GameBro
Perigees in the past, but not many...
Your name is MITUNA CAPTOR. You are part of an ANCIENT ORDER of PSIIONICS, and you are slated to become the power source of a new class of intergalactic flagship for Her Imperious Benevolence, a role you are more than happy to play. That is- You would be if your PROPHETIC DOOM VISIONS weren't a thing. For a LOWBLOOD, you have a particularly high status, being the most powerful psiionic on the planet, possibly in HISTORY. It is a lot of PRESSURE, but you manage to keep yourself sane.
You have a passion for TRANSPORTATION of all kinds, be it trains, ships, or even your favorite: WHEELED PLANK DEVICES. You share this passion with your MATESPRIT, along with a passion for CLASSIC VIDEO GAMES. You consider yourself to be something of a GAMER BOY. You frequent imageboards to that end semi-frequently.
Your speaking style is >completely unremarkable, and your online handle is tragicAeons.
What will you do?
Examine respiteblock. ==>
You live in a communal hive complex with the other yellowbloods that, like you, are being trained in the Interstellar Battery program. Your kind are powerful psiionics who both power and steer Her Imperious Benevolence's vessels through the depths of space, carrying cargo, and making contact with new planets. Again, you love piloting, but you know deep down that this will never come to pass.
Your respiteblock is full to brimming with STUFF. You're a little disorganized, frankly, but you know where most things are. For example, in one pile are all the video game consoles that you're working on fixing. In another, there are some homebrew wheeled plank devices you're working on with your MATESPRIT. Sometimes you think you're defined by your endless works-in-progress.
Get to work. ==>
Luckily, today is your day off. No training today, which makes most of your yellow-blood peers happy, but not you. You vastly prefer test-driving new spacecrafts, since unlike your peers, your psiionic abilities are too powerful to be used under normal circumstances. In fact, to keep them under wraps and from wreaking havoc on those around you, you have to wear a special helmet to prevent your eye-beams from obliterating everything in sight!
On the bright side, your day off means that you can discuss something important with The Heiress.
You've never spoken to The Heiress before, but you're mutual friends with her. There was a time where you were excited for her reign and working under her in her fleet, but you know that will never happen. She won't even ascend to the throne at all.
No matter, though.
Talk to The Heiress. ==>
--- tragicAeons sent cruelCondescension a fiend request. ---
--- tragicAeons began trolling cruelCondescension. ---
CC: new clam who dis?
TA: >hey, my name's mituna. you're friends with my MATESPRIT, i think.
CC: uhhhh
CC: im friends with a buncha people
TA: >she's probably talked about me. mituna?
CC: oh shit hey
CC: nice to meet you ig??
CC: no offense bro but i kinda got shit to be doin. im boutta visit my aunt
TA: >what's an aunt??
CC: i dont fuckin know i gotta ask her one of these days
TA: >right.
TA: >well. look, i need to talk to you. it's about a game.
CC: oh yeah tula said youre a gamer or whatever
CC: haha tula n tuna
CC: thats p cute
TA: >thanks? i think. i'm serious, though, this is important.
CC: whale make it snappy tuna boy im boutta touch down
TA: >just don't play any games given to you by the demon in pink.
CC: demon in pink. got it. lmao
--- cruelCondescension ceased pestering tragicAeons. ---
You don't know why you bother. There's nothing you can do to prevent the impending doom of your planet, but still, you have to try. You can't just sit by and watch it happen, you must have been given these visions for a reason.
===
In the present day...
--- cruelCondescension began pestering tragicAeons ---
CC: yo tuna
CC: speak to me beach
TA: >be me
TA: >wake up to message from the heiress
TA: >MFW
TA: 
CC: lmao
CC: youre probably seamultaneously the most annoyin and least annoyin person i know
TA: >i'll take that as a compliment.
CC: sounds good
CC: wanna play a game w me?
CC: me n aranea are makin teams for a game
TA: >a game?
TA: >this isn't the game i warned you about, is it?
CC: nah no pink demons
CC: just my auntie
CC: jurys still out on WTF that is tho
TA: >very well.
TA: >if it is unrelated to pink demons, i'd be happy to play with you. honored, even.
CC: ok dont make it weird ok
TA: >weird?
CC: i know youre like. way all about the empress n shit.
TA: >oh, don't get me wrong. i know you'll never ascend to the throne.
CC: wait reely??
CC: fuck thats a relief
CC: bluh wait is this about your BS "visions?"
TA: >that feel when the heiress doesn't trust your visions twofold...
TA: 
CC: look noah fence my dude but
CC: if a dude says he can sea the future im gonna react with a drip of skepticism
TA: >i guess it's no biggie. after all, they're inevitable anyway.
TA: >i mean... i kind of hope they're not, you know?
TA: >i can't tell what i want more. to circumvent my own horrible prophecies or to finally prove to everyone i was right all along.
CC: ok captain navel gazing
CC: do you wanna play the game or not
TA: >yeah!
TA: >sounds fun. i love games.
CC: tight
CC: oh before i go could you ask tula too
TA: >absolutely.
TA: >wait, why can't you ask her?
CC: oh uh
CC: i got some unfinished business
TA: >ominous!
--- cruelCondescension ceased trolling tragicAeons. ---
Speaking to the Heiress was much less intimidating than you thought once. Now you're proud to call her a friend, even if, like all of your other friends, she doesn't believe your visions.
Talk to your Matesprit. ==>
You will, in due time. Unfortunately, you first have to speak to someone else. Someone less... Pleasant.
You're not sure why, but your quadrants have always been a busy place. You're not a slut or something, you just always seem to attract weirdos. The weirdos of the kind, fun variety occupy your red quads, whereas the less savory weirdos always seem to clog up your black...
--- thunderousCaterwaul began trolling tragicAeons ---
TC: HEY dipshit.
TC: LOOKS like meenah got you on board her little game huh?
TA: 
TA: >that feel when your shitty kismesis bothers you twice in one day.
TC: WHATEVER dude.
TC: I was just asking what team youre on.
TA: >i am on the same team as the heiress, since she was the one to ask, presumably.
TC: THANK the fucking juggalo in the sky. FREE of your ass.
TA: >still on about your precious higher power?
TC: YEAH as a matter of fact. HIS miracles are as miraculous as ever.
TC: YOURE just jealous that all you got is shitty visions of tragedy
TC: HERES a riddle for you
TC: "I'M SHROUDED BY GLOOM, I FORESEE DOOM, I'M TOTALLY LAME, ON SKATEBOARDS I ZOOM. WHAT AM I?"
TC: IM you jackass. HAHA.
TA: >i think the only thing tragic is that the only person who believes me about my visions is a superstitious jackass who believes in fairies and imaginary things.
TA: >you probably believe in magic.
TC: HM.
TC: WELL since magic is a form of miracles i guess its motherfuckin safe to assume i do indeed.
TA: >i think the biggest tragedy is that you would be tolerable if you didnt believe in your "mirthful messiah."
TC: EAT shit dog. MM is coming. YOU should be able to see that with your shitty visions.
TA: >ugh
Why do you even talk to this guy? As kismesises go, he's not half bad. You know he'd have your back in a fight, but you argue too much about dumb bullshit like this.
TC: I dont see why you need to be such a lil weasel dude.
TC: OR whats wrong with a lil faith
TA: >i have plenty of faith. i have faith in the sciences, in theorems, in proven phenomena.
TC: TCH. THATS all boring shit
TC: IF you dont leave a lil room for magic my guy life is just boring
TA: >ill take boring over asinine.
TA: >by the way, do you know where meenah got this game from? im a little worried.
TC: SHIT you dont think it was the pink demon was it?
TA: >she said it isn't. she told me she got it from her aunt, but i don't know what that is.
TC: THATS a relief my dude. LOOKS like youre in the clear.
TC: WHATS an aunt though?
TA: >fuck if i know.
TC: ILL do some digging. FIND out whats what. ITS probably fine but its better safe than sorry.
TA: >thanks. i guess.
TA: >for believing my visions, and for checking.
TC: WHATEVER. ITS not because were buds or anything. I just know not to mess with the pink demon.
TA: >well either way.
TA: >thanks.
--- tragicAeons ceased trolling thunderousCaterwaul. ---
Kurloz might be your only friend who trusts your visions. It's nice to have him around, even if he is annoying. Sometimes you wonder if he really should be in your black quadrant at all...
Your mind wanders to the Pink Demon. You shudder, slumping in your seat. You know it's probably nothing, but you can't help but feel something wrong, here. To your surprise, you hear your messenger ping.
--- began trolling tragicAeons ---
Hello, Mituna.
TA: >
Ah, image macros. How charming.
I really can't stay long. I just wanted to thank you once again.
TA: >thank me?
Indeed. Without you, the game could not have come to fruition.
TA: >go fuck yourself.
TA: >you tricked me.
Did I? I never lied to you about our little deal. You program my little game. I bring your little friend back from the dead.
TA: >i don't know how you consider that "not lying," she's as dead as she ever was.
TA: >and your "little game" is going to kill us all anyway, you fucking monster!
You aren't wrong. Damara is indeed as "dead as she ever was."
And I wouldn't be too sure. Your visions are accurate, but not always precise.
TA: >fuck you. fuck you!!!!!! 34t sh1t!!! fuck! fuck!!! sh1t!!!
Careful now. Temper! I'd calm down. Wouldn't want something to happen, would you?
We both know you're not fated to lose control just yet, dear.
TA: >are you just here to taunt me?
Heavens, no.
TA: >i don't see how meteors obliterating the planet is something anyone could survive.
TA: >i saw it all in my visions. death. destruction. beforus is obliterated.
Indeed. But that doesn't mean you are. Nor your friends.
TA: >what are you saying?
I'm not aware of the mechanics myself, but... Playing this game might be able to save you from this planet's impending demise.
TA: >yeah, right. you're not tricking me THAT easily.
TA: >no way am i playing your game.
TA: >"auntie."
"Oho! Looks like you've found me out."
...Is what I would say if that revelation was news to anyone.
For such a sharp one, you're somewhat slow. Let me reiterate.
Your friend is as "dead as she ever was," meaning...
TA: >what, she wasn't really dead at all?
A point for the boy in the yellow helmet!
TA: >fuck you. why would i believe that? what, she faked her own death? she's okay somewhere?
Who's to say?
Now be a dear and don't fuss with my plans. I know you don't trust me, Mituna.
But I know you know better than to not believe me.
The only way to save yourself and your friends is to play my little game.
Or should I say... YOUR little game.
TA: >...
Which brings me back to my main point. Thank you for making it for me. Truly, I couldn't have done it without you.
Goodbye for now.
--- ceased trolling tragicAeons ---
You close your eyes. You hate how she gets under your skin. It takes you a moment to calm down, as you can feel your psiionics crackle behind your visor. You have a bad habit of your emotions getting the better of you, which makes your powers act up.
Talk to your matesprit? ==>
That's a good idea. It will get your mind off things.
--- tragicAeons began trolling galCoolest ---
TA: 
TA: >tula?? you there?
--- tragicAeons ceased trolling galCoolest ---
Damn. Looks like she's offline. What a time to be away! You sit dejectedly in your seat, wondering about this game. You look up.
On your wall is a poster of your hero, the most legendary psiionic in history, The Pilot. Even as a grub, you idolized him. After all, you shared the same horns as well as the same symbol! The true gemini.
If you were a superstitious highblood like Kurloz, you might believe that he was your ancestor, but only he would believe something as foolish as that. It's all just a coincidence. You run a hand over the poster, gazing at his glasses. You wonder what he would do in this situation. Sometimes, reading his published memoirs helps you gain some insight.
EXPLOIITS OF A PIILOT. THE 2OLLUX CAPTOR 2TORY.
most of my exploits take place across the galaxy, driving Her benevolence's fleet to parts unknown, but one chilly day in the fifth perigee of solar sweep 413, the benevolence gave me a task closer to home.
beforu2 ha2 alway2 had a lone 2entiinel hangiing iin iit2 2ky: the piink moon. my ta2k wa2 two driive a 2mall team two iit2 2urface two iinve2tiigate 2omethiing 2trange. iin the lu2h foliiage of the moon, a2tronomer2 had 2een movement.
ii wa2 curiiou2 why her benevolence would employ me for 2uch a ta2k. ii a22umed iit wa2 becau2e 2he wanted me clo2er two home, for thii2 wa2 when our feeliing2 for each other were fiir2t burgeoniing. that wa2 only the rea2on iin part, you 2ee.
my love, my empre22, her iimperiiou2 benevolence, iinformed me that the moon had become treacherou2 two naviigate two. where once the humble 2ateliite had hung harmle22ly iin the aiir, ho2t two iit2 piink-colored flora, now, iit had become nearly iimpo22iible two land upon. the ta2k, then, fell two her be2t piilot, two me.
when ii 2teered the iimperiial 2hiip toward2 our moon, ii 2aw the truth of my empre22'2 word2. naviigatiion became 2haky. iit wa2 nearly iimpo22iible two land, a2 though the 2hiip wa2 beiing repelled by two liike end2 of a magnet. nonethele22, ii touched down on the 2urface and depo2iited the team. ii had two maroon them there, for the 2hiip could not dock. ii wa2 forced two 2iit iin orbiit untiil the team got back two me.
unfortunately, our que2tiion2 about the moon'2 2urface went unan2wered. when the team reported back two the 2hiip, iit wa2 not wiith iinformatiion, but wiith an iinexpliicable cargo. a lone troll.
the crew returned two the 2hiip wiith the troll iin tow. he appeared two have been liiviing on the moon for 2ome tiime, and de2piite beiing an adult, a mere 2weep older than ii, he wa2 wa2 untamed, liike a wiild lu2u2.
we had more que2tiion2 than an2wer2, and they kept comiing. for the troll'2 blood wa2 candy-red, unliike anythiing we'd ever 2een. we called hiim the moonman.
the moonman claiimed two be a prophet, claiimed two have been raii2ed upon the moon by a beiing he called the piink demon, a beiing who, accordiing two hiim, would briing about the end of the world. beiing a man of 2ciience, ii dii2regarded hii2 warniing2. unfortunately, thii2 level-headed rea2on wa2 not 2hared by 2ome back home on the 2urface of beforu2.
2iince then, we have been unable two revii2iit the moon. the electromagnetii2m ii2 two great two overcome, even wiith my canny abiiliitiie2 behiind the wheel of our fiine2t ve22el2. ii doubt, however, there ii2 anythiing of note remaiiniing there.
ii do not regret re2cuiing the moonman, no matter the uproar he cau2ed back home. the iimportant le22on ii gleaned from my tiime extriicatiing hiim from hii2 extraterre2triial home wa2 that even the mo2t reluctant, the mo2t repugnant, the mo2t heiinou2 among u2 de2erve a chance two be re2cued. my team and ii were the rea2on the moonman wa2 2aved.
You close the book. The Pilot's words move you, as usual. Just like the Moonman on the surface of the pink moon, your friends, even if they don't believe you, deserve the chance to be saved. Even if it is through the tenuous trust you place in the Pink Demon's words, you have to try to save them.
You put the Pilot's memoir down, back into its drawer, and stand up. It's nearly time to get back to work! You have other things to do than sit around like this, after all. Even though you'll never be a pilot like your mentor, you have to work hard to strive.