just a desperate pile of flailing bodies that hiss and squeak loudly. ]

WQ: =still punching rats in the FACE.=

EQUIUS: -STRONG punching rats-

NEPETA: =She bites THEM back and keeps on DIGGING and cutting through to the center, pupils dialted she's pretty thoroughly covered in scratches and bites and blood and fur= NEPETA: 833 < i can hear purr heart beating! SOON!

[ This is all just incredibly gorey. Rats fall one by one in bloody chunks to the cavern floor. Blood splattered across the tiny houses and the cow fountain. The Alpha Rat bares it's fangs at Nepeta as it is exposed. Flinging it's big self right at her face with chomping fangs and scratchy paws. ]

NEPETA: =HEY FRIEND! Nepeta is more than happy to tussle you, rising to meet it and buries her claws deep into its torso while they roll=

[ It screeches, hissing froth from it's mouth and clawing at Nepeta's face. Fangs snapping at her as blood seeps from the claw wounds. The few remaining rats try to bite at her as well, at her legs and arms. ]

NEPETA: =She's taken on packs before. Workin them muscles Nepeta twists her claws and turns to fling the alpha away from the group. Hopefully enough to mortally wound it but also give her enough time to quick jab these UNDERLING PUNKS=

[ The Alpha Rat is flung into one of the tiny buildings with a sickening crack upon impact, flailing it's upper paws and trying to drag itself away while hissing. The underlings are swarming Nepeta, but their strength is gone and their leader needs help. Their uncertainty is their downfall. Only one remains. ]

NEPETA: =Here she stands, bitten and scratched and bloody with blood that isn't all hers. When she's finally staring at that one crawl away Nepeta treads over the bodies of the alpha's fallen comrades. Steps over to it and crouches= ..... NEPETA: :33 < im going to tame mew NEPETA: :33 < purr name is hissy! =Stares into its eyes. SUBMIT=

[ Nepeta please, this rat is BLIND. It is oblivious to the stares, but knows something big and bloody is in front of them. It HISSES LOUD, trying to move, but is too weak. ]

NEPETA: =Awww, it's blind. That's okay, she HISSES back and presses its head down. Submit DARN YOU=

WQ: =life is weird=

EQUIUS: D --> Nepeta

EQUIUS: -Life is strange-

NEPETA: :33 < (im in the meowddle of negotiation, pawlease!)

EQUIUS: D --> Cut the fiddle faddle

NEPETA: =DO YOU KISS YOUR LUSUS WITH THAT MOUTH?=

[ The Alpha would rather die than submit to the murderer of it's people. It hisses and struggles against the hold. Spitting more froth and blood everywhere. ]

NEPETA: =That makes her want to keep it MORE..... but fine. She'll make it quick. Shinkshank= NEPETA: :33 < bluhhhhhhhhhhhh

WQ: =She is appreciative of your attempt, Nepeta=

EQUIUS: -unfazed like yep that me moirail-

[ And so this rat is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS A EX-RAT!! ] [ The city is covered in death and gore, but that is the way of war. The mice city has been taken back from the invaders. ]

EQUIUS: -Stands here like Saitama-

EQUIUS: D --> Ridiculous -Horsey sigh-

NEPETA: =Runs around gathering ones that look like they'd make decent meals=

NEPETA: :33 < purride is a dangpurrous thing but i can respect it!

EQUIUS: D --> Put those down you don't know where they've been

NEPETA: :33 < on my claws duh!

WQ: =the least they can do is clean up their mess. She begins collecting the corpses Nepeta doesn't take and will later go on to return the dead to the earth. Such is the circle of life.=

WQ: =She collects them in her sylladex. There is no way she has enough arm space for all of them=

[ With the evil defeated, Chezwhez and fellow mice may once more move back into the holy cheese city. No more will they wander aimless and lost, nor scream at children. The holy warriors each is rewarded with a cow idol carved from the finest of cheese, and it is said that statues of the heroes have been carved into the cave walls to always remember their noble quest. From Jorunn and the school children they all recieve a variety of all kinds of baked goods and hand drawn thank you notes featuring lots of colors and poor grammar. ]

WQ: =she is deeply humbled and shall treasure these gifts forever=

EQUIUS: -He is moved deeply. However he has to clean this cat-

WQ: =after you clean the cat she will bandage the cat with cat bandages to make it all the more bearable for the fierce huntress=