STORY

STORY

POLITICS OF THOSE WITH MASKS
[Steambot Chronicles Soundtrack : 29 Port City Mayor]
2024-12-27 13:40:15
Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:12:45

Deep within the safety of the Citadel, far from the storms and floods raging outside, two old acquaintances meet with eachother. Despite the chaos happening around them, the two seem in an oddly jovial mood, one seeming oddly fullfilled for the first time in their life, and the other holding a small ornate box in their claws.

The leader of the lucevians motions with a claw to her friend, making small talk as they make their way to their destination. "I don't think I've ever seen you looking this way before Adras."
"Here I thought I spruced up enough. S-should I go to the bathroom and wash my face or something real quick? It's been a while since I attended something like this."
"No, you look fine. I more mean you just look..."
"Happy?"
"...Hm?"
"...Actually, now that I think about it, I've been sleeping great for a pretty long while now. I probably looked miserable to you before, sorry about that."
Adras
2024-12-27 13:41:34
Adras Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:14:29
"I found a nice... therapist? I guess you could say?"
Starlis
2024-12-27 13:41:42
Starlis Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:14:59
"Honestly, that's good to hear. I know we hardly talk for...well obvious reasons of distance and job, but I still worry for you a bit."
"I'll survive. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I do appreciate you looking out for me, though."
Starlis
2024-12-27 13:41:54
Starlis Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:15:33
"And I appreciate you coming with me. I had been meaning to meet with Ox. but there is never the time." She lightly grips onto a small box in her claws, looking down at it as they continue along.
"I am good in most dealings but I do not quite know how I would approach this."
"Nervous, huh?"
"Just trust that everything's gonna turn out alright and everything will follow suit. I'm here to back you up if anything."
"Hopefully I at least learn what I came here to find out." Starlis says, as they head off to meet with O-X.
"So what do you think about the plan, Ox?" The duo enter a private meeting lounge. It seems the last guest is still inside though.
"No. c:<"
"But notails aren't even affected by the machine!"
"It is simply in your best interest to vote to accept the help the Zoo Corperation can provide you."
"Everyone else might be ok with this, but I'm not."
"The machine has infested half the planets out there! c:<"
"So you would have to be an idiot to not join our side."
".................."
"You said yourself the machine doesn't hurt anyone directly. They have to do it themselves."
"So, if we just ignore your machine we don't have to do anything. c:<"
"That is true."
"But how long can you ignore the machine?"
"Forever!"
"Notails have everything they need. No one needs the machine. We'll just give them what you provide before you can provide it first. c:<"
"........................................................................"
"I don't have a counterpoint at the moment but when my boys find one, we'll be back."
"Please leave, you're holding up my next meeting. c:<"
Zookeeper
2024-12-27 13:46:00
Zookeeper Profile
Posted by ID #29
Last edit: 2024-12-27 13:46:06
Zookeeper waltzes out of the office, throwing a quick greeting to the duo on his way out.
"Sorry about the delay. Zookeeper is a bit of a nuisance, but nothing I can't deal with."
"You'd be surprised at how hard it is for people to say "No" to a salesman. It's the reason this universe is like this now. c:<"
"It's fine, we didn't wait for long. He's definitely hard to talk to."
"Understandable, especially with how this zookeeper goes about things, is only a problem if you lack something being offered."
"But I do appreciate you making the time to meet with me."
"We've tracked the Zookeeper anomaly before, but the last time there was a Zookeeper he was.....How do I say...."
"Too honest a businessman."
"Sadly most planets are missing something the machine can provide. Notails are never in any danger but I fear for most species we might be looking at a total takeover event."
She tilts her head slightly, embrassed. "Oh, sorry, we're not here to talk about that I assume."
"What can I help you two with today? c:<"
"Well it is an interesting topic, to be fair. I guess the last one wasn't as cut throat-y."
"I heard he freaked out when he saw someone jump into the machine for the first time. Tried to lock up the machine after that."
She shakes her head disapprovingly. "This is why you always call a containment squad. You just can't "lock up" something like that. It'll get out. Could have saved us a lot of work. c:<"
"I am indeed not here for that, unlike most species, as you might know, us lucevians are not lacking in most things."
"Though it is interesting to know, while I do keep my sights upon the universe, I can't ascertain every little bit of information."
She finally makes her way over to O-X, motioning to Adras they don't have to stay by the sidelines. "I am here about offering more support to the Notail Union."
"The Notail Union is self sustaining but we're always interested in more non anomalous allies. c:<"
"Uh, well your species is anomalous....."
"We're always looking for more allies in general. c:<"
"Of course, we appreciate all you do to help the universe."
"And in the current state it's in, we wish to bolster the Notail Union."
Adras does as Starlis motioned.
"We think we could both benefit from working together, and to me it seems you're open to the idea, so is it fine if we talk terms?"
"Glad to hear you're glad for what the Notail Union has to provide the universe. Our clockwork removal service is of highest importance!"
"Even the Zoo Corp comes knocking on our doors when one of their machines get infected!"
"I am open to hearing your offer, but know that in times like these the Notail Union finds itself suspious about all offers. c:<"
"As you probably know, us lucevians have powerful control over the mind, all things relating to dreams."
"So owning the market in the safest methods of dreaming, therapy, and the sort is where we get our points."
"This isn't the only support we would wish to offer, monetary and dream related, of course, but we do have powerful soldiers who have made the sacrifice of dreams to hone their skills."
"Along with my own personal network of support."
"I suppose we can-"
"Heh. TvT"
[Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak OST 2 - 14. Current Despair]
O-2, who had silently sat in the room finally perks up. She crosses her feet on the table as she leans back in her chair. "Dreams. Romantic....fake."
She holds out a blunt to Stellavaris. "A notail has no need for dreams. Cursed in a well of our own creation, we are happy with what we have. You show us dreams, and we'll want more. :D"
"Dreams are right here. Want one? TvT"
Starlis shakes her head "No thank you. Despite how my species tend to be, I keep my head above the veil of dreams."
"Someone needs to stay up to know what dreams can become reality."
"I will add, it is pleasant to see you O-2, my apologies for not noticing you earlier upon entering the room."
"I apologize." Ox states as she does a short bow to the duo.
"O-2, engaging in political talks while high is inappropriate. c:<"
"Ah....but this conversation would have been over by now if I wasn't." Despite her current intoxication, O-2 was surprisingly quite sober in her words.
"Let me try to be a little less "high" then. :D"
"The Notail Union has no interest in your mental skills."
"Allowing someone into your mind is how the world twists around until you can't tell what's real and what is not. You say it yourself. You must keep your head above the veil of dreams."
"Why would we give you access to the minds of our people when we can kindly ask them to contribute. :D"
Starlis
2024-12-27 13:54:28
Starlis Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:20:25
Starlis places a claw upon her mandible, thinking over O-2's words. "Offering our services to the entirety of your people would be much too much for even us to assist in, but we can offer our services more the more extreme cases, I do think."
"People too weary, wishing to leave the union, like those who become alpha classes. Those in draining work, like those who clean up against clockworks."
"Therapy has its uses, even if applied to a very specific few problems."
O-2 starts laughing so hard she begins to cough. She pounds her fist on the table as if trying to hold herself back.
"O-2 a-are you ok? c:<"
"Ahaha -ack ack- HA!!!! More than ok!" O-2 sits up, slouching with her blunt in hand.
"Ah, two mice in a maze. Both endless. One maze has the food scattered, while the other has all that is needed within the middle. The first rat spends its whole life searching for food, while the second stays happy and fulfilled in the middle. When the second mice is moved to the first maze, it starves cruelly, do you understand? TvT"
"Can you just explain yourself, O-2? c:<"
("No one likes my metaphors..... :D")
("I thought it was quaint.")
"I understand. The point of the alpha class, as it were."
"The way you interact with your people is cruel, yet a kindness."
"All notails are happy where they are. Those who are not, we refuse to control."
"When you see an officer beat another person on the streets, do you not hate that officer? The system?"
"But if you watch someone walk into a wasteland and starve, you think to yourself, "that is his fault.""
"When one reads the news and hears of those dying of starvation, one feels thankful for the food provided for them. When one hears of their goverment mind controlling people, one feels worried they may be mind controlled as well. :D"
"Even the machine cannot provide the comforts of notail life. Have you heard of a notail doing art? :D"
"O-6 does art! c:<"
"I thought O-4 did art."
"O-6 doesn't count. :D"
"Fine. c:<"
"As it were, therapy isn't mind control. It helps find the underlying root of the problem, it doesn't just simply "make you better". While we can shape dreams, we don't rewrite your mind. Our powers are shaped from what is already there. If someone was going to leave no matter what, we can't stop them."
"I do not know if you knew this. But we have the N-classes. They are our therapist and relgious advisors. :D"
"Blaming the damn gods always makes us feel better. They've done terrible things to us in the past. I wish I could tell you how deep our involvement with them truly goes. :D"
"...We're not really in a position to judge cultural differences, as it were, in the end."
"Speaking of which. Green one. You seem like a holy man. TvT"
"Ultimately it is what you wish for support on, if you see no use in those skills I will not push it." She comments, before looking over as Adras is motioned to
"Huh?"
"...I mean I've never been particularly religious. I guess I do know a decent amount of people who would be, though."
O-2 picks up and twirls her spear. "Do any poetry?"
"Know any birds? :D"
"Just say no! c:<"
"I know aftiks, I travel often and they're quite useful as far as talking with locals in different places go."
"Just say No! c:<"
"As far as the other thing goes I'll go ahead and say no."
"Also, we're veering off topic."
O-2
2024-12-27 14:00:19
O-2 Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:24:04
"I am not. There are reasons I am intruding. I don't make deals with birds, you see. Ox handles that for me. :D"
("Why does everyone always have to make it harder for themselves.....")
Starlis smacks her forehead. ("He is such an idiot.")
"I am most sorry for O-2' behavior here today. She can be......."
O-2
2024-12-27 14:00:51
O-2 Profile
Posted by ID #29
Last edit: 2024-12-27 14:01:00
"I'm troublesome. A menace to a universe of societies I do not exist within."
"Christians call me a devil's advocate. So many people are tricked into agreeing with me. :D"
"I think the notail union should be destroyed. Personally. TvT"
Starlis starts to say something but pauses when O-2 makes that last comment.
O-2
2024-12-27 14:01:36
O-2 Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:25:42
"But alas, as its leader, I must make sure it keeps running. Maybe I would not be this way if the universe outside was any better. :D"
"Don't listen to her, she's high. That being said, she did have a good point there. c:<"
("Don't listen to her. But she has a good point. Wow... :D")
"As much as it was an intrusion, as I did wish to speak with you Ox, you are correct. It's important to get these thoughts and issues out there among your leaders."
"I do hope we can work out something. In the end it is still better to have more allies than not, especially with any wars."
"I have something to say about wars. :D"
"O-2 please. c:<"
"I think we should end all wars. :D"
O-10
2024-12-27 14:04:20
O-10 Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:26:25
"Oh uh. Well, that's not reasonable....... c:<"
"The universe, so disappointing...... :D"
Starlis looks down to the small ornate box she was holding as she brings it out of her inventory "I also have a little gift I brought for you, Ox. A little something personal you might appreciate."
"Ah! That's a surprise. Thank you. I believe I have a customary gift of my own." Ox grabs a capture cage and opens it for Starlis.

The scarvie within barks in a rather grizzled way. Ox jumps back from her spot, seeing that flash of unexpected red.

O-10
2024-12-27 14:05:48
O-10 Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:27:15
"S-Sorry, thi-this isn't-.... No, this isn't your gift, this is some sort of monster." She turns to O-2 and in a surprisingly stressed tone asks her- "Where is the actual gift? This isn't respectful at all. c:<"
"Why are you talking to me as if I took it......? :D"
"Sorry, just, surprised is all. My bad. c:<"
"No offense taken, but do understand I have not tampered with any gifts. Maybe O-6 has swapped it out instead? :D"
"Here, let me get this out of the way." Starlis quickly gets up, moving the scarvie out of sight of Ox.
"I don't gather creatures of this coloration, but I will humbly accept a gift given by you."
2024-12-27 14:07:14
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-07 21:12:08

She gently places a small box upon Ox's desk.

Ox rubs her neck, an irrational tic she had when nervous. "Sorry again. Rest assure that I will find out who replaced your gift and make sure they are punished. c:<"
"Unless it's O-6, O-11, O-4, O-5, O-3, O-8, O-9, O-7, O-2, O-1, or anyone we value greatly. :D"
"Then we will simply tell you they have been punished, but do nothing in reality. :D"
"O-2....."
"Our guest values honesty."
"It is the notail way, is it not? To say our crimes so openly and casually that no others can get a bite upon our hide? :D"
"Ignore her, she's-" Ox makes a vague motion. "-high. c:<"
"Oh ho ho. At the next meeting when asked for my imput, I shall say-"
"-most sorry, but I am high. TvT"
Ox ignores O-2 and opens the gift.

Inside is a simple hohun gem.

"Well, if you'll have me, this gift also has a bit of a story behind it, to add with it."
"I would love to hear it, please tell! c:<"
"Well it's a bit of a long one, but it begins about...maybe 60 years ago or so."
"It's a story back when the hohuns were made into their own species, and how I got the most loyal of workers."
Starlis seems quite energized as she happily tells her tale to Ox and those around. When she visited the hohun planet, met the scoundrel of a captain, the fight of the shadow village, leading up to the prison circus, where she made a friend of the poor captain, and the ultimate fight against the necromancy mage.
"The shadow village.....I remember that. O-6 and O-11....."
"Ah! Anyway that sounds like an amazing adventure!"
"Words unsaid, stay in the head. :D" O-2 blurts out randomly. Ox ignores her.
"Thank you so much for giving me such a valuable gift. Especially after today."
"Rest assure that even if the Notail Union does not accept your offer, we still see you as a valuable and stable species in this time, and will assist you with your clockwork, and anomaly containment needs at no cost, as per our agreement. c:<"
"I very much appreciate your time."
"Should you wish to discuss more, or perhaps talk over more casual matters, I would love nothing more."
"While I cannot speak about political matters without at least one other representative in the room-"
O-10
2024-12-27 14:13:42
O-10 Profile
Posted by ID #87
Last edit: 2025-08-06 00:29:49
"-I do not mind if you would like to speak about casual events, or your adventures sometimes. I am quite busy, but there is nothing wrong with a voice conference occasional or if you're in the area a-"
"-night out smoking on a couch. :D"
"No!"
"Oh wait."
"A night out smoking on a couch!"
"Or other substances if you prefer. Maybe your species has something interesting, but I assure you notails have the best stuff. c:<"
"I wouldn't recommend some of the stuff from Zerxon, unless you are really resistant to anomolies."
"But I'd love nothing more than to tell you about my adventures and have a err...night out smoking on a couch."
"Sounds great! I'll put you in for next month. c:<"
End of Political Meeting
No one is typing.