Non-HPU: Beacon of Hope

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:29 pm

...and Jaken splashed Jolty deliberately, a grin plastered on his face...

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:44 pm

Jolty, startled, losses his glasses in the water, then fell off his tube. *SPLOOOSH!*

Post by **CyberDragon** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:17 pm

Morgan giggled at the sight of Jolty and Jaken playing. She recalled Jolty's glasses from the water and handed them to the soaked cat before offering to help him back onto the tube.

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:19 pm

"We are definitely finding that costor thing later.." she answers back seeming genuinely excited.

"The pictures are just making me hungry..." Kol comments, pointing a claw at the little pictures that marked the locations of the various tanks and pools. she doesn't suggest any particular path though.

- - - - - - - -

At Hivemind's offer, June nods rapidly, rather curious what the place he's referring to is. Also curious what would look good with fluff and fins everywhere... speaking of fluff... "Um... Why am I fluffy? I mean, I know where the sample came from, the burnt piece of something that my host swallowed, but I don't know what it was a piece of. Besides all I wanted was to be able to breathe better, the rest just... happened."

"Honestly, probably one of the team. I don't know what half of them look like under the suits, insulated linings do that, but that beam weapon was REALLY good at scorching chunks off of people." Talya commented, gesturing at her recently rebuilt leg. "Also, this is your first host, fine control of mutations takes time to learn. Decades."

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:45 pm

"Want a paw up, Mr Jolty," Jaken chuckled, floating close by.

Post by **CyberDragon** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:25 pm

Buster wrote:At Hivemind's offer, June nods rapidly, rather curious what the place he's referring to is. Also curious what would look good with fluff and fins everywhere... speaking of fluff... "Um... Why am I fluffy? I mean, I know where the sample came from, the burnt piece of something that my host swallowed, but I don't know what it was a piece of. Besides all I wanted was to be able to breathe better, the rest just... happened."

"Honestly, probably one of the team. I don't know what half of them look like under the suits, insulated linings do that, but that beam weapon was REALLY good at scorching chunks off of people." Talya commented, gesturing at her recently rebuilt leg. "Also, this is your first host, fine control of mutations takes time to learn. Decades."

"It was probably Kolt's tail now that I think of it..." Hivemind cringed and looked down thoughtfully. "He... probably won't be happy about that. He loved that tail. I don't think he will like that it became shark food..." He looked up again at June. "Well, maybe not. He has a new tail now, so he might not be so angry about it after all. Anyway, we can go to the Oceanic district, but it occurs to me that you..." He points to Talya. "Cannot be separated from him for too long. He needs to come with us, but he's being non-responsive. Not even to my offers to fix your old ship. Do you know how to get him to cheer up and come with us?"

Legotron123 · Post by **Legotron123** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:47 pm

Kolt shrugged. ”No clue why some sound like their Earth counterparts. Just another weird quirk of the translators. Also, they’re all one species, they’re just different breeds. Still biologically compatible, in spite of all the evolutionary differences. And believe me, that is a headache that I don’t want to even TRY to explain.” He said, looking ahead to confirm they only had a third of the belt left to go. ”As for my sister, her name’s Lus, and she’s my little sister by about two minutes. She’s a doctor in Futzu right now, specializing in broken limbs. She has a pathological need to snark, regularly decks me if I tease her too much, and tends to swear up a storm worse than most environmental disasters when she’s not at work. She’s also been one of my best friends since the moment she was born, and she’s the main reason I lived the torment Allsight put me and my team through. And now that I think about it, she’s probably going to kill me for not calling her as soon as I got out of quarantine. That’s going to be a fun call.” He smiled and shook his head. ”Hope the WiFi here has a strong enough signal.”

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 5:28 pm

Jolty takes his glasses, frowning at being wet. "Well, alright then." He sighed, looking at hi waterlogged glasses. His happy go lucky attitude appears to be diminished.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:26 pm

"Sorry, Mister Jolty," Jaken said as he drifted past, "did not mean to hurt you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Just tell her you've been busy," Jenny advised. "It won't be a lie at all, either.
Not with a zombie apocalypse yesterday and this stuff today."

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:47 pm

CyberDragon wrote:"It was probably Kolt's tail now that I think of it..." Hivemind cringed and looked down thoughtfully. "He... probably won't be happy about that. He loved that tail. I don't think he will like that it became shark food..." He looked up again at June. "Well, maybe not. He has a new tail now, so he might not be so angry about it after all. Anyway, we can go to the Oceanic district, but it occurs to me that you..." He points to Talya. "Cannot be separated from him for too long. He needs to come with us, but he's being non-responsive. Not even to my offers to fix your old ship. Do you know how to get him to cheer up and come with us?"

"Kolt... so then, my template is someone who's alive... Does that make him my father as well?" June asks, causing Talya to immediately crack up laughing, not being able to stop for a good minute.

"That's not even remotely how that works! I mean maybe if he and Kob had been together and he offered the sample, but this... *snrk* y'know what, whatever, sure." her mood sours though when her brother's moping comes up.

"Ugh, No. When we split his half kept all the sentimental bits of our mind, thank the makers. But, it means he's going to be like that for a while. I'll go deal with him." Talya complains, turning to walk back, "just... Keep her out of trouble and message me if you need anything."

"does Auntie's mod always do 180s on a dime like that?"

Post by **CyberDragon** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:59 pm

Jolty-Kun wrote:Jolty takes his glasses, frowning at being wet. "Well, alright then." He sighed, looking at hi waterlogged glasses. His happy go lucky attitude appears to be diminished.

"Here..." Morgan lifted a hand and gestured at the waterlogged glasses. The water soaking them flicked itself off, drying the glasses without leaving any pool-chemical residue behind. "Need help getting back in the tube?" She asked Jolty.

---------------------------

Buster wrote:
CyberDragon wrote:"It was probably Kolt's tail now that I think of it..." Hivemind cringed and looked down thoughtfully. "He... probably won't be happy about that. He loved that tail. I don't think he will like that it became shark food..." He looked up again at June. "Well, maybe not. He has a new tail now, so he might not be so angry about it after all. Anyway, we can go to the Oceanic district, but it occurs to me that you..." He points to Talya. "Cannot be separated from him for too long. He needs to come with us, but he's being non-responsive. Not even to my offers to fix your old ship. Do you know how to get him to cheer up and come with us?"
"Kolt... so then, my template is someone who's alive... Does that make him my father as well?" June asks, causing Talya to immediately crack up laughing, not being able to stop for a good minute.

"That's not even remotely how that works! I mean maybe if he and Kob had been together and he offered the sample, but this... *snrk* y'know what, whatever, sure." her mood sours though when her brother's moping comes up.

"Ugh, No. When we split his half kept all the sentimental bits of our mind, thank the makers. But, it means he's going to be like that for a while. I'll go deal with him." Talya complains, turning to walk back, "just... Keep her out of trouble and message me if you need anything."

"does Auntie's mod always do 180s on a dime like that?"

The hive droid shrugged. "Honestly June, I've only known Talya and Kobor for a few hours. That seems to happen more when she's separated from your... dad. Now, come along, and stay close. I don't want you getting lost." He paused for a second. "Which... now that I think of it is probably not possible. Anyway, follow me please." He led her through the city. They passed by a number of shops selling a variety of things ranging from clothes to merchandise centered around the champions. "There are shops like this in the Oceanic district as well, but if you see something you like, don't hesitate to ask about it." he said as he led her to the transportation hub.

~\Rook/~ · Post by **~\Rook/~** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:34 am

Rika tried to stifled a chuckle at the antics of Jaken and Jolty, yet failed and burst out laughing. "..Sorry Jolty, that was pretty funny!" She apologised when she regained composure.

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 11:36 am

Jolty takes his glasses back, shrugging. He doesn't seem like he wants to talk. Blushing, he mumbles "'Sokies...."

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:04 pm

"I'm going to have to wait on your revenge, aren't I," Jaken asked, looking mock worried.

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:28 pm

Jolty doesn't say anything, and looks away. He intertwines his fingers, and stares into the water, lost in thought.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:32 pm

"Aw, it wasn't that bad, was it, Mr Jolty?"

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:51 pm

"I'm fine..." He mumbles.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 2:06 pm

Jaken got off his own floaty thing and walked through the water to Jolty. "Y'sure, friend sir?"

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 2:13 pm

He nods. "Yeah." Getting out of his own tube, he wades down the river. "I have to go for a little while. I'll be back."

Neon Icy Wings · Post by **Neon Icy Wings** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 2:21 pm

Tatiana thought for a moment, looking over the names and locations of what the aquarium had to offer, when one caught her attention, "What's a jellyfish? If there's a jellyfish where's the peanutbutterfish?"

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 3:27 pm

"I'm not chasing him," Jaken said, hauling himself ungainfully back up onto the raft. At one point he has his muzzle in the water and his left foot high in the air but he soon gets back into proper position. "Felis," he said.

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 3:58 pm

Jolty waded over the the edge of the river, putting his face in his hands, hyperventilating. He's acting like him why is he acting like him. This strange....creature bore striking personality similarities to his brother. The grinning dog flashed in his head. He needed to go home....Or find a way to. After taking a few slow breaths, Jolty waded back to rejoin the others. He said nothing, laying down on his tube, and splashing Jaken after laying down.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:04 pm

Now Jaken laughed and floated on down, splashing the Felis if he got the chance and taking replies as good as he gave. "Thought Felis did not get on with water, Mr Jolty," he asked.

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:32 pm

He scratches his ears. "I don't. But you adjust to it."

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:36 pm

Neon Icy Wings wrote:Tatiana thought for a moment, looking over the names and locations of what the aquarium had to offer, when one caught her attention, "What's a jellyfish? If there's a jellyfish where's the peanutbutterfish?"

"I don't get it..."

Deske · Post by **Deske** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:21 pm

Roller coasters are pretty fun. They have these crazy heights and they go really fast around all their turns so it kind of pushes you into your seat so you do not get flung around so much. If you are hungry though, we should probably go on those before we eat, or at least wait a little while." He turned to see what Tatiana was talking about before the laughter overcame him. Once he regained his composure he answered her question, "There are not any peanut butter fish and jelly fish are these weird fish with bell like caps and tentacles that sting. But they did find that Jellyfish like peanut butter so now they can be called a peanut butter and jelly fish. I think that is a good idea of where to start."

Buster wrote:
Neon Icy Wings wrote:Tatiana thought for a moment, looking over the names and locations of what the aquarium had to offer, when one caught her attention, "What's a jellyfish? If there's a jellyfish where's the peanutbutterfish?"
"I don't get it..."

"Ah, so, peanut butter and jelly is an easy to make sandwich. Since we have jelly fish, she was asking where the peanut butter fish are, referencing the sandwich.

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:29 pm

"...What's a sandwich?" Kol asks.

((almost pure carnivore, only uses plants for seasoning, or supplemental protein when hunting is poor. not that plants are plentiful on an iceworld to start with.))

Post by **CyberDragon** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:58 pm

After receiving no questions, Hivemind continued to lead June to the transport hub. He walked through the busy building, holding June's hand like so they wouldn't get separated in the crowd, and they came upon one of the portal doors. The droid punched some numbers in and the door opened. He led June through it.

They exited the door and found themselves on what looked like an artificial island in the middle of a vast ocean. The island was small, containing no large structures nor really anything else of note. There weren't even any people around. Though there was a holorail station and several kiosk portal doors like the one they just emerged from. A small building offering air tanks and diving equipment was there as well, and a small door labeled "elevator" stood in the center. "Here we are! The Oceanic district. Honestly, it's one of the biggest districts we have here."

----------------------------

When Talya entered the food court again, Hivemind waved. "Like I said before, he's not responding to anything I try. Maybe you can help get him on his feet?"

----------------------------

Morgan looked at Jolty with some concern. "Are you alright though? You didn't get hurt, did you?"

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:07 pm

He shook his head. "Naw, ma'am. I'm fine. Just....thinking."

Buster · Post by **Buster** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:32 pm

the minute she saw the vast expanse of nothing but open water, June's eyes lit up. not even hesitating an instant as she pulled free, bolted forward, and dove in. She didn't even wait for Hivemind to finish talking.

there is now a dorsal fin just barely breaking the surface circling the island, as she looks around, demonstrating one thing quite clearly; like her father she is MUCH faster in the water than on land. moving at speeds an olympic athlete would struggle to keep up with.

- - - - - - - -

>I doubt it's your approach, It's probably the source, he still doesn't trust you. Thinks I was too quick to.
>I'm going to disconnect for a bit. Knowing Kobor, he'll want to talk about this privately.

Hello brother...

TWENTY MINUTES LATER.

"Hey... um... I don't suppose there's somewhere I can store this?" Kobor asks, finally acknowledging the droid is there, and holding up the cannon he's still lugging around. "And, about your earlier offer... Thanks."

Legotron123 · Post by **Legotron123** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:48 pm

Kolt snorted. ”I can already hear her response if I try that. ‘Oh, so you were beeping busy were you?!? I’ve been here worrying my beep off, and apparently you’ve been too busy kicking the beep out of some Meado beeped delinquents to call your beeping sister!!!’ Only she wouldn’t say beep for any of those.” He said, as the raft finally reached the top of the tower. Two tubes were ahead of them in line, and Kolt could easily see the hard plastic outline that indicated the drop that started the water slide. A lifeguard stood next the slide, glancing at a pair of red and green lights every couple of seconds, seemingly waiting for the green one to turn on.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:57 pm

Jenny laughed and wondered what Kinard swear words sounded like. "Oh, just pass her onto me. I'll do the 'federal official' thing and she'll have o believe it!" She laughed again, the purity turning to nerves as she saw the drop ahead of them... She wasn't stopping though.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jaken bobbed along, down the stream with the others.

Post by **CyberDragon** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:19 pm

Buster wrote:the minute she saw the vast expanse of nothing but open water, June's eyes lit up. not even hesitating an instant as she pulled free, bolted forward, and dove in. She didn't even wait for Hivemind to finish talking.

there is now a dorsal fin just barely breaking the surface circling the island, as she looks around, demonstrating one thing quite clearly; like her father she is MUCH faster in the water than on land. moving at speeds an olympic athlete would struggle to keep up with.

As soon as June hit the water, she would be able to see what the ocean was hiding. A massive city stretched farther than the eye could see underwater in all directions. The small artificial island was in fact the top floor of a colossal tower that rose from the depths where it was too dark to see. Aquatic peoples and undersea vehicles swam and floated left and right, up and down. Brightly lit waterproof signs shone through the water advertising various stores, brands, and attractions.

Something was rising from the depths. It looked like some kind of sea dragon at first. As it got closer though, it was obvious that it was another hive drone. It's legs were built so that it could go on land, but had flipper-like feet to act as rudders. It's 'tail' was also fairly flat to aid in steering and it's 'wings' were arrays of high speed propellers in a metal casing built to keep things from getting caught in them. The robot had symbol of the hive on it's chest. Six nodes arranged in a hexagonal pattern around a central core.

"Enthusiastic, are we?" It said in Hivemind's distinct voice. "Well, where do you want to go first?"

-------------------------------

Buster wrote:>I doubt it's your approach, It's probably the source, he still doesn't trust you. Thinks I was too quick to.
>I'm going to disconnect for a bit. Knowing Kobor, he'll want to talk about this privately.

Hello brother...

TWENTY MINUTES LATER.

"Hey... um... I don't suppose there's somewhere I can store this?" Kobor asks, finally acknowledging the droid is there, and holding up the cannon he's still lugging around. "And, about your earlier offer... Thanks."

A second hive droid walked up to them and said, "I'll hold onto it." It gestured to the cannon. "I'll put it in your room in the Champion Tower. We'll go there in a little bit."

The first droid continued. "All right, we should get going if you're going to catch June. She's... really excited about the Oceanic District."

-------------------------------

Jolty-Kun wrote:He shook his head. "Naw, ma'am. I'm fine. Just....thinking."

Morgan nodded. "So, Jolty, have you ever been on a starship-nation?"

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:26 pm

He shook his head. "No ma'am. I generally try to hide, and be on my own. It kept me safe while I...traveled. Though, I am curious to see what it looks like. Anywhere is better than I was." He laughs softly.

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:42 pm

"Figure it is the same for me," Jaken added. "Ran so far alone for so long. Now found friends to run with. Probably better."

Post by **CyberDragon** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:52 pm

Morgan looked at Jolty and Jaken, then reclined on her tube again. "Champions don't run. We can't live in fear. It's our job to protect people who can't protect themselves."

"Bullies don't stop until they realize their victims can and will hurt them. They want to feel strong, so they pick on the weak. Running and hiding shows they can control you. Make you hurt. We don't care much for that." Randy said.

"They change their tone once they find themselves frozen to the ground in the middle of a category five hurricane."

"The rich and powerful hurt people for profit because they can get away with it. They make the laws."

"Don't care much for that either."

"They try to bribe us or buy us, but it never ends well for them. Generally people refrain from attacking the innocent when they realize the largest concentration of potentially destructive power is on the side of their victims."

"In short, Jolty, Jaken, when something threatens us, or pushes us, we teach them why that is a bad idea so they don't do it again."

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:55 am

Jolty sighed. "Easy for you to say when your 6 feet- Sorry, 2 meters tall. Keep forgetting most places don't use the Imperial System anymore....Stupid US... I am roughly under 5 feet. I look like a bite sized snack to most monsters."

Welsh Halfwit · Post by **Welsh Halfwit** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:11 am

"Makes a difference if you've got some of those standing with you though, eh," Jaken said, hoping to cheer the Felis. "Then the odds are less, uh, odd. And I shall fight with you if you will with me? Back each other up?"

Post by **CyberDragon** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:30 am

"It isn't the height. I'm bite-sized for a lot of monsters as well. It's the attitude. They know I will hurt them if they try something, so they hesitate." She said, still reclining. "That moment of hesitation is all it takes."

"Having world-class superpowers doesn't hurt either."

Morgan looked at him, then smiled. "Fact."

"The real difference is being in a group. We look out for each other. We'll look out for you too."

dusk · Post by **dusk** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:30 am

"Yeah, of course. Any person, thing, creature, who is willing to make sure I am safe will get my protection in return." He grins mischievously. "I haven't met a person who hasn't withstood ten thousand volts from shock gloves, hehehe~"