Keep clam. Carry on. Don’t question us.

That is the message that the British government used to raise their citizen’s moral during World War II. This message was little known, but it resurfaced in 2000 and quickly gained popularity.  

I find the “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan distasteful because of the attitude of blind obedience and passiveness that it promotes. If we all keep calm and carry on, no one will stop to think, meaning that no one will question the system or how it may be improved.

"Going as well as it can go. Here- I brought these for you in return for what you're doing for us."

Tamika offers a cardboard box to the scientist- inside are a number of large, smooth stones, greenish but with spots and veins of red running through them. Bloodstones, forbidden by Strex but used by the folk of Night Vale for a variety of prayers and rituals and such, including protection.

Giving the box over, Tamika takes a seat at the table- not at the head, as it wasn't her house, but close to it. The food smells utterly delicious, especially to kids who have been living off handouts, scraps, and whatever they could find in the scrublands (the Scouts among their number were very good at finding what in the land could be lived off of, as well as the old Scouting manuals Tamika had gotten from the library and from a certain radio host). An overeager boy reaches for one of the dishes but retracts his hand at a sharp look from Tamika.

"Cool it. We wait till our host sits down. We are not the Stepford kids that the yellow bastards want us to be, but we're not animals either, not yet."

A Moveable Feast

It had taken Tamika some time to figure out the best way to choose who would be coming to Carlos’ with her. She wanted to reward her bravest, but she didn’t want anyone to be left out either. So she chose the best median- the three soldiers who had accomplished the bravest or most impressive feats that month, be it via action or a proposal or even a useful bit of research, would be chosen, and the other slots would be filled by random lottery. Names would be drawn monthly and then removed until everyone had gone at least once, and then the process would repeat.

This was agreed on by everyone, and after some deliberation and a rather tense and exciting drawing of names, the chosen throng of children slipped through the streets of Night Vale. They did not travel as a mass and did not all arrive at their destination at once, but little by little, they came.

About an hour or so after the first child arrived, the entire assemblage of raucous, war-hardened, and hungry young people were seated around Carlos the Scientist’s kitchen table.

A Moveable Feast

It had taken Tamika some time to figure out the best way to choose who would becoming to Carlos' with her. She wanted to reward her bravest, but she didn't want anyone to be left out either. So she chose the best median- the three soldiers who had accomplished the bravest or most impressive feats that month, be it via action or a proposal or even a useful bit of research, would be chosen, and the other slots would be filled by random lottery. Names would be drawn monthly and then removed until everyone had gone at least once, and then the process would repeat.

This was agreed on by everyone, and after some deliberation and a rather tense and exciting drawing of names, the chosen throng of children slipped through the streets of Night Vale. They did not travel as a mass and did not all arrive at their destination at once, but little by little, they came.

About an hour or so after the first child arrived, the entire assemblage of raucous, war-hardened, and hungry young people were seated around Carlos the Scientist's kitchen table.

                                                             the ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀ is

                                                       i’m [    ᴅαηgεяσυs    ]

                                                         &  i  m  i  g  h  t  just

                     Ｔ  Ｅ  Ａ  Ｒ     Ｙ  Ｏ  Ｕ     Ａ  Ｐ  Ａ  Ｒ  Ｔ

"Oh, for the love'a the Void... okay. Alright, hang tight, kid." Tamika gives a nod of her head, motioning for some of her stronger troops to carry the injured to safety. They were on the move a lot now. The weak were sitting ducks, she'd have to whip the little ones into shape sooner rather than later- harsh, but these were harsh times. "OKAY. Listen up and listen good. I understand you're scared. Perfectly natural to be scared, we're all in a hell of a lot of danger. But you can do one of two things- stand here and be too scared to move and let them snatch you up, or use that fear to fuel your survival instinct and DO something. We need to move out, and we need to do it now. You can come with us but we are not going to stop. We're not going to let them take us. We're not going to let them do anything. Are you in?"

(Janice) Tamika please, they're after me, I need help, we all need help, I don't want to be their pilot!!!

Don’t worry, kiddo. You’re not going to be anybody’s pilot. I want you to stick close to me for a while, okay? You’re going to be fine, but you’re going to have to keep up with me. I move fast. Can you do that?

(Janice) Tamika please, they're after me, I need help, we all need help, I don't want to be their pilot!!!

Don't worry, kiddo. You're not going to be anybody's pilot. I want you to stick close to me for a while, okay? You're going to be fine, but you're going to have to keep up with me. I move fast. Can you do that?

[Image: Anthy’s glasses folded up and abandoned on Akio’s desk next to a batch of letters from The End of the World. Chu-Chu is walking away after discarding his tie next to Anthy’s glasses.

Text: When we talk about freedom, we restrict ourselves to so few images. Images of freedom should be as liberating as the feeling itself!]

Text originally form WtNV episode 42 “Numbers”.

Calvin and Hobbes

"Alright. They'd appreciate that. Just take stock of how many you can handle and let me know when I come back with the pilot. ... I really hope you can do something for her that can translate to the troops I've lost. I've lost way too many scouts out there and no bodies've turned up- can only imagine that their brains must be yellow pudding by now."

She shakes her head, sighing. For a second she looks like the weight of the world is on her shoulders, something that shouldn't be borne by a 13 year old girl. But this was the path she took and she was certain it was the right one, and she was sticking to it. No matter how hard it got. Somebody had to fight.

"...thank you, Mr. Carlos. I'll go get the girl and bring her back as soon as possible."

Tamika, la fillette révolutionnaire

The new sandwich is ripped into as viciously as the first. Perhaps, it seems, she’s hungrier than she’s letting on.

"Thanks, Mr. Carlos. And if getting her set right you can figure out how to help everyone else who’s been mindf—"

Ooops. Best watch the language in front of Carlos. She doesn’t trust or respect most adults- for the most part, they all seemed to be doing little to nothing to fight for themselves- but for the handful she did still hold in high regard, she tried to adhere some to their sensibilities. And most adults just didn’t like to hear kids swear.

"…excuse me, mind screwed, all the better."

She looks thoughtful as he continues, offering aid to her troops. And as he speaks, Tamika actually smiles.

"You know… I think my people would like that. Can’t bring them all here at once, but maybe if I brought a few maybe once a week, if that wouldn’t be too much trouble, it’d be great for morale. I’d be more than happy to bring you bloodstones in return, if you need fresh ones."

Please reblog this if you’re a WTNV Roleplay and/or Ask Blog. This counts for Cosplay Blogs too.

How to play with a StrexPet.

Ever put one in a microwave? They scream when they burn. ... Should send a couple scouts to round up a couple of these things if possible. I wonder if they do the same thing. >:)

I get the feeling that StrexPets are Furbies. I had one once. Dad got it to train me in the fighting of dangerous fiends.

For Lovecraft’s sake… how in the name of the Void could I be your double! If I was your double, I’d be wearing a frilly yellow dress and patent leather mary janes and being a perfect happy pill popping Strexhead! Do I look like that sort of person to you? Use your damn head, sheesh!

Let’s just try to be logical here. I think I’ve seen multiple Cecils. Not doubles- multiples. Cecil Palmers from Night Vale, only different Cecil Palmers from different Night Vales. Multiverse stuff, you know, like in the Dark Tower saga.

So maybe we’re BOTH the genuine article. I mean, you’ve GOT to have read on Multiverse theory, right? If you’re me.

(Tamika) *surrepuously slides a dog-eared copy of 'Clockmaking, Steel Foundrywork, and Poultry Breeding for Beginners (3rd ed.)' under the booth door.*

Ooh, thank you. That’s just brimming with useful information, it seems.

They have taken to conducting drills out in the sand wastes; hundreds of children, shouting and moving in unison…

Because I hadn't GOT to it yet, I've been a little busy running a damn REVOLUTION here, duh. I just heard that Mr. P wanted to make a clock and I saw it on the pile and thought I'd help out by letting him borrow it!

And don't you call me a faker! For all I know you're a damn STREXBOT sent here to confuse me! IT AIN'T GONNA WORK, ROBOT.

(Tamika) *surrepuously slides a dog-eared copy of 'Clockmaking, Steel Foundrywork, and Poultry Breeding for Beginners (3rd ed.)' under the booth door.*

Ooh, thank you. That’s just brimming with useful information, it seems.

Who're you calling an impostor, impostor? And I'll have you know that book was PRE-dog eared, I nicked it from the library last time I went in for resources.

*folds arms, doom glare*

(Tamika) *surrepuously slides a dog-eared copy of 'Clockmaking, Steel Foundrywork, and Poultry Breeding for Beginners (3rd ed.)' under the booth door.*

Ooh, thank you. That’s just brimming with useful information, it seems.