#riziee

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Alchemize

Well, Flosquitosprite won't let you do anything else at the moment so you might as well! But what can you possibly combine? It's not like you have a whole lot of useful items after all. You shuffle through the captchalog cards you got from your room, a bit disappointed in yourself. You captchalog a few things from the rest of your hive as well, adding them to the pile.

First things first, you figure you should try and make a stronger umbrella. One that's a little more durable, at any rate. 

==> Combine UMBRELLA && LUSII CROSSING GAME

It seems to make the cute leaf umbrella from the game. Even more useless than your current weapon. Good job! You decide to try again.

==> Combine UMBRELLA && PRESSED FLOWER

You are pretty sure this only added a flower pattern to it. Wonderful! Maybe next time you can make something better!

==> Combine UMBRELLA && FOOD PROCESSOR

Well, this umbrella certainly couldn't shield you from any rain, as the material between pegs has disappeared. However, it looked like it actually might be able to do some damage! You open it, but it doesn't open like a normal umbrella. You keep pushing it up until the blades are facing away from you, almost like the wind blew your umbrella in. You press the little button on the grip and are startled when the blades start whirring in that familiar processing sound. If this thing was sturdy, it might actually make for a good weapon! Unfortunately for you, it seems to only be usable with two hands to hold it steady. So close! Once your arm heals, it will definitely be useful at least.  You should try again, but you figure there are other things you could make that will assist in combat. 

==> Combine CAMERA && HEADBAND

A headband with a light bulb on it. You put it on, and flip the on switch. Instead of a continuous light, it flashes every few seconds. Perfect! This could definitely be useful in combat. It felt a little weird resting on your head and it kept slipping, but it would have to do for now. What else could you mess with?

==> Combine HUSKTOP && CAMERA

Okay, you're not even sure how this thing works. The screen will show your desktop, but you have no idea how to interact with it! How would you even type messages to your comrades? Tossing the junk aside, you try again. 

==> Combine HUSKTOP && BRACELET

You hit the little button on the wristband, and a virtual screen appears! You can interact with this one, though it feels incredibly weird. You'd rather not use it if you don't have to! You'll just bring your husktop along and use this dumb thing as backup. Was there anything else you really needed? Oh right! You needed to make a temporary weapon you could use with one hand. What else could you possibly combine with your umbrella that would reinforce it, though?

==> Combine UMBRELLA && KNIFE

The end point definitely looked like it could do some real damage. In fact, the entire umbrella (aside from the handle) looked incredibly sharp. It wasn't terribly heavy, though there's no way for you to open it. You try swinging it in your good hand, and you think it will do quite nicely! 

You show all of your new gear to Flosquitosprite, and she at least acknowledges that not all of your creations were useless. As supportive as ever. Before you get ready to set off, she gives you some kind of necklace that will supposedly allow you to summon her beyond the first gate! Right, like you'll be doing that on purpose. You needlessly thank her about five times before you pull out your husktop again, and message your server. Well, what's left of him anyways.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Speak with Mosquitosprite

Well, it seemed like she was having a little difficulty speaking clearly. Her speech seemed even more buzzy to you then usual. Perhaps, with a second prototyping, this could change? Others had mentioned it in passing, so you were sure this was a thing. But now that you actually had the time to think about it, what would you throw in with your lusus? Something she didn't hate, which unfortunately for you, wasn't a lot of things. You move into your respiteblock, resisting the itch to clean up the mess the demon had made catching you with your bookshelf. You at least gather up the pressed flowers that had fluttered down from the walls, setting the sheets in a neat pile near where the bookshelf once stood. 

What to add to the sprite? Her mother certainly wasn't a fan of food, so that was out of the question. You highly doubted she would appreciate being saddled with any furniture, but what else did you have? A book would be a terrible choice, but what about something else? You glance at the pile of dried flowers again, grabbing one off of the windowsill. Not quite dried out, this one still had a bit of life left to it. Mosquitomom never seemed to mind your flowers too much, perhaps that would be acceptable? You take your find out to her, and before you ask her you just go ahead and toss the flower with all your might. It travels incredibly slowly and you're worried it might not make it, but the moment it collides with her a bright flash erupts. You squeeze your eyes shut and prepare for what you know is coming.

Flosquitosprite: zzzza flower i zuppoze you could have done worze at leazt the only thing my mind haz to compete with iz the dezire for zunlight to complete my photozynthezizzzz Riziee: [ o ] o-oh my gods i am so sorry that was a terrible choice wasn't it i just wanted to you know be able to really talk with you is all i should have just let you choose i'm sorry Flosquitosprite: zzzzdid you really apologizzzze more than once that'z a little pathetic don't you thinkzzzz  Riziee: [ o ] a-as pathetic as you always used to mention you really haven't changed a bit have you Flosquitosprite: zzzzof courze i haven't juzt becauze i look a little different  doezn't mean i've changed or anything muzt be a bummer for you girliezzzz Riziee: [ o ] CLICK! o-oh no of course not i've always loved you the way you were or still are i suppose you know that Flosquitosprite: zzzzno i juzt know you're the univerze'z biggezt zuckup my dear and zince the number of living thingz has gone down zignificantly you are for zure the biggeztzzz Riziee: [ o ] a-as usual you see right through me i really do love you though i mean as far as lusii go you are wonderful Flosquitosprite: zzzzzucking up will get you nowhere with me girlie i zaw you almozt take a bite of that cake earlier when you thought i wazn't lookingzzz Riziee: [ o ] CLICK! Flosquitosprite: zzzclick click that'z what i thought you're lucky i can't get at you anymore my dear becauze if i could you'd be mizzing half a quart of blood right nowzzzz Riziee: [ o ] CLICK! h-half a quart what a punishment i used to be stuck in my recuperacoon for a week at least i promise i will never try that again i'm so sorry it shouldn't have even crossed my mind Flosquitosprite: zzzzwell i zuppoze you didn't actually bite it zo i can give you a pazz juzt thiz oncezzzz Riziee: [ o ] o-oh thank you so much Flosquitosprite: zzzzcan it bezidez you zhouldn't be wazting time talking to me right now girlie you zhould be making yourzelf zome better materialz you need a better weapon at leazt look at your arm that'z going to take zome time to healzzzz

You try to speak to her a little more, but she's gone into her infamous period of ignorance. She did always ignore you and your needs when she wanted you to do something. What a good lusus. You make your way over to your respiteblock again, captchaloging anything that might be useful. You look at all of your cards, and make your way over to the punch designex. You really, really hope you can make something useful.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

Pester bombasticBrave

-- volatileDemeanor [VD] began trolling bombasticBrave [BB] at 22:55 --

VD: [ o ] i-i have made it home it's amazing Haaaaaaaaank i did it i actually succeded in fighting i even got to pose your bravery training seems to be paying off how can i ever thank you

BB: hehehe

BB: you don't even need to thank me but if you must

BB: i do accept hugs

BB: highfives

BB: and more hugs

BB: 8D

VD: [ o ] w-well if and when we meet i shall indeed give you these high fives and hugs because if i had done this sort of thing even a few days ago i most likely would not have succeeded i really want to thank you

BB: Maaaaan I didn't do anything

VD: [ o ] b-but you really did!

VD: [ o ] i-i mean you're the first person i've spoken to who actually made me feel like i wasn't completely useless and with your encouragement it turned out i wasn't quite as useless as i thought i was!

BB: pffft naaah you did it all yourself!ngh, yeah! shhh it was all you, I only pointed you in the right direction

BB: your the one that decided to run and look what happened. I knew you were a badass

VD: [ o ] m-maybe you are right after all perhaps i truly am a badass as you say

BB: You didn't think you were before???

BB: I mean did you see the pose

BB: It was hella awesome!

BB: Did you say a winning phrase?!

VD: [ o ] y-yes i did it felt wonderful i said i am the one the only picture perfect riziee was that a good winning phrase i certainly hope it was acceptable

BB: Hahaahaoough, yeah! oh yeah that was just

BB: wait for it

BB: here it comes

BB: bout to be born

BB: Picture Perfect. 83 Awe yeah, you may be in awe now!

VD: [ o ] i-i am in complete awe it is a great catch phrase and i will from now on use it proudly if you don't mind of course i mean you did come up with it after all

BB: I made it jsut for you and only you Rizzie! It's yours now you can use it as many times as you want! You aren't hurt though right?!

BB: You didn't get you rbutt kicked while kicking butt I hope >.> I would give you such a noogie

VD: [ o ] o-oh goodness you are far too kind i will use this phrase from now on then thank you so much

VD: [ o ] b-but um i am fine yes the only thing broken are those imps and unfortunately my favorite camera one of them knocked it out of my hand and it broke on the ground :c

VD: [ o ] i-i really wish there were a way for me to fix it it was my favorite

BB: Your shitting me D:

BB: Ah man I'm sooo sorry Riziee!

BB: Well, I'll get you a new camera how bout that :3

VD: [ o ] o-oh goodness really? y-you don't need to trouble yourself i do have spares i will just have to make do they are not as good in terms of quality however

VD: [ o ] d-do you think i could maybe use the punch um thing to fix it?

BB: I need to! Your my friend, that's reason enough to do it!

BB: I don't even know if it can but it's worth a try!

BB: oh speaking of punching things I have something for you :3

BB: Have you ever had a chocolate cake?!

VD: [ o ] a-a chocolate cake? n-no i mean i have tried regular cake in a way before but never chocolate

VD: [ o ] i-is it good?

BB: Does a butterfly transform into a omnipotent being that shots chocolate chips right out of its nipples???

BB: the answer is yes

BB: all of the yes

BB: hell to the yes

VD: [ o ] g-goodness i never knew!

BB: 837CAK2 here is the code!

BB: Put that in there and bam

BB: chocolate cake! I made it myself

VD: [ o ] o-oh wow it is really that simple? i-i shall try it your chocolate cake will be the first thing i attempt to create

BB: Awwwwww my student

BB: you make suga momma so proud

BB: come here

BB: rest upon my bosom

VD: [ o ] o-oh my your bosom? i-is this what the term um bosom buddies means maybe?

BB: Yep! Resting on each others chest is the term for bosom buddies uvu

BB: You can rest upon mine whenever you feel like!

BB: I warn you though right now they are kinda dirty

BB: and bruised

VD: [ o ] o-oh so then i should allow you to rest upon my um bosom as well? and then we would truly be bosom buddies?

VD: [ o ] g-gods though are you alright? a-are you too terribly injured?

BB: Well I don't know, that uh, haha well uhm; that is to say uhhhh ahahaha your choice! don't have to, you can just rest on my soft chest marshmellow

BB: Don't worry! I'm fine, just a little bent out of shape. I just need a rest uvu

VD: [ o ] b-but doesn't bosom buddies seem to imply that both buddies bosoms are buddied upon? g-gods i can't phrase that well i'm so sorry

VD: [ o ] b-but i'm glad to hear you are not injured too badly just be sure to take it easy and allow your wounds time to heal!

BB: Uuuuuuh well how bout we jsut have a cuddle fest and watch cartoons!

VD: [ o ] t-that sounds rather nice i think i've never had a um cuddle fest before and i always enjoy watching cartoons!

VD: [ o ] a-also i have made the chocolate cake it smells nice though i must blend it before i am able to consume it one moment please

BB: so your making a chocolate cake smoothie

BB: ...niiiiiicee

VD: [ o ] s-something like that i suppose yes i just need to thin it out a bit and it will be ready for consumption i will maybe share a bit with my sprite perhaps she will enjoy it even though it is not troll blood oh gods i hope i don't still have to feed her that would be awful

VD: [ o ] t-this cake is not bad though it is quite enjoyable really much more enjoyable then the last cake i tried to drink thank you so much

BB: Why eat troll blood when you can have a chocolate cake! You think so?!

VD: [ o ] m-maybe i could try to make you something sometime what is one of your favorite foods?

BB: I could really go for any kinds of food right now

BB: like apple pie

BB: or a smoothie Dx

BB: or pizza

BB: with whip cream and pickles

BB: lil bit of hot sauce

VD: [ o ] p-perhaps i shall try to combine all of those things do you think that might taste good?

BB: Oh my god you think so?! Riziee you

BB: are

BB: Just the best x3 You are a great friend! Simply awesome

VD: [ o ] o-oh gods no not nearly as great a friend as you but um hold on a moment i shall prepare the pizza for baking before combining it with the other things

BB: I'm not the one making a super pizza. When we meet I'm so gonna snuggle you to death 83

VD: [ o ] o-oh my to death? t-that may seem a little too much i'm sorry perhaps a near death snuggle would be more preferable

BB: Well not literally! Well your pretty much on your own though if I get comfortable and sleep on you

BB: btw I will get comfortable and sleep on you

BB: there is no escape

VD: [ o ] o-oh gods that wouldn't be enough to kill me though would it

BB: Hope not! but if you need to get up or anything, that's another story. You can kick me off though!

BB: I won't feel a thing uvu

VD: [ o ] b-but that would be so rude i really don't think i could do that to you

BB: Oh yes you can! It'll be fine otherwise you'll be my sleeping pillow for the rest of the day x3

VD: [ o ] p-pillow? i-i'm afraid i'm not quite sure what that is i'm terrible sorry is it something important?

BB: A pillow! Is like a super comfortable awesome thing you lay on when you go to sleep!

BB: So if I sleep on you

BB: you'll be my pillow for the day1

VD: [ o ] o-oh wow so i would be an assisted sleeping device? w-well if that would help you to sleep i don't think i would mind too much

BB: Awesome! You could use me has a pillow too! If ya want I don't mind uvu cuddle sleep fest yo!

BB: It'll be great

BB: there'll be food and then we can just sleep

VD: [ o ] o-oh i'm not sure about that i mean i would love to don't get me wrong um but if i don't fall asleep inside my recuperacoon i don't know if that would be a good thing

VD: [ o ] t-though actually it might be okay since we don't really go to sleep quote on quote anymore so the nightmares wouldn't be a thing to worry about maybe

BB: Well if you can't sleep that's fine! All abotu enjoying each other's company! and having a smooth time with each other ya know?!

BB: All about the fun uvu

VD: [ o ] o-oh yes of course i truly can't wait to meet you though i am most excited to be able to properly pose with you it seems slightly lacking with only one person i think

BB: Oh man you won't believe the amount of posing we'll do!

BB: We'll show our friends how awesome we are with our drop dead extra sexy super ultra powerful knock out justice pose of fate!

VD: [ o ] y-yes and we should take pictures and send them to everyone and maybe it will boost their spirits that would be nice i think maybe i can fix my camera if i try combining both halves with the punch thing i might try that

VD: [ o ] o-one moment

VD: [ o ] o-oh thank the gods it worked i mean it is not the same camera but at least it will still have the same nice quality

BB: Really? You have a camera now?!

BB: You know what that means? We gotta take some silly pictures of us when we meet

BB: You know you want to >w>

BB: We're gonna make the grossest faces ever! I'm gonna do a thing with my tongue

BB: and you should do a thing with your tongue

BB: and make grows tongue noises while taking the picture

VD: [ o ] g-gods i'm not sure if my tongue can do a weird thing

VD: [ o ] b-but that won't stop me from giving it my best i suppose

BB: Yup! You remember your lesson! Put feelings into everything you do!

BB: You are rising up in the ladder uvu

VD: [ o ] w-wow rising up the ladder that's so wonderful

VD: [ o ] o-oh gods the food is done let me put on the finishing touches and send you the code for it

VD: [ o ] i-i just hope it's at least half as good as your cake

BB: It won't be good

BB: it'll be GREAT!

BB: I get to be the first to try your cooking! That's a big honor y'know!

BB: I am sooooo not worthy

VD: [ o ] o-oh gods but my cooking is no good even i don't like my own cooking i don't even know why i thought this was a good idea i'm sorry

BB: Brave Lesson 45!

BB: Never doubt yourself!

VD: [ o ] i-i will try not to in the future

VD: [ o ] 980APZ4 there is the code though i hope it's not too terrible

BB: I bet it'll taste awesome!!!!

VD: [ o ] l-let me know what you think when you get a chance to try it

BB: I'll definitly let you know once I'm back at the house!

BB: I bet it'll taste good

BB: like eating heaven if it was a pizza

BB: and i think i'm gonna take a nap now

VD: [ o ] o-oh do be careful be sure to nap in a safe place!

BB: I'ls be fine night pizza perfect rizzieeeee

VD: [ o ] s-sleep well Haaaaaaaaank c:

-- bombasticBrave [BB] gave up trolling volatileDemeanor [VD] at 01:09 --

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Go Home

You finally make it inside, and you use a few pieces of furniture to blockade the door. Hopefully, you would be safe for awhile. Now to try and fix up your arm! Well, as well as you can at least. You snap the short legs off of a stool in the corner, and attempt to use them as a makeshift splint. You go into your respiteblock, tearing one of your dresses into strips of cloth in order to create some makeshift bandages. With these, you could tie the splint in place and hope that your arm would feel better soon. It still hurt like hell, but as you had thought before you wouldn't complain about it. Instead of focusing on that, you had to focus on the positive! You were still alive! Really, really alive! Mosquitomomsprite at least seemed happy you were back, if her cheerful buzzing were any kind of indication. 

More importantly, you slayed imps! All on your own! Not just imps, but two ogres! Two! Sure, you lost your favorite camera and made yourself even more useless than before, but you had actually done it! And there was one person who you wanted to tell of your exploits. The only one you figured would probably care, at any rate. You sit down at your husktop and begin trolling.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Wake Up

Wake up? But you don't even remember falling asleep! In fact, you were quite panicked when you didn't immediately recognize your surroundings. Where were you? Had the ogres killed you? Was this what heaven was like? You pinched yourself, wincing a little as it still hurt. So you can still feel pain when you're dead? Fantastic.

Wait a moment, hadn't someone told you about this? Yes! Lars, your client,  had mentioned something like this when he had last spoken to you. A place you went to in your sleep! You look out the window, and the view is breathtaking. You feel a bustle of activity below, but are relieved when it doesn't seem to be too strong positively or negatively. More importantly, Lars had said flight was possible! Was it really true? Did you really want to try jumping out a window when you had already come so close to dying? 

==> Leap out the Window

Well, maybe not leap. You struggle to lift yourself up into the windowsill, and hang your legs off the side. The height makes you a little dizzy. What was left to lose, though? What were these dream bodies, anyways? What if Carada's theory was right?! What if this was another level of their subconscious they went into when they 'slept' meant to contain their minds even further?! 

You shake your head, clearing these thoughts. That couldn't be right, right? How could the government trap humans, too, when not even they truly acknowledged them? You take a deep breath and turn around, lowering yourself out of the windowsill. You instantly regret your decision though, and whimper as you find yourself stuck hanging from your tower. You try to pull yourself up, but it's too late. Well, now was as good a time as ever to test out that flight theory! You hope that Lars was right.

==> Let Go

You do, and are absolutely floored to discover that you actually can float! You smile, and slowly rise into the air. You hold your arms out to try and balance, but this is a lot different than being on the ground. You sort of work into a spin instead, but you eventually right yourself. How invigorating! How terrifying! You definitely weren't sure if this flying thing was good or bad, but once you started to get the hang of it there was no place you couldn't go! You float back up to your tower, balancing yourself along the windowsill again. You glance back out across the purple city, noting the five other large towers. Who could be in them?

==> Check out the towers

Humans! Some of these other towers contained what you assumed to be humans! The first tower you landed in had a human with long hair. Who was it, you wondered? You figured it looked like Lars, but how could you be sure when you didn't know what other humans looked like? Would they mind a little poking and prodding perhaps? Could they feel that while this purple clad body of theirs was asleep? You gingerly reach out to touch their hair, and note that it feels quite similar to your own. A little softer to the touch, perhaps? Against your better judgement you poke and prod the skin on their face a little, feeling  your own face a moment later. Human skin felt similar, too! Again, maybe a little softer, but they seemed to be more fragile than trolls in general. No horns? No fangs or claws? Nothing about the human seemed to be built for attack or defense. 

Gods, maybe you should stop now. What if they woke up and found you prodding at them like some kind of freak? You didn't even know which of them it was! You had no idea if they were even male or female! How did you tell with humans, anyways? And if it really were Lars, you would have been more embarrassed than you could say. What if they thought you watched them like this ALL the time? You shake your head and quickly abandon the tower, checking the others without going inside for fear of embarrassment. Two other humans, and two other trolls. At least it was a bit easier to tell which ones the trolls were. The girl was obviously the heiress (you were fairly certain she wasn't Carada at any rate), and the boy seemed more likely to be the cerulean blood than the indigo blood. What was more interesting to you was how different the skin colors for some of the humans were. One had skin that was noticeably darker than the others! Though this still did not help you at all in identification. Perhaps it was best if you returned to your own tower before you felt the urge to begin poking and prodding again.

==> Return to your Tower

You do, and you realize you truly didn't do any exploring. Spying on your teammates didn't seem very productive to you, at any rate. But what was left to do? The bustle of the city didn't seem to be affecting your mind too much, but right now you were far more concerned with your real body. Your favorite camera was broken, your arm might be too, and you were fairly certain your body was lying in a terrible spot. You were scared enough to try to sleep in your own hive, what if the imps had already slaughtered your other body?!

Thoughts like these make it difficult for you to fall asleep again as you lie down in your bed. Which, you note, isn't a recuperacoon. How odd. A human bed, perhaps? You squeeze your eyes shut and try to quell the storm in your mind, and you eventually drift back to sleep.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Strife!

You suddenly don't want to be outside anymore. You realize what a bad idea this had been. Unlike Haaaaaaaank, you weren't immortal. And you weren't very good with pain. As the ogres come closer you get up off the ground, holding your umbrella tight. You really wish you could just open it and fly away, but even you know better then that. You take a few steps back and snap your camera several times in hopes that it will blind them. 

It seems to work a little, and you stab the umbrella into the closest ogre's leg. It lets out a bellow and swats down at you, but you just manage to duck out of the way in time. You pull back the umbrella with you, take a deep breath, and jump up onto the ogre's shoulders. 

It roars and reaches up, but you hold the camera in its face and snap in several times. It pulls back, holding its face instead. Your blood pusher beating profusely, you smack it several times in the head and stab down. It falls sideways into the second one, but this time you aren't so lucky. As the first ogre bursts into grist and other things, the second one grabs ahold of you. You struggle in an attempt to free your arms, but it's no use. You get the feeling it's smiling at you. You just feel like you're going to cry. 

It squeezes tight, and you begin to panic as you feel the air rapidly leaving your body. You attempt to struggle with all your might, but to no avail. Curse your weak lowblood body and your lack of physical prowess. Why couldn't you have had an actually useful psychic power? Like telekinesis? Or eye lasers? Well, it doesn't matter. Looks like you really were useless, just like you suspected. What a way to go. What was left, to pray to the Gods? Question why they had kept you alive just to kill you moments later?

No. 

No no no, you couldn't just lie down and accept this! The old you probably would have. But you had a friend now. One who believed in you, one who thought you were awesome! Badass, even! How badass were you if you just gave up? Did Courage ever give up, even when things looked bleakest? No!

You open your eyes, even though your vision is beginning to fade. Your left hand is still securely latched onto your camera, and you click it a few times to try and get the ogre's attention. Though the flash is dimmed a bit by its hands, you feel the grip loosen slightly as it makes irritated sounds. This was your chance! You thrashed about as hard as you could, and you wiggle your arm free enough to drive the umbrella up into  one of its hands. It howls in pain and throws you, you make a little squeaking sound as you hit the hard stone at an awkward angle. You landed on your left arm, and you're pretty sure you heard a crack. You instantly tear up as you see your camera lying split in half, and you begin to full on cry as you feel pain shooting up your arm. You pray to the gods it isn't broken.

Now in the semi-darkness again, you have an entirely new problem. Can you slay this thing with only one arm? Well, you certainly can't run. It would catch you pretty quick with all that pain slowing you down. If there was a time for being brave, now was it. 

You grip the handle of your umbrella tight, and against your better judgement and fear you bolt straight towards the ogre. You go as fast as you can in your condition, holding your umbrella like a lance. You duck past its hands and stab it somewhere in the stomach, and open it. As you had hoped, the ogre was startled by it and steps back, and you tug the umbrella from its wound. You slash with it, a little sickened when you feel its skin give way underneath. You squint against the darkness, and throw the umbrella towards its head. It connects, and you fall over as the  ogre bursts into rewards. 

You did it. You actually did it! You had to go tell Haaaaaaaank! However, that pain in your arm is saying otherwise. You roll onto your back, wheezing with the effort. You pose your one good arm, but it's too much. The negativity is finally breaking into your mind, and all of that coupled with your dizzying pain and terrible exhaustion is finally too much. 

You pass out.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

==> Strike a Pose

You've already stricken one! Well, it was good, so you decide to do it again. BAM! How strange that something that felt so awkward and silly before suddenly felt so powerful and great! Perhaps the human truly was teaching you the secrets to bravery! You straighten out and brush a bit of dirt off of your dress, taking your trusty umbrella out of your strife specibus. Was it really all that trusty, considering you've barely used it? Well, it was about to become trusty, you were sure of it. How could you have ever doubted its legitimacy as a real weapon? You felt terrible. But not really, you were just psyched to go outside and explore! 

What were you going to do for light? Take your camera, of course! Even if it wasn't consistent, the bright flash might even help you against the imps! Well, what were you waiting for?!

==> Go Outside 

You boldly exit your hive, umbrella in hand and camera set to go off at any moment. In the semi-darkness you see nothing really, only a few large bumps in the unscratched marble. You take a few steps towards them and you feel the negative feelings beginning to surround you. Well, that answered one question. But strangely enough, though the negativity was hovering in your mind, it didn't seem to be affecting you! You laugh a little, but you don't hesitate to jump when movement catches your eye. You turn quickly, snapping the shutter of your camera to see what was there. Imps! Luckily, the flash worked just as predicted and seemed to startle them as much as it did you. 

Even more luckily, you were used to it! You jump forward, impaling the closest imp with the sharp point on the closed umbrella. You nearly smile when it bursts into grist. Maybe these things were weak, just like everybody has been telling you! Maybe you really were getting stronger! You flash the camera again to get a sense as to where the other two imps were, and you whap one upside the head while swinging around to knock the other one over. Once they lay prone, you drive the umbrella through them, collecting a little more grist. You've never felt so alive!!

"I really am brave! I did it!"

You take a deep breath, composing yourself.

"I am the one! The only!"

You strike a triumphant pose, your face the proudest it's ever been.

"Picture Perfect! Riziee!"

A few seconds later, you're knocked down to the ground. Hard. You wince, pain shocking through your body as you struggle to lift your camera. As the flash goes off, your new-found confidence disappears entirely when you see two large ogres standing above you. 

Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

[volatiledemeanor-blog]

Incoming message from incisiveMiscreant

Another new person? Could you really juggle another on top of several that had messaged you recently as well? There was only one way to find out. After a deep breath, you open the conversation.

 -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] began trolling volatileDemeanor [VD] at 21:07 --

[09:07] IM: I'm not quite sure how else to approach this. I haven't had much luck with the other teammates. Oh well.

[09:07] IM: Hello.

[09:11] VD: [ o ] o-oh um hello there i'm not familiar with you yet myself um are you one of the humans or trolls if you don't mind my asking please don't let my question offend you

[09:12] IM: I don't personally see how that's offensive.

[09:12] IM: Anyways, I'm a human.

[09:13] IM: I'm assuming by your use of symbols at the beginning of your reply that you are a troll? Or is that some smiley I am not familiar with.

[09:14] VD: [ o ] n-no um i don't think it's a smiley i am a troll your guess was correct

[09:16] VD: [ o ] u-um do you mind if i ask your name?

[09:17] IM: Hm, glad to know I'm getting the hang of spotting trolls. Anyways, it's improper to ask a name before giving one. But in any case, my name is Andi.

[09:19] VD: [ o ] o-oh gods you're right i'm so sorry um my name is riziee i meant to say that but i forgot i'm sorry

[09:20] IM: Why are you so apologetic? Are you abused?

[09:26] VD: [ o ] a-abused? i-i don't think so um i've just always been like that is it a problem i'll try not to do it so much

[09:27] IM: It's not a problem, but you seem very timid. People will assume you are weak and take advantage of you.

[09:38] VD: [ o ] o-oh really? n-nobody has tried to do that to me or anything at least i think they haven't i am kind of timid though

[09:39] IM: That conclusion is easy to reach. In any case, maybe you just never noticed that someone has taken advantage of you.

[09:40] IM: Or perhaps you lack a useful skillset? Odd you would be Chosen then, though.

[09:45] VD: [ o ] h-honestly i never thought i'd be a chosen i still don't quite believe it i really am not good for anything there would have been a lot of others much better suited than me

[09:45] VD: [ o ] b-but i guess the gods must have something in mind

[09:46] IM: I hope you're not a sacrifice.

[09:46] IM: That would be very sad.

[09:47] VD: [ o ] a-a sacrifice? r-really i wouldn't be very surprised if i were i mean i'm really not good for much else like i said

[09:47] IM: Well, try not to die.

[09:47] IM: Although all of our players seem hopeless.

[09:47] IM: It's probably inevitable.

[09:49] VD: [ o ] i-i'll try not to i mean i don't want to die or anything i just wouldn't be surprised you know?

[09:52] IM: It's difficult to be surprised when you're dead, in any case.

[09:57] VD: [ o ] t-this is true i suppose isn't it

[09:58] IM: In any case, who else have you spoken with?

[10:00] VD: [ o ] u-um the names i remember are Carada, Seimos, Agriel, Lars, you, and um another human girl who has not shared her name with me currently

[10:01] IM: Hm, there's quite a few of us then. I wonder how many there are, exactly. You wouldn't happen to know, would you?

[10:02] VD: [ o ] u-um there's eleven names on my trollian so maybe that is everyone? b-but i really don't know

[10:03] IM: That's quite a few of us, if that is the case.

[10:03] IM: Perhaps some of these people would be expendable then.

[10:04] VD: [ o ] i-i certainly hope not but i mean it's possible that would make sense actually

[10:05] IM: If this game were to be treated as a strategy game, I would assume as much.

[10:11] VD: [ o ] w-well the big mystery of why i was a chosen has been solved then that could explain why my land is bad too it certainly doesn't seem like a place a true chosen would be sent

[10:11] IM: What is your land like?

[10:13] VD: [ o ] w-well it's dark it's terribly dark and scary there aren't any plants the ground is hard and uncomfortable and the creatures that live here are sad and upset and it all makes sense now they know we're probably destined to die

[10:14] IM: That does sound rather gloomy.

[10:17] VD: [ o ] w-what is yours like, if you don't mind me asking?

[10:18] IM: It's rather interesting. There seem to be many mountains, and these tall, giant beams of metal. There's lots of snow everywhere. I think I've seen some wolves running around, too.

[10:27] VD: [ o ] w-wow that sounds kind of nice actually is it actually light out at all or is it always dark there too?

[10:28] IM: It's pretty neutral. There's a few clouds, but it's not dark.

[10:28] IM: It is nice though. I like snow.

[10:29] VD: [ o ] i-it never snowed where i live what is it like?

[10:29] IM: It's amazing. Unless there's ice, it's nice and soft. Very soothing. And it glitters in the light. And it just covers everything so perfectly.

[10:30] VD: [ o ] w-wow that sounds so pretty i've only seen it in pictures but wow that sounds so nice i really wish there was snow here too

[10:31] IM: It's lovely. It's a shame you don't have any there.

[10:37] VD: [ o ] m-maybe there's a way to other people's lands it would be nice if i got to see it at least once before i die anyways

[10:38] IM: Er, perhaps I shouldn't have tried to give you the impression that it was a certainty you would die.

[10:38] IM: I mean, of course you will, but not necessarily in the game.

[10:49] VD: [ o ] b-but everything you said made perfect sense to me i mean the odds are quite clearly against me here i can barely walk out of my hive without taking the sadness of those poor mice and i go right back in i can't even properly examine this place what good will i be to the rest of you i'm just a dead weight

[10:49] VD: [ o ] a-a dead useless weight i'm sorry for being so useless to the rest of you

[10:50] IM: That was not the conclusion I wanted you to reach.

[10:53] VD: [ o ] b-but i really don't know what good i'll be i don't really have any useful talents or skills

[10:54] IM: Er, well, perhaps they are undiscovered. That is probable.

[11:00] VD: [ o ] u-undiscovered? w-what sorts of things do you think i could do?

[11:01] IM: I don't have any evidence to create theories.

[11:11] VD: [ o ] i-i suppose not i didn't mean to put you on the spot there i'm sorry

[11:12] IM: There is no need to apologize.

[07:43] IM: It is just a bit presumptious to ask someone you have only just met what they think your currently undiscovered skills are.

[07:43] IM: Actually, I'd say it's a bit foolish.

[07:46] VD: [ o ] i-i suppose you're right about that i apologize it was a bit presumptious i agree i just really can't figure out why the gods brought me to this place when the entire balance of the universe is in our hands

[07:48] IM: Technically, the recreation of our worlds (or new worlds, depending on the theories) is in our hands. There is not much to balance out anymore, as our worlds have been destroyed.

[07:48] IM: And mulling over their reasons certainly won't help, in any case.

[07:50] VD: [ o ] i-i guess you're right i'm sorry for constantly mentioning it i'll do my best not to from now on

[07:51] IM: Er, are you always this agreeable?

[07:52] VD: [ o ] o-of course i am is that a problem though i can be less agreeable if you'd like i just find it easier to avoid conflict by agreeing

[07:54] IM: You're a bit too agreeable if you agree to not be agreeable... but anyways, I don't have a strong opinion about it. Then again, I don't particularly care about you.

[07:54] IM: It might not be very good for yourself, though.

[07:55] VD: [ o ] n-not good? h-how do you mean?

[07:57] IM: Well, as I believe I mentioned before, you could be easily taken advantage of.

[07:57] IM: You should consider learning to think for yourself.

[07:58] VD: [ o ] b-but things are just so much easier and generally less harmful when i'm agreeable is that really such a bad thing

[07:59] VD: [ o ] t-the more agreeable i am the more people won't get upset and the more i can deal with them especially if we have to meet sometime

[08:02] IM: Yes. We are in need of strong teammates. If someone as feeble as yourself is able to upset the other players, then they most definitely need to toughen up.

[08:13] VD: [ o ] w-well if i need to um toughen up um what exactly should i do? o-or should i try and think about it myself which might i add won't get me anywhere at all

[08:16] IM: Er, I may not be the best person to, er, coach you. I suppose I could offer advice when necessary?

[08:16] VD: [ o ] a-alright um if you say so

[08:16] VD: [ o ] d-do you have any suggestions as to who might coach me then?

[08:18] IM: Well, as long as you can't tell the piss drinker I told you, Bob might be a good coach.

[08:19] IM: Although he's a big stupidhead.

[08:19] VD: [ o ] B-Bob? a-are you sure you don't mean Bobi? a-and i thought she was a female am i wrong?

[08:20] IM: Er, no. I saw him myself.

[08:26] VD: [ o ] o-oh really? i-i guess i never asked what gender they were now that i think about it but i know for sure they did say their name was Bobi and not um Bob though

[08:27] IM: Er, I could have been wrong on the name.

[08:27] IM: Now that I think back, Carada replaces i's with !'s.

[08:28] IM: Though an "i" at the end of the name indicates feminitity, it could still very well be a boy's name.

[08:29] VD: [ o ] i-i really don't know the difference between a male and female name with your species so i guess i will take your word for it i guess he did say that he liked marrying the girls in harvest moon and that was normal for human boys so that makes sense i think

[08:32] IM: Strangely enough, in the culture associated with our country, marrying someone of the opposite sex is a part of the societal norm. However, marriage of the same sex is not yet a part of the norm. It's downright stupid.

[08:33] VD: [ o ] y-yes that is something that Bobi was telling me i really don't understand it myself trolls don't care one way or the other really i don't know what marriage is though um might i ask what it is?

[08:35] IM: In a sense, it is a social and often times legal contract in which two people agree to commit their future together and remain romantically and often times sexually faithful to one another.

[08:36] VD: [ o ] o-oh alright that sounds sort of similar to a matespritship i think it still seems a little weird that you would need a legal contract for that but um it must make more sense to you

[08:38] IM: Not to me, specifically. I think the law is only involved because there are tax and insurance benefits which must be monitored. Though it would be much simpler, more effective, and less expensive to simply have a registry.

[08:48] VD: [ o ] t-tax and insurance benefits? i-i don't understand how a relationship would grant those humans sound incredibly strange in regards to this sort of thing i'm sorry if that sounds offensive

[08:49] IM: I don't fully understand the details. I'm a bit young to consider the legal benefits associated with marriage. But I suppose it is, in the simplest terms possible, the society's way of bribing individuals into marriage.

[09:04] -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] is now an idle chum! --

[09:09] VD: [ o ] w-wow that seems like a strange way to bribe people into a relationship though i suppose it's better than being culled for not being in one actually so maybe it's not so weird after all

[09:09] -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] is now an idle chum! --

[09:10] IM: Er, wait, that sounds as if your species are forced to mate.

[09:36] VD: [ o ] w-well once we get to a certain age we kind of are forced to actually the imperial drones must collect our pails or else we would be culled on the spot

[09:36] -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] is now an idle chum! --

[09:39] IM: Your pails?

[09:43] VD: [ o ] o-oh um wow this is a little more awkward then i thought it would be um well we have to deposit our um genetic material into buckets and let the drones take them to the mother grub so she can make more grubs and keep our species alive

[09:43] VD: [ o ] w-wow um this is so awkward

[09:43] IM: Wait.

[09:43] IM: You have cumbuckets?

[09:44] VD: [ o ] u-um that's a really really vulgar term but i um suppose so

[09:44] IM: So would it be particularly insulting for me to refer to a troll as a cumbucket?

[09:45] IM: I ask only for, er, research purposes.

[09:47] VD: [ o ] y-yes um that would definitely be and it would probably make whoever you told it to pretty uncomfortable um we don't talk about buckets in normal conversation um

[09:47] IM: I see. I'll make a note of that.

[09:50] VD: [ o ] i-is there anything else you want to know about our reproduction or can we maybe um switch the topic if it's not too much trouble

[09:52] IM: Er, switching is fine.

[09:52] IM: What topic would you like to proceed to?

[09:52] VD: [ o ] u-um i'm not quite sure just um not that please

[09:54] IM: I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I was not aware this topic was sensitive for trolls, too.

[09:55] VD: [ o ] n-no um it's alright i mean you didn't know after all i guess that's one thing our species have in common

[09:57] IM: The last troll I spoke with, when we, er, touched up on a similar subject, did not seem terribly bothered.

[09:57] IM: Although he also said lowbloods were pretty fragile, in a sense.

[09:57] IM: At least, that is the impression I took from him.

[09:58] VD: [ o ] w-well we are a little fragile it's true and i guess it might be different on a troll to troll basis but generally it's um very awkward

[10:04] IM: Yes, I can understand that.

[10:18] -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] is now an idle chum! --

[10:57] IM: I think for now I will take my leave. Although, er, if you require assistance or similar, you are welcomed to contact me.

[10:59] VD: [ o ] o-oh um yes i will be sure to speak to you again if i have any trouble and i mean that won't be the only time i contact you of course but um

[10:59] VD: [ o ] i-i should let you go

[11:00] IM: Very well, contact me when you wish. We will speak another time, then.

-- incisiveMiscreant [IM] gave up trolling volatileDemeanor [VD] at 23:23 --

    You rest your face in your hands for a few minutes, waiting for the color to leave your cheeks. You really hope that none of the other humans ask those kinds of questions, because you're not sure you could answer them again. Ever.