revenance_comms | [audio/video/text: open]

[And then Maine had to go and say that. Well, fuck. How was he going to explain the instant hostility?]

Yeah, about that.

[Uh.]

The way this place works is it keeps opening up...for lack of a better word, different worlds. One of the last ones it opened up was the Mother of Invention, and...in that world, there was a Nightmare that looked like you, attacking people. That's the reason people aren't happy to see you. [He's been monitoring this post. Not good.]

Yeah, it was pretty freaky.

[And he's stopping there. It being pretty freaky is entirely true if entirely unhelpful. Still contributing nothing of worth to the conversation.]

So, want us to show you around? We'll probably run into a few of the people here and we can give them the good word that you're one of us.

[Nightmare version of himself. That was definitely out of left field. ~~At least it doesn't give him any indication how awful he really becomes~~. He stares evenly at Washington while he processes the information, almost as if waiting for something else, but then he glances over and nods at York with a rumble.]

[Tour would be fine, although he's pretty sure he can handle himself if anyone decides to get rough.]

[~~Thank goodness for small favors.~~ Wash matches his gaze calmly, as much as he can do with both of them wearing helmets. It's the truth to an extent and a massive lie of omission beyond that, but "by the way, you turn evil and try to kill us all" isn't going to help any of them right now. Good thing York's good at changing the subject.]

Don't. Let us talk to them before you retaliate.

Yeah, most of the people here are pretty nice. And some of them have godlike magical powers or swords that are keys.

[Well, or keys that are swords. York isn't entirely clear on the key sword sword key thing.]

[~~The sword is a key? Isn't memory the key?~~ Maine huffs something of a sigh in response to Washington. Fine. He'd let them spoil his fun.]

[Then he pointed down to his Pricklemaine, who immediately went from a relaxed repose to growling and eager to fight, although there was still an element of play to his movements. Maine's wondering what he's supposed to do with it now.]

[ Did someone say Tour? Because a tour sounds like a GREAT idea! And look, there's someone else here to join you.

There's a patter of paws across cobbles, before something pink launches itself up onto one of the wall ledges that lead down to the main square of the First District. There follows a delighted MEWF! Two of her favourite Persons, Melody~~-sempai~~ and the New Person!

You found the Strong Person! He's really neat, isn't he?

The Frootz Cat doesn't even bother waiting further, dashing immediately over and into the middle of the group, aiming a headbutt at Maine's shin in greetings (again). There follows a headbutt for Maine's Pricklemaine companion, too. Wash belonged to Melody, so the Necho Cat and her grumpy owner get a tailwave as though no tantrum by purrs-truly had ever upset the delicate Person Balance. Then and only then did Lela trot and curl around York's feet, meowing at the man.

You'd think she belonged to him, or something, given how happy she sounds. ]

[~~And when you stick it in people, it unlocks their deaths.~~]

Only if you consider getting struck by lightning "fun."

[As for the Pricklemaine...] Feed it. Train it to fight alongside you. It's your new best friend - might as well get used to it.

[Puddles lays his head on his person's shoulder as his person talks. See? Like this! He's totally his person's best friend!]

[Down by Wash's ankles, Melody huffs. Right. Sure. She meows a greeting at the newly-appeared Lela. He's pretty big, yeah. Her person seems to know him. Does Lela's person? And is Lela's person still not talking to Melody's person? Because that's awkward.]

[Wash's reaction to Lela is entirely different. He bites back a curse and immediately opens a private channel to York.]

When she shows up, you're running interference.

[Max trots over to say hello to Lela, barking excitedly.

Yeah! Melody's person know him too so maybe when everyone's getting along again the new person can live with them.]

[York can kind of guess what's going on in the conversation, but they've moved on from what might be educated guesses to either Wash's making things up or his actually understanding Maine's growls. He tries to work out which as he bends to pet Lela.]

Uh, yeah, the dream eaters can be a big help sometimes. So you've met Lela - this girl - already?

[York glances sideways at Wash, especially after he opens the private channel and responds on the same.]

Okay so then later you'll tell me how you're having this conversation, right?

[Maine doesn't budge when he's headbutted, but he lets out an amused grunt, reaching down to bap Lela once on the head. Yeah, he knows her. He points at York, yours?]

[Mace is making excited noises and running in tight little circles inbetween making playswats at Lela, and then Melody and Puddles' feet by extension. My person is strongest! I am strongest! We are all friends but my person and I are strongest!]

[ This is GREAT, is Lela's enthusiastic confirmation, and she half-spins in delight, managing to not trip over her tail, collide with Mace, or bump out of York's reach when he bends down to pet her. The delight dimmed briefly as she looked across at Melody. No, they're not talking and I don't know how to fix it, she mewed, very aware of the awkwardness. Then she perked up again. But I bet when she finds out that the Strong person is here, she'll be really--]

#CHA-CHACK#

[--happy...?

Turning, ears flatten backwards as Lela sinks down immediately, belly flat to the ground and half hidden behind Max. She then peers around York's leg, to where her Person stands at the top of the stairs, with hands that are far too steady holding a gun that is pointed directly at the party below.

Clad in one of workout outfits Rarity had made for her, it is the first time Carolina'd finally unwound enough to dress down when there wasn't a party, chose to not equip her armor when venturing outdoors and only carry one magnum with her. And now this. She has no armor, no speed enhancement. Meaning there's no hiding the ashen face or dark and dead look to green eyes as her weapon trains on a very specific target, safety off and finger resting on the trigger.

The scars on the back of her neck ache, phantom memory of pain lacing down her spine.

She's never trusting North's word on the dream world's being 'safe' again.]

What. Is going on here.

[Melody shrugs, a gesture that somehow looks natural with three pairs of shoulders. They'll work it out somehow. They usually do. She puts up with about two play swipes from Mace before reaching out and whacking the Pricklemaine hard enough to knock it flat on its ass. You're maybe thirty minutes old, bucko. There's a hierarchy here, and you are not at the top. Sit down.]

[Wash tenses at the sound of the gun cocking, and it's only an act of will that keeps him from going for his own in return. Shit. He really thought they'd have more time to prepare for Carolina's arrival than this. York's question goes unanswered; there are more important things right now.]

Maine is here.

[Slight emphasis on the name. If anyone would be able to tell Maine apart from the Meta, it would be Wash.]

[Sparky alerts at that sound. He's used enough to hearing it running around with York that he's sure it means a fight. Things had been going really well; hopefully their people wouldn't be really fighting.]

We were going to show Maine around town. Last thing he remembers is the infirmary after his throat got messed up.

[And York has learned that not explaining things to Carolina ends in tears and widespread death.]

[Maine looks up at the sound and any relief he had at seeing his boss vanishes the instant he takes everything in. Washington had really downplayed what his 'twin' had done, he thinks, and inwardly he flashes with irritation that he wasn't better warned. He respected Carolina. He'd taken a bullet for her, and to see her now aiming her weapon at him with that expression ...]

[He doesn't move. Not to placate, not to defend, not to attack. He stands where he is, still, vocalizing nothing more than a confused, almost worried little mrr? that he cuts off almost as soon as it escapes.]

[He can hear Washington and York explaining, catches the nuance in their tone, they're trying to avoid an incident. They couldn't have told him anything useful, could they?]

[Mace, running a couple moments behind, seems to think Lela's cowering was at his superior posturing, and he prances until Maine makes a single, slight tck motion with two fingers. It's then that the tension hits him as well, and he cowers behind Maine's legs with plaintive whimpers.]

[Maine himself is otherwise still, calmly awaiting Carolina's verdict before he tries to defend himself against god only knows what at this point.]

[ Really? Really, Washington?

She's paranoid, equal parts paralyzed and petrified, but she's certainly not blind.

..Though a part of her does appreciate the distinction being made, is distantly saddened by the necessity for such clarification, it does not stop the slight dip of her brows in the briefest flicker of anger, even as Carolina's eyes don't move from Maine. It'd be a mistake on her part to lower her guard, with memories at their most raw, and it's not entirely clear whether she's listening to what York has to say.

There's nothing pained about Maine's movements, beyond the telltale signs of a man who shouldn't be off of bedrest and back on duty without his doctor's approval. Lela had greeted him, had done so with her usual enthusiasm for all living souls, and suffered no harm from such innocent behaviour. And there is no flickering, burning effigy blighting the air over one shoulder, pulling strings on a puppet who now lacked a voice to give warning. ]

..Lela.

[ Her voice is quieter, but no less firm; stance and gun remain where they are. The pink frootz cat remains rather drooped, glancing worried at the other Persons in the square. But she doesn't wait too long; she's been called to heel, and with a flick of her tail she's sprinting back up the steps and stopping by her Person's feet.

(Wash certainly can't say discipline hasn't been improved on since the last time he and Carolina were in the same space together.)

When her person still doesn't do anything, one cream paw lifts, gently nudging her leg, just below the knee. Colour doesn't return, but the action seems to to stir something behind her closed expression.

Then, there's a short, sharp nod for the man in white armor, Carolina at her most business-like and perfunctory. Her arm drops, gun lowered but not yet stowed away as she spins on her heel to walk (not run, not yet, not when they might see) back the way she came, fretting Spirit right behind her.

Not the Meta. Just Maine.

That might be the worst news of all. ]

[Yes, Carolina, really. Somebody who plans on shooting first and asking questions never does not get the benefit of the doubt.]

[The explanation prevents anyone from getting killed, at least, but that solution opens up a whole new host of problems. So much for easing into an explanation. So much for finding Carolina first and warning her. So much for a lot of things.]

[The private channel to York opens again, because he has to vent somehow.]

Good luck.

[Yeah, you're still on the hook for interference. Wash isn't touching that one.]

...Okay so there are probably a few things we should have explained.

[Thanks a lot for putting him on this, Wash.]

So. Uh. Where should we even start.

[Telling Maine his whole history, especially considering what the guy just went through would be...not on. Not that Maine couldn't handle it, but that's a lot of shit to drop on anyone.]

[As soon as Carolina is out of sight, Maine leans over towards Washington with a low, displeased growl. Won the war? At a pretty fucking high cost, it seemed. He crossed his arms and eased back as York spoke, although it was clear the incident had made him leery of anything these guys had to say now.]

[He meant good luck with Carolina, but he's okay with this particular turn of events.]

[It's all Wash can do not to jump out of his skin at that growl. It's hard to get used to Maine when his reactions are still fine-tuned to Meta.]

Hey, I told you why people aren't happy.

[York glanced at Wash, frowning. Had Wash meant Maine or Carolina? Oh well, they were into this now.]

We should probably just explain, Wash.

[Maine doesn't budge, besides looking from one to the other and giving a long, low rumble. Someone had better explain something that would attribute to Carolina's behavoir because that wasn't normal from his point of view.]

[To help matters along, Mace eases himself out from behind Maine's legs and growls and paws at Washington's feet.]

[There will eventually come a day when Wash can stop rehashing all the awful shit in his life for the edification of others. Today is not that day. He bites back a sigh and tries to keep his voice even.]

Look, the Project...didn't end well. For anyone. Carolina...still hasn't dealt with some of that yet. [For reasons that are not actually his to divulge.]

[Melody snarls and whacks Mace one right across the nose. You do not get aggressive at her person. ]

The Project went down in flames. [And into an ice shelf]

[Max barks a protest. Stop fighting, you guys.]

[The growl subsides for a moment as everything sinks in. He turns to look back in the direction Carolina had left.]

[He distinctly got the feeling that something had gone down between them, specifically. She hadn't given York or Wash any notice with her pistol. He looks back at the pair and jerks a thumb in his direction with a grunt, what did I do?]

[Mace gets the picture and backs away (with a yelp), a moment later running to hide behind Maine's legs again.]

Edited 2013-10-18 21:46 (UTC)

[Melody settles down once Mace learns his lesson. That'll show him.]

[Wash tries his hardest not to shoot a look at York - now was not the time for stupid jokes, okay.]

I don't think you want to know.

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and apparently this was just a quick cameo WELP

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