sounds like a little fool. Do you even know that guy? clearly projecting some personal problem onto you, not worth thinking on.

Stuck Up Birbs convention. Stay on the edges and try to find people who aren't buying into this crap.

>>1127837
Well.
Someones got sand in their cloaca.

Ignore them drake.

Drake 2026/06/22(Mon)01:16 No. 1128356 ID: c15a60
File 178209097139.png - (738.11KB , 1256x918 , 30.png )

>>1127839
>>1127840
>>1127842
>>1127859
If it was some random asshole, yeah it wouldn't be as big a problem. But I know a lot of the students here. And I knew her! That was Tokka, she's one the Marnari that went to the same school as me throughout.

"Hey Drake, so I think our first classes are gonna separate us. What's your first class?"

Like-okay. So the way it worked was students would be added and split apart across Olympia based on student grades and where they were flagging. I...think? And me and Tokka and Doto were close enough to the same braket to go to the same school over and over.

"Drake?"

I saw Tokka a lot. And all that time she was NEVER like this. Most of the time she'd be real quiet, only speaking when called during attendance, and then having a few friends.

"Draaa-aaaake."

Most of the time she'd be studying though. Point being, she never had opinions like that. Or if she did, she never got so angry like that.

"DRAKE!"

"Huh?"

"Askin' what your first class is-ke."

"I dunno. Hey Doto, you live in the same stack as Tokka right? Something happen out there?"

"You're that torn up over Tokka? But she never talked to us!"

"Yeah, I mean. Sometimes she'd say 'excuse me' or stuff though. She always seemed nice."

"Bro-keeeeeeeeee" Doto's using that exasperated tone again. The kind where he wants me to drop something. "You're gettin' worked up over nothing! Just ignore her. Rally's important for a girl like her so just ignore her."

"Wow. Dat was almost convincing." The cantina girl is suddenly next to me.

Drake 2026/06/22(Mon)01:17 No. 1128357 ID: c15a60
File 178209104970.png - (935.62KB , 1280x1024 , 31.png )

"Sorry, who are you?"

She smiles. "Soro'i Naica, and welcome to my lidda patch of heaven. Where det coffee is burnt, de politics are fermented, and everyone pretends dem humans are decoradeev'." she says as she hands me a cup of coffee. "One panic, no sugar for da human everyone pretendin' nodda stare at."

"What...what the fuck do you mean?"

"Hey, hey not makin' fun of ya. It's good what ya do. Rally's buncha drops. Screw dem Egg-heads dat wanna show off-"

"Soro'i-ke!" Doto is talking to her. Doto is talking to her like he knows Soro'i. But I never saw her before. Is-okay she probably does live in the same hab-block. One of the generation ships landed near Olympia and had since been converted into a giant hab-zone, it's got like millions of Marnari in it. Chances are Doto and Soroi live there...still is it weird that Doto knows Marnari that I don't? He usually tells me about everyone. "It's Drake's first day, he shouldn't have to deal with it.

"What? Not dealing with it is how dey got so loud."

"They? Wait, is this thing not some girl getting peeved? This is a whole thing going on?"

Doto rubs his arm. "It's the first time I saw it outside the hab-block."

So this thing is an 'it' now. Tokka's part of something bigger and Doto never said anything about-and why is Soro'i talking about-was this why Prem was pissed about me?the fuck is going on?!

"Uh-oh, human looks ready to blow."

How the fuck did I fall so far out of the loop?!

It's probably not that you're out of the loop and more that you were never in it. Hard to tell your human friend about the mounting anti-human sentiment that's starting to become popular.
Oh wait, that means none of your friends wanted to be the one to break it to you, which means they don't actually care about you that much. That's rough, buddy.

The real problem is that you got spotted by an anti-human student, and thus can't even ask them to keep quiet about it. Which means if you don't want this to cause trouble for you then you're gonna need to rely on those friends.

> Most of the time she'd be studying though. Point being, she never had opinions like that. Or if she did, she never got so angry like that.
yeah see, like I said personal problem projection. At a guess, she's putting in the effort at school, but not seeing the success she feels she should be. And when she sees you, not putting in as much effort but still doing okay, she gets mad.

And if other people looking for scapegoats to blame their problems on are grumbling about humans then no wonder she would pick up on that.

But hey, Soro'i seems like she gets it. Ask her for more details, she'll give it to you straight.

Sounds like someone is going for a power play. As in someone is trying to stir shit up to create a problem and then offer a “solution” to get people to join them. In this case start up anti-human movement so they can present themselves as a strong so and so who will stand up to human oppression. You know the humans, the ones who helped them found a new planet to live on after be lost in space for who knows how long and helped them build up said new planet. You know the humans, who have been forcing their way of life on these people despite the fact that they’re basically nonexistent on the planet and outside of some franchises trying to set up shop to get money I can’t really see having any real impact on the local culture as not enough humans live here to have any real impact.

Basically what I’m saying is someone is starting shit since not enough time has passed for any real bad blood to form between the apes and the birds so this is either a phase that has popped up like goths or greasers or some jackass causing problems to gain attention or power if they’re involved with politics.

Sounds like something your dad should know about...

>>1128357
Theres a lot to consider man, an a ton of important stuff, but piorities.

Thank her.
Tell her shes got a cool look and she is rocking that choker.
Shes cute!

Balzhemund 2026/07/08(Wed)19:50 No. 1129127 ID: c15a60
File 178354024114.png - (775.01KB , 1280x1024 , 32.png )

>>1128369
No, Doto doesn't think that. We're bros! Bros for life don't pull that stuff with each other.

"Doto, why didn't you tell me any of this?"

Doto shuffles his feet and looks down at them, at his tablet, I never seen him look so nervous. "It-it wasn't supposed to be a big thing."

"But it was happening."

Doto chirps and pecks at his fingers. "I-I. I live a block away from Tokka. O-keeeeee?"

"What?"

"Her family shops where mine does! Her brother was my second during my Taking of the Watch! That's like huge for us!"

Oh...damn. In case you Earthers don't get it, Taking Watch is their coming of age thing. It's like super important for them, but I didn't know it was THIS big. Big enough to keep me out of the loop I guess...

"But like that's her brother. Why cover for her?"

"I didn't think it'd be this bad..."

I sigh, that doesn't seem to answer anything. Soro'i plops herself o>>1128373
n the table. "Oooh drama" she laughs softly. "go on then. Tell him why you didn't want him to know."

Doto makes the saddest chirp I've ever heard. "Keeee...I live with them. You listen to em long enough, you kinda forget it's happening. I-I mean I didn't! Most don't care no more, but I- I just..." he looks back at me. "I didn’t want you looking at me and seeing… that stuff keee."

"Aw come on, Dotoooo. You think that low of me? You're my bro, I know whatever sand's up her craw doesn't mean that's you too!"

"Aw bro-keeeeee!"

Balzhemund 2026/07/08(Wed)19:53 No. 1129128 ID: c15a60
File 178354038862.png - (1.12MB , 1280x1024 , 33.png )

>>1128373
Good point, sounds like Doto's been pretending this wasn't a thing, and Soro'i knows more.

"Hey, Soro, you called em eggheads before. You know what's up?"

"Oh, remember I'm here?" she grins. "Nah, I pullin yer craw, yeah. Home and Hatch dey call 'emselves, you know who dey are cause dey got an egg inna nest fer a patch." she scoffs. "Cuz ye know. Keepin' da egg of da homeworld clean wit no cracks n' stuff."

>>1128381
>>1128390
"So...what. This a power play? Getting students angry at me?"

"I dunno. Maybe?" she shrugs.

>>1128388
He could, but more likely he doesn't. Dad calls regularly, but usually to tell me when he's coming home or someplace that's dangerous. This would be the first time he missed something. God, this is the worst thing I could be showing your guys huh? You think this is some sort of underground movement happening?

Balzhemund 2026/07/08(Wed)19:54 No. 1129129 ID: c15a60
File 178354046156.png - (1.23MB , 1280x1024 , 34.png )

>>1128390
"Well, thanks anyway Soro'i. Cute makeup by the way."

"What?"

"What?"

"Hey, not everyday I see a goth Marnyarni."

"Cute huh?"

she seems cool, you should hang out

Yep, cute. Or gnarly, if you'd prefer. Perhaps even tubular.

So... what do Marnari keep as pets?
I'm also wondering if they contacted other aliens but rewrote the history books on that.

>>1129129
Oh hells yeah.
She a cutie.

Sorry youve got all this heavy stuff orbiting you baron.

yeah, she's pretty cute, in a different way than bro is cute. makes for a nice contrast

should probably get your coffee or whatever you came in here for and try not to dwell on the seething undercurrent of antihuman hatred that's seemingly simmering just under the surface of society and threatening to boil over, the barista and your bro don't hate you, and that's what really matters

Well shits happening, nothing really new there. Something is always going done somewhere you just happen to been caught in the crossfire this time. Grab your coffe, thank the cute one for said coffee, and I guess get to that thing you’re late for.

Drake 2026/07/27(Mon)16:36 No. 1130022 ID: c15a60
File 178517021536.png - (290.73KB , 1280x1024 , 35.png )

>>1129137
They do got this chicken-dog thing, I think it's called a Kcrika? I'm not super sure cause like I hear a bunch of different names for it. It's like what would happen if you shrank an emu and gave it teeth and the personality of a retriever.

>>1129132
>>1129133
>>1129165

“Oh shit right, I gotta get going to my first class. Conditioning!”

“Oh bro-ke, you better go! I think Master Kafa'ui is a hardass! Ruuuun!”

“Shit. Shit shit shit! Thanks Soro, we should hang out sometime!"

“Better keep dat promise earthy-boy!”

…

I snuck into the gym with everyone else.

Oh for anyone that doesn't know, I think you guys on Earth call this PE? Yeah, out here it's Conditioning. Never know when green zones turn yellow or red, and they want us to be ready to handle sudden survival scenarios and being fit enough to do what we will probably gotta do..

Thankfully I haven't seen Kafa'ui, so if I act like everyone else I should be fine.

Drake 2026/07/27(Mon)16:37 No. 1130023 ID: c15a60
File 178517023815.png - (278.96KB , 1280x1024 , 36.png )

>>1130022
Just wished everyone would stop staring at me. Like come on, they know humans are in the school, why do they gotta keep staring?

Drake 2026/07/27(Mon)16:38 No. 1130024 ID: c15a60
File 178517030197.png - (357.38KB , 1000x1000 , 37.png )

>>1130023
“Ah Laloooka! Is that Drake?!”

“Who is?”

Drake 2026/07/27(Mon)16:39 No. 1130025 ID: c15a60
File 178517035150.png - (433.36KB , 1278x887 , 38.png )

>>1130024
“Wait is that…Pikke?!”


“Yah-yah it’s Pikke! I knew I was gonna see you on campus, didn’t think you’d be in my first class. Now I get to kick your butt like I did in MercWars.”

“Oh you wish!”

well, introduce us to your friend.

ooh, who's this?

>>1130025
Hi pikke!
Nice hair!

Drake 2026/08/03(Mon)02:16 No. 1130260 ID: c15a60
File 178572339978.png - (292.66KB , 1280x1024 , 39.png )

>>1130035
“Oh right. Hey remember the sisters I was-wait hold on”

Remember the sisters I was talking about earlier? This is Pikke Daksa, one of the Daksa sisters? Yeah, she was the one who’d play video games with me or would go swimming at the public pool. She also liked to punch me a lot. I dunno why cause she never punched too hard, cause Marnari, but she’d do it a lot. For no reason. And I know it’s Pikke because-

Drake 2026/08/03(Mon)02:20 No. 1130263 ID: c15a60
File 178572365527.png - (289.55KB , 1280x1024 , 40.png )

>>1130260
“Ooof!”

“Ah ha ha! Little Dra-keeee is all grown up!”

“I was bigger than you.”

“Yah yah, but I was older!”

“Long time, no see Pikke. Nice hair.”

“Thanks! Bought it myself. Green goes good with red yah-yah?”

-because Pikke was always the loudest or the fastest, or the oldest. Always had to win at something. Pai was never this loud.

well now you win at heights, good work

she graduating too or is she just here for you and her brother? Cause when she says she's older I not sure if she means in years, months, weeks, or days.

If the both of you are graduating together than congratulations on being able to walk to the aisle together, I'm sure at least one of your folks will talk lots of pictures to share with the other's folks.

If she's already been through this song and dance I guess ask her what you can expect. I'm guessing a lot of standing around and waiting for people to give little speeches but she'd probably be able to tell you if they have a curve ball planed.

>>1130263
Dude.
Dude.
Duuuude.
Some girls punch boys they like.
Its a way of touching with plausible deniability.
Daww.
Cute.

Unless im anthropomorphising them too much and its something completely different.

yeah i think she's got a crush on you

>>1130280
Hmmm, good interpretation. Metagaming, the writing pointed it out in a "hmm, I wonnnderrr" kindof way, so I suspect you're right.

Drake: roll perception to notice.

Sometimes I will see media show an alien with a crush on a human, and for a split second I'll be like, "but why would she; they're different species." And then I remember where we are. And who I am. And I remember half of the internet. And if the aliens are at all like us, this would definitely happen.

Drake 2026/08/17(Mon)01:52 No. 1131003 ID: c15a60
File 178693155114.png - (385.76KB , 1024x1280 , 41.png )

>>1130274
No, same year as me-wait brother? She has a sister. She likes to brag that she's older than me cause her birthday's a couple days before mine.


>>1130280
>>1130290
>>1130295
Oh come on. It's been years! Why would something we did as kids means she has a crush on me? She's had plenty of time to reach out if she did. I mean, yeah it would've been tricky different campuses and stuff, but like not many humans out on this side of the planet, it wouldn't have been hard....

[Perception failed]

>>1130264
"Yeah it looks good from up here. Ah? See? Still bigger than you!"

"Hey-ya, stop that."

"Nuh uh, poke-the-Pikke."

"Ah ha ha haaa! Quit it dork-yah!"

"First day of class and you're already punchin' me? How's that haaabbbbppth! Fluff in my mouth!"

Drake 2026/08/17(Mon)01:54 No. 1131005 ID: c15a60
File 178693166525.png - (454.97KB , 1024x1280 , 42.png )

>>1131003
"Good question human. First day of class and I have to break up a fight already?"

"Oh-"

"-Snap."

"I assume uh...Drake and Pikke, that you're just anxious to start class and have energy to burn. So CONGRATULATIONS CLASS! Today I skip orientation, and we get to to do...DRILLS! Green Conditioning. Form 4 lines, let's get started. Stop whining Lahska!"

Oh come on! Okay, yeah, yeah, okay. So. What do you guys do in your gym class? Out here, it's Green Conditioning. It's basically training us to do all sorts of exercises we may have to do in Yellow and Red Zones but under Green Zone conditions. So like we won't need our masks, but we have to act like we do to see if we...you know...die if it was the real thing. Everyone hates it.

And Master Kafa'ui singled me out. Doing a real bad job at the laying low thing...fuck.

that sounds more intense than what we have. is it always survival drills? don't you have any sports?

Conserve energy and be ready to complain about everything, especially when nobody is looking at the glowy red light that indicates something important is about to explode.

>>1131005
Ok.
But on the plus side
You two were frikkin adorable.

Ours tend to be just generic exercises to strengthen the body (climb the rope, do pushups, anybody remember the multicolored parachute from early elementary?), or sometimes wrapped up with a loose theme or goals and rules, like "chase the chosen one" or "get the ball into the others' designated area".

Should probably make yourself scarce next period.

Drake 2026/08/31(Mon)03:22 No. 1131502 ID: fd2dfa
File 178814653982.png - (499.09KB , 1587x1165 , 43.png )

>>1131151
It kinda is. At least for the Marnari. Y'know I don't think they were built for Martian gravity. At least I think that's how it works. GZC consists of a bunch activities where you need to keep your mask on. You need to be able to not just accomplish the goals, but keep your breathing steady so you don't wear yourself out. In yellow zones that will leave you tired and exposed. In red zones, you'd suffocate. The activities themselves tend to rotate based on the teacher, and Kafa'ui likes these 4

-Weight Trek: You gotta wear a heavy back and try to carry it across uneven terrain. They simulate this with the blue mats, that I think are made of the same stuff they used to use on their ships to stop debris from puncturing the hull? I dunno, but it'll give real easy, so it's like walking on mud that sucks you down, really drains your energy if you pull to hard.
-Shoulder Carry: Carrying a class mate in a circuit across the gym. Again, got to time yourself, and make sure you are swapping air with the one you're carrying. They have to simulate you sharing one regulator between the two of you.
-Power Sled: They load up weights on a sled and you gotta do like 12 laps I think is the standard. Weight's always set pretty high, I think to simulate you pushing heavy crap around that's blocking your way, or to move heavy machinery I guess? I think Kafa'ui likes to make everyone suffer though. Don't have proof, but I can't think of much reason to have 3 weight related exercises in a single round of GZC.
-Power Climb: It's just rock climbing, but no safety gear. If you fall on the mat, you gotta start over. And a lot of those uh...thingies you're supposed to grab? Real slippery.

>>1131010
As for sports, there's half-G dodgeball, but uh, we don't get to play that until the last day of the week.

Drake 2026/08/31(Mon)03:25 No. 1131504 ID: fd2dfa
File 178814673501.png - (118.90KB , 1024x768 , 44.png )

>>1131074
I'm...adorable? Oh and Pikke's also cute I guess to. Thanks?

>>1131011

I can do some of that stuff pretty good. But only when I don't got the mask on. To be honest, that's what makes it so hard, these things let you breathe, but it can't do much when you need to take deeper breaths than normal it starts to act up.

Um, I don't think there's any explosives in the gym. Well there's the oxygen tanks, but you need to more than the button to make those blow up-

Drake 2026/08/31(Mon)03:26 No. 1131505 ID: fd2dfa
File 178814676430.png - (104.08KB , 1024x768 , 45.png )

>>1131504
"Hey"

"Hmm? Pikke?"

"What's going on, you don't wanna talk? Been years since we saw each other!"

Drake 2026/08/31(Mon)03:28 No. 1131506 ID: fd2dfa
File 178814691498.png - (117.89KB , 1024x768 , 46.png )

"Hey I was all for it till Kafa saw us. Where's Pai?"

"Oh. Yeah. Pai, she's off doing something else. Don't worry, she's here."

"Doing what? You know her next class?"

"Oh come on, wanna get rid of me that fast-yah?"

"No, just I missed both of ya is all."

"Oh I know what it is, yer afraid I'm gonna punt ya in the gzc time."

"It's not a race Pikke."

"Not with that attitude yah. Bet ya I finish before you!"

"I-really?"

"Yeah. If I win, you're buyin' lunch! Hey, Messi'ya! Time me!"

"What's that supposed to-hey!"

>>1131178
This probably won't cause a fuss right?

you're obligated to win the race, so you'd better start hoofin' it

Let's just see how well you do when you keep the mask on the whole time.

Come to think of it, why the hell don't you get an airtight helmet instead?

it would be a sign of disrespect not to do your best to beat your friend

>>1131506
Quick! Tell her if you win shes buying lunch!
Otherwise you dont get anything out of it!

Heheheh
Yes... yes...
Whoever loses, the audience wins.

>>1131506
Hang on. Pikke was real quick to dismiss her sister. She's hiding something. If you win, make her tell you what is up with her sister. And buy lunch anyway.