>>486766
Do you know the basic layout? We could use a map, even a simple one.

>>486768
[tried to draw a map but then i got mad at myself so no image uAu]

As far as I remember, there are three floors. Lots of hallways! Ma bought this place so we all could stay very comofrtably. There used to be more of us, which is why we needed so much space!

Cloudy could be on the first floor with us, the top floor, or outside. But I don't think we could get out there.

..What happened to all of the others?

Why is it so difficult to get outside?

Kuani 2013/01/21(Mon)19:19 No. 486780 ID: 139cc0
File 135882476610.png - (271.97KB , 600x500 , kq24.png )

>>486777

I don't remember much about them anymore. None of us do. They went away though, and Ma told us they weren't coming back again. Because they were bad. Worse than me or Natty or Cloudy had been. They had to go away.

We can't get out because all of the doors are locked! Only Cloudy and Ma have outside keys.

Did Cloudy ever do anything bad?

Try calling his name out. If he's anywhere near, he might hear you.

Kuani 2013/01/21(Mon)19:46 No. 486788 ID: 139cc0
File 135882636490.png - (283.77KB , 600x500 , kq25.png )

>>486784

He was very bad one time, just like we were. But he's Ma's helper, so he doesn't get in trouble very often anymore.

I call out, realizing how shaky my voice is. I should've had some water.

Cloudy 2013/01/21(Mon)19:47 No. 486789 ID: 139cc0
File 135882644244.png - (285.74KB , 600x500 , kq26.png )

I close the door to the shed heavily. It's warm out today.

you should probably get some if you head back towards the kitchen soon
listen to see if theres a response, and if there isnt, keep exploring
have natty tell you whenever there is a door, and then knock on it to see if there is a response?

That's...a lot of people that have been bad. And every single one of them had something happen to them aside from the one your mom needed? Do you think she may have had something to do with them "going away"? Wouldn't they have said goodbye if they had a choice?

Kuani 2013/01/21(Mon)19:59 No. 486797 ID: 139cc0
File 135882715699.png - (281.07KB , 600x500 , kq27.png )

>>486794

Maybe later. Cloudy doesn't say anything, but Natty and I both hear a door close outside! When she walks up to a window, Natty sees Cloudy.

knock on the window to get his attention!

Cloudy 2013/01/22(Tue)15:33 No. 486959 ID: 0b1256
File 135889761811.png - (293.57KB , 600x500 , kq28.png )

>>486798

There's a clanking sound, against the window behind me. I glance back and I see both Kuani and Nat standing at the window.

No. No this won't do at all. Ma would have my head over this. Someone could see them.

Fuck Ma. She can have your head in Hell.

go inside with them! ku really wants to see you

So do you realize what your mother's done? How long ago was your mouth sewn shut? Go hug Kuani.

Cloudy 2013/01/22(Tue)15:54 No. 486966 ID: 0b1256
File 135889884642.png - (289.07KB , 600x500 , kq29.png )

>>486961

She can't right now. Not when I'm like this... I smell like the--

I don't smell good. And I'm too worked up. I'll need to take care of things before I go and help her.

>>486960

It's not that fucking simple, though. If it was, do you think I'd let Kuani suffer the way she does?

Ma cannot know they were out. She just... she can't.

>>486962

I do. Mostly... a lot of it is still hazy. But I'm more coherent than Kuani or Nat, simply because she needs me to be.

Turn and wave. Maybe make a shoo-ing motion with your hand. If you don't react, they will keep trying to get your attention.

So how does she poison your mind? The protein shakes? ...What are you worked up about?

...Wait; how do you eat? Does she/you resew your mouth every morning?

are they not supposed to leave their rooms at all?

what kind of work do you do out here?

Cloudy 2013/01/22(Tue)16:08 No. 486974 ID: 0b1256
File 135889972912.png - (281.85KB , 600x500 , kq30.png )

>>486967

I glare at Nat in the window and she quickly shooes Kuani away, hopefully back upstairs. No one can see them from the windows up there.

I don't remember when my mouth was sewn shut. I know it wasn't Ma, though. Ma was very upset when this happened to me.

It's not that anything in particular poisons us. Not too long ago I was told to help them forget as much as I could. And I did.

It's difficult to give that type of blow to your own head, though.

does ma consider you three more...special than any of the others? it doesnt seem like she'd go through all of this work unless she did care about you all in some kind of way

Cloudy 2013/01/22(Tue)16:16 No. 486979 ID: 0b1256
File 135890016203.png - (289.17KB , 600x500 , kq31.png )

>>486968

I don't, usually. When I'm hungry or I'm ill Ma gives me a shot. Then I sleep. When I wake up I don't feel hungry anymore.

>>486972

Kuani can't leave her room without me. She's certainly not supposed to leave with Nat... who herself is grounded to the second floor at all times. I'm not sure how this happened, but I'll have to get to the bottom of it.

I take care of what Ma leaves me to do.

Cloudy 2013/01/22(Tue)16:42 No. 486993 ID: 0b1256
File 135890173467.png - (571.02KB , 600x500 , kq32.png )

>>486977
[i didn't know what to do with this so here's a painting we'll say natty did to hide the fact it's actually my lazy coloring]

We've been with her the longest, so maybe there's fondness in that regard. When I think about it, though, it might be for my sake she keeps them here. She knows how attached I am to Kuani, and if any more harm were to befall her because of me... well, I wouldn't be useful to her anymore.

She really does very little for them. It's only me she speaks to on a daily basis.

Finish up your work then clean up. Go see the girls when you are done.

Yeah, clean up, get the smell of... whatever off of you and heard the back to their room, gently please.

Why must you make them forget? And did you have anything to do with the "others" disappering? Do you remember what happened to them, or perhaps dispose of the bodies? And lastly, do you know how Kuami and Nat lost their eyes/hands? Did you have to help in any way?

1/ a lot probably Cloudy 2013/01/25(Fri)19:06 No. 487616 ID: 93afdd
File 135916960947.png - (113.38KB , 600x500 , kq33.png )

[please to note that the next panels i'll upload have no need for commands, but you're still free to comment--- goin' into flashback mode]

>>486999

In a little while. I'd be no good to them right now anyway.

>>487323

I had as much to do with them disappearing as Ma intended me to. I've been her instrument in this for a reason. If she had to do her own dirty work, do you think she'd have as much power over us as she does?

I don't remember everything, but I remember a lot more than she wants me to. But she won't know that. Kuani and Nat need to forget to keep themselves safe. They need to go on.

If you really want me to, I'll tell you what happened. To her eyes. To her hands. To my mouth.

I'll warn you outright that you might not like me by the end of this story.

Cloudy 2013/01/25(Fri)19:15 No. 487618 ID: 93afdd
File 135917014326.png - (125.24KB , 600x500 , kq34.png )

I mean sure, we weren't always happy then. Aroiund that time Nat had started this bitchy phase of hers that she never really seemed to let go. I'm amazed Ku puts up with her now, but I guess being kinda dumb'll do that to a kid.

Fuck, she used to be so smart though. So fucking independent, and she'd take care of both of us just like Ma should've. Hell, she'd scold us just like a mom would. Kid got too skinny for her own good from the stress.

But did that little idiot appreciate it? Not even a little bit.

Cloudy 2013/01/25(Fri)19:27 No. 487620 ID: 93afdd
File 135917086015.png - (89.99KB , 600x500 , kq35.png )

They'd be at odds constantly. They'd say these horrible, awful things to each other and only get more vindictive and hateful. Nat would make threats that would make a convicted killer squeamish.

Kuani never faltered with her, though. She knew better than to sit and take that bullshit. I know she did.

But I made the fatal mistake of explaining this whole situation to Ma, who told me she'd speak to Nat herself.

And she did.

Cloudy 2013/01/25(Fri)19:40 No. 487621 ID: 93afdd
File 135917162219.png - (74.11KB , 600x500 , kq36.png )

For a brief time after the incident, we all retained the majority of our coherency. I don't remember all of it, but Kuani told me what happened before Ma told me to make her forget.

>"I knew she'd taken Nat downstairs to talk, so I sat outside the door, figuring I'd need to take her out to ice cream or something after she got screamed at."

"Do you understand what you must do if the time comes, child?"

>"I see them through the crack in the door, and it almost seems like Nat's being instructed to do something. Bu I don't understand why. Didn't you tell Ma what a bitch she was being?"

"Of course, mama."

Tera Nospis 2013/01/25(Fri)20:03 No. 487638 ID: 93afdd
File 135917300810.png - (103.33KB , 600x500 , kq38.png )

[last part for tonight then it will get grisly in the morning, i promise]

"You're such a good girl. And good children will always be rewarded."

"Yes, mama."

"Your brother, what he had to do, he had to punish the bad children. I think you are big enough to help him now, my darling. And do you know who's a bad child?"

"Who, mama?"

"Well, let's talk to her now. She's at the door, isn't she?"

>"She put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me in. Do you remember, when I used to ask you what happened to the rest of us? I think I get it now. I think I get what happened."

Oh. This is Ku's flashback told from the prospective of Cloudy. Ok. Maybe a bigger divide in showing the start of her side of the story would have been better. (ie have her story start with its own panel with lead-ins only in the one before. (For a brief... forget. Should have been in the one before it.))

Waiting for grisly.

>>487643
I kind of realized that partway through, but it's kinda difficult to juggle for me. Hopefully it's not too hard to follow ;u; I appreciate your feedback!

Grisly will come when I can draw coherently tomorrow, promise.

Cloudy 2013/01/30(Wed)07:58 No. 488799 ID: 389f2b
File 135956151990.jpg - (719.70KB , 1912x1536 , photo (2).jpg )

[i don't have my tablet with me today, but i wanted to do a quick update to show i'm not dead-- actual grisly with actual quality will hopefully come when i get home. thank you guys for being patient!!!]

>"She sits me down, and her hands on my shoulders are like weights. I can't move. But she sits behind me now, and she's whispering to Nat."

"She is such a naughty child, Nat, isn't she?"

"Yes, mama."

"Look how she sits. In defiance of you even now. She thinks being your elder gives her precedence, makes her good. Makes her clean. Isn't she so wrong?"

"Y-yes, mama."

"Clean her, child."

Cloudy 2013/01/30(Wed)15:57 No. 488916 ID: 94152f
File 135959027619.png - (139.34KB , 600x500 , 40.png )

>"And Nat comes close to me. There's a knife in her hand and the room gets dark. I try and talk to her, I try to tell her how ridiculous it all is. It's useless though. Her eyes are glassed over, like yours get sometimes."

"I will clean her."

>"There's this really sharp, angry prick near my cheek."

Cloudy 2013/01/30(Wed)15:59 No. 488917 ID: 94152f
File 135959038066.png - (93.74KB , 600x500 , 39.png )

>"Then it's dark. It's still really dark, and it hurts really bad. I feel something running down my face."

Cloudy 2013/01/30(Wed)16:00 No. 488919 ID: 94152f
File 135959043426.png - (120.24KB , 600x500 , 41.png )

"You are clean now. You are clean."

Sounds more like you were coerced by your mother to do something than it being your own will to harm your sister. Your mother fucked you all up. You are in the best position to truly help your sister.

You do want to help them right? And I don't mean help by just passively avoiding the worst outcome or punishment, but working for the best one.

Damn, that sucks. But didn't you want to help them after they got hurt? To keep them away from whoever was causing the pain? (Your mother)
Why did you side with her over your two sisters?

you are a grown man now. why aren't you getting your sisters to safety again? Ma has no power over you anymore, you're bigger and stronger than her now.
think about it, what would happen if people saw your sisters? they'd get taken away to safety. you would as well. and Ma would get punished.

So Nat cut out Kuani's eyes, who cut off Nat's hands? Was it you? Or did a blind Kuani do it?

Cloudy 2013/02/04(Mon)16:19 No. 490339 ID: e1a3d2
File 136002355059.png - (107.56KB , 600x500 , kq43.png )

[once again sorry for lack of updates; i've been battlin' a cold and also kinda glum. gonna try and get back in a routine!]
>>489286
>>489215
>>489024

I'm seventeen.

If I was able, would I not? I am not here by my own volition. If circumstances were different, if I thought I could get Kuani out of here, I would get her out of here. No goddamn question.

The fact of the matter is that I cannot.

What would you do if you saw a babbling girl with gaping eye sockets being escorted by an angry boy with a scabbed over mouth? I guarantee if we made our way out into the city we'd either be ridiculed or thrown into the system. Seperated.

I can't have that.

>>490203

I'm not quite there yet. Give me a moment.

Cloudy 2013/02/04(Mon)16:44 No. 490352 ID: e1a3d2
File 136002507250.png - (133.97KB , 600x500 , kq44.png )

I overreacted.

I know I did. I know what Ma is capable of. I know what she can do. How she can brainwash people.

I didn't care, though. At the moment it didn't matter. Maybe it should've.

Cloudy 2013/02/04(Mon)16:45 No. 490354 ID: e1a3d2
File 136002513430.png - (61.69KB , 600x500 , kq45.png )

What happened happened, and I can't change that.

Part of me doesn't care enough to want to change it.

Cloudy 2013/02/04(Mon)16:49 No. 490357 ID: e1a3d2
File 136002537284.png - (82.11KB , 600x500 , kq46.png )

And ultimately I was punished.

>"My strongest. My oldest. My darling. You know now, don't you? Always listen to your mother."

All I do is nod. It's all I can do now.

>>490357
Did she cut out your tongue? You should be able to just get the stitches removed and regain your speech, otherwise. Wait, how do you EAT? How do any of you eat without help, for that matter?

Oh, and you're underestimating the system. They don't separate siblings unless keeping them together would do more harm than good. Do you honestly think it's better for you three to stay here with your mother? Or are you just so brainwashed you won't seriously consider leaving? You're also underestimating what people are like. You wouldn't be ridiculed. You'd be pitied. People would want to rescue you. Rehabilitate you.

>>490363
(I asked about eating phrased the same way, and it was answered.)

Even if you are separated, isn't that better than it is now? Not knowing when she could hurt your sisters next? If you or the girls are held responsible for any of what happened,they wouldn't punish you, they would make you see a therapist.

>>490339
if you are keeping your sisters in danger because you need them then you are selfish.

the sight of 3 heavily mutilated children does not result in ridicule, it results in altruism. also, you're old enough to get custody over them, you won't be separated. you're getting your information from Ma, who is not exactly a reliable source.

How far will Ma have to go before you take action?
Horribly maiming one of you? Done
Killing any one of you? Only a matter of time
All we can tell you is that this situation is unacceptable, but if you just do nothing, pity will not be coming

1/2 Cloudy 2013/02/06(Wed)14:28 No. 490907 ID: 7ce619
File 136018973645.png - (97.44KB , 600x500 , kq47.png )

>>490367, >>490367, >>490903, >>490904

I don't know what you want me to say.

I have always been the way I am, and I can't help that that may be selfish of me. You may have had your experiences, but I know that if Kuani or that little idiot wandered away from me for a moment they'd get themselves in a situation I'd have to fish them out of. And then I'd get MY ass kicked.

As long as we behave, we are safe here now. And that's what matters. That we are safe.

I don't understand what's so fucking difficult about that.

Ma hasn't spoken to them or struck them since my mouth was stitched shut and I promised to confine them to the second floor.

I don't intend for that trend to change today.

2/2 Cloudy 2013/02/06(Wed)14:30 No. 490910 ID: 7ce619
File 136018981721.png - (157.95KB , 600x500 , kq48.png )

I'm going to go inside. And take care of things.

You will leave me alone for now.

[SO THAT'S THE END OF PART ONE... I intend to continue it after certain events in Luquest occur! Thank you guys for reading!!!]