Beakles had decided to return to the pop-up child's park in the woods. Beakles wasn't really supposed to be here, but what his sister didn't know wouldn't hurt her. He brought Mr. Sparkles with him, so he knew it would all be safe for sure!

The park was empty today. No one on the swings, or hogging the slides. There were a few odd marks here and there. There must have been some sort of party hosted here just before Beakles arrived.

Beakles' choice in what to play with first was interrupted by a hidden guest who rose from the top of the play castle.

Seeing his friend, he wanted to run up and say hi, but he also wanted to play too.

From the memories she held, she should have known something like this would happen. This..... Vodka, was the child of the other two that used to be in her body.

It was annoying, going through a photo album of a family that didn't feel like your own. Having little connection to them, but having a nagging voice (your own, thankfully) in the back of your head telling you, "you're in this body, you have to handle this situation."

Anomalous vibes? Check.
Strange out of place being? Check.
A "domain" of control? Check.
And of course, the distant fear constantly in the back of one's mind at all moments, invisible until thought of? Check.

The hoard was missing, but this was a dragon's lair. Why was she blessed with all these memories and a righteous motivation? Why couldn't she just walk away and become a bucture?

Those are drag marks on the ground.....

Of many thoughts, of righteousness, of sorrow and many more to come, the thought of doubt can't help but shine and make her ask herself. Why doesn't she leave the dragon child with her new caretaker? Her parents are dead. Why should I care about their unfinished business?

[A mask's laid, just for now. A stranger talks with another stranger.]

The ground ripples and shifts as wires rise up.

Barley has grown to massive proportions. New devices and screens adorns his form.

The largest of the screens dwarfs the group as it flickers on.

One of Barley's wires scratches his screen!

IT'S A CLASH.

Barley grabs his own screen and rips it off!

.........How could she give advice to a child she didn't know? The worst part is that.....

Princess always knew that the Radical would rip out of Vodka at some point. Yes, it would happen. But.... she had never told Vodka this. Was it out of love? Pity? Or actual hope? She wasn't sure about the motivations of Princess to lie, but now that Vodka knew the truth, she figured, it would be best to agree. To be honest. But maybe.... lies could be as strong as truths if believed enough?

Saying mother out-loud feels... wrong. This is the first time I actually meet this kid. I'm no better than a con-man today, but hey... It isn't a sin to make a few white lies for the good causes on that limbo book, is it?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWNNNN HECKCCKKKKKK YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

It's a clash!

Vodka opens the door to the restroom. The inside is solid whispering guts.

Then it hits him these are guts in a restroom and he gives a nod.

IT'S A CLASH.

All the screens on Barley short circuit and fry themselves! Barley has regained control of his mental state!

Barley looks to the other two.

Shelia looks at the kid.

In the back of his mind, he remembers what his father told him.

THE BATHROOM MEAT AGREES.

THE BATHROOM MEAT REMINDS YOU THAT IT IS ACTUALLY 0.001 PERCENT.

Beakles is like ten and is behind in math, he did his best. This is why we kept bathroom meat around.

The Radical Has Been Tamed!