DEMMEL: _“Knock it off, featherhead!!”_ Demmel sprints the rest of the way over and attempts to dragon kick Siarze in the fucking head like a damn anime.

SIARZE: Siarze grabs the incomming Demmel with psi and deflects his foot into the docking strut!

DEMMEL: Demmel didn’t expect that to work anyway. Demmel doofs stupidly off the strut and falls on top of Siarze with a whole lot of yelping. Enjoy the sudden addition of PLUSH RUMP to your personal space, birdbrain.

SIARZE: Siarze falls over and flails pathetically. There is a heavy object on him, he is too disoriented to use psi at the moment.

DEMMEL: Demmel is flailing around and hollering! By the time he’s gotten himself oriented he… plops heavily onto something soft. Oops, it’s Siarze’s chest. Neat!

SIARZE: Siarze flails his arms ineffectively against Demmel because he’s having trouble breathing.

DEMMEL: Demmel grins.

SIARZE: Siarze coughs and with a burst of psi puts Demmel on his horns a short distance away, coughing more.

DEMMEL: Demmel’s head cracks against the ground, and he winds up on his face while giggling weakly. His first thought is “i bet that looked fucking hilarious.” His second thought is “lol wow that’s gonna hurt in a lil bit.”

SIARZE: Breathe Siarze. Extract that oxygen with your lungs! You can do it! Siarze doesn’t move beyond the huge heaving gasps.

TEYLIR: "What in the hell…?!“ Whoops, here comes the blueblood.

DEMMEL: Demmel is a bit cross-eyed. He responds in an absolutely atrocious approximation of Teylir’s accent. ”‘allo luvvie!!“

SIARZE: Siarze panics and attempts to scrabble away.

TEYLIR: "Hello, Demmel. Am I… interrupting something?” Wow, she’s uncomfortable. She’s concentrating on not fiddling with her skirt.

DEMMEL: There’s a chorus of 'no,’ 'heck no,’ and a few 'as if’s from Demmel.

SIARZE: Siarze is pressed against the other side of the docking strut, plastered against it trying to be invisible and failing miserably.

TEYLIR: "Attacking random cripples hardly seems your MO, Mel.“ He giggles while she pulls him sitting and checks his head. He’s not bleeding, at least. "That looked painful, are you alright?”

DEMMEL: "Ey, don’t u worry abt me, Lychee. Imma b fine!!“ He looks like a puppy that pissed on the rug and expects to be scolded.

TEYLIR: "You’re not bleeding, at least, but sit still for a bit, yeah?” She looks him over once more (fuss fuss fuss) and unfolds from her crouch ohgodow.  The other troll is still wheezing. She should totally check on him. She leans around the strut. “Are you doing ok?

SIARZE: Siarze bolts off because that troll looks waay too coolblooded to be safe, unfortunately his misadventures have left him a little worse for wear, he trips and faceplants and continues scrabblign away from Teylir (rather slowly, did he pull something loose in a leg?)

TEYLIR: "Well… this is new.” She starts to crouch again to grab his shoulder…

DEMMEL: "i wouldn’t do that!!“ Demmel has ignored the direction to sit still. He’s rubbing his head and watching Tey and Siarze.

SIARZE: Siarze cringes and stops dead still, horns sparking, leaning away from Teylir, searching frantically for an escape. [Message to Demmel] aU: make 1t st0p

TEYLIR: Tey freezes with her hand hovering above Siarze and slowly straightens up. She arches an eyebrow.

DEMMEL: Demmel stumbles a bit on his way over. "I guess I’m too cold for him too, and he bites, also, so… u don’t need that, u kno?? Haha.” She’s doing the look that makes him feels he’s under a microscope.

TEYLIR: "That’s absurd; you’re olive.“

DEMMEL: "Yea I know, I know, but I mean. Um.” Helpless shrug!

SIARZE: "d0n’t t0uch me"

TEYLIR: Wow, he sounds terrible. There’s an awkward pause, during which Teylir regrets bothering to go outside. The lowblood is on the floor, Demmel’s acting like she’s fucked up abominably, and both of them look scared. "Understood,“ she says quietly. "Demmel, do you want to reschedule?”

DEMMEL: "no!! nono its fine, lychee, ttly fine. ill meet u there??“ He forces himself to relax and smile.

SIARZE:  Siarze pops back away from the door and the big freaky white and black  shiny OH WAIT THAT'S A SMALL TROLL  aU: h1  wait that's not directed at this troll do the thing with the voice  Siarze. Do not frighten the small troll you have fucked up enough  today.  "hi." Siarze's voice isn't much better.

LUCIND:  Her photophores flare briefly! She glances to make sure the medic is  still occupied with Tizzy and slips around to the other side. Her toes  scuffs several lines in the dust before she tries the speaking thing  again. "Who are you?"

SIARZE:  Siarze starts to answer "1'm the helm-" cuts himself off "1'm S1arze"  he takes the shock. "What happened t0 y0ur thr0atstem that y0u s0und  l1ke me?"

LUCIND:  "I got sick. Pleased to meet you, Siarze, my name is Lucind, but I  also answer to Lulu, or Lucy, or Cindy, or Luz which sounds like loose  but is spelled L-U-Z." She finishes off with a coughing fit, and only  remembers to cover her mouth midway through.  Children are gross.

LUCIND:  "Are you sick?"

SIARZE:  "N0, are y0u?" Siarze backs off a little. What's with the glowy things  on the kid's face?  "A1n't y0u supp0sed t0 be 1n there w1th the freaky guy?" ZAP. "Agh  REDACTED REDACTED w1th the perfectly reas0nable h1ghbl00ded med1c f0r  REDACTED's sake"

LUCIND:  "Yeah." She checks behind her and drops her voice back to a whisper.  She's not getting in trouble, not tonight! "Why's your voice all gross  if you're not sick? Why're you saying redacted? What happened to  Tizmik?"

SIARZE:  "Why d0 y0u ask s0 many quest10ns?" He notices the look. "1 a1n't  g01ng t0 rat y0u 0ut t0 the-" he pauses a second scanning the words he  was about to say "the guy. Because 1 d1d a l0t 0f scream1ng. And 1t's  related t0 the f1rst th1ng." Siarze sulks a little. "What are y0u  d01ng 0ut here arud1l- T1zm1k's back 1n there!"

LUCIND:  "Hey, you call her Arudil like the mediculler does. Her name's Tizmik,  stupid, and I'm out here because she can't talk right now." She  smiles, coughs again, and settles down on the ground next to Siarze.  "You were screaming because of those." She points to a port and nods  importantly. It's not a question.

SIARZE:  "0nly m0stly because 0f th0se." Siarze shrugs "1 call her arud1l m0st  0f the t1me that's her name t00." He starts to try and figure out how  to explain what's wrong with Arudil.

LUCIND:  "I have two names too, if you aren't counting the nicknames. If you  count the nicknames I have-" Brief pause to count on her fingers.  "-six names and that includes my second name which is Ramire.  R-A-M-I-R-E, so it looks like rah-my-er but that's not my name."  "You weren't screaming jsut because of those," she continues, "you  were also, because, you have a tiny computer in your sponge that  doesn't like you." She goes onto her knees, snorts back snot, and  boops the side of his head. "The helm, helmtech wanted to make your  sponge think special ways and you get infracted if you don't. They use  electricity to do it, but they cant use too much or you get pan  damage, so they use little shocks on the pain part of your sponge.  It's, um, when you skin your knee? The nerves tell your sponge that  you are bleeding, but they don't wanna cut you up in the tentacle  column so they tell your pain sponge that you skinned your whole  entire _body?_ But it's really not and you're ok. It hurts a lot,  though. I know that because I skin my knees a lot. Also my elbows and  then they get full of dust and it strings to clean out."  She pauses for dramatic effect and sits back down. "Did you know that  when you kick the dust it looks like space clouds?"

(( OOC: *stings to clean out ))

SIARZE:  Siarze flinches at being headbooped and why is this wriggler is  talking about being helmed all [REDACTED] casual-like? Wow those are  some freaky eyes, how old even is this kid? "n0 1t d0esn't 1t l00ks  l1ke a bunch 0f d1rt space cl0uds are way better."

SIARZE:  "M0re c0l0urs."

LUCIND:  "Nuh-uh, they look like space clouds, Fawkes said."  "...How many more colors?"

SIARZE:  "Half the c0l0urs 1n the spectrum, depend1ng 0n what they're made 0f."  Siarze fondly recalls the data from nav sats for second. "Dust cl0uds  just l00k l1ke dust."

SIARZE:  "Sn0w 1s better anyways."

LUCIND:  "We get dust storms sometimes."  Lucind has never seen snow. She opts not to mention this.  She climbs into his legs and sets down on his lap like she owns it.  Sorry Siarze's lap, but your new occupant is bony.

SIARZE:  Siarze's lap is not very good seating anyways. "Hey n0 what are y0u  d01ng?" Siarze first instinct is to boot the little troll off with psi  but he doesn't get much further than gentle glowing. "Dust st0rms are  b0r1ng. n0 0ne gets fr0zen s0l1d 0r stuck 1n the1r h1ve."

LUCIND:  "One time an inspector got buried alive, but I wasn't sad because she  almost found us. Demmel really hates the dust storms because it gums  up his machines and his fronds." She grabs one of Siarze's arms and  tries to lift it. "Lemme see your wrist I'm gonna show you something  cool."

SIARZE:  "g00d 0n the dust st0rms then. He sh0uld just wrap the REDACTED  th1ngs." Siarze tries to pull back the limb manages to punch himself  in the shoulder and  it drops back into Lucind's hands "that's m1ne  what are y0u even d01ng"

LUCIND:  "I'm showing you something." She tips his hand back and squints at  part of the plating. "See that checkmark?"

SIARZE:  "1 d0n't see s0 well, 0cculars are k1nd 0f sh0t" Siarze blinks a  little and pulls the hand up slowly.

LUCIND:  "It means Demmel made it. It's a checkmark for Demmel, reticulum for  Antino, and... um, pictor for Eisiel." Her little arms shake when she  tries to lift both metal arms over her head. "These look new, are  you-" She's distracted by a Tizmik noise. "Is she screaming because of  the sponge computer? Does she have one? She said hers didn't work."

SIARZE:  "get me a f1le" Siarze picks at the little checkmark.  "arud1l has a sp0nge c0mputer hers just 1sn't as... r00ted as m1ne."

LUCIND:  "Why?" She's making hand puppets with one grasper.

SIARZE:  "because there's a b1g d1fference between be1ng 1n a c0ld dark b0x f0r  a few per1gees and-"  Siarze prods the checkmark on the other arm "ser10usly 1 want these  0ff but 1 d0n't want to burn a h0le 1n the metal t0 d0 1t"

LUCIND:  "Why don't you want graspers?"

SIARZE:  "N0t the graspers th1s stup1d" Siarze taps the spot where the  checkmark is. "whatever 1t 1s they're supp0sed t0 be my graspers and  mell0d 1s a bulge"

LUCIND:  "You're stupid!" she says through her hand puppet in a silly voice.  "You should be nice to Demmel because he is happy and bad at cards."  She yawns! This is probably the longest she's been out of bed in a  while.

SIARZE:  "he's t00 happy and 1t gets 0n my nerves, tep1d-bl00ded jerk." Siarze  pulls his hand away from Lucind. "d0n't make me put y0u back 1n  there."

LUCIND:  Lucind turns around to say something and instead sneezes on his face.  How are your dodging skills, Siarze?

SIARZE:  Siarze's dodging skills using psi are pretty top-notch! Unfortunately  he's grounded and has a tiny wriggler on his lap. His reaction is to  try and bring a frond up and flash fry the sneeze with psi. It is  rather bright and shimmery for a moment.

LUCIND:  She sneezes again, but manages to cover her face. Snork. Nose wipe  with back of hand. "I'm sorry." She is also bright and shimmery for a  moment, embarrassment glowing is a thing! Drooping hella fast, though,  and flopping against his chest. She admires the glowing from Siarze.  "Demmel has green psi, Chimra has yellow and so does Tizmik, Mituna,  he's on Pyrewake, he's got red and blue, Porena has brown and pink,  and Emrehl has purple. I just glow."  She holds her arm out. There are a number of tiny red glowspots,  barely bigger than freckles. "Seadwellers have these too, but I don't  get to breathe water. Fawkes can breathe water and so can Aroana, and  I think Geralt has gills, but Fawkes is lime and Aroana is brown and  Geralt is bluey-green so the, um, so Overseer Timeskip is the only one  here who is allowed to breathe water and not get culled by drones.  It's because he's violet, but he's, but if the drones stay away  everyone else can breathe it without being in trouble. Also, um, I'd  get in trouble too, because I'm not supposed to have glowspots."

LUCIND:  "I can't breathe air super good anyway, so." She is getting a little  gaspy, but she kicks the ground and whispers "space clooouuuudssss."

LUCIND:  "There was gonna be another violet too but I think she died because  she never got here. I don't think anyone liked her anyways so it's  alright."

SIARZE:  "y0u d0n't have ps1?" Siarze prods the little rust. "demmel's ps1 1s  dumb. m1tuna 1s even dumber bluh." Siarze makes a hand gesture to  indicate his lack of enthusiasm for either of those people. "Needs  m0re c0l0urs."

LUCIND:  "No, just," she wheezes a few times, "glowing."   Her 'space cloud' hits her face and her tiny body shakes with an  especially violent coughing fit. She sounds a bit like a dog barking.

SIARZE:  Siarze leans away from the tiny troll! "Hey hey t1ny tr0ll what's  wr0ng?"

LUCIND:  "Mediss- mediss-" She swallows. "My medi- cine is insi- side."

TIZMIK:  PS: zur3 y3ah l3tz do th3 thing

SIARZE:  aU: hang 0n sh0rt-h0rns

SIARZE:  Siarze boosts himself first to the roof of a nearby dwelling and then  aims across the colony towards the engineering building

TIZMIK:  PS: my hornz ar3 long3r than yourz douch3boat mcfucktruck  Tizmik shrieks! Her stomach starts up rolling and oh shit oh shit  cling to the birdtroll aaaauhhh!!  PS: iz it b3tt3r wh3n your3 th3 on3 flying or ar3 you a mazochizt

SIARZE:  Siarze deigns to do a barrel roll.  aU: 1t 1s great when y0u're the 0ne fly1ng.

TIZMIK:  PS: [REDACTED]  Her claws prick into his shirt and she laughs a little maniacally.  PS: im gonna ki11 you im gonna croch3t mitt3nz out of your 3ntrailz  right aft3r i l3arn to croch3t lmao wow w3 ar3 zo high up dont drop m3

SIARZE:  aU: shut up sh0rt-h0rns!  aU: O< 1'm hav1ng s0me fl0ck1ng fun here. Bet y0u 1 can sh00t the t0p  0f the bu1ld1ng cl0se en0ugh y0u c0uld t0uch 1t.  Siarze starts to pick up speed without adjusting his course too much.  To the untrained obvserver they're about to hit the roof of the  administration building!

TIZMIK:  Tizmik just clings and screams! Even she doesn't know if she's  delighted or terrified!

SIARZE:  Siarze swoops low over the administration building, breathing a little  heavy from the exertion of such a narrow turn. He hasn't had to push  the meat like this in sweeps. He starts to gain altitude again, aiming  for the edge of the colony.  aU: th1s 1s why b1rds are better,  aU: O< all the best v1ews are b1rds eye

TIZMIK:  Things start going downhill (ha) as they gain altitude. Tizmik's  muscles spasm briefly before she locks her limbs around him like a  vice.  She's might be whispering something about security feeds.

SIARZE:  aU: arud1l? arud1l what's g01ng 0n

SIARZE:  aU: status rep0rt?

SIARZE:  Siarze evens off his glide and loops back around towards the middle of  the colony. It's a little difficult breathing with Tizmik doing her  best impression of a crane clamp around his chest.

TIZMIK:  PS: heelπ mµÂe  PS: ßecurˇit¥ fee∂ mmmÅÅlƒunçtøn  Her shaking makes it hard to hold on, she's slipping.

SIARZE:  Siarze starts heading towards the ground.

SIARZE:  aU: h0ld 0n arud1l  aU: 1f y0u fall 0ff 1'm g01ng t0 cull y0ur ass c0nscr1pt

TIZMIK:  Tiz manages to stop her fall by... squeezing tighter. She can't do  this, she can't get enough air, she's trapped and not trapped, it's  too hot it's too cold, there's a Lack where there should be  communications and orders and numbers and streams of data and she  _can't fucking breathe._  The moment her feet touch ground she jerks away from Siarze, landing  flat on her ass.

SIARZE:  Siarze backs up a little from Tizmik  aU: y0u were a l1ttle garbled there arud1l  aU: y0u 0kay?  aU: and 1f y0u say "1'm f1ne" 1'm g01ng t0 punch y0u unt1l y0u aren't  and then get help for you anyways.

TIZMIK:  She clutches her head and screams!  PS: [REDACTED] e´¬p[REDACTED]  [REDA∆∆∆∆ÇÏÏÏÏÏ nøÁÁ

SIARZE:  aU: n0t 0kay arud1l  aU: [REDACTED] wh0 the [REDACTED] d0 1 call?  aU: 1nf1rmary?

TIZMIK:  Tiz adopts the incredibly helpful course of action of digging her  claws into her knees and chanting "h3 zaid no zcr3aming h3 zaid no  zcr3aming no zcr3aming no zcr3aming..."

SIARZE:  Siarze floats up behind Tizmik and attempts to move the troll that's  freaking out.  aU: n0 0ne 1s scream1ng arud1l  aU: t1zm1k hey t1zm1k  aU: O< what the fl0ck

TIZMIK:  Tiz is once again very helpfully... unresponsive, though the chanting  fades to a whisper.

Siarze picks Tizmik up and a short attempt to get help later, is carrying her (mostly with psi) over a shoulder and floating into the infirmary. A tense discussion and sparking horns at the (wriggler) medic later Arudil is put into a bed away from the plague patients and Siarze takes up an almost literal perch next to her.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik lies rigidly on her back. Her teeth are gritted, there are  tears streaming down her face, and every so often, she whines softly.

GRIGOR:  The imbecile in the sweater has stolen Grigor's stool and been  hovering next to Arduil since she was put into the bed. He places a  hand on the... moirail? The same ex-helm he had removed and been  assaulted by in any case. The hand is not very gentle.  "Conttinuing tto sitt tthere is nott going tto do anytthing tto  amelioratte her condittion. And if you happen tto fall ill as a  resultt itt's more work for me, more drain on tthe colony's  resources."

SIARZE:  Siarze reacts badly to being touched by the highblood. He zaps  reflexively. Hoarsely he turns to the (wriggler, civilian, highblood)  medic and says "1 a1n't m0v1ng unt1l 1 kn0w she's 0kay."

TIZMIK:  She spasms at the mention of the colony! She squeezes her eyes tighter  and tries to feel the cold of the satellite air. If there's anywhere  the zaps are trying to lead her, it's back there.

SIARZE:  Siarze pushes off Grigor and looks back at Tizmik.  "Hey hey arud1l arud1l are y0u 0kay?"

TIZMIK:  She jerks again and snarls from frustration. "your3. not. r3al."

SIARZE:  aU: arud1l hey  aU: t1z t1z sh000sh  aU: y0u're freak1ng me 0ut here  aU: y0u're supp0sed t0 be f1ne  aU: 1'm the br0ken hardware remember?

TIZMIK:  "your3 not H3R3!" She doesn't mean to shout that. Really.  Fuck, she's sobbing. Think of the satellite, think of the satellite,  you _are_ the satellite! Reality is, unfortunately, very stubborn  about its existence and Tizmik only succeeded in diminishing the  infractions.

GRIGOR:  Arudil isn't responding well, time to intervene.  "I tthink you should go." He interposes himself between Siarze and  Tizmik

SIARZE:  Siarze glares at the medic. "She's my" he ponders the word a moment  "fr1end. A1n't leav1ng."

GRIGOR:  "You will leave now. You will leave directtly or I will remove botth  of you. I have otther pattientts tto care for." Grigor lifts Siarze  bodily and begins to carry him to the exit.

SIARZE:  Siarze struggles but this wriggler is stronger than he looks and he  doesn't want to start slinging psi around in an infirmary. By the time  he's figured out what he could do the medic has deposited him outside  and pushed him over in the dirt. Ow.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik relaxes somewhat once Siarze is gone; there goes one less thing  to ignore. The thought briefly rips her away from the whole "Siarze  was never here to begin with" thing, prompting another nasty shock and  a cry of pain.

GRIGOR:  "Arudil, can you hear me? Ttap one for yes ttwice for no." He is  leaning over her to check for injuries around the ports and so on,  poking and prodding a little.

TIZMIK:  Her hand shakes before slamming down on the mattress.

GRIGOR:  "Are you in pain att tthe momentt? Once for yes ttwice for no." Grigor  is satisfied that Tizmik isn't physically injured, and reaches up to  pry one eye open and check it.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik's eyes are terror-blown and darting. All it takes is a cursory  glance at a robotic eye and upturned horns for her to gasp from terror  and attempt to dig her claws into the face. This is followed by a  pained wail at the resulting HELLS OF INFRACTIONS.

GRIGOR:  Grigor smacks Tizmik half reflexively though not particularly hard,  and grabs hold of the arm attempting to remove the still biological  occular.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik tries writhing away. She stutters half-coherent pleas for mercy  and even less-coherent threats.

GRIGOR:  "Arudil you are receiving medical ttreattmentt and I will repair any  damage tthatt I have tto do att the momentt tto diagnose tthe  problem." Grigor has physical superiority without question, and has  Tizmik's arm in a grip that won't soon be escaped.

TIZMIK:  Maybe if she's lucky, Tolemi will kill her and get it over with.  PS: mmmm33dical trr3atm3nnt my [REDACTED] 3v3rryonñ3 knøwz yoooü  g£t≥≤÷æ

TIZMIK:  Grigor next recieves a series of [REDACTED]s and [INFRACTION  DETECTED]s.

GRIGOR:  hG: do you need maintenance arudil?

TIZMIK:  PS: mmaint3nannc3 muzzt b3 p3rform3d by a qualifi3d h3lmzt3chnician  PS: too bbad your3 f ff f fucking inzan3 tol3mi

TIZMIK:  PS: couldnt   gg3t on3 wiigll3r h3lm3d up right

GRIGOR:  hG: //you are speaking witth  hG: //helmsttech second class Mitnik  hG: //does tthe pilott require mainttenance or nott?

TIZMIK:  PS: y3z pl3az3

GRIGOR:  hG: //sttattus reportt helmsman?  Grigor has taken up position on the stool and releases arudil's arm.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik holds her arm in roughly the same position he was holding it.  PS: i dont know whatz going on  PS: i  PS: pilot zhould b3 iin n th3 zat311it3 but i cant conn3ct to any of  my zyzt3mz  PS: th3 infractionz ztopp3d  PS: thiz do3znt f33l lik3 th3 h3lm but it iz b3cauz3 jap3 iz awak3 and  jap3 do3znt lik3 m3 to think about  PS: not th3 h3lm

TIZMIK:  PS: i dont think my pancaz3 haz 3v3r hurt az much az it do3z right now

GRIGOR:  Grigor sighs. Such an inefficient system.  hG: //tthe pilott will be sedatted while tthe error is assessed

TIZMIK:  Tizmik finally opens her eyes, revealing a few blood vessels have  broken in the scleras. She cringes in anticipation of an infraction  and relaxes carefully when it doesn't happen.  PS: g3t on with it th3n  Ah, there it is! Yowch.

TIZMIK:  To what should be no one's surprise, Tizmik looks like she wants to  bolt. She scuttles to the tree on tiptoe and plops down with her knees  up to her chest. "nothing much," she mumbles.

SIARZE:  aU: y0u're d01ng the th1ng  aU: why are y0u d01ng the th1ng

TIZMIK:  Her arms flex. "what thing am i doing. why ar3 you doing th3 thing why  ar3 you out h3r3."

SIARZE:  aU: y0u're d01ng the th1ng where y0u pretend t0 be a sp1nebeast  1nstead 0f a tr0ll-shaped p1ll0w  aU: 1 was  aU: upset s0 1 went 0uts1de where there wasn't anyth1ng t0 [REDACTED]  up  Siarze makes a noise that might be recognized as a laugh.  aU: s0 that w0rked 0ut [REDACTED] great r1ght?

TIZMIK:  Tiz has stopped trusting her voice not to come out a low grumble, but  she perseveres! "im not a zpin3b3azt im a v3zpid, and thatz not th3  anzw3r im looking for anywayz what th3 fuck happ3n3d numbnutz."

SIARZE:  aU: what d0 y0u mean what happened?

TIZMIK:  _"i m3an why did you ztorm out what upz3t you holy zhit"_

TIZMIK:  Tizmik winces a little. Shit. She silently pleads he not send her off.

SIARZE:  aU: 1t's n0t 1mp0rtant  aU: the p1l0t makes an 0kay p1ll0w r1ght n0w get 0ver here

TIZMIK:  "not until you t311 m3 whatz going on"

SIARZE:  Siarze makes an unpleasant growling noise.  "why?"

TIZMIK:  Tiz's ears pin down but her jaw is stuck out stubbornly. "b3cauz3 your  dumb tailf3ath3ry bum iz in th3 middl3 of th3 d3z3rt dying of 3xpozur3  and i dont want you fucking d3ad."

SIARZE:  aU: s0me0ne t1cked me 0ff alr1ght  aU: 1 d0n't want t0 talk ab0ut 1t  Angry Siarze muttering  aU: 1t'd be [REDACTED] eas1er th0ugh r1ght?

TIZMIK:  She elbows him. "dont talk lik3 that."

SIARZE:  aU: why 1t's [REDACTED] true  Siarze tries to lean away from the elbow and falls over  "REDACTED"

TIZMIK:  She tries to catch him and only manages a fistful of sweater. She  crawls to the other side and starts pushing him upright.  PS: it might b3 3azi3r but  There's a pause.  PS: itz probably not worth it

SIARZE:  It takes a bit of effort but Siarze is pushed upright again.  aU: why d0es 1t matter 1t was stup1d anyways and n0w 1'm stuck 0ut  here and  aU: y0u th1nk 1'm stup1d d0n't y0u?

TIZMIK:  Tizmik curls right up again and scoots closer to the sadellite.  PS: nah  "your3 kind of a dumbfuck but your3 not _ztupid_ ztupid. and your  advic3 iznt too bad." She speaks into her knees.

SIARZE:  aU: 1s that me 0r y0ur walkstems?

TIZMIK:  A very muffled "fuck off."  PS: you z3riouz about not b3ing fri3ndz

SIARZE:  aU: y0u were sh0ut1ng at me  aU: l1ke y0u were [REDACTED] heavenspear 0r s0meth1ng  aU: y0u g01ng t0 d0 that aga1n?

TIZMIK:  Tizmik doesn't even know why she was shouting, how's she supposed to  know if she'll do it again?  PS: no

PROPER:  [Soon enough, a figure approaches from the distance. Proper's current  body is relatively tall (mostly because Tizmik and Siarze are  midgets), with frilled, rose-shaped horns that they've tastefully (or  tastelessly, maybe) framed with bright red desert blooms to match the  one sprouting to cover an empty eyesocket. A purple symbol is  embroidered on the Pyrewake uniform lapel, and they are carrying a  small side-bag.]

SIARZE:  aU: fr1ends=1 n0w save me fr0m the g1ant c00lbl00d

TIZMIK:  PS: your3 confuz3d your3 zuppoz3d to b3 zaving m3 from th3 giant  zhadowdropp3r  PS: alzo if you wanna g3t t3chnical thatz alzo prop3r and th3r3for3  3xactly az chi11yv3in3d az th3y ar3

SIARZE:  aU: O< 1f 1t l00ks l1ke a creepy cl0wn and quacks l1ke a creepy cl0wn  Siarze learns against Tizmik attempting to hide behind her.

PROPER:  [Proper stops in front of them, and fishes out a wad of cloth from  their bag that they throw at Siarze.]  TA: Pants.

TIZMIK:  PS: if you didnt g3t cr33py on prop3r th3y wouldnt b3 z3nding out a  highblood body to g3t you thiz iz an unfortunat3 conz3qu3nc3 of  cr33pin3zz  Tizmik leans on Siarze right back. Fuck shadowdroppers, _especially_  the big ones.

SIARZE:  [to Tizmik]  aU: 1t's a pr0blem  aU: 1'm try1ng t0 f1x 1t  [Message to Proper as he jerks his head towards the arms]  aU: n0t exactly w0rk1ng

TIZMIK:  Tizmik leans back against the tree and wonders why this is her life.

PROPER:  [They frown, and add Tizmik t0 the c0nv0.]  TA: His pr0sthetics d0n't w0rk at all? H0w badly did he screw himself  up?

TIZMIK:  PS: th3yr3 h3avy h3 3xhauzt3d himz3lf

PROPER:  TA: I'm pretty aware ab0ut h0w heavy pr0sthetics are. But... t0 the  p0int 0f n0t being able t0 put pants 0n?

SIARZE:  aU: 0g 1s a [REDACTED]

TIZMIK:  PS: what h3 zaid  PS: g3t on tro11mlr and ch3ck you b33n-crippl3d-for-long3r privil3g3  prop3r grub damn

SIARZE:  aU: als0 1 maybe sh0uld have turned ar0und at s0me p01nt  aU: t1zm1k st0p be1ng 0ne 0f th0se wr1gglers s0 help me

TIZMIK:  PS: thatz ag3izt

TIZMIK:  PS: prop3r you z33 thiz im b3ing trigg3r3d

PROPER:  TA: P00r Tiz - d0n't w0rry  TA: I als0 became quite aware 0f the shittiness 0f muscular dystr0phy  during the six 0r s0 perigrees after falling 0ut 0f my c0lumn with  n0b0dy ar0und.  TA: I am, frankly, surprised that y0u have en0ugh abd0minal strength  t0 sit up, because I did n0t f0r ab0ut tw0 perigrees.  TA: M0stly, I was h0ping that if I dragged this 0ut l0ng en0ugh he'd  magically gain en0ugh energy t0 put pants 0n. 8')  TA: Because I am n0t carrying him with0ut pants.

(( OOC: ****TA: P00r Tizmik - w0uld y0u like a trigger warning, 0r w0uld y0u prefer I send Siarze an0n hate? >8) ))

SIARZE:  aU: 1've had a l1ttle wh1le 1n grav1ty and ps1 helps  aU: ps1 helps a l0t

TIZMIK:  PS: am i b3ing told i n33d to put pantz on ziarz3

TIZMIK:  PS: ziarz3 do i hav3 to put pantz on you

PROPER:  TA: Please put pants 0n Siarze.   TA: Since we are practically best friends and all. >8)   TA: And - I keep f0rgetting h0w much pe0ple depend 0n psi.   TA: ... I sh0uld pr0bably ask Mituna h0w he's d0ing 0n that.   TA: Make sure y0u actually practice walking with0ut 0verexerting  y0urself, th0ugh, 0kay? Else y0u'll end up atr0phied and depend 0n psi  until y0u 0verl0ad y0urself.

TIZMIK:  PS: thiz iz why im hot and buff tiny pzi iz good for you  She turns to mutter to Siarze. "ar3 you zur3 you cant put on your own  pantz?"

SIARZE:  aU: but the pants are duuumb l00k y0u can't even see the p0rts w1th  th1s  Siarze manages a very weak flap of the arms (mostly the arms go up and  then flop back to his sides.

PROPER:  TA: Pants 0r y0u can sleep under in shade fr0m the entry ramp.

(( OOC: under the shade* fml ))

SIARZE:  aU: 0kay f1ne pants already  aU: my 0cculars are [REDACTED] en0ugh already and there w0uldn't be  en0ugh left f0r the cr0ws 1f 1 fr1ed

TIZMIK:  PS: if by crowz you m3an flying lizard thingz   Tizmik tries and fails to get the pants on right, proceeds to put her  big brain to good use by rolling up the pant legs. Siarze's legs slip  through the openings with minimal fuss.   PS: alright proper ztand him up

PROPER:  [Proper is finally willing to get closer, and leans down to take both  of Siarze's hands.]  TA: Can y0u stand up with help, 0r sh0uld I just pick y0u up?  TA: And, as a side n0te, d0 y0u need any water?

SIARZE:  aU: water 1s del1c10us even 1f 1t tastes we1rd  aU: 1 w1ll never say n0 t0 water  aU: 1 d0n't kn0w 1 haven't really been able to stand s1nce 1 sat d0wn

SIARZE:  Siarze is visibly shrinking away from the very large coolblood zombie

PROPER:  TA: That first, then.  [Proper leans back up and grabs a bottle of water, twisting the cap  off and, after a moment of awkward debating as to how to do this,  dropping to their knees so they can offer the mouth to Siarze.]  TA: This is als0 pr0bably the p0int at which y0u sh0uld be deciding if  y0u'd rather stay 0ut here 0r have me carry y0u.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik has been linefacing harder and harder.  "how long am i gonna b3 on ztandby3 for putting th3z3 pantz on can you  ztand him up zo i can b3 don3 and th3n wat3r him."

PROPER:  TA: If he's been sitting f0r a l0ng time and n0t m0ving, then a bit  l0nger, because s0meh0w I feel like yanking vertical s0me0ne wh0's  dehydrated, rec0vering fr0m muscle atr0phy, hasn't m0ved h0weverl0ng,  /and/ is flipping his shit because I am n0 l0nger 0ffering the  n0n-highbl00d c0rpsepuppet package may p0ssibly lead t0 a little bit  m0re passing 0ut than y0u w0uld pers0nally prefer t0 be happening  directly 0n t0p 0f y0u.

SIARZE:  Siarze leans forward slowly, eyes on the zombie and takes a drink of  water. He still looks like he'd be in full flight if he was capable  but the water is kind of neccessary and he doesn't have a choice other  than frying. More, rather over-eager, drinking of water is followed by  Siarze coughing and sputtering.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik whines because oh my mother grub why is nothing ever  straightforward.  PS: you dont hav3 gi11z dud3 zlow it way th3 fuck down

PROPER:  [Proper tilts the waterbottle back until Siarze is done, and when they  replace it, they make sure it angle it lower so he can't get quite  enough to choke so easily again.]  TA: C00l it, featherbrain. Y0u alright?

SIARZE:  aU: what's alr1ght?  aU: s0rry the p1l0t 1sn't dy1ng, 1f that's what y0u mean

TIZMIK:  Tizmik leans forward to thump his forehead and scowl. No. Bad Siarze.  By her estimation, she's the only troll here actually allowed to say  mean things at Siarze right now.  PS: you wat3r3d 3nough can you g3t up now i dont wanna burn  PS: look at that zunriz3 zur3 iz a pr3tty zight i n3v3r want3d to z33

PROPER:  TA: That's ab0ut what I was l00king f0r, yeah.  TA: Sec0nding Tizmik's questi0n. Y0u g00d t0 let me pick y0u up?

(( OOC: ignore the above thing, I'm reposting ))

PROPER:  TA: If that's what I meant, then I w0uld be fully capable 0f sh0ving  this thr0ugh y0ur pan case, Siarze. Give me s0me credit and d0n't  insinuate that I'd prefer y0ur death when I'm literally in the middle  0f saving y0ur ass fr0m frying.  TA: In any case, y0u have n0t managed t0 dr0wn in the middle 0f a  desert, s0 I'm sec0nding Tizmik's questi0n.

SIARZE:  aU: n0 t1me l1ke the present

PROPER:  [Proper caps the bottle and puts it away, then fits their hands under  his armpits to pick him up like a puppy for Tizmik.]

TIZMIK:  Tiz makes quick work of pulling the pants up and buttoning them. If  she was any less impatient she'd feel significantly more awkward. She  takes a deep breathe as she stands.  "congratz your3 d3c3nt for th3 firzt tim3 zinc3 youv3 land3d"

SIARZE:  Siarze has turned his face away from proper and is trying to retreat  into his own skeleton as a result of being handled.  aU: the fl1ghtsu1t was perfectly acceptable f0r the p1l0t t0 wear

TIZMIK:  PS: for a w33k ztraight it waznt

PROPER:  [Proper half-sets him on his feet for a split second before sliding  one arm further under his entire back and sweeping the other one under  his knees, picking him up off the ground entirely.]  TA: I'm bec0ming increasingly thankful that this is 0nly 0verday.  TA: And increasingly jeal0us 0f Mituna f0r getting stuck elsewhere.

TIZMIK:  PS: wh3r3d h3 g3t off to th3n

PROPER:  TA: Erm. He's crashing at Demmel's until dusk.

SIARZE:  Siarze is silently wishing for something to go horribly wrong there.  Siarze is not a nice person. (Assuming he is a person at all). He is  also trying to be in contact with as little of the zombie-clown as  possible.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik starts up snickering.  PS: horrorz know what 3licit gozziping th3y can g3t up to might b3  tim3 to chang3 your nam3 and run

PROPER:  [Proper rolls their eye to the sky, not that you can tell, and goes a  little darker in the face as they readjust their hold on Siarze.]  TA: Are we ready t0 g0??

SIARZE:  aU: please yes

TIZMIK:  Tizmik snickers the entire way to Pyrewake.

PROPER:  [The ship is open and the ramp is down when they arrive, and Proper  pauses at the entrance.]  TA: Empty bl0ck, 0r Tizmik's?

TIZMIK:  Tiz mumbles "wait, what" and stops grinning.

PROPER:  [They blink, raising an eyebrow, and turn to proffer Siarze slightly.]  TA: Y0ur bl0ck, 0r sh0uld I take him t0 his 0wn?

SIARZE:  Siarze is is exhausted from being afraid and eventually tunes out,  eyes closed and chin tucked against his chest. The first question  rouses him from stupor and he is aware enough to parse and respond to  the second question.  aU: my bl0ck 1s the 0ther way th0ugh?

TIZMIK:  Wow, eye roll.  PS: th3y m3an on th3 zhip

SIARZE:  "0h fleet pr0t0c0l says that the defect1ve hardware sh0uld g0 1n the  a1rl0ck t0 be spaced."

TIZMIK:  PS: w3r3 in atmo loz3r

TIZMIK:  Tizmik is frowning. Frowning so hard. That didn't sound quite right  for self pity.

PROPER:  TA: I d0n't want y0u in my airl0cks, anyways. Wh0 kn0ws what y0u'd get  up t0 with the systems?  TA: Right, I am g0ing t0 put y0u in a free bl0ck and then bring you  m0re water and s0me f00d.  TA: Because y0u d0n't really listen t0 me anyways, s0 c0mmenting  0therwise 0n that thing y0u just said w0uld be pretty much useless.  [They turn down the hall.]

TIZMIK:  Tizmik follows stiffly behind Proper and sends a private ping to  Siarze.  PS: yo pilot r3qu3zting a ztatuz r3port and a d3zcription of what th3  fuck you want to happ3n

SIARZE:  aU: the p1l0t 1s exper1enc1ng d1stress

 aU: p1l0t exper1enc1ng pa1n 1n extrem1t1es  aU: the p1l0t w0uld l1ke t0 n0t be carr1ed  "and a hug"

(( OOC: IGNORE THAT DAMN INTERFACE ))

(( OOC: pap lmfao ))

SIARZE:  Siarze turns to look at Tizmik (mostly Tizmik's horn and a bit of face  since there's a bit coolblooded zombie in the way)  aU: the p1l0t 1s unf1t f0r duty  aU: the p1l0t 1s exper1enc1ng pa1n 1n extrem1t1es  aU: p1l0t 1s exper1enc1ng unregulated h0r0m0ne pr0duct10n, elevated  heart rate, etc.  aU: p1l0t sh0uld n0t be carr1ed by a super10r 0ff1cer  aU: request n0t t0 be carr1ed  He blinks a little at Tizmik, wincing  "and a hug"

PROPER:  [Proper blinks, missing a beat in their walk.]  TA: What?

TIZMIK:  Tizmik grimaces, sends a ping to the group chat.  PS: n3v3rmind that  Then to Siarze:  PS: you cant walk and i cant carry you  There's a pause while Tiz weighs the pros and cons.  PS: im g3tting th3 z3nz3 im gonna hav3 to ztay with you for at l3azt a  bit and i mizz my coon  PS: my block ok or what

SIARZE:  [to group]  aU: the p1l0t was ennumerat1ng requests f0r ma1ntenance  [to Tizmik]  aU: 1s 1t cl0ser?

PROPER:  TA: Sure, great.  TA: S0me night, tell me h0w t0 get that t0 happen, because by my c0unt  I've sent at least a c0uple by this p0int.  [They're nearly there, anyways. Proper stops by a door, waiting for it  to slide open, and steps through with Siarze. It's a plain block that  looks as though is has been stripped of personal effects which,  nonetheless, has its own bathroom attached, a recuperacoon with  temperature settings, and simple furniture.]  TA: Here.  [They set him down on the single small couch.]

TIZMIK:  [Siarze.]  PS: w311 too lat3 for that  [Group.]  PS: thankz for th3 azzizt

SIARZE:  Siarze looks at Tizmik from the couch. He has flopped over on his side  (deliberately and curled into a ball).  "are y0u leav1ng t1z?"

SIARZE:  He's pretty quiet, and mostly talking into his knees.

PROPER:  TA: Y0u're welc0me!  [Proper is pretty silent as they move around, setting the half-full  water bottle and another fresh one on the table by the couch, along  with a wrapped sandwich. They pop out of the room for a second to grab  something from another body, and come back with a cup of soup and some  utensils that they also leave for Siarze.]  TA: And extra linens and stuff are in the cl0set.  TA: I... think that's everything? I mean, y0u can feel free t0 ping me  if y0u need anything else, I'm available literally always.  [Siarze, they think, had better not need anything else.]

TIZMIK:  Tiz tries to look indifferent to the proceedings, yet still looks  impatient, stressed out, and resentful. Probably a little bit  concerned. I mean, just a little.  PS: yup  She sighs.

PROPER:  [Proper stares at Siarze for a moment, considering whether they should  wait from an okay from him, or what, but... really, he's not entirely  coherent right now, and they feel like that should be left to Tizmik,  since their only options are 'freak him out more' and 'be freaked out  /by/ him.']  [Tizmik, who once again looks like she wants to punch them in the face  for no reason Proper can fathom. Fuck it. Proper gives up and and  turns to leave with a short wave.]

SIARZE:  [Private message to Proper]  aU: thank y0u  aU: 1t's a very n1ce sh1p

TIZMIK:  Tizmik fidgets in place.  "zo you want m3 to ztick around or whatz th3 plan h3r3."

SIARZE:  "hugs"  Siarze flexes an arm out at Tizmik "hugs and s0meth1ng t0 put 0ver my  head"

TIZMIK:  Tizmik trudges to the closet and unceremoniously throws a balled up  blanked at Siarze and follows that display up with dropping her ass on  the couch and squishing him in a hug. "your3 gonna t311 m3 what th3  flying fatazz fuck juzt happ3n3d and im not particularly fuzz3d ov3r  how pal3 that iz," she mumbles. "i m3an th3 ztorming out and th3  g3tting ztuck and th3n what3v3r fr3zh h311 thiz iz happ3ning."  "alzo th3 'i zhould b3 d3ad' thing your3 gonna 3xplain that."

PROPER:  [to Siarze]  TA: Thanks, I think. And y0u're welc0me.  TA: Erm. Als0 I think.

SIARZE:  aU: h0w pale what 1s?  aU: l00k 1t's  aU: 1 needed t0 n0t be 1ns1de. There's a n1ce sky here even 1f 1t 1s  the wr0ng c0l0r and d0esn't have g00d m00ns  aU: 1t just p0pped 1nt0 my sp0nge that "hey Hraban y0u can /leave/  n0w"

TIZMIK:  "hoofb3aztzhit you w3r3 mad about zom3thing." She butts her forehead  against him.

SIARZE:  aU: 0w 0w [REDACTED] t1zm1k!  aU: 1 need t0 be 0uts1de because 1 was made ab0ut s0meth1ng mell0d  sa1d stup1d [REDACTED] f-f-fuckass

TIZMIK:  PS: wimp  She unfolds the blanket and drapes it over him.  PS: burrito wimp  PS: and whyd you g3t ztuck

(( OOC: edit "and whyd you g3t ztuck" to "what did that guy zay h3z zo whit3br3ad h3 do3znt 3v3n zw3ar" ))

SIARZE:  aU: d0es 1t matter?  Siarze tugs a corner of the nlankt around his head.  aU: darker 1s better  aU: d0esn't hurt my 0cculars the same.

TIZMIK:  Tizmik is thoroughly torn between concern and unaccountable anger.  PS: it matt3rz b3cauz3 what3v3r load of nazty trazh thiz waz zhouldnt  happ3n again

SIARZE:  [auroralUpdraft has sent --REDACTED.txt--]  aU: 1t d0esn't really th0ugh

TIZMIK:  Tiz snickers.  PS: wi11 you look at that h3 _iz_ a tro11 i waz ztarting to wond3r  about prop3r having zom3 kinda x3no thing

SIARZE:  Siarze has retreated into the couch a little, trying to bury himself  between the cushions.

TIZMIK:  She prods his shoulder.  PS: alright alright  The "sorry" gets stuck in her brain and doesn't send.  PS: h3z juzt fucking with you though unl3zz h3z actua11y that ztupid

SIARZE:  aU: the p1l0t 1s stup1d and defect1ve

TIZMIK:  PS: ztop zaying that zhit alr3ady  She prods him again.

SIARZE:  aU: 1t's what makes sense  aU: 0therw1se 1 w0uldn't keep [REDACTED] everyth1ng up  He shies away from being prodded.

TIZMIK:  PS: i dont wazt3 my tim3 on ztupid thingz unl3zz th3r3z zom3thing 3lz3  good about th3m but your3 not ztupid anyway zo it do3znt matt3r

SIARZE:  aU: then why are all the tr0ll th1ngs s0 hard?

TIZMIK:  PS: can you forg3t how to b3 a tro11 mayb3 thatz what happ3n3d

SIARZE:  aU: 1 d0n't kn0w  aU: and 1t just makes me want t0 dr0p a m00n 0n h1m  aU: strutt1ng ar0und all  Siarze makes a frustrated noise into the couch

TIZMIK:  PS: y3ah how long waz h3 h3lm3d again  Tizmik's hand flutters towards Siarze, though she ultimately returns  it to her side.

SIARZE:  aU: just  aU: why can't 1 have the tr0ll th1ngs  aU: 1s 1t because 1'm a bad tr0ll?

TIZMIK:  PS: what  PS: no  PS: what you g3t iznt baz3d on any abztract id3az of good or bad or on  zom3 high3r int311ig3nc3 itz hard work and luck of th3 draw  PS: you got jamm3d in a zat for zw33pz and zw33pz thatz zhitty azz  luck ok

TIZMIK:  PS: i m3an th3r3z th3 thing that your3 alzo a raging douch3 machin3 of  z3lf c3nt3r3dn3zz but itz not lik3 that mak3z you a bad tro11

SIARZE:  Siarze bashes his head against the couch, horns sparking.

SIARZE:  "bluh!"

TIZMIK:  Her hand is back to its weird do-I-or-don't-I faltering.  She pats/paps his back, finally.

SIARZE:  "BLUH!"

TIZMIK:  Pap pap pap.  "y3ah y3ah i h3ard you th3 firzt tim3."

SIARZE:  Siarze shuffles a bit to catch at least one pap on hiis  blanket-covered head.  He takes some time to breathe deeply and then  excavate himself from the couch-trench to get Siarze to relax a little  more.  aU: thankz  aU: 1 d1d the th1ng see

TIZMIK:  Tizmik's face screws up while she concentrates.  PS: o< 1 can fl0ck1ng see that l0ser

SIARZE:  aU: d0es 1t hurt when y0u have t0 use letters that aren't Z?

SIARZE:  Siarze laughs a little

TIZMIK:  PS: it waz phyzica11y painful i dont know how you manag3 it  PS: you want m3 to ztick around ti11 you fa11 azl33p

SIARZE:  aU: arud1l 1f y0u hang ar0und me any l0nger y0u're g01ng t0 start  feel1ng terr1ble by 0sm0s1s

TIZMIK:  PS: who zayz i dont  Oops, that was supposed to stay in a regular thought bubble, not the  electronic one.  PS: anywayz i waznt planning on hanging around you today thatz th3  point of m3 going to pyr3wak3 i had planz  PS: tak3 or l3av3 th3 off3r of company i dont giv3 a squ3akb3aztz  nazty gonorrh3a inf3ct3d zcrotum which you pick

SIARZE:  aU: 1 kn0w  aU: thanks  aU: pr0m1se n0t t0 tell me anyth1ng ab0ut y0ur flush and y0u can g0  y0u jerk

TIZMIK:  Tizmik pulls back the covers and peels the back off the sopor patch to  put on his collarbone.  PS: cool zo i11 go hang out with my fluzh and your3 not invit3d to  know about any of it wink wink nudg3 nudg3  PS: try not to hav3 any daymar3z imma b3 a f3w minut3z away if you  n33d anything

SIARZE:  aU: y0u're a daymare, get 0ut 0f here already  Siarze pulls the blanket back over his head.

SIARZE:  aU: 0ut  aU: because

TIZMIK:  PS: dont di3 thiz would b3 a zup3r dumbfuck3d way to di3

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm n0t g01ng t0 d1e  aU: y0u're g01ng t0 d1e why w0uld 1 d1e 1 am f1ne

TIZMIK:  PS: ar3 you planning on doing zom3thing ztupid to yourz3lf

SIARZE:  aU: plans? what are plans?  aU: there are sh1ny th1ngs 0n th1s r0ck 1 want sh1ny th1ngs

TIZMIK:  PS: if you g3t ztuck or lozt or zom3thing ca11

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm n0t g01ng t0 get stuck 1 have legs  aU: 1'm n0t y0u

SIARZE:  Elswhere Siarze is making razzum-frazzum noises, horns still obviously  sparking. At least one troll sustains incidental zapping after passing  too close to him.

TIZMIK:  Elsewhere Tizmik doofs her head down for sleeping again.

SIARZE:  [A few hours later] Siarze has severely over-estimated the limits of  his energy and his legs. He's exhauted and it's a few hours from  sunrise. He has been debating calling Tizmik for the past little while  and persistently deciding against it. He os a;sp very thorsty/

SIARZE:  *is also very thisty

TIZMIK:  Tizmik wakes up from her nap, apparently refreshed! Also still in the  block alone.  PS: you zti11 off idiotmong3ring around how hav3 you zurviv3d zo long  off of th3 couch

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm f1ne  aU: what d0 y0u want?

TIZMIK:  PS: juzt ch3cking  PS: itz not lik3 i actua11y think your3 ztupid 3nough to g3t ztuck  zom3wh3r3 aft3r ov3r3ztimating what you can do but juzt for funzi3z  how about you t311 m3 wh3r3 you ar3

(( OOC: "whatz up" not "wh3r3 you ar3" ))

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm s1tt1ng l00k1ng f0r sh1ny r0cks  aU: there are n0 sh1ny r0cks 1 have been l1ed t0

TIZMIK:  PS: hav3 fun with that th3n

TIZMIK:  PS: not gonna b3 h3r3 wh3n you g3t back gonna h3ad up to pyr3wak3 now  im awak3

SIARZE:  aU: we have water 1n the bl0ck r1ght?  aU: 1'mma s1t here l0nger and then g0 and get s0me water

TIZMIK:  PS: th3r3z a fauc3t  PS: h3ading out now

SIARZE:  aU: 0kay

SIARZE:  aU: punch s0me0ne f0r me

TIZMIK:  PS: any pr3f3r3nc3z or am i juzt punching zom3on3 of my own choozing

SIARZE:  aU: punch /s0me0ne/ wh0 1sn't me

TIZMIK:  PS: why th3 3mphaziz on "zom3on3" am i gonna punch my imaginary fri3nd  ziarz3 iz that what your3 worri3d about

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm w0rr1ed that 1 can't get any surr0gate punch1ng and 1 d0n't  have fr0nds  aU: belay that

TIZMIK:  PS: dont b3lay thatz whatz up and if you zay th3 zky i wi11 abzolut3ly  fucking punch you you crabazz3d flapb3azt moth3r fuck3r

(( OOC: holy fuck ignore that ))

(( OOC: ignore that im an idiot ))

TIZMIK:  PS: dumbazz  PS: why iz th3r3 punching in th3 firzt plac3 though whatz up and if  you zay th3 zky i wi11 abzolut3ly fucking punch you you crabazz3d  flapb3azt moth3r fuck3r

SIARZE:  aU: a tree

TIZMIK:  PS: im punching you

SIARZE:  aU: s0 1 was ab0ut t0 wr1te 'y0u w0uldn't punch a cr1pple' but then 1  remembered  aU: y0u w0uld punch a cripple and laugh

TIZMIK:  PS: it11 b3 th3 b3zt punch in th3 fac3 you 3v3r had in your lif3 you  wi11 thank m3 for gracing your gut with my fizt  PS: why punching though whatz got your thong in a knot

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm g01ng t0 pretend that y0u d1dn't phrase that quest10n 1n such  a red1cul0us way  aU: and because the 0nly th1ng 1 can punch r1ght n0w 1s th1s tree  aU: and 1 k1nd 0f can't punch the tree

TIZMIK:  PS: t3chnica11y you can

SIARZE:  aU: n0 1 actually cann0t punch the tree r1ght n0w

SIARZE:  aU: unless 1 use my face and 1t 1s t00 pretty f0r that

TIZMIK:  PS: how many mirrorz hav3 you had acc3zz to nowanightz crowf3ath3rz  PS: why cant you punch th3 tr33

SIARZE:  aU: the pr0sthet1c 1s t00 heavy

SIARZE:  aU: and shut up

TIZMIK:  --paroxysmalSynthetic has sent a file: h3zb3autyh3zgrac3.jpg--

This is an extraordinarily unflattering image of Siarze mid yawn/sneeze/cough or whatever. It's a stupid face.

SIARZE:  aU: when d1d y0u even take that?

TIZMIK:  PS: i dunno  PS: zo if th3 prozth3tic iz too h3avy how ar3 you moving at a11

SIARZE:  aU: 1'm s1tt1ng

TIZMIK:  PS: your3 a lump of cong3al3d biowar3 goo and im going to punch your  cartilagenouz nub out th3 backzid3 of your zku11 do you h3ar m3 your  d3zc3ndantz wi11 hatch with th3ir pancaz3z on backwardz  PS: im going to fac3plant on my mat3zpritz torzo

SIARZE:  aU: 1s that the 0rder th0se th1ngs are g01ng t0 happen 1n 0r are y0u  t00 frustrated t0 d0 anyth1ng but sm0ther y0ur flush?

SIARZE:  aU: als0 th1s 1s the 0nly face 1've g0t and 1t st1ll l00ks better than  y0ur ugly hat 1n that p1cture

TIZMIK:  PS: im not z33ing any r3azon to not go dir3ctly to cyri11 do not pazz  go do not co113ct two hundr3d c3agarz  PS: why ar3 you zo lit3ral unholy frondpit waffling demon3zz th3 whol3  point iz th3 hat iz ugly which youd know if you w3r3nt zo pan  numbingly dumb a11 th3 tim3

SIARZE:  aU: y0u kn0w what  aU: fr1ends=0

TIZMIK:  PS: fuck fuck im zorry im zorry i tak3 it back ok

TIZMIK:  PS: your3 not dumb

SIARZE:  aU: n0 n0 g0 see y0ur flushbae 1 w1ll be f1ne  aU: maybe three w1ll enj0y claw c0mb1ng

(( OOC: *tree ))

TIZMIK:  PS: 3at a bulg3 ziarz3  PS: for r3alzi3z ar3 you in troubl3 if you ar3 juzt zay zo

SIARZE:  aU: shhh 1'm talk1ng t0 the tree n0w  aU: 1 w1ll make fr1ends w1th the tree  aU: 1t w1ll be great because 1t's n0t be1ng a scream1ng n00k ab0ut  th1ngs

TIZMIK:  PS: fin3 im going to pyr3wak3 and if you f33l lik3 azking for h3lp g3t  a mov3 on whil3 im zti11 w3aring pantz  PS: quit fucking around and t311 m3 whatz up alr3ady  PS: do i hav3 to zay zorry again coz i m3ant it th3 firzt tim3 and im  pr3tty zur3 multipl3 apologi3z ar3nt r3quir3d

SIARZE:  aU: pants are unneccesary 1'm n0t w0rry1ng pants  aU: 1n 0ther news 1t's k1nd 0f gett1ng br1ght 0ut  aU: 1 l1terally can't m0ve fr0m the tree

TIZMIK:  PS: did you run outzid3 with your azz hanging out who am i kidding of  courz3 you did  PS: moth3r grub z3nd m3 your coordz

SIARZE:  aU: 1t's n0t hang1ng 0ut 1t's c0vered  aU: just n0t w1th pants  aU: wh0 d0 y0u th1nk 1 am? Mell0d?  --coordinates sent--

TIZMIK:  PS: d3mm3l go3z zhirtl3zz not pantzl3zz g3t it right  PS: your3 on my way  PS: and y3ah itz cloz3 to zunriz3 and if you cant mov3 i dunno how im  g3tting you back to civilization  PS: i n33d you to m3zzag3 prop3r and v3ry polit3ly and with no  cr33pin3zz whatzo3v3r azk if you can ztay th3 day on pyr3wak3 and if  th3y would b3 zo kind az to l3nd you a four wh33l d3vic3 for wh3n  3v3ning ro11z around  PS: th3 zhipz about a half hour walk from your location

DEMMEL:  MO: um  MO: no i tihnk im good  MO: i pan aeches e nuff nr thx

SIARZE:  aU: 1 g0t stuck 0ut 1n the desert because 0f these stup1d legs  aU: 1 am f1l1ng a f0rmal c0mpla1nt and request f0r ma1ntenance  f-f-fuckb0y

SIARZE:  [INFRACTION DETECTED]

DEMMEL:  MO: ok okokok dont infractg urself  MO: i gotat chek 4 damaage then frm sadn so requst accepted?? i  guess????  MO: imin th enginering buildin on th cbottom floor so come on ovr

SIARZE:  aU: 1s that the b1g dumb 0ne that l00ks l1ke a bunch 0f sh1pp1ng  c0nta1ners  aU: 0r the 0ther b1g dumb 0ne that l00ks l1ke a bunch 0f sh1pp1ng  c0nta1ners

DEMMEL:  MO: ints the 1 in the colony map lebeled 'enginereing buildin'

SIARZE:  Siarze shows up wheeling his way through the colony in a foul mood.  His horns spark occasionally when his four-wheeled device gets caught  on a corner (Siarze is still not that good at turning) but he does  eventually make his way to Demmel. There is the sound of a bang as  Siarze collides with something and a loud shout of  "REDACTED!"

DEMMEL:  Demmel winces. He's supposed to be off today, but oh joy, he forgot  about something that needs done by the next shift. Which is why he's  here, hungover, with helmsman mcscreamyface.  MO: hello hi ys pls ont shout im ack here  Please horrors let the trollenol kick in soon,

SIARZE:  aU: then get y0ur drunken ass 0ut here  Siarze continues to spark and prods at things within reach until  Demmel gets back.

(( OOC: *shows up not gets back. ))

DEMMEL:  Demmel walks out. He looks tired and cranky and he's muttering "im not  drunk i _was_ drunk its past tense man." Hooray! He rubs an eye and  yawns.  "do u need me 2 push u?? is that y im here?? all th stuff is in my  workship... shop. workshop."

SIARZE:  aU: 1 a1n't never been 1n here p01nt the way t0 th1s w0rksh0p  aU: s1nce ask1ng y0u t0 tell me wh1ch way w1ll pr0bably lead b0th 0f  us 1nt0 a wall

DEMMEL:  The only reason Demmel doesnt roll his eyes is because he closes them

(( OOC: hit enter 2 early ))

DEMMEL:  The only reason Demmel doesn't roll his eyes _at_ Siarze is because  turns and starts walking back into the workshop.  "so whats the problem then??"

DEMMEL:  "sand?? sticking??"

SIARZE:  aU: the p1l0t c0uldn't m0ve them and g0t stuck 0ut 1n the desert  aU: there's clearly s0meth1ng wr0ng  aU: but 1 kn0w space n0t l1mbs

DEMMEL:  "are they movin now?? im gonna need more than that if u dont want my  psi all ovr ur biz 4 diagnostics." Demmel starts dragging a stool  over, reconsiders upon hearing the noise. "were they ttly frozen, were  they pulling 2 eithr side, was it just one joint??"

SIARZE:  aU: 1 c0uldn't l1ft the [REDACTED] arms  aU: 1 c0uldn't walk s0 1 had t0 s1t d0wn  aU: arud1l had t0 get help t0 m0ve me

DEMMEL:  Demmel reaches over and rubs one of Siarze's shoulders, and none  too-gently.

SIARZE:  Siarze wrenches himself away from Demmel.  aU: the [REDACTED] d1d y0u d0 that f0r?

DEMMEL:  "ur muscles r overworked an ur legs r probs in the same state. u  atrophied in the helm so ud probly have lost ur momentum maybe a  little bit l8r if u had regular limbs but ud b in abt the same  position." He leans back and holds up his hands. "i can check the  fronds n e way 4 damage but u just. ykno. shouldnta walked in2 the  desert b4 finishing pt."

SIARZE:  aU: y0u sa1d s0meth1ng when y0u were drunk 0ff y0ur pan ab0ut fr0nds  aU: anyways y0u're the 0ne wh0 was be1ng an ass

DEMMEL:  "yea i was just. messin w/u."

SIARZE:  Siarze mutters something to the effect of "c0uld have f00led me"

DEMMEL:  "do u rly want me 2 check the fronds??"

SIARZE:  aU: n0t 1f y0ur sp0nge 1s t00 p1ckled, but 1f there's s0meth1ng wr0ng  w1th my fr0nds 1 need them t0 w0rk

DEMMEL:  Demmel sucks his lips into his mouth to suppress all the things he  would love to be screaming right now.  "fine. psi incomin."  Vwoosh.  "theyre fine cept 4 sum dust in ur bits."  --mechanicalOversite [MO] has sent a file: cleaningurbits.txt--

SIARZE:  aU: 1 can see y0u d01ng the th1ng  aU: what w0rr1ed 1'll thr0w an0ther f1t and get m0re dust 1n my b1ts?  aU: have at 1t n00ksh0e

DEMMEL:  Heavy sigh!  "a lil yeah. you want me 2 clean ur fronds 4 u??"

DEMMEL:  Demmel leans back like, no, hell no I'm not doing it.

SIARZE:  aU: depends on whether or not I get to poke your nose. 1t 1s there 1  demand t0 p0ke 1t. P0ke all the th1ngs  aU: 1'm guess1ng these aren't sl1me 0r water pr00f e1ther?

DEMMEL:  He narrows his eyes. "pls dont touch me." He looks so uncomfortable  saying that, eyes flick away obviously.  "theyre sposed 2 b both of those things bt the dust is- tbh im pretty  sure it defies the laws of physics," he grumbles. Hand through the  mohawk!

SIARZE:  aU: y0u tr1ed t0 r1p my sh0ulder 0ff y0u jackb00ted m0ldybl00ded ass!  aU: s0 1 passed up the 0ne chance 1'm g01ng t0 pr0bably have t0 sleep  1n a c00n  aU: [REDACTED]

DEMMEL:  Blink blink.  "u have been bathing havent u??"

SIARZE:  aU: m0stly

DEMMEL:  "ok well u can do tht w/o fear of electrocution i promise."  He yawns.  "soz abt the coon thing."

SIARZE:  "1 m1ss c00ns."  Siarze reaches up and pokes Demmel in the nose.

DEMMEL:  Demmel: DODGE!  "i said pls dont :T :T :T"

DEMMEL:  He groans and ruffles his mohawk.  "y r u doing the... thing?? y do u wanna poke me??"

SIARZE:  Siarze looks at Demmel like he's grown a second head.  "because 1'm b0red and y0u've g0t a we1rd l00k1ng n0se, and 1 haven't  been able t0 p0ke th1ngs 1n /literal sweeps/."

DEMMEL:  "i said not 2." He looks pretty stubborn about this. "my nose isnt  weird an if ur bored go away..." He stands up and carefully puts tools  back in their homes in his... 'organized chaos.'  "forreal tho no one else has gotten frondsy >:( >:( >:("

SIARZE:  aU: then the clearly d0n't understand the value 0f fr0nds  aU: 1 g0t t0 k1ck s0me r0cks  aU: and 1 can leave places n0w  "0r n0t, unless you're going to try and make me l1ke a REDACTED  jackb00ted highbl00d lackey"

DEMMEL:  "WHY r u so set on making me like im gonna start orderin u around??"

SIARZE:  "Because that's what pr1velleged l1ttle tep1dbl00ded jerks d0 1sn't  1t?  Siarze pushes himself up out of the chair a little shakily to try and  be more level with Demmel.

DEMMEL:  "is th issue my blood or the lack of ports??"

SIARZE:  "1t's the same REDACTED 1ssue gen1us when d0es an 0l1ve get jammed 1n  a helm because they've g0t ps1 huh?" Siarze places ihs hands on  Demmel's chest and shoves, he staggers from the effort. "1t's n0t  /0l1ve/ juven1les that get snatched up by lunat1c techs and jammed 1n  satell1tes 1s 1t?" He takes an unsteady step towards Demmel. "When  have y0u /ever/ had 1t as bad y0u greased up jerk?"

DEMMEL:  Demmel barely has to take a step back to steady himself.  "i heard abt teals in a helm!! and" He does the shuffly-nervous thing  and struggles to keep up eye contact. "does it rly matter who has it  worst?? its not- im not arguing tht i evr had anythin as bad as anyone  else!! ur arguing w/someone who only lives in ur head!!"

SIARZE:  "because sa1nt mell0d has never taken anyth1ng fr0m any0ne 1'm sure"  Siarze taps his foot against Demmel's leg, nearly losing his balance.  "s0 wh0 cut y0ur legs 0ff huh?" He's starting to go raspier than  usual.

DEMMEL:  "uhm. no one. i never had legs."  He takes a step back and curls his lip.

SIARZE:  "they cull tr0lls that d0n't have legs, st0w y0ur behem0th leav1ngs  w1th s0me0ne wh0'll bel1eve them!" Siarze pulls the wheelchair over  with his psi and leans on it.

DEMMEL:  "i was gonna b culled thats y im here!!" Demmel's voie cracks on the  last word.

SIARZE:  "pull the 0ther 0ne 1t's detachable" Siarze dangles a leg, hovering a  little.

DEMMEL:  "its tru!! th overseer, hes got a bunch of these jade mothers he  knows?? sumtimes they send us 2 him when they can. i guess they dont  wanna hand us ovr 2 th drones."  "i told u i nvr had a lusus, remember??"

SIARZE:  "1 saw l0gs 1 assumed y0u were jerk1ng me ar0und wh1le 1 was  pan-addled wr1ggler. 1 d0n't bel1eve y0u/" Siarze tries to push Demmel  with psi but keels over halfway to doing it.

DEMMEL:  "well i wasnt. je- _will u stop infractin urself??_"

SIARZE:  "n0!" Siarze's voice gives out to a bit of a squeak at the end.  aU: n0w y0u're just mak1ng [REDACTED] sh1t up t0 screw w1th me  aU: because that 1s n0t h0w these th1ngs fl0ck1ng w0rk  aU: tr0lls get culled n0t saved  aU: tr0lls get sh0ved 1n satell1tes f0r the gl0ry 0f the emp1re  aU: and y0u're crazy h00fbeast sh1t st0r1es d0n't [REDADCTED] change  that  Siarze is obviously having a little more trouble standing, and starts  to sltep forward trying to keep his balance with the chair (which was  never meant to be leaned on like this, especially not unoccupied).  Four-wheel device and troll both start to move towards Demmel.

DEMMEL:  "no no u stop that sit down buddy come on." He holds the chair in  place with a foot. "things r diffrent here. really." He's making the  barkbeast eyes. Look at the barkbeast eyes, Siarze. Mistrustful  barkbeast eyes, but _loooook!_

SIARZE:  aU: y0u're full 0f sh1t mell0d  He does have enough of a problem with Demmel's barkbeast eyes to break  his look with Demml. He slumps against the chair.  aU: th1s 1s dumb y0u're dumb

DEMMEL:  "its tru ok im cullbait im sposed 2 b dead and so r lotsa trolls on th  planet. just-" Demmel scrubs at his face. Why is this happening. "-ur  limbs r fine go back 2 doin whatevr u usually do. im srry i freaked u  out abt ur prosthetics ok that was mean."

SIARZE:  aU: what's mean y0u bucketheaded jerk 1s g01ng 0n w1th y0ur [REDACTED]  wr1ggler st0ry ab0ut cullba1t be1ng saved  aU: cullba1t gets [REDACTED] /culled/

DEMMEL:  "an _helms_ stay redactd _helmd_ but i think u can c this aint th case  all th time!!"

SIARZE:  "then why y0u!" Siarze shouts at Demmel shuffling himself into the  chair again

DEMMEL:  His resulting cringe is as much from the volume as the words  themselves.  "im sorry. iunno. luck i guess, same as u."

SIARZE:  Lucky he says. LUCKY? Getting jammed in a satellite is just /bad/ luck  and getting saved from a culling is /just/ good luck? Siarze is  furious.  "s0me0ne /saved y0u/ 1nstead 0f keep1ng arud1l 0ut 0f a helm" Siarze  has gotten enough of a burn back on his rage with demmel to glare at  him, though there's little pools of yellow building under his eyes.  His horns start sparking, the chair rattles a little and things start  glowing again.  "why d0 y0u get t0 be s0 [REDACTED] happy? why n0t t1zm1k? why n0t me?  Why are y0u l1v1ng my [REDACTED] l1fe!"

DEMMEL:  "it- its not like it was a choice b tween me and ur friend!! it just  happened?? i didnt have a say in it!!" Demmel's eyes are watering too.  No no no no he doesn't want to deal with another Chimra... "tiz seems  alright!! relatively??" he adds desperately. He sniffles.

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  hrbanan i always type liek this!!  may b tho  im srs dont use gue and rubbin alcohol even if its ustj 4 a few  hrs!!!!

AURORALUPDRAFT:  y0u m1ght have n0t1ce 1 am the tr0ll that b1tes pe0ple

AURORALUPDRAFT:  and there's n0t en0ugh 0f the p1l0t t0 b1te anyways

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  was tht a bugle joke

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  lolololololol ok tho but  wiat y am i talkin 2 u  u suck

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  may b tht was mean soz :( :(  i dont like u tho ok

AURORALUPDRAFT:  n0 y0u're gett1ng that backwards  y0u suck  bulge breath

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  bt i dnt suck @suckin eeeyyyy  n if u thikn tht i dont bruhc my fangs aftr then i m gonan wrry bout  ur detnal hygene!! lololololol pls tell me u brush ur fanfs aftr  blowin sum1 tht sounds like sumthin i gotta tell roboggro  (jki m ttly sure u havent pailed since u got here)

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  (good 2 kno im not gonna lose my frond 2 troll syphillis hahahaa)

AURORALUPDRAFT:  1've been t0 busy b1t1ng grass-ve1ned asshats t0 b0ther  tr0lls d0n't pa1l hardware f-f-f  fuckass  [INFRACTION DETECTED]

AURORALUPDRAFT:  w0rth 1t

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  DEMOSNTRABLY UNTRUE!!!!!! xD xD xD

AURORALUPDRAFT:  are y0u just g01ng t0 rub my face 1n 1t then?  because 1 have better th1ngs t0 d0 w1th my redacted t1me than put up  w1th y0ur drunken n00ksta1n 0f a sense 0f hum0r

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  u brot it up i wasnt gonna i swaer :D :D  ur fault!!!!

AURORALUPDRAFT:  [REDACTED] 0ff mell0d

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  no no on i had smth important 2 tel u

AURORALUPDRAFT:  WHAT

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  ...

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  i 4get

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  i think it wsa abt th fronds???

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  w/e im seur its fine

MECHANICALOVERSIGHT:  --mechanicalOversight [MO] has stopped trolling auroralUpdraft [AU]!--

DEMMEL:  i got ur _stupid legs!!_   i wanna get this over with!!

SIARZE:  aU: why d1dn't y0u [REDACTED] say that 1n the f1rst place

DEMMEL:  i-   [Pause.]   im just gonna come in   [He doesn't wait for a response, just barges right in. He's in the  middle of wiping angry tears off his face, and black grease from his  forearm smears across his cheeks. There are olive sparks sputtering  off his horns. He's shirtless and sweat-drenched.]

SIARZE:  Siarze is still hanging out in the oversized sweater, burried up to  his horns in a pile of pillows.  aU: 1 th0ught th1s was ma1ntenance n0t a [REDACTED] b00ty call

DEMMEL:  _its not-!!!!_  whatever whatever i dont care just get out of the pillows ok i wanna b  done w/u  [Demmel's shirt is apparently in his sylladex and he pulls it out to  use as an impromptu towel.]

SIARZE:  Siarze sticks his head out of the pillows, slowly excavates himself  from the pile of pillows trying not to disturb it.

DEMMEL:  [Demmel stomps over, a tool appearing in his hands. He sniffles.]  u dont want painkillers do u

SIARZE:  d0es 1t 1nv0lve needles?  1 d0n't l1ke needles. they're p01nty  they always tell y0u 1t 1sn't g01ng t0 hurt but 1t always d0es

SIARZE:  [Siarze has extricated 2/3rds of himself from the pillow pile.]

DEMMEL:  its needles  [Demmel flings pillows out of the way with a quick arc of psi. Siarze  is now 3/3 out of the pillow pile.]

SIARZE:  aU: keep y0ur terr1ble needles t0 y0urself lawnbl00d  [Siarze was singed by that last bit of psi. He glares at Demmel. It  was a /good/ pile.]

DEMMEL:  [Demmel ignores the look, mutters something like "why dont you suck my  bulge." He crouches to begin disinfecting the first leg stump.]

SIARZE:  aU: because the tr0ll 1t's attached t0 1sn't h0t en0ugh.  Siarze has neglected to wear anything that isn't a large baggy sweater  that c0vers him down to where he knees were once upon a time.

DEMMEL:  [If that comment didn't turn Demmel's face green, this sure did! His  eyes widen a minute, then abruptly sticks a pillow between Siarze's  legs.]

(( OOC: a bit not a minute ))

SIARZE:  Siarze looks down at Demmel makes a weird expression and then  remembers how to raise his eyebrow.  "are y0u wa1t1ng f0r an 1nv1tat10n?"

DEMMEL:  [Heavy sigh! With little warning he starts the painful process of  prepping the stump for the prosthetic.]

DEMMEL:  [It becomes apparent pretty quickly that his hands are rage-shaking  too much for the task. Demmel furiously rumples his hair and continues  the task with psi.]

SIARZE:  Siarze is uncomfortable with the psi being used on him. He tries to  surpress the urge to zap Demmel in the face.  aU: what, n0 hands? just get 1t 0ver w1th. we b0th kn0w y0u want t0  h1t the p1l0t  aU: and pr0bably keep h1tt1ng 0n the p1l0t.

DEMMEL:  [Demmel's face twists.]  _yeah ud like that wouldnt u_  [He's not _quite_ shouting, but.]  u dunno how 2 be anythin but some crazy guy so what i gotta b here 2  pail u or beat u up yeah im _definitely not here to do the thing i  said id do_ especially since im _in the middle of doing the thing??_  what the __heck??!!??____  [Get a hold of yourself...!]

SIARZE:  n0 1 just f1gured y0u had s0me k1nd 0f th1ng f0r helms  aU: but hey y0u want t0 try t0 k1ck the sh1t 0ut 0f me better tr0lls  have tr1ed  aU: granted 1 had all my l1mbs at the t1me s0 maybe h0ld y0ur  [REDACTED] unt1l we're [REDACTED] d0ne

SIARZE:  Siarze's fingers fuss with the hem of the sweater again, flexing and  unflexingly in fits and spasms.

DEMMEL:  [Demmel tries yanking the sweater's hem out of Siarze's grip,  grimacing. Oh, but he growls at the helm comment!]  lay off about proper lay _off_  [Fuck, his voice is doing that shrill thing. The rest, though, he  couldn't agree more. He sets his palmhusk to silent and resolves to  get through this as quickly as possible.]

SIARZE:  Siarze resists the urge to flick Demmel's stupid earing and shuts up  until he has legs.

DEMMEL:  [There's one, and... there's two. Demmel takes his time through the  calibrations, then stands and holds out his hand.]  stand up

SIARZE:  Siarze stands up. Or rather tries to stand up. Or rather puts both  feet down attempts to stand and promptly falls over on Demmel and  claws up his arms. "REDACTED!"

SIARZE:  It takes him a second to remember to right himself with psi but the  damage is already done.

DEMMEL:  [Demmel catches Siarze, thoughts of letting him fall on his face gone  as soon as the claws dig in. Siarze winds up in an awkward half-cuddle  until he is supporting himself. Calm down, Demmel. you know it wasn't  on purpose, this isn't your first rodeo. He breathes hard through his  nose a few times, and he manages a few shakey words.]  how do they feel??

SIARZE:  Siarze is now hovering in something that looks suspiciously like a  standing position and tears his arms off of Demmel as soon as he's  confident that he's not falling again.  Siarze opens his mouth. Closes it.  aU: heavy.

DEMMEL:  no duh >:T >:T  sensorys there  [He taps a spot on his own leg with a claw.]  pt files here  [He taps on his phone for a bit.]  --mechanicalOversight [MO] has sent a file: legPT.zip--  have fun im leaving

SIARZE:  Siarze shoves a convenient piece of furniture in front of the door to  the block.

DEMMEL:  [Demmel, who had turned to exit said door, startles and whips turns  back around.]  r u srsly doin this let me leave

SIARZE:  Siarze doesn't really do much more than float there. A few more  objects pile themselves in front of the door.

SIARZE:  aU: what 1f 1 d0n't want t0?

DEMMEL:  [Demmel doesn't like having to look away from Siarze to read the  messages. He really doesn't like that. His body language is quickly  switching to "expecting an attack."]  why the heck not????

SIARZE:  aU: because 1 d0n't want t0

SIARZE:  aU: hey l00k at that 1'm all0wed t0 want th1ngs n0w

DEMMEL:  [Demmel backs away until here's near the door and tries to move the  objects out of the way.]

SIARZE:  Siarze is pinning the objects down with considerable psionic force!

DEMMEL:  [Demmel licks his lips and looks around the room. He's gone very, very  tense.]

DEMMEL:  [Demmel consideres calling for help, briefly, but the idea gives him  pause. Instead, he decides he's going to hit him! With... a pillow.]  [Dammit all, Demmel.]  [Olive psi crackles around part of the ruined pillow nest and the soft  projectiles of fluffy doom boof into Siarze. Demmel seems almost  excited by his show of daring!]

SIARZE:  The psi on the objects blocking the door disapates momentarily. Siarze  yanks on Demmel's phone with psi!

DEMMEL:  HEY!!!!  [Demmel lunges futilely for his phone, but there it goes! Wow. Just  like Demmel's chill. All of Demmel's chill. He doesn't even notice the  dissipating psi because he is far too intent on zapping the fucking  shit out of whatever part of Siarze he can get his fronds on first.]

SIARZE:  Siarze dumps the phone in the pile of pillows and lurches to one side,  trying to avoid Demmel. Oops, that's a wall. Maybe you should've  thought this out Siarze!

DEMMEL:  [Demmel reaches extra far as Siarze moves, catches the side of his  ribs, and delivers a clumsy shock via equally-clumsy slap. He  stumbles, tries to find his balance again.]

SIARZE:  Siarze is used to shocks but it doesn't help. He's a little  disoriented from colliding with the wall, and goves horns over feet  onto Demmel, arms flailing. Somewhere Troll Yakkety Sax starts  playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ

DEMMEL:  [Demmel flails back at him and starts beating him about the head with  a closed fist. Calling the blows punches would be a severe misnomer.]  _getoffa me!!!!_  [This is the saddest fight in the history of fights.]

SIARZE:  Siarze shouts "REDACTED" and jams his forehead into the nearest bit of  Demmel he can find, arms swinging spastically.

DEMMEL:  [The scuffle continues for a little bit, Demmel alternating between  "oh no oh no what am I doing D: D: D:" and "youRE GONNA PAY FOR  THAT!!!!" His lack of experience fighting is ridiculously obvious.]

SIARZE:  Siarze gets most of the worst of it, between his pan-minder flaring up  when he tries to use psi against Demmel and not being able to move his  prosthetics well he's not doing too much damage to Saint Mellod. He's  not blocking very well either but the expression on his face is both  angry and gleeful when it's not filled with pain or frustration.

DEMMEL:  what are you _grinning about??!!_  [Demmel doesn't check the impulse to literally wipe the grin off  Siarze's face. GJ Demmel just put your hand practically in his mouth  excellent planning this will go great.]

SIARZE:  *CHOMP*

DEMMEL:  [shrIEK]  [Shoving into the bite deepens the punctures, but it's better than  ripping.]