Behind Blue Lies

by Lady of the Phoenix

No system is perfect, and Vriska Sekret was raised knowing that. Where there are differences there is prejudice, fear, and conflict. Nowhere is that more obvious than with the hemohierarchists. Forced to count herself among their numbers, Vriska must to grow into being a troll that she hates, and the cost of it might just be more than she can bear. Lives Under the Pink Moon Part 2

21. Chapter 21

Notes: I've got a long week ahead of me, with far too much homework, and because of some issues with the car, I may have less time than I would like to do them in. Thus I was dealing with the high chance of not being able to finish this story when originally intended. So I decided I'd trick my normal update schedule and give you a treat. So enjoy it, because this is the end, my friends. I hope you really did enjoy the story. There will be more soon. Look out for the next story in the series, which will focus on Sollux. I still don't have a name in mind. I also don't know when it will start. I've got to get a handle on my schedule first.

Finally, points and free one-shot to the first person who figures out the significance of Vriska's handles.

Now more than ever I suggest popping over to Ao3 to read this chapter because of all of the formatting there is to deal with.

---

Behind Blue Lies – Part 21

Board Administrator doubleDown [BADD] opened memo on board We8 2piinniing.

BADD: So, I've got good news and 8ad news.

BADD: Good news is that I've had my eye looked at 8y a relia8le healthtender, and it looks like I'm not losing my vision.

BADD: 8ad news is, well, rather o8viously plastered AAAAAAAALL over the news feeds. Guess you guys pro8a8ly noticed that one.

BADD: Let's start with some confirmations. Yes, that 'terrorist leader, Vriska Serket' is in fact myself, your fearless we8 spinning leader.

BADD: Yes, Empress Gyliea is dead, in part due to a plan that I concocted.

BADD: So please, hear me out 8efore you all a8scond. There was NO other choice here. The self-proclaimed Empress Veruna intended to see her sister dead no matter my position or actions.

BADD: If I hadn't assisted her, you would all 8e turning to TA instead for your guidance, not to mention any of you that Veruna could connect with me would 8e dead.

Board Administrator twinArmageddons [BATA] responded to memo.

BATA: okay 2o the troll who went two a bea2ttalker for an iinjury and then claiimed iit wa2 a healthtender ii2 goiing two iimply ii can't lead?

BATA: who wa2 iit that created and 2ecured the2e board2 for our communiicatiion?

BADD: Shut up, TA. Don't make me 8an you until I'm done getting stuff out there.

BATA: a2 iif you could even do that

BADD: ANYWAY, like I was saying, what I did had to 8e done. If you've got a pro8lem with that, speak up now and no one will judge you. 8ut we WILL have to cut you from the We8.

BADD: Security risks and all that. 8ut know this, the Empress was dead no matter what happened. 8y stepping into the process myself and your other 8A were a8le to minimize the suffering.

BADD: Why else do you think the hierarchists accidentally used a suppression poison which local heathtenders were a8le to counteract in a vast majority of the cases? And trust me, 8oys and girls, that was not without cost. My healthtender will tell you that my leg was 8roken for that little 'mistake.'

BATA: 2top calliing hiim a healthtender he2 only a bea2ttalker and tender you are liiterally gettiing your health care adviice from a guy that work2 wiith hoofbea2t2

Board Member adiosToreador [BMAT] responded to memo.

BMAT: uH, tHE HOOFBEASTS TEND TO BE BETTER BEHAVED,

BADD banned BMAT from responding to memo.

BADD: At least I can 8an your comments.

BATA unbanned BMAT from responding to memo.

BADD: You're such a pain. Have I told you that recently?

BATA: ii remember 2omethiing along the liine2 of 'ow ow ow why doe2 thii2 hurt 2o much' a biit ago

BATA: that what you mean?

BADD: H8 you. H8 you so much.

BATA: ju2t let me ru2h off and tell that two your kii2me2ii2

BADD: Ignoring you now. Like I was saying, the important thing is that we're still fighting. The price that has 8een paid is too high to 8ack out now. I ask that you still stand with us in the coming perigees, and even sweeps.

BADD: The 8attle has just 8egun, and now that Veruna has managed to cut me off from most of 8eforus, I need the We8 more than ever. I need all of you. We will 8ring these people down, from the inside out. We will support Empress Feferi in her ascension. We will protect out friends, our quadrants, our clades. We have to do it 8ecause no one else can. Not like we can, not like we have.

BADD: Fight 8eside me. Protect the things we love. Never surrender to the inequality Veruna would foist upon us.

BADD: What say you all?

Board Member technicallyUninspired [BMTU] responded to memo.

BMTU: we ^lre^dy spoke ^bout it vrisk^

BMTU: we ^re with you

BMTU: ^lw^ys h^ve been ^lw^ys will be

BADD: Already spoke a8out it? When?

BATA: ii 2et up a board iin the hour2 iimmediiately after the announcement everyone here ha2 known and made theiir decii2iion2 niight2 ago

BMAT: sEEMED L1KE THE ONLY TH1NG WE COULD DO TO HELP YOU AT THAT PO1NT,

BMTU: the others ^sked me to spe^k for them

BMTU: figured the best troll to he^r it from w^s your w^rdm^te

BADD: Thank you, Remium. Thank you all. 8e ready, then. We won't know when we'll need you to move.

BMTU: of course

BMAT: aLWAYS,

BATA: can we drop thii2 2appy 2hiit now?

BADD: One day we will win you over, you stone-pushered freak.

BATA closed memo.

Board Administrator divinityAscendant [BADA] opened memo on board Victory.

BADA: Ho)/\( is your l3-Eg doing my d3-Ear?

Board Member createDiscord [BMCD] responded to memo.

BMCD: It would 8e doing WORLDS 8etter if you hadn't 8roken it.

BADA: Don't b3-E koi. You kno)/\( that I haddock to do it. Punishm3-Ent for failur3-E.

BMCD: Forgive me, Empress, if I'm more than just a liiiiiiiittle mad at you. It fucking hurts.

BMCD: I didn't know. I was told everything a8out it. I'll kill the 8itch that gave it to me once I can walk again.

BADA: Wond3-Erful! You minno)/\( I am r3-Er3-E3-Ef3-Ed to h3-Ear that. I can't )/\(hit3-E to hav3-E my strat3-Efish r3-Eturn. E3-Els lik3-E )/\(3-E'r3-E flound3-Ering h3-Er3-E.

BADA: W3-E must discus our n3-Ext display. I hav3-E 3-Ev3-Ery conchfid3-Enc3-E you'll surfpris3-E m3-E afin )/\(ith your crayativ3-E )/\(av3-E of doing fins.

BMCD: I'm already thinking. You'll have to w8 with 8aited 8reath. :::;D

BADA: Nic3-E on3-E. Don't do it afin.

BMCD: Of course, my Empress.

BADA: Good. No)/\(, ar3-E you shor3-E that you don't n3-E3-Ed a saf3-E harbor to r3-Ecov3-Er?

BADA: I barracuda b3-E p3-Ersuad3-Ed to shar3-E on3-E of my spar3-E cav3-Es )/\(ith you. I'v3-E got a f3-E)/\( 3-Extra, right Kythal?

Board Member pulsarRifle [BMPR] responded to memo.

BMPR: Of course, My Empress. Your desires are ever my goals.

BMCD: I've TOOOOOOOOTALLY got this covered. I've got a perfect safe haven. A place I set up 8efore the strike.

BADA: Alright. Tak3-E car3-E, d3-Ear. I n3-E3-Ed your pan.

BADA closed memo.

stealSunrise [SS] began trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

SS: I see you made it through.

GC: WHO 1S TH1S?

SS: You've already forgotten me? How saaaaaaaad. D::::

GC: VR1SK4

SS: Got it in one. Like I said, glad to see you made it through the whole thing.

GC: GL4D OR UPS3T? B3C4US3 YOU SHOULD B3 UPS3T

GC: GU3SS WH1CH L3G1ST1C4TOR GOT 4SS1GN3D TO H3LP TH3 3NFORC3RS F1ND YOU

GC: :D

SS: I'm SOOOOOOOO scared. W8, no, I'm totally not. I'm pretty much certain you aren't going to catch me.

SS: Also, isn't it against your legisticator rules to fail to disclose your relationship with me?

GC: OH DONT WORRY VR1SK4 1 TOLD TH3M

GC: TURNS OUT TH4T NOT ONLY 4R3 TH3Y SUP3R 34G3R TO C4TCH YOU 4ND YOUR P3OPL3 BUT TH3Y F33L H4V1NG SOM3ON3 1N YOUR 4SH3N QU4DR4NT S34RCH 1S TH3 B3ST 1D34

GC: TH3Y TH1NK TH4T MY BL4CK3R F33L1NGS W1LL K33P M3 4FT3R YOU BUT OUR CONN3CT1ON TO K4RK4T W1LL K33P M3 FROM K1LL1NG YOU WH3N 1 F1ND YOU

GC: N3V3R OCCURR3D TO TH3M TH4T 1D S33 YOU D34D 4S 4 THR34T TO OUR 4USP1T1C3

SS: I'd never hurt Kakart, Terezi. You know that.

GC: 1 KNOW NOTH1NG OF TH3 SORT H1S BLOOD COLOR 1S UN1QU3 4ND QU1T3 PO1NT3DLY OUTS1D3 OF TH3 H3MOH13R4RCHY SP3CTRUM YOUR K1ND TOUT

GC: WOULDNT K1LL1NG H1M 4FT3R TH3 FORM3R 3MPR3SS 1MPR1SON3D ON3 OF YOUR K1ND FOR H1S S4K3 R34LLY B3 4 F34TH3R 1N YOUR C4PS?

SS: Idiot girl. If Karkat was at any threat from me, he'd long since 8e dead, don't you think?

GC: NOT 4T 4LL H3 W4S S3NT TO L1V3 W1TH TH3 F4M3D CYCLOS 4ND3RS V3RY QU1CKLY 4FT3R TH3 C4S3 W4S D3C1D3D

GC: NOT 4T 4LL H3 W4S S3NT TO L1V3 W1TH TH3 F4M3D CYCLOS 4ND3RS V3RY QU1CKLY 4FT3R TH3 C4S3 W4S D3C1D3D

GC: YOU H13R4RCH1STS 4R3 COW4RDS YOU WOULDNT R1SK YOURS3LV3S 4G41NST SUCH 4 STRONG PS1ON1C JUST TO G3T 4T K4RK4T YOULL JUST W41T UNT1L H3 F1N1SH3S H1S SCHOOLF33D1NG

GC: PROBL3M 1S TH4T 1 WONT L3T YOU HURT H1M N31TH3R WOULD 4R4D14 OR N3P3T4

GC: 1F YOU W4NT H1S BLOOD YOUV3 GOT TO GO THROUGH TH3M 4ND 4N 4RMY

SS: First of all: Karkat is safe 8ecause he's one of my quadrants. My Empress won't 8etray me like that. Second of all: The only one I'd really 8e worried a8out is Gamzee. He's crazy.

GC: NO 1TS NOT G4MZ33 YOUR3 WORR13D 4BOUT 4S MUCH 4S 1 H4T3 H1M 1 R3COGN1Z3 4ND R3SP3CT H1S STR3NGTH BUT TH4T 1SNT WH4T M4K3S YOU H3S1T4T3

GC: 1TS K4N4Y4 YOUR M4T3SPR1T

GC: SH3 H4T3S YOU NOW D1D YOU KNOW TH4T?

GC: HOW COULD SH3 P1TY 4 MURD3R3R? 4 TR41TOR?

SS: You don't know Kanaya like I do.

GC: NO BUT 1 JUST H4D H3R 1N FOR 4N 1NT3RV13W SH3 W4S POS1T1V3LY V3NOMOUS

SS: You're just trying to hurt me, Terezi. I can see through your pathetic attempts.

SS: Whatever. I just dropped in to see if you survived. You know, as opposed to some legisticator pretending to 8e you to catch me.

SS: 8ut let's 8e honest. No one can 8e this o8noxious as an act. It's a genuine, one of a kind, Terezi Pyrope trait.

SS: Wanted to 8e sure none of my men hurt you and got Karkat pissed at me despite my 8est efforts to keep you alive.

SS: Good luck with your hunt, Terezi. I hope you enjoy the taste of failure. Again. Don't forget, you haven't 8eat me 8efore this. You won't now. Who 8roke up your red romance with Karkat, after all? Don't dou8t my a8ilities.

GC: S4YS TH3 TROLL WHO M4D3 TH3 M1ST4K3 OF G1V1NG M3 TH31R N3W TROLL14N H4NDL3 4R3 YOU R34LLY TH4T STUP1D?

SS: Terezi, dear, do you really think I would have done this if I wasn't certain of my security? Send all you want at me. You won't 8e a8le to make any use of your knowledge.

stealSunrise [SS] ceased trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

GC: VR1SK4!

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

GC: TH1S 1SNT OV3R!

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

stealSunrise [SS] began trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

SS: How's the m8sprit doing?

CT: D - She is quite alive and furious despite your efforts to the contrary

SS: If I wanted her dead, she would 8e, Equius. I'm just TOOOOOOOO good at what I do. I have all the successes I ever want. ALL OF THEM.

CT: D - Both Eridan and Feferi have told the tail of your failure, Serket

CT: D - I am more inclined to believe their reputable testimony than your nickering protests

CT: D - They have only furthered my previous summations regarding your character, that you are of the most low and disgusting kind there can be

SS: Oh Equius... If only you could even 8EGIN to fathom the true complexity of what is going on. 8ut alas, you can't. Your pathetic equine pan could never see the larger picture.

CT: D - Nothing you say can hide the abomination of your behoovure You are a b100d traitor, an insult to the majesty of service our b100 b100d commands

CT: D - You and your kind will be destroyed, and I shall ask my beloved Feferi to allow me to strike the b100w that takes your head from your shoulders

SS: You'll have to catch me first. 8etter trolls than you will try, and fail. Catch me if you can.

CT: D - You were responsible for the damage done to the warm b100d, Tavros, were you not

SS: The world will never know.

CT: D - I shall You will pay for the ills you have done

SS: May8e someday. 8ut not today. Not any day soon. 8ring it, Zahhak. Try to make a 8etter showing of it than the last time we encountered each other.

stealSunrise [SS] ceased trolling centaursTesticle [CT]

hateBrutality [HB] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

HB: I did everything I could to protect her, Karkat. I need you to know that.

CG: WHO THE EVER PITYING FUCK IS THIS? PROTECT WHO?

HB: It doesn't matter. I just needed you to know that I tried to keep her out of this. I really did. She wasn't supposed to 8e there.

CG: VRISKA?

HB: I won't let them hurt you. That's what I'm fighting for. You, Gamzee, Kanaya, even Aradia. I won't let them hurt you. I just have to fight them in my own way.

CG: VRISKA, YOU NEED TO BE SMART FOR ONCE AND TURN YOURSELF THE FUCK IN. THE LEGISTICATORS WILL BE FAIR IF YOU JUST WORK WITH THEM.

HB: I can't. Working with them would destroy everything I've fought for. Would 8e the death of you. I won't let that happen, Karkat. Ever. I just need you to understand that. And I won't contact you again, not until all of this is over. So please, just don't tell anyone you even heard from me. Tell no one.

hateBrutality [HB] ceased trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]

CG: VRISKA...

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

CG: FUCK.

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

CG: I KNOW YOU CAN READ THIS YOU LYING PIECE OF WASTE MATERIAL. DON'T DO THIS. THIS IS SO MOTHERFUCKING STUPID THAT EVEN GAMZEE COULD SEE THAT THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF ONE OF HIS RAGES. JUST GIVE THIS UP. TURN YOURSELF IN AND HELP THE ENFORCERS. LIFE IN PRISION IS WAY BETTER THAN DEATH.

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

CG: PLEASE. SURELY SAVING ME AND REMIUM FROM OUR GUARDIAN WAS PROOF ENOUGH THAT YOU AREN'T THIS KIND OF PERSON. JUST STOP THIS DAMN GAME. IT ISN'T FUNNY AND IT'S GOING TO GET YOU FUCKING KILLED.

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

CG: FUCK!

Unable to deliver message. User stealSunrise does not exist. Please check your spelling and try again.

hateBrutality [HB] began trolling grimauxiliatrix [GA]

HB: She never meant to see you get hurt.

GA: Excuse Me

HB: None of this was supposed to go the way it did. Everything just started spiraling out of control. This wasn't what she wanted, and she needed you to understand that.

GA: Forgive Me But I Am Not Quite Sure What It Is To Which You Are Alluding

GA: An Increase To The Context Under Which This Conversation Is Taking Place Would Do Much To Further My Understanding

GA: As Well As Some Form Of Confirmation That I Am Indeed The Individual To Which You Truly Mean This Message To Reach

HB: The neck adornment came out wonderfully, right?

GA: Who Are You And How Do You Know Of The Neck Adornment That My Former Matesprit Gifted Unto Me Before Her Departure

HB: Former matesprit? She'd be rather upset to hear you address her in such a way. But I suppose she really did earn it, all things considered.

HB: I assisted her in the creation of the piece.

GA: I Was Not Informed Of This

GA: Who Are You

HB: Her moirail.

GA: I Am Not Sure That I Believe Your Claims But I Will Continue To Listen To Your Words Regardless

HB: There isn't really much else to say. I promised her that after she was forced to leave I would send you a message. That she was sorry. That there were reasons for what she did, and if there had been another way, she would have taken it.

GA: I Believe I Understand What You Are Trying To Impart To Me But I Am Not Entirely Sure I Believe Your Words

GA: If Vriska Had A Moirail I Would Have Been Rendered Aware Of It

HB: Do you really believe that? After all, she did fail to tell you of her involvement with the hierarchists, did she not?

GA: Go Away I Never Wish To Be Bothered By Your Presence Again

grimAuxiliatrix [GA] ceased trolling hateBrutaility [HB]

"Well?"

Vriska sighed as she powered off her husktop. Nothing had gone how she expected. Well, no, that wasn't exactly true. The brief meeting with the We8 and Veruna had been most of what she expected. The We8 had come back with a response far faster than she expected. But that didn't make her interactions with Terezi or Equius any less upsetting. Didn't make Karkat's words less painful, or Kanaya's less heartbreaking. Maybe she shouldn't have reached out. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Let them live in silence, never sure about her motives, never knowing if she was still out there.

"That bad, huh?" Tavros asked, moving to sit next to her on the couch. Of course, he was very careful to make sure that he didn't bump into her leg as he made a place to himself on the corner of the couch. Once he was settled, his metal leg covered with a pillow and his arm out of the way, he gestured for Vriska to join him. She rolled her eyes, shook her head, and yet still shifted her weight so she was resting her lead in his lap.

"What's it matter?" she asked, closing her eyes as she settled in.

"They're important to you, right?" he asked, running the fingers of his flesh hand through her hair. "You fight for them."

"And for you. And for everyone else."

"But mainly for them," he said, rolling his eyes. "Vriska, you're giving up so much of your life for their sakes, and they can't even recognize it. But hey, some of the most amazing people in our history gave up everything they loved for the sake of others."

"Name one."

"Fuck you."

"Not really the quadrant for that, Tav," she laughed, reaching up and tweaking at a lock of his hair.

"Just don't give up, Vriska. Someday they'll understand why we do this."

"I doubt it."

"But isn't it worth it to try?"

He was right. Tavros was right more often than not when it came to her. When it came to this.

"I'm doing the right thing, aren't I?"

Two taps at her throat, her pet slitherbeast Rasp confirming the opinions of her moirail.

"I'll have to leave soon. To get back to Veruna."

"Don't leave yet," Tavros whispered, draping his metal arm around her neck, careful not to bump into Rasp. "You're not ready to go back out there."

"I don't really have a choice."

"Stay here. With me. I can keep you safe."

"You know I can't, Tav," she sighed. "We've got a whole world to save."

"If anyone can do it, it's you."

"You've got some faith in me."

"You don't betray it."

"One of the few things I don't."

"Oh just shut up for a bit and relax. You're not leaving here until your leg can support your weight."

"You sound like a damn worried new guardian."

"Well, someone has to look after you."

"And I'm stuck with you?" Vriska chuckled.

"Absolutely. Never going to let you get away."

"Well, maybe I'll just drag you along next time Veruna wants something from me."

"What, you hate me that much?"

"Tavros?"

"Yeah Vriska?"

"Shut up and brush my hair."