Agony Aunts

Nuka:

First someone Gabe knows, then someone Alana knows. Who’s next, my long-lost hybrid BFF? (Or not cos I never had one)

(Alana): “One piece? Ohhh because I disappeared? I just teleported!”

“Reveal all our secrets, why don’t you.” I say sarcastically. Partly for the sass, partly so she doesn’t follow that sentence up with ‘along with my brother’. I don’t know if the fancy kingdom bigshots know about the king’s slitty little secret past, but better safe than sorry.

Besides the whole BEING RELATED TO THE FRICKIN KING secret, there’s not really any damage her and Gabe can cause. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked them to come, neither are what I’d exactly call ‘discrete’.

Case in point:

(Alana): “You sound nervous, are you ok? I hope telling you who I am won’t get you in trouble! For the record, if anyone ever threatens you about this, you can absolutely tell them everything I’ve told you! Like I said on Hallowraith, it’s pretty much impossible to get to our world without our help, so you wouldn’t be putting me in any danger!”

She pulls a face, presumably at the very strange sounds which are happening in the background. I shrug, it’s Nightmare Night, king knows if it’s real or fake horror.

(Alana): “The dogs all made it! They’re not with me, but I hear they’re doing well! I wouldn’t have known to rescue them without your help, so it’s also thanks to you that they’re living better lives!”

I frown a bit disturbed when Ra mentions Little Light. Now I know the king’s real name…

(Alana): “Oh dear, that poor girl! I can’t even imagine what it would be like, being rejected by your own mother! Hmm, one of my friends is a parent, he could be better at giving this sort of advice! Would you like me to switch you over to him?”

Great…

Ra:

She transported...

I take in there wasnt a mass dog culling either. That was such a terrible night at the end.

"I'm fine, t..thanks."
I reply to her assurance and just in case leave the room so the King doesn't ask to talk to whoever I'm talking too.
I wonder if he knows she didn't blow up?

And what about the clone...

He was quite nice, it was a good thought he wasnt... dead. either.

I dont bring him up there. I feel that could be a danger topic for either of us.

After all why would this group want Michael's brother?
Hybrid control?

His old wraith friends or... does Michal have wraith family left?
They would REALLY have to hide then. More so then a normal wraith.

"I rather talk to you!" I blurt out at the offer to change the line.

"I thought you were dead...uh and I didn't get to thank you for the note either. Thank you."

Gabriel

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

"Whose Gary?"

I ask back confused.

Feeling bad this guy had no family and friends.

Gary:

“Gary is me…”

I wonder if that’ll make the hybrid hang up on me. Most people don’t want to be Gary’s friend, not when they know who he is. Even sometimes when they don’t know who he is. At least this person can’t smell me over the radio…

Alana:

I smile when Ra says he’d rather talk to me. But then I feel bad that he thought I was dead for the past two months. Although I think Nuka will be relieved: if they think we’re dead then they’re not going to be trying to find us.

Then Ra mentions the note.

“You’re very welcome! And I want to talk to you too! How have you been, since we last spoke? Are you still enjoying life on the main hive? Well, besides your new mentoring role I guess?”

I think back to what he asked me for advice. I like to think that growing up I wasn’t too much trouble for my brothers Vitani was definitely what some would describe as a ‘wayward youth’, and her and Zira argued frequently when she was a teenager. But I can’t imagine Zira ever running away when she needed her.

*Was too young to remember Saturn’s extreme mummy issues*

And I remember Ra saying that he didn’t have any family. Maybe that’s why he rung for advice? I try to somehow imagine how the girl must be feeling.

“Hmm, to try and answer your question about the girl who was left by her mother. I think you’re right, that would be very traumatising! I can imagine her reacting in a couple of ways. If she’s old enough to understand the situation, it could make her feel very betrayed and angry. That could lead to a lot of destructive behaviour. But if she’s younger, she might feel that it’s her fault she got left behind. That would make her feel more sad than angry, and she’d probably get more clingy with other people in her life, so they wouldn’t leave too. Does she have any other family, besides the mother?”

As I talk, I hear the phone ring, and Nuka is forced to answer.

(Nuka): “This is Luka from A Lifeline At Night. What’s making your Nightmare Night shitty this year?”

Gabriel:

I bit my lip trying not to laugh.

"You are Gary?"

Maybe he's high?

"How can I be your friend if I don't know anything about you?"

I tease, choosing to play along.

"Does Gary like to party?"

I bet he doesss

Jaime:

"Hey buddy where'd ya g-"

Jeo passes me his phone which he already dialed.

I hold it up to both our ears just to humour him.

Some grump answers us on the other side and I let out a snort in response.

"This is the King speaking. I believe it is you Luka, you are making my night shit."

I say in a funny voice before covering my mouth with my fist to keep from laughing into the phone.

I pass the phone to Jeo next.

Jeo:

I was glad Jaime didnt ask anymore about where I was, he goes along with the game.

These guys deserve to get pranked! I think they cut off Bane on purpose. But why??!

I get passed the phone.

I make a SCARY voice and use that name Bane got cut off before talking about.

"I'm Lastlight! Me and Mike are going to get you, and it wont be a nightmare!"

*scary growl*

Ra:

The voice was a little unsettling but she left such an impression that night I could almost picture her asking how I was. She had been so nice.

It almost made me not want to question deeper motives.

"Ah there was a little..backlash after the party...went south..and also a game.. the King took a bit personal I think."

I stop myself from asking if THEY left that game. They must have!

What did it mean.
"How could you leave him behind... was what got me.. so... haunting.."

I say cooly wondering if they know about Seti, did everyone get individual messages?

I did not see the King play to see what he saw..

"Its died down, but the King has been interested in music since...then playing a song. I must say it made the hallway hive music a bit better then the usual.."

I prattle on and then listen to the advice.

Oh yes I almost forgot about Hatte there.

There was the whole question where she came from, could be from this group even. She certainly did not come from the kingdom..

Queen bug making is not .. legal after all.

I'm sure the advice was solid but .. Hattie was both young and old.. in ways. How would she take it? Like a child or an adult?

I pause from my pondering to answer her last question..

"I'm afraid she doesn't.. .its a sad sort of situation. I'll take what you said in mind, and try to be a help."

Gary:

*Definitely high *

This person really doesn’t know who I am…

They ask if I like to party, and I almost say no, but then I think about all the hybrids that do have a lot of friends! I bet this person would think I’m really cool if I said yeah!

“Yeah! Gary LOVES parties! He’s always up there dancing, singing, wearing fancy tuxedos and sipping martinis. In fact, most hybrids do not like Gary because he is TOO cool, and they get jealous so easily!”

Thinking of popular party Gary makes me feel better already.

“What do you think, is that enough for you to be my friend, phone man?”

Nuka:

I glance over at Alana warily, but she’s so focused on her current call, I don’t think she overheard mine.

Not that it’s anything serious, CLEARLY just some snotnosed little shits trying to prank us.

Amateurs…

I go over to the other side of the transport ship, since I don’t think Alana would approve of what I’m gonna do. And I don’t want to draw her attention to someone talking about Lastlight.

These punks CAN’T know who he really is, clearly. The only way they could’ve heard the name is Alana saying it on the other call…

Hm…

I play along for now, gotta ease them into a state of false security first. I put on my best shocked voice.

“LL… is that really you?!” *Whispering just in case* “Our best agent… how could you get caught? How could you turn on us like this?! Just… just tell me you didn’t tell the king about-”

I cut off, like I’m about to reveal some big secret.
 

Alana:

A chill runs down my spine when Ra talks not only about the game, but about the song too. What did he mean that the King took it personally? Because it was left by the people who trashed his party? Or did he understand it’s TRUE meaning?!

I pull myself out of spiralling, when I realise what Ra said, about there being some sort of backlash. Things did seem very frantic just before we left, rumours about a plague and everyone panicking.

“S-sorry about that. I didn’t mean for things to get so dramatic at the end. No one was supposed to get hurt! We were just supposed to quietly sneak out after the technical glitches. But then I got pulled up on stage, and something made me sick. My friends panicked and did whatever they could to get everyone out. But I really am sorry if you or your friends got caught up in the backlash!”

He mentions a specific line from the game.

“You played it?! It was only supposed to make sense to one person. The person I told you about on Hallowraith.”

I glance cautiously over at Nuka, but for some reason he’s moved quite far away.

“Do you think you could tell me: is it just the one new song that you’ve heard? Or were there two?”

It would be possible for anyone to finish the game on multiple tries. But if the King somehow got both of them from getting everything correct on his first go…

Ra seemed quite unsettled by the ending he got.

“The bad endings were just to fit in with the theme of the night, I didn’t put too much thought into them, honestly. But did someone leave you behind?”

I hope he doesn’t think I did! Perhaps he changed his mind before the end of the night, but didn’t get a chance to tell me?

“Are things ok in the Kingdom? It would be much more difficult now than Hallowraith, but I could probably think of a way to help if you needed it! It certainly sounds like you have someone that needs your help over there. I think it’s really nice that she’s got you looking out for her! Hopefully it means she doesn’t have to go through what you did, when you were young!”

Ra:

Given her question. I think she did leave the game.

Who was she trying to talk to? It was so detailed.

I try to think for her sake about the song. Was there two?

I don't want to disappoint her or get it wrong. In whatever spy work she was up too or whoever she tried to talk too.

"I cant be sure.. I don't think I heard one fully.. I'm sorry. Its like he played them.. rewind, certain parts again and again... But I could find out. If we ever do speak or meet again."

I know the room he used to sit in and listen to it. There should be a copy. It was so haunting, it invoked a sadness.. I did not want to deal with.

Then there was one part. It took the longest to get out of my head. I hear it NOW.

Dark for the sunrise,
Clouds for a blue sky,
Rainbows and Roses and Stars.

*twitch*

"Its more..I left someone behind.. so at first I thought it was directed at me. ..but clearly.. there was alot of messages in that.. alot of people played it I hear."

I trail off.

She couldn't be looking for.. Jaime Starker...

It must just be a fluke he won it.

All the rumors he did anyway. Maybe its the Gary conspirey mill.

"Jaime Starker beat the game I hear...but I don't know if he got to some secret level."

I consider her last question and remember her offer. Hattie was a problem. A problem I couldn't shove in a hybrid boy school like Seti....

I wonder if these people come back... if they would take her?

"Everything is going back on track smoothly thank you." I reply not wanting to give away to much.

But I bet they would take her.

I felt a little guilty about her words of not letting her go through my childhood.

She already spent all of hers in a lab.

Whatever am I going to do?

"I'll try.. its tough for a female.. here..I'm sure she might be suited somewhere else.. where thats more common." I hint a little.

Alana:

I smile a little when Ra mentions ‘meet again’. I wonder if that’s his way of saying that was the song he heard?

He offers to investigate it further.

“That’s sweet of you to offer, but there’s no need! The second song was more… personal, I suppose… But it’s really not worth you risking your safety to see if it got uncovered!”

I think about what it could mean, that the King himself is listening to them. Surely that’s something he could delegate to his spies – what did Nuka call them, the FB-HY? Maybe he’s just trying to find out who wrecked his party, if he took that personally? There are probably a lot of reasons… but maybe, just maybe, he knows who Lastlight is. If it’s being broadcast so widely, if Lastlight is in the Kingdom, hopefully there’s a good chance he heard it himself!

Ra tells me that he was the one who left someone behind.

“Oh, I see… I’m sorry, I’m sure it was a difficult decision.”

He seems nice, I’m sure he wouldn’t do it just to be callous. Maybe it was for that person’s safety? Or maybe he didn’t actually have a choice?

He tells me of someone called Jaime Starker, who I’ve never heard of before. From what I know of the Starkers, I think they’re born rather than created from other beings, so I don’t think he would be Lastlight. Perhaps Ra is right, and it was just a fluke. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t heard a second song?

“Thank you, for telling me what you know about it.”

He seems more reluctant to talk about his own life. But he does drop a strong hint that his young mentor needs some assistance.

I look over at Nuka and Gabe – both distracted – before answering a little more quietly.

“Does it need to be tonight? I- I guess I do have a quick rescue idea in mind…”

I’d come up with one, in case my Mothsquitos do by some miracle manage to find Lastlight.

“I’d need the gate address for the planet you’re on. And a way for my… ‘friends’ to identify her. Hmm, I guess the only thing you could send me over the radio would be a voice recording.”

A picture or DNA sample would be useful, but I’d need to give Ra our gate address to acquire those. I don’t think that’s a good idea for either of us. I do trust him personally, but it wouldn’t be fair to Nuka, the other humans or my brothers to give away anything TOO sensitive.

“Is she a female hybrid? I thought those were outlawed in the Kingdom?”

Although I am working with outdated information, it was a WHILE ago that Vitani and Gabe rescued all those female hybrids from Gabe’s homeworld!

Ra:

I listen to the voice. I dont think I'd get in trouble taking a peek at that song. I gotta hear it now.

How did the King get to it though? He..cant be who she's looking for..can he?

No ridiculous thought.

I grin nervously at how fast she threw together a rescue. It was impressive!
Whoever this group was they seemed so much more crafty then the Bain Ones. so secretive. Maybe they have been doing good in plan sight like this all along.

"Uh ah..well..."
I nervously scratch my head staring out in direction to the maze.

Just imagining what the kids were up too...

Hathor already isn't adjusting well to being on an outing. I don't know if she's ready for ... complete planet hopping yet.

"I do appreciate it, it doesn't have to be tonight.. just something to think about..if your ever in the area..another time.. I should tell her you know? All those abonnement issues." I say twirling my hands around as I talk, almost hitting into more costumed characters as I casually talk and walk.

And the women was VERY pretty.. I'd hate for Hattie to bite her face off or someone else's... She hasn't been a person for very long to understand.. and I wasnt sure what else mutations she would go through...rapidly.

"Oh they are banned! But she is a allowed Kingdom female species. " I say nervously to the question if Hattie was a hybrid.

Well... Iradus bug females aren't baned...

"Just..not many like her..do you have any advice on that? Being.. special, standing out?" I try to change the subject back to the hotline and not a rescue.

"Maybe one day..you could tell her these things yourself." I laugh nervously.

Alana:

I must admit, I am relieved when Ra says the rescue doesn’t need to take place now. Nuka would not have been happy. And… if I’m being really honest… I was hoping to save that rescue plan for Lastlight. Catching the Kingdom off-guard is only really guaranteed to work once. But of course, if there was a child in imminent danger, I would feel obliged to assist.

I also wonder if Ra perhaps doesn’t feel comfortable giving away his gate address just yet? Understandable, I’m sure I already seem a little suspicious, what with all the teleporting and fake voices.

“You can tell her what you know, but you should both know it’s very unlikely we’ll be back in the Kingdom in-person anytime soon. Honestly, I’m surprised my friend even suggested running this phoneline…”

I think he just wanted as much information as possible. After Hallowraith, Nuka seems certain that the King will be looking for us, even though we seemed to make a clean getaway in the end. He says the King has a hard time ‘letting go’ of special prisoners like Silvanus and Flax. I’d found that a little unlikely, but maybe after what Ra said about the King listening to the songs, I should be more concerned.

“But if you do ever need to get in touch for an emergency, maybe I can set something up after tonight…

We do have a few planets besides Sanctuary. Silvanus cautioned against using the cave planet again, apparently Michael associates it with our hive and could think to look for Silvy there. But it could still be an option. Nuka would probably say the planet we’re orbiting now if I pushed him, Deathtrap, since the radio signals from tonight could get traced back here anyway. But I don’t think he’d want me giving that information away just yet.

“I’ll need to discuss it with some friends first, though. I could radio you back, later in the night?”

Ra tells me more about the girl, apparently she isn’t a hybrid, but another rare alien species that is permitted. He asks me if I have any advice on standing out, and I look down at my empty palm, flexing my fingers a couple of times as I think on what to say.

“I… I guess I’d just say to try and make the best of it. Take full advantage of any strengths, and try to mitigate or find work arounds for the weaknesses. Sometimes it might make you feel sad or frustrated, but too much sitting around and moping doesn’t change anything. And like I said to you on Hallowraith, it’s about trying to find ways to be happy and going after the things you want. Well, as long as that doesn’t hurt other people, of course! How about you, you must have thoughts?”

I try to ask it gently. I remember what he told me about growing up, how he was called a freak of nature. I wonder if he’s not only asking for this girl, but for himself too?

Gabriel:

This guy is definately high.

"Suuuuureee."

I giggle.

"So Gary, now that we are pals I just learned the most interesting thing. I mean, have you even heard the drama???"

I bate him playfully.

Bet ya hes so high he'll spill his guts out no problem!

Jaime:

Oooooo this guy is shadey!

And kind of stupid...

I stop pretending to be Michael so Lastlight here could get from him the dirty deets.

(To Jeo)((Wanna keep playing with him?))

I try not to snort feeling like I was about to break out into giggles at any moment.

I'm definately tapping out of this roleplay conversation, Jeo haz dose SKILLZ at being a CREEP boss I don't have

Jeo:

I listen surprised. The name Lastlight really did hold some power. The man from the phone seemed afraid.

Lastlight is some agent? For who?

I look at Jaime for help, did he know this Lastlight?

He won that game and all maybe he KNOWS secrets.
((Ok..))
I try to make something up.

"I told him everything! The King has way more to offer then you lot, I'm glad I switched sides. Give me one reason why your side is sooo worth my time, the GREAT Lastlight is kinda big deal. He only really works for the BEST of the best."

Gary:

The phone man is my new friend!

And he has gossip!

“Gary always wanted a friend who brought HIM gossip! What’dya hear? Is it from Hallowraith night? Is it about sneaky spies?”

I get real excited for this!

*Uno reverse Gabe *

Nuka:

Dumb kids think they’ve uncovered some big deal.

I try to get more intel for them. Maybe I can sniff out if they’re actually working for Bane, they did overhear his call after all. But maybe they’re just the FB-HY. In which case, it’s better to make up some shit than tell them anything about who we actually are.

I really ham it up, pretending to be absolutely distraught.

“Damn it L! E trusted you! You were supposed to free the B man, this was our one chance! But now everything’s ruined! It’ll take us months to try something like this again! Why did you even ring, just to GLOAT?!”

*Nala is too engaged in her convo with Ra to notice the dramatics*

Gabriel:

"It sure is!"

I take a moment to think of a lie.

"Word is, those spies were after much more than just a simple old prison break."

I hum.

"But maybe I shouldn't say. This might get me in trouble."

I try not to laugh.

"Maybe, you could share some gossip with me too? That was we both have a secret to keep."

I bite my lip wondering if Gary would go for that, even if he was.. high

Jaime:

*Blinks.*

(To Jeo)((Psst, Lastlight is Michael's wraith name, they're the same dude!))

I try and help him, overhearing that last piece of information from when I was spying on Michael and one of his holiday clones last year.

The freak on the other side of the call goes off like Lastlight was a secret agent against the Kingdom or something.

That would be messed up!

Dr. Ra:

I was relived to not have to figure out hiding a rescue relocate plan tonight. This group must really have connections.

"I'm glad you do.." I add in quickly when she mentions it may be a long time since they come back to the Kingdom, she was even surprised her 'friend' set this up.

"Theres alot of lonely holiday you know... if this ends up being worth your time..maybe you'll do another one? We could keep in touch that way...unless your friend would be jealous?"

I tease a little. its not like I can ask her anything personal here though or about her world. Plus that voice...

I contuine to be impressed by their resoruces and abilities hearing about a emergency contact.

"I dont want to be a bother, I appriaite it. All of it I do."

Accepting to take someone I haven't been very clear on details was pretty nice. Then again maybe they need some new soldiers to help out.

it will SUCK but I need to really try to ..explain talk to Hattie about this. She's getting to big to hide. She's either going to have to consider being assist of the kingdom or possibly running away.

Her mind too, I wondered if it was strong as a queen..it would depend on that too.. if Michael might snap about her.

Its not like she shares my dna. Iradus bug humans aren't necessary something new and exotic to mass panic.

But he has had some.. stress lately.

If something happens to Bane I might need leverage..

It was difficult. Say nothing and look like a traitor.. say something and still be accused of being up to no good.

I listen and mull over her advice. I guess it was kinda a jerk move to ask for more for her. I scribble down a note to read back to Hattie later.

"Oh..err."

I sigh and pace a way from the maze not able to focus on ..everything going on.

"Being male helped me, in alot of ways..."

*trails off*

"Emotionally though, I ignored alot of the insults and backhand comments, distracted myself with other things.. tv, research logs, music. I never really let it get to me, I dont care what the other hybrid think, if their purer and all that. I would tell Hattie.. " *name slips*

"not to care about it. Screw what they think. Buuut I think your advice sounds more parental and proper so thanks.. we'll have quite a conversation on all of this..later."

Before she's 60....