The city of Hadriel

Voice

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 08:59:15 GMT

Posted by: wonderland_vogue

[After the last post debacle, she's being only a tiny bit more careful. Just a tiny bit.

Though she sounds bored if not with a faint hint of curiosity in her tone.]

Probably not the best time for this, but I have to ask now that I've poked around a little. How many of you here are older than, say, a thousand years or so? I'm just curious.

On another note, what are your thoughts on the... captors, I suppose, feeding on the various emotions as it were? Such a thing isn't really... uncommon where I'm from, so it's always interesting to see a new side to it from those not as familiar. We have another name for them, as well, but that is something I'll leave to all of you to be curious about.

Though I'm sure someone here could enlighten you on the term if she so felt inclined.

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video

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 02:33:47 GMT

Posted by: evocation

Hey. Uh... I've never posted to the network before, huh? I'm Kyna.

[Kyna helpfully wiggles her fingers in a little wave. She's very clearly some kind of elf, with pointy ears and all.]

So, my magic's back, which is good, since a lot of things want to fucking kill us here. Anyway, I'm offering lessons or whatever. I'm an evocation wizard, which means I know a lot of spells that blow shit up, but I know defensive magic too, if that's your bag. No healing spells, though. Find a cleric for that.

Oh, yeah, this probably goes without saying but, you know, bloodthirsty assholes need not apply. If I've heard sketchy shit about you I'm not teaching you.

[She pauses for a moment, head tilting as she thinks.]

Yep, that's it. Let me know.

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Is There Anybody Out There? Tell Me What Went Wrong [audio]

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 16:29:25 GMT

Posted by: wormintheglass

[The feed opens with Bianca singing unaccompanied: her voice is deep, rich, compelling, and pitch perfect. She breaks off after a few lines.]

Good morning, my dear Hadriel, and a very warm welcome to our newest residents. I am Bianca, and I'm here to ease your days, lighten your hearts and perhaps even ruffle your feathers!

It's always a turbulent time, when the door opens and strangers from all over the multiverse land haplessly in the sands of the Colosseum. Allow me, my new friends, to point you towards two useful features on the communication device you've been given - one is my dear friend Mello's guide for those new to the city and the other is a concise history of Hadriel as we know it, by the same author. I hope you savour his salty prose as much as I!

But enough about practical matters. Let us talk to each other, dear Hadriel. What makes you angry? What do you need to get off your chest? Tell Bianca. I am listening.

(Soundtrack)

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01 ✦ Text

Sun, 07 Jan 2018 13:03:52 GMT

Posted by: warfares

[ Initially, he'd intended to follow up on the information Hux had gathered during his own network post. Hearing the Empire's name bandied about with such casual familiarity was a cause for concern, however over the course of his investigations he'd uncovered something far more disturbing. ]

Question: has anyone ever been returned to their worlds, only to be drawn back at a later stage? If so, what state where they in upon their return.

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4 ☄ voice

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 17:35:42 GMT

Posted by: fifthreturned

All right, guys. I guess you probably already know where this is going. I managed to catch Delight before she could get out of here, so now we just have to decide what to do with her. Needless to say, we can't agree, and anyway what she did hurt you guys just as much as it did us.

So this decision is gonna be up to you. Obviously there are some options that aren't available - we're not just gonna let her go free. That would be pretty dumb, right? But a lot of us don't want the more extreme options, either.

We'll tell you how we feel in a reply to this. Think about it yourselves, and vote. You'll have about a week to decide.

Man. This sucks.

View Poll: What should we do with Delight?

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duel 5. ( anon text. )

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 17:31:27 GMT

Posted by: puzzlingly

You know what fucking sucks?
The Speakeasy
The owner is never around.
Just Who Does SHE Think She Is?!?!?!
She can't do shit right around here.
WE HAVE NEEDS!
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAND THIS HEAT WITHOUT MY BOOZE?!

「Hey, hey, Rey's friends... yeah, he's calling you out, come defend your friend, come show you care about her! He needs you... She needs you. Please.
The clock is ticking.

Yep, this is ruse. It WAS HARD, OK?! He feels terrible. It had to be done.」

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[Video]

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:07:11 GMT

Posted by: dreamsallotted

[Seel is standing in what remains of Sorrow's grove. Like others, he's not exactly thrilled with the heat, but he's not unused to it either, having spent years in an inhospitable climate not unlike this one.]

A couple of things. First. I've been working with Elrond on trying to create some sort of irrigation system for the grove here. We obviously can't continue to rely on the gods for assistance. We need to make ourselves as self reliant as possible.

[Personally, Seel would prefer not to rely on anyone.]

Sorrow's death means we have to keep this grove alive. It's an additional source of food we can't afford to lose. To that end, if anyone needs a project, I would appreciate the help. This may not be the most hospitable land but it does offer food and we can make do with it if we use our resources well enough.

[Seel fingered the package of cigarettes he was holding in one hand, he was running low, and had been rationing best he could with the Null situation, and now this.]

Second. I'm running out of cigarettes. I quit once before but with significantly more resources than what we currently have available. If anyone has any tips, I'd love to hear them.

[At the moment, quitting cold turkey was pretty much his only option. It wasn't like nicotine patches grew on trees here.]

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twelfth; voice (live through this and you won't look back)

Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:46:19 GMT

Posted by: bekommen

[The dust has settled, the suns have risen, and Nick survived, sure, but she's struggling with what survival in this instance means. So she's turned to her old trusty coping mechanism - alcohol, an emergency bottle she'd stashed away for just in case. She's not completely trashed by the time she starts talking, just drunk enough to feel as fragile as necessary to talk about herself with strangers about things she doesn't normally open up about.]

You know, I've been thinkin' ... now that we actually got time to think again ... how many of y'all fought in wars before? 'Cause we don't really got wars where I'm from. I mean - there are wars, sure, but nothin' like what happened here. Not anywhere near me, anyway - the last war that happened in my country was like, a hundred and some years ago. Wars are somethin' you read about in history books, or watch movies about, or you see on the TV, in the news, happening in other countries so far away you don't even really know where they are on the map.

[A pause; the slosh of liquid against glass as she takes another swig.]

I, uh - I grew up in a real small town in the middle of nowhere, and a lot of the kids in my school had dreams of joining the military and fighting to defend freedom or whatever, but that was never me. I didn't have dreams of doing anything with my life. Hell, I figured I'd be dead by the time I got as old as I am now.

[A whole twenty-seven years old. Practically a grandma, right?]

But I - I had this friend I made here, a while back - he's gone now, but he'd lived for like, a thousand years. He'd been through wars, personally, and we had this mind-link thing happen once, on accident, when Confusion first turned up. I got to see what war was like, through his eyes. It was every bit as awful as the history books and TV reports and movies will have you believe, but ... it still wasn't anything like what happened here.

[She misses Ushahin, even though he was gone by the time she returned. She misses Chris, too, now that he's disappeared. She inhales a shaky breath, and it's not enough to keep her voice from wavering.]

I don't - sorry, I don't really know what I'm doin' here, y'know? I'm just a bartender from Chicago - I used to sing in a band. I'm not a fighter. I'm not a hero.

[And then, muffled, through her hand, before she kills the feed:] ... This is stupid.

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[Video] ✧ 1st Address

Sun, 17 Dec 2017 08:11:38 GMT

Posted by: angelofnaboo

[She's had time...a few days at least... to sort through things while working to help others. She's holding together as best as she can, but she knows that things here are complicated.]

I'm sure that it's been asked before by others, but I've yet to really find anyone that I can talk to regarding this. So, I've decided to address as many as possible at one time.

[She stalling, she knows she is. And that's not like her. After biting her bottom lip momentarily, she just decides to face the problem head on.]

Has anyone else run into time paradoxes? People from the past and people from the future coexisting when they really shouldn't? Meeting those that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to do so?

How do you deal with it?

[After she asks that question, her demeanor changes.]

Are there any particular projects that can use a slightly disoriented politician that is out of her element?

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004; Video

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:48:52 GMT

Posted by: utulien_aure

By now, I imagine that everyone is aware of the shortages we currently face. With Sorrow dead and Hope still in recovery, our food supply may be insecure for some time. And without electricity, it will be difficult for some of us to prepare what we do manage to find.

Under these circumstances, it seems both precarious and inefficient to let everyone scavenge for themselves. For now, I propose creating some kind of communal cooking space were we all can bring what we hunt and gather. An outdoor fire pit might suffice for now, although if someone else has a better proposal I would be glad to hear it.

Would anyone be interested in helping me to set something up?

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[Video]

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 02:31:57 GMT

Posted by: prophesiedone

You know...

I feel a rare opportunity was passed up. I'm not hunted nearly enough.

[Anakin.]

In fact, I don't need a stupid list. I'm looking for volunteers. I'll even return the favor if you like? It's only polite.

[Don't target innocent people; target assholes like him. He's fine with it. It will be comforting because everything in his life is upside down and has ceased to make sense.]

My name is Anakin Skywalker for those who have forgotten. Contact me anytime, day or night.

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There's Room For You If You Say You Do [video]

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 15:24:24 GMT

Posted by: wormintheglass

[Bianca's video opens with her sitting on a bench outside a house like this. Two enormous spotted hyenas loll at her sides, grinning into the camera.]

Good afternoon, my dear Hadrielites. I find myself in need of a housemate. Perhaps two. You will need to be fond of pets and music and at least tolerant of alcohol consumption and platonic nudity.

Your own pets will be perfectly welcome, provided they can get along with mine. I will feed you, providing you can stomach cave meat and providing you don't have too outlandish a diet.

Talk to me. I despise living alone.

(Soundtrack)

[Note: Bianca lives in a three bedroom house in Sorrow's imported city section.]

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text

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 10:46:34 GMT

Posted by: notimpervious

In a departure from the statements of defiance and aggression that have been the city's focus since the Null's most recent communication, I am happy to announce that I have finished writing a book: ~~Bone Deep~~. Note: I have changed the title of the book to Written in Bone. This is a more suitable title.

It is a crime novel featuring applied forensic anthropology to assist federal law enforcement in murder investigations. The science is, of course, accurate, but for those who are more interested in characters, there is quite a lot of dialogue and fluff to denote the passage of time. I am told it is quite engaging and even stimulating.

A clean copy is available in the library. I hope it will serve as an adequate recreational activity for those who would like a temporary escape from the rather chaotic events unfolding in this underground city.

[OOC: "fluff" = "smut". Smut between leading lady Dr. Kathy Reichs and leading man Agent Andy Lester. To Brennan's eternal disappointment, most of her readers back home find the characters and "fluff" more interesting than the science. >:c Also, it's known in canon that her characters are inspired by her real life colleagues, so if your character would make that leap, they wouldn't be the first.]

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007 [Video]

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 20:13:44 GMT

Posted by: lifetothefullest

[Like the last few posts that have occurred, this is also clearly in regards to the Null's latest announcement; however, Lance is trying a different tactic, because he's doing his best to avoid getting kicked out of seeing their list. So he's wording this very carefully, and that's purposefully obvious in his tone; it's also probably pretty obvious in how intent his stare is, and in how he's casually fiddling with his FBI badge in view of the screen.

He's really hoping the Null aren't too good with subtle body language, and that the people here aren't as generally bad at it as he's concerned they are.]

In light of recent occurrences, I'd like to remind everyone that I'm a psychologist, and I have an office in the clinic should anyone wish to speak confidentially. Additionally, although I prefer to work with individuals, group meetings are also possible.

[Aka the Clinic is available for anyone who wants to have private conversations about all of this going on, and Lance will be lurking there himself both to participate and keep watch on things.]

[[ooc: Feel free to jump right to action threads, to do multi-person threads, threadjack on the network or in person, etc!]]

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03 - Text

Sat, 28 Oct 2017 18:36:18 GMT

Posted by: 01101110

[The following post is filtered away from... well, if your name is on this post, you're not going to see it.]

.

.

.

Connection has been established.

.

.

.

You have all been authorized. You will all receive an offer. You will all understand our offer.

.

We must allow ourselves to be sure of your intent. We must be wary. We must be diligent.

.

Working with us will ignite a war. You must be ready. You must be willing to weaken the parasites. You must work toward our goal.

.

Kill one of the following members of your community who have sided against us and with the parasites. Respond with evidence that you have followed instruction.

If you do this we will tell you where the god killer is.

.

.

Jo Harvelle
Ellie
Duck
Fingon
George Lass
Alphys
Chris Hartley
Hanako Nurumi
Seel har Parasiel
Will Solace
Gilbert Beilschmidt
Maglor
Cecily Trevelyan
Kate Galloway
Maedhros
Calanthe
Atem
Trafalgar Law
Lup Taaco
Aren Brosca
Rydia
Matt Murdock
Temperance Brennan
Terrence Ephemera
Lee Rosen
Margaery Tyrell
Julie Grigio
Kyna
Nathan Drake
Taako Taaco
Eddie Kasprak
Kain Highwind

.

If there is sufficient proof of others consorting with the parasites we will allow proof to be presented. We will allow their deaths to be utilized to demonstrate alliance with the Null. We will reveal the location of the god killer within your city.

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Dictation - 6 [Text]

Sun, 20 Aug 2017 06:26:56 GMT

Posted by: drabsolutelynot

[Rosen has now been in the cave going on 7 months. He's marked out the time on his laptop, little digits scribbled here and there between his thoughts and observations. 7 long months and as he scrolls through his records, inconsistent as they are due to the lapses in his mental capacity over the past few months, he finds certain reoccurring issues. Most are to be expected, issues of loneliness, fear, and an overwhelming sense of uselessness. However, there are others. Ones that keep him awake late into the night. One's that linger in the way he chews at the corner of his mouth or the way he uncomfortably flexes his fingers.

Prominent among those that he can't help but pick at like an annoying scab is the question of killing. A question that has always dogged him in his very specific line of work and now weighs heavily on his thoughts once again. It is not a coincidence that only a few days earlier a certain friend of his appeared in the clinic wounded and that this same friend subsequently posted to the network asking about the procurement of more bullets for his gun, a weapon that had been implicated as part of the problem in the events that lead to his injuries.

Lee also hasn't forgotten a certain conversation he had with this same friend weeks earlier, a conversation during which Lee had hoped to convince them to use an alternative and less deadly form of self-defense. Rosen's hopes had inevitably been dashed and though he's tried to let that go, the thoughts that had driven him then are still festering now.

So now he types out a question, having decided to pose it to the cave as a whole.]

Under what circumstances do you think taking a life is justified?

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016 [Video]

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 04:12:18 GMT

Posted by: thechoiceisyours

Hey, everyone. So uh, I've got a few things to go over, but for everyone who's new, hi. I'm Chris, and I've been here way too long.

[He says it with a grin, clearly finding some humor; he's not as upset about being here as a lot of people are, for a few different reasons.]

I guess that's the main reason why I'm making this post, because um... You've all seen the Null stuff, and Fear's post, and I know that like... A lot of you are missing parts of the story, which you kind of need to make good decisions.

So I figured like, Mello's guide is great about what the hell we're doing here and what to expect, and he and Sharon put together a list of past events, but that's not the big picture stuff. It's all super important, but we also kind of need to be on the same page about everything.

( So... Yeah. )

But yeah, all of that out of the way, I also wanted to let people know that Hannah went home. Which um... Sucks, for a lot of reasons. But yeah, people should know.

On less shitty news, I finished a game; you can now all play chess against each other. No computer AI opponents since Deep Blue's kind of beyond me, but you can at least challenge each other and then brag about what a nerd you are. And you know if I'm saying that, it's pretty damn nerdy.

[Private to Duck]

[One last thing to address here--]

Hey, bro, still up for alpha testing a text-adventure game for me?

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video

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 00:47:56 GMT

Posted by: armcollector

[Magnus starts the video with a friendly wave, grin wide, in the living room of his shared Spire Four apartment. He's apparently in a very good mood.]

Hey! Magnus here. If you haven't met me yet, what's up? You're in for a treat. I'm a delight. Anyway, I've got someone way better than me to introduce to you all! She's kind of shy, but she's a very good girl.

[He turns away from the screen to call whoever she is over.]

Peanut! Hey, Peanut!

[He waits for a couple seconds, then turns back sheepishly.]

She's still learning her name. Hang on. Peanut!

[Suddenly what looks like a black and grey dog covered in way more scales than fur and incredibly large red eyes jumps Magnus and he yelps and laughs, cut off when "Peanut" grabs the phone in her mouth and somehow turns it off.

After a short cut to black, Magnus reappears again, covered in awful scratches. He doesn't seem to mind, though.]

Hey, I got her to calm down! She's super playful. Don't worry, I got her under control now. Look!

[He turns to point the camera at the varren, who is now sitting on the couch looking much calmer than before. The couch, though, happens to have a slash through one of its cushions, and Peanut happens to only be calm because she is currently in the process of chewing through a half-eaten throw pillow.]

Her name's Peanut and she's kind of a handful, but I think it's just 'cause she's young. She's super sweet, though. Man, my roommates are going to love her! Say hi, Peanut!

[Peanut doesn't say hi. Magnus reenters the frame then to take one of her paws and wave it at the camera. She snaps at him and bites his wrist painfully, and he yelps and kicks the phone trying to pull away. Everyone is treated to a final view of the ceiling, the backdrop a series of snarls and shrieks that descend into laughter.]

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[Video]

Sun, 13 Aug 2017 20:49:43 GMT

Posted by: prophesiedone

[Meditation is essential to communing with the Force, no matter how chaotic and crippled it feels in the cave. He is sitting in a ruin of a building, perched on what used to be a wall, legs crossed.]

We are all protected here. More than you think. [Against futures they do not want to face.] My visions haven't changed. It might be impossible to rectify anything.

[How cruel to stand on the precipice, see the monsters within and have no weapon; no defense.

"Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you."]

I think it's time I bite the bullet and accept -

[Oh boy. He chuckles shakily.]

It was a nice dream.

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[Text]

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 12:46:36 GMT

Posted by: prophesiedone

So...relatives? How many do you have in Hadriel? I'm lucky to have two by the looks of it, but -

~~I didn't know either of them.~~

It's weird. I feel like I should be better prepared for a lot of things.

[This is Anakin Skywalker, he who fails at life repeatedly and yet claims, with dramatic intensity, that he is more than wise enough, more than powerful enough to be on the Jedi Council.]

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Video; Crazy Cat Knight

Fri, 26 May 2017 00:16:44 GMT

Posted by: darthvaderfanboy

Give me that!

[He'd been meaning to turn on the video anyway, but the cat with infinite mouths had gotten to it ahead of him. It gnaws on the phone for a moment before Kylo scoops up the cat, holding it with one arm while he adjusts the video with the other. The cat immediately tries to start gnawing on him instead, but he doesn't really seem to care.]

Does anyone know what these cats eat?

[Surprisingly to most of the cave, Kylo doesn't have his helmet on. He usually doesn't even go out in public unless he has the bucket on. It's the first time he's shown his face without it on the network. But what can he do? The little yellow Cyclops neko, seen curled up in the corner of the video, is currently sleeping in it.]

Also, does anyone know where I can find cat beds?

[Yes, Kylo has adopted three of the little hell cats. What can he say? He's mentally twelve years old and thought they were the coolest thing ever. The third one flies into view, a curious little green thing with horns and bat wings. Anyone who comments about him being a crazy cat lady can do so at the risk of being Force-choked. (Besides, Hux already beat everyone to it.)]

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FOURTH SONG ♫ VIDEO

Fri, 12 May 2017 10:57:08 GMT

Posted by: hasitsthorns

[ It's been a while since the network has been graced by Rose's smiling face. Didn't her girlfriend disappear? Wasn't she a complete mess wanting to die like two weeks ago?

Absolutely.

But who wants to get hung up on that? Not her, nosiree. Instead, she's decided to fall back on old coping habits yet again. This time, however, the mischief isn't directed at her fellow cave dwellers but instead the deities that have been so recently gracious. She can't let them get off too easy now, after all... ]

Hello, Hadriel! Newcomers, welcome. If you saw the banner in the coliseum, that was my doing. Beautiful, I know, thank you. Anyway!

I have an extremely important question. One I've been asking since arriving a year ago. [ Ah. It has been a year, hasn't it? Though she doesn't seem to want to stick on that confession for too long, no. ] But now I figured it was time to make it official! As we all know, the gods have taken on quite... attractive human appearances. They're not interested in us, of course, so it feels a bit unfair to be graced by such hotness and not be able to do anything about it. Yet! I know I can't be the only one that's wondered. Fantasized. Nor can I be the only one with a preference.

So, cast your votes! Let me know! If you had the choice:

WHICH GOD WOULD YOU BANG?

View Poll: The Cave's Dying to Know...

And don't worry, it's anonymous. No strings or shame attached. [ Well. The gods themselves will see, but that makes it that much more fun. ] I even gave you the option to choose two in case you absolutely can't decide!

Have fun, Hadriel.

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00:00:02 -- [Audio]

Thu, 11 May 2017 19:49:59 GMT

Posted by: einselective

[If she was an actually good public speaker, there might be a clear lead-in to this discussion, introducing the problems and exactly why these thoughts came up. Unfortunately, Marian expects everybody else to make the same intuitive leaps and skip straight past the boring explanation that everyone knows, kidnapped from our own dimensions, trapped, used for food, etc etc.]

If our positions were suddenly reversed, and we had full control over the Door and the parasites who currently run our lives, what would you do? Would you simply see the Door destroyed after everyone who wanted to go home was sent back, or would you leave it intact? If you stayed here instead, what would you do? Would you let the gods be, or would you interfere in any way with their conflict with the other aliens of this place on one side of the other? Are there other options you'd consider?

Explain your rationale clearly, regardless of the position you'd take.

Oh. Any idiots planning to argue that 'the gods are wonderful people, really' [enjoy an overly saccharine simpering impression there for those few words] spare us all your Stockholm-syndrome induced mawkish blithering. Nobody wants to hear it, least of all me.

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[Video]

Tue, 09 May 2017 11:52:39 GMT

Posted by: prophesiedone

[This message is over a week overdue. Way to go, Anakin. Stellar life choices as always!]

If anyone saw me behaving oddly... [When doesn't he?] I was drunk. I won't be doing that again. [Because it resulted in a dislocated arm, a bitten tongue and lots of bruising.]

I didn't mean - I didn't want to - [He grits his teeth, frustrated.] I can't remember if I hurt anyone. I'd like to say I wouldn't, but -

[He has all the skills necessary to see to hurting just about anyone. Or worse.]

You're welcome to punch me if I did.

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video/action (forward-dated to 4/20); while collecting the stars, i connected the dots

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 22:36:58 GMT

Posted by: skelebro

[The video wobbles a minute before it steadies, locking onto a grinning skull. It's your friendly neighborhood skeleton, Sans, looking undeniably pleased with himself as he comments to someone just off screen:]

'S lookin' great so far.

[There's a fumbling tapping as the feed gets jostled, and Sans is forced to set the thing onto the ground, face-down. At least the audio filters through, unimpeded if a bit muffled.]

All right. We ready?

[There's a distant sound of affirmation - two, actually, though one sounds a mite more stammered than the first. Kate, it seems, hadn't much wanted to take part in the announcement itself. So when the feed swings up again, there's two distinctively non-human shapes in the periphery - a yellow, lizardlike creature and a small black hedgehog that sharp-eyed cave-dwellers might recognize as Alphys and Shadow, respectively. The video jerks again, blurring the twin blazes of color into smeared linear streaks, and the cave gets a lovely shot of Sans's pink fuzzy slippers in preparation for the finale.

There's a click of fleshless fingers snapping; hundreds of tiny, glowing objects being displaced and then replaced, buried into the rock of the ceiling. Takes a lot out of a skeleton and leaves him a bit stooped from the effort, but it's worth it.

The camera swings up again to pan across the ceiling, now lit with a vast array of blue sparkling stones.]

It ain't Tranquility's illusions, but... [One last whip-pan back to Sans's face, and he winks at the camera, lookin' just a tiny bit more on the edge of exhaustion than usual. Just a hair.] You can consider it a good constellation prize.

[Enjoy the night sky, Hadriel. It'll last for quite a while. Sans, for his part, plans to be stargazing all night. Feel free to find him at the lake, if you're real interested.]

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