>>1022764
I support the leftmost option of these two

Suggestion 2022/02/08(Tue)03:10 No. 1022766 ID: 96c896
File 164431865430.png - (98.73KB , 512x512 , black-cloak.png )

1000% less suspicious.

Suggestion 2022/02/08(Tue)03:50 No. 1022768 ID: 96c896
File 164432103175.png - (101.97KB , 512x512 , granny.png )

My, what big teeth you have.

Yineeo 2022/02/08(Tue)16:26 No. 1022802 ID: f3de18
File 164436640861.png - (202.58KB , 764x759 , image_2022-02-08_192159.png )

"Hello, fellow human! It is I, Jerry from Research and Development, and NOT an alien from the glorious planet of Pluto! Take me to your head manager!

Psst... it's actually me, Jerry. I'm just testing out my Halloween costume for when it comes. Pretty spooky getup I got going on here, huh?"

M-bot 2022/02/09(Wed)05:36 No. 1022850 ID: bd0512
File 164441378212.png - (777.57KB , 513x517 , New Bitmap Image.png )

The key to any act of espionage is confidence. That and maybe a clipboard. With enough confidence, you can go anywhere they don't mind people with big sharp teeth.

I don't wanna draw it because it's super boring, but:
what about a raincoat? Pick one that's a darker color.

M-bot 2022/02/14(Mon)00:37 No. 1023449 ID: bd0512
File 164482785589.png - (42.57KB , 866x558 , nothing.png )

Nothing

Anlo 2022/02/21(Mon)15:58 No. 1024228 ID: 34c58c
File 164548793456.gif - (51.78KB , 512x512 , MAIN 25.gif )

Whatever you're doing in there, Planeless, knock it off. It feels weird.

Alright, well, this will have to do. Mobility might be a bit of a problem, but I won't have to run as much anyway if this disguise works out.

>>1024228
b e h i n d y o u

Jump forward!

1/2 Anlo 2022/02/23(Wed)00:48 No. 1024327 ID: 34c58c
File 164560612805.png - (198.80KB , 512x512 , MAIN 26.png )

Woosh

So, that doesn't look like a human. What is it?
What should we do with them, I wonder... could they tell you're a demon, up this close? Letting them live could be a liability in that case. You seemed like you didn't want to kill anyone though.

What are your feelings right now? You could try to intimidate them into keeping quiet. Seems awkward in a position of power to do something like bribe them into silence but that option IS possible I suppose. Alternatively you could just bash them around a bit and leave...

I say interrogate them a little bit, find out who they are, maybe get some info about if anyone knows you're here yet. For a solution to them blabbing, I'd go for intimidation.

>>1024328
just offer to pay, say your sorry for stealing but you're desperate for help

Throw Abomination into a clothes rack, removing their grip of the bat and hopefully tangling them in clothes.
Fashion a straight-jacket using a normal jacket, add the float rune, watch them writhe in air within a prison of cheap fabric.
During all this, ensure he never has more than a second to see your face, you don't want him committing your face to memory and recognizing you later, you should be fine if he remembers what you're wearing, given it's incredibly generic aside from the skirt.

>>1024330
I go against interrogating, there's nothing we need to know from this guy, and staying to interrogate is more risk than it's worth, whether he has backup or not we should automatically assume somebody is coming either way.

OH right, it's a Corruption. Hmm. Well, that doesn't say much about their temperament.

I'm sorry to barge uninvited, but I needed the clothes so that people won't try to exploit me, I'm sure you'll understand.

Hey, free bat!

Anlo 2022/02/25(Fri)15:00 No. 1024665 ID: 34c58c
File 164583005625.png - (102.84KB , 512x512 , MAIN 28.png )

>>1024330
>I say interrogate them a little bit, find out who they are, maybe get some info about if anyone knows you're here yet. For a solution to them blabbing, I'd go for intimidation.

"You think y—"
"Ah, I'm sorry, man. I just needed more time to look for my book."

???

"If you come back in, like, twenty minutes, I promise I won't be here to try and hit you with a bat again, and you can grab your keys or wallet or whatever it was you left here."

>>1024665
Why the bat in the first place?!

ask if he needs help finding his book? you don't really care if it's something embarrassing like a porno mag or something.

Anlo 2022/02/28(Mon)19:41 No. 1025055 ID: 34c58c
File 164610607276.png - (169.97KB , 512x512 , MAIN 29.png )

>>1024668
"Why the bat in the first place?!"

"Well, I had assumed that, if you valued your continued employment, you would attempt to prevent me from trespassing and thieving. Incapacitating you would ensure I had additional time to do so."

Okay, so, clearly he doesn't work here, and he doesn't know that neither do I.

"I was leaving!"
"I panicked."

He's light, but not that light. My arm is starting to get tired. Should I take the bat or let him have it? It might be good way to make a quick friend if I help him out, here.

Having a friend in the city would be very useful. Help a fellow criminal out.

Let him know you don't work here, and were just stealing clothes for modesty. You wouldn't turn your nose up at some company though.

Anlo 2022/03/14(Mon)21:08 No. 1026287 ID: 34c58c
File 164731732411.png - (169.60KB , 512x512 , MAIN 30.png )

>>1025060
>Having a friend in the city would be very useful. Help a fellow criminal out.

Alright, I guess I'm trusting him with the bat. I set him down.

"That is better, thank you."

>>1025067
>Let him know you don't work here, and were just stealing clothes for modesty.

"I don't actually work here. I just came to nab some nicer clothes than a pair of torn shorts."
"Why don't you just buy them?"

...

"You said something about a book?"
"The only one of its kind. It's very important to me."
"...And it's in a thrift store."
"The one who sold it to the store was a heartless bitch that, were I a more violent sort, I would vow to annihilate with all the prejudice and fury of the sun."
"You tried to hit me with a bat. "
"I panicked."
"Right. Well, I'm going to help you look for it."
"That's a very strange reaction to nearly getting a bat to the back of the head."
"It's been a strange couple days."

>>1026287
So, let's look in the main office first.

The book section might be the best place to look, along with getting some nike shoes from the shoe section.

Anlo 2022/08/06(Sat)23:57 No. 1040252 ID: fcfe1a
File 165985543330.png - (255.64KB , 512x512 , MAIN 31.png )

"How long were you looking for?"
"Not long. You showed up shortly after I broke in."

>>1026310
>The book section might be the best place to look.

All the books look like they're kept in a small section of these shelves. Though it looks like it's treated more as a loose suggestion than a dedicated area. A duck-shaped tea pot, in particular, stands out amongst the books.

"What am I looking for, here?"
"It's an antique. There's no title. It's a little chewed up around the edges. I should say it's less of a book and more a... Glorified notebook slash journal, I suppose."

With a description that specific, I'm sure we'll find it in no time.

"What's your name?"
"Surrogate."
"Where's that come from?"
"It's how the sorcerer referred to me. I couldn't recall my name from before, so I hung on to that word in its stead. What about you?"
"Anlo."
"What's that mean?"

>>1040252
Oh, does he think you're an experiment too?
Just say you don't know. Just a name.

Are you throwing the books on the floor?! Please treat them with more respect. You shouldn't even need to take them off the shelf...
Ask what color the book is, and how big it is. Is there a title on the spine?

"Anlo dese nutz! Gottem!"

(1/3) Anlo 2022/08/17(Wed)18:15 No. 1041120 ID: 4dda50
File 166078535742.png - (253.56KB , 512x512 , MAIN 32.png )

>>1040255
>Oh, does he think you're an experiment too?
With any luck.

>Just say you don't know. Just a name.
"I don't know. It's just a name."

>Are you throwing the books on the floor?! Please treat them with more respect. You shouldn't even need to take them off the shelf...
I do need to take them off the shelf because I need to see the whole thing to check for the scant few distinguishing features I've been told. While I might actually like to read one of these some time, I don't much feel like fiddling trying to get them back on this cluttered shelf, because I want to get out of here as quickly as possible. Speaking of which,

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to actually help do the thing you came here to do?"
"I feel perfectly comfortable standing whilst talking to you."
"What? No, the book! Finding the book!"
"Oh! Yeah. Well, you looked like you were really into it. I didn't want to take away from that experience."
"Oh my god. Just help me look, alright?"

(2/3) Anlo 2022/08/17(Wed)18:16 No. 1041121 ID: 4dda50
File 166078535973.png - (251.97KB , 512x512 , MAIN 33.png )

>Ask what color the book is, and how big it is. Is there a title on the spine?
That might help narrow it down, at least. But I already know there's no title; he just said as much.
"What color and size is it?"
"Blue, decorated in rich brown and gold, and of approximately this same size."

(3/3) Anlo 2022/08/17(Wed)18:16 No. 1041122 ID: 4dda50
File 166078536438.gif - (483.05KB , 512x512 , MAIN 34.gif )

...Something tells me this is what he's looking for.

And whatever hazards to your mental health reading it may pose is not what you're looking for, so let Surrogate have the book full of fucked up shit.

>>1041122
Can you read it? Flip through it before handing it over.

(1/2) Anlo 2022/08/23(Tue)04:08 No. 1041616 ID: e9163f
File 166125289966.gif - (892.09KB , 512x512 , MAIN 35.gif )

"Oh! That's the book! Gimmie!"
>>1041159
>Can you read it? Flip through it before handing it over.
Half of this is gibberish and the other half is demented. It's not really worth reading other than for idle fascination. There is a drawing here of some weird medical looking thing with a rune on it, though. I could probably replicate that.

Anlo has learned a new rune. It will be referred to as l5 so long as you don't know what it does.

"Egh! Give it here! Nyegh! Eh!"

(2/2) Anlo 2022/08/23(Tue)04:08 No. 1041617 ID: e9163f
File 166125293474.png - (254.69KB , 512x512 , MAIN 36.png )

>>1041131
>And whatever hazards to your mental health reading it may pose is not what you're looking for, so let Surrogate have the book full of fucked up shit.

Yeah, I see no reason to hold on to it. His enthusiasm to get it is kind of cute, actually... Aside from the weird stuff inside.
Anlo hands Surrogate the book, and he quickly presses it to his chest.

"Thank you! In being taller and less meticulous than I, you've saved me considerable time, something we all have precious little of."
That's, um... I think that's a compliment? I'll be honest, half the time I can hardly tell what he's saying.

"Alright, let's get out of here before somebody sees us rooting around."

Yeah let's go, but put the books back first.

A compliment means you're friends. Friends share with other friends.
See if you can convince Surrogate to tell you why he wants the book so bad.

(1/2) Anlo 2022/08/27(Sat)22:26 No. 1042042 ID: f62372
File 166166438240.gif - (57.62KB , 512x512 , Main 37.gif )

>>1041636
>Yeah let's go, but put the books back first.
...Fine. Just—

There. Books back on the shelf. Happy now?

(2/2) Anlo 2022/08/27(Sat)22:27 No. 1042043 ID: f62372
File 166166443266.png - (247.86KB , 512x512 , MAIN 38.png )

>>1041650
>A compliment means you're friends. Friends share with other friends.
>See if you can convince Surrogate to tell you why he wants the book so bad.

"So, what's so special about that book, anyway?"
"It's a keepsake from my progenitor. I escaped, and I swiped his journal on the way out for all the trouble. I hope he lost his mind looking for it, and that was what eventually did him in. Either that or that he blamed it on that fat tethered minion of his. Those were sleepless nights when he was left to see to me... Hard to believe that was a whole sixty-nine years ago, but I guess you never forget your origins."
"I know what you mean."
In the vaguest sense.

On the immortal plane, time all just kind of blends together. I recall new immortals just sort of... Being there, from time to time. Same template, different body, every one of them.

"In any case, it is a symbol of my freedom, my strife, and my place in this world."

Surrogate stops.

"What's up?"
"Well... I fear if I bring it back to where I live, it would simply be pawned off once more. I'm not quite sure what I should do with it."

>>1042042
Well, at least they're not on the floor...

>>1042043
Why is he living somewhere that he can't keep the book safe? Sounds like a change in living arrangements is in order.

Where does he live?
Better question, can he live with you? He's cute!

Do you have a sofa they can crash on? It might be a good way to learn more about their book too.

>>1042043
Eat it. Eat the book.

Anlo 2022/09/04(Sun)03:54 No. 1042823 ID: b51cca
File 166228888301.png - (247.91KB , 512x512 , MAIN 39.png )

>>1042044
>Why is he living somewhere that he can't keep the book safe? Sounds like a change in living arrangements is in order.

>>1042066
>Where does he live?
>Better question, can he live with you? He's cute!

"Where are you living now, anyway?"
"Down at ground level. One of the back rooms at The Nest."

Eesh. It's rough down there.

"What's The Nest?"
"It's a bar. A relic from before Prarister City grew in verticality. I don't have the skills to actually work there, but the proprietor tries to look out for everyone down there. Even vagabond nobodies, such as myself."
"Listen, I have a nice secluded spot up in the towers. If you want to stay with me I could actually use the company."
"I suspect that you have ulterior motives, considering I have yet to contribute anything of value to you, and supporting my presence would not be an insignificant burden."
"It could just be because you're cute."
"Oh."

"I have had enough experience whoring myself out to strangers to know I can't live that way. The back room would still be preferable."

OH RUNES, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!

Can immortals even do that? Sex?
There's probably no way to convince him at this point, just drop it and carry on.

Cute as in adorable. You seem fun to be around and two immortals guarding your book is better than one.

Unless you think squatting there is too risky, that is. We can still try to keep in contact, otherwise.

>>1042823
Maybe it's better to just exchange contact information.

>>1042823
No real good way to dig yourself out of this one.
Just apologize for the comment and see if their open to exchanging contact information instead.

Giving up remarkably quickly here, when just saying that's not what we meant is on the table. In fact, Anlo can honestly say they forgot the other sort of companionship existed.

Anlo 2022/09/28(Wed)00:32 No. 1044917 ID: f76ec1
File 166435036349.png - (247.89KB , 512x512 , MAIN 40.png )

>>1042837
>Cute as in adorable.

"Err, I didn't mean it like that! Cute as in adorable!" "Oh." "Or, uh, not adorable, not like you're a pet, but—" "I um, don't—... Like, that's maybe my fault for—" "Yeah, no, I'm— I didn't even realize that was... Like, something people might ask you." "Usually when people say something like that, that's what they're attempting to, uh..."

>>1042929
>No real good way to dig yourself out of this one.
>Just apologize for the comment and see if their open to exchanging contact information instead.
Oh runes. It's fucked. It's so fucked. I have immediately torched this interaction.

>>1043873
>Giving up remarkably quickly here, when just saying that's not what we meant is on the table. In fact, Anlo can honestly say they forgot the other sort of companionship existed.
Alright, it's fine, I didn't actually ask him to sleep with me... Figuratively, anyway. He can't fault me for that, right?

"Ahem... Look man, I'm just trying to help. It's not the Ritz or anything, it's a place to stay. It's legitimately the least I can do, so... The offer's still open."
"...Yes, I suppose the book would still be safer in the reach of a stranger than a known villain."
"Cool. Are you gonna need anything else, or...?"
"No, this is just about the extent of my possesions. Though I do know some people that I would like to inform about my relocation."
"Got it."

Right, how am I going to do this, and in what order...?
Surrogate needs to go talk to people, I need to get fed, and I need to show Surrogate where I'm staying.

While we're at it, offer to sleep with Surrogate. In a friendly way, not a business way.

>>1044917
Seems most expedient for you to show him where your place is, then part ways so you can get some food (preferably by finding a netherbound) and he can go talk to folks.

Actually hang on, are Netherbound able to feed you without dying? They're people too, on this plane. I am aware most Immortals have trouble with that concept.
Hmm, I don't think we asked, what's Surrogate's likely reaction if he finds out you're an Immortal? I wonder if you could ask him where to find an ethical source of sustenance.

>>1044918
Probably not a good idea!

Anlo 2022/10/08(Sat)23:16 No. 1045923 ID: 12e5d5
File 166529617670.png - (185.88KB , 512x512 , MAIN 41.png )

>>1044922
>Seems most expedient for you to show him where your place is, then part ways so you can get some food (preferably by finding a netherbound) and he can go talk to folks.

Sounds like a plan.

>Actually hang on, are Netherbound able to feed you without dying? They're people too, on this plane. I am aware most Immortals have trouble with that concept.

Yeah, they don't ever just conk out right then and there like humans do. They never minded on the immortal plane, and other than being fussy I don't think it's a big deal here, either. I've never come back to check, but I have no reason to believe they don't survive.

>Hmm, I don't think we asked, what's Surrogate's likely reaction if he finds out you're an Immortal? I wonder if you could ask him where to find an ethical source of sustenance.

Best case scenario, he's sympathetic, and understands why going back to the immortal plane is not an option. Worst case, he acts like he's sympathetic, until he has an opportunity to call the cult hunters without me knowing, I get blind-sided, and then I'm stuck back on the immortal plane, waiting for another cult to splice the planes somewhere near me for likely decades, and hoping that they don't immediately end up killing me after I step through.

Needless to say, I'd rather he just not know.

"Alright, I've got some errands to run, so how about I show you where I'm staying, and then we can go do what we each have to do?"
"Very well. Do you have transportation?"
"No, I walked here."
"As did I. I suppose that it will be a long night, then. After we arrive, I urge you to prepare a bed or closet, as it will be quite late for me by the time I return."

>>1045923
Well, you do have a mattress... did you have a closet?

So uh, ask him who he usually hangs out with.

Anlo 2022/10/12(Wed)18:38 No. 1046355 ID: 8a5961
File 166562511882.png - (207.52KB , 512x512 , MAIN 42.png )

>>1045927
>Well, you do have a mattress... did you have a closet?

Yeah, I think so. I've only got the one mattress so either we're going to have to share, or someone's taking the closet.
...Er, wait a second.

"Closet?"
"Very well."
"Wha— No, I mean like, who sleeps in a closet?"
"I have taken up the habit, as many of those I have sought habitation with did not have adequate space, and I found they were more inclined to agree if they knew they did not need to dedicate any significant part of it to me."
"So being as small as you are lets you ask for places most people don't normally think of as sleeping spaces?"
"Essentially, yes."
"Huh. Well, not to worry, I have plenty of space. There's jack-all in the apartment. Basically, I've got a mattress and some food. That's about it."
"That sounds more than a little spartan. Do you not have clothes? Toiletries? Cookware? Cleaning supplies?"
"Nope. I kinda live my life outside the place."
"Hm. Perhaps I shall seek to remedy this in the coming days."

Oh, there's somebody.
"Hey."
"Hey."

>So uh, ask him who he usually hangs out with.

"So who are these people, anyway? Who do you normally hang around?"
"Other rejects, to put it succinctly. Many corruptions are too foreign for the humans to accept. Many untethered too threatening. Even among the humans, those who are not fully in control of their faculties, or simply lack capital, wind up at ground level eventually. I try not to associate with those who are cast away for good reason, but most are still fine people. They just have an excess of problems to surmount."
"So why do you live there?"
"A lack of talent, and consequently, a lack of capital, like I mentioned."

>>1046355
Money, right. What kind of jobs are there around here?

>>1046361
Better question, what kind of jobs are there that you can actually do?

Anlo 2022/10/28(Fri)16:08 No. 1047709 ID: 45e926
File 166699853149.png - (125.94KB , 512x512 , MAIN 43.png )

>>1046361
>Money, right. What kind of jobs are there around here?
>>1046447
>Better question, what kind of jobs are there that you can actually do?

I think you're asking the wrong person.
I've seen some papers with stuff asking for help on a number of jobs. I couldn't tell you what the vast majority of them are about, though. They all have weird, complicated names. It seems like a lot of people in Prarister City work at Allyn-Wright. I've even heard that there are immortals living and working there. I don't really know why they want me gone, but not them, but judging by the fact that people will call the cult hunters at the first sight of me, and I still haven't seen another immortal, they probably don't let them out into the city.

"I think we can solve that."
"Anlo, I'm nearly seventy. I've had all the time in the world to learn just how little I'm capable of."
"Yeah, but that was before you met me."
"I do not see how that would have an impact on my own otherwise immutable skill."

Some time passes. Anlo thinks about how the next few days are going to go while they make small-talk with Surrogate.

"This is the place."
"Somehow, I could not picture how barren it was before seeing it for myself."
"Alright, I get it, I've got no shit."
"It was merely an observation."
"If you want any of the food, have at it. I eat out."
"You do not strike me as the type to have the budget that that would necessitate. You were stealing clothes from the very first instance I saw you."
"Do you really want to know all the things I do to survive?"

...

I swear to god, if he's about to say yes—
"Perhaps a little bit."
"No, Surrogate. The correct answer is no."
"Well, seeing as you are lacking in luxuries, I will attempt to find something soft to sleep on while I am away... Unless the matress is not in use because you sleep like a bat or something."

You're keeping the mattress, it's your house (sortof). Also you're bigger, you need something bigger to sleep on.

>Allyn-Wright
Huh, have you ever spoken to anyone there? Maybe they have some way of marking Immortals that are willing to blend in with society, and you're not marked, thus considered a "wild" Immortal who isn't indoctrinated. Though that begs the question of how the Immortals allied with that faction managed to get that way without being killed first.

Might be worth tracking someone there down and begging for help.

Do you have a spare blanket or pillow to lend out? Or some clean(-ish) clothes that he could ball up and use instead?

Otherwise, do you or Surrogate have any immediate plans of what you want to do?

Anlo 2022/11/05(Sat)00:41 No. 1048502 ID: 863727
File 166763406610.png - (100.56KB , 512x512 , MAIN 44.png )

>>1047713
>You're keeping the mattress, it's your house (sort of). Also you're bigger, you need something bigger to sleep on.
"Nah, hanging from the ceiling all day sounds exhausting. The mattress is mine."
"All day? Are you nocturnal?"
"What's that mean?"
"Do you sleep through the day, rather than the night?"
"I do right now."
"I see. I believe this form of mine lacks a preference for time of day when it comes to sleep. It changes as I require."

>Huh, have you ever spoken to anyone [at Allyn-Wright?] Maybe they have some way of marking Immortals that are willing to blend in with society, and you're not marked, thus considered a "wild" Immortal who isn't indoctrinated. Though that begs the question of how the Immortals allied with that faction managed to get that way without being killed first.
>Might be worth tracking someone there down and begging for help.
The whole reason immortals aren't allowed to just walk around is because of the risk of making dark sorcerers. And it's always a risk, because humans will find some way to fuck up the idea of "don't treat someone like trash" if given enough time. Dark sorcerers weren't even a thing until immortals started appearing on the mortal plane. If the rumors about the lab are true and they're smart, they must keep the immortals well away from the humans and exits, and that doesn't sound like a life I'd be down for.

...Yeah, I know, I'm not making myself sound very endearing, putting people in danger, but I need to do this. The mortal plane is like a drug. It's the first time I've felt like I'm living, and I'm not going to give that up for anything. And to put the immortal plane into perspective, there aren't any humans there because the second they step foot on it, the very aura of the plane itself makes them sad, and they just turn around. Immortals don't feel it, but after being here for a while I can tell exactly why it would have that effect.

>>1047962
>Do you have a spare blanket or pillow to lend out? Or some clean(-ish) clothes that he could ball up and use instead?
I have those two cloth tubes that used to be the legs of my pants. I think they'd be a little tight as a sleeping bag, even for him. I'd rather not, but I could live without the pillow if push comes to shove.

...Oh, dammit, we were just leaving the thrift store when this came up! Surrogate can't be sapping my brains, can he?

"Alright, well now that you know where we're staying, I'm gonna head out. If you're heading back in the other direction, maybe you can pick up something to sleep on from that thrift store."
"From what I recall, they don't sell beds."
"So? Just grab whatever's soft."

Now to find food for myself.

>>1048502
Right. So where can we look?

Anlo 2023/01/06(Fri)00:45 No. 1053343 ID: 35160b
File 167299472456.png - (118.03KB , 512x512 , MAIN 45.png )

>>1048503
>Right. So where can we look?

Pretty much anywhere in the city.

I haven't seen many netherbound in the city. I've seen them occasionally in places of industry, and in the residential and recreational areas near Allyn-Wright. I think this is because they make good, low-maintenance laborers. The latter might be risky, though, since it's harder to hide around there, and cult hunters have a stronger grip.

If I wanted to practice my skills of deception, I could try finding a cult at ground level or the apartments, or maybe venture outside the city and look there. I can actually smell humans messing with splicing rituals for miles if the air is clean, so finding one shouldn't be much of a problem if I put my nose to it. Still, all the cultists I've met range from the weird to the deranged. They might even be trying to summon an immortal specifically to torture them and become dark sorcerers, so I'd be like an early Christmas present to them, and that means I could be the catalyst for the next dark sorcerer, since cult hunters can't track them down if they never splice the planes.

...You know what, let's start with the netherbound. Maybe if I'm lucky I can make a friend and stop having to worry about this. Probably not the same one I feed from today, though. I really want to make sure they wouldn't rat me out before they learn I'm an immortal, and sucking out seep magic from them would be a dead giveaway.

>>1053343
Sure, let's try the industrial complex. How about the docks?

Let's check out some industry

(1/2) Anlo 2023/01/21(Sat)01:40 No. 1054296 ID: 35160b
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>>1053523
>Let's check out some industry
>>1053346
>How about the docks?

The... Docks? I don't think I've seen anything like that. Some of the larger businesses have places where they load stuff onto and off of trucks. That sounds a bit similar to what you suggested.

Some time elapses as Anlo travels through the city once more.

Hm... That place should work. Looks busy. I'll wait here and see if I can spot a netherbound.

(2/2) Anlo 2023/01/21(Sat)01:40 No. 1054297 ID: 35160b
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So, what's your deal? Not that I'm the best judge of ambiguous disembodied voices, but you seem kind of... Aimless, I guess. Like, so far you've really just been trying to be helpful, and a little bit into Surrogate, I think? Which is just about the last thing I'd figure some collective magic brain invader would want to do. What do you all really want? From me, and just in general.

>>1054297
I want to explore.

most of us just want to look around, which usually involves keeping you alive and well

To be honest, a decent amount of us are sexually frustrated. It's not easy being a disembodied voice. That's why we want to live vicariously through others along those lines.

>>1054311

To add to this... what sorts of entities can you feed on without it being long-term harmful to them? What are the exact scenarios where this happens, and how does it work? What does it look/feel like for each? Humans (for example) often have mythology about entities feeding on them somehow without killing them, which tend to vary from 'horrible' to 'wow that power difference sexy as fuck' depending on how the folklore is swinging this particular decade. There are the right type of niche clubs and subcultures where people who would WANT that gather, if you can make the act appropriately glamorous and combine it with appropriate sexual signalling. And I can't imagine that OTHER social sapient entities wouldn't have subcultures with similar norms, if only via cultural osmosis?

Anlo 2023/01/25(Wed)03:18 No. 1054665 ID: 804a27
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>>1054301
>Most of us just want to look around, which usually involves keeping you alive and well.
I mean, it's still kind of weird that—

>>1054311
>To be honest, a decent amount of us are sexually frustrated. It's not easy being a disembodied voice. That's why we want to live vicariously through others along those lines.
>>1054316
>To add to this... what sorts of entities can you feed on without it being long-term harmful to them? What are the exact scenarios where this happens, and how does it work? What does it look/feel like for each? Humans (for example) often have mythology about entities feeding on them somehow without killing them, which tend to vary from 'horrible' to 'wow that power difference sexy as fuck' depending on how the folklore is swinging this particular decade. There are the right type of niche clubs and subcultures where people who would WANT that gather, if you can make the act appropriately glamorous and combine it with appropriate sexual signalling. And I can't imagine that OTHER social sapient entities wouldn't have subcultures with similar norms, if only via cultural osmosis?

...

Uh...
Wow. Okay. Not sure how I feel about all this...
Er, but it's just humans and netherbound. It'll kill a human outright. It's not like I can take just a little bit of soul, and unless they're some sort of sorcerer's abomination, like a corruption, they won't live without it. If I had to guess, I'd say soul-rending feels soul-rending.

My only other option is seep magic, which is abundant on the immortal plane, but around here the only place to find it is netherbound. They're made of the stuff, and taking a little is harmless. At most a little draining, I think. I guess Immortals have some, too, but it's not exactly like we have a cultural scene around here, and it just feels... Wrong.

In either case, it's like uh... Magic juice vapors getting sucked out? Need to be within about a foot of them to make it happen, but I don't need to be touching them.

Anyway, I guess it's possible there are some netherbound out there who are really into immortals feeding on them, but I don't know where I'd even start looking for that sort of thing. Plus, maybe they like it in theory, but in practice, they may be more worried about the dangers of me being on the mortal plane. I don't know; maybe there's something to this if I approach it carefully?

Hey, didn't you say you could see stuff I couldn't yesterday? Like, looking around corners or something? Since we're waiting to see a netherbound anyway, why don't we try doing some of that?

Uh... okay let's try to control it and... *swoosh over to get a closer look at the people at the docks*

Ah. So you can't take just part of a human soul. Pity. Hmmm. You meed to find the place where young (but not too young!), rebellious Netherbound hang out. There HAS to be a place like this! This city is large enough for it! What do you know about how Netherbound culture and society works, which might give us some clues?

>>1054665

Regarding the seeing stuff, there's a few parts to it. First, our perspective to you is third person, as in an illustrated book, video game, tv show, or as if we are scrying on you somehow. That said we don't have much control over the angle of the 'camera', so we might mostly get 'wall'. Maybe you could will control over our perspective? Try it, and see if you have any intuitive awareness of where we see from, or if you can see a distortion. As of right now, unless it changes by the time you get this message (theres some weird time stuff I'll go into in a bit), our camera view is a few feet in front of you and to your left. Second, our perception of time varies with relation to you. Sometimes we're faster, sometimes we're slower, sometimes we're MUCH faster, and the like. Also try willing this to follow your influence, to see what happens.

You know those stories of that supernaturally perceptive private detective that could glance at a scene and understand all that was happening in it in an instant, and make reasoned logical inferences and deductions that would take someone minutes to puzzle out? But he also had a massive drug problem so he couldn't do it reliably? Think of it like that.

Another way to look at it is that, in relation to you, we intermittently function as what is known as a 'speed superintelligence'. We're not qualitatively smarter than you, but can sometimes spend a lot of our time pondering something that you don't have time to think about because things are happening too fast on your scale.

Anyway, a good way to take advantage of these things is go to a place that is visually busy, has long sightlines, has a wide variety of things happening nearby, and spend some time looking around and mentally narrating about what you see and how that fits into what you know and what decisions you might immediately make. While that isn't guaranteed to synch perspectives, it increases the chance of that happening. That said, doing this (ie, inherently public) might have a lot of risk, so until we get a handle on the dangers of your environment, you'll need to take the lead in assessing and mitigating risks and dangers of discovery. Uh, even if you can't go someplace with lots of people, mentally giving exposition might be a useful habit to get into.

The upside of all of this is, if you get into a firefight and are taking cover, we're almost guaranteed to be incredibly helpful and useful!

>>1054675
To sum all of that up, from our perspective, time is dilated as FUCK. It doesn't happen ALL the time, but often enough. Remember our 'behind you' moment where you first caught Surrogate? That's a minor example.

>>1054720

That lacks nuance because we aren't speaking impossibly fast for them to hear, even when we have lots of time to ponder.

Anlo 2023/02/14(Tue)20:14 No. 1056158 ID: 408ca1
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>>1054675
>First, our perspective to you is third person, [...] as if we are scrying on you somehow.
>Maybe you could will control over our perspective?
>Second, our perception of time varies with relation to you. Sometimes we're faster, sometimes we're slower, sometimes we're MUCH faster, and the like.
Alright, um... I think I saw someone go behind one of those closer trucks a minute ago. If you can see them, you can tell me what they're doing, right?

>>1056158

They're leaning against the truck, with their hands at waist level. The perspective seems distorted; maybe we can't see away from you if you aren't 'in frame', perhaps. They may be holding something, it's hard to tell.

Looks like we can see clearly when something is in your line of sight, but if it isn't then it's all... wobbly. Distorted.
The guy's just leaning against the truck. Might be trying to light a cigarette.

>>1056182

Or holding a pistol in the depressed position.

A human, looking to be holding something at waist height. It's hard to tell since it seems vision that's not around you is hazy. They're either holding some kind of phone or tablet, or a gun.
Either way, you should really get out of there.

Well be glad you can't see what we're seeing because this is very nauseating. Everything is all wavy and splotchy, like a blood-kaleidoscope.
It's hard to make out, but he's wearing a coat with some kind of orange emblems on the shoulders. Whether or not he's holding something, his hands are both resting near his groin. Might just be about to take a piss. Or, uh, y'know.

(1/3) Anlo 2023/03/06(Mon)02:45 No. 1057631 ID: 969ad5
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>>1056162
>They're leaning against the truck, with their hands at waist level. The perspective seems distorted; maybe we can't see away from you if you aren't 'in frame', perhaps. They may be holding something, it's hard to tell.
>>1056182
>Looks like we can see clearly when something is in your line of sight, but if it isn't then it's all... wobbly. Distorted.
>The guy's just leaning against the truck. Might be trying to light a cigarette.
Hey, it's better than nothing. That's super cool!

>>1056287
>Well be glad you can't see what we're seeing because this is very nauseating. Everything is all wavy and splotchy, like a blood-kaleidoscope.
...And maybe just a little bit freaky.

Oh wait, something's going on.

...
"No! I can control it, just—"
Are those cult hunters?
...
"Don't touch me!"

(2/3) Anlo 2023/03/06(Mon)02:45 No. 1057632 ID: 969ad5
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"Look out!"
Kr-CRACK

(3/3) Anlo 2023/03/06(Mon)04:26 No. 1057641 ID: 969ad5
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BANG clink cla-dink

So that guy's associate executed him because he had runaway superpowers or magic or something. If the gunman notices you, you would qualify as a Loose End.

Time to make yourself scarce, yea?

Eh. There's at least one other witness. I expect that was a legal action, no need for cleanup. That said, we don't want to be near cult hunters or the resulting police presence from having to report a dead body.

Look around, see if there's anyone who's running away in a suspicious manner. If they get away, we can approach them, maybe...? ...wait, what was that big black thing in the warehouse? I wanna take a look at that.

Anlo 2024/01/30(Tue)14:12 No. 1082156 ID: 7ddd7c
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"AH!" "Jesus christ!" "What the hell, man!" "What happened!?" "Marko was a sorcerer!"
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?
Clue me the fuck in here, because I just saw big crazy blue lightning and then there was a loud bang and now that guy's dead!

>>1057645
>So that guy's associate executed him because he had runaway superpowers or magic or something. If the gunman notices you, you would qualify as a Loose End.
>Time to make yourself scarce, yea?

>>1057678
>Eh. There's at least one other witness. I expect that was a legal action, no need for cleanup. That said, we don't want to be near cult hunters or the resulting police presence from having to report a dead body.

This didn't happen because of me did it? ...Wait, they're not going to do that to me if they find me right!? I know they usually send immortals back, but what if you refuse!?
Shit, okay, yeah, I think I'm going to have to relocate to another part of the city... Mistakes like yesterday can't happen again. And now I gotta figure out what to do with Surrogate, too. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for him to get back.

>>1082156
In what way does this change your plans? It had nothing to do with you.

Let's continue watching. Maybe the aftermath can give us some clues as to their motivations and desires.

So, yea, dunno if you did the lightning thing or not. I mean, it could've been the guys superpowers or magic or whatever? That said, you witnessed a killing, whether it was legal or no. Don't draw attention to yourself, quietly make yourself scarce from here.

I agree with the previous post; staying around is a bad idea; even if you're getting hungry, the night's still young, and if you stay, it's trouble.

No way it happened because of you. They'd have to chop off your ████ or something, to use your flesh for rune casting. If they used an immortal, it was another immortal, unless you notice any conspicuously missing body parts.

The uh... blood-kaleidoscope doesn't appear except only around the netherbound you were targeting. The netherbound also has a gun, and just murdered a guy, so uh... maybe... try finding another netherbound. This one's a biiit too dangerous to approach.

Anlo 2024/04/21(Sun)22:36 No. 1089379 ID: 3d7484
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>>1082163
>So, yea, dunno if you did the lightning thing or not. I mean, it could've been the guys superpowers or magic or whatever? That said, you witnessed a killing, whether it was legal or no. Don't draw attention to yourself, quietly make yourself scarce from here.
Yeah, there's no way I did the lightning, I'm all the way over here and as far as I know I don't have any lightning powers. But whatever just happened could be because the cult hunters are riled up, and I'm definitely to blame for that.

>>1082158
>In what way does this change your plans? It had nothing to do with you.
I didn't know the cult hunters were deadly. But you're right, it can't be that much worse than being sent back. Maybe things haven't gotten as bad as I thought. It's not like they know where I'm hiding out. Yet.

>Let's continue watching. Maybe the aftermath can give us some clues as to their motivations and desires.
Yeah, alright. They're definitely going to be focused on what just happened instead of looking for someone hidden accross the gap, and the better I know my enemy, the easier it'll be to avoid them.
Alright, if I can just... Focus for a second, we did already get some clues. The cult hunters came here, and confronted that guy who died, right? I think I heard something about a sorcerer in the chaos. It's their job to keep dark sorcerers from ever getting powerful enough to cause a second catastrophe, so they were probably looking for him specifically because he was a sorcerer. I'm not quite sure what happened after that. Maybe he accidentally hit himself with the lightning?

Anlo 2024/04/21(Sun)22:36 No. 1089380 ID: 3d7484
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>>1057678
>Wait, what was that big black thing in the warehouse? I wanna take a look at that.
They came out during the commotion. Judging by the fact that they look like they're held together by nothing but pity and force of will, I'd say they're probably a corruption. More green than black, really.

And would you look at that. There's our mark. Since I can't just go right up to them right now, let's sit and watch where things go from here.

Anlo 2024/04/21(Sun)22:36 No. 1089381 ID: 3d7484
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Alright, so, the cult hunters shooed everyone away from the dead guy. Some of those people left, but the netherbound is still here, and they've been talking with the others since. Several more cars and a van, each with lots of markings and flashing lights on them arrived, and they've just put the dead sorcerer into the van. It's an awful lot of fanfare for one dead sorcerer. I'd say it was a celebration if they weren't acting so serious and had let the people who were here join in.

And now the Netherbound is on the move. I need to catch them alone and preferably far away from the cult hunters if I want to siphon some seep magic. I don't know how long I'm going to be able to keep track of them from afar; Prarister is pretty dense, with lots of places to go. How do you think I should approach this?

>>1089381
You're in disguise, so once you get a decent distance away from the incident you can start following on foot. Do that for a little while, not enough for them to get suspicious, then approach them at some opportune moment and ask to talk to them in private somewhere. Say it's about what happened on the docks, with the sorcerer. You can even claim you're working with the cult hunters.