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Saber! Do you have your powers? I can't do anything, I can't— I keep fucking trying and nothing happens. The contract— they did something— or was it Raíz? I don't know!

[ She's feeling something! ]

[oh she's actually freaking out. she's coming to him, specifically, while she's freaking out. this means something! less teasing:]

Whoa - slow down. Raíz wouldn't do this, no way. I don't have my powers anymore, but they're handing out something sweet in the library. Grab yourself a vial and get a surprise.

They're— what? What do you mean? The library's open again? What vial?

[ Girlie hasn't been paying attention to the network, oop. ]

[there's a pause while waits for the end of a joke. he laughs even though it never comes.]

Hold on, hold on. [attached: link to homelander and alicent's network post.] See that? They're uh, tellin' us about the drugs. Wanna come do it with me?

[he says, having already taken the drug.]

[ Okay, give her a moment to watch that, and then… ]

So it's. What Raíz does, but in a drug?

[ ?_? ]

[hm, that sounds wrong to his ears.]

No, nothing like her. These powers are cheap knockoffs compared to what she does for us.

[ There's silence while Cellar checks uneven nails and bites her lower lip. Worried, still anxious about what their sudden loss means. ]

… Saber, where is she?

[ No real expectation that he'll have an answer, just … some fumbling attempt to ask for guidance. Reassurance from the mentor that never was. ]

[she's quiet and he's listening too closely. the flick of a lighter can be heard, then a quick exhale. totally delusional but 100% confident:]

Look, just 'cause she's not here doesn't mean she's not here. She's probably watching us right now. I'm not worried.

You really think so? [ Another pause. ] That she's been watching us the whole time?

[ That's been Cellar's belief from day one, anyway. Suddenly she's not that sure. ]

[wait a minute-]

Am I hearing doubt in you, Cellar? I thought you knew better.

[ —ack. ]

I mean— you've never felt any doubt? Ever?

No. People fuck up all the time and I expect people to fuck up, but not Her.

It's not really about her fucking up. [ Voice smaller, ] I don't think. It's just...

Sometimes I wonder if whatever's running this place is like her. Like, maybe she has cousins or something.

Oh. [he clicks his tongue.] Huh.

[obviously not having thought in that direction at all, but very much accepting of it:]

Yeah, maybe. That doesn't mean anything, y'know? Just means we're here for a bit, then we'll be back, or maybe we won't. You got some loose ties or somethin' back home?

You mean other than the contract? [ Irony in her voice now. (There's her family, friends — Great Dane, Wolf Spider, and so on...) Someone's coping. ] I dunno, at this point so much crazy shit has happened that I wouldn't be surprised if it's a not-Raíz also playing around, except this time we're the toys.

[ A deep sigh. ]

At least you're here.

Same toys different circus. I think you know that we've always been the toys.

[but saber is already latching on to cellar considering that his company is comforting.]

I'll always be here for you.

I prefer to think of us as... weapons! Makes us seem cooler.

[ And they will continue to be weapons throughout the month, kicking zombie ass. ]

Thanks, Saber. [ A pause. ] You're sure the drug-thing is okay?

Ah-huh, weapons like us are toys for things like Raíz.

[doesn't stop them from being nearly unstoppable forces though.]

No, but I don't care. We're against zombie fuckasses and I'm not facin' them empty handed.

... Point.

[ Not how she would've made the case, but. Point nonetheless. She wasn't going to need a whole lot of convincing, but in Great's absence, she's looking to Saber to be her guide into Probably Dangerous Ideas. Which is a dangerous idea in itself. #thatsirony ]

Ugh, I hate zombies. I'll take the ... what was it called? Temp V or whatever.

[alert, chipper:]

Good! I can dose you up.

Yes, please. [ Sigh! She wants her shadows baaaack. ] See you in a bit.

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