bliptech | IC Inbox

[That's all he needed to know.]

All right. Grab some grub and listen. This has happened before in another form.

You're not alone in this. This whole thing is designed to test all of us and AFFECT all of us. It's a deathtrap. If we can't figure it out, you're going to drown.

This will probably give you over to the queen's side for while.

Fortunately, you're not alone, and you're not dumb. You took pictures of that puzzle, right? While you're taking a break, study it. Use your head. Use your MATH. Don't feel like you need to dance to the queen's tune. You've still got plenty of time before anything even begins hitting water wings territory. You're an engineer. If you send me the picture as it is, I'll break it up into tile sized chunks and write a quick app to let you work on it on your phone. It'll be easier for you to figure out that way than by pushing around those tiles with your numbed hands.

In the meantime? We're working on things on our end. I'm going to put another supply kit for you with some dry clothes. We're ALSO going to figure out how to halt those cages through other means. Magic is strong, but even magic has to work to break the laws of physics.

So yeah, you might die. But you're a capable soul, and you're surrounded by capable souls. Don't let it happen, and we won't let it happen. Sound good?

[The idea of being on the Queen's side, event temporarily, was probably the least appealing part of all that. The rest, though...

Colin sure knows how to appeal to her intellect.

She gives a "just a second" mumble after letting it sit in her head for a second. There's a lot of rustling, a bit of muted swearing at trying to get those sopping wet clothes off, and eventually she comes back.

Though there's no words right away - instead it sounds like something is rubbing up against the phone.

She's trying to get water off the lens.

It works well enough, and eventually a picture comes through.]

How's that?

Great. Now, take a breather, I'm betting you've been busting your ass and fingers ever since you woke up in there. This'll take a few minutes.

Speaking of fingers, once you're done eating, get some bandages and wrap them up. Those are important tools, you gotta keep 'em well maintained.

So what's on your mind, other than a whole lot of expletives for the queen?

[There's a snort at that. He's not wrong.

And she'll ask Sans to help her with that in a bit.]

... Keith said Princess Allura is in his cage. And Lance. And I might be wrong but I think I see Hunk's Paladin suit in the distance.

Hell of an introduction to this place for them.

[And while she really wished she could cling to her father and brother right now, she's glad they aren't in this mess, too.]

You get in contact with them yet? I should talk to Sans in a minute, see if we can't get some of the phones out to the newbies.

But hey, at least this is just a simple death trap, rather than the shadow clone episodes of the other month. With everyone actually using their brains, beating this should be much easier than that was.

Mhmn...

Keith contacted me already. If they're dealing with puzzles, too, they should focus on that.

[Did you have to remind her of the shadows?]

You've missed them, haven't you?

If you talk to Keith, having him put your friends on. You could all use the pick-me-up of knowing you're here for each other.

Besides, a team works better if they've got some communication.

I won't push it otherwise, though. You are right, time is not limitless here.

[Hey, it was that or say "Could be worse, could be raining."]

[Well he's not wrong...]

I don't need them worrying about me...

Is that what you think? If Keith's here, Allura already knows you're here. Better to tell her that you're rooting for her than to leave her wondering, hmm?

Don't sell yourself short, Pidge. You're not a burden, you're an asset to any team you're on.

I can see you've got the skill, you just need the environment to let it grow. Have some faith in yourself.

[Normally Pidge wouldn't doubt herself so much, but Shiro's words from the shadow encounter still rang in her head.

"I can't lose another Holt..."

She had never thought about how painful it must have been for Shiro to be a part of a team that had the sibling and daughter of the crew he had lost.

She really didn't know what to say to that, because he was right.]

Sorry...

[cough]

Don't worry about apologizing to me. Just worry about getting yourself back into functioning order, and kicking some puzzle ass.

I'm almost done with this application, it'll have a replay feature so you can see exactly what you did when you solve it.

[There's a soft sigh that hints at wheezing again, an uncomfortable bubbling happening in her chest.]

I'll do my best.

[A few moments later, her phone beeps.]

[Attached: Puzzle Slider]

I know you will.

The controls are easy. Swipe with your fingers, or use your keypad. Four cardinal directions only.

You can set save points if you know you're on the right track, or if you want to go back to a set point. There's a tutorial if you need it.

Anything else I can do for you?

[Hey, Smol, Space Dad calling. Please let him hear your voice so he knows you're not dead.]

Thanks.

[She's quiet for a bit, going over the puzzle a few quick times just to see how it works and how it lines up with the current actual puzzle in the floor.

Something beeps, and she sucks in a sharp breath.]

... Shiro is calling me.

[How does "half dead" sit with you?

For some reason she doesn't answer right away, but eventually the call is picked up, complete with coughing, wind in the background, and a hoarse voice.]

Hey...

[Not well, Smol. Not well at all.

Keith's already filled Shiro in on the basics. Hanging cages over the ocean. Puzzles and shadows and rain, oh my. Also, Allura.]

Pidge! Are you hurt?

[Because you sound like shit, man.]

[Colin smiles.]

Take it. Talk to him. His voice will do you some good.

[She feels like shit, man.]

I'm not exactly doing great ...

But, no. I'm not injured.

[cough]

[He's going to worry, but that's natural. Hopefully there's some way she can convince him she'll make it out of this.]

Alright.

Thanks, Colin.

[Not liking the sound of that cough. Too wet and coming from the chest instead of the throat, but it's not an immediate danger, at least. Not that Shiro could do a damn thing about it if it was, but- no, focus.]

Okay... Everyone out here is doing everything they can to get you guys out. Have the care packages made it to you yet?

[Definitely in the chest. A chest that feels heavy, like someone is standing on her and won't get off. She alternates between burning hot and freezing cold, with her joins in constant aching reminder that she's been in this weather for hours now.]

Yea-- [coughing, harder this time]

Yeah. I've changed once already.

[Not that it did much to help. She was soaked again within the hour.]

Keith said Allura and Lance were here, too. D.... do you know if they're doing alright?

[Please let them be faring better than me.]

I know you will.

Just breath.

I'll talk to you in person later. I promise.

Okay...

You'd better.

[Just gonna be over here worrying, thanks. Gonna do his best to keep it out of his voice, though. Worrying isn't what Pidge needs right now. Right now Pidge needs needs support. Reassurance.]

I haven't heard from Lance yet, but Keith and Allura are fine. [As far as Keith is telling, anyway. Here's hoping he's not just trying to placate Shiro since there's not much he can do about the situation.] But you know Lance. He'll come out of this with a runny nose and then he'll steal all our blankets.

IC Inbox | Sol Raveh

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