#she's called advika :]

[ryutarotakedown]

i'm personally convinced that lin yu-yin is still alive and will appear in season 2 (if we Had News Of a season 2! insert empty award stand meme here), because not only does the official transcript say "stabbed" rather than "killed," but lin yu-yin also gets a name, and the other extras generally don't. she is my personal agnes montague

to get back to the original point though: you are correct. why the fuck did she do that.

remember when alestes committed an on-audio premeditated murder. my good captain, I'm sure you could have stolen that plate without the killing.

[ravirussell]

Full Name: Ravi Russell.

Nicknames: Rav, Chef.

Pronouns and Gender: He/Him, cis man.

Birthday: September 25th, 1996.

Birth place: Aurora Bay.

How long have they been in town?: His whole life / gone for the duration of culinary school / back full time since june 2019.

Sexuality: Bisexual.

Housing: Fisher's Cove.

Occupation: Co-owner of Jolyani food truck.

Family: Advika Russell (née Mohiuddin), Arthur Russell, Jaswinder Russell.

tw teen pregnancy, disownment // @aurorabayaesthetic

QUICK OVERVIEW:

The firstborn of two, Ravi entered the world years after his maternal grandparents had made the move from Maharashtra, India to Aurora Bay, California.

It was intended to be a new life Mohiuddins, but that life took a different shape than anyone envisioned when their oldest daughter Advika confessed that she was expecting her first child with a local man called Arthur who her parents had never approved of.

Raised devout Muslim alongside her sisters and brothers, a child out of wedlock was never going to be something easily accepted. Many arguments ensued and with neither side able to have their point of view accepted, she was eventually disowned.

Advika and Arthur eventually married when Ravi was three years old, and his younger sister Jas soon came along and rounded out the family.

Ravi's earliest memories are those spent shadowing his mother, in the kitchen, on errands, anywhere and everywhere he could.

She was more than happy for him to be her little helper, and it wasn't until he was midway through elementary school did he realise the landscape of his family looked vastly different to his classmates.

It wasn't until he asked about it did he learn that he did in fact have a grandmother and a grandfather and aunts and uncles on his mother's side.

He had been too young before then to register that absence as anything more than just how it was.

When he was fourteen, that truth shifted again when his mother accidentally let slip that her family resided in the same town theirs did.

The idea that there was people who were supposed to love him so close by who chose to miss out on his and Jas' life because of shame that they had decided mattered more than either of them unsettled him and still does to this day.

Both of his parents had high aspirations for him, that when he grew up he might go into medicine or law or engineering like his father.

None of those paths appealed to him, too much of a commitment and far too much studying for him to be able to do it in the long-term.

By the time high school graduation had been and passed, there was only one career he envisioned for himself, and he knew it wouldn't be received well.

As expected, neither Advika or Arthur were particularly enthused when he announced he intended to attend culinary school, citing long hours and low salary as their biggest concerns.

He understood where they were coming from and they managed to meet in the middle of it all -- he could pursue culinary school with their blessing if he spent a year getting actual working experience in kitchens that weren't his own so he knew the realities of what he was pursuing.

He did exactly that and emerged from his side quest undeterred, starting school that next academic year in LA.

It was there that he met Sola Adisa, the pair becoming fast friends turned best friends.

He relied on her heavily throughout culinary school, and by the time the end was in sight, he knew that aims for employment in Michelin star kitchens weren't for him.

A tradition of theirs -- Fuse It Fridays! -- soon become a future, as they dreamed up owning a food truck that served the two types of cuisine that felt the most like home to them.

After joining forces and finances, they purchased a truck with enough potential to carry out their idea and fixed it up together, and Jolyani was born.

A regular sight within Aurora Bay, the sudden uptick in attention and popularity of the truck (including it's own small scale cult following after being a TikTok trend in California for a few weeks)

PERSONALITY.

+ pragmatic, hard-working, creative.

- dishonest, avoidant, absent-minded.

FUN ADJACENT FACTS.

during his time being LA based, he met and fell for robin santos hard. it did not end well.

while his mother still holds her islamic faith, her marriage prevents her from practicing it traditionally. ravi grew up observing aspects of both islam and christianity and while he doesn't wholly identify with either, there's aspects he does observe.

takes part in ramadan every year along with his mother and sister.

started playing harmonica as a bit in his teens but found he's oddly good at it, will whip that out at a party if he's not stopped.

finds protein bars abhorrent. thinks its a mortal sin to call consuming one a meal.

fundamentally opposed to airpods, rocks with wired earpods exclusively.

spearheading a one man campaign to stop his mother from using the voice-to-text feature.

CURRENT CONNECTIONS.

food truck co-owner / best friend / something undefinable of @solaadisa

ex-fiancé of @robinsantos

first kiss of/with @noah-atwood

best bud of @warnerstjames

previously employed by / looks up to @greengideon

hit @fatefulfortune in the face with a tennis ball by accident (rip)

ex-boyfriend of @phoebekeller (bad terms)

SPECIFIC WANTED CONNECTIONS.

people he worked for/with during his year between finishing high school and starting culinary school! open to restaurant owners / employees.

GENERIC WANTED CONNECTIONS.

connections wise he’s pretty much an open book right now, but some baseline ideas that can be springboarded off are:

friendly.

a best friend / ride or dies / close friends / childhood friends / pseudo-siblings / friends / drunk friends / new friends / former roommate / people he knew from LA / people he met in culinary school.

romantic

flirtationship / friends with benefits / one time hook ups / tinder matches / unrequited crush (can be either way) / exes from high school / exes on good terms.

antagonistic.

enemies / former (best) friends / exes on bad terms / frenemies / rivals / negative influence / culinary school rivals.

[minediamonds]

🔀🧑‍🎤

Song: Here by Alessia Cara

OC Name: Advika Barr

FC: Naomi Scott

Parents:Amaja and Archibald Barr

Siblings: none

Sexuality: Bisexual

Born to an Indian mother and a Scottish father, with a name meaning "unique, matchless", Advika was bound to be special from the start. She always had a love for music, a love her parents cultivated since she was young.

In college, she majored in music business, but also started a band with some friends. The band didn't last long, too many creative differences. But through it she discovered her love for singing and songwriting. Luckily, her parents supported her. She dropped the business major and majored in Music with a minor in Creative Writing.

She also started a YouTube channel with covers and original songs, to get her music out there. She gained thousands of followers, and is known for her haunting vocals and unique, poetic lyrics.

Upon graduation, she was picked up by a record company and released her first album, called "A". To this day, she insists it's not just after her first name, but her mother Amaja and her father Archibald, since they all have A names. Her parents aren't entirely convinced, but they are proud of their daughter's musical pursuits.

Advika also has a secret. She, since she was a child, can see spirits and also detect when someone is immortal. She doesn't know how exactly, and she doesn't tell her parents or anyone really. Though sometimes, she is seen talking to seemingly no one when she's alone. Really, she's talking to a spirit that others can't see.

But of course, probably if she did tell someone they wouldn't believe her. And all artists are a bit eccentric, right? She can just blame it on being high or something. Either way, she's here. And she's here to stay. Watch out world, Advika is coming. And she's got a rather successful career as a singer now.

Like if you think I should add Advika as a test muse. Ten likes and I might do it! <3

[haloxsaisha]

Like To Be You.

Chapter 2: ....Friends? Friends.

[Charles Leclerc x Singer!OC]

Summary: Charles Leclerc, one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 and Advika Hira, one of the biggest singers in the world seemed to have it all- their dream jobs, love and support from millions around the globe and trust worthy friends. What if life gave them a chance to go back to something that had been missing in their lives?

Warnings: mention and conversations about hypothyroid.

Word count: 3.5K words.

A/N: Thank you so much for the response on chapter one and I'm so sorry for posting this one so late, I was kinda going through a bit of burnt out phase. But today being Charles' birthday makes it the perfect time to post it too :)) I've attached the link of images just incase y'all might be curious about the locations and outfits (the people in the pictures are not the face claims for this series), click on the underlined text! Also do let me know if you want to be added to the tag list <33

December 2023.

"Um, holy shit." was all that came out of Naysha's mouth when she, Ria and Advika stepped out of the car in front of the hotel where they'd been to attend a wedding of their friend.

"Yeah, the reason Nandini asked us to bring all those clothes is making sense now. This is going to be one big Indian wedding." Ria said, referring to the list they received from the to be bride as Advika spoke to one of the hotel staff.

"This is the place where Aditi in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani had her wedding na?" Advika joined, referring to a character of the movie that the three girls adored.

"It is. Holy shit, we're attending a wedding in The Oberoi Udaivilas." Naysha lets out a chuckle of astonishment.

"I think this is going to be the best part of our break." Ria tells, an excited and happy grin appearing on her face.

"Same, I haven't been to a wedding in so long." Advika tells in excitement and then they hear the sound of Ria's name being called from the back.

"Lando?" Ria called out, looking baffled as they recognised the McLaren driver stepping out of a taxi with his teammate Oscar Piastri. And from the back seat, Pierre Gasly stepped out with...... Charles and his mother.

Advika mentally groaned as she thought frantically about ways to hide in a hotel lobby. Charles and her did end their relationship with no bad feelings, but she didn't want to be around him yet. Not when she wasn't over him or the time they'd spent together.

"You guys are here for a vacation?" Ria asked after giving Lando a hug and going towards Oscar, since she worked with both of them.

"A wedding actually, the groom is in the Formula 1 organising team so he invited a few drivers and team members that he's close to." Oscar explained as he pulled Ria into a hug, a big grin spreading on his face which was returned by her.

"I didn't realise Ni's fiancee was close to the drivers too." Advika mumbled in confusion. "Also, you aren't going to give Lando a hug and greet him?" she whispered in Naysha's ear.

"What do you mean?" Naysha replied, feigning annoyance although the colour of her cheeks said something else.

"Ria told me that the both of you always have your eyes on each other." Advika said, grinning.

"I'm being professional." Naysha huffed. "I don't understand how Piastri and Ria can gush around each other so easily despite being in the same team."

"Look I don't want to push you into anything that you don't feel comfortable doing, but I'm pretty sure Lewis wouldn't mind if Lando and you got together or anything. You know he's very fond of both of you."

"Of course he won't, Lewis is the nicest boss anybody could have but...." Naysha just shrugged and Advika let it go, not wanting to force her into a rush of confusions and emotions.

"Hey Advika....how are you?" Charles asked, giving her a friendly smile. Naysha and Ria gave him a wary look, worried because they knew that their best friend hadn't been over the break up yet.

Friendly exes it's going to be.

"I'm alright, how are you?" she asked, returning a small smile.

"I'm good." he nods his head "Winter break has been great so far."

"That's nice...Lorenzo and Arthur haven't come?" she asks, remembering how she got along well with the Leclerc brothers, always having a happy smile in their company.

"They couldn't make it, Enzo has some work related to his business and Arthur has some work with the team. Mama joined me because she wanted to visit India and be here at least once." Charles explained.

"I hope you're liking it in here." Advika asks Charles and his mother. The Indian GP stopped ten years ago which meant that this was their first visit to the country.

"It's a beautiful country, I'm glad I came here." Pascale says, pulling Advika into a hug "I saw that you're taking a break from music? Is everything alright?" she asked Advika concernedly, referring to her recent announcement of a break from the music industry related work and social media for the half of next year.

"I just thought it'd be the best after working non-stop. Six months will be enough Pascale, I'll be alright." Advika assured her with a comforting smile. She always made her feel comfortable and safe, which was one of Advika's favourite things about being around Charles' family.

"The break was a good decision, you definitely need it. Touring for more than a year is a lot." Charles commented and Advika wondered if he was telling it out of concern or taking a dig at the cause of their breakdown and then reminded herself to stop overthinking. They broke up anyways, what was the point of wondering too much about a bond that was already lost?

"Pierre, hey." Advika said after making eye contact with the French driver.

"How are you Advika?" Pierre asked her, giving her a smile and offering a side hug, which she accepted. Pierre and her weren't really close, but they met a few times since he was Charles' closest friend on the grid. So it was safe to say that they considered each other as good friends.

"I'm doing good, great season by the way." she said, her thoughts immediately flew to not being able to watch Charles winning the WDC and the guilt seeped in for the umpth time in the past month.

"It was." he agreed with her, noticing that the smile on her face has disappeared and she was deep in her thoughts after the mention of the recent season.

"Hey hello, I'm finally here." a bubbly voice from the back interrupted their conversation, making Advika turn in recognition. Nandini, their friend who was the bride had finally made it to the lobby to greet them.

"Andddd the bride's finally here." Naysha cheered as she joined Ria and Advika, pulling Nandini into a hug.

"I'm so sorry for keeping y'all waiting here, guests have been coming so I have to just show them to their rooms and all that. The whole room arrangement has been a mess." Nandini groaned.

"It's all right, besides we had them for company too." Ria refers to the Formula 1 drivers.

"Uh, also there's a bit of an issue." the bride to be tells hesitantly.

"What happened?" Naysha asks her. Nobody liked it when a person to be wed was worried at the time of their wedding.

"One of you might have to share a room with somebody else, is that alright?" she asks them.

"I mean, as long as it's somebody we know and are comfortable with, it's alright I think." Advika tells, Ria and Naysha agreeing with her.

"Hey guys." Nandini's fiance interrupted their conversation, standing next to Nandini "Uh Naysha, I just spoke to the F1 guys and Oscar said that Lando and you are familiar with each other's company so would you be alright with sharing a room with him?"

Oh- so Oscar knew about it too.

"Uh-" Naysha said hesitantly, confused between being professional and not wanting to cause the couple a worry "yeah it's alright, I'll do it." she agreed, making Ria and Advika exchange a knowing smirk.

"Thank you so much Naysh." Nandini squealed, giving her a grateful hug and replied with an "it's no big deal."

"Also the engagement party starts at eight tonight, I hope y'all will be following the dress code for the festivities." Nandini reminded them of her very on point planning.

"Don't worry, I don't think anybody would've forgotten it after the billion times you insisted about it in the group chat." Advika teased her.

"Also The Oberoi Udaivilas? You've scored damn well." Ria tells her as Nandini led their way to the rooms.

"I guess I did." Nandini told with a happy and dreamy look on her face. "Naysha, that would be your and Lando's room, I think he's already in so you could just knock the door. Ria and Advika, this is your room." Nandini said and left in a bit, having to finish a few more arrangements.

"Have fun Naysha." Ria tells Naysha with a teasing grin and Advika gave her a thumbs up. The both of them received the middle finger as a response from Naysha making them crack into laughter.

Later that night.

Nandini and her fiancee planned a dress code for each festivity for the wedding, which the guests had been informed about and for the engagement, the women could wear a saree whereas the men in a buttoned up shirt and formal black jeans.

"I look so freaking short." Advika whined, turning around to her back side to look in the mirror. "But I didn't expect this colour would suit me though." she added, referring to the tea green coloured saree that she was wearing.

"It's not a bad thing, you still look cute so don't worry." Ria told in hopes of making her feel better about herself.

"Thanks, it's just that I really like how beautiful sarees are but it just makes short people look like Minions, as if we aren't short as hell already." Advika mumbles in annoyance.

"You say it like it's a bad thing, Charles is going to regret his decision which he sees you tonight, you're a mixture of pretty and cute." Ria tells her and Advika shoots a thankful smile in response.

"And you look stunning by the way, I'm sure Oscar won't be taking his eyes off you tonight. What's going on between you and him by the way?" Advika asked, her eyebrow raised in curiosity. Ria put on a saree which had a seaform green blouse with a transparent material draped over her shoulder.

"Um, nothing. Just two people in the same team, that's all." Ria replied quickly, a red tint forming on her cheeks.

"Sure it's nothing." Advika told suspiciously "You both never stop smiling around each other though, it's cute."

The sound of Advika's phone ringing stopped her from going on about what she noticed between her best friend and the McLaren team driver, the sight of Charles' name of the Caller's ID surprising her.

"Charles?" she said after taking the call "Is everything alright?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm sorry if I disturbed you." he told awkwardly.

"No it's alright, you weren't disturbing me." she shrugged it off and the awkwardness he felt before calling her came down.

"Yeah so, my mum thought of getting into the atmosphere of the wedding so she wants to follow the dress code that the couple chose." he started explaining "But well, she doesn't know how to wear a saree." The way he pronounced the name of the Indian outfit with his accent brought a smile on her face.

"Do you want me to help her drape the saree?" she completed his sentence.

"Yes, I think she really needs that because the both of us obviously don't know how to." he sighed and the smile on her face widened because she could imagine the clueless look on his face.

"Sure, I'm almost ready. I'll be there in a few minutes." she tells him and he cuts the call after telling a grateful "thank you".

"Are you sure this whole friendly exes thing is going to go well?" Ria asks her, having a fair idea of what their conversation was.

"I honestly have no idea." Advika sighed, putting on the jhumka on her ear "But it won't be for a long time, just for this wedding and if we have any Armani related work that's it. I think I'll be able to handle that."

She left the room to head towards Charles' and Ria's question stayed on her mind. Would she really be able to handle the whole friendly exes situation? She had the habit of getting attached to people easily and then getting detached from them always took a millennia. Being around Charles definitely wouldn't make it easier.

"Hey, thank you so much for helping her. She really wants to wear it so I couldn't disagree." Charles started rambling as soon he opened the room's door.

"Charles, I don't mind helping her drape the saree, it's totally fine. You don't have to worry that you disturbed me." she tells him and he nods his head.

"You look beautiful, by the way.” he tells, taking in the sight of her appearance which made her cheeks turn red.

"You too, I mean- you look great." Advika complimented him back. A shirt tucked in with a pair of formal jeans always looked good on him.

���Hello Pascale.” Advika heads towards the blonde woman, giving her a warm smile.

“Advika! You look so pretty chère, I’m sorry if we disturbed you today.” Charles' mum said, returning the smile.

“Oh, not at all. I think it’s really sweet that you want to go along with our traditions, I love the colour of your saree by the way.” she says, referring to the blue saree with some design work at the ends that Charles mum chose for herself and she started unfolding the cloth so as to start draping it.

“I’m glad I asked Charles to call you for help, draping a saree is actually quite complicated.” Pascale told, while Advika was on her knees trying the fold the stiff cloth in the right way as Charles stood in the corner of the room and watched them get along quite well with one another.

“It actually is pretty hard.” Advika agreed with a light chuckle “I remember watching my mother draping it for occasions like this in the family and didn’t want to wear one after growing up because she used to struggle with it a lot But she insisted that I watch and learn because she knew I’d need it after growing up.” she said with reminiscent smile on her face. 

“Mothers always know what their kids need, no matter how much they deny it.” the Monegasque woman said, giving Charles a knowing look which went unnoticed by Advika, who had all her attention on the saree.

The sound of Advika's phone ringing cut their conversation and Charles, who was standing near the table where her phone was kept gave a look asking if he could check who it is, since she was still bent down and busy with the saree cloth in her hand, she nodded at him.

"It's Vinaya." he said, showing the screen which had her manager's name on the Caller ID. A confused look came up on Advika's face about how she would talk to her manager, considering she only called if it was something important regarding her work.

"Would you be okay with the call being on speaker?" Charles asked her, indicating that he'd hold the phone near her on speaker so that she could talk and get the saree draping done at once.

"Yeah, that would be alright. Thank you." she said and he came closer, attending the call and switching it on speaker.

"So, your blood test reports came in." Vinaya immediately started and Advika noticed a look of worry appear on Charles and his mother's faces and an addition with Charles looking at her questioningly.

Advika froze, she'd totally forgotten about the blood test she took yesterday at Mumbai before travelling to Udaipur for the wedding. She'd been feeling too tired every day ever since her tour ended and thought it'd be a good idea to find out what was wrong.

"Can we talk about this later please?" Advika asked weakly, not wanting Charles and his mother to hear it. She wouldn't be able to bear the sympathy she'd get, Pascale already seemed to be very worried about Advika taking a break from her work.

"I know you're busy at the wedding so I'll take just two minutes. Alright, so your hypothyroid has gotten way too worse, because of your very messy sleep schedule, stress and food intake during the tour." Vinaya rambled on "So I've fixed an appointment with your nutritionist which will be in the morning tomorrow. I know you're at your friend's wedding now but I'm not going to hear a no for this because you need to start working on your TSH levels before it affects your health even more than it already has."

"I wasn't going to tell a no, don't worry I'll talk to the doctor." Advika tells, letting go of a shaky breath. She did not want to face the tiredness and the disturbed sleep hypothyroid brought in, not again after all the struggle in her teen years "and could we please talk to the tour manager team too tomorrow, I want to make some changes about making the schedules" she said as she inserted a safety pin through the saree cloth, the last request bringing a smile on Charles' face who was glad that she was finally giving herself the first priority. He hated seeing the extreme tiredness on the face because of the tour, right when they started dating, during the video calls and short meets and all the way until their last conversation.

"Of course and please don't forget the appointment with your nutritionist tomorrow." her manager reminded her and then cut the call, making Advika take a sigh of relief.

"And it's done, you look amazing. I hope the saree is comfortable enough for you?" she asked, pretending as if the conversation with her manager never took place.

"It is, thank you so much for helping me dear." Pascale replied and Advika nodded her head, showing that there was no need to thank her.

"I think I'll leave now, Ria and Naysha might be waiting for me at the hall." Advika said, wanting to leave there. She'd already faced a lot of sympathy from people because she lost her parents. She appreciated their emotions but the eyes filled with pity was something she couldn't handle, it made her uncomfortable. And she could already see it in Pascale and Charles' eyes, so leaving would be better than starting a conversation about her health.

Thankfully she understood and let Advika go. A few steps away from the room, Advika heard the familiar voice of Charles calling her and she turned back to see him approaching her.

"Charles." she responded, wondering why he called her.

"You never told me you were suffering from hypothyroid." he told her, heading straight to the point.

"It's not a big deal-" she tried to shrug it off.

"It is, it literally requires life long medication and even sucks out all your energy. Not to mention it also doesn't let you sleep." he went on about the chronic disease.

"How do you know all this?" she couldn't help but express her surprise.

"I just checked about it on Google but seriously though, why didn't you tell me about it?"

"I had it in control then, trust me. It just got really shitty and unhandleable because of my tour schedule. Besides you already had a lot to worry about." she said referring to the F1 season "I didn't want you to have another thing to worry about."

"You were my girlfriend, I wouldn't have minded worrying about you." he looked at her in concern and Advika just sighed in response.

"It doesn't matter now anyways." she weakly said, wanting the conversation to end. How could he break up with her and just say caring words like it means nothing?

"Just because things between us went down doesn't mean I don't care about you Vika." he looked at her softly and it took everything in her to not melt into it.

The last thing needed right now was not being able to let go of her feelings for somebody who let go of her.

"I- I need to go." she fretted and hurried towards the hall where the engagement was taking place. She spotted Ria and Naysha standing in one of the corners and went towards them.

"Advi, are you okay?" Naysha asked her in concern after noticing the tense look on her face.

"Yeah, I just got worried thinking I was late. You look amazing by the way, how did Lando let you get out of your room?" Advika teases her "also, the sarees you and Ria are wearing are similar." commenting about the saree that she was wearing. It was similar to Ria's, a flamingo pink sparkly blouse with a transparent material draped over.

"Haha, you're so funny." Naysha rolled her eyes playfully. "Oscar hasn't stopped giving her heart eyes ever since she came in."

"Told ya." Advika gave Ria a teasing grin.

"I think this trip is going to change our love lives." Naysha suggested.

"Speak for yourself, I'm single at the moment." Advika said with her eyebrows raised.

"With the way Charles is looking at you, I highly doubt that." Ria commented and confusion arose.

•••••

Taglist: @crueloveascities @rosesintj

[advika-translation]

Super-fast apostille service in India

We were in Mumbai for six month and having fun with our family. And suddenly I got the news that my elder brother got selected in an organization in Canada. We were so happy after getting this news he started packing all the stuff to go, finally he has reached there and settled down. But after two month my sister-in-law became very depressed without him as they were newly married and never apart for the last 11 years. Ohh the statement became a bit contradictory, let me clear here that they had a love-marriage after dating ten years. As she started insisting on going there, I went for her visa application and they asked me to get her documents apostilled and translated for further process. I made a call to my brother about how he got his documents apostille and translated and from where? He told me that there is an apostille service provider in Mumbai with brand name Advika Translations, I told them how can I travel so far from Bangalore to Mumbai to get the documents apostilled, can’t you suggest any certified translator near me? He said that I should research if they have any office or branch in Bangalore. I started looking for their agency in Bangalore and was surprised that they are the top agency with 5 star ratings by the customers. They are the pioneers of all Apostille services in Bangalore. I met them to get her documents apostilled and translated and found that they are the professional and fastest service provider for all kinds of attestation and translations. I am glad to say that they are really unbeatable and great in their profession. Read their more blogs at : Certified Translator

[royalbabble]

Jagruti Talwar

Jagruti - Meaning: ‘Awakening’ or ‘Vigilance’

Talwar - Meaning: ‘Swordsman/Sword’

Race/Religion/Nationality/Ethnicity: Indian/Hindu (Smarta)

Romantic Orientation: Lesbian

Sexual Orientation: Asexual

Gender: Transgender Woman

Age: 30

Allegiance:

Organization: OMEGA

Battle Mount: Arodaris

Backstory Below

My Deviantart!

Backstory

The daughter of astrophysicist and astronomer, Advika Talwar, Jagruti lived with her single mother for her entire life, learning the tools of the trade and becoming enamored with the infinite void of space that her mother dedicated her studies to. Later in life, Jagruti shifted her own interests toward human history and cultures, becoming increasingly entrenched with the history of the world and ancient civilizations.

Later in life, Jagruti and her mother noticed strange objects falling to Earth, ranging from metals that were foreign to Earth and bizarre creatures that could not be. One day, while studying for an exam at her college, her mother happened upon the source of these strange objects; intergalactic creatures called the High Storms, monsters that took the form of gigantic, eternally rotating weather systems that carried the building blocks for entire empires within their violent whirlwinds. Armies, spacecraft, entire structures, massive ecosystems, everything needed to start their own empire was carried in their spinning celestial bodies.

Blown away by this bizarre finding, Jagruti’s mother began a full scale research project into the High Storms to uncover as much as she could into their origins and their functions - and what she found was unutterably horrifying. The High Storms were a race of eldritch abominations who have been around since time immemorial. They were monstrous entities, creatures who traveled from planet to planet, enacting fascist colonial rule everywhere they went and slowly sucking the life out of entire planets and civilizations, destroying their culture and history to ensure their complete and total dominion over the planet and its people. Once they had their fill they would move on to the next in an endless cycle of bloodlust and an intense pathologic desire for more and more power.

Acting quickly, Jagruti’s mother enacted a plan to combat the High Storms and gathered a large team of scholars to help that she called Organization: OMEGA. Calculating that the team had roughly 50 years to prepare before the High Storms arrived at Earth, she set about creating the measures needed for humanity to defend itself. The Oaken Chamber would be the means of preserving human history and culture, ensuring it wouldn’t be eradicated. Next, the team would take the materials that had fallen from the High Storms and would build armors and weapons that could combat the intergalactic monsters. Prototype armors were made to test the effectiveness of materials like Stormsteel and Sky Thread, and a small collection of weapons were made to test their power. The operations were running smoothly and Jagruti herself even engaged in the operations as she got older, becoming one of the heads of Organization: OMEGA, thanks in part to her connection to an Arodaris, an equine creature that had come from the High Storms as a baby and had mentally bonded to her when she was a child.

Unfortunately, OMEGA was only able to prepare for around 25 years because the High Storms attacked 25 years ahead of schedule, sabotaging the Organization's plans and wiping out every single member of OMEGA. With no way to keep the High Storms at bay and with the invasion already underway, Jagruti’s mother made a difficult decision. To ensure the future of humanity and preserve humanity's history and culture, buried Jagruti within the Oaken Chamber, locking her in suspended animation within a cryogenic chamber alongside her Arodaris. With the hope that Jagruti would one day wake from her slumber and open the doors to the Oaken Chamber once again, Jagruti’s mother perished under the brutal light of the High Storms and her body was lost within the Oaken Chamber.

It wouldn’t be until 500 years later in the 26th century that Jagruti’s time would finally come, and she would awaken from her frozen slumber and the Oaken Chamber would rise again.

Magic, Powers, and Weapons

Wields a Pata (or Gauntlet Sword) that has been engineered to retract into a tight fitting bracelet that adorns the right wrist. Her Dupatta was woven from a fine material that fell to Earth 500+ years ago that she calls ‘Sky Thread.’ This makes her Dupatta highly resistant to damage, making it useful as a defensive option. She wears a Maang Tikka, bracelet, necklace, and earrings that are all set with gemstones: These are Thunder Gems and grant Jagruti command over electricity. She can absorb electricity from engines and directly from lightning bolts to charge the gems, granting her increased power. These gemstones were created artificially by Jagruti’s mother when studying the energy readings from the High Storms before they invaded Earth. Jagruti’s mother made the gems to mimic the same energies to turn the High Storms’ weapons on them. Jagruti comes from the Indian state of Gujarat on the western coast, where she once lived in the city of Jamnagar.

[gsmarling]

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Advika leaned forward to press another kiss on her boyfriend’s lips. Sam smiled lightly and pulled her closer to him from where she was standing in the doorway.

“Does that mean you don’t have to go?” She looked at her watch and sighed.

“No, no I do. I’m working at the library tonight, so I’ll be home late.” She gently pulled away from his embrace and stepped into the hallway of their apartment building. He planted one last kiss on her forehead and grinned.

“I’ll see you when you get home. Love you.” He leaned against the doorway and waved. She tossed a bright smile over her shoulder as she made her way to the stairs.

“Love you too!”

The evening air was cold and Advika wrapped her coat around herself tightly as she approached the library where she worked after school. It was finals week and she was already feeling exhausted from her classes, and dreading the hours of studying in her future. But for now she got to enjoy the warm and quiet of the library. She dropped her coat and purse in the small employee break room, then began her work. She set about organizing books, reshelving volumes that had been left on tables, and cataloguing titles. She milled up and down the rows, quietly answering the questions of the many students who were frantically studying. Soon the minutes bled into hours and before she knew it, it was time to head home. Yawning, she pulled on her coat and swung her messenger bag over her shoulder. The weight of her schoolbooks reminded her of the mountains of homework that her professors had assigned, and she yawned again. She opened the door to the library and the cold air hit her like a train, the icy wind causing her black hair to whip around her. She shivered and tried to shrink into her coat. In the time she’d been working it had snowed, and the ground was a hazardous mix of ice and snow that had been walked and driven over to the point that it was dirty slush. She sighed, it was going to be a long walk to the subway.

Advika climbed the stairs from the subway station, and once again shivered. It was fully dark out by this point, so she let muscle memory guide her along the path to her apartment building. Something hit the top of her head and melted into her hair. It had started to snow. She muttered a few curses under her breath and ducked her head against the wind, hurrying her steps. She arrived at her apartment covered in a light dusting of snow. She fished her keys out of her bag, stepped into the slightly warmer building and began climbing the stairs. As she approached her floor, an uneasy chill that had nothing to do with the weather came over her. She tried to shake it off and started down the hallway. She stopped dead when she saw the blood. Small droplets were scattered in a haphazard line towards the door of her apartment. That uneasy chill deepened and she cautiously approached the door. It was ajar, the doorframe around the lock broken and splintered. She eased the door open, and carefully made her way into the apartment. A sob tore from her as she surveyed the room. Sam lay on his back in the kitchen, a pool of blood surrounding him. Her sob turned into a scream as she fell to her knees and cradled his head in her arms. The room began to spin and she was only dimly aware of her surroundings, her half screams half sobs sounding as if they came from miles away. He was her world, and he lay dead in her arms. Anger, grief, and despair crashed over her in a disorienting wave of emotions. She screamed until her throat was hoarse, and after that she just sat, rocking back and forth, still holding Sam’s body. She lost all track of time, it could’ve been hours or minutes, until another silhouette darkened the doorway. Advika looked up, meeting pure-black eyes, as a thin, skeletal hand reached out and took her by her throat. She gasped for air, one hand scrambling in vain at the fingers around her throat, the other desperately searching through her bag for anything to defend herself. She grasped the small pocket knife that was attached to her keychain and drove it into the side of the figure holding her. The fingers around her throat tightened in surprise, and her attacker let out a chuckle. A harsh, dark sound that seemed to claw its way from his throat. The figure lifted her up and pushed her against the wall, giving her a clearer view of the man, no, the creature, that still had its long nails digging into her neck. It was pale and thin, with malice filled black eyes staring at her from a gaunt face. And it was covered in blood. Sam’s blood. Advika’s blood ran cold as the figure leaned in closer. A flash of movement, pain, and the world went dark.

Cold hands were touching her face. Advika jerked awake and immediately batted the hands away. Her vision was blurry and there was a horrible shooting pain in her neck. Gingerly she raised herself into a sitting position from where she had crumpled on the floor.

“Take it easy.” A cool voice sounded from somewhere in front of her. She opened her mouth to try to speak, but ended up having a coughing fit instead. She tasted metal, and when she wiped her mouth the back of her hand came back smeared with red. She coughed again, spitting blood into the tiled kitchen floor. Her vision slowly focused, and she located the person who had spoken. A woman dressed in all white, at least what used to be all white, it was now splattered with red, was leaning against the kitchen counter. She was tall and lithe, her platinum blonde hair pulled up into a bun. She wore a mask that covered the bottom half of her face, and round tinted glasses. The strangest thing about her appearance, though, was the sharpened wooden dagger she was twirling through her hands. Like everything else in the room, it was stained a dark crimson.

“Who are you?” Advika rasped. The figure stopped twirling the dagger and looked down at Advika.

“I’m Talitha.”

“What are you doing in my kitchen?”

“Until about five minutes ago, I was killing him.” Talitha reached out a foot and nudged the corpse laying on the floor. Advika choked and lunged towards it.

“Sam-” She came up short when she realized that it wasn’t Sam’s body that Talitha was gesturing towards, but the creature that had attacked her earlier. Its mouth was frozen open in a snarl, and Advika saw that its canines were sharp and pointed. Her mind started to spin, refusing to believe what she was seeing. The edges of her vision got dark again and she reached out to find something to steady herself. Talitha stepped forward, took her hand, and hauled her to her feet, pulling Advika’s arm over her shoulder. Panic continued to course through Advika as she unsteadily leaned against Talitha, who regarded her quietly.

“We need to talk.”

Advika shakily wrapped her hands around a cup of steaming tea that sat on the table in front of her. Talitha leaned back in her chair across the table, quietly noting Advika’s every move. It took all of Advika’s willpower to not glance over to where both Sam and the creature’s bodies had been covered with a sheet. Instead, she forced herself to meet Talitha’s unwavering gaze. Talitha raised her eyebrows.

“Do you have questions?”

“Of course I do. Starting with why we haven’t called the police. I have two dead—,” Advika choked on the word, “I have two dead bodies in my kitchen.” Talitha shook her head sharply.

“No police. No family. No friends. No one can know. Do you understand me?”

“No! I really don’t, and I would appreciate it if you would actually explain this.” Advika gestured frantically at the room. Talitha sighed, removing her glasses. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. When she opened her eyes to meet Advika’s gaze, her eyes were solid obsidian.

“You’re a vampire.”

“I don’t even know how to respond to that.” Advika laughed mirthlessly. Talitha said nothing, she just reached up and removed the mask that covered her nose and mouth, and bared her teeth. Revealing the sharp canines in the front of her mouth.

“You have them too.” Advika sharply became aware of the pain in her neck, and in her mouth. She recalled the blood that had been smeared across the creature’s mouth. Her mind started to connect the dots, despite the fact that those dots were impossible. Cautiously, she ran her tongue over her teeth. And was met with fangs.

After another crisis that was triggered by Advika’s discovery of fangs, and a lot of frantic questioning that was met with calm answers from Talitha, Advika cautiously accepted Talitha’s claim. She was a vampire. And she had questions.

“Blood. Do we…” she hesitated, “drink it? From...humans?” She once again had to make an effort to not look at Sam’s body.

“Yes. Since your heart can no longer pump blood through your system you need to drink it as a sort of supplement. But not human blood. We get our supply from butchers mostly.”

“So if you, we, don’t drink human blood, then why did this happen.” Advika jerked her head in the direction of her kitchen.

“Human blood is like a drug. Vampires get addicted, to the point where it drives them insane.”

“Then it’s possible to live...normally? As a vampire?” Talitha hmmed her agreement.

“There’s an entire underground community. An aboveground one too. You can have a normal job, you can have a family.” Talitha’s eyes shuttered briefly. “If you can accept that you’ll outlive them.”

“What about the lore? Sunlight, crosses, garlic, wooden stakes?”

“Sunlight is a myth, made up for the movies. Think of garlic like an allergy. Crosses have centuries of wards and magic attached, those have the capacity to hurt you. Wooden stakes will kill just about anyone, but magic clings to symbolism, and magic kills us.” Talitha flipped her wooden dagger in her hands a couple times, then slid it into one of the many pockets on her jacket.

“Why?” Advika didn’t expand her question but Talitha understood.

“I hunt them. Vampires who get addicted to human blood and start attacking them, I hunt them.” Advika didn’t respond, she simply stood and walked to where Sam’s body lay on the floor. She dropped to the ground, kneeling beside him she lifted the sheet off of his face. She gently closed his eyes, then reached for the thin chain that hung around his neck. Unclasping it, she regarded the small gold cross hanging on the chain. Taking a steadying breath, she clasped it around her own neck, tucking the pendant under her shirt. The second the cross came in contact with her skin, it burned. She bit back the pain and stood up. Talitha stared at her, a look of mild surprise on her face. Advika turned around and met Talitha’s black obsidian eyes with a pair of her own.

“Teach me.”

Advika opened her eyes, the remnants of the memory still curling around the edges of her mind. That had been years ago, and she’d spent the time since traveling with Talitha training, becoming strong. And hunting. Her phone buzzed from where it sat on the café table in front of her. A text from Talitha read: Two alleys down. Get there now. Advika rose from her seat, and started down the road, melting into the shadows created by the setting sun. When she reached the entry of the second alley, she heard a scream. She drew a carved wooden dagger from her belt and turned into the alley.

“Hello there.” Her greeting was directed towards the man in front of her who was slowly approaching a young girl curled in the corner. He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere. I’m trying to have a meal.” He gestured lazily to the girl behind him.

“I’m afraid I can’t let that happen.” She reached up and removed the veil that covered her mouth, and smiled, canines glinting in the dying evening light.

“Well I’m afraid that you can’t do anything about it.” He reached a gloved hand into his coat pocket and withdrew an ornate cross and held it aloft. Her smile turned feral, her eyes glittering cold and black. She pulled down the collar of her shirt, revealing the cross that hung around her neck, and the scarred skin that lay beneath. A reminder of all she had lost.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Advika angled her dagger and lunged.

[rukaelf]

Moths, Snakes, and Grandpas 1/2

      Moth Yorha huddled behind a rather curious-looking rock in the sun-scorched Gyr Abanian desert. It was an oddly shaped rock to Moth because it sort of resembled an animal, although the "Hyur" could not quite put a finger on what animal it as. Much of this land was odd to her. She read about deserts, and had imagined them as sterile, sand-covered wastelands. Gyr Abania was nothing like that. Rocks everywhere! And there were some forests too, though mostly near the Black Shroud. Salt flats and marshes and much more!      There was also life, much more than she expected. In her solitary travels she found it quite enjoyable to observe things from scorpions to antlions to the snake women, whom Moth had found were actually sentient, just like her! But she found out, not all of the snake women were friendly. Hence why she was huddled behind a rock, hiding from the ones that had persued her. She was not afraid to fight, but she did not wish to kill them either.      Unfortunately, while the faux-Garlean was good at keeping quiet and covering her tracks, these snake women were good at finding people good at keeping quiet and covering their tracks.      "I can ssssssmell your sweat, primate!" their leader called out in the common tongue. She carried a wicked-looking, curved blade, and it seemed to sing in her hands as she twirled it between them. These ananta in particular were young, eager to prove themselves. Although it was clear that some were beginning to have second thoughts.      "Advika," one of the bow-wielding ananta said, addressing the leader. "We sssshould return back. She has left our territory. Offering thissss pale one to the broodmother will not ease her pain any more than it already can."       "Sssssilence," the one named Advika snapped. "Outsiders have slain our Lady of Blisssss. If she does not make an example of trespassers, than I will." Moth had no idea what they were saying, but began to tense up, beginning to tense up. Why had her curiosity gotten her into so much trouble here? First with the village, now with the snake women.

this land is savage and feral and everything that lives in it must be tamed and purged and purged and tamed. The subhuman mhigans, the inhuman beastmen

     Moth bit down the sweltering anger, the hatred of the other. She knew where it came from. She did not wish to feel it. Instead, she looked around, trying to find an avenue of escape.

      "Oh? What's this, then?" A gravelly voice sounded to Moth's right. Hiking up the small plateau Moth was cornered in was an elderly male hyur, dressed in simple clothing, his expression of gentle curiosity. From where he was, the hyur could spot both Moth and the ananta, but he focused his attention on them instead of her. "You are of the Qalyana, yes? You've ranged far from your lands to hunt, have you not?"       "Advikia, we need to go," the bow-carrying ananta hissed. "Setting an example is not as important as our livesssss."       "A dying old primate isssss what you are afraid of, Farha?" Advikia snapped back. But the leader of the band had seen that everyone else was looking upon the old man with a mixture of concern and fear. Moth could actually feel why, or at least she thought she did. The old man carried no visible weapons, an oddity in the Gyr Abanian countryside. Moreover, despite his advanced age, he did not have a walking stick, and the backpack he had seemed quite large.There was no killing intention Moth could sense...and that concerned her.       The ananta's uncertainty grew, as the stranger said nothing else. The leader named Advikia looked between her band, then him, a murderous look in her face. But eventually she relented, and slithered away, with a much-relieved group in tow. Moth remained huddled behind the rock, unsure of the Highlander's intentions.

and he is ala mhigan filthy dirty barbaric backwards savages. put him in the grave, for the mhigan deserves no home but the one buried under soil

     Moth ignored the voice, as she always did since she started hearing it in Gyr Abania. It was easy to ignore it. It wasn't as easy to make it stop. "It's all right," the elder said, not moving from where he was. Putting both hands in front of him, giving a kind smile."You may come out now. Although I must say, it was not the best decision to hide behind something so small." He peered at the stone. "Hmm. It sort of resembles an animal, doesn't it. I wonder..."       Moth immediately popped out of cover. "Yes yes," she said, immediately finding kinship with this man. He also thought it was shaped like an animal! "It is quite strange." Moth had moved too quickly, though. And had forgotten---again---to put on her circlet. So her hair jerked out of her face, revealing her third eye for the stranger to see.

Who simply stared.

[solarwindandcosmicash]

operation: congratulations, it’s stabby mcwarhammer

Absent: Kate’s player

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The party convinces the crew of the Apricity that a Roomba with a knife and a warhammer taped to it is a good idea. That’s it. No, really.

summary

The goal is simple: convince the crew of the Apricity - and, therefore, the DM - that acquiring a space Roomba and attaching a knife and warhammer to it is a good decision. To do so, the party must speak individually to each crew member, pitch the idea, and persuade them to their side. They have exactly one hour to do so. In order:

Annos tells the party he will back their idea - so long as the rest of the crew is on board with it first. When the party returns to him with full approval, he reluctantly signs off on the idea and gives them the go-ahead.

Telissa agrees without any persuasion, mostly because she thinks it would be hilarious.

Kara agrees without any persuasion; Cat agrees after some persuasion, and Bea and Ann are convinced after the Roomba’s downgrade and upon learning that all quarians were fine with it.

Irène agrees on the condition that the Roomba not be allowed in Engineering or the battery.

Rela agrees to the idea immediately, fondly reminiscing about a similar pet they had on a previous ship she’d served on. Suella is more hesitant, though she is persuaded after the Roomba’s downgrade and upon learning that all quarians on board were fine with it.

Advika agrees without too much persuasion, mostly because she, like Telissa, thinks it would be hilarious. Fawkes sides with her, and Fausius, seeing he is outnumbered, reluctantly agrees as well.

Isolde agrees without hearing the full pitch. In her words, so long as she doesn’t have to pay for it, she doesn’t give a shit.

Aster is highly skeptical and only agrees after the Roomba’s downgrade and upon learning all quarians were fine with the idea. Even then, he is distrustful and dreads the Roomba’s arrival.

Elaye agrees only after Tris negotiates the Roomba’s downgrade from real knife and warhammer to plastic knife and no warhammer, as does Tris herself.

Upon conclusion of the hour, the party had successfully convinced every crewmember on the ship, and a space Roomba would be acquired sometime in the future.

notable lines + interactions

Phos: Anus! What’s up. Annos: That’s not my name. Phos: Wait. I said it wrong again. Annos: You did. Phos: Yep. Beetle: Hey, Assman. Annos: That’s also not my name. Beetle: What is your name, then? You could’ve told us at some point. Annos: Annos. What do you want?

Beetle: It’s a tradition on some turian ships to have a kind of team pet, and then, uh, it’s a space Roomba! DM: Roll deception, because I don’t think that’s a tradition on turian ships.

Annos: Okay... so, a space Roomba. What exactly is a space Roomba? Phos: Well, someone I knew once told me that they’re a low, uh, easy to take care of pet - DM: [disbelieving laughter] Phos: It’s a machine, it doesn’t have AI or anything, it just moves around and apparently it’s very entertaining. Beetle: Yes, yes. Annos: Okay, and why should I - Phos: And it cleans the floor! It cleans the floor.

in discord Vasir: vasir is just standing there with this expression

Vasir: im losing my mind premptively Vasir: @ what the chens are gonna say

Phos: We have this thing we kind of want to play out, uh, like, it’s a machine, but it, uh - Telissa: Uh-huh. Phos: It’s a - it’s a cleaning robot, it’s called a Roomba, it - Beetle: Telissa. Phos: We want to get the rest of the ship on board before we, uh - Beetle: Telissa. Telissa: What, Beetle. What? Beetle: We want to tape a knife to it - Telissa: I’m in. I don’t even know what it is, I’m in. Phos: It’s a robot about ankle high, and it - Telissa: Yes, good. This seems like a good idea. Nothing will - absolutely nothing will go wrong. I’m in.

Beetle: We’re buddies. Telissa: I wasn’t aware we stopped being buddies. Beetle: We continue.

Vasir: I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Beetle: You look like your soul is trying to ascend.

Vasir: Alright, Beetle and Vekar seem to know engineering well enough, so don’t ask me for help to balance a frickin’ warhammer on a tiny robot. Phos: It’ll be fine, it’s - Beetle: How did you know about the warhammer. DM: Oh my god. Vasir: I can guess from how you act. Give me that much credit, Beetle.

Beetle: Let me propose this. Concept: pet. Cat: Doing good. Beetle: Knife. Cat: ... Not... so good? Carry on. Beetle: Cleaning floors. Cleans. Floor. Cat: That’s - that’s not really appealing either way, but. Carry on. Phos: And some VI or something to make it funny. Cat: What are - what’re you suggesting, are you suggesting, like, a cat, or - Beetle: Space Roomba. Cat: A - oh. Like... Stabby?

Kara: Actually, I think this could be kind of good. It’s like training, you get cut if you’re not paying attention. Phos: Oooooh, I like that idea. I like that idea very much. Vasir: Says the krogan with the heavy armor. I see how it is, Phos.

Bea: Who’s in charge of that? Who is on space Roomba duty?

in discord Vekar: is this charades? Vasir: TRYING SO HARD NOT OT BREAK CHARACTER LAUGHING Vasir: im absolutely crying and not surprised Vekar: this is incredible

Phos: Okay. We have - the greatest idea. Beetle: Life-changing. Phos: We have this idea to have this small vacuumer with a knife and a warhammer on it. Think of it like - Beetle: It cleans the floor and improves dodging. Phos: - a cleaning service and exercise. Irène: It seems counter-intuitive to have a vacuum with a knife and a warhammer on it. How would you use it?

Vekar: Don’t worry. Someone will put a cushion on top of the warhammer. DM, under her breath: Oh my god.

Beetle: Maybe the knife can be vertical. Vekar: Let’s just put a plastic knife.

Beetle: Could you sign this paper? DM: Where did you get this - this is the DM asking you, where did you get this paper? Beetle: I don’t fucking know. Vekar: I gave her the orders of teas from back then. DM, laughing in disbelief: Oh my god. Beetle: I got it from Delta’s tea shop.

Beetle: Do you really think I’m going to plan ahead? Think again!

Phos: Take the wheel, Beetle! Beetle: Okay! I’m taking the wheel!

Beetle, OOC: Does Beetle know about Phos screaming earlier? DM: Yes. Everyone knows about Phos screaming earlier. Phos, OOC: Eesh.

Beetle: It will improve [Phos’s] dodging or increase her pain tolerance. Here’s my proposal: a space Roomba. With a knife. Rela: Oh! We used to have those on my old ship that I served on! Except it was a real knife. And you had to step over it. But that’s okay.

Suella: I can’t recommend this course of action. Especially with a crew like this - more likely than not, they’ll be startled and destroy it. [long pause] Phos: Well, we can - Beetle, while Phos is still talking: I’ll kill them. Suella, while Phos is still talking: If you kill them, I have to kill you. That’s just how it goes. Beetle, while Phos is still talking: You know what, that’s fine. I understand. Phos: - put a cushion on the warhammer, or -

Phos: Have you ever seen Annos surprised at all? Suella: Yes. Phos: What?

Beetle: I am willing to place money into an insurance pool for quarian suits. Vasir: Really, Beetle. I am very skeptical of your altruism.

Beetle: I just really want Stabby McWarhammer. I’m not gonna lie.

Beetle: I have a little proposal for you. Advika: That can’t be good. Phos: But listen - it’s fucking great. Advika: Uh-huh. Beetle: Okay, get ready. DM: They are very unimpressed with you. Fausius, especially. Beetle: Um... space Roomba. DM: When you say that, Advika just - she just starts laughing really quietly at first, and it gets progressively louder, and Fawkes just looks despondent, like - oh my god, why. And then Fausius says, uh - Fausius: We had one of those on my old ship, and it was a piece of shit. What model would you be getting, if you actually do this? Vasir: I don’t think they fought that far. Vekar: They thought about weaponizing it with a knife and a warhammer, so probably a good one? Fausius: I didn’t even know they could carry a warhammer. Those things are heavy. Beetle: We’re going to find out. It’s a scientific expedition.

Fausius: First of all, we have stairs. So, what, you’re just gonna - plant it somewhere? Vekar: We’re going to give it jetpacks. Fausius: You’re absolutely not going to give it jetpacks. Vasir: Vekar, the day a Roomba gets a jetpack before me is the day I’ll shoot you. Shut up. That’s a terrible idea. Vekar: Fuck, okay, we’ll get you a jetpack and then the Roomba a jetpack, then. Vasir: That sounds better.

Advika: As long as it doesn’t get into maintenance, I am perfectly cool with this. Fausius: You know that if it damages anything, not just maintenance, you and Fawkes will have to fix it. Advika: Yeah? So what?

Phos: Gotta uphold that turian tradition! Fausius: It’s a shitty tradition, but - sure.

Advika: Yeah, you guys can stop talking to us now. Off you go. Phos: Yeah, sure, okay. Advika: Bye. Beetle: Bye. I see how it is.

DM: So I can do two separate conversations, one at a time - Vasir, OOC: You don’t have to, [DM]. You can just say I’m talking to Aster. DM: Cool! Let’s say you have a very intellectual and enlightening conversation about star charts. Beetle: Nice - DM: Phos and Beetle, what’re you up to? Phos, OOC: And Vekar. Don’t exclude Vekar, he’s been doing shenanigans - DM: I’m so sorry, I’m sorry, Vekar hasn’t been talking much, that was my bad, I’m so sorry, [Vekar’s player]. Vekar, OOC: It’s fine. DM: What are Vekar, Phos, and Beetle up to?

Beetle: So... have you heard of space Roombas? Isolde, after a long pause: No, but I’m intrigued by the way you said that. Beetle: Yes. Good. You’ve heard of - Phos: Imagine: a tiny cleaner, with a knife. Beetle: Yes. Mm-hm. Isolde: As long as I’m not paying for it, I don’t give a shit.

DM: So, like, with one hand Isolde is signing the petition, and with the other she’s giving you a high five, Phos. Phos: Yes.

Beetle: Thank you for your signature. Pleasure doing business, question mark? Isolde: Oh, if we’re doing business - I should’ve asked you pay me, then. Go on. Beetle: Dang it. I should’ve asked you to pay me first. Power move. Isolde: Uh-huh.

Beetle: Hey, Aster. Aster: Yes, Beetle? Beetle: So, uh, I’ve been looking at some space Roombas lately. Some good vacuum boys. Aster, exasperated: Of course you have. Vasir: That’s how I feel, Aster.

Aster: Well, I’m sure, but are you going to figure it out before you break it? Beetle: I’m sure there’s someone on this team with high Mechanical, so. DM, under her breath: Oh my god.

Aster: So just to be clear - you’ve run this by Annos, and you’re going to tape a real fucking knife to this thing, and a real fucking warhammer. Beetle, slowly: Yeesssss. Aster: You realize we have stairs, right?

Aster: You better have a very good argument to back this up. Beetle: Uh, yes, I’ll have a very good argument to back this up iiiiiiin a few minutes. Aster: Take your time.

Aster: I don’t want to deal with a fucking space Roomba clawing at my ankles all the time.

Beetle: We tape a gun to it. Aster: Hey, that’s a really bad idea. This conversation is over. Beetle: No! It’s not even loaded! Aster: Nope, sorry, conversation over, go talk to someone else. Party: [long pause, then hysterical laughter for seven seconds]

in discord Vekar: well things took a turn for the weird

Beetle: I’ve run out of pitches for this thing.

Beetle: And if anyone gets into the ship, it’ll take ‘em by surprise! Elaye: I don’t think anyone would be taken by surprise by a fucking space Roomba with a knife taped to it. - Sure, whatever. As long as it doesn’t get into the helm, I don’t give a shit.

Phos: What is it about this that doesn’t appeal to you? Tris: Hm, I don’t know, maybe a fucking robot with a knife at ankle level that can sneak up on me or something like that and cut my suit open or something? No.

Phos: What about a warhammer? Tris: Ahaha! No. Beetle: What about a gun? Tris: Why the hell would you put a gun on a space Roomba? That’s a waste of a good gun. Beetle: Yeah, that’s true. Phos, OOC: I can’t breathe. God. What is this even?

Phos: What if I said all the quarians had signed off on this? Aster: I’m going to need to hear a hard yes from Vasir before I do anything. Vasir: Oh, keelah.

Vasir: I’m honestly surprised you even did that. Phos: [defensive rambling about the Roomba] Beetle: Vasir, you are a valued member of this team and we respect you - Phos: [more defensive rambling about the Roomba]

Vasir, OOC: Vasir just kind of stares at the floor and mutters under their breath quietly. Phos: Oh, dear.

Phos, OOC: I try to high-five Vasir. Are they feeling it? Vasir, OOC: Vasir returns it with the least amount of enthusiasm possible. Beetle, OOC: Beetle dabs.

Beetle: Vasir. Want to sign my petition? Vasir, sounding dead inside: My verbal approval isn’t enough for you people, apparently. Beetle: [laughter] DM: You also haven’t signed this petition, Beetle, Phos, or Vekar, so I don’t know what you’re doing here. Beetle, OOC: Oh, crap, you’re right. Beetle signs the petition. Phos, OOC: Phos signs the petition. Vasir: Clearly none of you have ever done paperwork.

DM: You guys go to the lower deck, uh, and you go to Engineering, and Cat’s like - Cat, singsong: Oh, look, they’re back for more! DM: And Bea just kind of like, groans.

Beetle: Stabby McWarhammer has been nerfed! Chen: That’s good. To what? Beetle: To plastic knife and no warhammer. Chen: Alright, that’s cool with me. Kara: Aw, are you serious? That’s not even a threat anymore! Beetle: I know, right? Phos: It’s still a surprise. Kara: There’s a cat in Engineering, I - okay, whatever. Phos: What if the cat rides on the Roomba? Cat: I would take so many pictures.

DM: Annos sees you coming, and he sees the paper in your hands, and you can just see him go like, “Oh, god,” uh, just like, visually in his face. What do you do?

Phos: We made some compromises, uh, we - Beetle: We made some political promises. Annos: So that means you’re not going to keep them, is that what I’m hearing? Beetle: No, we’re gonna keep them. Phos: We’re gonna keep them.

Annos: Okay, then I guess we’re getting a fucking space Roomba. DM: And he kind of looks off into the distance, like, “What has my life become?” Phos: To be honest, every person in this group is probably asking themselves that every five seconds. Vasir: [laughter]

Beetle: One IOU for a favor. Annos: Sure. Favors are always good.

technical notes

The DM starts a timer. Sixty minutes and counting.

Beetle convinces Annos it’s a turian tradition to have pets on ships. Deception roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier → 17 + 1 → 18 Annos is still a little leery of whether that knowledge is true or not, but accepts it, at least for now.

Phos and Beetle persuade Annos to let them acquire a Roomba. Persuasion roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier. Phos → 13, Beetle → 15

Annos contests. 1d20 + knowledge modifier → 12 + 2 → 14

Annos agrees to allow a Roomba on the condition that Fausius, who is apparently in charge of cleaning, gives the go-ahead.

Telissa agrees that a space Roomba is a good idea. (1/16)

Phos and Beetle persuade the Chens that a Roomba is a good idea. Persuasion roll. 3d20 + knowledge modifier → 12 + 0 → 12, 20 + 1 → 21, 12 + 1 → 13 Cat is convinced. Bea and Ann are not.

Cat and Kara agree that a space Roomba is a good idea. (3/16)

Irène agrees that a space Roomba is a good idea. (4/16)

Rela agrees that a space Roomba is a good idea. (5/16)

Advika, Fawkes, and Fausius agree that a space Roomba is a good idea. (8/16)

Isolde agrees that a space Roomba is a good idea. (9/16)

Phos, Vekar, and Beetle convince Aster that Annos is on board with having a Roomba. Deception roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier. Vekar → 22, Phos → 16, Beetle → 9

Aster contests. 1d20 + knowledge modifier → 19 + 4 → 23

Aster doesn’t believe the three of them for a second.

The party downgrades Stabby from a real knife to a plastic one. “If there’s a warhammer, I’m literally going to shoot it.” - Tris’Coeur

Elaye and Tris agree that a space Roomba is a good idea. (11/16)

Aster clarifies that the party has downgraded the space Roomba’s weaponry. “To be clear, you will put nothing on this Roomba except a plastic knife.” - Aster

Aster agrees that a space Roomba is a good idea. (12/16)

Suella agrees the space Roomba is a good idea. (13/16)

Ann and Bea agree the space Roomba is a good idea. (15/16)

Annos agrees the space Roomba is a good idea. (16/16)

The DM stops the timer. Two minutes and forty-one seconds remaining. Not bad, team crithit.

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[haloxsaisha]

Like To Be You.

Prologue.

[Charles Leclerc x Singer!OC]

Summary: Charles Leclerc and Advika Hira seemed to have it all- their dream jobs, love and support from millions around the globe and trust worthy friends. What if life gave them a chance to go back to something that had been missing in their lives?

Warnings: Angst, mentions of anxiety and pills, flashbacks to Monaco 2022, Google translated Italian, low-key a manifestation that Ferrari's strategies get better next season.

Word count: 2.3K words.

A/N: The mention of Charles' exes/his past relationships does not refer to Giada or Charlotte, I've decided to exclude his irl relationships in this fic. I hope you like the prologue and do let me know if you want to be added to the tag list <33

Italicized font: flashbacks.

Small Italicized font in brackets: translations.

November 2023.

"Thank you so much Istanbul, you guys were absolutely amazing today. I love you so much." Advika cheers in the microphone as she exits the stage, finishing another concert of her ongoing tour.

"Great show Advi." Vinaya grins at her as jogs into the backstage.

"Thanks Vini" she pants in reply to her manager, shooting her a tired smile "also, what's the results of today's GP?" she asks, referring to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that took place whilst the time she had her concert going on.

"Charles P1, Hamilton P2 and Verstappen P3." her manager tells with a smile and causing Advika to halt on their way to Advika's green room.

"Wait- seriously??" the curly haired girl squeals as her eyes begin to tear up " That means he won the championship, oh my god he did it."

"Yeah, I think you man will definitely need a call from you tonight." Vinaya gives her a teasing smile while she opens the door of her green room "sit and catch your breath for a while, then talk to him." she reminded her, knowing very well the singer will rush to call and congratulate her Monagasque boyfriend, who finally won his first World Championship after being a close contender to Max Verstappen.

"Of course I will. God, I'm so exhausted today." the Indian sighed, laying down on the couch in her dressing room.

Touring was probably the most stressful and tiring part of a singer's career. Taking pills before performing definitely helped in calming down her on-stage anxiety, but having to travel every three days and jump around the stage for hours to practice and perform really sucked out her energy. And that routine went on for almost a year and a half with small breaks in between but then, she had so many people who came to show their love and support, spending their money and time. How could she really complain when she had all of that?

After taking a few minutes so as to calm down from all the adrenaline and breathlessness of performing, she walked towards the vanity to take her phone to call Charles.

"Advika...hey." she heard Charles' voice from the speaker of her phone and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion because of the usual "chérie" that he called her everytime he picked up the phone. He even stopped using her full name after they became really good friends, going with 'Vika' which was very endearing because nobody called her that.

"Hello, world champion. How are you feeling right now?" she asks him with a huge grin on her face.

"It feels so surreal. I can't believe I finally did it, I'm so happy right now." he said with a relieved sigh and she could hear a lot of voices in the back which was most probably from the happy crew at the Ferrari paddock who were celebrating, which made her fiddle her outfit, bringing in a sinking feeling in her chest because she couldn't even be there to celebrate and cheer for him.

"You finally did it love, I'm so proud of you." she told him softly.

"Were you able to watch the podium atleast?" he asked her and she mentally groaned, knowing the answer would disappoint him. She hadn't been able to watch four to five races because of the time of her shows clashing with the races' or because of huge time differences and she couldn't afford to affect her sleep schedule because the travelling had her exhausted and she'd have to wake up soon for practices and sound checks too. He even asked if she could come to the paddock but that had been even harder.

She'd only been there only thrice that season because of the four day breaks she made sure to keep in every tour of hers whereas his previous girlfriends would accompany him atleast for half of his races. And they all went for the races to show their support openly whereas she always sneaked into the paddock to hide from the paparazzi because people had already begun to suspect that they were together and she wasn't comfortable with the relationship being in the public eye yet, making her wonder if she was bringing the downfall of her own relationship.

Charles never got angry with her for that, he was a really understanding and supportive boyfriend and didn't blame her because it was her job. But she knew he did feel disappointed about the fact that his own girlfriend could not watch his race, especially when he ended up on the podium that weekend. He never spoke about how he felt upset, but she could hear it in his voice everytime he assured her that it was totally understandable.

Not being able to watch the races made her quite upset because she was a huge fan of the sport and now that she had been dating the driver for almost a year, the guilt got even worse.

"Um, I couldn't. I'm so sorry Charles, the concert time clashed again." she sighed, taking a seat on the chair infront of her vanity.

"It's alright, don't worry I understand." he tried to sound totally alright with it but she could hear the disappointment in his voice. His family, his friends and his team were there to celebrate but she was the only person far from him.

"It's not alright though, this is such a huge moment in your life and career and I've missed it. Not just on the TV but I'm not even there to cheer for you and celebrate by your side." she grumbles, rubbing her temple with her right hand.

"No it's okay, I know you can't really do anything about it. You've been touring for more than a year and the schedule planning was done even before we started dating." he tried to assure her "and you'll be having many tours in the future too, it would be ridiculous to align them with the F1 schedule because it's there for most of the year."

She could only sigh in response, because he was right. Both their careers had the requirement to travel a lot and he'd been to three of her concerts too, their relationship mostly dependent on calls rather than being around each other.

"Advika." he called out her name, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Do what?"

"Us. Our relationship." he said, making her heart sink.

"Charles we've been together only for eleven months, we can't give so soon" she pleaded "Your winter break starts in a week and my tour ends in a while too, we could try."

"You know there's nothing we can do, we're literally in different parts of the world for most of the year. We meet only a couple of times, our video calls were great but, they don't really fill the space. Even if we do spend the break together, we'll be back into this cycle again in a couple of months and this will happen so much times because of our jobs and you know that." he stated and she knew that he wasn't wrong.

Maybe there was nothing they could do.

"I- I don't know what to say." she said, fiddling with her outift again.

"Sarò lì tra un momento." he tells to somebody in the back, most probably a Ferrari staff member "I'm sorry, I really am. I just- don't know what else to do. I feel like there's been no progress in our relationship because we haven't met in a while you know?" (I'll be there in a moment.)

"Yeah, you're right and I'm sorry too, I really wish it was better. And it's alright, if you're needed by the team right now go and celebrate with them, it's your night." she tells him, trying to hold back her tears.

"Yeah I think I'll go, they've been waiting for me for a while. Bye."

"Good bye and congratulations on the win." she says and cuts the call, not wanting him feel guilty by breaking down.

Charles has voiced her thoughts about the relationship, she knew that he was right but his decision still hurt. None of her relationships in the past lasted for more than half a year because she had to travel frequently. She was skeptical about dating Charles initially because his schedule was more hectic that her's but he made her feel things that nobody had made her feel before, even when they were just friends. Advika Hira had it very bad for him.

May 2022.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" Advika asked him out of concern as soon as she came to the Ferrari paddock at the end of the race.

Unlike the previous times at Monaco, Charles started the race this time with the pole position and would've even ended up on the podium, but the strategists had ruined yet another win for him.

"Well, I've had better days but it's alright, not the first time I've felt like this." he sighs and shrugs a bit, trying to reduce his disappointment.

"It's alright to be upset, a missed race win always hurts." she emphasized with him "Especially at your home race."

"That makes it hurt even more, sometimes I don't even know what I'm doing." he tells gloomily.

"You are an extremely talented driver alright? And I'm not saying that because we're friends or because you're really upset right now, but it's something many people see. You literally won Formula 3 and 2 in your rookie season and are the second youngest driver in Ferrari's history with the longest contract. These are no small achievements, only somebody who is bloody amazing at their job can do that. One race in a season and a mistake which was made by your team does not define you." she rambles on in an attempt to make him feel better.

"Wow, you really weren't kidding when you said that you're my fan weren't you?" he asked, referring to what she said on the day they first met.

"Of course, I wasn't." she states "I don't know if you know this but you're incredibly talented. Don't let moments let the bad days break your spirit, you have many great moments ahead."

"Thank you, I really needed to hear that today. It just- it gets pretty hard somedays you know." he sighs as they look at evening sun at Monaco.

"As a fan, some races really bring in a horrible feeling and it's obviously a lot more worse for you drivers. You really are a strong person Charles." she tells him, shooting him a small encouraging smile.

"Be prepared to get more texts and even some calls from me because you sure do know how to boost a person's confidence." he jokes, his lips curving up.

Ah, there's the smile that was missing.

"Feel free to, always at your service Mr Leclerc." she laughed, glad that she could help him feel better.

One of the Ferrari staff comes and interrupts their conversation, saying that Charles had some work to do at the garage.

"I've got to go right now. Will you be at the dinner tonight?" he asks, referring to the dinner the Ferrari team hosted for their guests who'd been invited for the Monaco GP.

"I'll be there, see you later." she tells him with a smile, pulling out her elbow so that he could tap his against it. It was way of greeting they had to when they first met due to COVID precautions but had then turned into something that they always did at the end of their conversations.

Advika turned back so as to leave the paddock but then noticed her best friends Naysha and Ria waiting for her and walked towards them.

Naysha worked as Lewis Hamilton's PR manager while Ria was McLaren's Communications Manager, which she was a little bit jealous of because they got to be at the paddocks for all the races. Not to mention Naysha was literally working for the driver who happened to be the favourite of all the three girls.

"So...." Naysha asks her as both her and Ria give Advika a knowing look.

"So?" Advika responded in confusion.

"What just happened?" Ria asked, her eyes at the spot where Charles and Advika had conversed.

"Nothing much really, I was just trying to console him a bit." she tried to shrug it off, knowing where the conversation was heading.

"The look on both of your faces was anything but a bit, you really like him don't you?" Ria asked her which made her groan mentally. She probably did but wanted to avoid going too deep into it. Charles Leclerc was way too out of her league.

"I wouldn't go that far, I have a soft spot for him." she said, knowing that the girls' knew her too well.

"He's literally your celebrity crush." Naysha pointed out, referring to days Charles was in Formula 2.

"Was my celebrity crush and it was a tiny crush, he's kind of a friend now. Besides, his previous relationship didn't seem to be that serious although it was really long and that scares me." Advika mentioned. She'd never been the one to point out on somebody's past but she felt like reminding herself about that would be better before she ended up falling into the ditch.

"That's because Charles and her barely even spend time, he's around the world for most of the year." Naysha reminded her. Both Naysha and her wanted Advika and him to end up together, everybody could see that there was something between them, even the fans.

"Yeah and if we end up together it'll be even worse than that relationship because I have to travel a lot too, and it's even shittier during touring." Advika stated, clearly trying to avoid the conclusion her best friends wanted to arrive to.

She really should've gone with the warning she gave herself that day at Monaco, god knows it would've saved her from a heartbreak and Charles' time too.

•••••

Tag List: @crueloveascities

[solarwindandcosmicash]

interlude i: welcome to the apricity

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Thrown into the Apricity without any prior warning and with its CO, Annos Liohle, barely explaining enough to satisfy their curiosity, the party spreads out to explore their new mobile home. It takes them a while to piece together the whole story, but between Vasir meeting a fan, Vekar and Kate breaking into Annos’s office, Phos sleeping in the CIC, and meeting most of the crew, they figure out they’re being sent to Anhur to stop a rebellion against the Council - and that they’re doing it under the Shadow Broker’s orders.

summary

After a rough and abrupt introduction to the ship’s CO, the party enters the Apricity, a small salarian frigate that is apparently part of the Shadow Broker’s fleet. Annos briefly lays out the plan - there’s a resistance building on Anhur, and the Shadow Broker wants them to take the leaders out - before retreating to his office, leaving the party to explore the ship with express orders not to touch anything.

Taking these words to heart, Phos conks out on the topmost level of the ship, the CIC, with Muffy quickly going to snooze on top her hump. Vasir stays with her and goes to the helm of the ship, where they are quickly stopped by a quarian, who tells them, “It’s best not to bother Elaye when she’s flying.” Realizing that Elaye must be the drell in the pilot’s seat, Vasir quickly backs off and rejoins Phos in the middle of the room, leaning against her and taking out their omni-tool to play solitaire and space Pokémon Go.

Meanwhile, Vekar and Kate have descended a level to find the main level of the ship, which contains the galley, the medbay, the crew quarters, the maintenance rooms, and the offices of the CO and the XO. There, they meet three of the Apricity’s crewmembers: a male turian with orange clan markings named Fausius, who introduces them to the other male turian with violet clan markings, Fawkes, and the female human, Advika. The conversation is almost painfully awkward, with Fawkes and Advika saying nothing while Fausius briefly entertains Vekar and Kate’s attempts at small talk, and in the end, Vekar and Kate move off to the medbay and leave the three of them in peace.

As this is happening, a quarian pops up from the stairs. Her name is Kara’Lisan and she greets Vasir nervously but excitably, having recognized them from her time on her birthship, the Rayya, and brings them down to the third level of the ship to engineering to introduce them to everyone. There, Vasir meets Ann, Bea, and Cat, identical triplets who work under Kara, the lead engineer, along with Isolde, the Apricity’s resident biotic, and Aster, the Apricity’s navigator. After a lively discussion where Kara talks Vasir’s ear off, Aster tells Vasir what he knows of the upcoming mission and answers some of Vasir’s questions:

Anhur was the site of one of the greatest violations of sapient rights: leaders abolished the minimum wage, thereby legalizing slavery. Though abolitionists won and drove the batarians out of Citadel space, there is still a large population of batarians there - and humans as well.

The Apricity is a stealth frigate. If they got into a firefight, the Apricity would run rather than fire.

The rebellion is still pretty small, so there shouldn’t be much opposition as long as they’re quiet... though that may be hard with Phos.

Vasir thanks him, and then the rest of the crew, and bids farewell to Kara before moving up a level and popping into the medbay.

Inside the medbay, Vekar and Kate have already begun speaking with a female salarian, who introduces herself as Suella, and a female turian, who introduces herself as Rela, though she quickly departs to check on another crewmember named Irène. Suella in particular is very excited to meet them and directs Vasir to the ship’s clean room, where they are able to patch the injury they had sustained on the Citadel. Suella is very apologetic that she can’t tell Vekar or Kate more about the upcoming mission, but suggests they ask Tris, the quarian in the helm. Following her advice, Vekar and Kate bid their farewells, Vasir emerges from the clean room, and the three of them depart, returning to the CIC to catch each other up.

When the three of them go up to the helm, the quarian introduces herself as Tris’Coeur, the XO of the Apricity. When Kate asks her about Anhur, Tris gives the party a data packet on their omni-tools - which Annos had forgotten to give them - and then leaves them to it. The data pack contains the following:

about Anhur

A garden world with heavy populations of humans and batarians, Anhur was home to one of the ugliest violations of sapient rights in modern human history. A consortium of corporations and corrupt politicians, fearing batarian economic competition due to their custom of legal slavery, passed a resolution that abolished the minimum wage -- effectively relegalizing slavery on a human-dominated world.

Opponents of the motion quickly turned to activism and violence. A civil war erupted, as one side sought to end slavery throughout the system and another, primarily batarian faction called the Na'hesit sought to keep the slaves they had. The Anhur Rebellions raged from 2176 to 2178. The Na'hesit had a significant advantage in ships, labor, and weapons, forcing the Anhur militias to hire mercenary companies to even the odds. In the end, the abolitionists won out, though at the cost of much of their infrastructure. Though Anhur today still has significant natural wealth, it is economically depressed, save for the reconstruction industry.

Following the Reaper war, Anhur’s population has lowered dramatically, but it has quickly become a refuge for humans and batarians as they flee their colonies. Though supplies are scarce, resources on Anhur are finally being efficiently collected thanks to collaboration between races, and it has become somewhat well-known as being a self-reliant and self-governed safe haven for refugees. It is, however, mostly led by batarians, which has led to tension and is a potential area of strife.

about the rebel cell

The rebel cell is a small group – so far, they have yet to spread off-planet. Estimates gauge their numbers to be near but below one hundred, though only a small number appear to be active in terrorism and planning. They are led by a former batarian slaver named Nyeck Slatojor; eliminating them should be sufficient enough to disorganize the group, but they have three other people they rely on extensively for support. These are Quincy Lorraine, a human male who was former Alliance; Delta T’Rola, an asari commando; and Kany Canard, a human female who participated in the Anhur militias during the rebellion. Eliminating them should be sufficient to disbanding the organization.

Below that is a series of coordinates, the location of the base itself.

Vekar returns to the medbay and asks Suella about the experiment she had been working on when he’d first seen her, and she explains that she’s trying to develop a mechanism that can deliver medi-gel through a quarian’s suit - bypassing the risk that the quarian would get infection from open air when they get a wound. The idea is that quarians would survive a suit rupture with this new medi-gel, and Vekar brings up a point that Suella had not previously considered; with that in mind, she ushers him out of the medbay so she can resume work, and Vekar returns to the CIC.

Kate, meanwhile, goes to check out the crew’s quarters, though she is stopped from entering by Advika calling out, “It’s the night cycle, you probably shouldn’t disturb them.” Not wanting to cause a scene, Kate wordlessly retreats and instead goes down to the lowest deck, where she meets Kara, Ann, Bea, Cat, Aster, and Isolde. Talking to Aster reveals a little more information:

Docking protocols at Anhur are a mess. There are no formalities, first come first serve, security’s abysmal - so no one tracks shuttles. The party will be dropped in without notice for sure.

Kate thanks him for the information before returning to the CIC, making note of the locked offices on the second desk and deciding it might be worth it to try and enter, if only because they don’t have a lot of information and it might be worth it.

Phos wakes up when the rest of the party has gathered in the CIC, cautiously pushing Muffy off of her hump before tromping down to the lowest deck to speak to Isolde. Isolde lifts Phos up with a hug and then challenges her to a fight, which is tabled for later. Phos also talks with Aster, where it is revealed that most of the ship is terrified of her not because she’s a krogan but because she choked a woman scavenger for not doing what she wanted - which is generally the crew’s modus operandi, given who they work for. The ice is broken when Phos calls Annos ‘Anus’, however, and she is immediately endeared to the crew on the lowest deck as she returns to the CIC. Phos then goes to talk to Tris, who treats her with clear derision and condescension, causing Phos to retreat shortly thereafter.

Vasir peels off to visit Kara on the lowest deck again and shows her the data packet, asking her about the coordinates and if she knows anything. Kara is unable to help, but Vasir learns that most missions are not as secretive at this one, and that Kara is afraid she will get in trouble for learning about the data packet at all. They don’t press why she is afraid and back off, going up to the second desk and collecting a tube of dextro paste before returning to the CIC.

Vekar and Kate, meanwhile, go down to the second deck to break into one of the offices, ultimately deciding to break into Annos’s office, with Vekar hacking and Kate keeping watch. Vekar does manage to open the door, and the instant they do, Annos is standing and has his weapon drawn. He’s irritated at the interruption, but impressed that they managed to break into his office, and so tells them a bit more about the rebellion on Anhur - largely that it’s important that it be stopped now, because very likely it will win a lot of support and be even harder to take down. They also learn that the Council Spectres are not going to get involved. Afterwards, Vekar and Kate retreat back to the CIC, deciding to leave the XO’s office alone.

For the next several hours, the party rests in the crew quarters and are called back to the CIC for a last-minute briefing before deployment to Anhur.

noteable lines

Phos: I guess that ‘Anus’ guy didn’t give the greatest impression of me - Aster: Yep, that’s - that’s the guy. That’s him.

Vekar: Only one way to find out [if Annos will space the party if they break into his office]. Cover for me. Kate: UH

Vasir, OOC: [when asked to break into Annos’s office] Uh, I don’t think Vasir would do that. Like, ever.

technical notes

Vekar contributes something to the conversation with Suella. Knowledge roll. 1d20 + know → 15 + 1 → 16 Vekar gives Suella a new perspective on her project, which may accelerate her work in the future.

Phos stands up, dislodging Muffy from where she had been sleeping on her hump. ◈ Muffy will remember that.

Isolde lifts Phos in a hug. Strength roll. 1d20 + str → 20 + 2 → 22 Isolde lifts Phos up a few centimeters off the ground.

Phos gives a friendly slap to Aster’s shoulder. Strength roll. 1d20 + str → 9

Aster contests. Strength roll. 1d20 + str → 19 - 2  → 17 Aster successfully contests.

Phos delivers a friendly pat. Aster stays upright and does not get injured.

Kara learns more about the data packet. Technical roll. 1d20 + tech → 5 + 3 → 8 Kara is unable to learn more about the data packet.

Vasir doesn’t press Kara about how much she can and can’t say. ◈ Kara will remember that.

Vekar breaks into Annos’s office. Vekar breaks into Annos’s office, but he has to decrypt this puzzle first:

Fausius, Fawkes, and Advika notice Vekar breaking into Annos’s office. Perception roll. 1d20 + perc.

Fausius → 8 + 1 → 9 Fawkes → 4 + 3 → 7 Advika → 3 -1 → 2

Fausius, Fawkes, and Advika fail to notice Vekar breaking into Annos’s office.

Annos notices someone is hacking his door. Perception roll. 1d20 + perc → 18 + 3 → 21 Annos knows that his door is being hacked, and he’s on his feet and ready to shoot before the intruder(s) can enter.

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[solarwindandcosmicash]

priority: manor feictear (part 1)

absent: Kate’s player

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The party learns through Fawkes that the person who had funded Hiri’Nimit’s research on the Nova is currently on the garden world Watson - specifically in an expensive mansion called Manor Feictear, at which an art showcase being held. Armed with the knowledge that they are looking for someone with the letter ‘B’ in their name, Annos secures the party invitations, they pick out aliases, and they go undercover.

summary

Fawkes is a skilled cryptologist and, through the party and Annos’s strike team’s investigations on the Nova, was able to determine the source of Hiri’Nimit’s funding. He had traced the transaction to a garden world called Watson, specifically to a manor called Manor Feictear. As luck would have it, there is an art showcase there for the next few weeks, and with the Shadow Broker’s help, Annos has acquired invitations for the party. He is sending them there to find and capture the person responsible for moving the funds. The party’s only clue is that the letter B is contained in their name, so this is no easy task. Annos is able to provide a list of the guests, however, which may help narrow their search:

Motya Voski – human Zenyxamey M'Kyaius – asari Noreemlia B'Zelyt – asari Idhato Ben'fehal – batarian Bexidia Agonianus – turian Bihirn Merajii – salarian Hartaw Ix – salarian

As it stands, the party arrives on Watson a few days later, spending the time developing their aliases while undercover. Beetle chooses to go as the brilliant yet enigmatic Dr. Boubou Thulphul, a researcher who studies the historical and psychologically effects of Forta’s work; Vekar is her bodyguard, operating under the name Voetreer Orlea. Phos assumes one of her many mercenary names, Gouda Rach, a friend of Dr. Thulphul’s who is interested in purchasing some of the rare weapons that are on display at the Manor.

in discord Beetle: boubou thulphul is a scientist who studies the effects of forta's paintings and other art on the sentient psyche, and has a string of unfortunate husbands who "died" "suspiciously"

Vasir who goes by Reia’Velar, an acquaintance of Dr. Thulphul and an art collector’s employee sent to make purchases for their boss. Last is Isolde, who simply goes as herself, and Aster, who accompanies her as her friend Kirien Juons.

Upon arrival to the Manor, the party is greeted by a quarian who introduces herself as Vleera. She quickly passes them off to Bình, a quiet human who leads them to the ground floor of the manor where the party will be staying. They quickly take their leave, however, and so the party finds themselves in a large gathering room, where there are a few guests about and a human bartender behind the counter. He introduces himself as Prakash and answers their questions as he serves Phos and Beetle a drink, guides them to their rooms, and wishes them a good rest before returning to his post. Looking over the rooms reveals that they are bugged extensively to track their occupants’ movements.

The party returns to the gathering room to speak with some of the guests. Beetle in particular introduces herself to Motya Voski, a young human woman passionate about the arts, and to Idhato Ben’fehal, a batarian art historian, in a brief conversation in which she almost blows the party’s cover. Aster and Phos also speak to Bexidia Agoniaus, a surly, taciturn turian who isn’t inclined to talk. From there, they wait for the first tour of the Manor to begin.

notable lines + interactions

Advika: . . . and there’s a gala going on to showcase art by various species. Beetle: Oh, fuck yes. Vasir: Keelah. DM: Annos looks over at soon as you say that, Beetle, and just gives you a very, very deadpan look, like, do not. Beetle, OOC: [laughs] Vasir, OOC: A very stern glare. DM: Yeah. It’s not effective, I’m sure, but he does it anyway. Beetle: No, but I respect that. Like, get up and go, just keep doing that.

Vasir: We infiltrate a gala and try to locate the people and bring them in. Annos: Pretty much. Beetle, crosstalk: I’m good at infiltrating! It’s in my class name. Vasir: Anything else?

Phos: Do any of you guys have experience working under an alias? Vasir: ... Yes. Phos: Well, Vasir, with you working in Intel, I’m guessing you had plenty. That would be a little hypocritical to - Vasir: It’s fine, Phos. Phos: - but the rest of us, I’m worried about. Vasir: I’m sure Beetle will be fine by cloaking or talking. Beetle: I’m good at talking. Phos: Do you know how to work under an alias? Vekar: I understand the concept, never had the opportunity. Phos: Okay. This will be a learning - a learning moment for - Vasir, weirdly enthusiastic: A learning experience. Beetle: I have my alias all ready. Vekar: What, your real name’s not Beetle? Beetle: Um, no.

Beetle, OOC: I’m Boo Boo the Fool. Spelled ‘Boubou Thulphul’. Just call me Boo. Short for Boubou Thulphul. Vekar, OOC: Oh my god.

Phos: Beetle, call me Rach if you have to talk to me, because Gouda is my alias’s last name. Beetle: But Gouda is so fun. Phos: Yes, but it’s my last name, so please don’t. Beetle, extremely disappointed: Oh. Phos: If you refer to me by my last name, you’re trying to address my clan. Beetle: Is it formal? Phos: Well, talking to me as Gouda would technically mean you’re addressing the clan instead of me as an individual, and you’re trying to insult, challenge, or impress the clan. Beetle: Hey, Rach of clan - Gouda. Phos: Yes. That’s me. Beetle: Beetle: Okay! I can do that.

Beetle: Call me - Ms. Thulphul. [long pause] Oh wait. One minute. Call me Dr. Thulphul.

in discord Vasir: N N O DM: everyone REALLY takes her seriously

DM: Oh god. Phos: Okay. Okay, this is taking a turn for the weird. Vasir: When doesn’t it, Phos? Phos: Well. [pause] Good point. Good point, Vasir.

Beetle, OOC: I’m willing to get the mission started. Beetle’s already completed her reign of terror.

Vasir: Remember, use the alias. When we get started, I’m not Vasir or Rama. I’m Reia’Velar. Beetle: Who are you? Vasir: You heard me, Beetle. Beetle: [giggles] Vasir: Or should I say, Dr. Thulphul. Beetle, sincerely: Thank you. It’s important to me that you recognize my academic achievements. Vekar: What have you written, Dr. Thulphul? DM: Annos just sighs. Vekar, OOC: I’ve got all the aliases jotted down, so I won’t forget. Phos, OOC: Oh shit, good idea.

Vasir, OOC: I bet there’re theaters and, like - Beetle, OOC: There’s probably an entertainment center in there. Vasir, OOC: Yeah. Beetle, OOC: I’m gonna go sit in it and die.

Beetle: i have a question for all of you. Do we have any idea how we are going to interact with each other? Like, how our backstories intersect? DM, laughing: I like how you’re doing this on the tram, on the way there. Beetle, OOC and ruefully: Yeah. I’m like, uh, hey, uh. DM: Well, talk it out, if you - if you would like.

Vasir: Do we have anything to take people with us? How are we gonna do that. Beetle: Do we even have any weapons? Phos: We’ve got Space Tape. DM: Did you buy a new roll? Phos, after a pause: Yes. DM: Did you? Phos, defensively: There’s 10 meters per roll! I haven’t used up that much. DM: ... Okay, fine. I wasn’t keeping track anyway. Beetle, OOC: Never change, you big, beautiful Space Tape dispenser. Never change. I love you. Phos, OOC: Just gonna check how much it costs.

in discord Vekar: Voetreer Orlea = BODYGUARD

Beetle, OOC: I’m just imagining Vekar screaming “BODYGUARD.” Like, who are you? “BODYGUARD.”

DM: How do you all know each other? Phos, OOC: My guess is that the doctor has been betting on me and Isolde in fights. Beetle: Yes. I am a patron of the arts, even the physical ones. Phos, OOC: And thusly she has invited us to this fine establishment, and Vekar comes as her bodyguard, and I guess Aster is just an acquaintance of Dr. Thulphul? Party: [laughter at the name] Vasir, OOC: Meanwhile, I’m taking this seriously. Beetle: We are taking this seriously. Did you not see the work I put into my backstory? Vasir, OOC: [sighs]

in discord Vasir: reia knew voetreer from someone they bought art for. who voetreer was guarding. Vasir: and then maybe reia got art for rach?

Phos, OOC: Oh, yeah. That sounds dank. Vasir, OOC: Like, I just went and bought some art for you. Vekar, OOC: Or some fine, ancient swords. Or krogan warhammers. DM: That’s how Rach and Dr. Thulphul are friends: they both appreciate the arts. Phos, OOC: They both have a decorative, matching warhammer at home. Vekar, OOC: Very fancy warhammers. Vasir, OOC: How about the thing I found for Rach was a frickin’ ancient earth katana? Because - Phos, OOC: YES. Vasir, OOC: - why not go full nerd here? Whatever, this is already hell. DM: Oh my god. Vasir, OOC: Roll in a little weeaboo spice. DM, quietly: Oh my god, that’s terrible. Jesus. Vasir, OOC: You already dug your grave, [DM]. I’m just making it cozy. Phos, OOC and decisively: Sword.

DM: Is everyone happy with the current state of affairs? Vasir and Vekar, OOC: Yes. DM: Okay. Telissa drops you off at the landing pad, you’re in the tram and moving sideways, and [sees Vekar’s player post in discord] JESUS CHRIST.

in discord Vekar: clan Gouda is a clan of weeaboos

Phos and Vasir, OOC: [hysterical laughter] Beetle, OOC: [starts screaming] DM: Nooooooo. Oh gooooooood. Fuuuuuuck. Beetle, OOC: Oh. My god. Phos, OOC: I’m dying. Beetle, OOC: Oh. My god. DM: God save my soul. Okay. Phos, OOC: There ain’t no saving in this Dungeons and Dragons. DM: Oh, hush. I’m DM, I don’t have to do anything. Except all the work.

Phos, OOC: Wait, time out, time out. Can I get, like, two minutes to get some water? DM: No. - Yeah, go ahead.

Beetle, OOC: Say goodbye to the Beetle you knew and say hello - to Dr. Thulphul. Vasir, OOC: Dr. Boubou Thulphul. Beetle, OOC: Dr. Boubou Thulphul.

DM: 1v1 me in chess, [Vasir’s player]. Vasir, OOC: We’d have to find an online chess player. DM: Wait, do you want to? Vasir, OOC: I don’t know. DM: I’m like halfway decent at chess, so I may or may not win. Vasir, OOC: I’ve played it maybe five times in my life? DM, who used to play chess competitively: Oh dear, yeah, okay.

Phos, OOC: I’m back. DM: Wow, look at that. Vasir, OOC: We - and the party - are listening to elevatorstuck because we’re on this frickin’ tram. DM: This is incorrect. I am not doing this because I’m not on this frickin’ tram. Vasir, OOC: You’re the DM. Beetle, OOC: I’m not listening to it, either. Vasir, OOC: Oh. DM: Yeah, I’m the DM. Bite me. Vekar, OOC: You’re listening to it through osmosis, [DM]. DM: Wow. Thanks.

DM: I’ve got to consult my shitty map. - You guys are never going to see these shitty maps, I’m just telling you that right now. Phos, OOC: When I come visit, I’m going to hack into your computer to see these shitty maps. DM: Good fuckin’ luck.

DM: Who was next...? Vekar, right. Vekar, what were you even looking for? Vekar, who had rolled a nat20, OOC: I don’t know! DM: Just save it for another perception roll.

Phos, OOC: I drag Isolde with me, like, I put an arm around her shoulders and say, “Let’s get something to drink.” DM: Isolde gives you a look and says out of the corner of her mouth - Isolde: I’m gonna fucking kill you, don’t just touch me like that - DM: - as she goes along with you.

Phos, OOC: I’m getting a Vodka Infusion. DM, laughing: Is that a legit thing? Is it just a bunch of vodka? Just a bunch of different kinds of vodka? Phos, OOC: Yes. Vekar, OOC: Weed vodka! Potato vodka! Phos, OOC: Cinnamon vodka!

Vasir, OOC: Does Aster even have an alias? DM: I think I might’ve just forgotten to tell you. Let me go look it up. [pause] Oh, shit. Okay, so I have Aster’s name listed here, but the value where I’d put the name in is blank, so - let me just make something up really quick. Vasir, OOC and laughing: Let’s just call him Wasabi Rage! DM: No, fuck that! Beetle, OOC: Starboy. Vasir, OOC, still laughing: We already have Dr. Thulphul! Beetle, OOC: We have such a long talk about background and then Aster shows up and does fuckall. DM: That’s my fault, though. Beetle, OOC: [laughter] DM: Can someone just give me a randomly generated name? Bear, OOC: Yeet. DM: Thanks.

DM: Annos offered you the guest list and none of you took him up on it. Beetle, OOC: Yep, we’re just all fools - Vasir, OOC: Wait, no, I thought we did. Vekar, OOC: I’m pretty sure we did, actually. DM: Hmm. Really? Beetle, OOC: Oh, yeah, we absolutely did. DM: Ha. I’ll listen back in the recording later and we’ll see.

[As it turns out, Annos had only mentioned the guest list but made no move to otherwise offer it to the party, so we were all wrong.]

Phos, OOC: And I take a deep, deep drink of my vodka - Prakash: Oh, god, don’t do that, you don’t want to do that. Phos: I’m a krogan, hon, it’s fine. Prakash: Don’t call me that, please.

in discord Vekar: Narrator: it was not fine

Beetle, in a very weird accent: If I may ask, is there some sort of itinerary I could look at? DM: What the fuck is your accent right now? Beetle, OOC: I don’t fuckin’ know.  You think I know what my accent is? Beetle: I’ve been to so many places, I don’t even know what my accent is anymore.

Prakash: [details everything to do in town] Beetle: That sounds quite hella, boy, thank you - DM, interrupting as Vasir and Phos’s player lose it: What did you just say?

in discord Vasir: KLJGKJF Vasir: "that sounds quite hella, boy, thank you" Vasir: FJLSKFJ

Beetle, OOC and laughing: Thank you for giving me recommendations to do around town - DM, in hysterics: Okay, okay, I’m sorry, you have to repeat that, I just lost it all. Say again? Beetle: That sounds quite lovely -

Prakash: You’re welcome, Doctor. If there’s anything else? Beetle: Dr. Thulphul, if you please. Party: [laughter] Prakash: Of course, Dr. Thulphul. Anything else I can do for you? Beetle: No, that will be all. I’ll be retiring to my quarters. Prakash: Would you like me to show you the way? Beetle: Please, if you will. DM, in hysterics: Oh my god. I’m just - I’m just thinking of how much pleasure Beetle is taking in this, how much fun she’s having. Beetle, OOC: She’s having so much fun. Vasir, OOC: This is almost painful.

Prakash: Now, Voetreer, I understand that you are the bodyguard of the good d - of Dr. Thulphul here. I have you in separate rooms, but if you would prefer to stay together, I’m sure we can make accommodations. Vekar: I suppose I’ll leave it up to the doctor. Beetle: Yes, I would like the security of my bodyguard.

in discord Vasir: voetreer Vasir: HE SOUNDS SO DEAD Vasir: INSIDE Phos: Tsæadhjakad THAT VOICE Beetle: IM WEEPING Beetle: THERE ARE TEARS Phos: IM DYINGdf Phos: ds Phos: fdsnamdnsaldsnad Vasir: ............. Vasir: THAT............................. Vasir: UH Vasir: GOD Vasir: lkSAKFHE Vasir: IM.........I FEEL........................... Vasir: SLKFHJGEfjk Phos: He just inwardly goes: I DONT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS Vekar: This is vekar inside

DM, laughing: Goddamn. Just let him live. Beetle: Voetreer, of course I will be paying you for this service. Phos, OOC: No, no, [Beetle’s palyer], never say that again, don’t, don’t - DM, in hysterics: Uh, Prakash is giving you a weird look, and he says, um - Prakash: I will get Volutia to help you with the bed, Dr. thulphul. Let me show you to your room. DM: And you can kind of tell he’s like, “uh, okay.” Beetle: What presumptions are you making about me? Prakash: Nothing, nothing, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.

Prakash: I’ll call Volutia about helping you with the bed, Dr. Thulphul. If you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my post - Beetle: Make it post-haste. Prakash: ... Okay.

DM: Every time I hear “Doctor Thulphul,” my brain has a moment of staring into the void and I can’t hear the rest of whatever’s being said.

Beetle, OOC: Is there any way to communicate with each other? Because omni-tools are bugged, so - Vasir, OOC: You know what? It’s called pen and paper. Old-fashioned spy stuff. Beetle, OOC: Oh, yeet. Beetle has a lot of extra paper. Vasir, OOC: And we burn it when we’re done. DM: That’s so fucking terrible.

DM: Roll dex, Vekar. Beetle, OOC: Oh, god. Vekar, OOC: Well, it’s dex. It can’t be that bad. Beetle, OOC: This is going to be so embarrassing. I’m preemptively hurt. DM: I’m glad you’re covering your bases. Beetle, OOC: Like I’m already in pain. Vekar, OOC: Worry not, Doctor, it’s fine. Beetle, OOC: Is it? Vekar, OOC: [rolls an 18] DM: Okay, yeah. Beetle, OOC: Oh, fuck yes.

Beetle: All the voice coaches in the world and none of them can get rid of this accent.

Phos, OOC: I just wanted to hit the intercom and ask whoever’s on the other side, “What happens if we break something in here?” DM: Well, the person on the other end is Prakash, of course. Prakash: If you happen to do that, just let us know, and we’ll get it sorted out. Phos: ... Okay. Prakash: That doesn’t mean you should go breaking things willy-nilly, okay? I just want to make that clear. Phos: It’s just a ‘just in case’ thing, because even with my inventory, I doubt I’d be able to replace something if I broke it. Prakash: No. You would not be able to.

Beetle: I should go inform - inform the person I’m sp - Vasir, OOC: Rach. Beetle: The person I brought with - Vasir, OOC: Rach. Beetle, decisively: The krogan.

Beetle: Vekar, would you mind checking up on Rach for me?

in discord Phos: TAHT IS NOT HIS NAME Phos: beetle said "vekar"

Beetle, OOC: Oh, fuck! Beetle: Voetreer, sometimes I fucking forget your name!

in discord Vekar: say that its one of your dead husbands Vasir: HOLY SHIT Vasir: [Vekar’s player] youre amazing

Beetle: God! You just look like one of my husbands! He passed away tragically from knife-in-the-sternum syndrome.

Phos: That's why there's a need for 'services' Vekar: quick on my feet fast for the memes Beetle: NAT20

Everyone: [laughing] Beetle, OOC, sounding like he’s dying: I’m weeping. DM: Okay, you say this to Vekar. Vekar, what do you do? Vekar: It’s alright, Doctor. I understand the nature of your work. Everyone: [in hysterics] Beetle: Don’t worry, Voetreer, I - you know, sometimes it’s hard. You know, like, um, the voice coach has been working with me on the name thing, too. It just hasn’t taken.

DM: I assume you go find Phos? Vekar, OOC: I go find Rach, yes. DM: Alright, cool. I - I don’t - I don’t know you interact with each other, like, do you knock on the door? Do you just barge in? Do you kick it down? Do you break the door off its hinges? What do you do? Vekar, OOC: I knock on the - Vasir, OOC and laughing: He cryo blasts the door. Vekar, OOC: That’s going to go excellently.

in discord Beetle: beetle still in her room, on the monitor: Space Google Search - earth birds. Big earth birds. Bigger please. What is the biggest earth bird you can find

in discord Vekar: also [Beetle's player] i love boubou but also did you consider "Pithy" Beetle: SDFKJHDFSJHJFHDFD Phos: a good night for brewing vintage memes

Phos, OOC: I’m gonna go to town. Beetle, OOC: Uh... fuck.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle looks at herself at herself in the mirror - and then goes to find Aster. DM: I like that you have to go to the mirror - Beetle, OOC: But like, it’s a really dramatic mirror look, like, she’s doing it, she’s voguing. She’s like, pre-gaming. DM: Pre-gaming what?

drinks (from here)

Potato Blizzard Tonic Snake Noxious Torrent Whipped Orb Spearmint Roar Wasabi Rage Garlic Java Black Parody Sherry Thunder Incredible Tornado Vodka Infusion Oblivious Bull Hushed Eye Blue Velvet Perfect Brew Boiled Petal Spirit Lotus Flower Barrage Cloudy Grog Whiskey Score Wonderful Smash

technical notes

The party examines the foyer. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vekar → 20 - 4 → 16 Phos → 18 + 1 → 19 Vasir → 17 + 0 → 17 Beetle → 16 + 1 → 17 Aster → 13 + 3 → 16 Isolde → 4 + 3 → 7

Vekar and Vasir check security; Beetle checks to see if there’s anything to loot; Phos looks for weaponry.

Beetle and Phos order a drink. Beetle gets a Black Parody while Phos orders a Vodka Infusion.

The party looks over their respective rooms. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vekar → 20 - 4 → 16 Vasir → 19 + 0 → 19 Beetle → 3 + 1 → 4

"This room is quite lovely,” Beetle’s player says.

Vekar explains the security systems to Beetle using pen and paper, keeping it out of view of the cameras. Dexterity roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 16 + 2 → 18 He does so.

Beetle covers up her mention of Vekar’s name. Persuasion roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier → 20 + 1 → 21 She does so beautifully.

Prakash spots Vekar handing Phos the paper detailing security in the rooms. Perception check. 1d20 + perception modifier → 5 + 0 → 5 He doesn’t notice a thing.

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[solarwindandcosmicash]

interlude iv: belle of the ball

absent: Kate’s player, Vekar’s player

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The party returns to the Apricity after a short shore leave. Shenanigans ensue, but the break doesn’t last long; Fawkes has been hard at work and has found something that the party needs to see.

summary

After the barcrawl, the party spent the other twenty-four hours of their shore leave doing their own thing before returning to the Apricity. Vasir poked around the Citadel a bit:

“They didn’t do much, like me when I have a day off,” their player says with a laugh.

Phos nursed a hangover and then  took Kilo out to chill at the lake. She also tried to learn more about Leti Avonius; she managed to figure out that Leti is head of C-Sec in the Zakera ward.

I process this for a bit before saying, “So you’re saying that Phos is - stalking, basically - “

“Just a little bit,” Phos’s player says. “Just to make sure she won’t fuck up as royally as she did last time.”

“Oh, god.”

Beetle was hungover and spent most of the day with Holosmea and Sihhum, wherein she whined endlessly. After she had recovered, though, she said her goodbyes and left the apartment.

“She probably notices Phos trying to learn more about Leti, so she just follows her around with her tactical cloak on,” Beetle’s player says.

“She just follows me and Kilo around?” Phos’s player asks, incredulous.

“Yeah,” Beetle’s player says, laughing. “She’s just like, ‘hm, interesting.’“

Once the party reconvenes on the Apricity, they are immediately greeted by Aster requesting that they retrieve a star chart that Isolde had hidden somewhere on the ship. Phos elects to stay on the first deck with Aster and Isolde as Vasir and Beetle go down to second deck, where Beetle is called into Annos’s office to receive a Roomba. She immediately places a plastic knife on it (but doesn’t otherwise secure it, having no access to tape of any kind) before continuing down to Engineering.

Phos, after trying one last time to convince Isolde to tell her where the charts are, goes instead to look around crew’s quarters, though she doesn’t find anything. Vasir checks out first the medbay and then the galley, where they find the star charts after a suggestion from Kara to check in the cupboards. They bring it back to Aster soon after.

Beetle tries to eavesdrop on a conversation Fausius is having on his omni-tool using her Tactical Cloak, but fails to do so. Instead, he finishes up his conversation and she shoulder-checks him on her way out.

Once the party has completed the tasks set out for them, Annos calls them into his office, where he and Fawkes are waiting.

notable lines + interactions

Phos, OOC: But yeah, I think all of us are ready? DM: Mmkay. Beetle, OOC: Are we ready? DM: Ready freddy? Beetle, OOC: We are not. Phos, OOC: My body is not. It wants to sleep. But my mind is stronger.

Phos, OOC: The ultimate power move: deny your body what it needs. Vasir, OOC: Wow. DM: So die. Beetle, OOC: Power move. Vasir, OOC: Wow.

Beetle: Hey, guys, I had the best vacation: I got trashed! DM: Aster just gives you a thumbs-up. Beetle, OOC: Beetle dabs.

Phos: What the hell do you need a star chart for? DM: Isolde shrugs. Beetle: That’s nerd shit.

Vasir, OOC: [posts this]

Aster: Oh, god, you didn’t put it on the Citadel, did you? Isolde: What? No, no, god, no, I wouldn’t do that, you actually need it, right? Aster: I do need it! Please give it back. Isolde: No. Beetle: Is it in space? Isolde: No, it’s - Beetle: Please, god, tell me it’s in space. Isolde: It’s on the ship.

DM: Roll for it. Phos, OOC: Oh, dear.

Phos, OOC: And it’s not very impressive. DM: Yeah. Isolde’s like - Isolde: Mm, let me consider that. Hm. Uh, I’ve considered it. No.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle’s not gonna fuck around talking about this. [rolls] Oh, mama. Vasir, please. Vasir, OOC and laughing: [rolls an 18] Beetle, OOC: Thank you, Vasir.

DM: You find some scraps of paper and you get really excited for a bit, but they aren’t star charts. Beetle: Fuck, free paper! DM: Do you take the paper? Beetle, OOC: Absolutely.

Phos, OOC: I think I’m just gonna chill up here, because it’s kind of both Aster and Isolde’s fault for losing it, like, Aster could’ve kept a better eye on it, and Isolde is just being a little shit - DM: You misunderstand. Aster was looking at it and Isolde just straight up took it and hid it. Beetle, OOC: You think we’re good at finding things?

Beetle, OOC: Could you maybe give us a list of the decks? I’m bad at thinking.

DM: Oh, god, someone’s looking through the door. [distressed hum] Beetle, OOC: Beat them! DM: It’s fine, everything’s fine. Phos, OOC: Snooped. DM, quietly: It’s fine. Beetle, OOC: Hello? Anybody there? DM, hushed: God, okay, that’s another person. I bet I, like, took their room by accident? This is fine.

Tris: Hey, you. Annos wants to see you. Beetle: Which one? Tris, after a pause: Assman wants to see you in his office. Beetle: Us? Tris: Just do it. Beetle: Assman? Us? [pause] Assman? [longer pause] Okay. Let me get into a vent real quick. DM: Oh my god. Vasir: Beetle! Tris: The door is right there, holy shit.

Annos: Where’s Beetle? Vasir: She’s crawling through a vent right now because she doesn’t like doors. DM: He doesn’t look surprised by this.

Annos: Put the cover back on the vent and then take the door out, okay? Beetle: I’ll do it.

in discord Vasir: "take the door out" Phos: on a date? Vasir: so...annos wants........beetle to.......take the doors off his office Vasir: okay. Phos: with candles? Phos: and nice food? Vasir: keels over on my desk and puts my face in a pillow and tries not to screamlaugh

Annos: Good. I need you to do it. Beetle: Is this a favor you’re calling in? Annos: No, this is an order as your commander. Beetle: That’s your first mistake, Assman. Annos: [sighs] Beetle: Well, I’m out. With my child. Annos: Excellent.

Beetle, OOC: She, like, puts [the Roomba] down and opens the door and says, “Be free!” DM: Did you turn it on? Beetle, decisively and OOC: No. DM: The Roomba doesn’t move. Beetle, aghast: It’s dead. DM: Kara glances over, and then she and Tris exchange glances, and then she just goes back to work.

DM, to Beetle: So you’re like, “It’s dead!” and you put your hands on it, like, “No, my child!” and, like, the button is there, but as you’re moving your hands over it, you just keep skimming over it, so this Roomba stays off. Beetle: Give me a shroud so I can bury this like it deserves. DM: Annos closes his office door Beetle, OOC: Yeah, Beetle’s just outside his office, kneeling on the ground and screaming, “It’s dead!” DM: Advika is there, and she glances over to see you prostrating in front of this machine. Advika: Have you turned it on? Beetle: What the fuck do you mean? DM: She comes over to you. Advika: Have you turned it on? Beetle: Why would I turn on my own child. That’s disgusting. Advika: Let me just - DM: - and she leans over and presses the button - Advika: Okay! Uh, I’ll just - I’ll - yeah. Okay. Gonna back away now. Slowly. Beetle: You better.

DM: It makes a soft whirring sound, as if greeting you. Beetle, yelling: IT’S ALIVE.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle takes out some lint and sprinkles it in front of the Roomba. DM: ... Okay. Are you feeding it - Beetle: Eat, my child.

Advika: Actually, while you’re here, could you maybe go find Fausius? He’s been missing for a while and I don’t know where he went. Party: [dead silence for 6 seconds] Advika: Okay, I see - okay, I’ll just - alright, sorry, I guess I’ll just do it on my own. Bye! Beetle: Are you sure that Isolde didn’t stuff him in a locker? Advika: Yes, because she’s tried, and he doesn’t fit. Vasir, OOC and quietly aghast: My god. Beetle: You know what? That’s true. Okay. Advika: Yeah, so. Beetle: Well, you know what? I can do two things, I can multi-task. I can look for some star charts, I can look for another person, it’s cool. This is good. Advika: Glad - to hear it? Good - luck? Beetle: Won’t need it.

Chen: Hey, Beetle! What are you doing here? I heard you have a Roomba? Please tell me you didn’t bring it here. Beetle: I have the Roomba! - I left it upstairs. Chen, instantly: Oh, thank god. Beetle: It’s alive. Chen: What are you doing here? Beetle: I’m looking for some papers and a person. Chen: Well, you found some people. What kind of paper are you looking for? Beetle: Um, some nerd shit? Like, uh, stars - charts? Starts, if you will. Chen: Well, if you’re looking for nerd shit, you are in Engineering, so that does fit the bill. But start charts? Uh. I have no idea why they’d be down here.

Vasir: Did either of you see Isolde do something suspicious around here? Tris: You’ll have to be way more specific.

Vasir: Aster, I found a star chart in the kitchen. Was there only the one, or were there more? Aster: I hope to god there are not. DM: And there’s a slight pause. Aster: Okay, Isolde said she just took one, so we’re good.

Phos, OOC: Vasir solved your star chart puzzle, Isolde. DM, extremely pained: This isn’t the Adventure Zone.

Vasir, OOC: Roll a dex saving throw to avoid being run over by a turian. DM, laughing: I don’t know if that would be necessary.

Beetle, OOC and laughing: Beetle shoulder-checks him. DM: Okay. As you do this, you manage to startle him, so he, like, yelps or something, and then he says - Fausius: Okay, who the fuck was that - DM: - and starts swinging his arms around in front of him, trying to find you. Beetle, OOC and in hysterics: Beetle leaves. DM: Fausius sees the door to the hangar open, and he yells - Fausius: Fuck you! Vasir, OOC: Oh my god. I feel so bad for Fausius. Beetle, OOC, still laughing a little: Yeah. I’m really sorry. All of this is in-character for Beetle, but I feel really bad.

Vasir, OOC: What do you see, cotton-eyed joe? DM: I was going to say ‘with your special salarian eyes,’ but that works too. Vasir, OOC: It rhymes with ‘where did you go.’ Beetle, OOC: What do you see with your special salarian eyes... my brand!

DM: The only room none of you have been in yet is maintenance. Vasir, OOC: I mean, Advika is a maintenance person, so, you know. [pause] Beetle, OOC: Okay. Wow. Damn. - I’ll go there.

Advika: Oh, hey! Did you find Fausius? Beetle: Yes. Advika: Did you tell him to come up? I need his help with something right now. [pause] Beetle: Oh! You wanted that? Advika: I thought that would be implied by ‘find Fausius,’ but yes! I did want that. Beetle: I’m gonna, uh, I’m gonna... Fausius is on his way right now, probably. Just finishing up a call - Advika: A call? Beetle: - let me, uh, make sure he didn’t get lost.

Kara: Okay, I’ll just - let me just - I’ll get back to this later, Tris. DM: And she gets up and walks down the stairs to third deck. Vasir, OOC: Time to scram. DM: Yep.

DM: Beetle, do you want to do anything before things happen? Beetle, OOC: Um... let me think. Vasir, OOC: “Who do I menace now?” Beetle thinks.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle pokes her head through Annos’s door. Beetle: Yo. Stabby McWarhammer? [pause] Good choice. DM: Are you - are you asking, or - Beetle: Good call. DM: Okay, got it. Annos: I’m glad you think so. Beetle: I’m congratulating you on making a good call with Stabby McWarhammer. Annos: Thank you. I think. Beetle, OOC: And then she just like, leaves. DM: The door’s only open a little bit, just enough to poke her head in - Beetle, OOC: Yeah, yeah, just to make him angry. And she doesn’t close it behind her.

Annos: Actually, Beetle, get back in here. Things are happening. Beetle: Oh, damn, things? Annos: And get your friends, too. Beetle: Who? Annos: Get your fellow freelance coworkers. Beetle, OOC: Beetle pings all of them on their omni-tools. Phos, OOC: Am I going to be able to read it? [short pause] Nope! DM, laughing: Tragic.

DM: You have like perfect timing, dude. Vekar, OOC: Awesome. Who do I get to freeze?

Beetle, OOC: Jetpack. Vasir, OOC: Meanwhile, I have two shield upgrades, and I’m the only one. Still. DM: Vasir is now your tank. Embrace it. Vasir, OOC: God. Beetle, OOC: Beetle is your tank now. Vekar, OOC: No, Beetle is our jet. Beetle, OOC: Beetle just jets up like an avenging god. Does a triple-flip snipe. Vasir, OOC(?): Uh-huh. I’ll believe it when I see it. Beetle, OOC: You know what? Fair.

DM: Holy shit, I can listen to music. Vasir, OOC: I linked some stuff further up. DM: No. I’m gonna listen to my music, thank you. Vasir, OOC: But this is so good. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Vekar, OOC, muttering: It’s probably elevatorstuck. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: No. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: Weh. DM: Yes. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: [unintelligible noise] DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: Hm. DM: Yes. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: No. DM: No. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: Yes. DM: Maybe. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: No. DM: Je ne sais quoi. Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: Maybe. DM: Quoi? Vasir, OOC: Yes. Beetle, OOC: No. Phos, OOC: No. Beetle, OOC: Maybe. DM: Français? Beetle, OOC: Possibly? DM: Cowèurde. Beetle, OOC: Hmm? Phos, OOC: [starts speaking Danish]

DM: What if I just translated the Bee Movie script into French? Beetle, OOC: Yes. Vasir, OOC: Why would you do that? DM: Do you remember when I did that? Vasir, OOC: No, I remember you doing parts of it, but why would you do that again?

Vekar, OOC: [buys 4 shield upgrades] Party: [various oohs and ahhs] Beetle, OOC: Just a fun fact about me, I completely missed the shield upgrades. DM: You got a jump jet, though. Beetle, OOC: I diiiiid. A way to ruin things.

Vekar, OOC: [essentially gains 39 hit points in one go] Phos, OOC: I’m just gonna stay behind and talk to people instead. DM: Wow, so no different, basically. Phos, OOC and laughing: Basically. Except before, I stayed in the front. Now, I’ll stay behind the tall-ass turian.

DM: You got a shield upgrade? Beetle, OOC: No. DM: Oh. [quieter] Oh. Vasir, OOC: She sounds so disappointed. DM, laughing: It’s no skin off my back, let’s just put it that way.

Phos: But, um. Yeah, Tris, I need to know - I guess I wouldn’t, like, say to tell me your whole life story because that would be fucking weird, especially considering I have no business nosing around in that, but I need to know what - what are you planning to do with Kilo? Considering you’ve taken them under your wing, I need to know if you have any ideas about how to take care of them. Tris: I know how to take care of kids. Phos: ... And can I know the reason why you suddenly decided to pick up Kilo? Tris: No. Phos, echoing: No. Okay, but, Tris, I fished them out of there. I have a lot - I care a lot for the id, and I really need to know this to, like, let you keep them. Tris: What I do is not up to you. Phos: No, maybe not, but what’s happening to Kilo is my business. First priority. And I need to know if you’re reliable to take care of them. DM: You can tell that she’s kind of like - she doesn’t want to give it to you, but eventually she sighs. Tris: Okay, I guess I am being a little hypocritical. Fine. What do you want to know? Phos: What is your experience taking care of kids. Tris: [pause] Well, I was an orphan and I was adopted, and I was pretty close to other kids in the orphanage. Is that good enough for you? Phos: Mm. It’s really - Sienan said something similar and I noticed later on that she’d been abusive and I tried to fix it, and apparently it wasn’t fixed, and... [sighs] Do you - Tris: Anyone who hurts kids deserves to die. Phos: Yeah. Fair point. The only reason we kept Sienan because of information. Otherwise I would’ve taken her out, but. Would Kilo around on the Apricity, they’re gonna be dragged into danger. Do you what to do to keep them safe? If they’re pulled into something, are you ready to take responsibility for their life? Tris: Yes? DM: She’s tilting her head at you, like, obviously, why are you even questioning her on this. Phos: Yeah. Sorry. I haven’t experienced anyone else taking an interest in them, and I’ve tried my best taking care of Kilo, and it’s a bit difficult to my lifestyle and Phara and Abel have been taking care of them, but - if something happens, I’m just gonna make the kid hide. But I know if Kilo hides, they’re gonna get into the mess anyway, you saw that happen on Nepts. If somebody else had landed and had asked Kilo about the paper, they would’ve just given it to them. And that could’ve ended badly. Tris: So what’s your point? You’re exploring hypothetical timelines now? Phos: I’m saying, just in case, what would you do? Tris: Depends on the situation. Phos: If we’re attacked on the Apricity, or on the ground, and Kilo is - Tris: Those are two very different situations. Pick one. Phos: If we’re on the ground, like, we’ve landed for some reason or another, and the ship is being attacked, what are you gonna do? Tris: Protect them or die trying. Phos: Okay, valid. I respect them. Do you need to know anything about Kilo? Since it seems like you know your stuff. Tris: No. They’ve told me enough. Phos: Okay, good. I’m glad. Tris: Look, if you’re really curious. Why don’t you just ask them what they think? Phos: You’re right. Do you know where they would be? I looked around earlier but I didn’t find them. Tris: In my office. I just let them sleep there. I’ll give you the passcode, I guess. Phos: Thanks. See you around, I guess. Tris: Sure.

technical notes

Phos persuades Isolde to tell her where she hid the star chart. Persuasion roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier + bonuses → 8 + 2 → 10 Phos fails to convince Isolde.

Vasir and Beetle check out the first deck to find the star chart. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vasir → 18 + 0 → 18 Beetle → 12 + 1 → 13

Vasir determines that the star chart is not on the CIC.

Beetle crawls into a vent. Dexterity roll. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 16 + 1 → 17 “Beetle looks pointedly at the door, back at Tris, and then just goes into a vent,” Beetle’s player says, daring me to argue. “You think I take doors like a fool?”

“I’m just gonna knock on the door like a regular person,” Vasir’s player says.

Beetle tries to turn Stabby McWarhammer on. Mechanical roll. 1d20 + mechanical modifier → 8 + 0 → 8 Beetle fails to locate the power button on Stabby.

Phos persuades Isolde to tell her where she hid the star chart, again. Persuasion roll with disadvantage. 1d20 + knowledge modifier + bonuses → 3 + 2 → 5 Phos fails to convince Isolde. (Again.)

Beetle and two of the Chens check out Engineering. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Beetle → 12 + 1 → 13 Ann → 8 + 0 → 8 Bea → 8 + 0 → 8

Beetle finds more loose scraps of paper. She pockets it.

“Oh, fuck,” her player says, “At the end of this, I’m gonna make the sickest papier-mâché project.”

“Make a piñata,” Phos’s player suggests.

“And what, fill it with dirt for the Roomba?” Vasir’s player says.

“Yeah,” Beetle’s player says.

Phos checks out Crew’s Quarters. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier → 17 + 1 → 18 Phos does not manage to find the star charts.

Phos tiptoes around Crew’s Quarters. Dexterity saving throw. 1d20 + dexterity modifier → 12 + 2 → 14 She manages not to take anyone up.

Vasir and Suella check out the medbay. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Vasir → 7 + 0 → 7 Suella → 3 + 4 → 7

Vasir and Suella do not find the star chart, as Suella had predicted.

Vasir, Tris, and Kara check out the galley. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Kara → 16 + 4 → 20 Tris → 2 + 3 → 5 Vasir → 1 + 0 → 1

Vasir opens the cupboards and a bunch of plastic bottles hits them in head.

“It’s a rain of pain,” I tell their player. She doesn’t laugh.

Fausius notices Beetle. Perception modifier. 1d20 + perception modifier → 15 + 2 → 17 Fausius can’t see Beetle, but he knows something’s up.

Phos persuades Tris to tell her why she is so fiercely protective of Kilo. Persuasion roll. 1d20 + persuasion modifier + bonuses → 14 + 2 → 16 She does so.

Phos opens her omni-tool. Technical roll. 1d20 + technical modifier → 16 - 2 → 14 Phos tries to get access to the passcode Tris sends her.

Phos reads the message from Beetle on her omni-tool. Technical roll. 1d20 + technical modifier → 2 - 2 → 0 She absolutely does not do that.

The party levels up.

Beetle gains 1d20 → 20 HP and adds +1 to her... I actually have no recollection or record of what stat her player added to, so that’s a problem. Oh well, into the summary it goes.

Vasir gains 1d20 → 13 HP and adds +1 to their knowledge stat (9, +0 modifier).

Phos gains 1d20 → 17 HP and adds +1 to her strength stat (18, +4 modifier).

Vekar gains 1d20 → 19 HP and adds +1 to his... okay, make that two players where I have no recollection or record of what stat his player added to.

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[solarwindandcosmicash]

interlude ii: top gun (part i)

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Having successfully completed their mission on Anhur, the party goes through a quick debrief before dispersing throughout the ship. Conversations with several members of the crew reveal different tidbits of each player character’s backstory, and eventually, the party learns what their next directive is: find researchers and scientists who have gone suspiciously silent for a few days. Their destination? Eden Prime.

summary

The party arrives back on the ship to find everyone gathered in the lowest deck, watching them, though Annos quickly gestures the party over and brings them to his office, where they have a short debriefing. Annos approves of how they killed Delta and tricked Zeta, as well as how the party performed on the mission overall, and tells them that while they have another directive, they have time before it begins. Then he sends them off to go speak with Elaye, and the party leaves his office.

Elaye ends up being not only a pilot but also a smuggler; the party is able to buy and sell armaments and supplies from her. Her stock is as follows:

RANGED WEAPONS MODS Combat Optics – increase stability – +2 to attack rolls – 100 credits High Caliber Barrels – +2 damage, with 25% chance of overheating – 400 credits Kinetic Coils – +2 damage and accuracy, takes two mod slots – 2000 credits Precision Scope – +4 to attack rolls, sniper rifle only – 1000 credits Thermal Scope – eliminates penalty when shooting through smoke or in the dark – 1500 credits Silencer – shots are silent and invisible – 1000 credits

MELEE WEAPONS MODS Feather Core – lowers melee weapon weight, +3 to melee parry – 300 credits Polonium Edge – -3 damage but +6 to attack rolls, takes two mod slots – 3000 credits Vicious Blade – +1 damage – 200 credits

After perusing, with Phos making some purchases and Beetle selling her two kilograms of tea, the party, save Kate, descends to the second deck together. It’s here that they meet Irène, a krogan who has lived for so long that the crew affectionately calls her a matriarch. Phos in particular takes an interest and talks to Irène for some time, while Vasir peels off to go find something to eat. Eventually, Phos and Vekar go over to the medbay, with Vasir remaining in the galley while Beetle continues down to the lowest deck to talk to Telissa, the shuttle pilot.

During the conversation with Telissa, Beetle learns that the pilot originally hailed from Thessia before being discharged for a reason that she did not reveal. She also learned that Telissa flew an asari fighter during the Battle of the Citadel, and Beetle revealed that the Shadow Broker picked her up after following a few of the jobs Beetle had pulled off, though she later left after she found a beautiful sculpture of a potato. After, Beetle bids farewell and ascends up the ship.

Meanwhile, Phos and Vekar arrive at the medbay to find Suella and Rela already ready to treat them. Vekar’s wounds are minor and don’t require much more than medi-gel; Suella must pick out individual BBs from Phos’s skin, however, which is very painful for all parties involved due to the krogan screaming bloody murder. Vekar quietly refills his medi-gel and retires to the crew’s quarters to sleep.

During this time, Vasir talks briefly with Advika and Fawkes before going to go to Annos in his office. There, they learn that they are going to Eden Prime to investigate reports of missing researchers and scientists. Phos soon takes their place after Vasir takes their leave, their procedure in the medbay complete, and when she asks about slavers, Annos gladly gives her information and promises that he’ll include her in operations if slavers are involved.

Beetle then invites Phos to drink tea together, and the two of them sit with Irène. There, they learn that Irène does know of Urdnot Wrex and Urdnot Grunt and in fact knows of Phos as well - if only because she and Grunt both passed their Rite of Passage by killing a thresher maw. Beetle also briefly explains what her previous time on the Apricity had been like, where she reveals that she and Annos go back quite a bit, though she doesn’t know much about the Shadow Broker themselves.

Vasir descends to the engineering deck in search of Muffy, briefly stopping to say hello to Telissa, who informs them about the location of their cat. They find Muffy rolling around on the ground in front of the Chens, basking in the attention, and accidentally open a conversation about where they found Muffy: a derelict lab. Though they evaded the question of why they were there in the first place, it didn’t really matter, as the Chens then began plotting how to get a ship cat without Annos knowing. After a brief talk with Kara, Vasir stays a bit to watch the Chens chatter.

notable lines + interactions

DM: And that is the end of Priority: Anhur, good job. You completed that very differently from what I was expecting.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle raises a hand for a high-five from Annos. DM: Oh, okay, uh - Annos ignores you, but Aster right next to him just kind of shrugs and high-fives you.

Annos: Planning to stick around this time, Beetle? Beetle: Maybe, yeah. Annos: Hm. I guess that’s all I can ask for. Beetle: I make no promises.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle looks fucking delighted at the prospect of some wacky story involving hacking into Annos’s room. DM: Aster sees how delighted you look and makes a little ‘tell you later’ signal, just like ‘hit me up’ later.

Vekar: Hey, shouldn’t we also get paid? Elaye: That’s not - that’s not something I would know.

Beetle: That’s a secret between me and myself.

DM: I’m literally looking up how much tea can you make from one kilogram of tea. Vasir, OOC: [DM], you don’t have to - DM: Six fluid ounces. [pause] This is not - this is not in metric, excuse me. So one cup of tea is six fluid ounces. Alright, how many fluid ounces in a kilo? Vekar, OOC: Really in-depth just to sell some tea. DM: Listen. I do what I have to do. Beetle, OOC: The real math in this campaign is figuring out tea. DM: Okay, so in one kilo, there’s thirty-five ounces, so that means around six cups of tea, which means if you do the math... Hang on. Um... Shit.

Beetle: Fine, take your tea money and go. Wait - fine, I’ll take my tea money and go.

Beetle, OOC: Secretly, in the depths of Beetle’s mind, she has resolved to swindle [Elaye] at some point. DM: If you roll high enough persuasion, maybe you can do it someday. Beetle, OOC: Someday. DM: Someday.

Beetle, OOC: Well, if [Elaye] didn’t throw me out the airlock the first time she met me, you know... DM: Odds are good? Beetle, OOC: Exactly!

Vasir: Do you know Beetle? Since apparently she’s been on the Apricity before. Irène: Yeah. I know Beetle. DM: She doesn’t say anymore than that.

Vasir: I’m going to have something to eat, so... see you people later. DM: Vasir just fucks off. Vasir, OOC: Yep. Phos, OOC: Vasir just walks off.

Phos: There are very few of us [krogan] that live past a thousand. DM: Wh - wait. Phos, you’re not past a thousand, right? Phos, OOC: No! No, I’m not! DM: Okay, good, because I was like wait a fucking second.

Phos, OOC: I can imagine just like Beetle sliding in and - and - DM: On heelies! On heelies! Phos, OOC: On - [laughter]

Vasir, OOC: I feel like Mordin and Kirrahe would love heelies. I can’t explain why, but - Beetle, OOC: They would. DM: Mordin would be like, “This is the most efficient way of travel,” and just like roll around his lab. Vekar, OOC: They would love the science behind it. DM; Yeah, exactly! Vasir, OOC: I love it.

DM: Anyway, you just give Irène this little bro nod, and she just gives you like a head tilt back.

Telissa: Oh, hi. You’re - Beetle. Right? Beetle: Hell yeah, I’m Beetle. Telissa, laughing: That’s a good attitude to have. Beetle: Yeah, I love having it. DM: Wh - what do you even say to something like that? Telissa: Well, that’s, uh, that’s good.

Beetle, OOC: Beetle raises her hand for a high-five. DM: Telissa high-fives you back. It’s pretty sick. Beetle, OOC: Hell yeah. DM: She has to do a little jump to reach you, but it’s totally awesome. Beetle: Hell yeah. We’re, like, buds now. Telissa: I’m good with that.

DM: Vekar, you just look over and it sounds like Phos is dying. Rela just like pats your shoulder, and she’s like - Rela: Okay, you’re fine, maybe you should go. Vekar: ... Well, then.

DM: They ask this? What do they say? Vasir, OOC: ... They - DM: I’m making you roleplay! Do it! Vasir, OOC: I’m going to!

Beetle, OOC: What’s your class? DM: Hey, babe, what’s your class? Beetle, OOC: Bourgeois. Party: [laughter] Vasir, OOC: I’m not here to make space communism jokes, Beetle can do that. Beetle, OOC: Beetle is seizing the means of production. DM: Power play!

Annos: I don’t know why [the Shadow Broker] wants to send you there, but I’ve learned not to question these things. Vasir: I know the feeling. Annos: Hm. I’m sure you do.

DM: So you’re still getting - BBs picked out of you, but - but let’s say you’re done with that now, and Suella just, like, pats your hand, and she says - Suella: Wow! You were, uh, you were pretty loud about that! I’m sorry, maybe we should’ve drugged you, huh? Phos: You were messing in my secondary organs, and I’m not really sure whether I can - Suella: Oh, come on - DM: And she, like, punches you lightly in the shoulder - Suella: Don’t be such a baby. I wasn’t actually doing surgery. They were just, like, embedded in your skin. Even Annos is better than that.

Vasir, OOC: Oh, shit, whaddup, it’s time to sleep!

Phos: Do you know where we could actually sit down and - make tea? I don’t know this ship very well, so is there a place we can boil water, or - DM, quiet and exasperated: There’s a galley. Phos: There’s a galley? Beetle: There’s a galley? Plus tables, plus chairs?

Phos, OOC: So we’re having a little tea party! Beetle, OOC: Beetle still has the mug from the tea shoppe. Party: [laughter] DM: Do you wash it out first? Beetle, OOC: [silence] DM: That’s a very long pause. Beetle, OOC: No, I’m not sure if Beetle understands the concept of washing a mug that she stole.

Vasir: I guess if we raid any more tea shoppes and murder their owners, I’ll keep that in mind.

Phos: At least we weren’t involved [in Delta’s murder]. Vasir: I know, Phos, I didn’t forget. Beetle: I wasn’t, either. Phos and Vasir: [incredulous laughter]

Vasir: I’m not judging you on a moral basis, just on an efficiency basis.

Vasir: And from what I know of the Chens, they seem like people who would like cats. One of the Chens, sheepishly: We are easily swayed.

Cat: Wait, what do you - what do you mean, [Muffy is] unusually smart? That’s seems a little cryptic. - I mean, that’s kind of your speed, but - Ann: Cat. Cat: What? It’s in my frickin’ name, I have to know!

Vasir: I don’t know, I haven’t studied biology. Cat: That’s fair. Only one of us has. Bea: Whoop!

Vekar, OOC: Here’s the strat on how to get a ship cat: “It’s a cat.” Vasir, OOC: They’re salarians! They’ve never dealt with cats before! Vekar, OOC: So? You’re a quarian. DM, whispering: Oh snap.

DM: So let’s move on back to your tea party. [pause] How is your tea party?

Beetle, OOC: So the krogans have these really nice, delicate teacups, and Beetle has a - DM: Beetle has like a tankard. Beetle, OOC: A mug. Yeah, yeah.

Phos: I’m just wondering what you time on the Apricity was like before. Beetle: ... Um. Phos: Like, what kind of jobs have you taken previously? Beetle: Oh! That’s easy. - Mostly stealing.

Phos: Well, I wasn’t really strangling her, but I was keeping her pacified - by the throat. Beetle, polite but also distant: Oh!

technical notes

Phos buys the combat optics and the vicious blade mods from Elaye. She spends 375 credits to do so.

Beetle sells two kilograms of nightrose tea to Elaye. In return, she gets 300 credits.

Telissa names the root vegetable Beetle can’t remember the name of. Knowledge roll. 1d20 + knowledge modifier + proficiency bonus → 16 + 2 + 1 → 19 Telissa remembers that the vegetable is called a ‘potato’.

Phos doesn’t scream when Suella is digging BBs out of her gut. Pain tolerance roll. 1d20 → 1 Phos’s screams echo throughout the ship. It sounds like she’s dying. Suella is not impressed.

The Chens pick up on Vasir’s comment on how Muffy is “unusually smart”. Perception roll. 1d20 + perception modifier.

Cat → 20 + 2 → 22 Bea → 6 + 2 → 8 Ann → 5 + 2 → 7

Cat asks Vasir what they meant.

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