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OOC: More Irish slang. Also, TEP turned one on January 18th =) so today it's one year and one month old! JEEPERS.

*Your gob is your mouth.
*If you're spewing a lot of blarney, you're talking nonsense.

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Disgusted by Tobias' behavior, Legs pushed the loose panel of Ottilie's weapon back into place with a loud SNAP, drawing her attention, "your gear shift was out of alignment. Not a difficult fix, but for the millionth time, you can't force your weapon to tasks it wasn't built for without risking some permanent damage," he went on, "I'm not saying you can't use it unconventionally as a last resort. All I'm asking is you keep its limitations in mind since I'm the one who has to run repairs and I don't exactly have a stocked shop out here. That's fair, right?" The Oasis creature inclined her head agreeably, "aye, very fair. I'll do me best." She smiled, leaning down to bump him fondly with her snout, "thanks, genius." He pushed her off, chattering gruffly, "yeah yeah, just test it ASAP. Make sure its not kicking back."

"S'near the top o'me ta-do list," Ottilie replied, tucking her weapon back into its holster. She considered the despondent rabbit then. Normally the creature would have liked to stay while he collected himself, but her promise weighed heavy on her mind and she knew she couldn't afford to linger. She had no way of knowing how long it would take Toby to recover after all, and even if Ottilie hadn't heard everything Kevin and Henry had to say she wouldn't have felt right rushing him back into the mess that was currently her life when he'd obviously remembered some very traumatic experiences only moments before. He hadn't asked for that, nor did he deserve it. Still, she couldn't take her leave without saying something. Rubbing her arm hesitantly, she finally moved to stand across from him, and going down on one knee so as to be face to face with the lepoid, said, "...Toby? Listen, I...well, I can't pretend ta understand what yer goin' through, an' m'not gonna act like I do 'cause that would be dishonest. M'also not gonna say sumthin' like 'don't hate what ya are' 'cause sorry as I am ta hear it I can't change how ya feel, ya have ta come ta terms with that on yer own." She paused, admitting, "m'unsure what 'tis ya might need ta hear, f'anythin'. Maybe nothin' will do an' m'only runnin' me gob, but when I think well o'a companion I usually don't keep quiet f'they're distressed, even f'what comes out o'me's off the mark." She smiled a little, "heh, maybe f'its a load o'blarney ya can least laugh later. In any case you'll know I cared 'nuff ta try 'stead o'possibly thinkin' m'ignorin' yer trouble." She shifted, touching his hand gently, "I only wanted ya ta know m'glad we met. With yer an' Henry's help I managed ta get near halfway through this place with only minor injuries, an' fewer o'em at that. An' m'real sorry I walked off on ya after I woke. No excuse fer it, 'twere a mistake." She sighed, "sometimes in the moment I can't always see the exact right thing ta do an' end up doin' the best thing I can think up. Other times I see the right thing but s'jus' not a possibility, so I have ta do sumthin' else 'cause doin' nothin's not an option mostly. Even now I know I have ta take me leave o'ya shortly an' it don't feel correct when yer in such a state, but s'what I need ta do ta ensure I keep me promise ta Prince Icosian." She patted his hand, "I hope some day yer able ta make peace with all that's happened ta ya an' find value in yerself 'gain, though. Not only fer yer sake, but fer the sakes o'all those ya want 'Warden' ta mean sumthin' good ta 'gain." She went on warmly, "an' fer what s'worth, ya've already shown me the merit in the word. 'Cause ya didn't abandon me when ya had the opportunity. An' 'cause even after livin' through a hundred years o'bollocks yer still capable o'feelin' repentant when ya fail. S'the kind o'hero I wanna be f'I make it that far..." Ottilie looked away self-consciously, busying herself with her A.P.D., "...um...anyway, I'd like ta try'n be o'use ta ya as thanks. I've some friends who can send a ship out. Not ta say ya need it, but rememberin' all that ya have's been difficult m'sure so f'ya'd like ta take it easy they can give ya the option an' have a vehicle here within the hour. You, Adi, an' Henry'll be on yer way 'fore sunrise. Ship might not go far as ya'd like, m'fraid their extraterrestrial vehicles aren't so nice as the P.I.A.'s, but it'll definitely carry ya safe ta the nearest port planet where ya can barter the parts fer sumthin' else." She stood up, holding her hands out, "wish I could do more. Sadly s'the best I can manage at the mo'..."

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Elsie chuckled, looking up from the wires she'd managed to disentangle, "now you're talking, Tulip--" it was at that moment an idea hit her, and the agent's smile widened, "--if ya really want to help go find me the main circuit breaker for this area. At first I thought I could have Shortcake shut the doors and then cut the electricity, but this traps being fed with power from a plethora of sources and I've only got access to the wires that Burnu idiot exposed where he cracked the walls. Cutting the power from the main if it's accessible would be much more efficient." She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder at the mysterious corridor that had opened near the water trap, "since Buster and I couldn't find a control panel or anything maybe it's down there somewhere. Should be inside a flat box set into the wall, and the main's the one with two thick black cords feeding it." She looked up, continuing severely, "though if ya do miraculously find something Tulip, please, don't touch it. Come get me. I don't trust ya to disconnect the right things." She turned away, grumbling, "and for the love of the Source, watch out for traps, because if I figure whatever out here I might be so engrossed I won't notice ya screaming."

"Would be some accomplishment considering how many ears you got. I'll go along." Dirac said crossly, standing up. Elsie rolled her eyes, "double trouble! So get out of here already. Find me a main breaker or don't, either way maybe I'll finally get some work done..."

OOC: It's true! I'll take quality over quantity any day =)

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Deliriously delighted, Ottilie returned the smile, voice trembling, "r-really...? Ya'd...ya'd do that--?" but her responsible side took control then, and she looked down, reconsidering guiltily, "--no, wait...Toby, are ya sure? S'like ta only get worse from here on in, much worse, an' ya've done more'n 'nuff already--" she indicated Legs, "--I've Legs ta watch me back. I'll be fine." It was a lie, she was deeply afraid she wouldn't be fine. She was always afraid when Jerin was involved. But Ottilie hid her true feelings behind a cheerful smile as she often did, because she didn't want to be the reason he chose to put himself, Henry, and Kevin in danger, "'sides, m'sure someone with yer abilities has better things ta do than hang 'round a small planet like this huntin' up some borin', decades old treasure!"

Legs met his gaze evenly, silent at first. Then he granted the rabbit the slightest nod, chattering curtly, "thank you for understanding." He looked up, urging Ottilie to translate. "He thanks ya fer understandin', an' on my end I do apologize fer assmuin' ya an' Henry could hear him right. Shoulda known better, most o'the folk we bump inta can't," the Oasis creature said, inwardly reflective. She had often supposed one of the reasons Legs had little interest in strangers (aside from his species inherent distrust of them) was the language barrier. After all, even if the individual in question turned out to be pleasant the odds he could talk to him or her without Ottilie present were slim to none, making forming a relationship an investment the decipede didn't find worth the time or effort--

"--Kitto...?" Legs was asking, tentatively. He'd felt the shift in her emotions when Jerin was mentioned and knew she was trying not to think of him. Unfortunately it was an issue that needed addressing, "any thoughts?" She sighed, crossing her arms, "on Jerin actin' unlike the bloke I know 'im fer?" She shook her head, speaking plainly to Toby, "can't help ya there, mate. Constantly re-inventin' himself, that one. Who he is 'round me isn't any more real'n who he'll be 'round any o'ya. So although at present I haven't noticed anythin' peculiar I couldn't rightly say s'him 'cause he's always actin'. F'he changes characters 'twouldn't even think it out o'the ordinary, I'd jus' assume he's come ta a new scenario in his mind that requires that, or he's doin' it fer personal amusement, s'the rub..." she trailed off. There were several things she wanted to add, but the creature couldn't comfortably bring them up without also bringing up the Oasis. Legs watched her struggle with this for a minute before drawing her attention, "Ottilie." She looked at him, and he indicated she should come closer. Moving forward, she extended her hand to rest beside the rock he stood on. He crawled into her palm and continued up her arm until he reached her shoulder. Once there, Legs chattered, "it's ok. Tell them."

Her eyes widened slightly, "ya can't be on 'bout...?"

"It's routine at this point," he said, clicking his mouthparts together brusquely, "but we can discuss the guide you never read later--"

"--I did too read it, I were only makin' su--!"

"--later. Let's take advantage of the situation now."

"Hm. Fine by me," Ottilie replied tensely, moving a hand to tap Nemo in his place in her A.P.D., "Nemo, can ya confirm the area's secure?" The little robot rose to scan the room. After a minute it trilled positively. She nodded, turning to address Toby, Henry, and Kevin very seriously, "f'ya please, what m'bout ta says fer yer ears alone." She paused, considering her next words, then began, "'fore ya did the come-in earlier, Toby, I was tellin' Adi an' Henry a bit 'bout Sages an' backlash. Durin' our conversation I mentioned that the Source has a number o'failsafes in place ta forestall catastrophic sorts o'backlash s'well as any number o'individuals willin' ta defend it 'tall costs. The individuals I was referrin' ta can come from anywhere o'course, don't need ta be extraordinary ta do the right thing s'what I say, but there is one place dedicated ta that end in particular. That places called the Oasis, an' its inhabitants have chosen ta dwell there an' ta serve the Source in any way it requires." She took a deep breath, "Legs an' me're representatives o'the Oasis. Me original purpose here in the world was ta track down Jerin Jestwood. The real one was from the Oasis too, y'see..." she looked away, "...one day he didn't come home. That were centuries ago, but fer some reason little o'er four years back Source wanted him found an' I were called ta the task. The bloke ya met earlier's the guy I ended up findin' an' the Oasis believes he's the right one. Once they confirmed he were the genuine article I were s'posed ta bring him in, but three months ago I got taken off his case an' started up with other assignments. This bit fer Algos s'only the latest, an' s'also the first I've seen o'Jerin in o'er six months."

"The last time was in the Blinks."

"Aye, last I saw o'him was in a mountain range called the Ice Blinks. He were o'great use ta me there--"

"--lets give him a medal." Ottilie shot Legs a look, "Oasis tries not ta interfere in the major happenin's o'Earth 'less s'absolutely necessary, an' when it does s'almost always covertly, which has led most o'the world ta believe it doesn't exist. We prefer it that way fer reasons I won't go inta here. Me purpose in revealin' this is ta try'n lessen certain concerns ya may have 'bout me organization, backlash, an' Jerin. Earlier Adi o'erheard an exchange 'tween me an' Legs that seemed ta alarm him a great deal fer instance, an' I'd hate ta leave him in a state o'mind that could breed distrust o'us an' the place we represent. Therefore, please allow me ta elaborate. We believe in non-violent action an' diplomacy 'bove all else. An' while preventin' harmful backlash is our primary focus, s'not our main pursuit nine times out o'ten. The majority o'our representatives are engaged in the plantin' o'trees, orchards, an' gardens all o'er the world, the exchange o'supplementary calculations meant ta increase technological slash manipu--er, magical productivity an' lessen the risk o'backlash, the bringin' o'relief ta places scarred by instances o'planetary backlash we failed ta prevent, an' the teachin' an' learnin' o'as much as we can where'er we can with whoe'er is willin' ta teach us or learn from us. Even when we receive intelligence that sumthin' has the potential fer creatin' harmful backlash the protocol is investigation, not annihilation. Ya get my point I hope. We do e'erythin' we can ta keep from harmin' Earth's inhabitants. Only time we fights when they've made it clear they won't deal peaceably with us or are already in the process o'intentionally hurtin' the Source." As she talked, Nemo circled the area with the Jack, idly scanning various rocks, "that said, Oasis does like ta watch what might inadvertently go awry. Doesn't mean they'll interfere, jus' means they want as much time as possible ta observe, gather relevant information, an' assemble a Council ta discuss courses o'action in the event o'a problem. S'part o'an Interplanar Investigators job, actually. They're the ones most concerned with harmful 'lash prevention. They go inta the world under the guise o'adventurers, explorers--" she smiled humorously, "--even treasure hunters. Once here they travel where they're needed addressin' potential catalysts--or maybe we're the catalysts...either way as an I.I. Legs was correct, I do need ta report this--" she added quickly, "--but only so the Oasis receives the correct information an' can plan accordingly. They've been at this business millions o'years whereas I've barely been at it four. We could use their aid an' expertise, 'specially where the P.I.A.'s concerned. They can run interference there an' also speak as directly as possible with the Source in the hopes o'gettin' a bearin' on where yer two hosts might be." She went on honestly, "s'true they may think it well ta send someone with more experience out here ta replace me, but f'that happens I won't fight it. Me ego's not so much I'd risk me planet's safety. But whate'er the Council does they'll want yer input an' they'll want ta work together ta keep you, our guests, an' our planet safe."

"They're probably considering the aforementioned course given how late you are in reporting," Legs chattered crossly. Ottilie rolled her eyes, "I'll take me knocks f'there're any ta be had." She looked back at them, "um, Legs was sayin' the Oasis prolly knows sumthin's up by now since the planet's constantly passin' on any information that seems troublin' ta it. S'how we get our leads." She indicated their informants, which included the air around them, the waterfall, even the rocks, "plus with the P.I.A. in the know it won't want ta hide ya from us anymore. No point. I'd estimate e'erythin' we've been sayin's either currently bein' processed or nearly so. Me purpose in makin' a reports ta ensure they receive the correct information, like I said. 'Cause it has ta go through Source knows how many kilometers o'ground, water, an' air ta reach the Oasis an' information can get mixed up when s'bein' passed from rock ta rock ta water ta air, etc."

"Like a bad game of telephone," the decipede chattered. She nodded, "aye, Investigators also exist ta lend credence ta the rumors the planet sends so Oasis isn't actin' on false claims." She moved on, "'nother reason I wanted ya ta know where m'froms ta establish credibility in me appraisal o'backlash. Adi prolly noticed this better'n anyone when he tried introducin' himself ta me followin' yer disappearance, Tobe. I were rather out o'sorts o'er it while Henry an' he were fine, physically speakin' that 'tis. S'cause all Oasis born have amplified sensitivities ta backlash an' Legs an' I're no exceptions. Since s'the case I should be able ta help ya use yer more Sage-like abilities ta greater effectiveness an' fewer complications though, 'cause I'll feel the gradual increase in warnin' lash an' be able ta tell ya when s'gettin' close ta harmful. Me oath ta the Oasis also makes me responsible fer preventin' the return, so f'ya won't listen ta reason I'll need ta interfere with whate'er yer doin' directly," she went on apologetically, "I hope ya won't think ill o'me f'it comes ta that. I mean f'ya do s'ok, 'least you'll understand why since m'sayin' so. An' I'd ne'er interrupt anythin' without tryin' ta speak first as I said. Force isn't me way. I prefer ta reason when I can," She looked down, "finally, 'bout Jerin...won't sugarcoat it. S'pose he'd make an ideal 'nuff host, or even an accomplice ta whoe'er the host may be, but s'kind o'a toss up. There are as many reasons ta pick Jerin as there are not ta. He's wealthy, well connected, extremely fond o'mazes..." she looked worried, "...f'anyone could find anyone in a maze actually, it'd be Jerin. Also, the clan he's from has remarkable regenerative powers. His body ages slowly, heals quickly, an' ne'er takes ta disease." She went on, "that said, no one from the Oasis is capable o'manipulation, or 'magic' as ya call it. We're born in areas where even the smallest failed manip could yield a ten times lash, so s'evolutions way o'protectin' us. I dunno yer Raven, but he might not find that so appealin'."

"There's also the, ah--" Legs tapped the side of his own head. Ottilie nodded, "oh, aye, Jerin's mind. It works...er...non-linearly s'the best way o'puttin' it. S'not that he uses more, jus' the parts he's able ta consciously use work all at once. I had a friend who could get inside heads real psychic-like what tried ta with Jerin. He said it were rubbish, s'too disorderly ta even remember control exists when yer inside, much less focus on any one thing. In the Oasis they think even Jerin's not in control o'his mind, he jus' sort o'works with whate'er its presentin' him with at the time. Dunno f'that'd keep Raven at bay either, but I imagine 'twould make things harder f'Jerin's mind kept losin' or forgettin' his plans an' dwellin' on...whate'er 'tis he dwells on when he's quiet."

"That's another thing, you never let Jerin be quiet!" Legs chirped urgently, and Ottilie smiled, "cheers mate." She added, "Legs' brought up a good point, lettin' Jerin go quiet isn't sumthin' I like ta do. F'ya get 'im talkin', even listenin' ta ya talk, he tends ta focus on that an' it keeps 'im from slippin' too far inta his head." She looked unhappy, "that seven hours or so when I were out wasn't good 'cause m'sure he used the time ta some effect." The creature smiled, "no worries though mate, I've a lot o'experience dealin' with him. May not believe I know who he is, but I've committed ta memory several habits he may or may not be aware o'that could prove tellin' in a pinch." She looked away, "an' sometimes I...feel things, 'bout 'im..." she seemed visibly disconcerted for a minute, then shook her head, "...f'I notice anythin' I'll be sure ta let ya know."

Legs stared up at her. He knew she wanted it to be true, but the insect also knew it would be difficult for Ottilie to hand Jerin off to anyone. Maybe it was entitlement she felt, after taking as much as she had from him she wanted to be the one who brought him to whatever end the Oasis deemed appropriate. Hadn't she earned that much? He could only hope she wouldn't have to make that choice. Legs touched her neck gently, comfortingly. She felt so alone sometimes. Alone with only the promise of that point where it would be her and Jerin and Legs wouldn't be able to help. He changed positions, reaching up to press his claws to either side of her face gently, "Ottilie, lets call the Oasis now, ok? They'll know what to do," he smiled, pinching her cheeks, "wake up, kitto. You aren't alone."

She smiled, lowering her head and quickly saying, "um, Legs says s'really time ta report ta the big O now," she looked up, "but s'there anythin' else I can clarify fer ya...?"

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Jerin chuckled, eyes fixed on the wires, "it's true Burnu does as he pleases, but I doubt he'd be so...discourteous, toward me..." he smiled strangely, "...though, it would be interesting." The trap doors slid shut over the water as he stood, going on to disconnect all outgoing wires from the exposed circuits in the remaining craters. Once this was done he rapped the doors with a foot paw, and as with Elsie they started to pull back only to grind to a squealing halt, little more than a quarter of water exposed between them. Jerin brushed his hands off, moving to cross when the ground beneath them trembled. Moments later Kiku Cho and Burnu re-appeared, the former in considerable distress. Gliding forward, she entwined the Oasis renegade in her arms, "oh Jerin, it is awful!"

Cringing, Jerin pulled away, keeping his hands on her shoulders while inquiring dryly, "really, madam. What exactly is so terrible? And where's Noc?"

"Well there's the rub, Jesty," Burnu grumbled, "can't find him, can we. The nippers got ta croakin', right, so Kix an' me thought that were that an' went ta join the old blighter. Weren't at our meetin' point or anywhere in the area, we checked--"

"--some dreadful thing has surely happened to him!"

Jerin pressed his claw tips to her shoulders to hold her from him, "eh hem. You'll recall better than I that Noc can take care of himself."

"You do not feel at all responsible for his well being?" The kunoichi asked, exploiting every second of the situation in order to remain close to him. Burnu rolled his eyes, and Jerin raised a brow at her, "are we talking about the same creature? I've business of my own to--"

"--please, Jerin?" She implored, batting her eyelashes at him. Burnu frowned, speaking frankly, "ain't all unwarranted. Not like him ta disappear without leavin' some sign ta follow up on. C'mon Jesty. For, yanno, old times sake?"

Jerin crossed his arms, drumming his claws against them, but finally nodded sharply, "very well--"

"--darling!" Cho cooed, promptly wrapping him in another embrace. Jerin recoiled as if he were being physically assaulted, pushing her hands back at her with a nervous laugh, "ha ha, y-yes! Well! You were welcome at 'please Jerin' and not a second after--" Dirac could have almost smiled at this if he hadn't been bothered by other things, watching as Jerin ran a hand through his messy hair several times while Cho sulked. "In any case," he went on, composed, "if he's not back where you were supposed to meet he might have ventured further in, though to what purpose I cannot say," he jabbed a thumb in the direction Elsie had taken earlier, "my business lies along the same path, so lets hurry in the hopes we might both find who we seek." Without another word he turned, taking Ball in one hand and carefully stepping over the crack in the doors. On the other side he knelt, setting the small robot down again. It droned curiously, and he swept an arm through the air, smiling at it, "find Jack." Droning jubilantly, the little robot took off, Jerin in hot pursuit. Dirac and Burnu followed, and Aurora would have been long past them if Cho had not seized her arm, holding her back to remark quietly, "--between us, be very, very careful with Jerin. His...patronage, may seem--" she stopped, taking note of the look on Aurora's face, and her laughter was pitying, "--oh my, you poor dear. Have you not realized he--?" at that moment Jerin's impatient voice drifted back to them, "--Aurora!"

Cho released her, pulling her mask down, "your 'teacher' is calling," a burst of fog concealed her slender form, but she continued speaking softly (sadly), "...I envy you. He wants you close to him. Because I do not want that I will tell you something he does not want me to: you are in terrible danger." The fog curled ominously, her voice receding in every direction, "find what is truly precious to him. Only when you do this will you see what he values in you and be capable of protecting it from coming into his possession." She paused, "if it's not already too late, that is." Then she was gone, leaving Aurora with only this warning for company, indistinct and intangible as the wraithlike mist...

Legs nodded to Kevin, a measure of respect for the gerbil audible in his reply, "I'll be sure to pass that on." He looked back at Ottilie. She'd been thrilled to hear Toby trusted her enough to let her past his mental barriers, whatever that meant, but it was Henry she was looking at now. The insect rolled his eyes, touching her neck, let it go, kitto. He's not from here. He doesn't understand.

I know, but it weren't me intention ta make him feel bad...

That's his problem, not yours. For the love of the Source, please, leave it--

"--Henry?" Ottilie started, and Legs shook his head, muttering, "or you could not listen to me. As usual." She ignored him, going on, "m'sorry I've upset ya with me decision. I don't think ya need ta be treated like a disease, an' neither does the Source. F'that were the case 'twouldn't a hid ya an' Toby from the P.I.A. long as it did..." she frowned, searching for the right words, "...I'd only like ta be...ta be helpful, ta ya. Ya expressed concern yerself 'bout what 'twould happen f'ya accidentally caused me planet ta lash, an', well, honestly the ones who're most successful at avertin' things o'that nature with the least amount o'mess're me mates at the Oasis. I don't know 'nuff ta be o'great use on me own, so the next best thing I can do is speak with those who know more'n me. An' I won't lie, me oath does endear me ta the Source in front o'e'erythin', but that doesn't mean I don't genuinely want ta be o'service ta ya much as m'able." She paused, remembering something, "um, not entirely unrelated, but when I were a wee thing me da used ta catch me playin' in a number o'places I shouldn't. One was these serpent pits near our farm--" she smiled fondly, sadly, "--he'd...sure eat me head off f'I were caught in those pits. I didn't understand why 'cause the serpents always claimed they'd ne'er eat any o'our family. Said they didn't like the taste, y'know? Da wouldn't drop it though. He said 'tweren't 'bout what the serpents said, 'twas 'bout temperin' compassion with caution." She looked up at him, "he said f'I were rude or unseemly ta 'em they'd dislike me outright o'course, but conversely f'I were too trustin' they'd ne'er respect me. 'Cause only a fool plays in serpents nests, an' no one knows that better'n the serpents." Ottilie shrugged, embarrassed, "dunno why I thought o'that. Maybe 'cause s'kinda like what Toby said 'fore, 'bout trust bein' sumthin' ya earn. Were smart, what he said." She sighed, "an' trusts sumthin' I've been told I grant too easily. I know that 'bout meself though, an' m'tryin' ta be better. I don't mind yer contempt, Henry, honest I don't. I'd prolly feel the same in yer place. S'whate'er measure o'respect ya have fer me as a competent, empathetic an' loyal individual I want ta keep. Afterall, how could ya continue ta trust me once you'd seen me behave foolishly an' possibly ta me planet's detriment? An' f'I were so inconsiderate an' so careless with the Source, how long might it be 'fore ya begin ta question f'I would treat ya so callously--?" She looked down then, "--m'sorry, m'ramblin'. Really I only want ya ta know I appreciate all ya've done an' yer puttin' up with me. An' I acknowledge that yer upset an' don't think ill o'ya fer it. Rather, the Oasis an' I're gonna work really, really hard ta try an' earn yer trust through our actions. F'we do, s'great, an' f'not, s'ok too. Ya can only do the best ya can." She rubbed the side of her snout, hit by another bout of shyness, "um, I...wanted ya ta know that."