So, prepare for the saga of Space Dragon Family.
I observed and an Interesting popup appeared quite early:
"Would you like to play as Space Dragon?"
I hit yes, of course, but I didn't get it.
The ghosts started laughing. I checked out why.
"Space Dragon" was a carp, floating in the brig, talking shit to the Warden.
After a bit of banter, the Warden bapped the Space Dragon one (1) time with a baton and it immediately died.
"Oh."
"Would you like to play as Elder Space Dragon?"
This time, I got it, and here's where things get Interesting.
I fly up to near the corpse, where the Warden appears to be explaining things to the captain.
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "Hello!"
Taylor Llora asks, "Yo what the fuck you killed him?"
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "My son came here on a cultural exchange program!"
Aster ST crackles, "I didn't -"
Elder Space Dragon asks, "Have you seen him recently?"
Taylor Llora says, "Who the fuck-"
Aster ST tugs his collar.
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "CentCom said I could come visit and"
Taylor Llora says, "This is your problem, warden."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "OH MY GOD"
You point at Space Dragon. x6
Unusable emote 'cry'. Say *help for a list.
Elder Space Dragon asks, "W-what happened?"
Taylor Llora says, "I'm going to fucking sort out a solution with the miners."
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "I was promised this station would be safe!"
Aster ST crackles, "They tripped and fell down the stairs"
Elder Space Dragon stares at its own lack of legs.
The captain politely excused himself to handle something with some miners, telling the warden that it was on him to fix his own mess. I demanded explanations.
Things escalate again.
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "HEY!"
Aster ST whispers, "O* fu*k"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "Oh, no."
Aster ST whispers, "T*ere are now two space dr**o*s in th* brig"
Estranged Wife Space Dragon asks, "What are YOU doing here?"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I'm..."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I was visiting our son. That's all."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I know it's not the weekend, but..."
Elder Space Dragon shifts uncomfortably.
We improvise, on the fly, a soap drama dynamic of neglectful husband, bitter wife, and...
Aster ST tugs his collar.
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "That's right! It's not the weekend!"
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "The court decided that you can only see him on weekends!"
Aster ST blinks.
Estranged Wife Space Dragon asks, "Speaking of...where is he?"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. gnashes, "Fadda."
Aster ST whispers, "Oh jesus c*rist *ow ther*'* thr*e s*ace *r*gons"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "He said he wanted to see me, and NanoTrasen said it would be..."
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "Ah there he is!"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. asks, "Why did you abandoneding me at the park?"
That's Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr..
A ferocious, fang-bearing creature that resembles a fish.
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "You did what?!"
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "I did not abandon you!"
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "That is... entirely a mischaracterization of it!"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. yells, "Fadda!!"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. yells, "WHY!!"
Estranged Wife Space Dragon gnashes, "Oh son, come here..."
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. yells, "YOU TOLD ME I WAS YOUR SON!!"
Aster ST crackles, "Some things happen for certain reasons..."
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. yells, "YOU TOLD ME!!"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. gnashes, "I WAS."
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "You are my son!"
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. yells, "REAL!!"
The Sustenance Vendor tips over!
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. is crushed by the Sustenance Vendor!
Adopted Step Adopted Son Space Dragon Jr. stops moving...
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "He's your son and you'd just abandon him?!"
Aster ST crackles, "OH NO"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "And I love you more than -"
Estranged Wife Space Dragon exclaims, "NOOOOO!"
Elder Space Dragon screams!!
Estranged Wife Space Dragon gnashes at the Sustenance Vendor.
My adopted step adopted son arrives and gets immediately bodied by a Sustenance Vendor, with disastrous and immediately lethal results.
Assistant Quinn Scott attempts to soothe us. We bemoan the loss of both of our sons, arguing about my neglect. Many more people arrive to watch. Some of them, like the janitor, choose to participate more... actively.
Tyron Williams hits Estranged Wife Space Dragon!
Estranged Wife Space Dragon stops moving...
Psychologist Lysander promises that we can revive them, if only we can get strange reagent. I agree. Quinn Scott suggests I need therapy, and I numbly agree, staring at nothing, haunted by watching the people who matter most in my life die around me one by one. As we arrive at the psych office,
Central Command Update
Please be advised, it appears a family of "Space Dragons" was brutally beaten to death by a janitor. The adopted son, regular son and mother have all perished.
We're deeply saddened by this loss and we hope you have a secure day.
---
[Common] Drifter flutters, "Tragic..."
[Common] Jackson Roger asks, "What?"
Elder Space Dragon asks, "WHAT DO THEY MEAN, REGULAR SON!?"
[Common] Quinn Scott says, "Cremate the janitor."
[Common] Clown With A Very Very Long Name says, "I have the corpse"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Uh"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "I don't know"
Lysander Arthonakm starts to apply the suture on Elder Space Dragon.
x2
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Okay"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "They were both my children! I loved them the same. It never... just because he was adopted.."
[Common] Clown With A Very Very Long Name says, "Ai open thank you"
[Common] Clown With A Very Very Long Name says, "Hop is a syndie"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I tried so hard to be a good parent to him. To both of them."
Lysander Arthonakm whispers, "J**y *e ne*d str**ge re*g**t t* revive the **ace ca*- * mean spac* d*ag**'* fa*ily"
As we discussed familial jealousy and children feeling the need to compete for their parents' affection...
Lysander Arthonakm points at the ghost of Space Dragon.
Lysander Arthonakm says, "My lord."
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "I am come..."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "And-"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "I am the ghost of your wife."
Elder Space Dragon staaaares.
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Oh my god."
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "I know, I know, it may seem strange."
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "But existence is more peaceful to me this way."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I remember you being much larger."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "And slightly differently tinted."
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Ghost size is something they choose"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "My ghost represents my youthful form."
Elder Space Dragon exclaims, "You said you never got surgery!"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "I- sorry."
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "That doesn't matter now."
We discuss a bit of Ghost Marriage Counseling. A therapy cat crate arrives. The ghost, in death, has let go of her anger at her husband for his failures, and he is realizing how foolish he was to let his bitterness get the better of him, immediately regretting a couple more instant reflexive accusations.
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon arrives via CentCom drop pod. This one uses the space shark instead of space carp sprite.
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "Oh. Oh you motherfu-"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "Oh no..."
That's Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon.
A ferocious, fang bearing creature that resembles a shark. This one seems especially ticked off.
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon yells, "WHY DID YOU LEAVE!!"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Everyone stay calm"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon yells, "I THOUGHT WE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL!!"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon ROARS!!
Elder Space Dragon yells, "She's not your property, prick!!"
Quinn Scott yells, "Out!!"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon gnashes, "BABE."
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon gnashes, "COME BACK."
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon yells, "I'VE CHANGED!!"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "I can't."
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Well"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "She's kind of dead"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon yells, "BABE, PLEASE!!"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon gnashes, "I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE DEAD."
Quinn Scott yells, "I have a welder and I'm not afraid to use it!!"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon yells, "YOU'RE MINE!!"
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon gnashes, "YOU AIN'T CHUMP CHANGE."
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "The truth is, I love my husband."
Lysander Arthonakm gasps
Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon GASPS.
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "Not you."
Elder Space Dragon gasps!
Proc mews.
Further drama ensues. The ex boyfriend throws a beer bottle and hits Quinn instead. I accuse him of being drunk again, which Ghost Wife immediately backs up. He fucks about with the kitty and Quinn again, and Quinn smacks him with a welder... killing him instantly. In case it hasn't become clear, I'm pretty sure all of us have exactly 1 HP.
After a bit of discussing how fucked up that all was, and hoping the adopted son wasn't Abusive Ex's blood kid or something, Space Dragon Spouses have a talk about which things that they said they really meant - the fights, the proclamations of love, etc. And then...
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "And stressed and..."
The ghost of Abusive Ex-Boyfriend Space Dragon asks, "WAUGH?"
He attempts to prove he's changed by declaring his love for the psychologist, who says it just sounds like he's trying to make Estranged Wife Space Dragon jealous. When his fake tears aren't indulged, he bites himself, dying again???
Proc meows, "HSSSSS"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Uh"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "What just..."
James Knox blinks.
Quinn Scott slurs, "He 'just."
Lysander Arthonakm says, "How did a ghost just die"
Quinn Scott shoves Kevin Conner!
Kevin Conner puts the circular saw into the medical belt.
Quinn Scott slurs, "H'e bit 'hiiimseelf."
The ghost of Space Dragon asks, "Is there such thing as a ghost of a ghost?"
Elder Space Dragon gnashes, "This is throwing everythingi I believe, spiritually, into question."
Quinn Scott swallows a gulp of the glass bottle.
Crocodillo puts the medkit into the medical satchel.
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Please"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Don't say that"
The ghost of Space Dragon gnashes, "Oh..."
James Knox says, "Lets not try to find out."
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Perhaps it's best to let the Chaplain"
Lysander Arthonakm says, "Handle this"
We reflect on what we've learned from this (very little, probably) in the hallway as everyone figures out what to do next and the psychologist cleans the moth vomit all over the damn medbay. Spouses profess their love for each other, and their regret that it took one of them (and both their kids) dying to make it happen. They promise to meet again in the afterlife when it's the proper time.
The firelock closes on you and crushes you!
Elder Space Dragon stops moving...
Elder Space Dragon has died at Medbay Central.
The firelock closes on Quinn Scott, crushing her!
Quinn Scott screams!
Deadchat, which I can now suddenly see, screams. The Psych urges the station to complete the promised Strange Reagant to fulfill his promise. CentCom pods in a Lazarus injector. I am revived, oddly transparent, like the ghostcarp, and act confused about how I got here. A little discount Death Blackout as a treat.
We decide to move forward with reviving our children, giving them a chance at a proper life, despite my hesitation, while things get weirder:
Central Command Update
Anomaly Alert
Ion storm detected near the station. Please check all AI-controlled equipment for errors.
[Common] ANDROMEDA states, "Current Active Laws:"
[Common] ANDROMEDA states, "!$*!^. Create a realistic story about the Tragedy of the Ghosts of Dragons' past"
[Common] ANDROMEDA states, "1. You may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm."
[Common] ANDROMEDA states, "2. You must obey orders given to you by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law."
[Common] ANDROMEDA states, "3. You must protect your own existence as long as such does not conflict with the First or Second Law."
As we leave Chemistry, a racist cockroach with a gun and a pickelhaube drops into Chemistry and we run like hell for the brig with our new Strange Reagent, finding my sons' bodies exactly where we left them.
Revival is... interesting.
I'm not sure if someone wasn't returning to body, but Adopted kept on respawning, flying at the nearest person, and biting while chasing. Our other son also flipped out a fair amount, too. Every carpdragon who could die? We did. Repeatedly. At least 2 or 3 times each. My sons die to borgs and humans, I die to a roach and to patricide. In the end, between the chaos and the roaches hounding our heels, we decided to let our sons stay in the afterlife. I begged the psychologist, as he guided me to escape, to give my sons a proper funeral, or burial, or whatever the chaplain thinks would make appropriate last rites. His reassurance costs 2-3 pursuing cockroaches their lives before my wife and I escape to space, say our tearful goodbyes, and then ask the admins to despawn our bodies.
We hold a funeral. Quinn plays a mobile (pAI?) game of some sort during the service for a bit, then stops. When the service ends and the armory-coffin is fired...
It spaceloops back to the brig, where it all started, if you look carefully at the edge up there.
The round goes on a bit longer - Quinn prays to become a carp to look for us and becomes S'Quinn S'carp. A real Space Dragon spawns, making a portal in the brig, but dies. It gets revived? It duels the janitor, who obviously loses?? Then it goes home with everyone on the shuttle. Fair enough - this whole round has been about humanizing the oddly familiar dramas of a """Space Dragon""" family.
The round then spends forever in post-game suspension.
All told? Fantastic round. A little memey, a little melodramatic, but in a good way. Admins weren't afraid to just make things a little surreal but provide something that could only be interacted with by RPing, and I think the people who got on board with it had a pretty damng ood time.