Terezi pushed the backdoor of the apothecary and peeked inside. The shop was dark, the owner had left earlier that evening. She carefully closed the door, making as little noise as possible and tiptoed to a trapdoor dissimulated under a shelf. The troll glanced over her shoulder and jumped down the hole.

No one had arrived yet. She did not know how many people they were expecting but a rumour about a meeting of the rebels was circulating in the city lately. The troll had demanded to her friends if someone was aware of it but none of them responded clearly. Whatever, even if it wasn't something their dear leader had officially decreeted, she could simply not let this pass up.

They had taken the habit to come here for reunions lately. The old apothecary seemed to have compassion for the young trolls who had grown in his neighbourhood. They were good customers too and Gamzee had been his faithful employee for a few years now. He had no objections they took the shop's basements as HQ for their ''cute little reunions'' when Gamzee mentioned the highbloods and carapaces didn't seem to like having them hanging out anymore.

Terezi took off her coat and hung up against the wall. She then tried to make her a way to a stool near the bar, she'd rather not sniff since the place was filled by dust. She sat, almost falling off the seat and waited for others to arrive.

His quick and sly steps echoed as some kind of glaucous melody in the deserted street of the Slum District. His face was hidden by the hood of his cape which frivolously dances behind him all along. Walking fast was pretty natural for Karkat; he HATED with so much passion those who walked slowly, particularly if they are in front of him. But now wasn’t the time for the thoughts of things he hated. It would be too long anyway.

Cautiously, the leader of Prospit’s rebels looked if he was alone before turning any corner. He didn’t want any bad surprises as he was going to their first truly important reunion. They had many meetings since he first started the group, but all they did was gather information and to recruit militants to their cause. But what if they were found out and attack? What could they possibly do? Throw paper work at them? Don’t make him laugh. That is pretty much why then needed this little assembly tonight. He only told about this to a few, they didn’t have to be all together for this time. He just remembered that he didn’t really give a certain time to gather at the apothecary. Oh well, they had the night, hopefully. He finally saw the back door of his goal. Karkat made ultra sure they was no one around. He then stealthily walks toward the door and took the handle like it was some kind of precious jewel. He push it o so slowly before quickly getting in and made sure to properly close the door behind him.

The shell is moved. Someone’s there. A dagger ready he open carefully the trapped door and jumped before closing it behind him. He first saw the bright yellow plushy coat on the wall and he immediately knew who it was. The carcian put his dagger back in his pocket and walk toward the table in the middle of the secret room. He pulls off his hood and shook his hair.

“I see that you are always right on time, Pyrope.” He said slightly irritated that he wasn’t the first one to be there.

God he was tired. Being this defensive is really exhausting for the shorter troll.

Terezi nodded as she giggled gleefully. She slightly looked up at the shorter troll, her eternal shark-like smile plastered on her face and her blood filled eyes covered by her growing bangs. In such a dark place, she could easily be mistaken for a grim reaper how creepy she looked.

- You mean the time you’ve never set? I’ve figured it wouldn’t be before the shops were closed and the streets emptied.

Terezi pushed a chair beside her and patted its center.

- Sit down, Karkles. We’re the first one; I haven’t sniffed someone else’s smell then Gam and the old man.

The girl sniffed to prove her point but ended up sneezing. Damn dust. They just couldn’t clean, could they?! Her smile faded a little as she ‘’gazed’’ into the distance.

- How many are we expecting?

“I wanted people to figure it out. You pass the test.” He said acting like it was all calculate and his point all along.

He hesitate a moment for the place. He wanted to greet the one who will arrive at any possible time, standing like a great leader. But he didn’t set a time. He could wait forever for the next person to arrive. And it will be pretty awkward. He sight and sat on the chair Terezi had offered him. He made sure to be a little farther from the troll though.

“Now isn’t the time for sniffing, Pyrope, I have a speech to make in my head” he coldly said before putting his head on his crossed arms, looking like he would be ready to sleep.

Damn, he wished he could sleep.

This reunion would be different from the others. They will not send a letter afterward to the dersites. For now. This meeting is about they own protection. Yes, it’s all fun and all to say: Yeah! We are with you, but we have no weapons, no defense so we can’t really help you, sorry. Good luck!
It’s just ridiculous. After so many meeting, they are no way near prepared for anything. Plus, what if the Condesce decide to put her patrol on Prospit as well? They have it easy compared to Derse, but how long will it last?

They will all talk about it tonight. They can’t let themselves be as lay back as they were. Karkat raise his head painfully, god, why does he got to have an headache for this meeting? His face hidden by his hand he answered Terezi through them:

“Only a few, you will see” he manage to say.

This is going to be a long night.

- Only a few?! Terezi repeated

If Karkat could see her eyes, he would see she was looking incrediously straigth at himl. Maybe he would get the hint of her suprise because of her ajar mouth. The troll sighed deeply as she sat more deeply in the chair she was sitting on.

- How disapointing... Seems like you're no better at gathering people then I am...

Terezi hummed ligthly to fill the silence that kept filling the room over and over. Seeing no response of her commarade, she began to start singing louder and tap on the table. She hated to be bored and worse, she hated to be bored and stuck somewhere. They just couldn't take the reunion somewhere else since they, or at least she, didn't know how many people they were expecting and what time. Leaving a message on the apocathery's door would be down right stupid. Why not directly go tell the guards where they were and what they were doing.

With a gleaming robe wrapped around her noble dress and her small tiara tucked in her pocket, Mara walked as stealthily as she could to the apothecary door. She was slightly accustomed to being in the slums, but the vast difference from her own usual housing still shocked her. Mara herself had never been to a rebel meeting, but seeing as her list of usual attendees was quickly dwindling, she had decided to take the leap and go to one. Cautiously, she peered over her shoulder, having to nudge her hood and bangs out of her face to get a clear view. Seeing the street empty, she nudged the door open, careful to make as little noise as she could. Closing it behind her, Mara surveyed the apothecary. It was slightly dingy, as were all buildings down in the slums, and the various containers with mixtures and herbs gleamed in the dim light reflecting from the grimy streets.

Worried that she had missed the meeting or stumbled into the wrong place, Mara stood, almost paralyzed with growing fear. Remembering the lives that had already been lost getting to this point in time, she mustered the courage to proceed further into the building. After taking a few steps, she heard a faint noise coming from below her. At first Mara thought she was crazy, but then she recognized the soft melody being sung. She followed it until she found where it was loudest and looked around. Unfortunately, she didn't know much about the meetings, seeing as a rebel fighting secretly against a malicious space alien doesn't write down everything they know before they get assassinated.

Finding a shelf that looked slightly different than the rest, Mara noticed a board that looked out of place on the floor. Taking a deep breath, she pried at it with her nails, hoping to whatever deities were left that it was right. With barely a groan, the board pried loose, revealing a gloomy hole that presumably lead to a basement of sorts. Letting the breath escape through her clenched teeth, Mara took a leap of faith and went through the door, pulling it closed behind her.

He was about to tell her that that's how he planned this meeting for only a few to come, but he got lazy and did not respond. Instead, he let his head drop on the table again, his head on the opposite side of the other troll. What? He never liked explaining himself, it wouldn't change now. He assume that she just had to guessed it out and if she doesn't, well, it's her own problem.
Thus, the room was filled with a rather awkward silence, but he was too prideful to make it disappeared.
But it got worst when she began signing. He wanted to tell her to shut the fuck up, but lacked motivation to do so. He got strangely relaxed and his eyes were beginning to be too heavy for him to keep them open. The oppressing presence of his headache, his signing friend and the overall peaceful environment they were in was just too much for the trolls tiredness. He was actually about to fall asleep when he heard the trap door being open and close again. He quickly rose up making his chair fall behind him. He regain his sense, fully awake and picked the chair up before getting ready for whoever came.

He thought he would see someone familiar. A troll, a carapace or a human, maybe. He had only invited a few of the most trustworthy in his group. He wasn't prepared to see a new face here. As she overheard someone else conversation? As she spied on them? Or was already in the group but he never really noticed her. He couldn't say, but all he could say is that he didn't invited her.

"Speak for yourself, human! How did you know for this meeting?" Karkat said, getting his dagger out slyly, ready for any aggression or wrong answers.

A choking puff of dust greeted Mara in the chamber she had just jumped down into. Sputtering, she stumbled backwards, falling down. Her hood and bangs slipped over her face, preventing her from seeing into the room. Still coughing and sneezing a little, a harsh voice greeted her, none too pleasant. Mara heard the slight grate of a dagger and her attention was on the source of the noise. Fervently, she pushed back her hood and held back her bangs, taking in her surroundings. Still sitting on the floor from when she fell, Mara took in the visage of the threatening voice. A troll, with tired eyes and stubby horns watched her, dagger at the ready. His Prospitian robes were framed by a tattered red cape and his eyes were obviously accusing.

"Hold your weapon, troll." She coughed again. "I come in the name of my friends. Another human and his allies. He was recently assassinated by the Condesce." Mara slowly stood, holding out her hands to show they were empty of weapons. After shaking the dust from her robes, she spoke again. "I too am a member of the rebellion. I relay letters, information, and light weaponry through the systems." None to gracefully, Mara wiped her nose on her sleeve. She was determined to make her intentions clear, even if she appeared ungraceful while doing so. "Through these means, I found out about this meeting, but only in the fleeting moments of another's life. Now I can help you make their deaths meaningful, or you can add an ally to the body count." Mara's shoulders were square, her chin held high, and her fists clenched. "Your decision waits on my bated breath. I want to help, but I can only do that if you let me."

Terezi abruptly stopped when the trap flew open. She got up a little later then Karkat, only when she heard the swift sound of the human's cape. She grabbed her cane that had been resting on the table until now. The troll could somewhat make out the shape of the newcomer because of her strong scent, she bore the almost the same scent of Dirk's letter; this fragrance she had never identified before. The young troll decided it must be the smell of this third race called ''human''.

The blind troll did not speak a single word during Karkat and the human's exchange, maybe she didn't even notice in the shadows. Her informations were troubling, the news of death were sickening. Trolls had suffered bullying, discrimination and even slight injuries but no casualties had been reported. Terezi felt her friend's anger rising and immediately put her hand on his shoulder. That's when she needed to act.

- Excuse me but I think you need to correct your informations.

Terezi walked past Mara and pushed her away from the trap so she couldn't get away. She invited her to sit down where she was minutes ago. When the human was settled, Terezi pressed both her palms against the hard wooden table. She took a deep breath, inhaling the human's scent and a good sniff of dust to analyse it.

- I think you owe us explanations. From who did you exactly heard about this meeting and even more importantly, who died and why? The war has not yet started; so the core of the crisis is still troll only. I don't see how a human can be so well informed. And please, do not act so crudely around us. We are civilised.

Terezi turned around Mara like a hyena about to feast on a corpse, giggling. She suddenly slapped her hands back against the table and leaned in very close to the human's face.

- Which rebellion are you talking about, proud human? You ARE talking to the leaders of the Prospit's rebellion! I believe you are from Derse!!! You fled with the last ships like a coward!! Abandoning your people, how shameful!! You should be shred of your social status for doing such a thing!! HEHEHE!!!!

Terezi coldly stopped laughing and stared at Mara's eyes with her red ones.

- Do you have anything to say for you defence or shall we judge you right away?!

((firstly, the friend she had is ofc made up and has no standing in this story. can't quite make a character who's dead. sorry for all this))

Mara, of course, took all of the troll's rebuttals with poise. Until the brunt of the accusations were made.

"I pardon my earlier forms of speech, but I think you must also revise yours. I am a born Prospitian, and though I do respect the nobles of the Dark Planet, I am most definitely not one of them. I may be a fool to hope, but I surely will not be...I won't...I won't stop just because of some useless barriers. My friend was little known in the organization you have here, but you may have known him. Caper was his name. At least the one he used to get around here. The Condesce had him killed. Discreetly of course. Can't have the war raging so deeply in the high reaches of Prospit. Just over a week ago he was labeled as a casualty of a mob of angry highbloods."

Taking a break from her speech, Mara took another breath of dusty air, feeling deep in her gut that her time might be short, and that she had in fact, made too brash a decision.

"The Condesce has begun to have nobles on both planets assassinated, spreading them out so as to decrease the impact, even make them unnoticeable.” A lump seemed to be lodged in Mara’s throat, and she tried her best to swallow it before continuing. “Over the last few months, about three nobles have been assassinated on Prospit and five on Derse.” She glanced up on the troll staring her down, seeing the pointed teeth and hearing in her mind the resounding echo of the hyena’s laugh. Locking her gaze with her opponent’s red eyes, Mara prepared for another round of questioning and another set of answers.

It mattered not how many times Jade made the trip to the Prospitian Apothecary--she was always awash with the sensation she was not meant to be there. Perhaps it was the derelict state of the locale: all earthy, squeak-ridden floorboards and cracked windows caked with dust. Or maybe it was thanks to the fact she almost never found herself in need of its wares, considering she had always grown her own. Nevertheless, putting reason to feeling would do little good to quench the turmoil roiling in the pit of her gut. She would still put on that brave facade (which was admittedly almost never forced, to be honest) and make her way inside.

Crouching onto her haunches, the Witch's calloused fingers set to prying at loose floorboards. After exerting effort that pulls muscles taut and sets Jade's jaw into a tight clench, the boards at last give way to reveal the dark chasm of an entrance to the Rebel Headquarters. Reaching up, Jade wipes the back of her hand to her brow before gathering her skirts and hopping down. She manages to land with a surprising amount of grace, considering the garbs she wore and the long drop. Dust picks up at the impact of her feet to the clay and dirt covered floor, and Jade gives a light round of coughing as she swipes at the air before her eyes. Blinking, once, twice, her eyes adjust to the dim lighting before the young woman registers the three figures standing before her. They seem to be engaged in something of a standoff, one troll outright leering into the face of a wary, but determined human.

This would not do.

Raising her hands before her chest in a placating manner, Jade takes cautious steps forward, approaching the motley trio.

"Pardon the intrusion, but let us all save our malice for the Condesce. We are all allies here, are we not?"

When attentions turn in her direction, Jade offers her friendliest grin.

"After all, we possess goals of similar merit. Why tarnish what assistance we have the pleasure to gain?"

Jade's eyes glance to each person within the enclosed space. She recognized Karkat on the spot, having known him for quite some time now. The other troll she could hypothesize the identity of. After all, Karkat frequently ranted about a troll of similar description. Jade could tell he was quite fond of her, whoever she was. And the human...the human she did not really know. But nothing about her gave Jade any sort of indication to be wary. Her senses were not often wrong about these sorts of things, in the expanse of her experience.

Raising a hand, Jade gestures to the human.

"If need be, I, the Witch of the Green Sun, am fully willing to take responsibility if Miss..." Jade trails off. She did not even know her name. That would have be remedied soon, all things considering. "...if this young miss decides to partake in anything reprehensible. I highly doubt that will happen though!"

That proclaimed, Jade hops up onto the nearest, unoccupied stool and makes herself as comfortable as she can on such a shaky seat.

Terezi gazed intensely with her empty eyes, she really acted as if she was still gifted with sight. She humphed ligthly and straightened her back. She did hear about a Caper once or twice, meeting had she even met him before. A few times did their secret reunion become crowded enough for all the scent to blend together and be overrun with the delicious aroma of adrenalinated patriotism.

- Maybe we did. Many goes by pseudonyms and often change.

She did not say it but the fact that Prospit's army didn't move with 3 murders was baffling her. Trolls only needed a single death to act, and many times, it took less than that for their kind to take action. Isn't what they were doing anyway? Stopping things before all hell breaks lose and somebody dies. The trolls had seen enough of theirs in bloodpools already. Even though their generation was too young to remember anything, the effects of the war was carved in their blood.

The scale troll dived in close to the human's face again. Her shark teeth split themselves open to let her teal tongue snake out and lick Mara's cheek. It tasted honesty but she knew to always double check every hint. As she was about to deliver a second on-slaugth of questions when a brisk swift of dust went to her nose, making her turn away to sneeze.

When she moved her arm away from her face, there was another presence in the room. The newcomer bore the same distinct smell of Mara, reinforcing this was definitely the olfactory trace of the human race. Pyrope frowned when Jade spoke of keeping their malice for the Condesce. All her life did Terezi hope to get the nobility's attention but now, she found them rather nosy.

- Spies are common in conflicts, we simply must make sure she's clean.

Terezi glanced at where Karkat was standing when Jade presented herself as well as taking custody of Sikes. She had heard her beloved leader talking about come human witch that warmed his heart but she never really believed his stories; thinking it was to mock her activist hopes. Nevertheless, she did have the speech to match such a great title. Pyrope shrugged with open arms and then walked to Karkat, turning her back to them, and put her hands on the Cancer's shoulder.

- Welp, be my guess. If she messes up, you'll be judged and punished. True law doesn't give important people any free pass. The leader will fill you in now.

Wasn’t this troll quite the presence? Huffing lightly through her nose, Jade arches a single brow while her lips push to the side in an expression akin to skepticism. Her arms crossing across her chest, Jade replies with a shrug,

“I would not expect any different a result, assuming events go awry. I am as much a citizen of Prospit as any.”

There was little reason for the troll to judge her based purely upon Jade’s position! Really, that was just offensive, as far as the Witch was concerned. Or, maybe, she was not accustomed to receiving a less than warm welcome when her title came into play. The vast majority of the time, the populace of the planet was happy to receive her. After all, she was sworn to protect the place. She supposed she should have come to expect this, at some point in her life. It just…well, it kind of hurt.

Oh well! Being disliked was part of life. And, who knew, maybe she and this troll would become friends one day? She would just have to prove her opinions wrong, in time.

Mood returning to its usual chipper tone, Jade leans her cheek into her palm and peers over at Karkat expectantly.

“It’s all you, Karkat! Go for it!”

For once, Karkat was being quiet for a moment. Observing the situation for a better view at things. He let Terezi handle the case of the human; he just knew he could count on her to make people talk. When the red-blooded troll heard the girl talk about the highblood on prospit beginning to cause trouble, he could tell she wasn’t just a wanna be activist. She could still be a spy, but at least, she was informed. He could tell this for sure because this was mainly the part of what he was about to talk about tonight. But he didn’t know that even human on prospit were being killed. He had noticed that their reunion got smaller, but he didn’t think of that. Their urgent need of a good defense was even more oppressing.

He didn’t have a change to place a word when he heard someone else entering their HQ. He just hoped it wasn’t a new comer again, not wanting to deal with two of them. Luckily, it was Jade, someone which he did invite. As always, she had to bring peace within their group even without knowing what is really going on, but she guessed right, like usual. Still, again, Karkat remain silent the whole time she and Terezi talked, thinking that if he wasn’t there to calm everyone and restore order, their reunion would probably just end into fights and such.

“Oh? You are finally letting me talk? That’s pretty kind of you. NOW STOP THE FUCKING BITCH FIGHT AND LISTEN TO ME.” Karkat snapped as he walked back to the table, next to Mara, sitting on the said table.

Gathering the attention again, he gave a killer look at Mara without noticing and began a small speech:

“JADE, I give you the complete responsibility on this human’s actions. If anything goes wrong because of her, YOU will have to deal with it, not us. As for you, lady, I have to say you are well informed, I knew highblood who started workshipping the Condesce began to make trouble around prospit. I had gone through a lot to gain that information, I am surprise you know this too, this is mainly why I cannot fully trust you. Yet.”

He massages his face with his both hands: God, this headache was killing him.

“Also, I know this sucks, but we are stuck here together for a while. We have to wait for others to come because I HATE saying the same exact FUCKING thing over and over again.” He groaned, crossing his arms.

Gamzee was hiding behind a shelf in the basement, sitting into a dark corner as he finished his after-closure trip, a big dumb smile slapped on his face as his eyes wandered into the other side of the room. His eyes widened from their high-as-hell state and he slowly got up as he heard some noise, scared that the shop-owner would find him like this. As he listened to what was going on, he recognized Karkat and Terezi's voices, though he could not make out what the other two feminine voices were.

The troll froze there for a second, almost letting his eyes wander off into different sides as he shook his head and lankily appeared from the corner of the room, his back arched forward a bit as his arms drooped lazily from his sides, his nerves calming and his eyes slowly closing once more as he approached the small group that had gotten to his basement. Gamzee let out as small gravely laugh, dust lifting from the floor as his breath swept across the room, it goes without saying that he didn't clean the place really often... or at all.

"What's all that up, disturbing the motherfuckin' peace with all the angry yelling up in this underground. This be a place of peace of mind and you be shaking the foundations of the transcending chilling time brother!"

He then proceeded to walk up straight to them, laughing again as he tapped Karkat's shoulder, looking at him straight in the eyes with the most un-sober of looks, resting his arm on his head a moment after to look at Terezi, giving her a slow nod before he uttered another groovy sentence:

"There be some ungroovy purples outside these days, they be shakin' the clowns outta the streets, makes me unproud of my origins, brother. I tell you, these guys need some chill pills and sweet beats."

As usual, he didn't seem quite aware of the situation at hand, forgetting about the rebellion and taking the Highbloods' intimidation tactics for a minor scuffle. He didn't have a single clue of what was going to take place and he sure wasn't in a strategy-planning mind. The noise of the conversation had seemed like a swarm of bees to him.

Terezi blinked as Gamzee talked. She wasn’t very startled when he suddenly appeared of what seemed to be out of nowhere, having smelled his dopy presence when Karkat and her first arrived. She did feel more comfortable with him obviously around though, the trolls were the majority again and so the humans would have to shut up and listen to them.
The nod he gave her before talking for the second time confused her. He had looked at her straight in the eyes as if he was reading her mind which was completely impossible. The clown always freaked the Scale a little because of those weird habits such as these he would do. The information he had just give rung a vital bell though.

- Purples? Purples what, Gamzee? Like purple blooded like you are… or people dressed in purple…?

Terezi’s breath slowed to be as silent as possible. No matter what Gamzee meant, it only meant bad news for them. She hoped no one from the enemy had already started to organise rounds in the districts or else they were probably screwed. She glanced at Karkat for a translation of the High Subjugalator

The Apothecary was quiet, the phantom noise of voices below being the only thing to be heard for a while until footsteps were audible from the back door. These footsteps stopped to be followed by the sound of the doorknob turning, and the light sigh from the hinges as the door opened for the young, uncertain blue-blood who glanced about her settings. She was disappointed and worried about her location, having been struggling to follow directions given by a merchant to get to the nearest medical facility (she needed extra patches for her arms after practicing using her barbed wire whip again). She stepped carefully throughout the dark apothecary, searching for her treasured patches. Even in the dim light, her eyes finally rested upon some. She grinned. Carefully,she walked her way to the shelf only to suddenly lose the ground below her -- bumping her chin on a shelf -- and tumble down to the basement of the apothecary, where a few other trolls were communicating.

While meaning to greet or address the trolls around her, she first took on the burden of her brand new injury that spread a bad coppery taste all over her mouth. A tooth had obviously been cracked, and she had chomped down on her cheek as well, which was not fun for one with awfully sharp canine teeth. She spat to her side, blue blood and a blue-stained bit of tooth splatting on the ground. She grunted and cursed a little, holding back tears and gripping her fists in pain and embarrassment, continuously scorning herself in her mind for not watching the ground.

Mara started at the newest sudden arrival, first at that of the purple-blooded Subjugalator, and then at the sudden crash in of the blue-blooded troll girl. The first caused her to start, having bad memories of other highbloods, however she realized this troll was harmless in his current state. After a few words from the red-eyed troll whose name she still did not know, another crash came from the ceiling, and a large puff of dust and dirt welcomed yet another person into the basement. With this arrival came the trapdoor itself, leaving Mara thinking that this entrance was none too intentional. The one who entered was in fact a blue-blooded troll girl who entered in a manner as ungraceful, Mara realized, as her entrance must have been. With a slight cough, Mara took in the appearance of the girl, clad in athletic golden clothes, as she cursed and spat her blue blood onto the floor. Mara was a little startled at this sudden appearance of blood, but stayed seated on her stool far from the place where the girl had fallen in.
After a few seconds of heavy cursing from the heap on the floor, Mara got over the sudden shock and slowly stood. With the support of the Witch of the Green Sun and the ceasing of the incessant questioning by the blind one, she felt like she had a more solid footing then before. Of course, she realized she had no real standings in this meeting whatsoever, but since the silence was dragging, she felt the need to speak up.

Who are you, and on what authority do you come here?

Mintaal whimpered a little. She shook off the pain and rubbed some excess blood off her mouth, using the reverse side of her hand to wipe away tears after, then looked up at Mara. She did not encounter humans often, and it definitely intimidated and confused her when she saw different figures of nobility walking around the public. Instinctively, she brought herself up as swiftly as she could manage after taking such a spill and composed herself into a defensive stance.

"Mintaal Fhardon," she answered warily to the company, unaware of what was going on. "I-I was just looking for some damned patches for my arms!"

Focus brought to her arms, which were bare, allowed others to notice she had multiple cuts and pricks up and down each one. It was obvious with a small bit of bandage at the left arm's shoulder that she had already attempted to begin medical attention on her own. Blue blood had dripped a little onto her outfit, making rather ugly blue-green dots on her clothing. Mintaal shook her head.

"Nevermind that, though. I'm fine." She glanced over at the other trolls sharply, going through her cluttered mind as to why three trolls and a noble would be in a dusty basement. Before she spoke, she winced and swallowed. "What is this?"

Amiable smile on her features, Jade rocks back and forth atop of her squeaky stool whilst listening to Karkat’s leader-ly ranting. Finally, it appeared that everything was starting to get into motion and they could all begin discussing this rebellion business properly. Normally, Jade was not one to regard most situations with such a businesses-like approach, but rebellions were quite a serious deal.

“As I said earlier, I happily accept the responsibility.”

The sort of terse willingness to get down to work that was settling over the dusty meeting room quickly shattered as soon as the newcomers so abruptly arrived. So much for a secret headquarters! There were citizens quite literally popping out of the woodwork. While it seemed the male troll of the newcomers was well acquainted with Karkat, the female did not have the slightest of clues as to what was occurring within the basement.

Worrying her lower lip between her prominent teeth, Jade attempts to concoct some sort of a response before finally offering,

“This a, um, club meeting! We are the Prospitian League of Squiddle Appreciators!”

It would more than likely be best not to involve an unknowing civilian in such a dangerous situation as a rebellion. That, and Jade had no idea whether or not this troll was on their side. Now the Witch did not necessarily think her a spy, but a supporter of their cause? Finding allies was hard enough as it was. It did not seem likely that they would gain help from the, erm, figurative heavens.

“But welcome! Welcome to both of you!”

Turning on her stool, Jade gives both the blue-blooded troll, and then, the inebriated troll at Karkat’s side chipper waves. She was not so much worried about the one in the clown make-up. If he was in Karkat’s good graces, she had no doubts of his moral merit.

When Karkat noticed the presence of his best friend, he automatically felt calmer. It didn’t look like it because he abruptly took away the arm that was resting on his head, but he was happy that Gamzee took part of the meeting. As always, he didn’t have a fucking clue of what was going on, but that would probably be the case even after all this ends. Good thing the indigo blood would just listen to him when he ordered him around.

But it just couldn’t stay relaxing. It just couldn’t. Even before he or Gamzee could translate what he was talking about, a crash was heard from the trap door. Well, what’s left of it, at least. God fucking damn it, could this get any worse? Their HQ door is now a souvenir! And now a random BLUE BLOODED girl had just popped out of nowhere. She didn’t even meant to be there, she’s not even a spy; she looks too clueless to be one.

First it was someone who wasn’t invited and now it’s a random citizen who was just wandering around. Seriously, is their HQ that fucking obvious or its just fate doing nasty tricks on them?

Raging, Karkat didn’t really listen to what Jade said to the girl. All he got was ‘League of Squiddle Appreciators’ and that was just it.

“I’m sorry lady” he began, glaring at the newcomer, “but you weren’t invited. So if you don’t fucking know what’s going on here, I suggest you show your fucking breathing organism the way to get the fuck out of here” He coldly said, looking directly into the eyes of the blue-blooded troll.

Hey! Don’t blame him! Karkat’s only trying to get things done here and all he gets is being interrupted by people who shouldn’t even be there! This isn’t a recruiting meeting; it is a mother fucking PRIVATE meeting.

He stared at Terezi for a moment, almost even more disturbingly as his smile and overall expression was still sky high on his face, he inhaled deeply, anticipation filling up the room (while what he would say next wouldn't be a surprise at all) as he sighed, his expression turned into a sad pout and said to the Calibrator:

"Them purples like me, them subjugglators roamin' the street are all kickin' and pushin' the people around, ain't expectin' to turn like the family any soon I tell y'all motherfuckers, heheheh..."

He seemed a bit depressed by that fact, but at the same time couldn't care any less than now, seeing as he was still (and always) on his high. Soon enough the blue blooded troll would've barged in through the trap door, surprising Gamzee enough for him to jump and unsettle him, throwing his hands in the air for half a second as he dropped them back to his sides, laughing another gravely laugh at the accident.

"You okay? I still haven't fixed that motherfucker yet, watch yo' steps 'round here sistah."

Gamzee then slowly turned his head to Mara, acknowledging of her presence with his ever-slowest nods, wiggling his fingers at her with a sharp-toothed smile and his sleepy eyes. But the action-packed Gamzee wouldn't stop there; in fact, Karkat's aggressive demeanor was in for a shoosh-paping. The troll laid his long fingers on his moirail's head, gently tapping his friend's skull, sometimes petting his hair.

"Chill the motherfucker out, bro. Don't you be startin' to get ungroovy like them purples, man.''

He chuckled, letting out a long "Shooooooooooosh" *pap* before turning to the others once more.

"Errbody's welcome here, as long as y'all motherfuckers keep it chill, rules of the house, bros."

Terezi rolled her eyes at Sikes and Harleyé Oh great, humans covering each other, what could be more suspicious? She couldn't do much though. The Witch seemed to be in the good graces of Karkat and if LOV3LY L34D3R said they were cool, they were cool. Though she knew Karkat failed to completely trust Sikes yet.

Then there was Gamzee's explanations. Well, at least it scratched one of her worries: The Dersite didn't break in Prospit yet. The downside of this new was that the Subjugulators were highly respected in the troll community and if you stood up against them, you might as well exile yourself. Terezi had witnessed some avock in the High District but there wasn't many purpleblooded with them at that time.

- Did they try to approach you yet, Gam?

She hoped her friend didn't get too much troubles from his ''family'' like he called them. Gamzee was one of the rare highbloods to root for them but then again, he more stood there with a dreamy gaze then root for anything. It was best that way according to her, she knew blood pressure and Terezi was only standing at the bottom of the more respectable section of the hemospectrum. Some teal blood looked down on her for her choices and even blamed her of breaking the peace on Prospit.

Sure it was annoying and the subjugulators were scary but she was much more fearful of the bluebloods. Those were the worst according to her. They toyed with you, hunt you down and rip every you hold dear away from you. You practically had to beg them to kill you at the end. Terezi knew what she was talking about, she had been closer to Vriska Serket then anyone reunited in this room and Vriska was all about blue.

It was needless to day she was none too happy when Minthaal dropped from the ceiling. With the door. Fuck. And more fucking dust. Great. Terezi 2x combo facepalmed when Gamzee mentionned he was still supposed to repair that trap.

- We asked you to do it a week ago!! What will your boss say now?? And you!

Terezi pointed to the Minthaal as she stared directly at her.

- Your excuse is stupid! Everyone knows the old carapace closes the shop at dusk! You must live around here, am I right? I think I've seen you around Serket, she probably slipped a word to you!

More baseless accusations, Terezi was really a pro at that. She was as paranoid as Karkat even though she didn't kick out the newcomers without asking questions first. With Gamzee setting up new rules, she had to cool her temper or else, she'd be the one to be excluded. If she played her pieces well, she could learn about minthaal's side without revealing too much about the Rebels. They did not state their side yet and Jade tried to make an excuse to cover it up. So even humans were really aware of the blood hierarchy? Interesting.

- Tell us, Stranger. Tell us what do you think about the Condesce's coup d'état? Don't worry, no matter what your answer will be, we'll let you out harmless since you never meant to come here.

She hoped depending on the answer, everyone would catch up with her mascarade and play their roles well. This was the test to know about everyone's true motives. Minthaal's fall may have been a lucky strike for them.

Mintaal listened to Gamzee (a troll at which she had seen around occasionally and admired in a sense), his intoxication and kind demeanor calming her into dropping her guard a good bit. She wasn't sure why, but she always appreciated the higher bloods. She managed to swallow the blood pooling in her mouth once more enough to respond.
"Oh, well, I guess it's too late for a warning, but thank you I guess," she murmured as the next person began speaking, smiling a little at the highblood.

She dusted herself off, listening to the human girl nervously speak to her now and welcome her. She enjoyed the warm, even if finicky, welcome by the noble and began to reply with something like "I don't know what that is but it sounds nice" only to be cut off by a hot-headed troll she didn't quite recognize. She frowned at basically being kicked out, because as the noble girl had described it this actually sounded really nice. The variation of people got her hopes up as well. She frowned.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry... I can leave if you guys're having a super passionate squiddle meet, or whatever it is -- " Then spoke Terezi.

Mintaal frowned a little at the bombardment of questions from Terezi, but still felt slightly comforted that the entire incident just then wasn't entirely her fault. She began to button up her vest with shaky hands, mentally scorning herself.

She's right, you know; why didn't you pay attention to the fact the place was closed? The fact that the back door was not meant for entry? Why did you go? Why can't you listen to directions properly, or maybe think about where it leads? Or the fact that you'd heal up soon anyway? You messed up, because you're dumb. Stupid, stupid and dumb. Honestly, and now you're in this mess. Don't just sit there! She's waiting for you to talk!

Mintaal blinked, her mouth gaping and her face blank while the scorning made her mind dark. She shook her head and attempted to ignore the small beasts gnawing at her thoughts, doing her best to conjure a response.

"I -- I'm not familiar with anyone named Serket -- and I'm, um, I live on Prospit yes, but not around here... U-um, I guess I'll just leave...!"

Her face was progressively flushing blue, and in the rash embarrassment her judgement skills were becoming fuzzy. Then, Terezi asked her final question. She paused.

"Um, the recent..." She trailed off and gathered her thoughts. "Oh, it's not good for sure... I kinda of want to get involved, to be honest, but I hardly understand anything going on. Why do you ask?"

Karkat’s typical hostility displayed towards newcomers was to be expected. After all, he was pretty cutting to just about anyone who he had just come into acquaintance with. None of his words really surprised Jade. What did catch the female off guard, however, was how much calmer he had initially appeared before the blue blood had arrived, when the clown-like troll had so easily soothed him. This Gam, or Gamzee, or whatever his name was, must be important. Such assumptions were much better reinforced by the Scale’s reprimands at his negligence. So he resided in the apothecary then? Either way, he was on their side. It was an immensely impressive feat, considering the tendencies of those residing within his spot atop of the hemospectrum. No wonder Karkat was so at ease with him.

The teal blooded troll, on the other hand, set Jade’s lips into a deep frown. While she certainly understood where this young woman was coming from in her suspicions, did she not know that accusatory methods were not an assured method of gaining the truth? Much more, they did not gain one many ready allies. Or, perhaps, Jade was simply being naïve. The Scale undoubtedly knew how higher-blooded trolls functioned better than Jade probably ever could. No matter how involved the Witch was in the cause, there were simply some things one had to grow up into to fully comprehend.

That still was not going to change how Jade regarded the newcomer however. Troll, human, or carapace, Jade was still going to treat them as warmly as she could in these circumstances. Lacing her fingers together and leaning her elbows atop of the rickety table, Jade leans forward towards the nervous blue blood.

“We’re taking a sort of informal poll amongst the different groups on Prospit. It helps that we are such an eclectic group, uh, like the different squiddles? Having an opinion from someone in a position like yours is always helpful for us, Miss Fhardon.”