video. un: G.SLQHV

[twinpeak]

—Hey, guys! Guess what!

[ Here to break up all the doom and gloom on the network is Dipper, grinning broadly into the camera as he makes a small wave with his free hand. Hovering over his shoulders are none other than Papyrus and Kolitra, as well. ]

Soooo I know we've had nothing but a bunch of bad news lately, and nobody's really sure how to deal with this god business ahead of us... Well, I'm happy to say we've got something good for us! You know, for once.

[Papyrus was hovering over Dipper’s shoulder, but instead now is cramming his skull to fit into the video feed, right next to Dipper’s face. Sorry. What’s personal space.]

POMARR’S OUR FRIEND NOW!!

[ DID SOMEONE SAY DOOM AND GLOOM because hey this guy is here, too, looming. Wearing his full, ominously glowing dreadplate armor. Staring into the camera. He’s significantly less angry than before, though. If anything, he just looks solemn. Subdued. His rough voice, too, is relatively soft; deep and still and drained of the mad despair he had felt when he last spoke on the network. Instead, he seems detached; resolved, but--sorrowful, too. ]

We have convinced her to join ALASTAIR. She has furthermore provided us with instructions. We are to board the restored warship in ten days’ time, at which point we will confront Ryba--and Nalanni, in the bargain.

[ He pauses, and then goes on. ]

Pomarr was clear: once Nalanni perishes, our diminished magic will be restored. It is the only way. She cannot undo it herself.

[ Another beat. ]

I realize that not all of you like this course of action.

[ I.e., the skeleton right beside him, for instance. ]

But it is what must be done. There is no way around it. Pomarr has promised to guide us, but we must ensure that we are ready to face this trial. If you wish to speak, I will listen.

You heard it here first, folks. So how 'bout it?

[ There's a beat, then Dipper finally side-eyes the skeleton shoving himself entirely too close. He frowns slightly, then begins to pull away. ]

Jeez, man, you're too clo—

[ And that's when the feed ends. ]


[ ooc: there will be an OOC planning post for the final battles going up this weekend! ]

Comments

video; un: strongfish91

[aspearation]

Heh. Dipper, Papyrus. If anyone could get her to join us, it would be you two! Good job!

[ Sorry Koltira but... she's not sorry at all. She's very pointedly not saying anything about the rest. If she doesn't say anything, she can just pretend it's not actually going to happen, right?! ]

[twinpeak]

Heh, I think we can thank Papyrus for that one. He... y'know, came up with the idea of being friends and all.

[boneafide]

She's still going to need some time... to herself. But afterwards! I don't want her to feel alone! Which is why she was doing this to begin with!

action to dipper & koltira;

[boneafide]

Nyeh heh heh!!

[He laughs to himself as Dipper pulls away, not stopping him, but also not... moving away on his own. No bringing him down right now, it seems.]

This went better than I thought it was going to!! I think we should have a celebratory group hug!!

[twinpeak]

A lot better.

[ Dipper was nearly bracing himself for the worst, after all. ]

... Do we have to do the hug?

video; un: poindexter

[weirdologist]

Good job. That's one less headache we have to worry about.

[And that look? He's proud of you, Dipper, considering everything they were discussing about a couple of weeks ago.]

[twinpeak]

Yeah! I was a little worried back there... To be honest, I thought she had worse intentions, but it turned out that wasn't the case at all.

video | un; sieglindesullivan

[grunehexe]

[It's good to hear, in a way- that at least Pomarr might be on their side. Might be saved. To hear something that wasn't about killing. But, wait-]

Ryba and Nalanni? You don't mean... We are to confront them at the same time?

[Congratulations will come, just. Give her a moment for disbelief.]

[respired]

[ Irritably. ]

First one. Then, the other.

[twinpeak]

Well, uh—apparently Nalanni shouldn't be much of a problem? I think Ryba's gonna be the real issue here.

text | un: archer

[anti_altruisms]

So noted.

[ They've lacked any plan of action thus far so it's good that things have fallen into place. ]

Congratulations on your success.

[respired]

My thanks, Archer.

video, UN: butterfly

[digophelia]

I am glad for this; you've done well.

[twinpeak]

Heh, well—just doing what we gotta, y'know?

video. un: Tohsaka Rin

[defenceless]

Ah, you managed to meet with Pomarr... [rin releases a relieved sigh, placing her hand to her chest.

she doesn't expect koltira to talk to her, but that won't stop her from replying. dipper and papyrus are on good enough terms with her. plus, she couldn't care less about being disliked by someone.]

I'm glad. This means she's been taken out of the picture—at least as far as raising a crowd of undead Dakal goes.

[boneafide]

Yes, we did! She seemed really nice. I want to get to know her more once this is all over.

audio; un: hb

[hellshaped]

[Well, thank God for that.]

Nice job, guys. Did she say anything about what'll happen to her once we take out the big squid?

[twinpeak]

—Uh.

[ Sure didn't... ]

I mean, I figure she'll be okay no matter what happens. Right?

[Video | un: tsukuyo]

[sekimorinashi]

--that was ... easy?

[ Not what she expected. At all. ]

[twinpeak]

I dunno, kinda felt like the opposite to me.

video | un: evan

[evantuality]

This is... this is impressive. I hadn't expected... I mean, good job, guys.

[He seems intrigued, and nonplussed, and maybe a little wary. He addresses the screen carefully, unwilling just yet to entertain any real sense of relief in the face of a battle he still isn't keen on taking part in at all. For all that the three seem triumphant if anything, the assertion that killing Nalanni is the only way to proceed nets him some worry.]

Can I ask what it took to convince her? And what kind of promise exactly did you extract from her?

I hate to be a naysayer, but how solid exactly are we on how much we trust her word?

[twinpeak]

[ The wary response gets a mild frown out of Dipper. ]

Look, sometimes you just have to believe someone a little. We talked it out. I don't think she was lying about anything.

text @jklfj

[sadsack]

hello. i would like to opt out of magic restoration. i would like to sign up for the opposite of magic restoration




and congratulations on a job well done, babysitter and friends

[boneafide]

BABYSITTER???

video; un: king

[agrizzlysin]

...There's no chance of Pomarr leading us into a trap?

[Okay, so there's always a chance, but King just wants to hear something reassuring. Pretty please with a cherry on top.]

[twinpeak]

I'm not counting on it! But, hey—anyone else have an alternative idea? No? Yeah, I didn't think so.

video; un: apocalypseArisen

[timebender]

Well that was easy. Almost too easy! I wonder if there's a catch?

[ She's not being sarcastic, but not really concerned, either. More like intensely curious. ]

[twinpeak]

Says you. We're gonna come out of this okay.

[asscan]

Are you all gullible fools?

This smells more like a trap than a raw bloody morsel under a slapdash propped up box!

This is the abomination that nearly had us battered to death for attempting to speak with the very goddess you're content with murdering. She works for Ryba, she wants you out on a vessel in the middle of Ryba's sea, with a powerless Nalanni, a goddess who has been tethered for Aska knows how long by the very creatures who are luring you to your fate?

When you've all been dragged to the depths by the shadows of a gluttonous goddess I shall cast some salt on your graves, you imbeciles.

[respired]

She does not work for Ryba. And she is not an abomination.

video; username: baaaan

[perma_banned]

Huuuuh. Stinks like a trap.

[He took a swig from a water-skin and bit back hesitancy as he swallowed. When he was done, he let out a pleasant sigh.]

Buuuuuuut, that's just cause I don't trust any of you fellas except the skeleton~! Hey, buddy! [Clearly in a chemically altered good mood, Ban waved stupidly as if figuring Papyrus would know it was directed specifically at him.]

[boneafide]

[ Papyrus waves excitedly back on his own communicator now, since Dipper has decided to enforce this thing called "personal space."]

Hello, Ban!!!!

[SO EXCITED, TO SEE HIS FRIEND. Even though he only saw him not too long ago. ]

Is that... more of the... moonshine??

[ HOW CAN HE DRINK IT SO CASUALLY... ]

video; un: sakurakinomoto

[keystaff]

Pomarr is going to join ALASTAIR? Going to help us with Nalanni and Ryba?

[Now she is internally debating. If she should remain to assist Sieglinde with any wounded in the battles or go try help at least against Ryba once her magic might be restored.]

But that would mean we have a better chance. If our magic, our powers came back in time.

[Even if Sakura still doesn't like the idea of needing to kill either or both of the goddesses like this to help this world continue.]

[twinpeak]

You bet. That's basically been part of the plan the whole time!

video; user name: shepherd

[historiology]

Something good? This is good news. I mean, not....that we have to kill anyone to figure this mission. But that we have help. We'll get our powers back. That'll make the fight against Ryba easier, at least.

Good job. Both of you. I'm sure ALASTAIR will be glad we figured dealing with her without too much trouble at least.

[Sorey means that. It's a relief to know at least that one of them wouldn't involve bloodshed, more fighting. That they convined Pomarr at least, to join them as an ally. Sorey himself isn't really considering the option of it being a trap. But it seems others are, so that warning is being covered, in any case. He sighs, running a hand through his hair even as he tries to keep up something of a smile of encouragement.]

So, ten days to get ready then? It's more warning than we've had before, I guess. We'll manage. You guys focus on your end. I'm gonna see what I can do to help get the Nalawi somewhere safe during all of this. Gather supplies, teach them what I can in the meantime.

video: un: swan

[sheriffing]

How do you know you've convinced her?

[ And that we're not just knocking out Nalanni for her?]

video;

[boneafide]

Because we said, "hey! Don't do that! It'll be bad!" and she said "you're right, that would be bad!"

[ Which was enough for him, really. Also, it's a talking skeleton, hello there. ]