Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

—Bandit: Awaken—

You’re RUDELY awakened by yet another bar fight breaking out in your chosen saloon. Well you say “chosen” but really it’s here or deal with the wastes sober. A thought you shutter at. You ask the barkeep how long you were out. To which you’re informed it’s been about three hours, that tracks as you feel sober and more importantly hungover. You ask the bartender as nicely as you can muster for a glass of whiskey to which he obliges.

As he starts washing your glass you look him over, he’s clearly new around here judging by how he flinches with every blow thrown and every body slammed against the bar. Looking him up and down he’s quite the scrawny little thing, probably one of them piss bloods from his choice of spectacles. You likely know his story, seen it a thousand times before. Although it never hurts to ask, helps the freshies realize that not everyone is out to get them too.

???: So kid how’d you end up tending this circus?
???: Kid? You don’t look any older than me, you rusted shit!

Were you a few sweeps younger you would’ve pulled iron at this point, but the kid’s just scared and besides… You never threaten the guy who pours the drinks.

???: Be that as it may, you clearly aren’t from around here, and that makes you the newest kid.
???: Try to last more than a week, the clowns get moody when they have to tend their own bar.
???: Fine, kid, whatever! You know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those damn…

Now let’s all say it together “Those damn imperial drones!”.

???: imperial drones!

Hah, called it. Ooh he’s handing you your drink now! You take a sip and continue.

???: Yeah I’ll drink to that, so you did something that’d get you culled and decided the best place to run was the wastes?

Like you said you’ve heard it a thousand times before. Some idiot gets caught and marked for culling, they decide to run off to the wastes not realizing that the drones don’t care how inhospitable the land is, and then one of three things will typically happen. They either: die to something in the wastes (most often being caught out at daybreak), have the drones catch up to them, or the best outcome the clowns pick them up and “save” them. The clown cult out here operates differently from the ones closer to the big cities. More like a governing body than anything else. They keep the bar running, the beasties outside of town. Sometimes they send out search parties for idiots that tried to brave the wastes. If they survive they’re put to work around town, it’s not mandatory of course but the smarter kids realize that it was pure luck that they survived in the first place.

???: Yeah that about covers it…
???: Hey don’t beat yourself up about it, that’s what happened to most of this bar!
???: Hell old Jacque over there didn’t think to bring ANY supplies when he tried it!
???: AIN’T THAT RIGHT JACQUE?
Jacque: FUCK OFF XANDRA!

Ooh shouldn’t have provoked him, now the purrbeast’s out of the bag. You see the piss blood’s face drain of color. There goes that conversation, freshies always freeze up when they hear your name for some reason!

—Xandra: Introduce yourself—

Your name is Xandra Kryies, as alluded to before you live IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, for some reason your lusus thought it’d be really cool to bring you out here (thanks for that you feathery little shit). You have quite a few hobbies such as drinking, robbing the one train line that comes through the wastes, drinking, tinkering with scrap, shooting people, getting shot at, and having an issue with alcohol.

Your name is seemingly quite well known considering every city kid that learns it turns chicken no matter their previous bravado. You suppose you are quite the renowned duelist, rumor has it that you draw so quickly it looks like time itself is too slow to keep up. That one makes you chuckle, just idiots not honing their craft enough you reckon. You finish off your drink before flipping the borderline shriveled gold blood a coin.

Xandra: Cheers for the convo kid.

—Take your leave—

You make your way to the exit, dodging and weaving through the still ongoing fight. Eventually you do break free from the bar. The heat is sweltering as it’s nearly high midnight, the wind howls down the line of rundown buildings kicking up quite a bit of dust. The street is mostly empty with most people either being in their hive or at the bar. You think you notice a figure at the other side of town but it’s hard to tell through all the dust. You get a message.

—Look at your palmhusk—

===ENCRYPTEDUSER [??] began trolling causalityDismantled [CD]===

Encrypted User? That’s weird, you didn’t even know you could do that. Although they do appear to be a blue blood so you’re going to hedge your bets.

CD: Jacque is that you? Look I’m sorry about bad mouthing you earlier but you know how the new kids get. Was just trying to show that idiot that his life isn’t done for! Earnest!
??: You…
??: You’re still as IDIOTIC as you were all those years ago aren’t you?
CD: Did you message me just to insult me?
CD: Big troll, can’t even show off your handle.
CD: If you’re going to talk the talk the least you could do is show yourself.
??: I already have.
??: Do you need a count?

A count? What for? You aren’t dueling anyone right now. In fact you’re the only person out here… As you think this you hear a bullet tear through the air just to the right of your head. You quickly look down the street for your would be killer, and you notice the figure you saw earlier has now drawn iron.

CD: Nice warning shot. Sure, count us down.
??: 10

You’re racking your thinkpan trying to figure out who this could be.

??: 9

A blue blood with a personal grudge who wants to keep their handle hidden?

??: 8

You don’t THINK you’ve pissed off any blue bloods as of recent? Well excluding Jacque, but he wouldn’t try to kill you over that comment.

??: 7

Maybe a train worker? Any successful heist does immediately put the crew of the train on a cull list.

??: 6

No, a train worker wouldn’t be so good with iron so quickly. That shot let you know they’ve been practicing for sweeps and sweeps.

??: 5

Wait… Blue blood, nearly as good as you with iron, a grudge? It couldn’t be him… he’s… you watched him… Would he really blame you? Maybe you’re just overthinking this but you’re running out of ideas.

??: 4
CD: …Ervi?
With that one question the figure stops counting down and the world seems to stand still. He drops his palmhusk and it falls for an eternity as the two of you stare at each other, you can make him out better at this point. He’s wearing an indigo cloak emblazoned with his sign, although he’s covering most of his face you can tell it’s him. His palmhusk hits the sand and the world resumes, instantly he’s fired the five remaining shots in his revolver at you. They all go wide and he starts charging at you while reloading.

—Xandra: Run—

You run. You run as fast as your legs can carry you, you run like the whole damned clown cult turned on you. You run like there’s a meteor coming straight down at you, and honestly that might be preferable. He’s gaining on you, but you should be able to make it back to your hive.

You throw open your door and slam it behind you. Taking a deep breath you appear to be face to face with… an orb? With your lusus plastered on it? Before you have time to consider this your adversary tackles you through the door, which you should’ve seen coming. You’re rolling on the floor desperately trying to get him off of you, which isn’t going to work, he’s always physically been your superior. So out of desperation you let yourself be pinned, with enough wiggle room to grab your iron. You point it at him as he points his at you.

Xandra: So this is how it goes? Are you sure you want to play this game?
Xandra: I’ve always been the quicker of us, think about this Ervi!
"Ervi": Don’t you DARE speak to me like that!
"Ervi": YOU’VE LOST ALL RIGHT!
Xandra: Well then make your move quick, unless you’ve lost the grit.
Xandra: Big man with his big iron! Pull the trigger you cow-

And then everything goes black

—Act One Conclude—

Chapter Text

—Cardsharp: All in—

The alley is dark but rowdy as you and four others huddle around a table. It’s a high stakes game and not exactly legal, but so long as everyone plays nice

??: Read em and weep boys!
??: Royal flush!
??: Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be taking the pot.
??: No fucking way, you cheated!
??: Why my good man quite frankly I’m wounded!
??: I’d be more than happy to forfeit my winnings however if you can prove it!
??: Fat chance of that happening though, because I’m not a CHEAT!
Of course you cheated, but these idiots will never figure out how.

??: Nah… Why don’t you just TRY taking it instead?

Looking around the table at the four men around you you flash a smirk.

??: Upping the ante are we? If you couldn’t match me in luck, what makes you think you can match me in skill?

With that you jump into action. Quickly captchaloguing the pot and drawing a card from your deck modus. Ace of clubs? Smoke pellets, perfect. One of the men tries to tackle you to no avail. You jump over and throw the smoke pellets down causing chaos in their ranks. After a few minutes of dodging and weaving through these idiots you hear free bird blasting from the alley entrance.

??: That dork…

You abscond to join the dork to make your getaway.

??: Good timing! How’d you know though? I don’t think I told anyone about this.
??: How do you think love?
??: Yeah dumb question, thanks by the way.
??: Not a problem, now let’s get out of here.

With that the two of you blast off down the road. Much to the chagrin of the brutes you’re leaving in the dust.

??: YEAH EAT SHIT!!!!
??: Classy…

—Be the Motorist not too long ago—

Tires screech and rubber burns as you tear off down the street on your way to pick up a certain VIP. Alex said if you left now it’d be perfect timing, and you’ve long since stopped questioning him. Traffic’s horrible right now, you’re glad you took your bike instead of the car. You see the alley up ahead.

—Back to the present—

After making sure they’ve completely lost the thugs, the motorist slows his pace to a reasonable speed.

??: So do you think we have time to catch Ruth’s game?
??: I’ll cover the admission fees, don't worry.
??: It’s still insane that the MLB already signed him.
??: Real prodigy I guess!
??: Hard to talk to though, you notice that?
??: Real hard to talk to…
??: I feel like I’m the only one contributing here.
??: Come on, give me something to bounce off of.
??: Are you STUPID? DID YOU EVEN HAVE A PLAN?
??: Ah I see, we’re at this stage.
??: Yes I DID have a plan.
??: Could’ve fooled me!
??: Why don’t you get off my case?
??: For someone who hates what I do you sure don’t hate the money it brings in!
??: It’s not about the money! I can bring in my own money!
??: It’s about you putting yourself in danger at every opportunity!
??: It’s like you’re a junkie for this shit or something!
??: Oh please, you know this is why you always figure out my plans from Alex.
??: Because you’re too much of a WUSS to make the big moves.
??: I KNOW what needs to be done, and the most fun way to do it!
??: So sue me!
??: OH WAIT! YOU DON’T HAVE THE BALLS!
??: Now if you’re done being a massive bitch, just drop me off at this corner.
??: Fine.

Pulling up to the corner the motorist drops you off.

??: …I love you, you know?
??: …
??: Forget it. We’ll talk later.

He drives off, probably to go sulk by a cliffside or whatever he does. You’re going to go watch baseball. He’s literally the only one with this issue, he’s so god damn overbearing. Whatever, you’re going to have a GREAT TIME WITHOUT HIM. You’re going to support your friend, and get an overpriced hotdog, and get an even more overpriced beer!

—Hours later but not many—

You finish watching the game, it was a bit boring to be honest. Also your beer was warm. But you made a lot of money off of sports betting, you’ll have to thank Ruth. You’re about to go find him when you feel a buzz from your phone. You check it and discover you’ve been added to a memo.

===eclipsedDestiny [ED] opened a memo “IMPORTANT INFO FOR DIPSHITS”===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added fortunateCardsharp [FC] to the memo===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added endlessStarshooter [ES] to the memo===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added acceleratedMechanic [AM] to the memo===
ED: Right, that should be everyone!
ED: How was your game Ruth? Get as many runs as I expected?
ES: More.
ED: Exceeded my expectations? Well hey I’ll have to adjust my calculations.
FC: That’s nice and all but can we cut the chit chat?
FC: What’s this information for “dipshits”?
ED: In time my dear in time. We’re not on so tight of a schedule yet.
ED: Plus we all need to be accounted for first!
ED: Which means…
ED: Jace you there?
AM: Yes.
ED: Perfect! Jace, Levi I know the two of you likely had a fight.
ED: But I expect you to be tolerable while we’re discussing this.
AM: What? Do you think we’re children?
FC: Yeah man fuck you for that one.
ED: Perfect!
ED: Now then I have come across a rather lucrative opportunity!
ED: We’re all going to play a game.
ES: ?
AM: ?
FC: ?
ED: You’re just going to have to trust me on this one.
ED: Jace please head back to your house, you’ve had enough brooding.
AM: I was NOT brooding.
ED: Sure, Ruth would you mind taking Levi home?
ES: Sure.
ED: Normally I’d task Jace, but they’re clearly at each other's necks today.
ED: Plus she’s probably already at your game.
ED: How much DID you make from the betting today Levi?
FC: …
FC: JUST the sports betting?
ED: That’s what I like to hear.
ED: When each of you return home you will find a package in your mail.
ED: We will discuss more then.
ED: I estimate about an hour to an hour and a half, given Jace’s typical brooding spots.
AM: For the LAST TIME I was NOT brooding!
ED: Sure.
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] has closed the memo===

Well you guess now you REALLY have to find Ruth. He’s your ride apparently. Honestly you were just planning on wandering looking for suckers to con. This works too though. You’re about to go search for him when you feel someone staring at you from behind. Quickly turning around you’re startled by the cold demeanor of your good pal.

Levi: Jesus, we gotta put a bell on you or something.
Levi: Saves me the trouble of searching for you though.
Levi: …
Ruth: …
Levi: Sooooooooo should we be out?

Ruth nods and begins walking off, leaving you to catch up. God you hate when he does that, which is all the time. Like you said, bell. While lost in thought you reach his car. Oh god this is going to be awful, you’ve never actually driven with just Ruth before. It’s going to be so awkward!

You enter his car, it’s near silent and he begins to drive. The silence is deafening, you still aren’t even entirely sure if he even likes any of you. He sure doesn’t show it. One thing’s for sure you NEED to break this silence.

Levi: You mind if we turn on the radio?
Ruth: Go ahead.

You flick the radio on, it’s currently set to a classical music station. Not your choice typically but he seems to like it, so you’ll leave it on you guess.

Levi: So how about that game? You were amazing!
Ruth: Thanks.
Levi: Seriously I thought it was over when they started letting you walk!
Levi: But even after that you just kept stealing bases!
Levi: They didn’t know what hit them!
Ruth: Yeah.
Ruth: ...You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, I know I’m not great at contributing.
Levi: Oh! Uh, well… Do you WANT me to keep talking?

Ruth nods his head at this, and so you keep talking. He really isn’t much for conversation like he said, but it’s not too bad talking for the both of you. Before you know it you’re at your house and exiting the car.

Levi: Thanks for the ride!
Levi: I suppose we’ll talk soon if Alex’s cryptic messages are anything to go by!
Ruth: Yes, have a good one Levi.
Levi: Drive safe you hear!

He smiles at you before taking his leave. Right where did Alex say you’d find the package? The mail? That sounds right, and sure enough! Three envelopes! Lets see… game disc, game disc, letter from the IRS. Last one’s concerning, but no matter. You head inside, and you sit and wait.

—Hours later but not many—

===eclipsedDestiny [ED] opened a memo “GAME FOLLOW UP”===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added fortunateCardsharp [FC] to the memo===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added endlessStarshooter [ES] to the memo===
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] added acceleratedMechanic [AM] to the memo===
ED: So sorry for the delay! It’s just that we all have to be here for this!
ED: I assume you each have your discs?
AM: Yep sure do.
ES: Yes.
FC: They’re here alright. What’re we doing?
ED: Settle down now, all in good time.
ED: Now then you should each have a client and a player disc, they should be labeled as such.
ED: You use the client disc to let someone join you, and the player disc to join someone else.
ED: We are going to form a chain of sorts to get us all in.
ED: So I will connect to Jace, who will connect to Ruth.
ED: Then Ruth will connect to Levi, and Levi will connect to me. Thus completing the chain.
ED: Now then, I cannot say how this will be lucrative, only that it will be.
ED: I hope that I have gained each of your trusts enough by now to take a small leap of faith.
ED: If you do not wish to participate, speak now so I can adjust the plan.
ES: I’m in.
AM: Yeah sure whatever, we haven’t had a game night in forever anyways.
FC: Sounds like fun to me!
ED: Well then, without further ado let’s begin!

—Intermission One Conclude—

Chapter Text

—Be: Xandra—

I’m afraid I cannot allow that.

—View: Xandra—

It’s not time for that yet, allow me to speed this up.

—Reader: Notice obnoxious white text—

There we go! I’m not going to make you read all of this in white don’t worry! Just let me fix something real quick. There we go! Better no? Just a fun little thing I like to do on initial introduction. Keeps things lively.

Hi, how are you? Take a seat. I just thought I’d make myself known, I am the Emissary. The emissary of what? Well I can’t spoil all the secrets! Just think of me as your guide through all this. I’d use the word “narrator” but that feels a tad TOO on the nose.

Either way, you wanted to view Xandra now correct? Makes sense, we left her on quite the cliffhanger. Although… I could take you elsewhere once more. Or maybe even the same place from a different perspective! That sounds fun doesn’t it?

—Be: “Ervi”—

You are now “Ervi” in the past but not long, you have just arrived in a rundown town. Where HE said she’d be, and sure enough from a shithole saloon out steps the bitch. You have a variety of very strong feelings and thoughts about this, the most prevalent ones being:

“Ervi”: (FUCK YOU XANDRA I HOPE YOU DIE GOD I WANT TO BE THERE!)
“Ervi”: (I WANT TO WATCH THE LIGHT DRAIN FROM YOUR EYES!)
“Ervi”: (THE CRIMSON POUR FROM EACH OF YOUR WOUNDS!)
“Ervi”: (WHEN I’M DONE WITH YOU THE VERY HEAVENS WILL CRY FOR MERCY!)
“Ervi”: (I WILL RIP YOU TO PIECES TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB AND THAT’S JU-

—Stop being “Ervi”! Stop being “Ervi”!—

Wow… That was… That was something. Intense guy huh? Probably a mistake taking you there right then though. Uh who else could you be… We already did the humans, “Ervi” is off the table, that leaves: Xandra, The Knight, The Puppeteer, The Seamstress, The Evolution, and The Rampage for now. The rest will come later. Feel free to choose one.

—Reader: Be the Seamstress—

The Seamstress? Very well, lovely talking with you! We really should do it again sometime. Until next we meet, godspeed and au revoir

—Seamstress: Awaken—

You awaken to your hive, the same way you left it the night before. You lazily get out of the slime and wash yourself off before picking out an outfit for the day. A nice black dress with olive accents.

—Seamstress: Introduce yourself—

Your name is AZEMED TRIMIN. You live in the forest near NEO ALTERNIA CITY. Around your hive are indications of your various interests namely FASHION. A wide variety of half finished projects and clothes clutter your room.

You recently finished and shipped one of your projects to a friend in the wastes. You briefly wonder how she’s doing before shaking these thoughts from your head. You’ve got a busy day ahead of you! No time to be thinking about her!

—Azemed: Check messages—

Yes! Your messages! That’s where you typically get new clients, not to mention all your numerous friends! Most of them live in the city itself so it’s a bother to visit them face to face. Opening your trollium client you find… nothing. Great! Perfect even! That just gives you more time to work on your PASSION PROJECTS!

Truly what could be more fulfilling than art for art’s sake! Certainly not friends that message you first, or a consistent source of income, or STUPID QUADRANTS!!! Aha wow almost lost your cool there! Hmmm where were you again? That’s right! Passion projects! The one you’re working on now is an outfit for a rust color scheme. It’s going to consist of: a skirt, a nice shirt, and a red jacket.

You got the inspiration for it from a recent client, although she opted for pants instead of a skirt which you think is a shame. You begin your craft. The jacket is a bit outside your usual forte so you’re excited to get started on that. After a few hours of attempts you have made exactly zero progress.

Fuck it! You’ll check your messages again! Maybe someone has said SOMETHING! Nope? Nothing? GREAT! Ohhhh how you just LOVE THIS! Alright Azemed, deep breathes. In and out, iiiiin and ooooout… This isn’t working, you’re just as stressed as you were before, just with more air to yell out. Fuck it, what time is it?

—Azemed: Check time—

One o’ three P.M?

—Azemed: Consider the temporal ramifications of such an observation—

Azemed: Well, it is true it’s One o’ three from MY perspective.
Azemed: But from someone ELSE’S perspective, it’s another time!
Azemed: By concluding this there’s only one LOGICAL step forward.

—Azemed: Grab bottle—

Azemed: It’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world!
Azemed: Cheers!

—Azemed: Indulge—

Oh boy do you, the clear poison goes down. It burns, but it’s a welcome burn, one you’re used to. More hearthfire than inferno. Some of your associates may describe you as “having a problem”, but as far as you’re concerned it’s only a problem when you run out.

—Azemed: Miss message—

In your stupor you fail to notice someone trying to get into contact with you.

===rottingReality [RR] began trolling lovesFavored [LF]===
RR: Heyyyyyyyy
RR: I know you aren’t going to see this for a while!
RR: But do I have an opportunity for you!
RR: One I’m sure you won’t refuse.
RR: After all, you’re a lonely piece of shit drunk!
RR: And you’re oh so desperate for connection!
RR: I’ll even sweeten the deal, you’ll even get to see HER again!
RR: I know you know who I’m talking about.
RR: Aaaanywho, you’re going to get two files sent your way.
RR: Install them both and then message me back for further instruction!
===rottingReality [RR] sent Server.exe===
===rottingReality [RR] sent Client.exe===
RR: Well I’ve got to be going now!
RR: It’s been a pleasure not talking to you.
RR: I’m sure if I had to do that, I might have considered abandoning the plan!
RR: Oh by the way! This isn’t me trying to pitch flirt with you.
RR: There’s no love here, I JUST find you detestable.
RR: Because as mentioned before, you are in fact, a lonely piece of shit drunkard.
RR: Toodles!~
===rottingReality [RR] ceased trolling lovesFavored [LF]===

—Azemed: Pass out and think about girls—

As is often the case when you get too drunk, you pass out while thinking about girls. You don’t even make it to your repricoon.

—Be girls—

You cannot be “girls”, you can only choose one perspective at a time.

—Fine, be girl—

You are now girl, one very particular girl who is now waking up from what she hopes is a very bad dream. Looking around you see a body laying on the ground covered in blue cloth. There goes this all being a dream. You should probably leave before he wakes up. You’ll go to the saloon! Someone there will be able to back you up. Exiting your house you see, no other buildings.

This is very concerning to you, because you’re pretty sure you lived in a town last time you checked. I mean it’s not that different you suppose, barren wastes, blazing heat, lava rivers. Lava rivers? Huh that’s new, still probably safer than the old river of rot. You begin wandering off into the distant vista, carefully avoiding the aforementioned lava rivers.

—Act 2 conclude—

Chapter Text

—Reader: Observe Neo Alternia City—

Like its name implies, Neo Alternia City is the capital of the Alternian planet. In order to keep its functionalities going it’s covered in a dome to shield the masses from the sun. It doesn’t block the light, just diminishes it to not be harmful. Most still find themselves in their hives before sunrise, however it’s not unheard of for some residents to have a daylife. It does however leave the streets mostly empty, save for six particular individuals. Four important, two… less so.

The clashing of steel can distantly be heard, it’s not an uncommon sound but still one worth investigating.

—Reader: Investigate noise—

Zooming into a back alley of the city you see a group of four trolls. A blue blood crouched low with dual daggers is currently staring down a bronze blood in full plate with two beaten and battered trolls behind him.

???: Come OOOOOOOON they have it coming! Just let me at them and we can go our separate ways!
???: AND WHAT SORT OF KNIGHT WOULD I BE IF I DID NOT VANGUARD THE WEAK AND HELPLESS? THY HATH NO HONOR IN YOUR BONES!
???: Ugh are you seriously FLARPing right now? Cringe…
???: ENOUGH WORDS! HAVE AT THEE!

True to his words the bronze blood charges at the cerulean shield first. For her part the cerulean jumps over the overeager knight and stabs him in the back. Or at least she tries, her blade just bounces off the plate. The knight does a quick sweep behind him with his glaive which the girl easily backsteps. Then, as if thinking the same thing, they begin circling each other.

???: Tsk, that plate of yours isn’t just for show I see.
???: NAY! AND THY DEXTERITY IS IMPRESSIVE!
???: Thanks, you got any last words?
???: I DON’T GET YOUR MEANING FIEND! THIS BOUT IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL!

—RAMPAGE: Show him what you mean—

You are now THE RAMPAGE also known as Jennis Tyrash, you are currently in battle with a certain annoying bronze blood. That’s soon to change though, you’ve already seen through his fighting style. Sure the armor is a pain, but he’s dreadfully slow. Probably because he’s trying to use both a polearm and a shield, historically that typically worked best when you had several other soldiers doing the same thing. Though you doubt he knows that considering his armor is clearly modeled after later warriors who had stopped using that tactic. And what does he think he’s doing? Not wearing a helmet? Leaves his head totally exposed, what is this amateur hour? Oh you’re getting side tracked again, it’s a good thing he’s too defensive. Anyways…

—RAMPAGE: REALLY show him what you mean—

You quickly fling a dagger at his head and dash behind it, he raises his shield and blocks the dagger. That’s fine, you catch the rebounding dagger and forcefully plant your boot into that same shield. He slides back from the force and his back hits a wall, bingo. With his back to the wall you begin your flurry of dagger strikes, it’s all he can do to not catch a blade to the face. You will commend him, his shield work is impressive. Really makes you wonder about the glaive though. Sparks fly as you keep up your assault, you feel yourself begin to cackle, a horrible habit really but one you never could quell. His shield should probably be cracking aaaaaany minute now. Despite your apparent overwhelming advantage you can’t help but feel that you’re in danger. That’s when you hear it, a distinctive crackle.

You stop your onslaught and jump back just in time to see a psionic blast scorch the ground where you just were. Who’s this jagoff?

—Jagoff: Announce yourself—

???: Alright, alright break it up you two. I’ve seen kismesis but boy howdy that’s something else. You were circling each other for like a good 45 seconds!
???: YOU THINK I WOULD SULLY MYSELF WITH SUCH FOUL COMPANY?
JENNIS: Yeah I’m actually with the iron idiot here, I’ve got WAY better options.
???: Well I’ll be, guess I had the wrong bee in my bonnet! Had I known I would’ve dug for my cannon sooner!!
JENNIS: What are you even saying man? And what’s with your outfit?
???: Oh well can’t you tell? I’m a genuine space ranger of the First Water!
JENNIS: What?
???: Ah don’t worry about it curly wolf. What you need to know is that you best make headway before I clean your plow hard enough to send you to the bone orchard. And that’s simon pure.

—Jennis: Consider what’s going on—

What the fuck? You think you caught like three words that guy said. Who’s this “Simon” guy? Unimportant, focus. Jagoff is floating down to the ground, you don’t even think that guy is FLARPing like the knight. He might just be like that. Speaking of the knight, where'd he go while you were distracted? Ah he’s over by the two you were trying to kill. Well you guess that ship’s sailed. Jagoff is now taking his place by the knight. Not ideal, if it was a free for all you could leverage that but two on one is going to be difficult, especially with psionics as strong as what were shown.

—Jennis: Inspect Jagoff—

Yep, that's a ridiculous costume. Kinda looks like what the people “living” in the wastes typically wear, though it’s too flashy for that area. You do notice him holding what appears to be the hilt of a sword and a prop revolver? Interesting, are they just props for his “space ranger” schtick or conduits maybe? Would explain the power output, breaking them is going to be hard and risky but it’s probably your best bet. You drop into a low stance and prepare to charge. The Jagoff is more observant that you gave him credit for because he immediately aims his gun at you.

—Jennis: Stare down the barrel—

Well that’s that then, you slipped up and it’s going to cost you.

???: Now ain’t you all beer and skittles. Really thought I wouldn’t catch that?
???: You’ll bite the ground standing and beef-headed I’ll give ya that.
???: Adios chucklehead.

Before you’re given enough time to process what was just said to you, and luckily before he’s able to kill you another voice rings out. Though you aren’t sure what you’re more afraid of, his gun or what you just heard.

???: So, you all think you get to tussle on MY surf?

The voice comes from behind you, and you don’t even have to turn to tell who it is. The look on the knight’s face says enough. That’s Lestin Malryh, biggest celebrity in the battle domes and heiress hopeful. The sea pun didn’t hurt your guess either. Jagoff doesn’t seem to be showing enough fear. Either he’s stupid or the smartest one here.

???: Well howdy Miss Malryh, didn’t reckon I’d see you here or I’d have dress up in my Sunday best, choke strap and all!

Oh shit, Jagoff's dead.

LESTIN: Oh it’s you. Doing the space ranger thing again?

Jagoff KNOWS her?

???: I keep tellin ya it ain’t a “thing” but yeah! Though I guess I did just barge in on a fight..
???: You two alright with that? Sorry my manners ain’t the best, been working on it.

This really feels like a trick considering the scariest woman on planet is right behind you, how are you supposed to say no?

???: I FOR ONE WELCOME THE HELP WHOLEHEARTEDLY! I WAS REALLY ON THE ROPES THERE!
JENNIS: Uh yeah it really made the battle more dynamic.
LESTIN: Now now, you know that you aren’t supposed to interrupt without permission first! You still did wrong.
???: Awww but ain’t you doin the same thing now?
LESTIN: Shaddup.
LESTIN: Well I suppose I’ll just hang back and watch.
???: Well the mood’s kinda ruined now ain’t it? What about you two? You mind rescheduling so we can do this from the top?
And just like that, there’s your out.

JENNIS: Oh yeah for sure! It’s actually WAY earlier than I thought, I gotta get back to my hive, feed the lusus. You know how it is.
???: YEAH, ANOTHER BOUT SOMETIME SOUNDS SPLENDID!

You then remember your “care package” that a certain jade gave to you. Said to give it to a group you found particularly interesting. This fits the bill as much as anything else you could find you suppose.

JENNIS: Before I forget, this is for showing me such a good time tonight you two.

You hand the package over to the knight, palm a note into his hand and lean in close to whisper to him.

JENNIS: And something extra if you ever learn how to handle that pole of yours. ;)

You then take your leave, leaving a particularly flustered boy in your wake.

—Lestin: Inquire about what happened—

LESTIN: Alright moobeastpoke tell me what happened.
???: SPACE RANGER and alright!
???: Well I was doing my morningly patrol when I saw that blue girl and this guy going at it.
???: Actually hold. What IS yer name partner?
???: OH! TIS ORTICE MY SIRE. MAY I INQUIRE YOURS?
???: The name’s Marylk, pleasure.
MARYLK: So as I was saying, I saw blue girl and Ortice going at it. Reckoned it was a pitch thing at first so I stayed my iron, then it seemed like she was going too far so I stepped in. Then you came into the picture miss!
LESTIN: That checks out with what I saw. Ortice was it? What did she hand off to you?
ORTICE: I KNOW NOT YET MY LIEGE! WOULD LIKE YOU ME TO OPEN THE PARCEL?
LESTIN: Yes, and tell me what was on that note she slipped you.
ORTICE: AH YES! OF COURSE!

This Ortice guy seems alright, though you’re going to want to track down “blue girl” sooner than later you feel.

—Ortice: Open parcel—

Inside the parcel you find three pairs of envelopes each containing a disc. On the note you find what you assume to be your opponent’s handle.

ORTICE: MY LIEGE! THERE APPEARS TO BE A PAIR OF DISCS IN HERE FOR EACH OF US. AND THE NOTE CONTAINS WHAT I ASSUME IS HER TROLLHANDLE.
MARYLK: So it WAS a pitch thing?
ORTICE: IT APPEARS TO HAVE TURNED OUT THAT WAY.
ORTICE: I ASSUME THE INTENTION WAS FOR EACH OF US TO TAKE A COPY OF THIS AS WELL, SO I OFFER THEM AT YOUR DISCRETIONS.

At that announcement your two unlikely allies each take their bundles.

LESTIN: Hey, I want a copy of her handle.
MARYLK: Ooooh does someone have a crush?
LESTIN: Don’t make me hit you.
LESTIN: Anyways, bronzie, handle, now.
ORTICE: YES MA’AM!

You copy over the handle onto another note and hand it to her. She nods and then begins walking off.

LESTIN: The two of you should head back to your hives, I get the feeling something interesting is about to happen.
MARYLK: Well if you say so Miss!
ORTICE: I SHALL HEED YOUR WARNING!

The three of you split apart, you don’t actually see where Lestin goes but it sure isn’t within your sight. After a bit you make it back to your hive, doff your armour, and flop onto your bed.

—Jennis: Message benefactor—

===adaptiveDecimation [AD] began trolling rottingReality [RR]===

AD: Hey, got your little “gift” given out.
RR: Oh perfect! I trust our darling heiress was there?
AD: Yeah, how do you know all this stuff anyhow?
RR: Well now it wouldn’t do to reveal my hand now would it?
RR: All you have to worry about is getting back to your hive.
RR: If all goes according to plan, a certain drunk will be waking up soon.
RR: And YOU’RE going to have to get her into our little game.
AD: Ugh for real? Fine I guess I’ll play along. Hand over their handle.
RR: Yeah it’s lovesFavored. Talk about cope lol.
AD: Alright I’ll message her soon. If you need anything else you know how to find me.
AD: Ciao.

===adaptiveDecimation [AD] stopped trolling rottingReality [RR]===

And so you make the rest of your walk hive, completely boring but it’s nice to have a breather. Too much adrenaline today already you think. You get back to your hive and sit in your chair, mentally preparing yourself for the type of person you’d have to deal with soon here. They HAVE to be awful considering how he spoke of them, he’s only ever been levelheaded in your experience. Oh well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

—Reader: Switch view—

You’re now viewing someone else, you aren’t sure who though. The figure is fully wrapped in nondescript clothes and helmet. They walk a desolate land eventually sitting on a rock, clearly tired.

—Figure: Search surroundings—

You are now the Drifter, you take a lazy look around more out of habit than anything else. As usual there’s nothing around. Nothing’s BEEN around since that day, but you keep looking, hoping you missed something. You’ve really tried everything, but nothing seems to be able to fix this.

—Drifter: Throw rock—

You chuck a rock in frustration, it clatters against more rocks. You throw another, it clatters again. Throw, clatter. Throw, clatter. Over and over until your arm gets tired. You look down at the satchel on your waist, maybe it’d be best but what if someone’s still out there… You never did find all the bodies, is it right to do that to them if they ARE? You sit on your rock in silence some more.

—Drifter: Throw rock—

Chapter Text

—Drifter: Throw rock—

You pick up another rock, feel its weight in your hand, then set it back down. Why bother? You sit there, still, for who knows how long? Eventually you decide to stand up, do another sweep of the area. Maybe you’ll find something new, who knows?

—Drifter: Begin sweep—

Going around from area to area you find nothing but desolation again and again. Deep down you knew this would be the case. Why would the fifty seventh sweep reveal anything new? Looking down at your satchel again you know what you should do. But you won’t, not for a while yet. How could you? This is all your fault, you couldn’t possibly face them all again.

You find a fallen log and sit down again. You aren’t tired, you’re NEVER tired. Your senses are however dulled from being alone for so long, so you don’t notice the figure approaching from behind you.

—RR: Get the show on the road—

You stand up from your computer and take a stretch before grabbing your cane. The day you always dreamed of has come to fruition. You look out on the city from your penthouse, in a way you’ll miss this but you know much greater things are coming for you. You can finally take a moment to relax, knowing all you have to do is watch the dominos fall.

—RR: Introduce yourself—

Your name is Parxie Montil, you mostly spend your days reading and plotting. Thanks to that you like to think you’ve made it pretty well in life, considering your station. Most of your ilk don’t make it out of those gods damned caverns, but you’re different. You currently live in the penthouse suite of the tallest building in Neo-Alternia, the view is spectacular. You owe your success largely to the visions of the future you see in your dreams, they’ve allowed you to amass quite the network of resources and even made you something of a celebrity. Your official title is “cult leader” but it’s such an ugly epitaph with so many bad connotations, so you don’t like using that one.

The morning is young and yet already so much has happened, it’s amazing isn’t it? You recently got word from the gold blood you sent off to the wastes that the rustblood entered without a hitch. Though she did end up taking Ervani with her, perfectly within expectations however. You already had a couple pawns going over to his hive as a contingency.

Everything’s going so smoothly, you can unwind a little before it’s your turn to enter. You grab a glass of wine, take a seat at your window, take a book from your specibus, and wait for the lightshow to start.

—Drifter: Rewatch the world burn—

You try to stop yourself from going over it again, it never works. It started when you had to kill the knight, you didn’t want to but he left you no choice. Funny, after that point nothing really felt real. The heir was all too eager to follow your example, quickly dispatching the sylph. After that it settled for a bit, or so you thought. Your session divided into three main groups. The thief, mage, and rogue all seemed to stick together. Same with the heir and bard, leaving you all alone. Eventually it came time for the climactic battle, and try as you all might you failed. When the tide turned you fled, you haven’t seen or heard from anyone else since.

You’re brought out of your trance by a cold hand grabbing your shoulder.

???: [EXPUNGED] what are you still doing here?

—Azemed: Awaken—

You awaken on your hive floor, head killing you. You stand up and go to your kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and your pain killers. You down them both and take a second to breathe, that’s when you notice it. Your computer is pinging, rapidly infact… Like, someone is trying to get a hold of you! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Is this it? Is someone going to talk to you? Are you going to stop being alone finally? You’re going to flourish and have so many new friends and maybe even fill a few quadrants! All that stuff you said earlier was bologna! This is it this is it!

—Azemed: Open laptop—

You open your laptop and navigate to your troll client. Holy shit! Not one but two people messaged you! Looking at their handles you have messages from “adaptiveDecimation” and… “rottenReality”. Well, you never said you were going to READ both of the messages, just that you got two of them!

===adaptiveDecimation [AD] began trolling lovesFavored [LF]===
AD: Hey
AD: Hey
AD: Heeeeeeeeey
AD: You there
AD: Hey
AD: Hello?
AD: Hey

Oh my god she’s downright DESPERATE to talk to you! This is great!!!

LF: Oh hey! Sorry I was busy with something. What’s up?
AD: Ugh finally, so you know what’s up then?
LF: Uhhh no, what’s up with you though?
AD: God fucking damnit. Go check your other messages then get back to me.
AD: We’re on a time limit here.

Oh you really don’t want to do that, but if it means making a new friend…

—Azemed: Check other messages—

===rottingReality [RR] began trolling lovesFavored [LF]===
RR: Heyyyyyyyy
RR: I know you aren’t going to see this for a while!
RR: But do I have an opportunity for you!
RR: One I’m sure you won’t refuse.
RR: After all, you’re a lonely piece of shit drunk!
RR: And you’re oh so desperate for connection!
RR: I’ll even sweeten the deal, you’ll even get to see HER again!
RR: I know you know who I’m talking about.
RR: Aaaanywho, you’re going to get two files sent your way.
RR: Install them both and then message me back for further instruction!
===rottingReality [RR] sent Server.exe===
===rottingReality [RR] sent Client.exe===
RR: Well I’ve got to be going now!
RR: It’s been a pleasure not talking to you.
RR: I’m sure if I had to do that, I might have considered abandoning the plan!
RR: Oh by the way! This isn’t me trying to pitch flirt with you.
RR: There’s no love here, I JUST find you detestable.
RR: Because as mentioned before, you are in fact, a lonely piece of shit drunkard.
RR: Toodles!~
===rottingReality [RR] ceased trolling lovesFavored [LF]===

Oh, that was actually surprisingly tame for him. You’ll message him back real quick, aaaand you’re blocked again. How does he know every time when you’ll read his messages? And who did he mean by “her”? You supposed you’ll install the files he sent, you’re assuming that’s what your new friend was messaging you about.

—Azemed: Return to new friend—

LF: Alright, I’ve got the files I got sent downloading. That’s what this is about right?
AD: Ayep, I’m supposed to get you in.
LF: In what?
AD: Just, don’t worry about it.
AD: Launch the “client” file please.
LF: Oh! Alright yeah!

You launch the client application and see a green pattern show up on your screen with a loading bar below it.

LF: Alright it’s loading!

—Drifter: Face the Past—

You quickly look behind you and see him, visor and body heavily damaged but alive and breathing.

DRIFTER: Oh my god! You’re ok! Did anyone else make it out?
???: Of course not, you saw how it was. And I ain’t exactly spick and span myself.

As if on cue he emits sparks and howls in pain.

???: See, ain’t got long left I reckon.
DRIFTER: Sorry…
???: It ain’t your fault you know? At least not entirely.
???: But again I ask, what are you still doing here?
DRIFTER: I don’t know, I guess..
DRIFTER: I guess I didn’t want to leave in case we could fix it.
???: Come on. You and I both felt the disconnect, ain’t something you can fix.
???: Heh, looking back on it, Bookie probably felt it too!
???: Damn shame what happened, had we stopped him maybe we could have faded away in peace.
DRIFTER: Maybe, I dunno. The maybies are your domain aren’t they?
DRIFTER: You really think I should leave? Instead of staying here and facing the music?
???: Think of it this way, you leaving would bring over your knowledge and help us some other time.
???: Ain’t nothin left here anyhow.

He sparks again and winces, this one’s numbed a bit it seems.

???: ‘sides, I wanna fade out rather than painfully die.
DRIFTER: Makes sense. One last drink before I leave?

You reach into your satchel and bring out a pocket watch. Cracked all over but still ticking, so delicate but paradoxically resilient.

???: Hah, you never figured it out? To tell you the truth I never dra-

He’s cut off mid sentence as time stops throughout the world. For all but you alone, you look on him one last time. You cut your lips on his visor as you give him one last kiss.

DRIFTER: I always knew dork.

You crush the pocket watch in your hand.

—Azemed: PANIC—

LF: WOULD YOU STOP THROWING THINGS?!?!
AD: But it’s REALLY fun! Besides, I have to make room for this!
LF: HOW MANY UGLY MACHINES ARE YOU PUTTING INTO MY HIVE?!
AD: They’re all NEEDED!

As you read that you hear a FOURTH. FUCKING. MACHINE. crash onto your floor totally ruining your space! Now you know that first impressions aren’t everything, but it’s beginning to feel like your new friend isn’t very friendly! Whatever, you’ll just play the game she told you to.

LF: Alright, what do I do now?
AD: Dunno.
LF: What do you MEAN you don’t know?!
AD: I mean that I don’t know! You’re on your own! I’m going to go take a piss.
LF: ARGH!!!

That’s fine, you’re a smart girl. You can figure this out on your own. Ok, so, calming down for a second it looks like most of these machines need an input. You pick up the card your server(?) so unceremoniously dropped on you. Maybe a pattern of some sort? Looks like it can go into two machines, but one of them needs two cards? You’ll ignore that one now.

You place the card into the machine with the big needle, nothing happens. You suppose that’s to be sort of expected, you don’t have any materials. Though you’re starting to doubt the need for physical materials due to the four machines dropped in your hive. Speaking of which, you should check out the one that seemingly doesn’t require an input.

You go downstairs and find it. Big thingy, there’s probably a more technical jargon term for it but whatever. You see a wheel on it, might as well try spinning it? It’s harder to turn than it would appear, eventually you do hear a “clank” and look at the top of the big thingy. It has a cap, no biggie. Just gotta climb up and. twist. it. off… gods this thing is stuck. Which is FANTASTIC by the way! Really gives you a chance to flex those problem solving skills!

—Azemed: Solve problem—

Alright so, you’ve got to get that thing open probably. You hope to the gods your server doesn’t have to do that for you. Twisting it didn’t help, and that’s about all you can think to do. Fuck. As you’re ruminating you get a ping on your phone.

AD: Hey look outside lol

You take a look outside like was suggested and see a meteor coming to what directly seems to be your position.

LF: WHAT?! HOW ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT THIS?
LF: I’VE GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!
AD: Nah, you’ve gotta play the game.
LF: LIKE HELL I DO! THAT’LL KILL ME!
AD: The game is the way out, either way you don’t have anything to lose by sticking around.
AD: Not like you can outrun the meteors.

Well you suppose there is SOME logic there, even if you don’t like it. Wait… meteorS?

LF: Wait there’s more than one?
AD: Yeah I’m downtown right now, there’s so many. It’s chaos, dome’s held so far but who knows how long that’ll keep up?
LF: Alright, well help me get this lid off this thingie so I can continue.
AD: Nah, don’t wanna.

This bitch…

LF: What do you MEAN you don’t want to?
AD: Don’t feel like it, can’t do everything for you.
LF: YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING FOR ME!!!
AD: Lol, sure.

Fine, if she’s not going to help you with this you can always do something yourself.

—Azemed: Lock in—

Alright if this thing won’t open, and your server won’t help you’ll just break it open! You draw your strings from your strife specibus and quickly wrap them around a nearby mannequin. Then you spin it around and around building up speed until… You release it and the big thingie cracks open! A jade circle thing pops out and quickly collides with your mannequin. Concerning but you’ll leave that for later.

You see a blue cylinder at the top and quickly grab it and rush back up stairs. What you don’t notice is that the thingie has a timer on it now, ticking down from ten minutes.

The rest goes fairly easily surprisingly, the crafting system for this game is fairly intuitive to you. You use the card and the pokey machine to carve the cylinder into a thingy for the other machine with the scanner thing and the platform! …Ok you don’t know what any of these are but that doesn’t MATTER! It worked!

Then you get to what you assume must be the last step, on the platform is a giant sewing needle. You take it out to the balcony to check how much longer you have, not long. What the hell are you supposed to do with this? There’s no clear option!

As your mind races the timer ticks down and the meteor approaches. 10, 9, 8. What does it want you to sew some comically large clothes? 7, 6, 5. Alright you piece of shit you can’t figure this out but you sure as hell aren’t going to let some space rock be the thing to kill you! 3. You turn the needle on yourself. 2. Quickly bring it to your chest. 1. And pierce your heart. Everything goes dark.

—Parxie: Mull over the carnage—

What’s there to mull over? Everything’s going to plan so far. You’ve got a little under half of your game entered at this point. Either that or Azemed failed and that meteor just crushed her, win win really. All that’s left is to sit back and wait for your turn.

===abyssalStriker [AS] began trolling rottingReality [RR]===
RR: Well this is certainly unexpected!
RR: To what do I owe the honor?
AS: Cut the shit, it’s taken me long enough to find you.
RR: Oh and whatever could you have wanted with low blood scum like me?
AS: That ploy won’t work on me, got your handle from one of your underlings.
RR: My oh my, alright then. Tell me though, how IS Yrmick?
AS: Breathing.
RR: That’s a shame, if I had more time I’d make sure that changed.
AS: I take this to mean you saw all this coming?
RR: Maybe, maybe not.
AS: Doesn’t matter if you can’t change the outcome.
RR: I concur. Enough foreplay however, what do you want?
AS: I have reason to believe one of your workers got into a fight with my friend.
RR: Ah, you must mean Jennis?
AS: I don’t know her name. Blue blood, dual knives.
RR: That’s Jennis alright. Why what’s up?
AS: Well, I want revenge.
RR: Really? As far as I know that fight ended with your “friend” completely unwounded.
AS: It’s the principle of the thing.
RR: Well sorry to say she’s out of reach to you now. That is unless…
AS: Unless?
RR: I DID tell her to hand out three copies of a game, if you got yourself one then it’s possible.
AS: This is a trap.
RR: Probably.
AS: Gods.
RR: Anyways you WILL have to act as a server for me, otherwise you won’t be able to get to her.
AS: Fine.

Like you said, everything to plan.

—Xandra: Pick up dorky thing—

As you wander your new surroundings you notice two things, your new surroundings are damn loud and this thing keeps bumping into your leg. You pick it up, it’s a machine of some sort, though far more advanced than you’d find at the junkyard. It whines, you think… and squirms as you hold it. Clearly doesn’t like being picked up. So you set it down, and it keeps walking in the line that caused it to bump into you. Weird.

You see what you think is a town in the distance. Might as well see what that’s about.

—Meanwhile—

Somewhere between nowhere and everywhere a bar opens its doors.

Chapter Text

—Levi: Throw ball—

You throw the ball as far as you can.

—Levi: Catch ball—

You rush forward and catch the ball.

—Levi: Throw ball—

You throw the ball as far as you can.

—Levi: Catch ball—

This is stupid. Everyone knows this is stupid. Alex gave you the order to stop progressing though, and you’re not going to be the fool that disobeys. God are you bored. Turns out however your session is fucked, royally. Now the three of them are trying to figure out how to light the forge without this “Hephaestus” in your session.

You tried to tell them it was useless, hell you even showed them that you don’t even have a ruling family anywhere in the session. But noooooooo there has to be a way forward! There isn’t, you all drew the wrong hand and now it’s time to fold.

Whatever, they’ll realize you’re right eventually. You always are.

===eclipsedDestiny [ED] responded to memo “IMPORTANT INFO FOR DIPSHITS”===
ED: We have a plan.
FC: Bullshit.
AM: How crude.
FC: Go fuck yourself.
AM: It’s not my fault you’re incapable of anything positive.
FC: You wouldn’t say that to my face you pussy
FC: You’re a small man hiding behind his screen.
FC: I hope you crash your bike and snap your spine.
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] muted fortunateCardsharp [FC]===
AM: Thank fuck, you know Alex you’re a real stand up guy.
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] muted acceleratedMechanic [AM]===
ED: Anyone else?
ED: No?
ED: Alright.
ED: Now I know some among our numbers have given up hope long ago however there is a solution.
ED: Well, not a solution but a path forward.
ED: We’re going to progress through the game normally for now ok?
ED: Then, when it comes to it Ruth will talk to his denizen and see if there isn’t a fix for this.
ED: This is the best way forward that we have for now.
ED: Now I know we’ve had our… tensions, however we will have to work together on this.
ED: Got it?
ED: I think that’s that then.
ED: Good luck to everyone.
===eclipsedDestiny [ED] froze memo “IMPORTANT INFO FOR DIPSHITS”===

—Ruth: Observe—

You look through the short memo, then at Alex. You’ll be honest you don’t think this is going to work, but it doesn’t really matter to you. You’re more than ha… willing to help out. You look at Alex again, they’ve sat down and started pouring over some papers.

Ruth: ?
Alex: Oh, it’s nothing.
Ruth: :/
Alex: Don’t give me that.
Ruth >:/
Alex: Alright fine. I feel like I’ve doomed us all and we’re going to be stuck here forever.
Alex: Happy?
Ruth: …

You take a moment to consider this, it’s true they did get you all to play the game and put you in this predicament. However, it’s not like you were long for the world anyways.

Ruth: Meteors were coming anyways.
Alex: …
Rath: You are not evil.

You probably could’ve worded all that better but whatever, Alex’s smart they’ll understand. You take your leave.

—Drifter: Observe—

You gaze upon the Land of Currents and Saloons, you don’t really know why you came here specifically. Maybe it’s because your own land is so insufferable to be on, maybe you’re hoping to see him…

It won’t be him though, it never is.

It will look like him, talk like him, act like him, but he’s never coming back. Every FUCKING cycle you’ve witness turns out the same. Start, progress, wipe at the king, repeat. It’s so tiring, and no one understands.

During your brooding “he’s” noticed you and is eyeing you carefully, always observant that one. You turn and leave, he’ll likely try to tail you but you’re beyond him as he is now. Without much issue you manage to escape into the wider incipisphere, and begin to ponder your course.

For now you need to find a place to fall back to, a homebase of sorts. You spot the green tapestry of LoFaS in the distance, might be a good option. Very low profile, nice ambiance, not going to drown, or suffocate, or burn, or… a lot of the lands are inhospitable ok?

By comparison LoFaS is a paradise, plus its player is easy on the eyes… Where’d that come from? Something to unpack after you set up camp you suppose. You begin flying off to your target.

—Drifter: Set up—

You survey the planet to find a good place to lay low for a bit. Eventually you find a cave off the beaten path, this’ll do for now you suppose.

You retrieve your (admittedly a touch sparse) comforts from your sylladex. A tent, campfire supplies, a whiteboard with some markers (important for planning) and a hammock. There’s a river nearby and you’re like ninety percent sure sgrub doesn’t know what water contaminants are.

Thinking about it, you're not entirely sure if you still need to eat or drink given your condition, but you’d rather not risk it. Food is going to be an issue you figure, you’ll have to sneak to your gracious host’s hive and “borrow” some soon.

You’re going to have to borrow the use of alchemy equipment too, but that’s going to be more difficult to hide. A plan for another time you suppose…

—Drifer: Drift.---

You get into your tent and close your eyes. You wonder if you’ll dream or not, only one way to tell. Goodnight sweet prince, my chosen deliverer.