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memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-11-08 08:19 pm
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NOVEMBER TDM
A chilling mist and storms cling to the surrounding area. The cold and the wet pierces even the garage, making for a poor welcome. This time around the garage and gas station lurks amidst multiple farms, and a fall colored forest. The seasons have decisively shifted. And the environment is doing its best to shift the new arrivals in turn.
01: SUMMONING CIRCLE
New Drifters arrive to gloomy skies seen through the broken windows of a garage… And a large barn house looming overhead. Rain echoes on the roof, along with the occasional rumble of thunder. When it isn’t raining outside, there’s a damp and chill mist that lingers over the farmlands.
It makes the large Convoy pulling up to stop at that garage seem that much more tall and imposing: though it’s also clear the Convoy has seen some wear and tear, metal scuffed and a few gashes and dents in the cars.
The summoning circle in the garage is lined with candles that can be used to ward off some of the mist and the chill, but it’s advised to find more stable shelter in cars or in the barn. The roof of the garage leaks. And wet, cold concrete isn’t very comfortable for very long.
It makes the large Convoy pulling up to stop at that garage seem that much more tall and imposing: though it’s also clear the Convoy has seen some wear and tear, metal scuffed and a few gashes and dents in the cars.
The summoning circle in the garage is lined with candles that can be used to ward off some of the mist and the chill, but it’s advised to find more stable shelter in cars or in the barn. The roof of the garage leaks. And wet, cold concrete isn’t very comfortable for very long.
02: START UP
There are various cars surrounding the garage. Some of them parked directly outside, though a few of them are parked in various farm fields and vegetable patches. Drifters are advised to watch out for hostile farm life and produce (such as exploding pumpkins) if their ride is out in the farm patch.
There’s also a certain connection between different newcomers and cars. Something that suggests a particular vehicle is theirs, backed up by possessing the key to that vehicle. The key may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
There’s also a certain connection between different newcomers and cars. Something that suggests a particular vehicle is theirs, backed up by possessing the key to that vehicle. The key may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
03: FARM HOSTILITIES
The farm isn’t always the friendliest place; the assorted livestock are all monstrous, and ready to fight any Drifter that looks at them funny. Cockatrices, bull gorgons, bullfango, and bicorns are all present and grumpy.
In addition, Drifters should look out for scarecrows in the farm patches. Their eyes glow with an eerie light, and anyone who meets their gaze will find their fears manifesting. At first the fears last for only a blink, and appear to be hallucinations. The longer any Drifters stay under the scarecrow’s gaze, the more their fears become real and dangerous.
Leaving the gaze of the scarecrows (or destroying them) can end the effect. Though any lingering trauma and bloodshed will need different solutions.
In addition, Drifters should look out for scarecrows in the farm patches. Their eyes glow with an eerie light, and anyone who meets their gaze will find their fears manifesting. At first the fears last for only a blink, and appear to be hallucinations. The longer any Drifters stay under the scarecrow’s gaze, the more their fears become real and dangerous.
Leaving the gaze of the scarecrows (or destroying them) can end the effect. Though any lingering trauma and bloodshed will need different solutions.
04: MOON WARP
Various glowing moon shards have taken root across different farm fields. Thanks to them, there’s more than just produce and livestock growing on the farm. Magic has sunk into the buildings and the soil, and is ready to work on the Drifters in turn.
The scarecrows take on a more sinister glow some nights, pulsing violently with light before exploding; moon shards lay dormant in many of them, before activating one night and forcing changes in Drifters. Along with activating other monster traits, two event monsters are available:
The scarecrows take on a more sinister glow some nights, pulsing violently with light before exploding; moon shards lay dormant in many of them, before activating one night and forcing changes in Drifters. Along with activating other monster traits, two event monsters are available:
04: MONSTER SHIFT, KITSUNE
A fox monster possessing multiple tails. They may take the form of Kitsune, Gumiho, or Huli Jin. They may feature a full or partial vulpine transformation, and with all Kitsune traits also have:
+Trickster Curse: Anyone who steals from farms or acts with trickery/deception risks activating traits.
+Liver Eater: Begins to feel a clawing hunger that can only be satisfied by the liver from prey. The fresher, the better. Husk monsters can fulfill this craving!
+Fox Fire: can generate phantasmal fire either at will or while emotional. These fires cannot burn, unless willed to do so… Or if one’s emotions grow out of hand.
+Fox Fright: If fear or anxiety becomes too great, may become a fox (either small or giant!) in an attempt to flee and hide.
+Tails To Tell: Growing extra tails, up to nine. This may interfere with balance, or even reach out to brush against other people like they have a mind of their own.
+Thief Feet: Gains a talent for moving quietly and stealthily, even able to hide from the farm monsters and the scarecrows.
+Favored Prey: gains an appetite and a ferocity for cockatrices.
+Trickster Curse: Anyone who steals from farms or acts with trickery/deception risks activating traits.
+Liver Eater: Begins to feel a clawing hunger that can only be satisfied by the liver from prey. The fresher, the better. Husk monsters can fulfill this craving!
+Fox Fire: can generate phantasmal fire either at will or while emotional. These fires cannot burn, unless willed to do so… Or if one’s emotions grow out of hand.
+Fox Fright: If fear or anxiety becomes too great, may become a fox (either small or giant!) in an attempt to flee and hide.
+Tails To Tell: Growing extra tails, up to nine. This may interfere with balance, or even reach out to brush against other people like they have a mind of their own.
+Thief Feet: Gains a talent for moving quietly and stealthily, even able to hide from the farm monsters and the scarecrows.
+Favored Prey: gains an appetite and a ferocity for cockatrices.
04: MONSTER SHIFT, TAURUS
Hoofed monsters who can appear as minotaurs, satyrs, and centaurs. In addition to having Taurus traits the following also occurs:
+Red Flag: several of the scarecrows carry red rags on them, which flap in the breeze… And have a way of inflaming Taurus tempers, prompting them to charge. On impact, the red fabric shreds but tries to put off one more pulse of fear.
+Eat Your Veggies: on top of a craving for vegetable, Taurus can also heal their wounds or restore their stamina when eating vegetables from these gardens!
+Horn Sharpening: when horns grow in, they can itch and ache on a Drifter’s head. Rubbing and sharpening them against hard surfaces is the best way to dull the discomfort.
+Safety In Numbers: There is a sudden pressing need for Taurus to stay close to others; being alone causes anxiety and irritability.
+Raging Bull: Threats to a Taurus’ herd invokes anger and aggression from a Taurus, and they will do whatever it takes to crush said threat.
+Digging In: Drifters should take care with their steps. Pressing their feet too hard into the ground can cause a small quake… or even compel them to charge someone, if they make eye contact for too long.
+Stir Crazy: going indoors for longer than a minute causes restlessness and agitation in a Taurus, and a pressing need to get back outside.
+Red Flag: several of the scarecrows carry red rags on them, which flap in the breeze… And have a way of inflaming Taurus tempers, prompting them to charge. On impact, the red fabric shreds but tries to put off one more pulse of fear.
+Eat Your Veggies: on top of a craving for vegetable, Taurus can also heal their wounds or restore their stamina when eating vegetables from these gardens!
+Horn Sharpening: when horns grow in, they can itch and ache on a Drifter’s head. Rubbing and sharpening them against hard surfaces is the best way to dull the discomfort.
+Safety In Numbers: There is a sudden pressing need for Taurus to stay close to others; being alone causes anxiety and irritability.
+Raging Bull: Threats to a Taurus’ herd invokes anger and aggression from a Taurus, and they will do whatever it takes to crush said threat.
+Digging In: Drifters should take care with their steps. Pressing their feet too hard into the ground can cause a small quake… or even compel them to charge someone, if they make eye contact for too long.
+Stir Crazy: going indoors for longer than a minute causes restlessness and agitation in a Taurus, and a pressing need to get back outside.
05: HUNTERS
Time passes, and a fog rolls into the farm lands. It obscures much of the surroundings, but one thing does shine through the gloom; red, electric lights that look suspiciously like eyes. A metallic growl echoes through the farm fields, before robot canine shapes step out of the fog. A few of them carry speakers mounted to their shoulders, and a voice echoes out from them:
“All chromehounds, set commands to seek and destroy. Any infected you find, you eliminate. Keep Nirvana safe from their taint at all costs. Now hunt.”
At those orders, the chromehounds spring out and begin to course through the farmlands, hunting for prey. A single chromehound can be handled by a Drifter on their own, but the danger is how often they hunt in pairs or in packs; in that case, a Drifter will need help to either fight or flee from them.
Those in the midst of Kitsune or Taurus changes will also need to deal with a howl the hounds send out; it is pitched at a fight or flight frequency designed to distress monsters. Either by causing intense bouts of fear, or near blinding rage. The intent is to flush any Kitsune and Taurus out of hiding and into the jaws of waiting chomehounds… Though hounds don’t account for monsters also having pack.
“All chromehounds, set commands to seek and destroy. Any infected you find, you eliminate. Keep Nirvana safe from their taint at all costs. Now hunt.”
At those orders, the chromehounds spring out and begin to course through the farmlands, hunting for prey. A single chromehound can be handled by a Drifter on their own, but the danger is how often they hunt in pairs or in packs; in that case, a Drifter will need help to either fight or flee from them.
Those in the midst of Kitsune or Taurus changes will also need to deal with a howl the hounds send out; it is pitched at a fight or flight frequency designed to distress monsters. Either by causing intense bouts of fear, or near blinding rage. The intent is to flush any Kitsune and Taurus out of hiding and into the jaws of waiting chomehounds… Though hounds don’t account for monsters also having pack.
06: CUCCO WARNING
There's one more oddity at the farm; one that isn't immediately hostile to newcomers, though it does regard them with curiosity. It takes the form of a rather innocent (and slightly vapid looking) chicken. Many of them roam the farmstead, trying to avoid any conflict.
A few of them even gather around an abandoned pie eating booth and peck at the remarkably well preserved pies. They might even be willing to share. (And the pies themselves are still edible and tasty, somehow.)
But this good will and tolerance can swiftly come to an end if they are attacked. If agitated, the cuccos can summon more of themselves to swarm the threat, causing plenty of pecks, scratches, and assorted injuries. There's even a ruined scarecrow laying nearby, torn to death by little beaks to show how dangerous they can be.
They also don't take kindly to threats from other denizens of the farm; the robot dogs, scarecrows, and some of the angrier farm life can quickly learn that the hard way!
A few of them even gather around an abandoned pie eating booth and peck at the remarkably well preserved pies. They might even be willing to share. (And the pies themselves are still edible and tasty, somehow.)
But this good will and tolerance can swiftly come to an end if they are attacked. If agitated, the cuccos can summon more of themselves to swarm the threat, causing plenty of pecks, scratches, and assorted injuries. There's even a ruined scarecrow laying nearby, torn to death by little beaks to show how dangerous they can be.
They also don't take kindly to threats from other denizens of the farm; the robot dogs, scarecrows, and some of the angrier farm life can quickly learn that the hard way!
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Snow Warning: Mountains rise above both farmlands and forest, and it seems clear that the road leads on towards them. It might be wise to plunder the nearby garage and farmhouses for any winter wear, before going further.
Food Forage: The local fields hold supplies… Some of them unconventional thanks to the Moon Warps. It’s probably best not to ask why corndogs are growing on corn stalks, but they’re still edible enough.
Misty Step: Sometimes the gloom and mist can do strange things to one’s perception, and stride. Walking into the mist can easily tun a Drifter around and place them in a spot they weren’t intending to go: whether that’s back in the garage, in the middle of the approaching Convoy, the middle of a field, or maybe somewhere else entirely!
Holy Cow-Car, Batman: One last quirk of the region, is that occasionally the vehicles here (including Drifter vehicles) seem to have a mind of their own. And that mind is similar to a cow. The vehicles can be found wandering in fenced off grassy areas, flattening grass to a degree where it appears to be eaten.
The vehicles are at least fairly docile, and once they are removed from the fencing revert to being normal cars/motorcycles/etc. But until then, they retain that odd quirk.
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"Case is a good egg; he'd be thrilled to race people and smash monster heads in if he were here." He doesn't mention that it might be because Casey is a smidge nuts. The good kind, but that's Casey for you.
"I think it does correlate with the full moon, yeah. Been trying to track it with a couple of the convoy crew to kind of prepare for the weird stuff that happens, but it's not always the same time frame. I figure it's just the fact that it's all weird stuff here."
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"Definitely sounds like I'd like him," Kavinsky said. That description could be applied to any of his boys, too, though they'd be much more wary about monsters at first.
Hm. The moon bullshit potentially matching up with full moons was an interesting idea. Maybe just because he liked astronomy. Maybe not. "Not always the same time frame in what way?" Full moons didn't happen the same time every month, but if it varied from those times, too, then. Hm, again.
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"I bet you two would get along like a house on fire." It's fond though. He misses his friend.
The moon magic stuff was complicated and he did his best to try and help with figuring things out. Even if he wasn't the best at it, he did alright with it, but focused more on helping out the crew. "Not always. You'd think it'd follow the cycle where it ebbs and flows, but sometimes it just...happens. Which makes it even more complicated. It drives us nuts trying to piece it all together."
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That was a good phrase to use, in Kavinsky's opinion, and he grinned. "I do like fire." He also knew what it was like to miss friends.
Huh. "Well, it is some kind of fucked up magic moon." So who knew exactly what caused its patterns. Or maybe it was glitchy, so its patterns were interrupted. He'd be interested in lending a hand to trying to figure it out, sometime.
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Another chuckle. "Maybe you'll get fire powers here if you like it."
"It really is. It's frustrating but...well you just gotta make do with what you can. The convoy crew's kind of this gaggle of misfits from all sorts of worlds, but dying ain't on the docket, so we do what we can."
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Arching an eyebrow, he looked up as he gently ran his fingers along counter chicken's back, not interrupting it as it pecked at the pie crust. "Is that legit a possibility? Because yeah, I'd be into that."
A gaggle of misfits. "That almost makes it sound like I'll fit in." He'd never fit in, not really, but the idea of it was nice.
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But he nods, gesturing to the black sclera and his much brighter than normal eyes. "These? Not actually my stunning good looks, but something I acquired here. Everyone changes in some way. The moon stuff, like I said, so yeah, you could potentially get some sort of powers. Wish I could tell you what but it seems to be different for everyone."
"Ya probably will, man. Just gotta give it a shot."
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He might have been dodging asking these kinds of things before, but now that the subject had come up directly, he wasn't going to not ask.
"And what are the... options, for powers and shit here? The changes and all that?" There was probably a more eloquent way to word it, but that wasn't one of his strong suits. Not unless someone needed some very creative swears.
"I always give it a shot," he added with a grin. And he was absolutely not going to bother saying anything about how many of those times ended in failure.
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He explains what he can though. "One of my crew, Donnie? Another turtle like me, but he's like... part bird-harpy thing. Can fly now. Another one of my buddies is Edward. He's got extra arms and can turn into like...a spider-dude. And it's not even a comic book hero, though he's nice like Peter Parker is."
"But man like...there's a lot. Some people can fly. Others can breathe fire. One dude's like a sphinx chimera amalgamation. But he's got a sense of humor and hasn't tried eating me so we're chill."
Another grin. "M'sure it'll be fine."
spider-dude, legally distinct from spider-man
Bird-harpies, spider-dudes, sphinxes. Kavinsky nodded as he listened. Flying or breathing fire were definitely on the interesting side of things. Actually, everything was, but he could imagine the downsides to it all, too. Everything had pros and cons.
"Aren't chimeras already amalgamations?" Though so were sphinxes, in a way, but not to the same level as chimeras--he didn't think. Combining them together though, sure sounded like...something.
"Got a whole buffet of options." No, uh, joke or pun intended, when in the context of not being eaten. "Is there a reason you'd have to actually worry about someone trying to eat you?" He felt like there was some piece of information there that he was missing.
exactly! who knows if an actual spider-man will show up!
Raph focuses on petting a chicken for a moment before he laughs. "I suppose so, but Akechi's got a lot of different abilities and powers, so I kind of just roll with it."
He considers that. "Well, ta be fair, that's nothing new. You'd be surprised how often something back home was trying to eat my brothers or myself. I guess it's just a default setting for me to be concerned about it. But people here are compelled to eat the flesh of the monsters and stuff, so uh...just be on the lookout? Nobody here has tried anything directly but it's best to just kind of...be prepared?"
gotta keep 'em from getting mixed up!
"Fair." He could appreciate that sort of mindset, just rolling with something without any judgement. If he was more confident about how people would react to what he could do, he might not have been so lonely back home.
He raised both eyebrows at the idea of things trying to eat anyone so frequently that it became a default concern. And the next part was even worse. Definitely concerning in a way he hadn't anticipated. "Well that's a bit fucked up. People like, the ones like us, or other people here? And why the fuck are they compelled to eat monsters?"
He probably should have made his question clearer, but really, it was everything. Were the people who'd been brought here the ones compelled, or were they the monsters that other people were compelled to eat. Or...were they both the monsters and the ones compelled. He didn't think he could've actually stated any of his intended questions more clearly, thinking about it.
could always call him dude-spider but it doesn't have the same ring to it
The whole eating people or critters was a thing. He hadn't seen it, per se, but he knew about it from what others had said. He shrugs. "Bit of column A, another bit of column B - I figure it's because of the changes. Stuff compels people. I know when I fought a critter with one of my crew, it dying ended up healing us. Still can't explain that one---and no we didn't eat it. It just like, happened. Magic ju ju or whatever."
dude-spider just brings to mind cursed images. cursed
Everything being because of the moon and changes was...well, yeah. He didn't know what other sort of explanation he'd expected, honestly. The answer was 'because weird shit, that's why' and that was valid enough, all things considered.
"Nothing wrong with magic. Just means it might not have the kind of logical explanations we expect." Though he did still think, firmly, that magic had logic. He could see and understand a lot of the cause and effect on his dreams, after all, even if no one had ever taught him shit about it. "Think I'll do my best to pass on chowing down on monsters, though."
it's like the fly only worse
He barks a laugh, nodding. "I'll hard pass on the whole eating monsters too, thanks. But the whole magic moon stuff is...well, it's a thing. The sciencey brainy logical crew members are all like 'there must be an explanation' and while I get it, I don't know if we're going to find an answer. The only thing that has been consistent is the fact that we're heading to this place called Nirvana. Not sure if it's real or not but...well, it's something to focus on."
the one with the human head on the fly body was my first thought with dude-spider, lmao
"Yeah. I get it, though. They try to find a scientific explanation for things like that because understanding something makes it less overwhelming. And it's something for them to focus on instead of feeling helpless." He shrugged. "I'd be down for trying to figure out a magical answer to it all, myself, or at least some kind of information." Something that might actually help in some way.
"Nirvana's a hell of a name for a place. Either it's a trap, they're full of themselves, or it really is somewhere great." Since they were all stuck here, Kavinsky was personally going to vote for the last option.
oh god it's like that weird creature in r.e.p.o
Different world stuff was so weird but he's not about to throw Dee or Leo under the bus for shit that his fam did to him.
"See, you get it. There's only so much that we can do, but focusing on SOMETHING while we're traveling to this place that may or may not be a trap is better than just sitting around and hoping for something else to help us. I'd rather work toward something than just give up."
He laughs again. "I thought the same thing. But that's the messages that we got. So...well, it is what it is."
ohgod, I think I know the one you mean
Instead, he switched topics slightly, pivoting the focus. "Bet that's weird, if they're from a different world. Can't say I know the first thing about how that'd work." It was intriguing but also a lot to take in, other worlds, different versions of people.
"Exactly. I'm not good at sitting around and hoping for help to fall in my lap." If he was going to hope for anything, it'd be for Ronan to fall in his lap. Literally. That'd be good. It'd felt like he was on his way towards making that a reality before waking up here. "Gotta do something, be prepared in some way."
He was glad he wasn't the only one who had that kind of reaction to the name of their destination. "Guess we'll find out one way or another." And hopefully it'd be the least shitty of the options.
just a scurrying horror that yells at you
Moving on from the slights, he nods. "It is. Like... we have the same background and all, being who we are and everything, but Dee and Leo here are like...both similar and really different from what I know with my own bros. I appreciate them having my back and vice versa regardless."
"Same here. Point me in the direction of getting something done and m'there. I'd rather do something than just sit around waiting for whatever this place has in store for us. That's no way to live. And I've been through tons of stuff that were near death before so..." A shrug. "Just another day being a turtle, I guess."
"I'm taking the whole 'nirvana' thing with a grain of salt, but having hope that it's actually helpful is better than not."
the worst (the critter designs are neat though, honestly)
He shook his head a little. "Sort of like different things happened at some point or another? And skewed them away from what you'd expect them to know and have experienced?" That still had to be weird. But- "I'm glad you're all looking out for each other, though."
Kavinsky had been through near death shit before, himself, but he wasn't going to crack open that particular luggage. "I hate being bored. And I especially hate it when there's shit to do. Better to do something instead of letting the world sweep us along." Helpless wasn't something he'd let himself be. "Yeah, I'm taking a lot of this shit with a grain of salt." But he also hoped for the best.
they do have some pretty neat creature designs!
Another nod. "Yeah, exactly. Our fathers share the same name and all for instance, but like, their dad made way different choices than mine. Like totally non-traditional routes rather than what I grew up with. It's...weird but like, not a deal breaker."
"I don't think you can be bored here, man. There's always something going on. People to talk to. I'm still getting the lay of the convoy on a good day when we're not all fighting for our lives at whatever curve ball it decided to throw at us."
no subject
"It's kind of funny how some choices can make such a big difference, you know? The big ones, yeah, but sometimes it's the small ones, too." There were probably a whole bunch of pivot points in life that people never realized existed, that a specific choice they made changed their life so drastically down the line. "But I get how that'd be weird, yeah."
Kavinsky's ability to be bored should never be underestimated. He mumbled something under his breath that distinctly contained the word lay. When he spoke again, he was back to normal volume levels. "Sounds like there's always a little something to keep us busy." Good. He'd probably still get bored now and then, though.
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"Yeah, I don't know the specifics or the theory behind it. That's sciencey stuff and that's more Donnie's wheelhouse. If ya want to get the lowdown on how it might work, I'd ask him." But he laughs. "It's weird but also...not? It's reassuring in a way, being here without my actual brothers."
Raph didn't catch the mutter fully but he smirks. "Definitely. Even if ya gotta make some fun fer yourself from time to time."
no subject
"That's fair. Not sure I'd understand the more scientific explanation for it, but I'll keep that in mind. Maybe there'll be other things I wanna pick his brain about." ...That was actually a terrible phrase, he decided, and he was never going to use it again. Moving on- "Reassuring?"
It was better, most likely, that he didn't hear what Kavinsky muttered. It was some kind of self-restraint that he hadn't said it loud enough to hear properly to begin with. "Definitely. I'm used to doing that."
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"Dee's like one of the smartest people I know, so I'm sure he'd love answering questions as long as you actually listen." Though he takes a moment to pet another chicken before answering that. "Not real fond of being away from my fam after the things we went through together. I mean, I'm a mutant turtle. Most humans aren't cool with us. People here have been cool with it, but just having that common ground helps a lot."
"Then you prolly got nothin' to worry about regarding boredom here."
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