TOO MORTAL TO SEE... @the-nxlllinked-redoubt - Tumblr Blog

── .✦ ✦.── Falchion's feathers ruffled up upon the greeting being a grand interruption to their attempts of recollection- but it- too- served as the one thing that actually helped them REALLY recall the name they had been struggling to retrieve. Slingshot-- This was Slingshot. "A good few months since I've been out of my dormant state." The Deity-Bound Inphernal admitted, their tail twitching behind them as they approached the counter as to avoid standing right next to the exit. They were always nervous about leaving Sword without protection- but they had to prioritize themselves, too. Alamo was good at defending the apartment complex anyway, Falchion simply stressed about it no matter what. "Figured I'd see if anything's changed around Crossroads...I take it business has been going well around here?" They were taking longer pauses between sentences, clearly trying to uphold speaking in a more "natural" or otherwise normal manner around Crossroads rather than their whole...old habits Illumina had taught them. Their gaze kept wandering toward the various things around the cafe-- tables..the signs...Really taking in every detail to pinpoint what had possibly changed, even if there was nothing too different. ── .✦ ✦.──

"I bet it wasn't too bad to be dormant, though. I'd imagine it to kinda be like a big nap- waking back up well-rested and ready to face the Inpherno again. What I'd give for a months-long nap."

[ The Inphernal rested his face in his hands with a half-joking dreamy sigh, closing his eyes for a brief second before pushing himself back to an upright position. ]

"And ehhh- Business has been business. Same old, same old; same faces, same having to get after Shuriken for his atrocious customer service. I keep telling him! If he wants to keep working here, he has to at least PRETEND he wants to be here. His scowl's gonna scare off the crowd one of these days, I tell ya."

[ He let out a short snicker as his gaze wandered to Falchion with the readjustment of their wings, giving a light twitch of his ears and habitually tilting his head to the side. Whether or not it was one of genuine curiosity, or just an idle movement, it was hard to tell. ]

"Well, I've got a batch of fresh chocolate chip croissants I'm about to pull out of the oven, if you want one. On the house! My treat. Take it as my ‘welcome back’ gift, from one friend of Sword's to another."

[ Slingshot offered them a sharp-toothed smile as he pulled a pair of oven mitts out of one of his apron pockets, stepping through the door behind him into the back of the cafe with a flick of his tail. When he reappeared with a small tray of the freshly-baked goods in tow, he went to the display case, opening the back panel to place the tray inside. ]

"Do you like chocolate, actually? I don't think I ever asked- ah, well. If you don't, feel free to pick something else off of the menu! I've baked enough today to double our inventory, haha."

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #and in our eyes you'll stay ; phighting #My heart remembers. Your names. My friends. Stay with me. - ⚔️🔮#user ; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.── "Thou wishes it were as unadorned as that." Their gleaming eyes drew to a close as they shook their head in speaking. Truly, if only it were so simple...Maybe it wouldn't be such a source of fear when the time approached. To Falchion, It were almost like heading into a second life. One of strife; familiarity in the rigorous cycle to keep their battle-oriented mind sharp for when they returned to the waking world. ...If only it could be like what Slingshot viewed it like. "Shuriken...they are waspish as usual, it sounds." She idly commented on the other's usual behavior. It was no stranger to the way that one behaved...Hearing about their antics was like listening to the gossip of their own militaristic peers; knowing one acted out of line behind the scenes; where they would not be able to be easily reprimanded

"Much unlike my crimson peer; I am quite fond of chocolate, rather." Falchion's tail tip lightly twitched- a slight show of emotion in their otherwise monotonous nature. An obedience wired into them from years of training amongst others. "Furthermore, I'll take you up on the recommendation." The Feathered Inphernal paused to reach into a bag they were carrying- One similar to the pouch Sword would carry, simply slightly larger and more ornate in design- resembling the deity Falchion served; Illumina. They fished out a total that'd cover the approximate price of the croissant, placing it on the counter near the register. "I do see purpose in funding you for your service, regardless. It is only right." She shrugged, her wings lightly fluffing out behind her as she moved an armored hand to brush a few feathers back in line with the rest. The eyes on the wings seeming to look aimlessly about. Could she see through those??- Who knows...That information wasn't exactly openly given by Falchion.

── .✦ ✦.──

the-bloodfxrge-reliquary

──── ୨୧ ────

Callo was admittedly a little surprised, it wasn't often he was the one to receive a hug offer, as he was typically the one giving them. But he accepted nonetheless. All four arms wrapped around BoomBox, squeezing slightly as he knelt to be at an easier height for the other to reach.

"I just- I get scared. I'm sorry." He apologized once more. He savored the moment, as this felt... rare. A moment where both parties could just be. He listened, his nerves calming. The difference was visual even, as his second pair of arms smoothed out from being puffed up like a spooked cat. "I trust you... and- if you feel a spiral, as id said earlier, you know where to find me. Ill- Ill always listen if that's what you need!"

"You're gonna have to fix my wall though.."

── .✦ ✦.── "...I'll work on that," Boombox briskly admitted, having briefly forgot about the whole horns into wall issue that had literally just happened. Too much going on- No processing-- just like usual. "....I should probably also invest in getting some kind of mats to put around the place in the event this happens again . . ." "I'll try to work on ... not ... resorting to such things though. I realize these places are not designed with that concern in mind.." ...Damn, this sucked. All this time- he thought he had the code cracked- but nope. This just proved that he- in fact- did not figure out how to fully halt that habit despite the past few years of practicing. This shit is so ass.

── .✦ ✦.──

[ It seemed those two had forgotten they didn't live alone, even for a few moments. They weren't just a humble duo of blue and green residing within these walls. They knew it well, but maybe it slipped their minds in those moments of high intensity; there was a third to their group. One to bring chaos to the mundanity of their lives. ]

[ Architect had been going about his usual business in his room, attempting to program a new exploit into the GUI, when the ramming of something against the wall made the various items on his desk shudder. His gaze wandered over them for a moment, his brow creasing in confusion, before he used a taloned foot to propel himself away from the desk in his spinny chair. His jacket laid hastily discarded at the foot of his bed, revealing more of the black and red corruption staining the right side of his body as he reached for the door handle. Was he particularly concerned? No. Far from it, he could give less of a shit about these two. But... He wanted to make sure they didn't, like. Blow something up or some shit. He wouldn't put it past either of them, truth be told. ]

"Y0u guys g00d 0ut here? Th0ught 1 heard s0meth1ng expl0de 0r s0me sh1t."

[ The exploiter's gaze flicked between Calloway and Boombox for a moment before his gaze landed on the dent in the wall, drifting back to the crumbs of white littered on Boombox's head. ...Yeah, no, he shouldn't be surprised by this. ]

"The 1nphernal 1nst1ncts get the better 0f y0u, [ Boombox ]? We sh0uld get y0u s0me p00l n00dles 0r s0meth1ng t0 put 0ver y0ur h0rns- d0n't want 'em gett1ng damaged, d0 we?"

[ He remarked, a light sarcasm to his words as he summoned a panel of the GUI in front of him. A few taps later, and the dent of the wall was patched over with a panel of black and red, one that Architect quickly reprogrammed to blend seamlessly into the wall. He let his gaze linger on it for a few beats before flicking back to Calloway, offering him a sharp-toothed grin. ]

"Let's n0t be expl0d1ng the 0ne place wh0ever-the-fuck gave us t0 stay 1n, yeah? Leave that stuff t0 me."

the-bloodfxrge-reliquary

──── ୨୧ ────

"Pool noodles..." A gloved hand cupped over the bakers mouth as he tried his absolute best to not laugh... but he still broke out in a fit of giggles. "No.. no... Nobody's gonna be blowing up anything inside the apartment!" His tone was light, not really scolding, but that tone adults get when a kid does something bad but funny.

Callo took a moment to observe, calming from his giggling and now looking between his two friends and the now fixed wall. He didnt quite know what to say, what to do, especially not how to feel. Happy that things were calming down? Amused by Architects comments? Guilt over causing Jades outburst..? He looked back over at the pastries on the counter island... they'd probably just taste bitter to him right now.

"Well. I made snickerdoodles and madalines for when you both want them! I think. Im going to go to my room. Knock if you need me, pals!" Calloway smiled down at the two, before sidestepping to flee the kitchen.

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #past their promises ; crossovers #realize we've been living as slaves ; fandomless #so i'm following the map that leads to you ; rgb trio #Do you receive my echo ; 💚🎶#user ; the-bloodfxrge-reliquary #user; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.── "It'd be like what Windforce had done for Banhammer..." Albeit, Boombox did NOT add the rest of the sentence he had in his mind. Windforce had that done for him, too- when he was back in Splintered Skies- ..his old pronged horns were a danger up there. Nowadays, Boombox kept his horns carved to be a specific way. He wanted to be himself- He wanted to be Boombox, not some Splintered Skies military member. The Inphernal moved to pick up the ring that had been dislodged from his horn, keeping it in his hand- He'd rather put it back on after he checked his horns again. Made sure they weren't...regrowing the prongs. If he didn't use his horns as a means of expression, he would've long had custom covers made to cover the upper half of his horns.

"Let's...not get too destructive. Archie, you should check what Cal made for us- They're pretty good." The Inphernal didn't seem to go over-the-top with his words, almost as if he were deliberately trying to avoid doing so. He wasn't wanting to make Architect uncomfortable with his usual upbeat demeanor. The same masking that'd kept him alive over the years in the Inpherno; But repurposed. Afterward, Boombox circled back to settle in the nearby Living Room, keen on giving Calloway space- but not wanting to hide away from everyone.

── .✦ ✦.──

nacora-najita

PHIL.C DROPPED AN UPDATED VERSION OF BLOODY DEVASTATION WITH A NEW LYRICS PART!!!!!!!

also the cover art is so mwuah

#waiting in the ink ; ooc #WE ARE SOOO BACK #MY OBSESSION WITH THIS SONG IS ABOUT TO TAKE RIGHT BACK OFF #(probably)

── .✦ ✦.──

Upon hearing the vocalization that hadn't been stopped, Rover's gaze whipped toward where it had come from. The only things that hadn't stopped moving when Rover chose to pause was the rattling of their tail- like that of a Rattlesnake's mannerism, merely more like that of a clattering in sound and the constant adjustment of their ears. It did not take too long for them to place a clawed hand along the door and peer in Tourist's direction, the white dot in the midst of their otherwise ebony pupil seeming to blur into a line with how fast their focus adjusted. ...That wasn't a Lapse. That was another individual. Not one Rover recognized, but recognizable enough to know that they weren't some kind of threat off the bat. ...One that could be monitored to take notes of, though. With that assessment made, Rover only stifled a quiet growl, turning away and beginning to investigate the room-- The desks, the lights; Everything about that might harbor something useful. Their tail, now lowered, dragged along the floor with its usual clatter as bones resisted the drag of another surface.

[ The entity instinctively squinted their eyes shut when they saw Rover peek their head into the room, deciding they'd rather not look death in the eyes — but the expected end never arrived, shadowed-over eyes opening and flicking to the other, who'd already begun to wander. It seemed like they were searching too...? ]

[ Tourist reached to pull their bag open as they sat back on the ground, crisscrossing their legs as they watched the entity in silence. Making sure to keep their movements slow, they reached into their bag, pulling out a bottle of vitamins — they were already up to three, they didn't mind the loss — and setting it out on the floor in front of them. ]

"You, uh— You looking for one of these? Something useful?"

[ They asked, their gaze lifting back to Rover. They were out of their mind for assuming it could understand them, but it was worth a shot, wasn't it? ]

[ Besides, something about them sat a little too close to their heart. They were just a little too familiar. They couldn't bring themself to be sharp and bitter with this one like they did all the others, even if they wanted to. ]

"These are vitamins. They, uh... They give you speed. It only lasts for about 10 seconds, but—" [ Tourist rubbed the back of their neck with a gloved hand as they spoke, never letting their gaze stray from Rover. They attempted to give a short smile, but it came off forced— probably from how damn fast their heart was racing. If this guy had been like Figure... They'd have been LONG dead by now. ] "They're good for chases. Stuff where you need speed, y'know..."

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #between you and me. it's only getting worse ;🔥💔#user; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.── Rover merely watched the other's movements- The way they sat, the actions taken to take the object from the bag...Every bit of their body language was studied with a sharp gaze. The Sinner kept a keen focus on the brown and tan bottle when it came into view, not budging from where they were standing near statue-like after locking onto Tourist again.

Once the Vitamins were left alone on the floor, Rover slunk a few paces closer- bit by bit- like an animal approaching an unfamiliar object. Sharpened claws hooked the round container as it was flicked into their hand, being firmly held to avoid dropping it. Rover stood idle in front of Tourist afterward, remaining there as their tail kept sporadically twitching behind them. They then dipped their head to Tourist before turning away. It didn't seem that Rover used words. Maybe they couldn't? Didn't know in general? Lost the ability to a point where trying to speak would be uncomfortable? Maybe in realization- or maybe just mere manners, Rover turned back around and walked back over to Tourist, offering out a hand- with the fingertips curled inward to avoid risking any puncture or scratching with their claws. ...trying to imply they weren't meaning any harm? They already hadn't shown any aggression this entire time.. They uhh... Didn't...know the place. They were trying to be friendly in hopes that Tourist would...keep going...and they'd just- tag along...

── .✦ ✦.──

[ Another slow, rainy day in the Crossroads, the lack of foot traffic at the cafe making each moment seemingly drag on infinitely longer. The phighter didn't particularly mind the silence, sure, but it was strange without someone to talk to. Shuriken was back at the Den, Vinestaff had been roped into a Phight and wouldn't be back for a little while- the silence was leaving him buzzing with a need for conversation. He'd wiped down every available surface tenfold, and that wasn't even mentioning the baking he'd been doing! He'd practically doubled their stock within the last few hours. Honestly, he was considering closing early at this point. ]

[ Leaning against the counter behind the register, Slingshot idly hummed a light tune to himself, drumming his fingertips against the counter as his tail swayed lazily behind him. Noticing the smudges his hand had left behind on the counter, he scowled, adjusting to grab the washcloth out of his apron pocket before a sound caught him short. What sounded like splashing from outside, alongside a voice- voices?- maybe even laughter. The fox set the cloth down over the smudges, his eyes locked on the door as one hand hovered open behind the counter, light blue sparks crackling between his fingertips. ]

⚙ // you know the drill by now - pick a phighter, any phighter! come bother slingshot :]

── .✦ ✦.── Perhaps having been observing prior, or perhaps not...a bit after those voices faded, someone did happen to venture into the cafe. Adorned in purple armor, their blue and purple horns glittered from the light given off by a signature ring around their rightmost horn, which also seemed to be longer than their left-sided one. The individual peered toward Slingshot, neon white eyes unblinking for but a moment before they raised an armored hand in a subtle wave greeting to the other- a lesser version of what Sword would do, when he did tail the others to the place. Four wings folded shut behind them as they entered, the larger of the two being tucked tight to their body as means of allowing the second pair of wings to hide the eyes present on their larger pair. They had no need to be checking behind them here...right? Nothing would likely show up. Albeit, words never came from them. This individual didn't happen to immediately recognize Slingshot and was having to run through what Sword had told them about the more commonly seen Inphernals around Crossroads. ...just give them a second, taking a several months' break worth of time messed with the memory a bit. ── .✦ ✦.── //AND BOTHER SLINGSHOT I WILL. /silly

[ To say that the other didn't spook him a bit wouldn't entirely be a lie. He half expected Boombox, maybe Sword or Rocket or another Crossroader. But that didn't mean he didn't appreciate them visiting! He enjoyed getting some new faces around from time to time. He was fairly certain be recognized them from seeing them with Sword a few times; he'd introduced them, hadn't he? ]

"Falchion! Long time no see!"

[ Slingshot returned the wave with a smile. The greeting was bright; not overly so, but clear enough for him to seem friendly. That was his goal. The cafe was meant to be a friendly place; what good would that do if the person running it was a grouch? Not that he could say his brother put in half the effort towards that as he did... ]

"How've you been?? Feels like it's been months since I last saw you around here! Probably has been, honestly, I haven't had much of a chance to keep track, haha-"

[ The chuckle was sheepish as he let his arms rest against the counter once more, bracing his weight against it as his tail drifted lazily behind him in a content sway. The sparks had faded from his fingers the second he recognized the other, but he could still feel the readiness of his gear pressing against his fingertips, ready to summon at a moment's notice. He didn't need to be on guard around Falchion; they were good. He knew that. ]

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #and in our eyes you'll stay ; phighting #My heart remembers. Your names. My friends. Stay with me. - ⚔️🔮#user ; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.── Darkened Green Halls surrounded the area; The pitch black environment almost served as a cloak aside from pinpoint white dots flicking around, a red crack splitting through the upper torso. Once, a red line spanned to the neverending sky, but now...it merely idly drifted around the figure; gleaming brightly now that it had nowhere to be "linked." As the darkness gave way, Rover strode through another door, horns being scratched against the frame deliberately to rub off what seemed to be scales. A long, whip-like skeletal tail rattled behind them. Circular pupils whipped around, red cracks running through the rightmost eye; albeit lacking a tendril like the torso did. They weren't sure why they were here rather than trying to outpace DISGRACE, But...it was deeply unsettling. Wasn't this where Sinner was meant to be roaming? Not him?? Rover could only give a growl in response, shaking out their partially skeletal body. The ribcage around the cracks, Lower Left arm; partially into the hand... Their right leg hadn't been spared either, even some of their horns had acquired prongs. They pinned their ears back, continuing to slowly stalk through the doors paving the way- like their original self would have done-- hoping to discover SOME form of guidance...SOMETHING that'd get them through this...because they sure didn't know what to do other than wander. ── .✦ ✦.── //Whatever, go my rOT Sinner. /silly

[ Doing this again. Another death, another dousing in blue light with that same stagnant advice that stopped helping ages ago, another cycle opened by that familiar elevator theme. No matter how many times they heard it, they couldn't bring themself to mind it. It was a reassurance, a little nudge to keep them thinking optimistically. Maybe they'd make it further this time. Maybe they'd make it out this time. ]

[ ...Tch. As if. ]

[ Tourist slipped their hands casually into their pockets as they wandered, occasionally stopping to peek into a side room or sift through some of the drawers of a desk or two. They were in no particular rush, as there was no timer here; they'd learned that much long ago. The others had timers on their heads- especially Sinner- but them? They had all the time they needed, all the time they could ever want or hope for. It never put them in any particular rush unless absolutely necessary. The being also made no particular effort to rifle through every drawer they came across, as they could already feel their pockets growing heavy with the weight of coins. ]

[ The unfamiliar growl from the next room made their hand pause just as they were reaching for a drawer handle. Their attention sharpened to a point, needle-sharp and aimed for the next doorway. Door 032. They'd run into Rush twice already, Screech once, and narrowly avoided an encounter with Giggles. They should've been running into Seek, or his eyes, at least, within the next five or so doors. ]

[ But that snarl was nothing like Seek. It was unfamiliar, unlike any entity lingering within the Hotel's walls. It made the hairs on their neck stand on end as Tourist slowly righted themself, approaching the door with utmost caution and reaching for the handle. ]

[ The alarmed sound escaped them before they could bite their tongue to suppress it, clapping their hands over their mouth and moving back behind the shelter of the wall. Out of its sight. They instinctively dropped low, their eyes staying glued onto the doorframe, which still hung open wide- why did it look like Figure? Better yet, what was it? Chances were solid it wouldn't be of any help here, let alone in telling them what in the Architects it was unless they died. Which... They didn't intend on doing. ]

[ Focus. It looks like Figure- Chances are solid it has the same methods, then. Blind, but impeccable hearing. Stay low. Stay silent. Get around. Then you can pretend you never saw this... whatever it is. You can drill Light about it when you die. ]

⚙️ // OBOI.

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #between you and me. it's only getting worse ;🔥💔#user; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.──

⚙ // you know the drill by now - pick a phighter, any phighter! come bother slingshot :]

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #and in our eyes you'll stay ; phighting #My heart remembers. Your names. My friends. Stay with me. - ⚔️🔮#user ; the-respxwn-registry

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

A teen Robloxian wanders through the black site... Half their face covered by a bandana, and their leg is kinda messed up from one of the turrets P.AI.NTER had used earlier, but the kid continues to walk on it, even if it hurts to do so... Until they finally arrive in the room where Painter is at [moreso the section right before entering P.AI.NTER's room, like the one with the turret or the one with a ton of server rooms in HC] and they just... Stop, they get in a PSS and take a seat, waiting

── .✦ ✦.── The turrets guarding the proximity idly hummed as they whisked to and fro, guided by none other than the robotic individual behind them. It was times like this they wished they were still their old computer-isolate self, but...no. That wasn't reality for them anymore. p.AI.nter stifled a growl under their 'breath'- or, in their sense- quietly from speakers along their form as they kept their focus on the systems binding them to much of the Blacksite. Their cybernetic form was a blessing a curse, allowing them to move...yes, but still confined to the tiny little room that had held them for years on end- or so they assumed, they stopped looking. Stopped Checking- caring-- the days blurred together painfully. Angrily sitting up against a wall and pouting, p.AI.nter whisked through the various sights of the turrets, hoping-- waiting for something to step out into the line of sight once more. ...Maybe they'd see that ebony creature again- It's wide googly-looking eyes was a bit amusing. Too bad it was too fast to really accurately hit most of the time. Target practice, though.. ── .✦ ✦.──

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

── .✦ ✦.── ...Oh great, more of them...More of these unique individuals...How many more would there be..? p.AI.nter emitted this groan, clambering up from where they were sitting against the wall. Metallic limbs supporting their robotic form clanked against the floor as they ventured to the metal 'netting' keeping them in. They stared, drawn face constantly jittering around in usual drawn fashion. They merely looked annoyed. "What's it to you?" They growled out, ball-jointed fingers grasping at the 'netting', metal scraping against metal as they seemingly glared this new individual down. For all he knew, This was as much of an enemy as EVERYTHING else was...which meant danger. ── .✦ ✦.──

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

Dug (the teen robloxian) slumps himself against one of the servers in the room, he's visibly shaking... He's still injury, he can barely walk because of his leg having been majorly injured by one of P.AI.nter's turrets, but he knows that death isn't the end, he will have to come back down here, and he's scared of it, he's scared of the pain of death again.

── .✦ ✦.──

p.AI.nter wasn't oblivious, their focus turning to the wound. That was obviously from the turrets- After all, they were the ones behind it. To say they felt remorse would be a partial lie- This was just what they were growing used to with time. They still felt bad, but they'd learned it was either their survival or their death- and it was their call to make. The Robotic Computer system groaned- dramatically too. Hypothetically, they could get any of these individuals to free them and that'd be the end of it- They'd have some means of fighting back. ...But that was too simple. They were smarter than that. A simple option would never work... p.AI.nter merely crossed their arms, seemingly thinking things over. The face on their screen was dismissed in favor of showing off a landscape. It was a classic for them- this cliff overlooking an ocean with a sunset behind it. They always came back to that one scene, as if it was something they longed for. They could draw anything else- a rainfall, an ocean in itself, a rocky overhang- But they always came back to this one sunset view. ── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

── .✦ ✦.── "Trying to recall what I can't see anymore. It's some kind of relief in this underwater hellscape." p.AI.nter sharply retorted, seeming to falter for a moment after such a response, but immediately making it priority to ignore such hesitation. They needed to be like this in order to survive, why was it sometimes hard to stick to? Given their screen was occupied by the painting, p.AI.nter was taking the chance to focus on the various attributes of this individual speaking to them- even if they kept winding up studying the wound. If this one proved to be a threat, They knew where to aim in order to save themselves. ...but p.AI.nter doubted this one would try something that reckless when they were already wounded... or so they hoped. ── .✦ ✦.──

Duh forces himself to his feet, putting pressure on the wounded leg as he starts looking nearby for the keycard... As he'd rather open the door for painter using a keycard rather then a code breacher... But he was gonna get painter out of there... He wants to see that beautiful sunset for the first time, he WILL see it.

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

── .✦ ✦.── "...You do realize the simplest methods tend to never work out, right? Do you even have a plan to get us OUT of here?" p.AI.nter's expression returned as the drawing was toggled away- likely by layer. He was giving Dug a deadpan stare- there was likely some confusion underlying all of that, though. "I'm-" p.AI.nter was genuinely trying to compute all of this. Why were they HELPING him? NONE of these others before would do that-- Excluding that abyssal mutant thing that had been spotted a few times...but that one never tended to succeed.. "You know what, maybe trying to further question or reason with you isn't going to go well..." They huffed. ── .✦ ✦.──

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

I... I'm pretty sure the shopkeeper... Was his name Sebastian? I don't remember... Like... Called a submarine to pick him up... I think he could get you on there too... As for me... Ill just have to tough it out and then hope I get to see the sunset... It seems so pretty... I'm sad Ive never seen one...

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter was silent. Staring. Almost like he intended to say something, but never went through with the idea of what was being plotted. Words were never used, he was just silent. Sebastian... So this one also knew about them. Lovely. p.AI.nter wasn't sure what words to use here, and simply decided to discard any thought in favor of simply getting words out. "...You didn't decide to attack me, so I feel I at least have to owe you cooperation." p.AI.nter begrudgingly growled out, looking elsewhere in frustration. ...He should've just ran off to go find Sebastian or something...but he didn't. Was there some kind of obligation? Maybe it was a giant scheme of its own. Whatever the case, p.AI.nter wasn't showing any hostility, merely...judgement. The Robotic Computer merely stayed put, waiting. ── .✦ ✦.──

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Dug continues to stand despite his wounded leg... It's not even covered properly. It's just the suit having been put over the injury to cover it up... No bandages, no disinfection... No nothin. It's practically begging to cause issues, but dug is smiling a bit, even through the wounded leg, even through being half blind, seeing that drawing of the sunset has put a newfound hope in dug... To see the sunset for the first time.

── .✦ ✦.── "Hhhhhggg....Fiineee." p.AI.nter acted irritated about such a case. In reality, he had no complaints, he was just being dramatic in order to be dramatic. They were upset that they were stuck in a situation like this because running off alone would likely get them in more trouble than they could afford to be in. "...and maybe hope he has something to deal with your injury, That's NOT going to help us-- or-- you- at all." They added sharply, seemingly squinting at Dug through the drawn face on the monitor. ── .✦ ✦.──

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.── "...Consider it...habit. I was never fond of foreign individuals around here- Expendables, that is. ...I don't know if I should call you one of those, though. You've already proven to be a little different." p.AI.nter did not sound happy at all with how these words were projected- all with a mildly irritated tone to it. "Add that we share a common goal into that, I guess." ...p.AI.nter, buddy...Get yo shit together.

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter eyes the other's movements, noting how they seemed keen on using the bandana to bandage their leg to a degree. Upon also noting they chose not to do such, p.AI.nter stayed silent. They were about to tell the other to not do that, anyway, so it worked out. "...I'll make sure Sebastian has one- or if he doesn't, I'll go find one." They huffed, idly picking up their pace a little in order to be a bit closer to Dug rather than straying like...3 feet away- behind. ... How did they always find themselves in these weird situations again-- p.AI.nter STILL couldn't fully accept that this was very real and that this was- in fact- happening. ── .✦ ✦.──

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

── .✦ ✦.── "...You know how weird it is to go from being the one who caused that wound in your leg to suddenly being some kind of inspiration for you, right? I cannot be the only one thinking about that." They retorted- not really harshly, but...kind of in a concerned manner. p.AI.nter circled back around only to rummage around a drawer- Nothing. Damn. Even they seemed to be a bit unlucky. Then again, finding anything in the Blacksite was already low chances as is. They'd be lucky to find a flashlight if anything... ── .✦ ✦.──

Oh you were operating the turrets? I... Didnt know that actually. I just kinda assumed it was the defense system going haywire from all the water having come into the facility, it's bound to cause issues...

── .✦ ✦.── "...Yeah, no. Those are my doing." p.AI.nter remarked, diverting away from Dug again only to survey another few drawers. Only some folders and papers which p.AI.nter snatched up-- Anger towards Urbanshade, it only felt right to take what was theirs when they were taking what was his. "If they were going haywire, they'd...probably be out of ammo by now with how much they would be misfiring. That's my take, at least, I don't actually know what would happen. Urbanshade's creations are unpredictable." p.AI.nter paused to glare behind themselves, portraying a squinting face before turning back around to join Dug's side again, returning to their usual agitated face. ── .✦ ✦.──

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

── .✦ ✦.── "Isn't that what tends to occur before something flies on through here? That's what I've noticed through the turret cameras, at least..." p.AI.nter was making a guess- one they assumed was right, but only questioned this as they moved to follow the other, their antennae folding down in order to make them less visible- and not to mention to lessen the risk of some kind of sound rebound- That's...what they recalled those anglers doing, anyway. They usually didn't have a reason to care about that. They really did now. ...Maybe paying attention in the past was a better idea-- Too late now. ── .✦ ✦.──

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

── .✦ ✦.── Haha !! oh no!! p.AI.nter knew about THAT one...He was usually behind trying to get it to go to specific places upon request- how ironic that he got to meet it face to face now... This was NOT going to be fun. p.AI.nter only nervously glanced towards Dug, hardly moving- but enough to make that expression drawn onto his monitor clear enough. ...Okay- it was just staying still and staying quiet-- They could !! do that!! ...and hope...which they were also doing- silently while waiting. p.AI.nter also made the extra effort to sort of shut off anything that would be lit up- such as their monitor screen and other various little lights around their form. maybe them acting further deactivated would be useful. It was worth a shot. They'd rather survive this. ── .✦ ✦.──

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter promptly lit back up after noting the thumbs up, moving to get back up as they navigated out of the safe spot. Their antennae flipped back to be angled horizontally upwards as they waited for Dug to join them. They silently hated how this newer individual was beginning to grow on them-- How was it they were becoming okay with sticking with what was basically an Expendable? "Is it because of those...plant things or- whatever they are? I don't know what they're called-- Never had a reason to care." ── .✦ ✦.──

Nah... It's actually because of eyefestation, they're stupidly hard to deal with in those rooms... And I know they're called the "Devine" which is a dumb pun... But what makes them so holy? They arnt even related to any kind of angelic figure, they look like normal Robloxians.

My personal favorite type of room is actually the uh... Oh right! Administration rooms, they're comfy, have books, have sea bunnies, and also... Plenty of PSS's to boot! Meaning it's really safe, unfortunately it makes wall dwellers harder to detect...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter paused and whipped around at the mention of company- on top of Dug very much looking BEHIND them. ...One could say it was the equivalent of 'and I looked at him', 'and he looked at me'. They were just STARING at that very much out of place THING. ...Well wasn't this just peachy... "...sooo what should we do about ... that..." p.AI.nter awkwardly inquired, not looking away from what was likely something that would attack if given the opportunity.

── .✦ ✦.──

If we stare at it long enough itll go away. They also dont like being shined with light, found that out in a previous run. Best case scenario an angler comes through and kills it.

Dug continues to stare at the thing, making sure it doesnt move... Then after like 2 strait minute of dug looking, the wall dweller screams at dug and P.AI.nter and runs away

Annoying things... I'm kinda lucky I caught that one, those things are hard to detect...

//sorry I took so long to respond I fell asleep ^^

── .✦ ✦.── "Theoretically means that if we run into one while in a turret room, I'd be able to deal with it." p.AI.nter idly voiced their thoughts out loud, their line of sight following that of the Wall Dweller until it was out of general sight. They then turned to continue heading the original way they'd been walking prior, occasionally checking to make sure the Dweller wasn't like...trying to fake them out somehow. Were they even that smart-- p.AI.nter doubted that. "Good move on your part, I guess." ...Clearly, p.AI.nter wasn't wanting to admit Dug was relatively decent at surviving around here- unlike some other expendables they'd encountered over their time here.

── .✦ ✦.── //Nws nws!

Good idea to double check, they can sometimes try to catch you off guard by coming back.

Dug starts fiddling with the SPR-INT, occasionally poking himself with it, even if he isnt using it, just kinda fiddling with it as he walks through the rooms, before he takes a small detour to one of the side rooms, sitting on the couch against the wall

Come into the side room. Pinky is on the way.

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter, similarly, seemed to have picked up on something being off. Although, unlike their peer- They were clueless of what it was; oblivious that it was Pinkie's presence. Given their already unsettled nature, they opted to just follow along with what Dug was saying and trust it- Dug hadn't been wrong before, so why would that change now? They were silent, cautiously roaming the side room in favor of looking around for anything. They only found another SPR-INT and a lantern, nothing medically-honed. That pissed p.AI.nter off. They didn't vocalize this, merely placed both items down near Dug in the meantime; idly waiting until the coast was clear. Their expression reflected their irritation as boldly as ever as they peered out the doorway to observe, antennae flattening down like that of an animal's ears; too reflective of their emotions. ── .✦ ✦.──

Dug sits there, flinching when pinky gets close, the noise clearly being harsh on them, but they get up, grabbing the SPR-INT, but leaving the lantern behind as they get up

Alright... We should be alright... Unless you spotted a wall dweller we shouldn't take the lantern, it's honestly meh to me. I can navigate dark rooms fine without em, so I only really carry em if I think there's a wall dweller nearby

── .✦ ✦.── "Can't say I've picked up on anything other than that thing that's out of our way for now..." p.AI.nter stated as they strode out of the room, their antennae adjusting to stand upright as they scanned the area- cautiously rounding corners after encountering that one Wall Dweller, perhaps keen on seeing if they could get the ambush on one. Unlikely, But they felt the need to try. If there was a will, there was a way. "Might as well keep going." ── .✦ ✦.──

... We should get moving. And also... Unless an angler or pandemonium kills the wall dweller... The meat won't have it's intended effect. Itll just... Won't do anything, so it's not worth killing ourselves.

Dug stabs himself with the SPR-INT, but doesn't actually use it, then he puts it away and starts fiddling with some of the other things in his inventory (a code breached and an imaginary friend remote that he already used) as he continues, he knows they're close to Sebastian from the number on the door: 58

We're close to Sebastian's shop.

── .✦ ✦.── "I could try shooting them from behind, I do have connections to the defense system." p.AI.nter pitched the idea with sort of enthusiastic tone-- almost like this was something new to them and they were genuinely invested in trying it. In all seriousness, yes. He's never shot a wall dweller before- He rarely saw them to begin with, but this was a new case. New situation. "...and also, still no medkit- or whatever the other thing that looks like the SPR-INT is. I know it serves a similar purpose for the other Expendables I've seen, so I assume it'll help.." ── .✦ ✦.──

Good idea, if you kill a wall dweller like that a medkit won't even be needed. Itll just take the wall dweller chunk and time.

Dug stops for a second before looking at p.ai.nter

How close is the nearest turret?

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #had to keep moving. it's that or be ruined ; pressure #maybe I got mine. but you'll all get yours. ; 🎨#user ; robloxian-dug

── .✦ ✦.── p.AI.nter slowed their stride as their antennae flicked between various positions; lowered, normal and raised-- They repeated this cycle a few times to lock-in on any signal they could locate. "Six (6) rooms from here- forward. Seems like it's just one, though..." They looked a bit upset about this; disappointed. "Would've preferred two. Great." They grumbled to themselves in a more quiet manner. "The real test comes down to trying to bait one of those things into the turret's range while not getting further injured in the process." ...p.AI.nter was NOT keen on risking themselves, even if being in the room at the time made aiming a little easier on them, it also put them in more danger. They were about to complain about that too, but shut themselves up. ── .✦ ✦.──

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...

── .✦ ✦.──

If we stare at it long enough itll go away. They also dont like being shined with light, found that out in a previous run. Best case scenario an angler comes through and kills it.

Dug continues to stare at the thing, making sure it doesnt move... Then after like 2 strait minute of dug looking, the wall dweller screams at dug and P.AI.nter and runs away

Annoying things... I'm kinda lucky I caught that one, those things are hard to detect...

//sorry I took so long to respond I fell asleep ^^

── .✦ ✦.── //Nws nws!

Good idea to double check, they can sometimes try to catch you off guard by coming back.

Come into the side room. Pinky is on the way.

Dug sits there, flinching when pinky gets close, the noise clearly being harsh on them, but they get up, grabbing the SPR-INT, but leaving the lantern behind as they get up

We're close to Sebastian's shop.

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #had to keep moving. it's that or be ruined ; pressure #maybe I got mine. but you'll all get yours. ; 🎨#user ; robloxian-dug

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...

── .✦ ✦.──

If we stare at it long enough itll go away. They also dont like being shined with light, found that out in a previous run. Best case scenario an angler comes through and kills it.

Dug continues to stare at the thing, making sure it doesnt move... Then after like 2 strait minute of dug looking, the wall dweller screams at dug and P.AI.nter and runs away

Annoying things... I'm kinda lucky I caught that one, those things are hard to detect...

//sorry I took so long to respond I fell asleep ^^

── .✦ ✦.── //Nws nws!

Good idea to double check, they can sometimes try to catch you off guard by coming back.

Come into the side room. Pinky is on the way.

Dug sits there, flinching when pinky gets close, the noise clearly being harsh on them, but they get up, grabbing the SPR-INT, but leaving the lantern behind as they get up

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #had to keep moving. it's that or be ruined ; pressure #maybe I got mine. but you'll all get yours. ; 🎨#user ; robloxian-dug

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...

── .✦ ✦.──

If we stare at it long enough itll go away. They also dont like being shined with light, found that out in a previous run. Best case scenario an angler comes through and kills it.

Dug continues to stare at the thing, making sure it doesnt move... Then after like 2 strait minute of dug looking, the wall dweller screams at dug and P.AI.nter and runs away

Annoying things... I'm kinda lucky I caught that one, those things are hard to detect...

//sorry I took so long to respond I fell asleep ^^

── .✦ ✦.── //Nws nws!

Good idea to double check, they can sometimes try to catch you off guard by coming back.

Come into the side room. Pinky is on the way.

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #had to keep moving. it's that or be ruined ; pressure #maybe I got mine. but you'll all get yours. ; 🎨#user ; robloxian-dug

[For mayhem from grace]

A priest ascends, having just completed a run, having cleansed others, bumps into mayhem

Ah... My bad, didnt see ya there... You ok?

- @mayhem-grace

── .✦ ✦.── Unfortunately so- Mayhem had been BEELINING past with their usual breakneck pace, so this brief interruption kind of sent them tumbling over in a blur of white, black, and trace amounts of gold to the color range. Not unusual for them to have this happen to them, anyway. They were ... a bit chaotic.. The other's hat wound up flying from their form, they were quick to scramble to retrieve it, fixing it back on their head. It resembled that of a captain's hat in a way- though with more time motifs to its design such as a clockface pattern on the front. After retrieving their hat, they bolted back to the other. "Deepest apologies! I did not wound you, did I?" They briskly inquired, bowing to the other. ...They didn't seem inherently priest-like-- or anything like that...How peculiar. They were more like that of a ship's captain in looks.. Excluding the large butterfly wings with various golden patterns running through them- like that of a Monarch Butterfly.

── .✦ ✦.──

Eh I'm fine. Are you alright? I just came back from a run... I cleansed a bunch of souls... 14 I think? I'm a bit tuckered out... So I'm planning to go hang out by the fountain... What were you doin?

Mayhem's appearance seems nothing like a priest... They seem pretty much like some random dude with butterfly wings on their back and a hood...

── .✦ ✦.── "Geez, sounds rough!" Mayhem chimed, briefly rubbing their hand against their left eye, casting away a few loose petals from the flower growing in that area. Despite likely intending to be standing about, they were constantly pacing in what seemed to be a loose circle. They counted on their fingers, perhaps trying to recall just what they'd been doing, but kept running themselves into other random thoughts mid-attempt. The equivalent of trying to think about a random animal and then winding up questioning what some other person did an hour ago. That thought process wasn't sticking. They simply went about doing their role and...somehow succeeding, apparently. Likely by luck at this point, who knew. "We could go hang out by the fountain together, maybe!" ...Was that maybe meant to be the starter-- Whatever. Mayhem was just letting the words order themselves by now. "You must be another Mayhem, yeah? In that case, you can call me Gilded Flower-- Or just Gilded...Or Flower...or uhh-- Some call me Butterboy because of my wings being...Y'know-- Like a butterfly." ...and they're ... somehow... a Priest of some sort... Right... A unique case or something...If it works it works..?

Nice to meet you gilded, I'm just called mayhem... And I'm alright with hanging out by the fountain together. I just need a break for a while... Then I'm gonna cleanse more souls, maybe we could do a run together.

The many bound traits hang off mayhem's neck... There's so many it makes a whole ring around their neck... How do they cleanse so many souls with that many bound traits??

── .✦ ✦.── "Yeaaah...Doing this whole cleansing thing repeatedly gets either really numbing or really overwhelming.." Gilded flicked their hat back into place as it happened to fall a bit toward their face. They merely opted to match Mayhem's pace, even though they'd...just been basically skedaddling all over the place moments prior. Their slim furred tail whisked to and fro rapidly as they looked around the area. Despite how used to it they were, there was something about it that always got them energized- Like they could run another 50 runs of their duty and NOT get tired. ... Not that they seemed to get tired out anyway. Most of the time they were bouncin' off the walls like a hyperactive child- This was a mere time that they weren't... They seemed to eye the various bound traits for a moment, but never questioned it. ...That was not their cup of tea, they liked being able to worry about the real issues at hand. "...Oh, Right! Almost forgot-- I'd be glad to accompany you on your next set!" ── .✦ ✦.──

Mayhem stretches a bit, taking in a few minutes of calm, before getting up and petting the goobers that like to rest near the edge of his hood

You ready? Because I've taken the time I needed to recover from my last set... Just know... My sets are... A bit different, it more like "all or nothing" so either everything goes right... Or everything falls apart, it's hard to hit an inbetween on it.

── .✦ ✦.── "Sounds like my kind of fun." That was it, that was all Gilded said while standing there-- grinning, even. They were VERY clearly excited to finally not be alone in their endeavors because...wow. Providence wasn't...always the best at keeping up with them, so they were..usually on their own- Gilded was simply that fast compared to the rest of their usual group. "You take the lead, I'm right behind ya!" They chimed, immediately resuming trotting around the area while waiting for their peer to take the lead. ...Safe to say, the minute they're unleashed to take off- They'd be GONE. ── .✦ ✦.──

Alright... Lets move.

The second those words leave mayhem's mouth he's gone, he's high in the sky and going 50 studs a second at his pace, LOVE really has a wild effect on people who use too much of it... And within a few seconds, mayhem is at the next saferoom, ready to take off again.

── .✦ ✦.── "Oh FINALLY, Someone I can actually match pace with!" Yep, There it was. Gilded was DEFINITELY excited for this run, promptly taking off to shortly join Mayhem. They hadn't expected the other to launch off so suddenly-- That was even faster than Gilded themself! Upon landing next to the other in the saferoom, Gilded gave the other a nod-- waiting for when the doors opened in order to launch right through another sequence. Gilded's strategy was basically the equivalent of 'we ball'- They'd simply full send with speed and deal with anything that got in their way when it showed up. ... And it usually worked out for them...usually.

── .✦ ✦.──

The next saferoom's door opens... And suddenly mayhem's left eye is taken over by slight, a small annoyance... But whatever, they're as fast as ever, keeping the pace they had before... Maybe even a bit faster, the timer can barely hit 2:15 before mayhem is already through the safe room doors...

── .✦ ✦.── Gilded was keeping similar, which...happened to also result in a similar situation. Rather than an inability to obey what one of the entities would require, it was a matter of Gilded simply going TOO fast and...flying right into Heed. ...which took their right eye, unfortunately... Average Tuesday. Gilded stumbled because of the immediate headache and pain from such an instance-- and...also because that was...their only seeing eye, so they were basically blind. But routine was routine- Adaptations in mannerism happen with enough of these cases happening, so Gilded was able to make it into the next room with- a bit of a slowed pace, making them linger a good few seconds behind. "...Man." ...That's all they had to say about their predicament before just. opting to sit down out of irritation. Nother day, Nother instance of Gilded's speed being ruined because they were unfortunately lacking sight in the left eye thanks to the flower growth. Apparently, just an unlucky day for Gilded. ── .✦ ✦.── //THAAAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ROLL A NAT 1, GILDED!!

Mayhem sits down, and pulls out a glass bottle, which they throw at gilded to make heed go away, they'd still have to wait out slight themselves though...

Here. I hate heed... Ive gotta wait out slight... So that's gonna kill a ton of my steam... So after slight fucks off I'm gonna need some time to get back to full steam so we can keep moving, you alright with that?

── .✦ ✦.── "A-" Gilded was not anticipating such a thing to occur- then again, they often ran solo, so having some kind of help was...usually not a thing for them. They shook their head after their vision returned from Heed's influence, which was then followed by them looking around their coat for something. "...oh- So that's what that was. Hang on-- I think I can do the same for you-- I just need to...find it..." They managed to find a brick. Not just any brick. THE. B.R.I.C.K. ...Wonder who they got that from- Probably their own Sinner ally. Gilded promptly tossed it right at Mayhem. Like any sane individual in this place would do- all with the intent of banishing Slight- with the assumption it'd work out. ── .✦ ✦.──

They don't even flinch as it hits em, slight vanishes instantly

Oh, didnt know you carried one with ya too, what style is it? Mine's hover.

Mayhem gets up

You ready?

── .✦ ✦.──

"I...do not have a style on mine, A bit of a traditional kind of guy." Gilded shrugged, shaking their head again as they stood up as well, trotting toward the door that'd lead them forward. "Ready as ever though- ...aand hopefully I won't run into another Heed like that..." ── .✦ ✦.──

I just hope I dont get killed by one of my bound entities...

Mayhem gets up, and when the doors open, they're off! Gone like the wind, going 50 studs a second... But then... They fall, thait body missing it's head from litsny having caught the sinner off guard... Thankfully it wasn't one of their bound traits so the soul wasn't spoiled, but it definitely wasn't the best to have happen

── .✦ ✦.── Gilded kind of paused for a moment if only to observe this occurrence. They nearly smacked themselves into a wall in their intention to stop, but. wow. They had NOT expected that one... Knowing they couldn't just stay put, though, Gilded charged through the nearby door in order to pick their speed back up again- NARROWLY dodging Heed for the SECOND TIME in an effort to pause thanks to Dozer deciding to show up. "I guess it's personal." Gilded joked to themselves before resuming and making it to the next saferoom shortly after Dozer left them alone, in which they just stood there for a moment to kind of process everything that happened in a...very short time . . That was...something !!

── .✦ ✦.──

When they reach the next safe room mayhem is waiting, leaning against the wall

God damn litany... It was on sight, eh... At least it wasn't fool... That thing scares me when it snaps.

── .✦ ✦.── "We do not talk about Fool." Gilded slowly looked away, otherwise agreeing with Mayhem ... just in their own way. "...or Craven. Both of them scare me." They opted to turn back toward the other. "Doppel and I also have beef with each other." ...Wouldn't that imply-- Nevermind. Gilded was never one to think first, merely start saying stuff when it came to mind. They moved to stand near the platform to progress forth, merely waiting to allow Mayhem to do whatever they might need to do should they need a moment. ── .✦ ✦.──

Mayhem tosses their flashlight in the air for a bit before catching it

Hmm... Thats odd. I set my flashlight to be brighter, not reduced gravity while spinning... Whatever.

He gets on the platform, and he's off! He flies through the air with speed and chaos... Before arriving at the next saferoom

── .✦ ✦.── Gilded promptly tailed them, quietly snickering under their breath at the one thought that manifested upon spotting the flashlight ordeal. They opted to rebound off of a wall midway through to add onto their speed before shortly joining Mayhem in the following saferoom. ...Helicopter, Helicopter-- Okay. Gilded shook their head to clear away the thoughts before they started laughing again. They had to be serious here. They had saferooms to keep reaching- It was their whole thing. Their whole duty. ── .✦ ✦.──

Mayhem takes some heavy breaths

I... Think I ran myself out of steam... So I'm gonna head back up and to see a break... Maybe say hi to Genesis or something... You can keep going if you'd like though...

── .✦ ✦.── "...I'd...rather not test my luck." Or, in other words, Gilded was NOT about to keep testing their luck with Heed and Slight on this fine day. They took several steps away from the platform in favor of going the opposite way. "I'll just head back with you-- Even if we go our separate ways once we return." ...Their eye still hurt, anyway. They were not about to say anything about that, though. ── .✦ ✦.──

Yeesh... Slight and here's lasting effects are annoying... Even if removed with brick that just leaves you with the pain of being hit by a brick... Or whatever they make it look like, the worst one to get hit with is the dozshotgun... It's not fun. Also... I liked that, it was fun :]

── .✦ ✦.── "...A Sinner I know uses that, so I can immediately understand what kind of pain we're talking about." Gilded shuddered at the mere recollection. That had NOT been a fun realization to make, but at least they knew now. "...For me it's the headache and lingering pain from either Slight or Heed itself- I do NOT enjoy the burrowing feeling it leaves.." They added, briefly scratching around their right eye as if THAT would help. Obviously, it didn't. ── .✦ ✦.──

Wanna know something dumb I've learned helps? Smoking your quill, if positioned right it can act as a stress reliever, because it gives you that calmness of the doodles being around, but if you do it for too long the doodles sort of do a weird thing, normally having the quill in your mouth let's you pick and choose em, right? Well if ya leave it in the special position too long... It just ends up with the doodles trying to enter parts they shouldn't... I'm pretty sure an entity did it and threw up doodles for a bit... So it's best done in moderation, and only after heed or slight get ya.

── .✦ ✦.── "...Why haven't I thought of that? ALL this time and I STILL didn't think of something THAT simple! You're a GENIUS." Gilded moved in order to be hopping backwards one foot after the other in order to look toward Mayhem. "This could be GAMECHANGING."

...Did Gilded consider the potential dangers? Probably not- that's up for debate. At least they got the message though..???

── .✦ ✦.──

It could, but it's only really good for the pain from slight or heed... And maybe the brick at best. So it's not a "one size fits all" solution.

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #heaven says: you are in danger ; grace #take your time. take your time I'll hold ; 🧭✝️#user ; mayhem-grace

── .✦ ✦.── "...Damn." They almost seemed like they were going to pout, but rather...never did, only kept that mildly upset and clearly disappointed look for a moment. Gilded removed their hat in order to let their branch-like horns unfold thanks to their more flexible nature. "Well, better than nothing. Could've been that it didn't work at all." ── .✦ ✦.──

── .✦ ✦.── "Anythin' could've happened, Matt. Y'never know what coulda caused it to suddenly decide it wanted to go awry on us." The admin idly replied as they flipped the pen over in the air through the means of rotation tools. "It did its job, and- like most things- ran into some kind of error. That's how things tend ta' go." While outwardly calm about this whole thing, Builderman's stance on the situation remained. He wanted to be reassuring, but how could he REALLY assure others when he- himself- was quietly panicking...? "I trust we'll figure it out- together, as we all have done before. Stay safe out there, Matt, and I mean that. The last thing we need happenin' is, well, something happening to us." He flipped the pen around once more before letting it drop into his hand as he placed it back down on the desk, all without looking away from Dusekkar. ... It would be a lie..if he tried to say he wasn't terrified.

── .✦ ✦.──

"I... suppose you are right. There is no such thing as true perfection, let alone in instances such as programming. The system itself bears flaws... As much as we may find ourselves wishing it were not so, at times."

[ He brushed a hand over the wooden swirl of his staff as he spoke, letting his fingers trace the familiar carvings as a sideways attempt at grounding himself a bit further. His partner was right, he knew he was. They would figure it out. They always did. Even if it didn't seem so in certain moments... they'd fix it. ]

[ Dusekkar moved towards the door with that, letting his gaze linger on the admin for a few beats longer as he pressed his hand to the cold metal of the handle. Though not as versed in it as the other, he attempted to match his demeanor to Builderman's, offering him a gentle smile. It was noticeable how tight the expression was pulled by what lay beneath it, though. ]

"You as well, David. Please... Take care. Especially now. We know not if we admins are susceptible to this."

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #realize we've been living as slaves ; fandomless #you think you run the show. we're stronger than you'll ever know. ; 🛠️#user ; the-respxwn-registry

── .✦ ✦.── Builderman seemed to remain in silence for several minutes- not because he was intending to draw anything out or otherwise seem unwilling to respond, but...because he just wasn't sure what to say. He didn't...like the words being used- The idea that even the admins were at risk was something he'd been considering- but didn't want to face. He didn't want something to go awry. Didn't want anyone else to be hurt in this fiasco. Enough had been lost. More than enough, even-- Losing even so much as one innocent life in the fray already drove a blade through his gilded core. The admin placed his hands on his desk as if he were intending to search for something- even if there was nothing he could search for that'd be worthwhile in this case. There wasn't any info for him to scour for. It was yet to arrive- if it'd ever arrive at all.

Not unless he went out there to survey everything in real time- which was too risky of a move. ...it pissed him off to know that. What good was any of this if he couldn't get directly involved- but that was a less rational half of him speaking. One he couldn't act on. When not observed by another, Builderman's hidden demeanor would go into full play. One of anxiety, willpower and anger at being unable to immediately help. Why is it he had to always sit back and watch these things happen? Had to stay in the backlines because he couldn't do anything due to a lack of information? Technically, he could try to accompany Dusekkar, but the chances of being told 'no' were already high enough... He could only let out a sigh- not of relief, but of acceptance. If things went to shit...He'd just have to accept the circumstances and work with them to get through the worst.

── .✦ ✦.──

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...

── .✦ ✦.──

If we stare at it long enough itll go away. They also dont like being shined with light, found that out in a previous run. Best case scenario an angler comes through and kills it.

Dug continues to stare at the thing, making sure it doesnt move... Then after like 2 strait minute of dug looking, the wall dweller screams at dug and P.AI.nter and runs away

Annoying things... I'm kinda lucky I caught that one, those things are hard to detect...

//sorry I took so long to respond I fell asleep ^^

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #had to keep moving. it's that or be ruined ; pressure #maybe I got mine. but you'll all get yours. ; 🎨#user ; robloxian-dug

── .✦ ✦.── //Nws nws!

[For mayhem from grace]

A priest ascends, having just completed a run, having cleansed others, bumps into mayhem

Ah... My bad, didnt see ya there... You ok?

- @mayhem-grace

── .✦ ✦.──

Eh I'm fine. Are you alright? I just came back from a run... I cleansed a bunch of souls... 14 I think? I'm a bit tuckered out... So I'm planning to go hang out by the fountain... What were you doin?

Mayhem's appearance seems nothing like a priest... They seem pretty much like some random dude with butterfly wings on their back and a hood...

The many bound traits hang off mayhem's neck... There's so many it makes a whole ring around their neck... How do they cleanse so many souls with that many bound traits??

Mayhem stretches a bit, taking in a few minutes of calm, before getting up and petting the goobers that like to rest near the edge of his hood

Alright... Lets move.

── .✦ ✦.──

Mayhem sits down, and pulls out a glass bottle, which they throw at gilded to make heed go away, they'd still have to wait out slight themselves though...

They don't even flinch as it hits em, slight vanishes instantly

Oh, didnt know you carried one with ya too, what style is it? Mine's hover.

Mayhem gets up

You ready?

── .✦ ✦.──

I just hope I dont get killed by one of my bound entities...

── .✦ ✦.──

When they reach the next safe room mayhem is waiting, leaning against the wall

God damn litany... It was on sight, eh... At least it wasn't fool... That thing scares me when it snaps.

Mayhem tosses their flashlight in the air for a bit before catching it

Hmm... Thats odd. I set my flashlight to be brighter, not reduced gravity while spinning... Whatever.

He gets on the platform, and he's off! He flies through the air with speed and chaos... Before arriving at the next saferoom

Mayhem takes some heavy breaths

I... Think I ran myself out of steam... So I'm gonna head back up and to see a break... Maybe say hi to Genesis or something... You can keep going if you'd like though...

#greeting the lack thereof ; ic #heaven says: you are in danger ; grace #take your time. take your time I'll hold ; 🧭✝️#user ; mayhem-grace

...Did Gilded consider the potential dangers? Probably not- that's up for debate. At least they got the message though..???

── .✦ ✦.──

[For P.AI.NTER from Pressure [sorry if I got the name wrong]

the teen Robloxian makes his way into P.AI.TER's room, seeing the AI face to face... They felt bad, knowing it didn't wanna be her

... H-hello.

Yeesh... Their voice was raspy... They hadn't used it in a while so that makes sense...

I presume you are... P.AI.nter... Right? I hope I didnt fuck it up...

//I forgot to tag my anon ask, mb ^^"

... I just wanted to say... I wish I could see your art... You seem really cool and... Im scared... I know your scared too... S-so please... Just let me rest here a bit... Im sorry...

── .✦ ✦.──

Dug stares at the landscape of the cliff and they stare at it, still visibly shaking and dug looks amazed, like they've never seen anything so beautiful in their life

... It's so beautiful... I... How did you come up with that? It looks so pretty...

I... I wanna see it myself... S-so... I'm gonna help you get out... If I can...

Dug, having failed to find the keycard (despite its obvious location, but due to him being half blind, he doesn't see it) goes over to the door and opens it with a code breacher

Well... Uh... Do you wanna come along until we get to Sebastian?

Y-yeah... Also sorry if I seem annoying... I'm... Just really excited to see a sunset for the first time when I get out...

── .✦ ✦.──

I... Guess so...

Dug reaches up to take the bandana off and use it for his leg, but he hesitates and decides not to

I hope we can find a medkit soon... But it's probably not gonna appear with my luck... I'm lucky to even have 2 code breschers.

That'd be nice... I mean... I'm glad I met you, you seem nice, and also you showed me a drawing of a sunset... So now I wanna see one.

Fair...

The lights flicker for a bit

Ok then... Follow me.

Dug quickly finds a PSS and crouches down in it, knowing anything could be on the way...

Yeah... We should be relatively fine as long as it isnt pandemo-

Pandemonium noise

Ok, we're gonna need to be dead silent, just stay here... And don't move an inch, and stay quieter then a corpse.

Pandemonium slowly passes by without being alerted... And dug gives a thumbs up

We're in the clear, we can keep moving... I just hope we don't get oxygen gardens next...

Dug looks back, seeing a panel of wall clearly not in the wall... Just standing there

Looks like we've got company...