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

[anti_nonsense]

Francis, too... but he'll be okay on his own. [He's an independent, self-reliant kitty.]

...I'm stuck in these stupid halls. I was with a group, but we got separated.

[dontpokethat]

That's... something. [The Rose Queen's influence can be broken, he knows that much. ...He just hopes they don't have to set Steven's face on fire to do it.

And that they can... you know, get him back to begin with.

He sighs, sitting back on his bed and pushing a hand through his bangs.]

Can't say I'm too surprised. [He doesn't know Yuya particularly well, really, but from what he's seen of him...] He seems like the type not to accept leaving anyone behind, even if it's the only option.

[prazerbutterfly]

Whatever we must, good sir.

[Sorry Joker but he's butting in.] Do pardon my interruption but Joker has better things to do that theorize on the unknown at the moment. We are in a tight situation.

[pipers_son]

Tell me about it. And then ya combine him and Zaka together...

[s i g h]

....I didn't want ta leave 'im behind either. [It's a quiet, miserable confession.]

[pipers_son]

Well, I'm still stuck in these stupid halls with my group. So while we're all tryin' ta find our way out, do ya think ya could figure out who's where, and what they can do?

The first step ta plannin' is preparation~. [And it'll give her something to do. He'd do it, but dealing with everyone he's with is tiring enough.]

[dontpokethat]

...I know you didn't.

[He'd be shocked if Joker was any kind of okay with that.]

But you had to get the others out safely. You did the best you could, under the circumstances.

[He's sure of that much.]

[pipers_son]

I wish these kids could get that.

[Another heaved out sigh before there's a pause as he checks up on the rest of the group.]

Sorry for unloadin' all that on ya.

[dontpokethat]

Give them some time to cool down. Maybe they'll realize it on their own.

[That can't be guaranteed, of course, but... leaving them for now is probably better than pushing the issue, in any case.]

Don't worry about it. I'll keep my radio on in case you need to talk more, okay?

[By which he means, please keep calling him every so often while you're stuck out there.]

[pipers_son]

Would ya believe me if I said I was all tired out of talkin'?

[Don't, because it's a lie. Joker will talk forever, even when he's exhausted. The only cure is complete unconsciousness.]

But, ah... While yer there... Can ya keep an eye on Doll?

[dontpokethat]

Absolutely not. But, I would if you said you wanted to take a break, or talk about something different.

[He knows you, okay, Joker.]

Sure. I can do that.

[betheman]

Even so, there could have been more to do for them, at least..! Whether to protect them from sight, or to hold them firm, or-!

[It occurs to him what Joker is asking, and he looks up- rather bloodshot and watery eyes blinking.] A-

Wh-where... Joker, I, the man Gongenzaka, am quite uninjured, I assure you... [So he says, even as a vine wipes a bit of tears from the iris-less and scarred eye.]

[pipers_son]

Ha.... [Called out again.] Anyway, thanks. She's.... rather cross with me right now. And I don't want her ta do anythin'.

[pipers_son]

Then would ya mind if I checked myself? Just ta be sure.

[Too late, he's trying to poke and prod anyway.]

Besides.... If that's the case, aren't I just as bad?

[dontpokethat]

[Only seems fair, given how much Joker does it to him.]

Sounds like it. I'll make sure she doesn't try anything rash; don't worry.

[Any more than he already is, at least.]

[betheman]

....Very well, [he mutters, ears flicking a bit uncomfortably. There is, at least, some pause-] Hmm?

....Ahhh... ....I, the man Gongenzaka, suppose we were both at least clipped by ice, then... [He notes, sighing.]

[anti_nonsense]

Hmph...

For the record, the people I was just with were Herbert, Jasper, Zangetsu, and Yuzu. At least half of them aren't pushovers... so maybe they'll manage.

[pipers_son]

[Joker is at least gentle as he searches for any signs of particular bleeding areas. Everything seems fine so far, bu...]

Guess so.

But, y'know... Ya can't protect someone when they make the decision ta step out from behind a shield, or when they ignore orders that would keep them safe. Understand?

[pipers_son]

And hopefully the ones who aren't pushovers will listen ta the ones with sense. [The two don't always show up in the same person, after all.]

Anyway, on my end, I'm with Hinawa, Gongenzaka, Susan, Tyki, Papyrus, and Yuya.

[betheman]

...

...Aah. I, the man Gongenzaka... [Yet his voice breaks, and his lips curl, the man's entire body tense.] ...I...

...An attack cannot be used...but even my words were useless, before anyone struck..! How can I, the man Gongenzaka, protect those with me from such things...

If I have nothing against them..?

1/3

[pipers_son]

Yer not listenin'.... The fact of the matter is that sometimes, ya just can't-

2/3

[pipers_son]

[...]

3/3

[pipers_son]

....Zaka, are yer tears red?

LMFAO JOKER

[betheman]

[...What.]

....I... ...Red, Joker..? [An interesting note- he's still got the red vines dabbing at his eyes, and what's staining the darker fur doesn't seem...red so much as brown.

It's only on the white, it looks like. Hmm.]

...What are you speaking of..?

[Also, he was totally listening, just let him wonder what the heck he's supposed to do against a faerie if he runs into one again-]

LISTEN THIS IS IMPORTANT

[pipers_son]

Yeah, red- [Gosh darnit, Gongenzaka, let him just.... Reach up to turn your head... Is he going to have to fly for this?] Look back at the rest of ya, c'mon.

[WORK WITH HIM, YOU GIANT TEENAGER]

[Yet even as he's trying to do that, he continues to talk.]

Basically, can ya change the color of the sky?

[betheman]

[Hey he's tall but not that tall-especially with his lower body on the ground. Standing should be fine for you, even if he does snort a bit when Joker starts feeling around his face.]

...

If it is as impossible as that, you yourself would not have attempted to speak at all, I imagine.

At the very least, when it came to distraction, you succeeded with far greater success. I, the man Gongenzaka...

...Did not. It did not work as such at all, when I myself spoke.