R1 DEADLAND

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[donotlick]

[ Huh... Wonder what's up with him. I mean, Hank likes Viral. He's got a concern. ]

Yesterday...? Which part?

[ The part where he told him he had a crush on Rebecca? The part where Hank cursed out Vivienne? Yesterday was busy. ]

[machrophage]

The - regarding Rebecca.

[Who you yell at is your business, Hank. And Viral is not touching the emotions that the whole 'created AIs to love her' bit caused with a twenty light-year drill right now.]

[donotlick]

[ mmmm yeah, that stuff can wait. And it kind of a Vivienne problem, not a Viral problem.

The regarding Rebecca thing, yeah, that's a Viral problem. With an easy solution. ]

Oh, yeah. That. [ He smirks. ] You gonna admit you got a crush on her, or what?

[machrophage]

[And Viral immediately presses his face into the palm of his hand.]

Hank. When I say that beastmen don't experience things like that... I mean ever.

[It hides that his cheeks are actually kind of red.]

It's a unique abnormality in my case.

[donotlick]

[ Oh........ that's kinda cute.

And a big deal. Hank will tone it down. He shakes his head and doesn't laugh this time. ]

So, what, you're... the first one who learned to love or something?

[machrophage]

[Do you really want to have Spiral Energy explained today, Hank?]

I was... exposed to a large amount of a type of energy known to drive evolution - we call it Spiral Power. Normally beastmen lack it entirely, and so don't have the same drive to evolve that humans possess - both in the reproductive sense, and in the personal sense. The majority of my kind are accepting of their existing abilities - they don't strive to improve.

[Viral possessing Spiral Power makes sense within the meta-narrative and you can all fight me I'll die on this hill.

Also he's still pretty clearly embarrassed to be talking about this.]

[donotlick]

....Okay.

[ It sounds like... a sex drive. The power of love. In the loosest sense. Hank's not gonna question that because Viral is already a mole-cat alien, so like, who is he to question shit? ]

So what you're saying is, this is all new to you? That right?

[machrophage]

Incredibly.

[Thank you, Hank, for not making him explain the incredibly innuendo-ready drill metaphors.]

Humans have both the instincts and cultural background to understand it. I have neither.

[Just a sentimental dream and a pendant of a drill hanging around someone else's neck.]

[donotlick]

[ Yeah, he figured it'd be best to just roll with it. ]

Well.... I mean, do you wanna talk about it? Ask me shit? I'm not gonna make fun of you or whatever -- Connor was discovering he had feelings a few weeks back too, so I'm kinda becoming an expert here.

[ Maybe it's also why he's destined to be Forever Alone, but that's the dad life. ]

[machrophage]

No!!

[That's a protesting near-yell because oh god Hank don't put him on the spot like this.]

[donotlick]

[ Hank definitely laughs at that. ]

You don't gotta be embarrassed, kid.

[ Haha, you're a kid now. Sorry, Viral. ]

I'm serious. If you're new at this or whatever, or you don't know what your feelings mean... I mean, shit, maybe I can give you better advice than I gave Connor. Who the fuck knows.

[machrophage]

[Hank what if he's older than you.]

It's... complicated.

[How the fuck does he even begin to explain all the shit that Gurren Lagann is. The Anti-Spirals and their Mental Labyrinth, Simon and Nia...]

The only people I was strongly attached to before this were the handful of opponents who truly gave me a challenge.

[Kamina and Simon.]

[donotlick]

[ He's definitely older than Hank. ]

Alright... So you liked 'em because they didn't take any of your shit, is that right?

[ Hank can relate. ]

[machrophage]

[Confirmed.]

Heh. I suppose you could say that. And things were never boring with those two around.

[donotlick]

[ Hank smirks. Yeah, that's a crush alright. ]

Hey, some people are into that. Don't gotta be human to know what you like.