◣ OPEN ◢ HATCHING LOG 001

[raiamods]

WHO: All PCs
WHAT: New characters arrive on Ethyraia, get interrogated, and settle in at the basecamp.
WHEN: May 21 onward
WHERE: Basecamp Leviathan
NOTES/WARNINGS: Potential character nudity, violence, trypophobia (images) as well as light mentions of gore, alcohol and drug-use, light aphrodisiac effects (optional), and references to mass death.

HATCHING LOG 001 ❀

CONTENT WARNINGS: potential character nudity, violence, trypophobia (images) as well as light mentions of gore, alcohol and drug-use, light aphrodisiac effects (optional), and references to mass death.

Players who participated in our TDM are welcome to keep their CR and the content of those threads. Please make sure to chat this out on the OOC intro & CR meme before making assumptions. Please take your time reading the hatching and basecamp bullets, as some items have been altered or expanded.

❀ HATCHING

Congrats, you've woken up in an egg. I'm sure this is exactly how you wanted to spend your Saturday, right? There's no time to get curious and check out the other egg sacs. By the time you've fought your way out of the membranous sac, spilled electric blue goop everywhere, wiped it out of your eyes and sundry other orifices to get your bearings, you have a spear (or a gun) leveled at your face, throat, or other vital organs. Even if you might be inclined to fight, you can barely lift your arms to protest being grabbed and dragged off. Before you can even get a word in edgewise, you've been thrown into a holding cell.

Characters will not have a chance to retrieve their items at the time of the first hatching, and may not even know there is anything left in the remaining eggs.

The holding cell stinks of something sour and acidic, like rotted citrus, but you are not alone. Several other detainees sit in similar squalid confusion, dressed strangely and equally gooey. Time to make nice, ask questions... figure out what the hell is going on, and maybe do something about all that slime?

Over the next few days, a few things become clear. Despite the alien greeting, your captors speak a language that you understand, and the unpleasant circumstances are revealed to be a matter of necessity, not choice. Supplies are low, but they ensure that the new arrivals' time imprisoned is as painless as can be — they offer hot communal showers of less than three minutes, some strange starchy meal-replacement, and medical treatment to those in need. You might strike up a conversation with your new best friend in the shower over a low soap dispenser or when you realize you might need to share towels.

The cost of these luxuries comes in the form of touch-and-go interrogation by the security officers keeping tabs on the cells and supervising the shower time.

A few notes:

☆ Your character may get pulled away for interrogation at some point. No torture, no drugs; just questioning. If you would like to thread this out, please reply to CAPT CHILDE'S top level comment! A caveat: threads will not go beyond (TEN) NPC replies, and new tag-ins will not be responded to after MAY 24.

☆ Locals will be stopping by outside the freestanding holding cells to ogle or ask questions. Are you really going to be mean to that little kid staring at you with wide eyes?

☆ Characters will be let out for bio breaks. No one has to pee in a bucket, that's just inhumane!

☆ Attempts to escape will probably get you tasered. If your character composes a genius jailbreak, you are welcome to submit it in the MOD QUESTION comment to work out how that might go with the NPCs!

❀ EXPLORE THE BASECAMP

On the heels of a little benign interrogation, a medical inspection, and a stern talking to by Captain Childe, the survivors at Basecamp Leviathan determine one thing: you don't appear to be an active threat.

Released from the detention center after three days, you are given the run-down by the locals — you're on a planet called Ethyraia, and the people around you are survivors of the catastrophic crash of the UCSS Adamant several years prior. You, in fact, showed up on the third anniversary of the crash. Weird coincidence, huh?

The first order of the day is having a proper meal at the mess hall — some of the Adamant's survivors will be friendlier than others. They've been stranded here for years, remember? Some of them will be so desperate to talk to someone who has news of other places, and some will be giving you the cold shoulder.

You'll be fed the same as the rest of them. A plastic plate of crumbled protein of unidentifiable origin and gravy over rice with a single wilted stalk of broccoli and a cup of the worst coffee you've ever had. Maybe somebody bumps into you and spills said coffee, maybe you make it all the way to one of the long tables set out for communal eating.

Time to strike up a chat with your neighbor — maybe ask them to pass the salt?

(What do you mean, there's no salt!?)

During this time, characters will be able to return to the Central Chrysalis where they hatched. While there are no clues as to how they got there, they might find items — their own, or someone else's. Everyone is strapped for supplies, but try not to snatch up anything that isn't yours. The security officers don't look kindly on people chasing one other down the hall, trying to get back their dirty magazines.

A few notes:

☆ Feel free to help out anywhere. Every little bit of assistance you offer to the locals will raise their estimation of you. You could easily help clean dishes after the meal, help fix leaky piping or repair hammocks. You could stop by the aid station and assist with the wounded. You'll be watched closely and some of the survivors will be warier than others, but most will appreciate the opportunity to have a 'break'.

☆ If your character leaves the basecamp and wanders outside the Leviathan, they may begin to notice that what they perhaps took as a giant cave is actually an enormous dragon. Everything that seems human-made will look varying levels of worn down, patched, repaired and patched again. This is not a place of prosperity and happiness. Many people are recently injured, or have new scars or missing limbs.

☆ PCs will be warned about the acid rain and inhospitable wildlife that they'll face if they venture beyond the shade of the dragon's wings.

❀ RECRUITMENT FAIR

You've been here for a week, had a chance to show your mettle. Maybe you've demonstrated a propensity for fixing gadgets (or plumbing!) or you have the command of a natural leader and the ability to wield a gun (or a tire iron!) to great effect. Either way, the Adamant's survivors are eager to put you to work so they can have their first real 'days off' in three years! Survivors have set up their various areas in the hopes of catching your attention and (possibly!) bolster their numbers! Feel free to wander around, talk to other PCs, and get the lay of the land.

ENGINEERING CORPS

Thorkil has welded a sign to a post out front, cheerfully painted by a gaggle of children to say "WELCOME!" The children are crowded around the area, and Thorkil is telling them stories about one of his many tattoos as you approach — he has a magnificent eagle tattooed on his arm, and in a hush he is explaining how it landed on him and tried to bite him like a mosquito, and how he slapped it and it just splattered right there on his arm and he's never been able to wash it off!

The children seem mesmerized by the story (maybe you are too?) and will scatter at the story's conclusion, tugging you over to the various areas, pointing things out excitedly. What is an Ehlers-Chau sublight engine? You're about to find out whether you like it or not! Or maybe you can teach them a thing or two. Those who seem to know their stuff will be eagerly invited on board by Thorkil.

The Engineering division has salvaged its tools and scrap from the Adamant’s wreckage, so it has all of the essentials from metal mills to CNC routers to circuitry tools. A holo projector throws schematics on the wall — a drill, a few potential shelter ideas for long-term settlement, and a new communications tower.

SECURITY DIVISION

Rémi has barely deigned to participate — and seems to have done so only at the request of some of his companions. He's sitting at an unadorned table and he is cleaning a variety of weapons. He will scowl if approached, and seems openly mistrustful of your intentions should you speak to him. Questions about how a conversation with Rémi might go may be posted to the MOD QUESTIONS thread. (Note: We will not be threading Rémi, so these questions will be handwaved!)

Characters who make a positive impression on him will open up the avenue to work for the Security Division later, but he will not be extending any offers now — please allow for a realistic period of development here!

Feel free to lean into another PC's space and comment on how frosty that dude seems! You can also survey the various weapons stored in racks, help out with building spears, the usual suspects.

THEATRE

The theatre doubles as a childcare center, and many of the NPCs bustling about seem very excited and eager for the chance to talk to anyone who ventures in to visit. The theatre is bright and cheerful, paintings have been done on the walls of scenes from children's stories featuring colorful characters.

The thespians will not only try to recruit you (for acting in a play, for teaching, for script writing, for drawing on the walls or caring for children) but they will actively put you to work if they see you standing idle longer than a moment! Your character may find themselves with a paintbrush in hand, or taking part in a recital for a play (you're free to invent one, or put a new spin on an old classic! Romeo and Julio, anyone?) or building a set piece for one of the many local productions.

The Theatre doubles as the protective hub in times of need, so beyond arts education and babysitting, your character may also be tasked with shoring up those defenses, helping to fortify the walls, or other such tasks. And who knows, they may be paired off with someone else rather unexpectedly!

AID STATION

Sunya Hyacinth is the local medical doctor, fueled by coffee and spite. She doesn't have the time to recruit personally — she's flitting about the aid station seeing to the injured.

If you follow her, she will put you to work. Hold this stent, articulate this dislocation, take this blood pressure reading. If anyone appears to have a proficiency for this sort of work, she may inquire after credentials — and anyone who seems to have medical experience is going to immediately be handed the medic's armband, a white band with a blue cross emblazoned on it. This armband will grant any PC an extra amount of respect and trust from the Adamant's survivors — but you'd better be able to live up to it!

Feel free to treat any injured PCs, converse with other 'recruits', help pin that white and blue arm-band on... you know, anything under the sun. Some of the patients in the medical bay seem to be suffering from the adverse effects of some of the local flora — itching hives or burning pustules. One unfortunate soul seems only able to speak in limericks, which the medical staff will admit is one of the odder things they’ve seen.

SANITATION

CONTENT WARNING: DRUG REFERENCES

It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it! There are always latrines to be dug, pipes to be repaired, general maintenance to be done on the various sanitation systems.

A nervous-looking janitor will approach your character almost shyly, and ask if you wouldn't mind giving her a hand. If you are willing to help her (fix a pipe, dig a hole, etc), she will gradually warm up to you and seem more animated and lively and very, very grateful. Won't you please consider working with the Sanitation crew? Sure, it's not as glamorous as some of the other duties, but they're the backbone of the Basecamp and they could really use the help!

She'll even let you in on a little secret if you really butter her up or show an interest — the Sanitation Crew? Totally has a little underground greenhouse where they're growing marijuana. They're totally willing to share...

Feel free to dig latrines alongside your fellow PCs, or maybe even share a joint. It's a way to pass the time, right? PCs serving in sanitation will also have an easier time overhearing the gossip that spreads around the base, since no one looks twice at them.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

CONTENT WARNING: REFERENCES TO MASS DEATH

During their first two weeks in the basecamp, any character who stops by one of the various houses of worship (in addition to a church, a synagogue, and a mosque, there is a temple with small statues to fifteen different unfamiliar deities, many of whom seem to be from different faiths), the gymnasium, or the mess hall will come across a stand that hosts a dozen or so packages.

Wrapped in the black emergency blankets that many bring with them to and from the bunks, these packages are about one cubic foot and contain folded clothes in roughly the same sizes. The styles are all different and highly individualized. Some are luxe, some are basic, and some are clearly the undershirt (but not the proper outerwear) for uniforms of the Adamant’s crew. Warm-faced folks eagerly give out a single package to each new hatchling. Along with the clothing and blanket, hatchlings will receive basic packages containing basic toiletries — bar soap, a toothbrush, a straight razor, etc.

Come by at the wrong time, and you might see a fight break out. A young person, red-faced, shouts at the volunteers working these stands, “Those were our people! Our families! We should be the one to decide what’s done with what they left behind.”

In hushed tones, clearly trying to keep this from becoming a conflict, the lead volunteer insists, “Take it up with Captain Childe.”


A few notes:

☆ Feel free to have your character sign on to help out with any of the listed divisions, with the exception of security.

☆ Characters may collect one (1) care package from the community outreach program. If your character intends to come back for more, please let us know in the Mod Questions thread.

☆ Feel free to ask for light NPC interactions in the MOD QUESTIONS header; we can give you a general idea of how a conversation might go! Like with the Captain Childe threads, none of these threads will be lengthy, and new tag-ins will not be responded to after MAY 24.

❀ THE DREAMING

You are standing at the edge of an immense, underground lake. Water laps at the shore, echoing in the cavern. There is a sense of peace and warmth and — welcome.

A creature emerges from the lake and approaches you. Its gills flutter, its eyes are a faint bioluminescent glow in the darkness. It reaches out to touch you — one long, elegant finger presses against your chest. It feels as if it might crack your sternum open and ferret beneath your bones as if looking, looking for something. Yet, there is no malice from it, and you feel no fear.

But the creature relents. It backs up. Bows to you once, and then turns and walks back into the water.

You stay for some time at the edge of the lake. Eventually, it seems as if another person is here with you, or perhaps they simply came into focus after being here just as long as you. Should you speak with them?

A few notes:

☆ PCs may interact with one another in the dreams. They will be in a semi-conscious state, not wholly aware they are dreaming and not wholly under the impression of its normalcy.

☆ Your character will wake up naturally from the Dreaming, they will feel peaceful and refreshed.
The lake, if they choose to swim in it while dreaming, would be perceived as the perfect ambient temperature for them — some characters may prefer it to be warmer or colder!

☆ If they duck below the water, they will see far-off glittering city lights, but no matter how they try to swim towards them they will never get any closer!

☆ If your character tries to drink the water, they might notice that for a few minutes after they wake they can hear little snippets of NPC thoughts. Weird!

☆ Every character will have a small, pale lilac mark where they were touched on the chest. It will fade over the next few days.

❀ FETCH QUEST

CONTENT WARNING: REFERENCES TO LIGHT APHRODISIAC EFFECTS

A small, perky woman corrals you somewhere near the latrines. "Hey!" she says insistently, pushing her hat back and sending a spill of inky curls askew from her forehead. "We need a hand. There's this plant we get for Sunya — the Doc? You met her yet? — it's a painkiller. Go through a shitload of that, which I'm sure is quite surprising," she says all this in a single breath, and her expression is sour despite her cheery tone.

"You any good at botany? We need another round of Starspire root. Can't harvest the ones we've got in camp, they've been a little cranky lately. You'll have to go about four kilometers due west, towards the old Adamant wreck. Just watch them — if they start to sweat, you'll need to get under cover, means the acid rain is coming. I'll upload the specs to your Comm."

Seems like you're being partnered with somebody else for the run — another person looking perhaps about as equally haggard as you, and at least as equally voluntold. Hopefully you won't run into any difficulties — how hard can retrieving one plant be?

A few notes:

☆ Feel free to have random monster encounters along the way! Don’t forget to wait for approvals on bestiary submissions before incorporating them into threads.

☆ The plants are at a high elevation, so they will exist on rocky outcroppings along a cliff-face. The landscape here is mostly high desert, which means it is full of thin, calf-high grasses, scrub plants, and non arable land polluted by dense, alkaline soil and rocks. Be creative in how you get there!

☆ Somebody gets hurt? Here, chew this root! They said it was a painkiller, right? What's the worst that could happen? (People can get a little ... flirtatious, shall we say.)

☆ Or you could go one step further and try exploring portions of the Adamant! Remember, the ship itself was built to house seventy thousand people — it's the size of a city, and it cannot be adequately explored in an afternoon! If you'd like anything specific to come of this, or if you’d like to know specifics about the Adamant’s layout, please consider submitting a plot request!.

NAVIGATION ❀

Comments

recruitment fair: hunting booth | ota

[trassel]

[ Matthias does not have a booth. He has a chair and a small sign propped against it with the words neatly written, and is sitting, the handle of the large knife visible over his folded arms. There is a large white wolf curled up behind the chair, dozing. The people who pass him occasionally shoot Looks, to which he shifts on the chair, but holds his ground. It is a fact of survival — it must be done. Matthias would go alone if he had to, but only if there was no better option. ]

[ He doesn't exactly look inviting, but if you approach he will sit up and ask, evenly, ]

Can you hunt?

[sunmon]

Hunting?

[ a laugh bubbles out of her. she looks over the little sign, at the knife in his hands. it looks like he has joined the good spirit of the jobs fair arranged around the basecamp, but that seems too ridiculous to alina.

not least of all because his expression is one of neutral seriousness that, beside thorkil's magnanimity and the gaggle of enthusiastic children she'd been helping manage at the theater, doesn't quite strike the same note. ]

What are you doing?

[trassel]

[ Seeing her, he sits up a little straighter. Her laughter washes over him; Matthias' gaze on her is steady, but curious. Alina's power is terrible to him. Alina herself is not — these two things interlock forcefully — they don't make sense to him to look at. ]

[ But he will solve the mystery. ]

I am recruiting, [ says Matthias, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. ] This is the place for it.

[sunmon]

No one else on this base is hunting?

[ they've been here for three years. it seems unlikely. which suggests, instead, that matthias just needs something to do. she can't begrudge him that. this has been hard on all of them — the directionless lack of purpose. ]

You should meet my friend Mal. He's an excellent tracker. Except — Well, he isn't here. He's back in Ravka, probably, and with the First Army, so ... [ so if they met, they'd probably be fighting. some of her humor trains into a flat awareness of reality. ] And we haven't really spoken. So ... maybe not.

[trassel]

[ They have been, he's reminded with every passing sidelong glance. He shifts a little in the chair, mouth pulling, but soon enough has something else to grasp. ]

Maybe not, [ he echoes. ] It doesn't sound friendly.

[ For both her and him. Perhaps that would be amusing, another person he's not meant to strike first at. How long and far until it grows to encompass every person? Matthias pauses, then, ]

Were you looking for the cartography unit?

[unclesam]

[ It's too tempting. Mostly, Sam strays closer because the white wolf catches his eyes, and after a bit of an internal debate - Is it a wolf? Is a dog? Does it matter? - he decides to abuse the newly given smartwatch to mess with one Bucky Barnes for his own amusement.

He does consider the question though, arms lightly crossed, body language relaxed. ]

More of a fisher. Got ways to track, though. They tell you of anything local that's safe to hunt and eat?

[trassel]

[ It's certainly not a dog. Trassel is a wolf almost the size of a bear, a jagged scar down its right eye. As Sam approaches, Trass' eyes open, and blink at him. His tail flicks. ]

[ Matthias nods to Sam. His gaze flicks over him in quick assessment; Zemeni, the light-loose posture doing a lot to shift Matthias out of his usual grave demeanour. (Maybe about 5% out of it.) ]

I've been asking. It seems there are more dangerous creatures around here. [ Remember the rats? Matthias sure does; zero stars on Alien Yelp, not doing that again in a hurry. ] At the very least, we need to know more about the terrain, on our own time. If we're able to bring back food and supplies, it would do a lot of good.

[unclesam]

[ Sam's eyes flick to the massive wolf, then back at Matthias. The man seems unperturbed and the wolf's... looking relaxed enough for Sam to not feel spooked. For the time being. The pup's otherwise huge enough to turn anyone into a cat person, Sam imagines. ​]

I can get with that. [ The rats sure were a thing. Sam's more and more grateful for vibranium existing every single day. ] I've thrown in with the aid station, but you and the fur mountain need some backup scouting out there, I'm happy to help. [ He raises one arm slightly, gestures around them. ] This place could do with with more ways to bring in food and supplies. [ And Sam's not gonna lie - he thinks a lot of the hatchlings are more equipped to venture beyond the camp than Rémi's seasoned but struggling security, or the civilians. Besides... a chance to gather some intel that doesn't rely on trickle down economics? Sign him the hell up. ]

[trassel]

[ That's where Nina has chosen to be, and it nets Sam a more interested study, Matthias looking for something only he can find, and once he does, he offers a slight, satisfied nod. It speaks well of the man, to have gone to those injured. Matthias himself has limited first aid skills, he would only be a burden there. But the only other means he has of being useful are currently under Remi's purview, so here he is. With Trass, with a chair and a sign. ]

Yes. Now that it has us.

[ People to feed and clothe. He's noticed they all share here, and that's an admirable attitude, but is too close to the edge of survival to trust that it can't turn the wrong way. The more ways they have of helping, they ingratiate themselves and they ease the burden on the people here. Win-win situation as far as he's concerned. It's an equation he understands. ]

We welcome your help. How much experience do you have?

[unfastens]

[ he is almost completely certain he saw this man back in the holding cells with the rest of them back when this started - how he ended up here on the other side of the proverbial counter is a mystery, but, judging by that hand-made sign and the looks he's getting, Bruno's guessing it didn't involve getting permission. Either that, or the staring people are just intrigued by the wolf.

It's a little bit of both on his part. The sleeping wolf gets a wary glance from Bruno, but he's mostly focused on Matthias, his stony expression not giving away much. ]

That depends on what you're hunting. [ a beat. ] I'm surprised you haven't gotten in trouble for this.

[trassel]

[ The rightness of his cause chips away with every look. Matthias is still immoveable here, but there are moments of uncertainty that keep growing. ]

I probably will.

[ He admits, with a brief, wry expression. He'd asked, though, and Remi hadn't offered any answer that could sit well with him. So, here he is. ]

Animals. Anything worthwhile to hunt and eat, and perhaps other useful plants.

[unfastens]

[ a reasonable pursuit. ]

Why not ask the refugees? They wouldn't still be alive here if they didn't have some kind of hunting and gathering system set up.

[ he has to imagine it would be easier to fit into whatever the people here have already organized than try to form up a hunting party of strangers from the ground up. ]

It's a good idea. But that's why someone here has probably had it already.

[trassel]

[ It is a very reasonable suggestion. It's not what causes his expression to darken as he shakes his head. ]

They already do. The problem is we [ read: him ] cannot yet join it.

[ And really, who can blame them, he wouldn't be especially keen to share all his hard-won information with people who came out of goopy eggs. It doesn't mean it's not annoying though. Matthias knows where his skills lie, and they've always been in soldiering and killing. ]

At least, if we have our own party, we can be well-equipped.

[ And earn some goodwill. ]

[baum]

[ John looks from the man, to the wolf, and back again. It's an interesting question, and one he would automatically excuse himself from at home. Here, though, it's different. He's openly carrying the rifle slung across his back, which is probably what invited that question.

He looks on the young side, but he shrugs. ]

Yeah. It's been a while. Is that wolf coming?

[ And is it tame? ]

[trassel]

[ It's not a rifle Matthias recognises, but he does know what it is and what it can be used for. ]

He's a hunter.

[ He's inured enough to questions about it that he doesn't immediately snap, what kind of silly question is that, Trass is an isenulf, he's the most useful friend Matthias has, if he thought in those terms. ]

He will choose whether to remain at camp or come with us. Is that fair?

[baum]

He'll choose?

[ The wolf will choose?

Well. Okay then. ]

Uh, sure. I mean, I don't mind, he looks cool to me. What's his name?

[ He's assuming this is a domesticated wolf. Granted, the two of them together makes them look like they belong in the Arctic, or something, but that probably also means they know what they're doing. John will take it. ]

[trassel]

Yes.

[ Like the wolf is a person, to make those decisions. He may as well be, to Matthias. John gets points for being the first person to say he's cool. ]

His name is Trassel.

[ It means troublemaker. Not really living up to it, right now, quite peacefully enjoying a small nap, just wait until you're out in the wilderness and he's trying to bite at your boots. ]

And you are?

[cryptoherpetology]

I grew up hunting, yes. [ Not always for food, and not always to kill, but everyone in his family has learned tracking and hunting skills. ] I don't currently have the best weapons for game hunting, but if you're looking to contribute to the food supply I'm happy to help in any way I can.

[ Alex is dressed more like a librarian than a hunter, but seems confident enough about his abilities. ]

I'm Alex, by the way. Alex Price. [ Getting to introduce himself by his full name without lying about it is still new enough to him that he keeps doing it James Bond style. ]

[trassel]

Matthias Helvar.

[ The reference is, sadly, lost on him; he stands and offers a brief, firm handshake. Matthias isn't really what anyone would call a team player, he's tried to slough off those parts of himself. But a hunting party is more effective than a lone wolf on a strange planet, plus, he's actually finding that he doesn't mind so much, all the people he's met. Alex might look like a librarian, but his words are firm, pleasant, and most of all, don't sound like a needless boast, or a lie. ]

I am looking to help with food and supplies. [ Currently the purview of Security, and he and Remi didn't exactly see eye to eye, perhaps literally, too. ] What weapons are you used to?

[cryptoherpetology]

Good to meet you, Mattias.

[ He returns the shake with one that's firm but not aggressively so. ]

I use firearms, mostly. I have two handguns of my own that I've finally gotten clean enough to use again, but they're not exactly built for hunting and I'm not sure how willing engineering will be to make ammunition for me. I can handle myself with knives and swords as well, but enough to rely on them entirely.

Does the crew know you're doing this? [ He can't help but notice that it's just a chair and a sign, after all. ]

[trassel]

And you, Alex.

[ He's had very little cause to be courteous, and it sets this conversation well, for him. Matthias may be surly, Matthias may be very intimidating, but Matthias also prefers to say please and thank you and mind his ps and qs. ]

Ammunition should be saved. Let us rely on knives for now. If you cannot use a spear or an axe, I will help you.

[ He's passable with a bow — but not enough to reach for it as an instinct. Fletching for arrows, string, he makes a mental note of it. It may be prudent to get better. ]

[ At the question about the crew, however, Matthias' mouth thins, and his shoulders shift almost self-admonishingly. The people here are not too keen, and he has been having moments of wondering if he acted too hastily, annoyed by Remi. ]

I'm probably in trouble, [ he admits, ] but I hope what we will find is worth it.

[bestaround]

[ Uninviting, maybe, but 9S knows that face and that wolf, and neither were unpleasant company before. Accompanying him this time is a smaller bot that floats along behind 9S. ]

Decent enough at it, I guess. Is that what you're planning to do?

[trassel]

Yes, this is what I hope to do.

[ That bot is new. Matthias' attention switches to it, looking with open fascination. ]

What is that?

[bestaround]

—Huh?

[ Come to think of it, he was missing a companion of his own when first they spoke. 9S lifts his chin briefly to give it a glance. ]

Oh, right; that's Pod. Turns out it came along with me, but I didn't realize until later.

[ The weird goop they came in did it no favors, either. In the end, 9S spent an annoying amount of time getting it in proper working order again. ]

[trassel]

[ There could be more surprises in the eggs. His weapons had been among them, and that had been annoying, but he's so grateful for Trass' presence here that his annoyance at it has largely faded. ]

Then I am glad you're reunited. What does it do?