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Messages - Lion
21
« on: January 23, 2021, 01:45:10 pm »
The question was an open one. Hannah blinked at them after he tried his own tears. He had done his mourning, now with the realization that the love of his life was back in his life, he didn't have to cry anymore. Hannibal slowly released them when they grabbed his hand. He felt goosebumps flare up along the arm where they graced his hands. He stared down at them, swallowing the remainder of his sorrow.
"I remember the explosion. I remember losing you. I remember being angry that there was nothing we could do. Yavul pulled me back, took everyone back to the safety of the dome. I tried going out on my own after that, to find you. I only ever got out with back up but there was no luck. You were dead as far as we knew."
He squeezed their hands and looked them over. They certainly looked different than when he last saw them. They had a rough go of it as his mother used to say. It'd take some time to adjust but once they were back on their feet, he had no doubt the rest of the squad would do whatever they could do ensure they felt right at home again.
"That's what you mean right? Unless you were asking about something else? Because all that time you were got, you didn't miss much. We was hoping you'd still be alive. At least that's all I ever wanted, anyway."
22
« on: January 23, 2021, 01:05:14 pm »
She acted as if nothing was amiss. Nothing at all. There was something totally normal about the fact that a giant robot was standing in her doorway that she probably had this sort of company over every day. Proteus couldn't believe his very eyes. She welcomed him inside and that was that.
Well, shit he did offer to help her bake, didn't he?
And she, well, she clearly wasn't human at all. He went as far as to say that she was even cute. Which she absolutely was. The little bells on her antlers and all. He was computer programming and little glowy cube bits, so of course, he absolutely wasn't hitting on her. But something about her welcoming demeanor and total trust was just adorable.
"I'm happiest with a RAD405 Rifle in hand, but we can't have everything, now can we," he mused as he stomped inside. He was lightfooted for a robot of his stature. He had to be in order to move silently, delicately. He was the first MDK model, specializing in killing of all kinds.
"Do you have some dough I can strangle or something? How does this baking thing work? Oh and I'm Proteus, dear. Forgive me for not introducing myself. But Max also works." And he smiled at her.
And for once it was genuine.
23
« on: January 10, 2021, 06:35:45 pm »
On the rare occasion that he got to spend time with his mother, this was the first time he got to share her with someone that wasn't one of her friends. He wasn't exactly upset, but at least that person was Andy, and despite the fact that he felt like he was walking on glass around her, this was all around a good time. And like any good mother, Amitra was making good on her duty to embarrass him.
Theo was lounging beside his mother in the chair opposite Andy, and occasionally he spied her looking over to him. He was flushed from alcohol already, but still had some awareness too him. Enough to turn beet red even under his tan when Amitra showed Andy photos of him as a baby escaping from the bathtub.
Then there was the Yule Festival where he was dressed up as a slice of sweet potato pie. He was grinning like an idiot and the little dollop of whipped cream beside him, holding his head, was his little sister, Olivia.
"Gosh, Theo and Olive just before he went off to candidacy. You were how old?"
"Fifteen, I think. Shit, that's a long time," Theo muttered as he leaned across to examine the picture. "Wow, Olive must be five years old then."
It was a precious photo, each of them with small hats and chinstraps around them. Theo felt his eyes grow hot, looking at the picture of the little sister he hadn't seen in years.
"That makes her eighteen this year," Amitra sighed. "They grow up so fast. I told your father that she ought to have a chance to experience the world, but you know how your father is. Wants her to grow up, get married. He's already got a suitor lined up and everything."
Theo grit his teeth. "That's some bullshit! She's too young to get married! He knows that."
"Like your father gives a damn what anyone else wants. All that matters to him is family prestige, keeping the line strong and all that."
Theo set the glass down and stood up. "Why didn't you take her with you?" It was a pointed question and he was already angry. He didn't want to blame his mother, but he already felt like crying.
"I tried to, Theo. I did everything I could! Like I wanted to leave my daughter with that horrible excuse for a man. Hell no! But your father had the case rigged from the start. He hated you, and he was more than happy to see me leave. But he'd be damned if he was going to lose all his pawns." Amitra fell quiet and closed the picture book gently.
She peered up at Andy and frowned, contrite. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."
Theo was quiet
24
« on: November 27, 2020, 02:07:52 pm »
 Art Done by Me Reid Arthur Valentine + ALIAS + Doc, Valentine, Val, “RiverRed” Online + AGE + 36 + GENDER + Male + ORIGIN + Edanith + SPECIES + Human + RESIDENCE + The Frontier + OCCUPATION + Doctor (“I’m retired.”), Professional Gambler, Gunslinger + COUNTENANCE + Dark Brown Hair / Emerald Green eyes + STATURE + 6'1” / 185 lbs. + SEXUALITY + Pansexual __________________IN-DEPTHPHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONVoice claim: Sam Elliot Dark hair and green eyes, Valentine is a tall drink of water. He’s easy on the eyes, he’s handsome and knows it, with broad shoulders and a meaty lean build. His jaw is square, lips full and pouty. His restless eyes reside over a broad wide nose. He keeps himself clean and trimmed, his hair short and mustache and goatee kept in line. His voice is deep and resonant, manifesting in a soothing drawl. PERSONA“Ain’t you a peach.” A dapper and charming gentleman, Valentine never goes out of his way to be inviting or friendly. Most first impressions are lackluster, having resulted in guns being drawn on the man. He’s a wielder of a sharp tongue and he knows how to use it, he’s educated without putting on airs. The glib curmudgeon within comes naturally. Despite his wanton apathy, he’s quick to judge, and deliberate that judgement accordingly. For all his sarcastic wit and humor, its no surprise the man has so few friends. But for those who have earned his trust, his loyalty is unwavering. He’s quick to leap into the fray to come to their aide. His devil-may-care outlook is an invitation for trouble, waxing poetic even in the face of death. - Things! -Where the Whiskey Flows - Vice would be his middle name were it not already taken. He holds his liquor well for all the drinking he does. When one hand is occupied already with a set of cards, there’s guaranteed to be a cigarette or a tin drinking cup in the other. Gambling Man - Who can turn down a good bet when the odds are in his favor? He’s an avid card player, sometimes going long stretches if he’s on a winning streak. It’s his primary source of income, and the source of many gripes for other wanderers on the Frontier. Down and Dirty - He likes to keep himself put together when he can, but he gets down and dirty when he has to. Aesthetics are trivial in the long run, even if they’re nice once in a while. He favors hats, owning several but usually donning a gray hat with the brim pinned to one side. MAGIC/ABILITIESDeadeye - Valentine is one hell of a shot. He’s not wanton with his bullets, but he’s always ready to throw down when necessary. He wields dual pistols, kept in holsters at his side and has a knife in his belt. RELATIONSHIPSAnyah Valentine - Wife -Deceased Tamara Valentine - Daughter - Deceased Robert Valentine - Son - Deceased Siegfried Korbin - Alive - The man whose head he wants to turn into a canoe. HISTORYReid Valentine was an ordinary man living an ordinary life. His family hailed from Tynova, moving out to the Frontier in an effort to get away from the big city, to soothe his mother’s failing health. He was a young man when the war with Aeodolis broke out. He was in the middle of his education when he served, as any good Edani would, finishing his service as a medic, along with his degree, not long after. Life was typical, he had his practice in a small town east of Tynova, up and coming, while he lived on the outskirts. Life was idyllic, until there was a life he took, one that had more consequences dead than alive. That soul was the son of Siegfried Korbin, a ‘Captain of Industry’ and owner of several mining projects in that territory. The family was old, and the money even older. No stone turned without paying for the privilege to do so. One life for another, Korbin told him. He owed him, after all. Korbin’s outreach extended beyond pretty labels and broadcasted adverts, if there was money to be made, rest assured Korbin had a hand in it. Valentine unwillingly agreed, his reputation in question, his future on the line. It started small as it always did, trading useful information, drug shipments that conveniently didn’t make it to its destination. Nothing physically involved him at first. But Korbin always wanted more. Facing the threat to his family, Valentine agreed to a final job. He met up with a group of bandits that were working for Korbin to transport a package, a young child from one town to another through a military checkpoint. Valentine knew it was a trap. Nothing about this seemed right. They were walking right into an ambush and he was the target. With luck he managed to spare himself and freed the child, telling them to run anywhere. He took a horse, rushing home, but he was too late. And there across the river, the ridge the glowed a dusty red. His home ignited the night, and bones cuddled together were buried piles of ash. He tracked down the remnant of that bandit outfit, putting lead between their eyes. Every bullet he owns now has Siegfried Korbin’s name on it. EpilogueCurrent ThreadsComplete Threads
25
« on: November 20, 2020, 09:48:01 pm »
Theo became a third wheel to his own weekly outing with his mother. If he'd known finding Andy and inviting her along would have resulted in this, he never would have absolutely not changed his mind. Because, if there was anyone he was happy showing Andy off to, it was his mother. Theo wasn't going to excuse himself from Amitra not a second too soon. Even if Andy was tagging along.
Now they were back at Mom's and drinks were going to be had and lots of merry fun times. He was genuinely excited, even if he was hard-pressed to show it.
He knew exactly where the drinks were too. So he slinked passed the pair once inside to get started on that.
Amitra looked up and around the townhouse at Andy's comment. "Of course not. You think I'd pick these ivory drapes? No, dear. I had a decorator come in and wreck the place. I'm going to have Mani supervise her next time because holy shit, this is what happens when I tell them to surprise me. I'm at fault, I know. But if I'd known the first one had questionable taste, I never would have gone through with it."
The high ceilings were vaulted with sculpted pillars marking the sections between entry hall, dining room, kitchen and living room. A curved staircase swooped up at their immediate right to lead to the bedrooms, a grand piano sat underneath it, old mahogany that had been recently dusted.
Lights shaped like candles ignited the hallway as Amitra led them to where Theo was rummaging through the liquor, fixing drinks at the bar behind the couch. It was a full counter too.
"The living room is the one room she spared. Mani caught her just in time, bless her." The couch was a wide, plush monster. A sectional with a lounging end, and fold out recliners for the other two if needed. "It seconds as a guest bed as well."
"It's super comfy," Theo remarked as he brought out glasses filled to the brim with more alcohol. And plopped down on the lounge, expertly laying the tray drinks on the round center table.
26
« on: November 20, 2020, 09:35:10 pm »
He didn't know what responses to expect from them. It could have gone any which way, but this was the least of all of them. In an effort to stay sane, Hannibal had forced himself to make less sense of the world, drowning his sorrows away in alcohol. Were it not for his squad, it might have washed him away, washed his sins down the drain like yesterday's pain.
He wanted to move on from that. From feeling like the world had ended. The harsh truth was that life went on with or without you, and he didn't want to be left behind. It wasn't his fault, he'd drilled that into his own psyche even though every day without Addie felt like it was.
"Don't apologize," he murmured when they coaxed him into an embrace. His arms were pulled tightly around them and he did what he'd only dreamed of doing every night they were gone. His lips pressed tightly to theirs to silence their rambling. Sweet, short, but powerful and he kept his forehead pressed to theirs.
"It's ok. Don't explain. Don't apologize. You're here now with me. That's all that matters, Addie. That's all I care about. I thought you were dead. I was tired of mourning a corpse, like every ghost that haunted me. I just wanted to see you again. And now every one of those nights missin' you wasn't fruitless. You're back, alive. Shaken, but you're here. Dammit, you're here."
It was his turn to ramble and again he did them both a favor and silenced himself with another kiss.
27
« on: November 20, 2020, 09:06:43 pm »
Hannah didn't come back to Solarta on that evening Rail ride. If the Valkyries went back home, he didn't know anything about it. The coffee had sustained him roughly a few more hours before he decided to succumb to sleep. Right there beside Addie, he laid his head, curled up on his arms until he passed out.
He didn't stir until the bed started to move. Someone else was awake and he was beginning to miss the party. Hannah breathed in sharply, lifting his head when the sheets shifted. Addie had sat up and looked horrified to say the least.
Hannibal grinned through the thick beard he'd developed. "Good morning sunshine. The hospital has a nice glow doesn't it," he muttered gruffly. His voice had an edge to it as he cleared his throat from sleeping. He laid his head back down, keeping his eyes glued to them. "I don't actually know if its morning."
He pat their thigh, half empty. Now he'd have to call them Count Stumpalot. He only hoped they'd take half as well as they might have.
"You look like you had a rough go about it. I'm glad you came back." And his hand squeezed their thigh again, blinking more tears from his eyes.
28
« on: November 20, 2020, 08:13:38 pm »
"Hannah," the voice on call was gripped with tension. "It's Addie."
Those words replayed over and over again in his mind on the Rail ride out DoSaM. It was all he could think about to keep himself from going mad. He'd quite the bottle some time ago, in an effort by Yavul to turn him back into the prime Valkyrie he used to be. Hannibal was a Pilot, he'd been reminded many times. The only way to keep on doing your duty was to stop fucking around and do it.
He needed to be strong, just in case. Just in case there was some chance... Just in case Addie never came back. That even if he was alone, and they were dead, he'd be able to carry on. He'd lost people he loved before. This certainly wouldn't be the last time.
Yavul was damn excited, anxious, trying to keep their spirits up as he always did. He was a damn good commander. He considered everyone before himself. They were a bundle of knots. Who wouldn't be on a day like today?
The sun had gone from daylight to evening in a blink of an eye. Hannibal didn't remember entering the ICU where Pilots could be quarantined to their own room. Visitors were kept to one at a time despite the entire squad ready to pounce and get rowdy and tear the goddamn visitor's section apart.
Hannah's heart pounded in his chest like a bomb timer. Each tick twitched his fingers like a gunslinger on the Edani frontier. He saw Addie, they were asleep and when visiting hours were over, he opted to stay behind while the rest left to go get food. Even the DoSaM cafeteria sucked pretty bad.
"You can come visit them tomorrow morning," the nurse said.
"I ain't seem 'em in a long time, Miss. So you'll forgive me if I ignore the rules and stay behind," he said nodding her dismissal. She sighed after a few seconds.
"Well the cafeteria stays open until midnight. I'll get you a coffee. But if you disturb them, that's it you're gone."
"Understood, Ma'am. Thank you."
And she was gone.
Hannibal sat down on the bed next to Addie and took their hand. "You're in a state, ain'tcha Ratkid. Pfft, man, I never thought I'd get a chance to say that again." And he laughed a little, a chuckle that made his voice clench when his throat tightened and tears rolled down his cheek.
29
« on: November 20, 2020, 07:41:30 pm »
This was the last place Sasha expected a robot to come and hangout. Let alone a robot in a dress that thought they were a person and seemed too anxious about something. He hadn't planned on seeing them again. The feeling likely was mutual.
Sasha nodded to them and pocketed his device. "Sasha," he said and held out his hand to shake. And then remembered that wasn't an option. "I'm just taking the night off to do some socializing." He grinned. Was it better to make it seem as if he hadn't been alone this whole time? Maybe not. "Well, not exactly. But anyway, yeah, come have drinks with me. Or I guess I'll buy double and you'll pretend."
The bouncer at the door looked at the pair and tried to make a grab for Starset once they were going to continue into the facility.
"They didn't pay their cover charge," they said.
Sasha swiped his wrist over the payment module and held a hand up to keep them back. "They're with me. It's fine. I'm just over there." He pointed to the empty corner where he'd been sitting.
He turned to the robot. "Let's go before they make me pay for more people."
30
« on: November 20, 2020, 05:34:49 pm »
People were coming in and out of the Biltry Bar. It wasn't a loud establishment or a rough one. Couples, bikers, party girls, and all sorts were fluctuating in and out. It was diverse and it was a good enough hangout for Sasha to wash down the taste of bad microwave burgers.
His phone went off and he picked it up, thumbing through the notifications until he got the message. "Oh shit," he breathed, leaving the spot he'd been occupying. Someone else might come and take it but it didn't matter. He didn't expect anyone to actually show up, honestly.
He pushed himself up, dusted off his jacket, and squeezed through the crowd to meet this mysterious stranger up by the door. He had no idea who they were. And they had no idea who he was. There were no consequences because they didn't know each other. And he couldn't help but feel excited that something different was happening for once.
And for once, he wasn't being shot at.
He held his phone out and waved it. And then he saw it was the same robot as before. THis time wearing a dress. Well shit.
"Howdy," he greeted and pointed to their chat log. "I'm Nines. You have to be Starset. Am I right or am I right?"
31
« on: November 20, 2020, 10:10:47 am »
Nines: Hello? Hello! Hello. Someone have beer with me immediately.
Starset: Is it normal to ask completely anonymous strangers to meet with you?
Nines: What? Yeah all the time. This is Aedolis afterall. Random hook ups are pretty common.
Nines: Or like we can both be drinking beer right now but I'd prefer it be in person.
Nines: Are you scared of strangers?
Starset: I don't know if scared is the right word, perhaps... Wary? Cautious?
Starset: I've not had beer before, I suppose I could try to join you?
Nines: I'm severely depressed so be warned I'm going to be going hard. How much of a drinker are you?
Starset: Um... I'm not.
Nines: oh shit you're a virgin.
Starset: ... What?
Starset: What does that have to do with drinking?
Starset: How is that related?
Starset: I'm so lost.
Nines: a drinking virgin.
Nines: You never had your cocktail cherry popped have you?
Starset: Oh
Starset: Wait
Starset: What?
Nines: Nothing, But we're going to wrap a tongue around that cherry and uncork it with some teeth.
Starset: I... Okay???
Starset: Where are you even currently located?
Starset: Do you even know?
Starset: Should I call a doctor to your location?
Nines: Meet me at the Biltry Bar on Westing and Andres
Nines: No I don't need a doctor. I need to put my liver into overdrive.
Starset: In Margad? Alright, I suppose... Your liver won't be thanking you later, though.
Nines: Cool, thanks. We'll pop that cherry in no time.
Starset: .... Right........
Sasha didn't venture into chatrooms too often. But when he did it was always a shit show. It wasn't his fault that people were boring these days. Did everyone fun just up and die on him or something? Or maybe he was getting too old and still living in his youngin' days when everyone else moved on and had families and shit. Ugh, that'd be it most likely.
Come to think of it, he never was much of a partier, but it wasn't uncommon in the early days of entering the force, he'd have drinks with his patrol buddies and they'd get smashed. Sometimes find some hot babes, sometimes just crashing on each other's couches. Some of them were married, some of them were finding they weren't cut out for being police.
Sasha was already buzzed when he sent those messages on a public chat. He knew better than to use any real identifying details about himself. Calling himself Nines seemed natural considering he was short one index finger.
He wondered if anyone else noticed. Honestly, he forgot most of the time until he had to pull the trigger. Sasha's middle finger rubbed against the glass of the brewski he'd been favoring, wondering when or even if Starset would show up. Who where they? Did he meet them before? He didn't remember.
He just knew, right now, he didn't want to drink alone.
Again.
32
« on: November 15, 2020, 07:54:34 pm »
Sasha's goal had been agitation. And it worked like a charm. Nothing was scarier than someone telling you everything about yourself that even you didn't know. Shit, Lightshow was so impressive that Sasha half considered asking them if they wanted to work as a negotiator. Not that the pay would be all that impressive, and the hours would be long, and you'd hardly get an opportunity to take vacations - what with Crime never taking vacations. But it could be rewarding in othe ways.
None of those ways came to mind right now.
He watched with a smirk until the bullets started flying. The second they ripped through the hologram and into the stone wall behind them, he braced himself. The bullets stopped when the two criminals started to fight with each other again. He caught a view of where they were, and where to aim.
One peek was all he had to get this right. One chance to make sure he didn't get shot up too. And he bent low and tucked his gun around the corner, firing into the table. His gun fired three shots. One went got stuck in the wall behind them. But the other two managed go through the wood. And there was a grunt and a scream. He didn't know where he'd shot, just that he got the pair.
"YOU SHOT ME IN THE NUTS!" the second man screamed. "JEMMORAH THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"
"STOP FUCKING BLAMING ME!" he cried out back and howled his own agony out as he nursed a shot to his gun arm.
"STOP BLAMING YOU!? I'LL STOP BLAMING YOU WHEN YOU STOP DOING STUPID SHIT!"
"I'M NOT STUPID!"
"YOU'RE A WALKING SHORT BUS!"
"I'LL SHOOT YOU!"
"Enough! Drop your weapons now!" Sasha cried out and moved from cover after he heard two weapons clatter to the ground. He spoke into his watch and called for back-up, a transmission replying quickly, and he kept his gun trained on the pair as Jemorrah kept holding his arm.
He was actually crying. "I've been shot," he sobbed.
"First time?" Sasha asked.
He nodded.
"Tough break, kid. It never gets easier."
Within a few long minutes sirens were heard in the background. And it wasn't long before back up were clamoring down the steps.
33
« on: November 14, 2020, 07:40:17 pm »
There was a time for peace and a time for action. This was neither of those. Because right now all Sasha really wanted to do was nap and curl into a tight ball after watching martial arts movies. It was how he spent his time off anyhow. Tday seemed a particularly shitty scenario where he was sure he earned every bit of that R&R.
He followed the robot. Or rather the projection of what tried to be a person but was just a robot, failing miserably in that endeavor. He would just let them lead the way and when they reached the door, he gently turned the knob, which, surprisingly, was unlocked. Well, he hadn't been expecting that.
He peeked his head in, seeing crates and boxes. Then a stairwell. Just as sure as grass was green, there it was.
This wasn't going to be easy. This would be better if he had back up but again hindsight had better clarity. Or whatever bullshit that was. He was a cop, he was alone (a lightshow wasn't a person, he reminded himself), and he had a perp to catch.
He pressed on ahead through the door down the steps. Here he kept himself pressed to the wall and peeked over the side into a small dimly lit room. Boxes blocked his view, but he saw movement in the spaces between them. There were at last two people that he could see.
From the look of the room, this was the only way out.
"Jemorrah Porosi! Come out with your hands on your head! I know you're in here, this is the police. Just come nice and easy, and no one gets hurt."
That usually worked. Right?
"Fuck! How'd the cops get here so fast!?"
"You fucking idiot! You led them right to us!"
"It wasn't my fault!--"
The two voices were going back and forth. One of them upturned the table as defense, resulting in a loud crash and Sasha ensured that his gun was loaded just in case. He looked back at the lightshow in the doorway. "Think you can help me agitate them? Do mroe of that spooky know-it-all stuff," he hissed to them.
34
« on: November 14, 2020, 06:33:06 pm »
Obviously this mask of compliance was just a ruse to distract him long enough to let the suspect gain inches on him. Well, he'd had just about enough of these foolish shenanigans. Roboto started to stammer, seemed nervous as was not wont by computer systems as far he knew, so it was clear this bucket of bolts was up to something devious. It was acting like a nervous human when it clearly wasn't.
"Shut up. You'll talk to a lawyer or something like that when I say you can," he hissed. "The cuffs are for insurance, in case you try and run. You think I'm going to fall for this old bait and escape technique? Well, you're wrong, bucko. Tell it to the judge."
The last part wasn't really a threat. He just really wanted to say that.
With that out of the way, he tried to grab their wrist and suddenly his hand phased through it. Nothing more than an object passing through a walking lightshow. His heart hammered and adrenaline rushed through his senses then. They weren't real. They weren't even here!
His eyes widened with alarm and his frown deepened.
"Take me to where he is," he demanded, pulling out his sidearm. "Lead the way." He saved the threat of shooting them. Because the cuffs worked out so well.
35
« on: November 14, 2020, 06:17:14 pm »
It did take a second to realize that this wasn't just all in his head. He wasn't just hallucinating. He genuinely wasn't in the right state of mind to be chasing after perps. But this was his only lead and he was going to do what he had to in order to bring the jerkface in. Because everyone today was a jerky jerkface. Even this annoying robot.
Which, by the sound of it, they seemed to know an awful lot about this suspect. "How do you know so much?" he asked, instantly suspicious and scowling tiredly at them. They looked like a funhouse doll that got free from a local carnival. "What are you doing wandering around Margad? You don't belong here, Fancypants. Roboboto, whatever your serial number is."
Of course, the longer he stood there, the longer he risked the suspect actually getting away. And since they seemed to know a lot about this Jemmorah Porosi... "Wait, nevermind," he said quickly. "Don't answer that last question. You better come with me right now or I'm placing you under arrest for obstruction of justice."
And he was quick to pull out the cuffs.
36
« on: November 14, 2020, 05:51:13 pm »
Of course, his day could never be routine. People were crazy, running off into fuck all nowhere making big commotions, interrupting his lunch time. It was a beautiful day, why couldn't they be out walking their dog or just taking a nap instead of being up to no good. Didn't they know he was deadass tired? Didn't they know he just wanted to go home, drown in some beer, and passout with cheesy chip dust on his fingers?
These scum were so selfish.
He sighed, sure no one else was going to make his life any easier when someone spoke up. He was about ready to pop his own head clean off. Oh, all right. Let's get this over with.
Sasha peered at the robot that was speaking, a slender strange thing that seemed out of place on this street, at this time of day, in this city. Margad was by no means a poor man's city, but this wasn't Haviah. Fancy machinery walking about on its lonesome wasn't the usual order of the day.
And here this one was just spitting out information that Sasha, being as tired as he was, hardly could absorb all of it. He just blinked stupidly at them. "I'm sorry, what?" he managed to spit out, feeling like the top part of his head was unscrewing like a mason jar.
"Can you back that up just a wee bit? You're talking at me. Talk to me, son? Child? Robob. One more time."
37
« on: November 14, 2020, 09:31:03 am »
Sasha was already having a bad day. His cruiser was having a bad day. He nearly lost his sidearm and he hadn't slept in at least twenty-six hours. A steady diet of coffee, beef jerky, and some convenience store hot dogs wasn't sitting well with him. The grease was making him sleepy but he forced himself to stay awake.
It was a warm day in Margad, the sun was out and shining, and the verdant greens were supremely vibrant. At least it was a beautiful day. He couldn't complain about that. He'd have plenty of other opportunities for that later. For now, he'd get on his way and hope his cruiser didn't decide to become roadkill along the way.
He wasn't a Pilot. There was no 'best for the best and no less' mentality for military police. Let alone the Inspectors. The best his precinct had gotten was hand-me-down equipment from ten years ago that was already rapidly outdated. He wasn't going to complain. Not until his sargeant yelled at him for not reporting on his stake out for another day. He didn't have a partner so going it alone was always an unpleasant risk.
Sasha drove out and was tempted to buy another back of hot dogs at the shop on the corner. But stopped when there was a sudden scream. The echo between buildings funneled it multiple directions and he stopped to see if there was anything visible in his vicinity. No chance. The people were looking around just as confused as he was.
He got out and kept his eyes peeled, jogging toward the corner where he thought the noise had come from and as he turned, he saw someone running on the opposite side of the street. Instinct kept his muscles taught and he sprung forth through the crowd. "STOP! Police!" he shouted.
"MOVE!" he panted, keeping his eyes in the direction he thought the suspect ran in, and brushed through a cluster of bodies, stopping short of a parked vehicle. And then they were gone.
"FUCK!" he hissed and people parted from around him, not wanting anything to do with what just happened. "Did anyone see where that person ran!? Anyone!?"
Of course, what he should have done was call for backup.
38
« on: May 15, 2020, 10:25:14 pm »
Amitra almost couldn’t believe her ears and nearly choked on her drink when Andromeda openly admitted being forced to learn piano. That said, she could understand where she was coming from. Even Theo stopped his foolish antics and was looking at Andy.
“They decide, of course,” Amitra said daintily and examined her fingernails, one of which needed a touch up. “If not that, we offer other activities they can pursue, from athletics to arts and many others. It’s genuinely up to them whether they want to show up, but most do once they find something they enjoy doing.”
Theo had forgotten about the conversation a moment. He sat up straighter now and stood up, looking over at Andy and Amitra. “Why don’t we get going now, huh? We can talk more on the way to your house, mom.”
Amitra lit up with exuberance and she nodded. “Yes of course! Andromeda, darling, please come along and I can share a cup of tea with you and we can laugh at Theo’s baby pictures! Theo, honey, please get the tab. Thank you, you’re so sweet.”
They up and left before Theo could even protest them and he watched them go. He sighed and paid the tab and tipped before taking another swig of a hard drink the bartender was getting for himself. “That’s what I get for being such a wonderful son.”
He downed it and scurried off after them.
Amitra had plenty of money to live on after the divorce and then some. But she was content to make the most of her townhouse that she had purchased once she was free of Theo’s father. Government money was nice, that was for sure. Her son being a Pilot too had its bonuses, but she never asked anything of him that she couldn’t put forth herself.
In the end, the white palatial two story building had all the comfort one person could ever want. Taking care of it all on her own was a bit much, but having Mani as her housekeeper helped her keep the place tidy when she was away.
Mani was a middle aged woman, little more than a few years Amitra’s younger, and had stayed with her while she was trying to find her own way after a rocky marriage.
Theo took up the rear once they were at the door, and Mani answered it, and stood there in slippers, a robe, and a headwrap to catch her wet hair. “You left by yourself, and brought a party, Ami,” Mani murmured, hands on her hips.
Amitra laughed. “Well, my son has such wonderful friends. I couldn’t help but take us all back here for some comforts of home.”
“I won’t keep you -” Mani paused and caught a glimps of Andromeda, finally recognizing her. She paled and straightened. “Please, come in.”
39
« on: May 15, 2020, 10:24:32 pm »
Theo was partly listening. He was busy balancing his straw on his lips and leaning against the back of his chair. Truth be told he was bored out of his mind and would have gone anywhere but here if it weren't for his mama. Still it was nice not having to entertain. He could just be a fly on the wall and in that way he could be present without having to commit too much of himself to the moment.
So he remained quite juvenile in his straw balancing, content to look bored as his mother and Andy carried on.
Except when Andy asked about her program.
"Its a music program," he answered. "For kids who don't have access to that kinda stuff and wanna mess around with it."
It was an offshoot answer and Amitra rolled her eyes at her son. "Yes, he's got some of it right. Music is what I've thought to focus on right now. We rotate out different arts and trades that the kids might be interested in. So right now kids can pick an instrument to learn and we pair them up with an instructor to teach them. And then they get together to practice in group sessions. It's very exciting seeing them blossom. The instruments and tools of course are free for them to use. I tried to get Theo here to play something, but it never did stick."
"That isn't true. I'm an excellent kazoo player," he said defensively. "You just never asked me to play for you."
"Then you can play for me when we get home."
He pursed his lips, balancing the straw still. "Alas, I don't have my kazoo with me."
Amitra sighed and looked back to Andy. "I guess we're going to get a kazoo before we head back."
40
« on: May 15, 2020, 10:23:49 pm »
Theo was content to be forgotten for now, but he was forced to watch this interaction between Amitra and Andy as if he was watching a really long movie where he knew the ending a mile away and was strapped to the chair he was currently sitting in. Of course the reality was much nicer, he could have left the situation at any time but like hell was he going to just walk away from hanging out with his mom just because Andy was there.
He got to see her maybe once a week if he was lucky. But it was extremely grim reality that held him back: That his mom, his favorite person in the whole wide world, was going to become friends with his boyhood crush, who likely found him to be the cringiest person in the world.
He knocked back the rum and cola way quicker than he wanted and immediately ordered another one, along with a big greasy sandwich to follow. He was here, and this conversation didn’t involve him, he might as well chow down and get comfortable.
“Oh heavens no,” Amitra laughed at Andy’s question. “I’m divorced, retired, and a freeloading ice cold bitch when I please. I have investments that keep me happy, and I get alimony from my garbage ex-husband. So I am very comfortable in the finances department. I donate a good deal of my time and money to organizations I’ve thoroughly checked through. Some of them for animal shelters, and one of them is a creative arts group for children.”
She smiled at Andy and sipped her wine. “I’ve been behind on the Titans’ activities of late. Everything is quiet on the dome-front, right? Your life must be very exciting.”
And Theo was still invisible. He loudly crunched on his turkey bacon cheeseburger and slurped on his drink with a bendy straw.
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