Saturn

A 'who' requires a degree of identity I can't ever retain.

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hi

I got a phone chucked at my head for me to use and your contact is "Least Habitable Planet 🪐" so uh.

If you let me know who you are I can change the contact name if you'd like?

I'm... Assuming this is some multiverse bullshit again.

My name's Derek, if that helps you know who I am?

- D

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan hi hi hi hello I'm lov Saturn so much jdhdbdbdbdbd

Hi hi, I'm Saturn :D

I don't think we've spoken? (as far as I remember, although I do know you)

Nice to meet you, Derek

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

Saturn, huh?

I don't think we've spoken either, but I have heard of you. You're one of Ria's friends, right?

- D

[Least Habitable Planet contact name changed to Saturn]

[the-planetary-archivist]

Mhm, I guess I am one of Ria's friends.

So what, you're her dad now? By the relationship?

-🪐

Saturn changed his name to Ria's other parent.

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

I mean.

Technically?

My mate is rather possessive of her, so I'm more likely a step-parent than a parent-parent.

That and she has yet to refer to me with anything other than my name.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Well I guess your mate is a lot of weird adjectives like that.

Well nice to talk to you regardless, shouldn't let my opinions on him affect my behaviour with you.

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

That he is.

I... Appreciate that. I'm well aware of the rougher edges, we're... Working on that.

Anyways!

Did you pick the name Saturn yourself? It's very unique! My favorite gas giant planet.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Well I sure hope you guys are 'working' on that cus I don't think rest of the previous attempts have worked too well so far. Forget it.

Yeah I picked the name myself, thank you! It's my favourite too 😊

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

It's... Very new.

I'm glad to hear it! What's your second favorite planet? I'm assuming Saturn is also your favorite planet overall, for obvious reasons.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Second favourite huh? Gotta give Earth some credit then, considering life form sustaining and all.

You seem really into planets and stuff too

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hi

I got a phone chucked at my head for me to use and your contact is "Least Habitable Planet 🪐" so uh.

If you let me know who you are I can change the contact name if you'd like?

I'm... Assuming this is some multiverse bullshit again.

My name's Derek, if that helps you know who I am?

- D

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan hi hi hi hello I'm lov Saturn so much jdhdbdbdbdbd

Hi hi, I'm Saturn :D

I don't think we've spoken? (as far as I remember, although I do know you)

Nice to meet you, Derek

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

Saturn, huh?

I don't think we've spoken either, but I have heard of you. You're one of Ria's friends, right?

- D

[Least Habitable Planet contact name changed to Saturn]

[the-planetary-archivist]

Mhm, I guess I am one of Ria's friends.

So what, you're her dad now? By the relationship?

-🪐

Saturn changed his name to Ria's other parent.

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

I mean.

Technically?

My mate is rather possessive of her, so I'm more likely a step-parent than a parent-parent.

That and she has yet to refer to me with anything other than my name.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Well I guess your mate is a lot of weird adjectives like that.

Well nice to talk to you regardless, shouldn't let my opinions on him affect my behaviour with you.

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

That he is.

I... Appreciate that. I'm well aware of the rougher edges, we're... Working on that.

Anyways!

Did you pick the name Saturn yourself? It's very unique! My favorite gas giant planet.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Well I sure hope you guys are 'working' on that cus I don't think rest of the previous attempts have worked too well so far. Forget it.

Yeah I picked the name myself, thank you! It's my favourite too 😊

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hi

I got a phone chucked at my head for me to use and your contact is "Least Habitable Planet 🪐" so uh.

If you let me know who you are I can change the contact name if you'd like?

I'm... Assuming this is some multiverse bullshit again.

My name's Derek, if that helps you know who I am?

- D

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan hi hi hi hello I'm lov Saturn so much jdhdbdbdbdbd

Hi hi, I'm Saturn :D

I don't think we've spoken? (as far as I remember, although I do know you)

Nice to meet you, Derek

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

Saturn, huh?

I don't think we've spoken either, but I have heard of you. You're one of Ria's friends, right?

- D

[Least Habitable Planet contact name changed to Saturn]

[the-planetary-archivist]

Mhm, I guess I am one of Ria's friends.

So what, you're her dad now? By the relationship?

-🪐

Saturn changed his name to Ria's other parent.

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

I mean.

Technically?

My mate is rather possessive of her, so I'm more likely a step-parent than a parent-parent.

That and she has yet to refer to me with anything other than my name.

- D

[the-planetary-archivist]

Well I guess your mate is a lot of weird adjectives like that.

Well nice to talk to you regardless, shouldn't let my opinions on him affect my behaviour with you.

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-silver-stranger]

“…He’s not very good with his feelings. It’s just… how love is. It’s okay, Saturn! I don’t mind. Really.”

*Ria’s ears — two of them, on the same side — twitch. It winces. What an odd Voice… it can’t make the words out…*

“He’s just… showing he cares. Even if it’s not a normal way. I think it’s how he apologizes. He didn’t mean it — it’s okay.” *…It seems to really believe it.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Hurting isn't love, Ria"

Saturn sighed.

"I don't know man, why do you keep getting people like these around you? Are you safe right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria looks… confused. Poor thing can’t understand the difference.*

“People like what?”

“Uh-huh! I think so! I dunno why I wouldn’t be. They’re getting blood for me, now, so I should be healed pretty soon…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn sighed again. "People who keep hurting you in the name of love."

"Do you need me to come to you? Are you sure you're ok right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It really isn’t supposed to be like that…?”

“Because that’s how things work! It’s just… how some people show their love.”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to. And yeah! I still dunno why I… wouldn’t be okay?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"True love isn't supposed to hurt"

l̵̛̜̉̂̓͋͒̈́̂̉͂́̉͊͛̉̈́̈́̀͌̆́̈́̚͘͝͠ǫ̶̢̨͖̖̜̠̲̘̰͉̥̫̭̼͍̞͓̘͈̔̎̾͗͊͠ơ̶̡̢̢̢̢͇͖͖̮͖̳̫͇͎̜̪̭̩̫̠̙͉͖̹̰͚̫̤̻̲͔͖̹̼̠̊̅̈́͐̂̾̈͋͆͂̉̍̔̆͗͆͛̏͐̽͋͋̀̀̄̌͒̍̌̕̕͜ķ̶̨̨̡̧̳͕̠̘̜̙̜̫͍̭̗͖͕̗͍̟̙̖͇̩͍̗̜̳̝͕̜͉͔̻͓̮̖͚̙͗̓͐̅̐̒̄̎͂̈́̂̑̇͒͗͛̆͋̿͂̋̽̀̈́̅͛͌̉̆́͌̑͐̈́̒̉́͊̕͘͝͝ ̶̡̨̡̫̙̪͈͎̹̜͙̱͕͓̱͖͖̰͓̘̘̹͎̭̺̳̖͉͆́̆̈́̉͂͌̋̒̿͐́̈̏̑̉̽͗͊̈̓͛̈́͗̎̃͒̋̎̆̓̓̿̂̿̓̓̾̃̿̚̕͘͜͝͝ẅ̸̡̧̡̢̛̛͉̼̖͎̤̼̦͔̼̫̞͈͙̠̜̦̦̩͙̞̣̦̤͔͚͍̹̦͕̼̠̳̬̰̤͙̫̂͌͒̽̓͐͊̿̌̓͆̈͑́̿̌͆̇͐̽́͑͗͗͐̑̾̽̽͘͜͝h̷̨̢̧̛̛̛̻̫̭̱͍̠̙̦̮̙̀͐̒̓̿̑̃͗͆̍̈́̂̏̑̄̐̒͛́̀́͌̄͆́͆̽̉̎͐̕̕̚̚̚̕̚͝͝ͅͅơ̸͕̗̤̟̥̫̔͋̏̄͗́̃͌͌̿̾̈́̄̍͗͐̓͛̿̎̀͂͆̄̌̕͘͠͝͝'̴̨̢̛̹͍̙͉͚̬̠͕͇͔̮̘̲̟͙̜͎̫̈̀͑̈̊͆̀̃̌͐̈́̉̉͑͒̋̊̔̚͝s̶̨̢̜̜̥͓̗͚̹̞̤̲̞͓̗͍̭̘̤̞̞̙̲͕̪̦͍̠̀͛̀́́̆̔̎͋̚̕͜

SHUT THE FUCK UP

Saturn bunched up her eyebrows at the screen for a second before calming again. "Why am I not allowed to come?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“But it usually does! It’s okay. That’s-“

*Ria’s pupils slit. It shrinks away from the phone. It heard the start of the voice, but-*

“…sorry. Okay.”

*Ria’s quiet for a while. Until a “safe” amount of time has passed.*

“…I don’t think Mom would like it lots…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn noticed the change in Ria's behaviour. "I'm sorry you're not supposed to hear that.." She said quietly.

"It's not for you.. I'm so sorry"

She cleared her throat and spoke again. "Did he tell you something about others?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears are pressed against its head. It’s still staring Down.*

“…it’s okay.”

*It shakes its head.* “No, but… I don’t want to upset him. So maybe it’s better if I don’t get visited…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn frowned. "Okay, that's fine, I'm sorry. As long as you're ok, it's fine"

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-silver-stranger]

“…He’s not very good with his feelings. It’s just… how love is. It’s okay, Saturn! I don’t mind. Really.”

*Ria’s ears — two of them, on the same side — twitch. It winces. What an odd Voice… it can’t make the words out…*

“He’s just… showing he cares. Even if it’s not a normal way. I think it’s how he apologizes. He didn’t mean it — it’s okay.” *…It seems to really believe it.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Hurting isn't love, Ria"

Saturn sighed.

"I don't know man, why do you keep getting people like these around you? Are you safe right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria looks… confused. Poor thing can’t understand the difference.*

“People like what?”

“Uh-huh! I think so! I dunno why I wouldn’t be. They’re getting blood for me, now, so I should be healed pretty soon…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn sighed again. "People who keep hurting you in the name of love."

"Do you need me to come to you? Are you sure you're ok right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It really isn’t supposed to be like that…?”

“Because that’s how things work! It’s just… how some people show their love.”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to. And yeah! I still dunno why I… wouldn’t be okay?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"True love isn't supposed to hurt"

l̵̛̜̉̂̓͋͒̈́̂̉͂́̉͊͛̉̈́̈́̀͌̆́̈́̚͘͝͠ǫ̶̢̨͖̖̜̠̲̘̰͉̥̫̭̼͍̞͓̘͈̔̎̾͗͊͠ơ̶̡̢̢̢̢͇͖͖̮͖̳̫͇͎̜̪̭̩̫̠̙͉͖̹̰͚̫̤̻̲͔͖̹̼̠̊̅̈́͐̂̾̈͋͆͂̉̍̔̆͗͆͛̏͐̽͋͋̀̀̄̌͒̍̌̕̕͜ķ̶̨̨̡̧̳͕̠̘̜̙̜̫͍̭̗͖͕̗͍̟̙̖͇̩͍̗̜̳̝͕̜͉͔̻͓̮̖͚̙͗̓͐̅̐̒̄̎͂̈́̂̑̇͒͗͛̆͋̿͂̋̽̀̈́̅͛͌̉̆́͌̑͐̈́̒̉́͊̕͘͝͝ ̶̡̨̡̫̙̪͈͎̹̜͙̱͕͓̱͖͖̰͓̘̘̹͎̭̺̳̖͉͆́̆̈́̉͂͌̋̒̿͐́̈̏̑̉̽͗͊̈̓͛̈́͗̎̃͒̋̎̆̓̓̿̂̿̓̓̾̃̿̚̕͘͜͝͝ẅ̸̡̧̡̢̛̛͉̼̖͎̤̼̦͔̼̫̞͈͙̠̜̦̦̩͙̞̣̦̤͔͚͍̹̦͕̼̠̳̬̰̤͙̫̂͌͒̽̓͐͊̿̌̓͆̈͑́̿̌͆̇͐̽́͑͗͗͐̑̾̽̽͘͜͝h̷̨̢̧̛̛̛̻̫̭̱͍̠̙̦̮̙̀͐̒̓̿̑̃͗͆̍̈́̂̏̑̄̐̒͛́̀́͌̄͆́͆̽̉̎͐̕̕̚̚̚̕̚͝͝ͅͅơ̸͕̗̤̟̥̫̔͋̏̄͗́̃͌͌̿̾̈́̄̍͗͐̓͛̿̎̀͂͆̄̌̕͘͠͝͝'̴̨̢̛̹͍̙͉͚̬̠͕͇͔̮̘̲̟͙̜͎̫̈̀͑̈̊͆̀̃̌͐̈́̉̉͑͒̋̊̔̚͝s̶̨̢̜̜̥͓̗͚̹̞̤̲̞͓̗͍̭̘̤̞̞̙̲͕̪̦͍̠̀͛̀́́̆̔̎͋̚̕͜

SHUT THE FUCK UP

Saturn bunched up her eyebrows at the screen for a second before calming again. "Why am I not allowed to come?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“But it usually does! It’s okay. That’s-“

*Ria’s pupils slit. It shrinks away from the phone. It heard the start of the voice, but-*

“…sorry. Okay.”

*Ria’s quiet for a while. Until a “safe” amount of time has passed.*

“…I don’t think Mom would like it lots…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn noticed the change in Ria's behaviour. "I'm sorry you're not supposed to hear that.." She said quietly.

"It's not for you.. I'm so sorry"

She cleared her throat and spoke again. "Did he tell you something about others?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-silver-stranger]

“…He’s not very good with his feelings. It’s just… how love is. It’s okay, Saturn! I don’t mind. Really.”

*Ria’s ears — two of them, on the same side — twitch. It winces. What an odd Voice… it can’t make the words out…*

“He’s just… showing he cares. Even if it’s not a normal way. I think it’s how he apologizes. He didn’t mean it — it’s okay.” *…It seems to really believe it.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Hurting isn't love, Ria"

Saturn sighed.

"I don't know man, why do you keep getting people like these around you? Are you safe right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria looks… confused. Poor thing can’t understand the difference.*

“People like what?”

“Uh-huh! I think so! I dunno why I wouldn’t be. They’re getting blood for me, now, so I should be healed pretty soon…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn sighed again. "People who keep hurting you in the name of love."

"Do you need me to come to you? Are you sure you're ok right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It really isn’t supposed to be like that…?”

“Because that’s how things work! It’s just… how some people show their love.”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to. And yeah! I still dunno why I… wouldn’t be okay?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"True love isn't supposed to hurt"

l̵̛̜̉̂̓͋͒̈́̂̉͂́̉͊͛̉̈́̈́̀͌̆́̈́̚͘͝͠ǫ̶̢̨͖̖̜̠̲̘̰͉̥̫̭̼͍̞͓̘͈̔̎̾͗͊͠ơ̶̡̢̢̢̢͇͖͖̮͖̳̫͇͎̜̪̭̩̫̠̙͉͖̹̰͚̫̤̻̲͔͖̹̼̠̊̅̈́͐̂̾̈͋͆͂̉̍̔̆͗͆͛̏͐̽͋͋̀̀̄̌͒̍̌̕̕͜ķ̶̨̨̡̧̳͕̠̘̜̙̜̫͍̭̗͖͕̗͍̟̙̖͇̩͍̗̜̳̝͕̜͉͔̻͓̮̖͚̙͗̓͐̅̐̒̄̎͂̈́̂̑̇͒͗͛̆͋̿͂̋̽̀̈́̅͛͌̉̆́͌̑͐̈́̒̉́͊̕͘͝͝ ̶̡̨̡̫̙̪͈͎̹̜͙̱͕͓̱͖͖̰͓̘̘̹͎̭̺̳̖͉͆́̆̈́̉͂͌̋̒̿͐́̈̏̑̉̽͗͊̈̓͛̈́͗̎̃͒̋̎̆̓̓̿̂̿̓̓̾̃̿̚̕͘͜͝͝ẅ̸̡̧̡̢̛̛͉̼̖͎̤̼̦͔̼̫̞͈͙̠̜̦̦̩͙̞̣̦̤͔͚͍̹̦͕̼̠̳̬̰̤͙̫̂͌͒̽̓͐͊̿̌̓͆̈͑́̿̌͆̇͐̽́͑͗͗͐̑̾̽̽͘͜͝h̷̨̢̧̛̛̛̻̫̭̱͍̠̙̦̮̙̀͐̒̓̿̑̃͗͆̍̈́̂̏̑̄̐̒͛́̀́͌̄͆́͆̽̉̎͐̕̕̚̚̚̕̚͝͝ͅͅơ̸͕̗̤̟̥̫̔͋̏̄͗́̃͌͌̿̾̈́̄̍͗͐̓͛̿̎̀͂͆̄̌̕͘͠͝͝'̴̨̢̛̹͍̙͉͚̬̠͕͇͔̮̘̲̟͙̜͎̫̈̀͑̈̊͆̀̃̌͐̈́̉̉͑͒̋̊̔̚͝s̶̨̢̜̜̥͓̗͚̹̞̤̲̞͓̗͍̭̘̤̞̞̙̲͕̪̦͍̠̀͛̀́́̆̔̎͋̚̕͜

SHUT THE FUCK UP

Saturn bunched up her eyebrows at the screen for a second before calming again. "Why am I not allowed to come?"

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hi

I got a phone chucked at my head for me to use and your contact is "Least Habitable Planet 🪐" so uh.

If you let me know who you are I can change the contact name if you'd like?

I'm... Assuming this is some multiverse bullshit again.

My name's Derek, if that helps you know who I am?

- D

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan hi hi hi hello I'm lov Saturn so much jdhdbdbdbdbd

Hi hi, I'm Saturn :D

I don't think we've spoken? (as far as I remember, although I do know you)

Nice to meet you, Derek

[d3r-the-golden-spartan]

Saturn, huh?

I don't think we've spoken either, but I have heard of you. You're one of Ria's friends, right?

- D

[Least Habitable Planet contact name changed to Saturn]

[the-planetary-archivist]

Mhm, I guess I am one of Ria's friends.

So what, you're her dad now? By the relationship?

[Saturn changed his name to Ria's other parent.]

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-silver-stranger]

“…He’s not very good with his feelings. It’s just… how love is. It’s okay, Saturn! I don’t mind. Really.”

*Ria’s ears — two of them, on the same side — twitch. It winces. What an odd Voice… it can’t make the words out…*

“He’s just… showing he cares. Even if it’s not a normal way. I think it’s how he apologizes. He didn’t mean it — it’s okay.” *…It seems to really believe it.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Hurting isn't love, Ria"

Saturn sighed.

"I don't know man, why do you keep getting people like these around you? Are you safe right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria looks… confused. Poor thing can’t understand the difference.*

“People like what?”

“Uh-huh! I think so! I dunno why I wouldn’t be. They’re getting blood for me, now, so I should be healed pretty soon…”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn sighed again. "People who keep hurting you in the name of love."

"Do you need me to come to you? Are you sure you're ok right now?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-silver-stranger]

“…He’s not very good with his feelings. It’s just… how love is. It’s okay, Saturn! I don’t mind. Really.”

*Ria’s ears — two of them, on the same side — twitch. It winces. What an odd Voice… it can’t make the words out…*

“He’s just… showing he cares. Even if it’s not a normal way. I think it’s how he apologizes. He didn’t mean it — it’s okay.” *…It seems to really believe it.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Hurting isn't love, Ria"

Saturn sighed.

"I don't know man, why do you keep getting people like these around you? Are you safe right now?"

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hi

I got a phone chucked at my head for me to use and your contact is "Least Habitable Planet 🪐" so uh.

If you let me know who you are I can change the contact name if you'd like?

I'm... Assuming this is some multiverse bullshit again.

My name's Derek, if that helps you know who I am?

- D

(( @d3r-the-golden-spartan hi hi hi hello I'm lov Saturn so much jdhdbdbdbdbd

Hi hi, I'm Saturn :D

I don't think we've spoken? (as far as I remember, although I do know you)

Nice to meet you, Derek

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“…It’s okay. I made him upset. I deserved it; it’s nothing! Really!”

“Mom’s getting me a room, though! That’s a good thing.”

*Ah yes, a wonderful cover up; give the child something it wants so it forgets what you did.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"No you didn't. You tried to help his mate. That's why you were away. You can't hurt someone because you're upset."

a̴͙̾̍s̵̥̅̚ ̴̺̿ȉ̶̥̹̓f̴̦̏̈́ ̴̱͚̐y̶̛̟̮o̴̥͊u̶͙͆̚ ̵̗̪̔̿ṅ̴̠ĕ̵̼̻v̶͎͘̕e̵̪̫̊r̶̩̀ ̷̹̦͝d̶̛̫̱̈́i̵̬͌d̷̰͓̍ ̶̞̈́t̶̢̬̊͂h̴͇̮͑͑é̵̻̝͌ ̸̖̤͘͠s̷̨͂ȁ̶̺̈́ͅm̸̡͛͑e̸̛̯͑

"Just because he gave you a room doesn't change the fact that he hurt you, Ria."

[the-planetary-archivist]

Hmmmmm….

*bites the purple text*

Y̴̱̝̪̤̏̓̅̈́͐̿̚͝ọ̸͙̺͕̻̯̫̑̓̐͗͊͒͠͝û̸̡͍̫̞̣̻̓͗͝ ̴̩͔̟̮͔̕c̴̞̳̫̹͚͔̻̮̅a̷̲͗̆̾n̶̰͓̪̥̮̝͕̄́̈́͐͊n̷̝͔̣̱͒o̵̗̎t̴͎͚͓͇̝͔̉̇̄̐̄ ̸͙̆̇̾̿̄͊͘͝t̷̪̞̚ô̴̖̞͕̞̠̈́ṳ̸̡͖̦̜̜̦͙̎̐̇̆̃͗̈́̽c̷̱̼̼͋̚h̸̢̻́͌̊ ̶̗͈̙͐̚m̶̢͇͖̜̼͙̯̭̀̓͆̒̅ę̵̪͉͒̆̾͝,̸̧̰͔̎̀̎̔̏ ̶̧̡͍̘̱̻̩̫̀̔̀̈y̶͉̞̻̭̬̲͉͒̉͒̔̀͜ō̸̳̥̙̂̌͋͋̓̿́u̵̞͛͜ ̵̖̥̝̉̓̃́̅̓͜ṟ̶͑͐a̴̢͚̯̣̤͔̼͐̂̊̈́͛͂̚̚t̸̨̧͓̏̑̈́̓̓̌̊͂s̴͇͍͚̹̐̄.̵̡̲̩̪̼̤̺̫̉̃̃

[the-planetary-archivist]

NOT ANOTHER ANTAGONISTIC PURPLE ENTITY

̸̟͋W̵̪̓̍͝ḧ̴͕͍̬́̽a̶̱͈̐̎͜t̶̨͇̞͋͑ ̷̛̪̭̅̈́p̴̢̒ṷ̵͌̍r̸̠͊̅͒p̸̳̞͇̃l̵̖͊e̶̱̓̆ ̸̩̞̮̀͌è̸̤͓̅͝n̶̩̪̾͝t̶͎̔i̸͙͑t̶͔͉̥́̀͝y̶̠͊̓?̵͖̬̬̀̑ ̶̣̓̄͜

I don't know what you're talking about

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria freezes up. Tense. No. Nonono-*

“…He didn’t.” *It’s not a lie. He didn’t hit it. Just… threw it. That’s okay.* “My wings hit the ground wrong. It made them hurt again.”

“It’s not a good thing to say…”

*It hugs itself. Nervous. It’s so, so nervous.*

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not supposed to say. Like how I’m not supposed to flinch. It’s just The Rules.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Right.. so he threw you to the ground. Even though you were injured. And he hurt you. And that's supposed to be ok?"

[the-planetary-archivist]

That wasn’t everything that happened, but… it’s one of the bigger ones. The rest was a few words.

And also implying that she was a Thing He Owned. That was. Also a Bigger Thing.

But then an offshoot of him that Actually Cared came along so I mean…? Small win, I guess? It told her to be Angrier At Him (in vain, but it was a nice attempt) and helped heal her?

Ō̴͎͆h̸̠̠̽͝ ̷̦͐̕y̴͇̱͐̇o̵̰̔͆ų̶͚̐̑ ̵̨͋l̷̼͝i̵͎̯͘ṯ̸̤͆͝t̶̢̗̄̆l̴̉̂͜e̵̲͛ͅ ̴̙͍̾͘s̷̘̙̿h̵̲̤̒į̵̚ṫ̷̙ș̶̙̾.̴̭̲̈͠ ̵̥̩̑͌ ̷͉̇ ̶̧̗̕Ẅ̴͎́͜h̶̖̥̄͋ę̴̤̋ṋ̷̅ ̸̠̹̄w̷̬̠̍ỉ̵̢̬l̶͓̳̈l̸̦̹̉̂ ̵̧͓͐ȳ̵̜̅o̷̗̯̾u̷͒͜ ̴͚͙͠s̸̞̯͊t̷̫̜̀̎o̵̬̻̎p̶͇͇̋́ ̸̼̒̕m̴̰̺̌͝e̸̖̍̕d̶̟̐d̴͓̈l̸̗̓͒ï̴̢̜̾n̵͎͔̓͋g̷̥̍ ̶̬̲̅i̵̡͎̿̀n̶̙͋ ̷̢̛͗m̷̧̜͗̕y̶̡͆ ̸̭̽b̷̦͊u̸̙͂s̴̺͌i̶̡̦̒n̸̥̘̂̂ẹ̵̔͆s̷͔̖̒s̵̠̯͌́?̴̟̓ ̵̞͆Ș̷̌h̷̥̅e̵̠̒͋ ̴̲̃w̸͕̉͜ï̷̞͓̔l̸͕̲͂̎l̸̟̊̉ ̶͎͂k̷̯̭̿͑n̸̘͔̍o̵̭͉̍ŵ̶̤̽ ̷̠͑͝h̶̤̼̾ŏ̴̩̏ẅ̴̙ ̴̲̥͂͂m̴̯̝̋u̸̜̕c̵͚̥͌h̴̹̤͒͂ ̸̨̅I̵̤̍͝ ̸̞͕͑͋n̷͍͖͊͛è̸̖̎e̴͈̒͂ḍ̵͖̑͝ ̴͚̦̓h̴͓̀e̷̗͂̔r̶̖̂̃ ̷̖̏t̴̲̟͒̇ơ̸̳̮ ̵̙́k̴̢̓͒n̸͍͐ọ̵̏w̴͖͒.̴̜̲̆

[the-silver-stranger]

*beep beep in a text message notif way*

[???] Hi Kid!!

*Ria squeaks at her phone, staring at it. Her eyes go big. She just… stares at the notification for a while.*

[You’re not Avery. Avery has a name in the phone.]

[Who are you?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

The answer comes almost instantly, as if the recipient has literally nothing to do.

[???] Hmm, guess

[???] Ykw no, don't want to scare you

[Saturn] Im Saturn :D I finally found your number

[the-silver-stranger]

[Saturn!]

[You can be in the phones, too? Like Avery?]

[Number?]

*There’s a pause*

[I’m in the phone?]

*It pokes its arm. It doesn’t feel like it’s in the phone…*

[Is it replacing my name?]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] I... ok so Ria you're not IN the phone

[Saturn] It's just a thing to talk through

[Saturn] every phone, well almost every phone has its own number

[Saturn] if someone has your number, you can call and text them. if you have someone else's they can call and text you and so on

[the-silver-stranger]

[Oh. That’s weird. I didn’t know I had a number.]

[Call? So I can hear your voice through it?]

[That’s nice. I like that. I like hearing people. I wonder if I can hear your heartbeat through the phone, too.]

[the-planetary-archivist]

[Saturn] Heartbeat...no I don't think the phone microphones are strong enough for that

[Incoming video call from Saturn]

[Accept] [Decline]

[the-silver-stranger]

[Most human ears aren’t enough to hear a heartbeat from more than right against the chest, either.]

*Ria nearly throws the phone. Why is it buzzing why is it buzzing why is it-*

*[Accept]*

*There’s a lot of squeaking on Ria’s end.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

There's darkness on Saturn's side so that only her eyes and the marks on her skin were visible in the screen. They apparently glowed in the dark.

She was moving around trying to get into light so Ria can see her.

"Why is there so much squeaking? Are you in a bat cave or something?" Saturn joked.

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria is… so confused. Normally, its eyes would adjust so it can see better. But they’re not doing that. It pokes at the screen.*

*…It has big mouse ears on the top of its head. They’re very round.*

“Saturn!! You’re glowing!”

“And… no, I’m not in a cave. But I am a bat! I think. Or maybe I’m a mouse now? But I still have my wings… so maybe a mouse-bat. Bat-mouse?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn finally found a place with enough light and stood still.

"Batmouse huh? Well I guess we can make a franchise around you. Although, copyright would kill us" Saturn joked even more.

"How did you become a mouse?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head.* “Who’s copyright, and why are they killing us?” ^•n•>?

*…Looks like it didn’t understand the joke. It knows not of Batman…*

“I dunno! One of the Voices said something about ‘magic anon’, and then I had a mouse tail and a set of mouse ears. It didn’t make my regular ears go away, though, so I have two pairs of those now!”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Copyright is the right of protecting something you made so others can't steal it and call it theirs."

"Wait you don't know what Batman is..."

"Ah so you turned into a mouse because of magic. Well that's good I don't get such anons then. How are you, honey?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria tilts its head, both pairs of ears twitching.* “Like what Mama did with me?”

“No. Is it a different vampire? Is that why ‘bat’’s in the name?”

“It’s kinda fun, actually. And my tail’s been super helpful, while my wings are all hurt! I can move it instead of them, so I don’t fall over. It was a little hard at first, but I think I’ve gotten it!” *Ria grins, showing off its fangs.* “How’s it been for you?”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Beings don't have copyrights, creative works do. What did your mama do?"

"No he's not a vampire, he's a human dressed in a bat costume"

Saturn was very confused and worried. "What? Your wings are hurt?! How did they get hurt? What happened? Where are you Ria?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Protected me! Duh! So I didn’t get kidnapped.”

“…Oh. What would he do that for? Is it for the… the…” *Ria frowns, trying to figure the word out.* “…When people dress up and… hurt people for candy?”

“I got in…” *Ria hesitates.* “…A fight, maybe? It broke my wings before the fight started, though. It didn’t mean to… but I’m okay! I’m in Carcosa again, so I’m safe.”

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Oh..."

"Who dresses up to hurt people for candy? Oh you mean halloween? Trick or treating doesn't hurt people"

"YOU GOT IN A FIGHT?" Saturn asked a bit louder than usual from shock maybe before she calmed her voice down. "You left Carcosa? When? What happened there?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“Yeah! That! And nuh-uh. Mama said that Halloween was bad. People do bad things during it, and they get candy…”

*Ria flinches at the raised voice, squeaking in return. It takes a moment to calm.* “…Yeah. It was an accident. I found a different Derek, who’s a dragon, and apparently he and mom are mates? But his version of dad had his soul, so he couldn’t leave! So I went to go get it.” *…Terrible implications and so much is being left out, but okay.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I've gone to some halloween, nobody hurts anyone, I promise. They just dress up, go door to door and get candy from the people in the houses."

"Sorry" Saturn apologised seeing the flinch. "So the other KIY hurt your wings...?"

[the-silver-stranger]

“They don’t?” *Ria looks… confused.* “huh… that’s weird…”

“Yeah! It was petting them, and then its hand went down a little too hard and everything cracked. And then I kinda blacked out for a second because it hurt a lot and I couldn’t really move because any movement made the pain worse. But then Derek put a weird liquid on them and everything started hurting less! And then when I got back, mom put everything in place again! Twice, even! They got a little messed up after the first time...”

[the-planetary-archivist]

Saturn was silent for a bit- she will never get used to how easily this kid said the most horrifying experiences in her life.

"When did all of this happen...? How did I not know anything?"

bitch what did you do?

i did nothing 🤷‍♀️

"It took him two tries to fix it? Ria, did your mom hurt you?

[the-silver-stranger]

“Uhm… I dunno. Times a little weird…” *Ria blinks.* “Are you supposed to know? I don’t think you were there… so unless the Voices told you, I dunno why you’d know…”

*Ria doesn’t even blink.* “No! I just fell. It’s not his fault. I wasn’t careful enough, and I hadn’t had any blood in between, so things weren’t together right.” *The lie slips out easily. Easily enough that it could be mistaken for the truth.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"I know some things, I don't know why I wasn't told this"

Saturn remained silent for quite a bit trying to dissect Ria's words. "Ria, are you sure that is what happened?"

[the-silver-stranger]

*Ria’s ears twitch. It doesn’t comment.*

“Of course! What else could’ve happened?”

*Practiced practiced practiced. It knows how this works. It knows what to cover up and hide.*

*Telling people only makes it worse. They don’t help. It’s all from love, anyways.*

*Letting someone else know will only make it burden him. More than it already does.*

[the-planetary-archivist]

"Ria, the anons told me what happened. He hit you, didn't he?"

"Ria why are you lying?"

[the-planetary-archivist]

Ria’s lying. He did it, the second time. Picked her up, put her wings back in place, and then threw her onto the ground.

She thinks it’s her fault.

Why did I even think he could change this ways.

What else do I not know.

s̶̨̧̨̪̙̖̺̞̱̟̳̥̘̙̣̘̲̲͚̱̰̣̈́̓̄͛͒̽̑́̂̕͜͝͝t̵̢̛̼̻͍̹̩̗̓͑̃͋́͑̃͑̽͆͆͘̚͠͝͝ͅo̷̢̼̫̱͇͚̙̮̳͕͕̺̫̬͎͎̫̫̭̥̭̓̔͒͒͊̈̎̀̈́̾͑̑̑̈̽͊̾̿̒͝͝͝͝͠ͅͅṗ̷̨̡̡͓̣̖̳̗̦̺̼̼̫͇͕̩̮̩̹̳̠͚̦̠̞̃́̈̋̅̍̈́͌̏̀̄͒̈́̊̈́̂̈́̑̈̾̈́̋̓̔̍́̈́̌̚̚̚̕͜͜͝ ̸̡̨̡̰̗̱̫̦͍̩̬̦̣̔͊̓̓̎̈̒̋͛̐̾̀͂́̀̅̏̇͠͝͝ͅq̷̛̤͚͎̖̥͇͕̝̟̩̇̍̽̍͗̐̈̓͆͑́̆̆̿̎̂̈́̂̇̅̊̾̈́̀͊̓̆̉̆̄̆̽͑͘͘̚͜͜͝͝ͅư̴̠̲̤̹̪̘̭̖̬̗̻̻͙̱͍͈̙͉̟̰̪̲̦̲̲̖̲̤͔̲̩̘͚͍͓̪͆́̋̒͋̏͂̏̓͋̎͆͌̆̄̏̌̍̍̕ę̷̨̛̛͔̫̟̻̱̯̙̫͔͖̥̙͎͓͎̺̼̥̙̖̳̞̹͚͓̲̠̇͛̇̓̆̈́̒͒̓̌̊͛͒̀̆͊̾͋͆͋͑̎̎̆̒͒̌͒̎̒̅̂̍͑̈́̈́̕͜͝͠͝s̶̡̨̧̨̡̬͕͚̮͙̣̜͉̦̹̦̱̣̲̮͇̫͇̼̞̻̻̲̥̭͕̪̯̟͓̯̤̰͓̖̣̦̖͔̕͜͜ţ̴̧̠̲̠̥͍͕͇̜̥̠̮̤̳̭͇͉̪͈͈̇̉̿͑̽i̸̧̧̧̧̦̪̖̻͚͕̖̯͕̯̦̰̗̦͕͍͕̯͉̲͈̮̼̮̥͇̻̠̠͓̪̤͇̓͐͐͒̂̃̊́̈͐͑͐̈́̈̿͊͛͆̎͒̔̂̀͂̔̎̔̂̓̑̂̈͑̇͛̕͘͘̕͜͝͝͠ō̵̡̉͑͛̂̄́̆̐̆̓͒̃́̊͊̚͘͠͝ń̴̢̨̬̖̫̗͖̺̩͔̪̬̲̪̞̫̬̰͖̩͉͙̯͎̜̱͚̻̙̘̫̭̲̳́͆̀͑͂̆̃̈́̅̿͐͒͌͆̆͋́̕̚͝ͅȋ̵̡̢̹̬͙̯̪͇͕̳͇͙̦̮͈͎͎͖̣͍͉̠͉̜̲̫̇̽̆̀̐͗̿̆̒́͂̀͐̾̐̈̆̆̕͝ņ̵̛̛̛̺̈̇̈́̈́͒͗̅͊͊̏͂͌̃͌̊͆̔̀̆̾͐̎́̽́̈́̃̌̏͘͝ͅͅģ̷̨̢̡̛̗͉̘̼̰͈̗̟̭̺̝̱͚̯̩̜̖̞̓̋̾̿̍͒̇̅̉̈́͊̃̇͐̀͆̎̈͆͆̏̈́̆̈̄͒̽̂̏̈́͐̈́͑͂͆̅͂́͒̈́͐̚͝͠͝͝ͅ

Thank you for telling me anon