> Paloma: Visit Cucali.

-- absoluteAltitude [AA] began trolling nitroMerc [NM] at 06:05 --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  approaches Cucali's hive the next night, as promised. She looks pretty happy about it! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  is inside, just... chilling and all. No big deal. It's not like she's watching the door or anything. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  approaches Cucali's door, and knocks! Rat-a-tat-tat. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  yanks open the door. --
NM: ... y☼u came.
AA: <\ I said I would, didn't I? />
NM: Well... I didn't think y☼u were stupid en☼ugh t☼ g☼ thr☼ugh with it!!!!!
AA: <\ I'm not stupid, Cucali. I just think you're a good troll to hang out with! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rolls her eye. --
NM: Whatever!!
NM: Just c☼me in ☼r s☼methin', I d☼n't kn☼w!
AA: <\ Okay! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  steps inside, still smiling. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  throws herself on the sofa, folding her arms, watching her. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sits on the other end of the sofa, folding her hands in her lap. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  doesn't say anything. She just stares at her with a scowl. --
AA: <\ Despite everything, you seem well! I'm glad to see you're looking good. />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes immediately after she says it. --
AA: <\ Um, I mean... />
AA: <\ I'm glad to see you're doing well! />
NM: Geeeeeez, are y☼u g☼in' t☼ blush every time y☼u give s☼me☼ne a c☼mpliment?
NM: Y☼u're s☼ ridicul☼us!
AA: <\ No! No I'm not! />
NM: N☼pe, t☼☼ late!!
NM: Y☼ur new name is n☼w Ridicu L☼ussy!
AA: <\ That is SO not my name!  />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  grins. --
NM: It is n☼w! That's what I'm g☼nna call y☼u fr☼m n☼w ☼n!
AA: <\ At least it's an improvement on "mossblood"! />
NM: Psssh! As if!
AA: <\ Most certainly! />
AA: <\ There's more to me than my blood, you know! />
NM: Like whaaaaaat?
AA: <\ For example, I'm an excellent singer! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  scoffs. --
NM: I d☼ubt that!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles, sly. --
AA: <\ I could show you if you don't believe me! />
NM: Fine! G☼ right ahead, then!! I bet it's n☼thin'!
AA: <\ Okay... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  begins to sing an old Alternian war hymn, a chorale about glory and the spoils of conquest. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  is... actually very good at it. How is she actually good at something?! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  pretends not to listen, but halfway through the song she's entranced. She leans forward, listening closely. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  wonders why the hell is her voice so good?? >;/ --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  picked this song because she gets to show off both her high and her low notes; as the song goes into its second half, her crooning goes lower, singing sinister words of death and bloodshed. And yet she makes it sound so sweet. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  has to admit that this greenblood's voice isn't half bad. If anything, it's the prettiest that she's heard. She wants to close her eye to listen better, but she doesn't want to seem too interested in Paloma...'s song! So she just rests her chin in her hands, enjoying her singing. --
AA: <\ ... and there is no escape for you... />
AA: <\ ... as all... the ships... descend... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  finishes her song on a quiet note, letting it hum for a moment before turning to Cucali. She blushes when she sees how intently she must have been listening. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  slowly claps when it's over. --
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  blush grows deeper. --
AA: <\ You, you liked it? />
NM: It was... ☼kay!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles, obviously flattered. --
AA: <\ I, I'm glad you liked it. />
NM: It d☼esn't mean I liked it! It just means I th☼ught it was ☼kay!!
NM: Wh☼ taught y☼u t☼ sing like that?
AA: <\ I listened to the birds, and later I asked one of my friends for some help improving... I learnt a lot of good tricks from her! />
NM: Ha!! I can tell!
NM: Y☼u're n☼t bad f☼r s☼me m☼☼☼☼☼☼ssbl☼☼d!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  just grins. --
AA: <\ I'm happy to sing for you whenever you'd like! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  flushes a little at that. --
NM: What makes y☼u think I'd want that!!!!
AA: <\ I'm not saying you do! I'm just offering! />
NM: Well, y☼u can take y☼ur ☼ffer s☼mewhere else!!!
NM: Because I sure as hell w☼uldn't want t☼ hear y☼u sing!
AA: <\ You certainly didn't seem to mind it just now! />
NM: ☼nly because I was b☼red ☼utta my mind bef☼re y☼u came!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blinks, surprised. --
AA: <\ You mean you were waiting for me? />
NM: ... n☼!
NM: N☼!!
NM: Uuuugh, st☼p assumin' things!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  throws her hands in the air in exasperation. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles to herself. --
AA: <\ Okay, okay. />
NM: Sheesh, I make ☼ne little c☼mment ab☼ut h☼w y☼ur singing's ☼kay and y☼u just assume all this shit!!!
AA: <\ I'm not assuming that much, you know! />
NM: Y☼u were!
AA: <\ Was not! />
NM: Was t☼☼!!
AA: <\ Was not, was not was not! />
NM: Was t☼☼, was t☼☼, was t☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼!!
NM: And that's final!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  grins. --
AA: <\ If you saaay so! />
NM: I d☼ say s☼!!
NM: An' st☼p smilin' when things aren't funny!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  giggles. How are you so cute Paloma stop that! --
AA: <\ Don't you think this is funny? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  huffs. --
NM: H☼w is it funny??
NM: It isn't funny t☼ me!
AA: <\ But that argument was so ridiculous! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  finally smiles. --
NM: ☼nly because y☼u were inv☼lved in it!
AA: <\ Oh sure, so it's all my fault! />
NM: It always is!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  ;P --
AA: <\ It totally isn't! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  sticks her tongue out at Cucali in return. --
NM: See!!
NM: Y☼u're pr☼v☼kin' me again!
AA: <\ Who's provoking? We're just having fun! />
NM: Y☼u're pr☼v☼kin' me with y☼ur t☼ngue!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes /terribly/. --
AA: <\ Well you, you started it! />
NM: N☼, it was y☼u!! Y☼u came t☼ my hive after all!
AA: <\ You invited me! />
NM: ... s☼ what if I did!
AA: <\ Well, I'm glad you did! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  smiles. --
AA: <\ After all, you're pretty fun to talk with. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rolls her eye. --
NM: Tell that t☼ s☼me ☼f my clients and they'll laugh in y☼ur face!!
AA: <\ Because you act differently at work, of course! />
AA: <\ Everyone does! />
NM: Y☼u d☼n't!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  laughs. --
AA: <\ Weeell, I admit I'm a little weird. />
NM: A little?? C☼me ☼☼☼☼☼☼n!
NM: Y☼u're bey☼☼☼☼☼☼☼nd weird!
AA: <\ I guess if I'm being reaaally fair, I could say that too. />
NM: It's g☼t n☼thin' t☼ d☼ ab☼ut fairness!! It's the truth!
AA: <\ But I don't mind being weird! Someone has to be! />
NM: That's a laaaaame way t☼ l☼☼k at things!
AA: <\ Oh, so what's a better one? />
NM: Mine!
AA: <\ Please, elucidate! />
NM: C'm☼n, it's ☼bvi☼us! Y☼u just act like y☼u're supp☼sed t☼ act an' n☼t t☼ let any☼ne b☼ss y☼u ar☼und!!
AA: <\ Then I'll be sure not to boss you around! />
NM: Psssh, y☼u c☼uldn't even if y☼u wanted t☼!!!
AA: <\ I wouldn't want to! I think you're fine as you are. />
NM: Then y☼u're the sec☼nd tr☼ll t☼ think that way!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  tilts her head. --
AA: <\ Your moirail's the first, right? />
NM: Yuuup!
NM: ☼f c☼urse!!
NM: What were y☼☼☼☼u thinkin'?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  actually seems a little relieved at that. --
AA: <\ Oh, no, nothing! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes. WHY IS SHE BLUSHING. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  leeeeeeeans in closer. --
NM: Were y☼u thinkin' that I was reeeeeed f☼r s☼me☼ne?
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes deeper, shaking her head. Oh god Cucali is getting in close, heart please stop beating so loudly. --
AA: <\ No, no I wasn't... />
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  denial is a little weak. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jabs a finger at her chest. --
NM: Y☼u were!
NM: Y☼u're gl☼win' green, ha!
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  face couldn't /get/ any limer. --
AA: <\ So, so what if I was? />
NM: Were y☼u w☼☼☼☼☼☼rried ab☼ut y☼ur chances with me??
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  looks away, still blushing. --
AA: <\ Nn, no... />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  grabs her by the chin, smirking. --
NM: Say it l☼☼☼☼☼☼uder! I can't hear y☼u!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  breathes in sharply, her expression shy. --
AA: <\ I... />
NM: C'm☼☼☼n, I'm gettin' ☼ld here!!
AA: <\ ... I, I... yes, I sort of was... />
NM: Well, y☼u d☼n't have t☼ w☼rry!!!
NM: Because y☼u didn't have a chance anyway!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blinks, looking up at Cucali with something almost bordering on hope. It's instantly shattered as she goes on. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  closes her eyes, trying to dismiss the tears which threaten to well up. --
AA: <\ I... I never did...? />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  frowns, but still continues. --
NM: N☼☼☼☼☼☼☼pe!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  can't will away her tears. One rolls down her cheek, shamefully. --
AA: <\ I... I don't... />
NM: ... why the hell are y☼u cryin' n☼w??
NM: G☼ddammit, every time I talk t☼ y☼u y☼u always cry like s☼me wussie!!!!
AA: <\ I'm sorry... />
NM: An' I've t☼ld y☼u t☼ st☼p sayin' that as well!!!!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  jerks her hand away. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  turns her face away. --
AA: <\ ... then what do I say? />
NM: Y☼u d☼n't! Y☼u just tr☼ll up and take it! Y☼u d☼n't see me l☼☼sin' a g☼ddamn deluge every time s☼me☼ne insults me!!
AA: <\ You, you're not just insulting me... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  wipes her face with a hand, and looks to Cucali, calmer now. --
AA: <\ ... you're pushing me away. You're always pushing me away. />
NM: S☼??
AA: <\ So just... stop it! I know you don't mind me, so at least stop trying to drive me away! />
NM: Why w☼uld I want t☼ d☼ that, huh??
NM: Maybe I mind y☼u m☼re than y☼u think!!!
AA: <\ Solena said you'd do this! />
NM: Y☼u d☼n't get t☼ use her name!!
AA: <\ Fine, I won't. It doesn't matter whether I say her name or not, her advice stands. />
AA: <\ This is just something you do. I know that now. />
NM: ☼☼☼☼☼h, s☼ n☼w that y☼u kn☼w s☼ much ab☼ut me, what are y☼u g☼in' t☼ d☼ n☼w??
NM: Are we g☼in' t☼ play "Cucali's lapd☼g" again?
NM: Are y☼u g☼in' t☼ keep harassin' me until I c☼nfess my undyin' l☼ve f☼r y☼u??
NM: Is that it?!
AA: <\ I'm not asking for your love. />
AA: <\ And I don't mean to harrass you. />
NM: Then whaaaat?
AA: <\ Then... />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  pauses, breathing in and gathering her thoughts. --
AA: <\ ... why don't we just, forget all this and, and keep having fun? />
NM: ☼h, yeah, like it's that easy t☼ d☼.
AA: <\ It should be easy for you! />
NM: What are y☼u implyin' there?
AA: <\ I'm not implying anything! />
AA: <\ I'm just saying, it would be easier for you. />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  rolls her eye and sits back down, looking the other way. --
NM: Fine. Let's have fun. Wheeeee. Are we partyin' yet??
-- absoluteAltitude's [AA'S]  voice is blatantly sarcastic as she says: --
AA: <\ Your sarcasm is sharp as a blade, my lady. />
NM: If y☼u're g☼nna be a l☼ser ab☼ut this just get ☼utta my hive!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  rolls her eyes. --
AA: <\ Geez. I'm not being a loser, I'm just being a smartalec. />
NM: What's with that attitude ☼f y☼urs??
AA: <\ I'm trying to lighten up the mood a bit with sardonic comments! />
NM: Well, it's n☼t w☼rkin', dumbass!!
AA: <\ I can see that! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  reaches up to adjust her glasses pointedly. --
AA: <\ As I told you before, my sight is just fine! />
NM: I didn't say anythin' ab☼ut y☼ur dumb sight!
AA: <\ Not right now, at least. />
AA: <\ But I seem to remember you making a bet with me! />
NM: An' that was??
AA: <\ That I wouldn't be able to see one of your explosions, even if I were standing right next to you! />
NM: Ha!! I still bet y☼u can't!
AA: <\ And I still bet I can! />
NM: Fine!
-- nitroMerc [NM]  gets to her feet, marches outside. --
NM: Let's see ab☼ut that!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  follows Cucali outside, allowing herself a small smile while Cucali's back is turned. Good idea, Paloma. Distract her with explosions! --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  has unloaded tons of explosives and doesn't even wait for Paloma. She wants to blow off some steam, now, and is throwing a couple of big ones toward the ocean. --
-- nitroMerc [NM]  BOOM. Water splashes everywhere! --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  stands next to Cucali, folding her arms. --
AA: <\ Yup, I saw that just fine! />
AA: <\ You might wanna try another one, though. That might've been a fluke. />
NM: Ha ha ha. Y☼u're killin' me here.
AA: <\ But I thought I was a terrible fighter! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  throws a couple of cherry bombs near Paloma but not close enough to hurt her. Just enough to send up a spray of sand. --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  jumps backwards, yelping. --
AA: <\ H, hey! Watch it! />
NM: ☼h, s☼☼☼☼☼☼rry!
AA: <\ Don't throw them at me! />
NM: I wasn't aimin' f☼r y☼u, sweetheart, I was aimin' at the gr☼und!
NM: Try n☼t t☼ stand there next time!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  blushes, taking another step back. --
AA: <\ Sure, a likely story! />
NM: Whaaaat's with that l☼☼k ☼n y☼ur face??
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  shakes her head. --
AA: <\ There's no look on my face! />
NM: Then what's that ugly c☼l☼r ☼n y☼ur face??
AA: <\ It isn't ugly! />
AA: <\ And why are you focused on my face instead of your bombs, anyway?! />
NM: It iiiiiis!
NM: What!!!
NM: I am f☼cusin' ☼n my b☼mbs, ☼kay!!
NM: Why w☼uld I want t☼ f☼cus ☼n y☼ur butt-ugly face anyway!!!!
AA: <\ It is not ugly! />
NM: It is!
NM: When I see it I want t☼ puke!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  tries to hide just how ruffled that comment makes her, folding her arms. --
AA: <\ Hmph! Plenty of people think my face is just fine! />
NM: Well, they're wr☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼ng then!
NM: Because I d☼n't think it's fine!!
AA: <\ And obviously your opinion is worth more than everyone else's! />
NM: Duuuuuuh!
AA: <\ Some of those opinions belong to seadwellers, so you can't use that excuse! />
NM: Ha!!
NM: I'm n☼t sayin' that my ☼pini☼n is right because I'm a seadweller!
NM: I'm sayin' my ☼pini☼n is right because I'm me!
AA: <\ You sure are... />
NM: Whyyy, y☼u g☼tta pr☼blem with it??
AA: <\ I don't have a problem with you! />
NM: Y☼u seem t☼!!
AA: <\ Pssst. />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  points to her bombs. --
AA: <\ You're forgetting your explosives, Cucali. />
NM: ...........
NM: Fuck y☼u!!!
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  grins. --
AA: <\ It's okay. I have fun talking to you too! />
-- nitroMerc [NM]  snatches her bombs and storms off to find somewhere where she won't be distracted by the dummy >;( --
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  calls after her: --
AA: <\ See you later! />
-- absoluteAltitude [AA]  heads away from Cucali's beach. She'll leave her alone for now. --
-- nitroMerc [NM] gave up trolling absoluteAltitude [AA] at 08:43 --