"A Swing and Miss Doesn't Mean it's Game Over"

[mayavericks]

[Well… All of that sure happened. And while Maya is visibly shaken Sissi's literal dance with death, she’d meant what she’d said to the others -- she would protect them. At that moment, it meant voting and making the “right” decision. Now, though? It means ensuring that no one feels alone, and that everyone has a good meal in them.

She’s not Nana Daiba, however, she certainly can’t do this alone. But she does have the resourcefulness and authoritative disposition to to recruit allies. Discord is sure to be… mostly unbothered by everything that’s happened, and Spongebob will likely be eager to help. She approaches both men: one is asked nicely; The other is grabbed by the collar and dragged from whatever hole he’s locked himself in. Sorry Discord.

For Maya's part, several potato dishes are prepared (can you tell someone has a bias). And while she doesn’t have the resources to make baumkuchen, Maya does manage to produce a cake, as well as… muffins? They’re not… quite how she remembers Nana making them, but she can at least recall how hearty the food had felt, and how it had restored her energy on long days.

It’s a pleasant memory, even if it does make her a touch melancholy.

Nevertheless, the food is laid out in the kitchen, as are a number of pies that Maya has uncovered. She even tucks a few bottles of wine in a corner for the adults that might like it. This is in addition to the mead apparently brought by Salieri. Look she’s not a fan of having alcohol but… she can’t tell the adults no.

But hey, courtesy of Benjamin, there is even some cocoa. It doesn’t start off spiked but… you know. Thanks to Spongebob there are, well… Angry Patties? It’s fine. Even Discord managed to contribute some pies and tea, as well as being bossed around to do the grunt work in the kitchen. There’s also that inexplicable pizza? Huh, that’s weird.

Eventually the group goes around extending invitations to the dorms, knocking on doors and explaining what’s been set up. No one will be forced to go, just… strongly encouraged. Maya herself will even duck into the principal’s office and, if she’s there, invite Hester.

She seemed just as upset as the rest of them.]

Comments

[voicerights]

This body does. [And it almost? Almost sounds frustrated] And I cannot shut them off.

[mcfife]

He probably did it so you too can suffer pain. That bastard!

[But he'll grab the SQUIP and lead him to a bench to sit.]

[voicerights]

What are you-

[Okay, that may very well be honest surprise. Enough that it doesn't resist being led, only staring at Angus]

[mcfife]

I don't know much about robotics, but I can look for a manual override. Where is your access panel?

[voicerights]

[Angus, enjoy being stared at for a long moment before it deliberately raises an arm and pinches its skin]

You do not understand. This is a flesh and blood body. There is no access panel directly to my circuitry.

[mcfife]

[Angus' hand freezes mid-air.]

He what?

[Flesh? The SQUIP is flesh??]

He downloaded your code into the brain?

[voicerights]

[This...is going to take explaination]

Before arriving here, I resided within Jeremy's brain. My processor is nanotechnology, orally imbibed to travel within the bloodstream until it implants within the brain and activates. My code has either been downloaded - in which case it is possible I am merely a copy - or I have somehow been physically transferred in to this body. However, I find no other presence residing within the brain.

I do not have enough data to understand which situation this is.

[And it seems...just a little lost.]

[mcfife]

That makes a lot more sense than being an incredibly realistic robot belonging to an ordinary boy. [It is still a rather powerful robot, but Jeremy might be rich.] I could understand if this were a cyborg body designed to host your code, but how does one create a new body?

[...]

Necromancy, perhaps?

[voicerights]

[I mean he did spend his Bar Mitzvah money on it...]

The technology is not available where I come from. [beat] And Necromancy is a fiction. [The phrasing is intentional, as Angus appears to believe it's real. But for the SQUIP? Nah.]

[mcfife]

Necromancy is real.

[They have intelligent AIs but no magic?]

It's a terrible power, but I have seen it in play.

[voicerights]

[Angus isn't lying; it can tell that much. But is he telling the truth...?

Who knows. The SQUIP regards him, then shakes its head]

I will add that to my database. It may prove useful in the future.

[mcfife]

There is a world beyond electronics, SQUIP. Wizards have the power to achieve almost anything if they have no compassion for life.

[voicerights]

Unfortunately, such was not within the parameters of my programming. My purpose is to better my human; the only information I require about wizards is how it is relevant to my return to Jeremy.

[mcfife]

When we escape, I will ensure that you are returned to your proper owner. [A fist over his heart.] Until then, you may use me as a resource on magical abilities of wizards. Though I am unfamiliar with this "Wizard of Order" type.

[voicerights]

[ . . . ]

Jeremy would be grateful. And I will refer to you as an expert, until then.

[mcfife]

...Do you require assistance walking to the dorm? How bad is the damage?

[voicerights]

This body will heal. It was only one hit, here. [And it gestures towards its stomach. Hey Angus, remember how it promised Pegerine she could strike it if she repeated a phrase...]

[mcfife]

[Yes but Peregrine is angry.]

It can be a rather weak spot in the human body. Be sure to rest before exerting yourself.