#marvana

*Alternia, 6 Alternian Sweeps/13 Earth years ago*

Your name is...... well, your full name will be revealed later, but for now, your name is simply Livana. And right now? You're in a world of deep trouble. One minute, you were fleeing from the Drones that killed your matesprit, the next, you somehow ended up at a music festival dedicated specifically to Purple blooded performers, also known as ClownFest XXwreX. Luckily, you were able to escape the Drones' detection, and you figured being in a large crowd would lessen the chances of them finding and spotting you..... so, as much as you detested..... well, just about everything about this festival, you were glad for a moment that you ended up here. You would stay only for a little while for your own safety, and then you had every intention of running off and hiding away in your woods again.... forever this time, with no intention of letting yourself ever be seen again by another Troll or Drone....... Buuuuuut, that wasn't exactly how it all went down.

It's here that you feel something splash all over your face, ripping you from a deep state of unconsciousness

Livana: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *quickly sits up and shakes herself from head to toe, blinking rapidly as she tries to get a grip on all her senses* Wh- Wha?????? What is..... *looks down all over her body, at the tattered burgundy dress she is wearing, realizing the liquid that splashed on her is very sticky and smells a lot like fructose*..... Is this..... Faygo????? Who the hell would dump Faygo all over--

You freeze in the middle of your sentence as you look up, a wave of fear immediately taking over your being....... standing before you is a tall Troll in Juggalo face paint, with long black hair and asymmetrical horns on his head. You notice the outfit he is wearing, which looks very similar to what a circus ringleader would wear, plus the cane with the purple crystal in his right hand, while in his other hand, he holds a microphone...... You immediately recognize that just moments ago, before the crowd had turned into a mosh pit and trampled all over you, you were watching this very clown performer on the stage while you were trying to blend in and hide from the drones...... You don't listen to rap music by any means, but you've heard this Troll's name around Alternia enough that you would recognize him anywhere.......... and it's only your shitty luck that you would get dragged up onto this stage at ClownFest and made into a spectacle by none other than Marvus Xoloto himself.

Marvus:*smiling down at Livana in a playful manner, but if you pay close attention, you can see a hint of concern in his eyes as he moves his hips to the music*........*covers his microphone so the audience doesn't hear him* Hey babe, you alright?

Livana: ?????.........

Marvus:*grins at her, holding a hand out to her* You want to dance?~ :0)

Livana:...........*feeling wary of his intentions, she slowly pushes herself up to her bare feet, stumbling for a moment before she cautiously approaches him and takes the hand offered to her*

Marvus:*pulls her close, his grin now seeming more mischievous as he speaks into the microphone again* Look what we got here! *looks down at the color of her torn dress* This fucking lowblood here was front and center with y'all, and I guess she couldn't handle our crazy fucking energy, huh??

Livana:*flinches the moment she hears all the crowd booing, knowing its directed at her and bracing herself for this to turn deadly*......... *mutters to herself* Goddamn Purple bloods.... You're all the fucking same........

Marvus;*chuckles, the sultry sound of it enough to send a tremble down Livana's spine*...... Got a mouth on you, don't you, sweetie? *speaks into the microphone again* So.... what does everyone here think i should do with this little weakling, then? Any opinions?????

*Cue the very loud sound of almost every Troll in the audience chanting "KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!"

Livana:.....................................

Marvus: Wow, y'all want me to kill her?? Shit, that's brutal! Well, I ain't one to let down my fans, you hear me?? What better way to cap off a wicked night than with a little gutterblood shower!

Livana:...........*reaches into the pocket of her skirt for a weapon, but her eyes widen in horror the moment she finds nothing, realizing she lost her weapon somewhere between her running from the Drones and getting caught up in the mosh pit*..........

Marvus: :0) Looking for this, sugar?~ *pulls out the weapon he took from her, revealing a familiar ritual knife*

Livana: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..........

Before you could attack or make an escape, or Mother Alternia forbid, do something drastic that would put you at the top of Her Imperious Condescension's Culling List, Marvus quickly drags you over to a makeshift crucifix on the stage that some stage crew members set up, as he immediately ties you up, suspending you above the ground............... So..... just like this, is it? Just like many of your foremothers before you........ history will never give Trolls like you a break, will they?

Livana:.......*squints at the spotlights all shine directly on her, finding herself overwhelmed by both the lights, and the barbaric cheers and screams from the crowd*

Marvus;*slowly walks up to her, still grinning, seeming to make sure he's directly in front of her so only he can see her*

It's here you witness as your apparent executioner reveals that the cane in his hand isn't just a cane, but rather, it is the holder of a sharp blade that was hidden within, as he unsheathes the surprise weapon and reveals it to you. Well..... you can only hope this will be less painful than the flames that have consumed many of those before you....... unless.......

Marvus:*gets a little bit closer to Livana, winking at her, hoping she'll get the message*

......... He really thinks your stupid, doesn't he? If experience has taught you anything the last 8 sweeps of your life, it's this; Never trust a Purple blood.

Livana:...............*growls viciously at Marvus, her eyes suddenly turning pitch black*

Marvus: !!!!!!!!!!.........

Livana:....... Interim, ultimus castae meae maneo. Nimis multae sorores meae ante me, necnon alii Trolli minus fortunati, a similibus vestris saevitiaverunt, purpureo venas earum defluente. Deum te putas quia tot sectatores habes qui terram quam calcas venerantur, qui pro te morituri aut occiderent, sed non magis Troll es quam quisquam alius. Immo, Troll similes tibi sunt infirmissimi quos Alternia offert. Hic mundus damnatus et eius crudeles modi iam abstulerunt quod plurimum amabam, causam vivendi. Sed hac nocte, antequam ad mores meos eremiticos, qui me ab hoc mundo derelicto tuerunt, revertar, omnibus fidelibus vestris hic sectatoribus demonstrabo vos, et omnes Altos, numquam in me potestatem habituros esse. Umbrae sanguines vivent, et omne venenum quo Matrem Alterniam eiusque dona infecistis purgabimus--

Marvus:*quickly covers her mouth, making sure he's not speaking into the microphone* Whoa, now, lady....... Whatever the hell you're saying sounds wicked and all, but....... listen........ I just need you to trust me....... you feel me? For just a minute........

Livana:............

Marvus:...........*gives her another smile, this one less cheeky and more genuine, like he's trying really hard to get his point across and get her to listen to him*

Livana:..............*carefully observes his aura, realizing there are no malicious intentions hidden underneath*.........*deciding to give him a chance, her eyes revert back to normal*

Marvus;*grins, now able to carry on with the show as he slowly raises his blade in the air, getting ready to strike her..... or so it appears*

Despite what his aura told you, you can't help but flinch and turn your head away as he brings down his blade..... only for the weapon to sink deep into the wood beside your neck.

Livana:.........*opens one of her eyes to peek at the Troll that still has her bound to this crucifix*

Marvus:.......*glances between her and the blade, his subtle way of telling her to play dead*

Livana:.......*slightly nods in understanding, hanging her head low to make it look like he killed her*

As you play dead on the cross, the very image you must be presenting still bringing back memories of stories you read about those like you who came before you, you hear the sound of the crowd's cheers and screams turning more animalistic by the second...... You don't even need to open your eyes to know that they've all begun slandering each other in the mosh pit...... God, the barbarian ways this planet has forced upon all your race...... you really can't stand it...... some days, you wish you had a spell that could eradicate this entire planet and replace it with something more tranquil..... something where all it's inhabitants could find peace.....

........ Alas, you're not the prophecized Troll of your caste meant to bring on that change...... No..... That's right.... You were so grief stricken by your loss from earlier that day, you forgot your life's purpose......... but..... with your matesprit gone, who will help you fulfill that?

..............

The noise finally dies down, and with the crowd all dead or unconscious, that officially marks the end of ClownFest. While the audience members were all busy slaughtering each other, all the Clown performers that had been at the show all night had come out for a final encore together, which you could hear Marvus taking part in. This lasted about 45 seconds however before the festival grounds were now completely covered with bodies, so, they all decided to call it a night and head backstage.... that is, except for Marvus, who chose to stay with you and wait until you were both alone so he could untie you and take you down from the cross.

Livana:*finds herself being held bridal style by Marvus as he takes her down, the gesture being enough to make her blush in embarrassment* Huh???????

Marvus: Hm....... *smiles, letting out a soft chuckle as he caresses her cheek*....... Ain't that an interesting color?......

Livana: !!!!!!!!!!!!! *eyes widen as she realizes she's been exposed, a look of horror in her eyes, feeling sure she's really going to be killed this time*.........

Marvus: Black blush, eyes that turn black?....... So....... I finally met a witch, did i?.......

Livana:............

Marvus:*chuckles* Come on..... We can talk in my dressing room.......

Later, in Marvus' dressing room

Livana:*sitting in a chair with a towel wrapped around her shoulders after Marvus let her use his shower to clean the Faygo off of her, while she herself is holding a cup of the beverage in her hands*.................

Marvus:........... You barely touched your drink. Guess you don't dig Faygo?

Livana:......... I'm not really a fan of carbonated drinks......... Do you perchance have water i could drink instead?

Marvus: Hell yeah, girl, I got you. Here, *opens his fridge to pull out a bottle of water, giving it to her as he takes the Faygo off her hands* There you go, drink up now.

Livana;........*opens the water, ending up gulping down almost the entire bottle, not realizing until now just how thirsty she was*

Marvus;*eyes widen*........ Damn. Heh, guess ClownFest really does tend to make those who survive it pretty fucking dehydrated.

Livana:......... I had a really rough night....... I was..... running from someone trying to kill me, and I ended up here somehow, so I just hid in the crowd to avoid an untimely end.......

Marvus: Oh...... Damn. *chuckles* Lucky you caught my eye, then. Whoever the fucker after you is, they wouldn't have dared try to storm to the stage just to get a hold of you..... I would have actually killed them.

Livana:................... What's your angle, Xoloto?

Marvus: Hm?

Livana:........... You spared me during the show..... and now you know my blood color........ so why isn't your first instinct to kill the only living witch on Alternia that's sitting right in front of you? I'm sure if you had the chance to present my corpse to Her Imperious Condescension, she'd gladly reserve a respectable spot for you in her army once you reach 9 Sweeps and have to leave this planet........ maybe you'd immediately be granted the title of being the next Grand Highblood.

Marvus:..........*chuckles* As if I give a fuck about getting in her good graces. You should meet her Heiress if you haven't, already..... Complete fucking cunt.

Livana:........... That's not an answer to my question....... Don't you all take pleasure in slaughtering those below you? Especially those considered mutants?

Marvus:*chuckles again* You really got an idea on what we're all like, don't you?..... Guess a lot of Purple Bloods have hurt you, haven't they?

Livana:...........

Marvus: But..... to answer your question....... *chuckles* Well, I saw you getting trampled on by all those crazies out there...... didn't really want to leave a pretty little thing like you out there to get stomped all over to death, you feel me? Then, well...... when I realized your blood is black and not burgundy..... That i was actually in the presence of a witch, when I thought those had all been culled way back in ancient times? Even more of a reason to not kill you...... I mean, you're the last of an endangered class....... Honestly, I'd feel like shit if I caused your people's extinction...... I don't know what the Empress has against magic, but, in my humble opinion? Whatever's left of it, we need to preserve it as much as we can. So, by not killing you, I'm making sure the miracle that is magic lives on, hopefully on to the next generation too.......

Livana:......... So........ You actually believe magic is worth saving?

Marvus: Baby? You ask me, Alternia could do with as much magic as it can get..... If more Trolls could wield it, maybe it would actually save this godforsaken planet.

Livana:.............

Marvus: Hm? What? *chuckles* Purr beast got your tongue? *playfully sticks his tongue out*

Livana: I just..... wasn't expecting to hear a Purple blood actually advocating for witches....... Back then, so many of your kind killed Trolls like me........ if we weren't being burned at the stake by seadwellers and Indigo bloods, then the Purple bloods were having the time of their lives tearing us limb from limb until nothing was left of us........ *pauses*....... Maybe I was wrong...... maybe not all Purple bloods are the same....... You might actually be a rare exception among them........

Marvus: Heh..... We're a little more complicated than you think, my Black Magic Woman.

Livana:.......... What?

Marvus:*chuckles* Just a nickname that came to mind....... Seeing as I don't know your real name and all. *pauses*........ Would it be much to ask for the name of the rare beauty I've had the pleasure of meeting and saving from a bunch of crazy Trolls?

*Rosali teleports back to the meteor after visiting LOCAH to speak with Jane and help her obtain a guide to help her through Sburb. She steps off the teleporter, looking around the room she finds herself in, remembering that just a couple hours ago, she and Eridan temporarily parted ways in this room when she set off on her short journey*

Rosali;...... See? I wasn't gone that long.... Just like I told Eridan I wouldn't be..... *giggles* Ah, Eridan...... He worries too much, but..... It's sweet, it is...... Well..... *smiles, beaming with joy* Well.... I'm home now. Just in time to make dinner! Oh, what should I make?? I'll come up with something when I see what we have.

*Rosali exits the room, turning down the hall and immediately making her way to the living room/kitchen area...... As she gets closer to the room, a smell wafts in the air and makes its way to her nostrils...... A delicious mix of smells at that; cooked meat and vegetables, seasonings, sauces, the smell of fish...... An entire cacophony of mouth watering smells*

Rosali: ??????...... Huh?......

*Rosali continues her venture, following the smells, which soon lead her to her original destination to begin with...... What Rosali finds surprises her; Everyone on the meteor, except for Lisa it seems, all gathered in the common room. Even Bec and Peregrine are present. Most of the group are sitting on the couch or on the floor close to the fake fireplace (which was installed a while ago to give the meteor a more cozy vibe), their plates filled with a variety of Asian dishes, from sushi, to noodles, to dumplings, to egg rolls, to rice, to cooked meats and vegetables from a hot pot cooker. Tavros is enjoying his food, occasionally giving a piece of meat to Bec. Nepeta gobbles down half of her plate, filled with just sushi, noodles, dumplings, and meat, while Equius looks at her with eyes widened at her insatiable appetite for meat, his plate full of just noodles and vegetables. Terezi, being the daredevil she can be, has one plate full of food and another plate filled with different hot sauce dips, including an alarming amount of wasabi. Vriska slowly slurps her noodles while giving a subtle side glare to Tavros and Bec, still feeling bitter that she didn't get to be the one to take Bec down. Gamzee just sits quietly, taking small bites of his food, but also glancing at Tavros every few seconds, a smile on his face from seeing Tavros so happy with his new canine friend. Peregrine is joining the group as well, not saying much, but enjoying a plate full of meat and dumplings. Feferi and Eridan are talking, Feferi mostly chatting away happily, while Eridan mostly nods along while listening to her. As for Karkat, Kanaya, Sollux, Dave and Rose? Well, Dave, Rose and Kanaya are mostly just watching in amusement as Sollux and Karkat argue over the proper way to hold chopsticks, apparently a result of Karkat struggling to use his chopsticks to pull food out from the hot pot cooker on the counter*

Sollux: Kk, I'm telling you dude, you're doing it wrong!

Karkat: Shut up! How hard can it be to use 2 sticks just to eat some fucking food?!

Sollux: Gee, I don't know, maybe ask the beef strips that keep falling every time you pick them up??

Karkat:*tries to use his chopsticks to pick up said beef strips out of the hot pot..... and just as Sollux predicted, the beef strips fall from his grasp again* FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave;*a laugh escapes his throat from seeing his boyfriend struggle* Babe..... Here, let me show you the proper way. Rose showed me not too long ago. *puts his plate down and reaches around Karkat, helping him properly adjust his hand so he's not struggling with the chopsticks so much*

Karkat: !!!!!!!!!! *blushes as Dave helps him, but he doesn't say anything in the moment, letting him do what he's doing*

Rose:*laughs a little too, when she glances up and sees Rosali* !!!!!!! Oh! Everyone, look who's finally back!

*Everyone immediately looks in Rosali's direction at the common room's entrance, seeing that the witchy Troll has returned from LOCAH. Its quiet for a moment, but for the most part, everyone seems happy by her arrival*

Tavros: Rosali! Hey! You're back ^v^ Hi!

Bec;*lets out a bark, likely a greeting, wagging his tail*

Nepeta: We knew you wouldn't be gone long! Welcome back!~ ^v^

Karkat;*staring in Rosali's direction, immediately going quiet; The last time he and Rosali interacted, it was when everyone found out about her true blood color, and he had lashed out because he felt betrayed by her keeping this secret from him. He deeply regrets his behavior that day, but..... between his shame and how shaken up and distant Rosali had been since then, he couldn't bring himself to speak to her up to this point*............

Eridan:...... Moonstone...... *smiles, standing up from where he and Feferi were sitting near the fake fire, walking over to Rosali and pulling her into a tight hug*

Rosali: !!!!!! *smiles at the hug, letting out a small laugh as she hugs Eridan back* Hi, Eridan..... I'm back, see? I told you I would be~

Eridan; I knoww.... Just...... *smiles, letting out a chuckle as he kisses her forehead* Wwelcome home.......

Rosali:*her smile widens as she looks around the room, seeing everyone already enjoying dinner* Goodness..... Starting so soon? What's the occasion?

Terezi: Nothing, really. We all just agreed someone else should take charge and make dinner for a change. Give you a little break.

Rosali: You did? Everyone, you didn't have to-- *immediately notices all the wasabi on one of Terezi's plates, amongst all the other hot sauces*............ Thats....... a lot of...... a lot of spice there, Terezi.......

Sollux: As soon as Rose proposed we all have Asian tonight, Terezi decided to get creative with whatever sauces she could get her hands on....... and by creative, I mean fucking crazy, and that she's definitely not going to be able to taste anything for a month after tonight.

Terezi;*grins, giggling like a maniac* Worth it! Wasabi is the best hot sauce! >:] It tastes the best! *dips one of her sushi rolls into her wasabi, eating the entire roll in one bite*

Feferi;*giggles happily, looking up to Rosali* Grab a plate, get as much as you want! ^v^ Rose and Kanaya made enough for EVERYONE!!!!!!~

Rosali;*laughs softly* Very well..... Thank you...... *walks to the kitchen, picking up a plate and using the presented utensils on the counter to pick out just a little of everything...... Admittedly, the amount she puts on her plate is more than the amount of food she normally eats*

*By the time Rosali's plate is already full, Karkat, Sollux, Dave, Rose and Kanaya are all looking at Rosali with wide eyes, wondering if she can even eat all of it*

Rosali:...... ? What is it?

Kanaya: Nothing! Nothing at all, just....... All the times we've eaten together, I don't think you've had such large portions before. At least not in one sitting.

Sollux: Has Eridan not been fucking making sure you were eating this whole time?? *immediately turns to glare in Eridan's direction*

Eridan: Of course I havve! I'vve made her breakfast, lunch and dinner evvery day since she awwakened as--....... *stops himself, looking over to Rosali, worried that might be a sore subject for her*

Rosali:......*giggles* It's okay, Eridan..... Whatever the circumstances, it's still my God Tier...... I don't want to treat it like some tuskbeast in the room. I admit, I've been..... well..... not my best self since my true nature as The Witch Of Doom revealed itself..... since I regained my memories of the planet the game sent me to, and everything that happened...... but....... *pauses*...... *giggles, looking up at everyone* I'm happy we're all spending time together...... I don't think we've all sat down for a meal together since that day. I guess I'm just..... happy enough to indulge myself a little.

*Everyone goes quiet at that, out of a moment of reflection; Between everything that was revealed about Rosali and her planet that day, there had been some amount of distance between some of the crew. Eating dinner together had become an almost daily routine at one point when Rosali was the one to propose the idea a year ago, but..... the dinner table had practically been collecting dust since then. It occurs to everyone only then that this is the first time in weeks that they had all sat down together as a group and enjoyed each other's company, the main differences being the presence of the 2 canine hybrids, and the absence of a certain Sylph*

Rosali: ! Wait...... Where's Lisa? Will she be joining us?

Rose:........ Sadly, no....... Something happened after you left, and..... we all decided it was best to let her have space.

Rosali: ?????..... What happened?.....

Karkat;......... Let's not talk about it, okay? Let's all just eat......

Dave:.........*nods slowly; Almost no one can see it thanks to his glasses, but he's very torn after hearing how Lisa snapped and attacked Karkat*

Rosali:..... Oh...... *nods slowly* Okay....... *looks to Rose and Kanaya* Thank you both for cooking, tonight.

Kanaya; Of course, but, Rose was the one who came up with the idea for tonight's dishes. I simply followed the recipes, although, a lot of this food is actually quite similar to what was served in some Eastern Alternian restaurants back home.

Rose;*laughs a little* I still can't believe Alternia had its own version of Asia..... It begs the question of what other similarities you all bestowed on Earth when you created us.

Kanaya: Who's to say..... Besides the biological differences between our species, and the fact your planet was much more peaceful in comparison to Alternia, Alternia and Earth may as well have been the same planet.

*Rosali finishes filling her plate, as do Karkat, Sollux, Dave, Rose and Kanaya, as they all make their way to sit with everyone else in the living room; Rosali and Sollux sit with Eridan and Feferi, while Dave, Karkat, Rose and Kanaya all sit in beanbag chairs placed in the room*

Rosali:*smiles, looking around at everyone in the room, feeling a sense of peace sitting with all her friends, plus her matesprit, in one room again*....... *looks over to the snow white dog hybrid sitting in oneo of the beanbag chairs*...... Peregrine, was it?

Peregrine;*looks over to her*

Rosali:........ I don't think we were formally introduced until now....... Pleasure to meet you properly; My name is Rosali. What's your story?

Peregrine:........... There's not much to tell.... *pauses*..... I delivered mail...... I was crowned Queen at one point, by my own former Queen..... My friends and I all tried to rebuild civilization on an abandoned world after our own worlds were destroyed....... but...... they all died...... *slowly glances to Bec, still happily eating meat*...... He killed them....... I spent the last year chasing him, hunting him down for what he did...... but...... *looks to Tavros* You did the job for me.

Tavros: !!!!!!

Peregrine: That spell you cast..... the language you spoke.... You erased his Jack half, the part of him that killed my friends..... and who knows how many other people...... Thanks to you, Paradox Space has one less murderous monster to deal with...... so thank you, Tavros.

Tavros: I.......*nods slowly* Yeah..... of course......

Rosali:....... What are your plans? Now that Jack is no longer a threat......

Peregrine:.......*shrugs*....... I'm too far away from home..... everyone i cared about is gone now..... I don't have anything left, really...... and after what you all did, seeing what you're all up against..... it only seems right to stick around and help you all.

Vriska:...... Wait.... you said you delivered mail? What?

Peregrine: It was my occupation on Prospit, and the new world my friends and I tried to build...... My passion, really, but.... that's the past. Now, I'm just.... here. Helping to make sure you kids don't die.

Kanaya: Well...... We are happy to have you with us, Peregrine. *smiles* We apologize for the late greeting, with all the tension that's gone around, but, welcome to the team.

Peregrine: Thank you..... don't worry about it. You've all been through a lot...... *looks back to Rosali*....... You...... You just about incapacitated Jack when you and Vriska came to confront him. *laughs a bit* That was the first time i had ever seen him so afraid..... You have a lot of power in you, Rosali. I can see it.

Rosali:...... I.......*looks down at her plate*..... Yes. I am aware that..... well....... I'm quite unusual for a Troll.......

Dave: Hey, come on, guys. Lets not talk about past shit, okay? Lets just--

Karkat: Wait.

Dave: !!!!!!!!.... Oh. Shit. Right...... Karkat wanted to say something. My bad.

Rosali: ?....... What is it, Karkat?

Karkat:............ Its...... *pauses*...... Look..... the food was Rose and Kanaya's idea, but...... all of us being here, together?...... Eridan and I planned it.

Rosali: ??????..... You..... You did?

Eridan:........ Wwe nevver threww you a proper wwriggling day party because of wwhat had happened...... *smiles* This is your belated party.

Rosali: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......... All of this....... for me?.......

Karkat:........*nods*......... I....... *trails off, trying to find the words to say*......... Listen........ When it came out you were a mutant too...... I was upset. Pissed off...... I felt betrayed by you....... I mean..... all the time we've all known you, you lied to us about your blood color..... On top of that, without knowing that Nepeta, Rose and Terezi already knew, or that Aradia knew when we last saw her...... you let Eridan know about your black blood, which makes sense, he's your matesprit...... But Equius? You guys are close, yes, but you and Equius aren't even in a quadrant with each other...... and..... just........ it hurt. It hurt that despite what we have in common, you didn't think you could open up to me at the beginning when you learned about my blood........ It hurt to the point that I wondered WHY you wanted me to open up about my blood in the first place....... when you never even planned on doing the same thing. I mean...... you see the flaw in your logic, don't you?

Rosali:......... Yes. *nods slowly* I've.... I've been aware of my own hypocrisy for a long time.......

Karkat:......... Still........ When I first found out....... I handled it all really poorly....... I owe you, and everyone in this room an apology. Equius? Nepeta? Terezi? Rose? I'm sorry for putting you guys on blast when you admitted you knew about Rosali's blood. For calling you guys liars for hiding it from me...... You were only trying to protect Rosali when she wasn't ready to open up about it. You guys are good friends for that...... Eridan? I'm sorry for lashing out at you, cornering you when I knew you were hiding something. You were only trying to look out for your matesprit..... You promised to keep her secret for her, and matesprits are supposed to uphold promises with each other. I can't fault you for keeping a promise to her. Rosali?...... I'm sorry for going up to you and demanding answers from you when you were completely clueless on how we all found out about your blood....... I....... I was honestly the biggest asshole to you, out of everyone. If I hadn't acted the way I did, we could have just eased you back into your memories, instead of Lisa blowing everything up and shoving that video in your face...... I never wanted to make your mental health worse, I just....... wanted to understand. *pauses*....... I still have a hard time understanding why you couldn't confide in me..... but...... that was never your obligation...... you dealt with the matter of your blood in your own way, just like I did all my life. Its still not easy fully accepting that part of yourself when it would have gotten you killed on Alternia, right?

Rosali;*nods slowly* Exactly.......

Karkat; Yeah....... *pauses*....... I don't hate you for hiding it from me, Rosali. I never did, Pitch or otherwise. If anything, despite how angry I was..... I understand. I do. *pauses again*..... Everyone else? I'm sorry for being a psychotic, raging asshole that day. You all know I'm not the best at controlling my anger, or my emotions in general....... it's one of...... many things I need to work on if I want to be a good leader. Leaders don't lash out at their teammates when they're overwhelmed, or even when things are irreparably fucked. And...... *pauses*....... If you'll all still have me as your leader, I want the chance to be better.

Equius: ?????...... "If"? Vantas......

Karkat:......... I did appoint myself as leader without giving anyone a chance to voice otherwise back then....... But...... since we met the humans, we learned about how some leaders are chosen based on a popular vote.

Kanaya: !!!!!!!!!!! Karkat.......

Dave: Babe, wait--

Eridan: Kar, wwhere exactly are you going wwith this?

Karkat:........... Peregrine included, not including the former murder dog that has no idea what's going on, there's 14 of you in this room.

Gamzee: Karkat..... Bro, come on, you don't gotta mothafucking--

Karkat; Show of hands; How many of you still want me as your leader?

*Besides Peregrine, who still barley knows these kids, everyone else in the room sits in silence, completely stunned by this moment; Karkat still wants to the chance to prove he's a good leader, but if most of the team doesn't want it, he's willing to step down and let someone else take on the role. This is BEYOND different from the Karkat they all knew just half a sweep ago when this hellish game started. For a moment, they almost wonder if a Changeling snuck aboard, took Karkat and then began impersonating Karkat, and this version of him is actually the Changeling in question. They know how Karkat can be, from his irritability to his sometimes uncontrollable temper...... But can they really picture anyone else as their leader at this point? Can they?.....*

*....... Slowly but surely, people begin raising their hands in favor of Karkat staying their leader; Dave, then Gamzee, then Nepeta, then Kanaya, then Terezi. More of the group begins to raise their hands. Rosali, Sollux, Eridan, Feferi, Tavros, Rose, Equius...... To everyone's surprise, even Vriska raises her hand in favor of Karkat staying leader. Following along with the others, Peregrine is the last to raise her hand*

Vriska:....... What? He's been our leader this long, and we're all still here, aren't we?

Karkat;*eyes widen in shock as he looks around at all his friends and their raised hands, including his matesprit and moirail, actually appearing to be in disbelief that they all want him as their leader still*.......

Gamzee: Come on, bro...... No one else would mothafucking fit the part like you. You've got your own miracles going on when you lead this team, bro.

Terezi: Exactly! You've worked your ass off this last year to prove yourself, you think we're gonna let you give that up??

Nepeta: AC joyfully raises her hand in favor of Karkitty! She knows what a grumpy pants he can be, but it's part of what helps him be assertive! All leaders need to be assertive!~ ^w^ He knows how to get the job done!

Rosali; Karkat....... You had every reason to be upset about what I hid from you. I mean..... you spent so long believing you were the only mutant on this meteor...... You've always felt like you had to compensate for that somehow, as if it was your fault you were born with the blood you have....... I mean...... *a sad smile forms on her face*........ I've never felt such self loating for myself and my blood, as much as it scares me even now...... but....... You must have wanted someone you could connect to on that level for so long...... someone who understands the fear you dealt with for so long...... someone who knows what that fear is like...... because you both lived through it. Right?

Karkat:.........*nods slowly*....... Yeah......... Heh...... I never even thought there would be other mutants...... but you were here, all along.......

Vriska: Oh my god, would you both just make out already?!

Terezi;*jabs her in her side with her elbow*

Vriska: OW!

Rosali:....... Yes. Here i am. And here you are...... We both know what we were both hiding. We can still connect over our shared experience as mutants, can we?

Karkat:........*nods slowly, a small smile forming on his face* Yeah..... Yeah. We can......... *pauses*.......

*Karkat places his food on the coffee table, before getting up from his beanbag and walking over to Rosali, kneeling down to where she sits with Eridan, Sollux and Feferi as he pulls out a small gift box*

Rosali: !!!!!!!!!

Karkat:....... This is your late wriggling day party. And I never got you a gift, so...... here. This was a last-minute thing when Eridan and I planned this....... *pauses*...... I had help from Sollux......

Rosali:........*slowly reaches out, gently grasping the present and staring at it. When she looks down and feels the item, she realizes it feels like a picture frame*

*Careful not to ruin the bow or tear the wrapping paper, Rosali carefully unwraps the gift in her hands, all the way down to the last bit, until the gift is revealed*

Rosali: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *covers her mouth, her eyes widened in shock when she realizes what she's holding*..............

*In Rosali's hands lies a photograph. Not just any photograph, but one of her missing parents, Marvus Xoloto and Livana Vetana, the picture taken approximately 6 and a half sweeps/14 years ago, the picture encased in a purple and black colored frame. The photograph shows Marvus and Livana on top of a hill under the starry Alternian sky, standing under an altar made of purple roses and black roses, sharing a deep, loving kiss with one another..... What really catches Rosali's attention is not just the fact she's holding a picture of her parents she never met, but that Marvus appears to be wearing a purple tuxedo in the picture, while Livana wears what appears to be a black wedding dress and veil*

Sollux; I, uh...... Well...... After we dealt with Bec and you passed out, i..... went through your husktop again to see if there was anything I missed related to your Sgrub planet. There wasn't anything else...... but..... all these files kept appearing as soon as midnight came and it was officially your wriggling day. Photos, videos, audio files...... *pauses*...... I didn't look at the videos or listen to the audio files..... it seemed like maybe you should have a listen first....... but....... I did look at a few photos with Kk...... *looks up and nods towards the photo* Between the whole "missing parents" thing and your love for weddings in general? That one seemed the most appropriate as a gift.

Terezi;........ Weddings were actually a thing on Alternia? Since when?

Sollux; I don't know..... But...... *pauses*....... it might have been Rosali's mom's idea...... From some photos and journal entries I found, she was a weird Troll......

Tavros; How did all of that even appear on Rosali's husktop??

Sollux:.......... Rosali? Your husktop..... where did you get it?

Rosali;........ After I first met Eridan, I asked my Lusus about getting a husktop...... And she dug through an old closet i was never allowed inside, and found that husktop. I always figured it belonged to whoever last lived in my old cottage........

Kanaya:........ Perhaps..... it was a relic from your mother?

Rosali:........ Maybe....... Maybe........

Sollux;.......... A lot of your mom's entries kept mentioning a place called "Beforus"..... Know anything about it?

Eridan:...... Beforus?........

Rosali:........*nods* I know the name..... Some of my books, and some of the old songs my Lusus taught me..... songs and stories passed down from witches long gone...... many of them talk about a place called Beforus...... A place that once existed before Alternia, but is no more...... A place where we all once lived in previous lives, where everyone was happy, lived in harmony..... A Shangri-La.........

Feferi:....... These stories..... do they say what happened to Beforus?

Rosali:........ All of them say the same thing...... That it was destroyed by a Fuschia blood that wanted to destroy the peacefulness of it and bring upon something more devastating........

*This immediately silences everyone in the room. Of course, it is but a mere myth, passed down from witches long dead....... There's no way this Beforus was real. But even so...... an entire world, destroyed by one Fuschia blood? And then replaced by Alternia? It almost sounds like a horrific story about the origins of Her Imperious Condescension......*

Feferi:...............*lowers her head, overwhelmed by this revelation, despite the nonexistent chance of this story being real. Sollux immediately holds her hand in an attempt to comfort her*

Rosali:.......... I still don't know the full story..... but...... between that, and The Condesce's rulings against magic and witchcraft? It seems the Fuschias and the protectors of Mother Alternia..... perhaps even the protectors of Mother Beforus....... have a rather nasty history......

Dave:........ What about....... What about protectors of Mother Earth?....... *pauses*....... We already know that crazy Empress infiltrated Earth and eventually disguised herself as Betty Crocker....... If there actually were witches on Earth too.......

Rose;....... Depending on just how long The Condesce hid on Earth, I wouldn't be surprised if she had something to do with the Salem Witch Trials.......

Rosali:.........*shakes her head, a smile on her face*...... Lets not dwell on any of that..... *looks back down at the picture of her parents*..... This....... *hugs the picture close to her, black tears streaming down her face* Thank you....... Karkat, Sollux..... Thank you both...... Eridan? Thank you for organizing this with Karkat.....

Vriska: Hey, Dualscar! *grins cheekily* Where's YOUR gift for Rosali?

Rosali;*giggles, holding up her hand to reveal her promise ring on her ring finger from Eridan* Right here~ ^v^ A promise ring~

Eridan;*smirks back at Vriska as he holds up his hand as well; All of his fingers are completely void of the gold and violet rings he once wore, instead now only having a single ring on his ring finger, a violet band with a black stone in the middle*

Rose:...........*can't help but laugh to herself* If..... No, WHEN we find your parents, Rosali, I hope your dad isn't the overprotective type. Trust me, on Earth, men who have daughters were known for being a little unhinged when their daughters found boyfriends........ Men with sons as well, but, its a common stereotype for "Girl Dads" as they were called.

Dave:.......... Those are fucking purity rings.

Karkat: Dave, shut up, don't ruin thi--

*Rosali immediately pulls Karkat into a tight hug, before hugging Sollux, and finally Eridan, giving the seadweller prince a deep kiss on the mouth for a moment before pulling away*

Rosali; Thank you...... Thank you all, so much..... thank you, thank you, thank you........

Gamzee; Hey..... Rosali? Is it cool if I see that wicked photograph real mothafucking quick?

Rosali: Oh! *nods, remembering that Gamzee mentioned a few times that he was a big fan of Marvus Xoloto* Of course, here ^v^ *hands the photograph to Gamzee*

Gamzee;*stares down at the picture for a moment, carefully studying it, as if he wanted to make sure its the real deal*........ Heh..... *laughs a bit* Holy fucking shit..... Its legit. That's him....... That's really the mothafucker I listened to since I was a wriggler....... and your mom..... Fuck, Rosa..... She looks just like you.

Tavros;*moves closer to look at the picture, his eyes widening* !!!!!!!!! Oh my god....... She does! Thats........ *laughs a bit* That's so crazy....... *pauses*........ Do you think our ancestors looked that much like us?

Vriska: More than likely. Did you forget that we saw Sollux and Nepeta's ancestors in that video on Rosali's husktop? For them, it must have been like looking in a mirror.

Sollux:................

Nepeta:......................

Equius:*immediately notices the crestfallen look on his matesprit's face* Oh..... Nepeta....... *reaches out, gently pulling her into a comforting embrace*

Feferi:*pulls Sollux into an embrace as well, kissing his cheek and rubbing his back*...... Don't think about it..... don't think about it, okay Honeybee?

Terezi: Vriska?...... For once, just....... stop talking, please?

Vriska;...... Tch, *looks away, a scowl in her eyes*

Tavros;*flinches, looking down, feeling like this is his fault for mentioning their ancestors to begin with*........

Bec;*senses his master feeling uneasy, whimpering as he rubs his nose against Tavros' side, pushing himself so that he's under Tavros' arm*

Tavros:*looks down at the little pup trying to cheer him up, smiling as he gently pets his familiar's back*.........

*Tavros finds himself looking out a nearby window high above; Through it, everyone can see as the stars zip past them, as a result of the meteor going at the speed of light towards the next session, a stop that is still 2 years away. Even at such speed, the stars and the dark sky are still a wonder to observe if you take just a moment to look and take it in*

Tavros:........ You know....... I only recently realized just how beautiful Paradox Space can be....... *pauses*....... In a way, right now..... we're all actually flying..... flying through space......

Feferi:......... Is it as nice as you always pictured flying to be?

Tavros:........ Its not the same..... But...... *small smile* I'll take it for now.......

Gamzee:*stares down at his matesprit, able to see that after everything, he still has a longing deep down to truly fly*.........*places a gentle kiss on Tavros' temple, before he hands the photograph back to Rosali. Afterwards, he reaches next to the end of the couch where he's sitting, before pulling out his guitar, resting it on his lap, and then beginning to strum a peaceful tune on the instrument to fill the silence in the room*

Vriska:..................*sighs dramatically, rolling her eyes, a blush coming to her face*.......... *pulls out her harmonica and begins to play it along to Gamzee's guitar playing*

Tavros:....... 🎶 This looks familiar

Vaguely familiar

Almost unreal yet

It's too soon to feel yet

Close to my soul and yet so far away

I'm going to go back there some day

Sunrises, nightfalls

Sometimes the sky calls

Is that a song there?

Then do I belong there?

I've never been there but I know the way

I'm going to go back there someday 🎶

Feferi:*sings softly, harmonizing to the music*

Tavros: 🎶 Come and go with me

It's more fun to share

We'll both be completely at home in midair

We're flying, not walking, on featherless wings

We can hold on to love like invisible strings

There's not a word yet for old friends

Who've just met

Part heaven, part space

Or have I found my place?

You can just visit, but I plan to stay

I'm going to go back there someday

I'm going to go back there someday 🎶

*Tavros finishes singing, and for a moment, the only sound that remains is Gamzee's guitar playing, and Vriska's harmonica playing, the music bringing a moment of peacefulness for the group that they have not felt in a long time........ Suddenly, everyone's palmhusks go off as a message appears on Trollian*

CelticBallerina [CB] started a memo

CB: Guys! Okay, look, I know you're all still pissed at me about what I did..... Both to Rosali and to Karkat

CB: But listen, you all need to hurry and come meet me, now!

*Alternia, 6 sweeps/13 years ago*

*At a bookstore in Outglut, the one that Livana always visits, the witchy Troll disguised as a Burgundy is currently browsing the romance section once more, once again looking for another book to add to her to be read shelf*

Livana:*carefully searching the shelves to see what looks good, her eyes brightening when she finds a book that catches her eye* Ah!

*She picks up the book and examines the cover, it and the title clearly indicating that this one is a forbidden romance story between a witch and a Purple blood*

Livana:...... Huh. Someone was actually allowed to publish this?..... *shrugs, a smile on her face* Oh well..... It looks right up my alley. In..... more ways than one...... *finds herself staring at the Purple blooded Troll on the cover for a moment, the character's design reminding her of Marvus*......... *shakes her head to snap herself out of her trance* Better head to checkout and then head home soon before the sun rises and Aurora Doe gets worried......

*With that, Livana begins to head to checkout. On the way, as she passes the Manga section, she accidentally ends up bumping into someone, her and the Troll in question both falling to the floor; Livana drops her romance book, while the other Troll drops what appears to be a few of the latest volumes of various Manga titles; From the Troll version of Chainsaw Man, to the Troll version of Naruto, to the Troll version of Highschool Of The Dead*

Livana: Ah! *rubs her head for a moment, blinking a few times before she looks up at the Troll she ran into, seeing she bumped into a Teal* !!!!!!!! Oh! Sorry, I didn't look where I was going! *quickly begins to reach for the other Troll's books* Here, let me help--

*Livana ends up picking up the volume of the Troll version of Highschool Of The Dead, titled Schoolfed Of The Dead, immediately looking at the cover and noticing the rather suggestive way that the character on it is drawn*

Livana:.......... You......... *finds herself staring at the cover a little longer, clearly confused by whatever she is looking at*....... Um...... Pardon me for asking, but..... what exactly is--

*Livana looks up to see the Teal blooded Troll she ran into thoroughly examining the romance book she was set on buying, giving the cover as well as the pages a rather scrutinizing look*

Livana:............ Um..... If you're interested in that, I'm pretty sure there are other copies of that in the romance section, where I just was--

Tegiri: This is a romance novel about a witch and a Purple blood.

Livana:....... Yes?

Tegiri:........ *turns the book around to read the back*.......... Normally, I would have to confiscate this and reprimand the owner of this shop for displaying a book featuring a protagonist that practices witchcraft..... As you well know, most depictions of witchcraft in fiction are highly illegal, as they could encourage those that consume it to partake in the act themselves. However..... This one has less to do with witchcraft itself..... in fact, it appears it would be the same romcom it presents itself as if you took away that aspect. Without it, there would hardly be a difference. Not to mention the unrealistic idea of a witch and a Purple blood ever falling into a quadrant with one another......

Livana:.....................

Tegiri: So..... Here, *hands Livana the book* I have no need to confiscate this.

Livana:......... Thank you....... I guess. Here, *hands him the Manga she was examining* Here's your...... whatever this book is....... *picks up the Troll Naruto volume and examines it as well*....... Are these comics?

Tegiri;*quickly snaps his gaze back up at her with wide eyes, as if he can't believe she would refer to these books by that term*..........

Livana:........... *looks up at him* What?

Tegiri:......."Comics"? Pardon me miss, but i think the term you are looking for is "manga".

Livana:......... Man....ga?......... Like the fruit? I don't get it.......

Tegiri:............... Are you at all familiar with Troll Sailor Moon?

Livana:.......... I might be? I'm pretty sure I have a friend who watches that.......

Tegiri: What about Purrbeast Mew Mew?

Livana:...... No?

Tegiri: The Fiduspawn anime? The subbed one, not the dubbed, highly censored one.

Livana: No...... I don't know anyone personally who even plays Fiduspawn. Why are you asking me these questions?

Tegiri: Just..... Are there any Eastern Alternian titles you know at all?

Livana:.......... Can't say there is, no. I don't..... watch a lot of stuff, really. A lot of my time at my hive is spent either reading or cooking.

Tegiri:...... Oh...... *a grin forms on his face as he stands up and helps Livana off the floor* I know exactly what you seek, then. You must seek a new form of art to enjoy. For that, you've come to the right person; The founder and leader of the Eastern Alternian Fine Animated Art Appreciation Society. Or..... as some less cultured souls would call it, the anime club. *chuckles* And here I thought i was going to have to cancel tonight's meeting due to no-shows, but now it can proceed as scheduled. Come! Lets check out our books, and I will lead you to where the meeting will take place.

Livana:........... Okay........ (thinks: Mother Alternia, what the hell am I getting myself into? I don't know what the fuck he's talking about. If this ends up like when I went to Zebruh's hive, I'm going to fucking shed blood tonight, I swear to god......) Oh. My name is Livana. Whats yours?

Tegiri: Tegiri. Tegiri Kalbur. It is a pleasure to meet you, Livana. I hope to make your first meeting at this club an enjoyable and memorable one.

Livana:....... Something tells me it will be.......

*With that, Livana follows Tegiri to checkout, and she pays for her romance book, while Tegiri pays for his Manga volumes. Afterwards, they leave the store together, and Tegiri leads Livana down the path to the gathering place of the anime club, which ends up actually being his hive, which on the outside, looks like a traditional Japanese house. As they get to the front door, Tegiri opens it for Livana, bowing as he lets her go on first*

Tegiri: Before you step into my sanctuary, I ask kindly that you remove your shoes and leave them at the door first.

Livana: Oh, *nods in understanding* Of course, *takes off her sparkling purple high heels and places them close to the front door, then enters the hive, Tegiri removing his own shoes afterwards before he walks in as well* So, what exactly does this club enta--

*As soon as Livana steps into the hive, she freezes in her steps, and her eyes widen in a look of bewilderment and horror......... Not at the anime posters on the walls, not at the insane collection of swords, but rather, at some of Tegiri's anime figurines that depict scantily dressed female characters, as well as the body pillows in Tegiri's bedroom, some of which also depict female Trolls in a similar fashion*

Livana:..............................

*A slight bark is heard closeby, and Livana quickly looks over to see what must be Tegiri's Lusus carefully examining her, the Lusus looking much like a Shiba Inu dog, but with opposable thumbs on its paws. The Lusus carefully sniffs Livana, and after a moment, they quickly dart to the kitchen*

Tegiri: That was Tadashi Inu, my Lusus. *smiles proudly* He taught me everything I know. I could not have asked for a better sensei.

Livana: Oh...... Did he?....... *finds herself looking at his figurine and body pillow collection again*.......... Um..... Tegiri? Where's your bathroom?

Tegiri;*already looking through his DVD collection to find something to watch for anime club* Down the hall, the last door to your right. Don't take too long, we'll be starting soon with a curated selection of episodes from a classic.

Livana: Right..... Sure..... Thanks. *walks down the hall, trying to hurry to the bathroom but trying not to be too obvious*

*Livana finds the bathroom, turning on the light and closing the door behind her, locking herself in there for good measure...... After taking a minute to process the bizarre, very concerning collection she found, she hurriedly sits on the edge of the bathtub, pulling out her palmhusk and pulling up her texting app, where she started a group chat that currently consists of herself, Marvus, Tyzias, Tagora, Galekh, Amisia, Mallek, Daraya, and Chixie, the group app titled "The Secret Garden"*

Livana: "Guys??????"

Livana: "SOS"

Livana: "HELP??????????"

Marvus: "Babe? What's wrong? What's going on? Are you safe??????"

Tyzias: "Wwwwhere are you??"

Tagora: "Tell us! Who's head do we need to bash in?!"

Amisia: "I have my axe! Can I uuse their blood for paint juust this one time??"

Amisia: "I still want to spill Zebruuh's blood, buut Galekh keeps saying no....."

Mallek: "I got drones ready if you need that kind of assistance!"

Galekh: "I have my keys ready, and I'm already headed for the car with Amisia!"

Daraya: "I got my fucking bat ready! Lets go!"

Chixie: "Who are we going after Livana????? Wait/ IS it Zebruh????? Or someone else?????"

Livana: "I......"

Livana: "Okay, everyone, whatever you're doing, just stop for a moment, okay? Maybe I'm overreacting? Maybe not? I don't know....."

Marvus: "Princess, if you think you're in danger, its not a fucking overreaction! Just tell us as best as you can whats going on, and we can help!"

Livana: "Okay........ I met this guy at the bookstore. I was buying another romance novel, he was buying...... I don't know, mango comics or something??"

Chixie: "??????"

Amisia: "So..... he was buying books about.... fruit?"

Livana: "I don't know..... He invited me to his hive because he wanted to show me Eastern Alternian animation when I told him I had never watched any of it before."

Daraya: "WHY would you go to someone's hive when you just met them?????? Did you not learn after what happened with Zebruh??"

Mallek: "I mean, I took her to my hive too after we first met..... Galekh, didn't you and Liv first meet when she and Tagora went to your hive to find her Tarot cards?"

Galekh: "She had a good reason for coming to my hive. Livana, what is this Troll's name? What condition is their hive in?"

Livana: "....... I don't even know how to describe it. There's swords, but..... He has all these action figures and.... PILLOWS, of almost naked Trolls! Is this what anime is all about????? Why would someone own stuff like this?!"

Tagora: "Wait......"

Tyzias: "Hold on..... Livana? Wwwwhats this guy's name?"

Livana: "Tegiri Kalbur. A Teal blood."

Tyzias: ".........."

Tagora: ".............."

Tagora: "LMFAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Galekh: "Gorgor! This isn't funny, Livana is clearly in fear for her life!"

Tagora: "No, you idiot! Tyzias and I know Tegiri! He's one of our colleagues 🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Tyzias: "Yeah...... Look, Livana, don't wwwworry about himmmm, okay? Tegiri's an idiot, but he's commmmpletely harmmmmless."

Livana: "'Harmless' is not a word I would use for someone who keeps pillows and figurines of Trolls with barely any clothes on....."

Amisia: "??????"

Amisia: "Wait...... Why does he own stuuff like that?"

Livana: "Oh no......"

Galekh: "Don't worry about it, okay Amisia? Just log off and go back to sleep."

Marvus: "Babe...... I get there's a lot about Alternia you still haven't explored outside of your woods yet. But trust me....... Just because someone owns stuff like that doesn't automatically mean they're trouble, okay? It could just be his hobby."

Chixie: "Exactly/ Its not like with Zebruh when he had those roofies in his pocket the night you and I met."

Amisia: "What are roofies?"

Galekh: "Log off, Amisia!"

Daraya: "Remind me again why the hell we let a 3 sweep old in this chat?"

Livana: "She wanted to be included. And I couldn't deny her barkbeast eyes when she asked me....."

Daraya: ".......Are you sure you're not a Jadeblood disguised as a Burgundy?"

Tagora: "Livana..... Let me get this straight; You sent us all an SOS text because you freaked out over a few half naked toys and pillows that our colleague has?"

Tyzias: "Okay, but in her defense, Stelsa had a simmmmilar reaction the first timmmme wwwwe both visited Tegiri's hive......"

Tagora: "Livana? When is your next free day?"

Livana: "........ Tomorrow, I would presume, why?"

Tagora: "I'm taking tomorrow off, and you and I are going to the mall together. I want to show you a place called Troll Spencer's 😉"

Galekh: "GORGOR NO!!!!!!!!!"

Tyzias: "NO!"

Mallek: "NO!"

Chixie: "NO!!!!!!"

Daraya: "OH MY GOD TAGORA 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Marvus: "🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪"

Daraya: "???????"

Daraya: "Since when the hell did you meet my cloister mate Lynera??"

Marvus: "Just hoping Tagora gets the fucking message......"

Amisia: "Whats in Troll Spencer's??"

Galekh: "GO TO SLEEP, AMISIA!"

Tyzias: "Look.... Liv? Mmmmoirall to mmmmoirail here? Gorgor and I knowwww Tegiri. He's a little wwwweird, he barely really talks to us, but..... speaking as sommmmeone who takes time to study crimmmminal behavior on the side, I really don't think he's dangerous. If you ask mmmme, I think the guy might be lonely, if anything."

Tyzias: "Look..... You're good at reading people. Better at it than any of us. Did anything at all about Tegiri seemmmm off to you?"

Livana: "......."

Livana: "Well..... No, not really..... Not like when I first met Zebruh. If anything, I just.... don't get what the hell any of this stuff is. I don't have anything against Eastern Alternian art at all, but...... his collection is just.... unusual, I guess."

Livana: "God...... Mother Alternia must be laughing at me right now....."

Marvus: "Nah, babe, its fine. You can't be blamed for not understanding it. You've only been letting yourself be around other Trolls for a few months now."

Marvus: "Still, if your moirail says the dude is harmless, maybe you should give him a chance."

Marvus: "You never know, the guy could be opening you up to a whole new world of interests."

Daraya: "Yeah. And you need new stories to look at besides all those mushy books of yours."

Livana: "They're not just mushy....."

Amisia: "Speaking of books, youu left one of youurs over here the last time youu came to mine and Galekh's hive!"

Amisia: "I didn't read it, buut I think its called Fifty Shades Of Puurple?"

Galekh: "AMISIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tagora: "Wait..... THAT Fifty Shades Of Purple????"

Tyzias: "Oh god."

Mallek: "Oh damn."

Daraya: "Barf"

Chixie: "....................."

Livana: "I..... uh......"

Marvus: ";0)"

Marvus: "It's okay, Princess. No need to be embarrassed. We all got our tastes~"

Galekh: "Amisia, I swear to god, if you are not logged off in 5 seconds, you are grounded!"

Amisia: "Fine! Fine......."

*Amisia has left the group chat*

Galekh: "Ugh....."

Galekh: "What am I going to do with her when I leave Alternia?"

Daraya: "I'll see if I can convince Bronya and Lynera to reserve a place in the Caverns for her for the next 6 sweeps once you're gone"

Daraya: "Wanshi could use another friend close to her age, besides Karako."

Galekh: "I appreciate the thought, Daraya....."

Tagora: "Anyway..... My jokes aside, Tyzias is right, Livana."

Tagora: "Tegiri is strange, and most of us at the office have almost nothing in common with him"

Tagora: "But really..... maybe what he's looking for is another friend."

Tagora: "Just.... give him a chance, see if you both click. Who knows, maybe you'll see a side to him that Tyzias and I haven't seen. Maybe you can add him to this chat, and we can all try to get to know him better."

Livana:........"Yes. You're right. You're all right. I shouldn't make assumptions based on his collection alone. I'll just..... watch anime with him i suppose, and then we'll see how it goes. Hopefully its a success......"

Galekh: "Still, if something does happen, don't hesitate to reach out again. Just be mindful of your SOS signals please."

Marvus: "But most importantly.... Have fun, babe 💜 Go enjoy some time with another new potential friend, okay? Let us know how it goes :0)"

Livana: "Yes.... I will. Thank you, everyone. I'll give this a go and hope it all goes better than I expected."

Tagora: "Good. God knows, Tegiri needs more friends."

Mallek: "Gotta go, guys. I'm here to break a certain Jadeblooded princess out of her castle for the day ;)"

Daraya: "And this princess has an overday bag ready and just needs to get the fuck out of said castle before 2 particular dragons try to stop her"

Mallek: "She means Bronya and Lynera"

Daraya: "Who else?"

Livana: "I'd best go too before Tegiri wonders why I'm taking so long. I'll see you all tomorrow, everyone!"

Marvus: ":0) 🌹"

Livana: "Yes, yes, Marvus..... I love you too ❤️"

Livana: ":)"

*With that, Livana exits from the app and turns off her palmhusk, standing up from where she was sitting at the edge of the tub and straightening out her skirt. She then walks to the bathroom mirror to check her reflection and make sure nothing is amiss about her appearance or her expression, wanting to avoid suspicion from Tegiri as much as possible*

Livana:.......*carefully examines the dark circles around her eyes*...... Goodness..... I really need to get better about my sleep schedule...... *examines her face a little more, when suddenly, she sees something out of the corner of her eye* ?

*Livana ends up looking in the trash can between the toilet and the sink counter..... when she looks inside the bin, she notices a few tissues inside, all of which are covered with a few particular Teal colored stains...... and from Livana's observation, these stains look rather fresh*

Livana:..............*lightly sniffs the air, catching an iron-like scent*..........

*Suddenly, Livana's thoughts are interrupted by an annoyed growl from the living room where she left Tegiri*

Tegiri: This.... This isn't the right copy.....

Livana:.......*hurries out of the bathroom and down the hall to return to Tegiri and see whats wrong*

Tegiri: The localization of these lines was changed after the original translator was culled by a Purple blood for crimes against buffoonery. I specifically ordered the first edition and paid extra for it! This is unacceptable! *ejects the anime DVD in question, then places it in its case. As Tegiri does this, the sleeve of his jacket slides down a little, which allows Livana to see the faint but still visible sight of scars on his arm*

Livana:......... Tegiri--

Tegiri: Come, Livana. There's still time in the night. We need to go resolve this immediately! The shop that imported it for me is nearby.

Livana: Wait--

*Tegiri doesn't wait for Livana, instead rushing out of the front door, Livana quickly following him as they both get their shoes back on so she can keep an eye on him. Along the way to the shop that Tegiri has his sights on, they pass by a billboard covered in graffiti which portrays some very strong negativity towards the current Heiress, Trizza Tethis, which Tegiri can't help but glare at*

Tegiri:....... Rebel sentiments grow by the moment....... Alternia lies on the verge of peril. A blade's edge....... And not any blade, but the blade of a razor-sharp folded steel katana. Forged under the East Alternian moonlight..... Heated by the bellows-breath of a magnificent draconian Lusus...... Cooled by the shimmering cascade of an acid waterfall...... And fit to be handled only by a true expert. *gives Livana a dramatic side glance as he tips his hat* Do you dance?

Livana;*just stands there and stares at Tegiri, more confused by his monologue than by anything that has ever confused her in her life*.................. YOU! ARE! A! LEGISLACERATOR! You're not some anime character, or rogue warrior, or whatever this front of yours is supposed to be! Okay????? Just...... for God's sake, talk like a normal person, make sense, and lets just.... solve the issue with your DVD, okay?? And for the record, that, *motions towards the vandalized billboard of Trizza* Can you blame whoever spray painted that??????? This is Trizza we're talking about! Name ONE good thing Trizza Tethis has done for Alternia in her time as this planet's Princess!

Tegiri:*just stands there with wide eyes, unable to speak for a moment, stunned by her words and how passionately she said all of that*.......... *quickly shakes off his shock and glares at her* Are you going against Alternian law and badmouthing the Heiress?

Livana:......... What if I am?

Tegiri:.......... You realize the penalty for speaking negatively at all about the Heiress, or the Empress, or the Alternian Empire as a whole...... *slowly reaches back for his sword*

Livana:*glares daggers at him* Do it. Do it. I'll put you in the fucking--

*She stops herself from saying anything more when she remembers the tissues in the bathroom, and the scars on Tegiri's arm*

Livana:..........*places a hand on Tegiri's shoulder*

Tegiri: ??????

Livana:....... Sorry. That was out of line. I don't take back what I said about Trizza, but........ Lets not do this right now, okay? That shop is probably going to close soon, and I know you want to solve the issue regarding that DVD.

Tegiri:.............*nods slowly* Y- Yes...... We'd best hurry. *moves his hand away from his sword as they both hurry to continue on their path to the store*

*They soon reach a strip mall, walking to one shop in particular called "SUPER TOPATO IMPORTS". As soon as they enter the shop, Tegiri makes a beeline for the counter, towards the owner of the shop, a Yellow blooded Troll with eyes that are 2 different shades of pink*

Livana:*stays back for the moment, far enough that she's not involved if Tegiri makes a fool of himself, but also close enough to where she can interfere if this goes South*.......... *looks up at the ceiling, clutching the moon charm on her necklace*....... Mother Alternia, give me strength........ *glances to the side, seeing an Olive blooded Troll lingering around the shelves, then directs her attention back to Tegiri*....... Oh god.......

Tegiri: (to the shopkeeper) Do you REALLY think you can get away with ripping me off like this?? Do you know who I am?! My blood caste?! A Teal blood like me has connections! A vast network of like-minded souls at my beck and call, ready to be unsheathed against my hapless foes! The legal force i can bring to bear against you is greater than your mind could ever imagine! A fleet of Legislacerators will descend upon you like shadow clones, each armed with the greatest weapon of them all: Knowledge! And with your intricate understanding of the Alternian legal code, you will be mired in the suits of the myriad, so mind-numbing, you will wish for the swift and early death my blade can provide!

Livana:...............(thinks: I'm pretty sure he just quoted a meme that Tagora sent me a while ago......)

Tegiri: Or..... You can offer me an exchange of equal or greater value to my original purchase! Which path will you choose to walk, scum?

Livana:......... Okay, thats it. *takes a few steps forward* Tegiri, listen--

*The Olive blood, who happens to work at the shop, accidentally bumps into Livana, which causes them to drop a box full of merchandise; One being a Manga with the cover displaying a female Troll with heart shaped horns and a bright pink sign, and the other being a Manga with a cover that depicts a figure very similar to The Signless*

Livana:*looks down, immediately noticing the Manga with The Signless on its cover, her eyes widening in shock that something like this actually exists* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...............

*Unable to help but want to look at this Manga, Livana reaches down to try and grab it, but Tegiri beats her to it as he grabs it, waving the Manga in the shopkeeper's face*

Tegiri: Care to explain what I'm looking at here?? Imperial Dictate, Number the Second, Setion Three Point Two. The depiction of non-standard hemological attributes is strictly forbidden. Imperial Dictate, Number thr Seventh, Section Five. Material which encourages action against the state is considered contraband of the highest degree. Tch..... To think that my favorite Eastern Alternian hobby shop could stoop so low as to peddle this criminal filth....... what a sickening betrayal.

Shopkeeper: It... I was holding it for a friend! N- No, uh..... its satire......?

*Still watching this all from behind, Livana watches as Tegiri slams a palm down on the counter, frightening the shopkeeper further*

Tegiri: Imperial Dictate, Number the Sixty-First, Section Two! Satire is especially contraband! You think you can mess with me?! I've watched countless hours of legal drama. Played and replayed Legendary Legislacerator and memorized every twist! I know the law back and forth! And now, its time for punishment due.... You're fucking dead, kiddo. *reaches behind him for his sword*

Livana: !!!!!!!!!!!! TEGIRI! *hurries forth, her heels clicking hard on the floor until she's between Tegiri and the shopkeeper*........ Tegiri. Listen..... I know how Legislacerators are supposed to operate. My moirail and my best friend are both Legislacerators in training too. Is killing this Troll REALLY necessary? Especially assuming this is his first offense at all? Especially over a book? Just...... give him another chance. Maybe he'll have gotten rid of the illegal books by then...... maybe he'll learn his lesson after tonight. Besides...... Who's going to run your favorite shop if you kill him? Certainly you don't want a drone to take his job--

Tegiri: Silence!

*Tegiri tries to shove Livana aside, but the latter grabs him roughly by his arm..... the arm where she saw Tegiri's scars before*

Tegiri: !!!!!!!!!!!!!! *freezes up, a rare look of fear in his eyes, as if he thinks she might find out what he doesn't want anyone to know*.................

Livana:*gives him a hard, determined look, silently telling him that she won't let him go to cause any harm to the shopkeeper, or even himself*............

Tegiri;..........*bites his lip to suppress a growl, before sighing and looking to the shopkeeper*..... Consider yourself lucky. But if I find you selling contraband again, your life will be mine.

*Tegiri takes and pays for the fresh copy of the DVD he came to exchange in the first place, before hurrying out of the store. Livana gives the shopkeeper an apologetic look before quickly following Tegiri outside. For a while on the walk back to Tegiri's hive, neither he or Livana say anything to each other*

Tegiri:........... You actually begged me to spare his life......

Livana:*quietly looks over to him*

Tegiri:.......... Do you know him?

Livana:....... No. I simply didn't see the point in you killing him over a fucking book.

Tegiri:........ It was contraband. Literature banned by the Empire. Almost any law broken is punishable by death..... you know this.

Livana:........ Doesn't make it right.

Tegiri:........ Just what kind of Troll are you?

Livana:........... Someone who hid away from all the bullshit of the world for most of my life until my matesprit encouraged me to actually live. To see what's out here outside of the woods where I live. *pauses*...... You know what I experienced today?

Tegiri:....... What?

Livana:......... Someone so indoctrinated by the system and what it told him to believe, he hardly knows there's a better alternative to all of this..... someone so indoctrinated by the system that he's hellbent on doing everything to serve a Princess who doesn't care for a single one of her subjects. *pauses*..... The only time he went against this code was to save the life of an Olive blood he cares for.

Tegiri: !!!!!!!!!!..........*slowly turns to look at her*........ How do you.....?

Livana:..... I recently met Polypa. *small smile* Sweet girl.... she told me how you saved her..... didn't mention your name, but..... the sword gave it away.

Tegiri:..........*says nothing, only looking down at the ground as they continue to walk*

Livana:........ Tegiri........ I know you're hurting. I saw the tissues in your bathroom...... and I saw your arm before we left........

*This causes Tegiri to immediately stop in his tracks, freezing up at Livana's words. His entire body goes rigid, his hand clutching onto his DVD so hard that it seems like it might break*

Livana:.......... Tegiri........ Why?....... Why cause yourself such physical pain?

Tegiri:....... I..........*trails off, his words lost, as if he can't bring himself to answer her, or he doesn't have an answer to give that would help her understand*...........

Livana:.............*bites her lip, crossing her arms, hating that she's bringing this up*........ i..... talked about you in a group chat with my friends before we left your hive........ You know my moirail and my best friend..... Tyzias and Tagora.

Tegiri:*his eyes widen at the mention of those names, wondering what they've said about him*...........

Livana:......... They mentioned you don't talk to anyone at the office where you all work...... *pauses*....... Besides your Lusus, besides Polypa..... is there anyone you're close to?

Tegiri:................

Livana:......... Does Polypa know?..... That..... you hurt yourself?.......

Tegiri:............*says nothing, but he slowly shakes his head. Though he tries to hide his face from Livana, the witchy Troll doesn't miss the Teal colored tears brimming in his eyes*

Livana:............*says nothing for a moment, but she walks closer to Tegiri, slowly moving her arms towards him, and then pulling him into a firm but gentle hug, her way of letting him know she's there for him*

*At first, Tegiri tenses up at the feeling of Livana hugging him, not at all used to touch from other Trolls, especially not affectionate touch...... but the longer the hug goes on, the more Tegiri slowly begins to let his guard down some..... It gets to where Tegiri actually feels safe enough around Livana that he lets the tears fall down his face, followed by a few quiet sobs before he places his hands over Livana's arm, as if wanting to return the hug*

Livana:*slowly rubs Tegiri's shoulder in a soft, reassuring manner, her attempt at soothing him*......... Tegiri..... You can't carry this alone....... *pauses*............ Polypa needs to know.

Tegiri: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Livana: You're closer to her than anyone else on Alternia...... And you need someone to help you through this pain. Someone who knows and loves you...... Polypa can help you.

Tegiri: No..... Please, you can't--...... *looks down*..... She can't know..... if she does.... if she finds out....... she..... she'll hate me..... she'll be disgusted...... *looks down at his arms, knowing what is hidden beneath both sleeves*...... Please......

Livana:....... She won't be disgusted, Tegiri..... Trust me..... I just know.

Tegiri:...... Livana..... You cannot tell her...... please--

*Without warning, Livana immediately reaches into Tegiri's pocket and pulls out his palmhusk, speed dialing Polypa's number. Tegiri tries to reach out to grab his palmhus at first, but as soon as he hears the sound of Polypa picking up on the other end, he freezes in horror*

Livana: Polypa?..... Yes, its me..... Yes, I know I'm calling on Tegiri's palmhusk....... Look, we don't have time to discuss what happened at the movie theater. You need to come to Tegiri's hive, okay? He needs you........ He...... *pauses*..... You'll find out when you get there. Please, just get there as soon as possible for you..... thank you. *hangs up and hands the palmhusk back to Tegiri*

*Tegiri just takes the palmhusk, looking at Livana with a look of betrayal and horror in his eyes. Though he doesn't say the words aloud, the words "What have you done?" can be seen clear as day in his eyes*

Livana:.........*gently wraps her arm around Tegiri's shoulder* Come on..... Lets get back to your hive. Polypa will meet us there soon. *leads the way as she and Tegiri begin their walk back to Tegiri's hive*

Tegiri;*says nothing the entire way there, having a faraway look in his eyes the whole time, dreading the moment when he sees Polypa*........

Later, back at Tegiri's hive

*Having just walked back in and taken off their shoes, Livana and Tegiri both sit in the corner of Tegiri's bedroom; Livana still has her arms wrapped around Tegiri in an attempt to comfort him, a sad look in her eyes, while Tegiri is curled up in a ball, his face buried in his knees, silent tears going down his face and dripping on the floor*

Livana:........*closes her eyes, trying to fight back her own tears as she gently rests her forehead on the back of Tegiri's head*

Tegiri:.........*says nothing, only letting out quiet sobs into his knees*

*Just then, the front door bursts open before closing, and the sound of running footsteps is heard closing in on the door to Tegiri's bedroom...... The door is quickly slid open, almost being torn off the hinges, as Polypa reveals herself and hurries in, a clear look of panic in her eyes*

Polypa;*panting heavily, trying to catch her breath so she can speak* I- I got here as fast as I could! (To Tegiri) Tegiri, what happened????

Tegiri:...........

Polypa:...... Tegs?........

Tegiri:......... Please.........*clutches his arms tighter around his knees as a sob escapes his throat* Please....... Don't hate me, Polly...... Please........

Polypa: Wh--..... Hate you?? Tegs..... Why would i--........ Did..... Did you do something?.........

Tegiri:........*sobs a few more times, unable to say the words out loud*

Livana: Tegiri...... Its okay....... Just...... tell her..... she needs to know.......

Polypa:........ I need to know...... what?........

Tegiri:.............

*Livana gently takes hold of Tegiri by his arm....... as he lifts it up with help from her, Livana ends up being the one to slowly pull back Tegiri's sleeve on his jacket to reveal the self-inflicted scars on his arm*

Polypa: !!!!!!!!!!!!........*slowly looks up at Tegiri, unable to form words, the horror in her eyes saying all she needs to say*

Tegiri:*glances up at her and sees the look in her eyes, mistaking her reaction for disgust*........ I'm sorry...... I'm sorry..... *buries his face in his knees again* I'm sorry......! I'm sorry.....!

Polypa: Hey, no!..... *reaches out and wraps her arms around Tegiri, Livana moving back to give the Olive blood and Teal blood some space* Don't you dare apologize over something like this..... Okay?? I got you, Tegs...... I got you...... And I'm not letting you go. I'm here for you....... I'm going to be here for as long as you need me to be....... I promise.........

Tegiri:.............*too overwhelmed to form any proper words, he just hugs Polypa back very tightly, burying his face in her chest and sobbing very loudly into it, quietly admitting to himself just how badly he needs Polypa there for him right now*

*Livana just watches in silence, letting the duo he close together like they need to be, not wanting to intervene when she knows how much Tegiri needs this....... Even then, she can't help the emotional anguish building inside her, hating that there's nothing she can do to make Tegiri's pain completely go away..... If only she had such an ability..... She would give anything in that moment, if only to help erase all the demons plaguing Tegiri's mind*

Livana:.............

*Suddenly, her palmhusk vibrates, and Livana pulls it out to see that she got a text from Tyzias*

Tyzias: "So, howwww did it go? Its daytimmmme nowwww, are you still at Tegiri's hive?"