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]

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

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

[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?

[anti_nonsense]

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

[pipers_son]

And what happened in the end, in Portland?

[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.

[anti_nonsense]

If we can even do that before they get their hands on the Rose...

[Because if that happens, they're pretty much screwed.]

[pipers_son]

So it hasn't been taken yet, huh? One good thing....

[anti_nonsense]

Yeah. I think we'd know if it was.

It doesn't look good, though. Most of us are scattered, and the few people still at the carnival aren't in any position to defend it.

[There's a little more strength in her voice now, at least. It's easier when she's thinking about the problems, more than feeling them.]

[pipers_son]

[That's good- and it helps him, too.]

I know Ginko is still there. Do ya know who else?

[anti_nonsense]

Carly, Cole... [A pause. There was someone else who mentioned being at the carnival, but...] Some new guy.

[She means Rhys.]

[pipers_son]

And a lot of menagerie animals, for whatever good that does us.

What are ya doin' right now, Rita?

[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.

[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.]

[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]

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.

[anti_nonsense]

Good.

...I'm going to get moving. I'll keep checking the radio for updates in the meantime.

[There might still be something she can do... She just has to stay focused.]

[pipers_son]

Good. I'll be listenin' for ya.

[It'll be something for both of them to do.]