Public Channel - Day 59

[pipers_son]

[He really didn't want this to happen, but...]

I think it's time we start keeping a list of those who's disappeared, been taken, or is otherwise indisposed.

I'll start.

Lauren has been buried in the ground, somewhere, and Steven Universe has been taken by the Rose Queen.

[He says all of this blankly, matter of factly, and there's only the sound of a shaky breath at the very end.]

Comments

[soft_focus]

Not yet...But...

[What she says next isn't meant to be an insult. Indeed, she sounds more worried than anything, but...]

...it doesn't sound like a lot of the people out here have been going away from dangerous spots either...

[anti_nonsense]

Back in Portland... the Rose Queen's realm... when she had Steven before.

[flashover]

Mmmf. Not much. Portland is kind of a big blur. I think someone asked Mo-- Blue to watch over him and keep him away from her?

[pipers_son]

Well... We were tryin' ta get away from the dangerous spots, but some of us weren't fast enough.

[And others weren't smart enough, but he keeps that locked in. Tyki is being PA enough for both of them, thankfully.]

[pipers_son]

And what happened in the end, in Portland?

[pipers_son]

Well, Blue isn't here anymore. [Almost a pity, really.] So we're going to have to figure this out for ourselves.

Carefully. With plannin'. And no one bein' stupid.

[anti_nonsense]

We got out. Some of us fought back against the Courts.

...But in the end, we only made it out alive because the Ringmaster bailed us out.

[pipers_son]

Yeah, that's something of a reoccurin' theme. Still, we'll get through, alright? We'll get Steven back.

Just have ta think of a way, first.

[anti_nonsense]

I know... We won't abandon him. Or any of those idiots.

It was a lot easier when the fae underestimated us. I don't know how we can catch them by surprise this time.

[pipers_son]

[It's okay if they abandon Lauren, actually-]

We'll talk... We just have ta all get back ta one another again.

[sunflowerfields]

It's not your fault.

...

I don't think she'll hurt them.

[pipers_son]

[Let him just... turn his radio off, since there's no need with her right there.]

Still my responsibility regardless. Guess ya couldn't convince 'em ta just keep runnin'?

[Hinawa seems responsible enough.]

[soft_focus]

Not the most dangerous spots.

The spots that make you feel like something MIGHT get dangerous.

Those kinds of dangerous spots.

[Reira you can't just pin this on gut sense when it's dumb (bad) luck-]

[pipers_son]

Not all of us have that kinda talent, Reira.

[He fuckin' wishes, 'tho.]

[dontpokethat]

[Okay, that's... good, probably. Maybe it means there's a better chance of getting them back quickly. ...He hopes it does.]

...Safe. None of the fae have shown up. Carly's making sure we stay put.

[Which is, doubtless, for the best. For one thing, it simplifies Ginko's own internal struggle on whether to try to go help despite his better judgment. Now there are more ways in which that would be stupid and pointless.]

[pipers_son]

Oh, thank whatever reliable god there is for Carly.

[What a saint.]

[dontpokethat]

Hah, right.

[It probably goes without saying that the more they can minimize kidnappings here, the better.]

...How are the rest of you holding up?

[soft_focus]

....I thought a talent was a thing you learned.

[Well, Reira, learning can be lived experience. Which there is a lot of, in this case.]

personal channel

[pipers_son]

Not kidnapped, so a plus.

...I'll change the channel, hold on.

[Aaaand, go. His voice is a bit lowered as well.]

I think more than a couple of people aren't particularly happy with me for the choices I've had ta make.

[pipers_son]

Sometimes. Sometimes it's also a thing ya just have an easier time with. Like having a good aim.

[Somehow this kind of talk is making him feel better.]

[sunflowerfields]

[Hnnnnnn.]

The lion, he... he only took us as far as the next room over. We could still hear you and we couldn't... we couldn't just leave you all trapped in there.

[So about that 'it's not your fault' thing... turns out it's her's.]

[soft_focus]

....But you can learn to aim...

[Now, Reira-]

...ummm...do you mean something more like seeing in the dark, then? You can't just learn to be better at that one...

[pipers_son]

We would have managed on our own.

[Sighing, he hooks his radio onto his belt.]

Leavin' us is what I wanted all three of ya ta do.

[dontpokethat]

[Ah. Well, he supposes that's to be expected, and switches channels to listen to Joker. Good thing nobody else is in the barn at the moment, although... he starts for his trailer, just to be sure.]

...Always seems to turn out that way with things like this, doesn't it.

[He doesn't know if that's reassuring, necessarily, but it is true. ]

I know you did the best you could. ...What are they unhappy with?

[pipers_son]

Ha.

A bit more like seeing in the dark, then, yeah. That's probably it.