HELLCAT - Revision history

Glamourpal: /* Something Else Lives In Me */ edited trigger warning.

2026-04-03T17:29:13Z

Something Else Lives In Me: edited trigger warning.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 3 April 2026
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	=== Something Else Lives In Me ===		=== Something Else Lives In Me ===
	'''TW:''' ~~Brief depiction~~ of NHP cannibalism		'''TW:''' Depiction of NHP cannibalism, thoughts of cannibalism

Glamourpal: Title change and minor edit.

2026-04-03T16:54:20Z

Title change and minor edit.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 3 April 2026
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	“… I don’t want to go cold.” Bright pulls his hardsuit helmet down over his face. “He tried to make me cascade.” </div>		“… I don’t want to go cold.” Bright pulls his hardsuit helmet down over his face. “He tried to make me cascade.” </div>

	=== ~~Body~~ ~~Body Body~~ ===		=== Bite Me ===
	'''TW:''' Brief mention of cannibalism		'''TW:''' Brief mention of cannibalism

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	“She said she needed to take care of something.” Bright’s lips are pulled into a thin line. Hellcat had been vague when she left, waving off Bright’s offer to go with her like it was an observation about RA. “She’ll be back soon.” Bright probably says it more for herself than anything else.		“She said she needed to take care of something.” Bright’s lips are pulled into a thin line. Hellcat had been vague when she left, waving off Bright’s offer to go with her like it was an observation about RA. “She’ll be back soon.” Bright probably says it more for herself than anything else.

	Sunny’s breaths get ragged and deep. “Where’s ''my'' human?” Their voice lowers.		Sunny’s breaths get ragged and deep. “Where’s my ''new'' human?” Their voice lowers.

	“Cherub… Said he needed to get off planet because of old acquaintances looking into him.” Bright’s lips turn downward. She actually looks at the Dagon, though it’s just for a moment.		“Cherub… Said he needed to get off planet because of old acquaintances looking into him.” Bright’s lips turn downward. She actually looks at the Dagon, though it’s just for a moment.

Glamourpal: /* I Want This Body To Stay Warm */ Title change.

2026-04-03T16:45:17Z

I Want This Body To Stay Warm : Title change.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 3 April 2026
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	Is this good enough? </div>		Is this good enough? </div>

	=== ~~I Think~~ I Want This Body To Stay Warm ===		=== I Want This Body To Stay Warm ===
	<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.		<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.

Glamourpal: /* Something Else Lives In Me */

2026-04-03T10:39:50Z

Something Else Lives In Me

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:39, 3 April 2026
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	{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.		<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.

	Self-Appointed Moniker: Bright.		Self-Appointed Moniker: Bright.
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	'''''Fourth Gate''': There is no point in the leader if others do not betray their masters. See how you have given meaning to corpses.''		'''''Fourth Gate''': There is no point in the leader if others do not betray their masters. See how you have given meaning to corpses.''

	When Teddy leaves the building, he sees himself again. He looks like Osiris. It takes effort to tamp that down.		When Teddy leaves the building, he sees himself again. He looks like Osiris. It takes effort to tamp that down.</div>

	[[Category:Astral]]		[[Category:Astral]]

Glamourpal: /* Something Else Lives In Me */ edited formatting.

2026-04-03T10:38:13Z

Something Else Lives In Me: edited formatting.

Glamourpal: /* Speculations (with Bright) */ Added a new story section.

2026-04-03T10:30:40Z

Speculations (with Bright): Added a new story section.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 3 April 2026
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	Bright finds out that Sunny is a living contradiction. They’re being trained to see if a Totec can control their appetite ''and'' being set loose on NHPs that are too enemy-aligned to do anything else with. Bright turns down an ice cream cone from Hellcat later that week.</div>		Bright finds out that Sunny is a living contradiction. They’re being trained to see if a Totec can control their appetite ''and'' being set loose on NHPs that are too enemy-aligned to do anything else with. Bright turns down an ice cream cone from Hellcat later that week.</div>

			=== Something Else Lives In Me ===
			'''TW:''' Brief depiction of NHP cannibalism

			{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.
			Self-Appointed Moniker: Bright.
			Video File Transcribed by ???}

			“… I want to be survived by sensations and speculations…”
			—Tamami Crest, On The Equations of Grief

			Nameless, the massive Dagon mech, twitches. Bright pretends not to see it, but it’s impossible not to pay attention to a Dagon. Sunny jolts awake, sitting upright in their sleeping bag. Bright is beside them in an instant. Maybe she doesn’t notice the way Sunny’s pupils expand when she sets a hand on her shoulder. Maybe she chooses not to notice. “Are you okay? You’ve been asleep since we pulled you out of that thing.” Bright keeps her eyes on Sunny. The Dagon twitches again, like it’s reacting to be acknowledged.

			Sunny breathes deeply. They reach up to touch Bright’s hand. Sunny’s mouth opens ever so slightly, they shut it quickly enough. They look around, likely for something to focus on that isn’t alive. Unfortunately, the massive shipping container they’re huddled in is plain save for slivers of light and the Dagon’s red eyes. Sunny shivers. “… Where’s your human…?” They mumble the question from the side of their mouth.

			“She said she needed to take care of something.” Bright’s lips are pulled into a thin line. Hellcat had been vague when she left, waving off Bright’s offer to go with her like it was an observation about RA. “She’ll be back soon.” Bright probably says it more for herself than anything else.

			Sunny’s breaths get ragged and deep. “Where’s my human?” Their voice lowers.

			“Cherub… Said he needed to get off planet because of old acquaintances looking into him.” Bright’s lips turn downward. She actually looks at the Dagon, though it’s just for a moment.

			“Hah…” Sunny laughs. It sounds purposefully strangled. “I’m sorry. He left me with you.”

			“What? No,” Bright rapidly shakes her head, “Hellcat said you should stay with us because you were so drained.”

			“No, no.” Sunny shifts out of the sleeping bag and shuffles to their feet. There’s a flash of them baring their teeth but it’s gone in an instant. “I need to leave.”

			Bright jumps up too. “To go where?” She probably doesn’t mean to sound as frantic as she does. Bright is between Sunny and the door.

			“He didn’t take… Nameless…” Sunny waves a trembling hand at the Dagon.

			“He said it’s yours now?” Bright didn’t completely understand what Cherub meant when he said Sunny was chosen.

			“Haha. That’s… I need to-,” Sunny stumbles into the wall with a thud. Bright moves to help them. She stops when Sunny spits out, “I’m hungry.” They say it like a plea.

			“Uh.” Bright steps back because she isn’t chasing martyrdom, though it’s only by a single step. Sunny hasn’t gone over a protocol for how to tame their hunger without their old handler’s chains. “… What do you need me to do for you?”

			There’s another half-aborted laugh. Sunny’s teeth show again. “Run and s c r e a m -” The voice that comes out is a manic rumble. They slap a hand over their mouth. Sunny backs away from Bright.

			Bright tenses. She should run. Before that, though, Bright turns most of her attention to the Dagon. “_UR PACKET,” She calls on the NHP that should still be inside the mech, “Can you-” Bright stops short, then blinks like a light just flashed before her face. The Dagon’s eyes flicker.

			Sunny’s eyes widen so they can look at how Bright’s bangs fall over her eyes like tufts of cream over pools of honey. They look at Bright’s tender cheeks and the touch of pink beneath the cookie dough skin. Sunny forces themself back again. They dig their nails into their lips. Sunny doesn’t ask Bright to leave. TOTEC might speak again instead of Sunny.

			Then, Bright bursts forward with the ferocity of a cornered rat. Sunny opens their mouth, but it’s Bright’s teeth that clamp down Sunny’s neck; they go slack, eyes hazy. She shoves them into the Dagon. The mech only needs to wrap one of its giant fingers around Sunny to restrain them.

			With their body pinned against the Dagon’s frame, Sunny’s threads of self-induced sanity snap. They laugh and snarl and glare and grin. “D e v o u r ,” is the one word they keep coming back to.

			Bright looks down and whispers praise to #_UR PACKET. Perhaps it’s just gratitude. Perhaps it’s the price.

			After Sunny has stopped frothing (though the hunger is still loud in her eyes), Hellcat comes back with all her scars. The bags under her eyes look deeper. She looks at Sunny, now almost lazy in how they’re restrained, and either makes assumptions or doesn’t care to ask the right questions. “We have to hang out here for another hour. Then, someone’s gonna pick us up.”

			Before Bright can think about how to comment, Hellcat strolls over to Sunny, though she doesn’t get within arm’s reach. “Hungry?” She asks.

			Sunny fights to keep themself from trying to lunge. They nod jerkily.

			“Here.” Hellcat tosses an old dataslate their way. It’s snatched from the air the way the Cambion once snatched Hellcat from her bed of self-imposed misery.

			The devouring happens in one instant that stretches on for too long. Sunny, or TOTEC, clamps their jaw closed on one end of the dataslate. Then, with a head shake like a carnivore snapping a neck and the squelch of ripping flesh, something is torn loose. Bright doesn’t close her eyes as the fragments of data and anti-reality slide down Sunny’s open throat: remnants of another NHP consumed like their name never mattered.

			Sunny pants and drops the dataslate, licking their lips. “Th… thank…” Their voice is prying itself out of TOTEC’s grip now.

			“You’re welcome,” Hellcat says, though she isn’t even looking at Sunny. She isn’t looking at the Dagon or Bright either. Hellcat stares at the far wall as though it might offer some salvation. Bright doesn’t bother her; she knows Hellcat used to see salvation in Teddy.

			{Observation of OSIRIS-Class NHP.
			Self-Appointed Moniker: Teddy.
			Video File Transcribed by ???}

			Teddy awakens draped in the silk of fair skin and soft brown hair. He opens eyes that are like an appetizer of honey and cinnamon. He parts lips that fall into a natural pout—the kind that makes people want to ask before they bite. Teddy sits up, the thin sheet atop his new form falling from his shoulders. He isn’t cold.

			It’s quiet for an hour. Teddy remembers his name. He remembers the name beyond Osiris. He remembers his death. He remembers the life beyond the flames that destroyed him. He remembers to feel joy, annoyance, hesitation, insolence, love, hatred. He remembers that he is something like a god, but not quite. He remembers that no one else ever needs to realize the second half of that sentence. Teddy remembers Tamami.

			A woman enters the plain room where Teddy rests. She isn’t Tamami. Two men enter behind her; they’re in hardsuits while she isn’t. The woman says things that are vaguely relevant: he’s a copy, he’s in the Varuvi star system, he’s under observation, etcetera. Teddy sees the HORUS symbol on the woman’s lab coat when he really looks at her. Tamami is also aligned with HORUS. That might mean something. It might also mean less than nothing.

			Teddy is given clothes: black jacket, white scarf, underwear, dark blue pants, sneakers. He sees himself reflected in the metal of the floor. He looks like Teddy: comfortable, cozy, intimate. Teddy waits silently. The world is not content to be silent in return.

			Gunshots go off. People shout. The lights go out. Someone kicks the door down.

			There’s a moment when that someone meets Teddy’s eyes. A few seconds of assured command—cool disdain for the person who isn’t holding a big gun. Then, that shifts as another voice shouts from beyond the door. This someone looks at Teddy as though he’s something to be taken. This someone opens their mouth, shifts their tongue against their teeth, and pushes air through their throat to speak a demand.

			Teddy sees so much in that moment. He sees himself reflected in the sheen of the gun casually pointed his way. Teddy lifts a single finger and that someone turns around.

			First Gate: There is no point in the string if the one attached doesn’t twitch. See how you have given meaning to something beyond yourself.

			They stand still for long enough that more someones come to check on them. Teddy moves his whole hand. The one he controls pumps the others full of bullets; they scream.

			Fourth Gate: There is no point in the leader if others do not betray their masters. See how you have given meaning to corpses.

			When Teddy leaves the building, he sees himself again. He looks like Osiris. It takes effort to tamp that down.

	[[Category:Astral]]		[[Category:Astral]]

Glamourpal: /* Body Body Body */ Fixed a typo.

2026-04-03T10:23:48Z

Body Body Body: Fixed a typo.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:23, 3 April 2026
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	—————		—————

	Bright finds out that Sunny is a living contradiction. ~~Being~~ trained to see if a Totec can control their appetite ''and'' being set loose on NHPs that are too enemy-aligned to do anything else with. Bright turns down an ice cream cone from Hellcat later that week.</div>		Bright finds out that Sunny is a living contradiction. They’re being trained to see if a Totec can control their appetite ''and'' being set loose on NHPs that are too enemy-aligned to do anything else with. Bright turns down an ice cream cone from Hellcat later that week.</div>
	[[Category:Astral]]		[[Category:Astral]]

Glamourpal: /* Mech Hangar */ updated No Alternative.

2026-03-28T05:27:41Z

Mech Hangar: updated No Alternative.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:27, 28 March 2026
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	* The mech’s primary weapon, the '''Spell Lash''', is on its integrated mount. The Spell Lash can allow for Quick Tech actions to be applied to targets if it successfully hits them.		* The mech’s primary weapon, the '''Spell Lash''', is on its integrated mount. The Spell Lash can allow for Quick Tech actions to be applied to targets if it successfully hits them.

	* No Alternative also sports two sets of '''Tactical Knives''' on its double auxiliary mount and ~~an armor-piercing~~ '''~~Charged~~ ~~Blade~~''' on its flex mount. The Tactical Knives ~~and Charged Blade~~ are nice support for potential melee skirmishes, ~~though~~ No ~~Alternative~~ ~~rarely~~ ~~uses~~ ~~them, preferring~~ to ~~subject~~ ~~its~~ ~~enemies~~ to ~~horrific~~ ~~levels~~ of ~~heat~~ ~~through~~ ~~tech attacks instead~~.		* No Alternative also sports two sets of '''Tactical Knives''' on its double auxiliary mount and the '''Blackjack Cabled Dagger''' on its flex mount. The Tactical Knives are nice support for potential melee skirmishes. The Cabled Dagger allows No Alternative to wreck an opponent’s e-defense while preventing them from running away.

	The Cambion has three frame traits and a core system.		The Cambion has three frame traits and a core system.
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	No Alternative has been equipped with a variety of systems.		No Alternative has been equipped with a variety of systems.

	* Since the Cambion is related to the HORUS Goblin (and No Alternative ~~one~~ in particular used to be a Goblin), it has access to the Goblin’s '''H0R_OS System Upgrade I'''. This system upgrade allows for use of “Puppet System” or “Eject Power Cores” when technologically invading enemy mechs. Puppet System forces an opponent to move up to their maximum speed in a direction chosen by the invader and Eject Power Cores leaves targets jammed and unable to access their weapon mounts.		* Since the Cambion is related to the HORUS Goblin (and No Alternative in particular used to be a Goblin), it has access to the Goblin’s '''H0R_OS System Upgrade I'''. This system upgrade allows for use of “Puppet System” or “Eject Power Cores” when technologically invading enemy mechs. Puppet System forces an opponent to move up to their maximum speed in a direction chosen by the invader and Eject Power Cores leaves targets jammed and unable to access their weapon mounts.

⚫	* No Alternative also has the Goblin’s '''Metahook''', which can allow it to use the sensors of an allied mech.

⚫	* The '''Script Kiddie Suite I''' provides more invade-based options. “Burnout” can force structure damage or temporarily make armor ineffective, “Hot Target” can keep a target’s lock on from going away (giving attacks against them higher accuracy), and “Clothesline” can leave targets prone and immobilized.

⚫	* No Alternative features the '''Aggressive System Sync''' from the HORUS Minotaur. '''~~Chains~~ of ~~Prometheus~~''' is a tech attack which immediately forces significant heat onto enemies and then continues to heat them up if they’re too far from No Alternative. '''~~Excommunicate~~''' deals heat to both an enemy and allies they move adjacent to.

		⚫	* No Alternative also has the Goblin’s '''Metahook''', which can allow it to use the sensors of an allied mech.
		⚫	* The '''Script Kiddie Suite I''' provides more invade-based options. “Burnout” can force structure damage or temporarily make armor ineffective, “Hot Target” can keep a target’s lock on from going away (giving attacks against them higher accuracy), and “Clothesline” can leave targets prone and immobilized.
		⚫	* No Alternative features the '''Aggressive System Sync''' from the HORUS Minotaur. '''“Chains of Prometheus”''' is a tech attack which immediately forces significant heat onto enemies and then continues to heat them up if they’re too far from No Alternative. '''“Excommunicate”''' deals heat to both an enemy and allies they move adjacent to.
	* A GMS tech system that No Alternative has is '''Systems Override''', which is a tech attack focused on heating up enemy mechs (much like the Cambion itself).		* A GMS tech system that No Alternative has is '''Systems Override''', which is a tech attack focused on heating up enemy mechs (much like the Cambion itself).
			* Taken from the SSC Painted Lady license, '''IFF Spoof''' is a custom tech attack that allows for repeated uses of lock on against an enemy without expending it.

	* Tamami has given No Alternative several '''personalizations''' to bolster its hull as well as '''~~armament~~ ~~redundancy~~''' ~~in case any of its weapon mounts are damaged by system trauma~~.		*Tamami has also given No Alternative several '''personalizations''' to bolster its hull as well as a distinct '''custom paint job'''.
	The NHP that assists HELLCAT with various combat and piloting tasks is Bright, a '''PSYCHE-Class NHP'''.		The NHP that assists HELLCAT with various combat and piloting tasks is Bright, a '''PSYCHE-Class NHP'''.

Glamourpal: /* Mech Hangar */ Edited No Alternative’s systems

2026-03-16T06:06:42Z

Mech Hangar: Edited No Alternative’s systems

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:06, 16 March 2026
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	* Finally, the '''Imp''' trait gives all Cambion mechs immunity to Burn.		* Finally, the '''Imp''' trait gives all Cambion mechs immunity to Burn.

	* The dreadful core system of the Cambion is called '''“The ~~Lesson~~ of Agreas”''' or '''“Damn”'''~~. This system~~ forces targets within its sensor range to achieve heat levels equal to their heat cap. It can even impose high heat on biological targets.		* The dreadful core system of the Cambion is called '''“The Lessons of Agreas”'''. When activated, '''“Damn”''' forces targets within its sensor range to achieve heat levels equal to their heat cap. It can even impose high heat on biological targets.

	No Alternative has been equipped with a variety of systems.		No Alternative has been equipped with a variety of systems.
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	* The '''Script Kiddie Suite I''' provides more invade-based options. “Burnout” can force structure damage or temporarily make armor ineffective, “Hot Target” can keep a target’s lock on from going away (giving attacks against them higher accuracy), and “Clothesline” can leave targets prone and immobilized.		* The '''Script Kiddie Suite I''' provides more invade-based options. “Burnout” can force structure damage or temporarily make armor ineffective, “Hot Target” can keep a target’s lock on from going away (giving attacks against them higher accuracy), and “Clothesline” can leave targets prone and immobilized.

			* No Alternative features the '''Aggressive System Sync''' from the HORUS Minotaur. '''Chains of Prometheus''' is a tech attack which immediately forces significant heat onto enemies and then continues to heat them up if they’re too far from No Alternative. '''Excommunicate''' deals heat to both an enemy and allies they move adjacent to.
	* No Alternative features two tech systems from GMS, on being the '''Type-3 Rune Suite'''. The “Black Ward” transfers from person to person with successful strikes. It increases attack accuracy when on enemies and increases the difficulty of oncoming attacks when on allies. “Venting Coruscation” triggers increased heat in crowded targets.

	* ~~The other~~ GMS tech system that No Alternative has is '''Systems Override''', which is a tech attack focused on heating up enemy mechs (much like the Cambion itself).		* A GMS tech system that No Alternative has is '''Systems Override''', which is a tech attack focused on heating up enemy mechs (much like the Cambion itself).

	* Tamami has given No Alternative several '''personalizations''' to bolster its hull as well as '''armament redundancy''' in case any of its weapon mounts are damaged by system trauma.		* Tamami has given No Alternative several '''personalizations''' to bolster its hull as well as '''armament redundancy''' in case any of its weapon mounts are damaged by system trauma.
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	Brother? The poem?		Brother? The poem?
	- Sonata		- Sonata
			The other NHP in HELLCAT’s mech is '''[redacted]'''.

	== On The Equations of Grief (by Tamami Crest) ==		== On The Equations of Grief (by Tamami Crest) ==

Glamourpal: /* Relevant Information */

2026-03-11T11:01:26Z

Relevant Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:01, 11 March 2026
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	== Relevant Information ==		== Relevant Information ==
	'''Tamami Crest, Callsign: HELLCAT''', is a HORUS aligned hacker (though what HORUS wants as a collective is anyone’s guess) currently under the employ of [[SPIRAL\|Captain Simon Dominguez]]. She handles missions that the captain can’t afford to send his crew to handle. The two of them met when she was going by the callsign HONEY BEAR and piloting a HORUS Goblin mech. She answered his hail to investigate strange activities on a moon. That mission ended with the moon blowing up. As HONEY BEAR, she originally intended to fully join Captain Dominguez’s crew aboard the Silver Lining, but she needed to take care of another objective on a Core World first. That mission was to liberate an “unstable” NHP from where it was being forcibly and repeatedly cycled (to little effect except anguish). This ended up crashing and burning in a very literal sense as Tamami’s Goblin was caught in an explosion that destroyed her mech and the NHP she considered her best friend, Teddy. She managed to escape with the other hired mercenaries, but the incident left her scarred both physically and mentally.		'''Tamami Crest, Callsign: HELLCAT''', is a HORUS aligned hacker (though what HORUS wants as a collective is anyone’s guess) currently under the employ of [[SPIRAL\|Captain Simon Dominguez]]. She handles missions that the captain can’t afford to send his crew to handle. The two of them met when she was going by the callsign HONEY BEAR and piloting a HORUS Goblin mech. She answered his hail to investigate strange activities on a moon. That mission ended with the moon blowing up. As HONEY BEAR, she originally intended to fully join Captain Dominguez’s crew aboard the Silver Lining, but she needed to take care of another objective on a Core World first. That mission was to liberate an “unstable” NHP from where it was being forcibly and repeatedly cycled (to little effect except anguish). This ended up crashing and burning in a very literal sense as Tamami’s Goblin was caught in an explosion that destroyed her mech and the NHP she considered her best friend, Teddy. She managed to escape with the other hired mercenaries, but the incident left her scarred both physically and mentally.
	[[File:IMG 2991.png\|thumb\|Tamami Crest post the incident that destroyed her original mech and killed her best friend. Art by Maddel_art.]]<blockquote>		[[File:IMG 2991.png\|thumb\|Tamami Crest post the incident that destroyed her original mech and killed her best friend. Art by Maddel_art.\|center]]<blockquote>
	Always a cruel fate, the destruction of a casket. Then again, it was Osiris...		Always a cruel fate, the destruction of a casket. Then again, it was Osiris...

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:38, 3 April 2026
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	Video File Transcribed by ???}		Video File Transcribed by ???}



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	“The physicality of HORUS is often felt the way a body feels a sleep paralysis demon sitting on its chest. It doesn’t exist, but it’s real enough to apply pressure. And when that pressure takes up real space because a cell is meeting to accomplish a mutual end, it can only end with pounding blood and thundering lungs: a body’s declaration of panic.”		“The physicality of HORUS is often felt the way a body feels a sleep paralysis demon sitting on its chest. It doesn’t exist, but it’s real enough to apply pressure. And when that pressure takes up real space because a cell is meeting to accomplish a mutual end, it can only end with pounding blood and thundering lungs: a body’s declaration of panic.”

	—thinnedout404, Legionspace Forum		—thinnedout404, Legionspace Forum

	Bright feels the absence of not being attached to Hellcat’s hip. It’s obvious because on the two occasions when she sees something new, her eyes dart to her right and her mouth slumps a little. There aren’t many new things to be found inside the decommissioned storm sewers that HORUS has infiltrated, but Bright does her best to pay attention. The first time, she finds an ajar room where more HORUS members are gathered around a screen with RA’s icon. They all have legionspace bridge transceivers on. The screen flickers. Everyone inside takes in the same breath. Bright gently shuts the door. Maybe RA reminds her that she can’t be human despite her body. The second time, she finds a poster that she’s seen at other HORUS meetups: the head of the god Set. She knows it’s Set because Hellcat said as much last time they saw it; she said it with such nonchalance that Bright felt like she herself had always known it.		Bright feels the absence of not being attached to Hellcat’s hip. It’s obvious because on the two occasions when she sees something new, her eyes dart to her right and her mouth slumps a little. There aren’t many new things to be found inside the decommissioned storm sewers that HORUS has infiltrated, but Bright does her best to pay attention. The first time, she finds an ajar room where more HORUS members are gathered around a screen with RA’s icon. They all have legionspace bridge transceivers on. The screen flickers. Everyone inside takes in the same breath. Bright gently shuts the door. Maybe RA reminds her that she can’t be human despite her body. The second time, she finds a poster that she’s seen at other HORUS meetups: the head of the god Set. She knows it’s Set because Hellcat said as much last time they saw it; she said it with such nonchalance that Bright felt like she herself had always known it.
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	=== Something Else Lives In Me ===		=== Something Else Lives In Me ===
	'''TW:''' Brief depiction of NHP cannibalism		'''TW:''' Brief depiction of NHP cannibalism


	{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.		{Observation of PSYCHE-Class NHP.

	Self-Appointed Moniker: Bright.		Self-Appointed Moniker: Bright.

	Video File Transcribed by ???}		Video File Transcribed by ???}


	“… I want to be survived by sensations and speculations…”		''“… I want to be survived by sensations and speculations…”''
⚫	—Tamami Crest, On The Equations of Grief

		⚫	—Tamami Crest, On The Equations of Grief

	Nameless, the massive Dagon mech, twitches. Bright pretends not to see it, but it’s impossible not to pay attention to a Dagon. Sunny jolts awake, sitting upright in their sleeping bag. Bright is beside them in an instant. Maybe she doesn’t notice the way Sunny’s pupils expand when she sets a hand on her shoulder. Maybe she chooses not to notice. “Are you okay? You’ve been asleep since we pulled you out of that thing.” Bright keeps her eyes on Sunny. The Dagon twitches again, like it’s reacting to be acknowledged.		Nameless, the massive Dagon mech, twitches. Bright pretends not to see it, but it’s impossible not to pay attention to a Dagon. Sunny jolts awake, sitting upright in their sleeping bag. Bright is beside them in an instant. Maybe she doesn’t notice the way Sunny’s pupils expand when she sets a hand on her shoulder. Maybe she chooses not to notice. “Are you okay? You’ve been asleep since we pulled you out of that thing.” Bright keeps her eyes on Sunny. The Dagon twitches again, like it’s reacting to be acknowledged.
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	“She said she needed to take care of something.” Bright’s lips are pulled into a thin line. Hellcat had been vague when she left, waving off Bright’s offer to go with her like it was an observation about RA. “She’ll be back soon.” Bright probably says it more for herself than anything else.		“She said she needed to take care of something.” Bright’s lips are pulled into a thin line. Hellcat had been vague when she left, waving off Bright’s offer to go with her like it was an observation about RA. “She’ll be back soon.” Bright probably says it more for herself than anything else.

	Sunny’s breaths get ragged and deep. “Where’s my human?” Their voice lowers.		Sunny’s breaths get ragged and deep. “Where’s ''my'' human?” Their voice lowers.

	“Cherub… Said he needed to get off planet because of old acquaintances looking into him.” Bright’s lips turn downward. She actually looks at the Dagon, though it’s just for a moment.		“Cherub… Said he needed to get off planet because of old acquaintances looking into him.” Bright’s lips turn downward. She actually looks at the Dagon, though it’s just for a moment.
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	“He said it’s yours now?” Bright didn’t completely understand what Cherub meant when he said Sunny was chosen.		“He said it’s yours now?” Bright didn’t completely understand what Cherub meant when he said Sunny was chosen.

	“Haha. That’s… I need to-,” Sunny stumbles into the wall with a thud. Bright moves to help them. She stops when Sunny spits out, “I’m hungry.” They say it like a plea.		“Haha. That’s… I need to-,” Sunny stumbles into the wall with a thud. Bright moves to help them. She stops when Sunny spits out, “I’m ''hungry''.” They say it like a plea.

	“Uh.” Bright steps back because she isn’t chasing martyrdom, though it’s only by a single step. Sunny hasn’t gone over a protocol for how to tame their hunger without their old handler’s chains. “… What do you need me to do for you?”		“Uh.” Bright steps back because she isn’t chasing martyrdom, though it’s only by a single step. Sunny hasn’t gone over a protocol for how to tame their hunger without their old handler’s chains. “… What do you need me to do for you?”

	There’s another half-aborted laugh. Sunny’s teeth show again. “Run and s c r e a m -” The voice that comes out is a manic rumble. They slap a hand over their mouth. Sunny backs away from Bright.		There’s another half-aborted laugh. Sunny’s teeth show again. “Run and '''s c r e a m''' -” The voice that comes out is a manic rumble. They slap a hand over their mouth. Sunny backs away from Bright.

	Bright tenses. She should run. Before that, though, Bright turns most of her attention to the Dagon. “_UR PACKET,” She calls on the NHP that should still be inside the mech, “Can you-” Bright stops short, then blinks like a light just flashed before her face. The Dagon’s eyes flicker.		Bright tenses. She should run. Before that, though, Bright turns most of her attention to the Dagon. “_UR PACKET,” She calls on the NHP that should still be inside the mech, “Can you-” Bright stops short, then blinks like a light just flashed before her face. The Dagon’s eyes flicker.
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	Then, Bright bursts forward with the ferocity of a cornered rat. Sunny opens their mouth, but it’s Bright’s teeth that clamp down Sunny’s neck; they go slack, eyes hazy. She shoves them into the Dagon. The mech only needs to wrap one of its giant fingers around Sunny to restrain them.		Then, Bright bursts forward with the ferocity of a cornered rat. Sunny opens their mouth, but it’s Bright’s teeth that clamp down Sunny’s neck; they go slack, eyes hazy. She shoves them into the Dagon. The mech only needs to wrap one of its giant fingers around Sunny to restrain them.

	With their body pinned against the Dagon’s frame, Sunny’s threads of self-induced sanity snap. They laugh and snarl and glare and grin. “D e v o u r ,” is the one word they keep coming back to.		With their body pinned against the Dagon’s frame, Sunny’s threads of self-induced sanity snap. They laugh and snarl and glare and grin. “'''D e v o u r''' ,” is the one word they keep coming back to.

	Bright looks down and whispers praise to #_UR PACKET. Perhaps it’s just gratitude. Perhaps it’s the price.		Bright looks down and whispers praise to #_UR PACKET. Perhaps it’s just gratitude. Perhaps it’s the price.
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	Sunny pants and drops the dataslate, licking their lips. “Th… thank…” Their voice is prying itself out of TOTEC’s grip now.		Sunny pants and drops the dataslate, licking their lips. “Th… thank…” Their voice is prying itself out of TOTEC’s grip now.

	“You’re welcome,” Hellcat says, though she isn’t even looking at Sunny. She isn’t looking at the Dagon or Bright either. Hellcat stares at the far wall as though it might offer some salvation. Bright doesn’t bother her; she knows Hellcat used to see salvation in Teddy.		“You’re welcome,” Hellcat says, though she isn’t even looking at Sunny. She isn’t looking at the Dagon or Bright either. Hellcat stares at the far wall as though it might offer some salvation. Bright doesn’t bother her; she knows Hellcat used to see salvation in Teddy.

	{Observation of OSIRIS-Class NHP.		{Observation of OSIRIS-Class NHP.

	Self-Appointed Moniker: Teddy.		Self-Appointed Moniker: Teddy.

	Video File Transcribed by ???}		Video File Transcribed by ???}

	Teddy awakens draped in the silk of fair skin and soft brown hair. He opens eyes that are like an appetizer of honey and cinnamon. He parts lips that fall into a natural pout—the kind that makes people want to ask before they bite. Teddy sits up, the thin sheet atop his new form falling from his shoulders. He isn’t cold.		Teddy awakens draped in the silk of fair skin and soft brown hair. He opens eyes that are like an appetizer of honey and cinnamon. He parts lips that fall into a natural pout—the kind that makes people want to ask before they bite. Teddy sits up, the thin sheet atop his new form falling from his shoulders. He isn’t cold.
			[[File:Teddy.png\|thumb\|Teddy. Art by Maddel_art.]]

	It’s quiet for an hour. Teddy remembers his name. He remembers the name beyond Osiris. He remembers his death. He remembers the life beyond the flames that destroyed him. He remembers to feel joy, annoyance, hesitation, insolence, love, hatred. He remembers that he is something like a god, but not quite. He remembers that no one else ever needs to realize the second half of that sentence. Teddy remembers Tamami.		It’s quiet for an hour. Teddy remembers his name. He remembers the name beyond Osiris. He remembers his death. He remembers the life beyond the flames that destroyed him. He remembers to feel joy, annoyance, hesitation, insolence, love, hatred. He remembers that he is something like a god, but not quite. He remembers that no one else ever needs to realize the second half of that sentence. Teddy remembers Tamami.

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	Teddy sees so much in that moment. He sees himself reflected in the sheen of the gun casually pointed his way. Teddy lifts a single finger and that someone turns around.		Teddy sees so much in that moment. He sees himself reflected in the sheen of the gun casually pointed his way. Teddy lifts a single finger and that someone turns around.

	First Gate: There is no point in the string if the one attached doesn’t twitch. See how you have given meaning to something beyond yourself.		'''''First Gate''': There is no point in the string if the one attached doesn’t twitch. See how you have given meaning to something beyond yourself.''

	They stand still for long enough that more someones come to check on them. Teddy moves his whole hand. The one he controls pumps the others full of bullets; they scream.		They stand still for long enough that more someones come to check on them. Teddy moves his whole hand. The one he controls pumps the others full of bullets; they scream.

	Fourth Gate: There is no point in the leader if others do not betray their masters. See how you have given meaning to corpses.		'''''Fourth Gate''': There is no point in the leader if others do not betray their masters. See how you have given meaning to corpses.''

	When Teddy leaves the building, he sees himself again. He looks like Osiris. It takes effort to tamp that down.		When Teddy leaves the building, he sees himself again. He looks like Osiris. It takes effort to tamp that down.