sheep_game

[ lmao ]

Out here, or relocate?

We can make use of the war room.

[ stands to head that way ]

That feels so official...

[ Following him ]

I am told the name aids in motivation.

[ They've yet to get a kotatsu in here, but it is absolutely covered with pillows. Don't worry about the obvious war strategy table covered in little figures representing flocks and major NPCs ]

[ Lily oh my god

He's looking at it kind of fondly though ]

You guys stay busy.

[ There's a flicker of a smile — proud, maybe? ]

I suspect it assists in maintaining our collective sanity.

Edited 2024-03-06 01:14 (UTC)

I've got no doubts there. Half of you can't sit idle to save your lives.

In my observations: Neither can many members of Bluebell.

Trying to argue with that would be a fool's errand.

[ Dropping into one of the chairs ]

So... I just wanna take a look first, to see if I even can try to help. Are you both sure you're okay with that?

[ Takes the seat directly across from him ]

Ananke states that he is willing to try anything.

I have observed you for a period of time sufficient to determine that your threat risk is minimal. I will permit the intrusion.

Ahahaha . . . I actually really appreciate that, Scarab.

[ Bitches love being a minimal threat.

He places his (fresh out of the oven, flowering) hand on the table, palm up. ]

When you're ready, then.

[ Pauses for just a moment to regard the flowers, one eyebrow lifting slowly

and then calmly lays his hand in Minuet's ]

[ They'll have experienced something like this before, when Minuet pulled Lily into Perci's mind. This is far more gentle and controlled; like a knock on the door to request access, rather than a battering ram conducting a wellness check.

For Scarab, it seems very much like another alien computer requesting access -- because that's exactly what it is. ]

[ The connection opens, barely even a crack— ]

[ The entry into Scarab's mind slams shut with a flurry of ACCESS DENIED messages appearing in its place.

Across the table, Scarab's mouth thins out in annoyed frown. ]

[ The connection opens again. The denial message appears again, but this time a force of white-hot fury and frustration keeps Scarab's "door" wedged open.

The message warps strangely; still insistent and heavy in an attempt to overwhelm and force another closure, but distorting as if the content of the message itself is being degraded. What did it say again? Something about access... ]

[ Somewhere beyond this bizarre struggle, a very muffled sense of encouragement flares up. It...seems to be helping? The message disintegrates further still until it finally snaps, and the connection slams open abruptly. ]

[ Scarab retracts the portion of mind he'd been forcing the connection open with, leaving the way open for Minuet. That muffled energy flares again, more insistent than encouraging now.

A single word comes echoing out from Scarab's side of the connection; exasperated, but lacking the vicious aggression he'd forced his mind open with: "WELCOME." ]

[ BRO

GOOD THING TOO BECAUSE HE COULD NOT HACK AN ALIEN SUPERCOMPUTER FIREWALL EVEN IF HE WANTED TO ]

[ Briefly considers this strange nexus of organics and computers, and the similarities that are already apparent, and how little he actually even understands about plants, and

Like, if the interface is similar enough, could Scarab just scramble Minuet's brains if he wanted to ]

[ NO. PLEASE FOCUS. oh my god ]

[ NONE OF THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!!

His response is closer to Ananke's than Scarab's; all human emotion, few numbers.

Thanks. Man.

Excellent idea to have that there. ]

[ ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: IMPLEMENTED BY: CREATORS.

The statement is accompanied with a burst of related data, like a flowchart unfolding across Scarab's mental space: The creators are The Reach, known for planetary conquest; command of sentient weapons; millenia of warfare; active conquest attempt against Host:Ananke:Home Planet; threat levels Maximum ; flashes of ripping out other denial/restriction/error protocols (this carries the most emotional sensation: frustrated and determined) ]

[ Another muffled response from Ananke comes through, overlapping the last bits of data flaring from Scarab — Oye, oye, slow down! You always do this. That's too much info at once, ese. ]

[ A disgruntled sensation ripples through the space, but the flood of data ceases, and Ananke responds with what feels like amusement and an underlying sympathy.

Sorry. He got mad that it triggered after he invited you in.

It's hard to tell where Ananke's responses are coming from. It's a little hard to tell where here even is. There's no reflections of a physical space to be found in Scarab's mind — instead there's an almost white-noise buzz of raw data being processed around them, while Scarab's sense of self rests in a vaguely central position to all of it. If Minuet focuses, he might pick up on details like Ananke's current vitals whizzing by; the number of heartbeats in the room they're in; repeated checks verifying that the door hasn't opened; etc. ]

man

Re: Day 64 post-wolf meeting

Re: Day 64 post-wolf meeting

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1/??

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Done

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4/4

1/2

actually 2/3

done

Re: done

how did i lose this thread for a week :(

noooooooooo

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