Us and Them
Daybreak
Ohhhhh my godddddd
Alejandro, owner and CEO of Alejandro Enterprises, has been in the Executive Suite all night. I thought he was just VIBING, in preparation for the Big Day today. But I went to check on him this morning, and - and - he’s fucking DEAD!!
Somebody has killed him… Somebody in VibeCity!
It could have been, well, ANY of you! Any of you might have business interests that would have been threatened if the deal was signed, or a vendetta that meant you didn’t want him to go to your home planet on a visit, or even just a petty grudge! I’ve heard the way you all talked about him! Mean and callous! And now he’s DEAD! Mean talk costs lives, that has become very clear!
Well, there’s only one thing for it. I’m going to have to lock this whole place down until we can find out who is responsible. Nobody can enter or leave! And I’m gonna have to confiscate all your work credits, and give you only a small allowance of three credits each, to make sure none of you do anything else bad!
And we’re gonna have to get through this together! We need to find out who the killer, or killers, may be, and EXECUTE THEM! There’s just nothing else for it!
Also! With Alejandro gone, there’s nobody in charge of the Snooze-Pods… this is very bad news! We need new landlords! The Landlord for Snooze-Pod Beta will be Lady Hinesly. The Landlord for Snooze-Pod Gamma will be Number One. Talk to them if you want the safety of a Snooze-Pod to rest your head tonight… though I’m sure that won’t be necessary!
And, and! SOMEONE needs to be in charge, and I’m too busy stressing! You’ll need to elect an Overseer! The Overseer will have the deciding vote in the event of a tie, and if something happens to a Landlord - be it death, or repossession of their property - the Overseer will decide who should take over as the new Landlord! So that’s an important thing to discuss!
What a terrible day! Good luck everyone… I’m sure you can all solve this crisis quickly and easily, and then we can all go home.
Hinesly: TILLY! YOU TOOK MY MONEY?! MY MONNNEEEEYYYY?!!!! A shame it wasn't YOU who was killed! How am I meant to get by as the landlady of only ONE ROOM? I've been the landlady of at least ten properties since I was three years old!
Tilly: Then I'm sure you'll be just fab at running this property!
Hinesly: hisses I don't associate with communists.
Emerald: You associated with me pretty well yesterday, kitty cat. No wait, I’m a socialist. Nevermind.
Sixteen: This is good for me because I didn’t have any money before. I can’t believe Alejandro’s been murdered… it was probably a giant wasp
Hinesly is clawing at the walls and hissing.
Billy: Speaking of murder, who was it I heard singing Uptown Girl in the shower?
Emerald: Wasn’t me. Not rock and roll enough.
Sixteen: I would like to note that murder is against my basic programming, and any rumours you may have heard about me pushing someone out of a hot air balloon are a big fat lie.
Hinesly: Very innocent thing of you to say.
Russ: I can’t believe someone killed Alejandro! Does this mean I can absorb his corpse?
Emerald: Oh no! Anyway…
Hinesly: She looks like she's about to make some biting comment, but thinks better of it. Puts her head in her paws. Mraaaaaaaaa.
Sixteen: Maybe the Great Sweat killed Alejandro
Tilly: Noooo! His corpse - that is, his body, his beautiful body - must be preserved for all to behold for the rest of time!
Russ: Sounds like we have a lot of work to do. We need an overseer and Tilly’s given us a horrible decision to make about executing someone! Should we take this over to another room to work out what we need to do?
Emerald raises her hand. I’m game.
And so, the Passengers begin the first day of deliberations. While in the Hangar...
Herder: Out of nowhere a fog machine starts to spew fumes into the air, and from them a shadow emerges. A figure smelling of death and destiny, heroics and heartbreak, with a slight afterwhiff of hamster. The Commander has risen from the ashes of their despair to step up in VibeCity’s darkest hour. They may be unable to hack the game anymore, but they will hack your heart. They won’t rest until evil is defeated, ample aliens are seduced and terrible one-liners are cracked along with the skulls of their enemies.
Look at them standing there, so majestic, so noble. What words of wisdom shall they bestow upon all and sundry, what courageous speech will they rally the people with? What quote shall be etched into the history books for the rest of time? The audience waits with baited breath (which may also be due to the copious amount of smoke billowing everywhere - this place really needs a better ventilation system)
… Fuck fuckity fuckmonkeys. Two blaster charges in Alejandro’s smooth brain and I didn’t get to be the one who put them there. What rotten luck. Spits in the floor
Emerald: Hey Commander Fuzzball, pretty sure there’s a no smoking sign out front.
Sixteen: I’m the Doctor, the Oncoming Storm, the Last of the Time Lords, and I’m your only hope of getting out of this situation alive! Tilly, I demand to speak with the Great Sweat! Take me to your leader!
Tilly: ....Nah, I don't think I will
Sixteen: …Oh. That usually works.
Hinesly crooks an eyebrow. She's not convinced.
Herder: I know we’ve not always seen eye to eye Doc, but I will give credit where credit is due: we’re both pompous assholes with delusions of grandeur. to Hinesly I have nothing to prove to you you parasite who crushes the hopes and dreams of working people. You and your idiot hat
Hinesly: No, you're right. I have no reason to expect you'd ever successfully kill something.
Herder: Tell that to my gameplay stats. It’s not my fault this is a no combat hub zone
Emerald: All I can say is, I didn’t lay a hand on him, nor a hoof.
Billy: According to my gameplay stats you’ve spent 6 hours just standing still!
Piglet: Mr Alejandro is… is… d-d-DEAD??
Hinesly: Alright so it was definitely Piglet right
Piglet: W-what was me? 🥺
Hinesly: facepaws. Forget it.
Herder: Yes Piglet he’s gone to the great big farm deep below the burning depths of the planet’s core where he shall be tormented for his sins until the end of time
Piglet: That… that doesn’t sound very nice
Emerald: Tartarus generally isn’t. Cerberus is nice though, he’s just a big three headed puppy!
Herder: Cerberus? Why does that name sound familiar…
Sixteen: We all need to protect Piglet
Emerald: I’ll explain… later.
Clarence trundles in, wearing sunglasses So you’re telling me that Al Jen Dar Oh, a guy I could’ve done without, gets offed and it caused me to get paid for nothing? happy elephant noise
Sixteen: Clarence, have you been able to contact Mike Truk yet through the universal roaming that I gave you
Clarence: Nope, space travel takes a long time, Doc. You’re not allowed to use your phone on a shuttle.
Billy: The Real™️Elton John is suing me for stealing his face. Anyone got any spare credits to pay for my lawsuit?
Clarence: No.
Billy: I’ll pay you in booze. When I have the money of course
Clarence: You speak like I don't have any stored away by now
Billy: * chucks it out of the air lock * Not anymore!
Clarence: Throwing out all those bottles I filled with water isn't going to make me like you any more
Russ: I would like to express my interest in a space in your snooze pod. Worst pick-up line ever.
Hinesly takes a seat, ruffles her fur. What an eventful two hours! Her worldview and morals have been given a bit of a shakeup. She could tell that brief sting as a Snooze Pod landlady made her seem suspicious. She had to become one with the violent poor... and also, she had to try to investigate, see which of these people might be Insurrectionists. Perhaps it was time to take a page out of Kyla's book. She slinks away...
Emerald goes back to playing her guitar, very glad she left it out prior to lockdown. Don’t know how I’d get by without ya, Sparks…
Lady Hinesly re-emerges from Snooze Pod Beta dressed as a maid. 'Ello, everyone! Moi name's Margaret, innit!
Emerald lowers her ears. That’s the worst Trottingham accent I’ve ever heard in my life. Gem would be insulted.
Clarence: Is, uh, this part of that thing you're doing with Emily?
Hinesly: No! ... coz I don't know wot you're witterin' on about! Oi'm just a normal unwashed poor! Oi support Home Rule and everyfink
Clarence: Your maid outfit is more expensive than anything I have on at the moment
Hinesly: I worked hard, innit? That's why I'm working class! Ahahaha! Ahahahahahahahhahahaha! Now. sidles up to him Been doin' any murderin' lately?
Emerald listens closely, playing softly.
Clarence: I was hungover - I'm still hungover in fact, how could I even bother killing someone? Besides... you know there's a common saying about butlers and or maids doing these crimes, right?
Hinesly: Why, it seems to me just about anyone could say that!
Clarence: Of course, it's just that I'm telling the truth. Do you want to hear my real theory? he looks to the side and whispers to Lady Hinesly/Margaret the Maid I think Tilly did it. The bitch went crazy after we all mocked her last night and so she killed them to punish us with all this fake insurrection bullshit.
Hinesly: Oh, everyone's telling the truth these days. But that can't be so, can it?!!! It's a possibility... but I dunno. She seemed genuinely obsessed with that Alejandro. Why would she kill him to defend his honour?
Clarence: Why would she kill the Doctor when she had a crush on her?
Emerald: Honesty is one of the Elements of Harmony, and I ain’t nothing but an honest mare. I’m with Clarence, this was an inside job.
Hinesly: Hmmm... it just don't sit right with me, it don't.
Piglet: I don’t like this 😦I don’t think any of us could be killers! Maybe it was an accident?
Emerald: Either way... time will tell, as my friend Gem likes to say. Emerald bends down to give Piglet a hug.
Piglet: Oh, thank you, emerald! hugs back
Emerald smiles. Anytime, Piglet. I've got your back.
Clarence: You’ll be alright piglet, it’s all just fake news made so that Tilly can exercise more control over us.
Piglet: O-oh, I’m not worried about me, i just don’t see how any of us could - could k-kill somebody! … okay, I am a little worried about me... I’m… a lot worried about me 😦
Emerald: Would it help if I played something to calm your nerves? I think you're innocent.
Clarence: Aw, Piglet…
Piglet: Oh, well, I don’t know what will make me feel better! But thank you, emerald ❤️ Maybe you should play something - your music is very good 🙂
Emerald: I'd be glad to, I've got just the thing! Adjusting a few knobs on the body of her guitar, she starts playing something a bit different from her usual.
Let it roll across the floor
Through the hall and out the door
To the fountain of perpetual mirth
Let it roll for all it's worth
Find me where ye echo lays
Lose ye bodies in the maze
See the lord and all the mouths he feeds
Let it roll among the weeds
Let it roll
Let it roll down through the caves
Ye long walks of Coole and Shades
Through ye woode, here may ye rest awhile
Handkerchiefs to match your tie
Let it roll
Let it roll, let it roll
Let it roll, let it roll
Fools illusions everywhere
Joan and Molly sweep the stairs
Eyes that shining full of inner light
Let it roll into the night
Let it roll, let it roll
Let it roll, let it roll
Let it roll, let it roll
Clarence: Apparently I’m nice enough to hug if you need it. I don’t quite get it myself
Kyla: Just hold tight Piglet, we'll all get through this together.
Emerald: Yeah, what Kyla said! Friendship is magic!
Kyla: I wonder who killed Alejandro and for what reason anyway... they say they are insurrectionists, but what is their manifesto? 🤔
Emerald: I still think it was Tilly, she's just framing the rest of us to throw off suspicion. Although... She leans in to whisper in Kyla's ear. I'd watch Hinesly too.
Clarence: Probably something like
Does a mocking Tilly voice "Dear Diary, oh those passengers are NASTY and SMELLY and I HATE THEM, oh I'm gonna get them back so good! While I do love Aljendro, I love fascistic control over my passengers MORE, so sorry babe but I'm gonna shoot you. Lots of love, Tilly"
Tilly: I resent that! I've been in mourning ALL DAY, and here you are, suggesting that I might have been responsible!? Shame! SHAME!
Emerald: You're right, your real diary would use more swear words.
Tilly: Hmph. That's beside the point
Emerald glares at Tilly once again. Anyway, I don't trust you. I haven't trusted you since the day I set hoof in this place, and you sure ain't doin' much to change that.
Clarence: Right, my bad, your real motive is probably that you’re mad that most of us here can get a date and you can’t
Tilly: Ok, first of all, how dare you. And second of all... how dare you.
Emerald snort-laughs. I mean, he's not wrong. We all know what happened when you tried to romance the Doc, Itchy McTriggerFinger.
Sixteen: Please don’t remind me.
Emerald: I just don’t get what you see in her! She’s a fascist and potentially a murderer!
Sixteen: I was a different woman back then. Everything that I was died when she shot me, and I’m the new man who went sauntering away
Emerald: Meaning what? You like different things?
Sixteen: Well she was a centrist, and I’m left of centre. For example... I would throughly approve of - whispers - trying to take down the Great Sweat
Emerald smiles. Now you’re speakin’ my language.
Clarence: Well, I’m not so sure about helping with it, but I wouldn’t object to it.
Kyla: No one should be taking down the Great Sweat, he's great its in his NAME.
Emerald: I’ve seen better rulers than him, and worse ones.
Chromia: The loss of someone so seemingly laden with responsibility as Alejandro is always an upset to the system, and this macabre “investigation” is the system trying to assert itself. A travesty. Strong words, perhaps, from someone like me, but as a representative of the Googolplexian Monarchy (which is actually a republic), it is not justice that this systemic response is seeking, but revenge. We do well to stand together against it.
Emerald: Absolutely. In the last week I’ve come to see you all as my friends, and one thing I know is that when we work together, friendship can change the world.
Harley emerges from the shadows, wringing their hands nervously. I don't know about friends. Someone here is a murderer! And now this "investigation"? This is bad... not to mention I'll probably be the one who has to clean up the mess afterwards. If I survive, anyway. All this politics... I never wanted any part of it! I just wanted to do my job! This is a nightmare.
Clarence: pats Harley on the back Don’t worry, we’ll get through this… just keep your eye out.
Later...
Clarence: So... Anything on the news lately?
Chromia: Just all this Alejandro business
Clarence: Yeah... There was also that story about a human who was allowed on a basketball team because they realised there were no rules saying a human couldn't play
Sixteen: Tilly, can we please have some food, we've eaten nothing all day and we don't have credits to buy food
Clarence: And alcohol
Sixteen: Also can you please unlock the bathroom
Tilly: Urrrggghhhh FINE, I suppose so. But you'd better not enjoy it - we're in MOURNING
Emerald: Who says I’m mourning anyone?
Tilly: Me! I do! I say so! And I'm still in charge around here, so you have to do what I say!
Emerald: Buck off, you whorse. I’ve been breaking your rules since I got here, and I’m sure not gonna stop now!
Tilly: How very dare--
Emerald: What are you gonna do about it, huh? Kill me like you did Alejandro? Or are you too scared to make a move, because you know we have you cornered?
Tilly: Grrrrrrr
Emerald nods. Thought so. Watch your back, Killy. She stalks off to the farthest corner of the room, playing her guitar as hard as she can until her fingers bleed.
Clarence: You know what... I'm sorry about all of this, Tilly, I know it must be hard to cope with... And I'm sorry I said that thing earlier about you not being able to get a date, I felt bad when I said that... Like, if you said that to me last week I probably would've broken down more than you.
Tilly: Thanks, Clarry. That means a lot. :)
Hinesly: Woah there! I didn't know horses even had fingers.
Emerald waves her hands around. Missed these, did you?
Hinesly: Radical developments in zoology indeed.
Clarence: I also have fingers. And I might have toes, I don't know what's going on with those.
Emerald: We used to have four legs, but somewhere along the line, Discord decided we needed updating. And now, here we are.
Harley: I feel like most of us shouldn't be surprised at a horse having fingers, considering... Waggles own fingers
Hinesly: Looks at own paws. I suppose I am quite dexterous.
Emerald: The Abyssinians look a lot like you, Hinesly. Maybe you’re related?
Hinesly: No, but we get that a lot.
Harley: Can we circle back to Emerald's veiled death threat for a second? Does that seem uh. A little much to anyone else? Not to start pointing fingers, but. I am gesturing maybe. Waving vaguely in a direction.
Hinesly: Oh she's always like that. ... hm.
Harley: That doesn't help!
Sixteen: It's fine, it was only Tilly that she was threatening
Harley: ...that is fair.
Emerald: I’m from a planet where friendship literally changes the world. Murder isn’t something we ponies do. And the punishments we do have are literally beyond me, that requires alicorn magic, and I’m just a sonomancer.
Sixteen: Before Tilly takes issues with this statement, may I point out that SHE SHOT ME last week so I'm perfectly entitled to bear a grudge
Clarence: Really... I heard from a semi-reputable source a good theory as to how your lot constructs your rainbows...
Tilly: Look, just because I killed you, doesn't mean you have an excuse to discriminate against me!
Emerald: In a factory, where else?
Clarence: Yes. In a factory. Linked to several disappearances.
Emerald: I’m a unicorn, not a pegasus. I only know rainbow factories exist, I’ve never set hoof in one.
Number One: Forgive me, we were, um, discussing something about a tongue, yes?
Hinesly: I can show you in Snooze-Pod Beta. Unless you'd like a drink first?
Emerald sits in her corner, staring into space.
Clarence: I thought that Hinesly was doing that and not Maid Margaret…
Hinesly: She takes off her maid cap. I appreciate you trying to humour me, but I think we can lay that ruse to rest.
Number One: Something flashes through her mind and she rubs her neck as though half in memory of something that used to hang there I’m…not…sure? I think a drink, yes, a drink would be good?
Hinesly: Any requests?
Number One: Any…vodka?
Hinesly: I'm glad you said that, because it's what I actually have. She pulls a flask out from her maid's uniform and pours Number 1 out a shot. And one for her. Bottoms up, ma'am. she laps at it like milk in a saucer.
Kyla: drinks a protein shake
Emerald: has more coffee.
Clarence: also drinks from a flask
Harley: almost accidentally drinks bleach Wait, this isn't my water bottle...
Emerald: Who would swap your water bottle with bleach? That’s disgusting!
Number One: She regards this method of drinking vodka with bemused fascination for a moment before shrugging and downing her shot Ayugh.
Hinesly: nyayugh to Number One So. You really recall nothing about yourself, hmm?
Sixteen: I imagine Clarence is looking for a Booze Pod. Hello Meglos, from your future self
Clarence: wipes mouth Give me credit, I don't have THAT much of a problem... And I'm choosing the hangar tonight, wouldn't want to take up too much space as an Elephant in the bedroom.
Meglos: Extraordinary. What a brain. Oh ho, what a brain!
Number One: Turns away from the attractive cactus-woman, sadly sighs No…I am afraid not…nothing since I landed here?
Hinesly: I’m sorry. lays a paw on her arm. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two about you together, hmm? 🐱
Sixteen: I never forget a face. And in years to come, you might find yourself revisiting a few. But just the old favourites, eh?
Hinesly: And by book club, I mean... I am speaking euphemistically. Perhaps ourselves and the attractive scarf woman could spend some time together.
Meglos: Pah! And you accuse me of wasting your time.
Kyla: You’re welcome in our book club too if you want, Sexy Meglos
Meglos: Excellent. Then let it commence.
Hinesly, to Emerald: And you're welcome in our book club too if you would like! They're not mutually exclusive 🙂
Emerald holds up her book. Who wants me to read Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue?
Kyla: …I feel like book club means more than one thing here and I'm a little worried.
Meglos: Thank you for a most interesting conversation! Must be on my way.
Hinesly: No need to worry, dear, no need to worry.
Emerald: Awww… Emerald sadly puts her book away.
Kyla: I mean, what would happen if I joined your book club anyway?
Hinesly: Alright, I can take a hint. puts her maid cap back on. Have a lovely rest of your evening, Sexy Meglos.
Kyla: Oh thank goodness so you've given up on Emz and Emily.
Hinesly: I didn't--!! Oh, forget it.
Clarence: Emz and Emily are nerds?
Emerald: Well, they read books, don’t they?
Clarence: Everyone reads
Sixteen: Does piglet know how to read?
Clarence: I don’t know if Piglet can read
Sixteen: The world doesn't end because the Doctor reads.
Number One: She nods, then suddenly grasps her head in pain. Arghn! A flash of memory sparks, a brief snapshot of a smoke filled corridor leading to an open door that fills her with inexplicable fear and a thin metal object around her neck P-please…no. She whimpers. Her eyes water, the pain recedes and then she’s back. Ohf.
Kyla: ...are you okay, Number 1?
Hinesly senses the mood has changed. She holds Number 1 by the shoulders.Deep breaths, dear. Deep breaths. You're alright.
Emerald: Oh geez, are you okay? Can we help?
Kyla: goes over by Number 1 and quietly sits down nearby to show she's not alone without getting into her personal bubble without permission
Emerald joins Kyla, hoping to show the same.
Chromia: Do please let us know what we can do to assist
Number One: She breathes deeply Sorry…sorry for scaring you all. I…I remembered something. Something zat…hurt. In here. She gestures to her heart
Hinesly: Pulls back, nods quietly.
Emerald smiles just a bit. It’s alright. You’re okay. We’re here for you.
Number One: She smiles back at Emerald Thank you.
Emerald: You’re welcome. ❤️
Kyla: Just know you are not alone, Number 1.
Number One: Thank you, Kyla, Lady Hinesly, Emerald, everyone. I am mostly all right now. I will take uh, little walk to clear my head and be back after nightfall to talk more.
Kyla: Have a good walk, we'll be here if you need us.
Hinesly: Stay safe, dear.
Emerald: See you soon!
Hinesly changed back into her dress. The maid bit had run its course.
Emerald is mainly hanging around. Soooo… getting dark soon.
Kyla: Still can't believe the maid was Hinesly this whole time!
Hinesly: I am a master of disguise 😌
Sixteen: Has anyone seen Mary the radar technician?
Emerald: Not recently…
Hinesly: stifling a laugh Maybe SHE'S the killer...
Kyla: Ahem Mary must be very busy what with the ship crashing and the assassination, I bet Radar is in very high demand right now.
Emerald: Strong possibility there, Ky.
Hinesly: Maybe that's what she wants you to think… Why, next time we see Mary, we should vote her out!
Clarence: Looks confusedly We all know Mary was just... like... a costume, right?
Billy: Next you’ll be telling me I’m not really Billy Joel pfttt
Emerald: Considering you were Elton John until recently, I have my doubts.
Billy: I wonder who I’ll be next. That’s the trouble with regeneration, you never quite know what you’re going to get
Harley: god I hope it's Florence Welch
Emerald: You could be Vinyl Scratch, my favorite DJ.
Sixteen: You could be Murray Gold and finally release the S10 soundtrack.
Billy: I hope I do turn into Florence Welch one day. Only if For a Night
Emerald looks perplexed. Sten?
Harley: S10, the Dutch entrance for eurovision this year you mean? And by Eurovision I of course mean Sweatovision, the yearly song contest held in honour of the Great Sweat.
Emerald: That sounds like a disease.
Harley: Yeah it is a bit of a spreader event for pandemics.
Nightfall
Hey gang!
SUCH a productive day, OMG! I am soooo excited to tell you that you have voted to execute… nobody!? You missed!? All of you!? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!? Crikey O’Reily! We won’t let that be an option tomorrow, then, we have to find the killer!
But, lucky days, we at least have a new Overseer elected. And it’s none other than Emz/Emily, by a stunning margin of twelve votes, against the zero votes of her closest competitor! How exciting.
Well, it seems their first act as Overseer is about to take place, because there’s going to be not one but TWO property repossessions, as both Number One and Lady Hinesly have failed to pay their maintenance on the snooze-pods. Dear oh dear. I hope the next Landlords are a little less lax when it comes to rent! They’ll regret it if they are, I think.
It’s up to Emily/Emz to choose two different Landlords, one for each snooze-pod. They’ll be announced in twelve hours, at Daybreak. I imagine that will be the only notable announcement tomorrow morning!
Anyways! It’s time for you to start heading to bed! You will be notified shortly of who else will be sleeping in the same area as you.
Cheerio, and goodnight! :D
Sixteen: Who presents it?
Harley: Well, it's a different host each year of course! ...you're not telling me you don't watch it?
Emerald: We barely have movies, we definitely don’t pick up your Telly vision.
Harley: Of course, it was a bit shit this year because Italian Elon Musk was one of the presenters. Can't stand that guy.
Emerald: Was he a muskrat?
Harley: I think he's more of a cockroach. Just won't die.
Sixteen: Some of my memories have been erased. It's a sensitive subject for me.
Harley: Aw, that sucks buddy.
Billy: You have to do Eurovision if you want to pass your exams
Hinesly: Some of my memories must have been erased too, because I don't remember anyone asking 🙂
Emerald: Oof, rough. I’m sorry. 😦
Kyla: I have someone else's memories, its a rough time having people mess with those....
Clarence: Is this the same as Zoorovision?
Harley: I could do with less memories sometimes. Laughs nervously
Billy: 🎵He says “Son, can you play me a memory?
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man's clothes"🎵
Sixteen: I have some low-level telepathy skills. If you'd like, I can try to help you close off that other person's memories from your mind.
Kyla: I never knew that would be a possibility. I'll need to think about it, a lot of those memories are what make me not act like I'm three years old...
Sixteen: I can also try this to help Number One, if she’d like. Before anyone asks, no, I can't use this power to help identify the killer(s). People can hide any memory from me which they don't want me to see. It's a shame all the doors in VibeCity SpacePort are made of wood, otherwise I'd be able to use my sonic screwdriver to get us out of here. In theory, I could trigger an isolated sonic shift among the molecules, and the door should disintegrate.
Emerald: And you didn’t say that earlier because…
Kyla: I mean, I have a laser sword. The big problem is this is a spaceport. By space.
Sixteen: But I'd have to calculate the exact harmonic resonance of the entire structure down to a sub-atomic level. Even the sonic would take centuries to do that.
Emerald: Well. That’s just great then. If I had my magic I might be able to lend a hoof, but nooooo…
Sixteen: That’s not a problem, my TARDIS is downstairs and could get us all out of the port easily, if Tilly would let us off this floor. Shall we ask for a better quality of door so that we can escape?
Harley: Well, we don't have centuries, we might only have tonight. So I'm gonna just uh. Go to bed and accept my fate I guess? This is grim. Harley slinks off to find a quiet spot to sleep.
Emerald: If I was an earth pony, I could try bucking the door down. But I’m not, and PE was my worst subject at CSGU.
Kyla: Ah, well there is also a thin layer of Ma'amdalorian steel under the wood, which my saber can't cut through.
Emerald: I wonder if the Doctor could break whatever it is that’s blocking my magic… I do have lots of sound spells I can cast.
Kyla: The Knights of Verger have a long standing rivalry with the Ma'amdalorians, where we swordfight while exchanging quips, and get uncomfortably close to each other before one of us walks away in defeat saying something like "I'll get you next time—you'll see me again soon, and its not because I like you or anything!" its a tradition I guess.
Sixteen: That’s a shame, because I had been just going to suggest that my esteemed younger self (the one with the scarf) could start the calculations on her sonic so that it'd be ready on mine now. But alas. to Emerald Just tried. I can't. Sorry.
Emerald: Buck. I hate being cut off from my magic… it’s literally part of me, not having it feels like if somepony cut off your arm with a knife or something.
Sixteen: Someone cut off my hand once, but I regrew it.
Clarence: Why did they cut off your hand?
Sixteen: It was in a sword fight
Clarence: How did you get into a sword fight? Do you just naturally make it so everyone wants to kill you?
Sixteen: That’s rude! I'll have you know, I was duelling a Sycorax Leader to prevent them from taking over Earth and enslaving humanity! So Tilly, when do we get to meet our illustrious monarch, this silent partner of yours? Why's he so shy?
Billy: VibeCity used to be lovely and peaceful before they took over
Clarence: He’s not shy, he just doesn't care.
Billy: I love how we’re all in separate rooms and still able to have a conversation
Billy: Isn’t technology brilliant?
Clarence: The world changes a lot in a decade or so
Meglos: We seem to have an awful lot of questions. It's about time we started finding some answers.
Clarence: I mean... right now? It's been a tiring day, I've even had to vote, I just want to sleep.
Meglos: Of course. First things first. But not necessarily in that order!
Tilly: Voting is a pleasure and a privilege here on VibeCity. In normal times, we'd be charging you for the joy of voting! But under the circumstances, I decided it would be best to suspend that. You can pay all the votes back at a later date :)
Emerald: What if we all die first?
Meglos: Oh, I hope not. There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes!
Emerald: Wise words indeed, Scarf Doc.
Number One: Arriving back, Number One notes she’s been stripped of landlordship of Snooze Pod Gamma and feels relief and pride she was able to escape it. She does not fully know why but the idea of exploiting people makes her feel deeply uneasy and the act of resistance fits her hand in glove.
I managed to get out of your little plan, Tilly! Now how do you like zat?
Emerald: Welcome back, Number 1!
Hinesly: somewhat less convincingly Yes! We will NOT make money! How about that?
Emerald: You really are a capitalist... people have died and all you care about is lining your pockets!
Kyla: Wait, I thought you guys were fine with Alejandro being dead, are we sad about this now?
Emerald: I don't care about Alejandro, I care that there's death around. Because today, it's some rich guy. Tomorrow it could be one of us.
Kyla: sweats nervously realizing that Emerald, like Piglet, also doesn't know that death happens to all living things and is always around ah-I uh, I see.
Emerald: Also, I just can't stand capitalism.
Sixteen: A good death is the best anyone can hope for, unless you happen to be immortal.
Emerald: I only know of four ponies who can hold that claim... and two of them have been on the throne for a couple thousand years at least.
Hinesly: Goodnight! I will see you all tomorrow. Well. Most of you.
Emerald: Goodnight, kitty cat!
Kyla: Goodnight, Lady Hinesly. When you wake up, know that I'll have grown even stronger against you in tongue skills. points dramatically mark my words.
Russ: Sleep tight, Hinesly!
Emerald: How are you at kissing, Ky?
Billy: 🎶 In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To the river so deep 🎶
Hinesly: Wants to tell her to stop saying that but doesn't want to explain why
Kyla: No idea, only seen that in movies.
Emerald: Well… I could demonstrate, if you want.
Kyla: confused hardly seems relevant to the topic at hand. I need to practice to defeat Lady Hinesly at Tongue-Braille tonight anyway I'm afraid. completely oblivious to what is being suggested
Number One: Oh who cares about zis, uh? As if I would. She’s enjoying fighting back now, like the ghost of a memory is inhabiting her, giving her life And I am not staying in the pod before I go to sleep because like the fool you are, you’ve left me in charge of the access codes and and they do not change until morning! I will go where I please, and you will just have to deal with it, Tilly! She sticks her middle finger up at her. Hmph!
Emerald: Well, think of it as another way to use your tongue! Then you can really blow her mind!
Kyla: No, I already worked out a rep plan and to work it in with my usual pre-bed workout routine, so I better stick with that!
Billy: And after a long day of playing the piano, Billy Joel finally heads to bed, hoping not to get murdered.
As he sleeps, he is haunted by a strange image. A face, it looks like. It’s one he doesn’t recognise, and yet, it’s one he knows all too well. Perhaps it’s his past self. Perhaps it’s a future one. Time will tell.
Emerald sighs. Get a grip, Wave, she's practically a foal...
Kyla: You’re really standing up for yourself Number 1! I see your temporary name continues to suit you 🙂
Number One: She smiles warmly. Thank you, Kyla. It just…seemed to come from somewhere, I do not know why.
Emerald: Always happy to see someone else standing up for what's right!
Number One: She accidentally knocks a clock over while leaning back against a fireplace and is struck by a sudden urge to say certain very specific wordsAre you there? Can you hear me? I need you now, you promised! The clock on the mantle is broken, it is time. Doctor, Doctor!
Sixteen: Yes, I’m here.
Number One: Sorry, zat was very…weird…I am not sure where it came from, but I do need your help.
Sixteen: Do I have your consent to enter your mind? I’ll try not to look at anything personal, just to look for where the amnesia block is.
Number One: She nods nervously Yes…yes, I think so.
Sixteen: gently touches his hands to her head and instigates a mind meld. Oh dear, you’ve had some cowboys in here… If there’s anything you don’t want me to see, just imagine a door and close it.
Number One: 2 doors pop into existence in Number One’s head as she has basically no memories that she is conscious of. One of those hits the Doctor’s psychic projection on the nose
Sixteen: Ouch! No, don’t worry, it’s okay. I think I’ve found the amnesia block. Do you want me to remove it?
Number One: She is trembling, and her lekku are tensed around her, but she nods. Yes.
Sixteen: Okay… The Doctor focuses harder, and Number Oneexperiences a sensation of cotton wool being pulled out of her mind. The Doctor removes his hands from her head. (gently) Are you alright?
Kyla: Is crossing her fingers for Number 1
Meglos: Look, have a jelly baby and don't forget to brush your teeth.
Number One: [groggily] Mrrr. She takes a jelly baby and then crumples to the ground, unconscious
Sixteen:… I'm not sure if that's supposed to happen. 😬 ....oh goodness, I think I'm going to..... falls to the ground .... too. goes unconscious
Meglos: Are we interrupting something?
Kyla: ….not again moves each of them to where they're supposed to sleep for the night, grumbles Always taking care of the unconscious people here… cinemasins counter dings twice as the guy complains that the writers keep using Kyla carrying unconscious people as a plot device
Meglos: Sleep is for tortoises!
shouting from the distance "TELL THAT TO EVERYONE WHO KEEPS PASSING OUT AROUND HERE EVERY DAY!” mumbling "I swear there's some sort of fainting epidemic."
Meglos: Good heavens, that's exactly right! Have a jelly baby.
Kyla: Oh, thank you very much.