It...seemed like a good idea at the time.

[splinterself]

[So after getting the "Where is this, who are you, what is going on?" out of his system, Dirk Strider was purposefully and boldly exploring Mac Anu and was...kind of bemused by the fact that the city wasn't done up in purple and black.

...just saying.

He had ended up at the harbor and there he paused in his wan- purposeful exploring, as...you know what's incredibly distracting? Actually only having one self (at least for the time being) that he was aware of. Also the clothes. Also the fact that he still had no idea what the hell was going on, and, more importantly, what was happening with Roxy.

There was a certain irony in him spacing out just as badly as he did when he had multiple selves to juggle, one which was lost on the guy as he was spacing out, brooding.]

...

[Yeah, this was getting him nowhere. (And shit, the lack of purple really was throwing him off.) That was when he shook his head slightly, turned to the nearest person, and said:]

Hey.

[So verbose.]

Comments

[hoperaider]

The only thing I can think of is a word game. [Shrug!

He thinks about it.]

Well, why don't we give it a couple more minutes before turning back? It's possible this is actually a huge loop back to where we started or something.

[splinterself]

And I'd win one of those. [Said as a statement of fact. He makes a little bit of a grimace at the...suggestion.]

Don't say that, English. [Little does he realize that Jake was wrongish. The next room was a small one with three goblins. Almost claustrophobic!

The one after that was the one which would complete the loop.]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong that they went to the room. ~w~

[hoperaider]

Of course, since you are the master of words. [He's teasing, naturally.

Well, at least Jake's only mildly claustrophobic instead of full-blown. Otherwise, this wouldn't be the best fight in the world, although it's clear that he's a tad uncomfortable in such tight quarters.]

If you don't want to get shot, I think I'll have to hang back and let you handle this. Is that alright?

[splinterself]

On it. Just chill for a bit, it's cool. [Has no problems with tight quarters.

It's too bad that their inventory was likely depleted when they entered the game, else Jake could go unload some comics and chill for a bit while the fight goes on.]

[hoperaider]

[Hell, he could even do with just having an iPod right about now.

Jake is going to lean against the wall and watch Dirk fight. His weapon is still on hand in case his friend finds himself in a spot of trouble. Chilling is definitely happening so far.]

[splinterself]

[Stab stab ker-stab thrust ow parry thrust thrust parry dodge thrust stab slash ow slash.

Business as usual, bro.

...what. We fast forwarded through one fight, we can't skip them all. Experience doesn't work that way.]

[hoperaider]

[Wow, fine, jeeeeeeeeez! Jake's pretty much twiddling his thumbs while humming random songs over here.

[splinterself]

[What? Take some god damn responsibility. You wanted a Stridertastic fight scene, now the magic's unfolding. Sit down and take a load off, he's on it. He's got this shit under control, and it's going to be thoroughly wrecked.

...shortly.]

Hey Jake.

[hoperaider]

[He stops humming.]

Yes?

[splinterself]

If-

[SLASH SLASH SLASH KICK please don't hit him STAB KER-STAB KER-SLASH KER-THRUST BOOGIE SLASH

Two down.]

- this ends up with us having gone a full circle I'm going to be pissed.

[hoperaider]

Oh? And how would you like for me to handle that situation?

[Jake can always give him cleansing, affectionate hugs to soothe his anger away.]

[splinterself]

Find another way out. Is there some kind of map function on our Relics?

[No.

Anyway he's almost done.]

[hoperaider]

I'll check!

[Wow, fine, no hugs for you.

He pulls out his Relic and takes a look at the apps. Jake taps the Safari icon, and he's pleased to find that it does give them a layout of where they've already been in the dungeon.]

We have a map, and it looks like it even shows us where the rest of our party members are located.

[splinterself]

[Good, because he's not the touchy feely sort who enjoys holding hands, cuddles, hugs, or whatever. Really.

Anyway, that shit's done with so he's going to head over to look at Jake's screen before pulling out his own Relic and checking that out as well. Yeah. It's a map.

The fact they appear to be nearing a possible loop is kind of disconcerting. It's not definite, but they seem to be nearing part of the dungeon they had already ran through.

...probably nothing.]

At least they do that much. Dude, these Relics are ridiculously primitive. It's like luddites designed the place. It makes me wish I knew the artificer just so I could ask him what he was thinking.

[hoperaider]

[Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Jake just looks amused.]

It may well be that this is all they really need in a device. You can't deny that it has been helpful to us so far!

[He ponders something for a moment.]

Do you think we should dismantle any breakables we come across from now on? Some do give us health drinks, at the very least.

[splinterself]

[Get out.]

Sure, why the hell not. We could use the supplies. Plus, it's kind of [Therapeutic.] nice just being able to smash shit and not worry about the consequences. You should try it.

[hoperaider]

[Too late, already wormed into your heart.]

I'll pass. I'm not in any sort of mood to savage them, but feel free to do so yourself.

[Jake's pretty sure Dirk needs it more than he does, really.]

[splinterself]

[The canonically splintered one?]

Man, first you pass on the jokes and now you pass on the mass destruction. And Rox calls me too serious.

[Next room y/n? The...last room before the big loop completion...

...]

[hoperaider]

[Hope is in every Heart, yo.]

You? Too serious? She must be mistaken. I can't imagine a more laid-back fellow than you!

[Y.]

[splinterself]

[This isn't Kingdom Hearts.]

...yeah. Dude, that's me right there. Laid back with nothing on my mind. I'm not really sure where the hell she got that serious thing from. [Uh huh.]

[The room they enter is regular sized, empty save for themselves and a copious amount of breakables. Ahead of them is a suspiciously familiar looking room. Very suspiciously familiar. To the east is a small passage which is easily missable the first time around.]

[hoperaider]

[Everything is Kingdom Hearts. Friends are their power, damn it.]

All silliness aside, it's probably a good thing we have you and Jane to balance out Roxy and I.

[Well, that small passage is totally going to get checked out. Hopefully Dirk isn't too annoyed by the little loop!]

If we make AC next month using this post I will laugh.

[splinterself]

The stubborn skeptics and the people who believe in their friends? [He does pause. He stares at that one really familiar room and pauses, rapping the hilt of the sword with even more of a frown than he usually has before following Jake down that tiny side path.

The corridor is long, starts off rather narrow and claustrophobia inducing before widening: the general effect would be like a secret passage detouring into a main thoroughfare.

The next room (once they get to it) is normal sized. It also has stuff inside of it. Can you guess the contents? Are you gutsy enough a gumshoe to sleuth out the insides?]

lmfao I can't use this thread again, so gl with that. XD

[hoperaider]

More like the down-to-earth attitudes compared to our more flighty ones! Unfortunately, I do space out at times. My mind wanders rather freely.

[If this is where they get eaten by a grue, Jake gives Dirk full permission to slap him.]

God damn, we've been spammy. It's like a waste of comments.

[splinterself]

[Ok. They're eaten by a grue.






...no, not really. So, room ahead. It's got...!

More goblins.]

...they get points for their consistency. [Dirk said, not realizing that somewhere in this maze is a gun giant that will slaughter him.]

It's so not a waste of comments. It's the best way of using them.

[hoperaider]

Hah, do I detect a shred of boredom in that tone, Dirk?

[Well, hopefully they won't get slaughtered, considering they have no way of rezzing the poor soul!

Jake is going to get ready for the strife, as per usual.]