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]

Steven and Lauren are gone..?

[NO BUT THEY WERE BOTH PLANTY FRIENDS WHO LIKED ANIMALS-]

[flashover]

The Rose Queen got Steven?!

[things he remembers from Portland; that this is bad]

[pipers_son]

[UGH WHY DID THE SMALL CHILD HAVE TO RESPOND FIRST- Joker hesitates a moment before speaking again, forcing his voice to be soft.]

Yeah. They're gone, just for now, alright, Reira?

[They have to get them back. Steven, at the very least.]

[pipers_son]

Yes.

[He doesn't really want to go into the details right now, because he knows he'd get pissed if he did.]

[dontpokethat]

[Shit. Shit this is bad - it's bad enough that people are getting taken by fae to begin with obviously, but the Rose Queen getting Steven...]

How long ago was this?

[flashover]

... That means the Rose Queen is here, too!! CRAP! And she has Steven now...! This is bad, this is very bad!

[soft_focus]

So...they're not dead then.

[Important Questions.] ...But how do you get buried without being dead..?

[pipers_son]

By a really angry fae queen.

[So, you know. There are more realistic ways he could describe being buried alive, but, you know what? He's not going to tel her about those right now.]

[prazerbutterfly]

I want to make it very clear that things would've gotten a lot smoother had Lauren not attacked the fae without any provocation to do so. I haven't been here nearly as long as most and I know that attacking a fae is a rather stupid idea.

[He sounds very sour, annoyed, and irritated. Low on cigarettes and without any comforts or vices, he's in a bad mood.]

If you attack a fae without any reason to do so, you sign your own death warrant. Joker is not to blame.

[soft_focus]

That's not a how, that's a who.

I already knew the 'who' part. I just thought, if he's alive, and Niisama and I find that spot, maybe we can dig him out with Kage!

[She's. Taking this rather well, this whole buried alive thing.]

But... ...only if you definitely know he's not dead. ...I don't want to find something dead...

[pipers_son]

We're aware, Rin.

[Okay, just.... breath. He has to keep his calm here, especially around the kids.]

What do you know about the whole thing with the Rose Queen?

[pipers_son]

Only some minutes ago.

[Ginko. It's good to hear Ginko.]

How's things back at the carnival....?

[pipers_son]

Sort of a 'how'....

[But that mumble isn't important, because Joker now has something else to focus on.]

Reira, where are you?

[soft_focus]

Niisama and I are still in the dark somewhere.

[Whoops.] Lambert said to try and find other people...but then Syrlya said to stay in one spot.... ....So I'm just moving when it feels like it's bad to stay here, and telling them when, [She notes, frowning.]

I'm using my shield to make light...

[pipers_son]

So yer already out here..... [Sigh.] Don't try comin' ta find Lauren right now, okay? The Rose Queen could still be around....

We don't need to make her angrier. Right?

[soft_focus]

Oh.

Yeah... ...Niisama doesn't know a lot about faeries yet, so that would be bad...

[REIRA YOU, YOU ARE THE ONE AT RISK-]

Ummm... ...It isn't that I would be looking though, [She explains.] I'm trying to find people, I guess, but...

...None of the paths go the right way... ...so we just move the way that feels right...

[anti_nonsense]

This can't be happening... Steven, too?

It's... it's all just like before, damn it!

[steadydollypegs]

Joker... Please take care of yerself, all this is makin' me worry y'aren' gonna think straight.

[spaghettimonster]

I'm leaving a trail of bones behind, so we know where to look for him... when she leaves.

[If she leaves.]

[haides]

Tis exciting, isn't it? (No, just for you, Hades.) Think of the stories they will have to tell. We mustn't hurry them on their journey.

[pipers_son]

[For fucks sake-]

The opposite.

[pipers_son]

[Papyrus, you're, like.... You're right next to him, practically, so Joker is just going to shut his radio off for a second. While he's been blank over the radio, he sounds a little exhausted- looks it too- when he speaks to the skeleton.]

Thanks, Papyrus.

[pipers_son]

[Fffffffffffffffffffffffu-]

Hey, I'm fine enough ta be on the radio, aren't I? [Gotta sound light for a moment here. He just has to.] Besides, I'm thinkin' fine! Or else I'd be with that fae, ha.

[pipers_son]

[He's in no mood to be reassuring, but, hell, someone has to, so Joker takes a deep breath and schools his voice to the proper tone.]

And what happened before, Rita? Do ya remember?

[pipers_son]

Have ya found anyone else that way?