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

[pipers_son]

Not in the physical way.

[Any other way, well...]

Anyway... While she was distracted by Steven, I was tryin' ta get everyone else out, but Yuya.... It felt like he kept fightin' me every step of the way. He even fought me on stayin' behind ta be the last one through.

I know I'm only the bleedin' Stage Manager, but bloody hell.

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[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'.

[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.]