Anima Questio

The younger woman smiled, “That’s good to hear; I have to admit, mine have been all over...

pensive-harpy — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:29:50 -0400

The younger woman smiled, “That’s good to hear; I have to admit, mine have been all over the place. Not the greatest mindset for the leader of this squad to be in.” She shook her head, “Yeah. Anyway…” she followed Hester’s gaze over to the other side of the wing where, sure enough, Tau was chatting with dark-haired young woman.

“Thanks; I’ll go see if I can tear him away from your daughter,” giving Hester a wave, she weaved in and out of the crowd in order to reach the pair.

Huh, she didn’t know Hester had a daughter. Then again, with all the planning they’ve been doing she hadn’t gotten a chance to get to know her on a more personal level. She’d have to change that after they won.

Because they would win.

Nearing the pair, Chell smiled and approached them, “Sorry for interuppting, but would you mind if I borrow Tau for a bit?” she asked the dark-haired woman. ”You’re Hester’s daughter, right?”

The weathered old woman shrugged, giving Chell a placid, neutral look. “Mornin’. Not...

pi-factory — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:52:14 -0400

The weathered old woman shrugged, giving Chell a placid, neutral look.

“Mornin’. Not feelin’ anything right now, but I s’pose I’ll be more tense later. Ain’t later yet, though, so there’s no point in dwellin’ on it.”

The other question, she considered for a moment, before jerking her head toward the other end of the wing.

“Th’ professor mighta been hangin’ around with my daughter down at the enda th’ clinic, there. I kin tell it’s him from a distance, but her, she’s a sight more common lookin’ from a hundred feet back.”

Chell scoffed playfully, “Going back to sleep, really? When we have an all-important mission...

pensive-harpy — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:36:11 -0400

Chell scoffed playfully, “Going back to sleep, really? When we have an all-important mission to do? Some Lieutenant you are!”

She gave Piper a few lighthearted nudges with her foot before shaking her head. ”Heh, I’ll go find her. Just remember, I’m pretty sure we have this whole re-take Aperture thing scheduled before noon.”

With one final nudge, Chell stepped into the bustling crowd of rebels. She spotted Lucy off to the side, giving Rose what was left of her rations. She was going on about something to Thorn.

A small smirk crossed Chell’s face; it looked like poor Thorn couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

…all of her friends.

She had to step up as a leader today. Piper and all of her friends were counting on her. And they had faith in her. Hell, even Lily believed in her, what with her short-lived promotion.

Well…I’m not looking to prove myself or make anyone proud, she thought as she scanned the gathering for Hester, I’ll be happy so long as everyone makes it through this alive.

But now wasn’t the time to sit around fretting over it. Now, like her first times through these halls, was the time to get it done. She was going to do this.

We’re going to retake Aperture, her face hardened into a familiar determined grimace, and I’ll do my best to get everyone through safely.

After a few moments of weaving in an out of the people milling about, she spotted Hester near the far wall of the medical wing. Maneuvering around a few more people, she managed to emerge on the other end and call out to the older woman with a smile.

“Good morning, Hester. Have you seen Tau around? Oh, and how…are you feeling about the mission?”

Piper groaned, shrugging off the offending hand and curling up tighter, squeezing her eyes...

pi-factory — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:21:37 -0400

Piper groaned, shrugging off the offending hand and curling up tighter, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Mmm’ow should I know? I was asleep. Was.”

She cracked one eye open briefly to give Chell a playful almost-glare.

“‘d kinda like to get back to doing that, maybe. ‘oncha ask Hester or someone. She’s always friggin’ awake.”

A very small chuckle rose up from her throat as Piper leaned up against her; she returned the...

pensive-harpy — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:59:45 -0400

A very small chuckle rose up from her throat as Piper leaned up against her; she returned the gesture in kind.

For the first time since Lake Point had been destroyed…she felt like she was home.

And, what should have been a troubled, fitful sleep before battle was surprisingly peaceful, nestled with her sister.

…at least until rolled over and smacked her in the face.

The woman jerked awake and blinked owlishly. She could hear the bustle of the Rebels all around, murmuring; the mood was one of tension, but focus.

In one last playful gesture before growing serious, Chell mirthfully shoved Piper off. ”Showtime, Lieutenant,” she yawned, scrubbing at her eyes.

Right. Today was the day.

God….

…no. She had to push back her worry. They would do this. She would make sure of it.

Steeling her nerves, she picked herself up off the floor and looked around.

Lily had said something about meeting in the morning? She should…probably gather the troops. Tau especially. She would need her strategist for…well…a strategy meeting.

Placing a hand on Piper’s should, she gave a faint smile, “Alright, let’s round everyone up. Any idea where Tau might be?”

Piper hesitated for a moment or two before cuddling up next to Chell, pressing her back against her...

pi-factory — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:04:25 -0400

Piper hesitated for a moment or two before cuddling up next to Chell, pressing her back against her friend’s.

“I got yours right now, Boss. G’night.”

It wasn’t long before she was also asleep, sprawled across her adopted sister and snoring quietly.

Doing her best to keep an amused smile off of her face at Piper’s deep thinking, but not...

pensive-harpy — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:03:42 -0400

Doing her best to keep an amused smile off of her face at Piper’s deep thinking, but not entirely succeeding, Chell leaned back up against the cabinets and closed her eyes.

“Yeah? Well…I’m sure we’ll think of something…”

Somehow, her tired mind pushed past all the worry and just focused on the simple thought of dicking around Aperture with Piper…probably breaking shit…

…yeah…she was good at breaking shit down here…

Wearily, she turned her head toward Piper and gave her a good long look. There sat her best friend. The one who had been with her these past few months…had essentially given her everything…

…her sister.

She opened her mouth; she wanted to tell her. Wanted to tell her, how much she meant to her. How, former robot or no, that she was her family. Something that she never thought she’d have… The notion swirled around within her, it demanded to be heard, to be released…

I love her.

What came out, however, was not exactly what she wanted to say.

“Okay, Lieutenant; I’ve got your back tomorrow,” she said, with a tired, lopsided grin, “I know you’ve got mine.”

…it would have to do.

With a sigh somewhere between exhausted and content, she closed her eyes and surrendered to sleep.

Leaning back against the cabinets, Piper tapped at her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm!...

pi-factory — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 21:29:20 -0400

Leaning back against the cabinets, Piper tapped at her chin thoughtfully.

“Hmm! Weeeeell…”

For a long while, she stayed silent, continuing to tap at her chin and pull the occasional bizarre thinking face, contorting them purposefully into the strangest shapes possible. Finally, she shook her head, grinning sheepishly.

“I actually don’t know! I’m… not used to being here as a human… all of the things I’m thinking of are things I used to do as a core. I’ll… I’ll have to find some a-“

A huge yawn punctuated her ramblings, and she bit it off haphazardly.

“a-haaaaafter we win. But sleeping in the immediate future sounds good.”

A tiny, weary smile tugged at Chell’s features as Piper made a stumbling attempt to comfort...

pensive-harpy — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:52:20 -0400

A tiny, weary smile tugged at Chell’s features as Piper made a stumbling attempt to comfort her.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to apologize, hell you weren’t even alive yet. There’s only one person who I need to hear that from…” Her face darkened a bit as she uttered the last sentence.

Yes, the one person she needed to hear that from wasn’t really feeling the whole guilt and repentance thing. Not that she should expect it.

A very small part of her was beginning to grow tired of holding on to this grudge. There were more important things to focus on, she knew. But, as with most situations, her stubbornness won out.

Though she did have the sense to shelve her ire for the time being.

“Yeah…subject change…” her smile became a bit more genuine as she turned to her friend. ”I think that’s a fucking fantastic idea.”

But what to discuss? These past few weeks, she’d been spending a lot of time with Piper, as with the rest of her team. But the conversations mainly consisted of battle plans and preparations. It was a rare moment when she could just…talk with her about lighthearted, normal things.

…well, as normal as could be expected of their lives.

“Alright, tell me what you plan on doing after we retake Aperture. I’ll bet you can show me some pretty neat shit!”

Piper frowned momentarily. “Bring Your- oh. Ohhhh.” Abruptly her eyes widened, and a...

pi-factory — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:18:42 -0400

Piper frowned momentarily.

“Bring Your- oh. Ohhhh.”

Abruptly her eyes widened, and a look of vague horror crossed her face.

“Oh, man, I’m…”

Scooting even closer to Chell, she wrapped an awkward arm around her shoulders, patting gently and uncertainly at her back.

“…I guess sorry doesn’t even really begin to cover it, does it?”

For a moment or two longer, she fumbled her words, making a few lame attempts to find the next bit of conversation before finally letting out a little sound halfway between sigh and yip of distress.

“We… we can talk about something else now. Like, at any time.”

What Chell hoped was a comforting hard was laid on Piper’s back as her sad gaze met the...

pensive-harpy — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:18:26 -0400

What Chell hoped was a comforting hard was laid on Piper’s back as her sad gaze met the floor.

The knot of guilt that had been forming in Chell’s stomach grew a little tighter.

Piper had lost some friends too…cores that died even before Chell got to know them…

…I…I really should have went back sooner.

Her somber mood didn’t last as long as usual, however, as Piper took the opportunity to change the subject, punctuated with a friendly poke.

A legend?

Shaking her head, she chuckled; half in amusement and half in an attempt to lighten her best friend’s mood. An errant swing of her arm proved Piper’s foresight and spared her a friendly punch on the shoulder. ”Heh, well as you so elegantly put it, you can see that’s hardly the case!”

Her smile instantly dropped, however, at Piper’s next question.

How did I end up here? Well, a sadistic bitch murdered my parents, didn’t give a shit, and fucking froze me for twenty or so years…

Closing her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to quell her anger. She didn’t need a repeat of what happened a Lake Point. Though she hadn’t snapped at Piper, she was able to pick up on the fact that she had been a bit…irritable.

Seemingly finding some semblance of calm, she gave her friend a weary smile, “Well, I was there on ‘Bring Your Daughter to Work Day.’ And, like…everyone else…”

Who didn’t fucking die, she thought, bitterly.

“…I became a test subject.”

Letting out a shaky sigh, Piper shook her head. “It’s… it’s OK. Things happen....

pi-factory — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:59:47 -0400

Letting out a shaky sigh, Piper shook her head.

“It’s… it’s OK. Things happen. We… we lost a lot of them…”

For a moment or two, she said nothing, staring at the floor with a blank, almost pained look on her face, before finally blinking herself back to awareness and reaching out to poke at Chell’s shoulder.

“Let’s… change the subject. You’re… kind of a legend around here, y’know. ‘The Woman in Orange,’ they call you. But having met this legendary figure, I can assure the others that she’s not some kind of mythical superhero, but in fact, a big dork.”

Playfully scooting away to avoid any incoming shoves or punches at the comment, she smiled wanly.

“What I want to know is, how did a dork like you end up in a position to take down the Administrator?”

Leaning back against the cabinets, Chell listened intently to Piper’s story. “Heh, she...

pensive-harpy — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:51:03 -0400

Leaning back against the cabinets, Chell listened intently to Piper’s story.

“Heh, she created you so she could focus on science, huh? That definitely sounds like her…”

Oh yes…she loves her science…

“Did she ever slow down? Oh wait, that’s a silly question…” she shook her head but kept grinning at Piper. ”CIIC? What is it with you guys and terrible acronyms? Though, I’d still wager yours is worse,” a teasing smile creeped upon her features.

It quickly dissolved, however, as she recounted what happened

Some of the other cores…they didn’t survive the process?

All at once, a familiar guilt rose up from her stomach, gripping her insides and twisting them.

If…maybe if I’d gotten there sooner…maybe none of the cores would have died.

Though Piper might not have gotten along with her partner, there was an unmistakable melancholy in her voice.

Gently, Chell laid a hand on her friends shoulder, “Piper…I’m sorry…” she murmured.

Her words carried more weight; she wasn’t only sorry for the loss.

Pulling her legs up against her chest and wrapping her arms around them, Piper rested her chin...

pi-factory — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:02:47 -0400

Pulling her legs up against her chest and wrapping her arms around them, Piper rested her chin against her knees, humming thoughtfully as she glanced out over the infirmary.

“Mmm… boring, mostly. I’m what’s known as a Gen Two core. Created by the Administrator to handle an ancillary function of the facility, so that she could focus her attention on science. Essentially, instead of running programs herself in the background, we send her status reports, and she OK’d them. Took up a lot less processing power. She was able to work harder and longer that way.”

Shifting a bit, she let out a little huff.

“Of course, we all had automatic overrides built in so that she could assume direct control if need be. But most of us did our job well, so we were left to our own devices. I worked with the Communications Interception and Interpretation Core. CIIC. She hated her acronym, too. But she was such a bossy little bitch, for sure! Always though she was higher in rank, tried to push me around, and stuff. I used to play practical jokes on her all the time.”

She chuckled, though it ended up coming out somewhat hollow.

“…she didn’t survive the process. One of the others told me. Man, I hated her, but knowing she’s just… gone like that…”

Back arching up in alarm, Chell nearly shot up from her place on the floor as a hand was dropped on...

pensive-harpy — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:11:41 -0500

Back arching up in alarm, Chell nearly shot up from her place on the floor as a hand was dropped on her shoulder. With a startled little gasp, Chell placed her hand on her chest, as if that could steady her heartbeat. It only took a moment to get her breathing under control, whereupon she shot her friend a half-hearted glare.

“God dammit, Piper, what the fuck?! You know I’m jumpy as hell!” her middling attempt at seeming angry quickly melted into a wide grin as she settled back in near her friend.

“Yeah, that’s what Lily says. I think it’s a great plan, us all converging in toward the center.”

She really liked the idea of them all grouping together at the climax of the battle. It made a lot of sense: break up into small groups and attack the Combine from several places, then assault as a unified group. Despite her fear, she really thought they had a good chance of success.

A chuckle shook the young woman’s shoulders at Piper’s observation. ”I think that might be an understatement…”

Lucy happily tossed the little headcrab yet another piece of fruit before she began to noisily disassemble her weapon. The bespectacled woman cracked open an eye and managed a light glare. She soon rolled said eye, as if she’d come to expect this sort of thing from Lucy, and resumed trying to sleep next to her blonde companion.

Chell did the same thing, minus the trying to sleep. She was still a bit charged from Piper’s scare. She lazily looked around the medical wing; the walls constructed from the same panels that the test chambers comprised of. It was probably to more readily move around the various advanced equipment they had.

Though…the longer she looked at the panels, the more bizarre it became that she was back in the very place she had tried so desperately to get away from.

The second time she’d come back willingly.

Heh…things sure do change.

For a reason she couldn’t quite pin down…she sort of felt at home. Before she could mull over wherther that was a good thing or if she should hate herself over the fact, she turned to Piper.

“So, I know that it’s torn to shit, but are you happy to be home?”

Aperture actually was Piper and the other core’s home.

She paused a moment, “And…I don’t think we’ve ever discussed it in depth, but what did you do here? What was it like before….erm…” she trailed off awkwardly.

Not only did her absence and tardiness cost GLaDOS, but all the other cores as well. That, among other things, was guilt she just could not shake.

“Ah…yeah. What was it like around here?”

“HEY.” Piper’s voice sounded off nearly right in Chell’s ear, and she...

pi-factory — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:55:00 -0500

“HEY.”

Piper’s voice sounded off nearly right in Chell’s ear, and she dropped a hand onto her friend’s shoulders, grinning like an idiot at having gone through with her scare attempt.

“So, what’s going on? We still gonna pinch the bastards in, or what?”

Pausing as Rose let out a particularly loud shriek of pleasure, starling a couple of rebels on their other side awake (the older woman glared at their little group, adjusting her glasses and wrapping a protective arm over the shoulders of her blonde companion as she settled back down, just in case,) and shooting the little creature a slightly irritated look (earning her nothing but another little scroll of fruit-induced happiness,) she shook her head, chuckling faintly and continuing in a hushed tone, so as not to awaken their neighbors again.

“We’ll have to impress the importance of stealth on a couple of our group members, I think.”

“So we’re still sticking with the original plan?” That was good; the less...

pensive-harpy — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:26:47 -0500

“So we’re still sticking with the original plan?”

That was good; the less surprises the better.

She nodded, grim determination showing plainly on her face, “Relying on your own skill is the best course of action when you’re in here.”

Back then, that was all she had. Just her own resolute stubbornness and will to live. Well, than and…

With a quick shake of her head, she banished her thoughts. ”Right. Tau and I will go over the strategy again.”

Ideally, everyone would keep out of the testing chambers. But who knows where the fighting might take them. She’d already explained everything, at least as best she could. If they did end up there, might as well use the elements to their advantage.

“I think we’ve already mentioned this, but if any of the hard light bridges are active, they make for excellent bullet shields.”

The younger woman smiled and gave a weary chuckle, “Heh…Star Trek is an apt comparison. Let’s hope no one’s wearing a red shirt…” The last few words, though intended as a joke, came out laced with emotion.

Her gaze followed Lily’s gesture toward the gathering of rebels. For now…everyone was alive…

“Well, we’re here,” she gave Lily an encouraging smile, “So you should definitely get that rest.”

An angry growling alerted Chell to the fact that her stomach had more primal concerns in mind.

“I’m going to go get some food, come get me if you need anything.” With a little wave, she turned around and headed to where her group had assembled. On the way she passed the robot with the blue optic. He (she?) seemed to remember her as it warbled excitedly, the round part of the body rotating about in the frame.

“Hey there. It’s been a long time. I’m glad to be conscious this time around.”

The robot nodded sagely, as if it understood. Waving her over, it led her to one of the cabinets and withdrew a package of what appeared to be freeze-dried fruit. Once again, it hummed happily as it offered her the packet.

Chell offered the robot a grateful smile and accepted the packet, ripping it open and wolfing down the contents.

Blinking as if in disbelief, the robot offered her another.

“Ah…sorry…I guess it’s been a while since I’ve eaten. I’ll take it a bit slower this time,” she grinned sheepishly. Giving the eager bot a pat on its “head,” she walked over to her teammates and plopped down in between Piper and Thorn.

A cheerful screeling noise sounded somewhere to her right. Rose was sitting in Lucy’s lap, completely demolishing packet after packet. Lucy appeared very amused by this, and continued feeding her like a child keeps handing dogs their treats. Waving claws and eager warbling indicated that Rose was very pleased with this set-up.

Since Rose was so happy eating, Chell decided it was time for her to do the same. Or, continue rather. With as content a sigh as she could manage under the current circumstances, she leaned her head against the cabinets and started in on the packet.

Pausing to brush a hand through her hair, Lily sighed. “I’ve been looking over...

pi-factory — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:27:25 -0500

Pausing to brush a hand through her hair, Lily sighed.

“I’ve been looking over blueprints and building plans, but a ringed assault and just kind of closing in from all sides does seem like the best way to go. We’re going to have to depend on our own skill in here. Maybe a little help from turrets. Maybe. But apparently, once we have access to the mainframe, we’ve won, even if the place is still crawling.”

She shrugged, grinning wearily.

“No idea. This is like fucking Star Trek, or something, as far as I’m concerned. But still, you know, it’s our last hope and all, so…”

Pausing for a moment, she let out a throaty chuckle.

“‘Last hope.’ Even sounds like Star Trek, kinda.”

She gestured vaguely toward the cluster of rebels at the other end of the wing.

“Anyway, you’d better get some rest. There should be… I dunno, there’s probably space somewhere around here. Hit up those little robots if you’re hungry. ‘s all freeze-dried and preserved stuff, but it’s still good. I’m probably on my way to do the same. Hasn’t been easy to rest, knowing you lot were still out there.”

Regarding GLaDOS with an impassive stare and she pulled down the brim of her hat, Chell’s...

pensive-harpy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:56:59 -0500

Regarding GLaDOS with an impassive stare and she pulled down the brim of her hat, Chell’s eyes traveled down to look at the revealed arm. Try as she might, she couldn’t keep her expression entirely apathetic as she looked at the mechanics and the fact that she had a working prosthetic limb.

Angry or not, GLaDOS was indeed a brilliant scientist.

A part of her also couldn’t help but wince as she talked about her eye…

Which…if she’d been there….here with her…it might not…

No. She wasn’t going to think about that. Not fucking worth it.

She gave absolutely no reaction to the offhand fat joke, much like she always had in the past.

“Yes, we want to make sure nothing is accellerated, don’t we?” she called to GLaDOS’s back. Without waiting for a response, she turned to Lily, “Speaking of planning, have you guys formulated anything while you were waiting on us?”

It would be best to get caught up with whatever went on, if anything, in order to plan more effectively.

She…really didn’t want to lose anyone.

Although she glared outwardly at Chell’s comment and kept her face carefully stony, something...

pi-factory — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:54:43 -0500

Although she glared outwardly at Chell’s comment and kept her face carefully stony, something in the depths of her eye betrayed her true feelings on the comment, and she turned away, tugging the brim of her hat down.

Lily seemed more appreciative, rocking back on her heels to get a better look.

“That… is helpful. How did you-?”

Her question was answered as GLaDOS slipped off the glove, revealing the gleam of silvery metal and the glossy white plastic that Aperture seemed so fond of.

“Oh.”

She glanced surreptitiously toward the eyepatch.

“Can you do the same for your eye?”

GLaDOS shook her head.

“No. The optical nerve was scorched, and the lids are fused shut. Even if I could get in there and pluck out the little ball keeping the socket from collapsing, I wouldn’t be able to do much for it. Keeping it covered is still the best option.”

She cast the remaining eye over the two of them, studying them

“I suppose you’ll want to rest. We really should get to planning our assault, but I guess it wouldn’t be any good to do it now, if someone… and I’m not naming any names… but if someone were to just fall asleep on the table. And break it in half under her considerable weight.”

Whirling on her heel, she stalked back toward the little side room.

“We’ll begin in the morning.”