Logfile from M3

Feste, despite being highly distracting, is apparently not important enough to merit notice. Or maybe they just don't appreciate Voltaire; who knows?

The Fool simply watches for a moment, arms crossed over his chest, before shaking his head, and turning away himself. Yeah. Whatever. He's going to find something more interesting than a drunk Robot Master and a twitchy Elite. Oh, and singing cats. Although that was pretty interesting.

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*happily* Hello!"

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<seems unusually subdued, though polite, and warm> Feste... I am glad to hear from you... how is your day going so far?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I'm sure you are. It goes unbearably slowly. That's why I'm calling you."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<still seems dazed, though, oddly, his words come playfully> I could kiss you again?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*audible smirk* Maybe."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<bitterness and a caprice, a playfulness> Uh, fraid I'd have to take a shower first, scrub myself. Some things just have too firm an odor to discard easily."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "...I see."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<brightly, perkily> I doubt it! But it's okay. Everything's going to be okay. Or they won't be,. But it's hard to sit still anymore."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Oh dear. I am being short with you. I am sorry my friend. Please don't hold this against me?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Never, sir. What happened?"

Feste is walking away, too, humming faintly. Fancy that.

Eurasia - Skydeck

A park resides at the top of this station, which is as open to space as any place can get. Massive transparisteel windows cover this area, and pleasant grass and trees are maintained by careful gardening staff. It's very pretty, and not as dark as one might expect for a place that's exposed to space.

Contents: Contents:

Tori [Casual] [C] Enker [Armour] [RM]

Junk Man [Bad incognito] [RM]

Castle In the Sky

Lift Down <LD>: Eurasia - Empire Central Square

You enter the Eurasia - Empire Central Square.

You enter the Teleportation Station--Eurasia.

Teleportation Station--Eurasia

The large teleportation station in Eurasia is second only to the immense chamber found in the massive megalopolis San Angeles. Rows upon rows of teleportation tubes can be seen, spanning an area at least the size of a football field. Each one labeled with it's destination, as well as an entire section devoted strictly to custom locations.

Type 'tel/list' to see a list of destinations and 'tel <location>' to activate the teleporters.

Contents: Contents:

Out <O>: Eurasia - Empire Central Square

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<quietly> ...four of six isn't bad. I shouldn't play favorites, but not even Mother... ...nobody... <falls silent again> I am being confusing. What is the right word. It is not confusing. It is... vague. Not the right word. ..."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "What happened, Hien?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*F's significantly less happy. In fact, he sounds worried.*"

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<quietly> ...not vague, but like it. Cryptic. That works. I am being cryptic. Father is dead. <Said dully, without too much emphasis, as one would note misplacing keys or spilled coffee>"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Yes, you are being cryptic..."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "...and I'm sorry to hear that."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "My Father. Kain. He tried to make the bounty hunter Dynamo answer for what he had done to Matic. He challenged him. He was not successful. <a moment of silence> I'm sorry Feste. I am not being entertaining."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*softly* It's alright. Entertainment isn't the only thing I speak to you for."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Thank you Feste. That makes me feel better. <then, in an odd, small voice> I'm not white anymore. I find myself wanting to say oddly cryptic things, to affect a jaunty sort of detached irony. Is that normal? To comment about the way that death smells or how the blood cracks and flakes as I pull my gi free of my skin. But it seems so shameful."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "'Normal' is such a... broad term. I don't like it. But... why does it feel shameful, Hien? What are you doing wrong?"

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I am making fun of my Father's death, when all I want to do is fall to the cracked earth in this waving gray grass beside him and just let my eyes burn wet again. What is it, when your eyes ache and your chest knots up and you feel like you're going to throw up but it can't get out and so the only thing that does is the salty liquid from your eyes? I feel that and it's making my chest ache, and he smells like death, and I smell like death. When he'd hug me after we trained, I'd smell like him, and it was comforting. Now he smells like he's sick and he's been eating something sweet and there's a sharp scent to it, and it's gotten into my skin, I can feel it. He's still looking like he's shocked and unhappy even with his eyes closed."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*after a pause* It's sorrow, Hien. Sorrow... a terrible, crushing sadness, for which there is no remedy. The thing must run its course... *pause, takes a breath* ... ... ... *Oops. couldn't figure out what to say next, it would seem.*"

[Radio: (K) None] Ebony Fox transmits, "Director. Do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you, in private."

[Radio: (K) None] Abernathy sounds dryly amused. "I'm on my coffee break, sergeant. Is it urgent?"

[Radio: (K) None] Ebony Fox transmits, "Not particularly. But important."

Prismatic Spider arrives from the Eurasia - Empire Central Square.

Prismatic Spider has arrived.

[Radio: (K) None] Abernathy transmits, "All right. I'll contact you when I've finished this discussion with Commander Zero."

[Radio: (K) None] Ebony Fox transmits, "Thank you Director."

[Radio: (K) None] Abernathy says smoothly, "Of course."

Prismatic Spider receives a radio transmission from Bowie.

You activate your radio intercept ability.

Prismatic Spider receives a radio transmission.

You intercept Bowie's transmission to Prismatic Spider: An labeled to Doc Rigger only.

Feste is, for the curious, leaning against the wall in a handy corner, seemingly just sitting there and doing nothing. In reality, he's working the radio -- talking with a certain Strider, and generally listening in on other people's conversations. It's what he does.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I find myself thinking things which don't make sense. Things that I know don't make sense before I feel them. I don't blame Father. It's not his fault he died. Not even I can keep living. You need the heart and the lungs. If they're all ripped out, you can't live. I don't blame him for dying. But I told him. And he didn't listen. And then, although I know it's not my fault he died, I start feeling things. I start feeling, wondering, if somehow he died because I doubted him. And if he died because I didn't step in like I'd wanted to at the beginning, and that he died because getting his honor back meant more to him than I did, because I told him I'd never forgive him if he died and left me alone. I wish there'd been enough time to tell him that I did forgive him, and that I loved him, and that it was okay that he died because of how much hurt Dynamo did when he stuck the energy sabre in from behind him, but he couldn't keep alive very long, and he died before I got there."

Prismatic Spider isn't actually talking with anyone at the moment, but he is glancing at a datapad in his hand randomly as he heads for the teleporter hub. His flicking optics catch sight of Feste, and he stops, pondering for a moment of chaotic rememberances of a shiny Defiant and fukus... And shakes his head, clearing it of those thoughts as he diverts slightly towards the Fool.

Feste is -- distinctly *troubled*. Frowning slightly. Odd, that, even worrying for those who know him. Seeing as his conversation with Hien is going like it's going, he's probably not going to notice Prismatic unless poked. (go on. poke him. it'll be funny!)

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "But is any of that true?"

Prismatic Spider would normally do no such thing, but a random surge in traffic sends the Spider Scientist quickly moving to the side, pressed up against the wall next to Feste as he waits for the raucous group to pass. His optics flick back to Feste, and he smiles slightly, wondering what's going on. Feste seems to be having a bad day.

More like people he cares about are having the worst days of their lives. Well, one of them...

The Fool continues to not notice Prism -- his thoughts are firmly planted elsewhere. He winces slightly, and begins to massage the bridge of his nose with a hand. This just keeps getting more and more... convoluted.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I know that what I said, that I didn't believe him, that I questioned him, that I said those things. It mattered, but he's too good a fighter to have had it matter enough to kill him. Just maybe made him doubt himself? I told him that Matic was a good fighter too, and that I was worried, and I had a bad feeling. I told him. But he said it needed to be done. He said that it was important. I wish he was still here. I don't care if what Dynamo did was bad. I didn't know Matic. Daddy was sad that Matic had died. But I would have wanted Father sad. Even unhappy. Even that, rather than dead and stiff and cold. I didn't mean to doubt him. He's a good fighter. I slighted his honor. I was just worried about him. I told him that Matic was good and he'd gotten killed. I told him. Maybe if I'd told him harder, or more. I could have stopped him. I'm pretty sure my body's built to be stronger than him. He would have hated me, but he'd be alive."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "It wasn't your fault, Hien."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "He did what he thought he had to do."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "He wasn't being smart. He was being stupid. He didn't have to kill Dynamo. It's not even that important. He's gone because he tried to kill Dynamo. He's dead because of something stupid. He died for something stupid. Dynamo didn't even care. He said so. Before he did it. After he did it. TO me. He said it. He didn't care. And he doesn't care. It w as stupid. It's stupid. Daddy was being stupid. And he's dead over it... <he's definitely crying now, but the voice is obstinate, stubborn> He was stupid, and he left me alone. And I'm being selfish and I don't care."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Hien..."

Prismatic Spider turns towards Feste and approaches, standing before the Fool with a concerned expression. "Hello there... We've see each other before, but I don't believe we've met. I am Prismatic Spider, of Repliforce." Maybe Feste will notice now that he's being talked to.

Oh Lord above. He's crying, he's crying, he trusts Feste that much. Cares for him that much. Is relying on him /that much/ to soothe his fears, his sorrow... and the Fool has no comforting words...

Feste is jerked out of his own thoughts by the words offered to him. He snaps to attention rather abruptly, startled -- ah! You caught me!

"Oh! Er... yes, well met. I'm Feste." He makes an earnest attempt at a smile. It's not so good.

Prismatic Spider nods, and holds out his hand in greeting. "You seem distressed. Anything I can help with?"

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "No, just because I don't understand it doesn't mean it's not right or true or something. I'm just not seeing it. But there's got to be something. He did it because he wanted to or needed to. He wasn't not caring, he just wasn't being careful. He just let it get out of hand and now he's gone. And it doesn't matter how he died or if he was being smart or stupid or if I understand at all, because he's dead, and nothing can fix that, not even Uncle. Uncle could remake him but it wouldn't be Daddy any more than if Uncle made a me again and stuff, cause it would have felt different at different times and it would listen to the Voice instead of ignoring it and it wouldnt've kissed you and it wouldn't like ice cream because of the brain freeze rather than just dealing with it and it'd wear white and keep it that way because when Daddy died it wouldn't let him bleed on it to hold him even though it was pointless because he was already dead and he had this straining look on his face and he was fighting so hard Feste. He really tried. In so many ways. None of it makes sense."

Feste laughs; he can't help it. "I'm not so sure about that, Master Spider, but I certainly appreciate the sentiment."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I'm not sure if it's supposed to."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Why is it when the Voice has things to say I don't need to listen and stuff, but when there's stuff like this I don't understand, like when I had kissed you and I wanted to do more and didn't know what, and when Daddy was gone and bleeding on me and I was talking to the Sire that it doesn't say anything."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "What do you mean?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "What's 'the Voice'?"

Prismatic Spider shakes his head, and smiles. "Perhaps if you enlightened me to your troubles, I could see what I could do for you?"

"Probably not a good idea," Feste murmurs, already pushing off of the wall. Looks like he'd rather -not- talk... "But I thank you. Rain check?" Another feeble attempt at a smile.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "<explains calmly> Oh the Voice tells me things. I haven't had a Cipher so it's been kinda pointless what it says, though I could do it with my bare hands, but the Voice tends to be a little overreactionary. It was the Voice that ended up jumping at you that day. I'm sorry about that, but the Voice knows not to mess with you, so you weren't in any danger. I didn't mean to scare you... ...I guess I just tend to react to things a little strongly."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*very mildly alarmed* You have a voice that talks to you?"

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Oh yes. I don't usually listen, as I said, because it usually just tends to start going on and on, and since I don't have a Cipher, I can't really effectively do what it suggests. Usually it just tells me the same old thing, and if I listen to it, sometimes when I'm bored I will, and it'll start to go into details, of how and who and in what way, and how to use this or that detail to make it happen better and faster and such. It could do it on its own, but I don't let it, cause there's no reason to. I don't know if Uncle gave it to me, but it stops if I don't want it to make noises. It only did bad once, and that's when I jumped on you and were about to... ...I'm really sorry at that, but it does know that you're off limits, so again, please don't worry Feste... <a faintly troubled, concerned tone>"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*after a long pause* ...Alright, I won't."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "...are you okay? You sound a bit different than normal, which usually indicates that you are disturbed or some other malady. You sound worried. Are you worried?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I'm worried about you, yes."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Normally I would tell you that you did not indeed need to worry for me, but this isn't a matter of my body, as Father's concern for me had been... <still pain in his voice, raw and still choking, but it didn't stop his voice. He accepted that Kain was dead, and accepted the deeply wounding lashes of grief without hesitation or defense, and it sounded like it> ...so I do not know. Why are you worried? Are you worried that I will kill you Feste? I can stop myself from doing that, no matter what you did. You could thrust a knife into me, and I would be able to avoid killing you. ...why are you worried Feste?"

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I am worried /for/ you, Hien."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "About you."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I hate to see anyone suffer, least of all you."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "It's not that I'm afraid you're going to hurt me, either... *murmured* more that I'm going to hurt myself... *normal* But..."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Feste. I am perfection. The only thing that could hurt me has happened. Father is dead. He has left me. I cannot stop the pain but I cannot bring him back. The wound will, as most wounds do, close eventually. Whether cleanly, which I doubt, or messily and slowly, it will close. ... ... ...<quieter now> I'd thought of ...leaving... when Father had turned away from me, and hadn't wanted me any more... but he has been cut down, and he did not hate me as he died. So I do not think of leaving. I am not sure I would be able to follow him where he went, and I do not wish to go. ...It hurts. This pain does not bring the Voice so strongly though. It's more lamely offering advice on how to terminate Dynamo. I am perfection, and therefore more than either of my Sires, but this one killed them both so easily. I will have to wait till I've had at least a while once I manage to tame father's Cipher. It doesn't protest quite so hard, but it still shifts grips and swings badly, but then, it's not MY Cipher, and it doesn't like me. I don't know if it ever will... ...I am not what Father was. I am not wise and warm and guiding and self assured and pure and honorable. The Yang senses the Voice and hates it. It doesn't like me. I loved Father but his weapon will not follow me, and I am not forcing it."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Hien, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the world can always find more ways to make you hurt."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Good luck with your... cipher, however... I get the feeling that you are not the only person who would love to see the bounty hunter dead."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I know. I don't even really want to. The Voice has no real imput. I have to, though. Not for Father's honor. I'm sure he doesn't care, wherever he is. But he felt a need to. He DIED for it. He left me because he felt that the bounty hunter had to die. ...it was that important to him. I have to finish it for him. <he seems reluctant, though it could be just depression> I hope I do not hurt more. The Voice tends to get stronger if I get hurt. It gets out if I get hurt. It did last time, but it left when the bounty hunter took Father from me. I don't like it when it gets out, I don't like it. It's odd, like being sleepy. I don't like sleep. Sleep is boring."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*musing* ...you don't like not being in control."

[Radio: (A) None] Liese Schreiner transmits the sound of meat sizzling on what is probably a grill of some sort.

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "I don't like not being in control, no. It takes a physical act of will to step into a teleporter. But the strange thing was that once I think, it was nice. I don't know why. I hate being out of control, but when I kissed you, it wasn't bad, and I didn't mind not being in control at the moment. But then, you wouldn'tve made me kill you by attacking me, so I didn't have to worry about things happening. I'm designed to be in control. Only Mother has me. She has me because she made me and I follow her. And only you reassure me, because I feel safe around you. But other than that, I cannot let myself out of control. It's not what I was made to do. I am perfection. The Voice is there if I do need it, but whether to the Voice or to another, I cannot let a hand direct me that I do not allow to."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Mhm... I see. Yes, I see. I don't think I am much afraid of you anymore, Hien."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Thank you. I was created as a creature of movement, and of blades. The Voice helps me. It allows me to move, to do, to be, without needing to be hurt from it. I am not sure, it is quiet now... but thank you. I never want to scare you, I just want to be your friend. And maybe if you let me protect you now and again, that'd be nice too. Though I know, no more kisses, and I'm fine with that. <whistful, regretful, but understanding> Thank you Feste, for allowing my friendship."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*quiet chuckle* And thank -you-. I could always use the occasional helping hand... as for kisses... well, I'll think about it. *He /must/ be grinning.* Thank you, Hien, for taking the time to listen to a Fool."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "I can always thoroughly appreciate those who give me a small portion of their time."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Perhaps you are of a different definition of fool Feste, but you are no more a fool than my Father is. You are a ...very... ...the words are not easy to grasp, but the amalgm of what you are is a thing not to be lost. You are a great thing in this world Feste. And... the only thing I ask... ...is that, since I am set away from these kisses with you, if you do decide you want it, you'll have to, because I can't. Please? <faintly unsure, hesitent> ...and you have as much of my time as Mother does not require. She does not see me any more. She is busy. I accept this. So the likeliness of her and you needing me for something at the same time is low."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "It's an archaic definition I use to define myself, Hien -- I'll have to explain it to you some time... *pause* You too are a wonderful being, Hien. I do delight in talking to you. I'll... do that. I'll keep that in mind. Yes, I shall... listen, I am afraid I must attend to other matters..."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "As I am afraid I must as well. It'll be fine for five minutes. I wonder if I should run, but the corner store knows to hurry. ...Truth be told I know not why I do this, but I cannot leave, not yet."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "*blink* Very well... be well, Hien. Peace be upon you."

[Radio] Hien sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "May things go well for you, and a kind, guiding hand be on you when you need it. I will speak with you soon my friend."

[Radio] You send Hien a direct message: "Indeed. *click*"