Now that Tails has spoken with you about your mission, the state of the world, and the threat you're facing, you're free to settle in to life here. While the warehouse isn't exactly the most thrilling place to set up a base, it's clean and well-maintained (despite the only one here being a kid fox?) and Tails encourages you to make it your own as best you can. You're going to be here for awhile, after all. This world needs to be saved, and you're the ones to do it.
The warehouse is thankfully quite large, so there's plenty of space. Aside from the ground floor containing Tails' workshop, there's a room for Tails, Knuckles, and Sonic, as well as your rooms. There's a large bathroom and several nice showers - this time with actual hot water! Though it may not be fancy, it's certainly acceptable accommodations for your time here. Exploring further through the warehouse reveals that there's an upper floor, with several other rooms that have already been furnished for varying purposes; after all, it seems your friendly neighborhood talking animals have been living here for quite a bit themselves.
But outside the walls of the warehouse are where things get particularly dismal. Though life goes on in the city of Chicago, it's without any sort of passion or thought at all. The humans go about their day-to-day lives in monotony, acting as though nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary. They don't acknowledge you, even if you try to talk to them. They don't recognize you as weird, even if you aren't human (or a talking animal). They simply move about, drone-like, heedless of the robots that patrol the streets.
Eggman's robots are high-tech, white chrome and smooth; these are almost a work of art as they are technology. They all come equipped with laser beams regardless of the shape or size of them, and they all seem to be set on keeping an eye on the people. There are robots watching everywhere. You can't turn a street corner without seeing one or two, and they follow pre-determined surveillance paths as they watch over the humans.
Lingering in the distance, you can see a massive robot that takes up the horizon. That seems to be Eggman's base of operations, at least as far as Tails has been able to determine. Though it poses no threat to you right now, it's a looming reminder of what awaits you.
Welcome to Eggman's utopia.
THE BASE
Though he's apologized for the base not being particularly lively, Tails has promised you the freedom to make the place your own. He's even directed you to a "crafts room" if you'd like to decorate! This art studio is surprisingly robust for something put together in an abandoned, worn-down warehouse on the outskirts of the city. You'll find plenty of markers in every color you can think of, sketchbooks and paper and papercrafts, string and glue and everything you could need for your second grade arts and crafts project. Though it may all be a little kiddy, it's here for you to do with as you wish.
The crafts room isn't the only odd one on the upper floors, you'll also find a gymnasium. It's more of a home gym than anything else, with only a couple of beat-up old treadmills, a few exercise bikes, and some weight lifting stations, as well as plenty of weights. It's not exactly the best room in the base, but it's here if you'd like to make use of it.
Next door is an open room with several soft mats - an open room for sparring and training. This one doesn't really have much in it, but you're welcome to make use of it however you'd like.
And next to that is the requisite first aid room! This one is well-stocked and even has a few cots in case of more serious injuries. You'll find plenty of first aid kits, painkillers, and other various medical supplies, though nothing that will allow you to perform home surgery or anything of the sort. Hopefully you don't need to do that, though?
Finally, the last large room is one that a lot of love and care has been put into - an entertainment room! There's a large screen TV mounted on the wall, with many couches and plush chairs. You'll find that you've access to any and all modern day media you could find on a TV, from streaming services (who is paying for these, anyway?) and knock-off YouTube, to your favorite anime and even Twitch. It seems that our three allies have quite the varied interests, given their search history and "previously watched" shows and movies. There's enough seating in here for everyone, so why not have a movie night?
Oh, and you'll find the kitchen on the ground floor behind Tails' workshop is suitable for all your needs - it's not particularly well-furnished, as your pals here aren't exactly master chefs, but you're always welcome to talk to Tails about obtaining something more for the kitchen or any room in the warehouse.
All of the items you had on you at your canon point can be found in one of the storerooms as well. This includes weapons, though anything magical will unfortunately not work properly. Please ask me about anything gamebreaking!
THE CITY
Chicago itself is exactly what you'd expect of a typical American city. Well, apart from the robots patrolling and the lifeless people going about their days endlessly, that is. Anything you'd want to find in a city, you can find here! But be mindful - those robots can and will notice you, unlike the people. Most robots will engage in combat on sight, as you're someone unfamiliar and could possibly pose a threat, but some will try to flee - you probably don't want them getting away and reporting sightings of an unfamiliar person!
While the city may have undergone some major changes in its population, the infrastructure is about what you'd expect. The people clean and maintain everything just as they always have, leaving it to almost seem as though everything's fine... were it not for the construction. Unlike most construction sites, these are clearly being maintained and built by the robots - there are buildings that have been completely taken over by Eggman's white chrome finish, leaving to odd sights of mish-mashed buildings and structures that are half-advanced technology, half-old school building materials. Though it may look like a normal city at first glance, it would seem that Eggman is quite literally transforming everything into his very image. You'll even find a statue in a local park that has been replaced with an Eggman statue.
Sadly, it seems as though the people are not the only ones trapped under Eggman's thumb. Animals - be they pets or wild ones - also go about their usual business, with absolutely none of their usual livelihood. You won't see many people playing at the dog park, just passing through taking their dog on a needed walk and returning home. Squirrels and birds likewise carry on as if nothing is wrong, even if they're perched on something that is clearly Eggman's technology rather than a proper tree. Which yes, means that even some of the trees are being taken over by Eggman's chroma, transforming the very living world around you as well.
Though businesses are still running as usual, the people aren't exactly in any state of mind to notice if you steal something from them - as long as you're careful about it, anyway. While security cameras and the like may still exist, it doesn't seem like anyone's checking them. In fact, it seems like no one's committing crimes either, as the city is remarkably peaceful at all times of the day or night.
SHARDS
You may feel as though you have more control of your powers this week... or you may not. Regardless, things are still prone to going haywire, which could pose a problem if you get into a fight with a robot. Tails has asked you very nicely not to hurt any of the people, so maybe lead the robots somewhere that won't risk causing injury? Or don't, I'm not your mom.
Starting this week, you may attempt to use your shards together with someone you have a strong relationship with, good or bad. Once this has been used for the first time, a page will be opened to explain the mechanic. Regardless, that's going to take even more work than mastering your own power... so perhaps fighting those robots isn't a bad idea after all.
And you do want to fight those robots - Tails has warned you that the robots are searching for the rebels' base. You don't want to let a robot escape to bring information about you and possibly the base back to Eggman, do you? Should you let a robot escape, let me know.
TAILS' TASKS
For those of you willing to help - or if you're just particularly bored - Tails will offer some tasks for you all to help around the base. He can always use help with organizing and gathering supplies, keeping the base clean and in good condition, or even keeping track of the security cameras and communications networks. He'll gladly teach anyone who would like to learn technology as well!
For more specific tasks, this week he will grant you a small, rectangular box with an antennae on top. It's kind of cutesy, but it has a radar function built in and it is tracking some kind of signature. Tails says that it's tracking the Chaos Emeralds, and that some sort of Chaos Energy was detected not too far from the city about a week ago, when Knuckles vanished.
Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to see if you can find this Chaos Energy reading and determine the direction it's coming from. You are to go in pairs, but you are not to try to track the readings to the source, just determine where they're located and what direction they lead to. Of course, nothing's stopping you from going off on a wild adventure if you really want to...
ENEMIES
This week's enemies are Badniks, Eggman's robots. Specifically, you'll find yourself facing the Badnik Surveillance Unit, the Badnik Drones, and the Badnik Transformer Model B33.
Badnik Surveillance Units are primarily made for reconnaissance. They can be found flying overhead, observing the people go about their lives and following scheduled flight paths and patterns to ensure every inch of the city is being observed. Well, mostly. You can find some back alleys and hidden spots here and there, and these Badniks usually won't go into buildings or out into the woods. They will immediately try to flee upon spotting you. They're easy to take down, though a bit more durable than one would expect, given Eggman's designs. If cornered, they are capable of shooting a simple laser beam that will hurt and possibly leave a burn.
Badnik Drones are the most common combat robot you will find. Small chrome white orbs with red eyes, they are capable of scanning and detecting abnormalities. They are not quite as common as the Badnik Surveillance Units, but you'll still spot several of them floating through the city at any given point in time. Unlike the Badnik Surveillance Units, these come ready for combat. They can fire lasers as well as shoot small homing missiles. The homing missiles thankfully aren't very fast and can be outrun or otherwise blocked, but they pack a punch if they do hit! These robots will stand their ground and fight if they spot you, but they will call for backup - if you aren't fast enough, you'll find yourself facing many of them!
The Badnik Transformer Model B33, more affectionately called Buzz Bombers by Tails and friends, is... well, it looks like a bee. A hornet, rather, as that stinger is actually a precision laser that moves fast. These robots typically look like Badnik Drones, but are capable of shifting and uncoiling themselves to become the B33 units. They are fast, they hit hard, and they are relentless, pursuing you nonstop until they've been destroyed. They will not call for backup, which is possibly the only saving grace about fighting them. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell if a Badnik is a Drone or a B33 until you're actually in combat - and by then it may be(e) too late.
[Listen, as far as she's concerned, this is all for them and Raven can suck it up and make a W*lmart trip himself--]
Ha! I suppose I truly did underestimate you.
[...Just give her a second to find a good tea treat to share with Tails when they get back, but once they're off, Dorothy keeps her eyes peeled in case any robots decide to take issue with them or they need to fight. She's genuinely surprised that they made it through this unscathed, she wasn't sure how many backup plans they were gonna need, but...
Huh. That actually went surprisingly well.
Once they're back, Dorothy can't help but laugh a bit with their spoils.]
[Thankfully, the trip back is uneventful, which is good because putting down our spoils to fight robots would be a little annoying. We're going to have to party in Dorothy's room, though, since we aren't sharing with Raven!!]
Wasn't it just? This world certainly does have some interesting things to see!
[Anyway, let's at least pretend we're slightly classy and drink out of wine glasses instead of the bottle. Where did Yeager get those? Don't worry about it! ☆]
just putting a cw for drunken-ness here in advance--
[Blessedly, Vakama is out for the moment--a bit of a shame we can't put Raven in the metaphorical alcohol cuck chair, but Dorothy is more than happy to accommodate in her blank as hell room, chuckling and nodding.]
Perhaps we'll have to make another trip out at some point. Hopefully to a place much less chaotic than that labyrinth. I've heard talk of a few...'tourist attractions' or whatnot that perhaps we ought to see at some point?
[Dorothy is not going to question where Yeager got the glasses from, but hell yes, pour her some of that wine. She doesn't quite siphon it down, but the first glass is going to be gone in a moment and Dorothy will absolutely be asking for another in moments.]
Oh, this is simply delightful. I've certainly never had a chance to indulge like this before. This is better than anything we've managed to scavenge...
[Yeager nods at that, and gets to pouring them both a glass. Usually he'd bother with some sort of cheer before getting started, but there's no time for that. We've been dry for a whole week, he's suffering.]
Oh, this is good, well spotted.
[Though that does get a sympathetic look from him as he refills her glass, and then his own shortly after.]
Dahngrest - home of the guilds - is quite well-known for its parties, so this sort of thing is rather commonplace, where I'm from. It's been a bit since I've been able to indulge, though!
[Partially because he's banned from Dahngrest, partially because he's been busy with... work...
Yeah, he's draining his glass again and going for a third one just thinking about Alexei, ugh.]
[Dorothy puffs up with a genuine semblance of pride at that--you're damn right she spotted it well! But she'll drain her second glass just as fast while she listens to Yeager talk, perking outright.]
Is that so? That sounds quite lovely, though...I do remember back when the Goddess squad was all together, we had one or two parties of a more militaristic sort. Nothing with as much lovely wine as this, but...
[Let her fill up and get round 3 ready to go--]
Tell me a little bit about them. Color me curious as to how your guilds decided to celebrate?
Hah, guild parties are something else, I can tell you that much! Though that may be due in part to the leader of the Guild Union, Don Whitehorse.
[...Ah. He doesn't... really want to talk about the Don, but he's backed himself into a corner with it, hasn't he. Yeager swirls his glass of wine, gaze slipping away as he continues.]
The Don was... quite the imposing figure. Likely even taller than Vakama, with bulk to match, and a brash and bold personality to boot! He led the largest of the guilds, Altosk, and was someone anyone from the guilds would follow without question.
[Maybe even Yeager, if things had been different.]
He liked to celebrate anything with booze. And a man that imposing sober was even more of a joy drunk, or so I've heard. I never had the pleasure of drinking with him personally, though I did attend a few of those parties he held.
[...If he's looking a bit melancholic, that's just your imagination.]
Nah, actually, Dorothy sips on that one while she listens to Yeager talk about the Don. He certainly sounds like something of an oaf, if Dorothy's being completely honest with herself. But even so, she can't help but be reminded of the man she used to follow, though...]
I understand what you mean. Our original commander, he was...well. Not imposing or anything of the sort, but he could be just as bold and brash when given an opportunity to speak with us. [Dorothy chuckles a bit, nostalgic.] It seems like that Don of yours knew how to have fun, that much is certain. The sort of man I would have liked to get to know as well, though I doubt we'd be too fond, but...
It really is those joyful sorts that make life worthwhile, isn't it?
[But Dorothy feels herself tilt her head at a seeming...well, melancholy, perhaps. At least, Yeager doesn't seem as energetic as he continues. But...
Maybe a distraction will do them both well.]
We did have one interesting party, once, back on the base. It was around the time Red Hood joined, and she didn't realize what the dress code of that little event was. It was more...military casual, so to speak? But of course, she didn't know that.
Do you want to take a guess of what she did? Bear in mind that Red Hood was rather boorish, but she tended to take things quite seriously if she actually thought she had to put effort in.
[It really is those joyful sorts that make life worthwhile, isn't it?
Hah. Maybe she's onto something. He can't help but think of Droite's grin every time she thought she'd pull one over on him, and her sister's exasperated expression, ever trying to hide her own smile—
But thankfully, he doesn't have to think about that for long. Dorothy, you are the best person here. Thank you for the distraction!!]
Oh dear. Did she overdress? Certainly an easy mistake to make, given the circumstances!
[Listen, there's no need to be miserable here when we've got more wine than god to deal with our issues. Dorothy chuckles a bit, finishing off round 3, and--]
Hold one moment. I'll go get my notebook off of my desk; fill me another glass, and I'll show you.
[Dorothy's steps are just a little bit wobbly as she goes over to grab one of her notebooks really quick, and perhaps surprisingly quickly, she manages a pretty serviceable drawing of Red Hood standing by one of the old music players they had in that stupid outfit, giggling the entire time before passing it to Yeager.]
I can't tell if she over or under-dressed for that. But I tried to explain to her what appropriate attire was for a military soiree, and she proceeded to ask if what I was wearing was appropriate? And then she proceeded to dart off and see if she could find something in our recent run of supplies and picked...this.
[Dorothy laughs, and it's bright and unrestrained at poor Red Hood's expense.]
I can certainly see where that would cause quite a scene! Thankfully, the guilds really do not have any sort of dress code, so we've never run into such issues.
[Unless you're in Leviathan's Claw. Then there's a dress code.]
Tell me about her - she sounds like quite the character!
[Round 4 goes down pretty easily and oh is Dorothy a lightweight. Listen, most Nikke don't drink like it's going out of style, you know--]
Oh, she's been a character ever since she came off the assembly line... [Dorothy laughs a little bit, though it's a little more nostalgic and...almost a touch somber.] Red Hood was an absolute boar, to no surprise I'm sure. She rarely showered after a battle, loved blasting old music to anyone who would bother to listen and she loved poking people's buttons like it was her favorite hobby! Why, she decided to follow me on a walk and wouldn't stop calling me all manner of nicknames to get under my skin while I tried to enjoy the nice sun! I nearly pushed her off of a cliff, once or twice. She's quite lucky I didn't.
That's to say nothing of the absolute chicanery that was her when Scarlet was in the room. Red Hood loved egging her on into trying to cut all manner of things with her sword until Liliweiss would catch them two of them and give them a scolding about such things! That's to say nothing of the teasing she'd give Rapunzel--a healer and former nun, but as you can surmise, Red Hood was none too holy and loved to tease her with that.
She was an absolute pain. Amazing on the battlefield, but you'd need a whole bottle of aspirin to deal with her. She was...
[Dorothy swishes her glass while she pours round 5, and she seems to go a little somber at the memories. At the joyful time she'll...]
...She was a dear friend, despite it all. [It comes out quieter, that. Hic.] Annoying as she was, she did have a way of lightening up any mood. Usually by force.
[...Ah. We're back to this, huh. It seems like Dorothy's lost a lot of people - and understandably so, given what he knows of her world. But since Dorothy was so kind as to change the topic before, Yeager can take it this time.]
It is nice to have someone who can do that, ja? Then you're quite lucky you're here, with so many of us who can do just that!
[no?????]
Would you like to hear about the worst man I've ever had the misfortune of employing? He tried to stab me in my sleep once.
Hmph. I think you do a plenty good job of that by yourself. That blasted old man, too...
[Dorothy looks to Yeager when he speaks up, and perhaps surprisingly, it isn't derisive when she says that. Annoyed and tired, maybe, but not her usual brand of slight disdain for everyone.
It may even be a little fond. But Yeager elects to change the topic this time, and Dorothy finds her brow explicitly quirking at that.]
Oh? This sounds like quite the story, Sir Yeager. Please, continue.
This man's name was Zagi, and he was easily the best fighter I've ever employed. Unfortunately, he was also the stupidest man I've ever had the misfortune of meeting with, and shortly after one of his jobs, he became downright obsessed with someone he fought and refused to do any of his work properly.
He tried multiple times to take control of Leviathan's Claw - the rule is that if you can defeat the current leader, you gain control of the guild. So he tried to defeat me... thirty-three times? Thirty-four, if you count the one time I wasn't having it and simply left... or thirty-five if you account the attempted murder.
Regardless! He failed spectacularly at all of them, and then proved himself to be beyond useless with this obsession, even going as far as to simply never report back to our base of operations.
So the last time I saw him, I made sure to hand him his termination slip. By firing him out a window.
Thirty five times...goodness, if Lilith had instated a rule like that...!
[Dorothy happily listens, though, draining her fifth glass while she does. She can almost picture the situation in her hazy, delighted mind, and something about that strikes her as funny. She listens with rapt attention, though, and...
...
Okay, she absolutely loses the battle of keeping herself under control as she starts to laugh uncontrollably at the fucking punchline--]
Yeager, you're awful! Simply awful! All of this set-up just for a pun, really?!
I didn't realize that becoming a jester was one of the jobs of a guild leader, but you...!
[Dorothy laughs a bit, having try and cover her mouth to muffled some of that horrible laughter and the giggling that comes after--her own drink swaying a little dangerously as she tries to compose herself, gentle tremors going through her as she tries.]
Awful. Simply awful of you. What am I going to do with you...
We certainly cannot. Why, I wager that the group would simply have a field day with that if they could see us now. When we both know the only people we can stand are ourselves, and ourselves alone.
[Ahahaha. Haha. Ha.
Dorothy chuckles a bit, though it isn't quite the same rancorous laughter that she had going for her earlier. Finishing her sixth glass...]
...I cannot say I mind...this, however. It's an impressive moment of reprieve, all be told. I feel quite relaxed.
It is nice, ja? I've been far too busy lately, so I simply haven't had time to take a break like this.
[He can see why Raven wanted to drag him drinking, because all those troubles and worries seem so small like this. Amazing what a drink or six can do.]
You and I both, dear. [Dorothy chuckles a bit.] Work rarely stops coming, and I doubt that we could have found even a moment's reprieve like this back in that strange and desolate place. It's quite nice, actually.
...It makes me think that those peaceful days I used to long for are actually possible, again.
[Dorothy takes another sip at that, her look fond at the wine glass before her.]
...I didn't think you'd actually want to do this. [Another chuckle.] But I have to admit, this truly was a nice idea. I might almost be ready to forgive you for abandoning me in that labyrinth.
[Of course he wanted to do this. He went out of his way to reach out to her, after all; it wasn't something Yeager needed to do, but something he simply wanted to. Maybe because Raven reached out to him first, or maybe he just doesn't want to see Dorothy walk down that same dark path. Or maybe he didn't put all that much thought into it in the first place, and it's just something he could do, so he did.
Regardless, he doesn't say any of that, instead opting to continue being Aggressively Himself.]
Oh come now, surely I've already earned forgiveness for finding both the alcohol and the exit? I made very good use of my time exploring!
[Yeager continues to be aggressively himself, and it's...strangely nice, honestly. How long has Dorothy longed for something like this? Longed for someone to take some time with her like this, to share silly stories, to lift her spirits a bit...
It's nicer than Dorothy could have expected, and strangely, it gets her gaze to avert.]
Hmph. You still left me alone there. [...] But maybe I can forgive you just a bit for having excellent tastes and an escape plan already prepared. You certainly had it all figured out before I could even figure out the labyrinth's layout, blasted thing...
[Dorothy sighs, a little exaggerated, as she finishes her sixth cup and...attempts to start pouring herself a seventh. It's a little wobbly of a pour, admittedly.]
You're excellent company, after all. I find I don't mind it.
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no subject
Ha! I suppose I truly did underestimate you.
[...Just give her a second to find a good tea treat to share with Tails when they get back, but once they're off, Dorothy keeps her eyes peeled in case any robots decide to take issue with them or they need to fight. She's genuinely surprised that they made it through this unscathed, she wasn't sure how many backup plans they were gonna need, but...
Huh. That actually went surprisingly well.
Once they're back, Dorothy can't help but laugh a bit with their spoils.]
Goodness, that was quite the little adventure...
no subject
Wasn't it just? This world certainly does have some interesting things to see!
[Anyway, let's at least pretend we're slightly classy and drink out of wine glasses instead of the bottle. Where did Yeager get those? Don't worry about it! ☆]
just putting a cw for drunken-ness here in advance--
Perhaps we'll have to make another trip out at some point. Hopefully to a place much less chaotic than that labyrinth. I've heard talk of a few...'tourist attractions' or whatnot that perhaps we ought to see at some point?
[Dorothy is not going to question where Yeager got the glasses from, but hell yes, pour her some of that wine. She doesn't quite siphon it down, but the first glass is going to be gone in a moment and Dorothy will absolutely be asking for another in moments.]
Oh, this is simply delightful. I've certainly never had a chance to indulge like this before. This is better than anything we've managed to scavenge...
kyuuchan nod
Oh, this is good, well spotted.
[Though that does get a sympathetic look from him as he refills her glass, and then his own shortly after.]
Dahngrest - home of the guilds - is quite well-known for its parties, so this sort of thing is rather commonplace, where I'm from. It's been a bit since I've been able to indulge, though!
[Partially because he's banned from Dahngrest, partially because he's been busy with... work...
Yeah, he's draining his glass again and going for a third one just thinking about Alexei, ugh.]
no subject
Is that so? That sounds quite lovely, though...I do remember back when the Goddess squad was all together, we had one or two parties of a more militaristic sort. Nothing with as much lovely wine as this, but...
[Let her fill up and get round 3 ready to go--]
Tell me a little bit about them. Color me curious as to how your guilds decided to celebrate?
no subject
Hah, guild parties are something else, I can tell you that much! Though that may be due in part to the leader of the Guild Union, Don Whitehorse.
[...Ah. He doesn't... really want to talk about the Don, but he's backed himself into a corner with it, hasn't he. Yeager swirls his glass of wine, gaze slipping away as he continues.]
The Don was... quite the imposing figure. Likely even taller than Vakama, with bulk to match, and a brash and bold personality to boot! He led the largest of the guilds, Altosk, and was someone anyone from the guilds would follow without question.
[Maybe even Yeager, if things had been different.]
He liked to celebrate anything with booze. And a man that imposing sober was even more of a joy drunk, or so I've heard. I never had the pleasure of drinking with him personally, though I did attend a few of those parties he held.
[...If he's looking a bit melancholic, that's just your imagination.]
no subject
Nah, actually, Dorothy sips on that one while she listens to Yeager talk about the Don. He certainly sounds like something of an oaf, if Dorothy's being completely honest with herself. But even so, she can't help but be reminded of the man she used to follow, though...]
I understand what you mean. Our original commander, he was...well. Not imposing or anything of the sort, but he could be just as bold and brash when given an opportunity to speak with us. [Dorothy chuckles a bit, nostalgic.] It seems like that Don of yours knew how to have fun, that much is certain. The sort of man I would have liked to get to know as well, though I doubt we'd be too fond, but...
It really is those joyful sorts that make life worthwhile, isn't it?
[But Dorothy feels herself tilt her head at a seeming...well, melancholy, perhaps. At least, Yeager doesn't seem as energetic as he continues. But...
Maybe a distraction will do them both well.]
We did have one interesting party, once, back on the base. It was around the time Red Hood joined, and she didn't realize what the dress code of that little event was. It was more...military casual, so to speak? But of course, she didn't know that.
Do you want to take a guess of what she did? Bear in mind that Red Hood was rather boorish, but she tended to take things quite seriously if she actually thought she had to put effort in.
no subject
Hah. Maybe she's onto something. He can't help but think of Droite's grin every time she thought she'd pull one over on him, and her sister's exasperated expression, ever trying to hide her own smile—
But thankfully, he doesn't have to think about that for long. Dorothy, you are the best person here. Thank you for the distraction!!]
Oh dear. Did she overdress? Certainly an easy mistake to make, given the circumstances!
no subject
Hold one moment. I'll go get my notebook off of my desk; fill me another glass, and I'll show you.
[Dorothy's steps are just a little bit wobbly as she goes over to grab one of her notebooks really quick, and perhaps surprisingly quickly, she manages a pretty serviceable drawing of Red Hood standing by one of the old music players they had in that stupid outfit, giggling the entire time before passing it to Yeager.]
I can't tell if she over or under-dressed for that. But I tried to explain to her what appropriate attire was for a military soiree, and she proceeded to ask if what I was wearing was appropriate? And then she proceeded to dart off and see if she could find something in our recent run of supplies and picked...this.
[Dorothy laughs, and it's bright and unrestrained at poor Red Hood's expense.]
no subject
Oh my...
[woman hot!!!]
I can certainly see where that would cause quite a scene! Thankfully, the guilds really do not have any sort of dress code, so we've never run into such issues.
[Unless you're in Leviathan's Claw. Then there's a dress code.]
Tell me about her - she sounds like quite the character!
no subject
Oh, she's been a character ever since she came off the assembly line... [Dorothy laughs a little bit, though it's a little more nostalgic and...almost a touch somber.] Red Hood was an absolute boar, to no surprise I'm sure. She rarely showered after a battle, loved blasting old music to anyone who would bother to listen and she loved poking people's buttons like it was her favorite hobby! Why, she decided to follow me on a walk and wouldn't stop calling me all manner of nicknames to get under my skin while I tried to enjoy the nice sun! I nearly pushed her off of a cliff, once or twice. She's quite lucky I didn't.
That's to say nothing of the absolute chicanery that was her when Scarlet was in the room. Red Hood loved egging her on into trying to cut all manner of things with her sword until Liliweiss would catch them two of them and give them a scolding about such things! That's to say nothing of the teasing she'd give Rapunzel--a healer and former nun, but as you can surmise, Red Hood was none too holy and loved to tease her with that.
She was an absolute pain. Amazing on the battlefield, but you'd need a whole bottle of aspirin to deal with her. She was...
[Dorothy swishes her glass while she pours round 5, and she seems to go a little somber at the memories. At the joyful time she'll...]
...She was a dear friend, despite it all. [It comes out quieter, that. Hic.] Annoying as she was, she did have a way of lightening up any mood. Usually by force.
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It is nice to have someone who can do that, ja? Then you're quite lucky you're here, with so many of us who can do just that!
[no?????]
Would you like to hear about the worst man I've ever had the misfortune of employing? He tried to stab me in my sleep once.
[how is this better?????]
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[Dorothy looks to Yeager when he speaks up, and perhaps surprisingly, it isn't derisive when she says that. Annoyed and tired, maybe, but not her usual brand of slight disdain for everyone.
It may even be a little fond. But Yeager elects to change the topic this time, and Dorothy finds her brow explicitly quirking at that.]
Oh? This sounds like quite the story, Sir Yeager. Please, continue.
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This man's name was Zagi, and he was easily the best fighter I've ever employed. Unfortunately, he was also the stupidest man I've ever had the misfortune of meeting with, and shortly after one of his jobs, he became downright obsessed with someone he fought and refused to do any of his work properly.
He tried multiple times to take control of Leviathan's Claw - the rule is that if you can defeat the current leader, you gain control of the guild. So he tried to defeat me... thirty-three times? Thirty-four, if you count the one time I wasn't having it and simply left... or thirty-five if you account the attempted murder.
Regardless! He failed spectacularly at all of them, and then proved himself to be beyond useless with this obsession, even going as far as to simply never report back to our base of operations.
So the last time I saw him, I made sure to hand him his termination slip. By firing him out a window.
[...was all of this just for that joke? yes.]
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[Dorothy happily listens, though, draining her fifth glass while she does. She can almost picture the situation in her hazy, delighted mind, and something about that strikes her as funny. She listens with rapt attention, though, and...
...
Okay, she absolutely loses the battle of keeping herself under control as she starts to laugh uncontrollably at the fucking punchline--]
Yeager, you're awful! Simply awful! All of this set-up just for a pun, really?!
[SHE CAN'T STOP LAUGHING, HELP--]
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Ja, I worked very hard on it! I'm pleased you enjoyed~ I live to entertain!
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[Dorothy laughs a bit, having try and cover her mouth to muffled some of that horrible laughter and the giggling that comes after--her own drink swaying a little dangerously as she tries to compose herself, gentle tremors going through her as she tries.]
Awful. Simply awful of you. What am I going to do with you...
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[For better and for much, much worse...]
But I suppose you've no choice - you're simply going to have to keep putting up with me, ja?
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[Dorothy winds up pouring and getting about halfway through her next glass, but Yeager's words get a bit more laughter out of Dorothy at that.]
Oh, I've no choice now? I'd be careful with words like that, dear. It almost sounds as if you're fond.
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Well, we can't have that now can we? We both know the only person I'm fond of is myself.
[Hahahaha.]
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[Ahahaha. Haha. Ha.
Dorothy chuckles a bit, though it isn't quite the same rancorous laughter that she had going for her earlier. Finishing her sixth glass...]
...I cannot say I mind...this, however. It's an impressive moment of reprieve, all be told. I feel quite relaxed.
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[He can see why Raven wanted to drag him drinking, because all those troubles and worries seem so small like this. Amazing what a drink or six can do.]
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...It makes me think that those peaceful days I used to long for are actually possible, again.
[Dorothy takes another sip at that, her look fond at the wine glass before her.]
...I didn't think you'd actually want to do this. [Another chuckle.] But I have to admit, this truly was a nice idea. I might almost be ready to forgive you for abandoning me in that labyrinth.
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Regardless, he doesn't say any of that, instead opting to continue being Aggressively Himself.]
Oh come now, surely I've already earned forgiveness for finding both the alcohol and the exit? I made very good use of my time exploring!
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It's nicer than Dorothy could have expected, and strangely, it gets her gaze to avert.]
Hmph. You still left me alone there. [...] But maybe I can forgive you just a bit for having excellent tastes and an escape plan already prepared. You certainly had it all figured out before I could even figure out the labyrinth's layout, blasted thing...
[Dorothy sighs, a little exaggerated, as she finishes her sixth cup and...attempts to start pouring herself a seventh. It's a little wobbly of a pour, admittedly.]
You're excellent company, after all. I find I don't mind it.
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cw: talk of past hallucinations
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