15082/When Knowhere is Somewhere

When Knowhere is Somewhere
Date of Scene:	05 June 2023
Location:	Knowhere
Synopsis:	Introductions are made, plans are plotted and a roadtrip Earth-side is signed, sealed and delivered. Hopefully they will all survive the experience.
Cast of Characters:	Cosmo, Peter Quill, Sushi, Rocket

---

Cosmo has posed:
For what it is, the traffic for Knowhere is actually heavy, what with ships coming in and departing. Some of those ships aren't in the best of shapes when landing, and only marginally better when they depart. The one benefit of using this as a port of call, however, is they they actually //can// land without immediately being blown out of the sky and, yes, can depart with the same courtesy.

Day and night cycles are the same, the light never truly changing drastically so one can tell one from the other, but at least it is reasonably well lit thanks to artificial lighting. Of course, there are some sections that seem to be perpetually down, entire neighborhoods even, and it just never seems to be in the budget to get them fixed within a reasonable amount of time.

Those are the areas to avoid, which means those are the areas that a golden-brown lab/retriever mix with a multi-colored collar patrols. With tongue lolling to the side, Cosmo trots along the shadows, big brown eyes peering into the darkness, her little wet nose twitching, searching for familiar scents.

Peter Quill has posed:
While Knowhere might not be the most popular port of call around, those in the know -- both reputable and not -- are well aware of the fact that it is a decent place to set in when in need of repairs or pick up supplies. A decent neutral ground for a meeting place and a potential market where one can hope to turn a profit. Illicit or otherwise.

At one time or another Peter Quill -- the legendary Star-Lord! ...at least in his own mind -- has used this port of call for pretty much all of those purposes. And this latest stop-over is no different. Just how productive it will prove to be still remains to be seen of course, but he has high hopes.

He pretty much always does of course. Right up to the moment things go horribly, horribly wrong.

With the Milano berthed at the docks nearby -- no doubt having repairs done after their latest misadventure -- Star-Lord has not sought out the creature comforts or entertainments of the local cantina. Nope, he's wandering the more dubious back alleys that serve as home to Knowhere's more... shady -- some might charitably say colorful -- denizens. Swaggering along, one hand pointedly resting on the blaster holstered at his side he only pauses for a moment when he spots a very familiar dog in a space suit.

Sushi has posed:
    Somewhere in the darkness, there is a figure in armor that has glowing highlights that makes him stand out from the shadows. He is crouched beside a slumped form lying against a crumbling building on the refuse-strewn street. Is something >untoward< taking place!? The guttural, growly, sort of phlegmy voice that speaks loudly at the unmoving individual may suggest such!

    "Again!" the voice insists hotly.

    The other person, a hulking figure like a hill made out of flesh, with a comedically small bottle of some Space Moonshine held delicately between his tree-limb-sized digits, slurs out, "Shshhshshi."

    The other person stands up quickly, the star emblem on their chest armor shining gold and bright. He throws his arms up and yells, "NO! It is 'Sushi'! SOO-SHEE! The Sushi demands you say his name correctly!"

    "Shushshushush."

    "INCORRECT! SAY AGAIN!"

    "Ag-ennn?"

    "NO!"

    Hopefully no one in the area has difficulty sleeping because this sounds like it's going to go on for a while.

Cosmo has posed:
For as good as Quill's eyesight is in the dimness, Cosmo's scent is better, and lifting her muzzle into the air, her wet, black, rubbery nose wiggles a little as she sniffs. There is decided recognition, and the second the connection is made, she's spinning to the side and goes from a trot to a run in the span of two steps. There's even a *bark* that escapes her before she re-centers herself to offer a mental greeting,

<<"Quill.">> The thought is placed gently, the word surrounded by a distinct feel of fuzzy fur. <<"Tell me I do not have to get the crew to pick up pieces of your ship once more.">> It's gentle-teasing, and as she approaches, she does slow to that trot once more, her tongue lolling to the side of her mouth. The moment the distance is closed, she sits, her tail sweeping the ground in that unconscious tail-wag.

<<"If you tell me Rocket is here, I will have my dock stand down.">>

Peter Quill has posed:
Was Peter trying to avoid attracting attention? Surely not. No doubt he only has very legitimate reasons for being in this part of Knowhere. But if he was up to no good that he hoped no one would take note of, well, mission failed.

That's okay. He's nothing if not persistent.

With that voice sounding in his head, Star-Lord winces for just a moment before an amiable smile slides over his face and he gives up the pretense of not having noticed the space dog, dipping his head her way. "Cosmo," he says in casually greeting, his tone friendly. At least at first.

That teasing note draws an exasperated sigh from the man, lips pursing for just a moment as he wags a finger her way. "Look, that was just the one time. And it was all Rocket's fault. I try not to let him take the controls any more then I have to so it's been all smooth sailing since then," he insists.

Which is pretty much a total lie.

"Everything's fine. The Milano is in great shape," Peter continues insistently, though anything else he might say is abruptly cut off as his attention is attracted to the scene going on nearby.

"What the hell is that?" he asks, pointing to where Sushi menances the unlikely figure.

Sushi has posed:
    Eventually, after much goading, the unfortunate lump that outsizes his harrasser by like a couple thousand space-pounds manages to utter a garbled, "Sh... Shush... Sush... Shushi." It's hard enough to speak Human in the first place with his huge lower jaw and tusk-like teeth. Forcing him to do it while drunk is truly a test of skill!

    Sushi nods and lets out a sharp affirmative bark-like noise. "That is correct! You have achieved saying Sushi's name! Now, on to why The Sushi has approached you: Where is Peter Quill, the Star-Lord?"

    The drunk giant looks quizically at Sushi with his beady eyes set in a protruding caveman-esque forehead. Then he raises his free hand and points a granite-colored finger down the way towards where Quill and Cosmo are.

    Sushi looks over his shoulder. "Ah-hah! The Sushi has located him! Never mind, your help is not required! Go back to your slovenly carousing, space-citizen." The Corginaut then walks away from the alien he was interrogating for like the past fifteen minutes, while the giant furrows his brow in confusion and annoyance and flips the Space Corgi off behind his back.

    "Quill! You will evade The Sushi no longer! Avoiding your Milano is insufficient to prevent a reunion between the Star-Lord and the Space Corgi!"

    His volume hasn't toned down at all as he hurries his way out of the shadows and into the slightly-less shadowy shadows. Enough for the imposing figure of a four-foot tall humanoid figure in armor, with the head of a corgi (or maybe a shibe-inu?) poking up on top. The glowing trim and flashy emblems really add to the dramatics of his appearance. Excellent special effects work by whoever designed it.

    Then Sushi spots Cosmo. He stares, stopping mid-stride, and finally shutting up for a merciful few seconds. Then he points and lets out, "WHAAAAT!? What is >that<! Is this your doing, Peter Quill!?"

    Oh, what fresh hell is this.

Rocket has posed:
"What are you blaming on me again that was really your fault, Quill?" comes a familiar voice, head poking out of the Milano's hatch. He sees the place around him upside-down, doesn't matter to him.

That voice, of course, is Rocket's.

Eyes narrow, then. "Cosmo. Put some clothes on." The raccoon-that-isn't-but-kind-of-totally-is states.

And then, another voice /he/ recognizes. "Well, flark." He'd been doing a fine enough job of keeping to his own business, in places Sushi wasn't. "Guess I might as well see what mess this turns into." So he swings down into a seated position on one of the ship's extensions, crossing his arms.

Cosmo has posed:
<<"You cannot lie to me.">> The good humor that is undoubtedly part of her genetic make-up is present in the words, and perhaps she'd say more on the subject when the noise does carry and it settles in, getting her attention. Attention from the Chief of Security isn't always a //good// thing.

Floppy, fuzzy ears quirk up as she turns her head around, deep brown eyes gazing in the direction of another creature. Cosmo has seen so many strange beings come in and out of port that //that// particular facet of an alien doesn't affect her. What does, however? Her head lowers, and there's a low rumble of warning that sounds both in a growl and in her 'voice' that seems to emanate from a glowing, multi-hued collar that hangs upon her neck. "I am not a //that//. I am Chief of Security here, and you will address me properly."

Of course, it's hard to be serious when there's a racoon that is yelling that she really should get some //clothes on//. Cosmo looks around, her nose lifting, and she answers in that feminine, obviously computerized voice, "I have my collar on!"

Peter Quill has posed:
Under other circumstances Peter Quill might be inclined to argue. He might choose to argue about the fact that he is lying at all. Surely he would do no such thing! Such a thing to suggest. Or perhaps he would simply argue that he could most certainly tell a lie and get away with it. Even to a telepathic dog. Because he's just that damn good. In Quill's mind, either argument is likely equally valid. To be sure his mind is a very unique, perhaps occasionally scary, place.

But he does not choose to do either one of those things. Probably because he is just a little busy sniggering. Once it becomes clear just what is going on in that shadowy little alcove, once recognition lights in Peter's memory, well, it's pretty hard to resist. A wry little smirk plays over his lips and he murmurs under his breath 'Space Corgi', in danger of breaking out into a full bout of laughter.

At least until that armored Space Corgi comes storming over. Peter instinctively takes a step back, raising up his hands in front of himself defensively. "Hey, hey, hey, just cool your jets already. Geeez, what's everyone's problem?" he asks, presumably rhetorically and certainly ignoring that fact that everybody's problem is usually with him.

"Sushi, Cosmo. Cosmo, Sushi," he says sharply, briefly, by way of making introductions. "She's a good dog," he adds helpfully.

It never hurts to suck up a little to the local authorities.

Turning his attention away only when ROcket makes his appearance, Quill shoots a look his way. He's not asking for help. He wouldn't do that. But he hasn't entirely dropped those hands either, even if that snigger is threatening to make a reappearance. "Oh, hey Rocket. I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't say anything like that," he offers up casually.

Yup, that's a lie. But he does it so well.

Sushi has posed:
    Sushi blanches at the response from the Watchdog of Knowhere. "You appear similar to Sushi, but malformed and misshapen! This is a travesty that will not go unavenged! The Sushi swears it! Identify the monster that twisted you into this ungainly shape, noble Chief of Security. Sushi and Star-Lord and also Rocket will find them and bring them to justice!" Then Sushi turns and blinks his eyes towards Rocket. Oh, so that's why Sushi had Rocket on the brain. "The Rocket is here as well! This shall make forming a 'posse' proceed much faster!"

    He barely slows down to process the introductions. "Hmm! The Cosmo! A fitting name! Did you name her as well, Peter Quill? But also! That does not matter! Because!!!" He points at Cosmo. "From the neck down, she is underdeveloped with strange, stubby hands and feet, and--" Then he pauses again to process another thing that was said. "...Dog?" He squints his eyes as though trying to remember some obscure detail of a past interaction.

    He whips around to point at the approaching raccoon. "Rocket! You called the Sushi a 'dog' long ago, yes!? What is this word!?! Infact!" Sushi puts his gauntleted hands on hips as he looks at Quill. "Have you not also used this word in the time before now?" He dramatically brings a hand up to cup his chin as he looks suspiciously across the assembled faces. "The mystery deepens! The Sushi and his followers will reach the bottom of it and also the top, sides, and other angles of approach! No side shall be left unturned until the secret of the dogs is unlocked!"

    After that furious barrage of words and sounds and generally overwhelming wtfery, he returns his hand to his hip and just stands there like that. A few seconds pass. "Also! The Sushi wishes to know how to reach Earth! There are many humans to protect there! Star-Lord has made Sushi aware of this. Sushi will go to Earth after Cosmo's enemies are identified!" He slams one fist into the palm of the other to emphasize his plans.

    Someone better interrupt him before he starts up another onslaught of verbiage.

Rocket has posed:
Rocket tilts his triangular-shaped head upward, giving the effect of looking down on Cosmo. "Well, if you're gonna try to act like a humie, you should dress the part. How many humies do you see going around this skagheap in just a collar and nothing else?" A self-aware grimace. "Not a word out of you, Quill. I don't wanna know."

Clearing his throat as well after the 'good dog' comment, he puts in, "That ain't what you were saying yesterday, Quill."

Peter Quill isn't the only skilled liar on Knowhere. Not by half.

The space..creature continues by adding, "And you're lying again. You know how I know you're lying again? Because your mouth is moving and words are coming out of it. But that's all right, this time. I'm /much/ more interested in seeing what that thing wants with you."

Rocket jerks a little thumb in the direction of Sushi, adding, "Why do you want everybody to call you 'The Sushi' anyway? We got 'Tivan the Collector' and 'Drax the Destroyer of Toilets' but those are titles. They already got names besides. I ain't nothing but Rocket." He has absolutely no comment on the matter of Cosmo being what Cosmo is meant to be or not.

Then he sighs. "Yes. You are a dog. A dog in a humie suit, but still a dog. And you talk more than Quill." This is almost certainly an insult. It's followed by a widening smile. "Oh, yeah. You want to go off to that mudball, backwater planet? I bet they'd /love/ you."

Cosmo has posed:
"I'm a dog," Cosmo returns, apparently for both their parts. "Uplifted." If one wants to get a little more technical, that is. As she 'speaks' the multi-colored collar lights in patterns of brilliance, her 'voice' feminine with perhaps a trace of an accent. Odd, really.

Those big brown eyes turn towards Sushi, and her head drops again, and she adds, "There is nothing wrong with me. The same could be asked of you, but I do not. It is not polite."

Quill's addition to the introduction gains the Star-Lord a tail-wag, or more a tail-tip twitch in response.

Those little eyebrows lift and twitch at the thought of this obviously crazy.. construct leaving Knowhere, and Cosmo has to ask, "Where are you from, Sushi?" It might help in terms of getting the construct back...

Peter Quill has posed:
Indeed, it look like Peter is very much on the verge of launching into an explanation of just where you can find someone or someones walking around in just a collar, even here on Knowhere . But he apparently thinks better of it. But he knows. Oh yes, he knows. Mouth half-open,. turning Rocket's way, he abruptly gives a shake of his head and turns back towards the meeting of two very different but oddly similar beings next to him.

The intensity. It's easy to forget just how intense the Space Corgi can be, but Peter slowly lowers his hands as the source of Sushi's indignation becomes a little clearer. And for once, someone's beef isn't with him. It makes for a novel -- and welcome -- change really and that faint smirk starts to play across his features once more.

"There's nothing wrong with Cosmo," Peter asserts in agreement with Knwhere's Chief of Security. "Dogs are a species. Actually they come from Earth so if you're travelling that way you'll probably run into some. Most don't talk though. Either outloud or in your head," he notes. Which might be why they're considered man's best friend actually.

"If you're still interested in heading that way, I'm sure we can get you the coordinates. We'll definitely have them back on the Milano," Peter notes, that smirking visage turning towards Rocket once more. "Actually, I was thinking that we should head that way ourselves, sometime in the near future. I came across a little tidbit of information. 'Bout an Earth game. I really, really think Rocket should see it first hand," he says, at least making an effort to wipe that smirk aside. Not a successful effort, but an effort none the less.

Sushi has posed:
    Sushi actually stays quiet long enough to listen to the explanations given. He >can< be taught! He waits patiently, and attempts to process the fact that dogs apparently have very similar heads to his own people, but everything else is all... Quadrupedal. Also, most of them don't talk!? That is >so sad< that Sushi >almost doesn't react to Rocket's questioning of his name<. Puffing himself back up, Sushi turns to look at the 'uplifted' raccoon with a half-confused and half-offended expression. He doesn't yell this time, just looks and sounds very put-off, as he explains, "'Sushi' is Sushi's human-given name, given by the human Peter Quill. The Sushi is Sushi's title, given by Sushi, just like The Star-Lord is Peter Quill's title, given by Peter Quill. This is Sushi's power suit, not humie suit. Sushi's numerical designation is 5U541." It seems that Sushi thinks it incredible he even needs to explain this to Rocket, given that Rocket's Sushi-given title is 'The Rocket'. This should all be very obvious! For shame! But he does go on to explain to Cosmo about his homeworld. "The Corginauts come from a very good and great world, a place we call, 'The Best Planet'." He sounds proud of himself for having come from such a noble-sounding place.

    Still, he can't keep talking about himself ALL the time. Probably. With a nod, Sushi says, "Very well! Sushi acknowledges dogs as normal for dogs! They are not the same as the Corginauts, just like Rocket is not the same as the Corginauts. No matter how well-manifacured his fur, he is definitely not a Space Corgi. Probably." He eyes Rocket skeptically. Then all his attention is riveted on Quill thanks to that good news. If he had a tail, it might be wagging right now, but he does not, so it doesn't.

    He hops-to feet spread apart hands clenched into fists as he barks out, "Excellent! The Star-Lord once again reveals why he is the trusted follower of the mighty Sushi! Are all humans so clever as to make records of coordinates? The Sushi hopes that it is so, as this will make protecting them much easier!"

    It seems like, just as quickly as Sushi is to get upset, he's also just as quick to forgive and forget. He has already moved on from the topic of tracking down dog-mutilators and asks, "Brave Cosmo! Brilliant Rocket! The Sushi will allow you to join our expedition to the Earth to find more humans! And perhaps Cosmo will be able to reunite with her fellow dogs!"

    Sushi straightens up and wipes some moisture from his eye. "It will be a great heroic deed to bring back together the humans and the dogs. Is this why The Sushi feels such a strange kinship with Peter Quill?" Depends on his actual origins, but it could be that some canine bonding instincts are still part of Sushi's make-up and he is just naturally predisposed to hanging out with humans and creatures that also are friendly to humans. Like raccoons, dogs, cats, horses... Trees...

Rocket has posed:
"That's where you're wrong, Cosmo," Rocket puts in. "And you too, Quill. We all got something wrong with us. That's why most of us call this place home in some way. We don't fit in anywhere else. It's just a matter of how messed up we are and how we deal with it." What's this? A moment of introspection from someone known to choose violence first over other methods of dealing with a problem?

He keeps a very watchful eye on Quill, knowing him well enough by now to understand there are things the Earther would enjoy saying, only to exhibit a little self-control instead.

After that, he scoffs at the one known as Star-Lord. "Oh, yeah, sure. Let him on the Milano. Then when things start going crazier than usual, I'll remind you of what caused it this time." Attention turns back Sushi's way, a toothy smile forming. "Unless you know how to be a good dog."

Upon hearing Sushi's explanation of his name, his expression takes on one of frustrated confusion before he starts to make a few gestures with a hand. Not /those/ gestures. "Uh, Quill? Are you telling me you called him Sushi because that's what his..designation kinda spells out? I am /so/ glad I didn't let you name me."

Only, somewhere in the middle of all of Sushi's words, he simply stops paying attention. One can almost see the proverbial switch being flipped. Instead, he's giving Quill a look of heavy skepticism. "What Earth game? Why are you smiling like that? I know that look. You're about to say something that's gonna make me want to shoot someone."

As if that takes much.

Cosmo has posed:
<<"Is it wise for Sushi to leave this world? Perhaps it should see a doctor first?">> Cosmo sets her deep brown eyes over to Quill, the fuzzy golden face looking at him meaningfully in that single person communication. Is that a bit of dubiousness in her message 'tone'? Probably. The fact that Sushi does have a homeworld and it doesn't appear that he'd been.. forcibly removed from it or escaped specific detainment therein does make her feel a little bit better, but not by much.

The Chief of Security of this fine world stands up from her 'sit' and turns to look at Rocket as he makes his own pronouncement, though her gaze flickers towards Sushi, letting it linger there. "There is nothing wrong with me. I am better than I was, and now am able to communicate with the world and not reduce to barking in the hope that someone will understand me." The flickering of her collar gives a veritable light show. "Now, there is no question." The lab mix isn't usually this verbose, but perhaps it's also Quill's fault. Everything falls on those shoulders anyway.

"If you go, I should like to accompany. Earth may need my help."

Peter Quill has posed:
Is any of this a good idea? Who knows. It's not that Peter Quill is strictly adverse to having a plan. It's not that he absolutely loves making things up as he goes along. It just tends to happen that way. And really, he's pretty okay with that. It tends to work out in the end after all.

More or less.

Flashing a reassuring smile down at Cosmo, Peter gives a shrug of his shoulders that might not be quite so reassuring. "It will be fine." His tone is one of absolute convinction. Past experience might lessen the impact of those words. "Besides," he adds, lowering his voice a little, "Do you think there's any doctor -- even in a place like this -- that is gonna take him on as a patient?" he murmurs. It is probably a fair statement. Probably.

Stepping away from Knowhere's Chief of Security he moves over to the Corgi-headed spacefarer, clapping a hand on his armored shoulder in a comraderly fashion. "Excellent. Glad to have you with us on this little jaunt. This is gonna be great. A good time will be had by all. I'm sure many heroic deeds will be done on Earth too. Really build up our rep," he says with that same self-assurance.

Things might not bode so well for the ol' homestead. Especially when Rocket gets through with him.

Whatever his original business was in this shady part of Knowhere, it's not going to happen now. Not with the crowd he's drawn in so he turns back towards Rocket, the grin on his face entirely too self-congratulatory. "You worry too much. Trust me," he says. Which is probably the worst possible thing he could say. But then that is par for the course between them.

"You're gonna love it. There's a little city back not that far from where I was born, relatively speaking anyway. The game is like the national pastime of my old home. I don't want to spoil it all, but the team is practically named after you. They must have heard about your exploits," he says, his tone way too sugary sweet. "Let me do this for you bud. You deserve it," he insists, striding past as if he considers it a done deal.

"I'll go check and see if all the supplies are stowed and then we can be off," he says, calling back over his shoulder.

Oh, it will be a trip to remember. Yes it will.

Hopefully the inevitable destruction can be kept to a minimum.

Rocket has posed:
"Well, it's about flarking time someone appreciated my genius for what it is," Rocket says in response to Quill's tease of information, without really giving him any actual details about it.

The payoff? They all get to see him practically puff up with pride, or maybe ego. Probably ego. "I might have to admit there's something else good about your planet besides the TV shows and some of the food."

With that said, he excuses himself without much fanfare for anyone or anything else, merely adding, "You flarknards can keep yammerin' away. I'm gonna go find something to eat." He trots off in the general direction of their usual watering hole. Who knows what method of procurement he'll make use of this time.

Earth may need more than Cosmo's help, though.