Knox Wouldn't Pirate a Threeway

Oct 14 18:59:43 <Knox> An indeterminate time after getting discharged from the hospital, Knox made his way back to the apartment where Kimi and Selene live.
Oct 14 19:03:55 <Aori_Radidjiu> It's late enough that Kimi should be heading home about now, so at least there's that.  It's not hard to find the apartment, as it's not very far from the lighthouse.  Knocking on the door, Kimi answers.  "Hey.  Heard you got into some trouble, you all right?"
Oct 14 19:05:09 <Knox> It's with a heavy air that Knox looks at her. "...I don't know. I mean, wounds healed up pretty quick, but..."
Oct 14 19:05:44 <Knox> "I guess I've been spending the past several hours in the ICU trying to figure out that question."
Oct 14 19:05:54 <Knox> *the answer to that question
Oct 14 19:10:09 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Well, come in, I guess.  I just got back, haven't really checked in with Selene, she's in her room..."
Oct 14 19:13:55 <Knox> He makes a bit of a face at that. "...shit. That should probably be my first priority. I was worried about her the whole time. ...I'll catch you up." He comes in and closes the door behind himself. "Selene asked me to investigate something for her. She felt that August was on the island. Like, supernatural powers 'felt' and shit. ...so I gathered everyone up and went to look for this
Oct 14 19:13:56 <Knox> place she mentioned. Sure enough, there was an Aether lab being packed up. We ran into someone that-... I don't know." He describes the man they saw, in the visor, spikey brown hair and his fighting style. "...I thought it was August, that they dyed his hair and fucked his memory hard or something. Figured I could get through to him. ...Really didn't... turn out that way." He more
Oct 14 19:13:56 <Knox> quietly says, "He was rigged with a bomb."
Oct 14 19:15:28 <Aori_Radidjiu> Kimi puts her hands to her face and doesn't make a sound, her eyes widening.
Oct 14 19:17:04 <Knox> "...We don't even have... a body to examine or anything." he says, sort of deflated. "...But whatever happened... they're going to pay for it." he whispers rather fiercely. "...but right now I'm worried about Selene."
Oct 14 19:17:41 * Knox hurries toward her room.
Oct 14 19:18:35 <Aori_Radidjiu> She steps aside to let you through.  Selene's door is closed.
Oct 14 19:18:46 * Knox knocks. "...Selene?"
Oct 14 19:19:49 <Aori_Radidjiu> Perrrrception
Oct 14 19:20:05 <Knox> 2d6+1 spending an AP
Oct 14 19:20:10 <Knox> derp
Oct 14 19:20:13 <Aori_Radidjiu> (DERP)
Oct 14 19:20:21 * PsychoRoll (~PsychoRol@Rizon-2078EF04.hsd1.in.comcast.net) has joined
Oct 14 19:20:23 <Knox> 2d6+1 spending an AP
Oct 14 19:20:23 <PsychoRoll> Knox, spending an AP: 7 [2d6=2,4]
Oct 14 19:20:32 <Aori_Radidjiu> You faintly hear a sobbing noise.
Oct 14 19:20:58 <Knox> He bites his lip, stepping back from the door.
Oct 14 19:21:32 <Aori_Radidjiu> Kimi walks up next to you.  "Is she...?"
Oct 14 19:21:47 <Knox> "Crying, from the sound of it. Her connection must have... so that means..."
Oct 14 19:22:14 * Break has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
Oct 14 19:22:24 <Knox> It is a bit like a bag of bricks to the chest, but he swallows hard. He had already prepared himself for the worst earlier and spent his own time crying.
Oct 14 19:23:07 <Knox> "...How did this shit go so wrong... what kind of sick people are they?"
Oct 14 19:24:06 <Knox> "...I've never been good at comforting people, and I feel like if I go in there right now, she might lash out. Hell, I know I wanted to, earlier. ... what the fuck do I even do..."
Oct 14 19:27:12 <Knox> He kind of looks at a loss for words or actions.
Oct 14 19:27:22 * Break (~null@Rizon-3C8AAA8.phlapa.fios.verizon.net) has joined
Oct 14 19:29:21 <Knox> "...fuck it, if she lashes out then she can lash out. I can't just leave her alone like that."
Oct 14 19:29:31 <Aori_Radidjiu> She nods.  "Well, give it a shot."
Oct 14 19:29:40 <Knox> He tries the door handle.
Oct 14 19:30:46 <Aori_Radidjiu> It opens easily.  She's on her bed, sobbing into a pillow.  Doesn't seem to notice you coming in.  Michael is patting her back sympathetically.
Oct 14 19:31:13 <Knox> He walks in quietly. "...Selene." he says softly.
Oct 14 19:34:49 <Knox> He looks for a place to sit nearby.
Oct 14 19:36:22 <Aori_Radidjiu> She takes in a deep breath and gets up, rubbing her eyes.  She's quiet, looking up at you. "You...you got to see him, right?"
Oct 14 19:37:04 <Knox> "I..." That question just hits hard. "...yeah. What they did to him..."
Oct 14 19:38:32 <Knox> He has an overwhelming urge to just stare at the floor, but he forces himself to look up and meet her eyes. It's an expression that's sad, ashamed and angry all at once.
Oct 14 19:43:06 <Aori_Radidjiu> She's teary-eyed, all red, and having a hard time looking at you.  "How...how was he..."
Oct 14 19:50:32 <Knox> He bites his lip, trying to think on how to answer that. "He... I guess he was about as well as he could have been, in his situation... but... he didn't remember anything. ...no, I take that back. ." he thinks back to what he said at the end, about how Selene's name was nostalgic. "...He did remember you, I think, for just a moment. ..." he finds himself at a loss again. It feels
Oct 14 19:50:32 <Knox> like anything he could say would just make this more and more painful.
Oct 14 19:52:20 <Aori_Radidjiu> She nods.  "That's...that's good..."
Oct 14 19:52:34 <Aori_Radidjiu> She starts crying a bit more.
Oct 14 19:53:30 <Knox> He moves from where he's sitting onto the bed, sitting nearby. "...they're not going to get away with this." He wants to just offer his shoulder to her but silly Knox is more awkward than dashing  or reassuring with these sort of things.
Oct 14 19:54:17 <Knox> Still, it's not hard to tell that he's concerned.
Oct 14 19:55:56 <Aori_Radidjiu> She kind of latches onto you and sobs quietly, slowing down a bit.  "...thanks..."
Oct 14 19:57:15 <Knox> He puts his arm around her shoulders at that point. "...I'm sorry..." he says quietly. "...At least I can do this much."
Oct 14 19:59:39 <Aori_Radidjiu> She quiets down.  "I think...I think he's happy he's out of whatever he was doing.  You set him free, even if it killed him..."
Oct 14 20:00:00 <Knox> "...It... probably went by quickly, painlessly."
Oct 14 20:00:13 <Knox> As if that's any consolation. He mentally berates himself.
Oct 14 20:01:14 <Knox> "...But yeah. You're probably right. ...I just... wish I could have done more for him."
Oct 14 20:04:59 <Aori_Radidjiu> "...it's okay.  I'm the one who got his brain for a second when he died, I can say it's okay."
Oct 14 20:05:21 <Knox> "I was pissed at him almost to the very end, like somewhere deep down I was wondering where his resolve was, that... will to power stuff he always talked about. I was hoping I could make him remember and break out of it. But it wasn't his fault. They had too strong of a grip, and failsafes in play. They made him into a mockery of himself, a puppet. ...but now, at least, they're no
Oct 14 20:05:21 <Knox> longer allowed to tug at his strings. ...He deserves better than that. He deserved better."
Oct 14 20:05:46 <Knox> He's quiet a moment. "...you did?"
Oct 14 20:06:19 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Kind of...it was really fleeting, though, but I got...something from him as he went away.  That's how I knhew he died."
Oct 14 20:08:32 <Knox> "..." he just nods. He was going to try and say something comforting but it just didn't get past his lips.
Oct 14 20:08:58 <Knox> "...There was a scientist with him."
Oct 14 20:09:33 <Knox> "I glued him down first thing, before he could get away. ...And those that were still up dragged him back to our boat afterward."
Oct 14 20:09:53 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Ah, that's good, maybe you'll find something out..."
Oct 14 20:10:01 <Knox> "...I'm going to wring what I can out of him and keep going."
Oct 14 20:10:40 <Knox> "...And... I'm going to do whatever it takes to present something like this from happening again."
Oct 14 20:10:48 <Knox> "You have my word."
Oct 14 20:10:54 <Knox> *prevent
Oct 14 20:11:20 <Aori_Radidjiu> "...thanks."  She keeps herself wrapped around your arm.  "I know you can do it, Knoxy~"
Oct 14 20:15:52 <Knox> It feels kind of stupid to gloat over that badge he's keeping in his things, but... given it is a representation of surpassing your limits... he has some confidence about the upcoming days at least. He squeeze her a bit more. "I'll stay here tonight, probably. ...I would invite you and Kimi along, to go with us, but you've probably had enough of this for now, huh... "
Oct 14 20:16:28 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Yep...it's too much.  I think I need a while to get myself straightened out, I'm pretty fucked up, we already went over this."
Oct 14 20:17:10 <Knox> He nods. "Just let me know if you need anything."
Oct 14 20:21:32 <Knox> (And he does mean anything)
Oct 14 20:21:51 <Knox> Though for right now... he's just glad Selene's alright. He should probably go back and talk to Kimi, though!
Oct 14 20:24:56 <Knox> He does hang around a moment in case she has a response to that.
Oct 14 20:25:39 <Aori_Radidjiu> "I'll...let you know."
Oct 14 20:28:09 <Knox> How did she say that, anyway. Hesitantly or...? Well, either way.
Oct 14 20:28:47 <Knox> He watches her a moment, and nods. "Alright then." he rubs her hair a bit. "...I'll be around." He slowly lets go of her and pulls back, looking over her one more time with a concerned expression, before heading back out of the room.
Oct 14 20:29:11 <Aori_Radidjiu> Kind of hesitantly.  Kimi was watching most of this, so after you go out she leads you to the couch.  "Well, that's something.  So much going on lately..."
Oct 14 20:30:40 <Knox> He sighs and plops onto the couch. "Don't you and I both know it. A couple of days ago we just learned from each other that we were alive, even."
Oct 14 20:30:58 <Knox> "Then all the shit with Rogers, and now... fuck it's been a long week."
Oct 14 20:32:38 <Knox> "You going to still play the librarian for now?"
Oct 14 20:32:50 <Aori_Radidjiu> Nod.  "It's been a good job, I think."
Oct 14 20:33:09 * Vandaeron has quit ()
Oct 14 20:35:13 <Knox> "It suits you." he agrees. "Though definitely going to miss having 'Heimdall' helping out... I really can't bother you much. You've got a lot going on here, still."
Oct 14 20:36:23 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Well, let me know if there's anythign I can do to help.  The library's got some pretty good resources, after all."
Oct 14 20:37:33 <Knox> He nods. "And in your hands that's probably twice as good as anything." He reaches over to the side of the couch where he set down a pack with his things. He pulls out the suitcase with the glue cannon in it. "...'sides though, you've still been helping me out, even now. Still been using this thing all this time. Had a few upgrades but..."
Oct 14 20:38:27 <Aori_Radidjiu> She leans to look in at it.  "Wow, it's still in good condition.  Good to see."
Oct 14 20:38:58 <Knox> "I always take good care of my equipment." he pretends to be slightly offended.
Oct 14 20:39:53 <Knox> "Especially since, y'know. This is one of the few things I managed to bring with me." he says, a bit more seriously.
Oct 14 20:43:16 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Good to know.  Keep using it, I know it's in good hands."
Oct 14 20:43:34 <Knox> He packs it up again. "You know it."
Oct 14 20:44:54 <Knox> He actually does have in mind what he'd like her to help with, but suddenly going "AYY GIRL CAN YOU RESEARCH HOW TO DISABLE SURGICALLY IMPLANTED BOMBS KTHX" tonight would probably be a bit tactless.
Oct 14 20:45:05 <Knox> "You don't mind if I stay tonight, right?"
Oct 14 20:45:23 <Knox> "I'll take the couch here or something."
Oct 14 20:45:35 <Aori_Radidjiu> "It's cool, I'm fine with that."
Oct 14 20:47:39 <Knox> He nods. "...'kay, thanks. Dunno when we're gonna set sail, but it'll probably be soon. You should go say hi to Robin before then, at least... other than that... well. ...I hope you and Selene end up finding some peace here.":
Oct 14 20:48:21 <Knox> "And your offer to help goes both ways. Just contact me if you need something, yourself."
Oct 14 20:50:01 <Aori_Radidjiu> Nodnod.  "Of course."
Oct 14 20:51:17 <Knox> Even though finding out it -was- August proper was a blow to his morale, it was also a bit of a focuser for Knox, who no longer has a mopey air around him. He's fucking -determined- to hunt these batards down now, and it shows. That said... does Kimi have any questions or anything for Knox?
Oct 14 20:51:41 <Knox> *bastards
Oct 14 20:52:04 <Aori_Radidjiu> Not much, besides "What do you have planned next?  What's the rest of your crew planning?"
Oct 14 20:53:33 <Knox> "...I don't know what the crew as a whole has planned. Depends on what leads we get from the guy we captured, I suppose. I for one am going to be doing a little soul searching. And not the religious kind, either. ...There's someone I need to meet."
Oct 14 20:54:19 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Someone?  Like who?"
Oct 14 20:58:07 <Knox> Considering he trusts Kimi, he says this much. "Myself. Aether's list of fucked up shit goes beyond what they did to Robin or August. They've mangled reality itself at some points. I don't know the details of how it works, but there are bits and pieces that don't exist anymore, and PIRATES has the means to 're-exist' it.. ...I'm going to need to become a hell of a lot stronger to
Oct 14 20:58:07 <Knox> stop them cold, so I figure the least I can do is see the whole picture."
Oct 14 20:58:42 <Knox> "It's apparently privelaged information but whatever."
Oct 14 20:59:11 <Aori_Radidjiu> She quirks an eye.  "Huh, that's interesting."
Oct 14 21:01:14 <Knox> "It's something."
Oct 14 21:01:58 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Well, hope that works out...hm."
Oct 14 21:02:47 <Knox> "We'll see how it goes when the time comes."
Oct 14 21:03:06 <Knox> His expression softens a bit. "...either way."
Oct 14 21:04:15 <Knox> "I guess to get back to your question... we're just going to hunt Team Aether down like a Lickitung at a revolving sushi buffet. Probably hit some gyms along the way to sharpen our skills and pad our wallets a bit."
Oct 14 21:06:51 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Yeah, I guess that's what I'd do too...is that what the other PIRATES are doing as well?"
Oct 14 21:08:25 <Knox> "More or less. We each have different reasons and stakes here but that's been the singular focus for our group. I guess other groups out there are hunting down normal pirates and shit too but whatever. It feels fucking weird to be helping authorities."
Oct 14 21:12:03 <Aori_Radidjiu> "I bet.  I mean, I kind of am too, and it feels weird for me as well."
Oct 14 21:14:12 <Knox> "I mean, you're with the gym leaders here or whatever, I'm in an anti-pirate task force." he says dryly. "At least you afford new toys pretty well. The contacts weren't a bad look."
Oct 14 21:15:14 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Oh...um...thanks."  She turns a little red.  She's STILL not used to compliments, it seems.
Oct 14 21:19:11 <Knox> "Why were you curious about the others?" he asks after a moment.
Oct 14 21:20:09 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Yeah, they seem pretty...eccentric.  Like the old crew, in a way."
Oct 14 21:22:22 <Knox> "I've gotten that feeling at times." he admits. "...Honestly, though, most of them are no substitute." He's quiet a moment. "...wonder what'll happen after all this is over."
Oct 14 21:23:49 <Aori_Radidjiu> "Who knows, it depends on how you resolve everything, doesn't it?"
Oct 14 21:24:21 <Knox> "Guess so." he lays back on the couch. "Suppose there's no use worrying about it right now."
Oct 14 21:30:09 <Knox> Apart from that, he doesn't have much to say now.
Oct 14 21:30:19 <Knox> Does Kimi have any last remarks or anything?
Oct 14 21:30:30 <Aori_Radidjiu> Nyope.
Oct 14 21:31:02 <Knox> Then Knox just hangs around for the night and sleeps over.
Oct 14 21:34:57 <Knox> t-that it?
Oct 14 21:37:48 <Kraken> (What, you want to have a threesome?)
Oct 14 21:38:58 <Knox> No, I was just hoping Aori would close out the mini or something
Oct 14 21:39:12 <Knox> He seems to have gone a bit quiet and distracted.
Oct 14 21:41:28 <Knox> okay, uh, well
Oct 14 21:41:34 <Knox> that's </mini> I guess