Cherubplay

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Curling up against Eridan's side, she nuzzled his chest with an arm thrown lazily across his side, "Interesting. It does seem likely that Karkat will simply move on if no other moves are made his way, but I keep getting this feeling that Sollux actually had no idea what's going on? Or if he does, he may just forget because he's so distracted by, well. Overthrowing a fucking government." She narrowed her eyes in thought before remarking, "I never even considered if Sollux really had the capacity for red romance. He seems so wrapped up in his moiraillegence that devoting some focus to red romance during a time like this appears improbable."

"You all are so unlike Starnetians," He complained, which earned a quiet laugh from Tavros, "They are so straightforward! All this jumping about and being vague with words is not my forte. If you haven't noticed, I am a cut to the chase type of troll."

His moirail simply kissed his cheek, encouraging him to get some sleep as he always got grouchy with a lack of it, then turned to Gamzee once he was out of earshot, "In Starnette, if someone had a flushcrush or even just a mild interest, they would say so. Things like subtle moves and gentle flirting is an art that I am afraid is lost on our dearest architect; if Karkat does express an interest in him, as I am positive that you, of all people, would know most factually, then give perhaps a hint that Karkat may need a more blatant sign. Besides," She smiled widely, "Sollux is a gentleman, he will court him properly if he understands the implications and fully reciprocates. 'Tis the only thing Starnetians are good at."

2015-05-07 23:52:52
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The seadweller pondered and flared his fins in thought, twitching them randomly as he ruminated. "You bring up an interesting point there, Vriska. Perhaps since he's lived in that Gaudy Golden Atrocity Sollux goes by their standards and practices, and from our run in's with people at the ball, they looked to be just as up front with their interests as their city was blinding. Like that one troll who came up to me and was being so forward about you! I thought he was fucking rude, but seadwellers usually take time to develop feelings and make sure they're real. No sense going in half-cocked and getting all droopy finned because of it. And this quest is an awful lot to worry about. Do you think that's why Karkat isn't pushing the issue?"

"Huh," Gamzee glanced at Tavros and back to Kanaya when Sollux was out of earshot. "I might like to talk to you about all that shit sometime, Kanaya. I dunno what sort of stuff to say to a brother all the time because I don't have much knowledge in the way of any of this romance stuff, and Karkat's done got himself confused. I think all those trashy fucking romances he read had the Starnettian way of shit, but he's doing the opposite 'cause it was bad stuff." Gamzee paused for a moment to gather his thoughts and think of how to phrase what was going on. "And all that openness, that's some scary stuff! It's safer to all up and hide it and keep shit from getting awkward if it /ain't/ reciprocal. Additional, Karkat's got his britches in a bundle about all the danger shit we might face. So I dunno what I should tell a brother about doing that'll do the least hurting of him."

2015-05-08 00:19:52
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She shrugged, "Quite possibly. I wouldn't blame him; think about us, or even little Alice and her knight of a Makara." Vriska, propping herself up on an elbow, traced a fingertip over Eridan's jawline, then to his hair and played with the strands, "How do you think things would have played out if they'd only started becoming romantic now? A veritable shitstorm, if you ask me. What with Gamzee's admirable selfless nature and Tavvy's horrid tendency to go utterly bonkers whenceupon the teeniest inkling of panic, I foresee a continuous disaster in that hypothetical." She shook her head, "It only makes it all the more awkward, I feel. There are us two, Kanaya and Sollux all pale, and Alice and Gamzee the practical personification of love. It'd make me absolutely aaaaaaaache for some affection."

Giving a grave nod, Kanaya held her chin before piping up, "Well, the least harm is playing it by ear, lads. No push in either direction assists any if we haven't any idea what either male thinks about the other. I hope, and mayhaps this is the hopeless romantic in me, that some gigantic event blooms some sort of love between the two. Or at least a closer friendship," She smiled sheepishly, "Any way it may go, it will turn out fine, really. Off to bed I go then, dears. Get plenty of rest." The jade disappeared off to her quarters with Sollux, and Tavros, left adjacent to his matesprit, rocked on his heels as he gave a little hum.

" 'Tis awfully interesting," He began after a few moments, "How affection works with different trolls and relationships." Holding out his hand, Tavros nodded to below decks, an invitation to continue their conversation in their quarters.

2015-05-27 00:53:26
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Eridan purred at her attentions and thought over what that hypothetical would be like. "Goodness, we are all of us romantic and shit, aren't we? ...I know I would feel left out if everyone around me was like that..." Wow, Eridan could really get that. Maybe there was someone else for Karkat in the wings, that would be much more obvious and forthcoming with him? He could only hope.

Gamzee nodded at Kanaya's suggestion but didn't like it much. He wanted him to feel the joy that he did with Tavros. He had little hope for this huge event Kanaya leaned towards. "Goodnight, Ms. Kanaya," Gamzee waved at her as she left them on the deck.

"It is, ain't it?" Gamzee laced his fingers with Tavros' and decended to their room, confident Vriska knew what she was doing with the ship. "I dunno about much of this stuff; just know how I feel about all y'all. And I got my caring on for you and Karkat all special like of all. 'Course that, of topic this is, but I think might be because I got some freedom here now. No spots to fit into when there aren't none. Truth is Tav I have some inklin' to go back to Rial for more than just the peace of it all."

2015-05-27 01:34:49
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"Yes, see? I have my suspicions that it is all for sake of fitting in, but don't quote me on that. It just puzzles me," She sank back down again, having taken off her glasses and set them aside for comfort, "If Sollux is so accustomed to the Starnetian way of blurting how you always feel, why has he not done so? Is he confused himself? Perhaps he's too out of his element to say anything. Who knows, he's a weird fellow."

"Rial is something of a paradise," Tavros agreed, but he seemed contemplative even as he said so, "And from what I understand, there are other little dock cities that are attempting the same thing. It is just too difficult with Wonderland's massive amount of people," He shook his head, mindful of his horns as he sighed, "What a problem! That is something to consider, too, when the power shifts from the Queen's claws. "

2015-05-27 01:57:37
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"That certainly is curious," Eridan mused as he scratched behind the opposite fin. "I don't like it either way." He pet Vriska's hair slowly, wanting to forget about others for a little while to concentrate on their own relationship. "Well, what are we going to do about them, Vris? I don't think there's much we can manage."

"Yeah, but I'm sure we can all up and manage that shit, Tavbro. You've got so many fucking friends who all up and wanna help you out with this government changing business, ya know." He opened the door to their private cabin for Tavros and made a little bow to invite Tavros in. "Here you are, my darlin' love. But before we all up and get to shore mayhaps we aught to get all cuddly and shit while we have the chance? No use in worrying ourselves up over what we can't do nothing about." He didn't mean they never could, just that it was in the control of others for now.

2015-05-27 02:15:57
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The blueblood looked contemplative for all of three seconds before giving a roll of her eyes, "Haven't an idea. And, honestly, it is not our responsibility, one way or the other. Their romance, or lack thereof, is up to them, don't you think? Neither male seems like the type to benefit from any meddling on our parts."

Tavros hadn't really considered anyone outside of his immediate circle as his friends, but now that he thought about it, they had plenty of allies. But even with that plenty, it wasn't enough and Tavros knew it. Mulling over his dearest's words, the brownblood nodded slightly, seeming to be wading through thoughts as he sat on the bed in their room. "I am getting a weird feeling," He said at last, "I cannot exactly pinpoint what it means, or what the feeling even /is./"

2015-05-27 19:13:45
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The seadweller made a bubbly giggle sound and nuzzled her cheek. "I was joking anyways, love. It was more of a... 'What are we going to do with these scamps' expression of exasperation than an honest inquiry. I do have an actual question, though. Are you planning on docking on any docks we find? Or should we go about it more sneakily in case there are problems on the mainland with slavers? I don't like our chances if we're out numbered, no matter how many guns or how much magic this boat has."

"Aw, shit," Gamzee murmured and sat next to Tavros to put an arm around him. "I don't like those motherfuckin' feelings you all up and get. Don't tend to be meaning much of anything good. ...maybe you oughta be getting some rest then, Tavbro. Don't want you being all unrested if we gotta get our worry on about what's up on the 'marrow."

2015-05-27 19:38:56
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She shook her head, "Absolutely not! From what I understand, these parts are /swarming/ with those slavers and I, for one, do not plan on getting taken by the enemy twice in one journey." Vriska huffed a little, lips pursed, "It would be best to set anchor on the end of a curve of shore, so we're concealed but still close to the dock."

"Right, right," He looked tired just thinking about resting, as bizarre as that was, but Tavros had much difficulty sleeping or relaxing during times like that. Laying down, and subsequently tugging Gamzee along with him, Alice peered up at him curiously. "Sorry. It was not my intention to worry you, also..."

2015-05-27 19:48:04
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"I could probably check out the coast before we go ashore with swimming, too. I doubt they'll have anything very efficient for detecting or catching seadwellers that I couldn't get out of," he offered. Even if Vriska didn't like the idea he would anyways.

Gamzee shook his head and kissed Tavros's cheek. "Don't you all up and worry about worrying little ol' me, Tavhoney. I got my worry on for you plenty. Maybe I all up and look like I got my chill on permanent like, but I guess it's all to keep shit from getting all panic like." Gamzee did his best to snuggle Tavros into something resembling calm.

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When they were close to shore Eridan dove into the water to look underneath for any sand bars or other obstacles that would get in the way of the ship. That way Vriska could plot a quick get away and find the safest place for them to dock the ship for a quick get away and minimal interference.

After packing up food for all of them in case they stayed on shore for a while, Karkat and Gamzee went on deck to stretch and get everything else ready for their trip to land. With Tavros' unclear premonition in mind, they were also doing some small sparing just to get in the mindset while there wasn't much of anything else to do. Of course Gamzee also spent some time reassuring his matesprit, even if that didn't do much good.

2015-05-27 20:15:39
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Vriska stood on deck, her hands on her hips in a decidedly authoritative manner. It was something of a ritual for her, to shift from a friendly mind to something scathing, vicious. It was only in her blood to be rough and tumble, so shifting to it wasn't anything necessarily difficult, though it was familiar and easier to deal with. It beat having to watch Tavros pace back and forth, biting his lips or the edges of his fingers to alleviate the uncertainty of that 'weird feeling' he kept getting.

The emotional visions always gave Vriska the creeps. The fact that he could just /feel/ when something was going to happen unnerved her, and she liked being unsure about the future. It gave her decisions some meaning - she guessed Tavros was the exact opposite. Even with Gamzee's assurances, Tavros looked hardly swayed, as per usual.

Kanaya seemed, at least on Sollux's account, oddly calm. He knew that had to have been a front, as she looked to be itching to wrap Tavros up in her arms and cradle him to her chest, whispering darling melodies like the Mother Grub she was. Sollux was never one for much of that pampering, and he supposed that it was bubbling over in his moirail, who kept her distance from Tavros the best she could. It was a bit unsettling, to be so new in a place like the West, a place dipped in danger like that. The yellowblood's primary focus were the people around him, at any rate, and he was sure Kanaya felt the same way. He hadn't many worries, as he assumed that even if there were slavers around, they wouldn't very well pluck up the lower ended members of their party with a brown and yellow blood included. At least, that's what logic led him to believe, but when had any of this journey been logical at all?

Vriska stood at one edge of the deck, awaiting Eridan's return and report; the ship was anchored for the time being, but just temporarily until they could find a good place to dock. The ship was relatively hidden for now, but it wouldn't do them any good to be so far from the sandy shore and mainland itself.

The brownblood eventually stopped, standing on the opposite end of the deck of Vriska, his hands wringing themselves as he stared at the water, the sky, the nature that was so blissfully unaware of the strife going on with other living beings. It made his stomach churn, as the feeling only got worse and worse the closer they got to the shore. Perhaps it was just apprehension, as the West hadn't been given a very pleasant reputation no matter who they had talked to in the past.

2015-05-27 20:35:32
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The violet blood popped his head out of the water in front of where Vriska was standing on the deck. "Okay, it's pretty clear for the most part except for that outcropping right there. The sand is shallow for about twenty metres in front of it before it drops down again to where you'll be alright. But the good thing about that is that there's a natural sort of alcove provided there that can fit the boat and keep it somewhat hidden."

Gamzee smiled at Tavros. "See? Got a good spot for the ship and everything," he murmured. "We got one aight thing in the mess. Don't forget all those little miracles that make up the big one. And we got plenty of food so even if we can't be getting back on timely there's plenty to eat and drink right in our bags. And I think we got our prepare on for small encounterings." He didn't mention a big one. He wasn't all that sure how large of parties slavers traveled in, but doubted it was actually very small. But they could always avoid them, right?

The mutant was not as optimistic. He assumed they would have to run at some point. "How are we going to make the ship easy to board from land? Leaving a board down doesn't seem wise, but if we need to get out of here quickly we should have a plan... maybe a rope? So long as Vriska could get up first and get the ship moving while we hang on and climb that might work. If we're all strong enough... just as a last ditch effort, you understand. That's obviously not a fun course of action." Well, last minute preparations were important. It was stressful being so close to the shore and not knowing what was going to happen for everyone.

2015-05-27 21:35:14
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So it seemed that everything really would go smoothly. Vriska had decided that keeping a board out was their only concrete option, as all others would take up too much time. The location of their ship was hidden enough, and their captain, with a sweeping hand gesture, put down the board and scampered down to land.

Tavros knew that there was always a chance that things could go sour. Even if they were still, technically, in Wonderland, it still seemed like such a massively different area, like they were in another country. Even just the air felt so much different, though the beach was just as beautiful as he had imagined. A pang of recent nostalgia hit him as he was reminded of the gorgeous Rial and the desolate Screechlands. Poor Wocky, Tavros thought. How was he holding up without us?

Walking down the plank with Gamzee's assurances in mind, he sank a bit in the sand for a few moments before Vriska assumed the lead with her hands on her hips. "So, what say you all?" Vriska questioned, "We could dip in a tavern and see what the local hubbub is about - if there's any to begin with."

2015-06-28 19:12:45
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"Yeah, let's just be careful about being seen for who we are before we know that," Karkat cautioned. Not everyone liked the Alice's mission, and who knew what might happen in lands with what he could only expect was more lax law enforcement and governmental powers. After all, the slavers were allowed here by the queen and were taking the citizenry without her minding, so there couldn't be much else that wasn't allowed. Additional paranoia said if she was clever they might expect something more vicious to come after them more directly to get rid of their opposition in such a territory.

The violet was less worried, but equally aware of his surroundings. Eridan wandered next to Vriska as they strolled the beach, keeping his eyes and fins open for any sign of ambush. Not that anyone could tell aside from the small signs of concentration. For the most part his stance was loose and relaxed, like it was just any old beach they were wandering on.

Gamzee, however, was the epitome of chill. Even more than ordinary he was practically lounging in vertical, in subconscious hopes that his demeanor would bring some calm to the rest of the party. This sand was also something crazy to be walking in, and on a similar line of thought of Tavros he was feeling something almost like homesickness. There had been an awful lot of sand lately, and he was kind of craving some funky colored mushrooms or a little bit of forest shade. Sure, Eribro could luminesce a little bit, but it was only vaguely similar to his familiar fungi.

As they trudged through their clownish troll found himself aside his matesprit, though he declined to put an arm around the copper's shoulders. He would have liked to, but his pale thought they had a need for sneakiness and he wasn't going to get in the way of clever thoughts that might save their skins. Karkat stuck himself between the pair of lovebirds and the moirails, scowling and looking around as furtively as he could just to keep a look out. The last thing he wanted was to be caught unawares.

2015-06-30 02:27:35
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It was all much too easy to get whisked away by someone the Queen secretly employed, and for her to shrug her shoulders and pout her lips in mock-sadness when something happens to the Alice mission. Something she inevitably orchestrated.

Tavros was worried out of his mind, but he constantly reminded himself that out of all the timelines, theirs was the only one that succeeded. This particular Alice mission won, against all odds, and that should be consolation enough..

Except it wasn't.

Looking at the faces that he had come to equate as a family, dread simply pooled in his stomach. Kanaya felt similar but pride wouldn't let her show it. She'd survived some seriously scary shit back in Undlegire with Vriska, and Undlegire was fortified. She figured that if she could get through something like that, something so traumatizing in a place that was supposed to be safe, she could handle the West's problems. Hopefully. Sollux kept a careful eye on her but refrained any touching; yellows were still highbloods and a Problem Caste for a moirail may not be well received.

Vriska moved along with the same imperceptible caution her matesprit did, even as they began walking on dirt roads as opposed to sand, (though it clung to her boots, irritatingly enough) and she peered around for any sort of tavern. There was usually one not too far from the port, and from the looks of it, there was a pub seated on the corner almost awkwardly close to the port. Sailors, or slavers, she thought, could waltz right in and grab something to drink. Sure would be a show inside.

"Well, Marchie," She inclined her head to her constant partner, "Care for a shimmy inside?"

2015-07-19 03:18:01
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Eridan cocked his head in her direction as the fin on her side twitched up. "A shimmy; well now, that does sound fun. Though by the looks of the place I'd say we should all be ready for some rambunctiousness." Eridan was up for whatever they would be facing inside, but he was somewhat concerned about bringing the rest of the group in with them. Sure they had been teaching them to defend themselves, but none of them were as experienced as himself and Vriska. Not to mention such a big group of all different classes and colors would attract attention.

Not to mention that some of them had taken to fighting better than others. Eridan's swimming lessons had gone well (swimmingly, in fact) and he was confident that everyone could save their own life with at least one stroke. Gamzee had taken to the water almost as well as a seadweller, though he did have a preference for floating on his back and relaxing more than any real swimming. Fighting on the other hand, well... sweeps of ingrained training not to fight was hard to overcome. It had actually been kind of hard for him to watch the lanky troll cringe and let himself get hit by Vriska. Eventually he'd gotten better at it, but he was still best at defending

The cherry blood was quite the opposite, though. While he'd not been too keen on getting into the water, he was more than willing to learn to fight. He had some obvious anger, and a lot of spirit. So while his personal style was more wild than refined, through training he'd gotten more precise. Since he wasn't nearly as strong as that blue guy they'd met, or very close to the hidden strength their indigo teammate had, knowing where to cut was best for him. Force was fine and all, but there was more than one way to bring a guy down.

There really wasn't much choice for them here. So they would go into this bizarre place, and find some information, right? That would be all well and good. Karkat tried to reassure himself this way, even though something in the back of his mind was urging him to turn away from this suspicious looking place and take his companions with him. The mutant attempted to tell himself that the feeling was just paranoia, and they wouldn't be hurt too badly if it came to that. There was a quick escape planned, after all! Yeah! Wow he was terrible at being legitimately and enthusiastically optimistic.

So Eridan led them up to the doors of the place with Vriska. It looked like the sea breezes had bleached the wooden planks of the place, or that it had been made out of drift wood in the first place. It had a sea theme much like Rial had over all, but the feeling of it was just the opposite. This wasn't a comfortable place to stay for nice people; rather a quick stop for a beer and a brawl for any sailors brave enough to enter. Aside from an old troll with a scraggly graying beard slouched on a bench outside all the action seemed to be indoors. There were the usual sounds of activity with the occasional shout layered on top; sometimes angry, sometimes drunkenly excited. The presumed troll outside (he had on a hat that kept his horns from being seen) had obviously been in the sun long enough that his skin was nearly black. He leered at them as they approached, smoking a sickly pungent and vaguely sweet substance from a worn pipe. Adjusting his hat forward and turning his face away from them, he leaned back further and huffed a single syllable of laughter before appearing to nap; letting the pipe from his smoke curl up in vaguely pinkish curls.

2015-07-21 19:04:57
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Learning to fight had been a struggle in of itself. Tavros could mimic the movements but he lacked any of the fighting spirit, which meant weak attacks and slow reaction times. Vriska had expected as much; he was as passive as they came, and she hadn't been anticipating giant leaps and bounds with his progress. But a skip or two would have been nice.

Kanaya had been more receptive with learning to fight, and sparring with her was exciting; the jadeblood was something of a calculated warrior, a knight that stabbed and sliced precisely. It was actually something to be envied, as Vriska was occasionally too impulsive. Sollux, with some encouraging from Kanaya, did alright in his own way, and wanted to rely mostly on his psionics, which Vriska vehemently refused. If he was hit with some sort of magic-blocking spell, he still needed to be able to protect himself, and, with some grumbling, the former-government worker grudgingly learned.

Rial was a hell of a lot better than Fouville.

Vriska noted the worn buildings, the dilapidated infrastructure and the crooked ships, and, judging from the activity within the tavern, it was only going to get worse. She frequented these sorts of places constantly, but, even with Eridan in tow, she never had to worry about someone else. She knew that Eridan could take care of himself, and that she was capable of the same thing, but recent events made her a bit more wary. Getting apprehended by Starnetian guards, then being stranded in the chaotic Undlegire created an air of observation for Vriska, who noted the ebony skin of the man on the porch and got a weird feeling about him. She gave a look to Eridan, one that spoke 'stay on your toes', then inclined her chin a bit and stared hard at the swinging doors in front of them. She could peek inside somewhat, saw the rowdy, though somewhat normal scenery, then pushed forward.

Tavros followed behind closely, his nose wrinkled at the scent of whatever the troll man was smoking, his ears twitching at the loud yelling and drunken singing of inside the tavern. The inhabitants of the tavern came from the world over, most attempting to find a troll to either sell or buy, and he noted that there seemed to be other species instead of trolls. He knew humans were around, and from the looks of it, there were one or two that were probably slaves themselves, then more individuals with starkly black skin, but Tavros, after getting a nudge from Kanaya, also noted that there was a surprisingly sweet looking young woman with purely white skin. Sollux remarked that they were awfully insectoid, Kanaya hushed him, and Vriska surveyed the scene, the team's new leader for exploits like this.

They'd just have to find a table and-

"Hey!" A troll easily twice Vriska's size had shoved past her with enough force that she nearly fell, and, with an animalistic growl, she grabbed hold of the man's arm to force him to look at her, "Watch it, y'pig." Switching into her pirate voice was easy enough, the seafaring, rough and tumble life all she's ever truly been used to, and the spark of excitement entered Vriska's eyes.

Leering, the troll yanked his arm from her, "And what'll you do it about it, pipsqueak? Tell the /Queen/ on me?" He laughed heartily, but abruptly stopped when Vriska managed with a level voice, "The Queen hasn't any power over Captain Mindfang."

"...Is that so?" His darkened gray skin seemed to pale, "/You're/ Captain Mindfang?"

" 'Tis right," She put her hands on her hips, then tilted her head away from him, her blue lips a thin line, "And if ye cross me again, 'll snap y'horns off and shove 'em sideways up your wastechute, understand?"

The troll, realizing his transgression, nodded dumbly before lumbering off to a table in a corner. Vriska hadn't gathered much attention - confrontations were the norm here and they'd have to do something outlandish for people to outright notice them. Tavros bit his lower lip nervously, but swallowed his anxiety to try to appear more neutral, indifferent. Their blueblood led them to a round wooden table against a booth, sliding into it with narrowed eyes, "This place is teeming with degenerates," She complained, "And not even the good kind."

2015-07-25 18:27:59
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Eridan chuckled as they found a table and sat down. "Getting into fights already my dear? You're in top pub-going shape I see." Gods damn did he like it when she pulled stunts with her ancestor's fame like that. Watching her pick fights wasn't bad either, and he might have liked watching her go at it as much as he liked participating in a round of fisticuffs. The seadweller looked over at her with a glance that said 'if societal concerns and imminent danger weren't a thing right now I'd be kissing you'. Of course looking at Vriska also allowed him to keep an eye out behind her where she couldn't look around without looking strange. Appearances were everything.

For his part Karkat had at least calmed down a little bit. Externally. He didn't like the look of the slaves or slavers and there was a voice in the back of his head screaming that that could be him at any moment and that he desperately did not want to be locked in a cell again. Eridan left to get them all something from the bar (keeping up appearances again, and the bar area was the best for overhearing gossip) and Karkat watched curiously. The seadweller could swim through the crowd almost as easily as he did in water. The mutant troll was sure he would have been knocked over with some of the huge people between their booth and the bar if he had tried, but more importantly he tried to keep his eyes down so no one outside their party could see his color easily as he slumped in his seat. It wouldn't be any good to get caught for something like that, even if no one knew who they were. Not that that was likely with how quickly news traveled.

Their other purple was also glancing around, though Gamzee was beginning to think there might be some sort of weird thing going on here. A lot of these motherfuckers were all up and wearing the same logo thing. Maybe that's how some pirates did it? "Heya Vriska, do some of all y'all piratey folks like to wear the same stuff to get all team spirity?" he drawled, still not all that concerned.... yet. Some of the little hairs on the back of his neck might have been sticking up a little but that was probably just a draft or because they were generally surrounded by people.

He'd noticed that a number of people among the crowd had an 'x' design somewhere on them with each card suit outlined in one of the four spaces within it. Gamzee might have also noticed a little guy with a club shape filled in with dark grey in the bottom most space walk by. The funny thing about his was not only that the clover shape was the only one on him (and that it was completely filled) but there was also a crown stitched in above the design. Hell, he thought it even looked like the kind of style crown a king of a card suit might wear on his noggin in the card art! Gamzee thought it was a pretty cool design except that the other guys he'd seen with the designs didn't look near as nice or chipper as this clubs toting fellow. Then again the other two "kings" he found seemed to get along alright with that nice looking lady. Maybe they weren't all that bad.

2015-08-05 15:20:59
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"Well, I had to do /something./ I couldn't just let my reputation get tarnished," Vriska, smugly, set her elbows on the edge of the table, her odd eyes peering around curiously. It had been a while since she had been in a tavern or pub, and it seemed like she was right at home with the bustling, aggressive atmosphere. She sat back like a queen on her throne, surveying her kingdom with a trained eye, peering at citizens and any breakers of rules she had implemented, even if Vriska had never been in that part of Wonderland before.

Tavros wished he had even a sliver of her confidence, her quiet rage that she could dole out in the blink of an eye. He knew it was a stark trench in their personalities; Tavros resigned himself to a passive role, even if what he was sent to Wonderland to do was inherently aggressive. He reviewed the phrases said to him during his time in Wonderland inwardly, the verbs tacked on to his person: 'overthrow', 'dismantle', 'tear', 'destroy.' He had never overthrown anything, dismantled it, torn it, destroyed it. He, by profession, cultivated, encouraged. He planted flowers, he watered foliage, he tended to them so gently that they flourished underneath his fingertips, raised their chlorophyll-brimmed appendages to the sky while Tavros shielded himself from the harsh sunlight. It was peculiar, how Wonderland's sun did not harm but nearly everything else could, how everyone he encountered could either help or harm him.

She narrowed her eyes, "I've never seen anything like that before." Which was alarming, "We ought to do some investigation. Sure Eri would know something about it."

2015-08-28 20:15:24
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Gamzee decided he didn't like Vriska's reaction. He didn't think it boded well for them if she didn't know who these people were or what to expect from them. There were so many after all! The more he glanced around the more emblems he noticed. Sure there were other small unlabeled groups, but this one was pretty sizable. Maybe all four of the leaders didn't get together that often...

Eridan came back to their table, suddenly jostled right as he got to them. He glanced over his shoulder and scowled, but didn't bark anything immediately when he saw who it was. That strange guy from outside had apparently finished his smoke and had come back inside, heading almost straight for the other three lead carapacians. "I got us some pumpkin ail and snacks," the seadweller said, distracted, setting a large pitcher and cups down with a plate of pretzels and mixed nuts. "I don't like the looks of those four, Vris... I feel like I've seen that emblem somewhere."

"What the fuck are we going to do?" Karkat hissed, already on edge and only getting more worried with both of their seafaring duo cautious about these folks. He risked a look up at one of the lackeys to see the insignia for himself. After a few moments of deep thought something clicked, and horrified surprise took over the look on his face. "Oh shit we are so fucked if they noticed us, fuck this place is full of them..." he muttered. Karkat ducked his head when he saw the second tallest of the leaders glance at their table, doing his best to hide his eyes and anything else that could give away who he was.

"What the motherfuck is all up and going on, bro?" Gamzee patted Karkat's shoulder and reached under the table for Tavros' hand. Something was clearly up. "Who all is these fuckers?"

"I think they work for the queen. No, I'm pretty damn sure. One of them was around outside my cell one time they came to check up on me. It was that diamond toting fucker that came with one of the queen's asshole lackeys who thinks he was so great just because she gave him responsibility over babysitting the fucking sewers," Karkat grumbled, a little less panicky and more aware from Gamzee's reassurances. "We might be in real trouble if they're looking for us out here."

2015-09-03 17:46:39
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"The fact that you've seen that emblem is helpful only in the sense that it's familiar," Vriska scowled as well, pouring herself a cup before sipping it in the same manner a regal queen would but with piercing eyes more akin to a true sailor, "But don't worry. Only rules out here are sailor ones, which means fists solve problems, not any kind of talking."

Tavros pursed his lips, peering at the drink, pumpkin ale, and wondering if he'd have any mind to drink it. He wasn't sure what exactly constituted an ale, or if he liked pumpkin things due to the fact that his former area of living was not exactly abundant with them. He sat back in his seat, finding it hard to be as terrified as he used to be; it was as if his body and mind were becoming accustomed to the fear that he usually dealt with and had come to the conclusion that suppressing any kind of fear was the best course of action. He took a deep breath, and some tension escaped his shoulders somewhat as he peered around and listened to Karkat's grumbling.

"We're in trouble regardless of where we are," Sollux sighed, though he did seem interested by the people around him; he wasn't exactly aware of them either, "Just stay inconspicuous."

2015-09-19 04:36:32
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Karkat looked at Vriska as if she was trying to tell him the world was flat and that water wasn't wet. "How does that help us /at all/?" he deadpanned. "If anything that makes it /worse/; there are way more of them than us." Which brought him to Sollux's oh so helpful words. "Yes. Inconspicuous. Us. The group that could put a rainbow to fucking shame," he muttered. It would be different if they were actually from the west, but they couldn't even fake that accurately with so little knowledge of the place.

"Slow your roll, brother. It'll all up and be okeedokee. Just get your chill on." Gamzee poured them (Karkat, Tavros, and himself) some of the ale, willing to try most anything. He had made a few pumpkin concoctions before, but nothing that required expensive or elusive ingredients. The most he'd managed in his little hut in the woods was a pumpkin pie, and that was only because he'd been able to fashion a crust out of some nuts he'd pounded into flour. It had been quite the labor, but he considered the effort worth it at the time.

With that in mind he decided to regale Karkat and Tavros with a tale of his home. "Tav, you got pu'kins back in your home place? 'Cause in Tulgey the fuckers pop up wherever the hell they damn well please in the autumn times. Why they go all up and under the trees so thick you can't step off the path 'less ya step in one!" As he continued on with his story about the time he'd found what must have been one the size of the carriage that took Cindertroll to her ball, Eridan kept a look out on that group with a smile. The clown could be full of surprises, and he found it refreshing just how much love he could pour out when trying to keep them happy. And since he wasn't making a scene or impeding his scouting, it made him doubly grateful. Perhaps he could keep Karkat calm while just looking like a sailor who liked to spin yarns.

Sipping a glass he'd poured himself, he glanced at Kanaya and Sollux to gauge their reactions to the entire situation before leaning into Vriska's side to speak to her privately. "I don't think Karkat's wrong about them being bad news, but I'm not sure if we should be immediately worried. But it is possible that geezer from outside recognized at least one of us."

2015-09-22 18:57:02
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"Pumpkins? No, I've not seen any," But he quieted to listen to Gamzee talk while occasionally glance at Vriska, who barked back at Karkat earlier that her previous statement depicted exactly how useless it was that the emblems were familiar. But, of course, an angry little shitstain would only pick and choose what he'd like to hear. Kanaya had shot her a look of utter distaste mixed with a warning and leveled one for Karkat as well, but she sat straight in her seat and Vriska flicked an ear at Eridan's whispering.

Imperceptibly, she squinted her eyes, "/Anyone/ with a working eye and two cells in their thinkpan would recognize us, it'd be impossible to maneuver Wonderland in hiding. Let's review our motley crew here: a pernicious pirate, a swashbuckling seadweller, and a ravishing rainbowdrinker coupled with an aggravated architect. Oh, and let's not forget the "violent"blood and his grand ol' time of a cherry. And while we're putting all our fucking ducks in a row, the goddamn Alice, veritable savior of all of Wonderland and ingrained in children's thinkpans from the moment of their conception, is shilly-shallying about with us." She huffed, irritated that anyone would rightly believe that they could go about anymore as anonymous figures, "You know as well as I that the only time trouble rears its ugly head is when one pokes about in matters that should be left alone."

2015-10-08 01:24:21
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Eridan sighed. "I think we've already thoroughly entrenched ourselves in shit that shouldn't be poked around in. At the very least so far as the queen is concerned. Retrospectively I think we've been in the shit ever since we met those two in the Screechlands."

It had been lucky Kanaya and Gamzee had stepped in to the argument that the cerulean and cherry bloods had been about to start, because Karkat would have only shot back that he was talking about her sailor's law and not the fucking emblems. Who gave a shit who they worked for if there were far more of them than their small band could logistically defend against? But it was better that they stayed quiet and didn't draw attention.

Then again their very outlandishness drew attention from those who were keen to notice such differences. "Perhaps we aught to make a hasty retreat once we're done with our snack." Eridan suggested. "Those four are giving me the willies. They keep watching us, Vris. At least if they come after us in the ship we've got greater maneuverability and speed. To lug all their men they've got to have larger ships, and they'll take far longer to get rigged than yours. I could probably swim along and find shallower waters for us to go through that their keels won't be able to manage without getting beached, if it comes to that." Eridan liked having an escape route; it came with being a seadweller and having to swim for their lives in the past.

2015-10-08 02:09:17
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Her blue gaze swept the items on their table, then she leaned back in her seat and lightly traced her fingertips over the hilt of her sword, "...I would not wait to finish our munching, love," She decided, and Kanaya, somewhat worriedly, peered up from how entangled her and Sollux's hands were on her lap to inquire, "Are we to remove ourselves from this establishment?"

"Absolutely," Vriska had noticed, as of late, that Kanaya grew increasingly more nervous as time went on, which was quite unlike her. It had taken only a moment or two to realize why; the last time she had been in a rowdy situation with danger lurking about was back in Undlegire and her shop had been destroyed as a result. Something of a responsibility laid heavy on her heart then, and Vriska furrowed her brows, a peculiar notion coming to mind that she ought to assist Kanaya in the rebuilding of her clothing. She'd started from scratch, sweeps worth of designs and fabrics completely obliterated at the hands of the enemy, an unacceptable action. She set her jaw briefly, "We're outnumbered like rabbits to bears."

Sollux wasn't sure how they'd all get out without incident, and he looked to their nucleus, the ever-concerned Tavros, who was doing all he could to keep himself together, but there was such a foreboding feeling over him that he laid his forehead against the edge of the table and took in shallow breaths. Kanaya, on the other side of him, removed a hand from the jumbled grips of her other and Sollux's pair, to raise it and rub the palm against Tavros' back. She could feel every breath, every bump to his vertebrae, the sharpness of a scapula as he rolled a shoulder. It made her heart ache to see him like this, so afflicted by something outside of his control and having no real remedy for it. She applauded his previous attempts at keeping his composure, though all his work unraveled swifter than either party anticipated.

"Yes, and I can practically swim in this tension," Sollux sighed, wishing he could do anything to assuage the members of his makeshift family, but realized he was entirely too inept at comfort and would likely ruin something. "Let's get going. Lead the way Eridan, Vriska."

The brownblood's head lifted once he realized they were to leave, and Kanaya smoothed a few strands of hair back, but he assured her before she could question him that he would be fine once he got to the ship. He was just uncomfortable.

2015-10-10 15:06:00