[Always homeless]

[restlesswings]

You're watching that trailer again?

... it's embarrassing. I'm selfish, not conceited. It gives me too much focus... the journey should be the focus, not me.

Besides, every time you play it, Hermes starts going "bravo!" and pretending to interview me like I'm an actor.

Comments

Oh no! Hope you're better! *hands tea*

[mapsincolor]

[The question is like throwing a switch. Stitch brightens.]

Sunny, little, lots of water. Water everywhere! Water... OCEAN! Kino ever see an ocean? Sky to sky, all blue and green!

[Stretching out all his arms, Stitch tries to demonstrate the immensity. And adds some sound effects.]

Stitch missed whole ocean neeeeeeeeeer and hit it POW! Found Lilo, ohana.

I found it.

[These memories arm warm, safe, rushing together - surfing, records, bright flowers, a smiling dark-haired girl.]

I'll find it again! Find Lilo too!

[He's going to start looking right now! The creature scampers up Hermes, attempting to get higher for a better vantage point!]

Oh, thank you! ^3^; I think it's getting better-- and eee, my God, you play Stitch so well! ;3;]

[restlesswings]

Oh, you live on an island? [Kino laughs a little.] Yes, I've seen the ocean! Sounds lovely.

Lilo? Ohana? [She's unsure of what those words mean (names, possibly?), but he speaks about them with such fondness!]

I hope you do. [With sincerity.

... meanwhile, Hermes is far from pleased.] Hey, hey, you're not my rider, get off!

[Kino stands to pluck Stitch off of Hermes, providing him with a better view and ridding her partner of the unwanted rider.] Please don't climb Hermes.

Ohgosh thank you he's so FUN! (<3 your Kino and Hermes!)

[mapsincolor]

[Stitch nods.]

Yeah Hermes toosmallshort!

[The view's a little better with Kino holding him, but there's not much to see. They're in the middle of a flat, cracked plane. The air shimmers, dry, without a hint of salt or fish. To the east, there's a faint plume of smoke - probably from the crash OUCHnothinkinghurts - Stitch winces and focuses on a safer word.]

Ohana - "Ohana" is family. Lilo is ohana. She little, smaller then Kino, human like Kino. And Nani. And Pleakley and Jumba and David -

Kino human, right? Smells human.

I'm sure! (Thanks so much! ;3;)

[restlesswings]

... he's as bad as that talking dog!

[Kino catches a glimpse of the smoke and turns towards it, still holding him.]

Family... [A brief, thoughtful silence, before she smiles down at him.] That sounds nice.

Yes, I'm human. Hermes is a Motorrad.

I wonder what's burning, over there... shall we take a look?

Re: I'm sure! (Thanks so much! ;3;)

[mapsincolor]

[Stitch ignores Hermes this time. For some reason, getting close to that cloud feels Nobaddon't.

He doesn't like it. But the smoke is the only clue around right now. What if there's something that will get him home?]

Yeah.

[restlesswings]

[That's that. Kino decides pulls Hermes along, briefly, before deciding to climb on. Stitch gets placed on the bundled up sleeping bag and bags hung over either side of Hermes' laden "back."]

Can you please hang on without tearing anything with those claws?

Woah, I'm off-balance this way!

Sorry, Hermes. Can you please bear it for just a little while? I'm sure he doesn't weigh too much...

[mapsincolor]

[Stitch considers, then retracts his claws and gets a good grip with every paw. A motorcycle - motorrad ride? This is going to be better then the time he stole that Big Wheel! He grins at Kino.]

Let's go!

[restlesswings]

You heard him, Hermes.

[A motorrad ride allows more freedom of movement and is therefore much funner, so, enjoy the ride over to the source of the smoke, Stitch!]

[mapsincolor]

[The sky and dust blend together in glorious streaks of gold and blue. The wind streams through Stitch's fur. This is better then any spaceship! He lets out a whoop that echoes across the plain, startling a flock of birds.]

Yeehaaaaa!

[restlesswings]

[It is very freeing, isn't it?]

What's that?

Does it look like something exploded?

[They drove up to the side of the wreckage, curving to a stop.]

[mapsincolor]

[It appears to be some kind of building, sprawling low and flat. One end has been blown completely open, girders warped into charred knots. A few flames still lick here and there. The far end looks like it's taken less damage.

There's a faint moaning. It might just be wind passing through the burned hulk. Or not.

Stitch hops off, scuttling forward cautiously.]

Eeshta jor ka ni.

[He doesn't notice he's switched back to that alien tongue.]

[Iiiiii was under the impression I replied already, oops!]

[restlesswings]

[It looks to be in pretty bad shape and dangerous, as well. Kino isn't sure what Stitch is saying and Hermes isn't really programmed to understand languages that are neither common nor native to Earth, so both simply follow silently, Kino drawing out the Woodsman in case of an ambush.

Was it a simple mistake or did Stitch deliberately switch languages to converse with someone in there?]

Ahahaha that's okay! On with the show!

[mapsincolor]

[The groaning is growing louder, as though more voices are adding to the din. It's definitely coming from inside.

All of Stitch's hackles are raised now. The little alien isn't talking, but emitting a steady growl. His nose wrinkles back, as a fresh breeze carries along a stench of something rotting.]

[Yeah! o/]

[restlesswings]

[Kino chambers the first round, watching Stitch's reaction. Whatever is waiting for them in there, it isn't friendly.]

...

[The smell is familiarly repugnant, but Kino is already on guard, so it adds nothing.]

Spoiler - It's zombies. HAVE FUN GUYS!

[mapsincolor]

[Stitch begins making his way into the building. Whatever's here, it's important. He can feel it. The alien skitters up the wall and across the ceiling, forgetting that Kino's going to have a slower time moving through the rubble. From the shadows comes a flicker of movement. Stitch's growl increases in volume, his whole body rumbling like Hermes' engine.

Something thrashes in the girders, hands clawing - are those hands? They look like they end in bones. It moans again, pitching higher as it spots the travelers.]

[OH, BOY, and here we were expecting scavengers or cannibals. xDDD;]

[restlesswings]

I'll just wait out here! [Hermes whispered after Kino decided to lean him against the most stable looking piece of wall; bringing him in along further would slow her down even more.

Something flickered in her peripheral vision, a sound, and then—

A round fired at one of the grasping, bony-fingered hands. Easy enough to dodge, it might just serve as a warning shot if evaded.]

Zombie-scavenger-cannibals?

[mapsincolor]

[Rather then dissuading the creature, the vocalizations get louder. Hands scramble madly, start to gain a hold. Stitch bolts back to Kino at the shot. He drops down, hissing in alarm - ]

Adaja?! Juti? Juti?!

[With a sharp crack the creature pulls free, leaving an arm behind. It begins crawling forward, revealing a head and distended stomach. Legs trail uselessly behind.

It might have been human. Once.

It is now coming toward the gun, which is the exact opposite of what any sensible... thing would do!]

Fun for the whole family!

[restlesswings]

No good.
[Off goes the arm. Clearly no big loss to the creature.

The appendages are worthless, so maybe—]

Go! Make sure there aren't others.

[Hurriedly, if unusually calmly, spoken words meant for Stitch as she takes aim for the skull, hoping to splinter it and its spine. It might have been human once, but now, she found it easier to think of it as an insect that won't die without losing its head or part of its main body; of course, only a theory for now. One that must be tested quickly.]

[mapsincolor]

[The creature's groans draw answering calls, and another comes around a corner. It's in better shape then the first, shambling forward at a much faster clip.

Stitch considers his options - teethclaws NO. With the way those things reek, direct contact is not a good plan. Instead, he rips up a piece of mortar, flinging it like a frisbee. There's an incredibly satisfying crunch. The creature stumbles, most of the rib cage in smithereens.]

Bullseye!

[It keeps walking forward, splintered ribs sticking out at all angles.]

Oh come onyuck!

[restlesswings]

Nice shot. [Kino sounded genuinely impressed.

But they really are too persistent; Kino pointed at the exposed spine in its splintered thoracic cavity, hoping the momentum of the bullet will take it down, if not incapacitate it like the other.]

[mapsincolor]

[Meanwhile, that Crawler is getting way too close. Stitch yanks free another slab. It's several feet longer then he is, but he easily hoists it over his head.

Taking a few running steps forward, he heaves the slab. It comes straight down on the creature.

Splat!]

EwwwwwwPANCAKE!

[restlesswings]

[Amazingly strong for such a small creature, isn't he?]

A very disgusting pancake.

Is there something they're guarding here? Are they spawning from somewhere?

[mapsincolor]

[You bet! That idiot scientist Evil Genius really didn't spare any expenses in the "throw heavy objects" department!

At Kino's question, Stitch considers the second creature. It limps around its flattened companion, taking no notice at all. The movement reminds Stitch weirdly of robots - only following commands.]

Hmm. Maybe they want -

[Stitch scuttles back as the walker lunges at him. It's faster then he thought!]

Getaway! - Want US!

[restlesswings]

[Kino dives out of the way into a flip, before firing another round into the crippled one.]

Well, they'll just have to be disappointed.

[mapsincolor]

Yeah!

[There's something familiar about these things. The way they lurch, groan -

...stumbling across a TV screen in black and white...

Giving a mad laugh, Stitch chucks another piece of rubble at the creature. Direct head shot! It crumples.]

Hahahahaha! Kill the brain kill the ghoul! Coming to GET you Barbara!