Cherubplay

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"Sure, of course," Karkat picked up the phone, ...fourth time is even better, he thought. "Hey, Kanaya this is Karkat. How's the electricity? Or have you two moved on?" It was good they were able to call. That at least he took as a good sign.

Eridan sat up, wondering if he could get a turn to talk, but figuring it would probably not happen. Calls would probably be short, no matter how much he just wanted to hear Vriska's voice to make sure she was okay.

2014-09-15 01:05:55
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Gamzee poked his head out of the kitchen at the sound of the phone, gauging what was going on. He'd read all the messages later. For now he was busy with dinner preparations for the five of them, having finished his book right before Karkat's return, using the left overs. A nice pot pie, he thought, using the vegetables and chicken. It would be warm even if their immediate environment didn't feel like it without the girls.

2014-09-15 01:13:03
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"Yes, we have moved from my place to a friend's for the time being. The carriages are still running, but I am not certain how long that will last. Vriska is...restless, to put it simply," Kanaya smiled slightly. "She wants to go out and participate but I find it safer to stay behind closed doors. This all looks messy, honestly. The policetrolls are scouting each and every street, it seems, but just randomly, one will be struck down! Vriska, um. Got into a bit of a scuffle with a woman with a tattoo on her hand - I believe this entire hullabaloo is completely orchestrated by H.U.E.D, but perhaps a faction within it. It is too chaotic otherwise. Will you get Eridan, dear? Vriska has much to discuss with him."

2014-09-15 01:13:23
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"Oh, yes, the Hemocentric Unfettered En-Dangerments. Good to hear you're alright for the most part. I would avoid anyone with hand tattoos... they can shoot those bullets, after all, and apparently some of them have more devastating magic than that..." he waved Eridan over, "Here's our favorite seadweller."

"Kanaya? Is Vriska alright?" he asked anxiously when /finally/ handed the phone.

2014-09-15 01:19:46
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It was sweet to hear him be so concerned, and Kanaya answered as Vriska approached, "She is fine, more or less. Here she is."

"Hey, Marchie," She greeted, "I fractured a knuckle but it was for good reason, actually. One of those HUED assholes or someone at least supporting them apprehended Kanaya and I just outside the hive of her friend, so I gave her a swift punch to the jaw and knocked her out. Unfortunately, my form was a little off and know my middle knuckle is not feeling too good. Whatever the case may be, it is fucking bananas here and is only getting worse. HUED looks like it is aiming to take over Undlegire even though some other bastards with those old mythology symbols on their clothing are helping the police. It's weird, I don't understand all this gang nonsense."

2014-09-15 01:27:39
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"Ah! We just heard about all of them. Watch out for those HUED... apparently they're crazies who are after Gamzee and I... You know how dangerous the pair of us are. Good to hear you're paying them back some," he smiled into the receiver, so happy to hear her voice and know she was fine. "Things really aren't the same without the pair of you. ....oh, and apparently the person after Tavros? They were... tucked in. So no need to worry too much." He whispered the last part so Vriska would know not to worry, but so Sollux's bracelet couldn't pick it up. "Stay safe out there, dearest."

2014-09-15 01:36:25
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Vriska hummed in approval at the assassin being killed himself, finding it easier for herself to relax. Gamzee and Eridan could take care of themselves, they were broad-shouldered men that had a good enough idea as to how to take care of themselves in times of trouble, but, as per usual, she fretted over Tavros. He was already small but dwarfed further in her eyes, a dainty porcelain doll just waiting to be shattered in the wrong hands. "HUED's after you two?" Some confusion entered her voice. "I thought the royals were aiming to piss you both off so they could shoot you down! This gang tomfoolery is liable to give me a headache. But, yes, I'll stay as safe as my temper will allow. Just lay low on your end, too. Someone is supposed to be arriving soon."

2014-09-16 00:47:49
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"Yea, alright, I think we can manage to stay out of trouble. We'll all stay inside as much as possible, don't worry over us. And of course they're after us! Who else would shoot Gamzee without provocation? Anyway, aren't we a danger to highblooded society?" he said dramatically. "You know, with all the lounging I've been doing, and all the baking Gamzee's been up to, we are liable to have someone's thinkpan explode from the shock of us not being violent psychopaths."

2014-09-16 00:56:50
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"You don't think the government and HUED are in cahoots, do you? They could have been after Tavros from the start but the royals employed their sharp shooters. Just a hypothesis, I am still shitty when it comes to all the ins and outs of this. Anyway," She checked a nearby clock, gauging that it was near suppertime and they'd have to part ways until tomorrow, "is that everything? If so, we should probably hang up for now, until tomorrow morning at least."

2014-09-16 01:13:35
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"...you know I think that's probably very possible if not completely probable, especially with how we found out about them in the first place." He sighed dramatically, "I suppose we must part... I'm pretty sure that's all...." he looked around the room. "Anyone else want to say anything?" He couldn't think of anything to add, and neither could Karkat for now. He looked to Sollux and Tavros.

2014-09-16 01:29:20
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The brown blood shook his head, and Sollux made a gesture that said he could hang up. When the call ended, the yellow pinched the bridge of his nose, "This is ridiculous and concerning and a whole slew of other adjectives that clearly express my distaste and frustration with the situation at hand."

Tavros smiled comfortingly, having taken residence on a comfortable chair and curled up in it, "They are clever women, I doubt that anything will happen to them."

"The fact that Kanaya had to escape her home for fear that it was unsafe pisses me off."

2014-09-16 01:35:46
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They all nodded in agreement. "They are obviously scared witless. It's horrifying what they are doing now... even more so than it already was..." Eridan trails off.

"It's foul," Karkat is scowling ferociously, probably just as angry as Sollux. "What they think they can get away with, just because they thing the fucking hemospectrum matters!" he spat.

Gamzee settled down in front of Tavros's chair, waiting for their dinner to be done. He was just as worried about the others of their party, and hoped nothing happened to Kanaya's home while there was such chaos. It would be terrible for her to loose another hive to this kind of bullshit all because of some elitists.

2014-09-16 01:54:13
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Tavros could tell that Sollux was using every bit of self control to keep himself together. His eyes kept crackling with his suppressed psionics, begging for some type of breach in his own deliberate system. He could see clearly now why Kanaya's role as his moirail was so important - without her wellbeing, Sollux was prone to dangerous outbursts. He could only imagine what would happen if Kanaya was seriously injured.

Still, he maintained the belief that both women would be fine, more or less. Vriska could hold her own and Kanaya had wits quicker than he had ever seen; a formidable pair during risky situations. He said nothing, though, preferring the silence and hoping that the quiet would calm some of the inevitable tension.

There was a sharp knock at the door, and Sollux, too stressed to move, gestured blindly, "Could someone get that?"

2014-09-16 11:28:49
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Karkat got up, "Sure, but control your wrist, eh?" he didn't like picking on the bracelet at this time but they needed to be careful. Karkat knew this might be the Zodiac agent, or might be someone else entirely... he couldn't say he was looking forward to either as he crossed the room to the door. Eridan followed him, curious and ready to be back up if needed.

The knock startled the other purple blood, who moved around to the opposite side of Tavros's chair, looking at the door nervously. He hadn't really intended to freak out, but he knew the least of what was going on so far, so the knock was completely unexpected.

Looking out the peephole in the door to see who was there, Karkat inquired, "Who's there?" with more than a hint of annoyance at the disturbance.

2014-09-16 12:19:31
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He peered over at Gamzee curiously, his hand coming down to stroke his hair gently as he murmured, "Are you okay, honey?"

A teal blooded woman stood at the door, a pair of red glasses balanced on her nose as she spoke, "Hello, fellows! Ay, do ya need any help folding the laundry?" She was dressed for practicality rather than any type of fashion; she wore blues and reds and blacks, a dark coat over her entire ensemble.

2014-09-16 22:19:34
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Gamzee glanced up at him, visibly calming from his touch. "Yea, just got startled is all. No one knocks at the fuckin' door, dunno who it could be..." He ended up sitting on his knees on that side, leaning his chin on folded arms on the arm of the chair.

"No, the washer is broken," Karkat replied quickly, seeing Eridan's 'what the fuck' look. He wasn't really sure if he just let her in now or waited for a signal, so put his hand on the lock to open the door a crack.

2014-09-16 22:32:37
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"Don't fret, love," Tavros reassured, leaning down to kiss his forehead and nuzzle his nose against his, half out the chair and half in it, "Come sit with me?"

The woman put her hands on her hips, offering a grin that was scarier than it was friendly, "Aren't you going to let me in? Sure, the washer may he broken, but," She winked after tilting her glasses down, "There must be something I can do!"

2014-09-16 22:48:22
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The purple blood sort of made a low chirp (no where near as cute as the brownblood's) and smiled happily as he stood to situate himself with Tavros, sliding snugly next to him with an arm around his shoulders for Tavros to lean into like usual.

Karkat felt a whole lot of 'nope' vibes at that, but let her in anyway, explaining to Eridan quietly that was the code Kanaya spoke of the first time on the phone. It didn't keep either of them from being suspicious, though, or on edge.

2014-09-16 22:54:56
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He sighed in content, curling up against his side as per usual and looping his arms around Gamzee's waist. Tavros watched as the teal blood came into the hive, not as suspicious as the remainder of the males, but definitely curious.

"You needn't all give me those glares and side eyes," She shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat, "I may not be able to see very well, but I can tell that out of the five of you, three of you are giving me glowers. If it makes you feel any better, I am know just as much about the rest of you as you all know about me. I don't even know your names, occupations, nothing of the sort. But dearest Ms. Maryam, bless her lovely bloodpusher, she requested our help and who are we to deny?"

2014-09-16 23:16:25
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Gamzee was actually pretty relieved that it wasn't a police officer, or someone else like that coming in. And if she knew Kanaya she couldn't be all that bad, right? He situated his other arm around Tavros's front, resting over his arms lightly; he had to admit that his matesprit's presence and attitude also helped.

"...Sorry, excuse us our...precautiousness..." Karkat trailed off, glancing over at Sollux before settling nearer him than anyone else. He hadn't forgotten about the bracelet either, and wondered if Kanaya had been able to inform the group or this person in particular of it's presence.

Eridan, ever the one for etiquette, went nearer the kitchen, thinking they could at least offer her something to drink for coming all this way. "Tea, miss...erhm...?"

2014-09-16 23:37:37
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Sollux gave the briefest flash of his bracelet, and the woman, acknowledging it with an inclination of her head, crossed her arms and explained succinctly, "My name is Zierte Peryop, and there is much I would like to discuss." She grinned broadly, hoping that her code could be easily deciphered, "Tea would be /amazing,/ would it be too troublesome to sparry it up the way the violets do? Oops, more slang, hope you'll excuse it and the mild accent, I just came back from Rial and it is all blues and purples, a real cold class place. Tea's good with two cubes of sugar and some milk, you know the standard, yeah?" Her voice had a bit of an Irish twist to it, something she had unconsciously picked up from the cities off to the west after being there for so long. "Is the gang all here, that Alice fellow, too? Which one is that, hm?"

Tavros shyly raised his hand, stating, " 'Tis I, Ms. Peryop."

"Wonderful, wonderful! Tell me, Alice, is there anyone you wished was tucked in at night?"

2014-09-17 00:01:45
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Well she got to the point quickly. Eridan went and busied himself with tea. He wondered if this Rial was close to the ocean... maybe it would be a decent place to check out post-quest. Bringing the cup, prepared to specifications, he handed it to her, the china clinking lightly.

Karkat was wondering how much she could actually see... enough to write like their typical system? She'd known there were five of them but had still asked if the whole gang was there, so he was confused. "I think we've got more pressing matters than bed time stories," he stated, picking up a clip board to show what he meant.

2014-09-17 00:12:21
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"Hm?" She glanced up at the sound of the china, and, with a gleaming smile, thanked Eridan and sipped her tea with nostalgia in her heart, "It's dreadful hard to see - can barely scribble me name. Say, do any of you lads speak with your hands? It's a might easier on my ocular globes, much easier to distinguish than squiggles." She then signed her real name: Terezi Pyrope.

Tavros, in amazement, watched her hands move so quickly. Sollux, finding that the silent hand movements would be useful what with his bracelet, crossed his arms to conceal it as he nodded to Gamzee and then Karkat. "Go on, then."

2014-09-17 00:47:42
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'The two of us do,' Karkat signed, and indicated Gamzee in the chair who waved a little. 'Sea dweller's don't use it apparently, and so you're stuck chatting with us I suppose...'

Gamzee and Karkat both signed their names, and Karkat took over once again. 'Did you only come here to offer to kill someone for the mission, or can we request somewhat of an enlistment? What we really need is more people for when we have to start acting big, instead of just planning like we are now.'

2014-09-17 00:56:08
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'Acting big? I'll admit, our fellow Zodiacs are scattered; until the mess in Undlegire is fixed completely, I can't send this to the higher ups. Not with good faith. HUED is taking this Alice business too seriously," She paused for a moment to sip her tea, then looked to Gamzee, "Here's a bright idea - why don't you tally our notes, yeah? Be a regular stenographer." That way, Tavros, Eridan and Sollux wouldn't be completely left in the dark. "Might be a smidge difficult if we get into the gears of it all, but you can keep up, can't ya, old chap?" With some laughter, Terezi looked to Karkat again, having taken residence on the floor with her tea on the table, signing with experienced skill, 'As for my business here, I think of it as a wild card. Ms. Maryam approached one of my colleagues, our sweetest Lioness, requesting Dragon Scale, which would be me. We would have sent her partner, too, but the Centaur works best with her. My abilities are solely dependent on what you all need. Ms. Maryam only said that she needed me to come to this address. Zodiac fully supports the Alice Mission, but it's damn difficult when our forces are all over the place! I was all the way in Rial and I'm normally stationed in Evalina two days wayward!'

2014-09-17 01:59:18