[2258] Long Remember The King

Desmond:

I shrug with a slight frown, not so sure. People should just be considerate and have common courtesy. Is it really that hard?... Or do I fail to do it too and not even notice? Hmmm.

At her smile though I smile back.

I make a yolo sign.

"As ready as I can be."

Especially since my bit is a surprise and all... Fun.

I glance around to make sure Bash isn't around before I take her hands in mine and give the back of one a kiss, then touch my head against hers in an embrace and hum.

"May the universe treat us right,
May we learn compassion and insight.
May we be more than what history writes.
And move to new heights, beyond petty infights.
With push, drive, might, and all in sight, 
the future will be shining bright."

I say before leaning back and letting go and giving her a smile.

Crystal:

After I activate my pin badge and resecure my camera harness. Then I go off to find Bash given my new mission objective with him.

Lasha:

Juliet freaks out. I don't blame her, I'm glad I'm a medical nurse and not a reeducation one...

That is SO scary.

I chew on a little end of one of my plants and try to think of something to help her out in.

I slowly pull off my bag and open it, its supposed to be for work only but of course I have something extra hidden away.

I pull out a book since I know Juillet likes to read too. It gave us something to talk about.

I wish me and Ettie could talk about some series together. But Ettie wont touch a fiction book outside our medical notes. I dont want to know what the vampires did to her that made her that freaked out by them...maybe papercuts? euw.

"Juillet have you read this one? I think it kinda could help you... like make it...*bits lips because its kinda.. awkward* "More fun?"

I timidly pass her the book titled, Feathers and Chains. It was a romance novel about King Sorin and one of his many wives. Alot of them were but this one went somewhere I NEVER read before. She comes up with all these strange ways to bind him, chain him and stuff and hes so strong so shes creative..thats kinda like her mission objective right?

Juliet:

My antennas twitch nervously in my distress, but Lasha comes to my rescue!

I look at the book. Feathers and Chains.

"Right. Right.. I remember this one."

All those feathers really just helped with my immersion into this one. Like it was a texture you could easily think of and imagine. And the sound the chains must have made. It just made it all so much more real and grounded in my mind as opposed to just a general idea of what was going on. Not that the book didn't exceed in that regard also. All the ways to bind... So strategic but never dull... Just imagining how they were laid out cold against bare skin... So much depth and imagery.

Plus the star of Twilight was so much more recognizable and known to me than most of the other women in Sorin's tales. It was nice to see her as a brilliant girl boss and in charge instead of a vampiric damsel for once.

.... To use those binding techniques.

Wait where was I?

Snaps out of my zone out at the book and I look to her brightly with enthusiasm.

"Lasha, you're a genius! My savior!"

Gives her and her plant a hug, weak enough to not mess with her plant, and slip the book back into her things, before we get caught.

I let go of her and resist the random urge to pat her plant.

Start pacing around in deep thought, antennas twitching.

Yess... Yes. This'll work...

Sebastion: 


I'm not sure if retracting the soiled armor back into the pin wouldn't damage something..but it sure would be easier to clean a pin then a whole suit.

....  that's one for the valerians to figure out. I'll be sending that back to get worked on when I get home....


I step out of the shower grabbing a towel,  NOT realizing I left the door ajar open - the conspiracy WALL exposed... 

Crystal:

The door was partially open...

Swallows feeling compelled to look. How could I not?? This was the King's place!

Imagine what kind of life-changing stuff could be in there? Not even just kingdom-wide, but the whole nearby galaxy! 

I glance through the door and take in a sharp breath of a gasp.

The wall was GLORIOUS!

I even recognized some of the pictures I took on missions... Huh.

I tear my eyes from those, to the new, juicy story and situation unfolding majestically before me.

Only a King could have a wall this big to place so much upon and a powerful dilemma from which it sprouted forth. As he should, being the leader of an entire kingdom and all.

I can't use the mission camera. Who knows if the wrong people will see it. There could always be moles in the kingdom after all. Though it is a shame cause then he'd know I saw it and could ask for me and Fritz' help in figuring out whatever grand conspiracy this all is together....

Or he might take it wrong and think I'm some enemy mole or something. Not that I'm sure where that would come from. The coven being slain and Boren being defeated and all...

Takes out my communicator and flicks it to the camera setting. Takes a few snap shots, then zooms in the settings and takes a few more.

Slips away. I'll have to show Fritz later...

Meredith:

I relax at Desmond's small prayer, meditating on his words until he was finished.

This was.. my very first mission since the station.

All I needed to do was stay focused; and everything would be alright.

Or at least so I thought..

"Lead the way Des, I will follow you."

I respond to him when it was time for us to exit the vessel.

I was so grateful to have him as my partner.

He was such as calming influence, which was exactly what I needed at this time.

Desmond:

I bow my head to her, then head out first, both because she asked but also to keep her safe and deal with any potential immediate surprises.

I peer around the area, breathing in the scents for any of the mysterious hostiles.

I smelled many scents, the majority of which were people in a condensed area. There was also a campfire and materials like straw.

They were chanting 'King day' though. That plus holy fire... Seemed legit.

Hmmm....

I shouldn't just write everyone in the group off though.

Maybe the mystery threat was disguised among the party... or was it further past them?

Either way, Mer was tasked with first contact, so vibing with these people was a possibility unless she decided just not to. Not like I would blame her if she didn't. Who wanted to talk to strangers?.. As far as I could tell, Mer just seemed to naturally attract people to her somehow. It must be a bummer at times if she ever wanted to be alone.

From just a glance they seemed okay though. Celebrating the holiday and even dressing up for it. They had that big fire too. Clearly, fire was the hella rad-est element.

"Well, no attacks yet..." I say to Mer to keep the positivity, but keep an eye out, because that could be spoken too soon. "If you don't want to chat today it's okay by the way."

Crystal wasn't here to document so no one to rat her out.

Regardless, I still had a job to do. I look out over the congregation, trying to see if anything or anyone in particular stands out to me.

Or wait...

Should I be looking for the most obvious thing... Because that would be the least suspected?... Mind whirl dude.

My thoughts on Meri really not needing to talk to these people are increased tenfold when I see a chick dressed as... Boren? I think... Or at least the style but I could be mistaken. I'd guess the peeps and peace kitties back home wouldn't like that, o matter how vague. They might even consider that a threat. It's really messed up to dress as a guy who did genocide and all, but I doubt that's the true mystery hostile. It might be the least suspected, but that seemed too random and how would they know the target would dress as Boren to begin with, if that's even her costume?... Plus the girl might even be doing it to like mock him or is making a statement or something. Who knows? But it makes me unwell, knowing if it was up to Boren, she'd be dead just like the majority of the rest.

....There was also masks with blonde hair straw.... Yeah... Okay... There might be multiple... artistic interpretations of Boren here... That was... A choice... Though.. I guess as a King Day celebration away from Mosaic and the no Boren images atmosphere, it could make sense. Being one of his top enemies and all if not the number 1.... Still strange though. Ss long as it's not hurting anyone, live and let live, but even something like this can cause pain.

I look to Meri to see if she was hurt or righteously angered by it or anything. Or maybe I'm wrong and there are just hippies that got a similar ensemble going on. And the straw 'hair' is just a hat accessory for this lot.

Meredith:

I assess the scene for a moment, focusing primarily on the costumes.

This was.. bizarre.

Multiple scenarios run through my mind as I try to think of how best to handle this situation.

Hmm...

Desmond encourages me to not engage.

I mean, I think that is what he meant?

"Something doesn't feel right here."

I admit.

There is no sneaking into the parry either.

They saw our ship, know our uniforms and unfortunately most likely our faces too.

It was either a do or don't situation we had here and to come all this way only to back down now seemed a bit counterproductive.

"I think I am just going to do it. What are your thoughts? Stick behind and see the locals reactions or come along with?"

Desmond:

Tries to fidgets with bracelet at all the thoughts but armor is in the way. My emotional energies left with no outlet.

Meri is so observant and in touch with the people's auroras. She can tell something is off. Maybe she's picking up something I missed.

"You mean like how they're supposed to be primative yet they know about King day and got the date right despite being on an asteroid and not on an orbital planet. And your supposed to make first contact?..." I ramble out.

Starts picking at nails in the absence of my bracelet. My Zen! My Zen needs to be regulated!

"Or something else?"

Takes deep breaths, somehow on an asteroid. In with the positivity. Out with the anxieties. I think as I breath.

"I'll come along with."

Just in case they decide to do something once they've surrounded you... I think but decide not to say to ruin Mer's chill. Especially if it turned out to be an unfounded worry.

Meredith:

I raise my eyebrows at Des, sensing a bit of anxiety from him.

I take his hand and give it a comforting squeeze.

"It was just a gut feeling.."

Now unfortunately solidified by Desmond's further observation.

Damnit...

I wrestle with my own thoughts for a moment, perhaps overthinking this situation a little too much.

When Desmond chooses to come with I let go of his hand so we could begin our approach.

"What a lovely fire, do you mind if we join you?"

I ask the group putting on my best face for them despite my own feelings of concern.

These costumes..

Desmond:

It looks like I'm harshing the mellow with Mers look.

This was Meri's first mission after I thought she was dead and left her abandonded and now of all times we also have mystery hostiles! ...I think she's dealing with it better then I am... Good for her.

"Yeah, it's hella dope."

Hepaic:

I was glad to have my helmet back on and tighten it when the lameo guild shows up to shut down the good times.  

They took out most really FUN good hot spots already on a tirade to unite the galaxy not under overlord but tTHEM now we cant even have a good burning man on a damn asteroid? 

Ohhh believe me I would have been all INTO mr young new king holy crusade years ago but after meeting Beolan NOT anymore.

I try not to think of when we all hanged out.

I go to take a swig of moonshine and the glass breaks agonist my mask.

I forgot. Damnit.

Jem hits me with her boney arm pointing out one of the Starsuits.

(Jem): "Thats the hybrid killer."

"Be's REAL girlfriend, yeeah?"

Shes hot.. cant blame him


"Looks like she replaced him or got a pet.."

I tease the BLONDE.

Then DARE to linger closer and listen in since I'm masked.

Meredith:

I eye the couple who approach us.

They seemed to know Beolan.

I tense up before becoming distracted by an older woman and the young boy who hands us a couple of masks.

"Thank you, we are only here to make friends. Should you wish to hear of our home we will of course share what we can with you."

(Saige) "They look a bit plain to me."

A rather intense looking woman comes up on our other side and comments on the masks... I think?

Well this is awkward.

I push through my own nerves remind myself to be bold.

"I don't believe we have met?"

I look directly at the one in the bird mask who mentioned Beolan.

Before putting on the hag mask in complianceto their customs.

Desmond:

"Looks like you're a celebrity here as well."

I smile at Mer, trying to project outward positivity that I actually don't feel, as my eyes slide away to observe our surroundings.

Given her whole fight against the big bad boogieman with Bay'bay it makes sense.

Though that might also mean they'll have something personal against her... Wearing all them Boren costumes...

I look to the kid who gives us masks. I peer at it then look to him.

"Thanks little dude, dudet or other." I grin. "Right on!" I give a thumbs up.

Mer just puts it on before I could even scent test it for drugs... Oi.

Being a guard bro is so hard. How does Tamsin do this for The King? Bash probably has way more downers against them than Mer ever will.

I sniff my mask at least. (Totally acting like a pet like they think I already am. Let them think what they want and underestimate me. Whatever. It's fine.)

Jem:

I thought we were just talking among ourselves but shit... I was so wasted already and cant see a THiNG in these sunglasses.

Whatever. 

I give her my best dumb blonde gap toothed bitch face.

I feel a pain in my neck.

**Iris is SO PISSED she has to play nice nice for these two random to come smack talk the first 2 minutes the dangerous space police they get nerve pitch hexes*

I rub it and look around for a bug.

(Hepaci): "No but I heard all about you. You know I was SUCH a fan of you and your last boyfriend..hmm what happened to him again?"

"Can he talk or did your family not teach your slaves to read and punctuate?" I twirl one of my braids and POP a blue bubble gum bubble in her face

*Nerve PAIN twitch from witch*

(Hepaci): "The skeeters tonight.." He laughs nervously at me to stop pissing them off.

Meredith:

I grow quiet at the masked one's question wondering if it even warranted a response when his female companion gets quite aggressive in her approach and with a costume such as hers, I had little restraint to keep up formalities.

"Why don't you ask him that yourself and see what kind of response you get?"

I respond in a dangerously calm sort of way.

Jem:

"Really? How nice for a Sulez Slave driver to allow a slave to talk for himself..or is a fetish thing, just like your mother?"

I snap back at her with another blue POP.

"So slim, can you talk? Whats with the brunettes? Havent they done enough?" 

I ask the man TURNING by back to the brown haired bitch.

Meredith:

The crass female digs in even deeper with her insults and at first I am left completely speechless at how much she knew about me.

.......

I turn to look at her when her back is turned and all I see is red.

I grab the bubble gum bitch by the braid and pull her back so hard that she is forced to swallow her gum and CHOKE on it.

"Why don't you say that again you **goes into a FIREY rant in broken Spanish.**

Desmond:

I had been confused, wondering if they had meant Beo didn't know how to read or talk or if it was me... It turns out it was me,... even though I... talked to the little kid.

Uh...

Before I can even think to respond Meri goes girl boss.

Strange words were flying everywhere. She was talking in tongues! Or... Curses!... Was Meri a witch? How did I not know that?...

Whether it be by a divinely inspired tongue of righteous goddess fury or witch curses, I didn't think I'd want to get in the middle of that in case the holy smiting/curses would strike me, which would be fine, I could probably tank it, but I thought Meri would feel bad afterward if I got hurt and I can't have that.

Goes behind the bird-mask guy that came with the woman and holds HIM from behind, in case he tries to intervene in this girl power fight. Meri looked like she was winning so this wasn't the time for men to get involved with a white knight rescue like Morgain's human books.

Meredith:

*Keeps fighting with Jem until interrupted.*

Crystal:

As I wander the halls the flickering firelight catches my periprials at a window. Looks out.

Sees what looks like from the flint of their armors in the firelight. Wonders what they're up to.


Teleports outside of the ship to get a closer look to see better. Finds Des hugging a metal bird and Meri in a weird mask going at it with a female Boren???

Did Boren have clones!?

Oh wait... everyone here was dressed up... Unless they're orc hybrids in disguise as the mystery hostiles...

Well.. I wont tell Des. That's for him to find out. Which they might have already by the looks of things.

Such a fiesty fighter... So that's her skills. Pure strength and witch magic. Maybe that's why everyone is fascinated by her. Witchy charms or those closet to her knowing the fact she's a lone human girl going to towns, kicking ass, and taking names.

Takes some photos of her in action.

I doubted ANYONE who didn't know about her fighting ability would believe me otherwise without physical photographic proof. And given her lack of missions that's probably a lot of people in the dark.

Blythe:

I followed after the  dream team but noticed right off it was a costume party so I fall back and quickly whip something up.

 A chemical powder face mask  in the lab in a green shade matching the only dress I had packed away,  I got feathers and other festive decor from Starker feather art the last batch of orphans made and sent to Desmond and Mer for good luck.

I rip up their picture to make a lovely head piece. Its not really black though.. its more a Shard costume. Gross.

*gets the idea to do that for Valentine's Day but BETTER*

I check on the mission status. Desmond and Meradith haven't reported any sightings of the artifact or reported anything at all so I assume its going on.

Sebastion didn't even leave yet.

I was going to go check on him but thought better of it ..based on my costume.

*evil inner giggle to myself a I step out.*

I wave to some bird heads and eye around.

Oh yeah no this is NO King's Day party, these people were up to NO good. But what where they doing, why were they gathering?? Right near the NEO. They certainly had no part in it... these were the galactic SCUM..

I hear a BIG fight and some whistles, cheers. 

The festive fiddle playing and dancing stops to stare.

(Spring in a birdmask): "My bets on the Spanish lassy!" 

Bets are taken. 

(Hepaci): "LET GO! How are you so strong skinny booi."

I wonder why dream team didn't break it up before it got this bad. I shove a few birdheads pumping fists in excite to see it is Meri beating up a blonde girl. 

 "Meri!"

I try to reign her in without her ruining my suit with her tantrum.

People STOP staring at the girl boss fight to stare at ME.



"Your going back to the ship,  go help Sebastion's mission, they didn't leave yet! He needs..help.."

Desmond:

My mark was flaring. I don't know how I actually held the scary bird mask man back during the fight but I had left that up to the god, goddess and the universe and it had somehow prevailed.

Stares at Blythe with the rest distracted.

Crystal's eyes widen and she takes a picture of Blythe before teleporting back to the ship to not get in trouble.

Lets go of hippie hug around bird man after Mer is told to go.

Blythe:

I give Desmond a look, like what happened. 

I try to send Meradith away to a mission she cant possibly get some PTSD attack on...

After I tell her to help Sebastion I add with a push.

"..hes in the shower stalls."

I hurry her to leave without another word.

THAT she be embarrassing enough of a punishment.

As I look back at the crowd I see a tough looking women staring at my boobs. I give her a wink hoping I'll get a new recruit for wearing this dress.

Then I cast a look at Desmond as I debated sending him with Meri or not.

"Desmond report what do you think of this gathering, what is is about. Is it dangerous?"

I wish I could you know bring up the eyeball but... Bash would be pissed.
It would be easier to find something if everyone knew what it looked like. 

But if they know they KNOW it all...

"Are there any signs of artifacts from Neo down here or should we all just leave and go to the debris because this looks like a long shot."

I eye the crowd awkwardly dispersing and the fiddle playing picks back up.
There was alot of passed out drunk people propped up near the fire too. 
so many shifty eyes darting about. 

I try to read some minds but get so much input about my breasts.

Meredith:

Princess Blythe interrupts our fight and gets me up off the girl. 

I look around darkly, still riding that adrenaline high until it eventually wears off and I realize what I have done.

I back up startled and look away from embarrassment.

What did I....?

I swallow hard as the Princess reassigns me to another mission.

"Yes, Ma'am."

I bow my head respectfully before I am pushed onwards and reminded of my previous blunder (throwing up on the King).

I give Blythe a look, wanting to defend myself but nothing I could possibly say could defend what I did to that girl.

Even if she deserved it..

*Runs out of scene to go back to the ship.*

Desmond:

Blythe gives me the 'look' wanting to know what happened.

(("Braids lady said stuff about-")) Pauses wondering how to explain. (("Mer and her fam being slave owners and was concerned how educated I was. Mer then fumed in tongues. Real spiritual fury moment, then attacked her...")) I glance back at Braids lady.

Looks back to Mer and Blythe.

I don't say King Day. Both because of my doubts but also given what the kid said. Both because of the word and because I felt a kid wouldn't necessarily think to suddenly lie and pretend 'king day' just cause we showed up like those older might.
 
"These peeps are here to celebrate Saheim and to watch 'the star' tonight... Whatever that means." Beo is dead.

I peer around wondering if there would be any talk at the star mention again, like they had muffled laughs the first time that my hearing picked up on. (("Which seemed to be a lie. Given some people's reactions when it was brought up.")) But what is the purpose then? Just saheim? Why bring up 'the star' at all then? To give a false lead to steer us off the right track in case we didn't buy the whole King Day act?

I evaluate how dangerous they are by quietly take a deep breath trying to take in and go through the scents beyond the smell of the fire pit. I do a slight turn as I breathe getting a sense of the area.

(("Quite a few people are drugged and not the fun kind... Those passed out definitely are."))

My eyes drift toward the smell of gunpowder, drugs, and poisons. It's coming from their wagon.

(("They have weapons and more bad drugs in there their vehicle too."))

I guess it makes sense she doesn't realize I only walked over here and then got distracted by a fight so I haven't had time to search for one beyond my gazes over the camp. Or maybe she's just hoping for an excuse to ditch the rude strangers. I don't blame her.

I turn back towards her but look past her at the surrounding people and environment.

"I haven't seen any signs of an artifact yet."

Blythe:

I look at the women in a sort of colorful Boren suit with the braids, I wonder what else she knows about Meridieth's family so I could find out MORE about KLAUS. 

Her masked date was tugging her away quite fast at my sudden appearance so I decide to let them go for now,I'm sure we'll meet again. 

The galaxy was too ruined to hide for long anymore.

I listen to Desmond's report

"All quite primimative threats."  I reply not quite interested in any of that, none of it could blow up the ship.

((Maybe you should do a rescue at the end then..))  I say for those passed out not in a fun way..

More help to rebuild and all

"Alright well lets mingle a bit since I got all dressed up.."

I wink at him and go look at the sorry lot selection of dirty folk I had to choose from.

The old lady of the party tries to give me a green gemstone offering and I wave it away with a fake kind smile because her toothless mouth sure smelled fowl.

None of the rocks and gems i see are RED or eye shaped.

Juliet:

Heads off to the supplies storage to look for rope and chains.

And thinks if those can't be found maybe gauze or medical wraps can be tied together.

Hmm...

Mind wanders to whips, wondering if that would be apart of the armory lockers....

Mind flashes with whipping and skin... Bare skin...

Hmm.. They'll need to be blind folded too. Yes... For... Tactical reasons... Can't escape if they can't see right... Yeah... A perfect rational reason...

Maybe some sharp things too.. To keep them in place...

Imagination wanders to knife play.... The blade's edge so tantalizing against soft vulnerable skin...

Shivers as the knife travels down my bare shoulder blade. Sebastion maneuvers around my wing and his hot breath caresses my skin before he kisses it.

Walks straight into a wall.

"Ow!" My nose stung and I reach up, touching it tentatively. At least it's not broken....

Desmond:

Yeah. At least then this mission won't be a complete waste if nothing else comes of it...

Mingling... Everyone here probably thinks I'm illiterate. Though.. Maybe that'll actually make things easier for me then. I won't have to say much. And she'll have to contend with the boob gazers, so actually, it'll probably be harder for her...

I look around and keep an ear out.

I hear some mutters and get some stares from a couple of girls whispering behind their hands at one another.

(Girl 1): "Think that's him? I thought he would be taller."

(Girl 2): "No way. He's clearly a pampered pet with that fancy silver costume."

(Girl 1): "That's armor! What warlord doesn't wear armor?"

(Girl 2): "Not a feral blonde one! I heard he wears tiger skin like a primitive freak."

....

I try to tune out their conversation and instead look for the kid who had given us those masks. At least he seemed nice. And his masks were poisoned. Plus maybe he'd be more genuine than the adults with stuff to hide.

I put it on and go over to him.

"Hey... Thanks again for the mask... So.. Anything fun to do around here besides with for the star?.. Anything cool or weird around here?"

Little Crow:

I felt bad at what that buggy lady - Saige-  said  

I tried my best. Its never good enough.

I look up at the sound of a voice talking to me. Its the man.

He talks pretty well apparently from being a slave as I overheard many say tonight.

"Y..you like it?" I say about the mask.

Then try to think of his questions. 

"Dancing? Pig wrestling?"

I stop myself from saying something 'not good' we all had to play 'good' and all.

"the may pole?" I smile innocently

Desmond:

"Yeah. The bat wings are a total vibe, my dude, dudet or other."

I look around as if I'm looking for that stuff, but in actuality am trying to see if there are any artifacts among the other guests.

"Pig wrestling, huh?... The poor pigs... Are they participating willingly?" I ask in case maybe some aliens are big evolved and I'm just assuming wrong...

I might need to rescue some pigs...

That makes me think of Ettie's ranch.

Hmm... I wonder if Ettie would like one for her birthday?

Little Crow:

He says the batwings were a vibe. Whatever vibe means. 

I try to think of 'goody goody star people' activities that mistress would approve us. 

MAYBE Pig wrestling wasn't a good one to say... its hard to think of things that star people would approve of. Everything we do is offensive to most thats why we gotta traveeel XD

"Um I dont know I never asked the..pigs."

I wonder if star people are so pure and godly they dont even eat meat.  I cant even think of life without bacon.

"Do you..know bacon?"

I ask too intrigued not too.

Desmond:

I wrinkle my nose vaguely remembering it had an accursed smell.

"Yes, I've heard of it. I don't know why peeps like the smell and taste so much. It smells wicked awful to me."

Maybe my tiger senses are just that powerful to others or it's just a 'me' problem of hating it.

I've never bothered to try the lab stuff Blythe makes of it. One could only hope it's better than the real stuff they had back on Neo.

I continue to peer around as I talk.

"But I guess people just like what they like. Just like everything else. They do them and you do you and all that."

Hmm..

"Ever heard of cheese puffs? The ones in the kingdom are dairy and meat-free."

I wonder if Blythe was real proud of that one. Dairy free was the way to be man.

Meredith:

I return to the ship trying to make sense of Blythe's last words.

She was kidding right? Like.. do I actually have to find Bash in the showers?

Maybe it was just her dark sense of humor? Or maybe she is just evil that way..

I whine a little accepting my punishment REALLY HOPING there was something else going on in there but there really wasn't.

 I blush madly SEEING EVERYTHING and quickly close the door from embarrassment.

Crystal:

Goes over to Fritz and the nurses to gossip about Mer.

"Mer beat up some poor Lyratisan girl! It was wild!"

Pictures of the fight won't be enough. They need to see the footage!

I connect my communicator to my camera harness and start scrolling through the footage I backtrack a little far so they see up close Mer vomiting on Bash up close.

"Oh yeah.. She did that too."

Showing the feed of Mer and her bizarre language rant.

At least Juliet wasn't here to see it, given it was another Lyratisan like her. Dodged a bullet there. Might have triggered the psychologist nurse and then what would we do?

Lasha:


I was glad I could help Juillet out, I know she'll do great.

I quickly ready myself for the mission but it seemed held up.

I bit my lip at Meradith's punishment, seen publicly on the missions board on our communicators. 

...
(Leithe): "Can she really whore out her apprentice as punishment..?"

*mouth a jar*

How is THAT a punishment? 

I act innocent like I'm concerned for the great and wonderous feature of MES ship and not tantalized by the visuals of Meradith being 'punished' by the wet and wild King.

"POOR DES." I fan myself a little with my paperwork.

Leithe nudges me to look. Crystal was here with something to show us.

(Fritz): "What?! I wonder why?" 

He comments to the fight scene. 

I watch wide eyed at what Crystal shows us. 

Wow the King is into some gross stuff.. 
I see the vomit picture and no longer  ponder the steamy shower if they are into icky play like that...

Sebastian:

All the insecurity bubbles up, the embarrassing VOMIT the final push over the edge*

*full on mental breakdown in shower*

*got lost in crazy moment aurging with myself, having a full on conversation with Shard.
 Accent change and all.

It only ended when I started slicing the scales under the skin bleeding everywhere (extra long shower) it rapidly grows back in seconds so it has to be done longer and deeper till my mind settles and Its just me again.*

Bad blood, bad blood..

I watch the drain water entranced till something snaps me out of it.

...

*gets whiff of Meradith's hair and just thinks its more mental illness*

*vomits feeling gross at self for the LUST*

I quickly clean everything up with great speed blurring around and get dressed in normal clothes, not going to take a pin with me.

 NO TIME I am already late.

"Hey Meri!" 

I catch up to Meradith acting NORMAL but all wet and a little sparkley from the scales under skin.

"Back already?"

I didnt even leave yet and they are BACK?

*didnt check messages to see her reassignment*

Little Crow:

I gasp at what the armored Star knight says about bacon.

Sacarlige.

I just say under my mask so he doesnt see my reaction.

THEN he tells me... tells me of something horrible.

A ...a ..CHEESE PUFF made with no milk  and no meat.

What else is there? Is it just pure grass??

"Um.. no I never heard of it...."

I look him over again.

"Is that what you eat? Is that why your so skinny?"

Meredith:

I saw.. so much more than I thought I would see.

To interrupt Sebastian in such a vulnerable moment made me feel sick.

Punishment received..

To my absolute HORROR I hear Bash's approach

"Hey!"

I try to play it COOL even though I was NOT.

How anyone could be that pretty I have yet to understand.

I think to myself at his skin sparkles.

"Yes unfortunately I was sent back."

Er..

"I did a thing.."

...

I blush again.

"Blythe thinks its best I help your teams instead."

 Sebastian:


I look at her surprised. 


Did a 'thing'?


 I would ask but that would be rude


"uh well, great that your coming along.. I guess it all worked out..the ..delays.."


 I try to play it cool but suddenly the mission becomes far more ..driven. 


Leads the way to the shuttle and continue to nervously small talk to keep my mind from.. going anywhere else dark.

"Say, If you could find anything left in the ruins of NEO... what would you want to recover?"

I ask her knowing I had an idea of my own but I think....it would not be wise to share it with her.

The last time she encounter the eye of Myra was when we met. I'll never forget. 

"I want Sorin's crown.. remember.. the wings. So goofy.."

Meredith:

I was very grateful Bash didn't press me on my ambiguous response.

It was embarrassing.. perhaps even more so than walking in on him in the shower.

I try to think of a good response to Bash's question.

He suggested Sorin's helmet.

I smile sadly wondering how he managed to keep it together with his father's passing.

I then remember what I saw him doing to himself a few moments ago and could not help but squeeze his arm gently in response.

"Your father was a very strong leader, much like you, I too would be overjoyed to discover any of his personal belongings."

I remember my time as a student on Neo, the things that I had meant very little to me next to the great friendships I made there.

My mind drifts to Beolan. I remember writing him off when we met on Neo thinking him a creep and I could not help but wonder what he thought of me during that time. We were such good friends after my evacuation from my home world and there for each other when no one else was. How I could forget all that even with the terrors I had experienced i did not know. I just wish I did not feel so abandoned by him.

I was so lucky to have Desmond in my life now. He was such a sweetheart and loyal companion. Even during school he was always there for me when I was at my best and my worst. There was no confusion with him and I needed that.

I ponder all my friendships/relationships (including Ettie and Crystal) and consider finding each of them a personal item from Neo. Perhaps to bring back to the ones alive and save for the ones who were no longer with us.

Desmond:

"No."

And deprive Mer of ANY cheese puffs? I'm not a monster.

At least it isn't real cheese, cause ewww... Disgusting. I'll never understand the weird trend back on Neo when there actually was enough milk to put it in everything. Like yeah let's totally milk a creature's boob utters and drink it or age it. Like whose idea was that?? And why did people go along with it instead of arresting them???

I try to get my mind off it and answer his question.

"My diet consists of electrolyte salts, lab-grown chicken, and water-free kombucha."

The salt and kombucha is fine. But I only eat the chicken cause I have to, not cause I want to. I'm basically allergic to everything and I'll feel sick from not eating otherwise...

Lasha:

I am SO lucky Meradith isn't assigned in my team anymore.  I would die of embarrassment. I wish I didn't SEE all that.

 poor Leithe having to be around her after the clipshow we just watched..

I quickly carry with great strength two large crates full of supplies and alms for the poor and needy.

I DONT have my plant I left it in haste, BUT im sure its fine..

Its not like there's any DARKNESS outside to trigger the wolf.

I walk out of the ship believing the locals to be simpletons like usual but  they were SCARY in horrible masks.  My own saving grace was most eyes were on Princess Blythe.

*almost faints at her boldness walking among this tough crowed dressed like that*

Shes so strong and brave!

 I fast walk to Desmond afraid for any of these scary folk to talk to me alone.

I drop the crates with a loud thud.

A kid in a mask (or a small person) was staring at Desmon amazed but confused in what he was telling him.

(Little Crow): "Uh... your complicated huh."

Desmond was intimidating and wise and all I didn't want to interrupt his 'flow' or what not so I stay quiet till he acknowledges me.

Desmond:

What a confusing compliment?

"I love complicated."

I look at the box that had made such a loud noise just before, then look to Lasha impressed.

"Woah. You're hella strong."

Hesitates wondering if that would come across as rude.

"Not that you wouldn't be... Or that it should be surprising just..."

Uh...

Changes topic.

"Cool hair too by the way." Nods awkwardly.

Is that weird to say if her hair has been like that? Or.. Is it different?.. err...

Her hair is pretty though.

"Gives an ethereal hue.
The dawning colors when midnight is due.
A rainbow of your own making.
Individuality, separate from the whole, 
yours for the taking."

Meredith:

I am interrupted from my thoughts at Sebastian's question regarding Cycle driving.

"Hmm I guess you'll have to see."

I flash him a playful grin.

Quite excited about our mission now.