GREETINGS CYBORG
After some rest, it was decided Pi is to be interacting with Shift Happens for getting potential camp-relevant info, by being lead of team by vote of literally everyone else.
She is also there to inform they arrived.
Granted, she is also only returning member, which was justification for being promoted into team leader.
Now ones that are aware will ask how is she supposed to talk to SH since she doesnt know English and rings will be shared next day
For ones not familiar with said rings:
These rings are made by hosts and have two functions, one being that they allow wearer to speak and understand language needed for convo.
They are supposed to allow everyone to understand locals in Nehmenweld, but do come useful for cases of likes of Pi as well.
More on them will be heard by Shift Happens during driver meeting.
As such following convo is in Serb, only language Pi knows by herself
-We made this as per request of Andrea.
-For me?
-Yes, so you can talk to hosts. Also would be able to provide some music: i had transfered data from Mrdja’s LG phone and there is lot of music and videos.
This goes on your hand and allows to switch between two modes, middle position is neither mode active. Andrea also has remote and can control this herself.
Try it in this one.
-Ok.
-Now, i hope you understand me even tho im talking in English now.
If so, head over to them now.
Since her excitement had shown she indeed understood, Chicota let her be.
Full of confidence, she searched for whoever will be unfortunate victim of confusion.
With that being said, Andrea had been looking in direction and had remote on stand by.
Anyway…
At this point, @Madrias and one or more of his characters will be relevant
-Ok, im excited to meet…
She is cut off and walking could be now heard, followed by different voice.
If you are interested in what voice and stuff, its this basically
-GREETINGS CYBORG
Pi was confused…
(Chainsaw sound time)
…wrong setting. She was fumbling for setting…
-Fuck you (this was transmitted through speakers and was Pi`s speech)
(More chainsaw time)
(turns towards our vehicles)
-Andrea, stop it.
Andrea couldnt contain her happiness about fact her idea worked.
Decided to let go of remote
-I REALLY hope its now set to translating what i have to say.
Kaylie looked up from the table as Pi approached, having some technical difficulties, courtesy of a prankster on their own team. She smiled, placing her chrome hand on the table and pulling their sign-up sheet over to her.
-In case it translated swearing, feel free to note it wasnt directed at you.
Either way, im Pi Chitco from Mravolinski-Chitco team and…
(Speaker was starting to say WHO ARE YOU… in unfamiliar voice, followed by:
IM IF PROTOTYPE LQ84I…voice in which that greeting from beggining was said
Pi had recognised this one and stopped it
Ofc yes, certain someone with remote had switched setting again)
-again, excuse me for moment…
Andrea, STOP IT FOR REAL!
Ok, so im here to say we arrived and to receive potential camp relevant info.
We need to know if our truck and car are at correct spot: truck is blue, has camper addon and is same as previous year and is there
(Using hand to indicate position)
Car is beside it
Kaylie responded:
"Well, Pi, it’s good to see you and your team are back. Good to know the truck is the same as last year, having it confirmed means it’s here under the “Once a Shitbox, Always a Shitbox” rule. The other vehicle, we’ll get Malavera to check over for tech inspection.
-We brought some radios with us this time and they are installed in them already
Have no idea if they are properly set for talking to you lot, but work for us.
We…tested them.
Used to be police ones, now they are ours.
Is there anything else we might need to know or something you might want to know regarding our team? I will answer as best as i could, but if stuff is too complicated and i dont know it, i will say so and direct you to someone that does know.
When Pi asked if there was anything else they may need to know, or anything she wanted to know, Kaylie smiled again.
“There will be a meeting later, regarding teams who have requested power, where all of the cables will be handed out. Rings will be passed around at the driver’s meeting along with some advice and some rules for this year’s trip. As for things I need to know, they’re right here,” Kaylie said, tapping a chrome finger on the entry form.
-I dont think i would be really needed atm at our team, so if i can help you lot…i would be free to do so.
Just would ofc need to announce im elsewhere to rest of group.
Otherwise im going to rejoin them.
“We’ve got a fair bit of help already,” Kaylie mentioned, motioning to Malavera, Kasiya, and Takaraya moving toward the two cars to do the tech inspections on them. “I know, Kasiya looks scarily close to a Dyre, but he’s not one, and he’s really a gentle giant. Strong as hell,” she said, watching as both Kasiya and Takaraya worked together to lift the vehicles off the ground one after the other so Malavera could have a look underneath, “but gentle.” As both cars were returned to the ground, Malavera gave Kaylie a thumbs up. “Looks like they’re both legal, so, have fun at the Shitbox Rally,” Kaylie said, shaking Pi’s hand with her natural one.
“Im not afraid of them, but would be concerned about well-being of my best friend.
Ironically the very fella that kinda gave me rough time at beginning of this convo
Seems it will be interesting to see how Amanda will react on them, seeing im pretty sure she is eyeing this team bcos they are…or well, you are, big and strong in general.
Basically only team that has kinda worthy members in her opinion”
That being said…" Pi continues while shaking her hand “i will indeed have lot of fun.”
With that, she returned back to team.
Ah, not-a-weaklings approaching
Aint going to ping Madrias twice in same post, but this time we are talking big guns…literally
-This is…fine.
-I so far see some weaklings…oh boy, those guys over there seem to be very big and strong.
-They are, actually. Thats Shift Happens for you.
I have seen them on television when they attended some earlier 24h Clunkers challenge and saw them in person on previous year`s one.
You might think you are very strong and compared to most of our team, you likely are.
But i advise you to not go around and test pecking order in that department.
Observe what they do and how they do it and im sure you might be able to gauge their strength off that.
Considering they are also our hosts, that method is for better.
-Awww. But they dont seem to be doing some good stuff for estimating that.
-True. Tbh we are all on same side anyway, so fighting would be contraproductive.
Now if someone or somebody attacks the camp, thats different story…
I heard there were few fights last year, wouldnt mind that happening again.
-Considering im not skilled fighter and have very little experience with guns, im daring to hope other way around.
-I will protect you.
-With what? Bare hands? No offense, but you aint carrying weapon or armor.
-Not needed, i dealed with many bad guys before.
-Hmm, whos not to say that potential opponents wouldnt be like them (roughly waving his hand in equally rough direction of hosts) in physical prowess?
-Havent thought on that, but you make good point.
Hmm, i could potentially try to see if we can manage something.
-Speaking of which, you might find that out sooner than later.
Considering we used English, they prob heard us and decided to check who doubts in their physical strength.
And they decided to bring their finest in this regard, as in biggest and strongest
Indeed trio delegated to tech inspection was approaching
After they checked cars and confirmed they are legal, Malavera motioned to the two to set down the Saguaro T-REE, which they did with casual grace, then looked over to where the conversation about “physical prowess” had taken place.
“I mean, if you wanted a taste of fresh Nevadan sand, all you need to do is ask. I will warn you, though, the three of us come from a world with higher gravity. Takaraya makes Kaylie’s left arm look weak. I’m a lot of power in a relatively small package. Kasiya may be a bit of a pacifist, but he can fight,” Malavera quipped.
Kasiya sighed. “If you insist on antagonizing another team, Malavera, can we at least learn the names of the people we’re fighting?”
Takaraya crossed his arms, then said, “I’m not taking this any further than careful sparring. You won’t land a proper strike on me, but I also will not hit back.”
Malavera smirked. “I am Malavera Caller-of-the-Moons. These two are Takaraya Wintermoon and Kasiya Wintermoon respectively,” he said, motioning to Takaraya, then Kasiya. “You want a challenge, pick one.”
Mat wimped like a child in sight of these massive lads
-This isnt…my idea…pls dont hurt…
Amanda: Ignore the crybaby, i honestly started the talk.
And…i dont know who Kaylie is, so i dont think she would be useful reference.
Pi, that had returned from Kaylie:
Really, you NEEDED to startle the beasts. These are nothing like any opponernt you ever seen before.
-True, but i will not back down from fight i instigated.
As it would be rude not to introduce myself, im Amanda Mravolinski-Loojoephantom.
It really doesnt matter who i will be fighting.
Chicota: You really are extremely arrogant asshole.
-And will continue to do so to the end
Shall we continue?
Malavera smirked. “Out of interest for your safety, Amanda, I won’t put you up against Takaraya. Pi may remember from last year when I kicked their truck. Takaraya has robotic limbs that far surpass his natural strength. However, Kasiya is only a little smaller than a Dyre, which we faced last year. Kaylie,” he said, pointing to the white-furred tigress with a chrome left arm, “killed two of them last year. One with a wrench, and one with nothing more than that left hand of hers.”
Kasiya sighed, then pulled his shirt off and handed it to Malavera. “At least this way I won’t bleed on it,” he grumbled. “Now, Amanda, I will give you fair warning: I weigh 500 kilograms, and I am stronger than I look. I may normally hate fighting, but I agree to this only because this is a casual sparring match. So, what are the terms for victory?”
-I admitedly havent thought about how to determine victory.
Chicota: It doesnt really help that…i have no idea…
Mat: 500 kg…thats immense…
I guess you never faced someone quite that heavy
How you arent even afraid?
Amanda: I honestly did not faced someone of that size before in fight, but tbf i too happen to be stronger than i look.
Just…dont hurt each other badly…
I…cant watch…
Mat left scene
-I will throw first punch i guess, as its not good to prolong this any longer.
Amanda had thrown a punch.
It packed quite a bit to it, but, as was always the case with both her and Chicota, was very predictable
Kasiya decided to follow what he’d been taught a while ago, that it’s always better to dodge if you can, and only block if you can’t dodge, taking a quick step to his right. “You’re quick, I’ll grant that,” he admitted, before using his size to his advantage and sending a kick Amanda’s way, reducing the odds that she’d get the chance to hit him in the face for trying to punch at her height.…and dodging was good option and Amanda now knew that this isnt one of those idiots she is usually encountering.
Kick was dealt with fact she wasnt taught to same principles and received hit by said leg.
Apart from distance that was now tad bit greater as she was taken aback by it, there werent any further consequences.
“Being quick at 10% of mass isnt much to brag about…that being said, you arent exactly slow yourself…
And judging by kick, you are far from being weak”
Which was followed by running back up to black mountain of fur and trying to punch again from said running.
“I will admit, I’m pulling my strikes a bit. I’ve learned humans can be a bit fragile,” Kasiya replied. As Amanda ran toward him and made a running punch, Kasiya’s attempt to dodge still resulted in getting hit surprisingly hard. After a half-startled, half-pained yelp, his response to dealing with someone now fighting basically on his toes was a somewhat-clumsy attempt to drop a heavy fist into Amanda’s back.
Takaraya sighed. “Get some distance, Kasiya!” he called out. He then looked to Malavera and shook his head. “He does well when facing someone of similar size. Not so well when he’s up against someone just over half his height.”
“I put him in because he’s less likely to actually hurt her. You’d dodge until she’s tired, or land one hit and it’d be all over. I’d have to be concerned that I might swipe instead of punch. Kasiya, on the other hand, well… He knows humans are fragile.”
“Fully agreed, they are very fragile. You can very heavily hurt them using rather primitive weaponry like knifes or hammers.
I think only relevant experience was facing down 5 of them in some parking lot, as our usual human opponents attack in…actually very same manner i did so far.”
Chicota: I guess after we get back from event, you might have courage to go up against our very own Aydar Senior.
-That would be still too far fetched, i guess.
Kasiya definitely has solid fighting experience and i did learned fair bit already from him
Amanda decided to punch up again, but this time tried to get more approachable target, thus ending her move with prob roughest fist bump Kasiya had with someone based on Earth
Kasiya smiled, then said, “You’re tougher than expected. I was worried with the kick that I may have over-done it.” He then looked to Chicota and mentioned, “I don’t know who exactly “Aydar Senior” is, but I’m not much for fighting. Can I fight? Yes. But I prefer diplomacy over destruction. After all,” he said, lightly shaking his hand after the fist-bump, “I could almost lift your truck if I really wanted to.”
Takaraya chuckled. “He’s not joking, either. If he could get a grip and balance it, I see no reason why he wouldn’t be able to.”
Kasiya shook his head lightly, then, seeing an opportunity, somewhat returned the favor to Amanda with an almost-just-as-rough fist-bump of his own, followed by a polite bow ending the fight. “You do hit harder than I expected. Glad I don’t need to use a clutch or I’d be hating my job of driving in the morning,” Kasiya admitted.
-Well, im supposed to take punches and kicks easily…after all, my usual opponents use guns, rifles and stuff that would otherwise be considered tools but are used as weapons
-She is cyborg utilising my nanomachines…its quite a bit of a story and possibly very confusing one to boot.
Im pretty sure not even Fighting Mode would allow her to lift truck above her head, so…you are stronger.
And seems, smarter fighter.
Upon hearing comment on clutch, Amanda wasnt fully happy
-Thats not exactly nice to hear
-As was the case with challenging them to fight in first place, asshole.
Now your behaviour might put us in trouble.
Also maybe some apology would be in place.
-My behaviour would likely put only me in trouble and they will decide to hate me for that
Not that i will be surprized.
Being aware that you are an asshole means you gotta deal with fact you arent going to be liked or loved
Apology would be logically in place…tbf i kinda enjoyed this fair bit.
We will prob never get along in our view of world, Kasiya, but sure enough im not going to challenge your capabilities in this regard.
-I hope this will be last time too to challenge someone from other team
-Yes, i promise as such.
Also…in case we are about to task something that will endanger the camp…count on few of us joining battleground.
As for that Aydar Senior, he also prefers to stay on not using force, but is very much terrifying to potential opponents when he does resort to violence.
He is…not part of this team and i really dont think we will ever bring him around.
-We should let them go back to their vehicles and group.
(Refering to trio)
See you later, then.
Pi had decided to share the info she obtained from Kaylie with rest and team will continue staying around cars, doing nothing of particular mention
As for members of Shift Happens…
Kasiya gave a polite nod, accepting his shirt back from Malavera and pulling it back on. As the three of them walked back to their vehicles, it was clear that Kasiya wasn’t actually that injured as he was walking fine, though was, perhaps, a bit less graceful in climbing back into the truck cab to write a few notes about the team he’d just interacted with.