randoarmy

[randoarmy]

🫡

[randoarmy]

"Spi-Spirlr T-TV?"

There are so many options on all the web pages Rando visits. It's overwhelming.

[randoarmy]

Send me ⛨ and my muse will be hired to guard yours.

Send me ➷  to be hired to guard mine.

[randoarmy]

[sms] Still here

Once prompted, Rando replies quickly, afraid of being rude. It still takes him a while to come back around and be able to

[sms] You don't have to call me Dusty, it's okay... [sms] Don't worry about derailing. There's... A LOT of stuff to cover. I guess that I only have one more question right now [sms] Are you *not* human? [sms] Sorry. That's a dumb question, actually. I guess I just assumed. Now that I think of it, this island has species other than humans, doesn't it? I've only ever seen hybrids who were part human before, so I...

He assumed most of that huge face was something decorative, like a combination of a mask and prosthetics, but pretty quickly Rando feels like a dumbass for that. Should it have been obvious? Spamton could almost pass for the caliber of isolated weirdos that roam Olathe, though...

[sms] Oh, is there anything else I said that you want more information on?

Still feeling shaken, he re-reads that last message over and over again, unsure that it actually makes sense. Once it's sent, he sits there, feeling alone and unwanted once again.

Spamton doesn't realize how quiet it's gotten until several minutes have already passed. Without the quiet buzz of his phone breaking the silence of the empty shop, he's left with his thoughts.

Left to dwell on Brad's fate, on his fate, on the fact that neither of them get their happy ending. Or even a neutral ending.

Eventually, he picks the phone back up,

[ sms ] Still there, Dusty?

That's what Rando said his actual name was, right? He'd been so quiet, just like Brad, that he'd almost had to strain to hear him,

[ sms ] Anything else you wanted to ask? [ sms ] I kind of [Off the rails!] things, didn't I

[randoarmy]

I cry...

When angels deserve to die...

[randoarmy]

So…. there's no Joy here, then? That's hard to imagine. The little blue pills have been at the source of so much destruction and strife, and Rando knows there's a good number of addicts in his own army.

Well, there were.

[sms] Yes. I wish I could explain how the mutation works but I don't think people at home understand how it happens either...

If there's no Joy here, that means Brad doesn't have it either. Maybe that should be a relief — one less dangerous vice for him adoptive father to have, but it doesn't help all that much, and Rando falls silent for several minutes.

In that time, it hits Rando slowly. Brad didn't even mention he existed sinks in. It stings. He's not sure how long he remains in place, looking at his phone without really seeing anything.

Of course Brad didn't. He doesn't want Dusty anymore.

[ sms ] It's from the Joy? [ sms ] He doesn't explain much to me [ sms ] We're from two different worlds, it's made learning about him... hard [ sms ] He was only the second human I'd seen when I got here

The way Rando's already been talking, it's easy enough to tell that there's no cure for Brad's future "mutation." It hammers home what he'd already been told, that the man is dead in the end, but something about it all feels... undeniably cruel.

At least Spamton gave up his body. But Brad... how much of him is still in there, once it happens..?

[ sms ] He mentioned when we met that he was looking for a kid [ sms ] But I didn't realize who she was to him until recently [ sms ] He never told me about you. I guess he might have never told me about her if things had gone differently [ sms ] But sometimes things happen here that take those choices from us [ sms ] They like to experiment on the people they bring in like that

Despite it all, at least he can laugh a little at Rando's expense,

[ sms ] I got your back, kiddo [ sms ] Won't breath a word of it

[randoarmy]

enjoy more lisa, here’s another rando i made some time back

[randoarmy]

This belongs to a bigger thing I’m working on that I hope to post soon but a lot of people liked this sketch alone so why not post it.

always been wary of drawing rando and digitally but I’m happy how this turned out!!

[randoarmy]

[sms] Oh. I'm sorry… [sms] I mean… I didn't know you didn't know. [sms] Joy mutants are alive, but they're more like animals than people. They can't usually talk, and if they can, I've never seen one who could say more than one word. They're violent, too, so they're mostly a danger back home.

It's difficult not to apologize again, this whole conversation feels terrible so far. It's bad enough it's honestly taking him back to the feeling of being a little kid, too anxious to speak up enough to be heard. The fact that Spamton doesn't know how these god-like "Stars" people have done all this isn't helping, either, but now's not the time for that existential crisis,

[sms] Right. Uh, I'm pretty sure Brad didn't ever get married, and I was adopted. Sorry, maybe I should've told you that at the start? [sms] Well. Not officially afopted. And... I kind of forced my way into his life anyway… [sms] *Adopted. Brad took me in when I had no one else. [sms] I think it was the same for Buddy, for the record. She told me once about something he said about the day he "found" her, so I know they aren't biologically related. [sms] I hope it doesn't sound mean at all. I'm not trying to be. But I'm guessing he didn't tell you about Buddy or me?

Rando feels like he knows the answer to that question the moment he sends it, really. He swallows hard and then runs a hand over his face, trying to feel in control but failing and then quickly sending in another text:

[sms] Please don't tell him I called him Dad before

Something about that answer... Spamton sets his phone to the side as soon as he reads it, leaning back in his seat with a deep sigh. As he exhales, he places his face in his hands as he rests his elbows against the counter.

He stays like that for several minutes, just breathing, before he finally picks up the phone again,

[ sms ] What does that mean? [ sms ] "Became a mutant?" [ sms ] So he's alive? Or is that worse?

Why is he asking? He doesn't want to know. He doesn't need to know. Knowing will only makes things worse, but what else can he do? It's the first time he's ever gotten straight answers about Brad's past.

He doesn't realize he's shaking,

[ sms ] Stop apologizing. [ sms ] We gotta work on your confidence, kid [ sms ] I don't know how they do any of it, or why. Haven't figured that out yet, but I think it has something to do with the moon. If it's even a moon [ sms ] How about my first question? The mom? Is he divorced or something? Widower?

[randoarmy]

unfortunately i have a deep love for humanity and choose to believe conditions will improve. despite it all

[randoarmy]

cling to hope until you are torn from the ivy-wall and your nails are red with belief. one day your roots will go deep and the stone will crumble underneath all the hope you’ve hoarded.  until then, you must clutch at whatever cracks you may– but if you do not hold on now, you will never rise.

[randoarmy]

can u draw rando,,, getting a smooch on the head,,,,,, Pleasse

he deserves a kiss on the head and So much more

[randoarmy]

yes hello enjoy these out of character sibling doodles, I just love these two 

[randoarmy]

Rando straightens up again, looking around to find the welcome brochure he'd been given on his ride to his new home. The Stars, he remembers that's what they're called - the people in charge of all this - once he's got it in his spare hand. He flips through it quickly, but his phone keeps going off.

The more messages come in, the colder Rando feels.

[sms] I don't know everything for sure... I was hurt very badly at the time. [sms] After the fight, he became a mutant. That's why I was so shocked when I saw him here... [sms] I'm sorry, I still don't really understand how this works... Thank you for trying to explain it, but it doesn't make much sense to me.

Rando thinks about something else. His last memory before showing up here himself. He and Buddy had ran almost across the entire country to find the warlords, and the moment they separated... Rando remembers the sensation of the barbed wire wrapping around him. And the impact of falling. And the grim sense that something in his chest had shattered. And Buddy promising to make it quick.

But somehow...

He's here now. Rando rubs his neck. They won't let us die is incredibly eerie to read, and it keeps repeating in his head before he can finally remember to text back.

[sms] I think they took me before something very bad happened to me [sms] How do they do it? [sms] I guess you probably don't know, do you? I'm sorry [sms] Sorry

[ sms ] DONT [Live & Learn] THE WAY I DID, KID !! [ sms ] They won't let us die [ sms ] NO T HERE ANYWAY!!! [ sms ] YOU CAN [Kill or be Killed] ALL YOU WANT BUT [[it didnt stick]] !!! YOU'LL [be right back after these messages]!!

Spamton taps against his counter to the beat of the shop's quiet music, rereading that final text,

[ sms ] He told me he dies. [ sms ] THEERES NO [cure all] FOR FATE !!!!! NOT FROR US !!! [ sms ] THEY TAKE US FROM OUR [WHEN AND WHERE]!!!! AND THEY CAN PUT US BACK!! [ sms ] BUT THEY CAN;T CAHNGE IT, ONLY [don't delay] IT!!! [ sms ] IF I GO BACK I'LL STILL BE !!!!! AND HE'LL STILL [ sms ] He'll still [ sms ] He just didn't make it there yet, not before he came here. Buzzo told him. Can

He doesn't want to ask, he shouldn't ask, but...

[ sms ] Second question [ sms ] what happens to him

[randoarmy]

[sms] Wait [sms] They're back now? As in back to normal? [sms] Like they're cured of whatever was happening to them? [sms] Sorry, I'll tell you about my parents in a second but I

Rando pauses with his thumb over the keyboard, thinking about the aftermath of his fight with Brad. The immediate moments after were filled with immense pain, both of them covered in blood, but mercifully, his former teacher finally stopped attacking the second he collapsed. He remembers trying as hard as possible to keep his eyes open, as if watching whatever was about to happen next would prevent it.

It didn't work. Rando's still not entirely sure how long he was out after that, but it was long enough for his men to drag him to Rando Land and get him bandaged up. He wouldn't find out for sure until later that Brad had survived. "Survived." Mutated. He should've guessed, no one fights that hard when they're still human.

Distracted by trying to remember, Rando accidentally sends his unfinished message, leaving Spamton hanging for a moment.

[sms] *I still don't really understand. [sms] Are you saying people die but... they also don't? And...Is that also what cured Master Armstrong?

[ sms ] IV'E GOT A WHOLE [[Big Shot Pawn]] !!! [ sms ] SO MUCH [to choose from] !!! [ActFast]!!!!!!

Spamton glances up from his place at the front counter, sleepily staring at the empty entryway. He hasn't had more than a customer or two in a couple of days,

[sms] THEY LIVE HERE [sms] We knew a few of them, but they're back now [sms] NOTHING HERE EVER REALLY [People die when they are Killed]!!!! [sms] I think they're simulations, anyway.

If anybody was an expert in noticing that kind of thing, it'd be him. The possibility makes him want to vomit and he changes course immediately,

[sms] MY TURN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [sms] WHO [sms] IS YOUR [my mommy and my] ???? [sms] THEYRES [Two of them.] YOU NOW!!!! I [Need to Know] !!!!!!!!1

[randoarmy]

Rando jumps back farther than Mantis does, hating to bother someone and already feeling bad over it, but the genuine excitement Mantis has pulls him back.

He'd love to explain in words, but... "..." He grabs the bag of horse jerky he got from a stall and turns the front towards her, carefully avoiding blocking the logo and text with his fingers. While he waits for her to see it, he can't help but think...

Wow. A woman. it's so strange, the last girl he'd seen was his sister... Every time rando's reminded women live here, he's still amazed. The fact that she's female is more amazing to him than her literal alien features, those go completely unnoticed for the current moment,

If she wants to try some, he's got no qualms with sharing, and grabs a big piece of jerky and holds it out to her, hand slightly shaking.

@randoarmy (from x)

While any number of local restaurants seemed like they’d be nice to sit down and munch at, the far-stretching street called Star Trail enticed her most of all. Not only did she have a particular connection with stars, but the myriad scents emanating from all along its way fascinated her. Many were all new, but some were so familiar it almost hurt, like shed’d been brought right back to-

“Agck-!” Mantis staggered back, having bumped right into somebody in the wake of her olfactory distraction. A quick shake of her head, with the intention of apologizing immediately...

"Ohhh, what is that? " Any intention of apology has crumbled away as she beholds the peculiar cuisine this person's holding. "I would like to try some!"

[randoarmy]

[sms] I can take a look at your items some other time if that's okay? [sms] That's good to hear! I am fine, it turned out okay. Scary stuff.

Pausing in between texts, Rando releases just how much he's been leaning over the phone and straightens his back before shaking out his shoulders. He kind of has to do that to some extent, being so big, but maybe not that bad-

[sms] Okay then. [sms] Here's my first question, if that's okay [sms] Where did those people come from? [sms] Or do you know?

[ sms ] YOU DONT WANT MY [[the Trash]]????

Nobody ever does, unfortunately,

[ sms ] NOTHING WE COULDN'T COME BACK FROM!!! [ sms ] He's a LOT stronger than me, really did a number on them!! Assuming you did fine out there?

It's surprisingly... easy to talk to Rando, at least in a casual sense. Spamton's had time to come to terms with Brad having a second kid, with falling into the complicated role of being...

Well, not really a stepdad... not yet, anyway, but something close to it,

[ sms ] I got some questions for you, too, kiddo [ sms ] We'll make this a trade!!