Edmango 2021/07/24(Sat)09:26 No. 1006262 ID: afe7de
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If you already know the story, feel free to skip the panels stating RECAP, it’s just for those needing to catch up. It’s about 6 months of nearly daily updates, so don’t feel bad if you need a refresher. It’s also seperated into PART 1, 2, and 2.5, so you can read a specific section if you forgot what happened. You’ll get a lot of extra details that I missed in here, but the recaps more just a general overview so that you can hop right in without any prior knowledge.

PART 1 RECAP
============
CATALYST begins the morning of Wednesday May 18 in the year 2029. It’s a day like any other with our protagonist CATHERINE ALEXANDER (known by CAT for short) being driven into the town of LYST. He’s a plucky young man at the age of 25 who, for all intents and purposes, seems like a normal guy. The night before he AWAKENED to a superpower, something not too uncommon in society, but rather rare anyway. His power is to AWAKEN powers in others, although he can’t control exactly what powers he gives them, instead this is done by the AUDIENCE, you, the viewers.

Cat meets a wide variety of citizens on his journey through the city, searching for a job as he’s EXTREMELY BROKE, but not SADDLED WITH DEBT. He meets ISABELLA DALTON who recommends he visit the city hall for other jobs and eventually Cat settles into a job as a postal worker working under the rude, Half scarred, but seemingly COOL WILLAMINA HADLEE. It’s a small town, if you include the outskirts the population probably barely reaches 80 if that, so delivering mail is easy. He goes through his rounds meeting various kin of note.

ORIEL WALPOLE is the proprietor of the HAPLESS STONE, the place Cat chooses to rent a bed for the night. She likes to wear unbuttoned shirts and no bra. ANDREA BOREALIS is one of the town’s COPS, she doesent need to sleep and you find out she is AWAKENED with the power of increased stamina and lack of sleep. GENA is a mouse that lives up in the apartments, friends with WILLAMINA.

Cat eventually winds up at the RUFFLED HAUNCH brothel and meets Nail, an effeminate Catboy that tries to get you to pay for his services, unfortunately you’re broke, so you pass for now. After a day of work, you’re paid and you meet Andrea’s sister, ADRIANA BOREALIS. She’s also a cop, likes to smoke, and is a triplet to ANDREA, with their third being a mercinary in the country of WEST FLUXTOPA, a desolate wasteland that was destroyed in the third world war.

After waffling about for a bit it’s here where you test your power for the first time. On a roach in your pack, it turns out it’s the same roach you awakened previously. Your power also allows you to UPGRADE the existing power of others, so you do so on the roach, unlocking Telapthy in it. After a short freak out you learn about an underground roach kingdom in your hometown of DONJON, the dungeon city and headquarters to the HEROES GUILD. You take some notes, get your bearings, and head out to a DATE with WILLAMINA, it’s not really a date at first, more you just trying to get to know someone, but it slowly turns into one and you get to know eachother.

It’s here you learn of the the details behind WILLAMINA’S scars. She was in a terrible fire 10 years ago, losing her family and being adopted by the DALTONS. There’s beef between her and Isabella but the exact details are unclear. The night ends with you forming a nascant bond with her, but discovering an injured badger in the woods. The cops are called in and you eventually split up but at the last moment you decide to head back and try AWAKENING the badger, it works and the badger is fully healed, the implications of the exact nature of your power are unclear at this point, only that it has much more depth than you realized.

You head to the LIBARBY, a library in anything but name, meet a unicorn, and a very well endowed elf woman with 2 eyes on the side of her face rather than the normal distribution. You snoop on the fire and learn some more, TREY and GRUK, the town’s doctor and masseuse rescued her, and she saw eyes. The mystery deepens and you get to work, exploring the rest of the town as you do. You meet a tinker in the library named Rupert, he seems nice. You get a new uniform, and you meet the Mayor, Willamina’s current mother, she makes jerky and when you touch her, testing for powers, you get shocked.

You surprise the elf woman, whose name is MISS IRAPHENA and start to get the idea that she has some sort of precognitive ability, but it doesent work on you for some reason. The mystery deepens. You meet MAPLE and TONI briefly, Toni shocks you as you try to scan him for powers, but doesn’t actually hurt you, more threatens if anything whilst masking it in humor. You head to the clinic to drop off a package and meet KAZU, you remember him as the KID BROTHER to your EX GIRLFRIEND NIPHA. Well, you were more fuck buddies and friends with benefits, but it would be a lie to say you had no romantic interest in her. He’s interning for a medschool degree here in LYST.

You then meet CANNIE DALTON, sister to ISABELLA, Cannie just wants to fight and Isabella tries to get her to calm down. You notice the symbol of an eye on her arm, you later find out it’s the symbol of the NUNITUS GUILD, an information guild with potentially sinister motives. You get a SLUSHEE, meeting BOBBY SLURPS, a hippo-like kin who loves slushees. And then head back, giving WILLAMINA one of your slushees at the end of the day. You play cards with WILLAMINA whilst waiting for dinnertime and Will eventually ends up inviting you to POKER NIGHT on SUNDAY.

You find out about some CLUBS in town, notably the RATIOLATRY group meetings, they’re essentially a low tier religious cult that believes in simulation theory, only the proof they use is the overlay Awakened have and the ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEM. But it’s not actually that popular.

You eventually have a tense dinner where you’re coerced to reveal portions of your power to ISABELLA, CANNIE, and IRAPHENA, but in the process get to test them for powers. Your heart drops as you see Isabella’s she was covering herself with a shock charm of some kind, similar to her mom’s you suspect. But she has something called a DEMONIC FLAME SPIRIT and the INCARNATION OF FLAME which sends red flags flying through your head. You just thought she was a chipper young girl with a hangup about Willamina, but the story goes much deeper. A debate happens, you dont reveal much, you reminisce about THE INCIDENT, a moment in your past where you lost your family due to a dungeon break, and eventually you go to sleep without much fanfare.

This is when things take a darker twist and the stakes are raised. You awake to a dream of an auction where you get awesome artifacts, are given a distinct advantage in the bidding, and eventually get a few things. Notably an amulet that lets you see the description of artifacts and spirits, and a slave. Oh, and you find out the world is going to end with a massive demon war and freak the fuck out for a bit.

The next day goes by quickly, you meet Gruk, he’s a healer and masseuse. Andrea tries to seduce you and you dodge her, much to her dissapointment, but not until you snap a hot pic of her ass. Iraphena tries to grill you on the auction and you decide on some sort of trade. But what scares you is that she’s fairly strong in terms of artifacts, can read your emotions, and has weapons. You understand that she’s been around the block and has gone dungeon diving a few times, but you can’t trust her yet. You let out some frustrations at that and leave, dissapointed. You spend most of the night at the bar, goofing off, meeting new kin, finding out about the estate fire and Will’s past from a Flower Person, and eventually cave in and fight off CANNIE. You win the fight, albeit barely and after she was already tired, but it’s a win nonetheless, so she tells you some of her and Willamina’s backstory before it’s time to have a night time dinner with Willamina. You can read that full bit here:

https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/986604.html#993645

Edmango 2021/07/24(Sat)09:27 No. 1006263 ID: afe7de
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PART 2 RECAP
============
You have dinner and decide WILLAMINA is the one to awaken, you give her powers after an emotional sequence where she tells you that she knows you’ve been snooping around. She gets ICE and STORM powers, which you later find out is a bit more than her predecessors had. It also tells you a little bit about AWAKENED powers being somewhat HEREDITARY, as she’s a third generation AWAKENED at this point. The two of you makeout but don’t have sex due to your hesitation and the power dynamic that just developed. She has some goodies coming later by way of inheritence, so there’s a big day ahead of the two of you.

You then meet your slave, MINT, a beast-kin cat who can transform into a human sized cat, anthro cat, and small cat at will. You’ve already got a lot on your plate, but she provides context, explaining that fallen angels will come after the demon war and mop up, enslaving whoever they can. You don’t know how long you have until it happens, it can be anywhere between 9 months to 4 years, but the time pressure is starting to grate against you.

You’re put in charge of the post office today as MINT and WILLAMINA get to know eachother. WILLAMINA’S a part of your inner circle now, so it’s only natural. As you run the store, TREY sees you and immediately books it, leaving his package. You’re unsure why he would do this, but assume it might be because he was one of the surgeons that gave you a dick when you were 18. Did I mention Cat’s F to M Trans? Yeah he got a super cool custom dick that gets you high and can change shapes. It was a whole THING you can read about here:

https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/993796.html#995921

Anyway, Isabella’s Demonic flame spirit waltzes in, and you try your best not to look at it or give away anything, you think you succeeded, but its unclear. It bothers you that it looks like an angel and not a demon and you’re not sure what the system uses to classify these things or give them their names.

And then the ANDREA gives you a blowjob. And then GENA pops in and competes with Andrea to give you a blowjob. You get them both high with your spunk, as well as getting high yourself and kind of goof off for an hour, a few kin come in and you help them, but it’s mostly good vibes and you bond with the two of them post orgasm.

You find out that Nail has a ring that lets him store stuff, similar to the one you’re about to get rid of, that is owned by the proprietor of the RUFFLED HAUNCH. Her name is LAVERNE LYST, one of the descendent's of the town’s founders. The other living descendant is NICKY DALTON, CANNIE, ISABELLA, and WILLAMINA’s mom.

Unfortunately the good vibes can only last so long and I want to make characters show emotion, so you’re introduced to a disguised Heroes League representative. He says his name is LIMINAL AXAM HIRO, But you immediately realize it’s an anagram for MAXAMILLIAN, the dead brother to Willamina, and your demon eye amulet lets you see through the disguise immediately. He’s kind to you, strong, and has a lot of artifacts. But until you reveal your power, and only because he knew your brother, he didn’t even know you had one. He can’t get a read on you, and doesen’t see your artifacts either. It’s at this point you’re starting to wonder if you’re under some sort of PROTECTION. It’s almost like your INVISIBLE to certain effects, maybe it comes with the power, maybe it’s something else. The mystery. Deepens.

You get a picture of your bro and Maxamillian, which only further confirms your theories. Apparently they were close. He hands you a book, it’s a book on casting the spell MAGIC MISSILE, but takes someone that’s PRETTY SMART to do it. You’ll probably be able to figure it out given some time. You scan him for powers and he’s got an arguably overpowered amount of them. 4 powers and it gives you a ton of achievement points. You start to wonder if HE’S the protagonist when your perspective switches to Willamina.

WILLAMINA’S POV

You learn a bit more about Will, read some of her texts, and find out that she’s got good FORTITUDE, and COOL, but everything else is kind of middling. She’s buddies with CANNIE, GENA, and ANDREA, but most of the town doesen’t like her. WILLAMINA assumes this is the work of ISABELLA, but it could also be her BAD ATTITUDE that contributes a lot to it.

You see Isabella run off crying, have a tense session with Liminal where your composure breaks and there’s a lot of yelling. Cat’s silent throughout most of it, you get some extra items out of him due to coersion and kick him out of the post office. You feel like Cat’s been hiding something throughout this whole deal, but he promises to share at a later date. You have a big plannign session, discuss logistics of making a base of operations and eventually look through your items, you’ve gotten quite a lot of loot, a letter from your Grandpa, and just a ton of lore dump. For a fuller understanding, feel free to read through here for a few panels to get the gist of it, but I’ll summarize too!

https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/993796.html#998581

Basically the note shoes that there’s a box with info just for Willamina on it, you listen to it and learn about the end of the world. It’s bad. Demons come, but they don’t really break the world, just 30%. Then Angels come and wipe out another 40%, then the rest get enslaved by fallen angels or worse, then other alien species basically come and reclaim the planet as their own as it’s basically defenseless at that point. It’s a pessimistic view of the world, Saba met a demon that wanted to train the humans so they wouldn’t fall to the same fate, but there was a betrayal, Angels came early and infiltrated, eliminating Saba’s Wife and Husband, but he left gifts. A vehicle that can let you rest and is pretty defensible. A weapon for Willamina that’s based off of her Grandmother’s. A locked fairy in a ball, a pretty big inter-spatial ring, a coin that can let someone awaken a second time, and a dungeon, specially made to train up a group of 4-8 so that they can defend themselves against the assassins that will likely be hunting you and your companions down.

You’re upset. Not just that all this is happening, not just that cat was right about it, but because it all seems so hopeless. But you steel yourself, believing it’s your drive, nay, your duty, no, your DESTINY. To SAVE THE WORLD, or at least Midland. Supply lists are made via Mint, you visit your family and have a nice dinner, you invite Cannie over and let your mom know you’re planning on taking a breather from work and life and go travelling. You’re not sure who you’re bringing yet on this “trip” But it will be to the dungeon, not just around the world.

CATS POV

Our perspective switches back. Cat is mentally exhausted, and things are draining on him. It doesen’t help that Iraphena has your brother’s lost ring on the table in front of you either. You claim it as yours, using your family photo as evidence and take it. You trade for some other objects, and offer your appraisal skills since apparently that’s a pretty strong skillset to have that pays well, and get a few things. You get a magic shotgun, a phantom dagger, a pair of cool boots, a tension suit that basically turns you into a power ranger. You give up your coiling ring, never figuring out what special thing it did, and activate the ring, to find your brother, now a SPIRIT OF HOPE, inside it.

It’s a tearful reuinion, you learn a bit of his backstory, learn the specifics of the Incident and your messed up past, learn about KARMA, this weird soul energy that exists, and form a spirit contract with him. Callan is tied to you now, and you gain a small amount of HOPE powers from it. And then, Cannie comes, and it sucked.

You have a very long, very tense, very stressful argument with Cannie, explaining what you know and that you want her help. Unfortunately, a lot of this information clashes with her world views and understandings, especially the part where the organization she cherishes so much is actually responsible for so much evil in the world. She lashes out at you as you talk about Isabella and your theories. She lashes out again when you talk about Willamina’s sister being alive and having come today. You’re pinned to the ground and Cannie argues with you, wanting to know your end game that, quite frankly, you’ve had almost no time to consider. You give your lifes story, you say what you’re trying to do, you say why you’ve done what you wanted in town, explain how your life was hard, and how you just want to give people powers, have them not kill you or betray you, and you know, maybe live a better life than before.

She lays off a bit but you go it at more intensely. You were already at your breaking point and this was the straw that broke your back. The voices and ideas in your head want you to reconsile but at this point you just cant. You try to get Cannie to explain her point of view, but she just replies with platitudes, statements of your inadiquacies, your timidness, your lack of conviction, and she leaves, tearing up her nunitus armband as she goes out. You’ve been broken, Willamina’s comforting you, but, you just can’t focus on it because, as much as she was hurting you, there were things she was right on. You get more conviction, a stronger goal, a better idea of yourself and feel HOPE. It’s the first time your power upgraded without your input and Callan gains a temporary corporeal form, able to meet Willamina.

The night ends as you shed your inhibitions and restraints and you have pretty rad sex with Willamina. Though you imagine sex with ANDREA tomorrow will be more BESTIAL in nature given her intensity. You rest for the night. The deed done and a reprieve gained. What you wouldn’t kill for a hyperbolic time chamber of some sort to have time to just… process.

Edmango 2021/07/24(Sat)09:28 No. 1006264 ID: afe7de
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PART 2.5 INTERMISSION
=====================
This intermission is a lot of fluff and worldbuilding, It stars ANDREA and GENA, goofball extraordinaires as they watch tv, movies, games, and weird programming. A news article talks about the gene clinic that Andrea and Cat went to having someone make superpower creation pills using the genetic material of it’s patients, this doesent bother our heroes because they don’t know about Cat’s power.

BRAIN WORMS 5
This is a campy horror flick starring a washed out actor at the height of his career before it came crashing down. There’s twists, turns, and explosions. It’s also the first published film to have an instance of someone awakening to a power in it, so it has historical value in that sense.

PABE - Feat Poltergeist Ethanoic Acid
Next up is a wrestling inspired awakened bloodsport, two competitors fight it out on a sealed stage using their powers until one is left standing. It’s a skunk versus a spider, and a tense battle. The star of this show is the daughter of the hero in the movie BRAIN WORMS 5 Gena and Andrea make a bet which Andrea loses, causing her to eat a YELLOW. The ending also features an off screen moment showing an Awakened that communicates through toys and puppets inviting our hero to the Heroes League.

She declines, deciding instead of returning to the circuit, to chose her own path, who knows if that path will intersect with our heroes in the future. There’s a music video about a moth singer from Wano, a shady commercial about a lawyer whose lyrics are definitely not cribbed from a popular commercial from when I the narrator was a kid, and a brief moment of self indulgence where we explore part of my LUST QUEST lore in a goofy videogame.

PLANTIMALS - Feat Donut
This is a somewhat monster hunter meets Pokemon spoof about a group of 4 heroes fighting against plant monsters that’s probably racist to the Vegi-Kin, but no one really worries about that kind of thing. They fight big plant,s do some crazy stuff, imply a lot of cool weaponry exists and bosses with giant eyeballs as weak points exist, and eventually kill it, leaving a tiny budding plantimal that’s ripe for product placement and toy sales.

The two of you then order a pizza, carrots and broccoli of course. And play a definitely not foreshadowing in any way at all game of GREAT LARCENY MOTORCARS VI. You go nude, do crimes, and fight a flying car piloted by an awakened. It’s a tense battle, you try to exploit the game only for it to get more intense, and you meet someone who can make poles pop out of the ground to entrap you. It ends with yours and Gena’s death in game, which you’re not too upset about. The show you were going to watch got canceled, so you just goof oof, and talk some hot gossip in the town. Of note is the Lyst-Y-Mart thief hiding in the forest, and some more backstory on MYRIAD a mercenary living in the ruins of West Fluxtopa that is also a triplet of ANDREA’S.

MIZZ ES’S MATH CORNER - Feat Tippler
This is all character development and math. So much math. A red eyed beast-kin (?) lady coerces Andrea and Gena to do MATH PROBLEMS. It somehow works. Andrea tries to brute force some problems, gets horny, wants to be degraded, waters herself off, and eventually the two of them succeed in solving the problems and get a phone number, it’s one time use, should save them from a pickle, but they have no idea what they’d even use it for. After all, They aren’t privy to major plot points at this time.

The segment ends with Andrea alone at night. Her melancholy at the world leaving her to her own devices is strong. She just wants to sleep or have others around her when she’s awake, this forced distancing time really just hurts her. So she goes home to jerk off for a few hours and head to the RATIOLATRY meeting tomorrow morning.

And that’s the story so far! Now, back to the quest!

Edmango 2021/07/24(Sat)09:28 No. 1006265 ID: afe7de
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It’s darkness all around you. You’re falling. In the distance are stars, you’re sure one of them is your home, Faunus. You feel someone is watching you, but you can’t see from where. It’s cold. You wake up.

It’s SUNDAY MAY 22, 2029, about 9:35AM. You feel like shit. Not because you didn’t rest. You probably had the best rest of the past few weeks in bed. But because you don’t want to get up, the ills and stresses of reality are coming back to you now that you’re not in the cold, sweet nothingness of unconsciousness. Though, it wasn’t a nothingness this time was it? You have a vague memory. A memory of falling.

You look to your side. Willamina’s there. She’s asleep. You can see her breathing gently, the occasional snore sneaking by. She tosses and turns in bed a lot, but so do you, so you eventually ended up in a tangled knot together that somehow worked for the two of you. You can hear the sound of static coming from the room, you look over and see the TV. You hit a button on a nearby controller, changing the channel to something, anything, at a low volume for background noise that’s not THAT.

Edmango 2021/07/24(Sat)09:28 No. 1006266 ID: afe7de
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You flip to a news channel, a PSA is on, you only briefly give it any attention.

A new study shows that consuming certain cold sugary products produced from the LYLUK BRAND in excess may cause periods of delusion and paranoia. It affects certain demographics, namely Hippo Beast-Kin more than others.

On screen is an older man who looks similar to Bobby Slurps. You briefly wonder if Bobby is the only of his kin that has that REALITY DISTORTION ability. And what it means if he’s constantly drinking those SLUSHEES. You’ve been drinking them since you were a kid and It’s never been a problem, so you shrug it aside and stare at the cieling.

You just want to keep sleeping. Just a bit longer. You’re sure you could do it. You don’t really have anything planned until 12PM with ANDREA. You were going to have a picnic, and probably lots of sex. Though she said not to worry, that it wouldn’t be too intense. You were also planning on convincing her to join you on the Dungeon run. There’s that RATIOLATRY meeting you could go to, but is it really worth it? You’ll probably catch it halfway through or near the tail end. You let out a sigh, you REALLY don’t want to get out of bed. It’s nice right now, like a dream where if you blink it’ll be gone, never to return, ethereal forever.

What do you do?

AUTHORS NOTE: Welcome back y’all! CATALYST is back. That recap took longer then I expected to write, there was just a lot of ground to cover. I only really went over like the general large points that I thought were important, skipping over the granular details of specific items that weren’t too important. Feel free to skim through the other threads if you want more context. Here’s the current inventory/item list if you’re interested:

https://questden.org/wiki/CATALYST/Log

Thanks for reading, glad to be back to the main plot!

You need some incentive to get you out of bed.

Breakfast! Let's see what's good to eat.
Too bad we don't know enough of Will's likes yet to surprise her with a breakfast in bed.

Good to see you again, Cat. Happy SUNDAY MAY 22 2029… Goddess it’s hot. Cat only has long sleeved hoodies and turtlenecks? That is not good for this weather. Just go topless today. Also, is Callan back yet? We should call him over before someone like Isabella or her spirit sees him or something, at least until Cat gets dressed... Maybe we can talk more about karma today?


For now, my idea is: Wait for Willamina to wake up, Cafuné her when she wakes up since Cannie said Willamina loves that. check your comm for updates or messages. afterwards, get dressed (no shirt today, too hot), eat, shower.

We can see Rex, Callan, and Mint afterwards and see how they're doing and let them know today is a fun day, let them goof off. If Mint complains, aggressively tell her that’s an order, (she seems to like being treated like that) she can survive one day to have fun, We got like, what? 4 years?. Maybe also tell her to keep her awakened power a secret for now. warn Mint of animals burning so she doesn't get burned while fucking animals during her free time in her cat form. Maybe we'll learn of that clinic thing from Rex if we ask him what he saw on the news yesterday? if not him, then Andrea later And we can find out a little more of Karma from Callan too.

If we have time after, we can probably give Rex's roach army powers, and go to the second half of RATIOLATRY (so we can meet Random)

Normally, I’d say, read that Libarby book, or study that Magic Dart Body Cultivation Manual to begin learning that OP move, or read more of Saba’s journal
but…
Fuck it. Yesterday was a fucking day, today is a fuck all day. Cat is overly stressed, if he gets any more stressed, he’ll suffer from depression, so he should spend this entire day for FUN! Make new friends as well strengthen bonds with ones we met for potential dungeon mates, maybe even awake some people. We can do that productive shit MONDAY. Forget about dungeon crawling and the apocalypse for today

If we do anything productive, we could go to the post office and collect that package Trey was delivering and see what is inside with the phantom dagger so we don’t destroy the box or check the address to see where it is going (we might find Tina this way, though I don’t know if Cat saw the news yesterday about that clinic or recognizes Trey quite yet to make that connection, we should talk to Rex about what he saw on the news last night first if Cat hasn’t so he might have a clue),
get a progress report on the things we ordered Mint to buy (incubator, Slushee machine, supply list)
schedule a doctor’s checkup with Trey on MONDAY (we have his business card) best to see if we’re healthy enough to go on such an adventure.
And maybe we can give some of Rex’s roach friends a power to help us level up?

------------------------------------------------------------
Ideas for fun (we don’t have to do all these, they’re just some ideas in no particular order):

Mandatory: date with Andrea! Maybe we can play a game like truth or dare game at the park during picnic? She seems to like being submissive and degraded, so maybe some humiliating dares might get her off. (don’t talk about the dungeon crawling or our power until after our date or sex, would spoil the mood if we tell her early)

Check your COMM for messages (also, you now have 5 BUX in the bank since it is SUNDAY and your phone got charged 5 BUX in the bank.)

Visit that RATIOLATRY meeting for a laugh if it is before 9am (meet Random, see Andrea early)

Visit the forest, see if we can find Forest Girl. (if we get lost, we can use our comm’s map system to guide us back to Lyst)
Meet Laverne at the Brothel

Talk to people at the bar, maybe listen to some rumors from Oriel, become friends with her enough for her to be a potential dungeonmate? She is related to Marth after all... would be cool if two offsprings of the legendary heroes were together. Also maybe meet the cook

Find that wine glass head girl and raptor

Visit town outskirts, see what they have for fun over there (though we can do that when we go visit Bobby for Poker tonight)

Visit community center, see who runs that place.

buy stuff at the mart, get more condoms for Andrea (though she is modded to not have children if I remember, and we might need some Bux from Willamina, we have no BUX right now…) Maybe we can meet the manager there?

Challenge Cannie for a rematch??? We’ve got some unfinished business after how she treated us, revenge!!! (actually, I’m sure she’ll enjoy the fight enough to forget about yesterday)

Eat at friendly bean, meet the person who runs that place (Tony said she’s a pretty face)

Find out if anyone new has entered town (though I’m pretty sure all the new people like Nipha and Zarah won’t appear until MONDAY)

Doodle on Cat Note, maybe visit Libarby and use the computers to start a website to draw some comics for people to see.

Maybe see if Iraphena’s elf-dragon slave Krasla is around?

… meditate? What if Cat had a past life? Doubt it, but who knows, maybe he can make a mind palace or some shit in case he dies within the next few years and has something for his next life... He'll probably need to meditate once a day though.

give some people that we trust powers

Extend the precious moment for, oh, about five minutes, then mentally get yourself ready and raring to go. The date with Andrea, you hope, should go well regardless of how the pitch goes. She's... uh, quite eager and you hope to end up pleasing her in at least that regard. You're also interested in talking more to her about her POWERS - how would upgrading them even work out when it's a passive thing?

Do a comms check, get breakfast, and touch base with your cohort (WILL, CALLAN, MINT and REX) about their plans for the day. I think Callan and Rex are the only ones without concrete plans? (Mint was at the brothel and has Tinker stuff to work on, Will's gonna convince Gena to join.) If so, tell Callan you want him to accompany Will, since there's a possibility Isabella's top has blown from recent events and you want that other spirit kept in check a bit - and you can see it, while Will can't, so there's that.

Maybe he can figure out what that thing's fucking deal is?

Rex, hmm... he's been through a bit, so he can be free to pick who he wants to go with - or if he just wants to chill with a sugar cube and keep an eye on the Winnabago he can do that!

Also: Don't worry too much about thing you can't do a lot about. Cannie, Isabella, Miss Iraphena, Max - you'll face these people and their matters as they come. If you can get ahead of their situations and troubles somehow, great. If they come to a head, so be it. You've got a plan now, a goal to work towards.

Finally, here's a repeat MINT INVENTION SUGGESTION:

Spend the CRYSTAL on a DEFENSIVE ENERGY SHIELD invention. Mint did mention the LAST BASTION of her world was kept safe thanks to an ENERGY SHIELD that held up until, like, an actual ARMY of FALLEN ANGELS attacked long after the invasion stage, so even a WEAKER version of that sounds like SOME SERIOUS DEFENSIVE BEEF. She probably knows some of the specs and could even collaborate with other Tinkers on setting up a town-sized version of it for Lyst - or scale it down for the Winnabago.

If the big version is made and the control device given to someone in town that could be trusted, it would have a really good DEFENSE in case of outside danger, like from monsters being spawned by a DUNGEON BREAK or an angry bunch of heroes, or demons or angels or whatever. It'd give people time to organize, to call for help, maybe for you to return from your dungeon explorations and make a difference.

>>1006276
Hmmm, I'm pretty nervous letting Callan follow Will, people who are bounded with a spirit can see other spirits, and if Isabella sees Callan, it might not be good, especially if she has been spying on Willamina often. Maybe at most we can let Willamina borrow our demon eye amulet instead while we hide Callan in our stomach for awhile? She has a high enough cool stat to keep her composure if she see's that spirit. Not like we'll need the amulet today, our team is supposed to spend time having fun anyway.

We should try to keep Callan hidden from Isabella until she leaves back to the city this Tuesday (probably dont have to keep him in our stomach all the time though)

Edmango 2021/07/26(Mon)02:30 No. 1006387 ID: afe7de
File 162729181186.png - (81.05KB , 500x500 , C3_006.png )

> 5 More minutes
You continue you lay there, you don’t really look at your phone or the TV or anything. You just sort of zone in and out of consciousness for a little bit. Eventually you’ve spent too much time awake and you feel you’ve reached your threshold. Time to get up you guess. It’s at this point that you realize just how SWEATY you are. You wander over to the thermostat and turn on the COOL AIR. It’ll chill the place while you SHOWER. You snag the last of your clean clothes, you’ll need to wash the rest later, and head inside. It’s a small, standing shower. She’s got some PINK scented shampoo, conditioner, and soap. You use it to clean your body. The cold water is sobering. There’s a brief moment where you lay against the shower, not quite doing anything, just daydreaming about what it’d be like to just be a normal postal worker in a new town, what it was a few days ago.

> Breakfast
And after a moment you’re done. You brush your teeth and pass by Will again, she’s still out like a light. You put on a pair of boyshorts and pants and head to the kitchen. In the kitchen there’s a bunch of assorted foodstuffs. You find some EGGS, BACON, TOAST, and JUICY RED AIOLI. You decide to make some simple breakfast sandwiches. You’ve been alone for a while, so cooking simple stuff hasn’t ever been a real issue. You season them just the way you like it and leave them on the stove to cook while you boil some water, Willamina doesen’t have a COFFEE MAKER, but has the INSTANT STUFF, along with some TEAS. You hate to resort to it, but it’s a CAFFEINE DAY and you know it.

Edmango 2021/07/26(Mon)02:30 No. 1006388 ID: afe7de
File 162729184111.png - (9.37KB , 500x500 , C3_007.png )

> Check Phone
There’s only one message and it’s from ANDREA. She’s given you a GPS Pin of a spot in the Park for you to meet her at NOON. It’s around 10AM when you finish breakfast and everything. You make yourself some Coffee, two scoops of sugar and some milk, and bring over the breakfast to Willamina. She’s stirring and you hold the food out for her. She snags a strip of BACON and sits up.

Willamina: What time is it?
You: Like 10
Willamina: Ughhhhh, why are you up so earlyyyyyy
Willamina: *MUNCH MUNCH*
You: We fell asleep at like 9 Last night
Willamina: It was more like 10, Ughhh, I guess that’s okay. That Coffee?

You hand her some and she takes a sip, her expression is that of disgust for a moment.

Willamina: Blugh. Can I get one without any SUGAR, COFFEE should be BITTER.

You go and pour her another cup, handing it to her. The two of you eat breakfast in bed, it’s a quiet moment. Not awkward, but quiet. The two of you eventually finish your meals, satisfied and sit there for a bit.

Willamina: What’s on the docket for today?
You: Date with Andrea at noon, but that’s about it. Oh and POKER NIGHT.
Willamina: Hmm yeah, hope that goes well, she could certainly use a win.
Willamina: Wanna talk about yesterday? Feeling any better?

>>1006388
>feeling any better?
Yeah, guess so.

Oh, gotta Awaken Nicky today.

Tell Willamina you feel a little better, you already had a good cry yesterday... However, you're still STRESSED AS FUCK. You NEED to recharge, you spent the past few days worrying, getting a lot of work done, and having a lot of things happen all at once since you've awakened to the point of it being overwhelming that you desperately need a day to not worry about any responsibilities, just have fun today and meet new people and strengthen bonds with the ones we already met.

We can worry about doing anything productive like risking our secret to others by awakening anyone tomorrow, (though you will awaken somebody if an opportunity arrives)

Ask if she wants to talk to our buddies Mint Callan and Rex to remind them to take the day off, and get a progress report on any items mint or the mart has gotten from our orders, and if she wants to borrow your demon eye amulet for today.

But other than that you were thinking about that RATIOLATRY meeting, but youre not sure when that ends.

Before doing all that though, talk about what you both watched on tv yesterday. It wasnt much since you both fell asleep early, but... yeah.

Tell her she has permission to let her know Gena of your power if she goes see her to either awaken her with that dagger we got from the heroes rep, or if gena wants to get awakened by our touch. But let Willamina know you want the main focus of everyone to be to goof off today.

Yeah, talk about yesterday, our frustrations, and fears and what is to come. It's good to finally have someone to talk to about your feelings. Mention a little (not a lot) about our troubled past, only stopping immediately when you catch yourself partially mention the dark room...

"Well. My brother came back from the dead, your brother came back from the dead, and we could change the world while we're saving most of it. Hell, we could change the universe if it doesn't drive us crazy, first.

So I guess... I'm tired, Willamina. But it's not a 'lay-down-and-die' tired, more like an 'afterglow-after-surviving-a-war-and-then-screwing-your-wife' tired."

Actually, you should probably prepare before you awaken Nicky. Because if she awakens to a mind-reading power and learns exactly what Isabella has done... well...

I personally think we should awaken Nicky until tomorrow (Monday) after Cat is mentally recharged after today considering what he been through imho. We've got time.

But we can at most talk a tiny bit about preparations about awakening her, like using an artifact, or if we decide to reveal our power, discuss how Will can introduce Cat's power and convince her to keep it a secret since they're family. but really, we shouldnt talk too much about it to get Cat anxious with how stressed he is already. Maybe Will can ease his worries about it for now at the very least, as well as other things he's worried about.

Speaking of Nicky, maybe Will can check her comm. Maybe Nicky has some updates on how that papermill contract preparation is going and if she found people to protect the town and deliver mail while we're on vacation.

>>1006388
>>How we feel?
Pretty base level i'd say. Not super bad or depressed, but not super good or optimistic either. Definitely more in line with leaving tomorrow problems for tomorrow, and focusing on what we can accomplish today right now.
Hows Willamina doing, yesterday wasnt easy for her either.

Edmango 2021/07/29(Thu)02:50 No. 1006627 ID: afe7de
File 162755224299.png - (9.84KB , 500x500 , C3_008.png )

> Feeling better
You: I’m feeling a little better. Just decompressing and laying next to you helped.

She punches you in the shoulder giving you an OKAY hand gesture.

Willamina: No problem.
Willamina: The SEX was fun too.
You: Yeah it was.
You: I don’t want to really do anything too intense today.
You: Sans the ANDREA sex, just, like. No power nonsense, secrets, anxiety, the works.
You: I’ll still talk to ANDREA about it all, but I’ll keep it light.
You: And you can tell Gena about me if you want to get that out of the way today.
You: Oh right and there’s Nicky, guess we have to empower her too.
Willamina: That can wait for a day if you want. Or we can use the LIGHTNING GOD BOOK
You: What about you?
Willamina: Me? Still kinda REELING from it all. It’s a lot to take in.
Willamina: I knew CANNIE had some RAGE in her, but I haven’t seen her go to this extent in a long time.
Willamina: And she’s the kind of girl who won’t really uh. APOLOGIZE for this.
Willamina: I know you said you want her to REDEEM herself, but uh, she probably won’t in the way you want?
Willamina: It’s a core part of her character to be like that. I’d still like you to consider it
Willamina: She could REDEEM herself in combat?
Willamina: She IS still my SISTER after all.

Edmango 2021/07/29(Thu)02:50 No. 1006628 ID: afe7de
File 162755225056.png - (10.14KB , 500x500 , C3_009.png )

You’re silent at that. You’re still seething about that particular sore. You decide to file it away and ignore the statement. It’s not healthy, but you want to relax and not dangle more stresses on your cranium. Willamina lets you know she’s going to talk to MINT and ROACH, let them relax or do whatever they want for the day. You talk briefly about the TV you watched yesterday. You saw this movie BRAIN WORMS 5, it was kinda campy, but neat all the same. Then WILLAMINA put on this cooking show CAESAR’S KITCHEN and you kind of zoned out after the first episode, passing out and only hearing bits of it as you were in and out of consciousness.

You briefly think about your past. You kind of laid out your own personal history yesterday when CANNIE coerced you. You briefly thought about your attempts at- You know what, you skip that train of thought. You weren’t in a good place then and you don’t think you’ll ever be that low again. Eventually the conversation kind of falls into a lull. It’s a bit too late to go to the RADIOLATRY MEETING, so you pass on that. It’s hot as the two of you leave Will’s room. The city’s being hit by a HEAT WAVE right now. Willamina takes a quick shower after she notices that, puts on a new tank top and a pair of short shorts.

Willamina: Oh right, we should get you some CLOTHES and some BUX. Let’s head over to the LYST-Y-MART
Willamina: Let you deposit some BUX into your ATM.
You: Oh yeah, I do kinda need new clothes. I only have like 3 pairs and all of it is long sleeves and pants.
You: Thanks.
Willamina: NO PROB.

Edmango 2021/07/29(Thu)02:50 No. 1006629 ID: afe7de
File 162755225743.png - (7.97KB , 500x500 , C3_010.png )

The walk to the LYST-Y-MART is hot, then Willamina realizes she has ice powers and the area around you is not only colder, but there’s a slight breeze. There’s a wide variety of clothes to pick from here. Willamina asks for your sizes, which you give, and goes off to get you something SNAZZY for POKER NIGHT. You’re left to your own devices to search for clothes now. You should probably get a CASUAL OUTFIT for warm weather like this, and maybe some other things for fun. What do you get?

AUTHORS NOTE: Paper Doll time! Feel free to come up with cool outfits, the setting is pseudo modern day, so try to keep it in a similar vein as that, but I’m also interested in more wild interpretations. I’ll pick the coolest ones and add em to your repertoire (or maybe even add them all to an occasional rotation if they’re all thematic.)

-More condoms (to help avoid blue balls for vacation time)
-MIND AS ONE TECHNIQUE book (Callan might like this considering his talk on KARMA, so it's more of a gift for him. We might have to turn the pages for him to read though, seems like we could get it done in a day though, but it seems... complicated) (might learn something about meditation and on preventing our mind from getting controlled by an awakened user maybe)
-Make sure Willamina picks up her order for the heat resistant COMM. Should be here by now
-I also wonder if we can pick up whatever mint ordered (incubator, slushee machine). Mint probably needs to do that herself though, unless maybe we can get her on COMM

Hey, we might be able to meet the manager of this place since he's here until 3pm, and if we're really lucky, we might spot and meetthat forest girl before she tries to steal something again.



Note to self: bring Callan back to you after shopping is done maybe

Poltergeist Ethanoic Acid 2021/07/29(Thu)04:47 No. 1006633 ID: e51896
File 162755926616.png - (11.67KB , 500x500 , clothes.png )

Clothes:
polo
denim shorts with belt
BRAIN WORMS hat (originally was going to have an Eye of Horus symbol, but ended up with BRAIN WORMS)
Sunglasses (good for hiding some of your emotions and keeping a poker face, plus that sun is BRIGHT)

Nothing too crazy.

Suggestion 2021/07/29(Thu)08:50 No. 1006643 ID: fcc355
File 162757382820.png - (14.39KB , 308x439 , unknown.png )

clothes:
bikini

Plantimals Wanoga, it has chapters that hasn't happened yet in the Wanomay. We can show this to Andrea during the date, though we have to make sure to let her know in Wano culture, they read panels and speech bubbles bottom to top instead of top to bottom so she doesnt get confused.

I vote for the bikini.

>>1006633
This minus hat.

Blingo 2021/07/29(Thu)12:27 No. 1006667 ID: 8233ee
File 162758686999.png - (37.60KB , 500x500 , 34A16813-297C-4F0F-9725-38A9E7794BFF.png )

Clothes: the Friday night VR chat fit

>>1006633
Support on this one. I like the shades.

Blobbish 2021/07/29(Thu)13:36 No. 1006679 ID: 7f716e
File 162759097058.png - (12.81KB , 500x500 , Untitled.png )

How about something original?

Poltergeist Ethanoic Acid 2021/07/29(Thu)13:47 No. 1006682 ID: e51896
File 162759162468.png - (10.98KB , 500x500 , clothes (no hat).png )

>>1006666
I did one without the hat for fun since someone wanted it without the hat and I wanted to see how it would look. (I personally prefer him having the Brain Worms hat just to see how people in town would react)

>>1006643
If Cat participates in Questden's BEACH DAY, I want to see him wear this bikini at that event.

Suggestion 2021/07/29(Thu)13:58 No. 1006685 ID: a2493c
File 162759232909.png - (10.41KB , 500x500 , a hidden surprise.png )

A serious suggestion, with a bonus contingency plan

Suggestion 2021/07/29(Thu)14:04 No. 1006687 ID: 2b3343
File 162759268844.png - (24.17KB , 700x500 , clthes.png )

Keeping clothes light for the heat wave. Ugly Hawaiian shirt optional for cooler nights.

>>1006690
Clothes aside, I vote we wear this face all day no matter what wins.

>>1006685
This one can be our Villains Alliance outfit for when we go dungeon crawling or have to fight the Heroes League

Suggestion 2021/07/29(Thu)23:36 No. 1006719 ID: 3a3ec3
File 162762699935.png - (18.07KB , 500x500 , 1st outfit sug.png )

Can tuck the pants in to the boots when dungeon crawling

Something to consider: give Willamina our demon eye amulet to borrow before we split up so that when she sees Gena and talks about us, she'll be able to withhold info if Isabella is spying on her with her spirit (plus we can see her spirit with our spirit of hope power)

Perhaps Willamina can talk to Gena about it in the Winnebago since it repels spirits.

Nothing but a straw hat

Poltergeist Ethanoic Acid 2021/07/31(Sat)01:02 No. 1006839 ID: e51896
File 162771856350.png - (11.24KB , 500x500 , strawhat.png )

>>1006788
like this? (not my vote, just drew this for fun)

>>1006839
Perfect!

Edmango 2021/07/31(Sat)02:29 No. 1006844 ID: afe7de
File 162772375832.png - (137.26KB , 500x500 , C3_011.png )

> Shop for stuff
You end up buying the following non clothing related items. You get a few larger boxes of condoms, you don’t have the whole sub-dermal implant to prevent pregnancy. Might be good to get, but this is a stopgap measure for that, you think Gena will probably suggest that for all of you at the local clinic if you’re planning to go dungeon crawling. A surprise baby is kind of no joke on a dungeon run. You try looking around for some books, maybe one on meditation but don’t find anything. You instead get a PLANTIMALS MANGO, it’s just some fun light reading. Something to take your mind off of things, It’s a voucher that you can download on your COMM to get the whole series. Keeping physical books in marts and shops is not that cost effective in a small town like this, especially when there’s as good a library as there is. Mint’s ordered a ton of supplies, they’re not here yet, but they’ll be delivered to WILLAMINA’S house, so you don't have to worry about it.

> Clothing Time
There’s a pretty good variety of clothes. You get a STRAW HAT and a BRAIN WORMS HAT just for the sake of having something different to wear. You’re feeling price conscious since you don't like spending a ton by nature, but Willamina eventually sees this and assures you it’s okay to splurge a little on some clothes. Especially since you don’t know what’s going to get destroyed. You eventually decide on a wide variety of clothes. You’ve got some casual sleepwear, a programmer’s favorite set. A shirt with a pretty cool BAND LOGO on it, it’s of your favorite band. You know, that one band, with the kin and the guitar. It’s just so good and they perform across the country. You know the name, they’re that really cool one.

You also get a kind of leather outfit with short shorts and gloves and some large boots. It seems like good DUNGEON DIVING GEAR since you don’t have any actual armor. You’re not sure how to go about getting that without being too obvious. You’ll probably have to MAKE YOUR OWN, or FIND SOME in the dungeon. At least until you get strong enough to be able to defend against ASSASSINS you’ll be wearing NORMAL CLOTHES in there. You also get a BIKINI and a set of SWIMWEAR on WILLAMINA’S REQUEST. It’s a bit skimpy and kind of reminds you of WHEN YOU WERE A GIRL. You don’t particularly like it, but she’s paying so you don’t complain. You also get a pair of TRUNKS that are much more your style. There was a lso a lot of NEW SHOES you got too, some for trekking through mud, some for casual wear, and some with STEEL TOED BOOTS. You’ve basically purchased all the clothes that appealed to you (and were suggested) So you’ll be wearing them periodically on your day to day. It’s nice to have some variety.

You decide to wear a set of FLIP FLOPS, SHORT SHORTS, SPORTS BRA, BRAIN WORMS HAT, HAWAIIAN SHIRT, and some SUNGLASSES as you pay and leave the store. It’ll help beat the heat you think. It’s not the most STYLISH thing you could wear, but it is IRONIC and KINDA DUMB in a way you think makes you look like a 40 year old dad. This gets Willamina and yourself both laugh. It’s 11 by the time you’re done shopping. You’ve got an hour to kill before you need to head to the meeting point, what do you do?

did Willamina remember to pick up her new heat resistant COMM she ordered yesterday while we were clothes shopping? it said it would arrive today at the LYST-Y-MART at 8AM here: https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/993796.html#998202

>A shirt with a pretty cool BAND LOGO on it, it’s of your favorite band. You know, that one band, with the kin and the guitar. It’s just so good and they perform across the country. You know the name, they’re that really cool one.

Is it the one with that one poodle moth? I think she released that new single WATCHER... IDEA: we should right now go on our music streaming app on our COMM, SNOOTIFY and listen to her songs right now on speaker with Willamina as we walk... if we can tolerate the ads where they're all like "WANNA REST FROM OUR STUPID ADS?! yatta yatta TAP HERE WATCH SHIT, 30 MINUTES OF AD FREE MUSIC, YEAH! WE'RE SERIOUS! blah blah."

-------------------------

what do?

We've never been to the town square before, so I say investigate the TOWN SQUARE with Willamina and hang out over there. See what cool things they have there, and if there are any people to talk to and chill with (like someone we haven't met before, or someone we already met, or maybe someone will arrive at the BUS STOP near the town square).

Secondary choice: take a nice relaxing stroll in the forest with Willamina, maybe find that forest girl. Or maybe that BADGER

Maybe talk about letting Willamina borrow your demon eye amulet for today since you can see Isabella's spirit with Callan's power while she can see the spirit with your amulet to avoid saying things we wouldn't want Isabella hearing.

Head to the Libraby and community center.

That way, we can talk to that very cute unicorn Xana (I really want to befriend her), see who runs the community center (there was no one manning the desk the last time we were there, maybe they are there now), and maybe run into Andrea and Random coming out of their Ratiolatry meeting since it took place at the community center, we can head to the park with Andrea once we meet her there.

I was going to say to make an appointment for later today with Gruk for a massage, but I'm not sure how long Andrea will keep us for. Maybe after the date is finished, we can call the clinic and schedule an appointment for a massage later in the evening or tomorrow, depending what time it is after Andrea is done with us

Or we can probably go there right now and get a half hour massage and be back by the time we need to see Andrea. Might want to call and see if there is an opening for a massage right now

Edmango 2021/08/03(Tue)03:09 No. 1007087 ID: afe7de
File 162798539229.png - (12.45KB , 500x500 , C3_012.png )

> Examine the TOWN SQUARE
You and WILLAMINA walk to the TOWN SQUARE, you only really saw it in passing before. When you were heading to and fro with your job, err former job. So you decide to take a look. There’s a statue of a dragon in a business jacket with a top hat posing, of note they have a cat-like tail and pair of ears. He’s also holding a flower. The statue is made of BRONZE and appears to be maintained frequently. There’s a few benches nearby and some nice flowers. You head over to the statue and give it’s plaque a read.

ARTHURIUS LYST - Founder of the town of LYST was born in 1844 and founded this town and the textile factory it was originally known for in 1869. He was a great man that died at the age of 66 and brought the town into it’s own. It’s always been a small town, it’s purpose to allow kin a safe haven to walk freely and without clothing, although this was amended to be a night-time rule only due to some complaints. He will be forever missed and his family forever honored for their generosity and welcoming nature.

You suppose this guy is the original owner of the RUFFLED HAUNCH, and LAVERNE LYST is the heir to the name, not that it seems like she owns the town. It’s more of a mayor situation you think. Still pretty cool.

> Willamina Checkup
You check with Willamina if she’s got her new COMM and everything. She nods and shows it to you, it’s sleek and a fiery red. She chucks it at the floor pretty hard and it’s still intact.

Willamina: SEE? Pretty FUCKIN neat!

You think about letting Willamina borrow your DEMON EYE AMULET, but decide to pass on it, for the first part, you don’t have the coiling ring anymore, this means you don’t have any weapons. Not that you’re expecting to get in a fight, but if you do, knowing if your opponent has an artifact seems like a pretty good idea. Plus Willamina can defend herself with her own powers, you cant.

You also think about getting a massage, but still lack money, so you ask Willamina if you could get some spending money. She baps herself on the head and after a few minutes of getting your banking info you’re now 2000 BUX richer, that should pay for pretty much any expense you might have in town.

Willamina: Let me know if you need more.
Willamina: At this point money that small is a drop in the BUCKET
Willamina: Plus like, you’re the main REASON we even have the money soooo.
You: Thanks Will.
You: I think I wanna check out the LIBARBY again
You: Or maybe the COMMUNITY CENTER before going to meet up with Andrea.
Willamina: Sounds good, I’m probably gonna go bother GENA for a bit, we’ve been texting

Edmango 2021/08/03(Tue)03:10 No. 1007088 ID: afe7de
File 162798543115.png - (11.78KB , 500x500 , C3_013.png )

> Libarby time
You give a call to the massage parlor, but they’re fully booked for the day, so after a moments banter you put away your phone and say your goodbyes for now. The two of you split off and you head to the LIBARBY. It’s as grand as you remember. XANA is at the desk again, typing away on her laptop. She gives you a smile as you enter, but she gets back to typing. You’re not sure if its her makeup or just general vibe but she is fairly cute. Maybe its your hormones being kick started after going so long with out intimacy. You walk up to the unicorn and greet her.

You: Heya Xana, mornin’
Xana: Welcome Cat! How can I help you this morning?

>>1007087
Wanna bet this guy had some skeletons in the closet? You and Willamina certainly do.

>>1007088
"I'm on my daily schedule - investigate where I'm not supposed to, work on saving the world, get laid twice."

To speed things up, act as a page-turner for Callan so you both read a book at a time. It's annoying, but there are few disabilities more debilitating than being dead.

Operation BOND WITH XANA ENOUGH TO POTENTIALLY AWAKEN HER WITHOUT HAVING HER REVEAL OUR SECRET POWER is a go! (B.W.X.E.T.P.A.H.W.H.H.R.O.S.P. for short.) We already know she does not have a power when we brushed our hand over her.


"Well, it's my day off, so I wanted to use this day for stress management, and use my free time to to really get to know the residents of LYST... so... willing to take a lunch break to chat? At least until I am to go to the park with Andrea?

---------------------------
If she is able to take a break to talk and bond with us:

As you talk to her, use your demon eye amulet to examine her bracelets and other accessories she has, maybe they're artifacts?

offer her your second bag of sweets to start out with, Rex has jerkys now, and I think we still have plenty of sweets in the first bag if Rex wants some later.

She has a sticker of SHOCKER on her laptop, maybe you can talk about how Shocker saved your life on a few occasions, almost like he was your guardian ang- actually just guardian, and was even lovers with your brother Callan at one point, who was also a hero! You look up to him and his heroic deeds sooo much

You can also talk about the Tinker’s Society sticker she has on her laptop, and ask how she is connected to it. Mention how you wanted to be a tinker, but the college you went to only really wanted people who awakened as you couldn't keep up with kin with awakened tinker powers. You're over it though.

ask about her life here on Lyst, her backstory, and what she thinks of other people, such as people in the Ruffled Haunch like Nail, Pazuru, Hyun, Iraphena, and Laverne, as well as other people in town.

Finally, ask if she can have any power, what would it be... assuming she hasn't awakened yet (we already know she hasn't)

MAYBE from there, we can decide to awaken her or not if we find her to be trustworthy enough.
---------------------------

If she doesn't want to talk or is too busy, perhaps we can probably see if they offer books on meditation maybe we'll find the mysterious MIND AS ONE TECHNIQUE book ... though we'll have to return the book we currently have even though we haven't finished it yet if we decide to check out a book on meditation (maybe we can download it in our COMM later) Figuring out this KARMA thing might be important if Cat dies.

Either that, or take e-learning classes and see if there are any quick 30 minute classes we can take before our date with Andrea. Maybe we'll find something interesting to learn can help with dungeon crawling, like common monsters we may come across.

--------------------------
When we're done, maybe we'll come across Andrea and Random and Andrea can physically drag us to the park

>>1007095
Actually, forget what I said about the e-learning course on monsters, that might be stress inducing. this day is supposed to be dedicated to lower stress.

“I could use a friend!” Direct and friendly.

>>1007108
Pretty much this.

If she is too busy to take a break to talk, ask when her days off are. Mention we know we can just talk to her at the Ruffled Haunch, but you'd rather get to know her when she isn't working.

Do you want to awaken the power to grant wishes? Because I could really use a wish right now wish right now wish right now.

Edmango 2021/08/04(Wed)04:20 No. 1007174 ID: afe7de
File 162807600222.png - (84.65KB , 500x500 , C3_014.png )

You: I could use a friend!
Xana: Having trouble with the kin in town? They’re usually friendly?
You: It’s not that, I mean, they are friendly but its like.
You: Things’ve been intense lately and I just want like no stress chill ya know?
You: I heard you worked at the RUFFLED HAUNCH, but I’d rather try to get to know people when they’re not at work
Xana: Well technically I’m at work right now, but I get your point.
Xana: Well not work, this is more like community service.
Xana: It’s quiet and I can share my knowhow.
You: Seems pretty chill
Xana: It is!

The two of you have light banter and discuss likes and dislikes. You give her a once over and see there’s no artifacts. She’s normal still. You briefly talk about TINKERS and share your frustrations, she shares a similar story, trying to get into DONJON U to be a tinker but being denied. She’s trying to take online classes to learn it, but it’s a difficult process.

You: I’m over it now, but wasn’t at the time for a while.
You: At least I can live vicariously through my tinker friend,
Xana: It’s not really the same, I wish I had that kind of ability to be able to just make things
Xana: Doesen’t even need to be something crazy, just MUNDANE TINKERING to make basic useful stuff y’know would be nice
Xana: You ever notice how most kin get TINKER abilities but most are like combat based or have applications toward it
Xana: It’d be nice for someone to just have like… lifestyle applications.

Eventually the conversation reaches a lull. It’s still around 30 minutes to the DATE, so you say your goodbyes and head over to the COMMUNITY CENTER. There are some kin dawdling about as you enter, remnants of the RATIOLATRY GROUP MEETING you think. There’s still no one at the front desk, but you wander in and notice theres a pamphlet on the floor, you pick it up.

RATIOLATRY (THE SYSTEM)
Our premise is simple, there is as high a likelihood of us existing in a simulation. This used to be called SIMULATION THEORY, however upon the advent of THE AWAKENED, an overlay was brought before our very eyes. One like we’ve seen in movies, games, and television. Of course some went insane with this original discovery, whilst others came to terms with it. RATIOLATRY’S name came from a foreign word RATIO for logic, reason, and judgement. LATRY is for the worship of, we worship the system that we exist in, seeking to understand it. In other words, we worship the LOGIC of something we call THE SYSTEM. Unlike other religions, this is less of a blind belief and more of an academic pursuit. Worship through UNDERSTANDING. The idea was posited once by SABA HADLEE, famed founder of the HEROES LEAGUE, he was not a full believer, but his studies were the foundation for our knowledge today.

The rest is kind of rambling, saying that BONDS between others are important. Respect for others doubly so, and that even if this is a simulation, It’s probably impossible to break out of it, so you should live your best life. The back has a note that says if you’ve awakened and discovered something new to feel free to discuss it with other RATIOLATRISTS, sharing this knowledge can lead to enlightenment and potential discoveries of hidden systems. You get the feeling RATIOLATRISTS are more a bunch of really excited nerds from this pamphlet, but propaganda usually paints these things in their own favorable light.

Edmango 2021/08/04(Wed)04:21 No. 1007176 ID: afe7de
File 162807610693.png - (57.67KB , 500x500 , C3_015.png )

You look up and see ANDREA talking to SOME GUY, he’s short and kind of chubby with an eyepatch and strips of hair that are in a few different colors. You decide to head over and say hello.

???: And that’s why I think the ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEM is stupid
Andrea: I can’t say I disagree, but research data seems to indicate
Andrea: that it more or less reflects the ACTUAL desires if you look at psychological analysis
???: But that’s bullshit, why would say, an accountant with a teleporting power
???: Get an hint to cause mass hysteria with their power. It’s stupid.
Andrea: Random, maybe he’s like I dunno secretly a sociopath? Post criminal analysis and interviews have shown that-
Random: Nah, there’s no way to know it wasnt coerced.
Random: Plus, if the system is all knowing is it doing that to GROOM us into that kind of person
Random: Or were we inevitably always going to corrupt with it?

Andrea looks over and gives you a smile, waving you to come closer.

Andrea: This is RANDOM. He’s a chill dude. We were just talking about some specifics of how the SYSTEM works.
Random: The SYSTEM, if you don’t know, is an overlay that a kin sees when they AWAKEN.
Random: And it’s basically what we “Worship” for lack of a better term
Random: Seeking understanding is more the thing but I digress.
Random: What’s your name?

The man sticks out his hand, you take it, shaking it.

You: Cat, new in town.
Random: Nice to meet you Cat Newinton.
Random: Ah, are you the same Cat she’s been faffing about?
Andrea: The same one.
Random: Uh huh.

He eyes you over, taking a walk around you and getting close before going back to his leaning perch. He nods.

You: Uhhh, everything okay there?
Random: Well… at least he smells nice.
Andrea: Yeah because I’m seeking your approval on guys I flirt with.
Random: You should, I have good opinions.
Andrea: Hmmm STRONG opinions maybe? Good? I dunno.

"thanks, I used PINK scented soap today"

Tell Random you heard about him from Ca- a beast kin in town. Ask him about his night work and what it's like.
I think if we want to be friends with him, he would want to have intellectual discussions and theories.

I kind of want to tell him about the time Andrea had x2/x3 high mods as a case study, and how she felt like she traveled to another reality where people were trying to control her body in a civil war, and had even heard voices in her head suggesting her to do stuff, like some kind of interactive group storytelling, and ask in what ways that incident plays into the "simulation", like if we're actually being controlled by outside forces secretly... or if they were just hallucinations.
but maybe we should first whisper or text Andrea to ask permission to talk about that. It's only polite as she might not be comfortable with sharing that.

talk about something we learned from that book we read, like about natural and induced awakening and how it fits in the "simulation". Have a discussion about how how people get powers in different ways, like through trauma or from their environment, through lotteries like from just waking up one day with powers, or genetically like being born from a parent with powers usually awakening at age 8, or induced by an skill book. Wonder if for people who awaken with powers if it could actually be that their dreams are inducing these powers.

And What if all powers are actually induced and there is actually outside forces that is inducing awakenings on people in ways that would fit the narrative best in the "simulation" as he calls it? maybe this might inspire Andrea to mention about what she saw on the news on illegal power capsules from that clinic she went to and how they induce awakening

I remember there was a note that listed MONDAY at 1PM on the outskirts of town with some gibberish text on it. We already took a picture of it, but I'm wondering if that note is still there or if it was taken down. I wonder if using our demon eye amulet on the text will translate that gibberish for us, whether it be on our comm, or physically here.

Ask Andrea who runs the desk here, it always seems to be empty.

>>1007176
>He eyes you over, taking a walk around you and getting close before going back to his leaning perch. He nods.

Probably has an awakened power, or he has an artifact (his eyepatch?) that was scanning us or something. Probably the former considering he is a worshipper.

He's most likely an observant fellow, so lets not scan him with our awakened power or use our amulet to scan him. He might get suspicious.

https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/993796.html#995011

I feel from here we can ask specific things such as, who founded RATIOLATRY? How did it form 50 years ago considering people started awakening 40 years ago? How did they come to find out about the system 50 years ago?

And you heard of a group forming from RATIOLATRY which worship something called [THE BOX] theory that spun off from [THE SYSTEM], something about what lies outside of the system? but you couldn't find much info about it online as theres been accidents related to that group.

Did you sense any powers when you shook hands?
Worship's a funny word indeed, especially if it's so ominous. Does the System ever talk back to you? Does it ever deal out punishments, or only achievements?

>>1007194
>>He's most likely an observant fellow, so lets not scan him with our awakened power or use our amulet to scan him. He might get suspicious.

Why not, Scanning is the power we've been telling everyone we have anyway. Might as well spread it around. That only makes the deception more believeable.

Ask him about what he was talking about before, are there a lot of people who get achievement hints for things that are out of character or violent?

That reminds me, wasn't Flicker from the PABE segment given achievement hints that she found disturbing, one of the hints being to give people seizures with her light powers or something?
It makes me wonder what the implications could be for Flicker's future if what Andrea said about a person's inner desires in relation to what a person's achievements could be is true...

"Anyway, sorry for inturrupting your conversation, mind if I listen in or jump in the conversation?"

>>1007221
The theory im backing, based one what we know about angels and how they attack awakened people, and how Awakenings seem to happen a bit before they show up, its that the System, if there is such a thing, is trying to get the awakened people as combat ready and used to/capable of violence as possible before they show up. Its possible that people with already explicitly combat focused powers may not get such incongruous hints because theyre already set up to be combatants, or they just dont notices for the same reason. It might just stick out more for the people with non-combat powers, because it requires them to be much more creative and vicious with their usage.
The fact that what we've seen of Cat's and Willamina's achievements not being like that kind of gave me the idea. Cat's power doesn't need to be combat capable because he makes OTHERS combat capable, and Will's is already that way so the achievements seem less weird.
Or, It could be that people that Cat awakens just dont have that problem because theyre not part of the system that way? Maybe?

Occam's Razor: The demon overlord responsible for giving Faunus superpowers is an asshole.

I think I'm personally on team "don't scan him", only because of Tony's warnings earlier about our actions when we scanned him and how other kin might not appreciate what we are doing. Willamina's mother Nicky is already suspicious of us when we did that to her. Plus, Cat did start to worry that maybe even if he is lying about his powers by by lying that it is to scan people, the story of scanning in itself might also be dangerous if the wrong people found out especially since we implied we improved it when at Iraphena's place.

Also, if too many Kin found out our powers is to scan people, they might worry we may scan them in conversations and invade their privacy and might be hesitant to hang out with us making bonding a lot more harder.


Plus us scanning him might be seen as very rude if Random does have methods of finding out if Cat is using his powers to scan him if he wants to keep things private.

And the way he was looking at us, and with how interesting that eyepatch looks, I feel he does have methods to know if Cat is scanning him.

If we do scan Random, probably only scan him when he is focused on Andrea when they're talking, maybe the sunglasses will even help conceal his emotions and where he is looking. But even then, I'm hesitant. (I don't think we need to touch him to scan him for powers anymore since we upgraded our power to work at 1m) At most, we can ask Andrea if he has powers after we're done talking with him in our attempt to make friends with him.

That is a much better reason not to, but, if were worried about his reaction, we could just ask him if hes okay with it, and then not do it if he isnt.

>>1007233
>>1007235
I'm not sure these theories actually conflict. I mean, if the idea is to give everyone powers in order to make the fight for demon king more interesting, making them better at combat seems like a clear goal. And demons being assholes is like, a given.

>>1007265
Hmm... my personal thoughts right now is that we know Cat has some kind of weird ability that is blocking people from seeing certain aspects about him (like Iraphena's not being able to predict Cat's actions, or Liminal not seeing his artifacts with his glass scanner). I personally want to take advantage of Cat's weird ability and keep our cards close to our chest as much as we can from strangers, especially since Cat already asked Iraphena not to spread information about his "scanning ability" around.

Random is a complete stranger to us, we dont really know much about him except he is opinionated (inturrupted Andrea when she tried to counter argument him and andrea said he has strong opinions) runs a night business Cannie works for, leads this small group of RATIOLATRY members (not sure what alliance RATIOLATRY is yet), and apparently Andrea relies on him for his approval for people she is dating. We're not too sure what his motives are or what he might do if we told him or asked if we can scan him just yet.

That said, I kind of want to get to know the man and try to form a bond with him if possible before we decide about asking to scan him or not.

Another idea: we can ask if everyone in the RATIOLATRY group is an awakened, and from there, maybe he might reveal if he's awakened or not and what it might be. Otherwise, we can ask Andrea later

If we really wanted to know the power we could also just ask? It won't be a sure way to tell what he's got but most the time people seem pretty proud of their powers.

Didn't we also get the ability to use the scan ability at range in hopes it would be stealthier? I can't remember if we grabbed that or not.

If we're worried about him having some kind of scanning ability just ask him.

"You were staring at me pretty hard there, was that an ultra cool awakened power you were doing?"

>>1007176
you know just building off the discussion, what if it's not that thought through? It seems like whoever "designed" the system was more designing it for branching paths. Achievements don't seem to be fully tied to a core personality trait, with sociopathic and socially beneficial actions being kinda represented in equal-measure.

If we assume that this is a designed system, it seems like what a nerd would put together in an afternoon to account for player choice in a video game, more to encourage playing with the systems they've invented in new ways than as encouragement to be evil or good in any real sense.

Basically, whatever thought went into achievements couldn't have been founded on ANY morality except as it relates to the consequences of your superpower.

Edmango 2021/08/06(Fri)01:25 No. 1007306 ID: afe7de
File 162823832252.png - (46.00KB , 500x500 , C3_016.png )

You: Uhh, You were staring pretty hard there for a sec, you using a power?
Random: Me? Nah. Just trying to size you up, you could probably take me in a fight if it came down to it.
Random: Maybe not if I used my POWER, but y’know.

> Build up the lie
You’re already exposed, no real reason to hide it at this point, might as well keep up with the scan lie to build up a rapport if they have powers.

You: Oh, you have one? I’ve got one too, but it’s kind of uhhh, unique.
Andrea: OH?
You: Yeah, like I can touch you and tell if you’ve got a power.
You: I don’t really want to be a human metal detector though.
Random: Huh, that’s really specific. I guess the achievements are like scan x kin or whatever.
You: Basically.
Andrea: So that’s what NICKY was talking about, she was worried you were MIND CONTROLLING the KIN around town or something
You: Uh, whoops, yeah, not doing that.
Random: Here, do me, see what it says, I mean you already know I have one but you never know.
You: Yeah uh sure.

You grab his hand and scan him, you’re kind of glad he’s being reasonable and didn't assume you automatically scanned him when you shook his hand.

LEVEL [4] ANTIGRAVITY AURA
COST [8 ENERGY]
UPGRADE?

You take another look at him, using your DEA to see if you spot anything, it doesn't look like he’s wearing any artifacts, and the eye-patch is normal, a bit WANOMAY-ISH if you ask yourself. You glaze over the prompt for a moment before responding.

Edmango 2021/08/06(Fri)01:26 No. 1007308 ID: afe7de
File 162823841132.png - (81.87KB , 500x500 , C3_017.png )

You: Yeah, you’ve got a power, mind if I ask what it is?
Random: Yeah, I can basically make a space as if it was a vacuum, like no gravity.
Random: I make some money by making this place an anti-grav chamber sometimes.
Random: She’s got one too, though its more a BANE towards her existence then anything.
You: I think Adrianna mentioned something about that, but like, is it okay to just volunteer that info away
Random: She doesen’t mind it!
Andrea: I actually do RANDAL, it’s not exactly a secret but y’know
Random: I’m sure he’ll be fine.
Andrea: I just have basically infinite stamina and cant sleep, that’s the power, big whoop.
You: And that’s why your sex drive is crazy?
Andrea: I really don’t have much else to do, exercising does only enough up to a point.
Random: Well we’re all weirdies under the SYSTEM after all.
You: speaking of that, I read a thing that said the religion was founded like 50 years ago, but awakened came in 40, how?
Random: It used to be called SIMULATION THEORY, but the believers of that converted.
Random: SABA HADLEE technically founded the school of thought in a book, and that became kind of the founding text.
Random: He called it “[UNDERSTANDING] OUR WORLD” if you wanna read it, it has some cool insights.
You: And what’s this [THE BOX] stuff I read about.
Random: We don’t talk about that here.

His attitude does a complete 180, he’s extremely serious in that moment. You feel slightly threatned by his presence in that moment, but a few seconds later he’s back to normal. Andrea’s normally aloof attitude kind of slides off for a moment as she tries to shift the conversation topic.

Andrea: Aaaaanyway, glad you two got to meet, you hear about what his job is? Go on Random, tell him.
Random: Oh yeah, I work at a coroners, I scoop out eyeballs from corpses for eye transplants.
Random: Gruesome job really.
Random: But the turnover rate is so high that the pay is good enough to stay.
You: Oh yeah I think Can- I mean a Beast-Kin I know mentioned that.
Random: Cannie? Yeah, we work together.
Random: We’re also in the FIGHT CLUB.
Random: If ya need work we’re always looking for new blood.
Random: It’s 4 days on, 3 days off, 4 hour days on SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY, and TUESDAY.
Random: You can work longer hours, thats usually requested, but I wouldn’t,
Random: getting desensitized to that kinda thing can usually mess with your head.
You: Yeah uh, thanks, I’ll think about it.
Andrea: Well, pleasure as always Random now shoo, shoo, go on.
Random: Yeah yeah, have fun with your new boytoy or whatever, maybe this one will last longer than a day.
Andrea: HEY! Don’t scare him… please.
Random: Hit me up if you want to talk shop, I probably know loads more then you do about the whole powers thing.

Random walks off, leaving the two of you near a table with some snacks and drinks, you go to reach over to one when ANDREA baps it out of your hand, you give a confused look to her. You also take an actual look at her instead of glazing over, she’s got her ears in a bow on top of her head, it’s kind of cute, but also makes you question if they’re being crushed by the bow or something. She’s also wearing a shirt that says REAL GOOD BUTTF*CKER, this feels very on brand. You’re not sure what it’s from.

Andrea: Nah, Nah, Nah, I made us a picnic! No early samples!
You: Oh, thanks!
Andrea: And uh, sorry about him, we’re just uhhh really familiar, he rambles on and on
Andrea: And can be kind of assholish.
Andrea: But enough of that!
Andrea: It’s almost time we were supposed to meet anyway, need to do anything before we start the date?
Andrea: Or Uh, I guess we can keep talking to Random if you want um…

Well, I can think of one thing to do before we leave... *Hugs/kisses Andrea*

She doesn't wanna talk about Random right now, so get goin. (At most, ask for Random's number from her, but thats it)

On the way to the picnic, maybe we should mention how she probably shouldn't let people interrupt her counter arguments in a debate like that one and be more assertive when it comes to stuff like that, you think she actually had a really good point there about achievement hints in relationship to a person's psyche when talking to Random, and would have like to have heard what she was going to say before he interrupted her. You think she has really good ideas, you just think she should speak up more and not let people interrupt her, because otherwise, her ideas might stay locked up to never enlighten people and waste away.

On the way to the park, maybe we'll come across something or someone interesting...

"You're cute when you're exhausted."

Immediately walk out and let Andrea follow you.

Show her your complete Plantimals Mango collection on your COMM on the way to the park

And then walk into a pole as you're both paying too much attention on the Mango.

Note to self; RANDOM would likely be super interested in Saba's extended texts we just received, and there are probably loads of puzzles and traps his ANTIGRAVITY AURA power straight up invalidates.

"Hey, Random, you mentioned Saba himself wasn't a true believer? Why do you think that was? That is, did he come to a different conclusion than your founders?"

Random probably knows less than he thinks, but it would be useful to hear what the public understanding of powers is. For now though, let’s go have a picnic. No rush to get there!

Wanted to add, I think it'll be pretty funny if we somehow manage to give Andrea a really good time, that she completely forgets to have sex with us during the date. Maybe we can make that our short term goal? It'd be a goal that has no consequences in failing at and more of a fun thing to try to accomplish.

Also, use your DEA on her bow, just for fun.

>>1007308
eh, we lived in the city, "asshole" was the default flavor, even the nice ones slotted into the "funny asshole" category, lol.

Game plan: all of our attention during this date should be solely on Andrea, dont get distracted by other things or kins or our COMM. all duscussions should be about her. Poor girl wants attention.

Tell her you want to see her stamina in action by having a race with her to the park for our picnic!


>>1007324
Random already left.

Date starts now. That means don't go off to chat to Random.

Edmango 2021/08/07(Sat)01:56 No. 1007363 ID: afe7de
File 162832657436.png - (121.08KB , 500x500 , C3_018.png )

You decide to bother Random later, you can just get his contact info from Andrea if you really want to talk to him. You instead give Andrea a big old hug and a firm pat on the butt to help calm her nerves. She seems less frazzled now and grips you a little tightly, sniffing kind of deeply before letting go.

You: I lived in the city for a while, “asshole” was the default flavor
You: Even the nice ones slotted into the “funny asshole” category.
You: But anyway, you’re kinda cute when you’re frazzled, c’mon, lets go!
Andrea: Buh, haha, yeah, lets!
You: Oh yeah, I got this collection of a MANGO I read a long time ago, it’s called PLANTIMALS and-
Andrea: You watch the Wanomay? Its pretty good!
Andrea: Me and GENA watched it last night and-

You’re both briefly interrupted by two equally spaced poles that appear out of nowhere and clip the both of you. After your daze wears off you hear the familiar cackling of KAZU as you wander off. You look back, yep, it’s two light poles that were placed very close to each other. Why they were put there when one would suffice you might never know. The train of thought is lost and you notice ANDREA has at some point picked up a backpack that pings your DEA.

HANDY PACK VERSION II - a backpack designed after a similar Faunus brand with minor inter-spatial properties. Reduces the weight by half and increases the storage space inside by about 1.25x.
(DEA - This is a mass produced model based off of a similar design that can be found in certain dungeons)

She must have your lunch goods in there, you suppose it’s not all that weird for her to have a minor artifact like this since she has loads of money. You can tell that for some reason Andrea is a little nervous. You’d imagine she’s done this kind of thing before, and that she was fairly confident in her advances the other day, so you wonder if somethings wrong.

Edmango 2021/08/07(Sat)01:56 No. 1007364 ID: afe7de
File 162832658733.png - (64.72KB , 500x500 , C3_019.png )

You: Hey Andrea, you okay? You seem uh… A bit skittish.
Andrea: Huh? I’m fine, totally fine, hahaha, very fine, definitely not because I haven't been on a date date in forever, nope.
You: Ah, so this is a DATE and not just a hookup huh?
Andrea: Uhhhh did I say that hahahahahaah.
You: By the way, why did you let him interrupt you like that?
Andrea: who? Random?
You: Yeah, you had a good point about achievement hints and their psyche, I wanted to hear about it.
Andrea: Oh that? It’s just my dumb speculation, Im not that smart so it’s probably not that good.
You: I still wanna hear it.
Andrea: Well basically its my theory that kin that get those prompts are typically kin that just need a minor push
Andrea: Powers and the system are basically just that push, you see it in normal interactions
Andrea: The invention of weapons, etc. Power corrupts.
Andrea: This is more like… incentive?
You: Hm, well I certainly know there are a few that power doesn’t corrupt
Andrea: Yeah, well there are exceptions of course, but not everyone’s a beacon of morality.
Andrea: If I believed everyone was good then I probably wouldn’t have become a cop.

As you get her talking and show interest she seems to be completely back to normal. You assume she was nervous you’d treat her different after meeting Random. Andrea is taking you to a specific location in the forest for your date, you’ve got some time before you get there, what do you talk about on your way?

A. What does dating mean to Andrea
B. Reveal your true power
C. Mango and Wanomay
D. Other (user suggestion)

>>1007363
>poles
Make a mental note to check back tomorrow to see if those are still there.

>>1007364
>cheevos are a push
Yes... that makes sense. Pushing people into using their powers in impactful ways, whether it be for evil or good. Whoever's behind the System might have some interest in brewing drama and action. (because that's how Karma is generated...)

Also, C.

Let's not start too heavy. C (Mango and Wanomay), then once you're used to each other and relaxed you can move to heavier topics if you want.

>>1007364
C. Mango and Wanomay
and
D: Lets talk about food. She put this picnic together, did she cook it all herself? What kind of food does she like, etc?

D) "So... I found a ghost."

>>1007371
Ooh, as slow-rolling heavier topics go, this actually seems like a good one to start with, as it can still be played off as innocent and unrelated to any theoretical nonsense.

C.

and lets channel Cat's inner dork

"Wait a minute... I just realized what you said... THERE'S A WANOMAY OF PLANTIMALS NOW?!"

(Cat doesn't know because throughout his years living in the city since the incident, he never had cable or internet connection. He just read the mango many years before the Wanomay adaption came out.)

We can also talk about what else she watched yesterday night. we saw brain worms and became a fan, but fell asleep during Caesar's Kitchen

A, or C. Failing to keep up with her stamina's a matter of when, not if, so is she looking to enjoy just the short term benefits of dating? Does she tend to avoid repeat dates?

I actually had an idea of how we can reveal our power if sex happens, we can upgrade her during sex, and maybe her upgrade is that she can give other people she touches stamina, enough for Cat to keep up with her.

Though as I said previously, my goal is to give Andrea a genuinely great time during our date that she forgets about having sex with Cat, and we reveal our power after or towards the end of date, or middle of our date, depending how things goes.

I dont think changing a part of another person fundamentally, as a surprise, is something we should do, or that it would go over well.
Andrea is cool definitely in the top three coolest people we've met in town so far. We should just talk about it honestly when the time seems right.
After that, we can ask if she wants us to try mutating her ability or what.

Edmango 2021/08/09(Mon)01:40 No. 1007478 ID: afe7de
File 162849845799.png - (80.16KB , 500x500 , C3_020.png )

> Upgrade during sex
You really would rather not. You’ve been doing a pretty good job of only consensually powering up kin. You think you’re going to keep that up for now. Plus you just want to be honest with Andrea if it does come down to it, she’s one of the top 3 people you’ve met in the city after all.

> Talk about MANGO and WANOMAY
You decide to have a small conversation about various shows and Wano comics you’ve read. It’s been a while for you since You’ve kept up with recent stuff, so you’re just into old school things like MOBILE STEED CALVARY: FOR GREAT JOUSTICE. You talk about how cool it is that they all pilot horse mecha and nerd out a bit about how the horse is the most mechanically sound shape in that setting which is why they’re used for everything.

Andrea on the other hand thinks its incredibly dumb, they’d only be useful for combat and carrying stuff, not for mining operations or anything that could happen in space. It’s a dumb and lighthearted conversation which is kind of what you’ve been needing. The convo eventually bumps back to PLANTIMALS, you talk about how you read it once as a kid and thought it’d be nice to reread it.

Andrea: You know there’s a WANOMAY now right?
You: Wait… THERE’S A WANOMAY OF PLANTIMALS NOW?!
Andrea: YEAH!
You: Well fuck I should download it before the trip
Andrea: Trip?
You: Ah, we can talk about it later, was going to be something I was going to bring up anyway.

Andrea shares one of her favorite WANOMAY, GLUTES AND GLORY, you havent heard of it but its a show where the characters fight using their rumps and rears. Some characters can do mountain shattering techniques with just their butts and thighs, it’s quite impressive. You haven’t heard of it but it sounds absurd in the way that only WANOMAY can usually be. She says it’s the prequel to another show BUSTS AND BEAUTIES which you have heard of, you didnt realize it but they’re similar concepts, only this one focuses on BREASTS and CHESTS. There’s the fabled FLATLANDS and BUSTOPIA that battle it out over which is better, flat chests or bountiful ones. You have to admit you cried in a few scenes because they somehow wrapped a pretty deep and fulfilling character arc in it. You also talk about BRAIN WORMS, you’ve got the hat on, you’ve been a fan of the series for a while even if there are some PROBLEMATIC and PLOT HOLEY problems with it. Andrea agrees, she just saw the 5th one and shares her mixed review.

> Food talk
You: So what’re we eating?
Andrea: It’s a surprise!
Andrea: Wait you’re not allergic to anything are you?
You: Nah, used to be to pollen but I outgrew it.
Andrea: Good, great even!
You: You make it yourself?
Andrea: I uhh… yes. But I know how to cook!
Andrea: I’ve been up a lot and I consume more energy so I need to eat more than other kin.
You: Well I’m looking forward to it then!

Edmango 2021/08/09(Mon)01:41 No. 1007479 ID: afe7de
File 162849847857.png - (112.20KB , 500x500 , C3_021.png )

Eventually you start to come to an upwards climb, its only a little bit of a hike and you’ve been walking for about 20 minutes before you come up to a clearing. There’s a very small ledge that looks over what appears to be a lake in about 5 minutes of walking distance. To the side there are two trees side by side, a few stumps at sitting height, a single turned over log, and many pleasant smelling flowers. You bend over and sniff a few. You’re in a good mood today so you pop one over your ear in your hair. Andrea’s taking stuff out of her bag, there’s some drinks, some stami-liquors, a few stacked boxes that are neatly tied, what appears to be a big bundle of rope of some kind, some blankets, and a couple other things you can’t see. She really squeezed all the room she could out of that bag.

You help her get all the stuff set up. The ropes were a HAMMOCK that she places between the two trees. She puts the blanket under the shade of the two trees, and eventually you have a nice resting spot. The area is actually cooler than you expected and the view from this particular spot is nice.

Andrea: I like to come here sometimes
Andrea: It’s really pretty at night too, not many kin come by this way because the lake is so close and they miss it.
Andrea: Though there’s this DEER that likes to pop by and sit near us,
Andrea: so if you see her don’t freak out or anything, she’s a friend!
You: Wow, you put in a lot of effort for this
You: I uh, wasn’t expecting this.
Andrea: Well its like… you know, a date. I gotta show off my good points.
Andrea: I cant just like. Uh…
Andrea: This is gonna sound stupid but like-
You: What, no, I promise I won’t think it’s stupid, I like talking with you
Andrea: I dunno, it’s really dumb
Andrea: But uhhh. So like. Uh. It’s like. There’s been a shift in LYST since you came.
Andrea: Like stuff’s going in motion when it’s been relatively still for so long.
Andrea: And like. I like you, so-
Andrea: And my INTUITION is just SCREAMING at me that my feelings are important and I should uh try one more time
Andrea: Ah! Im babbling! Here have some of this, its my homemade potato and carrot pot-pie!
Andrea: I also have some sammies here with some real good JUICY REDS in em.

The food is actually pretty good. You weren’t going in with low expectations but you were still pleasantly surprised. There’s this really savory sauce that she put on top of the sandwiches that feels pretty good on your tongue. She gives you some YELLOW-ORANGE JUICE, it’s fresh and still kind of cold which really hits the spot on this really hot day. You take off your over shirt just to cool off a little. Andrea’s also taken off her top and is in a SPORTS BRA, you look a little closer and think you see tiny rabbits fucking on them. You notice piled along with the other stuff in the bag there’s another box, it looks like a board game of some kind, there’s a few birds floating by, their occasional cooing adding to the ambiance. This is more relaxing then you imagined, even though you’re both pretty sweaty from the heat, though Andrea seems to be sweatier from nerves then anything. What happens next on the date?

A. Play a board game with Andrea
B. Go for a skinny dip in the lake
C. Cuddle in the hammock and talk feelings
D. Reveal your power and invite her on the trip
E. [USER SUGGESTION]

C

>>1007479
C. Make sure you're on the same table.

Leaning more towards A since I'd think it would make more sense to play a board game before we rest on the hammock. Have a fun time with her to make her happier before we cuddle.

Though I'm fine with C too

Futilely attempt to play the board game while cuddling in the hammock.

When it inevitably fails, talk feelings or make out. Whichever feels more appropriate.

She brought a board game, and she brought a hammock - I would be loath to waste either.

Ask if there's time for both with change; if so, do A. If not, skip ahead to C. The latter seems like a good, semi-heavy discussion you can segue into D from.

A, The game she brought is SORRY FORGIVE ME

B or C.

C. Andrea clearly has some stuff she wants to talk about, so let's give her a chance to do that.

A) She brought her edition of "Paw of Prophecy", a modular card game adventure. Cards are laid out on a map and the player moves their game piece on these cards to reveal events and treasure. The gimmick is that the Game Master decides how the player performs skill checks - video games, board games, duck-duck-goose, tag, old maid, all kinds of games can fit into the narrative.

Andrea will likely choose sex challenges.

A

Edmango 2021/08/10(Tue)01:14 No. 1007562 ID: afe7de
File 162858327807.png - (90.78KB , 500x500 , C3_022.png )

> Cuddle and Board game
The two of you finish up what you’re eating and feel satisfied. If you want more there’s still some left, but she closes the lids and slides them over, grabbing the small box and motioning for you to join her on the hammock. You do so, Andrea kind of nuzzling in under you as you get on first. You were a bit worried it’d be too hot for your bods to touch, but even though you’re both sweating, her fur insulates the heat enough that its just a normal level of comfort, not even all that sticky really. You’ve been relaxing for a little while and the sun is slowly moving on the horizon. The box she pulls out is a board game called FORGIVE ME. It’s an icebreaker game with a bunch of cards that involves choosing between two things and asking the other player if they would FORGIVE YOU for doing that.

Andrea: I’ll go first. Oh goddess these two are terrible. Uhhhhhhhh.
Andrea: You catch me taking a dump on your carpet, do you forgive me.
You: PFFF Hahahahaa, WHAT?
Andrea: You heard the card!
You: Uhhhh I dunno, probably if you cleaned it up.
Andrea: I like to imagine it was either out of spite or because I was locked in the house like that THE SAMS game.
You: So you’re saying you wouldn’t clean it up?
Andrea: Probably not.
You: Then No I don’t forgive you.
Andrea: Damn.
You: Okay, my turn, lets see.

You see two options but there’s one that sticks out to you. So you ask that one since it kind of actually did happen.

You: I hit on your twin sister thinking it was you, do you forgive me?
Andrea: PAH, yeah, of course, we look too much alike, specially in our cop gear.
Andrea: Wait, are you asking cause this DID happen or?
You: I uhhh, umm, it’s what it says on the card, but uhh, yeah it did.
Andrea: HAH, nice one ya dingus.
Andrea: My turn, I bought you a WHITE CHOCOLATE cupcake for your birth instead of a VANILLA one
Andrea: You ate it thinking it was VANILLA, do you forgive me?

Edmango 2021/08/10(Tue)01:14 No. 1007563 ID: afe7de
File 162858329727.png - (83.22KB , 500x500 , C3_023.png )

She’s giving you the biggest of puppy dog eyes, which kind of works given her huge black eyes. This one’s pretty innocuous, so you answer truthfully.

You: Yeah, it’s my fault I didn’t ask anyway, no reason to get pupset.
Andrea: *snicker* you part dog or something, oh right, you are, hahahah.
You: Seemed like you had a thing you wanted to talk about?
Andrea: Oh, yeah, it’s uh… FEELINGZ, so I get if you don’t want to uh.
You: Sure, we’re already snuggling, seems appropriate.

She kind of nuzzles in deeper and looks at you.

Andrea: I kind of uhh, have a weird track record with dudes.
You: What do you mean?
Andrea: Like uhhh, I’m intimidating. Too strong, too much stamina, a cop, too much money.
Andrea: So guys get weird with me.
Andrea: I’m mostly into dudes romantically, but like none really like me that way after getting to know me.
Andrea: I’m not saying this to guilt you, just.
Andrea: I like you is all, I thought I wanted a quick fuck but then like we got high and you treated me like a person
Andrea: Like how the girls do and it made me nostalgic.
You: Ah, so you’re worried I’m going to treat you different after sex?
Andrea: Basically. Then you’d just be another potential fuck buddy and I’d still be lonely.
Andrea: I’m a hopeless romantic that has to settle with just sex.
You: You ever try those online dating apps or sites?
Andrea: *raspberry noise*
Andrea: Those suuuuck, long distance suuuucks, commuting across the planet for that suuuucks
Andrea: I have the money for it but like, they never last very long for me because I’m an in person kinda gal.
Andrea: And the few I met overseas are MONOGAMOUS, and I’m not down with that backwards train.
Andrea: I just would rather you know in the beginning what I would like from this
Andrea: And if you’re not looking for that right now can you tell me?
Andrea: I can’t just sleep away the depression, so the earlier I dash my hopes on that the better.
Andrea: I hope I’m not ruining the date.
You: No, it’s nice to get this out in the open I think.
Andrea: We can keep playing if you want, we haven't finished the first date even.

You think on this for a moment, you’re into all kinds of kin, and ANDREA seems pretty great from a lot of fronts, there’s also WILLAMINA, though you’re not sure what she’s looking for in a relationship yet, or even if she wants one and just wants a friend and casual sex. You could always just go for the casual sex with ANDREA, but you can tell she wants more emotional depth to a relationship. Do you even WANT a relationship? You know that you DEFINITELY want BONDS, genuine ones. And you hope regardless that ANDREA can become one.

You think she’d like a response to her question, but you can avoid answering, hold off, or reply at any time. Please also suggest some wacky, serious, or sexual questions (and answers if you feel so inclined) to be given to either ANDREA or CAT. You can also suggest personal questions to ask in between rounds of the game.

>>1007563
Oh, a serious date thing? Yeah alright. Uh, just, there's a lot to do related to this vacation thing so you're not sure how much time you can dedicate to her.

Did you check her powers yet to see how you can upgrade them? I wonder if there's some hidden potential we can unlock to make her something more than an endurance fighter.

>>1007564
You never have gotten prompts as to HOW to upgrade an ability just that you can make the level go up for a cost. There's a chance for MUTATIONS, but you only ever got the one on roach.

For reference, her costs were:

Level [1] Sleepless
Unable to Upgrade.

Level [3] Vigor
Cost [3 Energy]
Upgrade?

>>1007563
Huh, I dont think Cat is really sure one way or the other about a serious relationship right now, but he'd be open to the idea, and I dont think any of the things she mentioned would bother him.
Cat should suggest they continue the date and feel things out, and see if she still feels the same way by the end of the day, and they'll go from there, one day at a time. But that he likes her and wouldn't mind seeing where it goes, just that there's a lot of changes happening recently so things could get chaotic. Andrea seems like shes really got her life together and stable right now, and well, we're probably going to decidedly NOT be that for a good while. We can explain more about that near the end of the date.

Speaking of conversations we're going to have to have, I think it might help to spread that out a bit throughout the night. Im thinking we start with Willamina wanting to start a company, like, an anti hero company(hmm, gotta write that down, Anti-hero company), and the dungeon under the mansion and that invitation, and second go over Cat's power secret maybe the whole ghost brother thing, and then if that goes over well, we can think about the whole end of the world thing. If its not a necessary explanation for the other stuff, we might save that last one for when everyone's together.

hmm... before I wanna answer Andrea's question, I kind of want to know a little bit about Cat's Wingkin Ex-Girlfriend. Why'd she break up with him? Or was it Cat who broke up with her? How did the heartbreak effect Cat? What was Cat looking for from that date? Things like that to consider. (DON'T talk to Andrea about Cat's ex, it is always rude to talk about one's ex during a date. Just think about her for a bit and how it effected him back then)

As for personal questions, Maybe Cat can ask about something that was plaguing his mind yesterday, something about how a beastkin last night (he don't wanna say Cannie's name, he's still hurt about her) calling him a parasite. Maybe even though he knows he is taking steps to not be one, he still has his fears about becoming one, and how he doesn't want to take advantage of Andrea like ask for her money like she offered yesterday, or use her just for sex and want to treat her like a person. Really, Cat doesn't want to take advantage of anyone.

First off, we've already established monogamy is an aberration here and Andrea isn't here for it. So we don't need to think in terms of who we like "best".

Do we want a relationship? Yes, absolutely I think we're looking for a relationship. With Andrea? Tentatively yes, but keep in mind this is your first date. She seems really cool, and you're seeing sides of her on this date that you haven't seen yet, but what you've seen is good.

But there's something else she needs to know. As she's noticed, there's something major up with you, and you're still tossing up how to tell her. But you're definitely going to be travelling soon, busy, and you don't know when or if it'll be over. That may be a good time to segue into some or all of the details, but even if you don't tell her in detail yet, she needs to know that much if she's going to shoot for a relationship.

>>1007565
Oh.

Well, she said she's very strong... how strong? Has she tried sparring with Cannie?

A serious relationship would be amazing, honestly. Cat craves anything that can bring normalcy right now.
However, we have baggage. Our life will soon be crazy and dangerous.
Finish the game, but then tell her you've been hiding your true power. You wanted to tell her about it anyway, but if we're gonna be in a relationship with her, she deserves to know going in.

"Honestly, if anyone's worried about things getting weird between us, it's me. You're... not wrong about my arrival being special, even if most of what I learned about my part in it came after I moved out here to Lyst..."

If we're slow-rolling topics, start with Willamina's inheritance, possibly including the dungeon.

"By the way, I hope you're not resenting those MONOGAMOUS people you mentioned - I mean, it's not my cup of tea, either, but I get how the idea of taking a vow to dedicate your EVERYTHING to a single partner can be beautiful in its own way, as long as you aren't forcing other people to do the same."

"I stole your clothes while you were out skinny dipping and you're miles from home. Do you forgive me?"
Either Cat or Andrea asks that question during the game. I can't decide.

I push you off a cliff for an achievement. Do you forgive me?
I leave cookie dough in your hot car and it explodes, and now the smell is everywhere. Do you forgive me?
A bond is fine too.

Edmango 2021/08/11(Wed)00:31 No. 1007639 ID: afe7de
File 162866708369.png - (123.59KB , 500x500 , C3_024.png )

> Your Ex
You remember your first REAL ex, the one you couldn't get out of your head. She was a wing-kin, passionate, a party animal even. Being near her was like a drug, and she was so soft. And then there was the actual HARD drugs. Honestly if you hadn’t ended up in the hospital you probably would have stuck with her for better or worse. Apparently she’s a popular indie musician back in DONJON now. You still have moments where you look up her social media and think about messaging her. All it would take is just that one message and you’re sure she’d take you back into that lifestyle. It wouldn’t be the same of course, but the temptation never leaves the edges of your thoughts.

You shake your head from your reverie, no, you don’t want to be like them. Don’t want THAT kind of stress again. What she did broke not just your heart but you too in some ways. NIPHA really helped you get out of that slump, heavens, if she wasn’t there you’d probably be in that dark- You shake your head again. Andrea’s looking at you quizzically and you can sense a hint of concern.

You: Sorry, just reminiscing.
Andrea: About what?
You: A past life? One that was only a few years ago?
You: Sigh.
You: I think, yeah I’m looking for a relationship, something normal

She perks up at that, she’s trying really hard to not look excited by that but you can tell that’s what she wanted to hear.

You: But uhh, I’ve got baggage, and I’m also worried things could get weird between us because of it.
Andrea: I dunno, I’m pretty weeeird
Andrea: I did that whole high mod test thing remember
You: Yeah, but uh, let’s keep the date going.
You: Feel things out, see if we really click ya know?
Andrea: Sure, Sure! Yes!
Andrea: Honestly I’m just relieved you even said you were slightly interested.
You: Alright, my turn.
You: I push you off a cliff for an ACHIEVEMENT. Do you forgive me?
Andrea: How big a cliff we talking here? Cause that cliff is tiny.
You: Lets assume its a big cliff? Maybe there’s water at the bottom?
Andrea: Easy forgive, ACHIEVEMENTS are hard to even come by and there’s so many ways to survive that
Andrea: My turn, I stole your clothes while you were out skinny dipping and you’re miles from home. Do you forgive me?
You: Hmm
You: Hmmmmmmm
Andrea: Cmoonnn its just clothes, plus most of us are okay with casual nudity
You: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
You: Nope, I dont. In my fictional scenario you left me with nothing in the middle of the woods
You: That’s fucked.
Andrea: Dang. Tough crowd. I was gonna do it too.

You sweat a little bit more at that, good thing you replied no to that or SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DONE THAT. You take that lull in the game and pop another question at her.

You: So you said you were strong? Like how strong?
Andrea: Well, if we had a scale of ATHLETIC to POWERFUL I would be somewhere in between the two.
Andrea: But it’s my STAMINA that lets me go for a long time that makes it noteworthy.
Andrea: I can outlast Cannie in a fight, but she can overpower me if she’s not tired.

There it is, that name that now causes a knot to form in your stomach, you’re reminded of her words last night and your expression can’t help but falter.

Andrea: Ah, you uh… Don’t like strong girls.
Andrea: I uh I’m sor-
You: Nonononono
You: It’s not that I uh.
You: She uh, a certain BEAST-KIN called me a parasite last night.
You: And even though I KNOW im taking steps to not be one, I’m still afraid it might happen
You: I don’t want to take advantage of people like that and it just still stings.
Andrea: That’s fucked, why’d she call you that?
Andrea: You just got here and even got a job and everything.
Andrea: You’re contributing to LYST and you don’t even know the place.
You: It’s uh, let’s save that convo for end-of-date talk, it’s kind of heavy.
Andrea: Sure, I’ll lend you a big floppy ear when you’re ready.

Edmango 2021/08/11(Wed)00:31 No. 1007640 ID: afe7de
File 162866710132.png - (10.32KB , 500x500 , C3_025.png )

She flashes you a smile that just kind of melts you a little bit, no judgement, just eagerness. You’d be lying if you said it didn't tug at a few heartstrings in a way that WILLAMINA’S doesn’t.

Andrea: So what are you into anyway? Like not just sex stuff but like aesthetics too.
Andrea: I won’t judge if you say you’re into scarred chicks or something.
You: Hah
You: I guess I’m really into Kin, like their fluffy chests, their musk, it’s just-

You kinda lean in and get a big ol sniff of Andrea. She smells like PURPLE today, she chuckles and tickles you a bit whilst also giving you a couple sniffs in your sweatier areas. She calls you a FURRY and you guess that’s not too far off the mark, being called a KINNY is stupid and most people know it.

Andrea: Good to know I fall in with your TASTES haha.

You keep playing for a little bit before you feel the card game has run it’s course. The two of you kind of chat about random things, likes and dislikes. She’s mostly into violent entertainment, Wanomay and Live action as well. She also watches her fair share of PORN with GENA, she’s somewhat of an enthusiast. You imagine as an enthusiast she’s probably starred in her own flicks at one point. For her being sexual is kind of a BIG DEAL in her life, she talks about it with a kind of FANATICISM you’d imagine comes from someone whose religious. You ask her if she’s upset at those MONOGAMOUS people she was talking to and kind of dismisses it, she claims to not want to force anyone to follow her views, but you can tell she’s really not comfortable with the idea.

Andrea: It’s not even that I can’t GET INTO the idea you know?
Andrea: Maybe if I find someone perfect or that can duplicate it’d be a different story but its like.
Andrea: So many of those kin are just so… JEALOUS?
Andrea: You can’t even talk to other kin without getting them in a rage, even for platonic stuff.
You: Yeah I’ve met a few people like that, can’t control their JEALOUSY, wanting CONTROL over their partner.
Andrea: Yeah, it’s shit like that I can’t forgive,
Andrea: so I kind of have a blanket no monogamous members of my group deal.
Andrea: I’m willing to have exceptions, but so far none of the exceptions have really given me trust.

You think about how Andrea has mentioned a few times that she’s not smart, it seems like she actually is, just for things that are typically not considered academic. It’s more for SOCIAL and INTERPERSONAL things that she actually pierces the veil for from what you’re gleaning. Before you notice it’s been several hours, Andrea’s not been pushing for sex the whole time and as far as you can tell she’s been actually just having a genuine good time with you. You could say the same for yourself. The stress you’ve built up is kind of slowly melting throughout the date. You imagine sex is still on her mind, but she hasn't slipped you any aphrodisiacs nor has she brought it up, instead taking the time to figure YOU out. It looks like Andrea has one or two more things planned for the date, what happens next?

A. Go for a SKINNY DIP in the LAKE
B. A big old DEER appears
C. ? ? ? ?
D. [USER SUGGESTION]

C can either be really good or really bad

not taking that risk

B, the deer shows up.

A. It'll be a good time.

D, badger shows up

Or the forest lady we heard about

Maybe both?

C.
But I don't see why they all can't happen at once lol.

B) And they're doing an Awakened-assisted moonwalk!

>>1007646
I like the return of the badger

A/B.

Sounds like a good time for A now.

Oh we're not voting for the mystery option?

B, then.

>>1007363
Did we check of Kazu has a power? Maybe he can create lamp posts.

>>1007646
+1 to Badger coming back. It gives us a good conversation piece to go into our power.

If possible, I would like to alter my vote a bit to have both Deer and Badger show up. Theyre friends

>>1007709
More than friends

Edmango 2021/08/12(Thu)05:27 No. 1007724 ID: afe7de
File 162877123926.png - (53.70KB , 500x500 , C3_026.png )

Andrea starts to put away some of the food, you take out an extra sammy and start chowing down on that one. Even though the day is it, It’s kind of nice. You hear some rustling from a set of nearby bushes that calls your attention. After a few moments you see a DEER pop up, well actually that’s not accurate. It’s a DOE, no horns, and something else that catches your attention is her face. She has SIX EYES. You’re quite caught off guard by this, you wish your DEA could scan living things and not just artifacts because boy would you love to know more about this creature. It looks at you and ANDREA before wandering to the middle of the clearing and taking a seat. It’s eyes are locked onto you, but you’re not scared or intimidated, more intrigued if anything. Suddenly another rustle in the bush occurs. A badger, slightly larger than normal pops out. You recognize it, the size might have increased, but its the same badger you powered up before. It wanders out of the forest, notices you two, and backs away slowly back into the forest.

Andrea: Oh wow, I haven’t seen you before, bye animal friend!
Andrea: We can go lay with the DEER if you like, she’s real friendly.

You’re getting a strong urge to pet the deer. You also don’t really feel any threats coming from it. If Andrea’s been around it as long as she’s implied, then it’s probably HARMLESS. Or at least has no reason to harm the two of you. You look into the forest behind where they came in, where the badger left from, you think you see a very small path.

A. Lay with and pet the SIX EYED DOE
B. Head into the forest
C. Skinny dip
D. [USER SUGGESTION]

>>1007724
Pet the deer and check for Awakened powers.

I wonder why Andrea didn't mention the six eyes, that is like, a HUGE detail to leave out...
WAIT, remove your demon eye amulet for a moment, see if it still has six eyes afterwards. Somethings weird here.

D. Remove your demon eye amulet, see what happens.

if it still has six eyes after doing that, then

A, pet it. probably don't scan it, animals have weird instincts and we might scare it off if we use powers. Especially one with six eyes

(wonder if the OVERMIND has something to do with this)

>>1007742
This, except after checking out the deer follow the badger. Invite Andrea along, tell her the badger is a friend.

B. Both are highly unique animals.

>>1007724
A.

Edmango 2021/08/12(Thu)22:30 No. 1007815 ID: afe7de
File 162883262246.png - (9.44KB , 500x500 , C3_027.png )

> Remove your amulet
You sort of do a quick and easy motion of removing your amulet, wondering if something changes. Nothing does. The deer is still there, still a deer, but still with 6 eyes. You put it back on and move with ANDREA towards it.

You: Weird question, how many eyes do you see on the DOE?
Andrea: You’re right that is weird, there’s about 4362 on the deer.

You pause and look at her, questioning your sanity for the briefest moments.

You: Come again.
Andrea: There’s 2. Sorry, I thought that read better as a joke.
Andrea: Silly questions get silly answers and all that.

She heads toward it and lies down near it, beckoning you. Normally you’d be overwhelmed with a sense of DREAD at something like this, but it doesen’t come to you. You’re INSTINCTS don’t scream for you to run, and the urge to pet it is still there. So you head near it and do so. The DOE is soft, incredibly soft. Softer than the softest thing you’ve ever touched, softer then thigh fur. But not uncomfortably soft. There’s the faint scent of GRASS in the air. The doe moves its head towards you and your hand, like it’s asking to be pet, so you do so. Its eyes give you a pleased expression.

You: So to me this DOE has 6 eyes.
Andrea: Thats… weird.
You: Think it means anything?
Andrea: I dunno, but I always feel calmer when I’m near her.

Edmango 2021/08/12(Thu)22:30 No. 1007816 ID: afe7de
File 162883264214.png - (3.36KB , 500x500 , C3_028.png )

You notice then, that you do feel irrationally calm, almost like… almost like the intense stresses of your day are just melting away. You feel so relaxed that you could probably take a nap. There’s one thing you can tell for certain about this doe. It’s definitely awakened, you don’t need to use your power to tell that, something is going on here. You heard of animals naturally awakening, this must be one that did. You hypothesize something and look over your body at the bruises left from when Cannie crashed her leg down on your chest. There’s not even a scratch. You hypothesize something else, pricking your finger to draw blood and the wound slowly seals, good as new. The DOE licks you and Andrea giggles at the sight. It’s kind of nice to just enjoy this moment and not have a crazy intense feeling of dread on you. Time passes like this, no words are really shared between you and Andrea, it’s silence, but the good kind of silence.

Suddenly its dark out, you look around, it’s nowhere. You’re wearing a weird scarf-like thing you don’t recognize. But it’s not just dark, you’re floating, or falling. It’s hard to tell. You look in the distance to see the DOE, it’s frolicking, there’s several animals following it and a girl riding atop the DOE. She’s got fairly bushy hair but you can’t make out details from this distance. A flash of light from your periphery gathers your attention. You turn to look at it, a group of individuals are running, there’s panic in their expressions. They seem familiar, one has your hair, another has rabbit ears, and the last is scarred, but it’s strange, you can’t name the figures at this moment. Your attention is drawn to another scene. You try to look at it and all you see is [RED], almost like its censored. You look up for some reason and see a pair of eyes. You feel like you’ve seen them before. It’s got almost a MOTHERLY feel to it, but you don’t quite understand why it is you feel that way about it. You don’t dream too often so this is a surreal experience for you, and the fact that you feel CALM and aren’t terrified adds to this. A whisper of a voice can be heard in your ear, it says:

Voice: May your passion incite change.

And like that you’re awake again. You’re not sure how long has passed but you actually fell asleep for a bit, the DOE is gone and you can see the sun cresting over the horizon.

Edmango 2021/08/12(Thu)22:30 No. 1007817 ID: afe7de
File 162883265528.png - (12.52KB , 500x500 , C3_029.png )

Andrea: Well you kinda passed out there.
You: How long was I out?
Andrea: A few hours, you feeling okay?
You: I actually feel like I’ve slept for the first time in years.

It’s true, you’re reinvigorated like you’ve never been before, or unlike what you’ve remembered in your lifetime. You check your COMM, it’s about 6:27PM, You know poker night is at 10PM, an update from WILLAMINA lets you know to meet her at her place at 9:30PM. You can see Andrea fidgeting slightly and she rubs her ears a bit.

Andrea: So uh, this probably went on a bit later then you expected.
You: No, really, I had a great time. Just, wow, time flew.

She bites her lip a bit and kind of leans in close, you were already laying on her but she runs a finger across your chest and leans in close to your ear.

Andrea: So we don’t have to if you don’t wanna but umm.
Andrea: Could you just really shove your cock deep inside me.
Andrea: Just stir up my insides like your dick is an egg beater?
Andrea: Release just so many loads I get bloated and we get crazy high?

You know ANDREA has mods in so she won’t get pregnant, you don’t have that mod, but you also have condoms if you’re worried about that kind of thing. The path through the forest is gone, and there’s still more than enough light out for you to have some fun before you should head back. But you’ve also got to bring up the things you wanted to talk about and everything just got ahead of you.

>>1007817
Magic deer with a healing/calming aura, huh?

>the path through the forest is gone
Damn it did we miss the chance to speak to the forest lady again? She always shows up when we're busy with something else.

>fuck the bunny?
Fuck the bunny.
But also yeah you should tell her about your true power. Hmm. Here's an idea: tell her you have a big secret-- that there's more to your power than you've told people. Does she wanna know before, or after you pump her belly full of spunk?

>>1007816
... You know, how hard would it be for Set to settle down and have a family despite being a demon lord? Come to think of it, what do you and Callan remember about your mom?

>Bunny Sex
Let's make it a game.
Cat will run naked through the woods and Andrea will catch up to take a blowjob. The catch is that you keep walking and Andrea isn't allowed to breathe unless she stops sucking and has to do three laps around a tree before she can chase Cat again. If Cat cums, Andrea has thirty seconds to stuff her vagina and get Cat to cum again.

If she can get Cat to cum eight times total, they'll go straight to Andrea's house and screw the night away.

realize Andrea already stripped you... while you were asleep. guess you're already set for sex.

Ask her if you and her can have slow passionate sex together with her instead of going rough and quick. there was actually something really important you wanted to tell her and you feel now that you're finally stress free, you're ready to talk to her about yourself while you have sex with her. Take it to the hammock, or the lake. Tell her you both can go rough and faster after you get the emotional baggage and your secrets off your chest. But right now, you want this to go slow as you pour your heart out to her.

Remind Andrea that you still have some really heavy shit to share that probably shouldn't wait too long, but also that it will definitely spoil the mood. If she really wants to, we can make like rabbits and then talk serious stuff afterwards.

>>1007823
Agreed. If she wants to skip to the heavy stuff, I honestly don't know whether to start with the dungeon or the apocalypse, but if you only get out two of the topics, it should be those (with the obvious "swear to secrecy" caveat).

Hmmm... i think we can spread some of the discussion out, some parts that wont spoil the mood for sex, and then talk about the heavy stuff after sex while we're high, but tell her to keep it all a secret.

So like, before sex, tell her start by telling her about your power, and how you awakened Willamina, and how her inheritence she got from Saba gave her information about having a way to make her stronger with a training regime he built that she was going to invite people for traibing during vacation. We are planning on invitinf Andrea to this vacation to make her stronger as well.

After sex, tell her about what you learned from Saba's inheritence (the Apocalypse, assassins that might go after Willamina, the training regime Saba built is actually a man made dungeon that could really hurt us, more details about what Cannie told you, angels and demons)

Wait... it might be very unlikely, but I have a small feeling, what if something about that deer just caused Cat to awaken to a third power? I know that when Cat awakens someone, their wounds heal, they sometimes have a weird vision, and people sometimes awaken to a power after waking from a sleep... what if that dream was a that vision of a sign to him awakening to a power, and Cat being healed was just a process of being awakened?

As I said, most likely he didnt, but One way to find out: check your status screen, see if you have a new awakened power.

>>1007823
This

Hey, what if after Cat and Andrea's date ends after Cat reveals his power and fucks, we switch perspectives to Willamina and rewind to the point where Cat and Will split up so we can see how she interacts with Gena and how she reveals Cat's power to her?

Edmango 2021/08/14(Sat)00:27 No. 1007866 ID: afe7de
File 162892605808.png - (10.38KB , 500x500 , C3_030.png )

> Don’t forget the important convo!
You: I’m down, but uh I DID have something important to talk about and it will kill the mood
Andrea: It’s really hard to kill my buzz when it’s up, so you’re probably referring to yours.
Andrea: How about a bit now and a bit later?
You: Uhhh, sure, I’ll give something lighter.
You: I’ll gloss over most of the details just for the sake of mood but, here’s 3 things.
You: One, my power is actually to Awaken others and improve their skills
Andrea: Halt, hold on, gears… spinning… in… head.
Andrea: Okay, and you did Willamina, right?
You: Yup. That’s 2.
Andrea: Huh, can you like… Turn off powers? Like, ones relating to not being able to sleep.
Andrea: Ohgodpleasetellmeyoucandothat
You: There’s like, MUTATIONS that happen sometimes but I can’t control it.
You: Heck I cant control what anyone gets!
Andrea: But like what if you upgraded my sleeplessness, is that a thing?
You: It says [UNABLE TO UPGRADE] sorry.
You: There’s upgrades that cost A LOT of achievement points to revoke one that I gave someone but-
You: None for just outright removal
Andrea: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
You: Sorry.
Andrea: It’s FIIIIIIIIINE I GUESSSSSSSS
Andrea: You better fuck me gingerly for a bit to apologize. I want affection now.

Andrea does a little pout that’s very cute. It’s obviously over-exaggerated, you feel like sharing more than that at this moment will probably kill the mood further and you do actually want to have sex with her, so you decide to hold off on the rest until later.

You: I think I’ll save the rest for later, imagine a scale from 1-10, that was like a 3 compared to the rest.
Andrea: Goddess fuck, well alright.
Andrea: Now c’mon, quick before you get stuck in your head and full of anxiety.

She yanks you from your laying position, flipping you around with a swift motion that surprises you because she definitely does not have a good angle to grip you from to flip you without being pretty strong. You guess she is STRONG after all. She pulls you into a deep kiss. Her breath smells of PINKS, a nice fleshy sweet kind of taste that swirls around, you’re caught off guard for a second but adjust yourself and put your own flair to the orchestra of sensation. Andrea pops off her bow and her ears droop to the side, one landing on your head softly before flopping off. You separate for a moment to take a deep breath, your top is off, and so is hers. You genuinely didn’t notice when she took them off. As a matter of fact…

> Andrea removed your clothes already
You’re not wearing any clothes! You could have sworn you were wearing them when you woke up, but then again you didn’t look down to check, but she also offered to not have sex, which you assume means they would have been on. You’re going to assume Andrea also has some kind of CLOTHES REMOVING MAGIC, or she’s just that good at distraction while you were making out. A sort of SLEIGHT OF HAND that works solely towards sexual conquests. You dismiss it since you’re having a good time. She looks hungry, ravenous, and in deep, deep desire. You touch her cheek and she quivers with excitement. You go in for another kiss, this time slower, more time taken to savor the experience. Your lips smack against each-other gingerly as you feel her grind up against you, her arms exploring your back with gentle touches. You’re already aroused, and so is she, you briefly remember that you both have arousal mods, hers is on her saliva and pheromones, yours in your musk. It’s a pleasing cocktail of pleasure that’s tickling that part of your brain to let it know it’s okay to enjoy this.

Edmango 2021/08/14(Sat)00:32 No. 1007869 ID: afe7de
File 162892637386.png - (34.73KB , 500x500 , C3_031.png )

You part, breathing heavily, desire quaking in your eyes. Andrea asks if you can make your cock have a knot, you do so happily as she gently stimulates your member and your rather large balls. She pushes you down and starts to give it a few smooches, licks, and nibbles that only serve to send tingles down your spine. In a moment she has your shaft completely down your throat, knot and all. And her throat, goddess her throat, if you didn’t have that stamina mod, you’d be hard pressed to have not climaxed at that exact moment, you have no idea what’s going on there, but apparently all the stops have been pulled from the other day, and her TONGUE. There’s a POP as she pulls herself off of your cock.

Andrea: Shiiiit you didnt cum from that???
Andrea: Gotta step up my gaaaaame then!
Andrea: Fuck I’d have you facefuck me till I pass out but I really fucking need this.

Andrea pushes you off gently and spreads open her legs, you didn’t notice before but it’s nearly an absolute fountain down there. You bend over and give her soaked lips a lick, you feel her tense as a light squirt sprays your face and you hear her quivering orgasm.

Andrea: F-f-f-fffuck, I forgot about how double arousal mods interact
Andrea: Please, goddess, phew, one sec.
Andrea: Okay, Okay.

She reaches out her arms to you in a welcoming gesture, you embrace her, your cock slapping against her wet vagina. Yeah, you don’t need lube for this job. You begin grinding ever so slowly against her clitoris. You can feel Andrea clench with each stroke, she pulls you tighter as you rub against her, and without nearly any fanfare your cock is balls deep. There’s a pause where you feel everything go silent, the two of you look at eachother, a bestial lust reflected in her eyes, then everything goes white. Pleasure assaults your senses. Your cock engorges and Andrea’s Vagina pulsates and constricts, attempting to absorb every last drop of your thick white seed. You feel like your cock is being milked and the both of you are quivering with your orgasm, holding eachother tight. There’s even a moment when a slight tear comes out of both of you. Andrea’s biting your neck and you’re doing the same.

And then the HIGH hits you and it’s like a second orgasm. A sense of euphoria lasting longer then that brief moment of nutting settles on your mind. You thought you were calm before? You feel like you’ve hit a state of sexual zen.

Andrea: Oh System thank you for this blessed nut.
You: Heh, the system?
Andrea: Well without it we wouldn’t have had mods like this
Andrea: They’re tinker made you know?
You: I. Ahhh, Did not.

Edmango 2021/08/14(Sat)00:33 No. 1007870 ID: afe7de
File 162892638481.png - (16.53KB , 500x500 , C3_032.png )

What follows is a blur, but in a different way from how sex with Willamina was a blur. You would describe sex with Willamina to be theatrical almost, like you were both putting on an enjoyable show, you can’t remember most of it but you had a good time. This, this is like a sexual buffet. There are moments when you break into roleplay, chasing eachother around and pouncing like it’s some sort of game. Other moments when it’s oddly quiet and you cuddle, moving your cock through your mods whilst she strokes it with hers. There’s a lot of moments where you stare into each-others eyes, and a surprising amount of gentle sex. There are of course moments when you almost question your sanity with the speed and pleasure that you’re going at, but you’re not so concerned. The CALM, the DATE, and this feeling of FREEDOM you have right now eliminates any remaining stress you might have had. There is a moment when you even break into tears and ANDREA joins you, it’s not from sadness, but from happiness, and much to your surprise, there’s no real degradation play this time. You’re not sure how much time has passed until you stop, you’re both breathing heavily, andrea, much less than you, but her moans of ecstasy still come occasionally. Andrea’s belly is lightly engorged with cum, she burps a few times in satisfaction.

Andrea: So like I, heheh. I, heheh.
You: hehehe, got the giggles?
Andrea: Pffff hahaha, yeah. I. Heh. Like sex isn’t THAT satisfying regularly
Andrea: No one can keep up right?
Andrea: And honestly I could go for a session about as long as that and then some
Andrea: But like. THAT, THAT was satisfying.
You: Yeah, just, I didn’t even know our mods could interact like that.
Andrea: I forgot they could
Andrea: And this is just sooooooo much more cum then I’m used to.
You: They don’t have cum mods at the haunch?
Andrea: Not really
Andrea: I mean Nail can a little, but he’s always tapped out by Leshanna

You look to your side, comm conveniently near your most recent fuck-spot. It’s 8:47, you should head back soon. You notice you’re still very much knotted to Andrea, and you’re also spooning. You could easily remove it, but as you start to do it Andrea pulls you closer.

Andrea: just a little longerrrrr, I love this feeling.
Andrea: I know its late, but let me have thisssss 5 more minutes?
You: Wanna talk about the serious stuff after?
Andrea: Sure, while we walk. It’s a little dark but I have a good light.

You wait out the remaining minutes, staring at each other, gently kissing occasionally, you give her a few licks and are not rewarded with fur on your tongue, she grooms hersefl well. Sometimes you feel Andrea quiver and clench with another orgasm, she’s certainly doing something to your member down there, but you’re sexed out so its more or less out of sexual sensation. You brush your hand over her ears, they’re soft, and also coated in cum, you forgot that you fucked her ears at one point, it was hotter then it should have been. Eventually you pull out, the floodgates opened as cum starts flowing from her pussy. Andrea lays there for a moment, reveling in the process whilst you sit up and watch. After a bit it’s over and she pulls out some moist towelettes, the two of you clean off as best as you can, a shower definitely in order before poker night, and head down the trail. You get the feeling your high will wear off by the time POKER NIGHT starts, so that should quell any anxiety from before the event.

How do you invite Andrea on the trip?

Ask if she wants to do something epic, violent, nerve-wracking, and society-defiling.

Tell her it's Plantimals but with fewer puns.

>>1007870
Well first, get the big thing out of the way. There's a big ass war coming in a matter of years. An apocalyptic war between Angels and Demons, and everyone else is going to get caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, the Hero Association has been infiltrated by Angels, so you can't count on their help.
Then tell her there's hope. You're going to get strong enough to protect everyone you can, first by getting a core group of loyal friends strong enough to protect YOU, then afterwards building an army of Awakened via your power. That means doing dungeon runs, starting with an easy dungeon first, and that leads into...
Inviting her into your dungeon party.

You can tell her the specifics about the Hadlee Estate once she agrees, and when you get her back to Willamina. Probably shouldn't bring up Isabella yet. Might want to wait until Isabella leaves, even.

for comedic relief: Realize too late in your high that you both have been absentmindedly just carrying your clothes as you walk back to town instead of wearing them, and you run into Fivin accidentally giving the poor guy a show... again.

--------------------

>>1007875

Pretty much this. Maybe tell her that the dungeon you're talking about is one that Saba secretly built with the sole purpose of training Willamina and her friends so that she can be protected from assassins. Also, talk about how with Andrea being a cop and all, her sense of justice in wanting to protect people could be helpful for the team.

And yeah, say that it will be like Plantimals. When Andrea asks "With puns?" get confused because the Mango doesn't have any puns in it at all (the dub just takes liberties and the Mango is more faithful to the original vision of the artist, and Cat has only read the Mango)


But yeah, leave Isabella and Max out of the conversation... though I have a feeling Andrea is going to ask about the animals burning, she was planning on asking cat about it during the intermission with the Mizz Es section.

And yeah, add that your power is what Cannie was talking about when she called you a parasite, she accused that we were using our power over Willamina to get what you want, along with artifacts and other things

But also tell her to keep all this, including your powers are secret... shhhhhh!
--------------------

Oh! we should like, ask Andrea if she wants her vigor power upgraded as long as we tell her that her vigor is something different from sleepless, just so we can potentially help the progress with any potential achievements we might have and make our powers stronger.

First ask for a description of what Vigor actually is so we don't mess her up before we decide to upgrade her, and what potential upgrades she can get from vigor with her achievement points at the achievement store so we can get a better idea about what will happen if we upgrade her. We'll decide from there if we want to upgrade her if she consents

------------------------------

>>1007870
Feel the need to point out, since Andrea asked about it, That one of the Achievement Upgrades Cat opened up last night was the ability to force a power to mutate for half its cost, and it doesnt specify that its a power he's given. We also have enough points to purchase it now.

Major points to bring up, in no particular order:
-The Hero League has been secretly infiltrated and corrupted by an insidious force, and several members have apparently been replaced by imposters.
-The infiltrators are connected to a guild from the city, apparently the same one Cannie and Iraphena, and Isabella worked for.
-This was apparently done by Angels, who are setting up for the apocalypse, where after the demons come in to fight over kingship, the angels will kill all awakened individuals they can find as well as anyone else in their way.
-Saba knew about this and was working against it before getting betrayed from the infiltrators in the League, and then later murdered in the fire.
-Saba created a dungeon under the mansion as a training ground, that he left to his heir.
-Cat, Willamena, maybe Gena, and Andrea, if she wants to, are going to check it out, and explore to get ready for the coming fights and probable assassins.
-Cat's brother is a ghost
-I dont know if we should tell her about the Demon Fire Spirit now, because she might try and arrest her or something.

>>1007879
Oh, we should probably mention Cannie didnt like Cat being the bearer of bad news, so she reacted violently, in both the emotional and physical sense so, she aint coming.

>>1007880
At most, I want to consider Willamina's feelings on this and personally dont want to say that part to Andrea considering Willamina loves Cannie like a sister and best friend after knowing her throughout most her life and really wants us to consider having Cannie join. She probably wont be too happy with us if we went around saying Cannie cant come with us to others. It may damage our bond with Willamina a bit if we did that. It'd be like hearing our best friend telling someone our sibling that we love cant come with us to an event because of an argument they had. Willamina sees something in Cannie that Cat isn't seeing right now as she has known her most her life.

forming bonds are important, it's a drive we set for Cat to make him stronger towards his goals, and I dont want Isabella or Nunitus to corrupt Cannie if we refuse her joining us to protect Willamina and making her a new enemy against us for life because of it and even risk her revealing our true power to nuntius as she wrongfully thinks she is trying to save Willamina from Cat's quote-unquote "corruption". She's already worried our powers might become strong enough to mind control people. Cannie really does wanna join us to protect Willamina after all just like us. Plus she is the most knowledgable about dungeons and can perhaps save us with her knowledge of traps and monsters. Her problem is that she is a bit too overprotective of Willamina to the point of paranoia that we need to fix.

Being angry at Cannie is fine, it's justified. I'm not saying I agree with her actions, her hurting Cat was a bit too far, and i know some see her as the worst character in Catalyst, but i personally find her interesting and Im really really hoping we can at least try to make room to try to give Cat and Cannie another chance to mend bridges before the trip, or come to a compromise with her, and find the good in her. I see her actions were more of a uncontrollabe emotional outburst after having the STRESS of everything she believed in come crashing down all at once on her, and fears we were using those bad news as a way to manipulate her and Willamina (I see Cannie's stressful outburst kinda like how Chi in Shards had an angry outburst in shards after accumulated too much stress against Shimon).

I still see good in her as a character, she's not evil, just that she is a bit too overprotective of Willamina. I really want Cannie to come along, but if in the end she doesn't, I dont want to go around telling others she cant come, that would probably break Willamina's heart if we did that without considering giving Cannie another chance like Willamina really wants us to

Instead, I'd say we can go into details with Andrea about how Cannie hurt Cat and called him a parasite and how he doesnt know how he can forgive her for doing something like that to him, maybe mention how he doesnt understand what Willamina sees in her. Maybe Andrea will give us some insight about Cannie we haven't considered?

I really just meant Cannie isnt coming with us this time, and judging by the last conversation we had I dont think she intended to anyway. Even if she did, I wouldn't go into a dungeon with her anyway. She made it pretty clear she doesnt place much value on anyones lives except her immediate family, which is just, not something you say to someone who might have to trust their back to you in a dangerous situation. Until she does something that makes us believe thats not the case, I think I think the mansion itself is as far as i'd go with her. And whats she did and said was more then "a bit much" in my opinion.
I dont hate her or anything, I just dont think we can trust her, at least not in this specific circumstance.

>>1007877
Support on just carrying our clothes and coming across Fivin when we get back into town.

We did it bois. Waiting for 4 mont-, I mean, a whole day was totally worth it.

Edmango 2021/08/15(Sun)03:54 No. 1007979 ID: afe7de
File 162902488781.png - (4.71KB , 500x500 , C3_033.png )

Andrea’s flashlight lights up the path, you use your COMM for some extra light. The moons are out and it’s not too dark, the light is comforting and makes your way back to town easier. There’s a lull as you try to figure out where to start, you want to do a better job then you did last night.

> Big things and conspiracies first
You: So what do you know about the coming war?
Andrea: The Demon War? The one about the demon king or something like that?
You: Wait you know about that?
Andrea: Ratiolatry has some connections, so I understand the basics.
Andrea: And I only really know that it’s a thing happening between the demons in their towers.
Andrea: Some kin theorize it’s responsible for our powers too but I’m unsure.

You then elaborate about the angels and their role in the war. Andrea goes from cheery as normal to shocked. She presses you for details that you share, eventually disclosing what you know about the Heroes League. She stops in the middle of the forest to look at you.

Andrea: So we’re just fucked? Like completely and totally?
Andrea: I mean we joke about the corruption in the League but we all kind of expected them to… I dunno
Andrea: Actually come through when it mattered?
Andrea: I find this a little hard to believe.
You: Yeah, well, I kind of uh, like I guess was told some of this directly by more than one source.
You: First from an Auction
Andrea: Wait seriously, you’re newly awakened and you ACTUALLY got in one?!?!
Andrea: Fuck, im jealous.
You: How do you-?
You: Apparently you’re the most informed person here sans Iraphena
Andrea: Random talks a lot of shit, most of its from him, for all his boasting he does actually know a lot.
Andrea: So is she source two?
You: Yeah, more or less
You: And the third, most realistic one comes from Wills inheritance.
You: It basically spelled the whole thing out.
You: Have you talked about this with anyone? Like the stuff you know?
Andrea: Not really, It’d incite panic, or cause someone to question their reality and lash out.
Andrea: Just other Ratioligists really.

It’s then that you talk about your plan, what the vacation is truly for. It’s supposed to be a road trip, but it’s actually to train in a dungeon made by SABA HADLEE. You plan to use it to get a core group of strong members, strong enough to protect themselves from potential assassinations or otherwise, strong enough to protect YOU and your power. And you mention wanting her to join. She seems to only now get the gravity of just what your power can do. But even then it appears connecting things together takes her a bit longer than normal for larger logistical things. Either way, she isn’t looking at you any differently then before, not with greed, but with the same general affectionate lust that you’ve grown to recognize.

Edmango 2021/08/15(Sun)03:55 No. 1007980 ID: afe7de
File 162902492096.png - (52.20KB , 500x500 , C3_034.png )

Andrea: Is that even a question?
Andrea: Of course I’ll fucking join!
Andrea: High or no high, protect and serve is kind of my thing.
Andrea: Plus my only friends are doing it too?
Andrea: You know how some kin say don’t jump off a cliff if your friends are doing it?
Andrea: Nah, I do because these friends, my true friends, they would do the same for me.
Andrea: Also there’s like bungee cords so it’d be fun!
You: There’s other stuff, like the guild that infiltrated the league being a bigger deal then we expected
You: And potential assasinations on Willamina
You: Two other conspiracies which I honestly want to hold off on for now.
You: My brother’s a ghost, I could call him here so you could talk to him briefly?
Andrea: Woah a ghost? I uh. Is it weird that I’ve always wanted to see a ghost?

You summon Callan with a thought and a few moments later he flies in from the city. He looks at the two of you, stifles a chuckle that you don’t quite get and then you materialize him and have him do introductions.

Callan: Yo, I’m his brother, Callan. Used to be an S ranked hero before death.
Andrea: Nice to meet you, your brother is a wonderful kin.
Callan: Haha, thanks he’s a trooper, been through a lot these last few days.
Callan: Looks like he’s feeling better now though.

The group of you talk for a bit and you try to catch Andrea up on most things, leaving out the whole Isabella and Max situations for now, as those tended to be the most frustrating topics to broach. After a while Callan dissipates and lets you know he’s going to head off, he was watching something interesting that he’ll fill you in on tomorrow. And like that he’s gone. The two of you continue your conversation, you’ve shared the most important details so she’s gotten a good enough view of the picture.

Andrea: So is this why you were so stressed?
You: Yeah, basically.
You: That and when I tried to tell Cannie she went nuclear.
Andrea: Wait she went nuclear at that?
Andrea: That doesen’t make sense?
Andrea: I get that it’s hard to swallow, but calling you a… Parasite was it? That seems unrelated?

You explain the situation to Andrea, surprising even yourself, it’s easier to talk about. Maybe it’s the high, maybe its because you’re calm, but you’ve got a clearer head about it now. Andrea has an expression on her face that you can’t quite read, something in between anger and pity. You don’t mention Nunitus yet, preferring a debrief with everyone in the know for that part.

Andrea: So she assaulted you.
You: I uh, kind of?
Andrea: No “Kind of” she attacked you, pinned you down and kicked you because you said something that scared her.
Andrea: She’s always had a temper but that’s physical and psychological abuse.
You: And Will still wants to take her with us to the dungeon.
You: And I’m scared that the moment I become a nuisance
You: Or the moment she sees a problem that could be solved with my death
You: She’ll do it.
Andrea: Now, I know you don’t have the best view of her, but I doubt she’d go that far.

Edmango 2021/08/15(Sun)03:55 No. 1007981 ID: afe7de
File 162902493193.png - (6.59KB , 500x500 , C3_035.png )

Moments of last night flash in your mind as you remember her words of retaliation and vitriol. They’re clear to you now, as clear as it was last night and it sends a shiver down your spine. You could make any number of realistic justifications about your stance just now, but you don’t feel the need to waste time with it.

You: I could justify it further and explain more of the night but that wouldn’t do it justice.
You: It’s more a FEELING that if she did this now
You: What if there were higher stakes?
You: No, theres a fundamental difference there that needs to be overcome.
You: Future dialogs where something she disagrees with will be met with similar violence
You: What if we have to make a choice and we do so by leader or democratically
You: How do we know she’ll cooperate.
Andrea: I guess. You don’t. She was never good at working with other kin you know.
Andrea: You probably know about nunitus right? Her old guild?
You: Yeah, that’s another rabbit hole.
Andrea: Heh, well my orifice or not, and seriously don’t talk about this, it was in the police database.
Andrea: I read that she was discharged because she CUT OFF another kin’s arm before being detained.
You: Holy shit
Andrea: The report has other fluff there, citing increasing frequency of arguments
Andrea: But that happened around the time-line of her heading back here, when she left.
You: Police report in a dungeon?
Andrea: That’s the thing, it wasn’t in a dungeon, it was in a public place.

She then goes off to list several other moments of her altercations in the past. Apparently she’s been arrested a few times in LYST, but was swiftly released as they were only minor altercations. You wonder where Andrea is going with this, because this is definitely giving you MORE reasons to not want her in. She even suggests locking her up for a night since she assaulted you, but doubts that’ll do much, since you seem to be going to bat for her out of a desire to appease Willamina and fear of her revealing your power.

Andrea: Basically thats my way of saying that this, this is the nail in the coffin for ME, personally.
Andrea: I don’t think she’d kill you. Maim you? Definitely.
Andrea: Cutting off a limb’s not off the table either.
Andrea: And for those reasons, along with it sounding like she
Andrea: Hasn't actually attended the anger management classes we recommended
Andrea: My votes for not only not empowering her, but not bringing her along.
You: I’m not sure I want to put my foot down on this though
You: Willamina seems to think bringing her is the smartest move, what with her knowledge and experience and strength.
Andrea: And to that I say what about MINT? Yeah she lacks in strength, but you said she’s been in DUNGEONS before
Andrea: Thats knowledge and experience right there, and YOU PLUS ME should equal about 1 CANNIE in terms of strength
Andrea: After all you beat her in a fight
You: When she was TIRED.
Andrea: Have a little more FAITH in yourself CAT.
Andrea: and to top it all off, remember what I said earlier, about powers giving that PUSH
Andrea: With her personality archetype, no matter the power, I can see it going bad

You think this over, Andrea may be a bit ditzy, but she’s trained in combat, even if its just police work. She knows about TEAMWORK, and group dynamics, and runs on INTUITION. Ultimately powering her up is on you, and taking her with you is a group decision. There is no RIGHT OR WRONG answer when it comes to this, and Andrea is just another opinion to add to your thoughts. Part of you wants to believe there’s good in her, in CANNIE, that her actions were of an emotional outburst from so much STRESS piling on at once. From a fear and weakness that you were manipulating. You want to HOPE that this isn’t the case, and you feel [1 HOPE ENERGY] leave your body from that mental declaration. You’re not sure what it just did, it was involuntary. You’re startled from your reverie as Andrea speaks up.

Edmango 2021/08/15(Sun)03:55 No. 1007982 ID: afe7de
File 162902494231.png - (20.56KB , 500x500 , C3_036.png )

Andrea: Hey Cat?
You: Hmm?
Andrea: You’re not a parasite.
Andrea: You’re TRYING to do the right thing.
Andrea: You’re also reflecting on what you’ve said and done.
Andrea: And you’re coming clean at the first opportunity it’s safe to or you’re certain.
Andrea: And I think that counts a lot.
You: Okay, like you’re really supportive, what gives?
Andrea: What do you mean?
You: You mentioned having relationship troubles?
You: But you’re like crazy reasonable.
You: As long as it wasn’t something crazy I don’t see how you couldn’t hold on to a boyfriend
Andrea: I dunno, I guess I used to be really attracted to uh, PROBLEMATIC kin.
Andrea: And I’d join in on their unhealthy lifestyle or enable it.
Andrea: Or I’d try to fix them.
Andrea: It took me a long time to kind of learn how to not do that kind of thing
Andrea: How to not obsess, which is hard when you have the time I have.

You take a deep breath and continue your march towards town. The rest of the conversation just light dialog, talking about leaving work temporarily or permanently. Andrea’s already planning on booking a few months off for this. She also nods in agreement towards your leaving of work, though you weren’t really a big cog in the machine to begin with. You think to bring up mutations as an ACHIEVEMENT POINT PURCHASE, but hold off for now, a lot was covered today. And you still haven’t told her everything, you say as much and she’s understanding. Eventually you reach the town, and FIVIN just so happens to be walking by, whistling the LYST-Y-MART tune. He stops in his path and looks at you. His face turning a deep, deep read as he points and sputters at the two of you. You both look down and realize that you actually weren’t wearing clothes this whole time. Just sort of carrying them instead, the high certainly took effect, making you not notice. The two of you bust out laughing, Andrea falls over and grabs her gut.

Fivin: I-I-I-I know you CAN do this at night, bb-b-b-ut
You: Hahaha, sorry Fivin, we totally forgot.

He’s covering his eyes, or at least one eye, his other eye is staring very intently at your penis, you catch where his eyes are landing and he covers his face, running off into the distance. You help Andrea up and head back. You pass by a few other kin who give the two of you some looks but otherwise keep their eyes to themselves as if nothing was wrong. And eventually you’re back at Willamina’s house. You see Willamina with her legs propped up on a hedge outside, she’s taking a nap.

Andrea: We could totally pop into her shower together, scrub each-other off
Andrea: WINK WINK ;)
You: But I’ve got poker night soon.
Andrea: It’ll be faster if I help you ya know.

Poker night is in 40 minutes, what do you do?

Quick shower, then prepare your poker strategy.

Meta-game knowledge that we'll arrive at the poker game without issue aside, there's no possible way that showering with Andrea will be faster. Still, 40 minutes should be enough... and you're already pretty worn out, so it's not like things can get too crazy in there.

Even though Willamina is right there, text her and tell her you are in the shower inside with Andrea, and to come get you when it's time to go. That way she knows where you are and can come get you if you take too long.

Yeah, shower with her. Also during shower ask if Andrea wants to have her Vigor upgraded, and what her achievement upgrades she can get in the store are so we don't, like, upgrade her to an upgrade she doesn't want. Tell her it has nothing to do with upgrading sleepless as her vigor and sleepless are two different things. It is, kind of our thing we have to do in CATALYST after all, give people powers, and upgrade them. Gotta reach our quota of giving people powers and stuff... by their consent of course.

Afterwards, just hug her, and thank her because she made you the happiest you have ever been in a very, very long time. It's okay to cry. Tell her You think you'd like to start a relationship with her.

Then, lets maybe do a perspective switch with Willamina and go back in time to where she hangs out with Gena.

Oh, come to think of it, you haven't used any power charges today. We don't want to disturb Willamina, so we should inquire with Andrea, Rex, Mint, and (if here) Gina tonight, doing Willamina tomorrow.

(Before that and the inevitable shower scene resolve, though...)

> BE WILLAMINA, 10 HOURS AGO

Support on asking if she wants us to upgrade

And perspective change to the past for fun Willamina and Gena shenanigans, and revealing Cat's power to her and invitation for training at vacation.

>>1007982
Sure, shower with Andrea.

>>1007995
But try not to have sex this time, or it will definitely take too long.

Im sure a liiiiittle bit of sexplay is fine as long as we text Willamina where we are since she is now nearby to pick us up, and she understands Andrea. Plus she did say Andrea needed a win. Let the poor girl have a little fun. But yeah, we're mainly here to clean for the most part

>>1007981
I'm starting to think if anyone can be trusted with the Lightning God power, it's Andrea.

Lightning doesn't sleep.

I think it only works on someone who is not awakened yet though. I'd save it.

>>1008114
I think we can find ways to get around that, eventually. Either it was an artifact we saw, or an Achievement.

Edmango 2021/08/19(Thu)02:01 No. 1008300 ID: afe7de
File 162936371752.png - (76.06KB , 500x500 , C3_037.png )

> Shower with Andrea
You decide to shoot Willamina a short text letting her know that you and Andrea are inside taking a quick shower. She’ll get it whenever her alarm or whatever wakes her up from her nap. The two of you strip and head to the shower, its small but not too small for the two of you. Much to your surprise there isn’t any sex that goes on. Instead she gives you a half wash half massage that feels pretty nice. The high is close to wearing off, but all in all its been a good day.

You think about how giving Andrea the LIGHTNING GOD TECHNIQUE might be a good idea, but she’s already awakened, so it won’t work on her. You spent a lot of time caressing each other earlier and its nice to have a less erotic skinship time with another kin. Eventually you finish and give Andrea a BIG HUG as thanks. She’s made you really happy today. You shed a few tears earlier so they don't come to you now, but it meant something to you. You exit the shower and put on the outfit Willamina arranged for you as Andrea puts on your outfit from earlier as a joke. There’s some light smooching as she departs and gives you a big ol peace sign with her fingers. Willamina said Andrea needed a win, so you think this counts.

Edmango 2021/08/19(Thu)02:02 No. 1008301 ID: afe7de
File 162936373983.png - (62.82KB , 500x500 , C3_038.png )

> Willamina’s Perspective
Hours in the past, but not many.

Cat just left on his date so you’re alone at town square. You look to your COMM and your TEXTS.

You: So like, remember when I said if I could get something that could let you do a thing I would?
Gena: What thing? ( ◥◣_◢◤ )
Gena: Are we talking like the BIG THING that was just a pipe dream thing
Gena: Or like the little popular thing
You: The FORMER.
Gena: Shut up. Nowai. ( ╥ω╥ )
You: Yawai.
Gena: No joke. I’ll drop what I’m doing rn.
Gena: I will RUN THROUGH THE STREETS NAKED IF YOU’RE TELLING THE TRUTH
Gena: Andrea’s off today though so I dont wanna get arrested bc its not night.
Gena: (◕д◕✿)
You: Lemme finish stuffs w/ Meow boy first
Gena: Does he meow during sex
Gena: This is important information
You: I mean, some of the moans sound like that
You: but like if you get down to it a lot of moans sound like that
You: Guy moans, which is also a surprise, since most just like… grunt?
Gena: Yes I will add this to my tentative fanfic. (づ ◕‿◕ )づ
Gena: BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IM IM~
Gena: PA~
Gena: TI~
Gena: EN~
Gena: T~
You: Hold your tenta-penises he just left
Gena: *impatience levels rising*
You: You gotta b patient for this one, its the one you wanted
Gena: Stfu no.
Gena: Okay. F~I~N~E.
Gena: I will just fuck myself and wait patiently. Ⴚტ◕‿◕ტჂ

Gena’s very excited. You talked once about what kind of powers she’d like. She always wanted something that would make her better with her hands, daggers, things like that. She talked about becoming some kind of weird SCISSOR ROGUE as a joke once, able to cut anything with her scissors from the shadow. She’d need to find a weapon like that, but at least the skill-set is in that dagger. You’ve got it with you. You haven't EXACTLY promised to give it to her, you could just wait and have Cat awaken her. But also this is the kind of thing she always wanted.

It’s about 11:30, You don’t REALLY have anything you need to do today other then handle GENA. You could go mess around with MINT and ROACH, see how they are in logistics planning. There’s also dealing with CANNIE. You don’t really know what you want to do in that situation. Last night was… A blur, in more ways then one, powers, sex, a living dead brother, betrayals, backstabbing bitches that deserve to be shot, oh and your sister choke slamming your new friend to the ground. You’re good with stress, or at least managing it, but this. This just SUCKS.

You look to your phone and see a notification, you’ve got a massage scheduled today. You forgot that you set all these up in advance. Might want to talk to GRUK and let him know you won’t be needing em anymore.

What do you do?



AUTHORS NOTE: Hey all! I posted about this in the discord, but I feel like I kind of dropped the ball on this quest a bit and escalated things too quickly with the whole apocalypse. There are a few things I feel could have been addressed slightly differently in hindsight that bloated what I originally wanted to be a medium length 4/5 thread quest. Heck my idea with the INTERMISSION was to try and sort of go about seeing if I could mess with some things and make it work better, but I feel I added too much bloat. So I’m interested in any and all suggestions about ways you think CATALYST could be made better. I got a few ideas, one of which is to end the story post Dungeon, with PLOT having happened to show you did stall the apocalypse. Then I can take what I learned here and make something better that, if it does escalate, you will have ample time to adjust to and ways to handle it that won’t take 10 threads.

So a quick summary of things I think I did wrong are:

Cat’s power not being anonymous - this made it so you couldn't just power up people and mess with stuff
Escalating in response to you not powering up anyone - This punished you for doing the reasonable thing and trying to build up bonds and rapport. I think that this was my biggest mistake, instead of introducing a small time villain or something and keeping it about making bonds with other kin, I took the pressure, dialed it up to 11, but then made it something that would require way too long to actually resolve for the pace and length I wanted to go for.

There’s probably more I could have done better at, but because of the way I’ve written this I can see myself reaching burnout on CATALYST in 1.5-2 threads. I’m not at burnout for writing quests, I dont think I will be for a while because I really enjoy making them. But instead of letting it reach burnout in 1.5ish threads then having it peter off and lose quality I want to use the uniqueness of this medium and you as the audience. I want to make CATALYST better, or GREAT for 1 last thread, finish it up, and then maybe leave it open for a reboot or a new project.

So to reiterate. I want thoughts on things I can do to make CATALYST better, or thoughts on a good way to wrap the end of this thread up as a “conclusion.”

In the meantime this thread will continue as normal, so if you dont see anything wrong or have no big picture suggestions you can also just continue suggesting as normal. I just wanted to be transparent about my intentions and feelings, but don’t want to just abandon a quest. It means something to me to have something “Finish” and I don’t think CATALYST is too far gone to just cut and end at this very moment.

Feel free to suggest ideas here or on the QUESTDISHREAD. Or even PM me on discord, I’m down to listen to ideas and I’ve gotten a few that seem interesting, but haven't put my foot down on any yet.

Go see mint and Rex. Rex was already told to take the day off, but Mint probably wasn't given the memo, best to let her know. She's going to complain I'm sure, so we'll have to be stern with her. Oh, Gotta know if Mint got the incubator sent to her. See what Rex watched last night too on his little tablet. Maybe get more information of the Overmind from him, like what they look like?

As far as Grunk goes, he's probably going to be sad that we're not going to see him anymore for a massage considering he is sad about Max's "death". Maybe for now let him know we're cancelling our appointments because we're going on vacation, and we'll get some massages every once in a while when we get back.

>>1008301
Go to Gruk's appointment and get a massage anyway, cuz massages are nice, and you're stressed. Tell him you don't really need them anymore though.
Maybe you can try to gauge his interest in joining a dungeon run as the party healer.

But yeah, have Gena come over and hand over the dagger. It's yours, you don't need Cat's permission, and he was supportive of the idea anyway.

>>1008301
while you see these as mistakes, they've kinda established the quest as more of an emotional intrigue plot than a simple sex romp and that's playing as a strength right now. notably, I think what you're seeing as a "punishment" was some very effective humanizing characterization. her flipping out like that felt real, and while I don't like her for it as a person as a character ot really fleshes her out as, if not a villain, an antagonist.

I'd say your biggest challenge now is managing a good tonal pattern, the tv intermission kinda lost me since it was leaping too hard into non-plot but the discussion and catharsis with All Cops Are Bunny drew me right back in.

what is working best right now is grounded characterization and the sense of danger we're up against, it actually feels incredibly balanced out against how outright broken our power is.

have the main character start slowly adapting to the stress, keep tension an average rather than letting it fully dispel, and keep up consequences for bad tactical decisions. Cat's got a good arc laid put for him here, don't rush it and don't be afraid to poke fun at it.

Go to Gruk. Might as well get one last massage while you explain as much of the situation to him as you want to. Then you can invite Gena over for her roguening.

>>1008313
The real problem, as I see it, is not about whether the resultant quest is good (at this point I'm pretty sure I'll read whatever Edmango wants to write), but the fact that it will result in a longer quest than Edmango wants to run.

To that end, if we assume we can't tie off all these plot threads in the intended length of the thread, I think what needs to happen is we need to figure out where a good stopping point is and aim for that. Tie off just enough of the plot that Cat's story feels resolved even if Edmango never gets back to it without having to worry about everything.

Edmango 2021/08/20(Fri)00:02 No. 1008392 ID: afe7de
File 162944297942.png - (12.56KB , 500x500 , C3_039.png )

> Massage
You decide to get a massage anyway, it was part of your stress relief ritual to do this, and it might be a good idea to cancel future appointments while you’re at it. You take a walk to the clinic, Kazu looks up from his comm but rolls his eyes when he sees you and points over to Gruk. You pass by him without a word, your silent agreement still going on. You got into an argument once over something very stupid and whined that he would have better luck actually talking about things if he didn't talk for 10 years before saying anything meaningful. He didn’t appreciate it, so you share only the minimum amount of words needed to set up appointments and ignore each-other when you can. You guess you COULD put up with his shit if you wanted to get some juicy goss on CAT back before he came to LYST, but you’ll decide after the massage.

Gruk’s office is the same as you remember it, a massage chair, his little desk in the corner, a cabinet full of oils and various things. He smiles as you come in and pours some oil into his room mister. It gives the room an herbal and calming smell. You both agreed on something LAVENDER-LIKE a long time ago and it’s become a part of the process. You look to Gruk and notice what he’s wearing. It’s that shirt. That goddess damned shirt. You hate that shirt with a furious passion, all the eyes over it. You once asked him about the shirt and he just gushed about it for a while, something about a keepsake from his family. Something about being old and sentimental value. You didn’t have it in your heart to tell him it bothered you so much, but you’re on your back for the massages anyway, so you dont have to actively look at it and are willing to ignore it.

Gruk: Ahhhh, Willy! Wel-come Wel-come! I heard yuh got ahhhh Power!
Gruk: Yourrrr family would be prrrroud
You: HEYA Gruk, yeah. I’m sure they’d be pleased as a PINK.
You: This’ll probably be my last appointment for a while though.
Gruk: Oh? Wellll, we can talk morrrre while I rubbb you down.

He pulls out the longer table typically used for deep tissue massages and full body ones. You strip and get on it, he covers you with the traditional towel, pulls it out and gets to work. You’re surpised it doesen’t feel more TENDER. Normally there’s a bit of pain to the massage but a lot more relaxation. This is just pure relaxation. You can actually FEEL his touches to your scarred body. A light glow comes from his hands as he rubs you down, slicking you with a small amount of oil that seeps in and gives you a slightly warm sensation.

Gruk: Ssso, tell me. How are youuu? How’ssss thattt new boy?
You: CAT? He’s great. A little uh, stressed is definitely the right word.
You: Too much all at ONCE.
Gruk: Welll, send him over for a massssssage, I’m sure eye can help.
You: You ever think of TRAVELING Gruk?
Gruk: No. Nottt really.
Gruk: I’m toooo old.
You: Not even a short trip?
Gruk: Then whooo would take care of the older kin?
Gruk: Their tiiiirrred bonessss and bodiesss
You: You know that’s not your RESPONSIBILITY right?
Gruk: I knowwww.

You talk about various different topics, eventually you remember to shoot Gena a message letting her know you’re getting a massage. She calls you a Clit tease and you laugh in response. You tell Gruk you’re planning on leaving and he gets a little sad. He’s rubbing your ass as you see a slightly sad expression on his face.

Gruk: Butt What about the paiiiin?
Gruk: Do we neeeed to get you ssssome paiiiin medsss?
You: Ah, see, when I got my powers the pain VANISHED too.
You: Honestly this is the best massage I’ve ever GOTTEN because I can actually FEEL it.
Gruk: I’m ssssso happy for you Willy! Thisss newssss is great!

Gena texts you, letting you know she’ll be waiting at your place or in front of the clinic. She mentions how she’s totally not impatient and is just going out for a walk near you and how it’d be funny if she bumped into you is all. You can imagine it now, Gena sprinting across town in a tired huff, sweating and panting. Splayed out on the ground outside of the clinic. It’s happened at least once before when she’s been in a mood or had something she’s really wanted to talk about.

After chatting with Gruk some more you get the idea he probably won’t be interested in joining you unless you were to share some specifics or even secrets. You trust him, but don’t particularly trust KAZU over there, more for stupid grudge reasons then actual reasonable ones, which you internally acknowledge and then immediately crumple and throw in a trash bin in the corner to ignore for another day.

Do you try convincing Gruk more (how?), talk about something, or finish the massage and find Gena in some most likely hilarious position outside waiting for you, you could also bother Kazu as much as you loath how he just talks on and on.

>>1008392
Yeah go ahead and spill some of the details. He might be interested in being the party healer because he likes being helpful, and this is certainly something he can help with.

One thing I am thinking, what if when Cat awakens Nipha, he gives her a healing power? that way if something bad happens in Lyst while we are gone, the town will have Gruk heal kin while Nipha can be our healer. Willamina was kind of worried about the town not having a healer while we're gone earlier.

we should definitely get Cat to upgrade Gruk's power beforehand whether we bring him along or not, if only to potentially save a life whether he stays here, or comes with us. His healing powers suck at the moment.

I'd say the best place to talk about inviting him along to our trip or not as well as upgrading him is at the party tomorrow.

So yeah, for now, tell him that you're planning a trip somewhere to do something important and would like to invite him, but have him sleep on it until the party that Gena is planning tomorrow where we can give him more details. We can decide with Cat from there whether to bring him along or not, and upgrade him. The clinic is probably not the best place to talk about this kind of thing. Also ask how Trey is doing.

I guess we can talk to Kazu a bit, and bury the hatchet. We do need to be better friends with the people we are trying to save, especially since we're not that popular with everyone in Lyst. Plus, we did tell Cat we would talk to him here: https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/986604.html#989977 can't break a promise. Lets get some CAT BACKSTORY (just be sure if it gets overwhelming to text Gena "HELP, KAZU WON'T SHUT UP AND LET ME LEAVE!" or something so she can barge in and save you.)

Might be difficult to ask, but ask what the eyes represent.

As for how to convince him, tell him to keep this secret even from Kazu as you want to suprise everyone when you return, but you want to get stronger with your new powers, and want to train your body and practice using your powers with intense training this vacation so that people dont pity you with your scars. You think having Gruk come along will be helpful after a long day of training or if you get hurt, and maybe even help strengthen Gruk's healing abilities with potentially getting achievements for helping us. Tell him to think about it, he doesnt have to decide now and we'll talk more details about the training regime at our awakening party tomorrow.

And yeah, talk to Kazu

I'd be apprehensive about telling Gruk anything, even without factoring in Kazu. Do ask what the actual significance of that shirt is before you spill anything - as in, what it actually means to his family beyond the heirloom factor - because anything that might even be remotely tied to Nunitus or the night of the incident should be sending up red flags; if not Gruk himself, then at least regarding those he might be talking to.

But yeah, do talk to Kazu - he's probably a super nice guy if you can get past his ability to talk about nothing for minutes on end. (I'm sure he cares about what he's saying, even if nobody else does.) Hell, depending on what Cat's plans are, Kazu might even be a dungeoneering candidate; it's best not to be enemies with someone you might be entrusting your life to. Do be ready to text Gina to come and extract you if you find out you can't handle it, though.

>>1008419
Pretty much this, not that we dont trust Gruk, but yeah.

Edmango 2021/08/20(Fri)23:37 No. 1008462 ID: afe7de
File 162952786590.png - (46.71KB , 500x500 , C3_040.png )

> Don’t give the full details
You have concerns about that eye shirt, and you think today’s the day to bite the bullet and ask for some more specifics. You bring it up and he begins his short tale.

The shirt’s around 50 years old and came from his FATHER. It’s been fixed and washed and redyed a few times, but was made of a rather good cloth material that made it last this long. Looking at it closely you can see stitches and spots where new cloth was applied. It’s a very well done job that you have to actually look quite deeply at to find out more. The shirt symbolizes the many seeing eyes of the GODDESS. In their version of mythology the goddess watches most high profile individuals like the MEGAFAUNA and COUNTRY LEADERS. But some eyes, the smaller ones wander and watch the smaller, less significant individuals. He remarks that some kin find this gaze to be haunting, but he finds it comforting, knowing that someone, something is there, watching. Even if it does nothing, that it’s still there judging. It makes him want to do good for goods sake and good in the hopes that others that are watched will also do good and be infected by his acts. The shirt used to be a robe, but was damaged beyond repair and was re-purposed into a shirt instead by his late mother a few decades ago.

His religion is a bit of an offshoot of most natural ones. He remarks that he hopes his mother is also watching and that when one of his family passes they illustrate another eye for them, that they’re joining the WATCHFUL EYES of the goddess so to speak. He points to one particular eye, his mother’s eye. You still find the shirt haunting to look at and after hearing that don’t have it in your heart to say anything about it. You thank Gruk for the massage and he says he’ll see you tomorrow. OH right the party, you almost forgot about that. You say you’ll see him then and walk off.

Edmango 2021/08/20(Fri)23:37 No. 1008463 ID: afe7de
File 162952787713.png - (65.06KB , 500x500 , C3_041.png )

> Talk to KAZU
You text Gena to let her know you’re going to have a quick word with Kazu and that you might need her to rescue you in a bit. She just sends you a million crying emoji. You have to admit there’s a part of you that revels in this cat and mouse game you’re playing with her. Teasing her just ever so much. She gets off on it too, hence her exaggerated responses. You take a deep breath and walk up to the counter, he looks at you and tilts his head.

You: Just wanted to cancel my appointments for the next while.
Kazu: K.
You: So uhhh I heard you know CAT.
Kazu: Yup.
You: What was he like? Back then?
Kazu: Okay I guess.

You’re getting nowhere, you know what he wants, his expression blank as you talk to him. You take another deep breath.

You: I’m sorry I WHINED about your talking.
Kazu: Uh Huh?
You: And I’m sorry I said you don’t say anything meaningful.
You: I’m SURE you do, you just talk a lot and I get annoyed easily at that.
Kazu: Eh, fair enough.
Kazu: You know, I wasn’t REALLY mad.
Kazu: More just seeing how long it would take for you to come around to the old Zu!

And there it is, his posturing, full of himself attitude that will talk for years, back and available to you. You probably only have enough time to hear one of his stories about Cat. He presents the following options to you, each he says are meaningful in their own way and involve Cat in some respect. He says that he was kind of young when some of the stuff happened, so it might not be that useful. You’ll do your best to pick the one you think will get you the most juicy goss from someone who literally can’t keep their mouth shut if you paid them, and would only do it out of spite.

A. First Meeting
B. The bus and the thing
C. Nipha’s Pet Project
D. Gideon the Wing-Kin
E. Videogames

We already know a bit about Gideon and Cat's drug addiction with her (Willamina doesn't, but we as an audience knows) We probably don't need to go further on that.

And videogames is probably about Lustquest, the stuff Nipha's bf Rudy worked on (if that is him who worked on that in-universe)

I'd like to say B. The bus and the thing sounds the most interesting.

secondary C. Nipha's pet project (may or may not be about how Nipha got Cat back on track with some parts of his life though)

Willamina can jokingly tell Kazu that Cat kinda snooped into her business, so she is making it even between her and Cat by finding the juiciest bit of trivia on him and to not leave out any details...

(oh yeah, and when Gena gets here, be sure to take her into the Winnebago before we talk about stuff. It's ghost proof after all, and we can tell Mint there to take the day off as well.)

>Fascist Goddess
My worst nightmare. Erm, your worst nightmare... too.

Think about it. According to Gruk's religion, the purpose of the afterlife is to turn the universe into a spiritual surveillance state. Also, you know angels are genocidal dicks.

A or B, 50-50.

I would avoid A and B, as they seem the most interesting, and also give the least information, so they're probably not actually anything big.
It just seems that's how he is, ropes you in with an interesting name, and tells a normal story.
I would say E, as although it looks simple at first, we've never heard of Cat playing video games before, if it's about games he played then it's good info for getting him a gift. It's also possible that he may let more information loose when talking about casual things.
Also, just because it's such a mundane title, it makes me think there's at least a 10% chance of it being something crazy like how Cat entered a magical videogame or something.

I vote B.

C
B could be good too, tho

Tell us about Gideon.

Edmango 2021/08/22(Sun)00:53 No. 1008538 ID: afe7de
File 162961879575.png - (10.38KB , 500x500 , C3_042.png )

> The Bus and the Thing
You pick this topic because it kind of sounds interesting. Like what story about a Bus could be impactful. Kazu begins a long and drawn out story. It goes on for quite a while and it’s hard to kind of parse everything. So rather then recounting the whole conversation in your head, you’re going to summarize it.

He regales you with the tale of how Cat met Nipha. He says it’s secondhand, but that Nipha likes to talk about it sometimes. They were on a bus, on opposite sides of a bus right. Cat was wearing this hoodie, had a weird haircut. And was sitting next to a kin that Nipha would later recognize as Gideon. Nipha got on and saw him, but didn’t really pay him any mind and sat across from him. A bit later the bus gets in an accident and tips over. Everyone’s freaking out and crying, so Nipha jumps to it and starts helping kin off the bus. She was always too kind for her own good in some regards, but then too selfish in others Kazu remarks.

Cat’s pinned under a bus seat with that girl, but he’s trying to get them out. Eventually Nipha helps get Gideon out at Cat’s insistence. Anyway, after that Nipha tries to go back but Cat limps off the bus, managing to have squeezed his way off, passing out on the road. Nipha went to help him but was stopped by the Wing-Kin, and a few days later she bumps into him again, turns out they lived next to each-other in nearby apartments in the more run down part of town, so they started hanging out. Though he says when he first met cat there was this whole thing with a bucket of pudding, a PINE YELLOW, and a mana pistol that-

You’re starting to lose interest. The story is interesting and it seems like it could give you some minor glimpses into Cat, but he just tells the stories so dryly. And even condensing the story down into that passage above is reducing it to 1/10 its size. You need an evac. You text Gena for assistance and a few moments later she busts down the door in a dramatic flair.

Gena: WILLLLAAAAAMIIIIIINAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Kazu: GAH!
You: Huh?

She dashes in and grabs you, trying to pull you out of the store, but she’s NOT THAT STRONG, so you just go with her. But Kazu gets out of the counter and walks towards the two of you. You take the moment to notice that part of her hair isnt straightened, and she’s also got it in a new style. Did she get a haircut, or is it a wig? Is that hair she had before her natural hair. You could of course ask, but you like this little mystery and don’t want to pierce the veil too much.

Kazu: Oh heya Gena, y’know its my break time I could share a smoke and chill with you guys for a bit.

Oh no, it’s happening again. He’s not getting the hint! You’re concerned about what to do next when Gena speaks up.

Edmango 2021/08/22(Sun)00:53 No. 1008539 ID: afe7de
File 162961880308.png - (80.24KB , 500x500 , C3_043.png )

Gena: It’s girl talk time. Willy here has some important stuff to talk to me about.
Kazu: I love secrets AND girl talk! OOOH, gimme gimme!
Gena: Nah, it’s private
Kazu: But I barely see you anymore…
Gena: Ughhhhh Kazu you’re killing me here.
Gena: I already explained to you. If yer not willing to compromise it’s still a no.

Kazu then pouts as the two of you wander off. You give gina THE LOOK indicating that you want to know more. She sighs.

Gena: I gave him a blowjob so good he cried and so I cuddled him to try to comfort him
Gena: And he got too attached and won’t calm the fuck down about it
Gena: He also is the kind of guy that wants to be monogamous and I’m not
Gena: Or at least accept that I didn’t wanna be monogamous, but he couldnt or wouldn't
Gena: So I told him if he couldnt stop being clingy then I wouldn’t do shit with him
Gena: Especially since I don’t want solo commitment right now and sex with Andrea is way too good?
You: But you and KAZU, eww.
Gena: If you can get past his literal incapability of shutting up, or are patient
Gena: Which I am by the way, even though I seem impatient right now
Gena: FOR A VERY COOL THING BY THE WAY
Gena: Then he’s alright. I mean he’s a med school student, he can’t be DUMB if he’s like that.
You: He said his SISTER rescued Cat’s Ex and maybe had a part in helping him too from a BUS once
Gena: Uhhhh Nipha right? That was her name?
You: I think so. YEAH.
Gena: Yeah he doesen’t shut up about his COOL OLDER SISTER.
Gena: I never met the cat, but I’m sure she’s not THAT great.

It is in that moment that Gena bumps into a pole, there’s a loud CLANG as her head impacts it. You can hear a distant laughter but when you turn around you see no one. Seriously, this town and it’s random poles need to have something done about it. That or you need to watch your step more often. The conversation’s been derailed, but you’ll think back on the Cat from that story later. Gena’s here. The two of you walk to the Winnebago, planning to be safe from prying eyes inside. Gena OOOHS and AHHHS as she sees the shiny new vehicle. There are some packages outside, you assume them to be MINT’S ORDERS. The two of you head inside. It’s the same as before for the most part, but off in the far back corner you see Mint, there’s papers scattered about and she’s on her COMM using it like a laptop again. You can hear the tapping of the desk as she works. She doesn’t notice you come in.

>>1008537
Say hey Mint what's hangin.
Waste no time in getting that dagger out for Gena.

"Time to stuff a mouse into a cat~"

Also, ask Gena what kind of power she hopes she'll get.

>>1008541
Maybe don't pull out what looks like a weapon in a public area.

Take her to the RV first. You got some heavy shit to share (and make sure she knows that going in)... but you're giving her the item first - explain how it works, she might get weirded out otherwise - because your teasing does have limits, and it'd be good for her to be able to protect herself even if she's not game.

Actually, maybe explain the upcoming apocalypse first and how Angels will kill any Awakened who aren't Light affinity. Not that the survivors of this will fare much better at this rate, but still.

Grab one of the papers, what is Mint working on?

Whatever the case, order Mint to take the day off and there are packages for her. If she complains, explain to her that stress management is super important to work efficiently. Be stern about it. In fact, show her some porn on her computer, like onlyFaunus, Gena's page specifically. Let her know that onlyFaunus is taking down pornographic materials next month, so savor what she can.

Also let Mint know she can watch television in your home , or read that dart magic book as a relaxing activity (that way when Mint watches tv, Callan will watch it too since he said he saw something interesting on television to Cat)

With Gena, let her look around the Winnebago, though keep her away from Rex if he's still here. make some small talk as she looks around like asking her what she and Andrea watched last night. You watched Brainworms, and then wanted to show Cat a classic episode of your favorite show CAESAR’S KITCHEN, so you missed out on some shows you usually watch and would like updates.

Afterwards, we can explain to Gena the item that will awaken Gena is a dagger for some reason. Let her know what power it will unlock within her, but also let her know about Cat and how he awakened you and he can do the same to Gena to awaken her to her natural power if she changes her mind about the dagger's power and waits until tomorrow at the party... though the power from Cat will be random. Be sure to let her know you'd like Cat's power to be kept secret.

After Gena decides what to do, we can talk about the vacation in more detail and what is going on with the war, Saba's inheritance, and stuff.

Telling her about the apocalypse and our training regime after we give the dagger will show that even if she doesn't want to go with us, we still want to awaken her regardless because she's our friend.

so like does someone in this town have a power based around inconveniently placed objects(poles?) causing head trauma or what

>>1008574
It's been Kazu there every time.

I like to think it's Liminal, he has warp powers, at least on Cat, Andrea, and Gena.

after all, if he is Max, he used to pull pranks with his warp powers as a kid https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/993796.html#998017

And we did see a lookalike of Liminal in the GTA parody in the intermission using poles as weapons.

Edmango 2021/08/23(Mon)02:17 No. 1008612 ID: afe7de
File 162971023237.png - (52.57KB , 500x500 , C3_044.png )

You greet MINT in the corner as she’s startled out of her work. GENA goes to look around the RV while you chat her up.

You: Heya Mint what’s HANGING.
Mint: Logistics, planning, getting used to this internet thing.
Mint: It’s like a local network for trading and info
Mint: We had this on a smaller scale, but never for trading like this.
Mint: Teleporters were always difficult and expensive technologies
Mint: and ground routes were inaccessible after I was born.
You: Maybe you should take a little BREAK. There are some packages out there too.
Mint: Ah, what I ordered. Good. There’s a lot still coming.
Mint: I’m staying within budget.
You: Mint. You should take a BREAK. Manage your stress.
Mint: You all can de-stress, I need to figure out logistics. She joining us?
You: Yes, probably, I dont know I need to ask and this is part of it.
You: Please, just chill, Have you seen PORN yet?
Mint: Porn? What’s that?

You proceed to introduce MINT to the world of INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY, she’s curious, but actually seems bored after a bit. She cites that she can’t fuck these kin so it doesn't matter that much to her. You eventually put your foot down and order her to take at least half the day off. Go out, take a walk, meet other kin, not just stew on things. You look to the paperwork scattered about, a lot of it is various designs for inker made objects. One of which looks like some sort of large shield. But you’re not technical so you really don’t get what the rest of them are for. Eventually you get MINT to relent and she says she’ll go after she finishes the last of her planning and blueprinting.

It’s at this point that GENA walks over.

Gena: Yo. Whose this and why’s she freakin out?
Mint: I’m PLANNING, not freaking out.
Gena: Planning what?
You: Something we need to TALK about. But first let’s get down to what I texted you about.

You move Gena over to the bedroom, she oohs at it again, awed by the space and amount of beds. You sit down and she joins you. You wave your hand and the dagger comes out. Gena’s staring with her eyes open.

You: So uh, first off. I’ve got this THING.
Gena: You got an inter-spatial ring???!?!
Gena: Damn. I’ve only read about those.
You: I got more than that. THIS. This dagger I have in my hand can give you powers.
You: Specifically it gives bladed weapon mastery, stealth, lockpicking and the works.
Gena: But? I’m sensing a huge butt.
You: Well there’s context, weird and scary CONTEXT but also cool context.
Gena: Hit me, be brief, or long I don’t care.
You: Well CAT can give powers, but it’s random, or maybe its what you were meant to have.
You: I got ice powers from him, which started all this.
Gena: Thats uhhh. Are we safe here, are there like bugs? Ghosts? Will we get killed if we talk about this?
Gena: I believe you just uhhh, damn he must be very good at keeping that a secret to not be in some cell somewhere
You: Yeah it was a very recent POWER acquisition for him.
You: But anyway, you can have either this or his power, but there’s other stuff.
Gena: like that cat out there planning some stuff?

You give Gena a very brief description about how Angels will hunt down kin with powers, and how the apocalypse is upcoming. She gulps but has this look that seems like half nervousness and half excitement. You mention you’re planning on doing something to get stronger with a group and that you want her to join, Gena pauses and looks down at her paws for a second.

Gena: Like. You know this is kind of a dream for me, just like for you right?
Gena: Though if this is real and all happening, damn.
Gena: Those Ratiolatrists. They had it right and we were fools.
Gena: Yeah, I’ll take the dagger, fuck whatever I was MEANT to have, I WANT this powerset.
Gena: It’s as close as what I’ve wanted anyway.
You: Sure, and you don’t have to come if you don’t WANT, but we’d appreciate it.
Gena: Like HEAVEN I’m not going with you? You couldn’t keep me from coming if you tied me up and threw me in a lake
Gena: I’d haunt your ass and come anyway.

Edmango 2021/08/23(Mon)02:17 No. 1008613 ID: afe7de
File 162971024553.png - (64.50KB , 500x500 , C3_045.png )

A tense breath you were holding has just been released. You didn’t realize you were holding it or that you were tense. You guess a part of you was worried she’d reject the offer. You hand her the dagger and afte ra moment let her know to drip some blood on it, she does and the dagger turns to dust and the dust vanishes. A blue glow suffuses Gena’s skull for a brief moment before dissipating. Then Gena goes limp. Then Gena spasms. You’re confused but after a moment it stops and she jumps right up.

Gena: Sorry Sorry!
Gena: I just felt… A lot of information enter my head at once so I fell limp just so I could let it.
Gena: It would have hurt a lot more if I didn’t.
You: You sure you’re OKAY?
Gena: Oh yeah, totally, better then ever.
Gena: The UI stuff is weird, mental controls
Gena: Fuck it’s like a goddessdamned game.
Gena: Dammit I should have joined Andrea when went to her meetings I’m so behind on this info.
Gena: Okay, Okay. Okay. Okay.
You: OKAY?
Gena: Okay.

Gena heads out and starts talking with Mint who just finished cleaning up and shutting off her Comm. Gena then begins grilling her and you about basically anything useful. The stuff with Saba, the stuff with the Angels, the stuff with Isabella, the stuff with Max, Items, the dungeon, the works. She starts cursing a lot and grabs some papers and starts jotting some things down.

Gena: Fuck, Alright Alright. Sure. Fine. Fuck.
Gena: Okay so what its me, you, Cat, Andrea, Mint, and who else? Cannie?
You: She uh actually went kind of NUCLEAR yesterday after we told her and got pissed at Cat
Gena: Okay, writing her off.
You: HEY!
Gena: You know I love her too but like if she’s going to freak out at this and you know she’s not going to apologize
Gena: Then I think its best we just don’t put it on our plate.
Gena: I dunno who the leader is, you? Cat? Either way if you want her in, that’s on you to fix the issue.
Gena: I’m with Mint on us taking a week for logistics and then going. Let’s hold a temporary blank spot for her and wait.
You: Ugh, FINE, I’ll talk to her EVENTUALLY.
You: If she doesent talk to us FIRST anyway.
You: I was already planning on doing THAT.
Gena: Okay, we’re missing a healer but that pin could work.
Gena: You came from Gruks, we get a yay or nay?
You: Mostly Nay, but I didn’t give full details.
Gena: Okay cool. Fuck.
Gena: Anyone else planned?
You: Well Cat talked about Nipha potentially JOINING, or at the least him powering her up.
Gena: Kazu’s sister? Whatever, fine, he’s empowering kin so she gets a slot.

You get her to calm down and get out of her manic fit, splitting her from Mint and getting her to breathe deeply. There’s something… Off about her panic, her FERVOR. You can feel that she’s excited but panicked at the same time. You tell her to just take the day to go and experiment with her power, relax, that you all can talk about this tomorrow or the day after. Have a party, be normal, then deal with all this fucked up shit. She calms down and relents.

Gena: Guess I gotta make everyone combat gear right?
Gena: Well I got Cat’s measurements, and yours and Andreas, and myself. I’ll need Mints and whoever elses.
Gena: and Materials. Hey can we order stuff for that?
Mint: Already ordered.
You: Just take some time and stew on this. I just gave you a lot to process.
Gena: Can get why Cannie’d freak out, well, not the response she had in the end but still
Gena: Fuck and you just want me to stew on this?
Gena: I get you want me to have a clear head but this is a lot.
Gena: I have so many questions.
You: Later, just. Take some deep breaths. I’ve got poker night then we’ve got the party tomorrow. Let’s just…
You: Let’s plan to get real deep into it after that.
Gena: Fuck right? And your mom and Gruk and other kin were coming
You: JUST, don’t worry about EVERYTHING right now. Think this over, jerk off a bit and then come back tomorrow
Gena: Sleep on it?
Gena: Fine, Goddess fine, Yeah, I’ll probably just be a neurotic mess until It sinks in.

You get her to calm down again and send everyone off from the Winnebago. You tell them to meet back later, either TOMORROW AT NOON or THE DAY AFTER ANY TIME. But to take some time to decompress and just mentally acclimate to everything. You want them to be at this with a clear head. The apocalypse isn’t tomorrow. Early preparation is good, but managing mental states is also important. Mint’s probably been at it all night. You’re alone again. You think about SMOKING, never did it, but imagine this is the kind of stress that could get you to do it. You Sigh and wander around town aimlessly. You could have stayed with Gena but you know she’d just have endless questions and want to figure it all out now. That’s why you sent her off. You’re sure she’s just going to be at home researching what she can in the meantime, it’s usually more productive for her that way. You’ve got some free time for the rest of the day. Now the question is what to do with it?

Ruffled Haunch time! It's like the only place we haven't visited yet in this quest. That sounds like a good place to decompress.

or lets chill out at the Hapless Stone to listen to rumors from Oriel on what is happening in town and chill.

Ghosts? Bugs? We got both!
Go to the libarby and find something to read. Ok’d fashioned escapism!

Libarby seems good. Maybe Gena has the right idea with research, and we can unwind a little at the same time as long as we aren't too break-neck with our pace.

I think if we do go to the libarby, we should read something fun to clear Willamina's head over something to research that could potentially heighten Willamina' stress level, especially since she was considering picking up smoking which we dont want her to do. This is supposed to be our fun day after all. Maybe something like the tabloids to laugh at, or a graphic novel

Edmango 2021/08/24(Tue)01:53 No. 1008657 ID: afe7de
File 162979522384.png - (16.05KB , 500x500 , C3_046.png )

> Libarby
You decide to head to the Libarby. It’s a SWELTERING hot day today, but you just chill the air near you to make things just right. After walking for a little bit it gets hot again, you feel your phone heating up too. So you turn down the temperature even more. It’s a bit of a drain on your power, but it’s easily maintainable. You imagine now that this is ISABELLA’S SPIRIT and feel smug at ruining it’s plans to ruin your day.

The Libarby is also hot, but with your temperature reduction it’s less so. Xana’s there and she gives you a friendly nod as you walk in. You decide to head over to the TABLOIDS section to see if anything new or weird his happening. The Celebrity mags are typically garish and stupid, this is why you find them to be a good release. It’s nonsensical, guilt-free fun. Well, as fun as SCANDALS can be. Plus you’re never sure which headlines are real or not. There are headlines like the following:

DEENA CARTWRIGHT, SINGLE?
WAKE KNEE, FLAMINGO MOLESTER?
MYSTERIOUS AI FROM EDGE OF SOLAR SYSTEM GREETS HUMANS, HOAX?
DUNGEONS ARE OUR FRIENDS? MORE LIKELY THEN YOU THINK.
POPULAR PABE FIGHTER RETIRES, IS THE RING TOO HOT FOR HER TO HANDLE?
LEMMY CHAVOWITS, WASHED OUT ALCOHOLIC ON THE RISE AGAIN?

The rest of the titles don’t really speak to you. You also flip through the graphic novels section. Quite a few of them have been checked out but you look at the e-book listing too. These are the following ones you find:

BRAIN WORMS - Comic anthology
PABE SMUTWORKS - Licensed smut fanfic of actual PABE fighters (You’ve read this 20 times)
MOBILE STEED CALVARY: FOR GREAT JOUSTICE - It’s the first arc
REINCARNATED AS A MAID SEMPAI - You’ve also read this around 10 times
DON’T READ THIS BOOK - A horror comic

You could probably spend the day reading through some of these, but you also spy out of the corner of your eye the SURVIVAL section and notice a few books on WILDERNESS SURVIVAL, SPELUNKING, and LONG TERM UNDERGROUND TRAVELING. This section isn’t as popular in LYST as it is in DONJON, but you could probably access anything in a similar vein if you felt like researching this. Not that you need it with the WINNEBAGO and all. And your nearly endless supply of water, and ability to purchase rations and store them in an inter-spatial ring.

What do you read? (feel free to suggest other headlines or books too)

>>1008656
That AI story sounds interesting, see if you can get a legitimate article on it.
The PABE Fighter retiring is definitely real news, find out who it is.

Are there any achievements you can grind out?

Hey, wasn’t Lemmy’s actual dAUgHtA a PABE fighter - that Flicker character? Maybe she’s the one retiring? Two Chavowits stories in one news day might be connected somehow. That’s what RANDOM might say, anyway.

*reads both*

Fuck, now you’re in a BRAIN WORMS mood. Or PABE SMUT. Or both. Definitely both.

Okay, so now that we know Isabella's spirit is probably following us right now (phone heating up, things getting hotter) I vote we NOT look into anything related to dungeons or survival, at least not until Isabella leaves town or we have Cat with us to confirm there is a spirit with us or not. We don't want to be giving any hints to them to figure out what we're doing in our vacation time and letting Nunitus know.

>>1008662
Support on checking into the PABE article (wonder if Skidder, your favorite spider fighter, has something to do with it)
and the Lenny Chavowitz article. (Why doesnt that guy just give up show business already???)

After that, look into the the PABE Smut (so we can see what other fighters there are) and BRAIN WORMS.

Also, lets see who else is in the Libarby that we can talk to.

I cannot decide, they're all good!

I'll just say I'll support not looking into the survival stuff just yet, at least until we can confirm whether we are being spied on or not. We can always just download it on our phone another day before the trip.

Read about spelunking, Lemmy, and friendly dungeons.

Have a brief pang of concern that if the world does end, you won't be able to buy rations at the store any more.

PABE smut. Maybe some of the content could be ENF clothing damage received in the ring?

Edmango 2021/08/27(Fri)02:13 No. 1008841 ID: afe7de
File 163005563459.png - (21.61KB , 500x500 , C3_047.png )

> Achievements?
You’ve still yet to get one, so the window is still closed. Though you’ve only had the power for like… barely a day and a half. The most you’ve done is throw the snowball and do some minor temperature adjustment. Maybe you need to do something more significant? Either way, It’s not really on your mind right now.

> POPULAR PABE FIGHTER RETIRES, IS THE RING TOO HOT FOR HER TO HANDLE?
You skim through the article, but a certain section pops out to you more then the rest.

After defeating SKIDDER in the ring, popular fighter FLICKER, AKA KELSEY CHAVOWITS, has decided to retire and not take up the HEROES LEAGUE offer to join them. Kelsey has refused all forms of interviews but her agent has informed us that she might make a return in a few years should the moons align correctly. Kelsey was reportedly seen having a breakdown mid-fight with SKIDDER, could these things be related. She’s a bit young to be going through menopause so perhaps she was on her period. No one knows why she had such an emotional and irrational change of mind. Some experts speculate-

You think that’s enough from that article. The author was starting to get misogynistic and that’s not your jam. Interesting that SKIDDER lost a fight. He’s your favorite spider PABE fighter after all. Even more shocking that the loss was to FLICKER. You never really liked her, she acted too much like a “HERO” and given what you’ve learned about the heroes league that bothers you more then you’d think. Though your feelings turn around a bit on her and SKIDDER. You think a bit more highly of her for rejecting the Hero’s League’s offer, and a bit less of SKIDDER now that you know.

> LEMMY CHAVOWITS, WASHED OUT ALCOHOLIC ON THE RISE AGAIN?
Another article, this one is shorter though.

LEMMY, popularly known for his work in the cult classic BRAIN WORMS, has announced that he’s planning on trying to produce a brand new, unrelated film. He says it’s been in the works and will go back to the roots being a SMALL INDEPENDENT FILM without the big budget. It’s his hopes that doing so will bring this series back to it’s roots and prevent a repeat of what happened to the brain worms franchise. Will his alcoholism get in the way with yet another performance? Or will he put down the sauce just long enough to bring us another masterpiece? Only time will tell.

You know that the series went on for 10+ Films, but only were really good for the first few, with a spike at the 5th, and a slow, steady decline at the 6th onward. You seriously wonder when this guy is going to give up on show-business. He’s ruined all of his contacts and there are even videos of public arguments between him and his DAUGHTAH. You’re not hopeful for his new performance, but if its good you’ll give it a watch. You wonder if there’s any relation with two CHAVOWITS being in the tabloids today but just shrug it off as a coincidence. Time to check out some comics.

Edmango 2021/08/27(Fri)02:14 No. 1008842 ID: afe7de
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> BRAIN WORMS - COMIC ANTHOLOGY
You check this one out and add it to your digital library. So you can read the first omnibus physically, and the rest online if you can’t make it back. Might make for some good reading when you’re in the dungeon and something to read today while you hang around.

The story follows the original protagonist of the BRAIN WORMS anthology. HEESH ASH. The BRAIN WORMS movies have an entirely different canon that branched off starting the 3rd movie when Lemmy started stealing the limelight. You think it’s a cooler story, and it avoids most of the supernatural elements the movies went into, instead supplementing it with pseudo science. The INFECTED end up getting powers later on, but the LIVING don’t. The comic was known to frequently kill off beloved characters, so you’re excited to give it a read.

> PABE SMUTWORKS
Now THIS, THIS is a book. Probably your favorite piece of literature that you keep tucked in a corner somewhere. You’ve got all the books that were ever made of this digitally and physically. They made around 5 SMUTWORKS. The actors and actresses were really gung-ho about it and leaned into it in their performances IRL. So it didn’t come as too much of a shock when they allowed writers to use their personas in CLOTHING DAMAGE and POWER FANTASY FUCKING scenarios. Just holding this book, the first issue, just sends a shiver down your spine and a heat to your loins. You take a quick look around. No one’s nearby. There’s just the Libarbian and a few other kin wandering the Libarby. You could sneak off to a corner and… just for a quick moment… You don’t think anyone would notice. You have done it before…

Do you sneak off to a quiet corner? Or do you go do something else?

If this happens I’m gonna roll a die to see if you get caught. Feel free to suggest who catches you!

No. You're a millionaire. With OP superpowered friends.

Wait until you can recruit the real PABE members into your bed.

Sneak off. Do it.

If it was Cat, I'd say no.

But this is Willamina. She's so COOL, she be confident enough to do it. And if she's caught, her coolness can talk her out of trouble. And this will be good training for dungeon exploration! Work on our stealth!

And if someone catches her... Who else but Fivin? It's a running gag at this point, so Fivin is my main choice

(secondary choice is someone from the Ruffled Haunch we havent met yet, third choice Iraphena, but only because she predicted Willamina here.)

Sneak off to the corner.

Maple if she's caught.

The only person you could truly be embarrassed y being caught by. Your adopted mother.

Edmango 2021/08/28(Sat)02:16 No. 1008906 ID: afe7de
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> Do it
You head off to a tucked away nook of the LIBARBY. It’s a cute and cozy little corner built into the wall, a nice cushion with an adjustable light. There’s a curtain, you pull it partially, but not all the way either, part of the excitement comes from the POTENTIAL to be seen. It’s partially obscured, so if someone DOES come by they might not realize what’s happening at first. You flip through the pages, reading a comic about EL SECRETO and a fighter called OBSCURA. She can go invisible, but still makes a shadow when she steps. The beginning is as you remember it. The two battling, EL SECRETO gaining the advantage, their clothes slowly being torn apart. Eventually EL SECRETO’S hard cock is revealed and with a flash he whips OBSCURA in the face. Her invisibility fades. She quivers in excitement as the rest of her clothes are torn off. At one point OBSCURA tries to remove his mask but then his signature catchphrase comes up.

EL SECRETO: THE. MASK. STAYS. ON.

You begin rubbing yourself in excitement, already moist from the tense build up and character development. You blush slightly and your breathing becomes heavy, but you don’t let out a moan. You flip through more stories and masturbate for a while, coming a few times, but this next one. Oh this next one will be a treat for you in mind and soul. It’s too bad you hear footsteps coming around the corner. If you could just… Almost…

Fivin turns the corner and sees you. You climax instantly and shudder a bit. Letting out a brief moan of pleasure. Fivin looks confused and wanders towards you. He can’t see below your waist, and you absentmindedly bring up your soaked hand and give him a wave, before realizing and dropping it back down. You hope he didn’t see that.

Fivin: Oh heya Willamina. Nicky wanted me to let you know when I saw you about the-
Fivin: *SNIFF* *SNIFF*
Fivin: What’s that smell?
You: About the what?
Fivin: Nevermind, uhhh yeah.
Fivin: Nicky said she got the paperwork sorted out, it’s ready for you whenever tomorrow.
Fivin: Left it in the Office.
Fivin: And your 3 months vacation pay also will be paid out on FRIDAY.
Fivin: It’s linked to the payroll system so you just gotta wait.
You: Cool, I’m in no hurry about that one though, I have enough saved up now.

Edmango 2021/08/28(Sat)02:16 No. 1008907 ID: afe7de
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Fivin takes a look at what you’re reading and blushes. That’s what he gets for being snoopy. He turns away and coughs and in that moment you wipe your hand enough so it’s not visibly wet. You also take a look at what he’s holding. You can’t quite read what the title is, something about -PNOSIS? You’re really bad at those anagrams and word puzzles though, so you don’t think about it too hard, you’re too COOL to worry about anything other than playing off your totally-not-jerk-off-session.

Fivin: Yeah, that issues just too uhhhh
You: HETERO?
Fivin: Yeah, or uh, too many p-p-puss- V-v-vaginoes for my like.
You: Oh you don’t like CAT GIRLS do ya?
Fivin: Anywayyyyyy. Oh, and she’ll tell you later probably but there’s 3 AWAKENED she’s looking into.
Fivin: 2 are planning on coming into the city on MONDAY or TUESDAY.
Fivin: The thirds a big IF, the fact that they even replied is kind of amazing.
You: Oh uh, thanks FIVEY.
Fivin: Hey… Only Nicky calls me that…
Fivin: Anyway, nice seeing you, have a good day WILLA!

He rushes away, you think hoping he got a one up on you with a doofy nickname. Willa’s kind of dumb, but you’ve heard worse. Goddess the one that called you Wilco got punched in the face. You think his name was RANDOM, eh, maybe it was RANDY. You only met him the one time and he couldn't pronounce your name and weren’t sure if it was a joke. You briefly wonder if one of the AWAKENED TOWN GUARDS, as you’re calling them in your head, is FLICKER. That would be kind of cool. You check to see if you left a mess, you didn’t everything localized to your panties and shorts, and walk to the front, checking out your books. It’s getting a little late, time flies when you’re jerking off as ANDREA would say.

You’re feeling a bit sleepy, so you head home to your front porch and decide that now’s the time for a nap. You don’t really dream all that often, but you are relaxed, so maybe you’ll have a brief 5 minute dream that’s transient and that you’ll not remember on waking. Who knows?

What do you dream about?

A. A raven
B. A fairy
C. Other (suggest away, or even combinations of things)

B.

C) Dream about the would-be final panel of a graveyard quest.
Get it completely wrong.

>>1008909
Oh damn, that's good.

A
Why is Willamina dreaming about CHI (Saba) from SHARDS???

A

A, and with a little bit of a special guest: Set those eyes: https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1006261.html#1007816

>>1008913
>Why is Willamina dreaming about CHI (Saba) from SHARDS???

Probably this dream is set up as a way for Saba to finally say goodbye to one of his only living family members since he never got to do that due to his sudden death, but is only able to do it as Chi.