open Into Limbo: Worlds Collide

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce

As Lyra hears Dusk's reply, her sadness shows in her face.

" I'm sorry." The only reply Lyra could give as she tries to hold her tears.

She then tries to smile it off." So tell me more about you then Twiligh- I mean Dusk Radiance. For instance what would you like to eat as we continue our conversation?"

Lyra would continue chatting with Dusk Radiance while preparing their food in the kitchen, while Bonbon was resting at the living room couch.

Bonbon would invite you to sit down as well.

Edited March 5, 2022 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce @Illiad Easle

Lyra would get some salad and hay for both Dusk and her to eat. As both of them sit down the table Bonbon would stay quiet. It seems the topic about Alpha is quite, a hush topic.

" Maybe you're right Dusk... I've turned a blind eye towards my former students actions, and look what she has become."

Lyra said as she felt misery and pain in her heart.

Bonbon would then interrupt and point out.

" Wait Lyra. I suggest you give her one more chance."

Lyra was a bit shocked hearing this from Bonbon.

" You're the one who usually scold me for spoiling Alpha too much. What's with the sudden change of heart?" Lyra questioned.

" Just now those medical team was called not by me, but by Alpha. If I don't know any better, that's NOT how Alpha works. Whatever you said to her might finally got through to her."

Lyra would give a gentle smile and sigh in relief. But...

" But it almost cost her to murder Blu just for her to wake up... I don't want her hatred passing to Blu and continue this ugly cycle of hatred. Thank you Dusk, I still need to do something about Alpha and especially Dusk."

She would hug dusk and thank her again.

 

Edited March 7, 2022 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce

" truly, she did. oh... And sorry for calling you by your name hehe... I just had a hunch, since you look and act really similar to when Twilight was still young. Anyway you can use Bonbon and my room for the time being. We won't be able to use it for now since we need to fix some issues and paper works to Princess Twilight, and the SMILE Agency. It's the door right next to the stairs, and if you need anything else don't hesitate to ask okay?"

(Initiate next day?)

 

 

 

 

Edited March 7, 2022 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle @Starforce

As the night pass by, Dusk Radiance has gone to bed, Lyra and Bonbon are still doing paperworks and the doctors have finally returned Blu back to proper health. And every injury, cracked bone, poison within his body is gone.

The Doctors would leave the room and head downstairs and immediately greet and report to Lyra and Bonbon.

" Good news agents. We've successfully put back the colt to tip top shape. He'll still fill pain though since he hasn't found out that his already completely healed. So don't worry if he starts to panic or feel pain or vomit. It's just his brain is confused. As for our payment. Alpha has already got you covered. And besides we wouldn't be the ones who would've respond to this request if it wasn't a top agent. Consider yourself lucky, if it wasn't for us this Colt might require wheels to walk. We only need you to file a report of our mission being completed, that is all. Now we will be leaving  so we won't further disturb you. We will be letting ourselves out now good day. The Doctors professionally, and eeriely spoke as they exit.

"The nerve of those doctors... Calling us not important!" Bonbon angrily retorts.

" Now now Bonbon. Don't think of the negatives and think of the positive... They did a perfect job at healing Blu. Now we have to finish this paper works so we can prepare for tomorrow."

" Sigh... Let's finish this so we can sleep already."

The agents where able to finish their paper works and was able to have some rest but the sun waits for no pony and soon would summon the rooster to wake everypony on his realm.

A loud cluck and the chorus of the birds together with the sun's rays help wake everypony up.

Including the residence leaving with the agents.

Blue would wake up in a room he wasn't familiar with. His body is fully healed but his mind might not have adjusted to that state yet.

But beside him would be Lyra, still sleeping beside Blu.

While Dusk would wake up and smell a freshly made cup of coffee and sweetly baked pancakes downstairs.

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih @Starforce

Blu would awake with a start, drawing in a deep breath as he shot upright, and breathing heavily as he tried to take stock of his situation. I thought I died? No. It must have been a dream, and a strange one at that.

He went to rub an eye and recoiled at the sight of his hoof. No, not a dream then. Not all of it at least. He tried to remember what had happened, but everything seemed to be a blur. He had fallen through some sort of rift, got kidnapped at the train station, escaped, got kidnapped, dropped, shot at... something, then woke up here. Maybe the second half, after he had escaped, was the dream? Had it actually happened, there should at least be some sort of mark on him, but there didn't seem to be any. Not that he could see in this lighting at least.

Which brought him to his next concern, the mare who had kidnapped him the first time was now sharing a bed with him, which further unsettled him. Dancer had not indicated that ponies shared beds when not young siblings, married, or otherwise intimate, and he sincerely hoped that none of those criterion applied to this instance, as if they did, he was certainly not a willing participant.

His next step would be to exit the bed as quietly as possible, so as to not disturb to creepy mare who had invaded his bed, and take inventory of his belongings.

(Here's where you can say what made it back with him from the swamp, or rather what in particular did not. If you want him to still have all his gear just say it was all accounted for.)

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle

As the colt explores the room, silently. He'd notice the trash bin has bandages and tissues with written runes and covered with blood. A sign of an operation or some know and of cult practice perhaps? 

The colt would find his stuff all accounted for. But as he checks his gun he'd notice that it's empty.

then a knock at the door would wake Lyra up.

"Hmna!... I'm awake! Wait Blu! Where are you...oh there you are! You're alive!"

LYra then lounges towards Blu and forced hugged him.

" Your safe now!" She cried at Blu.

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce

Dusk would meet Bonbon as she heads down the stairs.

She'd be invited to breakfast and some idle chatting. 

As Dusk heads up to check on The colt Bonbon decides to join you as well.

As you head to the door where the Colt is resting.

Bonbon stops you.

" Wait... Lyra is sleeping there. She's kinda clingy in the morning. Sooo..." Bonbon knocks at the door.

She waiting for something... Then you hear a thud on the other side of the room.

" Okay the coast is clear, Lyra is awake and clinging."

You both proceed to enter the door.

(Priority to @Illiad Easle for proper continuity and accuracy for the story.)

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih @Starforce

Blu was concerned by the bandages in the bin, how long had he been out? It worried him that he may have been unconcious for much longer than he thought. His gun being empty led credence to that theory. It meant he had shot something, or someone here had worked out how to use it. He only had half a spare clip tucked away, so he'd have to use them very sparingly unless, or until, he could get more. He'd leave the empty clip in the gun just in case. 

Blu tried to scramble out of the way as Lyra lunged toward him,  doing his best to push her away, "Get off me!" 

He continue struggling until he was released, backing up to an acceptable distance before asking,  "How long was I out? And WHY were we sharing a bed?"

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce @Illiad Easle

"awiee..." Lyra replied, as she rubs her cheek.

" You were out for only 12 hours, and I was sharing a bed with you so you won't be lonely and sad when you wake up." She added, while giving you her teary puppy eyes.

Soon after Bonbon and Dusk would enter the room.

"Tsk tsk tsk... You're too clingy Lyra... I told you he'd hate that." Bonbon scolded Lyra.

She'd then focus on the colt and introduced herself.

" The name is Bonbon... Agent Bonbon. And the unicorn with me is Agent Dusk Radiance."

The two ODT  from different dimensions have finally meet. Will they change the course of this dimension rift? Will they save the day? Or will they be the cause of further catastrophe?

Edited March 7, 2022 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle @Starforce

Lyra could be seen quite worried.

Bonbon would then point out.

" Hey! not everyone in the Agency is like Alpha. You know Lyra and I work there too."

" Please Dusk, let me handle her first. And besides... I don't think Blu has any recollection of what happened to him and Alpha, yet. We don't want to stress Blu with information." Lyra worriedly said. 

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih @Starforce

Blu... was not happy. He closed his eyes and brought a hoof to his forehead, let out a frustrated sigh, then started shaking his head, "No no no no no NO!" his expression was an odd mixture of fury and confusion when he opened his eyes and smacked the floor with the hoof he had been rubbing his forehead with. "I can't, don't... no, refuse, to believe this! 12 hours? I fell at least 60 meters through several branches, had a punctured lung, several broken ribs, and at least one broken leg. There's no way that could be healed in only 12 hours. But why should I trust you lot to begin with? You kidnapped me three times in apparently as many hours. And you!" He pointed a hoof accusingly at Dusk, "I can fight my own battles, get my own justice. I don't need your help. Besides, who's to say you don't just give her a little slap on the wrist, transfer her somewhere else, and tell me its been 'dealt with'? No. I'll do it myself."

He turned towards Lyra, "And you, I don't need another well meaning parent to take me in and go missing. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Have been for years now. Now." He turned back to face all of them, "It's clear enough that the only one here I can trust is myself. All I know is that I was marked for death, but you thought better of it. I'm not naïve enough to think it was out of the kindness of your hearts. So what is it? You tried to get into the case I've been carrying? But figured out I'm the only one who can open it? You wondering about the device I used to injure your assassin?"

Blu was well and truly out of his depth, backed into a corner by agents of the same organization who all to recently tried to kill him, lost, confused, very hungry, and it showed. His eyes darted back and forth at the slightest movement, his breathing was rapid and ragged, and his heart rate, if they could tell it somehow, was very high, even for a colt as young as he appeared to be. Maybe he could be forgiven for his outburst.

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih @Starforce

"Oh lay off them. I'm not falling for a 'Good agent, Bad agent' shtick. When I said I'd take care of it myself I meant it. You try and stick your muzzle in this, I'll take care of you too. As much as I don't trust them," he gestured to Bonbon and Lyra, "I trust you the least. You threw your comrades under the bus just like that? Loyalty clearly isn't your strong suit. Clearly you have your own twisted agenda against... her. Why else would you indulge a colt's fantasy of revenge so readily?"

He closed his eyes and took a few steadying breaths. "Just... get out. Both of you." He pointed at Lyra, "You... I don't trust you, but I don't trust you the least. You can stay, please, and help me figure this out."

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce @Illiad Easle

As both Blu and Dusk argued. Lyra would be In a mess of how to handle this, panicking and phasing back and forth towards Blu and Dusk to calm down.

While Bonbon was fixated at the newspaper.

" Uuu we haven't been a unit for a day and we're already crumbling apart..." Lyra, who was about to cry, sadly said.

" Mehh... I think we're doing well compared to the other units... Usually someone would've lost a tooth or broken a bone.... Oh wait some one already did." Bonbon Looked at Blu and snickered.

" Hey that's not funny Bonbon!" Lyra Cried.

Then Blu declared that he'd wish to talk with Lyra alone.

Bonbon would nod, " I don't mind  Pipsqueak... But let me at least fix you some breakfast okay? oh and don't worry, it's a meal for both you and my wife. I'm not taking my chances of poisoning her for you, if that worries you..."

As Bonbon and Dusk exit the room.

Bonbon would speak towards Dusk.

" I don't blame you for hating us, since you don't know much about how this world works and this agency. you're still welcome here, you did save my life after all. I hope you don't lump every Smile agent Like Alpha... I mean if me and Bonbon acted like Alpha you would've been dead already, right? And here you are still alive in our home." She'd leave Dusk alone for a while so Dusk can have her time alone and also to prepare Lyra and Blu's breakfast.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Kujamih

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih

Blu calmed down considerably once the other two left the room, but would tense up again if Lyra trying to approach him. "Hold off a moment, please. I need to see if I can trust you. Just stay right there for now."

He went over to retrieve the Kernel, then moved to the middle of the room and set it down, he motioned for Lyra to sit across from him. "No sudden moves please." He gave her time to sit, then pressed a series of buttons on the case as well as rubbing certain spots in certain ways. Not all of the motions were necessary to open the box, but Lyra wouldn't be able to know.

With a click the case was unlocked, and he slowly opened it, it gave off a faint blue glow, illuminating Blu. He pulled over his gloves with his magic and used them to, from the sound of it, press more buttons in rapid succession. The case started to hum like several small fans were contained within it, then Blu nodded. "So, you and Agent Bonbon, how long have you been married?"

He'd ask a few other menial questions about casual subjects, seemingly more interested in whatever the device was doing than in Lyra's answers. The only thing they had in common were that they were things that Lyra had no reason to lie about, which allowed the Kernel to learn a baseline to see if Lyra was lying in the future.

After about a dozen questions, Blu nodded again, then turned his attention more fully to Lyra. "Now, I'm sure you have questions of your own, let me ask just a few more, and if you answer honestly, I'll trust you enough to answer some of yours. Deal?"

1. "Why are you doing what you're doing, in regards to me?"
2. "Why are you doing what you're doing in general?"
3. "How did I get here?"
4. "Why was I attacked?"
5. "Can I trust you not to lie to me going forward?"

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce @Illiad Easle

Bon bon thought long to make sense on how Dusk thought process where... She concluded that Dusk is definitely from a different dimension, has different morals and different way of thinking. So she shrugs it off and replied.

3 hours ago, Twilight Sparkle (Universe 114A) said:

. Besides, you don't know me. Maybe I will keep it that way, so long as these things keep happening. Sure, you've given me all the perks of being a member - but have you earned my loyalty? I'd like you to consider that, before considering your options going forward."

"One thing I do know is you saved my life."

" Somepony have their secrets. you, me, Lyra, Alpha, Blu I don't mind knowing them and not knowing them."

" As per your loyalty? I never asked for it though..."

3 hours ago, Twilight Sparkle (Universe 114A) said:

"I do not work for you. I could easily leave, never to return - to find someone else who would be far more beneficial to both me and the other party involved. I am doing this out of respect, and tolerance for you. I work for no-one. It is every organization's duty, at least those who care about morals and integrity - to root out those who do not have them. Clearly Alpha doesn't. If you can fix that Colt's problems that he has with you, than perhaps I may consider my loyalties again

" Well if you plan to leave, well I can't stop you. But if you do leave I can't help you either."

" If you think I'm using you, I actually have nothing to gain from you. I just wanted to show my gratitude to the one who saved me. But if you think I'm hindering you in some way I wouldn't like that. So whatever you plan on doing is up to you.im just assisting you and helping out."

" Alpha is one of the best ODT hunters out there. You know the way you treat every agent reminds me of Alpha... The way she treats ODT. You guys might get along." She smirked.

" Again not everyone is like Alpha and what agency would lock up someone who has no evidence and the only proof are hear say? What if I told you that Lyra was Lying and Alpha is actually the good pony? What evidence do you have that Alpha is actually bad? Alpha has done more mission and deeds... There's a reason why she got the title Alpha, no ordinary pony has that title... So who'd we believe in Dusk? An Alpha? Or a random ODT? You can't blame the agents for being too scared or angry at ODTs you should know that there are more casualties in the Smile agency than the ODT has... I HAVE LOST LOVED ONES BECAUSE OF YOU... AHMM sorry I meant the ODT.... ODTs are always labeled bad for a reason.... Because their usually trouble... But you... You and Blu are different... You guys might probably hold the answers the agency is seeking..."

"Again  you loyalty... I don't need it." Bonbon got heated up at the moment and seems to regret on doing so... She then continued to prepare Lyra's and Blu's Breakfast.

 

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

3 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Why are you doing what you're doing, in regards to me?"

" Because I always wanted to have a Colt and call it my own?" 

3 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Why are you doing what you're doing in general?"

" Because you are cute and I want to adopt you?"

 

3 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

How did I get here?"

"I  wanted to ask you that too..."

3 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Can I trust you not to lie to me going forward?"

" I don't lie... But I do get lied at a lot... If I told someone's lie would that be considered me lying too, even though I wasn't lying?"

Lyra answered Blu with all her heart and purity. It seems that Blu needs to be a bit specific for this mare to understand what he is talking about...

 

Edited March 8, 2022 by Kujamih

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih

In regards to the second question, Blu elaborated: "I mean, why are you with Smile? Why do you do what you do for them, and why do you act differently from the rest?"

He noticed that she hadn't answered the fourth question, so he asked again: "Why was I attacked? Why does that appear to be the default policy?"

 

In regards to the answers she did give, especially the first two, he was somewhat annoyed. "I... You don't want to adopt me. My parents have a history of going missing. I may look young, but I'm not, or I wasn't before I came here."

To her third answer he sighed, "That makes two of us then. I was going to ask how I get back but I assume you don't know the answer to that either."

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle @Starforce

Lyra would feel a bit uncomfortable when Blu tried to have an answer on his fourth question. She'd ponder for a bit and give a deep sigh.

" 2 years ago, I was an Alpha. I had my own unit. Me, Bonbon, Scootaloo, sweetie belle and Apple Bloom.

" Those where the days... Apple bloom got promoted to alpha and chose Sweetie Belle for her Beta. While I of course proudly stepped down, and followed her lead. Truly I can't be any prouder... She was the youngest to ever get promoted to Alpha. This was also the same time when the ODT starts popping in.

" At first it was easy to handle the ODT. but because our culture is about friendship... That's what we tried to do... But it backfired and caused us a lot of good agents.

" To name a few, Apple bloom lost her sight, Sweetie Belle lost her sensation on her back  back legs, and Scootaloo gained giant wings."

" I'm guessing you're a bit confused about Scootaloo right?"

Lyra continues her story.

" Scootaloo grew up with a defective wing and always wanted a cure for that.

"But one faithful day she befriended an ODT that told her that he could give her, her wings. She was so excited and followed the ODTs instructions she travelled for weeks to find the materials.

"As she finished her quest the ODT invited her to a forest for the spell to work... Little did she know she would regret everything.

"At the middle of the forest there she finds both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle unconscious on the ground."

 

(Flash back.)

"Alpha! Sweetie Belle! What's going on!?" Scootaloo cried.

" Naive child.... It's for you..." The ODT grinned in malice.

"You...why!?"

"It's so you can have wings of course?" 

The ODT starts to fly High out of reach.

Scootaloo's hatred and anger was the trigger needed for the ODT to cast his spell.

It mutated Scootaloo's wings and made it grow. The size was quite abnormally big for any pegasi... It might actually have the same size as an alicorn. 

She flew up and gave chase and fought the ODT.

(End of flash back.)

"Sadly that ODT is still on the loose." 

" Then reports of befriended ODT starts to turn on us... Some where lucky to have survived some didn't." 

"After  that the problem starts to get worse... The Head Quarters starts to detect massive wave of magical fluctuations and massive amounts of ODT starts to pour in our Dimension."

"The  only safe move the Agency can do now is capture and contain them.... But some of the agents can't forgive or simply forget what the ODT has done... That's why most would resort to violence... Or better yet... Just kill them." 

Lyra then bows down at you.

" Please will you accept my apology for the agency and my fellow agents, Blu?" She says as she tears up.

 

 

 

 

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

3 hours ago, Twilight Sparkle (Universe 114A) said:

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle

"Then maybe you should stop referring to me as an 'ODT'. That term is rather degrading if I am to be in the same category as whatever else you've faced. But sure, I guess I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this. I don't know if what you are even saying to me now is true, or what happened back there. But if this really is the case, than I would not expect you to simply forgive someone for trying to harm a foal. Clearly, that's what I am trying to convey to you here. And if I am to hold the answers, I would not be so keen on giving them away to those I don't know." she shrugged. 

"Thanks... I guess?" Bonbon would finish preparing breakfast and is about to head back upstairs.

"You wanna go back up there or do you have plans of your own? I think we've given them enough time to cool down a bit."

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih

7 hours ago, Kujamih said:

" Please will you accept my apology for the agency and my fellow agents, Blu?" She says as she tears up.

Blu was silent throughout Lyra's retelling of the story, the Kernel transcribing it as it had been doing for their entire conversation.

At the end he thought for a moment, before slowly shaking his head, "No."

His expression wasn't stern though, there was compassion there, "At least... not yet. I... I can understand her position, I can sympathize with it, but that doesn't make it right." He sighed, "I won't hold it against the rest of you, provided it does not happen again, but where I come from, we follow a concept of debt and gratitude. Having committed such a grievous act against me, Alpha is deeply in my debt, and until she garners enough of my gratitude, I will not release her from that debt by forgiving her. Still, I can see how allowing her to pay back that debt would be beneficial to me. So, with a promise that doing so would not put myself at risk again, I... will allow her the opportunity to do so."

He brought his attention back to Lyra, "Now, I'm satisfied, for now, with these answers to my questions. Where do we go from here? It would be unfair of me to not allow you to ask some questions of your own, but I reserve the right to not answer any question if I don't feel I can trust you with the answer."

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle

Even though Blu said no, Lyra smiled and knows that there's still a chance that the two pony could make up. 

"Well I wasn't really expecting a yes from you, but that's as close as I hope I'd get, and I'll take it! Thank you for giving me the chance to make things right again."

" And I think I got through to Alpha, the reason why you got healed up quick was because she sent a medical team to fix you up... They weren't the kindest ponies I tell ya, but those healing magic and medical arts of theirs are in a whole nother level, tell me how is your broken hoof and injury? Do you still feel any pain? I'm curious as well on how good they are..." Lyra would go off track again and apologies.

"Aheheh ... Anyway... I don't really have much to ask you though? And again you have a point. I don't lie but that dosn't mean I can give out wrong information or your secret would be safe with me...hmm..." Lyra pondered on what to ask Blu and it hit her.

"... Can I have a hug?" 

 

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Starforce 

(depending on the situation, you'd either see Lyra hugging Blu or Lyra Sad and not hugging Blu.)

Bon bon would knock at the door and open it.

" I think I gave you ponies enough time to talk it out. And besides, you guys should eat your breakfast while it's still fresh... Thinking things out with an empty stomach is bad to begin with."

Bon bon would give them their salad sandwich.

" Please don't make a mess when eating in this room okay, this is Dusk's Room to begin with."

Edited March 9, 2022 by Kujamih

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih

Blu looked annoyed and somewhat uncomfortable at Lyra's request to hug him, "I'm sorry, but no. I'm just not comfortable with that. We've only just met and I am only, just now, beginning to trust you."

With that and the interruption of Bonbon at the door, Blu was quick to close and secure the Kernel before he could be approached. He raised an eyebrow at the food, it didn't really strike him as a breakfast food, "Thank you, but please... despite appearances I am not a foal. I can manage to be tidy. But that does raise the question as to where I am supposed to stay? I assume that I am not free to go elsewhere, not that any other place would supply accommodation to a colt without family or money?"

[Evil Pink One 13,512]

@Illiad Easle @Starforce

Bonbon would laugh at Blu's question and point out.

" Hahaha you truly are from another dimension. Almost everyone who isn't a smile agent would adopt you right on the spot. I bet my nosy neighbors are already waiting for you outside to abduct you and call you their own! Hahahaha... Okay I was just kidding, but you won't have any troubles in this world as long as you're not an ODT... Cuz the Agents can easily track you down..."

Bonbon continues to lecture...

" This is also one of the reasons why ODTs are hunted down... Because pony culture in this dimension is waaaaaaaayyyyy to trusting... And because of that, ODTs like to take advantage of us... Thus the ones who woke from the truth hunt you down. I hope you won't end like the other ODTs..." Bonbon said while looking at both Dusk and Blu.

" You're being rude again Sweetie..." Lyra scolded.

" Sorry... Anyway I suggest you stay here where we can keep an eye on you and the agency, I know that Alpha won't touch you no longer, but that dosn't mean the other branch members and agents would give you or us a slack."

 

 

[Illiad Easle 3,180]

@Kujamih @Starforce

Blu looked very nonplussed by Bonbon's description, "Oh joy. If only I weren't the thing that I am I could have everything I'd ever wanted? Well, too bad I am the one thing that separates me from unending happiness."

Before Lyra could respond to that, Blu held up a hoof, "No, that is not an invitation to adopt me. I'm not interested in being adopted again."

He turned his attention back to Bonbon, "So what then? We just stay here until the heat death of the universe? Or is there a plan where we eventually do get to go outside without fear of being murdered on sight?"