Agony Aunts

Alana:

Yes, come to think of it, there are certainly some humans I can’t picture sharing Gabe’s views. Some of the older ones, like Zira and Taffy. Certainly it was something Zira and Vitani used to argue about a lot. Zira wanted her to pass on her gift to the next generation; Vitani never wanted to be a mother. And Taffy used to tell all the youngsters tales about romance and true love.

Hmm…

I give Gabe a light-hearted grin, as if we were already at our sleepover.

“Ok, but if you HAD to pick just one person to spend the rest of your life with, what kind of person would you want them to be?”

Then Gabe asks me about my hive.

“I do have one. And honestly, I’m supposed to be onboard with the rest of my wraith family. They don’t share my ability to survive on human food, they needed to hibernate to avoid starvation. I’d still be asleep with them, if Zira hadn’t arrived here. She was pregnant with Vee at the time. At first I stayed awake simply to keep an eye on her. But they both needed my help to survive, and over time I found I needed them too.”

Gabriella:

"Ohh that's a tough one."

I say in response to Alana's loaded question.

"Probably someone funny, or that I can at least have fun with. Obviously they gotta be cute."

I tap my chin with my index finger for a moment in thought.

"They also must NEVER wear mismatched socks."

Ever...

I hate that.

......

"I dunno, whata bout you?"

*Shrugs before my eyes widen when Alana tells me about her hive.*

Ohhhh

"Sorry."

I apologize feeling bad that I asked.

I sometimes wondered why she chose to befriend us instead of feeding us to her crew but I suppose that Zira bond runs deep.

*He was IN Michael's castle room

Bane:

I was surprised to see Jeoffery get inside. I dont think an excuse of 'playing hide and seek' will cut it if hes cought in here.

(Jeo): "Some dumb hybrid fell in the queen well!" He blurted out right away, suppose that explains it.

They will think it a security risk either way, if he falls in and gets eaten one of the starving queens will be full, If he was dumb enough to try to SAVE them then that was another reason for everyone on guard to rush over.
"Why come? Don't say for the holidays"
I ask blankly before he shows me a advertisement about a hotline.

(Jeo): "They never did this before, looks like spy stuff to me! Maybe its your people!"

"Smart thinking..."

I dial the number on the device Jeo had brought in, it was worth a try... if its  not the Bain ones and instead the hybrids in black fishing for info...well they know my location anyway.

"Hello?"

Alana:

Gabe has some very specific requirements for her ideal partner. Then again, I don’t believe many people wear mismatched socks, so at least that leaves it quite open!

“Yes, I definitely can’t see you with someone who lacks a sense of humour!”

I feel a little mean thinking this, but… let’s just say I could never see her and Tiberius dating. For a NUMBER of reasons, but that one included

She asks me for my own preferences.

“When I was younger, I always pictured the perfect wraith Commander: strong, brave, devoted. Someone who my family would approve of. That’s still important, but now, thinking just for myself… Someone who’s… around a lot, I guess. Reliable, consistent.”

Between my brothers being asleep or gone and the humans having such short lifetimes, that feels like a hard thing to come by.

“Like a best friend that never outgrows you or leaves you behind.”

She tells me she’s sorry about my situation.

“I’m not! I miss my brothers a lot, but I’ll see them again someday! And if I hadn’t lived with all of you, maybe I’d never have realised that you’re people, just as much as we wraith are! I’d have missed out on so many friendships and new possibilities!”

And I’m SURE one day my brothers can come around to such ideas too!

*On actual Nightmare Night day*

Pretend Male Hybrid Alana AKA ‘Alan’:

We’re all set up in orbit over Planet Deathtrap. The voice-modification tech is plugged in, Nuka has his monitoring earpiece [so he can overhear ALL the gossip from all the calls], and the radios are ready!

I look at Gabe.

“How long do you think it’ll take for someone to-”

We get our VERY FIRST CALL and I excitedly rush to answer it.

“Hel-LO! Thank you for calling A Lifeline At Night!” I try to make my voice sound calmer, “My name is Alan, and I’m here to listen to anything you want to talk about today! How can I help you?”

I can hear my voice being modified into that of a deep-pitched soothing male, with a hybrid [American] accent.

[Like Corpse Husband if you’ve heard of him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY9Y1ULCkB0&pp=ygUUY29ycHNlIGh1c2JhbmQgdm9pY2U%3D ]

While I'm on the phone, Nuka writes a note to Gabe: What's your hybrid codename?

Gabriella:

I was SHOCKED when we already get our first phone call.

Oh mannn there are even more depressing saps out there than I first thought!

Nuka writes me a note which I don't understand.

I write him one back: Nice pajamas

Bane:

I ponder if 'Alan' was someone I know.

Jeo watches with intrigue on how it was going.

"Hi Alan, let's just call me....Brian,I'm not having a good holiday at all. I'm being held prioner. Any advice on how to cheer up since there's no way to escape of course... "

I get blunt to see what happens then just pretending its some holiday depression.

If they are trying to get a message across I'll know... I think.

Nuka:

I smirk at Gabe’s note, before writing back: This isn’t very professional workplace conduct, GABRIEL.

Alana gives Gabe a shocked pikachu face when ‘Brian’ (definitely not his real name) tells us he’s being held prisoner.

Hmm, his voice doesn’t sound wraith. Probably some hybrid that fucked up when the king was in a bad mood.

(‘Alan’): “Oh my… I’m so sorry!”

I slide her a note too: Ask him why. P.s. NO we’re not rescuing him!

(‘Alan’): “Er… Do you mind if I ask, why you’re being held prisoner? Maybe, if it’s something minor, you’ll be released soon! That would be something to look forward to, wouldn’t it?”

I chuckle that she thinks a prisoner is gonna get RELEASED in the kingdom. More likely he’s gonna be executed in some really sick way. But maybe if we give him hope he won’t get all depressed and will tell us something juicy?

Gabriel:

I giggle and draw a halo on my piece of paper, holding it above my head to show him I'd be good.

Alana makes a surprised face at me and I make one back.

Her first caller was already giving her some juicy deets it seems!

I rush over to Nuka and hold my ear up to his to overhear the caller.

"Heeey! I think I know him!"

I nudge Nuka in excitement.

"He sounds like the Starker that was on my home world!"

JayJay:

I wave goodbye to the young Starker, the kid didnt know anything but seemed more open to 'talk' and 'hang out' then any of the others who knew better.

He might make a good ally here.

Not sure about that Jeoffry...

I wonder if he wanted me to fall in the pit and who set him up to do that.

With the 'Bane in the Well' theory out of the way I dont dare try Michael's room. Instead I see a sign. A phone number.

A hotline to talk to gossipy hybrids! I can just get the dirt from them.

I call up once I find a quiet spot behind a ice face painting tent.

"Hello? I'm lonely tonight and would LOVE to talk... about kingdom gossip. I hope you guys can help me.."

I bait knowing a hybrid cant resist

Bane:

I wonder if this conversation is being played somewhere on a radio or is it all just going to the security logs.

"Mass Terrorism, betrayal, genicide."

I reply slimly and await the response, still unsure if its my people doing this or not. I dont recognize the voice at all.

I look back over, seeing Jeo senses his babysitter near by and tries to sneak back out.

If they are tracking his tablet, they'll know..

Nuka:

So this genociding traitor just happened to see our advert and have a phone handy did he? Smells like a prank to me.

At least until Gabe says it sounds like a STARKER! ‘Brian’… that’s pretty close to…

(Alana): “Oh my gosh, are you… Bane?!” *Would’ve met him on the Sanctuary school trip now I think on so should recognise the voice too*

She’s right, that IS Bane’s voice!

I start wondering if this is something more sinister. Maybe an FB-HY check to make sure we’re not traitors? Fake voice modulator, just like we’re using?

Still, on the off chance the call IS real, and I actually have the chance to speak to THE Bane, now turned traitor…

I forward the call over to my device.

“Well, well, ‘Brian’ Starker. Why’d you do it, man? Why’d you turn your back on the kingdom?”

To think both me and my teenage hero took the same path in life.

Gabriel:

The phone rings again and I rush over to pick it up, SUPER disapointed I was gunna miss out on Nuka's convo with such a terrifying character.

Knowing me I'm going to get someone REALLY boring.

When I pick up the phone however, I am stunned to silence at whose voice I heard.

I blush and start fidgeting second guessing if it was that super cute guy I met awhile back.

"Heeeyyyy."

I forget about the voice filter.

"I might be able to help with that."

I giggle and hold the phone away from my ear a bit smitten, while looking at Alana.

Couldn't really tell if it was him or not so I hold the phone back to my head again and try to strike up a conversation.

"What gossip do you wanna share?"

Hehe

JayJay:

The hybrid on the line sounded like this was a s-x call....why so giggley?

I should have known hybrids didn't do therapy hotlines , it was some perverted scam

I wonder how much they make doing this??

He asks me what gossip I want to share and I at least try, I already called. if it gets weird I'll just hang up

"Bane. Whats the deal with Dr Ra's serum, how depowered is he? Is he drooling on the floor or able to talk.. how crippled are we talking here?? What even is a depowered Starker?" I say playing it cute for now.
But no giggles.

Gabriel:

The caller wants to talk about Bane.

I raise my eyebrows in amusement and look over at Nuks.

Ok, this was a bit funny.

"Ohh why so curious? You worried Dr. Ra is gunna jab you next?"

I laugh.

This caller sounded exactly like Jay, it HAD to be him!

I wondered why he didn't recognize my voice?

It was then that I remembered that voice filer.... thing. 

Drat.

"Honestly he seems ok though. A little depressed that's all."

I respond revealing a bit more than I usually would because I knew the caller.

JayJay:

The voice aks me if I think I'm getting jabbed next.

"Oh no just a hybrid who ..wants to know whats up with his childhood hero." I reply, hoping that would be enough of a cover story.

The voice tells me hes just depressed. I wonder if that's true? And this isnt just propaganda.

Jean can take a little depression. If thats all it is...

"Well he should be, he ruined everything right?" I pause before continuing.

"What about Dr Ra, whatever is one like who brought down the Bane..."

Alana:

I look back and forth between Gabe and Nuka. Gabe was acting VERY strange, laughing a lot! Ooh maybe she got a comedian on her call!

I hear her say a familiar name!

“Ra is SO nice, I don’t think he’d jab anyone!” I exclaim loudly.

I listen to the rest of her conversation. I wonder who she’d talking about that’s depressed? Nuka maybe?

He certainly looks a little glum. Hard to say if it’s disappointment, or if he’s just lost in thought.

(Nuka): “So you’d wanna be, what, Michael 2.0? Hard to imagine a guy with that attitude ruling a planet with presidents and senators…”

Gabriel:

I squint a bit lost.

Alana saves me with the Ra reference.

No idea who that guy was.

*Mouths, "thank you" to her.*

The phone rings again.

Oh boi, another caller.

"Do you think Ra is gunna replace Bane now cause he-"

I whisper so I don't offend Alana.

"Jabbed the Bane."

I know Alana doesn't think he did it because he's nice, but he's a Dr. and that's what THEY DO.

It's a fact.

JayJay:

Ra has a fan in the calling room. How nice. I think sarcastically still unsure to trust 'my son' with giving Jean his hotshot.

The first hybrid that answered continues the conversation.

"I dont know, I met him at his lab on Loslore awhile back.... He seemed quite busy there to take on more."

I ponder if I'll see him tonight. I tune back to my surrounding's now with a new objective.

Getting the surem or Ra himself...

I had to hurry Carly was on to me, or she didnt want me here at all. She could get rid of me at any time.

"How about you? Why are you spending your holiday talking to sorry saps like me?" I change the conversation, not wanting to appear like I was grilling her over Bane and Ra for ..personal reasons.

Alana:

I give Gabe a thumbs up, before the phone rings again.

Well, I’m the only one free so I guess this call is mine!

HOPEFULLY it’s not someone who’s committed genocide this time!  

*Nuka would laugh at that thought, it’s the KINGDOM*

“Hello! You’ve reached Alan at A Lifeline At Night. How can I help you?”

Vanessa:

Finally a therapy line! Even if it wasn't secure, I needed to rant and if this all gets back to Xero than GOOD let him be embaresssd!

"Hey yah, therapy line?"

The guys name was Alan. Good grief.

"I need to rant about my husband. You got one?"

I question him before holding my phone away from my ear and screaming at a few of my kids to be quiet as they were playing in the background.

I return to the call.

"Doesn't matter."

He probably does not have one thats why he is on this call.

"I am so FRUSTRATED! After we were mated, all I do is work and look after kids!"

Barely had enough time to come up with a costume!

"My mate Xero."

I use his name in a particularly vengeful sort of mood.

"Works in his lab... no, HIDES, he HIDES in his lab all day and when he comes home he baresly says two words to me!"

Like.. what the fuck?!

"He has always been quiet, but... I need more interaction! I need to TALK! We have been together forever now I thought he would open up more!"

I snap frustrated.

"Any thoughts on what I should do??"

Gabriel:

Jay says Ra is too busy to be the next big deal

Come to think about it maybe I have heard that name before.

*Frowns trying to think.*

Jay then asks why I am working at the call centre.

"Eh, I like to gossip."

I pause finding it creepy I wasn't telling him who I was. Then again he probably wouldn't believe me with the voice filter.

"You seem nice though.. I hoped I made you feel a little less lonely."

*Blushes.*

Alana:

Now THIS is the kind of call I was expecting (rather than genocide)!

I’ve had this conversation many times with Sanctuary villagers, including Vitani! For someone who can see the future, she wasn’t the most foresighted when it came to relationships…

I try to put on my best big sister attitude, and wait for her to vent it out before I reply.

“First of all, let me just say that you are doing a PHENOMINAL job! Work AND kids, all by yourself? That takes a lot of sacrifice! Your kids are lucky to have a mother who’s so dedicated!”

I try to give her some appreciation, because it sure doesn’t seem like she’s getting a lot from her husband.

“Secondly, I can TOTALLY understand your frustration! It sounds like you want to try and build more of a connection with your husband, but at the moment it’s feeling like a one-sided effort. I’m not married myself, but I’ve definitely had that experience with friends and family!”

It was MOST annoying at first not to be able to hear any of the humans thoughts! I was used to being able to peek into my brothers’ heads and figure out what they were feeling if they wouldn’t tell me. But on Sanctuary, I’ve had to come up with other methods.

“Before I can give you any advice, I’d like to know a little more about your situation, and about you and your husband. If you’re comfortable answering a few more questions?”

I give her a few to mull over for now.

“May I ask, what’s your husband like around the house? Does he do his part when it comes to chores, or do you feel like you do the majority of the workload there too? Also, was this an arranged, er, mating? Or was it a love match initially?”

Bane:

I was intrigued by a show of a little secret intel droppedd.

"Have you been to that planet of senators and presents lately?" I ask causally.

I faintly hear other voices in the background. One sounds like Jay.

(JayJay): "You made me feel much better, thanks. I appreciate it."

"If I pay extra can I combined a line and talk to another caller?" I blurt out, worth a shot.