Meulin' Around
Your name is MEULIN LEIJON. You think your life is pretty great, all things considered. You live DEEP IN THE JUNGLE in a TREEHIVE, for starters- The coolest type of hive, in your opinion. Even better, you're in a long-distance MATESPRITSHIP with the LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. You also are a firm adherent to his HIGHBLOOD RELIGION, and as such, are a devout JUGGALETTE. You don't quite understand his religion, but it makes him happy when you say "miracles" a lot and dress up in clown makeup, which you don't mind one bit!
The rest of your QUADRANTS are not quite so well-filled, but with a matesprit like this, who needs moirails? Right now, your LUSUS is away on a hunting trip, leaving you COMPLETELY ALONE in the treehive. You miss your lusus, but you do like the peace and quiet!
Your speech tends to be (=•́ܫ•̀=) hyperactive and overexcited!!!! and your online handle is adorableCalico.
What will you do?
Examine hive. ==>
Your treehive rules! There's only one problem with it, really, a niggle! Nothing too significant. You can't really... Climb down from it. It's embarrassing, you know, but it's not so bad! In the past, there was a pulley system that elevatored you down, but that broke when you were just a kitten. It's easy to climb up the tree using your trusty RETRACTABLE PAW-CLAW 9000, but getting down... That's another story!
Inside the tree, however, are all the amenities you would ever need. In one corner, there's your favorite pile of pelts that your beloved lusus peeled from the skin of Beforus's Jungle Prey animals. She's so sweet and thoughtful! You could lay in that for hours. If only you had a moirail to lay with...
Against the wall are your own hunting apparatus! Even though you can no longer disembark from your treehive, you have an intricate bow-and-arrow system: You attach rope to your arrows, so whatever unsuspecting animal they skewer on the forest floor, you can reel them up to feast on! It works great. If only you had a kismesis to hunt with...
Wrangle up some grub. ==>
Your stomach growls. You have work to do, you've got to ask your matesprit if he wants to play games with you and Aranea, but your tummy is making the rumblies! You can't deny the call of your stomach.
Trusty bow in hand, you crawl deftly out your window, onto one of the wide, pale blue branches of your tree, using your keen vision to spy for prey. You're nearly fifty feet in the air, but your oliveblood eyes have no trouble spotting a little squeakbeast rummaging through the leaves far below. Purrfect. You breathe deeply, eyes focusing in.
Your eyes widen, your nose flares, your skin tingles. Every sound falls away as you silently breathe up in your tree and nock the arrow, taking careful aim. After a tense moment, the silence is broken by a whizzing "THUNK." Your aim, as usual, is true. The arrow is struck through the little squeakbeast. Solemnly, you thank it for being your meal.
Eat! ==>
You'll spare us the gory details, but suffice to say, you're pretty freaky when it comes to feasting. You just kind of... Reel the squeakbeast up and dig in! Gross. Well. Not in YOUR opinion.
Your sordid deed done, you crawl carefully back inside, shutting the window, patting your stomach, hanging your bow back on the wall.
Talk to your matesprit! ==>
Yessss! You've been waiting for this.
--- adorableCalico began trolling thunderousCaterwaul ---
AC: (=✪ ᆺ ✪=) < kurrrrlllooooooooozzzzz!!!!!!!!
AC: (=^ェ^=) < i have AMAZING news! i cant wait to tell you!
TC: KURLOZ makara is unavailable at the moment. THIS is his automated trollian message indicating he is afk. PLEASE do leave a message when you can.
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < twagic!!!
AC: (^･o･^)ﾉ" < please get back to me ASAP ok?
TC: KURLOZ makara is unavailable at the moment. THIS is his automated trollian message indicating he is afk. PLEASE do leave a message when you can.
--- adorableCalico ceased trolling thunderousCaterwaul ---
Oop. Looks like you're getting another message!
--- arcaneGnowledge began trolling adorableCalico ---
AG: Meulin! Have you spoken to Kurloz yet? We presently have a full team.
AG: I 8elieve so, anyway. You DID speak to him, right? It's 8een two perigees.
AC: (≧☉_☉≦) < ummmmm!
AC: (=ꆤᆽꆤ=) < im really sorry purranea! i kept on putting it off and putting it off. i JUST messaged him and he will be getting back to me soon.
AG: I understand. Just please do let me know if he says no so I can find other participants. Though...
AG: Truthfully, I'm not sure the game is even still on. Meenah was the one who originally 8rought it up, 8ut she has 8een, um. AWOL.
AC: (ﾐ⚈ᆽ◕ﾐ) < AWOL?
AG: Indeed. I might have said some unpleasant things to her, and we haven't spoken since... I feel just awful.
AC: (≧☉_☉≦) < oh my gosh, is that why she went into hiding??
AC: (≧☉_☉≦) < i heard she missed her coronation!!!
AG: I just wish I could speak to her.
Your heart suddenly begins pounding. This is your chance! You see a golden opportunity laid out before you! If you act as the go-between for Aranea and Meenah, you could secure yourself a spot in their quadrant as an auspitice!
AC: (=◐ᆽ◐=)ฅ < ARANEA!!!
AC: (=◐ᆽ◐=)ฅ < i volunteer to speak to meenah on your behalf and try to bridge the gap!!!!!
AC: (=✪ ᆺ ✪=) < youll see! youll be chatting before sunrise!!!!!
AG: Meulin, w8!!!!!!!!
--- adorableCalico ceased trolling arcaneGnowledge ---
YES! You pump your fists in the air! The trickiest quadrant to master, and the chance just fell right into your lap. You're so excited you could squee! In fact. You just might. But later! After you've secured the ashen quadrant. For now, you've got auspitizing to do!
--- adorableCalico began trolling cruelCondescension ---
AC: ฅ ̳͒•ˑ̫• ̳͒ฅ < *the purrbeast reaches her paw coyly into the fearsome sea toothbeast's tank! is she angling for a meal or will she become the meal purrself?*
CC: *the sea toothbeast breaches the surface like a fuckin majestic movie scene*
CC: *and like winks at the purrbeast or w/e*
CC: *fuck im bad at this*
CC: *what do you want meu*
CC: i mean what do you want meu
CC: im kinda not in a gr8 mood
CC: i mean great
AC: (=•́ܫ•̀=) < just checking up on my good friend! i mean. were good friends, right meenah?
CC: uh
CC: fuck i was about to say no bc we like never talk
CC: but shit if seein that notification from you didnt make me smile a lil
AC: (=✪ ᆺ ✪=) < reely!!!!
CC: heh
CC: reely
CC: plus your pun game on point
CC: i dont let just anyone get away with that shit
AC: ♡(>ω< ✿) < awwww!
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < i wish i could just bask in this sweet friendship, meenah, but i have some important business with you.
CC: is it aboat the game
CC: i thought you were on araneas team
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < i am!! but she let me know things were a little rocky between you...
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < i just wanted to make sure the game was still on on her behalf!
CC: yeah i mean the games still on ig
CC: you can tell her that if shes super pressed
AC: └(=^‥^=)┐< yay!
CC: but that doesnt mean im still not kinda pissed at her
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < not yay...
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < may i ask what happened between you two??
CC: ugh
CC: how much do you know
AC: (=•́ܫ•̀=) < i know you both broke up! but that you guys still made up after that. then, when you skipped your coronation, you two stopped talking.
CC: thats p much the whole n the half of it ya
CC: i just thought like
CC: she cared aboat me yknow?
Yes. Yes!! Your auspitice-senses are tingling. Meenah is just BEGGING for it! You'll comfort her, then report back to Aranea, then you'll open up a memo between them and be their intermediary until the end of time! You can't wait!
AC: (=◐ᆽ◐=)ฅ < meenah she cares about you a lot! i know it might not seem that way, because she can be kind of blunt and um.
AC: (˄·͈༝·͈˄) < blockheaded!
AC: (=◐ᆽ◐=)ฅ < but she still loves you! you just need to talk to her and tell her what you need to hear.
CC: ugh
CC: yknow meu
CC: talkin to you made me realize somefin
You're on the edge of your seat. It's just like before, when you were hunting. Your eyes are wide, all sound falls away, and you lean in closer to the screen! Shoot the arrow... Reel her in...!
CC: she never gave a shit aboat me at all outside bein the heiress
CC: not like you do
CC: 3;)
You blink. Wait. What?
CC: youre so much nicer than she is
CC: i always kinda had a flush crush on you yknow
CC: lmao fuck i cant believe i just said that
Oh. Oh, no!!! OH SHIT!!! Things are off the rails. This was NOT how you imagined things going. Panic fills your heart! Meenah HAS to know you're already spoken for! Your hands tremble, unsure of what to type.
AC: ∩(・ω・)∩ < um!!!!!!
CC: hey uh
CC: maybe you wanna come over sometime
CC: my new place is kinda hard to get to but
AC: ∩(・ω・)∩ < oh no! meenah! my internet is cutting out!
--- adorableCalico blocked cruelCondescension ---
You put your face in your hands. GOD, that was awkward. Aranea must really have hurt Meenah's feelings, that flushcrush confession felt all kinds of wrong. You decide never to tell ANYONE aboat this.
You mean ABOUT!
Message YOUR matesprit. ==>
Maybe Kurloz is finally online. Unfortunately, he isn't, after a quick check. Rats.
You still feel a little awkward from that interaction. You don't want to message Aranea back, that's a can of worms you don't DARE open. You shudder, imagining her reaction if she knew you accidentally flirted with her ex. You also feel horrible that your chance to auspitize between them has been dashed!
Maybe this is something you need to talk about with your GURU.
Message your wise and powerful QUADRANT GURU. ==>
--- adorableCalico began trolling glorifiedAdmirer ---
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < good morning, o wise and noble guru!!!
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < i have need of your sage advice.
GA: Miss Leijo+n. It's been a while. Is everything alright with yo+ur matesprit?
GA: Also+ my rates have go+ne up. I ho+pe this do+esn't inco+nvenience yo+u. It's no+w thirteen bo+o+ndo+llars per half ho+ur.
AC: (=◐ᆽ◐=) < worth every boonpenny!
AC: (^-.-^J) < and no, everything is okay with kurloz. its, um...
AC: (^-.-^J) < well i was pursuing some ashen affections! two of my close good friends were having a lovers quarrel and i wanted to help them communicate, but it went off the rails... one of the friends confessed their red affection for ME!!!
GA: Yikes.
GA: It so+unds as tho+ugh yo+u do+n't return tho+se affectio+ns. Is that co+rrect?
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < of course not! i love my matesprit!
GA: Go+o+d. Because it so+unds as tho+ugh this friend o+f yo+urs is o+n the rebo+und. Engaging with her wo+uld have been a nightmare fo+r everyo+ne invo+lved.
GA: While yo+ur attempt was admirable, Miss Leijo+n, I also+ hate to+ info+rm yo+u that yo+ur affectio+ns were do+o+med fo+r failure fro+m the start.
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ)
GA: Yo+u see, Auspitices are no+t the intermediaries between flushed lo+vers. Unless this co+uple was vacilating hard, their red affectio+ns wo+uldn't necessitate an in-between. That isn't to+ say yo+ur intentio+ns were no+t no+ble.
GA: In fact, it so+unds like yo+u were being a go+o+d friend.
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < friend zoned again...
GA: So+ it seems. My advice, as yo+ur guru, is to+ leave the affair alo+ne fo+r a while. Let everything simmer do+wn.
AC: (๑꒡ᆽ꒡๑) < i will heed your advice!!
GA: I wo+uldn't wo+rry abo+ut yo+ur empty quadrants, frankly. Yo+u share a rare lo+ve with the matesprit yo+u have already. Take co+mfo+rt in this when yo+u feel do+wn.
AC: (๑꒡ᆽ꒡๑) < i would! i wish he was online...
GA: I think that abo+ut wraps things up. Tho+ugh... I am glad yo+u spo+ke to+ me, Miss Leijo+n.
GA: I had a dream abo+ut yo+u.
AC: ( =｀ω´= ) < a dream?
GA: Indeed. A dream, perhaps a pro+phecy. Perhaps a metapho+r. I believe it is impo+rtant to+ share.
GA: Each night, I dream o+f a go+lden city- An empire amo+ng empty space, with spires and co+lumns, each to+pped with a daggerlike steeple. I wander the streets in my dreams and see alabaster denizens, who+ bo+w as I pass.
AC: (=◑ᆽ◑=)
GA: But two+ nights ago+, as I explo+red the city in my dreams, I enco+untered a do+o+rway to+ ano+ther place. The mirro+r o+f my go+lden city, shro+uded instead in regal purple, with co+al-black denizens who+ regarded me with suspicio+n.
GA: In my haste to+ escape their judgmental eyes, I fled to+ a to+wer. It was o+ne o+f six that do+tted the skyline. And in that to+wer, dear Miss Leijo+n... There was a bed.
GA: And in that bed, yo+u slept so+undly.
AC: (ﾐ⚈ᆽ◕ﾐ) < i was in your dream??
GA: Yo+u were. In my dream, I appro+ached yo+ur bed and to+uched the side o+f yo+ur face. Yo+u stirred gently, but yo+u kept sleeping. Yo+u lo+o+ked like yo+u were having a nightmare. I became afraid fo+r yo+u, so+ I sho+o+k yo+u awake.
AC: (๑꒡ᆽ꒡๑) < well on behalf of dream-me, thank you!
GA: Do+ yo+u remember anything like that, Miss Leijo+n?
AC: (๑꒡ᆽ꒡๑) < i dont think so!!! the only dream i remember from two nights ago is waking up and screaming because there was a rainbow drinker attacking me!
GA: Um.
AC: (=◑ᆽ◑=) < OH!!! i have to go miss guru, my matesprit just got online!!
GA: Miss Leijo+n, wait-
AC: (≧∇≦)/ < ill send payment for this session ASAP!!! bye!
--- adorableCalico ceased trolling glorifiedAdmirer ---
No time to think about weird dreams! Kurloz just messaged you!!!! You squee for real this time. In fact, if he were here, you might go so far as to glomp him!
--- thunderousCaterwaul began trolling adorableCalico ---
TC: MIRACULOUS evening to you, my love.
TC: WHAT a wicked and motherfuckin excellent day to awaken to a message from you.
AC: (≧∇≦)/ < kurlooooozzzzzzzz!!!!!!!
TC: HAHA, im glad youre so motherfuckin excited to see me
TC: IF i could muster the same kind of energy as you im sure as shit that id type that many shout poles my own self.
TC: HEY, before we begin our miraculous repartee i have a gift for you.
AC: (=^ェ^=) < a gift??
TC: HELL yeah lil mama.
TC: THE gift as a matter of fact: RIDDLES.
AC: (=•́ܫ•̀=) < hehe!!
TC: AFTER all, as riddle solvers go. NO one is better than my lil kitty.
TC: WITHOUT further pomp and/or circumstance. LET the riddling fuckin commence.
TC: "YOU WALK ALL THE FUCK OVER ME. I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU. I AM ALWAYS WATCHING. BUT I CAN NEVER FUCKIN' HELP YOU. WHAT THE FUCK AM I?"
AC: (=^ェ^=) < hehe kurloz, that ones easy!
AC: (=^ェ^=) < youre my shadow!
TC: HAHA, fuck. I cant pull the wool over your eyes lil kittybitch.
TC: JUST like im your proverbial shadow. ALWAYS keepin my watchful eye all up on you.
AC: >:3
TC: ANYWAY babe. WHAT the fuck is it you need of your humble shadow this fine fine night?
AC: (^･o･^)ﾉ" < weeeellll... i told aranea that i would be on her team in a game she wants to play later.
AC: (^･o･^)ﾉ" < and i just wanted to clear it with you!
TC: SHIT babe. I dont own you or any shit like that. YOU dont have to talk to me about what kind of games you want to play.
TC: BUT im honored you opened up communique with me about that miraculous event.
AC: (≧∇≦)/ < yaaaay!
AC: (=^ェ^=) < you can play too of course!
AC: (=^ェ^=) < in fact id love it if you did!! right now the team is me, aranea, kankri, and horuss! youd make the fifth player.
TC: SHIT babe that sounds like a banger of a time.
TC: BUT uh.
TC: IT all depends on the time frame. YOU know ive got responsibilities on the ranch here.
AC: (=•́ܫ•̀=) < its probably not going to be for a while!
TC: EVEN still my little kittybitch. THINGS have been sort of happening around here that have exacerbated my responsibilities.
TC: NOT to mention my righteous ascension.
AC: (=^ェ^=) < dont worry kurloz! im sure the game wont be a huge deal or anything.
AC: (=✪ ᆺ ✪=) < whats been happening on the ranch?
TC: OH uh. WELL its kind of miraculous but. A big fuckin meteor kind of came down from the heavens and struck one of our store-houses.
TC: FUCKIN obliterating it and everyone inside.
AC: (≧☉_☉≦) < oh no!
TC: SUFFICE to say its kind of stressful as fuck around here.
TC: ON top of all that... WELL.
TC: I dont want to worry you babe...
AC: (=^ェ^=) < you can tell me anything kurloz!!
TC: FUCK. OKAY.
TC: BASICALLY, my dreams have been getting way worse.
AC: (≧☉_☉≦)
TC: WHATS up? YOU okay?
AC: (≧☉_☉≦) < sorry! youre just not the only person to have brought up dreams tonight. go ahead kurloz, tell me about your dreams.
TC: WELL, my miraculous existence in my dreams has been sort of fraught. SEE, ive been getting stalked in my snoozing hours by a man.
TC: "FESTOONED IN BLACK, I STALK WITH KNIVES. I ALWAYS FIND YOU, ASTRAY OF HIVES. WHO AM I?"
TC: SUCH is the riddle of my dreams. SOME kind of murderous asshole stalker. WHO haunts me when i sleep.
AC: (ﾐ⚈ᆽ◕ﾐ) < oof. i dont really know what any of that means... on the bright side!! its all in your dreams! its not like you can die in a dream.
TC: RIGHTEOUSLY so my little kitty cat. FUCK if that doesnt make me just a modicum better.
TC: ALRIGHT well lets plan to play this game. SHOULD my circumstances motherfuckin afford me the chance.
TC: I really hate to scram so soon babe. BUT ive got some shit to do.
TC: WE will speak again soon.
AC: ( =｀ω´= ) < we will! bye kurloz. i love you!!!!
TC: LOVE you too, babe. MIRACLES be with you.
AC: ( =｀ω´= ) < miracles be with you!
--- thunderousCaterwaul ceased trolling adorableCalico ---
You feel much better. All in all, it's been a weird day, but talking to Kurloz always makes you feel better. You'll message Aranea and tell her the good news, that the fifth teammate has been secured! Later, though. You're not ready to face her after the awkward conversation with Meenah... You cringe when you think of it.
Light filters in your window. Looks like sunrise is soon. Time to get some sleep! You close the blinds and disrobe, crawling inside of your recupacoon, yawning sweetly to yourself, taking no time at all to fall into a deep sleep.
===
After what feels like a mere moment, you awaken. Your vision is bleary, and you feel around, surprised not to feel sopor slime, but... A respite slab? You rub your eyes, blinking awake, and you gasp.
You're no longer in your room, but somewhere else entirely. Your heart thuds in your chest as you realize what's going on with a soft laugh. A dream! Phew! You were scared for a second, there. But... This dream feels familiar. Something about it is oddly invigorating you with deja vu. You walk to the window, noticing your clothes are different. You're dressed in a gown, purple, matching the walls of this dream-room.
When you peek out the window, however, the dream falls into place.
Just like Porrim said- A purple city, with jagged steeples, dark and mysterious. Far below your room, which is evidently inside a massive tower, little black-colored people mill around, doing their business.
MEULIN: EEP!
You slip! To your horror, you find yourself falling forward through your window, surely to plummet towards the horrible depths below!
But you never do. In fact, after falling out of your window, it appears you can fly! What a convenient relief! You laugh excitedly, testing your power of flight, floating around the sky above your tower, waving to the people below! They don't appear to be trolls, but instead, little round people, some of whom wave up back at you! This is the best dream ever!
After a few hours of flying, you begin walking through the streets below. The black carapiced people don't speak to you, but watch you in awe as you pass. You wave politely to them, and each one you do looks starstruck! Maybe you're a celebrity in this dream. A purple pajama-wearing celebrity! You giggle to yourself.
Something catches your eye in the distance. It looks like- Could it be? There's a flash of someone running into an alleyway a block down the road! someone who isn't a black-carapiced person! Maybe another dreamer, like you? Maybe it's Porrim! You happily dash after the shape, feeling your feet leave the ground, floating through the streets.
This is probably the best dream you've ever had! Flying carefree through a magical city, enjoying new sights and sounds, being able to fly! It's all so real! All so wonderful! As you persue the other dreamer, you laugh, and you're surprised to hear it's the happiest laugh that's ever left your lips! You LOVE this place!
And the cherry on top, what makes your heart nearly stop out of joy, is the dreamer that you see in the purple pajamas is none other than Kurloz!!
MEULIN: kurloz!!!
You cry, flying after him. You're SURE he's going to be so happy to see you!
But to your shock, when he turns around, he looks frightened.
KURLOZ: MEULIN?
MEULIN: kurloz!!
MEULIN: its so good to see you! this is the best dream ever!
MEULIN: but- why do you look so scared?
KURLOZ: LOOK, babe we need to beat it. THERES a guy after me and hes right on my tail.
Your smile falters. Kurloz looks scared. His immense hair, usually unkempt, looks especially disheveled, his eyes wild, unlike his usual calm easygoing expression.
MEULIN: kurloz, relax! its all just a dream! im sure its nothing too terrible. i bet together we can take him on!
Suddenly, though, at the other end of the dark purple alleyway, someone steps into view. Your blood suddenly runs cold. Like the rest of the black carapices on the street, he's shiny and colored like coal, but unlike the citizens of this city, he looks menacing.
???: well well well. looks like the clown aint the only one who woke up. must be my lucky day.
In the stranger's hand is a long knife. His teeth, when they grin, look razor-sharp and deadly, too. Kurloz steps between you and the menacing man.
???: damn shame. i hate to kill a buncha kids like this, i really do. i say let em grow up and THEN kill em. right now its like shootin fish in a barrel. tsk.
Kurloz doesn't speak, watching the man carefully. You can't speak, can't move. This is all so strange and upsetting! This has gone from the best to the worst dream!
MEULIN: just back off whoever you are!
Your voice falters. The stranger laughs. To your surprise, Kurloz hushes you, and behind his back, he's pulling a weapon of his own from the waistband of his purple pajama pants.
KURLOZ: HEY guy.
KURLOZ: YOU like riddles?
Kurloz grips the knife, swallowing, waiting for the stranger to get closer.
???: nah. never had a taste for em.
KURLOZ: "I HAVE A HANDLE, BUT I'M NOT A DOOR. I CAN BE FOUND IN THE CUPBOARD DRAWER. DON'T GIVE ME A LICK, OR YOUR TONGUE WILL GET SORE. WHAT AM I?"
The stranger pauses, and his mouth pulls back from a menacing grin to an amused smile.
???: dats easy, kid. youre a knife.
The stranger suddenly lunges, closing the gap between the two of you. Kurloz draws his knife, but it's too late. You're acting on impulse, now. You push your matesprit to the side and cry out, blocking Kurloz from danger!
MEULIN: don't-!!!
KURLOZ: MEU, no!!!
You feel the knife sink into your chest.
===
MEULIN: BUH!!!
You wake up in sopor slime, hands shaking. You take a moment to steady your breathing, laying back in the sopor bath. Just a dream. Thank goodness.
As your breathing returns to normal, you think over the final moments of the dream, and you can't help but laugh.
MEULIN: if i ever have that dream again, i wont forget to fly away!