#technologicgodot

DAVE: -Jesus Christ they're finally here. it's been a long time but motherfuckers he is coming HOME because of that cheesy bullshit that is home being where the people you care about are. He's slow to get his feet on the ground, taking in the scenery first, before following the others up to the house-

ARADIA: -they're here...-

DIRK: -everyone get the fuck out of the way. dirk is here to greet everyone, but especially family... which right now means dave so hello dave you're gonna get a brother hug... he doesn't really know the extend of the damage done to him so he doesn't know how to be MINDFUL OF IT...-

DAVE: -it's a relief seeing dirk alive and okay, but he doesn't have a lot of time to process it with the hug he's given and the way it gives him such a sharp pain. He grits his teeth, patting dirk on the back and wincing while in this brother hug- LOOSER NOT SO TIGHT

DIRK: Oh fuck-- Sorry. -LOOSENS HIS STRONG GRIP-

DAVE: -YA TOO STRONG YA ASSHOLE- its cool its like a love back break i get it we just gotta respect the property of my spine

DAVE: anyway sup

MITUNA: -Hops down as well, everyone is here wow look at this brotherly bonding. Gay-

MEULIN: -She ALMOST tackled Dave, but instead she's here to try to nuzzle between Strider tiddies.-

MEULIN: -Just. Right there in that hug.-

DIRK: You-- Oh. Hello there.

DAVE: -thank you Meulin for being thoughtful- also hey meu I dont think you can even see my lips moving right now but the sentiment is there

MEULIN: (^・ω・^ )

MITUNA: ehehehe

MEULIN: PRR PRR.

ARADIA: -watching from the roof-

RUFIOH: -also watching from the roof...-

MITUNA: -He's gonna inside. Pauses to wave at Aradia-

HESONY: =just hanging out with the dragonfly, dont mind him=

ERIDAN: -gazing from inside the ice cream truck in his stupid ice cream man geddup. The things he had to do to get everyone here on time... Horrendous. https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2014-12/2/15/enhanced/webdr07/enhanced-22416-1417551805-3.jpg -

DIRK: -nuzzles meulin's hair a little...- She's got cool shades that transcribe everything around her. I wonder who got her those.

ARADIA: -hops down to greet more properly. mituna first- hows your arm or lack thereof

MEULIN: (○｀ω´○)

DAVENFORTH: -Climbs out the back of the ice cream truck, bandaged and wearing his own shades again. Walks over to the nephew cat sandwich- Aint yall just adorable

DAVE: some anime asshole probably -fuck it's just nice to be with his brother again-

MITUNA: oh i75 how youd 7hink i7d go my balance i5 fucked

QIRIN: =just....eyeballing the Alaska group. What the shit happened to all of you?!=

KURLOZ: =Get over it, he's just going to get out and walk right into the cabin/house. He doesn't know you hos=

DAVE: -he can't help but smile a little at his uncle- yo uncle dave nice job wreckin the presidents -from this angle no one can see the scar on his neck and he is thankful for that-

MINDFANG: -What Didnt happen. Also shes standing near the dragonfly too, eyeing Hesony. Hes had it real good for a while.-

HESONY: =Hello Mindfang, he sees you looking, but the fight in him has pretty much died. They kept their promise.=

MINDFANG: -They sure did, and now there is no real reason to keep them around so she is just pondering that.-

ARADIA: yeah i figured ARADIA: -pauses and then just lightly and carefully hugs him- welcome back

KARKAT: =Is also out and about somewhere but he knows you hoes. At least everyone else didn't go through hell=

RILEY: -EVERYBODY MOVE THE FUCK OUTTA THE WAY-

DAVENFORTH: -It's okay, you can't see the scar on his eye. His face, his beautiful face.- Thanks but ro did the part that wasnt getting my ass kicked you should congratulate her

DAVENFORTH: You look like you went through some shit

DIRK: -lucky bastards, everyone can see HIS scar..-

DIRK: -smiles a little at brunc, but oh fuck here she comes... the mom-

ROXANNE: -Shes getting out of the truck after Derek and Riley, she wasnt going to be in the way of that, no sir.-

DEREK: -LEAPS AFTER RILEY-

DEREK: -JET NOISES-

DAVENFORTH: -Observes-

RILEY: -she's running at them and nearly collides into the boys and meulin consequently, wrapping her arms around their shoulders- OH THANK FUCK.

MITUNA: -A hug is probably the nicest thing he's had in a week. He loops his good arm around Aradia and squeezes and rests his chin on her head.- 7hank5 arayray

DIRK: -starting to get emotional... with his parents and his brother and his uncle and his cat all right here...-

DAVENFORTH: -Gets sad about his cat-

RILEY: -they're getting smooches on the head- my babies.

DAVE: -he winces a little at the first collision but he's okay and WOW WAY TO BE EMBARRASSING MOM- hey

ERIDAN: -disgusting... this clan of humans in their natural habitat... how do you tell them apart. Eridan fears for himself.-

ARADIA: you get to actually rest for a little while now

ROXANNE: -Eridan dont be a downer.-

MITUNA: yeah righ7 7he 5creamy a55hole5 ate back

ERIDAN: -He's always a downer. And eating a dreamsicle in the ice cream truck.-

ARADIA: who karkat

ARADIA: we have a lot of screamy assholes mituna

MITUNA: he ha5n7 been 7ha7 bad ac7ually i mean7 um i mean7 7he dead one5

ROXANNE: -WELL DONT BE.-

ROXANNE: -Also enough of watching the striders reunite, as cute as that is, shes going into the house on a quest to find her own daughter, where is rose where are you hiding her.-

DEREK: -places a hand on dave's shoulder during all this... that'll do pig-

ARADIA: oh that makes so much more sense

DAVE: -STOP IT BRO YOURE GONNA MAKE HIM CRY-

REDGLARE: -Oh, hey, hello. This. And everyone. And people. She's limping. She's tired. She's been keeping herself awake for the flight, and some of the pains have been keeping her from conking out anyways, but she's not quite ready to pass out on the floor. She hobbles over to the nearest thing she can sit on and sits.-

DAVENFORTH: !!!! -Walks over to Redglare and just kind of stands there, taking this all in. She looks so tired, and like she went through literally hell. His eyes linger on her a little too long- You mind if i sit here

REDGLARE: s1t. REDGLARE: 1 s4w your 1m4g3s.

DAVE: -SO SMOOTH BRUNCLE-

DAVENFORTH: -Groans a bit as he sits next to her.- I think they did too much justice

REDGLARE: ...

REDGLARE: Mph.

REDGLARE: You 4lso brought b4ck th3 s1lly... m4sk m4n 4ct.

REDGLARE: 4t l34st 1t s3rv3d 1ts purpos3.

DAVENFORTH: Got something against dave skellington movies

DAVENFORTH: Icon

REDGLARE: 1 th1nk 1 w4s cl34r 3nough.

REDGLARE: S1lly.

DAVENFORTH: Sex symbol

REDGLARE: uh-huh.

DAVENFORTH: -Sighs- Were gonna have a marathon when we get back im gonna get you an entire devils food cake and everything

REDGLARE: Th4t's...

REDGLARE: -snorts.-

REDGLARE: opt1m1st1c.

REDGLARE: You'll t3mpt th3 odds. Just c4ll 1t 4 sl1c3.

DAVENFORTH: Like youd just want a slice

REDGLARE: -PUNCHES HIS ARM-

DAVENFORTH: -Doof. He grins a little- So two slices huh

REDGLARE: M4yb3.

REDGLARE: On3 4nd 4 h4lf.

DAVENFORTH: One and three fourths

REDGLARE: You know wh4t.

REDGLARE: Sur3.

DAVENFORTH: -Puts an arm around her. He's just glad she's alive.- About time i win one

REDGLARE: Oh, shut up. You k1ll3d 4 world l34d3r.

DAVENFORTH: I had help

REDGLARE: Sudd3n bout of hum1l1ty?

DAVENFORTH: Sudden bout of getting crushed

DAVENFORTH: Probably would have a lot more worse for wear if it hadnt been for roxanne

REDGLARE: Oh.

REDGLARE: H4.

DAVENFORTH: I got sloppy and almost lost an eye or life for it you know whichever

DAVENFORTH: Not that ill get sympathy from you

REDGLARE: couldn't poss1bly 1m4g1n3 wh4t th4t's l1k3.

DAVENFORTH: Nope only me

REDGLARE: ...

REDGLARE: Won't b3 4bl3 to do much l1k3 th1s. Sp34k1ng of.

DAVENFORTH: Well get you back up and running

REDGLARE: 1'm not runn1ng 4nywh3r3. C4rry m3. 4ss.

DAVENFORTH: Like a bara princess

REDGLARE: Wh4t do3s th4t m34n.

DAVENFORTH: Ripped to shit

REDGLARE: Oh.

REDGLARE: Y3s.

JOHN: - I didn't get to rp it but you can bet your ass John vigorously rubbed himself on Dave, Aradia and Dirk. Because! He was worried! And he missed them! For Dave it's extra vigorous. -

DAVE: -JUST STEER CLEAR OF THE BACK and we will be good-

JOHN: - Hair gets floofed and refloofed-

JOHN: - Also you get more medical attention because he doesn't trust these non uu people to do it right. -

DAVE: -be my servant-

JOHN: -after all the emotional reunions and fussing over everyone as much as they'll allow him....john honestly feels kind of uneasy and restless. eventually he finds himself sitting on the ground with his knees crossed, dumping out every piece of medical equipment in his sylladex and carefully cataloguing it. it's probably not necessary but he just really needs something to do.-

DAVE: -plops next to John and sits- hey

KANKRI: -It sure was kind of crazy with all the reunions, and after he was settled he managed to find John....dumping stuff on the floor with Dave.-

KANKRI: -Awkwardly stays hidden at the doorway to the room to watch for now.-

JOHN: -taking down how much he has of everything on a little note pad. looks round at dave and only dave since kankri is being weird and evesdropping- hey, man.

DAVE: havent seen you in like a month

DAVE: crazy shit huh

JOHN: yeah. if i had to say the shit was anything, i might use the word crazy.

DAVE: what about ape shit

DAVE: we turning this all primate primape reverse darwins theory of evolution

DAVE: we start as fuckin advanced as hell creatures and then just go back to the monkeys

JOHN: is this your roundabout way of expressing that earth really blows because if so i grudgingly gotta agree..earth really blows.

JOHN: i mean i had expectations for how much it was going to blow but the batterwitch really hit it out of the park.

JOHN: which is impressive because the bitch banned base ball.

JOHN: how do you ban baseball.

JOHN: -SOUNDS REALLY BITTER AND HAUGHTY.-

DAVE: you cant ban baseball

DAVE: baseball lives on in our hearts or some shit

DAVE: you either hit a home run or strike out

DAVE: but seriously i forgot all about queen troll

DAVE: until like now

JOHN: i mean...i'll forgive you, seeing as you had a lot of shit on your plate.

JOHN; ...baseball puns.

JOHN: and i'm really glad you were able to make

JOHN: a home run.

DAVE: ... DAVE: terrible

JOHN: c:

DAVE: how would i have gone another day without your goofy ass

JOHN: -feels the urge to hug him again, but he just leans on him instead.-

JOHN: -what if he just kind of sits on all his friends and protects them.-

JOHN: -crushes them lovingly under his ass.-

JOHN: -would this protect them from the 10 billion things that want to kill, hurt and take them away from him.-

JOHN: -these are the questions.-

DAVE: -lets it happen. He can't get too mushy even if he wants to scoop his best friend up in a hug and just stay like that for ten hours. So that's the most he can do. Let him- who the fuck vacations in minnesota

JOHN: -it's okay dave. he understands strider psychology by now. he knows u love him.-

KANKRI: -Finally walking in after watching that whole exchange.- I think that at least s9me pe9ple must have, at the very least 6ef9re all 9f these redicul9us new take 9ver laws that have 6een implemented. Perhaps they name f9r the scenery.

JOHN: maybe they tried to get out of minnesota but they couldn't, so they made the best of it.

JOHN: -ends up talking at the same time as kankri ???-

KANKRI: -Its like they are linked. Except not.-

KANKRI: -Also he is just going to casually sit on the other side of John.-

KANKRI: What are the tw9 9f y9u up t9?

DAVE: its minnesota

JOHN: talking about minnesota and dancing around the fact that dave adores me.

JOHN: -just sitting there like :)-

KANKRI: Yes it is? And what a69ut it 6eing Minnes9ta makes it less desira6le then anywhere else?

JOHN: i'd say "it's an earthling" thing but

JOHN: i don't think that's a thing anymore.

KANKRI: I d9n't kn9w, I think that there still can 6e "earthling things." 

KANKRI: Whatever they c9nsist 9f anyways.

JOHN: then thinking minnesota is a snowy boring wastleland is probably one of them, to answer your question.

JOHN: although idk this place looks pretty nice.

KANKRI: It has 6een the nicest part 9f earth I have visited s9 far.

KANKRI: Then again I d9nt feel like I have adequate experiences t9 c9mpare it t9...

DAVE: -literally just watching them talk so easily with each other and kankri hasn't even gone on a rant yet-

KANKRI: -That's because he feels like he doesn't really need a lot of words for John to get him.-

[[ Beep! Micexa and Hesony both get notifications on their devices. It is an update on the top wanted list. For treason, aiding and abetting criminals of the Empire, and defection, they are both wanted for interrogation and an eventual trial. Their bounty is impressive, which makes even the more ill-equipped troll be stupid enough to face them in combat. ]]

[[ In addition, there seems to be a news article circulating around Alternian media. ]]

HESONY: =The first was to be expected, but upon noticing the latter and staring at it for a good long while, his face morphed into an expression of pure rage and he hurled his work device so hard that when it struck the trunk of a tree, it shattered into a billion pieces.=

MINDFANG: -Watches this take place.- .................

MINDFANG: Are you an actual child.

DAVE: there goes another method of communication

DAVE: keep this shit up and we gotta scream to try and connect to the others

HESONY: One, it's my own possession and it's likely for the best it's gone. We're getting pings on junk anyway.

HESONY: Two, for your information, that was my work device. It’s best if it’s destroyed anyway.

MINDFANG: Then why the fuck did you keep it this long. Seems idiotic.

MICEXA: -She, on the other hand, just stares at her device for much longer than needed before taking in a breath and turning hers off entirely.-

MICEXA: Hesony... go pick up the pieces.

MINDFANG: -At least Micexa is sensible.-

DAVE: yeah go pick them up

MICEXA: Once is enough.

HESONY: =To Dave as he does start picking up after himself. Wont want to leave a trail.= Why don't you just shove a walnut down your throat?

MICEXA: \|/e're not out yet.

MICEXA: -sternly, to Hesony. she is tired.-

MICEXA: \|/e have to do this.

MICEXA: Please... let's just do this.

DAVE: well you can give me another concussion

DAVE: that might shut me up

MICEXA: No one is CONCUSSING ANYONE.

MINDFANG: (A walnut...) -Shes amazed by the stupid specifics of that.-

MITUNA:-ISSA NUT-

MINDFANG: -No.-

MICEXA: AND IF \|/E ALL KEEP ARGUING I AM SURE SOMEONE \|/OULD DONATE EXTRA FABRIC FOR THE CAUSE OF SILENCE.

DAVE: (damn)

HESONY: Miss, I—

HESONY: =SQUINTS at Dave before just...swallowing back whatever he was going to say to him=

HESONY: (Did you see what they fucking did to Her? It's a fucking lure, I can't believe this.)

MICEXA: Don't.

MICEXA: \|/e're going to keep going.

MICEXA: That's all.

HESONY: =He shakes his head, his jaw set as his eyes dropped to the ground at his feet. The anger drained from him in one go..= Not too Hard. That's all we ever do.

MINDFANG: -Rolls her eyes...eye.-

MINDFANG: Gr8, wonderful you've come to conclusion that you can 8e calm and silent, so do it. Dont expose the rest of us to your duo show of self pity.

MINDFANG: -Walking past them to get away from their grossness.-

HESONY: =He let out a short laugh as Mindfang passed=

HESONY: All we did was buy you time. Now the Expunger is after us and she'll finish what she started.

HESONY: Maybe we'll be lucky like Rez and get a quick death.

MINDFANG: Negative and a whiner? Wow, your personal8ty is stunning.

MICEXA: -She says nothing to this. Seems like all that woman does is bait and threaten, and there's no point giving her any more power in pulling out their emotions.-

MICEXA: Sunny!

MICEXA: Stop. Talking about her like that. -she's looking at him now, and her expression is hurt. She's lost her, too. They all have, and it's been hard to choke down every bicker, every reminder.- No more. I can't...

HESONY: =Sorry Mindfang, you're getting ignored=

HESONY: (But it's true. We're the only ones left. She's killing us off, one by one. And I Hate being out in the open like this. The League Has eyes and ears everywhere and we're burning off on the fuel of sheer dumb luck.)

HESONY: (She made sure we were watching. She killed Her, and she made sure that it was as Horrible as before.)

MICEXA: If we die then so be it.

MICEXA: ...\|/e don't stop.

MICEXA: -turns again and keeps walking, quiet with the tightness of her jaw as she bites down on her tongue.-

HESONY: =he watched at she walked away and closed his eyes, sighing. His expression drained into one of resignation. Without further response, he followed quietly after.=

---

[[As soon as they arrive at the aforementioned lusus pens, the crew +2 were introduced to a magnificent dragonfly lusus that would take them straight to their destination.]] 

[[ They've arrived in the next rebel base, their giant insectoid "pilot" coming to a stop at a large growth of moss and flowers on the cavern ceiling to munch away. A rebel conductor helps them out of the basket and back into the tunnels, where they're informed once again that they stand to meet the small group that will lead them to the lusus keeping hold and assist them in securing their transport to Minnesota. They wait in a room while the troupe is summoned. ]]

REDGLARE: -She found it kind of peaceful, on the giant bug basket. A lot of time to think. Now she's hobbling off and having to walk again hurts a whole fuckload, don't it? Urgh. She leans back and folds her arms as she waits.-

[[ The bandages have gotta be hella itchy, too. ]]

REDGLARE: >;/

LATULA: -WALKING BACK AND FOURTH A BUNCH NO LESS-

DAVE: -he's been compliant and talking incessantly but hey, he's alive. the room they're in makes a nice shelter, but he's antsy- heres an idea

DAVE: teleporters

MINDFANG: -The bug basket wasnt awful, but still she was glad to be moving along. The sooner the better really. And also not having to move much after her chest trauma was great, but now was the time to suck it up again and she leans against one of the walls while digging her fingers into the small crevices of her bionic arm to see if she can adjust anything in there to make it any semblance of slightly more functional.-

HESONY: =mrrrg... He approached Mindfang and made a gesture towards her arm. In addition to that, he makes a face at her digging.= :\

MICEXA: -how rich do u think this operation is-

MICEXA: -that's the look she is currently giving Dave, but she quickly readjusts to look at Sunny-

MINDFANG: -Slowly looks up at him, do you see the look in her one eye? Do you see how she imagines destroying you.-

MINFANG: Can I help you.

HESONY: At the rate you're going, your arm is gonna go limper than a droopy bulge.

HESONY: =He held out his hand offering and open= Let me Help you?

LATULA: (pff h4h44h4h4h4h4h4)

DAVE: nice

MINDFANG: -Turns her death glare briefly on Latula.-

MINDFANG: Your use of descriptors m8kes it almost impossi8le to say no. -Shes being sarcastic.-

LATULA: >8P

HESONY: That makes it all easier then. =with one hand he took her arm and inspected it, running a finger over a nasty looking puncture.=

MINDFANG: -EXCUSE.-

MINDFANG: -Sorry hes getting punched in the face, you dont just grab someones arm. Here comes her fist.-

LALTULA: OH SN4P DOG

HESONY: =well he should have expected that tbh=

HESONY: =the blow staggers him and he straightened from it, wiping blue from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.=

HESONY: You do realize punching me only exacerbates the problem.

MINDFANG: -Yeah it kind of did, her metal hand struggles to open again, making several clicking noises as the fingers uncurl.- Yes I am aware.

MINDFANG: And it was still worth it. -She almost smiles when she sees the blood. Almost. Its satisfying.-

MICEXA: !!

MICEXA: -SLIDES IN BETWEEN THEM AGGRESSIVELY-

MINDFANG: -DO YOU WANT A PUNCH TOO? She will give them out for free.-

MINDFANG: -Eyes her as she cradles her arm.-

REDGLARE: Stop 1t.

REDGLARE: W3'v3 got mor3 f1ghts 4h34d of us.

REDGLARE: L3t h1m f1x 1t.

DAVE: we also got a lot of distance to travel

DAVE: before the fights

HESONY: =he sneered from around Miss= Just thought you ought to know you Have a malfunctioning piston and the shock absorbers are shot to Hell.

HESONY: However I don't entirely blame you. Most of your group is rather dull-witted.

DAVE: maybe were gonna spice it up

DAVE: bam traveling fights

DAVE: wheres my goddamn train

DAVE: gotta bounce on the cars

MINDFANG: I can travel fine with it in this condition, and o8viously it is still useful enough to fight. -Just not...ideal. She can make it work.-

MINDFANG: And what makes you so qualified to make the repairs anyway.

HESONY: ...

HESONY: You Have got to be kidding—

HESONY: =he pulled off his right glove and clenched and unclenched his metal hand.=

MINDFANG: -Watches him, unimpressed.- Having a 8ionic replacement does not qualify you to fix one.

MICEXA: -pinches the bridge of her nose... sunny why... why must you care so much and be so cute-

HESONY: Things work differently in the League.

HESONY: You learn or you die.

HESONY: =not cute. bamf. look at me=

MICEXA: -YEAH BUT U CUTE THO-

[ !!! SUDDENLY !!! A truck with enormous mud and slush caked treads pulls in outside, seeming to grind down the rough terrain with ease. There's some kind of machine gun rotating around the roof although its' not currently in use. There are several trolls hanging off of it. If the gang is inside, they can hear the roar of the motor signalling it's arrival. VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOM. (do u like my sfx) ]

MINDFANG: Thats no new knowledge. Any wriggler worth its half formed 8rain cells should know that.

HEITOR: -snuffles while hanging off the edge of the truck. HE IS A BIG.-

AQUILA: -actually is one of the unlucky folk stuffed inside with the gigantic driver :[-

HESONY: That is more than enough to be qualified. What, do you require a certificate?

LATULA: -peeps outside to look at the truck-

LATULA: uh yo.

LATULA: w3 w41t1n on som3on3 h3r3?

MINDFANG: I might considering I have no personal investment in trusting your word-- -Turns to look at Latula.-

HEITOR: -GASMASK STARES FROM OUTSIDE. Heseems to be hauling some kind of gigantic backpack, along with several toolboxes worth of tools on his belt and pants.-

LATULA: uhh

LATuLA: y3s.

HESONY: FINE. Let it fall apart or become dead weight, but don't make this a liability to everyone else.

HESONY: =He finally glanced up as they exited the vehicle.= Apparently.

REDGLARE: -HOBBLING TO EXIT AND SHOVES THE DOOR OPEN HARSHLY, staring at the truck.-

REDGLARE: Who 1s your l34d3r.

MINDFANG: -Thats harsh redglare.-

HEITOR: -SNORTS behind his mask, adjusting a nozzle on his backpack.-

DAVE: now the partys here

ULFURA: -She ALSO hangs off the outside of the truck, trying to peek around Heitor to see the new guys and having a REALLY HARD TIME.- HEEEYYY???

REDGLARE: 1s th4t you?

HEITOR: -SNORTS again and leans back.-

ULFURA: NO!!! ARE YOU KIDDING???

ULFURA: -LEAPS from the truck to eyeball them -- yeah, she is smol. SHE SQUINT.-

DAVE: this looks like a fun one

MINDFANG: -Small and squinty? What a combination.-

URSAIS: -Has difficulty parking. Eventually gives up and just KICKS DOOR OF THE TRUCK OPEN with furry boot. Out comes the burr troll. She is enormous, WIDE AND LONG even compared to someone like Heitor. - o'hm serRRy bout the trRuck fuckin rRickety piece a shit. AY.

HEITOR: -GRUNTS and punches ursais in the arm.-

HEITOR: -DONT INSULT HIS HANDIWORK-

ULFURA: -frankly just dwarfed by every single one of these guys-

REDGLARE: ...

REDGLARE: -focuses on the BIG and sighs-

REDGLARE: So you 4r3.

URSAIS: -rubs her arm and GRUNTS AT HIM.- we'rRe 'erRe to pick up some fellow rRRRebels. owch. look all i'm sayin is knowin how big somuv us 'rRr you coula opted ferR somethin' a little biggerR.

URSAIS: NYWAYS.

URSAIS: who do i gotta talk to to get this shit rRollin. -LOOKS ARUND.-

MICEXA: ....

MICEXA: -looks between the UU members-

HEITOR: -SNORTS.-

LATULA: yo.

ULFURA: ...

ULFURA: WELL SOMEBODY SAY SOMETHING???

ULFURA: -points at Latula- YOU???

URSAIS: -gdi ulfura out of the mouths of babes...but yeah this is kind of awkward.-

LATULA: M3?????

URSAIS: look it was my underRRstandin that some peple needed ta get to minnesodey??? SO SPEAK TH' FUCK UP.

LATULA: OH SH1 T 1 M34N. uh. sh1t. 1 D1D s4y th4t.

LATULA: y3s w3—

REDGLARE: Y3s.

REDGLARE: M1nn3sot4. Soon 4s poss1bl3.

REDGLARE: W3'v3 got oth3r cr3w to m33t w1th.

REDGLARE: C4n you do 1t?

LATULA: >8T

HESONY: =he's not saying anything. he might get punched in the face again.=

DAVE: they better do it

URSAIS: -SHE IS KIND OF GIVING THE LEGISCERATORS THE STINK EYE.-

MICEXA: -shifts. EVEN MORE AWKWARD.-

MINDFANG: -You might get punched regardless, you are never safe.-

AQUILA: -floating- g'day ladies n gents! :D

HESONY: =squints right back at her=

LATULA: h4h4 soz l1k3. 1M l4tz pyrop3 but you 4ll tot3z h34rd of m3 b3for3.

ULFURA: COURSE WE CAN DO IT!!!

LATULA: (PL34S3.)

ULFURA: ... -looks up at Heitor- (WHO???)

URSAIS: -kinda cuts through everyone to get to Redglare- well 's wut the feck we'rRe e'rRe to find out but i ain't givin no garRentees. wuz a hell of a time even gettin erRe at all, but i think we'rRe yerRr best bet. cuz we gota n ace up ourR sleeves and it's sure as shit not this trRuck. we gonna trRy an trRavel by airR.

URSAIS: and once we get to minny sody we'rRe gonna help y'alll rRip our mutual enemies ta shrReds.

URSAIS: -grins-

REDGLARE: ...

REDGLARE: 4lr1ght.

REDGLARE: R3dgl4r3.

REDGLARE: R34dy wh3n you 4r3.

MINDFANG: Sounds enticing.

URSAIS: my name is capn urRsais arRcone and this here's mah crew. -GESTURES TO THEM. APPRECIATE THEM. SHE'S PROUD.-

URSAIS: -ESPECIALLY OF YOU, ULFURA.-

HEITOR: -HISSES OUT A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE 'HI'-

HESONY: =blandly=

HESONY: Charmed.

URSAIS: i wasn't specially talkin to YEW.

URSAIS: -OWLTURNS-

MINDFANG: -Get told Hesony.-

ULFURA: -BOUNCES IN PLACE. YES, NOTICE HER.-

HESONY: And that is some kind of problem?

LATULA: -loudly SULKS-

MICEXA: -rests a hand on his arm- Sunny-- Don't.

LATULA: -man she can't even be famous as a criminal-

ULFURA: -she doesn't watch enough TV to know you... tbh she doesn't know most of you. BUT SHE LIKES THAT SMALL WEIRDO LOOKING ONE, THE RED GUY WITH THE FINS. She's pretty sure he's a guy who would angry squat.-

URSAIS: -VAGUE SWEEPING GESTURE.- arRight well you lot get all yerRR shit redy trRy to travel as light as possible tho.

REDGLARE: W3 lost most of our b3long1ngs.

REDGLARE: 1t's just us.

URSAIS: -grunts- we gon have to do sum walkin firRst and no offense but y'all look like yerR one foot in the grR...-stops..glances at all these people with amputated limbs- o sorRy...um

URSAIS: ...nyways. ye. bundle up n stuff and we'll go.

URSAIS: the trRuck is a little too conspicious so we'rRe just gon leave it. -glances at Heitor apologetically.-

REDGLARE: -wise...-

HEITOR: -GRUNTS-

LATULA: 41ght.

URSAIS: -DON'T GRUNT AT HER LIKE THAT, IT'S NOT HER FAULT.-

URSAIS: ey y'all elp anybody that can't make it on theirR own.

HEITOR: -he can and will carry u-

URSAIS: -SHE COULD CARRY LIKE...THREE OF YOU.-

HESONY: =so could he but no one want him to touch them=

URSAIS: -THEN DON'T BEAT EM UP SO MUCH NEXT TIME GOOD GOD.-

MINDFANG: -Yeah jeez.-

HESONY: =Then maybe warnings should be heeded next time, sheesh.=

URSIAS: -FUCKIN highbloods.-

URSAIS: -FUCKIN GOVERNMENT HIGHBLOODS.-

MINDFANG: -Gets the urge to punch Hesony again. But thats pretty normal.-

MINDFANG: Then lets get moving.

HEITOR: -LUMBERING FORWARD.-

LATULA: -she is not lumbering... but she ain't sprightly, either.-

LATULA: soz w3r3 you 4t th3 4tt4ck down th3 w4y wh3n w3 got p1ck3d up?

HESONY: =you castist pos. there's at least five highbloods in this UU group.=

ULFURA: -she will be sprightly for the BOTH OF YOU. bounces ahead of them-

MINDFANG: -Goodbye comfortable wall, shes walking.-

URSAIS: -YE BUT THEY'RE FAMOUS REBELS. IT'S DIFFERENT.-

HESONY: =NO IT'S NOT=

URSAIS: -PROBABLY HELPING DAELOS WALK. Anybody else? She's got a free arm.-

MITUNA: -Floats quietly-

[[ It's cold and snowy out still, and that and the darkness offers them a fair amount of general cover. It shouldn't be a terribly far walk to the lusus holding encampment, but they'll have to go through some woods on the way. ]]

REDGLARE: -no thank u she will FORCE HER WAY THROUGH THE PAIN-

REDLGARE: -GRAHH-

MICEXA: -redglare pls...-

MINDFANG: -Redglare please.-

URSAIS: -Just gives her a weird look??? Buti it's noen of her business.-

MINDFANG: -Keeping her eye on Redglare just in case she falls.-

MICEXA: -she hesitantly... offers Redglare an arm.-

MICEXA: -LET HER HELP YOU DAMMIT-

MINDFANG: -Redglare dont do, dont let them help you. She squint.-

DAVE: -with the gang- do we have to go through the woods again

REDGLARE: -WELL if mindfang is gonna refuse then shell take it-

REDGLARE: -ALWAYS DO THE OPPOSITE-

MINDFANG: -TRAITOR.-

MINDFANG: -Shes judging you so hard right now.-

MICEXA: -thank u... she wraps the arm around Redglare to help support her-

HESONY: =makes a frustrated noise somewhere in the back=

MICEXA: -between the two of us we have two whole legs-

MICEXA: -it's like we're almost a whole functioning person-

REDGLARE: -minus one eye-

TEREZI: =eyes are overrated=

URSAIS: -She's scarcely seen a sorrier looking group of people.-

LATULA: uh y34h 1m w1th h1m tbh.

LATULA: gonn4 h4v3 fuck1n for3st n1ghtm4r3z.

MITUNA: -Flaps his nub-

MINDFANG: Just do your 8est to ignore it. -At Latula and Dave, despite feeling pretty on edge about going into the woods too...-

DAVE: got it DAVE: great

LATULA: 1m just s4y1n fuck tr33z.

URSAIS: o yea i ferRgot ta answerR ya. we weren't so much in the fightin as mowin thrRough it.

AQUILA: and it turned out just beaut. :)

LATULA: r4d.

HEITOR: O (oo) O

HESONY: (Must be mowing through small fry. Of course you'd be able to beat fodder.)

HEITOR: -HEAVILY BREATHES OVER HESONY'S SHOULDER-

HEITOR: O (oo) O

MITUNA: 7alk 5hi7 ge7 hi7

MITUNA: (he5 a one man apocalyp5e)

HEITOR: -THANK U MITUNA-

HESONY: You don't know that. You only just met these people!

MITUNA: L00K 47 H1M -Gestures at him-

ULFURA: HE'S A ONE MAN CHEESEBURGER APOCALYPSE!!!

HAITOR: -reaches a meaty hand over and ruffles ulfura's hair.-

HAITOR: -SCAMP-

ULFURA: -punches Heitor in the buttcheek. She's buttcheek height right???-

ULFURA: -YEAH THAT'S WHAT YOU GET.-

HAITOR: -yes-

HESONY: =Just...DRAGS his hands down his face=

URSAIS: acutally thas a preddy accurRate scription..

MITUNA: you merely adop7ed 7he darkne55 he wa5 born in i7 molded by i7 by 7he 7ime he 5aw 7he ligh7 he wa5 a man

HAITOR: DOCTORATE... IN ENGINEERING...

URSAIS: -looks at this tiny psiionic. who hurt you to make u like this.-

HAITOR: -vents some steam from his backpack-

URSAIS: jesus trRoll chrRist.

MITUNA: -Sunny!-

URSAIS: we know u got koali-fee-cations. we GED IT.

HAITOR: -GRUNTS-

ULFURA: -grunts also, but HIGHER, and more sassy.-

HAITOR: -WOW-

MITUNA: -Floats around Roadh-- Haitor-

HESONY: =snaps at mindfang and gestures at...ALL of Haitor= Here's your fucking certification, must be your lucky day!

MITUNA: (he big mad)

MINDFANG: -Slow turns to Hesony and raises her fist ever so slightly.-

URSAIS: -also gives him a Look like boy she redy 2 fight.-

MINDFANG: Calm down already.

URSAIS: -elirah would get mad at her tho for gettin off task...-

MICEXA: Hesony--!

MINDFANG: We get it, it is o8vious you do not like them. But good news no one else here enjoys your presence either.

HAITOR: -he'll totally fight... but the mention of his koala fictions distracts him a second and he TURNS towards Mindfang.-

HAITOR: -slaps his own arm corresponding to mindfang's cybernetic limb and points to her-

HESONY: =He's smiling. All the stress of the past month has totally worn him down= You sure you wanna do that?

HESONY: Your arm will likely break before my face does. :D

MINDFANG: -BOY.-

MINDFANG: -Looks at Haitor, and others. You see him asking for it right?-

NYALAH: -turning in her grave being in proximity to the magnitude of this blueblood fuckboi. Jfc.-

HAITOR: -STARES-

URSAIS: -GROWLS- ey! quit yer shit 'fore i get angrRy this ain't no leuiserRly strRolll this is serRious.

HESONY: =Nyalah, you dont even get to, youre the reason Terezi died=

MITUNA: Y34H 817CH ehehehe

MINDFANG: -Better be calling Hesony a bitch.-

MITUNA: -He'll leave it to interpretation-

MINDFANG: -She huffs though and turns her gaze forward again.-

URSAIS: less play the quiet game, yeah? til we get therRe.

URSAIS: we'rRe nearRly to the encampment.

URSAIS: got some steep turrRain comin up firRst tho.

MITUNA: 573PP1N 0N 7H3 834CH

HESONY: =His face is just=

HESONY: =BLUE=

MINDFANG: How steep is steep?

DAVE: im guessing steep

HESONY: What? Can't Handle a little rock wall?

MINDFANG: I can. 8ut we have group mem8ers missing lim8s thanks to you.

REDGLARE: >;I

REDGLARE: -well she wasn't going to point it out but-

MICEXA: -INTERNALLY SCREAMING-

MINDFANG: And so traversing any extreme terrain might prove extremely difficult on them. 8ut yeah clearly they are fucking weak 8ecause they cant "Handle a rock wall." thank you for pointing that out.

HESONY: (I'd say it's pretty much even. Terezi's dead thanks to you.)

URSAIS: shut yerR damn mouth, i don't wanna hafta say it gain.

MITUNA: (no you)

HESONY: (No, you.)

MINDFANG: -Wigglers. Both of you.-

URSAIS: fuck me right up my furRy nook. -grumbling.-

HEITOR: -stares at ursais. maybe they can throw them-

URSAIS: -it's seeming more and more appealing...-

MITUNA: -Flips sunny off-

HESONY: =Tuna gets the double bird=

MITUNA: -Plarps him in the face with a psionic snowball-

HESONY: =SPUTTERING=

MITUNA: ehehehe

HESONY: =beans Mituna dead center with a manually made one.=

URSAIS: -SHE JUST....CANNOT BELIEV.E-

MITUNA: -DOOF!-

MITUNA: -That's it, he just shakes lose an entire tree branch of snow onto Sunny's head-

REDGLARE: -she's not even gonna try to stop this.-

HESONY: GAHHH!!!

HESONY: =Takes out his shield and uses it to scoop snow off the ground with it= HESONY: EAT POWERDY WHITE SHIT!

URSAIS: -that's it. she's grabbing Hesony by the arm and dragging him none to gently to the front of the line with her-

MINDFANG: -Jfc guys.-

MICEXA: HESONY!!!!!!!

MITUNA: -makes a lil psionic barrier. Unbothered.-

URSAIS: -barks in his face- WALK! AND DON'T DO NOTHIN ELSE!!!

HESONY: =Wrenches his arm from Ursais's grip. There is a brief staredown=

HESONY: Don't. Touch me. Again.

HESONY: =And with that he does start walking again. If they're good at anything it's following orders.=

MITUNA: -snrks-

URSIAS: -SNORTS, her nostrils flaring and just keeps up her pace.-

MITUNA: -Slides up next to the pig-

MITUNA: doe5 your arm 5hoo7 la5er5

HEITOR: -NO RESPONSE. snorts piggily-

MITUNA: dude you go77a 7ell me

HEITOR: -VENTS STEAM FROM HIS BACKPACK. holds up his arm. Wiggles his fingers. NADA-

MITUNA: awwww

MITUNA: do you 7hink i could ge7 one 7ha7 5hoo75 la5er5

DAELOS: -speaks up for the first time this entire time- I thought you could already do that

HEITOR: -SNORTS AGAIN.- HEITOR: -also, lowers his arm.-

HEITOR: -STARES AT DAELOS-

DAELOS: -THIS IS WHY HE ISN'T TALKING THESE PEOPLE MAKE HIM HECKING UNCOMFORTABLE. Also he's a depressed horse.-

MITUNA: yeah bu7 how 5wee7 would i7 be 7o 5hoo7 la5er5 from your hand5

MITUNA: back me up here 7ula

LATULA: SHOOT 1T FROM YOUR D1CK MOR3 L1K3

AQUILA: i knew a guy once who could do that i'm pretty sure. it was a real rip snorter of a pahty trick let me tell ya.

MITUNA: -Looks down at his crotch a tad too long-

LATULA: lm4o.

MITUNA: im gonna do i7

LATULA: DUD3 WH4T.

DAVE: -he can't stop thinking about the night before and what his parents and uncle are up to. and apparently his aunt he's never met? the lady that introduced his mom referred to her as her sister so...more family falling out of the woodwork. he's been glued to the radio for hours, listening to updates about what's happening in DC and what kind of protests have sparked as a result of last night's show.-

LATULA: -doin a lil walk... ARMS slung up over her rifle, resting it on her shoulders. Yeah, she's restless alright. Ready for a fight and restless don't always mix the best way, especially since that whole performance made her ready to punch something.-

LATULA: pshh. yknow 1 would4 b33n 4 tot4l showstopp3r 1f sh3 dump3d m3 ov3r th3r3 1nst34d of 4sscr4ck nowh3r3z. >8P

DAVE: -looks over at latula when she talks- i figured

DAVE: they accomplished what they were trying to do i think

LATULA: forr34lz. 4ND you got 4 w1ck3d l3g1t confo th4t th3y 41nt b3lly up d34d soz th4tz two fl4pp3rz on3 huckrock r1ght????

DAVE: ok i say some ridiculous shit sometimes but im gonna need you to tone it down to my level so i can at least understand a subject and a verb

LATULA: HUCK1N ROCKZ!!!! 4nd uh. yknow. squ4wkb34stz. f34th3rfuckz.

LATULA: w1ng4l1ngz?

LATULA: fl1ghtful turk3yz.

LATULA: sky l1z4rdz w1thout th3 sc4l3z.

DAVE: why are we talking about birds now

LATULA: 4LR1GHT SOZ 1M4 BR34K TH1S DOWN FOR YOU B1RDM4N.

LATULA: l3tz s4y you got ON3 rock r1ght?

LATULA: 4nd you chuck 1t up n4sty skyw4rdz but OH SH1T!!!! gu3ss wh4t?

LATULA: you h1t TWO B1RDZ w1th only ON3 of thos3 b4444d grrrrlzzzz.

LATULA: th4tt 1s l1k3 th3 t1ght3st sh1t FOR R34LZ.

LATULA: 4nyw4yz your p4r3ntz b31n 4 l1v3 1s l1k3 huck1n rockz 4t b1rdz 1s wh4t 1 w4s s4y1n.

LATULA: prob4bly.

DAVE: so youre tryin to say killin two birds with one stone

DAVE: thats the longest expression ive ever heard in my life

LATULA: WH4T3VZ BRO.

LATULA: >8P

LATULA: 4nyth1ng good on th3 horn ov3r th3r3?

DAVE: nah

DAVE: just shit about juggalo presidents

LATULA: psh. OH Y34H.

LATULA: m4n fuck th4t r1ght????

LATULA: yknow 4t l34st on b3forus clownz w3r3 pr3tty fuck1n norm4l. >8T

DAVE: they gotta be the worst here

DAVE: kind of a whole cult following of a musical group

DAVE: -air quotations-

LATULA: m4n your pl4n3t 1s l1k3 4 b1ll1on t1m3z w31rd3r th4n 1 thought bro.

DAVE: and it just gets weirder

DAVE: with all the protests and shit and my family taking them down

LATULA: psh. w1sh 1 w4s th3r3.

LATULA: us3d to b3 4 TOT4L b4d grl.

LATULA: 1 k1nd4 m1ss T34R1N SH1T 4LL UP on th3 st4g3.

DAVE: oh yeah i remember

DAVE: when was the last time you did that

DAVE: it feels like its been forever since any of us have done anything

LATULA: W4Y MOR3 TH4N 4 Y34R DOG.

LATULA: 1 m34n 1 know th4t f33l too. bluh.

DAVE: you still got all your limbs

DAVE: -it's a question-

LATULA: uh

LATULA: w3ll uh

LATULA: y34h 1 m34n my p1nk13 to3 w4s k1ndz o touch 4nd go but 1t 41nt go1ng w33 w33 w33 4ll th3 w4y hom3 just y3t yknow?

LATULA: 1 m34n.

LATULA: p sur3 1m 1n good sh4p3 comp4r3d to pr4ct1c4lly 3v3ryon3.

DAVE: yeah

DAVE: same

DAVE: youre just a resilient motherfucker

LATULA: PSH. y34h w3ll 4ft3r 4ll TH4T sh1t 4nyon3z gott4 b3 r1ght????

DAVE: yeah

DAVE: it was some bullshit

DAVE: doesnt really feel like it happened at all

LATULA: UH

LATULA: 1 gott4 d1s4gr33 my dud3 th3r3 1s som3 M4JOR 3v1d3nc3 to TH4T contr4ry.

DAVE: ok i mean the physical pain aspects yeah it feels like it happened

DAVE: i just mean the surreality of it you know

LATULA: oh y34h h4h4.

LATULA: soundz l1k3 my whol3 l1f3 s1nc3 1 jo1n3d th1s fuk1n cr3w lm4o.

LATULA: no off3nc3.

DAVE: im not offended

DAVE: i didnt start this shit

LATULA: psh y34h 1 m34n YOU d1dnt but yknow.

LATULA: -SITS DOWN AND FLOPSONTO THE TABLE, staring at the radio-

DAVE: i know my brother and me are one in the same

[[News of the concert has likely reached the rebellion, and music fills the tunnels, scratchy from radio service. Not too loud, though. The overlanders might hear.]]

[[Even so, it's clear enough for them in their basket. They may have already heard several familiar voices.]]

DAVE: -he's been glued to the radio. damn it. his parents are cute.-

DAVE: -he's not tearing up. he's done so well at not crying this whole time he's DEFINITELY not tearing up-

MITUNA: haha your mom love5 you

DAVE: -FUCK YOU DIRK-

DAVE: she sure as shit does

DAVE: shut up

MITUNA: haha youre loved and 5uppor7ed wha7 a nerd

DAVE: dont you have two girlfriends

DAVE: whos the bigger nerd

MITUNA: don7 you have an en7ire familial ne7work of love and 5uppor7

MITUNA: you

DAVE: whatever

DAVE: -he might be smiling VERY slightly-

HESONY: =He's squished into the corner of this as usual. He can't believe these people would dare draw attention to themselves via CONCERT. They're all insane.=

DAVE: -this has been the highlight of the last three weeks. and he's not stepping away from the radioi anytime soon-

DAVE: -WHY BRO....it means more to him than derek will ever know-

DAVE: -he's amazed yet again like he always is at how amazing of a rapper derek is-

DAVE: -DAMN IT BRUNCLE...thank you...-

HESONY: (.....How many descendants does that guy Have?)

DAVE: youd be surprised

MITUNA: 7heyre like rabbi75 hone57ly

HESONY: ...What are "rabbits"?

MINDFANG: Apparently 8reeding machines. -Chimes in just for that one.-

HESONY: Ah. That makes sense.

DAVE: we expanded all at once i guess

HESONY: You mean to say that you are in a single familial unit with this individual?

DAVE: hes my uncle

DAVE: the guy hes rappin with is my bro D

AVE: my bro as in my dad

HESONY: ......

HESONY: =The translation indicated that "he's my lusus's brother the guy he's rappin with is my brother my brother as in my lusus."=

HESONY: ...

HESONY: Okay.

MITUNA: one i5 hi5 lu5u5 and 7he o7her i5 hi5 lu5u5 bro7her

DAVE: ok just forget everything i said

ARANEA: -she's so restless, wishing she had something to read at least... so many books LOST. currently the only thing that can really keep her attention is the burn of her skin from the cold that never seems to go away. she closes her eyes and exhales, trying to focus her powers on numbing it for herself. she's never really tried that before...-

[[ Currently, the group is traveling in an underground tunnel, hanging from the back of some sort of GARGANTUAN bug lusus that crawls on the tunnel ceiling, seated in a sort of basket. It's an easy way for the rebels to get around between their bases, and the group is on their way to meet up with the rebel troupe that's going to help them acquire their cross-country travel means. ]]

[[ I'm not even gonna try and hide this reference: http://www.finalfantasykingdom.net/9/ffixgarganta.png ]]

REDGLARE: -Sitting over the edge of the basket. It's a little unsafe, especially with only one leg, but who can dissuade her??? probably no one. the Big Buge is traveling pretty quick and she is just letting the wind blow through her hair.-

REDGLARE: >;I

MICEXA: -she's sort of glancing between Aranea and Redglare, relatively silent on this ride. She's hoping Sunny is getting some sleep, but she isn't for now. She's trying to do some stretches in the minimal space she has.-

MICEXA: -She sort of wants to talk but... it might be unwise. She will keep staring, at least.-

HESONY: =HRNG he's awake now after squishing himself into a corner to sleep.. He's probably slept off the constant fear and fatigue and sadness and has finally reentered the world of the awake. He is wordless as he straighened a bit and peered over the edge down to the floor below. Interesting means of transport, he's gotta say.=

REDGLARE: -EYES but says nothing yet-

MICEXA: -ceases her stretches and reaches over to just sort of... pet his arm once.-

HESONY: =is pet and just..sorta rests his head against hers. He's making a valiant attempt at NOT thinking about what may happen to them after everything is over.=

MICEXA: -now she's wrapping her arm around him, pulling him closer. It's not the most comfortable ride, but at least it's peaceful.-

HESONY: =Riding in a basket hanging above the ground from a bug creature crawling on the roof of these tunnels was the safest he felt since they were in the forest of death. Which wasn't that much, all things considering.=

---

DAVE: -he's healing. pretty well in fact. he's much more mobile than before. and that's why he's actually eating FOOD while they're traveling. he's hungry-

KARKAT: =In the entire basket. He's been sleepless the entire time and is watching Dave eat. He hasn't really been exactly chatty with everyone but at least they were moving=

DAVE: -he's eating slowly, looking over at karkat- how long til we get to the place

KARKAT: I don't fucking know, the bug probably knows. It's the one hauling our asses there.

DAVE: have you checked terezis communicator lately

DAVE: where is it anyway

KARKAT: I have it in my pocket and no. KARKAT: If you need it for something then you can have it.

DAVE: i just wanted to check it

KARKAT: =hands it to him= You should keep eating while you do that.

DAVE: do you think im just gonna give up on food to look at this thing -takes it-

KARKAT: Who knows, you're wiley, you just might.

DAVE: -snorts and then turns it on. his EYES WIDEN SUDDENLY-

KARKAT: =Watches that expression... his own falls into a frown= What happened....

DAVE: this is terezis right

KARKAT: =oh he's dreading this already= ...Yes.

DAVE: -hands it to karkat- look

KARKAT: =He has a large feeling he's not going to like what he sees. Clearly hesitant but he takes it anyway and looks at the feed=

KARKAT: ..... =Eyebrows lifted then furrowed... it's hard to say what his expression is but it's dancing somewhere between hope and hurt. What can he even make of this? That she was okay but that doesn't seem okay and still no one..... well... it'd be hard to say no one else has this technology. Hard to say that no one has any of the extraneous bullshit some of them had rubbed on them=

KARKAT: =Still that could only mean she was somewhere pretty goddamn bad. But not so much that she couldn't find something to send a message with..... something that was a complaint and not any helpful piece of information..... who's to say it even was Terezi... it could be a joke. A trap. A- a... something. Bait. Fucking tireless baiting now that they've slipped away....=

KARKAT: =Balling up his face Karkat shoves ithe comm back to Dave and looks away, pins finned back and one hand going to ball up in his hair=

DAVE: -takes the comm back and sighs, looking back at him- do you think its

KARKAT: (I don't know.....)

KARKAT: (I don't fuckin know man....... do I... it'd be dumb to go back. It's a trap.) =mumbles=

DAVE: i dont think theres any goin back dude

DAVE: if its her shes probably not in the same place

KARKAT: (It means they fucking moved her and did... something. She... couldn't have come back and-- found something in the fucking ice to type on...) =Or could she... Ugh, he doesn't know=

DAVE: weird shit goes on i dont know

DAVE: but if she can communicate like that

DAVE: we should be able to communicate with her

KARKAT: =He clenches his jaw and tries to not release the floodgates again, if they start they won't stop and he's had a pretty good cork over all his emotions presently=

KARKAT: (Maybe? Why... why wouldn't she say where she is if it's her??)

DAVE: for safety

DAVE: i dunno

DAVE: its hard to tell bro

KARKAT: =He just... he tries to suck it up and clenches his fist= It.... doesn't make sense.

KARKAT: =Runs that hand from his hair to his face then just leans back so his head is against the basket. Exhaling slowly... what to do... what should he do....=

DAVE: i know

DAVE: none of this shit makes sense

DAVE: why is jade an evil robot dog girl i dont know

DAVE: were movin now

DAVE: so we keep movin

DAVE: even if the ride really sucks and we run over obstacles that nearly kill us

DAVE: were gonna do it

KARKAT: =Tries to listen to Dave and let all his words sink in but nothing makes sense and they were hardly making sense before but this is just... so much. It's too fucking much. Taking another slow breath he reaches for Dave's hand to hold it tightly=

KARKAT: Okay....... (okay..). =Exhales and closes his eyes=

DAVE: -squeezes karkat's hand and leans against him- we gotta think about staying alive more than anything else

DAVE: -with attentive care, he's doing much better. and it's going to hurt for a while, but he can move and do what he needs to do for the most part. can he sprint across the room? no, but he can make himself a sandwich. you win some you lose some. he's watching television in whatever area of the base has it, bored but it's all he can really do-

HESONY: =Whaddya know, he's carrying more stuff inside. Whether he knows Dave is there or not, he's not saying. In fact, he's not even looking at him each time he passes by.=

DAVE: -he's looking at him, however. watching him carry stuff back and forth-

HESONY: =The next time he walked in, he has a crate balanced on his shoulder. It may seem like a shoddy attempt at creating a barrier between him and the STARES.=

DAVE: -he speaks up instead- sup when did you get that crate transplant

HESONY: Oh, you like it? I got it a few seconds ago. =He does a little spin before placing it down with the others.=

HESONY: Perhaps I can pull a few strings so you can get one too.

HESONY: =The entire time is face is= :|

DAVE: would you do that

DAVE: shit im flattered you usually offer this stuff in private

DAVE: in the intimacy of an exam room

HESONY: =just keeps staring at him. What if he just piled all these crates in front of Dave's door? Merry Christmas and a happy new year.=

HESONY: I suppose I'll go inform the doctor Here that you want a crate implant, although in my opinion that seems more like a downgrade. A sylladex should suffice, but after seeing How many of you dont Have the Hands free version, you plebeians need all the Help you can get.

DAVE: shit this relationship is movin quickly

DAVE: can we survive the trials and tribulations of crate marriage

HESONY: What the Hell is a marriage?

DAVE: how the fuck should i know -says the married guy-

MICEXA: -eyes them from the doorway like pls-

HESONY: Assume I'm an alien who knows nothing of your weird "Techsush" and "marriage" words, but is able to understand you solely through a translation device.

HESONY: Unless "marriage" is another word from an alien race you are simply inclined to repeat.

DAVE: what the fuck is a marriage

HESONY: The more you talk the more I feel as though you are trying to =makes air quotations= pull my leg.

DAVE: ba dm ts

DAVE: im a mystery

DAVE: an enigma

DAVE: of all of motherfuckin humanity

HESONY: Yes, it appears so.

HESONY: You seem to be more of the confusing variety, However.

DAVE: you figured that out at least

DAVE: humans like what they cant figure out

DAVE: we dont know anything about each other

HESONY: That makes incredible amounts of sense. :|

DAVE: i know right

DAVE: were so easy to figure out in that respect

HESONY: I'm wondering more about How your species continues to persist.

DAVE: fucking

DAVE: cloning

DAVE: ectobiology

HESONY: Now, I know for a fact that those are Carapacian methods.

HESONY: I Have Heard rumors your methods are far more disturbing.

DAVE: my wife is a clone

DAVE: my brother and i came into the world without science

DAVE: my nephews are the result of ectobiology so

DAVE: boom

HESONY: ...

HESONY: =squints=

HESONY: I don't think I believe you.

DAVE: -he shrugs- its the truth

HESONY: Let's say it is.

HESONY: If Humans Have alternative ways of reproduction, why not use this to create soldiers that will drive out the invading force and win this war?

DAVE: -makes a face- because thats fucked up

DAVE: we dont make kids for our own purposes

HESONY: Even if it meant you would win?

DAVE: you realize that humans take time to grow right

HESONY: If you can discover different ways to create life, why can't the same be said to speed it up?

DAVE: because life isnt about bein a cog in the machine

HESONY: Even if it meant winning this war? =he said again=

ARANEA: -pipes up from wherever she's been- How awful it is that many trolls sill 8elieve life perpetuates itself only to conquer the inferior races.

ARANEA: Imagine the lives those soldiers would live after the war is won, knowing that was their only purpose.

ARANEA: -eyeballs- Well, may8e you do know how it feels...

DAVE: -dAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN-

DAELOS: - He's here too. Vaguely listening to this but not looking Hesony's way. -

HESONY: That is why Alternia Has a kill switch for each batch of drones.

HESONY: You are right in that, However. What use are we now after Having disgraced ourselves for abandoning our cause and Helping you? This is what Terezi must Have felt like when she left the League. It is likely why she joined T.U.M.U.T. when she never should Have stopped running.

MITUNA: -He's been quiet the past couple of days. To gain back something like a limb, only to lose an actual one. It was hard. However, with the fact that his psionics were indeed back it was high time to work that muscle again. Currently he's just in the back, quietly disassembling and assembling a pen.-

ARANEA: -oh hell nah... she's not going to bother being passive aggressive about this. she's scowling.- How dare you say that a8out her! She had every right to try to move on with her life and find fulfillment elsewhere -- in something she 8elieved was good.

KARKAT: =suddenly from the back corner= There's no life if you run. She helped because she could, she had the knowledge. The training. The bravery. She is selfless. She wanted to make things better. Hiding is giving up. She's a fighter.

ARANEA: -DAMN STRAIGHT-

MITUNA: -The pen floats over to sunny, then starts writing on the crate in front of him.-

HESONY: And look where that got Her!

HESONY: You still don't get it. When the Expunger wants you dead, she won't stop until she gets what she wants.

HESONY: The moment Terezi stopped running =there is a slight tremor in his hand= it was only a matter of time.

KARKAT: You don't get it. Fuck it. Fuck you. =turns back over holding her cane=

MITUNA: (5he knew 7ha7 ri5k and 5he 57ill braved her fear5 even when 5he wa5 horrified) -That's what is written on the crate. Tuna isn't much up for talking-

MITUNA: (i75 who 5he wa5 you 5hould know 7ha7 a55farce)

DAVE: so im gathering you guys were tight

HESONY: =stares daggers at the writing before shaking his head with a laugh=

HESONY: Yeah. I did know Her, and it seems the rest of you knew Her too.

HESONY: She was brave.

HESONY: She was selfless.

HESONY: She fought with words and actions both.

HESONY: And then she lost.

HESONY: =His head tilted to Dave= Oh, it was far more than that.

DAELOS: - Just watches the fire as they fight it out. He's a statue now that lives in this chair. -

MITUNA: 5he didn7 lo5e

MITUNA: fuck you

HESONY: Then How would you describe what The Expunger did?

HESONY: That isn't Her title for nothing.

HESONY: If you step in Her path, she destroys you. She takes what you are and runs it through the dirt, erasing everything you were.

HESONY: If The Expunger gets Her way, Terezi won't even be a memory. And you all...keeping that memory alive? =he gestured to the people in the room= You're in just as much danger now.

MITUNA: 7oo bad 7he big bluh bi7ch won7 ge7 ge7 her way

MITUNA: dea7h i5n7 7he end

HESONY: Sure, just like the moons are made of gumballs.

MITUNA: holy 5hi7 7ha7d be rad

MITUNA: bu7 uh i75 no7

MITUNA: my ex ma7e5pri7 died once and 5he came back

HESONY: =Sighs=

HESONY: As what, a nutcreature?

HESONY: I do not understand any of you.

HESONY: That big guy for instance! =gestures at Daelos= Hoarding a body like that will not Help.

HESONY: It will not Help His psyche.

HESONY: Eventually bodies decay and all He will Have to Hold onto is a pile of rot.

MITUNA: no 5he came back a5 a gho57 and 7hen 5he wa5 able 7o be brough7 back wi7h her body

MITUNA: i75 no7 7ha7 difficul7 holy 5hi7

HESONY: ....How strong is the stuff you're toking?

MITUNA: even karka7 died and wa5 able 7o be brough7 back

MITUNA: H0LY FUCK 455H0L3 1 H34R 7H3 5CR34M5 0F D34D 455H0L35 3V3RYD4Y M4Y83 1 KN0W 4 L177L3 M0R3 7H4N Y0U

HESONY: Everyone knows the dead stay dead! This life isn't merciful! You don't get a second chance!

MITUNA: Y35 Y0U D0

HESONY: No, you don't!

MITUNA: Y35 Y0U FUCK1NG D0 4ND 1F 4NY0N3 W1LL G37 0N3 175 73R3Z1

MITUNA: JU57 FUCK1NG W47CH D1CKF4C3

HESONY: How do you expect that to Happen? Should we rewrite History? Got a time machine on Hand?

DAELOS: Be silent

DAELOS: You are ignorant and I am tired of listening to it

MITUNA: 0H MY FUCK1NG 8ULG3 Y0U 5H17 3471NG D1CK M4CK3R3L

DAELOS: None of us are interested in your opinions, least of all me

DAELOS: - Glaring at Hesony and clutching his seat with his ears pinned-

HESONY: =turns his head to face Daelos= Grief is clouding your judgment. You know you cannot hang onto a corpse forever. I'm sorry it Happened, but nothing you do will be able to change that. She is dead. She is staying dead. She is taking up space in your sylladex. A space you could use that may actually increase your chances of survival!

MITUNA: -GROANS LOUDLY and tries to facepalm with his left hand but just kind of...Falls on the floor-

DAELOS: How f001ish, insisting you know better when several sources refute your version of the truth... but I would e%pet nothing less from a mindless Alternian drone who has never needed to think for himself before now... someone content to watch their friends savagely murdered

DAELOS: Scum

HESONY: =his lips curled into a scowl= And where would all of you be if we Had gotten ourselves killed alongside Her? If you were in our place, can you truly say that is what she would Have wanted?

HESONY: Ingrate.

DAELOS: Anyone with a soul would have done whatever they could, would have been driven mad with rage at seeing someone they cared for brutalized in such a manner

DAELOS: You beat and punished this group for having souls because you cannot conceive of what that is like

DAELOS: Spineless... abso100tely disgusting

DAELOS: No matter, I will do whatever I can for Nyalah

DAELOS: If you do not think me capable then put it out of your 100dicrously small mind

HESONY: Yes, we could Have done just that. We could Have been killed for our trouble.

HESONY: And you all could Have perished in that cave with no one to know you Had died.

HESONY: The League would Have collected the bounties on your Heads and would Have been that much closer to wiping out your sorry excuse of a rebellion.

HESONY: You are speaking like revival is possible.

HESONY: And I am saying it is NOT.

MITUNA: -Picks himself off the floor-

MITUNA: Y35 17 15

MITUNA: W3 H4V3 533N 17

MITUNA: W3 H4V3 3XP3R13NC3D 17

DAELOS: - Simply stares back at Sunny blandly and then glances at Mituna.- I suggest you give in... there is no convincing an idiot with no imagination

MITUNA: W3 KN0W M0R3 480U7 D347H 4ND 54CR1F1C3 7H4N Y0U 3V3R C0ULD H0P3 70

DAELOS: Think me de100ded for all I care, the % is mine to bear

HESONY: =makes a strangled noise= YOU CANT IMAGINE SOMEONE BACK TO LIFE IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT—

HESONY: =full out glares at Mituna=

HESONY: Don't you dare say that. You don't-- =A fraction of recognition crossed his face at Mituna's words. He laughed, mirthlessly= She didn't tell all of you, did she?

DAELOS: - Sips tea at >>-

MITUNA: 7ell u5 wha7

HESONY: Why she's blind. Why Micexa and I are like this. =He slaps his right arm and the sound it makes isn't from flesh.= Why the Expunger doesn't Have real arms.

HESONY: Why we all keep ledgers of everyone we Have ever killed.

HESONY: ...Have you found Her copy yet?

MITUNA: -He Squints at this dude. He's not denying he's had a rough go of it, but he knows what Terezi used to be, how she used to be, how she could still be-

MITUNA: no

HESONY: Then do not presume to know more than we did of those things.

HESONY: Do not presume you knew Her.

MITUNA: 7hen don7 claim 7he 5ame

MITUNA: people change and i knew 7erezi

MITUNA: 5he wa5n7 7he one you remembered

HESONY: Well. =he glanced down at the ground, the anger from his face drifting.=

HESONY: We'll never really know, will we?

Dom-01/24/2017

MITUNA: -Sighs- look dudepuff im 5orry you can7 believe wha7 we 5ay bu7 we have 5een 5ome 5hi7

MITUNA: i didn7 even have my p5ionic5 when we go7 7o 7hi5 frozen 5phinc7er

MITUNA: i burn7 7hem ou7 and 5crambled my pan like lu5u5 egg5

MITUNA: i go7 7hem back in 7ha7 fuckhole cave 7hank5 7o aranea ju57

MITUNA: ju57 fucking believe me when i 5ay 5ome impo55ible 5hi7 ha5 happened and will con7inue 7o happen i7 won7 57op keep happening

HESONY: Let's say I believe what you say.

HESONY: You're telling me there's a chance Terezi can come back? How?

MITUNA: fucking miracle5 and cocoon5 and 5hi7 i don7 know 7he de7ail5 every7hing from before i go7 fixed phy5ically hur75 7o remember

HESONY: ...

HESONY: =glances over at Daelos, then slowly looks back to Mituna=

HESONY: You need the body to do it. =it wasn't a question.=

MITUNA: from wha7 i remember yeah

HESONY: ...........

HESONY: =he closed his eyes and put his face in his hands.=

MITUNA: 7hey

MITUNA: 7hey 57ill have i7 don7 7hey

HESONY: =his shoulders are shaking and his hands moved to grip his hair=

DAELOS: -Breaks in- A body is not always required....it just makes it easier

DAELOS: At least, a new body can be procured

MITUNA: 7ha7 doe5n7 5ound fucked up in 7he 5ligh7e57

DAELOS: -Shrug-

DAELOS: -Mad scientist shrugging-

DAVE: -recovery sucks. especially when you have to wear a backbrace, but he knows in comparison to everyone else, he has it fairly easy. he's actually NOT COMPLAINING surprisingly. but is passing the time by resting and talking endlessly at anyone who walks by because he's bored. not sure how many people actually listen to what he's saying, but it's whatever when you gotta stay in one spot and sleeping's hard because of this stupid THING you gotta wear-

HESONY: =he's been out a long while, pulling his own weight with loading and unloading supplies for the rebellion. So here he is, finally walking back inside.=

HESONY: Oh Hi, Squishy.

DAVE: -glances over at Sunny and snorts from where he is on the couch- its cool how like

DAVE: you got a nickname for me

DAVE: like were friends

DAVE: when

DAVE: nah thats it

HESONY: It's more like your initiation of my being aware of your existence. Congratulations.

HESONY: =He's slowly making his way over to Dave but his expression is just...tired. He has a weariness deep in his bones.=

DAVE: wow

DAVE: me

DAVE: initiated into the underground circle of fucking people up just so you can be the ones to put them back together

DAVE: what an honor

DAVE: yo whens my turn to just wreck something

DAVE: go all wreck it ralph on some random passersby

DAVE: youre not gonna let me in the penthouse

DAVE: well have a taste of fear when i destroy your cake

DAVE: i got the medals

DAVE: all the medals

DAVE: im gonna go home now

DAVE: seeya -sits there-

HESONY: :|

HESONY: I'm going to pretend that means something.

DAVE: oh it means somethin

DAVE: too bad you cant figure it out

DAVE: could change your life

HESONY: I Have a feeling I'll survive without knowing that reference.

HESONY: =he sighed= I...

HESONY: You know what? We've said it several times already, so I'm not going to waste my breath and continue to defend our decisions.

HESONY: What's done is done, and now we'll all Have to live with our actions, won't we?

DAVE: -looks unamused- dude i appreciate the sentiment in that you think you gotta recruit me for tackle friendship

DAVE: but its not a thing

DAVE: you dont have to explain anything or have me see things your way

DAVE: maybe try that on someone else

HESONY: Oh. =also looks unamused= You think we're oblivious to the intense loathing each of you emit on the daily?

DAVE: nah i think you know

DAVE: and i think that bothers you

HESONY: Why would I be? What reason would I Have to care about the opinions of people I Haven't met?

DAVE: the fact that you keep trying to talk to me

DAVE: you could just like i dunno

DAVE: not look at me

DAVE: but you do

DAVE: for some reason

HESONY: Excuse me, Princess, you should Have mentioned something beforehand.

HESONY: =he turns his back on Dave, settling to sit on the arm of the couch.=

DAVE: -he's not sure what he's trying to do now- whats this supposed to be

HESONY: =turns around to face him again=

HESONY: I Have come to the realization you people are never satisfied.

DAVE: what

HESONY: I do not blame you, of course. It's easier. You can point your fingers all you like, but it does not change who gave the order to wait in this place. To prepare for a green flash that would deliver those wanted by the League, wanted by Alternia. We were to wait until the land and the terrain and the bird broke the soundness of your minds and then we would encircle you and cast justice well deserved.

HESONY: Remember that the Expunger killed Her in front of us, too. She was part of us before she was part of you, and we will not besmirch Her memory by allowing Her new swarm to die. She would Have Hated to see that, and I regret that death did not stop with Rez.

HESONY: =he stood from the arm of the couch and faced Dave fully.= This is why I say you will never be satisfied. No matter what we do, no matter the protection we give or How far we take you, to you we are still the enemy. You do not Have to forgive us; we are Having a Hard time of that ourselves.

HESONY: If this way is easier for you... =his lips turned to a grimace= ...so be it.