HALO 181: 0.55% Cooler Than The Last One!

[DoomITP]

Hallways

Grant is leading Linda down the hallway towards Tobias's quarters. Once he sets himself outside he gives the door several sharp knocks.

He's around here somewhere.

[Arkhosia]

Entrance

It takes a moment for a look of realization and great respect to appear upon Blanche's face.
Apologies, I've heard many tales about you. but never a good description of who you are. it's an honor to stand before you.
She utters, her respect and awe obvious.

[Beans]

[Infirmary]

This is just some crazy fever dream. Agatha mutters to herself. A reasonable belief, given her vital organs turning into steampunk machines, or whatever the hell else the demonic corruption is doing now.

How exciting! My first contract with a real-thing! The demongirl gives Carrie's hand a curious inspection, careful not to touch it as she reads the energies it emits. Does that hurt you? Would it hurt me? Why is hands like that? Are you trying to intimidation? I am of hearing folklore that some mortals' hands become cursed after touching themselves too much, is this happen to you? Y'know, that would almost explain a lot...

Carrie's blood all flows to her face and she stammers. Bu---I---ad;fjal;dfjkl---WHO TOLD YyyyyI mean no it was a curse thing and I have gloves it's fine no don't talk about it any more.

[The Bushranger]

And meanwhile, at the teleporter arrives a certain white-haired, moderately curvaceous young lady, clad in black.

As the effect fades, Erin looks around curiously, then walks over to take a look out at the sea through some of the observation windows.

"...just as I remember."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross's Lab

Ross shakes his head, not seemingly to what Marlena said but still, something makes him sickly looking.

Growing up in a prison camp isn't fun. That's the short version...

With a deft movement Marlena might realize that Ross managed to cut a very small piece of the branch hair away without any notice and takes it over to any of his computers.

An uncomfortable silence passes over the room, with Marlena regretting bringing it up. She's so busy feeling bad she doesn't even notice him snipping her hair.

[DoomITP]

And meanwhile, at the teleporter arrives a certain white-haired, moderately curvaceous young lady, clad in black.

As the effect fades, Erin looks around curiously, then walks over to take a look out at the sea through some of the observation windows.

"...just as I remember."

As Erin stands by the observation window she may hear a very quiet "eee" noise that seems to be increasing in volume as long as she stands there.

--

Ross's Lab

Ross smiles, seemingly unbothered by what had come up.

It is what it is, not all of us are suited for fighting like that. Don't feel so bad. We all ended up here so nothing to worry about, right?

[Cyber Punk]

"We do indeed! It's just down the hall behind me," Civvy says, turning to wave a hand in the correct direction. "Then take your first right, and keep walking for a bit. It's a straight line past the curve, and there are a few signs on the wall if you want to make sure you're on the right track.

Anything else?"

[Tour => Pool]

Lucky grins a bit. "Nothing right now."

He'll ask Civvy to show him his room, then walk inside and rearrange it to his liking. Afterwards, he'll go to the pool, store his things in a safe dimension and jump inside.

"Ahh. It's been so long since Lucky swam in non-irradiated water."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

"All of you? Who else is there?"
She's curious what kind of friends he has.

[DoomITP]

Ross' Lab

Ross starts to list people on his fingers.

A couple of them are theDaemphages, there's Arlem, this shape shifty... Thing... Not sure. Then there's Dani, and all most everyone else here. It's hard to list everyone, really. I've been here so long.

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She smiles, this sounds like a nice place to be.
"Is there anyone you miss?"
She doesn't mean dead, though it could be interpreted that way, just people he doesn't see anymore. Not that she'd really know who they are.

[DoomITP]

Ross' Lab

Ross nods.

I haven't seen Arlem around the base in ages. Things like that happen though, family, loved ones disappear and never return. Lee Brandt's wife actually disappeared the day after they were married and hasn't been seen in the Nexus for years.

He shrugs and looks more resigned to things than upset.

Can't get hung up really. It happens, especially around here.

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

"His wife?"
She says in surprise, before letting the topic drop. If it's so commonplace and accepted delving deeper won't do much.
"How are the tests coming along?"

[DoomITP]

Ross' Lab

He didn't take it well. Not well at all.

Ross looks back at his computer.

I think we've got something. I think I can replicate the way you control your hair in liquid metal. The trick will be getting it to harden on command. Good luck damaging this base when I'm done. Had enough with the submarine attacks.

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

"Is he doing better now?"
Ross said it's been years, but some people never got over that kind of thing.

"You can do that to metal? I figured you'd figure out something with plants, but metal?"
She seems incredibly impressed.

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross blushes at the compliment.

"It's almost easier. You can run wires like a nervous system and control things in a similar fashion to a body. The main thing is finding the best material to do it."

Ross scratches his head, looking down at the samples.

"I dunno. He was never a trusting person. That was probably the last straw for him, you know?"

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She nods sadly.
"I hope you and Civvy never disappear."
Awww... She has friends.

His explanation fascinates her.
"That's amazing! You're very smart. I don't know a whole lot about science."

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross looks down, smiling deeply.

"Thanks, hope you don't either."

He shakes away the compliment.

"I learned that just from not being able to help in other ways."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She grins at him, her hair begins to flutter a small bit.
"Well being able to protect the base with morphing metal certainly sounds helpful."

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross shrugs indifferently.

"They'll have hallways here that seal themselves if water enters the base but no way of fixing the damage. With this we can close holes, drain and make permanent repairs. Might be able to work it into a power armor design. Just depends on how much energy this takes to make work."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She nods, pretending she knows what he's talking about.
"Well, it doesn't take any energy for me."
She says, wiggling her around more.

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

"You're special."

After a moment Ross looks away from his samples.

"Are you bound to a specific tree? I've seen dryads that are bound in that fashion."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She giggles.
"My mom's a willow tree. I'm not sure what you mean by bound, but I love her a lot.

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross smiles at Marlena's laugher. It's not a sound he often hears when he is working silently in the confines of the lab he rarely leaves.

"That's good. You're very lucky."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

"I haven't seen her in a long time though. Sort of like your friends wife, except I think I was the one who disappeared. I'm not sure.
She looks a little confused.

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross looks at Marlena curiously.

"It happens. Besides, you hadn't committed to spending your life with someone the day prior to leaving."

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

Marlena smiles up at him.
"I'll find her again one day. I wonder if whats-her-face is trying to find your friend again. That would be pretty romantic. Or pretty sad. Kind of like a good book."

[DoomITP]

Ross's Lab

Ross smiles at that.

Yeah, maybe. I don't really know much about that sorta thing, myself.

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

She shakes her head at him.
I don't either, just what I read in books. But books aren't real life. It would be nice if they were. Do you like books?

[DoomITP]

Ross' Lab

Ross nods, gesturing to a bookshelf that dominates the back wall of his lab.

Oh, quite a bit, mainly things relating to my work though. There's a good bit of fiction in there as well though.

[Queen of Thorns]

Ross' Lab

Marlena's eyes go wide in excitement seeing all the books.
"I love stories of adventure, with heroes, and damsels to be rescued, and monsters to be battled."