001 - This Isn't Cool At All

[twentycoolpoints]

Characters: [AU2] Picky Minch and you!
Setting: Room 3-16 and around Dorm block 3, Floors 1 and 6
Format: Action brackets to start, but I'll totally match you!
Summary: Another new arrival wakes up and tries to figure out what's going on.
Warnings: None


Room 3-16 and Dorm
[It's bad enough to not wake up in your own bed, and bad enough that it's freezing. Not being able to move, even just to kick your legs and warm them up, that was really freaky-bad. Even in that short period of paralysis, Picky is starting to work himself up to quite a panicky state. So when it wears off he's up with such a start that he just about flings himself off the bed.]

Aaaagh!

[In the process of getting to his feet he finds the standard Welcome To The Tower note, reads it, and just... stares at it.]

Porky... Porky must've...

[And then it occurs to him that he might not be alone in here. This kind of looked like a dorm room. He folds the note up, wraps his bedding around himself for warmth, and hushes up while trying to take in what's around him. Maybe there's a roommate to have a chat with. Or someone in the hall that'll clue him in further.]



Floor 1, cafeteria
[Oatmeal for breakfast? Picky couldn't object too much. It was hardly his favorite, and it could really use some sugar, but it was hot and he was pretty hungry.

So hey, there's a teenager in a leather jacket, with hair in his eyes, actually kind of enjoying the standard introductory breakfast. And as he eats, he sits back and watches the other people wandering around. Maybe there'll be someone he knows. Maybe someone he can ask more questions to. And heck, some of these people are pretty weird looking. It's probably best to keep an eye out.]



Floor 6, forest
[This place was a tower, right? With lots of levels, right? Why not explore it? Why not check it out? So, pockets full of nutrition bars and head alarmingly free of clues as to the kind of trouble he could be encountering, Picky had explored his way up to the 6th floor. When he saw that it was a forest, that piqued his interest and brought him off the staircase. Sure, it was cold, but he had warm enough clothes on. Maybe there'd be something good out here? Something like...]

Oh, hey! A rabbit!

[There was one, right over there, a snowy white bunny just hopping past. And it didn't even scamper away in fright, like Picky had expected it to. Maybe the animals were friendly here?]

Hey there, Mr. Rabbit. Hey. You hungry? [Slowly approaching, Picky slipped one of the nutrition bars from his pocket and unwrapped it. And then he knelt and extended his hand, offering the end of the bar. The darned things tasted enough like sawdusty oats and spongey nothingness that maybe a rabbit would find them a worthwhile treat. Or something different than grass to nibble on.] Yeah, it's alright. C'mon, have a bite. [Maybe if it went well, he'd have a pet rabbit for himself. Could they keep pets in the dorm? He'd have to check with his roommates, he guessed.

Surely nothing will go wrong, here, and no one will need to step in to help! Or to point and laugh. It's just a rabbit, after all...]

Comments

[kingofthetoybox]

[A rock flies over Picky and strikes the rabbit before it reaches any closer to the boy. It probably would have little effect on it, but at the very least, the rabbit should be more inclined to reveal its fangs, claws, and tendrils. If Picky looks behind him, he might see a familiar sight: a stout, blonde-haired, well-dressed child with his mouth open.]

Run.

[twentycoolpoints]

[Picky jolts back, hand jerking away from the rabbit and the thrown rock. That was a nasty thing to do. Who would've done that?! He looks over his shoulder and starts to rise, but only gets halfway there.]

Porky?

[That... that was Porky. Definitely Porky. Well, of course Porky would be throwing rocks at rabbits, what else could you expect from him?]

Hey! What the heck!? That was just a rabbit!

[He rises the rest of the way and turns about. Which means that he hasn't noticed that Mr. Rabbit has suddenly become all teeth and claws and tangly things. He's too busy getting angry.]

[kingofthetoybox]

I said run!

[Porky charges in through the trees and rushes at the rabbit. If Picky would stand in his way, he'll just ram through him to get at the rabbit. Nobody would have to get hurt this way. The only person in harm's way would be a robot.]

[twentycoolpoints]

Run?! It's a ra-

[He waves his arms and spins about, keeping Porky in his line of sight as he charges. And then the words just wither and die when he sees what Mr. Rabbit has become.]

Gaaaah!

[Oh, wow, that's freaky. And said freaky rabbit is more than happy to lunge at the much closer, plumper looking target.

Picky is not running, but he's certainly understanding that this place is messed up.]

[kingofthetoybox]

[There was a reason that the Mecha-Porky team was built. With a team of eleven, Porky intended to start a soccer team. Withdrawing his foot, Porky swings it straight at the eldritch bunny. The mechanical kick sends the bunny flying, but it doesn't give up. It jumps straight at the fat child, sending him flying and at the ground. Irritated, it's prepared to claw through and eat its prey.

Porky tries to grab it and throw it off, all the while yelling incomprehensible apologies.]

[twentycoolpoints]

[Picky watched all this, paralyzed with indecision and confusion. He had been damned sure that this whole place, this whole worlds-destroyed thing was somehow Porky's fault. But here was Porky, and not even the Porky he had last seen, having it out with a killer bunny.

...why in the heck would Porky be trying to save him, again?]

Oh, for the...! HEY!

[Questions later. Combat now. Picky rushes on in, grabs that bunny with both hands, and tries to tear it away from his brother.]

1

[ceasetoexist]

[Congratulations, Picky. You've got a chance to ask someone for information.

Pokey had decided to come into the cafeteria to get breakfast. Most of the food, as far as he was concerned, sucked, but it was better than nothing. And saying no to eating wasn't something Pokey did that often. He takes a quick glance around the room, more compulsory than searching for anyone in particular.

And feels his appetite drop away immediately.

His gaze locks on Picky, and it's hard to tell what he's thinking. Despite how much older Picky is then when he last saw him - when he saw Picky in Mayfield....

No. He probably shouldn't do that. The chance that this is somehow that Picky grown up is abysmally small. But it's still Picky.

He feels a rollercoaster of emotions. Shame. Guilt. Happiness. Irritation that Picky is even here. Fear of even trying to speak with him.

But he might as well. Pokey's been staring at Picky long enough that it's impossible Picky hasn't noticed him. So he clears his throat, and speaks.]

You grew up well.

[twentycoolpoints]

[He might not have caught notice of Pokey if he hadn't stuck around so long, weighing his options. But after Picky's next casual scan of the cafeteria space, he spotted him. Big brother Porky. Only... not so big. Not so old. (Thinner, too? No, couldn't be right...)

Picky doesn't say anything. He makes pointed eye contact (as much eye contact as you can make with that much hair in your face), and then looks away to finish his oatmeal. Yeah, he sees him there. He's got nothing to say. This is all his fault, this whole mess, he knows it.

He's surprised and not surprised when Pokey approaches and speaks. The words weren't ones that he expected.]

You're looking better than the last time I saw you.

[Flat tone. No warmth. There's apprehension in his voice and his posture.]

[ceasetoexist]

[Oh god. Did everyone back in Onett somehow know the even bigger bastard he'd grow to become?

In most ways, that doesn't bother Pokey. Onett was still a place he had turned his back on, and was quite happy to have done so. But after having been with you for a year Picky, after having you back....he had been confronted with the fact that you were something he had never wanted to leave at all. And had out of his utter cowardice.

The fact that you know what he's supposed to be? Somehow makes it hurt even worse. But not as badly as that tone hurts.]

From what I know about me? I can imagine.





Did the coward hurt anyone?

[twentycoolpoints]

[There's some confusion on Picky's face, now. His expression is still hard, but... something's not right, here. Something's not how he expected it to be. Is this some kind of trick? Can Porky even pull off tricks like this? It must be a trick, because this Porky seems sorry about something.]

...what?

[He sets down his bowl of oatmeal and shifts in his seat, giving his full, undivided, totally confused attention to Pokey.]

Did what coward hurt what?

[For, of course, there's only one Porky Minch. One big brother, one time-hopping tyrant, one universe-ender.]

[ceasetoexist]

[Let him just cover his face with his hand for a moment to try and hide him gritting his teeth and the general annoyance and anger he feels right now. You're going to make him actually ask this, aren't you Picky?

When he speaks again, his voice is a hiss, his attempts to hide his agitation failing hideously.]

Did I hurt anyone when you last saw me?

[twentycoolpoints]

[C'mon, Pokey, it wouldn't be a conversation with your little brother if things didn't take a turn for the annoying at some point.

Now Picky seems to grasp what he's getting at. And he gives a disbelieving snort and a nod.]

Yeah. You almost killed the bunch of us. You tried to haul Lydia off into time with you. You did suck in Dr. Andonuts and a bunch of animals and stuff.

[And he turned back to his oatmeal, but kept one eye on Pokey. What would his reaction be? ...no, really, what? Gloating?]

Cafeteria

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko sneezed as she wandered into the cafeteria. This cold wasn't getting any better, and she was starting to get really tired. Best to eat some food to keep up appearances sake and then get some rest. However, when she noticed someone eating a bowl of oatmeal, she knew that it was a newcomer, and she couldn't just leave him without knowing if he knew about the Tower. So, she approached him.]

Erm..pardon me, but are you new to the Tower?

Cafeteria

[twentycoolpoints]

Whht? Mmrrph...

[Picky tried to speak with his mouth full, but caught himself doing it, quickly swallowed that mouthful of oatmeal, and tried again.]

Uh... yeah. I'm new. Is it obvious? I'm not doing something wrong, right?

[He's got a bit of oatmeal on his cheek, still.]

Cafeteria

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko smiled and shook her head.]

No, not at all! You have to eat a bowl of oatmeal before you can eat anything else in the Tower, so you'll often see newcomers eating it. That's how I knew. You know..if you want, I can tell you what I know about this Tower. That way, you'll be prepared!

[Tohko didn't mention the oatmeal, but she did motion with her hand that he had some on his cheek.]

[twentycoolpoints]

Ohhh... I guess that makes sense. Huh, why oatmeal?

[The motion she makes seems to clue him in. He hesitates, wipes his cheek off with the back of his hand, and grins sheepishly.]

...yeah, if you can tell me anything about this place, that'd be really great. It's... kind of weird, here. Is this that... Project Harmony thing?

[Couldn't hurt to ask.]

[tohko_amano]

[Tohko sighed.]

I have no idea. I guess it's because oatmeal is a pretty foul first dish, and the Administrators want you to know what sort of place you'll be in.

[She then gave him a puzzled look before nodding.]

I don't know what Project Harmony is..but, as far as I know, it's not part of the Tower. What is Project Harmony? Something from your world?

Floor 6

[wrigurun]

[Wriggle looked over his shoulder, still bundled up in the same sheet she'd been covered in for a few days now. It wasn't often that she found people interacting with the animals around here so whenever she saw them she was always curious]

Do you think they really like that?

[twentycoolpoints]

Huh?

[Still crouched and still holding the bar out, he turns his head in the direction that the question came from. And he's a bit taken aback to see someone wrapped in what he can already recognize is a bedsheet. Yeah, that's totally not proper winter wear.]

It's worth a shot, isn't it? If he doesn't like it, he.... aaagh!

[And that is the sound of Picky getting his hand bitten by the flesh-eating rabbit monster.]

[wrigurun]

[Almost instinctively Wriggle fired a concentrated stream of blue bullets to try and shake the rabbit off. They weren't dangerous but certainly enough to sting]

Watch it! You need to be careful here!

[twentycoolpoints]

[Shiny blue shooty-shooty-pow seems to work pretty good on vicious monster rabbits. It's enough to blow it clear of Picky's hand.]

Woah!

[And Picky is on his feet in an instant, arms windmilling, his mind positively blown.]

Was that PSI powers or something?!

[For the moment, both the rabbit and the fact that he's bleeding has been forgotten.]

[wrigurun]

[Wriggle simply cocked her head to the side, just as oblivious to the bleeding]

What's PSI?

Cafeteria

[friendlyfiend]

[Speaking of weird-looking people, a sudden whoosh of displaced air heralds the abrupt appearance of a jackal-headed creature bundled up in layers of makeshift blankets. After picking up a couple of nutrition bars, he's about to settle in for some people-watching of his own when he spies someone eating the newcomer oatmeal and approaches.]

Not exactly a warm welcome, is it?

I am so sorry that this is so late

[twentycoolpoints]

[It's a good thing that Picky didn't have a mouthful of oatmeal when the jackal-looking guy approached, or he might have choked. He did jolt in his seat, eyes going wide beneath those long bangs of his.]

Not... not exactly, no.

[...last time he had seen something like this, it was attacking him. So. He's wary.]

Likewise! -_-

[friendlyfiend]

[A'kin catches that startled reaction and keeps a bit of distance, not wanting to spook the boy farther. Shivering, he pulls the blankets tighter around himself.]

This place is a ratty kip even at the best of times, but it's usually not so cold as this. Has anyone given you the welcome speech yet?