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File 164089252535.png - (241.58KB , 1000x1100 , a0.png )
1018817 No. 1018817 ID: eedbeb

Previous Thread: https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/1010951.html
Wiki: https://questden.org/wiki/Stare_At_Explosions

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tippler

Finally, someone can kill Rancid.
Expand all images
>>
No. 1018818 ID: eedbeb
File 164089254139.png - (234.61KB , 1000x1100 , a1.png )
1018818

Your name is Lori Turner and you still remember the look on Jadis’ mum’s face when you exploded her daughter into little bits. It’s been almost a year since then and you’re not having a great time.

The higher ups have sent you and the blokes out on a local trip, something intentionally easy on your end. You’re in some poor bastard’s flat, sitting on his bed counting your tails while he and Rancid have a chat.

Max is somewhere around too, but you’re more concerned with your tails. You separate them into bunches of four, then two, then four again to make sure there are still eight.

Do you:
-Count your tails again, you can never be sure
-Find Max
-Find Rancid
>>
No. 1018819 ID: 3328c7

Find Max, let's talk about our problems.
>>
No. 1018820 ID: 127cd7

Count tails.
>>
No. 1018821 ID: a65cae

Count tails, possibly donate to fox spirits less fortunate than yourself.
>>
No. 1018826 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1018817
Just keep counting.
This will all be over soon.
>>
No. 1018827 ID: 96a9a8

Max
>>
No. 1018830 ID: 7def1e

Count again, better count the fur strands too to make sure.
>>
No. 1018883 ID: eedbeb
File 164092484459.png - (145.67KB , 1000x1100 , a2.png )
1018883

>Count
You have to keep counting. Ever since this monster business started you’ve been growing a new tail an average of once every two months, bringing more power and strange vicious instincts. You don’t know what will happen once you grow your ninth, which is why you have to be prepared.

And to prepare you have to count.

Max has mentioned the growing shadows under your eyes as you miss sleep from the anxiety. Even Rancid is treating you gently, which is just a bloody riot.
>>
No. 1018885 ID: eedbeb
File 164092493604.png - (125.45KB , 1000x1100 , a3.png )
1018885

Two fours, four twos, one and one and one and one and one and one and one and one. When you look at people you want to tear their faces off. Your boss told you your performance is slipping but you need this job so you don’t have to go home so you tell Max and Rancid everything’s fine and drift after them, shooting when you’re told to shoot.

This flat is on the outskirts of Providence, which makes you nervous. The poor bugger Rancid is talking to has mob connections and is the best the GIA can do for intel at the moment.

Great, now you’ve circled back around to Jadis.
>>
No. 1018886 ID: e51896

That does it, you need a vacation. Tell yourself you'll go find Max and tell him about possible vacation plans... after you count your tails 20 more times.
>>
No. 1018889 ID: 3ed3c3

You desperately need to get away from all this. It's doing your mental health no favors.
As for Jadis, what were you supposed to do? She had done absolutely unforgivable things, and a sudden change of heart - a good deed out of a lifetime of monstrosity - didn't undo all the pain she caused. It's hard to look at the people who were close to her and not feel bad but think of her victims and the people those victims were close to.
>>
No. 1018892 ID: 3328c7

What about amputating some of your tails?

Oh, and keep Rancid from going overboard with his shit.
>>
No. 1018893 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018885
Maybe you can help Rancid by threatening to tear the guy's face off.
>>
No. 1018948 ID: eedbeb
File 164098783074.png - (239.62KB , 1000x1100 , a4.png )
1018948

Your mental health is shite, that’s for sure. Maybe you could take some time off and try to be normal for a few weeks until the tail comes in and you can move on. You know Max is eager to get a chance to visit his secret missus and two kids, you’ll have to ask next time you see him.

>Amputate tails?
Well, you’ve never technically tried that but self-harm is a bit extreme.

>Rancid
In the meantime, you’re going to check on Rancid to make sure he hasn’t gone overboard. Not that Rancid has ever accidentally killed someone in your time knowing him but whatever.
>>
No. 1018949 ID: eedbeb
File 164098784997.png - (253.01KB , 1000x1100 , a5.png )
1018949

Rancid is standing on the coffee table, talking in low tones with the tall ox seated on the sofa. The ox has his sturdy hands clenched in his lap, betraying his nervous.

Do you:
-Kill Rancid
-Kill the ox
-Kill both of them
-Take a deep breath and announce yourself
>>
No. 1018951 ID: c92a02

Kill both of them, no witnesses.
>>
No. 1018952 ID: 8483cf

-Kill Rancid! Killll
>>
No. 1018953 ID: 076735

Kill self before you become a threat to those you care about.
>>
No. 1018957 ID: e9c46e

Wow you'll never succumb to unfathomable bloodlust when you reach nine tails if you do it right now. Announce yourself and then imagine killing Rancid, as a treat.
>>
No. 1018959 ID: 1fe87a

>>1018949
Do not kill.
>>
No. 1018960 ID: 076735

Kill Rancid, kill whoever they hire to replace Rancid, and continue to do so until they run out of competent torturers and torture's cost falls below its efficiency.
>>
No. 1018961 ID: 9a2966

Breathing is good. Steady breathing. Slow breathing. Hello.

You are Lori Turner.

(And you are not going insane from guilt and unwelcome new sensations cause by soul absorption overload.)

How's things looking?

>New tail every two months
How long since the last?

>What to do
You should probably relieve stress somehow. What are your new instincts? Any tolerable ones that can be leaned into to scratch that itch for now?

Maybe like... through pranking someone? Offer to make tea. Pour salt in Rancid's tea. Or whatever else it is he drinks.
>>
No. 1018968 ID: ce39da

Calmly announce yourself. Stomp any fantasies you might be forming; you're on the clock. Find a way to relieve stress after work hours.
>>
No. 1018970 ID: 629f2e

Kill Rancid.
>>
No. 1018971 ID: 0838d6

Kill rancid, final offer, not deleting and changing my post again.

SHOW ME THE CONSEQUENCES, I DARE YOU.
>>
No. 1019022 ID: eedbeb
File 164100746842.png - (212.39KB , 1000x1100 , a6.png )
1019022

You’re torn between a horrible urge to kill and the struggle to be sane and normal. You don’t know why the tails make you feel this bloodlust and a small squeak escapes from your mouth.

Rancid turns at the sound. “Lori, I’m sorry for the delay, we’re almost done here.”

Such a loathsome git. He’s never been anything but polite to you.

>Kill Rancid
Some switch flips in your mind to pure rage. It must show in your eyes because Rancid dives for the exit.

Your concussion blast catches him square across the midsection and blasts him to gory bits. Fluids splatter, steaming, against the walls and the ox screams with terror.
>>
No. 1019023 ID: eedbeb
File 164100747309.png - (224.95KB , 1000x1100 , a7.png )
1019023

Oh God.
>>
No. 1019024 ID: eedbeb
File 164100748912.png - (358.55KB , 1000x1100 , a8.png )
1019024

You stare at the ruined room in shock. The smell of burnt flesh reaches your nose and there’s something wet on your face.

“Lady. Hey, lady.”

The ox is talking to you, some kind of rambling thanks for taking care of Rancid. Max has come into the room and is holding his hands up trying to get your attention.

You’re going to be sacked and probably booted from the country. You’re going to have to return to the NUK.

-Talk to Max
-Talk to the ox
-Run
>>
No. 1019025 ID: 8483cf

Talk to Max!
>>
No. 1019027 ID: c92a02

Talk to Max.
Let's get one thing straight: He walked into the middle of the street and got run over by a street sweeper. Capische?
>>
No. 1019028 ID: 96c896

Talk to Max. Tell him you need help. You can't control yourself anymore.
>>
No. 1019030 ID: ed439d

Theres no kill max option?
Aw well, talk to max, threaten max, tell him hes next.
>>
No. 1019031 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1019024
Talk to Max.
"I am not okay. I've been growing new tails and it's been messing with my head, making me angrier and angrier, and I don't know why and it's scaring the shite out of me, and I hated that bastard so much it hurt just to be around him, but he's dead and I killed him and I wanted to, and I don't know if that makes me a bad person or if I was a bad person already and I keep thinking about Jadis and how I killed her and how I thought I had to and the look on her mum's face and how she looked at me and now you're looking at me and you're scared of me and I just I can't I can't I can't I--"
>>
No. 1019035 ID: e51896

Consider you might actually take Rancid's place.

Talk to Max. Tell him you're not feeling well, you need help, and uncontrollably threaten him before apologizing (but do not kill him)
>>
No. 1019095 ID: eedbeb
File 164106787725.png - (195.83KB , 1000x1100 , a9.png )
1019095

>Talk to Max
You stagger towards Max, who flinches, but lets you collapse against him.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, I need help, I can’t do this.” You can feel the warm flesh under Max’s sweater, but killing Rancid seems to have eased your bloodlust and you don’t feel the urge to hurt the dog. “I’m due for my ninth tail and I’ve been getting these horrible feelings and when I saw him I—.”

“It’s okay, you’re okay, it’s done now.” Max reassures you. There’s a tremble in his voice and his eyes are watery. “I know you didn’t mean to, even if you disliked him.”
>>
No. 1019096 ID: eedbeb
File 164106788316.png - (211.42KB , 1000x1100 , a10.png )
1019096

“What will I do?” you sob. “When the GIA finds out I’ll be screwed.”

“We don’t have to tell them it was you.” Max promises. “They’re going to assign us a replacement though and we need to make sure you’re feeling okay.”

Max gives the ox a hard stare. “If we leave you alone, will you keep this secret?”

“Oh, er, yes. I wanted to offer to help the lady if she needed asylum. My associates with the mob are very good at hiding people.” the ox says.
>>
No. 1019097 ID: 9a2966

>Asylum with the mob
That's such a terrible idea that you almost feel like accepting.
>>
No. 1019098 ID: 96c896

This is a good opportunity to repay them for killing Jadis. On the other hand would they actually let you? This is a good opportunity for them to exact revenge, too. You better tell him about that complication and find out if he still thinks it'll work.

It would certainly be less stressful than working for the GIA. Maybe Max could defect too...
>>
No. 1019100 ID: ce10a3

talk to Max, tell them about your tails and fleeting grip on sanity
>>
No. 1019101 ID: e51896

whisper to ask max to put tracking spell on the ox just in case.
>>
No. 1019102 ID: fc40da

No tracking spells! Take the ox's offer! This is the perfect opportunity to take down the GIA with Jadis' father!
>>
No. 1019104 ID: c92a02

Maybe you should go with the ox. Think of it like a change of assignment.
>>
No. 1019156 ID: 15a025

Be careful and try to center your feelings first. Jumping head first into another situation without talking it over could be rash and dangerous.

What do you know about the mob here, or what does Max know?
>>
No. 1019163 ID: eedbeb
File 164109608233.png - (179.02KB , 1000x1100 , a11.png )
1019163

The ox’s offer is so bonkers you’re almost tempted to take it. Before you can respond though, Max interjects.

“That would never work, Lori is wanted for killing the don’s daughter.”

“Oh my God, how could you?” the ox says, horrified.

“It was Jadis, not the other one.” Max clarifies.

“That’s okay then.” the ox revises. “As long as you don’t go near the family, people won’t know or care. You could even get a job as an enforcer in Providence! There’s a big need for strong monsters what with all the insanity the city attracts.”
>>
No. 1019164 ID: eedbeb
File 164109609708.png - (197.95KB , 1000x1100 , a12.png )
1019164

“Would you come with me?” you ask Max quietly.

He looks taken aback. “I can’t defect, Lori, I’m sorry. I have to think of my family.”

What does Lori do?
-Stay with the GIA
-Go to Providence as a civilian
-Go to Providence as a mob enforcer
>>
No. 1019165 ID: 96c896

Enforcer. You calmed down from killing someone, that implies your bloodlust can be sated. Getting a job where you kill bad people on the regular is a way to avoid killing good people!
>>
No. 1019166 ID: 15a025

Does the mob even know we grew more tails? That could work in our favor as a disguise if they don't. Let's go as a mob enforcer. Maybe blasting up some jerks can give us some wiggle room and time to figure out how to control our bloodlust urges, or even what triggers them.
>>
No. 1019167 ID: c92a02

Providence enforcement force!
>>
No. 1019234 ID: ce39da

Have the mob option in your back pocket just in case, but if we can lie about what happened, at least for now, we should do so.

Meanwhile... maybe you should stop counting your tails. The bloodlust may be tied in part to your stress levels. Also, if getting your ninth tail is as momentous as you say it is, then trust me when I say: when the time comes, you'll know.
>>
No. 1019237 ID: 3328c7

Staying with the GIA sounds like it will 5% less bloody, so that one.
>>
No. 1019238 ID: e51896

Stay
>>
No. 1019331 ID: 53560f

Stay with the GIA. Defecting to the mob would just trade your current problems for more of the same with added paranoia and leaving altogether without a plan isn’t much better.
Take some time off, consider your options for quitting legitimately in case things don’t get better.
>>
No. 1019333 ID: eedbeb
File 164124307389.png - (307.67KB , 1000x1100 , a13.png )
1019333

>Stay with GIA
You don’t feel comfortable throwing away your career without a plan, you’re rattled from killing Rancid but running from your problems won’t help.

“What’s our cover story?” you ask Max, who looks visibly relieved.

“Since we can’t recover the body, we can say he was kidnapped and killed, or that Bruce here called for backup and they ambushed us.” Max says.

Bruce looks scared again. “Don’t get me involved. I’m keeping your secret, remember?”
>>
No. 1019334 ID: eedbeb
File 164124308909.png - (128.03KB , 1000x1100 , a14.png )
1019334

“You should hide with you mob pals until this blows over, Rancid’s replacement will probably want to check things out.” Max advises.

Bruce covertly hands you his card and you follow Max to the street below where the car is parked.

What is your final cover story? Keep in mind the GIA will want to see the supposed scene of the crime.
>>
No. 1019335 ID: afe7de

Apologize to max, blow up a wall, and claim he was assasinated and the detonation of the wall was you attempting to fight back. Only rancid was killed, he was hated a lot anyway
>>
No. 1019336 ID: 96c896

There's no way this is going to work...

Ok, how about, you were attacked by a group of masked men(I guess animal masks), you blew one of them up but they managed to capture Rancid. Go through the story with Max, get the general details straight so they can't just interrogate you separately to expose the lie. Like, decide how they were armed, what kind of masks they were wearing, what color clothes they had on, and the general sequence of events. Make sure you have an excuse for not pursuing them. I can't think of one, lol.
Also make sure none of Rancid's remains are identifiable.
>>
No. 1019337 ID: 96c896

Oh great, there's no evidence of weapons being used here. You'd have to get some guns and shoot at the walls or something. Better to say you were attacked by magic or monster abilities, as those are less likely to leave traces.
>>
No. 1019343 ID: c92a02

Rancid collapsed under the weight of his own hubris. The splatter zone is about the right size.
>>
No. 1019354 ID: 53560f

Some guy snuck into the room while Max and Lori were waiting in another room for Rancid to finish doing his thing.
All you and Max heard was the blast and a scream.
Upon questioning the Witness (that’s the ox), we learned that some guy appeared in a room, blasted Max with a power or spell and vanished. They wore baggy clothes, a hoodie and mask to hide their identity and species.
Max went back to the GIA and LORI informed him that this seemed like an excellent opportunity for her to take time off with her stress reaching an all time high recently and this being a tipping point.

If only we could have made this look like an accident rather than a murder, but kinda hard with what we have.
>>
No. 1019399 ID: eedbeb
File 164127031294.png - (242.81KB , 1000x1100 , a15.png )
1019399

On the drive back to the office, you and Max hash out the finer details of the lie. You were in the bedroom and Max was taking a break on the loo when the ox called magical reinforcements who destroyed Rancid, which is very sad, and all the suspects made a quick escape before Max could get a good look at them.

Bad luck really. Truly unfortunate.

Max recounts the story to Rupert the receptionist, with the appropriate haggard expression.

“That’s alarming, what kind of abilities do you think they were using?” Rupert asks.
>>
No. 1019400 ID: eedbeb
File 164127033616.png - (131.38KB , 1000x1100 , a16.png )
1019400

“Er, well they were so fast it might have been a vampire using time shenanigans.” Max improvises.

“Do you suppose this is because of your failure with Derek from your previous mission?”

“I—Well—I guess anything’s possible.” Max says lamely.

Rupert immediately begins typing away at his computer. “I’ll notify leadership immediately. We need to get your team a new member and back in the field as quickly as possible.”
>>
No. 1019403 ID: 3439d7

Quietly Remark to Max how you hope it isn't a mummy. Mummy curses are weird.
>>
No. 1019418 ID: 96c896

Object to the time shenanigans theory. You would not have seen a trace of them if it was a vampire. It's more likely a different monster's ability that lets them move quickly. Like a bandersnatch or something.
For that matter, tell them you and Max are just assuming Bruce called for reinforcements. You don't have any evidence that he did. Come to think of it, could this be someone taking revenge on Rancid for something he did in the past? There are certainly enough people that hate him.

Also you want a vacation. You're seriously shaken up by what happened.
>>
No. 1019425 ID: 53560f

Quickly mention that you need time off, stress and the new tail coming soon is interfering with your ability to work at 100%. You don’t want to make mistakes that cost teammates lives like what happened today, even if your only mistake today was being in another room and not paying attention.
>>
No. 1019461 ID: eedbeb
File 164131430436.png - (254.03KB , 1000x1100 , a17.png )
1019461

“Hold on, I doubt it was a vampire. Rancid has a ton of enemies, most of whom are way more violent than Derek. Some other monster we don’t know about could have done it.” you object.

“A different monster that can totally escaped detection.” Rupert notes.

“I saw them on the way out.” Max improvises. “They were all masked and wearing dark clothes so I couldn’t identify them.”

“They were all wearing masks.” Rupert repeats. The peacock gives a small ‘hm’ and goes back to typing.
>>
No. 1019462 ID: eedbeb
File 164131431025.png - (169.67KB , 1000x1100 , a18.png )
1019462

You can tell Rupert thinks you’re being dodgy, but you open your mouth anyway.

“I need a vacation, Rupert, I’m really shaken by this and with my new tail coming soon I’m not working at my best. I don’t want to make more mistakes that cost people their lives.”

“I’ll make a note of that. I have you scheduled for a meeting in an hour, do what you’d like before then.” he replies.

What should you do?
-Visit Rancid’s office
-Get food from the cafeteria
-Stay and talk to Rupert
>>
No. 1019463 ID: c7e7b6

Break under pressure and say you did it. You're having trouble keeping things under control with your ninth tail coming in. They might help.
>>
No. 1019464 ID: ce39da

Visit Rancid's office. You brought it up, so it makes sense that you would be the most curious about what particular enemies he might have made.
>>
No. 1019469 ID: 96c896

Office.
>>
No. 1019470 ID: 8a51ec

>>1019463
Do this but say it really fast and under your breath before leaving for Rancid's office.
>>
No. 1019516 ID: 53560f

Thank Rupert and get something to eat, maybe a snack will take your mind of things for a little while.
>>
No. 1019539 ID: af2f11

>>1019463
Seconding, cuz why tf not
>>
No. 1019541 ID: eedbeb
File 164134935312.png - (240.12KB , 1000x1100 , a19.png )
1019541

>Rancid’s office
The pressure of the situation is making your anxiety come back. You feel like you’re going to blab if you stay here any longer, so you hurry down the hall to Rancid’s office for some privacy.

The little room is almost completely barren, besides the ornamental insect Rancid picked up at an exotic bathhouse. There are no pictures of friends or family, no personal touches to show some sign of life. You open the drawers to reveal various weapons and the occasional paper file.

You slump into his chair, which is much too small.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” you mutter into your paws. “I didn’t mean to kill you.”
>>
No. 1019542 ID: eedbeb
File 164134936274.png - (146.27KB , 1000x1100 , a20.png )
1019542

“Girl, what?”

You look up. A dolphin agent you don’t recognize is slouched against the door frame.

“Did you just say you killed him?” she asks.
>>
No. 1019543 ID: 8a51ec

Surprised yelp, concussion blast.
>>
No. 1019544 ID: ea4991

>>1019542
Yeah. Inattentiveness or inability to stop what got him, what you lacked sure killed him, since it’s something you should have been able to handle in a better state, but... no, you couldn’t and you didn’t. It’s this whole tails thing, you know. Just adds stress on top of stress and it’s a bit much right now. Fuck, you need a vacation bad. Or a medically induced coma, you’d take either, to be honest.

...you didn’t even like the guy that much, but here you are, practically weeping over him. Guess you were close enough. Did they know him?
>>
No. 1019549 ID: 51bb26

we're just making ourselves look more suspicious and unhinged. visiting rancid's office is a bad idea, it would imply guilt or bad intentions/damage control. our superiors and the investigators assigned to this are going to consider us one of the top suspects -- they know neither of you were fans of rancid, they're probably aware of your increasingly unstable mental state (which you've just affirmed verbally) and the changes your body is going through as a monster, and of course their world-class forensics can almost certainly identify the particular "profile" of his death, given that you've used your power to turn people into exploded bloody gibs for your superiors in the past in presumably much the same manner. can we even trust max, really? he probably thinks you're going off the deep end too, on some level, and he has his wife and kids to think about. does he really want to trust and stick his neck out for this psycho bitch that just disintegrated their coworker, even if that coworker was a sadist bastard?

>keep talking to rupert.
it might be for the best to change tack and ask to speak to your boss immediately, and give them an adjusted version of the truth. claim to them that you did kill rancid, but that it was an accident caused by an overload or temporary lapse in control over your power. that the extra tails you've been growing and all the soul juice you've been taking in has been making your abilities harder to handle, more unstable. ask them to amputate your tails to try and get things back under control. it would be a kind of self-harm, pretty extreme, yes. but the circumstances have gotten extreme enough that it might just be necessary. you're a valuable asset, a good agent with a lot of firepower in a time where the agency desperately needs its assets. surely, they would help you?

on the other hand, if you don't think you can trust your superiors (they did sanction someone like rancid to pull some very rancid shit, not to mention being the authorities responsible for just about every horrible thing the GIA did during the Recycler affair), then you need to get away as quickly as possible. go back for asylum with the mob, and get on their docket. who else can protect a fucked-up monster like you?
>>
No. 1019550 ID: 51bb26

oh haha. okay nevermind yeah sure just go ahead and admit it you guilt-ridden wreck.
>>
No. 1019552 ID: ea4991

>>1019544
To be clearer: play it off as survivor’s guilt.
>>
No. 1019553 ID: 51bb26

well, go ahead and give her "the truth", that you did kill him but it was an accident. it's not too late to find your boss and do damage control to get out of this without becoming a fugitive or just another terminated asset.
>>
No. 1019588 ID: 96c896

That's his replacement. Do not under any circumstances admit to directly killing Rancid. Tell them you feel like you did. You should've been able to protect him but you were just... counting your tails.
>>
No. 1019589 ID: af2f11

>>1019543
Seconding
>>
No. 1019612 ID: 50af53

Hold back the urge to blast them immediately and just admit that your current condition pushed you to finally lose it on rancid and that this is continually getting harder to manage.
>>
No. 1019613 ID: 094652

Just say you developed this growing urge to kill Rancid, and by the time you realized you were under some kind of compulsion he went splooey.

After all, į̷̞̍t̵͕̲̩̤͚͔͕̯̦̞͉͉̬͊̀̈́̇͘̚͜͝͠͝ͅ'̴̨̛̼̜̯̞̖͔̮̺̩̼̬̰̖͑͋̈́̃̐͗͗̒̂̔̄̈͗̕͜ͅs̵͎̻̋́́̓͒̕̚͝ ̴̢̢̡̡̛͔̠̙̰̣̱̣̤̟̆͛͛̎͐͒͠͝͝t̸͙͇͉̊̿̐̒̒͒̆͂̏̆͐͒͂̔́̔͘r̶͉͈͇͓͔̺̩̔̒̀͠ų̸̨̖̪̺̰̘̭̤͗͒͝ͅͅe̷͙̼̱̙̝̞̺̼̦̅̉̄͆͘͜͜.̴̝̜̯̐͋̃͊͝
>>
No. 1019616 ID: ce39da

No murder, no confession. You got this.

"I may as well have. I should have been paying better attention while Max was in the bathroom..."

Remember, the reason you're here is: "I was just looking through Rancid's things. Someone decided to kill just him, and... I don't know, maybe I'll find a lead or something on who would want to do that." Make sure you're actually looking, too; do any of those papers stand out to you? You might find a convenient patsy, or perhaps a possible ally if this ruse does end up falling apart.
>>
No. 1019633 ID: e51896

>>1019613
this

Honestly, if we keep this secret, our condition will get worse and we might hurt more people.
>>
No. 1019641 ID: eedbeb
File 164140331628.png - (75.54KB , 500x500 , a21.png )
1019641

>Rancid’s replacement?
Wait a second, you think you’ve seen this bird talking to Rancid before in the cafeteria. What if she’s his apprentice or something? That makes your incoming confession extremely awkward.

>Confession
You resist the urge to blast and motion for her to close the door.

“I wasn’t in my right mind, it was an accident, I’ve been having a really hard time dealing with my kitsune powers and the urge to kill was too strong.” you explain. “I told Rupert that someone else killed Rancid but I don’t know how long we can maintain the lie.”
>>
No. 1019643 ID: eedbeb
File 164140345232.png - (77.15KB , 500x500 , a22.png )
1019643

The dolphin cocks her head to the side and considers you thoughtfully. “I’m Flipper. I’ve been trying to get fieldwork for ages and now I think I’m going to be assigned to your team.”

“Oh, so I did you a favor.”

“Yes, and now I also have the supreme blackmail material.” Flipper grins. “I think as long as you don’t accidentally kill me I should have a good thing going.”

You’ve gained an ally! Flipper will help with any tasks associated with covering up your involvement in Rancid’s death, but she’s also got your balls in a tight grip and can extort you at any moment.
>>
No. 1019646 ID: ce39da

Not a bad development, all things considered; remember, if she tries to get you to do something you really can't cotton, you can just wait for the right moment for another murder and disappear for real this time. (Two dead partner cover-ups make for a worrying trend, after all.)
>>
No. 1019648 ID: 8a51ec

Allllrighty then, if she WANTS to decorate Rancid's office with her insides she's making an excellent case for it. But killing her right now would be the last nail in the coffin, so save that inevitability for later.

...Ask for a hug.
>>
No. 1019656 ID: cc6f60

Oh, that was unexpected. Guess we can't get help with getting our tail problem under control. But ask if she has some way to help you deal with your bloodlust moving forward if she isnt going to arrest you and get you treatment.

Also, ask if she has any monster powers. Might be best to understand her powers so we can better work together.
>>
No. 1019658 ID: 53560f

“Well gee, don’t let my breakdown get in the way of your ambition.”

This is actually fine, if we can get evidence later to prove that she was hiding this on our behalf then we can make her go down with us should she ever attempt to use said blackmail.
>>
No. 1019666 ID: 96c896

I think you're going to have to keep an eye on her, get a feel for her character. If she's worse than Rancid then what you should do is kill her at a good opportunity then flee for the mob.
Honestly you're already fucking this up so much I wouldn't count on keeping your cover for long. As soon as you're at risk of exposure you should jump ship.
>>
No. 1019718 ID: eedbeb
File 164144435967.png - (64.82KB , 500x500 , a23.png )
1019718

This is a surprisingly okay development. If you end up offing Flipper you’ll have to leave the GIA for sure, so hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

“Deal. Can you tell me a little more about yourself? Are you a monster?”

“No, I’m a witch.” Flipper clarifies. “Rancid was my senpai and I’m like, a total psycho. Top of my class.”

“Er—“

“I do nerve stimulation spells for torture, so it’s a lot less messy.” Flipper sits on the desk.
>>
No. 1019719 ID: eedbeb
File 164144436907.png - (59.37KB , 500x500 , a24.png )
1019719

You have a slight headache from lack of sleep and Flipper’s chirpy tone.

“So can you do medical magic?”

“Just the basics, I’m more about the interface of soul and the nervous system though.”

You don’t have much time before the meeting with management, do you:
-Ask Flipper to look at your tails
-Ask Flipper more about herself
-Other
>>
No. 1019726 ID: 96c896

>soul and the nervous system
Well, tails have spines, that's a pretty strong connection to the nervous system. Maybe she can see something?
>>
No. 1019729 ID: e51896

Her checking tails is a must.
>>
No. 1019733 ID: 8483cf

Check tails, receive dubious medical advice
>>
No. 1019737 ID: 50af53

So rancid has been replaced by someone you will likely hate an equal amount but for different reasons. How wonderful.
>>
No. 1019760 ID: b75ed1

>>1019737 Yep! Rancid gave us fair warning they would replace him with a less professional version of himself last quest.

Let's ask Flipper about herself (and why such a stereotypical name, girl?)
>>
No. 1019763 ID: eedbeb
File 164149271975.png - (48.79KB , 500x500 , a25.png )
1019763

“Can you take a look at my tails?” you ask.

“Sure, sis, bring out that beautiful behind.” Flipper trills. She has some kind of Middle Canica accent, probably from one of the Texas cities. You can’t believe you already miss Rancid.

You flip up your long coat and lean against the desk awkwardly. A glance over your shoulder reveals Flipper’s periscope like witch eyes.
>>
No. 1019764 ID: eedbeb
File 164149272656.png - (105.80KB , 500x500 , a26.png )
1019764

“Gosh, I’m getting blinded by your aura.” Flipper inches closer and grabs a handful of your fur to move the tails out of the way of your pelvis. “Hm, yeah I can see another one coming in, right in the middle.”

“Could you remove them, do you think?”

“Maybe, it’d probably be super painful, those suckers go right into your spine.” Flipper shrugs. “The tails make you super strong so if it were me I’d keep ‘em.”

You hear a tap on the door and turn to see Max, who’s blushing and has his eyes averted.

“Sorry to interrupt, it’s time for the meeting, Lori.” he says.
>>
No. 1019765 ID: 4b1e19

Call max a pervert and slap him.
Consider surgery on tail(s) later.
Meeting time.
>>
No. 1019769 ID: 8a51ec

Somehow a worse outcome than if she suddenly started fingering you. If your tails are attached to your spine, then removing any comes with the risk of paralysis. Anyways, meeting.
>>
No. 1019776 ID: 96c896

>>1019764
Well I guess you have nine already. You won't get any worse. From here on it's just management.

Flipper doesn't seem that bad actually. Though, the main objection to Rancid was he had no regrets whatsoever about his work, felt it was necessary etc. Ask Flipper if she feels the same way, while on the way to the meeting.
>>
No. 1019816 ID: eedbeb
File 164153080633.png - (76.62KB , 500x500 , a27.png )
1019816

The ninth tail is on the way, but hasn’t manifested yet, so you still have time to get it removed without too much damage. You store that thought away for later and follow Max to one of conference rooms off the main lobby.

Flipper doesn’t seem too bad, but you need to see her in action before you’re sure. If she’s a self-proclaimed psycho there’s probably a few missing marbles in that fleshy head.

The head of field ops, Lulu, is a large and imposing hippopotamus wearing a neat blouse. You heard she snapped an animal cleanly in half once, albeit an insect that had convenient segmentation.

A grotty little human baby is nestled in your boss’s thick arms. You knew she was pregnant but you didn’t know—you wouldn’t expect her to keep one of those things if she had the resources to get checked beforehand.
>>
No. 1019817 ID: eedbeb
File 164153082353.png - (67.51KB , 500x500 , a28.png )
1019817

Lulu coos to the fragile bundle and greets both of you with a tight smile.

“Shame to hear about Rancid. 20 years of loyal service from that one.” she sighs. “So I read the report that an unknown mob entity killed him, under both of your noses.”

Max gulps. “That’s right ma’am. It was a terrible lapse of judgement.”

“I expect better of you, Max. The least you can do is a proper investigation and determine if the culprit needs to be eliminated. Show Flipper the ropes but keep her safe.”

That last part seemed to be directed at you.
>>
No. 1019818 ID: e51896

Just smile nervously and nod. Ask about a possible vacay, and your concerns with your tails and bloodlust.
>>
No. 1019822 ID: 094652

>You wouldn’t expect her to keep one of those things if she had the resources to get checked beforehand.
Because deep down, she doesn't care if her baby is a 'freak'. She's giddy at the prospect of teaching her beloved natural sociopath how to be a ruthless government agent.

>What do
Stare at the baby until you're dismissed from the meeting.
>>
No. 1019823 ID: b75ed1

Salute profesionally and ask for your next assigment.

Ooooor...

Break down and cry.
Whichever the other suggestors like.
>>
No. 1019824 ID: 96c896

A human baby is better than no baby at all.

Tell her you'll try your best.
>>
No. 1019829 ID: 2e2ea8

"Yes ma'am" is the appropriate and professional response.
>>
No. 1019844 ID: eedbeb
File 164158188216.png - (69.20KB , 500x500 , a29.png )
1019844

“Yes ma’am, we won’t make the same mistake again.” you say, unable to keep your eyes off the freaky baby.

Lulu notices your stare and adjusts her hold pointedly. “Remember that there’s nothing wrong with our new human kin, and that maintaining the population is essential for continued economic prosperity.”

“Of course, I’m sorry.” You chew your lip. “We’ll return to the scene of the crime shortly. After this assignment, is it alright if I take some time off?”

Lulu considers you. “Are your growing powers still giving you trouble?”
>>
No. 1019845 ID: eedbeb
File 164158188805.png - (59.50KB , 500x500 , a30.png )
1019845

“I—it’s just with Rancid kicking the bucket I’d like some time to process everything.”

Lulu nods. “That’s reasonable. Find the culprit and I’ll delegate the follow up to another team.

You clarify a few more points with the hippo and then the meeting concludes. Your stomach growls and you wish you’d stopped by at the cafeteria for a snack.

It isn’t cold enough for snow yet but a chilly, miserable rain has started. Flipper ambushes you in the lobby wearing a waterproof windbreaker and you head for the parking lot.

“Flipper’s in on this.” you tell Max once you’re securely in the car.

What’s your first step?
-Call Bruce to get a possible mob culprit
-Visit the apartment to collect ‘evidence’
-Pick one of the Body crew to blame
>>
No. 1019846 ID: ce39da

Visit the apartment just so you'll have somewhere to be, and call up Bruce about an expendable mob patsy. You personally wouldn't even consider the Body crew as viable suspects; they're nice people who are just trying to help in their own way.
>>
No. 1019849 ID: 96c896

Visit apartment, get some food there. Also call Bruce to find a fall guy.
>>
No. 1019926 ID: eedbeb
File 164165856476.png - (65.53KB , 500x500 , a31.png )
1019926

It’s a little tempting to take Rupert’s idea and blame poor Derek or one of the other bloody busted blokes Body has in her entourage, but that would be a dick move. They’re all nice people who don’t deserve more GIA interference.

That leaves Bruce and the mob, which will keep your story consistent at least.

“Let’s go to Bruce’s place first and see if we can clean up a little.” you suggest.

“Oooh! The crime scene.” Flipper pats her hip and produces an empty jar. “I can collect samples.”

Max drives the car back to the posh apartment building and you’re pleasantly surprised to find the door to the flat unlocked.
>>
No. 1019927 ID: eedbeb
File 164165859577.png - (72.86KB , 500x500 , a32.png )
1019927

It still smells like blood and burnt flesh and you avert your eyes from the shreds of fur scattered around the living room. Flipper, on the other hand, starts scooping whatever she can scrape off the wood flooring into her jar.

You take some food from the kitchen and search Bruce’s office for a possible lead. There isn’t much there, the ox was careful to cover his tracks before he left, so you fish Bruce’s card out of your pocket to make a call.

“Hello? May I ask who’s calling?”

“It’s Lori, from earlier. Can I ask a favor?”

“Of course! Is there a problem? GIA catch on to, you know..?”

You walk back into the living room so Max can hear the conversation.

“No, but I need a fall guy. Someone else, preferably from the mob who I can blame.”
>>
No. 1019928 ID: eedbeb
File 164165861750.png - (90.01KB , 500x500 , a33.png )
1019928

You hear the ox huff. “You’re asking me to throw my own men into the GIA’s line of fire. No can do, unless you make it extremely worth my while.”

You tug on your whiskers with irritation. “What would that entail?”

“Hm, a 100k bones or a couple jobs I need done in the city would be enough.” You can imagine Bruce stroking his chin in thought. “The offer’s still open to work for us, you know.”
>>
No. 1019930 ID: ce39da

"Look, it doesn't have to be one of your guys, okay? I'm asking you to put out feelers, here. Anyone other than the GIA or Body's group that'd make sense would do. Someone mob-affiliated who's been acting in poor faith with you and yours or- or who's in your way personally, with means, opportunity, and personal motive against Rancid - that would just be the 'magical Christmas-land' candidate, but you don't have to go that far."

"... If you do find a fall-guy that perfect, however, I would certainly remember this forever."
>>
No. 1019943 ID: 96c896

>>1019928
Tell him you are tempted to take his offer to jump ship but the situation might still be salvageable. Plus you want to keep an eye on Rancid's replacement, see how bad she is. Tell him about Flipper, does he know of her?
Also, he doesn't need to throw his own men under the bus- what about some rogue element? Or rival gang?

You will do him a favor if he helps you, so long as it's something the GIA won't think is suspicious.
>>
No. 1019962 ID: eedbeb
File 164168688238.png - (76.10KB , 500x500 , a34.png )
1019962

>A third option?
“What about someone not from the mob? Some bloke you know of who hates Rancid, I’m sure there are tons of people who have a grunge against him after being tortured.”

“Right, the issue there is your average animal isn’t capable of instantly killing a competent government officer. It won’t be very convincing if you choose some random schmuck.” Bruce argues.

That’s true, Rupert and Lulu already think someone powerful is behind Rancid’s death. It’s extremely likely you’ll be caught if you pursue that path.
>>
No. 1019976 ID: 15a025

Well, that's (rightfully) a lot of bones. I guess let's hear what kind of jobs he needs help with first.
>>
No. 1020005 ID: 53560f

Hmm, maybe put flipper on. Rupert seemed uncomfortable when Rancid was talking to him, maybe his protege will have a similar effect.
>>
No. 1020010 ID: d467f5

What if we find someone from the move to take the fall ourselves.

We could even blame the mosquito vampire woman!
>>
No. 1020054 ID: 96c896

Blaming it on mosquito bitch sounds like a good plan. Tangentally related to the mob, has beef with Rancid, and is so strong the GIA won't be able to do much.
>>
No. 1020105 ID: eedbeb
File 164178097871.png - (70.57KB , 500x500 , a35.png )
1020105

You hand the phone off to Flipper to give her some practice being intimidating then pace the clean side of the living room deep in thought.
There’s another vampire you could blame for the murder: that bonnie mosquito Theda who’s been working with the mob. You’d like some way to pin it on her and not Derek which means an absolutely bonkers idea.

You want to go to Providence to find her and get a false confession or something. Bruce can still help you by giving you her location, and if no one recognizes you or Max it should be fine.
>>
No. 1020106 ID: eedbeb
File 164178099020.png - (62.49KB , 500x500 , a36.png )
1020106

You tune back into the conversation to hear Flipper describing her love life in lurid detail.

“He hung up.” the dolphin says in surprise when you motion for her to give your cell back.

“Would you be alright going to the city?” you ask Max quietly.

The dog shakes his head furiously. “I’m not suicidal.”

“Alright. Flipper, would you like to go to Providence? If the mob recognizes me there we’ll be attacked on sight.”

“Sounds cool!”
>>
No. 1020123 ID: 96c896

Okay bring her with you, we can easily get her killed and jump ship.
Can't Bruce just... ask the mob not to murder you? And to ask the mosquito vamp to take credit for the murder? She can claim it was retaliation for the GIA sending Derek to her.
>>
No. 1020741 ID: eedbeb
File 164262652503.png - (114.23KB , 500x900 , a37.png )
1020741

Flipper’s enthusiasm is a little off-putting. You can take care of yourself but a young witch in the big city will get thumped before she can cast a spell to defend herself.

On the other hand, you’re a wanted animal but Flipper hasn’t done anything to earn the mob’s ire. Maybe if you disguise yourself and ask Bruce where the mob is patrolling around town, you’ll be able to squeak by. You don’t think Bruce has enough influence to contact Theda himself or keep the rabble off your back.

Suggest items for your disguise, and feel free to do a paper doll as well.
>>
No. 1020744 ID: e51896

Groucho Marx glasses with a cigar. The perfect disguise

(Added to whatever other clothing other suggestors come up with)
>>
No. 1020745 ID: 96c896

This is a bad idea. We're heading into the city with no protection and no plan, to find someone who can kill us instantly, to ask her for help when she has no reason to help us much less talk.

It will probably result in Flipper being murdered instantly and Theda pressuring Lori into joining the mob.

But ok let's do it. Wear something to hide those tails. Maybe you can distribute them along your body so you just look like you're fat? Sweater and sweat pants, maybe.
>>
No. 1020746 ID: 0ee72b

Time for ilussion/metamorphosis magic!
Turn into a shrimp or find someone who can do it.
>>
No. 1020748 ID: afe7de

Make yourself look like a kind of chubby shrimp with magic! and underneath it wear like street clothes and a beanie, something kind of slovenly
>>
No. 1020811 ID: eedbeb
File 164269864248.png - (73.64KB , 500x500 , a38.png )
1020811

You get a brilliant idea. “Max, can you do illusion magic? What if you made me look like a little shrimp bloke, I can say I’m Flipper’s friend.”

The dog strokes his chin and considers your tall form. “Well…that could work but it would wipe me out for the day. I can tie the spell to your magic so you can power it, and you’d have to be really careful moving around. Your real body would still be there, just invisible. Someone could bump into you and blow your cover, and if you use your powers it’d probably destabilize it as well.”

“I’ll be careful.” you reassure him.
Max brings you over to the couch, sitting down in case he faints after the spell. You feel the touch of his soul on your own, and freely give him energy to work with.
>>
No. 1020812 ID: eedbeb
File 164269865156.png - (86.33KB , 500x500 , a39.png )
1020812

Slowly, your hands lose their color and become transparent, the effect traveling over the rest of your body. A squat orange shape blooms to life around your legs, mirroring your movements like a strange puppet. It’s odd, and you keep looking down to check on it.

The whole process takes an hour, with Max finally collapsing on the cushions. Flipper comes into the room from the kitchen, eating a sandwich and stares at your hips.

“Well hello! You’re a cute thing.”

You open your mouth to speak and a croaky Sorth Canican accent comes from the avatar.

“Flipper, it’s still me.”

“I know, silly, but we need to get in character.”
>>
No. 1020813 ID: eedbeb
File 164269865853.png - (68.74KB , 500x500 , a40.png )
1020813

You practice moving around the flat and study the layout of the city with Flipper. Through a mix of tracking spells, drone footage, and social media, the GIA knows the rough locations of Body, Saul, and Kibble at all times. Important areas like the magic college, the hidden room (where you killed Jadis), and the Lewis estate are also known.

Where should you go first? Also, what is your alibi’s name and cover story?
>>
No. 1020814 ID: e51896

Hmm, beacause of beanie, maybe call yourself Irah? (Optionally get a bowtie)

Or go with the name Cory
>>
No. 1020815 ID: 0838d6

>>1020814
You know what name is good for a little shrimp that seems harmless but is actually a rediculously strong being.

Irah.
>>
No. 1020816 ID: 8a51ec

You are Aries Lintz. You work at a laundromat, doing basic maintenance on the machines.
>>
No. 1020817 ID: 0838d6

Also maybe just go to body and be like "rancid's dead and now we have a new rancid oh god why does this keep happening"
>>
No. 1020819 ID: e51896

If it's an option, We can go to the Deez, spark and listen to rumors to better prepare ourselves, and maybe learn where our vamp might be.

Working at laundromat is a good coverstory
>>
No. 1020825 ID: 0ee72b

Your name Is Shrimpina and let's go find Body because she is the one who is friends with everyone else.
>>
No. 1020834 ID: c92a02

Kipper, you're an exchange student studying journalism. Your favorite food is poutine and chips.
>>
No. 1020855 ID: eedbeb
File 164277700608.png - (73.66KB , 500x500 , a41.png )
1020855

>Body
You reason the friendly moggy is your best bet for a starting point. Body knows everyone in town and probably won’t instantly turn you in if she finds out who you really are.

The GIA map app on your phone shows a red pin marking Body’s location at some dingy pub called Deez. It isn’t even open, which is both good and bad, you don’t think you have an ID to show at the door but now you can’t just walk in.
>>
No. 1020856 ID: eedbeb
File 164277701674.png - (104.60KB , 500x500 , a42.png )
1020856

Max gives Flipper the keys to the car and you leave the old dog on the sofa so he can take a much needed nap.

>Ares
While Flipper drives, you decide your name is Ares Lintz, and you work at a laundromat fixing up the machines. You and your sister are visiting Providence as tourists, since the city has such a rich recent history.

Flipper seems a bit disappointed that she’s your ‘sister’, but spends the rest of the trip asking you about Ares’ likes and dislikes until you arrive at your location.
>>
No. 1020857 ID: eedbeb
File 164277702209.png - (45.05KB , 500x500 , a43.png )
1020857

Flipper parks the car across the street in the lot of a pawn shop. An eyeball slithers out of its socket to inspect the dingy black painted cube of a building with a pair of bollocks on its front.

“I see three people, two look normal and one has a weird soul.”

“That’s Body.”

“Do I get to torture her?” Flipper asks hopefully.

“No! Don’t be daft—er, crazy. She’s a nice lady.”

“Doesn’t matter if she’s nice or not when we have a job to do.” Flipper argues.

“No.” you say firmly. “We don’t want to piss off anyone else, this is a stealth mission.”

Flipper shrugs, but looks hurt.

How do you get to Body?
-Knock on the front door
-Go around the back
-Wait for Body to leave and intercept her
>>
No. 1020862 ID: e51896

Lets wait for Body to leave. That way we can get to know more about Flipper and bond with her while we wait. Topics like why she joined the GIA, her interests, past life, why she had interest for Rancid, and then maybe explain to her that the GIA has been getting a lot of bad publicity lately due to our actions in the past, and if we are going to try to make amends with the public and build trust with them again, we shouldn't be giving the GIA more bad publicity by torturing nice people like Body.
>>
No. 1020863 ID: 6609cd

Supporting poltergeist's proposal.
She also annoys with her love life stuff, because cheap drama is always fun.
>>
No. 1020959 ID: eedbeb
File 164286985116.png - (55.36KB , 500x500 , a44.png )
1020959

>Wait for Body to leave
You don’t want to trap yourself in that dingy place or deal with two unknowns, so you tell Flipper to wait in the car with you.

The young dolphin slumps against her seat. “We just sit here? They could be in there for hours!”

You sigh. “Stakeouts are usually boring. We can get to know each other better in the meantime.”

“Okay.” Flipper grumbles. “Tell me about yourself. You’re from the NUK, right? I’ve heard that place is a mess.”
You shudder. “It’s a hellhole, sirens always going off all the times, half your life spent in a bunker, and when you actually get outside the weather sucks.”
>>
No. 1020960 ID: eedbeb
File 164286986028.png - (72.02KB , 500x500 , a45.png )
1020960

Memories of your former life swim in your head and you dig your claws into your cheek to drive them away. “What about you? How did you get involved with the GIA?”

“Oh, it seemed like a cool job. There was a corrupt oil company in my town that didn’t pay their workers like my Pops their fair share of bones. The GIA sent Rancid in and solved the problem overnight!”

“With torture.” you say. “That’s kind of why we’re having a PR disaster.”

Flipper scoffs. “Yeah, but the torture helps way more people than it hurts!”

“Even when that’s true, it still makes us look bad. People remember the ugly stuff a lot longer than they remember the good.”

“People are stupid then.”

You sigh. “Out of the two of us, I’m the one with a double digit body count so I’m just sharing my perspective.”
>>
No. 1020961 ID: eedbeb
File 164286987049.png - (72.67KB , 500x500 , a46.png )
1020961

After several minutes of awkward silence, Flipper turns on the radio and you spend the next hour and a half listening to the local news and pop tunes.

Your invisible stomach rumbles and you think wistfully of a warm cuppa with a biscuit. The gloomy sky darkens until a portly shape emerges from the back of the building and walks towards a beaten up white car.

Flipper scrambles out of your vehicle and runs across the street before you can get your seatbelt undone.

“Sis!” you yell. “Wait up!”

Body stops to look around for the source of the noise, and, seeing Flipper, waves in confusion. You hurry to catch up.

“Hello ma’am.” you squeak. “We’re two siblings here to see the sights of Providence, which includes you. Can I get an autograph?”

Body flushes a shade of puce through her short fur. “Me? Wow, no one’s ever said that before. Sure, let me get a piece of paper for you.”
>>
No. 1020962 ID: eedbeb
File 164286987881.png - (74.39KB , 500x500 , a47.png )
1020962

Body scribbles out her name for each of you and tries to hand your knees the scrap of paper. You hold your breath but luckily Flipper intercepts.

“We’re trying to see the famous vampire Theda too.” Flipper explains. “Would you happen to know her whereabouts?”

“Oh! Er, no, sorry. I have some friends, um, Saul and Derek, who have her contact info but it’s a big city and she moves really fast when she wants to.”
>>
No. 1020966 ID: e51896

"Oh wow, I... don't think the great famous Saul would want to listen to the two of us... um, unless... I heard he's a ladies man, maybe he'll find my sis hot enough to help us out? But I couldn't ask for something so unreasonable... maybe just introduce us to Derek to help us if Saul is out of the question please.
>>
No. 1020981 ID: e51896

>>1020966
(to clarify, Saul is my main choice, mainly because he was pretty chill about Derek potentially killing her if he went down that route. he might be pretty chill with us setting her up as the prime suspect, or at least finding her)
>>
No. 1021006 ID: 96c896

>>1020962
Contact info is fine thanks!
Derek is probably the safer choice to meet, Saul would like instantly tell you're wearing a disguise (or at least you'd think that, because you don't know he's depowered)
>>
No. 1021019 ID: 6609cd

Fellow suggestors, remember that the narrator said Lori is disguised as a shrimp bloke, not a girl.

Let's get Body to introduce to Saul.
>>
No. 1021021 ID: 15a025

Hey, contact info works just fine. Hook us up!
>>
No. 1021030 ID: eedbeb
File 164291354512.png - (41.94KB , 500x500 , a48.png )
1021030

>Saul
“Contact info is fine, thanks for pointing us in the right direction.” you tell Body. You’re secretly relieved, that you can find out where Theda is without having to face Derek again. The fish must hate you after you took him from his home and used him against his own kind without giving him a bone. It’s true the GIA kidnapped Saul’s favorite animal that one time but they returned Evelyn unharmed so there’s no hard feelings, right?

Body smiles warmly and drives away. Flipper tucks the autographs away in her pocket space while you ponder your next move.

When do you go to Saul?
-Now (Saul will be at a party and you’ll be tired)
-Tomorrow morning (Saul will be at his apartment)

What is your approach method?
-Seduction (Flipper is willing to act as bait to get Saul on his own)
-Honesty (Reveal your identity and explain why you want to find Theda)
>>
No. 1021034 ID: e51896

Now, and let Flipper seduce him. Gotta get him when he is in a good mood. He'd probably be too hungover tomorrow morning
>>
No. 1021037 ID: 96c896

>>1021030
Honesty. Saul is the kinda guy who would congratulate you on offing Rancid.
>>
No. 1021056 ID: 6609cd

Mneh....Can Saul still read minds?

Eh, probably not.
Let's go now to seduce him.

Making a dolphin girl and a humanaboo elope. Might as well.
>>
No. 1021072 ID: eedbeb
File 164295494588.png - (78.98KB , 500x500 , a49.png )
1021072

>Saul powers?
After a year with no evidence that Saul has any stupendous god abilities, the GIA downgraded him to Kibble’s threat level. Since he failed to notice Max was casting a spell on Jadis all that time ago, you’re fairly sure he won’t be able to see through your disguise.

>Seduce now!
You check your map app and spot Saul’s pin in a neighborhood on the other side of town. Someone’s house, you’re pretty sure. While Flipper drives, you snack on a few granola bars and try squeeze in a power nap, but it does little to help your large sleep deficit.
>>
No. 1021073 ID: eedbeb
File 164295495767.png - (66.86KB , 500x500 , a50.png )
1021073

Flipper is ecstatic that she gets to act the femme fatale and produces a black cocktail dress from her pocket space. You avert your eyes as she changes and follow her out of the car to the large, expensive looking house.

The guests seem to be a mix of twenty and thirty somethings in various stages of dress. Nobody stops you at the door and Flipper immediately dives into the throng while you try to identify any threats.
>>
No. 1021074 ID: eedbeb
File 164295496630.png - (83.43KB , 500x500 , a51.png )
1021074

It’s fairly crowded, and you find a corner to stand so that no one accidentally bumps into your hidden body.

There’s another animal pressed against the wall, bevvy in hand and small frown on her face. She’s a cat, which rings warning bells in your head, and you’re sure you’ve seen her before.

What should you do? Flipper needs you on standby so you can’t leave the premises.
-Text Bruce to ask about mob activity
-Talk to the cat
-Hide somewhere on the property
>>
No. 1021075 ID: e51896

Reading texts will just make you sleepier.
Talking to cat who dated Jadis will cause anxiety.

So just hide out for now.
>>
No. 1021077 ID: 6609cd

Talking to the other patrons would be good id....

......

......

Who am I kidding? Let's talk to Margot, it's been so long.
>>
No. 1021108 ID: 96c896

>>1021074
Go sit in the bathroom.
>>
No. 1021182 ID: eedbeb
File 164304030088.png - (84.86KB , 500x500 , a52.png )
1021182

>Hide
You feel a brief, insane urge to talk to the cat before coming to your senses and slipping away to the basement, where you find a bathroom that shouldn’t be too popular to hunker down.

You fiddle with your phone while you wait, flinching whenever someone knocks on the door. Maybe a bathroom wasn’t the best idea, you could have found a big closet to stand in instead. You’re just so tired you’re not thinking straight, and you pray no one gets suspicious.

Flipper doesn’t text you for the next hour and the stained walls start to feel claustrophobic. You feel for your tails instinctively and stroke your thumb through the coarse fur.
>>
No. 1021183 ID: eedbeb
File 164304030825.png - (54.29KB , 500x500 , a53.png )
1021183

Someone raps their knuckles on the wood door.

“Occupied.” you say dully.

“You’ve been in there for ages, man! What are you doing?”

“Parties make me nervous, I’m here with a friend and I don’t want to make her leave yet.” you supply.
There’s a pause. “What’s your name again? I don’t think I recognize your voice.”

“I’m Ares.” You have a bad feeling about this.

“Yeah, I’ve never met you. This is a private party, I’m giving you five seconds to open this door before I unlock it.”
>>
No. 1021185 ID: e51896

Quick, put a whole bunch of toilet paper in the toilet, and flush it causing a clog, use that as your reason for being there so long, as well as being nervous. Then open the door and apologize. Tell them your new here while your friend is a friend of Saul (hope she flirted with him to start a friendship)

or perhaps text Flipper real quick and tell her help is needed at the bathroom door.
>>
No. 1021186 ID: ce39da

>>1021185
Yeah, just do the latter. Why you're in the bathroom already checks out; it's your presence at the party as a whole that's in question here. If Flipper's built up enough rapport by now, she'll cover for you, and if she hasn't, well, let's cross that bridge when we get to it.
>>
No. 1021196 ID: eedbeb
File 164306136572.png - (86.04KB , 500x500 , a54.png )
1021196

>Text Flipper
You fumble for your phone to tell Flipper you’re downstairs and need help. The animal outside rattles the doorknob and curses when you don’t move. He sounds big.

You back against the far wall as the door swings open. A youngish croc with a scar over one eye kicks open the door, hand at the pistol on his hip. He’s wearing casual clothes, but he’s either a cop or a mobster. In this town, those are basically the same thing.

“Who are you?” he snarls.

You put up your hands. “Ares Lintz sir, I’m from out of town and I wanted to see the sights.”

“And the sights happened to include my house, huh?”

You really want to blow this guy up into little gory bits. Uh oh, seems like the new tail aggression is coming back.
>>
No. 1021197 ID: eedbeb
File 164306137344.png - (88.36KB , 500x500 , a55.png )
1021197

You’re saved by Flipper, who taps the crocodile firmly on the shoulder. He turns to glare at her, then blanches when he notices who she has in tow.

“Are you harassing my brother?” she snaps, dragging Saul into frame by the wrist. The alien seems perfectly happy to be in this situation.

“Are you harassing my hot date’s brother?” Saul adds with frown. Flipper pats him on the bald head like a pet that just did a pleasing trick.

“People have been complaining that he’s in the bathroom. He’s been in there for ages, sorry, I was worried he was with the press or something.” the crocodile mutters. He backs away so you can join Flippers side.

What’s your next move?
-Leave party and go to Saul’s place with Flipper (there will be indecent acts and a chance Saul finds out you are)

-Trust Saul to Flipper and find a place to stay for the night (safe and bland, Flipper will steal Saul’s phone to get his contacts)
>>
No. 1021198 ID: 96c896

>>1021197
The first one.
>>
No. 1021199 ID: c92a02

I will face god and walk backwards into his bachelor pad.
>>
No. 1021202 ID: 894419

>>1021199
I support this on phrasing alone
>>
No. 1021262 ID: eedbeb
File 164313114670.png - (85.44KB , 500x500 , a56.png )
1021262

>Go with Flipper and Saul

“Flipper, are you going to stay with him for the night?” you croak pitifully. “I can find a hotel, I suppose, or sleep in the car.”

As expected, Saul takes the bait. “What? Oh I don’t want to do that, you can come with us, little guy. I have a nice couch you can sleep on.”

You follow Saul out of the mobster’s house back to the car, where you quickly take the back seat. It seems Flipper genuinely enjoys teasing god, and you grit your teeth in mental agony while the two exchange kisses at every stop sign and red light.
>>
No. 1021263 ID: eedbeb
File 164313115463.png - (58.57KB , 500x500 , a57.png )
1021263

Saul’s flat is a mess, but also oddly cozy. Mismatched furniture and knick-knacks cover every available surface, but there’s no rotting food in the kitchen sink and the floor is clean. Saul shoves a pile of clothes from the sofa onto the coffee table and then scurries to the bedroom with Flipper.

The moaning and shrieking and whip cracking noises make it impossible to sleep. You vibrate on the couch and clutch your tails. They’re difficult to count when it’s dark and they’re invisible.

At some point you fall asleep, because the next thing you know Saul is clomping into the living room in his underwear.

“Good morning, Ares.” he whispers. “I’ll let your sis sleep a little more, then you can leave and get breakfast, sound good? If you want to use the shower, feel free.”
>>
No. 1021264 ID: eedbeb
File 164313116424.png - (70.98KB , 500x500 , a58.png )
1021264

You’re too groggy to react when Saul sits on what appears to be an empty couch cushion, but in reality is your face.

“Ah!” the alien leaps to his feet and you scramble upright. “What was that?”

“What?” you stammer. “What happened?”

“It felt like someone was there when I sat down.” Saul’s eyes dart across the room before focusing on your legs. “Can I feel around you, for a second?”

“No, I’m not comfortable with you touching me.” You raise your voice. “Flipper! I’m going to wait in the car.”

“Wuh? Okay…”
>>
No. 1021266 ID: eedbeb
File 164313259574.png - (59.54KB , 500x500 , a59.png )
1021266

You hurry out of the flat before Saul can discover your disguise and wait anxiously for Flipper to emerge. The dolphin finally arrives with the smell of soap and a slightly damp forehead.

“He knows something’s up.” she pants, peeling out of the covered garage and heading onto the road. “At least I got Theda’s number of out him last night

“Let’s buy some nosh and figure things out with her so we can get out of here.” you say.

Where do you go to eat and what do you say to Theda?
>>
No. 1021267 ID: b1b15c

Tell her not all missions are perfect, this is her first after all, good job getting info.

Buy some fast food breakfast at drive through, get coffee, take it back to base and discuss next plan of action.
>>
No. 1021296 ID: 96c896

>>1021266
Sounds like a success to me. Saul doesn't know enough to interfere, and we got what we needed.
Ask her how it was, boning god. It was certainly noisy enough.

>calling Theda
Alright, so, start the phone call with "I killed Rancid." Then go on to explain that you need to keep the GIA from finding out, so would she like to take credit for it?
I don't think sympathy is going to work, Theda is too hardcore. You'll probably have to do something for her in exchange.
>>
No. 1021364 ID: eedbeb
File 164323152047.png - (79.49KB , 500x500 , a60.png )
1021364

>Drive-thru breakfast
“You did great.” you tell Flipper, since the dolphin seems a bit flustered. “You really saved my ass yesterday at that party, and I’m impressed you went through with seducing Saul.”

Flipper smiles and sits up a little straighter. “It was easy, I think he likes people who are a little crazy and he was very respectful in the bedroom.”

Despite your optimistic words, you have a bad feeling about your disguise going forward. Saul’s chatty, and it only takes one social media post about a suspicious shrimp to blow your cover.

You direct Flipper to a diner on the outskirts of town and order a strong cup of coffee with several breakfast burritos.
>>
No. 1021365 ID: eedbeb
File 164323152984.png - (96.28KB , 500x500 , a61.png )
1021365

After scarfing down the food, Flipper parks on a deserted stretch of road and you take out your phone.

“Can you tell me more about this vampire lady?” the dolphin asks.

“Uh, well you know vampires are really rare, which is good because they have time powers now and it’s a massive pain to kill them. Theda’s serious business because she was a witch too.” you explain.

“Why would she help us then?

That’s a very good and troubling point. “She’ll probably ask for something in exchange, that can be on me though, I don’t want to put you in any more danger.”
>>
No. 1021366 ID: eedbeb
File 164323153847.png - (70.37KB , 500x500 , a62.png )
1021366

“I’ll let you talk, but put it on speaker.” Flipper says.

Heart pounding, you tap the number into your phone and wait.

“Hello? Who is this?” says a soft female voice after two rings.

“I’m Lori, kitsune and member of the GIA, I killed Rancid and I need your help to take the blame.” you blurt out.

There’s a pause. “Have we met before?”

“Er, not personally no. I was on the team that brought Derek Skipper to Sorth Canica so I know of you and your vast power.”
>>
No. 1021367 ID: eedbeb
File 164323157444.png - (84.24KB , 500x500 , a63.png )
1021367

“You brought him here to kill me.” Theda says flatly.

“Technically yes, but he’s such a nice lad, I’m sure you two have had a chat and worked things out. The point is I’m willing to do a favor in exchange for you telling my bosses that you were behind Rancid’s death.”

Flipper interrupts, to your surprise. Maybe the dolphin thought you weren’t making a convincing argument. “If you don’t help Lori, I’ll send your number to all my friends and they’ll bother you constantly.”

Theda groans directly into the receiver. “Fuck, I really don’t want to get a new phone again. Alright. How many tails do you have?”

“Eh?”

“You said you were a kitsune, the most tails I ever saw on one was five, and with this monster business I want to see a full nine. I’ll make the call if you come and show me your tails.”
>>
No. 1021368 ID: 96c896

>>1021367
Gosh, you're gonna have to show off your butt to her too.
>>
No. 1021375 ID: d55854

Full nine? Well hmm... while we do have a 9th one growing, it isn't full 9 yet. more like 8 and 1/4... maybe 2/4 by now?

Gotta tail check, and estimate when it'll fully grow to full size using the previous time Flipper checked us to measure timespan of growth so we can schedule our meeting with Theda parallel to when tail finishes coming in at full size. For now say you'll meet her and that later today, you'll text a time when you'll be available for a meeting for now.

That, or Figure out ways to make tail grow faster, but not become violent
>>
No. 1021376 ID: c92a02

Count your tails again.
>>
No. 1021467 ID: eedbeb
File 164332612759.png - (63.26KB , 500x500 , a64.png )
1021467

You quickly count your tails and find, to your disappointment, the ninth still hasn’t come in.

“That sounds good, but I only have eight right now. A witch said the ninth is growing though.” you explain.

“I’d like to get this resolved today.” Theda grumbles. “Is there anything that’ll make it grow faster? Can you eat a few people?”

“I’m not going to do that!”

Flipper flinches slightly, and you realize you just snarled with rage. It must have been extra loud in the enclosed space.

“Meet me at 8:00pm this evening in the park by the floating room. You attack, I’ll attack back.” Theda hangs up and you’re left sputtering at a chunk of metal and plastic.
>>
No. 1021468 ID: eedbeb
File 164332613525.png - (73.55KB , 500x500 , a65.png )
1021468

You kick the glovebox with frustration. You’re stressed and tired and honestly that phone call wasn’t too bad but you’re pissed anyway.

“Are you okay?” Flipper asks quietly.

“I’m just sick of this. Being jerked around by everyone.” You punch the roof. “Do you know how to get my tail to come in?”

Flipper leans against the car door. “I dunno, I’m not the kitsune expert. How did your other tail’s happen?”

“They started growing because of all the loose soul, like how every other monster has been getting stronger. I think a few have grown while I’ve been fighting.”
>>
No. 1021469 ID: eedbeb
File 164332617684.png - (101.70KB , 500x500 , a66.png )
1021469

“Okay, so we either need to get you some extra soul or get some adrenaline going.” Flipper says.

“It has to be a real fight.” you add.

“Sure, and I assume you don’t want to kill anyone to get their soul. How much soul do you think you need?”

“I don’t know, maybe a couple animal’s worth.”

Come up with a plan to get your ninth tail.
>>
No. 1021470 ID: c92a02

Go to a zoo and beat up the animals, like they did in animorphs. ...Do you guys still have zoos?
>>
No. 1021472 ID: 96c896

See if you can find some bounty hunting jobs. Or go to a shady part of town and pretend to be an innocent tourist, then murder some muggers.
>>
No. 1021474 ID: 3a3423

Let's look for some muggers who are mugging someone and the punch them.
>>
No. 1021484 ID: 790ada

Remember the dragon you fought with Derek? Lets see if we can find their info and give them a call and challenge them to a battle before we meet Theda, The GIA probably has that dragon on record after their attempted murder on derek and Lori. Lets hope they can fly fast enough to get to your location if their too far away. Though maybe they already wanted revenge and are already in the location?
>>
No. 1021493 ID: 96c896

Killing a dragon sounds like a guaranteed way to get a shit-ton of soul energy, but is it possible?
>>
No. 1021522 ID: a5ff41

What if we go attack Jadis' father?
>>
No. 1021530 ID: eedbeb
File 164339639832.png - (82.57KB , 500x500 , a67.png )
1021530

>Dragon?
You recall the monster you fought in Guo Jia, an enormous iridescent beast with telepathy and a hunger for soul that you ironically now share. Even at your current peak, you don’t think you could take on such a massive creature, and you’re not sure dragons are native to Canica at all.

>Get mugged
Ares Lintz is the perfect target for a mugging. Yes, brilliant, you can get in a fight by going to the bad side of town and wandering around helplessly.

You tell Flipper to drop you off near the pub you saw Body at yesterday, which seemed fairly shady. The dolphin drives in silence while you chew your nails and shred seat cushion.
>>
No. 1021531 ID: eedbeb
File 164339640675.png - (71.17KB , 500x500 , a68.png )
1021531

“Should I wait for you?” Flipper asks once you’ve scrambled out of the car to the dingy street. An old homeless toad camped on the corner looks up in alarm as you stamp the ground with excitement.

-Tell Flipper to stay in the city as back up
-Tell Flipper to stay in the burbs (can be back up, but will take longer to arrive)
-Tell Flipper to go back to GIA headquarters (Flipper will be safe from any danger, but will not be able to help you)
>>
No. 1021532 ID: ce39da

Flipper can stay in the burbs.

And yeah, suddenly, the bloodlust is beginning to make sense, as disturbing as it sounds. Your approach to Tail 9 isn't directly causing your thirst for violence; you're subconsciously eager to reach it, now that it's within sight.
>>
No. 1021535 ID: ad340c

I'm not sure why we have the choice to keep her well away frombus right now, but okay, let's leave her in the suburbs
>>
No. 1021541 ID: bd565e

Tell her to go to headquarters, reason being not because she'll be safe from thugs, but safe from Yourself when your 9th tail grows fully.
She can do research on Theda at the headquarters to prepare us in case something happens. Or she can work on texting Saul flirty messages to keep him from being suspicious (maybe max can research theda, and flipper flirts with Saul on text messages)
>>
No. 1021586 ID: eedbeb
File 164342736776.png - (93.28KB , 500x500 , a69.png )
1021586

“Stay outside the city, but be ready in case I need help.” you say. It finally trickles into your skull that the dolphin is scared of you, and you try to give Flipper an encouraging shrimp smile. “I should be okay, take care of yourself and give Max an update.”

“See you soon.” she says, and drives away.

You’re left in the parking lot, boiling with the mania of bloodlust. You start walking around the block, taking time to lounge in narrow alleyways and wring your hands in fake fright.
>>
No. 1021588 ID: eedbeb
File 164342737577.png - (84.00KB , 500x500 , a70.png )
1021588

After an hour, you’ve seen a number of people, none of whom seemed interested in holding you at gun or knife or eye point for your valuables. You return to the parking lot, seething, and notice the old toad sniffing the air as you pass.

“That ain’t right.” he mutters, and paws a disposable phone out of one of his many pockets to tap out a message.

What do you do?
-Talk to the toad
-Ask Bruce where some mobsters are
-Keep trying to get mugged
>>
No. 1021594 ID: 8a51ec

"What?"
>>
No. 1021595 ID: 96c896

>>1021588
Ask Bruce for tips on finding someone to murder. Not mobsters, OBVIOUSLY
>>
No. 1021602 ID: 0f3ef7

Psst, hey, that toad is a werewolf. I remember seeing that particular toad at the werewolf anonymous meetings Vlad goes to. Can werewolves sense other people using magic or illusions?

Lets make him angry, turn him werewolf. That ought to get us in a fight.

That should get our adrenaline pumping to grow our tail. Plus, whoever he is texting might be bad and we do not want to deal with them (i bet he is texting Vlad).

Instigate a fight, maybe by accusing him of slandering us on his phone, and attempt to take his phone (unless someone has another idea to make him mad)
>>
No. 1021603 ID: 5934e7

>>1021602
>Can werewolves sense other people using magic or illusions?

I don't think so, but he was able to know something is up with Lori by smelling her with his werewolf sense of smell. Maybe he realizes Lori doesn't smell like a shrimp.
>>
No. 1021636 ID: eedbeb
File 164347344226.png - (84.05KB , 500x500 , a71.png )
1021636

You jerk to a stop and turn slowly to face the toad. “What was that?”

He shrinks into his heavy coat. “Nothing, sir.”

“No, you definitely sniffed me.” You take a threatening step forward. “Something wrong?”

Strands of coarse hair sprout from the toad’s face, before he takes a deep breath and they retract. You knew Rancid well enough to recognize a werewolf when you see one. Can werewolves see through illusions? It seems like the toad could at least smell something was off.

You advance on the werewolf. Here’s a perfect chance to get into a brawl if you can make the toad mad enough to attack.
>>
No. 1021637 ID: eedbeb
File 164347345559.png - (104.25KB , 500x500 , a72.png )
1021637

“Who’re you messaging, huh?” you bat at the phone with your invisible paw. The toad croaks with shock and hugs it to his chest, so you jab him in the stomach and pluck it free.

You glance at the screen and freeze. The toad was texting Polly Lewis.

While you’re distracted, the toad bolts away on all fours and you instinctively pursue, your disguise struggling to match the length of your strides as you sprint after the old animal. He has surprising stamina and he legs it into a different but similarly crappy neighborhood.

You’re getting more attention now, and a tall goat outside of a gym even shouts at you to stop.

-Trip the toad and tackle him
-Kill the toad and absorb his essence (disguise will be destroyed)
-Come to your senses and leave the area
>>
No. 1021640 ID: ce39da

It's roughhousing time! Welcome to Tackle City - population: You!
>>
No. 1021649 ID: c92a02

YES!

KILL!
>>
No. 1021657 ID: e51896

Recognize goat as Chef, the guy you kidnapped with the GIA. Get more anxious and irratable. Probably yell something like: that toad has invaded my personal space and privacy!

While attacking toad of course. Be prepared for Chef to get involved so you don't get ambushed by him.

Dont kill. We dont know if absorbing werewolf essence is bad on kitsune like it is on vampires
>>
No. 1021660 ID: 8a51ec

>>1021649
KIIILL!
>>
No. 1021667 ID: eedbeb
File 164349274319.png - (111.34KB , 500x500 , a73.png )
1021667

>Tackle
You speed up and lunge for the toad’s broad back, bringing both of you tumbling to the ground. The toad yelps and finally succumbs to his transformation. He sheds his jacket and sprouts a snout full of sharp teeth that snap futilely at your legs.

Your shrimp form wobbles, but the spell holds as you wrestle with the werewolf on the cold cement. Your heart sings with delight as you tear at his face with your claws and seize an oddly clammy ear between your molars.

He’s stronger than you, but you have some combat training and you’re not feeling pain very clearly at the moment.
>>
No. 1021668 ID: eedbeb
File 164349275989.png - (115.66KB , 500x500 , a74.png )
1021668

The more complicated part of your brain recognizes the goat as a guy Rancid held hostage for a few days last time you were in town. You check over your shoulder and see him running towards the kerfuffle.

>Kill
You’re running out of time. The wolf is bleeding heavily from his eyes and head and you clamp his throat between your jaws and jerk the thick skin back and forth in a frenzy.

You tear—feel the hot blood on your lips and screech with triumph. It tastes foul, but the jolt is exactly what you needed and your tails flare out from under your jacket.

You don’t have time to count them before you’re tackled in turn by 75 kilos of pissed goat. He actually got you around the middle, and when you look down you see the disguise spell has dissipated.

“You! You’re with the GIA!” Chef exclaims. You hear the sound of a rapidly approaching vehicle.
>>
No. 1021670 ID: 5194ff

While not being in your right mind, Summon a fireball with the intention of throwing it at Chef.
>>
No. 1021671 ID: c92a02

Can you survive an impact with a high speed vehicle? More importantly, can the goat?
>>
No. 1021677 ID: 96c896

>>1021668
Well good job blowing your cover, Theda's not gonna be able to help you now.
You recognize this guy as someone Rancid kidnapped, that means he's IMPORTANT. Do not kill him. Get him off you, threaten him with a concussion ball if needed. Flee if possible. Count your tails.
>>
No. 1021694 ID: eedbeb
File 164350408777.png - (86.92KB , 500x500 , a75.png )
1021694

>Theda
Your cover has been blown, but you don’t think Theda will particularly care. She’s the one who told you to eat some people for power, after all.

You totter backwards and slam Chef against the nearest building with reckless force. That loosens the goat’s grip enough that you get a finger pointed at his head.

“Don’t move.” you hiss, concussion sphere bubbling into the air in front of his nose.

A car door slams and Polly Lewis gasps at the sight of the toad’s body. Chef seems to be staying put, so you take hold of his snout and start dragging him away from the scene of the crime.
>>
No. 1021696 ID: eedbeb
File 164350413022.png - (115.36KB , 500x500 , a76.png )
1021696

“I have a hostage, don’t try anything.” you snarl at Polly. The cat stares at you, frozen in shock as you flee from the scene.

Once you’ve found a deserted alley, you pause and count your tails with your one free hand.

At first you don’t believe it and count again. Finally! Finally you have nine. No more sleepless nights and anxiety. You still feel peaky and you’re in terrible danger but at least you have nine fine tails.

It’s roughly midday and you need to stay alive until the evening. Do you:
-Ask Flipper to pick you up (chance she’s intercepted)
-Hide somewhere in Providence (suggest location)
-Make your way out of the city by foot
-Any of the above, but also let Chef go
>>
No. 1021698 ID: e51896

Hide out at the cafe ruins Theda destroyed. Bring Chef as hostage. You're gonna need to get him tell a fake story of what happened to cover our ass, like the toad stole from us, and we tried to fight to get it back, and then he became werewolf. So esentially, it was toad's fault! Threaten him if he ever decides to reveal the truth.
>>
No. 1021699 ID: 96c896

>>1021696
Get Flipper to pick you up, let Chef go once the car arrives, make sure he doesn't SEE the car.
>>
No. 1021703 ID: c92a02

Hide in Providence, on the outskirts of the city somewhere. A dump? You'll need a car.
>>
No. 1021705 ID: 15a025

Call in for Flipper, you gotta get out of here ASAP. Also let Chef go. You could probably blindfold him with something so he doesn't see the car when Flipper arrives.
>>
No. 1021707 ID: 408194

Hide in the dumps with Chef.

Fall in love with Chef just because.
>>
No. 1021757 ID: eedbeb
File 164355704205.png - (83.77KB , 500x500 , a77.png )
1021757

>Hide, keep hostage
You don’t want to risk Flipper, so you decide to stay in the city. There are only a handful of people who pose a threat to you, assuming Polly doesn’t summon the mob forces to gun you down with sheer numbers. Kibble has that pacifism thing, Body seems too nice to hurt you, so that leaves Derek and Vlad to worry about.

There’s an enormous junkyard you can see in the distance, and you slowly make your way there with Chef in tow. You take his phone so he can’t contact his pals, and hold his elbow instead of his face. The goat stays silent, which you appreciate, and you sneak past the barbed wire fence into the maze of old cars and ancient relics.
>>
No. 1021758 ID: eedbeb
File 164355705148.png - (77.45KB , 500x500 , a78.png )
1021758

You hunker down on a small hill so you can survey the surrounding area, and finally catch your breath. Your first rational thought is that Polly strongly resembles her mother, especially where they’re both making faces of agony upon seeing you kill their loved ones. Golly brain, really know how to cheer a lass up after murder. You need the longest vacation after this is done.

You try to scrub the dried blood off your snout and coat while you eye the clock and pray for the minutes to pass.

Maybe half an hour after you arrived, you feel a spell wash over your body. Your tails flare with alarm and you shake off the magic, hackles raised.

Chef isn’t doing magic, and there’s no one else in sight. How could someone cast a spell on you?
>>
No. 1021759 ID: eedbeb
File 164355705994.png - (92.90KB , 500x500 , a79.png )
1021759

The result of the spell comes not long after, when a familiar beat up white car comes trundling up to the junkyard and Vlad and Body get out. The bat looks pissed, cartoonish frame puffed up with fury, while the round cat seems troubled.

Chef waves to get their attention, and they head towards your high ground.

What do you do?
-Let them approach and explain the situation
-Fire warning shots to keep them away
-Hear what they have to say from a respectable distance
>>
No. 1021761 ID: e51896

No Warning shots, it will likely cause a huge dumpster fire as some things could be flamable here no mater where we shoot.

Vlad will understand your uncontrollable bloodlust issues as he was once a werewolf who had an uncontrollable transformations, and Body is a very understanding kitty these days. Her troubled expression indicates she doesn't want this to turn violent while Vlad looks like he is likely to start it.

Release and tell Chef to go to them as they approach to calm Vlad down a little, enough to hear you out at least, and tell them what has been going on with you, what has happened since Rancid's death, and you need mental help with your monster magic causing you severe bloodlust.

If they recommend leaving GIA, tell them you need to make sure your new partner is properly trained to not end up like Rancid and help get the GIA reformed and better in the people's eyes.
>>
No. 1021769 ID: 8a51ec

Vlad would understand having an uncontrollable bloodlust, you should explain the situation. Reassure Chef he'll be okay though, he's a rogue element and could easily escalate the situation.
>>
No. 1021794 ID: 408194

Yeah, let's go for that respectable distance, chief.
>>
No. 1021796 ID: 96c896

Respectable distance.
>>
No. 1021813 ID: 96c896

>>1021761
>dumpster fire
No, Lori's balls are concussion blasts. They also don't seem to damage terrain, as seen by the thread with Derek where he used one to activate time freeze and it just fizzed against the wall.
>>
No. 1021815 ID: eedbeb
File 164359428586.png - (79.21KB , 500x500 , a80.png )
1021815

>Respectable distance
“Don’t get any closer.” you warn once Body and Vlad reach the base of your hill. You shake Chef by the scruff to emphasize your point.

“Let go of him! You fucks already kidnapped him once, leave him alone.” Vlad shouts. He stops though, despite his aggressive words.

“I haven’t done anything to him and I don’t want to hurt him, I just need a hostage.” you shout back.

“Yeah, and that kind of implies you’re going to hurt him!” Vlad tugs on his ears in rage and stomps in a circle. Body coughs gently before stepping forward.

“Lori, I thought we had an understanding. You’re not even allowed in Providence, what’s going on?”

“This isn’t for the GIA, I made a mistake and killed Rancid and I’m trying to fix it.”

That gets Vlad’s attention. “Rancid’s dead?”

“Yes.” You take a deep breath to calm yourself. It’s not helping your nerves to have to shout everything. “I’ve been going through some kitsune shit and I blasted him.”
>>
No. 1021816 ID: eedbeb
File 164359429321.png - (92.30KB , 500x500 , a81.png )
1021816

“Well good job, now it would be great if you could let my friend go and stop killing random people!” Vlad hollers.

“Yeah, Polly asked us to come stop you, but she’s also told her parents you’re here and they’re going to find you eventually. I might tell them where you are first.” Body admits. “I’m sorry, I can’t see how you can justify killing an innocent animal like that.”

“I haven’t been in my right mind. It was wrong, I know, but I needed to do it to fix my problem.”

Vlad kicks a discarded microwave. “We should have brought Kibble, then you could do the thing and she could grab Chef.” he says to Body.

The cat shrugs helplessly. “I don’t know if that would work.”

The mob currently doesn’t know where you are, and it seems like Body is uncertain on what to do.
-Offer to exchange Chef for Body as a hostage
-Call Theda and ask for help
-Move to a new location
-Other (suggest)
>>
No. 1021817 ID: 96c896

>>1021816
Give Chef to them since they don't actually have a plan to fight you, then ask Theda to come pick you up. She wanted you to kill somebody, so she can at least get you out of town. (Body is useless as a hostage since she can just use her magic and escape lol)

Unfortunately the GIA will find out what you did, but maybe you can spin it as you were here investigating and had to get your hands dirty to find out it was Theda?
>>
No. 1021818 ID: ce39da

Call Theda. Tell her that you have your ninth tail, and you're at the dump, and she's "Free to kill anyone besides me who's dumb enough to stick around for our meeting." Then release Chef and hunker down. "I will come after all of you if you tell anyone about my confession regarding Rancid - I don't care if one of you is the new Jesus."
>>
No. 1021819 ID: 8a51ec

Little bit of >>1021818, little bit of >>1021817. You'll snap Chef's head off and rip the both of them into pieces if they try to fight you, and they know this. If you threaten them to keep their mouths shut, they'll know better than to snitch on you. They'll also know better than to stick around if you raise your voice when letting Theda know she can freely massacre anyone else in the area you meet.
>>
No. 1021830 ID: 3328c7

What if we tell team naked about our plan to make Theda take the fall so they can help us, since they kinda hate her too.
>>
No. 1021835 ID: 96c896

If we're gonna continue talking to Vlad and Body we need to get closer to them so nobody has to yell. Could be overheard, and that's real bad when talking about sensitive information.
>>
No. 1021856 ID: c92a02

Trade Chef for Body.
>>
No. 1021893 ID: eedbeb
File 164365062956.png - (94.75KB , 500x500 , a82.png )
1021893

>Let them get closer
That would be a bad idea, Vlad could get his hands on you and you don’t know how you’d shake him off. You’ll have to keep shouting, though luckily there’s no one else around to overhear you.

>Oh wait, now Vlad and Body know your secret
You’re a tad concerned, but it’ll be your word against there’s and the GIA doesn’t hold the naked gang in the highest esteem.

“To be clear, I’m blaming Theda for Rancid’s death.” you explain. “You can tell people he’s dead, or even that I did it, but the official story is going that it was her. She’s agreed to turn in a confession.”

“In exchange for what?” Vlad asks.

“She wants to see my bum.” you say lamely.

>Call Theda
Speaking of the vampire, you wonder if she can help you out of this secondary mess caused by trying to fix the primary mess. You keep one hand on Chef and fish your phone out of your pocket with the other to ring her.
>>
No. 1021894 ID: eedbeb
File 164365064076.png - (120.47KB , 500x500 , a83.png )
1021894

“I’ve been told to kill you.” the vampire says the moment after she picks up.

“Oh, er, please don’t?”

“Obviously I’m not going to, even if I knew where you were.” You can hear Theda tapping her fingers on her phone case. “I’m too useful for Clive to discipline me in any meaningful way, but it’s not a great situation.”

“About that, I’m in a bit of a tough spot right now and I’d appreciate some help. Body Lewis and Vlad Noctus have me cornered and we’re in a stalemate.” you stutter.

“Hm. I suppose I could fetch you but that would put me at risk. How about I make you another deal? I don’t like the cold weather so I’d like to travel south for winter and would appreciate some extra protection. If I escort you to a safe location, you’ll accompany me for a few months on a casual trip.”

-Deal (Theda will come shoo Vlad and Body away, you release Chef, grants you another couple hours of safety)
-No Deal (Body will make a move)
>>
No. 1021895 ID: 46378a

Take offer, you need a vacation after all. Tell her not to kill them.
>>
No. 1021897 ID: ce39da

"Deal, but I want time to put together a cover story for the GIA before I run off galavanting with you - make it an official vacation, as far as they know; and as far as anyone knows, I was never with you, so have a mask ready."

Seal the deal, then tell Chef: "Theda's coming, so you all should leave, and you're all dead if anything any of you heard leaves this junkyard - tell them that." Then release him.
>>
No. 1021905 ID: 2bbf61

Yes deal. I could use a vacation and werewolf just doesn’t sit right with me.
>>
No. 1021914 ID: eedbeb
File 164366483884.png - (89.80KB , 500x500 , a84.png )
1021914

>Deal
“I’ll need to figure out some vacation time for work.” you stammer. You’re vaguely flattered that Theda trusts your abilities and is willing to help.

“Yes, we can solidify the details later. Where are you?”

“I’m not sure exactly, it’s this big junkyard on the shadier side of town. Please don’t kill anyone here, I have a hostage who doesn’t need to be incapacitated.”

Theda scoffs. “Don’t worry, I’ll be over in a minute, I need to get some equipment.”

The mosquito ends the call so you pocket your phone and turn scowl at Chef. “You tell anyone what you heard here and you’re dead.”

“I won’t, I don’t want to be involved with any of this.” the goat says.
>>
No. 1021915 ID: eedbeb
File 164366486622.png - (100.30KB , 500x500 , a85.png )
1021915

“Who were you talking to?” Vlad shouts.

“None of your busi—“

You blink, and Vlad’s been replaced by a writhing burlap sack while Body slowly keels over, bound around the legs with rope. There’s a shiny new car parked next to Body’s and a mosquito a few meters to your left.

“Hello.” Theda says.

“Bloody hell.” You’re never going to get used to that.

The mosquito flutters down the trash heap and towards her car, and you shakily release Chef and follow after her.

You stay quiet and hunch down in your seat as Theda drives to the other side of town. The buildings get taller and newer, while the number of animals in black suits prowling the streets also increases. Theda parks in an underground structure and leads you up the elevator and into her fashionable apartment.

What do you ask Theda about and what else do you do?
>>
No. 1021916 ID: 96c896

>>1021915
Ask her if she knows much about your kind. Now that you have nine tails, will the urges go away?
>>
No. 1021924 ID: c92a02

So where are we heading?
Remain awkwardly standing until told to sit.
>>
No. 1021957 ID: eedbeb
File 164368323975.png - (92.33KB , 500x500 , a86.png )
1021957

You take a moment to look around the flat. There’s a kind of pleasant clutter, with kitschy figures placed on shelfs, perfumed candles, and lush rugs on the floor. An overt feminine touch, unlike what you saw at Saul’s place yesterday and you find yourself relaxing slightly. Your own quarters aren’t nearly this nice, and you grew up in a drab, grey country.

You stand in the living room awkwardly while Theda pulls an impressive selection of guns out of her pocket space to reload and examine.

“So what’s the plan?” you ask.

“I’m not sure. Body and Vlad know I have you and if they tell Clive or Joy I’m going to get a stern talking to. On the other hand, Body could come in here with her friend Kibble and I don’t trust you enough to take you along with me when I escape. If we’re lucky you have a little time to relax before I kick you out.”
>>
No. 1021958 ID: eedbeb
File 164368325010.png - (103.24KB , 500x500 , a87.png )
1021958

“Oh. I guess I can leave the city then.”

“You forgot your appointment at 8:00pm.” she says.

“But I’m right here!” You turn to show off your tails. “I have nine tails, get your weird examination out of the way and we’ll be fine.”

Theda huffs impatiently. “Yes, but I was hoping to see you in action. I want to be aware of what powers you have before I trust you, since I’m not sure what you’re capable of.”

“I probably just make bigger concussion spheres.” you mutter.

“Well don’t test that here.” Theda says pointedly. “Meet me at the park. If you can survive that long you’ll have something special.”

What do you do to rest?
-Take a nap
-Take a shower
-Clear out Theda’s fridge in spite
>>
No. 1021959 ID: c92a02

Shower. When is the last time you had one?
Don't be late.
>>
No. 1021960 ID: 96c896

If you nap can you guarantee you won't oversleep?
>>
No. 1021961 ID: ce39da

> WHAT DO
You need a shower. You need to feel clean for once in your goddamn life.

> SHOWER THOUGHTS
> “I probably just make bigger concussion spheres.”
You really haven't had to flex your creativity with your magic at all, huh? Have you ever actually tried to make something happen besides "ball that makes the other guy explode?"
>>
No. 1021963 ID: 8a51ec

>>1021961
What if we tried turning invisible? That'd definitely be useful if things keep going the way they've been going.
>>
No. 1021964 ID: 99868e

>>1021960
Theda said she'll kick us out later, so she'll wake us up before then.

Yeah, shower. (But take too long and get kicked out without having a chance to get dressed)
>>
No. 1021973 ID: 96c896

Ok then nap.
>>
No. 1022006 ID: eedbeb
File 164373024617.png - (122.95KB , 500x500 , a88.png )
1022006

>Shower
You haven’t felt clean for a long time, and while a shower might not change that, it’ll at least provide a nice moment of privacy. Theda points you towards the bathroom with a remark to use the fur catcher.

The bathroom has a cinnamon scented candle, which you light with a match from your pocket space to set the mood. There’s a large tub lined with various shampoos and bubble solutions. You elect to ignore most of these in exchange for the shower attachment and a coarse bar of soap.
Under the warm spray, your mind wanders. It’s true that you haven’t been very creative with your powers, though historically kitsune don’t have the most expansive skill set. From your collaboration with Max on the shrimp disguise, it seems you have more potential as a glorified battery.
>>
No. 1022007 ID: eedbeb
File 164373025333.png - (100.68KB , 500x500 , a89.png )
1022007

You methodically clean the grit from your paws and think. Some non-lethal attacks would be nice, you suppose you could make small enough spheres that they don’t cause major damage. Homing attacks? That’s an interesting idea.

There are no signs of your wounds from the fight with the toad, so you have augmented healing already. Ever since your first tail grew you’ve been able to sense magic and resist spells, and you performed well on reflex and reaction tests at the academy.

Choose two new skills to learn from the following list:
-Stun shot
-Homing shots
-Shockwave (AOE attack)
-Aura armor (create a force field around your body)
-Enhanced speed
-Enhanced strength
>>
No. 1022008 ID: e51896

Aura armor
Enhanced Strength.

I have a feeling Theda is going to have us fight something powerful later during our appointment. We need to hit hard, and defend ourself.
>>
No. 1022009 ID: e1515f

Stun shot and shockwave.
>>
No. 1022011 ID: 8a51ec

Aura armor and Enhanced speed/strength.
We've been lacking any kind of conscious defensive ability so there's no way we aren't taking aura armor.
>>
No. 1022015 ID: e80deb

Aura armour and enhanced speed, we should have enough firepower as it is to not need any direct improvement to our offensive capabilities. unless we're fighting a dragon or something just as horrid, our murderspheres should be good enough.
>>
No. 1022026 ID: 96c896

Aura armor, enhanced speed. You can just beat people up for nonlethal attacks.
>>
No. 1022028 ID: eedbeb
File 164375667665.png - (91.77KB , 500x500 , p90.png )
1022028

>Aura armor
You’ve been proper lacking in the defense department and an investment in something that would protect you from bullets seems prudent, given the horde waiting for you outside.

You take a deep breath and close your eyes, leaning against the shower wall. Okay, so you can generate concussive spheres from any part of your body, though it’s easier to aim with your hands. What if you summoned a thin layer of energy around your whole body? And, uh, pointed it outward to repel anything coming towards you?

Many liters of hot water later and you manage a wavy film around your skin, with air holes on your face and nothing on the bottom of your feet. It takes some concentration to maintain, like keeping a muscle clenched, but the power draw isn’t bad.

It won’t stop Kibble from biting you in half, but you feel fairly confident in your armor otherwise. There’s a constant breeze on your face from the air getting sucked through the gap, and the water from the shower is bouncing off your force field.
>>
No. 1022029 ID: eedbeb
File 164375668551.png - (96.18KB , 500x500 , p91.png )
1022029

>Enhanced speed
Okay, you have a brilliant idea, magic propulsion. You can put little jet thrusters on your back and zoom around. It’ll take practice to stay balanced, but you applaud yourself for such an innovative thought and immediately slam into a wall.

Your crashing attracts attention, and Theda comes into the bathroom, waving her thin hand to clear the steam.

“What are you doing?” she shrieks.

“I had the door closed! You’re not supposed to come in.” you yelp.

“You’re covered in fur, I can’t see a thing, look what you’re doing to my walls!” Theda points wildly at the water flying off your shield over the top of the glass doors and splattering everywhere.

“I’m learning new powers.” you say proudly. “Look at—“ You smack face first into the wall again. “—I can go fast if I do this.”
>>
No. 1022030 ID: eedbeb
File 164375669490.png - (102.81KB , 500x500 , p92.png )
1022030

“You’ve been in here for an hour, my utility bill is going to be enormous.” Theda pouts.

“Alright, alright.” You turn off the water and your force field so you can towel your fur dry. “Any news?”

“Yes, actually. I’ve been fired and there’s a rather impressive artillery force growing outside.” Theda crosses her arms sulkily. “Honestly this is less of a concern for me than those brats showing up, at least in the short term.”

It’s a damn good thing you worked on that bullet armor. What’s your escape route?
-Roof, via magic propulsion shenanigans
-Ground floor, face the mob head on
-Make your own exit and sneak away
>>
No. 1022031 ID: 96c896

Roof. They don't know you can do it. Surprise!
>>
No. 1022032 ID: 422cea

>You’re covered in fur, I can’t see a thing

Fur is actually sparse in those areas because of... bodily functions.

And that's even LESS probable when you're wet.
>>
No. 1022036 ID: 8a51ec

>>1022032
She's probably just saying that to shut us up, there are bigger problems than getting ogled to worry about after all. Like, many bigger problems, intending to fill us with exponentially more even bigger problems.
>>
No. 1022039 ID: c92a02

Roof. She's a mosquito and you just learned to rocket jump.
>>
No. 1022058 ID: eedbeb
File 164377496484.png - (139.56KB , 500x500 , p93.png )
1022058

>Roof
“Can you get to the roof from here?” you ask.

“Yes, I have a key to the access door. What are you planning?”

“You’ll see.” You can’t wait to impress Theda with your wicked new powers.

You follow the mosquito to the top floor, then take a staircase to the windy and slightly damp roof. There’s a satellite disk and a small shed, but otherwise it’s bare. It’s chilly, but you can’t wear your coat for understandable reasons.

“Okay. Okay.” You take a deep breath and carefully activate your thrusters. You’re a pilot, you understand how the physics work. This time you don’t go flying off and manage to hover at a controllable height.

“That’s a neat trick.” Theda concedes.

“I’m going to try to evade them as much as possible, since I don’t want to kill anyone else.” you tell her. After some more practice on the roof, you take to the empty space above the street.
>>
No. 1022059 ID: eedbeb
File 164377500185.png - (63.30KB , 500x500 , p94.png )
1022059

You’re doing great, soaring through the air while the horde below you scurries back and forth. Flying takes a lot of energy though, and you can only do it for a few minutes at a time.

While you’re experimenting with your thrusters, you notice several grenades floating up towards you. There’s a mix of spells on them, levitation, homing, and something to pull the safety pin.

Time for some rules!

>Major League Gaming
There will be ten rounds of attacks before 8:00 pm. You’re quite close to the park so you don’t have to worry about travel distance.

Every attack will have three possible solutions, one of which will involve a skill you already have. You’ll have a 100% chance of success if you pick that option and a 50% chance of success if you pick a different option. If you fail three times the mob will capture you which would be bad.

But wait, why take any risks at all? Well because Theda thinks it’s cool if you have more powers and she’s hot. When you practice a new skill three times you gain mastery and can use it consistently in the future. This is the only chance you’ll get to gain new skills.

What do you do about the grenades?
-Use your speed to outrun them (guaranteed)
-Shoot them out of the sky with homing shots
-Use a shockwave to set them off before they reach you
>>
No. 1022068 ID: c92a02

Shockwave to blast them all.
>>
No. 1022072 ID: e51896

Shockwave!

Be sure to scream out the name of your moves as you do them like some anime villain hero for more oomph.
>>
No. 1022073 ID: 8a51ec

Shockwave almost sounds like an option that would work, so do that.
>>
No. 1022081 ID: 34dfce

>>1022059
Shockwave sounds cool, but it would probably cause a ton of shrapnel to fly everywhere which could potentially maim or kill people. We don't want to kill more people, right?
>>
No. 1022083 ID: 96c896

If the shrapnel kills bystanders then that's more reason for the mob to stop attacking.
>>
No. 1022092 ID: eedbeb
File 164382248081.png - (102.57KB , 500x500 , p95.png )
1022092

>Shockwave
There’s at least six grenades soaring towards you, and you decide a shockwave will be the best way to clear them away, otherwise they’ll keep coming.

>Failure
You try to make a hollow concussive sphere around your body and expand it outwards. Unfortunately, by the time you get it to work the grenades have gotten too close and the resulting explosions knock you out of the sky.

For some reason, it’s a lot harder to experiment with new abilities when you’re flying instead of relaxing in a shower. You must be getting old.

You crash land on the roof of a four story building and tumble to a stop. Your ears are ringing and you’re bruised, but otherwise okay.
>>
No. 1022093 ID: eedbeb
File 164382248817.png - (107.73KB , 500x500 , p96.png )
1022093

There’s the crack of a gunshot, and you instinctively check your shield to make sure it’s still active. You peer over the edge of the roof and see a slug crawling up the side of the building. Wait, there’s something different about them, they look more translucent than normal and you realize they’re a slime monster.

What can slimes do again? You remember they shapeshift and are weak to being dried out or overwatered. This one’s making fast progress up the building so they probably got some stat buffs like every other monster.

Round 2 Options:
-Boost to a different roof (guaranteed)
-Level 2 Shockwave (improved 2/3 chance of success)
-Wrestle with the slime monster using your strength
>>
No. 1022095 ID: e51896

Shockwave again, gotta get at least one new move out of this
>>
No. 1022096 ID: 96344d

Are we going to solve our problems with shockwave? Well, alright then!
>>
No. 1022097 ID: 8a51ec

Second time's the charm?
Also maybe take the opportunity to shout down that you'd really like it if you didn't have to kill anybody from now on and they REALLY aren't helping with that.
>>
No. 1022098 ID: 0838d6

Shock. Wave.
>>
No. 1022099 ID: 93523e

Zoom to another roof.
>>
No. 1022100 ID: eedbeb
File 164383099320.png - (110.79KB , 500x500 , p97.png )
1022100

You back away from the edge as the slime pulls themself over the lip and shapeshifts into an odd, vaguely disturbing simian shape.

>Absolutely rotten luck
You prepare to use the big orb shell blast technique once more, but immediately notice something’s wrong. You’ve put too much energy into the shockwave and if it hits the slug, they’ll be vaporized.

What do you do? Both choices count as experience.
-Cancel your shockwave and take the failure
-Kill slimegirl (murder is bad but will not change the main outcomes of the story)
>>
No. 1022101 ID: 094652

Do not kill diplomat
>>
No. 1022102 ID: 8a51ec

Surely we could just tell them we overcharged it? We're done murdering people anyway, so at least we could try to talk our way out of getting fucked up for doing the right thing.
>>
No. 1022104 ID: e51896

Just take the failure
Just means we'll just try one more time with shockwave in the next round so we cam get that skill, and use gauranteed successes until we get to the park. I'm fine with just the one move at this point.

Though if we fail one more time with dice roll next round we use dice roll for shock wave, well it might lead to something interesting even if it's a very bad outcome.
>>
No. 1022110 ID: 96c896

>>1022100
Cancel it. You have that shield, so whatever she's hiding behind her back won't hurt you too badly.
>>
No. 1022112 ID: 93523e

It’s a trap. Cancel it anyway.
>>
No. 1022137 ID: fe7daa

>>1022101
Seconding
>>
No. 1022234 ID: eedbeb
File 164390139986.png - (69.91KB , 500x500 , p98.png )
1022234

“Get away! It’s not safe!” you shout.

The slime pouts and bats her eyelashes. Her weird mammaries bounce with the motion and you make a face. “Aw, but I just wanna talk to you, uwu.”

“Oh, er, really?” Maybe the slime is a diplomat from the mob, though you’re pretty sure this is all an act and you’re about to get jumped. You cancel your shockwave anyway since murder is bad.

The slime smiles cutely, then lunges, tackling you to the roof. Your armor does a good job of shielding you from her blows, but to your horror the slime finds the holes in your defenses on your face and starts shoving herself into your nose and mouth.

Round 3 Options:
-Close your shield and blast with your normal orbs (guaranteed, will injure but won’t kill slime)
-Level 3 Shockwave (improved 5/6 chance of success)
-Stun shot the slime
>>
No. 1022235 ID: e51896

Shockwave. This time don't put too much energy into it.
>>
No. 1022236 ID: 852672

Well we’ve failed a lot. Shut your holes and blast her.
>>
No. 1022237 ID: 8a51ec

No idea how we would get out of this situation if we fail shockwave again, but there's no taking our foot off the gas pedal now.
"Why can't you just let me do a good thing?!"
>>
No. 1022238 ID: 7b9d09

Third times the charm
>>
No. 1022239 ID: c58ac1

Let's go with the guarateed success, please.
>>
No. 1022247 ID: 34dfce

>>1022234
Shockwave again.
>>
No. 1022251 ID: eedbeb
File 164391785125.png - (91.19KB , 500x500 , p99.png )
1022251

You use your shockwave ability with less power this time so you don’t kill the slime. It’s hard to focus when you’re maintaining your shield and struggling to breathe while getting bludgeoned by an amorphous blob.

>Failure #3: Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous
This time you underestimate your opponent, and your counterattack isn’t enough to dislodge her from your face. Your thrashing weakens as you slowly run out of air, lungs filled with cold fluid. You might be an incredibly strong monster, but you still need oxygen to survive. The edges of your vision darken and you fall unconscious.
>>
No. 1022252 ID: eedbeb
File 164391786103.png - (70.39KB , 500x500 , p100.png )
1022252

>Dead?
You’re pleasantly surprised when you wake up with only a singed face and some gunk in your throat. You figured you’d either never wake up or find yourself strapped to an operating table in the Lewis mansion basement. After a moment spent hacking dregs of slime into your fist, you notice the small hand on your back.

You turn to see Theda. The mosquito looks grim, like you’ve disappointed her, and you shrink in on yourself. A quick glance around shows a world frozen, with a partially charred slime recoiling from where you fell.

“I messed up.” you croak.

“You sure did. I only stepped in because of some misplaced sense of responsibility. You owe me bigtime for this, I want you to leave the GIA and become my bodyguard.”

“What if I say no?”

“Then I’ll kill you here. A lot better than what Clive and Joy will do to you.”
>>
No. 1022253 ID: eedbeb
File 164391786926.png - (67.23KB , 500x500 , p101.png )
1022253

Which do you choose? All the options understandably have large downsides.

A. Eternal Servitude (could be kind of hot?)
You will leave the GIA and become Theda’s loyal servant until you die. You’ll travel around the world and be treated fairly well.

B. We had a Good Run
Ask Theda to kill you. It’ll be painless and quick. You can also tell her to pass on any messages to Max and Flipper.

C. Massive Cunt Moves
Theda is vulnerable right now, having brought you to into her time state. Kill her and flee the city. The GIA will be so pleased they’ll forgive you for killing Rancid.
>>
No. 1022255 ID: 8a51ec

B. Better late than never.
>>
No. 1022256 ID: 745eba

A

All this espionage and crime is starting to get really bad for your health, so you know, fuck the GIA
>>
No. 1022258 ID: 852672

C. How many shots do you get at killing the original vampire? None. You must be dreaming right now. So take it. Shockwave should work now that you’ve decided to keep mashing the shockwave button instead of holding off for one update, good job guys.
>>
No. 1022259 ID: aa2b0c

A

Let's be real the gia sucks ass. Glamming it up with a cool old mosquito vampire sounds like a much better time yea? sure she's kind of evil but at least it's a nicer, more personable kind of evil than the spooks lori works for now.
>>
No. 1022260 ID: 094652

C - If you're absolutely going to die or be a slave, may as well die fighting.
>>
No. 1022262 ID: 50af53

A
Get out of here Lori, get out of everywhere and everything. Life has always, ALWAYS been hard for you, mostly through a shitload of complications brought on by other people. Maybe this will be better? It's not like she can't be asked to kill you later.
>>
No. 1022264 ID: 96c896

A. It's a steady job, you won't have to work for the GIA anymore, and let's be honest she's kinda hot.
>>
No. 1022265 ID: afe7de

>>1022253

A because quite frankly being with someone with literally tons of money and time powers who will treat you well is better then being a dog of the military which frequently employs those like rancid, thus putting you on the endless cycle of stress you hated *already* that you wanted out of.
>>
No. 1022266 ID: 7b9d09

A. The age of monsters will end in a few years anyway, so it'll probably be easier by then.
>>
No. 1022267 ID: 2b3343

A: She seems better then the GIA.
>>
No. 1022299 ID: eedbeb
File 164394336066.png - (123.28KB , 500x500 , p102.png )
1022299

>A
You don’t want to die and you don’t want to kill Theda, so that leaves taking the mosquito’s offer. With a cough, you shakily get to your feet. Theda’s hand stays on your fur the whole time, though you suppose you wouldn’t know if she took it off.

Theda watches you with her large, multifaceted eyes. From your limited interaction you already like her more than the impersonal politicians who control your life. She doesn’t need you as a hired gun because she’s a grown woman who can kill people herself. This is a steady job for a cracking, if somewhat evil animal. What’s not to like?

Now that you think about it, the Age of Monsters is going to end within a decade anyway. Will you keep your powers? What will happen to Theda? You might get freedom sooner than expected.
>>
No. 1022300 ID: eedbeb
File 164394337638.png - (97.64KB , 500x500 , p103.png )
1022300

“I’ll join you.” you tell Theda.

“Good. We have a lot to discuss, but first let’s go somewhere safe.”

Theda takes your hand and leads you to the edge of the roof. You’re pleased to find your boosters work in this time funk, and you carefully lower yourself to the ground while Theda flutters beside you.

You walk together through the assembled crowd with the setting sun fixed in the sky.

Thanks for reading.
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