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Vriska took in all this information with a few nods of her head, her hand holding her chin in great contemplation. They had a good deal of information but now they had to utilize it effectively.
The captain cursed under her breath, then clapped her hands together in an epiphany, "Vantas! Do you know if Gamzee still has any of those shrinking mushrooms?"
Kanaya furrowed her brows, "Whatever would we need shrinking mushrooms for at a time like this?"
"Those tunnels are dark, the only means of even looking around down there are with torches. Unless the people walking to-and-fro those tunnels are keeping torches directly at the ground, no one would see us." She grinned, all sharp teeth and smugness, "Think about it - we'd be hiding in plain sight! No one suspects a few trolls only a couple inches high. They'd suspect us for rats before anything else."
"I see," It seemed like a good idea to Tavros, who was anxious to get moving so they could save Gamzee. But the risk was high; if someone /did/ find them, somehow, then their punishments would be much worse the second time around, and he wasn't sure if they could get a lucky bailout again. "I think we should have an alternative, escape route as well. Using the same kinds of tunnels, back and forth, is an easy way to get caught by the enemy."
2016-12-14 23:33:45 -
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Karkat furrowed his brow and thought hard for a moment, trying to remember what seemed like ages ago. "I'm not sure. The last time he had them out was in Rial. He wanted to sell some to get money for some things he wanted... both for us and the orphanage. I don't remember if he kept any for himself or not. We could check his bag." The cherryblood was a little doubtful there would be much, recalling their conversation that day. Gamzee had seemed a little down about the fungi. 'Don't seem much use to all us out here like they was back in Tulgey. Maybe they's the cluckbeast shit way of doin' shit, huh?' he'd chuckled. But Gamzee did have a habit of being unexpectedly prepared, so maybe he'd saved a few just in case.
Eridan had been thinking about what Tavros had said about using the same pathways. "Maybe canals..." he muttered to himself, "or air vents!" He spoke up with the idea. "If we would be small, we could much easier fit into snug places. And some place underground would have to have a way to pump fresh air and water around. If we could find the access ways from the outside or early on from a different route, we could use the vents or pipes to our advantage. Waterways would be a last resort for the rest of you, though."
"That would work," the stockier troll said. "It would be likely to keep those along the tunnel routes, and in more illuminated places we could go through without being seen... However finding any actual rodents might be a problem unless Tavros goes."
2016-12-17 23:00:57 -
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"We needn't stick to illuminated places," Kanaya piped up, elegantly channeling her own luminescent body thanks to her status as a rainbowdrinker, "My own power is much easier to control than some torch."
Vriska grinned, seeing their plan come together, "Excellent! We'll stick to airways, Tavros will keep open his mental links for rats and such, and Kanaya will come along for illumination. It may be too dangerous for us to /all/ go," She began thoughtfully, "Karkat, I am sure you'll want to go, too. But I'm a bit wary of all of us traversing those tunnels. One wrong move on our part and we're captured and not any closer to rescuing Gamzee."
"Just a product of being short on manpower," Sollux grumbled. Even though they were technically sponsored by Rial at the moment, and their sister cities, it wasn't like cities had manpower. They didn't have trained professionals or anything of the sort to provide any kind of protection. Although there were policetrolls, they weren't exactly equipped for this sort of action. At least nearly everyone in the Alice group had some kind of innate power that gave them an edge over a normal troll. Mostly, though, the battles were tipped easily out their favor and just having a couple more trolls to get captured wasn't going to help.
The few lessons on fighting and defense probably wasn't going to help a whole lot, either. This really was the sort of thing that needed a few people, but those few people had to be fast and strong. Vriska frowned a little - they had to get all the kinks out of this plan before they could execute it, otherwise it would end in disaster.
"Alright," She paced some, "Vantas, you ought to go searching for those 'shrooms. Maryam, we're going to need all black clothing, nothing fancy; and when I say all, I mean /all/ of us. This sneaking around isn't going to be reserved for just this one time."
"What is the best way to divide us?" Tavros asked, looking worried.
"I'll attend," Vriska decided, "It will be me, you, Vantas, and Maryam. I can use my manipulation and hopefully, my luck will give us an advantage. Captor and Ampora can keep watch by whatever entrance we find to ensure a clean getaway. We really ought to try to find a Plan B, C, and D entrance and exit just in case."
2016-12-21 03:42:31 -
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The mutant was uncharacteristically quiet. While their captain talked he listened and nodded with a grim expression on his face. He didn't agree with his participation but didn't feel up to openly disagreeing. Of course he wanted to go; of course he wanted to take a more active part in rescuing Gamzee! But logistically it didn't make sense. Either Sollux or Eridan made far more sense, since they had powers and battle training consecutively. All he could do was read really old writing and he knew the maps. Vriska could take over the latter since she was a sea captain, and Tavros could easily do anything involving getting Gamzee to recognize them if their indigo companion was mentally compromised. There probably wouldn't be much ancient script in the tunnels, anyways.
Across the circle Eridan mused on their proposed plan. "Some easily transportable form of communication would make me feel better about being separated. Otherwise we'll be standing outside an entrance until they catch us or you come and get us if you either get captured in the worst case or have to take a different exit. We might also want to look into the possibility of their being other people we can get in touch with to join us quickly to give us some better odds. Possibly some especially sympathetic people from the Zodiac... or far more unlikely someone that his lusus might have known? From what I know from Gamzee and his grandmother she got his dad out somehow. And Kanaya and I did meet some more experienced sailors today... maybe they know a more covert way to get close to the capital?" The seadweller felt like he was pulling at straws. "I'm shootin' in the dark here, Vris, but we might want to try some of that."
2017-01-15 21:50:54 -
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"Hmm," She furrowed her brows, "We need more manpower. There's just no way around it. I need a strong, fast team to get in and out of there, but I also need support on the outside; Ampora, Maryam, new job - get some more info out of those sailors. You've gotta go into town tomorrow to pick up our supplies, anyway, so get to talkin'. Vantas, new plan for you," She looked over at him, "I know how much Gamzee means to you, and how your relationship means something different than to the rest of us, which is why I wanted you to come with us, be more active in his rescue. However," She shrugged, "It might not be necessarily...efficient. It's up to you. Either way, it's best if me, Maryam, and Nitram all go into the tunnels." She'd take Eridan or Sollux, but Sollux's power was incredible but not really precise, and Eridan's fighting was excellent but she would need somebody on the outside to keep their tunnel safe.
"Captor," She nodded at him, "You and Vantas get into contact with Zodiac and request some help. Rial's too far and likely won't resort to serious violence, and we're going to need. Our shots are to kill around here, not incapacitate. The hope is that we can get some ground support here in Fouville from the sailors if need be, Zodiac accompanies us for extra hands in the tunnels and on the ship, and we grab Gamzee and get the hell outta there. More people means its harder to keep track of us all and a higher chance of getting Gamzee out."
Vriska put her hands on her hips, "Just so everybody's clear: Ampora and Maryam are going tomorrow to talk to the sailors and gather our supplies. Vantas and Captor are going to get into contact with Zodiac and request some of their best agents: no more than ten, but no less than two. They /have/ to be able to protect themselves if they're alone, there's no budging on that. Alice, you and I are going to construct plans in accordance to those maps Captor and Vantas figured out. I want as many routes as possible so that if in the case we have to split up, we all know where we're going. One of you, either Alice or Vantas, find those mushrooms if they're here. Everybody understand?"
There was a chorus of affirmatives and people moving to get started on whatever their task was. In times of crises like these, Vriska definitely knew how to delegate tasks and be the solid leader that people needed.
2017-05-11 01:02:50 -
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Karkat nodded in acceptance of the new orders. He decided he wouldn’t go with them and could find a better way to be useful. Maybe he could learn enough about the ship to keep it ready for sudden departure so that Eridan and Vriska could concentrate on defense if something happened, since he was not much use in that regard. After all, Tavros could probably handle any sort of quadrant duties that might be necessary… Of course he cared about Gamzee, but forcing them to let him along with them for selfish reasons could possibly get his 'palebro' in more trouble. And from what he suspected was happening to Gamzee, Karkat suspected there wasn't much worse they could do.
For now, he’d concentrate on writing to find some immediate help for their rescue mission. The cherryblood thought a few would be more likely to get a response, but without knowing anywhere aside from Rial where their missive could definitely be picked up by the right people with little chance of interception, Karkat didn’t think the extra effort would be worth it. If Sollux remembered any other places there would likely be Zodiac members they could send letters there too, but they would need to be careful to avoid having them be intercepted.
Remembering their talk earlier, Eridan was quick to point out that their most friendly new acquaintance would be delivering their purchases at first light tomorrow. “She did say she’d be along with a wagon before we were supposed to leave. You could talk to her yourself, Vris. She’s got seafaring experience, so I think they’d be good compatriots if they’d be willing to join up.” It would be dangerous, he knew, but they needed the help and they were the most capable and friendly trolls they’d met that were close by enough to definitely offer help in time. Then again, he wasn’t positive they would agree… they had only just met, and had seemed content to settle into a quieter life than the one depicted in the stories he’d heard from them.
2017-05-17 22:23:38 -
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"We'll talk it over tomorrow morning," Vriska decided. And once tomorrow morning came around, at dawn, Vriska was already awake and ready to go.
She hadn't wanted to waste any time, and if that meant waking up incredibly early, even if she didn't really want to, then so be it. She and Tavros had figured out some routes for the tunnels via the maps, though it was clear that if they wanted a successful mission, they were going to have to bring the map with them, and use Tavros as a means to lead them in and out.
That morning, a woman no older than twelve sweeps clutched a notebook in her hands. She'd been a part of Zodiac for a little less than a sweep, and she was no entirely confident in her abilities. In fact, the redblood was certain that if any of Alice saw her, they'd think her to be a spy for the Queen. That was not the case at all! She just happened to be smart enough to know that injustice to any was not to be tolerated, and she tried to keep herself as separated from Starnette as possible. Besides, she originated in the West, not the East; in the West, most everyone was on a more equal playing field than the East's way of doing things.
Niliel stared down at her notebook, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, which was decorated in silver earrings and cuffs. She pursed her red lips, then walked up the dock and onto the ship of the infamous Mindfang.
"I- Hello?" Unlike other ships, there was no crew teeming on the deck. Instead, she found it vastly empty, and was suddenly met with a yellowblood. Taken aback by another aristocratic-blooded troll, Niliel clutched her notebook to her chest, "Uh- Yes, hello! I am Niliel Mawcou, and-"
"What are you doing on this ship?" Sollux deadpanned, looking her over. She was a girl of around Karkat's height, it seemed, outfitted in some airy, beach-oriented clothing of various colors. Her long skirt was blue and pink with a golden band at the hip and hem, while her shirt, a tube top, was a deep maroon red that was similar to her eye color. Around her neck, a white ribbon, while her hair, curly and disheveled, was pulled into a ponytail that left out her bangs.
"I-I'm with Zodiac," She whispered, hoping not to give her position away, "I have some information for you."
"We haven't sent for Zodiac," Sollux hissed, knowing that he'd drafted the letters with Karkat yesterday but hadn't figured out how to send them safest, "Who are you /really/, redblood?"
2017-05-23 22:32:57 -
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Unlike Vriska, Karkat had not intended to wake up before the light of day. Much to his chagrin sleeping didn’t appear to be an option for the over worried and insomniac troll. So after some meaningless laying around he got up as quietly as possible so he wouldn’t wake Tavros.
For a few moments he was torn about Gamzee’s bag. It felt like if he went snooping it meant that he really was taken from them and wouldn’t magically appear back on the ship. He knew it was stupid to feel that way since opening his bag wouldn’t make a lick of difference, and eventually logic won out. Gamzee’s bag was somewhat haphazardly organized, but with the separated bags it was easy enough to find the few remaining fungi left. There were more healing mushrooms than the size changing ones, but there were enough for their purposes. Underneath the fungi the two books Gamzee had brought were carefully packed, and on an impulse Karkat took them out. Reading the adventurer's recipe book would be a good way to pass the morning, and he was curious what ones his moirail's father had left him. As quietly as he could he left the room to sit at the kitchen table and read while brewing some tea.
Above deck, Eridan had been somewhat anxiously awaiting their deliveries. It wasn’t that he wanted to see her all that badly but he couldn’t help thinking she would prove a valuable ally, and possibly they could all turn out to be good friends. A stranger he didn’t know barging onto their ship took precedence to his thoughts, especially one so warmblooded. The seadweller approached the minor confrontation Sollux was having from the side, deciding to listen before demanding the intruder get off the ship.
“Could be the nosy people are keeping tabs,” Eridan supposed aloud. “But if you are from where you say you should have something to prove it, shouldn’t you?” Last time they had to meet someone in a possibly dangerous location there had been codes and passwords they had used. Eridan suspected something similar or a reference to some secret they would all understand. It would be unprofessional for such an organized group to let their people wander about as they pleased without orders. Certainly it didn't look good from a strategic standpoint.
As the sun washed the deck with early morning light, their purple delivery troll wandered into view on the docks. The wagon and large bag were filled with the Alice group's supplies and a few complimentary extras the trio had added in, but it gave her no trouble. Once she'd reached the ship, she hailed in formal greeting before lifting the wagon and walking up the gangplank. The slatted board groaned beneath the weight but held, and once she was deckside she set the wagon down. Eilidh was surprised by the activity on deck; she had expected a diverse crew (Vovone had filled her in on his conversation with the jadeblood) but an argument this early came as a surprise. Had she seen that redblood before? "Ah, is this a bad time?" the burly purple asked, directing her question toward the familiar seadweller.
"Oh! No, um, the galley is this way if you wouldn't mind carrying that a little further." Eridan had been surprised by her sudden appearance, since he had assumed the greeting was for a different ship. While he knew Sollux was perfectly capable of handling their strange guest on his own, the seadweller didn't want to miss out on anything important. So when he saw Karkat doing what equated to nothing in the kitchen he was quick to delegate. "Hey Kar, show Eilidh were things go, would you?" and once she had come down with the wagon he was quick to scoot around her with a wave and jog back on deck.
2017-05-24 02:57:02 -
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"Yes!" Niliel exclaimed, taking a step back from Sollux's approaching one, "Y-you all, the Alice group, have met my commanding officer before!"
"Sure we have," Sollux mocked, "And I've got three heads and can breathe fire, since we're lying here."
While Eridan was below in the kitchen, their interaction went on like that for a while longer before Eridan had returned. The redblooded young woman seemed entirely frightened, and she stammered through all of her responses to Sollux. The yellowblood was clearly using her fear as means to intimidate her more.
"Y-You met Equius!" She blurted, "Equius Zahhak. He sent me here to request your help. His moirail, Nepeta Leijon, has been kidnapped. You met Equius in the port city Rial. He needs your help," Niliel said, her voice growing soft, "He is a mess without her. And she's probably scared, or maybe hurt. We have an idea as to where she might be, but we were wondering if you all had a better insight into some other information we might find useful. Even small bits help a lot."
2017-05-28 22:50:38 -
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"Geez, Sol. You're real terrifying when you wanna be, eh?" Eridan did not mean that as a compliment. He was actually a little annoyed the yellowblood was being so aggressive, since the girl didn't seem to mean any harm. If she was a spy he thought being nice could also throw them off. Not nice enough to tell her what they were planning, of course, but Eridan wanted to get as much information out of her as possible, and if she was too frightened she might clam up.
Then again, maybe they could play good cop/bad cop? The seadweller was surprised he was the good cop in that case. Personally he would have pegged himself as the antagonist. "We did meet that guy, Sol. Tall, long hair, glasses... kinda weird. I do think it is strange that they would request our help. We're a small group, what could we know any more about than the Zodiac?" Eridan sighed dramatically, acting like that very well may have been true.
"After all, someone being kidnapped isn't much to go on. You have a notebook... are there any other details you can share with us? I've swam over a great deal of the sea, maybe I'll recognize something." Eridan didn't find comfort in the parallel of her story of Nepeta's kidnapping with that of Gamzee. If she was a spy, she might have used that to garner their sympathy or simply to shove it in their faces that one of their members had been taken from them. So while he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, he was suspicious.
2017-05-29 00:15:39 -
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"W-Well- I mean," Niliel faltered. She had no idea that this would be so difficult; when Equius sent her out to talk to them, she had assumed they would be friendly towards her, because they were allies. She now knew that that had been foolish to think, considering these people were essentially creating an uprising. Alice's whole goal was to dismantle the blood hierarchy, and Niliel had simply waltzed into their base of operations.
"M-My commanding officer has been keeping tabs on the carapacians and whatever humans he learns about," She started, handing her notebook over to Eridan, who seemed more trustworthy than the irritable Sollux, "And we've been trying to, er. Intercept them before they do any kidnapping. They tend to cluster at port towns like this, so we were at one sixty miles to the north, but when Equius and Nepeta were out trying to gather more information, an unknown group captured Nepeta. Even with his best efforts, he couldn't get her back." She frowned, "That was two weeks ago. Then two more similar incidents happened at an island city, and now here, too. He thinks they're all related and since the Alice group was in a town that has been stolen from before, he thought it might be good to ask you..." She looked down at her feet, "We think it has something to do with battles."
2017-12-03 17:15:20 -
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Eridan sighed heavily as he looked through the notebook, showing a few choice entries to Sollux. "Okay, I can believe you're with Zodiac. Were you there when she got kidnapped? Do you know what the ship's flag looked like?" He was banking on it being one of the four 'suits', but who knew how far the reach of the Queen extended. "Her information does match what we already know," the seadweller mumbled in Sollux's direction.
Without any way to communicate a lot with Sollux without giving any excess information to their possible ally, Eridan was at a bit of a loss. He didn't want to decide to trust her for the whole group, but she did have a lot more details in her book about the carapacians and humans than the Alice group had on hand. If he wanted to be really paranoid, he could excuse her easily handing it over as being false information, but he had been trying to be more hopeful since joining the Alice group. "Your thoughts, Captor?"
2017-12-04 23:17:39 -
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"It's a carapacian ship," She explained swiftly, "So the flag always has a black background with some sort of red and blue symbol but I wasn't there and that information only comes from witness testimonies." In the notebook, there were sketches of what the flag could potentially look like. Sollux peered at the entries Eridan showed him, beginning to believe this girl but not totally convinced just yet.
By now, the remaining Alice members had come to the surface, all wondering what the commotion was. Niliel, her eyes wide in fright, assumed that these people would likely try to boot her off the ship. Vriska seemed less than pleased when she saw her, but she was always apprehensive around aristocratic bloods like her. Niliel knew what her blood meant elsewhere, even if she had grown up more with the thought that she was equal to others. Kanaya spied her and the two locked eyes for a moment, Kanaya inclining her head in greeting. A soft breeze rustled Niliel's thick hair, smaller strands tangling against her curled horns, as just a second or two of silence passed.
She saw Tavros, and stiffened, then immediately bowed at the waist. "Um, I- i-it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Alice!" A red blush bloomed on her cheeks, and Tavros, a bit bewildered by her formality, quickly replied, "Thank you...you do not have to bow to me. I'm not nearly as special as you think I am."
She raised her head and returned to her standing position, and Tavros came forward, looking to Sollux, "Who is this?"
"A proclaimed member of Zodiac," He replied smoothly, "I don't know her rank. She said her name is Niliel Mawcou."
"I'm just a runner, and investigator," She added quickly, "Equius is my superior officer and his moirail, Nepeta, was kidnapped! So many kidnappings for these dastardly underground battles are happening, and even though we were getting close to stopping some of them, Nepeta was still stolen away from us. We thought you all might be able to help us..."
"Sure," Tavros smiled, "We'll help. We have something of a similar circumstance."
"R-really?" Niliel felt tears rise in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them, "I didn't think you trusted me..!"
"I do not exactly trust you, but I do have a good, feeling about you," Tavros met Vriska's glare with a pat to her arm. The blue blood was not pleased, "She's done nothing to cement /my/ trust. How do we know she's truly with Zodiac?"
Tavros played with his hair, a bit bashful, "We can't know for sure. But it does seem a bit strange to, make this up story about Nepeta's kidnapping, because the end goal is muddied. Would it be to destroy us, someplace? Give some unknown group our whereabouts? There are risks to anything, but we haven't any outstanding information, about Gamzee. Her leads might prove helpful to us, and Zodiac are our allies, after all."
2017-12-29 15:40:14 -
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Eridan may have been quick to offer a mild form of trust, but he didn't have Karkat's particular brand of paranoia. At the moment he was struggling with not flipping his shit because there was some uppity red blood on their deck who could see them all and knew who they were. The cherry kept himself together for the sake of everyone else, reasoning away his misgivings as personal history toying with his current emotional state.
Their leader was right; they didn't have much information about Gamzee's whereabouts or what was going on with him that wasn't based on old paperwork or rumors. What they needed was something solid to go off of so they could prepare for what they were heading into. As outmatched as they were destined to be anything might help. Trusting this new troll might assist them greatly, and surely the Queen's forces already knew what they could be planning if the ships pilfering trolls were under her influence. He went forward to stand near Tavros and talk to their surprise guest.
"Carapacians...presumably one of the same group that took Gamzee traveling along the coast. We think we know where the ships are taking trolls, and we'll need all the help we can get to get them out of there. The only reason we're really suspicious is because we haven't sent our letters yet," he glanced around at the rest of the crew, grouchy as ever and daring questions, "if we had this wouldn't come as much of a surprise. The area is dangerous and known to be traveled by slaver ships. I'm baffled they didn't take Equius. He seems like more their type than an olive. Is she a good fighter?" Karkat asked, trying to piece together what they could want with the greenblooded troll he knew almost nothing about when compared with the astonishingly muscular blueblood.
In the background behind the crew of the ship Eilidh listened with an ever deepening frown. This sounded all too familiar to events in her youth. "Damn bitch got the gladiator battles up and running again.." she mumbled, punching the meat of one arm with a snarl. "Too much lost dismantling the games the first time; y'all got your work cut out for you, I'd wager. It took half an army and the knights away from home just to get us motherfuckers out then." She wanted to offer to go with them but one touch to the mark behind her ear staid her voice. Vovone wouldn't like it and would be very hard to convince, no matter how much he understood the importance. "If I can I'll help you."
Eridan shot her a small smile and turned back to Tavros. "What's next, Tav? How do we wanna go about this; do you have any Alice sense on how to proceed?"
2017-12-30 20:12:50 -
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"Word travels fast," Kanaya pointed out, "In small places like this, it would be easy for the locals to notice someone new, and our group's likeness is plastered everywhere. Not to mention, we were in Rial prior to coming here. It is more than likely that the news of our movements spread through the area easily with sailors and such." It made sense that Zodiac knew of their whereabouts so quickly, even if they hadn't sent the letters yet to them formally. Kanaya's words helped assuage some of Sollux's worries, his moirail's logic making it easier for him to look at Niliel less as a potential threat and more like an ally, though it was reluctant.
Niliel nodded curtly, "Nepeta is a hunter by trade, a skilled one, at that, and she was raised by a gigantic cat lusus. Fighting and drawing blood is, well. In her genes. The determination to survive is not unknown to her, as kind and optimistic as she can be."
"I see," Vriska ran her fingers through her hair idly, "They didn't take Equius because Nepeta was a better looking specimen for them, and probably easier to constrain due to her size."
With the question on him, Tavros perked up a bit, then furrowed his brows, "My immediate, concern, is gathering as much information about these gladiator battles as possible." He looked up, "Eilidh, we would never ask you to become too involved. Still, um. You seem to know about this on a more personal level, so, if you would not mind giving us something more detailed about these battles, that would be ideal."
"At the same time," Sollux interjected, "We should still send for Zodiac and request some manpower, and with Niliel here, we can expedite the process. I don't suppose they'll find it easy to reject when one of their own is stuck in that hellhole, too."
2018-01-02 05:52:26 -
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The mutant blood accepted Niliel's explanation easily. A troll like Equius who knew how to throw his strength around would be very difficult to hold. Gamzee was probably only easy for them because of his peaceful ways... if he was actually as strong as his blood type suggested at all. Karkat hoped that this Nepeta might find Gamzee and realize who he was; maybe they could look out for one another if at all possible.
"Agreed," Karkat seconded Sollux's suggestion. "Maybe we should have Equius meet us here or pick him up, too. If he's not doing well without her and can help us out... if Zodiac doesn't need him for something more pressing, of course." It might be easier to focus on a goal that would help him get his moirail back.
The big troll half smiled at Tavros. He was a cute little copper and his determination reminded her of her moirail. "I wanna get deep in your shit, little bro, but my diamond would have a fit if I went marching off to that place. It's liable to kill a motherfucker unless they tough up and get violent right quick. That little sister you talked about should keep her head no problem if she's used to taking care of herself. That's why they took me there, though I was a helluva lot younger than any of you lot; only a few sweeps if I remember correctly." Eilidh rolled her eyes back in an attempt to remember back that far. It wasn't exactly a time she thought about voluntarily.
"Carapacians live a long time; wouldn't surprise me if it was the same fuckers back then as now, though my hatchmate and I weren't on one of the four flagships anyways. Wrigglers don't rate the big guns, after all. Once we were in the pit they had us little motherfuckers training," finger quotes and an eye roll accompanied the word training, "and they'd send us in little battles to warm people up before the real badasses got their turn. We usually came back to the cells but the adults didn't always. If those little maps of yours got the right tunnels I can probably help you out with those some with what used to be there. She might have rebuilt a little different to be more secure after the break out."
Eilidh blushed suddenly and played with a strand of hair, "Sorry I'm just rambling here; you got any more specific questions I could try answering, Alice-bro?"
2018-01-03 01:09:54 -
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His bloodpusher was aching; Eilidh reminded him so much of Gamzee. What was worse, she had first hand experience with the gladiator battles and tunnels, and his deep desire to protect all trolls made his chest yearn to keep her safe, even if she had a moirail already. The common want to keep every troll healthy and safe was what fueled Tavros to this journey to begin with, but he knew simply wanting something was not the same as obtaining it.
"No, please, don't worry. Any information, is better than what we had before," Tavros assured, trying to smile at her encouragingly, "Please, help us with the map. We want to, be as efficient as possible when we go. And if you know anything about, what those carapacians look like, it may help us in our letters to request help, from Zodiac." Not to mention Aradia, who Vriska still wanted to get the assistance of. With one hundred men from her that could help man the ship, as well as storm the battleground, and whoever Zodiac sent to assist the Alice group, they may stand a chance against their enemies.
"I can get Equius here!" Niliel promised, wanting to be helpful, "And some weaponry and manpower, too. He's been in shambles since her kidnapping. It wouldn't be difficult to get more resources during such an emergency."
2018-01-03 01:20:55 -
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"That would be wonderful, Niliel," Eridan said, attempting friendliness with their new ally. "I'm sure he'll find more than enough sympathy here; and more importantly a common goal to strive for."
A commotion down the docks towards town distracted Eilidh's attention for a second, but she was quick to respond. "Ai, no problem. I know at least what the main for buggers look like; the rest of them didn't have much reason to check in and gloat," she huffed. "Y'know, Fins, they're one of the reasons I became a pirate in the first place. I always wanted to take a crack at one of their ships!" she grinned at Eridan with too many teeth.
"I'll head down with this little motherfucker and get those maps sorted, eh?" she ruffled Karkat's hair as if she was an obnoxiously over affectionate lusus. He didn't appreciate it much and fluffed his hair with a scowl when her back was turned. "I'll doodle the Heads, too." Eilidh fully intended to show herself into the gully and get about business, and was half way down the stairs by the time the noise on the docks got closer to them.
"What the glub is going on?" Eridan muttered, traipsing to the side of their ship. It seemed one very determined and pregnant troll was rushing as fast as she could towards the ships docked around them, anxiously scanning the decks behind dark glasses. Shiny marks of tears glittered on her brightly tinged cheeks in the sunlight as she twisted back and forth. She was breathing far too hard to attempt shouting, though she tried anyways. Two other trolls rushed after her, though they held no weapons and looked more worried than angry. One of her pursuers was Vovone, the other was a jadeblood Eridan hadn't seen before. The brown blood wasn't in shouting distance quite yet, so Eridan didn't attempt hailing the trio, though the frantic troll was only twenty feet away.
2018-01-03 01:45:36 -
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As the chaos got closer, Kanaya, Tavros, Vriska, and Niliel all rushed towards the other side of the ship to see what was happening. Tavros had a strange, unidentifiable feeling, which had been happening to him often as of late. Sollux was ready to move away and stay uninvolved, but Kanaya recognized Vovone rather quickly, and was surprised herself to see a jadeblood.
"We ought to help," Was Tavros' first words, and he began to move towards the long ramp that led to the dock. Vriska yanked him by his collar, "Back off, Alice. You are much too small to provide the physical help this likely requires," He huffed at her and she pinched his cheek in retaliation. Pressing her hand on her sword's hilt, she looked at Eridan and trotted down the ramp, "Come along, Marchie."
"I'm not too small," Tavros grumbled, and Kanaya, warmed by their display of pale affection, could only lay her head on Sollux's shoulder and try not to alert the brownblood of her feelings. She replied to him, "Vriska is only trying to keep you safe. She's stronger than you, and much more capable with a weapon."
Tavros eyed Kanaya, interested in her sudden interjection, then looked at the running trolls again, "I am greatly concerned by this..."
"We know one of these trolls," Kanaya said, "One is Vovone and assisted Eridan and I with our supplies."
"Do you think it wise to get involved with this?" Sollux questioned to Tavros, "We needn't get caught up in every instance of strangeness we see."
"I think it's the right thing to do," Tavros murmured, his hand splayed over his chest. His words seemed to placate the yellowblood for now; his feelings had never been wrong before.
2018-01-03 01:58:52 -
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For a moment Karkat hesitated at the top of the stairs, but with so many of them above deck he thought there was enough trollish intervention for the commotion.
Eridan fell in step with Vriska with practiced ease. "I don't know two of them, but the brown is the shopkeeper," he informed Vriska on their way dockside. "He's friendly so I don't think we have to expect trouble." He found her readiness amusing none the less and it showed in his light tone.
As they neared, the troll in the lead approached them without the proper caution. She was beyond that in her panic. "Please--have you seen--a big indigo woman?" she puffed, one hand on her side and the other on her belly as she gasped for air. "Lots of tattoos-- and hair. I have to talk to her!" she pleaded, fresh tears streaking down her rounded cheeks. The tracks left gaps in the grey make-up she'd haphazardly applied, and her short hair burst everywhere around short spiked
horns.
Vovone and the jade caught up to her while she took a breath in front of Vriska and Eridan. "Miirah, please, you'll hurt yourself," the jade started, taking one of the younger troll's elbows. She was a little older, with an odd streak of white in her hair in a couple places.
"It's better than doing nothing!" the shorter troll shouted, taking her arm back. "How can you be so calm?!" But she was loosing steam after the sprint she'd done and accepted the older troll's arm when she offered it again.
Vovone pressed a hand to his head and sighed. "I'm sorry for the trouble; we've gotten some bad news." He seemed to be understating it if the grim expression he wore was any indication.
2018-01-03 02:26:03 -
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"I see." Vriska narrowed her eyes as the troll cried and was in hysterics. She wasn't one to lose her head, so seeing trolls absolutely collapse in front of her was, admittedly, a bit hard to watch. She glanced to Eridan briefly, then looked at Vovone, her hands on her hips.
"Prattling out one's business out in the midst where anyone can hear them is not wise," The blueblood said with a slight pursing of her lips in thought, "This town is not the most secure, and the little stunt you pulled with your hysterics has likely brought unwanted attention, whether you know it or not." She inclined her head, letting out a breath through her nose, "But our resident captain gave us, essentially, orders, to assist you, and I'm not one to break his word. Let's take you all up on my ship and get you," She gave a pointed look to the crying one, "Cleaned up and calmed down." Vriska made a motion to corral all of them onto the ramp, "We will be safer below deck."
2018-01-03 02:42:41 -
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She looked about ready to punch Vriska in the face for her attitude but refrained. "Don't propose to judge me with your paranoid attitude. It isn't the sort of thing that ought to come naturally," she hissed.
The jade hushed her harshly. "They offer kindness, please. You can speak your piece." The shorter woman hadn't caught on that this was indeed the ship she was looking for since she hadn't been paying much attention to her surroundings, including Vovone's slightly friendlier attitude to Eridan. So she wasn't altogether convinced that this was anything more than a waste of her time.
The stocky brownblood lead the way up the ramp with a nod of thanks on his way. "I'm sorry for disturbing you," he prefaced once on the deck proper, mostly talking to the familiar Kanaya though he glanced curiously at the other two with her. "Is Ei down gully way?" he asked, "She'll..," he grimaced, "she'll want to know what's happened."
"She's here?" the pregnant troll mumbled, lurching as if she would take off again but held firmly in place by the jade. Her elder wasn't about to loose her again. Vovone took a harsh tone and turned to her, hissing quiet threat or instruction; it was too quiet to tell distinctly. She calmed down a little, although her horns crackled weakly. The psionics were hardly noticeable except for the quiet popping noises accompanying them. They'd seen far worse out of Sollux more than once when he was stressed.
2018-01-03 03:14:39 -
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Vriska's only response was to roll her eyes. She had no desire to argue with a clearly panicked troll, and if she did not want to conform to her ship's etiquette, Vriska was not so kindhearted as her palecrush and would surely kick her off.
"You are not disturbing us at all," Kanaya assured sweetly, her motherly kindness a stark difference to Vriska's uppity attitude, "Please, try to stay calm and not say too much outside of the walls of a ship or home. We have reason to believe that all sorts of unsavory characters latch on to conversations and movements for their own devilish gain."
Tavros watched the three come on to the deck curiously, mostly worried about the state of the pregnant troll. Vriska went through introductions quickly to get the yellow and the jade up to speed. Kanaya was, as usual, the best host, and she was able to get everyone below deck and into the dining area as she prepared tea while Vriska gathered Eilidh and Karkat. Sollux seemed interested in the yellowblood, mostly because he hadn't actually seen one in so long, much less one that could use psionics like him.
"What ever is going on?" Tavros asked, that foreboding, cold feeling in the pit of his stomach only growing, and he declined tea for now because of it. He was the most concerned about the pregnant troll, and offered her an extra pillow for her back in case the wood of the seats was too hard for her.
2018-01-03 03:29:50 -
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As they took the stairs down the short yellow mumbled something along the lines of making her lusus jealous at her jade companion. The older troll smiled amiably and continued on with her doting as far as the nearest chair. She nodded at Tavros in thanks when he offered the cushion and got an eye roll from the other female as she patted and positioned it for her. "Thank you," Miirah said, to all within earshot. "I don't... handle feelings well. Not right now," she grimaced, a few more quiet tears spilling as she sniffled a little. "This little one is playing havoc with me." She breathed raggedly as if she would start bawling at any moment again but managed to keep it together.
"Pardon our manners; I think you've met Vovone before, and this is Miirah," the jade introduced them while rubbing her companion's back in small circles. "My name is Helela. We've had a quadrant taken. Her flush my pale, you see, by a slave ship. We've been staying inland on the farm since we heard reports they were patrolling, and we thought they'd passed us by; the latest news was that they'd been seen closer to the kingdom-"
"And worst is that it's the fucking carapacians!" Vovone spat, "and Ei's hatchmate. So if you all are the group I suspect you are," he eyed Tavros' get up pointedly (he'd seen the pictures in the paper) "we're going to be volunteering to help you out. Very actively." He was stressed himself, hung up on nervous tension.
2018-01-03 04:03:29 -
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"Oh." Tavros blinked, sort of lost for words. His brows slowly furrowed; this was unacceptable. The carapacians' reach for the slave trade and the gladiator battles had gone too far. He had no use in keeping secrets from these people that had lost just what he had, so he pursed his lips, gripping the edge of the table as he tried to keep the mounting mix of emotions at bay.
"I- We have experienced the same loss, here." He began slowly, "My flush, too, has been taken."
"And my commanding officer, an olive," Niliel added.
"The carapcians have dug their claws everywhere," Sollux spat, "But we are in the process of breaking out our dear purple, Gamzee. He was taken not long ago, and Niliel here," He gestured to the red, "Came to us to request help in retrieving her commanding officer, Nepeta. We have more man power on the way, with Zodiac's help. I am unsure if you all are familiar with them, but, in short, they are an underground organization with similar, though more violent, ideals to us."
"Zodiac has plenty of foot soldiers and weaponry to assist all of us," Niliel promised.
"We do thank you all for your dedication in helping us strive towards a common goal," Kanaya said softly, "But please, do not work outside of your means. This is a dangerous plan; we will be heading directly into aristocratic-blood territory, and the royal Knights have long since returned from training."
Vriska was not going to detail their tie to the princess, for fear that word might spread elsewhere. She thought these trolls trustworthy, but only to a certain extent and she didn't want to risk further ventures because of her own carelessness. "We can distribute power as needed," She said quickly, "The uniqueness of our storming these gladiator battles is that we will be gaining more to our cause. The unfortunately enslaved will likely participate in the uprising, and the combination of strength and their numbers will be a great asset to us. Tell me, what are your skills? In the coming days, we will have to divide everyone according to their strengths and what station will be best for them."
2018-01-03 04:16:30