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@the-tabletop-troupe
WE AREN’T GETTING OUT OF THE COUCH CLIFFS WITH THIS ONE 🗣️🔥🔥🔥
Welcome to the adventure, everybody! Always a treat to have more folks along the ride!
Yeah, it wasn’t enough dragging three innocent dice along to get lost in the middle of nowhere, ya gotta drag the Internet down with you.
Y!!! YOU!!! MADE ME!!! LET YOU JOIN!!!
Uhhhhh pinned post info 👇👇
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
As the bus narrowly misses you, it comes to an abrupt stop. The door opens and an abnormally tiny, sky blue Zapper-ish Darkner with yellow accents and rainbow buttons hops out. "Oh geez, sorry 'bout dat! I's didn't see ya's till I was right on top o' ya!" He apologizes. "Hey, what's a bunch a Pippinses doin' all da way out here, anyway? Ya got lost or somethin'? If ya's like, I can drive ya! Uh, but only to Kitchen County n' back." She says.
[＊Strata waves off the initial notion in the midst of dusting itself off.]
Oh, don’t worry, we gotta have more practice with keeping on our toes anyway!
You are the only person I know who will try to twist almost being roadkill into a good scenario.
And we’re not lost! We’re out here all the time… or, well, I suppose we’re a little farther out from camp than usual, but I’m sure we know the way back, right?
[＊A single thumbs up from Percy after he makes sure the group didn’t get turned around from the bus debacle.]
Oh-! I’ve never been to Kitchen County though!!
[＊Trip is immediately excited at the prospect as Strata puts xeir hand to her chin in consideration, a smile on her face.]
I don’t think any of us have, actually! And I honestly wouldn’t mind a detour. It’s not like we’ve got an ending destination that the moment.
Okay we’re doing this now… [＊Dex begrudgingly pulls itself up from the ground.] Guess a drive won’t be terrible…
The driver perks up a bit, hands on their hips. "Glad ta know dere ain't no hard feelin's! Come on in, sit wherever's ya like! Just don't mess wit' da cargo area, arright?" He chirps, hopping back onto the bus.
As you file in, the vehicle is, well, an average bus. The front is a bit messy, the trash can in front having toppled over at some point and spilling some empty bottles of various drinks around the driver's area, though he seems to be fixing that right now. The front mirror has a small pair of plush Pippinses hanging behind it, as well as a novelty Tenna air freshener.
The seats are a bit musty, uneven layers of dust sprinkled on the only slightly wrinkled leather. There's some seat belts attached too, which are the least dusty. In the back, behind a tall metal fence, there are large crates labelled with various healing items, tied down to the ground.
Once the trash is off the ground and in the can again, the driver hops into her seat and turns on the engine again. "Buckle up!" That is the only warning you get before they SLAM the gas pedal and rocket off down the non-existent path; she has to be going at least triple the speed limit, and those don't even exist out here. He turns around to face his passengers, alarmingly only driving with one hand and not looking at the windshield at all.
"So, da name's Rex! I's da bus driver to n' from Kitchen County. Who are youse guys, eh? I's like ya clothes, real snazzy! What's were ya doin' out and about all da way out here? How long were ya walking? Da bus stop on set's an hour's walk away ta start. Youse must like ya cardio!" As they jabber on and on, you notice two things: one, that she's implying the set still exists. Two, holy SHIT they drive like a maniac. The bus makes last millisecond swerves sharp enough to saw Tenna in half, not helped by the fact Rex keeps narrowly avoiding driving the bus into rocky outcrops or off towering cliffs. She does drive off a few small cliffs, even. "Oh, hang on, you wanna see my Flinkies? Dey's da cutest! Actually, youse got any pets? Any kind!" They ask as if the windshield wipers aren't scraping an unlucky Ribbick off the glass right now.
What was that about the- [＊An unfortunate bump from one of the cliffs makes Percy bite his tongue. He opts to instead avert his attention back to his seat’s window. No unintentionally exploiting the time paradox for you, buddy.]
[＊Strata had done her best to keep up with the shifts in topic along staying upright with the much more frequent and jarring shifts of the bus. ‘Course he’s also being a mad lad and leaning over the seat in front of her as Rex talks. When it finally gets its chance to speak…]
Hah! Guess we coulda mentioned our names before getting on board, huh? Let’s see, I’m Strata, or Strats if ya want, I’m not pickyY- [＊Another swerve, she holds tighter onto the seat while it gets its bearings.] Whoof- anyway, the one somehow managing to journal in a moving vehicle is Percy-
It’s going poorly.
Yeesh, yeah, hope you’re not using pen right now. Ah- That’s Trip, that’s Dex.
Hi!!
Mm.
[＊Trip and Dex are next to each-other, taking the back seats. Dex is mainly focused on tightening his seatbelt some more so it??? Survives this bus ride??? Meanwhile Trip is mirroring Percy and looking out their window, though they’re more focused on how fast everything is going by. They tried to spot where the Ribbick ended up flying off to. It’ll probably be fine it’s coated in like 3 billion layers of dust…]
Let’s see, answering the other stuff, we sorta spend a lotta time in the cliffs as-is. We’ve got a camp out a little ways from where the studio w-Agh- [＊ Another roadbump-induced tongue-biting has hit the Tabletop Troupe] ough… but yeah, we’ve just been seeing if there’s anything interesting farther out from what we’ve already seen!
As for pets, hm…
Do the bees count?
The bees do NOT count
The bees absolutely count. But yeah, we don’t have many animals outside of that.
I’d wanna see the Flinkies!
Maybe wait till we’re not moving 100 miles a second?
…Cliffside incoming at your 12o’clock by the way. [＊ Xey point at the front window.]
"Strata, Percy, Trip, n' Dex! Gotcha! Youse got nice names." Rex chirps, his buttons flashing briefly. "Ya like camping, eh? Like toastin' marshmallows and veggie dogs and all dat? Dat sounds like fun!" She puts a hand to his face, blushing as they briefly muse about tasty snacks.
"If ya lookin' fa stuff farther out, I dunno if dere's anytin' super fancy, but I am takin' ya's ta Kitchen County! It's a real long way from da main set, honestly. Dunno how long it'd take on foot, but it's gotta be a real long walk! Lucky I found ya, huh-? Oop!" At Strata's remark, she swerves away from the cliff side. "Aw, tanks fa da help! I've memorized dis path, though, don't worry about it!" You're well within your right to worry.
"So where were we?? Oh, yeah, Kitchen County! I tink youse'll like it! We's don't get tonsa visitors, but everyone who's come ovah liked it! It's basically like its own Dark Woild, ya know?" They say. "Good ting the Fountain's leaning west, othahwise... Aah, youse probably won't need ta worry. Whaddya do on set, if ya don't mind me askin'?" The Fountain can lean??
Well, when we’re not actively evading work…
[＊Strata whips around, letting out a single exasperated laugh.] Don’t lead with that!
What, am I wrong~? You’re the one who got sick of the scripts, Strats… [＊It’s got the dumbest smirk across his face, definitely screwing with them right now.]
(Okay, FIRST of all, you KNOW this started out as an after-work thing. I was fine doing the scripts! I just wanted to ALSO do something more engaging…)
[＊Percy recognizes that this back-and forth is happening again, opting to pick up the line of conversation.]
We’re all mainly extra hands, if anything, but besides doing cleanup or anything similar… Strata would be acting a lot of the time, I sort of flipped between being on and off-stage depending on the day… camera work and background effects, you know.
(…Funny how you say that but you were suspiciously clocked in when I last checked…)
[＊He takes a moment to recall, staring ahead and fiddling with his pen.]
…If I remember correctly Dex takes the game board a lot of the time. It’s done some maintenance too, I think.
Oh, yeah! There was time we were both on board testing and he had to find the cable repair kit mid-game ‘cause his controller wasn’t connecting right.
(…I- Oh, come on, plenty of Pippins have done worse things…!)
Um… and I help with set-building and painting when I can! I like helping with the music, too, but the Shadowguys normally have that covered…
(…Wow, and I’m supposed to be rogue. But hey, I wouldn’t blame them for paying you to NOT show up.)
(Hah! You’re one to talk!)
[＊As the banter continues, Percy decides to bring light to the other topic.]
…I’d rather know what we shouldn’t worry about, if that’s ok. I just want to be on top of things…
[＊He doesn’t look particularly nervous, then again his expression is still reserved as ever so who can even tell with this nerd.]
…And I’m not familiar with a lot of fountain behavior. There’s not a lot to learn only living around TV world, I guess.
[＊Considering the confidence shown in the driver about this bus ride it’d also likely be best to weigh that “probably” VERY heavily.]
[＊Also L‼️ L Loser‼️ these guys haven’t been to card castle imagine being pippinses and never being to card castle smh]
"A buncha jobs all ovah da place, huh? I guess I shoulda expected dat. I used to woik security on set, 'fore becomin' da bus driver. I also stock da vendin' machines! Don't tink I've seen ya 'round, but I guess I coulda just missed ya." Rex says, approximately tapping herself on the chin.
"Oh, and about dat ting ya shouldn't worry about... Well, Kitchen County's so far from da Fountain dat sometimes, when it ain't pointin' at us right, we don't get enough of the Darkness dat gives us all form. It don't feel good..." They scratch the back of their head before perking up, perhaps slightly forcibly. "D'ah, but ya probably won't hafta worry! It's more of a native problem, so unless ya've been out and about away from da set fa a while, ya'll be dandy even if it does happen!" Rex says, tempting fate.
They finally look back at the windshield for the first time in ages as they finish, spotting the bus stop up ahead. "Oop, here we are!" As abruptly as she started the bus, he stops it, slamming the brakes just as the door lines up with the stop. Looking out, while you can certainly see Kitchen County in the near distance, the bus stop is farther from it than you'd imagine. "Here we are, Kitchen County! Or right near it, anyways, hehe. I'll nevah know why dey moved da bus stop farthah down aftah I started drivin'..." Ah.
[＊…Percy jots that likely very important info down before moving back a page in his journal to try to clean up what he managed to write on the drive. He gives a quiet sigh, as most of it isn’t salvageable.]
[＊Strata works on pulling herself up after definitely having been launched out of her seat when the bus stopped. This is why we wear seatbelts, kids.]
Well! [＊He rolls xyr head as she reorients after the tumble… Hey, a 5, not too shabby!] It’s a good thing we’re no stranger to walking! [＊They turn back to look at the troupe] Everyone good? Usual amount of limbs and all that?
Uhhhh no I actually lost all my bones during the drive. [＊Dex works on unbuckling itself as he does his best to return to form after being ever-so-slightly fearful for its life earlier.]
…Do darkners even have bones?
Nah just me. ‘cause I’m cool like that.
[＊The rogue is the first to get out of this death trap as the others make sure their belongings are still in place. Trip makes their way to the front of the bus next as they double-check that their recorder is undamaged.]
So where’s that leave you then, Rex? Do ya still have rounds to make?
Rex tilts her head aside thoughtfully. "Mmm, not fa da rest of da day, I don't tink. Dere ain't dat many vendin' machines on set, and not a lotta people got da time ta head all da way out ta da bus stop by da set." She hops out of the bus after his passengers. "Why d'ya ask?"
A quiet buzzing growl suddenly rings through the air, making them blush a little. "Oops... Guess I's hungrier dan I thought."
Hah! Been there. [＊Strata adjusts the sheathe on her belt as he leaves his seat.] Guess in all fairness it's been a second since any of us have eaten too, huh...
[＊Dex leans beside the bus door.] Ugh, PLEASE tell me we can eat something, I've had nothing but like... air today.
What about when you ate dirt falling off that boulder? [＊Strata snickers.] Anyway you were literally ON lunch duty. What are you talking about.
Um. [It clicks its tongue.] In my defense I was busy. Climbing that boulder. Yeah.
[＊Strata turns to Rex with a look like "Can you believe this guy?" before abandoning that branch of the conversation.] Well, Rex, you'd be the expert! What's good around here? I gotta guess you guys have more than TV Dinners...
Hello?
- @zirnab
Hi!!
[＊Seems they’re wandering.]
I don't think I've seen you before.
Mm.. makes sense, I guess! Haven’t seen a lotta people outside of camp recently… and I don’t think I ever saw ya back at TV World…?
Um-! I’m Trip!! Hi!! …Again!
Hello?
- @zirnab
Hi!!
[＊Seems they’re wandering.]
🎶!
What of the quartet wandering the cliffs with only their own stories to pass the time?
(CRITICAL MISS!)
Agh!! Plummeting deeper into this crazy abyss
We've been at it for so long, is there any way out of this!?!?
(CRITICAL MISS!)
Stumbling around with nothing to do but reminisce
This place spans forever, there must be something amiss
(CRITICAL MISS!)
Well we're already here, might as well make the most of it
Just me and my friends dancing around on the fritz
(CRITICAL MISS!)
So let's go and revel! This wacky group of rebels on the blitz
I wouldn't have been here without you guys in this zany bliss
Even if we trip and fall, I'll pick you right back up, adventuring with you all in these crazy cliffs!
[＊Mod is currently losing her mind]
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
As the bus narrowly misses you, it comes to an abrupt stop. The door opens and an abnormally tiny, sky blue Zapper-ish Darkner with yellow accents and rainbow buttons hops out. "Oh geez, sorry 'bout dat! I's didn't see ya's till I was right on top o' ya!" He apologizes. "Hey, what's a bunch a Pippinses doin' all da way out here, anyway? Ya got lost or somethin'? If ya's like, I can drive ya! Uh, but only to Kitchen County n' back." She says.
[＊Strata waves off the initial notion in the midst of dusting itself off.]
Oh, don’t worry, we gotta have more practice with keeping on our toes anyway!
You are the only person I know who will try to twist almost being roadkill into a good scenario.
And we’re not lost! We’re out here all the time… or, well, I suppose we’re a little farther out from camp than usual, but I’m sure we know the way back, right?
[＊A single thumbs up from Percy after he makes sure the group didn’t get turned around from the bus debacle.]
Oh-! I’ve never been to Kitchen County though!!
[＊Trip is immediately excited at the prospect as Strata puts xeir hand to her chin in consideration, a smile on her face.]
I don’t think any of us have, actually! And I honestly wouldn’t mind a detour. It’s not like we’ve got an ending destination that the moment.
Okay we’re doing this now… [＊Dex begrudgingly pulls itself up from the ground.] Guess a drive won’t be terrible…
The driver perks up a bit, hands on their hips. "Glad ta know dere ain't no hard feelin's! Come on in, sit wherever's ya like! Just don't mess wit' da cargo area, arright?" He chirps, hopping back onto the bus.
As you file in, the vehicle is, well, an average bus. The front is a bit messy, the trash can in front having toppled over at some point and spilling some empty bottles of various drinks around the driver's area, though he seems to be fixing that right now. The front mirror has a small pair of plush Pippinses hanging behind it, as well as a novelty Tenna air freshener.
The seats are a bit musty, uneven layers of dust sprinkled on the only slightly wrinkled leather. There's some seat belts attached too, which are the least dusty. In the back, behind a tall metal fence, there are large crates labelled with various healing items, tied down to the ground.
Once the trash is off the ground and in the can again, the driver hops into her seat and turns on the engine again. "Buckle up!" That is the only warning you get before they SLAM the gas pedal and rocket off down the non-existent path; she has to be going at least triple the speed limit, and those don't even exist out here. He turns around to face his passengers, alarmingly only driving with one hand and not looking at the windshield at all.
"So, da name's Rex! I's da bus driver to n' from Kitchen County. Who are youse guys, eh? I's like ya clothes, real snazzy! What's were ya doin' out and about all da way out here? How long were ya walking? Da bus stop on set's an hour's walk away ta start. Youse must like ya cardio!" As they jabber on and on, you notice two things: one, that she's implying the set still exists. Two, holy SHIT they drive like a maniac. The bus makes last millisecond swerves sharp enough to saw Tenna in half, not helped by the fact Rex keeps narrowly avoiding driving the bus into rocky outcrops or off towering cliffs. She does drive off a few small cliffs, even. "Oh, hang on, you wanna see my Flinkies? Dey's da cutest! Actually, youse got any pets? Any kind!" They ask as if the windshield wipers aren't scraping an unlucky Ribbick off the glass right now.
What was that about the- [＊An unfortunate bump from one of the cliffs makes Percy bite his tongue. He opts to instead avert his attention back to his seat’s window. No unintentionally exploiting the time paradox for you, buddy.]
[＊Strata had done her best to keep up with the shifts in topic along staying upright with the much more frequent and jarring shifts of the bus. ‘Course he’s also being a mad lad and leaning over the seat in front of her as Rex talks. When it finally gets its chance to speak…]
Hah! Guess we coulda mentioned our names before getting on board, huh? Let’s see, I’m Strata, or Strats if ya want, I’m not pickyY- [＊Another swerve, she holds tighter onto the seat while it gets its bearings.] Whoof- anyway, the one somehow managing to journal in a moving vehicle is Percy-
It’s going poorly.
Yeesh, yeah, hope you’re not using pen right now. Ah- That’s Trip, that’s Dex.
Hi!!
Mm.
[＊Trip and Dex are next to each-other, taking the back seats. Dex is mainly focused on tightening his seatbelt some more so it??? Survives this bus ride??? Meanwhile Trip is mirroring Percy and looking out their window, though they’re more focused on how fast everything is going by. They tried to spot where the Ribbick ended up flying off to. It’ll probably be fine it’s coated in like 3 billion layers of dust…]
Let’s see, answering the other stuff, we sorta spend a lotta time in the cliffs as-is. We’ve got a camp out a little ways from where the studio w-Agh- [＊ Another roadbump-induced tongue-biting has hit the Tabletop Troupe] ough… but yeah, we’ve just been seeing if there’s anything interesting farther out from what we’ve already seen!
As for pets, hm…
Do the bees count?
The bees do NOT count
The bees absolutely count. But yeah, we don’t have many animals outside of that.
I’d wanna see the Flinkies!
Maybe wait till we’re not moving 100 miles a second?
…Cliffside incoming at your 12o’clock by the way. [＊ Xey point at the front window.]
"Strata, Percy, Trip, n' Dex! Gotcha! Youse got nice names." Rex chirps, his buttons flashing briefly. "Ya like camping, eh? Like toastin' marshmallows and veggie dogs and all dat? Dat sounds like fun!" She puts a hand to his face, blushing as they briefly muse about tasty snacks.
"If ya lookin' fa stuff farther out, I dunno if dere's anytin' super fancy, but I am takin' ya's ta Kitchen County! It's a real long way from da main set, honestly. Dunno how long it'd take on foot, but it's gotta be a real long walk! Lucky I found ya, huh-? Oop!" At Strata's remark, she swerves away from the cliff side. "Aw, tanks fa da help! I've memorized dis path, though, don't worry about it!" You're well within your right to worry.
"So where were we?? Oh, yeah, Kitchen County! I tink youse'll like it! We's don't get tonsa visitors, but everyone who's come ovah liked it! It's basically like its own Dark Woild, ya know?" They say. "Good ting the Fountain's leaning west, othahwise... Aah, youse probably won't need ta worry. Whaddya do on set, if ya don't mind me askin'?" The Fountain can lean??
Well, when we’re not actively evading work…
[＊Strata whips around, letting out a single exasperated laugh.] Don’t lead with that!
What, am I wrong~? You’re the one who got sick of the scripts, Strats… [＊It’s got the dumbest smirk across his face, definitely screwing with them right now.]
(Okay, FIRST of all, you KNOW this started out as an after-work thing. I was fine doing the scripts! I just wanted to ALSO do something more engaging…)
[＊Percy recognizes that this back-and forth is happening again, opting to pick up the line of conversation.]
We’re all mainly extra hands, if anything, but besides doing cleanup or anything similar… Strata would be acting a lot of the time, I sort of flipped between being on and off-stage depending on the day… camera work and background effects, you know.
(…Funny how you say that but you were suspiciously clocked in when I last checked…)
[＊He takes a moment to recall, staring ahead and fiddling with his pen.]
…If I remember correctly Dex takes the game board a lot of the time. It’s done some maintenance too, I think.
Oh, yeah! There was time we were both on board testing and he had to find the cable repair kit mid-game ‘cause his controller wasn’t connecting right.
(…I- Oh, come on, plenty of Pippins have done worse things…!)
Um… and I help with set-building and painting when I can! I like helping with the music, too, but the Shadowguys normally have that covered…
(…Wow, and I’m supposed to be rogue. But hey, I wouldn’t blame them for paying you to NOT show up.)
(Hah! You’re one to talk!)
[＊As the banter continues, Percy decides to bring light to the other topic.]
…I’d rather know what we shouldn’t worry about, if that’s ok. I just want to be on top of things…
[＊He doesn’t look particularly nervous, then again his expression is still reserved as ever so who can even tell with this nerd.]
…And I’m not familiar with a lot of fountain behavior. There’s not a lot to learn only living around TV world, I guess.
[＊Considering the confidence shown in the driver about this bus ride it’d also likely be best to weigh that “probably” VERY heavily.]
[＊Also L‼️ L Loser‼️ these guys haven’t been to card castle imagine being pippinses and never being to card castle smh]
"A buncha jobs all ovah da place, huh? I guess I shoulda expected dat. I used to woik security on set, 'fore becomin' da bus driver. I also stock da vendin' machines! Don't tink I've seen ya 'round, but I guess I coulda just missed ya." Rex says, approximately tapping herself on the chin.
"Oh, and about dat ting ya shouldn't worry about... Well, Kitchen County's so far from da Fountain dat sometimes, when it ain't pointin' at us right, we don't get enough of the Darkness dat gives us all form. It don't feel good..." They scratch the back of their head before perking up, perhaps slightly forcibly. "D'ah, but ya probably won't hafta worry! It's more of a native problem, so unless ya've been out and about away from da set fa a while, ya'll be dandy even if it does happen!" Rex says, tempting fate.
They finally look back at the windshield for the first time in ages as they finish, spotting the bus stop up ahead. "Oop, here we are!" As abruptly as she started the bus, he stops it, slamming the brakes just as the door lines up with the stop. Looking out, while you can certainly see Kitchen County in the near distance, the bus stop is farther from it than you'd imagine. "Here we are, Kitchen County! Or right near it, anyways, hehe. I'll nevah know why dey moved da bus stop farthah down aftah I started drivin'..." Ah.
[＊…Percy jots that likely very important info down before moving back a page in his journal to try to clean up what he managed to write on the drive. He gives a quiet sigh, as most of it isn’t salvageable.]
[＊Strata works on pulling herself up after definitely having been launched out of her seat when the bus stopped. This is why we wear seatbelts, kids.]
Well! [＊He rolls xyr head as she reorients after the tumble… Hey, a 5, not too shabby!] It’s a good thing we’re no stranger to walking! [＊They turn back to look at the troupe] Everyone good? Usual amount of limbs and all that?
Uhhhh no I actually lost all my bones during the drive. [＊Dex works on unbuckling itself as he does his best to return to form after being ever-so-slightly fearful for its life earlier.]
…Do darkners even have bones?
Nah just me. ‘cause I’m cool like that.
[＊The rogue is the first to get out of this death trap as the others make sure their belongings are still in place. Trip makes their way to the front of the bus next as they double-check that their recorder is undamaged.]
So where’s that leave you then, Rex? Do ya still have rounds to make?
[＊Yeag.]
Throwing you all into pokemon mystery dungeon
[＊This is just a one-off thing since Mod has NOT played PMD but uh]
Why do I get Tangela…
Yippee now we’re both grass types!!
…You can’t swing it like that.
Nono it’s gonna work trust me.
…Ok
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
As the bus narrowly misses you, it comes to an abrupt stop. The door opens and an abnormally tiny, sky blue Zapper-ish Darkner with yellow accents and rainbow buttons hops out. "Oh geez, sorry 'bout dat! I's didn't see ya's till I was right on top o' ya!" He apologizes. "Hey, what's a bunch a Pippinses doin' all da way out here, anyway? Ya got lost or somethin'? If ya's like, I can drive ya! Uh, but only to Kitchen County n' back." She says.
[＊Strata waves off the initial notion in the midst of dusting itself off.]
Oh, don’t worry, we gotta have more practice with keeping on our toes anyway!
You are the only person I know who will try to twist almost being roadkill into a good scenario.
And we’re not lost! We’re out here all the time… or, well, I suppose we’re a little farther out from camp than usual, but I’m sure we know the way back, right?
[＊A single thumbs up from Percy after he makes sure the group didn’t get turned around from the bus debacle.]
Oh-! I’ve never been to Kitchen County though!!
[＊Trip is immediately excited at the prospect as Strata puts xeir hand to her chin in consideration, a smile on her face.]
I don’t think any of us have, actually! And I honestly wouldn’t mind a detour. It’s not like we’ve got an ending destination that the moment.
Okay we’re doing this now… [＊Dex begrudgingly pulls itself up from the ground.] Guess a drive won’t be terrible…
The driver perks up a bit, hands on their hips. "Glad ta know dere ain't no hard feelin's! Come on in, sit wherever's ya like! Just don't mess wit' da cargo area, arright?" He chirps, hopping back onto the bus.
As you file in, the vehicle is, well, an average bus. The front is a bit messy, the trash can in front having toppled over at some point and spilling some empty bottles of various drinks around the driver's area, though he seems to be fixing that right now. The front mirror has a small pair of plush Pippinses hanging behind it, as well as a novelty Tenna air freshener.
The seats are a bit musty, uneven layers of dust sprinkled on the only slightly wrinkled leather. There's some seat belts attached too, which are the least dusty. In the back, behind a tall metal fence, there are large crates labelled with various healing items, tied down to the ground.
Once the trash is off the ground and in the can again, the driver hops into her seat and turns on the engine again. "Buckle up!" That is the only warning you get before they SLAM the gas pedal and rocket off down the non-existent path; she has to be going at least triple the speed limit, and those don't even exist out here. He turns around to face his passengers, alarmingly only driving with one hand and not looking at the windshield at all.
"So, da name's Rex! I's da bus driver to n' from Kitchen County. Who are youse guys, eh? I's like ya clothes, real snazzy! What's were ya doin' out and about all da way out here? How long were ya walking? Da bus stop on set's an hour's walk away ta start. Youse must like ya cardio!" As they jabber on and on, you notice two things: one, that she's implying the set still exists. Two, holy SHIT they drive like a maniac. The bus makes last millisecond swerves sharp enough to saw Tenna in half, not helped by the fact Rex keeps narrowly avoiding driving the bus into rocky outcrops or off towering cliffs. She does drive off a few small cliffs, even. "Oh, hang on, you wanna see my Flinkies? Dey's da cutest! Actually, youse got any pets? Any kind!" They ask as if the windshield wipers aren't scraping an unlucky Ribbick off the glass right now.
What was that about the- [＊An unfortunate bump from one of the cliffs makes Percy bite his tongue. He opts to instead avert his attention back to his seat’s window. No unintentionally exploiting the time paradox for you, buddy.]
[＊Strata had done her best to keep up with the shifts in topic along staying upright with the much more frequent and jarring shifts of the bus. ‘Course he’s also being a mad lad and leaning over the seat in front of her as Rex talks. When it finally gets its chance to speak…]
Hah! Guess we coulda mentioned our names before getting on board, huh? Let’s see, I’m Strata, or Strats if ya want, I’m not pickyY- [＊Another swerve, she holds tighter onto the seat while it gets its bearings.] Whoof- anyway, the one somehow managing to journal in a moving vehicle is Percy-
It’s going poorly.
Yeesh, yeah, hope you’re not using pen right now. Ah- That’s Trip, that’s Dex.
Hi!!
Mm.
[＊Trip and Dex are next to each-other, taking the back seats. Dex is mainly focused on tightening his seatbelt some more so it??? Survives this bus ride??? Meanwhile Trip is mirroring Percy and looking out their window, though they’re more focused on how fast everything is going by. They tried to spot where the Ribbick ended up flying off to. It’ll probably be fine it’s coated in like 3 billion layers of dust…]
Let’s see, answering the other stuff, we sorta spend a lotta time in the cliffs as-is. We’ve got a camp out a little ways from where the studio w-Agh- [＊ Another roadbump-induced tongue-biting has hit the Tabletop Troupe] ough… but yeah, we’ve just been seeing if there’s anything interesting farther out from what we’ve already seen!
As for pets, hm…
Do the bees count?
The bees do NOT count
The bees absolutely count. But yeah, we don’t have many animals outside of that.
I’d wanna see the Flinkies!
Maybe wait till we’re not moving 100 miles a second?
…Cliffside incoming at your 12o’clock by the way. [＊ Xey point at the front window.]
"Strata, Percy, Trip, n' Dex! Gotcha! Youse got nice names." Rex chirps, his buttons flashing briefly. "Ya like camping, eh? Like toastin' marshmallows and veggie dogs and all dat? Dat sounds like fun!" She puts a hand to his face, blushing as they briefly muse about tasty snacks.
"If ya lookin' fa stuff farther out, I dunno if dere's anytin' super fancy, but I am takin' ya's ta Kitchen County! It's a real long way from da main set, honestly. Dunno how long it'd take on foot, but it's gotta be a real long walk! Lucky I found ya, huh-? Oop!" At Strata's remark, she swerves away from the cliff side. "Aw, tanks fa da help! I've memorized dis path, though, don't worry about it!" You're well within your right to worry.
"So where were we?? Oh, yeah, Kitchen County! I tink youse'll like it! We's don't get tonsa visitors, but everyone who's come ovah liked it! It's basically like its own Dark Woild, ya know?" They say. "Good ting the Fountain's leaning west, othahwise... Aah, youse probably won't need ta worry. Whaddya do on set, if ya don't mind me askin'?" The Fountain can lean??
Well, when we’re not actively evading work…
[＊Strata whips around, letting out a single exasperated laugh.] Don’t lead with that!
What, am I wrong~? You’re the one who got sick of the scripts, Strats… [＊It’s got the dumbest smirk across his face, definitely screwing with them right now.]
(Okay, FIRST of all, you KNOW this started out as an after-work thing. I was fine doing the scripts! I just wanted to ALSO do something more engaging…)
[＊Percy recognizes that this back-and forth is happening again, opting to pick up the line of conversation.]
We’re all mainly extra hands, if anything, but besides doing cleanup or anything similar… Strata would be acting a lot of the time, I sort of flipped between being on and off-stage depending on the day… camera work and background effects, you know.
(…Funny how you say that but you were suspiciously clocked in when I last checked…)
[＊He takes a moment to recall, staring ahead and fiddling with his pen.]
…If I remember correctly Dex takes the game board a lot of the time. It’s done some maintenance too, I think.
Oh, yeah! There was time we were both on board testing and he had to find the cable repair kit mid-game ‘cause his controller wasn’t connecting right.
(…I- Oh, come on, plenty of Pippins have done worse things…!)
Um… and I help with set-building and painting when I can! I like helping with the music, too, but the Shadowguys normally have that covered…
(…Wow, and I’m supposed to be rogue. But hey, I wouldn’t blame them for paying you to NOT show up.)
(Hah! You’re one to talk!)
[＊As the banter continues, Percy decides to bring light to the other topic.]
…I’d rather know what we shouldn’t worry about, if that’s ok. I just want to be on top of things…
[＊He doesn’t look particularly nervous, then again his expression is still reserved as ever so who can even tell with this nerd.]
…And I’m not familiar with a lot of fountain behavior. There’s not a lot to learn only living around TV world, I guess.
[＊Considering the confidence shown in the driver about this bus ride it’d also likely be best to weigh that “probably” VERY heavily.]
[＊Also L‼️ L Loser‼️ these guys haven’t been to card castle imagine being pippinses and never being to card castle smh]
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
As the bus narrowly misses you, it comes to an abrupt stop. The door opens and an abnormally tiny, sky blue Zapper-ish Darkner with yellow accents and rainbow buttons hops out. "Oh geez, sorry 'bout dat! I's didn't see ya's till I was right on top o' ya!" He apologizes. "Hey, what's a bunch a Pippinses doin' all da way out here, anyway? Ya got lost or somethin'? If ya's like, I can drive ya! Uh, but only to Kitchen County n' back." She says.
[＊Strata waves off the initial notion in the midst of dusting itself off.]
Oh, don’t worry, we gotta have more practice with keeping on our toes anyway!
You are the only person I know who will try to twist almost being roadkill into a good scenario.
And we’re not lost! We’re out here all the time… or, well, I suppose we’re a little farther out from camp than usual, but I’m sure we know the way back, right?
[＊A single thumbs up from Percy after he makes sure the group didn’t get turned around from the bus debacle.]
Oh-! I’ve never been to Kitchen County though!!
[＊Trip is immediately excited at the prospect as Strata puts xeir hand to her chin in consideration, a smile on her face.]
I don’t think any of us have, actually! And I honestly wouldn’t mind a detour. It’s not like we’ve got an ending destination that the moment.
Okay we’re doing this now… [＊Dex begrudgingly pulls itself up from the ground.] Guess a drive won’t be terrible…
The driver perks up a bit, hands on their hips. "Glad ta know dere ain't no hard feelin's! Come on in, sit wherever's ya like! Just don't mess wit' da cargo area, arright?" He chirps, hopping back onto the bus.
As you file in, the vehicle is, well, an average bus. The front is a bit messy, the trash can in front having toppled over at some point and spilling some empty bottles of various drinks around the driver's area, though he seems to be fixing that right now. The front mirror has a small pair of plush Pippinses hanging behind it, as well as a novelty Tenna air freshener.
The seats are a bit musty, uneven layers of dust sprinkled on the only slightly wrinkled leather. There's some seat belts attached too, which are the least dusty. In the back, behind a tall metal fence, there are large crates labelled with various healing items, tied down to the ground.
Once the trash is off the ground and in the can again, the driver hops into her seat and turns on the engine again. "Buckle up!" That is the only warning you get before they SLAM the gas pedal and rocket off down the non-existent path; she has to be going at least triple the speed limit, and those don't even exist out here. He turns around to face his passengers, alarmingly only driving with one hand and not looking at the windshield at all.
"So, da name's Rex! I's da bus driver to n' from Kitchen County. Who are youse guys, eh? I's like ya clothes, real snazzy! What's were ya doin' out and about all da way out here? How long were ya walking? Da bus stop on set's an hour's walk away ta start. Youse must like ya cardio!" As they jabber on and on, you notice two things: one, that she's implying the set still exists. Two, holy SHIT they drive like a maniac. The bus makes last millisecond swerves sharp enough to saw Tenna in half, not helped by the fact Rex keeps narrowly avoiding driving the bus into rocky outcrops or off towering cliffs. She does drive off a few small cliffs, even. "Oh, hang on, you wanna see my Flinkies? Dey's da cutest! Actually, youse got any pets? Any kind!" They ask as if the windshield wipers aren't scraping an unlucky Ribbick off the glass right now.
What was that about the- [＊An unfortunate bump from one of the cliffs makes Percy bite his tongue. He opts to instead avert his attention back to his seat’s window. No unintentionally exploiting the time paradox for you, buddy.]
[＊Strata had done her best to keep up with the shifts in topic along staying upright with the much more frequent and jarring shifts of the bus. ‘Course he’s also being a mad lad and leaning over the seat in front of her as Rex talks. When it finally gets its chance to speak…]
Hah! Guess we coulda mentioned our names before getting on board, huh? Let’s see, I’m Strata, or Strats if ya want, I’m not pickyY- [＊Another swerve, she holds tighter onto the seat while it gets its bearings.] Whoof- anyway, the one somehow managing to journal in a moving vehicle is Percy-
It’s going poorly.
Yeesh, yeah, hope you’re not using pen right now. Ah- That’s Trip, that’s Dex.
Hi!!
Mm.
[＊Trip and Dex are next to each-other, taking the back seats. Dex is mainly focused on tightening his seatbelt some more so it??? Survives this bus ride??? Meanwhile Trip is mirroring Percy and looking out their window, though they’re more focused on how fast everything is going by. They tried to spot where the Ribbick ended up flying off to. It’ll probably be fine it’s coated in like 3 billion layers of dust…]
Let’s see, answering the other stuff, we sorta spend a lotta time in the cliffs as-is. We’ve got a camp out a little ways from where the studio w-Agh- [＊ Another roadbump-induced tongue-biting has hit the Tabletop Troupe] ough… but yeah, we’ve just been seeing if there’s anything interesting farther out from what we’ve already seen!
As for pets, hm…
Do the bees count?
The bees do NOT count
The bees absolutely count. But yeah, we don’t have many animals outside of that.
I’d wanna see the Flinkies!
Maybe wait till we’re not moving 100 miles a second?
…Cliffside incoming at your 12o’clock by the way. [＊ Xey point at the front window.]
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
As the bus narrowly misses you, it comes to an abrupt stop. The door opens and an abnormally tiny, sky blue Zapper-ish Darkner with yellow accents and rainbow buttons hops out. "Oh geez, sorry 'bout dat! I's didn't see ya's till I was right on top o' ya!" He apologizes. "Hey, what's a bunch a Pippinses doin' all da way out here, anyway? Ya got lost or somethin'? If ya's like, I can drive ya! Uh, but only to Kitchen County n' back." She says.
[＊Strata waves off the initial notion in the midst of dusting itself off.]
Oh, don’t worry, we gotta have more practice with keeping on our toes anyway!
You are the only person I know who will try to twist almost being roadkill into a good scenario.
And we’re not lost! We’re out here all the time… or, well, I suppose we’re a little farther out from camp than usual, but I’m sure we know the way back, right?
[＊A single thumbs up from Percy after he makes sure the group didn’t get turned around from the bus debacle.]
Oh-! I’ve never been to Kitchen County though!!
[＊Trip is immediately excited at the prospect as Strata puts xeir hand to her chin in consideration, a smile on her face.]
I don’t think any of us have, actually! And I honestly wouldn’t mind a detour. It’s not like we’ve got an ending destination that the moment.
Okay we’re doing this now… [＊Dex begrudgingly pulls itself up from the ground.] Guess a drive won’t be terrible…
As you wander the Cliffs, you hear an odd sound... A faint rumbling, it seems? The tremors run through the ground and up your feet, growing in strength steadily. Your shadows begin to grow in length and definition, and...
IS THAT A FUCKING BUS COMING TO HIT YOU-
(@mr-ant-tennas-kitchen-crew)
YIKES-!
Where the hell do you guys get food from
We do have a few snacks on-hand from TV world, but other than that we gotta look around farther from camp if we wanna stay stocked up!
Guess it’s a good thing we’re s’posed to be an adventuring party, huh?
I am the Everclear anon! In honor of your noble pursuits, have some Everclear!
(you got a bottle of Everclear each)
Huh. I’unno how many of us even drink that often.
I’ve never had a need to, at least.
Golly, this is stronger than anything I’ve had, that’s for sure…
Won’t hurt to keep it on hand! Thanks!
@tom-shadowguy-jester Tumblr ate your ask whoops
Your turn.
Alright, coward.
Oooooh you wound me. I’m so hurt right now. Argh. This is worse than the bees.
Hmmm…
(SUPRISE PIE!)
*SLAMS!*
HONK!
* (he then proceed to run away with the box)
[＊Yeah there’s no way they’re gonna catch up.]
@tom-shadowguy-jester Tumblr ate your ask whoops
Your turn.
Alright, coward.
Oooooh you wound me. I’m so hurt right now. Argh. This is worse than the bees.
Hmmm…
