#like yeah loading random code while the computer is loading is not the best idea

[spoonietimelordy]

in today's bad news which i understand but I'm still mad about: KDE is removing QML-themes for splash screens. I love my splash screen :'(

[chilling-seavey]

Qui Totum Vult Totum Perdit (d.s.) - 4

A/N Oops early post. I couldn’t contain myself

Warnings: This story is centered around a murder so there will be graphic descriptions of blood, death/manslaughter, dealing with corpses, possible domestic abuse (physical/verbal), crime/covering up a crime, shock/grief, and other possibly heavy or triggering topics. Please read at your own discretion.

The muffle of heavy footsteps outside the front door had Jonah and I halting our breaths in our chests in anticipation. We were expectedly on edge. Thankfully, it was just the mail delivery and the security sensor at the front step set off a little notification noise from the main monitor that was set up on the kitchen counter. When the metal mailbox closed and the footsteps faded back towards the street, I moved over to the main monitor and typed in the code and scrolled through the notification menu. The film footage from the studio was still gone but it was listed as having been deleted around 8pm the night before.

“Anything of interest?” Jonah asked.

“Not really.” I mumbled and turned back to face him. “I’m going to look around a little more.”

“Alright. I’ll look around here.” he looked me up and down, “Maybe change your clothes while you’re at it.”

I glanced down at my white hoodie and white jeans, both pieces of clothing stained dark red all up the back from where I had been laying all night and my bloody handprint was smeared over the chest of my hoodie. Good idea.

I returned to the master bedroom and set my laptop bag on the bed and let my computer turn on while I headed into the walk-in closet to find clean clothes. The two garment bags hanging on the far wall in front of the mirror had me stopping in place with my hand on the light switch. I hesitated as if not having expected them to be there; even if I had known they would be returned home by Jonah and my brother along with the wedding gifts two weeks ago. I shuffled over to unzip the first black garment bag, dragging my hand down the smooth white dress that had been hidden underneath. A few smudges of red were left behind from my touch and I pulled my hand back quickly and wiped my blood-stained fingers on my pants.

I forced myself to swallow back any feelings as I zipped the bag back up and focused my attention on pulling black jeans from the shelf and a black t-shirt from a hanger. I took them into the ensuite bathroom and closed the door behind me as if I were trying to shut out something or suddenly needed some privacy. Funny that the only invasive things in the damn house was the weird feeling of guilt and realization and utter confusion that was eating me alive.

My hands were holding myself up on the edge of the counter and I was breathing hard, staring myself in the eye through the spotless mirror. Avalon always liked things clean.

Although I had been passed out on my studio floor for God knows how long that night, I still looked like I hadn’t slept in weeks. I seemed to have a layer of drying blood all over me and it matted my dyed blonde hair down in unattractive dark clumps and stained my white clothes evilly. The dark circles under my eyes didn’t seem like they were just from the flight home and the pale complexion that stared back at me didn’t even feel like my own. I ran my hand over my face, staring at how my slightly sticky fingers tugged at my skin, drawing more attention to my eyes and dry lips…honestly, who was I? My wife was dead – her throat slit and she was left to bleed out – and I was more worried about my face in the mirror.

I could see her eyes in my mind. Those lifeless brown eyes staring at me with all the unrevealable answers to the world. And yet, only days before, she was looking up at me with those same honey brown eyes, full of love and lust, on a king size bed in Costa Rica and whispering how much she loved me.

You have to understand, dear reader, that I had no clue what I was doing or what I was feeling. So you cannot truly blame me when the only reaction to my current situation was my body sending me to my knees in front of the toilet to throw up the limited plane food in my stomach as the metallic smell of blood flooded my senses. It was all too much.

I didn’t know what we had to do next, but I knew that whatever the plan was going to be, we had to move quickly. So I stripped out of my blood-stained clothes and into the clean ones, only stopping long enough to wipe any blood from my skin with a damp cloth until I looked reasonably tame in my reflection. I wet my hair under the tap to get the worst of the blood out of it and ruffled it with a towel before saying ‘good enough’ and headed back to the bedroom.

If I was in fact a murderer, no amount of water was going to cleanse this conscious.

I sat on the edge of the bed and typed in my password to my laptop. The screen loaded and brought up the last tab that was open; the flight information home. The site had updated and stated that the plane had landed on time at LAX yesterday evening and my credit card receipt showed the taxi payment for thirty minutes later. We were home around 7:00. Other than confirming the times at which we returned home, the laptop didn’t offer much assistance.

What did I expect? The screen to read out exactly how my wife was murdered?

Jonah came into the room, “Hey. Find anything?”

I glanced up at him before looking back down at the screen, biting anxiously at my fingernail, “No. Don’t remember anything more either.”

Jonah didn’t answer, letting me have a moment to collect my thoughts. I didn’t blame him; what do you say to your best friend who possibly just murdered their wife and doesn’t remember it. I swiped my finger over the trackpad on my laptop to bring up the other window that was open; iMessage. The last conversation thread that was up was between Avalon and me. I remembered it well.

I was down at the resort bar the night before we left. Jonah had sent me a recording that he wanted my opinions on and I had a few changes I wanted to make so I took myself downstairs with my headphones and my laptop and got some work in. Cocktail in one hand and mouse in the other, I worked until the notification popped up on the bottom menu of my screen.

It would be nice if you spent our last night up here with me.

I had ignored it, huffing and rolling my eyes at her constant pestering and minimized the window again.

God…stupid me. That would have been our last night together. And she didn’t even face towards me when I finally came to bed.

“You weren’t around me!” she yelled, tapping her hand against the cup in her hand so the sound of her ring against the glass punctuated each of her words. “What person wants to spend their honeymoon alone? Of course, I wanted to go home! I was basically there by myself and I was miserable!”

“I had to get some shit done! Jonah needed me to double check a few things while we were away. It’s not the end of the world and I’m sorry if you feel that way!”

I could see her visibly tense and she turned her head so she didn’t have to look at me, jabbing under her breath, ���That’s always your excuse, isn’t it? ‘Always gotta get some shit done’. Well, I’m sick and tired of coming second to your work all the time.”

I made her miserable.

“Jonah.” I breathed, turning to look at him over the top of my laptop, “What if she killed herself?”

“She didn’t seem suicidal.” Jonah said.

“Yeah.” I sighed, turning back to the screen. I let out a heavy breath and closed my laptop and tucked it back in the case. “We have to decide what to do.”

“Alright. What are you thinking?” Jonah asked.

I thought for a moment as I set my laptop bag back on top of the untouched suitcase by the wall, “I don’t know. I need time to figure out what the hell happened.”

“Do you want to head to the lodge in Utah? It will buy you a few days and maybe we can figure out what happened by then.”

I nodded, letting out a deep breath, “Yeah, okay. That probably makes the most sense.”

I walked past Jonah and out of the master bedroom, stopping shuffle through the mail that had been collected by Jonah and Christian throughout the last three weeks and placed in a decorative bowl on the front console table. I ruffled through a few bills and random mailer coupons, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything that I might want to take with me out of state. My search stopped dry at one crisp white envelope, addressed to our house and labelled with simply Avalon with no surname. I frowned and slid my finger under the sealed flap to tear it open.

“Bro, opening other people’s mail is a federal offence.” Jonah stated as he joined me by the table.

“She’s dead, Jonah. I don’t think it really matters anymore.” I answered flatly and pulled out the folded piece of lined stationary from the envelope.

Avalon,

Things are hard right now and I get that but shutting me out isn’t going to help anyone. You can’t give up on me. I really want to see you when you get home. Please let me know when you get this. I need to make things right.

-J

My heart felt like someone was pushing it through a juicer and I frowned down at the paper as I read it a second time. The second time didn’t make it hurt any less. I rubbed my hand over my chest and then ruffled it through my damp hair.

“What the fuck is this?” I breathed. I looked at Jonah, “Who’s J? Is it you?”

“Me? Why would I write her suspicious letters when I can just text her?” Jonah replied.

“Yeah.” I sighed and looked back down at the letter. I clenched my jaw and swallowed back the hurt and strange glimmer of jealousy that was bubbling up inside my empty stomach. “Maybe there’s something on her phone.”

Detective Team: @jonahlovescoffee​ @randomlimelightxxx​ @stuffofseaveyy​ @hopinglimelight​ @tempus-ut-luceant​ @br4nd1s​ @xkelsev​ @hiya-its-amber​ @sexyseavey15​

[cbacofficial]

Connected by a Cable [Chapter Six]

"It sucks that you can't make more than one character. How else am I suppose to experience all the game has to offer? Maybe it's me but perhaps if they just expand the server capacity we might be able to make more than one character." -Random Commenter

   Reports were coming in from Sephirion of adventurers vanishing here and there. The reasons were still undetermined and all the characters were starting to get paranoid over who would be next. Some did conclude that the Controllers DID have control over if they remain or not, and the reason for their eradication was possibly due to either their own boredom or they were not having fun. Some didn't want to think of this. The idea that their supposed masters could easily remove them with a simple button push was not setting in well enough. People still thought this was a game, and had no idea that the people they played with were real living humans. They assumed it was just part of the game's aesthetics.    Since waking up, Yukara was paranoid. The image of last night haunted her. The idea of being erased at the will of her master. It was gnawing at the back of her head. She tried to do some small jobs while Hioshi was at work to get her mind off this but it wouldn't fade. In her heightened state, she heard a faint sound and felt something breeze by her. In panic, she screamed in terror. "NO! I don't want to vanish!" causing the people around her, especially the computer characters to stare at Yukara. She wasn't vanishing. Nor was there a sign of it. So she tried to laugh it off before running elsewhere in the capital to relax.    She would end up over by a secluded section of the capital, overgrown with vegetation against the brick and stone. The trees healthy and ripe with fruit at times. The cobblestone unevenly placed but sufficed for ease of walking and a running fountain that made it all the more harmonious. Yukara took a seat on the bench and tried to collect her thoughts. Hioshi didn't seem like the guy who would outright remove her, right? He and his friends are kind and caring. She had to trust them. So she sat alone to her thoughts as time passed. It was haunting her...Yukara needed comfort.    Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her shoulder. She jumped again and shielded her face with her hands. "Calm down, Yukara. It's me." His voice came through. The blonde hair and young face. Kael had taken his seat beside her. "Oh...For a minute i thought i was getting erased." she breathed in a sigh of relief. Taking another look at Kael, she was worried that his controller would do the same as well. Yet he seemed calm. "How are you so calm after last night?" Yukara asked in a bit of a panic. "Did you not see what being deleted is like?"    Kael tried to find the right words. He smiled and replied. "I don't know. I trust my master. She seems like a nice person. Especially when we started leveling up." Kael recalled the moment of meeting his controller, Rei. He thought her voice was sweet and cute. Yukara though tried to chuckle back but her current state reduced it to an awkward sound. "Yeah I guess...Hioshi wouldn't ever delete me...R-Right?" This nervous tone she had was concering. Kael then had an idea. Digging into his bag, he pulled out a pastry. The fruit filling in the small cracks caught Yukara's eyes.    "Are those...Leyberry Strudels?" her hunger was starting to show. Eyeing the sweet treat with greed. Kael then offered one to her. With a smile he said "Yes they are. I thought maybe it could calm you down a bit?" but already they were gone! Whisked away into Yukara's delicate hands as she took a large bite into them. The sound of bliss and enjoyment as she could taste the flaky pastry with sweet filling tickle her tongue. The light hint of mana surged inside, replenishing her resources. It did perk her up and with Kael around she felt at ease. At least for the time. Kael leaned over. "You should really trust him. If he's anything like my master, he will not treat you like rubbish!" -----    During his time working, Hioshi was in his zen like state working at the bar. He often checked his phone just in case but Yukara was not responding nor she was attempting to contact him. Perhaps there was a glitch or the servers were down? Needless to say, he didn't seem too worried. It wasn't like Yukara would do things on her own without reward. Though the new update did allow for occasional rewards to be accumulated from the character. Minor things. As he passed a drink to a patron, he overheard two people talking about the game beside him.    "I like the game but i have to delete my character to even play the other classes..." one commented. Another replied "Yeah. You only get one slot. What if i want to play a Shellmage instead of a Runeshaper?" bringing something to his mind. Indeed only one character per account. Perhaps it was a limitation of however they made the characters more real than simple coding? Whatever the reason, Hioshi would never delete Yukara. Always the one to cherish what he made and who he became friends with. Yet his zen state would go away when he heard a familiar female voice. Nira.    "Oh hey, Hioshi!" She gleefully said, hopping into a bar stool and looking at him with some clear interest. Wearing a miniskirt and tank top that promptly showed off her bust and figure. Her hair in a bun and makeup as well. Clearly she was trying to impress or grab attention. Hioshi offered the selection to Nira and yet treating her like a normal customer. "Take the time to see your-"    "Hioshi! I came here to see you work and you don't say hello!?" Nira pouted. Hioshi chuckled a bit. "Sorry...Yes hello Nira. I'm on the clock though so mind if we keep the talk to a minimum?" this was of course not that he hated Nira but work was where he could shine. Yet Nira blinked before tapping the table. A rude gesture to Hioshi in a way like she wanted his full attention. It was about this time that Zack caught wind of Nira's actions. Something felt off about her. The actions, her tone and voice. It was like Nira was TRYING to control him. Zack passed by and looked to Hioshi. "Hey, Why don't you take your break now? I'll handle this." he whispered as a code word. To help his own state of mind.    Once Hioshi had left for the back of the room, Zack turned to Nira with a smile. "Now then...What can I get you, miss?" offering his assistance while his friend took a much needed break and time away from Nira. Hioshi took his time to exit out in the back. He re-adjust the collar of his work clothes and checked his application again. When he tried tapping to get Yukara's attention there was silence. The application continues to tell Hioshi that Yukara is still on a mission. He knew they could still talk regardless...and he was worried. Was Yukara ignoring him for what they did yesterday? Was she sleeping a lot? Death dose not concern Hioshi as she would be immune so long as Yukara stayed in the towns or city.    "Please pick up..." Yet why was he concerned so much? -----    Coming back home, Hioshi started his computer up. The warm glow of the screen brought some comfort but he still worried about Yukara. She hadn't even tried talking through the application lately. It concerned him. Hioshi logged in, waited on the loading screen and sure enough there she was enjoying a meal with a few companions. He tried calling out to Yukara. "Hey Yukar-" and suddenly she fell out of her chair in a panic!    "D-don't delete me, Hioshi!" Yukara huddled in terror. Her arms covering her head and unwilling to look up. Hioshi wondered why she would beg like that to him? He tried calming her down with gentle words. "Woah. Calm down...I got worried because you were not answering the app." and while it did diffuse the situation it didn't stop her from talking about it. "Right...App...But people have been vanishing lately! It's scary..."    Vanishing? To Hioshi, that sounded like characters being deleted without a second thought. With one character slot it would be inevitable that some players would grow bored of the character they were playing or want to try a different class. Everyone else doesn't seem to realize exactly how human they really are. Majority still think of Law of Mahna as a game and nothing more. Why should they concern themselves over code that is merely a representation of their avatar? Hioshi and his friends started to feel like the characters they made were less graphics and true people. Perhaps he should tell her...    "Probably because people are...not happy with what they made? This is a guess but because there is only one character slot, we are restricted to one person to play with. I know some people prefer to play with multiple characters rather than focus on one...but i'd never delete you, Yukara. Don't worry." He tried to assure Yukara to the best of his abilities.    Hioshi's words slowly reached Yukara. Though trust would need to be built up again. Who knew if he would just turn right around and remove Yukara for good? For the time, Yukara would rebuild her wall and be on alert of Hioshi. "Right! So, what will we do today Hioshi?" she put on a smile regardless despite her inner judgement of Hioshi still. He had the power to make her...and destroy her if he so wished. Even so she couldn't hate him yet.    Hioshi though took that smile differently. That she was okay. So he told her "Why don't we start working on some dungeons? I'm sure the others would love to come with us." -----    In an apartment in the same city as Hioshi was, a young woman stepped through the door of her home. Long, straight hair reaching just past her shoulder, neatly kept and a pair of glasses reflecting her sunset orange eyes and dressed in her uniform office attire of black and white. Coming home, she tossed her bag on the couch, cleaned the kitchen space, took a shower and changed into something more comfortable, brief shorts, a long t-shirt and socks. This was how Rei spent her days for quite sometime. Television played on for noise as she started her computer up and logged into the game to greet Kael, her computer companion...   During her game time she can't help but wonder who Hioshi was and how he was so alike her. The strategy and reactive attitude to raiding in the dungeons she's seen before. Rei overlooked the numbers of her guildmates as she noticed Hioshi's own. Something inside her wanted to call him. Perhaps meet up with him. She picked her cell phone up...and then she put it back down. "No. I don't want to bug him..." she mumbled silently before returning to her game to escape her boring lifestyle. 

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #247

“Desert Village, Homecoming, Hearts Surgery”

[Doc] How are you feeling?

[Deer] - A bit better, that's for certain.  It's still weird to be able to see and hear the mobs but not feel them

[Doc] I'm rather glad you can't at the moment since Firebird and Snake set a zombie on fire last night and Buff is currently using his fists on some outside.

[Deer] - Buff is the new NOTCH, right?

[Doc] BuffNOTCH yes. He seems friendly and he's been helpful so far.  He also seems rather more aware of what he is then the damaged NOTCH Ai's on the sub-seed.

[Deer] - Maybe it would be good for him to visit them?

[Doc] Maybe? Honestly, they might be afraid of him just because he's so huge.

[Deer] - We won't know till we try

[Doc] Nods - I guess we might as well get up...

[Deer] - And wake our precious child?

[Doc] Casts a loving glance at Yaunfen, hir fingers curling into Deerheart's - You two make me so happy.

[Deer] - I'm glad we do

[Yaunfen] Mumbles- Purple poppies

[Doc] Purple poppies? Sounds like a decent idea for Lie. As long as they taste like something.

[Deer] - We should wake the others

[Doc] Leans way over the side of the bed and pokes Snake- There, I helped.

[Deer] Gives Doc a look-

[Doc] Huge grin-

[snake] -curls around the place doc booped-

[Buff] Comes back in smelling of sweat and a bit of blood- That was a great workout! -He's rather loud

[snake] -is unaffected by the noise-

[Doc] You are so loud...

[Buff] Pokes Mix and Firebird- Wake up! It's a lovely morning!

[Doc] Gamely pokes Snake on the nose-

[Deer] Stands up and goes over to Yaunfen- Time to wake up sweet heart

[snake] -curls around flopping around cover his nose- my snoot what happened

[Doc] Time to get moving again.

[Deer] - The sooner we get to them, the sooner we can get them home

[snake] -gets up- okay then lets go

[Buff] Puts Firebird onto Mix gently and scoops them both up in his arms- Sleepyheads!

[Yaunfen] Slowly waking up- Mama awake now

[Deer] - Yes I am, and you need to wake up to so we can go

[Doc] Time to go hunt for Cp some more Yaunfen, we're 'it'.

[Yaunfen] - Okay!

[Doc] Can you walk Deerheart? I can carry you again if not.

[Deer] - For awhile I should be able to

[snake] -boops yaunfen's leg-

[Yaunfen] - Mada carry me?

[Doc] It looks like you may get a ride later when your mom gets tired sweetie. For now, just change back to your normal shape if you don't want to walk two-legged.

[Yaunfen] - Okay...- They change back into their dragon form

[snake] I still need to be on a shoulder or in a pocket I am too tiny

[Doc] Picks Snake up gently. - You can have my pocket for now. We'll renegotiate when I have to change again.

[snake] pocket ride -claps his tiny hands-

[Doc] Puts Snake in one of hir coat's exterior pockets and knocks out the doors so it's eaiser for Yaunfen to get out. -

[Yaunfen] Sleepily trots outside- More chocolate?

[Notch] Is on his phone in hearing range of Flux and pacing back and forth- so what's the story with the new protocols Jeb? And don't fucking lie to me. We deleted a NOTCH that was an absolute psycho and suddenly we get another one?!

[Jeb] You did what?! How???!! Wait.... I'm betting either the crazy doctor or that dick-punching asshole you call a son was involved. I don't want to know! Look... it's just some minor tweaks because of a couple of super aggressive NOTCHs. One in particular has been hunting not just Herobrines but deleting mobs and other NOTCHs too. They tagged him with a name so they could monitor him more easily and study his behavior. They call him the Harvestman.

[Notch] Is he scheduled for deletion?

[Jeb] No, they just don't want another one like him to be generated. The internal directives and self awareness for our AIs has been increased too so their behavior isn't so random.  They're learning how to program more responsive AIs by monitoring the brines and peeking at their codes when they crop up. We're getting quick glimpses of their internal makeup as they spawn now.

[Notch] Do we know what's making them spawn in the first place yet?

[Jeb] Nope, still a mystery. But at least we're in a better position for the nicer AIs to pose as parents for new brines and be a good influence.

[Notch] That's... Surprisingly thoughtful...

[Jeb] It's safer for the players.

[Notch] I should have guessed. Also, I saw the code as the new AI was generated. Clean up your lines Jeb. That was sloppy work at best.

[Jeb] Yeah well..! It's harder when you have to write it from the outside!

[Flux] Is listening calmly from where she's sitting-

[CN] Comes outside, still sad but doing the chores Notch assigned him for while Lie's gone-

[Jeb] Sooo are you going to help me pick out a new computer?

[Notch] NO. I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL TECH SUPPORT.

-something breaking on the other end of the phone-

[Jeb] What the fuck?! How did you just break a sculpture on the other side of my office?!

[Notch] firmly- By the raw power of my aggravation with you! And I hope it was that hideous anime thing you brought home from your last convention trip. Your wife would likely thank me! -firmly hangs up the phone. He stares at it angrily and then gives a frustrated yell right at it, before huffily putting it away.

[Flux] - He can't hear you now

[Notch] I know. That last one was just for me. It felt good even if he couldn't hear it.

[Flux] - It... Makes you feel better?

[Notch] Well... Yeah. Sometimes being noisy is a pretty good way to release stress.

[Flux] - Better then what we do?

[Notch] no! Not even close! What we do together is so much more effective.

[Flux] Smiles a little-

[Yaunfen] Has acquired several more cocoa pods as they traverse the jungle-

[Doc] Hey Yaunfen? Let me see your tail for a moment.- holds out hir hand

[Yaunfen] Trustingly holds out hir tail-

[AVulpix] Is running and playing around the group-

[Doc] Runs hir fingers over the hard knot of bone on the end that resembles a candy corn- try and give my hand a little swat. Whip- crack it like Celine does with hers.

[Yaunfen] Tries and accidentally hits a tree instead of Docs hand- Ow!

[Doc] Be careful! That might take some practice. Here- holds up a pod- try again. Hit it right on this line that looks like a seam, not too hard.

[Yaunfen] Tries and hits Docs hand this time-

[Doc] YOW! Close, but not quite! -Xe winces at the purple bruise that's likely forming under hir glove.

[Yaunfen] Ducks head a bit- Sorry Mada...

[Doc] No! Don't be sorry! I wanted to see if you could hit hard enough to break the pod. And you can, you just need practice.

[Yaunfen] - Okay!- Stomach rumbles a little

[Doc] Holds the pod by it's ends and low enough for an easy strike- One more time.

[Yaunfen] Tries and nicks the bottom of it-

[Doc] Wiggles hir thumb into the nick and widens it a bit- Try to hit the same spot.

[Yaunfen] Sticks tongue out and tries again, missing by quite a bit-

[Doc] Ah, well... that's enough for now. We'll work on it. - Xe uses the little hole to pull the shell apart and it falls into two halves, both full of chocolate bits- Here you go. Good effort.

[Yaunfen] Quickly starts eating the chocolate-

[Deer] Leans against Doc a little- Don't worry, it's something new, it will take them some practice

[Doc] I know. But I think it would be a good idea if they had a small means of defense at least, that point is hard and it could certainly crack a bone if applied in the right place.

[Deer] - We'll teach them to only use it as a last resort

[Doc] Of course. Or for stranger danger, obviously.

[Deer] Laughs- What strangers?  Doc, we're friends with everyone!

[Doc] You never know. Not all of the creepypastas are friendly. I still don't trust Jeff.

[Deer] - Alright, alright

[Buff] Creepy-pastas?

[Deer] - A group of people, both digital, real, and I suppose mythic.  All of them have been possessed by an entity named Insanity.  We've slowly been removing her.  CP is a Creepy Pasta who has had his Insanity removed

[Doc] We've got several of the purged ones on the server. I think Splenderman you'll like especially, he's also huge and friendly.

[Buff] Sounds good. Why creepy?

[Deer] - They're killers

[Doc] Some of them look a bit monstrous too.

[Buff] Looks at Doc- Are you sure you don't need me for bodyguard duty?

[Doc] I'll get back to you....

[snake] ben is pretty friendly

[Deer] - They can get rather violent at times

[Doc] BEN I'm proud of. He's come around quite nicely.

[Buff] What's the deal? They're just easy to make angry?

[Deer] - It's more like an addiction.  They are addicted to killing and sometimes they just can't control it

[Buff] Thoughtful look - I'll be sure to watch out for them then. I'm pretty good at subduing people. - Does a flex and his arm muscles look like several dogs fighting in a bag.

[Deer] - You'd be surprised

[Doc] Looks at biome loading in - looks like desert. Well at least we'll be able to spot anyone coming.

[Buff] Puts Mix and Firebird down for a moment to roll his shirt so it's barely covering his upper chest and shoulders and then picks them up again before continuing. - Nothing wrong with a bit of honest sweat!

[snake] it is for gem because if she is sweating that means it's to hot

[Deer] - Lie is the opposite, she'd probably be perfectly happy living in a desert

[Buff] What about... Cp? Is it?

[Doc] He keeps an office in the Nether. He's a fire brine.

[Deer] - At least they can always agree on temperature

[Doc] Desert is okay for me. I like the sand. Lots of space to build.

[Yaunfen] Darts ahead and jumps into the sand-

[Doc] Kicks up sand as xe walks - xe's typing in chat- Hey Flux? How are you holding up? Have someone else type for you if you can't do it in your head.

[Flux] - I am fine for now, this physical connection is rather different than what I'm used to

[Doc] How so?

[Flux] - It's because Deer and I are based on different properties, she is based on the physical properties of the seed, while I'm based on magic

[Deer] - Flux, are you sure everything's okay?  I know the Nether still occasionally glitches, so if you need help...

[Flux] - Everything is fine Deer, I've been around a very long time, I can handle this for now

[Doc] You just relax and heal.

-The sun bakes the sand under their feet but the wind keeps it from being to uncomfortable. There's a bit of noise up ahead as a village spawns in and a few Testificates peek nervously out at them-

[Yaunfen] - Testies!  Testies!

[Doc] That's not a good way to abbreviate that Yaunfen....

[Buff] Snickers - it is funny though...

-A Fem Testificate steps out- Who are you travelers?

[snake] -is just giving a questioning glance to yaunfen for what they said-

[Deer] - We're just passing through, we mean no harm

[Doc] We're looking for a man and a woman who've gone missing. Two Herobrines.

[FemTestificate] - Herobrines?  We've heard of no such thing

-woken firebird noises -

[Doc] They have no pupils, their eyes are just a glowy white.

[FemTestificate] - No, we have seen no such beings.

[Doc] Ah, well we won't trouble you then. Unless you have anything interesting to trade?

[FemTestificate] - If you have food, then we have wares to trade

[Doc] Do you want anything specific?

[FemTestificate] - Any food will do, we are a desert village, so food is more difficult to produce

[Doc] Can we go someplace out of the sun a bit first?

[FemTestificate] - Certainly, we have a market in the center of town which is mostly covered stalls, so there is plenty of shade

[Yaunfen] - Mada?  I get small now?

[Buff] I could punch out a pond if you can fill it up? Then they could fish.

[Doc] Not a bad idea on either count. Do you want an oasis?

[FemTestificate] - There is an oasis by the village to the south, we trade with them for fish.  It's a part of our economy.  All the nearby villages produce certain things and every village can trade with any other for what they need.  Unfortunately food is the most difficult for us because all of the nearby villages are either in dry locations, or the hassle is to much to transport it

[Doc] Okay. Xe opens the menu and starts pulling out meat and vegetables and laying it down on some wood blocks.

[FemTestificate] - Yes, this is all good, you'll certainly be able to get some good items in the market for all of this

[Doc] Grins- You guys fan out and see what you can find. I'm buying. - Lifts Snake out - You want to go with Deerheart for a while?

[Deer] - Come on Yaunfen, why don't you stay with Mama

[Yaunfen] Takes their human form and motions for Deer to pick them up, still not steady at walking and the ground is hot-

[snake] sure as long as I don't get left behind

[Buff] Pokes Mix- You guys want to look around, or you just gonna sleep all day?

[Deer] Picks up Yaunfen and holds out a hand for Snake-

[snake] -hops on to deer's hand-

[Deer] - Should we meet back up in about half an hour?

[Doc] Sounds good to me, I'm going to have a chat with the town librarian.

[FemTestificate] - You'll find Misia over in the small building that way- Points away from the market- She lives on the edge because she prefers the quiet

[Mix] - still snoozing because lazy bones -

[Firebird] - Bird noise and look around -

[Buff] Is moving awkwardly through the crowd-

[Deer] Takes Yaunfen towards a stall that has a lot of sugar cane-

[Doc] Knocks on the librarians door-

-The Vulpix's are shadowing Doc-

[Misia] Opens the door a crack- Yes?

[Doc] Hello. I was wondering if you had anything to trade. I've lots of food and binding materials too.

[Firebird] - nose at things they  pass-

[Misia] - Perhaps, most people aren't interested in my wares...

[Doc] Then they're just silly. Books are so important.

[Misia] Opens the door completely- Please, no pets inside

[Doc] What? Oh! They belong to a friend. Can you guys wait for me out here please?

-The stalls are filled mostly with things mined from beneath the ground.  There's a few stalls set up from other villages which carry things like wool and carpets, and one even has banners.  Another is filled with dyes and flowers, while yet another has simple red stone contraptions-

[RVulpix] Worried noise, the sand reminding it of the past-

[Doc] I won't be long. Honestly.

[RVulpix] Shrinks down small and AVulpix tries to comfort it-

[Doc] Are you sure they can't come in? They're as smart as small children and won't cause any trouble.

[Misia] Hesitates- Why is it so important?  Are they some sort of therapy animal?

[Doc] More like one of them needs therapy. The brown one has had some very bad experiences associated with the desert.

[Misia] - ...  If they must...

[Doc] Thank you. - Ducks inside and holds the door for the little pokemon.

[RVulpix] Darts inside with AVulpix trotting afterwards-

[Doc] I take it your village has no contact with Konohakagure? It's east of here, several chunks.

[Misia] - No, that name is not familiar to me

[Doc] Ah, well they're a thriving town with lots to trade and there's a huge librairy nearby as well.

[Misia] Glances at her tiny collection of books- A large library?

[Doc] Looks at the small collection. - Miss, I'm about to make you the most popular person in town. How do you feel about... adult books?

[Misia] - Adult books?

[Doc] Eyebrow waggle- sex and romance.

[Misia] - Oh dear...

[Deer] Has traded for several bundles of sugar cane and checks the position of the sun in the sky- It's almost time to meet up

[snake] -is looking around-

[Doc] Is heading back with a few enchanted books under hir arm and the vulpix's at hir heels-

[RVulpix] Is mostly sticking to the edges of buildings-

[Buff] Is deadlifting some Testificate children and carrying them around to make them laugh.

[Doc] Glances down- I'd offer you guys a pokeball but I don't have one on me at the moment. Sorry.

[AVulpix] Keeps urging the RVulpix a bit-

[Doc] Do you want me to carry you? - Puts the books away and opens hir arms-

[RVulpix] Shrinks away, it's being a bit overwhelmed by all the new faces, it really only trusts Lie to pick it up-

[Deer] - Maybe we should get out of the desert...

[Doc] Soon enough. I want to distribute most of this food, but not make it look like I'm being condescending, you know?

[Deer] - I'm sure you can pull it off excellently

[Doc] Casts around for someone with more detailed wares. -

[Buff] Pokes Doc - Do you have any of the chocolate left? There are quite a few kids here.

[Doc] Oh! Sure! - Xe copies the pods and gives the NOTCH a bunch to hand out-

-There's a stall that has some crude jewelry run by a mal-

[Doc] Good enough - Xe chooses some small pieces and gives the vendor a generous bounty for them. They whisper some words to the blacksmith and get a lot of nodding in return, before passing him more food and extracting a promise that he'll distribute most of it to the most in need.

-The testificates are bustling about as another group of travelers arrive from another village-

[Doc] Sidles over to see if they have a leader-

-The group seems friendly with the villagers and are quick to strike up conversations.  A majority of what they have are basic cloths-

[Doc] is feeling them out as well, they're not sure if the seeds native Testificates  have any weird taboos they should know about.

-The group seems to give a small and quick motion in greeting when they speak to each other-

[Doc] Makes a note of it and thinks immediately of Steve's brothers.

-Negotiations move quickly as things are quickly passed around, showing that they've done this dance many times-

[Buff] Has quit playing with the children and moved to stand near Deerheart- it's well organized isn't it? Happy AIs living their rural lives.

[Deer] - Yes, they are very happy here.  If I were my normal self I'd be able to feel it so much more acutely, but there's a sensation I can't describe from just watching them...

[Doc] Caught the tail end of what they were saying - have you ever just sat and watched TLOTs touchies fly around their hives, I think it's like that.

[Deer] - They have their own dance, their own ways

[Buff] Even in such a harsh climate, their way of life has its own appeal.

[Doc] Ah, but it's never that simple, is it? Their lives can be peaceful because this server is defended by so many people they'll probably never even meet.

[Deer] - Such a small part of me, and yet it has such significance to all of them

[Buff] You're the first server I've ever met. It's pretty neat. I didn't even know servers could manifest.

[Deer] - The purple lady you saw before?  She is also a server, a much older one.  Formed in response to the oldest NOTCHAI that we know of

[Buff] Oooh. I want to talk to her when we get back then!

[Deer] Laughs- You'll have to get her away from Notch first

[Yaunfen] - Mama we go now?  We have to find them!

[Doc] Yeah, I think we've done enough socializing. And I think we might see some of these folks show up in our village in the coming weeks as well.

[Deer] - Then let's go...  How much farther did CP teleport to?

[Doc] Uses hir pinpoint to scout around. - Geeze... lots of chunks. How about I carry everyone for a bit?

[Yaunfen] - Yay ride!

[Buff] We get to ride dragonback? Woo!

[Deer] - Let's step away from the village first

[Doc] Well yeah, I don't want to scare them. Come on, let's go- Xe leads the party farther into the desert and shifts behind a sandhill. - All aboard. Somebody grab the vulpix's please.

-AVulpix is eager to climb on, RVulpix not so much-

[Buff] Pushes Mix and Firebird up and then plunks down behind them.

[Doc] Sways a little in the middle - damn you're big.... Everyone hold on tight!

[Deer] Puts Yaunfen on and then sneaks up on the RVUlpix, quickly picking it up and climbing on-

[RVulpix] Is making many scared noises-

[Doc] Hunkers down and charges out into the upper air, the ground shoots away as the dragon janks back and forth like an old rollercoaster. The chunks fly by underneath them, loading a bit slower  then Doc's movement and showing them glimpses of the moon moving under the unfinished ground.

[Deer] - Is it just me or is the air getting colder?

[RVulpix] Is paralyzed with fear-

[Doc] It's not just you. We must be near a cold biome!

[Buff] squeezes Doc with his legs to unroll his shirt and sleeves back down-

[Doc] Is squeezed- Whoof!

[Buff] Sorry!

[Deer] - That's weird...  A cold biome shouldn't be this close to a desert...

[Doc] The seed was loaded a long time ago. If someone came out here and set the terrain, the loading mistake might have remained?

[Deer] - Good point, and Lie has had some long distance teleports

[Doc] Turns hir head a little to look down with one eye.

-There is ice surprisingly close-

[Doc] Whoah! - Xe pulls up a bit- That looks rather uninviting!

[Buff] Huh, rare biome. Look there's one of the new polar bears!

[Firebird] -startled peep at the word polar bear-

[AVulpix] Eagerly looks over the side of Doc to look at the snow-

[Deer] - Do you think CP chose someplace cold intentionally?  To keep Lie from going to far?

[Doc] I would hope there wasn't that much thought put into it. I forgive him for running if he just panicked. But bailing with purpose annoys me.

[Deer] - I guess we'll find out...

[Yaunfen] - Mada I's cold!

[Mix] -Shiver shiver-

[Doc] Both of you - Cuddle up in my mane, just wrap around my neck if you have too. But don't squeeze, okay?

[Deer] - Oh, is that what I'm feeling?  I've never actually been cold before...

-Just, increase temperature a bit by toasty nervous bird getting slightly warmer and nosing up to Mix-

[Doc] I'll go a bit faster, this is nasty terrain. My toes are freezing.

[Deer] - Yes please

-The view shifts to spruce trees and there's a bit of howling from a few wolves chasing a sheep below-

[Yaunfen] - Doggies!

[Doc] Wild doggies! You be careful of any you see without collars!

[Yaunfen] - Okay Mada!

[Deer] - How much farther?

[Doc] They should be right about... what the fuck? - Xe spirals down to the hill marking where the signatures are coming from. - Here?

[Deer] - Um, Love?  There's nothing here...

[Doc] Sniffs the air - They're here. I know they are.

[Deer] Thinks for a moment- You know...   Lie said that when CP first brought her in, her shelter was in the side of a hill...

[RVulpix] Has raced a small ways away from the group, nearly catatonic with fear, AVulpix goes over to try and comfort it-

[Doc] Then maybe we should look under it. Everyone scout around for a hidden entrance.

[Firebird] -Chirp before swooshing into the air to fly around in search-

[Doc] Snuffles around in the bushes-

[Yaunfen] - Mama I'm hungry

[Deer] - Okay, we'll eat some sugar cane while the others look

[Buff] Hey, I found a door! - He reaches for the inset iron door in the hillside and pulls it off it's hinges-

[Doc] Buff be careful with that!

-A scorching hot blast of fire comes out of the doorway engulfing Buff.  When the flame dies away it reveals a dark hallway and two very bright eyes at the end-

[Buff] Loses most of his shirt and now has a rather suprised expression - Ow.

[CP] Growls and there's a dull glow as he pulls out his sword.  He undoes the scarf from around it and lets the faintly glowing item fall to the ground-

[Buf] Um... - He backs off from the opening. - I think we found him-

[Deer] - Is there growling and a weapon?

[Buff] Yes.

[Doc] That would be Cp-

[CP] Sends another blast of fire at Buff-

[Buff] Just puts his arms up and tanks the blast- Hey!

[Doc] Cut it out Cp!

[CP] Lunges towards the opening, ready to impale anyone in his way-

[Doc] Jumps on top of the hill and holds a stone block out at head height in the doorway-

[CP] Spots it and halts his route, slowly backing up a little and spawning his pick to smash the block-

[Doc] Just drops the block on the ground- Cp! Snap out of it!

[CP] - Go away!

[Doc] We came to get you, dumb ass!

[CP] Flips Doc off and retreats farther down the hall-

[Doc] Jumps down and starts digging into the hillside like a dog- Cp come back here!

[CP] Vanishes from sight, going towards his mate, planning on teleporting again-

[Doc] Lie! I'm here! Catify him if you can!

-There is soon an angry yowl-

[Doc] Lie?

[Lie] Sleepily- I'm here

[Doc] Keeps digging into the hill- We came to rescue you!

[Lie] Laughs- I'm not sure how much rescuing I needed, it was more CP being panicked

[Doc] And continuing to be panicked I see. - Xe stops to pick up the scarf-

[Lie] Walks into view carrying CP who has his claws ready- Yeah...  I hope he didn't scorch you too badly?

[Doc] I'm not the one that got hit actually...

[Lie] - Who did?  Do I need to spawn any healing flowers?

[Buff] Strides up to her. He's shirtless and his skin is a bit red and irritated from the fire.   - I could use a new shirt, but it's not urgent.

-The Vulpix's come running in as well and crowd around Lie's feet-

[Lie] Is surprised by Buff's appearance- Well that probably didn't help...

[CP] Is adamantly hissing at Buff-

[Doc] I got lucky. This is my new NOTCH. Meet Buff.

[Lie] - Hello Buff, my name is Lie and the ball of hisses in my arms is my husband, CP

[Buff] I heard a bit about him on the way. He's a real fireball in person. Nice to meet you.

[Lie] - I see you took the brunt of my husbands fire, do you need any healing?

[Buff] Not sure.

[Doc] I've got some paste that works on burns, but it will probably make you colder.

[Buff] Eh, I'll live.

[Lie] - Alright.  Doc?  How far did my husband take us?

[Doc] Quite a ways. But I do have an idea to get us back quicker. A little shortcut.

[Lie] - What is it?

[Doc] We'll go through the subseed. It's a bit more difficult from out here, but I can do it.

[snake] -lazily and softly kazooing-

[Lie] - I'm guessing the one with the other NOTCH's?

[Firebird] -Drifts down, chorp chorping-

[Doc] We could use the other, but I don't want Buff to freak out TLOT's Testificates.

[Lie] - Good point, especially since the ones at home haven't met our Notch yet...

[Doc] Well they know about him at least - Xe pulls out a command block and logs into the other seed before making a hole. The turf is warm and green on the other side and the heat melts the snow all around the floating hole.

[Lie] - Anyone else come with you?

[Doc] Well yes. Come on guys, let's go.

[Buff] Shrugs and walks through the hole.

[Lie] Carries CP through-

[Deer] - There's the lost couple

[CP] Immediately tries to run away-

[Doc] Ushers Mix and Firebird through -

[Deer] Carries Yaunfen through-

[Lie] - CP!

[CP] Gets out of his wife's grasp and runs farther into the hole-

[Doc] Nabs Cp like a mouse and takes him into the portal before closing it. - Ah. Nice and warm.

[CP] Claws at Doc-

[Lie] Picked up her Vulpix's- Come on CP

[Doc] Ow, ow, ow.

[Buff] He is mad about something...

[Lie] - He's scared.  We almost lost him and Deer removing DN triggered his rare fear response

[Doc] Cp... Deerheart would never hurt you. What she did for me almost cost her her own existence. Flux saved her.

[CP] Bites Doc-

[Doc] OW!

[Buff] Notices the village- That's an odd looking Testificate village...

[Deer] - Because it's not Testificates

[Tsunami] Flies by overhead-

[Buff] Tracks the dragon with his eyes - Woooow. Wait, who are they then?

[Firebird] -Flaps around curiously-

[Mix] -Sleepily trudge along with group-

[Lie] - NOTCH's, like you

[Buff] NOTCH's like multiple?! How many Herobrine's are on this seed?!

[Deer] - None

[Buff] They're not violent, are they?

[Doc] They're refugees that fled their charges.

[Buff] Oh...

-There's a rustling and one of the AI's dart towards the village-

[Lie] - Many of them were seriously injured by their brines or other NOTCH's

[Buff] That's sad.

[Doc] It's why they're here. This place is a dragon sanctuary too.

[Yaunfen] - Crim come from here!

[Doc] Yep! We took a lot of abandoned eggs and cared for them until they hatched and released the babies here. The big dragon that just flew by is one of our surrogate parents that watch over them.

[NOTCHAI] Is coming towards them from the village-

[Doc] Hello! I'd wave but I'm trying to hold this cat down.

[NOTCHAI] - That is fine, have you brought us another refuge?

[Doc] No, this is Buff. He's my NOTCH. Just assigned a few days ago.

[Buff] a bit loudly and enthusiastic - HELLO!

[NOTCHAI] - Greetings, I'm the lead NOTCH here after our previous leader...  Disintegrated...

[CP] His ears flatten a little-

[Buff] He what?

[Doc] His code fell apart.... he'd been gravely injured and bed-ridden for some time.

[Firebird] *drift in lazy circles above them

[Lie] - He was also CP's father

[Buff] Oh... My condolences Cp. But I thought the Notch with the black hair was your father?

[Doc] Markus adopted him and Stevie.

[Lie] - Much to my husbands dismay at times

[Doc] Is petting Cp a little, trying to calm him.

[NOTCHAI] - Since we are on the subject, has he been able to read his father's journal?

[Doc] I don't know, I know he had it, so I presume so.

[CP] Sensing Doc is a bit distracted, tries biting again-

[Doc] OW! Stop it Cp! Do I need to make a carrier?

[Lie] - I'd carry him but the RVulpix is stressed...

[Doc] I know. I'm gonna carry you by your scruff if you don't stop it. So unless you want to be drooled on, chill out.

[CP] Hisses-

[Yaunfen] Rubs eyes sleepily-

[Doc] At the NOTCHAI - we were just cutting through to get from a far part of our seed. But do you need anything while we're here?

[NOTCHAI] - I do not think so.  the dragons have been respective of our space...  There are some large chunks of rock that we've been trying to figure out how to move, but other than that life has been peaceful

[Buff] Oh! I can help! Just show me where!

[NOTCHAI] Hesitates but does lead Buff over to where some large chunks of rock are- We want to build some storage sheds over here

[Buff] Eagarly starts grabbing the huge rocks and moving them as if they didn't weight anything-

[NOTCHAI] Is surprised by the display of strength-

[Doc] That's very helpful. Especially since my paws are full. Heh.

[Buff] No problem! - He's still shirtless and now has a fine sheen of sweat over his well developed chest.

[NOTCHAI] - Thank you, it is much appreciated

[Buff] Anytime!

[Doc] Okay, let's go home then. I can punt us out near the spawn from here.- Xe makes a hole with hir tail and watches as the others file through before standing on hir hind legs and easing through with Cp in hir paws, and closing it behind them-

-The portal drops them out near Doc's back doorstep-

[Doc] Much better-

[Firebird] -Swoosh around before zooming toward home-

[Deer] - Where should we put Snake?

[snake] gem is comeing

[Yaunfen] - We go bed now?

[gem] -flies over head the lands- hello

[Buff] Watches Gem interestedly. -Hello again!

[Doc] Soon Yaunfen.

[Lie] Puts the Vulpix's down- Here Doc, give CP to me

[snake] -hold his tinny arms of for gem to take him which she does-

[Doc] Are you sure? He's being rather squirmy.

[Lie] - Yes, I'll take him and work on calming him

[Doc] Just go inside and have some tea or something. Relax. Deerheart? You can put Yaunfen to bed if you want. They seem sleepy. I'll join you soon enough.

[gem] oh doc I have the drawing for the dragon form

[Deer] Picks up Yaunfen and carries them inside with Lie following-

[Doc] You're adamant huh? Okay.... it's gonna take me a while cause I'll have to build from scratch. Let's see what you drew.

[gem] -gives doc the drawing it's a little messy because she was working with dye blobs-

[Doc] Shrinks down to hir normal shape and looks over the details - okay... How big does this need to be? I mean it has to be a bit larger then you, but that's all.

[gem] yea I don't need it to big

[Doc] I'll get on it.

[Buff] Looks over hir shoulder - Neat dragon.

[Doc] I'm making it for her. She wants to have a dragon shape too.

[Buff] You can just do that?

[Lie] By the next morning she had managed to calm her husband enough for him to be human shaped. The two were laying in one of the spare beds in the castle, nestled close to each other-

[CP] - Lie... I'm sorry...

[Lie] - It's okay, you were scared, I understand

[CP] - Still, I let my fear get the better off me...

[CP] - I thought I could control it better...

[Lie] - CP, nobody blames you

[Lie] Nuzzles into her husband- Don't worry, I'm right here

[CP] - I know, and I probably wouldn't be if you weren't

[Lie] - But you are, and so am I, do please, stop worrying about it...

[CP] Huffs a little- I will try, for you

[Lie] - Thank you

-The vulpix's are tightly curled up next to Lie-

[Doc] Has saved food from breakfast and brings it to them, tapping lightly on the door.

[Lie] - Come in

[Doc] Comes in with the food  and sets it down - ah, you're human again, that's good. Good morning Lie, I'm glad you decided to stay over. It looks rather stormy out there anyway.

[Lie] - Yeah, I hope my animals are alright...

[Doc] Oh, don't worry about them. Markus and Stevie and even Cn have been tending to them.

[Lie] - Good, how's Deer?

[Doc] Getting her colors back thankfully. But Flux is still holding control of the server. She'll let go when Deerheart is fully recovered. Apparently deleting someone goes against her programming, so it was a really dangerous move on her part.

[Lie] - I see, makes me all the more glad that we convinced Flux to come with us.  So did we miss anything other than Buff arriving when CP decided to whisk me away?

[CP] Has been glaring at Doc this whole time-

[Doc] Same. I owe her so much... But just a lot of walking and flying to go get you. Cn is in a deep blue funk and Flux is stuck in your yard until she reliquishes control, but Markus built a little house around her to keep the rain off and everyone else is doing okay.

[Lie] - I wonder what we can do to help CN...

[CP] - Kick him out

[Lie] - No

[Doc] He's just a kid Cp. And he'll get over it eventully. He doesn't realize that Dn didn't care about him. He was just desperate for a friend.

[Lie] - I just wish he'd hang out with the kids in the village more

[Doc] Give it time. He's just clingy because he spent so much time out in the nothing between seeds. Who knows, he might bond with Markus or even Stevie a bit with them being more present the last few days.

[Lie] - True, I'm surprised he didn't try to follow you guys

[Doc] Markus told him to stay here and help. We had a big enough rescue party without him.

[Lie] - Well then I'm glad for that.  Actually CP and I should probably head back soon and check on everything

[Doc] Have some some food first at least.

[Lie] - Thank you- She grabs the plates with pancakes, sausage, and bacon

[Doc] Turns to Cp- What's the nasty glare for?

[CP] - Fuck off

[Doc] Oh, come on. Were you really intending to just hide in the tundra forever?

[CP] - Will it get us the fuck away from you?

[Doc] What did I do? Heck, I should be mad at you anyway. You ran away when I really needed you.

[CP] Growls a little-

[Lie] - CP stop it, you were being so calm and quiet just a little while ago...

[CP] Quietly- Shut up

[Doc] Look, I understand you got scared and wanted to protect Lie. That's why I'm not mad.

[CP] Growls-

[Doc] Tiny joking grr right back- Buff isn't mad that you fireballed him either. He'd probably like to hang out with you if you give him a chance.

[CP] - Fuck.  No.

[Doc] He's really nice. Helpful too.

[CP] - No

[Doc] Sigh- Well, Lie if you ever need help moving anything, let him know. I saw him pick up a rock the size of a small house and just walk away with it like it was nothing.

[Lie] Muffled words because mouth is full of food-

[Doc] I think his counter to me must be that he could pick me up as a dragon and probably throw me. It's weird.

[Lie] Swallows the food- Wow, that would be strong, I wonder if he could move Endrea at full size...

[Doc] That could be rather funny actually. I'm sure he's be up for the challenge. I showed him my little gym and his eyes just lit up like it was the best present ever.

[Lie] - And his thoughts on the punching bag?

[Doc] I think he'd like it just as much if it didn't bleed. He seems more interested in the weights.

[CP] - Probably using the wimpy ones

[Doc] Laughs- Why would you even say that? He's ridiculiously strong. And those were some rather bitter words Cp. You shouldn't feel like you need to show off for your wife.

[Lie] Leans back against CP- It's alright, he's still on edge

[Doc] I think someone needs a calming blossom... Wait! I have an idea! Lie can I have a blossom?

[Lie] - Sure- She spawns one and hands it to Doc

[Doc] Starts dumping things out of the creative and sets up a brewing stand before crumbling the flower into the funnel. It makes a slight perking noise as it bubbles and the smell of herbal tea fills the room.

[Lie] Sniffs the air- Mmmm, smells good

[CP] Leans away from the concoction

[Doc] Adds some sugar and pops the three bottles off the stand. Xe tips one to hir lips - Meh. It tastes okay. I prefer black tea to herbal but it does make me feel calm. - Has a placid expression.

[CP] - Keep that the fuck away from me

[Doc] But it smells good and technically your wife made it, so you know it's safe. Besides, it's not a tranquilzer or anything.

[Lie] Takes one and sips it- Not too bad

[Doc] Fans hirs so the scent goes towards Cp before taking another drink-

[CP] Is calming a little just from the smell alone-

-Outside the rain is pattering on the walls and there's a bit of happy whinnying and soft noises from the horses downstairs-

[Doc] Just know that everything is being taken care of, and you two are free to relax as much as you want. My home is yours too, as usual.

[Lie] - We know, thank you Doc

-After eating Lie and CP are making their way  home.  They are almost at the village when a very large shadow goes over them.  Endrea, at full size and very angry slams down in front of them-

[Endrea] - WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?

[CP] - Somewhere...

[Endrea] - WINSTON HAS BEEN HERE NEARLY DAILY TRYING TO GET TO YOU!

[Doc] Hears the noise from the spawn and slinks over to investigate.

[CP] - Why has he been coming?

[Endrea] - BECAUSE MOBS ARE STILL BEING ATTACKED!

[Doc] Accidently vocalizing - Oh shit!

[Lie] - Endrea, what do we need to do?

[Endrea] - One of you will need to go to the server, depending on if we want the NOTCH to know if the Master is still alive or not...

[CP] - No, Lie will not be putting herself in such danger

[Doc] Waves a hand to get her attention - My offer is still good if you guys are game. I don't want to see you lose all your mobs that trust you.

[CP] - Shit shit shit...  Endrea, do you know when Winston will be back?

[Endrea] - Soon

[CP] Darts off towards his and Lie's home-

[Lie] - CP...  Doc I don't think he really heard you...  When he gets focused...  Well, that's all he can focus on

[Doc] Well I don't want him going! Or you either! - runs after Cp - CP!

[Endrea] Offers Lie a lift and they end up getting there at about the same time as CP-

[CP] Slams open the side door to the workshop and rushes inside-

[Doc] Darts in as well and grabs his shirttail - CP STOP!

[CP] Shoves Doc away, waiting for the portal to open- I'm not going anywhere right now!  I'm waiting for Winston to arrive!

[Doc] Oh. Okay. - Stands near him.

[Lie] Enters- CP...

-There's a crackling as Winston opens the portal and steps through- Master, there you are

[CP] - Winston, what did you need me for.  Endrea said more mobs were being attacked?

[Winston] - Not just mobs...  Sir, we've lost Zacharia

[Doc] I'm so sorry Winston... how many are left?

[Winston] - The rest of the generals, but they need you Master, well, you or the Mistress

[Doc] Need him to what? You guys don't stand a chance against this NOTCH. We need to evacuate whoever is left before they get deleted!

[CP] - No, a sudden movement of the mobs to another seed would raise his suspicions and cause him to search for them...  And that's far to close to this seed for my comfort

[Doc] He can't come in Cp. I told you. Do you still not trust me?

[CP] - I will not put my wife's home in danger!  You've seen how he was capable of deleting all my code, what makes you think he couldn't do something to the firewall?

[Doc] Because I have his unique identifier blocked? You can thank Jeb and Markus for that. Apparently what he's done to you and doing your mobs got their attention. They call him Harvestman and they are watching him closely. It's serious enough that they changed some of the NOTCH generation protocols because of it. Buff is far more aware of what he really is then any NOTCH AI we've encountered yet.

[CP] His fists clench tightly- I won't risk it

[Doc] I can evacuate them somewhere else? There probably aren't that many left Cp. I can take some spawn eggs and replace them so it's not so obvious too.

[CP] Is pacing nervously- That won't work...

[Lie] - CP, what do we do?

[CP] - I'll have to go over there, give more precise orders...  Draw his attention away from them

[Lie] - You will not!

[Doc] Don't do it Cp.... please.

[Lie] - I hate to say it, but it's probably safer for me to go.  I don't think Harvestman has noticed me yet...

[Doc] It's not safer Lie. You stick out. And there's no way to regrow you if he...

[Lie] - It would be quick, just to get things in motion.  I'd also have Endrea with me

[Doc] Then I'm going with you.

[CP] - No, more than one brine would draw too much attention

[Doc] What are you going to tell them?! They're already hiding! They're dying out there because you won't let me help you!

[CP] - My mobs are used to killing, I cannot guarantee the safety of anyone here if they were to be here!

[Doc] Yeah, but we're on respawn! I won't stand by and watch them be picked off like silverfish because you won't help them!

[CP] Scowls and storms off-

[Lie] - Winston, how much time do we have?

[Winston] - Before our numbers are critical?  A few weeks at the most...  We no longer have control of the zombies since Zacharia was taken out

[Doc] Control is not an issue. Mobs are mobs! The ones here run wild and kill too. It's no different.

[Lie] - Yes but I think CP prides himself on having control of his mobs

[Doc] That's not the point, I don't expect him to be able to guarntee anyone's safety! Having his mobs here would be no different then the wild ones we already have. He acts like this is a peaceful seed. It's not. Hell, ask Steffan if you don't believe me!

[Lie] - Doc, he doesn't want to put me in a state of panick remembering what his mobs did to me...  To the other humans!

[Doc] If that was the case, it would have happened already Lie. There is no shortage of mobs here.

[Lie] Sighs- Winston, please try to organize the mobs into a safe position where they can best defend themselves.  As soon as CP or I come up with a plan we'll get to you

[Winston] - Yes Mistress

[Doc] I hate this plan.

[Lie] - I know...  But right now we need to get another pixel from CP

[Doc] Narrows hir eyes at Cp- I want a heart this time.

[CP] - What?

[Winston] Retreats and closes the portal-

[Doc] You heard me. A bigger piece would mean less time regrowing.

[CP] - Fuck no, one pixel is fucking enough!

[Doc] Do you want to be a kitten again when Lie might be in danger and need you?

[CP] - You know damn well I will not allow harm to come to her!

[Doc] You wouldn't have a choice, it took you a full four days to get your memory and adult form back. That would be more then enough time for Lie to be captured and killed.

[CP] - She won't be anywhere near him when we fight him!

[Doc] Gives Cp a hard stare. - I'm not letting this go.

[CP] - Well too fucking bad because this conversation is over!

[Doc] Leaps at him with a determined scowl, transforming in the small space and knocking him over with hir paws. Xe roars Endrea's name-

[Endrea] Sticks head near door- Yes?

[Doc] I need you to hold Cp down.

[Endrea] - He'll have to come outside, and even then I'm not certain I could

[Doc] sighs- Nevermind then... Cp.... you understand I'm trying to help, don't you?

[CP] - Fuck off you fucking asshole!

[Doc] I see.... This is going to hurt. I'm sorry.

[CP] - Don't you fucking dare!

[Doc] Curls around him tightly and lays hir head over half of his body so hir chin is at his waist and arms are pinned at his sides-

[CP] Sets himself on fire-

[Doc] Ignores the flames- It will hurt more if I can't see what I'm doing.

[CP] - FUCK YOU GET OFF!

[Doc] Puts a paw over his heart cluster and lets hir claws phase into his chest.

[CP] Tries to squirm away-

[Doc] Hir claws brush the redstone heart as xe chooses one at the edge of the cluster and carefully nips it away, melting the connections so he doesn't bleed. The heart slips into hir inventory as xe withdraws.

[CP] Jerks as the pain goes through him and starts curling up from the residual pain-

[Lie] - CP...

[Doc] Is murmuring gentle words and tosses a healing potion up a little to let it splash onto him-

[CP] - I fucking hate you...

[Doc] But I don't hate you. Lucky for you I'd say.

[CP] Growls-

[Lie] - Doc, if you move away then I'll tend to him

[Doc] If I let go he'll attack me...

[Lie] - He won't, I promise

[Doc] If you say so... - Doc transforms and steps back quickly- Can I have that locket Lie?

[Lie] Passes the locket over as she kneels next to CP and puts a gentle hand on his head-

[Doc] Thank you. - Xe kneels down nearby as well and pulls the precious heart from hir inventory.

[Lie] Is keeping CP calm-

[CP] His breathing is a bit labored-

[Doc] Fits the heart into the locket and slips it over Lie's head. - He'll be okay. I intentionally didn't make a hole to take it out so he'd heal quicker.

[Lie] - Thank you

[Doc] Sorry Cp. If it makes you feel any better I've done the same to myself more then once before. I know it hurts.

[CP] Barely manages to flip Doc off-

[Doc] fondly - Ah, he's recovering already.

[Lie] Can't stop a small laugh-

[Doc] Pat's Cp's head-

[Mb] Sticks his head in the back door and Celine runs awkwardly in with a bit of squeaking - Is Cp back to normal yet..? Aw fuck...

[Lie] - Hello MB

[Mb] Dammit Cp! I want to fight! You're always sick lately. Fucker.

[CP] - FUCK YOU!  I JUST HAD FORCED REMOVAL OF ORGANS!

[Celine] Scampers onto Cp's lap and wags her tail-

[Mb] Suuure.

[Lie] - He did, he just had a heart removed

[Mb] Looks around for enemies and only spots Doc. His eyes narrow suspiciously.

[Doc] It was nessesary-

[Mb] Fucker.

[Lie] - MB I promise you, you'll be able to fight in a few days

[Celine] Licks Lie's fingers in hopes of a treat-

[Mb] Snorts - I hope so.

[Lie] Rubs Celines head and pulls out a bit of dragonwort-

[Celine] Nibbles on it and makes a face- Pfft! - She loses her grip a little bit and accidently squeezes Cp's thigh with her claws.

[Mb] Saunters in -She likes meat, duh. That hooked beak isn't for eating grass.