[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

E7 S1: A Preview One Shot
B.Comorant
CW: A Character Experiences a Psychotic Episode
The Following One Shot is a prologue/preview to a upcoming mini-project tied to a certain Pelgro character.
A thief checks in on their witch friend on a rough mental health day.

 

 Savvy: Hey! Came back as quick as I could…

You gave your friend a good look over, they were bundled up with the TV running, some old show you’ve never seen playing on the refurbished screen.

Savvy: They only had half your monthly dose but I can pick up the rest. Should be enough to get you by til then..

You offer out the paper bag, giving its crumpled shape a little rattle.

They didn’t look comfortable so much as lost in trying to ground themselves.

You pat down on the couch’s arm rest.

Savvy: ‘Spina? You gonna be okay?

The sorceress snapped out of it this time, immediately ducking their head under their blanket.

Despina: I’ve misplaced my mask…

Savvy: Remember where you last had it?

Despina: Mind’s scattered if I’m honest with you, couldn’t for the life of me…

Despina: You have the meds?

Savvy: Yeah, I do. How long’s it been since last dose?

Despina: Two days ago I think, pretty sure..

Savvy: You say something the day of?

Despina: Assumed they’d be ready sooner so I just..

Savvy: You wanted to hold out..

Despina: Don’t like to pester anyone else but… I wouldn’t make it far today like this

Savvy: You can always ask..

Despina: You? No, you’ve already got plenty on your hands right now.

Savvy: I do a few jobs five days a week, not really that big a deal.

Despina: Anytime you go out right now’s a danger..

Savvy: Yeah well.. I’m built for it. May I?

You give the couch a little pat again.

Despina: Of course..

The poor witch pokes their head out just a nudge, talking seems to have done a ton for them.

Despina: You’ve slept over here before, suppose you’ve seen my face plenty.

Savvy:  Don’t know why you hide it… 

You offer Despina the pills.

They manage a tiny smile as they take them.

Despina: Thank you…

Savvy: Gonna sit here with you for a bit, not leaving until I know you’re good for that.

Despina: You really don’t have to-

Savvy: Do you want to be alone?

Despina: God no…

She started getting to work on taking meds.

You look over at the screen.

Two animated characters in an interrogation, a mouse and a snake who’s arms were bound by rope.

The Snake: I’m not up for wasting time, you gonna take me in for that bounty or what?

The Mouse: Right now I’ve got bigger fish to fry, you’re going to help me.

The Snake: Really gonna look the other way to do your job?

The Mouse: Got a hostage situation and not a lot of time to get it done.

The Snake cackles.

The Snake: Boy scout like you’s gotta do more than look the other way.

The Mouse: You’ll get your ship back. Can’t do more for you than that.

The Snake: All I need really. And I know you’re the type of trooper who makes good on that.

The Mouse: You would too.

The Snake: For you?  Maybe if I’m having a good day. Fill me in.

You look over as your friend downs the pills with a drink.

Savvy: You all good?

They respond with a finger, punctuating things until they can speak again.

Despina:  I’ll be fine.. Just waiting til it kicks in.

Savvy: How long’s that gonna take?

Despina: Still got some in my system, takes a bit to fully clear out so..

They do the math on the back of their hand.

Despina: Least 30 minutes to start, hour to stabilize if I remember correctly.

Savvy: That’s good..

Despina: Will you be fine with staying this long?

Savvy: We live on the same floor..

You give them a playful shrug.

Savvy: And you’ve kept the layout the same since I’ve moved out so.. Should know where everything is.

Despina: That’s fair..

You look back at the TV, the mouse and the snake parking up in a suburban home, the buildings looking futuristic in an angular and retro way.

The Mouse: We’re breaking in?
The Snake: Relax, it’s not a real home. Place is multipurpose. Usually though it’s a place of disposal.

The Mouse: You mean-

The Snake: Yeah. If they’ve had your guy this long they’re going to melt him. Probably already did.

The Mouse opens his mouth only to be stopped.

The Snake: Don’t make a ruckus, we’re gonna check the garage.

The two manage inside through the Snake’s lockpicking skills and concerning familiarity with the layout. The internal door to the garage giving the Mouse a trembling anxiety to what he might discover.

The Snake: Come on, don’t got all day.

He steels his nerves as the door opens, only to be met with… nothing.

The Mouse: It’s empty!

The Snake:... How long’s your guy been gone for?

The Mouse: Five days. Rumor is they’re prepping a ransom.

The Snake: That’s a few too late.

The Snake takes a closer look, a particular spot too clean for a room that’s otherwise gathered more than enough dust.

The Mouse: What’s wrong?

The Snake: You know those old style beam teleporters? Take you from ground to a aircraft quick

The Mouse: Right.. Work on a molecular level- oh god…

The Snake: Ripped apart atom by atom. Your guy’s about to be turned into a mold, reprogrammed to be replaced by a sleeper agent.

The Mouse: Is this a thing?

The Snake: Sure is kid. Your dad and I got a lot of horror stories about some of the tech the folks in office got cooking underneath your feet.


Savvy: What’s this all about?

Despina: I like to sample the weekly recommendations at the library… manage to gather a large haul of things to watch this month.

That’d do it. The online archives pages for this facility tend to regularly post blogs on the recommendations of the staff.

They can be hit and miss from experience, but you’ve always found something you liked whenever you take the leap.

And at the very least this one looks interesting enough to hold you for now.

Savvy: What’s this one called?

Despina: Sky Winger, this one was pitched to me as a classic in some circles.

Savvy: And these two are…?

Despina: “Snake Sullivan” and “Mouse Fincher”, bounty hunters and crackshot leaders of rival crews.

Savvy:.. That’s not really what they’re called right?

Despina: You’ll get used to it fast.

The Snake has finished their conversation with the bartender before returning.

The Mouse: So?

The Snake: We’re gonna have to bust in  the Wombat’s Nest. Owned by big shot with a bit of a cult following and an interest in collecting government contracts. Armed to the teeth, gonna have to be slippery.

The Mouse: You ever worked with them?

The Snake: Worked with everyone. Don’t know what’s got you so pressed.

The Mouse grabs the Snake by the Jacket.

The Snake: Back off buddy.

He presses a finger down on a patch on the Snake’s sleeve.

The Mouse: You’re still wearing the mark of my dad’s team, why?

The Snake: Cause truth be told? I never betrayed anyone. We did a lot of wrong back then. Your just dad managed to back out early enough to get a memorial. As for me? We’ll see how far I can fly.

The Mouse goes quiet at that.

The Snake: You gotta ask ol’ Brewster sometime. See if you’ll get this kind of honesty from your pal.

Despina leans a little on your shoulder.

You don’t mind much, feeling rather comfortable actually.

You try patting their shoulders a little.

Despina: Hmm? Did you need something?

Savvy: Just checking on you.

Despina: I’m doing fine right now. Head’s fuzzy but a lot calmer.

Savvy: Yeah?

Despina: Always is but.. Pills keep it manageable.

Savvy: You wanna talk about it?

Despina: In a bit..

On screen a dogfight happens as the pair try to bust into the ship. This seems to be where the majority of the budget went. Simple at times, maybe a little cheap when it cuts to cockpit, but the action makes your eyes twinkle a bit.

Savvy: Really do mean it that you should just.. Ask me more. You’re allowed to.

Despina: I should.

Savvy: So why not?

Despina: It’s a lot to process and… suppose you do deserve to know that when I feel like I can word it but..

The witch readjusts their positon a bit.

Despina: Days like these make me feel too broken for other people. Prefer not to be seen in that light while I’m in a place of responsibility.

Savvy: And you can ask for help more.

Despina: You’ll tell me if you can’t. 

Savvy: Course. And you got plenty of people who’d do it if I’m too busy-

Despina: Don’t think I can. You’re really the only one I feel comfortable with doing this for me. But.. I also don’t want you to break too…

Savvy: You’re not broken. Now me on the other hand well..

You take a good look at your left arm, the skin held together by glitchy fibers that were struggling to keep still.

Despina offers a hand.

You oblige and place yours in their palm.

Savvy: Wasn’t exactly built to last on my own..

Despina: We’ll try to get you stable. Every lab that manufacturer bodies like this has them for their older models.

Savvy: Can you undo it all though?

Despina:.. Probably not. That doesn’t make your life any less worth taking care of and enjoying.

Savvy: Same for you.

Despina opens their mouth for a moment only to pause on it.

Despina: You’re right.

Savvy: If you’re gonna be doing things for me, I’ll help you out too. Simple as that.

Despina nods.

Despina: Is it okay to call you a friend? Know that’s a rather straight way to put it.

Savvy: Course, as long as that’s mutual.

Despina: I can settle for that..

The credits roll to punctuate a final scene, the discovery that The Mouse’s own employer in this contract is a replacement in herself. The final frame before the text scrolls stopping on the two flying back to the planet to find out the truth for themselves.


Savvy: Oh! This one’s ongoing.

Despina: Mmhmm!

Savvy: How far are you in? Feel like I got a lot to fill in one…

Despina: This is the first two-parter I’ve seen like this but..

Despina: 7 episodes.

Savvy: All watched today or-

Despina: Over the week.

You sit quietly giving them a little look but unable to find a polite way to say things

Despina gives you a sigh and then a smile.

Despina: I left my mask in my office drawer while I was returning back to the apartment. Hopefully nobody saw me but-

Savvy: You want me to get it?

Despina: Do so, and we can start for the beginning. I’ll order us something while you go do that.

Savvy: Long as you don’t get that fruit pizza again.

Despina: There’s nothing wrong with pineapple. Wasn’t thinking of Pizza anyway…

Savvy: Then surprise me! Pick something fun.

You start toward the door, giving them a little wave.

Despina: Be quick, meds haven’t fully kicked in yet.

Savvy: Yeah, course. Call me if anything comes up, for real this time.

Savvy: I promise..