colostrumtractatus-blog

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

-- colostrumTractatus [CT] began trolling circuitousGrievance [CG]  -- CT: Kankri. Hello. CG: 9h, hell9. H9russ is this y9u? CT: Pardon me. CT: I did not realize I hadn't shared my client handle with you yet. It seemed like such a trivial thing. CG: N9 its quite alright, I am just relieved t9 hear I guessed c9rrectly. CG: What may I d9 f9r y9u? CT: Nothing. CT: I suppose messaging you without a tangible reason must seem odd. CG: N9t entirely, I am guessing that means y9u desire t9 talk freely with me? CT: In all horsenesty, I don't know what it is I desire! CT: It is quite difficolt to think clearly in this moment. I am... experiencing quite an upheaval of emotion. CT: But there are not many places to turn to for udderstanding. Why should there be? CT: There are not many who do. CT: In actuality, it might not matter. CG: 9h my. I am s9rry t9 hear if y9u are having a m9ment 9f em9ti9nal distress, d9 kn9w I am all ears if y9u d9 in fact desire s9me9ne t9 listen t9 y9u. I might 6e m9re understanding then y9u might think, depending 9n the t9pic. CT: I don't wish to burden you. CT: But I also do not wish to destroy the body I am residing in. CG: That w9uld 6e a h9rri6le thing t9 happen t9 y9u if it did! Even with9ut a risk like that, I assure y9u it w9uld n9t 6e a 6urden at all. CT: Please. CT: Will you meet me in the engineering labs? CG: Certainly, give me 6ut a few minutes t9 get there. HORUSS: *And so Horussbot finds himself in the engineering lab, carefully checking the VOID PORTAL as it stands. It's off currently but giving it a look over is as good a distraction as any. He waits for Kankri.* KANKRI: *As he informed Horuss he does not take long to get to the labs, as if he would doddle when he has a chance to actually do his JOB. Although Horuss is a friend, so technically it would be a friend seeing a friend... But he wont let that invalidate the surge of purpose he is feeling as he enters the room right now to find Horuss working with some sort of large contraption.* I h9pe I did n9t keep y9u waiting l9ng. HORUSS: *Twitches an ear as he hears his voice, turning his head when Kankri enters the lab.* You did not. And if you did, I wouldn't hold it against you. *Rests hand against the contraption* HORUSS: But you are here now and that is all that is important. KANKRI: *He is a bit curious about this machine, he has no clue as to what engineering works on here.* I am pleased t9 hear that. KANKRI: N9w what is it that is tr9u6ling y9u? HORUSS: Nothing I can speak comfortably about out here. KANKRI: 9h.... *Shifts on his feet a bit awkwardly.* S9rry, I am a 6it c9nfused why y9u have asked me here then. Sh9uld we rec9nvene elsewhere t9 c9ntinue? HORUSS: Yes... *he is messing with the keypad on the portal. Suddenly, it hums to life. The arch darkening into some kind of pathway.* If you do not mind terribly. HORUSS: You might follow me. KANKRI: *Ahahah thats funny, for a moment he thought Horuss just asked Kankri to walk into some sort of dark portal machine.* Y9u... KANKRI: Want me t9 g9 with y9u. In there. HORUSS: Yes. *says this like it's OBVIOUS.* It's quite stable. And I will not run the risk of devastating the mechanical body I am in. KANKRI: *HHHHHH. Well, hes approaching closer to at least check it out from the very edge of the pathway.* KANKRI: Are y9u sure it is safe? HORUSS: E%ceedingly safe. *mournful neigh* KANKRI: *What is he getting himself into...* KANKRI: *Kankri takes a deep breath to steady himself.* Well. S9 l9ng as y9u are sure 9f that. And if y9u really are insisting this is the 9nly place y9u feel safe talking. KANKRI: 6ut y9u must pr9ceed first! *This is crazy, he is crazy.* HORUSS: *Crazy is as crazy does, Kankri. Horuss nods in agreement.* Yes, of horse. *squaring up his shoulders, he takes the first few steps into the dark space. Nothing seems to happen but he does look back at Kankri.* KANKRI: *Okay maybe another few deep breaths just to get himself okay enough to be able to step through. Alright this is it, him being crazy and doing this thing here he goes. Kankri very hesitantly takes a single step through, and when he does he stops, waiting for something to possibly go wrong.* HORUSS: *No, nothing. Horuss continues to stand there, waiting for him.* If you feel the need for assistance, I offer it. *His forearm. Fixed and good as new, Horuss is offering it out with respect.* KANKRI: *He eyes the offered arm with extreme consideration before glancing back behind him just to be sure the portal is still there.* Mmm... n9 I think... I think I'm fine. F9r the time 6eing. *He then moves forward again just to be sure he is as close to Horuss as socially acceptable to be certain he wont some how get lost in, well, wherever they are.* HORUSS: Very well. *And so, they move further into the choking darkness. And just when Kankri thinks he won't ever see the light of day again-- they emerge on the other side.* HORUSS: *The workshop is open and made entirely of stone-- the walls, floors, and ceilings all carved out as if from some cave. It is not dark persay, but it does have a gloomy atmosphere. Worktables line the edges of the room as well, and have robotic parts of every size shape and function imaginable. Behind Kankri the portal still hums, swirling and undisturbed in faint blue light.* KANKRI: *The endless blackness did well to drive terrifying regret into the core of his being as they advance further into it. The last time Kankri underwent some sort of trippy experience like this was when he had been chuckle voodooed onto a hellish nightscape version of his demolished planet. Its not strange for him to be anticipating the same sort of horrors to spring out at anymoment. Until they reach the work shop that is, and while its gloomy, Kankri releases a very audible sigh of relief.* Huh. HORUSS: *The robot Kankri is standing close to also sighs. Before visibly powering down.* KANKRI: *He looks behind him to see where the darkness went and finds the portal still soundly behind him. Almost like they hadnt gone anywhere. The notion makes him a little uneasy so Kankri distracts himself with looking around at their new surroundings.* Where exactly are we-- H9russ?? *Why is his friend powering down?? WHAT IS HAPPENING???* HORUSS: *In the corner of Kankri's eye, Horuss reforms. An actual troll with a real organic, not-robot voice.* Calm yourself, Mr. Vantas. I am right here. HORUSS: *He stands before Kankri wearing his jumpsuit and looks like the most blueblood troll he's ever seen. Long mane and double crowned horns included.* KANKRI: !!! *He almost jumps when Horuss reforms, this is too much for his nervous self. He calms quickly though and stares at the actual "Troll" version of his new friend.* 9h. I was n9t expecting y9u t9... S9rry I am trying t9 piece t9gether just exactly what is happening 6ut I am guessing this is what y9u really l99k like? HORUSS: *The grumpy, gloomy look in his face is as real as it gets.* Yes. This is my appearance as it was when I was alive. In essence. I was near perfect. *unconsciously, he shifts muscles.* KANKRI: *Oh dear, why is he so gloomy. Kankri frowns some with concern, pushing back the previous moments of terror.* Yes, I must say I d9 happen t9 find y9ur real appearance a 6it nicer then y9ur r969tic f9rm. *Must he really shift the muscles?* HORUSS: *Yes. They are finely sculpted and necessary to his form. At the comment, Horuss furrows his brows behind goggles, finding it peculiar.* I suppose I should thank you. KANKRI: *His brows raise in surprise.* Thank me? F9r what? HORUSS: Because at one point, I did care for my appearance. *looks off* This is my workshop. The place I made the portal to the mortal world possible. HORUSS: If you have not guessed by now, you are in the void. KANKRI: *He looks around the workshop again, taking time to really see the detail in the shape of the room, the work benches and robotics projects.* I did indeed have a hunch. HORUSS: I will not destroy the mechanical host this way. *Indeed, the robot stands there. Lifeless and creepy as any shell would be. Horuss lumbers off for one of the tables.* KANKRI: *Yes it is quite creepy. Kankri slowly folds his arms for some sense of comfort for himself. This is still too weird for him.* S9 y9u 6r9ught us here t9 av9id d9ing damage t9 y9ur mechanical h9st. 6ut may I ask h9w y9u w9uld have damaged it? HORUSS: The energy from my detached soul can become quite charged with emotion and in part, emit a force from within. The robotic body is not built to handle such abrasions. *He sits at a stool, burying his hands into his hair a moment. Kankri can sit with him on the other.* This is much simpler. KANKRI: *He can and he shall take the other stool, watching Horuss closely. Its quite strange to see him look so, so life-like. But even stranger still is to see him look so down on himself, upset to the point of having to evacuate his metal husk just to have a moment of emotional reprieve. Its really quite sad actually.* KANKRI: Then W9uld y9u feel willing t9 talk n9w? As there w9uld 6e n9 risk 9f damaging y9ur r969tic shell? HORUSS: Oh yes. There are no secrets I carry which you are not welcome to. *rumbles, now twisting at a small valve in his headgear. A small puff of steam is released.* You must find it difficolt. To bear witness to the burdens of trolls as you do. HORUSS: Why is it that you have this profession? KANKRI: *He is a little taken aback by the question, werent they supposed to be talking about Horuss?* Um. Well I ch9se this pr9fessi9n as my line 9f w9rk 6ecause I take j9y fr9m helping pe9ple deal with their pr9blems, pr9viding guidence t9 th9se wh9 need it, 9r aiding in spreading awareness 9f th9se in situati9ns that 9thers might 6e una6le t9 understand. I've always taken an interest in s9cial justice, and this was just 9ne way I c9uld f9ll9w that interest 6ut in a way that all9ws me t9 pr9vide a service t9 9thers. HORUSS: *fingers press along his cheekbones as if massaging out a headache which doesn't actually exist. Still, Horuss listen to Kankri speak.* And do you find your service is stilll... applicable? Or neighcessary? HORUSS: Do you think you are successful at what you are passionate about? KANKRI: *At this next question Kankri finds himself clammering for the words "Yes absolutely" but truthfully he had extreme doubts about it.* I... Um. KANKRI: *Words seem to be failing him as he zones out for a few moments.* HORUSS: Your silence speaks volumes. *more steam emits from his goggles.* But I understand where it comes from. KANKRI: D9es it? *He finally speaks up again.* I mean, 9f c9urse I feel my eff9rts and w9rk are w9rth s9mething, despite it 6eing hard t9 6elieve it at times. Its what I have set 9ut t9 d9, and s9 I place my faith in my pr9fessi9n's usefulness. KANKRI: *Clears his throat.* May I ask what peeked y9ur interest in my 9ccupati9n? *Yes lets talk about you agian.* HORUSS: *he sigh* I find that it is a curious thing. The effort which one puts into believing in one's inherent value or usefulness. Perclops it is neighter here nor there and is simply... a construct, only limited by your own perception of the thing. HORUSS: It may not tr001y e%ist, is what I mean. So does it matter? Why does it, in this particular moment, matter? KANKRI: That certainly is s9me deep thinking y9u are d9ing there, H9russ. Im. At a l9ss f9r a resp9nce temp9rarily, hah. HORUSS: I do not apologize. *gives off a very horsey snort.* I only wonder... how this mechanic seems to come much more easily onto others than it does for myself. KANKRI: D9 y9u mean t9 say the mechanic 9f 6elieving in what y9u are d9ing 9r achieving? And feeling a sense 9f validati9n fr9m it? HORUSS: Yes. E%actly. KANKRI: S9, y9u feel like y9u d9nt 6elieve that what y9u are d9ing serves a greater purp9se? When did y9u 6egin t9 feel this way? HORUSS: I am afraid to say I have felt this way for a very long time. Before I died. And when I became conscious of my own being, it was as if it was the only thing that stayed with me into the afterlife. HORUSS: Meeting the Empress was... not what I thought it was going to be. HORUSS: So perclops what I do tr001y does not matter. KANKRI: Hm, well I d9 n9t think that at all. KANKRI: Can y9u tell me what y9u th9ught w9uld c9me 9f meeting the Empress 6ef9re it happened? HORUSS: That... I would have purpose and feel as though what I hope to accomplish will amount to something! And-- HORUSS: Not feel as if my death was all for naught. That I could not change it even if I tried. HORUSS: I could stay submerged and forgotten and it would not matter in the slightest. HORUSS: *runs hands through his hair again, his shoulders so very tense.* Hopeless. KANKRI: 9h... I am s9rry she wasn't a6le t9 help alliviate y9ur feelings 9f this. H9wever I am n9t surprised, I'm n9t sure h9w c9mf9rting she c9uld 6e f9r y9ur situati9n, 9r perhaps any9nes, after what she has endured. May6e in an9ther time she w9uld have 6een 9f m9re help t9 validate y9ur existence 6ut I am s9rry t9 say n9w that is n9t the case. KANKRI: H9wever, I d9 n9t think y9u sh9uld limit y9urself t9 h9pelessness s9 quickly, there are plenty 9f 9p9rtunities y9u can take t9 make y9urself validated. And 9f c9urse y9u matter f9r s9me s9rt 9f grander purp9se 6ecause, well, at risk 9f s9unding as th9ugh I have s9me s9rt 9f religi9us drive 6ehind it, which I d9 n9t, 6ut I d9nt think y9u w9uld still 6e here n9w, alive in a sense, if it were f9r n9t KANKRI: hing. KANKRI: Y9u may n9t have a physical 69dy 9utside 9f this w9rksh9p, 6ut that is m9re then the 9ther mem6ers 9f f9rmer 6ef9rus can say f9r themselves. HORUSS: If you were in my position... is this something you would tell yourself? HORUSS: I must know. KANKRI: *Thinks on it a moment or two.* T9 6e h9nest with y9u I am n9t quite sure. M9st likely yes? 6ut it is hard t9 c9mpletely imagine myself in such a p9siti9n. HORUSS: *He just rumbles, resting his arms down against the table.* I have the capacity to disappear, I feel. But not the courage to commit. HORUSS: The truth is, I may have borne this cowardice my whole life. KANKRI: *!!! That is not a good sounding admition. In fact it sends off some warning bells in Kankri's head.* Firstly, I w9uld 6e distressed if y9u ever ch9se t9 disappear. I happen t9 enj9y talking t9 y9u when we d9, as y9u pr9vide stimulating and intr9specting c9nversati9n. KANKRI: Als9, I fail t9 6elieve that n9t wanting t9 disapear is a sign 9f c9wardice, and that the H9russ I have 6een intr9duced t9 has n9 trace 9f c9wardice in his pers9nality. HORUSS: How can you be certain? I do enjoy conversation with you as well, Kankri. But the entirety of my personality cannot be contained within a first introduction, canter it? HORUSS: Many people e%ist behind fronts, after all. In fact, can you count yourself as any different? KANKRI: *Is it hot in here? Boy he feels like he is sweating. From nervousnes and unease at all these feelings of his own Horuss sure is dredging up.* I uhm. F-F9r the m9st part I d9 my 6est t9 appear 9pen exactly h9w I am c9nsistently. HORUSS: But it is not always easy. *his ear angles at the faulter in Kankri's voice* Kankri. HORUSS: What are you thinking? KANKRI: Me?? *Clears his throat again to get rid of the quiver and rests his chin on his hand, adverting his eyes from Horuss. Its like Horuss can see right through him.* KANKRI: Im just thinking. Thinking 9f ways t9 help y9u feel m9re validated with y9ur existence and t9 make y9u 6y extent feel 6etter. HORUSS: *It's alright. Horuss keeps his gaze trained forward, seeing everything. Seeing nothing all at once.* How sad... HORUSS: But who's to do such a thing for you, I wonder? KANKRI: *Horuss please...* I sh9uld really depend 9n myself f9r that, as I myself can 6e the greatest supp9rt I can recieve. 6ut I als9 n9w have a m9irail t9 remind me 9f this. KANKRI: 9r help t9 remind me anyways. HORUSS: *he hesitates... but then nods. Sighing out again.* It must be a challenge overcoming these obstacles. KANKRI: *Glances at Horuss at the sighing.* Which 96stacles? HORUSS: The doubts which surge up. KANKRI: 9h... G99d thing I d9n't have many. *He feels like hes aging.* HORUSS: You said it yourself. You do try your best but it is difficolt to believe in your own capabilities at times. HORUSS: Believe me when I say... I find that it is not such a bad thing. HORUSS: ... HORUSS: In this, I do not feel so alone. KANKRI: Yes well, d9 n9t take this the wr9ng way 6ut y9u als9 find y9urself wishing t9 vanish... *His posture is slouching some now.* 6ut at least y9u d9 n9t feel al9ne. L9neliness can 6e quite terri6le. HORUSS: I never did claim that it was ideal. *peering at him some* But I am also not offended by your remark. HORUSS: It is simply... a fact that I feel this way. But perclops not definitively the whole truth. HORUSS: If my e%istance were to prove anything... *continues carefully* It is that there is always more. KANKRI: That is... an excelent p9int. See, there is always s9me s9rt 9f reas9n. *He feels so tired, and must look it. Kankri longs for the days where topics like this didn't effect him so bad. Maybe his reaction was in part that he was in a sense talking to a ghost of a dead beforean that made all these great points of how its suffering to just exist in uncertinty that really dug his deep seeded feelings of worthlessness in.* HORUSS: *Is content enough to fall quiet and sit in a companionable silence. Mulling these things over in his mind for a moment.* ..................... HORUSS: ........................... HORUSS: ..........I realize this is the longest I have ever spoken to another troll over these protruding topi%. KANKRI: *Hes also reveling in the mutal silence, taking the break from emotional front shattering questions and statements as a heaven sent.* .................. KANKRI: D9 y9u interperet that as a g99d thing? HORUSS: Yes. HORUSS: Is it good for you? *Phrasing.* KANKRI: *Nods.* If it has felt g99d and helpful t9 y9u then I have taken pleasure fr9m it kn9wing as much. KANKRI: *He is so stiff in his seat.* HORUSS: Then... this particular aspect is very good. *Oh. Some feeling of embarrassment is creeping up and he has no idea why.* I must confess. HORUSS: I feel rather filly. HORUSS: Silly, rather. KANKRI: F9r what reas9n? 6ecause y9u have talked t9 me a69ut what has 6een weighing y9u d9wn em9ti9nally wise? I d9 n9t think y9u sh9uld feel silly 9ver s9mething like that, it is m9re "Silly" t9 think y9u sh9uld. HORUSS: *ears flick* Yes. I suppose that's e%actly why I feel silly. HORUSS: Are you cross with me? *fiddles with his fingers, a silly bashful gesture for such a large guy like him.* KANKRI: Huh?? *turns to fully look at Horuss again, and his eyebrows knit together with concern.* 9h, n9 I am s9rry. I am n9t meaning t9 c9me acr9ss as such. KANKRI: I am n9t mad 9r displeased with y9u in any sense 9f the w9rd. I think I just feel... slightly affected 6y what we have 6een talking a69ut. KANKRI: Its really quite unpr9fessi9nal 9f me in all h9nesty. *Hes pretty embaressed about it and looks away from Horuss again to occupy his gaze else where. Like on that wrench over there.* HORUSS: Ah! Oh, I see. *makes a perfect 80 face* Then I am quite relieved. HORUSS: Because I too am not seeing this in a professional setting. HORUSS: In my standpoint, this is an e%change between myself and... someone I care a great deal for! KANKRI: 9h... well, even better my pr9fessi9nal reputati9n is saved. Hah. *Offers a small smile, see hes making a joke of it now, things are fine, hes great. Its okay.* Als9 thank y9u H9russ. HORUSS: I am obligated to thank you first. *astonished by these smiles and wonders how he possibly has earned them. Or the happy, fluttery STIRRINGS in his chest that follow.* I believe you are making this strife and struggle worthwhile. HORUSS: ...Help making. *coughs* KANKRI: *Boy, he may be turning a little red from that last confession, even after Horuss tried to correct himself. That sure is a lot of pressure he feels if hes what is making Horuss's existence worth while.* I am glad. 6ut also, we sh9uld try and find s9mething 9utside 9f myself t9 help y9u feel w9rthwhile and validated. HORUSS: *What! And the b100 floods in his face, as if he NEEDED that.* That won't be neighcessary. If you would like for me to clarify, then I shall! KANKRI: *Why is HE blushing.* Yes please g9 ahead and explain if y9u w9uld like. HORUSS: I only think that... it is difficolt to find things worthwhile in the moment but upon further analysis and introspection, I can freely be reminded of reasons why it's *worth* overcoming my own doubts and obstacles. HORUSS: To become a more wholesome person! HORUSS: And strife to achieve those standards within myself! *Don't ask why he's blushing, HE'LL ONLY BLUSH MORE.* KANKRI: That is an excelent reas9n t9 desire t9 c9ntinue trying in furthering y9ur eff9rts 9f existence, H9russ. *Smiles more at him. Thank god for this lighter conversation.* HORUSS: I feel as if you are teasing. Pulling my hoof........... *Don't. Don't smile at him like that.* KANKRI: *He is, he needs to smile let him continue to smile so he can feel better about his miserable life.* N9 I am 6eing quite seri9us. M9stly anyways. I think there are 9ther reas9ns t9 find y9urself and y9ur existence validated 6ut t9 strive t9 6ec9me a 6etter pers9n is quite pure m9tive indeed. HORUSS: *Horuss has made a terrible, sweaty mistake.* Yes... I am aware. HORUSS: I am also aware that you are only being mostly serious. KANKRI: *Why is he so sweaty? Kankri starts to look a little concerned again, but he keeps the smile going, the smile is holding him together.* Are y9u alright H9russ? Y9u seem t9 6e perspiring quite a decent am9unt. HORUSS: I am abide%erous actually. So no. Not "all right". *HUFFS and turns the valve in his goggles to emit out MORE STEAM.* KANKRI: ....Was that a j9ke y9u just t9ld me? HORUSS: I-- ... HORUSS: ... HORUSS: *buries his head in his hand again. Leaning deep against his table.* KANKRI: !!! *OH NO.* Uh!! S9rry I didn't mean t9 9ffend 6y asking. 9h dear. Are y9u 9kay, H9russ? *Hesitently reaches out to touch his shoulder. He is trying to be comforting.* HORUSS: *He cannot hid his furious blushing.* Yes... HORUSS: That... HORUSS: ... HORUSS: (Was a joke.) KANKRI: ...I see. *Horuss please. Kankri just sits there a moment with his hand on his shoulder, unsure what exactly to do so he just awkwardly pats his back in hopes that it comforts the horse.* It was very g99d. HORUSS: *His head is buried in his arms, chirring very low like he is happy. DISTRAUGHT. But happy. Gosh darn it. Why can't he hide these things?* KANKRI: *Kankri has no answer for him, and just keeps patting his back. Hes going to keep doing this until Horuss comes back up from hiding himself.* HORUSS: *Whatever this is, this... physical contact business... it feels very nice. Horuss begins to surface, the blue color tinting the tips of his ears.* ...Hello. KANKRI: *Glances down at him peeking out from his arms finally.* Hell9. KANKRI: Y9ur face is rather flushed. Y9u must have kept y9ur 69dy heat trapped between y9ur face and arms causing it t9 heat up that way. HORUSS: My goggles may be to blame. *slowly sitting up again. Complains faintly....* As well as your relentless ribbing. KANKRI: *Retracts his hand as Horuss sits up.* Ah, my 6ad, I can ease up 9n the senseless teasing if y9u w9uld like. HORUSS: Neigh... It is.... HORUSS: *seems to struggle with himself* HORUSS: Fun. KANKRI: Then I will carry 9n as I have 6een. 6ut feel free t9 ask me t9 st9p at any time. HORUSS: *Kankri can't see him but if he could, Horuss would be shiny eyed.* Yes. Okay. KANKRI: *It might be for the best he cant see the shiny eyes.* I am glad y9u are feeling 6etter, H9russ. HORUSS: Yes. HORUSS: I insist you have contributed majorly to this outcome. KANKRI: Thank y9u, I d9 try my 6est. *Glances around the room they are in. He's still a little nervous that it might just suddenly cease to exist.* HORUSS: *A frivolous worry. Horuss has completely solidified this particular pocket in the void. It's fine.* HORUSS: Yes, I know. And I... HORUSS: Appreciate you. KANKRI: *Heck.. Who said Horuss was allowed to say these things to him. Kankri has been experiencing an endless flood of emotions since stepping through that portal and now he is being told he is appreciated too?? Its too much.* KANKRI: *His smile becomes a little wattery.* Again, thank y9u, H9russ. That is very kind 9f y9u t9 say. HORUSS: *Oh... and now Kankri's expression is looking a little water. Compelled by compulsion or some other force beyond his comprehension, Horuss reaches out. Carefully. So gently... to place his hand on Kankri's shoulder.* It only begs as a reaction when you were kind first. KANKRI: *When Horuss's hand first makes contact with his shoulder Kankri stiffens more so, but only for a moment before he relaxes with a sigh.* KANKRI: Its simply what friends d9, isnt it? KANKRI: Y9u w9uld 6e just as kind were the r9les reversed. HORUSS: That is very optimistic of you to say. HORUSS: But that is why we two are different. KANKRI: That, 9f c9urse, is y9ur right t9 think. HORUSS: And it is your right to think that it is my right... to think... *trails off. Gosh darn it. That was silly.* Never mind. KANKRI: *It may be silly but it does get him to chuckle.* F9r a m9ment y9u seemed t9 6e 9nt9 s9mething there. HORUSS: Never you mind. *insists, retracting the weight of his hand back.* KANKRI: I in fact mind a little, 6ut I shall let it g9 f9r y9ur sake. HORUSS: You really are merciless. *exclaims softly. Pitiously.* KANKRI: It truly depends 9n my m99d. *Look at them, joking around, like things werent just dark and depressing before.* HORUSS: How could I have earned this... *Laments but not really. Horuss is having fun.* KANKRI: Hmm. F9r starters y9u rand9mly 6r9ught me int9 this strange dimensi9n like space with9ut t99 much fair warning. HORUSS: I did ensure it was quite stable. HORUSS: But I suppose you are brave for taking the plunge. HORUSS: I would have done the same for you. KANKRI: Glad t9 hear that were I t9 ever 9pen up a p9rtal int9 a different plane 9f existence y9u w9uld f9ll9w after me. I will h9ld 9nt9 that 6it 9f kn9wledge f9r a rainy day. HORUSS: Perclops it is a thought which will keep you afloat when all else fails. *totally pouts* HORUSS: Then and only then will you udderstand. KANKRI: Y9u never kn9w it just might. *He rests his chin on his hand and his elbow on the work bench, still feeling very tired from their previous topic. The feeling is going to follow him for several hours, he knows it.* HORUSS: *Gazing at him... considering.* You might return through the portal if you like. KANKRI: 9h. Will y9u n9t 6e acc9mpanying me? *Looks between Horuss and the portal.* HORUSS: *holds his breath, hesitating* I think I may need some more time to process the magnitude of my emotions. HORUSS: But neighvertheless. I will go with you. *rising to his feet* KANKRI: *hes quick to join him in standing. While Kankri is unsure of leaving Horuss by himself, he also knows he'd rather get back to his own relm of existence.* Thank y9u, I really appreciate y9u c9ming with me, at least f9r a time. HORUSS: I can think of no better way to repay you. *says, before fading out and going through the process of reactivating his soulbot. The electronic sound of his voice hums out of the voice box.* Let us proceed. KANKRI: *Its a real shame Horuss cannot maintain his real form outside of the void. Kankri cant help but hope that Horuss still intends to find a way outside of the robot body.* Yes, shall we.

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

-- colostrumTractatus [CT] began trolling coltishDaedalian [CD]  -- CT: Hello Mr. Zahhak. It is I. CT: Horuss. CT: I believe I promised I would speak to you in due time. And so! Here I am. CT: How do you do this fine evening? CD: } --> I am well and e%ceptionally pleased to hear from you CD: } --> How are you adjusting to life on the ship CD: } --> As well as life, in a material sense CT: It is as e%ceptional as it can get. Hoovever. There is much work still to be done and I don't believe it would do us many favors to allow idle time to pass. CT: Also. CT: I do not sleep. I cannot. CD: } --> I have no desire to do anything that would benefit our enemies CD: } --> That inc100ds committing the sin of Sloth CD: } --> Hmm CD: } --> Do you feel the desire to sleep, despite not being able to do so CD: } --> Is such a thing in your soul by design, I should say or marely tied to the neural pathways of a currently living being with an operational thinksponge CT: I canter say at this point. For it's no longer a bodily function, the mare I think about it, the mare I realize it's difficolt remembering wanting to. CT: But I might confess something to you, if you are open to hearing such a thing. CT: It may not make sense. CD: } --> I am accustomed to being ignorant until serendipity warrants me her pity CD: } --> Please e%plain CT: I confess... that I do desire the need for sleep. I miss being able to. I miss a great deal of things about living. CT: The flush of my b100d when I e%ercised and the rush of breath that would escape in a hayly satisfactory way. I feel as though it would reflect the horsenest effort I would put into sculpting my physical form. CT: I miss hunger and the need for showers. These habits were... enriching to my day to day sched001. Filly to say. CT: E%isting as I do has only created a swirling listlessness I cannot escape. As such. I must keep pressing forward. Making a semblance of productivity. CD: } --> I do not wish to seem devoid of sympathy or otherwise callous towards your plight CD: } --> But allow me to interject with a question CD: } --> If you were formally of Beforus, you might have been familiar with my work, at least in a historical sense CD: } --> Of course, historical accounts presented me as either a talentless crackpot, a traitor or a useless parasite of society as a whole, but these accounts are largely fictitious CD: } --> My point is, I can help you CD: } --> Probably CD: } --> Tell me why it is a good idea to do so CT: Ah. Perhaps. CT: Forgive me, sir. There is a great deal of steam emitting from my valves. CT: From my brief research, I udderstand you are the Ma%inist. It's a great privilege to meet you. CT: Further confessions follow your interrogatives. The truth of the matter is-- I do not have a foally good reason. The only thing in my favor are the debts which I have the full intention of repaying. CT: But I cannot accomplish them if I do not first prove it is possible. I find that these e%periments would be better suited tested on myself before the others. The worst which can happen is that I die once again. CT: Hoovever, that is a small consequence compared to the harm I may distribute to a soul which might have entrusted success to me. CT: Perhaps the reality is, I am not worthy of the opportunity. CD: } --> Now, now CD: } --> Chin up CD: } --> Surely you must see that by virtue of being a surviving relic of a society I loved, a society that was completely obliterated, I already feel an emotional urge to assist you CD: } --> However, the goals and dreams of such a ghost are of great interest to me CD: } --> What sort of impact will they have on the world if I attempt to endow them with flesh and b100d? CD: } --> You must understand, it would only be an attempt CD: } --> A considerable one CD: } --> But this is highly e%perimental CD: } --> I understand that Aradia Medigo's case for instance, was not a case of scientific advancement CD: } --> It was magic CD: } --> Not to say that magic has nothing to do with it, marely that I am ...mostly ignorant in these matters and I would mostly be using science CD: } --> Science and technology CT: I cannot be certain. I have no basis for comparison. CT: The truth of the matter is, I did not make an impact in my first race of life. I cannot be certain it will matter this second run. CT: But. I believe in theory. If I provide an ectobiological signature to the clone, it will be possible for me to take possession of it. And revive with it. CT: Marehaps a kick of magic will be required. Marehaps not. CD: } --> My ne%t inquiry is personal CD: } --> Were you a young person CD: } --> When you were eliminated? CT: Oh. CT: Yes. CT: I was a mare 13 sweeps when I passed. CD: } --> I will try CD: } --> My life has no more inherent value than your own CD: } --> In fact, considerably less is possible CD: } --> Even probable CD: } --> I have been 100king for an opportunity to use my skills in some usefoal fashion CD: } --> To balk at such an opportunity would be e%tremely idiotic CT: Yes. I felt similarly when I regained consciousness and made the initial discoveries about the voidscape. CD: } --> I hope you will pass on a portion of your knowledge to me in e%change CD: } --> I have had CD: } --> Certain dealings CD: } --> Relevant to the issue CT: I see. CT: I declare that frankly. It would be rude not to. CT: I say this with jest and good humor. CD: } --> In good humor, although not in jest I will also add that I e%pect- if I am successful, for you to use your life for the betterment of Beforan society CD: } --> Because, I am happy to say it still e%ists CD: } --> I am interested in nurturing it's progress, although I haven't yet figured out how CD: } --> And only after I deal heaping amounts of justice to our enemies CT: There will be an infinite amount of time to consider the prospe%. CD: } --> I suppose the immediate issue is finding a proper donor CD: } --> And of course, I need more details about the situation in general CD: } --> However to save time, feel free to send me te%tual references CT: Yes, correct. I will leave the judgement in your quite capable hands, Ma%inist. CT: I will be doing so post haste. CD: } --> I would like your input on the matter, actually CD: } --> Would you like to be similar to the way you were in life? CD: } --> There are several avenues CT: B100b100d and male. Perfect in physical and genetic health. I was a Sagittarian caste member in my prime. CD: } --> Oh deer CD: } --> What a shame CD: } --> Of horse CD: } --> And just like that, I have donor in mind CT: E%cellent. CT: I don't suppose that beyond te%tual support, you need distractions. CD: } --> E%cellent indeed CD: } --> Distractions? CT: Yes. This conversation contributes as a distraction. CT: There is productivity to achieve. Is there not? CD: } --> This e%tracted a somewhat bewildered chuckle from my breathing sac CD: } --> Yes CD: } --> I will get right to work CD: } --> However, if you are CD: } --> Or rather I should say CD: } --> If you need anything CD: } --> Yes CT: Neigh. CT: I shall be in attendance of you first. CT: Hoovever you will need to equip me with opposable thumbs first and foremost. CD: } --> Leave the younger one to these matters CD: } --> You seem to be developing a comradery with him CD: } --> I would rather concentrate on the long term goal CD: } --> Besides, he has already drawn up plans CD: } --> It would be rude not to use them CT: Yes, well. CT: I confess. I avert this out of shame that I did not think of it first. CD: } --> Your thinkpan is occupied to the brim, I should think CD: } --> I e%cuse such behavior CD: } --> Good evening CD: } --> For now CT: Then you... Oh. CT: Yes. CD: } --> Horuss -- coltishDaedalian [CD] gave up trolling colostrumTractatus [CT]  --

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

-- colostrumTractatus [CT] began trolling technetronicTactician [TT] --

CT: Hello Dirk Strider. I suppose it's about time I began speaking with you.

CT: As you may know, my name is Horuss Zahhak and I recently took the initiative to recruit myself into your crew. You will find that it is an e%cellently beneficial decision in the long gallop of things.

CT: Earth is fast approaching. I hope you are prepared to ride bareback into perils unknown. I know I certainly am.

TT: Riding bareback into perils unknown is basically a summation of my whole lifestyle.

TT: So yeah, I'd say I'm ready.

CT: It is an admirable quality to possess. A steadfast mindset of which will guide your equally steadfast hand across the proverbial flank of your crew.

CT: I plan to assist you with this endeavor to the best of my abilities.

TT: Cool. Just don't get in the way when I'm windin' my hand back to slap everyone's literal flanks into gear when the time comes. I'd like to reserve that privilege.

CT: You will find that when it comes to pred*cting the efficiency of potential plans, I am simply the best there is in the business.

CT: I do not presume Miss Lalonde informed you about my situation. Or perclops you would like to hear the tail from the horse's mouth, rather?

CT: It may be e%pedient information as it bears a lot to do with my future endeavors. And therefore, yours.

TT: Yeah. Basically all I know is that you're a ghost inhabiting the body of a robot.

TT: Which funnily enough, this isn't the first time I've been involved in something like that.

TT: Still, I'd like to know the whole story, especially if you're here with an agenda that effects all of us.

CT: It's possible my agenda will affect everyone on some scale. Should certain implications come to realization.

CT: But it's very true that I am dead. A ghost, trotting straight from the vacuum of nothing that my soul was doomed to wander. In fact, it may be relevant to mention that I was among the legions of trolls who were living on Beforus at the time of its destruction.

CT: It's also my udderstanding that I am the only troll ghost of my kind, with the capacity to draw myself out of the contained limbo that the afterlife has become. You may thank Miss Pei%es for that.

CT: But as far as e%istances go, it's herdly the worst of fates. Some souls may wish to pursue endeavors in the mysteerious Beyond. Others might wish to have time to process their deaths and remain in the safety of the dream bubbles, ect ect. None of this metaphysical mambo jumbo has anything to do with me.

CT: I managed to pull myself out of my own dream bubble and drifted. Drawn by my affinity to the Void and the realization that I *was* Nothing. A pure, perfect vessel of Nothing... and therefore, I could be everything there ever was.

CT: It was there my journey began. And how I came to find Miss Pei%es. It was she who inspired me to press and search myself of limitations. To udderstand the phenomenon I was e%periencing and unveil my own potential. And so. Knowing that this must be the purpose I could serve, I began to make discoveries in the void.

CT: I uncovered memories, information, places... people who have been forgotten. A race of omnikinetic e%traterrestials on Avalon, for e%ample. In e%change with a promise that I would find the means to restore their now e%tinct race, they assisted me in contacting the physical world. Reaching Miss Pei%es friends, the crew members on the UU.

CT: And so I find myself here. Helping you, as I resolved to do. And by e%tension of my commitment, helping Miss Pei%es whom I have an incredible debt with.

CT: But that is not where I intend on leaving things off. Knowing that these resources are available to me, I would very much like to clone a flesh and blood body for myself. And from there, continue my work as the bridge between this world and the vacuum.

CT: This way, lost cultures like my be100ved Beforus may live again.

TT: Sounds like you've had quite an enriched afterlife. I'll see what we can do to hook you up Frankenstein style.

TT: I don't suppose you have any info to share with me relating to Earth?

CT: The device I installed will be the key to masking your approach.

CT: I, alongside the other Void affiliates, will cast a veil around the ship. Once placed, it will be a trivial matter maintaining it and will stand for as long as you desire.

CT: What is it that you are attempting to achieve with this mission?

TT: Primarily to extract a few people and a piece of tech they're currently hiding away from the Empress.

TT: And based on what you're telling me, we should be able to pop in and out without much fuss.

CT: That is the plan.

CT: Before then, I would like to hear how likely it is a body will be cloned for me. I have some ideas of how to proceed, I only need a sample of the perfect specimen.

CT: Hoofbeast genes are.... tragically. Unavailable in space.

CT: But a b100b100d, I suppose. Troll and male. I will not be possessing a body that is anything less than physically, genetically perfect in stature.

CT: That is why I will be providing an ectobiological signature akin to my old self. It is the closest we can get to such standards, after all.

TT: I guess I can ask your fellow blue bloods if they're willing to donate their genetics to a good cause. Probably gonna be an awkward conversation but trust me, there is no one better equipped for awkward conversations than myself.

TT: Additionally, I look forward to the day when we can transplant a troll or human spirit into the body of a horse.

CT: I am one hoof in the right direction. Rest assured.

TT: Science is amazing.

TT: By the way,

TT: You uh...

TT: Said you met Feferi out there?

CT: Several times. Yes.

CT: I udderstand she also spoke with... Fefetasprite. I believe she is called. And Equius.

CT: Why do you ask?

TT: Guess I'm just wondering how she's... doing? Is that a strange thing to ask? I dunno.

CT: She is dead as the other inhabitants of the Void.

CT: I'm not certain what else you would like to know.

TT: I'm not sure either.

TT: Forget about it.

CT: If you wish.

TT: I just realized I'm having a conversation over text with a literal horse.

TT: I love everything about this. Just thought you should know.

CT: I appreciate your acknowledgement. Perclops it was fate which allowed us to trot in convergence.

CT: One that would not be defined by the constraints of death and oblivion.

CT: I just think that's as neat a fact as it is comforting.

TT: It's beautiful, frankly.

TT: Anyway, I've got this checklist of errands I guess I'm running for you all filled out and I'll get on that ASAP.

TT: But for now, business hours are done with. I gotta recharge my batteries before someone busts down my door and chastises me.

CT: On the contrary. I find that there is a certain health to subjecting yourself to the will of others. To allow events to play out in a manner beyond your control.

CT: If that means, yes.

CT: Accepting a scolding as one rapstallion of a mare do well.

CT: Enjoy your evening, Mr. Strider.

TT: ... I will enjoy my evening. Thanks man.

TT: Later.

-- technetronicTactician [TT] gave up trolling colostrumTractatus [CT] --

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

HORUSSBOT: -This robot is having much to do about exploring his new perimeters. He intends on understanding everything about it, conquering it, and making it his own. Refueled with water to support his steam-powered mechanisms, the actual robot horse comes trotting through the halls of the ship. Head lowered as he means business. It's a wonder how he can move through any of it. He is quite large and must weight at least 1 ton.- KANKRI: -He had finished up the daily waiting game that had become his job in counseling since no one ever comes to see him, and was moving down this same hallway to return to his block when he finds himself stopping in his tracks to stare at a....... Mechanical horse.- KANKRI: ........... Dirk's aesthetic preferences are really sh9wing thr9ugh. HORUSSBOT: -The horse stops to stare back.- This name e100des me. HORUSSBOT: My name is Horuss. KANKRI: !!!!!! -IT TALKED.- KANKRI: Uh. S9rry my ap9l9gies I mist99k y9u f9r a standard mechanical equine aut9mat9n. KANKRI: ..... It is nice t9 meet y9u? HORUSSBOT: -nostrils flare and emit steam.- And I mishoof you for a mannerless gutter-mouthed lowb100d and yet, it seems we both stand corrected. HORUSSBOT: This place appears to be overrun with them. HORUSSBOT: Off spectrum trolls but on the same measure, with the prospect of the culling system it makes sense. HORUSSBOT: It must still be in place. KANKRI: -Stares at the talking horse even longer. He needs a minute to process that he was just offended by a fucking god damn metal horse.- KANKRI: -Slowly starts to scowl.- Excuse me 6ut I am far fr9m "gutter-m9uthed" and in fact actually pride myself 9n 6eing quite the 9p9site and an adv9cat9r f9r refraining fr9m using f9ul and 9r unpleasant language all t9gether. Als9 f9r y9u t9 A.) presume my 6l99d c9l9r and further m9re B.) refer t9 it as falling under the pr96lematic slur 9f "l9w 6l99d" which is insulting from its hist9ry 9f negative c9n9tati9ns t9 th9se wh9 are 9f the warmer hued 6l99dspectrum verity, C.) further assume that the number 9f 9ff specs. 9r 9ff spectrum tr9lls has s9mething t9 d9 with the restraining c9ddling 9f that system is in t9tal rather distasteful, 9ffensive, and d9wn right unpleasant. HORUSSBOT: -gazing at Kankri with his full attention. As best as Kankri can tell from his... goggles? He gives off a very horse-like snort.- HORUSSBOT: It's not as though I'm above admitting my mistakes. And offhoofedly, I suppose I was taking the edge off my considerable bad mood upon reentering the physical plane. HORUSSBOT: You were only a passersby after all. I will convey my apologies post haste. HORUSSBOT: But even you have to admit how odd it is for such a great number of trolls to take in this many orphaned wrigglers without due structure. HORUSSBOT: Are you certain this isn't some kind of coddling ordinance? I ask with the uddermost horsenesty. KANKRI: Trust me when I say I've that same th9ught... 6ut n9 it isn't. While it is incredi6ly strange t9 see s9 many wigglers a69ut, the circumstances are what they are and have led t9 this ship serving as transp9rtati9n and pr9tecti9n 9f several small wigglers and infant human babies. KANKRI: Als9 I can c9me t9 an understanding 9f y9u 6eing unable t9 filter y9ur feelings f9r y9ur 9wn reas9ns, and find myself 6eing thankful it was 9nly me y9u t99k 9ut y9ur agressi9ns 9n and n9t s9me9ne wh9 might 6e m9re sensitive 9r susceptible t9 this s9rt 9f semi negative t9pic. S9 y9u are f9rgiven as l9ng as y9u see what y9u said was in p99r tastes and wr9ng. HORUSSBOT: -twitches ears. Listening.- Given the circumstances, very well. I deem my comments inappropriate. HORUSSBOT: I will do my best to curve them in the future. But if you will allow me to jest with you a moment... The humor in the situation, Mister Off Spectrum. As you claim to have such nerves of iron, I canter help myself. HORUSSBOT: It is only in fairness that I refer to you by the first title which occurs to me. As I do not know your name. KANKRI: -Is quick to answer him, a little too quick even.- Kankri. Y9u may call me Kankri, H9russ. HORUSSBOT: Kankri. -repeats it through a synthetic voice box.- HORUSSBOT: Now I have no e%cuse to mistake you for any other name. KANKRI: Yes which is exactly why I have pr9vided that name f9r y9u t9 use. KANKRI: N9w I wh9ly appreciate y9ur willingness t9 learn fr9m and av9id making the same s9cial 6lunder in the future but I find it 9nly fair t9 give y9u a c9urtesy warning that there are many individuals wh9 w9uld 6e less f9rgiving 9ver such w9rds. HORUSSBOT: Then tr001y, I am fortunate to have %ed paths with you first above everyone else. Perclops it was fate. KANKRI: Hmm. -Folds his arms.- I tend n9t t9 put t99 much st9ck in faith in fate al9ne 6ut yes perhaps it was. HORUSSBOT: -exhales steam- If you wish to get techneighcal, it could be consequence of my equalibrium. HORUSSBOT: It is a few degrees off balance and compelled me to travel in a north direction. HORUSSBOT: Leading me here. HORUSSBOT: You may blame that if you wish. KANKRI: Well I w9uld n9t say "6lame" is the right w9rd, that s9unds rather negative. KANKRI: And n9t that I kn9w much in technical ling9 9r inner w9rkings 9f c9mplex mechanics 6ut that s9unds like it c9uld 6e c9rrect. HORUSSBOT: It is a small mechanism which allows me to maintain my balance. HORUSSBOT: The very same function that a living body carries deep inside their hearing duct. Connected to the thinkpan and is responsible for the swooping sensation when one feels as though they are about to fall. HORUSSBOT: ... HORUSSBOT: Mine is a fingernail's lengths degree off and is causing me slight discomfort. KANKRI: -Frowns a little.- 9h dear. Yes that d9es n9t exactly s9und pleasant t9 deal with. Is it fixa6le? We have skilled technicians that c9uld p9ssibly l99k int9 the issue. HORUSSBOT: Yes. I will be reporting to them eventually. HORUSSBOT: Hoovever, I wished to practice walk cycles and perform various tests with my new chassis. E%plore the environment and commit it to memory. Not a single detail will fail my attention. HORUSSBOT: After all, this was only made possible through theoretical e%perimentation. I have a great deal more work to do from this point onward. KANKRI: Well all that s9unds rather interesting and I wish y9u the best 9ut c9me. -He's still kind of dealing with how he is chatting with a robotic horse.- HORUSSBOT: When you commit yourself 110% to an endeavor, how could it possibly fail? It does help greatly to have belief in your own perfection and capabilities. Reflect upon everything you have accomplished and all that has yet to occur. HORUSSBOT: Kankri. Are you around fairly often? KANKRI: -he nods. For the most part he can agree with that. Horuss may have gotten off on the wrong foot with him but Kankri was quickly beginning to see how this, incredibly odd and strange, horse actually did most likely happen to mean well.- KANKRI: 9h and yes I happen t9 6e ar9und when I am n9t wrapped up in my w9rk, 6ut even then I can p9ssi6ly 6e availa6le depending 9n the circumstance. I am 9ne 9f the ships c9unsel9rs. HORUSSBOT: Oh, I see. HORUSSBOT: Then I would dare not distract you from productivity. HORUSSBOT: Though it's herdly a distraction. I believe new e%periences do the mind a great justice. HORUSSBOT: It allows us to keep growing and absorbing new information. Bond over... newly forged connections. HORUSSBOT: And I am one of many connections. I would like to share this quality with you too, if you are open to the suggestion. KANKRI: Yes I agree new experiences are a6s9lutely imperative when it c9mes t9 f9rging new 69nds and relati9nships that c9uld further y9ur understanding 9f 9thers ar9und y9u. KANKRI: And als9 if what y9u are wanting is t9 c9ntinue creating new stimulating narratives and dial9gs with me I can a6s9lutely oblige and w9uld actually take s9me j9y in it myself. KANKRI: I must say y9u are quite the mentally and c9nversati9nally stimulating Equine figure, H9russ. HORUSSBOT: -although he doesn't have many facial expressions to work with, Horuss seems pleased with Kankri's words. His tail dances behind him and he holds his horse chin up high.- The only way this conclusion would have improved is if I had drawn it myself! HORUSSBOT: Of horse, it does help that I am residing in a body which reflects my true superior nature... and not the limiting confines of a bipedal troll. HORUSSBOT: My afterlife seems to have improved e%ponentially! And I would have you as being part of the reason I am thankful for that. Perclops that is too forward of me to say? HORUSSBOT: Neighvertheless, in times such as these, we must learn to take the small gracious blessings as they come. Sometimes all it takes is an e%cellently conducted talk. Don't you agree? KANKRI: -Afterlife...- KANKRI: Ah s9 y9u d9 happen t9 6e a tr9ll despite y9ur current physical f9rm. I had a sneaking suspicion, 6ut 9f c9urse I did n9t want t9 v9ice it in case I was inc9rrect. HORUSSBOT: Do not be afraid to voice even the slightest misgivings! HORUSSBOT: How will you hope to improve yourself if you are not open to truth? -He's such a hypocrite, Kankri. Don't listen to him.- But yes. Before I placed myself into this chassis, I insteed bore the unfortunate liking of a troll. HORUSSBOT: But the boundaries of science have been pushed and will continue to do so! For I have been the first soul to climb out of the void without the process of a... physical anchor to report to. HORUSSBOT: A body, I mean. KANKRI: -His eyebrows raise.- That is quite fascinating. -And also weird. This whole ship is weird. His life is now weird, why isn't he shocked anymore.- HORUSSBOT: I suppose in the long term horse of things, I would have to consider the downside of missing opposable thumbs. -His ears droops, honestly so sad.- Not to mention that I cannot rely on others for frequent maintanance. It is a sufferage of pride I bear. One that I wouldn't recommend on my worst enemy. HORUSSBOT: I am going to have to consider my options. Perclops have a body cloned from a peer I find worthy enough to provide the genetics. Do you think that sounds agreeable? I would like your horsenest opinion. KANKRI: That does all sound rather trying and laborious. I happen to be a fan of my own physical independence as well as having opposable thumbs. KANKRI: And... I suppose you could do that? Clone someone. However I'm really not familiar with such a method of transferring your er.... Soul? Spirit? Non physics essence? From one physical place holder to another. KANKRI: Also if you do choose to follow that route you will need the permission of whoever you happen to be cloning. HORUSSBOT: Yes, I do agree with the ethical approach you present. Although I wouldn't worry over such a trivial detail such as the transfer of my soul. HORUSSBOT: I suspect if I share my ectobiological information with the genes of the person who will be cloning themselves for me, the body will be receptive to my possession of it. HORUSSBOT: But we won't discover it to be true unless we try! HORUSSBOT: -throws his head back with... friendliness?- I hope you will cheer for me, Kankri. You have made me consider a great number of things today. KANKRI; 9h, well 9f c9urse I w9uld. KANKRI: As strange as a pr9cedure as that might 6e in the future, I w9uld 9nly h9pe f9r it t9 turn 9ut well f9r y9u. HORUSSBOT: The worst that can happen is that I die once again. KANKRI: .......... Yes and that w9uld 6e rather unf9rtunate. HORUSSBOT: It would not be so bad. I would just end up in the same place as I started. -soft horsey exhale.- HORUSSBOT: So do not fret! KANKRI: I shall try n9t t9. KANKRI: I ap9l9gjze this is just a little 6it strange f9r me. This situati9n. KANKRI: H9wever despite my reacti9n I d9 wish f9r y9u t9 kn9w that I think y9u are a very pleasant pers9n, h9russ. vannylociraptor - Today at 1:42 PM HORUSSBOT: I am hayly pleasant! It doesn't take more than a few pan cells to realize this. HORUSSBOT: And you have proven yourself to have several more than a few. -faintest robonicker. He could be chuckling.- If only others could be so lucky! KANKRI: -Chuckles with him. So weird... So very very weird.- well thank y9u f9r that 96servati9n. KANKRI: -Briefly checks his watch under his sweater sleeve.- 9h my... I'm s9rry we might have t9 adjourn f9r the time 6eing. I have a previ9usly schedule engagement I must get ready f9r and I pride myself 9n always 6eing 9n time. KANKRI; -looks back up at horuss.- Please feel free t9 message me in the future if y9u w9uld like th9ugh, assuming y9u can s9meh9w, my c9ntact inf9rmati9n sh9uld be in the ships registry. HORUSSBOT: Yes, I will be eager to. -neighs- HORUSSBOT: Please continue with your business, Kankri. And we will % paths again very well into the near future. HORUSSBOT: Goodbye. KANKRI: -Nods and smiles.- Wonderful to hear, I shall certainly see you around then. KANKRI; -Waves while absconding down the hallway.- HORUSSBOT: -stands there a good few minutes after Kankri is gone and only when he's sure he is, does Horuss continue his trek.-

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

[[ When everyone is least expecting it, a wild power surge is overtaking the ship. For one solid, very scary minute, the engines stop and the lights cut off. The ship is floating in space. RIP in hecking rest, UU. ]] ROXY: =FUCKIN WHOOPS= ROXY: =panicked cursing and fumbling= [[ It's over soon enough. With a distant BANG, another energy surge shudders throughout the ship system and everything begins running as before. The crew can see! But also, what the fuck? It won't take long to figure out the surge had come from the engineering labs. ]] DIRK: -in his quarters, very carefully assembling a sandwich layered with doritos when the lights go out.- What the fuck? DIRK: -and then they come back on.- ... -sighs and leaves the room to try to figure out what the hell just happened. he's messaging anybody who might still be working in engineering right now to see if any of them know what just happened.- DIRK: -EATS THIS CRUNCHY SANDWICH on his way to the labs.- ROXY: =INTENSE SWEATING..... eyeballs her phone.....= ROXY: =STRAIGHTENS ENGINGEERING AND props her feet up. Fingers tented, party hat on her head, overalls dirty as she puts her boots up on the desk...... no foul play here= TEREZI: =Terezi has been on edge since they fled the moon, so her weapon is out in it's (relatively) harmless cane form= TEREZI: =Her vision still feels like someone wiped their hand all over an oil painting, smearing the colors, but she's going to make the best of this pyschadelic picasso-y feel to everything.= TEREZI: =Makes her way to engineering, also giving it an excuse to deliver sollux's weekly salad.= [[ Cool as Roxy acts, there's no denying there's an actual real portal looking machine up and running in the labs. It's as circular as an entrance and... veiled with enough inky blackness to choke a horse. It swirls ominously, leading off to parts unknown. ]] ROXY: =LISTEN= ROXY: =PUTS A SHEET OVER IT... jk she's watching it curiously and almost warily, gun on the table= DIRK: -BUSTS DOWN THE DOOR. except not really. you can't exactly bust down steal sliding doors. he just enters engineering.- ... DIRK: -points at the portal.- That's new. ROXY: ... i thought itd bring the room 2gether [[ Roxy is getting messages from her communicator. Confirmation that it's working. Ping ping. ]] ROXY: =peeps her communicator, it sure is working, she sends corresponding replies= so.... this is a thing 4 a test ROXY: lmao im #2good then again its a cotribubaby =Co-signed with a hornse= DIRK: And... did this knock out all the lights? -approaches the portal and eyeballs-(edited) DIRK: What is it? ROXY: yeeaaaahhhhhhhh this is what done did it ROXY: me n eq and a ghost horse happened..... hes here 2 help apparently and is ghost fef approved TEREZI: =brow lift= 4 L1T3R4L GHOST HORS3? TEREZI: TH4TS TO S4Y, 1M NOT DOUBT1NG YOU ROXY: a horse trapped in a troll spirit ROXY: i call him....... ROXY: sprinkles [[ At this moment, Roxy recieves another message. This one pretty straightforward. "CT: I'm coming out to test it. Standby." ]] DIRK: Ah. DIRK: Sounds legit. ROXY: =looks at her device= sprinkles is on his way DIRK: ... Ok. Now you've lost me. ROXY: the horse troll ROXY: hes got the voidy things like me and eq ROXY: and... hes p dead apparently but he wants to help us and also this old alien race that was wiped out by alternia DIRK: DIRK: So what we've got here is a giant Ouija board. TEREZI: NOBODY L34V3, 4ND R3M3MB3R TO S4Y GOODBY3 WH3N W3 F1N1SH >|O ROXY: p much ROXY: =snrk= DIRK: You're lucky you're so cute, otherwise I'd be pretty pissed you made a horse ghost summoning machine without consulting me. ROXY: =grins and shrugs= ima lovable scamp...... also 2 be fair i didnt think itd be done so soon ROXY: .... then again with 2 workaholics..... :thinking: [[ It's fine. Horuss is dead already and it's not like anything could happen to his GHOST. He's pretty sure. Speaking of the devil... Just as the boundaries of science are pushed, so is the veil of the void. A literal robotic horse is emerging from the dark. This is the body chassis he's chosen to inhabit. Roxy. Behold his mighty metal flanks. ]] HORUSSBOT: -clops onto the scene, hissing out steam from his nostrils. This was happening, this wasn't a fever dream though Horuss would understand if they believed it was. A gloomy sounding voice speaks through a synthetic microphone somewhere... in his body.- I was listening to the entire e%change. If you would allow me to e%plain. HORUSSBOT: Hello. I am here to provide assistance. HORUSSBOT: ... HORUSSBOT: Ro%y. HORUSSBOT: The machine works phenomenonally. E%cellent work. ROXY: =wEHEHZS= ROXY: =inhales, srs face= yes ROXY: ty sprinkles JOHN: -he obviously arrives just in time to witness this happen. w....t....f- DIRK: ... DIRK: ... DIRK: ... TEREZI: ....SH1T! DIRK: -squishes his own cheeks and is just. tiny smile.- JOHN: ......... ROXY: =IDIRK= ROXY: =wheezing noise in her chest... single tear= :'T TEREZI: H4PPY B1RTHD4Y ROXY: from me 2 me the ebst JOHN: what the heck is this JOHN: what the heck is THAT ROXY: john plz dont be fuckin rude JOHN: omg TEREZI: 4 ROBOT HORS3 JOHN, K33P UP JOHN: i can see that but.... ROXY: tthis is sprinkles aka horuss aka horunensea=wheezes shee can't= HORUSSBOT: -Yes. His metal plating catches the light and he holds his goggled horse head up high. He has no idea what a birthday is but if it's anything like a wriggling day...- Horuss. HORUSSBOT: My name is Horuss. TEREZI: 4N 4CTU4L S34B1SCU1T, 1 C4NT B3L13V3 TH1S JOHN: -assumes this is just some weird early thing for dirk's birthday.- ROXY: = TETEREZI= JOHN -ok.jpg.- DIRK: -don't you mean belated... HIS BIRTHDAY WAS YESTERDAY JOHN. - JOHN: -then yes he meant belated dirkus.- DIRK: It's great to meet you, Horuss. HORUSSBOT: I'm sure you have many questions. But please keep a hold on them. HORUSSBOT: I have not been in the physical plane in quite some time and this is... incredibly disorientating. -testing his legs, shifting his weight. Testing his breathing systems. Nickers.- TEREZI: =troll jesus christ= DIXIE CONCLUSION: :eyes: TEREZI: =i reiterate!= DIRK: Actually, I'm willing to accept all of this without question. HORUSSBOT: Then you are more intelligent than you appear to be. -Good job on that. Shakes his mane.- JOHN: -is very not ok with this, but listening to horuss speak has rendered him stunned in silence.- TEREZI: Y34H...W3V3 H4D OUR F41R SH4R3 OF WH4T TH3 4CTU4L FUCKS TEREZI: T4K3 YOUR T1M3 OR13NT1NG TO TH3 L4ND OF TH3 L1V1NG DIRK: ... -wonders what about him doesn't appear intelligent.- TEREZI: =the shades, probably= DIXIE CONCLUSION: -Clip clop, clip clop. He wants to scan the visitor with his sensors. In other words, sniff the other hornse.- DIRK: -fuck.......- DIRK: -takes pictures- TEREZI: =a few sweeps ago, this would have been reaaaaaally strange to her= HORUSSBOT: -brays threateningly- E%cuse me. Lesser creature. TEREZI: =laughs= TEREZI: WH1CH ON3? DIXIE CONCLUSION: -Snuffle. Snort. Twitches ears.- DIRK: -sends these pictures RIGHT to jake without context- JOHN: -he thought he was numb to oddness but this is too much.- HORUSSBOT: -whirring aggressively. He's not happy about this close inspection. - HORUSSBOT: -compels himself to trot. To move. Suddenly rushes forward with force.- HORUSSBOT: -clops right out of the engineering lab. STOMP STOMP STOMP.- JOHN: is this why the power went out???? DIXIE CONCLUSION: :eyes: ROXY: whoops DIRK: Oh shit. There he go. DIXIE CONCLUSION: :heart: :heart: :heart: TEREZI: HORS3 LOOS3 1N 41SL3 TW3LV3 4H4H4H4H4H4 DIRK: -feels the strong urge to... chase... and try to tame him...- DIXIE CONCLUSION: -GALLOPS AFTER THE OTHER HORNSE FRIEND!!!- DIXIE CONCLUSION: -bye bitches- DIRK: And there he go. DIRK: -looks at john.- Anyway, yeah. JOHN: -sighs- i'm going back to bed. JOHN: -WINDY THINGS OUTTA HERE.- TEREZI: =Colors fly everywhere= >|O TEREZI: SUP3R H3LPFUL TH4NKS! EQUIUS: -Appears from the engine room- [[ The aftermath of Horuss's arrival is very obvious. In fact, he's still causing a ruckus in the atrium. ]] EQUIUS: -He was the one that got everything up and running....then decided to make modifications so that power thing wouldn't happen again- ROXY: =she's still here... amoung the wreckage.....= ROXY: so....... EQUIUS: -Sighs a horse sigh- ROXY: mission accomplished? =sheepish thumbs up?= ROXY: =TWO THUMBS EVEN= EQUIUS: D --> I see. Where is he ROXY: he and dixie frolicked out yonder =gestures to the door, voids up some rope= ROXY: should we...? ROXY: ....wrangle? EQUIUS: -Sighs again- EQUIUS: D --> I will handle this. -He pauses though- I would like for you to join, hoovever ROXY: far be it from me 2 turn u down :P =jumps off the desk and makes WAY= EQUIUS: -disappears into the void-

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

== SOME DAYS IN THE PAST BUT NOT MANY... All is dark is the void until suddenly, it's not. An abandoned cobblestone town emerges out of the nothing into something and whether anyone thinks they're asleep or awake, it's very hard to tell. But there is a large, leatherbound troll waiting at the center of town. He stands by the only other sign of life-- the musclebeast water fountain. Meanwhile, murmurs of ghosts rattle in the distance. They peep, drawn to the darkened windows of seemingly empty buildings as they sense new newcomers. It's time. == EQUIUS: -This was normal now. These dreams on the rare nights he actually slept. This town...hm. He explored, of course finding himself at the fountain, admiring it.- ROXY: =Was it a dream...? Was it a dream...? But she wanders into the town, looking at the fountain= could use more horse dong :thinking: HORUSS: -and here he is, glad they could make it. Finally. Ears angle at them in a kind of greeting, his expression crumbled in a hard stare.- HORUSS: My fellow Zahhak, your dreamscape is astonishingly difficolt to penetrate. But your attention has been lassoed nevertheless. Welcome. HORUSS: ... HORUSS: Hello, Ro%y. -large horsey exhales.- We meet in the flesh. Kind of. EQUIUS: D --> Is there a reason you have summoned us here. I was finally enjoying some rest ROXY: omg back 4 round 2 also sorry im trottin in ur dreamscape EQUIUS: D --> I canter imagine why you would need to ROXY: 2 buy realestate obvs HORUSS: -he flexes under his workshop uniform. Behold.- Rest assured, were it all up to me, I wouldn't bother carroling what precious little time you have. But I am marely a vessel to a greater purpose. HORUSS: And you two are... HORUSS: The means to an end. -bares his teeth for a moment. A smile?? But no, it's gone even a moment later and the horse is regarding them with a very grumpy expression all over again.- HORUSS: My name is Horuss Zahhak... I am here to enlighten you to the infinite possibilities of which you are capable of. I refer to, of horse, your affinity with the Void. The e%panse of nothing that surrounds us as we speak. -gestures mildly to the inky black cover above before proceeding to ramble on and on and on and... on....- HORUSS: You are currently e%isting in a pocket realm of my own creation. One of countless others that lay to be discovered if you open yourself to the prospect. I suppose... your ne%t question would be whether you can trust me. HORUSS: Well. HORUSS: You can. HORUSS: I am a friend. And we three have mutual friends. In fact, I came to know you through Miss Pei%es and she will be pleased to know how great we are all giddying up together as we are. -gazes off fondly at nothing in particular. There's literally nothing in the direction he's looking at.- I hope you find this as something of a comfort after her untimely departure. ROXY: its.... somethin ROXY: not that i dont beieve a total stranger off the bat whom ive had extensive horse shenenaganry convos with about a friend from beyond the beyond but i mean what ends are we the mean to? ROXY: we can make each other friendship club void bracelets later but i gotta admit im p tired of mysterious shroudy figures whisperin nonsensicals 2 me being gas stations about destinies purposes and possibilities ROXY: pardon my french but le show me ze god damn meat hon hon titty baguette HORUSS: A crude way of putting it but it's true. Something is coming. I feel it... in my breast. -rumbles and flexes his whole tiddy rack while he's at it.- HORUSS: You ought to be prepared. Or at very least, allow me to plant some ideas in your mind and have it bear fruit. -taps the frame of his goggles.- And I would like you to take these lessons quite literally when I say. HORUSS: It's the concept of these ideas which you can pull from theory, into reality. HORUSS: Anything. Everything at all. If you can think it, it can become real. This also extends to your abilities. HORUSS: Are you following what I'm saying? EQUIUS: D --> It's hard not to. You speak as if these are difficolt concepts, when they are merely basic and at the most abstract. State your ideas, we have work to do -also he is unimpressed with your physique- ROXY: =Please don't get into a flexing contest guys= ..... :eyes: ROXY: that is literally p much what ido all day every day EQUIUS: D --> I have better things to accomplish HORUSS: -It's a good thing he's so patient and understanding. Horuss nods.- HORUSS: Your vessel will need shielding very soon. A method to disguise itself while you encroach enemy territory. -starts to trot down the street, heading to a low leveled building with a perfect Sagitarrius symbol on it. Up the stairs he leads.- It so happens that I can help you achieve this task. ROXY: convenient.... =Watches him trot..... she's so= HORUSS: -Yes. Literally fucking trotting. His boots are leathery and reminisciently designed like horse hooves.- ROXY: =PL EASE= EQUIUS: D --> How is that so -He follows as well. The aesthetic is nice, but Horuss is doing The Most™ - HORUSS: -gets to the top of the stairs in 3 seconds. Breaking out in every sweat.- I have been crafting a mechanism. And in theory, has a great deal of potential to become more than its intended purpose. HORUSS: A bridge between the physical world and this one. HORUSS: Come and see. HORUSS: -leads the way into the workshop. The sentries that greet them are steam-powered and horse-headed. Nod at Equius and Roxy.- HORUSS: In theory, we can use this device to create a safe passage which could lead to a number of places. Including your destination. ROXY: =Why are they all so moist?.... she follows and peeps the sentries as they go by= uh huhhhh... ROXY: and watre u gonna us it for? HORUSS: -here comes the work floor where none of the other projects on the tables compare to the circular metal structure built into one of the further walls. He approaches it, regarding it grimly.- Its purpose continues to change. HORUSS: It began as an attempt to resurrect an abolished race of extraterrestials. You would not be familiar with them. HORUSS: They were a peacefoal people obliterated by Alternia. Actually, it's their souls which inhabit this town currently. I am keeping them cloaked from the horrors beyond until this device... may function. -rests his gloved hand against it. His precious...- EQUIUS: -Regards these projects fondly. Yes good, this horse is a horse of science, but this structure captures his attention- EQUIUS: D --> A noble cause, but will be using it to protect our ship? What will happen to them HORUSS: Nothing. So long as we maintain the cloak. HORUSS: You, rather. -twitches ear at Equius.- How far have you tested your powers? EQUIUS: D --> So far the e%tent I've pushed myself is transportation and shrouding myself. I've begun practicing conjuring at the behest of Ro%y ROXY: =shimmers, good yes. hone ur abilities horseyboi= EQUIUS: -shimmers with sweat- HORUSS: Hm, yes. At this point, I don't suppose it would trot to you so simply in such a limited time frame. -flicks some sweat off his ear. It always gets pretty.... steamy in his workshop. It also doesn't help he's wearing a full leather body suit.- If you want to make it possible to shield an entire vessel, you will need assistance. HORUSS: I can provide it. -tssssss. Some pipe releases a hiss of vapor in the distance. Horuss keeps talking.- HORUSS: Conceptualize if you would, the void and the physical world e%isting side by side as water does to oil. Their densities too different to mix but! -he stresses that butt.- It's possible to create pockets within the two substances. That is what this device will be capable of. HORUSS: Spreading the void out into the physical plane and vice versa. If carried out with... theoretically professional hooves such as our own, it will be a seemless operation. Devoid of consequences or attention from unsavory parties. -clears his throat- HORUSS: Hoovever... it requires the construction of an e%act replica of my mechanism on your end of the ship. To funnel the connection, in a literal manner of speaking. HORUSS: I have the b100prints right here. -holds a hand up to show them the rolled up parchment. His teeth grits as he continues.- Now, it comes to question your respective competence. Will you help me finish what I have started? HORUSS: In e%change, you will find yourselves with the capacity to protect those which have brought you to this point to begin with. Perclops even worthy of the abilities you've been granted. HORUSS: -offers the blueprints out.- A wonderfoal thing, don't you think? ROXY: =That sure is one hootenanny of a machine= .... =eyes the blueprints and gently takes them= ROXY: u do realize how fishy this sounds rite? .... =squints tho and opens the blueprints a lil= HORUSS: In what respect? HORUSS: Do you doubt your capabilities? ROXY: nah ROXY: i mean its the classic o hey scratch my back ill scratch urs lmao i had my fingers crossed im gonna fuck em up ROXY: not sayin ur not the real nice and charitable dude because idk u sell that kinda bad anyway but like ROXY: im gonna prey on it.... but give the schems a looksee ooksee HORUSS: I appreciate the insinuation but, alas. HORUSS: To intend on harming Miss Pei%es'... friends. With my inventions would be hayly counter-productive. -flexes, look at that rippling muscle.- HORUSS: How would you like for me to prove myself? ROXY: listen ive lost 2 much to just trust some rando with all the answers =she sees it...peeps= ROXY: =hands on the hips= agree 2 a kill switch on either side, a sequence that we know and can shut it off whenever n everywhere HORUSS: ! HORUSS: That option is already included in the plans. -what kind of a scientist would he be if his inventions didnt come with kill switches.- And I stand to repeat! You will do well to trust me. HORUSS: But in a good show pony of faith... perclops I can be the one to entrust you first. EQUIUS: D --> If you wish for my cooperation, then you will grant me an audience with Feferi hershelf...self. I worry little about the ramifications of distrusting you, but perclops she can ease the doubts let free to roam in the pastures of my mind HORUSS: -He appreciates the horse analogies... And snorts rather sweatily.- You seem to think the heiress is at my beck and call. Why, even the marest idea causes me to perspire profusely. HORUSS: I can attempt to locate her but it's no guarantee she will emerge. HORUSS: Miss Pei%es is... HORUSS: A free galloping spirit. -says, his tone turning a little wistful.- And should remain so. EQUIUS: D --> Of horse. I should have e%pected as such HORUSS: -He has decided he likes this horse and turns to face him fully. Goggles shine. - I would not be opposed to providing a tentative escort. HORUSS: That is... if you don't mind going on something of a trot. EQUIUS: D --> Do you mean at this particular moment? I would loathe to leave Miss Lalonde by her lonesome ROXY: its cool u guys can go on a walk n casually flex amongst urselves ROXY: =Wanna give Eq some alone time with Feferi if they find her= just idk tell her 2 come my way so i can say whats up or say it for me EQUIUS: D --> Most definitely. I will reconvene with you post haste -Roxy you're a doll. Thank you.- EQUIUS: D --> Let us proceed -Turns to Horuss, flexing gently.- ROXY: =fingerguns at them both and winks before taking these blueprints with her and disappearing= HORUSS: -flexes communicatively back. Yes good, this shows they are allies.- Very well. HORUSS: You will understand that incriments of time are not the same here as they are beyond. And it is good you bear eye protection. HORUSS: It's best not to... peer over the edge. It's hayly likely something will peer back. -And with that, Horuss takes the lead out of his workshop and back out into the cobblestone streets. The lights are still dimmed and the ghosts still rattle. They are now hiking up the impression of a road.- EQUIUS: D --> I'd be remiss if the abyss did not gaze back. Tell me of horself, Horuss. Where did hail from originally -He follows this horse, a thin sheen of sweat covering his body, a slight knot in his stomach at the prospect of what may be coming.- HORUSS: Beforus, until I met an untimely demise like the majority of everyone who had been living there at the time. -The further they head up the road, the darker it becomes... until eventually, the only thing visible is the ground. But Horuss keeps going.- HORUSS: I will say this much. HORUSS: Of all the methods to die, I would not recommend being present at the obliteration of a planet. You will feel the flesh melt off your very bones and scarcely remember anything but the combustion of o%ygen in your lungs. Followed by the infinite sound of oblivion, which of horse. Isn't a sound at all.... but a feeling. HORUSS: It haunts me to this day. -hums rather thoughtfully. Like he's talking about the weather.- EQUIUS: D --> And so it shall for the rest of your e%istence. My apologies. Despite my origins, I came to respect Beforus. Naturally the same fate befell Europa. In that moment, I came to find that I had not considered that my home for some time -The inky blackness was...comforting in a way. The beginning and ending of everything: nothing. This, felt like home- HORUSS: A Europan? How interesting to think that we have met in this case! It mare even compel me to share a secret... HORUSS: About this place, about my own ambitions. -trudges along, his eyes trained to the dark ahead.- I feel as though if anyone might appreciate it, it's likely you. HORUSS: And I don't even know your name. EQUIUS: D --> Ah, forgive me. I've misplaced my manners. My name is Equius, of course you know my hatch name. Please, do share HORUSS: A STRONG name. I will be sure to remember it for all my days. -nods very sweaty.- HORUSS: After my death, I felt as though I had become nothing for a long time. Not a single thought, emotion, or semblence of consciousness... until all at once, I became me again. But I wasn't me, I was everything and nothing at all. Can you relate to this feeling? HORUSS: E%isting like a receptacle of vast emptiness... so full of it that it flows through your very core. E%panding the spaces of your mind and soul outwards like... how it feels to gallop a hundred thousand miles but still remain in the same spot. HORUSS: That feeling is who I became and understanding this about myself, I came to believe that I was not alone in this. And if I can move through it, who's to say cannot find other obscurities? HORUSS: Lost objects. Places. Memories. HORUSS: Forgotten races such as the e%traterrestrials I mentioned previously. HORUSS: Equius. Did you know that in this infinite Nothing, there is also everything that has ever been? And for that matter... did you know you have the capacity to pioneer into that abyss and discover it? I know because I have already begun the e%cavation myself. HORUSS: With power such as ours, we can uncover all that has been lost and forgotten... and bring it back to the surface. Then perhaps one day, cultures such as Europa and Beforus will live once again. HORUSS: If you would like, you can assist me in the endeavor. It can be... a conquest between two heroes of a common background. Nobletrolls of our respective histories, almost seemingly hatched for this purpose. HORUSS: I quite like the sound of it. EQUIUS: -He listens, absorbing all of this. Horuss was quite the speaker, a quality Equius himself did not possess- EQUIUS: D --> A noble purpose insteed. I shall have to delve deeper into my consciousness to unlock my foal potential. Naturally, you are correct, everything begins and ends with nothing. This is the alpha and omega, and if that is the case then so are we HORUSS: If I were not so well composed, I feel as though I would shed many tears right now. HORUSS: But alas. HORUSS: You will have to make due without my emotional display. -heavy horse snorts and then stops in his tracks. The path they walk is dropping into abyss, signifying the border of Horuss's dream bubble. Up ahead glows a bright pink light.- HORUSS: -squinting.- We have... a visitor it seems. == Far off in the distance, a familar shaped sprite is glowing and raising a paw to wave. 3833 == HORUSS: Now who the f*lly is that? Do you know them? EQUIUS: D --> Watch your language. It's just sweet, lovely, fefetasprite -waves back- EQUIUS: D --> She followed me here. Naturally, she is e%ploring EQUIUS: D --> She's a sprite that seems to have been imbued with the properties of Feferi and my moirail HORUSS: -He is not pleased by the prospect of strangers but grunts anyway.- Very well, fine. If she is a friend. FEFETASPRITE: -as soon as Equius gives the wave, she floats towards him. Wiggles and then POUNCES HIM. Here come the claws to the tiddy.- >3833 HORUSS: -easily steps aside as she whizzes by.- EQUIUS: -Grunts softly. He's used to this at this point. He scratches behind a fin- EQUIUS: D --> Mind your manners, say hello Fefeta. This is a new friend, Horuss FEFETASPRITE: -purr purr purr, she is shrinking until she's travel size for convenience.- FEFETASPRITE: -side eyes Horuss. Who is he? She has no idea but doesn't seem to care.- ... >38;33 HORUSS: - ! - HORUSS: It is... neigh-ce. To meet you. -SWEATS IRRITABLY.- FEFETASPRITE: -responds with a wave of her sprite tail. It seems like now is the time to urgently rest a tiny webbed hand on Equius's face. Look!- = Another shape is coming... floating? Swimming? Out of the void, having been following Fefeta. Unmistakably troll and seadweller, she is also lifting a hand to wave. == HORUSS: Ah, the heiress. -looks relieved and crosses his arms.- Thank goodness. FEFETASPRITE: 3B33 -Yep. Her hunt was successful.- EQUIUS: D --> You were seeking her out? I did not think that's what you were doing -The knot in his stomach tightening. He hadn't spoken to her much before she perished. Why did he think this was a good idea, oh dear. He's sweating more now...wait he should wave.- FEFETASPRITE: -snuggles Equius right on the sweaty chin. You've got this! She climbs out of his arms to float off and groom herself. So salty.- HORUSS: I don't imagine it to have taken so little time if-- Oh. Hello Miss Pei%es. -stops midspeech as the seadweller makes her approach. Gosh... is his hair alright?- FEFERI: -Already making her descent to land, exactly the same as she's always been except for the ghost white empty of her eyes.- )(ey -Equius! )(i )(oruss! -It's so odd seeing him like this. She sure remembers everything but at the same time. It's like her feelings were peering through the long end of a glass bottle. So far away.- FEFERI: You found me. Or... maybe I found you? 38) -feet touch the ground. The fish hass landed.- EQUIUS: -He's frozen. It's been too long since he'd seen her. Far too long. There's more sweat. She seems...hollow, no not quite but just less herself than he remembered. It was to be expected probably.- EQUIUS: D --> It seems Fefeta is the one that found you. How have you been, Pei%es FEFERI: -she grins, indifferent to his regard of her.- Pretty D----EAD. And you? FEFERI: You look alive. T)(at's great! FEFERI: I guess you've met )(oruss? -gives the horse a small wave.- Me too! T)(ere are so many people out )(ere... you just need to know )(ow to look! HORUSS: -bashfully plays with a lock of his beautiful mane. Feferi please.- FEFERI: I t)(ink )(e's )(ere to kelp... And t)(at's ------EXCITING too! EQUIUS: D --> You seem very e%cited, and that is good. I am very much alive, you know that I am entirely too stubborn to perish. Horuss is proving to be a help, yes. What, e%actly have you been doing here FEFERI: -hmmmms thinking.- Making fronds, keeping people company. FEFERI: And encouraging t)(e elder gods to )(elp make dream bubbles for t)(e wandering souls of t)(e dead! So keeping t)(em company too. 38) FEFERI: )(ave you been looking for me? EQUIUS: D --> I have not. My apologies. We are all working diligently. We're rapidly approaching. Hoovever, your presence is missed. There is a, void, if you will. I'm glad you are making friends...fronds. You were always talented in that aspect EQUIUS: D --> You are happy and safe, correct? On that note, did you have anything you wished me to e%press to anyone. I think that would be nice, in an unnecessarily sentimental way FEFERI: O)( glub... -eyes widen. Any sentiments behind Equius's words are falling flat to her bloodpusher. She doesn't really have one nowadays.- Yes, of course I'm fine! W)(y wouldn't I be? FEFERI: Also... FEFERI: Water you t)(ink everyone would want me to say? EQUIUS: D --> I...couldn't say really. I imagine what I'm trying to convey is difficolt to say the least. I believe everyone would want to know if you're happy and safe...and perhaps if you planned on coming back HORUSS: -Observing this exchange quietly. It's impossible to decipher what he must be thinking.- FEFERI: W)(ale, t)(at makes sense at least. -replies easily, only blinking. It's simple when you don't have a way to attach your emotions to everything.- Yes, I'm fine! I do feel like I miss everyone. FEFERI: I know I've missed you. -gives him a small smile.- But I'm also not s)(ore w)(et)(er I can come back rig)(t now. FEFERI: I t)(ink I'm waiting for somet)(ing? Someone... -looks on a moment before flicking a fin dismissively. Fixes her blank gaze back on him.- FEFERI: But even if I can't come back, everyone will be okray rig)(t? We keep moving on and we keep finding one anot)(er in all KINDS of different waves. FEFERI: I t)(ink it's kind of neat. EQUIUS: D --> I have missed you as well. It would be rude of me to ask you to come back now. You are doing important work. Of horse we will be okay, all of us are STRONG after all. You are loved and missed, but we continue doing what we must. I believe John misses you terribly but he is carrying on valiantly. Ruleus is growing and maturing beautifoally in case you wanted to know FEFERI: -Hearing about Ruleus and John should strike something inside but... it doesn't. And with a knit of her brow, she knows it's vaguely frustrating.- I'm reely glad to )(ear it. FEFERI: You s)(ould keep t)(em safe for me, -Equius. I'd like to sea t)(em! But not )(ere. FEFERI: Not soon. FEFERI: Do you t)(ink you can do t)(at? EQUIUS: D --> Yes, of horse. They are as much my family now as Aradia and Ananya are, just like the rest of the ship. I will keep them safe FEFERI: -keeps gazing at him, knowing how difficult this must actually be for him. Maybe he was just pretending for the sake of it? In a vague kind of way, it made Fef a little sad to think it hardly made a difference.- FEFERI: -In any case, Feferi is crossing over to Equius. Closing the distance enough to press a small kiss to his cheek.- I know... I trust you. HORUSS: -covers mouth in a tiny gasp in the distance.- ! -The drama.- FEFETASPRITE: -pauses mid grooming to :eyes: - EQUIUS: -He's spent his whole life being a show pony. But this...was more true than even he knew. The sweat really pours as she kisses his cheek, there was still a fondness for her and there probably always would be, but it felt different now. Not sad and achey so much any more. Still he can't help but wrap his arms around her.- EQUIUS: D --> Thank you, and I you. Keep working hard, we will do the same FEFERI: -sighs when his arms come around her. She's solid to hold but far away on the inside. Very far away.- I know for s)(ore I miss you now. -lets her eyes drift closed, her cheek rested on his sweaty shoulder.- HORUSS: -pointedly facing another direction. He's doing his best to be discreet but is failing fantastically.- EQUIUS: D --> It is okay. There is much to be done. I did not mean to be so unnecessarily emotional -He hangs on just a bit longer before going to release her. It was nice to hold her again, but still it was a ghost. A ghost of memories and the past. The time now was to move forward, and to work harder.- EQUIUS: D --> It was good sea you FEFERI: It was totally neig)(seasary! -strokes the sweat from his face, grinning all over again.- -Eelspecially if it makes you feel better. FEFERI: Do you feel betta? EQUIUS: -No. However he does feel...more at peace. There is still absence.- EQUIUS: D --> Yes. Thank you -blushes b100. Feferi please.-

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

HORUSS: *The day plays out as any other day might. Quiet and unassuming, Roxy might find herself spending time alone. In her lab or in her quarters, whichever she felt most comfortable in. However, her solitude would not remain uninterrupted. A message lights up at her communicator, the handle unfamiliar.* CT: Hello lowly human. Be alert. CT: I am on standby. TG: sorry buster does not compute with this model of human TG: usin my amazing fuckin powers od deduction and sleuthism im guessin ur not human TG: and prolly a nerd TG: like 90% nerd and not even the good kind like me TG: neganurd CT: You are correct in assuming I'm not a member of your mildly disgusting, vulnerable species. CT: But I disagree hayly in your claims that I am a... nerd, as you e%press. CT: You will cease and refer to me with titles I find acceptable. CT: You may call me Horuss. TG: or ill call u never lmao TG: so r you another b100 hornse frucker? TG: sure seems like it my guy TG: oh my fuck ur name even sounds like horse TG: its that deep CT: Yes, you will call me as such. CT: Horuss. CT: I appreciate the parallels my name bears with the mighty hoofbeast but my word. I am finding it so difficolt to speak with someone with such a vulgar vernacular. CT: Your behavior herdly lives up to the regal color of your te%t. Off color as it is. CT: My patience is being tried. CT: Neigh. CT: I know it is. CT: I can respect this. TG: mkay as such TG: and idk man if ur lookin for a queen thats into gettin it with mr ed ur like TG: several thousand years 2 late TG: also im not russian TG: way 2 miss the mark TG: gg CT: I don't follow these references. In fact, I will not even attempt. CT: That being said, if you haven't herd yourself speak yet... you would know you would make a terrible queen. TG: so says the horsey munchin on hay in the stables TG: like im takin empirical sass and advice from a fuckin horse TG: bruh CT: Yes. That is e%actly what is occuring. CT: I will accept further onslaught of equine honorifi% from you at a later date. TG: hold ur sugarcubes spirit arent u gonna woo me before plannin a 2nd date TG: did u just roll up to get me to slam you with the jesties? CT: I'm not above admitting that I grew distracted by the prospect. CT: You have a great deal of... CT: Spunk. TG: holly golly im blushing :P CT: Reign in the salacious behavior if you would, pink-laced human. CT: I speak to you with purpose. I STRONGLY advise you pay attention. TG: hmmmm yeah alright type away but im still crazy suspish of this entire encounter TG: but ill give u till im done w/ my baked potato TG: plead ur case CT: I will begin by bringing a painfoally obvious fact to light. CT: This conversation is occurring in your sleep. You are dreaming. CT: Pester client is the most convenient method of communication, without straining your p**rly assailable psyche with such a comple% concept. CT: But nevertheless. CT: You will trust my intentions. CT: You have no choice. TG: im not gonna lie man im enjoyin the illusion of this dream potato but it could use more green onion TG: disappointment lane population me CT: You'll be met with many more setba% before the evening is complete. CT: For now, it's acceptable to bask in my charming audience and the irrefutable value of my guidance. CT: Your gratitude has been registered in advance. TG: my gratitude is changin the dreamscape hold up ROXY: *And so she does, changing it from her room on the ship to Lauctis, food district* TG: yes TG: yesssssss TG: hell fuckin yessssss CT: You have an ample grip on your bearings. CT: For that alone. I commend you. TG: ive been told to have good grips TG: these hands man TG: u couldnt comprehend the majesty of these gd hands CT: You stand corrected. I am capable of comprehending a great deal of concepts and ideas. CT: Some of which, do not e%ist in this particular plane of udderstanding. CT: I am, after all, but a vessel of limitless potential. CT: You are as well, if to a lesser much more simplistic degree. TG: um whos the queen and whos the stable hornse again TG: lettuce remind ourselves TG: while i get a dream lettuce wrap TG: check urself b4 u heck urself CT: If you insist on applying f001ish make believe dynami% to this conversation, it would behoove you to commit 100%. CT: Ask yourself. What power do you possibly possess which makes you worthy of the title "queen". And I, a humble hoofbeast of the stables. TG: i mean for one im a fuckin atomic blonde bombshell mae west sassy n classy and idk man TG: i get this distinct kinda TG: feelin from u TG: like i thought u were gonna be a dustybutt grump TG: now i feel like its the opposite CT: Neigh. CT: My mannerisms make me hayly approachable. Passionate as I am spirited. CT: Others would be glad to think to speak to one of such high esteem such as myself. Or be subject to my attention. TG: where they @ tho CT: Dead. TG: o shit :( CT: Language. TG: o sugar honey iced tea :( CT: That is better. CT: I udderstand that some time has passed, if at all. It would be best not to dwell in the revolving despair which surrounds the subject. CT: It can be... CT: Suffocating. CT: In a place such as this. TG: so if im dreaming and ur friends arent doin so great is it safe to assume ur not either CT: Of horse not. I am dead as any of the others. CT: Hoofever, being much more capable than any of my peers, I managed a method of maneh**vering myself from an inevitable fate. CT: I am not alone. TG: i see ur bein all humble and whatnot but what do you mean? CT: I mean this in a very literal sense of the word. Infused with immeasuable talents from the day of my hatching, I also happen to share these qualities with specialized individuals. CT: You, for example. CT: Others. CT: I will assume you don't know what I'm referring to and will divulge further e%position. TG: so wrist deep in the inky icky sticky TG: so i see CT: That's crude way of describing it but if it helps to further your udderstanding. Then, yes. TG: well i mean i get it but i also like the idea if u want u can be like TG: mid forearm in there TG: but its somethin im familiar with yeah CT: I will penetrate the subject with more than just my forehoof. TG: ok i think the fisting is one thing but i wanna add hooves and shit i aint a clopper my guy TG: i think u want dirk for that business TG: esp if ur tall brawny and gross with natural fluids TG: actually no hed tell me about his dream with you goddammit TG: no escape TG: no peace CT: I am considered stately in structure. This is correct. CT: Back to the topic at hoof. TG: plz CT: My condition has enraptured the entirety of my essence. CT: Mind, body, and soul. It's difficolt for me to identify with my sense of self. I am free-minded and galloping through the vastness of nothing and everything at once. CT: Most reverently, I inform you that I feel the furthest from a troll as possible. My soul is quite akin to that of a mighty hoofbeast. TG: fuckin TG: ongv ROXY: *literal wheezing then straightens up, straight face* TG: tell me more CT: Gladly. CT: It was the first sensation which surged through my being when I began to regain consciousness. CT: Following a simply 100dicrous amount of STRENGTH surging through my limbs, the em001ation of breath filling my powerful lungs. CT: I was whole and sane but sure of this fact. Perfect every way save my physical form. I was trapped as this... bipedalic creature. CT: Tr001y a tragic tale. TG: thats just about the saddest shit ive ever heard in my entire life TG: im weeping TG: do you see my actual tears TG: there are tears god dmamit there are tears CT: Very well. It's appropriate to e%press this f100d of emotion when I, too, find myself often moved by it. CT: There are times when bodily f100ids canter be helped. CT: You are e%used. TG: gee thanks tbh i think im the only one allowed to have any fluid leakage in my own dreamscape TG: keep ur wetness in check man TG: dont b gross CT: I find this statement contrad*ctory. CT: If there are times which f100ids can't be helped, then it cannot be considered "gross". CT: In many instances, it is a grim fact of life... and you can't force me to feel ashamed for it. CT: Although you are welcome to try. With fair warning, I implore you to consider the ironbound STRENGTH of my willpower. CT: But. CT: Theoretically. CT: How would you have me behave? TG: hes into it TG: i cannot believe TG: a dead horse ghost from the void just fuckin TG: and then what ;) 'd me TG: im so CT: I fail to understand the source of your confusion. CT: The question was horsenest. TG: oh i know it was horsenest TG: which plz say that out loud for me TG: just to urself TG: and think if that was the best pun 2 use CT: Horsenest. TG: which of course it was TG: 10/10 for the whores nest CT: The repit*tion of your vulgarities seems to be a personal quirk. Or an unfortunate disability. TG: ....did u censor that TG: u sneakin curses in sentences TG: yet have the raw audacity to come 4 me TG: im upfront crude CT: I am the te%tbook definition of audacious. TG: *salacious CT: I censor out of respect and an uncanny awareness of certain... faults within myself. CT: Again. I refuse to feel ashamed for it. CT: Unless. CT: Once again. CT: You opt to be particularly forcefoal in e%ecuting the insult. CT: I mare reconsider. TG: im not shamin u man im just tryin 2 get he story here TG: but i gotta say i can feed a ghosts kinks CT: I shan't play the imbecile. Wherever you have garnered the se%ual aspect of this conversation, I would hayly recommend putting it back where you found it. CT: Or so help me. CT: Rest painfoally *ssured, you need me a great deal more than I need you. TG: we might have to back this thing up all the way to beginnin man CT: Let's continue this... deriding at another time frame. You are about to wake up. TG: i got six jobs i dont get tired but alright broseph TG: catch u on the flip TG: or not i guess? CT: We will hear from one another s**n. HORUSS: *and with that Roxy will find herself snapping awake, wherever it is last she fell asleep.* ROXY: *And there she was, on her couch, bbq sauce on her tiddies... oh gdi. But...weird dream, she'll have to look into this*

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

HORUSS: *Next time Porrim closes her eyes, she finds herself in the strangest dream. It's night time... she might think. The sky or space above her is pitch black, missing any stars or moons but at very least she knows shes /somewhere/. She stands in a cobblestone street lined with buildings of a ancient classical influence. The only fixtures of light are the dimly lit street lamps made of finely welded iron. The buildings seem empty and it is fairly quiet... maybe in a sad kind of way. Further down the street, the faint sound of running water seems to be heard. Will she approach?* PORRIM: *this is definitely a strange dream. maybe not THE strangest, but it's quite immersive. so much so, she doesn't quite realize she's asleep and proceeds forward as if this were normal, but she's investigating the few sights and sounds with interest. eventually her wandering brings her in the direction of the running water.* HORUSS: *It certainly feels vivid and as she walks towards the sound, she'll notice just how vivid her dream is. This epic water fountain statue of a musclebeast looks really really real to her. Behold its nude, muscular glory.* PORRIM: ... Ah. *says to herself* Fine art. HORUSS: *It seems at the mention of fine art, a figure materializes right behind her. He wears goggles but even from the tone of his voice, she might be able to tell he's squinting heavily. Large and muscley, two crown horns, his long hair tied in a luxurious pony tail, dressed in a leather jumpsuit-- he is the picture perfection of a blueblood.* You managed your way here on your own. HORUSS: Although you don't seem have any c100 to your surroundings. What you are capable of. Yet another perfect e%ample of precious gifts wasted on the ignorant. HORUSS: *is really obviously giving her a look over, frowning deeply. Teeth gritted.* How quaint. PORRIM: *the sudden voice and presence startle her, and the once over she gives this stranger quickly evolves into an unamused stare.* PORRIM: Excuse yo+u? HORUSS: *The unamusement is mutual, no worries. His lip is curling but thankfully, he is the very PILLAR of patience... and compassion... for the less fortunate.* Nameless jadeb100d. You are treading on carefully crafted dream space. Only accessible through. *pauses* HORUSS: Distinct. *pauses again.* HORUSS: Qualities. PORRIM: *the hand is on the hip, FRIEND.* I have a name, thanks, and I'd rather be identified by it than my caste. PORRIM: It's Po+rrim, by the way. PORRIM: And if this dream space has been carefully crafted, o+bvio+usly it has to+ be thanks to+ my distinct qualities. Because it's my dream. *glances at the statue.* Tho+ugh I have no+ idea what wou+uld've po+ssessed me to+ dream up that. HORUSS: It is awfoally presumptuous of you to assume you would have the capacity to dream up something so fine. *also stares towards the statue* That is an image of my own design. HORUSS: I would stress that this whole area reflects e%actly this fact. *goggles glint* And you are trotting in it while asleep. PORRIM: So+rry fo+r the "igno+rance" *finger quotes* but what yo+u're saying isn't making much sense. Wo+uld yo+u care to+ elabo+rate? PORRIM: What am I do+ing in so+meo+ne else's dream? HORUSS: You might be dreaming... capable of moving freely between the seal of the void and the physical plane but I am not. *flicks his ear irritably* I, for one, am very much dead. PORRIM: *blinks at him in surprise* Dead? PORRIM: Well... I guess yo+u wo+uldn't be the first dead perso+n I've spo+ken to+. HORUSS: Then you acknowledge the ultimate end is not the abs001ute end. HORUSS: There is plenty to do still... discover. Uncover. *Don't you hate it how he says "uncover"?* PORRIM: *it never nearly makes her skin crawl. getting some MAJOR creep vibes.* That fact has made itself abundently clear, yeah. HORUSS: *He doesn't actually mean it that way but here we are.* You should count yourself lucky to find yourself here. HORUSS: In this particular dreamscape, there is an astonishingly important project in the works. *turns his somber gaze to the empty empty surroundings of the ghost town.* As you can see, it is not finished. But over time, it will be. HORUSS: Perhaps as a troll with... e%ceptional navigational abilities such as yours, you might appreciate its potential. PORRIM: I... might? *frowning about all this* I still have no+ idea what yo+u're implying abo+ut me o+r my alleged "abilities." PORRIM: What's the significance o+f all this? I mean, what are yo+u wo+rking o+n here? HORUSS: Discovering. *goggles glint again* Uncovering... what has been lost. HORUSS: This is the duty I have assumed. HORUSS: ... HORUSS: *speaks up again as if resuming a lost thought.* Information. Memories. Similar recollections. As an e%ample. PORRIM: Hm... I guess it's starting to+ make sense. In an abstract so+rt o+f way. *looks around, pausing as well to take in the sights with a new perspective.* PORRIM: Is this a memo+ry? HORUSS: I crafted this place as an e%periment from the sheer STRENGTH of my imagination. *faintest horse snort* It holds steady and stands as a monument to my limitless potential in this realm. HORUSS: I am to act as a guide of snorts. HORUSS: For I am not the only one capable of such feats. PORRIM: I have to+ say, yo+u are pulling o+ff the frustratingly cryptic spirit guide ro+utine pretty well. PORRIM: *looks back at the statue. incredible.* ... So+ yo+u're telling me that I have a similar po+wer. HORUSS: In a manner of speaking. And I don't find myself very surprised you are e%periencing frustration. HORUSS: This realm does not bend to the same physi% as what you are accustomed to. HORUSS: It can be navigated... as you are doing evidently. But to manipulate it, you must hold an affinity to the Nothing. HORUSS: If you feel like you don't then chances are. HORUSS: It is 100% true. PORRIM: *raises a brow* The "No+thing?" I feel like this co+nversatio+n is o+nly go+ing to+ bring up mo+re questio+ns than answers. PORRIM: *crosses her arms* But I guess I wo+uldn't be here if I didn't already have so+me kind o+f co+nnectio+n to+ it. Clearly o+n a subco+nscio+us level... Co+nsidering the circumstances. PORRIM: *nods with resolve* I'm no+ stranger to+ co+nstructio+n. I do+n't think yo+u can make so+mething o+ut o+f "no+thing" but yo+u can create fro+m co+ncepts. Tho+ughts. *looks back at him, nodding again* Memo+ries. PORRIM: I bet I can manipulate the hell o+ut o+f this place. *turns to the statue once more* Like this guy... He co+uld use so+me co+ntempo+rary flare. Maybe a radical pair o+f sunglasses. HORUSS: *grunts* You would not be able to. My will is far too STRONG. HORUSS: ... HORUSS: But you are free to try. *adds that last bit a little hastily. Sweatily.* PORRIM: Alright. Let's see here. *rubs hands together. she can visualize it. she wants it, too. if only to prove this snooty blue blood that she can. his will is STRONG, but so is her's. and maybe she forgets that sometimes. maybe she forgets what she's capable of thinking and doing. and apparently, she's capable of putting stupid shades on a horse statue just to prove a point. it might not be much, but i PORRIM: t feels like a giant victory to her.* PORRIM: Ha. PORRIM: Like it's hard. HORUSS: It's e%ceedingly hard. *eye emojis at the shades. He means it as difficult but. He also doesn't seem to care about his word choice.* And for that matter, something that already e%ists. HORUSS: Now attempt to picture bringing something into being... which no longer e%ists. HORUSS: That is what I am attempting to accomplish. *says it like you're hecking welcome for it too.* PORRIM: *frowns. let her have this????????* HORUSS: *No, never.* PORRIM: What's that suppo+sed to+ mean? HORUSS: It means that I am not limited by the... mental blocks of potential as you are. *he seems so smug* But this is the distinction which seperates us. You in your own classification and mine. HORUSS: In my own. PORRIM: Well, go+o+d fo+r yo+u-- *squints* PORRIM: What's yo+ur name? HORUSS: *places an arm behind his back like he's being called to attention. So noble. Such a douche.* Horuss Zahhak. PORRIM: *oh please...* Okay, Ho+russ. I'm Po+rrim. PORRIM: It's... Well. PORRIM: Interesting to+ meet yo+u. HORUSS: I might say the same to you. HORUSS: If only because it is now physically impossible for me to forget every detail of this encounter. PORRIM: *gives him a weird look.* ... Right. HORUSS: *standing there silently like he's actually committing everything to memory.* PORRIM: Do+n't hurt yo+urself... If that's a thing yo+u can still do+. HORUSS: Nonsense. *speaks finally... chin tilting downwards with a somber kind of ominimity.* Being dead, I don't have a real body to harm. HORUSS: Now begone. *with a wave of his hand, Porrim will find herself suddenly jolting awake in the real world.* PORRIM: *WAH.* PORRIM: *yes... okay. that was one weird ass dream.* PORRIM: *but what is perhaps even stranger is that she wakes with a pair of sunglasses on her face, not unlike the ones she conjured in the dream... spooky? but somehow exciting.*

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

Horuss: Enter

FROSTY: *After selling all their ice Frosty makes their way back up the mountain. Bending the moisture in the air to conceal themselves and the sled they fly quickly up the mountain, slowing down to pet Yetisus and check on his paw. There was no more leakage so that must've been the problem and they were so much calmer! But for now they should share the good news. Going to the top of the mountain they leave the sled in their cave and descends down into the depths of the mines. The ice is black here. Because of darkness as well as being so steeped into the weakened veil between this world and the void of the next. Coming to the darkest spot with no light. Just a freezing cold their crystalline body couldn't register. In this little hole they lean back against the black but so clear ice and slowly let their mind wander, to project their body behind the veil and into the void itself. Looking for a friend*

[[ Black was really the best way to describe this place. Heavy in weight, endless as the sea and deeper still. For someone to attempt to navigate this realm using only their eyes would be a fools' errand. The veil was a place that seemed to exist wholly in the white noise at the back of the mind when the silence of the world grew too great. It's here that Frosty was pushing themselves through, fearless as a creature of itself should be. There were friends in this inky vastness.

Eventually, the endlessless gives way to a projection of a cobblestone street. Images of darkened stone buildings were beginning to peel into reality. Mediterranean in architecture, the whole place gave the impression of an ancient city, crumbled and lost in time. Lost in the underworld.

If Frosty followed the lit streetlamps to what appeared to be the "town" square, they would end up at the staircase leading up to a great stone entrance. The only building that seemed to be of any kind of use. Engraved at the top of the open entry is the symbol of Sagittarius, dark b100 and marking it as the workshop dwelling of the friend in question. Will they enter? ]]

FROSTY: *In this realm they didn't bother concealing themselves. Though they were able to take any shape they wished here it was better to be themselves. A walking collection of segmented crystals. Shining with the "lamps" against the slick surfaces of their many faces. Each holding a sharp smile. They enter the building after knocking and call out in a voice that sounded like wind chimes but the void allows them the proper vocal chords to speak in a manner their friend would understand*

FROSTY: Are you present, my friend? :)

FROSTY: *Their eyes on each face rolling here and there in the search*

[[ Frosty approaches and is immediately greeted by two steam-powered sentries in the vague likeness of trolls. They regard them with red glowing eyes, spears at the ready... Just kidding. They know who they are and salute importantly. ]]

FROSTY: Hello! *They salute right back, always amused and in awe at the creations and scenes they encounter when visiting* Would your creator be about? I have very good news, good news indeed!

[[ Sentry 1 wheezes out steam before pointing upwards. Black space ways. They then tap their wrists as if to say he should be back at any moment. In the meantime, does Frosty want to check up on their ghost friends? They should be around exploring the void town if they want to see them. ]]

FROSTY: *They sure would! Since they can't take care of business it would be nice to do what they usually did. Waving to the sentries then making their way back out of the building. Back into the street to see their people. Well, the consciousness of their people. Each face wearing a large smile as they go to the main street. The ghosts are flickering into view, other crystal people with many faces or a few faces. Some with many limbs and some with none. In various colors and shades and cuts to their bodies. Frosty wants to see how well they're being taken care of*

[[ They're about as well taken care of as the souls of the dead can be. They can't exactly go anywhere but at least they're not floating in an endless stream of consciousness! This town created by the voidsmith is about as... stable. As it gets. The troll will be back very soon. ]]

FROSTY: *In the meantime then Frosty chimes their voice to several people, even if some aren't as able to respond some of them were and so long as their extinctions weren't brought into conversation things were good. In some of their minds they were still going about their days, some of them knew and recognized they were dead, other's well.... others drifted. Lost souls out of being broken by the void or simply resigning to their afterlife*

[[ It was a sad happenstance indeed. Speaking of sad happenstances, a large blueblooded troll is touching base onto the cobblestone street after having gone for a little void diving. He looked normal for a troll. Tall and imposing in his muscular frame, his leather jumpsuit. Half of his face is engulfed by leather helm with lenses darker than ink. His expression the grumpiest crumble looking thing as his voice lifts to speak. ]]

HORUSS: Hello... Frosty. *Good golly gosh, the name was so silly. Undignified. Horuss's teeth grits with unbridled irritation as he thinks to speaking it even now. Shake it off.* I was informed you were 100king to speak with me.

HORUSS: Well?

FROSTY: *Their real name is a collection of chiming tones but "Frosty" seemed easier. Pausing their city exploration they allow their words to be understandable to troll ears and waves up to the large troll*

FROSTY: They ship crew seems friendly, quite friendly and eager to assist!

FROSTY: I have scanned their minds as I enlisted them, they are very kind and know useful people.

FROSTY: I believe they will be perfect for completing our project much quicker!

HORUSS: *grunts, somewhat appeased by the news. He is beginning to trot back up to his base, pushing past the sentries as he rambles.* Then I trust your judgement is sound. Now there is the matter of the creatures which are becoming... attracted by the blatant inf100ence of your peers. 

HORUSS: This canter be helped but it is becoming rather.

HORUSS: Troublesome. *hisses the word out as he pushes the great stone door open. With one hand, of course. He is really very STRONG.* As nuisances go.

HORUSS: I would not be surprised if one of them manages to break past the barrier which I am working my impressive hindquarters to *ssemble. I will also not be the one to blame if they are s*ccessful.

FROSTY: *They follow along with quick little steps, the smile never faltering from their face* I am aware of the risks taken. Those that have permeated the veil are kept within reign of the mountain if they are friendly or obliterated otherwise! Although they can be downright slippery!

FROSTY: At present in this thinned state I am keeping close watch and snuffing arising ill but implanting ideas of abandonment to those to come near.

FROSTY: There are other things I wish to look into and would like a solidified barrier before allowing trespassers!

HORUSS: That's all very well. But a complete waste of f*llyf*llying time. *grumps horse-ily. In the expanse of this great workshop, a steelbound contraption is built into what appears to be a crystal wall. It was barely visible but just on the other side, the two of them can make out a cave. Perhaps one of the many caves on the snowy Avalon mountainside.* 

HORUSS: *Horuss pauses, staring angrily at the shape of it.* You might battle the imps but what of the spillage? Won't that be a cause for concern? Of horse, it is. I shouldn't be obligated to ask this question but here I am. Inquiring, nevertheless with endless patience! *HUFFS*

HORUSS: I believe it's time to remove the task from your relatively capable... e%tremities. And forward it to those with the proper amount of qualifications needed to clopmplete the work that lay ahead.

HORUSS: You will assist me.

FROSTY: I will as I have! However the forest has long been permeated with the seepings of the void long before your arrival and mine! Currently our interruption is but a rift in the already altered ecosystems!

FROSTY: The ones I have peered from the minds of the others are very resourceful and work well with metallic structures in composition and function!

FROSTY: I have also witnessed their attunement to the nature of this void. I will implant their energies into your consciousness so you may locate them with ease!

HORUSS: *Frosty you silly being. Gosh hecking darn it. Time doesn't exist in the void, how many times does Horuss have to explain this to you. But no, Horuss makes no comment about this and only nods his mighty grumpy head.* E%cellent.

HORUSS: Let us stampede, then.

FROSTY: *That's redundant time doesn't exist at all but it's a good way to make references. They keep smiling and go to help Horuss, going about their business and making plans for the future*

[colostrumtractatus-blog]

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