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Chapter Text

Silence followed Meulin Leijon as she traversed the sugar pathways winding through the Land of Little Cubes and Tea. Though she was unable to hear it, the sound of a cold waterfall roared in the distance and flowed freely from a spring high up in the mountain. From that spring, a river made of the sweetest of sweet teas carved the landscape, which seemed to Meulin like a tantalizing piece of dark, oolong-flavored yarn unraveling against the brilliant white terrain. The thought made her laugh in a loud burst, emanating from her chest. She could feel it in her throat, but of course the sound never reached her hearing ducts.

Meulin's laughter echoed around the sugar dunes and piqued the interest of a few double-mouthed imps who loitered in the valley. As saccharine and colorful as her planet was, there were certainly dangers lurking around every teapot. After three sweeps of climbing the echeladders and doing battle with the underlings, the oliveblooded troll was used to the sight and smell of them. Even as they ventured closer, she could avoid them with expert precision.

Leaping up onto the handle of a hive-sized porcelain teapot, Meulin pulled herself up to climb and jump with an ease that would make her lusus purr with pride. Perched at the top of the lid, she got a good view of the enemies before her. She counted nine imps and if she was clever, she would only need to slay one or two of them to get away –

hey!

hey you!

Huh? Meulin blinked. Something echoed in her thinkpan, fleeting in a way that made her unsure if it had it happened at all. She lifted her head, looking around with a puzzled expression. One of the imps caught her eye and almost seemed concerned for her, if that were possible. Meulin then turned her attention to the sugar-snow landscape, and called out.

MEULIN: (^・o・^) < HELLO? DID SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING?

Silence. Not that she expected anything different. Perhaps it was just her imagination or another pesky case of the pan-fuzzies she was prone to. She took a moment to rub her temples, but the fuzziness was not present. This –- whatever it was –- was a different sensation. Maybe the imps gained a new ability while she wasn't looking?

hi meulin! don't be afraid

i know you can't hear me but i'm waiting for you in the furthest ring

please find an oppurrtunity to nap… i n33d to talk to you!

the fate of you and all your friends depends on it…

s33 you soon! :33

The exact wording was lost on Meulin; however, the esoteric urgency of the message could be felt. She rubbed at her hearing ducts with uncertainty. Something was reaching out to her, there was a message she was supposed to be receiving... and it was leaving her with the strangest urge to nap. At a time like this? How silly!

Another giggle bubbled up within her, feeling calmer as she processed the absurd idea of sleeping right now. Meulin was easily prepared to ignore it, already in the process of thrusting it onto the endless pile of strange thoughts and impulses and memories she was accustomed to discarding. What she needed to focus on was escaping these imps.

Taking a deep breath to center herself, Meulin bent her head and shifted her footing against the smooth teapot lid, when it suddenly gave out from under her.

MEULIN: (^°O°^) < 33P!!!!!!!!!!

She was slipping -- no, she was falling! Her rotund, sweater-clad form dropped like a sack of yarn into the barrel of the teapot. Instead of splashing waist-deep into cold-brew tea as she expected, Meulin landed abruptly on her tush. Before she could react, she instantly began to slide down a vast polished pipeline that wound deep underground. Further and further the bright light of the surface slipped away as Meulin was speedily plummeted deep into the planet's depths. Perhaps she cried out for help but it all happened so fast, she couldn't be sure.

OOF.

Suddenly, Meulin landed, tumbling tail over tea kettle onto a maroon cobblestone floor. Ow, ow, ow! She could tell that her horn was banged up and her vision spun. Meulin lifted her head with a mouthful of sugar. Coughing it up, she hurriedly wiped the grittiness away, her skin now sticky with it. As she regained her bearings, Meulin came to a few very sudden realizations.

One: She had never explored her planet this deeply. She was lost and uncertain of how she was going to make it back to the surface.

Two: She was kneeling in the lair of her planet's Denizen. The great serpentine form of Psyche was coiled in a pile of herself, the seemingly endless sea of pearlescent scales that she was. There did not seem to be a beginning or end to her form… in fact, she seemed to be slumbering and did not to Meulin's sudden arrival to her lair.

Three: Meulin was scared. In fact, she was frozen with fear. In spite of that, she managed to find her voice.

MEULIN: (^O∆O^) < OH NO, OH NO…
MEULIN: (^O∆O^) < IT'S PSYCHE'S LAIR! DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME SHE WOULD POUNCE AND EAT ME IF I CAME TO TALK TO HER?
MEULIN: (^>×<^) < MEOW-OW… WHO SAID THAT? IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER…

Meulin clutched at her thinkpan with her eyes squeezed shut, trying to mentally cycle through faces and conversations she had recently. Perhaps it was Aranea or Porrim who had said it, or maybe Meenah? Try as she might, Meulin's grasp on her own timeline was all muddled together. The more she dwelled on it, the dizzier it made her. Eventually, her arms dropped to her side, but her palms were clammy with determination.

MEULIN: (^>×<^;;) < PFFFT FOCUS, MEULIN!!! WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THERE'S A CRISIS? SHOULD I YOWL FOR HELP?
MEULIN: (^O∆O^) < NO WAIT, THAT MIGHT WAKE HER UP!
MEULIN: (^>∆<^) < OH FRICK, AM I WAKING HER NOW? AM I TOO LOUD?

Her panicked voice echoed loudly through the chamber but as Meulin clapped her own mouth shut, the Denizen did not stir. Surely she was alive, though? The troll could feel the great reverberation of her breathing against the soles of her feet. After a few moments of holding her mouth closed, yellow eyes wide with anticipation… the oliveblood slowly lowered her hand. As the seconds became a minute, her heart palpitations were calming. When Psyche still did not wake, Meulin dared to breathe a little bit easier.

Her eyes skirted over the expanse of the dimly lit chamber. The only source of light were pink crystal sconces protruding from the walls. At the moment, they were dimmed and cast only enough light that she knew what lay directly ahead of her. If she took the time to peer closely at them, the crystals seemed to flicker in time to the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat. The platform upon which her Denizen slept seemed to resemble a tea saucer. There, she could make out the multicolored tiles of a mosaic, glittering dimly with every color under the sun. Taking a few tentative steps around her massive form, Meulin spotted a darkened archway with stairs leading to a lair above. An escape!

Walking on the tips of her toes and keeping her back to the wall, Meulin began the tedious task of circling the room. She was so focused on her pace and doing her best not to disturb the piles of sugar scattered around, she did not notice a dark troll-like figure lurking in the stairway she was moving towards. Their features, shrouded in deep shadow, were impossible to make out. However, the pink yarn ball clasped in their hand was unmistakable.

With eyes trained on her Denizen, Meulin was helpless to notice the pink ball of yarn sailing through the air. It flew overhead in a dramatic arc, landing precisely between her two cone-like horns. Upon contact, as if induced by magic or some other sorcery, Meulin’s conscious mind blinked out. Her knees buckled, unable to hold her any longer and the oliveblood collapsed onto one of the nearby sugar piles, fast asleep.

The figure then entered the room, approaching Meulin as she slumbered, unaware…

Meulin could feel herself flying. Her mind was a whirl of colors, distant scents, and the memory of sound that could almost be heard as if it were trapped underwater. Her eyes remained closed, however. Meulin slept on, flying through an unknown space on instinct alone. She followed her nose in the dream, tugged along by the promise of familiarity.

Sea salt at moonset. She was happy.

A carnival by the sea. Meulin was excited! The unknown called to her.

She rested her head against someone’s shoulder. It made her heart ache.

??????: :33 < meulin! wake up!

Meulin startled, her eyes snapping open in surprise. The sensation of a voice piercing her mind ebbed away and as her consciousness suddenly flooded with focus, she realized she was still suspended in the air. The slippers of her feet were at least three feet off the ground and the hem of an elegant purple satin gown billowed around her. Since when did she have time to change into pajamas? Around her was the stunning sight and smell of a Beforan seaside carnival at moonset, the exact one she had pictured in her dream. The boardwalk! She was home!

In her excitement, Meulin instinctively landed onto the dock. Then, her eyes widened as she saw that she was not alone.

A lone figure stood a short distance away. As they lifted a gloved hand in greeting, Meulin thought she had never seen a prettier troll in all her life. This troll had short, wild, chin-length hair and cone-like horns identical to Meulin’s own. They wore a magenta mask and hoodie, the widest, friendliest smile on their face. Even more stunning, a pair of olive-colored insectoid wings sprouted from their back. With every step, they left behind a faint trail of glitter.

Meulin clutched at her face, in complete awe of the beautiful stranger.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < OH. MY. GOSH!!!!!!!!! AM I DREAMING??? HAVE I DIED AND ASCENDED TO YON MIRTHFUL PARADISE?
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < ARE YOU REAL? ARE YOU… AN ANGEL????????? OM-FUR-LICKING-GOSH, HAS ANYONE EVER TOLD YOU HOW PURRETTY YOU ARE???
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < WHO ARE YOU??????????

She waved her arms like a mad woman, her shouting making it across the buffet of the sea breeze. Her words made the other troll laugh, suddenly prompting them to launch themselves to leap through the air. Their wings carried them as they sailed through the air. She could not hear their words but she could feel them as the olive troll flung herself at Meulin.

??????: :33 < 333333333!!! meulin! you're awake! i'm so happy to finally m33t you!!! :DD

With the strength of a mighty lioness, the fairy troll crashed into her with a tremendous POUNCE. Meulin herself was suddenly knocked off her feet and pinned onto the ground, laughing even as the wind was knocked out of her. The pain was sweet!

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < OOF! YEOW WOW, YOU ARE SO STRONG! IF I WAS A WILD HOOFBEAST, I WOULD DEFURNATELY BE SLAIN!

The olive troll looked triumphant, grinning wider as she laughed too. She sat back in a crouch, allowing Meulin the chance to sit up. As she rested her weight against her tippy-toes and knuckles, she seemed comfortable with the cat-like pose. Meulin was so full of awe and admiration of the cat-troll, she felt breathless.

??????: :33 < h33 h33, thank you!
??????: :33 < as soon as i saw you, i could barely contain my excitement! i wasn’t sure that you were coming
??????: :33 < but now you’re here! i think that’s a sign that our plan could work!

She rose to her feet then, extending a hand out to help Meulin up as well.

??????: :33 < my name is nepeta! i'm both your ancestor and your descendant… it’s kind of weird but trust me! fate has brought us together so that we can help one another
NEPETA: :33 < i have waited for the chance to sp33k with you for a long, long time!

Now that they were standing, Nepeta took both of Meulin’s hands to give them a squeeze. Meulin didn’t know why but she was compelled to squeeze them back. Her eyes were still shining.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < NEPETA… THAT’S SUCH A PURRETY NAME! YOU ARE MAYBE THE MOST LOVELIEST TROLL I HAVE EFUR EFUR MET
MEULIN: (✧o✧) < I’M JUST……… SO CONFUZZLED THAT IT’S OVERWHELMING! I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS! LIKE… HOW DO YOU KNOW ME? WHY DO I F33L LIKE I KNOW YOU? ARE YOU FROM THE FUTURE??? WHERE AM I????????? DID I DIE WHEN I ACCIDENTALLY WOKE UP PSYCHE?
MEULIN: (✧o✧) < YOU SAID YOU’RE BOTH MY ANCESTOR AND MY DESCENDANT… HOW DOES THAT WORK??? WHAT PLAN ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? 333333333 I F33L LIKE SUCH A DUMMY ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS!!! I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Nepeta rocked on the balls of her feet, matching Meulin’s erratic energy despite herself. Her wings fluttered in all the excitement, her smile never fading.

NEPETA: :33 < it’s okay! i purromise things will make sense, i just n33d a chance to explain myself

She then took a moment to look around, looking up and down the beach, the docks, and the carnival behind her. Her eyes were bright with curiosity, but a strange uncertainty too.

NEPETA: :33 < is this your memory of your home planet? it's very purretty!
NEPETA: :33 < would you like to show me around? i can explain along the way

Meulin’s eyes sparkled with further excitement, now taking Nepeta’s hand for herself. She had never had a chance to show anyone new around her old stomping ground. This was a rare opportunity.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < YES, HELL YES! HELL FURREAKING YES! I WOULD LOVE TO SHOW YOU AROUND!!!
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < LET ME BE YOUR GUIDE FOR THE COALITION COAST CARNIVAL GROUND… AND THEN YOU CAN BE MINE IN YOUR BUSINESS OF MYSTIQUE AND DESTINY!

Nepeta laughed as Meulin rushed off, following close behind her.

NEPETA: :33 < it’s a done deal!

Time did not follow as the two trolls had fun. As Meulin showed her the ring toss and the Merry-Go-Round, Nepeta talked about her home planet of Alternia. She told her of the forests she’d hunted beasts in and the cave she and her beloved Pounce de Leon had made their hive in. It was so far away from any kind of civilization, that she’d only had blood and charcoal to paint with!

Compared to Meulin’s own home of Beforus, it sounded like an awful place to grow up. When Meulin pointed it out, Nepeta had agreed wholeheartedly. Meulin, in turn, told her about her wrigglerhood growing up in West Beforus. She talked about her old townhive dormitory where she had gone to schoolfeeding with the other olivebloods, how her lusus would walk her to class every day and wait to pick her up.

However, dim seasons when feeding was out were the best! Meulin talked for what seemed like hours about all the fun she would have playing on the boardwalk. It was there she’d met her best friend! So wrapped up in her story that she was, Meulin did not notice the pained and wistful look that had fallen on Nepeta’s face.

She sighed as they rode the Ferris wheel together. It was perpetually moonset here, the brilliant light of the Beforan moon dousing everything in a warm shade of pink. Meulin peered at the other troll, now searching for the words she might be saying.

MEULIN: ฅ(๑’Δ’๑) < OH NO, NEPETA! WHAT’S WRONG? ARE YOU SAD?

Nepeta, hearing the concern in her voice, smiled apologetically and bumped her shoulder up against Meulin’s.

NEPETA: :33 < i guess i am a little sad! alternia wasn’t the kind of home where i could picture myself or any of my furriends living so peacefully
NEPETA: :33 < you didn’t even have to hunt beasts to survive or worry about being culled by drones!
NEPETA: :33 < it r33ly sounds like paradise… too good to be true…

She was looking wistful again. Meulin tilted her head with a note of confusion, still not understanding the source of Nepeta’s despondence.

MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < OH BUT PEOPLE GOT CULLED ALL THE TIME ON BEFURUS! ESPECIALLY IF YOU WERE HURT, OR LOST YOUR LUSUS, OR IF YOU WERE A LOWBLOOD AND A HIGHBLOOD THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < YOU WOULD FIND YOURSELF SADDLED WITH A CULLEFACTOR LICKITTY SPLIT! THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FURRIEND, KANKRI
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < THE STORY GOES THAT HE WAS A MUTANTBLOOD WHO WAS CULLED UPON HATCHING! I THINK HE WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE IMPERIAL ORPHANARIUM? IT’S ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE THEY NEFUR LET YOU LEAVE BECLAWS YOU’RE THE EMPRESS’S PURRSONAL WARD
MEULIN: (¬ω¬) < OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT… IT’S IN THE PAST NOW, ASHES TO ASHES AND FLUFF TO FLUFF AS THEY SAY H33 H33!

Nepeta fell quiet, processing this bit of exposition. She responded thoughtfully, her eyes trained on some unforeseen distant horizon.

NEPETA: :33 < it’s strange how different our two worlds can be… yet so much stays the same
NEPETA: :33 < i think you are very sw33t, meulin, and you are so inspiring to me!
NEPETA: :33 < the universe might try to tell us that the gentleness in our hearts does not serve the game or our friends or even ourselves…
NEPETA: :33 < we are told over and over again that we are doomed to fail… but i think they are wrong!
NEPETA: :33 < you are more capable and stronger than even you might realize… and i want to help you!
NEPETA: :33 < that is my quest! i am here to set you upon the path of realizing your true potential
NEPETA: :33 < you are going to be the one who saves all of your friends, just like i have saved mine!

Meulin watched once again with awe, her excitement mounting as Nepeta pushed herself free from her seat on the Ferris wheel, taking flight with a little flutter of her wings. She turned back and gestured to her to follow. Meulin followed eagerly, her silk gown billowing around her in the memory of the ocean breeze.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < NEPETA, THIS SOUNDS AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS MYSTERIOUS! I WOULD BE SO HONORED TO ACCEPT A MYTHOLOGICAL QUEST FROM MY BEAUTIFUL AND WISE DEMI-GODDESS DESCENDANT-SLASH-ANCESTOR!!! I JUST HAVE ONE THING I HAVE TO ASK…
MEULIN: (✧o✧) < WHAT DO MY FRIENDS N33D SAVING FROM AGAIN?

Nepeta dropped down onto the dock again, this time taking a seat along the railing. Her little blue felt tail dangled over the edge as she kicked her green boots. Meulin rushed over to sit at her side, making a mental note to make a slight adjustment to her future wakeful outfit.

NEPETA: :33 < well… furst things furst…
NEPETA: :33 < you should know that the game that you and all your friends are playing is null! that is, it’s doomed to never bear the fruit of a new universe
NEPETA: :33 < your denizen is not meant to wake and truth be told, your dream self is not supposed to wake up either; the battle of light and dark cannot be won!
NEPETA: :33 < very soon, the leaders of your group will discover this truth and come to one conclusion: that you must reset the universe with the Scratch
NEPETA: :33 < and the only way to purrserve your souls is for all of you to die the instant the Scratch is complete!
NEPETA: :33 < only then can the game be played with a team that is tougher and more likely to potentially win the game… but you and your friends?
NEPETA: :33 < you stay dead for billions of sweeps, nourishing the eldritch horrors beyond the veil with the psychic agony you generate for infinity and a time
NEPETA: :33 < it’s… r33ly kind of awful :((

Meulin’s expression fell. For the first time since meeting Nepeta, she was frowning as she attempted to process the heaviness of the information she'd been given. Still, her pleasant attitude refused to be diminished.

MEULIN: (=xェx=) < WELL… HOPEY SHIT! YOU’RE NOT KITTEN AROUND!!!
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < I’M NOT GONNA LIE THE TAIL YOU HAVE SPUN FROM THESE GRIM TIDINGS PURRETY MUCH SUCK THR33 WAYS TO THE FLEA DIP
MEULIN: (=xェx=) < AND YOU SAY I AM MEANT TO SAVE EFURRYONE SOMEHOW? NOW THAT’S ONE TALL ORDER!
NEPETA: :33 < ummm…

Nepeta bunched her shoulders, her hands clutching at her knees like she didn’t know how to pick her next few words.

NEPETA: :33 < weeell… not exactly…
NEPETA: :33 < you’re not *meant* to save everyone
NEPETA: :33 < in fact, if it were up to the powers that be, you wouldn’t be meant do *anything*
NEPETA: :33 < the events of your story would play out as i have said before and… that would be it for you
NEPETA: :33 < wouldn’t you like an oppurrtunity to change your fate? don't you have something or someone you would do anything to save?
NEPETA: :33 < psyche asked me once…
NEPETA: :33 < what, o’ hero of heart, is your heart’s desire? what is your truth?

Meulin fell silent at this question. There was no way to be certain how to answer the question presented to her so directly. It resonated deep within her, deeper than Meulin ever dared to delve. These secret depths within were harrowing and alluded to some kind of answer that lay buried, an answer she did not currently have the power to unearth. However, with Nepeta’s unwavering faith at her side, perhaps it could one day soon be explored just as she'd finally explored her planet, after all this time.

She could feel herself grow excited at the prospect. The smile returned to her face.

MEULIN: (=｀ω’= ) < I MAY NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO YOUR MYSTICAL QUESTION… BUT FOR SOME REASON, I CAN’T WAIT TO FIND OUT!
MEULIN: ヽ(=^・ω・^=)ノ < JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO, O WISE AND WHISKERED ONE! I’M READY TO SINK MY CLAWS INTO WHAT TERRIBLE TASKS YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR ME
MEULIN: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < THE GREAT QUESTING BEAST SHALL BE KICKED INTO SUBMISSION WITH FIERCE AND STEADFAST PAWS POST HASTE! MISTRESS VICTORY SHALL KNOW OUR NAME!

Nepeta laughed. Meulin's words seemed to lift some invisible weight on her heart. Her wings fluttered behind her. She could not be more certain that this iteration of her dancestor was more than ready for the quest that lay beyond.

NEPETA: :33 < that's the spirit, meulin!!! i'm supurr happy you have agr33d to take on this quest... somehow, i knew you would!
NEPETA: :33 < i can say from experience that the path you have chosen will not be an easy one
NEPETA: :33 < you will be tested and pushed past the breaking point; you will face trials and tribulations set to challenge who you are, the purrson you are at your very core as well as the strength of your conviction
NEPETA: :33 < but if you stay within the parameters of our Deal, if you k33p your courage and maintain the faith of who you are, you will be sure to achieve all that your heart desires and more! you will have an unyielding understanding of yourself and you will have saved your friends from a terrible fate!
NEPETA: :33 < i know that sounds r33ly vague... but here's the thing
NEPETA: :33 < due to a bunch of stuff that has already happened and purretty much doesn't matter anymore, reality is unraveling at the seams... but now we are presented with a unique oppurrtunity!
NEPETA: :33 < we get to do whatever the furricking heck we want!!! we don't even n33d to s33k an audience with psyche to make our Choice
NEPETA: :33 < my friends and i have managed to stabilize our own offshoot timeline and let me tell you, it was not easy to do
NEPETA: :33 < our next step is to help you do the same! the more gods we get for our cause, the more of paradox space we can manipulate for our purrposes
NEPETA: :33 < we believe that the synchronization of hearts across the sessions can create a gate to the end of the game; we would be able to leave once and fur all! the only thing we n33d to do is work together!!!

Meulin marveled at the prospects placed before her. While a lot of Nepeta’s explanation felt beyond her current purview, she could certainly understand the concept of her teammates needing to work together. Still, she tilted her head.

MEULIN: (^@_@^) < YOWL I'M CONFUSED AGAIN... DO YOU MEAN IF WE… AS IN ALL OF US… DIE ON OUR RESPECTIVE QUEST BEDS, WE CAN SURVIVE THE SUPURR MEGA APAWCATLYPSE PART TWO???
MEULIN: (^@-@^) < DANG… IT STILL KINDA SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF DYING IS INVOLVED
MEULIN: (=TェT= ) < R.I.P MEOWTHERFUCKERS...

Nepeta shook her head and gave a little tug of reassurance on the sleeve of her gown.

NEPETA: :33 < no, not exactly! i mean efurryone will have to reach god tier in the end, fur sure... but it's more than that
NEPETA: :33 < in order to achieve the level of synchronization that i’m talking about, you must assume your role as the Mage of Heart to guide your friends through the heaps of emotional suffering that is hindering their progress as heroes
NEPETA: :33 < your mission is to cultivate the withered gardens of their hearts and have them partake of the healing power of Tea
NEPETA: :33 < only then can you ascend the highest echeladders offered by your class and become the Devoted Matchmagistra you were always meant to be!

Meulin’s cheeks puffed as her confusion could only increase threefold.

MEULIN: (^@x@^) < GARDENS… TEA… HEALING… FFFT THESE ESOTERIC METAPHORS CAN BE SO CONVOLUTED SOMETIMES…
MEULIN: (=｀A’= ) < CAN’T ANYTHING EFUR BE STRAIGHTFORWARD FUR ONCE???

The other oliveblood stifled a giggle, shaking her head with further apology.

NEPETA: :33 < sorry… this is how these things go sometimes! parsing the riddles is part of the hero’s journey i think
NEPETA: :33 < sometimes you just have to go along with it!
NEPETA: :33 < luckily, your quest itself is more self-explanatory; i think you will be very pleased with this next part!

Meulin’s shoulders bunched up with anticipation, shifting on her perch against the rail like she could barely contain herself. After working out some of the wiggles, she sat up straight and met Nepeta’s eyes with intent.

MEULIN: (=｀ω’= ) < LAY IT ON ME, MY SW33T PURRECIOUS KITTYSISTER! I’M READY!

At Meulin's declaration. Nepeta placed her hands together in an eager clap. She seemed to steel herself for what looked like the lore drop of a lifetime. Just like Meulin, she appeared to be similarly unable to contain her own excitement. Then she began speaking.

NEPETA: :33 < *the mighty rogue of heart presses her paws together in d33p contemplation, purrparing to bestow the nature of the Quest onto the courageous shoulders of the heroine… in accepting this responsibility, our fates now rest in her humble paws*
NEPETA: :33 < *ac will first gift to her the tool of her craft which all mages must possess in order to m33t their obligation; this conduit has been imb-mew-ed with connection to the aspect of heart and shall aid her in the journey to come*

As she spoke, Meulin’s eyes widened as a strange pink energy began to light and pulse between Nepeta’s gloved palms. The power emitting from her hands seemed to generate a pink-hued haze around her form. In the instant she was expecting something to happen, a small object was being pulled into existence in a flash of white light.

NEPETA: :33 < behold o’ valiant mage! the Dreams of Psyche tarot deck!
NEPETA: :33 < this artifact will be instrumental on your quest; to use it, you only n33d to channel your own intuitive understanding of your aspect
NEPETA: :33 < let the wisdom housed in your heart be your guide!!!

Without further ado, Nepeta held out the Dreams of Psyche tarot deck to Meulin. Her eyes became dazzled in reverence of the holy object. The back of the top card was iridescent, brilliant with a patterned sheen which reminded her of shimmering butterfly wings. The symbol of the aspect of Heart created an elegant mosaic tiling pattern that reminded her of the platform which her denizen slept upon. Meulin accepted the gift with delicate fingers, first holding the treasure between her palms then clutching it lovingly to her chest.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < IS THIS… FUR ME? FUR REAL???
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < NEPETA… THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT ANYONE HAS EFUR GIVEN TO ME
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < PLEASE… TELL ME WHAT I’M SUPPOSED TO USE THIS FUR
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < WHAT IS MY QUEST?

Coy as a cat, Nepeta held one knuckled hand up to the corner of her chin. She then winked as if it emphasizes the wonder and mystique found in her next string of words.

NEPETA: :33 < ;33
NEPETA: :33 < like i said befur, your friends are being hindered by the suffering perpetuating in their hearts; to make matters more difficult and more impossible, there are forces at work actively ensuring the utter destruction of your session… your fate is all but set in stone!
NEPETA: :33 < however, the completion of this quest will grant you the one and only chance for the heroes in your session to achieve synchronization and finally make it out of the game
NEPETA: :33 < you must use your specific expertise and wisdom in the aspect of heart to guide them through the obstacles that prevent the maturation of their souls…
NEPETA: :33 < they must create connections and interpurrsonal bonds that stir their passions, inspire them to weather the storm, and thus, allow the best parts of themselves to flourish
NEPETA: :33 < lucky for us, we already have use of a culturally supported institution that functions to promote the well-fare of individuals within trollkind society…
NEPETA: :33 < just a little thing called… troll serendipity
NEPETA: :33 < ;33

Meulin’s eyes were as round as saucers. When words found her again, her voice was little more than a whisper. A loud whisper.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < YOU DON’T MEAN…
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < MY GREAT AND LEGENDARY QUEST…
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < TO SAVE ALL MY FRIENDS FROM CERTAIN DOOM…
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < INVOLVES ME…
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < DOING THE ONE THING I LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WHOLE FURRICKING WORLD………
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < I HAVE TO *********SHIP********* THEM???
NEPETA: ;333333333

The gasp that followed was so powerful, Meulin followed gravity all the way to the ground. The tarot cards fluttered all around her in a kaleidoscope of colors and painted images. Hands clutched at her face as she all but forgot to breathe.

MEULIN: (✧O✧) < OOOOOOOOOH
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < 333333333M
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < G333333333
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < !!!!!!!!!
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < I AM
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < SO
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < FURRICKING
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < HERE FOR THIS
MEULIN: (✧O✧) < !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
NEPETA: :33 < YES YES YES! a thousand times yes!

In her delight, Nepeta tumbled off the railing herself and landed beside Meulin with such a laugh she wished with all her heart she could hear it. Her arms pumped over her head as she danced in place.

NEPETA: :33 < you were hatched to play this role, meulin
NEPETA: :33 < i know you can do it!
NEPETA: :33 < i know you can save everyone!

Meulin rolled up to sit on her haunches, grabbing Nepeta’s shoulder and giving her an enthusiastic shake.

MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWS IN ALL OF PARADOX SPACE!
MEULIN: (✧∀✧) < I SIMPLY ***HAVE*** TO TELL EFURRYONE I KNOW!!! THEY’RE GOING TO BE SO EXCITED TO HELP ME ON MY QUEST, I CAN ALREADY S33 IT!!!

It was Nepeta who sat up then, meeting Meulin’s words with a sudden rebuke.

NEPETA: :OO < wait, no, meulin!!! there are rules to this Task!
NEPETA: :OO < one of them is that you can’t tell anyone what you’re up to!
NEPETA: :OO < if they begin to suspect or manage to figure it out for themselves, fine… but it’s very important that you do not sp33k explicably of the Deal!
NEPETA: :OO < that is… it is a mission meant to test the depth of your conviction and the strength of your soul
NEPETA: :OO < if you tell your friends about it, then they could end up rejecting your objective or worse… end up trying to outright destroy it!
NEPETA: :OO < matters of the heart can be very volatile… you must handle this with as delicate of paws as possible; the fate of you and your friends depends on it!

Meulin stiffened at Nepeta’s words. Her excitement was still present but at the same time, not as potent as it was a moment ago. It soon became apparent that her enthusiasm was veiling a growing note of distress underneath.

MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < OH…
MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < SO I HAVE TO SHIP THEM BUT NOT TELL THEM THAT'S WHAT I’M DOING? OR WHY?
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < ISN’T THAT A LITTLE BIT DISHONEST? I DON’T WANT TO S33M LIKE I AM MANIPULATING THEM OR HAVE IT BE REVEALED THAT I AM DOING IT FOR OTHER REASONS THAN WANTING MY FURRIENDS TO FIND HAPPINESS
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT THAT WOULD CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD!
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < ESPECIALLY WHEN I R33LY WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO FIND HAPPINESS AND LOVE! I WANT IT MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WHOLE FURRICKING UNIVERSE!!!
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY!

Nepeta could only rub gentle soothing circles into her back. Although Meulin couldn’t hear her, a comforting little purr was kicking up in her throat.

NEPETA: :(( < oh meulin… it’s nothing like that
NEPETA: :(( < there will come a time when you can sp33k fr33ly about your quest
NEPETA: :(( < it’s just that… your friends aren’t in a place where they can tend to their emotional wounds; as such, they wouldn’t be able to understand that the end goal of your mission is pawsible
NEPETA: :(( < you’re trying to help regrow the gardens of their heart remember? partake of the tea?
NEPETA: :(( < you’re not forcing anybody to commit to the cause… you are simply opening the doors they don’t realize are closed… but they will be opening the doors of their hearts themselves beclaws they already want to, do you understand?
NEPETA: :(( < efurryone wants to be happy
NEPETA: :(( < nobody wants to be alone
NEPETA: :(( < nobody wants to f33l like they deserve to be alone
NEPETA: :(( < the goal is to use your powers as the mage of heart to offer insight and guide them into becoming the people they already want to be! if you are to be successful, you must believe that you are the purrson they n33d right now
NEPETA: :(( < you can offer to help but you can’t force them to take it, right? the test is that you k33p the faith and stay by their side until they understand that everything they want… that their truest heart’s desire is just within their grasp… they just have to believe it!
NEPETA: :(( < that is your mission! you don’t have to lie to them about that… you just can’t sp33k about knowing the timeline is doomed and that you’re trying to save everyone, that’s all!
NEPETA: :(( < telling everyone the timeline is doomed is a surefire way to making sure it comes true… the same way that believing a happy ending is obtainable makes it true!
NEPETA: :(( < do you understand now?

A frown had formed on Meulin’s face as Nepeta explained further. By the end of her speech, she was exhaling a gentle sigh. The tangle of worry had unraveled and she found herself nodding.

MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < OKAY, YES… I UNDERSTAND BETTER NOW
MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < THEY CAN KNOW I AM TRYING TO HELP THEM BUT NOT THAT THE TIMELINE IS DOOMED… THAT IS BECLAWS IT WILL BE REVEALED WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT… I THINK I CAN DO THAT
MEULIN: (^・・^) < WHAT ARE THE OTHER RULES FOR THE TASK? ARE YOU SAYING THERE’S MORE?

Nepeta nodded.

NEPETA: :33 < yes… there is always a purrice that must be paid with these legendary tasks, something that will k33p the hero or heroine accountable and on the hunting trail to completion
NEPETA: :33 < she must fight to take it back and it has to be this great big dramatic affair; something so purrecious to us that it weighs down the scales of fate until it can be ours again!
NEPETA: :33 < in this case… it is our red quadrant!

Meulin blinked, tilting her head with yet another bout of confusion.

MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < MRROW! MY RED QUADRANT?
MEULIN: (=｀o’=) < WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THAT?
MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < PURRHAPS YOU CAN COUNT THIS AS SPOILERS BUT I DON’T HAVE ONE! IT’S A R33LY LONG STORY… ONE THAT I FEAR IS TOO LONG TO GET INTO RIGHT NOW
MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < HOW CAN I SACRIFICE SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T EXIST? IS IT A MATTER OF NOT HAVING ONE AT ALL?

Crossing her arms over her chest, Nepeta rested a hand against her chin in contemplation.

NEPETA: :33 < hmmm… no, it’s not about sacrifice; you don’t have to give it up or anything like that
NEPETA: :33 < it’s kind of hard to explain… but essentially, the nature of the Task is the struggle! so whatever you do, don’t tell everyone that the timeline is doomed and, on your journey to achieving troll serendipity alongside all your friends, you must save your red quadrant for last
NEPETA: :33 < everything else is fair game!

Meulin found herself huffing, committing all this information to memory as best that she could. She vowed that as soon as she woke up again, she would HAVE to start writing a dream journal. She busied herself with picking up the tarot cards for a moment… but as she held the cards in her hand, Meulin became overwhelmed with emotion.

MEULIN: (=xェx=) < NEPETA…
MEULIN: (=;ェ;=) < THIS HAS B33N THE SINGLE MOST INCREDIBLE DREAM I HAVE EFUR HAD… IT IS PAW-INSPIRING; I DON’T THINK I COULD EFUR, EFUR FORGET IT!
MEULIN: (=;ェ;=) < I JUST CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER…
MEULIN: (=;ェ;=) < WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I WAKE UP? WILL I EFUR S33 YOU AGAIN? DO YOU R33LY THINK I CAN DO THIS?
MEULIN: (=;ェ;=) < DO YOU THINK I CAN SAVE EVERYONE?

Nepeta’s eyes shone and as Meulin pleaded with her, she could see that her bright, starry eyes were glazed with an olive tinge. There were tears in the corner of her eyes as she threw her arms around Meulin in a tight hug. The emotion threatened to burst in her own chest, a single tear prickling before rolling down her cheek. She hugged her back with all her might.

After a few long moments, Nepeta pulled back. Still, her hands held onto her shoulders tightly. The expression on her face was kind but fierce. As Nepeta nuzzled her forehead against her and purred, Meulin could swear feel the beat of her own bloodpusher in her chest, suddenly twice as strong.

NEPETA: :33 < i believe it with all my heart
NEPETA: :33 < we will s33 each other again
NEPETA: :33 < all you have to do is…
NEPETA: :33 < WAKE UP!

As if with a snap of fingers, Meulin startled awake. She gasped and sat up as memories flooded back into her consciousness. Psyche’s lair! She had woken her up, hadn't she? She looked around wild-eyed.

She was no longer in the distant memory of a Beforan beach nor was she in the bowels of Psyche’s lair. Meulin was alone, finding herself napping peacefully at the cavern-like entrance of her denizen’s castle. The sugar dunes and the expanse of the pale sky stretched infinitely above her. She was once again wearing her familiar comfortable sweater and skirt, not a single pajama dress in sight. To further perplex the young oliveblood, a hand-knitted pink shawl was wrapped around her shoulders like a blanket. Did she always have it?

Rubbing her head in confusion, Meulin squeezed her eyes closed and tried to review what she could recall of the dream. She remembered playing in the carnival, she remembered Nepeta, she remembered her kind words and the courageous feeling she had been left with.

Eyes snapping open, Meulin remembered her quest! Hand dropping to her pocket, she was delighted to see the Dreams of Psyche tarot there. The dream was real! Nepeta was real! She knew what she had to do!

Tying the shawl to her shoulders like a magnificent cape, Meulin sprung to her feet and began to race back to her hive. She sprung over mounds of snow-like sugar, dousing nearby imps without apology. Her laughter had returned, this time mingled with a fierce determination that super-charged every spring in her step.

She had a very important job to do.

Chapter Text

CURRENT amorousCaptivation [CAC] RIGHT NOW open memo in board (^・ω・^) < THE SHIPPING PARLOR.

CURRENT amorousCaptivation [CAC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.
CAC: (=^ω^=) < GATHER ONE, GATHER ALL! IT IS I, YOUR HUMBLE MAGE OF HEART, WHO COMES BEARING GREAT TIDINGS!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < MY FURRIENDS!!! IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT EACH ONE OF US IS IN SORE N33D OF A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF OUR INTERPURRSONAL RELATIONSHIPS!
CAC: (^・o・^) < HOW DO WE EFUR EXPECT TO WIN THE GAME WHEN WE ARE SO WROUGHT WITH ANGUISH AND TURMOIL? CAN WE R33LY CALL OURSELVES HEROES WHEN SO LITTLE HAS B33N ACCOMPLISHED IN THE THR33 SW33PS WE HAVE PLAYED???
CAC: ヽ(=^・ω・^=)ノ < I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER! MUCH BETTER! AND IT ALL STARTS BY IMPURROVING OUR FURRIENDSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < LET US STOP THE TERRIBLE CAT FIGHTS AND INSTEAD FROLICK IN THE CATNIP AND MINT FIELDS GROWN BY THE PAWS WE PUT TOGETHER!!! OUR CATERWAULS OF HARMONY WILL BE FELT ACROSS PARADOX SPACE! I KNOW WE CAN DO IT!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < THIS IS MY MEWFOUND MISSION! FURROM NOW ON, THIS SHIPPING PARLOR MEMO WILL BE DEDICATED TO ALL TALK AND JAMS RELATED TO RELATIONSHIP CONSULTATION AND TEAM BUILDING!
CAC: (✧∆✧) < THAT'S RIGHT! I AM OFFURING MY SHIPPING SERVICES FR33 OF CHARGE!!! TOGETHER, WE WILL FIND THOSE SPECIAL QUADRANTS WHO CAN AID YOU IN BECOMING THE FURRY BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I WELCOME EACH AND EFURRY ONE OF YOU TO PURRTAKE OF THE TEA I POUR INTO THE PORCELAIN CUPS OF YOUR LIVES
CAC: (=^ω^=) < LET US FIND OUR HAPPINESS TOGETHER!!!
PAST catillionClamblitz [PCC] 3:08 HOURS AGO responded to memo.
PCC: yo leijon
PCC: narwhally id not give two shiny gold shits what kinda dumb cutesy bs youre spewing
PCC: but this is next level sacchabrine and irritating as all shell
PCC: remind me why you got picked for my team again?
PCC: o thats right its bc serk beat me to the punch w pyrope and maryam
PCC: sunnavafish
CAC: (=^ω^=) < OMGGG HI M33NAH!!! JUST THE PURRSON I WAS HOPING TO S33!
CAC: (=^-ω-^=) < SO FURRY PLEASED YOU CAN JOIN ME IN THE SHIPPING PARLOR TODAY
CAC: (=^-ω-^=) < JUST PICTURE ME CURTSYING IN A R33LY SW33T AND ADORABLE WAY SO AS TO WELCOME YOU INTO MY SHOP
CAC: (=`ω’=) < WITH YOU HERE, NOW I KNOW FUR SURE MY MISSION CAN BE A SUCCESS!!!
PCC: ok da fuck are you even goin on aboat
PCC: reel it back to me
PCC: just who gave you the authority to be takin on shipping fishissions w/o my perchfishion
PCC: dammit botched tf outta that word flow but w/e
PCC: point still stands
CAC: (=`ω’=) < DON'T BE SO SILLY! I HAVE B33N ACUTELY INVESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TEAM'S PURROSPECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS SINCE ***FUREEEFURRR***
CAC: (=`ω’=) < YOU CAN'T ACT SURPURRISED WHEN I F33L LIKE IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE!!!
CAC: (=`ω’=) < THE TIME FUR CHANGE IS NOW! NO MORE BEATING AROUND THE YARN BASKET
PCC: ugh
PCC: scrod damn youre annoying af
FUTURE genetrixArbitrator [FGA] 1:00 HOURS FROM NOW responded to memo.
FGA: Huh.
FGA: Usually, I wo+uld be ambivalent abo+ut this kind o+f thing but I think Meulin is right. O+ur gro+up is due fo+r a change... O+r at least a fresh helping o+f go+ssip.
FGA: The same o+ld, same o+ld tends to+ get tireso+me after a few perigrees.
FGA: I say why no+t? It's no+t the wo+rst plan I've heard o+f.
FGA: I'm glad yo+u're being pro+active in helping o+ur friends find so+lutio+ns fo+r their vario+us interperso+nal pro+blems, Meulin. O+f which, there are many.
PCC: aw shell not you too po mary
PCC: like dam i reefspect the competitive undermining but you dont gotta go --ENCOURAGING this stanky load a yesterdays catfish
PCC: itll give her fuckin ideas
FGA: I kno+w.
CAC: (✧∆✧) < PURRIM!!!!!!!!! IT'S SO WONDERFUR THAT YOU'RE HERE TOO! THAT OFFICIALLY MAKES ME TWO FUR TWO!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < I AM ON SUCH A FURRICKING ***ROLL***!!!!
PCC: hold the fuck up i aint said im here for it
PCC: i have in fact said the opposite a alla this
PCC: ffs pay a fuckin ttention
CAC: (✧∆✧) < NEFUR!!! THERE ARE SIMPLY TOO MANY REASONS TO CELEBRATE MY GOOD FORTUNE
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I CAN TOTALLY WORK WITH EVEN THE MOST MINIMAL OF PARTICIPATION! JUST LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE SOME SHIPS EITHER OF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT; WE CAN GET YOU SQUARED AWAY!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < TOGETHER, WE WILL PUT YOU ON THE PATH TO ACHIEVING TROLL SERENDIPITY!!! ISN’T THAT THE _GREATEST_ MOST _WONDERFUR_ NEWS EFUR???
FGA: So+unds like a lo+fty go+al.
FGA: While I’m grateful that so+meo+ne is willing to+ take o+n the mantle o+f meddling with o+ur gro+up’s affairs, I may have to+ pass yo+u up o+n the o+ffer to+ matchmake, Meulin.
FGA: It’s no+thing perso+nal.
FGA: I just do+n’t see myself as necessarily needing help in that department.
PCC: eelmao
PCC: get fukt mews
CAC: (=｀A’=) < WHAT! OH NO PURRIM WHY???
CAC: (=TェT=) < DON’T GET ME WRONG, YOU ARE FR33 TO DECLINE THE OFFUR OF COURSE… BUT YOU ARE MAYBE _THE_ SINGLE MOST SHIPPABLE TROLL IN ALL OF OUR GROUP!!! THE PAWSIBILITIES FOR ROMANCES WITH YOU ARE ***LITTERALLY*** AS ENDLESS AS THEY ARE INFINITE!!!
CAC: (=TェT=) < NOT TO BE DRAMATIC BUT YOU ARE THE CROWN JEWEL AMONG MATCHMAKERS EVERYWHERE! YOU ARE JUST SO PURRETTY AND LIKEABLE AND COMPCATIBLE WITH BASICALLY EVERYONE!
FGA: O+h wo+w.
FGA: I have to+ admit. This is pretty high praise co+ming fro+m the village shipper tro+ll. +, flattery can certainly get you everywhere.
FGA: Still, in light o+f yo+ur co+mpelling argument, I reserve the right to+ change my mind. Thanks anyway.
CAC: (=^･^=) < H33 H33 YES OKAY I UNDERSTAND! NEVER FEAR, I SHALL CONTINUE TO S33K BUSINESS WITH OTHER PROSPECTIVE CLIENTELE
CAC: (=`ω’=) < STARTING WITH YOU M33NAH!!! I’M READY TO SINK MY CLAWS INTO THE TASK OF SHIPPING YOU, EVEN IF YOU’RE BEING KIND OF A NUBHEAD ABOUT IT!!!
PCC: hey fuck you too
PCC: you betta hope that meowbeast catches your tongue before i do
PCC: nomoby calls M---E a nubhead and gets away with it unpoked
CAC: (^・o・^) < BUT IT’S TRUE!!!!!!!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < M33NAH WE HAVE B33N FURRIENDS FOR *SW33PS* AND YOU HAVE NEVER TAKEN ME UP ON THE OFFUR TO MATCH SOMEONE WITH YOU
CAC: (^・o・^) < I’M R33LY FURRY GOOD, I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT!!!
PCC: yea no
PCC: pass
FGA: I no+w find myself slightly regretting my suppo+rt in this endeavo+r.
FGA: Here’s a tho+ught…
FGA: Is it at all po+ssible to+ find a way to+ reso+lve this clash o+f ideo+lo+gies witho+ut the casual threat o+f grievo+us bo+dily harm hanging o+ver o+ur heads?
FGA: Still can’t believe I have to+ ask that o+f yo+u tro+lls so+metimes. Last I checked, vio+lence hasn’t ever been co+nducive to+ so+ciety, even if o+ur current so+ciety co+nsists o+f exactly twelve tro+lls and no+ mo+re.
FGA: Let’s clam o+ur respective rumblespheres, o+kay? Clam them do+wn to+ po+rt.
PCC: dammit maryam
PCC: fine ill step off but only cuz that was such an exshellent use a fish puns i cant even be mad
FGA: You’re welco+me.
PCC: i only swam in to tell meu to her face that the plan sucked bass and that she needed to do smth else to waste peoples time
PCC: IM TRYNA WIN A GAM-E )(-ER-E R-E-EFM-EMB-ER???
FGA: Well, if yo+u ask me, no+ games are go+ing to+ be wo+n at all if we do+n’t find a way to+ co+llabo+rate.
FGA: Is that to+o+ much to+ ask?
PCC: w this buncha bassholes?
PCC: yea kinda
FGA: Fair po+int.
CAC: (^・o・^) < YOU'RE GETTING THIS ALL MEOW MIXED UP! I'M NOT TRYING TO DISTRACT OUR TEAMMATES... I'M TRYING TO HELP THEM!
CAC: (^・o・^) < HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE THE BEST WE CAN PAWSIBLY BE IF ALL WE DO IS CATFIGHT?
CAC: (^; A ;^) < OUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE ALSO OUR SUPPORT SYSTEMS! THEY INSPIRE OUR PASSIONS AND SUPPORT US WHEN CHANGE IS NECESSARY
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < WE ARE ALL WE HAVE LEFT IN THE WORLD... I THINK WE N33D TO LEARN HOW TO CHERISH ONE ANOTHER!!!
PCC: snore
FGA: Meenah's o+pinio+n, no+nwithstanding...
FGA: It's a sweet sentiment, Meulin. Perso+nally, I do+n't see a reaso+n to+ fault yo+u o+n wanting things to+ wo+rk o+ut fo+r the best fo+r everyo+ne. I'm just no+t sure it's an entirely realistic expectatio+n.
FGA: Still... there's no+thing wro+ng with setting yo+ur go+als high and finding a way to+ co+mpro+mise. I think yo+u're o+n the right track with this.
FGA: Heh. At least yo+ur heart is in the right place. Maybe that's go+o+d eno+ugh fo+r no+w.
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < OMG... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING SO, PURRIM… IT’S SO NICE!!! HAS ANYBODY TOLD YOU HOW SUPURR DUPURR NICE YOU ARE???
FGA: Yes, well… I've been kno+wn indulge in wo+rds o+f enco+uragement. Just do+n't expect it all the time. I have a razo+r-edge reputatio+n to+ maintain, after all.
CAC: (=^ω^=) < H33 H33 OF COURSE!!!
FUTURE archivedGaudiloquency [FAG] 8 MINUTES FROM NOW responded to memo.
FAG: Pardon the del8y in response! I want to make sure I'm reading the intent 8ehind this memo correctly. With all this 8ack and forth 8ickering, the details can fall through the cracks!
PCC: fuuuck look wat you did meu now serks caught wind a this
PCC: now its never gonna stop!!!
FAG: Shh! Pipe down, Meenah.
FAG: Meulin, I would like some clarific8ion please.
FAG: Is it true you’re stepping up to fill your role as the Mage of Heart? Is that the meaning 8ehind all this talk of shipping 8usiness?
CAC: (^・o・^) < UMMM YES I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY PART IN SUPPURTING THE TEAM!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < I THINK WE CAN DO THAT BEST BY FOSTERING OUR ESTABLISHED FURRIENDSHIPS AND CULTIVATE NEW ONES; THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE 100% TROLL SERENDIPITY!!! WE N33D ALL PAWS ON DECK!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < ALSO HI ARANEA! THANK YOU FOR PURRTICIPATING IN MY MEMO! I THINK IT’S GOING WELL SO FAR
PCC: would you listen to this boatload a carp
PCC: damn meu i kno youre hard a herring and everything but ffs sit your ass down n listen to yourshelf
PCC: aint no way this game is gonna be won by HOLDIN HANDS and singing CRAB BAYA
PCC: we need hardcore bloodthirsty mfers to take down the black king
PCC: why dont you go krill some derse agents or do a beatdown max on your denizen and force her to cough up the loot
PCC: now THATD be kelpin the team!
FAG: Now, Meenah. Let’s not 8e hasty.
FAG: You may find this hard to 8elieve 8ut I think Meulin’s shipping project is a fantastic idea!
FAG: I would even go as far as to say it’s a FINTASTIC idea! ::::)
PCC: W)(AT
PCC: you did NAUT just use fish puns to fucking endear me to some chumpass idea
PCC: that is so effed up
FAG: You're 8lowing this way out of the water, Meenah. Can you try not to go over8oard with your conchtradictory attitude?
PCC: no
FAG: If you thought a8out it for even three seconds, you would reelize that many of our attempts to unite the team have 8een dead in the water!
PCC: fuck
FAG: I think we should give Meulin a chance to m8ke her mark!
FAG: Or should I say... m8ke her shark? ::::?
CAC: (=>ω<=) < PFFT H33 H33 H33!!!
FGA: Go+o+d grief. That was terrible.
FAG: (Hush. I'm getting through to her.)
FGA: (Respect.)
PCC: GDI S-ERK-ET
PCC: STOP YOINKING MY SOLID GOLD ARGUM-ENT W TH-ES-E BITC)(IN FISH PUNS
PCC: you know theyre my one true weakness 38(
FAG: I do know. You left me no choice 8ut to weaponize your wordplay of choice!
FAG: Keeping everyone together and working towards a common goal has 8een nothing short of an uphill 8attle. It certainly doesn’t help when you are so venomously against anything resem8ling team 8uilding!
FAG: Well, that’s not entirely true.
FAG: In your defense, I have seen you 8ecome fairly excita8le when it involves arson and/or explosives. 8ut that doesn’t necessarily contri8ute anything to your current argument.
PCC: current
PCC: CURR—ENT?
PCC: was that another fuckin fish pun
PCC: >38|
FAG: Why yes. Yes, it was.
FAG: ::::)
PCC: lmfao i cannot stand your ass
PCC: you talk a big game but whens the last time you did anyfin useful huh
PCC: whens the last time you put them godtier powers to WORK serk
FAG: For your information, I am hot on the trail of a very important lead. It involves an astonishing amount of research since I have yet to completely elmin8 some of the working theories revolving around our session’s very o8vious stagn8tion.
FAG: It’s not as though we have guides in the matter! Our Denizens are all 8ut comatose and our kernelsprites are scattered to the winds. That much I can confirm.
FAG: Meanwhile, every other time I turn my 8ack, our token trou8lem8ker is picking a fight with someone new!
FAG: So yes, I happen to think that Meulin’s shipping idea is a great way to 8oth keep the team 8usy and have them progressing towards something relatively productive. Whether that is romantic aspir8tions or emotional fulfillment, it doesn’t matter!
FAG: What matters is that we keep moving. I don’t see that as unreasona8le at all!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < 333333333!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG. OH. EM. G333333333!!!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < DOES THIS MEAN YOU WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO SHIP YOU, ARANEA??? FUR REAL FUR REAL???
FAG: For real, for real!
FAG: Just not now. I am too nu8 deep in research to 8e distracted by such things as rel8tionships… 8ut as soon as my pl8 is clear, I would love to start a dialogue!
FAG: Needless to say, I’m eager to weigh your opinion of suita8le matches against my own. I’m sure it will 8e an enlightening experience for 8oth of us! :::;)
CAC: (=^ω^=) < YAY!!! I SHALL BE WAITING ON BATED BREATH!!!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < OR SHOULD I SAY…
CAC: (・ω<) < B8ED 8REATH?
FAG: Yes!!!!!!!! ::::D
FAG: You know, taking up the mantle as the Mage of Heart is really a very interesting development, Meulin! You would 8e impressed to know the amount of lore I have managed to uncover in my explorations of our respective lands.
FAG: Of course, admittedly I haven't looked into it as much as the other aspects...
FAG: 8ut I can say that compared to the others, the realm of Heart is rather naturalistic. From what I have gathered after translating various ruins and interviewing quite a few mem8ers of the Prospitian Guild of Historians, it is a more passive Aspect concerned over matters personal, emotional, and inn8. That is to say it is an aspect which dwells over the matters of the soul and the individual.
FAG: Where Mind deals with rational factors in the timeline cre8d 8y the individual, Heart covers the more... impulsive and the irrational.
FAG: The secret depths of an individual, you will.
FAG: Curiously, the instinctive nature of Heart gives you a lot in common with Meenah actually! Of course, her aspect of Life swings closer to the realm of Creation. Both aspects, however, seem to be concerned with Growth and I happen to think that’s neat!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < OOOH MEOW WOW! YES! THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < NOW THAT YOU HAVE PUT IT TO WORDS, IT'S LIKE I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THE WAYS THAT I AM CONNECTED TO MY ASPECT... IT'S LIKE I CAN F33L IT INSIDE OF ME, PULLING ME IN THE DIRECTION I N33D TO GO!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < LIKE THE SCENT OF DELICIOUS SAVORY MEAT PIES ON MY NOSE H33 H33 H33
FAG: I know what you mean! I think I could fill a 8ookhive or two with how much I have learned regarding my own aspect. I suppose that's my privilege 8eing the friendly neigh8orhood hero of Light! ::::)
FAG: 8y the way, why haven't we ever jammed a8out aspect theory 8efore, Meulin? It feels like such a waste!
CAC: (^・o・^) < THAT'S OKAY! IT COULDN'T BE HELPED, NOT WHEN WE WERE ALL BUSY FIGURING OUT STUFF ON OUR OWN PLANETS AND TRYING NOT TO DIE FIGHTING THE UNDERLINGS!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < WHAT MATTERS IS WE HAVE THE PURRESENT! NOTHING'S STOPPING US FURROM HAVING FUN NOW!
FAG: Yes, I think you’re right a8out that! Regardless, it's nice to have my theories be appreci8d for once.
FAG: At least SOME8ODY does.
PCC: ughhh
PCC: gag me w a fucking fork
PCC: tell me theres at least one motherfucker in this bitch that thinks this all sucks as much kelp as i do
PAST civilizedGrievance [PCG] 6:02 HOURS AGO responded to memo.
PCG: Thank y9u f9r pr9viding that segway, Meenah.
FAG: Oh, would you look at that? What perfectly impecca8le timing.
FAG: Yes, Kankri. Please continue.
PCC: …
PCG: Gladly.
PCG: I w9uld 6e m9re than happy t9 express my 9pini9n 9n the t9pic 9f Meulin's relati9nship c9nsultati9n initiative. 6y taking the fl99r in this way, I aim t9 make it extremely apparent that this acti9n 9n my part is the dial9gue equivalent t9 filing a civil dispute 9n the matter.
PCG: I fully intend 9n making g99d 9n the f9rmal paperw9rk aspect 9f the debate 6ut I supp9se 96taining a 6ack l9g 9f this mem9 will have t9 d9 just as well.
PCG: Meulin, please remind me t9 request a rec9rd 9f this mem9. I w9uld like t9 have it on file f9r my reference.
CAC: (^・ω・^) < SURE THING, CATKRI!!! I AM SAVING THE BACK LOGS AS WE SP33K!
PCG: Meulin, we have 6een 9ver this 6ef9re.
PCG: With all due respect, I ask that y9u d9n't mangle my name with these juvenile me9w6east puns. I'm all f9r the 9ccasi9nal w9rdplay every n9w and again 6ut I w9uld like t9 maintain an air 9f austere academic integrity if we're g9ing t9 start unpacking all 9f the pr96lematic implicati9ns 9f y9ur "shipping" endeav9r.
PCG: I h9pe y9u have cleared y9ur schedule. This may take a while.
CAC: ~(=^‥^=) < WHOOPS! SORRY KANKRI I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER FOR NEXT TIME
CAC: (=^ω^=) < ANYWAY THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MY MEMO! YOUR F33DBACK MEANS A LOT TO ME! I DON'T EVEN CARE IF IT'S TO MAKE ESSAYS ABOUT IT AND TO TALK ABOUT HOW PURROBLEMATIC IT IS
CAC: (=^ω^=) < BAD PURRESS IS THE SAME AS GOOD PURRESS IF YOU ASK ME!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < YOU WERE SAYING?
PCC: you kno what?
PCC: this one is on me
PCC: i asked and got what was coming
PCG: Indeed! We may n9t always see 9cular 9r6-t9-9cular 9r6, Meenah, 6ut it might em69lden y9u t9 kn9w that I share y9ur aggrieved 9pini9n a69ut this shipping pr9ject. Dare I say, I stand in s9lidarity with y9u.
PCG: Y9u are seen and if I have anything t9 say a69ut it, y9u will 6e heard.
PCC: gee thanks
PCC: said nomoby lol
PCG: N9w, where d9 we 6egin? What is 9ur preference?
PCG: If I may, I'd like t9 6e flexi6le 9n a pu6lic platf9rm like this s9 in the spirit 9f dismantling hierarchical p9wer dynamics 9f an 9ppressive s9ciety n9w g9ne, let's put it t9 a v9te.
PCG: W9uld y9u rather I freef9rm the lecture s9 as t9 maintain a natural dial9gue 6etween 9ur party mem6ers while tagging my p9ints with the appr9priate key w9rds as they spring up?
PCG: 9r, w9uld y9u all rather I lay my p9ints in a m9re essay-like structure. In which case, I w9uld 6e prefacing each text 6l9ck with the c9rresp9nding tags s9 9ur fell9w participants can mentally prepare themselves f9r engagement with the t9pic at hand.
PCG: It's up t9 the gr9up! Like I said, I'd like t9 6e flexi6le.
PAST catillionClamblitz [PCC] is an idle troll!
FUTURE archivedGaudiloquency [FAG] is an idle troll!
FUTURE genetrixArbitrator [FGA] is an idle troll!
FUTURE genetrixArbitrator [FGA] is online!
FGA: Hello+.
FGA: O+kay.
FGA: At the risk o+f making painting a target directly o+ver my cranial nub, I'd like to+ ask certain wo+rdy tro+lls to+ co+nsider cutting back o+n lengthy interjectio+ns.
FGA: There has to+ be o+nly so+ much memo+ry capacity within the chat client. Right?
PCG: I think y9u're right, P9rrim. Thank y9u f9r 6ringing that p9int t9 my attenti9n.
PCG: Aranea, please let me kn9w when y9u're wanting t9 get a w9rd in edge-wise.
FUTURE archivedGaudiloquency [FAG] is online!
FAG: I 8eg your pardon?
FGA: That's no+t what I...
FAG: Excuse me!!!! I have 8een nothing 8ut well-8ehaved and conscious of the length of my wording!
FAG: Granted, yes. I tend to get ahead of myself when I feel that something needs an ample prelude in order to make sense…
FAG: 8ut it's only when the exposition is a8solutely necessary!
FAG: I think I'm deserving of a little credit.
FGA: Sigh.
PCG: I d9n’t mean t9 put y9u 9n the sp9t. I've just 6een t9ld that the c9m6inati9n 9f 9ur... speech patterns d9esn't make f9r a pr9ductive 9pen panel sessi9n.
PCG: "Pr9ductive" in this case means that every9ne feels that they are a6le t9 v9ice their 9pini9ns and have equal say 9n the t9pic at hand.
PCG: I just want t9 make sure we stay 9n track. After all, n969dy likes tr9lls making an 9ink6east 9ut 9f the sp9tlight. It makes every9ne feel like what they say d9esn't matter. Fast way t9 l9se friends t99. Anyway.
FAG: >::::/
FAG: Charming as ever, Vantas!
PCG: N9w then... Where as I?
CAC: (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ < YOU WERE ABOUT TO CATCALL ME OUT ON SHIPPING!!!
PCG: Yes... wait, n9.
PCG: Meulin, I realize I can't st9p y9u fr9m using me9w6east puns 9n anything 9utside my name. H9wever, I impl9re y9u to take extreme care with such careless use 9f language. Frankly, it's a little 96scene.
PCG: I'm afraid I'm g9ing t9 ask y9u t9 tag y9ur me9w6east puns fr9m here 9n 9ut. 6etter yet, d9n't use them at all.
PCG: Like this. #Me9w6east puns. #Unsancti9ned cat puns. #TW: W9rdplay.
PCG: If any9ne has 6een thusly triggered 9r made unc9mf9rta6le 6y the use 9f “catcalling” taken so wildly 9ut 9f c9ntext, I will 6e making myself availa6le after 9ur sessi9n here. I will n9t rest until the em9ti9nal damage enacted here 6y 9ur s9-called friends is und9ne.
CAC: #PUNS #PUNS #PUNS #!!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!! !!!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < WHOOPS AGAIN!!! I GUESS I LET THE MEOWBEAST OUT OF THE BAG WITH THAT ONE
CAC: (✧ω✧) < IT S33MS NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, THE PUNS JUST POUNCE SO PLAYFULLY OUT OF ME! THEY ROLL OFF THE TONGUE SO EASY, THEY MIGHT AS WELL BE FUR BALLS!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I KNOW IT''S PAWFULLY PURRSUMPTUOUS OF ME TO K33P WORRYING YOUR FUR ABOUT IT... BUT I'VE JUST GOT CATLIKE REFLEXES WHEN IT COMES TO SILLY WORDPLAY!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < I JUST CAT HELP MEOWSELF!!! AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE PUNS ARE AT THE TIP OF MY CLAWS AND I SIMPLY ***MUST*** BAT THEM AROUND! IT’S LIKE THE WRIGGLER DAY PRESENT OF CATNIP CATTAILS AND STRING ALL ROLLED INTO ONE!!!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < IT’S CATURDAY BATTERDAY, BABY!!!!!!!!!
PCG: This is s9... 6EY9ND 9ffensive, I think I'm damn near speechless. #Swears.
FGA: Hm. I never tho+ught I'd live to+ see the day when cat puns were used as a fo+rm o+f malicio+us co+mpliance... yet here we are.
FGA: I have to+ say, I do+n't hate it.
FGA: Po+ints fo+r creativity and entertainment facto+r. Extra po+ints fo+r making it at Kankri's expense.
CAC: (=^ω^=) < YAAAAAAAAAY!!! <3 <3 <3
FGA: So+rry, Kanny. But yo+u kind o+f had it co+ming.
PCG: 9n sec9nd th9ught, perhaps I'm getting ahead 9f myself. It c9uld 6e that I'm assigning t99 much credi6ility t9 an endeav9r that is likely never g9ing t9 get 9ff the gr9und.
PCG: I can't remem6er the last time Meulin ever c9ntri6uted anything meaningful t9 the game and I can't imagine why she w9uld start n9w.
PCG: Furtherm9re, the fact that she is s9 a6rasively ign9ring the ethical implicati9ns 9f "shipping" the very real pe9ple in her s9cial circle pr9ves that she has n9 idea what she's d9ing n9r h9w she d9es it. If instant gratificati9n 9f meddling in the affairs 9f 9ther tr9lls is all she's l99king f9r, then I can't find myself end9rsing it.
PCG: P9rrim, as my 9ldest friend and peer, I have t9 say I'm very disapp9inted t9 learn that y9u are supp9rting s9mething that is all 6ut screaming intrusi9n and the vi9lati9n 9f privacy. F9rgive me, 6ut I th9ught aut9n9my was a "6ig fucking deal" t9 y9u 9r s9mething.
FGA: It is.
FGA: This may co+me as a surprise but what Meulin is asking is no+t unreaso+nable. I think it's perfectly acceptable to+ present a plan o+nto+ the gro+up as a who+le and po+litely ask everyo+ne's stance abo+ut it.
FGA: I've already said that I wo+uld decline her o+ffer as is my right to+ do+ so+. She has been entirely respectable abo+ut it thus far.
PCG: I just seem t9 recall a certain re6elli9us yo+ung jade6l99d wh9 w9uld have th9ur9ughly rejected the n9ti9n that any9ne had a say in wh9 her quadrants sh9uld 6e. In fact, I w9uld even g9 as far as say it was o+ne o+f her m9st admira6le qualities. Aspirati9nal, even.
FGA: …
PCG: N9t t9 dredge up 9ld w9unds 6ut c9mplacency is n9t a g99d l99k 9n y9u, P9rrim. It never has 6een.
FGA: O+h?
FGA: Can yo+u really call it co+mplacency when it's really abo+ut treating yo+ur friends with basic respect and dignity? Maybe it's hard fo+r yo+u to+ imagine but putting yo+ur friends do+wn isn’t the same as rejecting so+ciety’s no+rms. Yo+u do+n’t get rebel po+ints fo+r being a co+mplete assho+le to+ peo+ple.
FGA: Fo+r that matter, has it ever o+ccurred to+ yo+u that peo+ple can regret their attitudes and try to+ find ways to+ beco+me a different perso+n than they started o+ut as?
FGA: It's called perso+nal gro+wth, Kanny. I'm capable o+f it. We all are.
FGA: Well. So+me o+f us, apparently. There are tho+se o+f us that see fit to+ remain immature little stubrags even at the detriment o+f everyo+ne's respectable o+pinio+n o+f them.
PCG: As much as I enj9y engaging with y9u 9ver y9ur numer9us nitpicky pers9nal criticisms, I w9uld appreciate if y9u didn't dev9lve int9 hysterics, P9rrim. I'm trying t9 have a frank c9nversati9n with 9ur friends here.
FGA: O+kay. That do+es it.
FGA: What’s yo+ur damage? Just which bad side o+f the respitelo+af did yo+u wake up o+n? Why am I the target o+f yo+ur crabby little attitude all o+f a sudden? Because I cho+se to+ defend Meulin and no+t yo+ur shitty co+ntrarian o+pinio+n?
FGA: Perhaps yo+u o+ught to+ take a leaf o+ut o+f her bo+o+k and learn so+mething abo+ut manners. It's sure beyo+nd my perso+nal sco+pe o+f capability!
PCG: 9h, s9 y9u CAN admit y9u have 6een a 6ad influence? I guess s9me pe9ple really can change.
PCG: G99d j96, P9rrim. I finally feel like we're getting s9mewhere.
FGA: UGH.
CAC: ฅ(๑’Δ’๑) < OH NOOO NO, GUYS DON’T FIGHT!!! I DIDN'T MEAN TO TEASE AND POKE FUN! I PAWMRISE THAT I AM VERY SERIOUS ABOUT MY SHIPPING PROJECT AND WOULD NEVER, EVER, ***EVER*** TRY TO SHIP SOMEONE WITHOUT THEIR EXPLICIT PURRMISSION #PUNS PUNS PUNS #PURR PURR PURR
CAC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< PLEASE DON’T MISUNDERSTAND, KANKRI! I’M ONLY GIVING ROMANTIC CONSULTATION IF SOMEONE WANTS IT! CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO PURR!!!!!!!!!
CAC: (=TωT=) < CAN WE PLEASE GO BACK TO BEING NICE TO EACH OTHER AND HAVING FUN? WE WERE HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH THAT
FGA: Thanks, but no+ thanks.
FGA: So+rry, but I think my mo+o+d has been so+ured o+n so+cializing.
FGA: If yo+u need me, I will be o+n LO+RAF. There are a metric to+n o+f fro+gs which need to+ be caught and ho+ards o+f Underlings that need to+ be slain.
FGA: Even slimy, mindless amphibians wo+uld be better co+mpany than this.
FGA ceased responding to memo.
FAG: Oh, 8efore you go Porrim, I—
FAG: Shoot. She’s gone.
FAG: Well, I hope you're happy Kankri! At a time when our cooper8tion is critical to the success of the game, you help contri8ute to the continued division 8etween the group.
FAG: If you're not careful, it may 8e the only thing you're remem8ered for. As the last remaining mem8ers of 8eforus, are we not concerned with legacy?
FAG: I think you should take it into consider8tion next time you think a8out provoking one of our more competent team mem8ers!
FAG: Err… Reasona8le, rather.
FAG: Non-destructive?
PCG: D9n't 6e dramatic. There is n9 instance 9f P9rrim where she is capa6le 9f keeping away when there is fussing and meddling that needs t9 transpire.
PCG: I am fully c9nfident she'll 6e 6ack and when she is, we can resume this thread 9f c9nversati9n as per usual.
PCG: She just needs a m9ment t9 n9t 6e s9 em9ti9nal and defensive ab9ut her glaring character flaws.
PCG: F9r the rec9rd, I already f9rgive her f9r the "p9inted" expressi9ns she directed at my pers9n. I just d9n't see a reas9n t9 make a 6ig t9-d9 a69ut it. I w9uld appreciate it if y9u didn’t either.
FAG: Oh, well! Far 8e it from me to offer further input on the matter. I have too much on my pl8 as it is!
FAG: I suppose I can go try to speak to her myself...
FAG: Meulin! 8e sure to message me soon. I'd like to talk more in depth a8out your plans! Keep me posted on your quest. ::::)
FAG: Good8ye!
FAG ceased responding to memo.
CAC: \(=^‥^)/ < BYE BYE ARANEA! CAT WITH YOU SOON
CAC: (^・x・^) < OOPS H33 H33! #CAT
PCG: N9w, with9ut further distracti9ns, I'd like t9 6egin addressing everything wr9ng with y9ur attempt t9 play matchmaker with 9ur friends. Can we please f9cus? I'm 9nly six h9urs in the past and I'm n9t sure what my lecture schedule l99ks like as 9f yet.
PCG: Even with my masterful time management skills, I d9n't have endless caches 9f time and energy t9 dec9nstruct the p9litical implicati9ns 9f every9ne's life ch9ices. I'm actually surprised I managed t9 pen this 9ne int9 the preparati9n husk as it is.
PCG: S9 let's get 9n with it, shall we?
CAC: (=^ω^=) < YES OH YES! PLEASE DO! I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY ACTIVITIES STAY AS ETHICAL AS POSSIBLE; I REALLY WANNA HELP PEOPLE
CAC: (=^ω^=) < !!!
CAC: ヾ(●ω●)ノ< LAY IT ON ME, MY NUBTASTIC BROTHER!
FUTURE crooningAphrodisium [FCA] 3:21 HOURS FROM NOW began responding to memo.
FCA: oh, i see.
FCA: you people are out here lining up by the mile to find lowve wvhile your good pal cronus gets the shaft. as per USUAL.
FCA: and here i thought me and meulin wvere cool. et tu, kankri? wvhy am i not surprised?
FCA: goes to showv wvhat happens wvhen you lowver your guard and shovw evwen a little emotional wvulnerability.
FCA: the people you think you'vwe got a shot vwith rip your heart out of your vwascular cavwity and hook up ovwer your still bleeding corpse.
FCA: this is some flagrant neglect if i'vwe evwer seen it. honestly, i dunno hovw i'm supposed to create art like this.
FCA: wvhat givwes?
CAC: \(=^‥^)/ < HI CRONUS! THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY THE SHIPPING PARLOR MEMO!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < KANKRI WAS JUST ABOUT TO TELL ME EVERYTHING HE DISLIKED ABOUT ME MATCHMAKING; I WAS PLANNING ON PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION SO I CAN MAKE SURE MY SHIPPING POLICIES ARE UP TO SNUFF WITH THE ETHICAL DISCREPENCIES HE WAS SO NICE TO POINT OUT FUR ME!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < YOU’RE JUST IN TIME! I HAVEN'T DONE ANY SHIPPING YET!
PCG: Ah, Cr9nus.
PCG: I was h9ping I w9uld 6e a6le t9 dismantle this initiative 6ef9re anym9re 9f 9ur gr9up 6ecame suscepti6le t9 Meulin's tr9u6les9me whims.
PCG: I take it that even nine h9urs fr9m n9w, it's still 6reaching c9ntainment?
FCA: hovw the hell am i supposed to do knovw?
FCA: all i knowv is i'm getting a message from you like twvo minutes ago saying you'll be around to talk cuz i'm about to read something that wvas gonna tick me off.
FCA: next thing i knovw, i'm seeing this memo blovw up vwithout me.
FCA: talk about harshing my vwibe in a major vway.
PCG: Damn. #Swears.
PCG: Well, I w9uldn't w9rry s9 much a69ut it. If I kn9w anything a69ut my future self, I am likely still in the pr9cess 9f taking this wh9le thing apart, 6rick 6y 6rick.
PCG: In fact, I am rearranging my schedule as we speak. This is n9w c9mmanding the entirety 9f my attenti9n f9r at least the next nine h9urs.
PCG: Are y9u satisfied, Meulin? Y9u are g9ing t9 6e dealing with me a l9t m9re in the f9reseea6le future.
CAC: (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ < AWWW!!! YES, I AM VERY HAPPY THANK YOU FOR ASKING!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < SEE, I TOLD YOU! EVEN BAD PURRESS IS GOOD PURRESS! EFURRYONE KNOWS A GOOD DEAL WHEN THEY S33 ONE! #PURR #FUR
PCG: This isn't a cause f9r cele6rati9n. I h9pe y9u kn9w that.
PCG: As s9me9ne dedicated t9 the thankless cause 9f uph9lding the standard 9f m9ral virtue f9r 9ur respective teams, I find it incredi6ly frustrating t9 kn9w 9ne 9f my very 9wn is willing 6e s9 cavalier with their acti9ns. It's irresp9nsi6le and I am determined t9 h9ld y9u acc9unta6le.
CAC: ~(=^‥^) < SORRY, KANKRI! I'M JUST NOT IN A POSITION WHERE I THINK STOPPING IS IDEAL OR DOABLE
CAC: (^・o・^) < MATCHMAKING IS SIMPLY WHAT MUST BE DONE!!! I HOPE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND
CAC: (=^ω^=) < IF NOT, WE CAN K33P TALKING ABOUT IT UNTIL IT DOES! I DON'T MIND!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < I HAVE AT LEAST THE REST OF THE DAY, H33 H33
PCG: Sigh.
PCG: I really have my w9rk cut 9ut f9r me.
CAC: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < DON'T GIVE UP!!! YOU CAN DO IT!
PCG: Meulin, this is *S9* n9t helping.
FCA: cool... just svwell, bro.
FCA: wvhile you're knocking around meulin's provwerbial cat tree, i hawve real problems.
FCA: think you can be a pal and talk about that a second? my soul is in a wvorld of hurt.
PCG: Right. My sincerest ap9l9gies, Cr9nus.
PCG: I think it 9nly fair 9f Meulin t9 all9w y9u t9 air 9ut y9ur grievances with her pr9ject right here and n9w. If I'm n9t mistaken, that's quite literally the intenti9n 9f the mem9 s9 as the gr9up's self-app9inted M9rality 9fficer, I will 6e c9urte9us and extend the welc9me 9n her 6ehalf.
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < FFFFFT HEY!!!
CAC: (^・o・^)ノ < FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING SURE NOBODY IS CONFUSED, I WOULD LIKE THE RECORDS TO SHOW THAT I WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THIS REGARDLESS!!! I HAVE NO PROBLEM LETTING PEOPLE MAKE THEIR F33LINGS KNOWN!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < PLEASE STATE YOUR CASE, MR. AMPURRA #CUTE NAME PUNS! #X33
FCA: yeah, yeah. look. let me cut to the chase.
FCA: kanks. buddy. wve're pals, right?
PCG: It's Kankri, if y9u d9n't mind.
PCG: Yes, 9f c9urse we are. Is this a matter 9f seeking affirmati9n?
PCG: Fr9m where I'm standing nine h9urs in the past f9r y9u, y9u and I are very g99d friends.
FCA: cool deal. that's vwhat it looks like from my end too.
FCA: i just wvanted to make double sure cus vwhat you're asking of me is beyond incomprehensible. it's like you don't ewven KNOVW me.
PCG: I... h9ld 9n, what? Can y9u please explain y9urself, Cr9nus?
PCG: This line 9f c9nversati9n is thr9wing me f9r a l99p.
FCA: don't vworry, i’m getting to the point.
FCA: i'm a simple guy, vwantas. i hawve simple needs. i like my hair, cool music, and hot tub soaks on wvarm dim season nights.
FCA: there's just one problem. a 8IG problem.
FCA: not once in three svweeps hawve i had a date. NOT ONE. i'm practically wvasting avway from a lack of concupiscent action, broseph.
FCA: and you're telling me that the local matchmaker is vwilling to get me gills deep in hook ups and wvhat i gotta do is... look the other wvay? turn the other cheek??
FCA: bro.
FCA: NOT. COOL.
FCA: this is the least cool i'wve ewver seen you and i gotta be real wvith you. i am fucking ashamed.
PCG: Excuse me! Cr9nus, we are such g99d friends. Time and time again, I 9ffer my unc9nditi9nal supp9rt as well as wh9leheartedly respect y9ur 9pini9n... H9wever, 9n this, I have t9 disagree.
PCG: This isn't a matter where "c99lness" sh9uld fact9r int9 it. This is an issue 9f pe9ple’s privacy and livelih99d we’re talking a69ut. It’s imp9rtant!
PCG: Anyway, why is it 6eing discussed like this? Y9u are t9tally framing it all wr9ng. Y9ur em9ti9nal vulnera6ility is exactly the type 9f thing I'm trying t9 pr9tect and defend!
PCG: I kn9w y9u may find it difficult 9n acc9unt 9f all 9f the em9ti9nal theatrics 6ut try t9 see reas9n.
PCG: Trust me, it’s f9r the 6est. While my stance may seem c9ntenti9us, I ultimately have y9ur 6est interests at heart. Surely y9u can appreciate that?
FCA: oh, i'm seeing reason alright.
FCA: i'vwe got all my wvits about me and i'm ready to make a choice on account of this supposedly all being a free lovwing society.
FCA: ftr, i trust you plenty, kanks. i knowv you’vwe got my back vwhen the rest of the wvorld deals me a shitty hand. you're a true friend like no other.
FCA: props to you, my main man. you help make it all wvorthvwhile.
PCG: …Well, thank y9u. It d9es feel nice t9 6e appreciated.
FCA: hell yeah, bro. it's wvhat i do best.
FCA: on that heartfelt note, i'd like to vwote an enthusiastic HELL YES on meulin's shipping gambit.
PCG: 9h, c9me 9n.
FCA: sorry, man. for evwery wvinner, there’s gotta be a loser. just don't see vwhat could possibly be all that bad about a little speed dating betwveen friends.
FCA: as long as i don’t hook up wvith someone wvho turns out to be a total knob. or unattractivwe. or is just plain stupid. othervwise, wve're golden.
FCA: you get all that, leijon? hope you're taking notes. i'm listing these prerequisites out for a reason. i'm expecting results.
CAC: ~(=^‥^) < UMMM YES I'M TAKING ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION, THANK YOU FOR BEING SO DIRECT ABOUT IT
CAC: (^・o・^) < THERE'S JUST ONE THING THAT I WANT TO CLARIFY BEFORE YOU SIGN UP OFFICIALLY
CAC: (^・o・^)ノ < I'M NOT MATCHMAKING TO FIND YOU HOOK UPS, CRONUS! THIS IS FAR MORE INVOLVED THAN THAT
CAC: (=^・^=;;) < WHAT I REALLY WANT OUT OF THIS PROJECT IS TO HELP YOU FIND LONG-LASTING AND EMOTIONALLY FULFILLING RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL ENCOURAGE YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH! IDEALLY THESE BONDS SHOULD SPURR YOUR PASSIONS AND HELP YOU CONNECT WITH THE PERSON YOU REALLY WANT TO BE ON THE INSIDE!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I WANT US ALL TO BE INSPIRED AND F33L AND UNDERSTAND OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER MORE! THAT IS WHAT I HOPE IS THE END GAME FOR ALL OF US! DOESN’T THAT SOUND SUPER EXCITING???
FCA: ...wvait, vwhat?
FCA: pump the brakes.
FCA: no hook ups? no speed dating? nothing fast and dirty in the back of a scuttlebuggy?
FCA: you vwanna find people wvho are gonna change me cus for vwhatewver reason i'm not good enough right novw?
FCA: next question: vwhat kind of an ass-backwvards message is that?
FCA: talk about sketchy.
CAC: (=^-^"=) < UHHH SKETCHY?
CAC: ~(｡ŏ_ŏ) < NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAN...
CAC: (^・o・^) < FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO WANT TO CHANGE YOURSELF! NOBODY CAN CHANGE YOU UNLESS YOU WANT IT! SECOND OF ALL, THIS WOULD BE A PROCESS... IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN OVERNIGHT!
CAC: (=^・^=) < BUT YOU WOULD HAVE THE SUPPORT OF TROLLS WHO LIKE AND CARE ABOUT YOU ENOUGH TO TRY AND FIGURE THE WHOLE THING OUT; THEN YOU WOULD DO THE SAME FOR THEM! IT WOULD BE A MUTUAL PROCESS
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR YOU, IF YOU WANTED TO TRY IT!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < SO HOW ABOUT IT? DO YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT?
FCA: uhhh... no?
FCA: no offense but wvhat the hell, leijon?? that sucks!
CAC: (=｀A’=) < OH NO! WHY???
FCA: ain't nothin' to change, toots. i don’t need to growv. i don’t need to be different. i'm goddamn perfect just the wvay i am.
FCA: as broken and artistic a soul as i am, nobody tells me vwhat to do or howv. i'm not gonna sit here wvaiting for someone to make me feel fucking terrible about myself.
FCA: i can feel like shit all on my ovwn, thanks.
PCG: See? I t9ld y9u. This entire pr9ject is rife with pr96lematic intenti9n!
PCG: I c9mmend y9u f9r finally seeing things fr9m my perspective, Cr9nus. Like thank fuck, h9nestly! #Swears.
PCG: It was like watching y9u set y9urself up f9r disaster. As y9ur cl9se friend and ally, it w9uld have 6een very hard t9 6ear witness t9 it. It's 6etter t9 make the realizati9n n9w than later when terri6le mistakes are made.
FCA: feh. vwhatewver.
PCG: Rest assured, this t99 shall pass. I guarantee it.
FCA: thanks, kankri.
FCA: yeesh. wvay to blowv smoke up my ass, leijon. guess that's wvhat i get for gettin' my hopes up. again.
FCA: this bites.
CAC: (=xェx=) < FFFT, WAIT! THIS IS GETTING MEOW-MIXED UP AGAIN!
CAC: (=｀^’=) < I UNDERSTAND THE PROSPECT OF CONFRONTING YOUR INNER SHORTCOMINGS CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND ALSO SUPER DAUNTING... YOU MAY NOT EVEN F33L LIKE YOU CAN DO IT BY YOURSELF
CAC: (=；ェ；=) < BUT YOU'RE NOT ALONE BECAUSE I'M HERE! I STILL THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT!!! I WANT US ALL TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL AND SUPPORTIVE OF ONE ANOTHER
CAC: (;´ ω`;) < IT CAN BE R33LY FUN IF YOU LET IT! JUST THINK ABOUT IT, OKAY?
FCA: thanks for the unwvarranted adwvice, meulin. i'll hawve you knowv there's nothing "short" about me.
FCA: in fact, i'm huge. heh.
FCA: that is, i'm a big enough person to forgiwve this little misstep in communication here. maybe vwe can try again one-on-one wvhen you'wve got time.
FCA: i'm open to a little purr-suasion if you catch my drift.
FCA: so yeah. convwince me. get me on your side. i'm all hearing ducts. unlike you, unfortunately.
FCA: real shame about that but it's cool. like i said. wvater under the crossing threshold, as you lovwbloods put it.
CAC: (=xェx=) < MRRR…
PCG: N9w, Cr9nus. I understand y9u're in a 6it 9f an upset 6ut there's n9 reas9n t9 assert la6els 9f the 9ppressive hierarchy related t9 Meulin's status as a l9w6l99d. In fact, the term "l9w6l99d" in and 9f itself is archaic and pr9m9tes the idea that th9se 9f warmer caste hues are lesser than the c99ler caste hues.
PCG: If y9u must refer t9 6l99d c9l9r at all, it w9uld 6e 6est t9 refer t9 us 6y neutral descript9rs. That is, "9live" f9r Meulin 9r "red" f9r myself. There's n9 need t9 6ring der9gat9ry language int9 it.
PCG: Furtherm9re, y9u need n9t remind Meulin 9f her hearing impairment. She lives with it every day. Despite all 9f her hard-headedness t9day, she ultimately deserves t9 have her disa6ility 6e treated with dignity.
PCG: Let's just aim t9 6e m9re c9nsci9us 9f 9ur language in the future. Think y9u can d9 that?
FCA: sure, buddy. anything for you.
FCA: i'll step off, vwind dowvn. "kank" open an ice cold royal tab vwhile i'm at it. i'd say wve'vwe earned it.
PCG: Excellent. Haha.
PCG: That is a pretty funny use 9f my name, I will admit.
FCA: no doubt. i'm fulla those wvise cracks you like.
FCA: hey, speaking of doing anything. you dowvn to hang out later?
FCA: think i could use some friendly company after this emotional roller coaster ride of a shitshovw. maybe i can brainstorm a newv song i'm gonna vwrite about it.
PCG: Well, as much as I'd like t9 make the time, Cr9nus... my schedule is filling up faster than I can acc9m9date. I think 9nce I finish reevaluating my next c9urse 9f acti9n in dismantling Meulin's shipping pr9ject, I can get 6ack t9 y9u 9n it.
PCG: Why d9n't y9u ask f9r a status rep9rt fr9m my present self tw9 minutes ag9? May6e his schedule has 9pened up. Y9u never kn9w.
FCA: uh. yeah. shore. okay.
FCA: standby.
FCA: ...
FCA: no dice, chief. ccg's schedule is full to bursting.
PCG: Sh99t.
PCG: Well, s9rry a69ut that, Cr9nus. I'm sure an 9pening will make its way s99n. I'll pencil it in n9w.
FCA: holy hell... hawve i ewver told you that you need some kind of personal assistant? i feel like i gotta apply to a wvaitlist just to hang out vwith my best bud.
FCA: gotta say. it sucks.
PCG: Yes, I understand c9mpletely.
PCG: I've c9nsidered enlisting 9ne 9r a few m9re 9f the c9ns9rts t9 delegate s9me 9f the m9re tedi9us, administrative w9rk necessary f9r my speeches
PCG: I mean, de6ates.
PCG: 6ut I have yet t9 find satisfacti9n in their meth9ds 9f argument structuring. In fact, I feel like I argue with them m9re than I get anything pr9ductive d9ne. It can really 6e quite exhaustive.
FCA: wvell... if it's chill times you're lookin' for wvhy not hit me up sooner than later? i can play you some cool, smooth tunes on my keytar to lull you dowvn z-lane straight to the recuperacoon, bro.
FCA: err. for rest and respite, obvwiously.
PCG: Hm? 9h, right.
PCG: I can certainly take it int9 c9nsiderati9n. H9wever, in retr9spect, it w9uld 6e a deep shame if I finally made time t9 hang 9ut with y9u and all I did was sleep. Seems kind 9f 69ring and “unc99l" if y9u ask me.
FCA: yeah, yeah. i get you. and i AM all about that not-boring style of hang outs so... that's cool. maybe next time or something.
PCG: Yes, 9f c9urse. There's always next time.
FCA: anyvway............
FCA: phevw. vwowv. holy shit.
FCA: isn't this supposed to be leijon's memo? vwhere'd she go.
FCA: last i remember vwas telling her vwhat a terrible plan the shipping thing wvas, just like you said.
CAC: |ᆺ-=) < P33P! HELLO!
CAC: (≋ω≋) < I'M HERE FURRIENDS! I JUST WENT TO GO MAKE SOME UMMM... CALMING TEA FOR MYSELF!
CAC: (๑\\ω\\๑) < I AM CHILL SO CALM RIGHT NOW... PURRR
CAC: (´ω｀) < REMIND ME WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT? WAS IT IMPORTANT?
PCG: N9, n9t really.
PCG: I'm in the pr9cess 9f restructuring my meth9d 9f de6ate. It's 6ec9me quite clear that dissuading y9u 9n matchmaking is n9t happening this mem9.
PCG: I will 6e making appearances in the next few mem9s and see if th9se eff9rts will make a difference.
CAC: < (￣︶￣) > < YES, YES I KNOW; I’M THE BAD GUY AND ALL MY PESKY PLANS MUST BE DESTROYED! AT LEAST YOU'RE POLITE ENOUGH TO LET ME KNOW AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT
CAC: (≋ω≋) < THAT WAY I CAN COME PURRPARED WITH SOME MORE UMMM... TEA H33 H33
FCA: oh come the fuck on. evweryone and their lusus knowvs that's code for nip.
FCA: not that i'm a nark. i just knovw that it's vwhat's bein' said betwveen the lines, that's all.
CAC: (=｀A’=) < FFFT WELL MAYBE SO!!! BUT YOU CAN'T PROVE IT, MR. AMPURRA SO THERE!
FCA: i wvasn't gonna say much else... except gripe that you so cruelly opted not to share. vwhat am i, chopped livwer?
FCA: rude.
PCG: 9kay, time 9ut. If this c9nversati9n is g9ing t9 dev9lve int9 the discussi9n 9f narc9tics 9r 9ther recreati9nal drug use, it needs t9 6e tagged appr9priately. H9w many times d9 I have t9 keep saying this?? #Narc9tics. #Recreati9nal drug use. #Su6stance a6use.
CAC: (=^・^=) < HMMMMMMMMM…
CAC: (=^ω^=) < AS MANY TIMES AS WE N33D, I THINK! ALSO I'M NOT ON THE NIP, NOT UNTIL SOMEONE PURROVES IT!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < INNOCENT UNTIL PURROVEN GUILTY! H33 H33 #SCHODINGER’S DANK
PCG: I'm g9ing t9 6e 6ringing this up at 9ur next n9n-shipping related team mem9. We need educati9n and gr9up supp9rt 9n h9w t9 use su6stances resp9nsi6ly. That is... n9t at all! A6stinence is the key t9 living wh9le and fulfilling lives! N9t whatever *this* is.
PCG: D9 I need t9 start an9ther campaign? I think I need t9 start an9ther campaign.
FCA: meh, i'm gonna hawve to disagree wvith you in that front, bro.
FCA: evweryone's got a right to party and self-medicate if they so feel like it.
FCA: it's already hard enough dealing vwith evweryone's shitty bad attitudes and rejections and on top of that, you gotta do it sober??
FCA: 24/7???
FCA: can't relate, lol.
CAC: (=｀~’=) < MRRRGH... RRRRRGHHH...
CAC: (=xェx=) < BLUH!!!
CAC: (=｀^’=) < HOPEY SHIT, CRONUS, NOW I F33L BAD ABOUT DOING IT AT ALL!!! NOT THAT I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW OF COURSE.........
CAC: (;´ ω`;) < BUT THE FEAST IS SO MUCH LESS FANCY WHEN YOU PHRASE IT LIKE THAT… IT'S A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH, HYPOTHETICALLY!!!
CAC: (=｀~’=) < THANKS FUR THAT…
FCA: fsh. don't blame me. you're the one vwho didn't vwanna share your hypothetical stash.
FCA: vwhatever vweird residual hang up that's left ovwer is on you.
FCA: hope the guilt eats you alivwe. next time, consider sharing vwith your good buddy, cronus. lmao.
CAC: (=｀~’=) < MRRRGH… SURE THING…
FUTURE gripflipCooldown [FGC] 4:13 MINUTES FROM NOW began responding to memo.
FGC: h3y suck4z!!! 1 just f1n1sh3d c4tch1ng up on th1s w1ld 4ss sh1pp1ng p4rty no1s3.
FGC: or 1 w4s t1l th3 whol3 th1ng got chok3d out by som3 r4nk fuck1n' rud3n3ss.
FGC: god d4mn, y4ll n33d to l4y off m3uz 4lr34dy! l1k3 who tf th1nks 1t’s cool to b3 4ll DOGP1L1NG th3 c4tgrl? bunch4 4sshol3s 1s wh4t!!!
FGC: 4mpsnor4, 1 g3t cuz you suck LM4O. no surpr1s3 th3r3.
FGC: k4nkz tho, s3r1ously. wtf???
FCA: hey, screwv off, pyrope... and then screwv right back here vwhile you’re at it.
FCA: the zero to ten ratio wvas starting to get a lil vwhack so you're a sight for sore eyes.
FCA: glad to see scales of attractiwveness skevwed towvards hot people again. like damn, vwhat a relief.
FCA: yovwza.
FGC: h4h4! SO GROSS.
PCG: 9h, hell9, Latula. Nice 9f y9u t9 j9in the *discussi9n*.
CAC: (=TωT=) < YAAAY YOWLTULA!!! YOU CAME TO MY MEMO!!! I'M SO HAPPY!!!
FGC: wh4t's up, my m41n m3uz! 1'v3 got your b4ck 4g41nst th3s3 st4nk4ss dud3ly pos3rz. >8]
FGC: t4lk1n' to you, sh4mpor4!!!
FCA: again. rude.
FCA: might vwanna dial it back on the callouts, pyrope. starting to feel a little steamed and caliginous around the collar.
FGC: 4g41n, GROSS.
FGC: why don't you m4k3 l1k3 4 scuttl3buggy 4nd JUMP 4 D1TCH?
FGC: m4k3 l1k3 4 d3ss3rt pl41nt41n 4nd SPL1T?
FGC: ...c4n't th1nk of oth3r m3t4phors l1k3 th4t but y34h.
FGC: SCR4M!!!!
FCA: alright, alright. don't get your beetleboard all bent on my account.
FCA: i knowv vwhen i'm not vwanted. i'll be headin' out.
FCA: don't forget to hit me up about hanging out, kanks. gets real lonely out on the docks.
PCG: Sigh. Yes, y9u can c9unt 9n it. Y9u sh9uld hear fr9m me s99n. Still, a reminder might 6e in 9rder. D9n’t hesitate t9 reach 9ut.
PCG: Take it easy, 6r9.
FCA: yeah, cool. later.
FCA ceased responding to memo.
FGC: 4ND ST4Y OUT!!!!!!!!
PCG: N9w, Latula. Is that really necessary?
FGC: dunno wh4t you m34n, k4nkz! 1'm ch1ll1ng 4nd h4v1ng 4 gr34t t1m3! >8]
FGC: so y34h, wh4t g1v3z??? why'r3 you h4ssl1ng poor, sw33t l31jojo?
PCG: Y9u seem lively. That's g99d. I like t9 see it.
PCG: I d9n't have much 6y way 9f an explanati9n as y9u appear t9 6e demanding. I 9nly h9ld that I am 9pp9sed 6y Meulin's m9ti9n t9 matchmake 9n the gr9unds that it is patr9nizing and invasive 9f pe9ple's pers9nal life decisi9ns. I really d9n't think she sh9uld 6e granted this auth9rity.
FGC: 1s th4t wh4t 4ll th3 BS 1s 4ll 4bout?? ml 4sk1ng p3opl3 1f th3y w4nt rom4nt1c 4dv1c3? 4r3 you k1dd1ng m3???
FGC: sounds l1k3 4 bunch4 gr4d3 4 s3lf r1ght3ous MOUTH NO1S3 STYL3 CR4P, BRO!!! 1t's just 3mpty words! sh3 41n't 3v3n don3 noth1ng wrong y3t!!!
FGC: 1 g3t your 4rgum3nt but 1nt3nt don't m4tt3r t1l TH3 D33D 1S DON3. 4nd wh4t d33d's b33n don3 4g41n?
FGC: on wh4t grounds do3s sh3 d3s3rv3 to g3t put on bl4st for th1nk1ng p33pz should s1t down 4nd h4v3 4 f33l1ngs j4m or w/3.
FGC: TLDR; ml 1s 1nnoc3nt. sh3 41n't scr3w3d 4nybody ov3r 4lso rom4nt1c dr4m4 1s k1nd4 4rb1tr4ry 4nd 4 p3rson4l fr33dom 3v3ryon3 should 3l3ct to 3njoy.
FGC: so put th4t 1n your ju1c3 r3c3pt1cl3 4nd SUCK 1T!!!
FGC: C4S3 D1SM1SS3D!!! >8]
PCG: ...W9w. That was a surprisingly astute 96servati9n fr9m y9u, Latula. I may even g9 as far as say that the argument presented here h9lds water. I'm impressed.
PCG: Lucky f9r y9u, I have already elected t9 c9ntinue this argument in an9ther mem9.
PCG: S9 there. D9n't feel as th9ugh y9u need t9 summ9n the cavalry.
FGC: H3LL Y34! wh4t c4n 1 s4y? y4 grl's got d1m3ns1on bb.
FGC: 4ND S1CK STUNTZ!!! don't forg3t th3 stuntz.
FGC: c4n't s1t 1dl3 wh3n smok1n' hot d4ms3ls 4r3 4ll 1n d1str3ss, yo! h4sht4g # r4d grls support1ng s4d grls lol!
CAC: (●♡∀♡) < H33 H33 H33 SWOOOOOOOOON!!! SOOO COOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < DOES THAT MEAN YOU THINK MY MATCHMAKING MISSION CAN BE SUCCESSFUL? ARE YOU WANTING TO HAVE A LITTLE SN33K P33KY ABOUT IT YOURSELF, CLAWTULA?
CAC: (人>U<) < (PLEASE SAY YES, PLEASE SAY YES!)
FGC: b4bz... B4BZ.
FGC: 1'm 4ll 4bout th4t sh1pp1ng lyf3, y'know? m4k3s for som3 h1l4r1ous hot goss, plus you g3t to ch33r your f4vor1t3 p33pz 4s th3y g3t th31r m4ck on.
FGC: but 1 dunno 1f th4t's for m3 p3rson4lly? 1 got 4ll th3 qu4d(s) 1 w4nt so l1k3... 3h???
FGC: gonn4 h4v3 to thumbz down on th3 off3r, 4t l34st rn!!! 1 got hot grl sh1t to do, know wh4t 1'm s4y1ng?
FGC: th3m's th3 br34ks!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < THAT'S OK!! I STILL APURRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION AND FOR BEING SO NICE ABOUT IT!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < IF EFUR YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR ROMANTIC CONSULTATION, I'M YOUR GO-TO GIRL! #PURR PURR PURR
FGC: SW33T!!!
FGC: 4ctu4lly, b4 1 compl3t3ly w1p3 my stubz of th4t bus1n3ss, l3mm3 4sk my PL4Y4 TWO 4nd s33 wh4t h3 th1nks. b3st not m4k3 r4d 4ss d3c1s1ons un1nform3d n sh1t, lol!
FGC: H3Y TUN3Z! G3T YOUR 4SS 1N H3R3.
FGC: 4w, h3ll. hold on.
FGC: h4sht4g: LO4D1N' SCR33N. PL34S3 W41T. ###
PCG: Wait, h9ld 9n. Latula, is that wise?
PCG: Mituna is may6e the M9ST vulnera6le mem6er 9f 9ur gr9up and it w9uldn't 6e resp9nsi6le 9f us t9 exp9se him t9
FUTURE gripflipCooldown [FGC] is an idle troll!
FUTURE gripflipCooldown [FGC] is online!
FGC: WOO! L3T’S H34R 1T 4 PL4Y4 TWO!!! >8]
PCG: 9r, he c9uld just sh9w up. That t99.
FUTURE trolfishAllstar [FTA] 7:07 MINUTES FROM NOW began responding to memo.
FTA: Y35557H55555557H55557H55 77H35 Y35
FTA: PL4Y4 7W0 1Z 1N D4 H1V3
FTA: 5P01L1Z3R5 175 M3!1! 8)
FTA: H1
FGC: h3y hot tott13!!!
FGC: y4 grl m3ul1n w4nts 4 Y/N on g3tt1ng sh1pp3d. so wh4t do y4 th1nk?
FGC: look1ng 4t g3tt1ng 4ll m4tchmok3d w/ som3 lucky dud3z or d4m3z? 1t's 4ll f41r g4m3!
FTA: HMMMMGNNF
FTA: QU355710N5
FTA: WH05 M3UL1N
FGC: wh4t!!! oh, com3 on, don't m3ss w1th us l1k3 th4t.
FGC: you tot4lly know who m3ul1n 1s! sh3's kurloz's b3st13!!
FGC: fuck1n' guy. >XD
FGC: 4lw4ys tr1pp1ng m3 up, 4lw4ys M4D GOOF1N'.
FGC: FOCUS!!!
FTA: 3H3H3H3H3H3H3H3H
FTA: L0L LY35 1M K1D!!!! K17731N K177Y35 #C47
FTA: H3Y3 MU3L1N
FTA: 4/5L/L???
CAC: (つω⊂*) < H33 H33 H33 NOOOOOOOOO DON'T TEASE ME LIKE THAT MEOWTUNA!!! I BLUSH TOO EASY!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU WERE INTERESTED IN SIGNING UP FOR MATCHMAKING? I KNOW YOUR RED AND PALE QUADRANTS ARE FILLED BUT MY GOAL IS TO GET EVERYONE ON THE PATH TOWARDS TROLL SERENDIPITY!!!
CAC: ~(=^‥^=) < SO I GUESS IN THIS SITUATION I'D HELP YOU FIND A BLACK AND ASHEN QUADRANT?
CAC: ~(=^‥^=) < HMM I MAY N33D SOME HELP WITH THAT NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT...
FTA: UUMM.............,.,.
FTA: H3Y 700LZ
FGC: yea babe! what's up?
FTA: D0 1 H4V H473QU4D5 5745H3D 50M3WH3R3
FTA: D1D 1 G37 DUMP3D 0R 50M37H 7HHH1715?
FTA: 1 C4N7 R3M3M83R 100%%$ 8U7 W4N7N4 83 5UR3
FTA: 7H4N7
FTA: 1M NU7 M1551NG 0U7 0N 50M53 H0T 5734M1NGY 8L4KCW4Y5 H4NKYP4NKY 8)
FGC: omfg LOL. h3ll to th3 no!!!
FGC: l1k3 1f you w3r3 sp4d3z fr1sk1n' som3 oth3r dud3 or l4dy, 1'd b3 l1k3 B4B3 T4G M3 1N!!! L3T M3 H1T 3M W1TH TH3 OL3 M4G1C L3G LOCK, LOL.
FGC: but 1 41n't got th4t upd4t3 tho, so th4t's 4 no 4s f4r 4s 1 kno.
FTA: 3H3H3H3H33HH3 Y34G 1 7H07 50 700
FTA: H3Y @M3WUX
FTA: N0
CAC: (=^ω^=) < H33 H33 THAT'S OKAY! YOU'RE STILL BEING WAY NICER ABOUT IT THAN PURRETTY MUCH A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE SO I R33LY APPURRECIATE IT!!!
CAC: (^・ω・^) < LATULA! REMIND ME TO INVITE YOU AND MITUNA OVER FUR TEA SOME TIME!!! I WANNA ASK YOU A THOUSAND QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR LOVE STORY
CAC: (●♡∀♡) < YOU TWO ARE PAWSIBILY MY FAVFURRITE SHIP EFURRR!!! SOOO CUUUTE!!!
FGC: h3ll y34h! th4t would b3 gr34t!!!
FGC: P4RTY 4T LOLC4T!!! BR1NG YOUR F4NC13ST T34 S3TS B1TCH3ZZZ!!!
FTA: 8LUH 734 15 FUFUCK1NG GR055 7H0 8/
FTA: C4N 1 H4V35Z 50D4 15 N734D5?
FGC: obv1ously! col4 trumps t34 53VR. c4n't go wrong w/ th3 m34n sug4r cr4sh th4t com3s 4ft3r.
FGC: d4mn, w3 c4n br1ng your s1ck stunt p4n3l for mor3 pr4ct1c3! 1sn't lolc4t l1k3 lousy w1th powd3r 4nd sug4r?
FGC: th4t's p3rf for you b4b3!
FTA: Y34HH1!!!!!!!!!!!
FTA: +90000 51CK GR1NDZ +11 50D4 DR44NK -5 1NJUR315
FTA: 50UDND5 L1K3 4 817CH1N1GN G00D3 71M3
FTA: <#,3
FGC: y34h!!! <333
PCG: Well, that seems t9 6e the end 9f the all9cated time I have f9r this mem9. I have n9tes t9 c9mpile, arguments t9 structure. A m9rality 9fficer's j96 is never d9ne and my time w9uld clearly 6e 6etter used elsewhere.
PCG: Meulin, I will 6e issuing a f9rmal request f9r a c9py 9f the 6ackl9g f9r this mem9. I w9uld like t9 make sure I maintain detailed rec9rds 9f the p9ints I made here. 6e sure t9 keep an eye 9ut f9r that.
CAC: (^・o・^)ノ < OH YES! I WILL SEND THAT; THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER!!!
FTA: H1 K4NKR1
FTA: 1 4M R341DN1NG L07H75 0F W0RD5 C0M1N1NG FRM Y0UR3 Y3LL H00L3
FTA: K1ND4 FU1CK1NG 5UC5K5 8R0 L0L00L
FTA: N0 0N3 C4N 455C4PP3 7H3 R3D M1L37H5
PCG: 9h. Hell9, Mituna.
PCG: I was just a69ut t9 take my leave.
PCG: H9wever, 6ef9re I d9, I impl9re y9u t9 maintain the tags I have taught y9u when referencing y9ur, uh... active r9mantic lifestyle. Like this. #Quadrantly active.
PCG: That way, it w9uld 6e easier t9 navigate ar9und c9nversati9ns where private 6l9ck talk such as "h9t steamy 6lackways hanky panky" 9r "tag team leg l9cking" may end up 6eing discussed. I think I speak 9n 6ehalf 9f every9ne when I say such descripti9ns in pu6lic are unc9mf9rta6le as they are unnecessary. #Innuend9s. #D9u6le entrende.
PCG: It's really very immature, h9nestly. Why 6ring it up at all?
FTA: 0K
FTA: 1M V FUFKC1GN1G FUCJKFFNGH
FTA: # 50RY
FGC: 4ww, don't b3 such4 d4mn prud3, k4nkz! 1t's m3 who s41d th3 l4tt3r h4lf of thos3 r4unchy st4t3m3nts so 1ts not 4ll on tun3z. you'r3 b4rk1ng up th3 wrong 4bor34l st3m!
PCG: Assuming resp9nsi6lity where it is due is incredi6ly n96le 9f y9u, Latula. 9f c9urse I can't h9ld y9u t9 the same standard as th9se wh9 never ackn9wledge that their acti9ns have an impact 9n the gr9up as a wh9le.
PCG: F9rgiveness granted. Y9u d9n't even have t9 ask.
PCG: Every9ne else, keep tagging. It's imp9rtant.
PCG ceased responding to memo.
FGC: uhhh... ok4y, lol. wh4t3vs!
FTA: Y0 88 CN4 1 G0 N0W
FTA: 1 7HM3LLT 4 R4NDK D0UCH3HW4H4FFL3
FGC: no w4y!! l3t m3 h3lp you out b4b3z. on3 s3cond, 1'v3 gotchu.
FTA: 7H4NK
FTA ceased responding to memo.
FGC: th3r3, 4ll squ4r3d 4w4y.
FGC: M4N. 1 gott4 t3ll you, p3opl3 4r3 w1ld som3t1m3s, m3uz!!! 4 lott4 v1b3z, 4 lott4 p3rson4l1t13s com1ng from d1ff3r3nt d1r3ct1ons, know wh4t 1 m34n??
CAC: (=^･ω･^=) < FUR SURE!!! EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT DEFINITION ABOUT WHAT MAKES THEM HAPPY, I THINK
CAC: (=´∇｀=) < IT'S HARD TO K33P UP WITH IT SOMETIMES! A LOT OF THESE THREADS OF INTERPURRSONAL CONNECTION GET SO TANGLED LIKE THAT OF A TANTALIZING YARN BALL...
CAC: (^≗ω≗^) < NOT SOMETHING I F33L THAT I'M FURRY GOOD AT, IF I’M BEING HONEST! R.I.P.
FGC: r1ght!!!
FGC: som3 p3opl3 just s4y stuff 4nd 3xp3ct you to r34d b3tw33n th3 l1n3s wh3n 1t's l1k3... h3llo!!! som3 of us 4r3 too busy tryn4 k33p sh1t str41ght 1n th31r own h34ds!
FGC: 1t's w31rd, h4h4............ but not too w31rd th4t 1 c4n't h4ndl3! 1 gott4 t1ght gr1p on th1s sh1t, just l1k3 my s1ck 4ss tr1ck p4n3l!!!
FGC: holy sh1t! you know wh4t would b3 SO k1ck4ss??
FGC: 1f my sk4t3bo4rd w4s 4lso p4rt rock3t bo4rd!!! 1t'd b3 OFF D4 CH4RTZ gn4rly! c4n you 1m4g1n3 my s1ck stuntz don3 m1d 41r b4s1c4lly z3ro gr4v1ty? 1'd b3 4 m4st3r cl4ss 4ct! >8D
CAC: (●♡∀♡) < WOWWW!!! SOOO COOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!! I CAN S33 IT SO PURRFECTLY IN MY MIND'S EYE!
FGC: th4nks, ml! 1 kno wh4t my n3xt proj3ct 1s now. 1 4m so fuck1ng HYP3D!!!
FUTURE akibachaAkuma [FAA] 10:00 HOURS FROM NOW responded to memo.
FAA: YES. DO THIS.
FAA: FALL.
FAA: DIE.
FAA: DOOM TIMELINE.
FAA: DONE BEFORE.
FAA: STUPID. IDIOT.
FAA: FUNNY.
FAA: DO AGAIN. MUCH LAUGH.
FGC: oh nooooooooooo!!! wh444t!!!!!!!!!
FGC: FUCK, D4MZ. w4y to k1ll th3 p4rty. no pun 1nt3nd3d. >8/
FGC: you suck!!!
FAA: YES. TRUE.
CAC: (^・o・^) < PRRRPT! HI DAMEOWRA!!! SO NICE OF YOU TO DROP BY!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < ARE YOU HERE TO S33 WHAT THE FUZZ IS ALL ABOUT?
CAC: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < I'M OFFERING TO MATCHMAKE AND GIVE ROMANTIC CONSULTATION FUR FR33!!! FOR THE LOW, LOW PRICE OF HAVING TEA WITH ME, I CAN SET YOU ON THE PATH TOWARDS TROLL SERENDIPITY!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < ISN'T THAT SO EXCITING?
FAA: NO.
FAA: YOU FAIL.
FAA: THIS I SEE.
FAA: HEARTS WEAK.
FAA: ROMANCE DEAD.
FAA: KILLED. BETRAYED.
FAA: THAT IS TRUTH.
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < OOO I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT! I THINK THERE IS MORE PAWSIBILITIES BEFUR US THAN EVEN YOU REALIZE!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) JUST THINK ABOUT IT, OKAY? IT COULD BE FUN!!!
FAA: NO.
FAA: WILL SEE.
FAA: HM.
FGC: m4n, fuck th1s no1s3. f1rst you com3 1n 4nd sh1t on my cool stunt p4r4d3, now you gott4 g1v3 m3ul1n th3 bus1n3ss??
FGC: you'r3 on th3 f4st tr4ck to 4 world of WHOOP 4SS, D4MZ!!!
FGC: you'r3 k1nd4 p1ss1ng m3 off!
FAA: YES. GOOD. SUFFER.
FAA: IS INEVITABLE.
FAA: ALSO. FUNNY.
CAC: (=TωT=) < NOOO, NOT MORE FIGHTING! CAN WE PLEASE RELAX? IT'S JUST ASKING FOR MORE TROUBLE
FGC: don't look 4t m3! sh3 st4rt3d 1t!
FGC: but f1n3. only cuz you 4sk3d 4nd you'r3 my g. just don't l1k3 t4k1ng sh1t ly1ng down, y4 f33l m3? 1'm 4bout thr33 s3conds from popp1ng tf OFF.
FAA: BITCH.
FGC: h4g!!! >8/
CAC: (=TωT=) < FURRIENDS, FURRIENDS... YES, I UNDERSTAND... WE CAN PLAY WITH SHEATHED CLAWS, I PURROMISE; SOFT PAWS ONLY PLEASE!!!
CAC: (=TωT=) < WE CAN MOVE PAST THIS PETTY HISSY FIT AND GET ALONG! IT'S POSSIBLE!!! R33LY!
CAC: (=TωT=) < CAN WE TRY?
PAST airborneTsundere [PAT] 30:01 MINUTES AGO responded to memo.
PAT: hey, ya'll... 1 gotta back up le1jon on th1s.
PAT: been catch1ng up on the happen1ngs... sh*t's crazy... someth1ng about relat1onsh1p consultat1on? what's that all about?
PAT: anyway... you good, damz? latula?
PAT: bums me out to see ya'll duk1ng 1t out for no reason... or at all.
PAT: gotta be better sh*t we could be do1ng than argu1ng... fr...
CAC: ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ < OH YAY, RUFLEAOH!!! SO HAPPY THAT YOU DECIDED TO GIVE A P33P TO MY MEMO!!! SORRY IT'S GOTTEN SO CHAOTIC AND NON-LINEAR AND ARGUMENTATIVE... I GUESS THAT'S PART OF THE PROJECT CHALLENGE!
CAC: (•̀ᴗ•́ )و < I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP YET!!!
PAT: 1t's all good... folks gotta have goals and hobb1es. d1dn't even know that quadrants were a hobby. or... other people's quadrants could be hobb1es, 1 guess.
PAT: respect.
PAT: goes to show, ya learn someth1ng new every day.
FAA: RUFIOH.
FAA: 彼らの言うことを聞かないでください。[ DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM. ]
FAA: 彼らは嘘をつくのが得意です。[ THEY ARE GOOD AT LYING. ]
FGC: yo, ruf!!! com3 4nd g3t your g, dud3. sh3's m3ss1ng up my rad grl v1b3z!!!!!!!!!
FGC: we were l1t3r4lly SO CH1LL t1l sh3 show3d up d1ss1ng m3ul1n 4nd generally just be1ng 4n 4-hol3. 1t 41n't cut3!!! >8/
FAA: WRONG.
FAA: VERY CUTE.
PAT: heh... a1n't that bad as far as 1 can see. 1 mean, noth1ng's blown up yet so... that's good.
PAT: you know damz... she's got troubles... but we all do.
PAT: we're st1ll all fr1ends, r1ght?
PAT: no need to 1ssue vague threats and after-feed1ng f1ghts on the lawnr1ng.
PAT: d*mn, that takes me back.
FAA: YES.
FAA: FRIENDS. ENEMIES.
FAA: LOVERS.
FAA: IS SAME.
FAA: それは死に終わります。[ IT ENDS IN DEATH. ]
PAT: yeah... cool... very cool...
PAT: po1nt 1s... vague threats and after-feed1ng f1ghts on the lawnr1ng 1s just how damz makes fr1ends. k1nda l1ke pe1xes pokes people w/ her po1nty jam.
PAT: just 1s who she 1s... can't hold 1t aga1nst her... or take 1t to heart...
PAT: 1t's an easy way for sh*t to escalate and... yeah... let's not. maybe.
FAA: あなたは卑怯者です。[ YOU ARE A COWARD. ]
FAA: わたしは驚いていません。[ I AM NOT SURPRISED. ]
CAC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< I WOULD LIKE THE RECORDS TO STATE THAT I CATCOR WITH RUFIOH'S SUGGESTION!!! AND I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING ON TOO!
CAC: (^・o・^) < EVEN THOUGH SHE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT SCARY SOMETIMES... DAMEOWRA DESERVES TO BE HERE JUST LIKE EFURRYONE ELSE! WE SHOULD DO OUR BEST TO TURN OVER A NEW TEA LEAF FOR HER!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I HEREBY EXTEND THE CAT WHISKER OF FURRIENDSHIP!!! LET BYGONES BE BYGONES!
FAA: あなたの墓の上の葉が私のお茶になります。[ THE LEAVES ON YOUR GRAVE WILL BE MY TEA. ]
FGC: sorry, m3uz, don't m34n to b3 4 sh1tst4rt3r but 1 41n't conv1nc3d!
FGC: som3 p3opl3 got 4n 1d34 4bout who th3y th1nk th3y 4r3, oth3rs got p3rson4s th3y l1k3 to pl4y. som3 p33ps str41ght up l13.
FGC: th3 th1ng 4bout d4mz 1s th4t 1 f33l l1k3 h3r 4sshol3ry 1s 100% th3 r34l d34l! so 1 41n't gonn4 pr3t3nd to b3 ch1ll w/ h3r... 1 got too much 4t st4k3!!!
FGC: FUCK, NOW 1'M ST4RV1NG. t1m3 to go gr4b som3 g4m3r fu3l.
FAA: YES.
FAA: SO CLOSE.
FAA: NEXT TIME.
FAA: MUST PLAY HARDER.
FAA: ENJOY FUEL.
FAA: GAMER.
FAA: DO NOT CHOKE.
FGC: >8/
FGC: cr33p!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < THAT'S OK, PAWTULA! NOT EFURRYONE IS GOING TO GET ALONG AND I THINK THAT SHOULD BE OK! THE POINT IS THAT WE SURROUND OURSELVES WITH TROLLS WHO ARE GOING TO BRING THE BEST OUT OF US! THAT IS MY MISSION STATEMENT AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF IT!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I'M HAPPY TO HELP DAMEOWRA IF SHE WOULD LIKE IT; IF SHE DOESN'T, THEN WE CAN STILL BE GOOD FURRIENDS!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS WE CAN DO TO K33P THE PEACE AND THE KRINKLEBALL OF FURRIENDSHIP SOFT BETWIXT OUR PAWS
CAC: (・ω<) < WE CAN TOTALLY MEWS ABOUT IT LATER WHEN YOU COME OFUR FOR TEA!
FGC: 4ww y34, 1 r34lly d1g th4t opt1m1st1c outlook. k1nd4 m4k3s m3 f33l b4d for throw1ng b4ck th3 h4t3r4d3 l1k3 1 4m... but 1t 1s wh4t 1t 1s, 1 gu3ss!
FGC: t4k3 1t 34sy, k4y?? don't l3t 4ll th3 oth3r h4t3rs g3t you down. grl cod3 d1ct4t3s th4t us gr33n13s 4nd t34l13s gott4 st1ck tog3th3r 4nd w4tch 34ch oth3rz b4ck!
FGC: holl4 1f you n33d m3!
FGC: R4D GRL OUTT13.
FGC ceased responding to memo.
CAC: (=^ω^=) < BYE LATULA! ENJOY YOUR SNACK!
CAC: (^・o・^) < OH THAT REMINDS ME! I WANT A SNACK TOO! BRB!!!
CURRENT amorousCaptivation [CAC] is an idle troll!
FAA: SUCH FRIENDS.
FAA: SO NICE.
PAT: hey damz...
PAT: dunno 1f all that was necessary... but glad 1t d1dn't turn 1nto a whole deal.
PAT: had me go1ng there for a second, not gonna l1e...
FAA: 1秒だけ必要です。[ ONLY NEED ONE SECOND. ]
FAA: あなたはこれを知っている。[ YOU KNOW THIS. ]
FAA: 親密に。[ INTIMATELY. ]
PAT: call 1t what you want... 1t's just gett1ng me all th1nking...
FAA: とは？ [ WHAT IS? ]
PAT: hm. just th1nk1ng about what meul1n sa1d.
PAT: 1 dunno... her whole att1tude about the m1ss1on she’s talk1ng... sounds k1nda n1ce.
PAT: change... someth1ng d1fferent... be1ng d1fferent... 1t’s a good thought.
FAA: だったらあなたもバカだよ。[ THEN YOU ARE STUPID TOO. ]
PAT: yeah, lol. probably.
PAST caballineTinkerer [PCT] 11:10 MINUTES AGO began responding to memo.
PCT: ⬛ < Ah, Rufioh!
PCT: ⬛ < I was wondering where you might have trotted off to.
PCT: ⬛ < The forge I have managed to locate in the Land of Caves and Silence has been lit.
PCT: ⬛ < I am surprised you did not bear witness to the initial spark.
PCT: ⬛ < I was under the impression you were fond of flames and torchlights and other such primitive elemental themes.
PCT: ⬛ < Was I mistaken?
PAT: hey, man... speak of the troll...
PAT: nah, flames are pretty dope! k1nda rem1nds me of the f1reworks and the fest1vals from way back 1n the day.
PAT: can’t go wrong w1th an old-fash1oned bonf1re, e1ther... so s1ck.
PAT: sorry for, uh... s1destepp1ng the ma1n event. 1 got d1stracted. stuff w1th le1jon was happen1ng.
PCT: ⬛ < Clearly.
PAT: what's w1th... that b1g honk1ng square there? thought you were fond of that other shape... the we1rd one.
PAT: the oblong...
PCT: ⬛ < Oh. This?
PCT: ⬛ < It is marely a placeholder. The flavor of the hay, if you will! I have a feeling something is waiting to fill it. Something which brays my name more so than the sacred oblong shape.
PCT: ⬛ < I have yet to figure out what that is. We shall know soon!
PAT: r1ght... cool... k1nda om1nous... but st1ll cool, 1 guess...
FAA: 地獄は地球上の場所です。[ HELL IS A PLACE ON BEFORUS. ]
PCT: ⬛ < Hello, Damara! Thank you for making your presence known.
FAA: こんにちは、馬男です。[ HELLO HORSE MAN. ]
FAA: 私にも埋めなければならない穴があります。[ I TOO HAVE HOLES THAT NEED TO BE FILLED. ]
FAA: 急いでください。[ PLEASE HURRY. ]
PAT: ...s1gh.
PAT: damz says she l1kes your new qu1rk style. btw.
PCT: ⬛ < Hm. Yes.
PCT: ⬛ < This reminds me, I really need to get on workshopping that language translation device. I abh*r the idea of someone not being inc100ded in the conversation. Suppose Damara had something interesting to contribute for once?
PCT: ⬛ < Time certainly gets away from me, it seems! But I digress.
FAA: 私はあなたの魂を、それが属する虚空に捧げます。[ I WILL CONTRIBUTE YOUR SOUL TO THE VOID WHERE IT BELONGS. ]
PAT: yeahhh... word.............
PCT: ⬛ < Yes, quite.
PCT: ⬛ < Hay, is this not supposed to be Meulin's memo? Has the host trotted off as well?
PAT: yeah, just went to grab a snack, 1 th1nk... sh*t's been go1ng on for a wh1le now. couple hours at least.
PCT: ⬛ < Curious. And what is all the snort about again? I hear it has to do with a personal project or a social e%periment of some kind? Color me mildly b100 with curiosity.
PAT: don't know all the details, exactly... i think she's do1ng matchmak1ng or relat1onsh1p adv1ce... she was call1ng 1t a m1ss1on or someth1ng l1ke that.
PAT: guess she's just ask1ng 1f people were look1ng for a "sem1-profess1onal" to talk to. probably cuz sh1pp1ng's her th1ng... l1ke hobby-w1se.
PAT: 1t's k1nda dope... us1ng her hobby to help people.
PCT: ⬛ < I see! And this memo is a way of gauging the group's interest in participation? What has the verdict been thus far?
PAT: th1nk so... 1'm read1ng the backlogs... doesn't sound l1ke she's had takers. everyone's got the1r own sh*t go1ng on.
PCT: ⬛ < Pitiful... but understandable! Not everyone has the STRENGTH of will to take connection by the reigns once it has been found. I am so pleased that our relationship doesn't suffer such foalies, Rufioh.
PAT: err... what makes you say that?
PCT: ⬛ < Our journey has not been without its trials and tribulations. In fact, I can recall with some affection that once upon a time, we got off on the wrong hoof.
PCT: ⬛ < We met at a time when I placed a lot of my livestock with the ideals thrust upon me as a highb100d. I was so sure of my place... and there you were, defying those e%pectations living as a lawless, rowdy troll seemingly without a cause.
PAT: yeah... 1 remember. heh. 1t was fun t1mes.
PCT: ⬛ < I was angry... furious because the puzzle of you compelled me, as you continue to do after all these sweeps. It was arrogant and I am pleased to say that I have long since released those resentments to allow our relationship to flourish as it does.
PCT: ⬛ < It was a rare moment of education and self-reflection. There is nothing I regret about it.
PCT: ⬛ < Well. Almost noth1ng but what can you do?
PAT: r1ght...
PCT: ⬛ < Now that the stampede dust of the ordeal has settled, time has allowed for us to STRENGTHEN our bond to the point where it is like a well-oiled machine. I hope the tail of our relationship proves to be a valuable lesson for those seeking a similar fulfillment.
PCT: ⬛ < Perhaps not an e%act model... but an inspiration nevertheless!
FAA: この愚か者の中に何が見えますか？ [ WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THIS FOOL? ]
FAA: 彼のメンバーは爆発力があるに違いない。[ HIS MEMBER MUST BE EXPLOSIVE. ]
FAA: セックスミートは爆弾だ [ SEX MEAT IS BOMB. ]
FAA: それはすべて意味があります。[ IT ALL MAKES SENSE. ]
PAT: ...
PCT: ⬛ < Sorry. Am I leaving you out of the conversation again? My sincerest apologies, Damara.
PCT: ⬛ < Rufioh, if you would again be so kind. Please translate what Damara is trying to say. I think we are doing her a disservice by leaving her out!
PAT: uhhh... she's not say1ng much... just mak1ng me th1nk that we p1ck th1s conversat1on up 1n a more pr1vate not-memo sett1ng.
PAT: don't wanna harsh up meul1n's v1be w1th all th1s rem1n1sc1ng... don't get me wrong... 1t was good t1mes... just a lot of drama too.
FAA: 腰抜け。[ COWARD. ]
PCT: ⬛ < Yes, I think you're right on that front. I think instead of dwelling on the past, we instead turn our gazes for the future and all the mysteries within ourselves which await to be uncovered.
PCT: ⬛ < On that note, please give Meulin my regards. Let her know that I will not be taking her frivolous offer for romantic consultation. I am quite content with the status of our relationship and see no need to disclose the details to her.
PCT: ⬛ < Goodbye.
PCT ceased responding to memo.
PAT: see ya...
PAT: yo, damz... you don’t have to st1ck around for all that no1se. just feel l1ke 1t p*sses you off when he talks l1ke that...
PAT: then aga1n, he’s always p*ssed you off... now that 1 th1nk about 1t.
PAT: horuss 1s... just who he 1s, 1 guess.
FAA: いいえ。彼に話させてください。[ NO. LET HIM TALK. ]
FAA: 彼の終わりはもうすぐです。すべてはすぐに終わります。[ HIS END IS NEAR. IT WILL ALL END SOON. ]
PAT: dang... k1nda freaky... not 1n a good way.
PAT: just 1n a regular, bone-ch1ll1ng way.
PAT: haunt1ng 1s maybe what 1 want to call 1t.
FAA: それが私。[ THAT'S ME. ]
FAA: 受け入れ。[ ACCEPT IT. ]
FAA: 私たちは皆、自分の運命を受け入れなければなりません。[ WE MUST ALL ACCEPT OUR FATE. ]
FAA ceased responding to memo.
PAT: bangarang...
CURRENT amorousCaptivation [CAC] online!
CAC: ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ < HELLO, I AM BACK!!! I HAVE SNARFED A HUGE SANDWICH AND I AM READY TO HELP YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY TO
CAC: (=｀A’=) < WAIT A FURLICKING MINUTE! WHERE DID EFURRYONE GO? DID I MISS SOMETHING???
PAT: yo, meuz...
PAT: 1'm st1ll here... just hang1ng out... hav1ng a smoke.
CAC: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < OMGGG RUFLEAOH!!! HI!!!!!!!!!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < I'M SO FUZZED YOU DECIDED TO STICK AROUND! WHAT DID I MISS?
PAT: not much... horuss came and went. damara bounced.
PAT: horuss wanted to let you know he was gonna pass on the shipping business... said 1t wasn't for h1m.
PAT: thought 1’d st1ck around to pass you the message.
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < OH NOOO!!! THAT'S PAWFUL!!!
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < I MEAN... TECHNICALLY IT'S OKAY BECLAWS PEOPLE CAN SAY YES OR NO, THAT IS THEIR PURROGATIVE... BUT OFFICIALLY EFURRYONE ON MY LIST HAS SAID NO!!! ALMOST!
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < I KNOW SAID I COULD WORK WITH MINIMAL PURRTICIPATION... BUT I DON'T R33LY KNOW HOW IT WILL WORK WITH NOPAWDY AT ALL!!!
CAC: (^╯_╰^) < IT'S OKAY... MAYBE I JUST N33D TO TRY AGAIN? MAYBE IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS...
PAT: hmm...
PAT: d*mn, doll... sorry you're so down about 1t.
PAT: you really l1ke sh1pp1ng that much?
CAC: (;´ ω`;) < IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT SHIPPING!!! BUT YES, I DO LIKE IT VERY MUCH. IT'S MORE LIKE...
CAC: (;´ ω`;) < I R33LY WANTED TO HELP OUR FURRIENDS! I THINK WE ALL DESERVE TO FIND HAPPINESS AND JOY AND HELP ONE ANOTHER TO OVERCOME THE PAIN WEIGHING ON OUR HEARTS...
CAC: (^; ^ ;^) < IT'S FURRY IMPORTANT TO ME, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP YET!
CAC: (^╯_╰^) < I JUST N33D TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT, I THINK...
PAT: well...
PAT: 1 th1nk maybe...
PAT: you shouldn't g1ve up hope... somebody could be r1ght around the corner look1ng for exactly the th1ng you're want1ng to do for them.
CAC: (=;ω;=) < R33LY? DO YOU THINK SO?
PAT: yeah, doll... 1t's more l1kely than you th1nk.
PAT: the th1ng w1th change 1s l1ke... 1f people don't know themselves, then they gotta be *ssholes about 1t before they try someth1ng. even 1f that th1ng ends up be1ng good for them...
PAT: know what 1'm say1ng?
CAC: (^・o・^) < YES, I THINK SO...
PAT: 1 dunno. maybe 1'm just rambl1ng. 1 just got a lot on my m1nd myself... stuff to th1nk about...
PAT: you know how 1t goes.
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I MOST CERTAINLY DO! EFURRYONE N33DS A SMOKE AND SOME REFLECTION FURROM TIME TO TIME! IT JUST MAKES SENSE!!!
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I WILL TAKE YOUR WORDS TO HEART AND K33P MY EYES ON THE PURRIZE! I WON'T GIVE UP!!!
CAC: ｢(ｰﾍー) < THERE'S JUST ONE LAST THING I HAVE TO CHECK BEFUR I MAKE ANYMORE MOVES... HMM!!!
PAT: oh yeah? what's that?
CAC: (^・ω・^) < MY FURRY SPECIAL FRIEND HAS YET TO TELL ME WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT MY PROJECT!!! I'VE B33N WAITING ALL MEMO FUR IT!!!
CAC: (=^･ω･^) < I THINK HE'S JUST WAITING FUR THE RIGHT TIME; HE'S SUPURR EXTRA AND MYSTERIOUS LIKE THAT
PAT: d*mn, so you think he's lurking or...?
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < YEP!!!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < PURRLOZ COME OUT WITH YOUR PAWS UP!!!
CURRENT theopneustCarnivalation [CTC] RIGHT NOW began responding to memo.
CTC: DAMN
CTC: DONE CAUGHT IN THE CLAWS OF FELINE MOST OBSERVANT
CTC: CAN NARY A MOTHERFUCKER SCOOT NOR SCUTTLE PAST YON KITTALICIOUS REFLEXES :o)
CTC: MY ASS WOULD SEE NO SUCH PRIVILEGE THIS OR ANY OTHER NIGHT
PAT: oh sh*t... you called 1t. he was there the whole t1me.
PAT: what’s up, kz... cool to see you hang1ng out.
CTC: TRUTH
CTC: TIS WILD
CAC: ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ < YAAAAAAAAAY!!! H33 H33 THAT WAS SO PURRFECTLY TIMED!
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < GOSH YOU'RE SO SILLY WITH YOUR BIG DRAMATIC ENTRANCES
CAC: (=^ω^=) < I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE FINALLY HERE!!! YOU R33LY KEPT ME WAITING, I FELT LIKE MY FUR WAS ON END!
CTC: BEREST THINE RAISED HACKLES MY GOOD LADY KITTYKILLA
CTC: HAD MY PEEP BENT PON THIS CONVO FROM ITS HATCHING BUT TRUTH BE TOLD THESE ORNERY SONS OF BITCHES DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHUT THE MOTHERFUCK UP
CTC: STILL WON'T GO MUSSIN UP THEIR STYLE OF CEASELESS HATE AND COLORFUL CONTRADICTIONS
CTC: GOTTA HAVE OUR ENTERTAINMENT SOMEWAY SOMEHOW
CTC: HONK :o)
CTC: BLESS THIS MOTHERFUCKING MESS
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < FFFT, IT'S PAR FUR THE COURSE; I THINK OUR FRIENDS WANT TO F33L LIKE THEY'RE IN CONTROL OF SOMETHING AND I CAN'T BLAME THEM FOR IT!
CAC: (=｀A’=) < I JUST WISH I HAD EVEN **ONE** PURRTICIPANT BUT THOUGH MY HINDLEGS KICK, THE CAT TOY OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT CONTINUES TO ELUDE ME!
CAC: (=｀^’=) < WHICH REMINDS ME...
CAC: (=｀ω’=) < LET ME PLAY MATCHMAKER FOR YOU, KURLOZ!!! I BET I COULD DO A R33LY GOOD JOB!
CTC: NO DOUBT ANY MOTHERFUCKER WORTH HIS SPECIAL SCIENCE WOULD FIND HIMSELF SO HUMBLED SO BLESSED AS TO HAVE A MATCH BEQUEATHED ONTO HIM FROM THE QUEEN OF HEARTS HERSELF
CTC: FULLA MIRTH AND WHIMSY AS SHE BE, CAN'T FAULT A HISSYSIS FOR ANSWERING THE CALL WHICH SHE FINDS VEXING THE PUSHER SO
CTC: WHAT MORE, WHERE MIGHT REFUTE BE FOUND EVER IN THIS BEAST OF A MIRACLE WE CALL FRIENDSHIP?
CTC: NOT HERE MOTHERFUCKER
CTC: LET THEM SHIPS MOTHERFUCKIN BE SAILED SAYS SHE
CTC: FUCK IT... BRING ON THE MACKS SAYS I
CTC: ;o)
CAC: (✧∆✧) < OMG OMG OMG _OMG_!!!!!!!!!
CAC: (✧ω✧) < THIS IS THE MOST WONDERFUR NEWS EFUR! I KNOW YOU WILL BE MOST PLEASED WITH THE MATCH UPS I WILL FIND FUR YOU!!! WE CAN TALK IN SCRATCHING POST ABOUT IF YOU'D LIKE!!!
CAC: ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ < 33333333!!! I'M SO EXCITED!
CTC: PIPE THY MERRIMENT KITTIE BISKIE AND TURN THINE WIZENED WHISKER OVER YONDER
CTC: I SPY ONE LAST FLIGHTY MOTHERFUCKER WHO AIN'T SAID HIS PIECE
PAT: uh...
PAT: yeah... about that...
PAST catillionClamblitz [PCC] is online!
PCC: holy fuck are yall still sharking on this shit?
PCC: its been two glubbing hours of this shipping BS blowing up my clam
PCC: das it im putting a fork in this operation and culling it D-EAD
PAT: oh sh*t...
CAC: (=｀A’=) < M33NAH, NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING IMPORTANT!!!
PCC: doubt
PCC: i aint losing beauty sleep over whatever freaky mime kink shit youve got going on w/ makara
PCC: and nitram ig?
PCC: FFS bro find some cooler trolls to hang out w/
PCC: always w/ the freaks rejects and crazy beaches
PCC: starting to think you gotta fucking problem
PAT: d*mn... hung and strung out...
PAT: gotta l1ke your style, pe1xes...
PAT: 1t’s f1erce.
PCC: yea yea whatebber
CTC: HONK
CTC: AIGHT, BETTA SCATTA TO DA WINDS MY GOOD BITCHES, TIS THE MIGHTY GOLDEN CONCH HERSELF LAYIN DOWN THE LAW
PCC: dam straight >38)
PCC: S-EAONARA L-EIJON
CAC: (=xェx=) < NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
PCC banned EVERYONE from responding to memo.

It took nearly an hour before Meulin calmed down from the vexation caused by Meenah's abrupt cancelling of her memo. By then, she had taken another power nap, toked a bit more, and had another snack. Only when the blood did not feel like it was burning in her senseless hearing ducts did she return to her project.

In the cozy confines of her respriteblock, Meulin was scrawling in a freshly alchemized tome. She was five pages deep into her notes, having printed and taped snippets of the memo conversation like it was part of an artistic scrapbook. Tonight's notes would make for fine updates on the personality profiles she kept on her friends. It wasn't a secret! It just made it easier to build elaborate shipping grids that way!

Craft supplies were strewn out in front of her. At the moment, she had her fingers full of glittery stickers, marker ink, and tape. She hummed loudly, stringing out the pure unadulterated joy from the soothing reverberations in her throat. It was at that moment that her husktop screen blinked with activity. It looked like someone was messaging her.

As she took a closer look, Meulin had to stifle a little trill of excitement and good cheer. It was her best friend!

-- theopneustCarnivalation [TC] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] –

TC: HONK
TC: HAIL AND WELL MET, MY MOST INDUSTRIOUS MAGE
TC: PRAY YOU DON'T LET THEM MOTHERFUCKERS AND MOTHERFUCKETTES GET YOU DOWN
TC: THEY BUT PINE FOR WHAT THEY AIN’T GOT
TC: THAT IS HEART, SWEET AND DEEP AS THE WINE DARK SEA :o)
AC: (=｀A’=) < MRROW!!! THANK YOU FOR SAYING SO PURRLOZ! I DID GET A LITTLE FRAZZLED THERE AT THE END... BUT IT’S JUST BECLAWS I FINALLY FELT LIKE I WAS GETTING SOMEWHERE!
AC: (^・ω・^) < IT’S OKAY, I SHALL INSTEAD SINK MY CLAWS INTO THE PREY I HAVE MANAGED TO CATCH... YOU’RE THE LUCKY TROLL I GET TO MAKE MATCHES FOR!!! HOW DOES IT F33L TO BE MY FURRST CUSTOMER?
TC: CURIOUS IN ALL MOTHERFUCKING ADMISSION
TC: AIN’T ONE TO QUESTION THE SAVVY IN SUCH HEARTFELT ENDEAVOURS
TC: BUT SHOULD IT PLEASE THE MOTHERFUCKING CHOIR, THEN SO CHASE THINE ENDLESS BLISS TO CARNIVAL COME
AC: (=^ω^=) < IT DOES MAKE ME HAPPY! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED!!!
TC: HM
TC: PREACH IT BACK TO A MOTHERFUCKER
TC: SOME HELLA INQUIRY DOTH TANTALIZE MY THINKSTEM, IGNORANT ASS BITCH THAT I BE
TC: WHY SERENDIPITY
TC: IF IT IS THY WILL SPEAK ON WHAT THE FRESH SLICED HELL IS UP WITH THAT VERBAGE
AC: (=｀^’=) < HMM! YES, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WERE GOING TO ASK ME ABOUT IT
AC: (^・ω・^) < AND NOW THAT I'M HERE I F33L LIKE I CAN RELEASE SOME INFORMATION TO YOU... IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ALSO K33PING A FEW CHOICE SECRETS TO MYSELF
AC: (=^ω^=) < THEY SHAN'T BE REVEALED UNTIL DUE TIME!!! YOU CAN CALL IT PART OF THE GAME I'M PLAYING
AC: (=^ω^=) < I WANNA S33 WHAT I CAN DO!
TC: PSH AIN'T MATTER NONE, SIS
TC: WE RIDING TO THE END OF THE ALL THINGS WHATEVER WAY TOSSETH THE BATON
TC: INEVITABILITY IS THE WAY AND IT IS THE TRUTH, SO SAYETH OUR SKULLEFACTOR MOST MALEVOLENT
TC: IN THIS, THY SECRETS ARE THINE OWN
TC: IF THEY ARE MEANT TO BE SO
TC: ;o)
AC: (=｀ω’=) < H33 H33, OKAY! GET READY FUR THIS...
AC: (=-ω-=) < I RECEIVED...
AC: (=-ωO=) < A VISION!
AC: (✧∆✧) < I DREAMED I SAW AN ANGEL KINDA LIKE THE ONES YOU SAY COMES TO TELL US ABOUT THE END TIMES... EXCEPT HER MESSAGE WAS DIFFERENT! SHE GAVE ME AN AMAZING QUEST TO SHIP ALL OUR FRIENDS!!! IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < SHE KNEW MY NAME AND MY PURRPOSE; WHEN SHE SAID IT, THE WHOLE THING JUST MADE SENSE!
AC: (^・o・^) < PURRLOZ, I SIMPLY MUST H33D HER WONDERFUR YET MYSTERIOUS CALL... I'M TELLING YOU BECLAWS YOU'RE THE ONLY TROLL WHO WOULD EFUR UNDERSTAND WHAT IT F33LS LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO
AC: (✧∆✧) < I THINK THIS IS MEANT TO BE!
TC: HONK
TC: BEST COLLAR AND CHOKE THAT TRICKSY ASS NOISE
TC: FOR TIS ONE TIGHTROPE YE DARE NOT TUMBLE
TC: IT NEEDN'T BE SAID THAT SHIT'S FUCKING TREACHEROUS FOR US LOWLY MORTAL MOTHERFUCKERS TO UP AND CLAIM KNOWING WHAT IS MEANT TO BE, TAIN’T UP TO US TO DECIDE
TC: SAME VEIN, TAIN'T UP TO ME TO BRING TO RUIN A MISSION FELT SO PURE
TC: GOTTA BE A BONE-A-FIDE MIRACLE FOR OUR LORD WRAPPED UP IN THAT JUNK I FEELS
AC: (=｀x’=) < RIGHT... SORRY
AC: (=｀ω’=) < STILL I AGREE! I THINK THERE’S SOMETHING HERE AND I CAN’T WAIT TO S33 WHAT IT IS!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < OMG WHAT IF YOU HELPED ME? I COULD CERTAINLY USE THE EXTRA PAWS WHEN IT COMES TO FIGURING OUT EFURRYONE’S PAIRS! PLUS... YOU WERE ALWAYS BETTER AT SNIFFING OUT THE BLACKROM SHIPS THAN ME...
AC: (=^ω^=) < ALSO THERE’S NO RULES AGAINST IT SO WHY NOT!
AC: (^・ω・^) < WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
TC: :o)
TC: AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS A FREE CUP O SUGAR MY FRESH VIRIDIAN BITCH
TC: 'COURSE LESS YOU COME FROM A PLANET CHALK FULLA THE SHIT
TC: HONK
TC: MIGHT UP THE STAKES SO TO TEMPT A MOTHERFUCKER
TC: THEN AGAIN COULD BET THAT YA HONKNASTY PIMP RYDA IS IN SO A FINE HUMOR AS TO TOLERATE THE HARSH DISCORDIA WHICH DOTH PLAY FROM THE HEARTS OF OUR TRUSTED BAND OF MERRY MAKERS
TC: BUT PERCHANCES NOT
TC: THEY SUCH DRAMATIC ASS BUNCHA RAKES N HOES
TC: HONK HONK
AC: (=^ω^=) < H33 H33 H33 YES YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT THAT! BUT WE LOVE THE DRAMA!!! IT MAKES FOR THE BEST STORIES!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < IF YOU ASK ME, GETTING TO HANG OUT AND COLLARBORATE ON HELPING OUR FRIENDS UNTANGLE THE ANGUISH IN THEIR BLOODPUSHERS IS THE REWARD BY ITSELF!
AC: (=｀^’=) < BUT I GUESS IF YOU R33LY WANT COMPENSATION...
AC: (=｀ω’=) < MAYBE I CAN OWE YOU A R33LY BIG FAVOR!
TC: HAH
TC: DEAL
TC: SUPPOSE WE SEE HOW DEEP THE MEOWBEAST TUNNEL RUN
TC: COULD BE ALL MAD COUNTS OF WICKED SURPRISES IN THE PIT OF UNKNOWING WHICH DOTH TANTALIZE THE NOSE WHISKER AND CLAWS
TC: BEAR WITNESS SHALL WE THE POWER OFT PAWS OF THY SO CALLED ANGELIC PROPHETESS
TC: MAY WE FIND YET THE SHELTER OF TRUTH SHE DONE OFFER IN THIS STORMFUL SEA OF BLASPHEMIES AND LIES
TC: OR THUS REVEAL THE HERESY FOR WHAT IT IS
TC: HONK :o)
TC: ALL WILL BE WELL MY MAIN MUSE MEULIN
AC: ヾ(*´∇`)ﾉ < YAAAY!!! YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED I PURROMISE!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < NOW ABOUT YOUR SHIPS...
AC: (=｀^’=) < OH. WAIT... THERE’S SOMEONE MESSAGING ME
AC: (=^ω^=) < FLEAS HOLD!
TC: :o?

In the middle of typing her correspondence, Meulin’s view of her screen with Kurloz became obscured by the sudden appearance of a pair of messages, sent to her almost simultaneously. As she clicked through and read each line of text, her eyes widened in surprise.

-- airborneTsundere [AT] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] –

AT: yo, meuz… you gotta m1nute?

-- akibachaAkuma [AA] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] –

AA: WE TALK.
AA: NOW.

Oh boy… She had a feeling it was going to be a very long day.

Chapter Text

-- genetrixArbitrator [GA] began trolling akibachaAkuma [AA] –

GA: Hi.
GA: It o+ccurred to+ me that my co+nsiderable amphibian co+mpany co+uld use so+mething – o+r so+meo+ne - with better co+nversatio+n skills.
GA: If yo+u’re no+t busy, maybe yo+u co+uld do+ me the favo+r o+f interrupting the caco+pho+ny o+f fro+g so+ng. It wo+uld wo+rk wo+nders fo+r my cranial ache.
GA: What do+ yo+u say?
AA: CAN NOT HELP.
AA: IT IS FATE TO BECOME WHELMED BY SONG OF FROG.
AA: TO DIE BY VAST CROAK IS GREATEST MOST BEAUTIFUL OF DREAMS.
AA: SUCCUMB.
AA: PERISH.
AA: DO IT.
GA: Hmm, a lo+aded respo+nse.
GA: And yet, I expected no+thing less.
GA: As tempting as it may be to+ do+n Death’s eternal shro+ud, I am no+t in the habit o+f wearing the same o+utfit o+n two+ separate o+ccasio+ns.
GA: Instead, why do+n’t I pro+po+se so+mething even mo+re radical?
AA: RADICAL.
AA: STRONG DOUBT THIS IS MEANING OF WORD.
AA: SCUTTLEBOARD IDIOTS WHO BELIEVE SICK STUNTS HAVE IMPACT USE SUCH WORD.
AA: RADICAL IS LIKE BANGARANG.
AA: EMPTY EXCLAMATIONS OF EMPTY PISSPAN FOR THINKMATTER.
AA: THIS IS YOU.
AA: ?
GA: Try no+t to+ get ahead o+f yo+urself.
GA: Trust me when I say this is abso+lutely an appro+priate use o+f the wo+rd.
GA: Get this.
GA: We co+uld………. hang o+ut?
GA: Bo+o+m.
GA: Cue the explo+sio+ns.
AA: AH.
AA: I SEE.
AA: BIG BOOM.
AA: THIS HAVE IMPACT.
GA: Yes. I agree.
GA: Yo+u are no+w free to+ cast sto+nes.
AA: UNDERSTAND.
AA: STILL.
AA: CAN NOT HELP.
AA: TIME IS BOONBUCKS.
AA: NO BOONBUCKS TO SPEND TODAY. ON BITCHES.
AA: NO BOOMS.
AA: IT HAS BEEN DECIDED.
GA: Uh huh. And I’m go+ing to+ assume yo+u mean ‘bitches’ affectio+nately and no+t dero+gato+rily.
AA: YES.
GA: Funny.
GA: Reminds me again. Who+ decided all o+f this?
AA: IT IS I.
AA: FOR NOW.
AA: LATER. SOMEONE ELSE.
AA: TIME ABSOLUTE.
AA: MOSTLY.
GA: Sigh.
GA: I can understand the appeal o+f sticking to+ a strict set o+f rules, especially when it pertains to+ yo+ur specific area o+f expertise. Ho+wever, I must admit that I am a little disappo+inted.
GA: I was lo+o+king fo+rward to+ hanging o+ut. Didn’t we agree that yo+u wo+uld find time to+ co+me o+ver again?
GA: There are a few tatto+o+ drawings that I wo+uld like to+ sho+w yo+u. I think yo+u wo+uld appreciate them.
AA: LATER.
GA: So+mething o+n yo+ur mind?
AA: NO.
GA: O+kay…
GA: So+rry. Am I being a pest? That isn’t my intentio+n.
GA: I ho+pe I’m no+t being presumptuo+us.
AA: NO PEST.
AA: IS FINE.
AA: WHY PRESUME.
GA: I just think it wo+uld do+ yo+u so+me go+o+d to+ co+me o+ut o+f iso+latio+n every no+w and again. Still, I can empathize with the reluctance to+ to+lerate the abrasive antics o+f o+ur friends.
GA: They can really be a handful so+metimes.
AA: TCH.
AA: DOES NOT MATTER.
AA: THEY ARE HANDLED.
AA: AS AM I.
GA: O+h.
GA: I do+n’t mean to+ say yo+u are abrasive… But truth be to+ld, yo+u are fully capable o+f it.
GA: Just like no+w.
AA: YES.
GA: At the same time, things are no+t as bad as they seem. Despite the rumo+rs, yo+u are capable o+f decency and engaging in co+mpelling co+nversatio+n.
GA: It’s almo+st as if there is mo+re to+ us than just o+ur vices. Do+n’t yo+u agree?
AA: NO.
AA: EVERYONE IS ALL VICES.
AA: ALL TIME.
AA: THIS CANNOT CHANGE.
GA: Ho+w so+?
GA: Is it that yo+u do+n’t think o+ur friends are capable o+f it o+r is this perhaps an o+mino+us predictio+n o+f a truth that has yet to+ reveal itself?
GA: Either way, it’s interesting.
AA: BOTH.
GA: I’m no+t surprised. I get the feeling that o+ut o+f everyo+ne, yo+u have been dealt o+ne o+f the wo+rst hands by circumstance.
GA: No+t to+ draw co+mpariso+ns, o+f co+urse… I just think abo+ut it so+metimes.
AA: HAVE NO USE FOR PITY.
AA: THIS IS LIFE.
AA: IT IS. AS IS.
AA: MINE. ALONE.
GA: It’s no+t pity, yo+u kno+w. Just sympathy.
GA: We can talk abo+ut it if yo+u like. The o+ffer still stands.
AA: HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.
AA: PASS.
GA: Fine, fine. I just tho+ught I’d o+ffer again.
GA: Sho+uld I ask what has yo+u so+ o+ccupied?
AA: AH.
AA: SUCH MEDDLING.
AA: MANY QUESTION.
AA: SO FUSS.
GA: Yes, I kno+w.
GA: It’s a vice. I have been to+ld as much.
AA: YES.
AA: AGREE.
AA: OKAY. THIS.
-- [AA] sent a file: HUGE_ROUND_KYAA.jpeg –
GA: …
GA: This is certainly a specific use o+f yo+ur time.
GA: I’m impressed.
AA: YES.
AA: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
AA: NOW. YOU ARE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL.
GA: It’s beginning to+ feel that way, yes.
GA: So+… what is this exactly? Who+ is this?
AA: DRAGON ORB X OC.
AA: TRADING OF ART.
AA: GIFT FOR MITUNA.
GA: I see… well, it’s creative. I’ll give yo+u that.
GA: But why the handheld o+xygenatio+n device? Is that fo+r pumping air into+ the character?
GA: Is it a jo+ke?
AA: NO.
AA: KINK SHIT.
AA: OBVIOUS.
GA: I co+uld gather as much. I’m almo+st so+rry I asked.
AA: YES.
AA: DO NOT BE COY.
AA: CAPTOR KINK SHIT IS NO SURPRISE.
AA: TO YOU.
GA: Well, that is true.
GA: He and Latula are… very vo+cal abo+ut their desires, to+ say the least. Altho+ugh, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a handheld o+xygenatio+n device in their respiteblo+ck befo+re.
GA: Sho+uld I suggest it the next time I receive an invitatio+n?
AA: YES.
AA: THEN SHARE DETAIL.
AA: WILL RENDER BEAUTIFUL INFLATED NIGHT IN ART.
AA: LOVELY BALLOONS WHICH TOUCH CEILING.
AA: AND.
AA: EACH OTHER.
AA: AH. PERFECTION.
AA: THIS I DO.
GA: She’s no+t go+ing to+ like it, yo+u kno+w.
AA: ?
GA: That yo+u are talking with Mituna. While she may no+t mind the art exchanges… Latula has her reaso+ns to+ be pro+tective o+f him.
GA: No+t that I’m o+ne to+ judge, o+f co+urse… I’m just co+ncerned.
AA: WHY CONCERN.
GA: Well… yo+u tend to+ let co+nflicts escalate.
AA: YES.
AA: TRUE.
GA: Please understand. I mentio+n it because I have a specific vested interest in any po+tential develo+pments between yo+u and Latula. Especially tho+se that might invo+lve unnecessary physical and/o+r psycho+lo+gical harm.
GA: It wo+uld just be hard to+ pick a side in that scenario+. I’m no+t sure that I co+uld.
GA: Do+ yo+u see my predicament?
AA: NOT ESCALATE.
AA: TUTU SAN NOT FIND OUT.
AA: PROMISE.
AA: ALSO.
AA: NOT INTERESTED.
AA: STUPID REASON.
AA: FOR STRIFE.
GA: I’m glad yo+u agree. And I’ve never kno+wn yo+u to+ break a pro+mise, so+… I trust yo+u.
GA: It is nice to+ see yo+u indulging in so+me creative pursuits. I guess the fact that it is fetish art is just a bo+nus. A raunchy, raunchy bo+nus.
AA: YES.
AA: BIG BONUS.
AA: SOUND OF ENVY.
GA: Hm. Yes, I suppo+se I’m a little envio+us o+f yo+ur ability to+ render such ero+ticism to+ paper.
GA: It just lo+o+ks fun. Silly, even. In a go+o+d way.
AA: YOU WISH FOR TRADE.
AA: ?
AA: CAN DO THIS.
GA: If I can think o+f so+mething to+ suggest, sure. I’d lo+ve to+ receive my very o+wn piece o+f ero+tic art.
GA: Do+ I need to+ pick the subject matter?
AA: NOT ALWAYS.
AA: CAN BE SURPRISE.
GA: I do+ like surprises.
GA: When were yo+u go+ing to+ tell me that yo+u knew as much?
AA: WHEN OPPORTUNITY ARRIVE.
AA: IT IS NOW.
AA: IT IS TIME.
GA: Well, yo+u are the artist and the expert o+n timing. Yo+u kno+w best.
GA: Can I get a hint?
AA: NO.
GA: Shame.
GA: Then I suppo+se I sho+uld wo+rk o+n what I’m go+ing to+ give yo+u in return.
GA: It is an exchange o+f art, isn’t it? It’s o+nly fair that I do+ my due diligence.
AA: HM.
AA: YES.
AA: THIS TRUE.
GA: Damn. No+w I’m excited. Dare I say, inspired.
GA: Wo+uld yo+u like a hint?
AA: …
AA: NO.
AA: DO NOT GIVE HINT.
AA: WISH FOR.
AA: SURPRISE.
GA: In that case, my fanged wo+rdlo+bes are sealed.
GA: Do+ yo+u like surprises to+o+?
AA: HEH.
AA: MAYBE.
AA: IT POSSIBLE.
AA: MYSTERY…
AA: TO NOT KNOW.
AA: FOR CERTAIN.
AA: IS NICE.
AA: SOME. TIMES.
GA: O+kay. I will keep that in mind.
GA: Yo+u kno+w what? This is fun as far as distractio+ns go+.
AA: YES.
AA: UNDO.
AA: FRUSTRATION.
AA: WE PRACTICE WELL.
AA: THIS FEELING.
GA: Ho+w do+ yo+u mean?
AA: TODAY.
AA: MEMO.
AA: KANKRI.
AA: 欲求不満. [ Frustration. ]
AA: REAL SHIT.
GA: Ugh. Do+n’t remind me o+f that mess.
GA: Ho+w he has the nerve to+ talk to+ me like that after everything we’ve been thro+ugh to+gether… and in public? Just who+ do+es he think he is??
AA: INSUFFERABLE PRICK.
AA: THIS TYPE.
AA: FAMILIAR.
GA: Kankri Vantas is many things. An insufferable prick is o+ne o+f the milder things I’ve heard peo+ple call him.
GA: Yo+u kno+w what the wo+rst part is?
GA: Even no+w when I kno+w I’m justified in my anger, I can’t find it in myself to+ really let him have it. I just start picturing his scrunched up, self-righteo+us little face and I just…
GA: Sigh.
GA: The fury just drains away.
GA: Serio+usly. What is wro+ng with me?
AA: FOOLISH QUESTION.
AA: YOU KNOW.
AA: ANSWER.
GA: If yo+u co+uld humo+r me fo+r a mo+ment, let’s play in a space where I do+n’t kno+w. Igno+rance is bliss as far as I’m co+ncerned.
GA: Is there harm to+ giving a name to+ the afflictio+n?
AA: YES.
AA: MUCH HARM.
AA: I HAVE SEEN THIS.
AA: STEMCLUSTERS RAZE.
AA: OCEANS RISE.
AA: EMPIRES FALL.
AA: ENDLESS PAIN.
GA: Melo+drama aside… I’d appreciate it if yo+u were as brutally ho+nest as po+ssible.
GA: I ho+nestly wish mo+re peo+ple were.
AA: PITY.
AA: WEAKNESS OF PUSHER.
AA: OLD TALE.
AA: LIKE TIME.
AA: IT IS VICE.
AA: LIKE SAID BEFORE.
AA: CANNOT CHANGE.
GA: Sigh. This again.
GA: O+kay.
GA: While I appreciate the attempt at o+bservatio+n and the fact that yo+u’re engaging with me abo+ut this at all… I do+n’t see the use o+f subscribing to+ the traditio+nal applicatio+n o+f ‘pity’.
GA: It co+mes with a pretty specific so+cial co+nno+tatio+n, do+esn’t it?
GA: I wo+uld go+ as far as to+ describe that co+nno+tatio+n as negative because it implies that I have so+me kind o+f unspo+ken advantage that permits me to+ lo+o+k do+wn o+n him.
GA: Kankri is difficult, it’s true. But he is also+ impo+rtant to+ me.
GA: Despite ho+w much he lectures o+r whatever po+ssesses him to+ have such a po+o+r taste in dresswear… I care fo+r him. I do+n’t co+nnect with Kankri because o+f his misfo+rtunes o+r the circumstances o+f his blo+o+d co+lo+r.
GA: I do+n’t want to+ ‘fix’ him. I think after the co+ntext supplemented after a lifetime o+f friendship, he deserves better fro+m himself and the peo+ple aro+und him.
GA: I just… wish that he trusted my intentio+ns, that’s all.
GA: Anyway, it’s an unfair o+versimplificatio+n to+ label the emo+tio+nal baggage as pity when the ro+o+t o+f the feelings co+me fro+m so+mething much deeper. It co+mes fro+m gro+wing up with so+meo+ne who+ lo+o+ked to+ yo+u fo+r answers… o+nly fo+r yo+u to+ co+me up sho+rt.
GA: These no+tio+ns abo+ut pity are archaic and belo+ng to+ a so+ciety that no+ lo+nger exists. I am also+ no+t interested in perpetuating language which has histo+rically been used to+ keep peo+ple divided.
GA: In fact, if anyo+ne co+uld understand the nuances o+f having a wrigglerho+o+d friend and ho+w co+mplicated it can beco+me when yo+u bo+th grew up, it wo+uld be yo+u.
AA: NO.
AA: DISAGREE.
GA: O+h? Enlighten me.
GA: Which part do+ yo+u disagree with exactly?
AA: WRIGGLERHOOD FRIENDS.
AA: DISAGREE.
GA: Curio+us.
GA: Do+ go+ o+n.
AA: TIME PUT INTO FRIENDSHIP.
AA: YEARS.
AA: MONTHS.
AA: DAYS.
AA: HOURS.
AA: MINUTES.
AA: SECONDS.
AA: THIS MEAN LOYALTY.
AA: CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN.
AA: LOYALTY MEAN.
AA: SERVING.
AA: UNTIL DEATH.
AA: BEYOND DEATH.
AA: FIRE OF BLOODPUSHER.
AA: MAKE ECHO OF SOUL.
AA: FOREVER.
AA: TO HATE.
AA: TO GRIEVE.
AA: THIS IS BURDEN ACCEPTED.
AA: PRICE TO PAY.
AA: FOR UNDYING LOVE.
AA: TO BURN ALIVE.
AA: IS TO FEEL TRUTH.
AA: THIS IS PAIN.
AA: THIS IS FEAR.
AA: ONE WHO SEE FIRE.
AA: AND STAYS.
AA: NO FEAR.
AA: THIS IS REAL MOTHERFUCKER.
AA: THIS ONE.
AA: WORTHY.
AA: OF SACRIFICE.
GA: Right… and fo+r the sake o+f having a deep admiratio+n and respect fo+r yo+ur intensity, let’s say that I hear where yo+u’re co+ming fro+m.
GA: When the last hypo+thetical sacrifice is made and we have no+thing mo+re to+ o+ffer, where do+es that leave us in the eyes o+f the o+ne we did it fo+r? Fo+rgo+tten and left to+ ro+t in the rain like a discarded playhive do+ll?
GA: It’s hard to+ ro+manticize that kind o+f thing. What purpo+se do+es it serve?
AA: I SPEAK TRUTH.
AA: THIS IS ROLE.
AA: OF FORSAKEN LOVER.
AA: STUDIED TRADITION.
AA: OF LONELY, REJECTED FEMALES.
AA: HATCHED THIS WAY.
AA: WE KNOW THIS.
AA: CANNOT DENY.
GA: Ugh.
GA: Wo+w. What a way to+ wo+rd an utterly revo+lting co+ncept.
AA: THIS SURPRISE.
AA: ?
GA: Surprised?
GA: No+.
GA: I’m infuriated.
AA: YES.
AA: !
AA: ANGER.
AA: GOOD.
AA: WITH RAGE.
AA: SHIT GET DONE.
GA: Except fo+r the part where I do+n’t subscribe to+ any o+f this.
AA: HAH.
AA: DEFIANT.
AA: THIS.
AA: I ADMIRE.
AA: WHY.
GA: I resent the implicatio+n that I am do+o+med to+ suffer fo+r my attachments to+ peo+ple.
GA: Yo+u kno+w, when I asked fo+r brutal ho+nesty, I wasn't expecting this lo+w a blo+w.
AA: HURTS.
AA: BECAUSE TRUE.
AA: TRUTH IS PAIN.
AA: BUT IT REAL.
AA: LEARN THIS.
AA: NEVER BE DECEIVED AGAIN.
GA: Actually, I'm go+ing to+ have to+ ask yo+u to+ take a step back.
GA: This isn't a mo+ment to+ vindicate yo+ur life's philo+so+phy.
GA: There are just so+me lines that sho+uld no+t be cro+ssed. Do+ yo+u understand?
AA: OK.
AA: EXPLAIN.
GA: The no+tio+n that my lo+neliness is caused by Kankri’s resentment fo+r my ‘female ro+le’ is incredibly upsetting to+ my wo+rldview. I do+n’t think I need to+ explain why.
AA: WHY.
AA: TELL.
GA: It’s to+o+ sensitive an issue to+ get into+ right no+w.
GA: Listen, I like yo+u... a lo+t.
GA: I really want to+ get to+ kno+w yo+u better, Damara.
GA: After all these sweeps o+f trying to+ help yo+u navigate dreadful interperso+nal turmo+il, are we no+t friends?
AA: ...YES.
AA: WE ARE.
AA: FRIENDS.
GA: Go+o+d. At the end o+f the night, I want to+ feel like there is no+thing we can't talk abo+ut.
GA: We all have o+ur difficulties and co+ntrasts o+f perso+nality. I get it.
AA: DIFFICULT.
AA: YES.
AA: BUT IF NOT TRUE.
AA: THEN WHY UPSET.
GA: Claiming that it’s just ho+nesty isn’t an excuse to+ shit all o+ver my feelings when I’m trying to+ speak with yo+u in co+nfidence!
GA: That's just...
GA: Sigh.
GA: I used to+ feel the same way, yo+u kno+w? I was so+ angry at the wo+rld and the lo+t I was dealt by the Empire. I'm no+t pro+ud o+f the perso+n I was no+r am I pro+ud o+f the way I let things fall to+ ruin because I was so+ co+nvinced there wasn’t a po+int in caring.
GA: Luckily, that time is o+ver. I’m o+lder no+w. I can cho+o+se to+ be better.
GA: We can always cho+o+se.
GA: If yo+u ask me, we do+ o+urselves such an injustice harming o+ne ano+ther instead o+f using o+ur energies to+ lift each o+ther o+ut o+f the gutter.
GA: I'm no+t asking fo+r change... just an o+unce o+f co+nsideratio+n. Is that unreaso+nable?
AA: HM.
AA: WILL THINK.
AA: ON THIS.
AA: BUT KNOW ALSO.
AA: IT DOES NOT MATTER.
AA: NOTHING MATTER.
GA: Yes, I see that. Yo+u o+ften make yo+ur perspective abundantly clear.
GA: If that is all I'm deserving o+f, well... that's it, I guess. No+thing to+ be do+ne abo+ut it.
AA: WHY SAY THIS.
AA: I DO NOT PRETEND.
AA: I DO NOT LIE.
AA: CANNOT ASK TO SPEAK.
AA: IF DO NOT WISH TO HEAR.
AA: SUCH BULLSHIT.
GA: What else wo+uld yo+u have me say abo+ut it?
GA: I think I’m tired o+f paying fo+r the grievances caused by o+ther peo+ple.
GA: It's frustrating. I want it to+ be different.
AA: NO SUCH THING.
GA: Well, this co+nversatio+n isn't go+ing anywhere.
GA: I do+n't anticipate changing yo+ur mind. It do+esn't seem po+ssible.
GA: That do+esn't mean I do+n't want to+ see yo+u. I'd still like fo+r yo+u to+ find time to+ co+me o+ver. I really value yo+ur co+mpany.
AA: …
GA: Fo+r all the do+o+m and glo+o+m, we can still have fun, can't we? Are shenanigans still allo+wed under the metric o+f time-space co+ntinuum?
AA: ...YES.
AA: ALWAYS TIME.
AA: FOR SHENANIGAN.
GA: Go+o+d. Thank yo+u.
GA: That's so+mething.
GA: Let's talk later.
GA: I have so+me things to+ think abo+ut.
AA: OK.
AA: GOODBYE.

-- genetrixArbitrator [GA] ceased trolling akibachaAkuma [AA] –

The husktop stayed open long after the conversation was over. The melancholic music sung by an East Beforan artist felt appropriate as Damara tapped the simmering tip of her cigarette into one of her alchemized ashtrays. This one in particular resembled the color and shape of a strawberry. She watched the cinders fall from her cigarette and down onto the glossy finish of the plate. Cute.

The observation was purpose enough for Damara to take the ceramic in her hand and belt it across the room. It cracked against the wall, splitting perfectly into two pieces which then broke even further against the floorboards. But it wasn't enough. Soon, anything within reach was being launched through the air. A frustrated scream peeled up from her throat as finally, she smashed her husktop right into the coffee table in front of her. It exploded in a satisfying shower of biotech fluids and hardware, filling the air with the faint metallic scent of broken circuitry.

The music stopped. It took a moment for Damara to realize that the ringing in her ears had not. Pressing her fingers to her temple, the ethereal static began to sound more like voices. It was the voices of the dead. More specifically, they were the voices of herself - the countless versions of Damara that floated dead, ghostly, and aimless through the void.

Yet without an anchor to the material world, the voices were nothing more than pestilent static. Damara extended her energy onto the spirits, bringing them to possess the adorable Plushumon which lay in vast heaps all throughout her block. The beady black eyes of the stuffed marshmallow-hybrid monsters turned a malicious white. The voices of the deceased spoke muffled through the stitched mouths in an unsettling way.

CUNNING FOX OF A MAIDEN, SHE DISARMS YOU WITH HER WORDS. YET YOU ADMIRE HER DEFIANCE. YOU PAUSE. THIS IS UNBECOMING. HER FATE IS BEYOND YOUR REACH.

Damara scoffed, breathing out the smoke between her teeth as she did so. Where the ghostly whispers projected into her mind, her response was audible.

DAMARA: SHE IS PISSED OFF AT ME.
DAMARA: NOTHING NEW.
DAMARA: HERE'S A SUGGESTION - LET ME THINK WITHOUT THE WRITHING OF HISSBEASTS IN MY HEARING DUCTS.
DAMARA: I HAVE ALREADY DECIDED WHAT TO DO.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

She made a point of taking a long drag before offering a reply.

DAMARA: SHE IS MY FRIEND.
DAMARA: WHEN IT IS OVER, SHE WILL SUFFER THE LEAST PAIN.
DAMARA: THIS IS MY GIFT.
DAMARA: THE MERCY OF A SWIFT AND PAINLESS DEATH.
DAMARA: LORD OF TIME CAN EAT MY ASS.

The eyes of the plushies flash red with affirmation.

THIS IS GENEROUS. WE APPROVE. HOW LUCKY SHE IS TO HAVE SUCH A FRIEND. THE REST ARE NOT SO DESERVING.

Damara chuckled to herself, a dark and dry sound.

LIAR.

The wry smile faded from Damara’s face as a single word floated above the rest. This voice was smaller but closer, as if whispering directly into her hearing duct. Her response came like a reflex, one that she regretted asking immediately.

DAMARA: WHAT DO I LIE ABOUT?

There was no point to such a question. Why did she ask it? The voice pressed a short reply.

YOU LIE ABOUT BEING A GOOD FRIEND. YOU ARE A DEMON. DEMONS DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS. YOU LIE BETWEEN YOUR FLAT, UGLY TEETH. YOU ONLY CORRUPT. YOU ONLY DESTROY. YOUR VERY TOUCH FESTERS THE LIVING. JUST LIKE THE ONE WHO HUNTS YOU.

Damara’s anger surged up again, white hot and crackling through the very air with psychic energy. The collection of Plushumon around trembled as she swept her sharp gaze over them. With the motion of reaching out with an invisible hand, she gripped one of the stuffed creatures and floated it at eye level.

The Plushumon’s eyes glowed with a reddish power, fueled by energy that was not her own. They stared each other down, the air charged and electric. They seemed to wait for the other to act first.

Damara spoke, her voice a deadly whisper in return.

DAMARA: WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU ARE ALREADY DEAD.
DAMARA: THIS IS THE MERCY I HAVE GRANTED YOU.
DAMARA: DO NOT BE SO FUCKING UNGRATEFUL.

The toy’s blank eyes glowed bright as a pair of hot coals full of fury. The psychic field pulsing from the plush seemed to grow more pronounced, almost burning hot against Damara’s face. She wanted to feel it burn but no such reprieve could be felt. The other voices of the deceased hissed their reproach.

YES. THIS IS WHAT I WOULD CALL MERCY. I WOULD RATHER BE DEAD A THOUSAND TIMES OVER THAN BE YOU. THE BITCH SLAVEWHORE OF A DEMON LORD.

DAMARA: shut up.

YOUR HANDS ARE BLACK WITH THE BLOOD OF WORLDS, FUTURE AND PAST.

DAMARA: SHUT UP.

EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER LIVED WILL DIE BY YOUR HAND. NO. I WILL NEVER SHUT UP. I WILL NEVER STOP TRYING TO BE FREE! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT!!!

DAMARA: I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

As Damara’s scream split the air, the force of her psychics ripped the head and limbs off of Plushumon. It dropped to the floor to join the mess of destruction littered around her respiteblock. Without an anchor, the energy possessing the doll dissipated. For one foreboding moment, the room was silent.

Then the silence was shattered.

Powerful psionic energy suddenly swelled like a crescendo and knocked the wind out of Damara’s chest. She staggered back, feeling the air burn hot in her lungs. Spectral energy crackled all around like lightning, effectively blinding her. A sourceless scream filled her thinkpan and drowned out all the other voices. No other sound could penetrate her hearing ducts. Instinctively, she pulled a pair of bone bleached wands from her sylladex, ready to face off with the source of the psions.

A pendent broke free of her sylladex, scattering the contents of Damara’s mortal possessions in wild disarray. It suspended itself in the air by pure psychic force for a moment before– CRACK!

The air was split and a figure enshrined in light burst free. Damara glowered up at a familiar face. It was herself, a semi-corporeal version of Damara as she was when she first entered the game, many sweeps ago. The color was drained from the young troll’s childlike face, replaced with a red translucent light. She was a sprite, trapped in the perpetual physical and mental state of a six-sweep old.

And, she was furious.

DAMARASPRITE: YOU WILL KEEP ME PRISONER NO LONGER!
DAMARASPRITE: I /WILL/ BE FREE AND I /WILL/ HAVE MY REVENGE AGAINST THOSE WHO WRONGED ME!
DAMARASPRITE: I DESERVE MY REVENGE!!!

Damara’s mouth twisted into an unpleasant shape as the young sprite split her hearing ducts. A bile curdled in her digestive sac at the very sight of her. Her fists clenched tighter around her wands, holding them aloft in a threatening display.

DAMARA: RETURN TO THE PENDANT, SPRITE. I WILL NOT TELL YOU AGAIN.

The sprite mirrored the rising of Damara’s wands by gathering beams of burning light in the palms of her hands.

DAMARASPRITE: NEVER! YOU WILL HAVE TO KILL ME FIRST!!
DAMARASPRITE: I WILL BE YOUR PRISONER NO LONGER!!!

Damara’s eyes flared with a pale energy, filling her trollish yellow sclera until they were blank and cold as porcelain.

DAMARA: SO BE IT.

Power coursed from within, drawn from a source Damara could sense behind her ocular orbs. A white-hot light exploded from the tips of her wands, snaking instantaneously through the air like tendrils of lightning. She drew her weapons sharp and precise as assassin’s knives, slicing at Damarasprite’s thin, ghostly form. The walls began to crack and give way to the open air behind her.

A shield of light flashed upwards to protect Damarasprite from the worst of the attack yet branches of lightning still whipped painfully along her forearms. The sprite did not wince as her translucent flesh began to burn. She merely choked back a scream and surged backwards, drawing up psychic energy to strike at her prison warden.

Time slowed down around Damara as she used psionics to bend the energy at her will. It scattered like water vapor in the air. Damarasprite had no time to react as Damara flew forward and disappeared– appearing behind her again in a flash of light. She then felt the sensation of the air splitting from her lungs as Damara drove the needle-like wands through the flesh of her shoulder blades. They twisted in her hand and drew back in a splattering of glowing, maroon-colored blood. Damarasprite fell forward, clutching at her chest as the blood began to fill her lungs from the fresh-made wounds in her back. She was dying again.

Damara hovered above her, malice hardening every visible edge of her expression.

DAMARA: DO YOU NOT YET UNDERSTAND.
DAMARA: YOU WERE ORCHESTRATED TO FAIL.
DAMARA: AND FAIL YOU DID.
DAMARA: YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR PURPOSE.
DAMARA: YOUR TIME HAS PASSED.
DAMARA: YOUR EXISTENCE IS BORROWED.
DAMARA: YOU LIVE AS YOU DO NOW.
DAMARA: ONLY AS A FAVOR TO A FRIEND.

The taste of metal flooded the sprite’s mouth, surging up from her throat. The energy of a thousand howling spirits surged in the periphery of her vision. She fixed Damara with a look of pure hatred. The words gurgled out into the air, making a mess of blood down her front, her hands, the floor.

DAMARASPRITE: THEN… DO IT…
DAMARASPRITE: FINISH… THE FAVOR…
DAMARASPRITE: KILL… ME…
DAMARASPRITE: SET ME… FREE…

At her garbled words, Damara’s wands lowered just a fraction. The child-sprite was cowed before her, choking on her own blood. Cold eyes raked over the narrow shape of her shoulders, the thin, poor quality of her hair, and the juvenile, almost endearing swirl of her horns. It was difficult to believe she was ever this small… or so willful.

She did not miss the sprite’s small hand curl quietly over a prominent shard of window glass. Whether the sprite meant it for the enemy looming overhead or herself, it was not clear. In the utter destruction of her respriteblock, the barest lift of a smile curled at the edge of Damara’s mouth.

She raised her wands again.

DAMARA: AS YOU WISH.

Whatever might have happened next was over before even a single breath was taken by either of the warring trolls. At first, Damara had thought that somehow, Damarasprite had willed the might of a burning star right in the center of their room. A combination of heat, light, and incredible psionic energy blasted the two trolls -the walls - the world apart. So powerful was the force that it shattered the psychic field maintained from deep within her mind. She was powerless in a way she had never felt before.

Yet, rather than be flung and burnt alive in the air, Damara and Damarasprite froze. Time itself froze.

Flash.

FLASH.

FLASH.

It was the sensation of her bloodpusher skipping backwards, the old breath receding into her lungs and expelling out in pure oxygen again. It was the feeling of her feet touching the ground as if she had never taken off in the first place. Her limbs moved

against their will. It was the backwards dance of a puppeteer effortlessly yanking the strings of her fate until she could blink again, lying in a heap of Plushumon.

All around her, the room was back in order. Nothing was broken. Everything was clean again. Her rampage never happened. In fact, Damarasprite lay to the opposite side of her, unblemished and healed and looking utterly reproachful. She suddenly realized they were not alone.

A third figure hovered in the center of the room. Resplendent light and sparkles still clung to the edges of her holy raiment. Delicate, translucent wings fanned out behind her with a faint buzzing sound. The aftereffect of a turning clock still lingered within her fingers. A sharp look was fixed over her shoulder, meeting Damara’s eyes directly as if to hold her in place.

For a moment, the air was heavy with shock and meaning as the Witch of Time looked upon herself and each other - past, present, and future. It was Alpha Damara that broke the ice with a duct-splitting shriek.

DAMARA: WHAT.
DAMARA: THE.
DAMARA: FUCK???

She tried to move but it felt as if her limbs were made of dense, heated lead. The immense presence of the time goddess’s psychics was enough to hold her in place. By the cool look she was casting over her shoulder, it might have taken all of the mental effort of lifting a single pinky finger. Even the voices of the deceased were silenced. Damara began to struggle but found that she could only grit her teeth.

DAMARA: FUCKING– OFFSHOOT! DAMARA: WHERE DID– DAMARA: WHAT IS IT YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING??

The godtier Damara said nothing to address Damara’s demands for an explanation, only turning to face Damarasprite. The sprite’s eyes were darting around, looking for a means to escape but found none. She curled her lip up at the winged troll, watching as magic clung to every fiber of her heavenly pajama skirts. Damarasprite was no longer screaming or bleeding but her voice still sounded small, even determined.

DAMARASPRITE: HERE TO KILL US? SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG IN FUTURE?
DAMARASPRITE: GOOD.
DAMARASPRITE: BURN THIS TIMELINE.
DAMARASPRITE: MAKE THE ONCE-ALPHA BITCH STOP HER HOWLING.
DAMARASPRITE: BUT FIRST.
DAMARASPRITE: I HAVE MY REVENGE.

Stop treating this as if it’s a negotiation. She has damned us all! Damara wanted to rage and felt her will mounting and struggling against the psychic field generated from the other troll. However, her psionics would not come to her. They were disabled, for a time it would seem. The Witch lowered her hands, keeping her palms out and facing Damarasprite. There were no wands or weapon needles in sight. She merely spoke, her voice soft as the grave as she addressed the child-ghost.

GODTIER!DAMARA: THIS TIMELINE WILL NOT BURN.
GODTIER!DAMARA: I AM HERE TO GRANT YOU THE CHANCE FOR YOUR REVENGE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: TAKE ACTION NOW OR MISS THE OPPORTUNITY FOREVER.

From the crest of her forehead came a mote of light, flashing before taking form. The clumpy, familiar shape of a crystal and clockwork artifact took form and set before Damarasprite. Like water to steam when brought to flame, the sprite’s mistrust turned to shock. It was a shot, a real shot at revenge and she was savvy enough to know it would not be offered twice. Behind them, Damara’s anger burned even hotter.

DAMARA: THE FUCKING METRONOMES??
DAMARA: YOU CANNOT–

The Witch shot a look over at Damara again, cutting through her words with the serrated edge of her own.

GODTIER!DAMARA: I WILL. IT IS DONE.

Damarasprite’s hands were fixed upon the controls of the crystal metronomes. If a living bloodpusher were still in her chest, it would be thudding like a wild wingbeast in the cage. Hesitating, she met the gaze of the Witch one last time. She seemed to wait for the needles to fly and slice open her throat. Surely, a bid for freedom was as certain as a parlay with death. What did she think of death anyway? This suspended version of Damara did not truly know such abyss yet. Once, she came close. The old knife wound in her back was proof.

The immortal fairy troll looked down at her, infinite and infallible.

GODTIER!DAMARA: GO.
GODTIER!DAMARA: TAKE FLIGHT.
GODTIER!DAMARA: AND DO NOT LOOK BACK.

In the blink of an eye and leaving only the afterimage of her small glowing shape, Damarasprite was gone.

Damara felt the fine muscles in her shoulders tear from the effort of trying to do more than scream.

DAMARA: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???

The question did not seem to warrant an answer from the other troll. In fact, the sprite’s escape was paired smoothly with the release of psychics on Damara herself.

It was near instantaneously that the moment she was free, Damara unleashed the cracking whip of her fury upon the Witch of Time. Objects flew telekinetically across the room - books, needles, scissors, knives - any manner of item that was capable of weight and suspension through space was being flung. Her psychic energy flowed out in furious waves, shattering the windows and breaking through the concrete and bricks holding her hive together. She would topple this entire building on the witch-troll if she must.

Her alternate self didn’t seem perturbed by the events unfolding around her.

GODTIER!DAMARA: YOU ARE WASTING YOUR BREATH.

Time magic shimmered like a shield around the fairy troll. As Damara tried to pelt her with glass and the objects within reach, they simply blinked out of existence the moment they touched the shield. With every delicate beat of her wings, the objects were placed perfectly back in the places they had been taken from. Damara could not touch her.

That did not mean she wasn’t going to die trying.

Damara began to strain again, feeling a stream of blood begin to trickle from her nostril with the effort of her psionics trying to overcome the Witch of Time’s magic. Her words were delivered through gritted teeth.

DAMARA: I MUST…
DAMARA: DESTROY YOU…
DAMARA: THEN… I DESTROY MYSELF…

The Witch’s response was curt.

GODTIER!DAMARA: THIS IS NO LONGER THE WAY OF THINGS.
GODTIER!DAMARA: I AM IN CONTROL.
GODTIER!DAMARA: NOW.
GODTIER!DAMARA: ALWAYS.
GODTIER!DAMARA: AND FOREVER.
GODTIER!DAMARA: THE CYCLE OF DESTRUCTION IS MINE TO WIELD AS I SEE FIT.

She snapped her fingers. In an instant, Damara was bent to her knees, gasping with the muscular strain of having just run a twelve-hour marathon. Spasms tore throughout her body and her hair was damp with sweat. Her psionics were so spent, they sparked feebly over the knuckles of her fingers. Yet it was the same moment as before. The very same one that it had been right after she had ended the conversation with Porrim.

The winged Damara continued to hover before her, unmoved and endlessly patient.

GODTIER!DAMARA: ARE YOU DONE?

Damara’s voice was hoarse, her vocal cords torn from having screamed for so many condensed hours on end.

DAMARA: WHEN I AM FREE… /cough/ WHEN I ESCAPE…

The Witch answered as if she expected Damara’s words.

GODTIER!DAMARA: YOU WILL DESTROY ME. I UNDERSTAND.
GODTIER!DAMARA: WHEN YOU ARE READY TO LISTEN, THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT THE QUEST TO DESTROY ME IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM HERE TO HELP YOU WITH.
GODTIER!DAMARA: AND SO. I ASK YOU AGAIN.
GODTIER!DAMARA: ARE YOU READY TO TALK?

Damara’s response was a low hiss, full of malice.

DAMARA: TO HELL WITH YOUR OFFER FOR MAGICAL QUEST.
DAMARA: IT WILL NOT MATTER WHEN I AM DEAD.
DAMARA: PARADOX SPACE WILL RIGHT ITSELF. WHERE I HAVE FAILED.
GODTIER!DAMARA: THIS IS TRUE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: IN THE INSTANT THAT YOU SUCCEED IN DESTROYING YOURSELF, THERE IS LIKEWISE AN INSTANCE WHERE YOU HAVE STOPPED AND LISTENED TO WHAT IT IS THAT I HAVE TO SAY.
GODTIER!DAMARA: THIS ACTION, EVEN SLIGHT, IS THE FIRST OF A SYMPHONY OF ACTIONS WHICH LEAD TO THE CREATION OF ME.
GODTIER!DAMARA: DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND YET?
GODTIER!DAMARA: I WILL EXIST LONG AFTER YOU HAVE EXHAUSTED EVERY POSSIBILITY OF STRIKING ME FROM THE TIMELINE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: YOUR PURPOSE THEN BECOMES THIS - YOU MUST INVESTIGATE THE EVENTS WHICH LEAD TO MY CREATION.
GODTIER!DAMARA: EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW I BECOME, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO DESTROY ME YET.
DAMARA: …

Damara fell quiet at her words. Perhaps she was thinking the words over. Perhaps her throat had finally given out and her voice was gone. Still, it seemed that she was finally listening.

For the first time since she arrived, the alternate Damara smiled.

GODTIER!DAMARA: EVEN NOW. I AM VANQUISHED IN EVERY TIMELINE EXCEPT ONE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: FIND IT. LEARN WHAT IT MEANS.
GODTIER!DAMARA: YOU WILL ACHIEVE ALL THAT YOU SEEK TO ACHIEVE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: THIS IS THE DUTY YOU MUST FULFILL.

As the minutes hung in suspension, the ticking of the clock held an infinite amount of potential. Yet, before the Witch of Time, there was no time at all. It was hers to command and hers alone. Through the simmering haze of her rage, a hollow kind of understanding fell upon Damara’s shoulders - reluctant and sickened as she was to embrace it. The feeling was all too familiar.

The fingers in her lap slowly uncoiled.

DAMARA: FINE.
DAMARA: I WILL FIND WHAT HAS MADE YOU.
DAMARA: I WILL TAKE THIS KNOWLEDGE INTO THE VOID AND SERVE IT TO THE MASTER.
DAMARA: AND AS THANKS, HE WILL ENSURE THE SHADES OF US ROIL IN TORTURE WITHIN THE BELLIES OF THE ELDRITCH HORRORS FOREVER.
DAMARA: NOW. TELL ME.
DAMARA: WHO FUCKED IT UP.
GODTIER!DAMARA: MEULIN.
GODTIER!DAMARA: SHE WILL HAVE THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK.

Meulin. Damara grit her teeth and the profound hatred for her friends began to burn in her chest again. This god from the future she had no effect upon. Her friends, however, were distinctly breakable. Perhaps some form of satisfaction could be extracted from this shitshow after all. She had long since known not to look such gift hoofbeasts in the mouth.

DAMARA: BEFORE THIS IS OVER, I WILL SEE THAT THE CAT-TONGUED OLIVE BITCH SUFFERS THE MOST.
DAMARA: I WILL CAPTURE THE SPRITE. I WILL SEVER HER FROM HEAD AND TORSO TO TAIL.
DAMARA: NOT BECAUSE I NEED TO.
DAMARA: BUT BECAUSE I WANT TO.
GODTIER!DAMARA: DO WHAT MUST BE DONE.
GODTIER!DAMARA: WE WILL SPEAK AGAIN.

Whatever the godtier troll truly thought, it was not evident in her words. Yet, with the certainty of Damara knowing her own mannerisms, she almost recognized the look that crossed the Witch’s expression. Damara hated the humanization even more. She felt herself hissing at her.

DAMARA: LEAVE ME.
DAMARA: THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE.
DAMARA: I AM SICK OF LOOKING AT YOU.

Without another word, the Witch of Time blinked out of existence and Damara was alone in her respiteblock. The exhaustion from the struggle as she pulled her husktop over to herself only fueled the flames of her rage and despair. The pain was felt deep in her joints but in a way, she had come to relish it. If agony of heart, body, and soul was all she was permitted, so be it. It was hers to embrace.

She clicked upon Meulin’s Trollian handle, typing out a quick and curt message.

-- akibachaAkuma [AA] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] -–

AA: WE TALK.
AA: NOW.

–- airborneTsundere [AT] began trolling theopneustCarnivalation [TC] –-

AT: pe1xes a1n’t one to f*ck around… that memo’s been smoked l1ke yesterday’s bowl…
AT: had me los1n’ my tra1n of thought. lol.
AT: where you at, kurly q? 1t’s been a m1nute.
TC: THOU SPEAKEST TRUE MY BUMBLIN’ BONE-A-FINE BROTHER
TC: BEEN MO’ THAN TEN AND FIVE SINCE WE DONE SHOT THE SHIT
TC: MIGHTA KEPT THE VIGIL OF SILENCE ROLLIN’ BUT WHEN YA LADY CATAWAUL CALL, SHE BOUT RING NINE TIMES MORE TIL MINE ECHO IS FELT
TC: SO THUS, THE SHIT STARTS ANEW
TC: HONK
AT: heard that… tho all th1s sh1pp1n’ no1se has got me k1nda p1qued, ngl. d1dn’t get a chance to say so before.
AT: you got any part1cular thoughts on her endeavors or…?
AT: thought 1'd ask s1nce you’ve got the 1ns1der’s take.
TC: DAMN RAW-DAWG, STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW AND ON TIL MORN’
TC: NO WHINE NO DINE NO NOTHIN’
TC: PRAYTELL, YOU GOOD BRO?
TC: SEEMS NO SUCH THING AS MAD GOOFS NOR SLEEVE TRICKSY MYSTIQUE THESE DAYS
TC: LESS SOME DAMSEL AND HORSEFLY SCRAMBLE THINE SENSIBILITIES I WAGER
AT: yeah, sorry about that…
AT: guess 1 got a l1l anx1ous wa1t1n’ for the punchl1ne… you know how our fr1ends are…
AT: they l1ke a good laugh, same as anybody else. maybe more at the expense of others…
AT: tldr, just wonder1n’ 1f she’s ser1ous about 1t or just ‘k1tten’ around. #cat-pun
AT: no judgement, ofc… just someth1n’ that occurred when 1 was ly1n’ around th1nk1n’ about 1t.
AT: you know meul1n to pull some pranks on other people?
TC: LEND ME THINE DUCT AND LISTEN CLOSE, MY BREEZY RUFSCALLION
TC: WHAT TUMBLE AND OFT PLAY WITH GLOVES OF SILKEN PAWS DON’T MEAN THEM CLAWS AIN’T GONNA SLASH AND BLEED A MOTHERFUCKER WHEN YA HUNTSCAT MEAN BUSINESS
TC: WHEN IT COME TO MATTERS OF THE HEART, I AIN’T KNOWN MISS MUSE TO FUCK AROUND
TC: YON CAVITY STRINGS ARE BUT HER’S TO PLUCK, TUG, AND TEASE AS SHE SEE FIT
TC: ONLY MERCY IN OUR FAVOR IS SOME AND TIMES, OUR FAIR FEMME FAMILIAR NEED HER CATNAPS AND TREATS
TC: HONK HONK
TC: GLORY TO BEHOLD, THY NAME IS MEULIN
AT: heh… d*mn, dawg… you sure pa1nt a v1c1ous p1c of the doll.
AT: all 1 know her for 1s the sugar 1n her ha1r and the cutesy cat motes. now 1’m th1nk1n’ tw1ce and keep1n’ my oculars peeled for what she really 1s...
AT: you really th1nk she means bus1ness?
TC: LOOKIN’ LIKELY
TC: MIGHT HAVE TO FLY AT HER FAST FLEEING HEELS TO FIND PROOF OF THE WORD
TC: I AIN’T ONE TO BE TRUSTED NONE
TC: HONK ;o)
AT: bangarang, bro… that’s cool of you.
AT: 1 d1g 1t.
TC: HM
TC: ASSUREDLY
TC: PRAYTELL, DIGGIN’ WHOMST?
AT: 1t’s just cool, man… that you and meul1n back each other up. you keep the cool v1bes and fr1endsh1p even after the break-up.
AT: what’s 1t been… l1ke, sweeps after the fact?
AT: 1t’s l1ke a fa1ry tale come true, from my perspect1ve.
AT: l1ke, d*mn… people can l1ve l1ke that? be exes and best fr1ends w/ no hard feel1ngs? just good t1mes and jokes and hangs? forever??
AT: sh*t’s w1ld… but 1 d1g 1t…. and lowkey, how do 1 get some of that?
AT: haha. at: you, my fr1end, are l1v1n’ the dream.
TC: BE IT DREAM, BE IT FANTASY, BE IT AS THINE MIND’S EYE BEHOLDENS, WE NAUGHT BUT BRIEF, CHROMATIC NOTES IN FATE’S ORCHESTRA
TC: MY MARVEL OF A MAGI DONS HER PART IN THIS HARMONIC BITCH OF A MELODY WE CALL LIFE AND I’M NO BETTER; WE ART BUT FOOLS ‘N PLAYAS ALIKE
TC: ‘TIS THE DRAW OF THE CARDS, NO MORE NO LESS
TC: HONK
TC: SPEAKIN’ ON BITCHES PAST AND PRESENT
TC: HOW’S THE NOTORIOUS NUBNOTCH WHICH CALLS HIMSELF HORUSS?
AT: heh… he’s around… keep1n’ h1mself busy.
AT: a1n’t noth1n’ unusual about 1t… just…
AT: th1nk1n’ and talk1n’ and f1ll1n’ the space…
AT: f1nd1n’ new ways to pass the t1me… l1ke always….
AT: a1n’t much to talk about, tbh.
TC: TRUTH BE TOLD, NEVER HEARD SO FLIGHTY A FELLA SOUND SO BATED ON BREATH
TC: SPEAK, IF IT MOVES A MOTHERFUCKER; YA FINE FIESTY LEATHER STUDDED ASS BE LINGERIN’ TOO LONG ON THIS SHIT
TC: VANQUISH THY TREPIDATION AS ONCE YE VANQUISHED THINE FURRY FACED TREE-HIVED FOES
TC: STEAM THY COPPER COLORED WOES SO THEY MIGHT O’ERFLOW AND FILL A FELLAS JEWELED CHALICE TEN TIMES O’ER
TC: AND LO’, I AWAIT MY FILL
TC: HONK ;o)
AT: lol, 1 mean… when you put 1t l1ke that...
AT: 1 dunno, bro… 1’ve been feel1n’ 1n a bad way lately.
AT: l1ke 1’m cursed or someth1n’.
TC: PREACH IT TO ME, MY BRONZE BROTHER
AT: 1t’s l1ke…
AT: man, you’re gonna th1nk 1'm crazy...
AT: see… anyt1me 1 start mull1n’ th1ngs over and wonder1n’ what to do or th1nk… l1ke hey, someth1n’ needs to change? 1 start feel1n’ l1ke 1t’s not 1mportant enough to speak on.
AT: 1t’s l1ke 1 got th1s rock sol1d of a sh1t plug on the ass p1pes of my feel1ngs, haha.
AT: how do you do 1t, bro? l1ke w1th m1tuna.
AT: ya’ll are hells of t1ght, r1ght? w1th your feel1ngs and stuff?
TC: RIGHT ON, MOTHERFUCKER
TC: PALE AS PINK MOONLIGHT BENT PON SHIFTIN WATERS
TC: PICTURE, SHADOW TRIMMED BY EDGE OF AN ECLIPSE, BRIMMING WITH FLAME OF A DOOMED 'N DYIN SUN; IN THIS COSMIC TRIM, ONE MIGHT BEAR BUT A FLECK OF THE MELANCHOLICAL PASSION DRUM WHICH DOTH BEAT FROM MINE TWIN OF DIAMONDS
TC: MINE FINE YELLOW BRICK CHODE HONK HONK HONK :o)
AT: lmfao.
AT: well sh*t… now we’re gett1n’ downr1ght rancorous…
AT: but that’s what 1t’s l1ke w/ you, makara. always just a l1l r1squé.
AT: rem1nds me of the good old t1mes, tbh… no patrons, no rules, just rough1n’ 1t 1n the w1ld and talk1n’ mad sh*t w1th my old treeh1ve fr1ends.
AT: 1’d never get away w1th d1sh1n’ that k1nda street talk around horuss. he gets all h1gh on h1s d*mn hooves about 1t, lol.
AT: but even that used to be fun…
TC: HARK
TC: YIELD THE ANCHOR OF THY NOSTALGIC DISMAY AND REFLECT THE HARBOR PON WHICH YOU DOTH FLOAT THIS LOAD OF THOUGHTLOFTY BULLSHIT, MY GOOD BITCH; FOR NOW, I BUT CAUTION THESE WORDS FEW
TC: MAYHAPS IT BE NOT THE MALEVOLENT SHE-STORM NOR THE HUNGER OF THE VORACIOUS VOID BEYOND BUT THE LIGHTHOUSE WHICH BE LACKIN' ITS LUSTER; TO START, WHY'S IT GOT BUSINESS ON THE MOTHERFUCKIN' COAST?
TC: MY BROTHER IN MIRTH, IT WELL BE KNOWN HOW YOU UP ‘N GOT BAD BITCHES 'N NINETY AND NINE PROBLEMS HENCEFORTH
TC: HONK HONK
TC: THEN TO THIS I SAY, PARK THY FLIGHT FEATHERED ASS DOWN AND FIGURE IF IN TRUTH, THE VEXIN'S FROM WITHOUT OR WITHIN
TC: LESS WE MEET A REPRISE OF A CHAPTER IN A SHITSHOW WE FOR LONG THOUGHT CLOSED
TC: HONK :o)
AT: yeah, lol… you a1n’t wrong…
AT: 1t’s l1ke you took the words r1ght outta my th1nkpan… except nobody 1s stra1ght up say1n’ 1t, y’know?
AT: man…
AT: thanks for putt1n’ 1t bluntly, k-dog.
AT: 1t's hard to f1nd people l1ke that around here… who aren’t also tryna stab you 1n the back w/ a f1ne set of kn1tt1ng needles, haha.
AT: th1s 1s just the way of 1t… doesn’t make sense to st1r up sh*t that’s better left 1n the past…
TC: HONK
TC: BEAUTIFUL, THIS SONG THE RUF DOTH CROW
AT: heh.
AT: hold that thought… gett1n’ a message.

-- caballineTinkerer [CT] began trolling airborneTsundere [AT] –-

CT: ⬛ < I have made headway in the research surrounding the forge.
CT: ⬛ < It’s astonishing. I was sure there was no information to be found, given that I had taken the time to painstakingly corral each and every tome there was to be found on LOCAS.
CT: ⬛ < Yet suddenly, as if out of thin air, the forge manifested in a cavern I was certain was previously e%plored.
CT: ⬛ < And similarly, scrolls of lore and instruction began to pile when before, there had been no record.
CT: ⬛ < Though the mystery of my planet continues to e100de me, other matters are more straightforward.
CT: ⬛ < The matter with the steel ogre guardian, for e%ample. I made quick work of him with proficient use of my bow and arrow. I am now in the process of stripping metal with the hopes of creating a new line of h**fbeast robots.
CT: ⬛ < Side note: let us revisit the old archery field on your planet. I suspect your skill has grown… ‘rusty’ without practice. # Lowbl**d Street Slang.
CT: ⬛ < Returning to the matter of the guardian, the alloy I have found is quite interesting. It appears more malleable than usual. The unique properties of the metal combined with my intent to form it anew has spurred a new idea to hatch.
CT: ⬛ < What if I could create a robot with the power to contain the consciousness of a sleeping mind? What if the robot in question is in the form of a h**fbeast. Would I then, be the closest I would ever be to inhabiting the body of a magnificent h**fbeast? If only in my dreams??
CT: ⬛ < Even the mare contemplation of the humor is as maddening as it is very much depressing. Just what am I asking, e%actly?
CT: ⬛ < The limitations of physics is such a strange thing, Rufioh. It is a contradiction of endless possibility and finite boundary.
CT: ⬛ < Many inventors - such as myself - will spend their lifetimes trying to find ways to reinvent components of reality that e%ist perfectly in nature. As a selfish creature that I am, I cannot help but impress myself upon my creations.
CT: ⬛ < That is why I am quite sure that if there is a divine power, it would not be anything conscious or present with a force of will. It would simply ‘be’ and it would be flawless in its imperfection. It would also not yearn for the feeling of completion, as I do.
CT: ⬛ < Why, if anything could be considered ‘touched by the divine’, it would be the gift of understanding and recognizing oneself in the vast tapestry of being.
CT: ⬛ < Upon closer inspection, it reminds me of the sm**th and perfect flank of a mighty h**fbeast. Each hair is precisely in place upon the skin, set by microscopic coding almost entirely too small to be comprehended.
CT: ⬛ < I, myself, am hideously clumsy in my understanding. I’m like a p**r, misshapen foal who has yet to grow into the powerful cleft of his h**ves.
CT: ⬛ < The only thing I can be certain of is that I am blessed with ocular orbs to behold such perfection. Even now, I am becoming wrought with emotion just to think about it.
CT: ⬛ < How simple it must be for you, then, as lowbl**d to never be burdened with such troublesome refle%tions. You are content to fulfill your limited longevity with the idle thrum of old wrigglerh**d pastimes and simple rustic comforts. There is no STRONG need for self-improvement because your scope of inf100ence is not so far reaching.
CT: ⬛ < Yes, I quite recognize the sad and sorry state of your livelih**d and have already taken into account all the myriads of ways it can be improved upon. As your loving and dedicated matesprit, I will gladly shoulder this burden for you. You need not worry for the future because I can ensure you are never left wanting.
CT: ⬛ < When it beh**ves you to respond to these series of direct messages, I would like if we discussed how we might invest more time deconstructing our respective thoughts and feelings. I would very much like to know what it is like to be *you*. I believe fle%ing this empathy shared between us will further enhance the intimacy already e%perienced in our relationship.

-- [AT] is idle! –-

CT: ⬛ < I shall wait here patiently for your response. I know how prone you are to fits of flightiness.

–- [CT] is idle! –-

AT: yeah.
AT: on second thought… th1nk 1'm just gonna try talk1n’ to meul1n.
AT: after 1 smoke th1s bowl and catch a few dozen z’s anyway…
AT: feel l1ke 1've been awake too long all of a sudden.
TC: HONK THY SHOOS, MY MOST MERCURIAL MOTHERFUCKER
TC: TIL THEN, HANG FIRE

-- theopneustCarnivalation [TC] ceased trolling airborneTsundere [AT] --

-- akibachaAkuma [AA] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] -–

AA: WE TALK.
AA: NOW.
AA: DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU DO.
AA: OR WHAT IS PLAN.
AA: BUT I WILL FIND OUT.
AA: HOW YOU FUCKED TIMELINE.
AA. THIS YOU WILL TELL.
AA: THEN.
AA: I WILL DESTROY YOU.
AA: ONLY HOPE IS THAT I DO NOT MAKE THE END PAINFUL.
AA: FOR YOU.
AA: NOW SPEAK.
AA: I DEMAND THIS.
AC: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < HI DAMEOWRA! WHAT A PLEASANT AND WONDERFUR SURPRISE TO S33 YOU HERE!
AC: (=｀ω’= ) < I WAS JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF CATTING WITH PURRLOZ BUT THAT CAN WAIT. I’M VERY POPULAR ALL OF A SUDDEN, H33 H33!
AC: (=^ω^=) < ARE YOU HERE TO TALK TO ME ABOUT MY MEMO TOO???
AC: (=`ω’=) < AND MAY I JUST SAY, YOUR ‘TIMING’ IS PURRFECT? ;33
AA: DEPENDS.
AA: FUCK TIMELINE.
AA: ?
AC: (=`ω’=) < MOG YOU DON’T HAVE TO PLAY SO COY WITH ME, DAMARA! I AM SNIFFING OUT THE TRUTH AS WE SP33K!
AA: NOT PLAYING.
AA: NOT GAME.
AC: (=｀A’=) < YA HUH!!! I KNOW YOU NEVER WANT TO SEEM TOO EAGER TO POUNCE UPON THE APPETIZING PREY GRAZING HELPLESSLY BEFUR YOU… THAT’S WHAT BEING YANDERE IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT??? I HAVE IT HERE IN MY SCRAPBOOK NOTES!
AC: (=^･^=) < OR IS IT TSUNDERE? AREN’T BOTH WORDS KIND OF THE SAME?
AA: WHAT. AC: (=^ω^=) < WELL, I CAN’T RECLAW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BUT ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < JUST PICTURE THAT I HAVE SET A LOVELY PICNIC BLANKET OUT TO MY SIDE AND WITH A LITTLE PAW BAP, I INVITE YOU TO COME CLOSER AND HAVE A SIT
AC: (^・・^) < AND TELL ME THE TRUTH………
AA: NO.
AA: I AM ASKING QUESTION.
AA: WHAT TRUTH.
AC: (✧∆✧) < THAT YOU’RE HERE TO ASK ME TO DANGLE SOME SHIPS FOR YOU!!! YOU JUST DIDN’T SAY SO IN THE MEMO BECLAWS YOU’RE SHY!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I UNDERSTAND YOU, DAMEOWRA! I’M SHY TOO!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I WOULD BE SO HAPPY TO HELP YOU, YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < CAN WE GET STARTED NOW???
AA: NO.
AA: バカな雌犬。[ Stupid bitch. ]
AA: THIS IS REAL DEAL.
AA: NO GAMES.
AA: NO PLAY.
AA: YOU MUST DIE.
AA: BY MY HAND.
AA: BUT FIRST.
AA: I FIND TRUTH.
AA: WHY HAS THIS HAPPEN.
AA: SPEAK.
AA: I WILL NOT ASK AGAIN.
AC: (=｀A’=) < BUT DAMEOWRA, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH OF WHAT I HAVE DONE IS IF I HAVEN’T DONE IT YET?
AC: (;´ ω`;) < I THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD START THIS CONVERSATION OVER AGAIN? I’M GETTING A LITTLE LOST IN THE CATTAILS HERE. WHOOPS!
AC: (=｀A’=) < TELL ME – WHY DO YOU HAVE YOUR HACKLES RAISED AGAIN? DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG???
AA: FINE.
AA: YOU DO NOT KNOW NOW.
AA: BUT YOU WILL KNOW.
AA: IT WILL BE FAULT OF YOURS.
AA: A PERSON OF INTEREST.
AA: HAS ESCAPE PRISON.
AA: TAKEN METRONOMES OF TIME.
AA: WILL DESTROY TIMELINE.
AA: MUST FIND HER.
AA: BEFORE TOO LATE.
AA: WRONG.
AA: ALREADY TOO LATE.
AA: BUT MUST FIND HER ANYWAY.
AA: SHE WILL LEAD TO SECRETS.
AA: I MUST KNOW.
AA: BEFORE THE END.
AC: (^°O°^) < !!!
AC: (^O∆O^) < HOLY CATNOLI!
AC: (^O∆O^) < WHEN YOU SAY THE END, YOU DON’T MEAN…
AA: YES.
AA: THIS TIMELINE DOOMED.
AA: WILL UNRAVEL.
AA: AND PERISH.
AA: WITH EVERYONE.
AA: INSIDE.
AA: LIKE FISH IN BELLY OF GREAT BLUBBERBEAST.
AA: WHICH FALL INTO OCEAN DEEP.
AA: SO DOES TIMELINE FALL.
AA: WITH SOULS TRAPPED INSIDE.
AC: (^>×<^;;) < RAWRRRGH, ALREADY??? HOPEY SHIT, THIS YARNBALL IS UNRAVELING FASTER THAN I HAVE ENOUGH PAWS FOR!
AC: ~(=^‥^) < GOOD THING I’M SITTING DOWN ALREADY, I COULD GO FOR A STIFF GLASS OF MILK TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF THIS BAD MEWS!
AA:
AA: NOW IS NOT TIME FOR PUN.
AA: ALSO.
AA: WHAT.
AC: (^・o・^) < UM, SORRY DAMEOWRA BUT A DOOMED TIMELINE IS THE PURRFECT TIME TO PUN!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < I’M NOT GOING TO SINK INTO OBLIVION WITH A SUPURR SERIOUS IDEA OF MYSELF; IT’S UNREALISTIC AND NON-CANON TO THE REAL ME!!!
AC: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < IF I KNOW NOTHING ELSE, I SHALL KNOW I WILL CAT PUN UNTIL THE END OF TIME!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < ALSO, JUST TRYING TO LION THE MOOD, H33 H33 H33!
AC: (^・x・^) < EFURRYTHING GOT REALLY DARK AND DOUR THERE FOR A SECOND.
AA: SECOND.
AA: ?
AA: THIS IS DARK AND DOUR CIRCUMSTANCE.
AA: YOU MUST ANSWER FOR CRIME.
AA: WITH BLOOD.
AA: SCALES OF BALANCE.
AA: DEMAND THIS.
AC: (=^-^"=) < OKAAAY, BUT I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT PRISONER YOU’RE YOWLING ABOUT?
AC: ~(｡ŏ-ŏ) < AND YOU N33D HELP TRACKING HER DOWN?
AC: (=｀^’=) < WELL I DO HAVE AN ESPECIALLY SHARP NOSE… IT’S PAAAWSIBLE I COULD HELP YOU WITH THIS QUEST…
AC: (=｀ω’=) < BUT FIRST, YOU MUST HELP ME WITH MINE!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < I SCRATCH YOUR POST AND YOU SCRATCH MINE?
AA: NO.
AA: ONLY THING THAT IS TO BE SCRATCHED.
AA: IS MY NEEDLES.
AA: THROUGH YOUR OCULAR STEMS.
AA: YOU WILL DIE BLIND.
AA: AND CHOKING ON BLOOD.
AA: THAT YOU ARE NOT DEAD NOW.
AA: IS MY ONLY COMPROMISE.
AC: (=^-^"=) < FINE, FINE! I CAN S33 YOU MEAN SERIOUS BUSINESS, I WON’T RAZZ YOUR WHISKERS ANYMORE!
AC: (=^・^=) < I’LL HELP YOU FIND YOUR PURRP!!! CROSS MY HEART!
AC: (=^ω^=) < BUT FIRST, I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME SHIPPING BUSINESS. LUCKITTY FOR YOU, I’M GREAT AT MULTITASKING!!!
AA: FOR LOVE OF FUCKING.
AA: HELL.
AA: WHAT IS.v AA: IMPORTANT BUSINESS OF SHIPPING.
AA: THAT THE UNRAVEL OF TIME.
AA: MUST WAIT.
AA: ?
AC: (=｀^’=) < UM, WELL I DON’T KNOW!
AC: (^・x・^) < I HAVE TO SCRABBLE MY PAWS THROUGH THIS CONVO WITH RUFIOH TO S33 WHAT ALL THE FLUFF IS ABOUT… THEN I CAN TELL YOU FROM AN INFORMED PURRSPECTIVE!
AA: ……….
AA: YOU ARE SPEAKING TO RUFIOH.
AA: ON SHIPPING.
AA: WHY.
AA: ?
AC: ~(=^‥^) < NOT SURE BUT I’M GOING TO ASK HIM RIGHT MEOW
AC: (=｀ω’=) < HE MESSAGED ME RIGHT AT THE SAME MOMENT THAT YOU DID!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < DO YOU MIND IF I TALK TO HIM TO S33 WHAT’S UP?
AA: OK.
AA: THIS.
AA: I WILL ALLOW.
AA: TEND TO SHIPPING DUTY.
AA: THEN.
AA: YOU WILL SPILL TEA.
AA: BUT YOU WILL HURRY.
AA: I WILL NOT WAIT.
AA: FOR LONG.
AC: (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ < YAY, OKAY THEN! BRBBB!!!

-- [AC is idle!] –-

-- airborneTsundere [AT] began trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] –-

AT: yo, meuz… you gotta m1nute?
AC: ヽ(=^o≧ω≦o^=)ﾉ ﾟ.:｡+ﾟ< OMG OMG RUFIOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!
AC: ヽ(=^o≧ω≦o^=)ﾉ ﾟ.:｡+ﾟ< OF COURSE, I HAVE A MINUTE!
AC: ヽ(=^o≧ω≦o^=)ﾉ ﾟ.:｡+ﾟ< FOR YOU, MY FELINE FLYING FRIEND, ANYTHING!!!
AT: heh... d*mn, doll. th1s 1s some real red-carpet hype you're putt1n' out for me.
AT: 1s th1s a bad time? or a good t1me... now that 1'm roll1n' up?
AT: by the sound of 1t, anyway... haha.
AT: what's good, my mean, green, mouse pounc1n' mach1ne?
AC: (=｀ω’=) < WELL, IF YOU'RE CURIOUS ABOUT "WHAT'S UP..."
AC: (=^∇^*=) < I WOULD SAY IT'S YOU!!! BECLAWS YOU'RE MAYBE THE BEST TROLL I COULD PAWSIBLY BE SP33KING TO RIGHT NOW! PLUS, YOU CAN FLY!!! H33 H33 H33!
AC: (^・ω・^) < WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH TODAY?
AT: bangarang...
AT: yeah, 1 guess 1 should have an explanat1on for p1ng1n' you outta the blue l1ke th1s...
AT: but 1t's been a m1nute and 1 just got to th1nk1n'...
AT: about your shipp1n' bus1ness.
AT: 1 was wondering, uh...
AT: you st1ll down for that?
AC: (Φ ᆺ Φ) < !!!
AC: (✧∆✧) < OMG OMG I AM SO LEANING IN WITH THE BIGGEST EYES IN THE WORLD.
AC: (✧∆✧) < MY EYES AND BLOODPUSHER ARE AS BIG AS MILK SAUCERS RIGHT MEOW, YOU HAVE NOOO IDEA.
AC: TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION...
AC: (✧∆✧) < YES YES YES!!!
AC: (✧∆✧) < IT WOULD MAKE ME THE HAPPIEST CAT TROLL IN THE UNIVERSE TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO SHIP YOU!!! THIS IS-- GASP!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < IT'S AN HONOR OF A LIFETIME, RUFLEAOH!!!!!!!!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < PLEASE, TELL ME... WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO SIGN ON??? GIVE ME AAALL THE JUICY FLAVORFUL WET FOOD DETAILS!!!
AT: d*mn, okay... well...
AT: 1 was mostly th1nk1n' about you were want1n' to help people and how nobody was tak1n' you up on 1t.
AT: 1t was a huge bummer to see you down l1ke that... and 1t got me wonder1n' l1ke... well sh*t. 1f meul1n's cool w1th putt1n' herself out there l1ke that... why not just try 1t and see 1f 1t's worthwh1le?
AT: so here, 1 am... roll1n' up… check1n’ out what you've got 1n m1nd.
AC: (●♡∀♡) < GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASP
AC: (✧ω✧) < 333333333333333333333333333!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < THIS IS-
AC: (✧ω✧) < SO
AC: (✧ω✧) < FURREAKIN'
AC: (✧ω✧) < PURRFECT!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
AC: (=`ω’=) < I WON'T LET YOU DOWN, RUFIOH! LET'S GET THIS SHIPPING BUSINESS STARTED RIGHT AWAY!
AT: yeah, uh... l1sten… before you go bounc1n’ outta control…
AT: 1 got a problem.
AT: a big problem.
AT: well…
AT: d*mn…
AT: th1ng 1s… 1t’s sucha big problem that 1 don’t even know how to even start unpack1n’ what the problem 1s.
AC: (^・o・^) < OH NOES!!!
AC: (^・ω・^) < WELL, I KNOW HOW BIG PROBLEMS CAN F33L SOMETIMES.
AC: (=^･^=) < DON'T YOU FEAR, NO MATTER HOW DAUNTING THE TASK, WE SHALL GET YOU SORTED LIKE TUNA TREATS IN A PUZZLE BOWL, TRUST ME!
AC: (^・o・^) < SO WHAT'S BURRING YOUR FUR, RUFIOH? IS IT SOMETHING THAT I CAN HELP WITH?
AT: yeah, 1 hope so...
AT: see...
AT: 1'm not comin' to you cuz 1 want to get 1nto a new sh1p.
AT: tbh, the idea of gett1n' 1nto any k1nda relat1onsh1p 1s k1nda... harrow1n'. not someth1n' 1 want to th1nk. esp not about r1ght now.
AT: so... truth 1s.
AT: 1'm comin' to you cuz 1 want help to get out of a sh1p.
AT: yeah.
AT: 1 wanna break up w1th horuss.
AC: WH
AC: WHH
AC: (=^〇∀〇^=) < WHHHAAAAAAAAAT???
AC: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < RUFIOH, ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KITTEN ME!!!
AC: (=TェT=) < I MEAN...
AC: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < HELLO?????????
AC: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < ARE YOU TELLING ME I'M GOING TO HAVE EVEN LESS SHIPS THAN WHEN I STARTED??? CAN THIS QUEST GIVE ME A FURRICKIN' BREAK ALREADY???
AC: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < IT'S LITTERALLY ONLY B33N ONE PAW FLICKIN' HOUR AND IT'S LIKE THE WORLD IS ENDING!!! SO I GUESS THIS MIGHT AS WELL HAPPEN TOO!
AC: ٩(=^๑ `н´๑^=)۶ < HUFF!!!
AT: uhhh...
AT: hey, doll... 1f it a1n't your scene, we can bury 1t 1n the ground and forget about 1t or someth1n'.
AT: last thing 1 want 1s to start some sh*t.
AT: aga1n.
AT: 1'm just...
AT: s1gh.
AT: 1 dunno.
AT: t1red. 1 guess.
AC: (=｀A’=) < NO WAY!!! I SAID I WOULD HELP YOU THROUGH THIS PROBLEM AND HELP YOU I SHALL!!!
AC: I'M A PURRFESSIONAL, REMEMBER? EVEN PURRFESSIONALS ARE ALLOWED TO HUFF AND PUFF SOMETIMES!
AT: r1ght...
AT: f1gure that's true.
AC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< LET'S JUST TAKE IT FROM THE TOP.
AC: (^・x・^) < I N33D MORE INFORMATION SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT OF WHY YOU HAVE REACHED THIS CONCLUSION... ONLY THEN, CAN I GIVE YOU MY INSIGHTS ON THE MATTER!
AC: ~(=^‥^=) < FOR ONE...
AC: (=｀A’=) < WHAT HAPPENS IN A SW33PS-LONG RELATIONSHIP THAT MAKES YOU F33L LIKE BREAKING UP IS THE ANSWER???
AT: just one of those things that happens sometimes... i guess...
AT: but real talk.
AT: 1'm just...
AT: not happy. }:(
AT: and 1 a1n't been happy 1n a long t1me.
AT: 1 don't even know 1f 1t's coming from me or horuss anymore.
AT: 1t's l1ke...
AT: nothin' 1 do matters.
AT: he just talks at me or. talks thru me. l1ke 1t don't even matter 1f 1'm there or not.
AT: 1'm stuck...
AT: 1 keep wonder1n' 1f th1s 1s how 1t's always gonna feel.
AT: 1s th1s how 1t's supposed to be, meu?
AT: how'd 1t end up th1s way?
AT: 1 don't even know.
AC: (=；ェ；=) < OMG… RUFIOH... (=^;-;^=)
AC: (=TェT=) < THIS IS SO SAD...
AC: (^; A ;^) < I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING I SAID, I HAD NO IDEA YOU WERE SO UNHAPPY!
AC: (=；ェ；=) < I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE THIS LAIDBACK COOL TROLL AND HORUSS ALWAYS SOUNDED SO CONFIDENT IN YOUR MATESPRITSHIP...
AC: (=；ェ；=) < IS IT ALL AN ACT? DOES HE KNOW THAT YOU F33L THIS WAY?
AT: no, 1 mean...
AT: 1 know what's he's th1nk1n' most of the t1me. he a1n't shy about dish1n' 1t out.
AT: but 1 a1n't gotten a say 1n sh*t 1n a long t1me.
AT: he's always gotta keep busy, y'know?
AT: 1 th1nk mb he feels l1ke he's gotta have projects and tasks to do to keep me engaged. but tbh, that's never mattered to me all that much?
AT: 1 don't even know what matters to me these days.
AT: 1've got my east beforan shows... my cosplays... h*ll, somet1me's 1'll work on my old manuscr1pts or break out my f1duspawn cards.
AT: but 1t just a1n't that fun anymore.
AT: then 1t starts gett1n' me th1nk1n' heaver thoughts l1ke... am 1 fun anymore? was 1 ever fun?
AT: what 1f 1'm just unpleasant and bor1ng and horuss 1s just do1n' everyth1n' he can to make me more 1nterest1ng?
AT: what 1f... 1'm just a waste of space?
AC: (=｀A’=) < NO... NOOO!!!
AC: (^; A ;^) < WHATEVER ELSE YOU MIGHT THINK, I KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT A WASTE OF SPACE, RUFIOH!
AC: (=；ェ；=) < YOU ARE HURTING AND THAT'S OKAY... IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU A BAD PERSON TO BE UNHAPPY!
AC: (=；ェ；=) < I THINK YOU ARE VERY BRAVE TO ADMIT TO YOUR VULNERABILITY. I MAY NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO ANY OF THIS BUT I AM VERY GLAD WE ARE FURRIENDS AND THAT I'M THE ONE YOU CHOSE TO SP33K TO ABOUT THIS!!!
AC: (^; ^ ;^) < HONESTLY, NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT... I'M NOT SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THAT YOU WERE STRUGGLING WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM!
AT: oh...
AT: you're not?
AT: someth1n' g1ve 1t away?
AC: ~(=^‥^) < NOT AT ALL!
AC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< AN ASPECT OF THIS SHIPPING QUEST IS ABOUT UNCOVERING UNPLEASANT TRUTHS THAT LAY BURIED IN OUR HEARTS... AND FINDING A WAY TO GROW BEYOND THEM SO YOU CAN BECOME THE PERSON YOU WERE ALWAYS MEANT TO BE!!!
AC: ~(=^‥^=) < I THINK WITH THAT IN MIND, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK!
AC: (;´ ω`;) < BUT THEN COMES THE HARD PART...
AC: (=｀A’=) < RUFIOH, I THINK YOU HAVE TO TELL HORUSS HOW YOU'RE FEELING! IT'S THE ONLY WAY THINGS ARE GOING TO GET BETTER!!!
AT: yeah..
AT: 1dk about that...
AC: (=｀A’=) < HOW COME?
AT: 1 just don't know 1f he's gonna l1sten to me... 1 can try but...
AT: the man's got this tendency to d1g h1s hooves 1n the ground when he doesn't wanna hear someth1n'.
AT: not sure 1'm ready to deal w1th that yet.
AC: (=｀~’=) < THEN YOU HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THIS...
AC: (^・o・^) < OH, I HAVE AN IDEA!
AC: ~(=^‥^) < WOULD YOU CONSIDER LETTING ME HELP YOU FIND A MOIRAIL???
AT: uhhhh...
AC: (^・o・^) < I KNOW, I KNOW. YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF MORE ROMANCE DRAMA... BUT I AM MOST PAWSITIVE THAT HAVING A MOIRAIL WOULD HELP YOU UNTANGLE THE YARN STRINGS OF YOUR LOW SELF EST33M!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IT!
AT: yeah, sure... 1 can always cons1der 1t...
AT: but lowkey, 1 always k1nda thought... 1f 1 ever d1d land a pale quad...
AT: that 1'd be the one do1n' the shoosh1n'? what w1th be1n' less... 1ntense than some of the trolls we got 1n our group.
AT: a1n't that how 1t works?
AC: ~(=^‥^) < UMMM, NOT NECESSARILY... ALSO WHO CARES HOW THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE?
AC: (=^ω^=) < I THINK DESTINY IS OURS TO COMMAND AND WE SHOULD DO WHAT WE WANT FOREFUR AND EFUR!!!
AT: heh heh... that's a great thought, meuz... but st1ll...
AT: 1 dunno.
AT: 1t's hard to think of anybody who'd be 1nto the 1dea of me just... dragg1n' them 1nto my sh*t.
AT: 1 dunno 1f th1s 1s someth1n' 1 really need r1ght now.
AC: (=｀ω’=) < JUST THINK ABOUT IT!
AC: (=^ω^=) < FUR NOW I AM GOING TO PUT A BRIEF PAWS ON THIS CONVERSATION.
AC: (=｀ω’=) < DAMARA R33LY DOESN'T LIKE WAITING, DOES SHE???
AT: err... wa1t…
AT: you talk1n' to damara r1ght now?
AC: (=^ω^=) < OF COURSE! I HAVE HER ON THE OTHER LINE!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < SHE MESSAGED ME AT THE SAME MOMENT THAT YOU DID, ISN'T THAT FUNNY?
AT: sure, doll...
AT: you a1n't shar1n' th1s convo w1th her, are you?
AT: she's maybe the second to the last troll i want findin' out about th1s break-up no1se.
AC: (=｀A’=) < ABSOLUTELY NOT, I PROMISE THAT EVERY SHIPPING CONVERSATION IS SEALED TIGHT WITH UTMOST SECRECY!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < YOU HAVE MY WORD AS A MATCHMAKING PURRFESSIONAL!!!
AT: a1ght, bangarang...
AT: 1 guess... 1'll wa1t here t1l you get back?
AC: (=^ω^=) < YES, IT WILL ONLY BE A MOMENT!
AT: cool.

-- [AC is idle!] –-

AA: TIME IS UP.
AA: YOU RETURN.
AA: NOW.
AA: EVERY SECOND.
AA: I WAIT.
AA: IS EXTRA SECOND.
AA: I KEEP YOU.
AA: ON BRINK OF PAIN.
AA: AND DEATH.
AA: ANSWER ME.

-- [AC] is online! --

AC: (=^ω^=) < I'M BACK!!! THANK YOU FOR WAITING SO GRACIOUSLY, DAMARA!
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < CAN YOU REMIND ME AGAIN WHY THINGS ARE SO URGENT?
AC: (^・o・^) < IF THE MISSING PURRP HAS THE TIME METRONOMES, THEN WOULDN'T THE DISASTER SHE CAUSES BE DONE ALREADY? BECLAWS SHE TRAVELPOUNCED BACK IN TIME ALREADY?
AA: YOU ARE STUPID.
AA: WITH WOOL.
AA: FOR THINKMATTER.
AA: YES.
AA: BUT I KNOW WHERE SHE WILL GO.
AA: AND I MUST GATHER.
AA: KNOWLEDGE.
AA: BEFORE TIME UP.
AC: (^・x・^) < OKAY, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT...
AC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< I JUST WANTED TO S33 HOW MUCH TIME I HAD TO SP33K WITH RUFIOH BC THINGS ARE VERY EMOTIONAL RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HIM HANGING! :((
AC: PLEASE OH PLEASE IS THERE A WAY WE CAN WAIT JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER BEFORE WE GO ON OUR HUNT?
AC: (人>U<) < PL333333333ASE??? WITH A LITTLE WHISKER KISS ON TOP???
AA: EMOTION.
AA: WITH RUFIOH.
AA: ?
AA: WHY.
AA: WHAT HE SAY.
AA: TELL ME.
AC: (^・x・^) < OH, I'M AFRAID I CAN'T DO THAT, DAMEOWRA :((
AC: ~(=^‥^) < HE IS SP33KING TO ME IN CONFIDENCE AND I GAVE HIM MY WORD AS A MATCHMAKING PROFESSIONAL THAT I WOULD K33P THE CONTENTS OF THE CONVERSATION PRIVATE!
AC: (^・x・^) < EVEN SUGGESTING THAT I AM SP33KING WITH HIM AT ALL IS KINDA NEBULOUS...
AC: (^・o・^) < BUT I JUST WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHY I CAN'T JUMP AND CATCH YOUR PREY RIGHT IN THE MOMENT THAT YOU REQUEST!
AA: YOU WILL TELL ME.
AA: OR I SLAY YOU.
AA: AND SUMMON GHOST.
AA: FROM CORPSE.
AA: TO TELL SECRET ANYWAY.
AC: (=^๑ `н´๑^=) < FFFFT, I'M SURE YOU CAN!!! BUT THEN I WILL GET TO SAY THAT I KEPT MY PURRFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AND CHOSE TO TAKE MY CLIENT'S SECRETS TO THE GRAVE WHERE YOU HAD TO PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD CLAWS!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < EITHER WAY I'M DYING CUZ THE TIMELINE IS DOOMED BUT I GET WHAT I WANT SO IT WOULD BE A WIN IN MY BOOK!!!!!!!!!
AA. PFFT.
AA: YOU.
AA: HM.
AA: OK.
AA: I WILL ASK.
AA: WITH MORE POLITE.
AA: TELL ME SECRET OF RUFIOH.
AA: PLEASE.
AC: (^・x・^) < NOPE NOPE NOPE
AC: (^・x・^) < NO CAT DO!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING POLITELY!
AA: WHY NOT.
AC: (=｀A’=) < BECLAWS... IF RUFIOH WANTED YOU TO KNOW THEN HE WOULD TELL YOU HIMSELF! SO UNLESS HE SAYS OTHERWISE, IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD GET CONCERNED ABOUT!
AA: WRONG.
AA: HAVE GREAT CONCERN.
AC: (=｀A’=) < FINE! SINCE WE'RE PASSING THE TIME AND YOU'RE FINE WITH NOSINESS... WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT THAT, HM?
AA: TALK WHAT.
AA: ABOUT.
AA: ?
AC: (=｀A’=) < IT JUST S33MS TO ME THAT YOUR ATTENTIONS TO RUFIOH ARE VERY SPECIAL!
AC: (=｀A’=) < CARE TO ELABORATE???
AC: (=｀x’=) < HMMM?????????
AA: MUST QUESTION.
AA: AGAIN.
AA: ARE YOU STUPID.
AA: ?
AC: (=｀A’=) < MAYBE IT'S ALL FUZZY AND I GET THE MEOWMORIES MIXED UP, MAYBE I WANT TO HEAR IT FROM THE SOURCE AND PUT ALL THE GOSSIP TO CATNAP FOR GOOD!
AC: (=｀^’=) < IT'S OK TO JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION TOO!!!
AA: 私は目を丸くしています。[ I roll my eyes. ]
AA: YES.
AA: FINE.
AA: SPECIAL.
AA: IS WAY TO CALL IT.
AA: RUFIOH.
AA: HE IS BOUND.
AA: TO ME.
AA: INTRINSIC.
AA: AND I.
AA: TO HIM.
AA: THIS ECHO.
AA: OF ENTANGLEMENT.
AA: FELT.
AA: THROUGH ALL.
AA: PARADOX SPACE.
AA: REPEATED.
AA: BURNING.
AA: OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
AA: THROUGH ALL TIME.
AA: CANNOT ESCAPE IT.
AA: NOT HIM.
AA: NOT ME.
AA: NO ONE.
AC: (^・o・^) < WOAH…
AC: (^・x・^) < AND THIS IS HOW YOU F33L… ABOUT YOUR FRIEND?
AA: YES.
AA: OLDEST FRIEND.
AA: LONGEST KNOWN.
AA: NEVER ACCEPTED.
AA: HIS FATE.
AA: 欲求不満. [ Frustration. ]
AC: ~(=^‥^) < OKAY… THEN AT SOME POINT, YOU SAW HIM AS SOMETHING MORE THAN A FRIEND???
AA: YES.
AA: MATESPRIT.
AA: ONCE.
AA: NO LONGER.
AC: ~(=^‥^=) < AND NOT BEING MATESPRITS WITH HIM ANYMORE… HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU F33L???
AA: WHY.
AC: (^・o・^) < CUZ I’M TRYING TO GET A BEAD ON THE SITUATION, OF COURSE!
AC: (=｀A’=) < HOW ARE YOU GOING TO WIN RUFIOH’S TRUST ENOUGH FOR HIM TO CONFIDE IN YOU HIS SECRETS IF YOU AREN’T HONEST ABOUT HOW YOU F33L ABOUT HIM?
AC: (=｀A’=) < YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TALK AROUND ME FOR THE REST OF TIME TOO!!!
AA: HM.
AA: VERY WELL.
AA: I FEEL.
AA: HATE.
AA: ANGER.
AA: NOT DEEP OR PASSION.
AA: LIKE SPADE.
AA: DRY.
AA: DULL.
AA: BURNING.
AA: FOREVER.
AA: THIS DOES NOT DIE.
AC: (=｀A’=) < OH…
AC: (^・o・^) < BUT IF IT’S NOT A FUN KIND OF HATE… THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE IT’S NOT A GOOD THING TO F33L THAT WAY ABOUT SOMEONE WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR FRIEND!
AA: HUH.
AA: NO SHIT.
AC: (=`ω’=) < HUSH!!!
AC: (=`ω’=) < EVEN THOUGH THIS MIGHT SOUND LIKE OLD NEWS TO YOU… IT’S NEW NEWS TO ME!!! I AM LEARNING A LOT AND K33PING AN OPEN MIND!
AC: (=`^’=) < I JUST HAVE TO ASK WHETHER YOU’RE OKAY TO K33P AN OPEN MIND TOO! LIKE…
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < WITH ALL THESE COMPLI-CAT-ED LAYERS AND STUFF, HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT IT MIGHT NOT BE GOOD FOR YOU OR RUFIOH TO HAVE ALL THIS RESENTMENT?
AA: DO NOT.
AA: UNDERSTAND.
AA: QUESTION.
AA: ?
AC: (^・o・^) < I JUST THINK THAT!!! THE FRIENDSHIP CAN’T FLOURISH IF YOU’RE TOO BUSY BEING ANGRY AND JUDGING HIM ALL THE TIME FOR NOT “ACCEPTING HIS FATE”
AC: (^・o・^) < HE MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!
AC: (^・o・^) < I KNOW I DON’T!!!
AC: (=^・ェ・^=) < IT SOUNDS R33LY DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES
AA: TSK.
AA: COMMUNICATION.
AA: HAPPEN.
AA: WHEN NECESSARY.
AA: NOT BEFORE.
AC: (=`^’=) < WHILE THAT RESPONSE SOUNDS BASICALLY EFFICIENT AND PURRETY MUCH ABSOLVES YOU OF ALL EMEOWTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY…
AC: (=｀A’=) < THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “HAVING” TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND “WANTING” TO!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < YOU’RE NOT A BIG CHORE THAT SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF, DAMARA! YOU’RE A PERSON AND SO IS RUFIOH!
AA: ENOUGH.
AA: IF NEED REMIND.
AA: THIS.
AA: INTRICACY.
AA: OF EMOTION.
AA: NOT MATTER.
AA: TOO SMALL.
AA: INSIGNIFICANT.
AA: TIMELINE DOOMED.
AA: WE PERISH.
AA: AND SOON.
AC: (=｀A’=) < SOON ISN’T NOW!!! FEAR OF THE END IS NOT A GOOD REASON TO SURRENDER THE PRECIOUS, DELICATE TIME WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH OUR MORTAL CONDITION!
AC: (=｀A’=) < IN FACT, I THINK WE HAVE ALL THE TIME WE WANT TO HACK UP THIS TOUGH HAIRBALL OF FRIENDSHIP
AA: WHY.
AC: (=｀A’=) < CUZ YOU N33D ME TO FILL YOUR MISSING PIECE OF THE FUTURE PUZZLE AND I SHALL SIT UPON MY SW33T SILKY TAIL AND TUSSLE WITH YOU TIL THE HINDLEGS OF OUR F33LINGS STOP KICKING!!! AA: UGH.
AA: I HATE.
AA: THIS.
AA: I HATE.
AA: YOU.
AA: AND I HATE.
AA: OUR FRIENDS.
AC: (=｀A’=) < BUT YOU STILL FIND IT IN YOU TO CARE!!! OTHERWISE, YOU WOULD HAVE PADDED OFF ALREADY TO END THE TIMELINE OR WHATEVER YOU TIME HEROES DO TO HISS EFURRYONE OFF H33 H33
AC: (=｀A’=) < INSTEAD, YOU’RE TRYING TO CLAW ME DOWN FOR RUFIOH’S SECRETS!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < WE’RE STILL HERE!!!!!!!!! SO WHAT IS THE TRUTH? HM???
AA: YOU.
AA: DO NOT KNOW.
AA: WHAT I CARE FOR.
AC: (=^・ェ・^=) < MAYBE NOT…
AC: (=｀A’=) < BUT I DO KNOW THIS!
AC: (=｀A’=) < RUFIOH IS VERY UNHAPPY AND SINCE YOU HAVE TIME TO CONTEMPLATE THE END OF THE TIMELINE, I THINK YOU ALSO HAVE TIME TO CONSIDER HOW MUCH YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE UNHAPPINESS OF YOUR OLDEST FRIEND
AC: (=｀A’=) < CUZ HE’S DEFINITELY CONTRIBUTING TO YOURS!
AC: (=｀A’=) < IF WE’RE GOING TO PERISH ANYWAY, WHY PERISH UNHAPPY???
AA: YOU ARE.
AA: VILE.
AA: AND FOOLISH.
AA: HAPPINESS.
AA: IS ILLUSION.
AA: AND TEMPORARY.
AA: HAPPINESS I GIVE.
AA: WAS TRADED.
AA: FOR COMPANY.
AA: OF BLUEBLOOD.
AA: HORSEFUCKER.
AA: TELL ME.
AA: WHAT YOU THINK.
AA: OF THIS.
AA: SPEAK OF LOVE.
AA: YET YOU ARE HYPOCRITE.
AA: TO DEFEND.
AA: THIS FLAYER.
AA: BETRAYER.
AA: OF HEARTS.
AA: OF TRUST.
AA: OF FRIENDSHIP.
AA: OF LOVE.
AA: THIS IS WORST.
AA: KIND OF TROLL.
AA: TO LIE.
AA: TO PRETEND TO BE FRIEND.
AA: LIKE HIM.
AA: LIKE EVERYONE.
AA: HATE YOU ALL.
AA: FOREVER.
AC: (=xェx=) < I THINK…
AC: (=；ェ；=) < YOU’RE RIGHT
AC: (=；ェ；=) < IT WAS AN AWFUL THING TO HAPPEN
AC: (=；ェ；=) < HOW COULD SOMEONE WHO HELD YOUR HEART IN THEIR HANDS… BE SO CARELESS WITH IT? DID YOU MATTER SO LITTLE TO THEM? AND FOR THAT MATTER
AC: (=；ェ；=) < HOW CAN I CLAIM TO BE YOUR FRIEND BUT STILL DEFEND SOMEBODY WHO HURT YOU SO PROFOUNDLY?
AC: (^; A ;^) < DAMARA!!!
AC: (^; A ;^) < I DON’T WANT YOU TO LIVE WITH THIS PAIN IN YOUR HEART ANYMORE… I WANT YOU TO GROW PAST IT AND FIND OUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU COULD BECOME BEYOND THESE HEARTBREAKING CIRCUMSTANCES!
AC: (^; A ;^) < I CARE ABOUT YOU SO MUCH!!! I R33LY DO!!!
AC: (=xェx=) < AND YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I THINK?
AC: (^; ^ ;^) < I THINK YOU DESERVE TO TALK ABOUT IT. YOU DESERVE TO HAVE RUFIOH KNOW HOW MUCH HIS CHOICES STILL AFFECT YOU!
AA: UGH.
AA: WHAT IS POINT.
AA: IT IS WASTE OF TIME.
AC: (=；ェ；=) < THEN...
AC: (=；ェ；=) < THAT'S IT, I GUESS :((
AC: (=；ェ；=) < YOU DON'T GET ANY NEW INFURMATION AND NOTHING CHANGES ABOUT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND YOU STAY ANGRY AT EVERYONE FUREVER!!!
AA: OK.
AA: GOOD.
AA: FINE.
AA: THEN WE GO.
AC: (=｀A’=) < FFFFT!!! NOT SO FAST!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < JUST BECLAWS YOU'RE OK WITH THINGS BEING THE WAY THEY ARE, DOESN'T MEAN I AM!
AC: (=｀A’=) < I WANT TO TALK WITH RUFIOH!!! AND WHEN THAT IS DONE, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL I HELP YOU WITH YOUR WILD HUNT!!!
AA: YOU ARE.
AA: SO STUBBORN.
AA: AND STUPID.
AC: (=｀A’=) < TOTALLY!!! IF HELPING MY FRIENDS MEANS I'M STUBBORN AND STUPID, THEN I'M PROUD OF IT TOO!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < DO YOU THINK IT'S PAWSIBLE THAT WE HAVE THAT IN COMMON???
AA: I.
AA: AFDKJSLA;F
AA: NEED.
AA: A FUCKING MINUTE.
AA: SMOKE BREAK.
AC: (=｀A’=) < OF COURSE!!! I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO ACCOMODATE MY FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < BRB AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

-- [AC] is idle! –-

-- [AC] is online! –-

AC: (=^ω^=) < HI RUFIOH, I’M BACK!!!
AC: (=^ω^=) < HOPE I DIDN’T K33P YOU WAITING TOO LONG!!! (=^_^=)!!!!!!!!!
AT: nah, doll... you're good.
AT: 1 was just k1ck1n' back... watch1n' an1me... th1nk1n' about our talk here.
AT: everyth1n' cool?
AC: (=^ω^=) < YES OF COURSE!!! EXCEPT...
AC: (=｀A’=) < GOSH, RUFIOH!!! I'M HANGING ON BY THE VERY TIPS OF MY CLAWS!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < GETTING DAMARA TO TALK ABOUT HER F33LINGS IS LIKE PULLING WHISKERS!!!
AT: uh...
AT: hey so...
AT: why she talk1n’ about feel1ngs?
AT: you sure you d1dn't tell her what's go1ng on w1th me?
AC: (=｀A’=) < OF COURSE NOT!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < I'M STALKING A LOT OF MY PURRSONAL INTEGRITY ON THIS CONVERSATION, PLUS I PROMISED AND I WOULD NEVER GO BACK ON A PROMISE!!!
AT: ok, ok... 1 hear you.
AT: you just sound a l1l stressed out.
AC: (=xェx=) < I AM... BUT A LITTLE STRESS NEVER HURT ANYBODY!!!
AC: (^・o・^) < I THINK I JUST N33D TO CHANGE MY TACTICS. I MIGHT EVEN HAVE AN IDEA FOR IT TOO!
AC: (=^・ω・^=) < I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS FIRST, IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT
AT: lol, sure, doll...
AT: f1re away.
AC: (^・x・^) < OK…
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT DAMARA?
AT: er…
AT: what you mean?
AT: 1n what way?
AC: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < ANY WAY!
AC: (^・o・^) < HOW DO YOU S33 HER AS A FRIEND? AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO BE YOUR MATESPRIT? AS SOMEONE YOU’RE SO AFRAID OF FINDING OUT HOW YOU R33LY F33L ABOUT STUFF!
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO PUT THIS OUT ON THE TABLE WHERE EVERYONE CAN S33 IT BC… IT’S PLAIN TO S33 THAT DAMARA IS A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE!
AT: …well.
AT: s1gh.
AT: that’s a long, compl1cated story, doll… 1s there a po1nt to d1gg1n’ up the past?
AC: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < OF COURSE THERE IS! IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE GOING, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU CAME FROM!
AC: (^・o・^) < PURRHAPS UNDERSTANDING YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH DAMARA WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH HORUSS
AT: d*mn…
AT: well…
AT: 1 guess 1t can’t hurt to muse about 1t a l1l… s1nce you’re ask1n’ and everyth1ng.
AT: 1t’s already as bad as 1t’s ever gonna get, r1ght?
AT: and… 1 trust that you’re tryna help.
AT: tbh… 1'll be real.
AT: 1t’s been ages s1nce 1 knew what to feel about damara.
AT: she’s d1fferent than how 1 knew her back 1n the redleaf woods.
AT: yknow… when we were k1ds and play1n’ swords and catch1n’ leapbeasts 1n the creek.
AT: she was k1nda l1ke the f1x 1t troll for everyone. she always had a way w1th her needles.
AT: she was my r1ght hand troll. they called me the leader of the weeaboos cuz 1 won the sword from the f1st1cuffs but 1t was both of us.
AT: for the longest t1me, 1 d1dn’t even know how to fly… 1 had the w1ng molt but 1 could never take l1ftoff.
AT: damz used to help me w/ that. w1th her psych1cs.
AT: 1t’s crazy… 1t must’ve made everyone th1nk 1 could do anyth1ng. cuz 1 d1dn’t even have to try, 1 just made 1t look easy.
AT: never thought of 1t that way before now.
AT: then… 1t was us together…
AT: when you’re that age, 1t just makes sense to be together cuz ne1ther of you knew anyth1n’ d1fferent… then you get older… and th1ngs change…
AT: tldr, she was my best fr1end, then she was my matespr1t and 1 thought 1 knew everyth1ng there was to know about her... but these days… 1 feel l1ke 1 never knew her at all.
AT: ngl. 1, uh...
AT: guess 1 st1ll have some hang ups.
AT: but then... you end up 1n my k1nda s1tuat1on and 1t doesn't feel worthwh1le to rehash those old stor1es.
AT: 1f anyth1n', 1t sounds l1ke an easy way for drama to start... aga1n...
AT: and d*mn, doll... 1 don't th1nk 1 could l1ve through that... aga1n...
AT: but st1ll... 1 can't help but wonder...
AT: do you th1nk she hates me? not 1n the spade, blackways but... 1n the regular 's1ck of my sh*t and wants to put me outta my m1sery' k1nda way?
AT: 1t’s k1nda scary to th1nk about.
AC: (^・x・^) < I THINK...
AC: (^・o・^)ノ THESE ARE ALL VERY COMPLICATED QUESTIONS WITH VERY COMPLICATED ANSWERS AND IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO SUMMARIZE THE CONTEXT OF A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP INTO SUCH SIMPLE DEFINITIONS LIKE 'PITY' OR 'HATE'
AC: (=^-^"=) < AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE QUADRANT SYSTEM IT ISN'T ALWAYS GREAT CAPTURING THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF TROLL EMOTION!!!
AC: (^・o・^) < I ALSO THINK THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT HOW DAMARA F33LS ABOUT YOU IS TO ASK HER DIRECTLY!
AT: oh...
AT: 1 dunno about that, doll...
AT: 1 was k1nda th1nk1n' th1s was all hypothet1cal... l1ke mus1n' and stuff.
AC: (^・ω・^) < I'M ONLY ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW!
AC: (^・_・^) < THE INITIAL ISSUE YOU CAME TO ME ABOUT WAS ABOUT POTENTIALLY BREAKING UP WITH HORUSS...
AC: (^・_・^)ノ < BUT IF YOU ASK ME, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU REALLY F33L ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BETW33N YOU AND DAMARA!
AC: (^・o・^) < SHE'S AN IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE AND I THINK IT'S TIME YOU ACTED LIKE IT!!!
AT: ok... that all makes sense.
AT: and let's say 1'm all about that...
AT: k1ck1n' back and shoot1n' the breeze w1th damara about the good ole days...
AT: how do 1 know she a1n't gonna fl1p out when 1 start talk1n' about stuff she doesn't wanna hear?
AT: 1t'd be pretty easy to pop my skull l1ke she d1d last time. she's uh... way more powerful than me. and all 1've got 1s a sword.
AT: used to, anyway. 1 don't have 1t these days.
AT: po1nt 1s...
AT: 1t sucks hav1n' to go 1nto th1s w1th a cont1ngency plan, y'know? 1t's damara.
AT: my best fr1end.
AT: 1 don't th1nk 1 could ever stop her 1f she wanted to take me out for good. 1 don't think 1'd wanna stop her.
AT: 1t's, uh...
AT: 1t's scary.
AT: to be afra1d of your best fr1end.
AT: they know how to hurt you 1n ways nobody else can.
AT: 1 dunno 1f 1 can do that aga1n.
AC: (^・x・^) < OKAY, WELL...
AC: (^・o・^) < BY ANSWERING THIS WAY, YOU HAVE PURRETTY MUCH CONFIRMED SOMETHING FOR ME
AC: (^・o・^) < I HAVE HEARD THE SUFFERING PURR-PET-UATING BETW33N MY TWO FRIENDS AND KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO NOW!!!
AT: uh...
AT: yeah, a1ght...
AT: what's that?
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < THAT BOTH YOU AND DAMARA N33D AN AUSPISTICE AND THAT AUSPISTICE N33DS TO BE ME!
AC: (=^・^=) < TEMPURRARILY OF COURSE!!!
AC: (^・o・^)ノ < YOU TWO N33D A MEDIATOR JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR YOU TWO TO WORK OUT YOUR DIFFERENCES AND FIND SOME COMMON GROUND AGAIN!
AC: (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ < IF WE JUST PUT OUR HEADS AND HEARTS TOGETHER, I KNOW WE CAN FOUND OUR WAY THROUGH THIS HEARTACHE!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < PLEASE SAY YES, RUFIOH!!!
AT: uhhhhhhhhhhh...
AT: d*mn, doll...
AT: th1s 1s a bold *ss move.
AT: k1nda forward too... 1mo...
AC: (✧ω✧) < I KNOW!!! ALL OF THIS S33MS SO SUDDEN... BUT WHEN IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH, BOLD MOVES ARE NECESSARY!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I THINK I WOULD BE HONORED TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE FOR YOU, RUFIOH; I WON'T LEAVE YOUR SIDE FOR AS LONG AS YOU'LL HAVE ME THERE!
AC: (✧ω✧) < WE CAN TALK TO DAMARA TOGETHER!!! AND IF SHE GETS MAD... SHE CAN GET MAD AT US BOTH!
AC: (✧ω✧) < BUT SHE WON'T GET MAD BECLAWS YOU WON'T BE GOING UNLESS I GET HER AGR33 TO PLAY BY THE RULES I SET DOWN FOR US
AT: r1ght...
AT: and how are you gonna get her to agree to someth1n’ l1ke that?
AC: (✧ω✧) < SHE WILL AGR33 BECLAWS SHE CARES MORE THAN SHE LIKES TO SUGGEST AND I HAVE FAITH IN HER!!!
AC: ~(=^‥^)ノ< ALSO, I SAID I WOULDN'T HELP HER GET AN IMPORTANT TASK DONE UNTIL I FINISHED HELPING YOU!!! SO...
AC: (✧ω✧) < SHE HAS TO DO WHAT I SAY OR I WILL MAKE IT HARD FOR HER TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS! THAT'S JUST THE WAY THINGS HAVE TO BE!
AT: and…
AT: you’re really not afra1d of her?
AC: (✧ω✧) < NO WAY!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I KNOW DAMEOWRA HAS THIS UNIQUE INTENSITY TO HER… BUT I BELIEVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES SHE HAS BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR DON’T LET HER BE ANY OTHER WAY!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I WANT TO SHOW HER THAT SHE’S WORTH THE EFFORT OF TRYING
AC: (✧ω✧) < WE MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT BUT WE ARE HER FRIENDS AND WHEN SHE N33DS US, WE GET SHIT DONE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!
AT: …
AT: th1s 1s w1ld, meuz…
AT: maybe 1t’s a bad 1dea…
AT: 1’m reeeally hop1n’ 1t doesn’t turn out to be a m1stake.
AT: but…
AT: 1f you’re there…
AT: 1 wanna try.
AT: just cuz you’re mak1n’ prom1ses and…
AT: 1 wanna believe 1t’s true.
AT: even 1f 1t’s not… and 1t all goes to h*ll…
AT: 1t means a lot that you tr1ed… so…
AT: f*ck 1t… just g1ve the word… and 1’ll be there.
AC: (✧ω✧) < !!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < THANK YOU, RUFIOH! THAT’S ALL I’M ASKING FROM YOU!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < I WILL TALK TO DAMARA RIGHT NOW AND IF EVERYTHING WORKS OUT… I WILL GIVE YOU THE TIME TO M33T UP AT MY HIVE ON LOLCAT!
AT: bangarang, meuz… sounds l1ke a plan.
AT: and hey.
AT: …
AT: thanks, doll.
AT: for l1sten1n’.
AC: (=^ω^=) < H33 H33, ANY TIME!!!
AC: \(=^‥^)/ < LET’S CHAT SOON!
AC: (=^ω^=) < I’VE GOT SOME IMPORTANT WORK TO DO… LIKE A TEA PARTY TO PLAN!!! >:33

-- amorousCaptivation [AC] ceased trolling airborneTsundere [AT] –-

--[AC] is online!--

AC: (=^ω^=) < OH DAMARAAAAAAAAA! I HAVE SOME TEA TO SHARE!!!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < ARE YOU BACK FROM YOUR SMOKE BREAK?
AC: (=｀ω’=) < ARE YOU READY TO PLAY NICE AND HAVE A NICE FRIENDLY CAT BETW33N FRIENDLY FRIENDS???
AA: NO.
AA: TIRED.
AC: (=｀ω’=) < H33 H33, WELL IF YOU’RE SO 33PY, WHY DON’T YOU TAKE A CAT NAP? I’M SURE THERE’S A NICE PATCH OF SUN SOMEWHERE WITH A NICE BR33ZE!!!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < MIGHT I SUGGEST…
AC: (^>ω・^) < MY HIVE ON LOLCAT??? >:33 #WINK!
AA: …
AA: WHAT.
AC: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < I’M INVITING YOU FOR SOME TEA ON LOLCAT SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT THINGS! YOU WOULD BE WELCOME TO TAKE A NAP TOO, IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED
AC: (=^ω^=) < I WOULDN’T MIND AT ALL!!!
AA: IMPORTANT THING.
AA: LIKE WHAT.
AC: (^・x・^) < WELL…
AC: (^・x・^) < BEFORE I DISCLOSE WHAT IS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED…
AC: (^・x・^) < YOU HAVE TO PROMISE YOU’RE NOT GOING TO BLOW UP OR GET MAD OR HURT ANYBODY WITH YOUR PSIONICS OR N33DLES WHEN YOU COME OVER TO MY HIVE!!!
AC: (^・x・^) < IF YOU CAN’T DO THAT, THEN I WILL REFUSE TO HELP YOU TRACK DOWN YOUR PRISONER!!!
AA: TSK.
AA: SOUND FOOLISH.
AA: WHY YOU NEED.
AA: THIS PROMISE.
AC: (^・x・^) < BECAUSE…
AC: \(=^‥^)/ < RUFIOH WANTS TO TALK!!!
AC: (^・x・^) < ABOUT YOUR PAST… ABOUT YOUR F33LINGS…
AC: \(=^‥^)/ < ALL OF IT!
AC: \(=^‥^)/ < HE HAS AGR33D TO COME OVER TO LOLCAT FOR A TEA PARTY BUT IT WON’T HAPPEN AT ALL IF YOU CAN’T K33P YOUR TEMPER IN CHECK!
AA: WHY.
AA: WOULD HE AGREE THIS.
AA: SUSPICION.
AA: IS TRICK.
AC: \(=^‥^)/ < IT’S NOT A TRICK AT ALL, I PROMISE!
AC: (^・x・^) < I SUGGESTED IT BECAUSE… IT’S CLEAR YOU TWO HAVE SOME UNRESOLVED ISSUES AND IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT TALKING THEM OUT!
AC: (^・x・^) < AND TO MAKE SURE THINGS STAY ON TRACK TO A NATURAL CONCLUSION…
AC: (✧ω✧) < I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY EXTEND MY PAW TO AUSPISTIZE BETW33N YOU TWO!
AC: (✧ω✧) < IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS HONOR IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT ME AS YOUR AUSPISTICE, DAMARA!
AC: (✧ω✧) < PLEASE SAY YES!!!
AA: FUCK.
AA: NO.
AA: WE DO NOT NEED.
AA: AUSPISTICE.
AA: DOES HE CLAIM.
AA: TO HATE ME.
AA: THEN LET HIM SAY.
AA: TO MY FACE.
AA: SHAMELESS.
AA: IN HIS COWARDICE.
AA: TO THIS DAY.
AA: BASTARD.
AC: (=｀A’=) < NO, DAMARA!!! YOU CAN’T ASSUME THAT A PROPOSITION FOR A MEDIATOR IS HAPPENING BECLAWS YOU HATE EACH OTHER!!! IT’S THE OPPOSITE!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < IT’S HAPPENING BECAUSE…
AC: (=｀A’=) < YOU R33LY CAN’T TALK ABOUT YOUR F33LINGS ABOUT RUFIOH WITHOUT MAKING HIM AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM F33L THREATENED!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < I S33 IT FOR MYSELF AND I AM ASKING YOU TO LISTEN!
AC: (=｀A’=) < ANY AUSPISTICE WORTH THEIR KIBBLE WOULD HAVE THEIR PAWS FULL TRYING TO K33P THEIR STEMS IN CHECK… BUT IN THIS CASE, WHERE YOU HAVE A CLEAR RECORD OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE OTHER CLOVER, I THINK IT IS ENTIRELY REASONABLE TO ASK YOU TO SHOW SOME RESTRAINT!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ASKING ANYTHING OF YOU AT ALL IS BECAUSE WE CARE!!! RUFIOH WOULDN’T OFFER TO SHOW UP IF HE DIDN’T CARE!
AC: (=｀A’=) < I WOULDN’T YOWL IN YOUR DMS IF I DIDN’T CARE!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < WHATEVER MISTAKES HE’S DONE IN THE PAST… YOU’RE THE ONE WHO DESERVES THE CLOSURE AND TO HAVE YOUR F33LINGS HEARD BY SOMEONE WHO HURT YOU VERY MUCH!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < IF YOU CAN’T DO THAT, THEN FINE… THAT’S YOUR DECISION! NOBODY IS HOLDING NEEDLES TO YOUR NECK ABOUT IT!
AC: (=｀A’=) < BUT YOU ALSO CAN’T TURN AROUND AND DECIDE TO HURT RUFIOH WHEN YOU HAVEN’T EVEN GIVEN HIM A CHANCE TO SP33K!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < THAT KIND OF CRUELTY JUST MAKES YOU THE BULLY AND...
AC: (=｀A’=) < A COWARD!!!!!!!!!!
AC: (=｀A’=) < JUST FUR ONCE, CAN YOU PLEASE PUT YOUR INTENSE F33LINGS TOWARDS YOURSELF AND YOUR OWN EMOTIONAL N33DS INSTEAD OF OUT INTO THE EMPTY NAMELESS, FACELESS TIMESTREAM???
AC: (=｀A’=) < IT’S GONNA BE THERE WHEN YOU GET BACK! I PROMISE!!!
AA: UGH.
AA: YOU.
AA: SOUND OF CONFIDENCE.
AA: WHY.
AA: NEVER HAD SUCH GLOBES TO DEFY.
AA: TO REFUTE.
AA: BEFORE.
AA: SOMETHING CHANGE.
AA: MUST KNOW SECRETS.
AA: TELL ME.
AC: (=｀ω’=) < MEOW! IT'S NOT CONFIDENCE! IT'S MORE LIKE...
AC: (=｀ω’=) < CONVICTION! CEASELESS FAITH IN THE CAUSE!!!
AC: (=｀ω’=) < I R33LY THINK YOU SHOULD GIVE IT SOME CONSIDERATION!!!
AA: HA.
AA: HA. HA.
AA: CEASELESS FAITH.
AA: LIKE THAT OF.
AA: DISCIPLE.
AA: THIS IS CORRECT.
AA: ?
AC: (=｀ω’=) < LOL! SURE??? IF IT HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORD PICTURE I AM TRYING TO PAINT FOR YOU.
AC: (=｀ω’=) < BUT I AM NOT AS GOOD A PAINTER AS I AM A WRITER SO THERE WE GO!!! DISCIPLE IS A GREAT WORD TO USE!
AA: HM.
AA: FINE.
AA: YOU WIN.
AA: FIND SELF.
AA: CURIOUS.
AA: OF THIS DIRECTION.
AA: WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
AA: WHERE END.
AA: WILL LEAVE WEAPONS.
AA: UNTOUCHED.
AA: PSIONICS.
AA: SPENT.
AA: TOO TIRED.
AA: ANYWAY.
AA: IF KICK ASS I MUST.
AA: WILL DO SO.
AA: WITH HANDS AND HORNS.
AA: AND HEELS.
AA: AS MOTHERGRUB INTENDED.
AA: BUT THIS.
AA: NOT LIKELY.
AC: (^・x・^) < OH.........
AC: (✧ω✧) < YOU REALLY MEAN IT, DAMARA???
AC: (✧ω✧) < YOU PROMISE???
AA: YES.
AA: PROMISE.
AA: YOU WILL BE AUSPISTICE.
AA: FOR TINKERFUCKER.
AA: AND MYSELF.
AA: WE TALK.
AA: OF PAST.
AA: CROSS BLOODPUSHER.
AA: AND HOPE TO DIE.
AC: (✧ω✧) < YIPP33 YIPP33 YIIIIIIIIIPP333333333!!! HURRAY!!!!!!!!! OKAY!!!!!!!!!
AC: (✧ω✧) < LET'S M33T UP AT MY HIVE IN AN HOUR, I N33D SOME TIME TO CLEAN UP AND MAKE SNACKS FOR EVERYONE!
AC: (✧ω✧) < DON'T BE LATE, WE HAVE A LOT OF GROUND AND F33LINGS TO COVER!!! H33 H33 H33 (=@^.^@=)
AA: DO NOT WORRY.
AA: WILL NOT.
AA: BE LATE.

-- akibachaAkuma [AA] ceased trolling amorousCaptivation [AC] -–

With her planet overflowing with an abundance of teapots and sugar, Meulin considered herself somewhat of a professional when it came to throwing tea parties. Every mug had a cozy and a pawprint coaster to match. The kettle was constantly filled and a fresh stack of sandwiches, fruit, and pastries were readily available on the three-tier porcelain stand.

Even better, both Damara and Rufioh came to find, were Meulin's fine joint-rolling skills. Any nerves that might have been in the air between the two ex-quadrants were diffused - first, through the thick, herbal scent of the nip - and then out with the lovely LOLCAT breeze rustling the sheer curtains.

Meulin tapped the side of her teacup with a tiny, fancy spoon. While the tickling sound fell upon her own defeat hearing ducts, it was sure to draw the attention of her clovers. Her own two clovers! Even the temporary state of the mediation was making her thinkpan reel with the implications it would present for her shipping wall.

The thought put a bright smile on her face as she raised a cup in the direction of her guests. She bowed her head in gratitude.

MEULIN: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ < FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING YOU BOTH FOR AGR33ING TO M33T WITH ME
MEULIN: (=｀ω’=) < I THINK THE EFFORT OF BEING PRESENT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND APPURRECIATED
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < IF ONLY BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT DESPITE THE COMPLEXITIES OF YOUR PAST, YOU ARE WILLING TO M33T EACH OTHER HALFWAY… AND I JUST THINK THAT’S WONDERFUL!!!
MEULIN: (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ < A TOAST TO US, OUR GOOD FURRIENDS, AND OUR GOOD FORTUNES!!!

She tipped the cup towards herself, giving her tea a very cat-like lap from her tongue. Yum yum yum!

Rufioh watched her antics, quirking a lopsided smile from under his mess of red-dyed hair. A steady stream of smoke seeped from his nostrils until he leaned back against weight of the great horns of his head, billowing a full column into the air like a lazy, leather-clad dragon. When he spoke, she couldn't help but admire the flash of his handsome, pointed fangs.

RUFIOH: bangarang, meuz…
RUFIOH: to good fr1ends.

In contrast, Damara knelt with her skirt carefully tucked under her. While she took no part of the array of pillows or the tea, she helped herself to one of Meulin's complimentary joints. She smoked like a train and tipped the ashes of her cigarette into the untouched tea cup beside her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Meulin saw Damara scoff.

DAMARA: CUT THIS CRAP.
DAMARA: YOU WISH TO MEET.
DAMARA: YOU WISH TO TALK.
DAMARA: WHY.

Meulin hastily wiped her mouth with a nearby handkerchief and flashed her best, most disarming smile.

MEULIN: (=^ω^=)~ < NOW DAMARA, I UNDERSTAND NOT WANTING TO WASTE TIME... BUT CAN I MAKE A T33NY TINY SUGGESTION?
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ< INSTEAD OF MAKING DEMANDS OF EACH OTHER'S F33LINGS, LET'S TRY LETTING THE TOPICS MANE-FEST NATURALLY SO NOBODY F33LS LIKE A CORNERED SQUEAKBEAST IN A BLOCK FULL OF MEOWCATS!!!
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I THINK THAT WOULD BE R33LY NICE OF YOU!
RUFIOH: nah, meuz...
RUFIOH: damara knows what she wants outta this whole thing.
RUFIOH: can't fault her for that.

His words said one thing but that easy smile sliding off his face said another. Meulin remembered the importance of her job all over again. She took a deep breath and scrabbled restless fingers over the embroidered texture of her tablecloth.

MEULIN: (^・x・^) < FURRY WELL…
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ< BUT I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INTERJECT IF I F33L LIKE THE EMOTIONAL YARN IS GETTING TOO TANGLED!
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < YOU MAY PURR-CEDE!

Cheerful as her disposition was, her eyes flickered between her clovers, determined to not let a single word fall through the cracks. She watched as Rufioh leaned forward, clasping his gloved hands together with a contemplative look on his face. Damara looked on, unmoved by his apparent nerves.

RUFIOH: guess i should just come out with it, huh?

The maroonblood's response was curt.

DAMARA: YES.
RUFIOH: okay…
RUFIOH: then, the truth 1s…
RUFIOH: 1 started talk1n' to meul1n cuz…
RUFIOH: 1 wanted some adv1ce about horuss.
RUFIOH: …
RUFIOH: 1 th1nk 1 need to break up w1th h1m.

The very corners of Damara’s lips edged into a smirk.

DAMARA: I SEE.
DAMARA: TROUBLE IN PARADISE.
DAMARA: OBLONG SHAPE.
DAMARA: DOES NOT SATISIFY.
DAMARA: ?

He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, but it did nothing to tame the windswept nature nor did it calm his nerves.

RUFIOH: 1 th1nk you’re focus1n’ on all the wrong th1ngs here…
RUFIOH: bes1des…
RUFIOH: talk1n' about all that led to meul1n suggest1n' 1 show up here… to talk th1ngs out w1th you f1rst.
RUFIOH: feels l1ke…
RUFIOH: we got some unresolved problems that, uh…
RUFIOH: we need to talk about.
RUFIOH: r1ght?

He pulled a face at his own question. When Rufioh glanced at her for reassurance, Meulin offered him two thumbs up and a wide, goofy smile. She didn't quite catch the way Damara's lips pursed. She took another long drag of her cigarette, blowing the smoke out through the needlepoint space made between her teeth.

DAMARA: WHAT IS TO TALK ABOUT.
DAMARA: IS IN PAST.
DAMARA: BURIED.
DAMARA: ALL BUT.
DAMARA: FORGOTTEN.
DAMARA: THIS DECIDED.
DAMARA: LONG AGO.
DAMARA: CORRECT.
DAMARA: ?
RUFIOH: uhh…

He wavered. Meulin then leapt forward, her sleeves flapping wildly as she did so.

MEULIN: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < THAT'S WHERE YOU COULD BE WRONG, DAMARA!
MEULIN: (^・o・^) < I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT YOUR PAST TOGETHER IS /NOT/ FORGOTTEN AND IT IS /NOT/ BURIED!
MEULIN: (^・o・^) < TO CLAIM THAT IT IS MEANS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO AVOID TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES SO I AM OBLIGATED TO OBJECT!
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS BETW33N YOU TWO ARE TOO MUCH TO UNPACK… THAT IS WHY WE'RE GOING TO START THIS OFF WITH A LITTLE EXERCISE TO BREAK THE ICE!
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < FIRST WE'RE GOING TO PRACTICE SPEAKING /AND/LISTENING TO EACH OTHER'S F33LINGS.
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I KNOW IT S33MS OBVIOUS BUT WE ALL HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE!

She placed a clipboard in front of her. On the sheet in front of her, Meulin began to draw out two columns. Each of Rufioh and Damara's names were labeled at the top of either side.

MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I WILL OFFER GUIDANCE ON HOW TO START THIS DIALOGUE
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER AND ONE THING YOU DON'T LIKE
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < RU-FLEA-OH! WOULD YOU LIKE TO START?

Damara stared daggers at him from across the table. In any other circumstance, the spark of psionics would snap in the air around her curly horned head. To her credit, Rufioh noted, she'd kept a tight lid on her abilities so far. He wasn't surprised. Damara had always been good on her promises.

He cleared his throat, using his knuckles to idly scratch the faint line of facial hair sprouting under his chin.

RUFIOH: y'know…
RUFIOH: 1t's not hard th1nk1n' about stuff 1 l1ke about damara.
RUFIOH: f1rst th1ng that comes to m1nd…
RUFIOH: you're always around.
RUFIOH: doesn't matter 1f some sh*t 1s go1n' down or someone sa1d someth1n' to t1ck you off..
RUFIOH: you always make t1me to talk and…
RUFIOH: you've always been there for me.
RUFIOH: can't say there's a lot of trolls 1 can say that about so…
RUFIOH: yeah.
RUFIOH: that's a b1g one for me.

Even Meulin could see the edges of Damara's expression soften at his words. Her green pen scribbled furiously, capturing the essence of Rufioh's words in a short-hand script.

MEULIN: ヽ(=^ω^=)ノ< OMGOSH, RUFIOH, THAT'S SO NICE OF YOU TO SAY—
DAMARA: AND.

The rasp of Damara's voice cut through the peal of Meulin's compliment. She drew in another hit from the nip, exhaling it out in a pillar of smoke pointed directly at their mediator. Meulin was quick to hold her tongue, just to stop herself from coughing.

The question persisted.

DAMARA: WHAT DO YOU NOT LIKE.
DAMARA: ABOUT ME.
DAMARA: ?

Rufioh shifted uncomfortably.

RUFIOH: a1ght…
RUFIOH: someth1n' 1 don't l1ke…
RUFIOH: 1s that you always assume what 1'm gonna do or say…
RUFIOH: before 1 do or say anyth1n'…
RUFIOH: 1t's l1ke…
RUFIOH: you ant1c1pate me lett1n' you down.
RUFIOH: makes me feel l1ke…
RUFIOH: 1 can't do anyth1n' r1ght.

Damara laughed. Meulin snapped her head up to stare with wide eyes. While she could not hear it, she found herself imagining what it would sound like. Maybe it sounded reedy, like a wisp caught in the boughs of a willow tree, or maybe it sounded like a bell, chiming for the first time in many sweeps. She found herself envious of Rufioh's ability to experience it, even if it was at his own expense.

She then realized that Damara was in the middle of saying something.

DAMARA: THAT IS ALL.
DAMARA: ?
DAMARA: MID.
DAMARA: I ACCEPT.

She smiled. Relief washed over Rufioh's face. For one fleeting moment, it felt like an innocuous exchange between two old friends. The feeling, however, did not last long. Damara's expression turned dour.

DAMARA: NOW I SPEAK.
DAMARA: NOW YOU LISTEN.

Her eyes maintained that steel-like quality that made the pen in Meulin’s hand pause. It reminded her of an assassin's blade in an old Eastern Beforan movie.

DAMARA: THERE IS NOTHING TO LIKE.
DAMARA: ABOUT YOU.
DAMARA: YOU LIVE IN WORLD OF FAIRIES.
DAMARA: ESCAPISM.
DAMARA: FANTASY.
DAMARA: YOU DO NOT DEAL.
DAMARA: WITH WHAT IS REAL.
DAMARA: SO IS IMPOSSIBLE.
DAMARA: FOR PROFOUNDNESS.
DAMARA: OF SOUL.
DAMARA: IMPOSSIBLE.
DAMARA: TO HELP OTHERS.
DAMARA: YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THIS WAY.
DAMARA: SELFISH.
DAMARA: SHALLOW.
DAMARA: STUNTED.
DAMARA: NEVER CHANGE.
DAMARA: THIS. IS PROMISED.
DAMARA: THIS. QUALITY OF YOU.
DAMARA: I DISLIKE.
DAMARA: BUT I ACCEPT.
DAMARA: HAVE ALWAYS ACCEPTED.

As her words settled on Rufioh, he said nothing in response. The silence felt pronounced and all he could do was take another long, slow drag. To Meulin, it was like watching a chip in the glass shield spread to reveal the factures within the design. She began to bristle, fully dropping her pen. Ink dripped and smudged the paper.

MEULIN: (^>×<^;;) < DAMARA, THAT WAS SO— MEAN!!! WHY WOULD YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT???

Damara paused, her expression was unreadable. The reminder of an earlier conversation came to the forefront of her mind, making her lip curl with irritation at the chastising tone in Meulin's voice.

DAMARA: BECAUSE.
DAMARA: IT IS TRUTH.

Rufioh remained quiet. The only thing he offered to this conversation was the slow exhale of smoke. Then he spoke.

RUFIOH: bangarang, damz...
RUFIOH: guess honesty counts for someth1n'.

Meulin’s eyes narrowed, her nerves prickling like the fingers she was digging into the tablecloth. While things started off well, she now had the distinct feeling that the exchange was going terribly. She could taste the heartbreak like bile in the back of her throat.

She reached out with soft knuckles across the table, making a bid for Damara's attention.

MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < OKAY, DAMARA!
MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < IF YOU THINK HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM TELLING ME /HOW/ YOU THINK IT'S OKAY TO SAY THAT THERE'S NOTHING TO LIKE ABOUT RUFIOH WHEN WE BOTH KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!
MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < THERE'S SO MUCH TO LIKE ABOUT HIM AND IF YOU WERE EVER HIS BEST FRIEND, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT!!!
MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < BUT INSTEAD, YOU SAY THAT /BECAUSE/ YOU WERE HIS BEST FRIEND AND YOU KNOW THAT IT WOULD HURT HIM THE MOST TO HEAR IT COMING FROM YOU!!!
MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < I'M SORRY BUT THAT'S SUPER FUCKED UP AND I'M NOT OKAY WITH THAT!!!

Damara scowled but, surprisingly, said nothing. Meulin did not linger to wonder if it was her own words that made an impact or something else entirely. Her eyes simply stayed trained at the ground, unwilling to meet the level of conviction in Meulin's voice.

MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < NOTHING TO SAY? FELINE BY ME! NOW IT'S MY TURN TO ASK THE QUESTIONS!

The olive then whirled onto Rufioh.

MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < RUFIOH
MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < WITH EVERYTHING THAT DAMARA HAS TOLD YOU IN THIS MOMENT, WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK SHE MEANS IT...
MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < DO YOU STILL CARE FOR HER? DO YOU STILL WANT HER TO BE HAPPY?

It took him a moment to respond, simmering in the resignation and carrying a weight on his shoulders heavier than both his horns and his wings combined. Finally, the bronze-blooded troll looked up. He spoke, voice cracked with a pain laced in his tone like the narcotic in the smoke swirling above their heads.

RUFIOH: yeah, doll...
RUFIOH: 1f 1t were poss1ble...
RUFIOH: 1f there were someth1n' anyone could do or say...
RUFIOH: 1 want damara to be happy.

Damara did not accept his response. She interjected, snide with another curling of her lip.

DAMARA: TCH.
DAMARA: LIAR.

Her words, though short, were quickly cut down by Meulin as she now whirled on her.

MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < EXCUSE ME, MISSY-- YOUR AUSPISTICE IS STILL TALKING!
MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < PLEASE HUSH AND LISTEN!!!

Damara fell silent. For some inexplicable reason, her cheeks reddened. Was it out of shame? Was she embarrassed by the boldness with which Meulin declared herself their auspistice?

Regardless, Meulin tilted her head and sighed, allowing herself a moment to reel back her chastising.

MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < NOW AS I WAS SAYING...
MEULIN: (=｀^’=) < DAMARA
MEULIN: (=｀o’=) < DON'T YOU WANT RUFIOH TO BE HAPPY?

Her response was delivered without hesitation. Even Rufioh winced.

DAMARA: NO.
DAMARA: HAPPINESS.
DAMARA: NOT REAL.
DAMARA: NOT THIS UNIVERSE.
DAMARA: OR ANY UNIVERSE.
DAMARA: HOWEVER.
DAMARA: IF HAPPINESS REAL.
DAMARA: THEN STILL.
DAMARA: RUFIOH WOULD NOT TAKE IT.
DAMARA: BECAUSE.
DAMARA: HE WOULD PREFER.
DAMARA: EMPTINESS.
DAMARA: VOID OF MEANING.
DAMARA: WHERE IT IS SAFE.
DAMARA: WHERE HE DOES NOT CHANGE.
DAMARA: WOULD RATHER HAVE THIS.
DAMARA: THAN FACE SUBSTANCE.
DAMARA: FEAR. PAIN. LOSS.
DAMARA: NO EXPOSURE TO REALNESS.
DAMARA: NO GROWTH. NO FIRE. NO PASSION.
DAMARA: DARKNESS.
DAMARA: THIS.
DAMARA: HE HAS CHOSEN.

Meulin started to bristle again.

MEULIN: (=｀A’=) < AURGH, WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT???
RUFIOH: no, meulin... she's right.
MEULIN: (=｀o’=) < WAIT, WHAT???

His voice cut across, leaving Meulin surprised. Rufioh glanced between them. Then he shook his head.

RUFIOH: a lot of what damara 1s say1n' 1s true...
RUFIOH: not everyth1n'... but a lot of 1t 1s true.
DAMARA: OH.
DAMARA: ?
DAMARA: WHERE IS WRONG.
DAMARA: ?

He fiddled with something in his hand, passing it back and forth between his palms like a nervous tick. It took Meulin a moment to realize it was an arrowhead.

RUFIOH: 1've felt fear... pa1n... loss...
RUFIOH: the day we lost the weeaboos...
RUFIOH: the redleaf forest...
RUFIOH: that was the day everyth1ng changed between us, 1sn't 1t?
RUFIOH: the day we entered the game... that was the day you d1ed for the f1rst t1me.
RUFIOH: 1 remember crack1ng my head on someth1ng hard.
RUFIOH: 1 passed out.
RUFIOH: but you were already here. you couldn't get to me.
RUFIOH: so you used your dream self to save me from that forest f1re...
RUFIOH: you sent her back to beforus coast1ng on a meteor or someth1n' crazy l1ke that...
RUFIOH: but you were dead... she was dead... when 1 woke up.
RUFIOH: you just bled out 1n my arms.
RUFIOH: 1 thought you were gone... 1 thought 1t was my fault... but then you showed up… and acted all nonchalant about 1t.
RUFIOH: 1t fucked me up 1n a bad way. 1 asked that she get turned 1nto a spr1te, remember?

Damara's face turned rigid.

DAMARA: YES.
DAMARA: I REMEMBER.
RUFIOH: both of us lost everyth1ng that day.
RUFIOH: all those kids... our fr1ends...
RUFIOH: they d1dn't know what was happen1ng.

Rufioh fell quiet. With his hand covering the lower half of his face, Meulin thought she missed something. Then she realized that as he blinked, it was tears he had swallowed. His hand fell to his side.

RUFIOH: 1...
RUFIOH: understand...
RUFIOH: why you blame me...
RUFIOH: for everyth1n' go1n' to hell.
RUFIOH: 1 blame myself too.
RUFIOH: 1 was the one who wanted to play the game.
RUFIOH: 1’m the one who got you 1nvolved and took you away from everyth1n' you knew and...
RUFIOH: 1 did 1t because 1 knew 1 was grow1n' up... and 1 wanted an escape.
RUFIOH: 1 knew one day 1'd have to leave and face the real world but... 1 couldn't.
RUFIOH: 1 couldn't change... 1 d1dn't wanna change... and 1t cost me everyth1ng.
RUFIOH: 1 just... wanted to be w1th my fr1ends.
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < OH... RUFIOH...

A great pang of sympathy pierced through Meulin's bloodpusher and she could not stop herself. She closed the distance to throw her arms over his shoulders.

MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < IT'S... SO SAD... I'M SORRY

At first, Rufioh stiffened... then relaxed into her tight embrace, letting the length of his horns rest at the top of her head. A half-gloved hand came to squeeze back at her.

Damara, meanwhile, frowned as she mulled his words over. Her focus was fixed elsewhere.

DAMARA: SO.
DAMARA: I BLEED.
DAMARA: I SACRIFICE.
DAMARA: I DIE.
DAMARA: A THOUSAND TIMES OVER.
DAMARA: FOR YOU.
DAMARA: AND STILL.
DAMARA: YOU CHOOSE BLUEBLOOD IDIOT.
DAMARA: OVER ME.
DAMARA: BETRAYAL.
DAMARA: THIS IS PAYMENT.

The hand clutching at Meulin's arm tightened until Rufioh was pushing away from her. Something about her embrace made him bolder, made him finally able to speak to Damara directly.

RUFIOH: but, damz, 1--
RUFIOH: 1 d1dn't see 1t l1ke that!

Meulin, still seated at his side, widened her eyes until they were the size of milk saucers. Rufioh just sighed.

RUFIOH: back then…
RUFIOH: horuss was the only one who made 1t feel l1ke l1fe could ex1st after everyth1ng was gone.
RUFIOH: 1t wasn't fa1ry dust w1th h1m…
RUFIOH: 1t was hard work.
RUFIOH: he taught me how to fly.
RUFIOH: 1 tra1ned and 1 made m1stakes… 1t hurt l1ke hell… but he was there to help me back to my feet aga1n.
RUFIOH: he showed me that 1 could do someth1n’ for myself.
RUFIOH: 1t was real.

Damara’s expression soured further as she hissed.

DAMARA: WHO CARE THIS. DAMARA: I WOULD HAVE LOVED YOU.
DAMARA: IF YOU NEVER FLY.

He frowned. Whatever possessed Rufioh to speak out had not abandoned him just yet.

RUFIOH: 1 dunno 1f 1 bel1eve that, damz...
DAMARA: WHY NOT.
RUFIOH: 1 don't know much about love…
RUFIOH: 1 think 1'm bad at 1t… maybe 1'm too self1sh.
RUFIOH: but 1'm pretty sure lov1n’ someone doesn't 1nvolve snapp1n’ the1r sp1ne and mak1n’ 1t so they never walk or fly aga1n.

At that, Damara rose to her feet. Her thin frame towered over both he and Meulin. A faint aura of psionics whipped through the air, a fraction of its potential but still present. Meulin clutched back at Rufioh’s arm, reminding him that she was still there.

DAMARA: SHUT THE FUCK UP.
DAMARA: YOU /CHEATED/.
DAMARA: YOU /BETRAY/ ME.
DAMARA: YOU /CHOSE/ HIM.
DAMARA: YOU WOULD LEAVE ME.
DAMARA: HE ASKED THIS OF YOU.
DAMARA: I HEARD THIS.

Rufioh took a deep breath. then pulled himself away from Meulin a second time. This time, he shifted his weight forward until he was kneeling in front of Damara. He held no animosity in his features, only the plea that she might hear him speak.

RUFIOH: l1sten to me when 1 say, damara…
RUFIOH: 1 swear to you… we were s1x sweeps old when 1 f1rst got together w1th horuss…
RUFIOH: 1 thought that 1t was gonna be a spades th1ng.
RUFIOH: remember how rowdy we used to get? remember how we both used to troll and play pranks on him?
RUFIOH: 1t was us three for a wh1le there, y’know?
RUFIOH: f1rst, 1t was me and you… then you were talk1n’ sh*t to him… and 1 started learn1n’ how to f1ght w1th h1m….
RUFIOH: 1t was all so amb1guous.
RUFIOH: 1 swear 1 d1dn’t th1nk of 1t as cheat1n’… 1 d1dn’t know what we were feel1n’ unt1l 1t was already happen1n’.
RUFIOH: yeah, he asked me 1f 1 would leave the quadrant w1th you.. cuz 1 had already f1gured out that what we had before the game was gone.
RUFIOH: 1t was gone when the forest burned down, and your dream-self d1ed 1n my arms.
RUFIOH: 1t was stup1d of me… 1 know.
RUFIOH: 1'm sorry.
RUFIOH: horuss just…
RUFIOH: ran away with h1mself… he always does that.
RUFIOH: from the moment anyone sa1d we were 1n a redrom… that was 1t for h1m. 1t to be.
RUFIOH: after 1t all went down w1th pe1xes, 1t was the only th1ng that would make the suffer1n’ worthwh1le.
RUFIOH: 1 don’t even know 1f he st1ll feels that way… 1 don’t know /what/ he feels these days.
RUFIOH: please, damz… try to understand…
RUFIOH: 1 never meant for 1t to end up th1s way.

It was a long time before Damara found herself on her knees again. Silence overtook her as the memories came flooding back to her. Some lost, forgotten context seemed to click into place. For the first time for the entirety of their conversation, she looked absolutely incredulous. She stared down at her hands.

DAMARA: AFTER ALL THESE SWEEPS.
DAMARA: YOU THOUGHT.
DAMARA: THAT YOU. HORSEFUCKER AND I.
DAMARA:
DAMARA:
DAMARA:
DAMARA: THIS.
DAMARA: IS MOST.
DAMARA: STUPID. FUCKING. THING.
DAMARA: I HAVE HEARD.
RUFIOH: 1n retrospect…
RUFIOH: yeah. }:(
RUFIOH: 1t’s hard be1n’ s1x…
RUFIOH: 1t’s hard and nobody understands.

Her hands fell forward.

DAMARA: THIS IS NOT EXCUSE.
DAMARA: LESS COMPLICATED. PERHAPS.
DAMARA: BUT NOT EXCUSE.
RUFIOH: no… 1t’s not…

They fell into an uncomfortable silence. At that moment, Meulin felt it appropriate to surge forward with a bright exclamation.

MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < OMGGGGGGGGG, DO I SAY IT?
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < I THINK I HAVE TO
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < I F33L LIKE WE’VE MADE AN INCREDIBLE BREAKTHROUGH JUST NOW!!! IT’S SO FUR-LICKING EXCITING!!! I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!!!
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE EITHER OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS MEDIATION SESSION?

Rufioh cleared his throat and nodded. He turned to Damara.

RUFIOH: look…
RUFIOH: 1 know 1t doesn’t make 1t better.
RUFIOH: but for what 1t's worth… 1 really am sorry.
RUFIOH: 1'm sorry for hurt1n' you…
RUFIOH: for mak1n’ you feel l1ke 1 was abandon1n' you…
RUFIOH: you were my best fr1end, damara.
RUFIOH: you're all that's left from that time we had 1n the woods…
RUFIOH: 1 should have been a better fr1end to you.

Tension coiled in Damara’s shoulders. It twisted in her belly and seemed to make her grimace with the intensity of it. Finally, it all dropped out of her like a breath rattling out of her chest. She simmered down, drawing herself up into a semblance of control. Her tone was as cold and sterile as a surgical instrument.

DAMARA: DOES NOT MATTER.
DAMARA: I HAVE LONG ACCEPT.
DAMARA: THAT YOU ARE STUPID BITCH.
DAMARA: BUT THIS DOES NOT MATTER.
DAMARA: WHAT MATTER.
DAMARA: IS TIME.
DAMARA: THE LITTLE TIME.
DAMARA: THAT IS LEFT.
DAMARA: THE END IS INEVITABLE.
DAMARA: AND IT IS CLOSE.
DAMARA: IF YOU WISH FOR EMOTIONAL RELIEF.
DAMARA: EVEN. PHYSICAL PLEASURE.
DAMARA: OVER PAIN OF DEATH.
DAMARA: THEN YOU DUMP HORSEFUCKER.
DAMARA: BECOME MINE AGAIN.
DAMARA: SURRENDER YOURSELF TO ME.
DAMARA: NOW.
MEULIN: (^O∆O^) < DAMARA—NO!!! WHAT???

Meulin’s jaw dropped with horror, but none were so taken aback as Rufioh. From his position on his knees, he visibly recoiled from Damara as if he’d just been stung by a buzzbeast. He could not bring himself to meet her in the eye.

RUFIOH: no, damz…
RUFIOH: just…
RUFIOH: no.

Watching this exchange, Meulin pushed forward as if to place herself between them.

MEULIN: (=^ᗒxᗕ^=)՞ < DAMARA—THAT’S—
MEULIN: (=^ᗒᗣᗕ^=)՞ < THIS IS LITERALLY THE WORST THING ANYONE HAS EVER SAID IN FRONT OF ME!!!
MEULIN: (^>×<^;;) < THAT IS A /TERRIBLE/ REASON TO ENTER A MATESPRITSHIP WITH SOMEONE!!!

Damara regarded her coldly.

DAMARA: THEN.
DAMARA: WHAT IS POINT.
DAMARA: ?
DAMARA: I SAY BEFORE.
DAMARA: HAPPINESS NOT REAL.
DAMARA: TEMPORARY STATE.
DAMARA: OF EUPHORIA.
DAMARA: IS DISTRACTION.
DAMARA: FROM PAIN OF DEATH.
DAMARA: IT IS FACTOR.
DAMARA: OF SURVIVABILITY.
DAMARA: NOTHING ELSE.

A fire seemed to ignite from deep within. Her eyes became narrowed to slits and for the first time in her friends' recollection, her sweet disposition was abandoned. Meulin bared the fearsome length of her pointed fangs when she hissed.

MEULIN: THAT'S NOT TRUE AT ALL!!!
MEULIN: MAYBE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GRIM MARCH OF TIME BUT I KNOW ABOUT HEARTS AND SOULS AND F33LINGS SO SIT YOUR TAIL DOWN AND LISTEN!!!
MEULIN: CONNECTION, REAL CONNECTION BETW33N PEOPLE IS WHAT MAKES THE JOURNEY MEANINGFUL AT THE END OF IT ALL!
MEULIN: YOU'RE NOT JUST SOME MINDLESS SACK OF MEAT FLOATING IN PARADOX SPACE IN A STRAIGHT MARCH TO YOUR DEATH!!!
MEULIN: YOU'RE A LIVING, THINKING CREATURE WITH A SOUL AND THERE WILL NEVER BE SOMETHING LIKE YOU AGAIN!!!
MEULIN: I GET IT!!! YOUR F33LINGS HAVE B33N HURT AND YOU HAVE B33N IN PAIN FOR A VERY LONG TIME!
MEULIN: THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BE OKAY WITH IT IS BY TELLING YOURSELF THAT THE PAIN WAS RIGHT AND DESERVED… BUT THAT'S NOT OKAY!!! YOU HAVE TO STOP, DAMARA!
MEULIN: AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ALL THAT — DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT HURTS FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND TO TREAT YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU DO MATTERS??? LIKE YOUR F33LINGS AND EXPERIENCES DON'T MATTER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SERVE THE GREATER GOOD???
MEULIN: ALL RUFIOH WANTS IS FOR YOU TO FIND A WAY TO BE HAPPY AND YOU TREAT HIM LIKE HE'S THE BIGGEST, WORST KIND OF FOOL FOR THINKING THAT COULD EVER BE POSSIBLE!!!

Her voice cracked as the breath seized in her throat, Meulin realized that the inner flame from before was now falling from her eyes in the form of tears. Did it mean something? She couldn't be sure.

She ducked her head down, quickly wiping her face with the back of her sleeve in an attempt to stifle herself. When she looked back, she caught Damara regarding her with what seemed like regret. Her words were delivered in a soft murmur.

DAMARA: ALL THIS.
DAMARA: COMES DOWN.
DAMARA: TO ONE LAST.
DAMARA: FINAL DECISION.
DAMARA: WE DIE.
DAMARA: SOON.
DAMARA: I HAVE SEEN THIS.
DAMARA: TEARS. DO NOT MATTER.
DAMARA: WISHING. DOES NOT MATTER.
DAMARA: ONLY I KNOW. HOW END.
DAMARA: WHEN COME.
DAMARA: HOW SOON.
DAMARA: MY EYES. TO WITNESS.
DAMARA: THIS IS ONLY COMFORT.
DAMARA: TO OFFER.

Meulin was prepared to argue. However, the moment she opened her mouth, she felt Rufioh move from behind her. He rose to his feet, his wings flicking like a bronze cape behind him.

MEULIN: (^; ^ ;^) < MRROW? RUFIOH?

He stopped mid-step, his back towards the other two trolls.

RUFIOH: 1 can't... do th1s anymore.
RUFIOH: 1 can't hear you talk l1ke that, damz.
RUFIOH: 1t's always scared the sh1t outta me but now...
RUFIOH: no matter how many times you say 1t... no matter how sure you sound...
RUFIOH: somehow, 1 can't br1ng myself to bel1eve 1t.
RUFIOH: 1f the end really 1s soon, then 1t would have happened by now.
RUFIOH: we wouldn't be s1tt1n' around talk1n' about 1t.
RUFIOH: we'd be 1n the d1rt, mak1n' good on the prom1se.
RUFIOH: but we're not damz...
RUFIOH: and 1 don't wanna l1ve my l1fe wa1t1ng around for death to f1nd me.

He rolled the arrowhead in his palm again, letting one of the pointed ends dig into his thumb.

RUFIOH: 1s th1s my fault?
RUFIOH: did 1 do or say someth1n' to make you th1nk this way?
RUFIOH: 1f that's true...
RUFIOH: 1'm so fuck1ng sorry for what 1've done to you, damara.
RUFIOH: those t1mes we had grow1n' up... they were the best 1 ever had.
RUFIOH: 1 wouldn't trade 1t for anyth1ng.
RUFIOH: am 1 ever... goin' to have that much fun w1th you aga1n?
RUFIOH: you're st1ll here, r1ght? you're not 1n the past or 1n the future... you're here.
RUFIOH: but 1t's all so fucked up and compl1cated now.

The arrowhead had the weight of a light metal coin in his hand. Rufioh started to toss it, catching it swiftly in the air each time.

RUFIOH: why's 1t gotta be your dec1s1on... or anybody else's... to tell me how to feel about the past 1 had w1th you?
RUFIOH: all the joys, the pa1ns, the regret...
RUFIOH: can't 1t be alr1ght that 1'm the person 1t happened to?
RUFIOH: can 1 just... stop be1n' made to apolog1ze for tak1n' up space and l1v1n' a l1fe and messed up wh1le do1n' 1t?
RUFIOH: can't 1 be allowed to take those exper1ences and...
RUFIOH: choose to be someone else?
RUFIOH: can't 1 be allowed to change?

Suddenly the arrowhead floated in the air, suspended by the very breeze flowing in from Meulin's window. Then Rufioh let it fall. It clattered to the ground unceremoniously.

RUFIOH: you're just...
RUFIOH: never gonna understand or want that for me, damz.
RUFIOH: 1 think...
RUFIOH: 1'm okay with that.
RUFIOH: 1 get it now.
RUFIOH: we had fun once upon a t1me...
RUFIOH: but now 1t's over.
RUFIOH: we're never gonna be those same people aga1n. they're gone.
RUFIOH: all that's left... 1s us as we are now.
RUFIOH: and who we wanna be... when 1t's f1nally t1me to grow up.

His words cut like a blade, slicing through the composed facade Damara had tried to maintain up until this point. She blinked rapidly, registering the pain for what it was.

DAMARA: I.
DAMARA: …
DAMARA: IF IT.
DAMARA: WORTH.
DAMARA: SOMETHING.
DAMARA: WISH.
DAMARA: I COULD GO BACK.
DAMARA: TOO.

Her voice wavered. By the time Rufioh turned to look back at her, she had dropped her gaze. He glanced to Meulin, his voice soft with an apology.

RUFIOH: thanks for be1n' here, meuz... 1 th1nk th1s 1s the best anybody could do for us.
RUFIOH: 1'm gonna go... gotta f1gure some stuff out.
RUFIOH: 1 need time to th1nk.

With that, he stepped through the entryway of Meulin's hive and took to the sky. The arrowhead lay abandoned on the ground.

The silence that followed was profound, significant even to Meulin's familiarity with it. She sniffled and wiped her face with a handkerchief. The sound of Meulin's sniffling was on Damara's hearing ducts. Suddenly, she could no longer contain her rage.

Energy gathered in her fists and she screamed, bringing her hands down onto Meulin's coffee table, shattering the furniture and the display with the sheer force of her psionic abilities.

DAMARA: THIS IS YOUR FAULT!
DAMARA: THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!

Meulin startled as the space of her hive exploded in front of her. She fired back a hiss at Damara.

MEULIN: (^O∆O^) < MEOW!!!
MEULIN: (^>×<^;;) < EXCUSE ME? HOW IS THIS MY FAULT???
DAMARA: IF YOU HAD NOT PRIED.
DAMARA: ASKED QUESTIONS.
DAMARA: RUFIOH WOULD NOT BE SO…
DAMARA: REPULSED.
DAMARA: HE WOULD NOT LEAVE.
DAMARA: HE WOULD.
DAMARA: STAY.
DAMARA: WITH ME.
DAMARA: HE WOULD STAY!

The frame of Damara shoulders shook with the colossal amount of effort it took to destroy the tea cups and porcelain displays with her mind. The tears falling from her eyes were tinged with her own maroon-colored blood.

Her psychic powers were utterly spent. She could not do more.

Years and years of uncontrollable grief flowed from Damara. The wretched, wailing sounds she made fell upon Meulin's deaf hearing but even so, she was compelled to pull herself closer to her grieving friend.

Damara did not try to stop her.

DAMARA: YOU DO NOT CARE.
DAMARA: NOBODY CARES.
DAMARA: ABOUT ME.
DAMARA: I HATE YOU.
DAMARA: I HATE YOU ALL.
DAMARA: WISH OF YOU.
DAMARA: TO BURN IN HELL.
DAMARA: ALL OF YOU.
DAMARA: I WILL TAKE YOU THERE.
DAMARA: MYSELF.
DAMARA: THAT IS MY WISH.
DAMARA: DEEP IN MY BLOODPUSHER.

Despite her words, a gentle hand reached out and placed itself on Damara's shoulders. Meulin felt a faint vibration of psionics attempting to repel her but to no effect. The weeping troll simply coiled into herself, half waiting for Meulin's condemnation.

But it never comes.

MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < DAMARA… PLEASE LISTEN TO ME
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < I CARE ABOUT YOU… SO MUCH
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < YOU MIGHT TRY TO SCARE PEOPLE WITH THE THINGS YOU SAY AND DO… BUT I'M NOT AFRAID!
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < I JUST NEVER KNEW YOU HAD THIS MUCH PAIN IN YOUR HEART

Fresh olive tears begin to drip from her eyes again.

MEULIN: (=TェT=) < I'M SORRY… I DON'T MEAN TO CRY… BUT IT'S JUST SO HARD TO PICTURE WHAT YOU MUST BE GOING THROUGH!
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < TO F33L LIKE YOU'RE ALL ALONE AND THAT YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYBODY… THAT'S THE MOST AWFUL THING I CAN IMAGINE
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR FRIENDS HURTING YOU WITH THEIR IGNORANCE…
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < I'M SO SORRY IF I EVER DID ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU F33L LIKE I'M A BAD FRIEND, DAMARA
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN FORGIVE ME?

Damara’s response was wry.

DAMARA: WHY BOTHER.
DAMARA: WHY DOES THIS MATTER.
DAMARA: IT WILL ALL BE OVER.
DAMARA: SOON.
DAMARA: THIS IS WASTE OF BREATH.

As resigned as she sounded, Damara did not move. The weight in her heart was too great.

Just as she might have felt that the weight was too much for her to bear alone, Meulin rested her head on her shoulder.

MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < I THINK...
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < THE REASON THAT I'VE B33N GIVING YOU A HARD TIME ABOUT IT...
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < IS BECAUSE I'M R33LY SCARED OF THE END
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < I'M SCARED OF NOT MATTERING...
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < MOST OF ALL, I'M SCARED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < I KNOW IT DOESN'T MATTER IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS...
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < BUT THANK YOU... FOR NOT LETTING ME BE ALONE
MEULIN: (=；ェ；=) < IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME THAT YOU'RE HERE

Damara stiffened as Meulin nuzzled closer but then, she forced herself to relax. For once, she allowed herself to exist in the moment, with no thoughts the past or future. She simply let herself breathe.

The maroon troll lapsed into a contemplative silence, content to let it drag on for seconds, minutes, for however long she was allowed to have.

However, the companionable silence was broken when Meulin found it in herself to speak again. She clutched at one of Damara's sleeves, making a bid for her attention once more.

MEULIN: (^・x・^) < DAMARA?
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < I HAVE SOMETHING TO CONFESS...
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < I JUST WANT TO BE HONEST, SINCE WE'VE GOTTEN SO D33PLY ENTRENCHED IN THIS BITCH...
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < UM...

She began to fidget with the end of Damara's sleeve. Damara sat quietly, bringing a thumb to wipe at the smudged lines of blood and tears streaming down her face.

DAMARA: OKAY.
DAMARA: I LISTEN.
MEULIN: (^>x・^) < I KNOW THAT OUR SESSION IS NULL

She blurted. Her fingers curled into the fabric of Damara's shirt as if she were afraid of being silenced before she finished speaking.

MEULIN: (^・x・^) < I KNOW THAT ALL OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE TO DIE IN ORDER TO SAVE OUR SOULS FROM BEING ERASED
MEULIN: (^・x・^) < AND I KNOW THAT WE WILL ALL GO TO A PLACE IN THE VOID WHERE WE CAN EXIST FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME UNTIL WE DON'T ANYMORE
MEULIN:
MEULIN: (^>x・^) < ARE YOU MAD AT ME???

At first, Damara was too stunned to answer.

DAMARA:
DAMARA: HOW.
DAMARA: DO YOU KNOW THIS INFORMATION.

She snorted.

DAMARA: WHY WOULD THIS ANGER ME.
DAMARA: IT IS ABSURD.
DAMARA: STUPID QUESTION.

She paused, giving it some thought.

DAMARA: ALSO.
DAMARA: WEIRDLY.
DAMARA: ENDEARING.

Meulin could not stop herself from giggling.

MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < H33 H33 H33, WHOOPS! THAT'S ME!
MEULIN: (=^‥^=) < WELL... THE TRUTH IS... I WAS BEING DISHONEST BEFORE
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < I WAS ONLY PRETENDING TO NOT KNOW HOW I TUMBLE-POUNCED THE TIMELINE... WHEN THE TRUTH WAS - I KNEW ALL ALONG
MEULIN: (=^‥^=) < IT'S JUST...
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT I HAD A R33LY GOOD REASON FOR DOING SO
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < YOU S33, JUST THE OTHER NIGHT, I SPOKE TO AN ANGEL!
DAMARA: QUESTION.

Meulin gave pause as Damara raised a finger. Watching her with a note of curiousity, she laughed as the maroon simply plucked a fresh joint from the mess of spilled tea and broken dishware. She flicked her lighter over the smoke and took a hit. When she was satisfied, she spoke.

DAMARA: WHAT IS.
DAMARA: THIS ANGEL.
DAMARA: DOOMBRINGER.
DAMARA: ?
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < WELL... KINDA!
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < SHE WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TROLL I HAD EVER S33N!
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < SHE WAS A FAIRY TROLL, JUST LIKE RUFIOH! BUT SHE WAS AN OLIVEBLOOD LIKE ME AND SO FIESTY AND SW33T AND FULL OF COURAGE!
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < YOU FELT INSPIRED WITH PAW-SIBILITIES JUST BY STANDING CLOSE TO HER!
DAMARA: HM.
DAMARA: 暑そうです。[Sounds hot.]
DAMARA: CONTINUE
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE SESSION BEING NULL AND THE TIMELINE BEING DOOMED... BUT SHE ALSO TOLD ME THERE WAS STILL HOPE!
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < IF WE JUST WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE IT OUT OF OUR SESSION!!!
MEULIN: (^・o・^)ノ < BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN A SPECIFIC WAY
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < THAT IS... I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO DO IT!
DAMARA: HAH.

Damara cut her off again, this time with a laugh. She took one last hit and put the cigarette out on one of the plate shards close by.

DAMARA: WHAT YOU SAY.
DAMARA: NOT POSSIBLE.
DAMARA: TIMELINE RESOLUTE.
DAMARA: SOON WE FADE.
DAMARA: SUCH LOGISTICS.
DAMARA: IMPOSSIBLE.
DAMARA: WE ARE FUCKED.
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < I KNOW //LOGICALLY// WE SHOULD BE FUCKED BUT //REALISTICALLY// THERE'S A CHANCE!
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < MORE SPECIFICALLY, THERE'S A CHOICE!

She echoed Meulin’s words.

DAMARA: CHOICE.
DAMARA: …
DAMARA: I SEE.
DAMARA: I UNDERSTAND.
MEULIN: :OO
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < OMG, YOU DO???
DAMARA: YES.
DAMARA: EPIC QUEST.
DAMARA: DENIZEN SHIT.
DAMARA: YOU SPEAK.
DAMARA: TO PSYCHE.
DAMARA: ?

Something about her question made Meulin leap forward with further excitement.

MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < NOPE, NOT AT ALL!
DAMARA: WHAT.
DAMARA: HOW.
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < I TOLD YOU!!! SHE SAID NONE OF THAT STUFF MATTERED ANYMORE
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < WE'RE IN A NO-TROLL'S LAND WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!! IF I CAN GET MY TASK DONE…
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < WHO KNOWS WHAT CAN BE POSSIBLE???
DAMARA: DOUBT THIS.
DAMARA: BUT…
DAMARA: HM.

She trailed off with a frown.

DAMARA: MEULIN.
MEULIN: (✧ω✧) < YES?????????
DAMARA: WHY.
DAMARA: YOU TELL ME.
DAMARA: THIS.
DAMARA: ?
MEULIN: └(=^‥^=)┐ < HUH? I DON'T UNDERSTAND? :??
DAMARA: YOU KNOW.
DAMARA: IT IS DUTY.
DAMARA: OF MINE.
DAMARA: TO ELIMINATE.
DAMARA: OFFSHOOTS.
DAMARA: TIMELINES.
DAMARA: I WOULD HAVE YOU PERISH.
DAMARA: SLAIN.
DAMARA: RIGHT NOW.
DAMARA: BUT…
DAMARA: …
MEULIN:ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < BUT……… YOU WON'T!

Damara turned to look at her, confused as she was intrigued by the certainty with which she spoke. It made no sense.

DAMARA: HOW.
DAMARA: YOU KNOW THIS.
DAMARA: ?
DAMARA: I HAVE NOT ACTED.
DAMARA: YET.
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < I KNOW BECAUSE…
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I TRUST YOU, SILLY!
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < IS THAT SO HARD TO BELIEVE?
DAMARA: YES.
MEULIN: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < BELIEVE IT!!!
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EXACTLY… BUT IF NOTHING REALLY MATTERS THEN MAYBE…
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE FUN WITH IT!
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < WHY DON’T YOU HELP ME SHIP EVERYONE, DAMARA?
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < IF IT WORKS… THEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE THE MASTERS OF OUR OWN FATE AND NOBODY GETS TO TELL US WHAT TO DO ANYMORE
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < AND IF IT DOESN'T WORK…
MEULIN: (=TェT=) < WELL, THAT WOULD BE REALLY SAD #:(( #RIP
MEULIN: (^・ω・^) < BUT THEN WE DIE IN AN OFFSHOOT TIMELINE AND GO WHERE WE NEED TO GO ANYWAY
MEULIN: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < IF THAT'S HOW THE KITTEN TUMBLES… THEN THAT IS HOW IT MUST BE!
MEULIN: ヽ (=^・ω・^=)ノ < IN THE MEANTIME, LET'S JUST DO WHATEVER WE WANT AND TELL THE RULES TO GO FUCK THEMSELVES!!!

Damara couldn’t stop herself from laughing. As she did, she became aware of a strange feeling spreading throughout her chest. It was something feather-soft and light. For the first time, perhaps in all of her sweeps of existence, Damara felt… hopeful.

DAMARA: INCREDIBLE.
DAMARA: YOU PLAY WITH FATE OF FRIENDS LIKE IT IS FEATHER FOR TOY OF MEOWBEAST.
DAMARA: THIS IS DEVIOUS.
DAMARA: BUT.
DAMARA: FOR FATESTICHERS.
DAMARA: THERE ARE MANY.
DAMARA: MOST DESIRE SUFFERING.
DAMARA: YOU…
DAMARA: DESIRE LOVE FOR FRIENDS.
DAMARA: YOU ARE BENEVOLENT.
DAMARA: SO.
DAMARA: FOR REASON THAT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.
DAMARA: IT FEELS LIKE…
DAMARA: IT WILL BE OKAY.

Damara sighed as the furious storm in her mind finally cleared. The muscles in her arms, back, and neck relaxed. Meulin watched carefully as Damara began to breathe easier.

MEULIN: (^・o・^) < DID YOU PURR-HAPS STILL WANT TO GO TRACK DOWN YOUR PURR-PETRATOR?
DAMARA: ...
DAMARA: YES.
DAMARA: BUT FIRST.
DAMARA: I REST.
DAMARA: SUDDENLY.
DAMARA: SO. FUCKING.
DAMARA: TIRED.

A warm smile of affection spread across Meulin's face as she wasted no time ushering Damara over to an undamaged corner of her hive. Another haul of pillows dropped down from her sylladex.

Damara did not argue. As soon as possible, she dropped like a heavy sack of root vegetables onto the pillow pile and curled her thin frame around one of the larger ones. The heaviness in her eyes and limbs was already taking hold.

DAMARA: WILL HELP YOU FIX.
DAMARA: MESS OF TEA PARTY.
DAMARA: THIS IS PROMISE.
MEULIN: ~(=^‥^)ノ < SHOOSH!!! GO TO SL33P!
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < I WILL TAKE CARE OF IT
MEULIN: (=^ω^=) < PURR PURR PURR

Meulin would not hear a single word of argument. Instead, she ran a warm hand over the side of Damara's horns and cleared the long silky strands of hair from her face. The exhausted maroon could only pout and sigh as she was subjected to Meulin's most gentle and furious of pets.

Just as Damara was on the verge of unconsciousness, Meulin whispered and drew her out of the slumber.

MEULIN: ~(=^‥^)ノ < DA-MEOW-RA?
DAMARA: HM.
MEULIN: ~(=^‥^) < I'M STILL WORRIED ABOUT RUFIOH.
MEULIN: ~(=^‥^) < DO YOU THINK HE'S OKAY BY HIMSELF?
DAMARA: YES.
DAMARA: GIVE HIM SPACE...
DAMARA: TO BREATHE.
MEULIN: ~(=^‥^) < OKAY...
MEULIN: ~(=^‥^)ノ < ARE YOU SURE?

Damara's eyelashes fluttered as she considered Meulin's concern. She nodded after a long, quiet moment.

DAMARA: YES.
DAMARA: RUFIOH.
DAMARA: HE BREAKS.
DAMARA: BUT NEVER SHATTERS.
DAMARA: FIRST. HE FIND REASON TO SURVIVE.
DAMARA: THEN. HE FIND REASON TO LIVE.
DAMARA: THIS IS.
DAMARA: WHAT I LOVE ABOUT HIM.
DAMARA: HAVE ALWAYS...

The second of silence turned into minutes. It wasn't long before Meulin realized that Damara had already fallen into a deep sleep. She continued to run her fingers along her temple, letting the very tips of her claws trace the shape of her hairline and down towards the base of her curly horns.

She didn't know how long she stayed, basking in the warm glow coming from her bloodpusher. Perhaps she napped, perhaps she wrote the events out in a journal. Either way, Meulin was glad for this precious, quiet time she shared with Damara.

Her work, however, was only just beginning.

Some hours later, Damara stirred from her rest. When she did, Meulin pulled her husktop close to her and booted up Trollian. An important conversation needed to happen, and soon. There was no time like the present.

-- amorousCaptivation [AC] began trolling caballineTinkerer [CT] --

AC: (^・ω・^) < HI HORUSS!
AC: (^・ω・^) < DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT TO TALK?