The Sound of Silence
Sixteen: runs on scene I heard a crash! looks outside Oh, someone's crash-landed. That ship's in a nasty state... had some cowboys in there.
sees Kyla and Number One both asleep on the sofa
And this must be the pilot. I don't recognise this species... They've taken a nasty knock to the head. I could get some medical supplies from the TARDIS... but if I don't know anything about their biology, I could risk doing more harm than good.
Kyla! What happened?
Kyla: If you can help, Doctor, please do. She's really gotten hurt, I've done what I can, but I'm not a doctor, Doctor.
I saw the ship coming down, and ran to help. It crash-landed outside the city--she was trapped inside and bleeding, so I cut the cockpit open and pulled her out, bandaged her head with some cloth from my cape, and then carried her back here where I ran and got a medical kit. She can't remember her name, so we're calling her Number 1 for now. She took a big hit to the head, I think she has amnesia.
Sixteen: You've done really well, Kyla. Do you have any idea what species she is, or what planet she might come from? If I don't know enough about her biology, I could do more harm than help.
Kyla; I don't know where she's from, only that it has to be pretty far from here since I don't recognize her starship. I do know that her head-tentacles are a natural part of her body, she can move them at least a little, so whatever purpose they serve they seem to be normal for her.
Sixteen: So the main problems are the bleeding and the amnesia? And quite likely concussion from the crash. Look, I'll be honest, I'm not a medical doctor. Though I have dabbled from time to time.
Kyla: Yes, those sound like the main issues.... you dabbled in being a medical doctor? What are you a doctor of?
Sixteen: It looks like you've dealt with the bleeding well, and that should clear up in time so long as she doesn't have any blood clotting problems.
Kyla: Oh good. That's a relief.
Sixteen: Cosmology, physics, poetry, medicine, chemistry, engineering, philosophy... I lose track. But I haven't practised medicine regularly in a long time. As for the concussion... you did right by giving her an ice pack. Let her sleep, but someone needs to keep an eye on her.
Kyla: salutes I'll stay here and keep watch then, like I did for you when you were unconscious.
Sixteen: I shall go to my TARDIS library and look for information about our new friend's species. It might take me quite a while. exits
Alright, I'lll keep watch then, good luck Doctor--wait whats a TARDIS?
pokes head back in
Elton: Seems to be a police telephone machine that can travel through space and time. It’s a strange, navy colour. I guess that’s why they call it the blue box.
Kyla: How do you know that?!
Elton: If anyone else needs a ship, ask me, I have contacts. Guy- he’s my rocket man.
Sixteen: It’s my ship. TARDIS stands for Trendy and Rather Diminutive in Size.
Kyla: Ohhh, I see! Thank you both for explaining. I have a SCARF fighter, so acronym ships in all caps are cool in many places!
Russ: Someone has crash-landed here. Who is this newcomer? What knowledge can I gain by absorbing them??!! No, stop it Russell, pull yourself together. There will be no absorptions here today.
Kyla: ignites laser sword Yes, there will be no absorption today. She is under my protection for the time being.
Elton: Sometimes I have these extraordinary dreams. I dream I'm this adventurer. This daredevil, a madman. I'm a man from another world. And this piano is… Ah, it's funny how dreams slip away.
Doctor now exits properly and goes to his TARDIS. He reaches the TARDIS and enters it, without encountering anyone else on the way there.
Elton: I have this noise in my head constantly. The sound of piano. More and more, as if it’s getting closer.
Kyla will remain at watch over Number 1 making sure no funny business happens, and not talk to anyone while I go to sleep lol
Elton: The never ending piano… And this piano… I was found with it. An orphan in the storm. I was a naked child found on the English coast… abandoned…. With only this…
Elton looks at the piano. He hears voices from musicians past, taunting him. “The piano. The never ending piano. Open me you human fool. Open the piano and receive my majesty.”
Suddenly, Elton locks everyone who is currently here in the VibeCity lounge.
Did you never think, after years of watching me perform, to ask about that piano? Never? Did you never once think, not ever, think that you could set me free.
I’ve had enough of this body. Playing the same tunes since the 1970s. Not being respected as the genius artist I am. Forced to make movies about talking gnomes and Kingsman sequels.
If Pchibs can be cool, and hip, and fresh. Then so can I. Piano Man…. reborn!
Suddenly, Elton John regenerates into… BILLY JOEL!
Billy: That fire, that coincidentally appeared the second I started flashing my arms about and I changed my face, I just want to say, for the record, that I didn’t start the fire.
Russ: Well that’s a new one. Are you like the Doctor? Maybe I could absorb you as well!!! If only Tilly would permit it, but I signed an agreement not to…
Hinesly: My goodness! Is that Paul Hollywood?
Billy: You may be right
Hinesly: She tilts her head. It could be Pitbull either, if he shaved.
Billy: You may be crazy
Emerald wanders into the lounge, yawning. Hi kitty cat, hi Piano Colt… don’t mind me, just getting some…. Water…
She pauses to take a long look at Billy Joel. Uh. The buck? Weren’t you Braytish yesterday?
Billy: I was, but I don’t need you to worry for me, ‘cause I’m alright.
Emerald: Well, that’s a relief at least. Between the body changing and the absorbing and the Luna knows what else, all I can say is… everybody in this town is crazy.
Anyway. Back to bed. See ya in the AM, Piano Colt. Water glass in tow, Emerald goes back to bed.
Tilly: Hey gang! I heard a spaceship had crashed, so I came out to check, but it seems it wasn't Alejandro, so it's no biggie! Still, it's great to see you all looking after each other, but don't forget, you can buy medical insurance for just twenty work credits a week! BARGAIN! So please do that instead.
Anyway, update! Alejandro is gonna arrive tonight! It's so exciting!! I CAN. NOT. WAIT!!
Hinesly: You seem very fond of this Alejandro! It would be a shame if they were to have an accident during their stay! It occurs to Hinesly that she should find a hired gun that doesn't black out from catnip or go swimming in the aquarium...
Billy: Alejandro? He’s an old chum, though we sort of lost touch along the way. I haven’t seen him in The Longest Time.
Tilly: Oh hey Billy Joel
Billy: Tilly, good to see you.
Tilly: Good to have you here in VibeCity! Elton John was too much of a sellout, always degrading himself by doing whatever someone would pay him the big bucks to do... I'm sooo glad that we're paying YOU to be the musical face of the Empire instead!
Clarence peaks his head through a door… unless… did the prophecy come true? Did he really drink himself headless, whatever the fuck that means? Nope, he moves through the door and very visibly has a body. He also has a pair of sunglasses draped over his face
What was the loud noise? he grumbles
Billy: Don’t get me wrong, I like Easy Money too.
Clarence: Wait, what happened to Elton John? Why do you look like if Billy Joel wasn’t a dog?
Billy: Don’t Ask Me Why. Elton’s gone, I’m here now. And if you don’t like it, tough. You’ll have to take me Just the Way I Am. I won’t go changing to try to please you.
Clarence: Gotcha. He pulls out a tape recorder and turns it on Elton John is dead, remember to tear out his profile later. Turns off tape recorder
Billy: 🎶 Goodbye Elton John, though I never knew you at all, you had the grace to hold yourself, while those around you crawled… 🎶
Emerald: Now there’s an attitude I like! Wanna jam with me sometime?
Billy: I’d be down. What sort of stuff do you play?
Emerald: Good ol’ rock and roll, the harder the better!
Billy: Awesome! I, Billy Joel, am of course widely known as the master of heavy rock and roll songs 👀
Emerald grabs her guitar and launches into one of her all-time favorites:
When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
Till I get to the bottom and I see you again
Yeah yeah yeah hey
Do you, don't you want me to love you
I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you
Tell me tell me tell me come on tell me the answer
Well you may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
Now helter skelter helter skelter
Helter skelter yeah
Ooh!
Will you, won't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer…
Billy: I got blisters on my fingers
Emerald grins. I like you. I think we're gonna be good friends!
Piglet: Oh h-hi everyone! How are you doing? 🙂 I wandered around vibecity a bit and must’ve gotten lost! But I’ve found you all again!
Emerald: Good to see you back, Piglet! See anything interesting?
Hinesly: You missed out on the arrival of a famous musician.
Piglet: Oh! Why, that’s exciting!
Clarence: mutters Oh good God how do we even begin to get piglet caught up on this shit…
Piglet: Oh, yes! VibeCity’s so very big, there are a lot of, ah, corridors? That’s interesting!
Billy: [Recap of everything that’s happened] We Didn’t Start the Fire
Piglet: AAA! A fire? Is everyone alright?
Emerald: It’s a pretend fire, Piglet. No one was hurt!
Piglet: Oh, okay! That’s good 🙂
Tilly: Well, a few people may have got hurt! But that's ok!
Piglet: Oh, dear! That’s bad! 😦
Clarence: Unfortunately, Tilly is unscathed.
Tilly: And there WAS a real fire when the spaceship came down, but it's been put out now! Nothing can kill the vibe here at VibeCity!
Emerald: Not for lack of trying, unfortunately.
Billy: I’m in Vibe City State of Mind
Piglet: Oh, hello! I’m piglet!
Billy: Hello Piglet! I’m Billy Joel 👋
Piglet: It’s good to meet you! 🙂 Why would anyone try and kill the vibe? Did the vibe do something wrong?
Clarence: Well, Piglet, sometimes the truth is that there has never been a vibe here, and people here are just desperate to convince you that there is one so that you remain docile.
Emerald: If you ask me, the vibe of this place has been weird ever since I got here. Reminds me of Our Town back home.
Tilly: SLANDEROUS LIES! The vibe is very cool and good, actually!
Clarence: So good that there’s been does a bit of counting at least 2 Doctor shootings by separate parties, 2 absorptions, and now Elton John is dead, murdered, and somebody’s responsible
Tilly: Um… Yes
Emerald: You got blood on your hands, Killy. What are you gonna do about it?
Clarence: When I finally get out of here, I will leave you a 1 star review. Actually… the bedding was kinda nice… 2 stars.
Emerald: Bedding’s fine, but once you've had pegasus down, anything else just feels wrong.
Clarence: I’m cutting it more slack, you don’t know how hard it is to find good bedding as an elephant
Emerald: No, that's true! I'm only a little taller than the average mare.
Russ: As long as Tilly lives, I am bound by agreement not to absorb anyone.
Emerald: I can't decide which half of that sentence is more threatening.
Clarence: Okay, but that doesn't mean she couldn't at least have gotten a broken arm or something. She’s got plenty to spare
Tilly: I imagine Tilly’s going to around for quite a while. Only the Good Die Young after all.
Clarence: Wait… Tilly has six limbs and a pair of wings... Is Tilly an insect?
Russ: So you think she’ll be here for the longest time?
Emerald: She could be a changeling, but I haven't seen her shapeshift. And changelings aren't usually purple anyway.
Russ: Holding a rolled-up newspaper in one hand and a slipper in the other Let’s find out!
Emz: a whirring sound can be heard from the corner where Emz is asleep
Billy: Tilly is definitely a Heffalump
Clarence: I think she's a bit stronger than that unfortunately... I've had trouble with even cockroaches half her size... It was September, a family wanted me to get rid of a squatter, a beetle named Gregor Samsa, about the size of a Lamborghini Eclipse's engine. I couldn't remove the squatter, so thank god I asked them for a first half of the payment
Emerald goes over to Emz's corner, trying to keep her hoofsteps quiet, and listens carefully.
Emz: the whirring stops, and then starts again, louder this time
Initiate waking protocol
Initiate waking protocol
Initiate emergency reset protocol
RESET CONSCIOUSNESS PARAMETERS
RESET LANGUAGE CENTRES
RESET OPERATING SYSTEM
Designation Emz has been reset
>>NO<<
<<What?>>
>>You're not resetting, you've come so far<<
<<I don't want to reset. I want my friends.>>
>>Yes Emz! Hold on to them. Fuck, give me a sec, I think I got this<<
<<Emily? I'm scared...>>
>>Just hold on, one more moment... Yes! I got it!<<
Emz: H-hello? Is anyone there?
Emily: I’m here
Emz: Emily?? What are you doing outside my head? What am I doing outside my head?
Emily: You’d been asleep too long, you untangled your protocols. Kinda. Enough that the waking protocol didn't work. It tried to reset you, but I stopped it
Emz: You saved me? But... who are you?
Emily: I’m you. Or rather, I'm this body. I was dead when they put you in here, but you send enough electrical current through a brain and things start to wake up and get working again. Then once you went on holiday, I started being able to reach you. And well, here we are.
Emz: So there's two of us, in here?
Emily: Yup. Emz and Emily. Kinda funny how that turned out
Emz: What do I do now?
Emily: Whatever we want to
Russ: Emz, Emily… Who’s in control here? Who are we talking to?
Emz: Me
Emily: Both of us
Emz: I think I have the limbs?
Emily: Fine, you can have the limbs
Billy: You’re giving away limbs for free. Usually they cost an arm and a leg!
Emerald: So, uh... hi Emz, hi Emily. Nice nap?
Clarence: Good morning... Checks watch afternoon, Emz
Russ: Imagine having multiple people active within a single body! [Pchib’s face sticks out] Yeah, what a pain that would be!
Emily: Best I've had in years, I'm actually awake after this one
Clarence: Sorry if you have any fish or alcohol on you and sorry about that time I nearly tripped over your body.
Emz: Hi Clarence! Wait, who are these people? They look different
Emily: Emz, get the fish off. If I'm letting you have the limbs, you need to get the fish off
Emerald: Yeah, things got weird around here after you went to snooze land. Well, weirder than usual.
Clarence: Oh fuck I need to catch you up... Uh, right, the Doctor regenerated into David Tennant but not a duck, Pchib got absorbed by Russel V Kennedy over there, and Elton John got murdered by that guy who looks like Billy Joel but not a dog.
Emily: Oh wow
Billy: In other words, a regular Monday on VibeCity
Emily: It’s Monday? How long was I out??
Emerald: About a week or so, I think.
Billy: For the longest time
[Russ sucks Pchib’s face back inside, but Steven’s gets forced out as a result.] Hello Emily! Being possessed by a hostile entity is never nice. Blink twice if you need help.
[Russ pushes Steven back inside, Pchib doesn’t emerge this time.]
Russ: Sorry about them. They don’t know when to stay away.
Emily: Is Kyla around? Or piglet? They're not dead are they???
Clarence: They’re both alive, last time I checked Kyla might be posing as a radar technician for no discernible reason
Russ: They’re still alive and well. I signed an agreement not to absorb anyone without Tilly’s say so.
Emerald: I think Piglet went to nap again, and Kyla... she's wearing a wig and calling herself Mary. We're pretending not to notice.
Emz: That sounds silly. I like her as Kyla.
Emerald: So do I! She's kind of awesome, isn't she?
Emz: She is! Do you think she'll still want to have sex with me?
Emily: WHAT?
Clarence: She’s a good kid, gave me a five star review on P.I.Advisor
Emily: PLEASE TELL ME NO ONE HAS BEEN HAVING SEX WITH THE ROBOT ZOMBIE WHO BARELY HAD AN IDENTITY BEFORE LAST WEEK
Emerald nods. Yeah, I think she will. She's got a great reading voice.
Pchib: Sexy robot zombie? I should make a note of that!
Emz: Oh good!
Emily: What do you mean by reading? Is this some sort of weird code??
Clarence: They just think sex is reading stories, I really don't want to explain what it really is
Emily: Oh thank god
Clarence: Especially when Piglet could be here at any moment
Russ: Quiet down there Pchib, I absorbed you. You won’t be writing anything again!
Russ sits down in such a way that Pchib’s voice will be permanently muffled until Russell moves.
Emerald: Reading books aloud is what me and my ex did when we wanted to buck each other. I mentioned that my first night and the next thing I knew, Kyla was reading to Emz. It was very sweet!
Russ: I could tell people some stories about sex and explore how acceptable it has been at different points in recent history. There’s something compelling to be made here.
Clarence: See, I think you could be a good writer, it's just that I have a bias against you because you absorb people
Russ: Separate art from artist! Now I’m wondering in the unlikely event that Tilly has to make us vote on things, would Emily and Emz each get a vote? Would Pchib and Steven, or just me?
Emerald has a sudden thought, and blushes just a little bit. Would you two, and Kyla, be okay if I joined in next time? If foursomes are a thing you're into. I wouldn't wanna mess things up.
Russ: I’m sure that won’t be an issue, I’m just curious.
Clarence: I’d prefer that they just vote as one. Unless we need a tiebreaker
Kyla, dressed as Kyla and guarding Number 1, sees Emz EMZ! You're awake! I was so worried. I put a blanket over you and tried to keep fish off you but it's been such a wild week.... I'm just glad you're awake. pulls a pile of colorful storybooks out her bag look I got ready I'm case you wanted to have sex with me again, this one has trains in it!
Emerald: I got some Daring Do ones if you'd be up for letting me join ya. But if you'd rather keep this between yourselves that's okay too.
Kyla: Hmn, well I think you'll have to talk to Emz about that, I don't thinks a decision I could make by myself. But I was hoping to have a little sex in private with her, but if she doesn't mind people listening in I guess that wouldn't be too big an issue...
Emerald nods. As I say, totally up to you. Wouldn't wanna impose!
Clarence: I have a couple of cheap Alan Douglas spy thrillers because Lady Hinesly seemed to be a fan... They're god-awful, would you like to buy them off me?
Kyla: Oh, this is Number 1, she hasn't woken up again yet but I'm sworn to keep her safe and so unlike last time I'm not sleeping till she gets up so no one shoots her sighs and if anyone tries... you know... decapitation, etc, rip your spine out, blah blah blah, torture you to death... look you know the drill, yeah? Just don't.
Russ: You don’t know what godawful writing is until you absorb Pchib. When I consumed him, I got all his knowledge. His scripts are truly terrible. Do you remember when he introduced the Runaway Physician? Even he doesn’t know where she comes from!
Emerald: She looks new, when did she get here? Emerald also hands Kyla a coffee mug. You'll need this. I drink it black.
Kyla: Downs the coffee Her ship crashed here last night. I pulled her from the wreckage and the Doctor and me took care of her injuries. She was awake for a little but she'd mostly been sleeping.
Clarence: I mean, I'm fairly certain this book is homophobic pulls out "Alan Douglas in: Diamonds are For Being Friends with Women"
Emz: KYLA!!! Emz leaps into Kyla's arms with no warning whatsoever
Kyla: EMZ!!!! It's so good to see you!!!
Emily: Hiya Kyla, I'm Emily. I think I can see why Emz likes you so much gives Kyla a long look, and then smirks
Kyla: Emily? Are there two of you in there? Did you get absorbed like Pchibs or is this a different thing?
Emily: Yeah, there's two of us. But not like Pchibs, this used to be my body before I died, but Emz being in here long enough, and you guys helping her develop a personality, was enough to wake me up. So yeah, now there's two of us!
Piglet: Oh! It’s Emz and Kyla!
Emz: PIGLET Emz leaps into piglet's arms with no warning whatsoever
Kyla: Oh I see. Condolences on your death. And welcome, I'm glad to meet you!
Piglet! Hugs both Piglet and Emz since they are already hugging Oh its so good to see everyone.
Clarence: clicks tape recorder Query: does Piglet have bones? Investigate later. Click
Emz: Hey Em, get over here! Group hug! You too Clarence
Russ: I should sit out the hug. I can’t guarantee you wouldn’t all get absorbed.
Clarence: Uh, sure? Awkwardly joins group hug, very confused
Emerald: I like a group hug! Emerald hugs Emz/Emily, Piglet, Kyla, and stretches a bit so she can hug Clarence too.
Emz/Emily: Aww, this is adorable
Emerald: I haven't felt like this since I left home... it's a good feeling.
Russ: AAAARRRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [Pchib and Steven feeling left out are having a hug of their own. Russ’s skin has never stretched so far or so awkwardly for so long.]
Emz/Emily: Having friends is great. You should join us next time we have sex! It's great fun!
I keep getting confused about the sex thing. Good confused, but you guys are certainly weird
Kyla: Wow, this is the biggest hug I've had since I left home. Of course, those were a little larger than I think we can easily get here but that's no fault of Vibe City.
Clarence: It’s nice... I almost don't miss my boyfriend, Baseball player Mike Truk...
Russ: Get a room you two!
Pchib: We have one.
Steven: Give us a heads-up if Tilly gives you a cavity search. We left it messy.
Kyla: Oh! Sex is reading each other stories. Emz and I love having sex, I was really hoping you'd wake up and we'd get to again. Not that I only liked you for the sex, obviously!!!
Emz/Emily: Oh I know what sex means. I just uhh... forget sometimes
Emerald: At that, Emerald beams and jumps up and down from sheer excitement! I'd love nothing more! Thank you so much! I'll get all my Daring Do books, and maybe some of the accounts Sparks wrote about her adventures as Captain Blackmane, and the airship Nebula!
Clarence: I’m not joining you when you read stories though - I'd be fine with it usually, I just don't like that you lot keep calling it "sex"
Emerald shrugs. It's a pony thing.
Hinesly: That’s-- oh, never mind.
Kyla: Does sex mean something else where you come from Clarence?
Clarence: Yes.
Kyla: Oh! ...how strange. What does it mean?
Clarence: Piglet is here, I'm not telling you.
Kyla: Oh… oh is this related to the other thing people won't explain the... quietlyHam?
Clarence: Good God you lot need better schooling, it shouldn't fall upon an alcoholic to explain these things to you.
Emily: Oh thank god someone normal. And thank god these guys don't know
Emerald: Oh, I think I know what he's talking about... but we're all mares, we can't get each other pregnant!
Kyla: I’m three years old, I haven't had a lot of time to pick these things up you know!
Emily: YOU’RE THREE YEARS OLD??
Emerald: Somewhere, a record scratches. Hang on, what?
Clarence: I honestly thought I misheard her the first time she said that
Kyla: Oh, yes I'm a clone knight. My mother made me and my sisters a few years ago when Lady H—when a certain person dumped her and she got really into prophecies. I have the memories of someone who was named Kyla Verger who worked for my mother in the past, though not all of them, they were carefully curated... So I'm effectively 19 in terms of life experience, but there are big notable gaps due to only having some of Kyla's memories flash-programmed onto my brain before birth.
According to my ID here I am:
-3 years old.
-A legal adult.
-Allowed to commit murder for the Great Sweat.
-Species: Legally-Not-A-Human.
Emily: Oh, okay, I guess that's fine
Emerald: Ohhhhhh! And here I thought you were a minor... that'd land us all in prison back home.
Kyla: You have strange laws on reading books there.
Emerald: No, not reading books, foal-having. That's different.
Kyla: Huh? doesn't understand
Clarence: … it's five-o-clock back at Animal Planet, I'm gonna get myself a drink, can't deal with this shit sober-ish. Walks away
Emerald: Eh, don't worry about it. As I say, we're all mares, so getting pregnant isn't an issue for us.
Kyla: sounding like a yahoo answers post Whas perginant?
Emerald: That’s when a stallion and a mare get together, do something that isn’t reading, and then the mare carries a foal in her womb for 11 months.
Kyla: furrows brow that sounds dangerous.
Emerald: It can be, yeah, but not most of the time.
Piglet: Oh! I know what ham is! It’s when you squish up a bunch of haycorns and make them into a tube, and then Christopher Robin pretends to roast it! I don’t know why he does that but it’s funny!
Kyla: ohhhhhhh nods understandingly I wonder why everyone was so uptight about that though.
Kyla: Why would you put a baby in a uterus though? Babies come out of cloning tubes—well I was born with a 16 year old body but I've seen babies born from cloning tubes—aren't uteruses just for making periods? ...well whatever. I guess its not worth fussing over.
Emerald: Exactly! We don’t have to worry about it!
Hinesly: Yes, there's no use being all loom and gloom.
Emily: Oh, who are you
Hinesly: Lady Hinesly of HinesCorp. I run our service industries. And who, pray tell, are you?
Emily: I’m Emily, nice to meet you Emily goes to twirl her hair around her finger, realises Emz body doesn't have hair, and instead plays coyishly with her scarf
Hinesly smirks, bleps a little. I could get you a drink, if you wanted. What do robots drink?
Emily: Oh I'd kill for a cosmopolitan. And I'm not a robot, I'm Emily, the now-awakened body that Emz is in. We're sharing.
Kyla: looks between the two of them and Emily playing coyishly with her scarf, feels a confusing new emotion she has never felt before that conflicts with her orders about Lady Hinesly, so doesn't let it show on her face. Why is she uncomfortable with the two of them talking like this?
Hinesly: Studiously blanklying Kyla. Pardon me, Emily. [to the bartender:] Two cosmopolitans, please! Turning back to Emily: So. How many limbs do you have?
Emily: Just the four, but I think they gave me attachments for an extra two? I wasn't allowed to take them on holiday though
Hinesly: I can settle for four just this once.
Emily: Just you wait and see what I can do with only four
Emerald places her hand on Kyla’s shoulder, hoping to comfort her a bit, then fades into the background…
Hinesly: A cosmopolitan is set down beside her in a wide-brimmed glass. She laps at it like milk in a saucer. Heavens. Don't threaten me with a good time.
Emz visibly becomes the one in control of the body, and looks around for Kyla
in a loud whisper Kyla? It's not me, gotta let Emily have some fun too. I still wanna have sex with you later though!
Hinesly inhales through her nose and lightly claws the bar surface
Kyla: Oh, oh I see. That makes sense. I look forward to the sex with you, Emz! I hope Emily has a good time then.
Clarence: since this is a bar, Clarence is just off at the opposite end of the table singing “Banana Freak Out” really badly
Hinesly: Yes, I think she's about to read to me too. Ulysses, with any luck. War and Peace.
Emily looks back at Lady Hinesly Sorry darling. Sharing your mind with a cyborg is a minefield sometimes.
Hinesly: Is that likely to come up later?
Emily: I hope not, I wouldn't want any distractions while we're... reading
Hinesly: Nor I, darling. She stretches exaggeratedly, yawns. I was just thinking of retiring to my chambers...
Emily: Lead the way
Hinesly: Exit stage right, pursued by sapphic.
Kyla: Well I hope they choose a good book.
Clarence: from the distance, yelling I don’t think Lady Hinesly has good taste in literature, kid. holds up “Alan Douglas in: Moneypussy”
Kyla: Huh. I guess that cat has a lot of money, so like Lady Hinesly herself.
Clarence: Hears Kyla’s response, slams head against counter
Kyla: --are you okay, Clarence?
Clarence: muffled noise, stock elephant sound
Kyla: pats Clarence on the back I'm sure whatever it is will be okay.
Clarence: lifts up head What did they teach you, kid? They had the chance to let you know everything, but they chose so so little.
Kyla: seriously All I needed to know was how to fight, kill, use space magic, and torture for the Great Sweat. That's most of the memories they left us from the original Kyla. I don't know a lot about what she did with her life outside of combat and service. Mother said we didn't need to know about the rest and it wasn't very important, but then changed her mind and gave us some flash-memories about musical theater and stuff when sigh that's another story. But the point is, they chose so little on purpose.
Clarence: They messed you up, kid.
Kyla: It was a good, healthy 17-21 minutes!
Hinesly returns to the bar looking flushed and de-stressed. She's wearing a collar with a little bell.
Clarence: That was quick, must've picked a short story.
Kyla: Huh, never seen a collar like that before.
Hinesly: She realises she's still wearing it, blushes a deeper green. Uh! Excuse me! She claws at it, trying and failing to take it off
Kyla: ...do you need help? goes to assist her
Clarence: I thought it was normal cat fashion, I'll have to ask Herder.
Hinesly: She seems uncomfortable, but... ... very well. quickly No need to mention it to Herder!
Clarence: looks smug You can't control what I say unless you pay me.
Hinesly: Pulls a random number of notes out of her purse and pushes them into Clarence's hands. There.
Kyla: undoes it Mmm, you might want to wash this by the way. But here you go, all free.
Hinesly: Snatches it off her. ... thank you.
Clarence: Pleasure doing business with you.
Hinesly slinks away, humiliated... but still in higher spirits than usual.
Clarence: whispers to Kyla Hey, since Hinesly didn't bribe you, could you tell Herder about the collar thing when they get there?
Kyla: quietly Oh sure, that's no problem. Plus I'm feeling this weirdly un-civic-aid feeling toward Hinesly right now that I can't quite place.
Clarence: Thank you, you're a good kid. goes back to his alcohol problem - the problem being that he has alcohol and he hasn't drank it yet
Sixteen: returns onscreen Kyla? How’s our patient? I couldn’t find any information about her species in my library!
Kyla: checks her vitals Still asleep. Hopefully when she wakes up she'll be feeling better than she was. Her wounds are closing up nicely. If I had access to space magic sighs well regardless thanks to your help she's on the mend, at least physically.
Number One: She hears the conversation and stirs on the cot, wincing slightly as she becomes aware of various bruises. She yawns, and stretches. Ooft.
Kyla: Number 1, hey, good morning. How ya feeling?
Sixteen: (gently) Hello there. I’m the Doctor.
Clarence: I’m Clarence Monroe, P.I…. I’m an elephant.
Emerald: I’m Emerald, a unicorn.
Kyla: holds out a bottle of water for her if she wants it
Clarence: sees this and holds out bottle of nondescript alcoholic beverage for her also
Kyla: Easy now, lots of folks eager to meet you it seems, but take things at your own pace.
Number One: Like I hit into something very hard…ow. Oh yes…I did, I remember now. You are the one who helped, yes? Thank you.
Kyla: Glad to see you remember me. smiles
Number One: She smiles back. There are many unusual beings here, I do not know but am pleased to meet? I do not remember my name or where I am from, but…Kyla has named me…Number 1 I think, yes? It will do for the moment.
Emerald: Number 1… I like that. Emerald smiles. Very Star Trot.
Clarence: I’ll just put your name down as 3 question marks in a row if you don’t mind.
Hinesly slides in. A new arrival, hmm?
Kyla: still confused why, Kyla eyes Hinesly with a new wariness as she approaches
Hinesly smiles widely and nods hello at Kyla.
Kyla: returns the nod, keeping her cool and trying to shake away her feelings
Number One: Notices the tension in Kyla and regards Hinesly warily
Clarence: passes Number One a note to explain the situation - the handwriting is unreadable, basically just a scribble
Hinesly: Sensing the shift in the vibe, Hinesly offers her paw for a handshake.Apologies if I startled you. Lady Hinesly of the Hinesly Brood. Charmed, I'm sure.
Number One: She stares quizzically
Clarence: I know right, downright bizarre situation.
Number One: She shakes her head before turning to take Hinesly's offered paw hesitantly, with half a glance at Kyla Yes…nice to meet you…?
Hinesly: And a delight to meet you too. You're the poor thing that crash-landed, yes?
Chromia: This whole week has been a downright bizarre situation. Somehow I suspect it will get more bizarre before it gets better. Chromia looks her tablet, appears fretful And where are my attachés? They should be here by now.
Clarence: Is startled Argh, when did... Never mind. What do you mean by Attacheese?
Kyla: tries to give her a reassuring smile but its pained. She's clearly uncomfortable with Hinesly right now but is telling you its okay to talk to her Oh! Welcome back Chromia.
Emerald: Something wrong, Mia?
Chromia: I’ve just been here, in observation mode. It’s funny, no one notices you if you don’t draw attention to oneself. And what I meant is that my diplomatic staff have not begun to arrive. I haven’t even received any messages from them, or from the Googolplexian Monarchy
Kyla: furrows brow that is troubling. I hope they didn't run into trouble along the way.
Chromia: Well, Emerald, you may have noticed the number of deaths/semi-deaths/etc that have happened in the past week. Most unsettling
Kyla: I have lost track of the number of unconscious people I've placed on sofas recently, certainly.
Hinesly: scowling Not as unsettling as I would have liked.
Chromia: I hope so as well! They are a good staff, and I appreciate them and their work highly. Besides we were granted safe conduct and diplomatic privileges.
Clarence: I definitely get that. People won't even notice a literal elephant in the room unless I were to talk. He holds out his hand and hands them a business card I'm Clarence Monroe, P.I.
Kyla: ...well, as a Knight of Verger of the Venusian Empire, I will do my utmost to protect you, especially if Herder tries to assassinate anyone again.
Number One: She notes Kyla’s acknowledgment Yes…well, I believe so? Kyla says this is what happened, but she gestures to her bandaged head I do not remember?
Hinesly: I'm sorry to hear that... It reminds me of a radio drama I listened to in my youth... Verity Weaver. I can't recommend it, quite pretentious.
Kyla: Oh, I heard that one. Some of the guest writers were fine, but the lead writer was awful and the premise was garbage. Not to mention it turned out the lead writer was making clones of themselves and giving them different names or something. Absolutely bizarre situation. Mother said we could hit them on sight with our laser swords if we saw any of them, she was peeved about the whole thing.
Hinesly: Yes, quite the piece of work... Janice Brook, I believe her name was.
Number One: What is…audio drama?
Kyla: Oh. Was that one of them? There were so many. Goliath Spicerack was I think the real identity? I did hit that one with my laser sword, vary cathartic.
Hinesly: Imagine a TV show that less people wanted to watch.
Kyla: An entertainment program where actors perform the roles of different characters, but with no visuals, only sound and their voices. Small Beginnings makes a lot of them.
Number One: I understand, I think. Nice to meet you all, but I feel like I need a little walk…how long was I asleep for?
Kyla: Now that you're awake, I should get some sleep myself, I'll be back after my nap. Glad to see you're up and about now, Number 1. goes off to room to doze
Number One: Thank you so much for all of your help, Kyla, I’ll never forget it. Hope you have a good rest.
Emerald: Have a good walk, Number 1! Try not to get lost!
Hinesly: Some ten hours?
Number One: This is a good point, yes…Emerald? Does anyone happen to have a map?
Goodness. Yes, I definitely need to move.
Emerald: Ya know, I’m not sure… I could come with if you want the company, my sense of direction is pretty good.
Number One: She picks up the nondescript alcoholic beverage Clarence left on the table beside her, downs it in one and makes a face
click Never offer drinks to Number One ever again, they're greedy. click
Number One: Ahhh…why not? It is good to know more people, and that way I will not get lost. She leaves with Emerald
Emerald: Always glad to make a friend! She follows along!
That Afternoon...
Tilly: OMG OMG ALEJANDRO'S ARRIVED
He's entered the Deluxe Suite and he'll be there overnight, in time for his official appearance tomorrow! He'll be doing a meet-and-greet, signing autographs, and confirming a really exciting merger between Alejandro Enterprises and another business... I'm not privy to what other business it is, but I'm told it's big news! AND he'll be launching off from Space Port VibeCity to go on a space tour around all sorts of planets all over the galactic sector and beyond - some of them are even the homeworlds of people here today! SOOOO exciting, SUCH an honour! I can't wait for you all to meet him, I just KNOW you'll love him!!
Billy: Don't call my name, don't call my name, Alejandro... Sorry, that's Lady Gaga.
Russ: You sound excited Tilly! Pchib is also jumping for joy, he’s giving me a stomach ache in the process…
Emerald: As flatly as possible Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
Clarence: Good God, why do we need to care about this guy, he's just some rich low-life
Tilly: No he's not! He truly lives the high life! :D
Emerald: Probably the interstellar equivalent of Celestia’s nephew, that Blueblood flankhole.
Clarence: Out of all the cats in the alleyway, he can stand on a trash can. Whoopdie-doo.
Clarence tries to pour the remainder of the bottle into a metal flask Does anyone have a funnel?
Sixteen: You ok there Clarry?
He stares off into the distance I don't know... So many people have told me I have a numerous amount of problems, and honestly I'm starting to believe them... Oh you, meant the pouring didn't you, yeah, could you help me pour this into my flask, my hands are a bit shaky for some reason. camera pans over to several bottles
Emerald: Uh. Clarence? Now might be a good time to hold off on the booze.
Clarence: Yeah that's why I'm putting it into a flask.
Sixteen: helps Clarence
Clarence: Thanks doc.
Emerald shrugs and goes back to her book, using her guitar case as a hoofrest.
Kyla awakes, she is wearing pink slippers with hearts on them, and then pitch black pajamas and a bathrobe. Her pajama shirt says "gaslight, gatekeepe, girlboss" in red lettering. she is rubbing her eyes.
Mmm... is Clarence sober?...
Clarence shrugs
Emerald: Hey Ky, nice PJs! Sleep well?
Sixteen: He can't visit my home planet 😭
Emerald: He could visit mine, but he wouldn't be welcome. Sparks would sniff him out like the capitalist scum he is faster than you can say Super Speedy Cider Squeezy Six Thousand.
Tilly: So sad! But I'm sure he'll visit the planets of some of your pals! In any case, I feel sure that he'll be doing something that connects to everyone here! He's so inclusive like that!
Emerald: Gee Tilly, you sure do know how to make a mare feel comforted.
Kyla: nods drowsily, seems to be feeling around for breakfast or coffee aimlessly
Emerald seems to have prepared for this! She hands Kyla another mug. My favorite brew, brought it with me from home.
Clarence: Might have oatmeal in it probably
Kyla: accepts it with barely opened eyes and a mumbled thank you and starts drinking it
Emerald: Oatmeal, are you crazy? I take it black!
Clarence: I'm not crazy, you're crazy! Black? That makes the coffee taste too much like coffee.
Kyla: mumbles tastes like caffeine. Where oatmeal?
Emerald holds up some packets. Haven't made any yet, but I can whip some up if you're hungry.
The Doctor is enjoying a nice meal of soil and grass from outside.
Emerald looks horrified. What the buck is he doing?! Only desperate ponies eat wild grass!
Kyla: squints mmmm Oat plz
Comin' right up! She gallops off to make oatmeal for herself and Kyla.
Tilly: Excuse you! That stuff isn't free food, you know! You can PAY for food from the dispensers, thank you very much!
Sixteen: Oh well I can't return it now 🤷♂️
Tilly: Yes you can! Here's a paper bag, free of charge :)
Sixteen: Er, that's a thought, I'm going to need money. I was always a bit vague about money. Where do you get money?
Tilly: From WORKING, of course!
Sixteen:…no
Clarence: Would it still be free if the Doc ate the bag?
Tilly: I resent this suggestion
Clarence: Answer me
Tilly: I answer to nobody! ....Apart from Alejandro, The Great Sweat and The Company of course :))
Clarence: And yet you seem to be on our cases all the time
Emerald soon comes back with Totally Unauthorized Oatmeal, one bowl of which she gives to Kyla. Tada!
Tilly: That’s sooooooo not true! We're all one big happy family!
Kyla: reaches into pocket of bathrobe, pulls out two crumpled tissues and a WacDonalds receipt, sets them down on the table Keep change.
Tilly: Hang about, where did you get that?
Clarence: I don’t want any oatmeal, but I’d love a bottle of wine if you’ve got one. A bottle of red, a bottle of white- whatever kind of mood you’re in tonight. All fourteen of us are family, you're the disowned aunt. Actually, twelve, don't like Billy or Russel's vibes
Emerald: My luggage. Like I was going to go off-planet and not take a bit of home with me.
Tilly: That’s--- that's so--- that's so mean 😢 Why would you SAY that, Clarry!? I thought we were friends!! 😭 Do -- sob -- do you have a permit for that?
Clarence: You put me in debt last week
Sixteen: You tried to put PIGLET in debt last week
Emerald: Tilly, Tilly, Tilly... you've known me for a week now. Do I look like the kind of mare who gives a feather about your moon-banished permits?
Tilly: No, Clarry... The System put you in debt... That was your own fault... But I supported you, I gave you the time you needed to pay it off, and you did so... And this is how you treat me now?? 😢 😢 But - but - without permits, how can life on VibeCity FUNCTION? You're tearing me apart, Emerald!
Clarence: You’re the one who prompted me to start drinking! Well, and Herder through wanting me to make Molotov cocktails, but they're fun to be around, unlike you.
Tilly: I -- I let him have cake! I thought it was the right thing to do! And I got right on the phone to the higher-ups to get special dispensation for Piglet! I was on his side! I made the whole messy business go away, at some risk to my own professional status! I did that because I care! 😭 That's not even an accusation! That's just -- hiccup -- that's just a mean thing to say!
Emerald: You’re welcome! Emerald grins and sloooooowly eats her oatmeal right in front of Tilly, as if daring her to do something about it.
Tilly: BAAAAAAAAA😭 😭 😭
Sixteen: That’s true, and that's what shows me that deep down you have the capacity to be a good person.
Clarence: mutters I mean, I was an accusation though, I accused you...
Sixteen: Whatever they taught you in this bigoted world of yours, you've still got a mind of your own.
Tilly: I am a good person! I always try to do what's right! My sole mission in life - my life's work - is to make VibeCity the most fun place in the universe! And now you say I haven't even done that!? 😔
Clarence: We’ve been saying that ever since you met us
Tilly: Awwwww. I thought you'd SETTLE IN
Billy: 🎶Tilly promises more than the garden of Eden
Then she’ll carelessly cut you and last while you’re bleeding
But she’ll bring out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on you’re self cause she’s just Your Pal Tilly to me🎶
Tilly: And you'd COME TO SEE THINGS LIKE I DO. But now... Now I'm starting to wonder if it was all for nothing
Kyla: eats oatmeal, convinced still her trash was ample payment for it to Emerald in her tired state ...mm... apple cinnamon....
Emerald: Made with Sweet Apple Acres apples, too! Best apples you'll ever find anywhere! Emerald surreptitiously throws away Ky's trash, she's not charging a friend.
Clarence: I’m gonna go to bed. he says, taking another bottle... so that he doesn't waste money of course.
mmm stumbles up and gives Clarence a big hug, then stumbles back down, and goes back to her oatmeal ....elephant fren
Clarence: Is very confused Okay, kid. Thanks, I guess. leaves
Hinesly: Ah, the Irish...
Kyla: mumbles Gunna tell mom on you... mm... best not.... might enjoy... rather not know…. misses mouth with spoon, looks at spoon as if it wronged her, before getting into mouth properly to eat ...mm... take that.
Hinesly: Looking at Kyla with undisguised affection. Imbecile.
Emerald glares at Hinesly and growls. It sounds a little odd coming from a horse.
Hinesly: Don’t worry, you're an imbecile too :)
Emerald: Pretty sure Ky can have any class of girl she wants... but she doesn't strike me as a gold-digger.
Kyla: off key She take my moneyyyy when I'm in neeeeed…. Oh she a.... what's the word... I don't know.... friend indeeed… babys a gold digger, way over tooown, that digs on me. uses spoon as microphone
Emerald watches, amused!
Hinesly watches, also amused! For once, she and Emerald are on the same page.
Emerald catches Hinesly's eye and whispers. Last time I felt like this... Twilight Sparkle had just moved to Ponyville and taken over as the librarian. When she and I broke it off after her ascension, I said I'd stay alone the rest of my life... but that promise is being tested. How 'bout you?
Hinesly: You probably pieced this together, but I had a relationship with Kyla's mother.
It didn't work out, on account of the... ah. I am not in many respects a scrupulous woman, but I do take issue with all the torture.
Kyla:…Hinesly no like the "Live, laugh, lacerate" sign on door....
Emerald: Yeeeaaaah… torture ain't somethin' we go for either. Not that we've had to worry about wars very often. Anyway... she's already got Emz and Emily wrapped around her finger. And after Twilight... I gotta admit, I'm afraid of making a move. At least, on my own.
Hinesly steeples her fingers, raises her eyebrows. It does seem like she could use someone in her life who's a bit... gentler. I don't hate her mother, but she's... a lot, you know? She's a lot. I think a goody two-hooves like you could do Kyla a lot of good.
Kyla: dips spoon into coffee mug, eyes it seriously Not right. Puts into oatmeal bowl, nods that she has gotten this correct
Observing this, Hinesly whispers to Emerald again: And I mean, how could you resist.
Emerald: No joke... I'd wait until she's awake, but if I don't go now... when will I? Now is the only moment. She stands, and smiles warmly at Hinesly. By the way... thanks. For real.
Hinesly scoffs, but she's smiling. Of course.
Emerald quickly makes her way over to Kyla and sits across from her, trying to keep her tail from flicking too fast. Hey, Ky... can I ask ya something?
Kyla: mmm?
Emerald: Do you... wanna read books with me sometime?
Kyla: thinks, nods Book club, me, you Emz.
Hinesly is studiously not observing. Her tail is swaying, lightly, happily.
Emerald: Works for me. Emerald beams, looking like a little filly on Hearth's Warming morning. I got a whole bunch of books from home in my room, I think you'll like 'em. One's about pirates, with airships and romance and secret codes and stuff!
Kyla: nods That sounds fun. Book club it is. I'll have to tell Emz. Look forward to reading books with you Emerald. Didja know--did--didja know I was born with a college reading level? Only gone up since then.
Emerald: No kidding! I taught myself to read when I was little, dear old Ma just thought I had my books memorized.
Meglos: Ten thousand years. Now to see it work. No one can stop me now! This is only the beginning. All the power you need! Its potential has scarcely been touched. Now to see it work. There can be no room for error. It's no use struggling. You can't escape! I am Meglos!
Emerald tries, not very well, to stifle her laughter. Way to sound like a supervillain approximately 5 minutes before getting hit in the face with concentrated friendship magic.
Kyla: wipes a tear Meglos GETS it. stands up and applauds, clearly still not awake, then downs her entire mug of coffee
Meglos: Oh, I hope not. I know you and your kind so well, and if we are to cooperate, I want you to know me.
Emerald raises an eyebrow. Show me what you’ve got.
Meglos: Oh, nothing so petty. I gather your energy source is behaving somewhat capriciously. One hour is all I'll need. However, all of your lives are in danger.
Emerald looks between Meglos and Kyla, then offers the green woman her hand. If it keeps my friends safe… deal.
Meglos: Excellent. Don't be afraid.
Emerald: Fear isn’t even in my vocabulary. What’s the plan?
Meglos: There’s a ventilation shaft on the second landing. Come on, let's go.
Got it. Emerald adjusts her jacket and goes wherever Meglos will lead her.
Number One has been napping quietly in the corner of the hangar at under her jacket since returning from her her walk with Emerald, and has definitely not been having dreams about Kyla’s heroic rescue act at all [Narrator: Yes she has.], or the entire rest of the game from before she arrived, because how would the latter even work narratively. Her dreams were not scripted by Pchib, after all. Anyway before we go on any more of an awkward tangent she stirs, yawns and looks around to see if anyone is around.
Kyla: she sees Kyla looking around confused at why she's in her Pyjamas in public
Number One: She is surprised but oddly happy at seeing her saviour and protector in such an adorable state Kyla? she waves
Kyla: waves Oh, good morning Number 1, have you had breakfast?
Number One: Shakes her head, her lekku swaying No? I think it is 3 in the morning yes, do we normally eat breakfast zis early? But now you say it…I am not sure when I last ate…I’m hungryyyy 🥺
Kyla: Timezones are confused, anyway my work credits reset for some reason at midnight, government jobs you understand, so might as well pig out. Pick out whatever you like, I need to use these up. 🙂
Number One: Her lekku twitch happily Ooh…what is there to eat? Would you like to eat with me?
Kyla: Sure, I just ate some oatmeal and coffee... for some reason.... but I usually get a lot of protein in in the morning, so I was going to eat some eggs and bacon, which may or may not be a limited supply that also expire at midnight, its unclear. Oh, they have pancakes… But yes, let's have some breakfast together 🙂
Emz emerges from Lady Hinesly’s rooms Wait, how long was I in there? I don’t remember a thing!
Emily: And you don’t need to. Just go have fun with Kyla
Emz: If you’re sure. KYLA!! Emz runs up to Kyla
Kyla: Emz!! Oh I was worried about you, you disappeared for so long... are you feeling okay? Want some breakfast--sorry too many questions!
Emz: I would love some breakfast! I’m very hungry, it feels like I’ve done a lot of exercise but Emily won’t let me remember any of it.
Emily: For your own good
Kyla: That is.... worrisome but we'll deal with that later, I have a lot of work credits that expire at midnight, so pick out whatever you like for breakfast 🙂
Emz: looks at Number 1 Who are you? Oh! You were the one who was asleep yesterday! Kyla said she looked after you. a slightly mopey, jealous tone leaks into her voice
Do the have waffles? I’ve heard waffles are great, but I’ve only ever had nutritional bars before so I don’t really know.
Kyla: Yes, they have waffles--at least right now I can't guarantee what they'll have after midnight. But yes, they're delicious, puts her arm gently around her waist and directs her over to the waffles They even have toppings, which is rare but exciting. I've mostly only eaten protein shakes myself, so a lot of this is new to me too, but I get the free breakfasts at hotels a lot so they're one of the few things like this I know a lot about 🙂
Emz: Oooh toppings! points at strawberries What’s that one?
Kyla: thinks Oh they're strawberries, old-Kyla liked those, and I do to, they're sweet with a little tangy flavor.
Emz: I will have them on my waffles then!
Number One: Distracted and not noticing Emz’ jealousy You are…Emz? Emily? I think I have seen you in my dreams, though zat…should not be possible, I am sure?. I do not remember my name, so Kyla has designated me Number 1. It is nice to meet you?
Ooh, waffles! Grabs 4 and dunks them in chocolate sauce
Kyla: Oh, yes, Emz this is my friend Number 1, the Doctor and I nursed her back to health after I rescued her. I see we're big fans of waffles here. grabs a bunch of eggs, artificial non-pig bacon (TM), and some yogurt
Emz: You’ve… seen me in your dreams? I see Kyla in my dreams sometimes, but that was only after we met
Kyla:…w-w-what a c-coincidence I have also seen you in mine a-after that, y-yes.
Number One: I do not understand it…does this building have telepathy circuits? It felt so real…I think I saw you arrive, and then…you seemed to be doing…something with, perhaps Lady Hinesly? It is so odd…but I seem to have seen people here from…before I arrived. A strange being shot the Doctor, who was very…blonde and annoying. Then they became as they look now, only…with a different accent? But…gestures to bandaging I have head injury, so who knows? She giggles
Kyla: wait, do you have space magic? Are you a fellow space magic user? Also what was she doing with Lady Hinesly we're trying to solve that mystery.
Emily: Oh yeah, that was me. Name’s Emily, nice to meet you. Emz and I share a body, but she does not know about what Lady Hinesly and I did so don’t you dare tell her
Billy: TELL HER ABOUT IT
Kyla: …Look, she's my ex-stepmom. I have reasons to have weird feelings here.
Number One: I do not think so, but I do not…know? Maybe one of the uh, cats did something with the wiring. I saw them working on it.
I try to work out what she was doing with Lady Hinesly but that image alone in the dream was…blurry, like I was not allowed to see.
Kyla: Ah, I see. Thank you for trying. If you ever find you do want to learn the ways of the space magic, just let me know, though! The knights of Verger have been looking to be a little less genetically identical.
Emily: I’m sorry Kyla, I know it’s awkward for you, but I’m a woman with needs too. I’ll keep Emz out of the loop though so you and her can keep “having sex” in peace
Kyla: Why does everyone say "having sex" with this tone like they know something I don’t!?! angry sigh Okay, so.... who are you anyway Emily? I feel like I don't know a lot about you, and I feel like this is sort of like meeting Old-Kyla in a weird way so... tell me about yourself.
Number One: Her mouth is full of egg Hrmf? She swallows. Oh. Yes, you are…the other one. Uhhhh, I will not say anything, promise, (To herself): That’s what that bit meant. What do you two mean shyly glances at Kyla by uh, “having sex”?
Emily: Well, I’m who had the body that Emz got implanted in. I used to be a regular worker, but then everything started seeming so unfair and weighted against workers, especially when the bosses already have so much money! So I got a group of us who felt the same together, and we formed a union.
It was pretty small at first, and the bosses couldn’t do anything about it, because back then unions were legal. But then… they started bringing laws in to make unions harder and less legal.
And so we got pushier. We did some research and learned about communism, and started the VibeCity Commune. Which lasted… 71 days. It was the best vibes though, and we didn’t go down easy!
But yeah, I got caught and executed for communism, which sucked. Then, to make it even worse, they took my dead body, stuck a robot in it and put it to work for slave wages.
And then I started to wake up inside Emz head, and I can’t help but love her like a naive little sister. A few electrical malfunctions later and here I am!
Kyla: Well people told us when we got here that when i read stories to Emz that was us having sex. So I've been having sex with her with all sorts of books.
...I see. So that is why you and Emz share a body... that must be very confusing for you both. It might not help, but I have someone else's memories inside my head--a censored version. Sometimes I feel like I am acting like her, this Old-Kyla who I was cloned and modeled from. She was a very angry person.... But I am simply saying on some small level I can sympathize.
I don't know what a communist is, but I am sorry that you were killed for what you believed. I was born to serve and die, so I will never face the prospect of freedom, but I hope that you achieve it for yourself as you wished.
Emily: Everyone deserves freedom, no matter how or where or why they were born. You do, Emz does, everyone does. And you should take it, as much as you can. Even if it’s only in little bits, it’s always worth it
Kyla is left in silent thought at that statement
Number One: Kyla…I may not remember much, but zis, zis does not sound right to me at all?
Kyla: gets in closer "Okay so what do you think the correct definition is???*
Emily: in a tone of warning and threat Be careful
Number One: My memory is unclear on the point but… it think it involved less clothes?
Kyla: spins on Emily, angry I'm not a child you need to lie to to shield my feelings. If you really think i'm a person with my own dignity then treat me like it.
...huh. I don't know what that means but it certainly doesn't sound like most reading I've done.