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@the-nxlllinked-redoubt
OH, NO, YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO SEE THIS.
YOU WERE NOT MEANT TO MAKE IT THIS FAR.
the-nxlllinked-redoubt ][ semi-selective, semi-lit ][ roblox multimuse roleplay blog
[ partner blog of @the-respxwn-registry and @the-bloodfxrge-reliquary . ]
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[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?
── .✦ ✦.── 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]
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.." ── .✦ ✦.──
[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." ── .✦ ✦.──
[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. ── .✦ ✦.──
[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.
── .✦ ✦.── "...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."
── .✦ ✦.── 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]
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!
[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..???
── .✦ ✦.──
[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.
── .✦ ✦.──
i might be winning? MIIIGHT BE BUNNY?
|:| YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO THIS IS GOING TO! ITS TRIO TIME!!! GIT ON IN HERE BOOMBOX (AND ARCHIE, SENSE IK UR GONNA SEE THIS, FEEL FREE TO POP IN AT ANY TIME) |:|
The scent of snicker-doodles and Madelines wafted through the stale air of the high-rise apartment. Calloway had just finished baking treats for the two closest friends he had in this odd new universe he'd been thrown into. These two he seemed to cherish dearly, and lord did he make it known. He had many means of showing it, sometimes getting to the point of being overbearing... A major love language was that he tended to bake for them, as it was a means of self regulating and providing comfort where words couldn't reach.
And they seemed to really need it after the events of today... So as Fabian dusted his gloved hands(coated with flour) off on his pink apron, he looked up into the shared living room. Architect was nowhere to be seen, likely in his room, unlikely to respond well to interruption. Though, the other of their trio sat in the living room. BoomBox was uncharacteristically quiet as the taller of the two approached.
"Your Madelines are ready..! well, still cooling, but they're in the kitchen when you want them." He spoke in a soft tone, matching the melancholy of the scene before him. His usual brassy excitement would be far too out of place for a moment like this-after what they'd just come back from. But it wouldn't be Calloway without his constant smile, even if it was thin and faint. "ANNND..! If you ever need someone to listen, I'm always here, friend..!"
── .✦ ✦.──
And quiet Boombox was. Sure, for a bit, he'd been spending time trying to put energy out through other means such as his usual music-tied activities or...well, particularly DDR. That hadn't lasted long though. Less than usual, Almost like he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He even startled the moment Calloway approached him, though his visor didn't replicate this look all too well- It rarely lined up after repeated times of sustained damage and inexperienced repairs. The cracks remained, ever so. They glittered in the light that they caught. Behind that visor, Boombox blinked wearily, but he was versed in his art by now, pretending that he was less hurt than he really was. It was second nature. "Oh, really?" He inquired, tone joyous as ever, cautious as he stood up as to not accidentally smack Calloway somehow. His tail swept behind him, the bound cables whisking sharply in order to not strike anything around.
"Trust me, i am.... very aware." He teased, stifling a giggle as the inphernal stood. "They... shouldn't be tooo hot... i let them settle for a few minutes before getting you!" He'd explain whilst wringing his fingers-a nervous habit he picked up due to his... "double jointed" limbs. "I really... should set timers or something! you burn yourself far too often I always feel bad..!" Callo sighed, looking at BoomBox with an unmasked concern. That same look he'd always give Architect when the kid would have lash outs or meltdowns. "I made both Madeleines and Snicker-doodles! i dont think ive made Madeleines before... it was a little tougher than id imagined!" He was trying to make small talk, trying to distract from the very obvious and very large elephant in the room.
He was admittedly almost fooled by BoomBox's upbeat shift, but that silence still hung in the back of his mind... He just hoped he was able to help the other somehow.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox spun around as they circled Calloway to head to the kitchen, the boombox on his back glowing dimly as it always did- much like his visor and shoe soles. He merely did what seemed to be finger guns toward Calloway as he returned to walking normally. "Ha! Don't feel too bad about it, Cal!" He chimed joyously, "I do this to myself- I'm simply excited to try whatever you make, it's usually really good! I do appreciate the thought you put into all of this...I mean-- You know!" He halted in his words as he located the madeleines, taking one of the many present and taking a bite. Boombox's joyous reaction was captured in his visor as usual with a sort of "^ ^" emoticon fashion. It wasn't hard to tell, He enjoyed them. "Well, for a presumed first attempt, these are really good, Cal!" ── .✦ ✦.──
oh my shalya
──── ୨୧ ────
"Oh its the least i could do! You guys deserve something after all the..." He waved his hands around---both sets of them. "This we have to go through..." He yammered as BoomBox took a bite. Seeing the change in the visor was like a weight being lifted from his chest. Cal released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Golly he cared too much. "I'm really really really glad you like them!! i just kinda followed a tutorial... sweet old ladies online REALLY know what they're talking about!" and Calloway was back to his childish excitement. "I dunno who put us all here-but at LEAST they have the decency to stock the cabinets!" The man laughed, the lightheartedness making him feel better about the situation before.
── .✦ ✦.── "You know...I wonder why we're being put through all of this anyway," Boombox glanced over toward Calloway with his usual almost deadpan stare. The kind of stare he had when he was really, REALLY thinking about something... Too many thoughts, No processing. A stark contrast to the usual 'no thoughts, head empty' jokes made regarding him. "I mean, think about it. What's the ulterior goal of all of this? Why specifically us? I'm just some musician!" He waved his hands after putting the rest of the madeleine into his mouth, basically using this as a sort of 'shut up' method for himself- Not uncommon for him, anyway. Not that it'd silence him for long. Just a few minutes. Enough to let him actually think and process something for once. ...or, that's what was usually joked in these situations. "Ah, it doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure Archie would like the snicker-doodles you made!" ...AGAIN, RIGHT back to his upbeat attitude like he wasn't likely about to put himself through an overthinking crisis. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ──── His smile immediately fell. The lighthearted moment over as quickly as it had started. He hated when tones went back and fourth all rapid fire.
It was something he thought about. Often. Why these three in specific? A baker? A musician? A terrorist? It was... an unusual pairing that's for certain. Calloway didn't reply for a long moment, he just stood there blinking with those yellow and green mismatched eyes... Though he soon caught himself staring... and not smiling! how dare he! "Ah! well... I'll bring those to him when he's... ready to come out. I don't want to stress him further! Nor do I really want to get bit... haaaha..." He cringed at his own forced laugh. He tried to give a faint smile. "I do think about it-I mean. More than i should i think! It's... It feels almost like a punishment... for what crime? I'm... unsure. I don't really... i don't really know what any- what we did to deserve this... sure i mean- Archie did some bad things- but hes a kid!he needs direction... but... us? I think that-" he paused. "I think that I'm rambling! heehee!"
That deadpan stare was digging straight through him, and he needed him to stop.
Stop looking at me like that.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox's horns seemed to flicker a few times upon the idea of a punishment being brought into the picture-- As if this were all some sick joke that was something of a punishment. He kind of looked off to the side like he caught onto the fact Calloway was disturbed by the staring-- which he hadn't realized he was doing until now. ...No, No he could see it... The Inphernal was silent again, thinking. The flickering glow was remaining- if not prolonging like that of a morse code pattern. Was it about Stellaris..? Sword? Falchion, even? Maybe it went back farther than that, Maybe it was about Windforce... {Maybe it is a punishment...} Boombox quietly thought, his gaze averted from where he seemed to be looking- which was toward a wall, though he was actually looking toward the ceiling underneath that visor. {Maybe I wasn't meant to do any of that- But I was only meaning to help them...} ...He had simply wanted to help his kin- or who he saw as kin. Stellaris WAS just like him! Even had a matching gear- but...Stellaris' was broken and nearly nonfunctional- for the most part. So why was he possibly being punished...Was he not meant to intervene? This entire time, really, Boombox had just been standing idle doing nothing- excluding the...whole horn flashing thing, which was a response to emotion.
── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ────
"Sorry..!" Callo looked away, still wringing his fingers even as he popped one with a wince. "Should we- change the subject? I mean... this whole thing is so... ah... Have another Madeleine..!"
{Just please don't be sad anymore} His boots clicked against the tile as he cleared the distance in just a few strides.
"BoomBox..?" A gloved hand waved in front of his visor. He was scared, he didn't mean to cause any of this. That was the last thing he'd meant to do! He thought if he had baked- if they could talk about what had happened, that it might make things just a little bit easier. But it didn't. He'd only made BoomBox seem more upset... even to the point of... disassociating? Zoning? either way, BoomBox was off in his own world, most likely overthinking things.
If only Sylvestre was here... or Lewis... Maybe they'd understand what to do! they had always seemed so much more... knowledgeable... at least socially.
"I'm sorry, i didn't mean to upset you, friend."
── .✦ ✦.── ...Yeaaah...clearly none of that had gone to plan, which was...very unfortunate. Even as Calloway approached, Boombox didn't budge. His tail scraped along the ground as the triple-cabled edge whisked back and forth at a slow rate. {I only meant to be of aid of those around me, no matter who they were...so how could any of this be a punishment? Was it because I abandoned Windforce- Chose to go after someone who...I happened to outlive?} Boombox's visor didn't reflect any of the subtle changes in his expression, but he was...gradually piecing things together that were far from true. Ah, the cycle of overthinking. {Bad things happen to Good people...that's the saying, right? Suppose it's true all along-- Who would've thought. Maybe I should've just stuck with what my supposed 'destiny' was and none of this would've happened..} {...Though, at the same time, I would've never met the people I've met if I did that-- Swords...Was it worth it to abandon that path of mine..?} All eventually leading to- really no conclusion- but rather irritation. Sparkles of energy began to flow from Boombox's horns as he turned away from Calloway, not even intentionally- just a matter of 'thing is close- turn. now.' type of response. Habit, even- The same habit that drove Boombox to focus on the nearest wall- one to his left- and just. slam his horns against it. Horn bashing, A habit all Inphernals had at newspawn, though some break it and some don't. Boombox...kiiinddd of had his habit broken, but it still lingered in places where emotion ran over logic. ...Thaaat...was going to leave some damage. Yikes...for the wall, that is. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ────
A frightened yell ripped from the taller mans throat. He... hadn't expected that! "BoomBox?!" He swallowed hard as he stepped back, not wanting to be the next target of whatever that just was! That's not to say he didn't trust BoomBox! He did..! He was one of his closest friends... but seeing him like that-it.. it was terrifying. He was already on edge from the staring... then... that. happened.
"Are you- are you okay-?! what- Why did you-"
If he weren't so frightened, he'd wonder if Archie would pop out of his room to tell them to quiet down... But he couldn't really think about that... No, his mind was in panic mode; those mismatched eyes almost equal in thin diameter... All four arms hugged himself tight, as if it'd help his rising panic.
── .✦ ✦.── In a way, the sudden impact did two things; It served as a grounding in the form of some kind of physical force and also allowed the rising emotions to be taken out through similar means. Boombox didn't move for a moment because he had to...very much process that something just happened. Though, he stepped back after realizing this, flicking his head slightly due to the sensation of something stuck to his horns- but given the brittleness, these fragments of the remaining drywall were just. yeeted off. The same shaking threw off the upper ring on his right horn, causing it to clatter against the floor- Which further drew Boombox's attention as he looked toward it- only to spot Calloway in the same movement. ...He began to steadily piece things together... Only to stare at Calloway in shock, the neutral stare of his visor kind of serving enough of that wide-eyed stare he had underneath it. "...I'm....I'm sorry, Calloway." He was quiet as he spoke, clearly not...defaulting to his usual demeanor- perhaps not really entirely there yet. No, that was a...really wet cat type of voice- a genuine apology. The lingering pain and the fearful expression were two clues. Upper body pain doesn't just happen- especially not the kind around his neck and shoulders- that's only from when he FULL SENDS into a horn bash like that.. Fortunately, the curve of his horns meant it only went so far into the wall. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ────
He flinched as the ring skidded towards him. He took a few steps back as to not but touched by it. His boots clicked as he looked up at BoomBox.
He wasn't smiling, not even close. His lip quivered like it always did when he panicked like this. His arms remained wrapped around himself, rendering the words on that ridiculous pink apron unreadable.
"No... no it's- it's okay- i mean- Are you okay? That... had to have hurt..."
── .✦ ✦.── "You get used to it after headbutting other horned individuals on a near daily basis." Boombox paused to shake their head again, wincing when that- in fact- only caused the pain from the recoil to return. "The pain's the same, though. Ow-" He didn't go to retrieve the ring that'd been tossed from his horn though, rather only taking a few steps away from Calloway. Usually, they'd take their visor off to inspect it after doing something like that, but...they didn't do that here. He could always examine it later. He'd rather not be seen without the part of him that made him-- well. Him. This visor...was his entire identity. That only changed when he was alone-- and even that was a rare shift in mindset. "Regardless, I'm fine. Built for this kind of thing." ...A Pause. "...Okay, not really, but--" Boombox fell silent, kind of gesturing to the wall. One: He was worried about the damage done, Two: He was...trying to convey he'd be fine. Genuinely.
Three: He was more worried about Calloway, actually. He didn't care about himself when he knew he was fine. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ────
"I'm sorry." His voice was unusually meek, holding none of that excited delight he was known for. "I didn't- i hadn't meant too...cause something like this!" the soft tone highlighted his accent. The British tones that Architect would always mock had a tendency to come out more when speaking softly or when frightened. "Please- If i ever upset you like that again- tell me..? I don't- I don't like seeing you hurt yourself." His voice caught as his throat tightened. He wasn't really gonna cry was he? Over something like this? C'mon bro, do better.
He looked down so BoomBox wouldn't see his face if he were to cry. "I just- I care about you- and-" sniffle. "I don't wanna be the cause of anything bad happening to you." Tears came far too easily to him. Especially when he held a guilty conscious; when things were already stressful and he proved to only make things worse.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox faltered upon seeing the other's continued demeanor, his horns flickering sporadically as he opted to approach the other rather than continue backing away. Again- there went his lack of self preservation for the most part... He held his arms out to the other, silently trying to beckon Calloway in for a hug. His half furred-half cable tail curling around one of his legs in a sense of subconscious fear and sadness- an attempt to find comfort, but not able to secure it because he was actively witnessing someone in distress. No less it was because of him. That made it worse to witness. A lot worse. "...I can promise you, I'm not going to get too hurt from bashing my horns into things, Calloway. It's...an innate quality for my kind, at most my horns would be damaged mildly." ...He was silently thankful he'd learned to control his voice when emotions threaten to break it- primarily for survival back in the Inpherno, but it still worked here. "It wouldn't be a first for me to spiral and do such a thing. It'd...a regulation mannerism." His voice was a lot quieter in the second half, almost like...he was a bit more ashamed to admit such things. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── 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.
── .✦ ✦.──
[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. ── .✦ ✦.──
[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." ── .✦ ✦.──
[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. ── .✦ ✦.──
[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. ── .✦ ✦.──
i might be winning? MIIIGHT BE BUNNY?
|:| YOU ALREADY KNOW WHO THIS IS GOING TO! ITS TRIO TIME!!! GIT ON IN HERE BOOMBOX (AND ARCHIE, SENSE IK UR GONNA SEE THIS, FEEL FREE TO POP IN AT ANY TIME) |:|
The scent of snicker-doodles and Madelines wafted through the stale air of the high-rise apartment. Calloway had just finished baking treats for the two closest friends he had in this odd new universe he'd been thrown into. These two he seemed to cherish dearly, and lord did he make it known. He had many means of showing it, sometimes getting to the point of being overbearing... A major love language was that he tended to bake for them, as it was a means of self regulating and providing comfort where words couldn't reach.
And they seemed to really need it after the events of today... So as Fabian dusted his gloved hands(coated with flour) off on his pink apron, he looked up into the shared living room. Architect was nowhere to be seen, likely in his room, unlikely to respond well to interruption. Though, the other of their trio sat in the living room. BoomBox was uncharacteristically quiet as the taller of the two approached.
"Your Madelines are ready..! well, still cooling, but they're in the kitchen when you want them." He spoke in a soft tone, matching the melancholy of the scene before him. His usual brassy excitement would be far too out of place for a moment like this-after what they'd just come back from. But it wouldn't be Calloway without his constant smile, even if it was thin and faint. "ANNND..! If you ever need someone to listen, I'm always here, friend..!"
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And quiet Boombox was. Sure, for a bit, he'd been spending time trying to put energy out through other means such as his usual music-tied activities or...well, particularly DDR. That hadn't lasted long though. Less than usual, Almost like he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He even startled the moment Calloway approached him, though his visor didn't replicate this look all too well- It rarely lined up after repeated times of sustained damage and inexperienced repairs. The cracks remained, ever so. They glittered in the light that they caught. Behind that visor, Boombox blinked wearily, but he was versed in his art by now, pretending that he was less hurt than he really was. It was second nature. "Oh, really?" He inquired, tone joyous as ever, cautious as he stood up as to not accidentally smack Calloway somehow. His tail swept behind him, the bound cables whisking sharply in order to not strike anything around.
"Trust me, i am.... very aware." He teased, stifling a giggle as the inphernal stood. "They... shouldn't be tooo hot... i let them settle for a few minutes before getting you!" He'd explain whilst wringing his fingers-a nervous habit he picked up due to his... "double jointed" limbs. "I really... should set timers or something! you burn yourself far too often I always feel bad..!" Callo sighed, looking at BoomBox with an unmasked concern. That same look he'd always give Architect when the kid would have lash outs or meltdowns. "I made both Madeleines and Snicker-doodles! i dont think ive made Madeleines before... it was a little tougher than id imagined!" He was trying to make small talk, trying to distract from the very obvious and very large elephant in the room.
He was admittedly almost fooled by BoomBox's upbeat shift, but that silence still hung in the back of his mind... He just hoped he was able to help the other somehow.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox spun around as they circled Calloway to head to the kitchen, the boombox on his back glowing dimly as it always did- much like his visor and shoe soles. He merely did what seemed to be finger guns toward Calloway as he returned to walking normally. "Ha! Don't feel too bad about it, Cal!" He chimed joyously, "I do this to myself- I'm simply excited to try whatever you make, it's usually really good! I do appreciate the thought you put into all of this...I mean-- You know!" He halted in his words as he located the madeleines, taking one of the many present and taking a bite. Boombox's joyous reaction was captured in his visor as usual with a sort of "^ ^" emoticon fashion. It wasn't hard to tell, He enjoyed them. "Well, for a presumed first attempt, these are really good, Cal!" ── .✦ ✦.──
oh my shalya
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"Oh its the least i could do! You guys deserve something after all the..." He waved his hands around---both sets of them. "This we have to go through..." He yammered as BoomBox took a bite. Seeing the change in the visor was like a weight being lifted from his chest. Cal released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Golly he cared too much. "I'm really really really glad you like them!! i just kinda followed a tutorial... sweet old ladies online REALLY know what they're talking about!" and Calloway was back to his childish excitement. "I dunno who put us all here-but at LEAST they have the decency to stock the cabinets!" The man laughed, the lightheartedness making him feel better about the situation before.
── .✦ ✦.── "You know...I wonder why we're being put through all of this anyway," Boombox glanced over toward Calloway with his usual almost deadpan stare. The kind of stare he had when he was really, REALLY thinking about something... Too many thoughts, No processing. A stark contrast to the usual 'no thoughts, head empty' jokes made regarding him. "I mean, think about it. What's the ulterior goal of all of this? Why specifically us? I'm just some musician!" He waved his hands after putting the rest of the madeleine into his mouth, basically using this as a sort of 'shut up' method for himself- Not uncommon for him, anyway. Not that it'd silence him for long. Just a few minutes. Enough to let him actually think and process something for once. ...or, that's what was usually joked in these situations. "Ah, it doesn't matter. I'm pretty sure Archie would like the snicker-doodles you made!" ...AGAIN, RIGHT back to his upbeat attitude like he wasn't likely about to put himself through an overthinking crisis. ── .✦ ✦.──
──── ୨୧ ──── His smile immediately fell. The lighthearted moment over as quickly as it had started. He hated when tones went back and fourth all rapid fire.
It was something he thought about. Often. Why these three in specific? A baker? A musician? A terrorist? It was... an unusual pairing that's for certain. Calloway didn't reply for a long moment, he just stood there blinking with those yellow and green mismatched eyes... Though he soon caught himself staring... and not smiling! how dare he! "Ah! well... I'll bring those to him when he's... ready to come out. I don't want to stress him further! Nor do I really want to get bit... haaaha..." He cringed at his own forced laugh. He tried to give a faint smile. "I do think about it-I mean. More than i should i think! It's... It feels almost like a punishment... for what crime? I'm... unsure. I don't really... i don't really know what any- what we did to deserve this... sure i mean- Archie did some bad things- but hes a kid!he needs direction... but... us? I think that-" he paused. "I think that I'm rambling! heehee!"
That deadpan stare was digging straight through him, and he needed him to stop.
Stop looking at me like that.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox's horns seemed to flicker a few times upon the idea of a punishment being brought into the picture-- As if this were all some sick joke that was something of a punishment. He kind of looked off to the side like he caught onto the fact Calloway was disturbed by the staring-- which he hadn't realized he was doing until now. ...No, No he could see it... The Inphernal was silent again, thinking. The flickering glow was remaining- if not prolonging like that of a morse code pattern. Was it about Stellaris..? Sword? Falchion, even? Maybe it went back farther than that, Maybe it was about Windforce... {Maybe it is a punishment...} Boombox quietly thought, his gaze averted from where he seemed to be looking- which was toward a wall, though he was actually looking toward the ceiling underneath that visor. {Maybe I wasn't meant to do any of that- But I was only meaning to help them...} ...He had simply wanted to help his kin- or who he saw as kin. Stellaris WAS just like him! Even had a matching gear- but...Stellaris' was broken and nearly nonfunctional- for the most part. So why was he possibly being punished...Was he not meant to intervene? This entire time, really, Boombox had just been standing idle doing nothing- excluding the...whole horn flashing thing, which was a response to emotion.
── .✦ ✦.──
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"Sorry..!" Callo looked away, still wringing his fingers even as he popped one with a wince. "Should we- change the subject? I mean... this whole thing is so... ah... Have another Madeleine..!"
{Just please don't be sad anymore} His boots clicked against the tile as he cleared the distance in just a few strides.
"BoomBox..?" A gloved hand waved in front of his visor. He was scared, he didn't mean to cause any of this. That was the last thing he'd meant to do! He thought if he had baked- if they could talk about what had happened, that it might make things just a little bit easier. But it didn't. He'd only made BoomBox seem more upset... even to the point of... disassociating? Zoning? either way, BoomBox was off in his own world, most likely overthinking things.
If only Sylvestre was here... or Lewis... Maybe they'd understand what to do! they had always seemed so much more... knowledgeable... at least socially.
"I'm sorry, i didn't mean to upset you, friend."
── .✦ ✦.── ...Yeaaah...clearly none of that had gone to plan, which was...very unfortunate. Even as Calloway approached, Boombox didn't budge. His tail scraped along the ground as the triple-cabled edge whisked back and forth at a slow rate. {I only meant to be of aid of those around me, no matter who they were...so how could any of this be a punishment? Was it because I abandoned Windforce- Chose to go after someone who...I happened to outlive?} Boombox's visor didn't reflect any of the subtle changes in his expression, but he was...gradually piecing things together that were far from true. Ah, the cycle of overthinking. {Bad things happen to Good people...that's the saying, right? Suppose it's true all along-- Who would've thought. Maybe I should've just stuck with what my supposed 'destiny' was and none of this would've happened..} {...Though, at the same time, I would've never met the people I've met if I did that-- Swords...Was it worth it to abandon that path of mine..?} All eventually leading to- really no conclusion- but rather irritation. Sparkles of energy began to flow from Boombox's horns as he turned away from Calloway, not even intentionally- just a matter of 'thing is close- turn. now.' type of response. Habit, even- The same habit that drove Boombox to focus on the nearest wall- one to his left- and just. slam his horns against it. Horn bashing, A habit all Inphernals had at newspawn, though some break it and some don't. Boombox...kiiinddd of had his habit broken, but it still lingered in places where emotion ran over logic. ...Thaaat...was going to leave some damage. Yikes...for the wall, that is. ── .✦ ✦.──
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A frightened yell ripped from the taller mans throat. He... hadn't expected that! "BoomBox?!" He swallowed hard as he stepped back, not wanting to be the next target of whatever that just was! That's not to say he didn't trust BoomBox! He did..! He was one of his closest friends... but seeing him like that-it.. it was terrifying. He was already on edge from the staring... then... that. happened.
"Are you- are you okay-?! what- Why did you-"
If he weren't so frightened, he'd wonder if Archie would pop out of his room to tell them to quiet down... But he couldn't really think about that... No, his mind was in panic mode; those mismatched eyes almost equal in thin diameter... All four arms hugged himself tight, as if it'd help his rising panic.
── .✦ ✦.── In a way, the sudden impact did two things; It served as a grounding in the form of some kind of physical force and also allowed the rising emotions to be taken out through similar means. Boombox didn't move for a moment because he had to...very much process that something just happened. Though, he stepped back after realizing this, flicking his head slightly due to the sensation of something stuck to his horns- but given the brittleness, these fragments of the remaining drywall were just. yeeted off. The same shaking threw off the upper ring on his right horn, causing it to clatter against the floor- Which further drew Boombox's attention as he looked toward it- only to spot Calloway in the same movement. ...He began to steadily piece things together... Only to stare at Calloway in shock, the neutral stare of his visor kind of serving enough of that wide-eyed stare he had underneath it. "...I'm....I'm sorry, Calloway." He was quiet as he spoke, clearly not...defaulting to his usual demeanor- perhaps not really entirely there yet. No, that was a...really wet cat type of voice- a genuine apology. The lingering pain and the fearful expression were two clues. Upper body pain doesn't just happen- especially not the kind around his neck and shoulders- that's only from when he FULL SENDS into a horn bash like that.. Fortunately, the curve of his horns meant it only went so far into the wall. ── .✦ ✦.──
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He flinched as the ring skidded towards him. He took a few steps back as to not but touched by it. His boots clicked as he looked up at BoomBox.
He wasn't smiling, not even close. His lip quivered like it always did when he panicked like this. His arms remained wrapped around himself, rendering the words on that ridiculous pink apron unreadable.
"No... no it's- it's okay- i mean- Are you okay? That... had to have hurt..."
── .✦ ✦.── "You get used to it after headbutting other horned individuals on a near daily basis." Boombox paused to shake their head again, wincing when that- in fact- only caused the pain from the recoil to return. "The pain's the same, though. Ow-" He didn't go to retrieve the ring that'd been tossed from his horn though, rather only taking a few steps away from Calloway. Usually, they'd take their visor off to inspect it after doing something like that, but...they didn't do that here. He could always examine it later. He'd rather not be seen without the part of him that made him-- well. Him. This visor...was his entire identity. That only changed when he was alone-- and even that was a rare shift in mindset. "Regardless, I'm fine. Built for this kind of thing." ...A Pause. "...Okay, not really, but--" Boombox fell silent, kind of gesturing to the wall. One: He was worried about the damage done, Two: He was...trying to convey he'd be fine. Genuinely.
Three: He was more worried about Calloway, actually. He didn't care about himself when he knew he was fine. ── .✦ ✦.──
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"I'm sorry." His voice was unusually meek, holding none of that excited delight he was known for. "I didn't- i hadn't meant too...cause something like this!" the soft tone highlighted his accent. The British tones that Architect would always mock had a tendency to come out more when speaking softly or when frightened. "Please- If i ever upset you like that again- tell me..? I don't- I don't like seeing you hurt yourself." His voice caught as his throat tightened. He wasn't really gonna cry was he? Over something like this? C'mon bro, do better.
He looked down so BoomBox wouldn't see his face if he were to cry. "I just- I care about you- and-" sniffle. "I don't wanna be the cause of anything bad happening to you." Tears came far too easily to him. Especially when he held a guilty conscious; when things were already stressful and he proved to only make things worse.
── .✦ ✦.── Boombox faltered upon seeing the other's continued demeanor, his horns flickering sporadically as he opted to approach the other rather than continue backing away. Again- there went his lack of self preservation for the most part... He held his arms out to the other, silently trying to beckon Calloway in for a hug. His half furred-half cable tail curling around one of his legs in a sense of subconscious fear and sadness- an attempt to find comfort, but not able to secure it because he was actively witnessing someone in distress. No less it was because of him. That made it worse to witness. A lot worse. "...I can promise you, I'm not going to get too hurt from bashing my horns into things, Calloway. It's...an innate quality for my kind, at most my horns would be damaged mildly." ...He was silently thankful he'd learned to control his voice when emotions threaten to break it- primarily for survival back in the Inpherno, but it still worked here. "It wouldn't be a first for me to spiral and do such a thing. It'd...a regulation mannerism." His voice was a lot quieter in the second half, almost like...he was a bit more ashamed to admit such things. ── .✦ ✦.──
[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.
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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. ── .✦ ✦.──
