#so that'll be a good refresher on what exactly she says and does

[gammija]

only tangentially related to this ep, but - i have an Avatar concept around the cold/freezing water/hypothermia and drowning, and Ive discussed before which Fear that would most closely align with. A lot of people said the Buried or the Lonely, maybe the Vast, mixed with Dark.

Water and cold can be hard to categorise, even aside from how the categories are arbitrary lines drawn between fears etc etc. Cause these motifs have shown up with the Vast, Buried and Lonely, and probably others on occasion too.

But I think the cold an sich, and cold water especially, are most closely related to the Dark. Just like how Manuela describes the darkness as not the opposite of light, but the absence of it, the universe's natural state; so too does she talk in today's ep about how cold is not the opposite of warmth, but the lack of it. Cold is stillness, quiet, numbing. Dark.

...and also;

109, Nightfall: "As soon as my foot hit the water, I fell into it completely. It was colder than anything I had ever experienced, and the torch slipped from my hand as my vision immediately went dark."

140, The Movement of the Heavens: "I gripped the head of my foul adversary, and forced it down, into the dark pool before us. There I held it, the water so cold upon my skin the marks have yet to fade."

143 Heart of Darkness: "... I began submerging the first of the sacrifices in the brackish water it had blessed with its stillness."

143 ,, : "There is another world, a world of still and quiet darkness, where no heat touches..."

Other Fears statements occasionally also feature water, sometimes even cold water (though it's always accompanied of a mention of how dark it is, too), but it's not as much of A Thing as with the Dark. And I think it's a cool motif which they should get more credit for!

@a-mag-a-day

[incorrectshantaequotes]

REVERSAL AU - Mermaid Falls

So the Reversal AU talk yesterday reminded me: a few weeks ago I actually had an idea for another transcript for this AU, and just...kinda forgot to write it down afterwards? Whoops. In any case - here's a transcript for how Mermaid Falls would go in the Reversal AU!

NOTE: If you're new or need a refresher for how these work, take a look at these earlier transcripts

[With a flash of purple light, RATTLE, RISKY, and BLAST appear at the beginning of Mermaid Falls]

RATTLE: And here we are! Mermai-HRRK!

RISKY: Rattle!? Are you-

BLAST: Wow, I didn't know bones could look that green!

RATTLE: I'm fine, I'm fine! URF. Mostly. Long range teleportation is a bit of a new one. Really takes it out of me.

RATTLE: I just...might need another second to keep my head from spinning or spilling my non-existent guts...

RISKY: "Another second?" You look one bad step away from death's door! And you're already mostly bones!

RATTLE: That...might be a contributing factor to your assessment there, Risky-

RISKY: You're sitting this one OUT, Rattle. Just get some rest and wait until we need to be teleported out of Scuttle Town. This mission might be better off solo, anyway.

BLAST: Hey, don't forget about me!

RISKY: Like I said. Solo.

BLAST: Aw, don't be so down on yourself, Risky! I'm sure you can do...something important, probably. You just gotta have confidence! Like me! BLAMMO!

RISKY: Is that what you call it? Well, if it helps you sleep at night...

BLAST: Well, enough chit chat! We're already here! Mermaid Falls! Home of mermaids! Maidens! Uh...seashells...? Can't think of a fourth thing...

BLAST: ...what are we doing here again?

RISKY: SIGH. Alright, from the top:

RISKY: The queen of the mermaids is being held hostage by Huntress Baron. None of the locals know what she wants, just that she captured the queen a few days ago and dragged her off to an unknown location.

RISKY: She's also, apparently, been cutting down all the trees in the area - I can hardly imagine what for, but it can't be good for the mermaid queen...

BLAST: You mean the GIGA MERMAID?

RISKY: Okay, honestly, why does EVERYONE keep calling her that? She's not some sort of comic book character! "Giga" is not a proper royal title.

BLAST: It is if you're big enough!

RISKY: And...how big is she?

BLAST: KAPOW! No idea! Gotta be pretty big though.

RISKY: Uh huh.

RISKY: In any case, our first priority is to save the mermaid queen-

BLAST: Giga Mermaid.

RISKY: Ugh, fine! Our first priority is to save the..."Giga Mermaid"...and after that, we can ask about the Eternal Seafoam Mimic needs for the insulation of his machine.

BLAST: Oh yeah, that thing! That big thing that'll generate a shield to keep out all the pirate and monster attacks on Scuttle Town! The thing that'll effectively do your job but better for the rest of all time! That one!

RISKY: ...

BLAST: You know, now that I say that out loud - why are you helping Mimic with that, exactly? Like, personally I wouldn't mind the vacation, but uh, you kinda sound like you're getting a raw deal here-

RISKY: It's not about ME, you OAF! This is a matter of Scuttle Town's SAFETY! Yes, this...does mean that I'll be...giving up my one true goal and drive in life...but if THAT'S what it takes for Scuttle Town to have PEACE and COMFORT, that is a sacrifice I'll GLADLY take!

RISKY: VERY. GLADLY.

BLAST: WOAH, mayday, MAYDAY! Entering hostile territory! Going down...kaSPLOOSH!

BLAST: Alright, message recieved! Help Mimic build the device to replace you! Got it!

BLAST: ...I mean, sure, if I was in your position, I'd tell him to shove it up his-

RISKY: BLAST.

BLAST: Shutting up now! Shutting up. Yup! What were we talking about?

RISKY: Huntress Baron.

BLAST: Right! She's got Giga Mermaid captured, yeah? I'll handle that no problem! She'll be no match for my PERFECT PLAN!

RATTLE: You already have a plan? That fast?

BLAST: Yup! I'm just that good! Here's how it goes:

BLAST: Step one: I introduce her to my two boys here - KABOOM, and KERBLAM!

BLAST: Step two: she LOSES!

RATTLE: ...is that it?

BLAST: Well, I was considering adding a third step where I do a victory dance, but that seems like a bit much.

RATTLE: Blast, it's going to be a lot harder than that - she may not be a traditional Baron, but Huntress Baron is no joke.

RATTLE: Not to mention, the mermaids in this area must be tense with their leader so vulnerable. If you act rashly instead of taking the time to explain the situation to them, they might-

BLAST: Alright, we've spent enough time talking! Time for some ACTION!

RATTLE: Blast-!

BLAST: Here we go!

[BLAST charges off-screen into Mermaid Falls]

BLAST: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAASTTTTTTTTT...

RATTLE: ...wait...

BLAST: ...OFFFFFFFFFFFF! SHAPOW!

RATTLE: ...

RATTLE: ...

RATTLE: Oh my gosh, he just ran in.

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: Did he forget how Huntress Baron was hired to headhunt the king of Sequin Land?

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: And how she was NEARLY ABLE TO SUCCEED!?

RISKY: Yyyyyyup.

RATTLE: I-How-WHY is he like this?

RISKY: Honestly, I don't know what you were expecting. It's BLAST. Subtle is not his middle, last, or first name.

RISKY: Or even on his family tree for that matter.

RISKY: He was never going to agree to any plan you or I put together.

RATTLE: ...I guess you're right...but at least I can be confident that YOU'RE going to take a few minutes to carefully form a plan, Risky.

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: You are going to take a few minutes to plan, right, Risky?

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: Risky.

RISKY: Well, I'm not charging in BLINDLY-

RATTLE: RISKY!

RISKY: Will you relax? If there's one thing Blast is good at, it's being a human - or, well, cyclops - wrecking ball. I doubt I'll have to deal with much opposition here.

RATTLE: And HUNTRESS BARON?

RISKY: Dangerous, and Blast has more hot air in his head than brains for thinking she'll be that easy to fight, but you already knew that, and unlike you, I've MET her.

RISKY: The woman's an utter loon! I hardly imagine her demands are anything we need to worry about. I'll see what they are, and if they're harmless, it will be no trouble to fulfill them at all. If not...well, ideally, it'll be easy to talk her down.

RISKY: I'll still prepare for a fight if necessary, of course, but while this is a serious situation, I highly doubt it'll be as dangerous as you think.

RATTLE: Right. Not as dangerous as I think. Like that one time when we were kids, and you-

RISKY: WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THE TIME! Places to go, mermaid royalty to save, I'm sure Blast caught himself in a net somewhere- see you later, Rattle! Don't move from that spot!

[RISKY runs off-screen into Mermaid Falls.]

RATTLE: ...SIGH...I should hang out with 'Pod more. At least he PRETENDS to listen to me when I warn him about danger.

~~~~

[RISKY runs into scene to see BLAST, strung up in a net. He's notably crying his singular eye out, but RISKY doesn't notice yet]

RISKY: Huh, what do you know? I managed to call it.

RISKY: So, Blast. How's that perfect plan of yours working-

BLAST: BWUH-HUHHUHUHUHUH!

RISKY: Huh?

BLAST: BWUHUHUH-WUH-WUH!

RISKY: You're...crying?

BLAST: *incomprehensible gibberish*

RISKY: This is...I think this is the first time I've seen you break down since...well, as long as I've known you.

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Is this about earlier? I...Look, I'm SORRY, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you like that; frankly, you're not nearly as bad as you used to be.

RISKY: I just...I suppose it DOES bother me that I'm going to be replaced by a mere machine. A little bit. Let alone that I've ALREADY been replaced by that smug, irritating, twin-tailed, HALF-BRAINED-!

RISKY: Ahem. But I can't make this about ME. It's my job, my DUTY to protect people. And can I really call myself a hero if I put my own hopes and dreams before the safety of the town I was entrusted with?

RISKY: ...even if it means I won't be the one protecting it?

RISKY: ...

RISKY: I'm sure this all sounds like dead air to you, hollow words from a poison-tipped tongue, but I truly am sorry. If there's anything I can do-

BLAST: MY COOOOOOOAAAAAT!

RISKY: ...I beg your pardon?

BLAST: My beautiful, BEAUTIFUL cooo-oa-oa-oat! She BURNED IT! She burned it right in front of my eye!

RISKY: What.

BLAST: I should have listened to whatever boring nonsense Rattle was saying earlier! That coat was the coolest thing I owned! My heroic signature! My BABY! And she BURNED IT!

BLAST: Who is Blast without his cool longcoat? That blue coat flapping in the wind as he flexes his arms heroically? All I am without it is a buff cyclops who makes explosion noises! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE THERE ARE IN SEQUIN LAND!?

RISKY: Just you. It's literally just you.

BLAST: Oh no, it's even worse than I thought! I'm going to be a social pariah! A WEIRDO! They'll laugh at me in the streets! These woods...these woods will become my new home.

BLAST: No longer will my name be BLAST. Now...all will know me as...BOBO-

RISKY: Oh, will you STOP THAT!? You're draining my tolerance for incoherent rambling, and I need to save it for Huntress Baron. Here, give me a minute...

[RISKY stands in place for a moment as a series of blueprints form above her head. After a few moments, a blue coat is formed, which drops onto RISKY and causes her to briefly play the ITEM GET animation before tossing it to BLAST.]

BLAST: Wait, what's this?

RISKY: A new coat. Surprisingly, clothing isn't all that different from my golems...I think. There's a chance it may try to bite you. Other than that, it's practically identical.

RISKY: I also went ahead and did you a favor in making it fireproof. Honestly, I don't know why you didn't have it fireproofed already, what with the amount of explosions you surround yourself with-

BLAST: Ah, SWEET! Risky, you're a lifesaver! Thank you! That Dynamo may be able to protect our town, but it will NEVER replace that heart of yours!

RISKY: I...well, I never thought I would say this, but- thank you, Blast. I really needed to hear that.

RISKY: ...were you even crying about the coat to begin with?

BLAST: Oh, KABLAMMO, one hundred percent! This coat is my baby and I will personally deck anyone who insists otherwise! This adventure will emotionally scar me for life and Huntress Baron is a heartless monster who needs to be stopped.

RISKY: Ah. Well, I suppose it's good to know I DID genuinely help there.

RISKY: I don't suppose you managed to get any information other than the fact that Huntress Baron is a pyromaniac?

BLAST: There WAS one thing that was kinda weird. When she set my coat on fire, she kinda just...glared at it after a few seconds. Muttered something about "not big enough" and then kicked it into the water. SPLISH!

RISKY: "Splish?"

BLAST: Underwater torpedo.

RISKY: Got it. You're right, that IS unusual, but not particularly HELPFUL. What on earth does fire have to do with a hostage situation?

BLAST: I mean, who knows what goes on in that crazy mind of hers? Other than terrible thoughts of hurting everything you hold dear and making you watch.

RISKY: Of course. Other than that.

BLAST: Well, you go on ahead! Normally, this would be the part where I'd flex to break the ropes of the net and save the day with my renewed heroic gusto, but uh...

BLAST: ...you need this more than me, so I'll let you take this one. Savor the moment. Mark this day on the calendar, Risky, because this is the one and ONLY freebie I'm giving you!

RISKY: As should be expected, of course. The Brilliant and Bodacious Blast can't allow himself to fall behind for too long, now can he?

BLAST: WAPOW! Exactly! Glad we're on the same page, Risky! Now go out there and do some good work, soldier!

RISKY: It'll be my PLEASURE.

[Risky runs off, about to exit off-screen, but stops just before she does]

RISKY: And...I can't believe I'm about to say this...SKA-POOSH!

BLAST: "Ska-poosh?" That is a TERRIBLE explosion noise. Zero out of five stars.

RISKY: Oh, SHUT UP! You used "Splish" earlier! I can just leave you here, you know, don't think I won't!

[RISKY resumes her run, now fully off-screen]

~~~~

[RISKY runs in on what appears to be a camping site, stopping a few feet away from a fire pit. GIGA MERMAID is visibly bound and gagged in the background, and HUNTRESS BARON is sharpening a hunting knife on a stick]

RISKY: URK! By the crusty barnacles at the bottom of the sea, she's HUGE! As nonsensical as that title first sounded, I'm starting to see Blast's point about size...

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Hmm. Blast made three meaningful and insightful comments today, and yet there's no pigs flying. I never thought I would see the day.

RISKY: But, putting that aside for now...

RISKY: Hold it, HUNTRESS BARON!

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmm? What was that noise? It sounded like...

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh. I know you.

RISKY: Glad to see the recognition.

HUNTRESS BARON: Yessssss...you were that little mouse, weren't you? That little RAT who cost me the BIGGEST PAYDAY OF MY CAREER.

RISKY: Uh-

HUNTRESS BARON: Do you know what that money could have gotten me? A king's head isn't cheap, you know. I would have been set for life. Free from a life of crime to do as I wish.

RISKY: I-

HUNTRESS BARON: I wouldn't have done that, of course, I could NEVER give up on my passion, but I could've gone overseas. I could've gone to the annual meeting of the Hunter's Guild.

RISKY: Hunter's Guild?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, they invite me every year. And every year, I can't go, because I don't believe in boats. No one ELSE realizes they're a scam made by the SEAGULLS to FEAST ON OUR FLESH, but I know better. I know better...

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: But that much money could have been enough to afford the services of someone who can teleport. I could've gone there this time - for the first time in years, I could have seen their smiling faces, tears in their eyes as we finally reunite...

RISKY: Well, that's terribly unfortunate, but no matter how badly you want to see your-

HUNTRESS BARON: ...and THEN I could finally add them all to my trophy room, those insufferable little cretins! DRAKE's pelt could go over the fireplace, COLOMBUS' head would make for a lovely lamp, and Petunia, PETUNIA-!

RISKY: ENOUGH! Ignoring your...incredibly disturbing home decoration plans for the moment - what do you want with Giga Mermaid!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh?

RISKY: Your demands. For the hostage situation with her.

HUNTRESS BARON: Who?

RISKY: The mermaid queen.

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: The giant mermaid you have tied up right behind you!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, is that who she is? I hadn't noticed!

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: ...are you going to say anything, or-

HUNTRESS BARON: Wait. Who said anything about a hostage? I never said anything about a hostage. WHO TOLD YOU THAT!?

RISKY: The locals. The mermaids. Literally everyone with eyes.

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmph! Well, I never told THEM I had a hostage. So rude of them to assume. Where'd they even get that ridiculous idea?

RISKY: I don't know, maybe it has to do with the fact that you have Giga Mermaid BOUND AND GAGGED?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, that's not because I'm holding her hostage.

RISKY: It isn't?

HUNTRESS BARON: Mhm. I have a completely justified reason for tying her up.

HUNTRESS BARON: It's very personal.

HUNTRESS BARON: And very private.

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: And that reason would be...?

HUNTRESS BARON: I'm cooking her.

RISKY: You're WHAT!?

HUNTRESS BARON: I KNOW! This firewood is FAR too damp to get anything close to the proper size I'd need to cook her fully! I thought the pelt of that strange blue exploding creature would make a good firestarter, but it didn't have any nitroglycerine like I expected. Must have been faking the explosions somehow-

RISKY: That is a PERSON! She may be bigger than a house and an entirely different species, but that is still a PERSON, with her own thoughts, and dreams, and RIGHTS!

RISKY: What you're doing may not be cannibalism, but it's STILL morally and objectively wrong on every level!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, of course it isn't cannibalism, I'm only eating the FISH half. I'm not a monster.

RISKY: THAT'S STILL! HALF! OF HER! ENTIRE! BODY! YOU! UTTER! NITWIT! You can't just pop off the fish tail and get human legs inside; that's not how mermaids work!

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh...you know, I never thought about it that way! In that case, I'll just eat all of her, then! No need to waste perfectly good food! You know, little mouse, you really aren't that bad after all!

RISKY: HUNTRESS BARON. By my authority as a (former) Genie Guardian, I AM PLACING YOU UNDER ARREST!

HUNTRESS BARON: WHAT!? I can't go back, I've made too many enemies! WHO WILL POLISH THEIR PLACES IN THE TROPHY ROOM IF I'M NOT THERE!? You'll never take me alive!

RISKY: ...haven't you never been caught in your entire career?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh yeah, I forgot! You're still not taking me alive though. Or leaving here alive, for that matter.

[The screen shakes a few times immediately after HUNTRESS BARON says that]

RISKY: ...what was that?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, did you never meet Wobble Bell? How silly of me to forget! Here, let me introduce you two!

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, WOBBLE BELL~!

[HUNTRESS BARON whistles, and a few moments later, the massive form of WOBBLE BELL leaps onto the screen with a loud bark]

RISKY: You call that THING Wobble Bell!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Wobble Bell is not a thing! Wobble Bell is the greatest and goodest boy in the whole wide world! Aren't you, boy? Yes you are, oh yes you are!

[WOBBLE BELL barks in affirmation]

HUNTRESS BARON: And look! Since you've been such a good boy, I even got you a new toy!

RISKY: "New toy?" Where...oh no.

[WOBBLE BELL starts barking in excitement]

RISKY: Not a toy, not a toy, NOT A TOY!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, SOMEONE'S excited to play! And who am I to deny you? Now, Wobble Bell...

HUNTRESS BARON: GO FETCH.

[Cue the boss fight]

~~~~

[After the obligatory boss fight explosions]

HUNTRESS BARON: WOBBLE BELL! NOOOOOOOOO! You were too young for this world! How dare you, you MONSTER!

RISKY: Oh, quit being so dramatic! He's just knocked out.

HUNTRESS BARON: YOOOOOUUUUUUUU...you know, little mouse, I. Have had. Just about ENOUGH of YOU-

[At that moment, GIGA MERMAID manages to snap the ropes binding her, and tears off her gag to growl menacingly at HUNTRESS BARON]

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: On second thought, I'm going to go home. Have a nice day!

[HUNTRESS BARON starts to walk away. RISKY loads an automated crossbolt launcher, aims, and fires, sending HUNTRESS BARON flying off-screen]

RISKY: Hmph! It'll take more than an overgrown mutt to handle me.

RISKY: I see you managed to free yourself, your highness. I'm sure you want to take time to reassure your subjects and catch up on the goings-on of Mermaid Falls while you were captured here. I'll be back in a few hours to-

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise, and RISKY looks shocked]

RISKY: Oh. Meet up by the docks as soon as possible? That's...certainly doable. I won't be one to turn down a royal invitation.

[The screen fades out to black]

~~~~

[The screen fades back in to the docks. RISKY, BLAST, and RATTLE walk in, and GIGA MERMAID comes out of the water with a gentle smile along with several other mermaids]

BLAST: So what's this all about?

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise and gestures]

RISKY: From my understanding, this is all to...personally thank me for my efforts?

RATTLE: Wow, really! That's impressive! You must have done a great job! Maybe I shouldn't have been so worried after all.

RISKY: ...er.

[GIGA MERMAID makes some more noises, then dips down into the waters]

RISKY: "For your passion for life and bravery in the face of death, I present to you one of the sacred marine royal treasures..."

[GIGA MERMAID comes back up and presents a massive ball made of white bubbles]

RISKY: It's- An ENTIRE BALL of Eternal Seafoam! More than enough for Mimic's Dynamo!

RISKY: I...I don't know what to say. I-

BLAST: Oh, just take it already! You really should get some self-confidence!

RISKY: You're right, I should. I can't let you have FOUR valid points in a row, then we might actually have problems.

RATTLE: ...What on earth happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Don't worry about it. Your highness, I humbly and gladly accept your gift. I'll make sure to put it to good use.

[GIGA MERMAID hands over the ball of eternal seafoam over, causing RISKY to briefly play the item get animation before the scene resumes]

BLAST: You know, I wouldn't mind a gift myself...

RISKY: Blast DID provide a surprising amount of moral support today, even if all he did physically was get caught in a net.

[GIGA MERMAID and the other mermaids dive down. After a few moments, they resurface, and GIGA MERMAID makes a noise]

BLAST: Well, come on! Don't wait for me to go TICK TICK, BOOM! What'd she say!?

RISKY: ...she said she'll allow you to slip on a fish as a mermaid tail and swim around for a few hours.

BLAST: SHABAM! HECK YEAH! I am DOWN for being a mermaid! Where are the nearest seashells, I need to get ready!

[BLAST runs off-screen, presumably in search of seashells, while RATTLE stares on after him]

RATTLE: Again. What on EARTH happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Actually, unless something happened to Blast while I was fighting the giant dog, I'm fairly certain this is all him. I guess he just really likes the idea of being a mermaid.

RATTLE: ...run that first part by me again?

RISKY: Later. Back in Scuttle Town, so I don't have to be embarrassed in public when you inevitably become insufferable.

RATTLE: Hmmm...sounds promising. I guess we all managed to get a gift here!

RISKY: Oh no, it's already starting...is it too late to switch rewards with Blast?

[STAGE CLEAR]