Team Mravolinski-Chitco
Part 0.4: Real journey begins now
Thanks to @Madrias on collabing for small part of ARI and tad bit bigger part of Blazing freeze
Short blurb included Valentin from team of @Elizipeazie in latter of two
Point and shoot, will leave that to battle discussion
So, that is one way to leave impression on people…
Ofc we are refering to first interaction between Amanda and Shift Happens.
Well, one part of it atleast, but it doesnt truly matter.
-Two-headed one was able to lift front of our vehicle previous time. I really needed to tell that earlier bcos i knew this kinda thing could have happened.
-Relax, Pi, it went absolutely fine.
-Not convinced on that
Besides, i prefer if we arent seen as that team with a PITA member
I hope you gathered all info from that match you wanted
-Oh, absolutely not, but trying to pick up fights with people on your side is…prob not good idea.
Well, if you happen to barely know them that is.
Mat caught glance of something and that brought attention of Chicota.
He followed where Mat was looking at
-You wanna go?
-Uhhh…maybe if those guys finish, im not in a hurry.
I have gun and i perhaps would use it if needed.
-They happen to look very much like animals we have here on Earth and its not too far fetched to assume they can smell shit.
And seems they are experienced enough to recognise you were in absolute fear back then.
So gather the gun and some ammunition and we shall head over.
Speaking of head, there was certain creature having two of them flexing some shooting skills.
Ok, flexing might be too strong of word but indeed didnt inspire much confidence in Mat
That is covered here and it was good read atleast for me although its length might not be to all tastes
Mat has hauled his weapon and decided to shoot at target
-Argh, i missed.
-Yup you did. (Chuckles) Its fair to say that you are not familiar with weapon…at all.
-They are all so good.
-They are familiar with their weapons and had lot of practice and you have neither of those two at your side.
Better concentrate on shooting rather than talking
Some time has passed. Fair bit of bullets was used and not a lot ended in targets.
-This is terrible.
-Well yes, but beats having no weapons and you did improved a little.
Having as much ammunition as you wish, there would be ample opportunity to practice.
-Granpa that gave me weapons and ammunition leads weapon company and i have ancestor that was…hmm, not really sure what he would happen to be, but was also very skilled with weapons…i think he did had military experience.
-Ye but i should note that families happen to evolve over time. Besides, its likely that you just arent that interested in it all.
For example, Oldie is undergraduate electrical engineer that has no particular physical strength.
He is rather smart and highly educated individual.
His oldest known direct ancestor was blacksmith: if said ancestor is first then Oldie is 8th in that bloodline…and i think it continued until 3rd generation
Yet, Oldie is def not fit for said job.
-That didnt help much. I have no idea who this Oldie is, for starters.
-Ah, just an old person i happen to know and of whom i have some knowledge of bloodline
Before our older people decide to complain about potentially being called old, fear not, as Oldie is reserved for one person in particular and will not be utilised on others, even if they are older than Oldie/me
Lets say that i know that few readers of this text will be older than that and will be far from what one would consider old in usual sense
Feel free to dive into your own family tree bcos you never know how deep you may be able to go: that blacksmith ancestor i mentioned was born in 1760.
Anyway…
-Im not sure if im really willing to go around and try to pick up spent bullets and casing
-No problem, we can ask Pi to do so. She may bring stuff that isnt either of those, but hosts will appreciate not needing to do that bit of work themselves.
To cut story short, Andrea decided to join in and help her friend on that cleaning part.
-I was able to kinda damage/hurt him. Considering we havent intended to hurt each other, we havent really went with all we got but i can potentially defeat him.
-Hmm true, but then again considering how big and strong Kasiya is, wouldnt be surprized if he can hurt you as well.
He fought shirtless, for one.
Both of us have some tricks up our sleeves…well kinda…but who knows what he or rest of group can deliver in that regard.
He said he can apparently fight but, its rather unlikely he would be properly equipped for any more serious fighting.
-I think i saw both you two and them using shooting range.
-Oh yeah, he did had some pistol of sorts…less than ideal, but gives possibility of ranged attacks.
That leaves armor, which i find not very likely, seeing that he isnt particularly fond of fighting and VERY unlikely to choose it as his job or interest via other means.
-Yup, others could easily
Wait…he shares same surname with that cyborg guy.
Takaraya, was it?
He didnt seemed to have artificial limbs himself
-There were two guys from VerBankas high school with same surname that werent related.
Also came from same place, interestingly enough.
-Neither would happen to be particularly memorable but yes, thats good example.
But ye, if those hosts do happen to have armor and weapons, it wouldnt be question of “if” but “when” they would dispose of what we usually encounter.
ROOOAAAARRRRR!!!! Watt is happening?
So now we decided to briefly mention Kaylie. She is taller and heavier than most female characters of mine and is both only female and smallest member that Shift Happens has in their team
As you might conclude from title and one of earlier posts by Madrias, she was source of roaring.
Absolutely noone was happy about her roar, but it seems it was to attract attention for good reason.
-What is happening?
-We need to gather in center of camp it seems.
-Lets go
As already mentioned there was need for wait, since Val needed to recompose himself
He was also the one to speak up.
-Sounds strained…could have brought megaphone
-Shush
Listening up until THAT moment, as some other team was specifically brought into attention.
Only now, our group realised among all members of teams were two small cars moving around.
This attracted some interest, but was not possible to deepen the thought on that as Val continued…
-So our plugs are 8 and 24
-Good, they shall be delivered to our team then.
-Lets take a look…and plugs are on their car.
They cant be removed from their car.
-Ah ok, thats not on me to worry about.
Anyway Mat had realized that cable is very fucking heavy (36 kg heavy) and so he decided to pass on that.
-Both me and Amanda can deal with that, so rest of you can go back and await at the car.
-This isnt so heavy that it needs two of us to carry it to the cars.
Wait…where are you…
Chicota?
.
.
.
At this point she realized she is only member of Mravolinski-Chitco nearby.
-Eh fuck it, i can carry this myself.
Now im presented with unique problem of how to load myself up in order to get it to our cars.
Ohh…i have a NASTY idea…
CHICOTA!!!
-YOU SAID YOU CAN CARRY THEM ON YOUR OWN
-I CANT STACK THEM ON MY OWN
-HOW EXACTLY IS THAT MY PROBLEM?
-I HAVE AN IDEA
-I DONT CARE
Some silence and an object has taken flight
Object was caught and swiftly returned to sender through air
-I. DONT. CARE.
-Hmm i have another idea.
Admitedly, she hasnt really trained to be juggler but we can reasonably assume she would be rather good at it.
And so she juggled four items around until Chicota was reached.
-Nice skill.
-Can you help me put them down?
-No.
-Really?
-No.
-How about i tell you “Please”?
-No.
-I think we attracted too much attention already
-No.
He went into car and pulled out shaving foam, which was lightly applied to Amanda’s face.
-Now you look the part. Cant really procure some other “clown-look” essentials, but this will have to do.
-Very funny.
-Thats the point.
After few minutes, Amanda had finished with juggling gimmicks.
Cable would be extended and now they intended to draw power from steam car as coiled up cable isnt going to be useful for power.
As such, Amanda and Chicota had returned to Robert for plugging them up and this time cable would really draw the needed power.
-Ok, now we could settle in for the night
-I really need to shave
…and Mat obtained some shaving foam from Amanda’s face to do it, as said foam was still present.
Very much later
-This truly is wonderful night. Shame rest is sleeping and cant watch the sky.
-They also cant look at your face which looks hilarious.
-Not my problem
Rest of night was spent by these two discussing fighting bad guys and sleeping soundly by remaining part of team
ARI (Argument, Rising, Information)
Some stretching marked the rise of our group. It became clear that they werent fully happy about sleeping arrangements, or atleast that would be the case with ones that slept…drivers meeting had resulted in very interesting decision
-Hmm, you cant drink and drive…seems i may adopt different approach to my father here.
-And what would that be?
-Enjoying the life from back seat. We have enough drivers already.
-Out of them, two are incompetent.
-Thats underestimating you and Siviko. You may be very old and as such of not great reflexes, but you did traveled last year by yourself.
-True, but i would not want to bear consequences if i bump their cars by accident.
Same, i presume, goes for my son
Attention was turned to nodding cat
-There would be no lasting consequences, as it would be obvious it was an accident.
That being said, i…really dont think it would ever come down to that in first place
-If needed, consider some driver time anyway.
-We will need to see how getting to that Rift would be done.
-I think i have an idea of how it might happen…
Last year, we used some frame with some…foil of sorts?..and it was like mirror in other world.
-Yes, and there are no mirrors around here.
-Hmm, maybe that shed…we shall investigate.
Seems small, but what they gave us meets description.
Too narrow to allow two cars to enter…
-Ok, we shall check with hosts…
But before they would move away from cars, Amanda decided to point out something she noticed.
-Im not sure that thats smart idea. Kasiya has an armor on him.
-Oh boy, that kinda makes him having quite some advantage on you, dont you think?
-You think he is angry at me for yesterday? Bcos i didnt get that impression.
-And you want to anger him? Malavera just described one way to do it.
-NOT A FUCKING CHANCE
-Hmmm, i might spy someone who is in love…
-NOO
-Oh im not convinced of that at all.
Amanda recollected thoughts and adopted less shouty tone
-Look…im not emotional about many things and no, im not having crush on Kasiya.
I just wouldnt want to anger him due to him being good fighter and on our side.
-To me, that sounds like you wouldnt mind having some less fight-y “fights” with him.
Rest chuckled
-Reasoning?
-Well, he is first individual you met that you might picture as good fighter that isnt part of our group already.
As such, you would prob aim towards having children with such individual.
-That doesnt mean anything. I would not be opposed to that idea, as having offspring stronger and better fighters than me is totally fair game and he can provide that.
But im not going to actively seek that kinda relation, partially bcos i may have made…interesting first impression.
Oh yea…about that…
She closed distance to Chicota, ending her sentence
…any news on your and Aydar Junior’s night with those females you interacted?
-Do both of you need to remind me that that happened? Some stuff is better off forgotten…
-Ah, Andrea had also went digging there i see…would be interesting to see how you two arrived at that point…
Chicota was uncomfortable and Amanda was rhetorical: she knew full well what led to that convo yesterday
-Ye…very interesting…i have no news on whether or not there were new beings created as result of that.
-Really, that kind of stuff can put us into real big trouble.
They exist and decide to side with our baddies, we are in for very bad time
-What i know is non-important to say: two of us just had some casual fun, barren any further or deeper emotions.
-That “casual fun” can be beggining to troubles we cant really match.
Pi decided to interrupt
-We shall get going and clear this getting to Rift up with hosts.
MOVE ALONG, THATS AN ORDER
Rest of group was surprized by this, but did closed off distance to hosts
Until i say otherwise they are talking and walking towards HG-TVs
I…might have went too deep into that “leader” role…i dont know much about time but will prefer not to waste it.
-But he is armored…
-MAT FOR GOD SAKE…I COULDNT BE LESS BOTHERED ABOUT HIS CLOTHING
-Thats an armor…
-So what, you prefered to see him with no shirt?
You will be caught lacking compared to him no matter what, and no clothing will EVER change that.
-But he could be dangerous after happenings of yesterday…as far as we know, Amanda’s behaviour could be reasoning behind him being armored
-So what, i dont fear death…well, mine at least…
Mat was trying to prove his point and tried to grasp for last straw of hope
-He could hurt Andrea…
-I would protect her, dont you worry.
-How?
-If it would really come down to it, fight against him with all i have, allowing her to escape.
-Uh…im sure he would wreck you in like…i dunno…immideately?
-Still counts as fight: im stupid enough to fight off Dyre last year bcos i wanted to help and would be even more stupid when it comes to protecting Andrea.
Besides, he can be reasoned with unlike those
Anyway…
Turns toward nearby host members
-Excuse us for some in-team arguments. We are here bcos while i suspect we might enter Rift through that shed, rest of group is not convinced
Kaylie and Kasiya both overheard the crew approaching them, both recognizing the crew as Team Mravolinski-Chitco, or at least, a couple of the members of that team.
“Kasiya’s armored,” Kaylie said, “because of the talking cars. They make him nervous.”
“I’m not fond of fighting,” Kasiya admitted. “But if I had to with this armor on, I can, and it wouldn’t end well for whatever I’m fighting.”
When they were asked about entering the Rift through the shed, Kaylie waved over Jayde. “Hey, Jayde, mind giving them a practical demonstration of why the Rift shed will work?”
Jayde shrugged, bringing his bag and canteen over. He held up his canteen, then asked, “How much water do you think it holds? A liter? Two liters? Certainly not three, right?” He motioned to Kasiya to hand over his “canteen”, which happened to be a ten-liter water-labeled jerry can with a long, heavy strap to let him hang it over his shoulder. Jayde opened the lid and tipped it upside down to show it was empty, then uncorked his own canteen and started filling up Kasiya’s one. It took a few minutes, but soon, Kasiya’s canteen was full, the lid closed, and handed back to Kasiya. Jayde then pulled a few glasses out of his bag and offered, “Would you like a drink?”
Kaylie smirked. “See, Jayde uses a lot of magic to solve problems. The shed is merely a doorway to our destination. The Rift is just behind those doors. Or it will be once Jayde and Kivenaal open it.”
Chicota and Amanda chuckled upon hearing the reason for wearing the armor
-Not to sound rude for thinking thats kinda ridiculous, but from my perspective it is kinda ridiculous.
-Well, that might happen to be due to fact you are pretty big and strong even without armor.
We had seen cars in question and…both are tiny.
That being said…we may not be best reference, as we happen to have some friends that can be denoted as autonomous cars
-I think “robots shaped like cars” can kinda do as description.
They are still usable in normal fashion, but can drive on their own if they want or need.
After gathering all of courage he had, Mat dared to ask question
-Is there any specific reason for that uneasyness? Bcos, yes, im not sure how that can disrupt such big individual.
At this point, Pi recalled something that might have been step towards understanding of this.
But there are some questions that would need to be answered to clear that up…and, try as she might, she couldnt recall if Kaylie and Jayde are aware of how that event actually played out.
Scariest part is…she cant exactly ask them on that, as was advised to play with alternative story until being absolutely sure.
Before her concerns could have been visible, Kaylie waved for her husband.
Pi also recalled something similar to this…demonstration in front of them
-Uhhh…not sure if its good thing to ask, but can you remember when our team woke all of you up during night?
I recall we getting lot of gravel and shit in bed of our truck after that…is that something similar to this?
Mat decided to respond
-Who cares, this is awesome.
-Hehe, that whole world is magical
-Really?
-Yes, really, Mat. I was there last year.
-And water is really nice
Amanda decided to speak up
-So that sorts out entering the Rift.
-Are you still gonna wear that shaving foam mask?
(In earlier part of this WIP post, Chicota applied shaving foam on entire Amanda’s face. Said foam is still present during this conversation)
-Yes.
-You two idiots wasted MY foam to fool around.
-Well, that means you can grow a beard…which means that you dont come across like crybaby right off the bat.
-Rich coming from foam-enhanced asshole.
I swear im only normal member of team here…
Kasiya sighed. “The cars are creepy to me. They look like ordinary cars until they move, they don’t have eyes or a face to look to when they speak. It’s… Unsettling to say the least.”
Kaylie shrugged. “Also doesn’t help that his mother got hit by a self-driving taxi, either.”
Jayde chuckled as Pi asked about the mess he’d poured into their truck bed, then opened the flap on his bag and reached inside, pulling out a loaf of fresh bread, still steaming hot like it had come out of the oven a few minutes ago. “The bag is bigger on the inside, yes.”
Chicota had spoken
-That’s actually rather valid reason. I would like to think that their “face” would be headlights, grille, bumper etc. but as we havent met and interacted with them, cant say more than that.
But, if given the chance, they might happen to position themselves in better light.
Would say that i hope mother recovered, but…i have feeling there may be some…results of that that cant be recovered.
Siviko had noted that convo goes in direction that was, sadly, rather familiar to him
-That would prob have nothing to do with self-driving a vehicle.
My biological family is gone in its entirety excluding me…seeing that we were apparently bunch of stray cats, wouldnt rule out possibility of some of them…uhhhhh…
-Being run over by car?
-…ye…well, it doesnt need to end there…that would be theme for different conversation
Also it might not be welcome to dig in deeper than needed there
Pi was intrigued
-How are you sure you would get out right thing from the bag?
That bread could have easily been something not as nice or tasty.
-Well, at this point that might be magic as well.
Who is not to say he cant turn gravel into bread anyway…
-I dont think thats how magic necessarily works, Mat.
-But it could work.
-Probably
Pi was looking around, thought and spoke
-I would imagine both of our teams would be technically busy.
We shall see you on the other side of Rift
-Ye, definitely looking forward to that journey…i will drive.
-Nice…hopefully we will meet and befriend some more teams in other camp
-We will ask you to not be first contact with them, as we dont want to be pictured as bunch of assholes whose sole interest is kicking out some bad guy’s ass and claiming we are best fighters in town
-Dont worry, i…had figured that out eventually.
Jayde smiled. “Well, if you’re wanting something specific, it’s usually near the top of the bag. As for changing things like gravel into bread… I mean, it’s possible but it’s not worth the energy. That said, with the proper application of magic, I can turn this simple bread loaf into a variety of different baked goods, if needed. It’s easier to change items from one thing to another if they’re similar in some way, after all.”
“So when he filled your truck bed with gravel and glass,” Kaylie said, “he really wanted to do that.”
“A bottomless bag like this does slowly increase in weight if you keep adding things to it. That was just one of the first opportunities I had to dispose of all of that junk,” Jayde replied.
-Not that we can blame you…it must have been really annoying being woken up so deep into night
Good thing is that we arent likely to repeat that move this year.
And on this note, we shall see each other in next camp
They were now back and Pi had some hard thought
-Whats the matter?
-Remind me, Chicota, that i need to tell you something. This reaction of Kasiya towards those two cars could be based on something similar to what we had last year.
I advise to keep said conversation secret, leak no info.
-How about we have that talk when we arrive in other camp?
-Fine by me…im just worried i may accidentally leak it in wrong time in wrong place
Rift walk...or shall we say drive
After our group had returned back and prepared to go, Amanda had idea to go fetch power cables.
After very likely confusing whoever manned Robert at that point, she returned and cables were placed.
-Hmm, i have briliant idea. Lets go and fit into Saguaro
Five individuals fit in small wagon.
-Amanda, you will drive. We had reached agreement that you are to drive truck.
-Ok, you arent confident in getting through?
-Well, im definitely not as skilled driver…also we are first.
-Ok.
Ohh boy, what a sight it was being there, leaving all but three members in awe upon the conditions they are now facing.
Pi gathered no particular emotion from this all, as she saw it unfold already last year
Amanda was concentrated on driving and didnt mind conditions by any measure, as this was rather regular road after all, barring its irregular surroundings
Chicota opted to cuddle with his favourite object, that being beer bottle.
This bliss of sorts was interrupted by some stops not caused by this team
-Oh, fuck…this will take a while, is it?
-Probably, i dont recall this being thing last year.
-Shall we assist?
-I would do what i can to help and i advise you to do the same.
Grabbing CB radio pre-set by driver, she notified other members in other car
-I would advise helping as much as you can. Its on you tho if you will help or not
Just…dont be like Amanda
Speaking of Amanda, she ventured to Rollers and saw that they do have plenty of assistance
One wave later to guys, she was on her way to see if there is someone else with issue
Similar story applied to Chicota, but he had his glass friend in tow in case he decides to drink some more
There were couple of engine issues, few tires and some refills but eventually other end was reached.
Massive difference in temperature was not particularly welcome towards older members of group and both Mat and Pi had shown some struggle as well
Blazing freeze
Amanda had heard a whistle and approached Tangerine Tank with other end of cables
-Representative of team Mravolinski-Chitco
This was followed by Val taking cable ends and plugging them in himself
-Ok, thanks for your service
-Have a nice day
Amanda has joined back of group when she saw other two females getting back.
-Pi is…unwell.
-Not my problem, get in car as that might help
-Khm khm
-What?
-I believe that you asked to talk with me about something regarding Kasiya and previous year.
-Ah, let us speak in private.
Original turn of events was covered here
-You recall mention of one team having fatality last year?
-Yes.
-Officially known story is that they crashed during the stage
-Oh well, it happens. What, their vehicle was inoperable?
-Will get to that, but in essence yes.
Steps could have been heard crunching through the snow
Andrea had arrived
-We have some big important talk here.
It requires privacy. We had mentioned that its not for everyones ears.
-I was still not fully happy in that regard…and “privacy” indicates something completely else in my mind
-What would that be?
-Take a guess…anyway what you were talking about?
-Some guys last year crashed last year. Skill issue, i presume.
-Thats not worth being secretive, stuff of that kind happens.
-…its also a cover story. I asked for Chicota bcos i know he will keep quiet.
-And your best friend apparantly cant?
At this point, girls started to visibly shiver as response to cold
-Pi, im sure we can be trusted enough to not leak the info. Besides, this trailer of yours might freeze away and i kinda care too much about her well-being.
-“Care”
-Story can have disastrous consequences if leaked out, so…i prefer being on safe side.
-Eh, lot of people around are new to all this, so i think they wouldnt care.
-Hrmph fine
Pi took heavy sigh
-Team that havent made it had hidden monster in car. Monster was inhabiting their car, killed one of members and needed to be killed itself.
-How that makes sense in terms of Kasiya`s fear of those two tiny cars?
Dramatic pause
-Their car was the monster. It transformed into monster.
-Oh god, thats…quite the twist…
-Uhh, im pretty sure he couldnt have been disturbed by that.
-No hosts were present at that point. As far as we know, they know about cover story.
-Im pretty sure they need to know so they can be prepared in such case
Chicota started pulling away
-Stop
Are you sure thats good idea?
What do you think they will do?
He stopped and turned back
-Well, they deserve to know the truth.
-This isnt about if they deserve it or not…oh god its too cold…
-Spare the words, young lady
That last sentence was followed by certain man exiting woods towards them
-YOU
-Ofc im me, what did you expect otherwise?
-You fucking asshole…how long you exactly waited there?
Pi had grabbed man by his collar, pulled him closer and continued to speak
Hmm…maybe “shout in his face” is more apt description
ANSWER ME
-You had lost your mind due to stress, fatigue and cold. You might not be apt for leader just yet, but are on good road.
I dare to say that im proud of your development.
You two are free to leave, me and Chicota would finish the conversation.
They obliged
Chicota turned to guy, who spoke
-As Andrea said, i would advise against that idea you currently have.
And as both of us can handle this cold, we can continue for however long we like.
-Care to introduce yourself?
-Unluckiest member of my kind would be apt description.
I was almost attacked by bunch of people when i sneaked into their truck…oh, you brought it out this year as well…i applaud the dedication.
-You certainly will be attacked if you dont explain yourself
-Ah, you are just like your father, he reacted same way
Well, you heard what Pi had to say. I was one that told them that.
This year, we heard some rumours that there will be some returning teams from last year and unfortunately, my colleagues sent ME to make sure teams that are oblivious STAY oblivious until they actively decide to search for truth.
-You really take great care of that?
-We must. What SH does is very nice in my opinion.
-I have an idea.
We can get into car and you can tell us there
-Only if you promise it will not leak outside of vehicle
Besides, this whole thing isnt to my taste as you can imagine
Two headed into camp and were met by some shooting from range
-Ah hosts having some fun there
-Im not confident in what most of those people can do…good thing i know this big group has many ready to rise to occasion if needed
They entered Kontir, with girls already in it.
-We decided to talk in warm place.
-Go ahead, but should have announced yourself earlier
-Unlike most of you, i actually have something called “life”
Anyway, why not talking to hosts…they should be familiar with it?
I will tell you why.
- Knowing that you slipped some big threat into this world, threat locals arent prepared for…leaves quite a bit of sense of guilt, wouldnt it?
Endangering other participants and locals is not their interest
They had gotten that club over there to protect the camp, for reasons of Dyre variety.
If they had known about that fight, there is chance of this event not being a thing in first place - Locals wouldnt be happy about getting some big monster that is unknown by them.
Dyre are monsters, but they are very well known and not exclusively hostile.
So they could judge entire group as hostile and you will not be welcome
Man yawned, indicating he is tired.
-You raised some good points.
-Oh man, i really wasnt myself back there…can you forgive me?
-No. I dont know how to forgive, as those two set me up.
I like my role in this world, but…im not fan of roaming around in cold.
You can stay with us tonight, hopefully that will make up for my rudeness back in woods
Local thought and made decision
-That will do nicely, would be enough to get me to next town. Hopefully, there will be enough space…
-Ye, there will be enough…our accomodations arent best ever, but we will manage.
Considering that Loojoe and Siviko didnt want to risk issues that would be caused by combination of their old age and cold climate, they had decided to occupy rear seat of Saguaro.
Granted, car was still not warmest place to be in, but they decided this is bearable.
Decision was made for Mat being with them in car during night.
But before that…he has plans.
)
