Chapter Text
It's not the same anymore. The longest, loveliest sweep of your life is long over. If you had memories of taste rather than sight of these events, you’re sure it would taste sweet. Nothing tastes much like anything anymore, though. Maybe some bitterness. It was bad enough that Tavros got crippled, and somehow it seemed like she ended up even worse.
Fate — as she would probably call it — would have her die. Even though you're not quite sure if she's dead these days; regardless, whatever state she is now in must be worse. Then again, you’ve not been at your best since either. Whatever you had going on as rivals at the time, it's gone now. You sort of wish you had been co-players instead, if only so all of this could have been avoided — but more than that, you just wish that you had gotten to play together once.
You're tempted to troll her again. It’s been several perigrees since you last talked to her; and most other people have found it hard to keep up a conversation with you. Still, you could at least get out of your Recuperacoon. It's not even enclosed enough to provide a sense of ensconcement.
> Enter name.
Your name is TEREZI PYROPE.
You have stopped enjoying many of your former hobbies, having developing in their place mostly solitary ones since. In particular you have come to channel your ACUTE SENSE OF SMELL into creating elaborate works of art. When you can stop yourself from EATING YOUR CRAYONS, that is.
You take an interest in justice, holding particular fascination for MEANDERING ON THE OXYMORONIC NATURE OF LEGAL DEFENSE. You have mostly abandoned your studies, now preferring to PONTIFICATE on your ideas with acquiescent peers. Your trolltag is gallowsCalibrator and you SP34K WITH TH3 NUM3R4LS TH3 BL1ND PROPH3TS ONC3 US3D.
If not for the ALTERNATE NATURE of this universe, a certain game would soon necessitate your involvement in creating a new universe. However, as it stands, there are matters MORE PRESSING AND MUNDANE ALIKE.
What will you do?
> Terezi: Rekindle relationship with forlorn co-player
gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]
GC: H3Y 4R4D14
GC: WH4T 4R3 YOU UP TO
AA: im 0k
GC: Y3S BUT WH4T 4R3 YOU UP TO
GC: 1M JUST UNSUR3 4S TO HOW YOU K33P YOURS3LF BUSY TH3S3 DAYS
AA: i m0stly just break things
GC: 1 S33
GC: OR R4TH3R
GC: T4ST3
GC: >:]
GC: NOTHING 3LSE TH3N
AA: n0
GC: TH4TS 4 P1TY
GC: R3M3MB3R WH3N W3 US3D TO FL4RP
AA: 0nly barely
AA: i never think ab0ut that anym0re
GC: R1GHT
GC: SORRY
GC: 1LL L34V3 Y0U 4LON3 F0R N0W
You give up for now. It doesn't appear she's much for talking, and what you once had in common seems to have largely slipped her mind. Now that you think about it, though, you have something that could possibly jolt her memory. You rummage through your received files, and soon enough it appears: 'flarpc0stume.jpg'. Some working drafts for Aradia's FLARP costume. Long ago you had plans to switch the clouders and regular players, although you never got around to it for obvious reasons. The costume itself looks simple enough in these drafts, or at least nowhere near as gaudy as Vriska's. Perhaps your new friend could help?
> Terezi: Ask a new friend for a favor
gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling grimAuxiliatrix [GA]
GC: 1 H4V3 4 F4VOR TO 4SK OF YOU
GA: What Will It Be
GC: 1T 1S 4 L1TTL3 3MB4RR4SS1NG TO 4SK
GC: BUT COULD YOU M4K3 ON3 MOR3 COSTUM3 FOR M3
GA: Is It Another Iteration Of Your Legislacerator Outfit
GA: I Still Have Ample Alternative Drafts Lying Around I Had Not Gotten Around To Before You Told Me To As You Put It
GA: Forget About It
GC: 1TS NOT
GC: JUST LOOK
-- gallowsCalibrator [GC] sent grimAuxiliatrix [GA] the file "flarpc0stume.jpg" --
GA: I Have An Inkling This Costume Will Not Actually Be For You
GC: 4LL R1GHT 1LL ADMIT TH4TS TRU3
GC: NOW TH4T W3 H4V3 TH4T OUT OF TH3 WAY
GC: COULD YOU
GC: PL34S3
GA: Of Course
GA: For This Transaction You Will Be Charged Exactly Zero Favors
GA: Consider It Done
GC: TH4NKS K4N4YA
GC: 1 4PPR3C14T3 YOUR H3LP
GC: 3V3N 1F TH3 PR1C1NG 1S M1LDLY D1S4GR334BL3 >:/
GA: Not To Say There Is Anything Wrong With Your Gesture
GA: For What It Is Worth I Am Happy You Are Doing Something For Her
GA: If You Ever Need Anymore Assistance With This Matter Feel Free To Contact Me Again
GC: 1 TRY
GC: TH4NKS 4G41N
> Kanaya: Do your friend a favor
You peruse the design for a couple minutes. Certainly interesting, but it does strike you as rather utilitarian. Like the Spinneret costume, it simply features her shirt plus her sign as the main top, albeit with a brown jacket over it instead of Vriska’s signature Mindfang outfit. You would be loath to let Aradia settle for the same sort of (un)fashionable laziness. You opt for a light beige shirt bearing her symbol. The pants will be a slightly darker beige. Perhaps you'll experiment with adding some flaps to the shirt too, as the vest has. You make a new sketch incorporating your new ideas. Yes, this will do quite nicely. You get to work.
It doesn't take long for you to finish, given the relative simplicity of the outfit, and you find yourself wondering if you could put in anything extra. Especially since you haven't seen Aradia for a while, you would like to go above and beyond. Then an idea hits you. You have plenty of experiments with hats lying around. After rummaging around, you find a hat with a wide brim, doffed up and dented over the length. Even the color matches with the pants. It's perfect.
You wrap everything up and, at the last moment, change the address. You usually try not to meddle in other people’s affairs, but here the urge proves impossible to resist.
> Aradia: Open package
Oh, what's this? It's been a long time since anyone has delivered anything to your hive. What's left of it, anyway. You check to see what’s inside.
Oh!
For the first time in a sweep, you are practically in awe, if also confused. Did Terezi send this?
You'll have to ask her immediately.
> Aradia: Ask her immediately
apocalypseArisen [AA] began trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]
AA: did y0u send the package
GC: WH4T P4CK4GE
AA: the flarp 0utfit
AA: y0u were the first t0 bring it up for several perigrees
AA: was it not y0u then
GC: 1 M3AN
GC: 1 D1DNT S3ND 1T
GC: BUT 1 SUPPOSE K4N4Y4 D1D
AA: h0w d0 y0u kn0w
GC: B3C4US3 1 4SK3D H3R TO S3W 1T
GC: 1 D1D NOT 3XP3CT H3R TO S3ND 1T D1R3CTLY TO YOU THOUGH
AA: why
GC: B3C4US3
AA: because what
GC: 1M NOT SUR3 1F 1M UP FOR TH1S CONV3RSAT1ON
GC: SORRY
apocalypseArisen [AA] ceased being trolled by gallowsCalibrator [GC]
AA: why n0t AA: 0h well thats 0kay then 0_0
> Terezi: Freak the fuck out
Did she really…? You weren't even sure if the drafts were anything she could work with. What if Aradia doesn't like it? That would make things even more awkward, and how would you talk to her then?
You're not sure what came over Kanaya. Usually you can appreciate her mild intrusions into the affairs of others, but this this crossed the line. You have to talk to her, stat.
> Terezi: Talk to her, stat
gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling grimAuxiliatrix [GA]
GC: H3Y K4N4Y4
GC: WHY 1S 4R4D14 T4LK1NG TO M3 4LL OF 4 SUDD3N??
GA: I Took The Liberty Of Sending Aradia Your Package
GA: Does This Constitute A Problem
GC: W3LL FOR ON3 I W4S 3NT1R3LY UNPR3P4R3D FOR TH3 CONV3RS4T1ON TH4T C4M3 4FT3RW4RDS
GA: I Truly Am Sorry To Hear That
GA: If You Dont Mind Me Asking
GA: What Was The Issue
GA: Did She Not Like The Costume
GC: NO 1TS JUST
GC: SH3 ST4RT3D GR1LL1NG M3 1NST4NTLY
GC: USU4LLY 1TS M3 DO1NG TH3 GR1LL1NG >:[
GC: SH3 3ND3D UP 4SK1NG M3 WHY 1 4SK3D YOU TO S3W 1T
GC: 4T TH4T PO1NT 1 W4S 4LR34DY 4T TH3 3ND OF MY ROP3S
GC: I B41L3D
GA: You Do Know Why You Asked Me Did You Not
GA: Your Intent Is Quite Transparent Even To Me
GA: With Due Elucidation I Am Certain She Would Appreciate Your Affections
GC: Y3S 1 H4V3 3XPL41N3D TO YOU WHY 1 C4RE
GC: M4NY T1M3S 1N F4CT
GC: BUT W1TH H3R
GC: 1 H4V3NT 3V3N TOLD HER TH4T 1 C4RE
GC: TH4T 1 W1SH W3 COULD JUST T4LK L1K3 W3 US3D TO
GC: 4ND TH4T 1 M1SS H3R
GA: Perhaps It Would Be Best If You Went
GA: And Say To Her What You Said Just Now
GA: Attempt To Convey What You Have Elucidated Many Times Before
GA: If Worst Comes To Worst She Simply Will Not Care
GA: But If You Manage To Tell Her How You Feel In Proper
GA: Then She Might Have Something To Care About After All
GA: As Would You
GC: M4YB3 YOUR3 R1GHT
GC: 1 W1LL OPT TO D1SM1SS YOUR C4S3
GC: 1N 4 MOV3 UNPR3C3D3NT3D 1N 4LT3RN14N L4W
GC: FORTUN4T3LY FOR YOU M3DDL1NG 1S ON3 OF TH3 F3W CR1M3S CONS1D3R3D N31TH3R C4P1T4L NOR WORTH PURSU1NG 1N COURT
GA: Thank You Terezi
GA: I Can Scarcely Fathom The Horror Of Having To Experience One Of Your So-Called Prisons
GA: Unless The Prison Is Your Hive
GA: In Which Case I Would Love To Visit It Soon If You Have The Time
GC: SOON 3NOUGH
GC: BUT FOR NOW 1 SHOULD FOCUS ON D3L1V3R1NG MY T3ST1MONY
GC: COURT 4DJOURN3D!
You suppose you should go talk to Aradia now.
> Terezi: Deliver your testimony
gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]
GC: 4R4D14 4R3 YOU ST1LL TH3R3
AA: i am
GC: 4S 1 S41D 1 D1D 4SK K4N4Y4 TO S3W TH3 COSTUM3
GC: 4ND 1 D1D ULT1M4T3LY W4NT TO S3ND 1T TO YOU
GC: K4N4Y4 MOST L1K3LY ANT1C1P4T3D TH4T 1 PROB4BLY WOULDNT H4V3 GON3 THROUGH W1TH 1T
GC: TH3 R34SON 1 W4NT3D YOU TO H4V3 TH1S
GC: 1S TH4T 1 JUST M1SS HOW TH1NGS US3D TO B3
GC: WH3N W3 ST1LL D1D TH1NGS TOG3TH3R
GC: 1 JUST D1DNT W4NT YOU TO FORG3T
GC: B3C4US3 3V3N 1F 1T 3ND3D POORLY
GC: 1T COULD BE L1K3 TH4T 4G41N
GC: 1F YOU WOULD L1K3 TO TRY
AA: try what
GC: FL4RP
GC: SW1TCH 1T UP TH1S T1M3
GC: H4V3 YOU B3 4 R3GUL4R PL4Y3R 4LONGS1D3 M3
GC: RUN 4 COMP3T1T1V3 C4MP41GN W1TH CLOUD3RS W3 C4N TRUST TO NOT BR34K OUR SP1N3S
GC: TH3R3LL B3 PL3NTY OTH3R TH1NGS TO BR34K 1F YOU W4NT
GC: WH4T DO YOU TH1NK ABOUT TH4T
AA: sure
AA: i have t0 admit kanaya did a g00d j0b 0n the 0utfit
AA: i supp0se a chance t0 wear it w0uldnt be s0 bad
GC: 1M H4PPY TO HEAR TH4T!
AA: will y0u arrange the cl0uders
GC: 1 W1LL
GC: 1LL G3T B4CK TO YOU
AA: h0pe t0 hear fr0m y0u s00n then
Well, it's a start. For now you should focus on FLARP anyway. Let's get that on the road.
> Terezi: Arrange the clouders
gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling grimAuxiliatrix [GA]
GC: 4R4D14 1S UP FOR PL4Y1NG FL4RP
GC: COULD YOU B3 TH3 CLOUD3R ON MY T34M
GC: 4ND F1ND SOM3ON3 3LS3 FOR 4R4D14
GA: Way Ahead Of You
GC: 4S USU4L 4S OF L4T3 >:[
GC: WHO 1S 1T 4NYW4Y
GA: After A Little Coaxing Karkat Seems Willing To Participate
GC: K4RK4T?
GC: R34LLY???
GA: Well Perhaps It Was More Than A Little
GA: But Once You Know Him Long Enough It Is Easy Enough To Get Him To Do What You Want Him To
GC: FOR YOU M4YB3 FUSSYF4NGS
GC: T34CH M3 YOUR S3CR3T SOM3T1M3!
GA: Perhaps As An End Reward Of Our First Campaign
GC: TH3 MOST COV3T3D LOOT 1M SUR3 >:]
You cannot arrange the clouders. The clouders have already been arranged.
> Karkat: Freak the fuck out
carcinoGeneticist [CG] began trolling gallowsCalibrator[GC]
CG: SO WHAT IS THIS DEATH TRAP YOU BROADS ARE TRYING TO PULL ME INTO.
GC: 1 H4V3 NO 1D34 WH4T YOU 4R3 T4LK1NG 4BOUT
GC: SUR3LY YOU 4R3NT R3F3RR1NG TO OUR 3XTR3M3LY W3LL-PL4NN3D C4MP41GN?
CG: I HOPE FOR THE SAKE OF BOTH OF US THAT WASN'T A SERIOUS QUESTION.
CG: BECAUSE IF IT IS, THEN DUNKING MY HEAD IN SOPOR SLIME IS BETTER FOR MY THINKPAN THAN THIS CONVERSATION.
CG: AND YOU WOULD ALREADY BE VERITABLY INSANE.
CG: NOT THAT THAT ISN'T A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.
GC: 4WWW TH4NKS K4RK4T <3
CG: ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR CONFIRMING THAT FOR ME.
CG: NOW BACK TO THE ONLY TOPIC THAT WOULDN'T BE A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME.
CG: DIDN'T YOU RESOLVE TO NEVER PLAY AGAIN AFTER THAT ACCIDENT?
CG: SPEAKING OF WASTED TIME, THE SUBSEQUENT MURDER.
GC: 3X4CTLY
GC: W3 JUST H4V3 TO K33P C3RT41N SP1D3RTROLLS OUT OF TH3 LOOP 4ND 3V3RYTH1NG SHOULD B3 F1N3 >:]
GC: YOU GOT 1T DOWN P4T FOR ONC3!
CG: THAT'S FUCKING RIGHT.
CG: AND IT IS FOR THAT REASON AND THAT REASON ONLY THAT I'LL PLAY YOUR STUPID GAME.
CG: SOMEBODY SANE HAS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT.
CG: SOMEONE WHO ISN'T IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING OTHER PEOPLE LOSE THEIRS.
CG: I HUMBLY VOLUNTEER.
CG: JUST SEND ME THE GRUB. I'M GOING TO STOP TALKING BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT MAKES ME WANT TO CLAW MY EYES OUT.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling gallowsCalibrator[GC]
Time to look for the rulebooks she gave you that are indubitably still collecting dust somewhere. You have a feeling it's going to be a long night.