twenty one | drones up, bros down

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger and Pokey, who've been droned for committing their first murder together, decide to do what bros do best and go on a camping trip. Backdated to the afternoon and evening directly following Black Mage's untimely death.

(A) 726 Anderson Lane
[Housemates are welcome to notice Slugger's unusually high spirits as he gathers up the necessary

Comments

A

[puzzlerprince]

[Just kind of... peering up from the evening paper like what is going on.]

Re: A

[strike_you_out]

[Here comes a clue...]

Hey there, Pops.

[Big smile as he passes. Slugger disappears into the kitchen, gathering things like matches and marshmallows to put in his knapsack.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Oh. He's been droned. Wonderful. Sighing, Eddie folds the paper and sets it down before heading into the kitchen after Slugger.]

What are you doing with those matches?

[He doesn't trust Slugger with fire, droned or undroned.]

[strike_you_out]

Pokey and me are going camping, tonight. Just like you used to take me and Luke! Remember, Dad?

[The book of matches are dropped into the knapsack. He then packs two of Pinkie's cupcakes in a paper bag.]

B

[birthclod]

[Back at 502 Ricardo Street in the morning, Clod has also watched as Pokey gathered his share of the camping supplies. She hasn't said much to him during then, but merely observed exactly what he was doing.

Pokey didn't especially look like a boy who would voluntarily go camping or would especially enjoy the experience.

Through somewhat of a coincidence, a little later on outside during Clod's usual wandering around town, she came across the camping grounds in the park. What the hey, she needed something to do anyway. She edges closer to the camping grounds to see what's up.]

[strike_you_out]

[Something rustles along the treeline and a kid she probably doesn't recognize steps out from the woods carrying a bundle of sticks under his arm. He doesn't appear to notice her yet as he piles the bundle upon a growing collection of firewood in front of a partially set-up tent.]

Hey, Pokey! How's the tent coming? Need some help?

[godisachild]

[Pokey at the moment is just trying to set up the spokes keeping the tent up. And having quite a hard time with it, though he takes it with good humor. It would appear that his usual attitude doesn't just disappear along with the droning, but his technical skill as well.]

Sure do Slugger! You think you can hold this little part still while I try to get the spoke in?

[birthclod]

Friend of yours, I take it. [She says now addressing her "brother", Pokey. Clod approaches the camping site and the two boys and turns her head exclusively in the direction where Slugger stands.]

Hello there.

[The boy is droned, Clod believes, but there's a fair chance that the "boys" may be droned. It's best to play along. There's nothing she can really do for either of them.

Might as well have fun.]

B

[miss_enma_ai]

[Ai is walking by and ....wait what?

Now standing outside the tent...]

[strike_you_out]

[Voices are coming from inside, familiar voices. However, there's something off about the tone of the voices. Since when do either Slugger or Pokey sound so cheerful...?

Upon peeking inside the tent, she'll find Slugger holding up part of the tent to keep it from collapsing, presumably while Pokey fixes it. He has yet to realize someone is watching.]

[godisachild]

[And Pokey is just trying his damnedest but, eh, it is not going to well, truth be told. But his optimism is just boundless.]

Okay! Almost.....almost....aw crud! Okay, one more try!

[miss_enma_ai]

[Looking in the tent at them.]

C

[miss_enma_ai]

[And when you wake up and you know, realize how insane this all was. You can step outside to see Ai sitting nearby.]

[strike_you_out]

[By now the tent is (probably) in shambles. After emerging, Slugger comes to stand not far from where Ai is sitting. He doesn't say a word as he tries to recover from the afternoon and evening's previous humiliation.]

[miss_enma_ai]

[That might take a while. Ai will stand up after a moment though.]

[strike_you_out]

[The day's events following Black Mage's death are still catching up to him. Next time he does any killing, he'll be sure to do it indoors.

Finally, he speaks, though he refuses to meet Ai's gaze.] ...How long have you been here?

C

[godisachild]

[Just turning and mumbling unintelligibly in his sleep. Looks like the "dream" hasn't quite ended for him yet.]

[strike_you_out]

[In the bag beside Pokey's, Slugger jerks in his sleep as if subconsciously trying to kick himself awake. However, it doesn't quite work as intended and he manages to kick Pokey instead.]

[godisachild]

[Well, that jolts him up. Being struck, even lightly, is something he's primed himself to wake up from, and he looks this way and that. The fact that he isn't in his room doesn't help his small freak out he's moving towards.

Nor does the fact that he know slightly remembers what happened.

Like lightning (or as much like lightning that a fat kid can be), Pokey moves over to Slugger, shaking him to try and get him out of his sleep.]

Get up!

[strike_you_out]

[On the first shake, his whole body stiffens underhand and at the yell in his ear, Slugger sits bolt upright nearly braining Pokey with his head. There's a moment of panic when he realizes he's zippered into his blankets and struggles wildly with his sleeping bag.]

Where are we??