Avatar of Expendable

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Recent Statuses

7 days ago
Current Lots of ideas, voices in your head? You may not be schizo, just need to find a plot and start writing.
7 likes
9 days ago
Movie Studios don't use AI to generate scripts because they're not copywritable. My writing is mine, not the world's to play with.
3 likes
10 days ago
I've no idea what is meant by everyone being a "southern cowboy".
2 likes
27 days ago
I like that the Amish gives their kids a chance to decide if they want to stay in their parent's religion.
1 like
2 mos ago
"Badgers?" he said, sweating as he heard gun hammers being cocked unseen behind him. "We ain’t got no badgers. We don’t need no badgers. I don’t have to show you any stinkin' badgers!"
4 likes

Bio

I am a seven-foot tall minecraft-playing hindu guru drag-queen alien.

Possessor of an Ancient Deviceβ„’ Model 17. No, I don't know what it does. No, you can't play with it.

Pronouns: It. As in: "What is it? What does it want? Why is it here? Oh my god, it's got my... <insert random body part or object here>"

Likes: World Domination, Writing, Rpg, scifi/fantasy, anime, sketchup 3d models, and anime music videos.

Companions: a host of characters from other games, my personal muse Penny (as in Bad), and the Badger gang - Toothpick, Buttons, Shark, and Mongo. They grew up in the balcony of an old theatre that played a lot of gangster movies. Normally benign, but may invade the OOC forums.

Most Recent Posts

For you, @Expendable, is there any particular route that you would like to go? If not, we can continue Kit going through government harassment or having Kit possibly meet with other NPCs/etc... I doubt he would be wandering the tunnels/Khia District/etc...


Kit varies his routes home most days, but today I think he'll really push it. But I'm not sure what the government would be harassing him for? After all, he looks perfectly normal, aside from the injection port and his subdermal health display - and it's not out of place for this kind of implant, although he's younger than most.

I could see them following him, who knows where Kit might choose to go if he feels he's being followed. Who knows how many friends he might have in low places?
Kit Galloway & Safety Officers Klay and Lupton


β€œI see,” Kit replied, his smile not reaching his eyes, then waves them towards his guest chairs in front of his desk. β€œPlease come in and have a seat, officers.”

Gator eyed them warily as they took their seats. Kit shot the dweller a warning glance, then turned his attention to his visitors. Why were they visiting him? Was this another mutant hunt? Did this have anything to do with his father? Was he trying to get him involved in something?

β€œSo,” Kit drawled, stroking his hairless chin, β€œYou said you have questions? Would you like me to seal the room?”

By now, they probably knew where the privacy button was. Hope nobody’s monitoring them remotely, I don’t need for the Security Office to come crashing in because of the signal jammer.

The slightly older man seemed to smile when Kit spoke, β€œThank you,” his voice was more charming and stern than his trainee officers and anyone could tell that trainee officer Lupton was very new to the job. There was a natural oblivious naivety to him.

As both of the officers entered and Lutpon took a seat, Klay put up his hand in a motion to say stop before he spoke, β€œThere is no need for you to do that. These are simple survey questions, Mister Galloway. I’ll be letting trainee officer Lupton ask these questions,” he gestured for the young man to go ahead.

Survey questions, Kit nodded. As if they’d send Security officers for that instead of using anonymous pollsters or state news reporters in the street. What’s really going on here?

Lupton looked a little surprised even though they had spoke about this protocol before β€” he needed to have on-the-job training and he nodded, β€œMister Galloway, Kit?” he seemed unsure what he should call the man while his bright blue eyes scanned the older face. A face that looked like it should be in business or the like, β€œFrom the recent situations that have plagued Dominion, on a scale of zero to ten, zero being the least happy or positive while ten being the most happy and positive. Where would you put yourself?” he glanced up at Klay as if he was asking for permission of somesort.

β€œI don’t understand,” Kit replies, his brow furling as he glances between the two of them. Was this a trick question? β€œShould I be happy about something that plagues the Dominion? No, if it’s harming the Dominion, you can record me as being unhappy about it. A three, or even a four.”

Lupton seemed to not know how to process the whole response and looked up at Klay for guidance. Klay sighed with a slightly forced and barely even there smile. β€œWe can move onto the next question. On a scale of 0 to ten, ten being the most likely, how likely do you think people outside of Dominion have influence on individuals inside of Dominion?” Klay was already internally grumbling about how his higher ups sent Lupton, a trainee with him, since he wanted and felt like he should be doing this job by himself.

β€œPeople outside of Dominion?” Kit demanded, staring back at Klay oddly. β€œDo you mean dwellers like Gator? Burrowers from the chuts? Creatures what crawled up from the Abyssmal Trench? How much influence do you think they’d have on us? Zero, is what.”

Were they trying to start up an ethnic cleansing? Or did he mean others besides everyone living here? It’s possible that others might have survived, creating cities like theirs, deep underground - but how would Security Officers know anything about that?

Klay went to speak but found himself pursing his lips β€” Who is Gator? And why does Kit know them? β€” the older and darker man took out a notebook and wrote down the name. Associate of Kit’s - Gator, dweller. Before closing the notebook and putting it back into his pocket. Something he wanted to make sure he remembered.

β€œYou cannot really believe everything outside of Dominion has zero influence, can you?” Clearly, the older man was probing and trying to find something… anything to continue the discussion. They had no real foundation on being in Kit’s private room - be that work or home. The law was the law and Klay knew if the man was to ask them to leave. They would have to.

Then he cleared his throat, β€œI’m sorry, I am being quite unprofessional. You don’t have to answer that question. Next question,” his blue orbs looked up to Kit before looking at the paper, he glanced at Lupton who seemed nervous and unsure where to begin. Lupton nodded his head, β€œYes, next question… On a scale of zero to ten, ten being the most helpful, do you think the Crystalline council is helpful?”

Kit frowned, raising his hand to his chin and stroking his hairless cheek with his forefinger.

β€œI’m not sure I know how to answer that,” he admitted honestly. β€œWe need order and stability, and they provide that, certainly. But part of my training - as I am sure it is yours, too - is to observe. Some of our farming tunnels are no longer producing, and I’ve heard stories of cracks appearing in some of the foundations. Could it just be from the earthquakes, certainly. But I don’t remember them being as frequent as they were when I was a boy, and repairs don’t seem to happen. Surely the council is aware of these things, yet…”

Both of the safety officers listened to Kit while he spoke about the farming tunnels, how cracks have been appearing, and how odd it has been that β€œearthquakes” have been showing up more and more. Something in Klay’s eyes revealed that he knew more though he stood there in silence. Lupton looked surprised by what Kit was saying and startled when Klay put his hand on the younger officer’s shoulder, β€œWrite it down. We have to analyze all the opinions of each and every citizen, Lupton,” he encouraged the man to be more vigilant with information.

Lupton nodded, β€œOh, yeah, sorry,” he wrote what Kit had to say down.

β€œThere are things in the dark,” Gator interrupts, behind the officers. β€œThey seem drawn to the cities. What they are, I do not know. When I was a child, we killed one, and it fed our people for days.”

Klay looked almost startled as if he didn’t realize there was another person in the room with them and he looked over his shoulder, β€œThere are things outside of the cities walls that are extremely dangerous,” he spoke flatly towards the individual. β€œThat’s the reason we have a city and walls around it. Our rules, mission, and government are here to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

β€œI have a bit of its fur,” the dweller shrugged, smiling.The hunters agreed, her strike was what killed it, which was why they gave her such a big piece. β€œIt makes a nice cloak.”

Kit’s frown grew a little deeper, remembering Gator’s song she’d sing to soothe them. When I wake up alone in the dark without a light, there’s a hundred million monsters out to get me in the night…

β€œAlso,” Klay began to speak though his brows furrowed. He looked back at Kit and he could honestly tell there was something different with Gator β€” β€œYou should be careful having a dweller around, Kit,” This did not sound like a threat but a genuine concern and warning.

β€œShe saved my life,” Kit said, quietly.

Lupton was going to speak but Klay put his hands on the younger man’s shoulders, β€œI think we over spent our time here. I do apologize that we bothered you, Mr. Galloway, but we do appreciate your inputs on how you are feeling about the safety and security of Dominion.” Klay was pulling out because this was getting nowhere. This caused Lupton to stand up as well.

β€œI hope I have been helpful,” Kit offered, glancing at the clockwork timepiece on the wall. It’s not even been five minutes? What’s going on?.

Kit placed his right hand palm down over his heart, then bowed deeply. β€œI thank the Crystalline Council and your kind attention to duty.”

He straightened up. While he doubted they would knock down the door at Galloway Manor, should the Security Officers show up with warrants for Kit’s arrest, many there would be glad to escort them to his door, just to see the last of him.

Assuming you make it home to Galloway Manor.

Lupton seemed overly confused, as he gestured to the papers he was holding, and Klay waved him off. β€œYou were a ton of help, thank you,” the older officer smiled. β€œYour feedback will be a part of a statistic that helps us understand the overall satisfaction and worries of the Dominion population. The Crystalline Council thanks you for your participation.”

Both officers took their leave, Lupton confused though polite, telling Galloway to have a nice evening before following Klay out of the building.

<Snipped quote by Expendable>

I bet they are familiar with dwellers are lot. Good thing Gator isn't classified as a burrower! Also tag!


@The Savant Tag. Should I post this?


Bad Prince Ned




As Ned started down, he gave a glance to his sword, tucked in a corner of the driver's bench, ready to be pulled. He hoped he wasn't going to have to draw it, he'd need someone to help him build his inn.

"Whoa," he said, drawing back on the reins. His warhorse shot him a nasty look but came to a stop. It eyed the people, as if figuring out who to bite.

"Sorry," Ned said, "I'm surprised to find people here. Are you all just passing through?"
@The Savant Sorry, things got busy. I'm sure the officers are used to dweller tales about monsters in the dark. Few believe them, believing them to be exaggerations intended to impress the gullible in exchange for a bit of money or tokens. The odd disappearance is most often passed off as an accident, or someone uprooting themselves to try a different city.

Tag.


Nikos

Zeppelin #27, Gondola



"Of..." Nikos gasps, struggling to talk. "Course. They'd come. Towards us. Zeppelin. Next to. Gold."

Friend or foe, they'd have to investigate the zeppelin - it was a greater prize than the gold itself!

After a moment, he struggled to his feet. "If they get too close, we can always drop the gold on them. Still plenty left to fight this war with."



"Coglione," Christina swore, working hard to get every ounce of lift and every rotation of the propellers to inch them away from the fortress as she adjusted the controls on the master panel, with nary an extra hand in sight as they were all rushing to defend the parameter. If only they had a tail wind! "Did you load it to the brim, you scemo Nikos! After I told you not to?!"

If they survived this, she had to safeguard future generations by making sure the bosun's genes weren't passed on. Or at least, no further.


Bad Prince Ned




Seated inside the used tradesman wagon with his warhorse put to the indignity of having to pull it, Prince Edmund Darrington - Defender of the Realms, Lord of the Wastes, Eminence of Skulls, and (now) the exiled prince of the Kingdom of Yavell paused, his face twisting before he covered it with a handkerchief, sneezed mightily. It was hardly the first such today.




He had started his morning inside a cell in one of the castle's dungeons, having been locked up the night before. Dragged out and brought out before his own court, forced to his knees with his arm wrenched painfully behind his back as he watched the high priest of the kingdom crowning his beloved Abigail as the new ruler of Yavell. Then his younger brother James joined her, the first to kneel before her and swear fealty to the new queen. He then shot Ned a look of scorn and triumph as he slid to her side as the next lordling knelt to pledge his oath to her.

Finally, it was his turn.

"Edmund Darrington," she said regally, "Stories of your misdeeds have spread around the kingdom, so Yavell has turned to me to provide justice. I find you guilty of actions against my person..."
"But I... ack!" he yelled as the guard twisted his arm again. Several around him jeered at him, and a sweet, little old grandmother spat in his face.
"Silence!" Queen Abigail ordered. The remaining guards not twisting his arms behind his back beat on the floor with the butts of their polearms as the crowd grew silent.

"There are many," she added, looking down at him, "Who would have me execute you here and now. But I remember your rescue earlier this week, so instead, I will let you keep your life and send you into exile."

Ned frowned. She wasn't going to chop off his head or imprison him?

"Your horse is outside. The guards will drag you out and mount you on it, and escort you to the border."
"But... ack!"
"Take him away!"




When they reached the border with Geodel, the guards actually slit the leather cords around his wrists, leaving him to fumble with the gag they had tied on, then actually let him cross over, watching him as he galloped towards Geodel's capital - and his college, where he had been taking classes.

He found the bursar and told him he was withdrawing from the college, and demanding a refund of the tuition his dead father had paid them. It was in fact waiting for him, as the school had expected him to be taking over his kingdom and wanted to be nice to the new king. He did not dissuaded them, leaving immediately for his tower room.

Here, there was weapons. Here, there was armor. Here, there was clean clothes and a chance for a quick bath while his room mates argued over what to send with him.

"You're not going to appeal to the king here? Get his support..."
"The king here hates me. The moment he learns I've been exiled, he's going to do so as well."
"Why...?"

"Because I turned down his second daughter's hand."
"Tilly? Is it because she talks to animals?"
"She talks to the food on her plate. No, she converses with it! She was sitting next to me and conversing with the beef in her trencher! Tilly's going to get locked away in her bedroom if the king can't find a husband to take her."

"Oh, he has found a husband for her," one of them said. "Some knight killed a dragon on the northern border yesterday, so he's giving him Tilly's hand in marriage."
"I feel sad for the knight. Do we know who it is?"
"Bains...bridge, something like that."
"From Elicia? Well, he's not poor now."

"So what are you going to do?"
"Open an inn."
"What?" the three demanded, staring at him as he toweled off. Gods, he was going to miss servants.
"My father's fortune teller warned me that I was going to wind up without a kingdom," Ned said, his face and chest blushing as he remembered his meeting with her, and the fact she was not wearing so much as a stich of clothing while breathing in the vapors. "She said I should build an inn, somewhere isolated, outside any city."
"She told you that? So..."
"She left an impression," Ned said curtly, cutting them off.
"But you know nothing about running an inn!"
"Are there even farms?"
"Or carpenters?"
"You remember those blisters from Exile 101 where you had to do a garden plot?"

"Did anything grow?"
"Weeds..." one of them muttered.
"There was that carrot..."
"That wasn't a carrot, it was hemlock."

"Nobody said it was going to be easy!" Ned snapped.
"You're going to need some gear," Prince Pulver said, glancing sadly at him from his bed. "And at least some means of carrying it all."




And so here he was, sneezing his head off as he drove his wagon out of the market with the few things he was able to gather, only to see the grim faces of a squad of Geodel's guardsmen, led by a knight with a scarlet surcoat.

"Darrington!" the knight demanded, staring out of his helmet
"Sir Sobieck," Ned nodded in greeting. "I'm guessing the king has heard."
"Yes, and he wants you out of the kingdom!"
"And not to dinner? I've heard he's found a husband for Princess Tilly."

Sobieck angrily blushed redder than his surcoat.

"Never you mind about that," he hissed. "We're to escort you to the border!"
"I have some things to pick up from the college, you don't mind if we stop there, first?"




His room mates got some underclassmen to bring down a trunk and a sack with suspicious, book-like bulges.
"Some reading materials for you," Prince Pulver whispered.
"From your own collection?"
"About farming and carpentry?" Pulver laughed. "No, we grabbed these from the school's library. In your name, of course."
"Of course," Ned scowls.
"Well, good luck innkeeper!"




Days later, Ned tugged on the reins, staring down at the ruined hamlet and the few people below who seemed to be in some kind of argument.

"Fortune teller, what have you got me into?" Ned muttered under his breath before starting down.

@Xaltwind Thanks for the heads up. I think I'd like to rework my prince a bit, if that's okay?





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