01. (video)

[danceoffs]

[the video feed turns on to reveal (1) pretty disheveled-looking dude, who may or may not have a visible bruise starting to form on the side of his head (thanks basement wall, you're a real pal). but he's trying his best to conduct himself like some approximation of a professional, because this is a very important inquiry.]

I'm gonna be honest, I don't know how far this is gonna go, because this technology is pretty primitive, just throwing that out there, but — I'm looking for some folks.

[consider this an apb]

First up, Gamora, who is, like, literally the coolest person ever. I mean, she could probably kill something with one hand tied behind her back without even looking at it — really freaking cool, right? She's super great. I wouldn't recommend pissing her off, though, because her bad side is really not somewhere you want to be.

[does he know this from experience? maybe. a beat, then:]

Next, Drax. He may look a little mean, which is totally fair because, you know, big, muscular guy who's probably strong enough to crush your throat without even thinking about it, but I promise he's a lot nicer than that. Just don't try a joke; it's probably not gonna work.

Also, Rocket, better known as "trash panda". Which you should definitely call him, by the way, it's his favorite nickname one-hundred percent. [no, no it isn't.] Anyway, though, talking raccoon, has a thing for leaving all his shit lying around everywhere and likes to blow stuff up, can't miss him.

And Groot. Looks like a small baby tree, has great taste in music [says peter, without one microscopic speck of bias on him at all whatsoever], and is only gonna answer you with "I am Groot." He's actually saying a lot more than that, but it's just a thing.

And last ones — Kraglin, pretty tall guy who probably has an arrow with him, and Mantis, who's kinda shy, but she's really, really nice, and you should be nice to her, too.

[you might be wondering, does this guy ever pause to take a breath, or do the words, like the years, just keep on coming and they don't stop coming? well, right now, he actually does, proving to be true to his word that those were, in fact, his last ones, so that question's answered. it's about a full twenty-five seconds before he says anything else.]

So, uh, if you've seen any of these people....

[and that's when peter falls silent, because this thought that he might not actually find anyone, so soon after... everything, has his throat feeling tight and his chest feeling a little heavy.

the message cuts off.]

Comments

video

[choosetruth]

[There's a very serious looking woman raising an eyebrow behind her sunglasses. She knows... well, all those names actually, even if most of them she only knows from Rocket talking about them. There's one name she notices is missing, which makes sense because he absolutely matches the description Rocket has given her.]

Rocket and Groot are here. I take it that makes you Peter Quill?

[danceoffs]

[reflexively,]

People call me Star-Lord, legendary outlaw and Guardian of the Galaxy.

[but that's not really the important thing here, is it? the peter of even just six months ago might've thought it was, but the peter of now doesn't think so; the important thing is this wave of relief that goes all the way through him.

#character development. or something.]

You remember where you saw them? Because I'm gonna take a wild guess that it wasn't the basement.

[just a hunch.]

[choosetruth]

....Right. Georgia Mason. I'm not calling you that.

[She's known him all of thirty seconds and can tell his ego doesn't need it.]

I'd check their room, if I were you.

[danceoffs]

[um, rude?? he makes a face.]

It's an outlaw name. It's cool. People use it.

[no, they really don't, but peter will never abandon this mission to make fetch happen.

anyway:]

That's a good start, definitely good thinking. Or it would be, if I, you know, knew where that was. Which I, in fact, don't.

[choosetruth]

[UH HUH. Her face doesn't give much away, but she doesn't look convinced.]

Tenth floor, room 42. I'm sure he'll be along soon enough to tell you himself. He's told me a lot about you, Mr. Quill.

video

[krmvgivv]

Your friends sound... really murdery. Anyone ever tell you that?

[danceoffs]

[here's the thing; they're all a bunch of a-holes, not exactly people who've had the smoothest paths to where they are, and who really still aren't walking those. but you know what? they're his a-holes, and, yeah, maybe he's gonna get a little defensive at this judgmental kid.]

Look, I'm not gonna tell you they haven't done stuff, because they definitely have. But we do other stuff now, okay. Galaxy-saving stuff, not murdery stuff — well, maybe some murdery stuff, but that all just falls under the general category of galaxy-saving stuff.

[krmvgivv]

I'm not judging! Much. [He's judging a little.] I just think maybe that's not the first thing you should be advertising about them? Like, do they have any cool, non-murdery hobbies?

[video]

[eyething]

( damon's behind the bar at... his bar, trolling through the network like he do. usually he doesn't reply to new people's posts, because they've got a bunch of questions. and he's not really the most qualified to answer. nicely. but this is an exception cause he likes rocket. )

Rocket's here. I got into a bar fight with him once. ( it was awesome. )

[danceoffs]

[so, you know what his first thought is? that does sound kinda awesome. but there's this second thought, you know, that maybe since he's trying this whole leader and subsequent responsibility thing on for size, that's probably not the best way to react.

after a moment:]

Okay, so just so we're straight, I don't have a lot of units on me right now [read: he has none. none at all whatsoever.], but we'll figure out some way to pay you back for anything he broke. Or stole.

[eyething]

( this is probably the moment that damon should explain. it wasn't his bar. currency isn't actually a thing here. he has no clue what a unit is. it's definitely the moment he should explain, but damon would much rather roll with this and see how far he can take it. cause he's a giant troll. )

What way exactly?

Some of what was broken was irreplaceable, and your units aren't really a thing here so that means you have nothing to offer?

Video;

[screwedontight]

You always a dick, or is this special for us?

[Not that Rocket needs defending but Seth's cranky these days, and Rocket had been his brother's friend. That meant defending people that befriended him. There weren't many, after all.]

[danceoffs]

[????

okay, this is far from the first time he's been called a dick, but there's, you know, usually something obvious that merits it, and this is like....

... the hell]

Whoa, dude, I'm just a guy who's looking for some people, that's it, that's all.

[screwedontight]

Rocket's a good guy. Even joking, why do that to him? People around here can be assholes.

[Like him, which he's aware.]

[danceoffs]

[rocket is his friend, and, more than that, part of his family. peter has his back without question, and he'd do anything in the universe for him, straight up. but:]

Dude, have you even met Rocket? Pretty sure he can be just as much, if not more, of an asshole on a good day. He can take a joke.

[screwedontight]

Yeah. Watched movies with him and blew up some shit. He taught me the maze is a great place for that.

He was also a good friend to my brother before this place snatched his ass out of here and sent him home. Which is important.

[He rolls his eyes.]

And when other assholes around here think you're serious and treat him like shit, then what?

text

[postictal]

i thought he wasn't a raccoon

[Which is to say - yes, he actually knows one of those people this random jackass is talking about, and the last time he met him, he kind of maybe inadvertently invaded his head and got a glimpse of a past he shouldn't have seen at all.]

[But, hey, at least it means he can defend Rocket's proverbial honor. Or something.]

[danceoffs]

[apparently, rocket has made some friends. who knew.]

HE says he's not a raccoon but like just look at him for 5 seconds

That is a raccoon straight up and that is not anything but a raccoon no matter how many times he doesn't want to listen those are just the facts

[postictal]

he's not even from earth

[danceoffs]

That literally doesn't stop him from being a raccoon

He's a raccoon

[postictal]

ok so do most raccoons talk and shoot weapons where you come from

video;

[beatupgrass]

YOU ARE THE BIGGEST JACKASS I HAVE EVER MET, QUILL.

[Hi.]

[danceoffs]

[hey, buddy, how's life]

What? I'm just giving the facts, okay, which is definitely not a jackass move. You are a trash panda, and that's one of those facts.

[... yeah, just a little bit of a jackass.

just a little.]

[beatupgrass]

I'm so glad Georgia is sending you right to me, so I can take out your kneecaps as soon as you open the d'ast door. How's that for a "welcome to Wonderland?"

[danceoffs]

[if you'd told peter even, like, three weeks ago, that a threat like this would be one of the most reassuring things he could ever hear, he'd have looked at you like you were a crazy person. but that was before the mess with ego and everything that'd resulted in the aftermath, and that was before... this.]

Think I have a better idea for one. Maybe I'll take a detour and go check out some stuff that won't take out my kneecaps. I like them, and I definitely kinda need them.

[is he actually going to take that detour? no.]

[beatupgrass]

Enjoy scenic Wonderland then, Star-Dork. Ain't much to see.

[video]

[normandysbest]

Trash panda confirmed. Never seen the rest of 'em, unfortunately, but people come and go from here pretty frequently.

[If Rocket wants to fight her over the name trash panda, he's fucking invited, because she's trying not to laugh.]

[danceoffs]

[he'll keep that knowledge filed away, and he'll keep an eye out. not that he wants any of his friends to be sucked into this vortex whatever-the-hell, but selfishly, he'd feel better to have them all close by.

anyway:]

Make sure you always call him that, and just that, don't even call him Rocket anymore, because it's totally his favorite thing. I mean it, favorite thing ever. He wants to hear it at least ten times a day.

[normandysbest]

Oh, absolutely. I don't see why he wouldn't wanna wear that title every goddamn day.

[Man, this could be fantastic. Not that she super intends on digging up dirt on Rocket, but this could be hilarious.]

So, guessing you're another member of the crew?

video;

[kryptomight]

I met Groot earlier--like a month ago?--but I don't think he's here anymore, sorry. I know there's a talking raccoon somewhere, but--( well, he's already found this guy, right? ) Uh. I haven't seen or heard the other ones.

video;

[backpacking]

I dunno about the other people, but Rocket's like a friend of mine.

[ She perks up a little, hoping that this guy will be at least somewhat as cool as the not-a-trash-panda. ]

So at least one of 'em's here.

video;

[agentxthirteen]

[ Well. This guy is certainly chatty. And someone with... odd taste in friends. Talking raccoons and trees. Whatever universe he's from must be absolutely insane. ]

Everyone but Kraglin and Mantis sound familiar. You should be able to find more in the library - there are files on all residents, past and present.

I think Rocket might still be around - not so sure about the others, sorry.

[tattooedredheads]

I know that raccoon was here a while ago but I dunno if he's still around.

[video]

[punful]

[Hey look a skeleton.]

this drax guy sounds like a lot of fun.

[He's being completely serious. That thing about jokes not working sounds like a challenge. The one and only challenge Sans will ever take up is ones involving jokes and getting people to laugh.]

[video]

[wriggedywrecked]

Yeah, I know Rocket. What's it to you?

[He's only mildly defensive since Rocket definitely isn't his friend or anything and he definitely didn't recently have to find out some of Rocket's tragic backstory, haha, yeah.]