This thread is permanently archived
(Setting) Weiss Residential Area
| >As they began crossing the gate after clearance, Aethia felt her cellphone rumble. It shook her awake, she'd been asleep---practically on Evelyn's shoulder due to how close they'd set. Startled she gasped...but quickly calmed when she realized what was going on. She drew her phone and noticed 'June' on the caller ID and scrambled to answer it.
"Where the hell where you?! I was terrified!"
>She exclaimed with a mix of relief, happiness, and anger miraculously present all at once.
| >June slowly lumbered his way from the estate gate. He was...confused. He knew where he was and why. That part was obvious...but the why and how wasn't. All he knew was where he woke up in that house wasn't the usual place.
"Uhhh..."
>June paused not sure how to answer. What was the last thing he remembered...? Talking to a jackass drone and yelling...
"Guess I went on 'ome...Sorreh t'day 'as pretteh crazy sooo...Yer comein' 'ome, righ?"
| > Of course Aethia found this passing strange...So everything was okay?
"You just went home...? Why didn't you call..?"
>June scrambled mentally to think of an answer, between being foggy on the details, and just plain not being sure what to say...he froze. It was obvious to HIM why he didn't just call, but explaining it was a difficult matter.
"We got seperated 'n I ain't have access t'me phone 'cause I 'as a moron 'n fergot me phone...Mo' importantleh's everyone okay?"
| > Aethia snapped on speaker phone for her cellphone. Just in time for everyone to hear 'Mo' importantleh's everyone okay?'
"We're...Is everyone okay?"
>Aethia side-stepped the question and just let the others reply. In her exhaustion she didn't know how to answer. Bryan and Lance...took a while to respond. Lance replied half heartedly with a '...Yeah' and Bryan could only grunt his response.
| >Evelyn was barely present in body. She just stared at the passing cityscape. Even when Aethia was on her shoulder most of the time, she left her there. Poor lass must've been beat. Then her phone rang. June's voice was over the line.
"Am I alright..? Am I fuckin alright? You damn metal ape?! You had me worried sick! I thought you were fuckin dead you dunce! Bloody hell June!"
>She stopped and cracked her knuckles. Then sighed.
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm glad you are too, you dolt."
| >June winced and smiled sheepishly...though he took a while to reply. Somehow he had a feeling...
"'Ow long yeh lot got till touch down? 'M waitin' at the gate fer yeh. N'yeh m'glad ya'll 're okay...was freakin' out meself..."
>Aethia smiled ruefully at Evelyn she'd reacted exactly the way she felt. Completely.
"...We're passing through the residential gate now...We're on our way. Sis should be coming soon too if she hasn't already come.."
| >Eggler wanted off the van, and not because the whole affair made her uneasy, but for reasons that were made evident once she hopped out. The tall cat boomer's black ears were barely visible above that of the massive snake clinging to her slender frame.
"...Can relax now. On ground. Whose idea...floating vans. Ain't natural. Drama queen...flipping snake."
| > Eggler's levivan stopped right at the mansion. There she'd see the familiarly huge mop headed Lilim standing at the entrance. When he turned to see her his eyes flew open in surprise.
"MOLLIEH?"
>He excliamed in surprise...which quickly went through the speaker of his phone. Aethia on the other end blinked and went 'ah' in realization.
"Yes...I asked big sis to come home...I was scared and wanted to see her."
| >Eggler went rigid at the sound of her name, nearly forgetting the python draped around her shoulders and waist like a thick, leather boa.
"Oi. Keep it down, you'll spook my son."
>She waved a small cage in one hand. Two rabbits peeked out, more disturbed than the snake that was finally easing its grip.
"Where's my baby sister?"
| "She's on 'er way. Comein' in from th'ospital methinks."
>June replied gazing down the road toward the employee complexes.
"Didn't think yeh'd 'ver come back...Yeh been well?"
| >Her ears twitched at the word "hospital," but she decides against asking questions for now.
"Neither did I, but tragedy is funny like that."
>She sniffs and clicks her tongue.
"Sober and fit as a fiddle. Wrangling snakes. The usual."
| "She ain't gonna be in good state, Mollieh..."
>June warned gently.
"Knowin' 'er she ain't like yer father so...she ain't gonna start nuttin' but...forgive 'er if things come out wrong a'right? Especialleh now."
| >With a beep, a nearby intercom speaker comes online with a message
Miss Aethia, there's someone outside that wishes to see you. Her ID's Lieutenant Ri-Ry-Ryshla... Something
>The man on the comm struggles to pronounce the name
| >June turned and pressed a side button on the intercom. The party had yet to drive up into the estate yet...so he'd answer this.
"Just send 'er in. Aethia ain't to th'house yet. Honestly m'surprised they ain't passed by each o'er...must be far'er 'n than Lieutenant Ryshlayevskaya. She be safe. June 'ays so, yeh 'ear!"
> June scoffed softly after shutting the com off.
"Just use 'er normal name yeh dumbass...ain't no need 'o embarassin' yerself."
| > Aethia and Evelyn's levivan eventually pulled up to the front gate just as he finished that exchange. The driver stepped out of the car and opened the doors for each other passengers. June quickly leaned forward to murmur something into Eggler's ear before he stood and went to greet the group.
"...Sorreh fer not immediateleh gettin' in contact...Wasn't exactleh th'easiest thing to do in th'insanity. S'I kind 'o just came back."
| > Aethia slowly, tiredly dragged herself from the car and aimed a hand to help Evelyn out. When June drew close she hugged him.
"Oh thank goodness...I was terrified...Let's get inside. I can't stand much longer on my feet."
"Ahhh...Yeah 'course...Uh. Yeh got a visitor tho'. Th'Ferris woman yeh 'er talkin' bout."
"Oh...Miss Felicia. Yes. I'll call in for refreshments I suppose.."
| >The a large, somewhat loud Sport Bike approaches the party, stopping just behind the levivans
| >Evelyn gently took Aethia's hand and pulled herself out of the levivan. She avoided eye contact with June, and instead went about cracking her back and her jaw before punching him square in the chest.
"Good to have you back."
>She mischievously smiled. She raised an eyebrow and looked around for snake girl. She didn't get to see her often, but loved when she did.
"I need some bloody sleep before my eyes burn out of my skull..."
>Evelyn said with a yawn as she started towards home.
| >A young woman steps off the motorcycle, Taking off her helmet to show a very familiar face. Ferris, Having had a shower and a fresh change of clothes gives off a very different form of character. a pair of ripped jeans and a cropped leather jacket, A white NyrVana shirt with its iconic smile; Her long white hair tied into a ponytail with a black ribbon
Hi
...wait you -just- got back?
>Her casual tone shifting with a small amount of surprise
| >Her eyes widen with shock upon seeing June, Her tone shifting into further surprise
Wait... Didn't I watch you get blown up?!
| >>108053
>Evelyn stops dead in her tracks. She knew she was forgetting something.
"So Aethia, that thing I was supposed to tell ye about..."
>Evelyn would get mad at Ferris for whatever reason, but she realized it was actually her own fault.
"June was one of the first casualties. I found this out during our ride to the hospital. I was waiting for a more private place to say it. But the cat's out of the bag."
>She sighed and put a palm to her forehead. She just wanted to sleep...
| >June was about to greet Felicia until two things happened. One : He got punched square in the chest. Which basically caused him to bend forward in surprise mid-'hello'...Two: Ferris suddenly blurted out the worst possible thing.
"A-Aye...Glad t'be Baaa---..."
>The large lilim sighed heavily and brought a palm to his face. Oh goddammit...
>Aethia stopped cold and turned to look to Ferris with her eyebrows knit.
"...W-what?"
>Her gaze slipped to Evelyn and she listened quietly.
| >As expected Aethia's reaction was not a good one. The immediate shift in the atmosphere around her was painfully present to those whom knew her expressions and mannerisms. Her eyes went glassy and she turned to look at June. June of course WANTed to say something but he couldn't think of ANYTHING that could POSSIBLY make the situation better or less painful.
>The white haired cat boomer stumbled backward--away from him and with tears finally falling from her eyes she bolted away.
| >June struggled to figure out what to do and quickly moved to try and follow...but in the end decided to just let her go. She was headed straight inside. She'd be fine.
"Aaaauuughhh! God fuckin'..."
>He trailed off and took a breath.
"Evelyn what're we doin'?"
| "What're we doin? Heh. You ask as if I've got all the answers you lugamajug."
>Evelyn kicks the toes of her boots off the ground. She could catch up to Aethia if she sprinted. But this was probably something the girl needed to figure out on her own.
"I'm going to damn well pass out if I clock in another hour. I'll stop by the Lass's room on my way to my room... See if she's alright before I catch a wink of sleep."
>Evelyn yawned yet again and walked off towards the residence.
| >Ferris chokes up at the unexpected reaction, horrified yet not quite understanding what or why Aethia suddenly ran off.
Ummm... uhhh... you guys like ice cream and vodka?
>Ferris says raising a plastic bag in her hand. Her eyes dart around the ground and she forces a weak smile, somewhat ashamed
| >Eggler had several questions, such as "Is there a tank or room large enough to house this snake," "June, you did WHAT," and "Who are they."Instead, she chose to hang back and carefully watch the group from afar.
"Aethia?"
>She set the cage down and moved to intercept her sister. Or try, rather.
| >Ferris' phone starts ringing. Caller ID unknown.
| >Ferris takes out her phone, flipping it open and puts it against her ear, brushing some of her hair back.
Yo-
| It's AnoMeat. Alfa gave me your number.
| Oh yeah. I've been looking for you
>She replies nonchalantly
What's up? Haven't heard from you since the SZ
| Yeah. It seems like everyone has. Alfa says you want to meet with me?
| >>109099
Well yeah. But give me a few days. I dont have much free time left until I have to write the report for the Safezone incident
| Oof. Sorry about that. I guess I'll go now. Don't try to find me.
>The line goes silent.
| >Ferris heaves heaves a long, heavy sigh as she puts her phone back into her pocket
He's almost like an embarrased girlfriend
| >>108307
>Aethia had already made it to the door by the time 'Eggler' had managed to intercept her. There was too much going on. Her head couldn't take anymore. She needed space. She needed time to absorb. She'd turn to look to 'Eggler' greatly pained, eyes, red and no longer able to hold back tears...and just walked inside. A pause followed and she turned slightly holding out her hand silently.
| >>108107 >>108124
"Aaaah...I need a drink. Bring th'vodka on...We're goin' to th'kitchen if we're drinkin' it tho'. M'givin' 'er space. Seein' me's onleh gonna make it worse methinks."
| >>109619
>Ferris awkwardly follows June along
"Sure. I partially came thinking that we could have a few drinks to cheer up. God knows we all need a pick me up after that shitstorm."
"But I guess I just made things weird."
"To be fair.. I really did watch you get blown up you know"
| "Aye aye...I blew up...donnae need t'be reminded, Lass. Freakin' who brings a godsdammned poton bomb to a freakin' 'diplomatic' discussion. Who *shoots* a godsdammned bomb?! I hope tha'shites th'real deal cause th'fake shite ain't gonna do it fer me."
June paused watching Aethia and Eggler ahead and turned to go another way. He waved Ferris and the others over and they'd cross over into a shortcut that lead to the court yard and by proxy allowed them a way directly into the kitchen
| >>109694
>Ferris laughs freely, replacing her usual formal, cold demeanor with an easygoing gait
"That was the absolute worst. The moment I hear -bomb- I think -deadman's trigger- so I stop to think about -how- to defuse the situation, but next thing I know BAM. Some guy starts shooting him up. At least I think i was quick enough to have the snipers try to shoot at the things legs so it couldn't make a run for Aethia or anyone else"
| >>109738
"And the vodka, stock from my country"
>She smiles
"Brought it along when I moved in,
The customs fine was outrageous"
| >>109616
>The pain and tears in Aethia's eyes causes Eggler to pause and recall June's warning. And her reason for being here. Bartholomew draped his head over her ears, in what she liked to think of as a show of concern. He did not complain when she salvaged one hand - flesh, not chrome - to take her sister's, and step into their familial home.
| >>110047 Aethia lead on from there. Granted eventually she slowed to walk side by side with her sister. Oddly it was calming, perhaps if only for the nostalgia it brought. Still her tears kept going and the pain in her heart remained.
>Unable to think of anything to say she just walked...up the stairs toward the upper rooms to the level that was basically hers on up to the ceiling. They just walked.
"..I know you don't intend to stay...but I have a room for you to put your things"
| >June sighed heavily and lead them toward the kitchen. When they'd made it they crossed in from the courtyard to a large dining table that looked to be meant to be used during the warmer parts of the year. Just outside of the vast kitchen with its connected dining room. It was kind of a special sight. Neither luxurious enough to be wasteful or plain enough for just anyone to afford...
"...I'll grab yeh th'cups."
| >>110621
>Eggler, or Mollie, rather, can't help but look around as she ventures into the house. Some things feel out of place or downright unfamiliar, but nostalgia floods her all the same.
"I got used to living on my own. Honestly, I'd feel the same if a lover offered."
>The thought of commitment made her uneasy. She gave Aethia a little pat on the head.
"Let's take it slowly and see how things go, alright?"
| >>11062
>Ferris places the grocery bags on the dining table and takes a seat. Resting her chin in her hands as she waits for june
So how are you feeling? did it hurt?
| "Bein' vaporized? Don't 'member it hurtin'. S'all pretteh sudden."
>June admitted sheepishly.
"...Plus after ah woke...'as a wee bit mo' concerned 'bout Aethia 'n th'gang. Not t'mention th'disorientation 'o wake'n up where yeh 'eren't 'n yer body bein' different."
>He rose his right hand and squeezed his fist closed.
"Same size 'n erythin'...but yeh still notice th'small things."
| "Ferris pops open the bottle of Vodka, pouring the pair of glasses June placed on the table
"Must be nice..."
>She mutters only partially to June, her eyes lowered, looking rather down
| >June decided not to question it. He knew where that was going to go and he didn't want to touch it. Instead he took his cup and swigged it like he was trying to knock back half of it....and it immediately hit him like a truck.
"Phew! S'good...So this be th'real shite...I ain't sure 'll be able t'go back!"
>He joked before sitting down and gazing forward thoughtfully.
"...Why'd yeh come t'this town, Ferris? I ask Aethia tha' sometimes too...Kinda startin' t'wonder..."
| "Seem like neither one 'o y'all belong out 'ere in this madness. 'N you'd thrive 'n do great literalleh 'ny'ere else."
| >>110885
>Ferris' face darkens as she takes a shot, then hastily pours another for the two
>She seems to be in painful thought, but quickly pulls back and raises her glass smiling.
I think I'd like to be a liiittle more wasted before I'd want to think about that
|
| >>110812
"So...What have you been up to these days?"
>After a while Aethia had managed to calm down. They'd made it to her room finally and without even bothering to free anyone's hands Aethia had seen it open with a simple biometrics scan and an automatic door. When they walked in Mollie would see a marked change from what used to be Aethia's room. It was a dignified business owner's room...there were paintings on every wall in an artistic order.
| > A clean desk with a very nice computer clearly bought with the mindset of working from home if necessary. There were also holo-screens in place that regularly kept an eye on company stocks and various other information, even who the current 'employee of the month' for each department was. But the remnants of the child Aethia used to be were still present here and there. Her stuff animal collection was no longer in a toybox or scattered over her bed.
| > Instead it was carefully, lovingly aligned along a high shelf around the work desk and another set decorated the space above her bed. There was also a variable library of videogames, mostly old, lining an area of her room obviously meant for entertainment. Along with a record player, MPX, and others combination type machine that for how ancient it was must have cost a lot of money. But over all it still looked nothing like the room Aethia grew up in. It was far more organized.
| "Do you want anything to drink?"
| >>110892
"A'right..."
>June got up then and moved toward the fridge AND the drink bar in the kitchen. He collected a bottle of orange juice and various other normal drinks. Brought those back to the table, then he returned with a line of alcohol.
"Les' 'ave some fun. Name yer drink. We're gonna play 'tender ping pong. Yeh name yer drink I try t'make it 'n yeh gotta drink it. Ifin' I make it right yeh gotta ask me fer another. If I fuck it up I gotta let yeh make what I ask."
| "Yeh in?"
| >Evelyn stood in the other room listening to June and Ferris. She was finishing a quick report of the safezone effort. Before she left to go to her room she poked her head in the door to the kitchen.
"I'm clocking out June, wake me up and you're toast. Night."
>She yawned loudly and started up the stairs and in her tired daze, she tripped on the top step. Evelyn was too tired to care. She simply went to sleep right there.
| >>112452
>Ferris' eyes dart nervously around
I-I don't know any drinks besides rationed beer and vodka...
| But I'm game
>steeling herself, she accepts
| "Well. I graduated, cleaned up my act, and I'm a scientist now."
>Mollie paused to take note of her new surroundings; having left the burden of heiress on her little sister's shoulders, she did not expect to see the toys survive. She lowered the snake onto the floor.
"And that...That is Bartholomew. He's shy."
>The snake made a beeline for the bed.
"Do you have uh...ginger beer? Non-alcoholic, mind. It's called 'beer' but it's more like brewed ginger, you know? Spicy and strong."
| "Oh~. A scientist! What kind?"
>Aethia's tired eyes lit up. She was honestly interested, not to mention she all ready sounded proud. Watching the snake go surprisingly enough caused her to laugh a little.
"I see that. Poor thing. He's cute."
>It ran in the family apparently.
"I can have some sent to us...I think I'll try it too. The new experience will help, granted you all ready are. Seeing you well and doing even better for yourself...I'm really proud."
>Tired blue eyes smile.
| >Aethia pings a maid to bring them something to drink. Afterward she crumbles into her office chair and brings up /u/ to scan over it. She frowned occasionally, even rolled her eyes...but after a while she dismissed it. A soft tired sigh followed.
"...The next time I try this safe zone, I'm going to have to prepare much more than I did. There will not be a repeat of this. *sigh* I'll need to make some allies going forward and try to win back trust from the city. It'll be hard..."
| >>113466
"Y'can onleh threaten me s'many times 'fore I need to put yeh t'the test, Evelyn."
>June replied like nothing was even going on. This was clearly common between the two.
>>113524
"Oho~. S'll 'e good 'en."
> June then began the mixing process. He started creating a 'Augmented Gut Punch', with the actual ingredients instead of the chemical replacements. Surprising no one AsAlwaysClear Vodka was involved.
| >>113837
"Biotech. Or, more specifically, a biomedical engineer. I was initially invested in bionics..."
Mollie waved her artificial hand through the air.
"But then gravitated towards implants. What I like about them is their subtlety and versatility..."
>She could go on and on about this if she really wanted to, but the anti-aug sentiment has made her wary.
"Heh...you've done well, too. I'm not as...generous."
>Selfish. She'd sooner hole herself up and leave the masses to it.
| >>113844
>Ferris follows suit, placing in seemingly random ingredients from the table until a dark brown mixture is made. At least half of the drink seems to be just Karmotrine.
| >>113924
"...Biotech. Sis...are you interested in extra work? I may have a part-time job for you."
>Aethia offered while looking over at Mollie with a thoughtful look. She shrugged softly.
"It's nothing for me directly, but more like for a friend who's designed something interesting. I'll need to get clearance from them before I can explain anything though...but it very much involves biotech and if you're good at numbers you might find it very satisfying research."
| >Aethia shrugged gently.
"I can't help it...I can't just leave people to suffer. Mollie I'd kept tabs on you way back when...and you know. I couldn't stand how you suffered. Back then I didn't have the means to help...I was just a dumb powerless little kid and well...You know how father was..."
| >>114599
>June placed his concoction down in front of Ferris and sat back with his arms crossed.
"Readeh?"
| >Mollie grimaced behind her glass.
"I'm wary of joining another pet project. You wouldn't the weird shit some people are into. I knew this guy who tried to turn his dog into a walking tape recorder to see if his wife was cheating on him -- I mean, I might consider it anyway, but still..."
>That, and meeting new people always made her uneasy. As did the sudden turn in conversation. Mollie sighed, resigned. There was no getting around that.
| >Molle downed the contents of her glass. The spicy beverage sent her into a brief coughing fit, but she worked her way through it.
"I'm not surprised, honestly. I would've done the same, in your shoes. But I was..."
>She paused. Not fine; the drugs left holes in her memory.
"I don't blame the old man. I hated him at the time. I hated a lot of people. But at least I'm not dead or living on the streets. Or worse."
| >Aethia nodded quietly after that. She sighed softly.
> She shifted the conversation. She could easily see how uneasy her big sister was.
"...You're right. All that is in the past. Now you're a biomedical engineer! Probably the coolest job title I've heard in a while! How'd you find yourself in that? Are you still working toward a doctorate or have you already obtained one? I'm so curious about what you've been up to!"
| >The change in topic was well received. Aethia was possibly the best cheerleader you could ask for.
"I think it was my ex, really...She was born deaf and slowly going blind, but was able to alter her fate with technology. And in a way that's almost impossible to detect just by looking at her! It's...I like the challenge. And working with bionics was not as rewarding."
>She awkwardly ran a hand through her hair.
"I never...I was dissatisfied and eager to get out. And I had my Masters'."
| >>115750
After knocking back a few June sighed heavily.
"A'kay...M'good...Anymo' 'n even a Lilim 'ould blow chunks...Y'still 'live Ferris?"
| >Ferris lifts her head off the table and groans
Ughhh I still have to write reports tomorrow.
You guys got shuttle services? I'll come back for the bike
| > June nodded and pulled himself up slowly. He groaned and wavered for a moment clearly dizzy.
"Th'ell did yeh use s'much Karmotrine fer? If wanted t'just drink Karmotrine I'd bust 'pen a kask 'o it."
>He joked. He then wandered over, clearly forgetting himself and moved to pick up her chair---with NO EFFORT. So assuming Ferris didn't wig out and fall out of it, he'd be lugging her around IN her chair, with the chair pretty much sitting on his shoulder.
| >SOMEHOW he kept it perfectly stable and with mind for her weight. Seemed he'd done this before for someone else. You get 3 guesses and the first two don't count.
"'ll carryeh yeh out...'n have a...ughh...Levicar waitin' fer yeh."
| >>117104
>Ferris gasps amazed at June's strength and stability. She holds a hand out infront of her, mimicking a cavalryman on a horse, signalling a charge
Its funnny__.. I alweeys wanted to applyy for thee arrmored divisions.. a mech commanderrrrrr
>She says in a slur, before falling off the chair sideways. Sobbing.
| >June of course struggles to try and capture Ferris' body before the poor thing falls off and hurts herself. This is at the expense of the chair.
"Jesus! Gotta 'e careful woman! Eueeh...Wha' m'I on 'bout...Yer drunk as shite 'ight now. Yer 'ven doin' th'ugleh cry thing 'umans do 'en 'ere drunk."
>June attemps holding the woman up on his arm again. His size allowed it.
"Mech comander, eh? Heh~."
This thread is permanently archived
| > The levivan had traveled through aerospace toward the second largest area of the WL owned residential zone. To pass it actually had to lower down toward the security gate to avoid being struck by its own security when warning messages were sent to its console. After all the levivan wasn't the usual one. Aethia had come up with the idea to disguise it to avoid any undesired encounters in the sky. They were going to pass through the employee residental gate *first*.