agrestictruant

[agrestictruant]

[FORMERLY MS PAINT 

I’m gonna repurpose this blog]

[agrestictruant]

[[ Christmas morning, Dr. Paint will be finding a present from her good neighbor, Mr. Egbert. First is a basket full of three kind of muffins -- banana nut, cranberry, and blueberry. Her second gift turns out to be a record player as well as Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of Earth's greatest hits of the 20th century. ]]

She’s so happy she was included on this human holiday, she just might tear up a little! Mr. Egbert is so sweet, she’ll have to return the favor somehow.

[agrestictruant]

PAINT: -the past couple weeks had been incredibly stressful, what with crew members popping up in the infirmary suddenly thanks to "accidents" on board, rather than enemy assault. caring for the patients was one thing, but she had to wonder about the overall morale of the crew. she'd have to speak with the counselors about this, but for the time being, she was grabbing some refreshments from the break room. the only silver lining she could see from this situation was that it distracted from her own personal affairs, but she knew better than to think that was really a perk.- WQ: -Now that the Kicking-the-UU-When-It's-Down had begun to dwindle and they were actually on course to do something about putting an end to the war before bounty hunters or the Empresses or one of the other planets caught wind of them, WQ was a little more than shocked to see people turn up in the infirmary again. She'd expected it out of the trolls what with their ingrained war-like tendencies, but a human left to his own devices (literally) took the cake. Sitting at a table in the break room, back straight and drinking water from her plastic cup like it was tea, she wondered if any of the other medical staff were feeling the same fraying and nervousness she did.- PAINT: -spotting her former queen in the break room was a relief and quickly moved to join her once she acquired a beverage of her own.- hello! -she tries to stay as cheerful as usual, sliding into a seat beside her.- WQ: -At least someone's hopes are still high. She is relieved to see her, and bows her head in greeting, offering a welcoming smile.- Hello, Mitzi. How are you faring today? PAINT: oh, i'm fine! the patients are doing okay, so i certainly can't complain. -quietly sips her water- PAINT: just when we thought things were starting to settle down, though...! WQ: -breathy laugh- We as a crew cannot keep ourselves in one piece even in times of relative peace, it seems. I cannot say how well that bodes for the future. PAINT: at least i know we can handle it. but... well, i have to admit that it worries me. i've worked with mr. strider for a while now, and what happened to him seems... suspicious! PAINT: and don't even get me started on mr. nitram... i don't know what happened to him, but i don't see how it could be an accident. WQ: It would not be malcontent within the numbers, would it? Seeing how we are now, how much we must rely on one another, I cannot imagine why. PAINT: i don't know... but maybe? and maybe that's exactly why. there's a lot of tension - and it close quarters like this, anything could set off a dangerous chain reaction when everyone is out of sorts. i saw it happen from time to time back on skaia... PAINT: -sighs sadly, taking another drink before she continues- i wish we had more qualified to handle mental care, but there has to be something we can do despite that. WQ: -She tilts her head and her expression is almost understanding.- Yes, you are right. Let us hope it does not have to come to that. WQ: -she slowly turned the cup on the table, shaking her head- My only suggestion is to urge for group therapy sessions for those more willing to speak of their problems. Trolls may not be so happy with that idea, but if moirails were allowed to come as well, it might be able to solve a few things. PAINT: -brightens up with a small nod.- group therapy is a good idea! and maybe other types of therapy... like animal therapy! the science department has a lot of animal experiments, so maybe there's some friendly beastie they can spare... -she looks thoughtful as the gears turn in her head, trying to come up with more ideas.- WQ: It would certainly help with morale, I am sure. Who does not like animals? -smiles; just don't give a dog a sword. that's a no no- PAINT: -but what about giving the dogs a GUN?? just kidding, they don't have thumbs. mitzi smiles right back at her with a nod.- i can't think of anyone! hehe, though i think some people don't like to admit it... PAINT: -that thought reminds her of slick and the smile fades, her gaze cast down to her drink.- WQ: -upon seeing that smile fade, she reached across the table, offering a hand- Is something on your mind, Mitzi? PAINT: oh... -glances away, embarrassed that it's written all over her face like that.- i've just been a little sad lately, i guess. WQ: Is it situational? The conditions of why we are here? PAINT: well, yes! that's part of it... but that's always at the back of my mind, i guess. i'm used to it, in a way, you know? it's just... PAINT: -sighs- well... slick and his friends stayed behind on locas. did you know? WQ: Ah, the Midnight Crew? They are aiding the rebellion stationed there, yes? PAINT: -shakes head- i think they're going to do their own thing, actually. which is okay! i understand why they wouldn't really want to stay with us. WQ: -she nods as she listens carefully- WQ: You wished for them to stay with us. PAINT: ... -nods slowly, quietly- yeah, i did. i liked having them around... PAINT: i liked having slick around. WQ: Oh. - http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5050022/Squidward.jpg - WQ: You like him. Do you not? -Tucks one of her hands under her own chin- PAINT: -she's silent, unable to find words, but the way she covers her face with embarrassment speaks volumes.- WQ: -Bingo! but her face softens at this. Ah, love.- Does he know? Does he reciprocate? PAINT: well... -lowers her hands- i didn't tell him, no. but i think he knows. and i think he feels the same. PAINT: i do wish we could've... admitted it, before he left. WQ: Mitzi, then it is not over unless you wish it to be. Have you been keeping in contact with him? PAINT: -shakes her head- not really. it's been so busy, and i'm sure he's busy too... -she shifts, wondering if she's just making excuses- WQ: -taps the table softly in an effort to get her to look at her.- You care about him, yes? WQ: Then demand his attention! -balls her hand into a fist and hits the table on 'demand'- WQ: I do not believe that was the last we saw of that planet, so remind him of who you are: wonderful, genuine, and a thoughtful friend. These are only a handful of words to describe what you are, and you were these before he met you. WQ: If he proves that he does not wish to lose you, you will have your chance. PAINT: -she looks over, but jumps a little at the impact of fist to table. well, she certainly has her attention now. with wide eyes, she nods along with the inspirational words cast her way.- PAINT: oh, thank you! um. yes. PAINT: you're right! i should take initiative. WQ: -She's back to her calm self like she hadn't hit the table at all- Of course, Mitzi. -It does pain her to see a friend hurting.- WQ: How you proceed is up to you. -sips her water- But I do wish you luck, not that you need it. -wink. If Slick makes her sad, she's taking his other arm. No, jk, he'll just be missing out on a great gal, and that is punishment enough.- PAINT: -she's blushing again at the encouragement, thankful that qirin not only thinks so highly of her, but knows just what to say to encourage her, too. it wasn't always an easy feat to build mitzi's confidence.- PAINT: thank you, your m-- -pauses, old habits die hard- thank you, qirin. this really means a lot to me! WQ: ^_^ -Aww, she's really touched that they're on...name basis now.- If I must remind you of your worth, I will do it again. He is lucky to you have you, Mitzi. Know that. WQ: Also know that you can call me Weramiru. We're there. We've reached that point. -She's smiling and you bet your bottom boonbuck she just quoted an old musical based off a popular series starring a magical wizard boy.- PAINT: -she's a bit taken aback by that, flattered and honored in ways she can't even begin to describe, but she tries not too act too shocked out of respect for her former queen, and current friend. she smiles wide.- PAINT: okay... weramiru. thank you... for everything. you've always been so supportive of me personally and it means so much to me. i just hope i can return the favor somehow. WQ: You already have. -Smiles at her- In so many ways. Thank /you/ for being my friend. PAINT: -those words leave her heart fluttering with happiness, but it's almost overwhelming how flattered she feels and only ends up sputtering out more thank yous. how embarrassing!!- PAINT: anyway, i should get back to work!! -gulps down what remains of her drink as she gets to her feet, but the caffeine sure isn't helping her jitters. hopefully making her rounds will help her work off all that excited energy.- WQ: -she finished her water and rose to stand, ever exact and patient in her movements.- Until the next break time, Mitzi. ^_^ WQ: -Look at Ms. Paint off to destroy heal people. Tell Slick what's what. SLAY. She believes in you.- PAINT: yes!! take care!! -she waves enthusiastically, and you can practically hear her sweating as she scurries away, dropping her trash in the can at the exit before slipping through it and disappearing. she will do her very best, weramiru.-

[agrestictruant]

Medical Meeting

[The entire medical staff - Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, and Creepy Mime - have all been gathered together in the medical wing's boardroom for the final meeting as mandated by the head cheese himself. There's a long table with plenty of seats waiting to be occupied and while Dr. Paint waits for the crew to arrive near her place at the head of the table, she ensures that her notes are gathered and her presentation is, well, presentable.] KURLOZ: *mmmm head cheese* ARADIA: -she walks right in, wings a flutter- ROSE: -She makes her way into the area.  She considers herself worthy of what she has decided is a Complimentary Labcoat, because she is officially joining the Doctors in being a Medial Officer.  She'd include scare quotes if she were speaking out loud.- KANKRI: -HE'S THERE, punctual as usual. He takes note of Rose's labcoat and wishes he would have thought of that.- WQ: -As the medical quarters are right there she's already picked a seat. Boom, in a chair.- SAWTOOTH: *Appears out of no where and stands in the back* FEFETASPRITE: -chairs? Water chairs for? Fefeta is curled under a chair, glowing cutely and chinhandsing at all these official medical types filing in. They're all stuffy, the lot of them.- SQUAREWAVE: -he's right next to sawtooth, in the back. PLAYING SOME SICK RAP BEATS- KURLOZ: *does this face look stuffy to you* FEFETASPRITE: -Especially Kurloz. He's very stuffy.- SAWTOOTH: *Puts on his nurses cap while nodding to these beats* KURLOZ: *WOW.* PORRIM: -ARRIVES and has a hard time deciding where to sit. she ends up gravitating towards kankri like she often does, but she's giving kurloz a look like I'M WATCHING YOU- KURLOZ: : o) SQUAREWAVE: -is playing fight the power by public enemy- ARADIA: -goes to sit by kurloz and also waves at porrim- KURLOZ: *see, aradia knows whats up* FEFETASPRITE: -bobs her head at the music playing.- PORRIM: -plz. she waves back at aradia, though.-

DR. PAINT: -also bobs to music. you can bet it's probably the cutest thing you've ever seen. she's looking over the group, wondering if that's everyone who's planning on showing up. she'll give it a few seconds, because she does not have the meta knowledge that it is, indeed, everyone- ROSE: -She scopes out the room lowkey, one eyebrow raised.- SAWTOOTH: *Join the jam. Music and raps in the back of the room* SQUAREWAVE: THIS BIZ CALLED MUSIC THERAPY!!!! ROSE: That is at least half right. FEFETASPRITE: -scopes out Rose probably. Just kidding, she tucks herself into her jacket and tries not to feel shy around all these people.- [7:26:31 PM] Mama Mishi: SAWTOOTH: *pats Square's head because he's totally certified and they're getting therapized* SQUAREWAVE: GOOD VIBES UP IN THE HIZZY

SQUAREWAVE: NOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? ROSE: Vibrating significantly, I'm sure. DR. PAINT: -smiles at this cute lively robots, aww. but okay, time to focus. she puts her hands together and looks around- i think we can start now. DR. PAINT: first of all, thank you everyone for attending! this is some pretty important stuff we're going to cover. DR. PAINT: -she pulls out a big box from under the table. and inside that box are a bunch of SMALLER BOXES. more specifically, compact med kits- FEFETASPRITE: -rises from under her chair and hopes to sniff at the boxes.- ARADIA: -nudges kurloz and signs 'that looks so cool' as inconspicuously as possible- KURLOZ: : o) *nod nod, he totally agrees.  What isn't cool about mysterious boxes that are obviously med boxes* DR. PAINT: -she may sniff! especially once she starts to pass them around- i want to start off by giving everyone their own kit of medical supplies, the very best and advanced that i could scrape together right now. you never know when an emergency might occur! so i want everyone to be prepared. DR. PAINT: my goal is to make sure everyone on the ship has one, but you guys get priority for the time being. feel free to look inside! -there's all sorts of neat space aged travel sized gizmos in there alongside more traditional medical supplies- ROSE: -One of the boxes hovers its way over to Rose's waiting hands, and she peeks inside at the objects within.-  We don't need some sort of certification to use... whatever these are? ARADIA: -she looks inside hers and looks over at kurloz again, signing, 'i wonder if you can perform autopsies with these at any place like outside on a planet or in the cafeteria'- SAWTOOTH: *Takes one and holds* SQUAREWAVE: -takes one and spills it all over the floor- WQ: -what kind of gizmos? This box is like a portable hospital and she wondered if there was an inflatable OR table inside.- SQUAREWAVE: HOT DIGGITY DAMN SAWTOOTH: *GJ* SAWTOOTH: *But he'll help a bro out* DR. PAINT: -squarewave no... the gizmos mostly deal with quick sealing and opening of flesh, like mini lasers and the like.- for the more complicated devices, i can give those of you with less experience an explanation and certify you myself! -that's just how things are gonna have to work around here- hmm, i might even hold a seminar sometime... but we can worry about that a little later. KURLOZ:  *signs back to aradia* REGARDLESS I HAVE NO NEED.  ALL THE KNOWLEDGE OF MIRACULOUS RESTORATION AND MYSTERIES SOLVED ARE CONTAINED WITHIN MINE NUG.  *points at his head* FEFETASPRITE: -takes the box with eager paws. Is there really a laser in here?? How EXCITING!!!- ARADIA: -she smiles at him and signs back 'that much is true! i wonder if there is anything to help ananya breathe in here'- DR. PAINT: -giving lasers to excitable catfish ghosts might not have been her best plan, but dammit, she did it anyway.- next i'd like to talk about what to do in an emergency situation, whether it be on the ship or in the field. DR. PAINT: -"in the field" might not be an applicable term now since they aren't really military or a taskforce anymore, but old habits die hard. this is the part where her presentation flashes a graphic that says WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY. it's a very pretty presentation. dr. paint is apparently skilled in graphic design as well- SAWTOOTH: *Nods at her ace gd skills* WQ: -this is so exciting- SQUAREWAVE: -vibrates at all these good designs- ROSE: -She's not really sure she should even BE here anymore.  She's not really a doctor and not actually a therapist, either, but old habits, as mentioned.  Her usual policy in an emergency was to let slip the dogs of war, but maybe a small exception could be made.- FEFETASPRITE: -Dogs?? Where???- KURLOZ: *he is watching SO INTENTLY* DR. PAINT: should an emergency occur, i'll be giving you all directions to act out a process in which we divide the wounded up into three groups. DR. PAINT: those who will likely survive regardless of the care they receive. those who are likely to die, also regardless of their care. and finally those who's immediate care is assured to have a positive outcome. DR. PAINT: luckily, we've had very few casualities here, so we hopefully won't have to worry about the second one too much! DR. PAINT: but it's important that we prioritize to keep things running efficiently and so we can help as many people as we can. does that make sense so far? ARADIA: -nods- SQUAREWAVE: YEAH DOGG!!!!!!!!!!! ROSE: So far, yes. SAWTOOTH: *Thumbs up* DR. PAINT: -yay!!- to further effeciency, i'm going to appoint everyone specific jobs. DR. PAINT: it will be the responsibility of available nurses and therapists to gather the wounded and bring them back to the higher ranking medical officers if the wounds are not something they can immediately treat themselves. but in either case, bringing them to safety will be your job. DR. PAINT: this way our fighters can focus on offense instead of defending the wounded. of course, some of you may be the ones harmed and exceptions will have to be made, but that's how we'll try to keep things running smoothly! DR. PAINT: i'll also need therapists to help keep the wounded calm in emergency situations if immediate medical attention can't be provided. DR. PAINT: -looks at them all like does this sound good?- KURLOZ: *TWO THUMBS UP* ROSE: That sounds reasonable. ARADIA: sounds great to me! SQUAREWAVE: GOOD VIBRATIONS DR. PAINT: -tiny claps as she continues with her presentation- additionally, from now on, we're going to ensure that at least one medical officer is available for every mission. er... well, i guess they're not really missions now... but whenever we leave the ship in collectives, an officer must be present! DR. PAINT: since there's been quite a few incidents that should have been harmless but um... weren't. and who knows what we might encounter now that our circumstances are what they are. DR. PAINT: so be prepared for that. DR. PAINT: under these circumstances, bring the wounded back to where ever safety may be. whether it's the ship or the nearest safe location you can find. DR. PAINT: -taps her chin in thought- i think that's all we really need to cover, as far as protocol goes... does anyone have any questions or input? i haven't been out on the battle field in a while myself, so if any of you guys have witnessed things you'd like to address, let me know! ARADIA: if you are alone as the sole medical officer on an excursion and battle occurs with many dead bodies and badly injured individuals surrounding you

ARADIA: how do you prioritize? DR. PAINT: if you can call for back up, definitely do so! you'll have to make do with your own supplies and maybe get the help of someone who is uninjured, or at least uninjured enough. you'll have to prioritize the injuries as best you can until help arrives. DR. PAINT: if you can't call for back up or if you're in immediate danger yourself... i'm afraid i would suggest leaving to find help. it wouldn't do anyone any good to get yourself badly injured as well. ARADIA: so in this case ARADIA: you as the medical professional are the priority ROSE: -There is a very slight chance she might ignore that suggestion.- ROSE: -Cough.- DR. PAINT: -nodnod- yes, exactly! -INNOCENTLY DISREGARDS THE COUGHING- FEFETASPRITE: -she noticed the coughing. She saw you, Rose.- DR. PAINT: -looks around with a smile to see if anyone else has any questions- FEFETASPRITE: -bring Miss Paint the dead bodies. She's got it!- 3833 DR. PAINT: -that's the spirit! just so long as she brings them to her after the alive people are taken care of.- ROSE: Nothing comes to mind, for me. WQ: -clears her throat- Based off of the scenario Ms. Megido provided, in the event  of catastrophe that we ourselves become the patients or are unable to leave the area by circumstance, should priority change to all we can save? DR. PAINT: hmm... if you are injured, take care of your own wounds first before helping others. and if you are alone, just proceed to treat everyone else to the best of your ability. DR. PAINT: that's really all you can do if things get that bad. : ( WQ: Thank you. ^_^ FEFETASPRITE: -is trying to delicately place a cotton ball on Rose's head.- DR. PAINT: of course!! -smiles- well, if that's all the questions you have for now, then you're free to leave! but if you have any follow up questions at any time, i'm always available. ARADIA: thank you doctor :) KURLOZ: : o) DR. PAINT: thank you too for attending! -NOW GET OUT OF HERE, YA WILD KIDS, YA.- ROSE: -BYE MOM DOCTOR- SAWTOOTH: *disappears* FEFETASPRITE: -by the time Rose moves, there will be a small pile of cotton balls on her head. And no Fefeta to be found anywhere!!!- ROSE: -fucking incredible- SQUAREWEAVE: -disappears with sawtooth- KURLOZ: *HE IS UP AND GONE* ARADIA: -BYE- WQ: -dips her head in thanks and waves farewell to ms. paint as she goes back to her station.-

[agrestictruant]

QIRIN: -Lays the good doctor on a bed as Paint's own underlings come to help.-

PAINT: *the nurses request that they give them some space while they get to work. luckily, they're able to get the bullet out and seal up the wound with relative ease, but she took that hit dangerously close to the gut, so even while mitzi is guaranteed a quick recovery, she doesn't feel so hot while she's left alone with qirin and slick*

SLICK: -He's been hovering nearby with the bloody horse hitcher still in hand, clenching his jaw at the nurses and watching them just in case. You know. Of any funny business.-

SLICK: -He's also got a bleeding cut on his face from Snowman's whip, and he's covered in blood besides, but who cares about that.-

PAINT: *she looks over at him hovering over there, sitting up a little and gesturing for him to come over*

QIRIN: -Her frown is no longer as frowny since they managed to stop the bleeding but a hint of it is still there. She has her hands clasped in front of her and is serving as SENTRY to her fallen friend.-

SLICK: -What the hell is she doing moving around like that? CONCERNED SCOWLING, but he shuffles a little closer.-

SLICK: you

SLICK: gonna live

QIRIN: Of course she will live. -You know not her strength.-

SLICK: right

PAINT: hehe. it wasn't that bad. *decaptchas her field med kit and starts wiping the blood off of slick's cheek before going in to stick a bandage on it*

QIRIN: -Incredible. Is it Hello Kitty?-

PAINT: *it is certainly pink*

SLICK: -awkward head scratching and then-- oh, okay, he freezes up as she tends to him-

QIRIN: -relaxes finally-

SLICK: ... -mutters- pretty sure you aint supposed to be movin like that

PAINT: *sits back again* i won't move anymore. promise.

PAINT: but you needed to be taken care of too!

SLICK: -NO HE DOESN'T, he just needs to bludgeon approaching strangers, but he isnt about to argue with her like that-

PAINT: *looks at qirin* are you okay?

QIRIN: She is correct, you know. -She turns when Mitzi says her name though.- I am uninjured. -She gives her a warm smile.- You are always tending to others, even like this.

SLICK: -he can see that. ISN'T SHE SOMETHING? yes, she is, is the answer-

QIRIN: -You should see her in battle. THAT is a fearsome sight.-

PAINT: *if carapaces could blush, she would be right now* just making sure, heh. *glances between them, a little overwhelmed by people doting on HER for once*

PAINT: um... that woman back there...

SLICK: -oh jeez-

PAINT: *WHO IS SHE? she was sure she recognized her, but she finds it hard to believe*

SLICK: snowman

PAINT: she's with that gang you were telling me about?

SLICK: yeah

SLICK: the felt

SLICK: the ones stupiding up the goddamn exit

PAINT: that was pretty weird.

SLICK: theyre a buncha nutcases

SLICK: hard to get rid of

QIRIN: She...went by another name, before. She was Derse's ruler during the war. It seems she affiliates herself with Skaia or its moons no longer. This Felt. What is their purpose?

SLICK: -stares at bloody horse hitcher like yep-

SLICK: to be a pain in the ass

SLICK: other than that fuckin beats me

QIRIN: Ah. Then they are successful.

SLICK: tell you to ask their boss but nobody sees him

PAINT: a better question might be what their purpose with the empress is.

PAINT: the empress that's supposed to be dead!

SLICK: -grumblemutter- addin another huge bitch to the collection maybe

QIRIN: You are correct. There was not a discernable layer of dust as far as I could tell. There were rumors of her survival, but I thought they had been proven false.

PAINT: well... we recently uncovered some information that proved otherwise, but it was still hard to believe. i guess there's no denying it now.

SLICK: -grunts-

SLICK: no sign of the

SLICK: thing?

SLICK: the ring

SLICK: thing

PAINT: no... :( i didn't see it anywhere.

QIRIN: We will locate it eventually. Though the situation has become drastically more dire, I doubt that it is lost forever.

SLICK: -SHRUGS, he doesn't know about all this ring business-

[INSERT QIRIN LEAVING HERE. assume queenly business or something.]

PAINT: *even so, mitzi doesn't look too happy about the ring being missing still. they were so close to finding it. she was sure of it. but alas. oh well, time for a subject change.*

PAINT: thank you for letting us tag along, slick.

SLICK: oh

SLICK: yeah well

SLICK: -grunts again-

PAINT: *smiles* we found some really important stuff thanks to you.

SLICK: looks like you mostly found a bullet thanks to me

SLICK: -what's this weird... FEELING he has-

SLICK: -some kind of.... EMOTION???-

PAINT: oh, it's not your fault. these things happen in the line of duty. it wouldn't be the first time i've been shot at... and it probably won't be the last.

SLICK: -he looks angry even considering that! err, well, angrier-

PAINT: *reaches out to pat his probably blood covered hand* it's okay.

SLICK: -glances away, sniffing-

SLICK: you mean to stick with this crew huh

PAINT: *pauses before nodding slowly* well... i like working here.

PAINT: and helping people. i believe in what the coalition stands for.

SLICK: -his brow wrinkles a little. all that peace mumbo-jumbo, of course. noble or whatever, if not just generally implausible.-

SLICK: youre all headin into a heap of shit now with this war business

PAINT: *wilts a bit* i know. it's sad, but i'm prepared for it.

SLICK: -he can just feel himself growing more frustrated as he thinks about it. he's back home, but he doesn't really /want/ to leave the ship, to leave her to whatever the hell is gonna happen next for them. and it's kind of horseshit. who allowed this. he huffs and paces away a little, growling softly.-

SLICK: what if i

SLICK: -no that's stupid-

SLICK: ... got

SLICK: soup

PAINT: ... *head tilt* okay... you could do that.

PAINT: *wow, he REALLY likes soup*

SLICK: ... for you

PAINT: oh!

PAINT: i'd like that. :)

SLICK: -oh shit she's smiling at him. his face makes a weird approximation of a smile back at her-

SLICK: -ugh that was probably terrible-

SLICK: -where's droog he needs him to punch him, no he would probably stab him for that-

SLICK: ok im gonna go do that

SLICK: now

PAINT: okay, slick.

SLICK: -turns back around and SCOWLS AT HIMSELF SO HARD-

PAINT: *looks down at the med kit still in her lap, smiling bashfully to herself*

SLICK: -he stalks off to go wrestle-- err, STERNLY CONVINCE some nurse to get some soup for ms. paint. he then proceeds to hover over their shoulder the entire time and dictate how it's supposed to look. no, it needs more scotty dogs. christ, it's like you've never seen a bowl of soup before. what even are the staff around here. and they call themselves PROFESSIONALS-

SLICK: -after he's done nitpicking, he finally carries it back to the room on a tray, mostly straight-faced and only MILDLY frowning-

SLICK: i got the soup

PAINT: *aww. he looks a lot less grumpier than usual! not that she disapproves of his grumpy face, or anything. that is far from the case.* thank you. just in time, too. i was really starting to get hungry...

SLICK: -EVEN LESS FROWNING. he's trying to smile again. it hurts.-

SLICK: -he arrives next to her bedside and just... holds the tray-

SLICK: -gestures it at her-

PAINT: ... *graciously accepts the tray*

SLICK: -YES. NAILED IT. he is getting the hang of this taking care of people thing.-

SLICK: made sure they had enough scotty dogs

SLICK: cant skimp on that shit

SLICK: -he is so helpful-

SLICK: wait shit

SLICK: did you want crackers

SLICK: -fuck, he cant BELIEVE he forgot the goddamn CRACKERS-

PAINT: it's okay! i don't need crackers. *gives him a reassuring smile and begins to schlorp her soup*

PAINT: this is perfect. thank you.

SLICK: -oh.... oh phew-

SLICK: yeah

SLICK: no problem

SLICK: -well that's a thing he's never had to say before-

SLICK: -he thinks he needs to sit down-

SLICK: -he's finding a chair and lowering himself into it-

SLICK: -yes this is much better-

SLICK: -just sits there creepin on her-

PAINT: *she's just quietly eating her soup, looking at slick in the corner of her eye. THIS IS KIND OF AWKWARD. but a cute kind of awkward.*

SLICK: -casually brushes at the spots of blood on his suit-

PAINT: you... um... you don't have to hang around if you don't want to. maybe you should get cleaned up...?

SLICK: ...

SLICK: do i stink

SLICK: -great slick, now you're offending her senses-

PAINT: oh no! well, you kind of smell like blood.

PAINT: i just thought you might be more comfortable if you got changed.

SLICK: oh

SLICK: -considers this-

SLICK: -stands up, steps out of the room, and then returns shortly with a clean suit on and plops right back in the chair-

PAINT: *well, that was quick!* ... do you feel better now?

SLICK: yeah

SLICK: youre a... considerate lady

SLICK: -NICE-

PAINT: hehe... and you're a considerate gentleman. *and silly, but he might get embarrassed if she said that*

SLICK: -HE'S ALREADY EMBARRASSED, SHE CALLED HIM CONSIDERATE, ALERT THE PRESS-

SLICK: -he looks all kinds of flustered about that and looks straight at the wall-

PAINT: *oh no!! she embarrassed him anyway and she's trying not to giggle about it* are you okay?

SLICK: yeah, yeah

SLICK: say

SLICK: when youre not bleedin out and healing up and all that

SLICK: you think you might have some free time

SLICK: you know for like dinner or something

PAINT: *oh... ohhhh. now she's flustered too. but it isn't an unpleasant feeling, if the smile on her face is any indication*

PAINT: i could definitely make some time for that.

SLICK: oh

SLICK: -KIND OF SURPRISED?-

SLICK: ok

SLICK: yeah

SLICK: good

SLICK: me too

SLICK: not like thats a given

SLICK: ... -straightens hat-

PAINT: *now she can't help giggling, even if it makes her side hurt a little*

PAINT: i'm looking forward to it.

SLICK: -he's resorted to nodding, staring at some spot on the floor-

SLICK: -after a few moments, though, he glances back up-

SLICK: you uh

SLICK: finished

PAINT: oh! *looks down at her empty bowl* yes, i am.

SLICK: -pushes himself back up and just sort of... holds his hands out-

PAINT: *hands the tray over to him, looking up at him with them BIG OL EYES*

SLICK: -SWEATS-

SLICK: -just sets it over on some kinda side table for now and sits back down-

SLICK: .... -scoots his chair just a little closer-

SLICK: ... maybe you oughta get some rest

PAINT: *shifts a little while watching him and thinking that over* that's probably a good idea.

PAINT: are you going to stay? *because he LOOKS like he isn't about to go anywhere right now*

SLICK: well

SLICK: ...

SLICK: yeah

PAINT: oh, okay.

PAINT: ...

PAINT: good.

PAINT: *gets more nestled into her bed, smiling. SO MUCH SMILING.*

SLICK: -good? GOOD? oh. good. whew. yeah. he's smiling a little, too, all lopsided and probably stupid-looking, but there it is. whaddya want from him-

PAINT: *she's all curled up in her blankets now, looking super adorable and awfully content for somebody who just got SHOT, and starts drifting off in no time*

SLICK: -oh no oh shit thats fucking cUTE. hes just going to sweat here all night and admire her until he falls asleep and probably look menacing at any nurses that dare to come in-

[agrestictruant]

Speak Softly

Keep reading

[agrestictruant]

Read More

[agrestictruant]

BOARDED: The Infirmary

KANKRI: *PHEW* *fl9ps in the safe r99m*

PAINT: *FUSSES OVER THE THREE*

KANKRI: Please, I d9 n9t require any aid! *cease y9ur meddling*

PAINT: oh okay!! *forget you then*

KANKRI: *6h.... wait N9*

PAINT: *she's giving callie a blanket, she looks like she's in shock*

CALLIOPE: *SHE'S IN SHOCK*

DISCIPLE: -She is brought inside, still hyperventilating in a panic, but mostly unharmed.-

DOLOROSA: -Mama's making sure she gets inside, peering around at everyone-

KANKRI: 9h hell9 every9ne.

PORRIM: *she's pacing a bit, in a panic of her own. she left kanaya and rose out there... and who knows where eridan and mituna are...*

SIGNLESS: *He is still coughing the smoke out of his lungs. A quick head count of his friends though and he discovers Psi is completely out of it.* Fuck. *Mikkev knew things. He is still holding pretty tightly onto Disciple's hand and he quickly turns his attention to her.* Are you alright??

DISCIPLE: .......yes.

DISCIPLE: she is. alright. Who?

SIGNLESS: *Okay good. Good she was alright. He quickly turned to look back at the eldest jade blood.* Mom, come here a moment. *Quickly shifts to check on his unconsious friend. Mikkev if you were dead, Kas was never forgiving you.*

KARKAT: *Karkat BURSTS in with Meulin* SHE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION! NOW! SHE'S BEEN SHOT! *hands off to whomever medical staff*

PAINT: *gasp!!*

PAINT: *doctor paint is ON IT*

SIGNLESS: *Luckily Kasvik does know a few things about medical care. Like how to check pulses and signs of life.* Thank god, he's breathing. *Large sigh of relief and- Suddenly wounded cat troll and vantas. Fuck.*

KARKAT: *RUNS BACK OUT*

PAINT: *she rushes meulin to a back room to begin operation with the other medical staff faffing about*

DISCIPLE: *bleeeeds*

PAINT: *or should I say... oPURRation*

DISCIPLE: -She clambers over towards Meulin as she suddenly goes by. This is so wrong.-

DOLOROSA: -mom comes over now that her player isnt distracted-

SIGNLESS: *He is sitting against one of the walls with an unconsious Psionic, which he very well can't leave on his own, nor would he. But it looks like all of them are here which is good.*

DOLOROSA: Is everyone else okay?

DISCIPLE: -She's staring at the safe room door, tail lashing behind her.-

DISCIPLE: -She doesn't really reply.-

SIGNLESS: *Her silence concerns him.* Dearest, come here a moment and help me with Mikkev please.

SIGNLESS: *Because he has a sinking feeling she might try and run out there.*

DISCIPLE: -She blinks and turns.- ...rrr.

DISCIPLE: What does he n33d.

SIGNLESS: I need your help lifting him into that bed over there. I don't think he's badly hurt, but laying on the floor wont be good for his neck. *He is already trying to lift the seven foot tall troll.*

SIGNLESS: *Its very difficult for him, since he is only 5'7*

DISCIPLE: -She growls a little, and nods. She's only like 5'2" so the two of them can make up for each other's shortness! She takes him by the legs.- He will take his shoulders and lift.

DOLOROSA: -watches them with a frown, and takes her turn watching the door instead-

SIGNLESS: Understood. On the count of three. One, two, lift. *Up Psi goes, and onto the bed which is just a few feet away. Good. Nice and safe.*

DISCIPLE: He is hurt? How is his head?

SIGNLESS: *Hes looking over Psi again.* It looks like the explosion knocked him out cold. . .But hopefully aside from a headache, Mikkev will be fine. *Kasvik now starts to take observation of himself and his lover. Personally, the back of his jacket it pretty singed from protecting her, but the burns are not overly serious, just a bit painful.*

DISCIPLE: ...And him?

DISCIPLE: -She sniffs at Kasvik, licking at the wound.-

SIGNLESS: Shaken. Kind of pissed off. A bit- *He winces mildly as she does so.* I'm fine though. And you?

MEULIN: *just kinda wimpering, holding wounds with each hand*

DISCIPLE: ...Yes.

DISCIPLE: -She turns away from him to go walk over to Meulin. She rubs her face against hers in a sympathetic gesture.-

SIGNLESS: *He lets cat girls be cat girls and goes over to check on his mother.* Are you alright?

DOLOROSA: I'm fine.

DOLOROSA: -She's watching the door intently, though.-

SIGNLESS: Are you sure? *He is joining her in watching that door. His sickle is brought back out because honestly he is to on edge not to have a weapon in his hand.*

DOLOROSA: Yeah.

DOLOROSA: -sounds like a lot of chaos is happening right outside the door-

SIGNLESS: *It certainly does.* . . . .I'm pretty sure Mikkev is going to be alright. This is a pretty shitty full reunion though. . . How do you think this even happened?

DOLOROSA: I don'+ know.

SIGNLESS: *He goes quiet again for a while.* . . . .I'm really sorry about earlier today.

TEREZI: *BUSTS 1N with an injured Sollux*

SOLLUX: -is a ragdoll-

DOLOROSA: -oh shit-

SIGNLESS: *At first he startles but its injured people and the sickle goes away as he rushes over to help support ragdoll sollux*

TEREZI: *lugs him over to a bed and flops him down on it, dropping her cane to the floor and trying to stop the bleeding. There is no hint of sad on her face. She's beyond enraged.*

SIGNLESS: *Back to guarding door.*

TEREZI: *4lso, she's slathered in blood of almost every color.*

TEREZI: *4ND she's getting pinged?!*

KANAYA: -rushes in with Rose in tow-

ROSE: -boop hi-

ERIDAN: *stumbles in behind roxy*

DOLOROSA: Oh, no, Rose.

ROXY: *TWO MORE NERDS IN NEED OF ATTENTION*

PORRIM: *!!!*

DOLOROSA: -and the captain???-

ROXY: *theres one, the other is KO*

ERIDAN: *he still hasn't pulled that knife out of him*

PAINT: *SHE'S ON IT. shes so going to pull that knife out.*

ROXY: *she's handlin Dirk like presh cargo and looks at that nkife*

SIGNLESS: *Look at all of these alive people. Well some might not be. There is no way to really tell yet.*

ERIDAN: *NO*

ROXY: *GOOD THANK MS PAINT*

PAINT: *not right now, but when its safe to*

ERIDAN: *oh okay*

PORRIM: Eridan! *hurries over*

ERIDAN: *looks around at everyone in here and gives them a nod* uh hey

ERIDAN: oh hi por

PORRIM: *YOU'RE WOUNDED*

PORRIM: *A LOT*

TEREZI: *Still working with Sollux, then notices 3ridan.* C4PT41N 4MPOR4!

ERIDAN: wwHAT

TEREZI: OFF1C3R R3DGL4R3 1S ON TH3 BR1DG3

TEREZI: SH3S 1NFORM3D M3 TH3YR3 WORK1NG TO G3T TH4T SH1P OFF OF US

TEREZI: TH3Y H4V3 4 PL4N, 1 TH1NK

ERIDAN: wwait really

ERIDAN: howw the hell are they gunna do that our owwn attempt failed

KANAYA: -Kanaya totes Rose to a bed and lowers her down. There's not enough fucking nurses for all this, and Kanaya herself moves to look for some kind of cold compress for Rose's bruises-

TEREZI: B3C 1S H3LP1NG *glances back down at Sollux*

ERIDAN: *sits on a waiting room chair like an asshole* wwho the fuck is bec

ROSE: -She takes in a ratty breath and coughs.- Sorry for. The fuss.

ERIDAN: *woah okay the room is starting to spin some*

PAINT: *the good doctor is running around, tending to everyone as best she can. poking people with shit, wrapping people up with shit, prying metal out of people, the works.*

TEREZI: *Oh thank you, Dr. Paint. Thanks her.*

TEREZI: B3CS H4RL3YS ROBOT DOG

ERIDAN: *glances over at roxy before looking back at terezi* ... the fuck can a fuckin... dog do

KANAYA: Shh -Kanaya gently pats some of the blood off of Rose's face, then presses an icy gel pack to Rose's cheek-

ROSE: -She goes silent at that. She did have to wonder about everyone else, her one good eye glancing, trying to see if she could pick up on Dirk's presence, or anyone else who seemed to get the worst of it.-

PORRIM: *lean on me, eridan. when you're not strong.............*

ROXY: shhhhhhh *shushes Eridan*

TEREZI: *Shrugs, and repeats* TH3YR3 WORK1NG ON SOM3TH1NG *She's still shaking. With unadulterated fury.*

ROXY: *she'll be ur friend and help u carry on*

ROXY: *while roxy socks people in the face for your honor*

ERIDAN: *huffs* *HES BEING SHOOSHED*

CII ceased responding to memo.

ERIDAN: *he's probably been moved to a bed by this point and tended to by paint*

PAINT: *REMOVES HIS KNIFE*

ERIDAN: *URK*

ERIDAN: *blood gush*

ERIDAN: *he's a gusher*

PAINT: *also giving dirk a neck brace and tending to any other specific wound I probably didn't see*

PAINT: *ALL AT ONCE*

ERIDAN: *mmmm delish*

PAINT: *just kidding*

ERIDAN: *she has many arm*

PAINT: *so many bara arms*

ERIDAN: [[There seems to be the sound of groaning metal from outside, and a little more shaking of the ship, but it should be apparent to those on the bridge that the ship is finally being pried from their hull.]]

PORRIM: *bristles at that noise*

ERIDAN: *gasps* the hell is that

ERIDAN: *looks over at terezi* that better.... be the thing... they wwere gunna do

SOLLUX: -finally starts coming to with a grumble-

KARKAT: *in Sollux's face, breathes*

KARKAT: *not really but he's watching*

TEREZI: *Turns to 3ridan, nodding.*

TEREZI: 1 H4D CONF1RM4T1ON

TEREZI: WH4T3V3R TH3Y D1D 1S WORK1NG?

ERIDAN: ugh... good... tell them im orderin the ship to be movved to a safe location preferably an asteroid or some other place for us to regain our bearins an hide from any other pursuants...

SOLLUX: oh what the fuck.

SOLLUX: get out of my face.

KARKAT: I'M NOT IN YOUR FACE. SHUT THE FUCK UP.

SOLLUX: clo2e enough.

KARKAT: CLOSE ENOUGH FOR YOUTO BITCH.

KARKAT: SO ANYWHERE IN THE GENERAL AREA.

KARKAT: SHUT UP AND SAVE YOUR ENERGY OR WHATEVER.

SOLLUX: -groans again and moves an arm to cover his eyes but ow he hisses-

SOLLUX: ...

TEREZI: Y3S, S1R *returns to her device, still at Sollux's side. Hears Sollux and whips around so fast she got a crick.* SOLLUX!!

ROXY: *looks at Sollux now*

SOLLUX: ow-rezi.

ROXY: omg

TEREZI: *wants to punch a wall* YOU 4ND M3

TEREZI: S3R1OUS CH4T L4T3R

ROXY: (oh shit)

SOLLUX: what...?

SOLLUX: -Man, he is just. Staring at his presently bandaged wound. This is something.-

SOLLUX: -he sure is gonna need surgery-

DIRK: *dirk continues to be mostly dead*

ERIDAN: *drama queen*

SOLLUX: -haha what a diWAIT FUCK-

SOLLUX: -he actually looks kind of concerned about that-

ERIDAN: *TWO drama queens*

ROXY: *he knows better to not die*

TEREZI: *el SQU1NTO*

ROXY: *three*

ERIDAN: *D:*

DIRK: *dirk is so done with you all right now*

DIRK: *done like dinner*

ERIDAN: *he's just kinda staring between porrim and roxy now*

SOLLUX: -drama queens himself back to the unconscious-

ROXY: *stares between all these people she loves injured, also sollux who she's pretty ok with*

ROXY: *the tt's are gonna get butt punches for being injured they werent ALLOWED*

KANAYA: -you're telling me-

PORRIM: *siiiighs, trying to calm herself down now that this ordeal has passed hopefully. she gives eridan's hair a strokin*

ROSE: -at least they both got beat up by the same person!-

ERIDAN: *eridan was allowed to get hurt though*

DIRK: *tts represent*

ERIDAN: *lookin at porrim now since she's petting his hair*

ROXY: *he ne wasn't but roxy gave him a wedgie already*

TEREZI: *Punches Sollux's shoulder lovingly. Hope he didn't get shot in the shoulder, haha!* >:1

PORRIM: *yOU'RE THE LEAST ALLOWED ERIDAN YOUVE ALREADY GOTTEN HURT*

PORRIM: *stop being hurt so much dammit*

ROSE: -eridan got exploded AGAIN.-

ERIDAN: *TRUE he still hasn't gotten that wedgie all out yet*

ROSE: -it keeps happening.-

ROXY: *roxy'll punch him in the injured shoulder later rezi, don't worry*

ERIDAN: *it do :c *

DIRK: *we have fun*

ROXY: *highfives dirk only doesnt*

TEREZI: *She's just glad he isn't dead.*

FEFERI: *here she comes, hauling Cronus and looking very anxious. First off, where's Rose, Eridan, Sollux??*

ERIDAN: *all three are on BEDS*

TEREZI: *Sollux is being hovered over by Terezi*

KANAYA: -And Kanaya is right beside Rose-

ROSE: -Rose is CONSCIOUS, if clearly kind of in SERIOUS PAIN. And SERIOUS PAINKILLERS.-

TEREZI: *Roxoxy is near 3ridanny and Dirkydoo*

FEFERI: *Phew. Okay. It doesn't look like anybody's died. She scampers over to where Rose is, still dragging Cronus* O)( my cod, Rose.

FEFERI: -Eridan??? *is going to inspect him too. Plus she saw the nasty blow Dirk took. Feferi's worried over him too*

ERIDAN: *porrims by eridan too*

PORRIM: *yes, she is petting him*

FEFERI: Is )(e okay???

ERIDAN: *he's kinda drifted some by this point, his eyes half closed*

FEFERI: *worries over EVERYBODY*

ROSE: -She sorta. Waves? Or lifts her fingers a little. She's way too far out of it.-

PORRIM: He sho+uld be alright... *sighs down at him*

CRONUS: *he here, and he kinda looks over these people* *oh hey there's rose, he walks over to her* vwowv, you vwent and got yourself hurt.

FEFERI: *She nods at Porrim. Since Rose is still conscious, she goes back over to her.* Rose!!! 38(

KANAYA: -SQUINTO-

TEREZI: C4PT41N 4MPOR4?

ERIDAN: *makes a noise* wwhaaat *sloowly opens his eyes some just as feferi walks away and terezi yells his name*

ROSE: -hah, people are kinda fluttering around a lot. Running back and fourth. Maybe those are spots in her vision? She just kinda murmurs a little in response.- Mhmhh...

CRONUS: vwast that evwen a language?

CRONUS: *vwas

FEFERI: *her heart is breaking at the sight of this. She turns to Doctor Paint.* Is t)(ere anyt)(ing I can do to )(elp, ma'am??

TEREZI: ... *wets her lips and gets up, walking over to him.* (3n3my sh1p 3sc4p3d, s1r)

KANAYA: Shes Injured And Medicated

KANAYA: Words Will Not Be Her Forte

ERIDAN: ... wwhat *opens his eyes some and looks at terezi and croaks* howw the hell did it escape

ROSE: -She slooowly lifts her arm. And. Baps Cronus. And lets her arm drop again.-

CRONUS: vwowv, okay. *snickers at both kanaya and rose*

PAINT: *almost didn't catch feferi addressing her, skittering to a stop in the middle of tending to all these poor injured fool* oh, yes! if you could help change bandages and clean up some wounds...

CRONUS: *just kinda TAKES A SEAT and decides to hang out and be the gum on the bottom of kanaya's shoe*

TEREZI: *looks up from her comms device* (4pp4r3ntly 1t h4d som3 sort of 1nv1s1b1l1ty boost3r)

TEREZI: (offic3r r3dgl4r3 st4t3s th4ts how 1t w3nt un3t3ct3d th3 f1rst t1m3)

FEFERI: Yes ma'am!!! *gets right on that. MAKE WAY FOR EMERGENCY NURSE PEIXES*

TEREZI: ((*und3t3ct3d

KANAYA: -gdi Cronus-

ERIDAN: *groaans* okay

ERIDAN: can this... wwait until im less hurtin you can givve me a full report then

FEFERI: *once her hands are clean, she's changing all kinds of bandages and cleansing wounds left and right. Feferi is a powerhouse but she's keeping an eye on all her friends here.*

TEREZI: *Terezi nods* (y3s s1r)

ERIDAN: *he's watching feferi move around now not expecting her to even be in here*

TEREZI: (hop3fully youll h4v3 4 sp33dy r3cov3ry) *trying to be nice* *goes to help Feferi with stuff and things*

FEFERI: *waves at Pincushion Ampora from across the room* 38')

ERIDAN: *SIGHS and decides he's going to sleep again* *hurting makes him sleepy*

FEFERI: *Cronus is getting such a talking to later tho.*

CRONUS: *8ooooooo >8C*

FEFERI: *Don't BOO at me in that tone of voice, Mister.*

PAINT: *now that they're out of harm's way and things have died down, doctor paint moves everyone to their own rooms and sees to their individual treatment as quickly as she and her staff can*

TEREZI: *4nd Terezi goes to wash herself off of all this blood before helping peeps and returning to her moirail's side*

[agrestictruant]

there she is

[agrestictruant]

The Decision to Sire Children

PAINT: *she's called everyone who expressed interest in this mysterious mystery back to the medical wing and she patiently awaits their arrival there*

ERIDAN: *HE SHOWS UP and he's insanely nervous about whatever this expiramental thing was*

KANAYA: *She is also sort of nervous, but mostly because she's imagining a bunch of mad scientists. THANKS ROSE.*

ROXY: *Roxy is excited to find out what the big experiment was and if she could DIG HER FINGERS INTO IT, she did talk to rose about handling various fluids meant for reproduction so her future might be closer than she thought*

ROXY: *She's got so many experiment tho so nah*

ROSE: -Rose would have sought out Kanaya before showing up, grabbing onto her arm and hanging on as she approached the group for the CRAZED EXPERIMENTATION. Or. Probably pretty tame experimentation. Some kind of fringe science, at the very least.-

ERIDAN: *the woes and wonders of dating a scientist*

KANAYA: *i got u babe*

PAINT: *she puts on a happy face for them, though she's still feeling pretty guilty about what happened yesterday* hello everyone!

ROXY: *ms paints so adorable roxy's always glad to see her though it sucks she had to deal with all that crud* heeyyyy ms paint

ROSE: Good evening, Doctor.

ERIDAN: *mumbles* hey *he's keeping close to roxy and looking around, glad it was only rose and kanaya here with them*

KANAYA: Hello

KANAYA: *This turnout isn't surprising. She's... pretty sure they're the only people that qualify for this speech, actually. Things to think about.*

PAINT: thanks for stopping by! i'll try to make this quick. there isn't a whole lot of information i can give away, anyway. *takes out her tablet to bring up some reports and maybe some pictures because pictures are fun*

ERIDAN: *oh NO not PICTURES*

KANAYA: *Oh Dear*

ROXY: *aww yeeeee*

ROSE: -EYEBROW.-

PAINT: *they're just pictures of labs, calm down. the raunchiest thing that can possibly be found in these photos are what appears to be genetic fluids in tubes.*

PAINT: okay so... tumut has been keeping this project a teensy bit under wraps but it was inspired by the sort of issues you find on planets like lauctis. where troll populations can't really thrive because of the way they reproduce.

PAINT: are you all familiar with how carapacians reproduce?

ERIDAN: ... no *he never LEARNED carapacian biology*

KANAYA: Not Especially No

ROXY: *yall need to eDUCATE URSELVES*

KANAYA: *I GREW UP IN A DESERT*

KANAYA: *it was a nice place though i recommend it*

ROSE: ...

ROSE: Not really.

ROSE: -Damn it.-

ROXY: *maybe some day, i'd love a tour, show me them dunes*

ERIDAN: *i'm fine never going to a desert ever thanks*

PAINT: okay well... we're cloned! back in the day, we were cloned from the genetic material of royalty, but obviously due to certain societal changes, carapacian settlements do things a little different as of late.

PAINT: anyway, we've been trying to discover a way to do the same with troll genetic material for planets like lauctis... so that they wont need mothergrubs!

PAINT: and how this relates to troll and human pairs, well... okay, it's definitely some mad science going on, but some cross species breeding has been the interest of some of our biologists.

ERIDAN: .... wwait wwhat

ROXY: (my kinda biologists) what are the results though? that is really fuckin finicky work

ROSE: (Kanaya.)

ROSE: (Maybe I can see the future.)

KANAYA: *she said mad science*

KANAYA: (I)

KANAYA: (I Think You Might Be Right)

PAINT: well, thus far the troll experiments have been largely successful! still a work in progress, but positive.

PAINT: the cross species breeding is still mainly hypothetical... red tape and what not. also, they're trying to develop a sort of genetic material from human dna that can substitute for troll genetic material... in cases of troll planets that do have mothergrubs. it will probably be a long while til that sort of thing is implimented, though.

ROSE: That could still be... hypothetically viable?

ERIDAN: are wwe talkin half breed babies or actually full on trolls or humans just wwith dna from elsewwhere

PAINT: well we don't really know what the outcome would be but we speculate that the troll attributes would be more dominate and they'd appear more troll-like, but would technically be hybrids! evidence so far shows it's entirely possible but we'll see what happens, i suppose.

KANAYA: Um

KANAYA: Just Out Of Curiosity Was One Of The Ideas To Incorporate Human Methods Of Reproduction As Well Or Just

KANAYA: The Other Options

PAINT: :o

ERIDAN: ... you wwant rose havvin squishy grubs crawwlin around in her stomach

PAINT: hehe - i mean uh!

ROSE: I'm standing right here.

KANAYA: *wow, she's paling*

KANAYA: Thats Not

ROXY: (id think it would be the eggs really) *then mutters something about live birth being a better alternative hmm, science rambles*

ERIDAN: wwait you can lay eggs

ROXY: yes

ERIDAN: *MINDBLOWN*

PAINT: gestation would hypothetically be done primarily in labs...! i suppose there's no reason why there can't be different methods taken into consideration... *tries not to think about grubs pulling a chest burster from their human hosts*

KANAYA: *ms paint no*

ROXY: *omg*

PAINT: *but what if*

ROSE: -please no-

ROSE: Just so that we are all on the same page here.

ROSE: We're going to provide samples for these experiments.

PAINT: *gasp!!* you are?

ROSE: ...

ROSE: Well.

ROSE: Um.

ROSE: Are we?

PAINT: do you want to???

ROSE: Er.

ROSE: I mean.

ROSE: Isn't.

ROSE: Were you going to ask that?

ROSE: -Smooth.-

PAINT: well i was going to mention a lack of samples...

ERIDAN: *goes walleyed imagining either roxy or himself carrying their young*

ROXY: *she ain't wrecking this figure*

ERIDAN: *IT IS UP TO HIM*

ROXY: would we be able to look in on the research or know whats up at least?

ROXY: this is ur bundle of dna crosses fingers for stability

ROXY: also... theyd be put on lauctis and planets like that right? *not trapped in some lab for experimentation because wowza no*

PAINT: sure! i could pass along info as i receive it. and uh... well, i should hope so! it'd be pointless otherwise, i think. *she's a little nervous thinking about it, though. she may not entirely trust skaianet or the science department at tumut... but shhh.*

ROXY: *tell me all ur secrets ms paint*

ROSE: ...But. What if it succeeds?

KANAYA: *When Rose speaks up, she already feels a little nervous for her sake. She knows this sort of thing touches on a pretty personal subject for her.*

PAINT: *tilts her head* are you worried about what will happen to the... *um... what's a sensitive and inclusive term here??* prospective offspring? *yeah nailed it*

ROSE: What would happen to it?

PAINT: *she isn't too sure, she can only speculate* probably given a lusii or another guardian to raise them, depending on where they go.

PAINT: but you know what! you've all inspired me to get more involved in this project. *determined nod* that way i'll be more certain when it comes to answering your questions! *and hopefully beat some people into submission if they try to do anything unsavory with these poor mutant children*

KANAYA: Do You Think

KANAYA: We Might Have Any Claim Over Them

ERIDAN: *if he were eating anything right now he'd be choking on it*

ROSE: -She wrings her hands behind her back. Kanaya asked the question that she was nervously dancing about.-

PAINT: well, heck, if anybody does then it should be the sample providers, don't you think? i'll look into it! *she will GET YOU YOUR BABIES!!!*

KANAYA: Oh Ok

ROXY: wed have to look into the paperwork and the legal drawings when or if we even decide to contribute... *contracts man*

ROXY: *if none are involved they should be golden tho*

ROXY: *then again no contracts is le squint*

KANAYA: Yes I Agree

KANAYA: More Details And Having Them Lined Out In Print Would Be My Largest Prerequisite

ROSE: Even if we haven't agreed yet. -Emphasis, there. She's so conflicted about this whole thing.-

ROSE: Definitely.

ERIDAN: *his stomach feels like its being tied into knots* wwait rox you- *he pauses and holds his tongue, he doesn't want to cause problems again over babies* nevvermind

ROXY: uh... *pat pat, they'll talk about it*

PAINT: so... how about i chat up the head researchers on the project and then get back to you guys on it?

PAINT: that way you'll have time to think about your decision to contribute, too!

ROXY: *nods* that sounds like a solid plan

KANAYA: Yes I Think So Too

ROSE: Thank you, Doctor.

ERIDAN: okay *rubs his arm*

PAINT: you're welcome! this is exciting... *the miracle of life...*

ROSE: It... really is.

KANAYA: *Kanaya gives Rose's hand a gentle squeeze.*

KANAYA: For Now I Suppose We Should Go And Give This Some Thought

ROSE: -She nods.-

ROXY: *She kind of eyes Eridan, then looks back to ms paint with a nod. There was, welp, lots to talk about*

ROSE: -A whole lot of it.-

KANAYA: *Let Us Bounce*

ERIDAN: *you got that right* *he takes her arm and starts to head out* rox im gunna do my trainin for a bit wwe can talk wwhen i get back or... wwhenevver

ROXY: aaalllrright ok yeah u can get on that

ROSE: -AND SO THEY DO-

ERIDAN: *gives her a quick peck on the cheek before making his way to do that*

[agrestictruant]

Drone Season Seminar

PAINT: *Everyone has been invited into the infirmary for this VERY IMPORTANT SEMINAR. There's a sizable meeting room just for this sort of occassion. Dr Paint is standing by a podium at the end of the room, gathering her notes and readying her presentation, humming gleefully as if this wasn't a sensitive topic for trolls.*

DOLOROSA: *WALK UP IN THE CLUB LIKE WHAT UP I GOT A BIG problem with the dictation of my sexual life, and I would really like to know what exactly is going on here. She finds herself a seat.*

KANKRI: *He has n9 sex life, he just likes seminars. Plus he needs t9 make sure there w9nt 6e any pr96lematics 9ccuring f9r celi6ate tr9lls like him*

KANAYA: *Kanaya is here and fidgeting. This topic is the worst, especially now.*

DAMARA: *Sensitive topic? Eh. It was just a thing. Granted, a thing that would have you dead if you didn't do it properly, but still a thing. However she was lacking in one quad, one she didn't really want anyway, but it had to be done. She is here to SCOPE OUT SOME POSSIBILITES. Damara is seated somewhere in the back, arms crossed.*

ARADIA: -aradia and sollux presumably walk in together and she's already blushing- you know whats really cool

ARADIA: how if you come upon dead bodies the pigment of their skin is all discolored

ARADIA: especially with humans

ARADIA: wow

SOLLUX: 2eriiou2ly?

ARADIA: just wow

ERIDAN: *he probably shows up with roxy. He's got a million questions about this shit, and he really doesn't want to be here either*

ROXY: *Roxy's here, this interupted a lotr marathon but it was fine this was some stuff that was needed to be known*

ARADIA: yeah! when theres no oxygen humans go b100

ARADIA: ...i mean

ARADIA: blue

DAMARA: *There is a embarrassed deflating bull noise coming from somewhere in the room, but it is hard to pinpoint. Huh.*

MITUNA: *Probably rolls in with Porrim. But still he walks up in the club like waddup I got a big heart*

ERIDAN: *yeah, screw you guys for interupting our lotr marathon*

CURRENT cranktankerousGeneticist [CCG] RIGHT NOW responded to memo.

KARKAT: *Karkat is also the here, he's got INQURIES*

SOLLUX: no ii mean 2eriiou2ly, why are you talkiing about thii2 riight now.

ARADIA: well because

ARADIA: its interesting!

PORRIM: *porrim is here on grounds similar to rosa BUT ON THE OTHER HAND... gotta make that bacon. also she wants to keep an eye on kankri. this is dangerous territory for him. but she is, indeed, with mituna*

ARADIA: is there a better time to talk about it

ARANEA: *aranea was ALREADY HERE. she's so ready to 8e educ8ted.*

SOLLUX: ye2.

SOLLUX: probably.

ARADIA: i mean i just think -she notices mituna and porrim and why the hell is there a pang of sad-

ARADIA: -she forgets what she's saying-

TEREZI: *Terezi hasn't even considered thinking about who to think about for a kismesis. But she is there anyway and will put her foot down if she has to.*

MITUNA: *He notices Aradia too and his pusher jumps in his throat for a second, but he gives a nervous smile and a wave before squeezing Porrim's hand and finding some open seatage*

DAMARA: *Most of them seems to be coupled up, but... Wait. Her eyes lock on Porrim and Mituna. Why were those two together? Not only that, but she heard Aradia's voice. She is with someone else too. The Dick champion of all people. What the fuck happened here?*

SOLLUX: *God damn it. He's pulling her to a seat.*

ARADIA: -she smiles back but then gets pulled along by sollux- oh is it starting

PORRIM: *she's looking around for kankri when she spots damara and gives her a smile, though something feels a little off inside of her. she finds a seat with tuna, then fixing her attention ahead.*

TEREZI: *4s Terezi takes a seat next to Karkat, she crosses her arms and legs before donning a sour expression. 1f there was a spittoon nearby, it is likely she would have spat a globule so violently that the force would have knocked it over.*

ROXY: *only human, hey guys what's goin on in here? i 2 am here for the lecture*

ROXY: *suddenly she understands everything about the "Sea of Trolls"*

ROXY: . . . . .*snnnrrrkkkkk's quietly*

KANKRI: .... *JUMPS at her snickering* wwhats s9 funny

KANKRI: (*WAT

KANKRI: (((N9

ERIDAN: .... *JUMPS at her snickering* wwhats so funny

DAMARA: *She is trying to make some kind of sense of this in her head, arms still crossed as her fingers dig into her arms. When she realizes Porrim had looked at her, she had already looked away.*

ROXY: its... ill uh ill explain it later

DAMARA: *She was glad she had taken a seat in the back, because she suddenly felt like running away, but she kept where she was for now.*

ERIDAN: uh okay

ERIDAN: *he tries to get settled next to her, rubbing his arm*

KARKAT: *He catches that expression and nudges her some with his shoulder* CHRIST. I CAN FEEL THAT WAFTING OFF YOU.

DOLOROSA: *Can you feel the waves over here? They are very similar waves.*

PAINT: *scopes out the crowd to see if everyone is seated*

KANKRI: *tenting his fingers while seated next t9 p9rrim. He's ready t9 take n9tes and take this VERY SERI9USLY*

PORRIM: *child...*

TEREZI: *There are mumbles that sound like swears, mostly consisting of WHY and

PORRIM: *... fusses with his hair a little*

KANKRI: *tries t9 6rush her hand away*

MITUNA: *snorts*

TEREZI: M4YB3 W3 C4N G3T 4 C1T1Z3NSH1P ON 4NOTH3R PL4N3T.*

PORRIM: *wait hold on almost got it fixed oKAY she retracts her hand*

ARADIA: -she feels all strange, even moreso than usual. there's just a pained smile on her face-

DAMARA: *This ramtroll happens to feel very strange as well, although there is no smile on her face, pained or no. Her eyes are fixated on the floor.*

SOLLUX: *He may or may not still be holding Aradia's handing, partially because he's inexplicably nervous.*

SOLLUX: ****hand not handing???

PAINT: *looks at the time and mutters to herself* hmm we can start now i think... *shimmies over to the podium, signaling that everyone needs to stfu and pay attention to her*

ERIDAN: *whines a little* *oh shit no one heard that*

MITUNA: *It just feels weird all around in here now. Mituna just kind of wants to disappear*

ARADIA: -she's holding onto his hand tightly, hiding her nerves as best as possible-

PAINT: hello everyone!! i'm glad you could all make it. i'll try to make this as quick as possible so you can get back to your busy schedules. i know no want really wants to be here...

PAINT: *no one

PAINT: *gathers her cue cards* i'm sure i don't need to explain drone season to any of the trolls here, but for the benefit of the humans, i would like to at least touch base...

PAINT: *yes, I see the TWO humans in here you cant hide from her jungle man*

PAINT: trolls reproduce in a sort of hive manner. genetic material is collected by the drones from individual pairs of trolls and is then delivered to the mothergrub to gather in a slurry, from which she produces the next generation of trolls in their earliest stage - grubs!

ARANEA: *aranea mutters something a8out that 8eing a poor explanation*

PAINT: *IGNORES* it's a very serious matter in troll culture! not participating in drone season when a troll is of age is actually punishable by DEATH.

PAINT: that brings me to drone season protocol here on a TUMUT vessel...

TEREZI: *suppresses a groan. 1t's sounds a lot like HRK though.*

PAINT: first and foremost: under the TUMUT peace treaty, no one working or traveling through the organization can be killed by drones if they do not participate.

PAINT: *pauses so people can process that comment*

ARADIA: -wow that's a relief. she glances at sollux for his reaction-

DAMARA: *There is another bull sounding noise coming from somewhere in the room, although more relieved than deflating this time around.*

KARKAT: *Thank fuck, he knew they weren't DUMB enough to allow that to happen*

TEREZI: *Terezi begins unravelling her arms and legs, all while exhaling slowly.*

DAMARA: *Damara wasn't looking at the floor anymore, and that little tidbit of information happened to remove a great deal of stress from her. She wasn't hugging herself quite so tightly, but she still felt tense.*

PAINT: however...

ERIDAN: *MASSIVE sigh of relief*

PAINT: there is a fine that must be paid to the respective governments of each troll society from which you are native to if you do not contribute at least one pail from either of your concupiscent quadrants.

PAINT: also... failure to comply MAY put you up for more serious charges that could EVENTUALLY lead to culling but *hand flap* that's rare and surely everyone will be able to meet these conditions.

PAINT: any questions so far?

ARADIA: -that doesn't help. she doesn't have a lot of money. she's actually pretty terrible with what she earns.-

MITUNA: *Raises his hand*

KARKAT: *Karkat sighs and raises his as well*

DOLOROSA: *THE ROSA IS ALL UP ON THESE QUESTIONS*

PAINT: *points to mituna* you first!

MITUNA: 5o you only have 7o con7ribu7e one pail and i7 can be from ei7her of your quad5 i7 doe5n7 have 7o be bo7h righ7

PAINT: that's right.

MITUNA: okay 7hank fuck

PAINT: *now KARKAT*

ARADIA: -she tenses slightly, hearing his voice, trying not to look-

ARADIA: -she raises the hand not holding onto sollux's-

KARKAT: IN THE CASE OF OFF-SPECTRUMS HOW MUCH DO THEY GIVE A WHOLE FUCK ABOUT THAT? *He need know*

ERIDAN: *man this doesn't answer his question really* *he looks at Roxy and nudges her, not wanting to ask his question himself**

PAINT: oh um... that's a very good question! *rubs the back of her neck before looking through all the information she's received on this topic* i'm not sure if i can answer that...

PAINT: which planet are you from again?

PAINT: *on the off chance that it's beforus, it MIGHT be alright...*

TEREZI: *Terezi tenses next to him, and her sniffer is locked on Paint.*

KARKAT: ALTERNIA SO I KNOW THE ANSWER. IT'S FINE. *Looks like you'll be paying a fine ladies*

PAINT: i'm sorry. :( *gestures to dolorosa next*

TEREZI: *4n emotion of R4G3 builds up in her chest, and she hastily whispers to Karkat,* NO 1TS NOT F1N3 *before raising her own hand*

DAMARA: *Oh. Karkat was here too? She briefly looks around, spots the back of his head, then looks back at the floor. If his didn't count, then she would have to find someone for her red. No feelings attatched. That was comforting, but not much, she still needed to find one. Or a fine. That was probably better.*

KANKRI: *he's a rich little sn9t and will pay any fine he's given*

DOLOROSA: When you say na+ive socie+y, how exac+ly would +ha+ be handled in +he case of one who had defec+ed from +ha+ socie+y en+irely? Lauc+is handles i+s policies differen+ly, and I don

DOLOROSA: '+ consider myself a ci+izen of Al+ernia.

KARKAT: *Looks at her hand and mumbled back* I HOPE YOU HAVE SOME UNRELATED QUESTION. *crosses arms and leans back*

ERIDAN: *he nudges roxy again*

ROXY: *IS NUDGED and shoots up hand*

ERIDAN: *whispers his question to her*

ROXY: *pat pat*

PAINT: well, i believe that all trolls on board are either from alternia, beforus, europa, or lauctis. lauctis citizens aren't required to participate, considering they don't have a mothergrub for their troll citizens...

PAINT: but everyone else, from all other planets i just mentioned, their material will be sent to their respective planets!

DOLOROSA: *That's all she needed to know for now, but she'll probably be asking more shortly.*

PAINT: *aaand aradia is next, she thinks!*

ARADIA: hi uh

ARADIA: how much is the fine

MITUNA: *A chill runs through his spine at the voice. Shit, he knew how much Aradia made*

PAINT: *insert a vague number in caegars here, which would be about to equivilant of say between 500-1000 USDs present day here on earth. trolls are such jerks, man*

KANAYA: *fuck*

TEREZI: *Makes a NO1S3*

ARADIA: -her expression falls slightly- oh

DAMARA: *But what is that in real money.*

KARKAT: *What the fuck.*

PAINT: *STFU HANNE*

MITUNA: damn

ARADIA: -she definitely does not have that-

PAINT: the price is dependent on caste. *says that with a little disdain.* i'll be sure to send out more details to everyone on that later.

KARKAT: *maybe if they mix it really well no one can tell*

ARADIA: so basically highbloods can skip out

KARKAT: *WELP* WOW. *That was outloud, oh well*

ERIDAN: *anyone who works for tumut is covered, they earn way more than that*

KARKAT: *IT'S MY MONEY AND I'LL SPEND IT HOW I WANNA*

ARADIA: -she's not very happy about this.-

TEREZI: *Still SQU1NT1NG though. She'll even pay for Damara's if she has to.*

DAMARA: *Small deflating noise. She was not exactly on the Doctor's good side, as far as she knew right now anyway. She needed to save what she had.*

PAINT: *who was next?? terezi?? she points to terezi*

MITUNA: *He sighs and drums his cheeks with his fingertips*

PAINT: *wait no*

PAINT: um well they can't skip out, no!

TEREZI: WH4T 1F... *Terezi carefully places her hands together, trying to quell the boil in her brain.* WH4T 1F 4LT3RN14 1S 4 F-- *stops herself* DUMB? *'Grats Rezi. Smooth. 4lternia is a dumb.*

ARADIA: but they can pay a smaller fine and one they can afford

ERIDAN: ... *eyes Terezi*

PAINT: *to aradia* yes... that's right.

KARKAT: *f--ucking peice of shit? we know Terezi shh stop*

ARADIA: -her eyes narrow- i know youre just the messenger

ARADIA: but

ARADIA: this is really how tumuts handling this?

DOLOROSA: Yeah, I'm pre++y curious whose decision +his was, exac+ly.

ARADIA: do they realize how much of their services depend on lowbloods?

PAINT: well... i'm afraid it's the best compromise the organization has been able to come to thus far.

ARANEA: *FROWN TOWN and she stands up to speak*

DOLOROSA: I'm assuming +o appease +he curren+ ruling classes?

ARADIA: one of their two helmsmen for the uu is a lowblood!

ARANEA: This isn't really the time nor the place to 8e discussing this topic!

ARADIA: -she stands up-

MITUNA: *Shit.*

TEREZI: *Oooooh.*

ARANEA: Nor is it appropri8 to give these questions to the doctor, here. It isn't her issue to deal with.

ARANEA: *listen here you lil shit*

DAMARA: *Aradia no.*

MITUNA: *Mituna swallows hard*

KARKAT: *Groans*

PORRIM: *yooooo*

ARADIA: our engineers and our scientists are lowbloods!

ARADIA: well take some goddamn notes

ARANEA: *>::::O*

PAINT: uhhh!!

KARKAT: *Additional fucking groans, he doesn't want to deal with this shit*

MITUNA: *Oh shit they got her started. Y'all made the ex bae mad now*

PAINT: can we please settle down?

SOLLUX: (aa 2hiit fuck 2iit down--)

TEREZI: *She does have a point, though.*

DOLOROSA: I'm sure we'd all be happy +o redirec+ +his +o +he superiors responsible for +he decision.

ARANEA: That would 8e a much wiser course of action.

ARADIA: but theyre not going to

ARADIA: they dont care

TEREZI: *under breath grumbling* 1LL S4Y!

ARADIA: you think theyre going to listen to us?

ERIDAN: *oh fuck* *he starts to stand up too but he's probably going to get wrecked. Female troll arguments are really dangerous to get involved with* wwould you prefer wwe let them on board to cull you for not contributin

ERIDAN: because thats wwhat they WWANTED to do

TEREZI: *Terezi's about to pop.*

ARADIA: -she looks at eridan-

MITUNA: *Shit shit shit*

MITUNA: *He looks at Eridan, then looks at Aradia*

ARADIA: its probably easier to settle when you get what you want out of it

KANAYA: *KANAYA RISE*

ERIDAN: *@_@*

MITUNA: *Boom goes the dynamite*

KANAYA: Aradia We Can Handle This

KANAYA: Please Sit Down

KARKAT: *Karkat was close to popping off the fucking handle, the rant was being typed. TY Kan*

ARANEA: *glares at aradia for 8eing so presumptuous*

ARADIA: -she sits-

ARADIA: -huffing-

ARADIA: -only for you kanaya-

KANAYA: *whoa that actually worked*

ARADIA: -she's so mad-

ARADIA: -she has so much more to say-

KARKAT: *He has tape and 0 fucks rn*

DAMARA: *These ladies are so cool. She takes a mental note to thank Kanaya later. She would hate to see Aradia get in trouble. Even if she felt like her point was valid.*

TEREZI: *1mmediately decaptchas her UPad, and starts furiously writing a petition.*

ERIDAN: *slowly sits and stares at the back of the chair right now*

PAINT: *shifts uncomfortably* who else had questions?

ARADIA: -she might be squeezing sollux's hand right now with a grip of steel-

ERIDAN: *eriroxy did*

ROXY: *patient human in the crowd of angry trolls, hi guys sup*

ROXY: *nice weather right*

ROXY: *its kinda toasty in here tho*

DOLOROSA: I'd jus+ like +o say while I can unders+and +he concerns being aired here, if anyone would like +o bring +hose +o me so we can deal wi+h +hem in a more collec+ive, produc+ive way la+er, my door and messenger is always open.

DAMARA: *Then again a fine was better than being straight up killed. This is why she doesn't stick in one place, ugh.*

TEREZI: *Throws her hand up again*

PAINT: t-thank you ma'am. *points at roxy since shes being so chill*

ARADIA: -she definitely plans on doing that-

TEREZI: *sign my petition, aradia*

ARADIA: -might want to get some HIGHBLOOD SIGNATURES-

ROXY: *she try ms paint she try* so humans and trolls in some unholy bedlock should do what exactly?

ERIDAN: *oh god*

PAINT: oh my! well uh... i suppose that would be the same as being unable to contribute.

ERIDAN: *he SINKS in his chair*

DAMARA: *omg.*

ARADIA: -SIGHS LOUDLY-

ROXY: mkay thats all i needed to kno

DAMARA: *double omg.*

DAMARA: *Aradia don't get in trouble. She staaaaares at that Aradia's back.*

SOLLUX: *MY HAND IS BREAKING*

SOLLUX: *but it's ok ilu aradia*

ARADIA: -sorry boo-

ROXY: *may he never code again, go aradia go*

SOLLUX: *GDI RX*

PAINT: though on that subject, there are some interesting experimental procedures that you may be interested in hearing about... but they're highly experimental, i must stress that. and should probably be saved for private conversation...

KANAYA: !!

ERIDAN: ... *blinks and looks up, confused*

TEREZI: ..............

ERIDAN: *looks at roxy*

ROXY: experimental u say *leans forward, interested*

ROXY: *now she HAS to know... but later*

PAINT: *ANYWAY, CARRYING ON*

TEREZI: *turns to Karkat like "Can you even believe this?"*

PAINT: anymore questions??

KANAYA: *Rose... probably wouldn't be interested in a highly experimental procedure though. At least, she can see that sort of thing freaking her out.*

TEREZI: *flails her hand around*

ARADIA: (this is so stupid)

DAMARA: *What the heckie.*

SOLLUX: (iit'2 alway2 been 2tupiid.)

ARADIA: (its not fair)

KARKAT: *He looks at her like "I literally cannot believe a lot of this shit and I can also REALLY believe it everyone's pissing me off. Expect for you and the appropriate people."*

KARKAT: *All of that in one look*

KARKAT: *Sollux's knows what's up*

TEREZI: *She looks back at him like, "1 get u."*

ERIDAN: *u guys have no idea how hard it is to talk to alternian officials*

ROXY: *hey guys water we thinkin about*

DOLOROSA: *wants to fight every alternian official*

ARANEA: *INGR8S*

DAMARA: *Idk confusing feelings and stuff.*

PAINT: *tEREZI U HAVE A QUESTION I SEE*

TEREZI: *Yes she does.*

PAINT: *POINTS AT TEREZI*

TEREZI: *Clears her throat.* 4ND 1F W3 R3FUS3? *4 short pause* HYPOTH3T1C4LLY SP34K1NG, 1F TH3R3 4R3 THOS3 WHO C4NNOT CONTR1BUT3 4ND C4NNOT P4Y TH3 F1N3, WH4T H4PP3NS TH3N?

TEREZI: 1S WH4T 1 M34NT TO S4Y

MITUNA: (7hi5 i5 really fucking dumb)

ARADIA: (i hate this system)

ERIDAN: *@________@*

PAINT: uh, well... an inability to meet the demands would result in potentially being sent back to your home planets to face the legal ramifications which will be presented to you in court... *looks so sad*

ARADIA: thats not fair!

TEREZI: *Terezi's so mad her face is turning teal.*

KARKAT: NO FUCKING SHIT. NO. SHIT. IT'S NOT FAIR.

KARKAT: WHAT THE *FUCK* DO YOU EXPECT!?

ARADIA: -RAM-IFICATIONS NOT WITHSTANDING-

TEREZI: *stands up* TH3N 1 D3CL4R3 1 4M NO LONG3R BOUND TO 4LT3RN14?

TEREZI: (*sans q mark)

KARKAT: DO YOU THINK THAT A WHOLE FUCKING *EMPIRE* IS GOING TO BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR A STARTING ORGANIZATION!?

ARADIA: well weve made it this far havent we?

KARKAT: FAR FROM WHAT?

KARKAT: GETTING CULLED JUST BECAUSE SOME DOUCHE FEELS LIKE IT.

KARKAT: YEAH. REAL GREAT.

ARANEA: You don't seem to understand what a gr8 stride in the right direction this IS, Ms. Megido.

KARKAT: THAT'S FUCKING AWESOME. THUMBS UP. PROGRESS.

ARADIA: im saying if they can push a little bit we can push harder

ARADIA: -she turns to aranea-

ARADIA: and you dont seem to understand what its like to be in our position

ARADIA: because youre not threatened

ERIDAN: like FUCK wwere not fuckin threatened

ARADIA: what? fuck someone or pay a small fee?

MITUNA: (rek7)

TEREZI: 4ND 1F W3 DONT DO 31TH3R, SO LONG, S33 YOU?

ERIDAN: if me or aranea DARED set foot on our goddamned planet after the shit some a YOU fuckers pulled wwell be culled in an instant

ERIDAN: the fact that they backed the fuck off a cullin at all is a goddamned miracle

ERIDAN: *backed

ARANEA: If I didn't CARE a8out your position then I wouldn't 8e working in this peace campaign! Your anger is justified 8ut it is misguided. TUMUT does not represent the entirety of the troll race.

ARANEA: 8ut we are working on elimin8ting the old institutions.

MITUNA: (wow al7ernia and europa mu57 really blow bone bulge)

ARADIA: dont you dare use tumut as an excuse for your apathy

ARANEA: Excuse me?

ERIDAN: *he's standing again, and shaking*

DAMARA: *There is so much going on and Damara is just sinking in her seat. Aradia. No. Stop.*

KARKAT: KNOW WHAT? NO. FUCK NO.

ARANEA: *what the fuck did you just say a8out me u lil 8itch i'm trained in spider warfare*

KARKAT: EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SIT DOWN.

ARADIA: -so is she-

KARKAT: SIT DOWN!

TEREZI: BUT WHY DO 4NY OF TH3 TROLL PL4N3TS G3T TO D1CT4T3 TH3 F4T3 OF THOS3 4BO4RD 4 SK414N P34C3 V3SS3L?

ARADIA: -not spider warfare, the standing part-

KARKAT: WE'RE NOT DOING THIS *BULLSHIT*!!

ERIDAN: its NOT a SKAIAN VVESSEL

MITUNA: 7hen wha7 i5 i7

ERIDAN: its a conglomeration a ALL the planets strivvin for peace

ERIDAN: wwhy the FUCK do you think wwe got so many ambassadors on board

MITUNA: 7o look good

ERIDAN: NO

ERIDAN: if this wwere a skaian vvessel there wwould only be SKAIANS on it

ERIDAN: do you see any fuckin skaians in here

ARANEA: *clears throats* (TUMUT is derived from the organization skaianet which is a congolerm8ion as Eridan said.)

ARANEA: *fact check yall*

PORRIM: *nudges mituna a little like hey please don't*

ERIDAN: wwe already fuckin PUSHED hard back at evveryone else an youre actin as if wwevve done absofuckinlutely NOTHIN

ARADIA: the fact is that this agreement you risked to get is good enough for you because you got a break

ERIDAN: excuse fuckin you but a fine is wway better than death wwhich is wwhat they wwanted

ARADIA: youre acting like we should be grateful for having our death delayed should we not reproduce

ERIDAN: an wwhat YOU dont seem to grasp is wwhat wwoulda happened

MITUNA: *He grumbles a bit*

ERIDAN: its still GODDAMNED PROGRESS

ARADIA: we are going to get death if we dont get a FINE

ARANEA: You're assuming that we don't care a8out your stance!!!!!!!!

DOLOROSA: I +hink wha+ everyone is ge++ing a+ here is +ha+ while we've go+ a long way +o go, +his is s+ill progress. TUMUT is providing a +es+ing ground, is i+ no+? Perhaps if +his +es+ing ground proves frui+ful, more progress can be encouraged. Bu+ we all need +o keep cool heads abou+ i+ and organize in an effec+ive manner for fur+her change.

ERIDAN: *THANK YOU DOLLY*

ARANEA: Thank you!!!!!!!!

ARADIA: i realize that

ERIDAN: if you cant pay the goddamned fine wwell help *can't believe he's saying this*

DOLOROSA: *oh.

DOLOROSA: *Well, that comes as a surprise.*

ARADIA: -she slowly looks over at eridan-

ARADIA: ...really?

MITUNA: *Raises eyebrows*

ARADIA: -her expression softens-

TEREZI: ... *eyebrow raise*

PORRIM: *hand over heart like... the bae*

ERIDAN: youre on my fuckin vvessel an i dont wwant anyone endangered because a anythin

ERIDAN: its not good for moral

MITUNA: wow

MITUNA: 7ha75 ac7ually

DAMARA: *And it is said that Damara's respect for Eridan grew five sizes that day.*

MITUNA: pre77y cool of you

PORRIM: *I'm so pale for u rn*

ARADIA: hold on

ARADIA: -she lets go of sollux's hand and just moves over to eridan, sliding past people-

SOLLUX: *ohgodohgodwhatisshedoing*

ERIDAN: *eyes her nervously*

ARADIA: -and she...gives him a HUG YOU ASSHOLE-

ERIDAN: *OHFUCK*

KANAYA: !!

PAINT: *elevatorstuck playing in her hea-- oh thats nice*

DAMARA: *Omg.*

MITUNA: holy 5hi7

ARADIA: thank you

ERIDAN: uh

ERIDAN: youre wwelcome

DOLOROSA: *Wow. This is a good day for Rosa.*

ROXY: *rox nod, good yes resolve*

DOLOROSA: *Almost makes up for her son being a HUGE DOOFUS and everything.*

DAMARA: *This was actually heartwarming. How... Disgusting.*

DAMARA: *But no. This was nice.*

KARKAT: *STFU*

ARADIA: -and she sighs, letting go of him and walking back over to sollux-

DAMARA: *NO U.*

ERIDAN: *he sloooowly sits down*

SOLLUX: *oh thank fuck.*

KARKAT: *huffs and turns back in his chair kind of waiting for it to be over*

TEREZI: 4S G3N3ROUS 4S TH4T OFF3R 1S, 1SNT TUMUT 4 MOD3L FOR CH4NG3? *This is a genuine question here guys, no snark.* WHY TH3N SHOULD 1T B3ND TO TH3 WH1M OF TWO... *snrk* ULT1M4TUMS, BOTH OF WH1CH 4R3 R4TH3R UND3S1R4BL3?

ERIDAN: *oh my god*

ERIDAN: *he's suddenly way too tired for this*

DOLOROSA: Some+imes +ha+'s +he place movemen+s have +o s+ar+. I+'s an unfor+una+e +ru+h, bu+ change +akes +ime.

ARADIA: -time :)-

ARADIA: -she grabs sollux's hand, this time much more relaxed than before-

DOLOROSA: *Yes Aradia, you keep that fightin' spirit, she loves ya*

ARADIA: -let's be best friends-

TEREZI: *Terezi looks unsatisified with that answer, but sits down anyway. Back to crossing her arms and legs in a tangle.*

DOLOROSA: *Rosa is also unsatisfied, but she's used to it. Being part of the rebellious minority is pretty much an unsatisfying experience no matter which way you spin it.*

DOLOROSA: *AT LEAST HER SON'S NOT DEAD.*

DOLOROSA: *BADUM TSH????*

PAINT: well i think we're done here!! *she needs to get some air anyway. also write up a thing for everyone who didn't attend. at any rate shes gone in an instant*

KARKAT: *He's sitting next to Rezi, arms folded tightly and his right leg is bouncing with curled up RAGE, YAH THATS A THING*

KARKAT: *Great, he's the first one to stamp the fuck outta there*

CCG ceased responding to memo.

PAINT: *its hard being a doctor onboard neck deep in politics. its hard and nobody understands*

ARADIA: are you ready -she says to sollux, while catching a glimpse of mituna again. damn it-

ERIDAN: *he feels really stressed out right now and gets up, looking at roxy*

MITUNA: *He's just sitting there with his arms crossed looking really EH about everything, but damn did his ex go in or what*

SOLLUX: yeah, let'2 ju2t get out of here.

ROXY: *she pats Eridan on the shoulder, good job* cmon lets give ms paint a breather than pester her about that experimental trial

KANAYA: *Eridan looks extra cute in his sweater today after that. What a good*

ERIDAN: *he nods* okay rox

DAMARA: *She did not intend for this so be so heated, at least in this sense of the word. She quickly gets out of her seat and leaves before she starts thinking about Arasol and Portuna again.*

DAMARA: *Expect. Not intend. wat

KANAYA: *THIS IS ALL DAMARA'S FAULT*

CAA, FAA ceased responding to memo.

ARANEA: *aranea is SO PEEVED. meenah is gonna get such an ear full later a8out all this. she has SO MUCH TO COMPLAIN A8OUT*

CAG ceased responding to memo.

TEREZI: *Terezi is being outtie. With fists clenched so hard her knuckles are paper white, she restrains herself from storming out like a wiggler with a tantrum. Because she is a PROF3SS1ON4L.*

ERIDAN: wwe can continue our marathon an shit *if only he knew how many people he boosted their opinion of him HE'D PROBABLY FEEL A LOT BETTER*

KANAYA: *kan's def gonna mention this to him later*

ROXY: yeah that sounds preferable

MITUNA: hey cocap

ROXY: lets go do that th- *looks to the tuna*

ARADIA: -she stands up with sollux-

ERIDAN: definitely *links arms with her but glances at mituna*

MITUNA: wha7 you offered

MITUNA: 7ah75

MITUNA: 7ha75 really cool youre a cool dude

SOLLUX: *el stando*

PORRIM: *smiles*

ERIDAN: ... yeah wwell...

PORRIM: *her heart is so warmed*

ROXY: *awwwwwww*

ERIDAN: i dont wwant fewwer soldiers because planets wwanted to kill you assholes off

ERIDAN: just for not payin some fine

PORRIM: *eridan plz*

ROXY: (awwwwwwwwww welp pfft gj)

MITUNA: *Snorts*

MITUNA: of cour5e no7

ROXY: (he so tsun)

MITUNA: *You like us you really like us*

ERIDAN: *ITS NOT AS IF I LIKE U GUYS OR NOTHIN*

ARADIA: -she leads sollux out of here-

MITUNA: *Not that mituna needed the money....or to pay the fine at all....*

ARADIA: -we're all in this togetehr-

DOLOROSA: *While she naturally could have been more satisfied, this whole thing went much better than she expected it to, really. That the co-captain made the offer he did is a relief for what they couldn't quite manage to make up with regards to their governments, and she's making a note to speak to him more later. She's certainly feeling better about having approached him, specifically, about her issue before.*

DOLOROSA: *She heads over to him herself, now, giving a smile.* Cap+ain. Nice job.

ERIDAN: oh uh thanks *wow where are all these compliments coming from*

DOLOROSA: *THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN UR A GOOD DUDE*

ROXY: *awwwwwwwwwww*

DOLOROSA: *She scans the faces around him, settling on Porrim's for a moment before moving back to Eridan.* I'll be in con+ac+.

DOLOROSA: *And outie she goes.*

PORRIM: *doki*

ERIDAN: okay ambassador maryam

ERIDAN: *looks at roxy like GODDANG. his fins are perking up some too*

ROXY: *what a happy fish, she kisses his cheek and they go back to their.... lotr marathon*

ERIDAN: *awww yeee, a marathon well deserved*

PORRIM: Yeah. Let's get o+ut o+f here. *man this was TENSE*

MITUNA: *He's a little miffed about things still but yeah. He grabs her hand and leads her out*

[agrestictruant]

FINDING THE CURE

PAINT: *Welcome to the city neighboring the Lauctan Capitol - which also happens to be the location of the highest concentration of sick trolls. Doctor Paint shall be your guide. She is leading the small team of scientists and her little sprite helpers to a Skaianet owned medical center and disease research facility.* PAINT: *she looks back at her group as she enters the building* okay everyone! we're going to present your research to the team here, so look alive. *wait, poor wording.* we'll also be visiting a few sick volunteers to administer some medication to... *mutters* which probably sounds suspect but... hey they volunteered! ROXY: *Roxy walks behind Ms. Paint and looks around the facility.* yes ma'am *She's been working hard on this and she knows Jade and Tavros have been to. They've been sharing research and trying various methods and hopefully this medication is going to do what they hope.* DAVESPRITE: *davesprite raises his hand up, he's also walking with legs, cause appearantly sprites can make legs* yo, What kinda medication is this? like in what form does it come? also there ain't no super bad shit gonna happen right? ain't gonna have volunteers dying on us? FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *Fefeta floats be)(ind, trying to do )(er best to stay calm...t)(is was a sad situation, and s)(e was sad, but s)(e was just so gos)( darn )(appy to be able to )(elp. S)(e wasn't sure )(ow s)(e would, ot)(er t)(an to s)(ow representation of anot)(er speices, and maybe )(elp wit)( some of t)(e decontamination later.* ROSE: -Rose is in a bit of a hurry, her uniform jacket only half-on as she hurried after the others, loosely buttoning it up as to maintain a semblence of professionality.- ROSE: I'm sorry! Did I miss the briefing? TAVROS: *Tavros is incredibly nervous, naturally, since this is kind of a big deal. He hasn't gotten an awful lot of sleep as of late, and it shows. He had worked on a lot of various things with Jade (and Roxy, to a degree), and he did have a theory of his own, but there wasn't really any way of telling if any of it /would/ work before trying it out on actual... Volunteers. There was a lot of pressure (perhaps mostly from himself) and a lot on the line here. He fidgeted a little, trying to perk up when Doctor Paint told them to look alive, although it only lasted for about two seconds before he slumped again.* JADE: *Holy crap she was not prepared to see the sprites looking this way, but for now there are more important issues on hand.* oh hey rose! you havent missed too much JADE: were going to present some research and administer our test dose of the medication to some volunteers PAINT: *rose plz. she looks to davesprite* um... those are a lot of questions. but good ones! *answers each one while counting the points on her fingers* ROSE: -She leans over towards Jade.- (I suppose we're skipping the clinical trials, considering the situation.) TAVROS: *Kinda shifty eyes in direction of the sprites, because... Yeah. He has a theory, but it is just wishful thinking and he hasn't really... Asked the sprites about it. Which he probably should have, but he has been too busy with work. He quickly looks away and follows after the others.* JADE: (yup but im feeling pretty optimistic about it) ROSE: (Is this what you've been locking yourself away doing?) JADE: (eh heh...) DAVESPRITE: *he nods* alright cool, thanks doc sounds like a pretty nice medicine, hopefully this shit does it's job and we help some peeps get all on with their feeling better and shit FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e smiles at Tavros, waving slig)(tly and catc)(ing up to )(im.* Are mew f33line alrig)(t? TAVROS: *He turns his head toward Fefeta when she catches up, giving her a nervous lopsided smile in greeting.* hEY, aH, i GUESS i AM FEELING, aS ALRIGHT AS i COULD BE FEELING, gIVEN THE SITUATION, *He runs a hand through his hair.* wHAT ABOUT YOU, aRE YOU OK, FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < Yea)(! I am f33line purrfis)(ly! T)(e legs are weird so I )(ave b33n floating still )(33)(33. TAVROS: *He nods, still with the nervous smile on his face.* tHAT'S GOOD TO HEAR, hEH, *He eyes her up and down, a little odd to see her with legs.* yEAH, uHM, i CAN IMAGINE IT MUST BE, iF YOU ARE NOT USED TO THEM, uHM, i CAN RELATE IN A WAY, i THINK, aBOUT NOT BEING USED TO LEGS, *Semi gestures to his cyborg legs.* aLTHOUGH i CAN'T FLOAT, wHICH IS SOMETHING i CANNOT RELATE TO, *He is rambling because he is stressed and nervous, sorry Fefeta.* PAINT: *she leads them up through the building to a medical bay with a small lab with large glass windows in the middle, surrounded by a few sealed off rooms presumably filled with sick people or other rooms that require decontamination to enter* ROSE: -She follows after her, arms behind her back.- Has there been any riot activity in the area? And are we keeping this potential treatment a secret, for now? PAINT: there have been some protests, but nobody has really rioted. and yes. this is entirely a tumut operation and we're keeping it confidential. er, mostly! *glances at her volunteers who aren't technically affiliated with tumut* ROSE: I suppose I'll... ROSE: ...Hm. FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e smiles and waves slig)(tly* Don't worry I )(aven't told a s)(oal. *Wit)( a small purrglub s)(e starts to look around.* ROSE: Actually, Doctor, there's something I did want to take note of, on a tangentally related subject. DAVESPRITE: Afterwards I got a question PAINT: hmm? *looks to rose* go ahead. ROSE: -A slip of paper pops out of her sylladex and she hushes her voice just a little bit, offering it over to her.- (Something we should keep note of, if any of our patients or volunteers happen to have such a symbol on their person.) ROSE: -It is, naturally, the reverse-culling fork from the hooded cultist-types.- PAINT: *takes the paper and looks it over carefully, nodding as she tucks it away* right. thank you. *smiles at davesprite* alright, whats your question? DAVESPRITE: Well about the whole "secret" thing, I'm sure we got our reasons, but why are we keeping it a secrets? wouldn't it make people all excisted and shit to hear a cure is in the makes yo? PAINT: that is exactly why we can't tell people! they're excited enough as is. excitement doesn't necessarily equate with positivity. its a bit of gamble, but its better to tell people we're still working on it then promise them something that might not work out... PAINT: there's too much potential for a violent backlash! especially when people are already acting violently. ROSE: Evidently there are types running about encouraging trolls to start taking whatever they wish by force. DAVESPRITE: Wait... DAVESPRITE: I thought you said there were only protests a moment ago? PAINT: only in this city. PAINT: in other cities people have rioted. DAVESPRITE: Oh well then damn DAVESPRITE: Just how long has this plague been around? DAVESPRITE: Seems like it fucked this place up something feirce PAINT: *tries to recall* only a few months! so yes, the rapid spread has made people a little crazy. ROXY: *It's sad that her old planet's going through all this turmoil and she didn't even know about it but at least she's been giving a chance to help fix it. Has also been quiet and deep in her thoughts* ROSE: -She gives a little wave towards Roxy.- DAVESPRITE: *He nods* damn...that's a pretty hefty situation, that's all questions from me, I think I'd rather let actions speak cause this situation is pretty damn dire it sounds like ROXY: *Sees that wave and gives a little smile and waves back, then wanders on over* i meant to show u my place ages ago madam forgive my crazy lateness *but then life happened and wELL* JADE: *Jade's thinking pretty hard, too. They've put a lot of thought and work into this, testing and trial and error. But the only real tests will come with actual subjects, and she can't help feeling both nervous and excited. At least she's got two strong minds to back up the research with her on this, and she can't help glancing at them both now and again.* ROSE: It's fine. To be honest, it slipped my mind. ROSE: I'm not as strictly regimented in my priorities as I'd like. TAVROS: *Kinda zoned the heckie out there for a moment, due to lack of sleep and sciency thoughts, no doubt. He shakes his head just a little, rubbing his temple with one hand. He notices Jade glancing his way and he gives a small smile. Hopefully this would work.* ROSE: Have you been working on this treatment, too? DAVESPRITE: Actually, I have one more question, more like a request ROXY: then i feel less like a wad and yeah ive been givin it my all workin with those guys and sendin stuff back and forth *glances to jade and tavros* ROXY: i feel good about it tho *so good, it has to work, it IS gonna work* PAINT: *looks at davesprite with hands folded, with her LISTENING EARS on* ROSE: -She gives her shoulder a squeeze. Well, she has almost no right to be there, considering her lack of expertise, but she can sure fake it.- I've got faith in you. JADE: *She smiles a little, too, even nods a bit. They're both fairly sleep-deprived, but she at least managed to grab some last night at Dave's insistence. She shuffles a little closer.* this is it i guess!! the big moment DAVESPRITE: I requisition *sweet ass profesional word yo, nice one DSlite* that after we do this, all these sciency peeps gotta take like a 14 hour nap. cause they seem tired as hell PAINT: oh yes! i authorize that request. DAVESPRITE: Hell yeah, questions over yo PAINT: thats an order everybody! PAINT: take a nap afterwards!! JADE: *Wow Davesprite.* TAVROS: *He exhaled deeply once, trying to calm his nerves. He looks down at Jade as she shuffles towards him, that small nervous crooked smile still on his face.* yEAH, i SUPPOSE SO, *He blinks in direction of Doctor Paint and Davesprite. A small "heh" escaping him as he nods.* yEAH, rOGER THAT, FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e nods and purrglubs. S)(e would )(elp tuck t)(em in wit)( )(er warm self if s)(e n33ded to! PAINT: anywho, here we go! *ushers them into that lab in the middle where other nerds await them* TAVROS: *Purrglubs oh my god that's adorable. Tavros cracks a broader smile at that, bUT THEN IS USHERED INTO A LAB.* JADE: *Fefeta's support makes everything a little sweeter.* PAINT: *scoot your booties. tell the nerds what you've got.* PAINT: *the nerds are going to nod and stroke their chins all the while just so you know* ROXY: thanks rosey *Then gives a little snort at the mandatory naps, she's down for that and sSCOOTS on in the lab* DAVESPRITE: *Walks on in with his cool ass legs and waits for nerds to converse with other nerds* TAVROS: *Nervous shuffling of his feet as he stands there, but quits it after a few seconds. This was /science/ after all, and he knew science. He straightens his back a little, looking up CONFIDENTLY. Sidemouths to Jade 'n' Roxy though.* (sO, uH, wHICH ONE OF US SHOULD DO THE, sCIENCE PRESENTATION THING, i GUESS,) JADE: (we can do it together right???) :) ROXY: (yeah i think were p capable of not talkin all at the same time like dinguses) TAVROS: (oH, wELL, yEAH, tRUE, i JUST WANTED TO CHECK SO THAT WE DON'T ALL JUST, eRR, sCIENCEGASM ALL AT ONCE,) TAVROS: (oR ACT LIKE DINGUSES, wHICH YOU JUST SAID, eRR, wHICH WE WON'T SO, nEVERMIND,) ROXY: (ill hand these nerds some kleenx for the gush a science thats gonna be all over their faces) TAVROS: (oH MY GOD,) DAVESPRITE: *holy shit nerds* ROXY: *wink wonks at tavros* TAVROS: *Holds back a snort of laughter.* PAINT: :) TAVROS: *Fucking professionals.* JADE: *OH MY GOD* JADE: *Jade clears her throat* JADE: we began with the study of the symptoms of the virus and the best method of prevention... we found the virus was responsible for inapplicable signals in platelets which causes them to form the clots that cause the cold, numbness, shivers, palpitations, and eventual congestive heart failure TAVROS: *He nods as Jade talks.* yEAH, wHICH IS WHY WE HAVE MADE THIS VACCINE OF SORTS, wHICH IS A COMBINATION OF ANTIBODIES AND REGULATIVES, tO BASICALLY HELP THE BODY REGULATE THE PLATETE COUNT, aND KEEP THEM FROM ALL, *He gestures in the air.* mUSHING TOGETHER, aND CAUSING CLOTS, i SUPPOSE, TAVROS: bECAUSE IF WE DEAL WITH THE CLOTTING, tHEN HOPEFULLY THE REST OF THE SYMPTOMS WILL GO AWAY, sINCE THE CLOTTING CAUSES IT, *Runs a hand through his hair.* DAVESPRITE: (maybe don't say "I suppose when presenting a cure to a deadly plague) *davesprite whispers to tav subtly* JADE: *davesprite stfu* DAVESPRITE: *davesprite very quickly stfu's at Jades look of stfu* TAVROS: *Thanks Davesprite now he is even more nervous.* JADE: *thx bb* FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *s)(e leans over and w)(ispers to Tavros.* (Mew can do it! I t)(oug)(t it was wonderful) TAVROS: *Thanks Fefeta now he is less nervous.* TAVROS: *He even gives her a 'lil smile, look at that.* ROXY: for obvious reasons the clotting is our first priority but were hopin that this cocktail drug we administer will also do its job in killing the virus. weve performed a number of experiments and the blood that has been introduced to it is showing no signs of the virus aggressive behavior ROSE: -She nods, listening. It's enough that she manages to understand what they're doing, at least.- ROXY: this is going to help contain control and kill the disease JADE: :) TAVROS: *Aw yes. They just hella scienced it up in here. He feels a bit more sure of himself, and their work, as Roxy speaks. Yeah. Of course it was going to work. Roxy and Jade were both really clever ladies, so it would work out! Yeah!* JADE: *Jade is probably flashing some slides of research on her glowing holographic lunchtop or something, because that's cool and sciency as fuck.* JADE: *LET'S JUST SAY THAT'S A THING THAT HAPPENED.* TAVROS: *IT TOTALLY HAPPENED AND IT WAS BOTH TOTALLY COOL AND TOTALLY SCIENCY.* PAINT: *look at all this science... dr. paint is so proud. she sheds a little tear.* ROXY: *It's so sciencey and cool and everyone loved it* ROXY: *Or else* DAVESPRITE: *DSlite loved it, but is currently stfu'ing hard* ROSE: -Rose probably loved it.- JADE: *PROBABLY????* ROSE: -PROBABLY.- JADE: *GDI ROSE YOU HAVE AMBIGUOUSLY FAILED ME FOR THE LAST TIME* FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *Fefeta LOV-ED it. S)(e was trying really )(ard to k33p calm, but s)(e couldn't )(elp t)(at s)(e was warming up and maybe getting a touc)( brig)(ter.* TAVROS: *Omg. Fefeta.* PAINT: *the nerds mutter amongst themselves. they were certainly blown away by all this science. and they okay the administration of the drug on test subjects and already begin to plot out production and vaccinations. ya know, if it works. wow I'm sure this is how all this works.* JADE: *ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION* TAVROS: *Glowy catfish ladies makes him feel better, even as the other nerds mutter amongst themselves. Thank you, sweet precious Fefeta.* ROXY: *She's very glad that they okay their vaccine. Hell yes. She's very excited to start trails but also nervous* DAVESPRITE: *is remaining quiet but all looking around like hell yes shit's going good* TAVROS: *It feels like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders as they got the okay, but it was soon replaced with another as he realized this meant they had to actually test it out. On actual people. And it might actually fail.* JADE: *EXCITING* PAINT: *onto the next step! dr. paint is leading them to another room now, after their research is passed along and such, where they have to go through decontamination and get suited up for visiting their test subjects. which happen to be three trolls from all up and down the hemospectrum - yellow blood, teal blood, purple blood.* ROSE: -Rose follows along through the decon procedure, as she's zipped up in a suit.- TAVROS: *Goes through decontamination, possibly lagging a little behind since he is an actual troll and he has to be a little more careful about being around people with the disease, since he can actually get it.* JADE: *Teal blood. Jade feels a little tug in her chest at that -- Jade and Tavros were testing on teal blood, specifically, thanks to Redglare, and Roxy had jade blood, but what about the other colors on the spectrum? Could it react badly with them? The thought made her a little nervous.* ROXY: *She gets thoroughly decontaminated and into the suit so they can visit these poor trolls and nods to them as they enter. Greeting them by their names and giving patient service* TAVROS: *He has suited up by now and stands behind Jade, giving her a small reasurring pat on the shoulder. As reasurring as a ball of nerves could give anyone, that is.* DAVESPRITE: *he walks up behind them a bit curious what wearing actual clothes would be like, he usually made his own clothes, he gets zipped up and waits for the next part to come* DAVESPRITE: *he's p much staying completely silent this whole time* FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e floats in after t)(em, not suiting up. )(eat + virus = Dead virus.* JADE: *He's nervous, too, she thinks, by the way his expression seems when she glances up to smile at him. She's grateful for the reassurance, but they both know that the rest is up to fate, now, and they just have to have hope for their efforts.* PAINT: *the three volunteers are told to help prep the patients while the three scientists are told to GET OUT THEIR NEEDLES AND GET TO STABBING* TAVROS: *He is pretty sure there had to be a better way to phrase that than 'stabbing', but he says nothing because he is too nervous to be sassy outside of meta.* TAVROS: *Regardless, he gETS OUT A NEEDLE AND PREPARES FOR THE STABBING.* ROXY: *Ready to stab this fool, she does take out her needle gonna shank him up with feel good* ROSE: -Rose actually does know a little bit about bedside manner and care.- Ah, there, thank you for participating in our study. -Prepping continues.- I know you must be in a great deal of pain and discomfort, but we're going to do everything we can for you. DAVESPRITE: * dave heads over to one, unsure which one they are, like blood wise* yo, My names Davesprite I'mma be preppin you for this alright? so if there's anything you need while I prepare you let me know yo *he then begans pretty carefully cleaning areas where there will be needles going on and getting the patient as comfortable as he can so it's not to bad of an experience for them, dude may be sassy as dude, but he c ROSE: -She at least seems to be taking care of the yellow blood.- FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e floats over and purrglubs to t)(e patient.* )(i t)(ere! It's a purrleasure to m33t you, but since you aren't f33line so good, I'm gonna )(elp get you ready fur my fronds to take care of you! *S)(e smiles brig)(tly and starts to disinfect t)(e arm, watc)(ing t)(e patient's face and being careful not to )(arm t)(em.* JADE: *She sighs and decides to sidle up to the patient Davesprite's taken, watching what he's doing with that nervousness still swirling in her stomach, but it's masked on her face. She needs to stay confident, especially for the patients' sake. As soon as it looks like the patient's prepped, she decides not to build up suspense.* JADE: im just going to give you a quick injection, you might feel a little bit of a burning sensation but itll pass JADE: *She's readied the needle, and she sticks that shit in and injects it carefully.* PAINT: *the troll patients all know what they're getting into. THEY'RE HAPPY TO SUBMIT TO THE SCIENCE. but they're glad everyone is being so kind* TAVROS: *He makes his way over to whichever troll it is Fefeta is prepping. He has a needle out, but he isn't all in their face about it. Bedside manner is important after all. At least he thought so. Crazed beasts don't usually require bedside manners.* TAVROS: hI THERE, *He tries sounding as confident as possible.* mY NAME IS TAVROS, aND i AM ONE OF THE SCIENTISTS WHO HAVE WORKED ON A VACCINE, *He explained.* nOW, yOU'RE GOING TO FEEL A LITTLE STING, aND MAYBE IT WILL BURN A LITTLE, bUT IT WILL PASS, sO PLEASE DON'T WORRY, ROSE: -It's rather gratifying. And she's not quite cruel enough to start mocking the terminally ill.- ROXY: *Roxy walks up to her patient and nods to them* this is gonna smart but thats gonna fade *gives them a little smile and sticks them with the needle and injects it before patting their hand when they seem to register that burn* TAVROS: *Takes that arm and readies that needle and sticks that needle into that arm aND INJECTS THAT VACCINE. Carefully, of course.* PAINT: *there's no immediate reaction to the vaccine. which is a VERY GOOD SIGN. they aren't thrashing about or foaming at the mouth or anything. phew. but time will tell if they have, indeed, erradicated this disease* JADE: *THANK GOD, we didn't kill our patients. Probably.* DAVESPRITE: *DS decides to check with his patient* Are you experiencing any discomfort yo? from other then the needle? ROSE: (How long do we expect it will take for any noticable change?) PAINT: *patients are all shaking their heads or muttering responses in their own respective troll quirks. they feelin no different than a second ago, really.* ROXY: (well have to check up on them hourly and see for sure) FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e looks in t)(e patient's eyes, looking for a reaction and signs of consciousness.* ROSE: (I suppose. Hours or weeks can make quite a difference in this situation.) TAVROS: *Well, at least none of them died. Yet. Hopefully that wouldn't happen though. But at least there seemed to be no immidiate side effects or anything? He was about to let out a relieved sigh, but realized that might seem bad, so he held it in.* JADE: *Good job Tavros.* TAVROS: *Thank you!* DAVESPRITE: *Dsprite was pretty happy the patient was doing ok for now, he would have felt kinda bad had thry gotten hurt* well I am glad you are feeling ok, please let any staff member know if you feel anything immediately. JADE: *So official, im so prouda u* TAVROS: *Oh shucks... He is proud of her too, for being so cool and collected. Seemingly, at least.* FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e floats away from t)(e patient and over to Tavros, w)(ispering.* (We made a purretty good team.) TAVROS: *He flashes Fefeta a lopsided smile, nodding. He whispers back.* (dEFINITELY, tHANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT, aND BEING ON MY TEAM AND EVERYTHING,) PAINT: yay! *shes so happy this has gone so well so far. but as roxy stated, they're going to have to continue checking in on them, so for now they WAIT. she considers getting them donuts.* JADE: *I WOULD LOVE DONUTS. Dollars and donuts.* JADE: *And snausages.* TAVROS: *His 'there-might-be-donuts' senses are tingeling.* ROXY: *Please paint, koalaches and donuts are needed* ROXY: *Also coffee* ROXY: *They have a lot more science to do* ROSE: -Rose is assisting as hard as she can, though the quarentine suit is pretty stifling.- PAINT: *THE COFFEE AND DONUTS ARE BEING PROCURED. scientist party aw yiss.* DAVESPRITE: *doesn't eat food really, dang, no party for him* TAVROS: *Hell yEAH HELL YEAH HELL YEAH. Although they should probably not eat and party in front of the sick people.* PAINT: *thats probably in bad form* FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *Na)(, no food, t)(oug)( t)(ey could totally go c)(ill out in a window wit)( some sun.* ROXY: *They gonna talk and laugh and eat coffee and donuts and be sassy and try not to fall asleep and regularly check in on these guys* ROSE: -It's a party alright.- FEFETASPRITE: 3833 < *S)(e starts to float out gently, waving to t)(e patients wit)( a purrglub.* TAVROS: *Roxy knows what's up. That sounds like a proper game plan. Tavros says goodbye to his patient, giving them a reasurring pet on the shoulder and a gentle smile. It will be okay, friend. He starts heading out.*

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-- aesopianAlgedonic [AA] began pestering doctorPaint [DP] at 17:24 --

[05:24] AA: HELLO. SORRY TO DISTURB IMPORTANT AND GOOD DOCOR WHEN SO MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

[05:24] AA: HOWEVER HAD QUERY?

[05:25] DP: what can i help you with?

[05:26] AA: THANK YOU. WAS WONDERING IF WAS POSSIBLE TO VISIT QUARANTINED TROLLS?

[05:29] DP: well we're pretty strict about it... especially for other trolls! you'll have to go through decontamination and put on some protective gear.

[05:29] DP: and your number of visits would have to be limited.

[05:30] AA: UNDERSTAND THIS. IS NO PROBLEM. ONLY SAFTEY MEASURE, YES? IS TO BE EXPECTED.

[05:30] AA: AS LONG AS ABLE TO VISIT, THEN NUMBER IS IRRELEVANT.

[05:31] DP: alright! well come on down whenever you can and i'll help you out.

[05:38] AA: THANK YOU FOR THIS. WAS WONDERING IF COULD COME DOWN NOW? ALSO WOULD BRINGING GIFT BE PROBLEM?

[05:38] DP: that should be alright! i'll have to look over it though.

[05:40] AA: OF COURSE. I WILL COME DOWN TO MEDICAL SHORTLY.

[05:41] DP: okie dokie! see you soon.

-- aesopianAlgedonic [AA] ceased pestering doctorPaint [DP] at 17:44 --

[agrestictruant]

[06:40] -- ghoulishTricks [GT] began pestering doctorPaint [DP] at 18:40 --

[06:40] GT: um, pardon me?

[06:40] DP: yes hello! what can i do for you?

[06:41] GT: hi! i was just wondering, well, since i am a recently declared medical major, if it would be alright if i shadowed you for a while?

[06:41] GT: like, not in a creepy way.

[06:41] GT: in the kind of way where i am more like a pupil.

[06:42] DP: oh that's not creepy at all! feel free.

[06:43] GT: thank you very much ma'am! is there any day you want me to start?

[06:43] DP: let's seeeee...

[06:44] DP: any time after sunday should be prime for me!

[06:45] GT: after sunday, okay!

[06:45] GT: thank you so, so, soooo much!

[06:46] DP: don't worry about it, sweetie!

[06:46] DP: i'm excited!

[06:46] DP: this should be fun.

[06:50] GT: i guess so! i mean, maybe. i dunno how fun treating the ill will be.

[06:50] GT: definitely very fulfilling though!

[06:55] DP: well that's for sure!

[06:55] DP: anyway i should go get some paper work done. busy, busy, busy...

[06:55] DP: i'll just pencil you into my schedule.

[06:55] DP: here we go - any point after sunday: mr egbert visits!

[06:59] GT: yes! thank you once again!

[07:00] DP: you're very welcome!

[07:00] DP: i'll see you again soon. :)

[07:01] GT: toodles!!

[07:01] -- doctorPaint [DP] ceased pestering ghoulishTricks [GT] at 19:01 --

[agrestictruant]

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