video

[pinksidekicking]

Type: video
Sender ID: pinksidekicking (Nimona)
To: General
Subject: Distractions, Story Time
Warnings: Vague mention to the kidnappings

[ When Nimona appears on the shellphone, she's wearing a manta ray onesie and has an extremely big manta ray plush as her pillow. ]

I know some big terrible things are happening right now, but that's kinda the point of this. I just need a distraction, because I dunno if I'm gonna get much sleep anyway.

[ She'd rather be out there searching, breaking things... ]

Let's talk about our worlds. It can be about anything. Stories, legends, stuff that's happened to you personally, whatever. I'll start.

[ The shellphone is propped up. ]

My world is weird. We've got knights and a kingdom, but we've also got crazy levels of tech compared to this place. Flying vehicles, laser weapons, those sort of hologram screens. Don't ask me how any of it really works, I only know how to use it.

We've got royalty... though the queen was recently killed. Not sure who's gonna be in charge now. I don't pay that close of attention to what the humans do. And we've got our old stories too. Mostly about a monster and the woman who defeated it a thousand years ago and became a hero.

[ Nimona points at herself. ]

It's me, I'm the "monster". Not really a monster, though, just different from everyone else in my world.

Your turn, if you wanna talk to anyone.

Comments

[pinksidekicking]

[ They went through a lot, they deserve a slow burn. She'd totally set them up on dates.

Dadbrotheruncle. No need to limit themselves, so long as it's family. First he's laughing, then he's not. ] Oooo, that sucks. Anything else I should avoid? There's harassing and pestering someone and there's harassing and pestering them, you know? [ One's in good fun and the other's poking at wounds and issues - even on accident.

The look Nimona gives him is so flat for a moment as he explains it. She spent her whole life being called a monster for not being normal. ] I still don't see a problem. And I've decided not to care what "normal" means anymore. I'm awesome, you're awesome and I'll bite anyone who says different.

[laminitis]

[Set themselves on fire and then burnt the ashes, too, really. Lord please help Blitzø with dates he's not bad at them he just overthinks it to A Degree.]

[Dabruncle. His expression pinches and he thinks it over, squirming in place. He doesn't like lowkey airing Stolas' grievances, but it's probably safer to tell her things that'll upset him, for everyone involved since she's absolutely the type to follow through on claims to heckle someone.] Uhh..., magic is a bit of a sore spot for him, and probably avoid talk of kids. He's... been forcibly removed from his daughter, just recently.

[He stares at his hands for a long moment, because she's right, but he's not really had someone spell it out quite that plainly to him before. A small, almost shy little smile pulls at his mouth.] Yeah, me too. My teeth are bigger, but I'm pretty sure yours can get a lot bigger, so we'll take turns.

[pinksidekicking]

[ Now it can rise like a phoenix from the ashes! Start anew. Time to start planning surprise dates so he can't overthink it then! She'll be a little tricky in getting them to the date the first time, and they'll both wise up fast.

Dabruncle - the new best family member term. Nimona doesn't usually ask for other people's personal issues either, not through another person - but this birdperson seems close to Blitzo and she doesn't want to mess that up. So she'll give a salute. ] Got it! [ And move on.

It took her a bit to get to this point, a thousand years and a whole new world where people accepted her so easily. Even another year to work through the lingering doubts and uneasiness. She's not an expert, but they can try to work on it together. ] It's a deal. You can have first dibs, because I'm gonna get my biting in real soon.

[laminitis]

[That's the gayest thing I've heard all day. They've gone on exactly two self-imposed dates, and they're fumbling at best, but still enjoying themselves, which is what's important.]

[He'll wear it with honor. And horribly misspell it. Close wouldn't be his first choice of words for his... Situation, with Stolas, but given they both made a valiant attempt at dying for one another it's one he wouldn't deny.]

[He grins, pointedly with as many of his teeth visible as he can manage without grimacing awkwardly.] Fuck yes, first dibs.

[pinksidekicking]

[ I'm here to help! :3 That is the important part, it's true. Nimona isn't a romance expert, but she's watched from afar. The least she can do is help them have fun.

Considering they made up the word, they should be allowed to misspell it. She is in the dark about their history, only knows they met as kids and now Blitz is crashing on his couch. That he knows all kinds of things about him. Questions what their relationship is secretly.

Nimona raises a hand. ] Can we bite people on Stolas' behalf, too? Would he like it if we bit people for his sake?

[laminitis]

[Just give B time to embrace his simp, you'll wish you'd never encouraged him.]

[...The logic is logicing. She could ask, he probably wouldn't know what the fuck to call them, either. A situationship gone wrong turned maybe okay. Tentatively courting is probably what Stolas would suggest.]

[His grin shifts, gets crooked and silly, and he laughs.] He'd probably say no, but I say absolutely yes.

[pinksidekicking]

[ She'll start checking that it's safe to come over when that happens.

Friendmance? Trying to be friends and diving into a little romance at the same time? That's what she'd call them if she knew everything.

Nimona grins. ] Got it, only you're allowed his bird feet weird. I'll bite anyone who says otherwise.

[laminitis]

[He'll be sure to have a sock on the doorknob sort of deal, just for her.]

[Fuckbuddies who got divorced when they weren't even together and are now doing shit really backwards and being embarrassed by holding hands. Absolute goons.]

[A crackle of boyish laughter.] I'll warn you, we've got... uh. History, so we're really fucking weird around one another. If any of it makes you uncomf, just lemme know, I forget how to behave sometimes. [Specifically, he forgets how to behave most of the time, around Stolas.]

[pinksidekicking]

[ A sign in the window/patio door, because why would she ever show up by the front door when she can fly anywhere she wants?

She'll use friendmance. Romantic relationships are weird, even when they weren't quite romantic. It's what they're trying for.

There's a moment of silence, mostly her trying to wrap her head around what he's saying without actually saying. Which involves squinty eyes. ] What kind of weird? Did you accidentally cut off his wing when you saved him from the snow dragon? A sex type of weird?

[laminitis]

[He has such a problem with doors and using them properly, which is hilarious given he throws such a tantrum when people don't use his office door.]

[He makes a funny sort of grimacing face.] He hasn't got wings, usually. But, ah. [Squirming, he rubs at the back of his neck.] Previously, sex type of weird? It's real fuckin' hard to explain. [It isn't, he's just awkward.]

[pinksidekicking]

[ It really is, but she will just be knocking at the door/window and not busting through walls. Unless he leaves them unlocked and then she'll let herself in unless gross things are happening.

A thinking face. ] You sure his arms aren't wings? [ Her nose scrunches, but that's the only real reaction. ] You don't have to explain, relationships are weird and complicated and I'm just getting the hang of family and friends.

[laminitis]

[Blitzø Buckzo cannot open doors with his hands he has to kick them in. He'll leave a window unlocked for her and have color-coded sticky notes for the state of he and Stolas to avoid any awkard bust-ins while they're porking.]

[He has to think about it a second, but nods.] Usually, yeah. He... had? Not sure if he can still do it, but he's done this big scary Eldritch Horror thing where he gets all black and extra hot. [A beat, and he turns a funny shade of embarrassed grey.] ...er. Extra... bird. Relationships are fucking insane, I don't recommend them, I'm new to this shit and literally not built for it. Trying it anyway, I guess.

[pinksidekicking]

[ It means no one ever forgets an entrance! This is a perfect system and will never get messed up ever.

Not even a hint of surprise to hear Stolas has a big scary Eldritch Horror thing surprise, they have that in common but now she kind of wants to meet him even more. ] But they aren't wings in his usual birdperson form? [ Ignoring the "hot". ] Probably won't ever find out for myself, but this guy back home had his arm cut off by his boyfriend and it got really messy for a while.

[laminitis]

[Too late he already fucked it up when he kicked the doors open in the palace on that one awful Full Moon--]

[He shakes his head, glad for Nimona's willingness to just glide past his unintentionally horniness.] Nope, just long-ass skinny arms. He's covered in feathers and he's got a tail, but no wings usually. Used to wear a cape all the time so it sort of gave the visual of them? [He actually looks kind of alarmed.] Uhh, yikes! Well, I'm never gonna cut off anything of Stol---- not. [The use of "relationship" and "boyfriend" suddenly catch up with him and he splays both arms out to his sides.] Not. That we are boyfriends. Or in a relationship! [Oh buddy.]

[pinksidekicking]

[ Nah, that came a little bit later. The entrance was still good.

She heard nothing lalalala. Nah, she's not that bad. ] Huh, does he have a birdface? I'd wear a cape too to look like I had wings if my birdarms were skinny. [ Propping her hand up in her chin. ] It seemed like an accident. A reflexive accident, because bad things were happening and his boyfriend was somehow holding a laser weapon that killed the queen. A framed assassination job. [ Hehe, a small grin. ] Is this a "I think the demon doth protest too much" situation?

[laminitis]

[The doors certainly didn't help.]

[He traces the heart-shape of Stolas' faceplate over his own face.] Kind of? I'm not really well-versed in birds, but he does look like Earth owls in the face. [He grimaces again.] Fuck, that sucks a sandpaper cock.

[He bristles, his whole posture pinning up and his tail lashing around in the peripheral.] I-- no, we aren't!! We haven't talked about it!!

[pinksidekicking]

[ Probably not.

Watching his tracing of the face and nods. ] Sounds like an owl to me. Other birds have that, but it's really noticeable on owls. [ A soft sigh. ] Yeah, he made a cool mechanical arm for himself though. And now that evil lady is dead, they can be together after all that.

[ Oh, this is a matter she must investigate deeper. Go undercover. Watch them interact. ] Do you wanna talk to him about it?

[laminitis]

Yeah, he's... Here. [He dives off-screen for a second and produces a notebook and pen, his tail winding back into view a few times before he climbs back up on his chair and holds out a drawing.] 'eeeere ya go-- Gave him a mustache so he's fancy. He doesn't wear the hat anymore, but he used to.

[pinksidekicking]

[ Clearly, they need to play Pictionary, because they will kill at this game. ] No mustache on the lifesize Stolas but may or may not wear a hat if he finds one he likes, got it. And I'm gonna get you color pencils so you can make your drawings more fun!

[laminitis]

[He perks up, his tail literally wagging behind him.] Oh, shit-- that'd be awesome! I haven't done a lot of looking for shit like that. [He folds over in his chair, somehow managing to be comfortable all sorts of pretzeled in on himself, and stares at his drawing of Stolas.]

...I do wanna talk to him about it, though. It's. Just..., Hard. A lot of shit has happened. [He cannot begin to comprehend why he is being this open with a thousand year old teenager, but here he is.]

[pinksidekicking]

[ Nimona points her thumb(s?) at herself. ] I know the best color pencils and where to get them, so I can show you. You're gonna need stuff for the business at some point. [ He's a very limber demon. Probably that circus background. ]

Yeah, scary too. I don't know what happened... [ Besides evil brother-in-law and daughter problems. ] -but you gotta be brave and try sometimes. Even if it's just a little at a time. [ Maybe because, despite it not being the same situation, she kind of gets it. Running away is easier, not facing the hard parts, being afraid of reaching out after messy situations, of talking about the truth. ]

[laminitis]

[His smile is a little far away.] ...don't be too disappointed if I drag ass about the business thing. It's..., I.M.P started with the employees I left back in Hell, and I do want to start something up here because I'm a business dick at heart and you'll be the greatest chaos employee ever, but. It's gonna be a little rough on me to start over without them. [Absolutely the circus background. He could probably suck his own d-- Nope, not going there.]

[He laughs, but the sound is decidedly humorless, folding in on himself a little more. His tail wraps itself around one of his boots, the spade thumping against the red toe of it.] You're really good at cracking people open like walnuts, yanno that? You don't need this baggage from an old man with a fucked up situationship, Mo, but you give real fuckin' sound advice.

[pinksidekicking]

[ A shake of her head. ] Nah, you don't gotta worry about me. We can just work on my gun skills and hang and do other fun things together. If you do start up a different business, you can still gimme a call about it. [ There's a chance, she knows, that Blitz's employees won't ever show up here. In all her year and a half, she had five minutes with someone she should have talked to.

Her own smile is a bit sad and a small shrug of her shoulder. ] Guess we're kinda alike. Not the situation-relationship part, but I've messed up with someone I cared about - got mad and said things I didn't mean to protect myself. And I ran away because I was scared, because they were scared. So I understand that part. Talking about it helped when I got here, and maybe it can help you too.

[laminitis]

[He feels extremely small in his chair, folded up like he is, and-- the reality is he is, because he's a four foot something tall lizard guy, but also the world feels so astronomically fucking huge to him right now. Too much space, wanna go home. He smiles crookedly at her anyway.] You'll be the first one I call. Or have Stolas call, because he'll probably still be my secretary. [He'd look hot in a pencil skirt.]

[He somehow becomes even smaller, and laughs.] We're... a lot alike, there. We've talked about a little of it, but we've not... Really figured out what extent of an "us" is safe to try for. [He covers the brooch at his throat with one hand for a moment, and then squirms back upright.] But-- fuck, enough Debbie Downer shit, I did not mean to get so Hell-a-Novela on you.

[pinksidekicking]

[ Yeah, that feeling's too familiar. Nimona makes herself smaller too. ] I'm still gonna slip my resume under your door so your secretary can hold on to it. You know, keep me on file or whatever business words you use for that. [ They should buy Stolas some pencil skirts.

She nods with the affirmation that they're a lot of like in that. ] A step is progress. Just gotta keep moving forward, and all that. [ That's probably something he knows about too, not looking backwards too much. ] Hell-a-Novela, hah, that's a good one. And it's whatever, I was already half-Debbie myself. But since I like ya, I don't mind that it went full-Debbie.