The Second Trial [text + video]

[terezi_pyrope]

[When she awakens, it's to a very unpleasant yet equally forcibly pleasant morning -- which is actually more like in the afternoon.]

SO 1 4M GO1NG TO 4SSUM3 TH3YR3 4TT3MPT1NG TO TRY TO ST4RV3 US NOW?
WH4T3V3R PL4N TH3Y H4V3 TH4T 1NVOVL3S TH1S 1S BOUND TO F41L
ON3 OF WH1CH M4Y OBV1OUSLY B3 TH4T M4K3S SUR3 W3R3 W34K3N3D WH3N TH3Y R34LLY ST4RT TO SHOW TH31R H1DD3N H4NDS
TH3 GUY B3FOR3 M3 H4S QU1T3 TH3 1D34 THOUGH
4ND S1NC3 W3R3 UN4BL3 TO F1ND 4NY CLU3S 1T WOULD B3 W1S3 TO FOLLOW 1N H1S FOOTST3PS

[And now she hits the video function where she takes a wave; she was sitting on top of a building. For a while she accidentally has it upside down.]

I wanted to also ask if anyone else has been experiencing "seeing" any weird things. Something like places or objects that are not supposed to be there?

Comments

[terezi_pyrope]

[she was given the ability to feel incredibly light weighted and as little bothered as possible with this constant happy feeling. but there is a moment when she gets frustrated, it just ends up lasting for that amount of brevity.]

Being difficult doesn't exactly help us in the end, Kanaya! Even though it hurts, in order to fix something, find out information, or try to make amends, we are sometimes forced to begin somewhere that's out of comfort zone often to accomplish it.

Are you really that content with letting things go as they are?

[chainsawspistice]

[Crossing her arms.]

Before you attempt mediation between me and Vriska, which is what I am beginning to think is taking place here for reasons still lurking outside my realm my understanding in what I imagine to be an excessively large overcoat with a dodgy, unkempt demeanor, don't you think improving relations between Vriska and yourself first would lend more credence to your cause?

[terezi_pyrope]

[she means to frown, but it ends up coming out as a smile.]

But that's not it at all! I just thought that something was off about Vriska and maybe we should look into it, especially when we're here in a place we don't have much information on.

Speaking of which, this might help mend both our relations with her. Or not, considering who she is. But we have the actual time to dwell on this, so why not?

[chainsawspistice]

[She still doesn't buy it, but at least it's some semblance of an explanation. Also, she's just going to decline answering that "why not".]

Off? How so?

[terezi_pyrope]

[she notices, like she always does, when the question goes unanswered.]

Well, in your ti--when you were talking to her on the meteor didn't she seem less abrasive towards you? In the sense she wasn't talking with an accusatory tone, I mean.

It just seems things are a little different, that's all.

She's been rude, but it's a change from how rude she usually is. There's something evasive about it. I can't really put my finger on it, but something is there.

[chainsawspistice]

[Vriska seems just as abrasive as ever to her. Kanaya might be a weeeee bit biased but she's not going to admit that.]

If you say so. Feel free to ask her about it, I won't stop you.

[She puts a foot toward the door.] If that was all you wanted to show me, then I think we're done here.

[terezi_pyrope]

[of course not!!]

Gee, Kanaya...

It probably won't get me that far, knowing her.

[gosh you two are so difficult!!!!!!

terezi will be waiting soon enough to step out herself.]

I'll just ask you about it sometime later, alright?

[chainsawspistice]

Okay. [Though she isn't sure why Terezi is expecting much different.

She glances around at the new decor in the living room again as she makes her way to the exit. And because she isn't being pressed anymore, she feels at liberty to add:]

I think you underestimate her esteem for you. If you spoke to her without pretense or insult, I imagine her reception would be much more favorable than usual -- or at least, not quite as negative.

[terezi_pyrope]

[Terezi follows along pretty easily. Even with that smile on her face, the affects of an alien force start to die in the face of guilt. She laughs, but it's cold as a harsh winter's touch.]

...I've tried that, but she wouldn't hear any of it. At least the first time I tried. I'll just have to try again. Even if she's so impossible, I don't want to give up on her.

[She sighs.]

I know this probably means trying to make sure I don't get so riled up by what she says. But it's hard.

[She sometimes would think about paging Vriska over the network, but she'd probably ignore it. Or something.]

[chainsawspistice]

[She steps out onto the welcome mat.]

That would be a good idea, yes. I've found patience to be the greatest asset in dealing with Vriska.

[Hypocrisy? Of course not.]

[terezi_pyrope]

[if terezi finds that statement hard to believe, she doesn't voice it.]

...Well, it's been great having you over. It could have gone better, but ...

[she laughs a little.]

Next time we'll actually have a party or an investigative get-together!

That would be great.

[chainsawspistice]

A party would require a reason for celebration. Investigation, maybe.

[She turns to leave, but pauses in her step... and looks back at Terezi. Late reaction is late.]

Just a moment ago. Did you say "in my time"?

[terezi_pyrope]

A mock trial, then?

[she blinks and when kanaya says that, terezi mentally panics. did she slip up somewhere somehow and didn't even notice it at all? GODDAMNIT SELF WHY YOU'RE THE MOTHERFUCKING SEER YOU DON'T SLIP UP.

she reviews every piece of conversation had in her head quickly. okay, no, she's got this.]

What? What are you talking about?

[chainsawspistice]

[look at those master cover-up skills]

You were saying "in your ti..." And then you backtracked all of a sudden.

[terezi_pyrope]

[ty, she tries.]

Ohhhh, hahaha! That--well I've been pretty tired and stressed lately. Hehe, sometimes I just say weird things and I don't even know why!

Must be a Seer thing.

[chainsawspistice]

[terezi_pyrope]

[omg.

this is like a bad game of mafia and for some reason every lie that comes out of her mouth sounds like bullshit. except she doesn't even know if that exists, whoops.]

...What? None of that sounds plausible? At all???

[chainsawspistice]

[A game of what now]

Duplicity has never been your strongest card.

[terezi_pyrope]

[you know. that one game.]

But it's not like I haven't pulled it off well before...not that I would have reveled in doing that--[orchestrating the demise of the wiiiicked with her former sister.]--nevermind.

I swear I don't even remember saying anything like that at all!

[to be honest, she doesn't, but she's still banging her head on a imaginary wall. because SERIOUSLY.]

Well, I guess you caught it. But I don't think it's a good idea to really explain that sort of thing.

[chainsawspistice]

[nope 'fraid not.]

Not a good idea? I thought you were eager to investigate the facts surrounding our situation. What is the discrepancy that convinces you we are from different points in time? [Since Terezi seems the same as ever to her.]

[terezi_pyrope]

[omg noooo.]

I do, but...

I don't want to create a doomed timeline! If you know certain things, you might end up taking action in a way that results in everyone getting killed. Brutally, in your time.

1/2

[chainsawspistice]

[That was a pleasant little detail at the end there.]

I already began to suspect that my timeline -- and possibly yours, I don't know -- was doomed when we arrived in this facility with no apparent means of return to the Veil. The nature of my fetch modus dictates that I was to plant the matriorb in the meteor's core, but the excessive length of our detour here suggests that I was not brought here in concordance with the designs of said modus.

2/2

[chainsawspistice]

However, I was told that once we escape back to our respective homes, we will have no recollection of what occurs here, and that it will be as if no time has passed since we left. Provided this is true, my timeline may not be doomed after all, and what information you tell me here will have no bearing on my actions in the Veil.

[terezi_pyrope]

[hey, that's just how it is!!

in the face of all of this, she whips out ichijou's book, and checks it herself. then, frowns slightly.]

I cross-referenced it, but it would be nice if we had an account from someone whose left the town and not had a prolonged stay. Including the part where they're not getting a...

[that's what the plan was. to give you a boner. booooner, because seriously that's what it sounds like what ichjou's getting over resarci in this book.]

...well I don't know. A weird human fetish with one of the main criminals.

But that sounds a bit more relieving--but I don't want to be responsible for another unnecessary death. I'll tell you the exact discrepancy if you insist you're prepared to face the consequences in case our memories here do end up carrying over.

[chainsawspistice]

[... Fetish.

Another?? But she'll button her lips under the assumption that it will all be explained shortly.]

As prepared as my limited foresight allows me to be.