driftfleet | 'cause it's better than nothing

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'cause it's better than nothing

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ROOMS BY CHARACTER

N - P

Otono-Tachibana Makie

Q - S

Sandalio "Biffy" de Rabiffano

T - V

W - Z

(last updated: 1/25/19)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(OOC: Watch here from 11:58-14:46 or keep reading)

[When he touches that feather the first thing Keith feels is a pain blossoming from his stomach from a three day old gunshot wound. His face is pressed against a sandy embankment as the priest dressed in a black suit next to you peers at the reflection of the knife he holds up. You don't need to look to know he's counting the robots just over this embankment that you're hiding behind. It doesn't really matter to you how many there were you were going to save the child that they had somewhere no matter what so right now you were just trying to recover from the flare up of pain your recent injury caused when you jumped out of the moving bus's window.]

I see them! There's a lot of those guys, but they're nothing for the likes of Vash the Stampede, right? [Finally he notices your pain and looks over at you with slight concern.] What's wrong?

My stomach kind of hurts. [It was a huge understatement.

Wolfwood just chuckles at your plight.] Oh, come on. You're not that fragile.

I got shot by the leaders of the Bad Lads three days ago.

You got shot by Brilliant Dynamites Neon? [For a moment he sounds skeptical, but then laughs again.] You do lead an interesting life now don't you! [And then suddenly he's ready and raring to go. As if the brief conversation between the two of you hadn't just happened.] Shall we go?

It's like you listen, but then you don't! What's with you!?

A child's life is on the line.

Just look for a second, will ya? [You gently plead looking over the embankment where the strange looking robots are gathering.] They use that device at the top to detect heat.

[But before you can finish your explanation of what you already know of these robots Wolfwood is sliding down the embankment.] Hey! Wait a minute! Listen to me!

I can't sit around when there's a child's life on the line! [He calls back as he races forward towards the robots without any fear. When he's close enough he leaps into the air and raises the dagger that you've lent him and you already know that won't work. The robot's metal plates are going to be too thick to puncture which is exactly what happens. To the priest's surprise the knife shatters and he lands with just the handle in his hand.] Uh oh... I'm in trouble.

Please state your identification number. [A pleasant sounding voice comes from out of the robot. You wait just a little longer to see if maybe they have a different protocol than you're concerned they're on. Maybe if Wolfwood just leaves you can avoid a fire fight. Only he has no number to give and just stares dumbly at the robot.] No, identification provided. You will now be removed by force from the area. [Wolfwood yelps in terror as the robot opens fire and shoots a nonfatal, but very painful, beam of light at him. He takes off running as the group of robots gives chase. You probably could have stepped in a little sooner, but part of you had a feeling there was more to this priest then he was letting on.

You leap over the embankment and take aim.] GET DOWN! [You shout and wait just long enough for Wolfwood to dive down low. With six quick shots fired so quickly it sounds like you've only shot off three bullets you perfectly hit that tiny weak spot you know is in these robot's design. Right where one of their sensors are. The bullets are able to penetrate and the giant creatures collapse. Wolfwood yells out to you with a thankful smile on his face as you pull out more bullets to reload your revolver.] Nice support!

And you were a nice decoy. [Before you can finish reloading another robot pops out of nowhere from the sand. You turn, getting ready to dodge, but instead suddenly the handle of the broken knife is jutting out of the side of the robot's head.]

That time you were the decoy. [Wolfwood says with a smirk as the robot collapses.

Smiling back you can't help but find yourself really liking this guy you had only just met.] Nice support! [Suddenly your incredible hearing picks up the sound of a child crying. You don't hesitate. Turing and immediately emptying your gun once more. More robots in the distance fall with each shot.]

What is it!? [Wolfwood asks unable to hear or see what you've just.]

Over there! [You take off, confident that Wolfwood will follow you. Up ahead you can see the young girl crying among the robots you had just stopped.]

She's alive! Praise the Lord! [Wolfwood sounds honestly ecstatic to see her safe, but you know this isn't quite over just yet as more robots pop out from the soft sand.

You let Wolfwood run ahead as you skid to a stop in order to brace your shot. Making sure the recoil won't cause your follow up shots to be off target. It's a small area you have to hit in order to stop these relentless robots with only one shot and you can't afford to miss for the sake of that little kid's life. Two more pop up right in front of Wolfwood forcing him to stop, but you make quick work of them.

He turns to thank you.] Thanks, Vash! [Then his smile drops suddenly and he looks worried.] Vash! Behind you!

[Only he didn't need to worry. You already knew there was a robot behind you. You could hear it coming up to stop you. You've studied these things long enough now to know where their head generally sits. Without looking you aim your gun behind your box and it falls to the ground. Wolfwood relaxes again.] Cool, looks like we're just about done here! [Or he thinks that until the girl cries out for help again.] Aw nuts. [You quickly follow behind Wolfwood as he turns to give chase after the girl again.

One of the robots has picked her up and is running quickly across the desert with her. You needed to stop this before it got too far away. Together you both jump into the air as you take aim one last time. You fire and safely disarm the robot so it drops the girl and now it was all over.

When you land you're expecting to have solid ground underneath you. Only that sand quickly gives way and starts sucking you down into it.] OH NO! [You can hear Wolfwood screaming an exact echo of your panicked words.] IT'S QUICK SAND! [Screaming you're both dragged under the sand.

Luckily for Keith the crushing sensation of being buried doesn't last. The memory ending there and leaving him right next to the giant bulb. Inside there is the Plant and she is wide awake. The colorful feathers still fall as she smiles at him. A feeling of familiarity will envelop him as she waits and watches. Will he approach her? If he stands and stares too long another feather may fall on him.]

[Fighting injured, huh? Keith knew that feeling. He'd done it quite a few times.

But he couldn't help the loud gasp for air as the vision ended. Even if it wasn't him, getting buried in sand wasn't something he wanted to go through.

But now... he was there, at the bulb, and there was a woman inside. She looked alien to him, but that didn't bother him. He was used to seeing all kind of races now. The feathers forgotten for now, he does step closer. Cautiously, he reaches out a hand, moving to touch the glass.]

[The female is quick to reach out and touch the glass where Keith's hands rest. A flood of mentions and memories will strike at the paladin. She doesn't mean to be rough, but she's excited and isn't use to doing this with someone who's not the same species as herself.

The memories this time are Vash's time in the fleet spent with Kieth. The times he's laugh. When he's smiled. Or when he's worried with or about Kieth. A clear feeling of friendship will fill Keith.

She can't speak and it may take awhile but she tries to make herself clear. It's broken and said with emotion rather than words. She wants to help. Help. Friend. Help. Friend help.

How can she help?]

[Oh, wow... yeah... that was pretty overwhelming, and Keith flinched a little. But he could feel her excitement, too, so he kept his hand in place. The sensation is warm, that feeling of friendship, and Keith was glad to feel it. But help?

Keith wasn't sure.]

Who are you?

[He was fascinated with the whole situation.]

Why are you in there?

[She has trouble with words so instead she shows memories. She plays them as if they are her memories, but they all in fact belong to Vash. This is still his dream after all. The memories come fast and quickly. So many different times that Vash has broken into different Plant facilities over the years and his smiling face as he looks in at the face behind the glass. The thing she focuses on is the words that he uses over and over: Hello, sister, Good to see you again, sister, How are you today, sister?

That is the safe question that Keith asks. That is who she is; a sister. The problem comes with his second question and she frowns slightly.

Now the memories change. This time when Vash comes across a Plant facility the core inside is withered, it's hair black, and dead. Another time when he comes across a Plant who's glass is cracked and it's suffering horribly as the elements damage it's fragile balance. Another time where someone got hasty and overloaded a control panel and the Plant once again very nearly dies. This one only lives because Vash jumps in and takes control of the situation. Fixing the settings on the controls before rushing to his sister to take some of her power into him before she becomes too overwhelmed. The problem is that freaks out the townspeople and it isn't long before Vash is chased out with thrown stones.

The pattern should be clear enough. If she were to leave this glass she will die.

She's somber for a bit and then cheers up once more. She was very helpful wasn't she! She waits. Waiting to help once again.]

[Sister... Keith was confused. Was she actually related to Vash or did that mean something else? After all, Keith called Shiro his brother, but they weren't related. But he did understand the part about not leaving. This was her safe zone, like a fish in an aquarium. She couldn't leave. It was a little sad to him, because Keith didn't like the idea that she could be considered trapped, but, at the same time, it was like being on life support. She was alive.

He managed a small smile of thanks for her answers. Part of him wondered if her eagerness was just who she was or if it was because she didn't get much contact with other people.]

Are you lonely in there?

[She shakes her head. Brother. A flash of a memory of Vash smiling while eating a donut. Brother. Another one of Vash playing with a group of kids. Brother. One of Vash laughing with a man in a dark suit and sunglasses. He wears little cross cuff links on his wrists. Brother. Another of Vash just sitting quietly. Looking up at a Plant and smiling. Brother. Vash sitting and listening to Makie play her instrument on the Twin Roses. Brother. Meryl chasing after him and screaming about something. Only he can't quiet make out the words because he's laughing so hard. Brother. A kiss shared between him and Kitty. Brother is here! Another quick flash. This one a tad longer and it's of Vash sleeping in a dark room and for some reason this memory leaves behind the sense of being close.

But no. She is not lonely. She has her brother.]

[Keith nodded.]

It's nice to have a brother, isn't it?

[He looked around for a moment.]

Is he here now? Or just... here.

[He wasn't sure how to say it, but... well, they were in a mindscape. Was Vash aware of them? or were they just in his dream and that was it? Did Keith have to worry that Vash might think he was going to break the glass she was in?]

[The Plant very suddenly frowns at Keith's words that it was nice to have a brother. Suddenly the world is full of a cruel sounding laughter. If Keith is still touching the glass an image of a man who looks almost identical to Vash will flash into his mind. His hair is shorter and a lighter color than Vash's own broom like hair. His mole is under the opposite eye which are blue and they're much darker, crueler looking than Vash's green eyes.

After that brief moment the memory is gone and the laughter stops as that's not who Keith is asking about is it? He wants to know where Vash is. The Plant's black eyes drift towards a spot several feet away that begins to move. Slowly a door appears in the ground and it looks a little dark inside, but the Plant will still send out encouraging emotions to Keith to go ahead anyway.

He'll need to dodge those feathers still. Will he make it to this new opening without touching any? Will he stay with the Plant? Collect feathers? Head back out into the desert? Or something else?]

[That was an odd reaction... did Vash have like an evil twin or something? For second, Keith was worried, his mind immediately making the connection with Shiro's clone, but he tried to shake it off. Definitely not what he meant, and he was glad she seemed to understand that.

He smiled up at her as she showed him the door.]

Thank you. For everything.

[He'd pull his hand away now, and start towards the door. The feathers were... well, he'd try to avoid them as much as possible on the way there.]

[Should he avoid touching anymore of the colorful feathers that fall he'll find herself in a large and long hallway. The giant bulbs of Plants line every bit of wall space. Some are broken and dead, but there are a few that still have their cores in tact only they remain asleep. They don't come out to greet him.

Artificial lights will turn on as he walks down the hallway as if leading him down the right path although there's only one way to go. At least there are no more feathers to dodge in here.

At the end of the path is where he'll find Vash. Resting peacefully in his normal red jacket inside a broken glass bulb. He starts to stir as he comes close. Sitting up with a yawn he rubs at his eyes before turning and really noticing that he's not alone.] Oh! Well hey there. [He blinks. Surprised to see anyone else here.] So, ah... you probably have a few questions. [He smiles and scratches at a cheek as if he was feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught sleeping. He won't say it, but maybe he'll get a sense about it like one sometimes does when they're in a dream and they just know things, but in here, deep in his core, Vash can't lie.

He can speak to the man. Walk though the broken glass to sit inside with him. Go back the way he came to the feathers. Or further off in the distance is a pod door that reads in bright red neon lights: Emergency Exit. He could simply leave if he wanted to.]

[Success! He made it! Dream magic or something...

He carefully made his way along the corridor, looking at the other Plants in curiosity. After seeing some of those memories from the one outside, he was sad to see the broken ones.

But, then... Vash is in one, too. It's broken, and Keith paused for a moment just outside the opening when he was spotted.]

I guess, yeah... kind of. Mainly, the bubble girl... who is she?

She is a memory. [Vash smiles softly at his own answer. Knowing full well that's not what Keith really means.] A memory of someone I consider to be a sister to me. [The way the Plants have developed family ties isn't exactly the same as what a human would consider the word to be.] Even if we were not born from the same mother we are family.

Edited 2019-02-25 00:00 (UTC)

You care a lot about them... those people who are like that. [He considered Vash's words for a moment, thinking about what the Plant outside had shown him through her visions.] Are you and her... the same? Or... well, similar? [Since, well, Vash could survive outside the bubble thing. The Plant had indicated she couldn't.]

Yes, I care a lot about the Plants. [He looks past Keith to the wall behind him covered in Plant bulbs.] I am, well, I guess you can say I'm an evolved Plant. No one really knows why or how but we were born from one of them. So unlike my sisters I don't need a life support system to live.

They don't think and feel the same way that we do. As long as they're properly cared for they are happy. They don't mind that they can't move

We... [Keith thought back to one of the things he'd seen... someone who looked like Vash, but with different eye and hair color.] That other guy who looks like you? Is it just the two of you?

[There is a long, long time.] Yeah. My brother and I. We're the only ones of our kind.

[Well, that was one heck of a hesitation.]

You don't get along with him.

Not for a very long time.

I'm sorry.

[Keith hesitated, but finally just asked.]

What happened?

You really want to know? [Vash frowns for a moment before he raises his right hand. After a few moments a white feather seems to grow out from the back of his hand. After it grows to the same size of the feathers outside he plucks it and offers it out to Keith.] This is what happened, but ah--- it's not pretty. You're not going to see anything you like.

[CW: Death of a parental figure and talk of genocide should Kieth take the offered feather.]

[Keith hesitated, but... he had asked. He should really follow through. He gave Vash a quick look just to be sure, and then carefully took the feather.]

(OOC: Keep reading or watch here from 19:00-22:00)

[When Keith takes the feather he'll be suddenly on a spaceship with alarms blaring. Although the ship he's on is a lot bigger than the small ships of the fleet. There's a woman with long dark hair at a control panel as a tiny version of Vash looks on in concern.]

We're changing direction, our course has been reentered! Someone is sending orders to all ships. They're now all operating on auto-lock mode. Oh my god! At this rate the ships are going to crash on that planet!

[Seeing a small version of Vash probably isn't so surprising given the nature of the fleet, however, seeing a nearly identical version of Vash come running into the room might be a bit more surprising. They're splitting copies of each other, except for their moles being on opposite cheeks and their hair being styled in a different way. The new boy's being a shade lighter blonde than Vash's and cut short to his head instead of long and sticking up in Vash's normal style.]

Apparently Rowan had started up the orbital program! We have to evacuate!

[The woman looks concerned.] Where's Joey?

He told me to get us to the escape pods! He said he'd try to save the ships!

[Vash can hardly believe what he's hearing.] But what about all the sleeping people on board?

[His twin tugs on Vash's sleeve encouraging him to start moving.] We can't worry about them! We have to get out of here!

[Unsure what to do Vash looks back up at the woman.] Rem? [He doesn't know what to do, but he knows that she will. She always has the answer.]

Come on! [The boy insists again. Still tugging at his brother's arm.]

[Finally Rem makes a decision.] We have to get to the pods.

[There's a furry of motion once the decision is made. Keith will feel the pressing emotions of pure terror, insecurity, and extreme sorrow and grief as the three quickly put on space suits. This is the only home Vash has ever known and nothing that has happened this day has felt real. As if it was just a bad dream. Only it wasn't. Keith will also find out that the brother's name is Knives.

They run past a large window that looks into a room that goes back too far for the eye to really see the back of. Inside is just rows and rows of people in cryogenic sleeping pods. Vash gives those people one last glance as the ship's computer blares out warnings.]

WARNING! WARNING! THE SHIP IS ABOUT TO ENTER THE ATMOSPHERE! PLEASE REPORT TO THE ESCAPE PODS!

[They reach their pod and open the door. Knives confidently jumps in and with almost a practiced ease races towards the front to get the launch system started up. Vash is quick to get in, but just as quick to turn around as Rem hesitates at the door. Looking back out towards that window.]

Come on! We gotta hurry, Rem! [Yet she doesn't move.] Rem? What's the matter?

[Then suddenly something shifts in her as she looks more determined. She stands a little taller and presses the door controls to shut them.] You two go on ahead!

[Vash is shocked as she backs out of the pod as the door start to close.] I don't understand what you mean. Why?

I can't leave Joey here by himself. And I have to try to find a way to save the others.

[For the first time through the whole ordeal Knives's voice has a hint of worry to it as he shouts from the controls.] But the program is already running!

You've got to come with us, Rem! [The reality of the situation has also finally dawned on Vash. Rem wasn't getting in. She wasn't going to escape with them. He tries to get out with her, but Rem steps between him and the ever shutting door. Unable to get out he throws his whole weight into trying to stop the door from shutting, but it does absolutely nothing.] Please don't leave us!

I'm sorry, Vash. [He can see the tears starting to well up in her eyes. It's already too late. The door is shut enough that an adult could not squeeze through. Yet despite it all she still smiles so kindly down at him. Her voice steady, smooth, and trying to be reassuring. As if this was just another one of their daily lessons.] If Alex were still alive I believe in my heart that he would do the same thing. [And now the door was nearly shut. The other empty escape pods shooting off he almost misses what she says next.] Vash, take care of Knives. [The tears finally start to fall from her face.] Don't worry Vash. [Just as the door slams shut.

Vash cries out and slams his small hands against the door as the escape pod suddenly rockets off and he's flown backwards. Knives is calm at the controls as he makes sure the pod will safely land on the planet. None of that matters to Vash as he rushes to a window where he can see the large ship they had just left. Project SEEDs written on the outside. There are thousands of ships out there in space, but only one that the boy is focused on.

It may seem like hours to Keith who will feel his heart racing in a fevered attempt to hope for the best, but it's actually only a few minutes before the command ship bursts into silent flames as it starts to enter the planet's atmosphere. The shock wave causing the little escape pod to shake.] NO REM! No! You can't leave! [Though his sorrow and tears there is one sound so odd that it pulls Vash monetarily out of his grief. The sound of his brother's laughter.]

Haha! I'll never understand humans! They're a total waste of life! To think they'd actually sacrifice themselves out of foolish sentiment for others! It's incomprehensible! I thought I'd let her live if only because you were so attached to her. But now I see how how truly imperfect she really was. It's a good thing she died!

[Finally Vash is able to look away from the wreckage that was his birthplace to stare unbelieving at his brother.] Don't say that!

They're immigration is out of the question! [Knvies continues, unperturbed by his brother's grief.] That would be like spreading pathogenic organisms across our healthy universe!

[Vash starts to tremble. Anger like he's never known in his whole existence starting to bubble up.] You're saying you planned this?!

That's right! [Knives smiles proudly and takes a small mock bow.] But don't worry! You and I will be fine! I made sure the Plant ships would survive! After all, we'll need them to help create our new world now won't we my dearest brother? Only the ships carrying the humans will crash. [Knives makes a fist and squeezes tight. As if he could snuff out the whole human race with just that one motion.

Vash screams and launches himself at his brother.] BRING HER BACK! BRING REM BACK YOU BASTARD! [Knvies stays calm and collected as he easily dodges his brother's wild punches. Finally landing one decisive kick to Vash's stomach which sends the young boy slamming into a wall. Vash doesn't try to get back up all his strength gone. This nightmare never seeming to end.]

All ships now commencing orbital correction.

[The computer chimes out to Knives's surprise.] What? Reverse thrusters? That bitch actually did it.

[The escape pod shakes as it starts it's journey into the planet's atmosphere. That is until the shaking suddenly stops and Keith is back in the crashed ship with the adult Vash.] He killed our family. That's what happened between us.

You guys were young.

[Probably around the same age Keith was when he lost his dad, if Plants aged at the same rate as Galra/human hybrids.]

I'm sorry.

Yeah, just over a year old back then.

[Nope. They certainly don't age the same.]

Thank you. [He can't say that it was alright. That he was okay because it was so long ago. He would if he was awake, but he can't lie here. He tilts his head towards the escape pod with the exit light above it.]

That will take you safely out if you want to leave.

'cause it's better than nothing

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