ximilia | Entries tagged with twisted wonderland: deuce spade

We’re rather later than we meant to be, it seems. [Percy tugs somewhat self-consciously at the collar around his neck, not entirely comfortable with not being at his best for this video, but needs must.] So, we have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is, Viveca made a mistake. The good news is, we have a good idea where the orb is.

Viveca dropped us off directly in the water purification camp, and it is massive, [ Gwen chimes in beside him, looking considerably more at ease with their current appearance–at least the collar this go-around is fake. ] Most of the land is either dead or taken up by tanks containing the only remaining freshwater.

[ attached: photos of the tanks (each one a beast), the wasteland surrounding the earthquake site, and the site itself: now a deep, infected reservoir. ]

That last photo was the site of the earthquake. The “volunteers” here, [ the tone with which she pronounces volunteers makes clear they are anything but, ] are put to work digging for new aquifers or trying to neutralize whatever’s in the water when they’re not being used for lab mice. Consuming the water leads to deposits of something that, over time, results in organ failure.

[ her mouth twists. ] The infection is not natural. No, we will not be going into details regarding how we know. But trust, it’s not.

They haven’t tampered with the water themselves, that much I’ll give them. [Percy’s voice is dripping with disdain, and he crosses his arms, taps a finger on his elbow.] But I would like to have some words with Bahiti Fouad. As I’m currently, hm, indisposed, I’ll leave it up to the rest of you to find a way to get information out of her. She’s the lead scientist here, she may have something of use.

But I digress. The orb is in one of the camps. Which one, we’re not sure yet. Movement between the camps is difficult, and while Gwen and I came here with duds already attached, [and he tugs at the collar again,] the exploding collars around the other prisoners’ necks are very, very real. I advise caution in breaking in. [Said with the voice of someone who is judging just a little bit.]

[ Gwen continues the thread, ] Doubtful it’s a coincidence that this is the site where this entire mess started. We’re monitoring the movement of the guards and the presence of military officers here, and we have reason to believe one of the prisoners is part of the Fables and may be in contact with them. Orbers in the other camps, see what you can dig up.

[ooc: blue is Percy, purple is Gwen.]

blackfire

（ there are a variety of reasons he has resisted making this announcement, chiefly among them that he is as fiercely protective of viveca's privacy as he is his own — however, he is keenly aware that such desire does not follow a pragmatic path. viveca must have known that sending them to this world would make her history impossible to conceal. his own tendency to withhold information from others needs to be set aside if they have any hope of bettering this — her — world.

he has spoken on the matter to a few people, those he trusts more than not — but his conversation with sam has resulted in the realization that if viveca is... upset at others learning the truth of her nature, she may as well be so with him. at least he can control the narrative, and stave off attempts at ferreting out further information about her.

thus, his delivery is entirely without embellishment — ）

E-23b is Viveca's world of origin. Those of you who have spoken with her on the matter may recall her propensity to say that she built herself — it seems she was human, and as such had a hand in the design of her digital parameters. She is the daughter of the Mayor, Jacques Reman and his wife Alexandra — with whom I have spoken directly — and was the original leader of the Fables known by the animal moniker 'Fox'.

I will not speculate on the circumstances that resulted in her being as we know her, nor explain my certainty — do not ask.

Sam Wilson is currently speaking with the Hare, confirmed to be Callan de la Cruz, and he is the source of our learning of Viveca's identity as the Fox. Presently, he appears to be an ally, and Viveca seemed to trust him — it was the symbol of the revolution that she gave Sam that sparked their conversation. If anyone can think of any information that may be pertinent to our efforts and possibly known by the Hare, please direct your queries to Sam. He is in an unknown location, and his ability to return communication is limited due to the nature of his situation. I do not believe him to be in any amount of danger, however — I would suggest that you respect both his time and his discretion in this.

（ the message ends there, for a time. some moments later, he amends it: ）

Collectively, we owe Viveca a great debt. I cannot think of better repayment than helping her home in a way that she can be proud of.

kovach

[ he's not really in the habit to go public on here, and he's much less likely to show his face usually, but considering his intent in this, he figures it helps to show a visual. the face he wears now, a few days into their return from giva, is probably more familiar to the people here than the one he was wearing around taeum, back to its usual display of bruises and cuts, having already returned to this body by the time he'd gotten into his fight with v'rizz, wasting little time in getting damage done to it again.

his old smoking habit is back to, fingers snatching the cigarette from between his lips so he can start speaking. ]

So, some of you might've seen me with a different face this past mission. I pretty much explained it to those few what the whole deal about it is, but — since it's not really a normal thing for people, I figured I can save everybody's time from having to provide the entire backstory every time.

[ because there's only so many times he could give a combined history-science lesson. ]

Where I come from, advancements in technology have allowed the extraction of human consciousness from the physical body. It can be stored and moved like data, and mostly we keep it in these discs called stacks, implanted in the back of the neck. [ his hand reaches back, tapping at his nape. ] It stores everything that makes a person who they are — personality, thoughts, instincts, memories. Which means a person can be moved around — downloaded and uploaded — from body to body. The physical is just ... sacks of flesh we call sleeves. You can even shoot down a body, destroy the heart and all the other organs, but as long as the stack is untouched, a person can survive. Just put the data from the stack into a different sleeve and life goes on.

[ it's a lot more complicated than that, if you involve the politics and economics and morality issues, but he figures the basics is enough for now. a sigh leaves him, bringing the cigarette back in and breathing in the smoke. ]

The sleeve I'm wearing now wasn't originally mine. How I got it and why is a whole other story that's not important — [ not for a public speech, anyway. ] The sleeve some of you saw me in while at Taeum ... is the one I was born with. But just like everything else in that place, it was mostly just bullshit tricks, so you're all stuck with this face again.

Oh! [ A completely different, yet additional familiar face pops up over Kovacs’ shoulder in his usual attire, dark coat and vest and bowtie. He waves. ] Hello! Sorry to interrupt, couldn’t quite help but overhear you talking a little bit about that ol’ ‘same person, different bodies’ bit. You see, I know a little something about that. Bit different, of course, but the concept’s really quite similar —

[ Yes, he’s just going to join Kovacs now. Sup. ]

Right. What you’ve said might be a little bit confusing if you haven’t got any experience with same-person-different-bodies, and — and what? Where are your drawings? The presentation?

[ There’s a shuffling as the Doctor turns to glance in Kovacs’ direction, and then his left, his right, and up towards the ceiling for good measure. ]

Discs and sleeves and stacks and all that, basically: bodily-wodily stuff. You, and the good-looking one are one and the same. Same person, different bodies. [ There’s a brief pause, and then: ] You know what, I think we’ll need a Powerpoint.

[ having a horrid flashback of the presentation the doctors attempted with trying to explain their own mutual existence, kovacs is quick to try shooing the other man away with a cigarette-holding hand. ]

We're not doing the shitty diagram strategy. [ a pause. ] Wait — what do you mean good-looking one?

( the blue text above is a guest appearance by the eleventh doctor. feel free to address either one of them! )

pursuit

[ Deuce recognizes they've all been through a time. He knows it well, because while he may be young and inexperienced, he's certainly had exposure to people in extreme emotional distress.

Luckily here, people don't seem to blot.

His message begins in pensive silence, before at last he spurs himself to speak. ]

I think I need some advice. [ He begins, only to halt, choosing his words. ] I'm not powerful. I'm...I'm a kid. I'm not a lot of things you guys are. Hell, I'm pretty slow on the uptake, too.

[ It might sound like self-pity, up to this point - except that what carries in his tone, stronger than anything, is frustration. ]

But I wanna be useful. I wanna help. What are things somebody like me can work on? I'll work as hard as it takes, but I don't know where to start... I just know I don't want people around me having to pick up my slack.

[ And he feels keenly that that's exactly what people had to do during their last mission. If nothing else, he's never shied away from a need to better himself, and his resolve reflects in his voice as well. ]

catchatting

[ Zari's hair is up in a messy bun and she's wearing considerably less makeup than her usual. ]

Um so that was like... a lot. Who's up for a recovery spa date?

[ She looks away and her lips start to twist before she catches herself. It had been more than a lot for her--more than blood and violence or a dirty, bug-filled ghost town. She's still trying to wrap her head around everything she's had to contend with within herself and she's only so good at hiding it. ]

Or, I mean, if anyone just wants to talk. I can be a good listener. My therapist always said I have a lot to give the world. I really wish he was here and not just for me, you know?

Anyway, I can do face masks, mani-pedis or we can just talk.

[ A small shrug. ]

I could use the company, too.

aurable

[ An audio post pings the network just shy of two days after their return. ]

That...that could have gone exponentially worse for a proxy war designed with suffering in mind. Bittersweet as it was, I hope everyone is well. I'm sorry our little jailbreak went to pot, but I figured I was most helpful in ferrying the ones caught in the crossfire as fast as possible.

This brings me to why I'm bothering you all in this period of convalescence.

Would anyone unfamiliar with cars or have never had the opportunity be interested in learning how to drive? The simulation room has limited space, but it should be adequate to go over the basics and give anyone willing something to keep their mind off things. I know it sounds trivial but if I'm, god forbid, incapacitated on a mission, I'd like there to be an easy escape or — and please don't unless you're pulling a hail mary — a battering ram out of a dangerous situation. Knowing the bare minimum is infinitely better than nothing.

Not everyone's introduction to vehicles here has been overall pleasant, and I'd like to correct that.

pursuit

[ The transmission starts with some crackling feedback - or something that sounds oddly like it. Whatever it was, it ceases after a few moments, after which Deuce's voice may be recognizable to those who have met that odd kid who usually sports a spade over one eye. ]

So guys, Matt thought we should ask around to see if the uh. Way things are around here's normal for them, right? And we found out a few things.

[ A quiet sigh follows, one that suggests a measure of patience being exercised before another speaker joins him. Yamato Ishida's voice comes through, calm and clear. ]

Right. This probably isn't a surprise to some, but apparently things haven't always been like this. For one, the military is a fairly new addition.

[ The odd feedback returns, and those with sharp ears may intuit that it is, in fact, the sound of crumpled paper being smoothed out. Deuce isn't the most organized among their number, nor is he used to presenting before the class so to speak, and so he prepared notes. ]

From what people said, it wasn't really a thing until the idea started catching on to merge Taeum and Sedorum into one place? I dunno how they'd do that, but apparently it got some traction...

[ Yamato doesn't miss a beat as he speaks up once more. ]

I mean, it makes sense. I don't really think the system is fair given what we've seen but...

[ He trails off into silence before he returns to the purpose of their transmission. ]

... Well, anyway, whoever thought it up started a rebellion. From the sounds of it, they wanted to take down someone called the Highest One.

[ At first, Deuce just makes an acknowledging sound, only to realize it's his turn with an abrupt oh, right! ]

Then the rebellion got curbstomped and they executed anyone involved... So I guess that means you can wind up double-dead? Whole thing seems terrible...

[ When it seems that Deuce has been absorbed in ruminative silence, Yamato picks back up on their subject. ]

Not exactly picture-perfect paradise, but seems like they're determined to keep things separate. We couldn't figure out who this Highest One is or if anyone from the rebellion is still around.

[ Which brings their fellow orbers up to speed. But the both of them have one question, and where Yamato has paused, Deuce ventures to ask- ]

So....any of you guys heard about some Highest whatever?

[ There follows another weary sigh. ]

Deuce...

[ ooc: Expect replies from Deuce, Yamato, or both! ]

groupiedrifter

Okay, okay, okay! Not a lot of time, so let me get this out there quick. This is The Newtrilizer.

[Did you miss this grimy face? No? Too bad. He displays a small item in his hand, a touch smaller than a pocket watch, adorned with gears and old bits of metal and wiring from his rudimentary kit.]

The first part of that word is spelled N-E-W-T, thanks for not asking. It took a little finessing, but the device is calibrated to extend a sort of — a sort of vibrational frequency around the person in possession of it that influences the structure of the pulsefire in its vicinity. I was thinking, y'know — how sound works. It's amazing, right? You hit a piano key, the sound it makes forces air molecules to bump into each other, creates a chain reaction of collisions that move through the space around it. Like being at a concert and feeling your heart shaking with the ground from those big damn speakers...!

[He shakes his head. FOCUS, FOCUS.]

Forget that, the science can wait. My point is, this will stop any pulsefire that hits you from killing you, okay? It'll still hurt like a bitch, and it can still kill you at a slower rate, but this will stop you from getting instantly roasted, you understand? Just make sure the gears are still clicking; if they're not clicking, the device isn't working, and the pulsefire will kill you on impact. So, like. Don't get killed on impact.

But the other issue is the fire can't be put out by traditional means. You gotta have someone around capable of completely extinguishing the light around the pulsefire that it feeds on. I'm talking full, unbroken darkness, or - or something extreme like that! Even if this saves you from dying, you gotta find someone to put out the fire ASAP, or it won't matter either way. This just — it gets to time to find someone. Better than nothing, right? Just remember it burns a lot worse than typical flames, regardless of the Newtrilizer.

I'm gonna leave some of these at the saloon for whoever to pick up! I'm out of materials to make more, but if you get me more of those pulsefire weapons and whatever mechanical devices around town that's left, I can keep producing them. And once I've got enough going, I'll start express delivering these bad boys, free shipping cost, bitte sehr im Voraus.

[He scrubs a dirty hand over his hairline, down one cheek.]

Sorry it's not more, guys.

[The message ends with a trailing line of words as he wanders back to his work-]

I can't figure out how to completely put it out; if I could just make something that could put it out...

It's gonna be too late, you're already taking too long, think faster, you moron...!

[OOC: Takes place toward the end of the mission, posted early to coincide with my top level; if you wanna hit him up there instead of here, feel free to check it out...!]

blackfire

The schoolhouse has been fortified as best we can and the windows blocked out. There is water and others have contributed food. While I don't think it wise for all of us to gather in one place, it can serve as a central hub for those in need of shelter or protection. Contact @stargirl if you wish to coordinate further.

Doctor McCoy's clinic is a stone's throw from the schoolhouse, and can be utilized for urgent care. Additional rations have been stockpiled there. Do not take more than what you need. If anyone is available to stand guard and offer protection to our injured, it would be appreciated. Do not push yourself to exhaustion, it will make you more of a liability than a help.

（ he's got a clone watching over it now, but he suspects he will not have the chakra to spare for long and is perfectly capable of heeding his own advice. sometimes. ）

Given the utility of the ore in the mines, and the fact that the town has been picked over rather cleanly, we cannot assume our presence will go unnoticed — it's likely there are regular incursions here to search for usable materials. The jail is still a suitable holding cell, should anyone wish to engage non-lethally with any of the planet's inhabitants that may take umbrage at our being here. If you prefer to kill them we must be mindful of diseases to which we may be susceptible — bodies should be buried or burnt. If you require disposal in this manner, inform me.

If there are any who may know how to locate Ford Branson, please share what you know. The orb remains our priority.

⟨ ooc: don't forget to vote! and feel free to threadjack and tag amongst yaselves, this is mostly to do a bit of light coordination on the eve of the bandit attacks. c: ⟩

bindsthedead

They're dead.

[Sabriel's voice comes out, far more emotional than her usual, carefully controlled tone, far grimmer than the bubbliness she'd faked while undercover. Instead, Sabriel sounds like she's on the edge of hysteria.]

They were dead the whole time- that was why the orb started draining me when I tried to sense them- it was blocking me but now I can't stop feeling it-

They all died. All at once. Hundreds of deaths all at the same time. But there aren't any spirits- and that many people, all dying so suddenly, some of them should have tried to linger. But there's nothing.

No spirits. Just the death.

droide

Out of curiosity, does anyone here feel the need to celebrate any non-Earth based holidays?

I guess most of you lot seem to be from the worst-named-planet-ever, because ever since I arrived, it feels like all I've heard about are various Earth holidays and Earth traditions. Each of which makes less sense than the previous one, by the way.

I don't celebrate any holidays, necessarily. But it seems to me to be a bit one-sided. If anyone else has any suggestions, you should speak up.

hot_handed

WHICH DEATH-SEEKING MORON FUCKED WITH MY QUIRK?!

[The voice of an angry teenager with spiky blonde hair roars as soon as the video comes on, veins already throbbing in his forehead. He's wearing a blue t-shirt he found because his normal hero top is ruined and he needs to sew it later. The rest of his outfit looks like a costume- baggy black pants with olive straps, metal knee-pads, black boots with orange accents, olive bracers that look like oversized grenades around his forearms, and a black and orange mask around his eyes to complete the look. He's seething as he gestures wildly behind him at the corridors, but there's no damage there. They're as pristine as ever.]

Was it that shitty AI or was it someone else?! Because once I get all the orbs, I'll kill 'em!

[He barely takes a breath before continuing to shout.]

Anyway, Name's Katsuki Bakugou, but you can all call me by my hero name, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight!!! Pretty sure none of my classmates are around, but now that I'm here, let's win this shit!

[His yelling dies and he smiles bitterly, a sarcastic edge in his voice. He's clearly barely keeping his temper in check and he's tense.]

When's the next mission and will my generous benefactors be kind enough let me blow shit up then? Ain't that what they want? For us to collect the orbs? What can ya do and where do you draw the line when collecting the stupid orbs? Since we're all strangers I want to have an idea of who I'm workin' with.

anthropophagite

[ oh this is gonna be awkward. Because Kaneki is awkward and he is not a people's person and this is so strange. Regardless, he is Doing His Best, and they are all here to fix their regrets and get along, right? Right.

He waves. And then feels silly for doing so. ] H-hello, my name is Kaneki. I'm from a planet called Earth. [ should he specify he is from Japan, Tokyo, too? No, that sounds too much, so he won't ]

I've just arrived, and there is a lot I still have to learn. So I figured it's easier to ask everyone what information you believe is important for newcomers to know about. Things you wish you knew when you first arrived, I guess.

[ but suddenly another question comes to mind ] Oh-uhm... is there a library here? Or a place where I can find books? [ or does anyone want to share books with him, that works too ]

[ regardless, he bows his head after, a simple polite gesture ]

Thank you for your time.

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Entries tagged with twisted wonderland: deuce spade

video | joint info post!

text ↪ un: 朱

video; un: kovacs ( ft. the 11th doctor )

audio | un: spade

video un: dragongirl

audio | username: goodvibes

audio | un: spade + ishida

Video | Takes place during PART 2, in the last act of the bandit attack

text ↪ un: 朱 (event pt1 leading into 2)

audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

un: navigator

Video | Un: Dynamight

Video | @Samsa