Condor, Seafoam, and Dredger debate

Characters in this scene: Seafoam, Condor, Mainstay

Setting Location: Sanctuary

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

*(A day or two before the Grand Opening...)* Levi's Implement swishes around her as she strolls through the main lounge of Sanctuary, heading from her room to the lawn outside Sanctuary. With nothing in particular to do today, she had decided to attempt some combat drills wearing her Implement; it was not especially suited for fighting, particularly not the close-quarters type she was used to, but she was concerned about the potential shortfall in power that came from Practicing without her Implement. If there was any way to learn how to fight close-up while wearing it, she wanted to know about it. Still, the day was young, and if Levi was being completely honest, she was rather looking for something else to do. Combat drills got dreadfully boring without accompanying music, and alas, her Implement, for all its beauty and sentimental value, did not come with pockets.

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor enters the lobby from the opposite direction, wearing their typical combo of green jacket and simple dress and leggings. They're sporting a tote bag full of plastic takeout containers and carrying several more that won't fit in the bag. Each container has a diagram sharpie'd onto it, and they all contain small faint echoes of objects: one is filled with spectral nuts and bolts that link and unlink as though magnetized, one contains the ghost of some sort of small e-reader, cracked screen flashing between gibberish text and static. Yesterday was quite a productive day in the Ruins, and now they're hoping to - As Condor notices Levi, they stop dead in their tracks, nearly dropping the containers cradled in one arm. They start to say something. Close their mouth. Hesitate. Take a deep breath. "Hey, um, hi, sorry if this is weird and you can totally tell me to fuck off, but um. Did, uh, um, geez. Did you... ever... do some sort of um, ritual, to change your name or gender or something, like, so the Spirits would um, recognize the new.... you?"

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

At the sound of a nervous voice from ahead of it, Levi is snapped out of idle thoughts and looks towards the owner, a rather rugged-looking individual laden with a large tote bag and a stack of take-out containers. It's slightly taken aback by the content of their question - how exactly had they known that? "Uh... I did, as it happens." Its eyes narrow slightly, and a note of suspicion enters its voice. "Why do you ask?"

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Meanwhile... Lane is on the verge of another panic attack. Sanctuary, for all its physical wards, cannot protect her from her mind. She needs some air. As she walks through the main lounge, though, she hears Dredger speak in her mind, with a tone she can’t place but one she’s surely never heard him use.

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

**Who the fuck...?**

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

"Oh!" Condor says, responding to Levi, "I just- I mean, I also did a similar thing, and I think you might have helped without realizing it, and I wanted - that is to say -" They're having more trouble than usual ignoring their anxiety, and they pause as they recognize that something external is affecting them, making the usually grounded Practitioner feel a bit more unmoored and uncertain. They look around the lobby.

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Dredger is fuming. He doesn’t remember the last time he’s been this mad. Someone’s edging in on his thing? His art! And a human, it looks like. Dredger watches as it happens yet again: as his presence passively stretches out connections around him, laying claim to the unclaimed and the forgotten, only for half those claims to be disrupted by someone who’s doing the same. He knows his anger’s making things worse, distracting him from maintaining his claims. But a human! A human is rivaling him? How dare they even exist around him? He’ll show them what for. **Lane. Switch with me for the next five minutes, and I’ll spend all night working on Saria. No guile, or whatever. I want to teach this fucker a lesson.**

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

*I’m not sure you can do that here*, Lane thinks, but she obliges. Dark mist spreads around her body, and four leathery wings burst from her back. Two more emerge from each arm and each leg, pointing in awkward directions. She thinks to give Dredger a final warning, but—

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

—but he’s already walking forward, possessed of a rippling anger, uncaring of the stares of the lounge’s other occupants. He stops before the human, and notes that they’re standing beside another – anothers? what? he is too distracted to care, despite the soft voice in the back of his mind that tells him he should. Using a human body is always a rush, and he exults in the rage that courses through him as he points a finger-shaped strand of mist into the single-human’s face, and demands, “**Exactly who do you think you are?**”

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor stumbles back several steps as their full attention is fully grabbed by the aggressive Other. They drop one of the containers they're carrying and it cracks open as it hits the ground. The single bent nail within it flickers and disappears. Their eyes flick downwards as they notice, and they frown in disappointment. They look back at the menacing figure with their Sight and start to realize what's going on. They take several deep breaths, trying to steady themself in this storm of nearly physically palpable tension. Their heart is racing as they reply. "I, ah, my name is Condor. I think - that is, I *know* that I am a Scavenger, by pattern and mantle and word. And I think that you are similar. Perhaps this could um," they pause to swallow nervously, "be something to bond over, rather than a source of strife?"

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

"Oh!" Condor says, responding to Levi, "I just- I mean, I also did a similar thing, and I think you might have helped without realizing it, and I wanted - that is to say -"

Levi's eyebrows raise, and her expression clears somewhat. "Oh! We didn't know something like that could happen. That is... Still a little suspicious, to be honest, but we'd be happy to-" And suddenly, there is a large, misty Other jabbing a finger into Condor's face and shouting at them. His appearance causes Seafoam to reflexively jump and bare claws, and though their posture soon relaxes, their claws stay unsheathed, hands remaining at their sides. That residual unpleasant surprise transmutes into annoyance, and for a moment, the voice that comes from Levi's mouth is not hers.

Ramiel || Seafoam — 03/28/2021

"Do you fu-"

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

Levi and Rami cleared their throat, and Rami silently agreed to retreat for now. No need to make this more confusing, and it wasn't the sort of situation he wanted to be in, anyway. Levi continued where he left off. "Do you fucking mind? We were having a conversation here, before you butted in. Whatever business you have with Condor can wait until we're finished speaking with them."

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Dredger smirks at the girl (boy? girl? *what?*). Nobody’s quite sure how they can tell he’s smirking, when the mists keep shifting around his body – but his tone of voice clears it up anyhow. “**By pattern and mantle and word, humans, I am Dredger – he who collects the unwanted and the forgotten, and fashions them anew.**” Lane is still speaking in his mind, bidding him pay attention to the entity of indeterminate number and gender. He sends a small flow of disinterest in he mental direct, then ruffles his wings pridefully. In force, he begins to strengthen his hold on the unclaimed items around him. His supremacy upon the area around him is nowhere close to where he’d like it to be, but it wouldn’t do to seem weak right now. He had met Scavengers before, of course, and many had surpassed this morsel. Some had even truly rivaled him. But there was something about *this one* that perturbed Dredger. Their very existence rankled. *Still*, he thought with a chuckle loud enough to drown out Lane’s insistent thoughts, *I’m the farthest thing from someone who won’t make use of what he finds.* He turns again to the single-human. “**What bond could I want with one who knows so little of their place that they would encroach upon my work while I performed it?**” There. That should shut them up. Now if only he could do the same for Lane.

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor looks back at Rami and Levi as they speak; the implicit support is appreciated, but mostly, it makes them realize that they are in the middle of not one but *two* stressful conversations. They flash Levi a strained apologetic smile as Dredger says his piece, all the while feeling their connections erode around them. Condor lets the connections erode, becoming unmoored as Dredger lays claim to the dust in the carpet, the trash in a nearby bin. And yet, the more ground Condor yields, the more calm they become. *This is Sanctuary,* Condor thinks, *I'm not in danger.* And then they speak, sounding more sorrowful than scared. "I'm sorry that I cannot say that we are well-met, Dredger. This confrontation saddens me. There is *so much waste* in this world, and here we are, fighting over scraps in someone else's Demesne." A slight edge creeps into their voice. "You are a powerful and curious being, Dredger. A Scavenger of a different sort than I am, I think. You define yourself as one who collects the unwanted and forgotten, and yet... when you sensed that I wanted and noticed what you were trying to claim, you pushed *harder*."

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Dredger blinks. He stares. His connections to the unclaimed are as powerful as they’ve ever been. It’s as though the human isn’t in the room anymore. He’s won. So why does it feel so hollow? The Scavenger’s attempt at theatrics shouldn’t ruffle him, but it *does.* And Lane’s voice grows only louder in his mind.

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

*I told you, I fucking told you to be CAREFUL what you SAID, Dredger. What is wrong with you?*

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

She’s in prime form, more indignant than he’s seen her in a while. And yet, the anger feels...safe? Safer for sure than the type that’s been spurring her into panic attacks since they’d met. Not that he cares, but it *will* be easier for him if his Host isn’t so gloomy all the time. If yelling at him gives her a sense of empowerment, so be it. He sends a blowing feeling – he can’t describe it, some mix of acknowledgement and mockery and gratitude – toward Lane, then turns his attention outward again. “**Your ceding of ground, despite your objection, is noted,**” he tells them. He can’t help it. But then, he inclines his head-shaped mist enclosure and speaks in a lower and more serious voice. “**You are right about all the waste. I don’t want to add more. I am he who collects the unwanted and the forgotten, and he who fashions them anew, and I am also he who takes great pride in his work.**” He chuckles, and notes that it’s his usual. No anger; it’s already faded. No mirth, either. Just the simple joy of living. “**What a boring life I would lead, if every aspect of my Self was in complete harmony, eh? What need would I have to reach for more, to create? You interest me, human. And you...**” He turns finally toward the beings-in-one and says, “**You are like us, but like yourselves. Unlike any Hosting I’ve ever seen. Perhaps you are interesting too.**” He hears Lane groan, and it makes him smile. He cuts short his speech. He hasn’t had to be so dramatic in a while, and he hadn’t been so humbled in a much longer time. *But I guess this is fun.*

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

Seafoam is rather unimpressed with Dredger's little monologue, and Levi expresses it clearly in its body language, meeting(?) his(?) gaze(?) with arms crossed and with one foot tapping impatiently on the floor. "Ah, and I suppose we're finally worthy of your attention, o lord of the garbage pile? Yes, we are similar. If we sate your interest, will you piss off? We have several things to do, and dealing with you is something we'd like to cross off that list as soon as possible."

Keira/2B || Seafoam — 03/28/2021

*Exasperation, warning, tense. A hand gripping the hilt of a sword, even as another lands gently on a shoulder. "It seems like a good idea to **not** talk down to the unknown Other, Levi."*

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

Keira may be right, but Levi shrugs her mental hand off its shoulder. The tenseness still swirling from Dredger's sudden interjection has transmuted, as it does, to a sort of jittery, defensive anger - one that Levi, after swallowing it so often, is quite keen to release.

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor has been thinking during this conversation between Dredger and Seafoam. They stifle a laugh at "o lord of the garbage pile."

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

They jump in before Dredger can respond to the taunt. "Wait - Dredger, before you piss off - I mean, um, take your leave - I don't want to be in conflict with you whenever we're both staying at Sanctuary. And I was thinking... well, I'm planning on setting up a little Scavengers' Shrine here in the lobby, next to the trash bin. Maybe with a little sign encouraging people to put something in the shrine instead of throwing it out, and making it clear that people can also take things out of the shrine at will. I was thinking it would be a good source of raw materials for me, as well as encouraging mindfulness and discouraging waste, but... well, perhaps... we could work together on the creation of the shrine? And add some subtle indicator that flips states when you or I take something from it? And uh, set up a system whereby I can only take from the shrine if you have taken from it more recently than me, and vice versa?"

Condor's heart is still racing and their voice is a bit unsteady, but their eyes are calm as they make their proposal.

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Once again, this strange human has managed to take Dredger completely aback. What’s their game? He thinks and thinks and can find nothing. *The earnest ones are always the most annoying.* He doesn’t want to just *agree.* Everything inside him tells him he should fight back, say *something* to keep the upper hand. But...this person doesn’t seem to be interested in that. *Annoying!* He settles on something noncommittal. “**We’d have to regulate amounts, too. And not just physical amounts; I’m talking power and significance.**” He can’t help it. His excitement at new projects, and his curiosity for them – and, he has to admit, for interacting more with this human – is too strong. But at the very least, he’ll try to make sure the practitioner knows they’re not dealing with someone who’s easily hoodwinked.

Before either of them (any of them?) can respond, Dredger cocks his “head” as though hearing something in the distance. “**That’s time,**” he says. And then, he can’t help himself. “**It’s been something of a pleasure, skinbags. I *like* when people hold tight to what they are and what they want.**” As he speaks, more and more of the mist recedes. “**Scavenger, Condor, if you want to discuss this project more, knock on the door to our suite s—**” And the mist is gone.

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

In its place is a girl in her young twenties, as haggard as he was poised, and as anxious as he was bold. Her gaze seems magnetized to the ground as she finishes his thought. “—‘sometime.’ I’m sorry about him. That’s probably his idea of being friendly.” She shivers, then scowls, then smiles ruefully. If Condor and Levi have any sense of pity, this girl’s presence and demeanor inspire it.

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor is taken aback by the transformation. "Um, yes, that would... be... sorry, I'm not sure what just happened there."

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

A flush creeps over Lane’s entire body, and she can’t seem to say much at all.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

Levi is ready to be annoyed at Dredger all over again for snubbing her - *honestly, make up your damn mind!* - but the feeling recedes as the Other's smoke does, and all but disappears when confronted with the form of what could only be a Practitioner. And a particularly anxious-looking one, at that; the poor thing looks mortified, especially in the face of Condor's confusion. Levi's tone shifts from confrontational to soothing with ease. "You don't have to apologize for him. It wasn't you that was so rude, after all. What might your name and pronouns be, so we know how best to refer to you?"

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Lane’s blush intensifies. Two people – two *cute* people – are looking at her like she’s an injured stray. And she can’t really blame them. “I’m Lane,” she says in a pathetically small voice. “Call me...I’m...she/her.”

Dredger (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

**That went well**.

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

*I’ll deal with you later.*

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor is not used to comforting people, but they're very used to comforting *echoes* of people, and the pitiable Practitioner before them reminds them of certain echoes they've seen in the Ruins; she's somehow smaller than the space she physically takes up. The first step in comforting that kind of echo is acknowledging their struggle. "Hi, Lane," Condor says, "I'm Condor, they/them, and I'm sorry you appear to have been dragged into this mess. It seems like you're dealing with a lot right now, and I don't want to add to your ordeals." The second step is feeding them, shoring them up so that they have the strength to break out of whatever pattern they're trapped in. Condor tries their best to apply this to Lane. "I, um, do you want some, uh, trail mix? As a gesture of goodwill?" The words sound silly even as they leave Condor's mouth, but Condor follows through, pulling a small bag of trail mix from one pocket.

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

Lane doesn’t know exactly how or why, but listening to Condor speak soothes her. She can’t get the thoughts to connect yet, but she feels her body relaxing. Wordlessly, she reaches out and accepts the bag, then – in modifying, yet comfortable silence – opens it and begins to eat. She looks up at Condor gratefully, then looks at the woman and gives a small smile. Though she can’t quite wrap her head around the concept yet, it feels *good* to just...be around people. Her mind is only sometimes bursting in with reminders—*could be poisoned, get on your good side, kill, die*—and otherwise, she feels a serene thoughtlessness. She doesn’t know what to say to these people, as she stands in front of them and they watch her eat. So she motions at them with her elbow and says, “Before Dredger interrupted...you all were talking? I can give you space..."

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

"Oh," Condor says, remembering, "Right. I don't mind you sticking around, Lane, but I'm curious about what you were saying, uh..." They stop as they realize they still don't know the name of the person(s?) from their vision.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

"Ah? Oh, apologies, we were rather lost in thought." Levi had been attempting to calm itself down, soothe the flickery pieces of annoyance that had still floated in its gut after Dredger's departure. It had worked, but at the cost of causing it to space out for a bit. "My name is Leviathan, but you can feel free to call me Levi. There are others in here-" And here Levi vaguely motions to itself. "-but they'll introduce themselves as and when you meet them." It smiles softly at the other two Practitioners. "It's nice to meet you, Condor, Lane."

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

Before any responses could be made, Levi appears to remember something, and snaps her fingers. "Ah, right! We would like to talk more with you, Condor, but I was just on my way to the lawn to do some combat drills, and should like to take care of those before we forget. This dress is my Implement, see, but it's not especially suited to the very close-quarters way that we fight. So, we figured practicing that some would be a good idea, since having one's Implement on them while doing magic makes it more powerful in certain ways. Both of you are welcome to tag along, if you like, but I'm afraid it won't make for great conversation, eheh." She waves her hand through the air briefly. "At any rate. Shall we save our conversation for later, Condor?"

OctaneDoctor — 03/28/2021

Condor nods at the introduction, then perks up at the mention of the Levi's plans. "Oh! Ah, yeah, we can talk about, um, that, later, but actually, would you mind if I joined your drills? I haven't been wearing dresses and skirts for very long, and I'm still not quite used to them, but I do a lot of clambering around, and... well, it would be nice if I didn't have to choose between wearing what I love and doing what I love, you know?"

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/28/2021

"That sounds wonderful! Would you like to come with, Lane?"

Lane (MainStay) — 03/28/2021

“Y-yeah.” She crumples up the empty bag of trail mix, then places it on her left arm, where a grayish mist seems to absorb it. “I don’t know much about fighting...” Honestly, she was terrified at the thought that two people like this would have to do combat drills. Was she supposed to be doing that? She dispelled the thought, and continued. “...but watching and company sound.........nice.”