Chapter 7 - Pray, for "DAKKI" the distorted

[duck_duck_laser]

[Action A - 458 Stone Street]

[Encouraged by her successes in producing reasonably tasty pancakes and perfectly acceptable sandwiches, Dakki decided to move on to something new. Something different. Something that, according to the instructions in the recipe book, didn't look all that difficult. She was going to make spaghetti with meat sauceSo

Comments

Action A

[nanocerancowboy]

[Gat hasn't touched any of the mushrooms yet; he's seen then growing around town, but aside from noting how they seem to have sprung up literally overnight, he's been too busy to succumb to any curiosity.]

[While Dakki's making spaghetti, for instance, Gat's been dusting and wiping down some of the living room furniture. When Dakki calls out that she has her "first body back," Gat perks up, standing up from what he was doing and leaning back to look into the kitchen.]

Did they send you back somethin' today?

[He also hasn't seen Dakki's photon saber yet. Gat stands up, leaning back slightly to peek into the kitchen to see what Dakki looks like now-though he freezes momentarily in an incredulous stare to see that she looks exactly the same.]

[duck_duck_laser]

Oh no, they didn't send me anything, although I did get my Murasamera back yesterday! This is.... look, look!

[Already, Dakki seems unable to read Gat's expression. If he's apprehensive or confused, she shows no signs of it. Her hands are held towards him. And then she gestures upwards over her head, feeling about, and her delight only increases.]

...I have extra antenna again!

[No, no Dakki, no you don't....]

[nanocerancowboy]

[From Gat's body language, he's definitely looking confused now, especially when Dakki starts feeling about her head.]

Dakki, uh-you sure you're feelin' alright? You still look human to me.

[duck_duck_laser]

I feel fine! Gat, quit teasing. I know what... I...

[Then she's back to staring at her hands. First the palms, then the backs... then her gaze fixes on Gat. She reaches out and pokes him. To her, his surface just rippled like water. Or maybe those strange slimes back in the caves on Ragol.]

Ooooooh...

B.

[anonnomnomnom]

[One of the pedestrians she comes across seems to also be in a world of his own, meandering down the street in wide, lazy arcs and humming pleasantly to himself. Occasionally, he salutes a creature or a bush or a passerby; his cheerful expression growing a fraction flatter each and every time.

By the time he crosses Dakki's path, he's switched the trash can lid from its role as jaunty hat to being brandished like a weapon. His other hand is still empty, but the smile on his face is somewhat colder than when it started.]

Of course I remember you. I also remember what you said about me. Maybe I'm the one who should refresh your memory?

[It's said in the most pleasant of tones, but there's threat in there, too, mostly idle.]

B

[duck_duck_laser]

...Carter? Oh! Carter!

[Apparently delighted at recognizing an old acquaintance, Dakki stops, takes a moment, and gives a polite bow. The face she's seeing and the voice she's hearing is that of a FOnewm she once helped train.

Her delight is quickly fading, because something's not right... she can't really put her finger on it, though.]

Haven't you been keeping up on your training? Didn't you use what I gave you? ...didn't you?

B.

[richtighammer]

[Dakki is not the first lost person Thor has seen today. But she is one of the first he recognizes. He approaches, warily, his hammer at the ready - reportedly, she can hold her own against him, after all.]

Hail, Dakki! Tell me - are you afflicted?

B

[duck_duck_laser]

[Dakki seems slightly unsteady on her feet, but the day hasn't gone entirely to ruins yet. She's unarmed and apparently very happy to see him.]

Ash! You, too! How's Malicia? Is she here?

[...well. Happy to see whoever's standing in for him, at least.]

[richtighammer]

[Wha-- Ash? Thor glances over his shoulder, but there is no one else here. He frowns in consternation.]

I know not this Malicia! What you see is not truth, Dakki!

[duck_duck_laser]

[Suddenly, Dakki turns away with a delighted sound, and goes to hug a mailbox.]

Malicia! You too! I'm sorry you have to be here, but...

[Then she casts a startled look back at Thor, as if actually registering what he said. Sort of. Kind of.]

...don't be silly. Don't you remember? How we almost didn't make it out of the Ruins that time? How we hit the teleporter with three seconds to spare?

[She withdraws from the mailbox with a jolt, as though it had pushed her away.]