umbrasnow

[umbrasnow]

Liking a character who sucks is silly because yeah I hate him and yeah I want people to bully him and say mean things but if you say the Wrong mean thing I'm going to get defensive

[umbrasnow]

HI!

HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW ART FOR YOUR BELOVED SLEEP TO THE FREEZING!!

LOOK AT HER!!

anyways it's cool and the updated thy hubris manifest is super neat! and Khione's the first banshee pilot that comes to mind so wanted to show you if you haven't seen it!!

//OOC OOOOO THAT LOOKS SO GOOD!!!!! my beloved she's terrifying and murderous HELL yea!!!!!!!

thank you SO much for showing me this not in the least because I didn't know thy hubris manifest updated and that's EXCITING yippee!!!!!! spinning around in circles!!!!!

[umbrasnow]

[Begin Video Playback]

{Signal sits under the tree, whatever they're saying isn't clearly audible, the glowing eyes under their helmet seem unfocused until the door to their containment opens. Both eyes instantly lock on Deuces.}

{Deuces seems unphased by Signal's state and simply sits down at the table in the containment room. Their ocular lenses whirring adjusting to the light of an actual living area.}

"Not even going to give your old master the grace of a hello Conal? I thought you were better than that."

{Signal's eyes meet the lenses of Deuces unwavering, it still chooses to remain under the tree.}

"Come on Conal. You know how this works. We follow protocol and this goes smoothly. So play by the rules you dog."

{It's eyes blink.}

"Fine. Hello Deuces."

"That's more like it. Now we can get to work. I thought you had gotten this out of your system when we sent you after Aimee. We know how you feel about G-"

{Signal stands in a flash, moving to the edge of where the tree's branches provide shadows.}

"Keep aer names out of your mouth."

"How you feel about Gaol's loyalties and death-"

"Deuces."

"Oh I'm sorry Rainy's..."

{Signal is stopped in the middle of their run by Deuces holding their fingers up as if to whistle.}

"Conal Conal Conal.... you don't hold the cards here... besides if you killed me I don't think Glacier would be able to resist the temptation Aimee left you. I need to know that you're still useful Conal. Otherwise you're wasting valuable containment space. Play. By. The. Rules."

{Signal slumps it's shoulders standing there in front of the table that Deuces now commands.}

"Your time as a handler made you too independent. You're supposed to listen to orders and then complete them. You know that's where you belong. You signed the contracts. We both did. And we both know that your little flights of freedom are acts of rebellion."

{A low barely perceptible growl emanates from Signal as their fists clench.}

"So be a good hound. And Bark."

{Signal looks to the camera in the room. A single half hearted... woof.. is heard.}

"Good dog."

[End Playback]

[umbrasnow]

[ Khione has not been seen in several hours. There are personnel that have vanished. Not numerous. Specific. Targetted. ] [ Hunting. ]

[ Last noted appearance on security depicts an uncharacteristic blazing fury, before they are seemingly removed bodily from realspace. Network activity suggests they had connected to their omninet account. ]

[ What would you expect. It bites when stressed. ]

[umbrasnow]

◊ wasn't me

[ KHIONE ]

Glacier here... Finally discharged from medical. Gods below my nose still starts up sometimes but.... The sim seems safe enou-

What the unholy fuck happened when I was away.... DEUCES?..

DEUCES YOU FUCK WHAT HAPPENED?! WHY ARE THERE 10 DEAD STAFF MEMBERS!?

//Glacier\\

[umbrasnow]

◊ Indeed. They are effective, what keeps the gears of bureaucracy moving. It makes a kind of sense that the offer would be extended, for their return to duty.

◊ I also do not like them. :/

[ KHIONE ]

Not sure how to feel about the return of Deuces... My neck's still raw from the leather of a leash. Let's see what tricks they pull now.

[umbrasnow]

92 complaints about one Handler in the past month...

Deuces speaking. Handler Shortwave please report to my office.

[umbrasnow]

◊ one would think the stories and rumours that whirl around the both of us would ward away any who would consider such ill advised acts.

◊ alas. twould appear more dramatics are in order. do inform me of any inklings you have as to who may be responsible dearest, I would so love to aid in your vision

[ KHIONE ]

Whoever attempted to poison me at the Last Stop, I look forward to seeing you strung from the rafters by your innards.

Zero~

[umbrasnow]

◊ How pleasant to find we are within the same book, if not on the same page. Well then, I welcome the audience. I have ever been something of a performer.

◊ Interesting, that some parts are hidden even from the highest... Would that the past would burn with the evidence of it. I- you have my thanks for leaving that particular grave undisturbed. In another time I would not have questioned. Recent months have been... enlightening.

◊ That is quite enough of that though. Crusade is a touch dramatic, but fitting I suppose considering my motivations. I believe you to be right, Glacier dear- though please do not mistake my actions for anything but retribution.

◊ This business is quite personal. I am glad you see the resource sink inherent in attempting to bar my way. I can be quite stubborn when I feel strongly.

◊ May your observation be fruitful, Director *:･ﾟ✧

[ KHIONE ]

◊ My dearest, there is an insane woman in my inbox

◊ [ FORWARDED_MESSAGE ] do you see this. what on the face of whatever wretched planet the sender is from possessed her to think this was a good idea.

◊ Why would she send me this pathetic lovestruck mewling. Did she think it was charming? I refuse to believe one can be so blind as to believe this would be charming.

◊ A love letter. Not even a good love letter. What are we 12.

[ KHIONE // @umbrasnow ]

A love letter? My my! I thought I was the one to receive love letters in our little pairing!

This letter is quite forward, though, what a bore. Aggression in love letters is so outplayed, much less veiled threats. Do keep an eye out for more letters, darling, we shall get to the bottom of this yet.

Perhaps I shall have the chance to do for you what you have done for me so many times over. This admirer seems quite in need of a long haul to the diaspora.

Zero~

[umbrasnow]

◊ the list of people I would claim openly to like is not long. But you... may be right. I've long trusted in Signal's judgement. So too, it may have suited me to be a ghost. I've certainly the temperment for a haunting.

◊ mays and coulds, free as birds. Regarding more current affairs, I would remind you that I am a professional darling. Randomness is for hobbyists and the gauche, in my humble opinion.

◊ This is hardly the parlor for such conversations, but there is a pattern, if you should be curious. A line, drawn through names on a list.

◊ On a note dubiously related, I do appreciate your erasure of pilot histories on file dear. I have ever felt rather strongly that the past should have the decency to stay buried, if you go through all that trouble to kill it.

[ KHIONE ]

◊ My dearest, there is an insane woman in my inbox

◊ [ FORWARDED_MESSAGE ] do you see this. what on the face of whatever wretched planet the sender is from possessed her to think this was a good idea.

◊ Why would she send me this pathetic lovestruck mewling. Did she think it was charming? I refuse to believe one can be so blind as to believe this would be charming.

◊ A love letter. Not even a good love letter. What are we 12.

[ KHIONE // @umbrasnow ]

A love letter? My my! I thought I was the one to receive love letters in our little pairing!

This letter is quite forward, though, what a bore. Aggression in love letters is so outplayed, much less veiled threats. Do keep an eye out for more letters, darling, we shall get to the bottom of this yet.

Perhaps I shall have the chance to do for you what you have done for me so many times over. This admirer seems quite in need of a long haul to the diaspora.

Zero~

[umbrasnow]

◊ Glacier dear, we are wetworks operatives

◊ we qualified for that particular certification years ago

[ KHIONE ]

◊ My dearest, there is an insane woman in my inbox

◊ [ FORWARDED_MESSAGE ] do you see this. what on the face of whatever wretched planet the sender is from possessed her to think this was a good idea.

◊ Why would she send me this pathetic lovestruck mewling. Did she think it was charming? I refuse to believe one can be so blind as to believe this would be charming.

◊ A love letter. Not even a good love letter. What are we 12.

[ KHIONE // @umbrasnow ]

A love letter? My my! I thought I was the one to receive love letters in our little pairing!

This letter is quite forward, though, what a bore. Aggression in love letters is so outplayed, much less veiled threats. Do keep an eye out for more letters, darling, we shall get to the bottom of this yet.

Perhaps I shall have the chance to do for you what you have done for me so many times over. This admirer seems quite in need of a long haul to the diaspora.

Zero~

[umbrasnow]

◊ Yes I was rather thinking I do not have your patience for this drivel dearest. How you put up with recieving quite so many of these on a regular basis I will simply never understand. Truly, saintly of you.

◊ Shall I recieve further letters from this... I hesitate to call her an admirer, you shall be the very first to know. Not in the least because I shall have a burning desire to complain, posthaste, and there are none I trust to match my vitriol more.

◊ I... would not ask you to put yourself through encountering this woman for my sake dearest, she strikes me as having the most obnoxious voice- but nor would I deny you the hunt. I do rather think I would have fewer headaches were she to join the great majority. If only because it would be a problem with an actual solution, a full stop for once.

◊ Perhaps. You know I fret.

[ KHIONE ]

◊ My dearest, there is an insane woman in my inbox

◊ [ FORWARDED_MESSAGE ] do you see this. what on the face of whatever wretched planet the sender is from possessed her to think this was a good idea.

◊ Why would she send me this pathetic lovestruck mewling. Did she think it was charming? I refuse to believe one can be so blind as to believe this would be charming.

◊ A love letter. Not even a good love letter. What are we 12.

[ KHIONE // @umbrasnow ]

A love letter? My my! I thought I was the one to receive love letters in our little pairing!

This letter is quite forward, though, what a bore. Aggression in love letters is so outplayed, much less veiled threats. Do keep an eye out for more letters, darling, we shall get to the bottom of this yet.

Perhaps I shall have the chance to do for you what you have done for me so many times over. This admirer seems quite in need of a long haul to the diaspora.

Zero~

[umbrasnow]

i love when girls kill everyone who ever wronged them. more girls should do this

[umbrasnow]

◊ Ah. Apologies Ward dear. I do appreciate your observation of my improved mood, though. I am feeling rather more myself, for reasons entirely unrelated.

◊ I doubt the risk is equal to anyone who may walk the halls of the Tenacity, for what it is worth. That said, it may be prudent for our mystery hunter to express more care when it comes to their kills. It has been rather flamboyant thus far. A touch of restraint likely wouldn't go amiss.

◊ Either way, I would only enact a curfew if you wished to ensure most of CORSAIR will be out and about during restricted hours. We are not as a rule best known for being well behaved and law abiding, no?

[ KHIONE ]

◊ I may need to place a bulk order for lavender conditioner before leaving this station. If nothing else than for my dearest heart’s sake, given it is so often he I turn to in my hours of need.

◊ alas I may have indulged a touch dramatically in my petulance. In unrelated information, may I suggest those of delicate sensibilities avoid that one corridor with the drafty vents? Someone appears to have gone quite to pieces out there.

[ KHIONE ]

[umbrasnow]

◊ ... a public statement. Saying again what I have heard directed to others, time and time again. A sentiment I once believed without labour.

◊ I am less capable now, but it is still... reassuring, in its own way. There is appreciation for what you are doing, Glacier.

◊ I can only hope this does not become a problem for either of us. You and I both have other things to focus on, of far greater importance than some swaggering lordling with misconceptions of her own power.

[ KHIONE ]

So, this is where you’ve been.

A mercenary company seems an odd place for his treasured doll, but I suppose you made it clear you had a vicious streak, didn’t you? It’s been years, and they still talk about it. Talk about you, in hushed tones. 

The missing bloodied bride, the ghost haunting this estate. It’s almost like you never left, some days. Isn’t that hilarious? They remember you, almost more than they remember him. 

I like that. I should find some way to thank you for it, properly.

Oh but, I should paint a clearer picture for you. See, as far as the layman around the estate is concerned, some sort of wild animal tore through the place. Why I’m pretty sure the only folk who know any better are myself, and the company drones who showed up to ask me what I wanted done about it, as the inheritor. They seemed so surprised when I waved off the idea of signing you away. I don’t think anyone ever realised just what they had with you in the hand, you know that?

Well, I know plenty. Why would anyone willingly sign away something so remarkable to be destroyed? I’d much rather have you back, where you belong. Now you could make this easy on yourself, and that oddity you’ve gotten so attached to, by just coming home of your own volition- but I don’t think you will, hm? Don’t fret, I won’t hold it against you. Frankly I’m excited at the prospect of dragging this whole song and dance out. You didn’t get a proper courtship from him, did you? Consider this an announcement of intentions, of a sorts.

I’ll be in touch~ - L

◊ ... I do not know who you are, or why you speak to me with such a crass familiarity. For shame, honestly.

◊ I've no desire to entertain your thanks, or your courting whatever that may entail. I am not entertainment, or a prize. You sound as though moonstruck in a most unflattering way.

◊ I will not be returning anywhere, thank you kindly. I will remain with my dearest heart and my dance partner, where I am quite content.

◊ and I would really much rather you not be in touch, thank you. Harlot.

[ KHIONE ]

[umbrasnow]

[There's a picture of what looks to be the back prep area of a bakery.

The walls are worn, their once delicately painted florals chipping away with the progression of time.

The countertops are worn, the wood beginning to darken with age, although some places are bright with new butcher's block.

All of it is covered in flour.

A young girl, maybe early preteens, grins up at the camera. Her long hair is braided into two loops behind her ears, her sleeveless turtleneck poking out from underneath a too-big apron.

Her eyes are bright, and her hands are deep in a bowl of batter. Baking sheets rest nearby, waiting to be used.]

Mira,

Nora says hello.

It is the first thing she bade me to write in this letter. She misses you dearly, along with her "Kiki" and "The prince".

I know you well enough to know you're laughing about that. I wish I could say I have no idea why the latter of those nicknames has occurred, save for the fact that Wendy and Cameron bought her a number of books with knights.

There is a blonde, snooty prince in one of those novels. I'm sure you can draw your conclusions.

Regardless, she seems determined to be a knight at the moment.

(You'll find this endearing - she said "Kiki and I can travel around and fight dragons for him. He's always wearing pretty things, there's no way dragons don't want to steal his treasure, so I think he could use the assistance.")

She can be whatever she wants, for all I care. As long as she's happy. That may mean I need to find some dragons for her to fight in the future.

Her drawings go well. I've included a few with this letter, most of which are for you. You'll see very quickly which ones are for our... acquaintances.

Mother purchased several books on drawing, and has offered to pay for a tutor of my choosing for her.

I...I don't know how to feel about that. She's surprisingly warm towards Nora.

I wish I could quash down this resentment that she has more time for her granddaughter than she ever did for me. It's unseemly. And not fair to Nora.

As for my surprise guest- well. You remember her from the video call. We've been...discussing things.

Give my love to the dogs, please. I miss them dearly. Nora has been playing with a stray lately, and she reminds me of Arthur.

We'll be home before you know it. After I send this letter to you, we'll begin packing.

Remember to prepare the necessary documents, and we'll work on what we discussed upon my return.

And if those two have returned - give them the drawings. And also one of the two sets of cookies that arrived with this letter. Nora insists they're "magical" and have "healing properties so Kiki and the prince can kick ass."

I did not teach her that word, but she's plenty old enough to swear. You remember where she only ever said "blast and damnation!"? I miss those days.

I ramble, partially because I loathe packing.

I'll see you soon.

Signed,

Adrien Graves

[umbrasnow]

So, this is where you’ve been.

A mercenary company seems an odd place for his treasured doll, but I suppose you made it clear you had a vicious streak, didn’t you? It’s been years, and they still talk about it. Talk about you, in hushed tones. 

The missing bloodied bride, the ghost haunting this estate. It’s almost like you never left, some days. Isn’t that hilarious? They remember you, almost more than they remember him. 

I like that. I should find some way to thank you for it, properly.

Oh but, I should paint a clearer picture for you. See, as far as the layman around the estate is concerned, some sort of wild animal tore through the place. Why I’m pretty sure the only folk who know any better are myself, and the company drones who showed up to ask me what I wanted done about it, as the inheritor. They seemed so surprised when I waved off the idea of signing you away. I don’t think anyone ever realised just what they had with you in the hand, you know that?

Well, I know plenty. Why would anyone willingly sign away something so remarkable to be destroyed? I’d much rather have you back, where you belong. Now you could make this easy on yourself, and that oddity you’ve gotten so attached to, by just coming home of your own volition- but I don’t think you will, hm? Don’t fret, I won’t hold it against you. Frankly I’m excited at the prospect of dragging this whole song and dance out. You didn’t get a proper courtship from him, did you? Consider this an announcement of intentions, of a sorts.

I’ll be in touch~ - L

◊ ... I do not know who you are, or why you speak to me with such a crass familiarity. For shame, honestly.

◊ I've no desire to entertain your thanks, or your courting whatever that may entail. I am not entertainment, or a prize. You sound as though moonstruck in a most unflattering way.

◊ I will not be returning anywhere, thank you kindly. I will remain with my dearest heart and my dance partner, where I am quite content.

◊ and I would really much rather you not be in touch, thank you. Harlot.

[ KHIONE ]