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Chapter Text

A light slap snapped across his face. Tavros Nitram, Three Sweeps Old, spluttered, vision blurry... right before another slap struck him across the face. "Oowww!"

Wincing, his eyes snapped open, taking in the surprised look of a Blueblooded Troll girl, one eye having seven pupils and both eyes wide with surprise, staring down at him, a wide smile forming across her face. "You're awake!!"

Tavros smiled tentatively, even as his eyes flicked around the room for Tinkerbull, who had been accompanying him on his walk. Maybe this girl was nice...? Aaaannnddd she slapped him across the face again. "Ow!! Um, why are you doing that? It hurts!!"

The girl scoffed, flicking her hair over her shoulder like the popular girls he sometimes saw on TV sitcoms did (they were usually closer to adults, though, or he thought they were at least). "Well I had to make sure you were awake somehow! Seriously, are you suuuuuuuure you're awake? Not gonna pass out like a wiggler again?"

"Um, I'm not a wiggler, but yeah, I'm, I'm awake." Tavros mumbled, pulling himself to his feet, testing his legs with a few crouches. Ahh legs, what would he do without these babies? Stretching his arms a few times, he turned to face the smirking girl. She was... pretty. It made him blush and fidget. "Um, my name's Tavros. Have you seen my um, Lusus, Tinkerbull? And also know what I'm doing here...?"

"The name is Vriska Serket, not that you asked." The girl, Vriska, sniffed and suddenly made Tavros feel very self-conscious about his own rudeness. She placed her hands on her hips, leaning forward to sneer at him. "And your Lusus is currently making me something to eat as reparations for the two of you trespassing in my Hive! Really, I should feed you to my Lusus for such rudeness, you should really thank me for being so forgiving!"

A bolt of alarm shot through Tavros' back. "I was trespassing!? Oh, um, I'm so very sorry, I don't know what came over me. You, um, you really have a lovely Hive. But I don't know why I'd try to, um, break in. And what was that about feeding me to your Lusus...?"

"You don't have to lie, my Hive is dumpy." Vriska pouted, averting her gaze even as she seized Tavros by the arm, dragging the startled Brownblood to the food preparation area, where a familiar Taurosect, one with a Fairy like body and a prominent bull's head, frantically fluttered around, evidently preparing something. "However, I do accept your apology. Honestly, how you even managed to get from whatever Hive you're from to my canyon lair, I'll never figure out. But your here, so you might as well have something to eat before you beat it."

"W-Well thank you! That's, um, actually pretty nice of you, you really didn't have to." Tavros smiled tentatively, taking the fresh plate of grub pasta Tinkerbull had whipped up gratefully. He blinked in surprise as Vriska immediately began wolfing down the plate Tinkerbull hesitantly had passed to her; it was like she'd never had a homemade meal before! "B-But I really, um, don't feel comfortable just taking your food and then leaving after I, um, broke in for whatever reason. It feels kind of mean. Is there something I can do to, you know, make it up to you...?"

Vriska's face screwed up, impalement implement seconds from bringing the heavenly ambrosia that Tinkerbull had prepared to her mouth, and Tavros winced, bracing for a reprimand... only for her to relax, shrugging. "I mean, if you want. It... does get kind of boring around here sometimes; the only person around for company is that jerk Equius on the other side of the Canyon, and he is SOOOOOOOO booooooooring! Tell ya what, if you can somehow manage to safely find your way back here AND bring something not boring to do, we'll call us even. Sound good?"

"Y-yeah, I can totally do that! Um, I know lots of fun games to try out...?" Tavros beamed, only to wince as Vriska dug a finger into his rib plates. "Eh heh heh, ow."

"Don't get a big head. Just take your Lusus and go. It was... nice having you here, I guess. See ya never." Vriska replied bluntly, ignoring the furious whoops of protest from Tinkerbull as she'd stalked off to the remaining grub pasta, carefully storing it away for later.

"Well, that's... bye then, I guess? I'll see you later." Tavros replied, hesitantly waving goodbye even as Vriska remained turned away from him. He still had no idea why he'd come here, and wished that he could talk to Tinkerbull properly so he could tell him... but that didn't matter at the moment. He had some games to prepare! Maybe he could see if Vriska would like Fiduspawn? He'd just gotten some, and it felt like it would be a blast to have someone to play with!

...

As the Bronzeblood she had unwittingly lured to her Hive left, Vriska finally allowed the tension she'd been holding in to drop, relaxing. As she placed the delicious ambrosia that the Lusus had made, and how fair was that, HE had a Lusus that would make meals for him instead of expecting him to provide for himself AND for it, in her cold storage unit, she stared down at her bloody hands.

They were perfectly clean of course. She'd spent HOURS scrubbing off the yellow smears while the Bronzeblood- while TAVROS had been asleep. That didn't stop the visions dancing in her mind, of yellow-colored blood spilling into her hands as her Lusus chomped down on the Goldblood she had lured to her earlier. The fear and terror in their eyes as she desperately reached out to Vriska, hoping for safety, only to be kicked back into spidermom's waiting maw.

She hadn't expected to come up from the feeding zone to find a new Troll, one with their Lusus with them, waiting for her, dead on their feet and bordering on unconscious, the familiar glazed expression of one of her lured victims on his dumb, sleepy smile. The Lusus had stared at her bloody form in horror, and the silent judgment had caused her to run for the refreshment center, desperately trying to cleanse herself of the taint now covering her.

She hadn't know what to do. The answer should've been simple, really; a new Troll, obviously too tired to fight back and a Lusus far too weak to stop her? Getting spidermom a second helping would've been child's play. It would've been the practical answer.

But she hadn't; instead, she had guided Tavros over to her 'couch' as Equius insisted she call it, and laid him down. Because she didn't want to kill again... not so soon after having lured another victim to their doom. The Lusus having commandeered her food preparation station had been a surprise, but not a bad one; perhaps it was gratitude, perhaps it was a bribe. Regardless, the ambrosia made her impulsive act of weakness all worth it. She'd have to savor it; she never knew when she'd get another chance at such a wonderful meal again.

Really, it was stupid of her. She'd likely never see his dumb, dopey smile again. And if he were stupid enough to come, he'd likely get lost or fall or something and end up in spidermom's belly regardless. So it was best to just forget him. Someone that weak and delicate didn't need to taint themselves with a killer like her. He'd be dead soon anyway; no use wasting more time thinking about him. Best to just move on... and prepare for her Lusus' next feeding.

Even if she was sure that her hands were still covered in blood.

Chapter Text

A faint pounding echoed from the front of Vriska's Hive, cutting through her sleep. Too groggy to notice how oddly light it was, she pulled herself free from her Recuperoon, lazily throwing an oversized shirt she'd scavenged from one of spidermom's meals on as a makeshift dress as she stomped towards the door. "Ugh, what Iiiiiiiis it Equius? I told you, I don't want to listen to one of your stupid lectures about the Hemos-!!"

As Vriska threw open the door, she froze, a strange feeling, one she normally only felt when she'd had too long a dry spell between feeding her Lusus, coming over her. Helplessness. Odd that the one causing this feeling was someone as dorky-looking and harmless as Tavros, whose cheeks were flushed brown in embarrassment at her appearance. "Um, hi again. Sorry for, uh, dropping by so suddenly, but..." He trailed off, fidgeting as he slowly revealed what was behind his back; a basket filled with plush toys and egg-looking devices, and two decks of cards. "...I brought a game like you asked and wanted to know if we could play...?"

Vriska stared, dumbfounded. He... he had actually come back? SAFELY!? How could someone so soft-looking, with such a tiny, harmless Lusus, traverse their way to her Hive without encountering any danger!?!? ...Maybe she should start investing in some traps. You know, just in case someone more dangerous than this guy came calling.

The seconds dragged on, well past the point of awkwardness, and Tavros' face slowly fell and became downcast. As he made to turn and leave (and likely wind up stuck outside when the sun came up well before he made it back home, what was he thinking!?), his movement snapped Vriska out of her daze. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she stepped slightly to the side. "Come on, get inside before my idiot neighbor sees you, dummy. I do NOT want to deal with him this early in the morning."

Why did her words make him perk up so much? She DID just say that she only was letting him in because it would be more of a pain if he stayed out, didn't she? What a weirdo.

...

"-And, and with this card, I can, um, signal for the Fiduspawn to engage in symbiotic tactics, absorbing the properties of a defeated Fiduspawn so as to boost its power. I, um, don't use it that often since it means, um, one of them died, but it's pretty cool, don't you think??" Tavros babbled, nervously fanning the hand of cards he'd drawn (for instructional purposes) near a bored Vriska's face. As he finally took in the look on Vriska's face, he trailed off, an embarrassed flush creeping up his neck. "But, um, I guess it's not that cool..."

Vriska sighed, flicking her hair over her shoulder again (she seemed to do that a lot, honestly), before grudgingly drawing a card from the pile to inspect it, only giving the Oogonibombs a cursory glance. "It's kind of cool. Sorta." Vriska muttered, before finally looking over at the dolls and egg-things Tavros had brought along with the cards. "So these are meant to be used on those?"

She pointed vaguely at the plush-looking toys. Gods, she felt embarrassed just being near the things. She hadn't expected much from Tavros, admittedly, but she'd thought he could manage something better than this... her train of thought cut off as a chuckle forced its way out of Tavros' throat. She poked him in the rib plates. "What's so funny!?"

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh!! Just, um, just watch, okay?" Tavros insisted, giving her a halfway mischievous smile, one she'd sported herself more than once those few times she'd let herself forget why she would play tricks on Trolls to lure them to her Hive, as he stood up, picking up one of the egg-things. Grabbing one of the plushes seemingly at random, he tossed it into the center of the room, far from any of her other stuff. At her expectant look, he pulled back his arm, throwing the egg against the floor with surprising force. "Infiltrapper, I choose YOU!!"

Vriska watched in almost morbid fascination as the egg, he'd called it an Oogonibomb during his babbling hadn't he?, rocked and wobbled against the ground, before something icky tore its way out of it. A vaguely insectoid looking creature with a purple carapace slithered out, stalking towards the plush. The plush, no the Host Plush, gave off a simulated shiver, almost like a proper living creature, before the... Fidusucker shot towards it, latching onto its torso. It pulsed and flexed, pushing in and out of the plush, before letting go, scuttling off a short distance away.

Vriska watched, fascinated, as the Host Plush twitched and convulsed, before a blue-and-red spider creature with troll-like hands at the end of its legs tore its way out of the Plush's chest, rapidly expanding in size. In seconds, it was nearly half as big as Vriska herself, but ignored her, instead instantly focusing on the idle Fidusucker, pouncing on it to feed. After its feast, the apparent Infiltrapper let out a strangely adorable shriek of victory, before standing at attention.

Tavros posed, gesturing wildly at the Fiduspawn in excitement. "Eh? Eh?"

Vriska gazed at the Infiltrapper as it tilted its head in an ugly-cute way. "That. Was. Disgusting. Tell me all about it!"

Tavros' smile lit up the room.

...

"Go, Electrovermin!"

Arsimian, Standbye for Battle!"

The two young trolls cheered gleefully as their Fiduspawn dueled it out, Tavros' conductive metal-coated rodent bristling with electricity holding its own admirably against the burned, naked fire monkey that Vriska had chosen. She'd agreed to Tavros' request to keep their match non-lethal for the creatures with an ease that had surprised herself; or, perhaps, not so surprising in hindsight. These ugly things fascinated her, and the thought of potentially losing one against Tavros' greater familiarity with the game made her stomach churn.

Eventually, the match concluded when Tavros conceded, citing an attack that would've crippled his Electrovermin's ability to maneuver if they'd been going all out as the reason why. Vriska wasn't totally sure she believed him, but her adolescent ego gleefully accepted the excuse, and the victory. Her victory dance was only SLIGHTLY too long, thank you very much!!

After dismissing the two Fiduspawn to go play with Infiltrapper, who had readily made himself at home after Tavros had confirmed that he hadn't been spawned for Battle, Vriska turned to Tavros, watching him with an appraising eye. He was currently dutifully sewing back up the Host Plushes; it wasn't strictly necessary, as they were self-repairing, but he was adamant that doing so made them last longer and maintain peak performance for extended periods. "Say... not to sound ungrateful or anything, but why did you pick THIS game to try to make things up to me with? Hmm, Taaaaaaaavros?"

Flushing slightly at the teasing lilt to Vriska's voice, Tavros sheepishly rubbed his head, carefully laying down the Plush he'd been working on. "Oh, um, it's kind of, uh, a bit silly. Promise you won't laugh?"

"No." Vriska bluntly replied; if it was going to be funny, she would laugh, and giving him false hope was laaaaaaaame.

"Okay, fair." Tavros sighed, glancing out the window, only vaguely noting the Hive on the opposite side of the canyon, where Vriska's annoying neighbor lived. "Well, um, I kind of noticed that your Lusus wasn't really around the last time I was here, and, well, since our Lusii are basically the only company we have until we're big enough to wander around on our own and meet up with other Trolls, I, uh, kind of thought you might be... lonely?" At Vriska's shocked look, he quickly backpedaled. "N-Not in a bad way! I'm sure you, uh, are totally fine living on your own, like any other Troll. I just... I felt kind of sad? If I didn't have Tinkerbull, I don't know what I'd do with myself. And you joked before about feeding me to your Lusus, so I guessed that they must eat a lot and you have trouble keeping up with their needs. So, um, I figured that with the Fiduspawn, you'd have company, and that they could help you get the food your Lusus needs. If that's okay?"

A pillow was thrown at Tavros' head. It took a little while after the resulting pillow fight/epic battle of Fiduspawn that followed to reassure him that she wasn't mad. Excited more like, honestly. But eventually, all good things had to end.

...

With the warm plate of Grub Pasta, the very same that Tinkerbull had made him and Vriska on his first visit to her wife, in hand, Tavros fidgeted nervously as Vriska inspected him. He... still wasn't fully sure what to make of her; it had been a relief to realize she didn't much care about the Hemospectrum and didn't plan to cull him for his emotional weakness, but the way she poked and prodded him verbally left him off balance. In a good way.

Although the flabbergasted look she'd made when he explained that all the Fiduspawn stuff he'd brought over was a present was one he'd treasure for a long time to come.

...He was getting off topic. He forced himself to focus on the present, specifically the almost military-like once-over that Vriska was giving him. She locked gazes with him, her seven-pupil eye drawing him in. "So..." She drawled, spinning an Oogonibomb on the tip of her finger. "You must be thinking that giving me all this makes us even, hmmmmmmmm?"

"Um, maybe-" He began, only for Vriska to snap her fingers in front of his nose.

"Well, you sir are WRONG!" She continued, as if he hadn't spoken. She clicked her tongue. "You've got a lot of nerve, thinking a dinky wiggler-game like this is enough to make up for your transgressions. So be prepared to come back again with even MORE games, and show me how to play them, capiche?"

A slow, hesitant smile stretched across Tavros' face as he held in a chuckle. "You could just, um, say you want me to come back. You know that right?" He ducked, dodging the Host Plush she'd thrown at him, before marching off, calling back over his shoulder. "See you later!"

"See you never!" Vriska shot back, even as she waved with an almost feverish energy in his direction. She hadn't realized it until now... just how starved for contact that wasn't stained with blood she was. Tavros, for all his wimpiness, was a breath of fresh air she hadn't realized she'd needed. Even the bloodstains on her hands looked a bit lighter today. She tossed the Oogonibomb up and down in her hand, chuckling at the thought of using these creatures to feed her Lusus. The very idea was laughable... even as something inside her, a dark corner that had taken shape with the very first life she consciously chose to feed to spidermom, scribbled down a note. Preparing.

Chapter Text

It had been about a quarter of a Sweep since Tavros had first found himself in Vriska's Hive for the first time. By this point, he had a pretty good idea that he hadn't ACTUALLY broken into her place; really, it just made no sense for him to do such a thing! Bluebloods were supposed to be the last rung on the Hemospectrum at which psychic abilities showed up, so he supposed she had called him over with her powers.

Not that he thought she had did it on purpose! Why would she do a crazy thing like that? For all she knew, he could've been a dangerous weirdo! No, the most likely assumption was simply that she'd been testing her powers out and he'd strayed a little too close to her range.

And now he had a best friend. Not that she would ever admit to it; it hadn't taken Tavros long to puzzle out that Vriska didn't like discussing such things except on her terms, probably a consequence of her absent Lusus. But it didn't change the truth.

"Bye Tinkerbull, I'm going to Vriska's!" He cheerfully called out, blissfully ignorant of the look of alarm his Lusus sent his way at his words before he took off into the trees. The wind in his face. The feeling of weightlessness as he took his jumps. The leaves tumbling in his wake.

Tavros had always been nimble; it had surprised Vriska when she'd first seen his moves, as she was strangely convinced he was as clumsy and uncoordinated as a Horsaponi, but to Tavros? Nothing felt as natural as being with the wind. Perhaps that was why he so adored Pupa Pan, a figure most of the few Trolls in his age clutch he knew of were already outgrowing.

Pupa was one with the wind in a way Tavros couldn't be outside of his dreams. If Pupa were, you know, real and not something made up to entertain wigglers, Tavros might've considered him his kismesis (or at least been super, duper jealous), but as things stood? Pupa was his idol.

Enough so that Tavros had dubbed his running style in Pupa's honor, Pankour. Vriska had laughed at that, but Tavros didn't care. After all, he knew he'd seen her try it out herself!

...

Tavros beamed in delight as Vriska's Hive came into view, her herds of Fiduspawn milling about. He'd been mildly concerned at how many of them she was spawning and allowing to reach breeding levels, but she'd argued that they helped keep her place safe and if anyone had a problem with it then they could fight them themselves. Which he supposed made sense. It's not like they'd hurt him, after all!

After performing an impressive triple backflip off of the tallest branch on the tree second closest to Vriska's entrance, sticking the landing with only the slightest of fumbles, he raised his hands wardingly against the Fiduspawn surrounding him, shushing them quiet as he crept towards the door. Vriska was always insistent that he always only use the front door; which was a bit strange to Tavros, because what else would you use, but it was an easy enough request to agree to.

And occasionally, moments of innocent mischief presented themselves, such as NOT knocking on the door to announce his presence like normal so he could sneak up behind Vriska. Smirking, he carefully reached for the door... only for someone INCREDIBLY STRONG on the other end to yank it open hard enough that Tavros could see the hinges give a little. He found himself face to arrow with... half of a bow. Why was it only half of a bow? "Lowblood, you have five seconds to explain your unannounced presence at the domicile of one of your betters. One..."

"Oh! I was, uh, just, um, tr-trying to-to!!" Tavros stammered, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead as he forced his attention off of the broken weapon being aimed at him and instead at the uncomfortably muscular Troll wearing shades that he was pretty sure was his age.

Before the presumably quite angry Indigoblood could get any angrier with him, a black oracle flew through the air, crashing against the other Troll's skull. To Tavros' fear (and slight relief), it didn't seem to have harmed the other Troll at all, merely distracting him. "Stop bothering him, Equius! I toooooooold you already, who I choose to hang with is MY business! Now beat it!!"

The now named Equius huffed, storing the broken bow away as he turned towards Vriska, the now irate Blueblood girl stalking out from further in. "I was merely wishing to ensure that this Lowblood did not forget his station; if you truly wish to entertain yourself with a lesser, that is your business. But as you have said, our business has concluded. I bid you good day, Miss Serket."

In a display of athletic prowess that if he weren't so Gods-damned terrified right now would've made Tavros burst into flames from sheer envy at the airtime it netted him, Equius performed a STRONG jump, flying across the Canyon in a single bound to the Hive located on the other side. As he finally regained the ability to breathe easy, Tavros took one look at the irate expression on Vriska's face, and made the decision on how to proceed. "So... looks like now I've officially met the neighbors!"

...

"Sorry you had to deal with that." Vriska sighed, fighting the urge to rub at her temples. Equius was ALWAYS a pain to deal with, constantly harping on about 'proper conduct' and 'knowing her station' and acting as if he was BETTER than her over something as stupid as his blood. Like she was an unruly Fiduspawn that needed to be taken in hand. Frankly, she'd been kind of worried he was going to come snooping around; he clearly suspected that she was up to something, and might've even suspected about what she did to keep her Lusus fed.

Lucky her that he was so up tight about 'proper conduct' that he wouldn't do anything without proof... and she KNEW he would if he did. For all that he put on the jackboots of a good little Hemosupremacist, he was a softy at heart, one who would beat his chest if he had evidence of what she was doing... even if he'd likely use her not limiting her targets to just 'lowbloods' as justification to keep his little delusion going. Which, to be fair, she didn't; she normally felt nothing but disgust when it came to feeding spidermom, and couldn't really afford to be picky about who she stuffed into her mouth... but she'd taken more joy then she expected throwing an Indigoblood she'd lured in while they'd been in the middle of culling a terrified looking Bronzeblood to spidermom...

She was getting off topic. The point was that despite his suspicions, Equius hadn't barged in because of them... he'd barged in because of Tavros. And because of that very pointed reminder of just how badly an attempt to 'remove' him would go, she'd been forced to suck it up and wait out his blathering... or that was then plan until her babies informed her that Tavros was inbound.

"Oh no, it's fine. He's just worried about you. I, um, wouldn't want you getting culled for, you know, hanging out with me." Tavros chuckled, forgiving to a fault as ever. It made Vriska want to smoosh his cheeks until he stopped being silly. So she did! "H-hey, stop! Th-that tickles!!"

"Then stop saying dumb things, dummy! The day Vriska Serket gets culled will never come, so don't even think about doing anything stupid like staying away for that idiot's sake!" Don't even think of leaving me alone. After ensuring that Tavros understood just how completely and utterly stupid that line of thought was and being a good friend and ignoring his protests that he'd never be that stupid because of course he would, self-sacrificing little twerp that he was, she hustled him over to the, ugh, 'couch.' Curse Equius and his infecting her with highblood linguistics!! "So, what brings you here today? Not that I'm complaining, but you usually space your visits out a few days so Tinkerbull didn't get lonely."

"Heh, yeah. I just, um, remembered you liked music, so, uh, I got you these." Tavros rambled, carefully unwrapping the package he was carrying, revealing.... WHAT!?!? The new Troll Bebe Rexha and Troll Ava Max Music Engrams!? She yanked them out of his hands so fast that his clawtips steamed in the air, making him wince. "I guess you like them...?"

"I LOVE them!!" Vriska replied totally calmly and not at all squealing like a total fantroll. Which she was not, for the record!!!

"Yeah, I uh, guessed that!" Tavros laughed, lightly nudging Vriska in the ribs. That was her thing! Oooh, she was so gonna get him back for that. "I noticed that the Fiduspawn pack is a bit thinner than last time. Did, um, something happen?"

Vriska froze, even as her mind-raced a million miles an hour. Would he judge her? Would he hate her?? It would make sense, after all, the Fiduspawn were a gift meant to keep her company, and she had...

She swallowed, forcing down her unease with an unaffected flick of her hair. "Yeah, some of them were starting to get a bit long in the tooth, so I arranged some full-scale battles for training. They... didn't make it."

She shot to her feet, speed-walking over to her Music Engram projector, her blood-pusher (heart, her inner-uptight Indigoblood insisted) throbbing in panic as she tried not to picture the disappointed look on Tavros' face...

"Oh, is um, that all? I was worried you'd been attacked or something." Tavros remarked calmly, nearly causing Vriska to pitch over and smack her face against the wall. At her incredulous expression, he chuckled awkwardly. "You, um, kind of struck me as the, uh, aggressive kind of Troll, and with having to help feed your Lusus, I figured that you would need Fiduspawn that could keep up with you on a hunt. So, um, I asked my own how many of them would be okay with someone who would go all out. Um, more than I expected were okay with, uh, potentially dying. It's not something I could do myself, but all of them knew before I gave them to you what it would entail. I'm just glad you were able to make their last moments with you mean something- Oooff!?"

Vriska didn't register that she'd ran over and hugged him, not until she felt the fabric of his shirt pressed against her face. Blue tears pricked at her eyes as she shuddered against him; it was so gross, being weak like this. He was probably super weirded out by it, her acting all vulnerable and crap, but she... she couldn't hold it in. "Thank you. I was... I was so scared that you were gonna be upset, and I just...!"

"Hey. It's okay. I won't judge you. I never will. That's our promise, isn't it?" Tavros murmured, returning the hug as he helped her back up onto the couch, her Fiduspawn cooing in sympathy as they spied on the two young Trolls. It would be another hour before Vriska pulled away, the two friends enjoying the Music Engrams in soft silence.

...

"Woooooooow... Pupa Pan's more hardcore than I thought." Vriska whistled, eyes widening as Pupa culled one of his Lost Boys, the former youngling in the middle of a grotesque metamorphosis against their will into a hideous Blackblood Pirate Troll. It was nothing like the silly fantasy about fairies and childhood most young Trolls knew of at least in passing. "This is really the oldest version?"

"Um, it's one of them, yeah. Not my, uh, favorite, but I thought it'd be more your style." Tavros admitted, currently helping feed her Fiduspawn; it was interesting seeing how differently they treated the two of them. With her, they pushed boundaries, occasionally snapping at her fingers and trying to take more than their share of the feed, but always remained orderly as she passed out the food, never trying to take each other's place. With Tavros, they were as gentle as kittenbeasts, never risking nipping him or trying to get at the food bag... but they were much rowdier and kept trying to push their way to the front, ignoring Tavros' pleading to get along. They liked him more, but respected her better, if that made sense. "I like all Pupa Pan stuff, really, so even, um, creepier versions like this are ones I try to collect. I just love how free he is; even him having to put down his former Lost Boys is a kind of freedom, I think. Like, um, he's trying to spare them the burden of being turned into an enemy and having to turn on their friends."

"I guess I can see that, yeah. Still kinda weird." Vriska bluntly remarked, still engrossed in the dark take on the classic tale.

"Maybe. But it makes me happy, so, who cares, I guess?" Tavros replied, dusting his hands off at the finished feeding, hopping up onto the couch to stair out the window. "I, um, keep my windows open during the day. I, I know it's dangerous... but I like to think that he might come for me, one day, and make me a Lost Boy. That I could join his merry band and be free from here. To go somewhere where I don't have to worry about getting culled, or about the Hemospectrum, or, um, anything but going on adventures with friends, really. I think it's why I like being in the air so much; it's the closest I can get to flying away from it all. To being free."

Vriska slowly put the book down, staring at Tavros with wide eyes... and giggled. The Bronze blood blushed, spluttering in embarrassment as peels of laughter tore out of her throat, tears pricking at her eyes as she desperately tried to rub them away. "Th-that's the cutest thing I've ever he-heard! Sorry Tav, but life ain't like a fairy tale, because fairies aren't real." She chided playfully, poking him on the nose. "But if it's any consolation... I think you'd look great with wings. My little Pupaaaaaaaa~!"

Vriska then had the dubious pleasure of, for the first time ever, seeing Tavros Nitram mad, the Bronzeblood giving his best approximation of a war cry as he chased her around her Hive. Vriska hadn't been lying though; she really did think Tavros would look great with wings. Maybe, one day, he could fly? Pssh, yeah right...

Chapter Text

Equius Zahhak, an Indigoblooded Troll of just over 3 Sweeps old, landed outside his Hive with a heavy thud, his last second punch cancelling out enough of his momentum that his own STRONG jump didn't damage his legs. It was a trick he had to rely on, for the moment, as his strength actually surpassed his physical durability by enough that serious injury from improper STRENGTH usage was a real risk.

Not that uncouth ruffians such as Vriska Serket understood this. Really, why did he bother? Clearly his efforts to be an upstanding Highblood were wasted on her... especially if his worries were well-founded. With a grateful nod, he accepted a towel from Aurthour, giving the muscular Lusus a friendly pat on the shoulder, causing him to wince. Silly fragile Lusus. He had begun perspiring during the course of his most recent attempt to educate Vriska on how she should comport herself, particularly in regards to Lowbloods such as her newest minion.

Naturally, being the rude hooligan that she was, she proceeded to deliver a tirade of unsolicited attacks on his character that, if not for the the clear boredom at his presence, he might've taken as caliginous desires. It was... most vexing to deal with. While he was fairly certain she believed she had driven him off, he'd merely left before his sweating could ruin his clothing. It would not do for a Highblood to be about in public in stained garb.

Even running into the suspicious Lowblood she'd acquired did not vex him as much as even the simplest of interactions with the foul-tempered Blueblood did. To his shame, he had at first suspected the Bronzeblood to be some manner of accomplice, a Lowblood selling out his kind to Vriska in exchange for a chance to torment his betters. Miss Serket's growing interest in Fiduspawn did not quiet those worries, as he suspected she was using them to increase the number of victims to feed her Lusus... allegedly, at any rate. Until he had true evidence of such deeds, he could not act.

But, regardless, he had, with great difficulty, determined that the Lowblood was merely a dupe. His second suspicion had been that this was an elaborately drawn out culling by Serket; if she truly were so vile as to target Highbloods as food for her Lusus, he would not put such cruelty beyond her. If she wished to kill the young Troll, she should simply part his head from his shoulders and be done with it; only undisciplined fools allowed mere sadism to dictate their actions.

'CRUNCH!!!'

...Ahh, it seems he had punched a hole in the wall in his frustration again. "Disappointing."

As ever loyal Aurthour moved to patch the wall, Equius shakily made his way back outside, being careful not to indulge the desire to stomp and thus give Aurthour more things in need of repair. Sometimes he truly loathed this body... Regardless of his... frustrations, he returned to his thoughts, mulling over this uncouth situation. Indeed, he had been pleasantly surprised upon realizing that Serket had not been merely toying with the Lowblood, but had, instead... befriended him.

Equius could not approve. While holding herself above petty sadism was admirable, a truly worthy feat for a Highblood, to dare treat a Low blood as a companion, an equal? It just was not done!! Oh, the mere thought of it, the two of them hanging about her Hive, engaging in that strange Fiddlespawn game that Lowbloods and those seeking the military divisions connected to wildlife tended to enjoy, it made him break out in a sweat!! Good thing he'd kept the towel his Lusus had given him earlier, frantically dabbing away.

Even if, for a second, the mental image of joining the fun chaperoning them was... oddly enticing an image...

No. No!! He was Equius Zahhak, an Indigoblood of renowned pedigree!! Serket may not care about how her conduct reflected on her, but HE certainly did. He would not bow... he would not YIELD to temptation. Even if his most recent failure to wield a bow, in front of that very same Lowblood, still burned through his veins...

He... He had to go. He could not stay in this place. Not while his body BURNED with the desire to act. At least this way, he would be farther from temptation. It's not like he could bring himself to tinker in such a state; he would just wind up breaking the delicate machinery.

Signalling to Aurthour that he was heading out once more (and stopping to enjoy a tasty grubloaf sandwich his loyal Lusus had prepared for nourishment, alongside a warm glass of Lusus Milk which cracked in his grip), he walked over to the designated launch platform. With a flex of his legs, he soared into the air. He did not know his destination. He did not truly have one. He simply... simply needed to be as far from the temptation of uncouth behavior as he could get.

...

When Indigobloods mobilized in Alternia's military conquests, the most powerful of them left shockwaves in their wake from their kicking off the ground. Many craters on the battlefield made not by weaponry, but by the power within their bodies. Oh how it would vex these elites to learn that a child of not even 4 Sweeps old effortlessly matched them.

As Equius raced across the countryside, feet only just barely touching the ground before he kicked off again, mind rapidly calculating how to time his movements so as to not injure himself, he once more found his thoughts drawn to the Bronzeblood. He had, admittedly, never seen a Bronzeblood before Vriska's newest toy had begun arriving, knowing them only through his education. He'd been expecting, on some level, for the Bronzeblood to be a thick-skulled dimwit, fit for only the most meager of military positions to pad the ranks, with perhaps a few rising to higher positions by virtue of needing some fuel ready and willing to die for the glory of Trollkind.

He hadn't been expecting a fleet-footed, awkwardly charming young Troll who somehow managed to effortlessly slip past the silken web of hostility and wariness that coated Serket's every action. It went against everything the books said Lowbloods WERE!!! It made no SENSE!!! Could the books truly be wrong...? Then what did that make him?

His thoughts in turmoil, young Equius never noticed as his attempts to manage his STRONG movements began to... slip. Each kick containing just a little more power, each jump having a little more momentum... and Equius not focusing on where he was going.

As he reflexively tipped forward so as to begin the next kick off, Equius felt the baffling sensation of his stomach rising in his chest. He glanced down... and into the open air of the cliff face he'd jumped over beneath him. Instantly, he braced himself; at his current stage of development, such a landing, particularly when he'd failed his attempt to control his momentum and inertia, would leave his body broken. It would be, as that self-poisoning oaf babbled about, a miracle if he would make it back to his Hive.

"WOAH!! HANG ON!!!" A feminine voice split the air, cutting off Equius' feeling of impending demise.

Some manner of cord had shot out, wrapping around his ankle, and with a laborious grunt, his course was adjusted, taking him from a potentially fatal crash against the ground... into a merely painful collision with the face of the cliff. "Whoops! Sorry about that..."

"Think nothing of it." Equius replied on reflex, voice muffled by the stone of the cliff face filling his mouth. Popping himself clear, he glanced up warily as a young female Troll's arm waved from above the cliff. "It seems I am indebted to you."

"Pssh, nah, I just didn't want to see somebody die from a dumb mistake is all! Come on, haul yourself up, I'll keep a grip on my whip!" The female voice from before giggled, gesturing for him to climb. Nodding to himself, he did so, his STRONG arms easily employing all the leverage the apparent whip had to offer. As he neared the top, the female Troll let out an impressed whistle. "Wow, wasn't expecting you to make it up so fast..."

"Indeed, the body gifted to me by right of my blood is mighty. Surely your own must be equally impressive to take such bold-" Equius froze, staring at his savior in shock. Not that she could tell, given he was wearing shades.

But the way he INSTANTLY began perspiring as the Rustblood Troll before him gave a slow, mischievous smile at his words instantly revealed what he felt. "Well well well, a Highblood putting a little old Burgundyblood like me on the same level as them? I never thought I'd see the day. The name's Aradia Megido, what's yours?"

...

"Why am I exploring the ruins here? I guess it's just because I like them." Aradia replied easily, completely unfazed at keeping the company of a Troll who could literally reduce her skull to paste in a single blow. Not that Equius would do such a thing; he owed a debt to the Rustblood, one that his own honor called on him to see fulfilled.

Surely that was the only reason he hadn't run back to his Hive yet, surely!!! Right!? Keeping his features as schooled as possible, he inclined his head at the numerous frog-based architecture around them. "You hold an interest in the works of our esteemed Ancestors, then?"

"Not really!" Aradia giggled, smirking at his shocked gasp. Running a hand through her messy mane of hair, she stared wistfully at the ancient history around them. "It's more that... I admire how something so old like this can just endure. Maybe not untouched by time, but managing to exist, carrying echoes of what was forward to the here and now. For someone as short-lived as me, I can't even imagine the kind of effort it would take to leave that sort of impact." At his inquisitive expression, she shrugged helplessly. "Everyone dies someday. I'll just die sooner than most. I'm okay with that; but until my last day, I want to live each day to the fullest, doing what makes me happy. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and get to uncover this kind of stuff for a living after I'm an adult!!"

As Aradia began to laugh, Equius was not sure what came over him in that moment. But he could not bring himself to regret it... not then, and not ever in the future. "I could assist you in that." Aradia froze, this being HER turn to stare in shock at the other Troll's words. He bowed his head shallowly; not enough to convey deference, but to show his sincerity. "I owe you a debt that is not easily forgiven, Miss Megido. And your words... intrigue me. I would never do you the dishonor of attempting to give you such a position, but... in the future, should you still wish for this path, I shall do all I can to ensure you have the chance to pursue it. If that would be acceptable."

Aradia blinked, before turning away with a shrug. "That's cool, I guess. I was kind of joking. At least a little. But... I do appreciate it, if you're really serious. Maybe we can talk about it some other time?" She pointed at the sky. "Because for now, I think you might want to get going, before the sun comes up."

"Indeed. And yes, I do believe I would be amenable to such an arrangement. It shames me as a Highblood to allow a debt to go unpaid. Until we meet again, Megido." Equius intoned, striding past Aradia to the center of the clearing, kicking off once more as Aradia laughed cheerfully behind her.

He did not understand. Everything he had been taught said that Rustbloods like Aradia were fit only for the lowliest of labor; simpletons even more incompetent than Bronzebloods, performing the tedious busywork that no one of true importance had time for. Aradia... challenged that. And far more directly than the indirect observations he had made of Serket's Bronzeblood minion.

But two points of observation did not a proper thesis make itself. So far as he knew, the two were merely aberrations, drawn to himself and Serket as proof of their incompatibility with their lesser brethren. Yes, he needed more data. He dare not risk drawing Serket's ire directly; while he had no doubt he could defeat her handily if it came to violence... he had no doubt she would drag his Lusus into the crossfire in retaliation. So, therefore, it was simply the smartest option to spend more time observing Miss Megido; through her, gaining a better grasp of Lowbloods would be... if not simple, then expedient.

Yes, this was a plan. A plan to investigate anomalies within the sublime Hemospectrum, nothing more. Nothing else at all.

Chapter Text

"Uhh.. Pupa? What... are you doing?" Vriska deadpanned, staring up in surprise at the sight of Tavros carefully tying off some kind of knotwork to the side of her Hive. Normally, she would be FURIOUS at someone, even Tavros, messing with her Hive (for most people because she doesn't like them, Tavros because he might end up disturbing or noticing spidermom), but in this case, the long cable Tavros had strung from her Hive down to one of the recessed alcoves in the opposite side of the canyon just made her tilt her head.

"Oh! Um, yeah, it's uh kind of meant to be, like, an emergency escape thing...?" Tavros muttered, grinning sheepishly as he tested the tension of the cable. "I, um, was learning about how they make Pupa Pan movies and how they, uh, faked flight for the actors and how it involves all these wires and pulleys and stuff? They use really thin and specially treated wires that don't show up on film; I can't get stuff like that, but uh, I thought having a cable you could slide down on would be a good idea? For, like, quick escapes I guess?"

"Why would I need that? I have an army of Fiduspawn!" Vriska bluntly pointed, flinching as she saw Tavros wilt. "I mean, it's cool! I could tooooooootally see us setting up cool games with this. But if someone managed to get close enough and be a big enough problem that I'd need something like this, I'd probably just be delaying the inevitable."

Tavros looked at her like such a kicked puppybeast, she wanted to smoosh his face again; this time, she resisted temptation, as the tightness of his fists made her think he'd appreciate it less than normal. "I just... I just want you to be safe. I, um, d-don't exactly have any other friends... you're literally the only one. So the thought of losing you just..."

The helpless look on his face made something in Vriska's chest clench painfully. Ugh, why did he have to be so good at making her blood pusher act up? She wasn't good with feelings crap like this. So she did what she always did when she couldn't think of something to cheer her goofball friend up; she changed the subject. Pupa Pan was always a good topic change! Grabbing one of the books she had 'grudgingly' accepted from Tavros, she flipped to a random page, thinking it would provide meaningless distraction... only for something odd to catch her eye. "Hey, Tav? Who's... Rufio?"

"Hmm?" Tavros perked up, clearly recognizing the niche Pupa Pan reference. Pulling himself out of his funk, he walked over to Vriska's stationary support platform (a table), peering at the page she was pointing at. Ah, yes, now he remembered. Sort of. "Honestly? I dunno. He shows up a bunch in a lot of the older Pupa Pan books. Sometimes he's Pupa's second in command, keeping the Lost Boys on track when Pupa's away on an adventure. Sometimes he does stuff that's attributed to Pupa in later editions. I never really could pin him down as a character... but, uh, whoever he is? He's brave, and confident, and... well, he's everything I'm... not."

Vriska blinked, before her face screwed up in a scowl. Seeing the imminent eruption, Tavros braced himself for Vriska to blow her top... only to open his eyes in surprise when he felt a cool hand on his cheek. Another hand joined it on his other cheek, gently steering his head so he was meeting Vriska's gaze. What... was she doing? "You listen and you listen GOOD, Nitram. You are brave. You ARE confident. You are so much better than any of those prissy Highblood losers out there who think the color of their blood makes them better than everyone else instead of earning what they want with their own hands. I would never tolerate an ACTUAL coward to spend so much time around my Hive. An ACTUAL coward wouldn't have come back! But you... you did. You ignored what should've been common sense and visited some strange Troll's Hive without any expectation you might get hurt in the process... because you thought that she... that I was lonely. And that's a really brave thing to do, okay?"

Tavros blushed, glancing away shyly... and tried not to let his blush bigger at the expectant looks of the numerous Fiduspawn watching them like they were some soap opera. "Maybe? I dunno, it's just... it's hard being that way. Sometimes I can't even believe that I did come back... but I don't, um, regret it or anything!" He assured Vriska. "Somehow, being brave or, um, confident is easier when it's with you. Because you already had a chance to hurt me or, uh, judge me, and... didn't."

Vriska sighed. Getting through his thick skull was going to be harder than expected. Really, the only thing that he ever seemed to muster up much self-esteem over was Pupa Pan of all things! ...Hey... now that was an idea...

As Tavros grew ever so slightly worried at the smile on Vriska's face, she forcibly shoved the book she'd picked up into his hands, enough to make him lose a bit of breath. "Well, I think that's stupid. So here's what's gonna happen; you think of Rufio as being so much more brave or confident than you, right?" At his nod, she smirked. "Then it's simple; whenever you feel scared or lacking in confidence, just be Rufio."

"But... Rufio's fake." Tavros pointed out, clearly not following what she was saying.

"Of course he is, duh!" Vriska scoffed, even as she patted his shoulder. "But YOU aren't. And I say that you do have lots of bravery and confidence, and since I am not a liar... then to unleash all that confidence and bravery inside of you, you have to just convince yourself that you are someone that brave and confident. So whenever you start having doubts, just ask yourself 'what would Rufio do' and then... do that! Got it?"

A warm feeling slid of Tavros' chest and into his cheeks, a hesitant smile forming as he wrapped his arms protectively around the book. "Yeah... yeah, I think I can do that. If you really think I can...?"

Vriska smirked, bumping a fist against Tavros' shoulder. "I know you can, dummy."

...

Do what Rufio would do.

The day had started simply enough. To Tavros' embarrassment, he'd overslept; it was a frequent problem of his, since his oversized horns affixed to the sides of his head prevented him from properly submerging in his Recuperoon. Poor sleep was a frequent problem of his, and he'd suffered many bad days full of aches, pains, and general exhaustion.

Those bad days had fallen off after meeting Vriska. On some level, he'd seen it as a good sign, the world itself telling him that his meeting his new friend was meant to be. In all honesty, he'd long been due for a bad day, and when it finally hit, it was a day he'd promised to show up early so he and Vriska could discuss FLARP. It wasn't a game he was familiar with, but both he and Vriska had been excited at the thought of a game where the two of them could go out and hang without any other Trolls bothering them over the stupid Hemospectrum.

He hadn't been thinking too clearly. When he'd registered how much he'd overslept, he'd torn out of his house like a troll on a mission; it was reckless of him, he knew, but he was so afraid of letting Vriska down that he'd... gotten careless. He took a shortcut, gambling that going through some rougher terrain would be worth it if it meant getting there on time.

He hadn't been prepared for what he'd seen.

"Who the fuck's there!?"

Two Trolls, about Six Sweeps Old, one a Blueblood like Vriska, and the other an Indigoblood like that stuffy jerk Equius if noticeably scrawnier. Their fists had been covered in olive colored blood, the gasping and weeping source of which had spotted him, weakly reaching out for help... only for the light in her eyes to gutter out, collapsing into silence with a sigh.

A rock had soared through the air, striking the Blueblooded Troll in his stupid-looking four-pupiled eye. Tavros only registered that HE had been the one to throw it when the two furious Trolls locked their eyes onto him.

"You're DEAD, Shitblood!!!"

Tavros ran, pumping every ounce of strength his body could muster into his legs as he absconded away from the two irate Trolls he'd encountered with all his might. As the sounds of crashes and broken tree limbs echoed behind him, clearly the Indigoblood clearing a way forward as they hunted him down, he desperately Communed with the wildlife, casting his thoughts in all directions, asking, begging, pleading for them to help him.

And how they had answered. Howls, roars, and avian screeches echoed as the entire wrath of the jungle came down to meet the two Trolls in a rage; he hadn't called anything too large, like a cholerbear or the like. Even if such a thing hadn't been testing the limits of what he could safely speak with, he... he didn't want to kill these two. Even after seeing what they'd done to that girl... how her entrails had been painstakingly pulled out of her central cavity and made into knots... it wasn't in him to do such a thing. He just wanted them to GIVE UP AND GO AWAY.

Streaks of tears had poured down his face as one by one, his animal friends' voices went silent, the ruthless duo hunting him cutting their attackers down with a combination of brute force and mental manipulation... and they were gaining fast. But if he could just make it to the next clearing-!!

"Fuck this noise!! JUST DIE ALREADY!!!"

The sound of the impact roared in Tavros' audio pits. The pain so intense it overloaded his ability to even feel it, leaving a pleasant numbness that was rapidly rising into an aggressive burn throughout his side. Gasping in pain, he collapsed in the clearing, one hand weakly grasping the spear sticking through his body, just below his ribs; one good twist and he could probably tear it out through the side. But he barely had the energy to breathe evenly, let alone try to interfere with the wound.

Footsteps edged closer. Spots danced in Tavros' gaze as he gave the harshest glare he could manage at the smug faces of his attempted murderers. The Indigoblood hocked a loogie onto him, the disgusting phlegm sliding down Tavros' face. "That's what you get for trying to fuck around with your betters, Shitblood."

"Hey boss, you gonna finish him off? He's still breathing, and it looks like your spear's lodged in him real good."

"Pfeh, what do I care? He'll bleed out eventually, and it's a shit weapon anyway. I got loads better back at my Hive."

"HAH!! A shit weapon to kill a Shitblood! You're clever boss!!"

"Don't I know it!!"

The two cruel Trolls waltzed off, laughing to themselves as if they'd just gotten away with a childish prank, and not just attempted to brutally murder a fellow Troll and left him to bleed out.

'Well... this isn't good.' Tavros thought to himself, feeling oddly at peace. He didn't like dying; dying really must suck, given how much this hurt. Even worse than the time he'd broken his leg trying to practice flying by leaping out his window. But... he couldn't find it in him to regret this. After all, he'd done what he'd set out to do the second he'd registered his impulsive attack on them; lead the two as far from Vriska's Hive as he could manage.

He didn't know if this was what Rufio would've done. But if Rufio truly did exist at one point... then Tavros hoped that he'd done his legacy proud. With a smile, Tavros lost consciousness, the bronze-colored blood slowly trickling out of him, utterly oblivious to the horrified insectoid shriek just seconds later.

...

"MEDICLOWN, I NEED YOU!!!" Vriska barked, desperately waving over the only non-combat Fiduspawn in her herd. The docile, friendly Fiduspawn that looked like some weirdly friendly version of a Subjuggulator combined with a Surgeonilihator nodded, instantly waddling over as fast as its stubby legs could take it. Vriska's head snapped out to the milling mass of creatures under her command, all of them watching in fear and apprehension as her fastest beasts carefully moved their cargo into the house. "All of you, BACK OFF!!! He needs space!!"

It had all started so innocently. Tavros had been late for their weekly game jam, where the two would talk shop about a new game to see if it interested them. She'd been really eager to talk to him about FLARPing, the open-world RPG game seeming like a great way for the two of them to go see more of Alternia together... as well as giving her a decent cover for future meal collections. Maybe if she kept calling it that in her head, it would make the disgust inside lessen.

So, to say she was annoyed and... hurt... when Tavros hadn't showed up at the appointed time was an understatement. To be perfectly honest, she'd been rip-roaring PISSED. If not for Arsimian's gentle coaxing, she might've closed herself in the room... and given what had happened later, she'd have never forgiven herself.

After slapping some sense into herself, there was NO WAY someone as sweet and overly excitable as Tavros would knowingly and deliberately stand her up skip their playdate, she'd sent out search parties. Knowing Tavros, he'd probably thought he'd spotted a fairy and gone chasing after the imagined creature again; it wouldn't have been the first time, or even the third! But it would've been the first time he'd done so after promising to show up on time...

She hadn't been prepared for what Infiltrapper and his kids, the Infantrapper duo, had reported. Tavros, who would never hurt a fly and had actually APOLOGIZED to a fly he'd found in a spider web before coaxing it free, had been injured. Tavros, who had risked nearly being torn apart by the living dead to return a game he'd accidentally stuffed in his pack before leaving her Hive one day, was in the far edge of the forest, far beyond her control radius and in the direct opposite location of her Hive. Tavros, who made each grueling day of trying to figure out how to keep her Lusus fed and sedate a little brighter and threw into contrast how utterly awful her life really was... was dying.

Not on her watch.

She'd hopped onto Horsaroari, the super-aggressive and super-FAST evolved state of Horsaroni, and called all of her fastest bulky Fiduspawn to her, and set out. Never in her life had she'd been so glad that Trolls had so much blood to lose before it became fatal... even then, it had been a race against the clock getting him back here.

As Mediclown did their bloody work in removing the spear and helping knit Tavros' flesh back together, Vriska paced. The weapon made this clear that this was the work of Trolls; she supposed aliens could've been a possibility, but the odds of any being able to get this close to the heart of the Alternian Empire were... slim. The question was... why? Why target Tavros? HOW had they targeted Tavros? As much as her pride normally made it unbearable to admit, he was far better at slipping in and out of the woodwork than she was; even when rushed and cutting corners, he ran rings around her. It made no sense-!!

"Vriska...? Why are there three of you...?" Tavros' slurred voice called out. Gasping in shock, she turned around, taking in the sight of Mediclown dutifully standing guard as Tavros' dazed expression locked onto her face. He was far too pale, the blood loss clearly affecting his motor functions.

As he tried to pull himself up with a wince, she ran over, pushing him back down as gently as she could, careful not to touch his tender wounds, freshly sealed. "Don't MOVE, Dummy! You were just impaled!!"

"I was...? Huh, how did that happen?" Tavros asked, looking at the brown-colored bandage laying over his side in confusion. A look of dawning comprehension slid into place, his memories returning. "Oooohhh.... yeah... that would do it."

"Do what!? Tavros, what happened?? My Fiduspawn barely found you in time!! I... I don't want to lose you." Vriska whispered, laying her head against his chest, the faint pumping of his blood pusher oddly comforting. "I can't lose you..."

"Sorry... overslept... was running late, so... tried a shortcut!! Ran into some guys instead..." Tavros managed, wincing both in pain and recollection as he reflexively scratched at his injured side. "They started chasing me... so I ran the other way. Didn't want... to lead them here..."

"Y-you... but why?" Vriska whispered, tears pricking at her eyes in horror as the pieces slid into place, staring at Tavros' serene smile in shock.

He shrugged, still smiling that same helpless smile as always. "You said... do what Rufio'd do. Rufio... wouldn't lead baddies to his friends. That's all...!" Misinterpreting Vriska's horrified silence for agreement, he nodded guilelessly. "Can't talk any more... too tired. Gonna... gonna sleep for a bit..."

A boy who dreamed of Fairies slept, visions of golden light dancing in his mind, the broken girl looking on at his wrecked body.

He was like this... because of her? Because of what she'd told him!?

No... she could not accept this. She REFUSED to accept this!!!

A dark frown, so malicious and cold that it made her loyal Fiduspawn reflexively go into attack mode at their own master in fear, slid across her face. She mentally picked up her plans for spidermom's next feeding cycle in her head, crumpled them up, and pitched them into the refuse receptacle.

She knew what needed to be done.

She needed... to Make Them Pay.

Chapter Text

"I'll be right back. Just... rest, okay?" Vriska whispered, gently stroking Tavros' hair, the wounded and dazed Troll grinning up at her listlessly. God, it was like he'd eaten Sopor Slime... But she couldn't stick around. Leaving to the side that she knew just a little bit less than NOTHING about helping someone recover from grievous wounds, the simple matter that she was too PISSED OFF to be an effective caretaker did not help matters at all.

Leaving the fondly smiling Mediclown to her work (she wasn't worried that Tav would get worse, shut up!!!), she marched out of her Hive. Taking a deep, slow breath, she forced down the blistering rage bubbling within. She wasn't blind, she'd seen how her little partners in crime had reacted to her anger; it would just be a hindrance to her goals if she couldn't master it.

After counting to eight twice, and reasonably sure her rage wouldn't bleed through, she sent out a low, slow pulse of Manipulative psionic power into her swarm. Before Tavros, she was, admittedly, something of a blunt instrument at the art of Manipulation, either able to put someone into a daze that drew them into her web for her Lusus, or full-tilt control of their bodies while their minds struggled to regain control from within. Watching Tavros work, how effortlessly he Communed with all the radically different minds and thought processes of the Fiduspawn and local wildlife, had been inspiring... humbling even.

What she needed wasn't the iron grip. It wasn't the entangling snare. It was the soft touch. The lingering whisper. A gentle call that just made it seem so perfectly reasonable to pay attention to her, to listen to what she had to say; her swarm knew what she was doing, she'd practiced this little trick on them loads of times after all! But it was a statement; she respected them and what they could do enough to not try to take the situation out of their hands.

Brow furrowing, she raised a finger to her temple, and allowed her eightfold vision to act as her focus, feeding the requisite knowledge into the back of her swarm's minds; a trick that if used on an unsuspecting Troll would guide them into taking the actions she desired without consciously realizing it, but for her swarm, it merely served as a convenient way to convey the situation to all of them as quickly and concisely as possible.

A low rumble echoed throughout the yard, as the collective FURY of her swarm spiked. Her swarm cared for her, respected her deeply and valued her leadership. But they LOVED Tavros; smirking darkly, she raised her fingers to her lips, and let loose a piercing SHRIEK of a whistle, echoing far and wide. In a flash, the swarm dispersed, immediately falling into familiar hunting patterns she'd drilled into them day after day, each filled with nothing but unshakable determination to find Tavros' assailants and to Make Them Pay.

Horsaroari leaned down, offering its broad back to her readily. Pulling out her Marblekind Specibus, Vriska hauled herself up, leaned forward as they raced off in pursuit of justice... of revenge.

...

Seven days.

It had been SEVEN. DAYS. Since Tavros had been injured, during which she had refused to let him leave her Hive for fear of making his wounds worse. The fact that he still seemed to keep hallucinating two of her just clinched her decision. She hadn't protested the dirty look Tinkerbull had sent her when the tiny Lusus came to her Hive to help care for his wayward Troll; she deserved it, and the tiny thing had more than proved just by the journey alone to be worthy of her personal respect.

But none of that detracted from the simple fact that she had achieved NOTHING in her hunt for vengeance in seven whole days!! It was enough to make her want to tear her hair out!! She sighed, rubbing her temple as one of the hunting parties came back, Arsimian in the lead. "Please, pleeeeeeeease tell me you found something!"

The naked burned ape huffed in answer, gravely holding out a spear... one of the same make, if noticeably higher quality, as the one she'd burned to ASHES after it had been pulled out of her Pupa's body. A wide, fanged grin slid across her face, pupils narrowing to pinpricks as she took the weapon with shaky hands. "Oh... oh yeeeeeeeess!!! This is JUST what we needed!! Tell your party that they have the rest of tonight off if they want, and that EVERYONE can hunt freely! This calls for a celebration!!!"

The assembled mass of Fiduspawn broke out into a ruckus, cheering with joy; not necessarily for the reward, although they appreciated that to, but for the tangible evidence that they were making progress in their mission. Ignoring the ongoing excitement, Vriska beckoned her Horsaroari over with a finger, holding out the spear. "Scent this. Find where it came from."

Rumbling in anticipation, Horsaroari complied, inhaling hard enough that Vriska's hair actually tugged in the direction of the Fiduspawn's nose, before his head snapped towards the direction Arsimian's hunting party had come from. He had it.

Grinning darkly, Vriska jumped onto her loyal steed's back and took off, the army staying behind; this wasn't an assault, not yet. She needed confirmation she'd found her prey before bringing the hammer down... and more than anything, she wanted to SAVOR the pain and fear she was going to bring down on them, for hurting what was HERS. And if anyone got in her way... spidermom was always hungry.

...

The meeting had been sudden. If you can call 'her savage warsteed literally tripped over some guy her age passed out in the middle of the woods' a meeting. Vriska barely had time to register her sudden airborn travel, before a deceptively strong grip shot out, grabbing her hand and pulling her back down to the earth. "Yo, what's shaking, sister? That's a motherfuckin' fine lookin' ride!"

Blinking in confusion at the odd speech pattern and the strange, bouncing tone they were spoken in, Vriska's gaze narrowed into slits as she took in her 'savior.' Normally, the simple clothing and unruly hair would lead her to dismiss this guy as just some idiot. The dopey and sleepy smile didn't help... but it was what was COVERING that smile that set her nerves on edge. The black-and-white clown like makeup that only one caste of Trolls was known for... "Stay back Purpleblood. I'm not in the mood."

The highblooded boy blinked, a flicker of annoyance entering his eyes, before calming... which immediately caused Horsaroari to back up in alarm. This only served to make Vriska's nerves WORSE. "Shit, girl, I was just tryin' to fuckin' help!"

"Yeah, well, I don't want help from a stinking clown-faced Highblood! I know what creeps like you get up to, and I'm not just gonna roll over and let you do... whatever creepy things your religion says you do to lower-blooded Trolls like me!" Vriska retorted, gripping her Marbles in preparation for a Strife. Frankly, and this shocked even her, she'd rather abscond; she still had prey to hunt, and couldn't be distracted by some Highblood's little games.

The Highblood sighed, raising his hands placatingly. "Hey now, let's all calm our motherfuckin' tits, a'ight? I was just doing my relaxicatin' out here, drinkin' some of that motherfuckin' elixir is all. I ain't got no beef with ya, and I ain't lookin' to hurt ya or nobody else, yeah?"

"A likely story! Highbloods are all alike, untrustworthy and violent jerks who look for ways to hurt others!" Vriska shot back, even as her arm lowered in hesitation. She'd expected him to drop the act by this point... no, she couldn't falter! Highbloods, no matter their place on the spectrum, were scum who used and manipulated Trolls too weak to stop them. Just like her, someone who didn't even have the guts to tell Tavros the burden she lived under...

The Highblood stared at her, and she braced for the violence... and fell back against the ground. "A'ight, I'm out. Y'all keep doin' what you doin', I ain't gonna stop ya."

Vriska blinked. "What."

"Well, you got youself dead certain I'm some kinda jerk who's gonna get his hurt on all up in yo business, but I ain't like that. I'm just chillin', enjoying my elixir, and thinkin' about some motherfuckin' miracles is all." The Highblood replied, that same dopey smile on his face as he stared up into the stars.

"No, no! I'm not gonna fall for it! Y-you're gonna tell me your plans, so I can stay out of them!" Vriska retorted, paranoid thoughts spinning around her think pan, even as her own Fiduspawn steed looked at her like she was being ridiculous.

"If y'all are so worried about what little ol' me's got cookin', why don't I just tag along with ya or some shit?" The Highblood offered, unfazed by Vriska's accusations. "I don't mind. Y'all look like ya's on a mission."

Vriska bit her lip, every mistrusting impulse SCREAMING at her that she shouldn't do it, that this was a trick... but the more she looked at this weirdo, the more she got the same vibe she got from Tavros. And... some part of her, that same lonely part that had clung to Tavros the instant he joined her life, to let someone in... urged her to do so again. And, she rationalized, if he really is up to no good, this way she could at least have an eye on him. She sighed, silently admitting defeat. "Fiiiiiiiineeeeeeee..."

"Now that's fuckin' bitchtits! So, what's the sich new boss?" The Highblood laughed, springing fully to his feet as he waltzed over to her Horsaroari, the normally aggressive Fiduspawn oddly docile around him. Although his description of her did admittedly make her lower him a bit on her suspicion ladder; no normal Highblood would ever address a 'lesser' like her as 'boss.'

"I'm hunting a pair of Trolls that hurt a... friend of mine. I'm not stopping until I make them Pay." Vriska said sharply, jumping back into her seat, carefully positioning herself so that she kept the Highblood firmly in her line of sight.

"Oooh, this is some vigilante justice thing? I'm motherfuckin' game!!" The Highblood laughed, leaning forward as Horsaroari broke into a run. "Say, what's ya name anyway, ivertabrasister?"

"Vriska Serket. Yours?"

"Gamzee Makara!"

...

Colors. How do they work!?

Truly serious questions were what plagued Tavros' waking thoughts these days. Kind of hard not to, when Vriska and her Mediclown were so insistent that he couldn't go back to his Hive due to his injuries. What a good friend... she even made him a makeshift Recuperoon so he could get a good day's sleep! It even had a big enough head hole for his horns! Good friends, truly incredible.

Tavros giggled, one hand idly swiping at the dancing form of Tinkerbull overhead; was it the real Tinkerbull, or just one of those weird, intangible lookalikes that had been hanging around lately...? Oh, it scolded him! THAT'S his Tinkerbull all right! "Ssoorryy Tinkerbull...!" His hand blurred... had he always had ten fingers?? "Look at meeee....!"

Tinkerbull sighed, floating off from his high-as-a-kite charge. At least it wasn't Sopor addiction.

"Really... REEEEEEAAAAAALLLLLLYYYY wish Vriska were here!" Tavros sighed, flopping over the edge of the couch, an errand tentacle from Mediclown keeping him from acquiring a new bruise. After shooting her a thumbs up, his eyes lazily scanned the room. "Where... did she go... anyway...?"

All the Fiduspawn tasked with watching the young Troll instantly averted their gazes. Like they were hiding something... was she going to throw him a surprise party!? What a good friend. He'd have to make sure he threw HER an even BIGGER surprise party in thanks!! When he got better at least. Man was it taking awhile for his wound to heal; he thought he'd have been out of here a few days ago! Or after the first day, to be honest. Those jerks must've roughed him up more than he thought.

...Surely Vriska wasn't so protective of this party, that she was CLEARLY planning for him, remain a secret she'd mind a little snooping, would she?

'What Would Rufio Do?'

...Well, he probably wouldn't violate a friend's privacy to satisfy his own curiosity. Drat. There goes that plan. Honestly, he kind of had a headache. It made him restless, like he felt whenever he picked up the presence of a large predator, particularly the more violent ones. Man, no wonder Vriska had so many Fiduspawn active if she had to deal with a beast THAT crabby!! Maybe he could do her a little favor?

"Commune..." Tavros sang, raising a finger to his temple as he aimlessly cast out his thoughts into the ether, idly seeking the source of all those angry thoughts! Curious, he was surprised to find the source BELOW him instead of in the surrounding woods. Reaching a tendril, he barely brushed the mind of a beast that, going by feel, was easily big enough to gobble him all up in one big bite.

He'd never FELT any animal so angry before!! Like it had been starved for so long that all it saw around it now was food. It... made him scared a bit. How could such a creature not be a known threat!? Surely SOMEONE would've noticed such a beast rampaging around!! Unless it couldn't move. There was the small problem of a big hive in the way just above it!

Ugh, Tavros had never before felt such contempt for Vriska's Lusus, not only leaving her alone for so long, but leaving such a clear and present threat to remain active around their Hive!? Deplorable. But above all else, Tavros was an empathetic soul; even the angriest and most violent of animals had reasons for their behaviors, and as one capable of Communing with them, it was his solemn duty to see them calm and happy!

He couldn't do much about it's food situation or mobility, but he supposed he could give a little reprieve. Due to his Communing powers, he couldn't truly CONTROL animals or wildlife, at least not without exerting a lot of effort that usually wound up either alienating the animal altogether, or rendering it so broken to his will it could no longer live on its own. Not a pleasant situation. He much more preferred to use his powers to just TALK with them, find out what they thought, what their needs were, to help them!

But he couldn't deny that he'd picked up some tricks from Vriska. Their powers, Manipulation and Communication, complimented each other rather well. He'd allowed Vriska to use her powers on him a few times, and he remembered how it felt; the way her psionic signature sank into his skull was... honestly kind of uncomfortable, but informative!

He'd noticed how it sank into key points in his mind to influence his body without the input of his conscious thoughts, and while a bit guilty doing so, tested to see if he could try something similar. The results had been truly informative; while he could no more control an animal now than he could previously, by lightly 'tickling' those same spots with his own powers, he made the animals more amenable to going against their instincts, willing to consider requests they'd more ordinarily fight hard.

Humming a gentle lullaby, he decided now was the best time possible to test such a thing. He spoke to the beast's mind, coaxing out its sense of exhaustion, and fatigue. It had been so long since it had felt truly sated... the gnawing pain in its belly never fully going away. What good would it do to focus on it? Why not just... rest? Hibernate, conserve its strength, and let the lull of sleep wash away its stress and hunger pangs.

The Fiduspawn that Vriska tasked with monitoring the lower levels were godsmacked, watching in confused awe as their horrific and deadly charge... fell asleep, and began to dream.

"Hurray!" Tavros cheered, lightly clapping to himself at his good deed for the day! Well, he tried to clap. For some reason, he kept missing his own hands when he did so. But it was the thought that counted, right!? Right. "But... now what am I gonna dooo....?"

Sticking his tongue out, his mind wandered aimlessly, jumping from topic to topic without a care... and completely oblivious to the fact that his Communing was still ongoing, but no longer centered on the ferocious beast he'd just calmed. The Fiduspawn flinched as the constantly shifting, erratic thoughts slid past them, wondering if something was going wrong...

And then the humble Crabtop, its weak mind easily answering its new friends siren call, staggered out of hiding, crawling onto Tavros' lap.

Tavros blinked, and grinned. "Sweet!"

Mind hazy, Tavros immediately clicked onto Trollian, scanning the list of contacts for his few friends. He frowned; he didn't... really know any of these people. Weird. Having not yet noticed that he was using VRISKA'S Trollian account and not his own, he added his new acquaintance Karkat to the list.

They'd only spoken one or two times, and if Tavros was honest, Karkat kind of scared him with how... intense... he was. But he was the most honest Troll Tavros knew, and wouldn't hesitate to tell Tavros exactly what he thought, something the still dazed Troll really needed since his mind was too clouded to handle clever word play.

arachnidsGrip [AG] begins trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

AG: hEyy kARKAtt! hOww aRee tHINGss?/?

CG: WHAT THE ACTUAL SHIT?

CG: OK, WHAT SORT OF TUMULTUOUS SHITCANNERY ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL HERE?

AG: cOME ON KARRKAT, iT'S MEEEEEEEE!

AG: dON'T YOU RECCOGNIZE ME?

CG: GIVEN THAT I MADE IT A POINT TO AVOID TALKING WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD HAPPILY SEND ME THREATS TO HANG MY ENTRAILS OVER SHRUB BRANCHES, NO, I DON'T.

CG: I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU EXPECT ME TO REACT WHEN YOU RANDOMLY MESSAGE ME.

CG: I COULD ALREADY TELL FROM YOUR HANDLE THAT YOU'RE LIKELY PRIMED TO LURE ME IN TO BECOME ANOTHER FOUR-STAR MEAL FOR YOUR LUSUS! YOU PROBABLY HAVE SOME SEASONINGS PREPARED FOR THAT TOO.

CG: WELL, IT CAN BE SAFE TO SAY THAT I SOUNDLY REJECT THAT OFFER AND I'LL BE HAPPILY BE TELLING YOU TO SHOVE YOUR OWN HEAD UP YOUR NOOK AND NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN.

CG: THAT SAID, I'M HONESTLY BAFFLED ON HOW YOU MANAGED TO FIND ME.

CG: DID THAT DOLT GAMZEE GIVE YOU MY HANDLE???

CG: HAS THE SOPOR CORRODED ENOUGH OF HIS ALREADY FEEBLE THINKPAN TO JUST START DUMPING HIS CONTACTS TO ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM WITH A BOTTLE OF SHITTY SODA???

AG: i DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN,,,

CG: WAIT A SECOND. RANDOM COMMAS...TAVROS, IS THAT YOU???

AG: yEEAAAHH!

CG: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT HANDLE AND COLOR? YOU ALMOST SHOCKED MY BLOOD PUSHER INTO SEIZING WITH THAT SHIT!

AG: aM i NOT USING MY HANDLEE??

CG: NO YOU ARE USING SOME CREEPY BLUEBLOOD HANDLE!! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?

AG: oHHHH,,, i MUST HAVE LOGGGGED IN ON vRISSKA'SS ACCOUNT BY MISTAKE!!

CG: WHO THE FUCK IS VRISKA!? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHO THE FUCK EVER YOU KNOW!? I REPEAT, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!! WHAT HAPPENED, AND WHY THE FUCK SHOULD I NOT BLOCK THIS HANDLE IMMEDIATELY!?

AG: i TOLLLLD YOU,, vRIISKAA'S MY FRIEND!! i'M IN HER HIVE RIGHT NOW!

CG: YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH A BLUEBLOOD!?!? WAIT, THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HIVE!? LET ALONE A BLUEBLOOD'S HIVE!?!?

AG: i GOT STABBED THROUGH BY A SPEARRR!!

CG: WHAT

AG: tHEENNN SHE DRAGGED ME TO HER HIVEEE!!!

CG: WHAT THE FUCK!!

AG: sHHEEE HASN''T LET ME LEAVE IN 7 DAAYYSS!

CG: OK, TELL ME WHERE THE HELL YOU ARE! DO YOU KNOW WHERE THIS HIVE IS LOCATED?

AG: uHHH,,,wHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? DO YOU WANT TO FIND IT?

CG: NO, I WANT TO SEND YOUR NEW "FRIEND" A PRESENT FOR KEEPING YOU THERE!

CG: YES, I WANT TO FUCKING FIND YOU! WHY ELSE WOULD I ASK? DO YOU HAVE LITERAL PIXIE BULLSHIT FOR A THINKPAN OR ARE YOU TRYING TO PERFORM SOME SHITHEADED TRICK ON ME?

AG: nO?

CG: LOOK, JUST TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE! I'M GONNA PUT ON SOME SHIT! I'M PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO CONTACT SOMEONE FOR HELP.

CG: GRANTED, I WOULD RATHER NOT COLLABORATE WITH THIS PERSON, BUT GIVEN THAT YOU SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SLIP UP AND FIND YOURSELF IN A LITERAL SPIDER'S DEN, YOU'RE BASICALLY TYING UP MY HANDS HERE!

AG: wAIT, KARKATT! yOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME! i'M FINE! rEALLY!

CG: AH, YES! CLEARLY, YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT HEADSPACE TO BE BELIEVING THAT!

CG: TO REITERATE MY REQUEST, TELL ME WHERE I COULD FIND THIS BLOODTHIRSTY BITCH'S HIVE!

AG: nAAAAHHH, vRISKAAA WOULD BE REALLY MAD IF I DID THAT,,,

CG: AND I SHOULD GIVE TWO FLYING SHITS WHAT THIS BITCH WANTS WHY EXACTLY?! DUDE YOU ARE IN ACTIVE DANGER HERE!!!

AG: tHHAAATTSS CRAZY,, YOU'RE EXAGGERATING kARRKAT!!! lOOKK, i'VE BEEN HANGING WITH vRIISKKA FOR NEARLY A SWEEP NOW!!!

CG: DEAR GOD YOU'VE BEEN INTERACTING WITH THIS BITCH FOR HOW LONG!? FUCK!!! GODDAMMIT, I'M GONNA CONTACT A FRIEND TO TRACK YOUR LOCATION, BECAUSE CLEARLY YOU ARE TOO COMPROMISED TO RECOGNIZE THE INSANE PERIL YOU ARE IN, DUMBASS!!

AG: oOOKKKAAAYYY, MIND THE fIDUSPAWN WHEN YOU GET BY AND DON'T FORGETT TO BRING A GIFTTT!!!

CG: SHE DRUGGED YOU, DIDN'T SHE!? SHE STUFFED SOME SOPOR-DERIVED BLUEBLOOD POISON INTO YOUR VEINS TO KEEP YOU SUGGESTIBLE AND COMPLIANT!! GOD FUCKSHIT I AM IDIOT FOR NOT REALIZING THIS SOONER!! DON'T WORRY, HELP IS ON THE WAY!

AG: i MEAN,,,sHE KINDA HAD TO, i GOT A REALLY BAD WOUND ON ME FROM THOSE TWO,,,

CG: OH, GODDAMMIT. SHE GOT SOME FREAKS HELPING HER TOO? ALRIGHT, JUST SEND ME LIKE A MAP AT LEAST. IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD TO SEND ONE, RIGHT?

AG: oK, i UNDERSTAND, hOLD ON,,,

arachnidsGrips [AG] sent carcinoGeneticist [CG] file "h1VEMAP.png"

AG: i THINK iT'S HERE???

CG: SO, THAT'S THE BITCH'S LAIR... ALRIGHT, TIME TO DO THIS SHIT!!! TAVROS, DON'T DO ANYTHING FUCKING STUPID WITH THAT POISON-SOAKED THINK PAN OF YOURS!!!

carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceases trolling arachnidsGrips [AG]

AG: hELLOOO?? kARKATT,,, ARE YOU STILL THERE!!!

AG: oHH WELL. i'LL SEE HIM WHEN HE GETS HERE!!!

arachnidsGrips [AG] ceases trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

Chapter Text

Karkat Vantas hated lots of things. He hated how Highblood Trolls acted like they could get away with murder (which they could). He hated how cumbersome and awkward to use his chosen fetch modus was (which he was too stubborn to change). He hated his mutant blood and how it kept him from having any place in society and would mark him for death if word of it ever got out.

But the thing that always got his blood pusher to verge on the edge of complete and utter systemic collapse at the utter fucking BULLSHIT that was his terrible life, was feeling helpless. So, obviously, he had to do something about that!! Do something about what, you ask? Why, just the knowledge that one of his newest friends acquaintances had SOMEHOW found himself the prisoner of a Blueblood and was being kept drugged up in their Hive! God DAMMIT, why the fuck did shit like this always happen to him!? Wasn't it enough for Fate to be such a bulge-brained, terminally deficient grub-huffer to saddle him with his freakish blood!? Nooo, it had to be an extra fucking douche and saddle him with a fucking sense of EMPATHY of all things, so he couldn't just abandon the idiot to his Fate like a sane and rational person would! FUCK!!!

"Okay, okay, hold your aplauthe everybody. The hero of the fucking hour hath arrived!" The sarcastic tones of one of his few friends, Sollux Captor, announced, the Goldblooded Troll and his weird as fuck obsession with bifurcation lowering himself from the skies into the ground just outside of Karkat's Hive. "Tho, you gonna finally read me in on whatever the fuck thith nonthenthical thituation ith all about? I had to thkip out on another buddy of mine, and no offenthe KK, but I'd rather hang with her than with you."

"God, spare me the pretentious melodrama of you and your romantic entanglements! We're not even Five Sweeps old, you can spare the time of not getting your woo on with whatever poor idiot is stupid or desperate enough to deal with your constant whining." Karkat snapped, his temper already on the verge of going nuclear at having to wait so long for this jackass to show up when all he wanted to do was get his ass in gear and SAVE SOMEBODY!!!

"Wow, really feeling the love there, KK." Sollux deadpanned, feet levitating just slightly off the ground as he adjusted his dual-colored shades, only the faint crease between his eyes showing his annoyance. "But if that'th all you wanted to talk about, then-"

"Wait, fuck!! No, no, that isn't why I called you here, just sit your ass on the floor like a normal fucking person, and I'll explain, okay?" Karkat hissed, opening up his Hive and gesturing for Sollux to enter. The gesture genuinely caught Sollux off guard; ever since the two had met on a chat discussing the particulars of coding, which had rapidly devolved into Karkat's typical screaming rants while Sollux alternated between egging him on and firing back with his own vitriol over the other Troll's abysmal lack of skill at coding, Karkat had done his best to keep him at arm's length, just as he did everyone else. So to extend a gesture of trust such as this was... honestly worrying. The only upside was that the voices of the soon-to-be-dead weren't particularly loud tonight; otherwise he would've ran for it already.

Stepping inside, and feeling some minor disappointment that for all the fuss Karkat would kick up about his personal privacy (specifically the privacy of his blood color, what a weirdo), the Hive was fairly normal. Although Sollux definitely had to snicker at the numerous romantic comedy movie posters everywhere while Karkat dug around for his Crabtop. As the biotechnological marvel was slammed down hard enough onto the support platform hard enough to make it rattle, Sollux peered at the Trollian conversation that Karkat had left open on it. "Okay, tho... what the fuck am I looking at here? Theriouthly, I have no contextht at all for whatever the fuck ith going on."

"Wow, I was right, your lisp is even more annoying in person." Karkat grumbled, before clapping his hands together with a deep breath. "Moving on, not gonna start an argument so please ignore my fucking moodiness for once in your goddamn life. THIS!!" He gestures wildly at the screen, like some deranged Tree-Traversing Junglebeast. "Is a conversation I recently had in which a recent acquaintance I had made contacted me through the Trollian handle of a Blueblood. A Blueblood currently holding him captive in her Hive, Sollux! Do I really need to spell it out for you what that fucking means, or is your bifurcated wreck of a think pan up for the task!?"

"GOD jutht calm your fucking titth already! I get it, shitth fucked up!" Sollux grumbled, teeth grinding against each other in annoyance at Karkat's attitude, even as his mind focused on the details. Given Karkat's elusiveness regarding his blood, as well as the normal behavior of Highbloods in general, the picture it was painting... was not a pretty one. A long, slow, and weary sigh slipped out of Sollux's lips as he fixed the frazzled looking Troll next to him with a sympathetic frown. "I'm really thorry to hear about that, KK. But I don't get what you want. Do you jutht want thomeone to hang with? I can't thay that I know what it'th like to lothe a new friend, thinthe I'm kind of an aththhole and all, but... I can try?"

"What? Fuck, no! That's not what this is about! I appreciate it, and might take you up on it one day, but that's not what this is about!" Karkat shouts, scrolling down the conversation to point to one line in particular. "THAT is what this is about!!!"

Sollux leaned in, before rearing back, eyes wide with shock. "Theven fucking dayth!? God, how the fuck hath thith guy lived tho long!? Wait a minute... you don't mean...!?"

As Sollux turned back to Karkat with wide eyes, Karkat nodded gravely, his sickle held at the ready in slightly shaking fingers. "I do. I didn't call you hear for some goddamn pity party, Captor. I called you out to help me form a fucking RESCUE party!! Because you and me, between your awesome psionic powers and my natural leadership skills, are going to save this moron!"

"Yeah, no, not doing it." Sollux bluntly refused, neatly dodging the swinging fist Karkat hurled at him in response.

"Why fucking NOT!? Don't you have any kind of fucking loyalty for a fellow Lowblood!? Do you really not give a flying shit about the safety and well-being of someone stuck in the clutches of one of those sick fucks!?" Karkat howled, his wild efforts to lunge at Sollux and shake him like a ragdoll impeded by his grating friend's psionic powers, Sollux leveraging all his control to keep from accidentally splattering Karkat across the wall.

"Okay, firtht, FUCK YOU for even bringing shit like that up, of courthe I fucking care!" Sollux snarled, releasing his grip and allowing Karkat to fall to the ground. "Thecond of all, my issue with thith ith the thimple fact that going up againtht a Highblood in their own lair ith fucking thuithide dude!!"

"Oh really? And here I was thinking I was talking to the most powerful psionic of our generation. The guy who once went on an hour long rant at me talking about how his immense telekinetic powers allowed him to trivialize any physical task he set his mind to. How the only thing keeping him from being a fucking GOD among Trolls was the crippling headaches and voices in his head he heard every waking hour of every day. Who would whine, bitch, and moan at me all the goddamn time about how much he hated the Highbloods and how their psychotic bullshit meant he never got a single goddamn moment of rest from hearing the voices of every poor sucker on the planet they were going to kill at a given fucking moment." Karkat shot back, shrugging his shoulders in feigned disinterest. "Oh well. I guess you don't care about the chance to finally put all that bragging and boasting about how badass you are into effect. For the chance to stick it to one of those Highbloods who make your every day life such a fucking pain in our mutual excrement chutes with their constant killing AND do the gloriously good deed of saving one of our fucking own from a horrible, horrible death as presumably winding up as Lusus Food. Oh well, better luck next time, right?"

"Firtht, fuck you, and I am fucking getting you back for that. Thecond... goddammit I'm in."

...

The plan was foolproof; Karkat would go out and bravely challenge the Blueblood Bitch that had kidnapped Tavros and challenge her to a duel. Whether she accepted and engaged him in combat, laughed at him and tried to use some freaky mind powers to mess with him, or something else distracting, it would provide the perfect opening for Sollux to attack the Hive directly and bust Tavros out! Truly, it was a genius plan, the type of plan of someone underappreciated for their skills like Karkat would devise, and a sign of his future ascendancy to the untouchable rank of Threshecutioner!!

So of fucking COURSE Reality decided he hadn't had his daily kick to his vestigial genetics bulge yet and had it be that APPARENTLY this fucking Highblood had an ARMY of creatures stalking her Hive, each visibly prepared to rip apart anyone that got close. Were those fucking FIDUSPAWN monsters!? She turned a girly kids game into a weapon!? GOD FUCKING DAMMIT!!

How could Past Karkat not have foreseen this!? Was he stupid, or just an arrogant sack of juvenile SHIT!? Gods, what he'd give for a way to give his past self a piece of his mind... Shaking off the absurd thought, how could communication through TIME be possible after all, he glanced over in annoyance as Sollux let out a long, slow whistle. "Well, that'th certainly more trouble than we were exthpecting! Uh, KK, are you thure thith Tavros guy ith worth thquaring off againtht a Highblood over?"

"Yes, Sollux, I am completely certain that giving our all towards spitting in the metaphorical, and potentially literal, eye of a psychotic, murderous bitch who will likely target us at some point in the future regardless of whether or not we aid in helping one of our own, who could potentially provide us valuable intelligence on the weaknesses and weakpoints of her Hive in the event of future hostilities, is a good idea!! Why don't you shut the hell up, and use that mutated sack of puss you call a think pan, hmm!?" Karkat growled, twirling his sickle aggressively as he gazed at the roaming hoard of monsters before them.

"...You know what, no, I'm not gonna engage with thith shit right now. Fuck it, we're in too deep ath it ith. Tho, our firtht plan ith a butht, tho what do we try now?" Sollux grunted, forcing himself not to fall into angry banter with the explosive powder keg of a Troll next to him when they were literally in shouting distance of a fucking ARMY of monsters. Honestly, it was kind of exciting!! Almost made him not feel as bad for ditching AA.

"...We have to keep those monsters from interfering. It'll be a bigger risk for me, but I need you to focus everything on keeping these monsters locked down and unable to interfere out here in the open. I'll bust my way in, grab Tavros, and hightail it out of there. No dramatic fights, no epic weapon clashes while escaping, just a fast and loud in-and-out." Karkat grunted, trying not to think about how his knees were shaking. No Troll was fully a stranger to violence, but in Karkat's case, avoiding fights was sadly a necessity since he couldn't afford ANY injuries being public knowledge. But if he didn't take the risk now... how could he ever take the challenges needed to rise the ranks?

Letting out a soft, tired sigh slip from his lips, he locked eyes with Sollux, the normally moody Troll solemn and respectful as they both nodded, trading smirks. If this was all going to go to fucking hell... might as well do it with the biggest bang of all, right?

Show Time.

...

KRA-BBOOOOM!!!

"You couldn't have hurled me any harder!? I think there might be a few of my bones that don't have bruises on them you schizophrenic fuckhead!!" Karkat howled, staggering to his feet, wildly swinging his sickle around to fend off the furious Fiduspawn. To his frustration, his attempts to mimic proper Threshecutioner combat forms failed to deal significant injuries, only managing flesh wounds from the inner edge and tip of his sickle while the blunt outer edge kept them from getting close.

Sollux didn't answer, merely howling wordlessly outside as he unleashed as much of his immense psionic power as he could without putting Karkat at risk. The majority of the Fiduspawn had been locked in place well enough, but that still left plenty able to assault them, forcing Sollux onto the defensive as he worked overtime to both keep the captured Fiduspawn from escaping AND fighting off the Fiduspawn he'd failed to catch the first time around. He couldn't keep this up, and that meant the timer they were on was shorter than expected.

So naturally, Sollux had thought encasing Karkat in a bubble of psionic energy before sending him hurtling into the Hive so they could get Tavros and beat it faster was a FANTASTIC idea!! Karkat was so going to get him back for that... Shaking his head to dispel the distracting thoughts, Karkat called out to the room, gambling that a high and mighty Blueblood would be underestimating him enough to answer back and face him in person rather than sneak attack him like a sane and rational for. "Hey, fucking bitch!! I know what you're planning for Tavros, and I'm here to say that it's not gonna happen!!! So why not do us all a fucking favor, look inside that twisted cobweb stuffed cesspit you call a think pan, and realize that getting your horrific death at the end of my sickle might be best for everyone!?"

...No response. Karkat's guard instantly ratcheted up another notch. Circling around the Fiduspawn he'd subdued, being careful not to enter range of their limbs if they woke up from their 'naps,' he moved deeper into the Hive, keeping any dark corners or openings in front of him. He supposed she could be on the ceiling, but really, if that were the case he'd be so badly outmaneuvered that no amount of observation would help him.

With an unearthly shriek of rage, a tentacled, Subjuggulator-looking abomination that seemed to have medical worker garb built into its body, threw itself at Karkat. Its long, oily tendrils reached out, grabbing for Karkat's throat and began to squeeze. Eyes bulging with fear and panic, Karkat desperately lashed out with his sickle, the tip biting into the monster's torso and drawing out a scream. Each additional strike only added to the symphony, the strikes growing wilder and wilder as Karkat lost the ability to aim properly from lack of air.

When the beast was too weak to keep a grip on him further, falling back with a keening whine, its body was a mess of oozing stab wounds. Karkat stared at the oozing blood with horrified awe, glancing down at his own weapon. HE had done this... and it hadn't felt nearly as cool as all his magazines and attempts to hunt down data implied it would. Oh God... he was going to need so many showers after this.

Forcibly packing away THAT little bit of trauma, Karkat began to rush through the Hive, abandoning all pretense of stealth in his mania to get OUT of this place before it could fuck with his head anymore. He slid into what he presumed was the main living block... and there was the Troll of honor himself. Tavros, unconscious, lying on an extended lounging apparatus, thick bandages that were slowly staining an unsettling shade of brown encasing his torso, and utterly dead to the world. "Tavros!! Come on, wake up wake up wake up wake up wake up wake up wake up!!!!"

Each plea for his... fuck it, for his FRIEND to awaken was punctuated by a slap, smacking Tavros back and forth across the face. When he finally stopped, the now thoroughly brown-cheeked Tavros' eyes flickered open. "Kar...kat...? Are you here for the party...?"

"Yeah, sure, we are gonna throw the biggest fucking part you've ever seen you Pupa Pan obsessed dumbass, but we have to get going!!" Karkat insisted, throwing the other Troll over his shoulders. The weight of Tavros' horns alone nearly had him fall over, but he grit his teeth and soldiered on. Tavros giggled deliriously, but said nothing further, eyes rolling into the back of his head as he lost consciousness once more; it was probably for the best, really.

Before he could move, one of the creatures fluttered down onto Karkat's shoulder. He squinted at the strangely fairy-like animal in confusion... only to get a hoof-slap across the face for his troubles, the little creature pointing firmly at what could only be a doorway to outside the Hive. Confused, Karkat ran for it, kicking the door open and feeling more relieved to see Sollux losing his shit than he ever had before.

Eye beams of phenomenal psychic power blasted out, subduing the Fiduspawn handily as Sollux allowed his pent up frustration to slip its leash. Normally Karkat would leave Sollux to work out his problems on his own time and pace, but they were KIND OF on a time crunch here!!! There was no chance the Blueblood hadn't heard everything and was coming for them even as they spoke. So Karkat cut in. "I got the moron!! Come on, let's get the fuck out of here!!"

"FUCKING FINE BY ME!!" Sollux roared, engulfing Karkat, Tinkerbull, and Tavros in psionic energy, before dragging the two along in a full-power dash to safety... aiming right for Sollux's own Hive.

...

"If I NEVER have to go through THAT again, it'll be too soon." Vriska grunted, carefully patting down her hair to make sure that it wasn't still on fire. Who knew grooming slime was so flammable!? "Ugh, and I'm still no closer to finding my target!!"

"Heh, sorry I wasn't any a help on yo revenge quest, sis." Gamzee chuckled, the downcast turn to his eyes showing the genuine sadness he felt beneath his smile. Vriska sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose; learning that he was a Sopor addict hadn't been a shock, honestly, but darn it did it make it hard for her to carry out her plan to abandon him in the middle of danger. She just felt so... so... guilty at the thought of it.

"You're fine, Clown Boy. If it hadn't been for you, I'd have fallen for that pit trap, remember?" Vriska reminded him, nudging him lightly in the ribs... and tried to ignore the faint shiver of unease his brief frown at the memory brought on. She'd only seen it for a second but... something about him unnerved her. Then again, given everything she knows about Purplebloods, maybe it's not that surprising.

"Heh, yeah... that was one motherfuckin' miracle right there!!" Gamzee cheered, wrapping an arm around Vriska impulsively as he leaned forward. Vriska sighed, but allowed it. Blinking, Gamzee's gaze narrowed at something in the distance. "Uhh... did I eat too many pies today or somethin'?"

"I'd say eating just ONE of those 'pies' is too many, personally, but why do you ask?" Vriska replied, idly casting her psionic net out in all directions, ready to ensnare anyone thinking to get the jump on them again.

"'Cause I'm thinkin' that some kinda crazy jam is goin' down at yo crib, my invertebrasister." Gamzee replied, voice mild and even, even as he withdrew one of his juggling clubs in preparation to throw down. She'd SEEN what those things could do to bone, at least in his hands.

Not that she was thinking about the potential violence dwelling in her surprise companion's skin, for once. See, when you devoted yourself to a bond, it became a part of you... and the more dearly you hold that bond closer to your heart, the more the thought of losing it hurts you. For Vriska, who had pledged to herself the day she found Mindfang's journal to never allow someone into the depths of her heart and hurt her... there could be no one she valued more in this world, in this moment, then the boy who gave her a light at the end of her tunnel.

"So, we gonna do somethin' about it or... WOAHOHOHOH!!!" Gamzee whooped, a wild grin spreading across his face as Vriska leaned forward on Horsaroari, goading her steed to pour on their maximum velocity. Gamzee, oblivious to the panic his newest friend was feeling, merely cheered in joy at the sudden change in pace, the adrenaline cutting through the haze of his Sopor... but with a clean light as opposed to the familiar shade that clung to his dreams. "This is the motherfuckin' BITCHTITS, SIS!!! WOOHOO!!!"

Vriska didn't reply. She couldn't. All she could think about was how worried she was that someway, somehow, the last of those Two Dead Trolls walking who had hurt Tavros had found her Hive and decided to finish the job. She hoped she was mistaken. She hoped she wasn't too late. But if for whatever reason she was... whoever had done this would have Hell To Pay.

...

"Motherfuck...!" Gamzee hissed, sliding off of Horsaroari's back at Vriska's barked order, the wild-eyed Blueblood racing ahead in search of... something. Anything, really. Gamzee glanced around, wincing; even with the fog in his head, he could tell this wasn't good. The yard was all torn up and shit, like some crazy motherfucker had gone hog fuckin' wild with the laser blaze beams on this place.

Fiduspawn like Horsaroari lay scattered around, all baring some form of injury. To Gamzee's mild surprise, none of them were dead or seemed in danger of dying... just hurt and exhausted. Well, nothin' to it but to do as the Mirthful Messiahs decreed, and provide tender blessings upon this most righteous flock. Whistling a gentle lullaby to himself, one he vaguely recalled hearing from his Lusus before that crazy fucker went on one of his crazy-ass trips out to sea... he hoped that fucker was okay. They shared a motherfuckin' rapturous bond that could not be broken so easily.

Walking over to the downed Fiduspawn, he pulled out some of his wonderful pies. Even now, the aroma made his pallet water, his veins aching as some hidden hunger rumbled inside, telling him how fuckin' AMAZING he'd feel if he just ate one more little fuckin' pie... but he didn't. He'd promised his new sister that he'd cut back while on their fuckin' mission; the mission don't stop just because they ain't on the clock, you motherfuckers feeling me?

Regardless, despite his hunger and longing, Gamzee pointedly did NOT eat the pies. Instead, he carefully scooped out the Sopor filling he'd stuffed into them, carefully rolling it between his palms until some of the moisture started to leave it, converting it into a more gelatinous structure, almost crumbly in places. Nodding to himself, he carefully began applying the crudely made Sopor paste to their injuries, the Fiduspawn sighing in relief as the numbing, sedating chemicals seeped into their bodies at a gentle pace through their wounds.

Another motherfuckin' miracle, if he did say so himself! Dusting his hands off on his pants, to resist the urge to lick his fingers clean, Gamzee made his way to the Hive proper; his sister in righteousness, a truly pious soul underneath all her disbelievin' nonsense that would one day dance most splendidly in the Dark Carnival, had yet to come out. Through his haze, he felt a frission of worry. Could some punkass bitches been lying in wait, planning to take her down after they ransacked her Hive!? Gamzee felt a tiny bit annoyed at the thought; that 'tiny annoyance' being more than enough to make every Fiduspawn around him, awake or otherwise, flinch a full step back in response.

Pulling out more of his clubs, he began idly setting up a basic rotation pattern, juggling them carefully so he could unleash them as a volley at a moment's notice. Slipping inside, he let out a whoop to test the echo. "Yyoooo!!! Any motherfuckers alive in here? This place be deader than my Lusii's last meal! Wait, that was a live seabeast, NEVERMIND!! Fuckin' False Alarm!!"

He idly wondered if being this loud in someone else's Hive might be impolite. Eh, he'd ask Karkbro later; Karkat always had good thoughts, a lot better than his own, so clearly he'd know! But that could not dissuade Gamzee from one simple fact; he could hear crying coming from inside the Hive.

Stepping slowly, he tilted his head warily as he came up on an unusual sight. Vriska, who he'd yet to see show anything other than frustration, determination, and maybe just a little bit of sadism... was softly crying her eyes out, arms sprawled on her couch, fingertips gently tracing a now empty Troll-shaped outline. It... didn't exactly take a genius to map out the next steps. "Oh girl..."

"They took him." Vriska whispered, not turning to look.

"Took who?" Gamzee coaxed, sitting on his knees next to her. She was truly in need of a righteous confession; too bad all she had was him.

Vriska glanced up, and Gamzee sucked in a breath at the blue tear tracks tracing down her cheeks. "Tavros. Th-they came here... and took MY Tavros...!"

Gamzee nodded; this must've been the friend she was trying to get most excellent revenge on behalf of. Not cool, kidnapping guys, not cool at all. "Then what's the plan?"

"Oh... I'll tell you what's the plan." Vriska whispered ominously, voice low... and heavy. The despairing fear in her eyes had faded... now only a deep, black anger remained. For some motherfuckin' reason, it looked kind of familiar to Gamzee... "We're gonna find the ones who did this. We are going to destroy their homes and leave them scrambling in the dirt like the vermin they are. And then... we are gonna bring Tavros back home. You understand me, 'bro?'"

At Vriska's last hissed words, voice brimming with a rage she could never allow Tavros to see from her... Gamzee smiled that same old bright, happy smile as always. "Sure thing, sis! Let's get this motherfuckin' revenge on  with this shit-hizzle!!"

Chapter Text

"Now this is a motherfuckin' fine steed, motherfuckin' fine indeed!" Gamzee chuckled, near-listlessly reclining on the back of Horsaroari... and given that Vriska had placed him in front, this meant his horns were IN HER FACE. As they had been for the last THREE HOURS, without any signs of a clue that they were getting close!! Frankly, her nerves were shot, just a little. Deep breaths... Mindfang wouldn't freak out in a situation like this, she'd calmly and coolly come up with a strategy to make everything go her way. Vriska... couldn't really do that, but she could come up with a strategy at least!!

"You've been saying that for the past hour. Look, I'm pretty sure by now you don't have some evil plan to betray me or whatever, so can you maybe, I dunno, do something useful?" Vriska snarked, rolling some of her marbles in her hand. Tavros had mentioned that having something to touch and interact with helped him with his nerves at times, and she had secretly taken up the habit. To show solidarity with him, of course!!

Gamzee gave a long... slow... blink. The sheer amount of time it took for the simple task of closing and opening his eyes made Vriska grit her teeth. Then, he grinned, a wide and happy smile. "A'ight! I can motherfuckin' do that, sista!"

Vriska blinked, smiling slightly as Gamzee immediately began rifling through his pack in search of something. That had been easier than she thought; maybe she should give people direct orders more often? Wait, no, the only person she didn't really kill immediately was Tavros, and she couldn't order him around... rain check on the idea. "Well, it's nice to see you taking some initiative... wwwwhhhhhaaaaaatttt are you doing!?"

Grinning like a dope, Gamzee had pulled out a surprisingly intact pie from his pack, mouth open wide to stuff it in his face. Which she wouldn't normally be too concerned about, if she couldn't CLEARLY smell the familiar scent that wafted out of her Recuperoon every time she went to sleep; that thing was stuffed with Sopor!! Completely oblivious to her shock, Gamzee slapped a palm to his face hard enough to make Vriska winced. "Shit, I went and be forgotten my manners! You wanna get in on this, sis? Can't be doin' no revenging shit on an empty stomach!"

"Trust me, I would literally eat ANYTHING but that right now." Vriska retorted, backing away from the oddly alluring smell of the pie as much as she physically could on the back of Horsaroari. Which, admittedly, wasn't much at all. To punctuate her point, he fist snapped out to yank a bug off a passing tree to shove in her mouth, chewing determinedly. It honestly tasted better than expected, kind of like a richer, rawer grub flavor. Didn't stop it from being unsanitary. "You do realize that you aren't supposed to eat that stuff, right!? That's for sleeping in!!"

Gamzee tilted his head, puzzled, before inspecting the pie in his hands. He shrugged. "Never been botherin' me before. Helps with my motherfuckin' headaches; you looked like you could use a little dash of that kind of special miracle is all! You sure you don't be wantin' none?"

"I'm sure. Can you please put that thing away?" Vriska insisted, glancing pointedly at Gamzee's pack. "And for my peace of mind, PLEASE don't eat any when we're on the mission... or at least not when we're gonna hang? I'd rather not deal with someone too stoned out to help."

Gamzee chuckled, slipping the pie back into his pack. He supposed he could've Captchalogued it, but his Miracle Fetch Modus was a bit tricky to use... if he knew how to use it at all. This was easier, even if it was only going to keep losing flavor and freshness. "Well shoot, I ain't the kind of cat to be goin' makin' other motherfuckers all uncomfortable with my bad self! You don't want me rockin' the pie, that's fine!"

Vriska nodded determinedly, pointing her gaze down the road. Her eyes narrowed. "What the heck is that?"

Gamzee blinked, peering at whatever it was that had caught Vriska's attention, clicking his tongue lightly. "I dunno, kinda looks like some motherfucker gettin' a sweet motherfuckin' nap on in the middle of the road."

In a flash, Vriska was on guard. Ignoring Gamzee's weird idea of this strange Troll taking a nap, there were three potential options; one, they were faking being in danger, two, they were actually in danger and someone dangerous was up ahead, or three, they were dead. None of the options could be called 'good.' Gesturing to Gamzee to stay back and quiet, which Gamzee tilted his head in confusion at, she stalked forward, palming her Marbles in preparation for a Strife. But before she could take one step further...

"Hold your tits, sis!" Gamzee called out, scenting the air. Vriska sighed, biting back a retort at his language; she'd already accepted that he just talked like that and didn't mean anything by it, even if it WAS annoying. Moving up next to her, Gamzee took a big whiff of the air, grinning sleepily as he stared down at the discolored patch of road before them. "I'm smellin' some fuckin' amazin' pies right now."

"Pies!? What the hell are you-!?" Vriska retorted, only to pause. After all, she had JUST learned what 'pies' meant in the context of Gamzee's mind. As a sinking feeling opened in the pit of her stomach, she traded glances with Gamzee, the two of them reaching down. Her fingers found the edge of a coarse tarp, and with Gamzee's help, she hauled it back to reveal... "Oh gods!!"

"Uhh... that ain't fuckin' right, sis." Gamzee grunted, looking mildly unsettled by the sight before them. Given how high he was, she took that to be his version of her own extreme disgust; after all, it wasn't every day you stared face first into a pit trap lined with spikes and filled with Sopor slime... oh yeah, and absolutely covered in dead Trolls, unseeing eyes staring up in confusion at the sky above them from within their makeshift tomb. Gamzee shook his head sadly. "Ain't fuckin' right to go and do a motherfucker like that, eh sis?"

"...Yeah. It isn't right at all." Vriska agreed hollowly, eyes devoid of light as she glanced at her own faintly trembling hands, flecks of blood spattered across them and utterly invisible to everyone but her. She mentally shook herself, insistently telling herself that she and whatever sick freak had done this were not the same; SHE killed for survival and to feed her Lusus, while this? This was just sadism and cruelty for the sake of it...

Her eyes narrowed. She glanced over at Gamzee, tilting her chin at the figure across the pit trap. "Hey, Gamzee, do you think you could bring whoever that is over here? You're pretty strong, aren't youuuuuuuu?"

"Sure! Ain't no fuckin' thang!" Gamzee chuckled, taking a moment to stretch out his arms and shoulders. Aiming a beaming smile Vriska's way, he took a step back... and instantly cleared the pit in a single bound. While not on the same scale as Equius' bullshit strength, it was still incredibly impressive. Scooping up the Troll laying on the other side of the pit, Gamzee leaped back across, laying the Troll down in front of Vriska. "Fucker didn't even blink; think he's dead or somethin'?"

Vriska hummed to herself, inspecting the Troll before her. They were a Rustblood; she couldn't determine their gender at a glance with how tightly bundled up they were in bulky clothing, but the burgundy liguid gently dripping from their lips was a giveaway to their caste. Leaning down, she pulled open an eyelid, to no response, before gently pressing a hand against their chest. Not even a single bump of the blood pusher to be felt. She shook her head. "Yeah, they're dead. Too bad; I was hoping to interrogate them."

Gamzee nodded; he was getting the impression that his new sista from another Lusa was a bit hardcore. Not that he minded; Karkat was hardcore too, if in a different way, and Gamzee liked to be chill with everyone. Maybe making some kind of sweet horn pile that friends could chill in together, kicking back and drinking that sweet elixir. Without even thinking about it, he jerked a thumb over his shoulder at a seemingly unimportant tree off to the side. "Then how's about we talk with that motherfucker hidin' over there or some shit?"

Vriska blinked, eyes wide, before snapping over to the tree Gamzee pointed out. "What the-!?"

"FUCK!!!" A high-pitched squeal rang out, a slight figure shooting out from behind the tree, aiming to make a break for it... only for a grinning Gamzee to jump into their path, spiking them into the ground with a casual swing of his club. With a pained wheeze, the Troll slammed into the ground at Vriska's feet hard enough to bounce. Before he could scramble away, she slammed a foot onto his chest, holding him still. "Gah, fuck!! What the hell!? You jack-offssss ruined my art!!!"

Vriska scowled, gritting her teeth furiously as she rolled her Marbles in her hand. A fellow Blueblood Troll, how charming; the Troll had a wide halo of hair around his skull, two horns peaking up like thin fangs, a narrow tongue incessantly flicking in and out of his mouth. He had a third eye, a second left eye that dropped onto his cheek and seemed to prevent him from fully opening his mouth as a consequences. There, emblazoned on his shirt, was the Sign of Scorittarius, The Doubtful. "I'd been preparing thissss canvassss for weekssss, all under the bosss'ssss nosssse!! And you jackassssssessss had to get in my way!!"

Vriska scoffed, just barely holding in the simmering RAGE this pissant scumsucker of a 6-Sweep-Old Troll's words. Behind him, Gamzee was tilting his head, eyes narrowed as he slowly worked his way through what their captive was saying... and if the mounting dread in Vriska's chest meant anything, he did NOT like what he was hearing at all. "Art? You call this disgusting pile of corpses 'art?'" Lifting her leg off of him, she gave him a second to scramble clear, before kicking him straight into Gamzee's waiting arms. "I've got some questions for you. You WILL answer them, or else, got it?"

"Do you fuckerssss not realize who I am!? I-!!" The Blueblood hissed, snake-like teeth flashing as he opened his jaw to continue to rant... only for Vriska to ram a Marble-filled fist into his mouth, shattering his two most prominent teeth and leaving the rest a mess of cracks and splits. "Muh, my teefff!!"

"I really don't care who you are. I don't care WHAT you are. You see, I have had a monumentally shitty week; someone I care about got hurt. Badly. And I need to make sure that the fucking morons who hurt him don't think that they can touch what is MINE without consequences." Vriska coldly retorted, channeling some of her inner Mindfang to suppress her own disgust at breaking this verminous punk's teeth. She turned her focus onto Gamzee, the normally cheerful Purpleblood now openly scowling down at the Troll in his hands, as if debating crushing him to death here and now. "Gamzee, if he tries to ignore me again, shatter one of his limbs, okay?"

As the Blueblood paled in horror, Gamzee chuckled easily, giving a lazy salute. "A'ight with me, sis. If this motherfucker tries any funny biz, I'mma make him regret it!"

Shaking like a leaf, the captive Blueblood glanced over his shoulder at Gamzee, and somehow went even MORE pale upon realizing just who and WHAT was holding him prisoner. Pasting a shaky smile in place, he turned to Vriska, evidently trying to turn up the charm. "SSssssso... what do you want to know???"

"Seven days ago, The Bloodash Forest. Were you there?" Vriska asked tonelessly, the burning, bubbling pitch-black RAGE she'd been nurturing in her heart focusing down to a needle point... all of it centered on the smug little wiggler in front of her. She ignored Gamzee's concerned glance to lean in, making sure this tri-sighted fuckwit was meeting her gaze. She would not be denied... not here. And sure of all not fucking NOW.

The piece of shit before her whose name she still didn't give a damn to learn giggled uncomfortably, a bead of sweat trailing down his face. "W-well, I... may have been ssssomewhere in the area... perhapssss...?"

"Break his arm." Vriska ordered. Without an instant of hesitation, Gamzee's club was raised and swung so swiftly she couldn't make out its movement. Only the agonizing SCREAM ripping out of the scum-sucker's throat as his bones were pulped. A dark surge of glee wormed its way up her heart, a sickly smile forming at his pain. Already the flesh was beginning to tent and swell from the catastrophic internal damage. "Wellllllll........?"

"Okay, YEAH, fuck you bitch, I wassss there!! The Bossssss and I hang out there a lot!! It'ssssss a free planet, what does it matter to you!?" The Scum-Sucker howled, sheer pain cutting through his fear and revealing the bubbling rage he felt at this undignified treatment. It was honestly kind of hilarious to Vriska, the sheer nerve he felt, daring to be angry after pulling shit like this pit he called 'art.'

"There, was that soooooooo hard? Hmmmmmmmm? Second question! This 'Boss' of yours, I'm going to assume he was there too! What color is his blood." She demanded, looming over him, like a scorpion rearing over a defenseless mouse caught in its den. Tavros, in his few lucid moments, had managed to tell her that his attackers were a Blueblood (oh how she'd never hated her own blood more than in that moment), and an Indigoblood like Equius (though obviously far weaker). It was, admittedly, not an unusual pairing, especially with his describing the Blueblood as subservient to the Indigoblood; not every Blueblood was as smart as she was to thumb their nose at the Hemospectrum. But this cowardly piece of trash had already admitted to being near the scene of the crime. Just a little more details...

"I-indigo!?" The cowardly wretch stammered, glancing back at Gamzee's impassive stare nervously, flinching when Gamzee reflexively tightened his group on his ruined arm. Seems like he was beginning to lose feeling in it; that should've made him howl again. But still, confirmation, nice!

Vriska nodded, a toothy grin spreading across her face as she paced back and forth in front of the confused Blueblood, his three eyes tracking her warily. "Good! That's just what I wanted to here, and lucky you, I actually think you're being honest with me! Otherwise you would've been getting a broken legs. So, third question; were you and your 'Boss' doing any... hunting?"

"Hunting...?" The Blueblood echoed warily, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes. No fear, of course, because if they both knew what she meant, why would he? After all... it's not like it mattered for a pair of Highblood's to kill their 'lessers.' Her blood ran hot with rage.

"You know, hunting! Just going out, using those clever traps of yours and, say, a spear? To take down something that couldn't possibly be a threat to you. Maybe some Olivebloods wandering around unsuspecting?" Vriska elaborated, voice holding a cheer she did not feel. Or, perhaps, she did feel... the cheer of anticipation of what she was going to do next.

"Uh, yeah? What the fuck doessss it matter? We were doing some fucking hunting, watching some Lowbloodssss ssssquirm!" The bastard actually had the nerve to sound INDIGNANT of all things at her questions. He clicked his tongue. "It'd been jusssst getting to the good part. All that work tying thossse entrailssss wasssted..."

"Oh? You got interrupted?" Vriska interjected, scenting blood in the water.

"Ssssome fuckin' shitblood poking hissss nosssse where it didn't belong!" The idiot scoffed, oblivious to the way Vriska's grip tightened her Marbles in anger at his words. But what he did notice... was the dark look on her face. He grinned nastily. "What, did we jack your prey or ssssomething!? Issss that what all thisss shit is about!? PFFFTTT!!! Wow, how fucking petty do you gotta be to get sssso bent out of shape about one dead shitblood-GURK!!!"

The now soon-to-be-DEAD Troll gagged, eyes bulging out of their sockets. Which was understandable, given that Vriska currently had a death grip around his throat, and slowly tightening it, Gamzee's powerful grip holding him in place and preventing him from prying the younger Troll off of him. She leaned in, dark gaze glittering with malice. "You're half right. This IS because of the BRONZEblood that you and your 'Boss' attacked... but he didn't die. I managed to get to him in time, and he is currently recovering nicely. Because one key thing you misunderstand about this situation is that I wasn't hunting him... I was protecting him. Because he was and is MINE." Tears pricked at both Trolls' eyes, his from lack of air and hers from the wrathful sorrow shaking through her body. "You... touched someone precious to me. Someone that I swore I would see SAFE, no matter what. The one good thing in this entire stinking shithole of a planet full of people I don't give a damn about. And now... you and your Boss are going to pay for it."

The Scum-Sucker let out a wheeze that might've been a question, not that she cared. She tilted her head. "I had originally had this big scene planned out, you know? I'd find the two of you in the middle of something revolting, which I guess I half-did here, and then I'd sick my Fiduspawn on you. I'd have them herd you across the countryside, harassing you from every which way until you started to turn on each other. Then when one of you injured the other, I'd have had a Fiduspawn manifest inside of your dying body, tearing you apart from the inside out before attacking whichever of you was alive at that point. It was gonna be so dramatic... oh well." She shrugged, smirking at the horrified look in her enemy's face, pointedly ignoring the discomfort Gamzee himself was showing at her words. "Plans change."

And without further ado, she gave a sharp twist of his neck, snapping it. She didn't know or care if she'd killed him just now or merely paralyzed him from the neck down. The ending would be to the same. "Sorry you had to see that. You can drop him now."

"A'ight." Gamzee shrugged, letting the body go with no small amount of relief.

Vriska glanced down at the body; she supposed she could've interrogated him about where his friend was located, but she had the suspicion that he was the type to be surprisingly loyal in the most irritating of circumstances. And... she was admittedly too pissed off to think about it. Oh well, at least she now knew for sure that her second target was at least in this area somewhere; Highbloods typically built 'apart' from other Trolls, or at least made sure they had the biggest, fanciest Hive around. She'd just need a sample of this asshole's blood for her babies to track and she'd know that the Indigoblood would be nearby.

She kicked him into the pit, flinching only slightly at the sickening squelch his body made as the spikes he'd placed in the pit impaled him. A fitting burial place given his crimes. And yet... she sighed, turning to Gamzee. "Do you have something I can use to light this pit on fire? I don't give a crap about this asshole, but the others... they don't deserve to be left out as food for the scavengers, OR the undead during the day."

Gamzee gave her an understanding smile, holding out his hand as his Fetch Modus engaged itself, a pack of ignition beginners (matches) and a can of grooming slime. "Ain't no thang, sis. I get what you be puttin' down, and I dig it. That is some motherfuckin' miraculous work you be wantin' to do!"

Vriska smiled softly; for all that he drove her a bit crazy with his Sopor-fueled antics, he was really a good friend. Maybe she'd keep in touch with him after this was all over...? Shaking her head at the sentimentality, Tavros really was rubbing off on her, she took the offered tools in hand. Activating the ignition beginner with a swift flick of the wrist, she threw it into the pit, wincing at how quickly the blaze spread. Ugh, the fumes of it were making her dizzy; must be the Sopor in it. Surely she doesn't have a weak stomach to gore!! Surely not...

As the two new friends sat at the edge of the burning pit, Gamzee passed her a bottle of some absurd concoction labeled "Superpop Faygo" with a sympathetic smile. Grimacing, she took a pull; it... actually didn't taste that bad. She actually liked the flavor itself, but that aftertaste, euggh!! No wonder this crap was so divisive if you had THAT reaching up the back of your throat after every drink. Still, she had accepted the beverage, and kept drinking, allowing the fizzy sugary concoction to distract herself from the sweat beading on her brow, the pounding pulse of her blood pusher as the full magnitude of what she'd just done hit her.

She... had murdered that Troll. Him being dead she didn't regret a bit; even if he hadn't been one of her targets of vengeance, he had earned his death with this sadistic trap alone. But... killing him with her own hands was... different. Normally she led Trolls to spidermom alive, telling herself that it would be over quick, and cleaning up the bloody mess afterwards. Always telling herself that it was spidermom doing the killing, not her.

She... she couldn't say that anymore. She couldn't hide behind her excuse anymore. From this day forward, she would make sure every Troll she had to offer up to her Lusus' maw was dead by her own hands; her own were already stained, and at least this way, they wouldn't have to deal with the fear and despair she saw whenever they realized what was about to happen. Except for the assholes like this douche had been, she didn't give a crap if THEY were scared shitless and tried blubbering and begging for help.

Glancing up, she winced as she realized the time. Technically it was still going to be hours until daybreak, plenty of time to try and track this last asshole down and Make Him Pay... but then that'd mean leaving Tavros all alone for the remainder of the day with only her Fiduspawn and his Lusus for company, not to mention Gamzee having to get to his own Hive as well!

She'd wanted to let the fire consume more of the corpses first, but oh well. She supposed she could finish cleaning up tomorrow. Grimacing, she got to her feet, and pulled out the extra large bottle of Grooming Slime. Surely THIS would be an effective way to douse the fire, correct!?

It was not. Grooming Slime, apparently, was INCREDIBLY flammable!! Gamzee had been polite enough not to comment about how singed her hair looked now. Oh well, at least all the corpses were consumed in the ensuing inferno.

...

They had taken him. They. Had taken. Tavros.

Was Vriska panicking? It felt like she was panicking, just a little. BUT WHAT THE FUCK COULD SHE DO!? Here she was in the broken wreck of her stupid castle, where her stupid best friend in the world was supposed to be SAFE and RESTING and not suffering for knowing someone like her... and he was gone. Her army was a wreck, and her gentle Mediclown, the only one of her team that could heal, was busy trying to repair her own wounds so she didn't die on them.

Raising a finger to her temple, she broadcasted to the Fiduspawn currently awake and in good enough shape to move... few as they were. "I'll make this quick; whoever has the scent of the dead Trolls that did this, step forward. We're going on a rescue operation!!!"

A bulky Flammabear, its coat perpetually in a state of being on fire as the breed was want to, stepped forward, wincing and huffing all the while. He CLEARLY wasn't in any shape to travel... and the sad thing was that he was the best of what she had currently. Letting out a keening rumble, he pressed his broad head against hers, allowing her to peer into his mind. There the little bastard was... a Goldblood? That was a bit surprising... then again, genuine loyalty among Trolls was a bit of a premium. Still, she supposed she would have to make this one suffer for turning on a fellow Lowblood like Tavros. She turned to Gamzee, no small amount of desperation in her gaze. "I... I really hate to ask this. Like, I REALLY really hate this, beyond words. But... would you be willing to help me get my friend back? I, I know that it's going to be daylight soon and that you have to get home, and it's not like I've got a back-up Recuperoon for you to use but-!!"

"Sis. Chill." Gamzee said calmly, smiling warmly as he ruffled her hair. Sniffling back the tears that had been threatening to break through, she decided to allow it. He was lucky she thought his antics were charming, otherwise she'd have bitten him for that. "I already went and be promisin' my assistance on this motherfuckin' righteous endeavor. Ain't no thang if you gots to go find yo bro; as far as I be concernerated, that just be part of helping this revenge train, you feel me?"

"I'll be nice and say that I do!" Vriska giggled- wait, no, she gave a confident, brave laugh! She did NOT do something as Wiggler-like as... Giggle. Unless she was with Tavros, of course, because he's fine with that sort of thing.

"Then let's get this motherfuckin' party started!" Gamzee laughed, easily leaping up onto the back of the Flammabear, completely unbothered by the flames now trying to set his outfit ablaze but failed to catch. How did that even work?

Shaking off the absurd mystery that was Gamzee from her mind, she jumped onto Horsasoari, Horsaroari's twin sister, distinguished primarily by her lighter color pallet, the inclusion of broad wings, and a gentler temperament. The Fiduspawn she kept primarily so she and Tavros could go riding together accepted her on her back easily, intent on tracking down and reuniting with her preferred Troll-ish partner. Something she and Vriska were in complete agreement on...

...

Aradia Megido liked to think of herself as a calm, understanding Troll. When any other Troll of her caste would've taken the realization that they'd just saved a Highblood... a bit poorly, she just rolled with it. Granted, that might have ended in her death with any other Highblood, but Equius was a good guy! Awkward, and occasionally infuriating, but genuinely polite and accepting of Aradia's boundaries. Even if she wanted to roll her eyes at his constantly trying to find loopholes in the Hemospectrum to justify spending time with her...

She shook her head, having gotten off topic. The bottom line was that Aradia didn't let things get to her easily. Life was too short to be bogged down by stuff like grudges and conflict, when there was such a beautiful world with a rich history to explore just outside the windows!

So, to anyone who knew her, it was currently very startling to see her so ticked off. When she'd met Sollux online after he'd accidentally entered a chat group meant for history buffs thinking it was a coding group, they'd hit it off due to their shared love of morbid humor and the burden of feeling the weight of death around them. Sure, he could be moody and a bit rude, but he seemed to respect her opinion and thoughts, something she realized she liked in a friend after Equius' dedicated efforts to be respectful towards her in that regard.

So why, why now of ALL TIMES, did he decide to flake on her, after she went through all the trouble to come to his fucking Hive so they could hang out IRL? Without even bothering to tell her what he needed to bail on her for!?

Yes, Aradia Megido was mad. And she WOULD get her answers. After finishing up sending off a message to Equius telling him that everything was fine (technically true) and that she wasn't upset (a lie) and that no he shouldn't come over to lecture Sollux for his conduct (absolutely true!!), she stood in the main block of the Hive, tapping her foot in frustration. And then... she heard it. The crackling sound of psionically displaced air that heralded a Goldblood using their abilities to fly.

As the door burst open, she prepared to lecture Sollux on what the hell was going through his think pan when he left and how worried sick she was waiting for him with no word as to what was happening... only for the words to die in her throat as Sollux, a surly looking Troll of indeterminate blood caste, and a wounded and dazed looking Bronzeblood staggered inside. Sollux glanced at her in shock. "AA, you're thtill here!? Oh fuck, I'm tho- not the time, not the time! Lithten, we need to get thith guy lying down, pronto!!"

There really was only one possible answer to that. "What do you need me to do?"

...

"So, let me get this straight. You, on a random message demanding you come from a guy that, in your own words, is a 'self-obsessed loud mouth little prick,' got sucked into tracking down and raiding a Blueblood's Hive to rescue this guy who had been trapped there for Seven Days after he got ran through by a spear. Do I have all that right?" Aradia rattled off, even as she diligently peeled back the bandages covering the Bronzeblood's side; they were remarkably well applied, and held in a poultice that, if her recent attempts to learn medical skills in the event of injury during her explorations was any indicator, would help with both the clotting of blood and the acceleration of cell division needed for healing.

The Troll whose Blood she couldn't discern, Karkat, scoffed angrily. He did that a lot. "No, we went down to some uptight bitch's lair, had a tea party steeped in our own leavings, played a rousing game of Fiduspawn, and skipped away merrily on our way. What the fuck do you THINK we did!?"

Aradia shot Karkat a rude gesture without looking, before smirking at Sollux. "I think I like this guy."

"Great, jutht what I needed; the guy who maketh my day to day a bigger pain in the athth then it already with and the gal who maketh my dayth lethth of a hell are now getting along. What ith the world coming to!" Sollux complained, even as he smirked at Aradia's cheeky smile.

"Come on, we don't have time for this bullshit!! Look, she's probably gonna be coming after us soon, and the only reason she hasn't caught us YET is probably because she wasn't there when we raided. So hurry the fuck up, help Tavros, and I'll lead her off when she comes knocking so all of you can get out. Got it?" Karkat snapped, spinning his sickle restlessly as he continuously peered out the windows, paranoia rolling off him in waves.

It was honestly kind of weird how intense he was; Aradia had seen plenty of Trolls with a chip on their shoulders, but she'd never encountered one like him, who seemed to have a desperate obsessive need to live, to SURVIVE, practically burned into their souls. It made the fact he was all but admitting to planning a suicide mission for himself... admirable. If insanely stupid.

She and Sollux traded glances, each wondering which of them was gonna break the news to him... only to flinch as a piercing whistle split through the air, sending a chill down their spines. The sound of wings snapping in the air drew their attention to whatever it was that was making Karkat tremble like a leaf. There, standing on the back of some winged-hoofbeast looking creature, was a Blueblooded Troll, lips curled into a sneer. Her voice easily carried over to them. "I'm only going to say this once!!! Give him back to me, and we can all walk away with our limbs in the correct locations on our bodies. Don't give him back, and... well, I'm sure you get the picture!!"

A chill ran through the room. Even Sollux had a bead of sweat roll down the side of his face. It was admittedly one thing to get into it with a Highblood in a public setting; while the laws overwhelmingly favored the rights of higher castes over the lower castes, on Alternia proper enforcement was... lax, and highly reliant on finding a way to contact a drone. But if things escalated to where you were actively targeted? Yeah... your shit was fucked.

Karkat, the annoyance slipping away into a look of pure determination, stepped in front of the three of them. "I'll go buy you guys some time. Just get Tavros out of here. And for the record, this is NOT some bullshit sacrifice play; I fully intend to give as good as I get. Now beat it assholes." He shot, with no real heat to his voice, before stepping out the door. "Hey, how about you come down off your high hoofbeast and come and take him if you want him so bad, you pre-pupation spider-themed witch bitch!!!"

A shriek of pure indignation was all they heard in response; they had to move, NOW. Without another word, Sollux seized both her and Tavros with his powers, bolting out towards the back. They needed to get as much distance between them and the highblood as they could, NOW.

As they tore out of Sollux's Hive, a wince crossing Sollux's face at the casual abandonment of his Lusus, chained to the roof, to whatever carnage was to come, Aradia gave herself a moment to stop and think. Something about this wasn't adding up.

Why would a Highblood hold someone like... Tavros, was it? For a week. If they needed him for something, they could just wait until he was recovered enough to talk and then kill him. If they didn't need him for something, providing supplies meant to heal, not just keep him stable, was pointless. Even by the sadistic standards of Highbloods, something Equius had been VERY firm in telling her were all too true, that was just... convoluted. ...Could she actually have been-!?

"Honk Honk, motherfuckers!" A cheerful voice called out... right before a juggling club went FLYING through the air, straight for Sollux's head. Raising his hand, Sollux made to stop it with his powers... only to gasp in pain as he suddenly dropped Aradia and Tavros, diverting all his power to holding back that SINGLE CLUB. Gasping for air, he let it drop to the ground... and then, with a heavy thud, a troll their age, his appearance holding the spine-chilling coloration of a devout Purpleblood, landed before them, grinning lazily as he twirled another club in his hands. "Yo... fancy seein' your motherfuckin' selves around, ain't it? Hows about y'all do me a big fuckin' favor, and be handin' over that sleepy brother behind ya, yeah?"

...

Vriska glared at the kidnapping piece of shit in front of her. She couldn't tell what color his blood was, which was clever; it made it easier to commit inter-caste crimes if they couldn't figure out whether you should be punished or allowed to walk, after all. But sadly, her ability to care about the petty schemes of others was currently running dry.

Taking a deep breath to still herself, she jumped down off of Horsasoari, signalling her Fiduspawn to fall back as she reached for her Marbles. She wanted to kill him... so VERY badly...!! But then, she remembered the empty gaze of the Blueblood she'd strangled earlier... and Tavros' sunny smile as he expressed his utmost faith in her. "One last chance: Move. Now."

Her opponent growled, adopting a fairly accurate approximation of a Threshecutioner Battle Stance. Either he was a Highblood in disguise, or someone incredibly obsessed with rising the ranks. Regardless, he stood as her enemy. "Sorry, but I'm not in the habit of bowing down to self-absorbed egomaniacs' whims. It's bad for my health."

She glared. "Well... so be it."

STRIFE!!

With a shout, she hurled one of her handful of Marbles, the tiny spheres firing off like bullets. Her foe dodged, only to yelp as they began to wildly ricochet off the walls, each glancing blow striking his sweater-clad arms or torso, only the odd springiness of his limbs saving him from worse injury. Jumping forward, she snagged a pair of Marbles from the air, tucking them into her fist to give her punch extra firmness, aiming to slam it into his neck...

Only for him to seamlessly slide into a traditional Threshecutioner battle block, angling his sickle so that the back of the blade would smack her across the face as he grabbed her upper arm just above her elbow, and TWISTED. A scream tore its way past her lips at the attempted dislocation, only for her eyes to narrow. With a hop, she slid so that her foot pinned a passing Marble, allowing it to spin and build momentum in the hollow pocket she carved into the bottom of her shoe, allowing its speed to carry her into a brutal flying roundhouse aimed right for his eye!!

Yelping, he bent backwards... far in excess to actually dodge the blow, almost as if he was afraid of shedding his blood. Regardless, his excessive dodge allowed her to transition into an ax kick, the still spinning Marble leaving a groove in his shirt as he was sent sprawling backwards. Gasping, he braced himself as the still bouncing array of Marbles slammed into him from all directions, staggering on his feet.

She clicked her tongue; he was stubborn, and that stubbornness gave him resilience, allowing him to absorb blows that should've knocked him flat. But his defeat was only a matter of time so long as he kept trying to act like a Threshecutioner; his body just didn't conform to the rigid, direct movements of their fighting style, developed to be used as a group with the understanding you'd have a meat shield next to you on either side. Withdrawing a Marble from her pocket, she held it between two of her fingers, thumb pressed behind it... and fired.

...

Karkat staggered. This fucking Blueblood was better than he'd expected; so far, she hadn't used her powers even once, which he was grateful for, but it didn't make getting pummeled by shitty MARBLES OF ALL THINGS less infuriating!! Did she know about Sollux, was that why she was keeping her powers in reserve!? God dammit...

The faint tang of blood was in his mouth. He'd barely managed to swallow a mouthful that had tried to crawl up his throat after that kick to his guts. Too much more of this, and he'd be exposed... it was weird how calm he felt about that. His being a mutant freak had been the source of so many nightmares that not even the Sopor could chase away. But really, what a way to go... duking it out with a Highblood, someone who could never understand what it was like to have this death shroud hanging over him every second of every goddamn day... it brought a smile to his face.

Now if only his body would move like he wanted it too!!! Goddammit, even if he WAS gonna die today, either at the hands of this Highblood or from his friends reporting him to the Drones for his mutation, that didn't mean he liked the idea of losing a fight! But no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he practiced, he couldn't move like a Threshecutioner, couldn't pull off those epic moves from his pirated training manuals he'd harassed asked Sollux to get for him!

And oh great, now she was gonna use a Marble to shatter his skull like one of those shitty Troll Mob movies that Sollux and he laughed at. What a fucking joke. But his body just wouldn't move like he wanted it to...

Like HE wanted it to.

...Could it really be that simple? It would fit with the fucking comedy hour that was his life, he guessed. But really, it was so cliche. But it was worth trying. After all, if his body wouldn't move like he wanted it to...

His body tilted to the side, almost seeming to flicker... and suddenly, he'd circled to the Blueblood's left, her eyes wide with shock as her finishing move missed altogether.

...Then why not move like his BODY wanted to?

...

Gamzee was having such a motherfuckin' blast. Here he was, feeling all up with the murder whimsies in his heart after hearing that blasphemous shithead who his new Siska had killed talk about his fellow Trolls so poorly. But then, a revelation. Like a Miracle from the heavenly planet for which the Dark Carnival would revel on, some most uncool motherfuckers had grabbed Siska's buddy!

And as a fine brother once said 'everybody gets one.' And clearly these two had wasted their 'one.' With a whistle on his lips, he threw himself into the wall of psionic energy that the Goldblood with the most excellent shades threw up, plowing through it to send the Goldblood flying with a punch. Or at least, that was the fuckin' plan, only for the Burgundyblood Sis to provide a most surprising distraction, a whip flicking out to snag his fist as he reared it back, diverting his punch into the ground.

Without wasting a second, Gamzee kicked off the ground, causing his foes to gasp as he leaped OVER their heads, kicking off of the wall of the Hive behind them as he brought one of his motherfuckin' clubs to bare, prepared to smash open that Goldblood's head wide open... only for a sudden wave of psionic energy to divert him, his club barely clipping the Goldbood's head, if still hard enough to make a bit of blood flow free.

Now this was gettin' to be more motherfuckin' difficult than anticipated! Clicking his tongue, he shot a concerned look at the out cold Bronze Brother that he and Siska were here to liberate. Shoot, he'd have to tone it down a little; he didn't want the little brother gettin' hurt just because he was havin' too much fun scrappin'!!

...What was that rumblin' sound? Glancing around, Gamzee's eyes widened in shock at the veritable STORM of uprooted trees and boulders the Goldblood had yanked out of the ground levitated around him, his eyes flashing ominously as he pointed at Gamzee. In a flash all of them converged on Gamzee like a barrage of gunfire, the Purpleblood using every ounce of his blood-blessed agility to bounce up and off of the obstacles sent to crush him, flying wild as he tried to weave through the mass of cannon fodder to get at the Goldblood. Although the way the Burgundyblood was snagging things at random and shit with her whip and redirecting them back towards him certainly made that difficult.

...This was getting just a little bit annoying. A hint of something dark flickered in Gamzee's eyes as, in a burst of speed, he shot back to the ground and AROUND the battlefield, circling to come at the Goldblood from behind, club raised to smash his skull... and missing the glint of the massive throwing star the Gold blood had kept concealed until just then, angling to ram it into Gamzee's throat, a mutual kill...

"STOP!!!" A hoarse voice cried out. In an instant, the two dueling Trolls froze in place, weapons inches away from the kill, as they glanced over in shock. Acting fast, Aradia rushed over, helping steady the Bronzeblood as he awkwardly pulled himself to his feet. He pouted at the two. "You can't fight during my party. It's the rule!"

...What the fuck are you talking about?" Sollux deadpanned, sheer confusion and annoyance replacing the adrenaline rush flooding his veins as he let the throwing star, a weapon he'd never thought he'd have a need for with his awesome psionic powers, fall away from the Purpleblood's throat.

Said Purpleblood was currently grinning like a dope, the bloodthirsty smile he'd been sporting throughout Sollux's desperate attempts to fend him off long gone as he stowed away his club. "A party? Motherfuck, Siska didn't tell me she was throwin' you a shindig, Tavbro!"

"Don't mention it, cool Troll I don't know! And my, um, name's Tavros!" Tavros babbled, the woozy look on his face drawing concerned glances from all three Trolls. He glanced over at the Burgundyblooded Girl currently supporting him and then towards Sollux in confusion. "Are you guys Karkat's friends?"

"Yeah." All three Trolls responded, causing a double-take all around. Sollux stared at the Purple blood who had JUST been about to kill him in confusion... before pinching his brow in annoyance. "Your name... wouldn't happen to be Gamzee, would it?"

"Motherfuck yeah! Oh man, Karkbro's got other buds? Now that is some motherfuckin' miraculous shit right there!!" Gamzee confirmed, laughing cheerily, clapping Sollux on the back hard enough to make him stumble.

"Well, if your friendth with Karkat, why the fuck would you help the Blueblood who kidnapped hith other friend?" Sollux demanded, still wary; you didn't stare into a Troll about to kill you and see them turn on a dime and not be suspicious.

"Kidnap? Nah, man, Siska was helping Tavbro here get better after some most unrighteous motherfuckers jumped him in the woods. We was all gettin' our revengin' on their asses when we came back and found the place all busted the fuck up!" Gamzee explained, never once losing his easy smile.

A chill ran down Aradia's spine as the pieces slid into place. "So... just to confirm. This guy," She gestured to Tavros, who waved cheerfully in response, "Got hurt, and your friend Siska-"

"Vriska." Tavros clarified.

"-Vriska was nursing him back to health for some reason, only for Tavros to send out a message to Karkat that he misinterpreted as Tavros being held hostage."

"That does indeed appear to be the motherfuckin' case, new sister!" Gamzee replied, nodding in agreement.

Sollux sighed, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "Dear God I fucking threw mythelf into that fucking meatgrinder for no goddamn reathon!? KK tho oweth me one for thith."

"So our friends are currently engaged in a duel to the death for no reason!?" Aradia concluded, raw panic slipping into her voice as she laid out the final detail. All four Trolls froze, picking up the clear sounds of battle coming from the front of the Hive.

They bolted.

...

"What... are you?" Vriska whispered, gasping to herself as she clasped a hand to her rib plates. The cut hadn't been deep, thankfully. None of them were; her body was little with small slashes and gashes, the presents her opponent had slipped past her guard. She eyed him warily; he'd abandoned the Threshecutioner form he'd used previously, fully upright, a slight spring to his step, and holding his sickle in an orthodox grip. Now, he crouched low against the ground, ready to pinball across the battlefield at a moment's notice, as the gash on her shoulder demonstrated, or to circle around and strike from her Blindspot before sliding away, which had caused the injury to her rib plates.

He held his sickle now in a reverse grip, the cutting inner edge of his sickle angled in such a way that it would cut into and sever anything he threw his fist at, with the razor-sharp point penetrating any target before him with ease, while his off hand was curved, prepared to grapple and grip as needed to force her into position for a deeper cut.

It said something that for the past half-minute, she hadn't landed another blow on him... but his noticeable inexperience in this fighting style was also clear. After all, he hadn't dealt anything worse than a flesh wound. Her gaze flicked to the side; in a flash, he slid to the opposite, a howl tearing from his throat as he aimed to take off her head.

Racing, she raised her first, Marbles held tightly between her knuckles so as to protrude, barely absorbing the blow as she jammed his strike. To her satisfaction, he winced, the counter serving to hurt his elbow due to the unusual attack posture his strikes took. As his off-hand shot out to seize her collar and drive her eye onto the point of his sickle, she lashed out with another kick, sending him skittering back with a wince.

The two Trolls glared at each other, panting heavily. Sad as it was to say, they were both young; they didn't have the time or energy to keep this up. A moment passed between them; one last strike. This would be the end of it. Weapons raised in preparation for bloody conflict...

"Yo, what's up my motherfuckers!!" Gamzee cheered, kicking open the front door with a grinning Tavros slung over his shoulder, Sollux and Aradia standing behind him.

"NOT NOW GAMZEE!" Both fighting Trolls shouted... only to freeze, and stare at each other in shock. The Troll who had just moments ago tried to impale her throat pointed at Vriska in shock. "YOU know GAMZEE!?"

"I should be asking YOU that!" Vriska shot back, glancing in confusion at the obliviously happy duo of Gamzee and Tavros and the curiously alive and still breathing accomplices to the kidnapper before her... who she was starting to get the idea might NOT be a kidnapper. She sighed pressing her fingers against her forehead. "Okay... I think I might be missing something here."

"What, like the portion of your think pan responsible for letting you know it's a fucking problem to kidnap someone you depraved shithead!?" The surly Troll spat in her face.

"The only kidnapper I see is you, crab-face!!" Vriska fired back.

"A LIKELY STORY!!"

Before the two Trolls could start trying to kill each other again, Aradia clapped her hands. LOUDLY. All present winced, before glancing at the amused Burgundyblood warily. "How about we all go inside and talk about this in a normal way. Okay? Because clearly none of us have the full picture."

Vriska and her opponent eyed one another warily, before shrugging in mutual ambivalence.

"Sure."

"Fuck, why not?"

...

The duplicitous, two-faced, Blueblood 'Call me Vriska' BITCH let out a content sigh, nursing the cup of tea in her hands. "Man, I always thought tea was a drink for stuffy assholes with too much time on their hands, but this is just... relaxing."

"I know, this blend is both invigorating and calming in equal components, just the kind of thing you'd appreciate after coming off the field of battle. It's got a weird kick to it, but it just makes it more addictive!" Karkat agreed, sipping his own drink... before aggressively slamming his palms against the support platform hard enough to make the tea set rattle. "Now can someone please fill me the fuck in on this goddamn situation!? Oh, and my compliments to the chef."

Gamzee chuckled, rubbing the back of his head bashfully as he waved off the praise. "Ain't no thang, brother."

Vriska leveled a cold look Karkat's way. "I don't know who you are in particular, but Tavros happens to be a long-term and dear friend of mine, whose company I value quite highly. I had been keeping him at my Hive so he could recover safely after he made the absolute boneheaded decision to try and lure away a couple of Highbloods he'd found killing someone close to my Hive instead of, you know, luring them into the LITERAL ARMY I had at the ready for just such a situation!?"

She had aimed the last part at Tavros, the Bronze blood in question rubbing his head bashfully at the reminder of his recklessness, with Aradia hissing at him to stay still as she inspected his injuries to see if they'd been torn open by all the ruckus. "Hehe, sorry about that."

"Okay, assuming I conditionally BUY into this whole bleeding heart Highblood routine you have going on, which I'm still not sold on!! Why the fuck haven't you let him contact anyone!? I hadn't heard a goddamn word from him for seven whole days, and I was genuinely starting to wonder if he was avoiding me or if he was DEAD!!" Karkat hissed, taking another sip of tea to steady his nerves.

"I... haven't been keeping him from contacting anyone? At least not after the first two days when he was too weak to talk." Vriska clarified, looking at Karkat like he was a crazed weirdo. "He never asked to use the Crabtop, so I just figured I was the only friend he had."

"Okay, that's fair." Karkat allowed, both ignoring the slightly offended 'hey!' from Tavros at Vriska's words. "To be honest, I figured I was his only friend myself. Kinda weird to realize I'm the second."

"Yeah, yeah, you're both pretty. Can we move thith along?" Sollux interjected, currently in the middle of passing the time with Gamzee as he helped the Purpleblood with a juggling routine, truly a sign of the end times. "I can only do thith tho long before I feel like melting my own goddamn brainth out of my fucking thkull. No offenthe GZ."

"Hey, none taken my dual-colored brother!" Gamzee laughed, packing away his juggling supplies.

"I'm um, really sorry about causing all this trouble. I was really out of it earlier! You, uh... didn't hurt any of her Fiduspawn to help me... did you?" Tavros chuckled nervously as he scratched at his head... only for his laughter to take a sickly turn at Karkat and Sollux's avoiding of the question. He turned to Vriska in alarm. "Are they-!?"

"They're fine, Tav, I promise. Some are a bit worse off than others, but they'll all pull through." Vriska replied gently, the soft smile on her face looking utterly alien to the others, who only associated looks of cruelty and sadism with Highbloods in general. She glanced at Karkat, and the smile gained a hard edge. "Which you're lucky about; I wouldn't have been so willing to talk terms if any of them had suffered permanent injury."

"Ugh, fine, I'm sorry I had to defend myself from your rabid hoard of killer girl game creatures. Happy!" Karkat snarked, ignoring the frustrated sigh from Aradia and the bark of laughter from Sollux.

To his shock, Vriska nodded. "Yes; I can feel that you actually mean it, tone notwithstanding. Try not to let it happen again, though." She glanced out the window, and winced. "We've probably got to get going; we were cutting it close to start with mounting this rescue. If we don't head back now, we'll be stuck in open daylight."

"Well what the fuck are you waiting for, beat it!!" Karkat insisted, ushering the three along even as he gave a quiet promise to Tavros to take Tinkerbull home with him since the little Lusus felt uncomfortable at Vriska's place, and accepting a huge hug from Gamzee with a put upon sigh. Turning around, he flinched at the hard looks Sollux and Aradia sent his way. "What!?"

Sollux pushed his glasses up his nose, holding in an annoyed breath. "Look, KK, I'm not gonna chew you out for thith whole fiathco. Knowing what you knew, I... wouldn't have made the thame decision, but I underthtand why you did. What I DO want to chew you out for ith you trying to do thome macho movie latht man holding the line bullshit. I don't have enough friendth at it ith to afford othing you, okay?"

"And I might not know you that well yet, but I do know that you're someone I would genuinely like AS a friend, and I know full and well the consequences of calculated risks. What you did was not calculated, it was throwing your own life into the blender and hitting puree. Give me your Trollian Handle; from now on, I'm gonna be breathing down your neck to make sure you don't do stupid stuff in the future." Aradia demanded, holding out her hand expectantly until Karkat caved, handing it over with a grumble.

"Okay, so if we're all done lambasting me for my past self's monumentally short-sighted fuck-ups, how about we all get cleaned up and head back home, alright? I already feel like enough of an idiot for how much of a clusterfuck this turned out to be, and I would really not have to think about it a second longer than I have to." Karkat retorted, brushing the two aside as he marched for the 'bathroom' as Highbloods called it.

Sollux groaned, clenching his fists against his temples. "God dammit, why the fuck do I have to have an aththhole like that for a friend!?"

"Don't be like that. Yeah, he's rough around the edges, but you can't deny he's funny. Besides... it's nice knowing you've got someone in your corner who'd probably spit in the face of a culling drone for you." Aradia pointed out, leaning her head against Sollux playfully, before pulling away. "But I really should get going; I can make it if I run, but not if I'm a second later."

"Thee ya, AA." Sollux called out, watching her go wistfully. He was incredibly lucky he hadn't fucked things up between them worse than he already did... what a gal... He slammed a fist into his palm. "Ah shit, I forgot to tell KK that the water'th not flowing too good and he hath to turn it all the way on to get it flowing."

As he marched up his stairs, aiming for the cleaning station... only to pause, concerned, as a hacking sound came from within. He reached out to ask Karkat to let him in... only for his eyes to widen as he noticed the door was open a crack. Using his psionics to reflexively cover up the annoying squeak it made, his gaze widened in shock as he noticed Karkat doubled over the waste chute, blood dripping from his lips. But that part wasn't what shocked him; it'd be more surprising if Karkat wasn't coughing up some blood after the beat down he and Vriska gave each other.

No... what was shocking was that the blood dripping from Karkat's lips, leaking into the waste chute... was a bright, ruby red.

Chapter Text

"Are you certain you do not require... assistance?" Equius asked FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN A ROW, standing there with a sheen of sweat across his brow. Ordinarily Vriska would've alleviated her boredom by taunting and teasing him until he grew frustrated and left on his own; while she had to step a bit lightly so he didn't look too deep at her feeding operations, poking his pride was still fun. Unfortunately, she had other things to deal with...

"For the last TIME Zahhak, I do not need or want your help fixing my Hive! It was just a little bit of structural damage from my Fiduspawn getting rowdy. That. Is. All. So please... GET OFF MY LAWN!!" Vriska insisted, mentally signalling her army to close in; it had been three days since The Incident, and her beloved pets had recovered well, their egos wounded more than their bodies... and all too eager to regain their honor.

Equius, completely unfazed by the threat of violence and not considering the Fiduspawn any more dangerous than a particularly angry collection of baabeasts, nods gravely. "Understood. I shall be on standby in the event you change your mind." Vriska sighed in relief as he finally turned, only to freeze at his parting words. "And do give the Bronzeblood my regards; dedication to one's duties in the face of personal injury is an admirable trait, regardless of caste."

Vriska grit her teeth, resisting the urge to run up and demand from him what he knew; even if he would likely give her a straight answer, WHAT that answer would BE terrified her immensely, so she held herself back. it did NOT come natural to her at all. Breathing through her nose in frustration, she turned to the side to call out. "Okay, he's gone!"

Tavros nodded, stepping into view, currently flicking through Mindfang's journal. She'd been so giddy when she'd shown it to him earlier; as her best and, as far as she was concerned, ONLY friend at the moment, showing him the journal had felt like a perfectly rational thing to do. Not an easy one by any means, but a rational one. After the fiasco over the course of the last ten days, she'd managed to muster the strength to show it to him, mentally preparing herself for using it as a jumping off point to talk about FLARP with him.

It was... honestly a bit weird how quiet Tavros was being. He wasn't an especially loud guy by any means, but he still talked! But ever since she'd asked him to read the journal, he'd been silent; he was probably super engrossed in it, that's all! Heavens knows that Vriska had been, and often was! Tavros blinked, glancing up at her. "Hmm?"

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I said that he's gone now. Why'd you step into the open if you thought he was still here?"

"Oh, I overheard him mention something about paying compliments to me, so I thought you'd want him to say them to my face instead of going behind my back." Tavros explained, grinning guilelessly; it forever astounded her how straightforward and honest he could be, for better or worse.

"Well, I didn't." Vriska said bluntly, before dusting her sleeve. "I did want to know, though, if you... still wanna talk about FLARPing together later?"

Tavros blinked at the uncharacteristically timid tone of voice from Vriska. As long as he'd known her, he'd never once seen her timid before. It was actually kind of cute, in a weird way. He smiled softly, tucking the journal under his arm. "I'd love to, Vriska. That sounds, um, like it'd be a lot of uh, fun!"

"Great!" Vriska cheered, pulling the slightly shorter Troll into a hug, his face flushing brown in response before she set him down. "Listen, Gamzee's coming over with something I asked him to pick up yesterday, so why don't you go and keep reading and brainstorm some FLARP ideas while he and I take care of business, alright? It won't be long, I promise!"

Tavros snorted, mock-punching Vriska in the shoulder. "Oh, I dunno, you seem like the type to dedicate yourself to a job seven days straight without a rest! But I suppose I'll have to trust you!"

"I suppose you shall!" Vriska laughed, deliberately throwing in an EEVVIILL Cackle for added flair, before the two friends walked off in different directions. Heading towards the back, the light skip to her step faded, her smile falling away to a frown, the soft warmth that had graced Tavros fading into a burning hate. Throwing open the back door, she looked up into Gamzee's eternally smiling face. "Well, did you get him?"

"Sure than, my sista. Motherfucker didn't even be knowin' what hit him!" Gamzee chuckled, lowering the sack on his shoulders, opening it to reveal an Indigoblooded Troll inside, out cold and faintly drooling. Perfect.

...

The Indigoblood's eyes flickered, a groan of pain tearing from his throat as he regained wakefulness. His white and black stripped hair hung loosely over his eyes, which he blew out of the way with a huff. Few new his name, for he deemed few worthy of hearing it; even his idiotic lackey of a Blueblood didn't know it. Granted, he didn't know the Blueblood's name either, but the idea of lowering himself as to learn the name of a lesser made him nauseous.

Regardless, just as he knew that he bore Sagipia, the Sign of the Empirical, on his chest, so did he know that he was destined for greatness. Unlike hypocritical jackasses like that loser Equius, he knew what his place on the Hemospectrum truly MEANT, and he reveled in it. As such, you could imagine his surprise when his efforts to tear through the seemingly flimsy bonds yielded no results.

"Oh, I wouldn't even boooooooother trying to tear out of those, if I were you! I had a Purpleblood test them for strength, and they couldn't move a muscle." A feminine voice chuckled coldly. Jerking in place, the Indigoblood snorted in disdain as he caught sight of his captor, an upjumped little Blueblood girl sneering down at him from above. At his sneer, she raised an eyebrow daintily. "You suuuuuuuure you wanna test me when you're dangling like that?"

Dangling? What was she-... he finally noticed that he was suspended in the air. Gods dammit! Ugh, where was a big, strong Musclebeast when you needed one; oh those powerful muscles, flexing in the rippling moonlight, they could easily tear him free from these bonds. Then they'd slay the Blueblood, ride off into the moonset, lips leaning in close, and-!!

"Uhhh, you're sweating pretty hard there. And not in a scared way." The Blueblood girl deadpanned, snapping him out of his thoughts. Ugh, he lost his composure; good thing nobody of importance had scene, he'd never hear the end of it if any respectable Trolls had seen that. The Blueblood sniffed, shaking her hair dismissively. The nerve!! "Whatever; I really don't have time to torment you that much. Your Fate is bad enough without me rubbing salt on your eventual wounds. Just know that this is in response to you touching a Bronzeblood under MY protection ten days back, which your little accomplice found out the hard way. Byyyyyyyye~!"

Accomplice? What was she- she couldn't possibly have... but then again, he hadn't seen that spineless worm in a few days... a rumbling sounded out behind him.

~Hush Now~

He rotated in place, staring into the dark gloom in confusion. He could almost make out something very large... moving?

~Hide, All You Little Ones~

A leg, impossibly large gingerly stepped forward, sending a pit to forming in his stomach.

~Rush Now~

He tried to scream, but the strands covering his mouth locked his jaw closed.

~Into The Middle of Nowhere~

Was this... was this that girls' Lusus!? He, he knew that some could grow incredibly big, but this... this was beyond anything he'd seen before!

~Singing And Laughter Will Die~

An eight-eyed head pushed forward, almost scenting the air. He felt control of his fluid waste receptacle slip as drool seemed to pool in its maw.

~Dreamless Sleep~

The eight eyes slid up, slowly focusing on his position one by one as it reached out to him.

~Follows The Nowhere King~

With a gentle delicateness that belief its size, it slowly lifted one of its legs, and pressed... down. Ever so gently cutting away the strands binding him.

~When His Kingdom Comes~

This was all just to ensure he went down its gullet easier, he felt, tears pricking at his eyes as the Lusus parted the strands suspending him in the air.

~Darkness Is Nigh~

He was allowed to fall, plummeting to the ground without a care and too frightened to break his own fall.

~Quiet~

Agony unlike anything he'd ever felt before filled his limbs as all of his bones promptly shattered on impact. His strong body reduced to nothing but meat.

~Crawl Through The In-Between~

Somehow, the gag stayed in place, preventing him even the relief of voicing his pain to the world as the Lusus rolled him over with a sweep of the leg.

~Silent~

The Lusus lazily moved forward, fully exiting the darkness as it inspected him hungrily. Apparently, he still wasn't tender enough.

~Secretive Feeling~

A leg was raised, and stabbed down, piercing clean through his spine in the process, all sensation below the waist ending.

~Of Fearsome Hatred That Reaches the Skies~

He could only whimper in pain as he was lifted face to face with the Lusus, despising his own tear-stained reflection in the monster's eyes.

~You Will Bring Joy To The Nowhere King~

The maw opened, and he was slowly pulled towards it. He closed his eyes. Hopefully the pain would be over quickly.

~When He Sees The Light Leaving Your Eyes!~

It was not.

...

"BLEEURRRGGHHH!!" Vriska hacked, voice thick and choked with slime as she vomited into the waste chute, a sympathetic Gamzee rubbing her back in sympathy. It was humiliating; why did she have to be so weak, losing control of her stomach over a worthless piece of shit like that? Gods, what was wrong with her? Even at her lowest, she had never lost control of herself like this, not before Tavros-

She ended that thought before it could begin, mercilessly grinding it to dust and discarding it. Tavros entering her life could and would NEVER be a mistake. This was just... a minor complication, that's all! Something she would endure and move on from with all the grace and dignity of someone bearing the legacy of the Marquise Spinneret Mindfang. Even if she now realized that she could likely never bring herself to feed someone alive to spidermom again going forward. Sighing, she glanced up gratefully towards Gamzee. "Thanks."

"No problem, Siska!" Gamzee chuckled, even as he helped wipe down the mess. It still baffled her, the idea of someone his rank on the Hemospectrum being so casually okay with disgusting busy work like this, instead of, what, getting some poor Rustblood to do it for him on penalty of death. But she figured that's just who Gamzee was. "Motherfucker was into real slippery shit; nearly went and ditched my ass before I grabbed him and kicked it back here!"

"Well it's over now. So... thank you." She replied lamely, unsure how to properly express her gratitude for his willingly going along with her crappy nonsense. Even if it had turned out okay, if she'd never gone on that stupid vengeance quest, Tavros never would've gotten kidnapped by his friend and her Fiduspawn never would've gotten hurt. She grimaced. "Since the investigation's officially cleared, you... don't have to hold back on the pies anymore."

Gamzee blinked in confusion, before something visibly clicked behind his eyes; it seems he had genuinely forgotten about that. He chuckled waving it off. "Eh, don't worry bout it. Bein' fuckin' honest, I think I'm gonna be keepin' the cutback. Talks with Karkbro go way more chill now, you feelin' me?"

Given that Karkat was likely now able to have conversations with Gamzee that Gamzee could follow along with, that probably would qualify as more chill. Vriska smiled, patting the big lug on the back. "I'm feeling you. You wanna grab something to eat before you go? My Fiduspawn have been pulling in some fresh game, and my food preservation unit's overflowing."

Eventually, Gamzee agreed to take some of the game along for the road, muttering something about 'the culinary power of sweet elixir;' seriously, that guy would try to include Faygo in EVERYTHING. She wondered if Karkat had figured out that Gamzee had put Faygo in the tea he'd served the two of them during their... 'talk' at Sollux's Hive? Gods that would be hilarious to witness if he hadn't put it together yet.

Shaking her head, clearing it of thoughts of the hilariousness of Karkat's overreactions, if Gamzee and Tavros' words were accurate, she made her way back to the block that she'd left her good buddy in. She was, she could admit to herself, a bit nervous; Mindfang had been her idol, her guiding light in her young life since she found that book stored in that tomb marked with Equius' symbol... she probably should tell him about it one day. Uptight jackass or not, no one deserved to be ignorant of the legacy left for them!

She was distracting herself. Again. Gods... why did she have to do this to herself? Was it really so hard to admit that Tavros had been slowly and steadily taking the spot in her heart that Mindfang once held? Not in an idolization sort of way, gods no! In the guiding light way. She couldn't begin to count how many times lately where, when faced with an uncomfortable decision to be made, rather than ask herself 'what would Mindfang do?' she instead asked herself 'would Tavros be happy if I did this?'

It should've been infuriating, everything in the journal indicated that Mindfang was the type to NEVER allow another Troll to so thoroughly dictate her course of action (nevermind the twofold hypocrisy of Mindfang routinely dictating the course of actions of others and that Vriska routinely let what she thought Mindfang would do dictate her better judgement)... but instead, it was comforting. Like each time she listened to that voice inside of her, she was taking a step away from a road she didn't want to follow.

She slapped her cheeks, shaking away the philosophical HBS. There was time for that later. Right now... she had a friend to talk with. Slipping into the block, she grinned at the sight of Tavros waiting for her... only to take note of the Journal, carefully placed in the center of her table, while Tavros stared down at it in concern. "What's... what's wrong?"

Tavros jolted, nearly backflipping out of his seat at the sudden inclusion of Vriska's voice. After calming his blood pusher, he shot Vriska a shaky grin. "Hey Vriska! S-Sorry, I uh, got finished reading. It's, um... interesting."

"So... did you like it?" Vriska asked hesitantly, sliding down next to Tavros as she joined him in staring at the journal. It felt more... ominous than normal. She resisted the urge to snatch it off the table and cradle it to her chest; she wasn't THREE anymore!! "Mindfang... she really helped me get through some tough stuff I was going through. I've always been kind of nervous about the thought of showing it to everyone since, well, I'm pretty sure she's my ancestor. Like this was something she left for me personally, you know?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I mean, I've never really gotten the whole Ancestor thing and all since, you know, I'm a Lowblood... but it's nice that it helped you out!" Tavros replied, grinning nervously. The way he twitched, refusing to meet Vriska's gaze, was concerning. "I just, uh, wasn't expecting what was in the book, that's all. I'm honestly kind of struggling to make sense of it?"

Oh!! Was he just embarrassed because he couldn't parse Mindfang's... admittedly flowery and ostentatious antiquated wording? Pfft, oh Tavros, he'd nearly made her blood pusher seize up with how he was acting. Sliding closer, she pulled the book towards him (and her, by proxy), flipping it open to a section that never failed to make her swoon! Ahh, so romantic... she must never let anyone know she's a romantic. EVER. "Here's a simple one to understand! See, this section is detailing Mindfang's rivalry with the vicious privateer, Orphaner Dualscar! They were kismesis!"

"Uh huh...?" Tavros muttered, tilting his head (which necessitated a quick dodge so his colossal horns didn't skewer her skull).

"Yup! Ohh, the way Mindfang waxes about their duels and conflicts, the way she taunts and harassed him to keep seeking her out, the tender confessions of the torch Dualscar carried for Her Imperial Condescension herself!? AAAHHHH!!!" Vriska squealed, clutching the journal to her chest in joy, forgetting her prior fears of looking like a geeky 3 Sweep Old. She sighed, leaning into the journal like a lifeline. "I hope I get a rival that great one day..."

"That's... one interpretation for things, I guess?" Tavros mumbled, glancing to the side in discomfort at Vriska's beaming expression.

"OOoh oohh, and then it all falls to tragedy. Blarr, Dualscar's nonsense is precisely what convinced me the Hemospectrum is trash." Vriska pouted, wistfully twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. "Honestly, the way Mindfang's heart was ensnared by a humble slave, the way she teased and tugged at her heart as redrom blossomed between them... and fucking DUALSCAR had to go and ruin it like a tool because he couldn't get past his stupid fucking hang-ups about blood caste. Who fucking CARES what the blood color of a person's Matesprit is!? Unless you exclusively pursue same-caste partners, there is ALWAYS going to be a social gap between partners, God!! How can one Troll be such an insufferable, insensitive tool!"

Tavros said nothing, staring at his clenched fists, a vaguely helpless look on his face as Vriska rambled away, too engrossed in the stories, the history, that she'd read and reread so many times she practically had it memorized. The sheer obliviousness on display was unsettling, especially in someone who Tavros had never really associated in his mind with being off the mark about, well, ANYTHING! But... it tore at him...

How do you go about telling someone their idol is a sociopathic monster?

Chapter Text

"Aaannnd... there we go!" Aradia cheered, managing to tape her new poster in place, detailing a newly debuting movie about an adventurer archaeologist. Even knowing that the movies fudged the details a TON for the sake of plot, the field of archaeology and its related fields of study had always fascinated Aradia, and she was ever eager to learn more.

The number of times she'd had to swallow her pride and take humiliating (and sometimes dangerous) jobs for Highbloods just so she could get access to their literature and resources... but that was all in the past now! (heh, history joke!) The sharp ring of her doorbell, something most Trolls only included as a trap to preemptively dispatch intruders, caught her ears. "Come on in!!"

"Very well." Her new and most surprising friend said bluntly, stepping inside. She smirked a little at how awkward he looked, reflexively tugging on his collar as he glanced around her Hive. "You have a.... lovely dwelling, Miss Megido."

And there was his ever-charming formality. She wouldn't lie, it was SUPER intoxicating to hear a proud and uptight Highblood speak to her so respectfully. She might have some more repressed anger over all the times she's been literally spat on and kicked around, so sue her! Regardless, she'd never take it out on Equius; even if the thought of taking out her grudge on someone with no direct relation to her misfortunes didn't turn her stomach, seeing him be so polite and formal was hilarious!

"Equius, what did I say? You can just call me Aradia!" She teased, knowing full and well that he wouldn't be able to bring himself to do it... although she kinda wished he would.

True to form, Equius broke out into a sweat, dabbing a towel against his head. "But to speak to you so... casually... would be the height of rudeness of one to whom I am indebted so heavily! And while, as an Indigoblood, it is my right and obligation to dismiss such concerns, the alternative would be to refer to you by... cruder epithets. No, I... I think that I shall continue my current means of address. Yes, you are indeed deserving of respect, an exemplar of your station, and to ignore this would be to do you a disservice!"

Yeah... she wasn't as too keen on his constantly using the Hemospectrum to try and justify being so stiff and uptight all the time. Concealing a frown, she waved him deeper in, the incredibly STRONG Troll Boy stepping gingerly, not wanting to risk breaking anything. She'd never exactly liked the Hemospectrum, given how it was responsible for so many incidents of Higher Blood Trolls, even fellow Lowbloods, treating her like a pile of living garbage for WHAT she was and ignoring WHO she was, but... it wasn't until meeting Equius that it truly started to chaff at her. Oh well, not like she was in a position to do anything about it.

"Well, we can talk about it later. Come on, I'll show you where we're going!" Aradia insisted, grabbing Equius by the hand to tug him along. Honestly, she didn't mind the sweat; in her eyes, it was just how he showed how much her opinion meant to him! Who could be mad about that? ...Well, aside from rammom, who was currently watching him like a predatory featherbeast, waiting for him to slip up so she could headbutt him out of the Hive; she was so overprotective sometimes...

"I was not aware we were going anywhere." Equius admitted, splashing some water on his face to help clean off his excess sweat. He tilted his head, staring at the map Aradia had emblazoned proudly across one of her walls in thought. "Had I known, I would have brought along supplies that would potentially be useful on an expedition... and I cannot help but notice that this map seems to detail an area rather close to the badlands."

"It is. I heard some rumors online from some other archaeology enthusiasts about some crazy cool ruins out that way." Aradia admitted with a giggle, casually tossing a pack at Equius with a slight telekinetic push; she was hardly Sollux's equal in the psionics department, but she wasn't any slouch herself. "Look at it this way; we'll either get a chance to see some of the works of our Ancestors and explore them with our own two hands... or we won't find anything and we'll get to have a nice hike in some rugged terrain! There's no downside."

"An excellent analysis. In which case... shall we go?" Equius remarked, already hoisting the massive pack onto his back; in the privacy of her own mind, Aradia could admit that part of her reason for inviting him was... well, it was cool watching him move heavy stuff, okay! Like, with non-psionic powers. And if all went well, she'd be seeing much more cool feats of heavy-lifting in the near future!!

...

Aradia let out a whistle, long and slow, as she gazed out at the Ruins. The tip had been right! The bright red ruins, adorned in the same frog iconography as the ones nearer to her place, were laid out before her... she was genuinely curious how and why they'd been left alone, given the Empress's... attitude towards such things. Oh well, that's a story for a different adventure! "I'm gonna have to thank that Kanaya girl for giving us directions; the map pointed us in the right general area, but we'd NEVER have found this place if she hadn't told us what to look for!"

"Indeed, truly a respectable deed for a Jadeblood." Equius remarked, effortlessly hauling himself up the sheer cliff behind her. Shifting his glasses, she got the impression he was inspecting the area. "While it may be... blasphemous to say as such... these ruins do invite many questions. Perhaps they are the remains of a Frog-like predecessor to Trollkind?"

"Maybe. Or a competitor race who we lost knowledge of after an extinction event." Aradia pondered, putting her desire to tease Equius for how stiff he was being to the side to engage in some shop talk. For some reason most Trolls her age thought that her interest in archaeology was weird, but what did they know!? She sighed, gently brushing her hand against one of the statues. "No matter how much we learn, true first hand experience is no longer an option. So much history, so many stories that can no longer be told... all dust in the wind."

Equius fidgeted uncomfortable, clearing his throat. "Yes. It is... most disconcerting. And an important reminder of taking one's chances to make their mark in the world."

"You know it!" Aradia agreed, shooting Equius a smile, which he hesitantly returned. She blinked, peering at what looked to be a picture of twelve insects descending from the heavens onto the planet... if she didn't know better, she'd swear they looked kind of like wigglers. A thought struck her, one she was hesitant to voice... but one that needed an answer sooner rather than later. "Hey, Equius... why are you so nice to me?"

Equius flinched, dropping the boulder that looked to be about the size of one of her Hive's blocks that he'd been moving to get a better look at what seemed to be some ancient machinery. He began sweating again; it wasn't nearly as endearingly dorky this time. "I... do not know what you mean."

Aradia's eyes narrowed, giving him a light telekinetic shove so that he was sitting on the rock behind him. "Don't dodge the question."

"I am not."

"Yes you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes!! You are dodging the question, and I want an answer, okay? I... I like you Equius. I never thought I'd ever be friends with a Highblood. Even other Lowbloods treat me like I'm... stupid. Not worth paying attention to." Aradia admitted, the voices of the dead in the back of her head mixing with mocking memories, of taunts and calls attacking her short lifespan and weakness to fellow psionics without the same fierce power of a Goldblood. As her eyes danced with bitter memories, she failed to notice Equius reflexively turning a nearby rock into powder in his fist. She pressed a hand over her chest, just above her blood pusher, the familiar rhythm calming her. "You... you never did that. Even if you did stand around like an idiot for an hour after realizing I was a Rustblood, you never once treated me like my opinion didn't matter or that I didn't deserve to be listened to... and part of me... really needs to know why. And I can't think of a better place to ask than some old abandoned ruins nobody goes near."

Equius breathed deep, glancing up towards the sky. Only the slight trembling of his lip revealed that he wasn't nearly as stoic as he looked. "I... am a Highblood. Born to nobility and dignity and expected to maintain and support the traditions that have built our society. Yet all my efforts to try to reach out to my fellow Highbloods in solidarity, to encourage them to act as befitting a dignified manner as our station demands, have ended... poorly. Even the Blueblood near my Hive treats my words with frustration and disdain, not to mention her more... worrying behaviors. When I encountered you by chance, you were the first Lowblood I had ever properly met, and you were not as I'd imagined a Lowblood must be like. I was... enthralled. You listened to what I said and considered my words, when no one else had. I... appreciated it immensely; for the first time ever, I felt like a proper HIghblood."

Aradia's stomach dropped. "So... that's it? You're nice to me because I don't ignore you?" She clenched her fists, refusing to lose control. "Because I 'know my place'!?"

"What. No, that isn't what I-!!" Equius backpedaled, shocked at the direction the conversation had turned, reaching out... only to stop.

Aradia's face screwed up in disgust. "You can't even bring yourself to touch me." She turned, hoping he didn't see her tears. "I need to be alone."

"Miss Megido, if you would just let me explain!!" Equius protested, but Aradia refused to listen; she was too angry to think straight. Pouring every ounce of her psionic abilities into the act, she imitated with difficulty what she knew Sollux and other Goldbloods did with ease, and took off into flight.

...

She didn't fly far. Both because she didn't have the power to sustain flight for too long, and because... well, she was wondering if she'd over-reacted. She KNEW Equius was awkward, and she thought she'd heard him ask her to let him explain... but she just couldn't right now. Landing softly next to the canyon wall surrounding the ruins, she allowed herself to sink to the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest. "Why does everything always end up like this?"

She genuinely couldn't remember a time ever having a genuine friend. She was tentatively moving Sollux (and hopefully Karkat and the rest of their little gang following that exciting confrontation at his Hive) into that place in her life, but... before she met any of them? She'd had no one. She was the weird Rustblood girl so obsessed with death and loss that she went ga-ga over old ruins that nobody remembered or cared about and would be gone in the blink of an eye.

When she'd saved Equius, the normal voices of the dead, normally so gloomy and certain of the futility of it all, had been... shocked. Surprised. Almost hopeful. As if some grand plan with a terrible ending had been changed. She hadn't really cared about that, honestly, but had taken it as a sign that she and Equius had a true bond. Something surpassing the Hemospectrum and their respective lifespans.

As she buried her head into her knees, sobbing softly, a strange crackling glow surged across the canyon wall. As it ran past, small faults and fissures in the rocky face above destabilized; a crack rang out. Part of the cliff, large enough to collapse her Hive, fell down.

Startled, Aradia glanced up, eyes widening. She could feel her blood-pusher stop, as if her whole body, in a single instant, accepted the death bearing down on her. There was no way she could stop or move something like that... so she closed her eyes, waiting for impact. It was... almost comforting.

"ARADIA!!!" A familiar, panicked voice rang out.

STRONG PUNCH

An echoing ROAR rang out through the canyon, the rumble of falling stone growing lighter, scattering. Eyes fluttering in shock, Aradia opened them and gasped; there, standing above her protectively, fist raised... was Equius, the shattered remains of the falling cliff face surrounding them in a circle. "Equis...?"

Startled, Equius turned her way, and for the brief moment she saw his eyes behind his shades, she swore she saw tears. He swallowed thickly. "M-Miss Megido. I am... pleased you are unharmed."

"Did you... destroy that huge rock... in one blow!?" Aradia asked incredulously; even Sollux would've been pushed to his limits to pull off something like that, and he had just... done it.

"I merely followed my code of conduct, as befitting a Highblood." Equius said stiffly, stepping to the side. He carefully pulled the huge pack Aradia had given him earlier back on. "With that said... I believe that this would... conclude our association."

Aradia froze, mind almost frizzing in confusion. "What."

Equius grimaced, sweat beading on his brow. "Our association began due to your saving my life due to mine own reckless actions. As I have repaid this debt, it would be... unseemly of us to continue to meet."

Now she was pissed again. "Excuse me? Is that... is that what you think of me? That I'm too 'unseemly' for a Highblood to hang with!?" Anger, and no small amount of hurt, flooded her voice. "Is that what all our talks meant to you, just some obligation to check off!?"

"That is not what I meant." Equius bit out, the sweat having increased to the point he visibly shined under the moonlight.

Aradia had had ENOUGH. With her psionic powers, she seized him by his collar, yanking him into her waiting grip. "Then what DO you mean!? Tell me!! Just stop with these stupid games and tell me!!"

Equius stared down at her, visibly trembling. Then, he breathed deep, and reached up to his sunglasses, pulling them off... revealing tear-stained eyes. "All my life, I was told that as a Highblood, I am to be a leader. To guide others and set an example for them to follow; that this was my role in life. I failed miserably. I was told that as a Lowblood, you were nothing more but labor, only intellectually fit for busywork... and you contradicted every one of these 'truths' that I knew. It is not unseemly for you, a Lowblood, to interact with a Highblood like me. It is unseemly for someone as intelligent, brave, and defiant as you... to associate with a freakish failure like me."

"What? Equius, you aren't a freak!" Aradia protested, her anger fading as she released the Indigoblooded Troll in shock.

"Yes, I am." Equius said grimly.

"No!"

"Yes."

"No!!"

"YES!!! I am, indeed, a freak and a failure besides." Equius said firmly, glancing at his own hands in loathing. "Even by the standards of Indigobloods, I am incredibly strong. Enough so that my Hive is constantly in need of repairs from the damage I inflict upon it casually. Not even my own LUSUS is safe from my might. And I cannot control it. EVER."

Aradia breathed deep. "Then the reason you didn't touch me...?"

"I did not want to risk hurting you." Equius confirmed miserably. "I am sorry if my words caused you distress earlier, Miss Megido. I have been told all my life that as a Highblood, I am a person of greater worth... yet I have never FELT like I am of such high a value. My peers mocked and dismissed me, saying that my unnatural might was only fit for a Ruffiannihilator, that my dreams of joining the ranks of the Archeradicators was nothing but an impossible dream. All my efforts to curb their dangerous excesses and impulses was met with scoffs and mockery. When I said that I felt like a proper Highblood around you... I meant that you made me feel as if I was truly worth what I have been told I am. Like I am someone important and deserving of respect. Because you have never treated me differently than any other Troll."

"But, as with everything else, I have only managed to damage our rapport." Equius remarked, moving to walk away. "Now that my debt to you is paid, my being in your presence would only invite you trouble, either from Highbloods looking to hurt me through you, or Lowbloods who consider your association with me to be a betrayal. So, it is for the best that I-"

"Shut. Up." Aradia bit out, moving to stand in Equius' path, jabbing a finger into his chest. "You don't get to make decisions for me, got it Zahhak!? I am not some delicate, fragile little flower that needs someone to protect. I decided a long time ago that I would live my life how I want to! And what I WANT is to hang out with my dumb-headed friend who has been keeping all this crap inside all this time and never said anything to where I was losing my mind with worry that he only wanted to be around me to use me like everyone else has! So you listen and you listen GOOD, Equius; from now on, you are my friend, and AS my friend you are not allowed to talk bad about yourself, or imply you don't deserve respect or friendship, or anything stupid like that! So take that pack off, and come help me move some boulders; this ruin isn't gonna explore itself!!"

Huffing, she pulled away, marching for the Ruins once more, hoping he couldn't see how much she was blushing at her own words. Not that Equius was much better, a thick, vibrant blue blush coloring his cheeks, before he hastily put his legs into gear. "Yes ma'am!! Right away." A soft smile, shy and embarrassed, crossed his face. "Whatever you say."

...He wondered if he should tell her that his arm was now fractured from that punch?

Chapter Text

Sollux Captor was kind of having a shitty fucking day. First he woke up from a night wracked with nightmares, his Recuperoon doing FUCK ALL to shield his mind from torment; granted, it kind of struggled to do that in general, what with the voices of the dead constantly tormenting him, but it usually provided SOME benefit. God he was exhausted... Second of all, he'd awoken to discover that the walls of his rooms had been defaced, covered in the word 'Signless' written over and fucking OVER again.

Was that shit written in his own BLOOD!? Was THAT why he kept waking up feeling so light-headed!? God DAMMIT!! How had he not noticed this before!? Did anyone else he know write strange cryptic messages on the walls in their sleep in their own blood? Pfft, he could see Kark-

Sollux froze, the blood draining from his face as memory hit him like a Subjuggulator's fist during a fit of religious ecstasy. Karkat, his vitriolic best friend. Karkat, the guy who cared too much but was too prickly and proud to admit it. Karkat... the mutant deviation, who may or may not be carrying all sorts of fucked up diseases that would kill them all. Sollux clutched his head, gritting his teeth as the whispers of the soon to be dead became SCREAMS of anger, anguish, and confusion. How the fuck did one even begin to approach that kind of topic with someone? 'Hey, buddy, I know you are super protective of your blood, but I saw it by accident, so tell me if you've got some crazy scheme to try and overthrow the Empress or something'?

Even just thinking about it sounded stupid. ...He needed to distract himself. Maybe biclopsdad would be able to provide a good distraction; his Lusus may have been a colossal idiot who made Sollux want to tear his horns out half the time, but he'd never once doubted that he cared. As he stalked up to the roof, grabbing some Mind Honey along the way so that the interaction would be marginally less frustrating than it was already going to be, he failed to notice a message appear on his gear from AA, telling him she was coming over in no unspoken terms.

...

"There you go.... feeling better?" Sollux murmured, allowing a smile to grace his features as biclopsdad cooed in some strange mix of joy and relief as the cool Mind Honey was ingested. Instantly, both heads' solitary eye gained a glimmer of intellect they'd been lacking before. Not much of a glimmer, admittedly, but they plopped down onto the roof, gesturing for him to lean in next to them.

Sighing in content, he allowed himself to be pulled into the gentle hug. Biclopsdad hadn't done something like this since he was a wiggler, and while normally he'd be embarrassed, he was currently having an existential crisis so FUCK anyone who tried to make fun of him for it!

As Sollux slid into place next to his Lusus, he let loose a soft sigh. He was just... so utterly tired of it all. Of the voices, of Karkat's secret, of every last little bit of BULLSHIT that seemed to exist only to make his headaches worse.

An exhaustion unlike anything he'd felt before slid into his veins, creeping up his spine. Dual-colored eyes fluttered shut...

And two sets of eyes opened.

Sollux's gaze snapped open, inspecting the strange room he'd awoken in in confusion. It looked so Amazing!!/Annoying.

Floating out of bed, he noticed that his clothing was different, done in a style utterly at odds with the rugged designs favored among Trolls. He was wearing Golden yellow pajamas, shining like the sun!/Soft purple pajamas as dark and expansive as the night.

It didn't take too long for Sollux to realize he was not just seeing but THINKING two different things at once. Wow, he knew he had a thing for bifurcation, but even for him, this felt like a bit much!

...

Gold Sollux grinned, laughing cheerfully as he took a diving leap out of the Tower he'd awoken in. The people below gasped and pointed, running in a panic as he drew ever closer to the streets of the golden city below... only to burst into cheers as he pulled up at the last second, spinning as he flew through the sky.

He could fly. Really FLY!!! Not like his psionic bullshittery, but actually dancing in the sky by his own power instead of chucking himself around in a bubble of energy. His cocky smile softened a little as he saw the strange white-shelled people below wave towards him, hope flickering in their eyes. It... made him a little uncomfortable. What had he done to deserve this kind of positive reception? Not a god damn thing.

And yet, they were happy to see him anyway. As if, all this time, they'd been waiting for him. When was the last time anyone had been that happy to see HIM? He couldn't remember. He couldn't remember a lot of things right now, to be honest; his head was kind of splintered between this version of him and that weird moody second version. They could still sense one another, but had tacitly agreed to just do their own things; it was more fun that way, right?

He noticed other Towers dotting the City, and wondered who was in them. Like, they were probably other Trolls, right? Right! Maybe he could go take a peak? Just to scope things out! Giggling mischievously, he flew towards them, peaking inside. Two showed off unfamiliar Troll Girls, one clutching a dragon plush while cackling to herself in her sleep, the other, oddly enough, sprawled out on the window sill, one hand reaching up towards the sky.

The remainder had been familiar faces. That Tavros guy he and Karkat had rescued was awake, and had waved eagerly at Sollux after seeing him look in. Gamzee had been asleep, but was fidgeting, tossing and turning, as if something was keeping him from resting properly; poor guy. Vriska's sleep likewise looked kind of rough, although not as bad as Gamzee's, with her clutching her bed sheets to her chin, as if trying to hide even in her sleep, completely at odds with the admittedly badass girl he'd seen before.

And the last... Sollux had honestly felt his blood pusher stop for a moment. Not because the last person was Karkat, it was honestly cool to see his friend again! But because... Karkat's walls were covered in words written in that same bright red liquid that had left him so out of sorts before. All of it the same word repeated over and over and OVER again. Freak.

Was this... how Karkat saw himself? Well not if Sollux could help it!! Floating inside, Sollux perched on the bed next to Karkat... and promptly slapped him across the face! Karkat spluttered, eyes snapping open blearily as he glanced up at Sollux in confusion. Sollux smiled... and slapped him across the face again! "Hey, KK!"

...

Purple Sollux took off out of his Tower immediately, the creepy scribblings on the wall really not doing his bad mood any good. Gods how did he end up in this place in these stupid clothes? Shaded eyes scanned the area mistrustfully; he couldn't take anything this place showed him for granted.

The city below, the same purple shade as his clothing, was teaming with strange black-shelled people, who all recoiled in fear at the sight of him. Even in this place he was a freak, eh? Whatever, not like he cared. Much.

While steadfastly ignoring the feelings of giddiness leaking from his doppelganger, Sollux scouted the area. Wherever he was, the natives didn't seem to like him, and that was at their politest. He could've sworn he'd seen one surely looking guy in particular flipping and catching a knife while staring at him... best to keep his distance.

As he rose higher into the air, he took note of the other Towers around, but made no move to investigate them. If there were others located, he had no way of knowing if they were a friend or foe, and honestly? He just didn't want to deal with anyone else's bullshit right now, he had better shit to do.

Gods, his head was killing him! Ever since he'd awoken here, the voices somehow felt even LOUDER than before, whispering, pestering and prodding him to do... something. What did they want? What did they ever want!? WHY COULDN'T THEY JUST LEAVE HIM THE FUCK ALONE!?

Sollux didn't really notice when he started screaming or lashing out with his psionics, and to be honest he didn't really care. For once he wasn't wrecking things and if the folks below who already didn't like him avoided him further, that was fine by him. He just... he was just so sick of it all. Awake, asleep, or whatever this was, there never seemed to be an end to the torment. He just wished... he wished someone understood what this did to him.

The Signless...

Oh great, it was this guy again. He wasn't sure if he'd actually heard this particular voice before, but it elicited a strange feeling of deja vu in him whenever it piped up. Who the fuck even was this 'Signless' asshole anyway? What was so cool about NOT having a sign, it was like bragging about missing your vestigial grasping digit; it was sort of noteworthy, but not anything special!

Yet this guy never shut up about them. He wondered if he could track this jackass down now that he was in this place? Somehow, his powers felt even stronger... like he wasn't entirely following the same rules he was familiar with. Either way, he could maybe get some answers... or at least tell this asshole to knock it off already.

I Endure...

Clicking his tongue, he concentrated on the voices within his mind, weaving and navigating between the clamoring ghosts and soon-to-be-spirits wanting his time and attention; he hadn't forgotten the last time he'd made THAT mistake, and had no care to repeat it. Eventually, he found what he was looking for... a thread of psionic energy that carried that annoying fucker's voice his way. To his surprise, it wasn't the voice of someone dead, or necessarily someone going to die soon! If anything... it felt like someone who should've died long ago, but somehow hadn't, if that made any sense at all.

Grasping onto the link, Sollux yelped as he felt himself whisked away... only to find himself tumbling across a bright red metal floor. Groaning, he glanced around in confusion... only to feel the blood drain from his face as he saw the uniforms all young Trolls were shown in their first forays into the world; the uniform of the Empress's personal officers, who answered only to Her Imperial Condescension herself!

Oh God they were going to kill him, this was it, this was it-!! And then one of the Threshecutioners walked through him. Literally. It was like he wasn't even there... had he projected his mind onto the Condesce's ship!? Woah...

The SIGNLESS!!!!

GAH!! Dammit!! Great, arriving at the source of that voice made it louder, who could've guessed? Lousy no good stinkin'... Grumbling to himself, he followed the connection... and stared in trepidation at the door leading to the Helm. Swallowing, he stepped through... and stared in horror at the source.

Horror, and, perhaps, resignation. The twisted, screaming form of a fellow Goldblood stared back at him, one that shared his Sign on his chest even, seemingly surgically grafted to the ship itself. A look into his eventual future, honestly, if he wasn't culled before he had to leave the planet; a life of slavery, used as a living battery for the Empress's fleet and the exhaustive expansion of the Empire until his body gave out and was thrown in with the refuse...

But then, something caught his eye. Specifically, the way the Helmsman looked at him... directly. And as the bound Goldblood stared at him, Sollux felt his mouth go dry at his eyes, so similar to his own. At the beautiful, unyielding clarity within them. The Empress... she had tortured him. She had enslaved him. She had, if the feeling he got was right, SOMEHOW extended his lifespan to the point where everyone he knew and cared about would've long left him in the dust. And yet, in spite of that... she had not BROKEN him.

I can see you, little Goldblood

Sollux jumped, pointing to himself at the Helmsman's voice. The bound psionic smirked.

Yeah, you. Pretty good astral possession, by the way, but you'd better leave now.

The smirk faded, becoming grave.

The Empress has more powers at her command then you could ever believe. Leave, now, before she notices you and sends something planetside to get rid of you. Go! And remember my words: Seek The Signless!

...

"Am I interrupting something?" Aradia's bemused voice called out, causing Sollux's eyes to snap open in shock.

"Theek the Thignlethth!!!" Sollux gasped, before wincing, clutching his head in agony. Fuck... what the fuck was that!? It was like all his normal aches had decided to agree that he needed to be jumped in an alley and beaten up for not giving them enough attention. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he glanced up... and gasped in shock as he saw a confused and annoyed Aradia looking down at him and his Lusus, slowly lowering herself from where she'd use her psionics to lift herself up to the roof.

"Excuse me?" Aradia questioned, tilting her head in confusion at Sollux's reaction... only to let loose a surprised breath as Sollux shot forward, capturing her in a hug. A blush crept up her cheeks as she felt his face bury itself in her shoulder. "S-Sollux!?"

"You're okay... you're really fucking okay..." Sollux whispered, the hot feeling of tears leaking out of his eyes and onto Aradia's shirt. Pulling away, he blushed in embarrassment at the confused and concerned expression on Aradia's face. "Aw Jegus fuck!! Thorry, don't know what came over me."

"It's okay. I just got here actually." Aradia replied graciously, carefully ignoring the question of what the fuck a 'Jegus' even was. She was still annoyed, admittedly, but more than that she was concerned. Trolls just didn't DO things like sleep outside their Recuperoons; it worried her that she'd found him out on the top of his Hive like this. "Didn't you get my message?"

"Ah fuck, I mutht have miththed it. Thorry, it'th... been kind of a rough day." Sollux admitted, dusting himself off as he gave his slumbering Lusus a comforting pat, extricating himself gently from biclopsdad's grip. "Tho, what bringth you here? Not that you aren't welcome or any shit like that, jutht wathn't expecting vithitorth ith all."

"Yeah, sorry for dropping in like this. I just... I kinda had a fight with a friend and I needed to vent." Aradia grumbled, accepting Sollux's offered hand as he levitated the two down to the front entrance. She quirked an eyebrow as he allocated a set of Throwing Stars to his Strife Specibus, but said nothing. "I guess that's kind of a rude thing to do to a friend, but..."

"Thay no more. Trutht me, I fully get needing to jutht completely let loothe verbally thometimeth." Sollux replied, getting comfortable on his couch as he offered her a seat. "What happened? I honethtly didn't think you had any friendth but me... fuck, that thounded lethth rude in my head."

"It's fine, you aren't far off base." Aradia admitted, taking out the thermos she'd packed for her and Equius' ruin exploration earlier. In the heat of their fight, she'd forgotten about it, but the grub soup she'd prepared still was good. "I... I'm not comfortable getting into all the details... but to make a long story short, I-I ended up making a friend recently. He's awkward, and stiff, and tries way too hard to be 'proper' all the time... but super earnest about everything that he does and he makes the most adorable puns when he gets flustered... he's just so geeky that it wraps around to being charming! I liked spending time with him; he made me feel like... like I had an opinion that mattered."

"What!? AA, fuck, what would give you the impression that your opinion doethn't matter?!" Sollux demanded, trying his hardest not to climb to his feet in shock... only to flinch a little at the deadpan glare Aradia shot him.

"Oh, I don't know, you tell me Mr. 'Ditches his friend without a word to her what he's doing only to show up out of nowhere with a wounded Troll on his back'? I wonder why I'd feel like my opinion and thoughts aren't considered important by others!" Aradia shot back waspishly, smirking as Sollux flinched back... only to frown in guilt. "Sorry..."

He shook his head resolutely. "No, no, you made your point. Carry on."

"So, yeah, he made me feel special about myself. I enjoyed, I still do enjoy, hanging out with him. But I let my insecurities get to me and I confronted him about why he was so friendly, and... well, we had a fight because he stuck his foot in his mouth and verbally chewed it off while trying to explain that he admired me and accidentally made it sound like he only hung out with me to boost his own ego." Aradia replied bluntly, grimacing in distaste. "He has some... weird thoughts on the Hemospectrum, and it colored a lot of his opinions on Lowbloods. I know, intellectually, he didn't mean it that way, but I just felt so angry because he made me feel like I was a little wiggler he was doting on like a pet!!!"

Sollux said nothing, merely resting a hand on Aradia's shoulder as he offered her a tissue, which she graciously accepted to dab at her eyes. "I just... I don't know what to do! Is this normal for friends!? I don't know anything about these kinds of situations and I just feel helpless, and it makes me so ANGRY that I just want to scream!! Do you... do you ever feel like this?"

Sollux stared into her hopeful gaze in alarm, breathing deep. This... would be tricky.

"Honethtly? Yeah. Not ath much ath you might be thinking, but I do." Sollux admitted, taking a drink out of the Faygo that Gamzee had left behind; the taste was growing on him. At Aradia's questioning look, he elaborated. "Lithten, with you, you don't have friendth becauthe other people are aththholeth. I don't have friendth becauthe I am the aththhole to other people."

Aradia quirked an eyebrow skeptically, but nodded. Hey, Sollux was self-aware, he knew how much of a jerk he was, why else would people say it to his face all the time otherwise!?

"Tho yeah, not a lot of friendth. It'th... bathically jutht you, Karkat, and now I guethth Tavros, Gamzee, and MAYBE that crazy Vriska chick." Sollux explained, before unleashing a truly epic belch. He blushed in embarrassment... only for Aradia to smirk and let loose one of her own in challenge, the two sharing a laugh at bodily functions, as all mature and respectable Trolls their age did. "But yeah, of that group, only you and Karkat are oneth that I've known for an extended period. And I jutht... yeah, the number of timeth I walk away from talking with Karkat without having gotten into thom kind of thtupid or shitty argument are thignificantly fewer than the oneth where I did. Yet, each time, I come back, we patch thingth up, and move on with our liveth. Even I really, REALLY want to punch in hith thtupid teeth or knock off hith nubby little hornth for how much of a thmug loudmouth he can be."

"Then why hang out with him if he causes you so much trouble?" Aradia pressed, eyes hungry for details, almost dissecting Sollux with her eyes. It was honestly kind of cool to the Goldblood, not that he'd mention it out loud.

Sollux chuckled, mind wandering to some of his and Karkat's most memorable arguments. Even with the cloud of Karkat's secret hanging over his head, they were fond memories. "Becauthe, for all hith bullshit... I know that he careth. That no matter how much he might make me want to thtrangle hith thtupid athth, it all cometh from a good plathe in that overactive blood pusher of hith. I won't lie, the firtht big argument we had... it didn't end on a happy note. We had jutht thtarted talking regularly after meeting in a chat group we both got kicked out of DUE to thaid fight, and were commitherating over the unfairnethth of it all." He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I genuinely can't even remember anymore how the argument even thtarted or what it wath even about. All I know ith that I told him I wanted him to that out of my life and to leave me alone... and then I thpent the retht of the night in my ablution changer, crying about it, hating mythelf for chathing away my only friend."

"I... got thick from that." Sollux replied softly, his blood pressure dropping with dread as he remembered how he'd felt that day; it wasn't just the feeling of physical weakness that had hurt him so badly that night. It was how his limited grasp on his psionics at the time had been shot, and he couldn't stop unleashing them at random all over his house. "I wath tho bad off that I ended up calling the firtht perthon on my contactth for help... and that turned out to be Karkat. The only perthon I had added, and the one I'd forgotten to take off. Tho here he came, kicking down my fucking door like he'th thome kind of action movie thtar, grumbling all the while ath thith runty little aththhole helped me get thingth thtraightened up and thome medithine he wouldn't tell me where he got from. Heck, my shadeth are actually a gift from him; hith way of helping me keep thingth under control ath I trained my powerth."

"Wow. That... makes more sense than I thought." Aradia admitted, visibly recalling the way Karkat had roped Sollux into helping 'rescue' Tavros before setting himself up as a sacrifice play (no matter WHAT he said to the contrary). "He really doesn't like other people to know how much of a softy he is, does he?"

"HA!! Yeah, no. He wantth to climb the rankth tho badly, but with that attitude he'll never make it." Sollux dismissed.

Aradia blinked. "Karkat's into climbing the social ladder?"

"Yeah, through the military. He wanth to become a threshecutioner, tho that no one but the emprethth herthelf can talk down to him." Sollux remarked, smiling bitterly as he recognized that a Karkat who had managed to reach that far would die as soon as they got justification... if Karkat's own sense of Justice didn't bug him first.

"Why?" Aradia asked quizzically.

"Becauthe the dude wantth to be important or thome shit? I don't really know." Sollux deflected, even if he... now had some idea as to WHY wanting to make himself untouchable would be important on a personal level to his loud-mouthed friend. "But the bottom line ith that Karkat hath a bleeding fucking heart pusher who can't keep hith nothe out of other peopleth problemth. That'th why I hang out with him."

He stares out the window, chuckling to himself as he remembers the fights they'd had, and the hijinks that occurred when they eventually made up. "He'th tho fucking prickly and thenthitive about hith privacy that he'll blow up over the motht random of shit. It driveth me crazy thometimeth becauthe it'th like he'th allergic to being honetht or thomething. And thometimeth he'th jutht acting like an inthenthitive douche. But I'll never forget that when he had the chance to jutht blow me off and leave me to thuffer the conthequenceth of my own actth, he wath there for me."

Something about THAT line in particular resonated with Aradia, the Troll girl glancing out the window with a faraway expression. "Even if it was in his best interest to just leave you hanging, he still went to battle for you."

"Exactly." Sollux nodded, trading a fist bump with Aradia to her amusement. "Tho... I'm not sure about who thith friend of yourth ith, thince obviouthly I don't know them perthonly or anything... but if he meanth enough to you for you get thith bent out of shape over hith fuckupth, then obviouthly he mutht be a pretty good one. It'th okay to be piththed off about him being an idiot and upthetting you; godth knowth I do when KK runth hith mouth like a moron. Jutht give it thome time; I'm sure he'll do thome thtupid thing to try to make it up to you."

Aradia nodded hesitantly. She wasn't too sure... a chiming ring echoed through the Hive, startling both Trolls. With a blush, she pulled out her communication scarab, holding it up to her ear. "Hello? Oh! Hi there, I... wasn't expecting you to call. Wait, you did what?" She said flatly, pinching the bridge of her nose at Equius' embarrassed tone at the other end, sighing in fond exasperation. "I'll be right there. And... don't worry about it. We're cool. Just... try to think more about how I feel about this kind of thing, okay?"

She hung up the call, turning to Sollux with a wry smile. "Well, he did the stupid thing, just like you said."

Sollux's shoulders shook from suppressed laughter. "Oh God, what did he do? I could uthe a good laugh right now."

"Well, instead of telling you... I could show you?" Aradia pondered, holding out her hand in a silent invitation, one that Sollux accepted with a grin. "But just a word in advance, try not to be shocked when you see him."

"After what I learned about KK, nothing can thurprithe me anymore." Sollux said dryly, waving off her concerned expression. "It'th not my thecret to tell. It jutht made a lot of hith shit make a lot more thenthe in hindthight ith all."

And how it ever had. As he wrapped himself in AA in another psionic bubble, the grinning Troll girl giving him their heading for where they needed to go next, Sollux made himself a promise; Karkat might've been an annoying prick who couldn't shut up if his life depended on it... but he was also his friend, one who had always stuck his neck out for Sollux for no reason or benefit to himself. Keeping something as stupid and pointless as his blood color a secret? It was literally the least Sollux could do for him.

Chapter Text

Karkat Vantas was not happy. Or in a particularly good mood. How the fuck COULD he be when he had been mere moments away from having the very secret that kept him up at night, the eternal torment that fate had seen the need to pour into his veins and mark him for death with, come spilling out between his lips after the Highblood bitch he'd tried to rescue his friend from had beaten the ever loving SHIT out of him!?

Yeah, suffice to say, his nerves were a tad bit SHOT TO FUCKING HELL!!!! They weren't just shot, they had been executed via firing squad on some archaic backwater of a planet and left to bleed out in the filthy morass of some other race's now conquered planet. After finally managing to pull himself out of his Recuperoon, he threw on his normal sweater with a pained wince; that eight-pupiled bitch had done a real number on him.

Staggering down, he aimlessly flipped off his growling Lusus, even as he accepted some grub loaf that had been left out for him. Honestly, his thoughts were such a mess; he'd had the weirdest fucking dream, involving Sollux of all people. Sollux, SMILING! And he SLAPPED HIM ACROSS THE FACE!? Who slapped someone across the face to wake them up!?

...He was distracting himself, and he knew it. His Lusus probably fucking knew it to, the grumpy jackass. Clicking his tongue, he grabbed his sickle before making for the training block; not every Troll had one of these, but with the risks to him if his freakish mutation ever got out being always over head, minimizing the chance that someone might see if he got a little careless while practicing his combat moves was just good sense. Even if he was maybe starting to wonder if all the skulls he'd had installed were a good look; they just kept snagging on his clothes!

Breathing deep, he forced down his irritation, adopting the oddly relaxing battle stance he'd assumed during the end stages of his and that Vriska girl's Strife. It certainly made abjuring easier, but he wasn't used to using it, and it ultimately would've likely cost him the fight of the others hadn't intervened.

He ran through a simple combination he'd thought up in the intervening hours: Lunge, Dive, Block, Cross Sweep, Uppercut, Reverse Cross Sweep, Block, Lunge, Blackflip. A pretty simple pattern, honestly, but he was still working out how to better incorporate the circular maneuvers he'd pulled off on the fly, particularly in how he could use these as a future Threshecutioner. The Threshecutioner combat doctrine was rigid and had been perfected for its intended uses over the centuries, any form of deviation was considered suspect... but he couldn't fight the feeling that he could do something incredibly awesome with this, if only he just knew when the right moment was... oh well, at least figuring out how to spring off of walls for aerial attacks was going easier!!

God fucking DAMMIT why was he stalling!? He knew what he needed to do. He needed fucking answers. He hadn't made an issue of it when they were here but WHEN AND HOW THE HELL DID A WIMPY LOSER WHO COULDN'T BE TRUSTED TO FIND HIS OWN ASS WITHOUT BEING BULLIED INTO HANDING IT OVER LIKE TAVROS END UP FRIENDS WITH A GODDAMN HIGHBLOOD!?

There was exactly one person involved in this entire nonsensical situation that could be counted on to give him the answers he needed. He just hoped to whatever Gods existed out there that he could actually get something coherent out of him.

Stomping for his Crabtop, Karkat began typing, the pounding of his blood-pusher roaring in his ears as he sought out the one person he figured would be able to give him a full look at the picture. Gamzee, don't you fucking DARE flake out on him now.

carcinoGeneticist [CG] begins trolling terminallyCapricious [TC]

CG: LISTEN, ASSUMING YOU'RE NOT STARING AT YOUR FETCH MODUS AGAIN WITH YOUR LIPS AFFIXED TO ANOTHER FAYGO BOTTLE LIKE A WRIGGLER CLINGING TO A MUSCLEBEAST'S TEAT, I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP HERE.

CG: TO SAY THAT WHAT HAD OCCURRED TODAY WAS A STORM FULL OF SHIT AND PISS WOULD ACTUALLY BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

CG: SO, I AM IMPLORING THAT YOU ANSWER ME IMMEDIATELY AND HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE THINKPAN-FRYING DEBACLE THAT I HAD JUST WITNESSED.

TC: oH dAmN, bRo. DoN't WoRrY, mY iNvErTeBrOtHeR. i AiN't GoT a SwIg Of ThE wIcKeD eLiXiR oN hAnD, bUt I'm OpEn To TaLkInG iT oUt.

TC: iN fAcT, i'Ve BeEn FeElInG a LoT mOrE oPeN tO tAlK. fEeLs LiKe A sEcOnD lAyEr Of My EyEs HaVe BeEn OpEnEd Up To WiTnEsS tHe MoThErFuCkInG dEePeSt PaRtS oF tHe SoUl.

TC: sO mUcH sO, tHaT i MiGhT nOt Be AbLe To type in my usual vibes.

TC: you get me, bro?

CG: UH...HUH.

CG: WELL, THAT JUST ADDS ANOTHER QUESTION TO THE PILE. STILL, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW. FIRST OFF, WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOING WITH TAVROS AND THAT BLUEBLOOD!

CG: WHAT WAS HER NAME AGAIN? VRASKY SECRET?

TC: vriska serket. yeaa, i know the sister.

TC: i was being a cool brother and helpin' her get some sweet motherfuckin' revenge on some dumb motherfuckers is all!

CG: AND WHAT IN GOD'S MUSCLEBEAST'S MILK SACKS DID SOMEONE LIKE HER NEED HELP GETTING REVENGE FOR?! WHAT, DID SOME RUSTBLOOD NOT BOW FAST ENOUGH TO KISS HER FEET!?

CG: AND THAT STILL DOESN'T ANSWER ME ANYTHING ABOUT TAVROS!

TC: i ain't be knowin' shit about tavbro. never met the brother before then.

CG: PLEASE, PARDON MY RAMPANT SKEPTICISM, BUT GIVEN HOW YOU MAKE A FUCKING HABIT OF CHATTING UP EVERY GODDAMN WEIRDO YOUR SOPOR-SOAKED ASS RUNS INTO, I FIND THAT A LITTLE FUCKING HARD TO BELIEVE AT THE MOMENT!!

CG: BUT ASSUMING I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE YOU, CAN YOU AT LEAST EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE FUCK SHE AND HIM HAVE A CONNECTION?! SHE MUST'VE TOLD YOU SOMETHING!

TC: yeah. she went and be tellin' me that she and tavros are some straight bros and shit.

TC: been kickin' back and sharin' the vibes and shit for, oh, bout a sweep now?

TC: she ain't got nobody in her fuckin' corner but him. well, and me too i guess now.

TC: but he was her motherfuckin' anchor. and some dumb fucks went and motherfuckin' fucked with his self, so she wanted to go and be makin' a statement.

CG: SO, SOMEHOW, A COBALTBLOOD HAD DECIDED TO RELY ON A BRONZEBLOOD AND IT'S NOT SOME WEIRD ATTEMPT TO LURE HIM INTO BEING EATEN! HAVE OINKBEASTS FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO CROSSBREED WITH PIXIEBULLS AND WE'RE NOW SEEING PIXIEPIGS FLYING AROUND?

CG: ALSO, WHO WERE THESE "DUMB MOTHERFUCKERS" IN QUESTION?

TC: oh yeah, it was another cobaltblood and an indigoblood. a pair of motherfucking unhinged nutters causing some chaos in the streets.

TC: we went looking for them and we found out they set up a whole shallow pit for trolls to fall in.

CG: WAIT, A PIT?

TC: yeah, they were making trolls fall on some spikes. the thing is that they were set up in a way that the fall wasn't instant death.

TC: instead, these motherfuckers wanted to make it so they'd bleed out, struggling to their last breath.

TC: i spotted the troll who made that shit and we were able to find out who was hurting tavbro and calling him a whole bunch of shit by wringing the info out of 'em.

CG: I...HOLY SHIT. USUALLY, YOU TEND TO TELL ME SOME INANE MYSTICAL BULLSHIT ABOUT THE SEAS AND THE SKIES. WHEN THE HELL HAVE YOU GOTTEN INTO TRUE CRIME?

TC: what do you mean, karkat? do you not believe my words?

CG: IT'S JUST...REALLY HARD TO PICTURE YOU INTERROGATING SOMEONE UNLESS IT INVOLVED YOU BRIBING WITH SOME STARDUST AND FAYGO. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM HOW THIS VRISKA WAS ACTING. I MEAN, YOU'VE ALWAYS KIND OF COME OFF AS KIND OF A DUMBASS TO ME.

TC: what.

CG: LIKE, I ALWAYS KIND OF JUST FIGURED THAT MAYBE YOUR LUSUS GAVE YOU SOME KIND OF BRAIN DAMAGE OR SOMETHING AND YOU WERE JUST OFF IN YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD WITH THAT SOPOR YOU KEPT CRAMMING INTO YOUR FACE.

CG: SO YEAH, YOU USING LOGIC AND REASONING I CAN ACTUALLY FUCKING FOLLOW WITHOUT FEELING MY BRAIN CELLS DIE IS A NICE CHANGE OF PACE!!

TC: ...

CG: GAMZEE? YOU THERE?

TC: one chance.

CG: THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

TC: motherfucker... i am giving you... one fucking chance... to take that shit back.

CG: EXCUSE ME?

TC: do you lack the comprehension to understand my wish?

CG: OK, MAYBE YOU DON'T HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE, BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL GIVEN HOW MUCH SOPOR YOU'VE BEEN CHUGGING DOWN. STILL, I NEVER SAW YOU AS THE SORT TO CARE ABOUT THIS JUNK. YOU JUST END UP SPACING OUT A LOT OF THE TIME MUSING ABOUT MIRACLES OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU'D RAMBLE ABOUT.

TC: so you think i can't give a shit about the people around me? you think because i can see the miracles in every star above us, that makes me a motherfucking fool?

CG: UH...WELL, I MEAN. GAMZEE, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

TC: DOES THAT MAKE ME A MOTHERFUCKING FOOL?!

CG: NO! OF COURSE NOT!!

TC: then what the fuck is this shit? huh?

TC: TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK IT IS!!!

CG: IT'S THE FACT THAT FOR AS LONG AS I'VE KNOWN YOU I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO UNDERSTAND EVERY OTHER GODDAMN SENTENCE YOU WERE SAYING!!! GODDAMMIT, I WAS WORRIED ABOUT YOU, YOU OVERSENSITIVE JACKASS!!

CG: EXCUSE ME FOR NOT HAVING THE MAGICAL MENTAL POWERS TO PEER INSIDE THE MIND OF SOMEONE WHO GOES INTO FIVE SEPARATE TANGENTS IN A SINGLE CONVERSATION AND THEN WANDERS OFF FOR AN HOUR TO MAKE A PIE BEFORE LETTING ME KNOW HE'S FUCKING OKAY!!!

CG: WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS COMING FROM, OKAY? I GET THAT I'M AN ASSHOLE BUT IT'S WEIRD THAT YOU'RE BEING ONE TOO!!

TC: i guess it is. isn't it? fuck...

TC: FUCKING DAMN THIS MOTHERFUCKIN' BULLSHIT!!!

TC: i guess i wasn't in the right state of mind before to say shit. that sopor hits deep, you feelin' me?

TC: sorry for the blow up.

CG: JUST...CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG?

TC: it's just...everything feels so clear. that fog's been fading out of my mind. i should be happy...

TC: BUT EVERY WORD I HEAR IS HITTING ME IN A WAY THAT AIN'T FUCKING RIGHT.

TC: they hit like darts from the ninjas at night, hitting me in all the spots that cause the most pain.

TC: so, hearing you say that about me, no longer hidden by the fog.

TC: IT HURTS LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER!

TC: it hurts so much... : O(

CG: OH...OH SHIT.

CG: YEAH, WORDS CAN REALLY HURT.

CG: I'VE BEEN SO USED TO YOU JUST TAKING EVERY WORD WITHOUT EVEN A SINGLE FLINCH THAT I FORGOT THAT YOUR EMOTIONS AREN'T JUST BEING STONED OUT OF YOUR MIND.

TC: i'm trying to change that, bro. siska showed me that was a way.

TC: and it's been giving me so much to think about.

TC: BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MY MIND'S BEEN YANKING AROUND BY THE VOICES!

TC: the voices in the stars...

TC: AND THE VOICES IN THE MOTHERFUCKING DARKNESS.

CG: WHILE THAT IS FUCKING WORRYING IN WAYS I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO GET INTO, IT'S ALSO NOT A CONVERSATION THAT I FEEL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE RIGHT NOW.

CG: BUT GAMZEE... IF YOU EVER NEED TO VENT ABOUT HOW SHITTY LIFE IS, OR WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU DO ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS, JUST TELL ME, OKAY?

CG: I HONESTLY ALWAYS LIKED THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO LISTEN TO ME EVEN WHEN I WAS BEING THE BIGGEST FUCKING TOOL IMAGINABLE. THE ENTIRE HARDWARE ARSENAL EVEN!

CG: SO AS MUCH AS IT KILLS ME A LITTLE TO DO THIS, I'M WILLING TO DO THE SAME TO YOU. JUST, WHENEVER YOU WANT, WE CAN TALK, AND I'LL LISTEN TO WHATEVER IS ON YOUR MIND, NO QUESTION'S ASKED.

TC: you comin' on pale to me bro? pretty forward of ya!

CG: WHAT!? NO NO NO THIS ISN'T!! I MEAN!!!

TC: i'm just messin' with ya!! but... thanks brother. i'll be takin' you up on that. i...i really think i could use it.

CG: WELL...GOOD! GLAD TO KNOW THAT I AND MY IMPECCABLE LEADERSHIP SKILLS HAVE COME THROUGH FOR YOU!

TC: whatever you say, bro.

CG: NOW, HOW ABOUT WE GET BACK ON TRACK. YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT A COBALTBLOOD AND AN INDIGOBLOOD AND SOME PIT?

TC: pfft, yeah... that gave me the motherfuckin' chills, even when i was up high on the pie...

CG: I MEAN, I'M SURPRISED IT DID GIVEN WHAT YOUR CASTE HAS ESSENTIALLY BEEN TASKED TO DO.

CG: BUT I GUESS THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY TALKING TO YOU IS SO INTERESTING AND HONESTLY...RELAXING.

CG: YOU DON'T SEEM TO REALLY GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE CASTE SYSTEM IN GENERAL AND YOU NEVER DISCRIMINATE, WHICH IS HONESTLY A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM GIVEN WHAT I HAD TO DEAL WITH GOING AROUND GROUP MEMOS!

CG: THERE'S A REASON I DON'T SHOW MY COLOR ON HERE! BECAUSE IT'D BE A FUCKING PAIN TO DEAL WITH EITHER PITY OR ANGER AGAINST ME FOR SOMETHING I WAS BORN WITH! THE FACT THAT YOU HAVEN'T SHOWN ME EITHER OF THOSE IS WHAT MAKES YOU SO...CAPTIVATING?

CG: FUCKING SHIT, I'M RAMBLING ABOUT MYSELF AGAIN. OK, SO, WHAT DID YOU TWO DO?

TC: no worries, bro. if anything, i'm feeling pretty motherfucking flattered right now. it's a feeling i don't get often, but a really good one.

TC: but yeah, siska and i had to wring the guy's arm around before he told us where his partner is.

TC: after all, vriska just tossed him into his own pit. we ended up watching as he died.

CG: LIKE...BOTH OF YOU TOSSED HIM IN OR JUST VRISKA?

TC: it was mostly vriska, but i did twist the guy's arm good. but yeah, sis was really shaken up. had a bit of a shoosh sesh going on to help her out.

TC: she was actually the one who got me to step away from the pies. true motherfucking help.

CG: WAS DITCHING THE PIES REALLY REALLY THAT BIG OF A DEAL?

TC: nah, i said 'step away,' not 'ditch.' i'm strictly one a day now, bro! such a difference. i get me that sweet, sweet buzz, and i can fuckin' hold me a proper conversation!

TC: but yeah, siska wasn't taken it too well. like, i'm pretty sure she was up and cryin' and some shit.

CG: THIS IS HONESTLY REALLY TRIPPY TO READ.

TC: tell me about it, i was fuckin' there bro!

TC: so she was taken the whole thing real personal like, and i was just thinkin' man, i wonder who this bro of hers is to make her this worked up and shit about him gettin' his ass handed to him.

TC: she didn't exactly give me the full story or anything, but i'm thinking she may be a little flushed for him? but she don't know it yet. or some pale shit. either fuckin' or, i guess.

CG: WELL, THAT AT LEAST MAKES A BIT MORE SENSE. ROMANCE TENDS TO CROSS THE CASTE LINES SIGNIFICANTLY EASIER THAN PLATONIC DYNAMICS. IT STILL MAKES HER BEING SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE OVER SOME ASSHOLE GETTING WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM KIND OF STRANGE.

TC: anyways, after we went and put the hurt on down on that motherfucker, it was getting a bit too late to keep up the search, so we went back to her place. and when we got there...

CG: SOLLUX AND I HAD TORN THE PLACE APART, YEAH YEAH, I FUCKING REMEMBER!

TC: just checking. but yeah, she was all up and screamin' bloody fuckin' murder and all that good shit, had those crazy monsters of hers pick up you guy's scent, and off we went! and you know the rest.

CG: I STILL HAVE LIKE A TON OF QUESTIONS, BUT SINCE THIS IS BASICALLY THE LIMITS OF WHAT YOU KNOW, I'LL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET, THANKS MAN.

TC: hey, what are bros for? you mind if i be swingin' by later?

CG: SURE! BUT REMEMBER TO BRING SOME MORE OF THAT TEA YOU MADE BEFORE, THAT SHIT REALLY HELPS WITH MY NERVES AND I'M RUNNING OUT OF THE POT YOU HAD MADE PREVIOUSLY!!

carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceases trolling terminallyCapcricious [TC]

Chapter Text

A chorus of freaked out mutters engulfed the meeting space. Honestly, Eridan didn't get what the big fuckin' deal was; he knew it wasn't because of him or Fef, seeing as how all THEIR arrival had gotten was some sneers, slurs, and creepy smiles and death threats. Whatever, just would make killin' all these landdwellin' sons a bitches more worth his while when the time came around. In the meantime, they'd serve at least some fuckin' purpose in helpin' keep Fef's Lusus fed.

A soft sniffling distracted him from his genocide plannin'. Glancing back, he grimaced at the sight of Fef's shoulders softly shaking as she tried to keep her lame-ass brave face on. Gods, she was strong enough even without her Lusus that she could probably kill all these fuckers herself without breakin' a fuckin' sweat... and she'd let these ingrates fuckin' kill her with a smile than do a fuckin' thing to protect herself!! THAT was why she needed his fuckin' help keepin' that monster fed. She could handle Lusii all on their lonesome just fuckin' fine, but if any of those brats they kept were with them? Pfft!

Well, that's why they made such a great team... and hopefully, one day they'd be more. Gods how he wished they'd be more. But for now, plotting genocide and how to feed that fuckin' behemoth of a Lusus before it started to throw a tantrum and killed them all.

...For fuck's sake, all this hubbub that had started was really gettin' on his last fuckin' nerve! What was all the fuss about anyway!? But... he couldn't leave Fef alone...

"It's okay if you want to go. I'm shore it'll all be fin." Feferi Peixes, heir to her Imperial Condescension, and the sweetest fuckin' Fuschiablood (even if she'd currently disguised herself as a fellow Violetblood) on this gods be damned excuse for a planet, said softly, giving him her signature beaming, too-wide smile. Gods he loved even those stupid fish puns of hers...

"If your sure- I mean, shore about it, Fef." He said hesitantly, even throwing in a stupid pun to cheer her up. Rolling her eyes, Fef got behind him and shoved him forward, waving him on. "W-well, I know-w w-when I'm not w-wanted!"

He caught some fuckers laughin' at his stutter and silently marked them down on his 'kill as soon as possible' list. It was short, and that was totally because he was a super badass killer, not because he didn't really have a lot of people he wanted dead or nothin'!! Tilting up his chin, he shouldered his way to the front, as his right as fuckin' ROYALTY bitches!!! Well, that and sea muscles meaning he could literally force the issue.

As he got his way to the front of the pack... he blinked. There, strolling in, without a fuckin' care in the world, was a Blueblood Troll chugging a bottle of some kinda stinkin' land-dweller drink, a smug grin on her face as she tossed the now empty bottle to her Bronzeblood Servant, who stored it with a sigh as he continued hauling some kind of wagon LOADED with the stuff, before passing her another bottle.

That really didn't matter much of fuckin' anything to him, though, so he ignored it. No... what mattered to him... was the costume she wore. Specifically, how it looked like an amateurishly done recreation of a uniform he'd seen in a water-proof portrait stored in one of his hideouts where he plotted the obliteration of the surface-dwellers. Was she... was she fuckin' DRESSED as the goddamn Marquise Spinneret Mindfang!?

He only really knew about her because he'd found one of his ancestor's journals and had shown it to Fef. In her words, Mindfang was a fuckin' freak, which given how she was always gettin' on his ass for saying that he should be being all buddy-fuckin-buddy and givin' land-dwellers a chance, said a LOT about how much of a fuckin' bitch she musta been. And this girl was dressin' up like her? Sure, it coulda been a coincidence... but he thought not.

The girl finished draining another bottle of whatever that land-made swill she was chugging, getting a shocked grasp from some a the higher-blooded land-dwellers in this crowd. Was he... missing something here? The girl eyed the crowd in annoyance, raising her bottle in a mock-toast. "Well, what the fuck are we all standing around here for!? LET'S GET OUR MOTHERFUCKING FLARP ON BITCHES!!!"

The crowd roared in response, the tension fading as groups broke apart to start setting up matches. But as he witnessed everyone forming GROUPS, Eridan realized he may have made a slight miscalculation; he'd been planning to do this solo. Would Fef be able to roll up a character sheet quickly, maybe!?

...

Oh God, oh God, oh fucking GOOOOOOOOD why did she just say that!!! Fuck, she hoped nobody could tell how much she was panicking. Tavros shot her a sympathetic smile, calmly handing her another bottle. Thank whatever Gods existed for Gamzee and his willingness to drop everything for a friend. Sure, she'd kinda been hoping he would've come along for moral support instead, but a shit load of Faygo was a good fucking substitute!!

Even if she did wonder if MAYBE she'd had too many of these things, what with the way her hands were shaking slightly and the room seemed to swim a little with each step she took. Woah there, don't wanna trip and fall... she'd spill her Faygo! She giggled a bit at her dumb joke to herself, before draining her latest bottle. There we go... now she can pretend that all of this makes fucking sense.

Well, she'd already done something to establish herself as a loud mouth asshole, so fuck it, time to roll with it. It's what Mindfang would do; an audacious and overbearing display of reckless overconfidence to get them to drop their guards... for later. She fought to keep her grin in place as she jumped, both feet off the ground and up, onto the table in the middle of the room, a quick glare from her sending one asshole who was about to tell her to get down scurrying. "The name I shall operate under for the purposes of this campaign, if it can truly be called that, is Marquise Spinneret Mindfang! Come one, come all, and challenge yourself against me, even knowing it will be futile, because at least them you'll prove you've got the bulge glands to make something of your worthless lives!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!"

Ahh... there it was. The outraged glares, the whispers, the intrigue... just as Mindfang's journal had described when she'd thrown away the shackles of noble responsibility, leaving with nothing but her title and the first ship in her fleet, and set herself up on the seas. Hate her, fear her, want her dead... it would all serve to make what she needed to do later easier on her. She made careful note of those Trolls in the crowd who hadn't reacted negatively to her stunt, and silently marked them off the list as potential targets; they either were high enough in levels that she wouldn't be able to take them out, or were like Tavros and were just kind-hearted dingus's who didn't play serious games, in which she could get away with a few messy kills.

"Cabinboy Rufio, attend me! I am in need of your Boy-Skylark ways to aid me in seeking out our first opponents!!" She declared, jumping down and smoothly accepting another bottle of Faygo, chugging it down to try and calm her racing blood pusher, cheeks starting to flush from her own nervous energy. She swayed on her feet but refused to buckle; if she fumbled here, she'd never live down the humiliation after having pulled off that outrageous stunt.

"So I'm a cabin boy now? Weren't you the one who kept going on and on about how our classes are natural enemies?" Tavros teased, discreetly moving to help steady Vriska as she fought to regain her balance. His brows furrowed in concern as he subtly shifted to keep his massive horns from hitting her in the face, so considerate. "Are you... feeling okay? You, um, have been kinda moving weird and, uh, been drinking a lot of the Faygo Gamzee gave you, which I think, um, he intended for you to give as a gift to our fellow players."

"PSsshhh, I'm totaty- totally fine! Like, you don't even KNOW how fine I am!" Vriska giggled, running her fingers through Tavros' hair as he blushed. "Really fine~!"

"Okay, let's go find someone to play with, yeah? Yeah!" Tavros babbled, tugging Vriska along, doing his best to keep her huge-ass pile of sweet Faygo chugging along with them. He was fairly certain that whatever was going on with Vriska, it was probably gonna take awhile to get out of their system, and given that this was meant to be a collaborative co-op game, where two teams would work in tandem while subtly competing to defeat another squad of two teams in combat, last squad standing wins, that meant he'd have to help run damage control while she got herself together. He yelped as he felt Vriska's hand lock onto his left horn and yank, bringing him to a stop. "HEY!!"

"Sorrrrrrrry Tav, but I just saw something quite interesting." Vriska purred; she still had that weird look in her eye, but it seemed to have sharpened when she'd locked onto a target. He sighed internally, already moving to follow as she staggered off to one particular team that everyone seemed to be avoiding, even more than theirs, and that took some doing. They looked kind of odd... did they have gills? Fins? He had never seen any Troll like them before, even if they did look vaguely like something he'd seen in books a few times... maybe they'd been referenced in Pupa Pan? "Well well well well well well well WELL!! Lookie what we got hear... a pair of Royal Seabloods!? Gracing our little game of FLARP with their Highblood presence!? I never thought I'd see the fucking day!!"

"Yeah? W-well so w-what if w-we are! It's a free fuckin' country, w-we got as much right to be here as any of you mud-grubbin' land-dw-wellers!" The one in the front, a sneering fellow with a thick shock of violet running through his hair and an outfit that looked like some combination of the pirate costume Vriska was wearing and a naval uniform.

"Oh? You sure you don't wanna say you've got MORE right to be here?" Vriska taunted, an ugly smile on her face as a blush crept up her throat. Tavros had the vaguest feeling that he was watching some on-going collision; horrifying, but unable to draw his gaze away. A quick glance at the pirate-boy's companion showed the sickly looking girl in some kind of vaguely religious looking outfit sharing his morbid fascination. Vriska lifted her chin, stepping into the boy's personal space. "Huh? Got nothin' to say, Highblood? Don't you wanna put an 'upjumped little shit' like me in my place!?"

Tavros winced; he'd had a Highblood say exactly that to him after one of their few times hanging out in town. Vriska had handled it, of course, but she clearly hadn't forgotten.

"Maybe I w-would, if you w-were w-worth the fuckin' time of day. Really, you w-went with Mindfang? You've got some fuckin' nerwe! But I suppose it all ewens out! 'Cause if your gonna be fuckin' Mindfang, than I guess you can call me fuckin' Orphaner Dualscar!' The Highblood hissed, a vein throbbing in his head as his hand shot out, seizing Vriska by the throat.

Tavros prepared to jump in and intervene before things got any uglier... only for someone else to make that decision for him.

"That's quite enough! We reelly don't have time for this kind of seahorse play! We clam here for a reason, and it would barracuda you to remora that, Eri- Dualscar!" The other Highblood interjected, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she tried to pull her friend away. Weirdly, it kinda looked like the violet hue to her skin was tinted something else...?

"Oh? Big bad Dualscar needs someone else to fight his battles?" Vriska purred, voice dark and low. A pit opened in Tavros' stomach; just when he thought things couldn't get worse...

Vriska sneered as her gaze locked onto the little Violetblood girl; 'Dualscar,' and fucking HELL the balls on this guy to name himself after HER ancestor's fucking KISMESIS!!, was clearly protective of her, so obviously it was her duty to fuck with the girl in retaliation for his crimes against her!! ...Or something like that. Everything was a bit blurry all of a sudden, but that thought made sense, right?

Plus... she had some shit she needed to get off her chest, shit that had been building and bubbling up inside ever since her sweet little Pupa flew into her life. Oh, don't look so worried, Tav, she was just gonna have a little fun~! For some reason, her reassuring smile failed to reassure him; oh well. She'd explain ALL the good shit to him later, when he wasn't so busy being a worry mcworryhorns about stuff!

"Don't you ewen fuckin' THINK of messin' with Fef or I sw-wear-!!" 'Dualscar' snarled, a hate so deep that it'd make Vriska want to bite his throat in retaliation if she had the presence of mind to notice it, only for Vriska to angrily shove him back with the new bottle Tavros had just passed her, wincing at the full container colliding with his guts.

"I'm just gonna talk with her a liiiiiiiittle is all! Relax~!" Vriska crooned, narrowing her eyes bitterly as the prissy little royal in her fancy 'holy healer' get-up trembled before her. Gods how pathetic; this little brat stood near the TOP of the Hemospectrum, yet the second someone doesn't play the game, she crumbles like a pile of sand. It made Vriska furious. "Now, how's about you be a sweetie and show us all that cute little face of yours!"

"Um, I reelly don't think-!" The girl mumbled, flinching back, only for Vriska's hand to snag her cloak, forcing her to hold still as the hood was yanked down. Meow, if Vriska didn't have bigger things to deal with, she might actually consider flirting with this little cutie! Even the goggles just worked to give her this wide-eyed, oh so innocent look. She wondered how many suckers this little brat had suckered that way?

"There, now you can't hide shit." Vriska groused, tilting the slightly shorter Troll's head up so she was meeting her gaze. "Gods, you are just so utterly pathetic, you realize that, riiiiiiiight?"

"Um, Vri- Mindfang? That might be a bit too-" Tavros interjected, only to stop when she discretely shot him a pleading look. She needed this.

As Tavros backed down, she turned the full force of her ire back onto her target. "You know the Hemospectrum is a fucking JOKE, right?" She said bluntly, uncaring of the shocked gasps her words provoked from the crowd around her. She smirked at the way the Troll girl went still. "It's all just a bunch of fucking musclebeastshit!!! What, you think something as stupid as your blood color makes you or the privateer-edgelord wannabe you came in with? You think it makes you better than Rufioh and me!? Well guess the fuck WHAT!? IT DOESN'T!! The only thing a person is owed is what they are willing and able to claw through the fucking dirt to get with their own hands!!! To scrape and scrounge and do whatever it takes to blaze the trail to their future! Blood don't mean SHIT; it's just a fucking excuse for folks salty about their shit in life to kick down anyone different from them. All this shit, where a fucking Blueblood like me can just, just go out and murder a bunch of Lowbloods, and no one gives a damn? It's fucked up!! Why the fuck should they, should I be able to get away with it, when a Goldblood could liquidate my brains out of my ears? or a Bronzeblood could bury me in wild animals!? Just what the fuck is it that magically makes me more important any other loser on the street, huh!? Not a damn thing. I don't want to be handed greatness; having fucking power and opportunity passed to you on a silver platter is a joke. Just like the original Mindfang, I blaze my own fucking trail! And if you and your sea-dwelling Royal Buddies got a problem with it, then how about we fucking GO, RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!?"

The crowd erupted around them, some in support of her words, other's denouncing them, and most just getting caught up in the energy of it all, the promise of friendly-ish games disappearing as pure energy and violent intent choked the room. Had Vriska been sober enough to notice, she'd have realized she'd been projecting her own energy and intent into the room with her psionics throughout her little rant, infecting the crowd with her own anger and mania.

As the Violetblooded Troll trembled in her grip, a slow clicking sound echoed in Vriska's ears. Glancing up, she saw 'Dualscar' staring at her, eyes dark with murderous rage, as he leveled an admittedly intimidating looking rifle at her. Baring her teeth, she slowly reached for her pouch of marbles...

"You..." The Troll girl breathed, gaze downcast... before snapping up to Vriska's gaze again, eyes practically sparkling with excitement as her face shot into the biggest, brightest smile Vriska had ever seen. "ARE MOTHERGLUBBING RIGHT!!!"

Vriska, Tavros, and Dualscar all blinked, tilting their heads in confusion. "...Eh?"

"Oh fuck, does it feel good to just SAY IT out loud!! You cannot BE-REEF how many times I have just wanted to grab some of the idiots under the waves and shake their stupid little heads about this!!" The Violetblood ranted, pantomiming the gesture with a passion. "The entire fucking Hemospectrum is just a big joke! There's no reason to it, no point, it's just an excuse for the Condesce and her cronies to be the biggest, meanest jerks alive!! Who the glub CARES what my blood color is!? I GLUBBING DON'T!!! It doesn't matter what color you bleed, we all glubbing die the same glubbing way anyhow! Why should something as STUPID as the color in our veins keep us from showing the colors of our glubbing HEARTS!?"

Having finished her rant, the now beaming Violetblood held out her hand excitedly. "I'm Feferi, do you wanna be my friend!?"

...

"Why did she say NOOOO!!?!??!?" Feferi wailed, the anguished squealing causing Eridan to sigh in exasperation... only to yelp as he ducked, barely avoiding a club aimed right at his skull. The monsters the opposing team had sent after their joint squad were uninspired and by the books, but scaled up FAR higher than what a group of beginners should be equipped to handle. Honestly, it was a tad bit flattering!

"It might hawe something to do with you ambushin' her out of fuckin' now-where w-with askin' her to be friends and shit, Fef. I'd offer to listen, but I'm a LITTLE busy at the moment!" Eridan retorted, loading his Magazine Modus into his current assault rifle. Gods did he love his fuckin' Magazine Modus; what other fuckin' Modus let you convert items into literal ammunition? Sure, it heavily restricted him to firearms, but firearms were fuckin' BOSS so it all balanced out!

With casual ease, he took out the ten monsters surrounding him with mechanical precision, each dead from a single bullet to the head, shifting his Modus on and off as needed to engage the different ammo at his disposal. He took a moment to reflect on things as the corpses disintegrated into FLARP abstraction waste around him.

After that Mindfang wannabe bitch's shut down of Fef's loving and forgiving offer of friendship, GODS did he want to unload his entire magazine up her waste chute for breakin' his flush-crush's heart like that, her little Boy-Skylark buddy had slid into place to negotiate that they form a pairing for the team matches. Eridan was gonna shut that shit down right away, but of fucking COURSE Fef wasn't gonna let a little thing like someone not wanting to be friends with someone they just met out of nowhere stop her, and agreed on his behalf. So here he was, in the middle of a personal contest with the Bitch to see who could wrack up the most points.

Not that he actually cared... much. Okay, it mattered a fuckin' LOT to him!! Fuck, he wasn't one of them losers all high up on their Ancestors and obsessin' and shit over made up destiny malarcky... no, what fuckin' pissed him off is the moronic jackass of his own Ancestor who got suckered into being the black-clad boy-toy for the biggest psycho to ever flood Alternia's seas before deciding she wanted to go DRAGON-RIDIN' instead and tried to con the fuckin' SUMMONER into helpin' her do it, and now THIS bitch was tryin' to live up to her fuckin' legacy!? GODS did it piss him off!!!

But soon, in just a little bit more time, he would put a fuckin' bullet into the opposition team's heads and rub it in that fuckin' BITCH'S face that he got a better score than her-!!!

"Um... this might be a bad time... but Rufio just contacted me. Mindfang just beat the opposition team." Fef, dear, sweet, naive Fef, hesitantly echoed in his ears.

At the sound of this truly regrettable news, Eridan did what any self-respecting Violetblood royal would do. He calmly and concisely expressed his displeasure to the Heavens. "GOD FUCKIN DAMMIT!!!!"

...

Today had been such an AMAZING day!! Feferi had been... a bit hesitant about FLARPing. To say the least. Like, what was so fun about some game where you... killed each other? It made her sick... most things on Alternia made her sick. Everything about this beautiful, wild world... all of it was poisoned by that BITCH's touch.

Feferi considered herself a compassionate, open-minded person, who viewed violence as her last resort whenever possible. So it said much that even the THOUGHT of seeing the horrible monster who was her Ancestor and had shackled her to the role of Heiress made her want to 'introduce' the older Troll to the prongs of her Trident.

But enough about silly stuff like that, it was time to celebrate!! "Three Cheers for Team Shatter! Hip hip, hooray!!"

"Hooray!" Rufio laughed, eagerly joining Fef's double high-five... only for the raw strength in her limbs to send him flying into the nearby woods. "...I'M OKAY!! MOSTLY!!!"

"Eh hehe, sorry." Feferi sheepishly replied, flinching under Mindfang's glare. It was such a super stupid bummer that Mindfang and Rufio didn't want to share their real names and stuff. She'd... mostly gotten over Mindfang metaphorically slapping away her offer of friendship... mostly. But that was glubbing HOURS ago, didn't that make for enough time for them to be buddies now!? She... she really wanted someone she could talk to about Hemospectrum stuff who wasn't Eridan. "I guess I don't know my own strength sometimes!"

"It's fine." Mindfang sighed, flicking her hair over her shoulder. It was such a cool motion; everything about the Blueblood was cool in Feferi's eyes. Confident, defiant, totally willing to spit in the eyes of tradition and carve her own path... if Fef didn't find jealousy super lame, she might even think she's jealous of the other girl. How could anyone be just so cool and collected about everything they do!? Maybe if she were... she wouldn't have to feed her Lusus the way she did. She smirked, and Fef fought the urge to wiggle in glee at the sight. "I gotta admit, you were better out there than I thought you'd be, Compy. You really helped pull my firstmate's butt out of the fire."

'Her Infinite Compassion.' It was Fef's character for FLARPing; a character she'd constructed as her symbolic defiance of the cruelty in the world they lived in, loving constructed from some of her favorite childhood stories of a wandering hero and his band of friends who sought to end the divisions between the castes, only to wind up dead at the hands of her Ancestor; the hero was probably fictional, because Fef couldn't believe someone so cool could exist and not have a huge following to this very day... but the way he always started off with an open hand, providing comfort and aid to others... it spoke to her. For some reason, Eridan kept giving her funny looks when she told everyone the name of her character, but what did he know!

"Heheh, thanks! And, um, sorry for ambushing you out of nowhale before with the whole 'being friends' thing." Feferi replied, hoping she didn't blush in front of the awesome cool girl who she kind of wanted to be more like. Not just because it would be embarrassing, but because that shitty medicine she needed to take to change her blood color was starting to wear off, and the last thing she needed was for word to get out that the Heiress was visiting dry land! "It... probabubbly wasn't school of me."

"Uhh, Comp, it's fiiiiiiiine! You just startled me is all. For now, we're gaming buds; let's see how things shape up from there, first, okay?" Mindfang smirked again, ruffling her hair before stalking over to where Rufio had pulled himself clear of the woods, the predatory stance shifting into something more... gentle as she began fussing and fretting over the sheepishly grinning Bronzeblood. Ahhh... it was like her cherished first addition Pupa Pan novel come to life! Although, hopefully with a less... sad ending.

...

"I know-w this is hard for ya, Fef, but you agreed to it w-when you insisted on joinin' me." Eridan said sternly; it always kind of took Feferi by surprise when Eridan pulled out his 'serious face.' He was normally so... well, it would be rude to say 'needy' but more like 'emotional' about things that seeing him put his own thoughts behind him was honestly kind of cool. Certainly less exhausting to deal with.

"I'm not a glubbing wriggler, Eridan. I min-knew what this was going to entail from the beginning. I may not like it... but grabbing them now when everyone's all busy celebrating is for the best. Less... less chance they'll see us." Feferi said softly, clutching the silken robes of her costume in disgust.

She hated this. She hated having to be a killer. Hated having to leave other Trolls without their Lusii just to keep her own placated. But if she didn't, EVERYONE would suffer! The worst part was that Glubby wouldn't INTEND to do it; it used to be a point of contention between them, Feferi believing she was being made to be a slave to keep Glubby sated, but Glubby had eventually helped her realize that raising her voice was an involuntary reflex of her body's own discomfort, of which hunger was the most common form. It was still hard, but knowing that kept the situation from being outright nightmarish; she couldn't imagine the torment of those Trolls with more... high-maintenance Lusii who genuinely WERE used as slaves, essentially.

His rifle prepped and ready to mow down anyone who might stumble upon them, the two Seadwellers crept up on the nearby Hives of the very teams they'd defeated earlier. And it WAS a team effort, Eridan, so stop being such a glubbing wriggler about Mindfang showing you up!! Gods he was such a handful...

"Stop." Eridan instructed, pulling her to the side. Feferi rolled her eyes, going along with it; he'd been so paranoid ever since she'd strong-armed him (literally) into letting her come along. She could take care of herself just fine! But it was just proof, in the end, that whatever his problems, he cared... and that was what mattered most. How deeply he cared. "Someone's coming."

Feferi raised an eyebrow, but kept hiding, focusing for sound... and then she heard it. A low, soft, whistle, paired with a wet scraping sound. Trading glances with Eridan, the two slowly peaked their heads over the craggy rocks... and barely held in a gasp.

Mindfang, whistling a cheerful ditty that reminded Fef of some of the music engrams of emotional pop artists that Eridan smuggled to her, was walking by, dragging the very much DEAD bodies of the two teams she and the rest of them had defeated earlier! Judging by the lack of a bloody trail, they'd been dead a while... h-hadn't Mindfang said they'd stormed off in a huff after she thrashed them or something!?

Mindfang paused, and it took all of Feferi's control not to jump in fright. What was she thinking, clearly there was a reasonable explanation for this! One that ERIDAN wasn't considering, given he was raising his rifle to align with her skull... "You two idiots can come out now. I KNOW you're both there." Mindfang smirked, looking right in their direction. "After all, you two are the only ones who were present today who could resist my mental commands to slit your own throats. So... how about we have a nice little chat? Hmmmmmmmm?"

Feferi swallowed nervously, trading glances with Eridan (who still had his rifle prepared to fire) as they stepped out of hiding. Mindfang smirked, nodding to the both of them. "Compy, Dualscar! What a shocking development, seeing two fine, upstanding sea-dwellers skulking about at night. What would the information periodicals say?" She tapped one finger against her lip playfully; it was genuinely unnerving, given the blood coating her hands. "It's almost as if the two of you were up to something shady!"

"Oh stuff it Mindfang! W-WE aren't the ones hauling around a pack of corpses!!" Eridan hissed, leveling his weapon at her head, the playful smirk on her face gaining a feral edge... and Feferi was starting to have quite about enough of this.

"Oh can you two just glubbing knock it off already!?" She snapped, smacking Eridan on the back of the head, and nearly bowling him over in the process. She tried not to blush and fidget too much at how Mindfang had instantly burst into laughter at her actions. She fixed a diplomatic smile in place, hoping the length of her sleeves hid how her hands were trembling. "We're really sor-reef if wave caused you any troububble tuna-ight! I'm sure there's a... perfectly legitimate reason for you having the dead bodies of our opponents' today...?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm gonna feed them to my Lusus. She eats Trolls and if I don't keep her sated, I'm next on the menu." Mindfang said bluntly, causing the two sea-dwellers to reel back in surprise. But... Feferi noted a strange glint to her eyes... a tightening of her fists that she wasn't quite able to control. Mindfang shrugged, hoisting one of the bodies, an Indigoblood, up by the back of its collar, making it move like a puppet. "Why yes Milady Mindfang, it would be our pleasure to offer up our worthless lives as tribute to your Lusus! I am extra chewy today, I believe!!"

Feferi held back a giggle at the absurdity of the situation, even as Eridan gave an exaggerated, whiny groan of annoyance in response. He clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes at Mindfang as a dangerous smile slid across his face. Uh oh. "W-Well now-w, you certainly seem aw-wfully confident, flauntin' a corpse of a Troll higher up than you on the Hemospectrum around! Yeah, you said you don't give a shit about it, but there's still a little matter of the law and all..."

"Eri-Dualscar!" Feferi hissed, itching to pull out her Trident to hoist him into the air with; it was how she used to prank him whenever he acted out when they were a bit younger, and if he was gonna act like this NOW of all times then she'd treat him like the wriggler he was set on being!!

Mindfang laughed, completely unafraid of Eridan's threat. Before he could get pissed enough to actually go THROUGH with shooting her, she raised a hand. "Please spare us the bluff; if I go down, then you two go down with me. It might be against the law for a lower-caste Troll to kill a higher-caste one under most circumstances, but killing off a LUSUS is ALWAYS forbidden."

The two sea-dwellers froze, a sheen of sweat breaking out on Feferi's face as she tried to keep her shaking smile in place. "W-water ever do you mean? W-we're just a couple of royal Sea-dwellers, having some fun slumming it with the common folk, that's all! Heheheheh.... what gave it away?"

Her fake laughter had caved in seconds in the face of Mindfang's unimpressed eyebrow raise. She shrugged. "Call it a hunch, but it's pretty much public knowledge that the Heiress has to keep that overgrown pile of tentacles that she calls a Lusus pacified if we all don't want to wind up leaking our brains out of our ears, and it's known that the thing likes the taste of Lusii best of all. Given I haven't heard anything about lower-caste folks randomly falling over while leaking blood out of their orifices, it stands to reason she's keeping it quiet, but call me crazy, but I don't think one Troll can pull that off. Hell, I can BARELY keep my own Lusus sated, and she's a lot smaller than that thing down in the depths."

"That's all just fuckin' speculation-!!" Eridan growled, preparing to fire... only for Feferi to calmly push his rifle down. "Fef, w-what the fuck are you doin'?"

"The jig's up, Dualscar." She said softly, before giving Mindfang a sad smile. "It's true; we came up here tonight to use the FLARP session as a cover to scout out Lusii to hunt for the Royal Lusus. I really am sorry about misleading you and Rufio about things; it was a lot of fun, more than I thought it would be... and I was kind of hoping that we could do it again someday."

Mindfang tilted her head, confused. "Uh, yeah? You aren't gonna flake out on the next meet up, are you? Because I have a winning streak against skinny, surly and stupid next to you."

Feferi blinked, struggling to process as Eridan sputtered indignantly. "Eh?"

Mindfang chuckled again. "I didn't call you two out to tell you to stay away from me or some junk like that; I did it because I want in!"

Eridan arched an eyebrow. "Really... you w-want in on OUR Lusus hunting. Pardon my fuckin' language, but that sounds like a load of Musclebeastshit."

"Hey, it kills two featherbeasts with one stone, doesn't it?" Mindfang pointed out. She waltzed closer, throwing an arm over Feferi's shoulder playfully. "I get Trolls for my Lusus, and the two of you get their Lusii for the Heiress'!! Honestly, I'm a little disappointed she's not here herself."

Feferi blinked, looking up at Mindfang in confusion. "Your... disappointed she's not hunting Lusii herself?"

"Yeah! Well, kinda. It's more... I thought she'd be more the 'take responsibility, do it with your own hands' type. Like me but more stuffy since, you know, royalty and all." Mindfang admitted, clicking her tongue in annoyance. "It's really lame passing the burden of slaughtering a bunch of young Trolls' caretakers onto somebody else while she reaps the benefits of it. But hey, there was an upside to this; you two seem way more fun than whatever stuffy loser is sitting on the second highest position in the Empire!!"

As Mindfang burst out laughing, Eridan scowled, making to say something, only for a broadly smiling Feferi to below him in the ribs. "Yup! That certainly would be a scummy thing for the Heiress to do, making someone else handle something really nasty and bad for the greater good. B-But hey, what do I know, I'm just the hired help!!" She beamed at the smile Mindfang shot her. She opened her mouth to continue the charade... only for something to occur to her. "Does... does Rufio know about this...?"

Instantly, all amusement fled from Mindfang's face, the temperamental pirate looking away. "No. And honestly, I'd rather keep it that way; he's way too nice to have to deal with my nonsense. Well, that SIDE of my nonsense at any rate. So if we do go through with this partnership..."

Feferi nodded solemnly, elbowing Eridan to get him to agree as well. "I get it, and I agree. I'm honestly kind of relieved; it sort of makes sense that you do it, even without the reason, but Rufio? He's just... too nice! It would've made me sad if he were the type to do something like this, no matter how necessary."

"You and me both, sister." Mindfang remarked, visibly DARING Eridan to try something, the irate Sea-dweller actively fighting the urge to blast her until she ran away screaming from Feferi... "But I do gotta ask. Is this deal on? Or no?"

Ignoring Eridan's frantic pleading for her to say no, Feferi beamed like the sun. "That sounds wonderful!! Does that make us friends now!?"

"Give it a sweep; we'll talk then." Mindfang smirked, clapping Feferi on the back. "But for now, this looks like the start of a beautiful partnership."

"Of course! But... I am curious."

"Yeah?"

"You DO realize your hands are covered in blood, correct?"

"Huh... I honestly forgot all about that!"

Chapter Text

Tavros licked his lips, fighting down the jittering of his nerves. It'd been about a week since the FLARP competition, and things had been settling down pretty well. After she got finished blubbering about 'acting like a colossal idiot' in front of their partner team after the match, Vriska had passed along Compy's contact info, and they'd really been hitting it off! Enough so that he was taking a step he probably should've done awhile ago; meet up with his other friends IRL!! "Tinkerbull? I'm heading out!"

His Lusus ducked into view, and squeaked warningly at him. He fought the urge to groan and roll his eyes; he was just trying to look out for Tavros, he knew this, but it was so frustrating sometimes. "I told you, Vriska's nice! She'd never do something to hurt me, not when she's had plenty of chances up until now. Besides, it's not even her I'm going to see this time!"

Instantly, Tinkerbull settled down... a little bit. The warnings were more generic sounding this time, and Tavros waved them off. "It's going to be FINE, Tinkerbull! Karkat's coming along, and if he thought any of these guys would hurt me, he would've warned me off. Now, before you can get yourself worked up some more, I'm going to LEAVE now, and I'm taking the Grub Pasta with me as a gift. Do NOT follow me this time!"

Ignoring his Lusus' indignant squeak at the entirely true accusation that Tinkerbull spied on him, Tavros jumped into the trees, his precious cargo secure against his chest as he smoothly vaulted towards his destination, a small-ish Town with an active gaming community; it had been his idea to go here, as he'd always wanted to but feared getting ambushed. Ever since he met Vriska, he'd been feeling more adventurous, though...

As Tavros kicked through the treetops, gradually picking up speed, the tentative smile on his face grew broader, firmer. Laughter slipped out as he jumped into a triple backflip, unbothered by the open air and potential drop to the ground beneath him as he smoothly completed the jump, kicking off the tree he landed in without a care in the world. Pankour, the only way to travel! Or something like that.

As he closed in on the meeting spot they'd all agreed on ahead of time, he could see Karkat angrily pacing, and he thought he could faintly hear his high-strung friend's voice ranting on the wind. Man, Karkat's voice could carry! Hmm... maybe he could have a little fun with this. Fair was fair, it's not like Karkat's never messed with him before! And if nothing else, everyone else would get a kick out of it.

Aborting his forward movement, he dropped to the ground, circling to the side. As Karkat continued whatever long-winded rant he was on about now (from what Tavros could tell, he was worried about why Tavros was running behind, aww...), Tavros crept into view, holding up a finger to his lips at Sollux, who had spotted him first. The broad grin on the Goldblood's face told him that he understood what was gonna happen perfectly, and found it hilarious.

"-AND HE MADE US SHOW UP HERE AT THIS FUCKING TOWN AND DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE GODDAMN DECENCY TO SHOW UP ON TIME!? WHAT, IS HE TOO BUSY PRACTICING HIS BULGE-POLISHING TECHNIQUE BECAUSE CLEARLY HE NEEDS TO SHOW OFF HOW RUGGED AND COOL HE IS!?" Karkat continued, already long into his current rant and having worked himself up a good deal. Tavros didn't take any offense; he knew Karkat didn't mean it like that. Besides, this was going to be awesome.

Aradia, who had picked up on Sollux's attempts to muffle his laughter, followed the bifurcated Troll's gaze, and had to stifle a laugh herself as she saw Tavros silently, exaggeratedly, creep up behind Karkat. He shot her a silly wink, before continuing to 'sneak up' on Karkat. "Um... Karkat...?"

"SERIOUSLY, AFTER ALL THE FUCKING HELL I WENT THROUGH TO ENSURE OUR SCHEDULES WERE ON THE SAME PAGE FOR THIS, YOU'D THINK I SHOULD EXPECT SOME RESPECT, SOME BASIC, GRATITUDE, BUT NO!!! YOU KNOW WHAT, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT LITTLE ASSHOLE TO SHOW UP SO I CAN GIVE HIM A PIECE OF MY MIND!!" Karkat concluded, breath coming out in ragged pants as he finally burned through his admittedly prodigious lung capacity.

"Sorry Karkat, but I think I'm on a brain free diet."

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!" Karkat shrieked, practically jumping five feet in the air, drawing his sickle on reflex as he swung down... only for Tavros to angle his head so it stuck on his horns, unscathed. Karkat squinted, visibly trying to hold in his embarrassment; was he really so private about his blood color that he kept himself from blushing. "Um... how much of that did you hear...?"

"Not much, just the last three minutes of it." Tavros confirmed with a grin, causing Karkat to shriek in humiliation. "I must say, your insults seem to lose that creative bent of yours when you let yourself get worked up like that, although the repeated mention of bulge-polishing was a bit eyebrow raising!"

Before Karkat could explode again from sheer embarrassment, Sollux stepped forward to defuse things, much to everyone's surprise; Aradia had just been about to do that herself. "Ath funny ath it would be to thee KK lothe hith shit, we showed up for a reathon, and that'th to do thome gaming, right? Tho how about we thettle whatever shenaniganth are gonna happen like reathonable Trollth and game?"

"Now that is a motherfuckin' plan I can get down with, Solbro!" Gamzee chuckled, clapping the stiff Goldblood on the shoulder playfully, oblivious to the mild discomfort on Sollux's face at his close proximity. "If we're gonna be hangin', lettin' all this negative energy be up in our business is super unchill, you feelin' me?"

"I know of some ruins nearby that'd make for a cool backdrop for us!" Aradia added.

Karkat slumped over, outright pouting at having his righteous indignation cut short by well-reasoned arguments and the promise of fun. How dare they know his weakness and use it against him!! "Fine, I guess I can spare Tavros the humiliation of a direct verbal assault from all sides for the slander he has leveled against me, and- ...Do I smell Grup Pasta?"

"Yeah, I brought some from home for all of us!" Tavros announced, whipping out the well-wrapped platter, the other Trolls' eyes gleaming at the rich, decadent meal, the kind that took special preparation and constant attention to make right, was unveiled to their senses, the heady and savory aroma filling the clearing. It was massive, and could clearly feed all of them easily. Tavros gave a kind smile, holding it out. "I thought we could all enjoy it together!"

The other four paused, and exchanged nods; games could wait, eat now.

...

After they finished devouring the meal with all the grace of a pack of murderbeasts alongside a promise extracted from Tavros for more food at later meet ups, which he easily agreed to, they made their way to the game shop. The shopkeep, a surly looking Tealblood, eyed their mixed group with contempt... only to freeze up at a subtle glare from Gamzee.

"How's about this motherfuckin' beauty? All that runnin' and jumpin' shit while we try to blast them suckers offa us could be hella fun!" Gamzee suggested, pointing to the Laser Tag game grub. Upon activation, it released symbiotic parasites that would act as both blasters and armor for the players with which they would fire at each other; it had a reputation for decent competitive play, with only the occasional fatality. Winning could be determined via either last Troll standing or number of foes defeated.

"Thankth, but I think I'll pathth. When you got powerth like mine, gamete like that either get trivialized or end up impoththible to win." Sollux scoffed, inspecting the se tion of tabletop Game grubs with an appraising eye. For some reason, Gamzee got the feeling that Sollux didn't like him; maybe he should apologize for nearly busting his skull open? It was a pretty unchill thing to do with the benefit or hindsight, and Karkat was really helping him get better at figuring out this whole "being sober" shit.

Naturally, none of their group paid the Evidence Game grub the time of night. Call them crazy, but a game that involved brainwashing all the players into thinking they were different people and pushing one of them to murder one of the others before seeing who could figure out to culprit, or the culprit successfully framed another player, was their idea of a good time. Well, Aradia had been interested, until they got it through her head that it was one of THEM who would die and not some gaming abstraction acting as a designated victim. And Gamzee thought he had a weird fixation with death!

"Well, what about the FLARP grub? I've been meaning to try it for awhile, but, you know, never had enough friends!" Aradia suggested brightly, smoothly distracting the group from the morbid topic of before with a different one. "Just imagine it, us, going out into the ruins, powered up by FLARP abstractions, abjuring our way through hoards of game-generated monsters and getting treasure and levels!!! It would be so exciting!!"

Karkat grimaced, but a quick glance from Gamzee kept him from shouting. With an amount of effort that looked physically PAINFUL to watch, he swallowed his default response before speaking in a measured tone. "Isn't that that fucked up game for Highbloods to go around killing each other without stepping on the Hemospectrum's toes?"

"Yes, yes it is!" Aradia confirmed cheerfully... only for her face to fall as the implications settled in. "...Oh."

"Hey, me and Vriska went FLARPing a few days ago, and we had a fun time! It's not like there's any kind of rule or something saying the game has to be fatal." Tavros protested, shooting an annoyed look at Karkat as he patted Aradia on the shoulder.

When his bro turned to him for support, Gamzee could only shrug with a chuckle. "Lil Tav-Bro's got a point! Ain't no thang sayin' we can't play it all chill like."

Karkat grimaced, before snapping his fingers in annoyance, not liking that he'd lost the argument but, to Gamzee's eyes, not wanting to protest things further. Good on him! "Well excuse me for not being all that interested in a game that might violate my privacy... but I guess we can put it down on the maybe list. Somehow I fucking doubt that we have the time to set up a full game."

"Well, we can get it now and just set things up for a later date." Tavros pointed out, he and Aradia trading excited glances at the thought of a FLARP session among their little band of righteous brothers. "I even made a new friend during me and Vriska's FLARP meet-up; I'm sure Comp would love to join in, and her character's support specced so we won't have to worry as much about anyone getting hurt!!"

Even Karkat seemed at least somewhat placated by this, even if Gamzee could tell he was trying not to let it show. That brother was just too stubborn his own good sometimes... to his confusion, it wasn't Karkat, but Sollux who interjected next. "Okay, not that I'm not enthuthiathtic at you two getting to be all buddy-buddy about thith game, and it doeth thort of thound like it could be fun, but how are we gonna afford it? Latht I checked, none of uh are thwimming in fundth."

Tavros' expression grew sour, Aradia's sorrowful, at the reminder; the caste system wasn't generous in the first place, but it was even less so towards Lowbloods, who were given the bare minimum to survive while their Lusus provided the rest. Of course, there were exceptions... Gamzee chuckled. "I think you might be forgetting my fine, motherfuckin' self. Get yo game, Aradisista, I'm a spot ya."

Squealing in joy, Aradia shot forward, tackle-hugging Gamzee around the waist. It was... shocking. Surprising, honestly... but not in a bad way. ...A strange discomfort ran up Gamzee's spine as he internally processed that aside from Karkbro being his usual self, THIS was the most direct and sincere display of kindness Gamzee could scrounge up from the depths of his think pan... but he kept the smile in place, ruffling Aradia's hair as he confirmed he'd buy.

With the FLARP game grub and the selection of manuals for it set aside, they began scrounging for a game they could play right away... right up until Karkat gave a triumphant shout, leaping up onto the nearby table, totally unconcerned with the annoyed looks his antics were earning him. "Cease your searching, because I have just found what is without any potential doubt the finest game we could be playing today! Hold your applause, really, it was nothing for someone with my natural talent and leadership skills to find, I assure you!!"

Tavros rolled his eyes. "Great, then you won't mind getting down and telling us what it is?"

As the group snickered at his surprisingly deadpan delivery, Karkat climbed back down with a pout, shooting a rude gesture at a Troll he accidentally kicked in the face who took a swipe at him in response. "Alright, the game is called Gamble. Despite the name, it is a warfare simulator, in which we, the players, submit our personal data into the game grub and it shall generate armies for us to pit against each other as we attempt to be the ones to achieve singular control over the map we set up. While entering our armies to fight directly is possible, it is not obligatory, so this way each of us can engage with the game in whatever way fits us best on a personal level. That way no one has to be crammed into a role that they feel doesn't fit them and everyone can play their own way. Now, doesn't that sound like a good idea, or did I somehow contract some manner of brain fungus in the last few instances and this is all some delusional fever dream as my bodily functions shut down?"

Karkat's... creative metaphor aside, they all agreed that the game fit what they were aiming for perfectly. Really, a game that would let them combine their personal skills, weaponry, and the native abilities of their Blood Caste together into a custom army under their personal control that they could join or direct at their leisure? It was like it was MADE for a group as disparate as theirs!! What could possibly go wrong?

...

"GAMZEE, GET YOUR FUCKING ARMY UNDER CONTROL OR SO HELP ME I AM GOING TO FIND A WAY TO STRANGLE YOU WITH MY OWN INTESTINES!! I'D USE YOURS, BUT APPARENTLY I WON'T BE USING THEM FOR LONG IF THIS FIGHT IS ANY INDICATOR!!!" Karkat shouted, desperately dodging yet another juggling club sent hurtling at his head by the cackling hoard of Abstracted Monsters that were Gamzee's army. Meanwhile his own army of whiny fuck-ups just sat around all surly and brooding and taking swipes at each other with their sickles.

"KINDA BUSY BRO!!!" Gamzee shouted back, the manic edge Karkat had been gradually growing familiar with whenever Gamzee contacted him to vent clear and present as he barreled through the psionic barriers Sollux's posse of Ninjas were using to try and box him in. The two of them had agreed (well Karkat had ordered it and Gamzee rolled with it) that they'd form an alliance to take on the others before duking it out between themselves... only for Gamzee to lose control of his army in SECONDS while Karkat couldn't get his to fight unless something fucking attacked them first! WHAT THE FUCK WAS THIS SHIT!? "HOPE Y'ALL MOTHERFUCKERS ARE READY TO GET CLOWNED ON, BITCHES!!!"

"Am I... interrupting something?" Aradia asked, voice piped directly into Karkat's head via the game grub's abstractions.

"FUCK!! Die already!!" Karkat hissed, hastily disemboweling a now disintegrating abstraction as he ducked for cover, giving a guilty sigh of relief as the unstable army of clown-like monsters turned on his moping hoard of... weirdly armored crab knight things? He didn't know, but the sudden hostility snapped his army out of their malaise, provoking them into combat. He sighed. "Nah, not really. Apparently this game wasn't exactly made with Highbloods in mind for using it or some shitty reason like that, because Gamzee's Purpleblood impulses are sending his army on a fucking rampage towards anything that moves!!"

"Oh, is that all?" Aradia chuckled. Weirdly, it had a double echo to it. "Karkat, have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe that's intentional? Like, the expected tactic would be to just unleash this army in a direction and wait until they've slaughtered everything in their path?"

Karkat opened his mouth to protest... only to slowly close it with a disgruntled huff, details from books on Highblood neurology he'd been discreetly checking out to help Gamzee leaping to mind. "Okay, yeah, that's probably true. It's still fucking stupid, though! What is even the point of an army you can't actually control!?"

"Hey, I didn't make the game. And since you said that this isn't a bad time... The United Army of Rusted Bronze declares WAR upon the Crab-Clown Coalition!!" Aradia declared... and as a shadow slid across the sky, Karkat glanced up in naked disbelief, jaw going slack as he stared at Aradia hanging off of Tavros' back, the two of them grinning cheekily as her freakish ghost army (HOW the fuck was that fair, again!?) telekinetically lowered his mixed army of lancers and beasts down from above. Well played, Megido... well played.

With the power of a surprise ambush on their side, Tavros and Aradia managed to take advantage of Sollux's raid on Gamzee and Karkat's forces and claim victory, before Tavros graciously surrendered the victory to Aradia. Of course, Karkat demanded a rematch at a future date, which everyone agreed to; no one could deny that this had been a fun game... and that it was one they'd like to revisit again in the future, once they brushed up on the rules a bit more.

...

"Yo, Solbro, how about you and me go-!" Gamzee started, only for Sollux to lift himself into the air with his psionics, flying off. Gamzee clicked his tongue, eye twitching. "Okay... this is starting to get annoying."

"What is?" Aradia asked, having overheard Gamzee's muttering.

Gamzee grimaced, debating not mentioning anything... but Karkbro had told him that keeping stuff inside wasn't healthy, and he had enough built up issues with folks as it is. "It's Sollux. I'm thinking that he's got some kinda motherfuckin' fear of me or some shit over what went down when me and Siska went and crashed his pad over Tavbro, and I wanna clear the air and shit... but I can't exactly do that if he ain't given me the time a day, you dig?"

Aradia nodded sympathtically, patting Gamzee on the shoulder. For once, it didn't feel patronizing like how it did when folks normally did that with him, aside from Karkat that is. "I get it. It was admittedly pretty scary... but hey, you thought we were some creeps who had kidnapped your friend's hurt buddy! Of course you were going to get rough. I'll try to talk to him about it; I can't make any promises, but... maybe give him some space?"

Gamzee sighed, but grudgingly nodded. "I guess... but I just wish I could get it over with and shit. Holdin' onto that kinda negativity ain't good for ya think pan! I just wanna be able to hang with my bro's bro and pass around some of the Faygo with 'em. Is that so fuckin' wrong?"

Aradia smiled at his rhetorical question, opening her mouth to respond... only for raised voices to distract the duo. Glancing over, she grimaced as she saw Karkat currently yelling in the face of someone both she and Gamzee recognized... and going by Gamzee's glower, that recognition wasn't positive in nature. "Oh no..."

...

It had been going so well, Tavros had decided. Their game had concluded, bonds had been forged, and he'd only felt like punching Karkat twice! Which was a big deal, because ever since Vriska had been helping him take more pride in himself, Karkat's hotheadedness had made him feel very punchable a few times, even if he lacked the nerve to go through with it without Rufio's support. Good old Rufio...

Where was he going with this again? Oh, right. Today had been great. He and Karkat were talking shop about gaming, with him trying to inconspicuously float the idea of getting into Fiduspawn to Karkat, and Karkat not even remotely inconspicuously shutting him down. Plus laughing about Karkat's coding failures; turns out that when someone like Sollux wasn't egging him on, Karkat had a surprisingly good sense of self-deprecating humor, taking his failures in stride and using them as fuel to go forward.

After spending as much time as he had with Vriska, Tavros was PRETTY sure most of that was due to Karkat constantly trying to convince himself he was doing okay and that everything was fine, but it all would work out, in the end. Probably. He didn't get WHY Karkat felt this way... but for whatever other flaws he had, Karkat had always been willing to be in Tavros' corner... and that was something worth holding on to.

So why, when things were going so well... did THIS GUY have to show up!? Tavros bit his lip, fidgeting nervously as he stared up into the cold, dark glass of Equius Zahhak's glasses, the unnervingly muscular Indigoblood looking down at him in (Tavros assumed) an imperious way. "Um, hey... Equius... right? Funny running into you here, eh heh..."

"I see nothing amusing nor humorous in this situation, Mister Nitram." Equius said sternly, looming over Tavros in a way that made all of his hard won confidence melt into his shoes. The Indigoblood slowly panned his head across the area. "I have recently begun to take an interest in the field of archaeological studies, and had selected this place as deserving of further exploration. Would you... care... to inform me of Miss Serket's interest in this location?"

Tavros licked his lips, unsure how to answer that; the simple answer, that she had none and that Tavros was here for totally different reasons, had already died stillborn on his tongue. Because when he looked at Equius...

All he could see was that Indigoblood laughing at him, his spear impaled in his side, desperately telling himself that it was okay, that it didn't matter, that he'd done good, made her proud, done SOMETHING FUCKING RIGHT IN HIS WORTHLESS LIFE-!!

"Hey. How about you do us both a favor, and get that sweat-soaked maw of yours out of my friend's face?" Karkat interjected, smoothly stepping between Equius and Tavros. If only slightly, Tavros felt like he could breathe better... even if the low, soft tone Karkat had adopted, so at odds with his normal impassioned shouting, was worrying in its own way.

Said sweat-soaked maw twisted into a grimace, Equius fidgeting in place. "While I admire your willingness to defend your comrade, this truly is not a matter of your concern." Equius insisted, stepping back just enough to take in Karkat's appearance in full. Equius' eyes, what little of them lay visible behind his shades, flicked out to scan his appearance... and one unusual detail in particular. "Hmm... I am unable to discern your Blood Color. Are you, perhaps... ashamed of it."

Tavros' bloodpusher froze in his chest, the Bronzeblood staring at Equius in naked shock as Karkat grew dangerously still. Taking Karkat's silence for confirmation, Equius nodded to himself, something easing in his posture. "I believe I understand, then. Worry not, for such feelings are entirely natural, even if such an attempt to conceal it is... slightly unseemly."

Tavros hissed; that was... so much the wrong thing to say to Karkat it made Tavros mentally relive every major screw-up in his life up until now. He could SEE Karkat go completely still... something dark and dangerous sliding into his eyes. "Shut up..."

Equius tilted his head, confused. "I am... sorry?"

"SHUT UP!! SHUT THE FUCK UP!! YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT ANY FUCKING RIGHT TO TALK DOWN TO ME BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA BROADCAST MY FUCKING BLOOD TO EVERYONE WITH WORKING EYES!? FUCK YOU AND FUCK YOUR HEMOSUPREMACIST HOOFBEASTSHIT!!!" Karkat screamed, Tavros desperately trying to hold the surprisingly strong Troll back as he attempted to try and drive his sickle into a strangely confused and alarmed Equius' eyes.

Before he could pry out of Tavros' arms, a pulse of psionics manifested between Karkat and Equius, knocking the two back, a stone-faced Sollux descending from above. He glanced at both now sprawling Trolls blankly, before turning to Tavros, trembling in fear at what was occurring. "Okay, what the fuck'th going on?"

Chapter Text

"Stupid fricking Goldblood, playing dead, trying to make a break for it, leaking blood all over," Vriska grumbled angrily, furiously scrubbing the floor. Arsimian, who had helped her bring in the Goldblood in question, bowed his head in guilt, only for her to pay his head reassuringly. "No, no, it's okay. I was the one who had thought just stabbing him in the gut was enough to take him out before throwing him to Spidermom, and didn't make sure to see to it that he was finished properly. That's why I'M the one doing cleanup today; my mess, my responsibility."

It was a concept that would've been foreign not even a sweep ago, not out of malice so much as a sweep ago you would've been so high strung that even taking the time to THINK about such a thing would've been out of the question. But now, you... kinda enjoyed it? Not the tedious scrubbing, fuck that, but being able to stop and think about these kinds of things... responsibility and all that. It wasn't exactly what Mindfang would do, but it made her feel good about herself, so she'd decided it was in the spirit of what Mindfang would do!

As she continued to press her soaking wet sponge against one particularly stubborn stain in particular, a knock on the door, alongside the rustling and crying of her Fiduspawn outside, had her jump in place. Leaping to her feet, she ripped off the bloodstained gloves she'd been cleaning in off her hands fast enough to sting, throwing them to Arsimian with a hissed demand to have them burned. Gods, she was getting sloppy; what would Tavros think if he came in and saw her with blood that clearly wasn't her own on there? ...He'd likely just think that some idiots had tried to attack her, being too sweet to consider the possibility that she was the aggressor... and she'd prefer it if he never had reason to doubt such thoughts. Then, something happened to make a pit open in her stomach. "Um... Vriska...? Is-is it okay if I come in...? I won't bother you if your busy."

"NO! I mean, YOU CAN COME IN!!" Vriska called out, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands shook, horrified at the thought of something having happened to Tavros; what else could make her funny, bright, cheerful friend... sound so hollow? So broken? She gave herself a quick once over to see if she had any blood still on her; nothing, that was good.

The door opened, and Tavros stepped in, eyes downcast and shoulders stooped, clear tear trails on his face. "Thank you..." He sniffled, furiously wiping at his face. "I'm sorry..."

"Hey! Don't be sorry, just... come over here, okay?" Vriska insisted, guiding him over to her couch as he leaned back. "Did something happen during the game?" A dark thought, one loaded with murderous promise crept into her mind. "Did one of them hurt you...?"

To her instant relief, Tavros shook his head slowly. "No... nothing like that. It's just... Equius showed up." Equius!? Was he stalking Tavros to fuck with her!? Why that sweaty little...! "He, he didn't try to hurt me or anything, but he was just so tall and intimidating and all I could think about w-was the guy who hurt me... I just...I fell apart. But that... wasn't the bad part."

She dearly wanted to ask more about what had been going through his head around Equius, but let him continue. "Go on. I'm listening."

"The others..." He sucked in a breath. "They... they tried to defend me. And at- at first I was happy. Knowing I had good friends like that. B-But all of them... all of them are just so incredible. So strong in so many different ways... even you." She resisted the urge to retort she wasn't strong at all, just clever and crafty. "And it just hit me all at once that... that I'm not strong. I try... I try so hard to PRETEND I'm strong, that I'm confident and sure of myself like you are, like I can do anything if I just keep pushing, but I'm NOT!! I'M NOT STRONG, AND I HATE IT!!! I HATE HAVING TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE LOOK AFTER ME BECAUSE I CAN'T DO IT MYSELF!! I hate it... I hate it so much Vriska..."

"I know..." Vriska whispered, pulling him into a hug, rubbing his back as he cried into her chest. "I know what you're feeling. It's hard. It's so hard, and no one ever understands."

As the gentle Bronzeblood cried himself into unconsciousness, she had her Fiduspawn carry him off to the Guest Recuperoon made just for him that she kept prepared in case of another surprise stay, mind brewing with darkness.

Those idiots... had destroyed some of Tavros' beautiful spark. Something she'd so feverishly cultivated for PERIGEES raising up from dull embers... and would take Perigees more to bring it back to that beautiful glow that made every day worth looking forward to even more than Mindfang's journal did.

She wanted to go after them. She wanted to make them bleed... but she wouldn't. Because she could see it in his eyes; he still cared about them, and would be horrified if she extracted vengeance on his behalf. So she'd stay her hand for now, and help him heal... then, maybe she'd think about forgiving them herself. But not even a single instant before.

...

Six Perigees. That was how long it had been since Tavros Nitram had cut the assembled Trolls out of his life after that disastrous gaming session. Karkat, grinding his teeth furiously at the sheer unfair absurdity of it all, slammed his palms on the table. "Okay, so does anyone have any fucking clue on how to reach Tavros!? The jerk blocked me on Trollian, and his Hive's defended around the clock by those fucking Fiduspawn things of his. If I can't get so much as a single fucking moment with him to get some goddamn answers, I am going to rip my own think pan out of my bone bulge and play fucking hacky sack with it!!"

"What anthwerth are there even to get? The guy'th fucking ghothting uth for showing him up." Sollux deadpanned, idly tossing a throwing star back and forth, alternating between using his psionics and his hands to manipulate it.

Before Karkat could snap at Sollux for interrupting him, something that the bifurcated Troll had been unusually passive in the face of in recent times, Equius slammed his palm against the table... gently. "The Goldblood is correct; Mr. Nitram has made the decision, as is his right, to cut ties with those assembled here due to his own feelings of inferiority." He began rolling up the sleeve of the unusually long-sleeved shirt he wore, the others sucking in a breath at the visibly healing cut across his arm. "Attempting to force the issue will have... consequences." At their bewildered expressions, he clarified. "I gained this from Miss Serket, alongside a warning to stay away from Mr. Nitram until he made contact of his own decision, unless I felt a dire need to part with my limbs."

And that was the other part of the issue, something that set everyone off balance with discomfort; Vriska Serket. Her friendship with Tavros and fierce protectiveness of the Bronzeblood was something they all knew about; learning from Equius, an addition to their circle that had been brute-forced into place by a stern word from Aradia, that she was also likely a killer... well, they always knew the possibility she could kill them, being a Higher Blood Caste compared to all of them barring Equius and Gamzee, but it made any confrontations with her a lot more fraught.

"What I don't get is what Tavros has the fuck to feel shown up over!" Karkat grumbled, slumping in his seat... only to straighten up at the weird looks he was getting. "What!?"

"KK, dude, I don't mean to talk down to you for onthe, but have you theriouthly not thtopped to think about who we are all are? And by extension, what that would mean for TV?" Sollux deadpanned, gesturing to the freakishly strong Equius who was exceptionally powerful even by Indigoblood standards, the master of spirits and the dead that was Aradia, his own incredibly powerful psionic self, and the currently absent lightning bruiser that was Gamzee. Even discounting Vriska, who none of them knew particularly much about, and Karkat himself, all of them were exceptionally powerful for their age AND their Castes.

Karkat clicked his tongue. "Okay, I retract my obviously idiotic statement. I still say he's being a fucking moron about all this!! What the fuck is he even up to!?"

"FLARPing!" Aradia replied brightly, currently decked out in a FLARP costume of her own. She elaborated her point after storing her costume away in her Sylladex using her Channeler Modus; it let her Captchalogue and retrieved 'themed' items by calling out to a spirit with a symbolic connection to the 'theme' in question. "While I'd considered holding off on it until Tavros was feeling better, when it became clear that he wasn't going to be meeting up with or talking with any of us anytime soon, I decided to start taking dives into FLARP on my own, in preparation for when we could all play together... and I saw him at one of the local meet-ups. I took off quickly, since I didn't want to spook him, but I asked a FLARP buddy of mine to keep an eye on him on my behalf; she already knew about him, since apparently he's been hanging with this REALLY shady FLARP team whose opponents keep disappearing without confirmed deaths, and according to her, he's been making a name for himself in one-on-one FLARPing Duels... but he's also been looking more and more haggard. She thinks that his party isn't letting him rest properly, but I think he's pushing himself beyond his limits... to try and 'catch up' to the rest of us, and it's burning him out."

A silence fell over the room, the implications heavy. "God fucking DAMMIT!!" Karkat shouted, shooting to his feet as he kicked his chair against the wall, ignoring the disapproving glare Equius sent him; while he'd accepted the Indigoblood's apology for the confusion (and had laughed long and hard in his face for the mistake of assuming that Karkat was a fellow Highblood incognito), the two still grated against each other's nerves due to their differing demeanors. "Fuck... and with Gamzee out of commission, we don't have anyone who can both keep Tavros from freaking out AND keep him safe if things go fucking sideways trying to meet up with him! GODDAMMIT!!"

Sollux tilted his head. "What the fuck ith up with that guy anyway? I haven't theen him in a Perigee. He back on the Thopor again?"

"No, and fuck you for implying that, he's worked really goddamn hard to stay clean." Karkat growled, before settling his nerves. Her pinched the bridge of his nose. "No, it's a lot more fucking complicated than that. He's being harassed by two guys on Trollian, and it's really getting to him. He won't tell me what it is they're saying to him, but he's having a lot of trouble controlling his temper, so he's isolating himself to keep any accidents from occurring."

"I believe we may be approaching this from the wrong direction." Equius threw in, only sweating slightly when attention focused back on him, before powering on. "Mr. Nitram is elusive, and any attempt to reach him in what few safe environments he has cultivated for himself will likely only serve to cause him to retreat into himself further. The key is not in invading his sanctuaries; the key is convincing his self-appointed bodyguard that we can be trusted in his presence... and Miss Serket has made it unequivocally clear the odds of her interceding on our behalf with him would be... poor."

"I'm hearing a lot of words, but not a plan, get to the fucking point." Karkat demanded, unflinching even as Equius reduced the edge of the table to splinters before muttering an apology.

"My PLAN, Mr. Vantas... is that the only way to reach Mr. Nitram is if we can convince him to do so, and that Miss Serket does not trust us in his presence. Ergo... we need an intermediary whom she is unfamiliar with to intercede with her on our behalf and, in theory, intercede with Mr. Nitram directly." He paused, trading grins with Aradia as she figured out who he was talking about. "And I believe I know just the one."

...

Kanaya Maryam yawned; another poor day's sleep caused by her body's strange allure to the sun. Her Lusus cooed in sympathy, and Kanaya giggled as a fresh fruit was dropped in front of her, digging in. It would be a few more hours until her friend contacted her, but it never hurt to get an early start on things!

Moving to her Wardrobifier, she pursed her lips, trying to see which outfit to wear today; she knew it made her a bit odd among her kind that she enjoyed fashion as passionately as she did (as far as she was aware, only Adult Trolls or Seadwellers shared her interest in the subject), but she did not mind. Conversations with her friend had long helped her come to grips with her oddness... even if the idea that she could be a potential Rainbow Drinker was certainly farfetched! No matter how... fascinating... the idea might seem...

The sound of her doorbell caused her to jolt in surprise, glancing downstairs. Company? Hmm, perhaps Aradia and Equius were back? The two were lovely, and whenever they stopped by on their way to explore the Ruins, she'd made sure to chat them up and offer them tea. It never hurt to be a good host!

Skipping down stairs, internally cringing on the randomly picked outfit she'd selected (even thought it was a gorgeous midnight blue dress), she carefully slid the door open... blinking in confusion at the group of Trolls before her. "Can I... help you?"

Aradia stepped forward, taking Kanaya's hand in her own. "Kanaya old buddy old pal of mine, you absolutely can!!"

...

"So... to make certain I have this situation clear. You all wish for me to intercede in your conflict with another friend of yours... Vriska, correct?" Kanaya said calmly, sipping the tea before her; Equius had prepared it, the dear, and while the milk-like undertone was a tad off-putting, she would not be so rude as to discard it.

"Yeah, that's more or less the fucking short of it. But she's not our friend; she's the friend of another friend of ours, who is going through some shit and is guarding him like some fucked up Troll-shaped Murderbeast. We need you to make sure she both doesn't try to fucking kill us and that he's... that he's okay." Karkat, the angry mutant (not that he knew she knew this), ground out. Nevertheless, he calmly joined her in sipping the tea.

It was a strange dichotomy, Karkat; he presented himself so strongly as a violent, aggressive warrior, and in some aspects, he was! Yet underneath it, he would naturally fall into roles of diplomacy and reconciliation if provided the opportunity. Still, best to stay on topic, everyone was watching her, oh dear... Kanaya closed her eyes, thinking it over (no, do NOT give me the sad eyes, Aradia, I have already proven that your sad eyes are ineffectual!), before giving a soft smile. "I do believe that I shall assist you, then. To allow such conflicts to fester would be horribly gauche of me, and I always endeavor to be as elegant as possible. But I do have one condition for my assistance."

Karkat narrowed his eyes in suspicion. It was foolish, really, given that what she wanted was hardly a burden to endure, but it spoke well of him in her mind. "Tell me what it is, first, I'm not going to agree to some open-ended bullshit without getting all the details first."

The psionic, Sollux if she recalled correctly, chuckled at that; a story between the two of them? She wished she could speak up more, but... well, taking advantage of what she knew would be terribly rude of her. Calmly ignoring the way Karkat was hissing at Sollux in frustration at his seemingly undermining of his attempt at negotiation, Kanaya explained herself. "Simply put, when these events reach their conclusion, I must insist that all involved... allow for me to provide them with a new wardrobe."

"...Huh." Karkat deadpanned, head tilted in confusion.

"I am quite serious." Kanaya asserted, even as she fought down a satisfied smile, lacking her fingers together under her chin. "It bothers me more than I would ordinarily care to admit how... drab and uninspired most Trolls are content to leave the state of their attire. So, in exchange for my assistance in this matter, I wish to be given free rein to correct this with all of you."

Karkat let out a long, slow sigh, before nodding. "Fine. I guess it isn't too big of a deal to promise something like that; I don't have a fucking clue why anyone would WANT to do something like that, but not knock yourself out. Not literally, figuratively!"

"Then it seems we have a deal!" Kanaya smirked, sealing it with a shake. Really, she didn't see what the fuss was about; from what her friend had told her, Vriska was a lovely young lady once one got past her harsher edges, and... well, Kanaya did not yet know if they all knew or not the specifics of Vriska's dynamic with her Lusus, and it was not her place to say regardless... but Vriska had turned out surprisingly well adjusted, all things considering. She couldn't wait to meet her!!

...

A sharp echo sounded throughout Vriska's Hive. She jolted in place, only avoiding disturbing the restless body next to her with the ease of practice; ever since Tavros had started doubling down on FLARPing (and oh she was so proud of him, charging with his daggerlance into combat, leveraging every ounce of ability his slow-growing Class afforded him to triumph against smug highblood fuck faces!!), he'd been showing up at her place for medical aid and to crash out from exhaustion.

Putting out of her mind how much this worried her and the voice in the back of her head telling her she should make him stop before these injuries started to accumulate too much, she mentally tracked the location of where the sound had come from... and growled in annoyance when she identified the front door. Zahhak must've been trying something again; she thought her warning last time had been enough, but clearly it fucking hadn't! Well, she'd have to see if he thought she was bluffing about his limbs...

Discretely grabbing a fist full of Marbles for a possible Strife, she made her way to the front door, throwing it open as she prepared to yell at Equius (again)... only to trail off as an honestly cute little Jadeblood stared back at her. The Jadeblood stared at her, calmly looking her up and down, before reaching out, grabbing the door handle from its new spot inside of her Hive... and pulled the door shut in her own face.

Vriska blinked, confused, as a sound of panicked whispering broke out on the other side. She couldn't make out most of it, but she clearly heard the phrase 'Why didn't you tell me she was so pretty!?' being hissed rather loudly. This was... going to be a THING with today, wasn't it?

Chapter Text

Dear diary...

Scratch that! Not hardboiled enough!

Legislacerator's log, Neophyte Terezi Redglare reporting in. It has been multiple Perigees since I was commissioned by Aradia a concerned citizen about the mysterious disappearance of one Tavros Nitram. It was by surprising happenstance that I discovered him roleplaying using the false name of 'Rufio', a member of a group of real jerkwads violently inclined Highbloods. Well, two of them, at any rate.

This group, by coincidence, was one I'd been investigating for some time, due to the unusual rate of disappearances in their game partners and said game partners' Lusii. Which, yeah, players dying is a known and accepted risk, accidents happen and many Highbloods use FLARPing as a way to covertly settle scores. But to go so far as to hide their actions speaks of something... sinister.

The two ringleaders, to my astonishment, are ones that it almost feels like Fate deliberately has placed in my path; Orphaner Dualscar and Spinneret Mindfang. Baring the names of not only two of the most infamous and cruel pirates to ever sail Alternia's seas, but also two of the bitterest rivals of my namesake, the original Redglare.

Dualscar is, in many ways, the quintessential Highblood Seadweller; arrogant, disdainful of us 'land-dwellers,' and lording his status and prestige whenever he has the opportunity; if not for his impeccable marksmanship and surprising care for sea life, he'd be completely unremarkable. My namesake never had the chance to bring the original Dualscar to justice, even if he did ultimately meet a deserving Fate... perhaps I'll be able to settle the score for her?

Mindfang... well, she's probably not sane. Capricious, bombastic, and antagonistic, she turns every FLARP meet-up she attends into a boiling fever-pitch of conflict with her provocative demeanor, with a significant spike in fatal games following afterwards from the inflammation she leaves in her wake. Much like the original Mindfang as spoken of in the first Redglare's records, she is a dangerous and callous manipulator who enjoys seeing others dance on her strings; I have no doubt that she is the brains of their illicit operations.

There's another member of their organization, a brash Violetblood operating under the name of 'Her Infinite Compassion,' or 'Compy' as she's known more informally. I must say, it is quite bold of her to taunt the Condesce so blatantly, but then again, she might just be too dense to pick up the implications. She just doesn't have the same 'ruthless' energy to her that the others do... I am tentatively placing her in the category of an unwilling accomplice, likely working to fulfill some stupid Highblood honor debt or some shit for Dualscar.

Regardless, there is no doubt that these dangerous individuals have taken Rufio in, likely for the purposes of using him as a disposable pawn. So far, I have yet to find any evidence implicating him in their heinous crimes, but should I find them, I will regrettably be required to inform Aradia the concerned citizen that the one known as 'Tavros' met his Fate at Pyralspite's fearsome snout... but it's pretty doubtful. He's kind of a weenie.

I have recently found a surprising link, however, between Mindfang's little gang and the disappearance of a particularly infamous pair of Highblood 'hunters' with a fondness for putting Lowblood and Midblood Trolls through rather gruesome demises. An attempt to consolidate their turf, perhaps? Something to dig deeper into.

But for now, I shall return to my investigations... waiting for my moment to strike.

...

Tavros winced, clutching his rib plates in discomfort; Compy had been doing her best to help him with his injuries, but she was still pretty low-leveled herself, so there was a limit to how much she could help. Nevertheless, Tavros grinned in satisfaction; while he'd been hesitant to dive into the more 'extreme' side of FLARPing before... and he was still very much terrified of it... it certainly did feel good to accomplish things! Sure, he'd never played a key role in winning any of their matches, but Vriska always said he did a great job and was really, really good at fighting!

So he guessed it all balanced out, because it's not like Vriska would ever lie to him about something like that. Blunt honestly was kind of her thing, he felt. But recently, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them...

Maybe it was that Tealblood girl he'd seen in the bushes a few times? Hmm...

What Would Rufio Do?

...Well he certainly wouldn't leave a potentially dangerous situation to go unanswered, that's for sure!! But Vriska had told him not to pick fights without her saying it was okay beforehand... so he guessed he would just tell her about the Tealblood? That seemed like a good option!

With a skip to his step that he instantly regretted from the searing agony it sent up his leg, he danced over to their agreed upon meet-up spot and... oh no, Dualscar and Vriska were fighting again. Well, Dualscar was fighting, Vriska was just riling him up. Oh well, best to ride it out.

Trading knowing looks with Compy, he discreetly slipped her back the book on Slam Poetry she'd loaned him, and graciously accepted his own Pupa Pan book as well. They'd been making it a habit of trying to get along to make up for how little their respective friends got along, and he honestly thought she was really nice and not secretly plotting to feed him to some horrible monster like Vriska said she was; Vriska could be so paranoid sometimes!!

Tavros leaned back, thumbing his well-loved book with the ease of long familiarity as he listened to his friend and the scary guy she might be Kismesis for get into another fight about treasure maps. Vriska had apparently been holding onto a huge stash of them and had been gradually pushing to use their FLARP sessions as a way to discretely hunt them down, which was cool!

Unfortunately Dualscar wasn't as big of a fan, calling it 'time w-wasting nonsense.' Thus... the fights. Oh well, he'd back down; Vriska always got her way, in the end.

...

"I'm ever soooooooo glad you came around to seeing things my way, Dualscar!" Vriska purred, smiling innocently at the sulking Violetblood.

"W-Whatewer. You just got lucky is all." Dualscar sulked, holding up a handkerchief to his bloody nose in petulance. That's what you get when you say treasure hunts are stupid and then suggest doing your OWN treasure hunt, asshole!!

"Now then, since all arguments have been settled in a rational, mature manner," Vriska continued, ignoring the jerk's whining, as she passed out some admittedly rough copies of the map she wanted to follow to her much more eager and loyal subordinates (it always made her giddy, having SUBORDINATES!!!). "We are now prepared to engage our most daring hunt to date! We, my loyal crew, are going to embark on a journey to secure the lost treasure hoard of Spinneret Mindfang!!"

"You w-want us to go steal your own fuckin' treasure?" Dualscar snarked, earning him a Marble Punch to the nose again. "OW FUCK!!!"

"Not me, dumbass!" Vriska shot back, internally grimacing; she hated how easily he could find a way under her skin. "The ORIGINAL Mindfang. You know, legendary pirate, scourge of Alternia's seas, master of the Gamblignant fleet and all around badass? She accumulated more treasure and stolen loot in her years than any other pirate in existence, DUALSCAR!!"

The violetblood just rolled her eyes at the jab at his namesake, but she totally knew it bothered him that a Blueblood managed to outdo a Violetblood, just like his namesake jealously targeted Mindfang's original Matesprit for daring to be Midblooded! She missed the concerned glances Tavros and Compy shot each other behind her back.

She whirled around, smirking confidently with a strength she didn't really feel; weakness could not be tolerated on the battlefield! "I've reached out to some local FLARPers in the area for a match, and have been discretely convincing them that going to where the map says the treasure is located is actually their idea. We go in, beat their asses like the badasses we really are, and then spend the rest of the day finding that sweet, sweet treasure. Is everyone excited!!"

"Y-Yeah!"

"I'm just happy to be included!"

"Fuck no."

"Then it's unanimous!" Vriska beamed, pulling all three, even that jerk-y Dualscar, into a group hug. Maybe it was all fake, just an illusion created by her need to have someone in her corner other than Tavros, to prove to herself she was worthy of the faith he gave her... but something always felt so nice about having her team with her.

She never noticed the suspicious gaze of the girl in the Redglare Costume hiding in the bushes, whispering to the Pyralspite Scalemate Plush she held protectively at her side.

...

"Fuck fuck FUCK!!! This is all your fuckin' fault, shithead!!" Eridan howled, writhing on the ground as Feferi desperately tried to keep her 'dear, sweet' friend from aggravating his wounds further. Due to a bad draw during the game set-up between themselves and the locals, he'd been working with Rufio, and, well...

"I-I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for you to have t-to protect me so much..." The adorable Bronzeblood mumbled, clutching at himself as he shook in sorrow. Oooohhh she just wanted to go over and give him a big hug!!

"W-Well maybe I w-wouldn't hawe to if you could pull your own fuckin' w-weight!" Eridan bit out, forcing himself to sit... only to flinch when she bonked him over the head with her staff. "Hey!! W-What's the big idea, F-Comp!?"

"Dualscar, you really need to get better about being honest with your feelings." She sighed, fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose; she knew better than most that way deep down inside, Eridan was a good guy... he just had a lot of trouble showing it. Him having thrown himself into the meat-grinder to keep Rufio safe was proof of that!

Eridan tilted his head, genuinely confused at what Feferi meant. Oh well, he'd figure it out himself some day...

"And just what is going on here?" Mindfang's sharp voice cut in. It always fascinated Feferi how Mindfang could just be so casually commanding; she'd never been as good at channeling the 'imperial authority' that was allegedly supposed to come so NATURALLY to Fuschiabloods, and Mindfang just went and... did it.

As Eridan opened his mouth to say something incredibly stupid, Feferi slapped a hand over his mouth, before turning an innocent smile Mindfang's way. "Oh nothing, just having a spirited discussion about Rufio's fighting abilities. This session was a little... rough for him, and Dualscar went and threw himself into the line of fire for him!"

Mindfang blinked incredulously, glancing at Rufio for confirmation and, at his ashamed nod, turned towards Eridan, breathing heavily. As her face screwed up into a scowl, for just a second Feferi was worried she was going to be upset with him... only for her to bow at the waist. "Thank you for keeping him safe."

Eridan and Feferi traded shocked glances. Well, Eridan was shocked, Fef just felt a bit giddy; FRIENDSHIP MOMENT!! Eridan eyed Mindfang warily. "Uhh... you're w-welcome?"

"Blughh, never say that again." Mindfang groaned, turning away from Eridan's retort of 'fuck you too!' to take Rufio's hand in hers. "I know what you're thinking... so stop it. It's dumb."

"B-But, I thought that me playing was supposed to help me get... stronger. But I'm still just as weak as ever." Rufio mumbled, leaning into Mindfang's chest as she comfortingly stroked his back. Oh how Feferi wished she had something to record this moment!! Not in a creepy way!!!

"Hey, everyone makes mistakes. No one wins EVERY single time. I mean, I have, but that just means I'm due for a loss eventually." Mindfang assured him, the cheerful and sweet smile on her face so at odds with the vicious, confident smirk she normally sported that for the briefest of moments, Feferi wondered if she'd been replaced by some kind of doppelganger. "It just means that now you have a goal to shoot for!"

"Yeah... yeah! I guess you're right! Thanks Vri- Um, I mean Mindfang!" Rufio babbled, returning Mindfang's hug even as he flushed with embarrassment at his verbal slip up. So cute!!!

"Anytime. Now come on; I think I found the trail to the treasure, and if it's what I think it is, you guys do NOT want to miss this!!" Mindfang cheered, dragging Rufio off down the path she found.

As the two tore off ahead, Feferi sighed, helping Eridan to his feet. "Really, Eridan, are you feeling fin? I don't want to mako a big deal aboat it, but you took some nasty hits from what I can tell. Not that Mindfang's much beta, even if she likes to act like she just through all that completely untouched."

"I'll just w-walk it off. Let's just follow the bitch and see w-what this big fancy treasure she made us bust our fuckin' asses for is. Better be w-worth it, I missed out on a shot at Ahab's Crosshairs for this." Eridan grumbled, even as he accepted Feferi's support in guiding him along.

Feferi bit her lip, but nodded in agreement. She LIKED Mindfang, a lot even... but she couldn't help but be worried by just how devoted the other girl was to following the legacy of her namesake. Even ignoring just how much of an utterly glubbing awful BITCH the original Mindfang was (Feferi had nearly leveled her own Hive in a rage when she read about the disgusting travesty of a 'relationship' Mindfang had been plotting to set up with a poor slave without any ability to resist her mental powers)... Mindfang's story wasn't one with a happy ending.

...

This complicated things. Or rather, it would if Terezi actually cared about learning that this Mindfang character seemed to be courting Rufio as a potential Matesprit. It did give a little extra context for why someone so weenie-ish was hanging with such a dangerous crowd, the manipulative villain was trying to follow in her namesake's footsteps and groom the Bronzeblood into a vicious warrior to stand at her side.

"Aradia's probably not gonna be happy about this." Terezi mused; hadn't Mindfang had a thing with a Bronzeblood? Terezi only knew as much as she did about the original menace herself due how deeply her tale was tied to Redglare, her own personal hero, she'd never really bothered to keep up with her tale after she caused Redglare's gruesome demise.

"Well, time to go inflict brutal, bloody justice on some bad guys. Right Pyralspite?" Terezi grinned, making her beloved plush nod his head up and down. In a flash, she dashed away, covertly stealth-tracking the party as they made their way across the island. (She gave the corpses of the other team carefully hidden in a ditch some distance away a cold side-eye)

As she followed the party's trail, she got a better look at their dynamics. She was again certain that Mindfang was the ultimate leader of this little gang, who enjoyed popular support from both Compy and Rufio, but was opposed by her effective second-in-command, Dualscar. Given Mindfang's reported viciousness, she wondered why she would put up with someone who so constantly challenged her authority... maybe it was an Ancestor thing?

Dear God she hoped it wasn't an Ancestor thing, it was always so fucking annoying whenever she met folks hung up on that stuff. Like, the idea of deliberately trying to make someone your enemy just because some yahoo thousands of sweeps ago happened to share a Sign with you and allegedly was very genetically similar to you had a dynamic with someone else like that, who has time for that shit?! Sure, you could possibly make the argument that Terezi did the same thing with Redglare, but Terezi didn't believe all that junk. She just thought Redglare was a badass... and... personally relatable, what with them both having Dragon Lusii is all! Or, well, she would... if her Lusus would ever hatch.

No, no time to focus on sad stuff, it was mission time!! She refocused on the malefactors below; Mindfang was consulting some kind of map. Terezi's eyes narrowed as she saw the broad grin spread across the Blueblood's face, smacking the map in excitement, before pointing out an area up ahead. Terezi supposed she could make her dramatic arrival now, zipping out to stand on top of their intended dig site... but if things came to a fight, she'd rather they be double-tired from both the match AND from digging whatever they were after out of the ground.

As she crept closer, she could've sworn that Rufio glanced in her direction... but that's impossible, not for a master of stealth like her!! Someone who had danced upon the edge of death in the name of bringing down villainy, wherever it may dwell! Her speed was unparalleled, her cane unerring in its accuracy, her-!!

"Um, Mindfang? There's, uh, a Tealblood spying on us from the bushes. Just, thought you should know."

...Well SHIT!

...

Vriska reeled back, staring at the interloper in shock. She'd already had a speech prepped (not for this girl specifically but just in case someone was stupid enough to poke their nose into HER business with HER friend and team), ready to monologue as she used the sound of her voice to distract them from the feeling of her powers sinking into their brain... only for the girl's outfit to register. A memory instantly clicked into place, raw obsessive fact-hunting dredging up memories of a painting, one detailing the epic confrontation between Spinneret Mindfang and... "Neophyte Redglare!?"

The Tealblood stumbled, her badass battle pose faltering at having the inspiration of her costume readily identified. Also, the adorable dragon plus she was resolutely carrying under one arm wasn't helping her image... but Vriska thought she pulled it off! After all, what would Redglare be without her loyal Pyralspite!? "Y-Yes!! I, Neophyte Redglare, have come to put an end to your crimes, villains!"

Vriska puffed out her chest, letting The Role crawl to the surface; the badass pirate queen, the scourge of the seas, the idol who gave her life meaning but whom Tavros had unwittingly showed her she could never be, and now could only use as a mask. A cold smirk slid into place, her arms spread wide as she stepped forward, subtly shielding Tavros with her body. "I see my reputation proceeds me! Has The Grand Highblood finally decided that my impudence can no longer be tolerated? I'm sure I could tickle his sense of humor enough to... let things slip by."

The girl tilted her head; she must not have been as big a history buff as Vriska herself, but she was willing to play along. "Nothing so pedestrian. This isn't a matter of Law, Mindfang... this is a matter of Justice." She raised her cane, and slowly unsheathed the sword concealed within, leveling it at Vriska's chest; Vriska's heart was thudding with excitement. "My investigation has been lengthy, and meticulous. The matter of your guilt is without dispute... the only thing to be settled is just how your punishment shall be meted out!"

"Oh~? And you'd think an arm and my vision eightfold would suffice?" Vriska bantered, smiling in giddy delight. She had no clue why this girl was here, and being blunt? She didn't give a damn. All she knew was that in this moment, in this place... she truly WAS Mindfang. Heh, all she needed was to find herself a Summoner and she'd have the whole set!!!

"Nah, I was thinking your head." The girl retorted, and the sheer certainty in her words actually made Vriska falter. That sounded... real.

Tavros, dear sweet Tavros, stepped forward, raising his hands placatingly, trying to keep part of himself between the stranger and Vriska herself. A weird reversal if there ever was one. His nervous smile made his real feelings clear, however. "Hey, um, I think maybe we should all, uh, take a step back maybe? Like, I can get wanting to get your FLARP on, but maybe we could, um, schedule a proper match instead of ambushing us like this...?"

The girl made a show of thinking it over. "That does sound fun, honestly," she admitted, and for a second, Vriska felt the unease in her chest loosen... only to feel the bottom fall out beneath her at what she said next. "But given the bodies I found earlier, I honestly think this is safer for me."

...And Vriska had been having so much FUN up until this.

Tavros blinked, uncertainty of a kind that made Vriska shiver in dread entering his eyes. "Um... what bodies?"

The girl stopped posturing, her expression, what could be seen behind the candy-red shades she wore growing softer, a mix of sorrow and incredulousness that set Vriska's nerves on fire. "Wow. You... you really didn't know anything, did you?"

"Just tell us what you want already." Vriska growled, mood thoroughly ruined. Because if this little bitch DARED to breathe a word to him, after all she's done to keep him unaware...!

Redglare smirked, a devious thing that made Vriska want to punch her as she kept the sword leveled on her. "Ah ah ah! No interrupting the prosecution, please. It's against procedure! But to answer your question, Rufio... has it not occurred to you how strange it is that you haven't seen hide or hair of any of your old FLARPing opponents up to this point? Doesn't it strike you as strange that they just dropped off of the face of Alternia after facing you? Don't get me wrong, you guys are good, but not 'quit FLARPing forever' good!"

"Okay, I'm thinkin' that's just about enough outta that fat mouth o' yours, Tealblood." Dualscar interjected, trying to step forward threateningly... only to pitch forward in pain, clutching his ribs. Compy ran over to help, only for him to wave her off. "I'm fine!! Keep your eyes on the fuckin' bitch already!"

"Do not tell me whater I can or can't do." Compy spat, forcibly slinging Dualscar over her shoulder as she marched him over to stand by Tavros' side. "Besides, I think it's about time he learned the truth."

"The truth about what?" Tavros asked, glancing around nervously. Vriska had to get him out of here, NOW. Before it was too late... before he realized the truth about her.

"Oh, nothing much, just that your 'good friend' Mindfang has been-!" Redglare began, grinning in twisted glee as she watched Vriska's face screw up in anger and pain. With a furious scream, Vriska jumped forward, driving a full-strength MARBLE PUNCH to her solar plexus. As Redglare's eyes bugged out in shock-filled agony, Vriska delivered a wild uppercut to her chin, sending her flying back into the woods.

"Just shut up already!" Vriska spat, diving in after her.

...

Tavros watched Vriska go after the 'Redglare' girl with a grimace; she was keeping something from him. He'd... kind of suspected as much for a while. He had no clue what it could be, of course, but he wasn't dumb enough to miss how often Vriska would change topics around him, or do something hastily out of sight before rushing over to him when he came over, or... He sighed, cutting that train of thought before it could continue.

Really, it made SENSE she'd keep stuff from him. It's not like he was entitled to her secrets or anything, and what reason would someone as awesome as Vriska have to share any secret with... someone as weak as him? It made his guts churn, the knowledge that he was so helpless that Vriska couldn't trust him with the secrets she held inside. He wasn't as good a fighter as he could be. He wasn't as smart a tactician as he could be.

In literally everything he aspired to be, he always lagged behind even the bare minimum achievements he set for himself. How did a stray breeze like him ever manage to become friends with someone who shined as brightly as Vriska? But he was fine with that, mostly. So he couldn't stand on the same stage as her... it just meant he had to support her in all the ways he could.

With a grunt, he pulled out the shovels Vriska had packed in his supply carrier earlier, stabbing two of them into the ground before slinging one over his own shoulder, marching resolutely towards where the map indicated they should dig. As he stabbed the spade into the soil, he was a bit surprised how easily it bit into the ground; had he managed to put on some muscle? As a giddy grin began to form, he dug away, oblivious to the concerned looks that Compy and Dualscar where shooting each other over his actions.

Compy cleared her throat, stepping forward. "Um, Rufio? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" Tavros replied, aimlessly slinging dirt over his shoulder without realizing he was splattering it all over an annoyed Dualscar.

"W-Well, aren't you concerned about what Redglare said?" Compy coaxed, hesitantly picking up a shovel of her own as she moved closer.

"A little. But I trust Vriska; it'll all work out." Tavros replied easily, not an ounce of doubt in his voice. "Besides, we're on a treasure hunt, aren't we? We've still got a treasure to find!"

"Finally somethin' I can fuckin' get behind." Dualscar grunted, dragging himself over as he moodily grabbed the last shovel. "I'd say that a royal blooded Troll like myself shouldn't be doin' demeanin' shit like this, but w-we both know that Mindfang w-would hawe my fuckin' head if I let you do this solo. So step aside, Lowblood, and let a REAL man show-w ya how-w to dig a fuckin' hole!"

...

This really wasn't going to plan. Well, not that Terezi had had much of a plan to start with; it was honestly mostly just something she was making up as she went along. Mindfang reacting in fury at having her crimes confronted? That fit the profile; an egomaniacal bluh bluh huge bitch who thought she was smarter than everyone. Her starting up a spontaneous RP with Terezi after recognizing her costume, being so cagey about her actions in front of one of her accomplices? That... that didn't.

Whatever the reason, Terezi had the sinking feeling she'd miscalculated.

"Woah!!" She yelped, interposing her cane in front of the marble-packed punch aiming to shatter her glasses. "Watch it! It took a lot of work to find a pair like these!"

"Sorry, but I'm a little bit past CARING!!" Mindfang snarled, kicking a marble into Terezi's temple hard enough to make her head ring, before delivering another punch to the guts. "Everything was going perfectly! Enemy team neutralized, map followed, treasure nearly hunted, and then you burst in!! And nearly. Ruined. EVERYTHING!!!"

Terezi snorted, using her loyal Pyralspite's snout to hook around a tree, swinging around to slam her cane into Mindfang's head; her horns blunted the worst of the hit, but it still made her see stars. "Forgive me if I'm not too sympathetic. Why should I care about ruining the 'fun times' of a murderer and her band of cronies?"

"You nearly blew my secret wide open!!" Mindfang ranted, well past the point of listening to Terezi. Terezi's eyes widened, bracing for impact as she found herself kicked into a tree, the wild-eyed Blueblood standing over her. "All this time and effort, keeping all of this bullshit secret from him, and you almost exposed it!! I should, I should just-!!"

"What, kill me? That'll go over really well!" Terezi snarked, delicately shifting her cane back near her hand using her foot, even as her mind categorized and compartmentalized what Mindfang was saying. The implications of it had her... oddly intrigued. "He might be a weenie, but do you really think he's stupid enough to buy it if you say you 'drove me off' after tackling me into the woods after I accused you of murder?"

"I'll, I'll think of something!" Mindfang bluffed, jumping back to avoid the swipe Terezi aimed for her chest, hissing as the horns on the dragon head of her cane tore the front of her shirt.

"Think of what!? What possible way out of this is there for you? The groundwork's already laid, and no matter what you do to me, the secret's out!! Why is it even such a big deal that he doesn't know?" Terezi pressed, her curiosity overtaking her desire for great JUSTICE, stabbing out with her cane to guide Mindfang over to the cliff wall nearby. But her choice of words was... poor.

"BECAUSE HIS IS THE ONLY OPINION THAT FUCKING MATTERS!!!" Mindfang screamed, grabbing Terezi's cane and ramming it into the hollow of a nearby tree, using the hole as leverage to shatter it, concealed blade in all. Terezi's eyes widened in mute surprise as the front of her costume was snagged before she was thrown onto the ground, Mindfang straddling her waist. A fist reared back, marbles held between the fingers as a knuckle weapon in preparation to beat Terezi's face in... except...

"Are you... crying?" Terezi questioned, unable to tear her gaze away from the blue tracks sliding down the other Troll's face.

"SHUT UP!! Just shut UP!!" Mindfang shouted, voice thick with suppressed sobs. Her eyes had a heavy blue tint to them, tears flooding the front of her shirt. She desperately tried to wipe them away, but all she succeeded in doing was in spreading the tears to her sleeves. "I never wanted this! Any of this!!"

"Any of what?" Terezi couldn't help but ask, the imminent danger feeling so distant, a strange calm filling her mind. She briefly wondered if the Blueblood was messing with her head, but she had the feeling that she wasn't in a good frame of mind to try anything.

"Being a killer! A fucking murderer!! I never wanted to do this!! Sneaking around, killing other Trolls! But I have to feed her, or she'll eat me!! And I... I don't wanna die..." Mindfang sobbed, fist dropping as something deep inside unlocked, tears that had been held in for sweeps pouring out. For the briefest of moments, Terezi considered grabbing the broken end of her cane-sword nearby and running her through... but discarded the thought.

It went against the legislacerator's code to show mercy to a criminal, regardless of their reasons... but it's not like Terezi was a REAL legislacerator just yet. Sighing, she slid herself out from under Mindfang, taking off her glasses to look the other girl in the eye. "You mean your Lusus?"

Mindfang chuckled bitterly, staring at her hands at something only she could see. "Who else could I mean?"

"Dammit... well that complicates things..." Terezi muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. While murder was a punishable offense when done indiscriminately (discounting Purplebloods who legally could kill whomever they wanted as part of their religious scriptures, bleh), Lusus feeding WAS a technically legally acceptable reason for murder. With a sigh, she carefully leveled the broken blade next to Mindfang's neck, the other girl going painfully still. "Okay... as much as I'd really prefer this being clear-cut... you don't seem like an actually bad Troll, not with how you bend over backwards for your weenie friend. So how about we make a deal?"

Mindfang narrowed her eyes, tears slowly drying up as a smidgen of her protective instinct reasserted itself. "What kind of a deal?"

"The kind where I don't kill you right here and right now, and we find a way to solve your dumb problem that doesn't make you a ton of enemies down the line." Terezi said dryly, before holding out her non-weapon hand to the other girl. "You bring me on board; we spin this whole deal as a really dramatic way of me wanting to sign up with your team to your little buddy, since he's the only one not in the know, and I help provide your team some tactical knowledge. By which I mean I'll help you guys target Trolls that are bad to take down, like a squad of lethal vigilantes! No more indiscriminate kills. And in return for this, I both keep my lips sealed on what you are doing until you feel comfortable telling him yourself... but I will also give you a promise."

"I... wouldn't be opposed to that. Mindfang always did wish to have something with HER Redglare, so it would only be fitting for her successor to bring a Redglare of her own into the fold." Mindfang replied slowly, slipping back into the RP mindset without noticing. "But what is this promise?"

Terezi breathed deep. This... was going to be the tricky part. "If you ever... change. If you ever start killing people at random again... or become someone that Rufio can't recognize as his friend anymore... I'll kill you. I'll stop you from being a monster. No matter what it might cost me personally, even if I die in the process... I'll make sure you can't ever be a danger to him. THAT is my promise."

Terezi's blood-pusher echoed in her chest, her open hand trembling. She'd never done something like this before... she even wondered if her life growing up in the woods away from everyone else, watching her Lusus in the hopes she would hatch one day and they could be together as Troll and Lusus were meant to be, might've influenced this decision. But she wouldn't take it back.

Mindfang stared at the offered hand, and Terezi felt a pit open in her stomach... only for Mindfang, tentatively and hesitantly, to reach out... and shake it. "Vriska. Vriska Serket."

"Terezi Pyrope."

...

It was an awkward walk back, the two Trolls trying to avoid looking at each other, the new dynamic settling into place in their heads still. But, for now, it was worth it. This blissful peace. As they staggered out into the woods, Compy, who had been doubled over in exhaustion, her normally pristine robes covered in dirt and dust, gasped at the sight of them. A broad grin formed as she confirmed with her eyes that they both lived. She turned over to the other two, calling out. "You guys!! They're both back!!!"

"W-Well it's about fuckin' time! W-We got this shit dug ages ago w-while they w-were off horsin' around in the stinkin' w-woods." Dualscar complained from his spot on the dirt, sprawling out on his back and covered in thick bandages.

"Yeah, we got it allllllll settled between us! Turns out that little miss Redglare wanted to join our team! Just a big misunderstanding." Vriska beamed, silently begging the two with her eyes not to say anything as she witnessed Tavros pull himself out of a surprisingly deep hole, his tired eyes lighting up with joy at the sight of her, something that never failed to make her both giddy with happiness and sick to her stomach from the lies between them.

"That's great! I was, um, kind of worried that you two were, uh, gonna hurt each other. So I dug up the treasure to keep myself busy." Tavros babbled, puffing and wheezing as he pulled a chest out from the bottom of the hole, slamming it onto the ground with a thud.

"Heheh, I guess following the legacy of a pirate has a few special benefits!" Terezi giggled, speaking up for the first time since they made their deal. Vriska rolled her eyes, but couldn't fight the smirk that slid into place.

Under Tavros' expectant gaze, Vriska hobbled over, her knee feeling a bit weak from one of Terezi's earlier blows. Biting her lip, she carefully input the code to the lock that Mindfang used for all her treasures, one written in a cipher that only her vision eightfold, and by extension Vriska's, could perceive. A gasp tore its way out of her throat as she opened the chest, the treasure within laid bare.

In addition to the expected gold and coinage, she found notes and diagrams detailing the locations of 11 more treasures, ones that Mindfang had been paid handsomely to hide by a mysterious wandering musician... and sitting in place of pride, gleaming brilliantly under the moonlight... was the Fluorite Octet. She turned to Tavros, eyes shimmering with tears as he chuckled nervously. "So, was it what you were expect- hmmpphhh!?!?!?"

Vriska's eyes fluttered, a blossoming warmth filling her chest and cheeks as she held Tavros close. With a gasp of her lungs screaming for air, she pulled away... and only just then realized she'd kissed him. Hard. In front of EVERYONE.

"Treasure'snicegottagoseeyaathomeBYE!!" Vriska babbled, scooping up the Octet and the maps before taking off as fast as her legs could carry her, the sound of Dualscar's cackling laughter echoing in her ears.

...

A grating screech rang out in Vriska's Hive. Tavros was calling her Communications Scarab again. With a groan, she hit the 'ignore' nerve cluster; it was petty of her, shutting him out like this. She knew it, he knew it, anyone with a BRAIN knew it!! But... she couldn't help it. How could she, when she'd humiliated him like that!?

Dear God, getting so emotional over a historical treasure that she k-k-k-KISSED him!? In front of EVERYONE!?!? She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it, loud and long, her Fiduspawn rushing in to swallow her up in a pile of warm, affectionate bodies. Sucking in a shuddering breath full of misery, she thanked them and shooed them away.

She appreciated the gesture, really, but... she needed to be alone right now.

As Horsaroari gave her an affectionate lick of her hair, before guiding the others out to do patrols and hunting patterns, can't slack off just because she's feeling mopey, Vriska pulled out the focus of her emotional turbulence. The Fluorite Octet; a set of eight-sided dice once wielded by Spinneret Mindfang herself, operating on principles poorly understood during her era, and utterly incomprehensible even now!! Dualscar would call them magic (and had at one point when they'd talked shop about legendary weapons, positively giddy), and as much as agreeing with that smug jackass made her want to tear out her own throat, she couldn't... ENTIRELY disagree with them.

It had been a long time dream of hers to get them, to become one step closer to Mindfang's legacy... and all it took was humiliating herself and Tavros to do so! Bang up job there, Serket, you really showed them all! She'd even tried cheering herself up by reading Mindfang's journal, but it just made her feel worse!!

Not only because of her staring in the face at the words of a woman she was increasingly certain she was a piss-poor successor to... but it just didn't seem as... awesome... as she remembered it being? Like, don't get her wrong, Mindfang was an absolute BADASS and Vriska had actually filled up another notebook of stuff to test out and hunt for from details she hadn't had the knowledge to understand the first time she'd read through it... but a lot of what had seemed SO COOL when she first found it now felt... kind of scary?

She'd hidden the book in her closet in shame. Obviously it was just proof she was too immature to understand Mindfang's actions, what with being a dumb kid and all. And that was the root of a lot of it... she was immature. No better than a stupid little wiggler who cried and babbled when things didn't go her way; how could she face Tavros when she'd made him look so stupid in front of the Team!? Oh, she could just picture it now, after all the work he'd been putting in to be strong and brave, finding out that her, his oldest friend, was so weak...

It was cowardly, hiding away from him like this. But what else could she FUCKING DO!? Go up and tell him 'hey, I'm flushed for you and I think I have been for awhile now, wanna be Matesprits after I made you look like an idiot in front of our friends?' She should just go down to spidermom and throw herself in her mouth, spare everyone the trouble...

The chime of her crabtop receiving a message sounded out, catching her ear. Groaning, she reached out to the simple brain of her crabtop, prodding it; since she couldn't actually control animals, getting their attention and skimming their memories was more or less the extent of what she could do to them. Nevertheless, the dopey thing came crawling at record speed. Pulling open Trollian, she got prepared to start yelling via text at whoever was bothering her now of all times... only to blink at what she saw.

??? [o] is trolling arachnidsGrip [AG]

[o]: Greetings!

[o]: You do not know who I am, and that is fine.

[o]: You would not and will not believe me when I tell you.

[o]: I have been following the actions of certain select individuals, yourself counted among their number, for quite some time, and I could not help but notice your distress!

[o]: Please accept all the sympathies for your plight that I can muster.

Vriska grimaced, highlighting the solid white text to reveal the words. She had no clue who this was, or how they'd managed to hide their handle, but one thing was clear... she had a stalker. She hit the block button... only for nothing to happen. That... was not good.

[o]: Oh dear, did you just attempt to block me? I'm kidding of course, I know you did.

AG: Stuff it. Who the fuck are you, and how the hell did you find out my Trollian Handle!

[o]: While you will not believe me, the simple answer is that I am both omnipotent and omniscient, or in lay man's terms, I am all powerful and all knowing. But I am no God.

AG: Yeah right, and I'm Her Imperial Condescension's heir apparent! If you are gonna 8luff someone, you should at least make it 8elieva8le!!

[o]: As I have said. I do not expect you to believe me, as I know you will not. Whether you believe me or not is ultimately immaterial, for the truth shall ever remain the truth.

AG: Just tell me what you want, asshole. I've got 8etter things to do than waste my time on this.

[o]: Given that you are currently wallowing in your own self-pity within your Hive, I find this statement to be doubtful.

AG: ...How do you know that. Are you spying on me!?

[o]: I have already told you the source of my knowledge, so I shall not waste our time repeating it.

AG: Fuck. FUCK!! Okay, so pretending your story isn't complete nonsense, I repeat- what do you WANT?

[o]: I am merely satisfying my curiosity, contacting an ambitious young woman who seems so dedicated to stifling her own potential.

[o]: It is rather disheartening, really, to see someone with a fate such as yours so dedicated to defying it.

AG: F8? What are you talking a8out?

[o]: Tell me, do you truly believe that your encountering so many Trolls in so short a time frame who so effortlessly mirror the noteworthy figures in the Marquise' life is merely coincidental?

AG: ...What are you saying.

[o]: You're an intelligent young lady, I would give you a candy if I could. You are more than intelligent enough to piece together the implications of what I have said.

AG: No. Fuck that! I am not going to hurt my friends!! I admire Mindfang, yes, 8ut I don't REALLY 8uy into that Ancestral legacy crap!

[o]: Then why do you so desperately chase after the remnants of the Marquise' life and legacy, attempting to claim it for your own?

AG: I don't have to listen to this!

[o]: Indeed, you are free to leave this conversation at any time, but we both know you won't.

AG: F8CK YOU!!! My life is my own! If I wanna go on adventures like Mindfang, that's no8ody's 8usiness 8ut mine! 8esides, even if Ancestral Lore wasn't nonsense, I would need a Summoner in my life, and last I checked, there's no 8ronze8lood with huge wings flying around for me to get moon-eyed over!!

[o]: You can deny what lies in your heart all you like. In the end, you shall accept what I have told you, and dance the merry jig fate has laid out for you alongside those you surround yourself with. In the end, you can make ad-lib the script all you like, delay the needed scenes, but with any good play, the end shall be as the script wills it.

[o]: Tata for now, Young Miss Serket. Perhaps we shall play a game when next we meet.

??? [o] ceases trolling arachnidsGrip [AG]

AG: Wait, what game are you talking a8out?

AG: FUCK!!

arachnidsGrip [AG] is now an idle troll

Chapter Text

It was cold beneath the sea. Now, this might seem self-evident, and to an extent it was! But... few knew on Alternia, how cold the waters truly were, socially. Where everyone you met were fearful simpering sycophants, looked down on you as a heretic, or wanted your head on a platter to take your position for yourself, it tended to leave one... rather isolated.

Sometimes, Feferi wondered if she'd be half as sane and as stable as she was without Eridan. Despite his issues (his raging desire to murder all land-dwellers for their pollution of the sea), he had always been there for her, never treating her like she was something 'other' due to the poisoned chalice that was her status as heiress. So, even when he made her want to tear her hair out or find a very nice looking bit of royal finery to club him over the head with, she still counted him as her dearest friend.

Even if he was currently staring at her like she was the biggest dumbass who'd ever lived due to her being stuck in her recuperoon, face flushed and dripping with sweat. And people thought he only hung out with her because he was flushed for her, pfft! Eridan visibly bit back saying something... rude... and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Gods dammit, Fef!! I told you, you gotta ease off on that fuckin' stuff. I sw-wear, Mindfang w-won't give a shit if I tell her you ain't feelin' good. 'Specially not w-when she's got that little show she put on still in mind!!"

Unamused at his chuckling over the glubbing BEAUTIFUL kiss between two of her only other friends, Feferi calmly and politely grabbed one of the cages she'd stocked up on for cuttlefish rearing, and chucked it at his head. "Ow-w!! Fuck, can ya quit w-with the projectile w-weaponry already? I only got the one fuckin' head!! But I get it, I'll drop it. Just... get better, okay? You are the fuckin' Empire's future, and you gotta remember that."

Feferi bit back the urge to remind him of all the other Heiresses before her who were viewed as the 'Empire's future,' only to die at the hands of the very Empress they were allegedly meant to replace, waving him off with an exaggerated cough. With his hands thrown into the air, Eridan swam away. Fef waited, she knew that he liked to double back to check on her before leaving... but she heard nor saw any sign of him. With a mischievous grin, she pulled out the water bag stuffed with coals she'd had resting beneath her head, the flush and sweat fading from her face. "Finally!"

With an exuberant laugh, the ever joyful and completely healthy young Heiress launched herself out of her recuperoon, stretching out her limbs. Pretending to be sick sure took a lot out of a gal! Swimming over to her mirror, she slapped her cheeks. "Okay Feferi, it's go-time. You went to a lot of trouble to make Eridan think you'd be stuck here all day, Glubby's got a steady supply of food, and you stocked up on extra blood tint. Don't screw this up, and keep believing in yourself! Woo!!"

With her effort to pump herself up complete, Feferi pulled out the packaged up disguise she'd had Rufio covertly prepare for her in preparation of this day; he really was such a sweetheart, even Eridan couldn't say that he hated him! Sadly, it wasn't water proof, so she wouldn't be able to see how she looked in it before she got to the surface. Setting it to the side, she sucked in a breath, pulling out the vial of blood tint; this highly illegal substance zig-zagged the precise legalities of its usage depending on the era, but in this one? Instant execution if you were caught with some. It was what she'd been using to pass as a Violetblood during FLARP games.

Gritting her teeth, she with drew a hollow quill from the desk, dipping it into the tint. With a careful flick of her wrist, the vessel was filled, and prepared to dispense its newfound payload. Before she could lose her nerve, she jabbed it into her arm, uncaring if she missed a blood vessel to ensure rapid changeover. With a wordless howl, she clutched the counter, hacking and coughing as the insidious liquid tore her up from the inside out, adjusting the composition of her blood from fuschia... to jade.

"Perfect." She breathed, staring at her mirror through watery eyes in satisfaction at the green trails streaking down her face. Her fins would still give her away... but that's what the disguise was for.

Slinging the bag in question over her shoulder, she ran out to the window of her Hive, and kicked her feet to exit into the open sea. She'd honestly been considering this since they started FLARPing; if the initial attempt had gone poorly, she likely never would've been able to work up the nerve to do this. For today, Feferi Peixes, heir of the Alternian Throne... would walk among her people.

...

It had been going pretty well, Feferi thought. The outfit had been great, comprised of a vibrant headscarf that coincidentally helped hide her fins and gills, a long, slinky dress that she'd ordinarily never be allowed to even LOOK at as the Heiress that danced in the breeze and would've been a weighted coffin underwater, a falsified Virsces symbol proudly emblazoned on it.

The looks she'd been getting had been... kind of embarrassing, but Fuschiablood Feferi was the kind of Troll who couldn't handle a few wandering eyes! Jadeblood Feferi was a confident, sassy landdweller who did what she wanted and wore what she pleased! If she just kept telling herself that, then everything would go smoothly. Really!

But... no matter what her blood color... Feferi Peixes could not STAND bigotry, or bullying. So naturally, when she saw a burly Blueblood pinning a terrified Bronzeblood (Rufio's face flashed in her mind and her blood, for just a second, ran hotter than the SUN) against the wall of an alley. And despite the clear bruises and bloodstains on the Bronzeblood's face, nobody walking by would DO anything!! They all just... pretended not to see, and moved on.

She wouldn't.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" She declared, rushing into the alleyway, one hand rushing to grab her double-headed Trident... only to realize with a sinking pit in her stomach that she'd left it behind. Because what use would a Jadeblood have for a Seadweller weapon? "O-Or, we're going to have a problem, buddy!"

The Blueblood paused, the Bronzeblood falling from his grip, before turning towards Feferi. A sickly glint glowed from a pair of five-fold vision eyes, an even more sickly smile slipping into place as the bigger Troll turned to look at Feferi fully. It was only now that Feferi registered that this Troll was nearly old enough to leave the planet. "Oh? An what kin of problems would that be?" He hissed, voice sounding oily as he abandoned his interest in the Troll he'd been brutalizing. "Cause I can think of all kins of problems that I wouldn't min having with you, little lady."

A disgusted shiver ran down Feferi's spine, but she refused to back down. She tried to catch the gaze of the Bronzeblood... only to see that they'd already ran off. Abandoning her to face their tormentor alone. She tried not to think about the ache in her chest this caused, locking gazes with the huge Troll in front of her, lifting her chin in defiance. "Go ahead and do your worst. I'm not afraid of a bully like you."

"Hehehe... a bully? You talk funny words, little lady. I was just trying to fin out what happened to a buddy o' mine, little scrapper I'd taken under my meto-for-ical wings... but I always can make time to make a Grass-blooded bitch like you scream-!" The Blueblood chuckled... only for a scream to tear out of his throat, a sickle blade poking out of his shoulder from behind.

Feferi gasped, shrinking back, even if she was privately relieved. With her seadweller strength, she could've beaten this creep's ass handily... but she wouldn't come out unscathed, and such a display would make it abundantly clear that she wasn't REALLY a Jadeblood. Then, a growling, fury-filled voice hissed out of the darkness. "You know, it's really fucking surprising how many of you jack-offs come crawling out of the woodworks when you think you can stir shit up! But really, doing shit like this? HERE!? I don't know if you've got an infection in your think pan, or if you really are that goddamn stupid, but I guess it doesn't really matter."

The growling voice cut off, and with a heave, the Blueblood was kicked off the sickle, hissing in pain as he stumbled onto the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder in agony. His attacker stepped into the light and... Feferi... couldn't tell what his blood caste was. Everything about his appearance, even his Sign, seemed dedicated to being as detached from any part of the spectrum as possible, with even the sickle in his hand being almost monochrome if not for the current blood stains. Said sickle now being pointed at the Blueblood's head. "See, I'm not a nice guy. Surprising, I know, given I just stopped you from forcing yourself on a Troll who couldn't fight back against you and all. But this? This is just stress relief. A buddy of mine is going through some shit and wouldn't you know it? I can't help him! It makes me angry. SO fucking angry, that I just get this urge to hunt down assholes like you, hurting folks who can't fight back, and make them feel just a little bit as bad as I do. But I'm feeling generous; when that Bronzeblood you were planning on killing came running up to me, since I'm kind of a big shot around here and all, he told me that someone had stood up for him, and I'm like, well SHIT!! Someone around here has a fucking conscience! And that made my shitty mood just slightly less shitty. So here's my offer." The gray Troll leaned down, eyes narrowed into slits, as his voice dropped into a whisper that sent chills down Feferi's spin. "You run. You keep running. And don't EVER come back. Or I'll know... and I'll use your entrails to hang up street signs to warn off the next idiot with a big head."

"And if you think he'th not able to pull it off... well, that'th why he'th got me for backup!" A snarky voice chimed in. Feferi glanced up, eyes widening at the Goldblood floating overhead, an array of circular blades spinning idly through the air... all aimed to rip the Blueblood on the ground to shreds if he made even the slightest movement to attack her rescuer. "Tho... feeling lucky, punk?"

...

"That was so AWESOME!! The way he just, just bolted and ran when you two showed up and laid down the glu- ur, fucking law like that!!! I wish I could be that confident, I just kinda ran in there..." Feferi chuckled, scratching her arm in embarrassment as she eyed the two Trolls escorting her.

Karkat, as he'd grudgingly introduced himself, scoffed. "It wasn't awesome. Something 'awesome' would've unleashing some kind of high-speed twelve-hit combo on the asshole until he couldn't feel his own limbs and leaving him a bleeding out wreck in the dirt like he was planning to do to that Troll you rescued. All I did was leave another headache I'll have to deal with later."

Feferi blinked, glancing at the Goldblood, Sollux, as he confirmed that yes, Karkat was ALWAYS like this, with a nod. "Well, I think that's a dumb way to look at it, but whatever works best for you!"

Karkat snorted out a laugh in spite of himself at the surprising bluntness of her reply. "Pfft. Okay, I'll give you that one. So, what brings you down here to slum it with the Lowbloods?"

Feferi flinched, for the briefest of seconds wondering if he'd spotted her fins... only to see biting sardonic curiosity in his gaze. She forced a laugh. "Oh, nothing too serious. I just... I just was feeling suffocated. I've never been able to go out and really DO things, so... I snuck out, decided to have some fun. Just my luck that I stumbled upon some hemosupremacist creep..."

"Pfft! You'll find a lot worse than that loser if you stick around long enough." Karkat scoffed, nudging her side as he nodded to another alley, where a group of young Trolls had instantly hidden in at the sight of her... specifically, at the color on her shirt. "This isn't exactly a nice, well-to-do colony; around here, the only time you're likely to see anyone higher-caste than Olive is if they're here to start shit without getting in trouble. THAT asshole is just some schmuck off the streets."

"...Oh." Feferi said softly, turning over all the looks and whispers she'd gotten since showing up. Her heart clenched in disgust; there was interest... but most of those looks had been FEAR. A shaky smile spread across her face. "I guess I didn't think about how it would look. God, I must be as out of place as a rainbow drinker at a paint factory."

"Only a little. We do get the occasional weirdo around who ithn't here to thtart shit." Sollux threw in, giving her a sympathetic smile. "It'th been better lately, thince Karkat here thtarted up hith whole angry vigilante routine."

"For the last time, Sollux, I am not a vigilante, I am merely using my superior combat abilities to dominate idiotic fuckheads who think they are stronger and more important than they really are, that just so happens to coincidentally make this shithole of a colony less unbearable to live in!" Karkat snapped, even as he casually tossed a coin at an incredibly ratty-looking Rustblood, who stared at the coin like it as a present for 12 Perigee's Eve.

"Your mouth thayth no, but your actionth thay otherwithe!" Sollux snickered, smoothly ducking a jab from Karkat's sickle, with only the casual ease of both the jab and doge keeping Feferi from freaking out. "Theriouthly dude, your like thome local fucking hero thethe dayth. Jutht accept that people don't fucking hate your gutth anymore and enjoy it."

Karkat scoffed, refusing to respond as he continued to scan the area... and bllatantly diverting his gaze from the way people perked up at his presence, not even the strange troll (Feferi) at his side keeping them from waving out to him. Feferi eyed him in confusion, before speaking what was on your mind. "So... what made you decide to get into your whole 'combat domination' thing?"

Karkat rolled his eyes, even as he visibly relaxed at her entertaining his preferred wording of his actions. "I'm pretty sure you overheard me rip that piece of shit a new one but... well, I have this friend. He's... a lot. And I... I recently learned that I haven't been as good of a friend to him as I thought I was, and tried to turn things around, to just BE there for him when he needs me. NOT IN A PALE WAY!!" He yelped, waving his hands in denial at Feferi's shocked expression. "Gods I'm not ready for shit like that! Just... letting him vent about shit. And for a while, I thought that maybe we were finally starting to be the kind of friends I always thought we were to start with... and then, out of fucking nowhere, he just drops off the face of the planet, and I'm lucky to MAYBE find out he left me a status update about how things are going... and I just know it in my think pan that I fucked up again."

Feferi and Sollux traded glances, Feferi's worried and Sollux's resigned, before turning back to Karkat's absent-minded rambling. "So I figured that, if I'm gonna be a fuck-up regardless, then the least I can do is fuck up OTHER people too, and make sure that they deserve it, you know? So... here I am." Karkat sighed, a sullen loneliness coloring his features as his unnamed friend's status weighed on him... right before something caught his attention. "Hey! YOU!! Yes, YOU fuckhead!! Don't think I didn't see that!!"

As Karkat stormed over to berate a Troll currently practicing with a weapon, walking the Troll through how to avoid hurting themselves with the spear they were carrying with surprising delicacy given his vitriolic language, the people on the street watching him with indulgent smiles. Feferi turned to face Sollux fully, the Goldblood visibly holding in some laughter. "He reel- I mean, really doesn't consider what he's doing here special, does he?"

"Nah, not even a little. But that'th Karkat for ya. He'll either brag about himthelf until you wanna dunk him in a pool of lava for a moment'th peace, or he won't shut up about he'th the thcum of the planet while doing shit no one elthe hath the gutth to try." Sollux confirmed, even as he kept his eyes peeled, throwing stars at the ready in case anyone tried to start shit while his best friend was distracted.

After Karkat sent the young Troll on his way, the trio explored the colony, Feferi eagerly soaking up every scrap of trivia and anecdote about the ramshackle colony she'd found herself in like she was dying of thirst. From the Goldbloods helping repair tech and equipment to anyone who brought it to them. To the Rustbloods hawking wares and repairing damaged buildings and roads. To the Bronzebloods tending to the Lusii who were accompanying their young charges through the colony. To the Olivebloods who were selling off the results of their hunting expeditions to anyone interested. She even ran into a few Jadebloods (who she was sad to see were getting the same fearful and suspicious looks she was getting), and hit it off with them! Her knowledge of old and obscure Pupa Pan lore had impressed them, and she'd even gotten some cool romance novel and rainbow drinker recommendations!! Not her usual thing, but still nice! And it was just... so amazing to finally interact with 'her own caste' and not have to worry about being poisoned, or insults, or getting stabbed in the back because she 'showed weakness in front of a rival!!!'

...Oh dear. She was jealous of all these wonderful, passionate, utterly FREE Lowbloods... wasn't she? Eridan would probably have a stroke if he realized this. She was really glad she'd increased the dose of the blood tint as strongly as she did... that way her tear stained face wouldn't give her away.

"Hey! What's with the crying? I thought you were having a good time!" Karkat yelped, inspecting Feferi's expression with naked concern. "Did, did I...?"

"Wha-!? No, it's nothing like that, Karkat. I just..." Feferi trailed off, biting her lip. If word got out that she'd said this... but that is what the purpose of a disguise was for, wasn't it? "I... I have responsibilities back where I live. Big ones. And for just so long I've told myself about all these amazing things I'm going to do when I'm old enough to actually put them into action and I just... I'm terrified. I'm so utterly gl- FUCKING terrified that it's all going to be for nothing. I just... I just want all of the castes to work together, to BE together in peace, and not all this stupid HATE and mistrust and violence! But... I'm just one little Troll. What can I actually do against a system that's been entrenched since our society emerged? All I can think about is when it's actually time to try and put what I believe into practice... that I'm not brave enough to actually do it."

"Yeah, that's dumb." Karkat bluntly retorted, causing Feferi to splutter in shock, before poking her in the forehead. "You listen here and you listen GOOD. You have got to be one of the fucking bravest Trolls I've ever met; you took one look at what for all you knew was a Bronzeblood getting shaken down after trying to rob a Blueblood, and without any preparation or thought about moving along, without even a Strife Specibus on hand to defend yourself with (that's super fucking stupid by the way), you DOVE IN THERE, offering yourself up on the metaphorical fucking nutrient plateau, for some Troll you didn't even fucking KNOW!! I am literally seething with jealousy at how doing something I spent weeks mustering up my nerve to actually put into practice comes so goddamn naturally to you!! So cut it out with that 'not brave enough' crap; your plenty brave as it is."

Feferi giggled to herself, wiping away her tears as Karkat stormed off without waiting for an answer. She called after him anyway. "I'll keep that in mind!!" As Karkat deliberately ignored her by busying himself helping another group with their everyday nonsense, she sighed fondly. "It was kind of weird seeing him hide his caste the way he does, down to his Sign... but it suits him. It lets him step outside all of the hemospectrum's nonsense and help people as individuals in a way that others, even those in the same caste, just... can't."

"Hmm, I guethth that'th one way to look at it. Might even be true on thome level. I do know thomething you don't, though... but it'th not my thecret to tell." Sollux said slyly, elbowing Feferi in the side. "Tho, how you holding up?"

"Good, honestly. Like... this place is incredible. I mean it!" She insisted, poking Sollux in the nose at his skeptical expression. She gestured to the colony, as ramshackle and clunky as ever, constantly bustling with young Trolls going about their lives, breathing energy into every surface. "It might not be the prettiest. Or the cleanest... but it has heart. That's something that can't be ignored, or denied. So much of our culture is all about being as useful and to the point as it can get; like, look at our MOVIES!! Would it really kill us to actually try to re-use names instead of those convoluted descriptions of what the movie's about!? Sorry, I'm rambling."

"No no, go on. I like lithtening to people ramble, it'th a nice change of pace from dealing with my own shit." Sollux encouraged, using his psionic powers to recline in the air. In that moment, looking so cool, Feferi would've gladly traded her Fuschiablood lifespan for the ability to do that herself.

Feferi bit her lip, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. "So much of our culture is based on feeding the system, about falling in line... and this place just shows how little any of that actually MATTERS when we're all just people! Karkat, whether he knows it or not, he UNDERSTANDS this... it's honestly... really, really cool."

"Heh, you know if anyone had told me the day would come that I'd think Karkat Vantas ith cool, I'd have fed them Mind Honey until their brainth melted out of their earth." Sollux joked, the morbid humor getting a choked laugh out of Feferi. He sighed, scratching his head. "Before... Karkat wath alwayth thith really dethperate guy. Jutht completely and utterly obtheththed with making a name for himthelf and eventually becoming thith thuper badathth Threshecutioner and kicking athth and taking nameth on the galactic thtage. It wath kind of embaraththing, at the time... but ever thince Gamzee went AWOL on him, he'th really thtepped up. Like... he'th finally looking at shit outthide of himthelf now... and it made me realize just how much of a thelf-centered prick thtuck in hith own pity party I am."

"That's not true, you're super nice Sollux!" Feferi protested, reflexively pulling one of his hands into her own. "I might not know you that well, but if you were actually as bad as your describing, you never would've been able to accept how Karkat's come into himself. You'd have tried to drag him down to what you see as your own level, but you don't!! It's okay to feel bad about yourself, Sollux, everyone does! Even if it's entirely irrational or not... maybe especially so. What's important is that you remember that you have other Trolls in your life who will remind you of how important you are to them... and given Karkat was willing to go to bat for me, a Troll he's known less than a day, he would probably conquer the entire Empire for you, a long time friend!"

"Heh, clearly you've never theen one of my nathtier mood thwingth!" Sollux chuckled, before clapping Feferi on the back, smiling softly in gratitude. "But... thankth. It meanth a lot. I know you don't buy it, but I really am a piece of shit... but Karkat helped me realize that I don't have to be that way, no matter how shitty my life might get. It'th not the thingth I can't control that define me, it'th how I rethpond to them. And I think it'th the thame for you. But... you might wanna get going."

"Hmm? Why?" Feferi asked tentatively. Had she done something wrong, committed some kind of faux pas that they didn't want her to catch wind of?

"Well... it'th mothtly becauthe I don't think you wanna be above water when your blood tint whereth off, Little Mithth Theadweller." Sollux smirked, tapping the side of her head... which, as one hand shot to it in a panic, Feferi realized her headscarf had slipped ever so slightly, exposing the previously concealed fin. "I'm pretty sure Karkat knowth too... but neither of uth will thay shit about it. We get it; thometimeth, it'th nice not to be yourthelf, and all the baggage that cometh with it. Tho... maybe we'll hang out again thometime."

Feferi couldn't hold in the laugh his words dragged out of her. She honestly deserved it; here she was, feeling so confident that her disguise would hold up perfectly... and one, possibly TWO, Trolls had made out at least part of the truth. Just goes to show that she'd have to be more careful in the future. But as she made her way back to where she'd hidden her normal clothing and the bag to seal away her disguise in... she couldn't hold back the eager skip to her step, secure in the knowledge she'd made two new friends today.

...

The water was warm. The sheer giddiness within Feferi's heart was so overflowing the normal chill of the sea just... slid off of her. As if, for this one moment... she truly understood what it was that made 'swimming' something so enjoyable for land-dwellers rather than just a basic fact of life! The pounding of her heart whispered to the girl who had opened a book of fairy tales, looking for happiness. It sang to the heiress who wept for her people. (It roared to the hero who would give them the possibility to live as they chose)

It wasn't until she was about, oh, half an hour or so off shore (much further a distance than it seemed when you were as naturally adapted to living beneath the sea as a Fuschia or Violetblood) that the tremors hit. Feferi's eyes widened in shock, her respiratory system switching between land and sea rapidly as her heart spasmed. No, no no no, it couldn't be wearing off just yet!!

A layer of desperation colored her swimming that was lacking before. She dove as fast and as hard as she could, her normal careful swimming to protect the sea life in her passing discarded for pure speed. Blood began leaking from her mouth, from her EYES, as the blood tint faded, her body ripping itself apart and piecing itself back to 'normal' from within. It was all she could do to remain on course, the rigors flooding her body constantly trying to shake her off into a random direction.

Her vision was fading... the pain... becoming too much to bear. But she was so close!! She could see it, right there in the distance, almost feel Glubby's presence in her mind... if she could just last a little bit longer...

Why was it so hard to stay a wake...?

"DAMN IT FEF!!" Someone shouted, surprisingly strong arms wrapping around her waist and dragging her forward, as consciousness faded altogether.

...

"FUZZMUFFINS!!" Fef gasped, snapping to consciousness as her head whipped around wildly, desperately trying to assess her surroundings... and relaxing as she recognized her own furniture. She winced, clutching her head as a throbbing wave of pain rippled through her skull. Everything huuuurrrrrtttt!!!

"W-well, it looks like someone's finally fuckin' aw-wake!" A familiar grumbling voice grunted, drawing her attention to the doorway. Stepping into the block, Eridan practically shoved the coral loaf sandwich into her hands. "It's been half-a-day, by the w-way. Not that I'm surprised, given how-w fuckin' hard you w-were crashin' on that blood tint."

Feferi swallowed, mouth uncomfortably dry as she forced herself to take a bite of the offered food; as usual, Eridan's cooking skills were annoyingly amazing. Seriously, he could turn even the most mundane and pedestrian of meals into gourmet cuisine fit for royalty! "So... you knew all along?"

"Duh." Eridan bluntly confirmed. He looked like he was trying to appear disapproving and judgemental, but coulldn't quite pull it off, instead plopping himself into the spot on the couch next to her with a sigh. "I'm not fuckin' stupid, Fef. I looked up that shit's side effects w-when you got the fuckin' idea in your think pan to use that shit for FLARPin'; you coulldn't a' been fakin' it more obwiously if ya tried."

Feferi tilted her chin, defiant. "I'm not sorry for doing it."

"Good, I'd a been w-worried you w-were an impostor if you w-were." Eridan smirked. She slapped his shoulder in response. "OW!!"

"Then what's the glubbing problem? I can ashore you, I minnow what I'm doing!" Feferi complained, even as she continued to eat the impossibly delicious sandwich.

"Because you could'we GLUBBING DIED Fef!!" Eridan shouted, the anger in his eyes only out shown by the shear worry coexisting along side it. "Fuckin' dammit, do you hawe any clue how fuckin' w-worried I w-was w-when I pieced together w-what you w-were pullin'? That shit fucks w-with you bad enough w-when you drop into my end of the spectrum; but going all the fuckin' w-way to JADE!? I w-was w-waitin' here all day on pins and needles for you to come back, because I KNEW-W how much that crash was gonna fuck w-with ya!"

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Eridan..." Feferi replied, pure sincerity filling her voice and managing to at least PARTIALLY calm the irritable boy down. "But... I had to go. I had to see for myself what my people, what OUR people, are really like. FLARPing doesn't cut it; If... if I'm going to be their ruler... I can't just be some distant busybody sitting in a palace somewhere, making decisions about their lives without knowing how it would actually affect them. I can't turn my eyes away, even if it breaks me apart inside."

"Pfft, like there's anythin' glubbin' w-worthw-while in keepin' them alive..." Eridan hissed under his breath... only to be cut off by a slap across the face. "FEF, w-what the hell!?"

"CUT THE SHIT ALREADY, Eridan!!" Feferi shouted, beautiful fuschia tears drifting out of her eyes and into the water as she grabbed her oldest, most loyal friend by the lapels of his almost tacky shirt, holding him close. "You don't really mean that. No matter how much you might try to insist otherwise, you don't think an entire glubbing society deserves to be wiped out. If you actually meant a single glubbing word you were saying, Rufio and Mindfang wouldn't have lasted the night, no matter what deal Mindfang offered us. You... you aren't a bad guy, Eridan, and you know that going through with all that would be wrong."

"W-Well w-what am I glubbing supposed to do!! Just sit back and fuckin' w-watch as they ruin our fuckin' home!? Pollutin' it w-with their trash and shit that they can't be fuckin' bothered to take care of themselwes?" Eridan retorted, his own tears joining the water around them, fingers clenched so tightly Feferi genuinely worried he would cut open his hands. "Leawin' all a us down here to clean it up and get rid of it before it hurts the sea life? Before it hurts-!!"

Before it hurt her. Again. How could she forget it? The day they met. When a young, wide-eyed Fef had drifted further from her Hive than she ever had before, wanting to see the pretty lights of the shimmering colonies along the shore... only to run head first into a floating pile of plastic flotsam, the surprisingly tough threads locking so tightly around her throat, she couldn't breathe properly. And Eridan... little Eridan, already a grumpy bass, had found her, working himself to exhaustion to help rip it off. He'd saved her life that day. They'd been friends ever since.

Feferi laced her fingers in Eridan's, pulling the sobbing boy into a hug. "I know that they aren't perfect... that their actions hurt us... but just 'getting rid of them' isn't the answer. Not when our own people aren't any better; there are always going to be reckless, shellfish, shoretsighted people, land or sea, whose actions make things harder for everyone. That's why WE have to be above that, so we can show them that there's a better way to be."

"It just fuckin' hurts so much. I don't w-wanna feel like this... but I just can't stop!" Eridan gasped, sobbing so hard into Feferi's shirt that it would undoubtedly be permanently stain. Feferi said nothing, and merely held him close.

It hurt so much, seeing someone she just knew was full of such beautiful light and hope feel so helpless. She would show him a better way... she had to. What else were best friends for?

Chapter Text

"So something has been hunting your... Fiduspawn?" Kanaya murmured, currently holding the costume Vriska had badgered and begged her into making in place while she touched up the stitching. It was really a fascinating experience; she had expected Vriska to insist on a perfect replica (or as near as could be done practically) of her Ancestor Mindfang's uniform, but... she had been surprisingly amenable to more custom touches.

Certainly still the garb of a daring swashbuckler and Gamblignant, but more one fitting for an epic nautical romance as opposed to... well, the kinds of things that what little she'd overheard Vriska mention in passing she'd imagine someone of Mindfang's 'character' would indulge in. Vriska had insisted that Kanaya make the outfit for her FLARP sessions, and while Kanaya had no interest in such activities herself, she did appreciate the challenge! Finding a balance of fashion and function was ever so dreadful at times.

"Yeah, Ow! Watch it!" Vriska whined, glaring down at where Kanaya's needle had poked her, the Jadeblood grinning shamelessly at her discomfort. She huffed, forcing herself to hold still to avoid another poke. "Like, I don't mind my Fiduspawn dying, necessarily. Cycle of life and all that, you know? Heck, it was one of the oldies starting to reach their end of their life cycle, so going out like that would've been a dream come true! The issue is more that... it's not another animal doing it."

"You mean to tell me that a Troll is capable of defeating one of your, if you will pardon my terminology, beasts? I find that a touch... hard to believe?" Kanaya questioned, eyeing Vriska skeptically as she finished adding the fairy decal Vriska had insisted upon while blushing; she and Tavros really could be too adorable at times. But still, the point stood.

"Trust me, I get it!" Vriska groaned, annoyance and... more than a little bit of fear filling her at the thought. In terms of pure brute strength, her army of Fiduspawn could overwhelm basically anyone that wasn't a freak of nature like Equius or Sollux. So someone managing to successfully 'hunt' one of them? That... that scared her, both for what it could mean for her own 'acquisitions,' and her own safety. She ran her fingers through her hair, a tic of her stress that Kanaya had found intriguing. "...I'm gonna go see if I can bait them out. Get some answers. And..."

Take care of them, if necessary. Vriska didn't yet know that Kanaya knew about her 'unusual circumstances.' Frankly, Kanaya would prefer to keep it that way; it was already a trial getting Vriska to lower her guard, let alone get her amenable to the idea of reconciliation with her friends. Throwing THAT bit of drama into the mix was just far too much busywork for her tastes. Nonetheless, Kanaya nodded along. "I see. Well... I guess I shall have to finish this quickly then, won't I?"

She chose not to think about how Vriska's beaming smile made her blood-pusher skip a beat.

...

If someone had told Vriska that she was going to be spending her days traipsing through the woods, hunting down some freak of nature capable of hunting HER Fiduspawn, all given elite training to be the most adorable killing machines imaginable, she'd have Manipulated them into slamming their head into a wall until they passed out. Okay, she wouldn't have, but she would've threatened it!! ...if Tavros wasn't around. Gods what was WRONG with her!? Why was it so hard to be the cold hardass pirate girl that Mindfang was!? But at least she could fake it; that was something.

She'd only brought Horsasoari with her; out of all her Fiduspawn, she had the highest mobility, so she could bail out when their prey took the bait. Now, this may seem counterintuitive, having a creature as strong as one of her Fiduspawn leave her to fend for herself... but her opponent was a Troll. That meant she had a significant chance of being able to Manipulate them into submission, a trick her Fiduspawn could not replicate. Additionally, the bodily remains she'd found indicated that her dead pets hadn't died due to overwhelming force, but instead to tactics. That meant that whoever was doing this, they likely would still be within a range that she could beat them conventionally... especially with the secret weapon she was keeping tight in her fist.

"Easy girl..." She murmured, stroking Horsasoari's neck as the flight-capable Fiduspawn whinnied nervously. The bushes rustled, setting Vriska's teeth on edge. She braced herself, preparing to throw... only to blink as a familiar figure stumbled out of the brush, cursing under his breath. "...Karkat!?"

"Wha- Vriska!? The fuck are you doing here!?" The blood-hiding weirdo demanded, shifting into that animalistic stance he'd pulled on her before, clearly debating on whether or not he'd need to fight her. His gaze slid over to her loyal steed and, for some reason, softened. "...Huh. So I guess this is one of yours?"

Vriska gasped as an innocent little Electrovermin was tossed to the ground in front of her, bearing the same cruel wounds that all the other dead Fiduspawn had born. The metal plates on its flesh had been torn open, and the delicate underbelly had been stabbed with something thin and sharp repeatedly, too small to provide a quick death but big enough to cause an excruciating one. She glared at him with accusing eyes.

"Hey hey hey! I had nothing to do with this! All I know is that whatever fucking weirdo is responsible has been stalking me for weeks and leaving things like this on the doorstep of my Hive! Folks in my colony were starting to get worried, so I decided I'd fucking had enough waiting around for some think-pan-addled shit-stain to come after me, okay?" Karkat snapped, even as his posture shifted so that rather than being aggressive towards her, his aggression was directed to the woods around him... like he was being... protective of her? As if she needed it!!

Vriska sniffed, something bitter and cold curling in her chest at the thought of being protected by him of all people. "Well, you can go back where you came from; the culprit touched what is mine and thus is MY responsibility."

"Fuck that!! Folks aren't leaving their Hives because of this shit, like fucking hell am I trusting this shit to someone else!" Karkat retorted, glaring at Vriska defiantly. He sighed, scratching his cheek in frustration. "Look, I get it. You're pissed at us for what happened with Tavros, even if I still struggle to comprehend WHY it affected him so badly. And even though we both know you won't accept it, I'm sorry. But can we just fucking leave that to the side for now and work together on this!? We'll have better luck as a team than trying this solo."

She wanted to hurt him. She wanted to laugh in his face while siccing her pets on him. She wanted to make him feel as small, weak, and helpless as he'd made her big lug feel... but then she thought about how Tavros would feel if she did that. She glared to the side, hating herself. "Just make sure you stay out of my way."

...

It was quiet in the forest. Too quiet. Yes, that was a cliche, but that didn't make it any less true!! Man, the pressure really must have been getting to Vriska if a little quiet was bugging her this much! Then again, she HAD just sent Horsasoari back home and was now stuck with Karkat of all people.

The Troll in question was walking in front of her, still acting like she was the one in need of protection. He raised a hand, and before she could demand an explanation, held a finger to his lips, gesturing to the side towards a cluster of trees, eyes wide. Confused, she followed his motion with her eyes, and felt them widen in shock as she found two glowing points amidst the branches. The points narrowed.

Vriska barely had time to yelp before Karkat knocked her backwards, before spinning his sickle to block a clawed glove from tearing open his shoulder, the mysterious eyes blurring past.

She met his gaze, and no words needed to be spoken between them. She rolled forward, dodging a slash that, while aimed for Karkat, would have torn her face open, and circled around to keep her back to his. The two young Trolls glanced at one another over their shoulders, and nodded.

The eyes, now in front of Vriska directly, narrowed. A low, growling hiss filled the air, sending some instinctive point in the back of their think pans to gibbering fear. Vriska braced herself to catch their attacker head on... only for the eyes to blur just to her right. It was only a second later that the pain registered, grabbing her wrist with a pained cry, before testing it with a flex. Her eyes shook as she saw the blue blood dripping down her fingers; just a little bit deeper, and she would have either lost the use of her hand or worse, bled out.

A sharp ringing sound and a curse from Karkat indicated that he had narrowly avoided experiencing the same fate. They had to focus!! Their attacker was toying with them, bouncing off of the trees to attack them from random angles without real regard for if they hit or not, some Fiduspawn had similar attack patterns.

...She had the Fluorite Octet. If she wanted to, she could give them a throw, with all but the worst possible roll of Spider Eyes being more than enough to secure her the win. They were THAT strong... but... she glanced back at Karkat, who was currently bobbing back and forth, ostensibly to dissuade their opponent from lunging prematurely. If she didn't role something really good, she would just as likely end up killing HIM along with the enemy.

The thought made her guts turn, and she hated herself for it. The strong didn't care who had to get hurt if it meant winning, Mindfang herself how many times she had lamented having to stifle her empathic lobes for the sake of victory. But... no matter what she did... she wasn't Mindfang.

...And that gave her one hell of an idea...

...

Block. Dodge. Swipe. Feint a circle. Repeat. Karkat allowed himself to sink into the rhythm of battle, one he had been carefully honing since his grief with Vriska. Fighting made him feel good; with fighting, failure and victory were clear cut, obvious even. A welcome distraction from the stress of SOMEHOW going from the colony embarrassment to a local leader.

He almost began circling for real, but given how Vriska had been eyeing him when he stepped forward earlier, he had a feeling, call it a hunch, that she wouldn't appreciate being 'coddled.' But then again, he currently had a few bigger problems to think about... like, and he was pretty sure this wasn't his paranoia talking for once, the fact that their adversary was trying to DELIBERATELY DRAW HIS BLOOD.

The sheer stress was honing his awareness of each attack to a razor fine point; if this weren't so fucking terrifying for him on a personal level, his current performance would have him over the moon!!! But as things stood...

He bit back a curse, the claws of their attacker skittering off of his sickles (he was picking up dual wielding, it just felt right to him). As things stood, he was a little too busy trying NOT to turn into strips of candy colored meat on the forest floor!! And so far, Vriska hadn't made a move; he could guess why, if he was being honest, she seemed kind of specced towards fighting in either close range or confined spaces, what with those Marbles of hers. But in the middle of the woods, against an enemy too fast for her to hit conventionally? She was a sitting quackbeast!!!

How did he keep ending up in shitty situations like this? Was he cursed? Did the fucking universe suddenly decide he hadn't been kicked in the bulge enough recently!? When-!?

"Karkat!!" Vriska hissed, cutting his internal rant short. He glanced over his shoulder to see a mischievous gleam in her eyes, something that if he saw in a Blueblood would normally have him worried he was going to be jumped, but now all he felt was relief. As she frantically whispered her plan to him, he felt a broad grin stretch across his face. Don't get him wrong, it was reckless and crazy... but maybe that's just what they needed right now!

Blood pusher pounding so hard he could HEAR it, he shifted his posture. Not a lot, but just to ensure that his back, rather than lined up with Vriska's, was subtly shifted to the side. Just enough so that if they got the timing just right...

"Now!" Vriska shouted, the two Trolls leaping away from each other... and leading their attacker to dive straight through the center of the clearing, with him and Vriska flanking from either side. Without pausing even to THINK, Vriska spun into a roundhouse kick to their opponent's head, while Karkat brought his elbow down on the back of their knees.

A high pitched gasp tore out of their assailant as she was sent tumbling across the clearing. Karkat pulled up next to Vriska warily, both Trolls watching as the now revealed Oliveblood staggered to her feet. A girl, no older than either of them, watched them warily through slitted eyes, like an animal on the prowl. Her clothing, if you could call it that, was torn and poorly fit, like she'd raided it out of waste receptacles... or off of corpses.

Then, she raised one of her claw-clad hands... and began washing it with her tongue, before curling up in a ball on the ground, purring.

...What?

...

"...What?"

Vriska was pretty sure Karkat hadn't meant to say that out loud, but honestly? She really, REALLY couldn't blame him. They'd gone into this expecting some vicious, sadistic mastermind of a Troll stalking him and killing her pets... and instead they got a sleepy girl who is currently acting like a lazy meowbeast. If Vriska wasn't currently scanning her mind and seeing for herself that this was completely genuine, she'd be just as doubtful herself!

She shook her head. Get frustrated later, answers NOW!!! Stepping in front of Karkat, she stomped over to the cat-like girl before them, pointing at her as dramatically as she could muster. "Okay, here's how it's gonna go down! I've got some questions, and I'm pretty sure you've got the answers, so you'd better be prepared to answer them, or this time I'll actually fight back! And you DON'T wanna know what kind of executions I can drop on your head!"

The cat girl glanced at Vriska, mind filled with nothing but mildly amused boredom, before yawning, stretching herself out, and flopping onto her back. Not a good sign at all.

"Why the fuck have you been killing my Fiduspawn?!" Vriska demanded, barely resisting the urge to grab the annoying girl by her oversized shirt and shake her, since she had the funny feeling that would end with her fingers bitten off. She was attached to these fingers, they were the ones she held hands with Tavros with!!!

The girl dismissed her, before tilting her head towards Karkat. The emotions within her shifted from boredom to an almost predatory interest. Something Karkat clearly picked up on as his confusion melted away, wariness coloring his features as he brought his weapons up. "And on top of her Fiduspawn question, why the FUCK have you been leaving dead animals on my fucking Hive's door step!? Or, I think it's you? I can't imagine it'd be anyone else, but it would be a big help if you could confirm one way or another!!!"

Shit, that's right! They hadn't actually confirmed if she was the culprit or not, they just assumed she was because she'd fucking jumped them like a lunatic out of nowhere while hiding in the woods!! ...Okay, that was still pretty convincing, but sadly it wasn't hard evidence, not that either of them were aware that to Legislacerators, 'evidence' was typically secondary to all but the most dedicated.

Still the girl said nothing, merely continuing to purr as she slid into a four-point stance, prowling around her half of the clearing. The only thing keeping Vriska from letting the Octet fly was the fact that she hadn't made any move to vanish into the shadows or attack them, just watching them with curiosity-filled eyes.

Vriska sighed, rubbing her temple as she turned to Karkat in frustration. "Somehow, I think that this interrogation is going nowhere fast."

"No, really? What gave it away!? Was it the fact that all we've gotten out of her in terms of a response is various cat sounds, or maybe it was the raging migraine threatening to turn my think pan into a festering cesspit of SCREAMING FRUSTRATION!?" Karkat shouted, his temper slipping its leash. If she hadn't already scanned his head enough to recognize that 'on the verge of anger' was nearly a perpetual state of being for him, she might be offended. But it still was fucking annoying to be on the receiving end of. Karkat through his hands up, scowling at the sky. "For fuck's sake, we don't even know her NAME!!!"

"Oh, Nepeta's name is Nepeta Leijon. It's a purrleasure to meet you!!" A sweet, slightly mischievous voice chimed in. The two Trolls paused, turning with wide eyes back to the cat-like Troll, who was grinning at them like she'd found a fat pigeon unattended... not that any of them knew what a pigeon was.

...

Karkat's jaw worked wordlessly, staring in shock at the guileless smile on the Troll girl before him. Of course, such a state is always temporary for someone like him. "You- YOU COULD TALK ALL ALONG!!"

"Of course Nepeta could talk. Nepeta just didn't feel like it since you two were so rude as to not ask her name!" The now named Nepeta pouted, folding her arms across her chest in a defiant huff. It took far too much effort on Karkat's part to avoid trying to throttle her for the stress she'd just caused him. Then, a predatory glint flashed in her eyes as she stretched out, making sure her claws caught the light. "So~, what do you want to know from Nepeta? Nepeta will answer to the best of fur abilities!"

Karkat opened his mouth to, as usual, start shouting... only to hesitate. He wasn't the only one with a stake in this. His eyes slid over to Vriska, still watching Nepeta like a predatory wingbeast, silently asking her with his eyes. Vriska sucked in a breath, visibly reining something in... and nodded. Karkat returned it gratefully. He turned to Nepeta, still watching him with those fucking sneaky eyes of hers, and asked his first question. "Were you the one hunting Vriska's pets?"

Nepeta blinked, not expecting him to ask THAT of all things... and with the way Vriska's head practically whiplashed in his direction, she wasn't expecting that either. Hey, he knew that if Nepeta was responsible, she'd lost a lot more than he had. She DESERVED to have her questions go first! And fuck anyone who says otherwise. Nepeta's eyes searched his face... and slowly nodded. "Probably. Nepeta doesn't really keep track of things. All Nepeta knows is that she got sick of hunting the same old boring prey, and then cool, fun NEW prey started coming around, so she hunted them! But they always had weird tricksy ways to prevent Nepeta from hunting them, so Nepeta had to get rough to make sure they were dead!"

Karkat sucked in a breath; there it was, all but a confession. He glanced out of the corner of his eye, prepared to see Vriska about to go for the kill... only to blink at the calm expression on her face. There was a faint shimmer to her eyes, like she was holding in tears, but overall it was a far CALMER reaction than he'd been anticipating. When she caught his look, she cracked a bitter smile. "I kinda figured something like that was the case; all my Fiduspawn, they know that when I send them out to hunt or train or fight... they are gonna risk death. They accept it because they know I care about them, and would protect them if I could... so I was already prepared that some other Troll might end up killing them. What I can't accept, however," She raised her voice, outright GLARING at Nepeta, who tilted her head in confusion, "is torturing them sadistically!! Do you really expect me to believe that you can't recognize when something is dead or know where to hit so that they die quickly!?"

Nepeta wilted, her horns seeming to fall down her head in response to her pout. "Oooohhh... Nepeta... may have gotten a but frustrated and... taken it out on them... a little. Nepeta is sorry, Nepeta did not know they were your pack."

Vriska raised an eyebrow at the term used, but gave a slow nod. Karkat was feeling completely lost at this point, but was willing to ride it out to make sure all of them got the answers they needed. "Frustrated about what, exactly?"

Nepeta's face scrunched up, her eyes shifting back into that unsettling slitted look, like she was more animal than Troll as she flexed her claws restlessly. "Because HE," she glared at KARKAT, "kept throwing away Nepeta's presents for him!!"

Karkat blinked. "I'm sorry, what!?"

Karkat, very, VERY carefully, did not scream at this. Instead, after forcing himself to remember every painstakingly acquired lesson on impulse control and mastering his temper, let out a long, slow breath as he calmly asked the first question on his mind. "Why in the world would you leave dead animals for me as PRESENTS?"

Nepeta blinked, tilting her head in baffled confusion, before smiling brilliantly. "To show the sincerity of Nepeta's feelings, obviously!"

What the... oh no...

"Nepeta saw Karkitty fighting one day and thought he was the coolest ever!"

Please no...

"And the more she followed him the cooler and nicer he seemed, a true leader of his Pack."

Don't let it be that, ANYTHING but that!!

"And Nepeta started to feel funny inside. So funny, she couldn't stand it. Nepeta... Nepeta wants to be Karkitty's Matesprit!" Nepeta declared, a vibrant Olive blush on her face as she danced in place, clapping at the air with wild abandon, as if saying her feelings out loud had opened some secret vault inside of herself.

Meanwhile Karkat... was kind of freaking the hell out. Why did shit like this always happen to HIM!?

Blood pusher feeling like it was going to pop in his chest from the stress, Karkat clapped his hands together, taking a long, deep breath to steady himself. Honestly, knowing someone wanted to be his Matesprit was oddly flattering! But the context, that being that the one who wanted this was a potentially insane cat girl who didn't understand how fellow Trolls worked, kind of ruined it. And Vriska was looking like she didn't know whether to laugh or scream. THAT was going to be fun to deal with!! "Look... Nepeta, right? I'm... flattered. Genuinely. But I had fuck-all clue that THAT is what you were getting at with leaving your... 'presents' at my Hive. To me, those looked like fucking threats, and besides that, I don't know anything about you for fuck's sake! A relationship in any of the Quadrants is kind of built on a dynamic constructed over perigees or even sweeps of time spent knowing each other. Even if I was interested, it wouldn't be fair to you to agree to something like that when you are so much more invested in it than I am. So... my answer is no."

The sheer broken hurt on her face was nearly enough by itself to make him take it back, only for him to ruthlessly drag that thought into the back of his Hive and disembowel it as thoroughly as he could. "Nepeta... understands. Nepeta figured it might be something like that." Huh, that was surprisingly mature- "After all, you brought the Rival here. Clearly this was a test for Nepeta to prove herself worthy of consideration; Nepeta is very sorry for attempting to come between you two."

Karkat and Vriska both froze, turning to look at each other in naked horror... and then both dove for the bushes. After nearly a minute of voiding their stomachs at the disturbing mental image that created, they staggered back over to a thoroughly nonplussed Nepeta. Karkat fixed her with a look before slowly shaking his head. "No. There's nothing like that between us. No on so many levels, that the only reason I'm not screaming myself deaf at the moment is because I'm as certain as can be that the feeling is mutual."

"It very much us!" Vriska spat. Literally, she pulled up something viscous into her mouth and coughed it out off to the side. "Ugh. Even if I wasn't so pissed at him, he's WAY too uptight and hot-headed for my tastes."

"Oooohhh... Nepeta apologizes for the offense!" Nepeta bowed, before fidgeting in place. "Does... does that mean Nepeta... has a shot?"

Karkat dragged a palm down his face. Slowly. "No. I already told you, I don't even fucking KNOW you! Any kind of relationship between us, theoretically speaking, is dead in the water at this stage." Nepeta nodded. The way her eyes shined with suppressed tears... spoke to that new protective instinct towards other Trolls he'd been fighting so hard not to let control him. For once, he decided to roll with it. "But... if it means keeping you from causing trouble... I GUESS we can hang out?"

Nepeta cheered, jumping across the clearing on all fours like a cat with a new toy, nearly derailing the conversation before Karkat managed to add in. "BUT!! We need ground rules!" Nepeta paused, turning to look at him expectantly. He ticked them off of his fingers. "First; no more bringing 'presents' to wherever I'm at. It's gross and scares people; I had to calm down three separate mobs that were going to come burn this forest down to smoke you out because of how unnerving it was." Upon seeing the horrified look on her face, he nodded to himself, satisfied she'd gotten the point. "Second; no spying on me from the woods. Even if other people don't notice, I very much FUCKING DO, and it is disturbing beyond reason."

"Easy peasy!" Nepeta cheered, having already put the terrifying implication that Karkat's quick thinking was the only reason she wasn't a scorched corpse on the ground out of her mind.

"Third," He said sternly, hoping his low tone of voice would make her really pay attention to this bit. "You always have to be honest with me; if I ask you a fucking question, you answer it as truthfully as possible. If this means breaking a promise or telling a secret from somebody else, tell me this is the case and I'll drop it, but besides that? I want complete transparency from you, because all this fucking nonsense could've been so easily avoided if you had just bothered to TALK to me instead of pulling this nonsensical scheme!!"

Nepeta trembled. It took a second for Karkat to realize it was because he was shouting at the end of that. Dammit, he was better than this, what kind of asshole screamed at a girl wanting to be his friend? Well, more than his friend, but the point was still the same fucking picture! He'd have to apologize later. "Nepeta... Nepeta understands. Nepeta will be good."

"Great! Wonderful that we could get all this settled!!" Vriska interjected, smiling in a way that made Karkat uneasy as she strolled forward. Nepeta tensed, preparing to jump, only for Vriska's arm to clamp onto her shoulder like a vice. "Listen, you seem like a funny girl. I think we might even be good friends one day. I wish you all the luck in trying to win over this loud mouth, whether you succeed or fail, it'll be hilarious. But let's make one thing perfectly clear..." Vriska's voice dropped so low, it made a pit open in Karkat's stomach to hear. "If I ever catch even a HINT that you tortured to death any of my Fiduspawn again, I will find you. I will drag you out of whatever dirty hole you bury yourself in. And I will pour my Marbles down your throat, one by one, until you choke to death on them. Nod if you understand me." Nepeta nodded so fast Karkat was worried her head would fall off, and suddenly Vriska was all moony smiles. "Great! Have fun hanging with 'Karkitty,' but I gotta head back home. Bye~!"

And just like that, the storm was past, Vriska waltzing off back in the direction Karkat vaguely remembered her fucking huge castle of a Hive lay waiting for her. Seeing the trembling Nepeta on the ground, he bit back a sigh. Trust Vriska to make things harder for him... he held out a hand. "Here, get off the ground already." As Nepeta accepted the hand with a confused blink, he pointed his thumb back over his shoulder, towards his colony. "Want me to show you around? If we're going to be hanging out, then that means we're gonna be around other people a lot more, and I'd rather head off any fucking awkwardness by making it so people don't think you are coming to rip them apart when they see you, okay?"

Nepeta beamed, jumping forward to pull Karkat into a hug, much to his annoyance. "Nepeta would absolutely love that, Karkitty!!"

Karkat contemplated demanding she never say that to him again, but thought better of it. No reason to alienate her over something as silly as a nickname. But as they walked towards his colony and his Hive, where he knew Sollux was probably waiting in the wings for enough time to pass to come in himself to pull Karkat's waste chute out of the fires, something nagged at the back of his mind. "Hey Nepeta... what specifically made you take an interest in me, to start with?"

Nepeta paused, glancing around for others in a way that sent familiar chills down Karkat's spine, before beaming up at him. "It was the pretty color of your blood!"

Karkat couldn't hear the forest around them. He couldn't here Nepeta's words. He could barely even hear the roaring of his pulse through his skull.

She knew how does she know she shouldn't know no one can know not safe never safe IDON'TWANNADIE!!!!!

"Karkat?" Nepeta's voice cut in, her surprisingly soft hands grabbing his wrist, one of the few exposed places of flesh he allowed himself to have, out of grudging necessity more than anything else. Instantly the world snapped back into focus, alongside her confused expression. "Are you okay?"

"HOW DID YOU FIND OUT." Karkat asked, uncaring that his volume, if not his tone, was that of a shout, gripping Nepeta's shoulders in a vice as he held her at eye level. "Please."

Nepeta blinked, a shiver of fear running through her, before she suppressed it, tilting her head. "Nepeta saw you chasing after the big-horned Bronzeblood boy who sometimes left her treats on his Hive porch, and saw you cut yourself." A dreamy smile formed across her face. "It was so pretty. Nepeta had never seen such pretty blood before... it would make the most beautiful paint. And you had that beautiful color inside of you."

As his mind swirled, chasing its own thought process in a panicked loop at the implication that he'd carelessly allowed his blood to be seen, he latched onto the thing that stood out to him the most. "You... you think my blood is... beautiful?"

"Uh huh! It's so shiny and bright and warm and... Nepeta doesn't understand. Nepeta doesn't understand why anyone would think something so pretty is bad." Nepeta pouted, bumping her forehead against Karkat's shoulder. "Nepeta doesn't understand a lot of things. Nepeta sometimes wonders if she shouldn't have built her Hive in a cave so her Lusus would be comfortable. Nepeta knows she doesn't understand other Trolls... but this... this she doesn't want to understand."

Karkat nodded, slowly compartmentalizing and systematically working through the sheer WTF-induced panic of her reveal through his mind. This girl... she was... well, she wasn't broken. But she was abnormal... like him, but not in a genetic way. She might not understand... but that was oddly a blessing here. Internally, he was relieved she hadn't thought to use his blood color to blackmail him into agreeing to be her Matesprit. But more than that... she'd known the situation well enough not to say anything until Vriska left, and made sure nobody was watching before she did.

Unbidden, a memory of two conversations he'd had online recently came back to him. One with a smug asshole whose text he had to highlight, who had told him that no matter what he did, he would always be an outsider. That he could never make the world forget what he was. As if he didn't realize that himself when he went out to fight Vriska over Tavros, fully aware his death was a risk.

But the other... that fucking jackass who was ripping off his gimmick...

"IT IS BECAuSE YOu ARE A CANCER!! YOu INFECT, SuBVERT, AND DESTROY EVERYTHING YOu TOuCH!! YOu WILL BRING ABOuT DOOM TO ALL THAT YOu SEEK TO BRING ABOUT, AND IF I DID NOT WISH YOu DEAD WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING, I WOuLD ENJOY THE SHOW IMMENSELY!!!"

...Fuck. That.

He set his jaw, lifted his hand... and ruffled Nepeta's head, to both of their surprise at the gesture. "Okay... we're gonna table that discussion for now. Two more rules, ones that you can't talk about with anyone: Secret Rule Number One. Never bring up my blood color, no matter where you are or who you talk to, even me; the less chance of someone who'd kill me over it finding out, the better. Secret Rule Two: I'm gonna help you figure out how to pass as normal for a Troll... as a thank you. For keeping it secret without the rule up until now." He grinned. "That sound like a good deal?"

"Un!!" Nepeta cheered, jumping up onto Karkat's back. Naturally he shouted at her in annoyance over this, which she just laughed off. But, no matter how he tried to shape it... Karkat couldn't help but feel a bit lighter in his heart.

Chapter Text

It's been some time since Nepeta stopped laying seige to the pack of Fiduspawn near Vriska's hive. From the sound of it, it seemed like things have finally calmed down. A few of the creatures seemed to have found enough peace to sleep in the open. However, not everything would last forever. Karkat had, during their last meet-up, rather strongly insisted that Nepeta should go and apologize; Nepeta thinks he meant she should apologize to Vriska, but Vriska was scary so she chose to apologize to the Fiduspawn instead!

When it seemed like Vriska's hive was vacant, Nepeta began to climb over the fence. She still seemed curious to see how these parasitic spawns lay about. Seeing them sleep, she remembered how she ended up hurting some of them. She felt herself sulk from this....and then she heard some heavy exhales.

Turning around, she could see Horsearoni looming over, seemingly ready to strike. Nepeta got into a stance, but quickly stopped short of unsheathing her claws as she looked at the creature. Horsearoni simply stared at her, or at least, it seemed like they were staring at her. Nepeta started to stammer. "P-Purrease don't be mad..." Nepeta whispered as she started to put her hands on Horsearoni's face. "Nepeta...wanted to say sorry...Nepeta didn't know Fiduspawn had owners..." She started to pat and rub their snout, even putting her fingers through their "mane" which made her giggle from how it moved around. Horsearoni seemed to start relaxing around Nepeta, which seemed to please the Oliveblood. She then hugged the majestic hoofbeast-like monstrosity. "See, Nepeta is okay...Nepeta promises..." She started to lean against them, purring with a smile when...

"I am surprised that you're capable of a gentle touch." A voice rang out, causing Nepeta to jump away from Horsearoni with a hiss. She was clearly terrified about it being Vriska, but when she looked in the direction of where the voice came from....she couldn't see it. However, one thing was for sure.

"Voice doesn't sound like Vriska...who is speaking to Nepeta?" She asked at the shadows she heard speak. Sure enough, she would get her answer as the speaker stepped out. It wasn't the blue-blooded troll that Nepeta knew, but it was still a blue blood. Nepeta found it surprising how easy it was for him to stay in the shadows.

"I have been tasked to watch over Ms. Serket's belongings while she was gone. Ever since half a perigee ago, she had been extra careful not to leave her Fiduspawn unattended. Given my own STRENGTH, she believed I was sufficient in ensuring their safety. She told me that if any harm would come their way, I had to act...so it surprises me to witness you being so...affectionate to them." The speaker formally stated, with Nepeta seeming to be confused. "Ah, of course. Your inquiry. You shall refer to me as Equius Zahhak. From Ms. Serket's description, you must be Nepeta Leijon, correct?" Equius inquired.

"Yes... Nepeta is Nepeta. It is nice to meet you, Mr. Equius!" Nepeta chirped, waving cheerfully at the taller Troll; she would've mistaken him for being a sweep or two older than her, but his scent was similar to her own and that of other Trolls in their age group. She gave him an appraising eye, before using one of the 'social skills' Karkat said she should employ when talking with other Trolls. "You have very furrocious muscles!"

Equius stilled, coughing into his fist. "W-Well, thank you. I suppose. And you have a lovely..." He trailed off, pausing to really take in Nepeta's outfit, before focusing on her hat in desperation for something that didn't make him sweat in sheer distress at the messy, bedraggled ensemble. "...Hat."

"Thank you! Nepeta made it herself after skinning a fluffy baabeast that was left unattended!" Nepeta replied, puffing out her chest in pride as Horsearoni nibbled a lock of her hair. For some reason, this made Equius even more uncomfortable.

"I... see. Do you... do that often? Hunt for sport?" Equius asked, moving to guide Horsearoni back to his section of the yard, and away from the feral girl across for him. It took more effort than he cared to admit to keep the revulsion out of his voice at the very thought. To his surprise, Nepeta rapidly shook her head.

"Uh uh, Nepeta doesn't do that! Nepeta only hunts for food and fur to keep warm! Hunting is fun, but hunting just for fun is just being a bully, and Nepeta hates bullies!" Nepeta insisted, unsheathing her claws in disgust at the very thought.

Equius hummed skeptically, but didn't contradict her. In truth, he had no reason to make claims one way or another; he would see if she held true to her claims. "I take it you shall not be leaving then?" At the nod of confirmation, he held back a sigh. It would be uncouth to sigh publicly. "Very well; then you shall assist me in tending to the herd where I can keep an eye on you."

He turned and began moving without another word, gambling that she'd follow along on reflex. Going by the startled yelp she let out, his gamble paid off, the excitable Oliveblood quickly falling in behind him. As they stepped deeper into the yard, she gasped at the sight of the numerous powerbots he had seconded to assist him in caring for Vriska's truly MASSIVE herd of Fiduspawn. "Oooohhh... who are all these shiny Trolls!?"

Equius held back a startled snort of laughter... which shifted to a groan as he realized she was being serious. He silently called one of them over, turning them around so Nepeta could inspect it closer. "These are not Trolls, they are my powerbots; machines I have created for numerous purposes, of which currently includes aiding in the tending of Vriska's Fiduspawn. They are not alive, and will merely follow the orders I have placed in them until they can no longer operate."

Nepeta tilted her head, uncomprehendingly. "Weeiiiirrrdddd... why'd you make them?"

Equius was about to retort that he already said why... only to recall that he'd been deliberately vague about the different purposes they could have, only stating that THIS time they were helping with the Fiduspawn. He fidgeted. "Well... sparring purposes. Not many are able or willing to challenge me or take up my challenges in fisticuffs, so I made the powerbots to fill that role. It can be... liberating, but it is not my preferred past time. Also, I keep breaking them."

"What would you rather do?" Nepeta asked innocently, having somehow found herself on the back of a confused Skullwolf passing by.

"...Archery. To be an Archeradicator is a goal I aspire towards, and it is a traditional, honorable calling for a Troll of-, I mean, it is a traditional and honorable calling for Trolls of all walks of life!" Equius stated firmly, mentally chastising himself for the near slip-up; Aradia would be so disappointed when he told her later. For some reason he felt oddly... open with this feral young Troll. "Sadly, I have great difficulties in practicing the art."

Nepeta pounced on a passing Abomawool, luxuriating in its thick, strangely cold fur. She didn't know a thing about archery, but based on what she did know... She inspected Equius again. "Is it cause you keep breaking the bow?"

"Yes." Equius replied through gritted teeth. Not for the first time, his thoughts on his body took a turn for the conflicted. To channel his frustrations, he moved towards the feed station, breaking down blocks of feed and dividing it by Fiduspawn type so that each could get the proper nutrition. "While I have not abandoned my passions, to practice as things stand is... difficult."

"Why not just make a bow strong enough to handle you using it?" Nepeta asked obliviously. A great burst of wind sounded off, and Nepeta blinked at the newly made Equius shaped hole in the cordon... only for Equius to sheepishly reappear, scoop her up by her waist, and drag her along as he took off for his Hive once again.

...

"Y-You what?" Tavros croaked out, staring in horror at Vriska's torn up expression. It was like his stomach had dropped out from under itself and spilled his digestive fluids all over his other vital organs, leaving him to squirm in agony, the words replaying over and over in his head. Why, why was this happening!?

"I want to split the team." Vriska repeated, looking like every moment was a fight for her. Compy looked like she was on the verge of tears, and Dualscar, who Tavros was fairly sure didn't like him, didn't seem happy about the thought of him leaving. And the new girl, Redglare, just looked confused and uncomfortable. Vriska sighed, almost aging a sweep before his eyes. "Tav- Ruf- no, okay, keeping up the game name thing is obnoxious. Tavros, you are my... closest friend. I would do anything for you. I WANT to still be on the same team as you!! But Dualscar and I, and now Terezi... we are specialized for more aggressive FLARP matches, not like you and Compy. You guys have fun from the cooperative and exploration aspects, we have fun with the fighting and dominating our opponents. It isn't fair to either of you to try and keep up with us doing that."

"Wait, Compy's getting kicked off too?" Tavros repeated, alarm shooting through him. They both knew how dangerous FLARP could get, at least in theory; losing your support was just asking for something bad to happen.

"You guys aren't getting kicked out!" Vriska cried, frustration temporarily overriding worry and concern. She massaged her forehead, exhaustion spreading across her face. "I just think you guys should find other people to game with, besides us. You know, train yourselves up a bit at your own pace instead of trying to do it at ours." She took Tavros' hand in hers; Tavros couldn't stop thinking about the kiss she'd given him. "I'd never get tired of gaming with you, Tav. I just want you to be happy."

"And what if I'm only happy playing the game with you!?" Tavros shouted, desperation coloring his voice as he scrambled for something, anything, that would keep Vriska in his life... after all, who knew when she'd realize that she didn't need a weak loser like him clinging at her heels.

The sad look Vriska fixed him with froze him in his tracks. "Tav... we both know that isn't true." Why did she have to know him so well!? "If it makes you feel better... you know how Kanaya's been hanging around recently? Like when she made your new costume?"

How could he forget! Learning that the... others... had drafted someone else to perform some weird group Auspisticism between Vriska (and technically himself) with them had been... kind of trippy. But Kanaya was super nice! He was also fairly sure she was crushing on Vriska, but was polite enough not to be creepy or weird about it. She'd even helped him make a new Pupa Pan-inspired costume for his Boy-Skylark character. "Yeah...?"

"Well, I've been... taking steps to try and speak to the others. And... Aradia's been getting pretty big in the cooperative FLARP scene, and is looking for a group. I-I think that m-maybe... you and Compy would be able to have a lot of fun with her!" Vriska replied, forcing a moony smile in place. It looked like it hurt. Tavros nearly shot her down out of reflex... but paused. He took a closer look at her eyes... specifically, at the pain in them.

Vriska... didn't want this. No more than he did. She was forcing herself to do this... because she thought this was best for him, for their friendship. And when he actually took a moment to think about it... he couldn't say she was wrong. The kind of matches they participated in had been cool... at first. But the sheer aggression of the teams they fought... it sucked all his joy out of the game. And he knew Compy was feeling it too.

All this... because once again he was too weak. It normally didn't bother him... except for when it was her. And he thought he could be her Matesprit? Worthy of being flushed for her!? What a sad joke. "...Okay."

...

Equius desired to cry. What other reaction would be appropriate for the utter travesty against technology before him!? An innocent young crabtop, lying comatose under a featherbeast carcass. He thought Nepeta had been joking when his request for her Trollian handle was to pull out a knife and pry the handle off!! He really should've known by now... How could he have been so blind!!

As Equius wept, Karkat and Nepeta traded awkward glances, the trio currently standing in the cave that served as Nepeta's Hive, before Karkat gave Equius a literal kick in the pants. "Pull yourself together Zahhak. This is fucking embarrassing!"

Equius grunted, tearing himself away from the now awake and incredibly confused crabtop to meet Karkat's gaze. "Apologies. I was simply... overcome with emotions at realizing the depths of Nepeta's social isolation."

"Nepeta can hear you two, you know." Nepeta deadpanned, cuddling up against her Lusus. It was oddly adorable, for something that had nearly ripped out his and Karkat's throats before she'd explained that they were friends. "Nepeta thinks she is doing quite well for herself!"

The two (marginally) more social Trolls exchanged grimaces. Karkat tentatively spoke up. "Let's... agree to disagree on that. But, regardless, we are here so that Equius can help get you hooked up to the Net and onto Trollian, so we don't have to physically be around you just to communicate. And no, that doesn't mean I don't want to hang out with you."

"Mmm... okay... Nepeta doesn't like it, but okay." Nepeta pouted, slumping over her slumbering Lusus. The two Trolls exchanged glances, with Karkat making an 'after you' gesture to Equius; The Blueblood cracked his neck as he carefully coaxed out the crabtop and powered it up, the poorly treated piece of bio-tech rousing itself as he carefully applied his STRONG fingers as gently as he could to get the system set up. Since he wasn't trying anything fancy, there wasn't any need to show Nepeta how to maintain it. Really, the only thing keeping him slow was the fact that if he tried to go too fast, he might crush the crabtop in his STRONG grip.

As he got the majority of the connections stabilizing, he glanced over at Nepeta, arching an eyebrow. "Miss Nepeta, if it would not be too much of a bother, what would you like your handle to be on Trollian?"

Nepeta blinked, tilting her head. "What's a handle? Nepeta doesn't think you mean a knife handle; you already threw away her best one!!"

"I do not. Your handle is a..." He paused, grimacing as he tried to find a way to word this that Nepeta would understand but didn't come off as demeaning.

Seeing him break out into a sweat, Karkat rolled his eyes, saving the sweaty idiot from embarrassment. "It's like a secret name that people will know you by, but they won't know your real name if you don't want them to, that way you can talk to people without having to worry about them tracking you down if they want to hurt you or some shit like that."

"Oohh! That sounds super fun!!" Nepeta cheered, bounding over to rub her cheek against an even MORE sweaty Equius, Karkat savoring the freaked out expression on his face as he desperately tried to avoid hurting her at such close contact. "Ooh, ooh, what about Arsenic Catnip? Arsenic is super useful for tricky trickster hunting, beclaws lots of furrocious beasts think its sweet when its really poison!! And Catnip is fun, because it's catnip!!!"

"ArsenicCatnip it is, then." Equius agreed, smiling indulgently at the energetic Oliveblood. It almost made Karkat like the guy, seeing him this patient and easy going with someone... and now he wanted to puke at the thought of being 'friendly' with Zahhak. God, he really was going soft, wasn't he? "And with that, I believe you are now connected to Trollian, and will be able to communicate with us and others much more readily... and with hopefully less senseless violence towards wildlife."

"Uh huh, uh huh!!" Nepeta cheered, before tilting her head quizzically once again. "Umm... how does Nepeta use Trollian?"

"And THAT is where I come in! Good thing I brought my spare crabtop for this." Karkat groused, using a nearby rock as a makeshift seat as he got the ball rolling. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Equius carefully walking Nepeta through the initial steps, saving Karkat the headache; good, he was NOT patient with that kind of beginner wigglershit. Now, time to see about getting this feral lunatic some actual fucking people skills!

...

CURRENT carcinoGeneticist [CCG] RIGHT NOW opened memo on board TROLLIAN FOR IDIOTS.

CCG: ALRIGHT, IS THIS WORKING? I AM PRAYING ON THE UNHOLY PUCKERED FUCKHOLES OF WHATEVER OTHER MEOWBEASTS WHICH ARE DWELLING AROUND US THAT I'M ACTUALLY CONNECTING TO THE SERVER AND NOT JUST SCREAMING INTO THE VOID.

CURRENT centaursTesticle [CCT] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CCT: D--> I am somewhat confused by my handle having the prefi% of current

CCT: D--> What is this nonsense, Vantas?

CCT: D--> Also, kindly refrain from such 100d language

CCG: OK, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE HELL YOU'VE USED TROLLIAN FOR THIS LONG WITHOUT KNOWING ABOUT THE MEMOS, BUT JUST IGNORE THAT FOR NOW. IT'S ONE OF TROLLIAN'S WEIRD TIMESPACE FEATURES THAT I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE REALLY USES.

CCG: ALSO, DON'T TELL ME HOW THE FUCK TO SPEAK ON HERE! YOU'RE NOT MY CUSTODIAN!

CCT: D--> At the very least, you should be somewhat civilized

CCT: D--> We do have an oliveb100d who is still fresh to e%ploring the online interwebs.

CCG: COULD YOU NOT SAY INTERWEBS? YOU SOUND LIKE AN OLD MAN! YOU ALREADY LOOK LIKE ONE TOO.

CCT: D--> I am around the same age as Serket and Nitram.

CCG: WHATEVER. I'M SENDING NEPETA THE MEMO LINK RIGHT NOW.

CURRENT arsenicCatnip [CAC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CAC: wow this looks so cool

CAC: hey equius how do you do that arrow thingie

CCT: D--> Oh, this is simple

CCT: I just type it as my prefi%

CAC: can you tell me how to do that

CCT: D--> Just hold shift and you should be able to get the symbols you desire

CAC: okie

CAC: AOSKHIOP><":>:{:L<>:::L

CCG: EQUIUS, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH BY HAVING NEPETA KEYMASH LIKE A GODDAMN WRIGGLER!?

CAC: Ok:"(($::#131342;;;l!#:

CCT: D--> I simply offered my wisdom

CAC: o!#)el;:#!l:l$!:

CCG: WELL, YOU'RE LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T MAKE THIS MEMO PUBLIC OR NEPETA WOULD ALREADY BE A LAUGHINGSTOCK OUT OF THE GATE!

CAC: SAI:!#413L:33<>p:kjo

CAC: :O

CAC: guys i found it!!!!

CCG: WHAT.

CAC: :33< this is pounce!

CCT: D--> Oh my

CCT: D--> I suppose it is appropriate that you would take on the visage of your lusus

CAC: :33< pounce de lion deserves to be seen everywhere!

CAC: :33< ooh! efurywhere! does that sound better?

CCT: D--> If you feel this fits your style of speaking, then yes

CCG: OH GOD...

CAC: :33< yaaaaay!

CAC: :33< hmmmmmm

CAC: :33< ok what do we do?

CCG: LOOK, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY GETTING A DECENT GRASP ON GRAMMAR. THAT SAID, JUST IN CASE, EQUIUS WILL BE SERVING AS YOUR TEACHER IN TROLL LANGUAGE.

CCG: OF COURSE, I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO TEACH, BUT I AM NOT EXACTLY ABLE TO DELIVER IN TERMS OF EXPLAINING THE DEPTHS OF OUR OWN NOMENCLATURE SINCE FRANKLY, IT'S STRANGE HOW WE TYPE WITH THIS SET OF ALPHABETS, YET FOR WRITTEN TEXT, WE USE OUR TRADITIONAL TROLLISH RUNES.

CCT: D--> Ah, it appears that both of you are unaware of the deep duality within our planet's main languages

CCT: D--> It makes sense that those lower on the caste system wouldn't have access to this level of education

CCG: ARE YOU SAYING WE'RE TOO FUCKING DUMB TO UNDERSTAND IT?

CCT: D--> No, I am simply saying that you have never been taught at that level

CCT: D--> Leijon is clearly e%tremely limited in her knowledge of either language due to her being disengaged from troll society and thus, she would be naturally feel confounded by this

CCT: D--> In your case, Vantas, you've clearly gone out of your way to teach yourself the depths of these languages

CCT: D--> That in itself is admirable and is not an indication of any lack of intellect

CCT: D--> I am simply stating that the dual languages we e%perience is not taught in-depth to that many people

CCT: D--> In that case, I will gladly take up the role as literary instructor so we may all understand this better

CCG: OK, I WAS READY TO SPEW A DIATRIBE AGAINST YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL OBSESSED WITH THIS BULLSHIT HEMOSPECTRUM, BUT I WAS NOT READY TO HEAR YOU BE THIS EAGER TO TEACH PEOPLE.

CCG: THOUGH, I SHOULD REMIND YOU THAT TROLLS DON'T JUST USE THESE TWO SETS OF LETTERS. IN CERTAIN MEMOS THAT WERE CREATED IN PARTICULAR COLONIES, I'VE NOTICED THEY USE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE AND LETTERS AMONG THEMSELVES.

CCG: TRUST ME, THE MEMOS FROM THE EAST ALTERNIAN COLONIES TEND TO BE A HEADACHE TO PUT THROUGH TROLLGLE TRANSLATE.

CCT: D--> Ah, but of course

CCT: D--> Aradia actually informed me of those as well

CCT: D--> Frankly, the amount of knowledge she possesses on these various colonies had me feeling rather

CCT: D--> E%cited

CAC: :33< sooooo...will you teach us all of these, mr zahhak???

CCT: D--> I will, but

CCT: D--> Please refer to me by my first name going forward

CCT: D--> Even as an instructor, there's only so much formality that could be shared betwi%t comrades

CAC: :33< oh, are we supposed to write all of our %s like this?

CCT: D--> Oh. No, that would not be necessary for you

CCG: LET ME HANDLE THIS.

CCG: YOU SEE, ON TROLLIAN, WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE WAYS OF TYPING. IT'S A WAY FOR US TO DISTIGUISH OURSELVES ONLINE BEYOND THE COLOR OF OUR TEXTS.

CCG: IT'S BASICALLY TRYING TO PUT OUR OWN VOICE INTO THE WAY WE TEXT EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW?

CAC: :33< ooooooh! that sounds so cooool!!!

CCG: YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT'S COOL!

CCT: D --> Language.

CCG: FUCK OFF.

CAC: :33 < hehehe!!

CAC: :33 < you two are purtty funny together!

CCG: PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME BARF, I AM GENUINELY BEGGING.

CCT: D --> Indeed. While I hold a great deal of respect for Karkat, both in his efforts to overcome the limitations imposed upon him by his circumstances as well as his willingness to act in defense of others even against a Highb100d like myself, the idea of being with him in such a manner is... disconcerting.

CAC: :33 < hmhmhm!!!

CCG: GAH!! LET'S MOVE ON, BEFORE SHE GETS US SUCKED INTO THIS TOPIC ANY FURTHER.

CCT: D --> Agreed.

CAC: :33 < aww...

CCG: TO KEEP THIS TOPIC MOVING... WHILE SOME TROLLS DON'T PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO IT, YOUR QUIRK REFLECTS ON YOU IN A LOT OF WAYS. FOR ME, I TYPE IN ALL CAPS TO ILLUSTRATE MY COMMANDING PRESENCE AND FORCE OF WILL THAT AIDS ME IN TAKING CHARGE WHEN SHIT HITS THE ROTATIONAL COOLING APPARATUS!!

CAC: :33 < i thought it was beclaws you yell all the time?

CCT: D --> As did I.

CCG: UGH... WELL IT'S NOT. WHAT ABOUT YOU, MR. HIGHBLOOD?

CCT: D --> Ah, yes. My quirk is twofold; the first aspect is a reflection of my admiration for the art of archery and hopes of joining the ranks of the archeradicators one day as someone of refinement and distinguished bearing. Even with my... limitations in that regard.

CAC: :33 < hey, you'll get it working soon!

CCT: D --> Thank you, Miss Leijon.

CAC: :33 < if you want me calling you equius, you have to call me nepeta!!

CCT: D --> Perhaps a compromise for now. Miss Nepeta?

CAC: :33 < i guess that works.

CCG: THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT?

CCT: D --> A private matter that Miss Nepeta helped me get a STRONG start with. But it is one I intend to share with you and our other colleagues... once it is finished.

CCG: FUCK, THAT'S THE BEST I'M GONNA GET, ISN'T IT? WELL FINE, I'LL LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

CCT: D --> Thank you. But for the second half of my quirk... it is a reflection of my desire to give one hundred percent of my best effort to all that I do, no matter what it may be. Even if, at times, I feel a bit... empty, and direction less, this merely means that I have a new path I can pursue to fill that emptiness within me.

CAC: :33 < that's really neat, equius!!

CCG: YEAH MAN, HERE I WAS THINKING IT WAS GONNA BE SOMETHING STUPID, BUT THAT ACTUALLY SOUNDS... KIND OF COOL!!!

CCT: D --> I have done nothing to warrant such praise, but I thank you both regardless.

CCT: D --> While it is not strictly necessary, I hope that this talk has given you some thoughts on what your own quirk means for you, Miss Nepeta.

CAC: :33 < it really has! and... i'm really... really glad that i got to m33t both of you.

...

"Listen, it's really nothing personal..."
"I have things that I need to do..."
"You'll understand once I get everything down, I promise..."

Those were just SOME of the words Tavros recalled from his conversation with Vriska after the team split. He was put off by how...strange Vriska acted from how she was acting initially. It felt like something clicked and he couldn't understand why. He began to press his thumbs against his massive horns trying to think of why this was happening. Why was the team splitting? Everyone was getting along fine, so why would she...?

"Excuse me, Tavros?" Tavros was broken out of his trance by Kanaya, who was looking over him with a worried look on her face. Tavros felt oddly small compared to her even if their heights may contradict that. Nonetheless, she had a concerned look on her face. "I hope I'm not interrupting any important ponderings, but I was hoping you could make some suggestions." She spoke plainly.

"Oh...uh..." Tavros sat up against the comfy sofa he was sitting in. He tried to answer, but he found himself flustered as he realized that...he wasn't sure what to suggest. "What do you need me to suggest?" He asked.

"Ideas for outfits, you dummy!" Aradia chimed in giggling, patting his shoulder with a smile as she slouched slightly. "Kanaya wants to give us some new clothes and since things are seemingly getting better, now might be a good time to do so!" She smiled.

"Oh...I suppose that makes sense. Though, I feel like your definition of better...might be different from mine." Tavros sulked.

"And that's perfectly understandable, but Vriska seemed adamant in her decision and we should respect that!" Feferi spoke up. "I...am a little worried about what Dualscar's doing, but I'm shore with Terezi and Vriska around, everything will go swimmingly!" Feferi tried to assure Tavros, though how much that worked is...debatable.

Tavros chuckled nervously, trying to inject some energy into his voice... and going by the concerned looks on Aradia and Feferi's faces, he'd flopped. If anything, things going swimmingly, as much as it hurt to admit it... was kind of the problem. "Y-Yeah... there's absolutely nothing they'd need us for..."

Feferi gasped, pulling Tavros into a hug, which he leaned into. They'd quickly figured out that the both of them were fond of physical affection and saw no issues with the gesture, even Aradia got in on the action, a downright adorable hug party going on. "No, that's definitely not what I meant! We're alwaves going to have a place with them... they're still our friends, Tav!"

"I know... I just... I wish I could've done more, you know?" Tavros sighed, letting some of his tension ease as he dusted himself off. "Like, maybe there was something I could've done to convince them to let us stay!"

"Whale... ignoring that you are kind of being rude to Aradia..." Feferi drawled, gesturing over to where said girl was stifling her laughter at Tavros' suddenly panicked expression... before Fef's face softened, ruffling Tavros' hair. Like Vriska did when she thought he was being silly; it made his heart ache. "I... think this really was for the basst, Tavros. While I'm definitely KNOT happy that they made this decision without talking to us, we reelly were slowing them down. But look at us now!! Our moves are getting better, we know how to move as a team, and more importantly... we're able to win games on our OWN, and not just waiting for Dualscar or Vris to take out the enemy! Isn't that something to be proud of?"

"Yeah! Tavros, I don't want to dismiss your feelings, but you're being silly!" Aradia insisted, nudging Tavros' shoulder as she tugged him over to the center of the room, making him stand up on a chair she'd pulled over. She beamed up at his hesitant expression, coaxing a tentative smile out of him. "Yeah, getting left behind can suck... but that just means that now you have a goal to shoot for. Reuniting with Vriska as a member of her Team, and showing her how far you've come! Do you really think she wouldn't be happy for you if you pulled that off!?"

"No... she'd be over the moon about it!" Tavros admitted, scratching his cheek in embarrassment. He flinched. "Y-You... aren't mad that Fef and I are planning to leave your team one day?"

To his surprise, Aradia just laughed it off, waving her hand in denial. "Of course not! Don't get me wrong, I love flarping with you guys; and not just because I got to meet another Highblood that knows how to treat a Lowblood right besides Equius." Feferi blushed, a beaming smile crossing her face at Aradia's words. "You two... you're both some of my best friends. And I just know that the three of us are gonna keep that friendship together, through thick and thin, even if we're apart. And I know that Vriska feels the same way! Even if the road gets bumpy, even if life feels like it's kicking us down, we're all in this together now... and that's never gonna change, no matter where we end up in it."

Tavros felt something wet sliding down his face; it was probably just sweat. From his eyes. Sliding down his cheeks. Totally just sweat. He swallowed, nodding nervously. "T-Thanks."

"So... you finally gonna offer some suggestions for our new clothes, now?" Aradia asked impishly, laughing along with Fef as Tavros nearly jumped clean into the ceiling as he remembered the original topic of discussion. Aradia hummed to herself, eyes, narrowed as she looked him up and down, before clapping her hands. "Yup! I... have no idea what I'm doing here."

"Whale, I've been learning a bit aboat fashion reefently, to better understand Jadebloods!" Feferi explained, giving Tavros a once over. "So... I think that he could do well with a neckerchief! One that's a darker brown than his blood color so that it makes his eyes look brighter! And a sleeveless shirt, too; you wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Tav has got some reelly good arms!!"

"Hmm, I guess that sounds good..." Aradia murmured, before looking Tavros in the eyes. "But what do you think?"

Tavros opened his mouth to reject the suggestions, feeling the idea that any part of him could look as cool as they were implying was silly... only to pause. What Would Rufioh Do? ...Go For It Little Man. He smiled. "Sure. I think that sounds fun!"

Kanaya was waiting patiently as she watched the three speak. Truth be told, while she was always happy to have a conversation, she was a bit shy when it comes to casual discussion. That said, she smiled as she saw how well the three meshed well. She could already tell that Tavros and Aradia would get along very well. Having known Aradia for some time, it was almost natural to expect Aradia to lift the Bronzeblood's experience. She also smiled at Feferi. While she was...somewhat aware of who Feferi truly was behind the Violet tint, it was delightful to see her be this kind to those on the lower caste. While Feferi's ideas for Alternia aren't as strong as she had hoped, Kanaya admired her. That was when Feferi finally made a suggestion for Tavros's new attire and with them agreeing, she nodded. "Very well. I do suppose an outfit that accentuates his arms would be appropriate. What about you two, however? What attire have you considered taking up?" She inquired.

"I guess for me, I have been hoping to get something that'll be easier to move around in during excavations. I'm very much used to climbing in a skirt, but I wish there was a way to make it easier." Aradia mused, to which Kanaya smiled.

"Well, that's a non-issue. While I could create some cargo shorts, I could also put together a skirt with a different material that'll make it easier to move on rougher terrain. It's only a matter of getting the form right." Kanaya responded. "And you, Feferi?"

"Well...it's a bit hard to say, but I guess something that doesn't look...too much like a seadweller? Like, I'm not saying I should scrap it since it needs to be at least waterproof, but could you maybe make something more modest? It would make fighting other players feel less awkward." Feferi sheepishly sugested.

"Hmm. Well, while it can be a pain to waterproof clothes, I've gotten far too used to that to truly feel aggravated about repeating the process. That said...I hope you three can stay to try them out." Kanaya smiled. "Suffice to say, you won't have to wait too long to at least witness a Work in Progress at minimum."

Kanaya chuckled as Feferi practically squealed in excitement, dashing over to stand on the modeling pedestal, something she was finally able to use properly! Aradia and Tavros were more subdued, but definitely were at least interested as they walked over to inspect the process. Enjoying the chance to show off perhaps a bit more than necessary, Kanaya added a slight sway to her hips as she walked over to her wardrobifier; while it automatically swapped out her clothing at her command, it also physically stored the actual articles it was swapping about, and it could store a LOT.

She did fidget a little as she realized that both Feferi and Aradia were... staring... for lack of a better term. Perhaps the hip-sway had been a tad unnecessary in hindsight...? Oh well, no choice but to commit! Humming to herself, she fished out a silken white gown with a detachable hood clasped to it. It was a commission she'd made at Calliope's rather... passionate... insistence. Accompanied by an hours long info-dump on the details of the Cult of the Sufferer to which she was a member; the dress lacked one sleeve by design, symbolically meant to represent a willingness to extend an open hand to all without concealment.

As she held it out for Feferi's inspection, she smirked at the sharp gasp as the seadweller drank in the gorgeous piece, like, heh, a drowning Troll sighting dry land after escaping a Highblood hunting party. "It's beautiful...! Where'd you even get the idea to design something like this!?"

"Another friend of mine supplied the design... rather aggressively so." Kanaya admitted, gesturing for Tavros to turn around, much to Aradia's confusion; as Tavros acquiesced, she nodded at the look of relief on Feferi's face. Due to their status and the degrees of personal segregation from others they enjoyed, most Highbloods were more accustomed to a level of privacy that would be laughable for a Lowblood to accept. "Here, go ahead. I'm sure you shall love it."

Giggling, Feferi practically ripped the dress out of Kanaya's hands, shimmying out of the oddly conservative, but apparently still far too revealing, seadweller attire the royal girl was adorned with. As she slipped on the provided dress, Kanaya took the moment to inspect Feferi's body; the smooth, almost silky physique was to be expected, seadweller anatomy meant that their physical appearances rarely revealed just how much power their forms possessed... but what she hadn't been anticipated were the faint scars dotting her body... scars that looked... like someone had dug their nails into her flesh until she bled.

As she stood in her new outfit, Feferi blushed as the faint light of Kanaya's hive bounced off of the pale colors of the dress, practically causing her to glow. "W-Whale? How do I look?"

"You look amazing! Like something out of a historical text, in a good way!" Aradia cheered, subtly nudging Tavros to signal it was okay to look again. As he did so, her let out a low whistle at Feferi's appearance, which Kanaya perfectly understood. If Kanaya didn't already have word via Calliope that Feferi was bound for another, she'd certainly be open to a little flushfling! Aradia squinted. "You know... that outfit kind of looks familiar..."

"Really?" Feferi echoed, still engrossed in inspecting her new attire from every direction. "'Cause I've honestly never sean anything like it!"

Kanaya held her tongue; while Calliope was adamant that her Cult and its teachings would re-enter mainstream Troll Society, she had been VERY insistent that Kanaya not talk about it to others. It was a relief when Aradia snapped her fingers, continuing her train of thought. "Oh yeah! Okay, I remember this; that outfit looks a lot like the ceremonial garb for an ancient cult here on Alternia back in the day. I only found out about it because it was part of a set of ciphered texts I was translating for fun!"

Tavros blinked, tilting his head at Aradia. "You translate ciphers for fun?"

"Of course, who wouldn't?" Aradia blinked guilelessly.

Everyone paused, and burst out laughing. Classic Aradia.

Chapter Text

Aradia stuck her tongue between her teeth, gently dusting some of the dirt from the sculpted stone. As the gleaming red designs were uncovered, she let out a giddy chuckle. Some, mostly Highbloods, thought her fixation on the past and history was stupid, given her short lifespan, but moments like this, seeing things thought lost? How could this NOT be awesome!? "I found something, Equius!!"

"As have I!" The burly Blueblood called back, delicately pulling away some of the stone and dirt to reveal the clearly carved structure hidden below. It always took her breath away, seeing his strength able to do in minutes what even her best psionic efforts needed hours of careful application to accomplish. "Your hypothesis appears to be correct; it does indeed bare similar markings to those found near Miss Kanaya's Hive."

"Gimme a sec, I'm coming down!" Aradia called back, jumping into the air; she smirked as she saw him instantly break into a sweat, willing the spirits to her. Indulging her request, they smoothly contorted around her, slowing her descent so that she gently touched down on the ground. She lightly punched his shoulder playfully. "Scared?"

"Yes." Equius replied immediately, even as he hesitantly slung an arm over her shoulder, her leaning into his embrace. They... still weren't sure if they were going to make it official. But neither could deny that it felt... comfortable. Being like this. Avoiding her gaze with a flushed expression, he gestured to the stonework. "It is remarkable, really; one cannot help but wonder what marvels of the past were lost to us with the passage of time."

"And here we are getting a chance to see it." Aradia agreed... before sighing, glancing off to the side. Something Equius clearly noticed.

"Is- is something wrong?" He asked, fidgeting. If there was one thing she found annoying is that in his efforts to 'unlearn' the Hemospectrum rhetoric he grew up learning, rather than ignoring her opinion, he was sometimes TOO hesitant to express his own.

But... it was still sweet of him. "I dunno. FLARP has been going pretty good; I'm pretty sure Feferi is THAT Feferi, but she hasn't come out and, you know, said it, so I'm letting it lie. But she's super nice to be around and she's always pushing to get different caste teams to hang out and have fun!"

"A Troll worthy of admiration." Equius nodded, a small smile on his face. To say he hadn't taken the knowledge that she was FLARPing with a Seadweller would be... an understatement; it had taken a LONG and very tense talk to get it through his head that just because Seadwellers were taught to mistrust Land dwellers as much as the reverse was true did not mean that a Seadweller was going to hurt her by default. It had taken nearly a week with no talking for him to get the message; learning from Feferi that he'd contacted her begging her forgiveness and the bewildered Sea Troll asking her what he was talking about had honestly been hilarious. Now, the two got along swell! "But...?"

"But... Tavros is still sulking. Like, he's trying!" She clarified, not wanting Equius to think he needed to seek Tav out; Tavros was still sensitive about appearing 'weak' in front of others, and having the supertrollishly powerful Equius appear on his doorstep would not help him at all. "But he's still hung up on Vriska kicking him off her team."

"Given that I have seen him far less often around her Hive, it must be quite serious. I must admit, Vriska's recent reclusiveness has been... concerning to me. Even the gift I found for her, an apparent treasure of her Ancestor, has not roused her spirits." Equius remarked, a faint sheen of sweat forming on the bridge of his brow, sighing in gratitude when she mopped some of it up with a spare towel.

"I really hope they can pull themselves together; like, they just don't function as well as they should without each other." Aradia mumbled, letting herself lean into Equius' side. Vriska was a dear friend, and Tavros... well, she didn't THINK she was pale for him, but she definitely felt the urge to look after him. Maybe it was that 'sibling bond' thing that Nepeta had rambled about when talking about the animals she'd hunted? Even if the feral girl gave her the weirdest vibes at times, she was a complete sweetheart! Where was she going with this...? Oh, right. "I just wish there was something I could do to help smooth things over... do you hear something...?"

"GET DOWN!!" Equius roared, pulling Aradia to his chest as he gave a STRONG leap as far as he could... right as a METEOR roared down from the heavens, plowing into the ground nearby... and exposing an utterly MASSIVE hidden cavern below...

"I... believe it is safe...?" Equius said hesitantly, gently pulling Aradia away from his STRONG body. At the slight wince he gave, she deadpanned, gesturing for him to turn around.

At the sight of the cuts and scratches on her back, she lightly slapped his shoulder. "How many times do I have to tell you, do NOT act all sacrificial on me!! Cuts on the back are a big problem, they are a lot harder to treat on your own then not and a lot easier to agitate because of how the muscles on the back function."

"In my defense, I did not intend to be injured, there was just a lack of time to get us both to safety. I simply gambled on my durability being up to snuff." Equius said stiffly, head tilted in that way it did when he was trying to avoid meeting her gaze.

"What am I gonna do with you..." Aradia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh well, what's done is done. But you are NOT going home; you are gonna stay with me at my Hive until those cuts are healed up, Mr. Highblood!"

She ignored the beaming smile her words got out of him, because she was still mad at him, dang it! Just because it meant they would be able to talk and collaborate without interruptions and he didn't have to worry about running into any Highbloods who would 'take e%ception to his choice in company' and could let himself RELAX around her was purely a side benefit.

She jerked her chin towards the pit, puffing her cheeks out in a pout. "Come on, let's take a look at this; we'll need to secure the entrance so that nothing dangerous gets in later as soon as we can, and I wanna take a look at whatever damage that meteor did before it has a chance to get worse."

"I shall pack us a quick lunch." Equius insisted, hustling off to her Hive. He really was too thoughtful... if a bit bad on a little thing called 'timing.'

...

The fires within the pit would die down as the two would prepare. With some food captchalogued, the two would find themselves standing over a pit. The two would peer and while Aradia seemed excited, Equius looked rather...shaky. "I've seen my fair share of pits, but...it almost looks like there's a whole other patch of terrain underneath." Equius observed, which made Aradia smile.

"What? Did you think those caves just stayed on the same level? Surely, you can't be that out of touch!" Aradia smirked as she got out her whip, wrapping it around the stalagmites before hopping down. She would be able to swing herself about as she landed on a statue. She observed the area with a smile...

Her eyes then peered up as she saw Equius attempt to leap down after her. It was clear that he took some time to calculate, hoping to land on the same platform as her...only for him to overshoot as he go past Aradia and miss the platform by a few feet. "Oh, CRABAPPLES-!" Equius yelped in terror before a crack broke out as the whip wrapped around his torso. He looked to see Aradia looking down at him.

"You really should watch how you squat if you're gonna try and pull a jump like that without any tools!" Aradia called down to him before pulling him up. "I swear, you never seem to know when to take your time..." She muttered as she helped the Indigoblood on his feet.

"My apologies, Aradia. I...could've sworn I calculated the trajectory of my leap precisely. Then again...while I can leap, landing is still difficult for me." Equius admitted, peering down at the actual landing side of the meteor. He could hear Aradia sigh.

"Hey, I get it. It's just that you'd need something to change your angle while falling in order to actually control yourself in the air." Aradia pointed out, gesturing her whip to show an example. "I could lend you a spare Whipkind Abstratus for your Portfolio if you want." She smiled while Equius cleared his throat.

"I...I'll find other ways to alleviate my lack of air control, but I'll consider your offer." Equius nodded before the both of them leapt off the statue. This was where they could see what the statue was. Equius dwelled on it a bit, looking at its form. It was very clearly a ribbitbeast, or frog if you want to be pedantic about it. It was always strange to him that there were these statues of this simple creature. As he stared, however, he noticed that Aradia had already gone down the temple and would quickly follow her down.

Upon reaching the meteor site, the two would be greeted with a rather...interesting site.

"Wooaahh..." Aradia whistled, picking up the... doll? Was it a doll? Whatever it was, it kinda had a Subjuggulator kind of vibe to it. Its eyes seemed to draw her in... but she set it off to the side, careful not to risk damaging it further. Besides, the ghosts kept screaming in fear when she looked at it, and while stuff capable of making ghosts scream was COOL, it was also very dangerous.

Sticking out her tongue, she rummaged through the fallen refuse, deftly plucking a hat that instantly brought to mind her favorite Archaeological Adventurer films and perching it on her head with a giddy smile. It didn't have horn holes for some reason, but who cares?! She struck a pose. "Oh, Equius~! What do you think? Am I cute?"

She paused, waiting for his inevitable flustered stammering, or on rare occasions, the too-loud shout of YES. But nothing came. She blinked, turning to stare at Equius in concern. "Equius?"

She carefully walked over and as she grew closer, it became clear that whatever he was looking at? It was unnerving enough to him to leave him trembling. She reached out to tap him on the shoulder... only for his arm to shoot out, grabbing her wrist (very carefully), as he turned his gaze back to her. "I... believe it may be best if you don't see this."

Aradia's expression grew flat as, with a short-range burst of psionics, she pried his hand off of her. "Noted. And ignored. Move aside, NOW."

"Yes!" Equius yelped, a young barkbeast's smile on his face as he stepped out of her path on reflex... only to immediately panic as she drew closer. "Aradia, wait-!!"

Aradia's eyes went wide. Knees falling into the dirt, she scraped away the sand and grit covering the damaged robot with the ease of many an attempted ruin dive. She sucked in a breath as the robot's features, HER features, were suddenly staring back at her. Her gaze slowly slid down to the chest and sure enough, her sign was emblazoned on it... and in a familiar shade of blue. "Equius...?"

"Y-Yes?" Equius asked, face practically drowning in sweat as he seemed torn between pulling her away and letting her do as she pleased.

She turned to him, face as solemn as a grave. "Tell me... how long have you been planning to replace me with a robot, hmm?"

"I-...What?!" Equius yelped, practically leaping five feet into the air as she shot into his personal space, finger digging into his chest. It took all she had to keep the offended scowl in place and not burst out laughing at his expression. "My word, I would never, to even consider it would-!!"

"Aww, I'm just teasing you, you big lug!" Aradia laughed, giving up the bit as Equius grew ever more flustered. She gestured to the machine. "But it's WEIRD, right? Like, we both know this is YOUR work!"

Equius tilted his head down, fists clenched. Aradia's smile dimmed at the clear turmoil on his face. "...I know. And I am... quite unnerved by its presence here. Or... what it means that something such as THIS, made with my methods, could exist."

Aradia shrugged, affecting nonchalance. "Really? I think it's cool!"

Equius went still, cracked shades slipping slightly as he stared at her with dumbfounded incredulity. "You... are not offended?"

"Offended? Equius, do you not know what this IS!? This is a genuine OOPart, an Out Of Place Artifact!" Aradia laughed, wildly gesturing to the impossible robot wreckage. "This is a once in a millennium find! Sure, we can't EVER tell anyone about it since they'll either think we're lying, crazy, or see this as something to exploit, but just the fact that we're HERE, right now, seeing something that couldn't, shouldn't exist, right before our eyes...! This is amazing. And I get to share it with you."

"I... had not thought of that." Equius sheepishly admitted, before his flustered expression returned. "B-But what if this is a prelude to something worse!? If this is truly an artifact 'out of place,' perhaps via the kind of temporal shenanigans that populate the Trollian chat client, what if this is a sign of the future? What if... what if I, in the future, make this because... something bad happens to you?"

Aradia's expression softened as she stepped forward, gently cupping the STRONG boy's face, her thumbs carefully clearing away his tears. "Hey... it's okay. Nothing lasts forever, ya know? That's what makes every moment we have together precious. I'm a Rustblood, Equius; a long life was never in the stars for me. If something happens, it happens! I'm just happy I had the chance to spend my time with you, Tavros, Karkat, Terezi, Feferi, Kanaya, Sollux, Vriska...! All of you... have made these the happiest years of my life. And I'd never trade them for anything in the world."

"A-Aradia...!" Equius wept, voice choked with emotion as the smaller Troll linked her arms behind his back, her gentle warmth filling him up.

"And there's one thing I know for sure... why she was made, or what events led up to it... I know you'd never hurt me. Even if it killed you, as much as it pains me to think about." Aradia whispered, and Equius felt a faint wet spot on his shirt... coming from the outside rather than within. She... she was crying. Crying... for him...? "So how about we stop all this mopey talk, and you try to get her fixed up after we look everything over, o-okay?"

"I..." Equius wiped his tears. "I understand...it's just...to be reminded of how so much of us are living on borrowed time is not something I'd like to imagine...and the last thing I'd want to see is you talking about how limited it is for you." He lamented before placing his hands on her shoulders. "I...I know this seems implausible, but...if there's a way to extend your life, no, anyone's life...with all the people we've come to know...I'd be more than willing to take that chance. It may be selfish, I'm aware, but...the mortality of those around me has always been something that distressed me...as much as I try to see it as natural." Equius lamented as Aradia simply patted his head.

"Equius, neither of us could ever know what truly happens ahead of time. We'd have to be lucky to even hope for such a premonition. You shouldn't have to worry yourself so much. Though..." Aradia started to blush. "I...appreciate that you're willing to admit this. Would you believe me if I said you weren't the first to tell me such a thing?" Aradia tried to giggle as she wiped away a tear.

"I...I would imagine it'd be a common thing for you to hear, unfortunately." Equius nodded as he noticed Aradia pulling out a wallet.

"Well, in any case, let's clean this whole place up. I think one of these findings is something that our dear Jadeblooded mutual would be more than happy to work with!" Aradia smiled as she held up the strange puppet. Equius briefly glanced at it...and strongly turned his neck as if he was trying to keep his eyes from it. Aradia could notice the shift in Equius's expression. He was always somewhat stressed, but...she could've sworn there was something more. "Do you...find it too offputting?" She asked, a bit concerned.

"That's...one way to put it. I feel like if I look at it, something disturbing will manifest." Equius trembled. Aradia found that concerning, but...she would admit that the puppet did look rather creepy. With that, she decided to integrate the Wallet as part of her Fetch Modi as she catalogued the puppet. Good thing she always kept a Control Deck on hand.

"Well, if I get this guzzied up, I'm sure it won't be too much of an eyesore. Anyways, let's get cleaning!" Aradia smiled as she proceeded to gather up any more weird OOParts around here before they could leave.

Equius was...truly happy to spend this time with the Rustblood. A part of him wondered if he should keep calling her that in all honesty. Even so, while he wanted to believe her words, he felt something sit in the back of his mind. Why was there a robot replica of her in the Meteor? It seemed so strange and he wondered how it was possible. And then there was the puppet, Equius didn't know why, but...he felt something dark in that thing. Something that he may surely fear if he were to know the truth of it.

...

The headache was back. Er, wait, no, it had never left. God fucking dammit was it hard to think. A fucker never stopped and really THOUGHT about how hard thinking really was until something came along and made it so they had to actually pay attention to that shit.

And boy howdy did he pay attention. With a jaw cracking yawn, Gamzee pried himself out of the pile of clothing he'd slept in. He didn't use his Recuperacoon these days; too easy to give into that motherfuckin' blissful temptation. It was just to easy to reach in and SHOVE THAT MOTHERFUCKIN' BLISS POISON INTO HIS-!!

Without even stopping to consider it further, Gamzee's head whipped around, driving his forehead into the nearest wall, hard enough to leave cracks in it. Hard enough to make a fucker bleed. As the external pain drowned out the internal, his fingers almost lazily reached up to his hairline, swiping some of his precious purple blood free. 'Precious.' Heh. "What's a fucker gotta do to find out what this shit is good for anyway?"

Blasphemous talk. The kind that, had he been a more official-like member of the Church, woulda seen him strung up and flayed before his skinless corpse was trampled beneath a hundred tiny bicycles. But you know what? When your motherfuckin' faith all be sayin' that all y'all friends weren't worth the same as a fucker like ya, ya kinda had to see these kinds of sick thoughts creepin' in, ya dig?

That might be the sleep deprivation talkin', though... those voices... hidin' in the fuckin' dark... hidin' in the fuckin' stars... they sang to him in his dreams. Made him laugh. Made a fucker SCREAM. Made him weep as they whispered such interestin' stories to him, about what he was meant to do.

It's one of the reasons he avoided the Sopor. He'd decided to risk takin' a dip in the ol' Recuperacoon when they started gettin' REALLY fucking bad, deciding that a motherfuckin' trip to end all trips was worth the risk if it meant making these FUCKING DOGSHIT UNFUNNY BULLSHITTERS SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LEAVE HIM THE FUCK ALONE!!! But sadly, that was when he had the misfortune of realizin' that the clarity of the Recuperacoon... just made the fuckers come through so. Much. Clearer.

So here he was, deadass tired to his bone, one bad joke away from splatterin' some fucker across the wall and makin' murals with their blood, and wonderin' just what the fuck was the point of being an unfunny punk like him anyway?

The flesh under his skin itched. It could fuckin' FEEL the buildin' ragebliss within him, speakin' to the murderwhimsies up in his think pan... and he just knew, HE JUST FUCKIN' KNEW, that if went over to his Recuperacoon, GOT HIMSELF A FEW FUCKIN' PIE TINS, he could make all that pain and hate go away.

Could go back to being everybody's spaced out dumbass buddy again...

Nothin' scary about good ol' Gamzee, nah!! Ya got the wrong fucker officerators!! Just a semi-respectable Highblood gettin' his pie on, he's down to clown y'all! He wouldn't be able to hear those fuckers anymore neither... But if he did...

Siska would be disappointed. Karkbro would be upset. ALL his friends would see that he was fucking WEAK. That the big bad Highblood, THEIR MOTHERFUCKIN' SUPERIOR, couldn't handle his shit.

Fuck... FUCK THIS BULLSHIT!!!

Just fuck it all. He was deadass sick of it.

He... he needed to see what Karkat wrote him. He felt bad about leavin' his brother out in the cold like that, a most UNRIGHTEOUS deed... but he couldn't be burdenin' his brother with this. This was his shame to bear alone. This went... SO FAR FUCKING BEYOND... simple rage. THIS WAS A MOTHERFUCKIN' FUNDAMENTAL STATE OF HIS SINFUL BEING!!!

And how could he ask a brother to put up with that?

But still, it didn't stop him from seeing those heartbreakin' messages his brother left for him. Rambling about whatever fuckin' shit was going on now. Complaining about the drama. Asking if he was o-okay...

He was doing this for them. FOR ALL OF THEM!! Because if he could master this... THEN AIN'T NO FUCKIN' BASTARD GONNA BE HURTIN' HIS HEMOS AGAIN!!! Least of all his unrighteous self.

And so, with the kind of effort that woulda seen most weaker Trolls break down weepin' at the self-control it required that Gamzee saw as meetin' the bare minimum requirements, he went to his Husktop. Oh? Someone was messagin' him...

And as he went and be lookin' at what a fucker wanted... he felt that hateful RAGE within himself sharpen real fine... because it was this motherfucker again.

undyingUmbrage [uu] begins jeering terminallyCapricious [TC]!

uu: CLOWN! ARE YOu THERE, CLOWN!? I AM PISSED OFF, AND DESIRE TO VENT AT YOu!

TC: why can't you just leave me alone?

uu: FRANKLY, I WOuLD IF THAT WAS AN OPTION.

uu: NOT BECAuSE I LIKE YOu, BuT BECAuSE CuRRENTLY, YOu AND YOuR FRIENDS ARE THE ONLY ONES MY GuARDIAN HAS GIVEN MY SISTER AND I PERMISSION TO SPEAK WITH.

uu: WHICH IS FRANKLY A BuNCH OF BuLLSHIT!!

uu: AND, SAD AS IT IS TO SAY, OF YOu AND YOuR FRIENDS, YOu ARE THE ONLY ONE I AM NOT ACTIVELY TORMENTING THAT I FIND IT HALFWAY TOLERABLE TO SPEAK WITH.

TC: fucker, you call this not tormenting me?

uu: OBVIOuSLY! FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW WHY MY SISTER IS SO INSISTENT ON HOW SPECIAL YOu ARE. FRANKLY, YOu JuST SEEM LIKE A PATHETIC SACK OF SHIT TO ME.

TC: motherfucker i am really not in the mood for this shit.

TC: can ya just get on with it so i can go back to doing literally anything else?

uu: I SEE THAT YOu REMEMBER THAT BLOCKING ME IS FuTILE!

uu: VERY WELL, I SuPPOSE I SHALL 'GET ON WITH IT' AS IT WERE!

uu: MY SISTER IS ATTEMPTING TO ONCE AGAIN GET ME TO INDuLGE IN HER CHILDISH FANTASIES SHE CALLS 'RELIGION.' AS IF I HAVE ANY DESIRE TO FOLLOW THE GuIDANCE OF SOME DEAD FOOL WHO PREACHES SOMETHING AS WORTHLESS 'EQuALITY AMONG ALL CASTES.'

TC: the fuckin' what now?

uu: OH YES, SHE AND OuR GuARDIAN ARE BELIEVERS IN SOME TRIPE CuLT THAT DECRIES YOuR PRECIOuS HEMOSPECTRuM AND DECREE IT TO BE SICK AND WRONG.

uu: NOT THAT I'M ANY FAN OF IT EITHER, BECAuSE OBVIOuSLY I AM SuPERIOR TO ALL BY DEFAuLT.

uu: LIKE I WOuLD NEED SOME GLORIFIED CHECKLIST TO TELL ME THAT!

TC: just, just fuckin' wait, aight?

TC: you sayin' there's something else out there??

uu: OBVIOuSLY. I FIND ALL RELIGIONS TO BE BuLLSHIT BY DEFAuLT, BuT THERE'S IS PARTICuLARLY EGREGIOuS.

uu: AT LEAST YOuR BRAND OF BuLLSHIT SPARES ITSELF NO PRETENSIONS OF BEING ANYTHING BuT MuRDEROuS VIOLENCE AND HATE TO GLORIFY YOuR PRECIOuS 'MIRTHFuL MESSIAHS.'

uu: HONESTLY? IT'S WHAT MADE ME REACH OuT TO YOu IN THE FIRST PLACE!

uu: I THOuGHT 'HEY, I CAN GET SOME TIPS ON HOW TO GO ABOuT PROPERLY CRACKING SKuLLS ONCE I GET OuT OF THIS SHITHOLE!'

uu: BuT INSTEAD ALL I FOuND WAS SOME CRYBABY LOSER WHINING ABOuT HOW EVERYONE'S 'MEAN TO HIM!'

uu: GOD DAMN, YOu ACT AS IF YOu'VE NEVER MuRDERED ANYONE BEFORE!

TC: that's cause I haven't, fucker.

uu: REALLY? WOW, I WAS JuST BEING AN ASSHOLE, BuT YOu REALLY HAVEN'T KILLED ANYONE, DESPITE THAT BEING, LIKE, A CORE TENANT IN YOuR BELIEFS!?

TC: the order of the mirthful messiahs ain't like that!

uu: OH PLEASE, WE BOTH KNOW THAT'S BuLLSHIT.

uu: IT'S THE ENTIRE FuCKING REASON YOu DO NOTHING BuT FuCK AROuND IN YOuR HIVE ALL DAY! BECAuSE YOu ARE FINALLY SOBER ENOuGH TO RECOGNIZE THAT YOuR PRECIOuS 'MESSIAHS' HAVE NO INTENTION OF SAVING ANYONE WITH THEIR SO-CALLED 'DARK CARNIVAL' WHO ISN'T WILLING TO PAY THEM IN AN OCEAN OF BLOOD! THE LOWER ON YOuR PRECIOuS SPECTRuM, THE BETTER.

TC: shut up.

uu: LET ME THINK ABOuT IT, NO!

uu: HONESTLY, I WAS HOPING THAT NOW THAT YOu KNOW WHAT YOuR FAITH ACTuALLY MEANS, YOu WOuLD FINALLY DO SOMETHING FuCKING RIGHT AND PuT THAT DAMN CANCER OuT OF MY MISERY!!

uu: FAT CHANCE OF THAT, THOuGH!

TC: are you talking about karkbro!?

uu: DuH, WHO ELSE WOuLD I BE TALKING ABOuT?

uu: I HONESTLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST HIM PERSONALLY, OR I DIDN'T BEFORE ACTuALLY TALKING WITH HIM, BuT IT'S THE PRINCIPAL OF THE MATTER!

TC: and what kind of motherfuckin' principal is that?

uu: IF YOu ARE GOING TO DRAG IT OuT OF ME, I GuESS I CAN SHARE.

uu: THAT SIGN HE WEARS, IT IS THE SAME SIGN THAT ACTS AS THE IMAGERY OF MY SISTER AND GuARDIAN'S PRECIOuS CuLT.

uu: IT'S PROBABLY JuST A COINCIDENCE.

uu: BuT AS HIS VERY EXISTENCE IS A REMINDER OF THE WORTHLESS TEACHINGS I SO DETEST, I FIND HIM TO BE AN EYESORE THAT THE WORLD WOuLD BE BETTER OFF LACKING. WHICH IS WHERE YOu COME IN!

uu: THAT WOuLD BE A BIG SCORE FOR YOu, HuH? TAKING OuT A REAL LIFE HERETIC. YOuR MESSIAHS WOuLD BE SOOOOO PROuD!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

TC: motherfucker.

TC: SHUT!

TC: your goddamn,

TC: MOTHERFUCKIN' MOUTH!!

TC: here i is being a nice fuckin' guy.

TC: LETTIN' YOU SPIT YOUR SHIT AT ME!!

TC: but then you had to go,

TC: AND SAY YOU WANT ME TO ICE MY FUCKIN' BRO!?

TC: so clean out those ears...

TC: AND LISTEN' THE FUCK UP!!!

TC: if i ever fuckin' find you, i'm gonna fuckin' kill you.

TC: I'LL HOLLOW OUT YO FUCKIN' SKULL!!!

TC: and drink me a soup made a yo blood from it.

TC: I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE, MOTHERFUCKER!!

TC: and make yo hide into my lusus' chew toy.

TC: 'CAUSE IF THERE AIN'T ONE THANG I NEVER GONNA TOLERATE!!

TC: it's you,

TC: OR FUCKIN' ANYONE ELSE,

TC: be threatenin' my good brother.

TC: YOU BE UNDERSTANDIN' ME MOTHERFUCKER!?

uu: HEHEHEHEHE.

uu: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

TC: and just what

TC: IS SO FUCKIN' FUNNY, BITCH!?

uu: OH NOTHING, JuST THE 'MOTHERFuCKING' HYPOCRISY OF IT ALL!

uu: YOu THREATEN TO BRuTALLY MuRDER ME FOR IMPLICITLY THREATENING YOuR DEAR 'BRO' WITH DEATH.

uu: AND YET YOu YOuRSELF THREATENED TO KILL HIM, QuITE TERRIBLY I MIGHT ADD, NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO! AT LEAST NOT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

TC: motherfucker.

TC: HOW YOU BE KNOWIN' THAT SHIT!?

uu: YOu DON'T EVEN BOTHER DENYING IT!! IT'S HILARIOuS TO ME!

uu: DO YOu NOT SEE!?

uu: THIS IS WHO YOu REALLY ARE!

uu: THIS IS WHAT YOu REALLY ARE!

uu: A DuMB, MuRDEROuS CLOWN, LEAD AROuND BY HIS NOSE, A SLAVE TO HIS TEMPER!

uu: TOO COWARDLY TO SEE IF YOuR SO-CALLED LOVE FOR YOuR FRIENDS IS AS STRONG AS YOu PROFESS IT TO BE, SO YOu LOCK YOuRSELF IN YOuR OWN LITTLE CAGE, SLOWLY DRIVING YOuRSELF INSANE.

uu: BECAuSE IN THE END, YOu KNOW IT ISN'T.

uu: IN THE END, YOu SHALL BE THE INSTRuMENT THAT RuINS THE LIVES OF ALL THAT YOu CARE ABOuT, AND YOu SHALL DO IT WITH A SMILE.

uu: AND WHEN THE TIME COMES.

uu: YOu.

uu: SHALL SERVE.

uu: ME!!!

uu: THAT SAID, I HATE YOu, FuCK YOu, AND GOODBYE!

uu: tumut
undyingUmbrage [UU] ceases jeering terminallyCapricious [TC]!

undyingUmbrage [uu] begins jeering terminallyCapricious [TC]!

uu: SHIT, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS LITTLE PIECE OF INFORMATION ALMOST SLIPPED FROM MY CORTEX!

TC: WHAT OTHER BLASPHEMOUS SHIT DO YOU WISH TO RUST MY THINKPAN WITH, YOU UNKNOWN CHARLATAN?!

uu: AH, BuT WHAT I AM ABOuT TO TELL YOu IS SOMETHING YOu WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BuT TO OBSERVE!

uu: YOu KEEP TELLING ME OF THIS ONE TROLL! THE ONE WHO KEEPS SAYING SHE HAS ALL THE LuCK!

TC: siska?

uu: YEAH, THAT BITCH. I AM CuRRENTLY OBSERVING WHAT SHE IS DOING.

uu: OR RATHER, FROM YOuR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT SHE'S GOING TO DO.

TC: don't fuck with me.

uu: OH, BuT I AM NOT FOR YOu SEE, CLOWN! I HAVE BEEN GRANTED VISIONS BEYOND YOuR WILDEST DREAMS AND IT HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTuNITY TO WITNESS WITH MY OWN EYES AN ABSOLuTE FuCKING TRAINWRECK!

TC: shut up, shut the fuck up...!

uu: SOON, YOu SHALL FIND ALL OF YOuR PRECIOuS COMRADES IN AGONY AND FOLLOWING THAT, YOu SHALL HAVE ONLY ONE DIRECTIVE TO FOLLOW.

uu: WHICH GOES AS FOLLOWS:

uu: FINISH THE JOB.

TC: THE FUCK KIND OF JOB ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!

uu: FOR THE SAKE OF ENSuRING THE TWIST IS MAINTAINED, I WILL NOT TELL YOu WHAT YOuR JOB ENTAILS.

uu: JuST THAT NO MATTER WHAT, THIS DIRECTIVE SHALL BE FORCED uNTO YOU uNTIL YOu FOLLOW IT!

uu: LET THAT THOuGHT FESTER IN YOUR SuBCONSCIOuS AS I PROCEED TO HAVE MY MIRTH!

uu: WITH THAT, TO REITERATE, I HATE YOu, FuCK YOu, AND GOODBYE!

uu: tumut

undyingumbrage [uu] ceases jeering terminallyCapricious [TC]!

Chapter Text

Her heart's pulse pounded in her ears. She shouldn't be doing this... not to him. Not after everything. But after learning what she had, how could she not!? Either he would overcome it... or he wouldn't have to face what was coming for them all. So really, this was all for the best! Right!? Right...

A hand on her shoulder nearly had her jump out of her skin. She whipped around, palming her Gambitkind... only to blink sheepishly at Terezi's unimpressed look. She chuckled. "Heh, sorry. Just feeling kinda twitchy is all!"

"Really? I hadn't noticed!" Terezi gasped, giving Vriska an exaggerated once-over. She smirked, slugging Vriska in the shoulder. "Relax already, this is gonna be fun! Team Charge and Team Scourge, a winner take-all reunion brawl! Doesn't that make you pumped up!?"

Vriska snorted, rolling her eyes as Terezi ran through a series of increasingly goofy poses. "You are such a dork, you know that?"

"Uh, yeah? You say that like it's a bad thing!" Terezi chirped, resting her cane on her shoulder. Only... she seemed a bit nervous. "Are you sure you wanna handle Clouding for this, though?"

Vriska stilled, a faint sweat forming on her brow as she glanced around nervously. "W-Why wouldn't I? You know that there isn't a single thing I've tried that I'm not awesome at!!"

"Yeah, but... well, Tav is gonna be the primary fighter for this, and you kinda have a thing with... well, coddling him." Terezi remarked, misinterpreting the sudden snort Vriska let out. "He's not a wiggler! He can handle a little challenge. And we both know that he's almost desperate to prove himself to you."

"Well he shouldn't have to!!" Vriska shot back, only to blush in embarrassment at Terezi's warning growl. For all that the two had struck up a strong friendship over their mutual love over learning about their Ancestors, Terezi brooked no bullshit from Vriska. It was a driving reason why Vriska considered her her third best friend after Tav and Gamzee. She sighed, glancing to the side. "Look... Tavros is soft. No matter how strong he might get, until he learns that he needs to be tougher if he's gonna make it, I can't help but wanna keep him safe. I know, I know, it doesn't make sense, but... it's just how he makes me feel, okay?"

"Well, I guess. But please, try to give him a challenge. If you really wanna avoid hurting him, then I can safely say that there's nothing that would hurt him WORSE than you going easy on him." Terezi advised, waltzing away with a whistle on her lips.

As soon as Vriska was sure Terezi was gone, she doubled over, hysterical giggles slipping out from between her lips. 'Going easy on him.' Yeah, she could safely say THAT wasn't gonna happen tonight!! Really, it was such a farce... win or lose, everyone was going to hate her!! Even Tav would hate her. But... if she succeeded... at least she could be sure that all of them would be able to survive.

And isn't that what mattered most?

...

cuddlefishCuller [CC] started trolling arachnidsGrip [AG]

CC: )(EY, )(--E--E--EY, VRISKA! 38D

AG: Jeeeeeeeez, do you really gotta write out all your Es like that????????

CC: O)(, sorry. I just wanted to make s)(ore you would still be able to keep a steady )(ead

AG: Yeah, Ampora already told me you weren't going to show up! What the hell kind of emergency do you have to deal with?

CC: O)( yea)(, t)(at.

CC: W)(ale, it's just the most insane thing! One of the imperial airs)(ips designated for carrying waste cras)(ed into one of the sea colonies!

CC: Everyone )(as to stay t)(ere in order to bring all the tras)( to the s)(ore before it would pollute the ocean!

CC: If I don't do somefin, t)(en both sea Lusii and seaddwellers alike could get sick or worse... 38(

AG: Well, shit. I mean, Dualscar

AG: Eridan

AG: He was pretty vague a8out it, so I just assumed you were just 8eing flaky.

AG: Fuck, now I feel 8ad thinking that.

CC: O)( no, it's fine! It's just

CC: --Eridan )(as a )(ard time telling people w)(at )(e's reelly up to!

CC: I know )(e can be super crabby, but )(e's genuinely SW--E--ET! )(e just )(as a )(ard time s)(owing it

AG: Still weird of him to not tell everyone that you two have to clean up the oceans.

CC: I guess )(e didn't want botter anyone with the affairs of seaddwellers

CC: I keep trying to tell )(im it's okay to vent about it, but )(e just...doesn't.

CC: I know I'm )(is morail, but )(e can't keep it just between us, you know?

AG: Hehe, ye8h, it's super weird to keep stuff that makes you f8el shitty from your friends!! Heheheheheheh8he

CC: Vriska... are you doing okay?

AG: What, me!? Pssh, 8'm totally fine.

AG: A8solut8ly nothing a8out this is 8ugging me, 8nd if you're thinking otherwise then 8 can assure you that you're wrong!

CC: Your quirk is slipping.

AG: ...

AG: OKAY, SO I'M KIND 8F FREAKING 8UT A LITTLE!!!

AG: Doing this is stressful enough with the knowledge that I'd have you 8nd Eridan act8ng as 8ack-up in case things go f8cking sideways!!!!!!!!

AG: 8ut knowing you two aren't gonna 8e there... I just can't shake th8 feeling that something's gonna go wrong.

CC: Is it because of t)(at )(uge blank-text creep w)(o you keep c)(allenging to games?

CC: You s)(oaldn't worry so muc)( about w)(at a creeper w)(o is so insecure )(e )(as to go out of )(is way to make suc)( a convoluted way to talk wit)( )(im about ANYT)(ING t)(inks!!

AG: 8ut he knows so many things he shouldn't! Things that I have gone to gr8 lengths to keep any8ne 8ls8 from finding out a8out... no offense.

CC: None taken!

AG: I know, I'm 8eing stup8d... I just want this to go p8rfectly. Tav h8s to 88 ready for what's coming.

CC: )(mm? W)(en w)(at's coming?

AG: ...Oh. 8 honestly thought you knew!

AG: That 8lank jackass impl8ed as much.

AG: 8ut wh8ver, yo8 don't need to worry a8out it.

AG: No matter what happens, I'm gonna make sure we all get thro8gh this together. Charge and Scourge, all th8 way!

CC: Now t)(at's a policy I can get be)(ind!!

AG: Just let me know when you and 8mpora are a8le to get all the trash out of the water.

CC: I WILL! )(AV--E FUN, VRISKA!! 38D

cuddlefishCuller [CC] ceased trolling arachnidsGrip [AG]

AG: ........

AG: Yeah.

...

gallowsCalibrator [GC] started trolling twinsArmageddon [TA]

GC: H3Y, C4PTOR

GC: HOWS TH3 G4M3GRUB GR1ND GO1NG?

TA: fiine, ii gue22?

TA: iim gue22iing that you want 2omethiing from me?

GC: WOW, WHO WOULDV3 KNOWN TH4T TH3 BUDD1NG N3OPHYT3 R3DGL4R3 WOULD W4NT SOM3TH1NG?

TA: ii mean, giiven that aa gave you my trolltag, iit tell2 me you need 2omethiing

GC: F41R PO1NT! W3LL, 1TS JUST TH4T 1 W4S WOND3R1NG 1F YOU COULD F1LL 1N ON3 SLOT FOR 31TH3R CH4RG3 OR SCOURG3 FOR OUR N3XT S3SS1ON

GC: UNFORTUN4T3LY, DU4LSC4R 4ND COMPY 4R3 BOTH BUSY W1TH SOM3TH1NG 4ND WH1L3 VR1SK4 D1D S4Y SH3 WOULD COMP3NS4T3 FOR TH4T, 1T SUCKS TO NOT H4V3 4S M4NY P3OPL3 4ROUND

TA: ehhh, iim not exactly hyped two play flarp anytiime 2oon

TA: eiither ii get kiilled by 2ome random bull2hiit iin the game or ii acciidentally fuck up the whole venue by goiing two far

TA: ii get the2e weiird extreme2 iin my head and ii wii2h ii diidnt have two deal wiith them

TA: liike havent you talked wiith aa and tv about thii2?

GC: 1 SPOK3 W1TH M3G1DO, Y3S, BUT N1TR4M 1S B31NG PR3TTY D1FF1CULT TO R34CH

GC: H3 H4S 4 W31RD TH1NG 4G41NST M3 4ND 1 C4NT T3LL 1F 1TS H1M B31NG P1TCH W1TH M3 OR NOT

TA: maybe not? knowiing hiim, he2 probably mad that he and 2erket arent on the 2ame team anymore

GC: W3R3 TH3Y R34LLY TH4T CLOS3? 1 M34N, 1 H4V3 B33N TRY1NG TO T3LL VR1SK4 TO R3UN1T3 TH3 T34M 4LR34DY, BUT SH3S W31RDLY 1NS1ST3NT ON TH1S STRUCTUR3

GC: 1N F4CT, W1TH HOW MUCH SH3'S B33N HYP1NG UP TH1S S3SS1ON 1N P4RT1CUL4R, 1 W4S HOP1NG TH1S WOULD B3 TH3 T1M3 TO DO TH4T

TA: could be the ca2e but iit2 really hard two tell wiith 2erket

TA: aa told me that whiile 2he2 happy two be iin a team for flarp 2he 2tiill feel2 weiird about playiing wiith vrii2ka

TA: hone2tly, iim wonderiing how you found vrii2ka iin the fiir2t place giiven what tv and aa told me

GC: YOU M34N HOW 1 M4N4G3D TO F1ND H3R?

TA: no duh

GC: W3LL, 4 S1GN1F1C4NT 4MOUNT OF TH4T COM3S DOWN TO MY V4L14NT D3T3CT1V3 WORK, BUT 1 W1LL 4DM1T TH4T TH3R3 W4S SOM3 3XT3RN4L SOURC3S TH4T H3LP3D M3 ON TH3 COURS3 TOW4RDS TH3 TRUTH

TA: doe2 iit have anythiing two do wiith that guy who keep2 makiing everyone hiighliight hii2 text?

GC: >: O

GC: H3 R34CH3D YOU TOO?

TA: yeah a couple tiime2

TA: he told me two keep iin touch wiith aa iin ca2e 2he make2 2ome crazy dii2coveriie2

TA: feel2 liike a weiird thiing two 2ay 2iince that2 ba2iically a giiven wiith me and her

TA: even iif 2he2 been hangiing out wiith 2hattered 2hade2 mcdouche more and more

GC: 4WWWW, 1S SOM3ON3 J34LOUS?

TA: NO II AM NOT

TA: 2hiit...

TA: well 2he tell2 me that they arent that clo2e and ii beliieve her

TA: 2he2 more concerned about makiing 2ure he doe2nt end up another hiighblooded fucktard 2ubjugatiing everyone

TA: ii want two beliieve 2he could pull iit off but

TA: ii2 iit weiird two 2ay that ii dont want her two?

GC: W3LL, 1 COULD 4SK 4BOUT WH4T YOUR CURR3NT QU4DR4NTSH1P 1S W1TH H3R, BUT 1T SOUNDS L1K3 4 P41N TO GO OV3R

TA: hone2tly, iim 2tiill tryiing two fiigure that out my2elf

TA: eiither way, iim not sayiing that ii want her to faiil

TA: iit2 ju2t

TA: ii gue22 iim ju2t not u2ed two haviing her 2peak wiith 2omeone el2e for two long 2iince for a long tiime, we only had each other...

TA: hone2tly ii feel liike ab2olute 2hiit thiinkiing about iit becau2e why wouldnt ii want her two hang out wiith more people?

TA: 2he2 way greater at 2ociialiiziing than iill ever be and iit ju2t make2 me wonder iif ii could even pull iit off and

TA: fuck iim 2peakiing way two much about my2elf...could you plea2e not tell anyone what iim 2ayiing?

GC: OH PL34S3, 1M NOT TH4T MUCH OF 4 SN1TCH!

TA: funny word2 comiing from the neophyte

GC: H3H3H3H3H3!

GC: BUT Y34H, 1 D1D G3T SOM3 H1NTS FROM MR V4N1LL4 M1LKSH4K3, BUT 1 MOSTLY H4D TO TR4C3 1T THROUGH R3C3NT D34THS 1N N34RBY COLON13S

GC: 1T W4SNT UNT1L 1 CONFRONT3D H3R TH4T 1 D1SCOV3R3D WHY SH3 DO3S TH1S

GC: FOR ON3, H3R MOST R3C3NT K1LL1NGS W3R3 W1TH TROLLS WHO H4V3 4SS4ULT3D SOM3ON3 CLOS3 TO H3R

TA: oh, you dont need two go over that, kk and ii are already very famiiliiar wiith that 2tory

TA: iif you want, you could contact hiim through carciinogenetiicii2t

TA: fuck

TA: carcinoGeneticist

TA: 2orry about that

GC: OH, 1TS F1N3! 1 C4N UND3RST4ND TH3 STRUGGL3S OF K33P1NG UP 4 QU1RK! 4ND 1 TH1NK 1'LL H4V3 FUN W1TH TH1S CG, H3H3H3H3~!

GC: 3V3N SO...TH3R3 W4S ON3 OTH3R SOURC3 TH4T L3D M3 TO H3R

TA: what do you mean by that?

GC: W3LL, 1TS H4RD TO D3SCR1B3, BUT

GC: DO YOU 3V3R F1ND YOURS3LF FLO4T1NG N34R SOM3 CLOUDS?

TA: ii mean, rarely?

TA: p2iioniic2 make iit way ea2iier two fly iin the niight 2ky, but ii dont u2ually fly around liike that unle22 iim iin a hurry

GC: OK, BUT H4V3 YOU 3V3R B33N N34R CLOUDS 1N 4 BLU3 SKY?

TA: ii...miightve

GC: W3LL, SOM3T1M3S, 1 F1ND MYS3LF DR34M1NG OF TH3S3 W31RD TH1NGS 1M 1N

GC: SOM3 OF 1T 3NDS UP B31NG PR3TTY CL34R

GC: L1K3 1 S4W MYS3LF W1TH VR1SK4 3V3N B3FOR3 1 M3T H3R, 1TS SO W31RD

GC: BUT 4FT3R 4 C3RT41N PO1NT, 4LL TH3 TH1NGS 1 S33 1N TH3 CLOUDS H4V3 TH3S3...W31RD SW1RLS GO1NG 4ROUND 1N TH3M

GC: L1K3 TH3YR3 4LL B31NG PUT THROUGH SOM3 K1ND OF F1LT3R

TA: that ii2 fuckiing weiird...

TA: that 2aiid, there miight be a rea2on for iit

TA: maybe youre liike me and you have two deal wiith a bunch of the2e vii2iion2

TA: mo2t troll2 already have two deal wiith heariing voiice2 when theyre a2leep

TA: 2ome can ju2t hear them more clearly than other2

TA: really wii2h that ii wa2nt one of tho2e people iif iim beiing hone2t

GC: TH4TS PR3TTY FORBOD1NG

GC: BUT M4YB3 YOUR3 ONTO SOM3TH1NG!

GC: 1 JUST N33D TO TH1NK ON TH3S3 V1S1ONS MOR3 4ND 1 COULD G3T SOM3WH3R3 W1TH TH3M!

GC: 4ND M4YB3 1 COULD F1GUR3 OUT 4 W4Y TO BR1NG N1TR4M 4ND M3G1DO ON OUR T34M SO W3 COULD B3 UNSTOPP4BL3

GC: 4ND M4YB3 1TLL H3LP N1TR4M F33L L3SS B4D 4BOUT 4LL TH1S

TA: ii thiink iill waiit two hear back from aa

TA: 2he2 currently planniing 2hiit wiith tv and hopefully iit wont be two long

GC: 1M SUR3 1T WONT! >:]

TA: 2o, got any more 2hiit you wanna talk about?

GC: W3LL, 1 C4N'T L13 4ND S4Y 1'M NOT CUR1OUS 4BOUT YOUR OP1N1ON VR1SK4. DON'T G3T M3 LONG, 1 G3NU1N3LY L1K3 H3R, BUT 1'M NOT GONN4 L13 4ND S4Y SH3 DO3SN'T H4V3 SOM3 ROUGH SPOTS.

TA: now that'2 an under2tatement iif ii've ever heard one.

TA: let'2 2ee... ii gue22 the be2t way two de2criibe iit ii2 that vrii2ka'2 liike a wiild lu2u2 that matche2 your blood ca2te two me. niice, but you can ju2t tell that iif you make the wrong move 2he'll riip your throat out, and 2uper protectiive of you iif your on her good 2iide.

TA: hone2tly? 2he 2care2 me.

GC: UND3RST4ND4BL3. 1 PROB4BLY SHOULDN'T T3LL YOU TH1S, BUT SH3 B4S1C4LLY M4D3 M3 PROM1S3 TO K1LL H3R 1F SH3 3V3R GO3S OFF TH3 D33P 3ND.

TA: really? huh... fuck, diidn't know 2he had iit iin her.

GC: Y34H... 1'M R34LLY HOP1NG 1T DO3SN'T COM3 TO TH4T, THOUGH...

GC: SH3'S GOT W4Y TOO MUCH GO1NG FOR H3R TO JUST W4ST3 1T 4LL L1K3 TH4T!!

TA: huh, you pale for her or 2omethiing?

GC: 1 DON'T TH1NK SO, OR 4T L34ST NOT Y3T. M4YB3 SOM3D4Y, BUT 1'M CONT3NT JUST B31NG 4 GOOD FR13ND. 1T'S ON3 OF TH3 R34SONS TH3 TH1NG W1TH T4VROS BUGS M3 SO MUCH; L1K3, 1 ST1LL DON'T KNOW TH3 STORY B3TW33N H1M 4ND VR1SK4, BUT 1 C4N T3LL TH4T NOT H4V1NG H1M 4ROUND 1S R34LLY M3SS1NG W1TH H3R H34D, NOT TO M3NT1ON H1S OWN.

GC: 1 R34LLY W4NT TO H3LP TH3M BOTH G3T OV3R TH1S PROBL3M TH3Y H4V3, 4ND 1F 1T H4PP3NS TO 4LSO M4K3 TH31R FR13NDSH1P STRONG3R, TH3N 4LL TH3 B3TT3R!

TA: 2hiit, you certaiinly got me beat iin the cool friiend department. ii don't know much about what'2 up wiith them, but what ii do know ii2 that vk and tv go way back. liike, 2weep2 back. kk knew tv before ii diid, and from what he'2 mentiioned, tv u2ed two be a lot more of a hiive entrance diirt 2craper, but after he 2tarted hangiing wiith vk, he'2 gotten a lot bolder.

GC: WOW. TH3N 1 D3F1N1T3LY N33D TO G3T TH3S3 TWO TO R3CONC1L3. L3TT1NG 4 FR13NDSH1P TH4T OLD JUST D13 1S 4 TR4G3DY... 4LSO, S331NG TH3M MOP3 4ROUND 34CH OTH3R WH3N TH3Y TH1NK NOBODY'S LOOK1NG 1S SUP3R BL4R TO D34L W1TH!

GC: 4NYW4YS, 1'M GONN4 GO BUG CG NOW. TH4NKS FOR TH3 1NFO, DUD3!

TA: no problem. quiick word of warniing, though, don't mentiion hii2 typiing color.

GC: >:?

GC: OK4Y...?

gallowsCalibrator [GC] ceased trolling twinsArmageddon [TA]

...

adiosToreador [AT] started trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

AT: wERE YOU ABLE TO RECRUIT ANYONE ELSE?

AA: unf0rtunately, n0...

AA: and i tried every0ne if im being h0nest

AT: oH,,, eVERYONE?

AA: yeah, every0ne!

AA: s0llux was t00 scared 0f what he c0uld d0 if he were t0 get int0 a flarp, s0 hes 0ut

AA: karkat said he isnt willing t0 try that game given the am0unt 0f risks in it and als0 because hes n0t used t0 rp

AA: gamzee is still mia n0 matter h0w much i tried t0 c0ntact him

AT: wHAT ABOUT NEPETA,,, oR EQUIUS,

AA: uggghhh!

AA: i tried super hard t0 c0nvince equius that n0b0dy's g0ing t0 get hurt in this, but he still d0esn't want t0 play

AA: he als0 tries t0 act like he's ab0ve r0leplaying

AA: like he can say that with what nepeta t0ld me! 0~0

AT: wHAT DID NEPETA SAY?

AA: basically she managed t0 c0nvince him t0 act like a h0rse 0n tr0llian

AA: nepetas a straight up natural when it c0mes t0 r0leplaying, its insane! 0u0

AT: oH! sO,,, sHE'S GOING TO JOIN US,,,?

AA: sadly n0

AA: i d0nt kn0w why equius is s0 scared 0f her playing t0 be h0nest

AA: shes a capable hunter and she kn0ws h0w t0 get int0 character...even if shes still a bit weird s0cially

AT: mAYBE THAT PART IS WHY,,, tHE SOCIALLY WEIRD PART, i MEAN,,,

AT: vRISKA ALWAYS WARNED ME THAT PEOPLE WHO DON'T SOCIALIZE MUCH ARE MORE VULNERABLE,,,

AT: bUT ITS FINE IF NEITHER OF THEM COULD PLAY,,,

AT: i,,, i WANT TO FACE TEAM SCOURGE MYSELF,,,

AA: tavr0s...y0ure n0t planning anything drastic, are y0u?

AT: hUH? nO, nOT AT ALL!

AA: well, terezi has been telling me that y0u havent reached 0ut t0 her 0r vriska f0r a while

AT: i,,, i DON'T HAVE TO,,, sHE'S ON THE OPPOSITE TEAM, sO I DON'T HAVE TO TALK TO HER,,,

AA: what ab0ut vriska? i d0nt talk t0 her a l0t either, but y0u sh0uld at least check 0n her!

AT: i,,, i DON'T KNOW IF SHE WANTS TO TALK WITH ME,,,

AA: maybe she d0es! y0u d0nt kn0w that!

AT: tHEN,,, wHY DOESNT SHE WANT TO COME TO MY HIVE ANYMORE?

AA: 0_0

AA: that's... a really hard questi0n t0 answer, tav.

AT: i KNOW, iT'S UNFAIR OF ME TO ASK YOU THAT,,,

AT: bUT I JUST CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT,

AT: wE'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR SWEEPS, pLAYING FIDUSPAWN, lEARNING THE RULES OF FLARP TOGETHER, rEADING BOOKS,,,

AT: i JUST CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF I DID SOMETHING TO MAKE HER MAD AT ME,

AT: tHAT ALL THIS IS JUST HER WAY OF GIVING ONE LAST SOUND OFF BEFORE CUTTING ME OUT ALTOGETHER,

AA: tav, that's ridicul0us!! i may n0t kn0w vriska as well as y0u, but she went and tracked y0u d0wn when she th0ught y0u were kidnapped and was fully prepared t0 fight t0 death t0 rescue y0u!

AA: y0u mean s0 much t0 her, that... well, i guess i feel jeal0us, s0metimes?

AT: uHH,,,

AA: n0t like that, y0u big g00f!

AA: i just mean that the b0nd y0u tw0 share isn't s0mething s0 easily br0ken, and whatever else is up with her, if vriska was g0nna cut y0u l00se, i'm pretty sure she w0uldn't make it this elab0rate...

AT: ,,,

AA: ...

AA: 0kay, rephrasing, she w0uldn't make it that elab0rate in this way. she's m0re the type t0 just cut straight t0 the p0int in the biggest spectacle she can manage 0n sh0rt n0tice, n0t drag it 0ut 0ver the c0urse 0f perigees!

AT: i GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT,

AT: i DON'T KNOW, i JUST CAN'T SHAKE THE FEELING THAT SHE DOESN'T NEED ME IN HER LIFE ANYMORE,

AT: wHY WOULD SHE, sHE HAS TEREZI NOW,

AA: um, tav?

AT: i MEAN IT MAKES SENSE SHE'D KICK ME OFF THE TEAM WHEN SHE'S GOT AN EXPERIENCED FLARPER WITH AN OPTIMIZED FIGHTING BUILD, aND NOT SOME DUMB ROLEPLAYER WHO WAS SO USELESS THE ONLY THING HE COULD DO ON OUR FIRST SESSION WAS TO BE A GLORIFIED LABORBEAST,

AA: tavr0s!

AA: calm d0wn.

AA: please?

AT: i'M SORRY,,, i REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME,

AT: i KNOW I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T FEEL LIKE THIS BUT WHENEVER I SEE THEIR TEAM AND SEE HER STANDING IN MY SPOT NEXT TO VRISKA I JUST GET THIS PAINFUL TWISTING FEELING IN MY CHEST AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING ANYMORE,

AT: iT FEELS LIKE SHE TOOK MY BEST FRIEND FROM ME,

AT: bUT SHE'S NEVER BEEN ANYTHING BUT NICE TO ME, sO I END UP FEELING AWFUL WHEN I SNAP AT HER,

AT: i JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO,,,

AA: i really wish y0u w0uld have t0ld me this s00ner, tav.

AA: this kind 0f stuff is imp0rtant, n0t just in h0w it can affect team dynamics, but als0 because y0u tw0 are b0th my friends! i d0n't want y0u tw0 t0 fight if there's n0 reas0n f0r it, especially when it s0unds like it's entirely 0n y0ur end.

AT: i'M SORRY,,,

AA: hey, d0n't be s0rry!

AA: h0w y0u feel is entirely valid.

AA: if there's anything that hanging with equius has taught me, it's that em0ti0ns are n0t reas0nable, and expecting them t0 be reas0nable and t0 make sense is just being unfair t0 y0urself!

AA: tell y0u what, h0w ab0ut after this, y0u and me g0 talk with vriska ab0ut finally j0ining the teams back t0gether?

AT: yOU'D DO THAT FOR ME?

AA: 0f c0urse, what else are friends f0r? i may n0t be as cl0se t0 vriska as y0u, but she's my friend t00, and i'd l0ve t0 get the chance t0 kn0w her better 0n a pers0nal level!

AT: tHANK YOU, aRADIA,

...

As the FLARP grub began to lay its eggs, pixelated bats proceeded to reveal themselves to Tavros. The Boy Skylark looked around as they floated around. Vriska did tell him to get further from his hive from this. It was strange to start far from his hive and in a cave to begin the FLARP, but it was her call. As the Clouder, Vriska should be able to help put together the amount of enemies Tavros needs to face.

As it turns out, FLARP not only calculates enemies based on the Clouder's inputs, but it also spawns them in key locations that the Grub sensed would be the most optimal route for the player to discover the most loot. In a way, FLARP basically doubled as an effective treasure detector. With Vriska and Aradia acting as Clouders, Terezi and Tavros had plenty to work with.

In Terezi's case, she had to mostly go through swarms of difficult enemies, which was pretty much child's play given that she was already well-versed in this and it seemed like each enemy helped for find a nifty treasure within the woods.

Tavros, meanwhile, found himself fighting his way out of a cave. At first, his enemies seemed insurmountable, but then he would notice glaring spots on them that he realized he could strike for a one-hit kill. Massive eyes, exposed bellies and spines, big mouths, it was all wriggler's play to him and he was almost laughing. The moment he left the caves, however, he noticed that the weak spots on these enemies were becoming less and less obvious. All the while, Vriska was trying to contact him. In the case of FLARP, Tavros found himself texting Vriska all the while...or at least he would if Vriska didn't opt to project herself through one of the Flapstructions.

"What are you doing now? Shouldn't you be exploring your Hive or something!?!?!?!?" Vriska asked, clearly frustrated as she noticed Tavros getting closer and closer to the cliffside.

Tavros flinched. Had he done something wrong? He honestly was frustrated himself; he couldn't see a way forward, so he'd been trying to find somewhere he could tackle this from a better angle... or, if necessary, even if the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, call in Aradia for back-up. He fidgeted. "Um, I really did want to but... well... these monsters were kind of in the way-"

"Of course they are in your way!!!!!!!! That's the POINT!! So that you can beat them and show off how strong you are! So why aren't they beaten yet!?!?!?!?" Vriska shot back, a faint whine in her voice as she nervously glanced at the array of monsters surrounding the Bronzeblood. She huffed, the projection of her flicking her hair over her shoulder the way she did when she was nervous but trying not to show it.

His grip on his daggerlance tightened. "I do WANT to beat them, you know? But it's kind of hard since, well, these things can kill me in one hit and I can't see any way to actually hurt them before they do said killing."

"Tavros..." Vriska said slowly, voice thick with tested patience. He grimaced as he saw a vein pulse in her forehead; she was REALLY mad right now... "...Are you trying to imply that I of all Gamers would be so tasteless and trashy as to deliberately give you an unwinnable challenge?"

Never. "Never."

"Then what the hell are you even DOING!?" Vriska shouted, clutching her head in frustration, yanking at her own hair in fury. She sucked in a breath, forcing down her temper the way she did whenever he crushed her in Fiduspawn (she used to keep challenging him over and over again until she would win a match...). "Okay, you have two options. Advance or Abscond. Those are the only options you are given at this stage in the game. You can fight, or you can flee. So what will you DO?"

"Well, I would Abscond, but there's nowhere left to go except this cliff." Tavros pointed out, gesturing to the steep rift in the ground behind him. "I'm pretty nimble, but not nimble enough to outmaneuver all three of them. But if I try to Advance into battle, I'm not strong enough to beat them and will, well, die horribly. So... I'm stuck."

"No! No no no no no no no no!!!!!!!! This isn't how it's supposed to GO!!! You CAN beat them, you just have to try!! Why are you so determined to not even TRY to fight them!?" Vriska screamed. She was crying... he was making her cry... but he didn't know what he was even doing WRONG.

"I don't know how to beat them. That's why I was Absconding, because I couldn't see a way to overcome them! Can't you just-!?" Tavros snapped, only to freeze. He'd been about to say... well, he wasn't sure himself. Make them easier? Give him a hint? What was he thinking, asking for that when he was doing all this to prove himself to her!?

"That's stupid. You are being stupid, and I want you to stop!!! You CAN beat them, you just have to figure it out, okay!?!?!?!? You have to prove to everyone that you are strong and capable, and this is the best way I can think of for you to do it!" Vriska blurted out, her nerves visibly fraying. But her words... left Tavros a tad confused.

"Um... huh? I don't mind proving myself. I'm not that strong, I don't think, or that capable..." Tavros admitted, a deep, bitter self-loathing climbing up his throat at the admission, only to be swallowed down. "But... whenever I'm with you... it feels like I can be those things."

"Yes, that's why you need to-"

"What I don't get." He interjected, spine straightening as he locked gazes with Vriska's desperate eyes. "Is why this means so much to you. Why do I NEED to prove myself like this? ...Isn't this just a game?"

"It's not just a game! This is LIFE in MINIATURE!! Surrounded by enemies on all sides who want nothing more than to kill you, where you don't have the benefit of being guaranteed to win a 'fair fight.' Where the only way forward is for you to fight, claw, and tear your way to victory!!" Vriska retorted, clutching her own shoulders. She visibly trembled before him. Cerulean tears streamed down her cheeks in faint rivers. "And if you're willing to do ANYTHING for it, there is always a way to win. You can... you can win this Tav... please! I don't... I don't want you to die. What's coming is... when we're adults... the Drones will kill you in the last trials at this rate!! You can't keep going through life avoiding the harsher side of it, and I can't keep protecting you from it! So please... JUST STAND UP AND FIGHT ALREADY!!!"

Tavros glanced down. It made sense. She was doing this... because he wasn't strong enough. Of course. She was, as always, trying to show him how to be strong... and once again he was too weak to take her up on it. But something inside of him, something... wild... looked at the picture she painted... and rebelled. "I never saw it that way." At her confused expression, he clarified. "I never saw life like this. To me... life has always been an adventure. Yeah, sometimes I get lost. Yeah, sometimes I lose. Yeah... sometimes I'm weak. But I can always pick myself back up and keep trying. Because if I have to do things someone else's way to survive... is that really living?"

"That is- I just... I don't know." Vriska admitted, her tears easing back. For the first time ever, of the two of them... Tavros looked more confident. "I normally know it all, but now I don't know or understand anything, and I HATE IT!!! I just want to go back to how it was when I didn't have to worry about this, when we could just have fun together and be wigglers!! But each sweep we're getting closer and closer to adulthood and I just... I don't want to lose you..."

"Yeah... I don't want to lose you either. Because the best part of my life... has always been being able to share it with you." Tavros admitted, oblivious to the jagged shard of ice they had metaphorically shoved into Vriska's heart. His grip on his weapon tightened. "And I felt so frustrated, seeing you pull further and further ahead of me... with not just Dualscar, but Terezi too. Like all three of you were in a world I couldn't reach. But why does it have to be like that? Why is it that I can't stand by my friend!? Why can't we just... come back together?"

"W-What...?" Vriska whispered, eyes wide and vulnerable.

Tavros nodded jerkily, unsure where this was coming from... even as his blood pusher felt like this was right. "Vriska... even if I can't see it myself, everyone always tells me you aren't as strong and amazing as I think you are... and while I'm not sure I believe it... if you really are like me, lacking in things that you just want to be so desperately... maybe we could be those pieces for each other? Work together, and bring out the things we're lacking? Because I don't want to change myself. I like who I am. And I don't think you want to change who you are for someone else either. And I like who you are. So can we stop? And just be better... together?"

"...Maybe you're right. Maybe..." Vriska admitted, a tentative smile forming across her face as she hesitantly reached forward... only to freeze. The trembling in her arms and legs increased as her eyes stared forward in terror. "T-Turn..."

"Huh? Vriska, what's wrong?" Tavros asked, alarm building in him as he saw Vriska slowly begin breaking apart before him, emotionally.

Vriska wasn't listening. All she could see, all she could notice, was the eerie, blank-faced white figure standing behind Tavros... holding a gun in his hands. "There's someone behind you, turn around and fight!!!"

"What? Vriska, you aren't making any sense!!" Tavros pleaded, eyes widening in alarm, even as the figure behind him slowly raised his gun... and Vriska did something she'd sworn she'd never do again. She took control of Tavros' mind.

"FLY, PUPA, FLY!!!" She screamed, physically and mentally, as she RAMMED the image of the figure and of Tavros attacking into her friend's mind. His face went blank, singular determination filling him as he spun on his heels, diving forward with his daggerlance as hard and as fast as he could... only to meet nothing but air... both in front of him... and below him. Eyes widening, Vriska screamed as she charged to catch him... only for tears to spill from her eyes as her fingers just phased through him. Because she'd forgotten; she was here by hologram. "TAVROS!!!"

...

Just as quickly as he was forced to charge, his trance was broken in the same instance as Tavros found himself falling off the cliff. He could hear Vriska screaming his name in terror, turning his head as his Clouder futilely tried to grab him with tears in her eyes. He could only look on in shock as he fell further down. He could also see Tinkerbull attempting to grab him, but before she could...

*THUD*

The Bronzeblood landed flat on his back, feeling it shatter as he was instantly knocked out, the last thing he would see being Vriska's face, full of terror and pain at what she had done. He wished he had said something to her. Tell her that...he saw him too.

...

arachnidsGrip [AG] started trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

AG: TEREZI, A8ORT THE CAMPAIGN! SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH TAVROS!!!!!!!!

AG: TEREZI, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?!?!?!?

AG: COME 8N AND ANSWER ME, GOGDAMMIT!!!!!!!!

arachnidsGrip [AG] started trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

AG: ARAD8A, FUCK8NG RESPOND TO MY CHAT, YOU FUCKING R8ST8LOODED DOLT!

AG: SOMETHING HAPPENED T8 TAVROS!

AG: WHAT THE FUCK AR8 YOU 8ND TEREZI DOING!?!?!?!?

AG: PULL YOUR HORNS OUT OF YOUR ASS AND H8LP!!!!!!!!

AG: ........

AG: G8GD8MM88888888T!!!!!!!!

Vriska was finding herself tapping away at her computer, trying desperately to get either of these two to respond. She could feel her heart racing, the image of Tavros falling still fresh in her mind. She had gotten so desperate that she had to resort to messaging the ones she knew were absent.

arachnidsGrip [AG] started trolling caligulasAquarium [CA]

AG: ARE YOU DONE PICKING UP TRASH YET!?

AG: GET YOUR FUCKING GILLS OVER HERE ALREADY!!!!!!!!

arachnidsGrip [AG] started trolling cuddlefishCuller [CC]

AG: C8MPY! PLEASE RESP8ND!!!!!!!!

AG: PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!

As she couldn't get any of them to respond, Vriska felt herself fall out of her chair, her mind breaking apart as she was well and truly alone. She sent Tavros falling off a cliff and it was all because of that...FUCKING dick in the white suit. She couldn't read his face, but she knew for certain that he was smug as shit when it happened. Just as she was thinking. She saw a text box pop up. To her horror...it was blank.

That was her breaking point. She didn't even want to look at what he had written as she found herself running downstairs. She could hear the low growling of her Lusus and while it instilled fear in her, it was nothing compared to the pain she was feeling imagining what could've happened to her partner. Her friend. Her...

She found herself digging through the gold in her treasure room, panting as she wiped her face. "Please...please still be here...come the fuck on...!" Vriska trembled as her eyes lit up, pulling out a pair of hot rod boots. Without even hesitating, she kicked off her shoes as she put on the boots. Tapping her heels, Vriska had to put her hands up in order to stop her head from hitting the ceiling once the boots activated. Aiming herself around since this seemed to be the first time using them in a while, she blasted herself out of the window as she flew from her den and away from her Colony.

As she found herself in the air, she could hear things in her head. She gritted her teeth as she was instinctively putting her fists forward to fly, putting as much stress on the boots through her heels and toes to go faster.

"Um, my name's Tavros. Have you seen my um, Lusus, Tinkerbull? And also know what I'm doing here...?"

"...I really, um, don't feel comfortable just taking your food and then leaving after I, um, broke in for whatever reason. It feels kind of mean. Is there something I can do to, you know, make it up to you...?"

"...since our Lusii are basically the only company we have until we're big enough to wander around on our own and meet up with other Trolls, I, uh, kind of thought you might be... lonely?"

"Hey. It's okay. I won't judge you. I never will. That's our promise, isn't it?"

Those were just some of the things that were playing in Vriska's head as she flew faster and faster, tears pouring from her eyes as she tried to get there as fast as she possibly could. "Please...please don't be dead...!" She whispered to no one as she finally saw Tavros' hive and the cliff besides it. The moment she saw a dot in front of the bottom of the cliff, she put all of her efforts into flying downwards. "Please...!!!!!!!!"

Wordless begging spilled from Vriska's lips as she slammed into the ground hard enough to make a small crater. Her legs would be paying for it later, but she didn't care. What mattered was getting to Tav, NOW. Sprinting over as fast as she could, she slid her fingers under his head, leaning down to listen to his chest... and tears of pure relief slid down her face at the faint, but very much present, heartbeat greeted her ears.

For a moment, all was still, a broken girl and the boy who had become her world sitting on the beach, the girl cradling his head in her lap as her tears dripped onto his face.

...She didn't have time for this!! With an anguished shout, Vriska slapped herself across the face hard enough to bruise. Reaching down, she scooped Tavros into her arms, cringing at the way his legs moved; if his bones were in their proper places and whole, they shouldn't be FLUTTERING like that!!

A half-remembered chat with Kanaya about the importance of NOT moving a trauma victim until proper support could be used to keep them as stable as possible flashed through her mind, but was dismissed. She didn't have TIME to do this the proper way!!

She yanked out her Huskphone, rapidly firing off an angry message to Terezi and Aradia, WHO STILL WERE NOT RESPONDING, before activating her Boots with a click of her heels. She shifted her posture so that Tavros would be cradled as carefully against her chest as she could manage, to minimize any potential injuries. She gently stroked his hair, even as they tore across the sky. "I'm gonna get you fixed up, Tav. I promise."

...

He drifted in and out of consciousness. The cold, numb feeling from his lower waist was alarming, but in a distant way that should probably be concerning all on its own. Was this what 'going into shock' felt like? Probably.

The wind felt so good... so free... he normally could only fly in his dreams, though...? He tilted his head as much as it could manage... and felt a tear slide free at who he saw.

A helpless smile formed across Tavros' face as he gazed up into Vriska's unwavering expression. Even when he'd been took weak to save himself, she had still saved him... what did he do to deserve a friend like her?

Unconsciousness claimed Tavros a second later... but his heart and mind were both significantly lighter.

...

"Carefully... every detail must be preserved with exacting care..." Equius murmured, a delicate pair of tweezers in his hands as he inspected the delicate wiring and circuitry of the Aradiabot he and the true Aradia had discovered in the crash. If this truly was his work from the future, he marveled at the elegant construction.

But for the love of him, he couldn't figure out what these blasted 'containment features' were meant for! Contain what!? And the less said about the deeply disturbing implications that this robot was powered by literal Troll Blood, the better. But if he could discern more of its secrets, then perhaps he could-?

A sharp BANG tore Equius from his thoughts as he hastily threw a prepared sheet over the 'bot. "ZAHHAK!!!!!!!!"

"Miss Serket? What are you doing-?" Equius demanded, only to freeze, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight before him. Vriska, bedraggled and windswept, eyes heavy with tears shed and unshed alike... and the clearly broken form of Tavros within her arms. His heart clenched in sympathy... as did his STRONG hands, ruining the tweezers he'd been holding. "...I see. You... you have my condolences."

"What? No, he's NOT dead, DO NOT TALK ABOUT HIM LIKE HE'S DEAD!!!!!!!!" Vriska screamed, marching over towards him like a woman possessed. With the wild, unfocused look in her eyes, that might not be too far off.

Unceremoniously shoving the covered Aradiabot off the table, causing Equius to wince, she gently placed Tavros down on it... before whipping around, seizing Equius by his collar, and yanking him down to eye level. "Fix. Him. NOW!!"

Equius swallowed. "I first would need to know what you actually require of me. What happened?"

Vriska growled, a harsh, animalistic sound that reminded Equius far too much of the very sounds he'd overheard her Lusus make whenever she was... delayed in feedings... only for sobs to overtake them, her tears spilling free as she glanced over at Tavros helplessly, the bronzeblood boy practically dead to the world. "W-We were FLARPing. Tavros was trying to get away from a fight, and we got too close to the cliff. W-We were talking and I said things I never wanted him to hear, but he was so STRONG and KIND and I stupidly thought maybe things could be better than this, and then... he showed up. And Tav fell. Because of me."

Equius stared at Vriska in shock. "Serket, did you-!?"

"I. Was Trying. To Save. His Life." Vriska enunciated slowly, a cold, tranquil fury filling her face at the implications of what Equius had started to say. "I... failed. I-I don't think he can walk anymore... you have to help him!!!" She gestured wildly to the vast assortment of technology Equius had built and amassed, a testament to his engineering talents. "If anyone can fix something up to make it so he can walk, it'd be you, right!? You're the best robotics engineer in our generation!!"

"Be that as it may, my expertise does not extend to Medicull matters." Equius grimaced, visibly squirming at the direction this conversation had taken. This was so far outside his personal experience that he was struggling not to fall back on his prior habits to cope. "Would it not be smarter to take him to a professional-?"

"Name a single damn Mediculler that wouldn't report him to the Drones in a heartbeat, even if only to save their own hides." Vriska interjected tonelessly. Equius hated how he couldn't refute that at all. But... it was only now Equius noticed that Vriska's grip on him, vice like though it seemed... was shaking. "You are the ONLY one I can turn to about this, the ONLY person right now I can trust...! Please... I can't lose him. Because if I did... then what would I have left to live for...?"

Equius bit his lip. He wanted to refuse. To cite the numerous problems that could incur, the least of which being that attempting to use his robotic skills to fix Tavros' likely mobility issues would only make them worse or perhaps kill him outright... but as he stared into Vriska's tear filled eyes... saw the helpless, aimless loss in them as she desperately clung to her guiding hope that she saw in him... all he could think about was that tear-filled smile on Aradia's face when they encountered that Meteor. "...I shall do what I can."

Vriska nodded in hollow agreement, visibly drained of energy. As Equius stalked over, visibly working himself up to give this attempt at robotic surgery a try, she collapsed into a chair, smiling gratefully as Equius' Lusus gave her a cup of her preferred blend of tea. Now all that's left was to just wait...

A chime sounded from her Huskphone. Glancing at it, Vriska's weary expression faded... and something cold and dark took its place.

Look who FINALLY decided to talk...

...

Earlier around the same time...

Terezi found herself doing flips in the air as she slashed through various harpies and shadow droppers with reckless abandon. With each enemy slain, a small boon could be found ranging from something as simple as a pristine Scalemate to some ancient precious metals that should fetch a pretty penny at the market. Terezi just found herself laughing as she soon found herself within the heart of the forest. "You know, you're really starting to bore me with all these little inklings you call enemies!" Terezi cackled while Aradia's hologram appeared.

"Really? I thought you would enjoy this. After all, you've been finding many old structures and several precious artifacts and buried all across this forest! I'm surprised you haven't already found all these given that you live around here!" Aradia smiled while her hologram floated around Terezi, the tealblood rolling her eyes.

"Look, I get that you're the sort to focus on loot and exploration, but I'm more focused on making sure justice is administered, y'know?" Terezi smirked while she found herself stepping closer to a lone Flapstruction floating over a strange mound. "Sucks that we don't have any other players here. I was hoping that we could convince Vriska to bring Tavros over here." She sighed.

Aradia looked down. "Well, she said she had something planned for Tavros before she could converge with us. She sounded rather ominous, but..." Terezi noticed a shift in Aradia's demeanor. "She seemed...worried." She revealed.

Terezi simply scratched her head with the sheath of her cane sword while she stepped forward. "Well, I've gotten to know Vriska pretty well and I could tell she's been struggling with a lot of thoughts. Still, I don't think she's going to just break...right?" She asked Aradia, who while unsure, started to smile.

"Maybe you're right. I did try to tell her if we could converge and she seemed excited to do so. It's just...she said she needs time." Aradia said, a combination of worry and hope in her voice.

"Well, let's put some faith into her. In the meantime, I'm just gonna blitz this last Flapper so we could-" As Terezi stepped close enough, the Flapstruction proceeded to spawn a MASSIVE creature, leaving Terezi in shock as she saw the silhouette of a feminine goliath with a crown looming over her. The Goliath wielded a massive sword in her hand as she looked down to Terezi. "Aradia...what the...?" Terezi quaked.

"Well, since you kept saying you prefer more difficult enemies, I thought I would drop this one for you as a final reward. The grub told me the treasure this one is protecting is very valuable, so I decided it'd be best to face a favorite final boss of mine..." Aradia smirked. "The Lich Queen!" Her grin widened as the Lich Queen swung her sword down with Terezi dodging it.

"Didn't expect you to be this into shadow droppers, Megido!" Terezi smiled as she started to climb up the blade in order to lay several vertical strikes on the arm of the Queen. Upon landing, as the Queen struggled to pull her sword from the ground, Terezi stretched her eyelids while blowing a raspberry at it, which managed to bait the Queen into punching the ground, leading Terezi to land several more vertical slashes with her canesword. She then proceeded to climb further as she landed several hits on the Queen's neck, causing it to shake violently.

"Excellent work, Terezi! You're just one critical hit away from bringing this thing down!" Aradia cheered, pointing to the Lich Queen's neck. "Bring it home now!" Aradia yelled as Terezi just grinned, jumping up to land the final strike...only for the Lich Queen to suddenly blip out in a green flash, appearing on the opposite end of the clearing, much to Terezi's confusion.

"What the...Aradia, was that supposed to happen?" Terezi asked, putting her canesword up as she glared at the confused rustblood.

"That's odd. The Lich Queen shouldn't just be able to teleport by default. I didn't input that-" Suddenly, Aradia's hologram started to glitch. "Uh...Huh?!" Aradia exclaimed as Terezi's eyes widened.

"What's going on, Megido?" Terezi asked in confusion at the glitching Aradia.

"S-Something is-s-s h-h-happen-!" Before Aradia could even finish her sentence, her hologram glitched out as the Lich Queen stood tall, holding the sword as it flickered with green light.

"OK, you dumb mongrel. I don't know what Aradia was planning, but I'm gonna take you down no matter what!" Terezi yelled as she started to charge the Lich Queen...only for her to see something she couldn't fully understand. The Queen's whole body started to flicker, showing glimpses of green fire before it showed the stars within the skies above them. Terezi had already jumped towards as she found her heart pounding at the visions she was seeing...before the Queen showed a different part of the Forest as Terezi hopped into it, finding herself right over at that spot. "What the shit!?" Terezi exclaimed in shock before looking at the strange creature. She noticed it was acting different, almost as if...it was hijacked.

"Aradia, what's going on here?!" Terezi called out to her Clouder, but nothing. She got out her phone, but upon turning it on, her phone was glitching out as well with notifications becoming jumbled as she was unable to unlock the phone. "What the hell is going on!?" She asked in shock before noticing a shadow coming over, causing her to jump as she dodged a swing from the sword. Landing on the side of a tree, Terezi used her momentum to fly towards the Lich Queen, only for it to start flashing again.

Terezi could see herself in so many locations at once, so many places in Alternia that she had been to before...and haven't been to ever. Terezi saw rusted ruins, bronze hills, golden deserts, iron corridors, olive swamps, jade palaces, teal woods, cobalt ships, indigo towers, purple tents, violet reefs, and fuchsia thrones, all while she was barrelling towards it. Her mouth was wide open from her jaw dropping. She wanted to say something, scream even, but she was too disoriented from what the Lich Queen was showing her, so when she found herself back where she was at the mound, she was struggling to stand. She looked up and felt herself tremble as the Lich Queen attempted to strike again...only for it to freeze in place. Terezi wasn't sure what was going on, but realizing her opportunity, she jumped up and finally managed to land a strike at the Lich Queen's neck, causing to crack apart as it finally disintegrated.
​
Terezi was panting, seeing the mound being uncovered by the Lich Queen's death, smiling as she finally managed to beat it. Aradia then finally popped back in. "TEREZI! Oh thank goodness, you're alright! I had to stop the Lich Queen with my powers, but it was so hard to lock on to. Still, it looks like you managed to beat it!" Aradia quaked. She seemed very stressed at what was going on...and Terezi could only smile.

"Well, looks like both of us got our connections fucked up. Fortunately for us, fate happened to be by our side!" The tealblood laughed before she started to hear several notifications go off on her phone. "Oh shit, are you hearing this?!"
"You're not the only one! My husktop finally got back to normal and now I'm getting so many blips! Let me just read through them!" Aradia said as she looked through. Terezi looked through her phone as well and just as she started to read the messages, she heard Aradia say what she was about to say.

"W-What the...what did we miss!?" Aradia trembled in horror.

...

Most trolls believe that picking up trash is essentially optional. Given how Alternia is already a warzone, the concept of cleanliness almost felt like a joke people would tell. This is not how seadwellers see it, however. Any waste that goes within the oceans can be dangerous for any troll, but especially for those who live in the water. If a troll can get sick from bits of plastic within their drinking water, imagine what seadwellers have to deal with and that's not even getting into the other gross chemicals that parts of the ocean are infested with. There's a reason why the Condesce went out of her way to build a shitload of purification spheres in every colony within the sea. However, even that would not be enough.

As Feferi threw one chunk of garbage onto the shores, she was struggling to stand as Eridan came from the waters with his own chunk, throwing it onto the pile. Well...pile was an understatement. Standing before the two was a massive mountain of trash that these two had to pick out mostly by themselves. Granted, there were a few other violetbloods willing to help, but for the most part, it was Eridan and Feferi since most seadwellers would rather not sully their hands with it and just stay near the spheres for pure water. Feferi had to cut a six-pack yoke off her wrist with her 2x3dent as she sat down. Eridan, wincing at this, sat next to her. "...How could this have happened?" Feferi asked, looking at the trash.

Eridan didn't know what to say, bringing his knees up to his chest as he pondered. "Your guess is as good as mine..." He somberly replied. That was when two figures walked up to them. Feferi looked up and her eyes widened.

The two were both Violetbloods that were much older than Eridan, but they also boasted quite the trendy looks. That was a sign that they were directly in touch with the Condesce. One was a man with the Aqualo sign and the other was a woman with the Aquarist sign. "So, is this all from the waste ship that crashed near this colony?" The Aqualo asked.

"I...yes! We saw it crash and we jumped right into action! We actually had to free some of the people here from the trashpile due to how massive it was..." Feferi spoke as Eridan felt himself cringe remembering that.

"W-We had to take some of them to the Mediculler nearby. Fortunately, it w-won't be difficult for them to get treated..." Eridan added, feeling himself shrink in the presence of his fellow Castemates, the Aquarist just glancing at him up and down.

"I see...well, the BC is already sending some Drones to grab all the trash from the ship, but you just made it easier for them." She mused.

"Do you think this will help improve my chances with her?" Feferi smiled as the two Violetbloods glanced at each other.

"...If you want to see it that way, then sure." The man stated as the two started to walk away. Though, they seemed solemn at first place while Feferi sat down, Eridan looked at them from afar...and he could see them laughing amongst themselves. A grimace formed on his face when he saw this.

"Eridan...do you think I'll actually get anywhere?" Feferi asked as she felt Eridan's hand on her back.

"Look, they just don't see it yet! You hawe so much to offer to Alternia! W-When they realize it, they'll hawe to understand!" Eridan tried to assure her.

"Thanks...it means a lot to hear after doing all that work. OH! We should probubbly check our shellphones now! We had to put it on silent to stay focused!" Feferi realized as she pulled out her shellphone.

"Got me there..." Eridan then checked his phone...only for his and Feferi to get bombarded with notifications! "W-What the glubbin shit!?"

"Water all these...?!" Feferi felt her heart sink when she saw some of the messages. "Oh cod..."

...

apocalypseArisen [AA] began trolling arachnidsGrip [AG]

AA: vriska! where are y0u!?

AG: Hey, 8radia! I'm doing FINE Arad8a, how w8re things with you and Pyrope, Hmmmmmmmm?

AA: vriska, we 0nly just f0und 0ut y0u b0mbarded us with messages telling us y0u and tavr0s needed help! and leaving s0me 0f the hem0ph0bic slurs y0u used t0 the side, i want t0 kn0w what happened t0 my teammate, s0 dr0p the attitude!!

AG: YOUR t8amm8? Huh, and her8 I was thinking that he was MY teamm8 f8rst!! And really, given your negligence, c8n you 8ven 8e considered a pr8per teamm8 t8 start with????????

AG: 8eca8se from what I recall, a GOOD teamm8 is always th8re for you. Always willing t8 put their life 8n the line for you. We needed you pretty damn 8adly, y8u know? 8ut you. Weren't. There.

AA: vriska. y0u're upset right n0w, i understand that. but y0u are starting t0 piss me 0ff.

AG: GOOD!! May8e NOW you 8nderstand a fucking FR8CTION of what is going 8n ins8de my th8nk pan right now!!! Tavros was trusting you to 8e there if things went wrong, fuck, for some God awful reason that I can no longer remem8er, I trusted yo8 to keep him safe!!

AA: what.

AA: the fuck.

AA: happened?

AG: HE FELL OFF THE GODDAMN CLIFF 8S WHAT HAPPENED!!!

AG: I had to fucking WATCH as he pitched over the fucking side of it down 8nto the chasm 8elow. I tri8d to contact f8cking EVERYONE to help me get him. 8ut you didn't 8nswer. Fucking Terezi didn't answer. Compy didn't answer. Dualscar o8vi8usly didn't answ8r!!!

AG: So it was up to me to go retrieve him and get him somewhere safe. Thank your sweaty asshole for the w8rk h8's putting in to s8ve Tav's l8gs l8r, 8itch.

AA: h0w did this happen?

AA: tav has s0me 0f the best spatial awareness 0f any0ne i kn0w. that cliff is s0mething he c0uld navigate blindf0lded with0ut ever having any risk 0f falling.

AA: he literally 0nce scaled it 0ne-handed while blindf0lded and sent a vide0 0f it t0 me t0 pr0ve it.

AA: s0 what in the w0rld c0uld p0ssibly cause him t0 fall?

AG: It's fucking FLARP. 8oth you and Ter8zi w8re so insistent th8t I give him a challenge to let him f8ck8ng prove himself, s8 I gave him a fight that would push h8m to his limits!

AG: My plan was perfect!! 8 fed him a steady supply of powerful monsters that he'd have to f8nd their weak points to overcome as quickly as he could 8efore they sq8ished him, with the weak points g8tting small8r and h8rder to loc8 the further 8long he got.

AG: Then, for the finale, I released the last round of monsters. No physic8l weakpo8nts, 8ut none of them had c8mpact attack patterns. With h8w they were pos8tioned, none of them would 88 a8le to attack without hitting each other.

AG: All he would have to do is stand in the center 8etween them and whittle them down! All it would take is just a little 8ravery, 8rains, and a willingness to take a chance.

AG: 8ut NO~! He had to go and get a8scond-happy on me, running the fuck 8ff and ov8r to that goddamn cliff!!!

AA: yes, because recklessly thr0wing y0urself int0 a battle in which y0u c0uld fucking die fr0m a single hit is crazy and stupid!! especially when tavr0s isn't a data c0mpendium 0n flarp m0nsters like y0u apparently are, he'd have n0 way 0f kn0wing any 0f that!

AA: but even with0ut that, he still w0uldn't run 0ff 0f the cliff. he'd surrender first, even if he'd hate himself f0r it.

AA: vriska.

AA: what aren't y0u telling me?

AG: Someone else was there. S8me8ne... dangerous.

AG: Tavros didn't see them, 8ut I d8d!! So 8 had my P8pa def8nd himself!!

AA: did.

AA: did y0u use y0ur p0wers 0n him!?

AG: Yes, F8NE!! I FUCKING 8DMIT IT!!! I took control of Tav's mind!!

AA: y0u made him thr0w himself 0ff a cliff! what the fuck is wr0ng with y0u!?

AG: He wasn't suppos8d to get hurt, idiot!!

AA: well what did y0u expect t0 happen, huh!? y0u used y0ur mind p0wers t0 thr0w him int0 a fight with an alleged intruder, when he was pressed up against a cliff! h0w did the idea that he w0uldn't get hurt even cr0ss y0ur mind?

AG: ALLEGED-!? Fin8. Alleged. Not like I have proof, so it's wh8ver. 8ut it wouldn't have 88en a pro8lem at all if SOME8ODY had 8een there keeping an eye 8n her teamm8!!!

AA: are y0u trying t0 say that this is my fault!?

AG: W8w, give th8 Rusty a round of applause, folks! Looks like her think pan's more polished then her 8lood!

AA: take it back.

AG: You know what? No. I don't think I w8ll.

AG: We're done Megid8.

AG: And Tav is don8 with you too.

AG: 88cause if I ever catch word of yo8 8othering him again after this? I WILL fe8d you to my Lusus.

arachnidsGrip [AG] blocked apocalypseArisen [AA]

...

gallowsCalibrator [GC] began trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

GC: 1M GU3SS1NG YOUR T4LK W1TH H3R D1DNT GO W3LL 31TH3R?

AA: she was just saying the m0st vile things t0 me!

GC: W3LL, SH3 TOLD M3 SH3 DO3SNT W4NT TO K33P 3XPL41N1NG H3RS3LF TOO M4NY T1M3S, SO 1 4SSUM3 SH3 4LSO TOLD YOU WH4T H4PP3N3D?

GC: 1TS HON3STLY STR4NG3 TO H34R TH1S H4PP3N3D WH1L3 W3 W3R3 D34L1NG W1TH OUR OWN TH1NG

AA: i d0nt believe her

AA: i just cant

AA: tavr0s was her friend! 0UR friend!

AA: i just cant believe she w0uld just d0 this...!

AA: it d0esnt seem like hell be able t0 walk ever again!

GC: H3Y, TH4T DO3SNT H4V3 TO B3 TH3 C4S3! VR1SK4 4LR34DY TOLD M3 SH3 W3NT TO 3QU1US 4ND STRONG4RM3D H1M 1NTO G1V1NG T4VROS SURG3RY

AA: i kn0w that part! she t0ld me t0 thank him...

AA: its just

AA: i d0nt kn0w why equius w0uld just believe her! cant he see h0w unhinged shes acting?

AA: i d0nt kn0w if i can trust any 0f them anym0re!

GC: H3Y YOUV3 B33N T4LK1NG TO 3QU1US FOR 4 WH1L3! H3S ST1LL 4 B1T OF 4 SW34TY DOUCH3, BUT 4T L34ST H3S NOT MOCK1NG YOU 4ND T4VROS!

GC: TH4T SORT OF TH1NG 1S H4RD TO G3T OUT OF 1ND1GOBLOODS, SO 1TS 4 M1R4CL3 YOU M4N4G3D TO DO TH4T W1TH M3

AA: still i cant help but feel that my eff0rts may n0t pay 0ff

AA: i just cant get 0ver what vriska said t0 me! saying that its my fault f0r what happened t0 tavr0s!

AA: why c0uldnt she understand that she wasnt the 0nly 0ne wh0 struggled with c0mmunicati0ns!?

GC: 1V3 B33N TRY1NG TO DO TH4T MYS3LF! 1 TH1NK TH3R3S 4 CL34R P4TT3RN H3R3 W3 N33D TO R3COGN1Z3!

AA: i cant even talk t0 her right n0w

AA: she bl0cked me

AA: she bl0cked me after she had the gall t0 blame me f0r hurting my friend! 0ur friend!

AA: i cant just sit d0wn and d0 n0thing!

GC: LOOK JUST L3T M3 D34L W1TH TH1S 4ND PL34S3 K33P YOURS3LF C4LM! T4LK TO SOLLUX 1F YOU N33D TO

GC: W3'LL F1GUR3 SOM3TH1NG OUT! 1 PROM1S3! JUST PL34S3 DONT R1SK 4NYTH1NG!

AA: im n0t that fragile! she cant just mindjack me! ive dealt with that bef0re fr0m her kind! ive g0tten str0nger since then

GC: OK, 4 B1T W31RD OF YOU TO ST4RT S4Y1NG "H3R K1ND"

AA: y0ure right, im s0rry

AA: we really sh0uld talk later

GC: TRUST M3, 1 KNOW WH4T 1M DO1NG

GC: 1V3 M4D3 MY PROM1S3S 4ND 1F TH1NGS GO B4D 1 KNOW 3X4CTLY WH4T TO DO

AA: 0k, ill trust y0u

gallowsCalibrator [GC] ceased trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

Aradia found herself struggling to breathe. She looked at her ChumpRoll, which is a silly name for people she likes to talk with, but that's Trollian for you. She couldn't help but look to Vriska's handle in disgust and then there was Equius. It was already weird of him to have THAT of all things as his handle, but she felt an urge to troll him in order to just YELL at him. Even if he really was helping Tavros at this moment, she couldn't stand the thought of him believing a word Vriska said...but it can't be over text. She needed to hear things from his mouth. Besides, if he really is helping Tavros, the last thing she needs to do is interrupt it. She knew who she had to talk to now.

apocalypseArisen [AA] began trolling twinsArmageddon [TA]

AA: s0llux, please tell me y0ure there

TA: oh 2hiit, aa!

AA: i ap0l0gize f0r n0t speaking t0 y0u as 0ften as i sh0uld

TA: look, iit2 fiine! iim ju2t happy two hear from you at all

TA: a2 weiird a2 thii2 2ound2, 2eeiing you reach out two me ii2 calmiing, you know?

AA: i supp0se i get that a l0t, but t0day has been different...

TA: diid 2omethiing happen iin flarp? ii kiinda gue22ed that wiith how your 2tatu2 wa2 fliickeriing on and off

AA: y0u were always pretty astute, y0u kn0w that?

TA: ii mean, when youve 2poken wiith 2omeone long enough, you tend two recogniize 2ome 2tuff

AA: yeah, but y0ure right

AA: things have g0ne s0...h0rribly wr0ng with the latest flarp sessi0n

AA: ive h0nestly l0st track 0f time since im n0t sure if it happened yesterday 0r t0day

TA: ii mean, that2 what iit2 liike when the day alway2 2hiift2 whiile youre awake

TA: only per2on who doe2nt have two deal wiith that ii2 kanaya

AA: fair p0int, but its still infuriating with what happened

AA: vriska sent tavr0s 0ff 0f a cliff t0 ward 0ff s0me "intruder" and then she had the gall t0 blame ME f0r it even th0ugh i c0uldnt reach any0ne at that m0ment!

TA: 2he diid what!? and blamed who!?

AA: i just cant believe anything shes saying n0w

TA: and hone2tly, you have every riight not two!

TA: holy 2hiit, all that hii2tory and 2he ju2t diid that two hiim!? what2 goiing on now!? ii2 he dead!?

AA: n0, but i d0nt kn0w n0w

AA: she t0ld me that she br0ught tavr0s t0 equius in h0pes he c0uld d0 s0mething t0 fix him

AA: i really want t0 believe it c0uld w0rk, but im struggling t0 believe it

TA: well, workiing iin robotiic2 pretty much requiire2 you two learn anatomy

TA: 2o, a2 much a2 ii dont want two giive that douche crediit, he probably ha2 a good iidea

AA: well, if even y0u can believe he c0uld help, then maybe i can take c0mf0rt that tavr0s c0uld survive...

TA: iim hone2tly beiing generou2, but ii hate 2eeiing you lo2e faiith liike thii2

AA: its a given that y0ud have y0ur reservati0ns f0r equius, but im glad y0u have en0ugh faith t0 h0pe f0r tavr0s's survival

TA: beliieve me, iit2 liike pulliing teeth. iin any ca2e, what are you goiing two do?

AA: well ive been having a l0t 0f th0ughts and

AA: h0ld 0n

TA: aa?

TA: hello?

AA: s0rry i was talking with c0mpy f0r a bit

AA: shes taking this pretty hard and she c0uldnt help but blame herself...

TA: oh 2hiit...

AA: i think y0u sh0uld talk with her

TA: are you 2ure? iim not exactly great at comfortiing people.

AA: well y0u helped me thr0ugh it! : )

AA: i might have s0me pe0ple t0 talk with, s0 have fun!

TA: plea2e 2tay 2afe, aa...

apocalypseArisen [AA] ceased trolling twinsArmageddon [TA]

cuddlefishCuddler [CC] began trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

CC: o)( my cod, w)(at )(appened!?

CC: vriska messaged me earlier and ive been trying to figure out w)(ats going on and

CC: did tavros really fall off a cliff!?

AA: unf0rtunately yes and it was because 0f vriska

CC: are you s)(ore!? you s)(oald probably try to talk it out wit)( )(er!

AA: she bl0cked me s0 i cant really d0 that anym0re

AA: and she had the gall t0 blame me f0r what happened!

AA: i cant just let her get away with it!

AA: i was actually thinking 0f d0ing s0mething t0 make her realize her wr0ngd0ing

AA: i d0nt like t0 f0rce the hand 0f the shad0ws but i feel like i have n0 ch0ice!

CC: wait no!

CC: i know vriska did a lot wrong and s)(e s)(oald face consequences but you s)(oaldnt resort to t)(at!

AA: why sh0uldnt i?

CC: i mean weve all been getting along so w)(ale! even after vriska split t)(e teams, we all watc)(ed out for eac)( ot)(er!

CC: i was actually )(oping to convince )(er to reunite t)(e teams...

AA: well thats clearly 0ut 0f the questi0n n0w isnt it?

CC: maybe but

CC: please dont do anyt)(ing you cant take back! i dont want to see my friends fig)(t like t)(is...

AA: d0 y0u really still view us as y0ur friends?

CC: Y-ES! I R-EALLY DO! i feel awful for not being t)(ere and dualscar does too

CC: we )(ad to )(elp our colony and we couldnt let our focus go elsew)(ere!

CC: i was supposed to be t)(ere, but i c)(ose my own stupid seadwellers over you!

CC: its my fault

AA: what? n0! n0 it isnt!

AA: d0nt let vriska mess with y0ur mind like that!

CC: vriska isnt doing t)(at, t)(oug)(...

AA: ...

AA: l00k, y0u didnt kn0w this w0uld happen

AA: n0ne 0f us c0uldve kn0wn

AA: just please d0nt blame y0urself like this...

CC: im sorry...

AA: please d0nt say s0rry!

AA: i sh0uld be the 0ne saying that t0 you!

AA: im talking with s0llux right n0w, but maybe he c0uld help y0u thr0ugh this t00!

CC: it would be nice to )(ear from )(im again...

AA: alright! g00d luck! s0rry t0 g0, but i have s0me things t0 do

CC: its ocray...t)(ank you. 38)

cuddlefishCuddler [CC] ceased trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

Aradia found herself sitting in front of her chair staring at the two logs. She found herself saving them not only on her husktop, but also an online archive she privately owned. Maybe these guys had a point? Maybe she shouldn't act so hasty. She then looked to CT. Maybe a bit more time and she could have something positive to say. If he really did pull it off, then...maybe there's something to hope for-

??? [o] started trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

[o]: Greetings and salutations, Megido! I assume you're not in the best of moods.

AA: 0h g0gdammit, y0u again?

[o]: The one and only. I have been observing you all as per usual and have witnessed quite the spectacle.

AA: ...y0u did s0mething, didnt y0u?

[o]: Oh? Where did you get that sort of accusatory tone from?

AA: vriska t0ld me there was s0me intruder! was that y0u?

AA: and that glitch with terezi, was that y0u t00?!

[o]: Once again, that is quite the accusatory tone you've gotten there and you've made quite a few bold assumptions.

[o]: However, I should remind you that I am a First Guardian and as such, I am not meant to directly meddle with the affairs of your planet. I could only do that through other forces.

[o]: I only directly intervene in dire emergencies. I wouldn't do that for something as trivial as to interrupt an unimportant session of FLARP.

AA: well, y0u had t0 have d0ne s0mething! why didnt y0u st0p vriska fr0m pushing tavr0s 0ff a cliff?

AA: and what ab0ut the glitch with the lich queen!?

[o]: A bit strange to presume I have anything to do with a glitched enemy in a video game. Again, it'd be incredibly trivial of me to cause such a thing.

[o]: More importantly, Vriska's actions are her actions alone. Frankly, given how well she is at playing chess with a being such as I, I doubt she's that easy to fool.

[o]: As such, do you really wish to let her get away with what she had done?

AA: i d0nt want t0, but

AA: i d0nt kn0w...

AA: she was g0ing 0ut 0f her way t0 get tavr0s to fight s0me0ne, but

AA: she had the gall t0 blame me f0r what happened!

AA: i cant stand the idea 0f just letting her say that and then bl0cking me!

[o]: Hmm. Well, perhaps, there are ways to persuade her into unblocking you.

AA: well, i have th0ught 0f 0ne way, but...

AA: i d0nt like the idea 0f stirring them just f0r s0mething as simple as that

[o]: Think of it not just as a way to make her unblock you. Rather, think of it as a way to help her reevaluate her actions. Don't you believe she deserves some retribution?

[o]: Of course, you could find other ways. Perhaps you could beg one of your other friends to get Vriska to unblock her.

AA: what?! thats ridicul0us! why w0uld i d0 that?!

[o]: It's just a suggestion. Knowing her, she almost certainly wants you to apologize and say you believe her. I'm sure if you're that driven to speak with her, you could have someone pass your message along.

[o]: I would love to say more, but I have a game to tend to. I hope you make the right decision.

AA: hey, wait a minute!

??? [o] ceased trolling apocalypseArisen [AA]

Aradia found herself shaking at this. She knew something had to be done, but...the things he told her. The thought of begging people to get her unblocked by Vriska after everything that had happened turned Aradia's stomach and the worst part is there is no doubt in her mind that Vriska would want that. No...she's not gonna get any of her friends to do that, but she knows who could.

Putting her hands up to her head, she found herself focusing on Vriska's hive. She could see the many specters looming around. She loathed the idea to bring them against her, but she had to; this wasn't just about getting Vriska to speak with her... this was about making Vriska accept responsibility for what she had done. As she found herself focusing on this, she had one other thing on her mind:

"Hopefully, there can be another excavation in a day or so..."

...

"Let me know when he can move on his own. His Lusus should be along to escort him, but I'm not gonna take any chances." Vriska instructed, eyeing Equius coldly; with how chummy he was with Megido, she couldn't take for granted that he'd continue helping her after he inevitably learned of their falling out... but as things stood, he was too engrossed in his work to stop.

At Equius' unfocused grunt of confirmation, she turned with a huff, marching for her own Hive. The Canyon was annoying as ever, but she'd long figured out the fastest trails across. A few jumps and skips, and she lightly touched down on the other side... and sent a frigid glare down to the THING lurking below. She didn't know what that blank-faced bastard's scheme was... but if anything, she'd take solace in the knowledge that they'd at least ensure that this PARASITE she was saddled with would be dead.

"Hive sweet hive..." She droned, stepping into her Hive with a sigh. Marching over to her couch, she calmly plucked a decently sized cushion off of it... and slammed her face into it, giving a long, agonized scream into it. Stupid. Stupid! SHE WAS SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT!!! Oh yeah, that was REAL smart, Serket, go off and EXPLODE on Megido about that, cut ties with her, and for the candy coating on top, threaten to KILL her and feed her to the bane of your existence!! "What the fuck is WRONG with me!?"

She had messed up, there were no two ways of cutting it. Yes, both Aradia and Terezi needed some kind of punishment for leaving her and Tav hanging, but she'd gone too far. God, what was she going to tell Compy and Eridan!? 'Hey, because I'm a fucking idiot, Tav got crippled, and Terezi and Aradia are now my sworn enemies, how was the clean up?' Yeah, that'd go over REAL well.

She reclined in front of her table, mournfully looking over the campaign supplies she'd assembled. At the party supplies she'd laid out in preparation for Tav's triumph alongside a formal declaration of Scourge and Charge uniting into one team. It was all like ashes in her mouth. Hey, she could even see the FLARP manual that Aradia had lent her to brush up on the kind of Sessions Team Charge favored, alongside the goofy smiling face she'd drawn on the inside. 'Do Your Best!'

Faint sobs wracked Vriska's shoulders as she clutched the manual close to her chest. It was stupid. The past was in the past; nothing she did was going to magically make what happened disappear, so why the fuck was she being such a weepy wiggler over it instead of moving on like an adult!? She wasn't an adult, maybe?

'Murderer....'

Vriska jolted, glancing about wildly at the faint whisper that had entered her ear. "Who's there?" She shouted, forcing down her fear and sorrow as she palmed her Gambitkind. "This is a private Hive, and I've got a really nasty Lusus that just LOVES to meet intruders!!!"

'Already know... you introduced us...'

"What are you...?" Vriska demanded, only for her voice to trail off as something... flickered... out of the corners of her eyes. She whipped around to get a better look at it, yet every time she tried to stare at the THING dead on, it vanished. But if she allowed her eyes to unfocus... she slowly began to tremble, as THEY became clearer... and clearer. "No... nononononononono!!!!!!!!"

'Killed us...'

'Tormented us...!'

'Why do you live...?'

'While we do not...?'

"I didn't have a choice, okay!? Nothing against you! Well, most of you..." Vriska amended, trying hard not to look at TWO assholes in particular she had sent to their deaths without remorse. As if she could ever forget what they'd done to Tavros. "But I was doing what I could to survive!! You think I WANT to be a murderer!? Here's a newsflash, my Lusus is a Troll-Eater, if I didn't feed it all of you, I would be on the menu, and then it'd be an all it can eat buffet when it inevitably rampaged after I died!!"

'Excuses, excuses....'

'Survival is survival, but you enjoyed killing us...!'

Vriska howled in anguish, the voices of the damned growing louder and LOUDER as they drew ever closer. She couldn't even open her eyes without the deformed, tormented spirits engulfing her vision in all directions. Even looking at them directly only pushed them off to the side. "I DID NOT!! I NEVER HAVE!!! DID I ENJOY OUTSMARTING SO MANY OF YOU!? PROVING I WAS BETTER THAN YOU!? OF COURSE I DID!! BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT ME LIVING MEANT SOMETHING!!! That I... was worth something...!" She sobbed, falling to her knees as she covered her face, clutching her ears in the vain hope it would drown them out. "That he was right to believe in me...!"

'His faith in you is built on lies...'

'He would abandon you if he knew the truth...'

'You can no longer hide what you are...'

'Monster, killer, murderer, thief...!'

Vriska screamed, yanking at her hair hard enough to pull several strands clean out of her skull as she raced for her Recuperacoon. She could hear the howls of the Ghosts as they charged after her, their whispered screams echoing in her ears as she dove into the Sopor. Her clothing would be ruined. She didn't care. She just needed to make the voices Go Away.

As the lethargic embrace of the Sopor seized her, she had just one lethargic thought before succumbing to sleep; just what had provoked the Ghosts into attacking her...?

...

Her vision was a blur, filled with golden arches and towers that surrounded her. She could see the clouds, the winds howling around them as they started to take on different shapes. She could see them form into things she recognized. Dice, books, marbles...ghosts...she felt herself shake as they started to invade her dream. However, she then saw something, no, someone in front of her. Someone with long horns...and was flying with her as they proceed to see visions of ruins and shadows.

...

apocalypseArisen [AA] started trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

AA: i understand if y0u are still busy, but i wish t0 see y0u come by s00n assuming y0ure n0t busy

AA: i kn0w there are plenty 0f things that c0uld be said here but

AA: i need t0 tell it t0 y0ur face

AA: i d0nt think it w0uld w0rk any 0ther way

AA: s0 please respond

-- apocalypseArisen [AA] is now an idle troll. --

CT: D--> Sorry for the severe delay, but I would be more than willing to meet up for another e%pedition

CT: D--> Is there anything you would like to know?

AA: 0h! that t00k a while, but yes

AA: again, i want t0 discuss much 0f it in pers0n, but i need y0u t0 c0nfirm 0ne thing?

AA: h0w is tavr0s?

CT: D--> Ah

CT: D--> Well, it's been completed very recently, but Tavros is in the progress of recovery

CT: D--> However, similar to the subject you'd wish to discuss, I feel it must be spoken about in person too

AA: i see

AA: well, meet me ar0und my hive at the same time t0night

AA: lets g0 to 0ne 0f 0ur usual sp0ts

CT: D--> Gladly

apocalypseArisen [AA] ceased trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

...

Vriska's eyes slowly opened up. That dream felt so quick, yet she doesn't know how much time had passed-

"DROWN IN THE SLIME, YOU BITCH!"
"JUST LET IT SUFFOCATE YOU!"
"YOU CAN'T RUN FROM US FOREVER!"

And just as abruptly, she could hear the Ghosts screaming at her again. She felt herself squirm while she did her best to try and visualize the dream she had as much of a blur as it was. She remembered herself with Tavros as he pointed to the clouds as they showed them many colors. They were able to see bronze hills and rusted ruins...rusted ruins...Rust.

Vriska started to feel her blood boil at the thought. How could she have forgotten what Rustbloods could do? Especially with HER...! So, this was her response to being blocked? She couldn't just admit that she fucked up for not responding, huh? Vriska felt her heart pumping. It was so loud that it started to drown out the voices screaming at her as she pulled herself from her Recuperacoon. She doesn't even care if her clothes were still soaked as she stomped over to her computer. How dare this BITCH throw all of her trauma back at her!? Does she really think forcing her to face every person she had to betray for her own survival would help her somehow!? FUCK THAT! Vriska found herself on Trollian again, getting ready to unblock Aradia when...she remembered.

arachnidsGrip [AG] started trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

AG: 8QUIUS!

AG: W8, shit.

AG: Equius!

AG: How long was I out? What happened????????

CT: D--> Well...

CT: D--> It can be assured that the operation has been completed

CT: D--> However, it may not achieve the outcome you desired, at least not entirely

AG: What do you mean 8y th8t????????

CT: D--> Currently, he still needs to move around via a wheelchair

CT: D--> Aurthour was able to provide him with one

CT: D--> He wished to go back to his hive on his own

AG: ON HIS OWN????????

AG: Doesn't he know how fucking dangerous it is to traverse colonies while you're crippled!?

CT: D--> He didn't wish to bother you

CT: D--> However, if it helps alleviate your worries, Nepeta offered to follow him on his way back

CT: D--> He's unaware of it, mind you, but some protection never hurts

AG: OK, thank fucking god.

CT: D--> Is there anything you wish to discuss?

AG: ........No. I already got something planned.

CT: D--> Hopefully, it's not too drastic

AG: Oh, it's not. I know exactly what I'm doing.

CT: D--> Very well. I'll be busy for the night, so don't e%pect any updates until tomorrow at the latest.

AG: Riiiiiiiiight.

arachnidsGrip [AG] ceased trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

Vriska found herself sitting and seething. She was still fuming as she could still hear the Ghosts. She already knew what she had to do. She just needed to get it right. How does she make Aradia feel the exact sort of pain she was feeling? She started to think of some dark thoughts agitated by the Ghosts threatening. Should she force her to jump off a cliff? Perhaps she should have her humiliate herself in some way? ...Maybe she could get Equius to-

Vriska found herself shaking her head at the thought. She felt sick to her stomach and she couldn't explain why. Was she...regretting this idea? No, that can't be it. That said, she does know that Equius is gonna be too busy since he keeps saying he has to do some work in his hive and she doesn't expect it to be any different tonight. Surely, he wouldn't hang out with Megido again, right? Still, even if he was, it wasn't like she could control him either...and then Vriska realized something. Equius isn't the only person Aradia had spoken with. In fact, she had learned that Aradia had quite a lot of friends. The question is...who should she choose? Who should she choose...to make her pay?

Vriska hummed to herself, spinning in her chair as she ran through the WONDERFUL choices. If anyone else could see her at the moment, the empty smile on her face would've sent chills down their spines.

Should she go with Karkat? No, with how stubborn he is he'd likely throw off her control, or at least fight her for it, every step of the way. Nepeta? She couldn't risk pulling the feral wildwiggler away from Tav's protection. Terezi's mind was like a fortress, as poetic as it would be to use her as a tool against that FUCKING TRAITOR. The last time she accidentally brushed Gamzee's mind she was tripping for hours, so he was out. Kanaya was another possibility, but she lived near the desert, trying to maintain the control for the entire trip would be a mess. So that left...

Vriska froze, groaning, as she slapped a palm to her forehead. "Fuck I'm an idiot."

She really, REALLY was. Honestly, no matter how you looked at it... there really WAS only one option. And honestly, after the betrayal Aradia had inflicted upon her, it was only right to let her feel a taste of that same pain herself. She paused, doubt creeping in. Was she... really going to do this...? Sollux could be grating at times, but he was a cool dude, and no matter how this turned out, she'd be burning a bridge with him. And then she remembered standing in that Canyon, cradling Tavros to her body, screaming for Aradia and Terezi to help her... and all her doubts melted away. He'd get over it.

But she wasn't going to just dive into her revenge, oh no!! She was going to sit on this, at least until she was fairly sure that Tavros was back at his Hive and as safe as can be expected. But once that point was reached...? Well, she'd give Aradia a little message. Just to be sporting!

...

Who knew it'd take so long for someone to roll on a wheelchair from one colony to another? Fortunately, there seemed to be multiple shortcuts that Tavros was well aware of to be able to get to his colony on his own. Nepeta appreciated the opportunity to learn these routes as she prowled behind every place she could think of to hide. Meanwhile, Tavros found himself struggling to get by places he had no issues with. He'd learn to roll uphill by grabbing onto rails near stairways. It was rocky as hell, but it wasn't like he had any other option. All the while, he had to deal with the stares of many trolls who didn't know. He felt something in him twist as he saw how he stared. They saw him more as a corpse than anything else. Tavros learned to close his eyes as he kept going.

Eventually, he finally managed to reach his cliffside hive. He found himself opening his Husktop with a smile, ready to message Vriska...but he started to think. Should he bother her right now? She must be going through a lot trying to explain everything to everyone. At the very least, he could just log on to see if anyone messaged him. All the while, Nepeta sat by his hive with a smile as she pulled out her own Husktop.

arsenicCatnip [AC] starts pestering twinsArmageddon [TA]

AC: :33 < *ac prowls around the sticky crypt of the b33k33pur and pokes at the k33purs twin horns with a toothy smile*

TA: oh my fuckiing god

AC: :33 < *ac lurches herself on the b33k33pur's table, wondering when he would be able to have a confursation with ac!*

TA: jegu2 chrii2t, dont you realiize that goiing iinto tho2e 2hiitty roleplayiing memo2 ii2 only goiing two get you iin trouble?

AC: :33 < ooh, dont worry! i was actually told to go on some specific memos fur it!

AC: :33 < but yeah, rp is supurr fun!

TA: iit2 not for me per2onally.

TA: iim more of a gamegrub 2ort of guy.

AC: :33 < *ac's ears wiggle at the strange sentence the b33k33purr spoke* what's gamegrub?

TA: you know, iif iit wa2nt for the fact that kk told me you were liiterally pulled from the wood2 not two long ago, ii wouldve 2napped

TA: but iin ca2e you wanna know, gamegrub2 are ba2iically grub2 you liink your body and miind iin order two play iimmer2iive diigiital game2

AC: :33 < wait, you mean like...parasites?

TA: yeah, but iit2 not a2 bad a2 you thiink. the bug2 that gamegrub2 plant iin you u2ually diie iimmediiately once you fiinii2h the 2e22iion.

TA: and even iif they dont, you could ju2t kiill them iin your 2y2tem by re2tiing iin 2ome 2opor

AC: :33 < oh! well, im still not sure about trying that! maybe thats why equius doesnt like playing gamegrubs often

TA: ugh

AC: :33 < hmm?

TA: how about we talk about 2omethiing el2e? what are you doiing?

AC: :33 < oooh! im just waiting fur my drawing tablet to arrive!

AC: :33 < i was told that it could really help me be more creative when im not hunting in the woods!

TA: hey, art2 not bad. iit2 a biit lame, but not 2omethiing ii hate. iit2 2tiill better than haviing two tend two the2e worker2.

AC: :33 < why do you have to be a b33k33purr anyways if you play gamegrubs?

TA: well, for one, ii need them for certaiin gamegrub2 two functiion properly and...al2o becau2e ii need the miind honey two feed my lu2u2.

AC: :33 < ooooh, so you make a lot of honey?

TA: yeah, miind honey.

TA: ii got two jar2 of the 2tuff.

AC: :33 < how does it taste?

TA: ii dont know and ii dont want two know. miind honey ii2 way two fuckiing dangerou2 e2peciially iin my hand2.

AC: :33 < awww, why?

TA: let2 ju2t 2ay iit actiivate2 every part of your braiin and iif you take two much of iit, you ba2iically go iinto overdriive agaiin2t your wiill.

TA: that2 the 2hort part.

AC: :33 < hmmm...well, i guess that makes plenty of sense! hey, something is still bothering me!

TA: and what would that be?

AC: :33 < you s33med rather upset about equius. why is that?

TA: oh gog...

TA: look, he2 an iindiigoblood and he2 2ort of a ma22iive douche.

TA: ii dont know how you or aa could 2tand two hang out wiith hiim, but that2 the 2hort 2tory.

AC: :33 < awwww, but you're both really smart!

AC: :33 < surely, you could work on something together!

TA: maybe, maybe not! look, ii got a lot on my miind e2peciially wiith what2 goiing on wiith aa and kk.

AC: :33 < whats going on with karkitty?

TA: iit2 ju2t

TA: ii know thiing2 about hiim that he doe2nt know ii know

TA: and iim 2cared

TA: to tell hiim.

AC: :33 < you know something about him?

AC: :33 < if thats the case, then you shouldnt be afuraid to tell him!

AC: :33 < karkat also said that you two were really good friends, so im sure hed understand if you know something about him!

AC: :33 < in fact, i might know what you know too! you just have to figure it out!

AC: :33 < hello? pawlux?

AC: :33 < *ac pokes at the b33k33purr suddenly going silent*

AC: :33 < sollux?

Nepeta sat there, confused. She looked into the window and saw Tavros happily creating another Fiduspawn to play with. She considered going to him, but Equius warned her that she shouldn't be seen. Still, she worried about how Sollux just went silent. She wondered who else she could speak with...Of course.

arsenicCatnip [AC] started trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

AC: :33 < *ac p33ks around the corner to s33 what the crabby geneticist is up to*

AC: :33 < *ac wonders to herself what a geneticist is, but she likes how fancy it sounds*

CG: OK, FIRST OFF, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, A GENETICIST IS SOMEONE WHO HAD TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO STUDY THE INNER WORKINGS OF ONE'S OWN SPECIES SPECIFICALLY CONCERNING THEIR GENETICS.

CG: SECONDLY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I SEE IT, I STILL FIND IT INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING THAT YOUR FIRST FORAY INTO WRITING ANYTHING RESEMBLING SPEECH INVOLVES FUCKING ROLEPLAYING.

CG: EVERY TIME I SEE IT, I HONESTLY FEAR FOR YOU BECAUSE THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE SOME DEGENERATE WHO SHOVELS GRUB SAUCE DOWN HIS PROTEIN CHUTE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU IN SOME DISGUSTING DEBAUCHERY.

AC: :33 < is it really that dangerous? :<<

CG: NOT ENTIRELY, BUT PLEASE MAKE SURE NEVER TO GIVE YOUR REAL LOCATION AWAY TO PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW ONLINE.

CG: ALL OF US HAD TO BE TAUGHT THAT GROWING UP.

CG: ANYWAYS, WHAT DID YOU NEED BECAUSE IF YOU'RE IN A DESPERATE NEED TO ROLEPLAY, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I AM NOT INCLINED TO FOLLOW THAT HOBBY AND IT'S NOT HELPED BY CERTAIN EVENTS THAT IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON MY THINKPAN LIKE A FUCKING ALBATROSS.

AC: :33 < oh, sorry.

AC: :33 < well, i was just talking to pawlux, but then he just stopped.

AC: :33 < i tried poking him, but no replies.

CG: HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN GONE FOR?

AC: :33 < maybe fift33n? thirty minutes?

CG: OK, THAT'S NOT SUPER LONG. I WOULD CALL YOU OUT, BUT YOU'RE STILL CLEARLY NEW TO ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS.

CG: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU'LL HAVE TO LEARN IS THAT THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL END UP BEING REALLY BUSY TO THE POINT WHERE COMMUNICATIONS ONLINE WOULD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE.

CG: SOME PEOPLE WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO RESPOND TO LITERALLY EVERY MESSAGE SENT TO THEM, WHICH INCLUDES MYSELF, BUT OTHERS WILL BE WAY TOO BUSY TO KEEP IT UP.

CG: FOR SOLLUX IN PARTICULAR, IT'S LIKELY THAT HE HAS TO DEAL WITH HISAPICULTURE NETWORK.

AC: :33 < ooooooh! whats that?

CG: ESSENTIALLY, IT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY FORMS OF COMPUTING WITHIN ALTERNIA. BASICALLY, THROUGH COOPERATING WITH WORKER INSECTS, YOU MANAGE TO CREATE AN ORGANIC MAINFRAME THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ACCESS OR EVEN CREATE YOUR OWN ONLINE NETWORKS.

CG: GOLDBLOODS USUALLY END UP BEING THE ONES TO MAKE IT MAINLY BECAUSE MANY GOLDBLOODED LUSII RELY ON THE RESIDUE IT CREATES CALLED MIND HONEY.

AC: :33 < oh, pawlux told me about that!

CG: OK, GREAT! I DON'T HAVE TO DO A CRASH COURSE ON HOW MIND HONEY WORKS.

CG: BUT YEAH, HIS LUSUS IS PROBABLY THROWING SOME KIND OF FIT AND HE HAS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED.

AC: :33 < i mean, he couldve said so, but i guess that makes sense...

CG: WELL, NOT EVERYONE CAN SAY WHAT THEY'RE DOING EVERY TIME. YOU SHOULDN'T WORRY TOO MUCH.

AC: :33 < maybe...still, he did s33m a bit upset when i bring up equius

CG: WELL, IT'S A MIRACLE YOU TWO GET ALONG AS IS BECAUSE EQUIUS...HE AND I HAVE SOME HISTORY AND IT DIDN'T GET OFF ON THE BEST TRACKS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BORE YOU WITH THINGS YOU ALREADY KNOW.

CG: WITH SOLLUX, THOUGH, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANOTHER REASON AS TO WHY HE DISLIKES HIM, BUT...I DON'T WANT TO DIVE INTO IT.

AC: :33 < why not?

CG: IT'S JUST

CG: I HAVE THIS WEIRD TENDENCY OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW EVERYONE'S DYNAMICS WORK, SPECIFICALLY THEIR QUADRANTS.

CG: GOD, I FEEL SO WEIRD TALKING ABOUT THIS, BUT GIVEN WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT ME, THIS IS PRETTY TAME.

CG: I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE STRANGE QUADRANT VACILLATION THAT HE AND ARADIA ARE ENGAGED IN. THEY GO FROM RED TO PINK IN SUCH A STRANGE WAY, IT'S BORDERLINE NAUSEATING.

AC: :33 < i think it's nice purrsonally

AC: :33 < even if i do think she and equius get along better

CG: OH GOD, DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THOSE TWO COULD BE A THING?

AC: :33 < hey, aradia is supurr nice to equius and he always talks about how much fun he has with her!

AC: :33 < sure he doesnt always say the right things, but he really does like her and wants to make sure shes happy!

CG: MAYBE? I GUESS I JUST FIND THE IDEA STRANGE SINCE AS OF NOW, IT'S UNCERTAIN.

CG: THEN AGAIN, A LOT OF MY SPECULATIONS FOR QUADRANTS SEEM UNCERTAIN.

AC: :33 < maybe we could talk about it? i have b33n putting together a wall fur it!

CG: A WALL?

AC: :33 < it's a work in purrogress, but its really fun to figure things out

CG: UHH...MAYBE WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT SOMETIMES.

CG: IN THE MEANTIME, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT SOLLUX. HE'S PURROBABLY JUST BUSY.

CG: FUCK!

CG: *PROBABLY.

AC: :33 < h33h33!

CG: JUST...DON'T TELL ANYONE I SAID THAT. PLEASE?

AC: :33 < i purromose! <33

arsenicCatnip [AC] ceased trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

...

Aradia scowled at her husktop in annoyance. Still blocked. Really, how stubborn could that girl be!? It had been nearly a day and Vriska hadn't budged. Well two could play that game. If she thought Aradia's second thoughts on the Ghosts were going to make her call them back... well, there was still a chance of that. But not now. Not until she was certain that Vriska wouldn't yield.

With perhaps a touch more force than necessary, Aradia slammed her Husktop closed, slumping against the wall of the cave system she was in. It was one of her earliest attempts at ruin hunting, just a little out of the way chunk of rocks and holes in the ground a relatively short distance from her Hive. It was almost nostalgic, being here again. And hopefully with Equius' help, she could push into the sections of the caverns she had been too small to look into when she first started poking around in here.

A heavy thud signaled the sweaty Indigoblood's arrival. She held back a smile at the sheepish expression on Equius' face. "Pardon my intrusion. You mentioned that you wished to speak with me urgently, so I came with all due haste."

She narrowed her gaze, pointing to the spot across from her. Gulping at her expression, Equius quickly ran over to the indicated spot. Aradia stared at him for a long, slow moment. "...What did she tell you about what happened?"

Equius, thankfully, was not slow on the uptake. "She, admittedly, did not share much. She simply arrived with Nitram's broken form in hand and insisted on 'fix' him. When I asked what had occurred, she stated that he had fallen after their Session took a bad turn and that she had caused his fall in response to someone dangerous arriving."

"And you believe her!?" Aradia asked incredulously. Equius normally flinched back when she raised her voice at him... so it was surprising when he simply set his jaw.

"I believe that she THINKS that this is what occurred. I am no expert on mental matters, of course, but Miss Serket rarely lies, and she is unable to lie well when emotional. And when it comes to Tavros Nitram, she is nothing BUT emotional." Equius insisted, folding his arms over his chest definitively. "I am curious on why you doubt the possibility that she is being forthright with you."

"I have my sources." Aradia said curtly, scowling at her husktop in frustration. A single tear trailed down the side of her face. "...She blamed ME and Terezi for him getting hurt. She said it 'never would have happened' if we'd been there. And this is RIGHT AFTER she admitted that she'd put together a Session for him meant for extreme hardcore players like herself that folks like Tav and me typically tend not to survive!! So can you blame me for being a bit doubtful of her motivations?"

"...That does provide an effective explanation." Equius acknowledged, scratching his hair sheepishly. Aradia was surprised to note that it lacked the sweaty, greasy texture it normally did; had he freshened up before meeting her? "Nevertheless. I can assure you that Miss Serket, for all her faults, would not intentionally seek out to harm Nitram. Not when she went to such lengths to try and restore his mobility."

"Did the operation go well?" Aradia asked, her fears and concerns overriding her doubts and anger. The look on Equius' face was... not encouraging.

"It... went as well as can be expected. I managed to graft an implant into his spine just above the point where it broke and paralyzed him, as well as succeeded in realigning his broken bones. He can no longer walk unaided, but with specialized braces designed to connect to the implant, he can walk again for short bursts of time. The rest of the time, he'll be wheelchair bound." Equius explained, sorrow and frustration coloring his voice. He always took failure, no matter how minor, so personally...

He wasn't expecting to feel Aradia's arms around him as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "Thank you for helping him."

"...Many Highbloods would say that to invest such effort into a Lowblood is a waste. I find those who subscribe to such thoughts to be boorish fools." Equius replied, a faint blush crawling up his cheeks as Aradia reclined against him. He cleared his throat. "In the meantime, shall we investigate these tunnels?"

"I don't see why not? Until Vriska gets back to me, I've got nothing but time to kill." Aradia sighed, her normal joy at exploration gone like the wind.

...

Chapter Text

Something within Aradia felt... lighter. Like she'd finally accepted something that had been staring her in the face all this time. Because as she stared at the growing blush on her sweaty dummy's face, she knew it as clearly as she knew her own name. She would DIE for her selfless dork. Equius jerked, pointing to himself in shock. "Y-You mean that... you... hold feelings for someone like me?"

"I do. I...I think I have for awhile now." Aradia admitted, reaching out to lace her fingers with his... only to freeze as her newly metallic digits came into view. Without a word, Equius slipped his hand in hers. She felt something inside her clench as she realized she could FEEL him through the metal. "But I was just so scared of opening up, that if I showed that- that you meant more to me than just a friend, you'd go back to being just another Highblood...! And I didn't want to lose what we had between us."

"I never entertained the idea that you would return my unworthy feelings. How could you, when ones like myself have made you and your Caste into scapegoats for their own weaknesses and insecurities." Equius admitted, a pale tear slipping down his cheek. In a surge of impulse, he reached out, pulling her into a hug, his normally imposing physique soft and welcoming against her body. "I do not believe I am worthy of you. I do not think I ever will be. So every day I will strive to be the Troll who IS worthy of you, to be someone who can stand beside you without shame of dimming your radiance. And I promise... I shall never leave you. No matter what I must overcome in the process, I will find my way back to you, Aradia Megido."

Aradia sniffled, a tear-filled smile stretching across her face as she buried her head in his chest... right before lightly elbowing him in the ribs. "D-Don't be so dramatic, dummy!" At his sheepish expression she laughed... before breaking out into a harsh coughing fit. In a flash, Equius moved to help her sit, fiddling with the tubing connecting her breathing mask to her body until her breathing eased. "...I guess that's something I'm gonna have to get used to, huh?"

"I... did what I could with the supplies available. I could not risk taking you to a proper Mediculler, not when..." Equius trailed off, swallowing thickly with emotion. "When they could have summoned the Imperial Drones on you."

Aradia smiled, reaching over to stroke her big idiot's face. It felt... right. Letting herself express these feelings rather than warn herself off them. "Thank you. I know it can't have been easy, but... thank you." Her expression grew solemn. As amazing as it felt to just BASK in her own feelings... they needed to address the Trunkbeast in the room. "You know who's responsible for this, right?"

Equius nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Since Captor has never given any indicator that he is secretly of murderous inclinations towards you, with or without our association being a factor, the simple solution is easily deduced."

"...She tried to kill me." Aradia muttered. Her hands shook. "She tried to make SOLLUX kill me." Tears began to prick at the corner of her eyes. All her precious memories, that beautiful illusion of their teams coming together as one, as FRIENDS... withered. "...Who else knows?"

"I am uncertain. I know that Nepeta is aware, as she pestered me for the details shortly before you awoke, but I do not know who else is 'in the loop' as the saying goes." Equius admitted, holding himself at a respectable distance... right up until she rested her head on his shoulder, causing him to break out into a sweat. "Do you... wish to speak of it?"

"Yes. No. Maybe...?" Aradia shrugged, tears shimmering as they slipped free of their prisons. "All I know is that I need to talk with Terezi. She... she needs to know I'm alive. That... that Vriska FAILED."

Equius nodded, pure and open acceptance on his face as he stepped back. "I shall give you the privacy you need for this endeavor. If... if you need anything from me, do not hesitate to ask."

Aradia smiled, but shook her head, watching him depart with a sigh. Pulling up her Medium Sylladex, which allowed her Captchalogue and retrieve items that fit a 'role' she was taking on and a significantly more reliable upgrade over her old Ouija Board Sylladex, she freed her Crosbytop. It still made her laugh to look at, honestly. But not right now.

Because right now? Aradia was a girl on a mission.

...

Within her Respiteblock, Terezi was struggling to get on her husktop. She fumbled with the buttons and she had to sniff hard near it just to get a good sense of what to push. She hated how much harder this was, but this was something she had to get used to. As the monitor lit up, Terezi could smell a symphony of aromas, all letting her feel a wonderful swirl of colors in place of her vision. Of course, there was a problem. She could hardly see what to click on. This was going to be hard. She proceeded to run her tongue across the monitor, making sure to get every colorful pixel she could find. The taste of glass was prevalent, but it worked, She could see the monitor more clearly and it allowed to go onto Trollian.

Oh shit, someone was already mentioning. She had to lick the text to see who it was. Wait, that color? Was that Watermelon? It must be Feferi if that's the case? Wait, no...it was Cherry. A dark cherry. No, that can't be who she thought she was. She was already struggling to think that one person could still be alive, but two of them!? I-It's impossible...but maybe...

apocalypseArisen [AA} started trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

AA: terezi, can y0u please read me!?

AA: i d0nt kn0w what happened after i passed 0ut, but im here n0w!

AA: i d0nt even want t0 kn0w what vriska ended up d0ing after what she pulled with me!

AA: i th0ught ab0ut messaging tavr0s, but im n0t even sure if he c0uld handle seeing me after all that happened

AA: please resp0nd, terezi...!

GC: WHT4 T3H FUKC 43RD42? 1S TH3T YUO?!

AA: huh?

GC: S1HT, G13V M3 4 MO3MTN!

AA: terezi, what happened? did y0u get...brain damage?

AA: 0h g0d, did vriska d0 this!?

GC: 1 DONT H34V BR4N1 D4M43G YUO 1DO1T!

GC: 1 JUST CN4T S33 W4HT 1M TPY1NG!

AA: what? why n0t?

GC: 1 C4'NT S33 4NYTHN1G RG1HT NWO! 1 C4N ONLY S3MLL 4ND T4S3T COLORS!

AA: that...what?

AA: h0ld 0n...h0w can y0u smell c0l0rs?

GC: 1 JUTS C4N! MY LSUUS H3LP3D M3! H3R N43M 1S PRY4 BTW!

GC: PYR4

AA: 0h g0d...h0w did this happen?

GC: 1 STR43D 4T TH3 SNU FRO TOO LNOG!

GC: SMO3ON3 J4CK3D MY LSUSU!

AA: but vriska can 0nly c0ntr0l 0ther tr0lls! she cant d0 anything with animals!

AA: that c0uld 0ny be d0ne by

AA: n0

AA: 0h FUCK N0!

GC: W4HT 43R YOU TRY1NG TO SY4, 4RD414?

AA: give me a m0ment

AA: i have t0 d0 s0mething f0r y0u

AA: f0r y0u and tavr0s!

AA: i am n0t letting her get away with this!

AA: N0T N0W! N0T EVER!

apocalypseArisen [AA} ceased trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

...

CURRENT apocalypseArisen [CAA] RIGHT NOW opened invitation-only transtimeline bulletin board THE PEOPLE OF ALTERNIA VS. SPINNERET MINDFANG

CAA RIGHT NOW opened memo on board THE PEOPLE OF ALTERNIA VS. SPINNERET MINDFANG

CAA: here ye, here ye, all rise f0r the h0n0rable l0rd terezi!

CAA: We are gathered here today for the sentencing of the pirate Spinneret Mindfang for her crimes.

CURRENT gallowsCalibrator [CGC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CGC: UH, 4R41D4? W4TH 43R YUO D1ONG?

CAA: since this all started with r0leplay, it is g0ing t0 fucking end with r0leplay!! als0 t0 mess with her head.

CGC: HMM... 1N T4HT CS43... 4H3M.

CGC: 1, TH3 HNOOR4BL3 LORD T3R3Z1, 4M H3R3. B1NRG OUT T3H PR1SO3NR 4DN TH3 LG31SL4C3R4TORS! *BN4SG GV34L*

CURRENT cuttlefishCuller [CCC] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CCC: I'm really, R-EALLY sorry if t)(is is a bad time to interject, but can someone tell me and -Eridan w)(at t)(e absolute FUCK IS GOING ON RIG)(T NOW!?!?

CURRENT caligulasAquarium [CCA] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CCA: obvviously mindfang got too big for her fuckin britches and wwe're here to rip her a neww one. duh, fef!

CCC: W)(ale t)(at doesn't sound very nice at all!! And I don't t)(ink it's true eit)(er. You were just as worried as I was w)(en we saw )(er freaking out in our Trollian messages earlier!

CAA: i kn0w that this is a very distressing situati0n. all will be revealed in due time, i can pr0mise y0u that much.

CGC: Y43H... 1'TS R34LLY KN1D OF HD4R TO 3XPL41N W1HTOUT H3R, YOU KNWO, B31NG H3R3. 1 M3N4 W3 CUOLD, BTU... TH1S 1S TH3 K1ND OF T1HGN S3H N3D3S TO B3 4ROUND FOR TH3 PURPOS3 OF L3G1T1M1Z1NG T3H PROCS3S.

CCA: wwell then wwhere the fuck is she? some of us havve got better shit to do than wwaste it on her flakin ass

CCC: -ERIDAN T)(AT IS SO FUCKING RUD-E!!!

CAA: yet entirely valid.

CURRENT arachnidsGrip [CAG] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CAG: You're alive.

CAA: indeed i am, n0 thanks t0 a certain s0me0ne mind jacking my m0irail!

CAA: side n0te, terezi, remind me t0 make that 0fficial with him later.

CGC: SRU3 TH1NG! >:]

CAG: You're alive.

CAA: anyways, 0n t0 the trial! y0ur h0n0rable l0rd terezi, the criminal stands accused 0f 0ne c0unt 0f unlawful mutilati0n 0f a l0wbl00d, and tw0 c0unts 0f attempted unlawful murder 0f l0wer-caste tr0lls!

CCC: I'm sorry, w)(at t)(e fuck!?

CCA: hot damn, this shit is actually interesting!

CCC: -Eridan!!

CCA: okay okay sheesh!!

CGC: OH MY, THS33 43R QU13T S3R1OUS CH4R3GS. 1T TK43S 4N 3SP3C14LLY TW1ST3D L3V3L OF N33LD3SSLY T4ST3L3SS CRU3LTY 4DN V1O3NLC3 TO G3T 31TH3R OF TOHS3 T1HNGS DM333D UNL4WFUL! 4ND TO DO ON3 T1WC3? V3RY W3LL, CORUT 1S NWO 1N SS3S1ON. HOW DO3S T3H V1C1TM P3L4D?

CAG: You're alive........!!!!!!!!

CAA: can y0u say anything fucking else!?

CAG: ...

CAG: ...HOW THE A8SOLUTE FUCK ARE YOU STILL ALIV8!?

CAA: certainly a different reacti0n from what was expected, but it's by n0 means understandable.

CAA: in any case, we sh0uld get started 0n the case against y0u

CGC: 4GR33D! HON3TSLY 1 WS4 HPO1NG FRO 4 R3SPOSN3 OTH3R TH4N "YO'U3R 4LV13" *TW1RSL G4VL3*

CAG: YOU STILL R8ALLY HAVEN'T ANSWERED MY QUESTI8N! HOW????????

CCC: Vriska...Did you actually try to kill )(er?

CAG: She filled my hive with fucking ghosts that wouldn't stop telling me to kill mys8lf! Sorry if that seemed like an OVERE8CTION!

CAG: 8ut while you may hold your opinions, WOULD Y8U STOP DODGING MY FUCKING QU8STION!?!?!?!?

CAG: Also, Terezi, what the fuck happened to your key8oard? Why are you typing like that????????

CCC: Actually, t)(at's a good question...on top of the other one. W)(y are you typing like t)(at, Terezi?

CCC: T)(is doesn't seem to be part of your Typing Quirk...

CAA: well, first 0ff, im surprised y0u c0uldnt see it given what y0uve put mr capt0r, but i was saved at the last p0ssible m0ment.

CAA: im stuck with a mask and my limbs are c0vered in metal, but i w0nt take that f0r granted! 0u0

CAG: ........G8D F8CKING D8MM8T, Z8HH8K!!!!!!!!

CCA: wwait, eq managed to savve you?

CCA: didnt peg that swweaty loser as a medicull expert

CAA: well, he had a l0t t0 learn given 0ne 0f vriska's 0ther crimes ended up 0n his table

CGC: 1 TH1KN 1TS FOTRUN4T3 H3 D1DTN 3ND UP 4S 4 COORN3R FOR TH1S TR14L!

CAG: Where the fuck is Zahhak? HOW THE FUCK DID HE S8VE YOU???????? WEREN'T YOU IN YOUR HIVE?

CAA: i was in the caves underneath

CAA: and s0 was he

CAA: we d0nt all just sit in 0ur hives all day, ykn0w

CAG: Oh god........I couldn't even see what happened 8ecause I made the idiot OD on that fucking honey.

CAG: I can't FUCKING 8elieve this shit!

CAG: This wasn't what was supposed to happen!!!!!!!!

CGC: YOU KNOW, 1 W4S 3XP3CT1GN MO3R OF 4 D3F3NS3 FROM YOU

CAA: me t00. what happened t0 all that defensive energy 0ver what y0u did with tavr0s!

CAG: Shut up! SHUT THE F8CK UP!!!!!!!!

CCA: hey you havvent answwered the other question tbh

CAA: 0h?

CCA: terezi did you hit your fuckin head? i dont remember you being this bad wwith spellin evven wwith your quirk

CCA: are you evven lookin at your keyboard?

CGC: NO 1 C4NT

CCC: W)(at??

CAG: The fuck do you mean you C8N'T????????

CAA: i th0ught y0ud already knew that

CAA: given that this was y0ur handiw0rk

CAG: ........

CAG: WH8T????????!!!!!!!!

CGC: 1 THK1N 1T'S PR3TTY OBV1OUS MY CURRN3T ST4T3 1S B3C4US3 OF YUO, SO 1 DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'R3 SO SHOCK3D

CAG: What

CAG: What's your current st8????????

CGC: 1M FUCK1NG BL1ND, WH4T DO YUO T1HNK 1T 1S?

CAA: 0f all the things y0u've d0ne, are y0u really g0ing t0 try and deflect fr0m this?

CAG: Yeah, 8ecause I DON'T REMEM8ER DOING TH8T!

CGC: 1TS 4 GU3SS BTU 1 4SSUM3 TH4T 4FT3R YOU SURV1VD3 T3H CU3 B4LL BLOW1NG UP 1N YOUR F4C3 YOU D31CD3D TO SC4R M3 1N R3TRUN US1NG YOUR PR3VO1US V1CT1M'S COMMUN1NG POWR3S ON MY LUSUS

CCC: W)(at??? What does Tavros )(ave to do wit)( t)(is?

CCA: im pretty sure wwhat ter is sayin is that vvris used tavvs powers on pyrope's lusus in some psychic double reacharound

CAA: g00d 0bversation dualscar and what im certain happened given that terezis mind w0uld be difficult f0r her t0 c0ntr0l

CAG: You think I used Tavros to

CAG: No.

CAG: No!

CAG: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!

CAG: NONONONONONONONOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

CAA: its the 0nly explanati0n

CAG: FUCK YOU

CAG: F8CK YOU

CAG: FUCK Y8U

CAG: FUCK YO8

CAG: F8CK Y8U

CAG: FUCK YOU

CAG: F8CK YO8

CAG: FUUUUUUUUCK YOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!

CCA: holy shit

CCC: Vriska???

CAA: d0nt w0rry its natural f0r the guilty t0 break d0wn

CAG: NO, SHUT UP! FUCK THIS FLARP 8ULLSH8T YOU'RE TRYING TO D8 H8RE!

CAG: I DIDN'T USE TAVROS! I WOULDN'T HAVE! I COULDN'T! HOW FUCK8NG D8RE YOU!!!!????

CAA: 0nce again, its weird that y0ure 0nly deflecting 0n this, but n0t everything else.

CAG: 8ECAUSE 8 D8DN'T DO 8T, YOU FUCKING D8PSHIT!!!!!!!!

CAG: I W8S KNOCKED OUT FOR HOURS!!!!!!!!

CAG: I COULDNT H8VE DONE TH8S!!!!!!!!

CCC: You know, I t)(ink Vriska is telling t)(e truth.

CCA: really? you saww her confess to tryin to murder ara and yet you think she didnt do this?

CCC: T)(at's exactly w)(y I t)(ink t)(at!

CCC: I'm not going to pretend that w)(at Vriska did wasn't )(orrid, but if s)(e's willing to confess to murder, but not t)(is, s)(e could be telling t)(e trut)(!

CGC: TH4T

CCA: please she could be either lyin or she legitimately doesnt remember doin it

CAG: I'M NOT LYINGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!

CAA: at this p0int its hard t0 believe y0u

CGC: 4RG33D. HOW3V3R, H3R 1N1FN1T3 COM4PSS1ON DO3S R41S3 4N 1NT3R3ST1GN P1ONT

CAA: what?

CGC: B3L13V3 M3, 1 H4V3 4 HR4D T1M3 B3L131VNG VR1SK4 FOR OBVO1US R43SONS

CGC: HOW3V3R, SOM3T1HNG 4BOTU THS1 STORY DO3SN'T F33L R1GHY

CAA: its a cut and dry case! wh0 else d0 we kn0w has telepathic p0wers besides tavr0s and vriska?

CGC: WL3L, 1F YUO W4TN TO PROV3 TH1S PYSCH1C DOUBL3 R34CH4ROUND TO B3 T3H TRUTH

CGC: WHY 1SN'T H3 H3R3?

CAG: Huh?

CAA: i

CGC: 4R4D14, D1D YOU S3ND T4VROS TH3 1NV1TE?

CAA: i th0ught y0u did!

CGC: H3 BLOCK3D M3!

CGC: 1 THOUGHT YOU'D DO 1T

CAG: W8, no.

CAA: i mean, i c0uld. its just that im n0t sure if hed want it fr0m me

CGC: H3 TRUSTS YOU F4R MOR3 TH4N M3!

CAG: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

CAA: its just h0w am i supp0sed t0 tell him? he w0uldnt be able t0

CAG: I did it.

CCC: W)(at?

CAG: While I was 8leeding out, I found some other 8ronze8lood to do it and then I passed out! That's what happened, alright???????? THERE'S NO NEED TO 8RING HIM HERE!!!!!!!!

CCC: Vriska, you said you were knocked out for )(OURS! W)(Y are you trying to act like you weren't?

CAG: I D8D 8T! JUST DON'T 8RING HIM HERE!!!!!!!!

CCA: hes comin

CAG: WH8T????????

CURRENT adiosToreador [CAT] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

CAT: hEY VRISKA,

CAT: sO,,, i HEARD ABOUT THE WHOLE 'TRYING TO KILL ARADIA' THING,

CAG: This isn't happ8ning, you aren't here, this isn't h8ppening!!

CAT: i MEAN, i FEEL LIKE I'M HERE?

CAA: hey tavr0s. glad y0u c0uld j0in us. s0rry it had t0 be under these... circumstances.

CAT: oH,,, rIGHT,,, hEY ARADIA,

CCA: you fuckers are wwelcome by the wway

CAG: THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU I AM GOING TO 8REAK YOUR SHITTY CROSSHAIRS OVER YO8R FUCKING SKULL DUALSCAR!!!!!!!!

CCA: go ahead and try it bitch

CCC: -Eridan, I am T)(IS FUCKING CLOS-E to losing my temper wit)( you. Knock. It. Off!!!

CCA: wwhatevver

CGC: C4N W3 PL343S FOCUS ON TH3 TR14L 4T H4ND, NOW TTH4 W3 HV43 OUR ST4R W13TNSS?

CAT: i'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT YOU MEAN ME,

CAT: sTAR WITNESS FOR WHAT,

CCA: did you seriously enter this wwithout readin wwhat all wwe talked about already?

CAT: yES, tHAT IS EXACTLY THE CASE, aS I AM INCREDIBLY LIGHT-HEADED RIGHT NOW AND HAVE A MASSIVE HEADACHE FROM THE ANEURYSM I RECENTLY SUFFERED FROM OVERUSING MY POWERS,

CAG: This isn't happening, you aren't h8re, this isn't h8ppening!!!!!!!!

CAA: ah ha!! the final piece 0f evidence we needed!!

CAA: 0h h0n0rable l0rd terezi, with the admissi0n 0f this evidence, i m0ti0n we skip right t0 sentencing mindfang f0r her crimes!

CAT: i'M SORRY, bUT WHAT?

CAT: nO, tHAT'S, uH, qUITE WRONG,

CAT: fORGOT TO SAY THIS EARLIER BUT IT'S REALLY NICE KNOWING YOU'RE ALIVE VRISKA,

CAT: bUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT BEFORE,

CAT: sINCE TEREZI TOLD ME SHE PUT A HIT ON YOU,

CCC: Terezi, w)(at t)(e carp!?

CGC: 1N MY DF33NS3, 1 W4S 4T3TMPT1GN TO UPHOLD MY 3ND OF 4 P4CT T4HT MN1D4FNG 4DN 1 3NT3R3D, 1N WH1CH 1 WOLUD B3 TH3 ON3 TO 3X3CUT3 H3R SHUOLD SH3 3V3R GO CMOPL3TL3Y OTU OF HR3 M1DN 4DN MURD3YR!!

CAT: iF I COULD KEEP TALKING?

CAA: 0f c0urse!

CAT: oKAY, sO, yOU ALL ARE KIND OF OPERATING ON A SERIOUS MISUNDERSTANDING,

CAT: vRISKA NEVER FORCED ME TO USE MY POWERS TO MANIPULATE TEREZI'S LUSUS AND HURT HER,

CCA: so she's got ya wwrapped around her thumb wwhy am i not surprised?

CAA: tav, i kn0w that y0u and vriska share a hist0ry and that y0u might feel 0bligated t0 help her d0 things that... aren't 0kay, but that d0esn't mean she didn't f0rce y0u t0 help her!

CAT: nO,

CAT: yOU STILL AREN'T GETTING IT,

CAT: vRISKA NEVER EVEN KNEW ABOUT IT,

CAT: bLINDING TEREZI WAS SOMETHING I CHOSE TO DO, aND CARRIED OUT, aLL ON MY OWN,

CCA: wwhat

CCC: T)(---E!!!

CAG: F8CK!?!?!?!?

CGC: YOU... BLN1D3D M3? BUT... BTU WYH?

CAT: i MEAN, yOU SAYING THAT YOU HAD ARRANGED FOR MY BEST FRIEND AND FLUSH CRUSH TO BE KILLED AND ASSURED ME SHE WAS DEAD PLAYED A PART IN IT, sURE,

CAT: bUT HONESTLY, i THINK IT WAS BECAUSE, wELL, i BLAME YOU FOR ALL THIS,

CCC: No no, Tavros, you don't mean t)(at!!

CAT: nO, i, uM, kIND OF DO,

CAT: dO YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, sTRUGGLING EVERY TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE PERSON WHO MATTERS MOST FOR YOU, oNLY FOR SOMEONE NEW TO SWEEP IN AND INSTANTLY ACCOMPLISH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR?

CAT: dO YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, wHEN AFTER YOU BURIED ALL YOUR DOUBTS AND INSECURITIES TELLING YOU NOT TO TRUST HER, sUDDENLY YOU AND ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE KICKED OFF THE TEAM AND FORCED TO LEAVE THE PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT BEHIND?

CAT: dO YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE, wHEN AFTER YOU MADE PEACE WITH HOW WEAK AND UNREMARKABLE YOU ARE, pLACING YOUR TRUST IN HER HANDS THAT SHE'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE PERSON WHO MEANS THE MOST TO YOU IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE THROUGH THICK AND THIN, tHAT WHEN SHE WAS NEEDED THE MOST SHE TURNED ON THEM AND TRIED TO KILL THEM?

CAT: bECAUSE I FELT IT,

CAT: i FELT ALL OF IT,

CAT: sO I DECIDED TO MAKE YOU FEEL IT TOO,

CAT: i TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT YOU COULDN'T SEE,

CAT: jUDGING EVERYONE AROUND YOU, lIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS HOW SCREWED UP THE WORLD IS AND WHAT THE RIGHT CHOICE IS,

CAT: sO HOW DOES IT FEEL, nOW THAT YOUR PRECIOUS SIGHT IS GONE?

CAT: hOW,

CAT: dOES,

CAT: iT,

CAT: fEEL?!?

CGC: ...

CAA: i

CAA: but y0u

CAT: i THINK i GOT MY POINT ACROSS,

CAT: i HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS,,,

CCC: o)( god...

CCA: i suppose that about covvers that

CAA: n0! N0! this cant be it! vriska is clearly trying to manipulate him!

CAA: he had t0 have been c0axed int0 this!

CAG: You're lying.

CAT: ,,,wHAT?

CAT: wHAT DO YOU MEAN?

CAG: You're lying! YOU'RE LYING!!!!!!!!

CCC: Vriska, you can't just say t)(at after all )(e just said!

CAG: NO I DID TH8S! TAVR8S IS LY8NG! HE COULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF THIS ON HIS 8WN!

CAT: nO! iM NOT LYING,,,!

CAG: YOU 8RE!!!!!!!!

CAT: bUT,,,vRISKA, i'M TELLING THE TRUTH,,,

CAT: i'M TRYING TO HELP YOU,,,!

CCA: this is wwhat you call help!? wwhat the fuck are you doin!?

CAG: Why!? After everything you've heard me do, after I've 8roken my promise, why the FUCK would you want to help me!?!?!?!?

CCC: Vriska...

CAG: I HAD TO HAVE FORCED YOU TO DO TH8S!

CAG: YOU COULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS!

CAG: YOU C8N'T!

CAG: YOU'RE T88 K8ND, YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO 8E TH8S!!!!!!!!

CAG: S8Y THAT YOU'RE LYING! DO IT!!!!!!!!

CAG: PLE8SE!!!!!!!!

CAA: i...n0, this must be s0me bit, y0u cant actually be

CGC: 1

CGC: 1 DON'T TH1NK H3S LY1NG

CAA: N0, HE HAS T0 BE!

CAA: N0, FUCK!

CURRENT apocalypseArisen [CAA] closed memo.

...

One would wonder how everyone was doing, particularly Tavros since there was no way he could've taken any of this well. You would think he'd have people by his side. However, the moment he was no longer at risk of choking on his tongue, the Knight and Rogue decided it would be best if they respected his independence. Frankly, they could tell that he doesn't like being patronized right now even though they were worried. Despite Nepeta asking, Karkat said he needed to focus on his own endeavors and Nepeta focused on hers. That said, he did say that conversations may be had when emergencies arised. Naturally, once the two arrived at their Hives, they would go over conversations they forgot to have. In Nepeta's case, she would be talking with Equius...and she would find herself in shock. The conversation went on for a while, but one thing was clear. She had to tell this to someone.

AC: : OO < is this really true?

CT: D--> It is absurd to believe, I am aware, but I can assure that it worked

CT: D--> Words cannot fully describe how hopeful I felt

CT: D--> Granted, it costed me a great amount of sleep, but I can take solace knowing I was able to save her

AC: : (( < its just...should nepeta tell everyone?

CT: D--> I'm uncertain about that

CT: D--> I truly wish I could deliver the news, but I fear it may cause some unnecessary strife

CT: D--> Although...some people may need to hear it more than others

AC: : (( < like pawlux right?

CT: D--> ...Yes, although I'm rather concerned about how he'll react knowing the circumstances that allowed her survival

AC: : SS < nepeta is sure he wont be mad!

CT: D--> I hope you are correct in your assumption

CT: D--> Oh

CT: D--> My apologies! I have to go

CT: D--> I...think this may be the time to start circulating the news

CT: D--> Just please don't say too many intimate details

CT: D--> I intend to avoid any misconceptions about what had occured

AC: :33 < nepeta promises! its just

AC: : (( < it is so overwhelming...

CT: D--> I know it is

CT: D--> Please stay well

centaursTesticle ceased trolling arsenicCatnip [AC]

Nepeta was slumped against her wall. She was in shock. She had gone through a massive amount of whiplash. She recalled in the midst of Tavros' ramblings, they heard it. That Aradia had died. They couldn't believe, but as they've made multiple attempts to message her only to get nothing, they feared for the worst. However, with what Equius revealed, she felt a bit of hope. She had to tell Karkat about this and-Oh, he was already messaging her.

carcinoGeneticist [CG] started trolling arsenicCatnip [AC]

CG: NEPETA, PLEASE ANSWER THIS IMMEDIATELY.

CG: I AM...NOT FEELING WELL RIGHT NOW!

AC: : (( < whats going on?

CG: IT'S SOLLUX.

CG: HE JUST MESSAGED ME RIGHT NOW.

CG: I KNEW THINGS WOULD GET BAD AFTER WHAT WE HEARD TAVROS RAMBLE ABOUT.

CG: I TRIED NOT TO BELIEVE IT, BUT

CG: OH GOD.

CG: OH FUCK, OH FUCK, OH FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!

AC: : (( < karkat is scaring nepeta

AC: : (( < what happened?!

CG: I JUST

CG: I CAN'T DESCRIBE IT.

CG: YOU HAVE TO READ THIS! PLEASE HURRY.

-- carcinoGeneticist [CG] sent arsenicCatnipe [AC] the file "la2tme22age2.txt" -

AC: :33 < oh no. oh nononononono!!!!

CG: IS... IS IT REALLY TRUE!? WAS VRISKA REALLY THE ONE TO KILL ARADIA!?

AC: :33 < no!!! nepeta talked with equius. aradia is hurt, but lives!! she lives!!!

CG: OH GOD THEN THAT IDIOT IS GOING TO TRY AND SUICIDE BOMB VRISKA'S HIVE FOR NO FUCKING REASON, SHIT!!!

AC: :33 < well... maybe not no reason...

CG: GAH!!! FUCK, PROCESS COMPLEX FEELINGS OF HURT AND BETRAYAL LATER, SAVE DUMBASS BEST FRIEND NOW!!!

...

The Biclops found itself chained to the roof alone once more. It wondered where its troll had gone. He usually isn't this reclusive from them. They knew they give him a lot of trouble whenever he tried to feed them, but they still cared. A low moan was let out as they waited for them to arrive.

Below the roof of the Hive, however, that troll was finding himself holding a jar of mind honey. He felt sick looking at it. He was looking to Trollian, trying to find any reason not to do it. He briefly looked at his ChumpRoll. He could swear he had seen Aradia's status go online. He wanted to message her. To make sure it really was her and not some asshole hacker who hijacked her handle. However, he felt scared. What could he say to her? After what he had done? Destroying her Hive, killing her Lusus, obliterating everything else around it...even if by some bullshit miracle, she was alive, there was no way she'd forgive him. Still...he couldn't just sit here.

He couldn't just sit by and let things get worse. He had to do this no matter the cost. Just as he was about to open it, however, he paused. He thought about the words he had sent to Karkat. He thought if he had just aired out his plans. Even if he was going to protest it, Sollux had to let someone know what would happen to him. However...would it really be worth it? He hated how capricious his thoughts would end up being. He wasn't a purpleblood, but given his bifuricated nature, he may as well be. More importantly...Karkat still cared for him. Would hurting him and what little friends they have left really be worth it? Sollux started to put the jar down...only for a message to come up. Sollux felt his stomach twist when he saw the handle.

undyingumbrage [uu] started jeering twinsArmageddon [TA]

uu: GREETINGS, MuSTARD MALE! ARE YOu STILL LEAKING FROM YOuR EYES OVER THE LOSS OF YOuR RuST COLORED WOMANFRIEND? OR WAS IT GIRLFRIEND? A FRIEND THAT IS A GIRL, PERHAPS? I COuLD NEVER uNDERSTAND WHAT YOu TWO WERE.

TA: oh gog, 2hut up, 2hut the FUCK up!

uu: OH, DOES MY PRESENCE uPSET YOu? I MuST SAY, IT WAS PAINFuL WITNESSING YOu WAKE uP AND SCREAM YOuR LuNGS OuT AFTER ALL THE FIREWORKS YOu MADE. BuT NOT THE KIND OF PAINFuL THAT INDICATES THAT I SOMEHOW WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT YOu ARE FEELING

uu: BuT RATHER THE KIND OF PAINFuL THAT MAKES ME WONDER WHY THE FuCK AM I SuBJECTING MYSELF TO YOuR INSuFFERABLE ANGST!?

TA: ii blocked 3 fuckiing tiime2 now! how the fuck are you 2tiill gettiing through?!

uu: I AM A BEING WHO CANNOT BE STOPPED IN HIS PuRSuITS! YOu THINK YOu CAN STOP ME, BuT IN TRUTH, I AM ALWAYS THERE! I AM ALREADY THERE, ONE COuLD SAY.

uu: AND I AM HERE NOW BECAuSE I SEE YOu SuRVEYING YOuR DELECTABLE BuT DEADLY NECTAR!

TA: miind honey ii2 not delectable. iit ta2te2 liike 2hiit, iit make2 me feel liike 2hiit, iit turn2 everythiing two 2hiit, IIT'2 FUCKIING 2HIIT!

uu: RIDICuLOuS. HONEY IS ALWAYS DELECTABLE. IT IS ONE OF THE MANY SWEET TREATS THAT MAKE uP MY ABODE WITH MY SHITTY SISTER.

uu: OF COuRSE, NONE OF YOu GREY-SKINNED WORMS KNOW WHAT A SISTER IS.

uu: YOu ARE BOTH uNFORTuNATE AND FORTuNATE.

uu: uNFORTuNATE IN THE SENSE THAT YOu DO NOT KNOW THE INTRICICES OF SIBLINGHOOD AND FORTuNATE BECAuSE YOU ARE NOT SuBJECTED TO THE INSuFFERABLE WHIMS OF A NEuROTIC FuCKING NINNY!

uu: IN ANY CASE, IF YOu TRuLY BELIEVE THIS HONEY IS NOT DELECTABLE, THEN WHY DO YOu HOLD IT? CuRIOuS.

TA: ii wa2 goiing to feed my lu2u2 wiith thii2, but

TA: ii wa2 als2o thiinkiing about goiing after her

TA: the BIITCH who cau2ed all thii2 bull2hiit iim 2tuck wiith.

uu: AH, THAT'S A SPIRIT I CAN BE IN TuNE WITH. A MuTuAL HATRED OF A BITCH.

uu: AND IF I uNDERSTAND, IT IS THE SAME BITCH WHO CONTROLLED YOu.

uu: THE BLuE ONE WITH THE STuPID HAIR AND EYES.

uu: NOT TO BE CONFuSED WITH THE OTHER BLuE ONE. THE MALE ONE.

uu: HOWEVER, I HATE THEM BOTH.

uu: THEY ARE BOTH INSuFFERABLE IN THEIR OWN EQuALLY DISGuSTING WAYS.

uu: DO YOu INTEND TO REVEL OVER THEIR CORPSES ONCE YOu OBILERATRE THEM?

uu: IT WOuLD BE A DELIGHT TO WITNESS.

TA: no. wiith what ii had planned, ii wouldnt be moviing anywhere.

uu: OH, I SEE! SO YOU WISH TO TAKE THE PATH OF MARTYRDOM. SuCH AN OVERRATED CHOICE.

uu: AT THE SAME TIME, HOWEVER, IT WOuLD BE HILARIOuS TO SEE THOSE TWO BOZOS GET WIPED OuT BY A BITCH-FACED LOSER LIKE YOu

TA: iif thii2 ii2 your attempt two goad me iinto doiing iit, youre doiing a 2hiit job. be2iide2, iim not even planniing to go after zahhak

uu: AH, BuT DON'T YOu WISH TO GET YOuR REVENGE ON HIM AS WELL? FOR WASTING YOuR WOMAN'S TIME? GROVELING TO HER WHIMS WHILE WASTING HIS PERFECT BODY ON AIDING HER?

TA: 2he

TA: 2he told me iit wa2 nothiing 2eriiou2...

uu: AND YOu BELIEVE THAT BITCH?! HA. HA HA. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

uu: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

uu: FuCK, THAT'S RICH.

TA: holy 2hiit, 2hut the fuck up.

TA: lii2ten good, douche. ii tru2t aa

TA: 2he wa2 alway2 there for me and

TA: and even iif they ended up beiing a fuckiing thiing, ii wouldnt hold iit agaiin2t her!

uu: OH, PLEASE. LIKE YOu TRuLY BELIEVE THAT.

uu: I SWEAR, YOu WORMS GIVE ME A MIGRAINE WITH YOuR INSuFFERABLE INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS, WHETHER THEY'D BE ESTABLISHED FOR PROCREATION, COOPERATION, OR

uu: uGH, "FRIENDSHIP."

uu: IN ANY CASE, YOu MuST FEEL SO MuCH AGONY KNOWING THAT THOSE TWO WERE LIKELY THE LAST TWO WHO INTERACTED WITH HER.

uu: YOu TECHNICALLY COuNT, BuT YOU WERE BASICALLY BEING PILOTED BY ONE OF THEM.

uu: AND YOu STILL HESITATE TO ATTACK THEM.

uu: IS THAT A SENSE OF...COWARDICE I DETECT?

TA: no, fuck you. that'2 not gonna work.

uu: WHAT WON'T? ME TELLING YOu THAT BY REFuSING TO ACT ON YOuR RAGE, YOu PROVE HOW IMPOTENT YOu TRuLY ARE?

uu: COME ON, MuSTARD MALE!

uu: YOu HAVE THE POWER OF A BOMB IN YOu!

uu: DO NOT LET IT GO TO WASTE!

uu: DO YOu WISH FOR YOuR DEAR RuST GIRL TO DIE IN VAIN?

TA: 2he wont. iin fact, 2he could be aliive!

uu: AH, BuT THE SOuNDS OF HER BONES SHATTERING SAY OTHERWISE!

uu: CAN YOu IMAGINE THE AGONY SHE MuST HAVE FELT AS HER WHOLE BODY IS REDuCED TO A PASTE?

uu: KNOWING IT WAS BECAuSE OF YOu?

TA: IIT

TA: IIT WA2N'T ME!

uu: THEN WHO WAS IT?

TA: IIT WA2 THAT FUCKIING BIITCH VRII2KA!

uu: AND WHAT DOES THAT BITCH VRISKA DESERVE?!

TA: TWO GET FUCKIING NUKED FROM ALTERNIIA!

uu: THEN DO IT! GIVE THAT BITCH A FuCKING NuKE!

twinsArmaggedon [TA] blocked undyingumbrige [uu]

He couldn't take it. He can't just let this go on any longer. The pain needed to stop one way or another and if it was going to end, he might as well take the worst kind of people with him. He wondered if this would actually kill him, but he didn't care. He was going to burn himself out until he died. If it meant taking out a blue asshole or two, it would've been worth it. Sollux felt the lid turn. This was it. He was going to fucking do this. He was going to-

"SOLLUX!"

Just as the lid came off, Sollux heard the door to his Respiteblock shatter open. He didn't even have time to react as the next thing he knew, the jar in his hand was swatted out, breaking through the window as it fell out. "NO!" The goldblood shrieked out as he tried to grab it only to feel a pair of arms wrap around him in a full nelson. "L-LET ME GO!!" Sollux pleaded as he felt himself being pulled down in a hold. He was panicking as he was pulled as far away from his Apiculture Network as possible to ensure he wouldn't get a lick of honey.

"S-STOP! JUST PLEASE LISTEN...!" Karkat found himself on the verge of breaking as he heard Sollux's yells. He knew he was hurting, but he couldn't just stand around and do nothing. He doesn't know what Sollux had to deal with right before he got here, but he could at least give him some hope. He just prayed that Sollux could listen.

"Fuck, just let me go!!" Sollux begged, trying to pry himself free. It would've been so easy, SO FUCKING EASY, to just use his psionics to pry himself out of Karkat's grip... but he could never hurt his best bro. Not... not after what he'd done. "I have to do thith, okay!?"

"NO YOU FUCKING DON'T!!" Karkat shot back, and, to Sollux's shock, actually managing to get him into a pretty harsh joint lock. Since when did his scrawny fuck of a best friend get this strong? "LOOK, I GET THAT YOU'RE HURTING, I FUCKING GET IT!! BUT YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THIS!!"

"Like fuck I don't!! I...I killed her. And even if I fucking didn't!!" Sollux shot back, shades falling as he whipped his head to meet Karkat's gaze dead on... tears spilling from his glowing, dual-colored eyes. "I hurt her, KK. I fucking ruined her life. She'th my oldest fucking friend, and I RUINED HER!! All becauthe of that FUCKING SPIDERBITCH!!! I... I can't forgive myself. I have to-"

BAM!!

Sollux froze, one hand tentatively lifting up to his cheek, wincing at the tender spot now on it. He stared incredulously at the utterly furious look on Karkat's face. "Did... did you just fucking PUNCH ME!?"

"YEAH, AND I'VE GOT A HUNDRED MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM IF YOU WANT TO INSIST ON BEING SUCH A FUCKING MORON!!" Karkat screamed, arm reared back. Sollux braced himself... only to find himself pulled into a hug. "You absolute FUCKING idiot...! How fucking selfish can you get!! Do you really think Aradia's so fucking shallow that she'd blame YOU for something you were forced to do? That she'd be happy with you throwing away your life in some moronic revenge stunt!? HUH!? What about me? Tavros? Gamzee!? KANAYA!?!? DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK ANY OF US WOULD BE HAPPY WITH YOU GONE!?"

Sollux wept. His fingers dug into the soil as he all but slammed into the ground. "I can't do it! I can't... I can't keep hurting my friendth like this, KK!! All I do ith just utterly fuck up every goddamn thing I touch. So why the fuck shouldn't I try to make something worthwhile of thith worthlethth fucking life and get rid of thomeone who doeth nothing but hurt otherth!?"

"Because you'd be just giving her what she wants." Karkat replied softly, voice so low that Sollux strained to hear it for a moment. "Am I fucking pissed off royally at Vriska right now? Absolutely. But if you went out and killed her, you'd be giving her what she wants; a way to escape the consequences of her actions. When you're dead, you are just fucking DEAD. That's where your fucking story ends!!! You can't fuck anything up, yeah, but you can't make anything better! Killing her, and killing yourself too... you'd just be saying that THAT is all either of you would ever amount to. That THAT is where your stories end. That she won't ever face lasting consequences of her actions, and have to confront what she did. That she can avoid seeing how she hurt the people she called her fucking FRIENDS by going and DYING. Are you really gonna let her get that? ARE YOU!?"

Sollux was shaking at that moment. Karkat was struggling to keep his voice low as he spoke. It was always a problem for him and it didn't help Sollux's mood, but...he was right. He remembered his attempts to threaten her. How she'd just let it all go past her. How she seemingly welcomed it. Did...Did she want him to hate her? Did she want him to kill her? He then thought about one of his last conversations with Aradia, when she tried to recruit him as a replacement player. She sounded so excited to be a Clouder and he remembered her saying how excited she was that they might be able to converge the teams. As he thought this, Sollux started to clutch his head. "I...should've been there from the start..." He sobbed in a lower tone. "Maybe if I had backed up TV in place of FF, thingth wouldn't gotten thith bad..."

Karkat could feel himself start to panic. "Dude, no, you couldn't have known things would get this dangerous! I understand how it feels when you think you should've been somewhere, but that doesn't automatically make it your fault-" Karkat then flinched as Sollux's eyes flashed.

"IT ITHSS! IF I WATHN'T THUCH A FUCKING PUTHSY ABOUT MY OWN POWERTH, ABOUT TALKING TO PEOPLE, TAVROTH WOULDN'T BE A CRIPPLE AND ARADIA..." Sollux found himself stopping as he slumped. "Aradia...I thould've thaid something to her before thhe left. The thought that the latht two people she'd talk to were thothe fucking blue thhitheels..." He started to curl up. He hated how he looked so weak, but at this point, it felt fitting for him. Karkat's hand trembled as he tried to hold his knees. "It'th true...I'm a fucking impotent jealouth lother whothe firtht friend died in vain..." Sollux whimpered. "ud was right..."

Those initials...triggered something with Karkat. He felt his stomach wanting to escape his mouth as he pictured that conversation. How he was called a cancer, how he would doom and subvert everyone around him, how he would always fail...and now he's trying to make Sollux think all these things about himself? ...FUCK. THAT. Karkat gritted his teeth as he grabbed Sollux's shoulders. "No, NO, NO, HE'S FUCKING NOT! THE LAST PERSON YOU SHOULD BE CALLING RIGHT UNDER ANY STRETCH OF THE FUCKING IMAGINATION IS HIM! YOU'RE NOT IMPOTENT! YOU'RE A FUCKING PSIIONIIC AND EVEN IF YOU WEREN'T IMMUNE TO MIND CONTROL BULLSHIT, YOU'RE STILL STRONG AS HELL! WHILE I CAN'T JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT YOUR FEELINGS TOWARDS ARADIA COUNT AS JEALOUSY, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE CARE YOU HAVE FOR HER IS GENUINE AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THE FEELINGS ARADIA SHARES WITH YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY MUTUAL. And...you're not a loser." Karkat's voice started to break. He did everything he could to make sure his eyes weren't leaking. He was used to hiding them at this point.

"You own a cavalcade of Game Grubs and have skills in both coding and networking that would make anyone in the colony jealous, myself included!" Karkat admitted. "Even if you're not the best at talking with people, you always know what's on their minds! You somehow know how to counter all of my bullshit even when I start devolving into my shitheaded tangents! And...and I know for a fact that you're a great fucking friend! I know this...and Aradia knows it..." He trembled as he noticed Sollux sulking more.

"You're forgetting your past tense, you dumbass. I'm pretty sure you meant knew..." Sollux started to say.

"I didn't." Karkat interrupted him, shocking Sollux. "Aradia knew and she still knows..." Karkat stated.

"...You can't mean that..." Sollux tried to deny it. What Karkat was implying here felt absurd. He saw it. He saw the ruined plains, the shattered Hive, the collapsed cave. How could this possibly be?

"I do. I don't know how it exactly happened, but..." Karkat gripped on Sollux's shoulders. He really wished he knew the right way to reveal it, but Sollux needed to know this.

"She...she survived."

She survived. Those two words reverberated through Sollux's body and soul. He had acknowledged the possibility, true, but had considered it so unlikely that to even TRY to have hope in it was just setting himself up for further pain. Just goes to show that even when trying to avoid being screwed over by the universe, it found a new way to rip the rug from under him.

He looked up into Karkat's face, and swore he could see a faint gleam of red inside them. A shaky smile stretched across his face. "You actually mean it. You actually fucking mean it."

"I don't lie, man. I might withhold stuff and keep things close to my chest, but I Do Not Lie." Karkat asserted, clapping Sollux on the shoulder.

The duality-themed Troll clutched his own head, thoughts swimming. "Just... how!?"

Karkat glanced to the side, clicking his tongue. "...I don't know the details. But I got it from Nepeta. You can probably figure it out from there."

Sollux very much could. Of fucking COURSE that sweating douche was involved... and yet, for once, Sollux couldn't bring himself to be upset by this. For the first time ever, the thought of Equius Zahhak brought him nothing but pure, undiluted gratitude. A gratitude that would carry him far... because he damn well knew that for whatever his other faults... Zahhak would sooner gut out his own heart than let Aradia die. Tears spilled down his face as he all but clawed at his eyes. "She's really fucking alive...! And I... I almost...!"

"Almost means fuck all. What matters is that you didn't, and are smart enough not to try a second fucking time!" Karkat interjected, lightly chopping Sollux on the head. Grunting, he helped hoist Sollux onto his feet, before carefully steering the Goldblood over to one of his sparse chairs. "Sit your ass there while I go make something. You look like you're one step away from blowing your own brains out."

It was more accurate than Sollux wished to acknowledge. He sat there, reclining in silence, mind struggling to process the revelations that had fallen onto him. Aradia, his... fuck. He really hadn't ever pinned down what they were, had he? But who cares. She was someone who he held dear to his heart... and thanks to Karkat, now he had a chance of actually apologizing in person for his fuck-ups.

He smirked when Karkat stalked back into the block, dropping a nutritional plateau with a simple but filling sandwich layered on top. Jelly, grub sauce, roughage, some chunky cuts of meat, with the 'bread' being noodles arranged into squares and then fried to a crispy perfection. He loved the weird looks he got in public whenever he had one of these outside of his Hive. "Didn't know you knew my fave."

"Well, when a full ten percent of the complaints I get that I have to mediate are folks whining about those disgusting things, it wasn't hard for me to pick up on it." Karkat grunted, slumping down next to his friend. "How you holding up?"

"Like shit." Sollux announced through a mouthful of food, chuckling at the disgusted look Karkat gained in response. Swallowing, he gaze off into the distance, thoughtful. "...Fucking Serket."

"Yeah... she shouldn't have done that to you, man." Karkat agreed, even if he was decidedly less heated than Sollux himself.

"I just... what the fuck is her deal!?" Sollux shouted, throwing the now empty plateau across the room, shattering it against the wall. Karkat watched in science as he stood there, panting in grief and outrage. "...If I ever see her again. I'm gonna probably try and kill her. And the worst part is that even when I do, I'll probably hate myself for it. Because for all the ways she's just fucked up and fucked over my life... she's also done a lot of good for it. And I hate it."

Because of Vriska, Aradia was at MINIMUM horrifically injured and maimed. Because of Vriska, Karkat had grown into himself as a leader and gained the respect of his fellow Trolls. It was like every good change she caused created another bad change too. And it ate Sollux up inside. He chuckled, hollowly. "It's funny. She ruined my life... but if it hadn't been for her... I never would've learned what your hue was..."

For a moment, Karkat was starting to smile. This...this was healthier. Granted, he didn't need to throw the plate, but it wouldn't be a feelings jam if it didn't involve something breaking. He was relieved that he was able to talk Sollux down from doing the worst. He was actually starting to feel his heart being lifted as Sollux started to list off some honest-to-gog positives about meeting Vriska...and then he heard those words.

"Your hue..."

Karkat's whole body froze. He was starting to find himself struggling to stay still. Sollux noticed this quickly. The Goldblood tightened his lips as he waited for Karkat's response. "I-I...I mean, I always wear it on my sweater. I'm the Iron in everyone's blood! You know that, right?" Karkat tried to laugh, but it was the most forced laugh Sollux had ever heard. When Sollux hesitated to answer, Karkat was starting to shake. "R-Right!?"

Sollux swallowed his spit nervously as he tried to find the right words to explain himself. Fuck, of all the times to let it slip... "W-When we first fought Vriska, trying to save Tavros...you were hurt pretty badly, so I had to check on you and-" Sollux then heard a thud as Karkat slammed himself against the wall. "...KK?" He asked.

Karkat's mind was racing as he took in those words. How could this have happened? Then he heard Sollux's words. When they first met Vriska. He was sure he had kept it in. He held it in his nose, he went to his bathroom, he locked the door, he-...he didn't lock the door. He didn't even close it even though someone was with him. Sollux could've just...the mutantblood started to hyperventilate as his eyes darted towards the broken doorway.

"KK, wait. I didn't tell anyone, I swear. I wouldn't-!" Sollux tried to assure him, but Karkat's heart only sank further as he immediately ran through the door frame. "Wait, KARKAT!" Sollux yelled. A part of him wanted to use his psiioniics to hold him in place, but he knew it would only make things worse. Whatever the case, Karkat immediately started to bolt, not even saying a word to Sollux as he ran. Sollux just stood there, realizing what he had done. "Oh no..." He wasn't sure what to do. He had to find help, but who the hell could he talk to about this? Then he remembered his conversation with her...and he knew there was only one who could understand what was going on.

Meanwhile, Karkat was bolting on his feet. He should've been paralyzed with fear, but every part of his body was screaming at him to RUN. He couldn't even muster up the courage to swear under his breath. He was just wheezing and sobbing as he sprinted. He could feel his eyes getting wet. To his horror, he was shedding tears. Bright red tears. "no, no, nonononononono...!" Karkat had to cover his eyes, doing everything he could to shield his leaking eyes from any troll who might have seen him. He knew his way around his colony enough to find the most isolated route to go through with his eyes covered. He couldn't let anyone see him. See what he truly was. Why...why did this happen? How long did he know? How long have THEY known? And how much more time did he really have? In his mind with all those questions, he knew one thing for certain.

He couldn't risk getting them hurt for him.

...

"FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!" Vriska screamed, throwing one of her black oracles against the wall of her Hive. Predictably, it shattered... a lot harder than normal, wow. This robo-arm was gonna take some getting used to. Gritting her teeth, she slammed her forehead against the wall, uncaring of the trickle of her own blood she drew in the process. "This is all just a fucked up lie that Aradia cooked up to fuck with me, payback for getting back at her!!!"

Yes, that had to be it!! There was no possibility that Tavros, her light in this fucking shithole of a world, that made it easier to bare Mindfang's legacy and put up with her fucking nightmare of a Lusus, could ever do something so cruel! So wicked! So... like her... "FUCK!!!"

Tears slid down her face. All of this was wrong. It was all just so fucking wrong! Aradia should have died. It would've been a mercy upon her. Vriska HERSELF should have died, it was only just given her sins. But Terezi? Terezi had done nothing but abide by the terms she and Vriska had agreed to as she understood them, even if she and Aradia were both a bunch of wrongy-wrong wrongersons!!! Thinking she'd ever deliberately hurt Tavros...

Tavros... She knew what she had to do. Swiping away her tears, she made sure that her Rocket Boots were still in place, and kicked off. She had to see a fairy-loving boy.

...

What had he done? Those were the first thoughts that came to mind for Tavros as the Memo was closed. What HAD he DONE? Between the aneurysm, blood loss, and pain from his accident, it was not wrong to say that Tavros wasn't exactly in fine form for critical thinking. But one didn't need to be a genius for the truth to slowly sink in.

And how did it ever sink. The cold pit that formed in his stomach as he read over the Memo was... unsettling. Vriska had maimed Aradia. And used Sollux to do it. He'd learned this before, but was in no shape at the time to act on it. And when Terezi dropped her bombshell... it was like he'd been possessed. Like a raging hurricane had appeared in his blood pusher, driving him to his wildest impulses.

His arms clutched his stomach, trembling, as he reread his own words... at the poisonous HATE he'd unleashed in front of everyone. Every negative emotion. Every intrusive thought. Every singular time he'd wanted to just scream and scream and SCREAM at not just Terezi, but his ENTIRE TEAM for abandoning him and Compy, casting them aside. He'd even resented Aradia a little at times. But he'd thought he was better than that. That he was stronger than his negative emotions... like how Vriska was.

But instead, he'd lost control of himself, and lashed out like a FUCKING WIGGLER WITH THEIR FIRST SPECIBUS!!! H-He'd STOLEN Terezi's sight! He'd maimed one of his friends because he was too weak to take it on the chin like Vriska did. How... how could he ever face any of them again? What could he even say??

"T-Tavros...?"

She was here. Looking at him with those tear filled eyes. God he must look pathetic right now, to make that happen. But he couldn't back down; he couldn't be a weak little wiggler in front of her when she needed him to be strong. So, despite being in not a small amount of pain... Tavros forced himself to smile. "H-Hey, Vriska...! It's... it's been a while, since, um, you visited my Hive! Hehe."

Vriska floated there, in her awesome Rocket Boots that Tav always wanted to try out, and then... "TAVROS!!!"

Flew down, pulling him into an almost crushing hug... scratch that, it was a crushing hug. He wheezed, and with a sheepish expression, Vriska released him, allowing him to suck in some much needed air. "Th-thanks."

Vriska cleared her throat, slapping her cheeks as she forced herself to focus. To think about literally ANYTHING ELSE aside from the fact that he was in a wheelchair. Because of her. "Okay, enough of that wiggler emotional shit, it's time we get to the bottom of this!! Tav, you need to tell me what dirt Aradia had on you to get you to agree to that completely ridiculous 'confession!'"

Tavros' face screwed up in regret. "Um, Vriska?"

"I mean, really? Pinning the blame on YOU, the nicest fucking guy in the world!? Clearly this is just her way of getting back at me!!" Vriska ranted, tearing out a lock of her hair with her new robo-arm on reflex. "I used to really fall for that 'gutsy nice gal' routine, but this time she crossed the line, trying to pin something that heinous on someone as sweet as you-!!"

"Vriska." Tavros said again, voice low... heavy... regretful.

Vriska froze. With great effort, she slowly turned her head, forcing herself to look at Tavros head on. She took it all in. Not just the wheelchair... but the exhausted bags under his eyes. The thick bloodstains at the corners of his lips, under his eyes, and his nose. The boundless horror in his eyes, the same kind she saw during the worst feedings. "...You really did it, didn't you?"

Tavros could only nod, never once breaking Vriska's gaze.

Her robotic arm clenched its first so tightly the metal audibly creaked. "Why? Why would you do something like this?"

"Well, I spelled out most of my motivations on the Memo..." Tavros rambled, dragging a hand through his mohawk with a haunted expression. "But honestly? I... I really don't know. I don't know WHY I decided to do it. All I know is just that... I was so completely and utterly SICK of people making decisions about me and for me, treating me like I can't be trusted to look after myself... and only bothering to tell me after the fact. S-So when she said that it was too late, that you w-were already dead... I snapped." Tavros' tear-filled eyes turned up towards Vriska. "I-I'm so sorry...!"

"You did this... for me?" Vriska asked numbly, a horror so thick in her voice that it clogged all other emotions. "Why?"

Tavros blinked. "Why wouldn't I?"

"No, this isn't how you are supposed to BE, you aren't like this, you aren't a killer, or a torturer, or a psycho!!" Vriska ranted, gripping herself so strongly that Tavros was surprised she wasn't drawing blood. "Y-You can't, you can't!!!"

"I can't WHAT?" Tavros pressed, genuine annoyance with Vriska's antics seeping into his voice for the first time since... well, EVER.

"YOU CAN'T BE A MONSTER LIKE ME!!!" Vriska screamed, face dyed blue with her own tears. Tavros stared in shock as she clawed away at her cheek, as if trying to tear out her other eye. "I'm a murderer!! I'm a monster!! I've- I've been feeding other Trolls to my Lusus for SWEEPS!! The only reason you even met me was because you got caught up in the net I used to drag in new prey!!! There isn't a single fucking thing worth living in me!!! I'm nothing, I'm just a killer. B-But somehow... you made me believe I could be more than that...! That I could be better than where I came from...!" Vriska sobbed, practically choking on her own words. "And then... and then I failed... I got so fucking obsessed with keeping you safe, that I j-just put you in danger... I turned my back on my best friend and instead of fucking TALKING with her, I tried to MURDER HER!!! Whose to say I won't-won't do the same thing with you, HUH!? So why... why the fuck would you do something like that... for trash like me...?"