This is not a message… rather, a look into the lives of a certain organisation that's been in the background! We take you now into the base of one Mantle, a leader of the Rock Throwers. Not into the strange and offputting area that Dot, Doto, and those other cultists lie, but to a place where the rock throwers relax, and kick up their feet… the Thrown Glass Speakeasy!
At the door, as is at every door, lie Lock and Key, welcoming rock throwers into the bar and making sure any unwanted visitors are kept away. Music fills the place, courtesy of Piano! The bar is tended to by the rock thrower's barkeep, Shaker. They pour the fiftieth, fifty-first, and fifty-second "on the rocks" drinks of the night to a troupe of Bronze, Silver, and Gold, currently engrossed in a poker game. Pumice is also at the table, but following two lost bets isn't risking his luck further.
"Can't believe you took that stupid $20 from me and you feel the need to be this stupid good at poker, Gold."
"Relax, Pumice! Good fortune will reach you again in time!"
Another voice pipes up, that of Bronze
"So, whatcha think about the boss' plan?"
"Hey, it means more action for us, finally. Raise, 250."
"Now, now, Silver, I'm sure you'll get plenty of activity soon! Call."
"Gold, you're jus' saying that cause you get more than the rest of us. All I got was chucking something at Nature. Fold."
Their conversation continues, as Gold wins another pot.
...
A group of three lay in a cozy pile together, tired out by the activity everyone else is involved in. Pillow and Blanket helping one of their youngest members, Page, to get a good sleep, even amongst the chatter and bustle.
Marble, Statue and
Pillar
are sat together, chatting about greek architecture, mindless conversation that shares their interests.
...
The life of the party is Bomb, recently made Mantle's right hand, it's no wonder that others would want to cozy up and ask them things
"Bomb, youse can tell us what's going on, riiiight?" asks Coal. He's answered with a smirk
"Mantle's asked me not to say too much, but… it's gonna be real explosive. So much so that we had to get those cultist idiots to help us get the power we need for it."
"Well, you know it's gonna be something big if they're bringing in us for it."
Seems like Iceball was listening in, too.
"After all, I'm Core's, we're wayyyy stronger than you lot. Elemental power and shit's hard to beat~"
"Can it, you! That's a load of bull, how come Flint and Steel are in Core's group then?? They should be in Crust's group with us!"
"Coal, don't get pissy just 'cause you miss your buds."
"OH, I'LL SHOW YOU PISSY!!"
As a quick "game of dodgerock" breaks out between coal and some others, the whistling of Mop cleaning the bathrooms is heard, going along perfectly with the melody, carried through the wind by another of Core's group, Sky
"Nnngggh! No way in hell I'm letting Sleep devision of all things get that green haired prick. Sky is MINE to take!! I don't CARE if Mantle wants the sloth girl on our side, she won't do squat to help us ANYWAY!"
…a very unamused Unobtainium looks up at Sky
"m8, n0 one c4res ab0ut your grudge. H3y, Shaker, c4n I get another Mountain Dew on the rocks?"
Shaker is unamused, but serves the drink anyway.
...
Roots, the rock throwers' Anon Resources manager, looks tired. That's either from the many new additions, the big plan causing complications, or perhaps the fact that Amber has been talking about dinosaurs for the past 20 minutes.
"Amber, I get you like dinosaurs, but I've got a bunch of work to do. For starters, Coal is getting red tempered again-god damnit. COAL! STOP THROWING SHIT EVERYWHERE, SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO CHILL OUT!"
"Roots pleeeeeease? No one else cares to listen to me talkkkkkkk"
"sigh fine, Amber."
...
Further still lie the closest thing that the rock throwers have to botanists: Lotus, and their old friend Lignite. They're making flower crowns together, how sweet!~
...
But in a private booth lies the final rock throwers we will be seeing today. A booth with room for three members, though Core hasn't turned up. It leaves only Crust and Mantle, two leaders discussing their plans…
"...and I do thank you very much for lending your support for my plan, Crusty~ With your people on board too, plus the arrangements I've made, we have more than enough forces!~"
"Oh, you know how it is~ The boys in grey will do anything if they get the chance to be 'throwin shit' as pebble puts it. I'm just doing the 'bookkeeping'!"
"Well, given how much we've riled up that security leader, I wouldn't be surprised if you'd end up fighting the girl, too! A proper climactic battle, the results of your and her arc built up over months! Ahhh, but that's your choice, ultimately, no matter how tantelising that security group is to go after!"
"….Eh."
Crust says, shruging.
Mantle swirls their drink around, before taking a sip
"I couldn't help but notice that Core couldn't make it to our fun little interlude~ What do you suppose the chances are that fe turns on us in a… dramatic and tearjearking reveal that fe chooses the side of the blogs?~"
Crust waves his hand dismissively
"Depends on what you mean by 'taking sides'! If you mean becoming one, I don't think so. That geezer is many things, but most of all fe's hard headed~ I don't imagine anything we've done thus far will push into that territory."
He places a hand on his chin, resting the elbow on leg.
"As for going against you in this endevour, now that one's a toss-up~ The obvious answer is yes with feir current modus, but fe knows you Mantle. Fe knows that's exactly what you want! In the end it'll be a cost assement. Would helping them really be worth stoking your flame~?"
"Oh, certainly not! Our identities are too linked to being anons to gain reality now~ I sure hope the fe decides to fight me, I have things prepared for them… Oh, and for that other thorn. The one that's taken up ole Polly's attention you crave so badly~"
Crust grins
"If I had eye's they'd be in the back of my skull right now~ But the child is… Something? You're problem that's for sure~"
"Oh? Do tell, I do love a good new threat to shaken things up~"
"It's just that, from what my 'eyes' tell me, that one's case is more personal than theatric. It doesn't matter how strong you are in these circumstancess, you'll just find yourself inexplicably shut out~ And I think their 'successful expidition' proved as much." He posits, checking his wrist. Is he even wearing a watch?
"Well... I suppose we'll have to see, won't we! I do hope you enjoy the show..."
"Indeed. It'll be quite the scheme for us to see."
Crust stands, Snatching off part of the fancy couch so that it forms an accurate enough approximation of a cane. He then picks up his glass and raises it.
"How about a toast, to the three of us?"
"Oh, but of course!~ To the three of us!"
Mantle toasts, a sinister grin directed towards the audience
Package for @thisdanceisforvittoria from "Anonymous"!
All of a sudden you’re hit by a small paper from behind. You turn around, but whoever threw this must be already gone. You look at the paper, with a drawing on the front, and writing on the back.
hi miss opera o!! have you met me? ? have you met my family ? throuhing things is very fun u should trye it!!!! your very cool so i drew a vry cool drawkng!
Letter from @official-tracen-security for The "Leader of the Organisation of Rock Throwing Anons: Crust"!
Subject: Parlay
We have received your response to our request for Parlay, Preparations have been undertaken, and we are ready to receive your delegation.
The Academy's Director has requested to sit in on the negotiation on our part, I trust this is agreeable to you? In the spirit of balanced scales should you wish to bring a second member of your organisation to the parlay to serve as your second that would be acceptable to us, and they would naturally have the same promise of guest right and safe passage as we extended to you.
The meeting place will be the Security Office. We shall be ready and await your arrival at a time of your convenience. We are endeavouring to keep the paths open in spite of the blizzard, but should you wish to delay your travel until the weather clears we will understand.
It is my sincere hope that we have a most productive talk and are able to come to an arrangement that ensures the future wellbeing of the students while at the same time enabling you to continue your organisation's activities.
