#sybillineautonomy

[gulescamisade]

Mega Texas:  Day 8, Old Frenemies

ARADIA: -she's taking a nap, it seems, and it really sounds like she's mumbling something about feferi and terezi-

TYRENA: -She's sitting... nearby. In a manner that would appear like eavesdropping.-

ARADIA: -she is OUT-

DIRK: -since their destination is more or less within city limits, dirk has pulled the car into some abandoned lot where he's trying to get as much information on the oil refinery as possible from his device. he glances back at tyrena and aradia when he hears her mumbling.- ... DIRK: -casually eavesdrops too-

ARADIA: yes...snow...

DIRK: - 👂 ✋-

ARADIA: alaska

DIRK: ... -murmurs at her- (What about Alaska?)

TYRENA: Y0U CAN WAKE HER Y0URSELF 1F Y0U TH1NK SHE'LL TELL Y0U

ARADIA: (dead)

DIRK: ...

DIRK: -gives tyrena a concerned glance. not that it means TOO much... aradia would likely just say (dead) under her breath while conscious, too. but it's unsettling either way.-

TYRENA: -SHE DOES NOT APPRECIATE HIS BODY LANGUAGE AT ALL-

TYRENA: -she's still just listening with the same expression-

ARADIA: i know

DIRK: ... -well, eventually she'll wake up and he can prod her about it then. for now, there are other things to discuss.-

DIRK: I've managed to download a map of the refinery. It's pretty basic google maps shit, but it's better then nothing. I sent it to everyone's devices. Also highlight potential points of entry.

TYRENA: AND 0UR G0AL 1S T0 SAB0TAGE WHATEVER WE CAN MANAGE

TYRENA: 1 PRESUME

ARADIA: -sits up, awake now, yawning-

DIRK: That's the idea.

---

[ANYWAY, some time has passed and it's dark out now, one single street lamp lighting the abandoned lot they're parked in. Dirk has exited the vehicle, calling everyone together so he can properly run them through the very loose plans he's created.]

DIRK: You might have noticed I've forwarded a map of the refinery to all your devices. In case you've been snoozin' since yesterday, in the spirit of the events past and future, both in Flavortown and D.C., we're going to fuck up one of the Empress' sources of income.

DIRK: I've circled a few entry points. -shows off the map via projection from his own device- There's a fence all around the perimeter. I don't know if it's just your standard fence, if it's barbed wire, or electric... But we've got the resources to pass it in whichever case, I'm sure.

DIRK: Our best bets are to either come around the back where most of the tanks are... Or around the front.

DIRK: Perks to the back -- less likely for there to be activity there and we can sabotage their storage right off the bat.

DIRK: There appear to be offices around the front. Might be more useful to fuck up documentation and what have yous.

DIRK: Ideally, we'll be able to fuck up the entire complex. But we gotta start somewhere.

EQUIUS: -He is tired, and he is hangry. Mostly, he's ready.-

DIRK: -eat some doritos friend-

EQUIUS: D --> I would vote for the back. They will not care to protect their logistics when the livelihood has been destroyed

TYRENA: 1 1MAG1NE F1RES W1LL BE HARD TO SUPPRESS 1N TH1S DRY HEAT TYRENA: SURR0UNDED BY V0LAT1LE L1QU1DS

NEPETA: =She has this grass for you Equius..... why won't you EAT IT.=

NEPETA: :33 < since pawffices have more boring paper work we could rig a fire in the front while going through the back! they'll be too busy putting out all the flames and it'd be purriority to not let things blow up here since theyd blow up a lot!

TYRENA: Y0U ARE ADV1S1NG WE SPL1T UP TYRENA: WE NEED A RENDEV0US P01NT

NEPETA: :33 < eifur that pawre we have something ready to set off a sneaky fire then sneak pawround the back

NEPETA: :33 < ...do we have something we can make with that? :00

ARADIA: -looking off a little while everyone is talking-

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: 0NE 0F MY SPEC1F1CAT10NS

TYRENA: PRESUM1NG THAT D0ES N0T DEFEAT THE PURP0SE

EQUIUS: -Flexes irritably-

DIRK: I always have the means for fashioning small time bombs.

TYRENA: ARE Y0U V0LUNTEER1NG T0 SET 1T, AS WELL?

EQUIUS: -Set it and forget it-

DIRK: -nods- I can definitely do that.

TYRENA: -NODS AT THAT, THEN-

TYRENA: SEEMS S0METH1NG APPR0ACH1NG A PLAN

TYRENA: G01NG T0 HAVE T0 W0RK QU1CK

TYRENA: 1 GUARAUNTEE THEY'RE EXPECT1NG US

TYRENA: THEY D1D BR1NG US HERE, AFTER ALL

NEPETA: =Looks to Aradia also, she's been acting a little weird=

NEPETA: :33 < well have to be supurr secret shadow fightpurrs >:33

ARADIA: -looks back at nepeta and seems to snap out of it- as discreet as possible

EQUIUS: D --> Simple enough

DIRK: -closes the projection and puts his comm away- Cool.

DIRK: We're about a mile from the refinery here. -gestures to it just down the way. all lit up, pumping chemicals out into the atmosphere... beautiful.-

DIRK: Figure we can hoof it or... Equius can work his literal magic on the cars, if that's feasible.

DIRK: Either way, discreet is definitely the name of the game.

DIRK: That's mostly a reminder to myself. Y'all know how flashy I can be. -waves a hand.-

EQUIUS: D --> What are you e%pecting of me, to devise cloaking for the vehicles

ARADIA: can you do that

DIRK: If you can... That'd give us an advantage.

DISCIPLE: -SOMETHING LOUDLY CLICKS. she is holding her large crossbow. It apparently got larger in the day since they made plans to attack this place.-

DISCIPLE: :33

EQUIUS: -Sighs-

EQUIUS: D --> I will see what I can manage -Empties a shit ton of random tech from his sylladex and gets to work-

DIRK: I didn't mean build something. I mean like... DIRK: -spirit fingers-

ARADIA: -does spirit fingers also-

EQUIUS: D --> .....

DIRK: -thank you aradia-

EQUIUS: D --> That's much easier, yes

DIRK: -spirit fingers turn into two thumbs up-

DISCIPLE: Rrrr. She is getting anxious. Is any more we must do?

EQUIUS: -Forgive him. He's tired...and hunger-

NEPETA: =nuzzles on Disciple and purrs=

NEPETA: :33 < that should be it! h33h33h33 mewve b33n purpawring a lot!

DISCIPLE: Yes. MUCH preparation. -She rumble.- DISCIPLE: Is restless. We burn the blood of the earth and she shall have none of it again.

DIRK: -claps hands together- Let's go Wildcats.

DISCIPLE: -YOWLS-

EQUIUS: -Alternatively he could just chuck the cars in-

NEPETA: =Wee=

DIRK: -there are a FEW flaws with that plan......-

DIRK: -GETS IN HIS CAR. void him up stud-

NEPETA: =climbs on the car, void her up steed=

DISCIPLE: -She's going to sit on the roof with her crossbow- >;cc -WARFACE. she pulls on her hood. HER WARFACE IS NOW ALSO A LIONFACE-

NEPETA: 800 ✨ ✨

EQUIUS: -Gets in the other car, here they go. A nice sheen of sweat precipitates on his body as his very existence becomes hazy to...well...everyone. This is much easier than the whole ship. As long as Dirks vehicle stays close to his they are completely undetectable-

ARADIA: -good job. You're doing good-

NEPETA: =VROOM. She's holding onto the hood with her claws feeling the wind, the excitement of the BRAWL-TO-BE=

DIRK: -leads them down the road... but eventually he takes them OFF road, a short distance from the fence near the back entry point. hidden behind some... bushes... they aren't great cover, considering they're all dry and brambly, but so long as they're mostly cloaked by the dark of night, it should be fine until they need to get away. which is why he's parking them OUTSIDE.-

ARADIA: -watching everything as it passes from inside one of the cloaked vehicles-

NEPETA: =Equius do you wanna try nibbling on this bush?=

EQUIUS: -No.-

DIRK: -liar-

EQUIUS: -He could just void teleport and leave y'all here...-

NEPETA: =You didn't want dirt, or grass, or bush, WhaT WILL YOU EAT?=

NEPETA: =She could BITE HIS BUTT=

EQUIUS: -Bring me the blood of the condesce-

NEPETA: =Also while arguing she's scoping the facility=

[It's your pretty basic oil refinery. But it's QUITE LARGE. At some point all the storage tanks were painted pink. Incredible. They can also see the fence is barbed wire.]

DIRK: -gets out of the car and looks towards the others.- Alright. I'm gonna go set up the distraction, you guys work on getting in around the back. I'll meet up with you there. -and he's gone in a flash (step.) he's gotta make this quick.-

TYRENA: -She cracks her neck-

TYRENA: 1S THAT CHA1N L1NK?

NEPETA: =Nods and scampers to the back entrance. Barbed wire, PSH. How high is it?=

ARADIA: -exits the car also and just barely flinches-

[I am chainlink, the fence would helpfully inform Tyrena, if only it could speak. It would also tell them that it's roughly 12 ft high, but those who still have their eyeballs should be able to deduce that.]

NEPETA: :33 < it is and pawbout two and a half mes high!

TYRENA: -She's gonna walk up to it and put her hand on it and TEST IF IT SHOCKS HER-

[IT'S SHOCKING... How anticlimactic this action is. Because she doesn't get shocked.]

EQUIUS: -Hups Nepeta and Disciple over the fence-

NEPETA: =WEE, she does a flip. FOR STYLE=

TYRENA: -She's going to rip a hole with her ROBOT STRENGTH.-

TYRENA: -and pass through. Hrm. Nothing out of the ordinary yet...-

EQUIUS: -I MEAN. OKAY-

DIRK: -with a skip and a flash jump dirk manages to clear the fence near the front. when he finds the closest building, slaps a little bit of plastic explosives right along the side, then zips over towards another small building to use it as cover... then... BOOM. enough to blow a humble hole in the wall and catch some of the interior and shubbery on fire. TACTICAL ESPIONAGE ACTION!! scurry crouches through the shadows towards the others.-

[The others are in the middle of all these pink storage tanks. Round and ready to be drained of their precious life blood.]

NEPETA: =Oh she'll stab ya=

ARADIA: -flies over the fence-

[Now that they've caused a DISTRACTION, they better do as much damage as they can while they can. They can hear shouting from the other side of the facility as workers rush to deal with the fire and investigate it's cause. Other than that, however, there doesn't seem to be too much activity around...]

DIRK: -except DIRK notices something while making the trek over there... the armored cars they saw yesterday are parked over here. zoinks.-

EQUIUS: -PUNCHES A TANK. Goobye-

NEPETA: =She's gonna go around and start jabbing holes in these tanks from the backs, it's not going to be that great for the ground but.... yknow=

ARADIA: -CALM YOUR ASS DOWN-

EQUIUS: -Uproots another tank and tosses it in the direction of the fire, soaking everything in its path in gasoline. What was that Aradia?-

DIRK: -ROLLS to avoid getting squished by a tank. goddamn, hulk. he's not complaining. that'd be an A+ way to go.-

NEPETA: =Look at him go, she sighs.... while slashing things=

[There is something approaching at breakneck speeds-- some kind of BLUE STREAK. A whirling metal orb weathed in energy weaves around the trail of gas from the hurled tank, crackling with some kind of energy as it spins through the air-- suddenly launching directly at Equius, the most obvious source of the damage.]

NEPETA: =What the balling heck=

EQUIUS: -What the tinglefloops?-

ARADIA: get down

EQUIUS: -This is fast, faster than he can dodge. He braces his arms to block.-

[ IT STRIKES INTO HIM like a pinball, or a spinball, or a SONIC SPINBALL FOR THE SEGA GENESI]

[ It slams into the beefy arms with considerable force, dust and wind kicked up as it ricochets up into the air, swiftly uncuring to reveal some manner of... troll? Covered in plates not unlike an armadillo, a pair of glowing eyes fix on the group, scanning them over slowly as it comes to land on top of one of the tanks with surprising grace for someomeone with such sharply limited range of motion.]

[ He leaps into the air, curling at the apex of his leap and beginning to spin, that blue energy wrapping around his body again as his RPMs rise dramatically before even touching the ground. There is a screech and he flies forward, again, head-on directly at Equius, as though testing him.]

NEPETA: =Oh... not a ball. A troll. An old friend. Trolld friend if you will. Seeing them again is reassuring but also. Not at all. Hurt flashes over her face then anger and fear=

NEPETA: :33 < wait!! =Wait what... don't hurt them?? And to who it's to she doesn't really know. She probably should've done more preparing for this instead of pushing it into the back of her vault=

EQUIUS: -okay that is ENOUGH, sir. Equius lets out a low hiss, but this time the rollie trollie is met with a STRONG punch-

[ROLY POLY TROLLY strikes head on with fist, taking no obvious damage from the STRONG punch but flying through the air in almost directly the opposite direction, with almost no inertia.]

EQUIUS: -But is there a sproing sound-

[PROBABLY]

EQUIUS: -Sick-

NEPETA: =She hopes there's a sproing but her hair is also on end and she's just anxiously watching them pshooo into the distance=

NEPETA: :33 < (mmrrnnrngnngnrngrnng) equihiss!-- ughhhhhhh =anxious pacing cat, she's not GOOD AT THIS SHIT=

EQUIUS: D --> What

[ Probably would have kept going, but a large set of whiplike lashes latch onto the troll in air-- still spinning, but held laterally by another figure. Long, mechanical tendrils holding the ball about twenty feet over her head, sticking out of a set of mechanical hands that look to have been useless for any function other than handling these things.]

[ This one stares at them as the air grows colder, somehow, a layer of ice thickly forming over the glowing, spinning sphere.]

DIRK: -ARRIVES. sword: out. he is forcibly ejected from the oil refinery... except not really. not yet.-

DIRK: Now this seems a little excessive. -stupid freak show military task force-

NEPETA: =Remember that one time she opened up then shoveled it away forever? Mmmm regrets on that one=

NEPETA: :33 < FUCK =Scrambles about=

NEPETA: :33 < just, MOVE run! =sHOVES him=

[ U THINK IT'S EXCESSIVE? It is excessive. That glowing ball of troll is being covered in ice-- FEET OF ICE, even, as it's got about a ten foot radius as she slams it on the ground. It has lost no momentum and is already skidding across the ground at them.]

DISCIPLE: -YOWLS as she scurries up one of the tanks.-

EQUIUS: -IS SHOVED-

EQUIUS: D --> Nepeta what is your major malfunction

NEPETA: :33 < =What's YOUR major malfunction= its my =huffs at all this crashing and just pounces, gonna haul Eq if she has to, ears lowered though she's angry= its my old pawry unit

EQUIUS: D --> What? What are they doing here? Why -He's moving he's moving SHEESH NEP-

[They just barely manage to avoid getting trampled by a big sphere of ice, but as it passes them by, it abruptly explodes-- shards flying EVERYWHERE. These two do not appear to be happy to see them. They do not appear to be betraying much of anything with their blank expressions.]

[The armadilo lands to the ground, finally stopped momentarily as the two of them begin approaching from either side of the group.]

NEPETA: :33 < g33! i should ask their puppeted robodies >:'''CC =She's got the claws out and slashing the shards that come their way but also she doesn't want to have to kill them=

EQUIUS: D --> Puppets...We have to find a way to incapacitate them

DIRK: -well, he's a bit out of the loop having arrived late from the other side of the sudden battle field, so he's leaping into action from behind to slice at ms. freeze.-

NEPETA: =Bless her horse=

[Speaking of horses and blessing them a figure looms behind the Equinep pair. A dangerous tail raised then striking down on them]

EQUIUS: -Equius is distracted and thus struck by the fiendish appendage. He goes skidding a ways away-

AZLOYA: -Ms. Whips, or Azloya as Nepeta would know her, lets out an inhuman noise as maroon blood spills from her back. Her skin is a little too rough-- that slice might have bisected an unaugamented troll like her. She flips forward, mechanical tendrils latching onto the ground as she flips upside down, the many arms scuttling like some kind of octopus as a blue sphere goes flying towards Dirk from the far side of the yard.-

NEPETA: =DOOF, THERE THEY GO. Nepeta goes skidding too= [The figure doesn't let up however. It pounces right for Equius. It's a Nep....borg. Complete with scorpion tail and perma wolverine claws]

EQUIUS: -Pushing himself up, he takes in this figure, but more importantly his rail was hurt. Old unit or not, Equius lets out a loud hiss before charging and unleashing a flurry of blows-

DIRK: -her scuttling is a little distracting -- but even MORE distracting is ANOTHER NEPETA?? he doesn't notice the sphere until it's almost making impact. shIT, he turns his sword up in hopes he might shield himself/slice the ice.-

NEPETA: =She's not so sure how to feel about seeing herself, what she would've been... Looking at Dirk he might need help so she glances back just trying to fight and concentrate. Taking out some darts from her old work, good for paralysis. SHOOTS them at Azloya=

BORGPETA: =Is very agile and bendy, it even has Nepeta's same fighting style, liquid catting around the blows then jumping back to strike Equius with her tail again=

[NO ICE THIS TIME. Just a big ball of blue energy. It might still do some pretty serious damage--]

TYRENA: -but it's a good thing that dirk isn't actually fighting these borgs alone. A kick from the side-- sharp and rather delicately timed-- sends the troll skidding to the left of running into his blade by inches.- AZLOYA: -The figure turns as something hits her-- still scuttling on her fingertips, it would seem, as the needle sinks into her skin. She's bleeding and a bit battered, but it's not slowing her hands or those limbs down, yet. Raising each finger and slamming it down, trying to cut right through Nepeta.-

TYRENA: 1 HEARD WHAT SHE SA1D

TYRENA: WHAT THEY ARE

TYRENA: WE MAY N0T HAVE THE K1ND OF T1ME T0 BE G00D PE0PLE R1GHT N0W -she eyes dirk and eyes the blue ball-- Liekit-- as it smashes into the building behind them.-

NEPETA: =Oh that's bad news. She tries to jump and dodge the tendrils. Please do not. You still owe her 5 bucks and this isn't how you get out a debt=

NEPETA: :33 < im not leaving them like this! =hisses at Tyrena. She will fight you too=

AZLOYA: -Her body is slightly limp, but the fingers are still going. Slice. Slice. Slice. Each time she does, a bit more frost builds on the ground, growing strange and slippery and so very not texas.-

EQUIUS: -Oh gdi. It's like sparring with Nep except for the unbridled rage he feels. He attempts to grab the tail, planning to slam the robo into a tanker-

NEPETA: =Azzy stop she's trying to prove a point about saving you guys. Parts of her jacket are getting the slice as she rolls and starts to dash for the octo-pa=

BORGPETA: =Equius gets his hand on the tail but at the expense of being stuck lower in the arm by the hollow tip. Poison, it's poisonous=

AZLOYA: -She's got the high ground, and MANY lims with which to do the slicing. But as Nepeta starts to run, she does another flip-- launching herself down at her, legs first, attempting to plant her boots on her chest.-

DIRK: -he just about bit it there... thank you, tyrena. he glances between everyone, frowning- Seems like they don't give a shit about the property damage either. -stays on the defensive for whenever sanic comes back around.-

[As if things weren't chaotic enough, someone in the distance is taking aim, right at the big horse after he's been stabbed by a poisonous tail... And shooting a net in the hopes of capturing him within it's crackling electric webbing.]

DISCIPLE: -!! -Yowls suddenly! THE HORSE-

NEPETA: =UGHHHH, she looks at Equius getting shanked in the arm and DOOF takes heavy boots right in the chest, but grabs and jabs more of Spiny's venom into this leg=

EQUIUS: -Hisses out in pain but tosses this imposter nep Mario 64'style. So long gay bowser! Then heckerdoodle! He's netted and hissing angrily at the electricity coursing through his body. FREE HIM-

BORGPETA: =Goes sailing into a bomb, only just into the distance=

AZLOYA: -GrGH. This should be easy now... she drunkenly swings the tendrils at her, trying to rake it against her, but her body isn't obeying its orders... staggering and increasingly weak.-

DISCIPLE: -She's jumping down pulling a bone knife and trying to cut the electrified net. It probably hURTS TO TRY THAT THOUGH. This isn't a great plan.-

[oh hey, speaking of, Liekit steps out. Not rolling this time... slow and deliberate footsteps as they approach Dirk this time. Many, many spines extend from their body with a sickly, lurhcing sound, along with the crackle of psionic energy.]

????: -the shooter steps onto the scene, reloading his weapon as he approaches disciple. he's a rather weathered and stern looking seadweller- I wouldn't do th^t if I were you. DIRK: -he bristles -- not at the troll approaching him with such measured steps so much as the voice he hears behind him. a voice he recognizes, and had hoped he'd never hear again. the Militant.-

DIRK: -it's disarming, but he squares up against liekit.- We got this. -assures tyrena before flash stepping over to flank liekit and divide his attention. but avoids the spines, of course.- You're too slow.

DISCIPLE: -growls as she drops the knife, pulling her crossbow again.-

EQUIUS: -Hissing and trying to free himself-

NEPETA: =FRIEND SHANK shANK SHANK SHAnk. She is also getting the first good look of Azloya she's had in... a long time and it makes her want to whimper but ALSO THERE'S SOME SALTY GRANDPA NETTING HER RAIL=

DISCIPLE: She has no words for this. For him.

NEPETA: =SALTY GRANDPA=

LIEKIT: -He bristles-- LITERALLY-- at Dirk. The divide of attention seems to work, though the sharp, electrified spines launch from his back in a spray of needles at him—

TYRENA: --as she swings a kick at his soft underbelly.- AZLOYA: -She looks... worse for wear. In so many ways. There isn't even a glimmer of recognition as she begins to stumble, tendrils still lashing violently at anything and everything that they can reach-- which is so very much.-

AZLOYA: -As the poison takes over she simply slumps over, fallen, the limbs still squirming and thrashing.-

NEPETA: =DEFINITELY GOT THE BUSINESS END OF SOME OF THOSE LASHES, can she capta Azloya's body? If so into the dex it goes and Neps gonna try to shoot darts at the SALTY GRANDPA NEXT......=

BORGPETA: =Bitch you thought, POUNCES=

[Commense cat scuffle]

EQUIUS: -Pure adrenaline is the only thing keeping Equius from outright succumbing to the poison.-

DISCIPLE: -She flinches as the duplicate jumps on Nepeta, eyes trained on the sudden scuffle, as she turns on the stranger again.- If you are responsible for this, there will be no mercy. None. -Despite the fact that the gun is trained on her, she still attempts to fire a bolt at him.-

DIRK: -manages to deflect some of those needles, but he takes a few more hits jerkily. SHOCKING. he shakes it off as best he can.-

MILITANT: -DRAW. he takes a shot at the at the same time, aiming carefully enough so her arrow will at least get thrown off by the net, even if he doesn't manage to capture the cat. he can only do so much at once, however, and finds himself stuck with poison darts. for the moment, it seems like only a minor inconvenience to him. SCOFF.-

[Meanwhile, the net is strong, but maybe not strong enough for MUTANT AMOUNTS OF STRENGTH. ]

DISCIPLE: -SHE FALLS TO THE GROUND, convulsing under the net.-

NEPETA: =GET BIPPED GRANDPA=

NEPETA: =Wait no!=

TYRENA: -She pulls her sword out-- for a second, before throwing it aside-

TYRENA: AUUUUGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

TYRENA: HE W0N'T D1E

TYRENA: G0

TYRENA: HELP W1TH THAT 1NSTEAD

EQUIUS: -He can break these cuffs! And so he does, dragging himself up to his feet a bit woozy but nevertheless charging at the militant, whipping the remains of this net AT HIS FACE-

LIEKIT: -wheezes temporarily, but launches even more spines at Tyrena. She twitches, but all the electricity hardly seems to bother her.-

TYRENA: -she swings both fists down at the METAL PLATED HEAD.-

ARADIA: -lands from...wherever the hell she's been, knowing it's now her time to interfere. Her whip's out though, AND SHE ATTEMPTS to CRACK IT ON LIEKIT-

LIEKIT: -STAGGERS AND FLINCHES at both the strike and the whip-crack, beginning to whirr and kick up sand-- hurling at Tyrena and attempting to RICOCHET towards Aradia.-

TYRENA: -DOOF-

NEPETA: =Pins this.... weird..... version of herself=

BORGPETA: =Goes to stab with the tail, CATCH THIS BUSINESS END=

NEPETA: =Oh no, not the business end! She rolls and catches the entire end of the business right through her arm but also enough to let the bot stab itself. Haha.... ehhhhh this is weird=

DIRK: -BACK INTO THE FRAY I belatedly write after he's given the OK from tyrena to leave. adrenaline pushes him forward, but there's memories haunting his thoughts as he approaches the militant.-

MILITANT: -turns to face the charging blue blood, now drawing a cutlass from his specibus to hack back at the net. he doesn't seem phased much by that either.-

MILITANT: It's funny we should cross p^ths here. -tilts head to look at dirk who he KNOWS is rushing at him.-

DIRK: -oH OK. HE HESITATES.-

ARADIA: -she saw this coming, so she attempts to fly up as soon as likeit ricochets to her in order to dodge-

EQUIUS: -NO HESITATION! CATCH THESE HANDS OLD TIMER. ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!-

LIEKIT: -AS HE WHIRLS INTO THE AIR even more spines spray out, using that momentum to really try and launch them at the two of them.-

ARADIA: -DOOF. She's not invincible, and at least one of the spines pierces her leg. Oops. Still gonna WHIP-

MILITANT: -bobs and weaves, turning the rifle in his hand to swing the blunt end at equius' head. he's spry for an old man but the strength behind the strike is definitely characteristic of a seadweller.-

????: -ANOTHER CHALLENGER APPROACHES. a blue blood in a clean military uniform aims her own crossbow at nepeta. ER... WAIT. WHICH IS WHICH?? clearly she isn't the most competant fighter here...FIRES WILLY NILLY-- but at the wrong nepeta. whoops.-

DUOCATBALL: =Someone gets pierced by an arrow and the whoel ball slumps over=

LIEKIT: -it feels kinda like getting tazed, but at least the lash knocks him groundward.-

TYRENA: -INTO HER. But that seems to have been her plan, as his back-- and all the crackling psionic energy-spikes-- collide into her skin.-

TYRENA: -She may or may not be bleeding, it's hard to tell with all of the sparking and flashing. She is, however, getting him in a chokehold, of sorts, with the only leverage she can manage around the big ball. Go to sleep.-

NEPETA: =She got to look herself in the eyes and watch as the arrow lodged in Borgpeta's throat bled her out with twitchy convulsions= 8))

????: { = Oh, SHOOT! = } -curses in the distance. she did a bad...-

ARADIA: -jolts and loses her balance, wings not being much assistance here until the tase feeling wears off, where she attempts to SUPPORT TYRENA should ball escape-

NEPETA: =Shoot is RIGHT. Something to focus on, someone to focus on she. Growls then roars at the arrow firer, she's bleeding and poisoned and also just fueled on regret, trauma, and confusion. Hello, feast upon her foot=

TYRENA: -he doesn't SEEM to be. He keeps trying to spin, or flail, or launch more needles, but it doesn't exactly work-- the tazing sensation in Aradia's leg gives way, and it's not bleeding TOO badly, but she's effectively got him wrangled.- TYRENA: -But it's... strange. She's just taking all of the energy. Her more obviously cybernetic components glow a faint blue.-

????: { = !!!! = } -YELPS as she gets a boot to the face. it hurts, and she hits the ground, but what she lacks in form she makes up in toughness, so she starts to roll away almost immediately after absorbing all that shock-

EQUIUS: -Gets a gun butt TO THE FACE-Equius reels, spitting out a bit of blood as his glasses fall off his face in shards. He's going back in for more cqc!-

ARADIA: -WHATS A LITTLE BLOOD AM I RIGHT? she's watching tyrena, still on support-

NEPETA: =HISS, she's gonna leap on this troll and BITE IT=

MILITANT: -he's going to get a gut full of blade if he comes much closer—

DIRK: -until he unfreezes himself long enough to grab the militant's arm and wrench it behind his back before he can stab at equius.-

MILITANT: -drops the cutlass, his cool expression cracking. he takes another swing behind him to try to get dirk in the face while also twisting his arm out of the human's hold.-

DIRK: -HE DUCKS, but this whole manuever has them breaking apart and distancing each other. he skids to a stop next to equius.- I know he's all decrepit and shit but he's tougher than he looks.

MILITANT: -picks up his short sword again, circling around the other two men and waiting for their next move.- I wish I could s^y the s^me of you. H^ve you gone soft, Dirk?

EQUIUS: -Yes-

DIRK: -NO! ... yes-

ROXY: =SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY. he's always at halfmast, she got ur back bby=

DIRK: -he's so thankful he has such supportive people in his life now-

????: -OH RIGHT SHE'S HERE TOO. nepeta will have to CATCH HER FIRST as she scuttles on all fours before she hops onto her feet and sprints to hide behind a tank.-

NEPETA: =Scampers up the tank to get the DROP on her=

TYRENA: -She throws the troll down, and lifts her head towards Aradia, directly.- TYRENA: N0T K1LL1NG TH1S 0NE

TYRENA: Y0U MAKE SURE 0F 1T

TYRENA: -She seems to just... wander off, in fact, as she grabs her blades again.-

ARADIA: -she nods. UNDERSTOOD-

????: -WAH!!! splat. she's squished under cat.- { = Wait, don't hurt me! = }

EQUIUS: D --> Understood -Shakes his head. FOCUS Equius.-

[ In the not-too-distant distance, one of the pipelines just straight up explodes, even more smoke rising into the sky.]

EQUIUS: D --> Dirk, attack him from above -Because he's about to do something cool. Instead of attacking him head on, Equius STRONG PUNCHES the ground cracking the concrete and causing a localized tremor around the militant-

NEPETA: :33 < =DOES IT ANYWAY, but she's still poisoned and her arm is shaky and numb so she just rests the claws against the troll's throat= mew had no troupawl shooting at me, why shouldn't i? =bares teeth boohiss=

MILITANT: -uh oh, he wasn't quite expecting THAT... he needs to get his sea legs back, because the tremor definitely has him losing his balance.-

DIRK: -blips above him, ready to bear down on the militant with an aerial slice.-

MILITANT: -reacts to that only just quickly enough, blocking the strike with his own blade, but it doesn't stop dirk from colliding into him. he lands on his back, still on the defensive.-

DIRK: -it's a power struggle alright -- the militant has more strength then him, but he manages to keep pressing his blade down on the other... until it slips.-

MILITANT: -HA-- he cuts at dirk, leaving a nasty gash across his cheek.-

DIRK: -NOT HIS FACE. fucking... slaps the cutlass out of his hand and just starts WAILING on the militant instead. this is incredibly personal.-

????: { = T-That-- .... Is a good point... = } -wheezes, looking around for some kind of way out of this. then she sees dirk beating the shit out of her friend/boss.-

????: { = W...! Wait... You're from the UU? Is that... Dirk Strider? = }

EQUIUS: -The poison is overriding his adrenaline. Has his body always been this numb? Probably. Hoo...wow okay but...He's gotta help dick...Dirk. Yeah.-

NEPETA: :33 < =Bares teeth= purrhaps. whats it to mew?

DISCIPLE: -SHE'S FINALLY OUT OF THIS HERE NET PROBABLY-

ARADIA: -with an eye on likeit, she quickly flies to equius to check up on him-

DIRK: -he'd react to explosions too if he wasn't too busy remembering this guy kidnapping him as a child, putting him through hell, etc etc... HE JUST WONT STOP PUNCHING. there's purple everywhere.-

NEPETA: =FREE DISCIPLE 2K???=

DISCIPLE: -YES-

EQUIUS: -Yes, feel the anger...drink it.-

????: { = I know him! My name is Lucana Leiqin-- I've been looking for him-- Just ask him?? = }

DIRK: -VIOLENCE BREEDS VIOLENCE BUT IN THE END IT HAS TO BE THIS WAAAAY-

ARADIA: dirk

EQUIUS: -Do it. Kill him.-

EQUIUS: D --> Break...His neck. Let us be on our way -His breathing is becoming labored.-

ARADIA: equius

ARADIA: -her voice raises- dirk

ARADIA: think about your options

DISCIPLE: -Works herself under one of Equius arms, catcrawling at him and looking for that poison stab wound...-

DISCIPLE: -and then she tries to suck on it. IT'S PROBABLY TOO LATE.-

DISCIPLE: -BUT U KNOW HOW IT IS-

EQUIUS: D --> Disciple, your efforts...are appreciated, however I'm sure the poison has worked its way into my system thoroughly -Wheeze-

DISCIPLE: >:CC -2 BAD THIS IS DISTRESSING HER TOO MUCH-

DISCIPLE: -ptoos out some blood-

DIRK: -don't distract him aradia, geez. he does start slowing down though when he hears his name.-

MILITANT: -he's beaten to a pulp, but still here... still conscious enough to talk shit.- Yes-- Think ^bout... your options.

MILITANT: You were m^de for this... Killing me will only prove it.

MILITANT: So why don't you? You've ^ldre^dy... done the Empire ^ ^ f^vor... By te^ring ^p^rt this useless refinery...

DIRK: -pauses, just kind of staring at him-

NEPETA: =Looks Dirkward then huffs and HAULS UP "Lucana"=

NEPETA: :33 < fine, if purr in his fafur then shoot the salty troll grandpa

ARADIA: -REMEMBER...WHO YOU ARE...DIRK...-

LUCANA: -HOIST- { = I-- I can't do that... =} -she's watching this scene, DEEPLY TROUBLED, however-

TYRENA: -She walks towards the rest of the group, singed and burned and covered in holes, none of which appear to be bleeding all that much. The fires are probably going to keep going for a while yet, as she approaches the group.-

NEPETA: :33 < he s33ms k33n on killing who you came here fur and given purr options you have no choice :33

EQUIUS: -Leaning on this cat. He's really tired....-

DISCIPLE: -:xx-

DISCIPLE: -she's not quite sure what to DO about that... or how bad the poison is. purrs anxiously.-

MILITANT: -grabs at dirk's throat. he's still got enough strength in him to break his squishy fragile human neck. DO IT, DIRK. KILL HIM BEFORE HE KILLS HIM.-

DIRK: -chokes, hesitating still...-

LUCANA: -SHE CAN'T KILL HIM!! she's loyal to the empire, even if she wants to save dirk... but cipher is kind of a dick... but... killing him might get her in trouble—

DIRK: -but it doesn't matter, as he slams his fist into the militant's face one last time with the last bit of strength he can muster. the grip on his throat loosens.-

NEPETA: =growls at this and HAULS her over before the poison gets to her too, she can feel it in the numbness of her arm=

NEPETA: :33 < she claims to know dirk and have b33n looking fur him.... in the not bad way i pawssume =EYEBALLS LADY=

ARADIA: -unsurprised-

EQUIUS: -Wheezing horse, the new mgs villain-

LUCANA: -sweats... ok, so her intentions aren't entirely pure-

DIRK: -looks over at them a little wild eyed and breathing heavily. there's so much blood hello.- ... Lucana?

LUCANA: { = It's me...! = } -oh dirk... she looks at him sympathetically, then around at the others. time to make a decision.-

LUCANA: { = They were going to blow up this facility... And all the other major refinery pipelines across the country. The Empress has little use for it as it is... She wants to flood the crater it would have left behind if you hadn't interfered. = }

LUCANA: { = And I think that's just a little too much! Even for her! Why kill all these people when-- = } -shakes her head. there's not time for rambling.-

LUCANA: { = ... You should get out of here before they send back up. = }

TYRENA: AND D0 WE REALLY TRUST Y0U?

LUCANA: { = What difference does it make? I'm on my own here! You can leave me be and I'll look the other way... Or you can kill me-- Either way, you've got a running start! = } -frowns and glances in the direction of the abandoned convoys...-

ARADIA: -looks toward the others. their choice. their decision.-

NEPETA: :33 < mew say that like its so easy if we just leave mew here without doing anything then efurrything is still going to blow up >:((

NEPETA: :33 < i cant say i trust mew or that we shouldnt kill mew but its pawvious SOMETHING is going on here

TYRENA: HA HA TYRENA: HA HA HA

TYRENA: SHE'S R1GHT, Y0U KN0W

TYRENA: D0 N0T GET ME WR0NG, 1 COULD K1LL Y0U

TYRENA: BUT WE'RE G01NG T0 NEED S0METH1NG BETTER THAN

TYRENA: A RUNN1NG START

TYRENA: -she scoops up a little bit of teal blood from the many holes in her body-- it doesn't look like she has a lot of blood, and she's hardly bleeding at all-- holding the finger towards the girl.-

TYRENA: THEY D0N'T JUST MAKE M0NSTERS 0F SAD L1TTLE MISFIT L0WBL00DS

TYRENA: AND WE NEED T0 GET T0 M1NNES0TA

NEPETA: =Narrows eyes more at that=

LUCANA: -sweats.... but minnesota is... dammit!- { = Fine! Take me with you. I can get you clearance at an airport near here... And you can take a jet to Minnesota! = }

LUCANA: { = But that's... That's really all I'm capable of offering!! = }

ARADIA: -her wings flutter-

TYRENA: G00D

TYRENA: -She sniffs the air, turning her head back towards Dirk.-

TYRENA: D0 Y0U 1NTEND T0 LEAVE THE B0DY HERE

DIRK: ... -finally gets to his feet, shakily. he isn't all here right now. his voice is low when he speaks.-

DIRK: No. -hoists. he's going to drag the militant over to the nearest fire and chuck him into it. now they can leave.-

NEPETA: =....she could've eaten that..=

DIRK: -fried fish-

NEPETA: = :'( =

TYRENA: Y0U ARE MADE F0R N0TH1NG, HUMAN, EXCEPT AN UNCERTA1N EX1STENCE

TYRENA: 1 H0PE Y0U C0NT1NUE T0 REMEMBER THAT -Shes gonna start walking. Sensitive nose like hers, she's got no desire to stay along the flames.-

ARADIA: -watches the flames for a moment. walks closer to the flames on her own. just watching.-

DIRK: -nods slowly as he watches flames consume the last of this awful representative of ideals that ALSO need to die in fire. at least they're working on it. maybe he can finally let go of his ties to it.-

DIRK: -glances at aradia after a moment.- ...

LUCANA: -fidgets, then straightens up her posture and begins to lead them over to one of the convoys. they can all fit in one of these luckily.-

ARADIA: -she's still staring-

NEPETA: =good yes, also she couldn't haul around spiny's venom without having things for poison so she's going to hand that off to someone so she and equiheck can get unpoisoned... she's also thinking about the bodies of her old friends hanging out in her dex. Mmmmnnnggg, what to do with them. She has them at least but... what to do. She's very tired=

DIRK: -pries himself away to follow the group. time to go.-

LUCANA: -she will drive this thing... maybe at gun point if it'll make people feel better.-

ARADIA: -waits a few seconds more before turning around and bringing up the rear-

ARADIA: -her leg is still bleeding but whatever-

[AND THEY'RE DRIVING. They should arrive at the airport sometime tomorrow.]

[gulescamisade]

Mega Texas:  Day 5

DIRK: -casually freaking out again.- Fuck!

DIRK: Can anyone else drive this fucking thing?

ARADIA: i might

DIRK: Might.

DISCIPLE: RRR. Is trouble machine? Or is trouble men? -She's putting together a crude crossbow out of bone and sinews...-

ARADIA: i might be able to

DIRK: This ain't fuckin' horse shoes Aradia, either you know how to drive or you don't.

DIRK: Fuck. The trouble is that I can't focus on driving while all this shit is going on.

DIRK: Am I the only one here following the bulletin board?

DIRK: I shouldn't even been reading it. Because I'm driving. -THROWS HIS SHADES IN SOME RANDOM DIRECTION. hopefully there isn't a window open.-

SOLLUX: -smacked with shades- hrrf.

SOLLUX: i'm g0ing t0 take that as my cue t0 n0t text t0 speech it 0ut f0r the entire car.

ARADIA: i know how ARADIA: it just may not be the right time

DIRK: Thanks for that, Sollux. At least one thing I can be certain of is your unyielding sardonic attitude even when it's entirely too possible that we might not see Jake again.

DIRK: You're my fucking rock, you know that?

ARADIA: -uh oh-

SOLLUX: what???

DIRK: He—

DIRK: He's locked up in Minnesota. With the others unaccounted for. By Jade who's been brainwashed or some shit.

DIRK: He tapped into the bulletin board somehow to let us know but he lost his connection.

DIRK: And I think Jade's gonna do something to him for it.

ARADIA: -softly humming. it fits the moment-

SOLLUX: ... -he's just quiet now-

ARADIA: theres still hope

ARADIA: theres always hope

DIRK: -he goes quiet too, but now there's nothing to hide his watery eyes. he hates being so soft gdi.-

ARADIA: -starts humming one way or another-

DIRK: ... -snorts. aradia please...-

ARADIA: (im gonna get ya get ya get ya get ya)

DIRK: One way or another I'm gonna see you. I'm gonna meet you... -he's distracted when he finally spots signs of life along this stretch of road. and it... sure is lively.-

[Off to the side of the road is a SHELL GAS STATION. It's the first station they've seen that isn't torn down, boarded up, or otherwise inoperable. The lettered sign is NEON PINK and the shell symbol is ALSO PINK and glittering on a rotating pole.]

DIRK: ... What the fuck?

DISCIPLE: -She lifts her crossbow and hisses.-

ARADIA: -wings flutter-

DIRK: -wipes at his eyes to make sure he isn't seeing things...-

DIRK: Huh.

DIRK: It's probably a bad idea but... Think we should make a pit stop?

ARADIA: yes

DISCIPLE: -She loads several bone shards onto the crossbow.- She makes pit.

DISCIPLE: She makes stop.

SOLLUX: what the hell is that?

DIRK: -pulls up to the parking lot and slides out.- It's a gas station.

DIRK: ... Or it should be. -he's got a SWORD.-

DISCIPLE: -BUSTS OUT OF THE CAR-

ARADIA: :D

DISCIPLE: -She is a pre industrial GENIUS do not doubt her pit stopper-

DIRK: -just fucking busts in.-

[There's a troll behind the counter. A maroon blood. He's startled because instead of a little DING to signify someone entering it's a GUN SHOT GUN SHOT CASH REGISTER noise.]

[Also this is playing over the speakers. On loop. ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX8IjeWdxKs

DISCIPLE: Rrrr... RRR. -Shoulders her crossbow and steps up to the maroon blood, leaning over to sniff at them.- You. Is no one else here? Is just this one, yes?

GAS TROLL: ho/y-- he//o???

GAS TROLL: yeah it's just me... can I he/p you guys?

DISCIPLE: ....

DISCIPLE: He sells gas here?

ARADIA: -watching with a smile-

GAS TROLL: sure... that's what I'm supposed to do, I guess.

GAS TROLL: but I haven't had a customer in /ike a week.

GAS TROLL: it's /ike a ghost town out there, yeah?

DISCIPLE: Yes? Tell her. Tell her of ghosts. They were humans, before they went away? Or they were more trolls?

ARADIA: -rapid wing fluttering-

DIRK: -observing this, but also grabbing snacks...-

GAS TROLL: if we're ta/kin' WAY back... tro//s, humans. sure. but since the empress showed her face and took over... /ess humans for sure. now there's hard/y anybody in the area. 'cept in the city.

GAS TROLL: uh-- -realizes he's rambling and then squints at them- wait, that's a percuilar /ine of questionin'...

GAS TROLL: where are you fo/ks from?

DISCIPLE: Pit.

GAS TROLL: ... 'kay...

GAS TROLL: -eyeballs them suspiciously-

DIRK: -places goods on the counter- I was wondering. We've been traveling for a while. Why is this the only gas station up and running?

GAS TROLL: uh, cuz the empress put the rest of 'em out of business, obvious/y? she made sure she//'s the on/y gas company in operation. geez, you guys rea//y have been /ivin' in a pit... un/ess you're from off p/anet... then why the heck did you even come here? you crazy or somethin'?

DIRK: ......

DIRK: I mean, I get that. But wouldn't it make more sense to convert the other stations to Shell instead of shutting them all down?

GAS TROLL: ... -goes wall eyed-

GAS TROLL: what do I know?? I'm just a gas jockey... -ringing up this stuff now-

DISCIPLE: Hssss... -GRABS A BUNCH OF THINGS OF JERKY AND ADDS THEM TO THE SNACK PILE-

DISCIPLE: Is strange. She thinks. But she knows not of empress. She is pit troll.

DIRK: And I know even less, being a lowly pit human. -slides gas troll the money-

GAS TROLL: -takes it... eyeballs them some more and then gives dirk the change.- sure...

DISCIPLE: We have what we need, yes? Could be taking the gas. In cannisters. Extra. For fire.

ARADIA: for fire

DISCIPLE: Is many uses for fire. Having it.

DIRK: -Y'ALL-

GAS TROLL: uh... -sigh- you know what? I don't care what you do. -waves a hand- there's a pump around the side for fi//in' cannisters with.

DIRK: Oh ok. Thanks dude.

DISCIPLE: Is good.

DISCIPLE: -paws at gas troll...-

GAS TROLL: -FREAK...- okay bye now.

DIRK: -pockets all the snacks and slinks back outside-

DISCIPLE: -WHIPS OUT CROSSBOW AGAIN AS THEY LEAVE- Do we trust this gas? She does not keep the old ones. Just this. It may be different. Corrupt.

ARADIA: -looking between all of them-

DIRK: Yeah, something is definitely fishy. Excuse the pun.

DIRK: You'd think the Condesce would wanna bleed people dry of their funds by monopolizing a gas company like that.

DIRK: I noticed there's a refinery not far from the city... So logically, there should be Shells open all over the place, shouldn't there?

DIRK: I dunno. I've just got a bad feel, Scoob.

ARADIA: -flinches very suddenly like she's trying to shield herself but almost instantly regains her composure. This is the better one-

DIRK: -looks at her- ... You alright?

ARADIA: -blinks for a moment and nods suddenly- yeah!

DIRK: You sure?

ARADIA: -nods quickly- yeah! keep going

DISCIPLE: RR... Perhaps we take some for sample. Examine it closely, yes?

DISCIPLE: If it is the same as every other kind, perhaps it is a different kind of trap.

DIRK: -shrugs- Makes sense to me.

DIRK: -goes to investigate the pump. since he's none too concerned with actually filling the cars up he just kinda... lets the gas run a lil bit.-

GAS: -REGULAR GAS. but it's got glitter in it.-

DISCIPLE: -SINISTER!!!-

ARADIA: sparkly

DISCIPLE: -Shes gonna make some glitter molotovs. She is REALLY embracing the whole combat readiness right now...-

TEREZI: =add blood or eggs; it helps the fire stick=

TYRENA: -She bustles over, rudely sticking her finger in the nozzle. Then she brings it up to her lips and tastes the gasoline.-

DIRK: -he's fine with this, dissy- Seems like regular ga—

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Tyrena, no.

TYRENA: 1NTERESTING

TYRENA: -wanders off again-

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Anyway,

DIRK: We should get back on the road. We'll be in Houston soon.

DISCIPLE: Good. She has the things she needs for Houston.

DISCIPLE: -wanders to the car with all these firebombs-

DIRK: -BACK TO DRIVING. that was a nice distraction from his thoughts.-

ARADIA: -distractions are good aren't they-

[arcadianluminary]

TAKODA: -ever since the uu landed on avalon, takoda has been a little... distant. sleeping a lot or otherwise keeping to himself. if he does happen to be about, he's outside, visiting the rescued lusii or the farmers' livestock, or just laying about the wilderness, enjoying nature. today that's what he's doing, spread out in the grass near the lake, around where the wedding was held, and watching the clouds roll by with eyes half lidded. he might fall asleep again.-

TYRENA: -Sorry buddy but sleep is not really on the menu. She's been lurking around lately- nearby and observing but never really approaching anyone.  The relative seclusion does draw her out a bit, standing over Takoda.  After a few moments she leans down towards him, hands behind her back.-

TYRENA: 1 1MAG1NED TH1S W0ULD BE AM0NG Y0UR FAVOR1TE 0F PLACES T0 W1ND UP

TYRENA: S0 VERY RUST1C AND WH0LES0ME AND FULL 0F QUADRUPED LAND MAMMALS

TAKODA: -blinks a few times, dazed, and when he focuses on her enough to realize it's her, he sits up suddenly, very nearly knocking noggins with her.- TYRENA! -only after he's reaching to scoop her into a hug does he register what she even said to him.-

TAKODA: ... YES, YOU'RE R1GHT, TO HAVE THOUGHT THAT.

TAKODA: 1'M REALLY ENJOY1NG 1T HERE... 1T'S RELAX1NG. -says while nuzzling-

TYRENA: -SHE IS SCOOP-

TYRENA: 1 WAS

TYRENA: ...

TYRENA: THAT 1S T0 SAY

TYRENA: WE WERE ALL

TYRENA: C0NCERNED

TYRENA: 1T SEEMED RELAT1VELY L1KELY Y0U W0ULDN'T ARR1VE

TAKODA: -wilts a little, recalling how close of a call it really was.- 1T CROSSED MY M1ND, MANY T1MES…

TAKODA: THAT 1 M1GHT NOT MAKE 1T BACK. -sighs, squishing cheek to her- TAKODA: BUT HERE 1 AM! SO... YEAH. -he doesn't sound especially relieved about it, however.-

TAKODA: ... 1'M VERY THANKFUL 1 GET TO SEE YOU AGA1N. 1 M1SSED YOU.

TYRENA: 1 AM THANKFUL Y0U GET T0 SEE ME T00

TYRENA: F0R WHATEVER B1ZARRE REAS0NS Y0U MAY HAVE

TYRENA: -she sighs and leans into his cheek.  Gingerly, her arms come to wrap around him.-

TYRENA: Y0U FEEL L1KE Y0U'RE FUCKED UP 1NS1DE

TYRENA: 1N THE PANSPACE

TYRENA: AM 1 C0RRECT

TAKODA: ... -nods slowly.- YES.

TAKODA: 1T'S ALL BEEN…

TAKODA: TOO MUCH, 1 TH1NK.

TAKODA: 1 FEEL VERY T1RED, ALL THE T1ME NOW.

TAKODA: BUT EVEN SO, 1 W1SH THAT 1 HAD BEEN ABLE TO DO... SOMETH1NG ELSE. ANYTH1NG ELSE, 1 GUESS.

TYRENA: HA

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: YES, 1T 1S EXHAUST1NG, 1SN'T 1T

TYRENA: Y0U C0ULD N0T HAVE ST0PPED 1T

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T KN0W 1F THAT MAKES TH1NGS BETTER 0R W0RSE

TAKODA: -he sniffles a little- 1T DOESN'T REALLY MAKE 1T, E1THER OF THOSE TH1NGS.

TAKODA: 1T JUST, 1S A TH1NG, THAT 1 KNOW 1 HAVE TO ACCEPT.

TAKODA: BECAUSE 1T HAPPENED.

TAKODA: BUT 1T HURTS.

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: THAT'S G00D, Y0U KN0W

TYRENA: Y0UR PREC10US L1TTLE BLEED1NG HEART

TYRENA: 1T'S G01NG T0 BE USEFUL T0 THESE PE0PLE

TYRENA: S0 LET 1T HURT

TAKODA: -that makes him smile, even as darkly as she has to put it. the affirmation. knowing it's ok to hurt and there's still more he can do just as he is. it's reasons like this that he can continue doing what he does. he has good friends.- THANK YOU, TYRENA.

TAKODA: THE 1MAGERY 1S GROSS, BUT 1 KNOW YOU DON'T MEAN 1T L1TERALLY,  SO 1 APPREC1ATE 1T.

TAKODA: UNLESS THE PEOPLE OF AVALON HAPPEN TO BE CANN1BALS. 1N WH1CH CASE, 1 SHOULD PROBABLY NOT LAY OUT 1N THE OPEN AS 1 AM, ANYMORE.

TYRENA: 1T'S A D1ST1NCT P0SS1B1L1TY

TYRENA: 0H, D0N'T W0RRY

TYRENA: THEY ALREADY T0LD ME 1 TASTE BAD

TYRENA: S0 AT LEAST 0NE 0F US 1S SAFE

TYRENA: …

TYRENA: Y0U WERE 0N THAT SH1P W1TH THE F0RMER M1SS EMPRESS

TYRENA: AM0NG THE 0THER REFUGEES

TYRENA: R1GHT

TAKODA: YES, THAT'S R1GHT…

TAKODA: THOUGH, UM, 1 D1D NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUN1TY TO SEE HER, FOR MYSELF. BUT 1 BEL1EVE GA1ZKA HAS. AND, RAJAN1 AND DAVE, OF COURSE.

TYRENA: 0F C0URSE

TYRENA: THAT MAY BE F0R THE BEST

DAVENFORTH: -Did someone say Dave? Casually doing wind sprints in full armor in the distance.-

TYRENA: -She moves to sit down as well, facing the lake, curling up a little to rest her chin on her knees.-

TYRENA: 1 HAVE BEEN TRY1NG T0 TH1NK

TYRENA: AB0UT THE L0NG TERM 1MPL1CAT10NS F0R THESE PE0PLE

TYRENA: BU1LD1NG A NEW S0C1ETY THAT W1LL H0PEFULLY SURV1VE THE DESTRUCT10N 0F EVERYTH1NG ELSE

TYRENA: 1T 1S

TYRENA: FRUSTRAT1NG

TAKODA: -distracted momentarily by a streak of dave. look at him go...-

TAKODA: -tilts his head at tyrena again, however.- 1 TH1NK THAT 1 MAY UNDERSTAND THAT FRUSTRAT1ON, MORE THAN 1 WOULD HAVE 1N THE PAST.

TAKODA: BUT 1 KNOW, 1N MY CASE, THAT 1'M ALSO JUST SCARED.

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: SHE TR1ED T0 D0 THE SAME TH1NG

TYRENA: 0NE 0F MY FEW M0RE V1V1D MEM0R1ES

TYRENA: 1'M SCARED, T00

TAKODA: 1 DON'T WANT TO TH1NK THAT, SOC1ETY W1LL ALWAYS GO ASTRAY, EVEN W1TH THE BEST 1NTENT1ONS 1N M1ND AT THE BEG1NN1NG.

TAKODA: BUT 1 DO TH1NK THAT MAYBE, THERE 1S A BETTER CHANCE OF TH1NGS START1NG ON THE R1GHT FOOT HERE. AND THAT MAYBE, 1F OR WHEN 1T ALL GOES WRONG, WE W1LL KNOW HOW TO REBU1LD 1T AGA1N.

TAKODA: 1 SUPPOSE THAT'S, THE MOST 1 CAN REALLY HOPE FOR, AS FAR AS... THE FUTURE GOES. -glances over at the town again. for now, it's a very beautiful place.-

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: -she sighs and leans on him again.-

TYRENA: HEY

TYRENA: WHAT D0 Y0U TH1NK Y0U W0ULD BE D01NG

TYRENA: 1F WE WERE N0T C0NTEND1NG W1TH AN AP0CALYPSE 0N A UN1VERSAL LEVEL

TYRENA: AND 1F 1T WERE N0T S0 STUPEND0USLY 1MP0RTANT THAT WE C0NT1NUE T0 PERS1ST AS WE D0

TAKODA:  UM... WELL, 1 TH1NK 1 WOULD BE DO1NG A LOT OF WHAT 1 AM DO1NG AT PREC1SELY TH1S MOMENT. JUST, UH... MORE REGULARLY. HEHE.

TAKODA: COMMUN1NG W1TH NATURE. UNDERSTAND1NG AND APPREC1AT1NG 1T. PERHAPS NOT, THE SAME WAY 1 HAD WHEN 1 L1VED ON BEFORUS. 1N THE FORESTS, ALONE. BUT NOW, PREFERRABLY, 1N THE COMPANY OF SOMEONE 1 CARE ABOUT VERY MUCH. -looks down at her as she leans, smiling slightly.-

TAKODA: 1 WONDER 1F 1 COULD HACK BE1NG A FARMER. DO YOU TH1NK 1 COULD? 1'M NOT SURE HOW GOOD 1 AM, AT TAK1NG CARE OF L1V1NG TH1NGS…

TYRENA: Y0U W0ULD PR0BABLY CRY EVERY T1ME Y0U HAVE T0 HANDLE A BABY CALF

TYRENA: Y0U PERFECT SPHERE 0F D1SGUST1NG SENT1MENTAL F1LTH

TYRENA: 1 AM RELAT1VELY C0NTENT T0 L1VE V1CAR10USLY

TYRENA: 1'M FA1RLY SURE Y0U C0ULD MANAGE 1T

TAKODA: -grins- HEHE. THANK YOU FOR BEL1EV1NG 1N ME.

TAKODA: 1T WOULD BE FUN TO HAVE YOU OBSERVE TH1S NEWLY FOUND OCCUPAT1ON OF M1NE, AND MAKE FACES AT THE M1RACLE OF L1FE, WH1LE CALL1NG 1T GROSS, EVEN THOUGH 1 TH1NK YOU ARE MOSTLY JUST BE1NG CONTRARY.

TYRENA: L1FE 1S F1LTHY

TYRENA: S0 ARE M1RACLES

TYRENA: 1T'S ALL JUST S0 VERY GRUBBY >:0

TAKODA: -looks at her with his chin in his hand, smiling.- SURE 1T 1S…

DAVENFORTH: -Just going at it with this lake backdrop-

TYRENA: -wrinkles her nose- 1S S0ME0NE ELSE THERE?

DAVENFORTH: -No one here but us daves-

TAKODA: OH, 1T'S JUST DAVE.

TAKODA: ... DAVE-1NG.

DAVENFORTH: -He's working out. He's gotta be able to use his usual speed while being armored up. That means working out in it and wearing it all the time.-

TYRENA: AH YES

TYRENA: THE DAVES >:0

TAKODA: -waves to try to get his attention-

DAVENFORTH: -Hark! A wave from a sweet bro! Dave flash steps on over, a tad winded- Sup

TAKODA: HELLO. YOU LOOK L1KE YOU ARE WORK1NG HARD.

TYRENA: PRESUMABLY

TYRENA: Y0UR F00TSTEPS S0UND UNUSUAL

TYRENA: 1 C0ULD EAS1LY M1STAKE Y0U F0R S0ME K1ND 0F ABERRAT10N

DAVENFORTH: You callin me a mutant

TYRENA: 1 WAS TH1NK1NG 1T WAS P0SS1BLE Y0U WERE A BL00DLESS AN1MATR0N1C FACSC1M1LE

TYRENA: 0R Y0U HAVE NEW SH0ES

TYRENA: -NUDGES TAKODA- HEY

TYRENA: 1S 1T THE SH0ES

DAVENFORTH: -Looks at Takoda like don't tell her.-

DAVENFORTH: Im here to stuff you in your suit tyrena

TYRENA: 1 F1ND THAT SUSP1C1OUS

TYRENA: THAT 1S 1NDEED AN1MATR0N1C SPEAK

TYRENA: BUT 1T M1GHT ALS0 BE S0ME BULLSH1T REFERENCE

TYRENA: F1FTY F1FTY REALLY

DAVENFORTH: Takoda should have let you know that i get rowdy after midnight

TAKODA: ONLY AFTER M1DN1GHT? 1T MUST BE A REFERENCE, BECAUSE THAT SURELY 1S 1NACCURATE.

TAKODA: AS 1 HAPPEN TO KNOW, YOU ARE ROWDY, AT EVERY T1ME OF THE DAY.

DAVENFORTH: War changes a man tabroda cant be rowdy all the time

DAVENFORTH: Come on now

TAKODA: UMM 1 DON'T KNOW... YOU SEEM TO BE BEHAV1NG, AT LEAST A L1TTLE B1T ROWDY, R1GHT NOW.

DAVENFORTH: Just call me a rowdy ruff boy i guess

TAKODA: -}:) knowingly-

TYRENA: 1 W1LL D0 THAT EVERY S1NGLE DAY >:)

[arcadianluminary]

-- sybillineAutonomy [SA] began pestering arcadianLuminary [AL] at 21:47 --

SA: 1 AM TEMPTED T0 FE1GN THE QUA1NT 0RGAN1C N0T10N 0F SLEEP AND LEAVE Y0U TW1ST1NG 1N THE W1ND F0R A FEW H0URS L0NGER, QU1TE P0SS1BLY

SA: BUT 1 AM ACTUALLY S0RT 0F 1NTR1GUED BY THE N0T10N Y0U VALUE MY C0UNC1L

SA: 1N THAT SPEC1F1C WAY

SA: WHERE ARE Y0U PRESENTLY H0L1NG Y0URSELF UP

AL: OH? UH... 1'M OUTS1DE, ACTUALLY.

SA: 1N THE CAVES 0R AM0NG THEM?

SA: 1 AM TRY1NG T0 F1ND Y0UR SCENT, BUT Y0U KN0W H0W TH1S PLANET 1S

AL: 1 CAN LOOK FOR YOU ALSO, YOU KNOW. 1'LL JUST... WANDER 1N THE D1RECT1ON OF THE BASE, UNT1L WE CROSS PATHS, HOPEFULLY.

AL: 1 DON'T TH1NK WE'LL GET LOST...

SA: D0N'T B0THER

SA: 1 TH1NK 1'VE G0T Y0U

TYRENA: -The s0und 0f her d0uble-bladed sw0rd scrap1ng aga1nst the gr0und 1s gett1ng cl0ser, ech01ng thr0ugh the 0therw1se pr1st1ne s1lence.-

TYRENA: -She arr1ves s0mewhere near h1m, paus1ng t0 sn1ff the st1ll a1r a few t1mes.-

TAKODA: *he turns at the sound, having only just lifted himself from the rock he was perching on. he gives her a small smile, tired, and kind of pointless, but he makes the effort anyway.*

TAKODA: HELLO TYRENA.

TYRENA: -she sh0ves a therm0s at h1m.- N0UR1SH Y0URSELF, BEF0RE Y0U BEG1N T0 L0SE Y0UR EXCSES 0F FLESHY MASS

TYRENA: 1T'S VEGETABLE BR0TH, S1NCE 1 KN0W Y0U ARE A C0MMUNER

TYRENA: -She then s1ts r1ght d0wn 0n the same r0ck, rest1ng her ch1n 1n her palms.-

TAKODA: *his smile only widens as he takes the thermos, rotating it in his hands for a moment before he opens it to take a gulp.* THANK YOU.

TAKODA: 1 AM PRETTY WELL NOUR1SHED, ANYWAY, BUT... THANK YOU. REALLY.

TAKODA: UM... AND THANK YOU, FOR COM1NG TO LOOK FOR ME.

TYRENA: YES, YES, BLAH, BLAH

TYRENA: SENT1MENT

TYRENA: 1T D0ES N0T MATTER WHAT 1 SPEND H0URS L1KE TH1S 0N

TYRENA: THERE'S L1TTLE 1 CAN ACC0MPL1SH 1N THE DEAD 0F N1GHT, 0UTS1DE 0F 1DLE L1TTLE PERS0NAL PR0JECTS

TYRENA: -She hes1tates a l1ttle as she glances 0ver at h1m. She s0unds much the same as ever, but she's g0t a fr0wn 0n her face-- small, hard t0 see, but all the same.-

TYRENA: ...1 HAVE BEEN TH1NK1NG AB0UT BEF0RUS, T00

TAKODA: *he turns to her, giving her his full attention when she speaks* THERE'S... A LOT TO TH1NK ABOUT. BUT ALSO, FOR ME... NOT A LOT THAT 1 CAN FOCUS ON. 1F THAT MAKES SENSE.

TAKODA: 1 SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH T1ME FOR 1T TO REG1STER. ESPEC1ALLY S1NCE 1... SAW 1T HAPPEN.

TAKODA: BUT 1T'S NOT.

TYRENA: -She n0ds her head.- 1 SUPP0SE WE C0ULD G1VE Y0U M0RE W0RK T0 0CCUPY Y0UR HANDS W1TH

TYRENA: AND P0SS1BLY ALS0 Y0UR M1ND W1TH

TYRENA: BUT

TYRENA: THAT W0ULD N0T REALLY BE YANK1NG THE WEED AT 1TS R00T, W0ULD 1T?

TYRENA: 1T D0ES N0T FEEL REAL T0 Y0U

TYRENA: BECAUSE 1T NEVER REALLY FELT P0SS1BLE T0 Y0U

TAKODA: ... *nods slowly* 1T... DOESN'T.

TAKODA: NOT JUST... BECAUSE 1T'S BEFORUS... JUST THAT, SOMETH1NG L1KE TH1S COULD HAPPEN AT ALL.

TAKODA: 1T'S... TERR1FY1NG. AND 1T FEELS L1KE, NOTH1NG WE'VE EVER DONE, COULD PREPARE US FOR 1T. ALL THE WORK WE DO HERE FEELS--

TAKODA: HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO HELP ANYONE?

TYRENA: -She t1lts her head upwards. 1t w0uld seem as th0ugh she's star1ng at s0meth1ng, desp1te her eyeless s0ckets be1ng c0vered by th1ck bl1ndf0ld, s0meth1ng 0ut there 1n the vast v01d ab0ve them.-

TYRENA: 0NE 0F THE LAST V1S10NS 1 EVER ALL0WED MYSELF T0 HAVE

TYRENA: 1 SAW STARS SNUFFED 0UT 0F THE SKY

TYRENA: AND PLANETS BURN1NG 1N 1NCANDESCENT F1RE

TYRENA: BEF0RUS WAS AM0NG THE LAST T0 D1E

TYRENA: 1 KN0W BECAUSE THE V1S10N ENDED W1TH MY DEATH

TYRENA: ...

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE THAT 1S N0T THE BEST 0F 1MAGES F0R AN 1NSP1RAT10N, 1S 1T

TYRENA: 1 ALWAYS KNEW THAT S0RT 0F EV1L EX1STED

TYRENA: BUT TH1NGS ARE D1FFERENT FR0M WHAT 1 SAW

TYRENA: ...1 WANT T0 TRUST THAT THEY ARE D1FFERENT EN0UGH

TYRENA: THE ALTERNAT1VE

TYRENA: SCARES ME

TAKODA: ... 1 GUESS THAT 1SN'T TOO TERR1BLY COMFORT1NG, BECAUSE 1 DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW ALL THAT STUFF WORKS.

TAKODA: WHAT YOU SEE, VERSUS WHAT HAPPENS... AND RUTH, TOO.

TAKODA: BUT... KNOW1NG THAT TH1NGS COULD HAVE BEEN D1FFERENT, 1S K1ND OF COMFORT1NG.

TAKODA: AT THE VERY LEAST, 1'M GLAD THAT... YOU'RE HERE.

TYRENA: HA

TYRENA: 1 AM

TYRENA: GLAD T0 BE HERE, T00

TYRENA: 1 W1LL LET Y0U 1N 0N A SECRET TH0UGH

TYRENA: 1T BARELY MAKES SENSE T0 E1THER 0F US, E1THER

TYRENA: -She reaches t0wards h1m-- hes1tat1ng, br1efly-- bef0re lett1ng her hand rest aga1nst h1s arm.-

TYRENA: H0WEVER, 1 TH1NK THAT THERE 1S S0ME ANSWER T0 Y0UR QUEST10N BUR1ED 1N THE CRYPT1C N0NSENSE

TYRENA: H0W WE ARE SUPP0SED T0 HELP PE0PLE

TYRENA: WE D1G 1N 0UR HEELS

TYRENA: AND WE PERS1ST 1N BE1NG

TYRENA: AND WE D0 WHAT BE1NGS L1KE US HAVE BEEN SCULPTED T0 D0 BY SWEEPS AND SWEEPS 0F ER0S10N AND SCARS

TAKODA: *he looks to her hand as she settles it on his arm, then places his own atop it, listening to what she has to say.*

TAKODA: YOU HAVE AN AWFULLY GR1M WAY, OF PUTT1NG SOMETH1NG SO GENU1NELY 1NSP1R1NG TO ME. HEHE...

TYRENA: HA!

TYRENA: YES, WELL

TYRENA: Y0U HAVE THAT GR0TESQUELY 1NFECT10US MANNER 0F BE1NG

TYRENA: S0MEH0W L00K1NG AT THE PE0PLE AR0UND Y0U AND SEE1NG DESP1TE EVERYTH1NG UTTERLY BR0KEN 1N THEM

TYRENA: S0METH1NG W0RTH CHER1SH1NG

TYRENA: 1T'S

TYRENA: ...

TYRENA: AN ADM1RABLE QUAL1TY

TYRENA: -She lays her head 0n h1s arm after a m0ment 0r tw0.-

TAKODA: *smiles down at her, squeezing her hand.* 1 KNOW THAT SOMET1MES THAT'S ALL 1T TAKES.

TAKODA: 1S ONE PERSON TO BEL1EVE 1N YOU, FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, ALL THE TH1NGS THAT YOU CAN BE. AND ALL THE TH1NGS YOU ARE.

TAKODA: GOOD AND BAD.

TAKODA: AND 1 ONLY HOPE THAT, YOU W1LL LEARN TO CHER1SH 1T TOO.

TYRENA: 1N MY PAST EXPER1ENCE

TYRENA: 1 TEND T0 HURT PE0PLE L1KE THAT

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T WANT T0 W1ND UP 1N THAT S1TUAT10N AGA1N

TYRENA: ...T0 D0 THAT AGA1N

TYRENA: ...

TYRENA: THANK Y0U

TYRENA: TH0UGH

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE 1 NEEDED T0 TALK T00

[gulescamisade]

TYRENA: -the ship is docked and she knows this, hearing the crew and drones setting out to basic refueling, resupplying, and repairs. It's not much, no, but she can at least be assured that those three managed to survive their encounter.-

TYRENA: -As for the crew of the UU, and Beforus...-

TYRENA: -She could not sincerely be surprised. Not really. She had foreseen much worse, when she was still a part of the machine, still predicting the future.-

TEREZI: -She hovered further away from the docking bay entrance, absentmindedly chewing at a finger and feeling an encroaching headache seep into her mind. First it was Earth - one of her neighbors from Skaia once lived in Australia, and Terezi forced herself to move on from it and worry about her own. And now Beforus. Not just a continent. An entire planet and all its people were gone. They didnt get to fight what took them. They were helpless to decide their own fate, however futile it was. They likely didn't know they were going to die.-

TYRENA: -She doesn't seem to be addressing Terezi specifically, or anywhere at all, though the blindfolded troll probably does seem a little familiar to Terezi.-

TYRENA: Y0U T00K S0ME H1TS GETT1NG HERE

TYRENA: SURE H0PE THEY D1DNT GET Y0U F0LL0WED

TYRENA: F0R Y0UR SAKE, M0STLY

TEREZI: -She's smelled this smell before, yes. She lifted her head trying to take this scent in for all it was. The last time she caught it, there was some amount of distance between them, and truth be told she'd avoided the rebels the majority of her time on LOCAS.-

TEREZI: W3R3 NOT ON3S TO ST4Y DOWN OR L34RN WH3N 1TS B3ST TO

TEREZI: W3R3 DUMB L1K3 TH4T

TYRENA: 1 N0T1CED, 1N FACT

TYRENA: -something about that tone doesn't sound TOO joking-

TYRENA: 1 HAVE BEEN PAY1NG ATTENT10N T0 Y0U AND Y0UR SUPP0SED 1MP0RTANCE

TEREZI: Y3S, TH4TS WH4T TH3 S33R-- RUTH TOLD US

TEREZI: W3V3 FOLLOW3D H3R 1NSTRUCT1ONS 4ND H4V3 B33N V1S1T1NG TH3 COORD1N4T3S SH3 M3NT1ON3D...

TYRENA: YES, YES, 1 KN0W THE FUSSY L1TTLE DETA1LS

TYRENA: 1 AM BL1ND, N0T AS 0BL1V10US AS S0ME 0F Y0U SEEM T0 BE

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T UNDERSTAND HER PR0PHEC1ES BETTER THAN Y0U

TYRENA: 1 JUST TRY T0 KEEP THEM FR0M K1LL1NG HER

TEREZI: OBL1V1OUS ONLY B3C4US3 OUR RUDD3R 1S D3P3ND4NT ON H3R -she sighed and relaxed her shoulders, feeling the weight of all that was bearing down on them. She could respect Tyrena for that; as Terezi had seen the UU as her own, so the rebellion was to her fellow Pyrope.-

TEREZI: TH3S3 PROPH3C13S 4R3 D4NG3ROUS TO H3R?

TYRENA: -She drums her fingers on the wall.- THEY ARE, WERE, W0ULD HAVE BEEN, MAY EVENTUALLY

TYRENA: THEY ARE THE LEAST DANGER0US T0 Y0U

TYRENA: AND D0N'T BE T00 GLUM

TYRENA: Y0U C0ULDN'T HAVE PREVENTED 1T

TEREZI: -she made a small noise akin to a choke- SO

TEREZI: TH1S W4S 1N3V1T4BL3

TYRENA: 1N ALL PR0BAB1L1TY

TYRENA: 0F C0URSE BLAM1NG Y0URSELVES 1S ST1LL 0N THE TABLE

TYRENA: BUT 1 D0N'T RECC0MEND 1T

TEREZI: ...

TEREZI: TH4T M4Y B3 SO

TEREZI: 1T M4K3S ON3 WOND3R 1F W3 H4V3 4NY H4ND 1N OUR FUTUR3 4T 4LL

TYRENA: -she lets out a cackle, flashing a grin at Terezi.- 0H, THEY D1DN'T

TYRENA: Y0U'RE A D1FFERENT ST0RY

TEREZI: -FEELS A LITTLE SICK-

TEREZI: WH4T M4K3S US D3S3RV3 TH4T CH4NC3 OV3R TH3 WHOL3 OF B3FORUS? -all those people...-

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T KN0W

TYRENA: PR0BABLY N0TH1NG AT ALL

TYRENA: THAT'S H0W 1T 1S, TH0UGH

TYRENA: T0UGH BREAK >;)

TEREZI: HOW 1S TH4T F41R? -she felt like a wiggler saying that but she didnt care-

TYRENA: W0ULD 1T BE FA1RER 1F Y0U WERE ALS0 DEAD?

TEREZI: -splutters- M-M4YB3!

TEREZI: 4T L34ST W3V3 FOUGHT WH4TS CH4S1NG US OR WH4T W4NTS US D34D

TEREZI: W3 KNOW WH4T W3R3 F4C1NG 4ND W3 KNOW TH3R3S 4 CH4NC3 W3 M1GHT NOT M4K3 1T

TEREZI: 4N 3NT1R3 PL4N3T! B1LL1ONS! D1DNT G3T TH4T CH4NC3

TYRENA: N0 -her expression, for once, is actually grim- THEY CERTA1NLY D1D N0T

TYRENA: WHAT 1F 1 T0LD Y0U THERE WAS A CHANCE T0 K1LL THE CREATURE RESP0NS1BLE

TYRENA: H0WEVER SL1M 1T MAY BE

TEREZI: ........... -looks at her dumbfounded. Something did this? It wasn't Alternia? It wasn't something like a fucking Death Star?? her brows creased together.- 1S TH1S CR34TUR3 S3NT13NT? 1S 1T B31NG CONTROLL3D BY 4LT3RN14?

TYRENA: 1T D0ES N0T CARE AB0UT ALTERN1A

TYRENA: THERE 1S 0NLY 0NE TH1NG 1T WANTS

TYRENA: T0 D0 WHAT 1T D1D A HUNDRED TH0USAND T1MES 0VER

TYRENA: UNT1L THERE 1S N0TH1NG LEFT

TYRENA: 1 SAW 1T MYSELF

TEREZI: -she went cold. the utter destruction of the universe is a lot to take in- YOUV3 S33N 1T B3FOR3?

TEREZI: YOU KNOW WH4T 1T C4N DO?

TYRENA: 1 KN0W TH1NGS! BLURRY, FUZZY TH1NGS

TYRENA: BUT PLENTY 0F THEM F0R SURE >:)

TYRENA: 1 WATCHED THE UN1VERSE D1E 1N A DREAM

TYRENA: SH1TTY WAY T0 WAKE UP

TYRENA: HAHAHAHAHA

TEREZI: -she laughed alongside her, though it was more of a response of surprise- 1T 1S NOW S4F3 TO S4Y TH4T K1LL1NG TH3 CR34TUR3 WOULD B3 JUST1C3

TEREZI: ...YOU S41D YOU COULDNT S33 4S RUTH COULD, BUT YOU KNOW TH3 FUTUR3

TEREZI: OR

TEREZI: 4 POT3NT14L FUTUR3

TEREZI: WH4TS TH3 D1FF3R3NC3?

TYRENA: 1 CAN'T

TYRENA: ANYM0RE

TYRENA: 1T WAS D1FFERENT W1TH ME, BY NATURE

TYRENA: BUT THAT 1S 1N THE 1MMUTABLE PAST

TEREZI: OH HUH -did she mean she was hatched with it? That was interesting; she'd never met another tealblood with psychic ability.-

TEREZI: SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

TYRENA: HA!

TYRENA: 1T WASN'T

TYRENA: BUT Y0U D0N'T NEED T0 UNDERSTAND MY PAST

TYRENA: 1T WAS A FUCK1NG MESS

TYRENA: AND 1'M BETTER 0FF L1KE TH1S

TYRENA: C0MES AT A C0ST

TEREZI: H3H3H3 TH3 P4ST OFT3N 1S! >:]

TEREZI: YOU C4N K33P YOUR P4ST, 1 DONT N33D TO KNOW 1T

TEREZI: THOUGH KNOW 1 DO UND3RST4ND TH3 COST OF B31NG H3R3 4S W3 4R3

TYRENA: MAYBE

TYRENA: -she slumps back against the wall, contemplative.- D0 Y0U ST1LL HAVE THE DRAG0N

TEREZI: -chokes on her own spit-

TEREZI: WH- WH4T DR4GON? 4H4H4H4!

TYRENA: 0H W0W, Y0U'RE A L1AR!

TYRENA: H0W 1NTEREST1NG >:D

TEREZI: H3Y!

TEREZI: 1M JUST...1...

TEREZI: 1 DONT USU4LLY!

TEREZI: -she leaned against the wall, slowly crossing her arms- 1... -closing her eyes, she sighed- ONLY W4NT H3R TO B3 S4F3

TEREZI: 4ND F4R FROM W4R 4S 1 C4N T4K3 H3R

TEREZI: BUT W1TH -she waves her hand gesturing behind her as though to indicate the orbital space they just left- 1T S33MS 3V3N PL4N3TS C4NNOT PROT3CT H3R

TEREZI: -a crinkle formed between her brows and she brought her hand up to press her thumb and middle finger into her temples, massaging them.-

TEREZI: Y3S, SH3 1S ST1LL W1TH M3

TYRENA: F1NE EN0UGH BY ME

TYRENA: S0 L0NG AS 1T 1SN'T DEAD

TYRENA: 0R S0METH1NG W0RSE

TEREZI: TH4T WONT H4PP3N

TEREZI: TH4T WONT 3V3R H4PP3N

TYRENA: S0ME0NE JUST BECAME AN 0PT1M1ST BEF0RE MY VERY FACE

TEREZI: -snickers at tyrena's choice of words. she sees what you did there- W3LL

TEREZI: YOU D1D S4Y W3R3 4 D1FF3R3NT STORY

TEREZI: 1TS H1GH T1M3 TO PUT MY OWN FL41R TO 1T

TYRENA: G00D

TYRENA: THAT'S 0NE TH1NG Y0U'VE G0T

TEREZI: WHY TH4NK YOU

TEREZI: 1LL PUT 1T TO SOM3 GOOD US3 >:]

TYRENA: D0 Y0U TRUST Y0UR PE0PLE

TEREZI: -she grew quiet. There were some she would trust with her life, with her lusus's life, and with their own life. And there were others she did not distrust, per se, but regarded with a hint of wariness.-

TEREZI: MOR3 OR L3SS

TYRENA: A CHA1N 1S AS STR0NG AS THE WEAKEST L1NK

TYRENA: S0 TELL ME

TYRENA: WH1LE WE'RE CHATT1NG AWAY

TYRENA: WH0 W0ULD BREAK?

TEREZI: -her gaze drops away from Tyrena and down to the floor, as though eye contact (however silly that was for the both of them) may give it away- 1M

TEREZI: 1 dont h4v3 fr33dom to d1vulg3

TEREZI: ...1ts not my pl4c3

TYRENA: Y0UR PLACE 1S WHEREVER Y0U WANT 1T T0 BE

TYRENA: AND THAT MATTER

TYRENA: 1S 1MP0RTANT

TEREZI: -she still looks uncertain and jerked her head to the side like she was expecting someone listening in-

TEREZI: p3rh4ps

TEREZI: m4yb3 w3 should d1scuss th1s som3wh3r3 mor3 pr1v4t3

TYRENA: 1 HAVE SPACES F0R THAT S0RT 0F TH1NG -she lazily gestures her to follow-

TEREZI: ...

TEREZI: -she obediently does so without a word-

TYRENA: -she leads her through a series of caves- opening the door to a room that seemed as ominous as it was uninviting. No furniture in sight, no light sources, nothing but barren walls and a floor and utter silence. Tyrena sits in the middle of it, cross-legged.-

TEREZI: -she gave the room a few cursory sniffs before determining that yes, they were alone. She plopped down a few feet in front of Tyrena and casually scraped a circle in the dirt with her claw.-

TEREZI: -she still doesnt dare to raise her voice-

TEREZI: 1ts th3 c4pt41n

TEREZI: h3 w1sh3s for th3 s4f3ty of h1s cr3w, th4t much 1s c3rt41n, but

TEREZI: h3s vol4t1l3

TEREZI: h3 do3s not l1st3n nor t4k3 h1s cr3wm3mb3rs sugg3st1ons to h34rt

TEREZI: wh3n top1cs 4r3 brought forth to th3 t4bl3, th3 d1scuss1on c4n b4r3ly b3 c4ll3d on3

TEREZI: h3 4nd 1 h4d 4 p3rson4l t4lk r3g4rd1ng my lusus, but th3 m4tt3r w4s n3v3r r3solv3d 4s h3 chos3 1nst34d to po1nt out my m1sconduct for k33p1ng h3r from h1m

TEREZI: h3 th3n proc33d3d to 1mpugn som3on3s ch4r4ct3r, st4t1ng th4t b3c4us3 1 w4s th31r qu4dr4nt th3y would pr3v3nt my pun1shm3nt

TEREZI: h3 do3s wh4t h3 th1nks 1s b3st, 4nd should som3on3 d4r3 h4v3 4n op1n1on of th31r own... -She trailed off, still not looking at Tyrena-

TEREZI: h3 3xp3cts th3 cr3w to trust h1m, but do3s not trust h1s cr3w 1n turn

TEREZI: -proceeds to say in one breath- th4t 4nd som3 oth3rs h4v3 loy4lty to oth3r pl4n3ts, but 1 do not know th3m w3ll 3nough to judg3 th31r ch4r4ct3r

TEREZI: 4lso 1 s41d non3 of th1s

TYRENA: YES, YES, MY PURP0SE 1N ASK1NG 1S N0T T0 TATTLE

TYRENA: THAT 1S USEFUL ANALYS1S

TYRENA: 1S HE THE 0NLY 0NE?

TEREZI: C3RT41NLY NOT

TEREZI: W3 4LL H4V3 OUR LOY4LT13S: TO HOM3PL4N3TS, OUR QU4DR4NTS, S3LF-PR3S3RV4T1ON, 3T C3T3R4

TEREZI: YOU 4LR34DY KNOW 4LL OF US W3R3 PUT ON TH3 UMBR4L ULT1M4TUM TO D13 -she drew a square around the circle and hollowed out the dirt in the shape- 4ND FOR TH4T 4LON3 W3 H4V3 4 COMMON 3N3MY

TEREZI: W3 4S 4 CR3W H4V3 NO CHO1C3 BUT TO TRUST 34CH OTH3R 4ND TRUST TH4T TH3R3 W1LL B3 NO B3TR4Y4L

TYRENA: HM

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: BUT 1'M N0T 0N THE SH1P

TYRENA: AND 1 D0N'T TRUST ANY 0F Y0U >:)

TEREZI: -she laughed aloud-

TEREZI: YOUD B3 FOOL1SH 1F YOU D1D!

TEREZI: W3R3 OUTS1D3RS, ON TH3 RUN FROM D4NG3ROUS P3OPL3, 4ND W3 KNOW WH3R3 YOU L1V3

TYRENA: YES, THAT 1S TRUE

TYRENA: AND Y0U HAVE T0 L00K AFTER Y0URSELVES, F1RST

TYRENA: AS ALWAYS

TYRENA: THE 0THERS ARE QU1CK T0 MAKE FR1ENDS

TYRENA: EVEN RAJAN1, DESP1TE H0W SHE ACTS

TEREZI: 1TS S3LF1SH OF US, 1SNT 1T? >:]

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T KN0W

TYRENA: 0R CARE, EVEN

TYRENA: THE WH0 AND WHY 0F 1T 1S JUST MEAN1NGLESS DETA1LS

TYRENA: B00K KEEP1NG AT BEST

TYRENA: THE RESULTS ARE WHAT MATTERS

TEREZI: PR3V3NT1NG TH3 3ND OF 3X1ST3NC3 FOR 4LL, YOU M34N?

TYRENA: H0PEFULLY

TYRENA: -She turns her head away.-

TYRENA: 1 HAVE G1VEN UP A L0T T0 GET T0 TH1S P01NT

TYRENA: M0RE THAN 1 CAN EXPLA1N

TEREZI: -she grew quiet, studying her expression with somber silence-

TYRENA:- Her face doesn't give away much. She looks younger than a troll her age should look, that's for sure.-

TEREZI: W1THOUT YOUR S4CR1F1C3S, WOULD YOU ST1LL B3 WH3R3 YOU W4NT TO B3?

TYRENA: 1 W0ULD HAVE D1ED YESTERDAY

TEREZI: OH

TEREZI: W3LL

TEREZI: TH4TS

TEREZI: -clears her throat-

TEREZI: HM

TEREZI: WOULD YOU R4TH3R H4V3 W4LK3D 4NOTH3R P4TH TH4N TH1S?

TYRENA: HA!

TYRENA: 1 D0N'T KNOW

TEREZI: 3V3N THOUGH YOU KNOW WH4T WOULD H4V3 H4PP3N3D?

TYRENA: T1MEL1NES ARE A B1TCH, AREN'T THEY

TEREZI: TH3Y SUR3 SOUND TH4T W4Y -she drew a pentagon around the square- HYPOTH3T1C4LLY SP34K1NG, 1F 4LL TURNS 1N OUR F4VOR, TH3R3 1S ST1LL 4 CH4NC3 FOR US TO B3 UNC3RT41N 1F TH3 CHO1C3S W3 M4D3 W3R3 TH3 R1GHT ON3S

TYRENA: AND 1F W!SHES WERE H00FBEASTS

TYRENA: ACTUALY, NEVERM1ND

TYRENA: THAT'S WHERE ALL 0F THESE FREAKY H0RSE PE0PLE C0ME FR0M

TEREZI: H3H3H3H3

TEREZI: H3OPL3

TEREZI: W1TH S3R1OUSN3SS THOUGH

TEREZI: W3V3 L1V3D W1TH OUR CHO1C3S SO F4R

TYRENA: YES, AND Y0U'LL D1E W1TH THEM, T00

TYRENA: EVENTUALLY

TYRENA: PR0BABLY

TEREZI: TRU3 -she shifted uncomfortably as she often did when thinking about possibilities of her own death-

TEREZI: HOP3FULLY 1 WONT R3GR3T TH3M

TYRENA: -She hums a noncomittal noise.- TYRENA: Y0U'RE N0T HALF AS DUMB AS S0ME 0F THEM

TYRENA: 1T'S A START

TEREZI: H4! -the laugh was forced and somewhat desperate-

TEREZI: TH4NK YOU FOR YOUR VOT3 OF CONF1D3NC3!

TYRENA: 0F C0URSE

TYRENA: 1 0WE Y0U AN ANSWER 0R TW0

TYRENA: 1F Y0U'VE G0T ANY QUEST10NS F0R ME

TEREZI: Y3S, 1 H4V3 4 COUPL3... -She thought hard about it. She could ask more of the potential future, of how to kill something that could destroy a planet. But she couldn't help but ask this particular one first.- HOW DO YOU N4V1G4T3?

TYRENA: CAREFULLY

TEREZI: -actually laughs- TH4TS F41R

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0344

4:54 PM

DIRK: -he's been jogging all throughout the ship, mostly just to see if he happens upon anyone, but also to work off some nervous energy. he passes through the atrium, cafeteria, caves, and rebel hideout... and maybe BACK AGAIN.-

5:00 PM

TEREZI: -Her hair appears a little windswept; after taking Chrysocolla hunting, Terezi was now on the long trek back to the ship, passing through the maze of cave systems as a "shortcut." She had come from far deep into it, just now returning into areas that were a little more familiar. Presently, her lusus was racing somewhere around the planet at breakneck speed having the time of her life.-

5:02 PM

DIRK: -pauses to jog in place when he notices terezi over yonder and waves to get her attention-

5:06 PM

TEREZI: -she'd been looking down at her device when her nose caught flailing movement up ahead, and upon lifting her head, she noticed the trademark orange soda pop that was Dirk To Walk With Long Steps. She returns the wave, walking at a much brisker pace to catch up to him.-

5:20 PM

DIRK: -moves to meet her half way- Hey Terezi.

5:22 PM

TEREZI: H3Y D1RK -she was going to start with "how are things?" but that was an answer everyone knew and the answer was SHIT.-

TEREZI: SO -says lamely- W3R3 B4CK ON LOC4S 4G41N -smile effort!-

5:23 PM

DIRK: So we are.

DIRK: I dig it here.

DIRK: Nice and quiet. Helps a guy think.

5:24 PM

TYRENA: PLENTY 0F PLACES T0 H1DE -oh hello she is like five inches from the jogger suddenly-

5:24 PM

TEREZI: 1 4DM1T 1TS GROW1NG ON M3

TEREZI: B3FOR3 1T W4S K1ND4 FR34KY

5:24 PM

DIRK: -ARGH-

5:24 PM

TEREZI: -holy shit-

5:25 PM

DAVE: -and Dave is also here, doing what? Who knows. He's just walking probably, and he approaches Dirk and terezi and a...an older terezi- sup

5:25 PM

TYRENA: HELL0 SQU1RML1NG

5:27 PM

DIRK: Sup? -looks between tyrena and dave-

5:28 PM

DAVE: sup

5:30 PM

TYRENA: Y0UR USE 0F M0N0SYLLABLES 1S S0 CUTE 1 C0ULD JUST SQUEEZE Y0U UNT1L FLU1DS C0ME 0UT

5:30 PM

DIRK: Please do not.

5:30 PM

TYRENA: >:D

5:31 PM

TEREZI: H3LLO -see she used two syllables plz do not squeeze her fluids out-

5:32 PM

DAVE: do i wanna ask what fluids DAVE: no

5:33 PM

DIRK: Jesus.

5:33 PM

TYRENA: -she bobs her head towards each of them, a weird bird-like motion that seems reminiscent of how an owl moves, and seems to give the vague impression of somehow examining them.- 1ND1CAT1VE 0F 0UR PEERLESS H0SP1TAL1TY

TYRENA: WELC0ME BACK

5:34 PM

DIRK: Thanks.

DIRK: Good to be back.

DIRK: Hope you don't mind if we crash for a bit.

5:34 PM

DAVE: thanks

DAVE: so are you what hides in these caves

5:34 PM

TYRENA: FEEL FREE T0 CRASH 1N A BURN1NG C0NFLAGRAT10N

TYRENA: -SHE GRINS AT DAVE- YES

5:35 PM

DIRK: (That hardly seems appropriate.)

ARANEA: -SHE'S WHAT HIDES IN THESE CAVES TOO NOW 8888)-

5:35 PM

TEREZI: 1 W4S HOP1NG CR4SH L1K3 TH3 R3STFUL V4R13TY

5:35 PM

TYRENA: -GROSS ARANEA-

5:39 PM

DAVE: -I always feel like-

DAVE: -somebody's watching me-

5:39 PM

TEREZI: -It might be one of those huge serpent-like creatures with big heads and stick legs-

5:40 PM

DAVE: cool DAVE: whats your name again

5:41 PM

TYRENA: BL1ND HAG

TYRENA: AND Y0U ARE STR1DER

TYRENA: B0TH 0F Y0U

5:41 PM

DAVE: k

DAVE: no

DAVE: im ben stiller

5:41 PM

TYRENA: SAME FACE -SMUSHES DAVES CHEEK- SAME V01CE

TYRENA: DAAAAAVE >:)

5:42 PM

DAVE: -talks with smushed cheeks- ben

5:43 PM

DIRK: And I'm Owen Wilson.

5:44 PM

SOLLUX: -walking by- and i'm JAVERT.

5:44 PM

DIRK: -he's going to suplex you-

5:44 PM

TEREZI: -gasps at dave and dirk- YOU L13D TO ME!

5:45 PM

TYRENA: >:O

5:52 PM

TEREZI: -also sticks her hand out to highfive sollux as he walks by-

5:56 PM

DIRK: Anyway, back to actual conversation.

DIRK: We've got to decide on our next plan of action, in light of recent events.

DIRK: And I'm pretty sure grandma... I mean Jolene wants to go over her Skaianet Takeover plot with you guys

5:57 PM

SOLLUX: -high fives casually-

5:58 PM

DIRK: -slaps ya butt-

5:58 PM

TYRENA: SHE 1S CERTA1NLY AMB1T1OUS

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE 1T'S L1KELY WE W1LL W1ND UP W0RK1NG T0GETHER

5:58 PM

DAVE: she is a grandma

5:59 PM

DIRK: Yes. She told me to call her grandma.

6:00 PM

TYRENA: 0NE 0F HER ECCENTR1C1T1ES, 1 SUPP0SE

6:01 PM

DAVE: just statin the facts(edited)

6:04 PM

TEREZI: -squints curiously- 1S SH3 YOUR GR4NDM4? -how big is this actual family???-

6:06 PM

DIRK: No, she's only Jake's grandma... Sort of.

DIRK: She just asked me to call her grandma because of my relationship with him but-- Listen ok, I don't want to sit here and explain human familial structures to y'all.

DIRK: Point is, since we're assisting her, it is very likely our endeavors will all be more closely knit.

DIRK: Which is good. We need more structure. Less wandering around space aimlessly. If you ask me.

6:06 PM

TYRENA: HMMMM

TYRENA: HMMMMMMMMM!!!

TYRENA: Y0U CAN BE MY HUMAN GRANDMA T00

TYRENA: WHAT A L0VELY FAM1LY

6:09 PM

DIRK: ...

6:10 PM

TEREZI: ...

6:10 PM

TYRENA: STRUCTURE 1S C0NSTRUCTED MY GENET1C RELAT10N

6:15 PM

DAVE: thats exactly how it works blind hag(edited)

6:16 PM

TYRENA: 1 KN0W

6:17 PM

DAVE: welcome to the fuckin family

6:17 PM

TYRENA: 0H, WELL

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE 1T'S CL0SER T0 AUNT BY LAW 0F RED RELAT10N THAN L0V1NG GRANDDAUGHTER

TYRENA: BUT WHAY D0 1 KN0W AB0UT HUMAN FAM1L1AL STRUCTURES

TYRENA: >:)

6:19 PM

DAVE: everything

DAVE: you got this shit on lock

DAVE: wait til you meet my brodad

DAVE: and dont forget uncle bro

6:19 PM

DIRK: -considers this- ...

6:20 PM

TYRENA: 1 HAVE MET THE 0R1G1NAL DAVE F0R WH0M Y0U WERE NAMED

TYRENA: AHEAD 0F THE CURVE, JUN10R

6:21 PM

DAVE: but my names ben

6:22 PM

TYRENA: DAAAVE

6:23 PM

DAVE: ben stiller

6:24 PM

TEREZI: -to dirk after a moment watching dave and tyrena go back and forth- 1 4GR33

6:26 PM

DIRK: Huh? DIRK: Oh yeah, we were talking about something that wasn't completely bullshit. -nods-

DIRK: We decided to help. Might as well stick to our guns and be as smart about it as possible, right?

6:27 PM

TYRENA: 0F C0URSE

6:31 PM

TEREZI: B31NG SM4RT WOULD B3 TO CONT1NU3 TURN1NG T41L

TEREZI: BUT W3 M4Y 4S W3LL C4US3 SOM3 D4M4G3 WH1L3 W3 RUN >:]

6:32 PM

DIRK: I could argue against running being our most intelligent option. -AND HE HAS-

DIRK: But regardless, I'm always in favor of fucking shit up.

6:33 PM

TYRENA: 1NCLUD1NG Y0URSELF -she pokes her nose all up into Dirk's business-

6:34 PM

DIRK: -leans away a little- Ok I'm calling bullshit.

DIRK: How could you possibly know that?

DIRK: -stupid weirdo rebels and their stupid weirdo insights-

6:34 PM

DAVE: youre calling bullshit DAVE: ok

6:35 PM

TYRENA: 1 KN0W TH1NGS

TYRENA: AND Y0U ARE 0F THE SAME GENET1C ST0CK AS DAVENF0RTH

TYRENA: THREE S1PS 0F A FLASK 1N A C0NVERSAT10N

6:36 PM

DIRK: -frowns about it-

6:36 PM

TYRENA: CAN WE TRUST Y0U

6:38 PM

DIRK: I would like to think I'm a trustworthy guy.

DIRK: Not sure what that has to do with anything, but you could get a crowd reading on the subject. -looks at dave and terezi-

DIRK: Can you two trust me?

6:38 PM

DAVE: hell no

DAVE: ok fine

6:42 PM

UNCLE BRO: -It's only three sips when he's nervous-

6:43 PM

TYRENA: -SHH DON'T RUIN IT SHES INTERROGATING-

6:45 PM

TEREZI: -whoops mun is back now; she cocked her head at Dirk as though she were reading him before she straightened again with a grin-

TEREZI: OF COURS3

TEREZI: YOU R33K OF TH3 TRUSTWORTHY SORT

6:45 PM

UNCLE BRO: -If Ruth wasn't napping on him-

6:46 PM

TYRENA: 1NTEREST1NG >:)

6:46 PM

TEREZI: YOU K33P S4Y1NG TH4T

TEREZI: WH4T DO3S TH4T M34N

6:47 PM

TYRENA: RATTLE 0FF THE W0RDS FR0M A D1CT10NARY

TYRENA: 1 JUST WANT T0 KEEP P0SS1B1L1T1ES ACC0UNTED F0R

6:47 PM

TEREZI: -if there were a camera she'd look into it-

6:48 PM

TYRENA: AND WE ARE GETT1NG T0 KN0W EACH 0THER

TYRENA: AREN'T WE

6:48 PM

TEREZI: -mumbles- ....1 GU3SS

6:49 PM

DIRK: Yep. Getting to like you.

DIRK: Getting to hope that you like me.

6:50 PM

TYRENA: 1 MAY F1ND 1 HAVE T0 F0RCE MYSELF

TYRENA: G1VE 1T T1ME

6:53 PM

DAVE: i dunno im feelin neutral

7:06 PM

TYRENA: -bats Dave on the head when she figures out she just got showtunes quoted at her-

7:08 PM

DIRK: -get wrecked dave-

7:09 PM

DAVE: -barely moves-

7:22 PM

DIRK: -HE SAID GET WRECKED DAVE-

7:22 PM

DAVE: -WOW-

7:37 PM

TEREZI: SO WH4T 1S YOUR V3RD1CT OF TRUST 1N ON3 D1RK STR1D3R W1TH TH3 CONF1RM4T1ON OF TH3S3 TWO W1TN3SS3S?

7:39 PM

TYRENA: 1T CERTA1NLY SAYS 0NE TH1NG

TYRENA: HE TRUSTS Y0UR ASSESMENT M0RE THAN H1S 0WN

7:40 PM

DIRK: ...

DIRK: -you stop that-

7:41 PM

TEREZI: HUH

TEREZI: 1NT3R3ST1NG

7:43 PM

DAVE: daaaaaaaaaaamn

DAVE: wasted

7:51 PM

TEREZI: SO D1RK D1RK D1RK

TEREZI: DO3S J4K3S GR4NDM4 JOL3N3S PL4N M34N W3R3 H34D3D TO SK414 SOON? -it had been her residence for a sweep, so she did have some attachment to the carapacian homeplanet.-

7:53 PM

DIRK: That's the idea.

6:51 PM

DIRK: -he's making the rounds again of totally-not-checking-to-make-sure-no-one-else-has-lost-it but he has to be a little more conspicuous while under the captain's watchful eye. he's in the cafeteria with a laptop open, pretending to do work, but he's keeping an eye out for anybody who enters the scene.-

7:01 PM

DISCIPLE: -she's doing her usual prowly bit, climbing on things and then down again, going around and around in various loops just to get the lay of the unfamiliar area.-

7:11 PM

DIRK: -watches her carefully... but not too carefully, because he's sure she never had much to lose in the first place. which he thinks in the nicest way possible, of course.-

7:12 PM

DISCIPLE: -you better believe it, sucker, she's crazy 833-

7:16 PM

DIRK: -slides a bag of beef jerky over to the side of the table he's sitting at in offering-

7:17 PM

DISCIPLE: -prowls towards it and sniffs at the jerky-

DISCIPLE: :??

DISCIPLE: -she takes the bag in her mouth-

7:19 PM

DIRK: -nods at the cat-

7:20 PM

DISCIPLE: -she RIPS INTO IT WITH HER TEETH.- It is not as good as something live. -She starts gnawing on a few large pieces of meat.- Is good enough.

7:23 PM

DIRK: Can't say I have much basis for comparison there.

DIRK: Have you been able to hunt anything since we landed?

7:24 PM

DISCIPLE: It is dark. Twisting. Too much wind. Too easy for her to get lost.

DISCIPLE: The prey is small and scurries quickly. It is good for a challenge. Not meal.

7:26 PM

DIRK: -nods- I get that.

DIRK: Definitely has it's merits, but probably not as satisfying.

7:27 PM

DISCIPLE: Rrr.

DISCIPLE: Yes.

DISCIPLE: She prefers grass and sunlight.

7:29 PM

DIRK: You must have had the time of your life at Jolene's place.

7:31 PM

DISCIPLE: Yes. Many little things with powerful legs, hopping about. Trees for climbing. DISCIPLE: The caves are nice here. But it is nothing compared to the canopies.

7:35 PM

SILEAS: -the little one is stalking his mother for he is FEARLESS. Keeping low to the ground and tracing her scent, and only bumping into a table ONCE (he is learning to move with a hand out in front of him)-

7:36 PM

DIRK: I'm partial to the ocean, myself. -feels a tiny bunp against the table and peers under the table to look at sileas-

DIRK: Hey there.

7:37 PM

SILEAS: -he sniffs dirks leg-

7:37 PM

DISCIPLE: >:oo!

DISCIPLE: >:33

7:38 PM

SILEAS: (.....mrrrrhhhhh hi.)

7:39 PM

DISCIPLE: -She pads on all fours towards the little baby.- (Little one is awake, she did not hear...)

7:40 PM

SILEAS: -IT THE MOM!! He turns from dirks leg which he may have been considering to chew on and holds his arms out for attention- (follow mom. Here.) -he's getting so good at talking. He is the best-

7:41 PM

DISCIPLE: (He is so clever. So good a tracker, yes.)

DISCIPLE: -she SCOOPS HIM UP and smooshes her face against his with cheek kisses-(edited)

7:42 PM

SILEAS: -He squeals with joy at being smooshed-

7:43 PM

DIRK: -that's so adorable. he weeps internally. and maybe even smiles a little externally.-

7:44 PM

DISCIPLE: -She picks him up and puts him on her head, rumbling.- It is new land. He should stay close to her. Not get lost.

7:45 PM

SILEAS: -he keeps himself there by gently holding onto her hair.- (Get lost. Yessss.)

7:46 PM

DISCIPLE: NO get lost. >:PP

7:46 PM

SILEAS: Get lost!!!

7:46 PM

DISCIPLE: Nooo! Silly little one.

DISCIPLE: She will find him, yes.

7:47 PM

SILEAS: Get lost and find.

SILEAS: Yes.

7:47 PM

DISCIPLE: Or she will not let him go!

7:48 PM

SILEAS: -Gasp-

SILEAS: Nooooooooo.

7:49 PM

DISCIPLE: Yes, yes, yes!

7:50 PM

SILEAS: -he dramatically whines at his mom-

SILEAS: -he can still smell someone else here and it is making him all kinds of curious-

SILEAS: What it? -he doesn't know what dirk is or where he is, but he's here somewhere-

7:51 PM

DISCIPLE: It is human.

DISCIPLE: -She reaches a paw over to poke Dirk.-

7:51 PM

DIRK: -is poke-

DIRK: -Bo-

7:52 PM

SILEAS: Eat it.

7:52 PM

DISCIPLE: -she holds Sileas towards dirk like some kind of divining rod.- No, no. Not for eating. DISCIPLE: Humans are not for eating, little one.

7:53 PM

SILEAS: -He is held, and he reaches out to grab at dirk with tiny hands-

7:53 PM

DIRK: -holds out hand for the little one to grab-

7:54 PM

SILEAS: -he grasps the hand with both of his. HE WINS. Sileas sniffs dirk a few times just to get his scent.-

SILEAS: Not eat you.

7:55 PM

DISCIPLE: Say hello, little one. Tell him your name. He is like you. He will talk back, yes.

7:55 PM

DIRK: Not always the best conversationalist.

DIRK: But I will respond, yes.

7:56 PM

SILEAS: Hi. SILEAS: Im sileas.

SILEAS: You like me.

7:56 PM

DISCIPLE: He does not know this word yet. -She rumbles.- He is little.

7:56 PM

SILEAS: -he pats dirks hand gently-

7:57 PM

DIRK: See? Not great with conversation.

DIRK: Hello, Sileas. I'm Dirk. -tiny hand shake-

7:57 PM

SILEAS: you dork.

7:57 PM

DISCIPLE: :33

7:57 PM

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Dirk.

7:57 PM

SILEAS: Dick.

7:57 PM

DIRK: You don't know my story.

7:59 PM

SILEAS: Okey.

7:59 PM

DISCIPLE: Baby is so very smart, no? -She rubs her cheek against Sileas.-

8:00 PM

SILEAS: -he purrs and clings to his mom. He is the best baby-

8:07 PM

DIRK: He's real clever. -pats his tiny hands-

8:07 PM

DISCIPLE: She is so proud!

8:08 PM

SILEAS: She is mom!

8:08 PM

DISCIPLE: -She giggles and nuzzles up against Sileas.-

8:09 PM

DIRK: -STOP BEING SO CUTE-

8:10 PM

MEULIN: -TINY SCREAMS IN THE BG, PROBABLY-

8:11 PM

SILEAS: -He is cute and he knows it B)) -

[arcadianluminary]

TYRENA: -Tyrena 1s lurk1ng. Th1s 1s k1nd 0f a usual pr0blem when l1v1ng 1n the same general bu1ld1ng as her-- she d0es n0t actually sleep, and whatever 1t 1s she eats, 1t d0esn't appear t0 be f00d. St1ll, she 1s 0nly s0mewhat less subtle than usual as she appears t0 be track1ng...-

TYRENA: -A B1G, DUMB, D0RK.-

TAKODA: *at least a big dumb dork likes to have company, except for when he doesn't. but right now is not one of those moments. he's in the commons area, as he often is, trying to tidying up the dining areas because SOMEBODY has got to and it probably shouldn't be kamill all the time...*

TAKODA: *naturally, he's singing while he's doing this, so he surely won't notice any lurking.* WHAT'S WRONG W1TH BE1NG... WHAT'S WRONG W1TH BE1NG CONF1DENT?

TYRENA: -She jumps r1ght 0n h1s back. She 1s heav1er than she l00ks.- 1T MAKES Y0U EAS1ER T0 SNEAK UP 0N

TAKODA: WHOA THERE!! *stumbles right into the counter, gut first* OOF.

TAKODA: OH, HELLO TYRENA. *he says, as if it could have been anyone else.*

TYRENA: 1T 1S ME -1t c0ulda been nyalah 1f she were here tbh-

TYRENA: -LEEANS way 0ver her sh0ulder, cheek r1ght up aga1nst h1s.- 1 AM W0NDER1NG 1F Y0U ARE AS CLUELESS AS PRACT1CALLY EVERY S1NGLE 0THER PERS0N HERE

TYRENA: 1N ADD1T10N T0 SEVERAL WH0 ARE N0T ALS0 HERE

TYRENA: D0 Y0U KN0W

TYRENA: WHAT

TYRENA: DAY 1T 1S >:?

TAKODA: *thinks* UH... OH, YES. 1 KNOW TH1S! 1T'S... WEDNESDAY, R1GHT? }:)

TYRENA: -She carefully rests a hand 0n h1s face.- EVERY DAY

TYRENA: 1 AM SURPR1SED THAT Y0U HAVE N0T BEEN EATEN BY A LARGER PREDAT0R

TAKODA: SURPR1SED... OR THANKFUL? *he'd wink at her, but that would require turning his head to look at her and then probably knocking her out with his horns.*

TYRENA: -She jumps d0wn 0ff 0f h1m.- HEY, STUP1D, L00K AT TH1S

TYRENA: -SH0VES A G1FT AT H1M-

TYRENA: -1t's wrapped 1n br0wn paper w1th a str1ng f0r a r1bb0n.-

TYRENA: ANY CLUES AB0UT THE DAY N0W?

TYRENA: >;)

TAKODA: OH. OHHHHH. R11111GHT. *sparkly eyes as he accepts the gift*

TAKODA: UH, FOR THE RECORD, EVEN THOUGH 1 FORGOT, THE FORGETT1NG THAT 1 D1D WAS ONLY SHORT TERM... AND 1 HAVE A G1FT WA1T1NG FOR YOU TOO. BUT LET ME JUST... *carefully tugs on string.*

TYRENA: 0H REALLY? THAT 1S SURPR1S1NG, REALLY!

TYRENA: ACTUALLY, 1T 1S N0T

TYRENA: N0T EVEN 1N THE LEAST

TYRENA: 1N FACT 1 W0ULD ALM0ST ASSUME THAT Y0U JUST HAVE G1FTS F0R PE0PLE

TYRENA: "JUST 1N CASE"

TYRENA: >:P

TYRENA: -The paper unf0lds eas1ly en0ugh. What 1s 1ns1de but A SMALL, CARVED FA1RY-BULL. 0r, well. S0meth1ng cl0se. 1t's made 0ut 0f a black st0ne f0und 0n L0CAS, and appears t0 have tw0 del1cate l1ttle fa1ry w1ngs taped t0 the back.-

TAKODA: *SWEATS ABOUT H1S EMERGENCY G1FT FUND... but not really, there's no shame in that, obviously. when he sees the contents of the brown paper package, he gasps, holding the tiny thing up in his big bara hands.*

TAKODA: OH MY GOODNESS, TYRENA. 1T 1S... SO CUTE... AND PREC1OUS. D1D YOU MAKE TH1S?? }:O

TYRENA: -she makes a ch0ked n01se, l1ke a dy1ng an1mal.- 1 AM G01NG T0 H1T Y0U 1N THE THR0AT

TYRENA: YES, 1 MADE 1T

TYRENA: YES, 1T 1S CUTE

TYRENA: YES, 1 KNEW THAT Y0U W0ULD L1KE 1T

TYRENA: N0, 1 D0 N0T WANT T0 HEAR Y0U SAY1NG W0RDS AB0UT H0W THAT MAKES 1T TH0UGHTFUL AND SENT1MENTAL

TYRENA: AS 1 D0 N0T WANT T0 THR0W UP AC1D ALL 0VER THE FL00R AND Y0UR SH0ES

TYRENA: AND YES

TYRENA: Y0U ARE WELC0ME

TAKODA: WHAT ABOUT, HOW 1T 1S 1NVALUABLE BECAUSE 1T WAS LOV1NGLY CRAFTED, BY YOUR OWN TWO HANDS? AND ALSO 1NVALUABLE, MUCH L1KE YOUR FR1ENDSH1P, THAT 1 APPREC1ATE VERY MUCH?

TYRENA: UGHHHHH

TYRENA: BARRFFF

TYRENA: ALL 0VER Y0UR SH000ESSS

TYRENA: AND THE FL00R

TYRENA: WH1CH 1 AM N0T CLEAN1NG

TYRENA: AND Y0U ARRREEEE

TAKODA: HEHE. 1F YOU TH1NK THAT YOUR FAKE VOM1TT1NG BOTHERS ME, YOU ARE M1STAKEN, BECAUSE 1 KNOW 1T 1S CAUSED BY A D1SEASE CALLED FR1ENDSH1P.

TYRENA: UGHH

TYRENA: AND 1T 1S PART1CULARLY V1RULENT

TAKODA: UH, WELL, EVEN 1F 1T 1S, HOPEFULLY 1T 1SN'T TERM1NALLY SO, BECAUSE THEN 1 MAY HAVE TO RECONS1DER MY L1FE CHO1CES.

TYRENA: 1 W1LL ENDURE Y0UR PRESENCE

TYRENA: C0NS1DER THAT MY SEC0ND G1FT T0 Y0U

TAKODA: OH, PHEW. 1 HONESTLY COULD NOT TH1NK OF A BETTER TH1NG TO BE G1FTED. EXCEPT FOR MAYBE, TH1S SUPER PREC1OUS FA1RY BULL SCULPTURE, HEHEH.

TAKODA: SHOULD 1 GET YOUR PRESENT FOR YOU NOW?

TYRENA: 0H, R1GHT

TYRENA: THAT

TYRENA: YES, 1 SUPP0SE THE LAW 0F REC1PR0C1TY ST1LL STANDS

TYRENA: LET'S GET TH1S PART 0VER W1TH >:0

TAKODA: OKAY. YOU WA1T HERE, JUST ONE MOMENT. 1 WON'T TAKE ANY LONGER THAN THAT AMOUNT OF T1ME. *has his hands out like STAY R1GHT THERE before lad scampering away, returning EXACTLY ONE MOMENT LATER with a colorful and fancifully wrapped gift.*

TYRENA: 1'M C0UNT1NG!!!!

TYRENA: -She wr1nkles her n0se and sn1ffs the a1r as he returns.- Y0U G0T LUCKY TH1S T1ME >:0

TAKODA: 1 TH1NK YOU WOULD HAVE G1VEN ME SOME W1GGLE ROOM. *beams, handing off the present to her.* HERE YOU GO!

TYRENA: WELL

TYRENA: 1 SUPP0SE 1 AM KN0WN F0R MY GENER0S1TY

TYRENA: -She accepts the g1ft and d0esn't waste much t1me 1n R1PP1NG 1T 0PEN.-

TYRENA: -CYB0RG STRENGTH!!!!!-

TAKODA: *BE GENTLE. inside is a device on which music is recorded, whatever that may BE in this crazy mixed up future.* SO UH, AS YOU KNOW, 1 AM A B1G FAN OF RHODR1'S, AND H1S WORK, BUT 1 AM ALSO A FAN OF THE WHOLE, S1NG1NG TH1NG, MYSELF.

TAKODA: SO 1 THOUGHT 1 WOULD TRY MY HAND AT, WR1T1NG AND THEN RECORD1NG SONGS. WELL, AS 1 S1NG THEM, THAT 1S.

TAKODA: AND 1 WROTE A FEW FOR YOU! AND THEN SANG THEM, FOR RECORD1NG PURPOSES.

TYRENA: -0h fuck.-

TYRENA: Y0U WR0TE S0NGS F0R ME

TYRENA: 1S THAT WHAT Y0U ARE SAY1NG

TAKODA: YES, THAT 1S EXACTLY WHAT 1T 1S THAT 1 SA1D. }:O

TYRENA: ...

TYRENA: Y0U P1ECE 0F SH1T

TAKODA: HEHEHE.

TYRENA: -she places the package 0n the gr0und, gently.-

TYRENA: -then she walks 0ver t0 h1m, wraps her arms ar0und h1m and actually l1fts. she's T1NY but she has that 1NHUMAN STRENGTH and theref0re can d0 th1s.-

TYRENA: Y0U ABS0LUTE FUCKER

TYRENA: Y0U ARE THE W0RST

TYRENA: 1 HATE Y0U

TYRENA: -she bur1es her face aga1nst h1m as she HUGS-

TAKODA: *more dorky chuckling as he pats her on the head. being lifted by a tiny cyborg is a little uncomfortable and awkward, BUT HE DOESN'T CARE.*

TAKODA: 1 LOVE YOU TOO, TYRENA. }:)

TYRENA: -She sl0wly sets h1m back d0wn aga1n.- YEAH

TYRENA: 0KAY

TYRENA: UH, THANKS

TYRENA: -She backs 0ff a l1ttle b1t, grabb1ng the g1ft.-

TAKODA: *returns to land safe and sound... FOR NOW.*

TAKODA: YOU'RE WELCOME!

TAKODA: 1 HOPE YOU L1KE THEM.

TYRENA: -SN1FFLE- 1 W1LL D0 MY BEST T0 HUM0R Y0UR G00D 1NTENT10NS

TYRENA: 0KAY BYE

TYRENA: -She bas1cally just RUNS 0FF T0 L1STEN T0 TH1S 0 G0SH-

TAKODA: *waves after her. so cute... so small... so tsun... she deserves the world.*

[fatallycovert]

TYRENA: -Tyrena 1s lurk1ng. Th1s 1s k1nd 0f a usual pr0blem when l1v1ng 1n the same general bu1ld1ng as her-- she d0es n0t actually sleep, and whatever 1t 1s she eats, 1t d0esn't appear t0 be f00d. St1ll, she 1s 0nly s0mewhat less subtle than usual as she appears t0 be track1ng...-

TYRENA: -A M00DY G0TH QUEEN >:0-

RAJANI: -she's 0n her way t0 get f00d, finding that it's hard t0 c0ncentrate 0n an empty st0mach n0 matter h0w hard she wants t0 w0rk. she's been aware 0f tyrena f0ll0wing her, at least 0f s0me0ne d0ing s0.- y0u can sh0w y0urself n0w.

TYRENA: 1 AM GLAD THAT Y0U GAVE ME THE PERM1SS10N T0 D0 S0

TYRENA: AS EQUALLY SURPR1SED AS 1 WAS T0 F1ND Y0UR L1TTLE F00TPR1NTS LEAT1NG 0UT 0F Y0UR D0MA1N

TYRENA: TR1PP1NG AND TR0PP1NG AND PRANC1NG ALL THE WAY HERE!

TYRENA: W0ULD 1 BE WR0NG 1N PERHAPS F1ND1NG THAT Y0U ARE AWARE

TYRENA: 0F THE S1GN1F1CANCE 0F T0DAY?

RAJANI: yes, i am sure i was d0ing all 0f that. l0udly. because that is why i am the spymaster.

TYRENA: Y0U WERE TH0UGH!

RAJANI: y0u kn0w y0ur senses are heightened.

TYRENA: THEY WERE L1KE MAH0GANY CLAPS 0F THUNDER

TYRENA: 1T WAS GL0R10US >:)

RAJANI: n0, i d0n't kn0w the significance 0f t0day. i have l0st track 0f the day.

RAJANI: s0unds excepti0nal.

TYRENA: S0 1T W0ULD

TYRENA: HMM

TYRENA: -She sl1des r1ght up t0 her, well 1nt0 her pers0nal space. She w0uld appear t0 be star1ng at her thr0ugh her bl1ndf0lds.-

RAJANI: -rajani is unimpressed- h0w may i help y0u.

TYRENA: BY ACKN0WLEDG1NG THE DAY THAT 1T 1SN'T

TYRENA: PERHAPS Y0U C0ULD HELP A P00R, CR1PPLED, M1SERABLE AND HELPLESS BL1ND PERS0N

TYRENA: BUT ACC0RD1NG T0 0UR CALENDERS

TYRENA: Y0U SH0ULD BE ABLE T0 SEE

TYRENA: THE DAY 0F THE TWELFTH FR0M HERE

TYRENA: 1SN'T THAT R1GHT?

RAJANI: yes. i supp0se. i'm guessing y0u are an avid celebrat0ry participant 0f this h0liday.

TYRENA: AHAHA! N0PE

TYRENA: BUT Y0U ARE, N0W

TYRENA: -She steps back, 0nly t0 g1ve herself the armspace t0 sh0ve a package t0wards Rajan1.-

RAJANI: am i- 0h.

RAJANI: -l00ks d0wn at this package-

RAJANI: -DEEZ NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11-

TYRENA: Y0U 0PEN 1T

TYRENA: -1t's wrapped 1n br0wn paper.-

TYRENA: -U KN0W WHAT A BR0WN PACKAGE L00KS L1KE!!!!!!-

RAJANI: -she stares at tyrena f0r a m0ment and then unwraps the present sl0wly and carefully-

TYRENA: -she 1s st1ll lean1ng at her way t00 cl0se. Gr1nn1ng.-

RAJANI: -taking her time-

TYRENA: -1t's n0t really much t0 speak 0f. 1t's a h0rned lamb ab0ut the s1ze 0f a paperwe1ght, made 0f s0me k1nd 0f r0ck f0und 0n L0CAS. 1t's a dark, nearly-black c0l0r.-

RAJANI: -she stares at it f0r a m0ment- y0u're giving this t0 me?

TYRENA: N0, 1 WANTED Y0U T0 ELAB0RATELY DESCR1BE 1T T0 ME

TYRENA: BECAUSE THAT 1S MY TH1NG

TYRENA: SHEEP ARE MY TH1NG

TYRENA: 1 L0VE H0W THEY BREATHE F1RE

TYRENA: -she pushes the b0x cl0ser t0 her, 1ns1stently.

RAJANI: p0int taken.

RAJANI: -she stares at it again, she actually l0ves it but her expressi0n d0esn't change-

RAJANI: it's nice.

RAJANI: thank y0u.

TYRENA: YEAH, 0KAY >:P

TYRENA: 1T 1S N0T THE PER1GEE YET

TYRENA: S0 Y0U MAY PREVENT Y0UR GLANDS FR0M SWELL1NG W1TH SHEER SENT1MENTAL1TY

RAJANI: s0 i am supp0sed t0 thank y0u after?

TYRENA: UGH, 1 D0N'T KN0W

TYRENA: SURE, WHATEVER

TYRENA: Y0U'RE WELC0ME

TYRENA: BLUH BLUH

TYRENA: PUT 1T 0N Y0UR DESK WH1LE Y0U ARE 0RCHESTRAT1NG P0L1T1CAL C0UPS

RAJANI: that is exactly where i'll put it.

RAJANI: and exactly the circumstances.

TYRENA: HEHEHEHEHE

RAJANI: -she h0lds it in her hands, still l00king at it. h0w nice 0f tyrena-

RAJANI: i'm glad y0u enj0yed my j0ke.

TYRENA: AND THEN Y0U JUST ASSASS1NATED 1T!

TYRENA: THE J0KE 1S DEAD N0W, RAJAN1

TYRENA: Y0U K1LLED 1T

RAJANI: that's my j0b.

RAJANI: part 0f it.

TYRENA: HMM

TYRENA: THAT EXPLA1NS

TYRENA: EVERYTH1NG

TYRENA: -she l1ghtly headbutts her 1n the sh0ulder.- ST1LL G01NG T0 BE W0RK1NG, TH0UGH, HUH?

RAJANI: yes. my w0rk d0es n0t take a h0liday.

TYRENA: BLUH

TYRENA: 1 AM S0MEWHAT C0MPELLED T0 DENY Y0U TH1S

TYRENA: BUT

TYRENA: 1 AM N0T THAT STUP1D, ACTUALLY

RAJANI: i kn0w y0u are much smarter than that, yes.

TYRENA: WELL

TYRENA: THAT 1S G00D EN0UGH F0R ME, ANYWAYS

RAJANI: c0nsider this day celebrated t0 its full extent.

TYRENA: 0KAY, 0KAY

TYRENA: BUT HAVE Y0U C0NS1DERED THAT Y0U ST1LL HAVE N0T EATEN

TYRENA: AND 1 CAN HEAR Y0UR HEART

TYRENA: AND Y0UR L1FE S1GNS ARE SL1GHTLY ABN0RMAL

RAJANI: i was 0n my way t0 eat.

TYRENA: YES!

TYRENA: AND Y0U ARE G01NG T0 EAT S0METH1NG APPR0PR1ATE F0R THE TWELFTH

TYRENA: AND N0T S0ME TERR1BLE TH1NG 0UT 0F A BURR1T0 MACH1NE 0R S0METH1NG

RAJANI: and y0u are g0ing t0 prepare it f0r me, i assume.

TYRENA: N000

TYRENA: FUCK N0, G0D

TYRENA: 1 AM N0T TRY1NG T0 K1LL Y0U, SH1T

RAJANI: then y0u will direct me t0 h0liday appr0priate f00ds?

TYRENA: YES

TYRENA: 1, THE BL1ND PERS0N,

TYRENA: W1LL LEAD Y0U

TYRENA: -she l00ps her arm and attempts t0 br1ng her al0ng-

RAJANI: here we g0.

TYRENA: -THERE THEY G0-

TYRENA: -she's g01ng 0n an adventure f0r m1cr0waved left0vers and pastr1es and she 1s g01ng t0 make very sure she eats them-

RAJANI: -rude-

RAJANI: -she's f0ll0wing al0ng t0 hum0r her-