The Outsider, returned.

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

Tera turns to walk, beckoning her ink-coated guest to follow. Leading her through a nearby transportalizer, they end up on the surface.

The little white platform's twin is situated atop a tower of metal. Also situated up here is the familiar sight of chaotic SBURBanite architecture, a spire of random rooms and supports that was once a shitty little second story apartment. It pierces the dark storm clouds that swirl and roil around it, with Skaia occasionally shining its divine light through whatever openings come and go. It's currently raining pretty heavily.

"Welcome to the Land of Storms and Circuits!"

True to its name, the miniature planetoid consists of metal as far as the eye can see. Huge spires of steel and copper reach towards the perpetually stormy skies, occasionally being struck by lightning and channeling the immense energy deeper into the planet. Large, industrial buildings cover the areas surrounding them. A series of deep chasms separates the world into neat hexagonal blocks with a lightning rod spire at the center of each. The chasms themselves house bridges and walkways connecting the sections to one another and leading to doorways, vents, and maintenance tunnels.

Tera retrieves an umbrella from her sylladex and holds it above their heads. "Or as my sessionmates and I liked to call it: Rain World (Real???) Or just LOSAC, because of course I'm the one whose land abbreviates to Sagging Balls."

It certainly is soggy. Much wetter than mine, even, if I recall. There's a certain beauty to it, though. Consider me a fan.

Rose huddles up close under there as she takes in the view, rain pouring down her chest, making it even shinier than before. She was something of a void of warmth these days, which made her all the better at appreciating someone else's, even with an inch or two of distance between them.

You mentioned that was in the past... May I ask how your session went? I- understand they tend to go horribly wrong more often than not, I don't want to pry.

Tera was indeed quite toasty, her resting body temperature being higher than most since her ascension. She radiates a comfortable warmth that can easily be felt by Rose as they walk towards her comically tall abode.

"It's alright. Honestly, it went pretty smooth in the beginning. We didn't prototype anything overpowered pre-entry, none of our dream selves were assassinated before waking up, the early game was a bit challenging at first for me personally but I eventually got used to the increased physical activity. Killing underlings and doing fetch quests for the consorts is a great workout, but I swear my entire body was sore more days than not."

She opens the door to the lower level of the building and invites Rose inside. It's a cozy little place, an addition made after entry. It looks like a somewhat normal one-story house, with all the amenities that entails. Tera heads towards the kitchen, opting to float a few inches off the ground instead of walking now that she's inside.

"I wasn't all that physically active before SBURB. I spent most days in the Original Apartment—the floor above this one— sitting in my room, playing video games, not really doing much else. Having to actually Get Up And Do Shit was difficult for me. Luckily, I had a mom, a sprite, a functionally infinite supply of medication, and a small polycule of wonderful people to support and help me."

She enters the kitchen and starts looking through the pantry. It's stocked with shelf stable food and alchemized snacks. "Do you have any allergies I need to know about?"

Rose nods along to the explanation on the way over to the looming, haphazard tower. Good, good. Nice to hear they didn't get left behind- no allergies, no.

She opts to get herself a seat, still dripping onto the floor a bit, although she does briefly entertain the idea of hovering cross-legged like some kind of soggy Shadow Buddha. Definitely a bit too silly.

You've certainly done well for yourself, by the looks of things. Thank you for sharing with me. Everything, I mean, the story and the hospitality. Still not quite getting to the "I needed that" part, a soft smile crossing her glossy black lips would have to suffice.

Tera smiles as she gets to cooking. A few fleshy tendrils and extra arms sprout from her back to assist her, mainly to grab ingredients when needed or continue working while she looks for something. "Of course! It's the least I can do for a guest."

It only takes a few minutes for Tera to serve Rose. She puts a plate in front of her grimdark guest; It's omurice with a side of steamed broccoli and carrot slices. She sets out some condiments and napkins and pours Rose a drink of her choice, then sits across from her with her own plate.

There's something reassuring about the way Tera so casually sprouts appendages to work. Makes her feel less of a pariah with her own many unseen limbs. Rose takes most of the cooking time for quiet introspection and observation. It's nice to just relax in someone's company for a bit.

When the food comes out, something startles her for a moment. Something's strange, there's a deep, low tremor coming from- inside her? And a strange, unfamiliar noise. Concern flashes across her face.

Then she remembers.

Those are hungry noises. She's hungry. For the first time in... well, since before she was remade. She didn't need food, so she didn't bother with it, though she knew from trying that it agrees with her just fine. But apparently, at least right here and now, she actually wanted a hot meal in her. Craved it, even.

She tries to act normal, but outwardly she did pretty clearly make a very concerned face for about two seconds at her stomach rumbling in a very normal (if very empty and conspicuously loud) way, so. Only so much damage control her composure can do there. No matter.

She gets right to it after that little hitch. Simple, hearty and filling, just what she needed right now. Eating a little quickly, but she wouldn't hold it against herself.

Lovely... thank you. Perhaps I should do this more often- food, I mean. Honestly, the visiting, too.

Mm- while it's on my mind. Was there anything you wanted to ask me? I feel all the questions have been for you thus far.

Tera has gotten so used to it, she doesn't even think about it anymore. Not consciously, anyways. The extra limbs and transformations are a result of her classpect. being an Heir of Rage, she can change her body in disturbing and dreadful ways; becoming fear by shapeshifting through body horror, complete with all the sounds of crunching bones and rearranging musculature such a thing would entail. Growing a new pair of long, sinewous arms or turning into a Mother Long Legs is but a small slice of what she can do, though she hasn't really had a need to go further than extra limbs for maintenance work around her land or extra eyes to see further into the light spectrum in quite a while.

It doesn't hurt her. It never has. It's just unsettling to witness for most. But God damn does it make multitasking so much easier.

She smiles as she sees Rose enjoy her meal. It makes her feel warm and fuzzy inside to see someone like something she made. Sounds like her guest needed it, too; She heard Rose's stomach growl, but didn't say anything to not be rude.

A few of her extra arms wrap around herself in a hug as she finishes her own meal. "There's a few things I'm curious about, yeah. Mainly I'd like to know more about your clothes... or lack thereof, I guess? Liquid Darkness is an interesting choice of fashion, assuming it's not like, physically part of you," she thinks out loud, her blushing growing more noticeable. Her eyes slowly move downwards as she talks but quickly flicks her gaze back up before it can reach below Rose's shoulders. "Not that I'm complaining, of course! I don't exactly have room to judge."

Oh, that's exactly what it is. No need to be any less direct than that. She opens her mouth and lets her tongue hang down for a few seconds to demonstrate; it's the same shiny black as what's covering her, and a few heavy drops of liquid tar ooze down it. Splattering onto her heavy chest, where they seamlessly flow into the not-latex and disappear, one and the same.

It's just practical. I came out of a certain ordeal with nothing but the gallons of darkness that make me - my body itself is an artificial shell of the very same substance. I still worry it might look uncanny, being remade from memory and all. Depending on how you look at it, you could consider all or none of this clothing, I suppose.

My control over it is still amateurish, frankly. The one thing that's hard to practice in a place that merged you with a formless mass of darkness is manifesting a physical form. This is my practice. Being here. Being real. Poking my nose where I shouldn't, like the old days. I seem to be doing alright so far? She shrugs.

Tera simply watches the thick dollops of inky black roll down Rose's tongue and merge with her tit once they drip. The rooms grows noticeably warmer after that teasing display. No doubt the Heir's mind is full of Very Normal Thoughts™, evident by her hair combusting into a bright tyrian blaze. Yup.

Definitely normal.

"goddamn it..." She runs her hands over her hair to put out the almost obnoxiously pink fire. It takes a bit, but she manages. "Honestly, I think you did a great job. The body is relatively easy if you know your proportions. It's mostly just shapes on top of shapes, some smoothing out where parts meet, and a bit of detailing if you feel like it. Maybe some internal organs if you're feeling fancy too. Hair is even easier since there's so much variety to be had, you can't really go wrong with it. It's the face that's tricky to get right. Normal humans are really good at telling when a face looks... off. It fills them with a minor sense of panic and dread, like something is trying to disguise itself as a person while not fully grasping what a person looks like." As she says this, Tera finally makes eye contact, her purple irises shining like polished sugilite. "But from over here, I'm not getting that from you. Everything is where it should be and the proportions are fine. There's a bit of asymmetry, but that's to be expected; no one's face is perfectly symmetrical. I mean if anything you look really pretty."

It takes her a moment to register what she just said. She immediately breaks eye contact and looks away, perhaps out of some sort of embarrassment. "um, if that's ok to say."

She, of course, does not connect her display with the sudden ignition in the slightest, meeting Tera's gaze without judgement or question. It's not that she's oblivious per se, more that being an object of desire is the last reason for anything that could cross her mind so soon after a lifetime of being nothing but voidslop, even after a direct compliment.

Mm. Well, that is what I've felt like in recent times: something disguised as a person. I... I think it's more than okay to say that. I needed to hear it, frivolous though such concerns may be. You're a sweetheart, truly.

She sips at her tea. Still plenty hot enough, the warmth spreading through her from the inside. Her belly's still rumbling, albeit in a somewhat more satisfied way - she was never so noisy about food before, she was getting self-conscious about it. Mmfh, excuse me...

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

Tera turns to walk, beckoning her ink-coated guest to follow. Leading her through a nearby transportalizer, they end up on the surface.

The little white platform's twin is situated atop a tower of metal. Also situated up here is the familiar sight of chaotic SBURBanite architecture, a spire of random rooms and supports that was once a shitty little second story apartment. It pierces the dark storm clouds that swirl and roil around it, with Skaia occasionally shining its divine light through whatever openings come and go. It's currently raining pretty heavily.

"Welcome to the Land of Storms and Circuits!"

True to its name, the miniature planetoid consists of metal as far as the eye can see. Huge spires of steel and copper reach towards the perpetually stormy skies, occasionally being struck by lightning and channeling the immense energy deeper into the planet. Large, industrial buildings cover the areas surrounding them. A series of deep chasms separates the world into neat hexagonal blocks with a lightning rod spire at the center of each. The chasms themselves house bridges and walkways connecting the sections to one another and leading to doorways, vents, and maintenance tunnels.

Tera retrieves an umbrella from her sylladex and holds it above their heads. "Or as my sessionmates and I liked to call it: Rain World (Real???) Or just LOSAC, because of course I'm the one whose land abbreviates to Sagging Balls."

It certainly is soggy. Much wetter than mine, even, if I recall. There's a certain beauty to it, though. Consider me a fan.

Rose huddles up close under there as she takes in the view, rain pouring down her chest, making it even shinier than before. She was something of a void of warmth these days, which made her all the better at appreciating someone else's, even with an inch or two of distance between them.

You mentioned that was in the past... May I ask how your session went? I- understand they tend to go horribly wrong more often than not, I don't want to pry.

Tera was indeed quite toasty, her resting body temperature being higher than most since her ascension. She radiates a comfortable warmth that can easily be felt by Rose as they walk towards her comically tall abode.

"It's alright. Honestly, it went pretty smooth in the beginning. We didn't prototype anything overpowered pre-entry, none of our dream selves were assassinated before waking up, the early game was a bit challenging at first for me personally but I eventually got used to the increased physical activity. Killing underlings and doing fetch quests for the consorts is a great workout, but I swear my entire body was sore more days than not."

She opens the door to the lower level of the building and invites Rose inside. It's a cozy little place, an addition made after entry. It looks like a somewhat normal one-story house, with all the amenities that entails. Tera heads towards the kitchen, opting to float a few inches off the ground instead of walking now that she's inside.

"I wasn't all that physically active before SBURB. I spent most days in the Original Apartment—the floor above this one— sitting in my room, playing video games, not really doing much else. Having to actually Get Up And Do Shit was difficult for me. Luckily, I had a mom, a sprite, a functionally infinite supply of medication, and a small polycule of wonderful people to support and help me."

She enters the kitchen and starts looking through the pantry. It's stocked with shelf stable food and alchemized snacks. "Do you have any allergies I need to know about?"

Rose nods along to the explanation on the way over to the looming, haphazard tower. Good, good. Nice to hear they didn't get left behind- no allergies, no.

She opts to get herself a seat, still dripping onto the floor a bit, although she does briefly entertain the idea of hovering cross-legged like some kind of soggy Shadow Buddha. Definitely a bit too silly.

You've certainly done well for yourself, by the looks of things. Thank you for sharing with me. Everything, I mean, the story and the hospitality. Still not quite getting to the "I needed that" part, a soft smile crossing her glossy black lips would have to suffice.

Tera smiles as she gets to cooking. A few fleshy tendrils and extra arms sprout from her back to assist her, mainly to grab ingredients when needed or continue working while she looks for something. "Of course! It's the least I can do for a guest."

It only takes a few minutes for Tera to serve Rose. She puts a plate in front of her grimdark guest; It's omurice with a side of steamed broccoli and carrot slices. She sets out some condiments and napkins and pours Rose a drink of her choice, then sits across from her with her own plate.

There's something reassuring about the way Tera so casually sprouts appendages to work. Makes her feel less of a pariah with her own many unseen limbs. Rose takes most of the cooking time for quiet introspection and observation. It's nice to just relax in someone's company for a bit.

When the food comes out, something startles her for a moment. Something's strange, there's a deep, low tremor coming from- inside her? And a strange, unfamiliar noise. Concern flashes across her face.

Then she remembers.

Those are hungry noises. She's hungry. For the first time in... well, since before she was remade. She didn't need food, so she didn't bother with it, though she knew from trying that it agrees with her just fine. But apparently, at least right here and now, she actually wanted a hot meal in her. Craved it, even.

She tries to act normal, but outwardly she did pretty clearly make a very concerned face for about two seconds at her stomach rumbling in a very normal (if very empty and conspicuously loud) way, so. Only so much damage control her composure can do there. No matter.

She gets right to it after that little hitch. Simple, hearty and filling, just what she needed right now. Eating a little quickly, but she wouldn't hold it against herself.

Lovely... thank you. Perhaps I should do this more often- food, I mean. Honestly, the visiting, too.

Mm- while it's on my mind. Was there anything you wanted to ask me? I feel all the questions have been for you thus far.

Tera has gotten so used to it, she doesn't even think about it anymore. Not consciously, anyways. The extra limbs and transformations are a result of her classpect. being an Heir of Rage, she can change her body in disturbing and dreadful ways; becoming fear by shapeshifting through body horror, complete with all the sounds of crunching bones and rearranging musculature such a thing would entail. Growing a new pair of long, sinewous arms or turning into a Mother Long Legs is but a small slice of what she can do, though she hasn't really had a need to go further than extra limbs for maintenance work around her land or extra eyes to see further into the light spectrum in quite a while.

It doesn't hurt her. It never has. It's just unsettling to witness for most. But God damn does it make multitasking so much easier.

She smiles as she sees Rose enjoy her meal. It makes her feel warm and fuzzy inside to see someone like something she made. Sounds like her guest needed it, too; She heard Rose's stomach growl, but didn't say anything to not be rude.

A few of her extra arms wrap around herself in a hug as she finishes her own meal. "There's a few things I'm curious about, yeah. Mainly I'd like to know more about your clothes... or lack thereof, I guess? Liquid Darkness is an interesting choice of fashion, assuming it's not like, physically part of you," she thinks out loud, her blushing growing more noticeable. Her eyes slowly move downwards as she talks but quickly flicks her gaze back up before it can reach below Rose's shoulders. "Not that I'm complaining, of course! I don't exactly have room to judge."

Oh, that's exactly what it is. No need to be any less direct than that. She opens her mouth and lets her tongue hang down for a few seconds to demonstrate; it's the same shiny black as what's covering her, and a few heavy drops of liquid tar ooze down it. Splattering onto her heavy chest, where they seamlessly flow into the not-latex and disappear, one and the same.

It's just practical. I came out of a certain ordeal with nothing but the gallons of darkness that make me - my body itself is an artificial shell of the very same substance. I still worry it might look uncanny, being remade from memory and all. Depending on how you look at it, you could consider all or none of this clothing, I suppose.

My control over it is still amateurish, frankly. The one thing that's hard to practice in a place that merged you with a formless mass of darkness is manifesting a physical form. This is my practice. Being here. Being real. Poking my nose where I shouldn't, like the old days. I seem to be doing alright so far? She shrugs.

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

Tera turns to walk, beckoning her ink-coated guest to follow. Leading her through a nearby transportalizer, they end up on the surface.

The little white platform's twin is situated atop a tower of metal. Also situated up here is the familiar sight of chaotic SBURBanite architecture, a spire of random rooms and supports that was once a shitty little second story apartment. It pierces the dark storm clouds that swirl and roil around it, with Skaia occasionally shining its divine light through whatever openings come and go. It's currently raining pretty heavily.

"Welcome to the Land of Storms and Circuits!"

True to its name, the miniature planetoid consists of metal as far as the eye can see. Huge spires of steel and copper reach towards the perpetually stormy skies, occasionally being struck by lightning and channeling the immense energy deeper into the planet. Large, industrial buildings cover the areas surrounding them. A series of deep chasms separates the world into neat hexagonal blocks with a lightning rod spire at the center of each. The chasms themselves house bridges and walkways connecting the sections to one another and leading to doorways, vents, and maintenance tunnels.

Tera retrieves an umbrella from her sylladex and holds it above their heads. "Or as my sessionmates and I liked to call it: Rain World (Real???) Or just LOSAC, because of course I'm the one whose land abbreviates to Sagging Balls."

It certainly is soggy. Much wetter than mine, even, if I recall. There's a certain beauty to it, though. Consider me a fan.

Rose huddles up close under there as she takes in the view, rain pouring down her chest, making it even shinier than before. She was something of a void of warmth these days, which made her all the better at appreciating someone else's, even with an inch or two of distance between them.

You mentioned that was in the past... May I ask how your session went? I- understand they tend to go horribly wrong more often than not, I don't want to pry.

Tera was indeed quite toasty, her resting body temperature being higher than most since her ascension. She radiates a comfortable warmth that can easily be felt by Rose as they walk towards her comically tall abode.

"It's alright. Honestly, it went pretty smooth in the beginning. We didn't prototype anything overpowered pre-entry, none of our dream selves were assassinated before waking up, the early game was a bit challenging at first for me personally but I eventually got used to the increased physical activity. Killing underlings and doing fetch quests for the consorts is a great workout, but I swear my entire body was sore more days than not."

She opens the door to the lower level of the building and invites Rose inside. It's a cozy little place, an addition made after entry. It looks like a somewhat normal one-story house, with all the amenities that entails. Tera heads towards the kitchen, opting to float a few inches off the ground instead of walking now that she's inside.

"I wasn't all that physically active before SBURB. I spent most days in the Original Apartment—the floor above this one— sitting in my room, playing video games, not really doing much else. Having to actually Get Up And Do Shit was difficult for me. Luckily, I had a mom, a sprite, a functionally infinite supply of medication, and a small polycule of wonderful people to support and help me."

She enters the kitchen and starts looking through the pantry. It's stocked with shelf stable food and alchemized snacks. "Do you have any allergies I need to know about?"

Rose nods along to the explanation on the way over to the looming, haphazard tower. Good, good. Nice to hear they didn't get left behind- no allergies, no.

She opts to get herself a seat, still dripping onto the floor a bit, although she does briefly entertain the idea of hovering cross-legged like some kind of soggy Shadow Buddha. Definitely a bit too silly.

You've certainly done well for yourself, by the looks of things. Thank you for sharing with me. Everything, I mean, the story and the hospitality. Still not quite getting to the "I needed that" part, a soft smile crossing her glossy black lips would have to suffice.

Tera smiles as she gets to cooking. A few fleshy tendrils and extra arms sprout from her back to assist her, mainly to grab ingredients when needed or continue working while she looks for something. "Of course! It's the least I can do for a guest."

It only takes a few minutes for Tera to serve Rose. She puts a plate in front of her grimdark guest; It's omurice with a side of steamed broccoli and carrot slices. She sets out some condiments and napkins and pours Rose a drink of her choice, then sits across from her with her own plate.

There's something reassuring about the way Tera so casually sprouts appendages to work. Makes her feel less of a pariah with her own many unseen limbs. Rose takes most of the cooking time for quiet introspection and observation. It's nice to just relax in someone's company for a bit.

When the food comes out, something startles her for a moment. Something's strange, there's a deep, low tremor coming from- inside her? And a strange, unfamiliar noise. Concern flashes across her face.

Then she remembers.

Those are hungry noises. She's hungry. For the first time in... well, since before she was remade. She didn't need food, so she didn't bother with it, though she knew from trying that it agrees with her just fine. But apparently, at least right here and now, she actually wanted a hot meal in her. Craved it, even.

She tries to act normal, but outwardly she did pretty clearly make a very concerned face for about two seconds at her stomach rumbling in a very normal (if very empty and conspicuously loud) way, so. Only so much damage control her composure can do there. No matter.

She gets right to it after that little hitch. Simple, hearty and filling, just what she needed right now. Eating a little quickly, but she wouldn't hold it against herself.

Lovely... thank you. Perhaps I should do this more often- food, I mean. Honestly, the visiting, too.

Mm- while it's on my mind. Was there anything you wanted to ask me? I feel all the questions have been for you thus far.

#thorned-sorceress

roslyn-peixes

I liked the concept so I made a blog for it. Whether it'll get much use remains to be seen. Check here for kinks and such.

Inspired myself enough to make a silly little thing. No pressure, I'm not packing up over here already or anything.

#outsider-ooc

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

Tera turns to walk, beckoning her ink-coated guest to follow. Leading her through a nearby transportalizer, they end up on the surface.

The little white platform's twin is situated atop a tower of metal. Also situated up here is the familiar sight of chaotic SBURBanite architecture, a spire of random rooms and supports that was once a shitty little second story apartment. It pierces the dark storm clouds that swirl and roil around it, with Skaia occasionally shining its divine light through whatever openings come and go. It's currently raining pretty heavily.

"Welcome to the Land of Storms and Circuits!"

True to its name, the miniature planetoid consists of metal as far as the eye can see. Huge spires of steel and copper reach towards the perpetually stormy skies, occasionally being struck by lightning and channeling the immense energy deeper into the planet. Large, industrial buildings cover the areas surrounding them. A series of deep chasms separates the world into neat hexagonal blocks with a lightning rod spire at the center of each. The chasms themselves house bridges and walkways connecting the sections to one another and leading to doorways, vents, and maintenance tunnels.

Tera retrieves an umbrella from her sylladex and holds it above their heads. "Or as my sessionmates and I liked to call it: Rain World (Real???) Or just LOSAC, because of course I'm the one whose land abbreviates to Sagging Balls."

It certainly is soggy. Much wetter than mine, even, if I recall. There's a certain beauty to it, though. Consider me a fan.

Rose huddles up close under there as she takes in the view, rain pouring down her chest, making it even shinier than before. She was something of a void of warmth these days, which made her all the better at appreciating someone else's, even with an inch or two of distance between them.

You mentioned that was in the past... May I ask how your session went? I- understand they tend to go horribly wrong more often than not, I don't want to pry.

Tera was indeed quite toasty, her resting body temperature being higher than most since her ascension. She radiates a comfortable warmth that can easily be felt by Rose as they walk towards her comically tall abode.

"It's alright. Honestly, it went pretty smooth in the beginning. We didn't prototype anything overpowered pre-entry, none of our dream selves were assassinated before waking up, the early game was a bit challenging at first for me personally but I eventually got used to the increased physical activity. Killing underlings and doing fetch quests for the consorts is a great workout, but I swear my entire body was sore more days than not."

She opens the door to the lower level of the building and invites Rose inside. It's a cozy little place, an addition made after entry. It looks like a somewhat normal one-story house, with all the amenities that entails. Tera heads towards the kitchen, opting to float a few inches off the ground instead of walking now that she's inside.

"I wasn't all that physically active before SBURB. I spent most days in the Original Apartment—the floor above this one— sitting in my room, playing video games, not really doing much else. Having to actually Get Up And Do Shit was difficult for me. Luckily, I had a mom, a sprite, a functionally infinite supply of medication, and a small polycule of wonderful people to support and help me."

She enters the kitchen and starts looking through the pantry. It's stocked with shelf stable food and alchemized snacks. "Do you have any allergies I need to know about?"

Rose nods along to the explanation on the way over to the looming, haphazard tower. Good, good. Nice to hear they didn't get left behind- no allergies, no.

She opts to get herself a seat, still dripping onto the floor a bit, although she does briefly entertain the idea of hovering cross-legged like some kind of soggy Shadow Buddha. Definitely a bit too silly.

You've certainly done well for yourself, by the looks of things. Thank you for sharing with me. Everything, I mean, the story and the hospitality. Still not quite getting to the "I needed that" part, a soft smile crossing her glossy black lips would have to suffice.

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

Tera turns to walk, beckoning her ink-coated guest to follow. Leading her through a nearby transportalizer, they end up on the surface.

The little white platform's twin is situated atop a tower of metal. Also situated up here is the familiar sight of chaotic SBURBanite architecture, a spire of random rooms and supports that was once a shitty little second story apartment. It pierces the dark storm clouds that swirl and roil around it, with Skaia occasionally shining its divine light through whatever openings come and go. It's currently raining pretty heavily.

"Welcome to the Land of Storms and Circuits!"

True to its name, the miniature planetoid consists of metal as far as the eye can see. Huge spires of steel and copper reach towards the perpetually stormy skies, occasionally being struck by lightning and channeling the immense energy deeper into the planet. Large, industrial buildings cover the areas surrounding them. A series of deep chasms separates the world into neat hexagonal blocks with a lightning rod spire at the center of each. The chasms themselves house bridges and walkways connecting the sections to one another and leading to doorways, vents, and maintenance tunnels.

Tera retrieves an umbrella from her sylladex and holds it above their heads. "Or as my sessionmates and I liked to call it: Rain World (Real???) Or just LOSAC, because of course I'm the one whose land abbreviates to Sagging Balls."

It certainly is soggy. Much wetter than mine, even, if I recall. There's a certain beauty to it, though. Consider me a fan.

Rose huddles up close under there as she takes in the view, rain pouring down her chest, making it even shinier than before. She was something of a void of warmth these days, which made her all the better at appreciating someone else's, even with an inch or two of distance between them.

You mentioned that was in the past... May I ask how your session went? I- understand they tend to go horribly wrong more often than not, I don't want to pry.

@aphrodisiancarnival

It really does barely count as clothing... more revealing even than latex, the shiny black coating looks like it's painted onto her, following every curve and contour precisely. Rose doesn't comment on Tera's gaze, though she does watch it pass over her, letting a faint smile slip. Attention like that makes her feel real again, if just for a few moments...

I was just thinking the other day I'd like a hot meal, actually. Might be nice to pick out some proper clothes too, practical though this look is. It never feels worth bothering with the little things on my own. She could do with the company as well, of course, though she's not so willing to admit it.

What is this place, anyway? If I'm allowed to know, I mean.

absolutecatastrophy

Now how did I end up here... never mind wrong timeline, I'd be surprised if I even know anyone here...

Rose had developed a habit of muttering to herself recently, sure to attract attention if anyone was present here - not exactly something on her mind right now. Really, she should have left the moment she realised the portal was wildly off target, but curiosity is a powerful motivator. Besides, covertly observing some of her alternate selves wasn't much less weird than snooping around a...

What exactly was this place, anyway? One of Tera's outposts, not that Rose would know anything about that. She hadn't been able to take in much at all in the few seconds she'd been standing here, but at a first impression it reminded her of some of the old Skaianet labs, part survival bunker and part research facility.

Perhaps she would have been able to make a more thorough analysis if her entry point hadn't put her right behind a low stack of boxes, which after not even ten seconds of thinking to herself she took a step forward to get a better look at the room and promptly tripped, crashing noisily to the ground.

The sound of Rose falling to the cold, metallic floor echoes throughout the large room she finds herself in. After a moment, something descends from the ceiling.

It resembles an overgrown mass of jet black, cancerous bulbs, each one adorned with a glowing purple X. The thin, noodly strands anchoring it to the ceiling begin to move, unsticking themselves and attaching to other nearby surfaces, supporting and holding the main mass in the air while pulling it forwards like legs. Dangling from the underside of this mobile tumor is a human wearing purple god-tier clothes.

It ambulates towards the intruder like a large serving of accursed spaghetti and meatballs.

Once it arrives, the fellow SBURB player stuck to the main mass retrieves a shotgun from their strife specibus. One of their eyes is obscured by smaller growths, all of which rotate to "look" at her as they take aim. They speak.

"who are you and how did you get here."

Urgh... fuck-

Stunned by the impact, it takes her some time to turn over onto her back, by which point the furious guardian of this place was already rapidly advancing. She's not exactly scared of the sight - more than a little intimidated though. The difference matters only in that she can just about stay composed enough to give a proper response. A relatively honest one, even; someone wearing traditional SBURBan garb is more likely to understand her situation than most.

Rose Lalonde, I- I had no intention of coming here, I assure you. Teleportation accident. Please, escort me out or- or something, but I would really prefer not to experience getting shot today.

absolutecatastrophy

She pauses for a moment, simply staring at Rose. It's as if she's searching for something deeper; a hint of deception in the displaced woman's words, or perhaps malicious intent of some kind.

... Whatever it is, she doesn't find it.

She stows her weapon in her specibus and lowers herself to the floor. The growths and tendrils on her back and face deflate and recede into her human anatomy, leaving no trace of ever being present.

She kneels down and extends a hand. "Tera Workman, the Heir Catastrophic. You're quite a ways away from home, aren't you?"