UNTITLED SMP
UNTITLED SMP
Characters present: Joco, Cinder
Date: 3/20/24
Season: 3
[Joco sits at their desk, working on a map of Verde Drug. The original blueprints, more like a hastily written sketch than a blueprint, sit next to them. Cinder runs in from outside, their voice shattering the silence around Joco.]
[16:06:40] <?[rp] cinder> hey joco, you didn't answer the door so I- oh there you are
[16:06:42] <?[rp] cinder> hi!
[Joco leaps up from their chair, ears flicking back, startled.]
[16:06:48] <?[rp] Joco> HELLO
[16:07:01] <?[rp] cinder> hi! Sorry, did I scare you?
[16:07:03] <?[rp] Joco> You!!!! Definitely didn't jumpscare me!!
[16:07:18] <?[rp] cinder> hmm, definitely
[Joco takes a deep breath, smoothing down their hair standing on end.]
[16:07:26] <?[rp] Joco> Ah hah. Hah . Hi
[16:07:31] <?[rp] Joco> What. Uh. Brings you by?
[16:07:38] <?[rp] cinder> sorry about that, you just weren't answering the door and I figured you were in here
[16:08:02] <?[rp] cinder> I. Probably should have just tried to send you a message rather than just coming in. hmm.
[16:07:58] <?[rp] Joco> Sorry, must have been more focused on my work than I'd thought
[Joco sets it down, rubbing the back of their neck.]
[16:08:45] <?[rp] Joco> I'm not sure where my comm is, so I don't. Think I would've gotten a message, anyhow
[16:09:14] <?[rp] cinder> Ohhhhh okay that makes more sense
[Cinder looks down at Joco’s papers on the table.]
[16:08:07] <?[rp] cinder> What'cha working on?
[16:08:18] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, just a bit of a map of Verde Drug, nothin' major
[16:08:41] <?[rp] cinder> Ooh neat
[16:08:51] <?[rp] cinder> Are you- Are you mapping it from memory?
[16:09:09] <?[rp] cinder> Cause normally to map it you would. Go there?
[Joco lifts up the original blueprints.]
[16:09:07] <?[rp] Joco> I have blueprints! I'm not THAT knowledgeable of the layout
[Cinder narrows their eyes as they realize what Joco said before.]
[16:09:33] <?[rp] cinder> What do you mean you arent sure where your communicator is?
[16:09:38] <?[rp] Joco> Uh.
[16:09:42] <?[rp] Joco> Well, y'see.
[16:09:51] <?[rp] Joco> I haven't seen it. In about .
[16:09:56] <?[rp] Joco> 4? 4 days.
[16:10:04] <?[rp] Joco> Probably more
[16:10:20] <?[rp] cinder> Four?? Did you lose it somewhere? Do you want my help to find it?
[16:10:32] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, I just tossed it somewhere around here. I'm sure it'll show up
[16:10:35] <?[rp] cinder> You're so far out from Verdegris, isnt it important you have it? What if someone needs you?
[16:10:45] <?[rp] cinder> What if you need someone and cant find it?
[Joco scratches the back of their head and looks down at the floor. They laugh a little.]
[16:11:28] <?[rp] Joco> It's fine, really. I'm sure folks can handle things without me, right?
[16:11:41] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah, but...
[Cinder sighs.]
[16:12:17] <?[rp] cinder> You look tired, Joco. Are you... okay? I mean normally I see you around or something but I haven't even heard from you for a little while
[16:12:35] <?[rp] Joco> I uh. Yeah, I'm fine. Sure!
[16:12:39] <?[rp] cinder> And you don't normally lose stuff. Or not notice someone at the door
[16:12:40] <?[rp] Joco> I've been around.
[16:12:55] <?[rp] Joco> Upstairs, downstairs. This floor.
[16:13:10] <?[rp] Joco> My Tubes space
[16:13:14] <?[rp] cinder> That's! Not really 'around'!
[16:13:22] <?[rp] cinder> How long have you just been... In your place?
[16:13:23] <?[rp] Joco> I meaannnnnn
[16:13:32] <?[rp] Joco> Uh. No clue?
[16:13:48] <?[rp] Joco> Lost track of days for a bit. It's fine. We're chillin'
[16:14:05] <?[rp] cinder> Have you seen anyone? Besides me now obviously
[16:14:27] <?[rp] Joco> I mean. I saw Wiz a couple days before not leaving here. That's someone!
[16:14:47] <?[rp] cinder> And you haven't left here in a while?
[16:14:58] <?[rp] Joco> Yeup
[16:15:25] <?[rp] cinder> Are you sure nothing's wrong?
[16:15:26] <?[rp] Joco> Finished making a dam and lake for Wiz, stocked it. Things- happened. Been here since.
[16:15:35] <?[rp] cinder> Things?
[16:15:40] <?[rp] Joco> Things! Yeup .
[16:15:49] <?[rp] cinder> And those things are- ?
[16:15:53] <?[rp] Joco> It's a good lake, I think . At least 75 salmon stocked, I brought them there myself
[16:16:23] <?[rp] Joco> Tried naming some squid so they'd last, but they tend to beach themselves
[16:16:01] <?[rp] Joco> Mhm. They're good fish.
[16:16:21] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah, I'm sure they're great. Do you want to go show me?
[Joco glances out a window.]
[16:16:42] <?[rp] Joco> Uhhh
[16:17:05] <?[rp] Joco> Let's. I think take a raincheck on showing off the dam, mhm.
[16:17:12] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah, okay. I figured
[16:17:21] <?[rp] cinder> So, those things that happened?
[16:17:29] <?[rp] cinder> You kinda got a bit... distracted with the dam
[16:17:32] <?[rp] Joco> They sure did happen!
[16:18:09] <?[rp] Joco> Uh huh.
[16:18:11] <?[rp] Joco> Yep
[Joco claps their hands together as Cinder’s attention starts to wander around the house.]
[16:19:38] <?[rp] Joco> Enough about me! How've you been? What brings you by?
[16:19:40] <?[rp] cinder> What.... What happened, exactly?
[16:20:07] <?[rp] cinder> Well. I had some things I needed to tell you about, but... I'm gonna be honest I don't really want to move on from this conversation yet
[Joco heaves a sigh, a little bit whiny, before he gestures to the table behind Cinder.]
[16:20:51] <?[rp] Joco> How 'bout we sit down for chattin' time?
[Cinder nods, taking a seat at the table. They frown slightly, a bit put off seeing Joco like this, they worry about him.]
[16:21:12] <?[rp] Joco> So. Uh. Hm.
[16:21:29] <?[rp] Joco> Are you familiar with the concept. Of
[16:21:30] <?[rp] Joco> Hm.
[16:21:32] <?[rp] Joco> Souls?
[16:21:48] <?[rp] cinder> I... Guess?
[16:21:59] <?[rp] cinder> Ish? Is that an acceptable answer?
[16:22:03] <?[rp] Joco> Sure!
[16:22:30] <?[rp] Joco> They're. Basically, it's like. The part of your code, kind of, that contains your personality. The mind part, the heart, the emotions and thoughts and all that.
[16:22:46] <?[rp] Joco> Depending on the server and world, souls can present differently, but that's the basic gist
[16:22:51] <?[rp] cinder> So kind of like a player name? Wiz taught me about those the other day
[16:22:57] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah, kind of!
[16:23:15] <?[rp] Joco> Player names are a bit different, I think? Maybe? Most worlds that are more aware of souls lack awareness of player names
[16:23:31] <?[rp] Joco> Honestly, no clue, no college I've ever visited covered both.
[16:23:55] <?[rp] cinder> I forget you've done so much studying. Explains why you know so much
[16:24:15] <?[rp] Joco> I've mostly taken intro-level courses. Dozens of intro-level courses, of course, but. Still
[16:24:31] <?[rp] Joco> Only graduated a couple times
[16:24:47] <?[rp] cinder> You cant say that so casually! That's impressive!
[16:24:44] <?[rp] Joco> Anyways! Souls. They're the you part of you. Yeah.
[16:24:56] <?[rp] Joco> How familiar are you with the concept of player sacrifice?
[16:25:12] <?[rp] cinder> Uh. In what sense?
[16:25:49] <?[rp] Joco> As in... killing a player, most often permanently, in order to gain favor of a deity, or gain part of the player for some other purpose
[16:26:07] <?[rp] cinder> That's what Prince did, right? With himself
[16:26:13] <?[rp] Joco> Yes!
[16:26:24] <?[rp] Joco> He did do that. Under the wedding venue.
[16:26:41] <?[rp] cinder> This is. A lot of preluding info. A lot of concerning preluding info
[16:26:52] <?[rp] Joco> There's also. Killing someone to take their soul so you can use it for something.
[16:27:39] <?[rp] cinder> Right, okay
[16:27:45] <?[rp] Joco> So uh. Basically? I uh. Got a little kidnapped? By Prince and Ion? And they tried to sacrifice me and steal my soul. Under the wedding venue.
[16:27:57] <?[rp] cinder> Oh my god
[16:27:59] <?[rp] Joco> I'm. I'm fine. I've got my soul. I don't know if the same is true for Prince?
[16:28:00] <?[rp] cinder> Are you okay?
[16:28:11] <?[rp] cinder> Shit, stupid question
[16:28:25] <?[rp] cinder> Um. Fuck. What the fuck. Where are they now?
[16:28:27] <?[rp] Joco> Ion... Ion stopped it in the end? Killed Prince, his soul got taken I think??? But then Ion de-sculked
[16:28:42] <?[rp] cinder> Shit. Holy fuck
[16:28:47] <?[rp] Joco> Ion's currently up on my roof patio thing in a bed of moss. They haven't . Woken up since.
[16:28:54] <?[rp] Joco> I. Yeah.
[16:28:56] <?[rp] cinder> Oh my god.
[16:29:06] <?[rp] Joco> so. That! that.
[16:29:08] <?[rp] Joco> that's that
[16:29:25] <?[rp] cinder> For void's sake that's.
[16:29:37] <?[rp] cinder> Do you want a hug? I really don't know what else to do right now
[16:29:45] <?[rp] Joco> I think I might scream?
[16:29:51] <?[rp] cinder> Okay! No hug then!
[16:30:03] <?[rp] Joco> They. So. I managed to get away for a bit, but. I did get a bit chased through the nether.
[16:30:23] <?[rp] Joco> Prince did a weird transformation thing and grabbed me. It. Yeah.
[16:30:28] <?[rp] Joco> Holding off on hugs for a bit.
[16:30:24] <?[rp] cinder> That must have been terrifying
[16:30:34] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah!! A bit! I'm ok.
[16:30:38] <?[rp] Joco> I'm fine. I'm ok.
[16:30:48] <?[rp] cinder> I don't.... I don't think you are
[16:30:49] <?[rp] Joco> I'm alive and that's what matters, right?
[16:31:02] <?[rp] cinder> There are plenty of things worse than death, I think
[16:31:17] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah, but. I mean, it's hardly the first time I've been kidnapped
[16:31:28] <?[rp] cinder> That is not a normal sentence!
[16:31:34] <?[rp] cinder> What do you mean??
[16:31:39] <?[rp] Joco> Cinder, I was a kid for about. Shit, what's math
[16:31:49] <?[rp] Joco> We're counting kid cut-off as being 18, right?
[16:31:54] <?[rp] cinder> Sure, why not
[16:31:55] <?[rp] Joco> Six times forty.
[16:32:05] <?[rp] Joco> Two-hundred and forty years of being a kid
[16:32:10] <?[rp] Joco> Then
[16:32:10] <?[rp] Joco> So
[16:32:23] <?[rp] Joco> I spent a while being easily kidnappable by size alone
[16:32:40] <?[rp] Joco> It's bound to happen
[16:32:44] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah, I guess that makes sense. It's just... Terrifying. I'm sorry
[16:32:51] <?[rp] Joco> It's not your fault
[16:33:01] <?[rp] cinder> I know, but i still feel bad for you
[16:33:06] <?[rp] Joco> This was the most violent kidnapping, though. I think.
[16:33:31] <?[rp] Joco> Usually it was for ransom, or for labor, or something like that. Player sacrifice is. Generally a bit rarer?
[16:33:29] <?[rp] cinder> So Prince is... Dead? Maybe without a soul? what does that mean for someone like them?
[16:33:43] <?[rp] Joco> I don't think Prince is dead-dead.
[16:33:58] <?[rp] Joco> i think just. That shard of Prince is gone. In the. Nether star they'd prepped to hold my soul .
[16:34:06] <?[rp] cinder> If I see him again I'll try my best to make it happen
[16:34:11] <?[rp] Joco> Pfft
[16:34:18] <?[rp] Joco> Thank you, Cinder
[16:34:30] <?[rp] cinder> I'll fucking hurt him. As best I can. i don't care how ineffective it'll be
[16:34:42] <?[rp] cinder> I can't believe they would do that to you.
[16:34:49] <?[rp] Joco> I mean. Please stay safe yourself, kiddo
[16:34:54] <?[rp] cinder> And Ion,,,, Is on your roof?
[16:35:07] <?[rp] Joco> Ion's up on. I'm calling it a patio because it's not really roof.
[16:35:21] <?[rp] cinder> Right. Shit, that's gotta be its own type of terrifying
[16:35:25] <?[rp] Joco> They've got moss. Mooshrooms for company. They're. I really hope they wake up at some point.
[16:35:47] <?[rp] cinder> I'm sure they will. I just hope they don't try take up their quest to steal your soul again
[16:36:24] <?[rp] Joco> I mean. They have A soul. In their possession. To use
[16:36:35] <?[rp] cinder> What did they even want it for?
[16:36:38] <?[rp] Joco> They wanted it to make a Command Block.
[16:36:53] <?[rp] Joco> Didn't know you could make those, but. Sure. A soul for it. Why not.
[16:37:01] <?[rp] cinder> Why not indeed
[16:37:06] <?[rp] cinder> Why did they want one?
[16:37:15] <?[rp] Joco> ... I don't know?
[16:37:41] <?[rp] Joco> I was more focused on. Surviving. Than asking follow up questions
[16:37:41] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah, fair enough
[16:37:57] <?[rp] cinder> And so you've been in here since it happened?
[16:38:06] <?[rp] Joco> Yeeeeeup
[16:38:17] <?[rp] cinder> You must have been... Terrified
[16:38:24] <?[rp] cinder> Why didn't you contact any of us?
[Joco looks away. They trace the grains of wood in the table with their eyes.]
[16:38:32] <?[rp] Joco> I uh.
[16:38:38] <?[rp] cinder> We could have come round and helped. Kept you company, at least
[16:38:40] <?[rp] Joco> Well. Uh.
[16:39:01] <?[rp] cinder> Even just made sure you were eating and sleeping. Have you been?
[16:39:35] <?[rp] cinder> Sorry. I'm being a bit pushy. Im just worried
[16:39:41] <?[rp] Joco> Well. After not telling anyone about the kidnapping happening, because I really should have when Ion came asking me to follow her, and then not. Being able to call anyone while being chased.
[16:39:43] <?[rp] Joco> I just kinda.
[16:39:45] <?[rp] Joco> Y'know.
[16:40:07] <?[rp] Joco> It's. The kidnapping's over. Shouldn't bother anyone if the danger's passed.
[16:40:24] <?[rp] Joco> Shoulda told someone before or during. After is too late
[16:40:39] <?[rp] cinder> That sorta stuff doesn't just stop being a problem when the event itself is done. I have the wing damage to prove it
[16:40:45] <?[rp] Joco> I mean. Yeah
[16:41:23] <?[rp] Joco> But. We don't even have debriefing here, we're not in a war, so. Follow-up isn't . Necessary. Causing trouble over what has passed is unneeded.
[16:41:39] <?[rp] Joco> If we don't need to file paperwork for it, then supervisors don't need contacting.
[16:42:07] <?[rp] cinder> It's not... It's not about debriefing or supervisors it's about helping you! You're my friend!
[16:41:47] <?[rp] cinder> I don't care about the kidnapping itself. I care about the fact it happened to YOU. Which is maybe fucked up but i dont care about that, I care about you. And I want you to feel safe
[16:42:49] <?[rp] cinder> Besides who's to say you didn't have any injuries that needed taking care of. Even if they're ones in your head
[Joco’s face warms as they tuck their recently healed tail under their chair. They’re starting to look ashamed.]
[16:42:35] <?[rp] Joco> I did almost message someone a few times. That's. That's why I threw my comm.
[16:43:28] <?[rp] Joco> I've dealt with this kind of thing for over 600 years, I. Surely I can deal with it on my own, right?
[16:43:29] <?[rp] cinder> I just... I get it. I really get it. And that's why I'm so upset, cause you dont deserve to feel like that
[16:44:00] <?[rp] cinder> You don't have to deal with it on your own, though. If you swear that I don't need to deal with what's wrong with me on my own now, surely the same goes for you
[16:44:25] <?[rp] Joco> You're young, though! You've not had time to learn about this shit, or, or, or experience in this kind of shit
[16:44:54] <?[rp] cinder> Knowing what it's like doesnt stop it from hurting! Or scaring you, or screwing you up!
[Joco hums, but the tone seems nervous rather than anything else.]
[16:45:26] <?[rp] cinder> You're way older than me, yeah, but you're still a person
[16:45:53] <?[rp] cinder> Besides. How am I meant to know getting help is okay if you won't do it? Gotta set a good example for the kids, Joco
[Cinder teases Joco hesitantly. Joco coughs out a burst of laughter.]
[16:46:18] <?[rp] Joco> I can't believe you'd make an old man joke at me at a time like this
[16:46:19] <?[rp] Joco> You little shit
[16:46:37] <?[rp] cinder> I learned from the best! Wiz calls you a bad influence on me
[16:47:03] <?[rp] Joco> That's 'cause Wiz is my age and looks more like it
[16:47:15] <?[rp] Joco> Old man. So boring. Forgotten the ways of youth
[16:47:27] <?[rp] cinder> Whereas you could pass as a spry young 120 year old
[16:47:41] <?[rp] Joco> You come to my home. And BULLY me
[16:47:50] <?[rp] Joco> Oh! Hey! Actually!!
[16:47:54] <?[rp] Joco> Why DID you pop by?
[16:47:58] <?[rp] Joco> Just a visit, or?
[16:47:59] <?[rp] cinder> well hey, not like you were leaving your house for me to do it
[Joco rolls their eyes at Cinder.]
[16:48:34] <?[rp] cinder> Ah, well! There's... Hmm. There's been some things happen in regards to Wizard and i researching my wings
[16:48:53] <?[rp] cinder> And... They said I should come talk to you about it all. That you'd 'get it'
[16:49:03] <?[rp] Joco> Can we define terms?
[16:49:07] <?[rp] cinder> But it's kinda heavy, so now likely isnt the best time
[16:49:23] <?[rp] Joco> Buckaroo, there is no best time, only the present
[16:49:31] <?[rp] cinder> True enough, I guess
[16:50:05] <?[rp] Joco> By 'it' do you mean world ending, wing trauma, being blond, uhhhhh
[16:50:16] <?[rp] cinder> Ha! Maybe all three?
[16:50:24] <?[rp] Joco> Ah, how lovely
[16:50:05] <?[rp] cinder> I basically... Told him about what happened to injure my wings, then we looked at my code and there's some things wrong. And so we made a plan for what we can do to maybe fix it.
[16:50:11] <?[rp] Joco> Ah
[16:50:37] <?[rp] Joco> A plan, you say?
[16:50:42] <?[rp] cinder> Though one of those things is clearly worse than the others. How dare we be blond
[16:51:02] <?[rp] Joco> Such a terrible thing, truly
[16:51:03] <?[rp] Joco> So immoral
[16:51:24] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah. Um, so basically, the problem with my wings is something wrong with my code itself. Essentially I have... Some sort of corrupted Void code in me, that's what is doing the damage to my wings
[16:51:36] <?[rp] Joco> Shit
[16:51:39] <?[rp] cinder> But also I have... Um. Ha. Unknown code? Or something?
[16:51:44] <?[rp] Joco> Oh?
[16:51:49] <?[rp] Joco> You got spliced?
[16:51:53] <?[rp] cinder> It's screwed things up in there, basically
[16:51:58] <?[rp] cinder> Not... Exactly.
[16:52:11] <?[rp] cinder> It's a long story
[16:52:55] <?[rp] Joco> Buckaroo, we just joked about how old I am. I've got time to listen, if you're willing to share
[16:53:15] <?[rp] cinder> Wiz did tell me I should tell you. So, uh, buckle up I guess?
[Joco stretches their tail over themself to mime “buckling up”.]
[16:53:43] <?[rp] cinder> Were you aware that my family back on my home server were royals?
[16:53:53] <?[rp] cinder> I can't recall if i told you or not
[16:54:08] <?[rp] Joco> Uhhh maybe!
[16:54:27] <?[rp] cinder> Avians were rare, it was a point of prestige of our bloodline
[16:54:55] <?[rp] cinder> I was an only child, so heir to the throne. I was 13 when the people decided they didn't like my family having power, and they did something about it
[16:55:23] <?[rp] cinder> Because I was a child, they didn't kill me. Just... Clipped my wings to shreds and threw me out into the wilds around the city
[16:55:28] <?[rp] Joco> Fucked up
[16:55:51] <?[rp] cinder> My parents were... Killed. And the people took control of the city
[16:56:12] <?[rp] Joco> FUCKED up.
[16:56:35] <?[rp] cinder> And I just wanted things back to how they were. And my home world had these stories of beings, like gods, who sometimes would hear your calls and answer. They could use their power to change things
[16:56:44] <?[rp] cinder> Which I now know were Unknown.
[16:56:54] <?[rp] Joco> Shit, one of those worlds?
[16:57:09] <?[rp] cinder> You've seen a few like that?
[16:57:19] <?[rp] Joco> I know some have admins that are praised as gods, and a few have Unknown praised as gods, but.
[16:57:36] <?[rp] Joco> I mean, they never put me in the Unknown-praising worlds? At least none where the Unknown would respond
[16:57:44] <?[rp] Joco> Those ones get... territorial, I wanna say?
[16:58:00] <?[rp] cinder> Interesting
[16:58:15] <?[rp] Joco> So... your Unknown. You got their attention?
[16:58:25] <?[rp] cinder> Oh yeah, I got their attention alright
[16:58:34] <?[rp] cinder> She was... Kind to me.
[16:58:40] <?[rp] Joco> hmmmmmmm
[16:58:54] <?[rp] cinder> She seemed to be, at least. i don't know.
[16:59:36] <?[rp] cinder> We made a deal. She would lend me her power for a moment, enough to make everyone listen to me, I thought. Enough to at least set things back to how they were before
[16:59:49] <?[rp] Joco> Lend you her power??
[17:00:12] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah. Not all of it, but enough to do something notable
[17:00:23] <?[rp] Joco> ANY power is bound to be too much for a basic player. Holy shit.
[17:00:25] <?[rp] Joco> What the fuck.
[17:00:32] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah! It... it was.
[16:59:53] <?[rp] cinder> I didn't want to hurt anyone, I just wanted things set right. As right as they could be.
[Cinder’s wings have slowly wrapped around their shoulders, straining to press them tighter against their body. They look almost like they want to hide.]
[17:01:05] <?[rp] Joco> If you made it out... how many survivors were there?
[17:01:17] <?[rp] cinder> There was me. Maybe her. I don't know
[17:01:26] <?[rp] cinder> Beyond that... Nothing. Nothing and no one else.
[17:01:28] <?[rp] Joco> It's. Usually, it's either the harnesser or everyone around. Rarely any in-between.
[17:01:34] <?[rp] Joco> Fucking hell.
[17:01:42] <?[rp] Joco> And you were still, what, 13? 14?
[17:01:49] <?[rp] cinder> 13, yeah.
[17:01:54] <?[rp] Joco> What the fuck
[17:02:00] <?[rp] cinder> I don't think she meant for it to happen. Not like that, at least
[17:02:16] <?[rp] cinder> I was just going to... I don't know. I'm not even sure. I was stupid
[17:02:23] <?[rp] Joco> You were not stupid.
[17:02:37] <?[rp] Joco> Hey? Hey. You were not stupid for that, you are not stupid now. You were a hurt child that she took advantage of
[17:02:45] <?[rp] cinder> But then it was like there was this... Voice. In my head. It wanted me to raze it all to the ground
[17:03:12] <?[rp] cinder> It wanted to consume. Maybe to make the world anew afterwards. Maybe just to devour. I don't know.
[17:03:19] <?[rp] cinder> And I let it! I... I let it.
[17:03:19] <?[rp] Joco> Shit
[17:03:34] <?[rp] cinder> I think i wanted it to take me too
[17:04:23] <?[rp] cinder> I know she wasn't happy about it. That's the last thing I remember. As far as I know, she's still trying to find me. That's why I never stopped on any of the past worlds I ended up on afterwards
[17:03:42] <?[rp] Joco> Kid
[17:04:01] <?[rp] Joco> Do you. Hey? Do you need a hug? Hey.
[17:04:35] <?[rp] cinder> You really did not want a hug before. I'll be okay
[17:04:42] <?[rp] Joco> Nope. Nuh-uh
[Joco gets up and pulls Cinder into a hug. Cinder clutches onto Joco like a lifeline, desperate.]
[17:05:18] <?[rp] cinder> I killed those people, Joco. My people
[17:05:21] <?[rp] Joco> You should never have been given that amount of power, regardless of mental state. It was never going to end well.
[17:05:30] <?[rp] Joco> They were not your people, they booted you out
[17:05:50] <?[rp] cinder> They didn't deserve that
[17:05:57] <?[rp] cinder> No matter what. No one deserves that
[17:06:02] <?[rp] Joco> Whatever responsibility you had towards their safety was gone the moment they decided to maim and leave for dead a child
[17:06:06] <?[rp] Joco> A CHILD
[17:06:29] <?[rp] Joco> No one deserves that, but it also wasn't your fault.
[Cinder pulls back, frustrated.]
[17:06:56] <?[rp] cinder> Then whose fault was it?
[17:07:04] <?[rp] Joco> The Unknown?
[17:07:16] <?[rp] Joco> The corrupt power she had?
[17:07:29] <?[rp] cinder> You say it wasn't my fault, the Wizard says it wasn't my fault, but she only came because I called. She didn't even want me to do what I did. So how is it not mine?
[17:07:44] <?[rp] Joco> Cinder, you chose to call, but SHE chose to answer
[17:08:16] <?[rp] Joco> SHE chose to give you any amount of UNKNOWN POWER, something that often is too much for any player to the point that it kills them
[17:08:53] <?[rp] Joco> Regardless of her intention? She is the one who handed a child a goddamn self-destructing flame-thrower
[17:09:05] <?[rp] cinder> She always said she... Wanted to see what would happen. When I asked her why she would help me
[17:09:13] <?[rp] cinder> She said she was so sick of being bored
[17:09:20] <?[rp] Joco> Kiddo, she was using you as a plaything.
[17:10:00] <?[rp] cinder> I wish I could just... Move on from it all. That would be more than I deserve, but still. I-
[17:11:02] <?[rp] cinder> When I woke up I had her stupid fucking horns on me, forever, and I thought that was bad enough but my wings never healed and now they;re worse and Wiz says the problem is in my code and we have to use a ritual to get it out and he doesn't know if it'll-
[Cinder cuts themself off with a gasp of breath.]
[17:11:28] <?[rp] cinder> Sorry.
[17:10:30] <?[rp] Joco> Hey.
[17:10:35] <?[rp] Joco> I think I know why Wiz sent you to me
[17:11:32] <?[rp] Joco> You're OK, bud
[17:11:47] <?[rp] Joco> It's an upsetting scenario you've been situated in
[17:12:35] <?[rp] Joco> I've definitely figured out why Wiz said I could help, though
[17:12:49] <?[rp] Joco> Do you know why I'm running from the Unknown?
[17:13:02] <?[rp] cinder> Not really. You said some things, but.. vague.
[17:13:10] <?[rp] Joco> I'm great at being vague.
[17:13:30] <?[rp] cinder> That you are
[17:13:37] <?[rp] Joco> So, the basics, are that my code? It's really fucked. They never figured out why, or at least never told me if they did.
[17:13:52] <?[rp] Joco> But essentially, every world I go to? Ends up destroyed
[17:13:59] <?[rp] Joco> And it is because of my presence
[17:14:18] <?[rp] cinder> Fuck
[17:14:22] <?[rp] Joco> Either a plague, or a code-break, or any other sort of apocalypse happens.
[17:14:33] <?[rp] Joco> What I've been doing, the past 650ish years?
[17:14:45] <?[rp] Joco> When I was 12, my home world all died to a disease
[17:15:06] <?[rp] Joco> For some reason, I survived, and the Unknown found me a couple weeks after I watched my family die.
[17:15:30] <?[rp] Joco> After that, They put me in another world, and I don't remember much of that one, but soon enough, it was gone, too.
[17:15:57] <?[rp] Joco> So, they kept moving me around, seeing how long it took worlds to end, trying to figure out 'why does this kid's presence make a place self-destruct?'
[17:16:10] <?[rp] cinder> That's horrifying
[17:16:32] <?[rp] Joco> A couple worlds managed to survive? There was one that was hellish, everyone had admin-like powers, and liked killing each other. I got pulled out of that for risk of my safety.
[17:16:45] <?[rp] Joco> The other, the admin banned me for being too much of an ass
[Cinder snorts loudly at Joco mentioning they were banned, before they quickly put on a serious face.]
[17:18:24] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, yeah, no, on the banning, I was the equivalent of a 13 year old? Maybe? Not sure. But I robbed a lady, made her really pissed off, especially since robbery like I did was illegal.
[17:16:44] <?[rp] cinder> They didn't even help you? Just keep... Putting you places until something changed?
[17:16:54] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, I don't think they expected change.
[17:17:14] <?[rp] Joco> They just. Wanted to see what would happen, I guess. Wanted to figure out why.
[17:17:32] <?[rp] Joco> Wiz scanned my code, and it's in a weird language that he's never seen before. So. Yeah.
[17:18:06] <?[rp] cinder> Huh. That's... Shit. But I do get why Wiz thought you would understand what I was on about
[17:18:20] <?[rp] cinder> I was so scared you would hate me for it. You and him both, but... You especially.
[17:18:46] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, kiddo, depending on how you count it, I've killed hundreds of worlds' worth of people
[17:19:06] <?[rp] cinder> How do you cope with it?
[17:19:15] <?[rp] Joco> Well.
[17:19:29] <?[rp] Joco> Step one is realizing I couldn't have controlled it.
[17:19:33] <?[rp] Joco> I can't control it.
[17:19:43] <?[rp] Joco> It's just. A thing that happens.
[17:20:11] <?[rp] Joco> In theory, I could have been left in my home world to live out the rest of my life. The Unknown are the ones that chose to put me in new worlds, knowing those worlds would end
[17:20:43] <?[rp] Joco> It was not my fault. Just like how, really? It was not your fault.
[17:20:47] <?[rp] cinder> It's horrible that they did it, but im selfishly glad they did. I'm glad you're here now
[17:20:54] <?[rp] Joco> I'm glad I'm here, too
[17:21:43] <?[rp] Joco> Honestly? Knowing what I've got now? If I had to choose between spending the past long-ass while sitting alone in a world, or indirectly killing millions and getting to be here, with y'all? I'd pick the latter any day.
[17:22:05] <?[rp] Joco> I have more directly killed a world, though. Accidentally told a guy too much, and he invented the atomic bomb.
[17:22:19] <?[rp] cinder> Wow! That's. Huh.
[17:22:20] <?[rp] Joco> There are others, but that's. That's the one that stands out, to me
[17:22:27] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah!
[17:22:28] <?[rp] cinder> How did you know so much about atomic bombs?
[17:22:40] <?[rp] Joco> I don't! I just.
[17:22:47] <?[rp] Joco> Took chemistry in a more tech-advanced world
[17:23:03] <?[rp] Joco> Mentioned some tech I'd seen to a scientist who was a bit off-kilter, and . boom.
[17:22:57] <?[rp] cinder> And does that mean you're irradiated now?
[17:23:24] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, no, He locked me in a lead chest beforehand, and the Unknown got me out before anything much could happen
[17:23:32] <?[rp] Joco> If I was irradiated, then they got rid of it
[17:23:37] <?[rp] Joco> This was a couple hundred years ago
[17:23:46] <?[rp] cinder> Okay that doesn't really seem like your fault. Seems like the fault of the guy who was unhinged enough to hear about cool tech and decide atomic bombs were the best next step
[17:24:06] <?[rp] Joco> I also was the test subject for a few world-ending diseases
[17:24:12] <?[rp] Joco> Not my fault, either, I just think it's funny
[17:24:15] <?[rp] cinder> every single story you tell me makes me more and more concerned for you
[17:24:25] <?[rp] Joco> It's finnnnneeeee
[17:24:50] <?[rp] cinder> I'm not so sure I agree, but
[17:25:11] <?[rp] Joco> But. Basically. Yeah, I get it, having that guilt hanging over you. But. Honestly? It's not your fault, and it's not my fault.
[17:25:26] <?[rp] Joco> Hate to be That Guy, but every problem ever should be blamed on the Unknown because they suck
[17:25:40] <?[rp] cinder> So true!
[17:25:54] <?[rp] cinder> In all seriousness... Thank you. I hope it becomes easier to believe that
[17:26:11] <?[rp] Joco> It does, and sometimes it isn't.
[17:26:15] <?[rp] Joco> Brains are funny like that
[17:26:08] <?[rp] cinder> I wanted to ask a favour from you, as well
[17:26:17] <?[rp] Joco> What's up?
[17:26:55] <?[rp] cinder> like I said, Wizard and I have talked about a ritual. Some way to hopefully draw the Void stuff out of my wings. It won't fix them, but it might stop the pain, and stop them from getting worse as fast as they have been.
[17:26:59] <?[rp] cinder> Would you be there?
[17:27:14] <?[rp] Joco> Of course
[17:27:27] <?[rp] Joco> Do you know much of what it will entail?
[17:27:38] <?[rp] cinder> The Wizard swore he would step in and help me if things went wrong. We don't know how this would work. We don't know if it could hurt me, or kill me for good. But I would feel safer having you there too
[17:27:59] <?[rp] Joco> Shit, kid
[17:28:06] <?[rp] cinder> Not exactly. Wiz said it needed people to carry out the ritual, and some sort of catalyst, which I guess is... me. and the void holes we dug
[17:28:14] <?[rp] Joco> ...
[17:28:53] <?[rp] Joco> If we have to do it at the triangulation point, I will figure out how to make a non-nuclear nuke and get rid of that horrible, horrible mansion myself
[17:29:30] <?[rp] cinder> It isn't ideal. Or good. I'm actually really, really scared. But if I just sit around waiting... I'm more scared of what will happen to me
[17:29:53] <?[rp] Joco> The options of. Terrifying ritual to take out the void, or be slowly eaten by it.
[17:29:57] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah. Yeah.
[17:30:01] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah.
[17:30:04] <?[rp] Joco> Shit, kid. Yeah.
[Joco hugs Cinder again.]
[17:30:48] <?[rp] cinder> I want the people I care about most there. I mean, hell, if it all goes wrong it'll mean you guys could squeeze my funeral in really fast, right?
[Cinder cringes at their poor attempt at a joke.]
[17:30:58] <?[rp] Joco> Oh, bud
[17:31:21] <?[rp] Joco> You'd get a better funeral than the aftermath of a botched ritual
[17:31:17] <?[rp] cinder> I'm sure it'll be fine. The Wizard is gonna be there. He promised he would keep me safe.
[17:31:27] <?[rp] Joco> He will. I trust him.
[17:31:33] <?[rp] cinder> Me too.
[17:32:00] <?[rp] Joco> He's got experience with something magical, he's probably got a basic understanding of . Breaking out of a ritual
[17:32:18] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah. If anyone would know, it's him
[17:32:33] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah!
[17:32:35] <?[rp] cinder> Oh hey, purely out of curiosity, if your code is in another language, does that mean your player name is too?
[17:32:48] <?[rp] Joco> ... y'know, I don't know if I asked?
[17:32:57] <?[rp] cinder> When Wiz told me about those it was the first time I'd ever heard of them, and now I want to learn more
[17:33:01] <?[rp] Joco> It probably is. But. I don't know!
[17:33:07] <?[rp] cinder> Interesting!
[17:33:17] <?[rp] cinder> Mine isn;t in another language but it is a word neither of us knew
[17:33:21] <?[rp] Joco> Oh?
[17:33:40] <?[rp] cinder> Pyrrhic
[Joco sucks in a breath.]
[17:33:44] <?[rp] Joco> O h
[17:33:51] <?[rp] cinder> You familiar?
[17:33:55] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah. Yeah, a bit
[17:33:58] <?[rp] Joco> Shit, kid
[17:34:03] <?[rp] cinder> I've been trying to find a definition for a little while
[17:34:10] <?[rp] cinder> What does it mean?
[17:34:19] <?[rp] Joco> It's. A term I've heard mostly during wartimes, when discussing battles.
[17:35:01] <?[rp] Joco> A pyrrhic victory, when you won the fight but lost so many that you might as well have lost
[17:35:10] <?[rp] cinder> Oh
[17:35:12] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah.
[17:35:18] <?[rp] cinder> That. Yeah I suppose that makes sense.
[17:35:24] <?[rp] Joco> Y e ah
[17:35:35] <?[rp] cinder> At least the word sounds cool?
[17:35:45] <?[rp] Joco> It does sound very cool!
[17:36:03] <?[rp] Joco> Peer Rick. Mhm.
[17:36:07] <?[rp] cinder> I bet your player name would be cool too. I bet player name coolness is proportional to how cool someone is
[17:36:12] <?[rp] Joco> Psh
[17:36:16] <?[rp] Joco> I bet it's something lame
[17:36:33] <?[rp] Joco> Player underscore task, or something like that
[17:36:56] <?[rp] cinder> No way! Yours would be awesome. Some cool fucking latin word maybe
[17:37:01] <?[rp] Joco> LATIN
[17:37:10] <?[rp] Joco> How old do you think I am?!?!?!
[17:37:11] <?[rp] cinder> Latin words always sound cool!
[17:37:25] <?[rp] Joco> Lil shit
[Joco begins to give Cinder a noogie. Cinder laughs as they half-heartedly bat Joco away.]
[17:37:38] <?[rp] cinder> Hey, back off!
[17:37:50] <?[rp] Joco> I'm younger than the concept of latin
[17:38:17] <?[rp] cinder> Woah, for real? I assumed you were Cambrian era
[17:38:28] <?[rp] Joco> You little ass
[17:38:36] <?[rp] Joco> I'm being bullied by a fledgeling
[17:38:45] <?[rp] Joco> Can't believe it
[17:39:01] <?[rp] cinder> You showed me how to bully Wiz and now I've turned that power back onto you
[17:39:39] <?[rp] Joco> Lil' babyman
[17:39:12] <?[rp] Joco> Terrible
[17:39:20] <?[rp] Joco> Alright. Fuckin. Yeah.
[They take a deep breath, seeming to decide on something.]
[17:39:28] <?[rp] Joco> Let's go look at the goddamn dam
[17:39:41] <?[rp] cinder> Yeah? You're sure?
[17:39:44] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah.
[17:39:46] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah.
[17:39:49] <?[rp] Joco> Let's do it
[17:40:00] <?[rp] cinder> I can come stay back here after, if you want. We could both do with the company, I think
[17:40:06] <?[rp] Joco> I should probably. Eventually go talk to Wiz, too.
[17:40:14] <?[rp] Joco> Yeah, company is always good. You can help me find my comm
[17:40:33] <?[rp] cinder> And maybe... Take the boards off those windows. Void's sake, Joco
[17:40:47] <?[rp] Joco> I kept having visions of Prince breaking through the glass and grabbing me
[17:40:53] <?[rp] Joco> Excuse me for dealing with trauma
[17:41:17] <?[rp] cinder> Wow! That is. Yeah no I think I'm just gonna move in with you here we are not leaving you alone for a while
[Joco sighs, sliding down their stairs on their armored butt. Cinder watches in amused horror, before following them down the stairs like a normal person.]
[17:42:32] <?[rp] cinder> oh hey, before we go out. I've been... Doing this thing. Lily of the valley was the flower of my kingdom, and. I want people to remember it so it isn't gone for good. You don't have to do anything in particular with it, but
[17:42:47] <?[rp] Joco> Oh!
[17:42:58] <?[rp] Joco> I. Thank you, Cinder
[17:43:07] <?[rp] cinder> There. You... You're one of the only people who know what happened. I think it's only right you carry them with you too
[17:43:47] <?[rp] cinder> It's been a long time since i had any sort of family. I lost them all during the coup, and then whatever was left when... well, you know.
[Joco removes their breastplate of armor for the first time since they put it on several weeks ago. They carefully tuck the flower into the breast pocket of their shirt. The armor stays off. Cinder looks away, fidgeting with their hands.]
[17:44:06] <?[rp] cinder> I'm glad to have you now.
[17:44:10] <?[rp] cinder> okay, dam, lets go!
[17:44:15] <?[rp] Joco> TO THE DAM
[They run off together towards Verdigris.]