To continue on from last week, here's the first couple of several Optional Events that take place on Terra. In this we see some sparks fly between Nikki and Secretary Thewi.
Yet again, the script in spoilers, seperated by event.
Terra Optional Events 1 and 2.
Yet again, the script in spoilers, seperated by event.
Terra Optional Events 1 and 2.
Part 1
How to win over
ADMINISTRATION
This quest can be started on Archanul Ultima
“Zardari, Nikki, Valin and Trixie are engaged in conversation with Thewi.”
>Join them!
>You cannot comprehend!
Nikki: So… what do you guys eat? We have plenty of nice eateries on Terra, but I don’t want to give you something you won’t like.
Thewi: I am not a picky eater. While I am partial to bamboo I have no issue with trying new things. We went by one particular restaurant, the sublime odor of which got my attention, perhaps we could try there?
Valin: Oh, I recall, that was Mad Moose’s, right?
Thewi: Yes. That weird name rings a bell.
Zardari: That’s gonna be all meat, which I didn’t think would be a Panamaru’s first choice.
Thewi: Vegetables are sad. Bamboo is fine, but mostly, I’m not a large fan of plant-deposited morsels. They provide a purpose in cultivating the livestock and ecosystems they are designed to nurture, but they aren’t curated to be that tasty. I have no dietary requirements or limitations, so taste is all that really matters.
Trixie: Then Mad Moose’s it is! Let’s go gang! <Valin, Trixie and Zardari walts off, but Nikki stays with Thewi.>
Nikki: So… are we about to go on a date?
Thewi: I… don’t think that’s what one would call an outing with friends.
Nikki: Oh, you are so hard to get!
Thewi: Nikki, I can’t be a replacement for who you lost. I am too busy, too old and too… <she looks to Nikki on the verge of falling apart>
Thewi: *sigh* No promises, But, let’s see how it goes. This is not a date. But If I find myself fond of you and your friends, I might be open to doing one of those in the future.
Nikki: Thank you… You didn’t have to do that.
Thewi: I know… <she starts walking off before looking back with a genuine smile.> But I like you. See you at Moose’s. <She turns back around, and teleports out, Nikki blushes.>
Lumi: What is this intense feeling in my chest??
Lilac: Look at you go, Nikki. Shooting your shot with a cosmic administrator! You shoot high, don’tcha?
Nikki: I don’t care what she is. She could be a magically-giftless wagecuck and I’d still feel this way.
Koko: Damn, to think for even a moment I thought you were shallow!
Nikki: Oh nah, That’s Trixie’s shtick… Don’t tell her that. It’ll make her mad.
Lilac: Well, make the most of it, Nikki!
Nikki: Oh, you’re invited as well. Hey, Kyon is coming, so denying you invitations would be hecka rude.
Koko: Sure… I’d like to see you succeed.
Lumi: I am LOST!
Lilac: hey lost, I’m oblivious, do you know where the sun iiiis?
Lumi: Ugh! So annoying…
ADMINISTRATION
This quest can be started on Archanul Ultima
“Zardari, Nikki, Valin and Trixie are engaged in conversation with Thewi.”
>Join them!
>You cannot comprehend!
Nikki: So… what do you guys eat? We have plenty of nice eateries on Terra, but I don’t want to give you something you won’t like.
Thewi: I am not a picky eater. While I am partial to bamboo I have no issue with trying new things. We went by one particular restaurant, the sublime odor of which got my attention, perhaps we could try there?
Valin: Oh, I recall, that was Mad Moose’s, right?
Thewi: Yes. That weird name rings a bell.
Zardari: That’s gonna be all meat, which I didn’t think would be a Panamaru’s first choice.
Thewi: Vegetables are sad. Bamboo is fine, but mostly, I’m not a large fan of plant-deposited morsels. They provide a purpose in cultivating the livestock and ecosystems they are designed to nurture, but they aren’t curated to be that tasty. I have no dietary requirements or limitations, so taste is all that really matters.
Trixie: Then Mad Moose’s it is! Let’s go gang! <Valin, Trixie and Zardari walts off, but Nikki stays with Thewi.>
Nikki: So… are we about to go on a date?
Thewi: I… don’t think that’s what one would call an outing with friends.
Nikki: Oh, you are so hard to get!
Thewi: Nikki, I can’t be a replacement for who you lost. I am too busy, too old and too… <she looks to Nikki on the verge of falling apart>
Thewi: *sigh* No promises, But, let’s see how it goes. This is not a date. But If I find myself fond of you and your friends, I might be open to doing one of those in the future.
Nikki: Thank you… You didn’t have to do that.
Thewi: I know… <she starts walking off before looking back with a genuine smile.> But I like you. See you at Moose’s. <She turns back around, and teleports out, Nikki blushes.>
Lumi: What is this intense feeling in my chest??
Lilac: Look at you go, Nikki. Shooting your shot with a cosmic administrator! You shoot high, don’tcha?
Nikki: I don’t care what she is. She could be a magically-giftless wagecuck and I’d still feel this way.
Koko: Damn, to think for even a moment I thought you were shallow!
Nikki: Oh nah, That’s Trixie’s shtick… Don’t tell her that. It’ll make her mad.
Lilac: Well, make the most of it, Nikki!
Nikki: Oh, you’re invited as well. Hey, Kyon is coming, so denying you invitations would be hecka rude.
Koko: Sure… I’d like to see you succeed.
Lumi: I am LOST!
Lilac: hey lost, I’m oblivious, do you know where the sun iiiis?
Lumi: Ugh! So annoying…
Part 2
The Terra the Magician
CALLS HOME
This quest can be started at Mad Moose’s Meathouse in Terabyte Town on Planet Terra
“Everyone is already at the table awaiting their meals.”
>Take a seat.
>Wuss out!!!
Zardari: So, what was it you said earlier about Asarath, Nikki?
Nikki: Right right~ So apparently he went feral and got mindjacked by some evil dude, we kicked his ass though!
Trixie: Fucker still owes me those teeth that I’m missing!
Valin: Also mighta genocided most of my people, so… not great.
Zardari: Mindjacking is the worst. The Asarath I knew was all things but a villain. I always respected him, he was a better man than I was. At the time, I felt he didn’t have the strength to reform the Galaxia I thought was rotten to the core. But I wonder if I'd listened to him more, could things have been better than they are now?
Lumi: Well, Tac seems to be doing a fairly good job!
Zardari: Hmm <he nods solemnly while smiling> She’s got the heart of a leader of people, not a leader of selfishness.
<If Xeraphar events done>
Lilac: We’ve spoken to Asarath at the reformatory actually. He was pretty chill, and said he found our example uh… inspiring. Sorry, I was trying to make you feel better, not pat myself on the back.
Zardari: I’m aware of your true intentions. You’ve no need to feel ashamed of being special to someone. I find myself inspired by the deeds of you and yours everyday. Mere mortal girls willing to face the very administrators of the cosmos. There are very few so brave.
<end condition>
Valin: Sage wisdom, my guy. I’m sure if Asarath had heard you say that, he’d be inspired too!
Zardari: Haha, thanks kid. Gotta say, did not expect myself to become warm to individuals like you and your companions. Seems a man can really change.
Lumi: I think if Spooky met you as you are now, he’d probably have a meltdown!
Zardari: Hah, nah Spooky’s pretty chill. We’ve already spoken some. I think during the era of the menagerie, he and I along with Tac could relate to each other the most. We had all grown up on Galaxia and seen it for the malformed mess it became.
Thewi: I’m surprised you don’t hold more resentment for Blu, considering it was her recklessness that somewhat doomed your empire to that fate.
Zardari: Blu’s always been a character, but I’ve always seen her as more of a clueless ditz who doesn’t think through the potential ramifications of her actions more than a deliberate messmaker.
Thewi: Then I am inclined to agree with Valin.
Valin: Trixie, you’ve been awfully quiet. No funny interjections to make?
Trixie: Valin, I’m not sure if you’re just too kindhearted to notice this kinda shit, but I’m being MAD stared down by clowncar sorceress here like I’ve violated the geneva convention on her non-existent children or somethin’?!
Nikki: Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you! I was just observing~
Zardari: If you two fight in here, you’re gonna get us kicked out. Don’t think even my sway could help in that scenario.
Trixie: Nikki, out of respect for you and our friends, you wanna take whatever this is outside?
Nikki: Oh, very well! Won’t be long, guys! <Nikki and Trixie scurry off>
Thewi: I will keep an eye on them. But you, Lumi, might go and see for yourself.
Lumi: Wait, why me?
Thewi: You don’t have an order waiting, right?
Lumi: Oh, true! Okay, I’ll only intervene if I have to!
Kyoshi: Thewi, huh? Thanks for helping out with the moon thing.
Thewi: You don’t need to worry grandmaster, you’ll have no use for the brownie points you’re seeking to score. I am not at all opposed to the way your dimensions are shaping, nor is it my responsibility to begin with.
Lilac: Oh, it’s nothing! Dad is just polite like that!
<Lumi’s now a few tiles out of view from Nikki and Tristy>
Nikki: So, what do you think I’m all staring at you, for? You know I find you fun to observe!
Trixie: Don’t be coy with me, you bitch! I know the difference from your curious goofy stares to a death-stare. I wanna know what I did!?
Nikki: Me too! Clearly, you haven’t done anything wrong! Ehehe~ not yet, anyway!
Trixie: Listen, dummy. You know I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, I ain’t good at picking up on these social cues you dense motherfuckers try to signal me with, so quit being a cowboy and help me help you!
Nikki: Awww, but that’s no fun! Besides, I think you’re well aware what I fear you’re going to do. Unless you are completely oblivious, but I don’t believe you’re that daft. It’s not like I've been subtle.
Trixie; Ohhhh, I think I see. You’re scared I might do something to jeopardize your gay relationship with the weird panda girl, is that it!?
Nikki: I guess I’m just trying to slip the grace of Karma, I wasn’t as hospitable of you and Valin’s whole thing as I coulda been, and this would be the perfect time for you to get revenge. I’m not sure I was even conscious of my whole death-stare routine until you pointed it out.
Trixie: Hah! You think I'd lower myself to your level just to get back at you?
Nikki: HMMM!!! …How do I say yes to that without seeming like a jerk!? It isn’t fair!
Trixie: Well, once upon a time, I’d have been damn skippy ready to rock that boat and ruin your shit. You caused me and Valin a lot of grief, and if that lad weren’t of the good heart he is, I might have been alone all over again, and that’s something I ain’t ever forgivin’ you for! I could have taken you making me out as the grumblebum of the group, and even pinning me as the buttmonkey, cause I knew deep down that even though it was awful and humiliating, I knew I was enough of a bitch to deserve it!
Trixie: But you tryna make my man lose faith in me was just way too dick of a move, even now I’m infuriated that you went there! The worst part is, I never felt like you even felt remotely sorry about any of it.
Nikki: Look, I’m not sorry, because while yeah, I pressed buttons, I knew if he did leave you, it’d be because of you. If I could even hope to prod him away from you, then you’d have already lost him regardless. I just didn’t want the kid to get hurt for the sake of someone who was so selfish. Back then, that is what you were.
Trixie: No… <she starts whimpering> I still am. I just don’t know how else to be. But I… I love him. I always will, and I would die for him. Sure, it might be because I don’t want to lose him, but I...
Nikki: I think if you are willing to die for someone else, that kinda clears you of being completely selfish. You’re still selfish, but so am I, no? I’m just hoping you won’t lower yourself to that level I went to back then, as you put it.
Trixie: You piss me off to no end, Nikki. This holier than thou snobbish shit you do reminds me of all the worst people in my life, constantly. You never turn that fuckin’ shit off either, even though I KNOW IT AIN’T WHO YOU ARE.
Trixie: I feel like I can never just see you for the real you. You’re always hiding behind some mystical mage bullshit.
Nikki: If it makes you feel better, I only act naturally when I’m in real peril. It’s not about any sort of mask for you personally.
Trixie: Yeah… I just wish you didn’t have to hide.
Nikki: You’ve lived a life where the only person you’ve been able to trust is yourself, I don't know what that is like, Trixie. I’ve been in a living situation with high expectations, high demands and no room for failure. Being anything short of an infallible princess was always how I was groomed. It is a hard shell to break free of. Sure, I can shatter the larger things, but the microaggressions and mannerisms are hardwired, and while I can bypass them, it’s a constant effort.
Trixie: And that’s why I don't want you to mess this up with Thewi. You don’t need to worry that I’m gonna be a problem. I want you to be able to open up to her and be the best you that I've seen before. And just maybe, you’ll be a bit less willing to close yourself off with me and the others, as well.
Nikki: See? You aren’t selfish. Your heart is heavy with self-doubt and self-disdain, but I think you’re a very good person when it comes down to it.
Trixie: Yeah, yeah, whatever. <She covers her face with her palms> I don’t really wanna fight you physically. I just didn’t wanna have you thinking I was gonna cause problems here.
Nikki: Well, let’s hope our little observer shares in your idea. <Nikki twists her wrist, and Lumi finds herself surrounded by magical traps.> I wouldn't move an inch if I were you, little bun~ I just want to know who sent you.
Lumi: …Thewi. She said she’ll keep an eye on things, but said I should go see for myself.
Nikki: D’awww~
Lumi: I was just here to alert people if your fight got nasty, that’s all!
Trixie; Well, it could have honestly. You can drop the arcana, Nikki. She’s not gonna be a problem.
Nikki: Yeah, ha ha~ Shoulda figured from one so pure as her. You’re probably a virgin, huh?
Lumi: A virgin…? What’s that?
Trixie: *poorly controlled snickering* This is the funniest fuckin’ shit i ever heard.
Nikki: Holy shit! There’s pure and then there’s puritan! Welp, let’s get back to dinner, Trixie. We’re probs about to be served.
Trixie: Kihihi, okay okay. Yeah... I think I got this.
<Lumi, Trixie and Nikki return to their seats. Food has recently been served.>
Lumi: Whew, no problems, as it turns out, huh?
<A plate with a small helping of food is passed over to Lumi from Thewi, who wears a genuine smile on her face>
Thewi: As thanks for keeping an eye on them. Even little favors deserve a small reward. Not sure how much you want it, but I felt the gesture was apropos.
Lumi: Oh, thank you Thewi! It does smell amazing!
Trixie: Haha, suit yourself, panda! This one’s all mine! <Trixie digs into her meal like a hungry animal, Thewi looks on amused at her company, before seeing Nikki gesturing.>
<Nikki and Thewi head out of the restaurant together.>
Valin: Yo, where you two goin-? OW! <Trixie bonks Valin on the head with her spoon>
Trixie; Valin, don’tchu know any bloody manners? 1. Don’t get in between a wingwoman and her subjects. 2. Don’t talk with your mouthful you fuckin bohemian slime!
Valin: Trixie, you’re doing that same thing right now!
Kyoshi: Hahahaha, glad to see you two haven’t changed a bit.
Zardari: Lucky for all of us, they don’t serve booze here.
<Lilac sneaks off to see what’s going on between Thewi and Nikki>
Koko: Hey, where are you going?
Lilac: I uh… I need to wash my mouth. In uh, THAT DIRECTION! <Lilac scoots off.
Lumi: Eh?
Koko: She already finished her meal, guess she got itchy feet.
<Upon finding Thewi and Nikki, they are on a building looking at the moons.>
Nikki: Trixie’s a good girl, just a bit of a victim of her past. She’s come a long way though.
Thewi: You seem to care a lot about her.
Nikki: Well, kinda hard not to when you’ve been through an adventure together like we had, She was always there to try and save the day when the chips were down. I elected Valin leader, but she was probably just as fine for the part if not for her superficial ego. Realistically, she’d have hated that role deep down.
Thewi: Why do you think that? She did play wingwoman for you here…
Nikki; Eh!? I mean… <She blushes coyly and tries to pretend she didn’t by continuing to answer the question.> She doesn’t have much in the way of self-respect. She acts like she does, but it's a mask to hide how terrified she is of losing the people she cares about.
Thewi: Ah, no wonder you two clashed, that sort of mentality rarely pairs well with imposter syndrome like you’ve struggled with.
Nikki: Oh, come on! I don’t have– Uh…wow! I do have imposter syndrome, huh? How do you know me better than I do?
Thewi: Well, sometimes it’s easier for people who don’t hold your predisposed bias to see you for what you are than it is someone who’s living in such a torpid state of emotional turmoil. We’ll say that is why, mostly because the other would be hard for you to comprehend.
Nikki: Yeah okay miss omniscient. I think I can comprehend the basic gist of omniscience.
Thewi: I’m not omniscient, No one really is. The failure of the twins you oppose should show that more than anything. The only illusion of omniscience comes from a timeline that is pre-orchestrated, but such timelines are not incapable of maladaptation. The sixteen halfbreeds who found a means to breach the barriers between dimensions should show that concisely.
Thewi: Once the pre-written narrative no longer lined up with what it was written to be, all pretense of omniscience in this cosmos died off. It’s really for the better that such did occur. Stagnant dimensions like the fourteenth are some of the first to be invaded. Yours likely never will be.
Nikki; Invaded, from what, extraterrestrials?
Thewi: From those who lay across the divide. While my pupil is charged with keeping the divide from being breached, it’s not as if she hasn’t failed in the past. The clean up is usually quick enough that it doesn’t cause a large-scale disturbance, but the invasions forever deconstruct the natural order and systems of a cosmos invaded.
Nikki: That’s so cool! I’m actually getting a good amount of what you’re putting down.
Thewi: You comprehend the basics, but not the inherent danger. This is why I can't stay here for long. Though long for me and you mean very different things.
Nikki: I don’t mind if you gotta go do your thing in space, I just find you so fascinating, so I wanted to learn a bit more about you before I… had to say goodbye.
Thewi: You don’t have to lie to comfort me, Nikki. I know how you feel.
Nikki: I… haha, I’m a bad liar.
Thewi: Who isn’t? Since I'm not very good at it, either. I’ll just be direct. <She clasps Nikki’s hands gently onto her own, to which Nikki blushes in response> Meeting and getting to know your friends, and you, has been a joy I will never forget. If I could, I would, Nikki. <she pouts> But I can’t. I am sorry.
Nikki: <Her eyes well up with tears.> How long do we have?
Thewi: Until midnight. Thewi looks to the large clock tower in the distance, it’s at 11:32 PM>
Nikki: Twenty eight minutes…
Thewi: I can return infrequently, I hope that won’t be too much for your aching heart.
Nikki: Please, come see me whenever you like. You’re always welcome.
Thewi: You’re too kind Nikki. <she walks to the center of the area> So… one last dance for the night?
Nikki: Oh heck yea! Erm… <she frowns, and before she can react, Lilac finds herself surrounded by deadly magic spells.> What is it with you people tonight? Can a girl not get some peace and quiet?
Lilac: Sorry, sorry! I was just curious what you two were up to. I didn’t expect it to be so wholesome! <an ice lance lands mere millimeters from Lilac’s head, Nikki gets in close to her with an annoyed expression.> And when you worked out we weren’t up to anything troublesome, you still decided to perve up our thing like a creep, huh? I dunno Lilac, not sure that I can forgive this one!
Thewi: Let her go, Nikki. She is here out of curiosity, not judgment.
Nikki: Oh? Meaning?
Thewi: Meaning: she is very gay. My guess is she sought to learn from the two of us.
Lilac: Hey now, don’t go making assumptions all like that! I admit to nothing!
Thewi: Well, would you like to watch us dance?
Lilac: Ofco-n-no! I really ought to get back to my sisters. They’re probably worried!
Thewi: I think she’s an even worse liar than you, Nikki.
Nikki: Pfft, you’re a virgin too, huh?
Lilac; Wait, huh? When the hell did that become a reasonable line of inquiry!? Also, too?
Thewi: Well, your blue-haired sister doesn’t even know what a virgin is when Nikki asked, when we caught her doing similarly observational mischief.
Lilac: She’s fifteen you fucking–!
Nikki: Oh, wait! She’s underaged!? She sounds too profound to be still in her teens!
Lilac: Hell, I only recently hit eighteen! You’re the pervert here, I think? For that matter, what age is Thewi??
Thewi: I’m older than your collective cosmos. But in a way you can comprehend, over 50 quadrillion years old.
Nikki: Haha, shieeeeeet!
Thewi: I hope that doesn’t put you off.
Nikki: Nah, you look in your twenties so it doesn't bother me none. Hell, I slept with Yasondre once and she’s hundreds of billions of years old. Vintage Ayy Eff!
Lilac: Wait, you slept with my Mum!?
Nikki: Gottim~! Almost got in with your pops, too! But, he’s too much of a gentleman… Sad!
Lilac: This is so messed up!
Nikki: Kid, your parents are both old as fuck. You really think I'm the first one to plow either of them?
Thewi: Nikki, maybe stop crushing Lilac’s innocent image of her parents, even if they aren’t biologically related and therefore would be closer to caretakers.
Lilac; Sorry about the invasion of privacy! Please, do your dance. I’ll leave you in peace.
Nikki; Nah, you can watch. Just be honest about it, dipstick! You ready, Thewi?
Thewi: Yes.
<cutscene of the two doing an elegant dance together>
Nikki: I enjoyed that. You flow like the wind.
Thewi: I enjoyed it, too. Listen, there is one invader who we have been unable to pry from your realm. White is looking into it but the matter has gotten complicated, as the invader has been infused with a local. This makes it a matter of political difficulty.
Lilac: Wait… who?
Thewi: it might be better to refer to it as what rather than who. The evil genome you know as Xalatath, it is not from across the divide. It comes from Labyrinth. Which is much worse.
Nikki: Oh, so Xaela is infused with invader juice!?
Thewi: Precisely. You’ve no doubt put together the abnormalities, the glitches which most of her children and herself possess. Those would not be possible without the invasion of one from outside your shard.
Nikki: Oh…
Thewi: Yes. That is also why I can’t stay. Systemic corruption of that level is capable of spreading and will erode all it touches if prolonged to the exposure. Xalatath is a very weak being compared to myself. His erosion on the children at least, is not nearly powerful enough to do much other than empower them. At my level, the breakdown of systemic values is all but an inevitability. This is one of the worst ways maladaptations can manifest. So… <she looks at the clock again> In two minutes, I must leave, at least for the time being.
<Nikki hugs Thewi.>
Nikki: Thank you, Thewi. For such a magical night. I’ll never forget you.
Thewi: Nikki… <she leans in and kisses Nikki on the cheek. Nikki’s face goes red> This doesn’t have to be goodbye. In time I will be back, until then- It seems you’ve got plenty of good friends to keep your mind busy.
Nikki: Y-yeah… So, were you ever intending to use that tool against Xalatath, that would be the most easy way to deal with them, correct?
Thewi: It was initially my plan, yes. However, upon seeing Xaela, it’s become clear Xalatath no longer has any say in what it does. All of its directives are on Xaela’s mark, for her conviction well overpowers its own.
Thewi: In other words, Xaela is the problem now. She will easily be able to keep it contained. Meaning I can leave the matter in this universe’s capable hands. <she starts floating off> Goodbye, my friends. <in the next moment- she’s gone>
Nikki: I’ll miss you, Thewi.
<the sound of multiple pairs of footsteps approach, Kyoshi, Valin, Trixie, Koko, Lilac and Zardari all arrive looking concerned.>
Kyoshi: Lilac, you okay?
Lilac: Oh, yeah I'm fine! Just hanging out with Nikki!
<Trixie walks towards Nikki and joins her leaning on the railing>
Trixie; She’s gone, huh?
Nikki: For now… yeah. <Tears drip down Nikki’s face.> Why does being in love… always feel so good, but hurt so much?
Trixie: Ugh, tell me about it! But, hey… Looks like it went well, you get a kiss in?
Nikki: Tell no one!
Trixie: Haha, lips are sealed, honey. You really got a habit for chasing the industrious types, don’tcha? Yasondre, Kyoshi, now an administrator from beyond our own ability to comprehend,. Think I kinda lucked out just getting a normal ass lad. Well... <Trixie looks back to see him and Kyoshi pushing each other via their noggins in a stupid game they play.> Normal as we silly mortals get, anyway!
Nikki: I find such beings exciting, I guess. To live such an incomprehensibly wild life, kinda feels so magical and out there. But, it does seem to come with the caveat of them being busy or important or somehow cursed.
Trixie: It also might just be some of that imposter syndrome talking. Maybe you feel like you always have to shoot your shot higher to appease whatever shitty parents you had.
Nikki: Ugh! Why does everyone seem to know I’ve got that!? I didn’t even realize it until recently!
Trixie: Well, maybe questioning why you always go for the most extreme things will help you overcome that insatiable desire for increased standards, hehe, that being said. I don’t think pursuing people of that caliber is a bad thing. And you and Thewi had genuine chemistry… I should know, I’ve seen that myself when me and Valin started dating, and it never truly left. My first instinct was to push him away, y’know? Like I didn't think I was worthy of a good lad like him. Thought I’d just make his entire life a miserable wreck like I’d managed to make my own, but… he got me through that bullshit. You have all these high ass standards for yourself, meanwhile my standards were ‘it’s best to die alone, at least that way, no one has to walk that dark road with me.’
Nikki: Well, we’ve all had our demons. Yours sound positively dreadful!
Trixie: Yeah, but hey– we both seem to be gettin better at this whole game of life that this funny universe has got us all up and playin’.
Nikki: Hmm, I'm sure everyone here has been through some real shit. The batty one, Lilac? Can tell just by looking at the bags under her eyes that she’s got them big traumas!
Trixie: Perhaps we could learn from them like they may have learned from us tonight?
Nikki: I think that’s a good idea.
CALLS HOME
This quest can be started at Mad Moose’s Meathouse in Terabyte Town on Planet Terra
“Everyone is already at the table awaiting their meals.”
>Take a seat.
>Wuss out!!!
Zardari: So, what was it you said earlier about Asarath, Nikki?
Nikki: Right right~ So apparently he went feral and got mindjacked by some evil dude, we kicked his ass though!
Trixie: Fucker still owes me those teeth that I’m missing!
Valin: Also mighta genocided most of my people, so… not great.
Zardari: Mindjacking is the worst. The Asarath I knew was all things but a villain. I always respected him, he was a better man than I was. At the time, I felt he didn’t have the strength to reform the Galaxia I thought was rotten to the core. But I wonder if I'd listened to him more, could things have been better than they are now?
Lumi: Well, Tac seems to be doing a fairly good job!
Zardari: Hmm <he nods solemnly while smiling> She’s got the heart of a leader of people, not a leader of selfishness.
<If Xeraphar events done>
Lilac: We’ve spoken to Asarath at the reformatory actually. He was pretty chill, and said he found our example uh… inspiring. Sorry, I was trying to make you feel better, not pat myself on the back.
Zardari: I’m aware of your true intentions. You’ve no need to feel ashamed of being special to someone. I find myself inspired by the deeds of you and yours everyday. Mere mortal girls willing to face the very administrators of the cosmos. There are very few so brave.
<end condition>
Valin: Sage wisdom, my guy. I’m sure if Asarath had heard you say that, he’d be inspired too!
Zardari: Haha, thanks kid. Gotta say, did not expect myself to become warm to individuals like you and your companions. Seems a man can really change.
Lumi: I think if Spooky met you as you are now, he’d probably have a meltdown!
Zardari: Hah, nah Spooky’s pretty chill. We’ve already spoken some. I think during the era of the menagerie, he and I along with Tac could relate to each other the most. We had all grown up on Galaxia and seen it for the malformed mess it became.
Thewi: I’m surprised you don’t hold more resentment for Blu, considering it was her recklessness that somewhat doomed your empire to that fate.
Zardari: Blu’s always been a character, but I’ve always seen her as more of a clueless ditz who doesn’t think through the potential ramifications of her actions more than a deliberate messmaker.
Thewi: Then I am inclined to agree with Valin.
Valin: Trixie, you’ve been awfully quiet. No funny interjections to make?
Trixie: Valin, I’m not sure if you’re just too kindhearted to notice this kinda shit, but I’m being MAD stared down by clowncar sorceress here like I’ve violated the geneva convention on her non-existent children or somethin’?!
Nikki: Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you! I was just observing~
Zardari: If you two fight in here, you’re gonna get us kicked out. Don’t think even my sway could help in that scenario.
Trixie: Nikki, out of respect for you and our friends, you wanna take whatever this is outside?
Nikki: Oh, very well! Won’t be long, guys! <Nikki and Trixie scurry off>
Thewi: I will keep an eye on them. But you, Lumi, might go and see for yourself.
Lumi: Wait, why me?
Thewi: You don’t have an order waiting, right?
Lumi: Oh, true! Okay, I’ll only intervene if I have to!
Kyoshi: Thewi, huh? Thanks for helping out with the moon thing.
Thewi: You don’t need to worry grandmaster, you’ll have no use for the brownie points you’re seeking to score. I am not at all opposed to the way your dimensions are shaping, nor is it my responsibility to begin with.
Lilac: Oh, it’s nothing! Dad is just polite like that!
<Lumi’s now a few tiles out of view from Nikki and Tristy>
Nikki: So, what do you think I’m all staring at you, for? You know I find you fun to observe!
Trixie: Don’t be coy with me, you bitch! I know the difference from your curious goofy stares to a death-stare. I wanna know what I did!?
Nikki: Me too! Clearly, you haven’t done anything wrong! Ehehe~ not yet, anyway!
Trixie: Listen, dummy. You know I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, I ain’t good at picking up on these social cues you dense motherfuckers try to signal me with, so quit being a cowboy and help me help you!
Nikki: Awww, but that’s no fun! Besides, I think you’re well aware what I fear you’re going to do. Unless you are completely oblivious, but I don’t believe you’re that daft. It’s not like I've been subtle.
Trixie; Ohhhh, I think I see. You’re scared I might do something to jeopardize your gay relationship with the weird panda girl, is that it!?
Nikki: I guess I’m just trying to slip the grace of Karma, I wasn’t as hospitable of you and Valin’s whole thing as I coulda been, and this would be the perfect time for you to get revenge. I’m not sure I was even conscious of my whole death-stare routine until you pointed it out.
Trixie: Hah! You think I'd lower myself to your level just to get back at you?
Nikki: HMMM!!! …How do I say yes to that without seeming like a jerk!? It isn’t fair!
Trixie: Well, once upon a time, I’d have been damn skippy ready to rock that boat and ruin your shit. You caused me and Valin a lot of grief, and if that lad weren’t of the good heart he is, I might have been alone all over again, and that’s something I ain’t ever forgivin’ you for! I could have taken you making me out as the grumblebum of the group, and even pinning me as the buttmonkey, cause I knew deep down that even though it was awful and humiliating, I knew I was enough of a bitch to deserve it!
Trixie: But you tryna make my man lose faith in me was just way too dick of a move, even now I’m infuriated that you went there! The worst part is, I never felt like you even felt remotely sorry about any of it.
Nikki: Look, I’m not sorry, because while yeah, I pressed buttons, I knew if he did leave you, it’d be because of you. If I could even hope to prod him away from you, then you’d have already lost him regardless. I just didn’t want the kid to get hurt for the sake of someone who was so selfish. Back then, that is what you were.
Trixie: No… <she starts whimpering> I still am. I just don’t know how else to be. But I… I love him. I always will, and I would die for him. Sure, it might be because I don’t want to lose him, but I...
Nikki: I think if you are willing to die for someone else, that kinda clears you of being completely selfish. You’re still selfish, but so am I, no? I’m just hoping you won’t lower yourself to that level I went to back then, as you put it.
Trixie: You piss me off to no end, Nikki. This holier than thou snobbish shit you do reminds me of all the worst people in my life, constantly. You never turn that fuckin’ shit off either, even though I KNOW IT AIN’T WHO YOU ARE.
Trixie: I feel like I can never just see you for the real you. You’re always hiding behind some mystical mage bullshit.
Nikki: If it makes you feel better, I only act naturally when I’m in real peril. It’s not about any sort of mask for you personally.
Trixie: Yeah… I just wish you didn’t have to hide.
Nikki: You’ve lived a life where the only person you’ve been able to trust is yourself, I don't know what that is like, Trixie. I’ve been in a living situation with high expectations, high demands and no room for failure. Being anything short of an infallible princess was always how I was groomed. It is a hard shell to break free of. Sure, I can shatter the larger things, but the microaggressions and mannerisms are hardwired, and while I can bypass them, it’s a constant effort.
Trixie: And that’s why I don't want you to mess this up with Thewi. You don’t need to worry that I’m gonna be a problem. I want you to be able to open up to her and be the best you that I've seen before. And just maybe, you’ll be a bit less willing to close yourself off with me and the others, as well.
Nikki: See? You aren’t selfish. Your heart is heavy with self-doubt and self-disdain, but I think you’re a very good person when it comes down to it.
Trixie: Yeah, yeah, whatever. <She covers her face with her palms> I don’t really wanna fight you physically. I just didn’t wanna have you thinking I was gonna cause problems here.
Nikki: Well, let’s hope our little observer shares in your idea. <Nikki twists her wrist, and Lumi finds herself surrounded by magical traps.> I wouldn't move an inch if I were you, little bun~ I just want to know who sent you.
Lumi: …Thewi. She said she’ll keep an eye on things, but said I should go see for myself.
Nikki: D’awww~
Lumi: I was just here to alert people if your fight got nasty, that’s all!
Trixie; Well, it could have honestly. You can drop the arcana, Nikki. She’s not gonna be a problem.
Nikki: Yeah, ha ha~ Shoulda figured from one so pure as her. You’re probably a virgin, huh?
Lumi: A virgin…? What’s that?
Trixie: *poorly controlled snickering* This is the funniest fuckin’ shit i ever heard.
Nikki: Holy shit! There’s pure and then there’s puritan! Welp, let’s get back to dinner, Trixie. We’re probs about to be served.
Trixie: Kihihi, okay okay. Yeah... I think I got this.
<Lumi, Trixie and Nikki return to their seats. Food has recently been served.>
Lumi: Whew, no problems, as it turns out, huh?
<A plate with a small helping of food is passed over to Lumi from Thewi, who wears a genuine smile on her face>
Thewi: As thanks for keeping an eye on them. Even little favors deserve a small reward. Not sure how much you want it, but I felt the gesture was apropos.
Lumi: Oh, thank you Thewi! It does smell amazing!
Trixie: Haha, suit yourself, panda! This one’s all mine! <Trixie digs into her meal like a hungry animal, Thewi looks on amused at her company, before seeing Nikki gesturing.>
<Nikki and Thewi head out of the restaurant together.>
Valin: Yo, where you two goin-? OW! <Trixie bonks Valin on the head with her spoon>
Trixie; Valin, don’tchu know any bloody manners? 1. Don’t get in between a wingwoman and her subjects. 2. Don’t talk with your mouthful you fuckin bohemian slime!
Valin: Trixie, you’re doing that same thing right now!
Kyoshi: Hahahaha, glad to see you two haven’t changed a bit.
Zardari: Lucky for all of us, they don’t serve booze here.
<Lilac sneaks off to see what’s going on between Thewi and Nikki>
Koko: Hey, where are you going?
Lilac: I uh… I need to wash my mouth. In uh, THAT DIRECTION! <Lilac scoots off.
Lumi: Eh?
Koko: She already finished her meal, guess she got itchy feet.
<Upon finding Thewi and Nikki, they are on a building looking at the moons.>
Nikki: Trixie’s a good girl, just a bit of a victim of her past. She’s come a long way though.
Thewi: You seem to care a lot about her.
Nikki: Well, kinda hard not to when you’ve been through an adventure together like we had, She was always there to try and save the day when the chips were down. I elected Valin leader, but she was probably just as fine for the part if not for her superficial ego. Realistically, she’d have hated that role deep down.
Thewi: Why do you think that? She did play wingwoman for you here…
Nikki; Eh!? I mean… <She blushes coyly and tries to pretend she didn’t by continuing to answer the question.> She doesn’t have much in the way of self-respect. She acts like she does, but it's a mask to hide how terrified she is of losing the people she cares about.
Thewi: Ah, no wonder you two clashed, that sort of mentality rarely pairs well with imposter syndrome like you’ve struggled with.
Nikki: Oh, come on! I don’t have– Uh…wow! I do have imposter syndrome, huh? How do you know me better than I do?
Thewi: Well, sometimes it’s easier for people who don’t hold your predisposed bias to see you for what you are than it is someone who’s living in such a torpid state of emotional turmoil. We’ll say that is why, mostly because the other would be hard for you to comprehend.
Nikki: Yeah okay miss omniscient. I think I can comprehend the basic gist of omniscience.
Thewi: I’m not omniscient, No one really is. The failure of the twins you oppose should show that more than anything. The only illusion of omniscience comes from a timeline that is pre-orchestrated, but such timelines are not incapable of maladaptation. The sixteen halfbreeds who found a means to breach the barriers between dimensions should show that concisely.
Thewi: Once the pre-written narrative no longer lined up with what it was written to be, all pretense of omniscience in this cosmos died off. It’s really for the better that such did occur. Stagnant dimensions like the fourteenth are some of the first to be invaded. Yours likely never will be.
Nikki; Invaded, from what, extraterrestrials?
Thewi: From those who lay across the divide. While my pupil is charged with keeping the divide from being breached, it’s not as if she hasn’t failed in the past. The clean up is usually quick enough that it doesn’t cause a large-scale disturbance, but the invasions forever deconstruct the natural order and systems of a cosmos invaded.
Nikki: That’s so cool! I’m actually getting a good amount of what you’re putting down.
Thewi: You comprehend the basics, but not the inherent danger. This is why I can't stay here for long. Though long for me and you mean very different things.
Nikki: I don’t mind if you gotta go do your thing in space, I just find you so fascinating, so I wanted to learn a bit more about you before I… had to say goodbye.
Thewi: You don’t have to lie to comfort me, Nikki. I know how you feel.
Nikki: I… haha, I’m a bad liar.
Thewi: Who isn’t? Since I'm not very good at it, either. I’ll just be direct. <She clasps Nikki’s hands gently onto her own, to which Nikki blushes in response> Meeting and getting to know your friends, and you, has been a joy I will never forget. If I could, I would, Nikki. <she pouts> But I can’t. I am sorry.
Nikki: <Her eyes well up with tears.> How long do we have?
Thewi: Until midnight. Thewi looks to the large clock tower in the distance, it’s at 11:32 PM>
Nikki: Twenty eight minutes…
Thewi: I can return infrequently, I hope that won’t be too much for your aching heart.
Nikki: Please, come see me whenever you like. You’re always welcome.
Thewi: You’re too kind Nikki. <she walks to the center of the area> So… one last dance for the night?
Nikki: Oh heck yea! Erm… <she frowns, and before she can react, Lilac finds herself surrounded by deadly magic spells.> What is it with you people tonight? Can a girl not get some peace and quiet?
Lilac: Sorry, sorry! I was just curious what you two were up to. I didn’t expect it to be so wholesome! <an ice lance lands mere millimeters from Lilac’s head, Nikki gets in close to her with an annoyed expression.> And when you worked out we weren’t up to anything troublesome, you still decided to perve up our thing like a creep, huh? I dunno Lilac, not sure that I can forgive this one!
Thewi: Let her go, Nikki. She is here out of curiosity, not judgment.
Nikki: Oh? Meaning?
Thewi: Meaning: she is very gay. My guess is she sought to learn from the two of us.
Lilac: Hey now, don’t go making assumptions all like that! I admit to nothing!
Thewi: Well, would you like to watch us dance?
Lilac: Ofco-n-no! I really ought to get back to my sisters. They’re probably worried!
Thewi: I think she’s an even worse liar than you, Nikki.
Nikki: Pfft, you’re a virgin too, huh?
Lilac; Wait, huh? When the hell did that become a reasonable line of inquiry!? Also, too?
Thewi: Well, your blue-haired sister doesn’t even know what a virgin is when Nikki asked, when we caught her doing similarly observational mischief.
Lilac: She’s fifteen you fucking–!
Nikki: Oh, wait! She’s underaged!? She sounds too profound to be still in her teens!
Lilac: Hell, I only recently hit eighteen! You’re the pervert here, I think? For that matter, what age is Thewi??
Thewi: I’m older than your collective cosmos. But in a way you can comprehend, over 50 quadrillion years old.
Nikki: Haha, shieeeeeet!
Thewi: I hope that doesn’t put you off.
Nikki: Nah, you look in your twenties so it doesn't bother me none. Hell, I slept with Yasondre once and she’s hundreds of billions of years old. Vintage Ayy Eff!
Lilac: Wait, you slept with my Mum!?
Nikki: Gottim~! Almost got in with your pops, too! But, he’s too much of a gentleman… Sad!
Lilac: This is so messed up!
Nikki: Kid, your parents are both old as fuck. You really think I'm the first one to plow either of them?
Thewi: Nikki, maybe stop crushing Lilac’s innocent image of her parents, even if they aren’t biologically related and therefore would be closer to caretakers.
Lilac; Sorry about the invasion of privacy! Please, do your dance. I’ll leave you in peace.
Nikki; Nah, you can watch. Just be honest about it, dipstick! You ready, Thewi?
Thewi: Yes.
<cutscene of the two doing an elegant dance together>
Nikki: I enjoyed that. You flow like the wind.
Thewi: I enjoyed it, too. Listen, there is one invader who we have been unable to pry from your realm. White is looking into it but the matter has gotten complicated, as the invader has been infused with a local. This makes it a matter of political difficulty.
Lilac: Wait… who?
Thewi: it might be better to refer to it as what rather than who. The evil genome you know as Xalatath, it is not from across the divide. It comes from Labyrinth. Which is much worse.
Nikki: Oh, so Xaela is infused with invader juice!?
Thewi: Precisely. You’ve no doubt put together the abnormalities, the glitches which most of her children and herself possess. Those would not be possible without the invasion of one from outside your shard.
Nikki: Oh…
Thewi: Yes. That is also why I can’t stay. Systemic corruption of that level is capable of spreading and will erode all it touches if prolonged to the exposure. Xalatath is a very weak being compared to myself. His erosion on the children at least, is not nearly powerful enough to do much other than empower them. At my level, the breakdown of systemic values is all but an inevitability. This is one of the worst ways maladaptations can manifest. So… <she looks at the clock again> In two minutes, I must leave, at least for the time being.
<Nikki hugs Thewi.>
Nikki: Thank you, Thewi. For such a magical night. I’ll never forget you.
Thewi: Nikki… <she leans in and kisses Nikki on the cheek. Nikki’s face goes red> This doesn’t have to be goodbye. In time I will be back, until then- It seems you’ve got plenty of good friends to keep your mind busy.
Nikki: Y-yeah… So, were you ever intending to use that tool against Xalatath, that would be the most easy way to deal with them, correct?
Thewi: It was initially my plan, yes. However, upon seeing Xaela, it’s become clear Xalatath no longer has any say in what it does. All of its directives are on Xaela’s mark, for her conviction well overpowers its own.
Thewi: In other words, Xaela is the problem now. She will easily be able to keep it contained. Meaning I can leave the matter in this universe’s capable hands. <she starts floating off> Goodbye, my friends. <in the next moment- she’s gone>
Nikki: I’ll miss you, Thewi.
<the sound of multiple pairs of footsteps approach, Kyoshi, Valin, Trixie, Koko, Lilac and Zardari all arrive looking concerned.>
Kyoshi: Lilac, you okay?
Lilac: Oh, yeah I'm fine! Just hanging out with Nikki!
<Trixie walks towards Nikki and joins her leaning on the railing>
Trixie; She’s gone, huh?
Nikki: For now… yeah. <Tears drip down Nikki’s face.> Why does being in love… always feel so good, but hurt so much?
Trixie: Ugh, tell me about it! But, hey… Looks like it went well, you get a kiss in?
Nikki: Tell no one!
Trixie: Haha, lips are sealed, honey. You really got a habit for chasing the industrious types, don’tcha? Yasondre, Kyoshi, now an administrator from beyond our own ability to comprehend,. Think I kinda lucked out just getting a normal ass lad. Well... <Trixie looks back to see him and Kyoshi pushing each other via their noggins in a stupid game they play.> Normal as we silly mortals get, anyway!
Nikki: I find such beings exciting, I guess. To live such an incomprehensibly wild life, kinda feels so magical and out there. But, it does seem to come with the caveat of them being busy or important or somehow cursed.
Trixie: It also might just be some of that imposter syndrome talking. Maybe you feel like you always have to shoot your shot higher to appease whatever shitty parents you had.
Nikki: Ugh! Why does everyone seem to know I’ve got that!? I didn’t even realize it until recently!
Trixie: Well, maybe questioning why you always go for the most extreme things will help you overcome that insatiable desire for increased standards, hehe, that being said. I don’t think pursuing people of that caliber is a bad thing. And you and Thewi had genuine chemistry… I should know, I’ve seen that myself when me and Valin started dating, and it never truly left. My first instinct was to push him away, y’know? Like I didn't think I was worthy of a good lad like him. Thought I’d just make his entire life a miserable wreck like I’d managed to make my own, but… he got me through that bullshit. You have all these high ass standards for yourself, meanwhile my standards were ‘it’s best to die alone, at least that way, no one has to walk that dark road with me.’
Nikki: Well, we’ve all had our demons. Yours sound positively dreadful!
Trixie: Yeah, but hey– we both seem to be gettin better at this whole game of life that this funny universe has got us all up and playin’.
Nikki: Hmm, I'm sure everyone here has been through some real shit. The batty one, Lilac? Can tell just by looking at the bags under her eyes that she’s got them big traumas!
Trixie: Perhaps we could learn from them like they may have learned from us tonight?
Nikki: I think that’s a good idea.
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