Cherubplay

●
Lunch went on relatively normally, Sollux not offering much in terms of conversation but he did seem to be interested in the coins Tavros held. "These went out of service forever ago," He furrowed his brows, "This coins go back to war ages; they melted them down after the war was over to make newer coins."

Tavros seemed surprised - he knew the coins were old, but not /that/ old. Still, it made him a bit uneasy that he /still/ did not know what they were for. The map was obvious enough, but the coins just jostled in his pocket and generally annoyed him. He had no such feeling about them, no 'Alice intuition' regarding them. He wondered if he was supposed to give them away? A passing thought dictated that he would end up giving away a coin to each of the members of his immediate party. There were four of them, after all, and four of his travelling companions. Tavros was not sure how true that was, or if that was cementing the idea that he had to go back to Alternia once it was all over, but he tried not to dwell on it. Nothing was apparent just yet.

Once her lunch was finished, Vriska set to work on the maps and blueprints again, "There is no way to know what the terrain is like unless we get there," She decided, "We can infer all we want, but unless we're looking at the palace itself, there's no way to gauge anything. It's all just meaningless conjecture at the moment. We've found a couple other entrances, but that's all under the assumption that the tunnels haven't fallen in on themselves yet or that the reds haven't plugged them up along the way. Personally, I think they've confined this cherry blooded knight to a tiny section to where they can keep an eye on him - so probably someplace by Parliament, or even by the palace itself."

2014-08-11 21:43:33
🌀
When they were all finished eating Gamzee picked up the plates and went to wash the dishes as the group deliberated on what to do and how to go about doing it. He was content to to the washing up, and politely declined help if any was offered.

"So should we look at the perspective other entrances to make sure they're closed off before we get ourselves into any serious trouble?" Eridan suggested more than asked. "Sollux, you know the city better than us, do any of these look plausible?" He pointed out the exits Vriska had postulated, "just from a getting in or out stand point, and where they lead out into the city."

"We know they've been shrinking what they've been recording in more recent charts, so is it more probable that we can used that to narrow down our search? If I were them I think I'd remove the parts where I was keeping someone I want no one to find, and keep the areas that he's not able to be in written down."

2014-08-11 22:23:37
●
"Keeping him by Parliament doesn't make any sense," Sollux began, giving a shake of his head, "The people in Parliament are just old reds and browns; it's /very/ unlikely that they could stop this cherry blood if he somehow found a way out."

Vriska looked a little defeated already, "What do you suggest, then?"

He leaned over the maps, staring down hard at them as he thought over it all; he had these maps and such in his possession, but he never had much interest in looking them over until now. "The most plausible, to answer your question, Hare, are here." He circled, with his pointer finger, the beginning of a tunnel by the Knights Quarters and another tunnel ending in the courtyard, "This would be the easiest to get into and out of. "The Knights Quarters are largely empty at the current moment; the knights are training their squires out in the countryside, and only the more seasoned knights are on standby. Namely, in the palace itself. The barracks are empty."

"We should definitely go snooping around there, then," Vriska grinned, feeling more hopeful about finding the cherryblood, but she soon simmered some, "That sounds much too easy."

Kanaya cleared her throat, "It seems Sollux has forgotten the magic spells that often accompany unused portions of the palace."

"I highly doubt that they spells up - have you seen these prissy highbloods? They cannot even stand a bit of lint on their collar or a stray strand of hair on their sleeve; do you find it possible that one of us would be so daring as to jump into the Knights' Quarters? There isn't even anything for them of value there; they've taken all their weapons and such. Even most of the horses are gone."

2014-08-12 01:05:02
🌀
While the discussion was going on, Gamzee listened in, thinking about it as well. Something nagged at the back of his mind, some word they kept saying that he thought was important somehow. After finishing his chore he came back into the room, standing by Tavros with a contemplative look on his face, which suddenly lightened. "Tavros, can I see the riddle again?" he asked quietly. After looking it over to make sure, he piped up shyly.

"Uh, I think maybe you're supposed to go through the Knight's quarters," he paused, readying himself to explain. "In the riddle it calls this Karkat a knight, but isn't that strange? Why would he be a knight when he's supposed to be higher than everyone by blood color? So maybe it's a hint?"

He was kind of on a roll here, so kept going in a hurry. "And maybe Kanaya's right about the magic; the queen wouldn't leave him unguarded by at least something, so maybe that's the next part, some sort of puzzle with her face, like the description? ...um, but I guess that's just me thinking out loud." He felt a bit stupid for going on a tangent like that, and went back to the kitchen in a rush to straighten up what he'd already straightened.

Eridan looked a little dumbfounded, the knight thing made some sense, though he was completely unsure of the puzzle hypothesis. It kind of seemed obvious now. He looked at Vriska, Kanaya, and Sollux to see what they thought of it all.

2014-08-12 01:31:16
●
There was a simultaneous groan from both Kanaya and Sollux that depicted something along the lines of 'it was so obvious we should have thought of that.' They tended to act more like siblings that on-again off-again moirails. "He is brilliant," Kanaya remarked, "Truly brilliant."

Not wanting to let praise go unheard, Tavros scrambled after Gamzee, chirping excitedly, "That was amazing!" He beamed up at him, looping his arms around his matesprit and offering a quiet, barely-heard purr to ensure that only Gamzee could hear it. "You do not have to be so hesitant, I think all your ideas are valid, 'Zee."

It seemed pretty solid to Sollux, who gave a nod of approval, "He's got a point there. He could not be a knight whilst being above the Queen."

"I am not too convinced on the puzzle part," Vriska responded, peering over the map that was left on the table, " 'A rectangular-pupiled thing, wild hair and red lips...' Sounds like a description to me, not a puzzle of some sort. "

2014-08-12 02:04:43
🌀
Gamzee just shook his head modestly and smiled at the compliment, "Nah, you woulda gotten it eventually." He did like the affection though and wrapped his arms around Tavros in a hug, nuzzling the top of Tavros's head a little. He felt so pleasantly warm in the small moment, purring ever so quietly back, just a short one for his matesprit.

"I think we just have to see what we find when we get there," Eridan said. "We won't really know what we're going to be up against in the tunnels. I do think that there will be something though... it wouldn't make much sense not to put /something/, at least if whoever set up the tunnel entrapment system wasn't arrogant about people never figuring it out... though perhaps in normal circumstances the knights themselves were meant to guard it without knowing?" he mused. A moment later he waved a hand in dismissal of his own ideas. "Enough conjecture. We should start coming up with a plan now we know where we have to go." He looked to Vriska, who knew most about this break-in business.

2014-08-12 02:27:28
●
"Alright," Obviously comfortable in the realm of breaking and entering, Vriska sat back in her seat and let the knowledge of past break-ins flow to her, "First off, we'll have to wear the tightest, darkest clothing we have. Bring only the bare necessities, so in this case, a map and a weapon. I suggest the slimmest weapon you have on you - for me, I have a dagger." She glanced briefly into the kitchen, "And we will /have/ to get Alice some trousers. Dresses and skirts like that will only get in the way, and are susceptible to getting snagged on things or setting off traps. We want to be like shadows, if at all possible."

He smiled, planting a kiss to his cheek as he made no moves to get back to the kitchen table. Tavros figured that he ought to know what was happening, but he did like the affection shared between himself and Gamzee... Before he could stay and get too wrapped up in their mild cuddling, he pulled away reluctantly and nodded towards the table, "I had better stay updated on what is going on."

2014-08-12 02:46:57
🌀
He let Tavros go, nodding and smiling. Since the kitchen was actually spotless, he followed, staying in the background unnoticed. They walked in on the end of Vriska's statement, and Gamzee, feeling a little bad about piping up again, but he wanted to make sure they were as safe as possible. "...You could shrink...smaller things are harder to notice, right?" It was kind of especially intimidating because it was Vriska, and she liked to be scary to some degree.

Eridan, who had been thinking about pants for Tavros and potentially lending him some of his so they didn't have to go out to find some in the overly pricey city (he was sure Kanaya could quickly sew them to fit the smaller troll better), looked up, wrenched from his train of thought. "How...do you expect us to shrink?"

Gamzee glanced over at Tavros, the only other one who had seen the mushrooms first hand. He was a little surprised how uncommon they seemed. "Magic fungus from Tulgey?" he pulled some out of his bag, making sure to stick one of the Grow variety in his pocket before pinching off a part of a Shrink mushroom and eating it quickly to demonstrate. Everything he was wearing and that was in his pockets shrunk with him, and he was a little less than a foot tall afterwards. He shrugged, and at a section of the Grow one he had in his pocket, and was then back to normal size, and shrugging again.

2014-08-12 03:16:31
●
"Shrink? Don't be..." Vriska trailed off, watching with widened eyes as Gamzee really did fall into a diminutive size, "Absurd?"

Quiet fell across the room, hushing them all with such quickness that if Tavros hadn't been watching, he would have assumed they all fell asleep. The mushrooms had lost their grand magic for Tavros, but it seemed that everyone else had never seen anything like it, much less, heard about the mushrooms.

"That is all well and good, dear, but," Kanaya placed a hand on her hip, thinking, "How do you suppose that will come in handy? They must be in their normal size to get there and into the tunnels themselves. Perhaps while they are /inside/ the tunnels?"

2014-08-12 14:57:36
🌀
"Yea, or just generally being unnoticed... it's pretty instantaneous so if you all need to hide or avoid something, being smaller makes it easier. Maybe 'cause this place is newer there won't be as many convenient cracks in walls... but," he shrugged, "might help."

"But why would they need to be regular sized to get there? Could be carried, right? Then there wouldn't be suspicion about three people around where no knights are? Could slip in and then get normal sized once they're out of sight. Not like there isn't plenty of the stuff. Could change back and forth loads of times. ...and especially with the knight, wouldn't want him seen walking out, necessarily."

2014-08-12 15:11:02
●
"I suppose it would work," Vriska acquiesced with clear reluctance, but it was not out of distaste for Gamzee - rather, she needed /everything/ to go accordingly. One false move and the entire plan for Alice could go awry. She did not know what the Fates were possibly planning and laying out for him, but if she could assist in any way, she would; especially with making sure that there was never a mistake. "What do you think?" She questioned to everyone else.

Kanaya hadn't much word on it; whatever worked best for her dears worked best for her, too. Sollux hadn't any qualms, either, but he was fine with taking them to the Knights' Quarters; he was an engineer and an architect, it would not be too strange for him to be lurking about. He could find a lie if he so needed it; yellowbloods were loyal workers of the government in any capacity, surely seeing his dual-toned eyes would immediately make one think of his blood's shade. Tavros smiled, "I think it is a splendid idea. We can get carried there, but I am not sure how, uh, to get into these tunnels..."

"The Knights' Quarters probably have the entrance to the tunnel outside. I didn't build the barracks," Sollux shrugged, "But it seems most probable to me that the tunnel would be entered through a basement or cellar of some kind. And there are only two of those on the entirety of the compound."

2014-08-12 21:43:13
🌀
There wasn't much to say to any of that. Gamzee had said his piece and suspected he wouldn't have much more to contribute. So he just stayed near Tavros and listened quietly.

Though Eridan thought being so small would make them vulnerable in certain circumstances, they didn't have to use it and it would be good for hiding, so he acquiesced easily. It would at least be an available option if they needed it.

"Could we find blueprints specific to the Knight's Quarters? See where a tunnel entrance might be located that way?" he questioned. "Unless one of these two basements is nearby." Best not to spend a lot of time looking, no matter how good of an excuse Sollux could come up with for being there.

Of course there was also the issue of getting back from the tunnels. They could be small for that, maybe, or Tavros and Vriska could wander and carry Eridan and Karkat secretly. A near-midblood would be much less suspicious with a copperblood than either a purple or two of them. And they could always use the 'personal assistant' excuse again, and Tavros could be lost because he was new... he was probably high enough that if he was able to act high and mighty they wouldn't suspect him of anything.

2014-08-12 22:02:19
●
With all the bits and pieces finally sorted out, and Sollux rummaging about all his maps and blueprints for something of the Knights' Quarters. There was some idle time before nightfall, when Vriska wished to scope the area; they didn't even have to go and find Karkat, just see what the terrain was like.

Tavros and Kanaya were busy trying to find a good alternative for the brownblood's trousers; he was a tiny thing, and she knew she would have to hem something so he could actually wear it. Maybe Sollux had some pants around someplace..? He wasn't /too/ much bigger than Tavros, maybe only by a size or a half, but at the same time, he was near Gamzee's height and any of his trousers would just trip him. Eridan was closer to Tavros's height than Sollux, but Kanaya was not too keen on tampering with his style.

2014-08-12 22:14:53
🌀
Eridan had been thinking along those lines earlier, and now that there weren't anymore distractions he dug around in his bag for his smallest trousers. He figured those would need the least amount of altering. After finding a suitable black pair he brought them over to Kanaya and Tavros.

"Here, these will be easier to deal with than anyone elses." He handed them over before either of them could protest with a wink. Vriska was doing whatever she was up to, and Sollux was busy looking for those blueprints, so Eridan wandered over to Gamzee, who was looking as aimless as he currently felt.

"So tell me how these fungi work so we don't fuck up and end up small forever," he said in way of introducing the topic, sitting next to the other purple. Gamzee, glad to have something useful to do, explained the process. The mushrooms would shrink with you, which was imperative, as the magic was based on relative ratios. The proper amount of both of them was the amount able to be pinched between the users fingertips, with the mushroom at the relative size of the person. If it was still normal size and the recipient was small it wouldn't work correctly, so it was very important that the mushrooms were shrunk by the last person to consume them, otherwise there would have to be a lot of reshrinking and regrowing shenanigans they probably didn't have time for.

2014-08-12 22:38:18
●
Even though his living room was a meticulous mess, Sollux was having a difficult time trying to find the exact blueprints. He couldn't remember if he had even been granted access to the Knights' Quarters blueprints, but it was well worth looking. Finally, after some dedicated searching, he produced just one blueprint of the Knights' Quarters and handed it off to Vriska, who thanked him and eagerly looked it over. She would probably end up bringing it with them tonight.

Before Kanaya could ramble that she couldn't possibly do any harm to Eridan's clothing, he had already moved on to Gamzee. She figured he wouldn't have offered had he not wanted her to use them at all. Kanaya thanked Eridan's retreating form and immediately set to work once she and Tavros retreated to the rest room for his own privacy.

2014-08-13 19:29:54
🌀
After explaining the intricacies of the mushrooms, Gamzee handed Eridan the two pouches. The seadweller pocketed them with thanks and then went over to Vriska to investigate what she was up to. He also wanted to see the lay out of the blueprint and what they would have to navigate through. He looked partially over her shoulder, leaving her to plan as she would, being the break-in expert.

Once again left with nothing to do and no one to talk to, Gamzee thought about his next course of action. Eventually, and a little timidly, he went over to Sollux, waiting until he didn't look busy to speak. "Uh, Mr. Captor, is there anything else, besides for the cooking, I could do to help out? I'm not a part of this quest so much as the others, and I'd like to make myself useful if I could."

2014-08-13 19:45:10
●
"What makes you think you're not part of the quest?" Sollux questioned, actually more intrigued than he was sympathetic, "I don't know all the intricacies of the journey thus far, but I'm sure you're good for something. Not at the present moment, though," He shook his head, "Not much to do, not for anyone. The Hare and Hatter will be out briefly to get a look at the Knights' Quarters, but even that won't take long." As a government worker, Sollux was required to live close to the palace in a section called the 'Inner Circle.' It was ten minutes away from the palace itself, which was only the castle, two courtyards, stables, and a massive garden. The Knights' Quarters were just outside of that, as they needed as much space as they could get in order to train. The city just seemed to stop and seamlessly flow into the flora of the Queen's Palace. Sollux had no doubts about them getting into the Knights' Quarters, "All I know is that there isn't much you can do around here besides keep Alice happy."

2014-08-14 23:44:27
🌀
Gamzee nodded and kind of shrugged along. "I don't really know, I'm an extra piece. I helped some in the beginning... but now with all of this serious important stuff I can't really help anymore, so far as I know at least," he smiled. It didn't bother him at all, he just wanted to keep himself occupied and not look lazy. "Not in any of the riddles at all, just been tagging along, sorta." He didn't really know how to explain so it wouldn't sound like he was feeling sorry for himself. He wasn't at all sorry! He was glad he'd had the opportunity to come along, and be Tavros's friend, and then matesprit. The purpleblood just had a need to do something other than wonder what to do next with himself. Whenever they went to parliament and then into the tunnels he'd have nothing to do, which was why he was saving the dessert he was planning for then, instead of starting on that now to give himself something to do. "I guess I don't really know what I mean myself.... but I suppose I can keep Tavros happy; don't think that'll be too hard," he grinned. His matesprit was usually pretty damn happy so it wasn't like this was a huge job. Maybe reassuring him, though it didn't do much there was still so much to worry about. And even once something got done at this point then the next thing to deal with was popping up.

2014-08-15 00:11:39
●
Tavros shivered. The tunnel was /freezing./ It was already cold on the surface, but now, underneath the ground, he was close to calling it quits. Vriska, obviously, had no such intention, her eyes, like the pairs accompanying her, glowing in the darkness as she began moving forward. When they had arrived, carefully and stealthily, Tavros was under the impression that this would all just take a couple minutes. They would find this Karkat person, bring him back to Sollux's apartment, then go into the meeting with Parliament the next day, which had been postponed. But instead, they had been traveling along the tunnel for a solid fifteen minutes, keeping quiet in case someone was around, but from the looks of it, the tunnel had not been manned in quite some time. The sides were still solid and fortified with cement from newer days, but there were cracks in some of the wood pieces and the ground below them had once been neat but was now a bit muddied.

And then, around a corner, they saw it. This part of the tunnel had been blocked off, but not with cement or stone or wood, but with iron bars all across the entrance and exit of the tunnel. Through the darkness there could be seen a figure, a couple candles lit and some parcels of food tied up with cloth towards the other side of the person's cell.

Tavros, stepping forward with his eyes emanating yellowish light within the dark, questioned, "Karkat? Karkat Vantas?"

2014-08-15 00:59:15
🌀
The figure stiffened, not having heard them approach as they'd been so quiet. He was angry at the intrusion, though, just like most things. "Who the fuck else would I be? Or are you keeping more people prisoner underneath the palace as well?" he spat. He kept his back turned, cloak hood turned up. He sat against the wall with a book in his lap, reading by the meager light provided by the candles down here. He didn't look up from his book and did his best at ignoring them, hoping they would go away and leave him alone to his miserable existence down here.

Even if the voice sounded unfamiliar he didn't have any hope of change from his circumstances. The mutant cherry blood would never be allowed anywhere near the surface, lest the queen loose her tyrannical rule; something he'd never agreed with and was now even more opposed to.

2014-08-15 01:12:57
●
"Please, listen to me," He requested, taking a few steps forward to stand just by the heavily locked doors of the iron cell, "I am not here to ostracize you, or anything of the sort. On the contrary, in fact. I am here to, um. Set you free. I am sure that you are not opposed to going on the surface, yes?"

Vriska could tell that Karkat was going to be a thorn in her side, but she didn't voice this to Tavros for fear of messing things up. The brownblood continued, "My name is Tavros Nitram, and I am from a different world, called Alternia. The White Rabbit has taken me here, to Wonderland, but I refuse to give the Queen, or the warmbloods in general, any more power. I wish to tear down the hardened caste system that has been built upon the works of the former Alice. I believe it would be in your best interest to join me and take your rightful place amongst royalty."

2014-08-15 01:22:17
🌀
It's quiet for a moment as the figure in the cell internalizes this information. Slowly he shuts the book, marking the page with his finger and standing. He crosses his arms under his cloak, as he wanders over to the door, hood falling to his shoulders revealing messy hair and bright, bright red irises that glow slightly in the darkness. He's scowling one of the most intense scowls imaginable as he gets right up to the bars.

"You expect me to believe that drivel? I read story books I don't believe in them," he looks Tavros up and down once, taking in his appearance disinterestedly, "/Alice/." He scoffs, glancing at the other two. "You're probably just trying to lure me out so I can get done in like they should have done years ago. Tell them they can kill me in this cell anytime they want. I won't play their stupid elaborate games of bullshittery."

He moved away a little and sat on the ground, chuckling darkly. "Rightful place amongst royalty? How the fuck did you expect me to believe that? They fucking put me down here! And you want to take down the caste system? Hilarious, why, when you've got servants?" he gestured to the Hatter and Hare absently, opening his book back up.

2014-08-15 01:35:13
●
He knew it was going to be much more difficult to persuade Karkat than it was with Vriska or Eridan, and Tavros was prepared for that. Tavros put his hands into the pockets of his dress, contemplating what he was doing to say; he didn't look annoyed or like he had given up, just thoughtful. "If I wanted you dead, it would not be difficult." He began, "It would take a quick breaking of this lock, and Vriska's dagger through your heart. Do you think I would bother with formalities if my true intent was to kill you? Let's try to use logic here, yes?" Perhaps he was being slightly condescending, but he wanted to show that he wasn't taking anyone's bullshit - he had something he had to complete, a quest to finish, and he /was/ going to get everyone together.

"Furthermore, these are not my servants. These are my friends. In Alternia," He rubbed absently at his frozen arms beneath his coat, "The caste system is switched around. In Alternia, I was a lowblood all my life. I understand the hardships of all the colderbloods here, and you, as well, to an extent. You are skeptical of me, and that is understandable, but I doubt you want to waste the remainder of your days without sunlight, with that meager amount of food and light they have provided you. I could give you a way out, fate has determined it to be so."

Tavros pulled out the map from one of his pockets, reading from the last riddle, "Freedom for all - yet a knight reigns not supreme Hiding within a palace where he will never be seen. The castes are all set: cold, mid and warm, but where was the boy when the Queen was sworn? A rectangular-pupiled thing, wild hair and red lips; this is the Queen that you must omit. For there, secluded, is a male so concealed that even his secrets are too heavy to reveal! The palace is wrought with snake lines beneath feet. Find the man, the winner that will have the Queen beat. Pair him with the journeying outsider Alice and together they will form the catalyst. "

2014-08-15 01:51:50
🌀
Well, Karkat still wasn't sure he believed a damn word; it still seemed incredibly far-fetched. But, he reasoned, at least he'd be out of the cell for a while, unless it was all some trick and they'd just laugh at his hopefulness at getting out and leave him here. He didn't really care though, and the poetry didn't impress him much.

"Fine, fuck, whatever I'll come with you I suppose." Obviously these people knew nothing about the queen and the lengths she'd go to to have some dramatic end. It would be her style, he thought, to try and make him think he was free and then slaughter him later when they were out somewhere secluded.

He glanced over at the food he'd been given. "Should I take that maggot encrusted shit with us or is there going to be food provided on this most epic of quests?" he asked facetiously, standing and looking them all over again. He supposed it was kind of weird to see a seadweller. And the brown blood was not dressed gaudily... secretive like the rest of them. That was pretty weird. He couldn't see the queen going that far with her ruse. Couldn't have people looking unfashionable in this horrendously gaudy place, even for backstabbing and sabotage.

2014-08-15 02:04:51
●
"It's about fucking time," Vriska threw her arms up in exasperation, reaching to grab her heavy dagger from her belt. The hilt of it was metal and solid, and with a couple hard hits, she was sure she could get the lock done.

Tavros nodded as Vriska began slamming the hilt of her dagger against the lock of the door, "Yes, there will be food provided for you, as well as shelter. It may be slightly, um. Cramped, to some degree, but you will be in good company, of course." He offered a smile to him and looked to the lock, which was, after one last blow, falling to the ground.

The moment it fell was the moment a massive alarm went off and the iron of the cell glowed red, as if it were heated. The constant sound made his ears hurt, and he peered around in mild panic as Vriska sheathed her dagger and motioned for them to follow her, "Come on, we have to get going!" She started off in the direction they came, but, up ahead, she noticed that out of reddened portals came two guards, gaudily dressed but imposing, nonetheless, "Goddammit."

2014-08-15 02:13:28