Cherubplay

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She burst into laughter, a hearty, all encompassing sound, "You would not believe how angry some get over the purple and brown's relationship!" Some thought it peculiar but yellows and coppers and plenty of reds expressed their distaste easily, "I had one pair of reds come in a day or two ago absolutely /livid./ They say to me, 'Borina, have you seen that Alice fellow and his /violentblood?/ They kiss and hug! Can you believe that?' And I say, haha," She paused for a moment, finding the conservative views of the other half of the population to be hilarious, "And I say, 'Yes. They are trolls, are they not?' It is astonishing! These highbloods look at you all like you are from galaxies away, like you have three heads and a tail!"

At the first question, she nodded, pausing to sip her coffee as she answered, "Oh, quite, quite. You all are mascots of a changing world, and many followers want to speak to you all directly or give gifts, especially after the ball. Obviously, I hear the most about you and Alice and the purple one, Gamzee. But Kanaya is spoken about, mainly concerning rumours about her rainbow drinking, and the Hare and Hatter are often questioned about, the populace curious about their titles and their intricacies. Sollux is the least favorite, I think," She smiled, "Popular in terms of looks and personality but not his psionics necessarily. Your supporters wonder and talk about you incessantly," Borina assured, "Alice is familiarly odd - he is from another world just like the first. But you? You are an intriguing newfound secret. As for the shootings," She tapped her chin thoughtfully, "I heard rumors about assassins. You have not heard this from me, but the Zodiacs killed Alice's assassin," She nodded grimly, "In cold blood, right in his hive. He was part of the extremist group brewing around here. They are mostly underground, and they purchase from me in bulk every few months, as do the Zodiacs. As per usual, they disagree. The Zodiacs are your supporters, and the extremist group, H.U.E.D, is severely against you."

2014-09-14 01:38:08
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A look of distaste swept across his face. He wasn't sure how cold that blood had ended up being. "H.U.E.D.... an acronym? What for? Huge Under Educated Douchbags? We've run into them already... one of them shot Gamzee while he and Tavros were walking in the gardens... though they might have aimed for Tavros based on where the shot was. And with no provocation at all! They've already got their damn aggression loophole, and they didn't even bother with it. They think they're so above the already twisted biased laws!" Karkat sipped his coffee contemplatively. The anger was evident in his tone. It infuriated him that someone would think it was a fine idea to just go off and shoot somebody...for blood color!

"At least there are some who are okay with whatever they think we're doing. Anyway, before I totally lose my cool and rant ...that brings us to one of the points I need to ask you about... could you somehow introduce us to these Zodiac folks? We need more people. Secondly, since we figured you'd know the most about the city, we'll need a place for additional people to stay, and wondered if there might be some sort of network you knew about or know someone who knows about one. We don't want to bother anyone personally, but a second safe house somewhere we could trust is becoming necessary. The government has made it clear they are worried about us and what we plan to do."

2014-09-14 02:10:22
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"Was he tattooed? He is still alive, as far as I know, the one after Alice was over bluntly, really," Borina shrugged. The H.U.E.D assassin wasn't anyone she knew personally or outstanding in the underground world, which hardly batted an eyelash at Zodiac's swift killing and louder statement. "It stands for Highbloods Uniformly Eradicating Danger. They are a lot that pride themselves in being the soldiers of Starnette; the danger could be anything from public violence to social shifts like you all, no? The Zodiacs, though?" They were not exactly the type of group she thought they should get wrapped up with. There were killers, thieves, rebels, arsonists and all manner of criminal masterminds and psychopaths. They were as cunning as they were crazy, fueled by a sense of vigilante justice - it was lucky that they decided to be on the Alice group's side.

She sipped her coffee, knowing that it would be easy for her to call up one of her bulk customers but finding it frightening to do so; they would be more than willing to assist both her and the group, but she was not too certain that she wanted to do the mildly dirty work. "I am not sure I want to ask them directly...Kanaya knows the Zodiacs better than I do! She used their services to 'tuck someone in at night.' " Borina rubbed at her temples again, trying to think, "I believe they have a warehouse someplace where they store the items they buy from me. You may want to look into what the building is like, but I know that it is within Starnette." She smiled apologetically, "My apologies, Karkat. I do not usually go into depth with my customer's lives unless they tell me explicitly."

2014-09-14 02:49:08
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"Oh, that's alright. If they're legitimately disreputable then I wouldn't want to burden you any. Kanaya can probably get that information anyways; it's why she's gone back home for a time. I guess she didn't know they had connections! Though we actually didn't know who any of the assassins were linked to until you, uh, /didn't/ tell me."

He sits, thinking for a little while and enjoying his coffee before speaking again. "Thank you, Borina. At the very least you've given us some good intel and the public opinion; which really has been very enlightening. I'd like to keep up on that at least! It might end up being useful. Maybe meeting some of the more friendly sorts without such... questionable backgrounds could be useful?"

He didn't really care if that assassin survived or not. "To go back to your previous question, yea, he did have a tattoo, on his hand... do you know anything about that? Are there any adverse effects from the magic used?" He paused, "eradicating danger my ass," he muttered. Gamzee was really dangerous. He'd kill the world with delicious food.

2014-09-14 03:13:00
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"Happy to be of service! I could not very well sit idly by," Though Borina probably would have actually preferred to do so since it was much less dangerous. She grinned mischievously, "Darling, everyone I know is of questionable background, even you!"

Owning a Shade Shop that specialized in more than just blood didn't give much room for customers that were not morbidly curious or heavily invested in the items presented. To the untrained eye, her inventory was just hogwash for the superstitious, but there was a use for everything. Placing her chin in her hand, she gave a shake of her head, dismissing it, "If nothing has shown up, the magic bullets are likely just accuracy based. A shot to the thinkpan or bloodpump or digestivesack and it is over. If you notice something...bizarre, please come here. Potions are more helpful than you may think."

Before she could say anything else, she heard the door to her shop open and close, and, curiously, Borina excused herself and trotted out, calling in her accent, "Excuse me, the sign says I am closed now, please return- Oh." She stopped once she as by the counter, seeing the White Rabbit with his hands shoved nonchalantly in his pockets, "Good afternoon, Borina. You look as radiant as ever. May I have a word with you both? Pressing matters, you know."

2014-09-14 03:35:17
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"I do not come from a questionable background!" Karkat huffed. "At least not of my own accord..." But then the White Rabbit came in. He almost commented on how they must not have manners where he came from, but was too relieved that it was him and not someone who meant them harm. "I'll remember to bring him around if there are any difficulties. But it doesn't seem like it so far."

Karkat settled back into his seat, sipping more coffee and looking over his shoulder at the rabbit and Borina. When they came back he greeted him with a nod. "So, more riddles? Or is that an Alice only privilege? We were wondering about that. But I suppose I should stop chattering and let you get on with whatever news or otherwise you need to impart, shall I?" He didn't know how he felt about the Rabbit. Certainly he was thankful for what he had provided so far, but anyone who knew so much was still suspect, no matter how good intentioned. Though he supposed that was a bit superstitious of him.

2014-09-14 03:58:05
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"The riddles keep him on top of things, don't you think?" He took a seat once Borina offered it to him, sitting down politely and hooking an arm into the back of the chair. "I cannot detail things to him explicitly. Alices are tricky beings, they can only know so much but people around them have more flexible fates. Anyway," Before he got too involved with all the specifics of his powers, he thought he should go ahead and tell what he had information on. "Have you checked in on the jadeblood lately?"

Borina frowned deeply, threatening a hiss, "What are you insinuating?"

"Madam, I am merely stating that you should keep closer tabs on one of your best customers! Why don't you check the phone, hm? Call her shop." He stood then, smiling thinly as he straightened out his green vest and moved to leave, calling over his shoulder, "You, too, Vantas. Three time's the charm, but four is even better."

2014-09-14 04:18:22
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"The fuck is that supposed to mean?! Third time and fourth time of what?" To hell with this guy being helpful, he was infuriating. "This isn't funny! This is our friends we're talking about!" He wanted to wipe that smile off his face. What an asshole. "Also we thought it might be good if Tavros spoke to you again..."

Instead of reaming him out, he looked over at Borina. "C'mon, let's call her. Now he's got me jumpier than his name would imply." He hoped she was alright. Dear lord what would they do without her? But then, Vriska was with her... maybe ... Karkat hoped it was better news than what they expected. Maybe fourth time meant the amount of calls they had to make to reach Kanaya?

2014-09-14 04:30:17
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Borina rushed to her phone on the counter out in the shop, immediately dialing Kanaya's number, Unsurprisingly, they were met with dial tones, and his continued on twice more before they called again and Vriska picked up.

"Whoever it is, call back later."

"Wait!" Borina exclaimed, and Vriska stopped, "What?"

"This is Borina, with Karkat," She spoke breathlessly, suddenly worried, "Where is Kanaya? Is everything alright there?"

Vriska frowned and was quiet for a few moments before requesting, "Get Karkat on the line, I'll get Kanaya."

2014-09-14 04:53:12
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"Well that solves that riddle," Karkat grumbled, taking the phone from Borina when it was handed to him. At least it seemed like they /could/ come to the phone, even if it wasn't a readily available option to them based on how long it had taken them to actually pick up.

"Hello, this is Karkat, we are worried, please allay our fears of your demise or endangerment," he waited for a response, still anxious.

2014-09-14 05:02:47
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"Hm? Dear, things are not as personally dire as you may think," Kanaya spoke from the other line, watching as Vriska stomped around in her shop, angrily peeking outside. "Undlegire is just in a panic because the trains seem to be out. The citizens say that many of the conductors were killed," Kanaya paused, then sighed, "No one can man the trains right now, even those have been destroyed in any manner possible. Thankfully, it happened while Vriska and I were well into the city."

2014-09-14 05:14:28
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"Oh, okay. Thank goodness you two are safe for now... But you won't be able to get back! I suppose we wouldn't have been as concerned if our favorite omniscient friend hadn't popped up just to tell us to call..." He thought about what he and Borina had been talking over. "Be careful, apparently there are two gangs fighting... probably the source of the murders, trying to keep you two away from the city for some reason. Have you been having any luck on your end?"

2014-09-14 05:24:43
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"Here and there. I have gotten in touch with a tealblood, but she is off towards the southwestern towns, in a place called Rial, which is four to six hours away from Starnette by carriage since there is no train running there. I requested that she take a brief detour into Starnette to meet with myself and the rest of you but it seems we are stranded until I can find some other form of transportation." There was a momentary pause as Kanaya called 'Vriska, quit agitating the passerbys!'

"Ah, anyway, I do not think it is very safe for either myself nor Vriska within my shop any longer. The electricity fades and comes back continuously, and I think they are rerouting my power someplace. I will not be able to call for a while; I am going to relocate with Vriska to another place, likely a friend's. By the way, dear, the tealblood is with the Zodiacs and is going to present you with a code: 'Do you need help folding the laundry?' Your response must be 'No, the washer is broken.' Do you understand?" There was a crash somewhere else, but it was muffled, likely outside, "We haven't much time. Tell everyone that we miss them and we will call when we can!" The call ended abruptly then, and Borina, concerned, asked, "How is everything?"

2014-09-14 05:48:22
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"...Not good. Or not as good as would be preferred." He ran a hand through his hair, concern knitting his brows together as he hung up the phone. "She's at least gotten in contact, and supposedly someone might find us. I hope they do alright, though. Undlegire seems to be in a sort of panic because the train isn't running and some people may have been killed in order to stop it... further more they are rerouting Kanaya's electricity?" He could feel a headache coming on.

"She says they will call when they can... if they are targetting places outside of Starnette... it must really be getting bad... I think I should try and get back to the apartment now. You've been quite the help, thank you. If anything strange happens with that wound we'll be sure to come here first. It's not as if anywhere else is going to care much." All of this was so aggravating, and now he had to try and get back through hostile streets. Everything was going insane... why were they bothering with the train all of a sudden? Just to cut them off from each other? There was a lot to contemplate and talk to the others about.

2014-09-14 06:03:18
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She nodded as she listened, disappearing behind the beaded curtain and returning with a small piece of paper with two numbers on it, one to her shop and the other to her actual home, "You are welcome, but take these, too. It is too much of a hassle to for either of us to meet someplace back and forth. A call is quicker."

Meanwhile, Sollux brooded within his apartment. He hated that he was constantly being monitored and felt that he was infringing on his friends' privacy every time he was around them. They couldn't just talk normally about things concerning the declining state of Wonderland. Sollux felt odd and out of place without Kanaya, much like when she decided to move to Undlegire after working for him and forging such a close bond. He was accustomed to her meddling and her quick wits, and now he felt empty without her hands smoothing out wrinkles in his clothing or petting his hair. He spent much of his time sitting on the couch and going through her portion of the work, nibbling somewhat sadly on his honey cookies.

2014-09-14 06:12:23
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Nodding, he folded the paper once and tucked it into an inner pocket of his coat. "Thank you, it will be easier to just call... not to mention with how the streets might get. I'll talk to you later, and call if Kanaya gives us an update." He gave a short bow to her before walking out, pulling his hood up again and looking as uninteresting as he could muster on his way back to the apartment, making sure to stay on populated ways among crowds if he could help it.

Eridan was feeling similarly lost. It wasn't like the last time they had been separated at least; he wasn't in much danger and he hoped Vriska wasn't either. Somehow the apartment felt colder without the two of them there to cheer the place up with sass and wits from the both of them, and not a little mothering from Kanaya. He worked on both of their portions, just as Sollux was working on what Kanaya had been doing, too. He realized at that time there were no women among them. Maybe that was the problem. Girls could always keep shit together, in his experience, even among other seadwellers. It would be a relief when their friends got back either way.

2014-09-14 06:22:17
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Tavros noted the awkward atmosphere, feeling that things were lopsided without Vriska or Kanaya. Everyone was quieter, and he wondered how long that would persist. Neither female had given, exactly, a time in which they would return, which he figured would be that night or the next day, and he hoped that the general aura of the apartment would lighten some.

He, like most everyone else, was working on taking notes. They were just about finished at his point, everyone on their last book or scroll, and Tavros was grateful that they were almost done now that their larger plan needed to be completed.

2014-09-14 17:41:48
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Karkat made it back in one piece a little while later, unlocking the door with Sollux's keys. He closed it quickly behind him, and politely took off shoes and coat before striding in to where the others were.

"Hello all, pleasant evening for a walk, isn't it," he said in greeting. He sat down and quickly started writing again. 'I got some information and unfortunate news. First, the Kanaya and Vriska are stuck in Undlegire, which has turned relatively chaotic, until further notice. Rumor is that the conductors were killed so there is no one who can drive the thing.'

He took a short break to keep his hand from cramping. 'Also there are apparently two different nasty organizations in town, one of which is the one Kanaya has had dealings with and is aligned with us to some degree, the other of which is a bunch of bastards and who have been targeting us. However Tavros's assassin has apparently been killed. So there's that.'

2014-09-14 18:04:14
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The usual greetings were given to Karkat as he came to the apartment, everyone lounging about in the living room and completing the notes.

Sollux was the first to read the notes, and his brows furrowed worriedly. His moirail was stranded out in Undlegire while a bunch of a crazies were screwing over the city. He responded, careful of his bracelet, 'This is bullshit. Whoever it was probably fucked over the trains to try to stop Vriska and Kanaya from getting to Undlegire but were too late.'

Tavros interjected, 'Or from leaving at all? Maybe this second group was trying to keep them stuck there. I think that may be more probable - how would whoever it is know that they were leaving for Undlegire at all?'

2014-09-14 18:47:06
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'Based on what Kanaya told me of when it happened Tavros's hypothesis would be most likely. They were already within the city when the train broke down. Honestly whoever did it could have been coincidentally timed as well; breaking the train down so none of us could get out.'

'We may be under more watch than just that bracelet,' Eridan interjected. 'They could be watching the building, keeping tabs on our comings and goings.' At least he knew Vriska would probably be alright. Those two were together in a place Kanaya knew people, so they should be safe enough. And going after them in Undlegire might be a stupid decision for the extremist group, as the whole place was mid and low blooded.

2014-09-14 18:57:44
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'Possibly,' Sollux found it somewhat likely, but he wasn't going to jump to any conclusions just yet, 'But, then again, we shouldn't get too riled up. Being paranoid won't help. Mind games are their specialty, remember? Hell, there have been times when I doubted this stupid bracelet.'

Tavros questioned, 'What do you mean?'

Sollux had just a tone of a shrug in his writing, 'Maybe I /am/ falling into the paranoia I just warned about, but I feel as though I'm not even being watched, that the bracelet is just something they used to try to keep us all here and stuck in my apartment so I can't go out and get you all more materials to pick through.."

2014-09-14 23:17:29
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'Still better to be safe than sorry. I don't think a little paranoia in this case is going to hurt anyone. And if you try to go out without them knowing you can get in trouble anyways since they know who you are and you're only allowed in to wherever you got these because of your status, I presume.' Karkat wrote.

'Though if that bracelet does have a camera, maybe... we could document us doing normal things? Unless you think there's some way they could distort video feed to make it look malicious. It might be fun to prank them that way... instead of giving them film where we're planning and scheming, all they get is Gamzee baking, for instance. Oh, forgot to tell you, it really pisses some people off when they see you two together, Tavros.' Karkat was giggling as he wrote, thinking about the story Borina had told him.

2014-09-14 23:34:29
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The yellowblood scritched angrily, 'I am just 1000% done with the entire government.'

Tavros smiled at Sollux's comment, reading Karkat's and feeling a bit concerned. That would probably be fuel for some extremist or conservative group, though Tavros doubted that he would just stop while in public. He would never cease loving Gamzee, no matter the consequences, and he definitely would not give them the power to govern how he showed it. He wrote, 'Does it? Not violently, right?'

2014-09-15 00:14:33
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'No, just a story Borina told me. It was pretty funny, if you've got a horrible sense of humor. It's as if you two were a different species or something, apparently, the way some people react...just complaining for no good reason, so don't worry. But others are quite positive about the whole movement, so there is that.'

'That might not be a bad idea, actually... if they have photographic evidence of how harmless we are, then maybe that could help to de-vilify us in some people's thinkpans,' Eridan commented. 'Show how purples and seadwellers aren't slathering monsters like they think we are.'

2014-09-15 00:41:07
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Tavros, fond of the idea, quickly wrote, 'Yes! Perhaps you should be present during times when we are just hanging around, like this! Surely it will sway a view or two, right?'

'Seems like a solid plan,' Sollux agreed, and was about to write something else when the phone rang. He scrambled to answer, the phone to his ear as he asked, "Kan? Everything okay?" He paused, then the tension in his shoulders melted slightly before he was stiff once more, "Are you sure? ...Alright. ...Yeah." He pulled the phone away from his ear, gesturing for Karkat to come over, "She wants to speak with you while I finish up some of my work." Code for him writing down what information Kanaya relayed to him.

2014-09-15 00:57:44