Chapter 8 - of Toasters and Bedsteads
(return to Chapter Index)
Common Ground1)
2010-02-09 21:51:05: Metallic g_rock walks into the grounds, grinning in a most disconcerting manner, and makes his way to the bar
2010-02-09 21:53:15: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed comes thundering into the CG, rearing up into the trees, trying to find Dex. . . It appears to be dripping wet though.
2010-02-09 21:53:29: Metallic g_rock takes a seat at the bar and tries to order from Cookie, who EEPs, then ignores him completely
2010-02-09 21:55:04: Kestrel throws a bemused look to the brass bed, then glances over at Cookie and G. “She still hasn't forgiven you. Neither has George - and neither have I.”
2010-02-09 21:55:52: Metallic g_rock chuckles coldly, then looks to Neeip “You tending bar right now? If so, I'd kill for a courvoisier.”
2010-02-09 21:56:26: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed stops dead and seems to sniff the air, it smells a Dex, and she's gonna suffer!
2010-02-09 21:56:59: Metallic g_rock turns, then, to Kes “For what? And who in the world is George?”
2010-02-09 21:58:00: Spandex would wave, but she's stunned at the sight of a bed. . . a threatening bed?
2010-02-09 21:58:07: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed is normally such a carefree, happy bed. But someone sought to ruin that with wet, wet water. And that isn't on.
2010-02-09 21:58:34: Kestrel opens her arms slightly, the gremlin huddled against her, eyes scrunched shut. Then closes them again, sheilding him from view, and returning him to the hug. “The gremlin you almost killed.”
2010-02-09 21:58:46: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed rears up on it's huge, mechanical rear legs and then charges! THUNDER THUNDER THUNDER THUNDER
2010-02-09 21:59:25: Spandex wonders about Rusty Chainsaw versus Rusty Bedposts: who wins.
2010-02-09 22:00:07: Major Badass Neeip Nods to Grock as His Servo's Pour him a Glass, While another Offer's Kier a bottle Of mild Pain releivers and an Icepack. “Ah, Ouch. Well, Least you've got your memory Back..”
2010-02-09 22:00:13: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed pauses, what's that up in the air?! Why! Thinks the bed, surely that ain't a pinata?! It is, bed, it sure is! Now perhaps you can leave poor Dex alone a second?
2010-02-09 22:00:22: Spandex has no time to wonder, and yanks the starter on said saw. It, of course, sputters.
2010-02-09 22:00:31: Metallic g_rock rolls his eyes “You mean that little, insignificant, consonant stealing hunk of meat? Bet he won't do that again, will you buddy?” he turns to watch the bed with a laugh
2010-02-09 22:01:23: Kestrel closes her eyes, trying to control her anger. “Remember Uo? He spoke for you, when you couldn't, about her. And Mack? He flew kites with us. Remember?”
2010-02-09 22:01:25: Spandex exhales. Figures Bernie's bed's got an attention span of a gnat. How appropriate.
2010-02-09 22:02:01: Major Badass Neeip Glances over to Grock, Raising a brow. Him? Threaten Gremlins? What?
2010-02-09 22:02:20: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed senses the sound of sputtering, and feels fear for the first time. Who ever knew a bed could feel fear. Who knew a bed could bloody bastard alliterate?
2010-02-09 22:03:42: Spandex drops her saw, and prepares to pounce. Fuck preparing, she POUNCES. And jumps up and down on bed! JUMP JUMP JUMP
2010-02-09 22:03:58: Lieutenant Badass Hiraniva finally leans in close enough to Nathan to say, “Other people are seeing this, right? Not just me?”
2010-02-09 22:04:08: Metallic g_rock nods, seemingly disappointed by the lack of a good bed-goring “Of course I remember them. They're currently taking up space in my clan room, the useless bunch of. . .What's it to you?”
2010-02-09 22:04:16: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed has a trick up its mattress; it's not really afrit of a mere chainsaw, it's merely tryin' to lure that pesky bugger closer. Upon the bed, the docile old Grandpa stirs slightly,
2010-02-09 22:04:50: bird-headed sugar-hi unicorn nurses her coffee, watching a big flat horse with brass feet and no head wandering round. a horse for a very lazy knight? it's alredy got those bedsheet thingies on, so maybe. . .
2010-02-09 22:05:18: Transcendent Grand Lord Elevated Badass of the Gods Nathaniel nods at Iva. “Yep, gotta expect anything around GERMans.”
2010-02-09 22:05:44: Kestrel attempts to breathe calmly, and fails. “They're my friends - and your friends.” Breathe, Kes, breathe. “Ever since. . . your definite opinions, you've lost everything you ever cared about.”
2010-02-09 22:05:47: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed rears back its mattress, and seems to consume Spandex between said mattress and those horrid, bity, sharp springs. Bernard stirs again, then resumes snoring & drooling.
2010-02-09 22:07:24: Spandex is squashed! But also finds some dirty mags! And a month-old cheese sammich.
2010-02-09 22:08:41: Granpa Bernard awakens, “BY GUM, THESE PRANKS HAVE TO STOP! WHICH ONE OF YOU BUGGERS BRUNG ME OUT 'ERE? EH?” He waves his fist at the audience. The bed curiously quiet, now.
2010-02-09 22:09:27: Lieutenant Badass Hiraniva stares at Bernard, and holds up a finger, pointing to the bed beneath him.
2010-02-09 22:09:39: Granpa Bernard is flung back against the headboard as Spandex emerges with food and what appears to be Teh Dave's comic collection.
2010-02-09 22:10:24: Returning Contestant Edgar walks in, notices a bed eating some lady, and gives serious thought to walking back out.
2010-02-09 22:10:58: Spandex is jettisoned onto the ground, gripping the mags. horses?
2010-02-09 22:11:13: Metallic g_rock shrugs at Kestrel “Listen, girly. I don't really give a good god damn about your opinion of my. . .opinions. Maybe your new friend there will care, but I doubt it.”
2010-02-09 22:11:34: Granpa Bernard sputters, “Oh, it were thee, were it? Well, bugger my chuddies, it were thee! I mighta known it, an'orl.!”
2010-02-09 22:12:35: Kestrel attempts to stay mostly calm, murmuring to herself. “It's your fault, you fool.” She speaks more loudly. “What must I do for you to return to how you were?”
2010-02-09 22:12:40: Spandex looks up at Bernard, DUDE?! HORSES?! And DO SOMETHING ABOUT G.“
2010-02-09 22:13:22: Granpa Bernard advises Dex to, “Hand over them comics t'me, 'cos t'otherwise poor Dave might miss 'em.” and begins to eye up her sandwich, “Is that cheese, there, young'un?”
2010-02-09 22:13:29: Kestrel glances over at the GERM woman, who she doesn't know, and murmurs, “It's not something Bernard did.”
2010-02-09 22:13:41: Spandex throws a hardened cheese sammich at the back of g's head.
2010-02-09 22:14:18: Granpa Bernard makes a decrepit lunge for the magazines, and ends up falling out of the amazing brass bed. He lies, still. The bed, however. . .
2010-02-09 22:15:18: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed rears up and thunders over to G, where it stands, almost vibratin' with the pent up energy of 100 springs per square foot comfort ™.
2010-02-09 22:15:56: Metallic g_rock headtilts at Kestrel, his neck makes a ratcheting noise, and his head makes a full 90 degree angle, allowing the sammich to fly past “Whaddya mean, back? Back to being all whiny?”
2010-02-09 22:17:22: Kestrel nods stiffly. “Back to caring. Back to being a person again. Letting him live, because he's inside you now, screaming to be heard.”
2010-02-09 22:17:35: Granpa Bernard tries to get up but isn't doing so well, he collapses, face-down, in the mud, and begins to snore. Heavily.
2010-02-09 22:17:51: Kestrel repeats, with more force, “It was my fault. What can I do?”
2010-02-09 22:18:19: Metallic g_rock eyes the bed warily, but unconcerned. He makes a noise like a truck dropping it's transmission, and blurs
2010-02-09 22:18:55: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed makes a noise like a truck dropping it's transmission, and blurs. Too.
2010-02-09 22:19:18: Spandex yells to the bed, “sic'em, MemoryFoam!” She hears the snores from B, and sighs. Bloody geriatrics.
2010-02-09 22:19:23: Metallic g_rock sits back down, panting slightly. The heavy breathing stops, and the bed has been. . .(cue dramatic music) Short-Sheeted!!!
2010-02-09 22:19:54: Granpa Bernard makes a noise like a truck dropping it's transmission, and blur
2010-02-09 22:20:08: Kestrel snaps her eyes open again, and fixes him with a fierce glare. “He's screaming to be heard. What can I do?”
2010-02-09 22:20:55: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed re-appears, and starts to edge, on tippety-toes, towards G
2010-02-09 22:21:40: Kestrel warily watches the moving bed, and tenses slightly, preparing to escape.
2010-02-09 22:22:07: Metallic g_rock holds up a hand to Kes “Haven't you done enough?” he turns away and grins a cold grin. His eyes, however, flicker with anguish briefly
2010-02-09 22:22:49: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed is almost on top of G right. . . about. . . now. . .
2010-02-09 22:23:06: Kestrel doesn't see the look of anguish in his eyes. She closes her own, lowing her head slightly, her hair swinging forward to cover her eyes.
2010-02-09 22:23:12: Spandex gets up and throws the magazines on the grown. Yes, throwing away good porn. She's pissed.
2010-02-09 22:23:30: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed nudges and nuzzles up against G, he needs a friend. . .
2010-02-09 22:23:41: Spandex watches the mags bounce off the grown and land on the ground.
2010-02-09 22:23:45: Kestrel doesn't even notice the gremlin. Her voice almost inaudible, “You're right. I did this. I ruined his life, me.”
2010-02-09 22:24:34: Metallic g_rock chuckles at the bed, and moves out of the way.
2010-02-09 22:24:42: Spandex slows up. Maybe the bed is in its natural habitat here, what with all the lovin' up goin' down.
2010-02-09 22:28:46: Kestrel rests her head on her hands, George shaking in the hug. “Is there no way?”
2010-02-09 22:29:28: Spandex saunters over to the bar. She leans over and ask G, nice-like, “there a problem here?”
2010-02-09 22:29:57: Metallic g_rock shoves the bed out of his face. He rolls his eyes at Kestrel, makking a 'blah blah blah' motion with his hand “Yup, you're the reason for all the misery. Terrible person. . .all that jazz.”
2010-02-09 22:30:11: bird-headed sugar-hi unicorn starts to pour herself more coffee, when she notices miss Kes's voice, sounding all wrong. she looks over. yep, definitly not good.
2010-02-09 22:30:17: Kestrel tucks her hair behind her ears again, quickly brushing her eyes dry, and holding out a hand. “My name's Kestrel.”
2010-02-09 22:30:44: Kestrel doesn't manage to ignore his words. She closes her eyes again, and drops the hand.
2010-02-09 22:32:20: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed nudges G again, firmer now. More insistent.
2010-02-09 22:32:59: Spandex looks hard at Kestrel, “best to leave him alone when he gets like this, right?” She turns to g. “come now, g.”
2010-02-09 22:34:00: Kestrel shakes her head. “It's the truth. I'm sorry for doing this to your clan-friend.” Her voice remains almost perfectly level, her eyes closed.
2010-02-09 22:36:52: Spandex frowns at Kestrel, “some things aren't about us.” She grabs g's arm.
2010-02-09 22:37:32: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed now turns, and prances over to Kestrel, there to cheer her up with its cantering and dressage skills. Bernard snores on.
2010-02-09 22:37:42: Kestrel rubs her forehead, and doesnt reply. Instead she opens her eyes, and flicks them to G. “Give him my love, if you see him.”
2010-02-09 22:37:46: Metallic g_rock chuckles and looks Sx up and down “Who am I, Sink? I never learned 'Heel' or 'Come'. It's too much fun in here!”
2010-02-09 22:38:18: Kestrel watches the bed, her eyes dull. She gives it a quick pat on the corner of the mattress, but doesn't seem any cheerier for having done so.
2010-02-09 22:39:17: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed lightly trips around Kestrel, dipping one leg, and making strange, springy noises at her.
2010-02-09 22:40:10: Kestrel tilts her head forward again, her hair once again covering her eyes, and returns to hugging George.
2010-02-09 22:40:18: Metallic g_rock glances down at Spandex's arm on his “You lookin to lose that, darlin?”
2010-02-09 22:40:42: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed tries to nudge the unhappy one onto it's wide and comfortable sleeping area, nudge, nudge, nudge. . .
2010-02-09 22:41:34: Kestrel keeps a hand on the bar, ignoring the nudges.
2010-02-09 22:41:49: Spandex shakes her head slowly, and speaks quietly, “g. snap out of it. now.”
2010-02-09 22:42:35: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed can be quite insistent. It resumes it's nudges and springy 'boing, boing' noises. Fluttering its sheets at Kestrel, trying to persuade her to just come for a ride.
2010-02-09 22:43:27: Kestrel shakes her head, and gives the bed another pat, murmuring, “Sorry. I need some time. . . to think.”
2010-02-09 22:44:49: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed doesn't know the meaning of 'needsometime' but it sounds dull. Better for the unhappy one to come for a ride. Right Now.
2010-02-09 22:46:04: Kestrel doesn't have much skill with reading brass-bed-body-language. If she did, she would be panicking right now.
2010-02-09 22:46:53: Metallic g_rock grabs Dex's wrist, quick as lightning “How about I snap something else, instead?” all said with a thin smile.
2010-02-09 22:47:30: Kestrel snaps her eyes back to g_rock. “Just you dare, friend.” She stands up, completely ignoring the bed now.
2010-02-09 22:48:02: Spandex winces at the grip on the wrist, but lifts her knee, sharply, and breaks free.
2010-02-09 22:51:15: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed stops dead. Why? Oh, cos old Granpa B has just managed to stir himself, “Right, what's all this NOISE about?”
2010-02-09 22:52:20: Kestrel glances over at the clan leader, and nods. “Your Officer is threatening to injure. . .” She searches for a name, then simply gestures to Spandex.
2010-02-09 22:53:20: Spandex turns to B, and speaks loudly 'cuz of his hemorrhoids, “BARS OPEN BERNARD”
2010-02-09 22:53:30: Transcendent Grand Lord Elevated Badass of the Gods Nathaniel helpfully supplies. “Spandex.” For Kes.
2010-02-09 22:54:01: Contestant Celestyal pouts in sympathy, then grins. “That's why the gods created Rum!”
2010-02-09 22:54:14: Granpa Bernard doesn't know what she's on about, G wouldn't threaten anyone, not if he knows what's good for him, at least.
2010-02-09 22:54:24: Metallic g_rock goes back to sipping his drink, now that her hand's off him.
2010-02-09 22:56:32: Major Badass Neeip Waves to Sicpuess with a Servo, Eying Grock.
2010-02-09 22:59:30: Kestrel makes a note of the time, and nods to the nearby people. She glances once more at G. “Give him my love,” she repeats, before heading over to the everpurple tree.
2010-02-09 23:01:08: Granpa Bernard 's amazing brass bed watches Kestrel leave, without moving. It can't - he's awake. There's palpitating feelings in the pit of it's mattress.
2010-02-09 23:07:44: Metallic g_rock catches Neeip staring “What's the matter? You got a crush or somethin?”
2010-02-09 23:09:32: Major Badass Neeip Shakes his head to Grock. “Nope, Just trying to Figure out What the Hell happend to You.”
2010-02-09 23:12:58: Metallic g_rock shrugs to Neeip “I don't know why everyone thinks there's something wrong with me. I'm sick of hearing about it, frankly. Thanks for the drink.” he stands and stalks out to 404
2010-02-09 23:15:06: Spandex watches G leave. She sighs and heads to the bar. “Bernard, I don't have energy to babysit him all night. Care for a drink, I'm buying.”
2010-02-09 23:15:08: Granpa Bernard thumbs over his shoulder at the departing G, “Sounds like he's either in denial or he's insane. Either way, he's in the river.”
Pleasantville
2010-02-12 18:25:33: calliaphone limps out of the jungle, tugging a wobbly-wheeled cart behind her. She stops just inside the outpost, and kneels down to plead with the front-suspension, before continuing.
2010-02-12 18:27:02: calliaphone straightens up and gives the cart a general pep-talk, before replacing her screwdriver behind her ear and heading over to a quiet corner of the main square. The cart continues to wobble awkwardly.
2010-02-12 18:29:21: calliaphone shakes her head sadly, and sits down to re-tape the cuts on her cheek and forearm. Then she attends to an even more recent toast-shaped burn on her elbow.
2010-02-12 18:30:57: calliaphone puts away her med-kit, and gets up, going over to her cart. From the top of the pile of stuff, she retrieves a badly broken toaster, all dented and bust up, with its cord ripped out.
2010-02-12 18:32:26: calliaphone cradles the toaster in her arms, and chitters softly to it. “Ok little buddy, let's see if we can't do something about you, huh?” her eyes mist over, and she has to pause for a minute.
2010-02-12 18:33:36: calliaphone grabs her pillowcase-of-tools, and sits down on the ground, to do a bit of surgery on the damaged appliance.
2010-02-12 18:36:29: Metallic g_rock steps out of the jungle, and spots a Callia on the ground. He stays out of her line of sight while he watches her work.
2010-02-12 18:36:49: calliaphone gets to work, wincing at the state of the poor thing, as she unscrews its battered casing. she opens it up, and looks inside. Ugh. What a mess. She blinks away a tear.
2010-02-12 18:37:57: calliaphone 's paper canary utters a soft chrrp of warning, but she's totally absorbed with her patient, and merely swats irritably at the air, not looking up.
2010-02-12 18:38:09: Metallic g_rock ratchets softly, a disgusted sigh. When will the girl learn not to try to fix things that are trying to kill her?
2010-02-12 18:39:50: calliaphone is a little overwhelmed by the scale of the damage this toaster exhibits. No wonder it was violent. She dashes away another tear with the back of her hand, and starts gently re-wiring the circuitry.
2010-02-12 18:41:35: calliaphone is not helped in her efforts by another large tear, which drops down onto the delicate wiring. “Damn!” sniiif. “That's notgonnahelp. Gotta be strong Callia.” She solders on.
2010-02-12 18:44:10: calliaphone grits her teeth, and tries to stop her hands from shaking. “C'mon little guy, you can make it, you know you can.” She epoxy-resins a crack in the case, and then starts fitting it back together.
2010-02-12 18:45:04: Metallic g_rock sees her finishing up her repairs and starts toward her
2010-02-12 18:45:45: calliaphone trims the ripped power cord, and threads it into place before re-securing the case. The toaster buzzes gently in her hands. She smiles with relief, and twiddles the last screws down securely.
2010-02-12 18:47:35: Metallic g_rock twitches, then smiles a little at Callia. She's always so compassionate with these things. It's sweet, if a bit misguided.
2010-02-12 18:47:43: calliaphone looks up at the sound of urgent chrrps from her canary. She sees G, and freezes. The toaster's buzzing gets more frantic.
2010-02-12 18:51:00: calliaphone glances back at the toaster, and frowns. It doesn't look exactly happy, and there's a bad smell of burning toast coming from within it. “Hey, fella- Ouchie! Hothot!” she drops it abruptly.
2010-02-12 18:59:03: Metallic g_rock pushes Callia out of the way as gently as he can, as the toaster leaps
2010-02-12 19:00:03: calliaphone says “hey!” still shaking her burnt fingers a bit. “G, be careful, he's sick, I think there's a wire crossed somewhere, i gotta fix him.”
2010-02-12 19:01:29: calliaphone stares as the toaster becomes airborne. “No, wait, stoppit!” she tries to grab for it, but misses. Two pieces of burning hot toast come flying out of the slots, aimed straight for G.
2010-02-12 19:01:45: calliaphone yells “G! LOOK OUT!”
2010-02-12 19:03:59: Metallic g_rock ducks, as the toast leaves scorchmarks across one shoulder “Alright, I'll try not to hurt it, but we need to stop it somehow!” he uses his cane to deflect another whole wheat barrage
2010-02-12 19:05:02: calliaphone nods. “You mustn't hurt it, promise me you won't. I know it's just a crossed wire or a loose connection or something I did wrong.” she flails for the cord, as the toaster prepares another volley.
2010-02-12 19:06:01: calliaphone briefly wonders where it's getting the bread, but is distracted by the cord, flailing back at her, trying to smack her in the face with the plug. “Arrgh, yikes! Stoppit, we're trying to help you!”
2010-02-12 19:10:33: calliaphone tries to cover her face with one hand, while grabbing for the toaster with the other. Another round of burning hot toast is launched with an unmusical PING
2010-02-12 19:11:00: Metallic g_rock ducks under more flaming bread and slides in close to the machine “I'll try!” he manages to knock the thing over on it's side, legs kicking like mad to try and right itself
2010-02-12 19:17:35: Metallic g_rock pins the thing down under his cane and turns to Callia “Listen I know you're trying to help it, but it's not just misunderstood. It'll kill yyyyyooooouuuu stupid girl!” he twitches
2010-02-12 19:19:21: calliaphone freezes in horror, half-turning to G. “oh no. nonono, G, you can't do this now, pleeease you're gonna hurt it, it doesn't mean any harm, it's just-” she grabs the cord. ZZAPP!
2010-02-12 19:20:48: calliaphone is jolted back several feet by the shock from the toaster's cord. She lands, dazed.
2010-02-12 19:22:45: calliaphone says, “nhrrghhhhh.”
2010-02-12 19:23:03: Metallic g_rock chuckles at Callia as she's knocked back by the shock “Here, let me take a whack at fixing it. More permanently.” he steps back and eyes the now helpless toaster, then swings his cane
2010-02-12 19:23:35: calliaphone says, “G! NO!”
2010-02-12 19:25:14: Metallic g_rock 's cane comes down in an overhead arc, handle end first. WIth a sickening CRUNCHSIZZLE, it embeds itself into the toaster's body. G's eyes flash, and it crumbles into individual components
2010-02-12 19:27:40: calliaphone chokes off a second plea, her face draining of colour. “Oh nonono, G, you didn't, you couldn't, i was gonna fix it, i had its confidence i did i did. . .”
2010-02-12 19:27:44: Metallic g_rock nods and removes his still-smoking cane from the pile of transistors, capacitors, and melted plastic, then grins at Callia “You're welcome.”
2010-02-12 19:28:44: calliaphone stares at G, and then at the toaster. “I was gonna. . .I was, I could've fixed it. . .” her eyes are filling up again.
2010-02-12 19:30:34: Metallic g_rock shakes his head with a chuckle “Yeah, you were gonna fix it. You had it's confidence. You had it confident it could kill you without trying.” he leans in close “IT. WAS. BAD.”
2010-02-12 19:32:22: Metallic g_rock locks eyes with her for a moment, then stands and walks toward the jungle, whistling, cane tapping out a bit of 'The Fixer' by Pearl Jam
2010-02-12 19:36:08: calliaphone stays on the floor, fists clenched, teeth chattering. She looks like she might shout after G, continue the argument. But then she catches sight of the toaster, and her own burns. And she deflates.
2010-02-12 19:37:58: calliaphone draws her knees in close, and hugs herself, burying her face in the top of her accordion.
2010-02-12 19:38:23: Metallic g_rock calls back over his shoulder as he leaves “And, seriously, toughen the fuck up! You're crying over kitchen appliances.”
2010-02-12 19:38:44: Metallic g_rock tips his cap and leaves.
2010-02-12 19:39:04: calliaphone sobs. and flips two fingers up at G as he departs.
2010-02-12 19:42:41: Kestrel walks in quickly, and absorbs the scene with startling speed. She kneels down next to Callia, and puts an arm around her shoulder, in a semi-hug.
2010-02-12 19:45:58: Kestrel attempts to, at least - the height difference makes it tricky.
2010-02-12 19:47:57: calliaphone leans on Kestrel, and sniiiifs, hiccups and generally makes snotty noises. “H-He, killed it, Kes.”
2010-02-12 19:49:50: Kestrel closes her eyes, anger flitting across her face. “It's. . . he's not in his right mind. That wasn't really him doing it - he wouldn't be that cruel.”
2010-02-12 19:56:19: Kestrel sighs. “Not that it makes it any easier to forgive him.” She notices Callia's burns, with an expression of alarm. “What happened here?”
2010-02-12 19:57:32: calliaphone sighs, and wipes her nose on the back of her hand. Where are her sleeves when she needs 'em? “Yeah, I know.” she says. She sees the remains of the toaster, and flinches.
2010-02-12 19:59:14: calliaphone glances at her burnt hands and elbow. She looks uncomfortable. “Toaster.” she says. “But i could've fixed it, I could've. . .” she doesn't sound like she's even convincing herself
2010-02-12 20:00:00: Kestrel pulls a mostly clean handkerchief from her bag, brushing off the attached dragon, and hands it over wordlessly.
2010-02-12 20:00:39: Kestrel blinks. “A toaster from the Jungle?” She glances down at the remains with sorrowful eyes.
2010-02-12 20:02:52: calliaphone blows her nose, noisily, into the hankie. WHOOOT. She hands it back. “Thank you, Kes. You're a good'un, i always knew it.”
2010-02-12 20:03:49: Kestrel accepts the handkerchief, folding it carefully before re-stashing it in a pocket. “Thanks.”
2010-02-12 20:03:58: calliaphone nods. “Yeh, one of those fucked-up ones that everyone's trying to kill all the time. Bloody killing.” she swears liberally under her breath for a while.
2010-02-12 20:06:19: calliaphone hugs Kes again, and gets up, a bit wobbly-like. “I should go, get some salve. . .” she makes a vague gesture, burns-ward, and turns to grab her cart.
2010-02-12 20:06:24: Kestrel thinks for a moment, relating this back to her protectiveness with gremlins. “Some people just don't understand, I don't think.”
2010-02-12 20:07:12: Kestrel stands up, vaguely irritated by the height difference. She cranes her neck to achieve eye contact. “I don't suppose. . .. has he told you what's wrong?”
2010-02-12 20:08:55: calliaphone shakes her head, and frowns, as her cart emits an alarming clank. “No. No he hasn't. I gotta admit, I'm at a loss, Kes.”
2010-02-12 20:10:15: calliaphone adds, “I don't think he knows, himself. But he's getting to be a menace.”
2010-02-12 20:12:06: calliaphone eyes the toaster's charred remains, and then averts her gaze. “I gotta go, Kes. Thanks for the hankie and the hug. I won't forget.”
2010-02-12 20:12:26: Kestrel nods slowly, and thoughtfully. “I'm sorry that you have to suffer because of him, callia. It wasn't ever your fault.”
2010-02-12 20:13:00: Kestrel nods again, concern clear on her face. “Make sure you get healed up properly. Good luck.”
2010-02-12 20:15:14: Kestrel dashes out to the Jungle, hearing a Fourth Wall monster calling her name.
2010-02-12 20:15:22: calliaphone raises a hand in salute, and starts tugging her cart across Pleasantville, towards the Bingo Hall. It shimmies awkwardly, along the way, and quietly shucks another wheelnut. Callia doesn't notice.
2010-02-12 20:34:48: Contender Chance finds a wheel nut in the street. He shrugs and picks it up and places it into his backpack. He might be able to sell it, or it might come in handy some day.
Bingo Hall
2010-02-12 21:27:59: Metallic g_rock feels an irresistable pull toward the Bingo hall, and stumbles in
2010-02-12 21:38:47: Metallic g_rock sits down to listen to the (very still and silent) Granpa Bernard
2010-02-12 21:42:02: Spandex ruffles g's hair as she walks past to raid the kitchen.
2010-02-12 21:44:02: Merlin has fulfilled her yelling quota for the decade and shall refrain from arguments in the near future. She and Bruce finish packing the food.”There are a few things in the fridge if you're hungry..“
2010-02-12 21:44:36: Metallic g_rock grumbles at Sx, nursing a toast-burned shoulder ” 'Lo, you.“
2010-02-12 21:50:50: Metallic g_rock unfolds a copy of the enquirer “Hmmph. You all seen this latest article in the classifieds? Houses for sale.”
2010-02-12 21:51:05: Spandex is in her usual pose: frozen in the fridgelight. She smiles at her clannies, but is fixated on cheeeeeese. “hiya G. Thanks Mer.”
2010-02-12 21:52:57: Merlin smiles. “You are very welcome. Now would anyone like Tea?” she looks around for her trusty and stalwart companion, the tea kettle, only it is nowhere to be found. “drat. . . must have packed it.
2010-02-12 21:54:02: Spandex finally comes to and grabs the quince jelly and manchego. She spreads one on t'other. “are we really moving? anyone know where to yet?”
2010-02-12 21:57:00: Merlin sighs, and fills a small saucepan with water, placing it on the stove. “It would seem so. Bernard is very insistent on it. ”
2010-02-12 21:57:04: Metallic g_rock shrugs, scratching behind his ear “Dunno, anywhere away from these little bastards2).”
2010-02-12 21:59:02: Spandex hopes the La Pavoni espresso machine's been packed.
2010-02-12 21:59:41: Spandex still has yet to see one flea. “house, G? We got halls, what we need house for?”
2010-02-12 22:02:06: Merlin brightens considerably “Houses? Oh that would be wonderful. . .”
2010-02-12 22:04:47: Metallic g_rock shrugs again, wincing at his shoulder “S'what it says. II realty, Opening Soon”
2010-02-12 22:11:22: Spandex looks carefully at G while eating cheese and jelly. “what happened to your shoulder, G? Monster got ya?”
2010-02-12 22:15:34: Spandex pauses and grips the counter for a moment, “do fleas hurt. . . will they. . . your library's not effected by fleas, is it Mer?”
2010-02-12 22:16:23: Metallic g_rock shakes his head “One of Callias goddamn charity cases. I handled it though.”
2010-02-12 22:17:11: Merlin turns quickly. “No, fleas don't care for non-living things. They'll be fine.” She nods and goes back to her pot of water, only to find that she packed all the tea bags. “Bother. . .”
2010-02-12 22:17:36: Spandex 's knuckles whiten, “which. charity. case?”
2010-02-12 22:18:03: Merlin pours the boiling water down the drain. ” How is Callia? I haven't seen her today.”
2010-02-12 22:20:03: Metallic g_rock shrugs “One of her fruity singing toasters. Thing was a fucking menace. And Mer, last i saw her, she was blubbering about my problem solving skills.”
2010-02-12 22:21:57: Spandex relaxes, mostly. “You know, G, you should stay out of the skronky pot and spend time with Emily. Your charm rating's in the shit-hole lately.”
2010-02-12 22:25:11: Metallic g_rock pfffts at Sx “Pffft! I wouldn't touch that slag with a ten foot pole from Sheila's. Might as well be the skronky pot.”
2010-02-12 22:26:59: Merlin frowns. “Well I hope she's alright.” She turns to G. “Dex is right, perhaps you should think a bit more before you speak. . . or act.”
2010-02-12 22:28:05: Spandex resembles that comment, so shuts her trap.
2010-02-12 22:30:41: Metallic g_rock rolls his eyes and snorts “Says the woman who packed up the kettle and teabags and then tried to make the tea. You mind your shit, I'll mind mine, yeah?” he stands
2010-02-12 22:32:18: Merlin glares at him. “No need to attack me. It was just a suggestion.”
2010-02-12 22:35:08: Metallic g_rock walks behind her and whispers in her ear “If I were attacking you, Merlin, you'd know. Or, at least, your next of kin would.” he walks off, slapping Sx on the butt as he passes
2010-02-12 22:35:17: Spandex hopes Mer suckerpunches him one.
2010-02-12 22:36:33: Spandex shakes her head, “someone is going to clock him one good soon.”
2010-02-12 22:36:42: Merlin eyes flash green.“ Be careful, G. Be very careful.”
2010-02-12 22:39:13: Spandex grins at Mer's anger, “you know, Mer. . . I believe rebellion and anger do have their place, but he's just randomly shitty.”
2010-02-12 22:40:51: Merlin takes a very deep breath, several in fact, and slowly colour returns to her face. “No one is cruel to my family, and he should know that.”
2010-02-12 22:42:18: Metallic g_rock looks Sx up and down “Your right, Mer. I oughta be more careful, dunno where she's been.” he walks out the IC door
2010-02-12 22:45:20: Spandex yells out after him, “you'll never EVER have to worry about that with me, you fucking rust-bucket”
2010-02-12 22:46:00: Merlin waits a moment, then starts after him, furious.
2010-02-12 22:47:38: Spandex fuckfuckfucks , grabs her weapon, and follows.
Improbable Central
2010-02-12 22:47:29: Metallic g_rock strides out of the Bingo hall and peruses the windows at Shiela's
2010-02-12 22:49:46: Merlin bursts out of the door and heads toward G, eyes burning. “You listen hear. NEVER, speak to anyone like that again. Do you understand? Or you are out of this clan. I swear to you.”
2010-02-12 22:55:47: Metallic g_rock chuckles at Merlin “Whats the matter, Mer? Feeling left out? If yooooouuuuuaaalright Merlin? You look. . .Oh. . .did I. . .?” he leaves the question unasked and looks dejected
2010-02-12 22:57:32: Spandex stands in the doorway. Hands working her axe handle. She. is. seething.
2010-02-12 22:57:33: Metallic g_rock stammers out “Look, I'm sorry! I don't know what's wrong, what's happening! I would never. . .never hurt anyone I care about.” he falters, hoping it's the truth
2010-02-12 22:59:34: Spandex spits at him, “you lie. you already have.”
2010-02-12 22:59:56: Merlin controls the urge to throttle him. She takes a deep breath “I would like to believe you, but other things tell me not to.What should I do, G? let you stay, knowing you might really hurt someone?”
2010-02-12 23:01:09: Apparent Magician Kestrel is watching from the Outpost gate, ready to intervene if there's violence, but not wanting to be involved in the politics.
2010-02-12 23:05:28: Metallic g_rock sinks to a seated position on the ground “I. . .I don't know. I can't tell you what to do, all I can say is that I know. . .I Know. . .I wouldn't hurt anyone in the clan. Do what you must.”
2010-02-12 23:09:09: Spandex reels a bit from old memories, “god I hate liars. they're so manipulative.”
2010-02-12 23:10:03: Merlin kneels down beside him, placing a hand gingerly on his shoulder. “There are a lot of ways to hurt people, G, it isn't all physical. How do you think we feel, seeing you like this?”
2010-02-12 23:10:54: Metallic g_rock looks up at Dex, then, and a look of pain crosses his face as faint memories resurface “Shit. I don't know anymore. Maybe it'd be better if I wasn't around.”
2010-02-12 23:12:00: Merlin she sighs. “You have been hurting a lot of people. And whether you remember it or not, it's still a part of you.” She stands. “But I will not give up, because I would like the G I knew back.”
2010-02-12 23:13:22: Spandex is barely containing a monster-sized rage, so she slips back into halls before she gets herself thrown out of GERM.
2010-02-12 23:15:58: Metallic g_rock passes his sleeve across his eyes, the cloth coming away wet “I don't know that you should. I. . .Spandex. . .” his head slumps to his knees
2010-02-12 23:17:52: Merlin watches Dex leave, and turns back to G. “I do not give up. Ever. But you need to make the choice. You can stay or you can leave. But, if you stay there are a few rules you'll need to abide by.”
2010-02-12 23:20:59: Metallic g_rock nods
2010-02-12 23:21:08: Merlin takes a breath. “ For now, I would advise you to stay away from Callia, or all other members of the clan unless there is more than one of us present. For all our safety's sake.”
2010-02-12 23:21:53: Metallic g_rock nods again, pitifully, soggily
2010-02-12 23:24:02: Merlin continues. “ And I would also like you to write up as much as you can remember on what has been going on. . . perhaps that will help us to know what we can do. . .”
2010-02-12 23:26:10: Metallic g_rock nods again, more slowly, and mumbles “I. . .can try. . .”
2010-02-12 23:28:52: Merlin looks down on him. “And perhaps, it would be better for you to find another place to stay for the night. Just for now. . ..”
2010-02-12 23:30:27: Metallic g_rock nods again, glancing longingly at the magnificent dome peeking over the rooftops
2010-02-12 23:33:46: Merlin shakes her head. “I'm sorry for this, but I think it will be best for the clan. But we are not giving up on you G” she holds out a hand. “ Now, come on, I'll help you up.”
2010-02-12 23:34:16: Metallic g_rock sighs deeply, drying his eys, and goes to stand “I'll do my best to abide by these things.”
2010-02-12 23:35:37: Metallic g_rock takes Merlin's hand and stands, dusting himself off
2010-02-12 23:36:45: Apparent Magician Kestrel throws a frightened look to the typo gremlin hiding behind her legs, and shakes her head. Now is a bad time to have a bored gremlin around.
2010-02-12 23:37:56: Merlin nods. “ That's all I ask, G.”
2010-02-12 23:39:43: Metallic g_rock nods, steeling himself. He sees Kes, but doesn't meet her eyes.
2010-02-12 23:43:24: Apparent Magician Kestrel nods to both of them, but doesn't yet speak, or leave.
2010-02-12 23:43:46: Metallic g_rock starts toward the grounds. “I'll camp out somewhere I can't physically harm anyone, at least. Apologize to Dex for me. . .again.” he mumbles this last bit.
2010-02-12 23:45:38: Merlin gives G a small smile. “ I will be sure to do that. And if you need anything, just ask. I'm here to help, ok?” She smiles in greeting to the other woman and turns to head into the hall.“
2010-02-12 23:46:54: Apparent Magician Kestrel silently slips out again, typo gremlin following in her footsteps.
2010-02-12 23:48:14: Merlin looks back at the entrance. “Try to remember, G rock. Please. . .” she looks to the ground, before slipping back into the hall.
2010-02-12 23:50:28: Metallic g_rock nods and tips his hat. He doesn't say out loud that remembering isn't the problem. It's control.
(return to Chapter Index)