#caligulasacquisition

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0409

[THE SHIP HAS LEFT LOMAT. GOODBYE BEACH FUN TIMES :( ]

 LIFERA: -It's been days since she boarded, but only now is she stepping out into the open. There's still a clear lack of effort into her appearance that hadn't been present when she was empress, but most notably, it's with her hair. Being that most of it is gone, chopped off into short, messy curls that frame her face. The sign of scarring on her arms is still just slightly there, and she's making no attempt to hide anything. Just walking slowly into the atrium with the kind of stiff resignation one might reserve for a funeral march.-

DIRK: -there had been a great deal of tension for the new captain since lifera's arrival, and it's no secret that he's always been more than a little paranoid... he'd been watching security camera feed closely in his... spare time, so it doesn't take long for him to catch a glimpse of lifera entering the atrium. in the same instance of his heart stopping, he makes his way there as well, though he's lacking the words when he does see her again in the flesh.-

DIRK: Uh-- You...

DIRK: Left your room.

REDGLARE: -IS THERE, SUDDENLY. One finger to an earpiece like the president's secret service. WATCHING.-

LIFERA: -She looks at Dirk, a sort of apologetic expression for just a moment before it returns to resignation.- Yes.

LIFERA: I think it's time I did.

REDGLARE: -eyeing Dirk.- Th3r3 h4sn't b33n 4n off1c14l 4nnounc3m3nt 4s of y3t.

DIRK: -glances back at redglare- I know.

DIRK: -settles on lifera again- Why do you say that? -or rather, why do you put it like that...-

LIFERA: There is no reason you should have to hide me.

LIFERA: Or that I should not face whatever has to come.

LIFERA: My being here is my responsibility, now.

ERIDAN: -WHEELS ON IN, it's been awhile since he's hung out in here- -uh. stares at lifera- -he kinda looks at dirk like UM-

DIRK: -he wishes that hearing that could be a relief to him, but it's not. he glances at eridan too, feeling even more on the spot, before he looks at her once more.-

DIRK: It... isn't actually. As long as you're here, I'm responsible for keeping you safe.

REDGLARE: Du3 r3sp3ct, but 1t w1ll c4us3 gr34t3r d1scord 1f th1s b3g1ns to l34k out through unoff1c14l ch4nn3ls. Th3 4lt3rn4t1v3 1s conf1n3m3nt to qu4rt3rs.

ERIDAN: wwhat do you mean unofficial channels do you mean spies

REDGLARE: Rumors, mor3 l1k3.

RAJANI: -hidden and out of sight. do you mean spies-

REDGLARE: Word g3ts 4round.

DIRK: ... Yeah. If everyone on board heard about this on their own, and not from one of us-- -runs his hand over his forehead nervously-

DIRK: It could get bad.

LIFERA: Then we do not have to let it develop into rumors.

LIFERA: We tell them now.

DIRK: -fidgets. damn his anxiety. but he nods.- If... that's what you want. -he supposes he can't really argue. he doesn't like to keep secrets among the crew, and he trusts everyone enough that the information of her being here wont pass beyond these walls.-

DIRK: -looks at eridan and redglare again. he wants to say something, but he isn't quite sure what. he hates how useless this whole thing has rendered him.- We'll, uh—

DIRK: Have to prepare for any backlash.

DIRK: I don't anticipate anything extreme, but... -trails off-

LIFERA: I am prepared for that, and I can handle it.

LIFERA: I am also prepared to tell everyone why I am here, so that the responsibility does not rest solely on you, Dirk.

LIFERA: You have always been kind to me. I appreseate that more than I can express. I would not ask more of you now.

DIRK: -he isn't sure she understands. that he owes it to his uncle who brought her here, to the rebels who need her safe. to her, by obligation of having people under his care. but then again... maybe she does understand. he somehow doubts she asked to be put in this position as much as he had.-

DIRK: ... -exhales- It's probably best they hear from you, anyway.

REDGLARE: -Nods.-

ERIDAN: wwhat no wwell make a fuckin announcement ovver the speakers

ERIDAN: dirk wwe cant do it like this

ERIDAN: wwell havve a goddamned mutiny

DIRK: We can... make an annoucement. And then she can say her peace over the intercom, as well. -he's very tense, brows knitted at the mention of a mutiny.-

LIFERA: Then let us do so.

DIRK: -expects further objection from eridan, or perhaps some kind of excuse not to go through with it, one that he can rationalize so they can avoid this some more. but he's almost certain this is the only way to handle this with less chance for a mess.- ... Alright.

ERIDAN: -he's still NERVOUS about it but at least this way theres SOME control over the situation- lets go right noww wwe gotta get this done

REDGLARE: 1t w1ll b3 b3tt3r 1n th3 long run. 1 b3l13v3 th4t.

DIRK: -gestures for lifera to follow as he starts leading the troup up to the bridge so that the announcement can be made.-

LIFERA: -she's following closely.-

REDGLARE: -Shes inviting herself to follow. She's pretty sure the order was implied, anyways.-

DIRK: -we need you, redglare, in case someone tries to tackle lifera on the way there-

DIRK: -and within a matter of moments (some of which were spent staring at the button, unsure of what to even say) dirk can be heard over the intercom.-

DIRK: I have an annoucement to make. So please, everyone give me your attention.

DIRK: Days ago, a new addition had been brought to the ship. Her arrival is as monumentally important as it is delicate, and I implore you all to consider what we are about to tell you very carefully, as I expect this news will not easily be received by a good portion of those of you on board.

DIRK: ... It is her Imperial Consolation of Beforus. And she... would like to explain the circumstances of her being here. -nervously passes the attention on to her-

PIP: -HERE COMES THAT BIRB-

PIP: -Lands on a Dirk and caws gently-

DIRK: -WHO LET THIS BIRD ON THE BRIDGE-

DIRK: -CONTAINS HIS SCREAMS-

LIFERA: -She's used to this kind of thing, but it's more bitter than sweet now. In fact, she sort of dreads doing this, but she's resigned to that feeling, too.-

LIFERA: ... I am Lifera Peixes.

LIFERA: And I was, for a time, imprisoned on an Alternian military base. With the situation in which I have escaped from, I would like to offer aid in any and all information I have, and under these circumstances, Dirk has graciously accepted my offer.

LIFERA: I do not, however, expect that kindness from any of you, nor even your respect.

LIFERA: I will be in the atrium, should you wish to speak to me directly.

LIFERA: -With that, she gives up the mic. That's all she can bring herself to say.-

DIRK: -if she's returning to the atrium, then he figures he should probably be with her... and he will take this bird with him.-

CRONUS: -HES WAITING IN THE ATRIUM, slouching at a table, munching donuts-

REDGLARE: -She eyes Eridan and Dirk, and even Pip for a moment there.-

REDGLARE: -Then she sweeps out to follow her, hands folded neatly behind her back to stand guard. It's one thing to face the music, but a whole other one to directly invite an indignant fist to the face.-

LIFERA: -she's heading right back down and... Of course there's Cronus. She's almost a little relieved, but she can't really afford to be.-

DIRK: -HE'S HERE, hanging with lifera, waiting for an inevitable shitstorm. maybe it wont happen now... but it will happen... he can feel it.-

DAELOS: - As soon as he hears her voice on the intercom, he started limping this direction. He arrives with a slightly flushed face since he was in a hurry, but doesn't do anything more than calmly cross the atrium to join her, warily eyeing everyone else. -

CRONUS: -woah, who's this stud?-

CRONUS: -oh wait. it's that guy who hates him-

LIFERA: -she stands there still, hair cropped short, and she sort of freezes again to see him moving toward her. But it's different than last time. Everything is different, everything keeps changing. She wants to reach out to him, but she doesn't let herself. Not here, not now. But him being here, there's a quiet strength in it that she couldn't give to herself.-

DAELOS: - Her hair is a shock, and it actually does give him pause, if only because it makes her look that much more vulnerable and lonely. He just sits at one of the adjacent tables away from the captain and co. by himself, eyeing her... and then focusing on the door. -

RUFIOH: -he's obligated to make an appearance, expecting everything just as it was. A goddamn funeral march and tension thick enough to cut the air with. And this had all started off as such a nice day.- RUFIOH: -flutters into the Atrium, expression steely as he hovers for a second. And then lands.-

PIP: -Flaps over to Lifera's shoulder-

CRONUS: -heeeeeeeeeey look who it is! He hops up excitedly and smarms over to rufioh- hey rufioh, crazy seeing you here. did you knowv her conchiness too?

LIFERA: -That is... An unexpectedly familiar face, but she says nothing. She sort of glances at the bird on her shoulder, resisting touching him even for comfort.-

RUFIOH: -doesn't smile or act any kind of friendly towards Cronus. In fact, he's looking kind of pale. Ill, even.- we met once. maybe more. -openly staring at her. The look of her and how it didn't fit any of the surroundings. It was as surreal as the hallucination he remembered.-

DIRK: -definitely tenses a little worse seeing rufioh here, but he continues to sit with his hands folded on the table. he's cool.-

CRONUS: -UH his reaction didn't make him feel all that great, but he tries to keep up his nos shaking grin- oh yeah? i used to see her all the time. her and my guardian had like, a thing? hey, though, she knowvs about my music. i didnt think she vwould havwe evwen seen it but hey, maybe she sensed it vwas mine.

CRONUS: -he's nervously looking between lifera and rufioh at this point as he keeps babbling-

DIRK: -what a nerd-

RUFIOH: 1 bet she d1d. -mutters and then pushes past Cronus like nothing, heading straight for Dirk.-

CRONUS: -CRUSHED-

DIRK: -notices rufioh is coming at him and isn't sure what to do about it-

LIFERA: -She can't help feeling a strange pang of concern for Dirk, all of a sudden, but she knows she can't interfere now. There's really nothing she can do anymore.-

RUFIOH: -approaches him with intent.- so.

RUFIOH: what the fuck 1s th1s about.

CRONUS: -shuffles up behind him, looking at a LOSS for once-

DIRK: -tries not to look away, straightening up his posture.- ... The resistance extracted her from an Alternian military base, as she said. She's being kept here for now. -he isn't sure what else to say without accusing anybody of anything. he certainly isn't about to mention he had very little say in all this.-

RUFIOH: -giving Dirk such a hard stare.- alr1ght... sorry. lemme ask that quest1on aga1n.

RUFIOH: who the fuck sa1d th1s was okay. that 1t 1s okay.

RUFIOH: you know how fucked up th1s 1s? to see her? stand1ng around l1ke she's got bus1ness be1ng.

RUFIOH: 1 wanna know what ya'll thought was gonna happen.

PIP: -Cocks his birb head. He caw quietly.-

CRONUS: -looks between lifera and rufioh again before quickly muttering- hey nowv, shes not that bad.

DAELOS: - He watches Rufioh closely but doesn't find it appropriate to interfere. Obviously they anticipated this reaction. He just wants to ensure Lifera is safe. -

DIRK: ... I'm not naive, Rufioh. I know full well how everyone would respond to this.

DIRK: This is a complicated situation that I have to deal with as it progresses now that she's here. I knew we had to address this with everyone before word got around on it's own. We couldn't keep it a secret.

DIRK: No one is expecting you or anyone else to be alright with it. Certainly not her. She made that clear.

RUFIOH: well f1ne. -fingers tighten into fists.- then 1'm gonna say whatever the hell 1s on my m1nd cuz... honestly?

RUFIOH: th1s makes me fuck1ng s1ck. -venom drips from his tone now, the kind he's never tasted in his life.-

RUFIOH: th1s parade or whatever the hell th1s 1s. there some k1nda honor 1n th1s? are ya'll stand1ng around here to protect her?

RUFIOH: from what.

RUFIOH: her just dues?

DAVE: -after that announcement it's about time security got here, so here he is, walking on in near Dirk just in case-

CRONUS: -he's at such a loss for what to do. Normally what he does in a situation like this is he throws rocks or trash at it before hiding behind a trash can, but he has no idea if that'd work now. the gears turn in his head as his eyes just keep darting around at everyone, trying so hard to keep his smile up, but it's very noticeably quivering as he looks like he's going to explode-

MITUNA: -This announcement was absolutely WHAT. Mituna is making his way into the atrium, pausing as he catches a glimpse of her, his pusher in his throat. He just quietly shuffles up to this hubbub-

REDGLARE: Y3s. -She says, bluntly, eyeing Rufioh.-

REDGLARE: Th1s h4s noth1ng to do w1th honor of 4ny d3scr1pt1on. 1f th1s sh1p d3sc3nds 1nto mob v1ol3nc3 ov3r h3r pr3s3nc3-- wh1ch r3m41ns t4ct1c4lly 4dv4nt43gous to us-- th3n th3r3 1s l1ttl3 3nough hop3 for us cont1nu1ng to work tog3th3r.

DAVE: -he's going to call a couple of guards in with his communicator to hang back should anyone take it too far-

DAVE: were not exactly made up of upstanding citizens of the universe

DAVE: idk if anyone noticed

ERIDAN: -is DEFINITELY sipping his drank from afar. He'll swoop in if necessary, but for now he's just watching and waiting-

REDGLARE: W3 n33d h3r. Th3r3's no on3 on our s1d3 4nd for 4ll w3 kn3w, 1t could'v3 b33n th3 3mp1r3 th4t k1ll3d h3r. But 1t w4sn't, 4nd sh3 1s now h3r3.

RUFIOH: why doesn't everyone just shut the fuck up and let the beforan talk.

DAVE: cool it

DAVE: chill

DIRK: Dave.

DIRK: It's fine. -looks at mituna tho-

REDGLARE: Th4t 1sn't n3c3ss4ry, D4v3. You 4sk3d 4 qu3st1on. Th4t w4s your 4nsw3r, Ruf1oh.

REDGLARE: You'r3 fr33 to 4sk 4ny oth3rs th4t spr1ng to m1nd.

RUFIOH: y'know. all 1 see 1s.... the system do1ng what 1t does best.

RUFIOH: mostly a fuck1ng h1ghblood talk1ng.

RUFIOH: and more. cuz obv1ously she knows best.

MITUNA: -He's just kind of staring at her, a storm of emotions. She had done so much and yet, she was all of home that was left. The memories of hugs and laughs overriding those of this the ailing psionics. She was more than her sins right? She wasn't a monster, he knew the real lif, right? The lady obsessed with fish puns and telling him to stop giving kankri wedgies. He lets out a soft shudder-

TEREZI: -Around this time, Dirk receives two image files. One is of a much younger-looking Sollux. The other is a semi-accurate MS Paint representation of the aftermath of the night the UU landed on Beforus almost two years ago. HELLO CARNAGE.-

DIRK: -WELP-

DIRK: -he's just gonna pretend he didn't see that-

DIRK: -or that he isn't horribly shaken now. why does he have to have stupid computer shades that make it impossible to ignore messages...-

CRONUS: heeeey, so, vwhy dont vwe just.. -waves his arms at lifera, stepping in front of rufioh slightly- so he just vwants to talk to her right? let him talk to her.

REDGLARE: -She doesn't really say anything, at that, expression stony.-

DIRK: I—

DIRK: She's only reinforcing points I've already made and decided on.

DAVE: -glances at Dirk because something seems off but then keeps his eyes on the rest of them-

RUFIOH: cool for you, d1rk. you're the man w1th a plan.

CRONUS: -oh god, is HE BEING IGNORED?? he doesn't know how to deal with this-

DIRK: I'm-- 

DIRK: Doing what I can. This isn't...

DIRK: I'm sorry, Rufioh.

RUFIOH: -stares Dirk down before sweeping his gaze out to everyone else.- 1 used to be scared sh1tless of people l1ke you. people who had words to say. and wanted the1r way cuz 1t was the r1ght way.

RUFIOH: 1 d1dn't know better. 1 just wanted to l1ve my l1fe.

RUFIOH: now 1 could care two rubb1ng sh1ts what any of ya'll th1nk.

RUFIOH: bet you all want to l1ve your l1ves too.

RUFIOH: well too bad. 1'm gonna be as real as 1 fuck1ng want to be.

RUFIOH: you're not gonna make me stop talk1ng. 1'm probably the only one around LEFT to talk.

RUFIOH: you shut me up and you're no better than her. or them out there.

CRONUS: -winces and steps away-

DIRK: -swallows- I'm not-- Saying that you should... No one is... I... -what does he do he doesn't know-

REDGLARE: Str1d3r.

REDGLARE: -She shakes her head at him.-

REDGLARE: -And with that she looks up again, silent and expression rather blank.-

RUFIOH: -looking directly at Redglare now.- she don't belong to th1s sh1p. she doesn't belong anywhere but beforus.

RUFIOH: we do what we gotta sure but after that.

RUFIOH: they got a word for that.

RUFIOH: 1t's called h1gh treason.

REDGLARE: -She waits a few ticks before responding. It's taking some effort-- she's doing her best to remain as neutral as she can manage in these affairs.- Do you sugg3st w3 4rr4ng3 4 tr14l?

RUFIOH: 1 say we get a fuck1ng f1gure on how she's go1ng to answer to what she d1d to her own emp1re. yeah.

RUFIOH: people who put her 1n power. trust1ng her.

RUFIOH: masses of people who a1n't even around to g1ve the1r thoughts cuz they d1dn't get the chance.

DAELOS: And what of the slavers pirates and murderers we all so easily rub elbows with on this ship?

DAELOS: Would you put them on trial

REDGLARE: -yes-

REDGLARE: - i mean is this an open forum suggestion because yes-

RUFIOH: -shoots a rather hateful glare at Daelos.-

DIRK: -at this point, he's reverting back to another time and a place. highbloods debating around him with lowbloods speak in defiance. and regardless of what he thinks or feels, he's on the outside. he's nothing to any of them. they could do what they would with him in a matter of seconds.-

DIRK: -but he just looks like he's being quiet.-

UNCLE BRO: -Suddenly Davenforth-

DAELOS: - And he's staring back with just as much hostility, however veiled.-

UNCLE BRO: -Puts a hand on Dirks shoulder-

RUFIOH: what part of "she was trusted 1n power" d1d you not get, motherfucker.

CRONUS: -he really sin't sure where this is coming from but something stirs in him and he finds himself speaking up again- isnt this the opposite of anything vwe should be doing right nowv i mean... heh... id ont think fighting betvween ourselvwes is going to help us survwivwe anything, you knowv?

CRONUS: -can i please just play a song and make this tension go away-

UNCLE BRO: Kids got a point but regardless this aint dirks fault

DIRK: -fucking GASPS when he feels a hand on his shoulder and startles so bad he almost falls out of his chair-

UNCLE BRO: I made the decision to bring her here

UNCLE BRO: Solo

REDGLARE: -TENSES-

RUFIOH: -ignoring Cronus blatantly in favor of fixing the hatred on his face at bruncle.-

RUFIOH: why.

UNCLE BRO: -His face is steeled, looking at the young troll. Truly, the decision was selfish wasn't it? But even if it wasn't, where would she go? She'd do nothing but rot in isolation anywhere else. She still didn't deserve that.-

DIRK: -he's having a hard time processing any words right now, but his uncle being here sets off another chain of panicked feelings.- (Don't--)

CRONUS: -arrrg he can TELL rufioh is ignoring him on purpose, so he does the thing HE KNOWS BEST... the keytar is coming out-

UNCLE BRO: She deserves somewhere safe she deserves that much what happened to our your home was the result of multiple people and she cant be held solely to blame she tried her best as ruler and the worst happened and shes owning that

UNCLE BRO: But if anyone deserves this shitstorm its me

REDGLARE: -GOD FRIGGIN DAMN IT-

DAVE: -he's a little worried about his brother, so he steps up- this aint the time for this shit

DAVE: theres gotta be a more organized way to do this

DAVE: a meeting or something right

DAVE: no use gettin all worked up in the atrium when shes clearly not a threat at this point in time to anyone

DAVE: -why does his uncle have to be so strider-

UNCLE BRO: If youre gonna put anyone on trial for their misgivings then well

RUFIOH: and who the fuck are you to dec1de that. -hisses it out-

RUFIOH: you're nobody. and you're gonna BE nobody 1f you keep talk1ng. RUFIOH: everyone.

RUFIOH: all of you are full of such BULLSH1T.

UNCLE BRO: -He just looks at Rufioh-

DAVE: you really wanna start layin down threats right now

CRONUS: evweryone SHUT UP.

REDGLARE: -She takes a deep breath. Then she looks over at Cronus.-

UNCLE BRO: Dont sweat it d--

RUFIOH: 1 dunno, dumbass. then a—

RUFIOH: -as Cronus raises his voice, Rufioh loses the little grip on his temper that he had and reaches for a chair.-

RUFIOH: -SLAMS IT into the ground with all his strength-

RUFIOH: YOU ALL WANNA MAKE ME SHUT UP. MAKE ME.

CRONUS: -starts strumming something lightly on his keytar, trying to make it as SOOTHING AS POSSIBLE- -STARING HARD AT RUFIOH-

CRONUS: calm dowvn, okay? youre not going to get vwhat you vwant by losing it like that.

DIRK: -LOUD NOISES. he does end up out of his chair now, away from the table, trying very hard not to descend into the survival instincts of his youth. he can't PUNCH AWAY HIS PROBLEMS ANYMORE.-

CRONUS: -the soothing song probably sounds a bit like a certain black eyed peas song called where is the LOVE-

RUFIOH: -he doesn't want to calm down but the music playing and the high tension twisting in his bloodpusher just has angry tears springing up against his will.- 1've been calm all my fuck1ng l1fe.

CRONUS: yeah and youll get your time to talk, but not vwith these guys, they dont knowv vwhat liferas intentions vwere, not really. the only ansvwers youll get are from her and arguing vwith anyone else is pointless. -the calmness starts to weigh down on everyone whether they want to feel it or not. Cronus is unaware of his HOPE POWERS at work, but this feels right regardless, as he's certainly calming HIMSELF down-

LIFERA: -She may have been silent, but more than anything, it was in horror. Again, things spiraled around her, people trying to defend her, and she didn't want it. The time for that had long passed. Now, she just wanted to listen.-

LIFERA: -With Cronus' song filling the previously tense space, she steps toward Davenforth, speaking low.- Let me do this. I do not want you here.

LIFERA: -More importantly, she's looking at Rufioh, and she steps a little closer to him.-

RUFIOH: -the jolt he should feel isn't there but he does know he doesn't want to be near her. He takes a step back, slicks of copper still staining his cheeks.-

CRONUS: -steps over to rufioh himself, continuing to play, and gives him a reassuring pat-

DIRK: -the music at least helps him think a little more clearly, but that gives way to more conscious emotions he doesn't really want to deal with.-

RUFIOH: -why is anybody touching him right now. Do not. He steps further back.-

LIFERA: -And she stops. For a long moment, she doesn't know whether or not she should speak.-

LIFERA: ...I am listening.

CRONUS: -winces again, but just continues to play, trying to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach-

RUFIOH: then you know 1t's only a matter of t1me. -speaks, unable to look away.-

RUFIOH: 1f not me, somebody else.

RUFIOH: nobody 1s go1ng to let you l1ve w1th th1s.

LIFERA: ... That is not the reality that I mind.

RUFIOH: 1 don't see you as gett1ng a say 1n what you m1nd.

LIFERA: -She doesn't say anything to this. There's nothing to be said.-

DAELOS: - When he sees Rufioh start to lash out he growls and almost stands up, but absurdly the stupid keytar music pokes a hole through his anger. As ridiculous it us that it's there at all. He's still tense, but not yet on the verge of interfering. -

REDGLARE: -She's almost... relieved that the feeling of the room has shifted so dramatically. She finally steps forward again.- ...Th1s 1s 4. D1v1s1v3 1ssu3.

REDGLARE: Would you cons1d3r 4 tr14l 1n 3rn3st?

REDGLARE: 1f 1t could b3 4rr4ng3d. -She glances at Dirk, not yet sure that he's all there quite yet.-

CRONUS: -as he continues to play and his own emotions shift from being more about calming things, and more to worry and sickness, the very same transfers in very small doses on everyone listening to his song. Not large enough to affect the calmness, but enough to poke lightly-

RUFIOH: -as the calmness disappates, so does the ugly surge of feeling come to replace it. But outwardly, he is unmoved. Watching motherfuckers delegate.-

DIRK: -he isn't really. it takes a moment to process the words.- Trial... -he's had a lot to say about them being a community, and that is what communities do in situations like this, isn't it? still, he's unsure if it's really his place, knowing what the outcome of such a trial might be. the judgement of someone's life... this is more responsibility then he ever anticipated.-

DIRK: I... would like to discuss that with our council... Before a decision is made. -should he have done that in the first place? his brain is so addled he can't even decide if he should be mad at himself for not knowing what to do sooner.-

DAVE: -paying more attention to Dirk now through his shades- good call

CRONUS: -he.... really cant be here anymore, and leaves-

LIFERA: -She still isn't saying anything. If that's what they want to do with her, she's not going to argue.-

DAELOS: - looks at Dirk and Redglare- What would a trial accomplish? What would the sentencing be? - he's not interested in any of the emotional chaos, he's focused. -

RUFIOH: -the surge is only building.-

REDGLARE: 4 m34sur3d d1scuss1on of 4ll f4cts 4v41l4bl3. W3 c4nnot s3ttl3 th1s m4tt3r l1k3 th1s.

DAVE: you know what would be perfect for this

DAVE: a council

DAVE: oh shit we have one

DAVE: oh shit dirk just said that

DAVE: cool

UNCLE BRO: -He grits his teeth at her words, with a sinking stomach. She didn't want him here, want him to defend her. Eventually he swallows it down, runs his fingers through his hair. He's just quiet for now-

DAELOS: If you want this public forum to dissipate then end it here - he sounds scathing-

RUFIOH: -glancing at Lifera. Bruncle. Daelos. The feeling isn't going away.-

REDGLARE: -She grits her teeth. Whatever feeling was in the air before is gone now, and this is testing every bit of patience she's got.- REDGLARE: 1 4m try1ng v3ry3 h4rd to f1nd som3 sort of comprom1s3 h3r3.

REDGLARE: 4nd th3 l4st th1ng 1 4m go1ng to 4llow 1s for th1s to b3com3 th3 mom3nt l1n3s 4r3 dr4wn.

REDGLARE: You do not sp34k for 4nyon3 but yours3lf. Not for m3, th4t's for d4mn3d sur3. So 1 don't g1v3 4 d4mn wh4t you 4ssum3 4bout my d3s1r3s.

DAELOS: I want to know what you plan to do with the prisoner we put on trial

RUFIOH: -and then he speaks- what the fuck.

LIFERA: Daelos-- That's enough.

RUFIOH: -finds himself snarling- th1s 1s so... FUCKED. GOD DAMN 1T.

DAELOS: - He twitch. He stop. But he's angry. -

UNCLE BRO: Chill out

RUFIOH: fuck you, nobody.

RUFIOH: fuck, fuck. you.

DIRK: -finally draws back towards the table. things can't go on like this. he has to pull himself together, if only for a moment.- That's enough.

DIRK: I've made my decision. We're going to discuss this as a crew at the next council meeting. If we agree to a trial together, then... We will discuss how to carry that out.

DIRK: But. All of you need to disperse. Now.

DIRK: Go to your quarters.

DIRK: And if any of you can't wait to say your peace, then you can kindly be escorted to detainment until the time comes.

DIRK: Which I assure you, it will.

DIRK: We will come to a conclusion together.

LIFERA: -Now Davenforth is getting a look, too, but she looks at Dirk again when he speaks, hesitating, but only because it doesn't seem right that she would be the first to leave.-

UNCLE BRO: -Stop looking at him like that Lif, jeez. He just...He just wants to help-

DAVE: -well he's gonna make sure all your asses clear outta this room-

UNCLE BRO: -This is a mess-

DAELOS: - He's so furious, his jaw is twitching. But he's looking away, slowly drawing himself to. his feet. -

UNCLE BRO: -He can't be in here anymore, his mind is a fog of personal feelings and moral dilemmas. He's just gonna turn to go.-

RUFIOH: -it's really not fair how people were STILL siding with her after all that happened. The tears are springing fresh and raging all over again and he hates this. None of this was in his control but then again. Why didn't he just make it be in his control.-

RUFIOH: -It happens very fast, triggered most likely by the secret look Lifera shot the guy. As Dave makes a move to escort everyone out, Rufioh makes his. His wings spread and he hovers for a second, a cold white feeling spreading throughout his limbs. And like a gust, he disappears.-

RUFIOH: -and appears to face Davenforth.-

UNCLE BRO: -Suddenly a lost boy-

UNCLE BRO: Need somethin

DIRK: -blinks and tries to see what became of rufioh until he sees him before his uncle- ...

RUFIOH: -there's no answer or debating the sword getting driven through his middle.-

REDGLARE: -!

DAELOS:!

REDGLARE: -Her wings jolt, upright, and that feeling in her chest is cold as hell, and gripping like a vice.-

CRONUS: -HAPPENS to walk back in and.... UH.....-

DAVE: -he has no time to think about what's just happened so he flashsteps to disarm rufioh from behind-

ERIDAN: -IMMEDIATELY down there-

RUFIOH: -nothing else matters to him, he's already dropping the blood soaked sword.-

UNCLE BRO: -It's all too sudden, piercing and hot. White hot lightning shot through every synapse. He could feel something wet, from his middle. Words were lost to gurgling, a sloshing and spitting up of the red liquid in his mouth. The world swam, his knees hitting the floor hard-

CRONUS: vwhat did you do?!

REDGLARE: -She flips open her communicator, hands shaking as she pounds on the button for the medical department.- Som3on3's com1ng 1n. Pr3p4r3 4 sp4c3. 1t's 4 st4b 4nd h3's bl33d1ng f4st-- god D4MN 1T--! -and she smashes it onto the ground, pieces of it scattering across the room.-

LIFERA: -She isn't sure whether the shriek she hears comes out of her own mouth or not, but the blood in her veins is ice-cold. She can't move. It's too natural. It's all too honest. She can't see it, and yet, she can't see anything else.-

DIRK: -his blood runs cold, and though his immediate thought -- instinct -- is to smother the life out of rufioh's scrawny little body, he instead drops to catch davenforth before he falls completely to the floor.-

DAVE: -pushes all of his emotions down like they don't even exist as he goes to take his arms and cuff him immediately. he doesn't seem to be fighting yet, thankfully, but he's prepared if he changes his mind-

RUFIOH: -standing there, willing and accepting to recieve his own fate. He knows what he did and he knows why. He only stares onward. Cold.-

REDGLARE: 1F YOU 4R3 N31TH3R S3CUR1TY NOR M3D1C4L 1 W1LL P3RSON4LLY D3T41N 3V3RY S1NGL3 P3RSON WHO DO3S NOT R3TURN TO TH31R D4MN3D QU4RT3RS 1MM3D14T3LY!!!

WQ: -BUSTS A ROOM READY PRONTO-

CRONUS: -oh god, he feels like he's going to be sick and he ends up just standing there-

ERIDAN: -nods nods at redglare APPROVING of how the situation is being handled and.... leaves again-

DIRK: -thank you eridan. he is in no position to give any commands or approval right now.-

DAVE: -gets on to escorting rufioh to detainment, just PRESSING ON. his uncle just got stabbed and this is fine. he isn't going to let it hit him yet- do i gotta even ask what the fuck that was

RUFIOH: -nope. No words. He got the blood he came for.-

REDGLARE: -glares at Cronus- R1GHT NOW.

UNCLE BRO: -He can't feel himself fall into Dirks arms. In fact, he can't feel much of anything, just cold creeping into his veins and fire in his lungs as he gasps uselessly for air-

REDGLARE: G44444H!!! -she grabs a table and flips it over.-

LIFERA: -She's still standing there, too, deaf to everything. She can't move toward him, and she can't cry.-

JOHN: - probably also helping WQ. They are dream team. -

CRONUS: -he stares at redglare, his face very pale, but he's still not moving-

WQ: -internal SCREAMING-

DIRK: W--we got you. John and Qirin are here. 

DIRK: They patched me up before. I know they'll do the same for you-- -welp he's sobbing suddenly. why is this happening?-

UNCLE BRO: -There's no response. He's limp.-

WQ: -also she's quickly wheeling in a crash cart cuz John has probably got the hospital gurney/stretcher/whatever the hell-

DIRK: -no no, this ISN'T happening. he has a hard time letting go of him, but he does manage it so the doctors can do their thing.-

REDGLARE: -she SCREAMS again, completely indistinct, one arm grabbing at Cronus' collar and the other at Daelos. SURE, ONE IS HEAVY AS HELL but she's absolutely livid and her blood is like 90% adrenaline right now ANYWAYS. they're both going back to their rooms -

REDGLARE: -DRAG-

JOHN: - he's using the windy thing to make them go FASTER. -

WQ: =Thank you, John, she always knew you were ace. Her heart is racing, but she managed to retain her calm and briefly glanced at Dirk. How? Hell if she knew!=

WQ: Captain. =And then more urgently.= Dirk. =She firmly squeezed his shoulder. 'Trust us,' the squeeze says.=

CRONUS: -he is dragged, and he doesn't really put much of a fight-

DIRK: -a trembling hand reaches for hers and clasps it, which unfortunately means more blood getting spread around. he isn't looking at her, though, just staring ahead at the spilled red.-

WQ: Dirk. =She says again, more force behind her words as her hard shelled hand squeezes his shoulder tighter.= John, Mitzi, and I are going to do phenomenally. You are our Captain. Take the lead here.

WQ: -and with that, her hand is gone and she is hurriedly making damn sure Davenforth doesn't go into shock while lightly tapping his face so he stays awake.-

JOHN: - He thinks it's a weird choice to try to comfort dirk BEFORE helping the guy who got stabbed but hey, as long as it gets done. He's working on stopping the bleeding enough do they can move him. -

WQ: -she knew John has her covered. (Also mun had a serious brainfart)-

DIRK: -he's their captain... and this is where he lead them. he can't bring himself to move for another few painful moments, but he isn't even sure what is left to do, or where he should even go. whenever he gets up, and wherever he goes, it's in a hurry.-

JOHN: - eventually they get Davenforth onto the gurney and on the way to the infirmary, once again using the wind to speed them. The goal is getting him stable.-

WQ: -is dave even breathing?! HOW IS YOUR PULSE DAVE, TELL ME-

UNCLE BRO: -Very faint pulse. Itty bitty pulse.-

WQ: -THEN YOU GET A SHOT OF ADRENALINE-

WQ: -in the IV. Not the heart, because that is a common misconception and would have caused more bleeding. And then you would have died. Which would be bad-

[gulescamisade]

TEREZI: -Well, after the first time she 'visited' 3ridan, she's kind of felt guilty about literally dumping all that information on him. So here she was knocking at his door for round two.-

ERIDAN: *he was dozing, having one of his off days, when he heard the knock at the door. He lifts his head slightly and glances over to it* come in

TEREZI: -Here she comes! Quietly. Holding the door so it didn't slam, she then walked over to his bedside and dumped a care package onto the table. There are varied hues of violet daisies (made of glass; she can't bear gifting anyone something that is going to die just yet), the book "4lternian Conquests and Civil Wars Before the Reign of Her 1mperious Condescension," some fuzzy fish slippers (the feet holes are the mouth; though she heard he can't really feel anything waist down, body parts still get cold), and a couple of scented vials for aromatherapy. She spent all day alchemizing this since she clearly had nothing better to do with her time.-

TEREZI: -pulling out her whiteboard again, she wrote "sorry" and underlined it three times.-

ERIDAN: *blinks several times as he looks over the care package. Okay, why does everyone keep doing shit he doesn't expect? And NICE shit at that.* fuck wwhats all this for *starts with setting up the daisies to sit on his side table immediately, as well as the scented vials*

TEREZI: -Writes: "short answer: because"-

ERIDAN: wwell shit

ERIDAN: i really fuckin appreciate alla this honest

ERIDAN: *he's just going to slip the slippers on his hands for now since he can't even really sit up to put them on his feet*

TEREZI: -she taps "sorry" again. and oh, she did feel sorry. Not just with the severed heads, but with everything from before. She should have taken his word from the start. He was right. He'd been right since they were branded traitors. This crew couldn't afford mercy. Her hand drops as she watched him, and she couldn't help but feel the tug of a smile. When had he ever done something goofy like that in her presence? Or if he had, was this the first time she noticed it?-

TEREZI: -gives him a thumbs up-

TEREZI: -he looks baller-

ERIDAN: *puffs his chest smugly, although he's not entirely sure why that was his reaction to her thumbs upping him for his fashion disaster*

TEREZI: -Well now at that air passed through her nose as her mouth twisted from trying to prevent herself from laughing. 4t least his hands are warm. She settled into the chair these rooms always provided at the beside and watched him. He seemed...happier? Was that even a status 3ridan allowed himself to show in public? Maybe not happier but...to her he seemed like he could carry it all better now. Despite everything.-

ERIDAN: *it was definitely easier for him to act happy. It really was nice having less worries piling on his shoulders...* so is this a vvoww a silence or did you wwreck your fuckin vvocal chords

TEREZI: -she winced and held up one finger. The first one.-

ERIDAN: wwhy

TEREZI: -She stared at him for one long hard moment, her face tensing as she remembered. 1f she'd just shut the fuck up about taking prisoners and interrogating them and keeping them alive, then maybe 3ridan wouldn't have bled concord grapes all over the floor. 1f she'd shut the fuck up about staying kind to show the universe their true intentions..that they were innocent and could prove it through their actions, then maybe Karkat would still be alive. She put her face in her hands and curled her fingers, leaving scratches on her forehead.-

ERIDAN: uh okay stare if you gotta but can you stare at not me

TEREZI: -she pressed her face into her hands further in response, hating that this was where her choices had brought her. She was such a goddamn idiot to think there could be righteousness and justice out here. That had been stripped from all members of this crew sweeps before they'd known it. War was lawless. 1t was unfair. 1t played dirty. They should have too, if they had wanted to live. She was such a fool. She knew it NOW, of course. 4nd that knowledge came too late.-

ERIDAN: wwell that wworks i suppose *kinda tilts his head, his brows knitting*

TEREZI: -She'd stood in the rubble of her beliefs before: that if one tried hard enough and stood tall against injustice that there would be people who would listen. Her teammates listened, and so did others. 4nd those others decided they should die for trying. 1n a way, this fall was worse. 1t left her utterly unscathed. 4nd here she stood in the rubble of what she thought was the right thing to do.-

TEREZI: -She made a hissing sound and what almost sounded like the first half of "sorry" came out whispered and soft, either cut off by her or the hitching in her throat.-

ERIDAN: i didnt fuckin catch that youre gunna havve to try again *narrows his eyes slightly*

TEREZI: -She stopped there. Words were meaningless here. 1t wouldn't bring Karkat back, it wouldn't help 3ridan regain the use of his legs, it wouldn't save the lives of everyone they had already lost. 1t didn't matter how sorry she was; it wouldn't save any of them now.-

TEREZI: -Her tears were pointless. 4s pointless as her apology. But they came anyway and she turned away from 3ridan, curling her arms over her head as tears kept coming even while she told herself to G3T 4 GR1P.-

ERIDAN: wwait wwhat are you doin noww are you cryin

TEREZI: -Yes, she is now crying, and a small whimper is proof of that. Rather than the hot, burning, stinging kind she had shed within the past someodd weeks, these were cold and bitter and empty. She was utterly overwhelmed, emotionally spent, and feeling pieces of her die all over again.-

TEREZI: -But she soon leveled out her breathing, shoving those broken pieces of her deep down into a place where things didn't hurt. Soon she was wiping her face with her sleeve and erasing all evidence of her breakdown. When she could bear to face 3ridan again, Terezi's face was devoid of any moisture or teal. 1t looked tired. Tired and drained and done.-

ERIDAN: you knoww wwhat youre doin isnt gunna fuckin wwork right *frowns*

ERIDAN: kar wwas my quad too an you dont see me goin mute ovver his dead carcass

ERIDAN: i highly doubt hed evven wwant that anywway

TEREZI: -she stared at him flatly, then without looking away, she scribbled a few things on the whiteboard before turning it around.-

TEREZI: -"words are dangerous"-

ERIDAN: bull fuckin shit

TEREZI: -"are too"-

ERIDAN: do you honestly believve anythin youvve said caused any a this cuz i nevver saww you goin up to the enemy an provvokin this

TEREZI: -"suggestions"-

TEREZI: -"words hold weight"-

TEREZI: -"they can make people die without lifting a finger"-

TEREZI: -"you know this"-

ERIDAN: *glares at her* i dont need wwords to murder an youvve done zero murderin wwith your owwn i dont fuckin get this

ERIDAN: youre bein wweak

TEREZI: -"sure"-

TEREZI: -"but until i know i wont"-

TEREZI: -Terezi bit her lip, pressing her forehead into the edge of the whiteboard-

TEREZI: -"hurt anyone with them"-

TEREZI: -"my flap stays trapped"-

TEREZI: -squeezes her lips together with her fingers so they're smushed flat-

ERIDAN: thats fuckin stupid an if kar comes back hes just gunna tell you the same goddamend thing

ERIDAN: be stubborn all you wwant but dont be a fuckin idiot

TEREZI: -"i wont be anymore"-

TEREZI: -"no hesitation this time"-

TEREZI: -"crew comes first"-

TEREZI: -"they always should have"-

ERIDAN: you need wwords to do that an its kinda counter productivve wwhen youre writin em dowwn anywway your wwords are still gettin out there

ERIDAN: youre just not sayin em out loud

ERIDAN: so if youre tryin to avvoid tragedy you might as wwell not evven do that

ERIDAN: i say dont fuckin bother

ERIDAN: speak the fuck up

TEREZI: -"you dont hear the tone"-

TEREZI: -"there is no emotion this way"-

TEREZI: -"and theyre easier to erase"-

TEREZI: -and with that she clears the filled board with her sleeve-

ERIDAN: yeah fuckin right theres emotion spurtin all ovver the place wwith howw youre behavvin

ERIDAN: no one goes emotionless unless they got an emotional reason to

ERIDAN: an besides showwin youvve got emotions is the mark of a good leader or so ivve read

TEREZI: -her face softened and she smiled.-

TEREZI: -"thanks for saying so but once was enough for me"-

ERIDAN: you didnt evven hear wwhat i just said did you

ERIDAN: if once wwas enough yould still be talkin

TEREZI: -"once was enough when i lost more than just my eyes"-

TEREZI: -"i may have been indirectly responsible now, but then?"-

TEREZI: -"they died like meat, but at least their murderers gave us the opportunity to fight back"-

ERIDAN: youre bein a goddamned idiot *scowls*

TEREZI: -"ok then"-

TEREZI: -"what would you have done?"-

ERIDAN: not this fuckin fake mute thing youre playin thats for fuckin sure cuz again if its really your wwords causin harm you shouldnt evven be wwritin this shit on a board an i dont get wwhats so fuckin hard to understand wwhy this pity party youre throwwin is fuckin stupid

ERIDAN: if youre gunna do it you gotta commit an go the full wway

TEREZI: -poof there it goes, back in her sylladex. She slowly leaned back in her chair and pulled her legs up to cross them, folding her hands over her ankles.-

ERIDAN: lets see howw long you can keep that up *crosses his arms and stares at her*

TEREZI: -she doesnt move except for the small motion of lightly pressing her lips together.-

ERIDAN: *narrows his eyes* an if i suddenly started convvulsin you wwouldnt be able to say a goddamned wword because youvve taken a vvoww a silence because wwords kill

TEREZI: -Terezi eyed him, then slowly moved one hand to open the drawer of the bedside table before quickly slamming it shut a couple times. She also picked up the nurse call cord and waggled it around.-

ERIDAN: theyre gunna try askin you wwhat you wwitnessed though you do fuckin realize that

ERIDAN: an youll havve to givve a report

ERIDAN: in fact

ERIDAN: youre our communications officer

ERIDAN: youre not doin your goddamned job

TEREZI: -ironic that bit-

TEREZI: -she frowned when he said that. Terezi had always wondered why TUMUT had even hired her when she was fresh out of schooling with barely any experience as it was. 4nd after finding out they were space criminals, her view of her usefulness on the bridge had met a serious downturn. That, and Jade had taken over on occasion, so...it was really disheartening that her fears were somewhat true and not unfounded.-

TEREZI: -but the one thing she'd prided herself in was her work, and Terezi planned for that. She was going to rattle off things by their code numbers; that was going to be the only time anyone would hear her voice. On the bridge. Doing her job. Which her seven sweep old self would have found to be a waste of her talent as well as a demotion. But the ego of her eleven sweep old self had significantly dissipated in the course of half a decade.-

ERIDAN: you knoww im right an im pretty fuckin sure you knoww this wwhole entire things pointless that youre doin

TEREZI: -She still kept quiet despite what he said and let go of the knob of the drawer, albeit hesitantly and she placed the hand back over her ankle.-

ERIDAN: howw long are you plannin on evven keepin this up

TEREZI: -4s long as it took, really. 4s long as it took for her to feel she wasn't spouting poison. 4s long as it took for her stop hating the sound of her own voice. She shrugged one shoulder.-

ERIDAN: wwhats that supposed to mean

TEREZI: -She looked at him, or past him… to some distant future they would eventually be where everything was uncertain. 4nd then her gaze fell down to her hands that she was sure had done more harm in the course of her life than good. She sighed, but it came out ragged and uneven. She couldn’t say any of this without an explanation of some kind, so Terezi simply shrugged her shoulders again, the movement smaller this time and drooping after they had moved.-

ERIDAN: *he just observes her now, his brow furrowed. He really wished there was anything he could say to show her how stupid she was being, but in the end, he knew it wasn't really his place. He's not any of her quadrants, and they certainly weren't close... it just seemed so selfish to him now that he was opening his own mind to the world outside of what was immediately in front of him. He sighs and rubs his temples* youre dismissed if you wwanna be seein as youre not gunna listen to reason like alwways

TEREZI: -Her head lifted and she was suddenly on her feet, feeling a flash of anger surge in her as her brows furrowed. She wanted to fire back, "what if it was roxy who died? and what if it was your fault?" and her lips curled into what was the start of a snarl.-

TEREZI: -but....something in her took away the tension in her shoulders, the anger in her face. The fight drained from her heart and she let him say it, the words sinking in as her hands slowly unclenched. He was right. She knew that. He'd been right about almost everything, and Terezi hadn't listened.-

TEREZI: -Perhaps it was high time she did. She only looked sad now, but that too drifted into something impassive as she lifted her head and saluted him. She nodded slower this time rather than her customary curt one, her gaze locked on the floor.-

ERIDAN: *expression softens when she salutes him, and lets out a small sigh* ill see you later or somethin

TEREZI: -She forced a closed-lipped smile, and nodded once. Jerking her head towards the things she brought him like "hope you enjoy those," she paused briefly before turning heel and quickly leaving. On her way out, she gave one single wave then closed the door behind her.-

ERIDAN: *HE REALLY WILL ENJOY THEM. as soon as he can the slippers are going on his feet*

[gynecic-arbitrator]

-- gynecicArbitrator [GA] began pestering caligulasAcquisition [CA] at 21:50 --

GA: Eridan?

CA: oh hey por

GA: Do you think you could come by my block?

CA: oh sure i suppose i could

CA: im already in my chair

GA: Okay.

GA: Thank you.

ERIDAN: *he makes his way over to her as quickly as he can, but it's still a little slower than he normally goes* *HE DOES GET THERE THO and knocks on her door*

PORRIM: *it takes her a minute to answer, but when she does, eridan will find her a mess with cheeks streaked jade.* Hey. *rubs at her eyes, moving aside for him to wheel in*

ERIDAN: *brows IMMEDIATLEY knit with concern* por wwhat happened are you okay *WHEELS IN*

PORRIM: ... *wants to sit, but she doesn't really feel like moving, just standing beside her door.* Mituna's in the infirmary now too.

ERIDAN: wwh

ERIDAN: WWHAT

ERIDAN: wwhat the FUCK

PORRIM: He got into a fight with Jake. I don't-- I don't really know the details of what happened...

ERIDAN: *grits his teeth* he shoulda fuckin knowwn better after wwhat happened wwith dam wwhat the fuck

PORRIM: No. He doesn't actually know better-- *oh... that came out, and she immediately regrets saying it. so much so that she buries her face in her hands.*

ERIDAN: *oh........... right..........* por.....

PORRIM: That's not-- *slumps up against the wall* That's not fair of me to say.

ERIDAN: wwell i mean its uh

ERIDAN: true *looks down*

PORRIM: I know how frustrating it is for him, too. *rubs at her eyes some more with the heel of her palm*

PORRIM: Sometimes I wonder if... There are things I could do for him. *she glances over at him, thinking about the wings he usually keeps obscured* I don't know if that's... right. If it's right to want to change things--

PORRIM: But I miss... *chokes a little on the words. she hates thinking this.* The way things used to be.

ERIDAN: i dunno if i wwere mit id be fuckin miserable

ERIDAN: arent people like uh

ERIDAN: him

ERIDAN: supposed to be really smart inside their brains they just cant get their body to do it outside or uh

ERIDAN: somethin

PORRIM: *frowns a little* He got brain damage, he's not-- *sigh*

PORRIM: I mean, you're not far off, though... He's lost a lot of control over his cognition and motorskills. But he's still very much aware of... how he was, and how he's different now. And that's... difficult.

ERIDAN: do you t hink hed be fixed if he uh

ERIDAN: did the wwhole cucoon thing

PORRIM: *falls quiet for a long moment* I don't know.

PORRIM: I've thought about it... I've been thinking about it for a long time. But I don't like the idea.

PORRIM: I don't... trust it.

ERIDAN: i suppose that cant be helped *sighs* it anyone said i should try doin it a second time to fix my legs id say no

PORRIM: *she sighs too, but for different reasons* ... I'm so relieved to hear that.

ERIDAN: wwait really *blinks and glances up at her*

PORRIM: Well, yeah. You remember how upset I was when that happened in the first place. *looks to the floor*

PORRIM: I guess I was worried you might... want to try it again.

ERIDAN: ... *shakes his head* no i dont wwanna im okay wwith just livvin wwith this

ERIDAN: besides dirk says he might be makin me some shit so i can wwalk again although i suppose he couldnt noww

ERIDAN: i hope he didnt forget he said that *rubs his arm*

PORRIM: *she quiets for a moment before she pulls herself away from the wall to wander over to his side* I'm sure he didn't forget.

ERIDAN: howw can you be so sure i mean hes got a lotta shit goin on right noww

PORRIM: I know. But... you're important to him, so I'm sure that project is important to him too.

ERIDAN: yeah i hope so *sighs and pats his lap for her to sit down*

PORRIM: *yes... this is good. she lowers herself to sit, curling up on his lap.*

ERIDAN: *it's so weird not really being able to feel her there... he wraps his arms around her curled up self and hugs her tight* im sorry your matesprits are bein so fuckin stressful

PORRIM: *nuzzles up under his chin* Thank you, Eridan... For listening. And for being here.

ERIDAN: youre wwelcome por *smiles softly at her* its about time i stepped it up as your moirail anywway

PORRIM: *peers up at him, a smile creeping on her lips as well* You do more than you know. *but it's true, it's nice that he has more time and focus for her......*

PORRIM: *she sits up again to place a hand on his cheek, leaning in to press a kiss to the other.*

ERIDAN: *BLUSHES* *why does he have the best quads..... he can't deal.....* i may be a shit kismesis wwho cant hold the quad but at least i can be a good moirail to you

PORRIM: Oh, please. *kisses his other cheek while she's at it. and nuzzles him a little. but wait...* ...

PORRIM: Did something happen with Jade?

ERIDAN: *winces* uh

ERIDAN: oh

ERIDAN: yeah

ERIDAN: *fins DROOP*

PORRIM: Oh... I'm sorry, sweetie. *wraps her arms around his shoulders and draws in for a hug*

ERIDAN: i dont evven get wwhat i did wwrong she just *okay he wasn't going to cry about this again, yet here he is, crying about it again, pressing his face into her shoulder*

PORRIM: *strokes his hair while she nuzzles at his cheek again. it's awful to hear him cry when her own emotions are already so raw. she might just cry again, too* It's okay... I know it's hard.

ERIDAN: i dont get wwhy this keeps... happenin.... shes my third in half a fuckin swweep i dont get it

PORRIM: It's a difficult quadrant for people. The emotions that come with it are complicated.

PORRIM: You're very attentive to your quadrants, Eridan. I know romance means a lot to you... So I would just chalk it up to bad luck. *squeezes him*

ERIDAN: *lets out a sigh and leans into the squeeze* yeah i guess so.... i wwas so sure jade wwas gunna be the one

PORRIM: I know... I'm so sorry. *gives him another kiss on the cheek, feeling especially needy and affection herself.* I'm here for you.

ERIDAN: thanks so goddamned much por... *nuzzles again, this time returning a light smooch on her cheek*

PORRIM: *pulls her hands back to cup his cheeks again, playing a little with his fins while she leans in to kiss his nose and lay their foreheads together.* I love you, Eridan.

ERIDAN: i fuckin lovve you too por *stares into her eyes and blushes*

PORRIM: *her heart swells with a happiness that continually felt so far out of grasp for a good long while. she didn't really know just how much she needed this kind of affection, but now that she's getting it, she feels more like things might be ok. at least for now. at least while she's with him.*

PORRIM: *she watches him back for a while before nudging their noses together and giggling a little.*

ERIDAN: shit im so fuckin glad youre in better spirits noww *rubs her sides*

PORRIM: Me too. I have you to thank for that. *tiniest of chirs having her sides rubbed*

ERIDAN: *continues to rub her* youre wworth it so youre vvery fuckin wwelcome

PORRIM: Hehehe. *curls up a little more on his lap, her head finding his shoulder again.* Hmm... Do you want to watch a movie or something?

ERIDAN: yeah id like that

PORRIM: Okay. *she realizes this means getting up. ugh... or does it?* ... Can you drive us over to the tv?

ERIDAN: *nods and ROLLS them on over to it*here you go you can reach evverythin from here

PORRIM: I've got it. *she sets everything up and then smiles at him. they are good to GO.*

ERIDAN: *AND GO THEY DO, TIME TO WATCH ALL THE THINGS*

[arachnurasgall]

[09:50] -- arachnurasGall [AG] began pestering caligulasAcquisition [CA] at 21:50 --

[09:50] AG: Hey, Ampora!

[09:51] AG: Are you finished spending all of your free time in the infirmary or........?

[09:51] CA: youre not bein captain so dont ask im not electin you an youre not takin ovver

[09:52] AG: That's not even what I asked!!!!!!!!

[09:52] AG: Although I would 8e incredi8ly eligi8le and you know it!

[09:55] CA: no you wwouldnt because no one trusts you but me

[09:55] AG: I thiiiiiiiink your trust 8eats out everyone else's, don't you think?

[09:57] CA: not in this case cuz no one wwould followw your instruction

[09:57] AG: When you're the leader, people do what you tell them to. They have to, or else there are consequences. Duh!!!!!!!!

[09:58] CA: not this creww an im not doin that all ovver again im sorry vvris

[09:59] AG: I'm sure you'll promote me at the very least. Even though the next captain won't 8e as good as I would 8e!

[10:01] CA: oh

[10:01] CA: a promotion

[10:01] CA: i suppose i can take that into consideration

[10:02] AG: Might as well do it 8efore the new captain takes over.

[10:03] CA: wwhat department are you evven in again

[10:10] AG: Fucking shipmen. Uuuuuuuugh.

[10:10] AG: Can't get ANYWHERE with Redglare there. She's out to get me!!!!!!!!

[10:15] CA: wwhat do you mean

[10:17] AG: She H8TES me. Won't give me a chance to show her how gr8 I am at like EVERYTHING.

[10:26] CA: HUH

[10:27] CA: *huh

[10:27] CA: i suppose i can uh

[10:27] CA: talk to her or somethin

[10:28] AG: Or just promote me. I can even do another department!

[10:34] CA: can you though

[10:35] AG: Uh, yeah? I pick up shit real fast, you know that!

[10:36] CA: i dont even fuckin knoww wwhere i could put you i dont think

[10:36] CA: shit

[10:38] AG: Well. You still need a first m8.

[10:38] CA: i cant

[10:38] CA: do that

[10:38] CA: i dont think

[10:40] AG: You don't THINK.

[10:40] AG: I think you're capa8le of doing anything.

[10:52] CA: not for long an i just

[10:52] CA: i dont wwanna demote anyone evveryones doin great

[10:52] CA: i s uppose i could appoint a vvice of a department

[10:53] AG: That's a gr8 idea!!!!!!!! You should do that for EVERY department!

[10:54] CA: ugh thats a lotta promotions

[10:54] AG: Or just me. ::::)

[10:57] CA: i cant make you vvice a evvery department that wwouldt wwork

[10:58] AG: Of ONE. See? This is why first m8 would 8e PERFECT.

[10:59] CA: no

[10:59] AG: Are you just getting rid of that position or what?

[11:02] CA: uh

[11:02] CA: i dunno

[11:02] CA: maybe

[11:02] CA: or maybe im gunna fill it myself

[11:02] AG: What? Why????????

[11:05] CA: because i dunno that i wwanna givve up leadership entirely

[11:09] AG: Well. Do you need a co first m8????????

[11:17] CA: no

[11:19] AG: I think you do.

[11:20] CA: no i fuckin dont stop pressin me

[11:21] AG: Ugh fine.

[11:21] AG: Anyway. You never answered my question.

[09:10] CA: wwhich question 

[09:10] CA: youre askin about a million fuckin questions

[08:43] AG: The FIRST ONE. Way at the 8eginning where I ask if you're finished spending all of your free time in the fucking infirmary!

[08:49] CA: oh

[08:49] CA: right

[08:49] CA: yeah im outta the infirmary noww

[08:49] AG: Fiiiiiiiinally!

[08:49] AG: You 8etter 8e doing something awesome.

[08:49] CA: wwait wwhat do you mean

[08:50] AG: With your free time.

[08:50] AG: And not like, I don't know. Sitting around????????

[08:53] CA: wwell i cant exactly do anythin else

[08:53] AG: 8ooooooooring.

[08:53] AG: When's that going to change?

[08:57] CA: i dunno if i evver fuckin wwalk again

[09:00] AG: You're GOING to walk again, Eridan.

[09:06] CA: yeah ill believve it wwhen im on my feet again

[09:06] AG: With that attitude, it won't happen. 8ut whatever. We can work on that.

[09:24] CA: theres nothin you can do about it

[09:24] AG: Ain't nothin I can't do, Ampora. Remem8er that.

[09:25] CA: theres plenty you cant fuckin do an the surgury that wwould be required to get me back on my goddamned feet im pretty damned sure falls in that category

[09:28] AG: Oh my god! I'm yawning right now, I hope you know. 8ut it's whatever.

[09:28] AG: I'll stick with you, even when you're 8eing lame.

[09:35] CA: wwelll at least theres that

[09:38] AG: There we go. That's the spirit!

[09:38] AG: What would you do without me?

[07:12] CA: i can name a lot

[07:13] AG: It's ok, Eridan. I know it's a little em8arrassing to need someone like me around!

[07:13] AG: 8ut there's really no shame in it.

[07:18] CA: vvris wwhen are you gunna stop doin this uh

[07:18] CA: wwhatevver the fuck it is youre tryin to do right noww

[07:19] AG: I don't think you realize just how VAGUE you sound.

[07:19] AG: I really have no clue what you're talking a8out this time.

[07:45] CA: ugh wwhatevver nevvermind its not wworth tryin to talk to you about this

[07:46] AG: What is it????????

[07:46] AG: You can tell me anything!

[07:51] CA: this front youre pushin the wwhole you totally need me an the constant denial a anythin beyond that

[07:56] AG: Well you do, don't you?

[07:57] CA: no an you knoww i dont wwere not quadmates anymore wwe havvent been for fuckin months

[08:03] AG: Woooooooow.

[08:03] AG: Since when do you have to 8e in a quadrant to rely on someone else????????

[08:03] AG: And technically we were NEVER in a quadrant. Officially, anyway.

[08:06] CA: yes wwe fuckin wwere

[08:06] CA: twwice

[08:09] AG: Uuuuuuuugh.

[08:09] AG: I'm not the one 8ringing up the past here, 8uddy.

[08:16] CA: thats not wwhat this is about

[08:17] AG: I don't see why I have to have a QUADRANT with someone to CARE a8out them.

[08:18] CA: thats not wwhat youre doin youre so fuckin persistant

[08:18] AG: Are you saying I'm FLIRTING with you????????

[08:19] CA: no im sayin you should fuckin cool it because its been SWWEEPS since ivve knowwn you an youre still playin the same card you alwways havve

[08:22] AG: So what you're trying to tell me is that things have changed.

[08:22] CA: yes an youre refusin to

[08:22] AG: Honestly, I don't see ANYTHING wrong with consistency.

[08:22] AG: You're lucky I haven't changed.

[08:23] CA: vvris you mighta had a shot at shit like bein first mate hell evven CAPTAIN if you fuckin changed

[08:39] AG: Ok, so if you have such a clear idea on what qualities I should have acquired over the sweeps, go ahead. Tell me. Tell me aaaaaaaall the ways you wanted me to 8e less me.

[08:41] CA: no im not doin this forget it

[08:42] AG: No, Eridan. You have my full attention! Take advantage of it!!!!!!!!

[08:42] CA: youre just gunna deny evverythin i say theres no point

[08:44] AG: Wow, way to give up!

[08:53] CA: yeah maybe i am

[08:53] -- caligulasAcquisition [CA] ceased pestering arachnurasGall [AG] at 20:53 --

[08:54] AG: L8R.

[08:54] -- arachnurasGall [AG] ceased pestering caligulasAcquisition [CA] at 20:54 --

[effluentbalatron-blog]

[05:34] -- effluentBalatron [EB] began pestering caligulasAcquisition [CA] at 17:34 --

[05:34] EB: pssst.

[05:34] EB: cap.

[05:35] CA: wwhat

[05:36] EB: what are you up to?

[05:36] EB: are you sleeping?

[05:37] CA: yes john clearly im sleepin right noww

[05:37] EB: well!

[05:37] EB: one little message is a lot easier to roll over and ignore than one whole john.

[05:38] CA: yeah i suppose so

[05:38] CA: is there somethin you need

[05:38] EB: yes!

[05:38] EB: i'm coming in! [07:47]

 -- effluentBalatron [EB] ceased pestering caligulasAcquisition [CA] at 19:47 --

[05:39] CA: uh

[05:39] CA: okay

JOHN: -and in come john, obviously NOT IN HIS LAB COAT, but instead in his...blue medical starfleet uniform pj’s and under his arm is a bunch of dvds or whatever the futuristic equivalent is fuck me.-

ERIDAN: *blinks very slowly at john* wwhat the fuckin shit are you wwearin

JOHN: oh i'm so glad you asked!

JOHN: hehehe!

JOHN: *sits on his bed.* welllll i'm not on duty right now.

JOHN: so i thought maybe i could finally show you one of my favorite pieces of media since you've got nothing better to do.

ERIDAN: wwho says ivve got nothin better to do *FROWNS AT JOHN, but it's the truth........... HE REALLY HAS NOTHING BETTER TO DO*

JOHN: i think i'm pretty much the authority here since i've been watching you constantly.

JOHN: *chinhands at him.*

ERIDAN: *puffs his cheeks in ANNOYANCE* yeah wwell wwhatevver

ERIDAN: wwhats this media youre forcin upon me

JOHN: oh my gosh. it's one of my favorite things ever.

JOHN: i wanted to show you forever ago, cap. but we were all too busy.

JOHN: it's a sci-fi series, first of all. or well, what humans imagined sci-fi was in the late 1980′s early 1990′s.

JOHN: so i guess a lot of it won't seem all that futuristic, but even though it's fake, a lot of the science still kind of is based on stuff that makes sense.

JOHN: -babbles-

JOHN: you know what, just look at this box art.

JOHN: -shoves the tng dvds at him.-

ERIDAN: *......* *gaze shifts to the box art* yeah this does look fake as shit

JOHN: yeah but! it's also really well acted and has tons of action, philosophy and drama!

JOHN: well, i guess sometimes it's pretty silly.

JOHN: but sometimes not!

ERIDAN: i got a feelin evven if i say no youre gunna force me into this drivvel regardless

JOHN: i'll force you to watch the two part pilot.

JOHN: if you don't like it then we don't have to keep watching it.

JOHN: how's that?

ERIDAN: fine its a fuckin deal

JOHN: -wheezy laughter through teeth!- ehhehhe! okay.

JOHN: encounter at farpoint station! part one! ooo!

JOHN: *rushes to dvd player.*

JOHN: *or whatever the futuristic equivalent to a dvd player is suck my dick.*

ERIDAN: *WATCH HIM GO.......!!!*

JOHN: *puts it in and rushes back to sit by eridan on his bed.*

JOHN: *TNG OPENING MUSICCCC.*

ERIDAN: *WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!* *pretends he's not impressed already* *crosses his arms and tries to put the most judgemental look on his face he can*

JOHN: *tng opening PICARD SPEECH.*

JOHN: *john vibrates*

ERIDAN *SPINE TINGLING!!!* so wwait you said this is accurate to real science

JOHN: well.

JOHN sort of.

JOHN: it's LOOSELY BASED on real science. they had a team of people to try to at least make it theoretically plausible, but a lot of it isn't plausible anyways because it's a fake fantasty world.

JOHN: *tries to talk softly so he doesn't talk over the actors, but he's just so dang excited. LOOK THERE'S ALL HIS FAVE CHARACTERS.*

ERIDAN: huh wwell i suppose that makes sense but still im tryin to decide howw much i should be judgin this

JOHN: it's up to you, mon capitan! *has no problem quoting q because look there's q*

ERIDAN: oh john

ERIDAN: i just fuckin realized

ERIDAN: wwe dont got any snacks

JOHN: huh, that is true.

JOHN: *turns to him.* do you want me to pause it?

ERIDAN: *.....* maaaaaybe *eyes it out of the corner of his eye* i mean you could just let it run i suppose

JOHN: oh yeah that's right i've already seen it.

JOHN: heheheh!

JOHN: i can go on a snack run, then.

JOHN: what are you in the mood for?

ERIDAN: i dunno wwhat am i evven allowwed to eat

JOHN: i'll....figure it out!

JOHN: *double thumbs up and runs off*.

ERIDAN: *WATCHES JOHN LEAVE, before turning back to the show and watching INTENSELY*

JOHN: -guess whose back a bit later with some peanut butter and banana sandwiches, yogurt and chocolate almonds. it takes him kind of a long time because he had to find snacks that were easy for eridan to digest.-

JOHN: -he's actually crunching on chocolate almonds as he walks in.-

ERIDAN: *ALMOST didn't notice john when he came back in, and probably wouldn't have if he weren't crunching on those almonds* *glances over at him IRRITABLY because gdi john he's watching something here*

JOHN: *munch munch crunch*

JOHN: *watches the screen*

JOHN: *slips back onto the bed with him.*

JOHN: *PASSES HIM TRAY OF STUFF*

ERIDAN: youre fuckin loud *ACCEPTS TRAY* ... *picks up one of the sandwiches and sniffs at it* the fucks this

JOHN: peanut butter and banana

ERIDAN: *stares at john*

JOHN: *stares back at him like >:T*

JOHN: it's good and it's good for your digestion. just try it!

ERIDAN: *SIIIIGHS and carefully takes one* *......* *bites into it*

JOHN: *well even if he doesn't like it, john brought other stuff. he crunches on more cocoa almonds as he settles back into watching the pilot with him.*

ERIDAN: *OF COURSE HE LIKES IT, he chews slowly* so this is one a your favve showws huh

JOHN: ...yeah, haha. i didn't want to build it up too much because that always ruins stuff.

JOHN: *SHIFTS KINDA BASHFULLY*.

ERIDAN: wwell

ERIDAN: this is pretty ok

JOHN:  you mean the show or the sandwiches? heheh.

ERIDAN: *.....* both i guess

JOHN: *grins* heehhehe! *affectionately bumps shoulders with him.*

ERIDAN: *BLUSH* i suppose wwe can marathon this shit

JOHN: oh yesss!!!

JOHN: *slides into a more comfortable spot and manns the remote.*

-and they dooooooooooo-

[growinggradience-blog]

JADE: -here she is, peeking into Eridan's infirmary room to see if he's awake.- eridan? ERIDAN: *HE IS, and he's reading this time.  He blinks and looks up at her* oh hey jade JADE: hey -she smiles a little and shuffles in- how are you feeling? ERIDAN: i dunno i think im startin to get better ERIDAN: i had a fuckin scare wwith the shitty pain meds but the neww ones arent bad JADE: ohh JADE: well thats good JADE: so youre feeling alright now? ERIDAN: *nods* yeah no nausea no pain no nothin JADE: thats really good :) JADE: -sits down- ERIDAN: so uh wwhats the occassion wwhatre you here for JADE: well JADE: there is something i sort of need to talk about JADE: if youre up to it ERIDAN: i feel up to discussin anythin right noww JADE: -well... she sure hopes that's true, because this isn't going to be fun. she's not really smiling about this now, and she's quiet for a second as she gathers her thoughts- JADE: i talked to dave and i put some more thought into this that... i really needed to JADE: because its been in the back of my mind for too long with everything else happening JADE: i dont think that we should go through with the quadrant thing ERIDAN: *expression immediately changes from the really casual look to... well, he definitely looked like his heart was breaking* wwh ERIDAN: uh ERIDAN: wwhat do you mean JADE: -nooooo damn it- JADE: i just JADE: feel like maybe im doing it for the wrong reasons JADE: and that i dont really understand JADE: and i dont want to do that to you or anybody else JADE: not without being totally sure of what im doing JADE: it wouldnt be fair JADE: i still want to be close to you JADE: i dont  want that to change at all ERIDAN: but youre ERIDAN: breakin up wwith me JADE: -urg...- i just... dont want to take up your quadrant without... really knowing what im doing JADE: i still see you like... a good friend JADE: and i dont think thats not really fair to you JADE: **thats really JADE: i mean thats not what you want is it? ERIDAN: n ERIDAN: no but i ERIDAN: *looks down at his hands, gripping the edge of his blanket, tears stinging his eyes* JADE: -god she really didn't want this...- im sorry JADE: i shouldnt have done this to begin with without knowing what i was getting into JADE: thats my fault JADE: and its my fault youre hurt JADE: i wanted to try but JADE: it was selfish ERIDAN: nevvermind im not feelin so great maybe my medication isnt wworkin *scoots himself into his blankets best he can, trying to hide* JADE: ... eridan.... JADE: do you JADE: want me to go ERIDAN: *doesn't even respond as he pulls the blanket over his head* JADE: ... ok JADE: ill JADE: let you rest JADE: -man. she really hates doing this, and she knows she has no one to blame but herself. he should be allowed to feel upset, at least, so she just... stands up and starts walking out- ERIDAN: *he wants to say something, he wants to stop her, so many questions swirling through his head, but all he does is lay there feeling ridiculous and stupid under that blanket*

[technologicgodot]

[08:01] DAVE: -it's safe to say dave's been coping better lately, and he's feeling good enough to pay a long overdue visit to eridan, just to make sure he's okay. he also knows from experience that infirmary stays suck, so he figures a visit might help some. at least. he enters eridan's room.-

[08:03] ERIDAN: *he's playing on roxy's Gameboy Advance, enjoying some GOOD OL' SHINING FORCE. He's playing so many of these fantasy type strategy games....... there's just not much else for him to do all day besides watch documentaries and game* *he doesn't even notice dave walk in at first*

[08:03] DAVE: -he doesn't want to scare him, but oh well- hey

[08:03] ERIDAN: *JUMPS, but it's only slight* oh

[08:03] ERIDAN: wwhat

[08:04] ERIDAN: *blinks, clearly suprised to see dave here*

[08:04] ERIDAN: *looks around in confusion*

[08:04] ERIDAN: are you lost

[08:06] DAVE: ok you really think with as long as ive been in security that id be lost right now

[08:07] DAVE: just wandered to your room askin for some directions

[08:07] DAVE: which way do i go sir

[08:07] DAVE: im lost and my wife is makin me ask for directions

[08:07] DAVE: gotta get to asshole ville

[08:07] DAVE: no i wanted to say hi

[08:11] ERIDAN: oh

[08:11] ERIDAN: hey

[08:11] ERIDAN: *HE'S STILL CONFUSED*

[08:17] DAVE: hey -he walks on over and takes a seat by him- so what are you doing

[08:22] ERIDAN: playin games i guess *,,,,,,* wwhat about you

[08:22] DAVE: sittin here talkin to you

[08:23] ERIDAN: i see that *sets the game down* looks like im talkin to you too

[08:24] DAVE: yeah theres no way out of it

[08:24] DAVE: at least for the next little while

[08:26] ERIDAN: so wwhat do you wwanna talk about then davve

[08:26] DAVE: you

[08:26] DAVE: how youre doin

[08:26] DAVE: shit like that

[08:27] ERIDAN: i dunno im doin pretty fuckin shitty but at least im alivve

[08:31] DAVE: yeah bein alive is pretty cool

[08:31] DAVE: you get a lot of visitors

[08:47] ERIDAN: yeah i guess i havve been gettin quite a feww

[08:47] DAVE: cool

[08:47] DAVE: that helps make the days not be as fuckin boring as they could be

[08:52] ERIDAN: thats for fuckin certain im bored outta my goddamned mind in here

[08:53] DAVE: sounds about right

[08:56] ERIDAN: i got no fuckin clue wwhen johns done holdin me captivve either

[08:56] DAVE: if hes still holdin you its for good reason

[08:56] DAVE: hes gonna make sure youre the best you can be before you get out of here

[09:01] ERIDAN: *blows a puff of air o ut his nostrilsin annoyance*

[09:02] DAVE: yeah i know

[09:02] DAVE: it wasnt even john last time that put my ass back in the infirmary when i tried to leave early

[09:03] DAVE: -his expression softens a little and it's hard to see behind his shades-

[09:05] ERIDAN: rox wwont let me neither

[09:05] ERIDAN: if john says no so she says too

[09:05] ERIDAN: *sighs*

[09:05] DAVE: sounds about right

[09:05] DAVE: the downsides of having people give a shit about you

[09:10] ERIDAN: *rubs his arm uncomfortably* yeah i guess so

[09:10] DAVE: its also a good thing too i guess

[09:18] ERIDAN: yeah i guess

[09:22] DAVE: so how are you doin with the whole

[09:22] DAVE: retiring thing

[09:24] ERIDAN: if youre here to pry information outta me in hopes a bein granted the captain spot hold your fuckin breath im not revvealin SHIT

[09:24] DAVE: oh my god calm the fuck down

[09:24] DAVE: i wasnt even thinking about that

[09:25] ERIDAN: *squints at dave*

[09:25] DAVE: dont put me in charge of this fuckin ship if im pleadin any case here its to not put me in charge

[09:27] ERIDAN: wwell fine but im still not tellin you wwho im considerin

[09:27] DAVE: i dont even want to know that bullshit either

[09:27] DAVE: just thought leavin your job was a big deal cuz i mean it was sorta a thing for me

[09:27] DAVE: but we can skip over that i guess

[09:30] ERIDAN: *......* it is a fuckin big deal i mean the ships leadership is changin

[09:33] DAVE: yeah thats what i thought

[06:35] ERIDAN: i still dont knoww wwhy yould wwanna knoww any a this

[06:36] DAVE: do i gotta have a reason cant i just shoot the shit

[06:38] ERIDAN: i dunno i just didnt fuckin expect somethin like that from you a all people

[06:39] DAVE: oh my god

[06:40] DAVE: do you want me to go back to callin you capn crunch and trolling the fuck out of you just in person

[06:40] ERIDAN: no

[06:40] DAVE: you make up questions for me to ask and ill ask them

[06:40] DAVE: or we can accpet that im working on some shit

[06:41] DAVE: accept*

[06:52] ERIDAN: *blinks* wwait you wwant me to ask you questions

[06:53] DAVE: ok we can do that too

[06:53] DAVE: really its whatever youre the one bored out of your mind so

[06:53] DAVE: im offerin my services of reducing your boredom

[06:56] ERIDAN: yeah i guess so *fiddles with his blanket again* so howw

[06:56] ERIDAN: are

[06:56] ERIDAN: you doin

[06:57] DAVE: im doin

[06:57] DAVE: im goin

[06:57] ERIDAN: okay

[06:57] DAVE: im work work work workin you know

[06:57] ERIDAN: howws jade doin

[06:58] DAVE: good i think

[06:58] DAVE: busy

[06:58] DAVE: with shit

[06:59] ERIDAN: like wwhat kind a s hit

[06:59] DAVE: work

[06:59] DAVE: engineering stuff

[06:59] DAVE: dove

[06:59] DAVE: dealin with my ass

[07:01] ERIDAN: *stares at dave carefully* does she talk about me

[07:01] DAVE: uh -that's a weird question-

[07:01] DAVE: i mean i guess

[07:03] ERIDAN: oh i guess that might be a little fuckin wweird but i mean rox talks about lat sometimes *sHIFTS AWKWARDLY*

[07:04] ERIDAN: but im also a troll so im used to that kinda shit

[07:05] DAVE: wait what

[07:05] DAVE: what do roxy and latula have to do with this

[07:08] ERIDAN: wwell theyre pitch datin or wwhatevver its an example

[07:09] DAVE: -stares at him for a second- oh

[07:09] DAVE: huh

[07:09] DAVE: yeah

[07:15] ERIDAN: but you knoww uh *something FEELS OFF with dave* wwe dont gotta talk too much or anythin about it

[07:16] DAVE: yeah awesome great cool

[07:16] DAVE: fuck thats my pager

[07:16] DAVE: beeper

[07:16] DAVE: alert

[07:16] DAVE: alert

[07:16] DAVE: security

[07:16] DAVE: thing

[07:16] DAVE: i have

[07:16] DAVE: that shits so quiet nowadays

[07:16] DAVE: cool how they can program it so only you can hear it

[07:16] DAVE: thanks dirk you genius asshole

[07:16] DAVE: but looks like theres an issue

[07:16] DAVE: and looks like i gotta

[07:16] DAVE: skidaddle

[07:17] ERIDAN: wwhat

[07:17] ERIDAN: the fuck are you talkin about

[07:17] ERIDAN: *noooo his company is abandoning him*

[07:17] DAVE: you know the shit the thing

[07:17] DAVE: -gestures vaguely-

[07:17] DAVE: man ill fill you in next time

[07:18] ERIDAN: *FROWNS*

[07:20] ERIDAN: are you leavvin me

[07:21] DAVE: i gotta dude

[07:21] DAVE: willous gonna kick my ass

[07:21] DAVE: -stands up-

[07:22] ERIDAN: but im the captain wwillou wwill understand

[07:22] ERIDAN: *who's willou.....................*

[07:23] DAVE: -the head of security now that karkat is gone since she was second in command-

[07:23] DAVE: ok but shes gonna stare at me

[07:23] ERIDAN: *ERIDAN'S THE ONE WHO DOESN"T KNOW*

[07:23] DAVE: -OH-

[07:23] DAVE: -WHOOP-

[07:23] ERIDAN: *IT'S A JOKE*

[07:23] ERIDAN: so

[07:24] DAVE: she can burn lasers

[07:24] DAVE: through my head

[07:24] DAVE: look this was real nice

[07:24] DAVE: but i really gotta go

[07:24] DAVE: so bye

[07:24] DAVE: see ya

[07:24] DAVE: -hurries out-

[07:25] ERIDAN: *.... stares down at the floor before reluctantly trying to sleep*

[tankedgnostomanic-blog]

ERIDAN: *after being in comatose for nearly two weeks, and then in and out of consciousness the past few days, Eridan is finally fully to, albeit still a bit groggy, especially since he's full of painkillers. He glances around the room, quietly, trying to wrap his brain around his present position*

ROXY: *The last two weeks had been hell. That day was hell. She hasn't been able to shake it, going from infirmary room to infirmary room to infirmary room. Checking on the people closest to her. Roxy now sat in Eridan's room for her few hours, drawing out some plans for a new device*

ERIDAN: *he blinks a few times when he sees her, a small smile starting to creep across his face* h

ERIDAN: hey rox

ROXY: *sits up more seeing that he was awake she sits up and comes to attention, focusing her eyes* hey babe hey

ROXY: howre u feelin

ERIDAN: tired *blinks slowly* is this the afterlife

ROXY: nope

ROXY: we still got shit 2 do

ERIDAN: *stares at her tiredly, but his eyes slowly widen* wwait

ERIDAN: *fins perk up some* im alivve

ERIDAN: *tries to sit up but that obviously doesn't even come close to working*

ERIDAN: shit

ROXY: whoa wait uh

ROXY: dont

ROXY: move

ROXY: just

ROXY: chill ok?

ERIDAN: ugh i dont think i really got much choice

ERIDAN: but

ERIDAN: shit

ERIDAN: rox

ERIDAN: im

ERIDAN: im fuckin alivve

ROXY: ur very much alive

ROXY: and ur gonna fuckin stay that way

ERIDAN: i

ERIDAN: *eyes start to fill up with tears*

ERIDAN: rox im so fuckin glad to see you

ROXY: *she blinks, but she puts her things aside to scoot closer* h hey yeah its me

ERIDAN: i thought id nevver see you again i had this crazy dream an you wwerent there an wwhen it ended i just

ERIDAN: shit

ERIDAN: can i hold you

ROXY: yeah

ROXY: yeah you can

ERIDAN: *holds his arms up for her*

ROXY: *slowly climbs in the bed, smelling lightly boozey. Her facial expression hasn't changed so much but she scoots close to him*

ERIDAN: *wraps his arms around her and holds her as tight as he can, but the boozey smell and expression don't go unnoticed* rox are you okay

ROXY: fuck no but i mean no one really is *wraps her arms back around him*

ERIDAN: wwhat do you mean wwhat evven happened

ERIDAN: besides gettin sawwed evverythins a haze

ERIDAN: *cut not sawed

ROXY: well the clowns took us thru some bs mental rollarcoaster

ROXY: which was a think

ROXY: thing

ERIDAN: oh

ERIDAN: so that wwasnt a dream

ROXY: no

ROXY: or maybe it was some bullshit illusion

ERIDAN: huh

ERIDAN: howw bullshit wwas yours or do i wwanna knoww

ROXY: you dont wanna know

ERIDAN: goddammit rox noww im evven more curious *FROWNS*

ROXY: *sighs* we woke up in some squishy cocoons buckass nude

ROXY: trudged thru more goop

ROXY: thought we saw every1 else but it was an illusion

ROXY: still the illusion got eaten by some asshole worm

ROXY: then there was another asshole worm with shitty opinions

ROXY: the two worms fought and just when you though the opinion worm as dead he never dies which was fun because he had more shitty opinions

ERIDAN: damn that sounds fuckin atrocious

ROXY: it was

ROXY: so im tryin to make sure it doesnt happen again

ERIDAN: you think it could happen again

ROXY: im not puttin that on what ifs

ROXY: we need better defenses all around

ERIDAN: *goes a little quiet as he looks away* yeah maybe

ROXY: theres no maybe eridan

ERIDAN: is that wwhat youre wworkin on

ROXY: yeah

ROXY: i just need a few more things

ERIDAN: um

ERIDAN: howw longvve i been out anywway

ROXY: for 2 weeks basically

ERIDAN: oh

ERIDAN: shit

ROXY: yeah but i mean u were healin so

ERIDAN: its still bafflin i lost twwo wwhole fuckin wweeks

ERIDAN: damn youre probably all done wwith those plans

ROXY: not really theres a lot 2 do

ERIDAN: *pets her head* yeah but did you do anythin but wwork this wwhole time

ROXY: *shrugs* no i also took care of pythia and made sure peeps were alright

ERIDAN: are peeps as you call them alright

ROXY: not really

ERIDAN: yeah i suppose they wwouldnt be

ROXY: but at least ur awake now

ROXY: pys missed u but i keep bringin her by

ERIDAN: shit i havvent evven been awwake for her

ERIDAN: is she wwith por right noww

ROXY: yeah she likes sendin time with porrim

ROXY: she might as well be her godmother if we did shit like that

ERIDAN: wwhats a godmother

ROXY: its basically like a super aunt

ROXY: if we croak then thats whod watch the kid

ERIDAN: oh

ERIDAN: shit

ERIDAN: that came sorta close to happenin

ROXY: right....

ROXY: were not having that happen again

ERIDAN: howw do you propose wwe keep that from not happenin

ROXY: for one no more prisoners

ROXY: for second im workin on somethin 2 block off shitty mind attacks

ROXY: the rest is basic offense and defense recreation

ERIDAN: wwait like a helmet or somethin for mind shit

ROXY: not really no but if i have to strap a helmet on everyone then i fuckin guess so

ERIDAN: wwell if you go the helmet route make sure they fuckin look good although id prefer not to havve anythin covverin my hair

ERIDAN: evven though im sure it looks like shit right noww

ROXY: like i wouldnt spend every day puttin gel in ur hair and brushing it

ROXY: please

ERIDAN: wwoah shit you did *he's blushing*

ROXY: not the gel but i combed sometimes

ERIDAN: *HE'S STILL BLUSHING* shit thanks rox i really fuckin appreciate it

ROXY: *pats his back* ofc eri

ROXY: its what im here for

ERIDAN: *nuzzles then smooches her right on the LIPS, petting her hair some more* i fuckin adore you

ROXY: *takes that kiss and relaxes into it, her eyes are tired and her bodies tired and she hasn't slept so maybe sleep here would be fine* i love u

ERIDAN: im so glad youre here im not lettin go a you *despite only just waking up, he would welcome the idea of sleeping some more, his body feeling gross and heavy. He knew he'd start to get sick of it soon, but for now it was fine*

ROXY: *sighs and closes her eyes* im not lettin go either

ERIDAN: good *nuzzles her again and closes his eyes as well, taking in her scent and her warmth, two things he thought he'd never experience again*

[trojanabstruse-blog]

🌺

Eridan is a no fun having booty buttcheek. That’s generally how Mituna feels about him. He’s all business all the time, and even though he can be an asshole, he does have a point most times. He’s also gotten the crew out of really sticky situations and over their time together he’s watched Eridan kind of soften and start to take others opinions into a consideration. Maybe he’s not that bad.

[taskforcetumut]

ATRIUM SECURITY RECORDING 0390

JOHN: -he's stapling INFORMATIVE HEALTH POSTERS all over the atrium-

DAVE: -right behind John- nerd

JOHN: -STAPLES HIS HAND. just kidding.-

JOHN: -flips him off- hey dude.

DAVE: what kind of greeting is that

JOHN: -keeps flipping him off- idk what you're talking about this how i chat with my bffs.

DAVE: -gives him double bird- youre slackin

JOHN: i have a stapler in my other hand SIR.

JOHN: hey you should use your ninja moves to put it on the ceiling so people have to look up at it.

JOHN: or i could do that because i can literally float.

JOHN: jesus... does cloned equal inbred?

-keeps stapling in shame-

ROSE: There is certainly a similar frequency of birth defects. -She pulls one of the posters that JUST got stapled to the wall to read it.-

JOHN: just in time to offend my demographic. i am a real comedian! -dave and rose at the same time? hot dog!-(edited)

ROSE: I am, to a fair degree, far more offended by your choices in graphic design.

DAVE: guess so -glances over at rose- thats it shes ruining shit better get the laminator DAVE: get those motherfuckers all shiny

JOHN: hey, i haven't done this stuff since college. take it easy.

JOHN: -IT REALLY IS VERY BAD. HE USED PAPYRUS.-

JOHN: -its all about drugs and overdosing and where to seek help on the ship.-

ROSE: I'm almost positive that I would find the words "medical supplies clip art" in your search history were I so inclined to check.

JOHN: ...isn't that what its there for?

ROSE: Gods help us all.

JOHN: good thinking on the lamination, dave.(edited)

JOHN: next time.

DAVE: how bout i just design the flyers DAVE: youll get help from a professional

JOHN: well you are more talented but i'm not sure if you can be trusted with that kind of responsibility.

JOHN: remember A Very Special Episode Of SBAHJ?(edited)

MITUNA: -Here he comes, skating in. He screeches to a halt at one of the posters. Mituna reads this.-

DAVE: how could i forget DAVE: i made a masterpiece DAVE: -looks at Mituna- sup

MITUNA: Y0 WH05 7H3 N3RD 7URD PU771NG 7H353 UP

MITUNA: L0L 8L4Z3 17(edited)

JOHN: i am the nerd! hi! -LARGE WAVING-

MITUNA: -Squints. He look like a man. A Jake man-

JOHN: :D? -why the fuck is he looking at me like that-

MITUNA: -Him wave-

ROSE: I don't suppose you have any questions about the ambulatory syringe on the bottom left.

ROSE: The one shouting in impact font, Needle Safety, with no less than three exclamation marks.

ROSE: One could say he really stuck with me.

JOHN: ooh hoo hoo. drug puns...

JOHN: uh yeah but seriously if you have any questions i will personally answer them! -HE IS FIELD TESTING!-

ERIDAN: -hes been very not around as of late and floats in here on his hover chair his wifesprit lovingly crafted for him- -stares at posters- the fucks this about

JOHN: dude sweet hoverchair! -instantly distracted.-

MITUNA: 4PP4R3N7LY P33P5 4R3 D1CK1NG 7H3 D4NK

MITUNA: 4DD1C73D

DAVE: yo eridan DAVE: we are studying what not to do in graphic design DAVE: this is a solid example

ERIDAN: -UH!--sweats because he danks some og with dirk every now and then- huh you dont say

DAVE: -same. Dirk you bad influence-

JOHN: -floating up to check out Dan's sweet ride, but frowns- fuck you, dude its not THAT bad.

JOHN: -he doesn't know all his friends are drug users yet.-

DAVE: it looks like the devil shit on a page

MITUNA: -He too, vapes the dank og bud-

JOHN: -LITERALLY EVERYONE-

DAVE: and said what i have created shall be called microsoft clip art

JOHN: you are so uninvited to my pj party.

DAVE: it will be endless and look fuckin ridiculous

DAVE: not even ironic

DAVE: it will haunt pc users for days to come

MITUNA: LM40 7H475 FUCK1NG G4Y DUD3

DAVE: consider this cyber judgment day

DAVE: this is the end folks

JOHN: don't rap about how shitty my posters look, you horse's ass! -yELLS-

MITUNA: -Still cackling about pj party tbh-

DAVE: -shrugs- because you told me not to im thinkin you do want me to bust out a rap DAVE: somebody throw me a beat

ERIDAN: -hes inspecting these posters- this looks like somethin rox wwould make

JOHN: -just...facepalms-

DAVE: wow way to diss your wife

DAVE: disrespectful

ERIDAN: wwhat she makes em shitty on purposr

JOHN: ->8(-

ROSE: Yes, but are they making you consider the importance of drug awareness?

MITUNA: W3R3 4W4R3

MITUNA: -beatboxes enthusiastically-

JOHN: ah jeez...

JOHN: -VENGEFULLY CONTINUES TO STAPLE THEM. NEVERMIND I'LL FIND SOMEONE LIKE YOUUUUUUU-

ROXY: =Rolls in, looks at all the activity= ROXY: are we watchin john do work? im here for that

ERIDAN: wwhy wwould i need to be drug awware im already awware a the shit i do

ERIDAN : -scratches head- pretty fuckin sure im not addicted am i addicted rox

DAVE: -bobs his head and starts rapping as background music because I can't keep up enough to write out a whole rap so just use ur imagination.-

ROXY: addicted to junkfood =pats him face=

JOHN: people might not know the dangers or they may not know where to get help if it goes too far!!! -he's talk shouting aggressively over dave-

ERIDAN: fuck do i need help for that -BLUSHING, whyd you reveal his dirty secret, roxy-

MITUNA: -Beatboxing so hard rn- 420 8L4Z3 4ND PR4153 7H3 D4NK 0G GL4Z3

ERIDAN: -stares at mituna-

DAVE: wikka wikka

ROXY: nah thats for more serious stuff ROXY: im glad ur puttin these up john

ERIDAN: oh pheww okay

JOHN: ...here, you get a free piece of sugar free candy for being a treasure. -hands her sort of an offbrand tootsie roll type thing-

ROXY: ooooh sugar free candy =takes it and unwraps it= i hope it has that neat after taste :P

CRONUS: -also walks in now, and sees one of the posters- -looks over and stares john DEAD IN THE EYE-

JOHN: it does...actually i don't like them. -takes out the entire bag and gives it to her-

ROSE: Do you really think the honorable makers of Goodie Twist would let you down?

ROXY: =then there's this asshole=

JOHN: -aaaaaaaaaugh-(edited)

ROXY: OH SHIT

ROXY: =takes the whole bag= score

ROSE: -PEEPS-

ERIDAN: wwhy the hell wwould anyone eat that sugarfree garbage

ROXY: for many reasons for one no onell steal it ROXY: and some of its kinda good

MITUNA: D0ND3 3574 L4 818L1073C4 M3 LL4M0 7UN4 8UN5 L4 4R4N4 D15C073C4

ROXY: =gives Mituna a handful of sugarfree tootsie rolls, let her see that tootsie roll=

CRONUS: -rips the poster he was looking at down and crumples it into a wad before............ putting it in his sylladex. FOR THROWING AWAY... ELSEWHERE.... OBVIOUSLY... HES NOT KEEPING THIS AND PLANNING TO USE IT NOPE-

MITUNA: -Looks at Roxy like she pissed on Blob. Woman how dare you he needs sugar-

DAVE: discoteca muñeca la biblioteca es en bigote grande perro manteca(edited)

JOHN: -he almost gets pissed because he thinks Cronus is just destroying his poster but then he sees him put it away and feels better.-

JOHN: ...what about libraries???

ROXY: cmon just take it ROXY: you know you dont want to

CRONUS: -and with that he shoves his hands in his pockets and quietly leaves-(edited)

ERIDAN: rox stop tryin to poison him

ERIDAN: hes already sufferin enough

JOHN: -guess who instantly feels better about his posters? this guy.-

ROXY: everyone needs this kinda suffering every once in a while

MITUNA: M4N73C4 81G0735 G1G4N73 P3QU3N0 L4 C483Z4 35 N13V3 C3RV354 35 8U3N0

DAVE: buenos dias me gusta papas frías bigote de la cabra es cameron diaz

MITUNA: -Explosion noise-

MITUNA: Y34H 801

DAVE: boi DAVE: yeah DAVE: what

MITUNA: 175 N07 CHUCK 73574 4ND 175 N07 7W0 7H0U54ND N1N3

DAVE: word

[gynecic-arbitrator]

-- caligulasAcquisition [CA] began pestering gynecicArbitrator [GA] at 16:10 --

CA: por

CA: can you come ovver im reelin in emotion

GA: Hey Eridan.

GA: What a co+incidence, because I was just abo+ut to+ head o+ver there.

CA: wwoah really

GA: Of co+urse. I figured yo+u might need so+me co+mpany.

CA: you got that right

CA: um

CA: you knoww wwhere i am

CA: oh wwait

CA: no you definitely knoww wwhere i am nevvermind

GA: Yeah, I do+.

PORRIM: *in fact, she's peering through the door of his room RIGHT NOW. she just let herself in.*

ERIDAN: *he's in the bedroom, laying in there in the DARK*

PORRIM: *she half expects him to be listening to some dramatic piano refrain. stepping into the room, she turns the light on.* I kno+w yo+u're feeling depressed... But I do+n't think laying aro+und in the dark is go+o+d fo+r that.

PORRIM: *shuffles over to his bed and takes a seat next to him*

ERIDAN: *looks over at her and SIGHS, squinting as the light hurts his eyes* yes it is its helpin my mood

PORRIM: Yeah, I'm sure it's helping it get wo+rse. *curls up beside him*

ERIDAN: *SCOFFS gently* *cuddles up to her* i wwish i felt good about my decision

PORRIM: *nuzzles to him* Why do+n't yo+u?

ERIDAN: because wwhat the fuck am i evven gunna do noww i havve nothin

ERIDAN: i gavve it all up

ERIDAN: i just handed it ovver

PORRIM: Eridan, what yo+u did to+o+k a lo+t o+f strength to+ do+. I kno+w ho+w much the jo+b meant to+ yo+u... But I'm pro+ud that yo+u realized it wasn't go+o+d fo+r yo+u.

PORRIM: Besides, I'm sure that Dirk will give yo+u so+mething to+ do+ that yo+u'll be happy with. He wo+uldn't just leave yo+u to+ waste away in yo+ur ro+o+m, wo+uld he?

ERIDAN: he might he might be too busy to evven think about me no more betwween bein captain noww an gettin married an all that shit

PORRIM: ... *eyes emoji*

PORRIM: He's getting married?

ERIDAN: yeah hes gettin married

ERIDAN: double married i suppose

PORRIM: Aw. I'm happy fo+r him.

ERIDAN: he then started goin on about kinks an shit but i think he wwas secretly covverin for sol

ERIDAN: wwho wwe all fuckin knoww gets off evvery time he sees double or the fuckin number twwo

PORRIM: *snorts* I do+n't kno+w... Dirk do+es strike me as the freaky type.

ERIDAN: he kept claimin he has this massivve fuckin list a kinks

PORRIM: ... Did yo+u ask him abo+ut any o+f them?

ERIDAN: *BLUSHES* nO

ERIDAN: ...

ERIDAN: should i havve

PORRIM: *laughs* No+, I was just curio+us. Maybe he was lying just to+ fluster yo+u... Yo+u co+uld have grilled him to+ see if he wo+uld actually admit to+ what he's into+.

ERIDAN: god fuckin dammit youre right i coulda been able to tell based on his reactions if he wwas bein fuckin legit

PORRIM: I guess we'll never kno+w no+w.

ERIDAN: thats not true i can grill him later wwhen hes not busy doin my job

PORRIM: *plays with his hair* As far as the actual decisio+n go+es... Are yo+u satisfied with Dirk?

ERIDAN: wwell

ERIDAN: i suppose wwell see i mean

ERIDAN: i wworry hes gunna keep wwantin to do his owwn thing wwithout utilizin his creww but i suppose wwell see if he does that

PORRIM: Hmm. Yeah. He's pretty independent.

PORRIM: Was he like that with the engineering department?

ERIDAN: i dont think so wwhich is part a wwhat givves me hope that he wwont make my fears some true

PORRIM: I'm sure he wo+n't let yo+u do+wn.

PORRIM: Are yo+u go+ing to+ the meeting to+night?

ERIDAN: uh

ERIDAN: i didnt think i wwas allowwed anymore its not as if im

ERIDAN: wwell

ERIDAN: anythin

ERIDAN: *rubs his arm*

PORRIM: Do+n't be silly. *places a hand on his* I'm sure Dirk wants yo+u there.

ERIDAN: *sighs* yeah maybe but i wwouldnt wwant me there

PORRIM: Luckily, yo+ur peers aren't as hard o+n yo+u as yo+u are o+n yo+urself. *pets his hand gently*

ERIDAN: yeah i suppose that is a luck thing

PORRIM: We're all pretty lucky to+ have the suppo+rt system that we do+ here.

ERIDAN: you really think so

PORRIM: Of co+urse I do+. *sighs a little* I never really... had many peo+ple in my life that I co+uld rely o+n befo+re I came here.

ERIDAN: wwoah so you really think im reliable

PORRIM: Well, yeah... Yo+u've never flaked o+ut o+n me. Or mistreated me in any way. I mean, yes, yo+u can be a pill so+metimes... But that's different.

ERIDAN: fuck

ERIDAN: im flattered shit

ERIDAN: *buries his face in her*

PORRIM: *smiles and holds him close to her* Go+o+d. *kisses his head*

ERIDAN: are you up to nappin wwith me

PORRIM: But o+f co+urse. *she's feeling pretty exhausted anyway...*

ERIDAN: good

ERIDAN: uh

ERIDAN: before i do

ERIDAN: sleep that is

ERIDAN: howwvve you been feelin

ERIDAN: *brushes a hand through her hair*

PORRIM: *oh... that takes her a little off guard. the hand in her hair, especially, makes her blush a bit* I've been...

PORRIM: *wilts a little* Tired.

ERIDAN: thats pretty fuckin understandable *stroke stroke*

PORRIM: I had to+ admit Damara to+ the infirmary so+metime while yo+u were still... co+mato+se.

PORRIM: She was go+ne fo+r... a while. After... Karkat passed. When she came back, I fo+und o+ut she had been searching Lo+cas fo+r mo+re o+f tho+se damn clo+wns and-- *winces* Dealing with him.

PORRIM: She was hurt and dehyrdrated so+ I... made her stay in the infirmary. I'm still insisting she stay because I'm afraid she's-- *her eyes are stinging a little talking about this. she'd really been bottling it up.*

ERIDAN: *brows knit* youre afraid shes wwhat

PORRIM: It's just... I do+n't want her to+ put herself in mo+re danger.

ERIDAN: *he's not really sure what to say to her and just pulls her close to his chest* im sorry thats gotta be really fuckin hard

PORRIM: *sniffles as she buries her face against his chest* ... It is.

PORRIM: I do+n't kno+w what to+ do+ fo+r her...

ERIDAN: its kinda fuckin difficult wwhen shes pent on wwreckin herself if thats wwhat shes doin

PORRIM: Yeah. I kno+w she's grieving, but that do+esn't--

PORRIM: *shakes her head a little, dismissively* ... I'm sure she understands no+w, anyway.

ERIDAN: i dont knoww

ERIDAN: maybe

PORRIM: *she quiets, indicative of her own doubts. she supposes she doesn't really need to lie, to reassure eridan or herself. so she's left without much else to say, but it's alright. it's nice to just acknowledge that she's hurting, and that she doesn't have to deal with it alone.*

ERIDAN: *just nuzzles her again and holds her close* just rest okay por

PORRIM: ... Okay. *her voice cracks a little, tears flowing again as she curls up closer to him*

ERIDAN: *shit, he really hates that she's upset like this but there's not really much he can do besides offer her his bosom like this. He keeps stroking her head, and closes his eyes*

PORRIM: *sleep doesn't come easily, but it's easier than it would have been if she were in her own room. eridan is comforting, and eventually the shallow breathing of sobs steadies as she finally drifts off.*

[gunhardytemerity-blog]

JAKE: *News of the obliterated planet has been fast traveling around the ship. It's devastating, of course, but things of these magnitude can only be comprehended so well with Jake. One thing he CAN comprehend is the subject of hope and good cheer! And he has a feeling someone important was in need of it right now. He trots all the way up to Eridan's cabin, knocking at the door.* JAKE: Yoo hoo? Captain? Are you home? ERIDAN: *OPENS THE DOOR DRAMATICALLY, STARING DOWN AT JAKE IN SILHOUETTE WITH GLOWING EYES* JAKE: *perks up, bright eyed and oblivious as ever. It's his good pal, Eridan!* What ho man! I was on the search for you and lo and behold. Here you are! ERIDAN: what do you want soldier ERIDAN: dont waste my time JAKE: Soldier? *gosh, he can't help but be flattered being addressed so.* Oh i thought id stop by and... well truth be told i have a present for you! *big goofy grins* ERIDAN: *blinks* what ERIDAN: what present JAKE: *nabs something out of his sylladex, flipping it in the air. As it lands in his hands, it turns out to be the severed head of the robot he defeated in combat.* A spoil of war i thought youd be the one to appreciate! :D ERIDAN: *stares at the head* was that from the fight yesterday JAKE: Youre damn right it is! And there will be more where that comes from! *offers the head out to Eridan* I can promise you that!!!! ERIDAN: *ACCEPTS THE HEAD, and guesses he can probably find a place for it in his office* is that all you came around for *squints at him su spiciously* JAKE: Huh? I guess not??? *twirls his mustache a lil. Eridan might finally notice the bandages making up his arms and elbows.* I wanted to see how my good friend eridan was doing! JAKE: So... how are you eribud ole pal? ERIDAN: *tsks some* im fine why would i be anythin else *stares VERY COLDLY at jake* JAKE: Well shucks man! Theres some knotted up malarky happening out there!!!! JAKE: If you were to ask me id say i was unsettled to say the damn least. *nods* ERIDAN: well im not ive already got a plan in motion that i am NOT tellin you about JAKE: Uh... *but then he ends up snorting, crossing his arms over his chest* Of course youre going to have a plan. Thats your very name and game as captain! JAKE: Sir man with a plan! JAKE: I guess what im trying to get around to saying is... JAKE: *reaches out and claps his hand on Eridan's shoulder.* Im with you eridallop of daisy! Wherever you want to go! ERIDAN: the hell did you just call me *SQUINTS HARD AGAIN* ERIDAN: but wait so yould follow me anywhere JAKE: Youre darn tootin i would! To the ends of the universe and back! :D JAKE: Its my solemn pledge sir!!!! *SALUTES* ERIDAN: so you think goin to alternia an hidin under the enemies nose would be a solid plan JAKE: *eyes grow wide with astonishment* Holy smokes!!! Disguise ourselves like camoflauging cephalopods of the ocean sands while the predatorial sharks circle overhead??? JAKE: That kind of hiding? ERIDAN: more or less JAKE: It seems a shade color precarious. *scratching at his neck with much thoughtfulness* Like hiding in the very skirts of the baroness herself! JAKE: One wrong move and were toast! ERIDAN: we wont be toast cuz i have a plan up my gills involvin appealin to their interest were they to find us ERIDAN: ive already been invited once or twice to their ranks anyway an i can just tell them im interested as long as none a my allies are affected JAKE: Haggling the hagglers huh? Well... *strokes his mustache now* On one hand it certainly could be the SAFEST route. But um. JAKE: Golly eridan. If you joined up with alternia we might never see you again. *This thought makes him very very sad.* JAKE: And whos to say that an empire responsible for desecrating a whole planet wouldnt just turn on us the first chance they got? JAKE: We cant just side with the bad guys and hope to goodness were spared! Thats quitters talk!!! It means they get to win and everyone whos passed well... it was all for nothing! *he is puffing up* ERIDAN: its not quitters talk all a you are just jealous you didnt fuckin come up with it first JAKE: It is too quitters talk. ERIDAN: is fuckin NOT its the ONLY OPTION WE GOT JAKE: I mean if we have to die and all... shouldnt it be in a blaze of glory? Fighting for justice! Honor! Peace! ! JAKE: Not balking off with our tails between our legs!!! JAKE: THATS QUITTERS TALK HOMBRE MIO. *he's all fired up, he's practically glowing with it.* ERIDAN: oh yeah an what makes anythin you could come up with SO much better *HE'S GROWLING* JAKE: Of course not bro! But i also know... we wouldnt be able to do it without you. JAKE: Just what would happen to the rest of us if youre gone? :( JAKE: Not something i would like to think about. JAKE: I say we stick it together come hell or high water. JAKE: Its all we have left wouldnt you say? *offering his hand out to Eridan* ERIDAN: *he REFUSES to take that hand jake is offering and just continues to stand there scowling at him and growling* JAKE: *Jake isnt deterred by him at all.* I know youre scared... but i believe in you buddy. I believe in all of us! And i believe you can be the grandest captain this ship or any other ship has ever SEEN if you only have faith in us too! ERIDAN: what are you doin *growling softens, but he's still trying to be puffy and aggressive* JAKE: Im being here for you amigo. *beams at him* Its what friends do! ERIDAN: well i dont want it JAKE: Oh yes i think you do. *he is coming. He's doing it. Jake is making this hug hapen.* ERIDAN: *O____O* *time to dive into his block and hope jake doesn't follow* JAKE: WAH. *OF COURSE HE'S GONNA FOLLOW. Lad scampers after Eridan.* Get back here you stonewalled piece of captain you!!!!!! ERIDAN: *SHIT, HE FOLLOWED. He dives into the bathroom and hides in the bathtub, which he almost always keeps filled with water* JAKE: *Woah, he doesn't think he's been in this room before?? He can't help but get distracted for a second.* ERIDAN: *there's a face toilet in here* JAKE: *Hoo hoo. Hahaha! He has to stop and laugh at it for a second.* ERIDAN: *peeks out of the tub, scowling* JAKE: Hahahahaha is this your toilet man?? Does it have a name????? ERIDAN: -pauses, still unsure of all this-  uh its witherson ERIDAN: rox named him JAKE: Thats right! Witherson!!! -he is absolutely delighted by these turn of events and marvels at the face toilet.- I think i need myself one of these in my own bathroom. I have just decided! ERIDAN: you can have ours JAKE: Youre bestowing your toilet onto me? :O ERIDAN:  yeah but rox will probably fight you for it JAKE: Oh shucks. Now thats a woman i dont want to double cross. Although it IS awfully tempting... -Focus, English. Jake remembers why he's here in the first place and fixes Eridan with a curious look.- JAKE: ... -squats down on the bathroom floor, staring at him.- ERIDAN: -frowns back at him- JAKE: So then. JAKE: What is it youre doing in there erifriend? ERIDAN: stayin away from you JAKE: And why the boot shuffles would you do that?? My bark is much worse than my bite i swear it! -sits now, crossing his legs- ERIDAN: i dont want you fuckin touchin me JAKE: Then i wont touch you! JAKE: Although i say eridash and dawson. Youve never complained about it before? -Has he ever been rejected for a hug before??? Jake isn't sure what this feeling is.- ERIDAN: -STANDS, asnd probably looks pretty ridiculous with all that water falling off of him- no i suppose i havent vannylociraptor - Today at 7:09 PM JAKE: I like hugging you! -stays crouched and watches him. Him tall.- Would you like a towel? ERIDAN: ill take a towel -steps out of the tub- JAKE: -scrambles off the ground but not before flipping a fluffy white towel out of his sylladex and handing it over.- There you are! ERIDAN: -ACCEPTS and starts drying himself off, continuing to eye jake, like he's expecting him to go back on what he said and try to hug him anyway- JAKE: -He's thinking about it... He shuffles his feet and all in the meantime.- ... JAKE: I think it will all be okay eridan. Maybe it doesnt seem that way in this moment in time... but damn it! JAKE: Its in the dark that the great light of hope shines the brightest! ERIDAN: -wow this guy is cheesy, thinks one of the other kings of cheese-  its incredible that you are an actual existin fuckin entity JAKE: Well gadzooks man! I could say the same thing about you! -big goofy grins like an idiot- ERIDAN: -SQUINTS AT- JAKE: -Hug him. He really wants a hug.- ERIDAN: -GOD FUCKING DAMN IT- JAKE: -inching closer. He's gonna. He's gonna do it.- ERIDAN: -NO!!!!!- -FURROWS HIS BROWS- the fuck are you doin JAKE: OH. Nothing! JAKE: -thinks fast- I wanted to snap a picture of witherson here! ERIDAN:  -CONFUSED- well okay if you really want one although i dont know why the hell you would JAKE: Why its the epitome of comedy of course!!!! It deserves a dollop of appreciation! -SNAPS A SHOT OF THE TOILET.- JAKE: ... JAKE: -quickly throws his arms around Eridan's middle, squeezing him tight. YOLO.- ERIDAN: -O__O- ERIDAN: -SQUIRMS- JAKE: Ahoo! This was a good talk! -squeezes him with STRONG ARMS and then releases him almost immediately. Starts bolting out of the bathroom.- Better not wear out my stay as they say!!! ERIDAN: -GASPS FOR AIR- JAKE: -And he's outta there!-

[effluentbalatron-blog]

📱 eridan, cronus, meenah

eridan:

EB: sooooooo…..

EB: http://www.lifescript.com/quizzes/friendship/what_is_your_friendship_personality.aspx

EB: just whenever you have time! no biggie!

cronus:

EB: i probably should have told you this in person, but i forgot.

EB: so it is my duty to inform you that you have stage 3 butt cancer.

meenah: 

EB: kiss my ass you cake-lording sniper wench!

[growinggradience-blog]

ERIDAN: *he's been awake for a couple days now, still not feeling super used to his current state.  He was feeling suprisingly optimistic despite it, but optimistic for him wasn't entirely pessimism free, and right now he was in one of those more pessimistic moments.  At least he had more things to do now, and was currently trying to keep himself busy with a FIRE EMBLEM game on one of roxy's handheld game systems* JADE: -it's definitely not the best time right now, especially not with how she's been seeing Dave, but at least there's one thing that's managed to pull through and come out for the best. She did tell him that they would do this together, and it's such a relief that Eridan managed to pull through, more than she had realized until the fear of losing him was so imminent. Some feelings were just hard to quantify until the worst possible moments, and as shameful as that felt not to fully realize, she knew now. And now she was going to bug him, to make sure he was awake and staying that way. She's pretty sure he might not be able to eat solid food right now, but she did bring some flameless scented candles, just because.- JADE: eridan hi!! ERIDAN: *he glanced up from the game, his fins perking slightly* oh hey jade fancy seein you here JADE: i know so fancy! JADE: i should have dressed up :p JADE: -plops the "candles" on his bedside table- ERIDAN: wwhatre those *nods to the candles*  *he goes ahead and closes the ds and sets it to the side* JADE: theyre flameless candles! JADE: so you can smell good things if you want to but not worry about anything being on fire JADE: also they look kind of soothing and nice i think ERIDAN: wwoah i didnt evven knoww shit like that existed JADE: yeah!! JADE: it totally exists and now you know and also own them :) JADE: was that one of roxys games? ERIDAN: yeah she brought me a bunch *looks down at the system* particularly ones that fit in neatly wwith my interests such as this JADE: what is it? ERIDAN: its called fire emblem an its about commandin an army typically a rebels attemptin to down the evvil kingdoms lookin to thwwart them an their people JADE: oh!!! JADE: i love that one! ERIDAN: wwoah youvve played ERIDAN: *it JADE: yeah! JADE: i like rpgs ERIDAN: makes sense its pretty fuckin rpg heavvy for a strategy game JADE: haha yeah! JADE: how are you feeling? -leans against the bed- ERIDAN: goin from numb feelin an positivve to kinda miserable i guess but thats wwhat games an shit are good for right JADE: ... they can be JADE: is there anything bothering you in specific? ERIDAN: a lot i guess ERIDAN: *sighs* ERIDAN: i just heard from john ERIDAN: about kar ERIDAN: no one told me but i guess i understand wwhy they wwouldnt JADE: ... oh JADE: yeah... JADE: im JADE: sorry... ERIDAN: jade i cant fuckin do this anymore JADE: what? ERIDAN: i cant do the wwhole bein captain thing i cant JADE: eridan... ERIDAN: im so goddamned wweak noww im barely holdin it together an evvery time i think im finally gettin it together i get knocked back the fuck dowwn ERIDAN: i need a goddamned break JADE: ... JADE: -her brows knit, and she watches him carefully- JADE: i understand JADE: if thats what you need JADE: youve worked so hard JADE: and we wouldnt be here without you JADE: but we have your back too JADE: with whatever you need to do ERIDAN: i guess i really need to do this but i dont knoww wwho im pickin yet as my replacement howwevver temporary JADE: thats a pretty important decision too... so i think its ok to give it some thought JADE: ... eridan ERIDAN: *glances up at her* wwhat JADE: im really proud of you JADE: -smiles at him- ERIDAN: *blushes a little* wwhat wwhy im literally givvin the thing i wworked my entire life for up howws that a thing to be proud of JADE: because JADE: youre recognizing that maybe youre not ready for it right now JADE: and thats okay JADE: youre doing what you need to do for yourself JADE: thats what matters right now JADE: thats always what matters most JADE: -reaches over and squeezes his hand- ERIDAN: i thought achievvin my goals wwas wwhats best *stares at their hands* ugh ERIDAN: i feel gross JADE: it can be hard JADE: when things change in your life and in your mind JADE: achieving your goals is important but sometimes its good to rethink your goals too ERIDAN: wwhat do i evven havve to wwork towward noww JADE: i think that... given everything that is important to you right now JADE: i would say JADE: you could start with yourself? JADE: i know thats hard too JADE: but if you can be more okay with yourself... JADE: and more okay with just JADE: trying to be happy instead of trying to reach all these goals JADE: then i think that actually reaching those goals would be easier JADE: its sort of like JADE: the difference between someone telling you to do something and just doing something because you want to JADE: when youre fighting with yourself and telling yourself you have to... even the things that you like become hard JADE: because its not fun not to feel like its a choice JADE: its not fun to feel like you cant just be yourself and have that be enough JADE: and i dont think youve let yourself just be enough for a very long time ERIDAN: *looks up at her, her words making a whole lot of sense even though he wants to just deny the truth and throw it out a window* no i guess i havvent JADE: -she smiles a little, sympathetically- JADE: yeah... ERIDAN: ugh thats probably really fuckin obvvious JADE: its ok JADE: you dont need to be mad at yourself for trying JADE: thats all you were trying to do JADE: right? ERIDAN: yeah ERIDAN: an tryin to feel like i wwas actually fu ckin wworth somethin instead of a garbage heap of shitbrains JADE: and we can get there JADE: but not by forcing it JADE: you dont have to prove yourself to anyone anymore JADE: youve done more than enough ERIDAN: *eyebrows arch sadly*you really think so JADE: of course i do JADE: -she pulls his hand closer, just sort of hugging it to her chest- JADE: this is just a new chapter for you JADE: not a failure JADE: but a success ERIDAN: *tears are WELLING UP IN HIS EYES.  Boy he's sure doing a lot of crying lately, but then again everyone probably has been* JADE: -that makes her chest ache a little more, and it's... difficult. not to hold his hand tighter, to bring it closer to her face and press it to her cheek.- JADE: its all going to be okay JADE: one step at a time ERIDAN: *he nods, sniffling pathetically*  thanks for bein so supportivve jade i really appreciate it JADE: -she sort of laughs a little, but not at him. just because... this is natural to her. because it pains her to see him like this, and she can't imagine not being here.- you dont have to thank me silly JADE: -she turns his hand just enough to kiss the back of it, and her own tears are getting the better of her now- ERIDAN: *WIMPERS* shit *the tears are really flowing now* yeah i guess not but im doin it anywway JADE: -now she's giggling again some, leaning closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder and brushing fuzzy ears on his chin- ERIDAN: fuck i forgot howw damned furry your ears are *lays his head on hers* JADE: hehehe JADE: -wiggles them- JADE: how could you ERIDAN: fuCK *THAT TICKERS and he squirms a little* JADE: ahaha!! sorry ERIDAN: geez control yourself *gives her a squeeze* JADE: im sorry!! im so out of control JADE: im wild and crazy JADE: -tail wags- ERIDAN: you got that right you fuckin animal JADE: -she's giggling again, just snuggling up to him- JADE: how are you feeling now? ERIDAN: i dunno really fuckin anxious but i suppose more ready to proceed wwith wwhatevver it is im doin JADE: thats good JADE: thats the way youre supposed to feel when youre making an important decision i think ERIDAN: wwoah really JADE: yeah JADE: because that means you care about it JADE: but that youre feeling confident in your feelings too ERIDAN: you knoww that makes a lotta sense JADE: :) JADE: im glad ERIDAN: wwanna hang an stay an wwatch some shit for awwhile jade JADE: yeah!! id like that ERIDAN: okay *AND SO THEY DID, helping eridan to clear his head a bit more and think about how he was going to approach things* JADE: -AND IT WAS LOVELY-

[gainfulgumption-blog]

*AND A CROWN KANAYA RECEIVES. It's bronze and has jade colored gems in it*

[SHE TOTALLY GOT THIS, AGES AGO. Wo W]

[tankedgnostomanic-blog]

ROXY: *Talking with Dirk helped her feel a little better. She'd have to go back and check on Rufioh but she was also sure that Dirk would do that as well so that gave her a little reassurance so she at least wouldn't immediately hound him*

ROXY: *Without knocking Roxy let herself into Eridan's office and promptly placed her butt on the desk*

ROXY: hey eri

ERIDAN: *was looking through some documents when roxy comes in. He slowly looks up at her, and even at her, his gaze is cold* what do you want

ROXY: *Hums shortly seeing his gaze and hearing what he said* to talk to my dear hububble

ROXY: *her fingers reached for the documents to pull them from him and center herself on the desk* is that 2 much to ask

ERIDAN: *looks a little FRUSTRATED* fine i suppose we can talk *sits up and folds his hands* what do you wanna talk about

ROXY: *gestures for his hands* cmere

ERIDAN: *EYES her hands, like she's going to do something terrible, and carefully lifts them* the hell are you doin

ROXY: what do u expect me to do

ERIDAN: i dunno youre bein suspicious

ROXY: ah yes i am clearly up to something

ROXY: its v out of my nature to drop in unannounced

ROXY: and then to show coy affections??

ROXY: what is this saucy sauce pan up to

ERIDAN: makin plans as captains often do

ROXY: tell me about ur plans

ERIDAN: why should i

ROXY: why shouldnt u

ERIDAN: because im discoverin i cant trust anyone with them none a them get it

ERIDAN: even though we got no more options

ERIDAN: all ill say is im gunna save us all

ROXY: hm

ROXY: that doesnt make me feel good about what u got planned

ROXY: or what youre doin if youre shuttin me and every1 out babe

ERIDAN: well it should cuz im literally gunna save the whole goddamned crew who doesnt want that

ROXY: ok then whats the idea capn

ERIDAN: *turns his head and eyes her out of the corner of his eye*

ROXY: *raises eyebrow*

ERIDAN: im not spillin anythin

ROXY: :/ then im not going anywhere

ROXY: you dont even trust me????

ERIDAN: thats not true i trust you

ROXY: then whyre you lookin at me like im about to sock you

ROXY: or steal ur hands

ERIDAN: because im sensin you want to

ROXY: well yeah to hold them like the nasty bag of affection i am

ERIDAN: *....* *gives her his hands*

ROXY: *holds them*

ROXY: ive got you

ROXY: in my clutches

ROXY: *squeezes his hands*

ERIDAN: have i been deceived

ROXY: do you feel deceived

ERIDAN: i guess not

ROXY: thats a start

ROXY: *pulls him closer* now tell me whats goin on with you

ROXY: lets forget the plan for a minute kay

ROXY: youre fives ways outta ur mind and tryin to push peeps out from what i gathered

ERIDAN: whats that supposed to mean five ways outta my mind ive never been better

ROXY: uve been eyein me in the bad way since i first walked in

ROXY: is that better?

ERIDAN: maybe

ERIDAN: i suppose i can see how that would make things suspicious

ROXY: how it would make me worry more like =Frowns=

ERIDAN: yeah i guess so

ROXY: see this is what im talkin about

ROXY: whats going on in your head eridan

ERIDAN: i dunno

ERIDAN: a lot

ERIDAN: a little

ROXY: then tell me about it huh

ERIDAN: im tired a not bein able to do my job as captain im tired a not bein able to protect everyone like im supposed to im tired a not leadin everyone down an ideal path

ERIDAN: so im doin somethin about it

ROXY: i would count this as an unoridinary situation tho

ERIDAN: what do you mean by an unordinary situation

ROXY: well the situation were in

ERIDAN: oh

ERIDAN: yeah

ERIDAN: but still

ERIDAN: im not powerless -frowns-

ROXY: i didnt say you were

ROXY: but u cant predict everything

ERIDAN: but were also on the weaker side well be obliterated an i see no hope remainin here

ROXY: were kinda on the weaker side cuz we were set up by the asshats in tumut

ROXY: our do gooding did 2 good

ERIDAN: i dont wanna be on the weaker side thats destined to fail i wanna be on the stronger side where its safe

ERIDAN: im

ERIDAN: afraid

ROXY: *squeezes his hand* i am too... but idk i think thats when we most need to be with each other

ERIDAN: so i should tell you my plan then huh

ROXY: i think so yeah

ERIDAN: im plannin on takin us back to alternia an turnin myself over to the alternian military seein as theyve offered me multiple times a job within their ranks since i joined with the uu

ERIDAN: an if they want me so bad grantin everyone protection shouldnt be uncalled for

ROXY: *Yeah it was just as Dirk said and hearing it from his own mouth didn't make her feel any better* mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ERIDAN: its the only option we got why the hell wont anyone accept that we got no choice

ERIDAN: i mean i suppose if most a you really dont wanna go i cant stop you but someones gotta do somethin an im gunna be the one to do it its my duty as captain

ROXY: ok but whose to say theyll even accept that

ROXY: they could just off us all

ERIDAN: they wont not when they hear what ive got to say

ROXY: but how can u be so sure eridan *frowns gently* i dont want any of us to get hurt neither

ROXY: but at the same time you cannot do everything by urself

ROXY: youre out captain yeah but ur also a part of this family

ROXY: where ur at right now isnt a good place and were worried about you

ROXY: *moves one of her hands to his face to cup it* i know u wanna do the right thing i do too

ROXY: but i dont think that would be a good idea babe

ROXY: it could get you hurt or captured

ROXY: i dont want any of us to partways or take dumb risks since were all wanted

ERIDAN: well no one wants to part ways i just dont see how i got any other choice what other options do we even have cuz i dont see any *starts to shake a little, but tries to remain calm*

ROXY: the only option theyre givin us at this point is to defend ourselves

ROXY: maybe something comes along in the future

ROXY: but i dont see us runnin forever but its clear they want us dead one way or the other

ERIDAN: we cant take on an entire fuckin planet our force is too small even with the weaklin rebels

ROXY: then we use our little numbers to our advantage

ROXY: we dont gotta fight them head on

ROXY: we can do some covert shit

ROXY: especially with the crap weve got from those monster things

ERIDAN: i

ERIDAN: cant

ERIDAN: my powers havent been workin *looks down at the desk*

ROXY: they havent?

ROXY: for how long

ERIDAN: since shortly after i bleww up that ship i dont even know what happened i think i used them up

ROXY: really? idk if it works that way baby

ROXY: they might be with you still just

ROXY: i dunno before you were havin issues with it

ERIDAN: why arent they workin then were done for if i cant make em work

ROXY: hey hey hey its not all on you

ROXY: were all in this remember

ROXY: and its not like even if you cant get the dumb things to work youd have nothin 2 do

ROXY: we still need you powers or no

ERIDAN: ugh are you sure about that cuz im not so sure anymore

ROXY: im very sure

ERIDAN: how

ROXY: because uve been without em this long

ERIDAN: yeah but i was a terrible captain no one respected me until i blew that ship up

ERIDAN: an now theyre gone an people are back to takin over my job

ROXY: i think they respected u and they still respect you

ROXY: even if theres not shit that goes eye to eye nothins gonna be smooth

ROXY: theres a whole lotta tension

ERIDAN: i dont know what to do to make it better *starts shaking*

ROXY: *Puts her other hand up to his face* let us help

ERIDAN: *okay he's starting to break a little as the shaking increases, and the coldness starts to leave his eyes as he stares at her* i

ERIDAN: cant

ROXY: *rubs his cheekbones with her thumbs gently* were here 2 help you eridan

ERIDAN: *okay he's definitely losing it, as purple tears start to well up in his scared, round eyes*

ROXY: its ok *kisses his forehead as she starts to pull a little more of his old self out of there*

ERIDAN: *the tears increase and they start rolling down his cheeks, and he starts to lean into her* i.. i cant... i dont... oh merciful murder wwhat am i doin

ROXY: *Pulls his face to her chest and pets his hair* ur tryin real hard

ROXY: thats what youre doin

ERIDAN: *his own arms go up and wrap around her tightly and now the tears just FLOW, and he starts shaking ultra hard and anything he tries to say is pretty indescernable**

ROXY: *Noses his hair and shushes him gently. Just saying soft things to him and trying to coax him to get it all out*

ERIDAN: *AND GET IT OUT HE TRIES, the tears flowing, washing out all that pent up anxiety and emotion he's been letting build up for a long time, that only just started overflowing with the recent planetary explosion*

ROXY: *She lets him get it on out, delivering kisses and soft touches* were here for u bab

ERIDAN: *he starts clutching her tightly as his sobs increase. He's glad she's here, but he feels terrible at the same time, wishing he didn't feel so powerless. He felt awful about constantly dumping this stuff on her, but he just can't handle everything anymore* rox i

ERIDAN: maybe i shouldnt be captain

ERIDAN: anymore

ROXY: ...it is up to you eri

ROXY: *pets his face* its been a lotta stress on you

ERIDAN: i dont got a clue wwhat else i could evven do but i dont fuckin knoww anymore

ROXY: you can run strategy

ROXY: maybe ur head can clear

ROXY: after all this pressure is dropped

ERIDAN: yeah

ERIDAN: youre right

ERIDAN: i could do somethin like that

ERIDAN: ugh wwho wwould evven wwant this job though *pulls away some but only so he can look at roxy's eyes*

ROXY: i dunno.... we can find someone tho

ERIDAN: i suppose i can um

ERIDAN: keep doin this an just think on wwho id appoint

ERIDAN: i wwanna be careful wwith this

ERIDAN: rox

ERIDAN: please dont tell anyone though

ROXY: i wont tell anyone i promise

ROXY: i just gotta talk 2 dirk but i wont tell him all the deets cuz hes worried about you too

ERIDAN: *sighs softly* yeah i guess i get that

ERIDAN: okay *gives her a nuzzle and a smooch*

ERIDAN: i think i wwanna go back to the room noww

ROXY: we can do that *pulls back and kisses his forehead* lets go back 2 the room

ERIDAN: *stands up after she kisses him and takes her hand again so they can walk together*