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RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - A_Mi_Manera - 04-12-2020
A Mundane Geezer One Shot
![[Image: mungeezer.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/mungeezer.png)
You're Geezer, professional duelist and part-time knight. You and a old friend from a theatrics have decided to meet up at a shopping center, both to talk buisness and catch up a little. You wish you both kept in contact more than you did and you know it's on you to a degree but he doesn't seem to mind this.
Geezer: How about this one?
Snipe: Uh, hard to gauge, try it on yeah?
You pull down a rather expensive coat from a rack and waste no time getting it on. You struggle a bit snapping the buttons down.
Snipe: Not like that..... you need help?
Geezer: No I got this.
Snipe: Make sure you don't got anything overlapping, you wanna hear a proper click.
Geezer: Hold up....
The buttons connect successfully.
Geezer: There we go.
Snipe: Kinda like that. What's the tag say?
Geezer: Uh..... I mean I just got a big check so I could...
He sees the triple digit pricing on the coat.
Snipe: Shit, you really wanna drop that much? That's a investment.
Geezer: Maybe, you think it looks good?
Snipe: It looks good, don't get me wrong! Sure ain't a week's paycheck good though.
Geezer: I got a bonus but.... yeah that might be much for what it is.
Snipe: I mean it's up to you, your money right?
Geezer: Guess so. I got time.
Snipe: You got time!
You pull off the coat and place it back on its proper rack.
Geezer: So uh, how's working at Capital been?
Snipe: I mean it is! It's work. Honestly wish I was doing more than stunt shows but...
Geezer: But it puts food on the table.
Snipe: Yeah, that's really all there is to say on it. Ah well, still too early to say I'll never touch the big screen right?
Geezer: You wanna be in the movies?
Snipe: So bad man, at this point I don't care if I'm the lead or not. Just want that breakout role.
Geezer: Nobody at your job got the hookup for a audition?
Snipe: I mean I'm doing one later this month but... I just wanna have my name on a poster you know? Go out there, do good work, maybe be a household name by my mid 30s. Like... you think I've got a shot, right? You've seen me in action.
Geezer: I mean yeah, you put in a lot of work. Better than I did in class. Hey how's this one?
You zip on another coat.
Snipe: That's kinda nice actually.
Geezer: Could rock this maybe.
Snipe: Nah, yeah. Tag?
Geezer: It's in the budget range, no worries.
Snipe: I wanna see.
He pokes around for the tag dangling from behind.
Snipe: Do it, hellava bargain. Seen these go for way more.
Geezer: Yeah?
Snipe: Yeah. Hey so uh... I got a question.
Geezer: Go for it.
Snipe: I heard a tip that you're gonna put on a show at the park yourself yeah? Not just a lot of yadayada?
Geezer: Yep, a duel actually. Actually why I called you up to begin with, didn't wanna pop in and then have to tell you "Yeah I'm just here on business."
Snipe: If you wanna hang out I'm down you know? You don't gotta wait for a occasion.
Geezer: Yeah, sorry about that.
Snipe: Don't sweat it, you're all g. Hey, you wrapped up here yet? Getting kinda hungry.
Geezer: Yeah, think so. Not seeing anything else in my price range that I'm liking too much.
Snipe: Cool, take to the register. Dying for some late brek right now. You feel me?
Geezer: You got money? If not I can cover you.
Snipe: I got cash, don't sweat it bro.
Geezer: You wanna go up ahead?
Snipe: I'll wait on you I think. Don't take long.
Geezer: I won't.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - A_Mi_Manera - 04-26-2020
A Geezer Adventure:
![[Image: geezventure.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/geezventure.png)
You march through a trail the outskirts of town with your luggage in hand. If you remembered how much of a walk it was you would have taken up the cab driver's offer to take you the rest of the way. This was frankly a mistake on your end.
Your journey arrives to a close after about half an hour, your grandmother's house surrounded by vehicles of other relatives. Outside your cousin Charon is there greeting people in Grandma Erica's place, age has made her a little less social over the years but she continues to host regular holiday events and reunions. You approach the porch.
Geezer: Hey!
Charon's attention turns toward you. He wraps up things with your aunt and walks down the steps.
Charon: Geezer!
Geezer: Yooooo!
He gives you a hug and a pat on the back. You awkwardly hug him back with your arms full.
Charon: Glad you could make it. Grandma missed you....
He looks down at your bags.
Charon: You need help with your stuff?
Geezer: Nah I got this, brought something pretty nice you might be interested in.
Charon: Mm? Did you now? Lay it on me."
Geezer: Inside first, I don't want it touching the dirt.
You gesture to him to move over. You rush through the doorway and drop your bags on the couch.
Geezer: Check this out yeah? Managed to snag one of these early.
You flash him a compact disc inside its case.
Charon: You got the new system?
Geezer: Heck yeah I did! Grabbed a chunk of the launch stuff too.
Charon: Launch? It's pretty much a port machine right now, I'm surprised you didn't wait.
Geezer: I mean yeaaaaah but... they're good ports and more stuff is coming down the line. You seen the new Flip game?
Charon: Mm, in a magazine. There's no way they'll be able to avoid performance issues, it'll be downgraded hard for final release.
Geezer: I got the demo, I don't think it will.
Charon: On you right now?
Geezer: Yeah! You wanna take a look?
Charon: If you can set it up on the TV I'll gladly.
You start pulling the console out of its bag.
Geezer: Feel free to look through the games yeah? I got a few.
Charon: Mm, will do....
You watch him smile slightly going through. Your cousin's been more of a frowner since you first met him so you can't help feel like you've done some good..
Charon: You know if someone brings kids you're going to have to watch your stuff.
Geezer: Absolutely aware, not gonna let them touch the discs.
Charon: Don't blame you. Noticed you've got a copy of Arc Tag 2.
Geezer: Yeah? You remember playing Arc Caste in the liquor store yeah?
Charon: Mm, it's still there you know? We have a proper arcade in town these days though so it's a little lonelier.
Geezer: Game was a quarter sink so I picked up the new one. Roster is huge!
Charon: Is it a one for one port?
Geezer: Mostly? A friend of mine who's more into fighting games said that there's a few differences where characters who mash buttons to do more damage during super animations can get more inputs in.
Charon: Oh? Button inputs yes?
Geezer: Yep. So like... you know Blitz right? From the first game?
Charon: Mm.
Geezer: So because her animation lags the console version slightly for her super, and it does more damage if you press light and heavy punch repeatedly during it, it makes it possible to do it more times than the arcade version.
Charon: You can mash during it?
Geezer: You never knew that?
Charon: I'm not good at fighting games, I just like them.
Geezer: Fair enough! Also got the console set up. Wanna get that demo out of the way first?
Charon: Yeah.
You both clear up room on the couch and sit down. You hand him the controller.
Charon: What are you doing?
Geezer: Letting you go first.
Charon: Geezer I'm bad at these....
Geezer: Relax, it'll teach you everything. Check out the opening yeah? It's got really fancy visuals.
Charon: Mm... I'll be honest I never would have associated a flip game with grunge.
Geezer: It's experimental. They wanna keep up with the time. You can press start whenever.
Charon: There's other characters?
Geezer: In the menu but not in the demo yet. They'll be like 6 of them in final release.
Charon: Mm, unfortunate. I wanted to try Barry.
Geezer: Barry is a dumbass. I don't do Barry like that.
Charon: He's a ammonite, he's trying his best.
Geezer: He looks nothing like a ammonite.
Charon: Flip looks like a mammal more than a fish so I think it isn't a exclusive issue.
Charon rubs his eyes.
Geezer: You okay?
Charon: The visuals look a bit odd to me, it's moving so fast.
Geezer: Yeah that's uh... the framerate. It moves 60fps, more than double what movies do and it's 3D so it'll do that.
Charon: Mm... I'll adjust.
Geezer: You sure?
Charon: Maybe. I think you should play first so I can get a better understanding on this honestly
Geezer: Sure.
You take the controller back from him.
Charon: Everything all good back home?
Geezer: Yeah, why?
Charon: Just wondering... it's been different without you around.
Geezer: Yeah?
Charon: Grandma still feels bad about what happened. Apparently you weren't supposed to lose your body like that. A paradox of sorts.
Geezer: Freak accidents happen with time displacement... besides I'm over it. You done and saved me you know. Made me immortal too, can't complain about that.
Charon: Mm. There's been no loss of function?
Geezer: Nah, not really. You don't gotta feel bad Charon, we made it out and I'm still here right? Better than ever even.
Charon: If you say so.
Geezer: Without ya'll I wouldn't be here at a family gathering playing video games on the couch. I'd be on the street or way worse you know?
Charon: Is... is that a whale?
Geezer: Yeah it is. You sure you don't want a turn.
Charon: After your run. Then I'll gladly take a crack.
Geezer: Good... you can pick next game after you know.
Charon: Mm.
Geezer: We've talked about what happened as kids plenty you know?
Charon: I do. It can't be helped....
Geezer: Promise you I'm fine.
Charon: Mm. You done?
Geezer: Eh?
Charon: The demo.
Geezer: Yeah. Your turn next as promised.
Charon: Hand it over.
You handed him the controller.
For a little while you were able to distract him from the usual worries that drown the room when you show up.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - SHIVERS - 04-30-2020
Red Ice - 2020
Como + Shivers, Punchclock Animal
Content warnings: violence, blood, injury, mentions of death, mild body horror
Bucket takes shelter in an abandoned cabin.
Como + Shivers, Punchclock Animal
Content warnings: violence, blood, injury, mentions of death, mild body horror
Bucket takes shelter in an abandoned cabin.
A cabin in the woods.
Hidden away from the main path and seemingly deserted enough during the day to appear a waste of time for any potential raiders.
This was shelter enough for someone on the run as much as Bucket Judgment, former demon of Solitude's famous greater god.
They spent the day running errands around the closest town in disguise, and at night set up shop with all their tools of living kept safe under the floorboards.
It was certainly a downgrade, but a necessary one to keep hidden from the wrath of one particularly bloodlust-driven Spit.
For now they sat inside, waiting until the sun was down before trying to get anything of significance done.
A thin, black, needle-like spear punctured through the wall of the cabin, missing Bucket's leg by mere inches.
Bucket scrambled across the floor toward the corner of the cabin, diving for their large bladed weapon leaning on the wall.
More spears followed suit, hounding the knight; each one a narrow miss.
A splintered chunk of wood harmlessly bounced off Bucket's cheek from one of the impacts.
The dog grabbed the huge sword and shielded themselves behind it. "If thy are a bandit in search of goods to rob, reveal your form lest you confess yourself to be an assassin."
A voice from outside the cabin spoke, its direction difficult to determine.
"You know of bandits that can do this, Bucket Judgement?”
Four spears pelted the sword simultaneously, testing the dog's hold on it.
“I find that hard to believe."
"You would be surprised how high effort some of them manage to be. It's impressive sometimes."
Bucket maintained their grip and charged the door directly, slamming through.
A spear was positioned just outside, low to the ground and horizontal.
Just at the right spot to trip the canine should they not see it coming.
The dog clinked their blade directly against the spear, narrowly avoiding injury but staggering their movement slightly in the process. "High effort indeed...."
A black bat in a crimson cloak appeared from around the side of the shack, several more black spears hovering in the air around them.
Their eyes were closed, head down slightly.
"I feel the bandit assertion is presumptuous, and more than a little insulting."
They walked towards Bucket slowly, arms stretched out at their sides.
"I'm much more of a threat than that, Bucket."
The bat's eyes opened as they approached, a red glow emanating from both.
The dog made direct eye contact. They started swirling the large sword overhead in preparation. "Then you're an assassin sent by Spit yes? I suggest you return where you came from."
They stood still about ten feet away, pearly whites showing in a grin.
"Or what, Bucket?"
A spear ejected itself out from the woods nearby, almost ripping the front of Bucket's shirt open.
"Do you have what it takes to kill me?"
Bucket started walking toward them unflinchingly, spinning the sword to cover them from the sides. "I'd really prefer not to if I can help it."
They laughed, clearly enjoying themself.
The figure raised a claw, seemingly pointing at Bucket.
One of the spikes hovering around them shot straight for Bucket's arm, though it was meant purely as a distraction for the thick, red ice forming along the ground behind the knight.
The dog swung to deflect the spike away from themselves.
It clattered down to the grass beside them just as the ice swept up Bucket's leg, forming a hold almost up to their knee.
The red ice was uncomfortably cold, already beginning to numb the dog's leg.
"You're going to have to try harder if you don't want to die, you know."
"Likewise." A force seemingly yanked the bat over right toward Bucket.
A wall of ice sprang up between the two in an attempt to catch the bat, one of their spears whistling around the side of the wall to make an attempt at striking Bucket's arm.
The dog tried to block the spear with another sword swing. The bat was being awkwardly dragged around the wall of ice.
The spear shifted around it just enough to nick Bucket's hand, swirling back around for another strike as the one Bucket had knocked away earlier swiped at the dog's other leg, the bat currently doing everything in their power to knock off the dog's concentration enough to stop being pulled.
Meanwhile, another wall of ice popped up against where the bat was being dragged, leading to them effectively being shoved safely against a corner.
The bat looked vaguely annoyed.
Bucket's concentration was broken for a moment as they focused on generating a protective wall of chains around themself.
The figure dropped off the wall of red ice, dusting off their cloak with a huff.
"Clever, but not nearly enough."
Their eyes honed in on Bucket once more.
The ice walls in front of them reshaped and advanced on the dog, one sliding itself up into a pillar to catch the dog's hands while the other skirted along the ground toward Bucket's unrestrained leg.
"I promise you, if I wanted you dead you'd be so by now." The bat's clothes were constricted tight as they were flung toward the approaching ice walls.
They growled in annoyance.
The ice going for Bucket's other leg stopped, now no more than a slippery patch on the grass, while two more - albeit much thinner - shaped up to cushion the bat.
Their body broke right through the first one, but stopped just barely on the next, several cracks forming in it from the impact.
Meanwhile, the pillar continued its pace and caught Bucket's wrists, freezing over them.
The spears Bucket had been fighting against slowed and approached the dog.
One poked at their back while the other hovered right in front of their face.
"Not that it matters much." Their voice was muffled some by the ice, muzzle turned to the side to speak at all.
"Don't you want to live, Bucket?
Apparently not, when you're holding back.
How disappointing."
"Then stop playing around." The dog's body rapidly cocooned in a mass of silk and chains, the mass of materials warding off the pillar from their body.
The spears pulled away, returning over to the bat as they dropped off the wall once more.
They stretched, squinting at the cocoon.
"You'll have to come out of there eventually. And when you do, I'll be here.
I can wait as long as you can."
After a while, the cocoon peeled away. The dog had transformed into a higher state, a mishmash of fabric and stitches, and teeth in odd places.
"I'll be honest, I was hoping you'd get bored and leave..."
Their eyes went wide, but the expression didn’t read as fearful. The exact emotion on display was hard to place in the moment.
The bat laughed, showing their teeth again.
"How could I be bored?
No need to insult yourself; you're nothing if not entertaining, Bucket."
A ten foot ice wall arose a few feet in front of the bat, spears at the ready behind it, the figure looking blurry through the thick, red ice.
"It's good to see you're stepping things up somewhat, but we both know you're still holding back."
Bucket blunted the ice wall with the flat end of their sword, making a large hole.
The bat raised an eyebrow, otherwise unflinching.
One spear flew straight through the hole, aiming for Bucket's arms, while another circled over the top, attempting to plunge straight down onto them from above.
The dog acrobatically jumped through the hole with tight precision, narrowly avoiding the spears as they did.
The bat still did not move.
Two of the spears hovering around them dove at Bucket while another circled back through the hole.
Bucket deflected the first two spears while taking the other one in the shoulder, unable to avoid the hit. Their eyes stayed honed in on the bat.
The spear in Bucket’s shoulder shot straight through, leaving a thin wound and dipping towards Bucket's hands.
Ice filled the wound, creeping across Bucket's torso.
The bat opened their arms.
"What's the matter? Lost your nerve?"
Suddenly, the bat was slammed repeatedly into the ground with frantic energy.
"I'm going to drain you out like a grape. Surrender."
The spear flicked through Bucket's wrists, red ice springing up from the small holes just as the ice on their torso creeped down the dog’s arms.
The cold masses joined in the middle and began to bulk up, weighing their limbs down heavier and heavier.
The rest of it made its way slowly up the dog's chin, encroaching towards their mouth.
The figure couldn't quite speak at the moment, but one of the spears hovered just in front of Bucket's face once more, as if threatening them.
The dog paused and held the bat in place for a moment. "I will take you with me. Call it off now and let me look at your injuries."
"Would you really, Bucket?"
The bat coughed.
The ice continued, but its pace had slowed significantly.
"You're willing to die just to kill me?
Come now..."
They looked up at Bucket with a smile, thin lines of blood trailing from their nostrils and several cuts on their face.
"...What would Chelsea think if she found out you'd died?"
"...Why do you know that?" Bucket's face frowned. "I don't know what you want. I'm tired and very confused.
You're not an assassin because you've held back on chances to kill me. You claim not to be a bandit... I don't understand.
Call this off and explain."
"Fine, but only if you do something for me."
The ice stilled for the moment, but didn't break away.
"I want a demonstration. And I have questions I'd like answered. Agree to those terms, and we--"
They turned their head down to cough, wiping blood away from their muzzle as they looked back up at Bucket.
"...And we call this off."
"Please..." They placed the bat on the grass and loosened their grip.
The bat stood, looking shaky as they dusted themself off.
The red ice on Bucket's face fell away, but the rest remained.
"Now then, show me one of your illusions. The rest comes off after."
"I've been using them the entire time."
The dog's appearance reverted. Visible scrapes, cuts, and bruises revealed that weren't there before made it clear Bucket hadn't quite avoided attacks nearly as well as things seemed.
"I prefer a subtle touch with them."
The bat's eyes opened a little wider in surprise, before they smiled and laughed.
"Well done, then, if mildly disappointing."
The ice broke off and disappeared, the stranger looking like they were barely standing.
"They can get a little more extensive." The Bucket's appearance flickered to that of an old karacel hermit before changing right back. "I can do one other thing, if you allow me to place my hands on your shoulder for a moment."
"Oh, I'm aware. Feel free."
The bat lowered their arms.
The dog placed their hands down. With a glow of golden hue came the sensation of warmth. Pain faded quickly and wounds were patched up with ease. "Don't move until I'm done. I still question why you know so much about me."
"Because I was tracking you."
Despite Bucket's warning, the bat gently raised their arm and touched Bucket's.
In a flash, the more severe wounds Bucket had suffered during the battle - such as the holes through their shoulder and wrists - closed up, but didn't quite heal fully.
The process was quick, but felt limited and messy. Most spots were still bleeding despite the dog feeling much more stable.
The bat now sported a grin miles wide.
Bucket blinked with surprise on their face. "You can do that too? Who are you exactly?"
"Toluca."
A hole miles deep opened up under Toluca and Bucket, wind felt on the canine’s face as a strong sensation of vertigo kicked in on instinct.
Bucket was unphased.
And just as it arrived, the illusion vanished momentarily, the bat looking incredibly pleased with themself.
"Did... Was this entire process simply to learn a few new tricks?" Bucket's knees were shaking with exhaustion. "Because if that's so, you simply could have asked."
Toluca similarly looked as if they might pass out at any moment.
"I'd say they're much more impressive than 'a few new tricks.'
Besides, I doubt you would've demonstrated willingly if someone had approached you in the woods while you were deliberately hiding out. You would've thought I was a threat no matter what I said or did, so better to engage in a fight...”
The bat stopped to wipe more blood from their nose before continuing.
“...Then, either you notice I'm not going for the jugular and realize I'm not here to kill you, or you don't notice and give it your all so that I gain all your abilities anyways."
“Either way...” They shrugged.
“I get what I want.
More importantly, I got to see a scrap form in person for the first time, even if it was an illusion."
Toluca leaned in.
"That was your scrap form on display, wasn't it?
I wouldn't think you'd have the foresight to come up with a fake one on the spot."
"It was exactly what you thought, fortunate for you I didn't give you a display of its proper abilities." Bucket sat down on the ground. "I really don't like using it."
"Why is that?"
Toluca looked incredibly invested now as they sat next to Bucket on the grass.
"Is it painful?
Does it cause emotional stress?
Does the transformation take something out of you?
What would you say are its strengths and drawbacks?"
Bucket lifted up their sleeve to reveal their full arm, ringed with layers of off-colored fur like a tree.
"It allows me to manipulate organic matter in quite an awful way. I can take parts from others to replace injuries, and place part of myself on someone else. As long as that part is attached to someone, should I choose so, I can monitor them, drain them for cells, and - should things get desperate enough - inflict a parasitic infection so horrific it becomes a liability to anyone within the same room.
It's a grotesque bastardization of my healing abilities. I've had to use it more than a few times to keep people quiet, and I hate it."
Toluca studied their arm carefully, their crimson eyes moving up and down.
"Fascinating..."
The bat put a claw under their muzzle.
"How did you induce it the first time? Is the process different for subsequent transformations?"
"The first time it was a case of reaching a massive emotional height, with a lot of preparation... It gets easier after enough times transforming.
The abilities I gained during it; I just knew I had them and I felt a little repulsed at myself with how terrifying they were, but they've come in handy. I do not think that's something you'd like me to demonstrate for you."
They looked away, putting a claw to their chin for a few moments as they deeply considered the offer.
They turned back to Bucket.
"I would like to see it, but it causes you distress and I wouldn't be able to copy any of those abilities regardless.
They're most likely tied to the form. That's my assumption, at the very least."
"So, better not.
Wouldn't want you thinking I was heartless. You wouldn't answer my questions if you did!"
They smirked and laughed at their own 'joke.'
"More to the point..." They stood up. "...I need to leave as soon as I can, or I may pass out on the way back.
But, I do have something for you first."
They pulled a brass key from their pocket and tossed it to the dog, who quickly caught it.
"Head south from here about eight and a half miles.
When you start seeing marked trees, follow them.
Look for a large stone covered in yellow moss. It covers the locked trapdoor of a shelter.
It's the least I could do, seeing as..."
Toluca nodded in the direction of the cabin, and its many holes.
"I may be back with more questions, though, just so you’re aware."
"You had this all planned out from the start. You considered all angles and factors that would come of this."
Bucket picked up their sword and leaned against it.
"I suppose I can answer more, and can I assume a few inquire about accessing a form of your own?”
"You assume correctly.”
“I can't guarantee it'd be a overnight process."
“If not an overnight process, I doubt it would take much longer. I'm something of an expert in all of this, as I'm sure you saw!
Before that, however, I do need to make it back to where I'm staying.
I could really... use..."
The bat was wobbling on their feet, knees looking as if they were about to cave.
"...Hell..."
Toluca toppled over onto the grass.
"Do you need someone to carry you back?"
The dog reached down and offered a hand.
The bat did not respond.
Toluca was out cold.
Bucket let out a small sigh and lifted Toluca over their shoulder.
"Thankfully, you provided directions to the promised shelter before passing out.
We'll rest up over there.
You certainly did make today interesting."
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 05-08-2020
The Angel's Egg - A One Shot CW: Mentions of injury.
![[Image: angelegg.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/angelegg.png)
You're in the middle of an unfamiliar place, trying to scramble together your memories of everything leading up to it. You were in the middle of something incredibly important and now you're here. You can't remember it in full detail.
You feel bits of yourself not quite fading, but certainly not where they belong. A name is on the tip of your tongue. The cool breeze coming down from the hills around you is fresh and delicious but distracting you right now. You need to focus.
You were protecting people, evacuating them from some kind of unnatural disaster. There were many models like you around but you were doing something particularly special. The people you were helping out of there were gods maybe.... you were designed for this express purpose and now that you've committed it's terrifying where you could have ended up.
It takes all your energy to come up with cohesive thoughts right now, and any time you even think about resting you're nearly launched back to square one. You need something to cling onto.
You needed to buy time for Apollo and Mori. Taking the fall was absolutely part of the plan.. Is this the afterlife? Some kind of twisted colorful blunder of landscapes you were surrounded by in life? No that doesn't make any lick of sense, you weren't designed to have a soul.
You were meant to be perfect fodder for angels.
Why are you feeling so much fear right now?
Maybe because people were nice to you. Maybe because you want to go back to them but... you're not entirely sure you can.
A name, you need a name so bad right now. No you have one, you absolutely do.
Dorothy. That's what you were called, Dorothy.
Oh god you're fading, melting away, the land is claiming you so fast. You need to resist, think about how you got here, think about what you have to do still.
You were talking to Apollo, he was off on one of his rants about the moon. He needed to go there for something but he hasn't had any luck.
Mori was talking to you about meeting up with some of their friends after work. You've done that a few times before and they're always pretty good to you. Last time the bunch of you went and bought funnel cake. It's not particularly good for you but it's sweet.
People were infected, they all were being slowly claimed by the great corruption into a reanimated hivemind of sorts. They lined up and melded together, so many of them just merged as one into an orb in the sky.
No, this isn't some far away world, you're still here. Every metal fiber of your body's outer shell aches with intensity. If you're still here, someone bailed you out. What were you doing that fucked you up so hard?
You look down at your hands, there's a rich blood-like fluid with a ghastly glow all over. That's not yours, whatever you were taking on you managed to hurt, pissed off pretty bad. It's probably a miracle you're alive right now... and if you're alive that means Mori and Apollo are probably safe too. They're both stronger than you after all, right? They had enough time to bail, you going down was always something that they must have known could happen so they probably didn't stay behind. No, you told them to go, you told them to not look back. This was your call.
Those lights in the sky, those aren't stars. They're people, and they're being drawn toward the now giant merger in the sky. It's an egg, the egg of something larger and more terrifying than you could possibly take on by yourself. You watch it, fixate on it as you try to hold out.....
You see it start to hatch and you can't look away. It's like a nightmare you can't wake up from.
You cling onto the name you were given by those nice people, Dorothy.
You hope they find you, come back for you when they're safe.
You can rest for now, whatever happens next is out of your hands.....
![[Image: angelegg2.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/angelegg2.png)
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - SHIVERS - 06-01-2020
Convertible - 2020
Rin + Shivers, Patchwork Kernel
CW: serious injury, self-harm, breakdown
Pepper helps an injured opponent.
Rin + Shivers, Patchwork Kernel
CW: serious injury, self-harm, breakdown
Pepper helps an injured opponent.
Pepper threw the subsequent match and hopped out of the arena.
It didn't take them long to find her, out in the hall.
They hurried over. "Woahwoah, hey- You can't walk on that. I'm sorry I- But, look, I can get help."
"It's fine, ssseriously..." The ruffneck staggered, barely having made any distance and hugging the wall.
Pepper stepped around in front of her, halting her progress.
"It's not fine, I wasn't even trying-" They shook their head.
"I can get you help, I know a doctor. Same one that patches me up.
Let me help."
"I don't need a doctor, kid." She tried to scoot around, wobbling in the process.
"Not a kid. And I busted your leg.
I... felt it." They pulled out their phone. "Gimme a sec. I'll call 'em."
"You're fun size, close enough." She let out a huff, flopping entirely against the wall. "Fine, but I'm not paying a dime. I don't want to deal with con jobs today."
They rolled their eyes.
"Well, at least I'm fun."
The next fight started up just as Pepper pulled out their phone, noise of the announcer and crowd pouring down in through the hallway.
"Here, hang on. Let's get out of here first."
The pockitt stood beside her, offering an arm. "You can use me as support. But if you make another short joke, I'm dropping you." They smiled.
"N-no promises." She leaned over onto them, heavier than she looked.
Pepper grunted from the weight immediately, already straining. "Oo... kay. Let's... get you out of here."
They made their way down the hall, slowly but surely.
"Why do you feel a need to help me out, anyway? Like, no offense, but this is d-dirty money. You're supposed to take the win and bail."
"I wasn't doing it for the money." They said simply. "And I didn't mean to hit you. Not like that."
"So that makes you okay with dragging around a complete stranger who almost beat your ass?"
"Pfft. 'Almost beat my ass.' Uh-huh, sure." The exit was in sight just ahead.
Carrie could feel the pockitt shaking as their muscles strained.
"That was one-sided and you know it."
She tried to put a little less weight on them, crystals brushing against their ear. "How do you know I wasn't sandbagging?"
"I've had plenty of people do that with me before. Kinda comes with the territory of being this, y'know, 'fun.'
I'd know if you were. You weren't.
...Not til that last hit."
They turned their head up to her.
"You leaned into that one."
"Had to give them a good show before I lost."
"Didn't think I would hit that hard, huh?"
"Oh, no, you gave me pleeeenty of warning on that front."
"Riiight, right, I gotcha. So you just-"
They stopped to push the door open, exhaling from exertion.
"...wanted a shattered femur. Sure. Makes sense."
"Doesn't everybody, at some point in their lives? I don't see why it's so weird."
They chuckled just a little, shaking their head.
"Did you drive a car here? It'd be a better place to lay you down than just outside."
"Yeah, parked a little ways from here...turn left."
They turned with a huff, pressing on.
"Tell me which one when you see it."
"Convertible. Right ahead."
Pepper made a face the second they saw the car.
"Yeah. Showing up to an underground fight ring in that.
Using the illegal fight money you risk your life for to... buy expensive cars. Naturally."
"Don't knock the car, it's not even mine."
"Stolen, or something?"
They tried to open the back door, finding it locked.
"Please tell me you still got the keys on you, at least."
The pockitt was barely standing by this point.
"Relax-" She rifled through her pocket and tossed the keys out, barely able to catch them. "It's my dad's."
"Stolen?" They repeated.
"Borrowed."
"Stolen. Gotcha."
Once she unlocked the door, they leaned her in, helping her hang onto the door and slowly slide into the car.
"Yeah just... lay there a second. Try not to move that leg at all." Pepper pulled out their phone.
She flopped back onto the seat, letting out a deep exhale. "It's not stealing if he knows I have it."
"Either way, it was stupid to drive this thing to a place like this. No clue how it's even still here."
They scrolled down to Sasha in their phone, thumb hovering over the button.
Pepper rubbed their temple.
"...God, this is stupid."
"If you're gonna snitch on me to some doctor, do it now or let me figure it out on my own."
"Oh believe me, they already know I do this kinda stuff, but that's the last thing you should be worried about right now.
Maybe focus on that pretty important bone in your leg probably being in pieces."
With a sigh, they tapped the call button, waiting as it rang.
"Eh. I'd just wait in a park or something for it to get better."
"A park- You'd--" They let the sentence trail off with a sigh.
"Just... one sec."
Pepper stepped away and started talking on their phone, giving Carrie plenty of time to think.
It's not like she'd die or anything. A broken leg wasn't the worst in the world, and she'd had way worse before. This was nothing compared to everything else she'd had to deal with in the ring over the years- but, she had to admit: that pockitt punched like a freight train, and even after gauging those heavy hits before throwing the fight, she wasn't really ready for the sheer impact of the tiny fighter's fist.
They stepped back around to the car a couple of minutes later, looking oddly shaken up.
"Hey, look, uh... are-
Do you think you'd be okay here? By yourself?
Til the doctor gets here. I mean I know it's-
Like..."
Pepper trailed off, unable to find the right words.
"Lemme guess, you're in trouble?"
They were looking off in the distance.
"They're just my doctor. They are pissed at me, though.
And I don't uh... really wanna... be here for that, when they get here.
But I don't want to leave you here with..." They briefly glanced over and vaguely gestured in the general direction of her leg.
"...Yeah."
"Like I said, I'll live. Bail if you gotta."
Pepper faced her this time, making eye contact; guilt and concern mixed up in their expression.
"You sure? And I mean really sure?
You've already lied to me with your whole... 'oh yeah sure I can definitely just limp out of here on my broken leg by myself', so...
...don't exactly trust you to tell me if you'll really be okay or not."
She gave them a dead serious stare. "I wasn't lying."
They rolled their eyes.
"Not what I mean. I'm sure you're tough or whatever and that's great, but nobody's a superhero with their leg in pieces.
And this place isn't safe; inside or outside. Anybody might've come in and-
And I mean, anyone still could mess with you if I just leave you here by yourself, especially in this kind of car, so I don't see how--"
"Take a closer look at my leg, fun size."
"Don't call me-" They huffed, peering down at her leg, hoping maybe the blow wasn't as bad as it felt before.
The bone was jutting out, just enough for it to be very clearly, not actually bone.
"Oh god, I-" They winced at the sight for a second before taking a closer look.
"Is... what is that?"
Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a kind of pink-tinted crystal, vaguely in the shape of a normal ruffneck femur. "The bone that you broke. Does that look like a normal break to you?"
"No, but it... I'm guessing whatever it is means it isn't gonna be as serious of an injury, but...
I mean it still hurts doesn't it? Like... that looks-" They rubbed their face with one of their paws, staring down at the crystal bone.
"Do you have, just, anything at all for the pain? Or I could like, go get some. I think there was a gas station a ways up the road, I could... get you something."
"I don't know if you realize this-" She made wobbly finger guns. "But I am high as balls right now, and I baaaarely feel it. You're gonna worry yourself sick over nothing."
"High as-
I can't just leave you out here, while-"
Pepper bit their thumb.
"Please, isn't there anything I can... do to help? At all?"
She tossed the keys at them. "Go to the glovebox, passenger side. Obviously."
They fumbled a bit but caught them and delicately shut the backseat door.
The passenger door opened and they climbed in.
Pepper's head popped out into Carrie's view from behind the passenger seat.
"What am I looking for?"
"Pack of gum. Not the mint one, the fruit one. Yellow box. Like, banana yellow."
"...Gum?"
"Yeah?"
They looked at her, then popped the glovebox and retrieved the gum, handing her the whole pack.
"Does this like... help with your leg? Some kinda weird pain med or something?"
She took out a piece and ripped off the wrapper with her teeth, spitting it to the side before popping the whole stick in her mouth. "You asked if you could help, and gum helps me keep my head clear. It's one of those, like, stim things."
Their ears visibly drooped an inch or so.
"...That's all?"
"Don't knock the power of this gum."
They righted themself in the seat, taking a deep breath and sliding their paw down their head.
Pepper sat in silence for a little while.
Carrie could hear paper rustling and movement.
Soon after, the pockitt's arm rounded the corner, holding a yellow sticky note with numbers written on it, just barely visible thanks to the dim overhead light.
"If something happens, call me. I'll head straight back. You have a phone, right?"
"Yep. Probably gonna call my stepmom after this doctor friend of yours patches me up, because wow, you know what, I don't think I should be driving like this."
Pepper only frowned at the joke, looking away.
They closed the glovebox.
"...I doubt it makes a difference, but I'm really sorry about your leg.
I know you took the hit on purpose, but I was also swinging harder than I needed to.
I was... out of it.
Barely even remember any of it.
It's not remotely okay for me to go into fights like that. ...Could've hurt you way worse than just a broken leg.
Wasn't even-"
They shook their head.
"Doesn't matter.
Sorry, again." They hopped out.
"Hey. Hey, before you go- ah, shit." She exhaled again, blowing her hair out of her face. "Hope they don't get a complex or something."
"Oh I'm sure it's way too late for that."
The pockitt stuck their tiny arm between the seat and the side of the car, jingling the keys over by Carrie.
"Almost forgot."
"Right. Keeeeys." She floundered around for them, missing once before grabbing them for real.
Pepper let them go.
"Be careful. Don't die or anything.
...Also the doc's name is Sasha.
They look like a strawberry. You'll know 'em when you see 'em."
The door shut, footfalls on gravel trailing off.
"A strawberry...that'll be a first."
A few minutes later, a car pulled slowly through the parking lot, stopping next to Carrie's car.
The vehicle was difficult to make out through the tinted windows.
Someone got out, the figure only coming into view once they rounded the corner and knocked on the backdoor window with their knuckle.
They were a red selected hybrid who happened to sport white spots.
"Door's unlocked." She made sure to speak up and point at the handle.
They opened the door and right away looked around to all the other seats in the car.
"Hey. Sasha.
Did Pepper already leave?"
"Yeah, they bailed hard. You scared 'em real good."
The snake pinched the bridge of their snout and closed their eyes.
They inhaled, then exhaled, and opened their eyes.
Sasha looked down at the wound, seeming unphased.
"It's Carrie, right? How's your pain?"
"Too high to feel pretty much any of it, but there is a bit of an edge sneaking in."
Sasha looked up at her.
"High on what?"
"Not any shit you'd know about, probably."
"Carrie, if you want my help, then I need to know all the details.
I can't give you anything to help with the pain unless I know it won't interact badly with whatever you took."
"Eastite, rare variant that doesn't show up in nature. Only one known source in existence."
Sasha made eye contact.
"...Where did it come from?"
She tapped the crystals on her neck.
"You should be careful with those."
Sasha pulled a pill bottle out of their hoodie pocket and retrieved two pills, handing them over to Carrie.
"What're these?"
"For the pain. Low dosage, nothing addictive.
Shouldn't cause any issues with eastite, especially at low strength.
But they should take the edge off."
"Hold on a sec." She shoved her hand down below the seat and dug out the gum wrapper from earlier. "Gotta spit this out first."
"Take your time.
After you take those, we need to get you to a hospital. I brought crutches if you want me to take you in my car, or we can go in yours.
Your pick."
"No hospital."
They leaned back into the car.
"Why?"
"I can fix the leg myself and then call my stepmom."
"...Even if you can move the crystals, that's a delicate procedure.
And... I can't imagine how painful that'd be. Even with the medicine, I'm... really not sure how much it'd help.
We could get you to a hospital, and make sure it gets fixed right. I don't see why that's a bad thing."
"Are you like, from here?"
"No, but I don't see the relevance.
If you're talking about medical bills, I can pay them.
I'm not really sure how hospitals work here, but... it wouldn't take long to research. I can help."
"One, I can pay my own bills. Two, it's relevant because the hospitals here suck ass. They don't know how to treat regular people, let alone god kids." She huffed.
"Well... I'm not a surgeon, but I can be here for you operating on yourself, at least.
I have stronger pain meds, too, if it comes down to it.
And I'm here. I'm not going to leave you to do this alone."
They crouched down a little, giving Carrie a smile.
"Why don't we call your stepmom? We can get you back to your place... or her place. Anywhere that's safe for you to do this."
"See, now that's more sensible. You got a good head on your shoulders." She shoved her hand into her other pocket, getting out her phone and trying to dial a number, goofing a few times. "Fucking...phone. Hey, Stylo? Yeah, it's Carrie. I need to crash at your place for a bit. No, I'm fine." She sighed, a muffled voice clearly chewing her out on the other end. "It's just a broken leg, for god's sake. You know I've had worse."
Sasha stood back up and leaned against the car outside, wary of anyone potentially coming over in the meantime.
"I'll only be the night- yes, you can tell Dad. Just say we're having, like, I don't know, girl's night or something. Yeah. Yeah, I have someone to drive me. No, they're not a serial killer- you know I could take one of those anyway, right?"
The snake's eyes widened just a little when overhearing the conversation, feeling awkward.
They stepped a few feet away from the car, intending to give her some privacy.
"Yeah, alright...it's fine. I'll be fine. Bye." She closed her phone with a snapping motion. "Okay, c'mon back, I'm done having her chew me out."
Sasha stepped back over.
"Alright, which car-..." They stopped and looked over the convertible.
"We can take your car. I don't think it'd last sitting out here."
They opened the door and got into the front seat, clasping on their seatbelt as they looked back at Carrie. "Got the address? And the keys?"
"Yeah, it's not too far from here." She tossed the keys at the front seat. "North on Main, left turn onto Granite. Two next rights after that."
Sasha caught them.
"Try and buckle yourself in as best you can."
They started up the car.
She managed to drag herself up into a slight sitting position, just barely managing to buckle up. "Easy on the gas, this thing likes to go fast."
"I'm gonna be going slow either way, want to make sure your leg moves as little as possible."
Sasha carefully pulled out of the gravel lot, finally on the road.
It didn't take them long to bring it up.
"...Pepper told me you took the hit on purpose."
"Yeah. Happens."
"Why?"
"Maybe I just wanted to see how hard they hit."
"I don't think so."
"What do you think it is, then. You're a doctor, right?"
"I'm not that kind of doctor, but it seems like you were trying to hurt yourself."
"I heal quick. It's not going to be a problem."
Sasha's concern wasn't hidden at all; their voice dropped in volume and took on a soft and serious tone.
"Why did you want to hurt yourself?"
"Dunno."
"...Carrie, I know you don't... know me, but... you can talk to me about it."
"No, as in, I literally don't know. I just get out there and throw fights, because some part of me thinks it's the right thing to do for some goddamn reason. That's all there is to it, and in the long run-" She threw her hands up, just enough to be seen from the rearview mirror. "I heal up fine. So it's not a problem."
"...Why go through all the trouble? Coming out to a place like this, getting in the ring, then letting yourself get hurt and throwing the fight?"
"Why not? It works, and if I don't throw the fight, I get paid."
"Do you need the money?"
"Nope, but it's nice having cash I can spend a little more guilt free. After all, like- you win a fight like that, you earned it. And I always throw for whenever a scrub comes in. I don't want to wail on people who can't throw a punch back."
"Pepper seemed like that to you?"
"Oh, nah. They were gonna win either way."
"...Did you want them to hurt you?"
"Guess I wanted to see how it felt to take one of those punches head on."
"And you don't know why you wanted that?"
"Just popped into my head and I did it."
Sasha was silent for a few moments.
"You know, you remind me a lot of Pepper."
"Yeah? How?"
"Neither of you are fighting for good reasons, and neither of you seem to care about your own well-being."
"I mean, I can't argue there. My reasons suuuuck, and I can't really bring myself to give a shit. But it's fine in the end. "
"It's not fine." They snapped despite themself, pulling back their tone immediately.
"...People care about you.
You don't deserve to do that to yourself. You don't deserve that hurt."
They looked up into the rear view mirror.
"...Neither of you do."
She was pointedly avoiding eye contact. "I mean, you don't even know me. Who's to say what I deserve?"
They didn't stare, turning their gaze back to the road.
"I know I don't know you, but I still know that much.
You should try to learn it yourself."
"Maybe when I'm less blitzed out of my mind. Can baaarely think- stop, this is it on the left."
The car stopped slowly, and Sasha got out.
The snake pulled the crutches from the side seat with them, and opened the back door, offering a claw.
"Ready?"
She took their hand, a lot more careful than earlier. "Yeah. Let's get this over with."
Sasha was delicate, helping Carrie up and placing the crutches in her hands.
They made sure to hold on until she was ready.
"Got 'em?"
Carrie did her best to keep herself up, nodding. A blue crystalline figure stepped out onto the porch, arms crossed. The house itself was nice, suburban- not matching the new arrival's crisp, expensive looking business suit at all.
Sasha stayed right by Carrie, keeping an arm hovering behind her just in case.
They looked up at the figure.
"Hey. Carrie's gonna be okay. I'm Sasha."
"Stylo. I'd shake your hand, but… let's wait until things are handled." She opened the door and made way for the two of them, keeping a close eye on both.
Sasha nodded.
"It's appreciated either way. I'm sorry about all of this." The snake put all their focus back on Carrie, making sure not to let her fall as they made their way inside.
The house was cluttered but clean, lots of little art pieces everywhere- but everything had its place, clearly and deliberately positioned. Most of them were abstract sculptures, ranging from tiny knick knacks to a centerpiece on the table. "Couch is big enough for this, I already laid down a blanket."
The snake was already on their way over with Carrie, letting her get down easy.
They breathed a short sigh once she made it safely.
With that, they finally turned their attention to Stylo, holding out a claw.
"It's nice to meet you. Wish it was under better circumstances."
She took it, her height suddenly apparent as she loomed over. "Likewise. I'm sorry that you had to find her like this, I've been trying-" She shot her stepdaughter a glare. "-to get her to knock this bad habit off."
Sasha breathed through their nose, holding eye contact for a little bit longer, just thinking.
"Stylo, could I talk with you outside?"
"By all means." She stepped forward to ruffle Carrie's hair, getting an exasperated sigh. "You stay put."
Sasha stepped outside, walking out a few paces down the driveway, facing away from Stylo.
Their claw went up under their chin, and they bit their lip.
She closed the door behind them, making sure not to catch her tail in the door. "Go ahead and say whatever you need to say, as harsh as you need to be."
They turned around.
"Is Carrie... seeing a therapist?"
"We've tried- I mean, I've tried. Her father means well, but he doesn't know a single thing when it comes to mental healthcare."
"She's old enough to make her own decisions, but does she just not want to go to one?"
"More that it's incredibly to find any sort of healthcare for people in her position. I'm not sure if you picked up on this, but she's not your average ruffneck."
"Are therapists here not willing to see her, then?"
"Oh, willing, yes. Able to get to the actual problems? No. Carrie's willing to do therapy as well, but finding therapy for, well..." She wasn't able to dance around it. "A god's half-mortal child, that's immensely difficult. Gods are already without a lot of resources, and it's made infinitely worse for hybrid kids."
Sasha looked to the side, seemingly scanning their own thoughts.
"I don't really... see what the problem is.
If her therapists aren't able to handle things like that, then they don't sound like good therapists.
I can potentially set her up with someone over the phone, even, if that'd help.
Because I really think she needs it, especially if she's willing.
It's not just the fights."
"I know she needs it, and...we've seen some great therapists, ones that can help with most of it- but none of them can really cut into something like this. If there's someone out there, I intend on finding them, but..."
"I can help."
"I'd rather not involve you more than I already have- I appreciate it, don't get me wrong, but this is a family issue."
They shook their head, almost cutting Stylo off.
"With all due respect- things are worse than probably you realize.
...That broken leg she has right now, she let herself take that hit on purpose.
She told me as much.
She said she does it fairly often, and tonight it escalated to..." They shook their head, whole body trembling visibly.
The snake looked at the ground, then met her gaze again.
"It could be worse next time.
This isn't something that can wait."
"...you're right."
"Are you willing to let me help, then?"
"We'll see. I'm afraid I don't exactly trust easily, and I'll only accept help on a practical standpoint. If it gets too personal, I'll ask you to step back."
"Oh, I... didn't mean...
I'm not a therapist. But I do know of some. A lot of them take appointments by phone.
I'm from Idyth, and that's where the clinics I know of are.
I could try setting her up with some until she gets a good fit.
...It might take a while, but it'll be worth it, even if it only helps a little."
They looked to the side, thinking, then glanced back at Stylo.
"...And if Carrie does need anyone to talk to beyond that, I can do that, too.
I want to help. Any way I can."
"That's a long way from here."
"I know.
Like I said, they'll usually take phone appointments.
But I could also help look somewhere closer to where she lives.
There's a lot of options. She doesn't have to do it by herself; the two of you don't."
"I'll consider it. Phone appointments would probably be best for her anyway...she may not look it, but she has a lot of anxiety about being outside. Unless, well." She made a face. "She's under the influence."
"I can help her find the right people for that, not a problem at all.
Do you want my number?"
"Mm, and I'll give you mine as well. Do you have a pen and paper?
"I have my phone."
They pulled it out of their pocket and went to the contacts.
'PEPPER' showed as the most recent call.
Sasha's expression wilted, just enough to be noticeable.
"Something wrong?"
They shook their head. "Nope. I'm good."
They tapped the new contact button, the pair exchanging numbers in just a few moments.
"Alright, are you okay with driving me back to my car?
Carrie offered, but I'm not sure if she asked you.
If not, I can walk. It isn't too far."
"No, I'll drive. It's the least I can do." She jingled Carrie's keys, having snatched them from her stepdaughter while she wasn't looking. "I assume you want shotgun."
Sasha nodded, breathing a quick sigh.
The snake looked exhausted, as if they'd been holding themself up just long enough to make sure things went okay.
They climbed into the car.
Stylo pushed the seat back before climbing in, trying to fit in as best she could. "Normally I'd put the top up, but...I figure we have things to talk about, if you're going to work with me on this."
They nodded.
"That's fine, I can answer any questions you might have."
She got the car started and pulled out slowly, making sure to look both ways. "How did you find Carrie, again?"
They took a deep breath.
"The person who caused the injury is a friend of mine.
They got Carrie out of the ring and helped her to her car, then called me to come make sure to get her home safe."
"And they didn't stick around."
Sasha shook their head.
"I.. think they left because I was coming."
"Did they have reason to?" She kept her tone even, not accusatory in the slightest.
They looked at the floor.
"...They weren't supposed to be fighting in places like that anymore.
Myself, and their other friends, talked with them and they agreed they wouldn't.
...When they called me to ask for my help, I snapped at them.
They probably left because they felt... too guilty to face me after that.
Them leaving could've put Carrie in danger.
I'm sorry. It was my fault, I should've thought that through.
I don't really have an excuse."
"It's not your fault that they felt guilty. They were doing something they shouldn't have, and it's not on you that they broke a promise."
"Doesn't change that I could've thought through things better."
"Mm, but anyone can say that about pretty much anything. You did the right thing and stuck it out regardless, to help someone you didn't even know. Not many people are willing to do that."
"I wasn't going to turn my back on someone like that, and I think most people would've done the same.
I don't really feel good knowing-"
They shook the train of thought away, lifting their head back up.
"Sorry.
This isn't your problem, and you've had enough to deal with tonight already. You don't need to worry about me."
The snake took another breath.
"But I do appreciate what you said."
"It's nothing. I'm only saying the truth, at the very least how I see it."
"Definitely appreciated."
They swiftly switched topics, undoubtedly trying to divert attention away from what they were thinking about.
"Did you have any more questions? About what happened, or about finding a therapist, or anything, really.
I'm here to help."
"About this Idyth therapy thing...what if a crisis happens? They'd be so far away."
"They'd be able to contact medical professionals within the area if it was... something serious to the point that it required physical attention here.
Same as any therapist.
There are also crisis lines that they usually go over first session, in case the therapist isn't available at the time."
"Carrie doesn't do well with crisis lines, we've tried that much. She thinks they're...impersonal."
"She might be able to get referred out somewhere closer by, too.
Her therapist can probably answer that question better than I could, though.
...I can also be available in the moment, if she needs someone to talk to, but I'd assume she'd be more comfortable calling you, or a friend."
"She's never been the best at making friends, unfortunately...but I'll bring it up with her, see if she'd be comfortable with that."
They nodded, looking straight ahead through the windshield. "I'm happy to help however I can."
"And what is it that you do, again? As a job. No offense, but… I can tell you're not from around here."
"None taken. I'm a doctor.
That's why my friend called me out to help Carrie."
"And does your friend work with you?"
They smiled and puffed air out of their nostrils.
"You could say that.
...They're technically one of my patients. I get called in whenever they get hurt."
"Sounds like you've been riding together for some time now."
"It hasn't been too long, but I've been helping them - all of them, there's a group of five... technically four - whenever they get hurt.
Which is... often enough for me to be worried."
"You have any plans to talk things out with your friend after this, then?"
"...Are you sure you want to know about all this?
If you're worried about me, I'm--"
"I'm just curious."
"...I want to, but I'm expecting them to avoid my calls.
...Worst case scenario: they may already be out fighting somewhere else now, and there's nothing I can really do about it."
"And what will you do if that's the case?"
"That they're ducking my calls or that they're out fighting?"
"Either, really."
"Can't do anything about the fighting.
Doubt there's much I can do if they're avoiding me, either. I could try calling another one of our friends, but if they just won't talk to me there's..."
They stopped, going silent for a moment before they continued.
"Not... much I can do.
With any of it."
"Has this kind of fight happened before?"
"I wouldn't call it a fight. They don't want to talk to me because they feel guilty about what happened, and don't want to deal with that.
That's what I'm guessing from our phonecall, anyways, they didn't say much."
"Well, whatever it is- has it happened before?"
"A couple of times.
Not this bad, usually.
This is different.
...Not... just that they hurt someone else badly this time, but...
...they aren't doing well."
"Then you'll have to work extra hard to make it okay again- and so will they."
They shook their head ‘no’.
"It's not from me.
Something is... setting them off.
They wouldn't be out fighting this much unless something was getting to them, and it's been like this since they got to Taverne."
Sasha put their claw slightly over their mouth, staring blankly out the window.
"They're from Solitude, they told me once, so I'm guessing it's bad memories coming back.
But I'm sure they wouldn't tell me if I asked. And asking at all could just make it worse, but they would never talk to me or anyone else, otherwise.
So I don't know if I should try to ask about it, or if I should even risk pressing it considering they could just break contact again at that point; if they even decide to talk with me again in the first place, after everything with this-
and-
I'm... Sorry.
I'm worried. I could've just said I was worried. That's all."
"Did it help to put it into words?"
Sasha seemed annoyed at themself for even getting into it.
"Thank you, for... trying to help.
I'll be alright.
Last thing you need right now is to be worrying about me."
"I don't mind, I'm the one who asked in the first place. I wouldn't have bothered if I wasn't genuinely interested in hearing out the situation."
"I can handle it.
And I'm sure Pepper- ...I'm sure my friend will be okay.
I just hope I can get them to stay in their hotel instead of going out like this."
"Well...pass on my thanks. They helped my stepdaughter out as well, and while I wish they stuck around, I refuse to let their help go uncredited."
She paused for a moment.
"Even if they were the reason her bone was broken in the first place."
"I can let them know next time I talk with them.
...Thank you, by the way. For being there for Carrie, and for being so understanding with all of this.
In my job, I see a lot of kids with parents who don't seem to care that much.
I know Carrie isn't a kid, but I'm still glad to know that she's in good hands with you."
"Thank you, for saying that. I don't think I'm exactly the ideal mother, but...I try. She deserves that much." She slowed the car, pulling up to Sasha's. "That yours?"
"Yup," they nodded, acknowledging the car-shaped hunk of junk as theirs.
The snake got out of the car, turning to talk with Stylo.
"If you or Carrie needs anything, let me know, okay?
And tell her she can keep the crutches."
"I'll pass it on." She tapped the steering wheel a bit, trying to figure out a good farewell. "You take care out there- and good luck with your friend."
"You too, and I appreciate it.
Be safe."
With that, they shut the door, waving to Stylo as she drove off.
Sasha waited until she was completely out of sight to unlock their car and get in.
They crossed one arm over their middle, using the other to hold up their head, propping it on their knuckles.
The snake rubbed their forehead with their thumb, pressing in deeper as time passed.
They sank deeper down, starting to curl up in the seat.
Both hands switched to cover up their face, squeezing, as if to force back tears.
Only a few escaped, rolling down their cheek as they sniffled.
They were quickly wiped away, Sasha inhaling deep,
then exhaling.
Repeating the process over and over.
The snake leaned back against their seat with a final exhale, their eyes turning to look out the window.
Well past the trees surrounding the parking lot, the sun was starting to rise, enveloping everything ahead in a dull, blue glow.
They stared.
Their mind drifted, just for a few moments, only to the view ahead of them.
Sasha pulled out their phone, navigating to their contacts.
‘PEPPER’.
Their gaze hung on the name, looking through it.
The snake straightened up in their seat with a sigh, and hit the call button.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - skinstealer - 06-08-2020
Unclassified Symptoms - 2020
Ringor Mortis, Vest Party (Pre-Sleepwalker)
CW: familial abuse, death, ableism
Philly tries to block out the noise.
Their voices are coming through the walls again. Bickering over god knows what again, possibly Nana, possibly money, probably both. They’ll keep pretending that his opinion on any of this didn’t matter, and that he was just their stupid kid.Ringor Mortis, Vest Party (Pre-Sleepwalker)
CW: familial abuse, death, ableism
Philly tries to block out the noise.
Philly buries himself deeper in his book, flipping the page and pressing his ears back, trying to block out the sound. They’d be at it for hours, and likely wouldn’t even notice their son staying up later than allowed, reading about things they hated. It’s ironic to him, that the only quiet time to himself he gets is when they’re too busy being at each other’s throats. It’s ironic that in a weird way, he’s grateful that something, anything, gives him these moments, even if it means he has to pretend that his parents don’t find every reason to argue.
He’d say that as long as it wasn’t about him, he’s fine with it, but that’d be a lie- one he’s told himself many times over the course of his life. The petty squabbles over budget were something he could live with, but things like now, where it involves someone he loves just as much as they do, that’s when it really hits home just how little he matters to them. They’d been talking about Nana for weeks now, always after they assumed he was in bed and not even bothering to check if his light was on. He knew she was sick, but they’d never let him come with them to the hospital, with no explanation why.
At this point, Philly knows why. Nana’s dying, he’s certain of it. He can only pick up so much through the walls, but what he can hear in their more heated moments is nothing good, no good news, always talking about plans of what to do, how this is going to impact their lives, who’s going to get the money, everything swirling around his head in a horrible blur. It’s never about how Nana is actually doing, how she feels, what she’s able to do and what she isn’t. It’s always so clinical and practical and he hates that, he wants to burst in and tell them to fuck logic and practicality and the numbers. He wants to scream and tell them to think with their hearts for once…
But he knows how that would go.
He’d be sent to his room and told off for being “volatile”, and shamed for not minding his own business, for eavesdropping, for being inappropriate, as always. They would threaten to take his books away and stop letting him go out into the woods on his own, just straight to his apprenticeship and straight back home. No detours, no adventures allowed. They’d call it another one of his “mood swings” and blame puberty or something, despite the fact that he’s old enough to know that the way his head works isn’t fucking that. He doesn’t know what it is, but he’s read enough about biology to know that going from crying into his pillow to being unable to sleep from too many thoughts filling his head isn’t just puberty.
He’s tried to show them books and pamphlets, asking to see a doctor, anything, just to see what’s up with him. He doesn’t even want to assume anything, but he wants answers more than anything, for himself and the world and what to do, for how to handle his Nana dying when he can’t even see her. It’s all too much and he tries to gather his thoughts up into a tidy pile, praying that he can get them untangled before he starts to slip. Crying would definitely let them know he’s awake past bedtime, and he can’t deal with the idea of them turning their anger on him right now.
Fuck this. He just wants to read his book.
Philly takes a deep breath and turns the page, not having even processed anything on the previous one. He’s already read this book a million times over, the pages worn around the edges- but it’s one of his favorites. ”Horrors and the Horrified”, one in his vast collection of books on the supernatural...at least, what his parents call that, anyway. Horrors seem just as natural as anything else on the planet to him, not that he’d ever seen one. Sure, mutation could be deadly, but...from what he’s read, it doesn’t seem like they’re in control of it at all.
He glosses down the page before stumbling onto an illustration of a parody, and his breath hitches. Horrors in disguise, immortal mimics that took the form of children...how could anyone think the worst of horrors when hearing something like that? So many of the stories he reads talk about how it’s an act of trickery, a way to get in with mortals so they can reap all of their labor while contributing nothing but trouble, but he can’t believe that, he just can’t. All he can picture is someone lost and new to the world, hoping for someone to pick them up and take them somewhere safe-
He tries to ignore the tears prickling at the corners of his eyes, turning the page before he’s even finished reading. Common horror mutations are easier on his mind, and it’s almost soothing to read the familiar bullet points that he knows so well. Growth of teeth and claws, hunger, mood instability-
God damnit.
He closes the book and shoves it under his pillow, resisting the urge to clutch at his own head and scream. He knows he’s not mutated, he doesn’t have any of the symptoms, no history of it in the family, but part of him wishes so, so much that he is, and that someday a full transformation will come and make him stronger than this.
At least then, he’d have answers for something.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 06-26-2020
Tagging In - a Jam and Dotty One Shot
You are not Lex, you haven't been Lex all day nor heard much from her this entire time. You fumble around with getting cleaned and dressed to spend time with her friend today, you're not very used to the outside physical world nor having to pose as her. You can only just pray that wherever she is right now, she'll be back safe soon.
You look in the mirror to check your teeth, they're somewhat overgrown in the front and indicate someone still has trouble maintaining healthy gnawing habits. You'd correct them if you could but you don't have the time right now to work on some bark.
You keep looking at the clock, she should be here any minute. You think back and recall that she has a tendency to get there decently early, wait by the door, and then knock a minute after she said she'd be there. You mostly noticed this because an old roommate watched the window a few times for Lex and caught her in the act. You find it a little sweet. If you were Lex right now you'd entertain it and wait but you're ready.
You crack open the door and hear the sound of your very startled construct friend.
Dotty: Lex!
???: Hey! You're twenty minutes early!
Dotty: Yeah!
???: You didn't knock?
Dotty: Wanted to give you time to get ready.
???: Well, I am now!
Dotty: How'd you know?
???: Just made a pretty good guess really. I felt good vibes by the door so I took a little leap of faith.
Dotty: Well um....
She takes a hand and pulls a few stray strands of hair back.
???: You okay?
Dotty: Mmhmm. You got everything you need?
???: Yep, where we heading today?
Dotty: The pier, our usual spot. Maybe mix it up after with dinner in the city if you don't mind taking a bus.
???: Sounds good! Things go well with work today? You know, with regulating duels and stuff?
Dotty: Eh.... had to deal a nasty incident in the park. Someone tried to register their pet as a dueling partner, had to deep dive into some books to tell them no since they kept pushing some kind of precedent.
???: Why would they do that? Why would they get some poor little animal to fight for them?
Dotty: That's the scary part, it was a bear.
???: You mean the big furry things? Oh we can start walking by the way.
She nodded and offered her arm. You held onto her as she escorted you downhill.
Dotty: Anyway yeah. Thing was taller than me like.... was afraid the guy would sic it on me.
???: You were brave enough to stand your ground against a big hairy creature though. Could probably win if something went down.
Dotty: I really don't like having to fight people... thank god he backed down when I threatened to lock him out of ranked duels for the season.
???: Oh, was he part of a circuit?
Dotty: Yep! Pretty high up too, don't know how if he wasn't confident enough to fight without help from a thousand pound beast.
???: What'd you do if that didn't work?
Dotty: Duel him which could get ugly fast. Bears fight for keeps if you know what I mean.
???: You got that clamp mouth of yours though right? Could have just chomped it in half.
Dotty: I'd get fired! Noooooo thanks. Guess I would win though if stuff came down to it..
???: I mean of course, you're the strongest person I know.
Dotty: No I'm not...
???: Mmhmm! Bet you could lift up anyone and toss them across the street.
Dotty: I mean not anyone but....
???: But you're pretty strong right?
Dotty: I mean sure.
???: Carry me. I'm tired.
Dotty: We just started walking Lex....
???: Then maybe I just wanna be held for a bit while we get to the beach. Please?
Dotty: I mean uh...
???: Just pick me up.
Dotty sweeps you up in one clean motion. She seems a little shy doing this.
???: There you go. Easy cause you're strong.
Dotty: You've never really asked me to do something like this before, I'm kind of surprised.
???: I'm just feeling extra confident tonight. Going on my gut a ton.
Dotty: You should do that more... it's nice.
???: Not as nice as you! Helping poor exhausted me make this walk.
Dotty: Lex....
???: Is it too much? I can stop of it's too much.
Dotty: No, just.. you're usually the one initiating these little things. You asked me out first, you seem to just do things without worry a lot of the time... and today you're going a bit extra on all of that. Worried I might be a bit boring to you.
???: You're not. We're just boneheads who luck out, you play things pretty smart a lot of the time.
Dotty: We?
???: Me. Not you, you're good at making calls most of the time. I'm the one who gets all sorts of little scrapes and bruises over nothing. You make me feel safe because I know you have other people's well being at heart you know? Like me? I'm just a mess who gets into a lot of trouble but with you around? I feel like nothing can go wrong.
Dotty: You're gonna make me all red....
???: It's true, mean every word.
Dotty: I'm gonna melt if tonight's gonna be like this the whole time. We haven't even gone anywhere yet!
???: I'll be there to pick you up if you do.
Dotty: Fucker.
???: Sure am.
You can feel murmurings from another voice in your skull. Lex seems to be there again, if barely cohesive. You don't know how much longer you're going to be taking charge for. Part of you quietly hopes you get the whole evening even if you know you'll feel a little bad stealing someone's date night like that.
In more than once instance you want to confess to Dotty who you are but admittedly you can't help but worry it'd weird her out. You know it's irrational, she'd understand but you don't want to kill the mood. One day you'll find a way to help it make sense.
I'm sure you will.
I hope so. You're lucky to know someone so good.
You're lucky too.
I know.
![[Image: tagin.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/tagin.png)
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - SHIVERS - 07-15-2020
Fourth Plate - 2020
Como + Shivers, Masa con Papas + Patchwork Kernel
CW: serious injury, self-harm, breakdown
Erica has a surprise visitor.
Como + Shivers, Masa con Papas + Patchwork Kernel
CW: serious injury, self-harm, breakdown
Erica has a surprise visitor.
The ruffneck put out her camp cig as she made her way up the steps to the door, hastily trying to waft away the smoke with a paw as she pocketed what was left, not wanting to drop it nearby.
She took a quick breath, then knocked.
Audible from inside was two or three voices, followed by approaching footsteps. Within a few moments the door creaked open, a ruffneck in glasses with prosthetic limbs and a blind eye peeking through. "Hello?"
The canine standing outside was very tall - well over six feet - and covered from head to toe in various scars. She wore a dull violet-red poncho that was tattered and worn, showing its age.
Ravine tried and failed to muster up a friendly look despite this.
"Hi. Is someone named Erica here?"
"Mmhmm, I can get her. I don't think I've seen you in town before." The ruffneck pulled a bit of hair out of his face. "People don't usually come here in the evening, is something wrong?"
Ravine towered over the other ruffneck, even through the doorway.
"Nothing wrong. Just need to talk with her."
"Mm. One moment" He pulled back inside. Not too long after, the door reopened, and another ruffneck well into her golden years took the place of the previous one. She was wearing a long poncho that covered most of her and had piercing glowing eyes that were immediately noticeable.
"You're a tall one. You here on business?"
She gave the ruffneck a small nod in greeting.
"Not exactly, ma'am.
I'd like to become part of the judgment lineage.
I've heard you're the person to speak with about that.
I'm guessing there's some kind of test; I'd like to take it. Today, if possible."
The old dog smirked. "You're asking a lot very suddenly, straight to the point too. I'm about to start dinner with my people but..." She shook her head. "Aw heck, you eat yet?"
She looked very confused. "...Ma'am?
Oh."
Ravine shook her head. "I appreciate that, but I can wait outside while you eat."
"I'm not gonna leave you standing out here for an hour like that. Come on in."
She hesitated, very much wanting to wait outside - maybe take a walk in the meantime - but couldn't bring herself to be rude.
The dog exhaled from her nostrils, almost inaudible.
"Alright. Thank you, ma'am."
Ravine stepped inside, having to duck slightly into the doorway, a campfire scent wafting in with her.
Inside the walls were decorated in all sorts of worn and torn artifacts and family photos. "Gonna be us and my two grandkids, hope you don't mind." She led the way through the entrance hall and into the living room. "Well, guess they're not kids anymore. You seem about their age actually. Might have them spar with you if you decide to train here."
Ravine followed along dutifully.
She tried not to stare long at the various family pictures, all of them serving to make her feel more and more out of place.
She couldn’t help but end up lost in thought, however, having to force herself to snap back.
"...Train?"
She nodded. "Course. You're looking into knighthood, yeah?"
"Yes ma'am. Though, I was hoping to just take the exam."
"I personally can't knight you, but I can give you a recommendation for a guild to give you the test for a license. Prove you got what it takes and I'll hand you a letter and handle your travel."
"...Oh.
Alright.
What would you have me do?"
"An initial spar to see where you're at. From there we can gauge what you need to train to pass that test... Though I gotta say you look like you've got a lot of fighting experience under your belt already."
"I do.
Who would I be sparring with?"
"I think... I'll let you pick your opponent when we get to that." They both arrived in the kitchen. A vaguely canine-esque construct with long hair was setting the table. "Geezer! You mind setting up a fourth plate?"
The construct turned his head toward the two of them. "We got a guest today grandma?"
"We sure do! I'll catch you up to speed in a sec." Erica turned back toward Ravine. "Get yourself settled in at the table."
Ravine felt her heart rise into her throat as she was left alone with the construct.
She just nodded in his direction, not saying a word, and looking confident - if slightly awkward - despite her nervousness.
The construct placed down mats and silverware on the table. "You're pretty quiet. You okay?"
"I'm fine." She hesitated to sit down, not really knowing where to do so.
"You got a name?"
"Ravine."
"Geezer. Everyone else will be here soon... sit down anywhere you want. "
She hastily took a seat in the chair closest to her, causing it to loudly scrape on the floor in the process.
Geezer avoided making a comment. "So... you're not allergic to anything yeah? Tonight is pasta and roasted poultry."
"I can eat that." She avoided eye contact, awkwardly transitioning into conversation after a moment.
"...You said Erica is your grandmother, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You live here, then?"
"Yeah, on and off. What's up?"
"...Just curious. Haven't been here before."
She tried to think of a hasty way to bridge that gap into somehow asking to leave while she waited for them to finish eating, but nothing came to mind.
"Guessing you're far from home. You nervous?"
"About the fight?
No."
"Just in general. You don't gotta pretend."
"I'm not nervous, I'm just not comfortable.
I don't do this kind of thing."
"Yeah... between you and me, if she keeps you around for a bit you can skip dinner by telling her you're eating out with friends. Probably too late right now though. Promise you the food is good though, cousin handled it."
"I'm not worried about the food, and I'm not going to lie to your grandma."
"If you're sure. Real talk, she's probably gonna have you fight me or my cousin as a note. Don't know if after dinner or if she'll wanna wait til morning but I can push for the former if it'll help you out."
"As soon as possible would be better.
Which of you is stronger?"
"Depends a lot I think. I got more muscle but Charon's got a bit extra in the bragging rights department."
"Why?"
"Thumped an angel a few years ago. I helped but he got that finishing blow in... still beat him in our sparring sessions though."
"If you win when sparring, then I'd rather fight you."
"Up to you. Grandma might just wanna fight you herself too."
"Whatever works."
There was an interrupting knock on the doorway. Erica was there with Charon behind her. "Back, hope I wasn't too long."
"No ma'am."
"That's good. You know I don't think we exchanged names proper." She scooted into a chair.
It was finally sinking in that this was happening, but she didn't show visible signs of her panic at all.
"Ravine," she stated simply.
"Gotcha. So what made you wanna join the line?"
"Don't have much else to do, and I can handle myself."
Erica scratched her head. "You're... trying to join because you're bored?"
"No.
I can take knight contracts if I join a line.
I need work, and I know I could do it well."
"It'd be a tough job."
"Suits me fine, ma'am."
"Long as you're fine with a little danger." Charon and Geezer sat themselves down, too, plates now set. "You resistant at all to mutation? Horror work is a big seller in the trade lately."
"Not that I'm aware of, but I'm sure I can deal with horrors."
"Hmm. I'd suggest you avoid getting too close to those. Uh, feel free to start eating by the way, these two worked pretty hard on dinner today."
She had barely noticed, but began to politely nibble away at the meal.
Erica watched her discreetly, trying to get a good gauge on the dog.
Ravine caught her watching almost immediately, meeting her gaze for a few moments before continuing with her meal.
Erica smirked. "Eat all you'd like 'cause after this we're gonna get a good gauge on you. Once we know where you're at we can brace you to get your license."
"Did you decide which of you I'm fighting yet?
I'd prefer to get it over with sooner rather than later, ma'am."
"Well first I gotta know who's willing."
Charon raised a hand. "I wouldn't mind, I think I could get a pretty accurate feel for where she's at."
Geezer joined in. "I'd be down too. Feeling pretty good for it."
"Both at once, then?"
Erica shook her head. "Nah, wouldn't do something unfair like that to you. You can pick."
"I've had worse.
I don't really care to pick, either."
"Hmm? Whatcha implying by that?"
"They can pick, otherwise I'll fight both."
"That'd be a heck of a mistake and not reflective of any sort of actual test."
"With all due respect, ma'am: You don't know me."
She took a drink of water.
"And even if I lose, you'd see plenty to judge me by.
...You can learn a lot about someone when their back's against a wall."
"Can't learn that much if the fight ends too quick. You don't know what anyone here's been through either."
"Doesn't matter."
She glanced at Charon and Geezer.
"Up to you two."
Geezer shrugged. "I got no issue with it if you really wanna go this route. Sure there's gotta be some merit here. Charon?"
"I'm game. Nobody talks that hard unless they've got something big in their pocket. Besides it's a spar, we wouldn't be going all out."
Ravine kept her eyes on them.
"Whenever you're ready."
Geezer nodded. "We'll do this outside. Hope that's alright."
"I'd prefer it that way. Wouldn't want to break anything in here." She stood up from her seat.
The three Judgments followed suit and quickly made their way to the clearing in front of the house.
Ravine stood a good distance away.
One paw loosened the ice axe from her side and held it, the other holding firm on her gun; still in its holster.
She got down low.
"...You ready?"
Erica was stationed at the patio while Charon and Geezer stood with a bit of distance between the two of them. The duo of construct and dog seemed to communicate with each other non-verbally before Geezer spoke up. "We're gonna play this kinda safe and clean on our end to get a feel of things. Hope you don't mind. Ready."
Ravine gripped her revolver tight.
"Go."
Geezer manifested a segmented club in his hand and charged immediately. Charon stood behind watching patiently.
The gun was out of its holster with blinding speed as she was already mid-motion, hopping to the side.
With the two lined up, she fired, a huge pulse of air blasting Geezer backwards into Charon.
Charon blasted a wall of electricity toward Geezer with one hand, bouncing him back full force at Ravine. Geezer rode the momentum to go for a swing.
She holstered her gun as she caught the blow with her ice axe, forcing the club aside and downward, straining Geezer's hand.
Her other paw helped the motion along, grabbing Geezer by the head and swinging him down into the dirt.
Geezer was downed instantly. Charon walked up slowly with a spark flickering in his hand. "What a cowardly weapon."
"Can't really call me a coward when you sent your cousin at me alone.
You want to talk, then close the gap."
She put her foot on Geezer's back and used the leverage to wrench the club from his hand, promptly tossing it in Charon's direction.
Charon knocked the club aside with the back of his hand and continued his approach. "I have a little trouble walking so pardon me for not running straight at you."
She got distance from Geezer, keeping both of them in sight without moving further away from Charon.
"Take your time."
Charon fired a burst of electricity toward Ravine, trying to force a closing of the gap.
She moved aside and tossed her axe into the strike.
The electricity flicked towards it and sputtered out, allowing her to safely retrieve her axe.
"If you won't get close, then I will. Your choice."
Charon made direct eye contact. His eyes lit up. "I'm taking my time, you have the option to come at me too."
She stared blankly.
"You want me closer so you can grab me and get in a bigger shock at close range, I’m guessing?"
"Keep looking at me like that and I won't have to."
She began walking towards him, keeping a wide enough circle to make sure the downed Geezer stayed within her view, just in case.
There was suddenly a massive influx of pain sent Ravine's way, all force dealt against Geezer in the past moments rushing in.
She exhaled, her shoulders lowered, and she stopped abruptly, nearly falling.
Seconds later, she resumed walking with rougher breath, not breaking eye contact.
Charon continued his advance, an unnatural shadow looming in front of him. "Stand down. I have all my pieces in play. Admittedly not by intention."
She didn't falter and didn’t speak, her heart racing.
Her gun raised and fired in an instant, aimed at one of Charon's arms.
This time, though, the compressed air was forced to a single, small focal point, tearing through the air with the force of a bullet.
Charon didn't bother to resist it, letting the bullet fracture his mechanical arm.
It pierced clean through, the hole making it less structurally sound.
This time, she fired again, widening the focal point slightly as she neared him. The 'bullet' fired down at one of his kneecaps with the force of a focused shotgun shell.
The shadow at Charon's feet gushed a wall of metal lances and needles to soak up the blow. "I'm curious how far your resolve goes here. I know where mine is at."
She didn't respond, instead charging around the shadow straight at Charon, firing a quick volley of shots at the shadow to keep it busy.
The shadow yanked itself out of the ground, forming into a tall figure with a mix of floral aesthetics and hard metallic shell. It proceeded to hammer her with the side of its forearm.
She took the blow and stumbled, nearly falling, but kept on charging. She closed the gap on Charon within another moment and tackled him to the ground, knocking the wind out of him.
Charon refused to flinch and instead clung on tight. The figure merged with him, letting him take its form.
She wasted no time. Her knee pressed hard into his gut while one claw gripped his head, the other yanking his left arm, pulling it as hard as she could.
Ravine's gaze didn't break - breath wild and panting, eyes baring down on him; panic and adrenaline channeling through her into raw tenacity - as his mechanical shoulder began to split from the socket.
Charon responded with a bit of karma, grabbing Ravine by the head and slamming her aside into the ground.
She got right back up, swinging her head to sling the blood away.
She extended her ice axe and caught Charon's neck, jerking his body back down.
Charon took advantage of the lack of distance and spawned a lance from the ground underneath Ravine, jabbing her very lightly with the blunt handle. "You should surrender now--"
Ravine didn't speak, entirely in a frenzy at this point.
She cut him off mid-sentence, aiming directly at his head and firing a wide, concussive blast of air, attempting to knock him out.
Charon separated apart from the form in time, the figure taking the blow and collapsing back into a shadow. Out of desperation, he cocooned himself in a pile of lances and needles. "This is getting a little out of hand. I do hope you realize this. If I have to be a little rude to win, I will."
She fired off blast after blast at the shell of spears, gradually knocking them away and entirely shutting out his voice.
"This... has gone on long enough." There was a heavy feeling cast on Ravine's limbs. They quickly were becoming a vapor. "Drop your weapon."
She couldn't hear him at all, panicking, instead lunging in against the spears in desperation.
Through sheer adrenaline she reached in through them, countless spikes stabbing into her torso and face.
She felt around momentarily before finding his throat.
Her leg placed itself behind him as best she could manage, and with every ounce of her strength, she threw down, flipping him over to chokeslam the dog into the ground with everything she had.
Charon just tried to play dead at this point, hoping she'd back off.
Her body shook as she stood over him, needles jutting out all over her hide.
Her hands still firmly gripped her weapons, but they were shaking violently.
Ravine looked as if she was barely conscious, teetering on the verge of passing out from the pain alone.
She stayed at the ready, watching Charon as he lay there.
"...Are we done now?"
"No. I'm petty."
Charon began to roll away sideways.
She watched him make it a few feet, then placed her gun in her holster.
"I forfeit."
Ravine didn't bother removing any of the numerous needles sticking out of her limbs and face as she stepped over to the wall of the house.
She slumped down to the ground next to it, put a cigarette in her mouth, and lit it.
Charon clumsily got to his feet. "Really? I do suppose we've both taken quite the toll. I'm willing to accept this as a stalemate."
"Wasn't a stalemate. You won, take the win. I'm tired." She pulled one of the needles out of her cheek and flicked it, smoke billowing from her nostrils.
"Don't pull those out, I can fix you up properly in a moment."
She looked over in Geezer's direction. "May want to help your cousin up, since you can still stand."
Charon hurried on over toward Geezer.
Erica approached Ravine.
"You put on a heck of a display there. Any thoughts going through your head?"
Ravine stared off into the treeline, taking a little while to respond.
Smoke billowed from her mouth as she spoke.
"Sorry for chokeslamming your grandson, ma'am."
"He's had worse... probably not hurt that bad as much as shocked you actually went and did that. Anyway I'll get your evaluation and letter of recommendation written down soon as I can. You mind sticking around town another day? Wanna get this done thorough as possible.
Plus I can't let you travel after enduring as much as you did today."
"I've had worse." She blew more smoke.
"Not sure why you're writing a recommendation, though. You watched me lose."
"You said it yourself, even if you lose you can get a lot out of that. What I got is someone with a lot of talent handling a pretty extreme match-up. Plus I wouldn't mind adding to our little family here."
Charon shouldered Geezer over to the patio and sat him down by the stairs.
Her eyes swiveled to watch them as they walked before facing forward again.
She pulled the cigarette out of her mouth momentarily, watching her hand still shaking from the match.
"You don't want me here," she said frankly.
Erica frowned. "Why not?"
"Nothing you need to worry about."
She braced herself against the wall and stood up with a grunt, taking another drag once she managed to right herself.
"Yeah, well... think about it a bit more. You'd be a great addition. Promise."
Charon interjected. "Before you both continue I propose a little first aid. May I do the honors?"
"I'll do it." She rolled a shoulder and sighed, starting to walk through the clearing to leave.
Charon blocked her off.
"You're badly injured and I can fix you up instantly.
Please."
She pivoted on her feet when he swooped around in front of her, as if she had just barely stopped herself from throwing him out of the way on instinct.
"I'll handle it.
Move."
"...Fight me again some day. One-on-one. For real."
The ruffneck stepped around him.
"I'll pass."
She put her cigarette out with a claw as she walked, and pocketed what was left.
"I don't understand you. You have the guts to come out here, ask my grandmother for something huge, and then walk out on her after she offers it?"
She stopped walking, but didn't turn to face him.
"When you asked to become a Judgment, that's not just telling her you want to become a knight. That's telling her you wanted to join her family. At her age she's lost a lot of her closer connections to time, not that you could have known that much, but... it's something with a lot more weight than you seem to understand.
To give you the letter of recommendation without so much as training you means she sees the possibility of a connection. Perhaps a bit of herself even. That's a huge thing to just walk away from."
Ravine finally turned around, only looking at Erica.
"I didn't realize what it meant when I asked, or I wouldn't have asked that of you.
I'm sorry to put that on you.
But what I said stands regardless:
You don't want me here.
You don't want me as part of your family."
Erica took a moment to process it before giving her a shrug.
"If that's your choice, I can't really force you to do anything. You don't gotta join any family if you don't want to, but if you still want that letter I can write you up something independently of all that. You did good today."
She watched Erica and the other two for a long time.
Ravine turned away.
"I'm at the bed and breakfast on the north side of town.
If you really want to recommend me, you can have it sent there."
"Sure thing. Just mail me back when you pass your exam."
"...I think it's best if you don't keep in contact with me.
Same goes for your grandchildren."
"...I'll have it sent in the morning. Wish you good luck."
"You as well, ma'am."
She started walking, raising her hand just above her elbow in a slight wave.
"And thanks for dinner."
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 07-17-2020
The Monument - A One Shot in Plaza
CW: Stylized Body Horror.
![[Image: monument1.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument1.png)
Summertime on the outskirts of Capital always blessed you with options on how to spend your afternoon. You could be at the local games and hobby shop optimizing your limited pocket change to join in on the most recent salt and scuffle that trends. You were offered by a friend to join in for a trek to the park to watch the pugilistic spars of local duelists aiming for belts and cash.
Yet despite having way more optimal choices, you've decided to visit the Monument against the wishes of every adult you've ever met.
The monument exists as a reminder of something very few left alive can say they've experienced but those who witnessed it describe it as the single most impactful day in the history of plaza since the first person put their tracks in the sand. The battle is said to have gone on in the soil surrounding. It leveled entire buildings, forced the rich into hiding and put paupers in the thrones of war horses. Many sacrifices were made to contain a threat that nobody to this day fully understands and the scars left behind leave a fear in even those who came decades after.
But not you, you're braver than that. You're in middle school and don't have a single rational fear in the world.
![[Image: monument2.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument2.png)
It's not too uncommon for kids to dare each other to enter the area, and you can't help but think of how cool you'd be if you came back with something to prove you did it. It's become a bit of a game for people your age really. No different than trying to summon phantoms with the bathroom mirror or light circles of cheap candles at midnight. There's no point of it in the grand scheme of things besides being something "scary" anyone can do easily.
So far so good though, you've made it right next to the very spot it stands. You wish you had a camera with you so you could take a photo for proof but you'd need mom and dad to get it developed and you know they'd ground you for the rest of the season if they saw it among the photos. It's towering, way larger than you'd ever be and incredibly intimidating. There's no plaque of any kind surprisingly. You can't help but wonder what any of it actually means since accounts of that day are so scattered and not even your parents can give you a consistent story.
Also much to your surprise there's a pond right by it, a little miracle that managed to survive in the dry heat.
![[Image: monument3.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument3.png)
You find yourself strangely drawn to it. You really shouldn't be this close without anyone around but it seems too shallow for anything to happen if you fell in. Besides you're a good swimmer right?
You see your face in the water but can't make out a single thing past that. It's a little deeper than you made it out to be though. The heat around you tempts you to stick your hand in and splash it around a bit, it's probably not sanitary but you can wash up when you get back right? You're gonna get dirty one way or another out here in the desert.
![[Image: monument4.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument4.png)
As you reach out you can't help but feel a presence looming.
It's probably nothing.
Should you turn around?
Maybe it'd be better if you ignored it.
There's absolutely audible footsteps now.
Don't you dare give it attention. It's nothing. If you look away it won't notice you.
You turn around against your better judgement.
![[Image: monument5.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument5.png)
The crumpled form of a vintage construct in a military uniform approaches. They're in poor shape.
You approach them. "Hey. You okay?"
They nodded. "They send you out to pull us out?"
"Just passing by."
They tilt their head up to get a look at you. You make out a glowing eye. "Ah, just a Dopple unit. Young one too. Didn't think they'd be getting back to us anytime soon. We gotta get you outta here kid, find your family."
"I know where my family is. You don't look so good though, I can take you back to town to get patched up."
"You got a medic?"
"I can take you to a repair shop if that's what you mean. Don't know what you're doing all the way out here though."
"I'm looking for my squad, we planned a regroup but I haven't been able to detect any sign of them. I'm a little worried."
"I'm sure if we take you back we can find someone who can help you out... you got a name?"
"Yeah."
"Gonna share it?"
"Yeah... Fleming, no surname of any kind. Second generation Royal Rancher unit."
Second generation. That goes way far back.
"A real rancher unit?"
"Mmhmm. You?"
"Lex. Dopple. Nothing that special yet about me but uh... I'm working on it."
"Like to think. There's something special about everyone. You really know the way back?"
"Mmhmm! Think I do, it's a bit of a walk. You gonna be okay making it?"
"I'll be good, just don't run up too far ahead."
"Promise I'll wait for you."
You start trekking at a casual pace together. You look over him every once in a while. You'd offer to shoulder him up but he's easily the tallest person you've ever met. You make an attempt to start some small talk.
"So when you say royal rancher, that means you're some kind of personal bodyguard right? Like, you protect famous people?"
"That's a bit of a simplification but.... yeah."
"Ever work with any movie stars?"
"Nope. Never even met one before. That'd be a pretty nice gig though once things are all over."
"Yeah? Like, what do you mean by that?"
"...You been living under a rock or something kid? World's been on fire lately. I'm surprised anyone let you walk out on your own this far."
"My parents don't mind as long as I'm back by dark."
"You're too brave for your own good."
"That a bad thing?"
![[Image: monument6.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument6.png)
"Maybe. You did find me so... not yet. Just stay out of trouble if you can help it, we're deep enough out here where predators are a real worry."
"This place has been cleared for years. At worst maybe you'll see a few lizards."
"Years? That doesn't make much sense...."
"Like, you said you were only here a few days right?"
"Pretty sure. Seems like the worst of things has blown over though from the way you're talking. Gives me a good chance to find the rest of my crew. Regroup, pray we eventually get everyone together again, maybe take a few break days to recover. Can't imagine they're doing too much better."
"So there's a bunch of you?"
"Mmhmm."
"Like.... other rancher units?"
"Mostly, a few other models here and there too. Why?"
"You're the first rancher unit I've seen in person. Second generation too, so like, that means you’ve been in service a long time right?"
"No not really... I'm surprised you haven't seen more. There's lots of us living in Capital."
"Huh.... you really all that sure you've only been wandering for a few days?"
He goes silent on you. You definitely upset him... You try changing the subject.
"So... you got any good friends on your squad?"
"Ton of them. When we're on break we like to go out to this sandwich place by the office. It's not especially good or anything but it's easy to walk to and in our budget so it works out. They also don't complain when someone brings their own lunch so that's nice."
"That's cool. I really do hope your friends are all okay."
"Yeah, same... they're good folks. When this is over we're going to all get funnel cake or something."
"I wouldn't mind some right now."
"I'll point you to one of my favorite spots when we get back.... hey kid, you see that up ahead?"
![[Image: monument7.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument7.png)
There's someone tall in the distance. "Yeah, what about it?"
"That one of yours?"
"Nope... must be someone else who wandered in. Just ignore them."
It's vaguely humanoid shape comes off as anything but familiar or friendly. It approaches you.
You're going to have to deal with it.
"Lex right?"
"Mmhmm."
"Let's go around, I don't like the vibes that are coming off of it."
"Yeah... yeah that's probably a good idea."
You can only do this for so long.
You try heading south but it only seems to pick up its pace. The construct looks at you with a dire face.
"Lex, I want you to stay back."
"What?"
![[Image: monument8.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument8.png)
"If I go down I want you to run and never look back."
"What are you about to do?"
"Just trust me on this kid, I don't like what's coming our way."
You can help him out. Just trust yourself.
"You got your friends to find, I'm not ditching you."
He stood up tall, steeling himself for what's about to happen.
![[Image: monument9.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument9.png)
The creature is now clear as day, a mismatched pile of rags and flesh ready to put you in the dirt. It's absolutely fixed on the two of you and sprinting faster than anything you've ever seen in your life.
Fleming crashes directly into the beast, slamming his entire body to intercept its approach and grappling its jaw away from himself. Despite his best efforts though it does manage to drag its claws into his side and scrape away at his robotic shell. "What the fuck are you doing kid? Get out of here!"
![[Image: monument10.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument10.png)
You refuse.
As you should.
You feel a looming presence return.
It makes you feel stronger, doesn't it?
You watch as Fleming takes the fight to the ground in an attempt to pin the creature. It starts twisting and turning into a mesh of blades and leather.
It starts to swallow Fleming into its mass.
You stand by, unable to run or do anything.
In a surge of confidence you've never felt before you dive right in to help him out.
The creature doesn't hesitate to take a swing at you.
![[Image: monument11.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument11.png)
You may have made a huge mistake.
You brace for the impact.
You see all the mistakes you've made in the past minute loop in your mind.
And yet despite that, you're absolutely fine.
![[Image: monument12.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument12.png)
A large claw erupts from your body and grabs it by the arm.
You pull back in disbelief of what you're seeing. The claw yanks the beast off of Fleming and pins it down by its wrist onto the sand. Fleming doesn't waste a second and gets back up. He rushes over to take free blows at the creature and stomp it down.
The claw recoils back into you. The creature takes a massive beatdown that you're not sure you have the stomach for.
![[Image: monument13.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument13.png)
He doesn't give it a single moment to breath.
You close your eyes. You don't want to see it.
It's the most brutal shit you've ever had to witness.
You hear the sound of crunching, the shrieks, and then after what feels like too long... silence.
You're still too afraid to open your eyes. You hear Fleming walking toward you.
"You okay kid?"
"I... I don't wanna look."
"Keep your eyes closed. Gonna follow the path we were going alright?"
"Okay...."
![[Image: monument14.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument14.png)
He takes your hand and leads you. He talks to you the entire way.
"You gonna be okay Lex?"
"Mmhmm....."
"Just don't look. Not until we're far enough that you can't see any of it."
"Promise you won't tell me too early?"
"Promise. I'll be honest, I don't know what you did back there but it saved me. Saved us both."
"Don't think I did anything."
"I mean, someone had to do it right? Maybe you just got a guardian angel."
Guardian angel. That has a nice ring to it.
But that's absolutely not what happened.
"Maybe. I wasn't supposed to be here..."
"Figured as much. Not supposed to be here either I think."
"Oh?"
"I... don't think its just been a few days."
"Yeah..."
![[Image: monument15.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument15.png)
"I'm so tired..."
"You need to stop?"
"We're almost there. You can probably open your eyes now."
"I think I'm gonna wait until we're out of here."
"Just a bit further then. You're a good kid, you did real good back there."
"Really? I barely did anything."
"Yeah you did. Don't let anyone ever make you feel weak. You got a lot of promise."
"I hope so."
You feel the dirt slowly transform into concrete.
"I think I'm gonna go straight home. You should too Lex, alright?"
"Straight back."
"You stay safe."
"You too... thank you."
"Think I see my friends. You know the rest of the way?"
"Mmhmm...."
"That's good."
"I'm still a little scared though."
"Me too kid, me too."
![[Image: monument16.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument16.png)
Your feet touch the sidewalk. His hand lets go of yours.
"Fleming?"
You open your eyes.
It's night.
Your parents will kick your ass for being out this late.
There's nobody else around, just the city in the distance.
You're all alone.
![[Image: monument17.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/monument17.png)
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - knux400 - 08-13-2020
Total Scrap Containment Sphere Operations Manual- 2020
knux400, General Morbit
CW: Medical, death, suffocation, needles, and memory/personality altering
A pamphlet detailing how to operate some kind of device.
TOTAL SCRAP CONTAINMENT SPHERE OPERATIONS MANUAL
The Total Scrap Containment Sphere or TSCS (sometimes referred to as a 'Tuscus' or 'Death Bubble') is a device capable of transferring a person's consciousness to a construct body. Misuse of this device can result in sudden mood shifts, memory loss, electrocution, or death. Please follow the procedures listed in this document as closely as possible to avoid mishap.
Section A: Description of Equipment
The TSCS is a hollow crystal sphere 15 feet in diameter, separated into two halves when not in use. It is contained in a large mechanical frame that holds the bottom half of the sphere in place while allowing the top half to be removed. The sphere is connected via several cables to a Scrap Repository, in which a Scrap Core can be placed.
A Scrap Repository is a roughly cylindrical device that contains a sliding panel to fit a Scrap Core. It is 1 foot tall and 6 inches in diameter.
A Scrap Core is a crystal disc housed in a cylindrical metal frame. It is 2 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter.
Section B: Standard Operating Procedure
Step 1: Prepare an empty scrap core and construct body. The construct body should be open and ready for the scrap core to be inserted.
Step 2: Lead the patient inside the bottom half of the sphere. It may be necessary to provide physical assistance to older or weaker patients. The patient must be wearing a medical gown and be completely devoid of any material that could potentially house scraps or shreds.
Step 3: Apply an even coating of Crystal Adhesive Gelatin to the edge of the sphere. Empty the sphere of all living beings except for the patient.
Step 4: Replace the top half of the sphere. Make sure the edges are perfectly aligned. Remove any excess gelatin.
Step 5: Close the mechanical frame. This will prevent the top half of the sphere from moving as the gelatin dries.
Step 6: Activate the TSCS at a low setting for 60 seconds. This will draw any stray scraps or shreds into the Scrap Repository. Before shutting the TSCS down again, use scrap detecting equipment to verify that there are no scraps or shreds left in the TSCS or in any of the transfer cables.
Step 7: Vent the Scrap Repository into a containment cell. Once the Scrap Repository is cleared, insert the Scrap Core and close the Repository.
Step 8: Once the gelatin has dried, the patient will have to suffocate to death before the procedure can continue. Use scrap detecting equipment to watch for the large burst of scraps upon the patient's death. If the patient's physiology is such that they are incapable of suffocating, see section D.
Step 9: Activate the TSCS at a medium setting for 3 minutes. This will draw all scraps and shreds from the patient's body into the Scrap Repository. Before shutting the TSCS down again, use scrap detecting equipment to verify that there are no scraps or shreds left in the TSCS or in any of the transfer cables.
Step 10: Remove the Scrap Core from the Scrap Repository. Be very careful not to drop or bump the Scrap Core. Insert it immediately into the construct body.
Section C: Cleanup
To unseal the sphere, apply a generous amount of solvent to the seam of the sphere. After 60 seconds, use the mechanical frame to separate the top half. It may be necessary to use additional solvent to remove excess gelatin from the two halves. Remove all material from the inside of the sphere.
Section D: Troubleshooting
Some patients have physiology that makes it impossible for them to suffocate. In these instances, the patient must be given a syringe with a lethal dose of [REDACTED] to take with them into the sphere. Once the sphere is properly sealed, the patient must be instructed to use the syringe on themselves. When extracting the scraps from the patient's body, turn the TSCS to High for an additional 30 seconds to draw any potential scraps or shreds out of the syringe.
If a scrap gets stuck on the patient's body or inside the sphere/cables, turn the TSCS to High for a maximum of 60 seconds. Do not leave it on this setting for any longer, as it may cause damage to the machine. Should the scrap fail to move even after this, retrieve a Scrap Manipulation Tool and manually move the scrap into the Repository. Be extremely careful not to misplace or alter the scrap.
If it becomes evident during the extraction process that the sphere is imperfectly sealed, deactivate the TSCS immediately. If the scraps being extracted are those of the patient, all personnel must immediately retrieve Scrap Manipulation Tools and perform the transfer manually.
Should the patient die before preparations for extraction are complete, the scraps can be contained in the sphere for short periods of time, although some degradation can occur.
Section E: Footnotes
It is extremely important that all the steps outlined in this manual are followed to the letter, as an imperfect transfer of scraps, loss of scraps, or introduction of foreign scraps into the Scrap Core can cause the patient's personality or memories to be altered. In severe cases, this may cause the Scrap Core to become unstable or fail to activate at all. To avoid mishap, always follow these steps:
Check the structural integrity of the sphere before every operation. Do not operate with a damaged or broken sphere.
Do not turn the TSCS to High for more than 60 seconds at a time.
Do not begin extracting scraps from the patient until all stray scraps are cleared from the sphere, cables, and Repository.
Do not disconnect any of the cables during operation.
Do not open the Scrap Repository during operation.
Do not touch the sphere during operation.
The patient should be discouraged from hitting or kicking the inside of the sphere, as it may cause damage to the sphere and disrupt the procedure.
Section A: Description of Equipment
The TSCS is a hollow crystal sphere 15 feet in diameter, separated into two halves when not in use. It is contained in a large mechanical frame that holds the bottom half of the sphere in place while allowing the top half to be removed. The sphere is connected via several cables to a Scrap Repository, in which a Scrap Core can be placed.
A Scrap Repository is a roughly cylindrical device that contains a sliding panel to fit a Scrap Core. It is 1 foot tall and 6 inches in diameter.
A Scrap Core is a crystal disc housed in a cylindrical metal frame. It is 2 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter.
Section B: Standard Operating Procedure
Step 1: Prepare an empty scrap core and construct body. The construct body should be open and ready for the scrap core to be inserted.
Step 2: Lead the patient inside the bottom half of the sphere. It may be necessary to provide physical assistance to older or weaker patients. The patient must be wearing a medical gown and be completely devoid of any material that could potentially house scraps or shreds.
Step 3: Apply an even coating of Crystal Adhesive Gelatin to the edge of the sphere. Empty the sphere of all living beings except for the patient.
Step 4: Replace the top half of the sphere. Make sure the edges are perfectly aligned. Remove any excess gelatin.
Step 5: Close the mechanical frame. This will prevent the top half of the sphere from moving as the gelatin dries.
Step 6: Activate the TSCS at a low setting for 60 seconds. This will draw any stray scraps or shreds into the Scrap Repository. Before shutting the TSCS down again, use scrap detecting equipment to verify that there are no scraps or shreds left in the TSCS or in any of the transfer cables.
Step 7: Vent the Scrap Repository into a containment cell. Once the Scrap Repository is cleared, insert the Scrap Core and close the Repository.
Step 8: Once the gelatin has dried, the patient will have to suffocate to death before the procedure can continue. Use scrap detecting equipment to watch for the large burst of scraps upon the patient's death. If the patient's physiology is such that they are incapable of suffocating, see section D.
Step 9: Activate the TSCS at a medium setting for 3 minutes. This will draw all scraps and shreds from the patient's body into the Scrap Repository. Before shutting the TSCS down again, use scrap detecting equipment to verify that there are no scraps or shreds left in the TSCS or in any of the transfer cables.
Step 10: Remove the Scrap Core from the Scrap Repository. Be very careful not to drop or bump the Scrap Core. Insert it immediately into the construct body.
Section C: Cleanup
To unseal the sphere, apply a generous amount of solvent to the seam of the sphere. After 60 seconds, use the mechanical frame to separate the top half. It may be necessary to use additional solvent to remove excess gelatin from the two halves. Remove all material from the inside of the sphere.
Section D: Troubleshooting
Some patients have physiology that makes it impossible for them to suffocate. In these instances, the patient must be given a syringe with a lethal dose of [REDACTED] to take with them into the sphere. Once the sphere is properly sealed, the patient must be instructed to use the syringe on themselves. When extracting the scraps from the patient's body, turn the TSCS to High for an additional 30 seconds to draw any potential scraps or shreds out of the syringe.
If a scrap gets stuck on the patient's body or inside the sphere/cables, turn the TSCS to High for a maximum of 60 seconds. Do not leave it on this setting for any longer, as it may cause damage to the machine. Should the scrap fail to move even after this, retrieve a Scrap Manipulation Tool and manually move the scrap into the Repository. Be extremely careful not to misplace or alter the scrap.
If it becomes evident during the extraction process that the sphere is imperfectly sealed, deactivate the TSCS immediately. If the scraps being extracted are those of the patient, all personnel must immediately retrieve Scrap Manipulation Tools and perform the transfer manually.
Should the patient die before preparations for extraction are complete, the scraps can be contained in the sphere for short periods of time, although some degradation can occur.
Section E: Footnotes
It is extremely important that all the steps outlined in this manual are followed to the letter, as an imperfect transfer of scraps, loss of scraps, or introduction of foreign scraps into the Scrap Core can cause the patient's personality or memories to be altered. In severe cases, this may cause the Scrap Core to become unstable or fail to activate at all. To avoid mishap, always follow these steps:
Check the structural integrity of the sphere before every operation. Do not operate with a damaged or broken sphere.
Do not turn the TSCS to High for more than 60 seconds at a time.
Do not begin extracting scraps from the patient until all stray scraps are cleared from the sphere, cables, and Repository.
Do not disconnect any of the cables during operation.
Do not open the Scrap Repository during operation.
Do not touch the sphere during operation.
The patient should be discouraged from hitting or kicking the inside of the sphere, as it may cause damage to the sphere and disrupt the procedure.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 08-26-2020
Just Pre-Date Banter- 2020
B. Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian One-Sot, Canon, Takes Place Before the Main Thread
CW: None
As the Title Says. May Possibly have a Follow Up.
B. Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian One-Sot, Canon, Takes Place Before the Main Thread
CW: None
As the Title Says. May Possibly have a Follow Up.
![[Image: banter.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/banter.png)
Lex watches the time tick away on her watch, leaning on the fence just on the outskirts of her neighborhood in anticipation for her date to arrive. It's 15 after what was originally planned, but she wasn't too worried yet....
20...
25....
God she needed to get a cell phone....
Almost 30 minutes in, a striking blue construct in a sporty outfit sprinting into view. She waved at her from a distance and got a jokey salute in return.
Lex: You showed up!
Dotty: I said I would! Sorry for being late, work kept me a bit longer than I'd like.
Lex: That's all good, figured it was something like that. What happened?
Dotty: Did a course on dueling safety, lots of questions which is good but also meant going a little over to cover everything. You know the drill.
Lex: That why you're not in your usual uniform?
Dotty: Yep. Refs don't have the same type of protection that's standardized for duelists so it's no good for explaining.
Lex: It's cute, like that part especially.
She points to Dotty's collar. It covers the lower half of her face and carries a distinct toothy pattern.
Dotty: Asked for that specifically when I got this made, seen some people do something similar and thought it'd be fun you know?
Lex: Makes you look like a vampire. Low key goth.
Dotty: Just a little splash of it. You got anything like that on your uniform?
Lex: Nah, my dueling outfit is pretty standard. I wanna get a fancy custom one like yours though if I ever get sponsored. Like, something unique.
Dotty: You'll get there. Today been good for you?
Lex: Not really... but it's already getting better.
Dotty's earpieces lowered the slightest at the compliment.
Dotty: We'll make today nice for us. What's up though?
Lex: Just feeling a bit off lately, it'll go away. Don't wanna derail things too much though.
Dotty: You can talk about it a little, don't mind at all.
Lex: Nah not yet... just wanna focus on this right now if it's okay. Been a bit since we've gone out like this, that okay?
Dotty: Yeah, whenever you feel up for it. Sorry I've been so busy this month...
Lex: No worries! You know you can talk about your stuff too, I know work gets stressful for you.
Dotty: Just a little, lots of getting yelled at that I "got the ruling wrong." or that I "step in too much" and it's annoying. I'm not going to look away when someone is going for kidney punches. Not for anybody.
Lex: Not even me?
The rabbit smirked.
Dotty: Especially not you.
Lex: Figures.
Dotty: Nothing personal but I'm scared what'd you do in a fight with no rules.
Lex: No that's super fair! You should be!
Dotty: Bastard.... anyway sorry for derailing things so hard.
Lex: No it's fine! Like... I like hearing you talk about life stuff. You don't do that enough.
Dotty: Same. You're the only one I get to really do this sort of thing. For now though I wanna get back to business.
Lex: Oh? Date plans?
Dotty: Big ones. I say we deviate from our usual a bit.
Lex: Yeah?
Dotty: We go to town a bit. Grab a bite, see a show, yell in the parking lot after. Stay out just a little late.
Lex: Yeah! Absolutely! I know where the closest stop is, I can cover fare.
Dotty: I'll cover the way back. Dinner too.
Lex: Yeah well... I'll cover tickets. Snacks too.
Dotty: I'm not letting you buy snacks at the theater. We're sneaking shit in. That everything?
Lex: Yeah. Ready to roll?
Dotty: Let's do this.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 11-23-2020
Two Flowers - 2020
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas/Corazones related.
CW: None
A fiend and a knight acknowledge their growing feelings for each other.
![[Image: flowers.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/flowers.png)
Arabis and Zinnia were settled down by a small campfire in the middle of a natural clearing deep in the woods. The two sat comfortably in silence, with Zinnia regularly glancing over at the tall spider-like fiend.
Arabis: If you have something on your mind you can spill it.
Zinnia: Right, might I ask you for a favor?
Arabis: Hmm?
Zinnia: May I lean on your shoulder? Feeling tired.
Arabis: You’ve been doing that quite a bit.
Zinnia: Have I now?
Arabis: Yes and it somewhat confuses me.
Zinnia: If you would like me to stop I can.
Arabis: It’s not that, you’re fine and I do not mind it-
Zinnia immediately rests their head on Arabis’ shoulder.
Zinnia: Thank you, continue.
Arabis sighs.
Arabis: I don’t understand you getting this comfortable about me.
Zinnia: Do you seriously want me to back off? I really can.
Arabis: I find it rather suspicious. Why?
Zinnia: It’s hard to say, but I feel like I can let down my guard around you.
Arabis: Around a monstrous creature like myself?
Zinnia: Mmhmm.
Arabis: One that’s dreaded by those who pass through the woods I live in? Who’s kind is seen as an omen of bad things to happen by most?
Zinnia: Yes.
Arabis: One who towers over you and could poison you in your sleep with a single bite?
Zinnia: You’ve had many opportunities to do it and yet you haven’t. Plus I beat you in a fight already.
The spider rolled his eyes.
Arabis: I suppose you have. I don’t understand how frankly. Or why you didn’t slay me on the spot after.
Zinnia: You seemed more scared than anything. I wasn’t going to kill someone who fought in self defense.
Arabis: I assumed you were an assassin like many other knights who came before you.
Zinnia: And you are justified for thinking so, I imagine this is a regular issue for you.
Arabis: It’s frustrating…. but not as frustrating as trying to figure you out.
Zinnia scooted up while resting on Arabis’ shoulder.
Zinnia: I’m sure you will. You’re a bit of an enigma to me too.
Arabis: Why would that be?
Zinnia: You’re a hermit and yet you go out of your way to dress well, and speak elegantly, and well….
Arabis: Are you surprised that a monster like myself is capable of all that?
Zinnia: No. It’s just not common for someone who actively chooses to live alone.
Arabis: I did not choose to live distant from others, I simply do so because going into town alone will make the paranoid and superstitious people whip out the torches and muskets.
Zinnia: It’s a real shame. I’m sure that if they got to know you they’d warm up fast.
Arabis: I don’t need their praise or their company.
Zinnia: Yet you don’t seem to mind mine too much.
Arabis: You’re different. You aren’t afraid of me for reasons I cannot comprehend. You insist on being close and eating in the same room. I don’t think I get you.
Zinnia: I’m just a humble dog.
Arabis: Yes. A strange one.
Zinnia: If you’d really like to know though I can tell you.
Arabis: I would like to hear a reason yes.
Zinnia: I just find your company incredibly pleasant.
Arabis: Is that all?
Zinnia: And you’re pretty.
Arabis: Do not jest at my expense.
Zinnia: I’m not.
Arabis: Pretty.
Zinnia: Yes? I meant that. You’re quite the looker.
Arabis: No. Why are you playing this cruel game?
Zinnia’s ears flopped down.
Zinnia: There’s no game…
Arabis: The only reason anyone would say something like that is to toy with my emotions.
Zinnia: I swear to you I don’t want to hurt you, I adore your company.
Arabis: No.
Zinnia: Enough that I perhaps was hoping you’d stick around after my quest is over.
Arabis: …..
Zinnia: You do not have to of course.
Arabis: ……
Zinnia: I went and made it all weird didn’t I? I’m sorry… I can stop now.
Arabis: …
Zinnia: Please don’t be mad at me.
Arabis: I’m not angry at you, I’m processing things, so please give me a moment to get my thoughts together into something cohesive.
Zinnia: Alright.
Arabis sat quietly with his thoughts for a good while before finally coming up with a response.
Arabis: I just want full confirmation. Your statements were all genuine. Not a single one was made as a joke.
Zinnia: Yes! I mean… yes.
Arabis: Not one.
Zinnia: Ningun, not a single line.
Arabis: You really like me.
Zinnia nodded.
Arabis: You are such a strange knight. Hold out your hand for a moment.
Zinnia: Of course.
They held out their hand. Arabis reached out and grabbed it. Zinnia’s ears perked up immediately.
Arabis: Have you thought about this?
Zinnia: It’s kept me up a couple of nights frankly.
Arabis: It excites you to hold hands with an ancient monster who could poison you with a kiss?
Zinnia: I would take the risk for you, but only if you would like to.
Arabis: Mm. I suppose I’m willing to give this a shot.
Zinnia: What exactly?
Arabis: Being… close like this to someone else. It’s not something I imagined possible for me so please be patient. I will need time and I will make mistakes.
Zinnia: You’re willing to-
Arabis: Yes. I’d like to take things slowly though, I’m not familiar with any of this.
Zinnia: of course.
Arabis: Truth be told, I found myself getting butterflies anytime you’ve been willing to make contact with me.
Zinnia: Really?
Arabis: Mm. Even more so the time we were forced to share the one bed available at the Inn. You know you hugged me in your sleep?
Zinnia: Ah… I’m quite sorry about that.
Arabis: It’s fine. I guess I just wonder if you would like to try that arrangement again. It’d be good for my health frankly, I’m cold blooded and we’re getting close to being up north.
Zinnia: Will you be okay?
Arabis: Maybe. My kind hibernates when our temperatures are too low but with the help of a brave mammal willing to hold me the entire time it might be possible.
Zinnia: I will carry you if I must.
Arabis: Mm. On a side note it’s kind of late.
Zinnia: If you need to rest you can.
Arabis: Will you come with me? You may hold me if you’d like.
Zinnia: Of course.
Arabis: Just give me a little longer to process this and we’ll head off.
Zinnia: Take your time.
The dog went back to leaning on the spider’s shoulder. This time Arabis put his hand through Zinnia’s hair and stroked to help them get comfortable.
Both of them slept very comfortably that night.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 12-28-2020
A Rival Appears in a Inconvenient Place - 2020
Comorant, Masa/Crankshaft
CW: None
[b]Geezer Encounters His Rival at the Fair.[/b]
![[Image: geezrival.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/geezrival.png)
You find yourself in a particularly odd spot at the local fair. You make eye contact with your rival, a little too much to avoid the confrontation ahead.
You're surrounded by people.
She wouldn't want to instigate a fight right now right?
Still she's tracking you with her glance, there's no way not to acknowledge this. You shuffle toward the side off path, away from the big crowds to avoid any complications with civilians.
She doesn't break eye contact from you, walking with you the entire way.
You both stand in the awkward dampness of a nearby alley.
Manzana breaks the silence.
Manzana: Fancy meeting you here today.... so this is the part where we get to yes?
Geezer: 'Scuse me?
Manzana: You looked at me first and you sure didn't seem like you were ready to look the other way. Just wish it wasn't where we'd cause a scene frankly.
Geezer: You never looked away either, figured you wanted to pick a fight yourself.
Manzana: At the fair? No, I've got better manners than this.
Geezer: Same.
Manzana: I suppose that makes us a couple of well dressed jackasses standing in a gross corner.
Geezer: That a compliment?
Manzana: That's the only one you'll get. You dress better than your little mentor at least.
Geezer: Same to you, no offense.
Manzana: Ali would smite you on the spot for that comment.
Geezer: So would my grandma.
Manzana: I take it at this point we're not big on the idea of killing each other in a place of pleasantries then.
Geezer: Absolutely not.
Manzana: If I see you outside the fair though I will not hesitate to fight you on the spot.
Geezer: If it's what you gotta do, it's what you gotta do. Course hard to say what that means with you uh... your practices.
Manzana: Oh?
Geezer: You sell all sorts of forbidden arcane knowledge to big money corporations, I know how you work.
Manzana: You're effectively a mercenary, you are in no place to judge me.
Geezer: I curate who I work for. I dunno, you gotta be aware of what the shit you do does to folks right?
Manzana: I sell tools of war, if I don't someone else will do does it matter?
Geezer: A little, it's kind of some high grade messed up blasting someone with the shit that comes out of your dealings.
Manzana: Most of it never sees any sort of formal deployment.
Geezer: Does see a lot of under the table sales though. Monte's pretty interested in particular I hear. You don't mind that kind of potential blood on your hands?
Manzana: All I'm doing is sharing knowledge for a fee. Once it's out of my hands there is no blood.
Geezer: Yeah?
Manzana: Mm. There's a big gap between my trade and yours. I'm sure you've earned yourself no good sleep being a knight and having to strike down people yourself.
Geezer: I don't pick a fight unless I feel the cause is right.
Manzana: You don't feel any guilt raiding lords?
Geezer: Lords are hella corrupt.
Manzana: Were the people who work for them as bad though? Or were they just other mercs looking for a job like yourself.
Geezer: They signed up to protect corrupt leadership. I wish it didn't have to go the way it did, but I'm not sorry.
Manzana: Cold.
Geezer: Yeah well...
Manzana: You're in no place to feel like you're better than me.
Geezer: You know for someone who didn't want to throw hands, you're pretty quick to talk shit.
Manzana: Ah, are you having a change of heart? If that's so I know a better spot for us to duel.
Geezer: See I'd take you up on that but I paid good money for these fair tickets and I don't know if I wanna burn that sort of cash like this.
Manzana: Admittedly I also don't want to miss out on this. What a tough spot, might have to reschedule.
Geezer: I mean if you're serious about the idea, we can hold it off to after hours.
Manzana: ....
Geezer: Up to you. I know it's not a real holiday but we can hold a truce til we're out yeah?
Manzana: I suppose so.
You offer her a hand.
Manzana: What's this?
Geezer: Formality. Truce til we're both away from the fairgrounds.
Manzana takes your hand.
Manzana: I'll accept these terms for now.
Geezer: See? Easy.
Manzana: I would like you to take me to the caramel corn booth though before we go off our separate ways however. I've been having trouble finding it...
Geezer: I can do that much. No problem at all.
Comorant, Masa/Crankshaft
CW: None
[b]Geezer Encounters His Rival at the Fair.[/b]
You find yourself in a particularly odd spot at the local fair. You make eye contact with your rival, a little too much to avoid the confrontation ahead.
You're surrounded by people.
She wouldn't want to instigate a fight right now right?
Still she's tracking you with her glance, there's no way not to acknowledge this. You shuffle toward the side off path, away from the big crowds to avoid any complications with civilians.
She doesn't break eye contact from you, walking with you the entire way.
You both stand in the awkward dampness of a nearby alley.
Manzana breaks the silence.
Manzana: Fancy meeting you here today.... so this is the part where we get to yes?
Geezer: 'Scuse me?
Manzana: You looked at me first and you sure didn't seem like you were ready to look the other way. Just wish it wasn't where we'd cause a scene frankly.
Geezer: You never looked away either, figured you wanted to pick a fight yourself.
Manzana: At the fair? No, I've got better manners than this.
Geezer: Same.
Manzana: I suppose that makes us a couple of well dressed jackasses standing in a gross corner.
Geezer: That a compliment?
Manzana: That's the only one you'll get. You dress better than your little mentor at least.
Geezer: Same to you, no offense.
Manzana: Ali would smite you on the spot for that comment.
Geezer: So would my grandma.
Manzana: I take it at this point we're not big on the idea of killing each other in a place of pleasantries then.
Geezer: Absolutely not.
Manzana: If I see you outside the fair though I will not hesitate to fight you on the spot.
Geezer: If it's what you gotta do, it's what you gotta do. Course hard to say what that means with you uh... your practices.
Manzana: Oh?
Geezer: You sell all sorts of forbidden arcane knowledge to big money corporations, I know how you work.
Manzana: You're effectively a mercenary, you are in no place to judge me.
Geezer: I curate who I work for. I dunno, you gotta be aware of what the shit you do does to folks right?
Manzana: I sell tools of war, if I don't someone else will do does it matter?
Geezer: A little, it's kind of some high grade messed up blasting someone with the shit that comes out of your dealings.
Manzana: Most of it never sees any sort of formal deployment.
Geezer: Does see a lot of under the table sales though. Monte's pretty interested in particular I hear. You don't mind that kind of potential blood on your hands?
Manzana: All I'm doing is sharing knowledge for a fee. Once it's out of my hands there is no blood.
Geezer: Yeah?
Manzana: Mm. There's a big gap between my trade and yours. I'm sure you've earned yourself no good sleep being a knight and having to strike down people yourself.
Geezer: I don't pick a fight unless I feel the cause is right.
Manzana: You don't feel any guilt raiding lords?
Geezer: Lords are hella corrupt.
Manzana: Were the people who work for them as bad though? Or were they just other mercs looking for a job like yourself.
Geezer: They signed up to protect corrupt leadership. I wish it didn't have to go the way it did, but I'm not sorry.
Manzana: Cold.
Geezer: Yeah well...
Manzana: You're in no place to feel like you're better than me.
Geezer: You know for someone who didn't want to throw hands, you're pretty quick to talk shit.
Manzana: Ah, are you having a change of heart? If that's so I know a better spot for us to duel.
Geezer: See I'd take you up on that but I paid good money for these fair tickets and I don't know if I wanna burn that sort of cash like this.
Manzana: Admittedly I also don't want to miss out on this. What a tough spot, might have to reschedule.
Geezer: I mean if you're serious about the idea, we can hold it off to after hours.
Manzana: ....
Geezer: Up to you. I know it's not a real holiday but we can hold a truce til we're out yeah?
Manzana: I suppose so.
You offer her a hand.
Manzana: What's this?
Geezer: Formality. Truce til we're both away from the fairgrounds.
Manzana takes your hand.
Manzana: I'll accept these terms for now.
Geezer: See? Easy.
Manzana: I would like you to take me to the caramel corn booth though before we go off our separate ways however. I've been having trouble finding it...
Geezer: I can do that much. No problem at all.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 01-05-2021
[i][b]Jam Goes on a Date
Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Jam goes on a solo date with Dotty.[/b][/i]
![[Image: jamdate.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/jamdate.png)
You are Jam, chaos elemental and not-rabbit extraordinaire.
You're in the middle of your first official date.
The others were kind of circumstantial.... sharing a body means you occasionally have to bail the other person you're living with out of some potential blunders.
Not that you mind anyway, feels good to help out.
You're a bit of a secret wingman in the middle of all this. Sorta.
Now you and Dotty are in the middle of the Beachside Shopping Center, a big hub by the surf and sand where tons of people spend their hours off of work looking for a good time with friends and a hot meal after work.
There's a bit of everything here really.
Dotty holds your hand as the two of you walk around together. It's cold, metal, and just a little on the rusty side but it's still kind of nice.
You kinda wish you made your existence public earlier. You'd been kind of in the background for so long that not even Lex was sure you actually existed despite sharing a head.
You could have a while ago if you really wanted...
Maybe.
Would have spared me a lot of anxiety when I just don't remember doing stuff.
Real sorry about that.
You know you've been quiet on a side note like... you should probably say something?
You clear your throat and look over at Dotty. God she's so much taller than you.
Yeah and you like that.
Never said I didn't. You like that too.
Heh...
Jam: So you hand out here pretty often right? Like, with Lex and all that right?
Dotty: Mmhmm! It's a good place to relax after work. Have you been here before?
Jam: Only as an observer really. Lots of brunch and dinners, browsing around, shopping, occasional visits to the arcade... more Lex in general. She's pretty big on them.
Dotty: Yeah, we go there sometimes but I've always been more into the analog stuff you know? Pinball, skee-ball, crane games, that sort. I'm pretty good at them actually
Jam: You know how to win at those cranes? Never been any good at them.
Dotty: Yeah! Pretty solid at them, used to play them a ton after work you know?
Jam: Think you could win me a prize?
Dotty: Don't see why not. We can stop by the arcade later and I can work a bit of my magic. Get you a big old bear or something.
Jam: Nice. I used to be alright at carnival style stuff but I haven't done that sort of thing in so long that I don't know if I still could honestly...
Dotty: We could give it a shot sometime. Darkest Night festival is a month away so... you know.
Jam: Mm?
Dotty: If you wanna hang out there. Lex is coming for sure, might as well join in right?
Jam: Mm?
Dotty: If you wanna hang out there. Lex is coming for sure, might as well join in right?
Jam: We haven't even gone this far on the first date and you're already inviting me on the second one? Am I doing that good?
Dotty: Maybe. Might just be a sucker for a pretty face.
Jam: Dang, you beat me to the punch on that one. See why Lex likes you so much.
Dotty: What's that mean?
Jam: You're just really nice to be around. Makes me happy.
Dotty: That's sweet.
Jam: Mean it! She's been willing to go out more, gotten so much braver since she met you. Before that she'd go to work, go to practice, and then bum out the rest of the day unless she had a match. You've done a lot for her, and I wanna be part of that too..
Dotty: Now you're just going to make me all red.
She gave your hand a squeeze.
Jam: It's true, I don't lie about things like that.
Dotty:... How come Lex isn't as open about stuff like this as much? Like...
Jam: Thinks you're too cool. I mean you're cool but she thinks you're like....
Dotty: "Too Cool" for sappy stuff like that.
Dotty: "Too Cool" for sappy stuff like that.
Jam: Yep, doesn't wanna seem like a lamer.
Dotty: Nobody's a lamer.. and I'm really not that cool.
Jam: Sure you are.
Dotty: I mean... If I didn't meet you two I'd probably be bumming it out in front of my desktop poking at tomorrow's paperwork and forums.
Jam: Sure you are.
Dotty: I mean... If I didn't meet you two I'd probably be bumming it out in front of my desktop poking at tomorrow's paperwork and forums.
Jam: You hang out on forums?
Dotty: Yeah! A little. Just some dorky stuff mostly.
Jam: Wasn't in on that conversation. Some kind of hobby, just like talking to people, what's the deal there?
Dotty: It's not that important! Anyway I wanna get to know you since... well I guess you've always been here.
Jam: I mean not ALWAYS but long enough that I've been here since you two both met.
Dotty: How much did you watch? Were you just there sitting in on everything quietly?
Jam: A good amount of it. Just making sure stuff went okay you know? Not trying to snoop like that.
Dotty: No I get you, can't see you being nosy just for the sake of it.
Jam: Not gonna lie, got a little bit jealous at times though.
Dotty: No I get you, can't see you being nosy just for the sake of it.
Jam: Not gonna lie, got a little bit jealous at times though.
Dotty: Now you don't gotta be.
Jam: Now I don't..... anyway sorry for talking so much, you wanna get going?
Dotty: Yeah! But we don't gotta stop talking, I wanna hear everything.
Jam: You sure? God, where do I even start?
Dotty: Anywhere.
Jam: Hehe, you did this to yourself. So..... I was born 23 years ago in a factory on the outskirts of Capital City, it was a cold day in fall.
Oh my fucking god. Jam!
She said anywhere!
Dotty laughed just a little at your awful joke.
Dotty: Guess I did say anywhere huh?
Jam: You want me to skip around a little?
Dotty: Just a bit. Get to the meat of things
Jam: I'll give you the abridged version then. I went through a bunch of years of public school with Lex, a weird puberty, became two people, a English major that kind of went nowhere, and then met a wonderful person... and now I'm face to face with them on a date for the first time. Hoping for a happily ever after somewhere.
Dotty: I'd like that too...
Jam: Missed a bunch of details here and there but I can cover those.
Dotty: Sounds good. So whatcha wanna do out here?
Jam: Honestly? Kinda wanna do some clothes shopping. Need more stuff in my style..
Dotty: Yeah, sounds good. What type of thing you into?
Jam: Shades, jackets, fur trimmings on coats, uh... a lot of witchy vibe stuff? Personally like my hair kinda fluffier than this but It'll have to do.
You know a shop for that?
Dotty: I know a few.
Jam: Nice, let's get going then. I wanna look cool.
Dotty: You already do.
Jam: Missed a bunch of details here and there but I can cover those.
Dotty: Sounds good. So whatcha wanna do out here?
Jam: Honestly? Kinda wanna do some clothes shopping. Need more stuff in my style..
Dotty: Yeah, sounds good. What type of thing you into?
Jam: Shades, jackets, fur trimmings on coats, uh... a lot of witchy vibe stuff? Personally like my hair kinda fluffier than this but It'll have to do.
You know a shop for that?
Dotty: I know a few.
Jam: Nice, let's get going then. I wanna look cool.
Dotty: You already do.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 01-29-2021
Jam Goes on a Date: Aftermath
Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Jam continues their date with Dotty.
Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Jam continues their date with Dotty.
![[Image: jamdateafter.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/jamdateafter.png)
Jam: Hey Dotty, how's this look?
Dotty: Good I think, you tempted to pick it up?
Jam: Not sure yet. Don't know if orange is a good color on me like this.
Dotty: You have a preference?
Jam: I'm big into reds and browns personally. Like a lot of stuff with a fur element you know?
Dotty: You got fancy tastes?
Jam: Nope, just cozy you know? I like how soft and warm that sort of thing is...
Dotty: I get that. You know it's usually pretty warm around here though right?
Jam: Yeah but there's still some winter and the sea breeze on the beach gets pretty chilly and all so... it has some use right?
Dotty: I guess that's fair. You have any clothes of your own?
Jam: Not really? But I get to input a lot on what Lex and I wear these days so that's something. Today I mostly got to pick though.
Dotty: That why you're rocking the white and blue hair?
Jam: Yeah. Lex likes it too but I think it's a nice dye option you know?
Dotty: Looks great honestly. You know I gotta wonder.
Jam: Hmm?
Dotty: Don't know if this is intrusive but uh... I mean I've been meaning to ask for awhile?
Jam: Go ahead, no worries.
Dotty: What's your natural hair color? Don't think I've seen you two every go a day without dyeing it.
Jam: Never?
Dotty: Wouldn't be able to tell honestly! Changes so often.
Jam: It's just brown. Like kind of a mid brown? Not super super dark but darker.
Dotty: I always figured it'd be blonde or maybe white or something.
Jam: Used to be lighter as a kid but it darkened up. Happens to a lot of us dops you know?
Dotty: Were you around when Lex was a kid?
Jam: Sorta? Like kind of dormant so... I have a lot of the same memories I guess? Aw jeez hold on...
Jam takes a look at the price tag of the jacket.
Dotty: Something wrong?
Jam: This is hella expensive.
Dotty: Jackets tend to be.
Jam: How does Lex have so many?
Dotty: She gets them thrift shopping. Guessing it's out of your budget?
Jam: I mean I could but that'd be like, all my money for this trip you know? Not up for that.
Dotty: I get you.
Jam: Like we wouldn't be able to do anything after. Gonna pass on that one.
Dotty: I feel you.
You look through the rack and find something a little closer to your price range.
Jam: You think this is good?
Dotty: That'd look cute on you, why?
Jam: Let me try this on. You tell me something about you too.
Dotty: Oh? Like what?
Jam: Like... what is your little mouth thingie? It's like a sticker right?
Dotty: It's a spray actually.
Jam: Yeah but what is it? Is it an overbite, a smile, what's the deal with that?
Dotty: It was supposed to be a smile with a gap between the middle teeth but everyone seems to think it's something different?
Jam: Huh. Was betting on it being an overbite.
Dotty: It's whatever you really want it to be. Used to have a mouth plate apparently but... I don't want it to just be a blank mouth you know? So I filled it in to have a smile similar to later rancher units.
Jam: Makes sense. So like... what are you supposed to be?
Dotty: Huh?
Jam: Like, you got these ears right? Are you supposed to be based on something?
Dotty: Oh! I mean... a cat technically? Like one of those weird grinning cats from the fairy tales.
Jam: Like that one book?
Dotty: Think so yeah. For some reason whoever designed a lot of constructs from the era I was made really was into that sort of thing. Fairly tales, especially ones that come from unknown origin.
Jam: Wild... it's a good look though. Cute.
Dotty: You think so? I got mixed feelings honestly but hearing someone say they like it always helps.
Jam: Yeah, it's really cool honestly.
You spend some time looking in the mirror.
Jam: You think this coat looks good?
Dotty: Turn around?
You do so.
Jam: How is it?
Dotty: Cute honestly. I dig it.
Jam: Nice.
Dotty: You wanna pick that up?
Jam: Honestly? Yeah. Especially if you like it.
Dotty: That's sweet...
Jam: You're sweet!
Dotty's turn away.
Dotty: Shit, I don't have a real comeback ready.
Jam: You just gonna take the compliment and run?
Dotty: Yeah. Yeah actually...
You reach for her hand. She accepts it.
Lex: Good, you deserve that.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 03-23-2021
Hares - 2021
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implications of Abuse
Geezer and Manzana have a talk
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implications of Abuse
Geezer and Manzana have a talk
![[Image: hares.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/hares.png)
Geezer arrived in front of a wall between pathways, Manzana sitting there in anticipation of his arrival.
Geezer: Hey cool, you're here on time.
Manzana: You're a couple minutes late.
Geezer: Had trouble finding a spot to park, sorry about that. Glad you made it though.
Manzana: So, what do you want?
Geezer: Just figured that we could talk, you know? You're a Judgment too and all so-
Manzana: Don't make the mistake of assuming I was granted that title like you were.
Geezer: I mean Aunt Ali raised you right? Why wouldn't you be part of the family?
Manzana: There are no familial ties here, it's strictly business.
Geezer: That's hella weird.
Manzana: That's the truth of the situation. Alighieri Judgment is my mentor and not much more. I owe her a certain respect for what she's done but we've never really pushed our relationship past student and teacher.
Geezer: So you didn't get a crest or nothing?
Manzana: I'm not a knight so... no.
Geezer: What's that on your hat then?
Manzana: An accessory for brand purposes. Don't make too much of it.
Geezer: You design that yourself?
Manzana shot Geezer a glare.
Geezer: I'm just asking, genuine question.
Manzana: I hired someone to handle the final look but the initial concept is mine.
Geezer: I dig it. Minimalist in a good way. You’ve done a good job.
Manzana rolls her eyes.
Manzana: Back to the question, what's your real reason. Are you here to pick a fight? Maybe try to convince me to join you to live in whatever backwater town you and your family stick to?
Geezer: Not quite.
Manzana: Then what?
Geezer: I guess I just figured that since we both got today off maybe we could get to know each other past our usual routine of clashing swords and all.
Manzana: Normally I'd laugh in your face but... I'm tired, so I'll humor it.
Geezer: Really?
The construct seemed genuinely surprised.
Manzana: You didn't bring any weapons with you so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Geezer: So how are we gonna do this?
Manzana: You may ask me a question and I'll respond and ask another in return. My condition is I get the first and last question and I have a right to decline an answer at any point.
Geezer: I can work with that. So-
Manzana: So I'll ask first. I want truthful answers.
Geezer: Alright.
Manzana: Why did Erica choose you over anyone else?
Geezer: Honestly? Hard to say really but... guess she just saw a lot of potential in me and that I wasn't in the best situation before. What about you and Ali?
Manzana: I had a talent for witchcraft despite what little resources I had living on the street. She needed a squire who could help her with her equipment as a knight and I was apparently good enough.
Geezer: She was also looking around these parts around the same time too? Why?
Manzana: That's a second question, answer mine first. How old were you when Erica adopted you?
Geezer: 13-ish going 14. You?
Manzana: Same about. I remember seeing you with her around the time I was brought in by Ali.
Geezer: Really?
Manzana: She pointed your mentor out in the crowd and you were with her. I find that interesting timing-wise.
Geezer: What are you playing at?
Manzana: That's another question so let me ask you first. Why did you agree?
Geezer: I was happy at the idea of having a real home and... I got that. What were you talking about with timing?
Manzana: I have a few theories regarding that.
Geezer: Yeah? Like?
Manzana: Another question but I'll allow it. I don't think it's a coincidence that we both were picked up by two rival knights around the same time in the same region. Neither of them are locals of the area. Makes you think, no?
Geezer: I don't think I like what you're getting at.
Manzana: Neither do I. Let me ask you a couple of questions now since you asked two.
Geezer: Alright.
Manzana: Does Erica care about you?
Geezer: Course she does. Treats me as if I were her own you know? Never had that.
Manzana: How can you know for sure?
Geezer: You can just feel it you know? Like... I can't put it into words but anytime I visit her it's with the same enthusiasm as her own flesh and blood and that's just... nice.
Manzana: Interesting response..
Geezer: Real talk. Did Ali care about you?
Manzana: In her own way, though I know we were never as close as being family. She did quite a bit though to get me as far as I am today and I'm grateful for that. Tell me this, if she cared about you so much why did your whole body get replaced?
Geezer: That had nothing to do with her at all.
Manzana: She clearly didn't protect you enough.
Geezer: It was out of her hands, don't blame her for my own mistake. Did Ali protect you?
Manzana: I decline to answer. Are you frustrated?
Geezer: Little bit, you're really starting to push some buttons today. You frustrated?
Manzana: Depends on how you answer the next question. Do you think there's a possibility one of us was adopted by the other's mentor out of spite?
Geezer: I really hope not.
Manzana: That doesn't answer my question.
Geezer: I mean... I guess the timing is kinda sus...
Manzana: So you do think it's possible.
Geezer: What about you? It's your theory, what do you think?
Manzana: One of us absolutely was adopted out of a petty rivalry. The big question of the night is do you think it's you or me?
Geezer: I really don't wanna answer that..
Manzana: Regardless of whether your "grandmother" made you feel cared for or not, knowing how intense her grudge against my mentor you could absolutely see it. Even if she made you feel warm and welcome, she's just as much the type of person who'd pull something like that as Ali if not worse.
Geezer: What makes you so sure it's not Ali?
Manzana: Because Ali didn't bother to make it seem like anything more than business. Ali let people know the hell she put me through. Ali had a job she needed filled and in exchange she gave me a place to live and the resources to become my own person when our long term collaboration is done.
Geezer: Sounds like it was cold and distant.
Manzana: It was more genuine than anything you had.
Geezer: .........
Manzana: You done talking?
Geezer No just... thinking.
Manzana: About what now?
Geezer: What did she put you through? What the fuck did Ali do to you to make you this cold?
Manzana: She cracked a few eggs to get what she needed done. That's how she did it and that's what I need to do too.
Geezer: .....
Manzana: Honestly? People like you piss me off. Pollyanna piece of shit. You think you worked hard? You think you're special because grandma said you were?
Geezer: You don't know-
Manzana: What you've been through? I really don't care. It clearly didn't do enough for you. Anyway, this all turned out to be a big waste of time anyway.
Geezer: I'm sorry.
Manzana: Don't apologize, you knew what you were walking into and you accepted my terms. I was promised the last question so I'm going to get my answer and then leave. Do you hate me now?
Geezer: I'm hella mad, don't get me wrong but.. I dunno right now. I'm kinda just upset. Partly at you, partly at myself, partly at a few bad thought loops you've dropped on me. As far as genuinely hating you though? I think you want me to say yes, and I'm not giving you that inch.
Manzana made an audible sigh before jumping down from the wall she was sitting on.
Geezer: You walking out?
Manzana: I'm taking a breather. It's for your own good.
Manzana walked off down the street.
Geezer: Doubt it’s any good for you though.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - skinstealer - 06-09-2021
An Old Man's Cooking - 2020
Ringor Mortis, Vest Party (Pre-Sleepwalker)
CW: drugs, alcohol, abuse, mentions of death and torture.
Flynt and Melvin share an evening meal.
Ringor Mortis, Vest Party (Pre-Sleepwalker)
CW: drugs, alcohol, abuse, mentions of death and torture.
Flynt and Melvin share an evening meal.
Melvin’s sitting in his usual armchair, oversized to anyone but him. He had made the call to stay back at the base with Flynt while the rest of the crew went off on some kind of shopping trip, and seems more than content to just kick back and rest. Flynt flops onto the sofa near him with a plate of chips, just as ready to bum it out and get a little quiet time.
FLYNT: You think they're up to anything exciting?
MELVIN: Most likely just looking at expensive jewels and booze.
He yawns, stretching out his claws.
MELVIN: Ashton will get his wine as usual, Huck will get his beer, and Leo will get his vodka...I don't even want to know what Muriel drinks.
FLYNT: Muriel drinks fermented poison to scare off the kids. Probably.
MELVIN: I wouldn't even be surprised at this point.
He shivers.
MELVIN: This conversation never leaves this room, obviously.
FLYNT: To our graves.
FLYNT: Honestly though, they stockpile like they're expecting the world to end.
MELVIN: And mow through their stockpile just as quickly...
The de’moneres’ face softens, looking over warmly at the OBJ.
MELVIN: I'm glad you're starting to move away from that yourself, you know.
FLYNT: Yeah well.... I'm trying my best there. Was hard at first.
MELVIN: Is Leo giving you any hell about it still?
FLYNT: Little bit, thinks I'm going too soft.
MELVIN: He doesn't know the first thing about "soft", don't let that get to you.
FLYNT: I try not to, just praying he doesn't heckle me on the clock.
MELVIN: If he does, you come to me and I'll sort him straight.
FLYNT: You don't gotta do that for me.
MELVIN: I don't, but I will if you ask.
MELVIN: It's your choice, but if it gets severe again, I'm not going to stand by and do nothing.
FLYNT: It's appreciated...
FLYNT: ...Don't know why he's been worse.
MELVIN: ...Does he know about the therapy?
FLYNT: Not yet.
MELVIN: That's...probably for the best.
FLYNT: Wish I didn't have to keep quiet but... you know him.
MELVIN: My door is always open, even if you just need to get a break for a little.
FLYNT: Thanks. Things been any better on your end?
MELVIN: Well, my wife's still distressed that I've been coming home roughed up...it's hard to lie to her and the kids, but I can't drag them into this, you know?
FLYNT: Yeah... they catching on at all?
Melvin nods, looking defeated.
MELVIN: The kids have stopped asking questions in general, and don't seem to want to talk about it at all.
FLYNT: You should take some time off for them.
FLYNT: Refresh things with all of them a bit.
MELVIN: With how busy Stope's kept us?
MELVIN: This is the first day off we've had in weeks, and my wife couldn't find a good way to get out of work on such short notice. Kids have school.
FLYNT: Got no idea why Stope's been on us this hard...
FLYNT: You ever think of transferring to less dangerous work?
MELVIN: All the time, every day.
FLYNT: What's been stopping you?
MELVIN: I'm not exactly in this job by choice.
FLYNT: Yeah?
MELVIN: I got caught up in some mob business years ago, and I was given a choice.
He holds up two fingers, counting down.
MELVIN: Let my family be killed as punishment for what I'd done, or work for Stope for the rest of my life.
FLYNT: How'd you piss off stope that bad?
MELVIN: I caught the attention of one of his guys, same job that you and I are in now, just before he had a proper team for it- that came with Leo.
MELVIN: I got stalked for a good while, and when I found out, I did what I had to to defend my family.
MELVIN: In return, I got slammed into his job.
FLYNT: I'm sorry.
Melvin shakes his head, dismissing it.
MELVIN: I've been here a long time. It is what it is.
FLYNT: I'd be willing to cover a few days for you at some point if it gets you some time off.
His gentle smile returns just as quickly as it left, reassuring Flynt immediately.
MELVIN: You don't have to do that, but...I'm selfish enough to take that offer. Thank you.
FLYNT: Mm. You've helped me plenty of times, it's worth returning the offer.
MELVIN: You're a kind man, Flynt...too kind for this kind of work.
FLYNT: My hands are just as dirty as anyone else's here, I just don't wanna be like that forever. I know you don't either.
MELVIN: ...how'd you even get in this business to begin with?
MELVIN: You don't strike me as the type that wants to beat down on people either.
FLYNT: Didn't really have anywhere else to go, got in through Leo.
Melvin nods, leaning back and closing his eyes.
MELVIN:...you know, if we ever were able to get out of here- and I don't mean just out of the job, I mean Monte entirely- I don't think my wife would protest much if you came with us.
FLYNT: Wouldn't mind leaving this place with a friend, just gotta find the right moment to ditch this mob business.
MELVIN: I can tell you're good with kids too, seeing how you handle helping out with Stope's daughter.
MELVIN: Pretty sure mine would love you.
FLYNT: Surprised how well that's gone, honestly.
MELVIN: She's a lonely kid, never got along well with her siblings, practically ever since she hatched.
MELVIN: I've been here longer than she's been alive, and you're one of the first friends she's ever been allowed to have.
FLYNT: Yeah, hard to believe she's from the same line as Stope. Good kid.
MELVIN: If we ever get out of here, we should try and come back for her too someday.
FLYNT: You think she'd be alright with that? Know she doesn't do well with her family but...
MELVIN: Maybe not now, when she's so young...but when she's older, we should at least offer the option.
FLYNT: Yeah.
MELVIN: I probably shouldn't get too latched onto this idea, though...but I don't think I can help it, at this point. It hurts not to dream of something other than this.
FLYNT: I'm with you if we ever find a good out to this.
MELVIN: What would you do, if you ever got out with us?
FLYNT: Find some honest work, a small quiet little place, maybe with a pet.
MELVIN: A pet, huh? Guess that makes a lot of sense for you...what kind, big, small, fluffy, what?
FLYNT: Something easy, no good with big jumpy animals.
MELVIN: You could hold something big in one hand, though. They still startle you that bad?
FLYNT: Big animals?
MELVIN: Yeah, like...
He gestures to Flynt's massive hands.
MELVIN: If there was ever a fight with something big, I'd say you'd win it.
FLYNT: That's a fair point. Probably.
MELVIN: Still, small animals are sweet...my kids keep asking me for one of those patchy things, somewhere in the middle size-wise.
FLYNT: Patchy?
MELVIN: Yeah, one of those critters with the quilts on their backs.
FLYNT: Think I saw one at a local fair once. Those legal to own?
MELVIN: Some regions use them as therapy animals, so I'd imagine so.
FLYNT: I could get used to one, maybe.
MELVIN: I hear they nibble on fingers sometimes, though. Not biting, just...nibbling.
FLYNT: You trying to pitch one to me or something?
MELVIN: I dunno, I think they could be a good fit for you. You seem like the type to appreciate the soft things in life.
FLYNT: It'd be a nice way to retire from this kind of work.
MELVIN: If my kids ended up getting one, I'd probably end up giving it walks for them...guess it'd just be us guys walking our living quilts.
FLYNT: I'd be fine with that, living in the same neighborhood.
MELVIN: You'd make a fine neighbor, Flynt.
Melvin smiles, all warmth.
MELVIN: I'm sure no matter where you end up, you're going to make a positive impact on someone's life.
MELVIN: You're just that kind of person, even now...and you deserve an out to this, a situation where you can let yourself really be that person.
Flynt can’t help but smile back, just the smallest bit.
FLYNT: It's good to hear that from someone. One day we're gonna get out of this.
MELVIN: One way or another, right?
FLYNT: Mmhmm. We'll find our escape to Luxson, I know a few folks who can start us off maybe.
MELVIN: You have people waiting for you there?
FLYNT: Hopefully. Had an offer a while back, praying they're still willing.
MELVIN: What are they like, over there?
FLYNT: Mm? What do you mean?
MELVIN: The people you knew.
FLYNT: Softer than this... absolutely not a bad thing.
MELVIN: You think I'd get along with them at all?
FLYNT: Honestly, yeah.
MELVIN: Go on. Tell me about them.
FLYNT: Most of who I know, I met through the infestation.
FLYNT: Offered to help me settle in after, but I went with Leo instead.
MELVIN: We'll get you back to them.
FLYNT: You're coming too.
MELVIN: It sounds like a nice happily ever after, doesn't it?
MELVIN: No more breaking kneecaps or coming home with bruises and cuts.
FLYNT: No more worrying about getting shot at through your windows or meeting quotas...
MELVIN: No more horrible alcohol and cigar smell.
FLYNT: I'm okay with that.
There’s a comfortable silence between the two of them, Flynt taking the opportunity to munch some chips.
MELVIN: Can I ask you to promise me something, Flynt?
FLYNT: Mm?
MELVIN: When we get out of here, can we promise to keep going to therapy?
MELVIN: Both of us, not just you on the hook here.
FLYNT: Yeah. We'll motivate each other to find docs in Luxson.
MELVIN: I'm no expert, experience has taught me that even when we move, this will follow us.
FLYNT: We'll be safe if we stick to a busy enough area.
MELVIN: Yes well...I meant more internally. We could go to whatever utopic afterlife people believe in and still carry the weight.
FLYNT: Then we'll make it up to the world somehow.
MELVIN: Maybe find some kind of way to make a positive change, to pay up for all we've done here.
FLYNT: Finally get to put it all behind us.
MELVIN: Guessing you wouldn't keep in touch with anybody else here, if that's not too much to assume.
FLYNT: Not a lot of people here for me these days.
MELVIN: I hate to be blunt, but...
He glances away, averting his eyes.
MELVIN: Leo's not going to let you go without a fight, if he finds out.
MELVIN: I hate that you're even in that situation to begin with, but I can see it coming.
FLYNT: He had his chance.
FLYNT: I don't like where things have been with him and he's making it clear he's not gonna make the effort.
MELVIN: That's the best attitude to have here.
MELVIN: You deserve a hell of a lot better than the way he treats you, and...I'm glad that therapy has helped with that.
FLYNT: I just don't get why he's turned so hard.
MELVIN: Do you want the honest answer?
FLYNT: Mm.
MELVIN: There hasn't really...been a turn, Flynt.
FLYNT: Yeah...
MELVIN: You were in a war together, things were different then.
MELVIN: A lot of his tendencies probably came off more as prowess in combat and fending off the plague, and you weren't aware of the fact that they'd extend beyond that.
MELVIN: He showed you the parts of himself that he knew you would like, and when he was sure you wouldn't leave, well...
FLYNT: Yeah. You're probably right on most of that.
MELVIN: The fact that he's practically in control of your living situation doesn't help, either.
MELVIN: That kind of power imbalance always leads to trouble, even with the best intentions.
FLYNT: I don't want to have to fight him honestly, he's gonna take it as far as possible.
MELVIN: If it happens, I'll try to be there to help. I know you probably want to keep this between him and yourself, but...
FLYNT: I just don't want anyone in the crossfire.
MELVIN: What's he going to do? Shoot me?
FLYNT: I wouldn't tempt him.
MELVIN: I could lay him flat with a backhand.
FLYNT: He'd absolutely hold a grudge.
MELVIN: Without a doubt, but what could he really do in the long run? He doesn't know where my family is and I intend to keep it that way.
FLYNT: You'd have to be ready to get out immediately if you did that.
MELVIN: Then I'll save it as a last resort.
FLYNT: Yeah.
MELVIN: But mark my words, if he tries to pick a fight with you on you leaving when I’m around, he's getting a bruise he won't soon forget.
FLYNT: I appreciate you looking out for me like that.
MELVIN: Someone has to make sure this place doesn't harden you up entirely, right?
FLYNT: Yeah. Don't think it has yet.
MELVIN: And I don't think it will.
He reaches out to pat the OBJ's shoulder.
MELVIN: We're going to get you back home.
FLYNT: You'll really try to come too?
MELVIN: Of course.
He nods, smiling wide.
MELVIN: I want you to be able to meet my family properly, and to have a friend like you in a safe future...that would be a dream for a raggedy man like me.
FLYNT: I got no complaints about those plans.
MELVIN: We'll have to-
He stops talking, an ear twitching as the faint sound of people coming up the steps can be heard in the distance.
MELVIN: ...we'll have to discuss more of this later.
FLYNT: They back already?
MELVIN: They shouldn't be...
He tries to relax, keeping his posture natural as the door unlocks. The familiar sound of hooves on hardwood echoes as Leo walks up the steps, holding a bag of equally familiar bottles.
LEO: Just stopping in for a sec, dropping these off...don't want to get caught with the good stuff in the car.
LEO: Ashton drives like a fucking maniac.
Flynt tries his best to keep casual, hiding the tension creeping in all over his body.
FLYNT: They'd accuse him of being too friendly with the liquids huh?
LEO: Yeah, and bastard would probably make me pay the fines.
He leans over and kisses Flynt on the forehead, rattling the bag of bottles a bit.
LEO: You and me, we can catch up later and unwind, right?
FLYNT: Yeah, you have fun out there and we'll figure out what to do after.
LEO: Still don't understand why you won't come with.
LEO: You used to be a hell of a lot more fun, you know.
FLYNT: Trying to break a few bad spending habits, meet a few personal resolutions.
LEO: And what'd those resolutions be?
FLYNT: Not dropping the same kind of money I used to on stuff to inhale.
LEO: What, you think that stuff's bad for you now or something?
LEO: I only directed you to the good shit, you know that.
FLYNT: Money can go toward better things.
LEO: Tch.
He pulls away, making a bit of a face.
LEO: You really are no fun.
He turns to Melvin, glaring.
LEO: Stop filling my boyfriend's head with your old man shit.
The older de'moneres holds his hands up and said nothing, returning the glare. Flynt stays quiet, still trying to hide any sign of feeling tense with all he can muster.
LEO: Whatever.
He tosses the bag of bottles on the couch, not caring that they clank together.
LEO: You two go ahead and be boring, I'm going out and making use of my day off.
LEO: Have fun playing board games or whatever the hell you get up to.
Flynt looks over at Melvin, catching him making a face at the de'moneres behind his back, more of a sneer than anything silly. The OBJ pretends not to notice, keeping his voice even.
FLYNT: You stay safe out there Leo. We'll talk about things more after.
LEO: Yeah, yeah.
Leo waves a hand dismissively, slamming the door behind him. Flynt takes a moment to wait, making sure that he’s gone.
MELVIN: ...coast is clear, I think.
FLYNT: We're good?
MELVIN: As good as it gets, with that son of a bitch.
Melvin exhales hard.
MELVIN: Are you alright?
FLYNT: Yeah. Thanks.
MELVIN: You sure? That whiplash was...something, but not unexpected, I suppose.
FLYNT: I'm getting used to it.
FLYNT: Won't be something I deal with forever though..
MELVIN: Well...I'm proud of you for standing your ground, there.
MELVIN: Moving away from using, both the booze and the harder stuff, is incredibly difficult, and I can't imagine it's easy on you.
FLYNT: It gets a bit easier with each day.
MELVIN: How's it feel?
FLYNT: I can tell you I don't miss the hangover after.
MELVIN: I used for a while, years back when I first got into this job- did I ever tell you about that?
FLYNT: You mentioned it a few times, not in full detail.
MELVIN: People I worked with here got me into it, and it made me a person I didn't want to be.
MELVIN: Once my first kid was born, I realized I had to clean up or risk being a terrible father to him, and I couldn't deal with the thought of that.
MELVIN: My wife supported me the whole way through, and still checks up on me...it's not that she doesn't trust me, but she wants to make sure I stay clean, and is looking out for me.
MELVIN: She's just like that.
FLYNT: And you've been able to keep good about it this whole time?
MELVIN: Well, I've slipped. Everybody slips.
The de’moneres shrugs, looking just a little tired at that.
MELVIN: But having someone to look out for me helps.
FLYNT: You don't mind helping me out if I slip too yeah?
MELVIN: Of course not- but when we get to Luxson, you should seek out a bigger support network than just me.
FLYNT: Yeah, I got people there. Just hoping they'd take me back.
MELVIN: I have a feeling that they will, just by knowing you.
MELVIN: Some people had to have given you a lot of love for you to turn out like you did, and I mean that genuinely.
MELVIN: I don't see enough of it out here.
FLYNT: I guess I just don't want this city to swallow me. Does a number on most folks.
MELVIN: It's corrupt, from the ground up. The very man we work for is an affront to what a god should be.
MELVIN: The fact that Fallow itself rejects him is enough proof of that, and its entire faith is based on benevolence and forgiveness.
FLYNT: Wish XXI had the guts to actually do something.
MELVIN: Luxson is a good zone, but XXI is...well, spineless, if I'm being blunt.
FLYNT: You're right, I'm not gonna stop you on that.
MELVIN: It's a miracle that Luxson even survived the plague to begin with- people like you are rare, people willing and able to handle horrors, and I'm willing to bet that you weren't exactly picked by choice so much as you just...being there, and available.
MELVIN: Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
FLYNT: I didn't have a lot of options at the time.
FLYNT: Got in a lot of trouble when it started, was that or nothing.
MELVIN: Family troubles?
FLYNT: ...Little more complicated than that.
MELVIN: Well...You don't have to go into painful memories if you don't want to, but I'm always open to hearing what's on your mind, both past and present.
FLYNT: I wanna be able to open up about it some day. I'm just not sure if I can yet.
MELVIN: The door's always open, Flynt.
FLYNT: I'll work my way up to it, if you don't mind.
MELVIN: Please, I don't mind at all.
MELVIN: You don't have to worry about me pushing an issue unless it's for your health.
FLYNT: I appreciate that a ton.
MELVIN: Though, if you ever get yourself in trouble, I am going to call you out on it. I imagine you'd do the same for me.
FLYNT: Yeah, I can promise that much.
MELVIN: Good.
He rises out of his chair, stretching out.
MELVIN: Well, we've got a few hours before the rest of them come home, I'd bet...I should probably make us some early dinner.
FLYNT: That sounds nice, honestly. You gonna be good for that?
MELVIN: We should have enough in our kitchen to make something, though it won't be fancy.
MELVIN: Most likely a simple pasta, if you're alright with that.
FLYNT: That's more than enough.
MELVIN: Cmon, then. You can sit and talk with me while I work.
Flynt follows close behind as they head to the tiny kitchen, barely enough floor space for them both to stand together. Whoever had designed their base of operations clearly didn’t expect anyone to actually cook there, the room little more than food storage and an obligatory oven and sink, just to call it some semblance of a kitchen.
FLYNT: We got sauce yeah?
MELVIN: Mm, though I'll have to spare you the charcoal chunks.
MELVIN: I love them, but I figure you don't have the taste for them.
MELVIN: Very much a de'moneres thing.
FLYNT: Yeah, don't think I can get much out of them.
Melvin pulls out a chair for Flynt to sit in as he starts prep.
MELVIN: I'll save them for my own plate, then- do OBJ have anything they particularly enjoy in their diets?
FLYNT: Most things are fine.
He sits down, hands on his knees.
FLYNT: Honestly I'm just glad for the quiet time.
MELVIN: Same...besides, we don't get time to bond like this enough.
MELVIN: I love my family, but it's nice to have a friend outside of them as well.
FLYNT: I'm just glad to have someone to talk to, Leo's no good for real conversation.
MELVIN: Oh? What's the average talk like?
FLYNT: You got a bit of a glance earlier
MELVIN: Lots of pressuring, potential emotional whiplash, insults?
FLYNT: Yeah…
MELVIN: Hmph.
MELVIN: I'd say he needs a lesson in manners, but I'd honestly hate to see him cover that sleaze up in polite words.
The de’moneres gets out a box of pasta, waiting for the water to boil.
MELVIN: At least now, you can see him for what he is.
MELVIN: The fact that he doesn't even try to cover it up anymore says a lot about him, but...red flags are easier to see when there's no rose tinted glasses.
FLYNT: He doesn't want to communicate on any of this at all.
FLYNT: Not expecting this to last more than it has to.
MELVIN: No looking back if you can help it- only good way to do that is reflection, and even then you have to use moderation or else, you'll get stuck in it.
He drums his claws on the counter.
MELVIN: I'm guessing your therapist's already told you as much though, yeah?
FLYNT: A good amount yeah.
MELVIN: Good. That whole clinic is full of good professionals, I wouldn't've recommended it otherwise.
MELVIN: Have the coping techniques been of any help?
FLYNT: Yeah, like I said, it gets easier everyday.
MELVIN: Anything you've been struggling with in particular?
FLYNT: I'm not exactly the happiest person around... so there's regularly that.
MELVIN: And yet, here I've been able to get a smile out of you. Give yourself credit.
FLYNT: Yeah. You got me there.
MELVIN: I can understand that, though...there are some days where I can't muster up a positive attitude no matter how much I try.
MELVIN: I could blame the city for all of that, but I know a good chunk of it is just the way my mind is at this point.
He pours the pasta into the now boiling water.
MELVIN: Not that that can't change, you know?
FLYNT: Don't think it's too late.
FLYNT: Getting out of here would probably help you a ton.
MELVIN: And the same for you.
MELVIN: Can you imagine what it'd be like, being able to take up proper hobbies?
FLYNT: You don't do much besides work, I'm guessing?
He nods, stirring the pot.
MELVIN: I used to garden, when I had my old job.
MELVIN: Have you ever tried?
FLYNT: Nah, never had an opportunity.
FLYNT: Used to work indoors mostly.
MELVIN: Oh? Doing what, if it's alright to ask.
FLYNT: Security for a lab, making sure nothing got robbed at night.
MELVIN: Muscle, then...I mean, I've never seen an OBJ with arms like that, and certainly not as strong.
MELVIN: You'd be a shoo in for literally anything to do with it.
FLYNT: I had a lot of help.... pretty much how I ended up here too.
MELVIN: You planning to try something different when you move out of this city, or keep up with the heavy lifting?
FLYNT: It's what I'm good at, don't have an education in a lot of other stuff.
MELVIN: Never too late to pick something new up, though.
FLYNT: Yeah. Don't know what I'd do though.
MELVIN: Hmm...any hobbies before this?
FLYNT: Nothing that'd be worth much to employers.
MELVIN: Tell me anyway, you'd be surprised at what's applicable.
FLYNT: Mostly just watched a lot of movies, still try to sneak some in here and there.
MELVIN: Any kind in particular stand out to you?
MELVIN: Genres, tropes, things like that?
FLYNT: Like a lot of the older stuff, there's an appeal to the limited film and tinny audio.
MELVIN: Ahhh, old black and whites...you know there's actually a lot of classics shot here in Monte?
MELVIN: A bit too violent for my tastes, but there's a pretty big movie industry if you know where to look.
FLYNT: Yeah, I’m a bit familiar. Always wanted to see what it's like shooting a film.
MELVIN: Maybe we can sneak off and see if we can find one before we move out.
FLYNT: You think they'd let us on set to watch?
MELVIN: Oh, no. We'd have to be covert.
FLYNT: Nothing we're not already used to.
MELVIN: I can't imagine it'd be harder than the average mission, with far less risk.
MELVIN: Could be a fun outing.
FLYNT: How'd we get them to not notice we're messing around?
MELVIN: I mean, we could just flash our credentials. No one messes with Stope's people.
FLYNT: Fair enough, might just work out.
MELVIN: Could make things a little tense, though...hm. You got any ideas?
FLYNT: We could tell them we're hired security.
MELVIN: You think they'd stop to check, or would we sell it on appearances alone?
FLYNT: They wouldn't question, we look intimidating enough.
MELVIN: Hm...how high would you estimate the risk of being recognized?
MELVIN: I'm sure we have a reputation among the other mobs.
FLYNT: If we lay low and don't make eye contact nobody will notice too much.
MELVIN: Maybe we could get you a hat.
FLYNT: Hat could help.
MELVIN: Have to find something that works with those horns of yours, though. We'll have to shop at a proper hearts outlet with that kind of curve.
FLYNT: Yeah... now that you mention it, I'd be pretty recognizable in general.
FLYNT: Needs to be a huge hat.
MELVIN: A glamorous sunhat, perhaps.
Melvin smirks, working on straining the pasta now.
FLYNT: Yeah, that'll fool them. Just passing by.
MELVIN: Would sunglasses add to the effect, or just look silly, do you think?
FLYNT: I don't got eyes. They'll notice that.
MELVIN: I've seen stranger trends in this city, and I've seen plenty of OBJ try to go for a glasses look.
FLYNT: ...Why?
MELVIN: Beats me. Familiarity, I suppose.
MELVIN: How much sauce do you like on your pasta?
FLYNT: Get me as much as you can.
MELVIN: That's what I like to hear. Cheese on top?
FLYNT: Please.
MELVIN: You got it.
Melvin starts plating the pasta, giving both servings a healthy dose of sauce and cheese sprinkled on top. He pulls a stick of charcoal out of the spice cabinet to top his own, grating some shavings on.
MELVIN: Annnd there we go.
He brings the plates over and settles down, making sure to pass Flynt a fork- large enough for him to wield properly.
MELVIN: Dig in.
Flynt takes the fork in hand, smiling just a little.
FLYNT: Really appreciate it. Thanks.
MELVIN: No problem, my friend.
MELVIN: Ah- we need drinks.
He gets back up, rifling through the fridge.
MELVIN: Ugh, these people...there's only half a thing of juice left, the rest is all booze.
MELVIN: I don't know how anyone survives in this team. Care to split what's there?
FLYNT: Yeah, you can take the bigger half if you'd like.
Flynt takes a bite. The pasta’s nearly perfectly cooked, and the sauce is flavorful. Melvin pours the two of them drinks, making sure to keep them even.
MELVIN: It's not a half if one's bigger, you know.
FLYNT: Fair, you know what I mean... also this is great, as a side note.
Melvin passes the cup over, careful not to spill.
MELVIN: Just pasta out of a box, sauce out of a jar...but it's nice to have someone cook for you, isn't it?
FLYNT: Yeah.. you got it right either way and you put in the effort.
MELVIN: I love to cook for my family when I get the chance- most of it's stuff like this, out of the box.
MELVIN: But they love it all the same, even if my wife's is leagues better.
MELVIN: The thought counts for a lot.
FLYNT: You show that you care.
MELVIN: You know any cooking yourself?
FLYNT: Don't know much more than eggs.
MELVIN: Eggs are good breakfast.
MELVIN: Nothing says that you care about somebody quite like making them eggs in the morning.
FLYNT: You think so?
MELVIN: Mhm. Don't sell yourself short- eggs can carry just as much meaning as any other meal.
FLYNT: You saying this from experience?
MELVIN: My wife makes the best sunny side up.
FLYNT: She cooks you breakfast sometimes?
MELVIN: Sometimes she wakes up before dawn, just to try and catch me before I sneak out for work.
MELVIN: Makes sure I eat, she knows I'd just take something barely substantial on the way.
FLYNT: You not good about eating on your own?
MELVIN: Not as much as I should be, especially for a guy as big as I am.
He pokes at his bicep.
MELVIN: I need to keep my strength up better if I want to make sure I can do my job, and while she doesn't know the nature of it...she knows that much.
MELVIN: So, she makes sure I eat.
FLYNT: I'm gonna do her a favor and make sure you get food in the tank too.
He laughs, pointing his fork at the OBJ.
MELVIN: She'll warm up to you real fast, I can just tell.
FLYNT: Good, I wanna keep on good terms with you and your family, especially if we do make it out.
MELVIN: I don't think you'll have any trouble with that, not one bit- and I want to get to know your family as well, whoever that may be for you...even if anyone qualifying as that is someone you've yet to meet.
FLYNT: Don't know if I'd call any of them family, but I'd be glad if there's someone that cares that much left.
MELVIN: That's something they don't teach here in Monte.
MELVIN: Chosen family is just as good as blood ties, if not better a lot of the time.
MELVIN: When you're in a better place, you'll be able to make those choices.
FLYNT: I'd settle for any kind of family, long as I don't gotta deal with more getting shot at.
MELVIN: No blood waiting for you back there at all, though?
He takes a bite of his pasta, swallowing before continuing.
MELVIN: Feel free to pass on the question.
FLYNT: None. You got anyone in Luxson?
MELVIN: None myself. The only blood I have aside from my children is my father, and I have no plans of saying goodbye to him.
FLYNT: Not on the best terms, yeah?
MELVIN: He's a big supporter of the caste system, even though we're on the lower end.
MELVIN: If I hadn't married another graftelle, he would have treated me even worse than he already does.
FLYNT: Caste system is all levels of screwed up, to be honest.
MELVIN: I hate that I'm enforcing it in any way.
FLYNT: You won't have to forever.
MELVIN: And neither will you.
He takes a sip of his drink, thinking to himself.
MELVIN: You know, I think I have an idea for future work.
FLYNT: Lay it on me.
MELVIN: So obviously our job here revolves around muscle.
MELVIN: We break kneecaps and make sure operations go well- and we could seek out employment along those lines in cleaner ways without any violence, sure. Working on construction sites, heavy lifting in general...
He points his fork at Flynt again.
MELVIN: But you know what else we do a lot of?
FLYNT: We talk about wanting to do something better?
MELVIN: Well, yes.
He can’t help but snort a bit.
MELVIN: But I mean on the job.
FLYNT: We look big and menacing?
MELVIN: We keep our eyes open.
MELVIN: We try to pick up on details that nobody else does, and scope out areas to make sure they're safe.
MELVIN: A lot of communities could use sharp eyes like that.
FLYNT: You think they might want a couple of watchmen?
MELVIN: I was thinking more on the lines of sleuthing.
FLYNT: Detective work?
MELVIN: Exactly. Private, of course.
MELVIN: I don't think either of us would do well with authority figures, at this point.
FLYNT: Definitely private. Anything else would get us investigated thanks to the mob shit, and I don’t want to deal with that hanging over us.
MELVIN: Our background would prevent anything like that, and I honestly don't trust anyone in that kind of power to actually send people on cases that matter.
FLYNT: Yeah. We'll have to avoid getting negative attention either way but a private business seems like the better option here.
MELVIN: Sounds like you're taking to the idea already.
FLYNT: It'd be something I can do and tons cleaner than our current job.
MELVIN: Besides, it'd be like something out of your movies. I think it might just be a perfect fit.
FLYNT: Never thought I'd be living a film like that.
MELVIN: Can you see yourself in that role?
FLYNT: I can make it work.
MELVIN: You've already got the coat for it and everything.
MELVIN: Besides...that whole...scrap ability of yours, isn't it?
MELVIN: The powers that you and Leo have?
FLYNT: Yeah. What about it exactly?
MELVIN: I imagine that's got to come in handy with something like that.
FLYNT: Guess it would, don't wanna have to use it more than I gotta but I have the option.
MELVIN: Not a fan of it?
FLYNT: Gets a bit spooky sometimes, you know?
MELVIN: How so?
FLYNT: Ghosts. Sometimes you gotta deal with them.
MELVIN: I've only heard stories, never seen any myself...you have, I'm guessing.
FLYNT: Plenty, more than anyone would really want to.
FLYNT: This place is cursed like that.
MELVIN: What are they like, if it's alright to ask.
FLYNT: A lot of them are just sad honestly.
MELVIN: Mmm...is there anything to be done for them?
FLYNT: Sometimes. Taking them somewhere peaceful.
MELVIN: And do they just...remain there?
FLYNT: Hopefully. If it's nice enough it'll be good for them.
MELVIN: Is there ever an actual end, once someone hits that point?
FLYNT: No idea. Don't like the idea of a definitive end, personally.
MELVIN: You'd want to live on forever in some form, then?
FLYNT: I'd like to think I just don't stop existing altogether maybe.
FLYNT: Oblivion is a nasty thought.
MELVIN: I think you live on through the people who love you, the stories you tell, and the impact you leave behind.
He sets his fork down, finishing his pasta.
MELVIN: I hope that mine is a positive one.
FLYNT: Hope so too. I think you will.
MELVIN: I've done a lot of terrible things, but I do have a family that I love very, very much- and I figure that must count for something.
FLYNT: They'll understand once you're out of here.
MELVIN: You think so, even after everything?
MELVIN: I mean, I'm sure my wife suspects already, but to hear it from my own mouth…
FLYNT: You were looking out for them.
FLYNT: You clearly don't enjoy this line of work.
MELVIN: Even then, I've gotten caught up in it just as much as any of the others.
FLYNT: Won't be like that forever.
MELVIN: Mm...but for now, it certainly is.
He takes his plate to the sink, rinsing it off.
MELVIN: And for tonight at the very least, we get a little break.
MELVIN: What would you like to do now?
FLYNT: Not sure, didn't think we'd get this much time off at all.
MELVIN: I'd say we have at least two hours to burn, one if we're particularly unlucky.
FLYNT: What can we get done in that?
MELVIN: Hmm...how about a walk?
FLYNT: I can do that.
MELVIN: I'll try to get you back in time for the gang coming back, though...as much as I'd like to spend the night roaming around, I don't want you getting yelled at.
FLYNT: Appreciate it. You wrapped up with everything in here for now?
MELVIN: Think so, after I rinse off your plate.
He holds out a hand, Flynt handing his plate over.
FLYNT: Gotta cover our tracks, huh?
MELVIN: I'm sure you'd be thoroughly mocked for eating an old man's cooking…
FLYNT: They’re the ones missing out.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 07-22-2021
Sabbath - 2021
Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implied physical and emotional abuse.
Erica finds a Rabbit in the Storage Room.
![[Image: sabbath.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/sabbath.png)
Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implied physical and emotional abuse.
Erica finds a Rabbit in the Storage Room.
You're Erica Judgment, gunslinger knight extraordinaire...
At least you were, these days you consider yourself mostly retired.
Admittedly it's in a bit of a loose sense of the word but you sure don't travel the world hunting abominations like you used to.
These days you've taken over the family duty of watching over the Judgment house, something you know you got down more than any of your relatives.
Part of that, of course, is keeping inventory and taking care of the old family storage room, a massive armory of tools, loot, and archived information saved for future generations.
For the most part it's been standard routine, a few things are out of place but you figure your grandkids must've shuffled things around at some point...
At least you figured in the moment.
You hear a fumbling in the corner.
Erica: Charon! Geezer! You there?
There's an immediate whimper, one that's vaguely familiar but not one you recognize as either of your grandkids.
You hear the sounds of someone trying to get back onto their feet and failing miserably. You creep around the corner quietly, you can make out the top of the head from behind a counter.
You manage to get close enough that if they tried to book it you'd pin them easily.
Erica: You stay there, got no idea how you managed to break in here but if you don't wanna make things hard for yourself you'll keep calm while I escort you out.
You see their ears perk up slightly, vaguely rabbity.
???: ...Mom?
Their tone immediately hits you in a hard way.
Erica: ...Bucket?
You immediately scramble over to get a proper look at them, a metal rabbit on the ground shaking.
???: Sorry for making a mess, I've been locked in here for a long time... couldn't figure a way out.
You shake your head and offer a hand to them immediately.
Erica: No worries, lets get you out of here kiddo.
???: Kiddo?
Erica: What, you don't like that?
???: I dunno.. feel too old to be called something like that.
Erica: Fair, sorry about that. Kind of a old habit.
???: It's fine...
They grab onto your hand, you help pull them up. They're wobbly.
Erica: You doing okay there?
???: Trying my best, starving honestly....
Erica: Yeah? Hungry?
???: Yeah...
Erica: Lets see what we have in the fridge then...
The two of you quickly scoot to the kitchen, you can worry about cleaning up the storage room later. The mystery rabbit sits down in the middle of the kitchen, fussing about with the table cloth to pass the time.
You take a look inside the fridge.
Erica: You up for pie?
???: Sure, what kind?
Erica: Some recipes from overseas my grandsons took a crack at, they're out right now but you'll get to meet them soon. Very fruity, ¿querés?
???: Yes please! If it's okay...
Erica: It's nothing, don't sweat.
You take the pie to the kitchen counter and start getting a slice ready.
Erica: You want a big slice or a small one?
You hear a shy muttering you can't make out.
Erica: Can't hear you, gotta speak up!
???: Big please...
You cut the slice and served it to them with a plate and fork.
Erica: There you go kiddo, just for you.
They took a big bite with zero hesitation. The poor thing clearly wasn't lying about being in there for a while if they were that hungry.
Erica: You like that?
They look at you with a mouthful, unable to speak fully.
???: Mmm!
Erica: So tell me about yourself a little yeah? Not often I find a stranger in my own home.
They pause for a moment.
???: Stranger? I mean... I guess so... I don't feel like one.
Erica: Guess you did just call me mom like it was nothing.
???: I mean... it feels right in my head. That's probably weird though.
Erica: Doesn't bother me as much as you'd think, you got a name?
???: Don't think so. Don't remember all that much outside of this house and the woods around.
Erica: No family or anything?
???: I mean... I remember you pretty well, and I remember there being someone else. You're a lot older though... I feel like I missed out on a lot.
You go quiet for a bit, they didn't look any older than your grandkids so there's no way they could have possibly been around that long right?
You might've heard a story about something like this but...
You'd need to fish around to confirm.
???: Is everything okay?
Erica: Just thinking, sorry about that. Who's the other person?
???: My partner! You'd know them, dog just like you, really strong too. Long hair, dyed it pretty often.
Erica: Bucket..?
???: Mmhmm! We trained together for years, two of us had been through a lot... stuff got weird though. You two started arguing a lot.. hated that a ton.
Erica: Yeah... I'm sorry about that.
???: Still really hurts, honestly? Just started thinking about running away, felt like you just couldn't really get me no matter how much I tried to talk to you.
Erica: ....
???: Didn't see as much of you after that. Two of us started training with Ali instead.. really pushed us to the brink once we really got more committed to the idea.
???: Think we ended up crying a lot after our sessions.
???: Then one day Ali wanted to test us. Pulled out the biggest hunk of metal we'd ever seen. Worst fuck up we've ever done-
They stopped themselves.
???: Sorry, didn't mean to swear like that in front of you...
Erica: It's fine, keep going.
???: She was swinging so big and hard she could hit us from across the clearing, kept really putting the pressure on us. Scared she'd straight up kill us. Did my best to block it, really did but I couldn't take it...
Erica: You tried clashing with her?
???: All we could do in the moment, chunked us both super hard for that. They barely made it out with their life, if it wasn't for whatever magic she had they would've survived. Told us to keep it a secret if they wanted to still train the "real way"... guess they never told you. Wasn't as lucky myself though...
Erica: What'd you mean?
???: They couldn't fix me without a complete reforging of the blade. Shelved me in the storage room for a bit, never came back for me though. Guess I can't blame them though, did an awful job in the end...
Their tone goes incredibly somber.
You place your hand on their head.
Erica: Bucket's got a lot going on these days, it's been hard for them to come back.
???: Are they okay?
Erica: Hard to say honestly kiddo.... guessing with all you've said though you don't have anywhere to go huh?
They shake their head.
???: Not really no, got no clue where to start either.
Erica: Well worst case scenario, you can stick around here. We got rooms to spare and I wouldn't mind extra company. Grandkids are always busy during the day so it helps.
???: You wouldn't mind that?
Erica: Nah. We need a name for you though.
???: Need to think on that one..
Erica: First thing your gut feels good about.
???: I mean... there's Sabbath. They were considering it but thought it was too much...
Erica: Honestly it has a nice ring to it, how do you feel about it?
???: It's kind of nice...
Erica: Then we'll go with that for now. Sound good?
Sabbath: Mm..
Sabbath goes quiet, focused on finishing their slice of pie and scraping at the leftover crust and cream stuck on the plate for a good while.
Erica: You need another slice?
Sabbath: Mm....
Erica: Use your words, kiddo.
Sabbath: Yes, please.
You grabbed their plate and went back to the counter to serve them another slice.
Erica: Gotta make sure to tell Geezer and Charon how much you liked it when they get back. Gonna have to introduce ya'll to each other, especially if you decide to stick around.
Sabbath: Of course. You're sure it's okay?
Erica: Yeah, treat this place as your own home.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 07-26-2021
Apple Cider - 2021
Comorant, Masa, Crankshaft
CW: Mention of Death
Manzana takes it easy for a night.
![[Image: applecider.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/applecider.png)
Comorant, Masa, Crankshaft
CW: Mention of Death
Manzana takes it easy for a night.
You're Manzana.
Under most circumstances you are the master of magic, top of your field in all things supernatural.
You take great pride in this frankly, it takes a lot of work to get as far as you did.
The training straight from hell, the hours, the tiresome task of sweet talking executives and selling them on the idea that maybe they shouldn't build theme parks on cursed land.
It pays well, it builds reputation, and it gets you invites to big fancy parties that you can't help but get increasingly sick of...
But for now you are back home in your private little slice of Plaza, the region you were born in.
You're not alone of course, Platino is keeping you company. He's your... friend? Business partner?
Regardless you've known him for some good time at this point and you don't think he'll leave anytime soon.
Your feelings are always a little conflicted. On one hand he's a ghost in your head with all the caveats.
On the other hand your pool of familiar faces in life are otherwise your "mother", your thickheaded rival, and a couple of others you don't get to see often enough.
Right now though that ghost in your head is crashed on your couch watching god knows what.
You lean over the sofa taking a peek at the telly for a bit- you're not entirely sure what's going on but it's some hot garbage.
He seemingly doesn't notice you at first, but eventually looks up at you.
Platino: Sup?
Manzana: Not much really. You settled in fine.
Platino: Gotta take advantage whenever we get a little time off right? No offense but traveling as much as you do is a pretty intensive job.
Manzana: Puts me ahead of the competition, not apologizing for that.
Platino: It's hell bad for my sleep and joints, those hotel beds get pretty rough you know?
Manzana: Can't always be booking luxury, you'll manage. Tonight's not going to be much better anyway, don't have a second bed set up so you'll just have to use the living room. Don't you normally just vacate and go all ghost by now anyway?
Platino: Normally, but you got so much weird supernatural crap in your house I don't wanna take the risk at night.
Manzana: What do you mean?
Platino: Leaving a body unattended in a place where there's a real chance you'll be intercepted by some otherworldly nightmare is a way to lose it really fast.
Manzana: Thought it strained you to stay in this world full time.
Platino: Not if I plan things out a little, just gotta live things a little nocturnal right? It's pretty common in this region anyway...
Manzana: If you're under 30 and depressed maybe.
Platino: You're under 30 and depressed, don't even start.
You grumble to yourself.
Platino: Anyway if I'm not around in the mornings don't sweat things too much, I'll be back by the time the sun starts setting.
Manzana: I'm not worried, you can do whatever you want.
Platino: You sure? Won't miss having someone to talk to at your desk?
Manzana: I'll be fine, I can rubber duck off anything else really.
Platino: Sure.
You look back at the television for a moment, a scene of a child in a cave telling a washed up skeleton about their day plays in front of you.
Manzana: What the fuck are you watching?
Platino: Not sure? Your cable box is pretty weird, never even heard of half the shit listed. Like earlier I saw this weird ass thing that... actually you wanna sit down for this?
Manzana: I'm fine here, continue?
Platino: I don't even know what went on. Guy claims to be some sort of government professional but not sure I really buy that? There's a lady who just walks around with a piece of wood everywhere... everyone acts so weird that it made my skin crawl a little.
Manzana: TV setups here tend to pick up on weird stuff like that...You going to be okay?
Platino: Me? I mean yeah no, it's obviously all fiction but I dunno. Gonna be thinking about that for some....
Manzana: Maybe you should take a break?
Platino: I dunno, feeling pretty comfortable watching stuff like this but feels like going through channels is some wild russian roulette you know?
Manzana: I mean... I got a movie collection if you really need something.
Platino: Since when?
Manzana: A good while actually, collect a lot of local stuff while traveling based on recommendations.. you've never seen the shelf?
Platino: I try not to look through your things like that.
Manzana: For the best. In this case though it's better than you freaking yourself out late at night because you decided to watch something a little incomprehensible to the flesh.
Platino: See when you put it like that, I feel like I got out easy.
Manzana: You probably did, that TV setup is super cursed.
Platino: Why do you even have something like that?
Manzana: Work.
Platino: You're not going to go into any more detail than that?
Manzana: Don't really need to, you figure it out from there.
Platino: Gotta say I'm not used to you being a cryptic bastard like that. Full of surprises today. Guess that's not too hard though when you keep things so close to the vest, yeah?
Manzana: I've got my way of doing things.
Platino: Now that I think of it, there's a lot of things about you I don't know like... do you even have a birthday? Never seen that come up really.
Manzana: Don't really celebrate it.
Platino: Yeah? Why not?
Manzana: Overlaps with some unpleasant stuff so I just.. don't.
Platino: What do you mean?
Manzana: Had someone important pass away the day of one year, still leaves me kinda fucked. If it's okay I don't really want to go into it more than that though. Tend not to tell people the day since they're tempted to surprise me in some way.
Platino: I can get that.
Manzana: Only three people really know about this; you, me, and her. Keep it like that.
Platino: That big a secret? And you're sharing it with me? Dang...
Manzana: At this point I feel like I can trust you with something like that, you're good about keeping quiet.
Platino: Before you were the only person I could talk to, now I actually COULD go spreading it.
Manzana: You won't and I don't want you joking about doing it.
Platino: I mean you're right.
Manzana: I'm serious too.
Platino: I know you are.
Manzana: It's... pretty hard for me to open up. Haven't had the best track record with people in the past really so... don't waste this.
Platino makes room on the couch and pats down on the cushion, prompting you to sit next to him. You shake your head.
Manzana: I'm good. Just... don't make me regret this.
Platino: Lips sealed.
You peek at the screen again, you can't help but be a little put off by the imagery in front of you.
Manzana: I should go get you something better to watch. Spare yourself.
Platino: Yeah... you gonna join me? Could order a pizza, make it a real movie night.
Manzana: Maybe.
Platino: Wouldn't be a bad way to start your break. Just two friends, a couple of tapes, and a deep dish. Get yourself some of your favorites and bam, easy night.
Friends.
Manzana: Needed to figure out dinner anyway, fridge isn't properly stocked since we're usually away from here.
Platino: Then it's settled right?
Manzana: On a few ground rules. No hugging me if you get scared, no falling asleep on my shoulder, and if you make a mess you pick it up. Easy?
Platino: Easy.
Manzana: Give me a few minutes and I'll call the delivery place...
Platino: You take as much time as you need, I'll just be here.
Manzana: I'll be quick about it.
RE: [SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots - ThreadLurkingComorant - 09-23-2021
Midnight Toast - 2021
BaftComorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Two Supernatural Rabbits have a heart to heart about past days.
![[Image: midnighttoast.png]](http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/story/oneshots/midnighttoast.png)
BaftComorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Two Supernatural Rabbits have a heart to heart about past days.
Spice: Targe went up ahead to handle some stuff with the van, finished packing up everything. The bunch of you are doing alright?
Jam: Yeah, mostly.
Spice: Ah, she tuckered out.
Jam: Yeah, whole thing was a little too much for her, I think. Doesn't really do the big social setting stuff like this.
Spice: Poor thing.
Jam: She'll be fine though, I think she had fun. Really appreciate you two inviting us out here, haven't done a big city festival in a long time, especially one with a proper witch meetup.
Spice: Surprised by how hard you went in on it, just needed a couple extra hands with the booth and then you came full outfit with guns blazing. You really make that outfit yourself?
Jam: Dotty gave us some help but yeah, Lex and I managed to scrape something together last second.
Spice: No kidding, gave you two days. Hope you weren't busting your ass for this.
Jam: Only a bit, we didn't have time to do a real dye job unfortunately so we had to go out with our hair all natural. Would've really brought the look together to splash some color..
Spice: Don't think anyone noticed, you uh... kinda helped us sell a lot of stuff today actually? We never get that much attention at these things.
Jam: Guessing that means you got another opportunity down the line?
Spice: I mean if you want, you're already a part of the staff at our little mall setup so....
Jam: Then you know where to call.
Spice: Honestly though I should've expected that much, the customers love the two of you.
Jam: Do they?
Spice: Yeah actually, the online reviews of the place bring you up a good bit. The rabbit in the swirly shades! They're so helpful and nice! They're so fun to talk to! It's good stuff. Lex’s been good since she jumped in too, people love the sweet clumsy rat who suplexed a shoplifter.
Jam: Really still appreciate that you came in clutch with the job offer.
Spice: You did me a favor honestly. I like working with people I know I can trust if I can and you really came through too. Hella scary when you’re going from selling stuff online to setting up an actual physical storefront.
Jam: I do my best.
Spice: You did me a favor honestly. I like working with people I know I can trust if I can and you really came through too. Hella scary when you’re going from selling stuff online to setting up an actual physical storefront.
Jam: I do my best.
Spice: The two of you do good, it’s why we brought you along. High key you were kinda popping off hard. Shit with the sign was nuts, they came running to our booth.
Jam: They got so hyped over the sign. Glad Lex tagged in to help me do that.
Spice: I swear to god I've never seen people so enamored with someone spinning cardboard before.
Jam: Then Dotty came in with the worm and, and...
Spice: That audience went apeshit! They fucking loved the worm!
Jam: You know some of them tried to give me their number after that?
Spice: You serious?
Jam: I am! Funniest thing I've seen.
Spice: No idea how you managed to keep that energy going the whole time.
Jam: The audience fuels me, they love a confident rabbit and their lucky oversized worm on a string. Wallet is stuffed with flirtations.
Spice: You took people's numbers?!
Jam: Course I did, wallet's stuffed.
Spice: You're... you're not gonna call them back right?
Jam: Nah, it's pretty great though.
Jam: Gotta say while not having Lex around the past months was hard, one of the nicer things was catching up with you though.
Spice: Yeah... honestly kinda surprised you're still not pissed at me though.
Jam: I mean it was on me too, you know? I just... I dunno.
Spice: Yeah...
Jam: Like, Lex would just go into these depressive slumps and I'd have to take over from there, you know? Most people in the circle didn't seem to notice though.
Spice: To be fair you and Lex were kind of in the background for a good while. Ya'll were so quiet.
Jam: Yeah but like.. you managed to catch on that I wasn't Lex right?
Spice: Yeah.
Jam: And... you weren't weird about it. You were really cool and... I guess my first real friend.
Spice: That just makes me feel worse about it.
Jam: Don't beat yourself up over it, I was pretty damn shitty about it. I dunno...
Jam: Lex kinda blacked out for a couple of weeks and I got stupid really fast. Asked you out even though you were clearly still recovering from kind of a rough place with Targe and...
Spice: I mean I took the offer. Hell I feel like I did you more dirty than anything you know?
Jam: You weren't doing great....
Spice: Yeah. And I kinda used you as a bandage when you really deserved better you know? I liked you but not in the same way I was and still am with Targe.
Jam: I just wanted to spend more time and really... I dunno, keep a friend in my life I guess. Didn't think about you or if Lex would've been okay with this sort of thing you know? Hell I kinda was assuming a lot like...
Spice: Assuming?
Jam: I don't think I ever really straight up told you that I wasn't Lex you know?
Spice: I mean... I knew.
Jam: Yeah but at the most we kinda just vagued through it and you had figured it out you know?
Spice: You’d ask me stuff that pretty much confirmed it. "If I wasn't who I said I was, would you be mad?"
Jam: I was scared as hell. You looked me dead in the eye and went "Yes." before doing a flip.
Spice: That sounds like young me...
Jam: I was crying! That was the hardest question I'd asked and you just did a you! Laughed so hard I couldn't breath!
Spice: Almost died too!
Jam: You did! We were right next to the stairs!
Spice: You almost died!
Jam: Fucking tried to take me with you!
Spice: Accident, swear on my life.
Jam: Gay bunny bitch.
Spice: WHOOOOOA! When did you get a mouth like that?
Jam: Dotty.
Spice: ...Really?
He looks over at her sweet sleeping face leaned on your shoulder.
Jam: Swears like a sailor, you didn't know that?
Jam: She's so fucking cool.
Spice: Would've never thought it honestly, she seems so nice..
Jam: She is, she's just... a very distinct kind of sweet.
Jam: Anyway though I dunno, it was nice to be accepted like that...
Spice: I mean, I still kinda ruined things in the end.
Jam: You were honest! You weren't clicking with the relationship and you wanted to just be friends and... I didn't really take it well at all. I handled it super poorly.
Spice: I mean it makes sense that you felt hurt after that...
Jam: I said some worrying ass shit and then ghosted you for the rest of college!
Jam: You came running over to our dorm asking if we were okay and...
Jam: Lex just happened to be there and answered and wasn't doing all that great herself at the time...
Jam: And... you kinda just sat with her and comforted her through it even though you knew it wasn't me.
Spice: ......
Jam: Even when I went off the rails you still tried to take care of us. Hell that's how she became good friends with you and Targe.
Jam: You both took care of her, makes me happy you know?
Jam: Kid had just gone through some personal loss stuff, fell off with a bunch of her high school friends, and what she had left just... moved all the way to the other side of the region.
Spice: Yeah well... I dunno. I just hurt you a lot and hoped that you still just.. I dunno. I wanted to still be friends.
Jam: I mean I... I was just kinda nasty for a bit. One day I had to sub in for Lex and you managed to catch on. Tried to talk to me, apologize and just...
Jam: I played dumb, acted like I had no idea what you were talking about and insisted it was just Lex, kinda just puposfully made you feel weird and awkward.
Spice: Yeah.. that really hurt a lot in that moment. Tried to tell myself that maybe I did make a mistake but uh... Lex didn't remember a lick of that when I talked to her the day after. Cut kinda deep no lie.
Jam: Poor thing had to deal with the aftermath of my shit too, she REALLY didn't deserve that.
Jam: I guess just... being rejected like that made me worry it was over. When relationships fell off for us in high school we just never really talked to that person again you know?
Jam: We never go back to being friends the way we used to...
Jam: I didn't want to be alone again.Looking back I assumed a ton and made it so much worse...
Spice: I mean I wouldn't sweat it like that you know? Good amount of blame is on me too and really.. We were all kinda dumbass teens. Just barely out of high school and figuring things out and neither of us were really in the best mental space.
Spice: And at the end of the day I think we're better friends than we were back then.
Spice: You're a good person at heart, a good person who was going through a lot emotionally at the time.
Spice: I dunno, just...
Spice: Don't beat yourself up so hard.
Jam: I usually don't but it's really hard not to on this one.
Jam: But you're right honestly. Been enough since then that we can kinda bury it behind.
Spice looks over at Dotty.
Spice: Can't believe she managed to sleep through that..
Jam: She works pretty hard, she deserves it.
Spice: Gonna feel bad waking her up when Targe comes back with the van.
Jam: We can carry her.
Spice: She's a head taller than you and almost three times as heavy.
Jam: Lex can help me.
Spice: Does it work like that?
Jam: Maybe, Lex is pretty buff when she wants to be. Honestly I should let her back soon anyway, getting pretty tired after all that.
Spice: Ah right, you don't last too long on your own huh?
Jam: Nope, I already pushed myself way too hard today. That said I'll stick around until Targe shows up, let things settle down before throwing her back to the front. Cool with that?
Spice: Yeah. Appreciate this talk, think we both needed that.
Jam: Think so too, got a lot of weight off my shoulders after that, you know?
Jam: I'm finally free.