tippler 2022/02/15(Tue)19:55 No. 1023546 ID: eedbeb
File 164498370790.png - (36.83KB , 500x500 , u1.png )

Mike lies in his bed, teeth sawing against each other. Every few second there's a loud bang as his neighbor, the resident of apartment 3, hits their living room wall with a hammer.

Examine room, then scream at neighbor to stop, the construction is bad enough!

Is there any connection between the construction at the exits and the banging with the hammer?

Hit wall back with key. Establish morse code communications.

Time for petty revenge. If they want to be loud, give em' a taste of their own medicine! Turn on heavy metal music at full volume. See how they like it!

Realize this wont solve the problem as the stereo's booming music causes an earthquake in your apartment.

tippler 2022/02/15(Tue)20:07 No. 1023555 ID: eedbeb
File 164498444864.png - (33.82KB , 500x500 , u2.png )

The noise of construction on the first floor is bad enough without someone making a racket in the middle of the night! Mike leaps to his feet on the bed, ready to confront his enemy.

>Examine room
Nothing too exciting, standard single man living quarters. He has his dresser, bed, and a window to a back alley.

tippler 2022/02/15(Tue)20:07 No. 1023556 ID: eedbeb
File 164498445316.png - (45.29KB , 500x500 , u3.png )

>Hit wall
Mike pounds on the wall in retaliation and screams at his neighbor to shut the fuck up. They pause for a moment, then resume their hammering.

Time for revenge!

tippler 2022/02/15(Tue)20:22 No. 1023559 ID: eedbeb
File 164498533768.png - (26.60KB , 500x500 , u4.png )

>Revenge
How so? Mike needs specifics.

>>1023552
Already gave my idea here, but it didnt look like you had a stereo.

Lets look for something that we can make more annoying noise than the neighbors are making with. Check the dresser

Get your revenge by knocking down the wall with your dresser.

look through dresser for tools

See if you can find a nail to hammer into the wall, then hammer a few into the wall obstinately, see how they like having nails sticking out of their wall and YOU hammering the wall

>>1023559
break into their car and leave a steaming shit in their glovebox

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)17:46 No. 1023649 ID: eedbeb
File 164506239186.png - (37.14KB , 500x500 , 000.png )

>Stereo?
Mike has a laptop that he torrents literally everything on, but the speakers are shit and won't be effective for audio warfare.

>Hammer?
Mike does not own a hammer or nails. It's not his job to fix things in the apartment, it's the property manager's!

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)17:46 No. 1023650 ID: eedbeb
File 164506241137.png - (28.00KB , 500x500 , 001.png )

>Shit on their car
This is an excellent idea. Sadly, Mike can't leave the apartment right now because of the construction.

>Dresser
Nothing but store fresh clothes in there.

>Wait a second
Mike's bedroom is adjacent to 3's living room. His neighbor's already shown they don't care if he thumps back and they're not the one trying to sleep right now. Revenge is futile.

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)17:47 No. 1023651 ID: eedbeb
File 164506242712.png - (47.79KB , 500x500 , 002.png )

>Knock down wall with dresser
Mike feels rage building inside him at his helplessness. In a remarkable feat of strength, he seizes his heavy dresser and throws it into the offending wall.

It crashes through the thin layers of drywall and tips over on his neighbor's floor.

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)17:47 No. 1023652 ID: eedbeb
File 164506243781.png - (42.13KB , 500x500 , 003.png )

>G-g-g-girl????
Wait a second, Mike's neighbor is actually a cute girl! She screams at him as he crawls through the hole in the wall, and attacks him with her hammer, bringing it down repeatedly on Mike's head.

Mike wakes on his sofa, temple throbbing slightly. Judging by the light coming in through the windows, it's already late morning.

Call the police and report the assault.

Examine hole in the wall, also where is your dresser?

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)18:12 No. 1023660 ID: eedbeb
File 164506394734.png - (32.02KB , 500x500 , u5.png )

>Examine hole
Mike gets to his feet and walks to his bedroom. Sure enough, the gaping hole in the wall is still there, though the girl and his dresser are nowhere in sight.

Mike has gained access to Apartment 3!

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)18:12 No. 1023661 ID: eedbeb
File 164506395538.png - (23.98KB , 500x500 , u6.png )

>Call the police
He’s not going to let such a blatant assault go unpunished! Mike pulls out his phone and calls the police.

The operator on the line takes his call very seriously and asks a lot of questions about how he managed to throw the dresser through the wall. They claim they’re too busy to send someone over right now, but an officer will come first thing tomorrow.

How dare they. Don't they know that you ARE the law?

Reveal your former job, police commissioner, they take it very seriously and tell you they'll be there in 2 days now.

Be sad, enter the other room

Go to the police station and kick their asses for underperforming on doing their duty.

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)18:50 No. 1023669 ID: eedbeb
File 164506623551.png - (28.97KB , 500x500 , u7.png )

>Claim to be a police commissioner
The operator laughs and tells Mike he’ll just have to be patient.

>Go to the police station
That’s a good idea. Mike exits his apartment, making sure to take his key with him. Being on the first floor, he’s close to the lobby.

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)18:50 No. 1023670 ID: eedbeb
File 164506624624.png - (44.85KB , 500x500 , u8.png )

Mike spots some kind of barricade at the apartment exit. There’s caution tape everywhere and the triggering sounds of construction.

Archie the property manager is sitting at the front desk, reading a magazine.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Mike asks.

“Construction on all the apartment exits. Sorry, it should be done by tomorrow.” the man says. He’s wearing a sturdy looking full body protective suit.

Since the exit's are blocked, illegally use the apartment's entrances as an exit.

Ask him how the hell he's possibly expected to take that suit off for bathroom breaks.

This guy looks pretty SUSpicious.

...Can I have one of those suits? Why do you need one?

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)19:53 No. 1023685 ID: eedbeb
File 164506999964.png - (27.09KB , 500x500 , u9.png )

>Attempt to exit
Mike walks over to the barricade. It’s solid wood, and too tall to climb. He quickly gives up.

>Suit
“Why are you wearing that suit?” Mike asks.

“Asbestos.” Archie immediately replies. “This building’s old enough that when they do construction the air isn’t safe to breathe long term. You should be ok since you’re just passing through.”

tippler 2022/02/16(Wed)19:53 No. 1023686 ID: eedbeb
File 164507000462.png - (31.37KB , 500x500 , u10.png )

“So you take it off to use the bathroom, right?”

“Oh yeah, of course.” Archie rustles his magazine. “Do you need anything? Apartment giving you any trouble?”

You've got somewhere to be and aren't currently allowed to leave, for one.

Anything stopping you from leaving via window? I mean, the drop, for one, but I'm sure you can scrap together a solution to that if you went looking.

Prove your natural superiority by finishing the job much faster and better than him.

This is in violation of fire safety laws!

There has to be fire escapes so you can leave! Go find one! or ask why they are also under construction. Is this the TRUMAN show? are you being watched, will you all go insane AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

just kidding, you're fine, go take a dump or something while you figure out what you're even going to do.

Uhh, yeah, my neighbor busted a hole in my wall by banging it with a hammer all night long. Then they hit me with the hammer. It was very rude and they're the only one at fault.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:25 No. 1023723 ID: eedbeb
File 164514035242.png - (30.44KB , 500x500 , u11.png )

"Well my biggest problem is that I have somewhere to be but I can't leave." Mike says waspishly.

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but there's nothing I can do." Archie replies.

>Fire
Mike ponders the construction for a moment. "Isn't this against fire codes? How are we supposed to evacuate if there's an emergency?"

Archie puts down his magazine on the desk and turns to look at Mike with his blank helmet.
"You're right, this is very illegal and unsafe. Let's hope there isn't a fire today."

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:26 No. 1023724 ID: eedbeb
File 164514036490.png - (24.93KB , 500x500 , u12.png )

>Paranoia
Mike squints at the walls to look for hidden cameras recording his reaction for some online prank compilation. He sees the standard security cams facing the door, but nothing else.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:26 No. 1023725 ID: eedbeb
File 164514037484.png - (30.73KB , 500x500 , u13.png )

>Neighbor
"Last night my neighbor made a big hole in my bedroom wall. She even hit me with her hammer when I tried to get her to stop."

Archie tilts his head at this. "That's terrible, I'm sorry. I can have a word with her and work on fixing the hole if you'd like. I have some spare construction supplies in my apartment."

That's right, Archie is Mike's other neighbor in apartment 1.

What if, perhaps, we used these construction supplies to build a new way out of the apartment..? Delightfully devilish, Mike.

If you're on the first floor, there's a window in your room, can't you just open it and leave? How big is the drop? Or is this one of those apartments where the windows are just like glued and bolted in there so there's no escape without more apartment damage.

Actually Archie being kind of okay with property damage like a hole in the wall caused by a dresser is kind of.... sus.

Accuse him of being an imposter before running away and venting to electrical!

>>1023725
Hey that's an invite into a new apartment. Let's accept and snoop.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:54 No. 1023729 ID: eedbeb
File 164514208604.png - (29.77KB , 500x500 , u14.png )

>Extreme need to leave building
“Sure. Whatever.” Mike balls his fist and backs out of the lobby. “Gimme a second to just. Check something in my apartment.”

He heads back to his bedroom and examines his window. It’s a solid piece of glass and quite thick. If Mike wants to bash it open he’ll need a strong blunt object. Like a hammer.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:54 No. 1023730 ID: eedbeb
File 164514209394.png - (29.04KB , 500x500 , u15.png )

Window plan foiled, Mike returns to Archie and the two go to apartment 1. It’s virtually identical to Mike’s own, down to the furniture and the dinky kitchenette. Mike doesn’t have time to examine everything closely.

Archie gets some wood planks and gypsum board from a closet and they return to Mike’s bedroom.

“Whoa. That’s a pretty big hole.” Archie says.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)15:55 No. 1023731 ID: eedbeb
File 164514210252.png - (35.21KB , 500x500 , u16.png )

“It was her fault, take it out of her deposit.” Mike mutters.

It takes the rest of the afternoon for Archie to fix the hole. Mike goes to the living room and watches porn on his computer while Archie works.

Mike has lost access to apartment 3.

Order a hammer online. Have it delivered by throwing it through your window.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)16:07 No. 1023733 ID: eedbeb
File 164514285436.png - (27.03KB , 500x500 , u17.png )

Mike orders a hammer online. The estimated delivery date is tomorrow.

Check to see if you can get into someone else's apartment.

That's easy to get around, just set your system clock a day ahead.

Maybe you have a neighbor you can borrow a hammer from? The cute girl next door certainly owns one.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)17:31 No. 1023739 ID: eedbeb
File 164514789946.png - (23.29KB , 500x500 , u18.png )

>Set the system clock a day ahead
Mike does this, to no effect.

Mike bids Archie farewell, then after a light dinner of quesadillas and pasta sauce, emerges to check the other apartments.

There are five apartments on the first floor, numbered 1-5. All doors are currently closed and all have a single lock.

Do you have a favorite neighbor? go talk to them! If not, bother neighbor in..... 4 about what they think about the construction

>>1023739
Knock on all of them.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)17:58 No. 1023744 ID: eedbeb
File 164514950422.png - (21.28KB , 500x500 , u19.png )

>Knock on all doors
Mike skips 1 and 2, and starts on 3, home of the hammer girl. The door cracks open and the girl stares at him. She quickly pushes up her sleeve to glance at her forearm and Mike sees she has deep cuts up her skin.

Apologize for the whole "unlikely feat of human strength" thing that happened.

"The fuck is that"

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)18:30 No. 1023748 ID: eedbeb
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“The fuck is wrong with your arm?” Mike asks.

She glares at him, pursing her lips at his harsh tone. “No need to be an asshole, man. These are my notes.”

She shows him where she’s carved “2R” into her skin. There’s a bunch of other shorthand scrawled in jagged cuts that Mike also doesn’t understand.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)18:30 No. 1023749 ID: eedbeb
File 164515141883.png - (31.74KB , 500x500 , u21.png )

“Okay? What does that mean?”

The girl wavers for a moment. “Well, 2 is for you, since you live in that apartment. ‘R’ is something really important, but I forgot what. Do you need something?”

Why were you hammering against the wall of my room? Also do you own two rooms?

If I get you some real paper to take real notes will you stop banging on my god damn wall at 3 AM?

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)20:15 No. 1023778 ID: eedbeb
File 164515773052.png - (28.12KB , 500x500 , u22.png )

“Maybe 2R stands for…two rooms.” Mike says thoughtfully.

The girl frowns. “I literally said the 2 means you.”

“Whatever, can you tell me why you were hammering on my wall last night? I was trying to sleep.”

“Oh, sorry about that.” The girl does not look sorry at all. “I was trying to see if I could send myself messages using patterns of holes. I’m running out of skin.”

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)20:15 No. 1023779 ID: eedbeb
File 164515774538.png - (31.51KB , 500x500 , u23.png )

Mike sighs. “If I get you some paper, will you stop banging on the goddam walls?”

“That would be great! Do you mind if we stay together? You can cut some reminders for yourself too in case we get separated.” the girl gushes.

So this is a Memento situation then? To confirm, ask why she needs to go to such extreme measures. Is there something wrong with her memory?
What if it's not 2R but 2|2?

Get her some paper.

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)20:42 No. 1023787 ID: eedbeb
File 164515934731.png - (32.44KB , 500x500 , u24.png )

>Paper
The only paper Mike has knowledge of is the magazine he saw Archie reading this morning. He supposes toilet paper could work too, though he only has weak two ply garbage.

The way the girl’s been talking about reminders makes Mike suspicious. “What’s wrong with your memory?”

tippler 2022/02/17(Thu)20:42 No. 1023788 ID: eedbeb
File 164515935636.png - (35.96KB , 500x500 , u25.png )

The girl pulls up her other sleeve to reveal a grotesque tally. There are countless lines, some older and partially healed, others still fresh. “I’m not sure exactly, but at some point I started leaving these marks. I put a new one there every morning but I can only remember making the most recent one. It’s like the others were always there.”

She shrugs. “We’ve never met before, right? I think everyone here has the same problem, they just don’t know it.”

Have you been trapped here? This whole time? The construction going on forever? What's the last thing you remember?

Oh hell. That means this is a time loop. Paper probably won't help. Does she have any indication that anything carries over aside from marks on her body?

Ask if she checked her body for marks on her back, or other places she can't see without a mirror.

Also, check yourself for marks. Consider making a T somewhere.

>>1023794
if it was a time loop, the wounds wouldn't stay. this means that it's an AMNESIA loop.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)07:17 No. 1023809 ID: eedbeb
File 164519746872.png - (22.85KB , 500x500 , u26.png )

>Amnesia loop, START
Mike has gained awareness of the mysterious amnesia that afflicts the residents of the apartment. The last thing he can remember, besides general knowledge about life basics, is waking up from the hammering the previous night.

Mike will begin to forget things that happened more than 20 hours ago, which will be noted in relevant updates.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)07:18 No. 1023810 ID: eedbeb
File 164519748021.png - (26.87KB , 500x500 , u27.png )

>Check for marks
Mike turns away from the girl so he can check his arms for marks. He doesn’t see any.

“Do you have knife or something?”

The girl hands Mike a very sharp nail, which he uneasily uses to write a ‘T’ as small as possible on his arm.

Well, if getting banged with a hammer is why we can remember any of this then the obvious solution is to bang each other. For now let’s save this well thought out plan for when we’re ready for the next loop.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)07:54 No. 1023813 ID: eedbeb
File 164519965933.png - (20.36KB , 500x500 , u28.png )

To clarify, it’s not really a loop. Mike only remembers the past 20 hours at all time. He’s constantly forgetting things that happened outside of this time range.

Go see if there's an ink pen or a carpentry pencil anywhere. Writing on the walls with a pencil or writing on skin with a pen is a lot better than scarification and hammering holes in the wall.

a Pen is a good idea. Since you didn't have any in your room, try the next room!

Or go to Archie and ask for a pen and paper since he has construction tools, he must have measuring stuff and things for taking down those measurements.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)10:30 No. 1023816 ID: eedbeb
File 164520902016.png - (35.85KB , 500x500 , u29.png )

>Pen
Archie must have a pen, or some kind of writing utensil. Mike can go to him immediately or check apartments 4 and 5 first.

The people in apartments 4 and 5 are probably completely unaware of this amnesia thing, and would think you're a goddamn nutjob if you tried explaining it. Let's go talk to them!

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)11:51 No. 1023818 ID: eedbeb
File 164521390053.png - (23.35KB , 500x500 , u30.png )

>Apartment 4
Mike knocks but no one comes. He thinks he can hear heavy breathing on the other side of the door.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)11:51 No. 1023819 ID: eedbeb
File 164521391138.png - (23.61KB , 500x500 , u31.png )

>Apartment 5
A very thin man answers the door when Mike knocks. Mike explains the amnesia situation and that they’re trapped in the apartment by the supposed construction.

The man doesn’t seem very interested in what Mike has to say. He replies that Mike might not as well tell him if he’ll forget tomorrow.

>>1023819
Ok fine.
Let's go talk to Archie. Find out if he can remember things. If he can, then the suit might be protecting him, which would mean it's an environmental cause.

Are there other floors of the apartments? Go get that paper from Archie first before doing anything else. Maybe you already left notes on it?

>>1023819
Well maybe you could help me find a way out? Do you have anything that could be used as a tool to break out? Like a hammer, or an axe, or a gun? Also why is archie wearing body armor?

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)13:11 No. 1023827 ID: eedbeb
File 164521866823.png - (29.27KB , 500x500 , u32.png )

Mike asks the man if he has any useful tools or weapons. The man shakes his head and retreats into his apartment.

>Other floors?
Mike spots a door marked with a staircase at the end of the corridor, just past apartment 5. He assumes it goes to the second floor. It also has a lock on it.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)13:11 No. 1023828 ID: eedbeb
File 164521867625.png - (24.89KB , 500x500 , u33.png )

>Archie
The girl follows Mike as he strides over to apartment 1. She seems pleased to have company.

A stiff rap of his knuckles on the door summons Archie, who’s still wearing his protective suit. Mike notices there’s a security chain on the door.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)13:11 No. 1023829 ID: eedbeb
File 164521868398.png - (30.11KB , 500x500 , u34.png )

“Hi Mike.” Archie peers through the crack in the door and spots the girl behind him. “Oh. Uh oh.”

“We need some paper, and a pen.” Mike says firmly.

“Sorry, don’t have either of those. Digital age and all that.” Archie stammers.

Ask him how many days the construction has been going on.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)13:44 No. 1023831 ID: eedbeb
File 164522067314.png - (27.54KB , 500x500 , u35.png )

Mike narrows his eyes. “How many days has the construction been going, Archie?”

“Just one. We’d never keep the exits blocked for too long, the residents would be very upset.” Archie says.

“I think he’s lying.” the girl says.

>>1023831
Ask why he hasnt taken off his suit if he's in his room anyway, You bet he looks absolutely handsome under that suit and would love to see him.

[FLIRT MODE ENGAGED]

>>1023831
We're very upset, Archie.

>>1023834
Obviously we should offer to help him take it off.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)18:09 No. 1023870 ID: eedbeb
File 164523654409.png - (21.36KB , 500x500 , u36.png )

>Seduce
“Hey Archie, I’m sure you’re a very handsome man under there.” Mike says coaxingly. “Why don’t you take off your suit so you can relax? There isn’t any asbestos in your room, is there?”

Archie tries to close the door, but Mike jams his foot in the gap. “I’ll even help you take it off buddy! Pay you back for fixing my wall earlier.”

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)18:09 No. 1023871 ID: eedbeb
File 164523655192.png - (46.07KB , 500x500 , u37.png )

The man screams in terror and slams on the door in full body desperation, a painful fate for Mike’s foot.

Fuck it, just kick the damn door down. With your other foot.
Or break through the wall from your room...

Leave, be sad, say you don't get why he's acting like that unless he has something to hide. Get THE GIRL, whose name you should probably ask, to watch the door as you go check Archie's desk.

Maybe the KEY or something is there. Wonder just how much of this you've already done.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)19:23 No. 1023883 ID: eedbeb
File 164524102449.png - (40.00KB , 500x500 , u38.png )

A familiar helpless rage burns within Mike, and with a roar he kicks through the cheap wood door. Archie shrieks and backs away as Mike breaks himself an opening and advances into the apartment.

WE CALL THIS A DIFFICULTY TWEAK
I mean uhh, restrain him. Nonviolently. Definitely nonviolently.

Breach the suit.

Don't damage the suit. Definitely threaten to. He's going to tell you what's causing everyone to forget, or else he's going to share the same fate.

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)20:15 No. 1023894 ID: eedbeb
File 164524410824.png - (37.56KB , 500x500 , u39.png )

Mike tackles Archie to the ground and holds him in place with his powerful thighs. The girl slinks into the room, hammer and nail at the ready.

“Tell us what’s making everyone forget things or you’re getting popped.” Mike snarls.

“Okay, okay!” Archie takes a deep breath. “It’s a disease originating from this tower. We call it the Red Plague and we’re pretty sure it’s airborne so as long as I’m wearing this suit I won’t catch it.”

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)20:15 No. 1023895 ID: eedbeb
File 164524414365.png - (33.96KB , 500x500 , u40.png )

The girl taps Mike on the shoulder. “Mind if I write on your back? You have a lot of space there and I think this is important enough.”

“Can we use pen and paper now?” Mike asks weakly.

The girl looks unconvinced. “I dunno. Up to you I guess.”

Use pen and paper now.

Pen and paper, writing it on your back is a no no.

Pen and paper seems like a better method. Writing on your body in pen is also possible, for information you want to make sure nobody can steal and then hide from you.

Ask Archie why it's called the Red Plague. Odd name for something that causes amnesia.
Wait, they're "pretty sure"? How much have they researched it? Also why are they making excuses to the tenants instead of just telling them they're in quarantine?

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)21:21 No. 1023900 ID: eedbeb
File 164524806195.png - (31.79KB , 500x500 , u41.png )

“Pen and paper.” Mike repeats firmly. “Search the apartment.”
The girl quickly finds a notepad and a ballpoint pen, and returns to Mike’s side to take notes.

“Can you let me go now?” Archie asks in a small voice.

“No, I have more questions.” Mike gets himself nice and comfortable on Archie’s chest. “Why do you call it the Red Plague? Who’s this ‘we’ you’re talking about?”

tippler 2022/02/18(Fri)21:21 No. 1023901 ID: eedbeb
File 164524807587.png - (33.78KB , 500x500 , u42.png )

“When this tower manifested, it was surrounded by a red miasma.” Archie tries to wiggle himself into a more comfortable position. “I wasn’t there at the time, so I don’t have specifics. I was recruited by the government agency that deals with these sort of things.”

He attempts to shrug. “We quarantined the area and most of what they know about you guys is from my predecessors’ reports of the first floor. Nobody dares to go any higher.”

It’s late in the evening. Mike is starting to forget his encounter with the girl last night.

Wait, "you guys"? You were here when the tower appeared?!

Well, if they don't want to explore higher, you will! Tell him you want some exploration-related equipment as compensation for lying to you for who knows how many days. How many days was it, anyway?

Oh, important things to write down:
1, memory is limited to the last 20 hours.
2, the tower is under quarantine to contain the "Red Plague" that causes amnesia.
3, you're quite strong, may be fueled by anger.
4, the T mark is a test to see if it stays.

...do you need to eat, drink, other biological functions?

Does the disease stop affecting people once they leave the influence of the red plague. And what’s so scary about the upper floors?

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)07:26 No. 1023946 ID: eedbeb
File 164528441404.png - (43.33KB , 500x500 , u43.png )

“’You guys’? Were we here when the tower appeared?” Mike asks sharply.

“Well when ordinary people are infected they’re forced to go into the tower. I don’t know about you in particular but there are definitely other things here.” Archie shudders. “I think there’s one in apartment 4, but I’ve never seen it.”

The girl is scribbling furiously, and Mike trusts she’s writing down everything important.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)07:27 No. 1023947 ID: eedbeb
File 164528442144.png - (38.31KB , 500x500 , u44.png )

“Okay, couple more questions. Is there a cure for the Red Plague? Do we need to eat and drink like normal? How many days have we actually been here?”

Archie shakes his head. “No cure, and you don’t need nearly as much food or water as a normal human, I refresh your food supplies once in a while. And er, I’ve been deployed for almost a year and things have been mostly stable except in the past few months when Jennifer started cutting herself and I couldn’t stop her from retaining information.”

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)07:27 No. 1023948 ID: eedbeb
File 164528442901.png - (30.21KB , 500x500 , u45.png )

>Explore
It sounds like the best course of action is to explore the higher floors. There’s nothing to do here except slowly forget everything they just learned. Mike assumes Archie will try to steal back the notebook at some point and then they’ll be back at square one.

Archie offers a selection of hand tools and a backpack for carrying equipment.

"I mean, I get that we need to be contained. We're not jackasses, but I get why you want us to not know much and risk us being jackasses who want to get out anyway. Still, considering that we plan on searching the tower to try and fix this, having something to remind us of the general score is important for keeping us on track. I assume there's something BAD about the Red Plague we need to monitor ourselves for while we're up there? Also, how many floors are there?"

Take all the stuff, make plans to check on Room 5 first. Room 4 sounds like a wash.

"Oh, one more thing; I called the police about... something(?) last night, so that's just a heads-up in case they actually took a call from this address seriously."

>>1023954
yeah pretty much, if we're infectious we don't wanna be putting this hell on other people. I mean shit, our buddy is out here carving their skin.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)08:46 No. 1023958 ID: eedbeb
File 164528919856.png - (34.60KB , 500x500 , u46.png )

“Why do you keep information from us?” Mike asks, once he’s stepped to the other side of the broken door.

Archie rubs the back of his helmet. “You forget, no matter what. If you retain scraps it’s enough to get you riled up and then I’m in danger.”

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)08:46 No. 1023959 ID: eedbeb
File 164528920696.png - (31.34KB , 500x500 , u47.png )

“How many floors does this place have?”

Archie quivers. “That’s a good question.”

“I called the police earlier.” Mike adds.

“No you didn’t, all calls from your phones are redirected to our agency. We also reset your laptops every night so you can’t leave digital files.”

Well that’s not a very reassuring thought. Mike regroups with the girl, aka Jennifer, in the hallway.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)08:46 No. 1023961 ID: eedbeb
File 164528921375.png - (22.03KB , 500x500 , u48.png )

>Room 5?
Mike already checked this room. The man inside was not interested in Mike’s explanation.

>Room 4?
There’s some kind of monster in there.

Mike has forgotten the events of last night.

Check Jennifer's notes, will they be useful to you? Or will you end up just being her slave when your memory wipes? Might be good to take and keep your own shorthand notes somewhere on you just in case.

Make a note to remind you to secure the door of whatever room has the notebook, every night. Pushing the dresser in front of the door would work.

Let's go up the stairs and see what's on the next floor.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)13:29 No. 1024011 ID: eedbeb
File 164530615196.png - (30.13KB , 500x500 , u49.png )

>Notes
Mike checks the notes. There’re an honest summary of what Archie just said. Jennifer is happy to share the notebook whenever Mike wants. She’ll keep it with her at all times, though she’ll have to sleep at some point.

>Staircase
Mike goes to the end of the hallway and attempts to open the staircase door. It’s firmly locked.

Knock and ask to be let in.

Ask Archie for the keys. If there are none, you might have to break the door.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)15:08 No. 1024023 ID: eedbeb
File 164531213270.png - (23.64KB , 500x500 , u50.png )

>Key
Mike huffs and goes to apartment 1 to ask for a key. Archie says he doesn’t have anything for the stairs, and Mike returns to the stubborn door, fuming.

>Knock
Mike knocks firmly on the door. Nothing happens.

Not to be discouraged, Mike knocks a bit more firmly, splintering the wood.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)15:08 No. 1024024 ID: eedbeb
File 164531213997.png - (34.91KB , 500x500 , u51.png )

A clown’s painted face appears in the little window set in the door. He looks very upset.

“Can you let me in?” Mike asks.

The clown shakes his head and frowns.

Break the window and HONK THE NOOOOOOOOOSE! DO IT! GODDAMN IT! DO IT!

>>1024024
Why NOT

TaLk LiKe A cLoWn, maybe he understands talk that way? If not, glance inside his room, if you see nothing, move on. No need to break into every room, might as well keep going till you encounter someone you can talk to.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)20:28 No. 1024083 ID: eedbeb
File 164533131702.png - (45.83KB , 500x500 , u52.png )

The allure of the clown’s red nose is too strong. Mike punches through the glass, ignoring the deep gouges the sharp edges leave in his skin, and grabs hold of the bulbous prize, giving it a generous squeeze.

The clown screams with rage and sprouts needle sharp teeth which he sinks into Mike’s flesh. They violently disengage.

tippler 2022/02/19(Sat)20:28 No. 1024084 ID: eedbeb
File 164533132555.png - (35.12KB , 500x500 , u53.png )

Mike has angered the clown! Should he find a way to access the stairs, he’ll have to wait 20 hours for the clown to forget about his transgression to actually use them.

Fighting the clown is not an option?
Oh well. Where else can we go? Gotta blow 20 hours.

WORTH!

1024084

>Mike has angered the clown! Should he find a way to access the stairs, he’ll have to wait 20 hours for the clown to forget about his transgression to actually use them.

Why?

anyway, if we can't clown around at the stairs, we can probably go find a way inside apartment 4, resident probably ain't as bad as clown. Have we checked if the door is unlocked?

tippler 2022/02/20(Sun)06:51 No. 1024101 ID: eedbeb
File 164536870954.png - (30.27KB , 500x500 , u54.png )

>Fight clown
Mike is welcome to try.

>Where else can Mike go?
On the first floor, Mike has not opened apartment 4 or broken a window to get outside the tower.

He tries the handle of 4’s door, and finds that it is locked.

Okay, let break a window again to escape, and find another window once outside to get into apartment 4.

Lets use something like the backpack to break the window open this time

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)09:04 No. 1024197 ID: eedbeb
File 164546305182.png - (38.18KB , 500x500 , u55.png )

>Break window
Mike selects his own window in apartment 2 for destruction. Armed to the teeth with blunt metal objects, he sets about smashing through the thick layer of glass to create a large enough opening to step through.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)09:04 No. 1024198 ID: eedbeb
File 164546305803.png - (32.81KB , 500x500 , u56.png )

Jennifer gets the door after a series of rapid fire knocks.

“What the fuck?” Archie looks aghast at what Mike is doing, but is smart enough not to intervene. “Man, what are you doing, I’m going to have to fix that!”

“We’re seeing what’s outside the building.” Mike explains calmly.

“The whole place is walled in, there’s no point.”

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)09:04 No. 1024199 ID: eedbeb
File 164546307931.png - (17.91KB , 500x500 , u57.png )

Mike ignores Archie and completes his window thrashing. With a careful hop, he makes it to the dirt on the outside, Jennifer following soon after.

Sure enough, the alley wall is actually part of an enormous concrete barrier. Mike walks the circumference of the apartment and sees that they’re sealed in on all sides, with a few sturdy steel gates the government presumably uses to transfer supplies.

Cool, so lets find the window that belongs to apartment 4 to peek into. If there is anyone inside, we can communicate with the pen and paper.

Also, all sides are closed off including the ceiling?

>>1024201
Look up too, is there a big ol fog or mist? Can we see the sun?

After that head back inside and make sure Archie hasn’t stolen the notebook, why is he even trying to keep you from remembering anyway, isn’t it better for you to try to figure it out instead of being trapped forever?

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)12:06 No. 1024206 ID: eedbeb
File 164547397880.png - (23.85KB , 500x500 , u58.png )

>Look up
It’s night, so it’s a little hard to see, but judging from the light from the upper floor windows and the hint of stars in the small section of sky, Mike estimates the wall is just under four stories high.

Mike has discovered a possible escape route! If he gets to the fourth floor and finds some way to bridge the gap, he can get over the wall. He makes sure Jennifer notes down what they’ve found.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)12:06 No. 1024207 ID: eedbeb
File 164547398740.png - (36.19KB , 500x500 , u59.png )

>Apartment 4 window
There’s no one in the bedroom, which looks like Mike’s own except with a dresser. Mike knocks politely on the glass to alert the inhabitant.

A bizarre creature charges into the room to stare at Mike. It has large antlers and a long, skull like face. It follows Mike’s every movement with its red eyes.

Mike and Jennifer need to sleep soon.

Ask her to write down: do NOT honk clown nose while she's at it.

Then ask to borrow the paper and pen and use that to communicate with skull, write "hi, need help?" And show it to them.

Sleep in shifts, use dresser to block door, make sure Archie isn't there when you do. Probably bring both beds into one room, not your room since you broke the window lmao.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)14:42 No. 1024224 ID: eedbeb
File 164548335717.png - (35.84KB , 500x500 , u60.png )

>Clown nose notes?
It can be assumed Jennifer has recorded everything notable since she’s obtained the notebook.

>Write message
Mike waves at the skull monster and shows it a piece of paper with ‘hi, need help?’ written on it. It does not respond.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)14:42 No. 1024225 ID: eedbeb
File 164548336634.png - (37.78KB , 500x500 , u61.png )

>Sleep
With nothing else to do, Mike and Jennifer go back inside and head to apartment 3 to rest. Mike is surprised to see two dressers in Jennifer’s room, and they barricade the door and window while they sleep in shifts.

>Morning
The next morning Mike has forgotten his conversation with Archie in the lobby, and all his observations there. He refreshes himself on Jennifer’s identity and the notes they’ve recorded.

There’s a major mechanic yet to be discovered. Mike will need to find it to progress.

What if you just... reached out and touched the major mechanic, thus figuring out what it was!

I bet if you die you come back. Ask Archie if any of the residents have died yet.

Actual suggestion though:

1. Check for cameras just in case
2. Keep a backup note somewhere in the room, something that if you lose the notebook you won't lose ALL progress.

Maybe the mechanic lives in a room on a different floor.

Is there a way for one of us to get a suit from Archie that allows one of us to stay free from the Plague?

Have we already hunted at the new mechanic?

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)17:40 No. 1024239 ID: eedbeb
File 164549401622.png - (34.35KB , 500x500 , u62.png )

>Death?
Mike doesn’t remember dying or being close to death. He heads to the lobby to ask Archie some questions.

Archie replies shortly that if people with the Red Plague could die, it would save him a lot of trouble. Apparently it doesn’t stick and the people wake up in their apartments soon after.

Archie also warns Mike that if he keeps smashing things, Archie will be forced to sedate him.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)17:40 No. 1024240 ID: eedbeb
File 164549402263.png - (19.58KB , 500x500 , u63.png )

>Check for cameras
Mike squints at the walls to look for hidden cameras recording his reaction for some online prank compilation. He sees the standard security cams facing the door, but nothing else.

>Backup note?
Jennifer’s body is the backup.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)17:40 No. 1024241 ID: eedbeb
File 164549403223.png - (34.28KB , 500x500 , u64.png )

>Suit from Archie?
Archie has stated that the plague is incurable. Mike and Jennifer are already infected.

>What’s left?
Mike feels like he needs to get inside apartment 4. So far he’s brute forced his way through most obstacles, which is not the intended strategy.

... You could also ask Archie if there are any Red Plague mechanics you're missing, here, because there's a clown at the stairs who's really not cooperating.

Meanwhile... have you tried knocking politely at Apartment 4?

We tried knocking politely already.
Try talking to the creature through the door? Offer your blood maybe?

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)19:12 No. 1024250 ID: eedbeb
File 164549954726.png - (24.87KB , 500x500 , u65.png )

>Knock?
Mike knocked on the door the previous evening. It is locked, and the monster inside can’t or won’t unlock it.

>Examine
Mike looks at the lock. It’s the same as the locks on the other doors. Hm…4 really do be a number, don’t it? A number divisible by 2.

Why not ask Jennifer if she can think of a way inside? She came up with cutting notes onto her body, she's clearly not an idiot.

Why would the number be important?
Let's do something stupid! Switch the numbers around on the doors. Or put more than one digit on a door, why not.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)20:17 No. 1024257 ID: eedbeb
File 164550344364.png - (28.17KB , 500x500 , u66.png )

>Phone a friend
“Hey, do you have any idea of how to get in here?” Mike asks Jennifer, who is waiting patiently nearby.

“Oh sure, we should unlock the door with a key if we can.” she says.

“We don’t have the key to apartment 4.” Mike slaps the number on the door in frustration, and jumps when it wiggles under his fingers.

tippler 2022/02/21(Mon)20:17 No. 1024258 ID: eedbeb
File 164550345158.png - (32.40KB , 500x500 , u67.png )

The black shape swims in Mike’s vision, then rearranges itself into the number 100.

“You have the key to apartment 2 and I have the key to apartment 3.” Jennifer continues, unbothered by Mike’s rudeness. She steps up to the door and inserts her key in the lock. “Hm, nope, my key doesn’t work.”

Mike has a sneaking suspicion there’s some math bullshit going on here.

Okay I _think_ I know what happened.
Did Mike accidentally slap the door number twice with his five fingers? 4*5*5 = 100

Slap the keys a few times. Slap the door with the keys.

>>1024258
uh
Ok, slap one of the other door numbers.

TAP one of the other door numbers, use only one finger, then try two.

Slap all the numbers. And Archie too.

tippler 2022/02/22(Tue)15:25 No. 1024275 ID: eedbeb
File 164557231187.png - (23.21KB , 500x500 , u68.png )

>Touch numbers
Mike touches all the apartment numbers. It doesn’t matter how many fingers he uses. The final list is 1, 10, 11, 100, and 101. They don’t change when he touches them again.

tippler 2022/02/22(Tue)15:25 No. 1024276 ID: eedbeb
File 164557231774.png - (30.04KB , 500x500 , u69.png )

Stuck once more, Mike returns to apartment 100 to lament his ill fortune.

"This doesn't make any sense!" Mike sobs. "I don't even like math, why must I suffer?"

Mike collapses on the floor, an utter mess. He hears the click of heels on the floor and looks up.

A very large woman is standing over him, in a kind of cosmic backdrop. Mike stays perfectly still as she reaches down to pick him up, and brings him to her bosom.

tippler 2022/02/22(Tue)15:25 No. 1024277 ID: eedbeb
File 164557232576.png - (38.73KB , 500x500 , u70.png )

"You poor thing, let me try to explain. The numbers changed because you're base is in apartment 2. When you interact with numbers that appear to you normally in base 10, the number changes to fit your base. 100 in base 2 is still 4 in base 10!"

The warm bosom of the woman is very compelling. Mike keeps listening.

"That's not all, 2 is a very special number. A prime number! 4 is a composite number, which means it has other factors. You'll notice your friend Jennifer is also in possession of a prime number, but her key didn't work on apartment 4 because 3 isn't one of 4's factors."

"I think I understand. Thank you momm—Thank you ma'am." Mike stutters.

tippler 2022/02/22(Tue)15:25 No. 1024278 ID: eedbeb
File 164557233209.png - (32.01KB , 500x500 , u71.png )

The giant woman gently pats Mike on the head. "You're a sweet boy, try not to overthink things. I'll send you back now."

Mike bursts like a water balloon full of blood and wakes up on the ground in the hallway, Jennifer slapping his face.

"Ouch! I'm awake, stop it!" he complains. Mike sits up with renewed determination, bounteous knowledge overflowing in his mind after his meeting with God or whoever that was.

How does Mike unlock apartment 4?

If Jennifer touches the number on door 4, does it turn into 11 (Base 3's 4: 1, 2, 10, 11? If so, then couldn't you use Jennifer's key to open it, since 3 in base 2 is written as "11"?

I THINK what we’re trying to do is change the apartment numbers into numbers that are Factors of our own?

Basically 10 and 100 are both divisible by 2, which means that we should be able to use our key on them?

I think??

>>1024280
That sounds right.

Alright we’ve been told details from…god or whatever.

Put key 2 in slot 4 plz.

tippler 2022/02/22(Tue)16:44 No. 1024284 ID: eedbeb
File 164557708957.png - (28.40KB , 500x500 , u72b.png )

>Insert tab A into slot B
Mike puts his key into apartment 4’s lock. It turns with a satisfying click.

There’s a low, threatening growl from behind the door.

>>1024284
Guess we should prepare for a fight.

Realize in that moment you opened a door with a monster but that you don't have a weapon or way to fight and could have just investigated another floor. Oh well! Combat time!

As soon as the door opens, try to smooch the monster to confuse it.

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)15:30 No. 1024391 ID: eedbeb
File 164565901072.png - (37.53KB , 500x500 , u73.png )

>Combat?
The monster inside apartment 4 is aggressive towards Mike, but the door isn't open quite yet and there's time to prepare.

Mike locks the door again and takes stock of his weapons. He and Jennifer have two hammers, a small wrench, a backpack, a pen, and paper. When he's upset or particularly driven, he can activate a super mode that gives him augmented strength.

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)15:30 No. 1024392 ID: eedbeb
File 164565901586.png - (34.90KB , 500x500 , u74.png )

>Smooch?
Mike and Jennifer can easily defeat the monster with violence and need to decide what to do with it once it's defeated.

Lock him in Archie's apartment. You'd put him in one of yours, but the big ol' hole means that'd take up two for the price of one.

>what do after it's defeated
Cut out its heart and eat it to gain power. Obviously.
Wait we don't have a cutting implement to do that with; I don't think the sharp nail will work. What a bummer. Maybe you could break its horns and see if they're sharp enough to cut it open?

Before that, see if you can interrogate it to find out information on the tower's purpose. Search the room regardless.

Combat plan is to bum rush it with hammers. You'll come back after death so- oh. I just realized there's one failure state. If both of you die, then the agents in control of the tower could pilfer the notebook from your bodies before you revive. I wonder how long it takes for you to revive?

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)16:31 No. 1024401 ID: eedbeb
File 164566269029.png - (39.35KB , 500x500 , u75.png )

Mike unlocks the door and he and Jennifer jump the poor monster when it makes a bid for freedom. Their hammers are very effective against its brittle exterior, and they quickly smash its horns and skull.

The monster whimpers and collapses on the floor. Mike takes an experimental bite of its flesh, but doesn’t notice any increase in power.

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)16:31 No. 1024402 ID: eedbeb
File 164566269863.png - (37.12KB , 500x500 , u76.png )

>Interrogate
The monster cannot speak any recognizable language.

>Archie
The monster is quite light, and Mike drags it over to where Archie is repairing his door down the hall. The suited man jumps in alarm at the strange sight.

“A gift for you.” Mike says sweetly.

“Hell no! I don’t want anything to do with that, put it back in its room!”

Aw, now I feel bad for it, it's sad and weak. Bring the poor thing back to its room, tuck it into bed, and give it a kiss.

If the room has no bed give it yours. Where you're going, you won't need beds! (There'll probably be more on the higher floors.)

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)17:36 No. 1024408 ID: eedbeb
File 164566661380.png - (30.30KB , 500x500 , u77.png )

>Feels bad man
The monster is so decrepit that Mike feels a sudden surge of pity. He drags it back to its apartment, which is virtually identical to Mike’s own, and tucks it into bed with a sweet kiss.

Mike has cleared floor 1! He can now take the stairs to floor 2 once the clown stops being mad in a few hours.

Well you've been smashing a whole lot of things lately so it wouldn't be very fair to leave Jennifer out.

>>1024408
Hey maybe the guy in room 5 wants to join you in your adventures, now that you have a way to prevent him from forgetting?

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)20:09 No. 1024418 ID: eedbeb
File 164567576393.png - (37.61KB , 500x500 , u78.png )

>Smash Jennifer
Well, Mike’s got time to kill. He bites his lip sensually and waggles his eyebrows at Jennifer.

She nods to him politely.

Mike turns up the charm. “Do you want to have sex?”

Jennifer writes down something in the notebook. “Sure, why not.”

tippler 2022/02/23(Wed)20:09 No. 1024419 ID: eedbeb
File 164567578877.png - (25.06KB , 500x500 , u79.png )

After successfully burning an hour or so, Mike pulls his clothes back on and swaggers out of apartment 3.

Mike has forgotten how he met Jennifer, that he knocked on apartment 5, his interrogation of Archie, and the encounter with the clown. He reviews the notebook and sees the man in apartment 5 is ambivalent to their cause and the nature of their imprisonment.

It’d be useful to have the man for the floors ahead. How does Mike convince him? (There’s currently no way to stop the amnesia).

Hey bro wanna get swole and kill monsters with me?

Hey bro, apparently there's this amnesia thing going on but don't worry about that cause my buddy and I are here to personally invite YOU to come kick Monster ASS with us!
We are also trying to figure out how this place works and explore it but that's less important probably.

"You agreed last time I think but I've forgotten why, any clue what convinced you?"

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)15:46 No. 1024512 ID: eedbeb
File 164574638763.png - (33.21KB , 500x500 , u80.png )

Mike knows exactly what to say. He knocks on the thin man’s door and flexes his attractive and large muscles when it opens.

“Hey bro, you wanna come with me to fight monsters and get super swole?”

There’s a beat where Mike wonders if he should have led with the amnesia thing first, but the thin man blushes and nods immediately.

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)15:46 No. 1024513 ID: eedbeb
File 164574639496.png - (34.32KB , 500x500 , u81.png )

With his powerful, sexy party by his side, Mike makes a beeline for the stairs. When he tries the door, it’s no longer locked, and he ascends up a series of perfectly mundane concrete steps to the next floor, no clown in sight.

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)15:46 No. 1024514 ID: eedbeb
File 164574641459.png - (27.95KB , 500x500 , u82.png )

>Floor 2
There are five doors numbered 6-10, arranged in an odd semicircle. The floor is covered in a thin layer of dirt and the air is warm and humid.

Start in numerical order with Door 6. Knock and see who is home.

Let's try Door 9 with Jennifer's key. BTW, does the Door 5 guy have a name?

>>1024514
Hold up. New thing. What are the shapes on the doors?

Knock on door 7, you can't open this one yourself.

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)17:47 No. 1024552 ID: eedbeb
File 164575364213.png - (32.55KB , 500x500 , u83.png )

>Shapes on doors?
The circles are door knobs and the squares are locks. 6 and 10 have two locks each, while the rest all have one.

>Thin guy name
He informs Mike and Jennifer that his name is Oscar.

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)17:47 No. 1024553 ID: eedbeb
File 164575364995.png - (28.81KB , 500x500 , u84.png )

>Which door to try first?
Hmm, this is a hard choice. Mike knocks on 6 and puts his ear against the wood, but doesn’t hear anything.

>Door 9?
Jennifer could open this door, but there’s probably something nasty behind it.

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)17:47 No. 1024554 ID: eedbeb
File 164575365739.png - (23.93KB , 500x500 , u85.png )

>Door 7
7 being a prime number, there’s probably a very nice and handsome lady or man behind it. Mike knocks, loud and assertively.

It takes a little while for anything to happen, but then the door opens to a strange sight.

There’s a person standing on a hill in the darkness. They blink and cover their face when the light of the hallway hits their oddly floppy ears.

Well, flirting's been working out great for you so far. Compliment the dog-person's canine features.

F L U F F Y

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)19:13 No. 1024561 ID: eedbeb
File 164575881875.png - (30.90KB , 500x500 , u86.png )

A dog person! Mike doesn’t know if he had any pets in his previous, pre-Plague life, but he instinctively wants to compliment this individual.

“I like your fur.” Mike blurts out.

The dog peeks around his paws and speaks with a light southern accent. “Um, thank you kindly sir.”

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)19:13 No. 1024562 ID: eedbeb
File 164575882436.png - (21.08KB , 500x500 , u87.png )

They stand for a moment in awkward silence.

“Have you been here long?” Mike asks, gesturing to the wilderness behind the dog.

“Oh! Just a day or so. I tested this door this morning but I couldn’t get into any of the other rooms and I couldn’t use the stairs.” the dog shrugs helplessly.

Wait, he remembers being here a day or so? As in more than 20 hours?

Ah, so the locks allow more than one factor to open a given door. We didn't see any on floor 1 because each number has only one unique factor. Same with 7, 8, and 9. 7, 2*2*2, and 3*3.

7's key will not be very useful since the first time we'd need it is door 49, but we may as well see if they want to come. Tell them about the amnesia thing and also the monster tower thing.
...wait, where do they get their food from? Are the agents able to reach this floor?

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)20:31 No. 1024578 ID: eedbeb
File 164576346246.png - (28.81KB , 500x500 , u88.png )

>Memory?
Mike is pretty sure the dog is under the same amnesia constraints as everyone else.

>Food?
“Have you had anything to eat today?” Mike asks.

The dog shakes his head sadly. “I haven’t been very hungry but I’d like some food. I saw a few rabbits earlier but I wasn’t fast enough to catch them.”

tippler 2022/02/24(Thu)20:31 No. 1024579 ID: eedbeb
File 164576347230.png - (30.45KB , 500x500 , u89.png )

This guy is a total adorable pushover. Mike could easily recruit him now or explore the other rooms and come back to the dog anytime.

Hmm, dogs are pretty food-motivated. Sure, recruit them.
...where did they see rabbits?

Also, let's do room 6 first. Try key 2.

I wonder if we need BOTH keys to unlock a door? That would make larger primes useful still.

>>1024583
>>1024584
Yeah, if I'm right in assuming that that's two locks we're seeing on Door 6, use Keys 2 and 3.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)07:36 No. 1024617 ID: eedbeb
File 164580337306.png - (29.66KB , 500x500 , u90.png )

>Rabbits?
Apartment 7 appears to be a grassy hillside, so Mike supposes there could be wildlife. It definitely violates the constraints of the tower’s geometry.

>Recruit
Mike gets a tortilla from his backpack and piles on some cheese to make a makeshift soft taco. The dog gratefully accepts and joins the growing party.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)07:36 No. 1024618 ID: eedbeb
File 164580337907.png - (24.48KB , 500x500 , u91.png )

>Apartment 6
Mike instructs Jennifer to use her key on the bottom lock while he uses his on the top lock. To Mike’s great satisfaction, the door opens.

It’s a long and empty rodeo arena. There are at least lights on and Mike sees a strange half horse, half girl creature sitting in the dirt some distance away.

>>1024618
it is time to say hello to the horse

Wave hello, ready yourself to dodge. You know how rodeos can be.
Also, make sure we're writing down how to get in each room and how we recruited each person.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)12:02 No. 1024651 ID: eedbeb
File 164581932345.png - (30.81KB , 500x500 , u92.png )

>Records?
Jennifer writes short summaries of each apartment, though she’s trying to be brief to conserve paper.

>Greet
“Hello there!” Mike waves and carefully approaches. The woman doesn’t move and Mike gets close enough to see her shiny hooves, long chestnut hair, and the tears running down her face.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)12:02 No. 1024652 ID: eedbeb
File 164581932810.png - (35.34KB , 500x500 , u93.png )

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Mike asks.

She sniffs and shakes her head. “I’m all alone, nobody loves me.” she sobs.

Bring the dog to her. Dogs are famous for their unconditional love, this is clearly what she needs.

>>1024652
Apply dog licks to maybe-monster.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)13:43 No. 1024659 ID: eedbeb
File 164582538003.png - (30.97KB , 500x500 , u94.png )

>Dog+Horsegirl = Win
Call Mike a mathemagician because he’s about to solve this problem with ease. He calls to 7 and introduces him to 6.

“Now you two support each other emotionally while we look through the rest of the floor.” Mike orders.

Which door should Mike open next? 8,9, and 10 are left.

Door 9! If this is like Zero Escape that's gotta be the way out.

Go to 9. Find out 9 is a sentient doggie treat. Warn it about 7 so it doesnt eat him and scare 6.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)17:04 No. 1024680 ID: eedbeb
File 164583744473.png - (9.59KB , 500x500 , u95.png )

>9
Mike and the crew ready their blunt implements and Jennifer carefully opens the door.

It’s dark, like apartment 7. There’s a single red dot floating in space a few meters from the entrance.

...close the door and go to door 10 instead. Keys 2 and 5 should get you in easily. Let's save this one for last.

"FIGHT ME, FUCKFACE"

Do we have a flashlight? Shine it in its face.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)18:49 No. 1024689 ID: eedbeb
File 164584379464.png - (41.99KB , 500x500 , u96.png )

>Flashlight?
Mike does not have a flashlight. The light from the hallway should be illuminating whatever is beyond the door, but for some reason it isn’t.

>Nope!
Jennifer slams the door shut and locks it.

tippler 2022/02/25(Fri)18:50 No. 1024690 ID: eedbeb
File 164584380097.png - (19.59KB , 500x500 , u97.png )

There’s a timid knock from the other side of the door. “Hello? Is someone there?”

Mike and Jennifer exchange a look, unsure of how to respond.

“Please, I’ve been stuck here all day. Please let me out!”

You had the door open for like, 8 seconds, dude. He could've just left.

Well, he did say please and good manners should be rewarded.
Open the door for the well mannered chap.

Alright, it can talk, and it has manners. Open the door again and let whoever it is out. If we get our faces eaten, excellent jape.

>>1024690
Open but don't let your guard down. Act like it's gonna pounce you the instant the door's open.

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)07:12 No. 1024727 ID: eedbeb
File 164588836242.png - (18.06KB , 500x500 , u98.png )

With manners like that, how can Mike refuse? He motions for Jennifer to open the door again, but keeps his hammer at the ready.

A normal man, about Mike’s build and stature walks into the light. He has a red eye and a normal black one.

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)07:12 No. 1024728 ID: eedbeb
File 164588837006.png - (22.30KB , 500x500 , u99.png )

“Oh thank you so much. Can you tell me where we are and what’s going on here?”

Mike, used to this by now, gives an abridged explanation of current events. “So we need to clear all the rooms here before we move on.” he concludes. “Do you feel, er, resolved?”

The man puts his hand on his chin. “Well I do right now, but like you said I’ll forget everything if you leave.”

Why don't we let him stick with us until we can find him a light for his door and more permanently resolve his issues? That, or get him rooming with someone else.

Open door 10 and see what lurks behind it. Keys 2 and 5 should get you in.

Well, we are writing our memories

>>1024728
This is bizarre. I feel like with his split eyes he's going to transform into a monster later or something...

How about we let him share the room with the girl on this floor? They can keep eachother company, which is a permanent solution without having to expend resources.

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)13:09 No. 1024753 ID: eedbeb
File 164590977249.png - (26.34KB , 500x500 , u100.png )

This guy still seems somewhat suspect, but without the threat of imminent violence Mike relaxes.

“How about you go to room 6 and meet the other people on your floor.” he suggests. “My crew still needs to check out 8 and 10, and then we’ll have a group meeting to decide what to do next.”

9 brightens. “That sounds great!”

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)13:14 No. 1024755 ID: eedbeb
File 164591004010.png - (25.67KB , 500x500 , u101.png )

Dang! Mike is so good at this! He waits for 9 to disappear into rodeo land before resuming exploration.

>Door 10
Mike and Oscar put their keys to work to open the door. Once again they’re greeted with a rustic sight, a kobold with a guitar sitting at a campfire.

>>1024755
Hey cool. What's playing?

Tell the Kobold they forgot Valentines day, thus cancelling Bold Request #3, but could probably still do Bold Request #4 for Easter.

Put in a request for Wonderwall

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)14:40 No. 1024760 ID: eedbeb
File 164591524728.png - (29.06KB , 500x500 , u102.png )

>Song?
The kobold is strumming a soothing tune with four repeated chords and crooning some vaguely nonsensical lyrics. Mike feels a flicker of recognition, to his great surprise.

Jennifer clears her throat and the kobold stops playing. “Hello travelers, why don’t you rest yourselves here by the fire?” the creature offers.

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)14:41 No. 1024761 ID: eedbeb
File 164591526463.png - (30.02KB , 500x500 , u103.png )

Jennifer and Oscar take a seat on a log and stare into the crackling fire. The kobold slowly starts singing again.

“Because maaaayyyyybe, you’re gonna be the one that saaaaves meee…”

The kobold seems like he’s doing pretty well compared to 6, 7, and 9.

Mike has forgotten breaking the window and the wall outside the tower. He can rest in apartment 10 or return to the first floor for the night whenever he’s ready to sleep.

Probably a good idea to make sure the events of today have been written down before doing any kind of resting.

Sleep to the soft sound of kobold tunes.

tippler 2022/02/26(Sat)16:20 No. 1024796 ID: eedbeb
File 164592123257.png - (24.78KB , 500x500 , u104.png )

Mike borrows the notebook and writes down his strange encounter with the tall woman, before double checking Jennifer’s notes for the day. Everything seems accurate, so he’s fine with having an early night.

Is there anything Mike would like to do before sleeping in apartment 10? The crew can still sleep in shifts though they have nothing to fear from the kobold.

Gotta protect the notebook in case an agent comes up here. Actually, nevermind, that probably won't happen. Sabotaging the climb is counterproductive, they'd probably love it if the tower was neutralized.

That said, should sleep in shifts anyway, just in case that guy with one red eye turns hostile at night.

Maybe a quick check to see how 6, 7, and 9 are doing back in door 6 before sleeping.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)07:00 No. 1024899 ID: eedbeb
File 164597401410.png - (19.31KB , 500x500 , u105.png )

>Check on 6, 7, and 9
Mike can’t shake the feeling that something might be wrong with 9. He tells Jennifer and Oscar to stay in apartment 10 while he walks over to apartment 6 to see what’s going on.

He opens the door and sees the horse girl, dog boy, and red eyed man having a heated conversation. They abruptly stop when they notice him.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)07:00 No. 1024900 ID: eedbeb
File 164597402078.png - (24.72KB , 500x500 , u106.png )

“You guys okay?” Mike asks.

“We’re fine, just talking.” 9 says. Mike notices 7 looks nervous and vaguely ashamed, tail between his legs.

>>1024900
yo, what's wrong 7?

Ask why the good bor seems down, and begin petting until the tail starts to wag.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)09:44 No. 1024911 ID: eedbeb
File 164598385866.png - (37.07KB , 500x500 , u107.png )

The boy! The beloved boy is sad! Mike rushes over to 7 and strokes his head until the dog’s tail gives a few weak wags.

“What’s wrong?” Mike asks, gentle but stern.

“Well, 9 told us that we’re all going to be left here because we’re not useful while you move on to other floors.” 7 sighs.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)09:44 No. 1024912 ID: eedbeb
File 164598386695.png - (31.07KB , 500x500 , u108.png )

“I won’t leave you, you have the 7 key and we need that for apartment 14.” Mike assures him.

The dog slumps under Mike’s hand, still upset. “So you just want my key? If there’s a person in every room, at some point you’ll have too many people to keep track of and you’ll have to ditch me.”

“I don’t have a key at all.” 6 adds. “You could lock me in and I’d be trapped forever.”

that's dumb, we don't benefit much from ditching people and once we get the tower figured out we all get to hang out as much as we want.

redeye dude, I get you're like half evil here but maybe keep it in your pants man

Assure the pupper that you aren't just after his key, he's a very good boy who brings joy through his presence.

As for 6's concerns, we're not going to just lock people back in their rooms because they can't help us. If we can't bring more people with us, then we may have to leave them somewhere, but if nothing else we can let everyone choose where they want to stay. So if she wanted to stay with the nice musical kobold instead of by her lonesome, that'd be just fine.

Of course, if people are being total dongers, then maybe we'll think twice about giving them an option. *Glares at 9th guy.*

Also, do these three have names? Seems a little unfair that Mike, Jen, and Oscar get to go by theirs while these peeps are just their numbers.

Being an asshole for no reason isn't your style, so no, you won't lock her in. That and you have no idea what'll happen when you get out of this tower and it'd be really fucked up if you got them erased from existence or something by leaving them behind.

>>1024915
>Being an asshole for no reason isn't your style
Unless you're a clown. then your nose needs to be HONK'd

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)13:10 No. 1024924 ID: eedbeb
File 164599625446.png - (32.53KB , 500x500 , u109.png )

“I’d never do that, I’m not an asshole. We still don’t completely understand how the tower works but we’re going to leave everything unlocked so you guys can socialize whenever you want.” Mike puffs.

He pets the dog some more. “You are a very good boy 7, we’ll ask for your help when we need it and you’re welcome to come with us too.”

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)13:11 No. 1024925 ID: eedbeb
File 164599626207.png - (21.82KB , 500x500 , u110.png )

6 and 7 seem to be cheered up, which leaves 9, who watches Mike through narrowed eyes before getting to his feet.

“I don’t trust you.” 9 says flatly.

Mike glares back at him. “You’re being a jerk, man.”

9 huffs and heads for the door.

>>1024925
you don't have to trust me dude, just try not to be so much of a dick about it. Especially with you lookin' like someone's edgy deviantart oc.

Tell them the very hostile monster you fought on floor 1 had red eyes, and so did the stairwell guardian clown. 9 having one red eye means he's... untrustworthy? Emotionally hostile, maybe?

Ask 6 if she's really interested in coming with you; there's no telling what awaits on higher floors. Could be combat, could be puzzles, could be socializing. If she has any skills at all, she could turn out to be useful.
Having too many party members is an issue, yeah, but we can like, limit the active group to like 6 people max and have the extra people hanging out in a specific room we use as home base. Keys are separate from party members so the active group can just carry them all. I wish we could make copies of keys...
OH. Ask their names. Can't just call them 6 and 7.

Wait a fucking minute. Considering the room keys work as prime factors, how the fuck does room 1 work? We don't need Key 1 for other doors. Does Key 1 *only* open Door 1? Or does it open ALL other doors, even those with multiple locks? Or maybe it can work as a substitute for a single key...?
Huh, I wonder why Archie didn't take Jennifer's nails to keep her from scratching herself. Maybe she was just guarding them too well, or maybe Archie can't actually open any of the other doors on floor 1.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)14:59 No. 1024933 ID: eedbeb
File 164600274803.png - (25.90KB , 500x500 , u111.png )

>Talk to 9
“Hey, wait up!” Mike hurries to catch up to his edgy doppelganger before 9 can leave. “You don’t have to trust me, but I swear I’m trying to help the people here.”

“You don’t like my eye. I see you staring at it.” 9 sulks.

“Uh yeah, that’s because we’ve seen some monsters and stuff and they all had red eyes. It doesn’t mean you have to be evil or anything.”

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)14:59 No. 1024934 ID: eedbeb
File 164600275576.png - (33.49KB , 500x500 , u112.png )

>Names
9 is silent and Mike presses forward. “Do you have a name? I’ve just been calling you 9 in my head, I don’t know if that’s rude.”

“I don’t.”

Huh, maybe infected humans are the only ones who remember their names as opposed to creatures native to the tower. Mike can give everyone a name or keep it numerical.

tippler 2022/02/27(Sun)14:59 No. 1024935 ID: eedbeb
File 164600277062.png - (36.97KB , 500x500 , u113.png )

>Party size
The new party size limit is 4 people. Mike can choose one of 6, 7, or 9 to join the current party. It looks like 6 is a good physical fighter, 7 is a good socializer, and 9 has a big thunkin’ brain.

>Archie thoughts
Key 1 can only open apartment 1. Judging from the chain lock on the door, Archie might not even be in possession of the key. Mike theorizes that the agent plays the long game and waits for the residents to be careless when he wants to steal their items.

Eh, are we tired yet? Could go check the last door before bed. That'd be 8. Just key 2.

>>1024935
based on our own interactions, I think the ideal party rn is us, 7, and 9. We're not the most social on earth but we have definitely got muscle on us, 9's smarts will help us out since we ain't got much of a clue, and 7's gonna be good at helping us get along.

That leaves Jennifer with 6 as a guard, which is important since Jennifer's handling log tracking. Keeping Jenn safe is paramount here since without her we're gonna forget all of what we're doing, which also makes her a target.

Ask everyone for their input on this plan, see if 9 or Jenn have any tweaks to make.

tippler 2022/02/28(Mon)08:16 No. 1025007 ID: eedbeb
File 164606501753.png - (37.82KB , 500x500 , u114.png )

>Teams!
Mike is struck by a grand idea. He ushers 6 and 7 to join them, and then takes everyone to apartment 10 to designate teams.

>Boy’s Club
Mike, Oscar, 7, and 9 together make the supreme group of lads. With Mike’s strength, 9’s smarts, and 7’s adorableness, they’re very well rounded. Oscar is there too because he’s just a swell guy.

tippler 2022/02/28(Mon)08:17 No. 1025008 ID: eedbeb
File 164606502562.png - (33.17KB , 500x500 , u115.png )

>Gal Pals
Meanwhile Jennifer gains 6 as her personal bodyguard. Mike wants Jennifer to stay out of trouble to protect the notebook.

>Apartment 8
Mike would like to clear the floor before turning in for the night. He brings his new team to door 8 and unlocks it with his key.

tippler 2022/02/28(Mon)08:17 No. 1025009 ID: eedbeb
File 164606503373.png - (31.99KB , 500x500 , u116.png )

He opens the door to a blinding white light that makes everyone hiss in distress. 9 in particular shrieks and covers his face.

Mike can’t see what’s behind the door, but he hears an angry chiming noise, like a disgruntled bell.

Rely on 7's sense of smell to describe what's inside.

>>1025010
ditto.

>>1025009
Oh great it's an angle. Taunt it, tell it that its mother was obtuse!

tippler 2022/02/28(Mon)13:57 No. 1025036 ID: eedbeb
File 164608544086.png - (26.45KB , 500x500 , u117.png )

“7 can you smell anything?” Mike asks.

The dog closes his eyes and sniffs. “Uh, seems like a sturdy and stable physical shape, good for building support and trusses.”

“What?” Mike is flabbergasted.