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telematicsabiotrophy · 3 years ago

Text

==> The Fifth Day

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022

Uninteruppted of course, until Karkat messages him.

--CG began trolling TA-- CG: SO THE SUN IS GOING DOWN SOON AND YOU'VE BEEN OFFLINE A WHILE. CRO SAID YOU WERE ASLEEP SO I LEFT YOU BE CG: BUT I CAN ONLY DO THAT FOR SO LONG, SO THIS IS YOUR WAKEUP CALL.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: mmgh TA: what tiime ii2 iit? TA: 2orry ii'm TA: let me wake up

Up he goes, rubbing his eyes sleepily and dragging himself out of the bed to figure out where the bathroom is.

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 Bathroom is just a small room next door to his, everything is mostly quiet now, naptime for all trolls. CG: GOOD, WELL AT LEAST YOU SLEPT. CG: WAS IT. GOOD SLEEP? LIKE ON A BED?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 Bathroom done, face washed, time to find left over pizza or other food items and get food into himself TA: yeah iit wa2 niice TA: 2orry ii 2lept 2o long TA: ii'm up TA: hey ii love you

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: GOOD, GOOD. ARE YOU STILL, YOU KNOW. SAFE? ABLE TO REALLY TALK?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: yeah, ii'm iin a new 2pot, iit2 2afe, there2 bed2 and food and 2tuff TA: look2 liike everyone el2e ii2 al2o a2leep riight now

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: THANK FUCK. WE PASSED MOUNTAINS EARLIER, THAT WAS FUCKING WEIRD BUT DIRK SAYS IT MEANS WE'RE REAL CLOSE NOW. CG: WHICH MEANS TONIGHT YOU COULD BE IN MY ARMS.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii'm goiing two kii22 you TA: 2o much TA: ii've mii22ed you,,

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: AM I AN ASSHOLE FOR LAUGHING? AND BEING UNSURE IF I'M GOING TO KISS YOU BEFORE OR AFTER I PUNCH YOU IN THE JAW? BECAUSE I SURE AM FEELING THAT WAY. CG: I MISSED YOU TOO THOUGH.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA:pfft TA: ii don't know iif ii 2hould ju2t accept my fate or tu22le wiith you iin the miiddle of whereever we meet

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH FATE ACCEPTING FOR NOW, I NEED TO FEEL YOU UNDER MY HANDS AT LEAST A LITTLE. ):B

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii promii2e ii have not ju2t been acceptiing any fate, but rolliing around wiith you 2ound2 TA: 2o niice

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: LOOK, JUST GET BACK IN ONE PIECE AND THEN I'LL TOSS YOU THROUGH A WALL OR SOMETHING IF YOU REALLY WANT IT, ALRIGHT. THERE'S THIS NEW PLACE THAT OPENED UP THAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHEN WE GET BACK, FOR, THAT SORT OF TUSSLING.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: oh 2hiit yeah? niice. TA: ii ju2t want two have you iin my arm2 riight now TA: we'll get there, you aren't far now

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: YEAH. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NIGHT THEN? ARE YOU GOING BACK TO BED. YOU SURE SEEM LIKE YOU COULD USE SOME MORE REST.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: nah ii'm wakiing up now TA: no plan2, 2iitiing tiight, tryiing two 2tay off anyone2 radar, eatiing food TA: there2 a 2wiitch iin our hiidey hole and ii miight fuck around playiing wiith that TA: look at new2 2iite2 and thiing2, you know

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 There's a note on his door! It's got a baggie of green pills taped to it, there are seven of them.

Desira brought these back for you last night. They're sopor pills (Disclaimer, not made with real sopor, lol). They're to help you feel more rested even if you have to keep sleeping rough. I tested one out- They're legit. Just make sure you have plenty of time for the effects to wear off. - Venure

CG: I KNOW. GOD WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU GET HOME AND I'M FLOUNDERING TRYING TO GET IT ALL OUT NOW

CG: MY BRAIN IS GOING BETWEEN ASKING A THOUSAND QUESTIONS AND ANXIOUS SILENCE.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 He took the baggie and read the note! The pills go into a pocket. Nice! The guys are great, this will be good for the drive home.

TA: you can a2k que2tiion2, iit2 okay.

Pizza gotten and eaten ravenously he is going to go play with the switch while he talks to Karkat.

TA: e2peciially iif iit mean2 you keep talkiing two me

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: ALRIGHT, SO, QUESTION NUMBER ONE IS WHAT I THINK, AND I ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF HERE, IS ON EVERYONES MIND. WHAT... HAVE YOU SEEN? WHAT'VE YOU DONE. WHO HAVE YOU PISSED OFF. CG: QUESTION NUMBER TWO IS HOW LONG I'M GOING TO SMOTHER YOU IN MY CHEST WHEN I SEE YOUR DUMB SMILING FACE CG: YOU'LL PROBABLY BE REAL EXCITED ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE PUNCHING SOME DUMB FUCKING IMPERIAL IN THE JAW. CG: AND I'M GOING TO GRAB YOU IN A HEADLOCK WHILE YOU TRY TO TELL ME ABOUT IT. CG: AND JUST! FACE, MEET CHEST.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: uh, well ii probably pii22ed off a lot of people hone2tly TA: ii 2aw TA: a lot of thiing2 tTA: hey iinterrogated me but they were kiind of pu22iie2 about iit, they were probably tryiing not two damage the merchendiice TA: 2iince they were goiing two adopt me out TA: ..but they were goiing two 2end Ven two an iimperiial prii2on and maybe executiion? 2o liike TA: yeah TA: ii managed two 2priing hiim after they'd already fucked hiim up 2ome but before they diid the fuckiing mediical experiiment2 they had planned along wiith liike four other troll2 iin the 2ame boat TA: the helm2 came wiith me two? TA: 2o liike TA: yeah

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: OKAY WELL, WE CAN DEAL WITH THE PISSED OFF PEOPLE LATER. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY WERE KIND OF PUSSIES ABOUT IT, AN INTERROGATION IS AN INTERROGATION. WHAT SORTS OF SHIT DID THEY ASK YOU?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: no drug2, they only left a few bruii2e2, no electro2hock 2hiit eiither, whiich wouldnt have left much of a mark TA: uh, they wanted two know how ii knew ven, who you and mag2 were, iif ii were part of a whole thiing how we got iintwo the 2crap yard TA: ii liied a lot TA: a lot a lot

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: ... I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. CG: ONE, DO YOU- NORMALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH LYING? I DON'T IMAGINE IT'S COME UP BEFORE.

CG: TWO, WHAT THE FUCK. CG: ARE YOU SERIOUSLY DISMAYED THAT THEY DIDN'T TORTURE YOU BETTER? CG: NOVA. CMON.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii've been lyiing about who ii am to government people for a long tiime, ii've never been iinterrogated before but ii thiink ii diid okay

TA: lii2ten ii'm ju2t 2ayiing you dont have two worry about me beiing fucked up TA: ii diid biite the a22hole who got phy2iical wiith me'2 thumb off though TA: he put iit iin my mouth

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: LISTEN TO YOURSELF. CG: "YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME BEING FUCKED UP". CG: THAT'S THE BIGGEST RED FLAG I'VE EVER FUCKING SEEN, NOVA. CG: DON'T- DON'T NORMALIZE THIS SHIT IN YOUR LIFE, JESUS FUCK. CG: THIS IS TRAUMA, HAPPENING NOW, YOU NEED TO PROCESS THAT SHIT, NOT NORMALIZE IT.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii'll proce22 later when ii'm 2afely wiith you or my moiiraiil agaiin

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: DO I SOUND LIKE I'M NOT SERIOUS OR SOMETHING?? DON'T BE BELLIGERANT WITH ME, YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT.

CG: THOUGH I APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT, I JUST WANT YOU-... I MEAN IT JUST HAPPENED, YOU'RE ACTING LIKE THIS IS JUST RUN OF THE MILL FOR YOU- AND EVEN IF IT IS, IT SHOULDN'T BE, BECAUSE THAT JUST PLAIN SUCKS. CG: NOW I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU TIGHTLY. ):B

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: mm TA: iit2 been TA: pretty 2cary hone2tly TA: ii wa2 kiind of ju2t TA: braced for them two do all kiind2 of 2hiit and reliieved when they diidnt TA: ii2 that better?

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: THAT'S MUCH BETTER. CG: I'M GLAD THAT IT WASN'T... THE HORRIBLE STUFF YOU WERE THINKING. CG: ALRIGHT, SO WHAT WAS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR UNEXPECTED VACATION. CG: HAH. CG: VACATION.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: when we were comiing down from the 2tatiion there were a few moment2 where ii wa2 tandem wiith the twiin2 and that wa2 pretty amaziing

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: WAIT WAIT WAIT, THEY DID THAT- THING YOU TALKED ABOUT? THEY PUT YOU IN A SHIP??

CG: WHO DO I HAVE TO FUCK UP, BECAUSE I FUCKING WILL, GOD, THAT MAKES ME SO FUCKING CG: GOD CG: UGH. PISSED OFF! CG: JUST- LOOK OKAY, WE'RE COMING, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN VERY SOON.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: no! we ju2t landed the e2cape pod twogether! TA: ii conviinced tho2e guy2 that ii wa2 2uper two piitiiful and traumatiized two be put back two work

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: OH. CG: WELL, ALRIGHT THEN. CG: BUT THINKING OF YOU AS PITIFUL IS MAKING ME LAUGH. CG: WHAT, DID YOU JUST BAT YOUR LASHES AND SPARK UP A LITTLE? ACTED LIKE A SORE PUPPY, ETCETERA? CG: I MEAN ITS HUMANS. CG: WE KNOW HOW SAPPY DAVE CAN BE. HAHAH. CG: (IM NOT SERIOUS, YOU KNOW THIS.)

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii'm 2o good at beiing piitiiful 2omeone 2hould giive me an o2car for that 2hiit for real TA: ....iit2 liike TA: 2uper niice that that make2 you laugh though

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: SAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU THINK WILL MAKE ME LAUGH.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii 2tiill 2uck at 2ma2h brother2 2o bad ii got my a22 kiicked at iit la2t niight by a guy wiith only one hand

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG sent (sound file of his laugh, tapering off fondly, with, 'You fuckin- You fuckin nerd, holy shit-' And more laughter!) CG: I REITERATE. YOU BIG FUCKING NERD. CG: FINALLY GETTING SOME TIME TO RELAX THOUGH, IS GOOD.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 He grinned, ears perked forward and eyes bright at the sound of that laughter, carefully saving it in a special folder to keep.

TA: yeah, iit2 niice, De2 ii2 a good troll

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: I'M GLAD YOU'VE FOUND SOME ALLIES, BUT LETS BE REAL HERE; ONLY YOU COULD FIND ALLIES IN AN IMPERIAL SHIP.

CG: WHEN I SAW THAT THING COMING I FUCKING PANICKED, NOVA, AND THEN YOU DID THE STUPIDEST, MOST HEAD-ASS SHIT I'VE EVER SEEN, I MEAN I GET WHY YOU DID IT BUT STILL, MY HEART BROKE WHEN I SAW YOU TWO GET GOT.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ehehehe, you thiink pretty hiighly of my abiiliitiie2 huh? TA: ..yeah ii bet, ii'm 2orry my love liike, iideally none of u2 would have been caught

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: I DIDN'T SAY THAT!! I NEVER SAID THAT. I JUST SAID ONLY YOU COULD FIND ALLIES IN AN IMPERIAL SHIP. ONLY. YOU. CG: I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. BUT THE HUMANS SEEM TO LOVE THE HELL OUT OF YOU. CG: MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOU LOOK LIKE THEM? CG: MORE THAN ME, I MEAN.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: :p 2o you dont thiink hiighly of my abiiliitiie2 huh? TA: fuck they 2pent half the tiime ii wa2 there beiing liike :'( he look2 liike a liittle kiid iit wa2 hiilariiou2

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: DO NOT. DON'T TWIST MY WORDS LIKE THAT OR I'M GONNA PUNCH YOU IN THE GUT INSTEAD OF THE JAW WHEN I SEE YOU ):< CG: YOU DO LOOK LIKE THAT. NOT PROPORTIONALLY, YOU'RE CLEARLY ADULT, BUT LIKE, YOU'RE SHORT, AND SKINNY. BUT YOU'RE DEFINITELY NOT GLASS. CG: FUCK KNOWS YOU CAN KICK MY ASS SIX DAYS FROM SUNDAY.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: fuck ii love you riight now TA: after 2everal day2 of everyone ii come acro22 mii2takiing me for a chiild that2 niice two read TA: ii mean iit wa2 two my advantage that they diid, obviiou2ly but iit2 2tiill niice TA: hey, you dont thiink ii look mangey riight

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: MANGEY? CG: LIKE... LIKE WHAT, DISEASED???

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: yeah

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: OF FUCKING COURSE NOT. CG: WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU THINK THAT I DID?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: iit got to22ed around a few tiime2 and ii wanted rea22urance

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: YOU'RE NOT COVERED IN FUR, WHO CARES. IT JUST MEANS I'M MORE OF A BEAST IN THE COLD THAN YOU ARE. CG: THE ONE COMPETITION I'LL WIN EVERY TIME, ACTUALLY.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii'm goiing two learn two 2elf regulate my temperature wiith p2ii and then you'll 2ee

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: OH YEAH? THEN I'LL THROW YOU IN A POOL IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND WE'LL SEE HOW YOU DO THEN. CG: WAIT, NO I'M NOT, YOU CAN'T SWIM.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii wa2 about two 2ay

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: THAT'S TWO COMPETITIONS I'D WIN, BY THE WAY. CG: IF WE'RE COUNTING.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: >:( ii gue22 ii'll ju2t have two learn how two fuckiing 2wiim

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: YOU REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS, NOT KNOWING, WHERE WE LIVE, RIGHT. CG: LIKE HURRICANES COME ALL THE FUCKING TIME. AND WE FLOOD. A LOT.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii grew up iin a diifferent enviironment from that

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: I DON'T DOUBT THAT, BUT YOU SHOULD LEARN JUST BECAUSE. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE AND NEED TO CROSS A FLOODED STREET? CG: .... OKAY, DAVE SAYS THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO DO THAT EVER. CG: SO I GUESS WE JUST WAIT FOR THE RESCUE CHOPPER. LMFAO.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: you could get 2wept away tryiing two do that ii'm pretty 2ure TA: al2o ii can fly

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: ALRIGHT PETER PAN, SETTLE DOWN. CG: HUFF. CG: ... YOU CAN FLY IF YOU DON'T FUCKING DO IT WITHIN A HUNDRED FEET OF AN IMPERIAL BATTLECRUISER.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: deal

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: DEAL. CG: HEY DID YOU EAT? CG: MAKE SURE TO REMEMBER TO EAT. CG: AND SHOWER. CG: I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ONE.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii diid eat, but ii dont have a change of clothe2

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: THAT'S. ... THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. I'LL MAKE WHOEVER DOESN'T GET TO YOU FIRST STOP BY SOMEWHERE AND WE CAN PICK YOU UP SOMETHING. CG: SHOWER ANYWAY, YOU'LL FEEL BETTER, PLUS, YOU WON'T MUCH HAVE AN OPPURTUNITY TO DO IT ON THE CAR RIDE HOME AND FOUR DAYS IS A LONG ASS TIME TO SPEND SITTING NEXT TO A STINKER.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: fiiiine ii have two go offliine iif ii'm doiing that though, ii'll 2ee iif ii can wa2h my 2hiirt TA: ii have bathed liike, three tiime2 2iince you 2aw me la2t for what iit2 worth

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: OH THANK GOD. CG: I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY IT. CG: BUT I'M GLAD YOU HAVE. CG: AND I'M GLAD THEY AT LEAST PROVIDED THAT FOR YOU. CG: I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO OFFLINE THOUGH. ):

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: ii can eiither bathe or ii can be onliine you goof

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU, THE GOD OF TECHNOLOGY, CAN'T DO BOTH- WAIT, THEY PROBABLY TOOK YOUR PHONE AND SHIT DIDN'T THEY.

Nova doesn't know that Desira's got him a care package just outside the bedroom door.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 He can find out right now! He goes poking around to find the bathroom and finds a package outside his bedroom door, what is inside?

TA: the palmhu2k wa2 de2troyed whiich ii2 good becau2e ii diidnt get a chance two wiipe iit and ii'd been talkiing two you

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: I GUESS. FUCKING SUCKS THOUGH.

It's a brown paper wrapped parcel with a pair of beige-brown fleece pajama pants with a whole bunch of tiny bees, and a shirt in a honeycomb pattern that says "buzz off", with an angry bee on it. There is also some knitted brown gloves and a knit brown beanie he could poke his horns through the holes.

There's also a flip phone in a box and a prepaid 90 minutes card.

And a toothbrush, and a tiny bottle of toothpaste, and some skin lotion.

CG: HOW LONG IS YOUR SHOWER GONNA TAKE.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 Oh holy shit this is so good actually.

TA: !!!! 2omeone left me a pre2ent, clean clothe2 and a phone and 2ome hygiene 2tuff! The 2hirt ii2 2uper cute?? TA: the 2hiirt ha2 a bee!!!! TA: Aaaa TA: okay ii 2tiill have two go offliine for liike ten miinute2 ii'll be quiick alriight

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 CG: ALRIGHT, I GUESS. TAKE YOUR TIME THOUGH? RELAX A LITTLE, GET YOUR HEART RATE UNDER CONTROL AND SHIT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW I WORRY ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF STRESS YOU JUST WENT THROUGH. CG: THAT'S PRETTY GOOD, YOU'LL SHOW ME WHEN YOU GET BACK, YEAH?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 TA: yeah c: TA: okay, ii'll take a liittle longer TA: but ii'll 2tiill be back 2oon

You are just going to find the bathroom with all this stuff and do an entire hygiene

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 The house is still quiet, if he tiptoes he'll find the master bathroom with the shower, he'll also see a pile of trolls in the corner, everyone piled together with blankets. Someone's ass is in someone elses face, an arm is draped out of the pile, someone's leg twitches. Trolls on this planet slept in piles, which is a familiar sight for him if he's seen the gang sleep.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 To be honest he sleeps in a little pile with his moirail and clade pretty often all piled onto a single bed at home. It makes him smile to see them and he sneaks over to the bathroom and carefully closes the door. Shower clean clothes clean teeth, he hasn't brushed his teeth in so long, hell yeah clean teeth

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 ... Who here knew he liked bees? Did Ven know? ... Ven had nothing on him, how could he have gotten this stuff for Nova, he could hardly go out in public... And he was still asleep in the pile, Nova could see his bandaged arm.

... time to shower and muse about what might happen next. It's a careful feeling creeping up on him now- That sense of foreboding. Rest isn't easy to come by in the shower with that water pounding away on your skin, but at least it'll help to beat away his headaches.

When he comes out, Suriso is sitting on the couch, head in his hands, he looks vaguely upset.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 Os knew! And apparently its a Captor Thing here too, so Des might have made some assumptions. He didn't like the way he was feeling anxious. He was so close to heading home, why did he feel so anxious? He idly plugged himself back in once he was dry and redressed, ears perking at seeing Suriso before he looked concerned, time to head over and sit down beside hiim. "-you okay?" He asked quietly. He had meant to find the laundry but this took precedent.

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 "I had dreams last night," He said, softly, rubbing his head and horns. "For the first time in... who knows how long." He admits. "And now I've woken up with a headache."

Suriso, you've been on a rigourous schedule since you were helmed on that ship, have you even eaten anything since you got off it?

Diggy — 01/16/2022 "-yeah dream2 are kiind of triippy, diid you remember two eat and driink thiing2 before bed? have you had 2omethiing yet now? - II have a headache two but that2." he waggled a hand vaguely. "Becau2e II'm iin a biig ciity"

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 "Us yellows and our headaches," He winced apologetically. "I had some pizza last night... day... eh? ... The tap water here smells disgusting, I didn't have any." There's water in the fridge, he just didn't think he could have it. "And... no. ... I was looking for our host, actually. She and her buddies seem to have vanished."

Diggy — 01/16/2022 "There2 2ome bottle2 iin the friidge, here II'll get you 2ome." he patted his shoulder. "II'm not 2ure where they've headed off two, II iimagiine they'll check back iin." Up to his feet. "What kiind of piizza do you liike?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 He watched him stand up, looking at him idly. "Thanks, and... I don't actually. Like pizza. I prefer... not junk food." That was not a question he was serious about asking, Sur. You've been helmed too long.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 To the fridge! Time to get a bottle of water and see if there are any fruits or veggies for Sur. "yeah? II'm pretty fond of ba2iically anythiing wiith a lot of caloriie2"

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 There are plenty of bottles, some flavored, and there are some cucumbers, two lemons, an apple, and an orange. There is also a bag of mixed salad, but it smells off and seems a bit wilted, though it's definitely not bad, just old.

"I prefer potatoes, actually," He said. "They're my favorite, in any form- thank you." He would hold out his hands for the items whenever Nova returned with them.

Diggy — 01/16/2022 "Oh potatoe2 are fuckiing bomb, II love potatoe2" He sat back down, food and water delivered into his hands. "iit2 almo2t a2 good a2 purple biitter root but al2o a fuck of a lot ea2iier two prepare."

EightBitSkunk — 01/16/2022 He paused, then held the bottle back out for him. "-Can you undo it for me? My fingers are so... Sore today. I... Suppose that's from not using them like... This, for a while." He would start to eat though, Nova could see his hands shaking. He.... Seemed a little worse off than his brother. Maybe he needed some physical therapy too.

"And yeah. That's pretty good too. I like it fried, with marinara sauce."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He undid the top for him with a nod. "when wa2 the la2t tiime you were out?" He asked softly.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Fully?" He mused a moment. "I've had... breaks, sure, but... You aren't allowed to disconnect, not fully. You need to keep an eye on everything at all times... They installed a wireless helmsman H.U.D pretty much first thing, to both of us. It was an... experimental program at first. Lots of bugs." He said, just as soft.

"... I was taken when I was just a few sweeps old, I showed promise, I've been... in and out of Helming bays since then. This latest stint... Five sweeps?" He muses some more, almost like he's talking to himself a bit. "My brother less. They picked him up after me."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He remembered the story about the egg thieving and taking the kids just.. so young. He leaned his head against his shoulder lightly. "-how long 2iince you la2t got out and walked around?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "... Maybe a sweep or so," he admits, softly. "Usually only the intercom was needed, and Osirus would bring me my meals."

He let him lean, he leaned into the leaning.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "..II know 2ome exercii2e2 that help make hand2 2tronger." He said softly, and hesitantly. "II can 2how you, iif you liike."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Do you?" He asked him, ears perking up curiously, he sat up and looked interested, holding out one hand, using the other to keep eating. "Like what, could you possibly show me now?" Look at him so interested!

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Okay 2o there2 2ome you need a little ball for but the2e you can do wiithout iit-" he started showing him, there were stretches, and making a fist and holding it for minute at a time, a stretch where you curled your fingers up high and hooked your thumb for a minute, things like that, a whole little routine- and he can show him the ball exercises using the orange real quick.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He worked on them obediently, he had real problems with his thumbs, but some of his dexterity was still okay, he's quiet while he does them though, watching and mimicking. It's a moment of quiet contemplation and bonding over shared traumas and bodily pain.

"What if my wrists hurt," He asked him, when he was still working on the thumbs one. "Is there stretches for that? ... How do you know these, are these your own excersizes?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 " For wrii2t2 you 2tretch liike thii2 and al2o do rotatiion-" He showed him. "Yeah, the2e are the one2 II do, II have a whole 2et of thiing2 II'm 2uppo2ed two do every day two a few tiime2 a week dependiing on what iit ii2- al2o thiing2 liike playiing viideo game2 and 2culptiing and paiintiing help wiith 2trenthen your hand2 and fiine motor 2kiill2 two. My mediiculler liike2 two get u2 doiing fun 2tuff 2o we forget we're doiing exercii2e2"

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He made a soft little smile, trying out the rotation and wincing. "He sounds like a proper one, not some quack only concerned about your productivity," He commented off-hand. "How long?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "He2 pretty great, yeah. - the hand and wrii2t exercii2e2 are a do when you thiink about iit but at lea2t once a day thiing, wiith thiirty miinute2 of liight cardiio and re2ii2tance band exercii2e2 for me 2peciifiically three tiime2 a week." gentle hand flapping. He wasn't sure he understood the question and hoped he answered the right thing.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He had not been asking that question, but he nodded as if that was the answer he wanted. Instead, he asked his question again; "Ah. I wonder if he has a class...? ... How, erm... long have you known him? Or- been... free of your own... ship."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Oh! 2orry um." he rubbed the back of his neck. "mo2t of my liife actually, we were friiend2 before II got piicked up, but he2 been my mediiculler for four 2weep2, and II've been out for fiive. -II could probably 2et you up wiith beiing able two take cla22e2 wiith hiim." he looked thoughtful. "dependiing on a couple of thiing2 liike-" he hesitated. "- II'm not from.. here. You would have two come two the place II come from and that2.. compliicated, but doable. Treatiing dehelmed helm2men ii2 liike.. hii2 maiin occupatiion now."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Sorry...?" He blinked at him. "For what? And- Well, I suppose one can try. As long as he isn't cruel." And we already know Suriso is very food based. "You've been out for five whole sweeps?" He asked him. "Your file said you had been decommissioned, but hearing it from you is... something different."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "He ii2n't he2.. very gentle." He tucked his hair behind his ear. "Yep, fiive 2weep2 iin fiive 2weep2 out, thii2 ii2 a 2peciial 2weep for me."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Suriso held out a little hi- five to him. "That's amazing." He said, grinning. Look, he's got fangs too. ... One's busted. "Most helmsmen I know can... hope to get five days off, let alone five sweeps. But I suppose you were decommissioned, so it's... probably easier for you to do some light work on the side than run a whole ship, eh?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 High five! "Yeah iit2.. niice. IIt2 really niice. Mo2tly II work a2 a 2ecuriity 2piider." hand flapping.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He blinked at his hands, ears perked, he's curious but won't ask. "Spidering is a good job," He said. "It's desirable and not... intensive. ... Depending on your definition. I'd rather not be a thief dangling from the ceiling, thanks," He offered Nova a shy smile, hoping to see a smile back at the joke.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He grinned with a soft snicker. "That2 a mental iimage.- II work wiith liike" hand flapping. "A rebelliion group though, they're the one2 who got me out, and they almo2t diidnt get me iin tiime. But! They diid."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Okay, he's asking for it now. "It is, and it's good that they got you out, though--- Can I- Why do you do that with your hands?" His ears were still perked, and now he tilted his head. Ever the picture of a curious puppy.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Oh uh.." he rubbed at the back of his neck. "- iit ju2t feel2 riight? lot2 of people talk wiith theiir hand2. 2ometiime2 iit2 becau2e II'm feeliing liike,, emotiion2 iit help2 get the energy away wiithout me 2parkiing up. 2ometiime2 iit2 bcau2e II'm lookiing for the word2 II want and iit ju2t.." he shrugged. "help2."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Ah, so it's a visual aid." He gave a helpful, 'I'm harmless' smile. "You aren't... like other pawfoots. You've got a whole other set of... you-specific linguistics I'd love to watch for a while. It's oddly fascinating."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Oh yeah?" he smiled at him. "-II'd blame iit on beiing from 2omewhere el2e but II actually havent 2een many people do the hand thiing."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Yes," He said firmly. "For example." He pointed to his neck. "When you're unsure, you rub your neck. Anxious, you touch your hair. Your ears are easy, they perk when you're learning or interested, and when you're thinking real hard, you're quite quiet. The only thing I couldn't pick up was the flapping, you seem to use it when you're describing things."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II wiiggle my ear2 when II'm happy two." he grinned and wiggled them demonstratively.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "That you do," He wiggled his own back! "Ears are the things we tend to watch the most- Laid back, perked up, pinned to the side, relaxed, there are many ways to tell. Our tails, too, and our fur even in some cases... When you're not a seadweller. Their... fur is different, it's less... puffy."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He nodded. "- iit mu2t be a liittle harder wiith me 2iince II don't have a taiil, huh?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Oh, definitely. It's a lot harder to guage your reactions to things, and it... adds to the whole palebait thing you were doing on the ship. I keep thinking you're going to lose your balance and fall." He reached out to pat his shoulder and gently shake him, as if mock-testing his balance.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He grinned. "my kii2me2ii2 tell2 me the iidea of me beiing piitiiful ii2 funny a2 hell."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 The older troll nodded, ears perked, "Absolutely. You're sharp as a tack and fierce to boot. I find it hard to imagine you being... pale, in a general sense."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He looked whistful. "-2peakiing of that, II can't waiit two 2ee my moiiraiil agaiin. - but II'm ju2t glad II pulled iit off."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Oh? Quadded, are you?" He bristled one brow at him gently, wiggled it up and down. "Figured that... Mostly from how well-groomed you do look, even without a proper coating of fur. You had to have someone taking care of you... especially after being decommissioned."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Eheh" he grinned shyly and shrugged. "We take care of each other. He2 al2o a decommed helm, we've 2pent a lot of rehab encouragiing each other. He2.." he looked wistful. "2mart a2 hell, and 2harp enough two cut you, he2 goiing two be 2uper proud of me, II thiink- II bet he2 worriied,," He shook his head.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He ruffled Nova's hair. "I bet he's fine. If he's as sharp as you say, he probably knows you're okay, even if you had a rough spot."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He smiled up at him. "You thiink 2o? II hope 2o.- he u2ed two get iintwo a lot of trouble when he wa2 younger two, before he got piicked up."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Isn't that just like a helmsman," He leaned back on the couch, finishing off his apple, core and all. "--- Headaches feeling better," He said. "Thanks, Nova."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II'm glad iit helped." He smiled at him.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He gave a bit of a yawn- He was looking real sleepy again, but he was probably just trying to wake up.

Is it his imagination, or is there a knock on the door, though?

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He looked up toward the door head tilting. A knock? Almost everyone was asleep.. He'll get up to go peek out the peephole

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 It's Desira, leaning up against the wall! She's holding three big, white cardboard boxes, can't open the door because her arms are full, she's knocking again with her foot, kicking a bit harder this time.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He opens the door! "Hey!" Its quiet but enthusiastic, he gets out of the way so she can get in.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 She comes on in and gives him a big happy smile, her fur is fluffed and her eyes have a shine to them. She sets the boxes on the counter and heads to the pile, grabbing a tail and yanking, dragging a sleeping Venure out. "Oi!" She calls. "Ay, losers. Breakfast time! ... Or, well, dinner. But to US it's breakfast. Now get ya asses up an get t'eatin!" She gestures to a box, looking at Nova. "Better get while you can," She teases, watching Ven groan and pull himself to his feet. "Buhhh, I did not miss these evening wakeups," He groaned out.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 Nova snickered at them, and grabbed himself a paper plate, exploring the boxes to get himself a couple of slices. "II'm gettiing." Perked happy ears and smiling. Hell yeah food, he loves food, did he have left over pizza not long ago? Yes, but this was fresh pizza.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 This is not fresh pizza! Nova's nose is accosted by sweetness when he opens the box- It's donuts. And all kinds! Powdered, glazed, fruit-filled, frosted, sprinkled, cream-filled, even some plain ones. She plops a gallon of chocolate milk down next to him and... perhaps he'll remember a tradition that Dave or Dirk or KK had mentioned before...?

Diggy — 01/17/2022 Oh hella, Donuts! Even better, sugar is so good, he will choose two fruit filled ones, and get a cup of chocolate milk. Hes grinning and his ears are perked, chirping a soft happy little noise.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He is all but mobbed by six other trolls now, hands reach in, grab donuts- The first box empties quick, the second is half gone before Nova can get even a bite in. Everyone is crowding the kitchen, Desira has slipped over to the couch though and she gestures for Nova to come on over and sit by her. "Ay, buckaroo. You sleep good? We got moving on to do tonight, my guys are saying some imperial teams are on the hunt for strays, so don't get comfortable."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He settled down beside her at the invitation with his plate and his milk. "II diid! -yeah II heard there2 a whole thiing happeniing riight now." he grimaced. "Do II have tiime two get my other 2et of clothe2 clean or 2hould II ju2t wad them up iin a bag?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Hmm." She frowned, munching thoughtfully. "So you heard 'bout that? ... What all did ya hear?" She asked him. "We should have time. My intel says they're starting on the other end of Central and working their way up. Probably going to hit the zoo, always a few of us hanging out there."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He was eating his donuts so fast, trying to keep powder from getting everywhere. "-ju2t that iit2 2ome kiind of once a 2weep celebratiion from Her and 2he2 here iin NYC and two be careful."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Some kind of..." She trailed off, tilting her gaze down to him. "--- It's the anniversary of her victory over the rebels, Nova. It's- Important for you to know that... Particularly because of who you're related to. Your father... He's here, somewhere." Her gaze got... steely. Determined. "... I wonder if he can sense you."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 His ears twitched. "Oh" He said softly. "..yeah that'd do iit. .. II wonder two." He hesitated. "II feel liike 2omethiing ii2 about two happen, iit2 hangiing iin the aiir and makiing me ten2e."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "... Yeah?" She said, curiously, leaning in. "... Like what?" She whispered, and it felt like she was... really, honestly listening to him. Like sometimes there would be people who would brush that feeling off, say it was just anxiety, but her...

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II'm not 2ure, no dream2 la2t niight." He said so softly. "-but II had a vii2iion the niight before of beiing captured by her and iin a 2potliight on a diirt floor." He sipped his chocolate milk.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 She... paused. He could see the gears grinding in her head, a flair of recognition. "--- That certainly sounds like the sorts of festivities she prefers." She said, slowly.

Then, slowly she stood up, scanning around. "-- Dim down," She said, "I'm not taking that shit lightly, so we're gonna move out now instead. Get your guys ready." She shoved her donut in her mouth and moved to talk to her guys, now word of mouth was spreading and the room of happy donut-eating trolls was quieting down.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 His eyes went to a dull yellow on orange that looked.. strange on him, as he swallowed his power, and finished his chocolate milk, taking things to the trash, making sure everything he owned currently was bagged up (it wasnt much) and quietly beginning to spread the word that they were about to move and to get ready to everyone.

--TA began trolling CG-- TA: we're about two move, De2 doe2n't thiink iit2 2afe here, II'll check back iin a2 2oon a2 II can get wiifii agaiin, pa22 the word around for me?

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 CG: THERE YOU ARE. ... YOU'LL BE OKAY THOUGH YEAH? LIKE, YOU'RE MOVING TO KEEP SAFE, NOT BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY PRESENT DANGER. RIGHT.

Around him, his group begins to straighten up. Venure is looking much better with his arm bandaged, he's even packed the spot where his insertion canisters had been with silicon sleeves someone had found for him so they don't heal up over where he wants them to. Right now he looks worried though, and he's anxiously talking to Kneecaps. Osirus and Suriso are standing by the door, hushed conversations and held hands... And Desira is busy peeking out of a window, watching with narrowed eyes.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 TA: yeah ju2t two keep 2afe, no one ha2 currently found u2. TA: ii TA: diid have 2ome concerniing vii2iion2 TA: but tho2e dont have two come true and iit2 why we're goiing ahead and moviing now TA: ii love you

-- Okay, Okay okay, clothes in a bag, pills in a pocket, wiifii cable is going in a pocket too, braces on. Softly touch Ven's hip and ask if they're ready to move, He never did get two of his guys's names, but thats okay, he can make sure they're okay and ready to go softly too.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 CG: ALRIGHT... I LOVE YOU TOO. DON'T BE STUPID.

-- Those two guys have... Well, they're not currently.. here. Did they skip out? They may have, they're under no obligation to stay... Sometimes that just happens.

Venure looks over to him and nods, though, when he's asked. "I'm alrigh'. Ready t'head on home, though. See my lovely an make sure he's doin better an such, too... Des says she's gon' lead the way t' their current safehouse, two b' two again. Ywanna be my partner?" He asked him.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 You know what thats fair, they can do their own thing. He got them this far, godspeed dudes where ever you went. "-doe2nt one of u2 need two know where we're goiing?" He asked softly. He wished he could.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "I know where it is," Ven shrugged. "Part of my... history with Desira. ... I can tell ya on the way if ya like," He grinned a bit, everyone's getting on bags and the boxes of donuts and bottles of water are being shoved into a bag.

"Grab what you can, lads," Desira calls out. "We ain't comin back," She adds, and this makes Kneecaps raid the fridge to stuff as much food into his bag as he can.

Then she's waiting by the door and holding it open, she sends the first pair out, waits five minutes, second pair, and so on and so forth while Ven and Nova wait in the queue and chat.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "oh 2hiit yeah? niice yeah II'd love two be your partner."

Nova made sure he had some bottled water, and will grab anything portable left after Kneecaps gets done from the fridge just in case.

Time to wait in line with Ven, and .. he might hold his hand actually hes anxious, but remembering to breath.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Kneecaps will notice him waiting and leave him some of the fruit and water and half a meat lovers pizza!

Venure nudged his shoulder a little bit, "Yep, breathe. In and out. Close y'eyes, too, helps to focus y'breathin. In, out. Slow, steady, easy. Like yer an ocean wave." Osirus and Suriso are right in front of them, they're last, Desira is going with the twins. She tells them to wait five minutes and then she's gone too.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He thanks Kneecaps softly, the pizza will have to be wrapped in something but thats fine okay. Alright

He breathed out softly and looked up at Ven. "II'm goiing two get thii2 breathiing thiing down eventually."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Venure snerks, amused, and ruffles his hair. "Alright. So her safehouse is this big... hmm... how to describe it." He balks for a moment, then, shakes his head, hitting the side of it with his palm gently. "-- what am I, an idiot? We're leavin' cause this place be compromised an I'm bout t'spill the beans. What a dummy. -- N'yway, it's sure somethin for people like us. Kinda ironic."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He nodded, ears perked, listening. "II'll 2ee iit when we get there."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 And then it was their turn, and time to go. Venure walks... well. Slow. And casual. It's night- A young night, dusk is still overhead- And noisy. "--- Might be a bit quieter for your pan noise," Ven soon comments. He's ambling but not slow. Non suspicious. Non threatening.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "That would be niice, ciitiie2 are alway2 harder." he murmured, walking with him, forcing his shoulders to relax and to not look so tense, they're just having a little walk, its fine. Hes just a little guy, nothing to be concerned about.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Yeah. Yanno, I been thinkin, buddo." Ven says, all casual. "You did pretty good up there in the RETS. Getting us out an shit, yanno... How's it treatin' ya? Mentally." It's alright. No one is looking at them, it's not quiet by any means and there are people walking nearby, but they're mostly un-noticed.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II...thiink II'm doiing pretty okay hone2tly." He said quietly. "Obviiou2ly 2ome biit2 were wor2e than other2 but"

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Venure nods a bit. "Yeah? Still don' ... really know how ya landed it. How'd y'get aways from'em? I heard 'bout y'escaping, lad.... Right 'bout when y'bit th' thumb off. We all heard poor fucker screamin' bloody murder, ahaha. You musta been righ' next t'me."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II had help" He shook his head but grinned softly. "He 2houldn't have 2tuck iit iintwo my mouth. II got my captaiin2 thumb two you know."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Venure nodded, thoughtful. "... You do that on your own planet too?" He asked him. "Yanno. Pretend an shit. Had t'get y'skills somewhere, right?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He hesitated. "..not. Lately. iit ha2n't been a 2kiill II've needed. II ju2t .. know what they liike. What people liike that want."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Not a skill many guys got, lil man." Venure said affectionately. "Jus' sayin, that's all. Pert damn proud a ya." Nova.. can smell the sea again, while they're walking. Going down brightly lit roads full of people, Ven isn't going through anywhere... well, less busy. Why is that?

"Y' pretty 'cited t'get home though I reckon, yeah? See KK again?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He grinned softly. "Yeah?thank2, iit mean2 a lot."

He breathed in the scent of the water, walking casually with his friend. "II 2ure am, KK 2aiid they miight actually be near u2 twoniight."

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Means we go home tomorrow, mebbe e'en by mornin," He grinned back. "He happen to say whereabouts?" He tilted his head, ears perked. "Boy I'm sure fuckin excited t'get my hands on a palmhusk again. Ain't exactly talked t' anyone more n' just a little mental fuckery wi' Mags. You're th'only one with a real connection, lad, eheh."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "2omethiing about beiing acro22 2ome mountaiin2- iit probably wouldnt help me much two know 2iince liike, II've 2een the map but." he waggled a hand. "II only have a vague iidea about 2cale currently. - yeah II bet though, and that2 ju2t becau2e II can run trolliian on the 2hell." He snorted a soft amused sound.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He frowned, thoughtful. "Hmm. Nearest mounts'll be in Pennsylvania. Bout... three hours south a here, prolly." But that's just like the drive from Stat's to Dave's house, he's made that drive before, he knows how short that is compared to... however long they've been driving now, what is it, four days?

"How's y' shell work w' that anyway, bud? Mine's closed circuit conn, to me lad Mags. 'can try to get others, but it ain't real good for that... Should try an get Termir later t'day, potentially iffin we get more wifi." He carried on conversation as they walk, they get a few odd looks but nothing horrible... Venure stops, suddenly though, and makes an immediate right turn onto a busier road, and Nova's Danger, Doom Lurks Here sense might prickle.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II need a wiifii adapter or iit2 a no go for me at all, II've been thiinkiing about that a lot, but II do a p2p wiith whoever II'm chattiing wiith." his ears perked alertly at the tingle running across his skin, following closely.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Y'get your adapter put in yer horns, it's gonna be safe as hell exceptin it'll hurt like a fuck an might be t'makin yer headaches worse," He cautioned. "Fucks w'my dreams sometimes, too." He pauses again, sniffs at the air, nods, and then continues on, at a faster pace. "Righ, lad, no need t'worry but we're gonna break int' runnin, right? Ain't much, just a scout I saw sure t'catch our trail if we don't make fast tracks. Third one I been seein, out in force righ' now a'suppose."

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "Okay" He said soft and tense and will stay right with him, these braces will help a lot with his movement speed.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Venure breaks into a light jog, then a breakneck run, time to go to all fours and make a run for it, he runs down the busy street and makes humans jump out of his way, then scrabbles down an alley and jumps up over a chainlink fence, turning to see if Nova can jump it or climb it, scanning behind him. Luckily, doesn't seem like the scout has followed them. ... Yet. He thinks it will.... He's not sure it saw them, actually, but the sight of that white, pressed uniform with the fuschia trim scared him more than he let on.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He has a little trouble with jumping and keeping his power dimmed down! But he scrambles over it, slower than Venure but doing his best, heart beat ticked up fast.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 Once he's over, Venure moves on- Slower a little bit, he makes some turns and makes sure Nova can keep up, the smell of the sea is stronger now, and there are less people. Eventually, he slows. "Aigh," He says. "Dinnae think it was followin, but just t'be safe, a course." He gives Nova a grin, then a concerned look. "Y'legs okay?"

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "II'm okay." he raked his fingers through his hair. "-the brace2 help a lot." That might be the only reason he wouldnt think about going under cover, hes .. well hes afraid of slowing people down.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 "Good lad." He grinned, then... paused, and sniffed at the air. The smell of the sea was... dwindling. Replaced with the smell of smoke. "--- Y'smell that?" Ven asked him, quietly, slowing his walk. He was... beginning to suspect what he thought was a scout might not have been a scout.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 "2moke" he confirmed softly.

EightBitSkunk — 01/17/2022 He nodded, taking a lower stance, creeping. "... Keep close," He said. They can hear sirens in the distance, fire somewhere. "I'm... hopin it ain't between us an the docks," He murmured, soft. "Dinnae want t'go 'round."

He sneaks up further and further, they're moving achingly slow now, and Nova's sense is prickling again.

Diggy — 01/17/2022 He crept with him slow and quiet, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up and he did not like it. January 18, 2022

EightBitSkunk — 01/18/2022 Slowly, Venure crept up. The smell of smoke is thick now, and ahead, above the buildings, Nova can see it. A helicopter roars over head and Ven instinctively ducks down, he shakes his head. "--- I'm half tempted to turn back," He murmurs soft. "But if her shit isn't safe... Ain' sure what would be. ... Prolly this alleyway," He gestures around them. "Dinnae spose I could get you to hide out while I go an check it out, huh?" He teases at him, but he doesn't stop, instead he keeps on moving.

There's... a noise, a noise like a hot air balloon turning on their flame to make them more bouyant, and Venure's ears lay back, an easy-to-tell fear display.

Diggy — 01/18/2022 He moved with him, ears laying back as well. He didn't know what that sound was but it wasnt good.

He was praying now, silently that whatever was on fire, it wasnt Desira's base.

"II don't know what two do" He admitted in a whisper. "II feel danger increa2iing a2 we move, my power2 2ay careful, be careful... but II iimagiine you already know that."

EightBitSkunk — 01/18/2022 As they creep further, it soon becomes apparent that Ven had been leading them towards a dockyard along the sea- An ironic place to set up shop, considering that they typically held helmsmen and their ships alongside your typical sea-faring vessel.

There were old, rusted out ships held up on stilts, dozens of old sailboats propped up or stored here or abandoned, cranes and shipping boxes and lots of places to hide and live in, there were a couple of older storehouses and barrack-like buildings, there was a freight crane for lifting giant cargo boxes- though it was outfitted with a harness instead?

And... it was all on fire.

More of it was being lit on fire by three sleek, spoon-labeled imperial cruisers. There was a helicopter here, two helicopters, circling the perimeters, he could see gunmen aiming out the side of one with big guns, all dressed in imperial white and fuschia. Not everything was on fire, but enough of it was to get the idea- They were trying to either kill the trolls here, or flush them out into the waiting gunmen. There were ground crews too- He could see them in big, bulky clothing, forming lines around the perimeter to try to block trolls in. ... There don't seem to be any actually actively running around on the ground, but if he keeps watching, he'll see a few scattering between hiding places, he can get clued to them when the helicopter changes course to follow them.

"Well, lad," He murmurs. "Used t' be a nice place. You do your fancy... sensin thing, will ya? Wanna see if we can... find our lads." (edited) January 19, 2022

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He drew in a sharp breath, staring at the flames and the cruisers and the people on the ground. Why would.. why are they doing this? He tuned into the voices in his head, loud here, listening for ones he recognized almost reflexively before blinking rapidly and nodding, drawing in a breath and slowly, carefully letting a little of his power out, keeping his hold on as much as he could, to send out a gentle tingle of energy around them, and map things out without his eyes.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 There had been so many trolls here. He can sense one of the cruisers has a few on board, but no one he knows.

There are some hiding out in big concrete tubes along the water, and a few more- seadwellers? Hanging out just inside the slopes of the docks, barely in the water. There are more inside the shipping buildings, working to put out fires, to hold out long enough to get the cruisers to think there's no one in there. Do they know about the ground crews, walking through the flames, towards the buildings?

Desira is- ontop of one of the cruisers, she's messing with an opened electrical panel. Osirus' energy is with Kneecaps and his mate, looks like they're getting away, leading a group, is he-fighting with someone? He's very close to someone else's energy.

Suriso is.... Well, that's a question, he's not with his brother at least, but that could be good or bad.

The ships circle above them, one of the cruisers blasts fire down from it's front over a row of cargo crates. Seconds later, a troll runs from them, smoking, and the gunmen take aim and shoot. The troll trips, sways, and goes down, and another cruiser beams its motionless form up.

Venure purses his lips. "Ain't good I take it?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He let out a breath soft and slow, trying to breath. "-De2iira ii2 on top of one of the cruii2er2, O2iiru2 and our amne2iiac friiend are leadiing a group away, II dont.. feel 2uri2o immediately" He felt anxiety curling tight and hard and leaden in his chest and tried to stuff it down to be more useful right now. " No one we know ii2 iin2iide the cruii2er2."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Venure, too, let out a long, soft breath. "Right. Let's... Shit. Okay. Alright. What do you want to do, bud?" Ven asked him soft and quiet. He was going to fight- at least take out that cruiser with people inside it Nova had implied existed. But he wanted to know what Nova was going to do- he didn't want to influence him with his own decision.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "..head2 full of 2tatiic, giive me a 2ec two thiink." He squinted up toward the fliers "...lot2 of people on the ground, II could probably break tho2e fuckiing fiire 2hiip2 over my knee though and that would help, II miight not even have two come out of hiidiing two do iit." Dont be stupid, Nova. That's what he said, dont be stupid, you're almost home.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "So what's your plan then, if you think you can do it without coming out of hiding?" He asked, softly. "Because I think I'd be skinned alive if I let you do something stupid now. By KK, his parents, your parents, your moirail, you know."

The ship Desira is on begins to lower until it touches ground, then she swings over the side, rips the door off, and jumps in. She looks... Fierce, powerful, and beautiful. Quickly, trolls and humans are tossed out, some tied up, and then the ship raises again. This time, it's aiming beams of energy at the other ships. (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-Yeah that2 my plan. KK told me not two be an iidiiot" He said soft and tight, watching Desira work. "-2he2 really good, huh?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "We used to date," Ven admits softly, and he's looking at her like that too, with soft admiration and the look of a man who misses the touch of his partner.

She crashes two ships together, jumps out of one and into the other. The third is aiming up though- it shoots fire at her, but it just... Ruffles her fur, makes her hair flow in the wind. It's long, it's come out of her braid and wraps around her short, elk like horns, and might make him think of Cerras. She seems pissed now- but- no, she is laughing.

Ven snorted. "Worst thing you could do in this situation is give her some fire to play with," He says, "Watch."

She stops there, holds out her hands, jerks them towards her- and then the flame begins to move with her hands, shift around her, direct itself into her.

He can see her eyes glowing from here, bright, leaving trailers of flame at the edges, she directs her hands forward and claps, and the flame surges out of her and at the third ship. It wavers in the air, rocked by the pure force of it, then crashes down.

"Kinda why I was wary to see her.... Well. We'll see how you act if you meet an ex you still like." He snorted gently.

For a moment, she was there in the air, gloating over the wreckage of three ships- Then, behind her, a Larger Ship appears, it's come out of the water, it's, in fact, still dripping. and part of it is still cloaked and the color of the smoky air around them. (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He felt cold hands on the backs of his shoulders as his pulse jumped to a million miles an hour, eyes widening over the appearance of the ship behind Des, Calm, be steady, don't race out there, you have this. Ara was with him, as his eyes bled truly to colour and he reached out with his mind like a whip to try to rip important parts right off of that ship, his aim was to take out the guns first then the engines. If he can get that far hes going to frisbee the damned thing away.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 It's large, definitely too large for him to frisbee- He can rip some of the turrets off, it's... Not just a little imperial cruiser, it's easily half the size of a football field, and the stuff Nova does to it doesn't seem to really... phase it. He can rip the engines off, but it stays up, wreathed in psionics then- It's helmed, it has to be, and whoever is helming it won't let it just fall, the psionics keep it from being manipulated with his own psii energy as well.

It announces its presence to her at least, by shooting a beam of blue energy from a front lower point- from a window point?- at the troll while her back is turned, and it strikes. She doesn't go down though- but she doesn't move either, just stays there, wreathed in the blue.

Ven is already off before Nova can even blink, he's running as fast as his legs will carry him, it's now or never Nova. He can join Ven, or he can head to the ground crews, or maybe he can take care of that big... That's a gunship, right? That thing has turrets, it's definitely at least part of the imperial fleet and not something that's normally planetside.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck He was fighting another psion trying to do something about that ship, but maybe he can get them a break. He Hes trying to stay hidden, he promised not to be stupid. He picked up one of the small ships and tried to smash it into the window that beam was coming out of. This was A very well made trap. Ara's cold hands tried to keep him steady and focused.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The ships window is blasted by the other ship successfully- but the hold stays. ... Something powerful and hot grips him tightly, the energy of another psion wrapping itself around him, and trying very hard to gravity him to the ground. This energy feels. Wrong. Painful even, is it hard to breathe with it wrapped around him, tightening?

The ship is hovering over to him now. Shit. His doom ramps up a few dozen notches, hes definitely been noticed. Its going to turn into a tug of war now between him and whoever this powerful helmsman was...

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Was it hard to breath because it was tight, or hard to breath because he was panicking? Both? Probably both. He was Strong though. His power flared as he tried to push the other's grip off of him and slip out. There weren't that many helms who could beat him in a metaphysical arm wrestling contest.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 It's. It's close. There's no clear winner, not immediately at least. He's locked in combat with this helmsman, and now something whizzes past him- a ground crew, making it's way towards him, but he can't exactly- move out of their way.

Another one shoots. The bullet whizzes between his legs, hits the ground before him. Bullets- not darts, he'll realize, and it'll come with a sinking, dreadful pit in his stomach. These men were shooting to kill. There's a soft booming sound, a shout, the helmsmans concentration wavers for just an instant.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He tries to break for it, to get away, in that moment of broken concentration, away from the bullets of the men trying to kill him, panic putting his heart in his throat and knotting his stomach. Getting killed here was not in the game plan for tonight.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 They get closer and closer- he can see it now, Ven is climbing in that window he broke- and there it goes, the concentration breaks, the ship lists to one side as the engines dial down productivity- the humans are about twenty feet away as he gets free, they fire of a shot as he breaks away- searing pain lashes across his shoulder, red hot and the warmth cascades as it bleeds.

Where does he go? Ground crews have swept the building, they have another hovercraft there that they're loading up with trolls, the flames have died down now without the cruisers fanning them and fueling them. He could try to bolt for it... There's no telling where his friends are now.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 A sound is pulled from him, pained, as the bullet tears across his skin. He bolts, he is running away and getting lost, swallowing his power as soon as hes out of range of sight to run silent.. he. Does Not move as fast as he wishes he did, but hes skittering away and looking for a hiding spot.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Hiding, time to hide, hide- dumpsters, abandoned buildings, under an overpass, where o where would he go?

... Not that it mattered, as soon as he went any direction someone's going to fire a net gun in his general direction, an electrified one.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 What a time to be dimmed down, he had a much lower awareness of things flying toward him without his psii, his power flared as he became aware of it drawing close though, to try to fling it away- but it may be too late and too little.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 It smacks into him with a heavy weight thats designed to bring down tough flyers and some nice bruises, and down he goes.

Again.

Boy Karkat is gonna kill him if these guys don't do the job.

Depending on how high or fast he was going when he got hit, he'll hit the ground hard with those weights, and it'll hurt. Whoever got him with the net is running up- a group of humans. Some of them are bloody. In red, sure, but some with other colors. One of them is spattered with gold, in tiny flecks of bright yellow, but they're covered in all shades, even bright seadweller violets and purples.

'Got another,' One comments as they run up to him, one quickly tries to sit on him so they can pop some cuffs on him. He's not heavy by any means, maybe Nova can try to shake him off- when the net is done electrifying him, which is only seconds before the man tries it.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Nova was twitching. He usually handled electricity well- when he was prepared for it, this shit grounded through his ports and went straight across all his nerves. They can probably tell to the second when his body began cooperating with him again because he thrashes.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The cuffs get put on- one man says, 'You think it's a psion?' 'Sure,' says another. 'You see it flare up? .... With the heavy duties. I think it's gonna be a strong one. My gut says so.' He says, and he leans down to Nova and whispers in his ear. 'You try to move and we put a bullet in the head of the next guy we catch. Got it?'

The 'heavy duties' end up being horn cuffs that stifle his power and absorb any that he somehow manages to get going- he can tell they're designed for people like Sal, they're very very efficient. They try to put anklets on him too, but the leg braces stop them- so the anklets go on his wrists along with the cuffs. Tight. And uncomfortable.

They pull him up and attach him to a chain and then lead him off. They walk slow- Careful. Looking in the sky, in dumpsters they pass, down back alleys and stopping cars to check on authority of the Crocker foundation. That's probably the second scariest thing they say to him.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He got very still at the whisper. He felt.. sick, extremely sick, like a punch in the gut. Captured, again. He.. had tried not to do anything stupid, he really had. If these guys didn't kill him Karkat was going to. He moved as he was pulled along. He .. hoped Dave and Karkat didn't come down this way looking for him, he didn't want .. he didn't want these 'Crocker foundation' imperialist bullshit fuckers seeing Karkat in the car.

The fact that they didn't search his ports under his hair was a relief, wifi chip left alone. He kept his head down, and didnt draw attention to it. Maybe he can find a signal.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 They pull him along, and keep quiet. In about fifteen minutes, it becomes more clear what they're doing- Another psion darts out of a dumpster about thirty feet in front of them, and they net gun that guy too. He goes down hard and they shackle him and cuff him too, and he's chained up behind Nova, like they're in a prison line.

They keep this up for about two hours, covering at least five miles, Novas feet are going to be very very sore. By the time the big gunship lands down in front of them in an open square, they've got at least fifteen trolls, all behaving with the same whispered words. If you escape, we'll kill everyone in this line. Everyone was looking at each other, wondering if someone would try, if they would all die here.... It was anxiety inducing and terrifying, and the voices of the damned around him surge each time a troll looks particularly antsy.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He was simply not made for walking this amount of distance anymore, and the braces.. well they were helping, but the only thing keeping him moving fast enough was the fear curled up around his spine and the voices in his head. He couldn't slow down the line, he was absolutely sure they meant it when they said they would kill everyone if someone made a break for it. Everything.. hurt, from the burning pain in his shoulder to his feet and legs, and his heart was beating too fast, every new little hiccup made it jump up again.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 When they finally board the big gunship, he can feel... eyes, on him. There are humans here, and trolls, and... Some of the humans seem... Odd. Like the edges of them weren't quite solid, though it didn't seem like anyone else noticed. There aren't many in any case.. But he's split off from the group soon enough, they unchain him and lead him away... down into the ship, down, down, to where the voices are quiet and the only sound is the hum of psionics. ... They open a door and shove him in, and- He's looking at a helmsman. One who is... young, and small, like him, with horns like a vantas but eyes like Sals. Like his own. He's floating in an energy field, not connected to anything, and when Nova is forced in, he flips himself over to peer at Nova with wide, curious eyes. 'This the guy?' The human behind Nova asks.

Behind the helmsman, there's a port window that's broken apart, and the unmistakable blue of Venure and his scent, too, and Desira, though doesn't seem like she bled in this room at least.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He kept his eyes open, filing way the weird look of some of the humans. He's seen tech like that before, flapstractions, for use with flarping monsters and costumes. He wondered what they were hiding.

He stumbled as he was pushed in, staring at the helm with widened eyes..That combination of horns and eyes was making him feel some pretty interesting rapidly paced emotions that he wasn't entirely ready to process. The scent of Venure and his blood was not. Helping. With his current feelings of being nauseated and in pain.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The troll watches him carefully for any reaction. His eyes linger on his own, then his horns, and his gaze narrows. Slowly, he shakes his head. 'You're sure? We found this one right near where you said the attacker came from.'

The human suddenly lifts up in a wreath of blue energy and claws at his throat, and the vantas-horned troll looks. Amused. He lets the man wriggle a second before dropping him to the floor and then says, 'Do I look unsure to you?' A ruffle of psionics runs through Novas hair, like the troll was just... petting him.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 ..Well this was an interesting dynamic. He saw the way his eyes lingered on his horns, and their matching eyes. He breathed soft and slow. The affection was intriguing as well. He wished he understood exactly what was happening but maybe if he keeps his mouth shut he'll learn things. And not get shot, not getting shot is high on his priorities.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The young troll flips back over to his window, says, 'Leave that guy here, though. I wanna ask him stuff.' The human nods, nods fast, hes afraid. 'Yes, yes sir,' He says, and bows back out of the door. Then the young helmsman is turning to look at him again, eyes shining with amusement and definitely not showing sweeps of torturous helmswork. Or any, for that matter.

'So.'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He has so many mixed signals going on here. Nova flexed his hands in the cuffs behind his back, entirely too aware of the other cuffs on his horns. - Was this one of those Zero G rigs the guys were talking up? It looked nice.

It certainly didnt leave behind the kind of scars written on Nova's body.

His ears perked forward cautiously at the 'so'.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Soooo. I don't see a muzzle on you. Can you talk?' He leaned forward in midair and onto his elbows, watching Nova. His ears, short, cropped, were perked, and his tail.... was it docked? There didn't seem to really- Oh, there it is, he's got a little whip-tail, curling behind him. He tilts his head at Nova, waiting for an answer.

If he wanted to know what kind of rig this was, he was going to have to ask.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "I can." He said, softly, watching him, observing him. He seemed.. bright, energetic. It was an interesting contrast to the roundup that had just happened. Not that he could entirely immediately blame him, Nova had had to do plenty of nasty things as a helm.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Goot a name?' He said, and he- He laughed, such an unexpected noise to hear from a rig troll. He does another little idle flip and Nova can see ports, six of them lined up in pairs down his back, each with some little... small round thing that plugged each. They're all blinking lights.

'Or like, a designation? The fuck are you waiting for?' he laughs again and this time it's eerily familiar, the type of laugh Karkat gives Nova when he thinks he(kk) is being funny.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Man this guy seems to be in such a good mood. His head tilts, watching him. Cogs turned in his brain, considering him. Should he give his name? What if they connect him to the station incedent he just escape what if, what if-"I'm called Nova" Man this rig looked fancy as shit

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Hi, Nova,' The troll said. 'I'm called Tarmik.' Names! Not numbers? 'So what the fuck were you doing down there, guy? You get caught up in an imperial raid or what?' He laughed again, that same 'I'm funny as shit' laugh, and threw out a hand- A panel opened up in the wall and.... an ice cream snickers bar shot out, he caught it and bent low, offering the bar out of the energy field to Nova- But Nova's cuffed, he can't possibly... eat that.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He is pretty sure this is an interrogation. His only reference for having his hands pinned, being offered sweets and being asked questions at the same time was an interrogation. His ears went back a little because he didnt trust the sweets. "II wa2 goiing two meet up wiith 2ome friiend2."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Aw, shit,' The guy cringes. 'Well, sorry 'bout that, eh?' He makes a nudging motion in his direction. 'Hey, you ok? Don't give that look to me, man.' He pulls it back and opens it up, then bites a quarter of it into his own mouth, showing he's got teeth like Novas, just smaller. He chews, then swallows, then offers it back, this time leaning half-out of the energy field to do so, and get it right to Nova's mouth. 'Don't worry 'bout it,' He says, and his new york accent shows through for a moment.

'Cmon, I just like, saved your entire fucking ass, guy, least you can do is humor my food sharing, right?'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 His shoulders fell (pulling on the new bullet graze ow) and he accepted a bite of food. "-thank2." He said quietly.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The troll looked pleased. He's got short, cropped hair too, cut crisp and clean like an infantry man, and he runs a hand "through" it, with an idle scratching pause.

"You're welcome, guy. ... The fuck kinda friends were you seeing, let the place get on fire like that. Sounds more t'me like you guys needed t'be saved," He shrugs a little, then frowns at him. "--- Hey, you're bleeding, fuck."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Oh II 2ure am, they were u2iing liive round2 out there." he shrugged his good shoulder.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 His eyes widened. 'What? Someone was shootin' at you too?' He stepped forward- He steps out of the energy field now, his bare paws tapping to the floor. He's shorter than Nova. By like four, six inches.

He runs over to the wall and presses invisible buttons, and another panel opens up, with a first aid kit. Nova can see there are a... rather large number of first responder gear tactics in there. Defibrillator makes the cut, oxygen masks and tanks and some kind of space suit does too.

He runs back over to Nova and jerks his hand upwards- A chair shoots up under Nova, a chair with a back, and it's jarring and startling. The troll doesn't... stop either, he pushes up Nova's shirt and views the cut with what appears very much so to be a trained eye. 'Awh, shit, they did! Was it the rebels? Only looks to be a graze, though.'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 ..It was super weird to see a powerful psion- and he knew he was very powerful, who was even shorter than he was. He squeaked when the chair got under him, but he can't spark up or catch himself or anything. "No, iit wa2n't the rebel2" He said softly. "Nothiing feel2 broken?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Oh, shit, a friend? That's even worse." Tarmik winced sympathetically. "That's good, hold on. Do you- Do you mind terribly if I touch ya? It's borderline between what I'd just wanna cover up an what I'd just wanna stitch." He asks him, holding his hands up, how- And where did someone get pawfoot-shaped gloves? Why does Nova just feel like he's Alice and they've arrived in Wonderland?

Diggy — 01/19/2022 This is so fucking bizarre "2ure go ahead, thank2 for warniing me." Did he just.. assume he was with the imperials? Thats, Well he seemed to think the imperials were the good guys, too..

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He poured some antiseptic on it, smeared it with some salve, then started to sew up the cut. It hurt and pinched horribly but it would be okay, and while he did that, he talked. "Ay, nooo problemo, guy. You just keep focused on not bitin' your tongue. They give me everything for firsthand but no drugs, so sit tight."

He's quick though. "You want any sorta design? Zigzags or a wavy line or somethin?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "II mean iif you want two make iit look 2iick a2 hell go ahead." This .. was not even close to enough pain to make him worried since he was braced for it. Braced for pain was always better than unexpected pain.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Oh, fuck, alright." Tarmik started fervently stitching, he pressed an invisible button next to him and a little cart pushed itself up out of the floor, carrying what looked like- inks? He was dipping thread in inks now, and looks to be getting real focused into it. "Right, I'm doing a ladder pattern that's gonna be sick as hell, I can get the gun out and do some actual ink of you want, but it might take a while, even though when the burn heals back it'll look sick."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "You liike body moddiing huh?- geeze man you're all 2et up iin here." He was in a bizzar situation where he liked this troll and utterly thought he was on the wrong side.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "On the side, sure," He shrugged a bit. "And yeah, it's prettttyy nice in here. I get most anything as long as its programmed in... and they supply it. Sometimes I gotta put in requests for special stuff. ... soos that a yes for the amazing ladder piece I was thinking? Or are you not up to it, guy?"

The troll again ran a hand through his nonexistant hair and looked almost apologetic. "--- Shit, maybe I'm being too much. You're like the first person I've had in my rig, actually, who I've wanted to talk to, in... I dunno, months." (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "..2hiit go for iit, II'll have a memory piiece." He blinked at him, ears perked, engaged. "Why me?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He laughed in excitement and hit another button with a magnificent, 'I'm finally pushing this button' gesture. A panel opens up in the wall and he rushes over to wheel a cart over to where Nova's sat, he starts cleaning him up. "D.W guy I'll make it fast and messy, you seem like the sorta guy into that shit. --- Wait, don't tell me you don't know why you're in here with me, cmon."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "II mean be2iide2 our 2tartliingly 2iimiiliiar power ratiing and eye2?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "There you go! Knew you were smart." He grins at him and finishes stitching him. "That, plus the fact that you're like, you know." He pauses, shrugs. "--- Little. It's like we're twins.... Almost." He points to his horns. "Had em filed down since I was a kid."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Eheh, yeah- oh you fiile them." ear perk. "-only one 2et though?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yep," He affirms. "Get them rounded down, because... Well-" He averts his gaze and hides his face behind Nova's shoulder, burying himself into the stitches he's doing on the graze. "Eh, not important. Anyway." He stopped a moment to pick at something with a bit of ink, gently, though it still stung a bit. "You want some colors in here?" He asks him.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-embarra22iing? -oh uh, 2hiit II'm boriing II alway2 get red blue and yellow" No confirmation that this was one of Thesus's kids, the twin horns would have sunk it, but now he just has to wonder at how similair they are.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Hell yeah, helix coloring is A-go," He begins work! "... Yeah, embarassing, a bit, I mean, why do you think I've got to file my horns? Not every... every troll does that, you know." He grabs another snickers bar and chomps it down.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "II mean 2ometiime2 they grow iincurved, and that2 alway2 a good rea2on-II've 2een people do all 2ort2 of thiing2 two theiir horn2 though, liike carviing pattern2 iintwo them." He angled his head a little, trying to watch.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He's threaded colored strings of mustard gold through the graze, which is long and slightly jagged, he's cut the edges and pinched them together and done a nice ladder stitch, tight, all through the cut itself, which is about four inches long and cuts through the top of his shoulder, above the muscle. "Ah, well, mine don't do that, they're just... recognizeable." He cringes a tiny bit. "--- Kinda like yours, actually, I knew when they dropped you in here."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Yeah II get that 2ometiime2- don't want people clockiing your bloodliine?" He asked.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Exactly." He said, and now he got out the gun and started inking, in quick lines, he's making- He's tattooing a zipper pattern along the very outside of the burn, it'll zip over the burn when it's done, and he's right- It'll look sick as hell, one side of the zipper red, the other side blue, with the gold, threaded lines inside it. "Sooo... Down there, then, a wrong place in the wrong time scenario? Or did you take after you dad?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He hesitated. Oh the dangerous questions were back. He knew this helm was going to know the answer just from the hesitation though. "..they were helpiing me get home." He half answered.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "They do do that," He said, shrugging a bit. "Always sucky when one of their bases catches fire like that though. I mean, MY guys don't like them much because they operate outside of us, but, you know. Still sucks. Least we got who we could out, right?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "... do you actually know what wa2 goiing on down there, becau2e II am 2o curiiou2 iif thii2 ii2 euphamii2m2 or iif you don't know."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Euphamisms?" The troll pauses, and looks at him, blinking. "I mean... Wasn't it obvious?" He does look so confused.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-when II got out there there were 2hiip2 actiively 2ettiing the place on fiire and makiing 2ure iit 2tayed liit, ii2 what II mean."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Bullshit." He laughed short, a barking laugh. "I have a window, I can see- Or, well, I had one. Before one of the rebel arsonists or whatever crashed through it and attacked me. Like right out of the blue!" uh hold on there jethro, that seems unlikely

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "..II wiill giive you the mem fiile of me watchiing one of tho2e piink banded 2hiip2 2pray fiire on the place iif you want." He blinked.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Uh huh." He snorted. "I don't take files from unregistered helmsmen, guy. You must think I'm an egghead or something." He kept on with the lines, he was going slow and methodic, making nice angles. "Especially not one wearing shackles and shit," Another soft snort. "Alllmost done, okay?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Faiir enough. 2o they told you you're re2cuiing people, huh?- that2 lookiing really niice, you're talented." He didnt push. This .. poor kid.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yeah! I'm part of the EMT and Fire crew. We've got giant water tanks and stuff for the little guys to siphon off when they get low." He gave him a little smile. "I saw you get fucked by that piece of debris, but you look okay now. Just minor burns and that bullet graze... And some real swollen joints." He snerked. "You'll be okay though, I think. Just don't go exploring abandoned places with... friends... anymore." He chuckled.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Oh that was just sad. His heart would be breaking more if this stuff probably didn't mean he was going to get so fucked up by whatever this guy's crew was pulling on him. "-yeah II'll be careful. -oh hey II wa2 meaniing two a2k what kiind of helm that ii2? iit look2 fancy."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "This? It's a new model. They're calling it the Phase rig." He grinned, excitedly. "It's my first one, isn't it hot shit? She's wicked fast, too, and I basically get everything I could ever want." He brushes away some ink on his shoulder, before going back to it. "The best part is that it basically eliminates headaches from goggles. You don't need em!" He seems. Excited. So excited, it's just wrong.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Pha2e riig" He murmured, tucking that away to ask questions about later. "IIt doe2 look pretty niice. - doe2 iit do the feed2 wiirele22ly?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yeah!" He grinned again. "It's amazing. And they can connect me to the intercity cameras too, if I ask, because we're technically on the city grid."

He wipes again, blows on his shoulder. Seems he's almost done. "Lookin good, by the way. When this heals up, it's gonna be nice and fucked looking."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "liike all the traffiic camera2 and 2tuff?" He tilted his head. "hell yeah, that'll be a niice memory" of this poor troll who was definitely having his head fucked with.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yeah." He shrugs a bit again, then puts the gun away. "All done." He says, and starts to bandage it up. "... You weren't serious about... The ships setting it on fire, were you?" He asked him, then. "That's... real scary to think about. Is that why you were trying to get control of me? You thought I was gonna spray you with fire?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "ye2." He said softly.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "... Well, shit, I'm sorry," He frowned. "I didn't want to scare you." He would go around to the front of him and check him over for any other wounds. "I just saw that one chick get fucked up and thought maybe I could help by getting her in here. They let me sometimes, you know? Drag people in so I can give them aid. Makes me feel more useful than just, yanno, engine parts, ahah."

He would nod at him. "You want anything? Any foods, or water, or some shit?"

He looks... thoughtful now. The energy field fluctuates a tiny bit, shifts from a bright blue into a gradual red.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-diid you? Get her iin here II mean?" He hesitated. "-2ome water before they do whatever they're goiing two do wiith me?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He nodded, and out came a bottle of water he offered. "Nah, blueblooded guy fucked up my window before I could. Distracted me, then you did, after." He said, and Nova's relief was only brief before he continued on, "I think one of the ground crews got her during that though, so she should be okay. Not burnt up at least." He laughed gently. (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Water! He will drink when its offered, he'll have to have it tipped for him with no hands. "-diid your guy2 take hiim off two?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He shook his head. "Nah. He punched me in the face and leapt back out the window," He giggled. "Mad respect, actually. Especially if he thought I was a flaming rig or whatever you saw." He will tip the drink, gentle, slowly!

Diggy — 01/19/2022 ..He adores Venure. He really hopes Des is okay and Ven got away, but right now he drink this water hes being offered because he has recently learned it is very easy to get dehydrated while attempting to unfuck his life.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 It's alright, the young psion- Tarmik- keeps on speaking. "I dunno where he went. He was on my hull for a while. I think he put something there, but I haven't sent anyone to check yet." He shrugged again, and pulled up a screen to show Nova a photo of his new tattoo. See? Zipper, partially unzipped, zipping over the ladder stitched burn/cut. Each side of the zipper was different, red, and blue, and the thread was dyed yellow, and the zip tag itself was... red? Weird color for an imperial psion to use.

"Whatcha think?" (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "I fuckiing love it, iit look2 great." he grinned softly, taking joy in this one thing. One small weird wild thing that was happening in a whole pile of shit.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "You're welcome. ... As to what they're gonna do to you, well, I dunno. After this, I hand you over to the imperials." --- You're not one? "Whatever happens after that I guess is up to you."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He nodded, expression fading. "-II gue22 iit ii2. IIt wa2 niice two meet you"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He leaned up to ruffle his head a bit again. "Nice to meet you too, Nova Captor." He moves back to leap into the energy field, it catches him and turns blue again as he takes a meditation pose.

The door opens behind him and that human is there again, waiting. 'Come on,' He says, and points at his feet, he's expecting Nova to obey.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Nova gets himself to his feet and goes to the the human without much fuss.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He's chained again and led on, time to go, this time it's away from the psion and into a cell, dark and dirty and with nothing in it, this was probably more like he expected to be treated when he got captured. He's not manacled, the human even ties his arms up with a loop of the chain above a bar above him... And then Nova is left alone with his thoughts.

Who was that troll? Why did he... Was was he so familiar? Those horrible implications Nova had thought about earlier, had any further conversation settled any ideas in his head? What the fuck was a phase rig, if what he was seeing was... accurate, such a thing could... Hell, it was enough concern for anyone, but particularly of concern for the multiverse, in general.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He hated having his arms up like this. His hands curled into fists and flexed out over and over again. It was hell on his shoulders, shoulders he'd worked on for ten sweeps to undo the damage of being held up like this. Not to mention the bullet wound on one.

..That troll had Karkat's laugh. He said he filed his horns but did he? Were they just like that? Did Thesus and Syphis have a kid? ..He did seem so familiar and so. Nice. That was such a really nice kid to be the helm of a ship like this.

He would be super hard to rescue too. He didn't seem to know what they were using him for, not entirely. They were fucking him up and there wasn't.. much that could be done because he loved his rig, and how fast it went, and helping people, which he thought he was doing.

He mentally poked at his wireless chip, can he get signal? at all? Hell even that connection to Os? ..Probably not since they werent on the station anymore.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 At least it was only temporary, right. ... They'd be by in a bit to get him, or move him, or... Or... something. ... It was kind of lonely, now. Most of the other times he'd had someone to talk to, but now, in this moment... In this moment, he had... no one. Just himself and his thoughts...

---

The thought of Venure, and Nova.

That was all that kept Kahnan going right now, the kid had been surviving the past four days on coffee and junk food and he was going to crash fucking hard when Nova was safe. Termir knew Kahnan's moods, how he got when he was really putting himself into something, like a new car or a new puzzle or project, but this wasn't just one of those. This was their buddy. Their friend, they'd fought together, lived together, and he was gone, and with KK's young friend too. Kahnan considered the young psion his brother, and was damn proud to know him.

Right now, Kahnan and Termir were somewhere in New Jersey. Kahnan had done some deep digging into the contact who had betrayed them, and this was the address that came up. Luckily, it was on the way to where Karkat had said Nova and Venure were, and they were safe now, or going to be very soon. Cronus would be there before them anyway, and KK and the humans probably before them too, because they couldn't just... hop in a car and drive across the country. They could fly, of course. But it had to be a bit more secretive.

Currently, and more specifically, they were outside the scrapyard of "Eddy's Junk Emporium", which is where Kahnan said the address led to. Whoever had betrayed Venure and Nova... They were in there.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "You sure brother?" Termir asked Kahnan very softly, looking over the place, his eyes gently glowing with voodoo power that said 'look away, nothing interesting here' It wasn't as good as actually being invisible, but eyes should slide right past them.

Termir was really ready to fucking smash an entire car into who ever was behind that handle, he just wanted to make sure they got the right person.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan sat on his shoulder, leaning in. He was exhausted. He had said before eight days was the longest he could do this before he needed to sleep, and they were... on what, four? Five?

"I'd bet an arm on it," He whispered. "The intel says there's a big bunker under there. LOADS of Alternian gear. Says he deals blackmarket goods... mostly Alternian beasts and bugs for the eating on this planet, but the photos I got said he's got a couple scrap ships down there... And the thermal readings don't lie either," He added, and pulled out a folder to offer.

Termir could see the photos he'd got- Three scrapped Alternian ships of varying design, but all junked for one reason or another. This one had no engine parts, this one, no wings or engines, this one was twisted at a right degree angle even if most of the parts were there, even though they were all burnt out to hell and back, overloaded. There were concrete walls and stairs, and the door of the shop that led to the bathroom that led to the false floor that led down there. There were thermal readings too, showing a big red orangey area floors down under the shop.

"Yep. We'll know we've got the right guy if we see any taxidermied Alternian beasts in there," He says. "Cause that's what this guy throws in with every purchase or donation. Taxidermied bugs or beetles, but... His website says he's got a cholerbear in there. Dunno how he got the smell outta the pelt." (edited)

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He started picking his way slowly toward the shop, slow and careful. "-Guess we'll know for sure soon then. Hope this motherfucker dont got no plasma.." Or guard animals. He brushed his thumb gently over the clubs in his belt.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yeah." Kahnan said softly. His own hookswords were at his waist, his goggles on. He reached up and turned the lenses. "Don't see no one in there right now." He looked up at the sky. It was... Probably... almost night. "Maybe they close early.... And go downstairs," He said, soft. "We can peek in the door. You got your voods active, right, big guy? Let's go check it out. "

Time to go see the building. It was small- Pawnshoppy. Upon getting close enough to see inside, there is a very clear cholerbear standing just inside the window, by the counter inside. "Bingo. Don't see no customers either... No store workers or unpaid interns... Just two heat signatures below the deck. You wanna wreck some shit? We can get them to come up... Or we can go down to them."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "If we go down t'them they'll have the advantage've us" he grunted. "And it'll be a fucking mess, lets ring the bell." He was going to pick up the nearest improbably heavy object that he could handle, weighing it in his hands. He waited to see if Kahnan had any objections- and then he was going to open the door via throwing it as hard as he could, the way hes been dying to do this entire fucking time.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "After you, brother," Kahnan grinned wickedly as the nearest thing- This "eddy" persons car probably, would be picked up and weighed. Some humans can lift cars some inches off the ground, so it's definitely not an issue for a twelve foot trolls with a lot of strength.

Then it was time to throw it at the building and it would make the most satisfying crunching noise. The horn went off, the glass shattered, the alarm went off, and it made a nice big thump and shudder as it hit, and just like that, half the storefront was gone in splinters of wood and glass and "junk" this guy was trying to sell. Kahnan was grinning still, there was quiet for a moment. A minute... Two, five- Then there was movement from inside, and a man came into view, hands on his head, looking devastated and confused. .. He has a gun though, be wary of that.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Fuck actually throwing a car through a wall felt as nice as he thought it would. He grinned, eyes bright with voodoo in the darkness, slipping up in close, watching for the other one. There were two signatures, and he wanted eyes on both. That little powder gun might be a problem too. He took a club from his belt, balancing it in his hand.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan patted his head. "Easy, big guy," He whispered. "Readdy... Annd..." There. The second guy, coming up and yelling at the first. This one was dressed in imperial white and fuschia, a normal looking man otherwise. ... He had a stunprod at his side, and a gun in his holster too. He points at his car, they're yelling, he says someone probably tried to steal it and put it in accelerate, lets go look at the footage, etctera.

"Now!"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 The club left his fingers, thrown like a knife between the two men- and exploding with a concussive force as it impacted the wall- he only waited long enough for the blast to clear before he was in bound and moving fast, counting on them being stunned.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Ka-boom.

Such a nice, lovely sound, the concussive force shattering what was left of the windows, the glass in the shop, the display cases, everything. Both men duck down and cover their ears, next thing they know, Termir is in there with them. Who will he go for? Can he pin both at once? They're certainly close enough together for him to try.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Hes going to grab at the back Imperial Man's shirt and grab for his firearm, the goal of this is to sling him into his friend and retain the gun.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He is abundantly successful, the firearm is gnabbed and the humans play billiards with each other, they both go down, now Termir has the gun, and the imperial man has the stun prod, so Termir comes out on top. 'What the fuck!' The man shouts. 'Who the fuck are you!! Get outta my store!!'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Oh he don't know who we are, aint that funny?" He considered the gun, and thumbed off the safety, he's going to shoot the imperial man in the leg. Better not move too much you dont want him to miss and hit something worse.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Yeah," Kahnan echoed. "Ain't that real funny. Tha's so funny I could fuckin die laughin, Riot." He laughs, forcefully, "Ha, ha ha," then a real one as Riot shoots the mans leg. He yells and screams in pain and thrashes on the ground, the other man is trying to subtly crawl behind the desk. Probably a panic button under there.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-Oop no ya dont" He grabbed him by the leg and pulled him out forcefully. "Where ya goin we're just startin ta play"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 That man tried to zap him with the picked up stunprod, he whirled it at him and yelled 'Back! Get back- I'll zap you!!'

This made Kahnan snort, "Go ahead an try, fuckstick." He looks at the shot imperial man, who is clutching his leg and trying (unsuccessfully) not to cry. "What are we gonna do with these two fuckers, huh? They don't seem to recognize us. Or know why we're here. But that can't be right, can it? Whatchu think, Riot?"

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He grabbed the stun prod, ready for the energy surge, consuming it, letting his eyes blaze up purple with the flare of power, he crunched it in his hand. "I think they're too stupid to think they'd get caught, Mech."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan snickered evilly. The human looked at the stunner, then at Riot, then dropped it and went palms up, see, I'm okay, I'm done, I'm not gonna try to hurt you again. "Me too. You want me to refresh their minds?"

He produced his folder. It had photos of Venure that he'd carefully selected out. Kahnan wanted them to see the face of the troll he was missing so bad. ... Not Novas though, they didn't need to show him, he was too... open. Not that these guys were gonna be left alive at the end of this anyway.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Yeah why dontcha do that." His eyes were narrowed and glowing balefully, "Aint no fun if they dont know why we're mad" He grabbed the hands up man by the shirt and pulled him close and relieved him of his gun too. He didnt forget both of them were armed.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan produced the photo of Venure and held it up. There was a flare of recognition in imperial mans eyes, and a suspicious... somewhat recognizing look from the other one, he looked to the imperial man with a 'Fix this' look.

'Can't say I know that guy,' The human snarls at him, 'Put me down or I'll have you put down, you mangy fucking mutt.' Kahnan draws a sharp breath through his nose, he was. Particularly sensitive to 'Mutt' insults because of his maroon status.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He grinned, putting the gun in his belt and lifting him a little higher off the floor. "Either you're lyin or your buddy here has got you in a lot of trouble, and aint that just the sweetest gift to give someone?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The imperial man growled gently, crunching his fingers into fists, they cracked a bit. 'I didn't do nothin,' He hisses. 'All I did was sell a package. That's all.'

The hands-up man suddenly takes a swing at his head!

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Hands-up man has no leverage or weight to put behind that, but hes still thrust away at arms length and slung into a wall. "You fuckin sold a bomb is whatcha sold. It aint what were paid for neither"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Bombs what ya paid for, an a bomb's whatcha got,' The human scowls, watching handsup-man crumple into the ground. 'Ain my fault your dumb idiot couldn't read the label.' He is grabbing behind him for a pipe that used to be in the ceiling- And then grabs it and swings it at his head, though he tries to hit Kahnan too. 'Get out!' He's trying to ward him off rather than actually hit him though.

"Oh yeah?" Kahnan hisses, he's pissed off, he floats off Termir's shoulder and thats how Termir knows he's angry. You don't make Kahnan angry. The kid could take a lot of shit, it took a lot for him to blow his handle, legitimately. "You canne get paid nothin, we paid a steep price for that "bomb" youse sent us an we're gonna fuckin collect what we been owed, yeah, Riot? Cause I think he fuckin owes us, what with the big guy an our little guy an Venure been through. I think he owes us big time."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He jerked his head back from the wild swinging and out of the way, his grin only got nastier when Kahnan's temper came into play "Its a real steep price, with everythin his lil motherfuckin slip up here did. yknow I wonder how many motherfuckers hes sold those lil packages to?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The... other man, the one who got flung into the wall, coughed and started to sit up, he groans out, 'F-fuck- Shit, man, just tell them-' 'Shut up, you don't know shit about this.' He chested up to Riot now, makes himself try to look bigger, dominant male. 'I ain't sold nothin but packages to your kind,' He grins, then, and he spits at the ground at Termir's feet. 'Nothin. But. D'ya know how many that is, in the fifteen years I've been set up here? Ay?'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 It was really ridiculous when you had someone this much taller than you looming over you to try to puff up real big at them. He put his entire large paw on the man's head. "Naw I'm too dim to do the countin, why dontcha tell me. Whats your trophy count big man?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Ows about I show you, eh?' His grin got wider. 'If you're gonna kill me, an I suspect you might, I might as well make the most outta it.' Kahnan frowns, then looking down, as if to check something. Subtly, he shakes his head. There's something dangerous down below, maybe. "I don't think so," He says, and he looks at the man slumped against the wall. He's looking anxious- Then- He says, fearfully, '--- Kill him, let me live, I promise I can help you find whatever you want down there, I know all the access codes and all the security measures and everything, and where he keeps his ledger, and where he keeps the drugs, and where he keeps the weapons, and the cars, and-'

Kahnan- broke out laughing. He laughed good and hard.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He flexed his paw, digging his claws into his head. "You aint goin to take my happy ass nowheres." And he was picking him up by the head now. He considered the scared guy juxtipositioned against this motherfucker.

..He knew what kind of deals this man made and stayed. No guilt there.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The imperial man growled out and grabbed at Riots hands, trying to dig his claws out of his scalp even as blood began to run. 'Rrrgh... Fine, you wanna play it the hard way?' He makes a strange, half-laughing noise. 'Alright then. Lessee. I been sendin out bombs e'ery week for the last fifteen years. Any little troll what asks for engine parts gets one,' He was a little... crazy-eyed, now. 'An then I get their bounty, an I pay for more... an more, an sometimes I even get their heads,' He grinned here, and Kahnan- Suddenly looked quite sick, Riot could feel the little troll's body heaving as he fought the urge to throw up. 'An sometimes more,' The human imperial man continued, wide-eyed.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Well aint you just a sick little fuck. " He growled low and deep "You just been waiting for someone to brag about your little escapades to? Holdin that in for long?" Riot tried to steady his little brother with a touch of voodoo. You've got this Kahn

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Dyin anyway,' He sneers. 'Why not. Gotta give someone else my nightmares, don't I?' He spits again, and kicks forward with his legs. 'You gonna get it over with then, you big fleabag?' Kahnan takes a deep breath, gently touches his hand to Riot's mane. Thanks, brother.

"... I think we shou' take him w' us." He says, softly. "Let everyone get a shot in afore we kill him. Dude wants t'die, why give him w'he wants, yeh? Let him suffer. Collar him. Drag him w'us. Make him feel like shit."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Nah, nah. When you see a desease like this you don't fucking show it off- you burn it out" The amount of electricity he is releasing into this man's body through his head is not meant to just stun him, arching in wild purple flares.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "Fair 'nuff," Kahnan says, the man yells and writhes and screams, satisfyingly. "Imagine how many a us he's fucked up." He hisses. "Imagine how many brothers and sons and mothers he's damned."

'---- Don't go downstairs,' The other man pleads, 'Save yourself the hurt, let me go down, let me move some things for you, just- Don't do that to me oh god-'

He's watching smoke steam from the imperial man, his screams have become wordless, how much is being given? Enough to kill, or just to hurt?

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Hes killing him, he just didnt take the short route, he could have flared it right through his heart an stopped it but hes ... so, So fucking angry, it was almost palpable in the room how angry he was, with voodoo that was almost literally true. So he let him cook in his own skin until it killed him, and dropped him on the floor, turning glowing eyes on the other human. "-you were partnered up with this. You knew who he is, you knew all his dirty secrets. You already said."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The imperial drops with a satisfying thud and crunches on some glass.

'Listen-' The hands up man has his hands up again. 'I'm not good, I'm not honest, but I wanna live, right, now- now- You know a couple things, see, right, you know this guy, this guy's a real sicko, he was a real sicko, right-' He's begging, on his knees now, shaking his fists up at Termir. 'An you're like- real mad, and- I ain't gonna dispute that, an- An you can kill me, but- Listen man, guy to guy, even I get skeeved out by what's down there, so just- You see a room with a big star on it, just- burn it, don't go in it, right, if thats the one takeaway you get from me, if that's the one good thing I do in my life until this moment where you kill me, let it be that, okay-'

Kahnan draws in a sharp, still-mad breath.

'--An if you still wanna kill me, at least let me give you the code to the cells.'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He stopped, completely still, most of that washed right over him until that last word. "Cells?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 'Yeah, yeah,' The human latches onto his question, 'This guy keeps guys like you down there, studies em, how they move, an do things, an when they die, he- Well- You know, and- An that's why you can't go down there without me makin it- Less disgustin for you, right- You can even ask them about me, let THEM decide my fate, I'm sure it'll be okay!' He stands up, wobbly a bit.

Kahnan draws in another sharp gasping breath this time, whispering, 'Heat. There's heat down there. Generators, dampeners, body signatures, that's why it's so hot down there. He's got a farm.'

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He reached over and picked the scared guy up and tucked him under his arm, hes not even going to let him walk. He is now b-lining for that bathroom entrance.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The scared guy wails and whimpers and covers his face- Bathroom entrance, right. The wall was knocked down, he can see the toilet, the metal platform is still there and there's a button on it. These gentlemen so kindly raised the elevator for them, time to take it on down.

This is. A lot of white. A lot of clean, crisp white, with pedestals, and display cases, and in these display cases... There are some bits of tech here, but most of it... is taxidermy.

We already mentioned this guy did little bugs and beetles and creatures... Now they've found where he keeps his trolls.

There are a number of partitions blocking places off, and there are some doors at the other end of this big expanse. There are computers, and techy things, and the three junker ships sitting here too, half-taken apart, but now, down here, he can smell them. Apart from the smell of preservatives and dead things, he can smell live trolls too, and can hear a small banging.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He stopped at the bottom and spent a moment just, staring at the taxidermy. He was transfixed, his claws curling up- he needed to be careful not to claw up the man he was holding. His tail lashed behind him wildly just looking at them.

He tore his gaze away, and searched with his eyes, his voodoo and his nose, following them toward live trolls.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 His eyes, nose, all senses will point to the left back corner of the place, there's a door that leads into the back half of the whole shebang, but it's electronically coded shut.

Kahnan's stomach is heaving again- He doesn't not throw up this time, but he has the sense to at least climb off Termir's shoulder before he does. He's young yet, he hasn't seen much horrifics.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "-Mech you well enough to get their pictures for their folks before we burn it down?" He asked, very gently. " - you, op'n this shit. " he told his prisoner before he pointed the human at the lock.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan holds up his paw, one digit raised. In a second. He heaves again, but he's empty now.

The human opens the lock quickly, he's not dead yet and that's a blessing.

Now Termir is greeted with a different scene. It's like a cow barn in here, there's probably thirty different stalls, and most of them are occupied with trolls of all sizes, ages, and colors, though most of them seem to be of middling age, though there are some children clinging to their mothers or fathers.

There is dead silence for a moment, then, someone calls out, 'The fuck are you doing in jersey, Riot? Can't say I ain't good t'greet you though, brother!' The voice is unfamiliar, though.

Another one, 'Oh, fuck, someone's finally here-' There are low murmurings now, people are becoming aware they're being saved. There's a dampener in here, short-ranged, not very powerful. The real dampener is probably in the food, or the collars with antennae tethered to them on each of these guys.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Had some business you know how it is- 'ey what'dya want I should do with this guy?" he pointed at his human while he went to find the dampener and bring his fist down on it.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Dampener is in the middle of the room, on a pedestal of it's own. It's very flashy and obvious, and cracks easily under his weighted fist. There are some cries of kill him, some cries of let him live, someone nearby helpfully shouts 'That's the poop shoveler!' as if it helps Termir to know that.

Kahnan appears from the door, he looks a bit green still, and. ... Yeah he's fucking pissed, his eyes are brightly aglow and his horns spark angrily. He hasn't been this angry in a long while.

The human looks up at Termir, 'I can show you where the gate-controls are, he has options to let them all out at once to go out into the mingle area, this is just where they sleep-' Two areas, that was it? One to roam, one to sleep? How long had some of these been here?

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "The gates aint that big a deal tell me bout the collars. " Hm lots of mixed messages on opinions here. Hes feeling agressive so he actually wants to rip these gates off the hard way, to work on his anger issues. One handedly. While holding the human who probably should continue to be helpful. He goes up to the nearest gate and grabs it, off we go.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 He... is going to have a lot of red crushes by the end of this. The human starts talking- Every collar is kept closed by two locks, a tension lock and an electrical one, can't be picked. Tension lock will come off if the troll is relaxed enough, or sleeping or unconcious, but the electrical one he says, is controlled by the control panel in the other room, there is also a button upstairs that will unlock them all at once, but this button will also knock them all out with single-dose sedative inside the collar, he said it existed for easier hiding purposes if someone wanted to come look at the facilities.

Kahnan floats over to him and sits on his shoulder again. "I got the photos," He said. "And went into the room with the star. ... Yeah that guy was right, you don't wanna go in there, not unless you're real mad already," He whispered. "When he kills these guys, if they... If... You know how when bullfighters kill a bull, they keep the horns?"

As each gate comes off, trolls come out. Some are small, some are large, most of them are not psionics, just regular non-power having trolls. Some of them know him, some of them don't. Some of them are grateful, some just want to be left alone. One or two need persuading to come out of the cell... And a couple are clearly dying of malnutrition, someone needs to get them some food, ASAP. And all of them, all of them make Termir angry.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He grunted softly. "'aight, I need a volenteer to let me test out breakin the collars, if it knocks you out I'll carry you if I gotta." Hes.. going to try good old fashioned ripping things apart, it has served him very well, since the release button knocks people out.

The ones who cant walk because they havent been eating-or eating the right thing are left till hes got everyone open and he goes back to pick them up. ..eventually he has to decide what to do with this human,because hes not going to have enough arms.

Hes just So

Angry.

If his eyes weren't obscured by psi and voodoo theyd be red with it, especially handling these delicate sick brothers.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Someone raises their hand, so do four other people, but the one who raised their hand leaps and bounds over the heads of the others to land in front of him and look up. Little, Nova's size, a little jadeblood. They bow before him, so he can get to the collar.

Ripping it apart does not knock them out, but it is a bit tough, he'll need to nick it with his teeth or claw to get a good rip going without strangling or crushing the windpipes of whoever it's on.

Still, it'll work.

He can kill the human, the human could have at any time chosen to free these guys or try to, and there aren't nearly enough people advocating for his release, he's trying to be helpful but how much of it was to save his own ass until he could call for help? How much of it was just stalling?

Diggy — 01/19/2022 Okay he needs his hands. He looks at one of the empty stalls that werent used and levitates this human up over the gate and into it. There. Problem solved. This is what he deserved. Maybe if he were clever enough he could figure out how to get out, Riot has more people than his ass to worry about, getting collars off. "-Mech we got any contacts round here we needa get some favors on for a landin spot?"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan nods, "I canna think o'a few," He says. "We gonna need to start owin people though. Thirty trolls ain't no small amount." He gets out his palmhusk and starts tap tap tapping away into it while Riot breaks collars. Some of the ones who had theirs broken are now helping to pack up belongings- stuffed animals, little cloths, books, clothing even for some.

A little group has taken the keys off the human and left and came back with a bunch of food, and they're rationing it out to people based on who ate last and who hasn't eaten in a while. They're all showing particular degrees of care, even if they're all real quiet about it, but it's good they're helping each other, Riot doesn't have much to do other than deal with the queue of trolls lining up in front of him for popping off their collars.

After a hot minute, Kahnan sticks his phone in his pocket, "Right. Got someone sendin... Uh... They called it the Ruckus Bucket over. Sposed t'be some sort of a bus, bout half an hour from here. Sposed to drop off at a big country farm outside town what has facilities f' a lot of animals. There's a local family pod livin there what's convinced their owner t'take in strays an has the facilities t'feed em an nurse em, providin the strays work f'their keep 'round the farm. I checked it out with a few different sources, seems legit enough. Best ah'ken do under short cirumstances, brother."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He sat his hand on Kahnan's head. "Better'n not havin nothin- you all hear that shit? Got a place you can go and a pickup headin this way, long as you aint mind some farmin chores. I'd advise it for 't least a couple nights"

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 The ones nearest him nodded, the word began to spread. Kahnan leaned into Termir's head. "... We did good, brother. ... You know, I... Ain't so mad at what that guy did t'our guys. ... If he hadn't, ain' no one woulda ever found this place."

He took a small breath. "... Jus hope he's alright."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "I'm still pert mad... But I'm glad we found all this shit and put a stop t'it." He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He also vaguely regretted doing that with all the smell of death in here.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan brushed his friends hair behind his ears. "I know. Lets go piss on that dead guy upstairs." He said, then, with a little grin. "These guys'll all be fine, there's no broken bones or wounds an shit, just the guys what been starvin themselves to get some of their powers back t'try an escape. They're gladly eaten now that we got it handled for em." He informed him, "You know what I'm realizin, though? All this guys shit. It's all ours."

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Hell yeah everyone eatin-" He paused and turned slowly, looking toward the ships with the most thoughtful expression. "y'know.. he does owe us some ship parts."

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 "I'd say he does," Kahnan whispered, softly. "Only issue gon be gettin em home. We're like... seventeen hundred miles off. Gonna have t'ship em... Might need a pert big favor f'that... Or stealin a semi truck an flatbed an long-haulin it myself, cept my lil feet dinnae reach the pedals," He smirked a bit.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 "Gotta work quick before someone realizes we offed the motherfucker too." he murmured.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 A slow nod. "... Yeah. I can have a cleanup team here in an hour, set up a tent. Pretend t'be gassin the place for bedbugs, needs to be tented f'two weeks, ain' that usually the standard?" He shrugged a bit. "... Still. I'm goin upstairs to piss on that guy on account of I'm still pissed an I'm gonna piss on him instead a bein pissed off." He shrugged again, harder, and floated off Termir's shoulder. "Y'welcome to join me," He held out his hand for his friend, his brother. This was gonna wrap up real nice.

Diggy — 01/19/2022 He took that little hand in his. "Sounds good to me." Hes just going to walk away and leave that human in that cage.

EightBitSkunk — 01/19/2022 Kahnan would float with him, together they'd head back upstairs. They'd burn the remains of the dead here later, Kahnan would light a cigar and give one to his friend, he didn't smoke much like that but it was a sort of religious thing with him, he was weird about that sort of thing. He believed there were certain traditions you had to follow or you'd have bad luck, and honoring the dead with certain rituals were one of them. He'd build a funeral pyre for the poor souls too, and then, much, much later that night, they'd probably be off again to New York, not that long now until they'd meet up with Venure and be told what had happened to Nova again.

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palteringcecutiency · 8 years ago

Text

> Psii: Yesterday, freak the fuck out.

geminidoomed 2o, P2ii. II had an iintere2tiing conver2atiion la2t niight. And II am curiiou2 two know why exactly iit ii2 you have Cae2urae'2 amulet. you do have iit, dont you? you havent allowed 2omeone el2e two fuck off wiith iit? becau2e he referenced 'the fiight' and both of you have decliined two giive me detaiil2 but II'm more than a liittle up2et about my giift two hiim apparently beiing damaged.

palteringcecutiency ...good evening, Fex.

Yes, I do have the amulet, and only the clasp is broken, which I intend to fix and return promptly.

geminidoomed IIt 2hould be fiine, the cla2p ii2 de2iigned two come apart iif iit catche2 on 2omethiing or iif 2ay 2omeone triie2 two yank hiim or 2trangle hiim wiith iit.

palteringcecutiency That would explain why it came off so easily.

geminidoomed II do try two thiink ahead and he2 a very actiive troll iin many way2, II would hate two be the cau2e of a collap2ed wiindpiipe.

palteringcecutiency It's an excellent idea, with how used to scuffles he is.

geminidoomed Now II have two wonder how exactly the amulet offended you enough two break iit off of hiim.

palteringcecutiency There are a great number of possible reasons that have nothing to do with offence, nor the amulet itself, you realize.

geminidoomed oh? II wa2n't aware. 2iince a fiight wa2 diirectly referenced, and iit happen2 that he ended up beiing thrown off the roof faiirly recently, and whiile he diid not diirectly correlate the2e event2 II'm not completely iincompetant or 2tupiid.

palteringcecutiency ...I did not mean to imply you were either.

geminidoomed he mu2t have done 2omethiing really teriible for you two break hii2 thiing2 and throw hiim off the roof amoung other non dii2clo2ed actiion2.

palteringcecutiency ...the former was an accidental result of a more connected action, and the latter was more of a dropping and has no defense.

geminidoomed 'more of a droppiing'

palteringcecutiency ...yes. ...there was no force flinging him off the castle, but more being carried over the edge and let go.

geminidoomed 2o the iintent ii2 two let me know he diidnt hiit the water a2 hard a2 he could have. You diidnt 2ay what iit ii2 he diid

palteringcecutiency ...the intent was to be accurate, but yes, I was careful so his fall would not cause injuries. ...and no, I haven't, because it hardly matters. This was my fault.

geminidoomed 2o do you ju2t a22ault random ex 2laver2 becau2e II can get behiind that

palteringcecutiency Your sense of humor is appreciated.

geminidoomed diid he do the engiine noii2e2 joke agaiin becau2e II would have punched hiim off the roof two

palteringcecutiency ...no, that was not then.

geminidoomed hiit on you?

palteringcecutiency There was a miscommunication, and I interpreted his attempts to help as an insult, and lost my temper. It should not have happened, but it did, and the responsibility lies solely on my shoulders.

geminidoomed okay let2 be hone2t cronu2 ampora ii2 really good at uniiniitiionally iin2ultiing people what diid you do?

palteringcecutiency I terrified him, snapped his ankle, shorted his sylladex which broke the vast majority of all of his belongings, gave him a concussion with the butt of one of his guns, and dumped him into the bay.

geminidoomed were you maniic, p2ii.

palteringcecutiency No. Just angry. And an asshole.

geminidoomed you have a lot iin common wiith Der2e

palteringcecutiency I am unsurprised.

geminidoomed he ii2nt pre22iing charge2, he doe2nt even want anyone two know what you diid

palteringcecutiency ...I know, he's told me as much. ...he's told me why but I can't say I understand.

geminidoomed II'm up2et about what2 happened, but II'm more worriied about the future, iif your temper ii2 2o bad you can hurt 2omeone thii2 much before cra2hiing

palteringcecutiency ...understandable.

geminidoomed p2ii iif II can get you 2ome mood 2tabalii2er2 and antiidepre22ant2 would you be wiilliing two go on them?

palteringcecutiency ...I do not see why losing my temper with someone I have a torrid history with means I need to be medicated.

geminidoomed You cant 2ee why a potentiially lethal amount of anger followed by 2udden deep regret ii2nt a problem and 2houldnt be treated? II could re2pect your wii2h two go unmediicated when iit wa2 ju2t you dealiing wiith your own demon2 a2 much a2 II would have liiked two help wiith that, but thii2 ii2 an actual danger two people other than you

palteringcecutiency If it is others you are worried about, my leaving is an option as well.

geminidoomed II dont want you two leave, p2ii

palteringcecutiency And I do not want medicated, but we cannot both get what we want.

geminidoomed II would appreciiate iit iif you would giive me a chance, wiith thii2.

palteringcecutiency I would rather live alone or not live at all than pretend.

geminidoomed pretend?

palteringcecutiency What would you call being drugged into harmlessness?

geminidoomed ???? they're mood 2tabaliizer2 not narcotiic2 all iit doe2 ii2 make iit 2o your braiin ii2 better at proce22iing emotiional re2pon2e2 II would never put 2omeone on the kiind of antii p2ychotiic2 alterniia u2ed II'm thiinkiing about beforu2, p2ii

palteringcecutiency ...where I was told I was too broken to be left unsupervised. Can someone /please/ point to the part of my existence that makes me look like a fucking defective troll so I can hide it better???? Because I am /fine/.

geminidoomed II diidnt mean iit liike that, and iif II ever gave you the iimpre22iion that II thiink you're broken or need a culler II'm 2orry. ..II thiink the mediicatiion wiill help you help your2elf, iit2 not goiing two change you, iit2 not goiing two make you 2omeone your not or zone you out, iit ju2t make2 iit 2o the 2piike2 dont go 2o hiigh and the low2 dont go 2o low and the anger and tear2 are managable thiing2 iin2tead of wiild bea2t2 you have two endure

palteringcecutiency You don't have to backtrack and cover your ass, I'm well aware that everyone and their fucking lusus thinks I'm damaged goods that need to be /fixed/, they've straight fucking told me. Congratulations on joining the /club/.

geminidoomed Mituna I'm bipolar too. We aren't fucking broken.

palteringcecutiency One cannot demand something be fixed if it's not, now can they??

geminidoomed Do you consider yourself broken when you put on a coat because its cold, as well? ..I dont like taking medication either, I have a sever panic reaction to it

palteringcecutiency But you have /no/ problem telling /me/ I'm a threat to everyone unless I'm /pacified/, and rejecting other solutions in favor of drugging me into a stupor. If you're that fucking eager for it, put me back in the fucking rig, at least then I'll be /useful/.

geminidoomed /I'm not suggesting you should be drugged into a stupor and have never once even considered that amoung possible options/ What I'm talking about doesn't fucking /pacify/ you

palteringcecutiency Oh but I'm /dangerous/, aren't I? What will stop me from doing this again? I'm a very angry troll, Captor, and that is hardly going to change without something /drastic/.

geminidoomed I feel sick, and I keep trying to respond to this and back spacing and trying again. the medication I was suggesting gives you a greater amount of control over your own emotions. More control. Not less. because you're a fucking /good/ person, and given the tools to help yourself you'll be fucking fine

palteringcecutiency And once your assumptions are proven incorrect and I smear someone across something on my fucking own, then what Captor? Will you try to put a bandage on the problem again? Will you claim deafness when told yet again that I'm an angry, /shitty/ person with far too many weapons and history while you try to stem the bleeding? Wouldn't it be easier to just stop fucking toying with me and trying to trick me and let me solve the fucking problem for you?? What do you fucking gain from this fight????

geminidoomed trick you? toying with you? Mituna what are you talking about? I want you to have the chance to be happy and whole and not have to fight your pan over everything If you don’t think the Signless will crucify me for doing anything to hurt you I want you consider that Meulin and Porrim are also very viable options for maiming me, if you need some assurance other than my love and regard for you

palteringcecutiency Oh, I am beyond sure they will have words with you, about how delighted they are that their precious loved ones are safe from my reign of terror.

geminidoomed ..what? look if I go on the same medication will you take it?

palteringcecutiency What was the phrase you used earlier? Ah yes, /I'm not completely incompetent or stupid/.

geminidoomed Psii I don’t understand

palteringcecutiency Goodness, that's a shame, because I'm not fucking holding your hand through the words 'fuck no.' They're rather self explanatory, I'd think, unless you suddenly cannot read things you don't agree with.

geminidoomed I understand 'no' but I don't understand /why/, Something has gone severely wrong here and I don't know what it is, especially with references about trickery and toying and you not being stupid

palteringcecutiency

Must I keep repeating myself?? /I'm not letting you turn me into a flesh lump for your convenience/, no matter how much you fucking want it.You get me leaving or jack fucking shit, make your decision.

geminidoomed ???? II'm not goiing two force you two take mediicatiion but II dont know where you're gettiing thii2 'fle2h lump' thiing from

palteringcecutiency From you of course! And your necessary little /problem solving/ mission. It's not hard to connect the dots, Captor, especially when they're handed to you.

geminidoomed Mituna I literally have no idea what you're talking about

palteringcecutiency Playing dumb is not a good look on you, I must say. Especially when you gave away your game so early.

geminidoomed I feel like we may have been having two different conversations and I wasn't even aware of it, what /Game/

palteringcecutiency Your sense of humor continues to /amuse/, but I can let you into the 'secret' if you're so eager to hear me say it. The one getting me to go into this willingly, it was quite clever. Which of you thought of it? And how far back did this plan go? I would guess the fight was chance, Ampora would never risk the state of his face for anything, but who knows, perhaps he was sufficiently motivated and reassured and took a gamble. How sad he's going to be that it didn't work. :c

geminidoomed Psii are you okay? No one consulted me about anything all I wanted was to help. I didn't realize you would have such a strong reaction to the idea of antidepressants

palteringcecutiency Oh I am /perfectly/ fine, thank you for your /concern/.

geminidoomed why do you think I want to hurt you?

palteringcecutiency Come now, such emotional language. Is it really /hurting/ if it's solving your problems once and for all? Getting rid of such an /inconvenience/? Think of how much /better/ things will be in your action's wake, I can see the appeal clear as night. Too bad you were clumsy and dropped it, who knows when another opportunity will arise?

geminidoomed Psionic, I've spent the better part of two sweeps fighting in a revolution, freeing helmsman and seeing them back to their feet, I've known many of your alternates, I look up to them, they mean the world to me, and I am mated to one of them. Explain to me why I would ever in all creation want to do the sort of things you're suggesting, to you.

palteringcecutiency Yes yes, you're a pinnacle of rebellion and righteousness in the multiverse, I'm truly proud of you. None of those helmsmen are me, and only I am causing you problems. It's a meaningless comparison.

geminidoomed ..i thought you were proud of me

> The slightest pause in posting, noticeably longer than usual.

palteringcecutiency Having pride in someone does not stop them from thinking you a problem. Obviously.

geminidoomed how can you have pride in someone you think would do something this repulsive

palteringcecutiency You certainly don't have a problem doing it.

geminidoomed what?

palteringcecutiency Your pride in dangerous, unstable me, unless that was a lie.

geminidoomed you would drug 2omeone iintwo complaiiance??

palteringcecutiency Hardly, but I'm such a big threat to the populous, remember? :c I could kill any one of them in a messy burst of psionics if I so much as got angry, wouldn't you say that was /repulsive/.

geminidoomed Psii I don't think you're going to go around killing people because you're angry, I think its more likely you're going to lose your temper and go a little harder than you meant to because you're caught up in the moment and emotions are bullshit, I dont find you fucking /repulsive/ I know what that kind of temper feels like, Derse and I were one person once, I know how it feels to go at someone in a burst of anger and immediately feel regret like an avalanche I'm not even immune to it now

palteringcecutiency Ah, but I'm the one that's the problem. The Makaras are untouched, Ampora you all insist /changed/, you and Derse roam free, but here I am, a threat all of a sudden, one you have to solve, like Serket. I have no idea why /drugging/ is your weapon of choice when there are so many other options, but I'm sure there's a reason for it.

geminidoomed /YOU ARE NOTHING LIKE VRISKA/

palteringcecutiency ...perhaps not exactly, but the fact remains, of that list I'm the priority currently, and it's not hard to suss out the reason.

geminidoomed I do not want to fucking /drug/ you up or get /rid/ of you Mituna Captor, and the other people you mentioned know I will fucking /kill/ them if they step too far out of line, and my kismesis is the /only/ reason Gamzee isn't dead now, Cae was nearly killed /more than once/ when we first began interacting and had to fucking /betray his fucking empress/ for me to fully trust him, and he pleads on the elder Makara's behalf, although if /he/ fucking hurts /any/ of my people I'm killing him.

palteringcecutiency Are you trying to convince me I'm not on that list, because I can see my hive from here, and it's quite cozy I must say.

geminidoomed You are my fucking descendant and my ancestor, and I adore and love you what the actual /fuck/ are you going on about

palteringcecutiency Why am /I/ the one that has to explain this to /you/. I /know/ your precious /reformed highblood/ told you. I /know/. How are you supposed to solve his fucking problem if he doesn't, unless he's caught your ear so hard all it takes is pointing you in the right direction and a few words of encouragement before you leap into action.

geminidoomed ?? What the fuck is it you think Cae told me I could barely drag anything out of him about what happened Psii! jesus fucking /shit/ something obviously crawled up your nook and /died/ because you're having some kind of goddamned fever hallucination here

palteringcecutiency You say that like it disproves what I said. And it doesn't matter how much you insist, I am /fine/. /More/ than fine, in fact.

geminidoomed >You are so fucking done right now >You know where he is since you fucking set up his entire living block yourself and gave it to him as a gift after taking him to earth to fucking pick out fluffy purrbeasts together >You aren’t going to try to hack his door open, never try to hack another Captors electronic things that never ends well. >You are going to Either leave Twoblade or take him with you, grab a large bucket and fill it with ice and water, and fly up to Psii's window to see if its latched.

palteringcecutiency > Twoblade is most assuredly coming, he's beyond worried and confused for his alternate, and also for his mate. He understands the need to do this but if it goes badly.... > You, however, are not worried, nor expecting such a thing to happen, hilariously ironically seeing how alert you are to everything right now. You've narrowly avoided disaster tonight and you're not letting your guard down again, at least with conversations. > The window is latched, but right by you, giving a clear view of you, your tablet, and your massive amounts of stress winding up every muscle you possess into a tense mess. It's a miracle that you haven't busted teeth yet.

geminidoomed >He could carefully thread his psionics in there and unlatch it that way. >Or he could delete the window. > A blast of cold air proceeds the entire contents of the bucket of ice water.

palteringcecutiency > That gives you exactly enough warning to make you look up into the face of freezing cold twofold hitting your fucking face. > The sparking is gorgeous from an outside perspective, jumping in unusual directions as it runs along the water quickly soaking you. None of it goes Fex's way, but a great deal of it goes to your very soaked and unprepared tablet, shorting it out immediately and adding more sparks to the light show. > Your offended damp snarl is interrupted as your instinctual scramble backwards drops you off of your chair and onto the floor with an undignified thump and clatter as the ruined tablet escapes. > You're beauty, you're grace, you got a bucket of ice to the face.

geminidoomed >Sparks scowled through the hole in the wall. "You're an idiot." He told his descendant, floating there and holding his bucket.

palteringcecutiency > An aggressive shake of your head gets most of the slick curls out of your eyes, enough to see who the fuck it was and bare fangs at him, ears pinned, angry and scared. > "What the fuck was that????" You know exactly the fuck was that, but your pan is having to catch up with its stutterstall in shock, and it's not having the best night being routed in reality before this.

geminidoomed >"A bucket full of ice water which you were clearly and desperately in need of." He told him, making no move to run away from his snarling.

palteringcecutiency > His staying is not all that reassuring; despite your eagerness for all of this to be done, there's still a part of you that fears how that done might come. You have a very active imagination, and a lot of time on your hands to think of options. > "I told you I am fine." You're not moving either, not yet tempting fate.

geminidoomed >"You are clearly not fine Mituna!" .no shh shh quieter voice. It started loud and got quieter as he had an oh shit moment about yelling at him. >Sparks started climbing in through the window hole.

palteringcecutiency > For that one loud moment, you lock up, ears dipping and pumprate racing even more, but it doesn't last long between him quieting and getting fucking closer. > Your blunt claws try to dig into the floor before you force them to relax, nerves visible but not taking over, not yet. No guard, no scrabbling away, just. Letting Captor get closer. > "According to who? You? Ampora? Of course, you two are the most objective people involved here, aren't you? What would you do about it anyway??" > Whatever it is, you hope he does it quickly.

geminidoomed >Sparks moved the chair out of the way and knelt down by his dancestor and looked at him very seriously. There was more than a little time where Mituna could attack him, could hit scratch or zap him, but if he doesn’t take his shot >Sparks is going to hug him.

palteringcecutiency > Your nerves skyrocket exponentially the closer he gets, but you are determined to stay still, keeping your mask up and your mouth shut, swallowing thickly when he kneels. A beat and your decision is made, and you take your eyes off of his and point them to the ceiling. Come on, do what he came here to- > do. > > > That is a hug. > That is a hug that continues being a hug, despite your startled jump when he grabs you and the time that goes by. No knives in your back, no shower of sparks, no actions from your alternate who follows him through the window and sits on what should be a sill, nothing. Just. A hug. > Your dancestor is aggressively hugging you instead of murdering you. > This obviously calls for bursting into tears for some ungodly reason. You hate being organic.

geminidoomed >"I'm sorry that I-" he had to clear his throat and he blinked a little rapidly. "That I've failed enough somewhere with you that you think I'd do that" Nope Psii is crying and apparently blinking a bunch is not going to keep him from crying too. He holds him.

palteringcecutiency > This does not help you contain your unwanted tears, only letting you strangle a sob while you wrap around him tightly and bury your face in his neck. "You're not, he'th, I," alright words are not working while you're crying, just pull him closer instead.

geminidoomed >Sparks had him, he hugged him tightly and close against him- and rocked a little with him, and tried not to let his horns gore him.

palteringcecutiency > You're soaked and mildly freezing, a part of your pan is quietly screaming about being touched, and you are doing absolutely nothing to stop this hug that you had no desire for seconds ago. > Twoblade watches quietly for a moment before asking over his shared connection with Sparks if he'd like him to stay or go. He does not mind either way, but he does not want to intrude on something you may consider a private moment.

geminidoomed >Sparks wants him to stay, he has absolutely no idea where this will go when Psii gets tired of clinging to him, and for all he knows having Twoblade there will help. >"Hey it’s going to be okay, shh, it’s okay, things are fine."

palteringcecutiency > Then he'll stay <2 > It's difficult to shake your head in disagreement when you've tucked yourself so close, but you give it as best a shot as you have space for. How can he say this will be okay? There is no conceivable way for this to end well for you, at least by your definition, which you doubt he's using. You're doomed (ha.) to suffer for your entire existence, apparently, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. > This in no way affects your side of the hug.

geminidoomed >He rubbed the crying trolls back quietly, he was becoming soaked by extension but he didn’t really mind. Time to wait out the crying and get his own stupid cry ducts under control.

palteringcecutiency > It is not a small amount of time before your crying tapers, your emotions too plentiful and too intense for a short sobbing to purge. As the tears let up, your hands tangle more in the back of his shirt, trying to keep him close despite the emotional flood coming closer to an end.

geminidoomed >"I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here" He told his descendant and ancestor. This is his he will protect him from everything including his own shitty emotions. .. does Twoblade want to look and see if the tablet can be salvaged with tech or magic while they're hugging?

palteringcecutiency > A soft, muffled whine and your hands tighten; he shouldn't even be here, none of this makes sense, why wouldn't he just leave? > Twoblade's ears perk, eyes scanning the floor until he spots the sad thing sitting in a puddle a few feet away, bringing it over to himself with quiet psionics. A soft wince as he examines it via code, there is quite a bit of damage, but he might be able to fix at least some of it with his powers, he'll have to play and see. He'll keep half an eye on the two of you and the other half on the internal chat, but his attention will mostly be on the tablet for now.

geminidoomed >Sparks nuzzled reassuringly at the sad clingy Psionic and found a reassuring purr somewhere around his being and jump started it just for him, to try to help .. .. a moments thought and he uncaptchaed a warm blanket and got it around them with his psionics.

palteringcecutiency > ...the hug you could deal with, you wanted that (apparently) and it was nice to just dump all the turmoil out of your system. The purring... that might have been instinct or just pity for your sobbing. The blanket though, that just makes no fucking sense, too much no fucking sense for you to stay quiet about it. > "What're you doing." It's quiet, and still muffled because you aren't pulling away just yet, though you are shifting to give the edge of the (beautifully warm, fuck are you cold) blanket a wary look.

geminidoomed >"II 2oaked you and iit2 freeziing and you dont 2eem two want two move. It al2o tend2 two help when 2omeone2 cryiing." The lisp was back. "II promii2e the blanket ii2nt goiing two eat u2 both aliive, II'm not iintwo vore."

palteringcecutiency > The multiverse's softest snort of laughter ever occurs over by the 'window.' > "...not jutht that. All thith." Conversely, yours is sticking around for a bit, voice thick after crying that hard. "Why."

geminidoomed >He squeezed him, but loosened up immediately after, enough that he could get away if he wanted to but not enough he didn’t feel supported. "You're my dance2tor and II love you."

palteringcecutiency > It was your turn to snort, though out of disbelief. Not that you doubted him caring about you, but that that was why he was here, doing all this. Someone loving you did not make them immune to Ampora's claws, your family could attest to that.

geminidoomed >Horns clicked and clacked as he nuzzled at the troll in his arms. "..iit 2eemed liike you needed iit"

palteringcecutiency > "Needed what? Pathified? Thrown off the trail?" Your tone isn't angry or confrontational, just... apathetic. In the post-sobbing emotional void, you can't drag yourself back into the fire you felt before. It's hard to even get to resigned, and a part of you is content here. It's nice to have a break.

geminidoomed >Another quiet squeeze "There ii2n't a traiil, but II dont know how two prove that two you."

palteringcecutiency > "Becauthe I'm not an idiot." A soft exhale and you pull back enough to unbury your face and lightly flop it on his shoulder instead, resting it heavily like he was a pillow and you were just done. "Inthitht or believe what you want, it doethn't change anything."

geminidoomed >"..no, becau2e iit2 iimpo22iible two prove a negatiive" he told him gently. "II'm 2orry that II.. for whatever II've done that make2 you thiink thii2 ii2 true."

palteringcecutiency > "No, you're not." It's as calm a statement as the rest of them have been. "It doethn't matter. You're not the only one, and it'th not gonna thtop."

geminidoomed >He made a soft little distressed noise. He doesn’t know how to fix this. Well. Medication probably but. "ye2 becau2e II u2ually break iintwo people2 hiive block2 and cry all over them becau2e II'm not 2orry."

palteringcecutiency > "Fine, you're a little thorry. You're not gonna thtop listening to him though, or truthting him, or being betht friendth, and you'd get offended if I told you you should." He's probably going to get offended now, but you don't care. You're tired, and everyone keeps making you tell them what they're thinking, might as well give in and do it.

geminidoomed >Quiet fingers stroked at him and he asked him softly. "What do you thiink he2 telliing me?"

palteringcecutiency > "Whatever you need to hear to do what he wanthh." You say it like it's obvious, because it is.

geminidoomed > "..The only thiing he2 even a2ked me for lately wa2 2omethiing two 2top hii2 power2 from workiing."

palteringcecutiency > "Right." You don't believe him and it shows. "Tho you jutht wandered into Methhenger and accidentally interrogated me and thtumbled into drugging me all by yourthelf, huh."

geminidoomed > "..would you liike a full dump of all of my chat log2? II'll even giive you my log iin for tumblr."

palteringcecutiency > "Can't prove a negative, remember. Logth can be deleted or altered, 'thpecially by a Captor. All you're gonna prove ith either you've been tricked or I can't trutht you even more than I already don't, and it doethn't really matter to me which you are, the rethult ith the thame."

geminidoomed >Frustration and anger swelled and tightened his muscles for a moment, then broke through and he was just.. he was crying again quietly, although quietly was getting steadily worse.

palteringcecutiency > ...that is not an expected reaction, enough to make you lift your head and look at him crying, bafflement growing. Why is he crying, what does he think that's going to do? > Chirp a little sound at him, what happened?

geminidoomed > He shook his head and mumbled apologies trying to wipe his eyes with his arm.

palteringcecutiency > Another soft noise and you tuck against him again, lightly nuzzling this time instead of crying.

geminidoomed >He held him and tried to hide his face in his hair but his horns kept trying to tangle with his ancestor's ..despite all the horns involved having only straight lines.

palteringcecutiency > Straight lines were unfortunately tricky, especially with four of them each and the trolls involved being almost the exact same size. You try to help, but who knows how that will go with him moving too. If it fucks up more, you'll stop and just let him do whatever. > "...thorry." For making him cry, that's not what you want to do.

geminidoomed: >clack. clack clack, tck, clacktck. tcktcktck. >He made a soft annoyed sound at his horns and squeezed his Dancestor quietly. >"..2hould probably get you two your moiiraiil after me makiing a me22 of everythiing."

palteringcecutiency > "...probably." Atlais would worry immensely about you being like this but at least his hugs are fantastic and his warmth is reassuring. Plus this has been exhausting, sleeping would be great. > "...thorry I broke your gift. Gonna fix it next, I promithe."

geminidoomed >"II appreciiate iit" He murmured back. "II dont really think II 2hould be gettiing your apologiie2 but thank you."

palteringcecutiency > "You were upthet, that wathn't my intention with that. Tried to be careful with it, knew it could hurt you."

geminidoomed >He bumped him softly with his head clcktck "II appreciiate that."

palteringcecutiency > A little nuzzle back, clckck. "...it wath eathier to punch the fathe I knew than one with my brother'th colorth." An answer to an ages ago question that you still hadn't acknowledged.

geminidoomed >A soft nuzzle, soft words. "..II know why you dont tru2t hiim. II almo2t kiilled hiim once becau2e II caught hiim makiing 2uppre22or collar2, 2weep2 ago, before he kiilled the Conde2ce, before he wa2 iincarnated here. He wa2 terriifiied of what we can do, what he cant fiight back agaiin2t, and that 2omeone el2e miight take control of u2 and u2e u2 agaiin2t hiim and he 2tiill may be afraiid of that power, II know he2 triied two maniipulate me before, and II can under2tand why you would thiink he 2tiill could be."

palteringcecutiency > "...wish you had." Hardly the most important part, but that's the first thing out of your mouth. "...wish you could thee he thtill ith, you trutht him far too much for thomeone you've theen be who he really ith. Not thurprithed though, I would've tried winning you over too, if he hadn't gotten to you firtht. You're valuable."

geminidoomed >He cupped the side of his face and pressed his forehead against him for a moment. "Perhaps we can leave the conversation about how valuable I am as a commodity for a different time and place" whoops where did his lisp go.

palteringcecutiency > Your ears droop, and your eyes drop to the floor. Or more like your laps, since you're both still tangled together. "...thorry. Didn't mean... thorry."

geminidoomed >"Shh, its been a long night, lets get you to Atlais and I'll fix your window, okay?"

palteringcecutiency > A little nod, clcktlckack. You probably should stop trusting your mouth, you're tired as hell and saying stupid shit that upsets people. This is probably not enough to make you stop, though. A part of you's already thinking about saying something to Ampora, like a genius.

geminidoomed >He squeezed him and was fairly quiet as he contacted Atlais, time to hand off a dancestor and go get a hot bath, preferably with Twoblade.

palteringcecutiency > Atlais was more than willing to come immediately, quite worried about you as expected. And Twoblade was certainly up to the suggestion, sitting in an open winter 'window' hasn't been helping his body temperature. You get a friendly, worried smile from him and a brief shoulder squeeze when he gives back your tablet, good as new. Atlais also gets a smile from Twoblade, apologetic but adoring, before leading Fex out the gap so he can fix the window. > Soon, all that's left is getting into something warm and dry and curling up with your moirail, having a quiet conversation with Cronus before drifting off.

#geminidoomed #posted ooc #barkentinedaedalist #denigratedcompassion #Honorable Mention:#caepaecaesurae #this child is a wreck and I apologize for him so much

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