Warning lights go off in your head. She's not going to jump back into overworking herself, is she? Hiding from reality by burying herself—

"No, not like that," she answers before you can ask. "I think...I'll take a dip in the pool. Float around a bit. I don't get to swim often...and it's not in my job description like it is for the rest of you."

You nod at the Radio Witch. She'll be stuck back on a Sub or something when the training's over. Away from everyone else here. You follow her out of the room. Miranda doesn't notice her, but Rae makes sure you do: she grabs your collar as you exit.

"Hey," she says as Miranda walks away.

[ ] Stay
[ ] Follow Miranda
[ ] Other

>>21585372

FOLLOW MIRANDA KOTTERS

[x] Stay

I guess things are okay with Miranda?

>>21585372

[x] Stay

Let the girl have a nice swim in peace. Time to talk to Rae now!

>>21585372
I change my vote. Stay.

>>21585372

[X] Stay

File: 1352943078972.png-(72 KB, 627x551, Odessa_cropped.png)

You choke for a moment as the rest of your body tries to follow Miranda. "Geh! What is it, Rae!?" you demand.

"...You two alright?" she asks quietly.

You blink. Rae's leaning against the wall, next to Miranda's door. She's looking down at the floor, a bit off to the side. It's almost like she feels...guilty, asking. "Eh? Yeah...we..." You sigh. "I guess we had a moment. Everything's a bit overwhelming and..." You manage a cracking laugh. "Guess we all need to cry, sometimes..."

Rae nods. "I'm sorry. I should have been here to help you guys out instead of running out on you, back to the academy, back to familiar ground..."

What? But you were the one who sent her out on that whole deal! The blame for that is on you! "Rae—"

"No, I know," she says, bringing a finger to your lips to silence you. "But I'm still the one who left and didn't ask about how thing were going back here. Not enough. Look what happens when I don't step up. Cookie starts crumbling."

"C-Cookie!? Rae, where—"

She presses her finger to your lips again. "Come on, I pay more attention that you might think. You had that cute Rothrock girl calling you that."

[ ] I'm not crumbling.
[ ] She's doing that on her own!
[ ] Other

>>21585662

[x] S-she's doing that on her own!

Waaaaaait ...cute?

[x] She's doing that on her own! It is cute though...
[x] Don't worry about it too much, before you left, neither of us were fully aware of what we were dealing with.

neither of them knew they got handed a bunch of surefire dregs.

>>21585662

[X] She's doing that on her own!

>>21585662
>[ ] She's doing that on her own!
So, any ways, how do we get Ogawa and Boser squared away?

>>21585662
[x] Other
FINE. Cookie is now officially our callsign.
Also oh god Rae we broke Boser heeeelp.

>>21585662
>[ ] She's doing that on her own!
>[ ] Other

She is doing it on her own, but that's not what's important. The important thing is that the students are all fucked up, we're all fucked up too to some extent, and we really need to be looking out for each other. Also we need to see if we can't get ourselves a staff psychologist or something. Jesus H. Christ.

Miranda will be fine. Rae will be fine. We'll be fine. For now. But we all need to keep an eye on each other. Otherwise we can't even begin to try to help our students.

"W-what? She's doing that on her own!" you sputter.

Rae laughs. "But you're letting her, right? What is she, the equivalent of a Seaman Second Class? My, aren't we friendly for such a subordinate Witch?"

"Seaman Rothrock...needs some special attention." You sigh. "They all do, really..."

Rae's smile fades. "Yeah, sorry..."

You flail your hands. "No no no! Don't worry about that! We had no idea how bad things were going to actually get...and who knows if you'd have been able to stop me from making such a mess..."

Rae concedes, nodding to you. "I suppose not...doesn't help me feel any better about it, though."

[ ] So, what'd you want?
[ ] See you around
[ ] Other

>>21585904
[x] So, what'd you want?

[x] So, what'd you want?
-[x]Fill her in on what you know

Might as well see what she wants while she's here. That and she might be able to play good cop to Cookie's seemingly bad cop in regards to Boser.

>>21585942

This. She wants something, and we might as well figure out what it is. And we do need help with Boser. Rae hasn't been around so there's the chance she might seem like an outsider to the whole mess. But we still need to pick Victor's brain before we move on that. It's too bad we broke Ogawa too much for her to really help out with Boser right at the moment.

Speaking of which, we should deal with Ogawa sooner or later.

>>21586002
Yeah but with Ogawa, I don't think that was so much Cookie screwing up but rather her collapsing under the strain of her issues and mindset.

>>21586042

I agree, and what happened was necessary sooner or later, just saying we ought to work on it sooner or later is all.

"So, why were you following me around?" you ask.

Rae shrugs. "...Saw you two, got a little worried. You both disappeared inside Miranda's room, so I decided to give you some space." She looks you up and down. "Well, you look a little better. Are you?"

You nod. "A little."

Rae returns your nod. "Well, remember. I'm here for you. I'm here for all of you." She laughs. "It's one of the few things that really help keep us together. Each other, I mean."

"Thanks. I...don't think I've ever had so many people around me I could talk with."

"What? Back in the Academy there were tons of other Witches to bond with. It's a Sisterhood, you know."

"I didn't stay in the Academy, Rae. The Depression hit and...I needed to help my family. Spent my 'Academy' years working. Been turning that wrench for most of my life."

Rae's silent. After several moments, all she says is "Oh."

Then she snaps her fingers. "That's it!"

[ ] What's what?
[ ] I'm not going back to the academy, Rae
[ ] Other

>>21586251
[x] I'm not going back to the academy, Rae

[x] I'm not going back to the academy, Rae
[x]I'm not sure if going back would really help at all.

>>21586251
[x] Well, that sounds ominous.

>>21586251
[x] What's what?

"...I'm not going back to the Academy, Rae."

"No no no! Not that!" she exclaims, suddenly animated. "Look, you've got screwed up Witches, right?"

You nod slowly. "Right..."

"What've they been doing? I mean, how have they been interacting since they got...screwed up?"

You think. "Kind of like loners. Boser's been a robot, Ogawa's been silent and avoiding others."

Rae smiles. "Exactly."

You're confused.

"Look," Rae explains, "they're alone. They're shutting up, getting unresponsive or otherwise not connecting. They need Sisterhood!"

"But they all went to the Academy," you protest. "Don't they already have Sisterhood?"

Rae shakes her head. "The only Witch here that has that is probably Ogawa."

[ ] Oh, you think you get it.
[ ] ...Wait, why?
[ ] Other

>>21586485
>[ ] ...Wait, why?

[x] ...Wait, why?

Is there something about most other witches here we don't know about? I know Oddessa had some problems.

>>21586485
[x] ...Wait, why?
So are we all going to go out and get smashed?

>>21586485
[x] ...Wait, why?
[x] Other
"Is this going to result in another one of your excursions out to a bar in town?"

>>21586485

[x] Well, Ogawa's got the IJN fratern- soror- Comradeship.

The others though, they're all academy witches, right?

"...I don't get it."

Rae groans. "Come on, you've said it yourself. These are the dregs, the screwups, the outcasts. We got the Witches that no one bothered to defend or try to keep from being sent here. You think they'd have any Sisterhood?"

"Well, I...I guess not," you mutter.

"You want to get them up and running? Make them rely on each other, not themselves. I guarantee it," Rae says, confident.

You put a hand on your chin. "But what about Ogawa? She's here, why wouldn't she have Sisterhood?"

"Well, I guess I can't be sure, but didn't you say she's not like the others? Worth her salt or something. And her profile doesn't have any major screw ups, right? If any of these Witches has it, it's her," Rae muses.

"Then...if we just instill a sense of Sisterhood in the others, everything'd be great?"

"Pretty much. I mean, they're not getting the combat skills they need, but honestly we don't have them either. By 'we,' I of course mean 'everyone but you.' Hell, I was flying the Skimmers before the Harbinger, not using the Substriker. A good sense of trust in others will go a lot further than unproven tactics, you know?"

[ ] If Ogawa knows what Sisterhood is like, then we might have a problem.
[ ] Well, that seems like it'll fix everything, then.
[ ] Other.

>>21586682
>[ ] Well, that seems like it'll fix everything, then.

>>21586682
[x] If Ogawa knows what Sisterhood is like, then we might have a problem.
We should probably go talk to her soonish.

>>21586682
[x] If Ogawa knows what Sisterhood is like, then we might have a problem.
[x] Other
"I guess we should start working on a new curriculum, then."

[x] If Ogawa knows what Sisterhood is like, then we might have a problem.

Yeah, considering that Rae's proposing something that amounts to a bullshit operation, we don't want anyone calling us out on it.

>>21586709

This. I agree with the gist. We need to get them fixing each other. Comraderie and intense fear of letting your buddy down can fix a lot of shit. But we need to get them to that point, and Ogawa's probably the one who can lead them there, and right now she has issues to work through. To fix the situation we might need to fix her.

>>21586682
[x] Ogawa... may be a problem.

We need to onboard her. And depending on exactly what her issues are, it may help her deal with them.

Aside from that, she might actually be pretty damn helpful. She was good at her job before whatever sent her here. She could be one of the best and brightest, if she doesn't kill herself first.

>>21586744

It's not bullshit if it works.

>>21586817
Yeah there's the matter of making it to that point before someone calls us out on it. The fallout would be pretty bad.

>>21586817

Weeeeeeell, it depends. Bullshit that works is still bullshit.

We might be able to borrow from proud traditions of bullshit!

Check with our academy witches (Rae). Is there some kind of academy skull and bone society? Supersekrit Hexengruppen?

>>21586834

At this point we can't expect to succeed. And I can't think of any military school I did where we weren't expected to, like, y'know, interact and support each other and shit. I mean yeah, it's kinda bullshit and we don't really have the timeframe for it to be completely effective, but it'd possibly work better than what we've been doing.

>>21586855

By which I mean we don't necessarily create a proud tradition from scratch.

Okay. So HOW do we get them to interact and support each other and shit?

>>21586905
1: get them all drunk
2: wake up with a hangover
3: locate pants

>>21586874
Then it's time to improvise. As it is, the subwitch project is very much doomed in a normal sense with all the things against it. the only hope likes in improvision.

>>21586923

They're... they're witches. We'd have to insert "make them wear pants" as step 1.5 or something.

>>21586923

they don't wear pants silly

Well, that's convenient. Give the Witches something you only got by real hardship and adversity, they'll fix themselves. In place of the Harbinger, these trainees have you; you've already done a great job of giving Boser some hardship and adversity. Still, it's artificial. The others might not have a problem with it, but Ogawa probably knows what real Sisterhood is made of. Whatever you and Rae can instill in these young Witches could easily be broken before it has a chance to set if Ogawa says anything.

"Rae...I think we've got a problem."

"Hmm? What?"

"Ogawa."

Rae's face twists and contorts as it clicks in her head. "Oh."

"Yeah. Big 'Oh.'"

[ ] We need to get her in on this.
[ ] We need to keep her from seeing what's going on.
[ ] Other.

>>21586975
[x] We need to get her in on this.

>>21586975
>[ ] We need to get her in on this


If we explain that it will help them in the long run and relate it to something like those awesome guys in the 501st she might buy it

>>21586975

[x] We need to get her in on this.

Our best chance is getting at least one more person who knows what "real" sisterhood is in on this. ALSO, if we can't unfuck her with sisterhood, maybe we can unfuck her with being helpful.

Fuckit, we need to talk to her anyways, I vote we say plan sisterhood is go, but talk to the woman before we start. She's hurting, and we can't leave that sit.

>>21586975

Get her in on this. If anything, we need her outright cooperation.

>>21586975
[x] We need to get her in on this.

>>21587011
What does Vader's Fist have to do with anything?

>>21587130

What DOESN'T Vader's Fist have to do with everything? I mean really.

>>21587156

Absolutely. We need to instill some sort of cameraderie and make them feel like special snowflakes who can bust through anything like the Kool-Aid Man going through a wall. Vader's Fist totes had that.

Rae begins pacing. "Well shit," she curses, "that puts a nice stopper on that plan..."

You lean against the wall. "Does it really?" you ask as you think.

"Ogawa's the issue. Whatever we do ourselves is going to ring hollow. Short of Martians attacking the base in the middle of the night..." Rae thinks aloud.

"Yeah. So either we try to trick her..."

"Which could blow up in our faces if it gets past the first step at all," Rae interjects.

"...or we get her in on it."

Rae blinks. "What?"

"Well, if we can't beat her, why don't we join her? Or rather, get her to join us?"

Rae's face scrunches. You assume this is her thinking. "AAAAAAA!" she yells. God, you hope that's just thinking.

"W-what?"

"It sounds so simple!" she says animatedly. "But...dammit, how are we going to convince her? Isn't she in a bad way right now?"

"...Yeah..."

"Well, we gotta start somewhere. Have any idea why she's screwed up?"

You shrug. "Her sister got screwed up when the Tullibee went down, remember? The Harbinger accidentally eliminated a Witch. Was probably her."

Rae's expression darkens. Oh yeah. They were friends... You start to feel bad for bringing up the past when Rae's bright face returns. "That's just one of the issues, though. She's probably been dealing with that for awhile, hasn't blown up yet. What was it that tripped her?"

...It could have been any number of things. What do you say?

>>21587302

"From what she said, it sounded like it spiraled. She seemed to blame herself for not measuring up. And that didn't help her to go about measuring up. She sounded trapped, like she's dug herself a pit and doesn't know what to do but keep digging.

She needs help."

Rae was friendly with Ogawa's sister, right?

SOUNDS LIKE WE GOT A JOB FOR RAE.

But yeah. We need to get Rae to figure out Ogawa, or figure it out ourselves, whatever, figure out how to get Ogawa onto the same page as us, and convince her to play the 'big sister' and get all the other witches in line. I think this could work.

>>21587302
I mentioned her sister. It seems to have started with that.

>>21587302
"It seemed to start with her saying that she's just another wreck like everyone else, then when I mentioned that she seemed to at least be in control of herself, she blew up at me. Then when I mentioned her sister, she pretty much dropped her entire act and ran when I tried to tell her it was okay to cry."

>>21587489

This is the most accurate so far, without inserting any personal judgements.

>>21587489
Looking bad we are really great at saying the exact wrong thing in every situation.

>>21587544
looking back, even

"Well," you explain, "we were discussing Boser's...breakdown, let's say. She was really pressing me hard, I brought up that I'm just human. I don't know everything. I said that by her profile, she was the most in control Witch here." You think back. "It just...spiraled from there. She insisted that she wasn't. Like it was offensive or bad for me to think that she had it together. I tried stopping it by mentioning her sister."

Rae's eyes widened. "You what!?"

You shrug. "Well, I wanted to know what was going on, so I asked if this was about her sister. She froze up after that...so I tried to...you know, comfort her or something. She ran off when I did."

Rae rubs her temples. "Alright. Alright. What'd you do then?"

"I let her run off."

"Well thank god for that at least."

"What?" you ask, confused.

"Look, Cleona. I love ya. I can't not, after the shit we've gone through. That doesn't mean I can't get flustered over some of the stuff you do. That's about everything you needed to do if you were aiming to screw her up."

"But she was already screwed up!" you protest. "Her sister died!"

"Yeah, but you did a number on the face she was using to shrug it off."

"...For someone who isn't good with people, you're seeing a lot that I'm not," you comment.

"You're just that bad," Rae teases.

[ ] Well, you knew her sister...
[ ] What should I do?
[ ] Other.

>>21587632

[x] What should I do?

>>21587632
[x] Okay, Crazy teenagers, wat do?

>>21587632
[x] What should I do?

>>21587632
[x] What should I do?

[x] What should I do?
[x]Think you'd have better luck talking to her? You knew her sister....

Cookie never asked for this.

>>21587632
[x] What should I do?

>>21587632
[x] I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING

*gutpunch*

>>21587795

NO! WE'RE NOT A PILOT! WE'RE A SUBWITCH!

>>21587826

WHICH MEANS WE DO IT FROM BELOW!

You want to protest, but...the results speak for themselves. You tripped Ogawa, you screwed up Boser. You don't really trust your own judgment. "What should I do?" you ask Rae.

"...Let me handle Ogawa. I'll see what I can do to try and get her receptive. I want you to do the actual asking, though. You're the one in charge; something like this should come from you, not me." Rae takes a step away from you. "You get some relaxing. It's our day off, and you just had a good cry, right?"

"Right."

"Buck up, Cookie!" she says, using Odessa's nickname for you deliberately. "We'll get through this. You've got good 'ole Rae here helping ya!"

You smile despite yourself. Man. You're going to get her for calling you that. But after she talks to Ogawa. Don't want scare her off, after all. Rae disappears down the hallway, a skip to her step.

You take several minutes just to clear your mind in the hallway, ignoring the one or two people that pass by to get to their rooms. You feel better, a little more together. You head down the hall, back to the main part of the base. Hmm...

[ ] Say hi to Socks
[ ] Pop in on Alice
[ ] Other

[x] Say hi to Socks

>>21587933

[x] Socks! I miss him.

>>21587933
[x] Say hi to Socks
Can he give, like, a brain massage?

>>21587960

Actually. Martians are psychic. How do they keep this shit from spilling all over the place? How do THEY handle morale problems like this? Or even just depression? Are there psychictherapists?

>>21587933
[x] Drink ourselves paralytic.

>>21587933
[x] Martian Husbando

>>21587979

Also interesting. Does Socks want to get a drink with us? He might be able to at least leach some pleasant buzz from our brain.

>>21587933
[x] Say hi to our husbando

>>21587933
[x] Pop in on Alice

>>21587974
The bond between Cookie and Socks is exceptionally strong. I believe it was mentioned previously that there had never been anything like it recorded.

>>21588032

Huh. That means we might be able to cure the sads with an application of marshun psykik.

Or that we'll give the adorable martian the sads! That would be terrible!

>>21588079
That would be terrible. But we can just eat all this fresh fruit that seems to be lying around the base and then he'll instantly be happy and then that will make Cookie happy.

>>21588103

And maybe we can hug the sads away! Without the squishing this time.

As you emerge back into one of the main hallways, you take a left, towards the southern corridor. When you hit the end, you turn west. As you walk, you can spy much of the workshop on your right. Surprisingly, the engineers and techs are still hard at work. The various constructs and strange machines in use, however, make you decide they're doing side projects. Or doing very, very strange experiments.

You hit the western end of the corridor. Alice's office is right in front of you, but Socks should be in his own workshop, to your left. You knock on the door as you enter.

[Socks? You here?] As you scan the room, however, you don't see him.

[I am probably not, Cleona,] he replies from...somewhere.

[I'm at your workshop.]

[Ah, then I am most certainly not where you are.] You sense exasperation and apology through the link...but it's not aimed at you.

[Where are you? You free?]

[I am not...free...in all senses of the word.]

[What? Where are you?]

[…] Yeah, he's hiding something.

"...you do!?" comes a voice from next door.

[ ] Check it out.
[ ] Get it out of Socks.
[ ] Other.

[x] Check it out.

>>21588230

Is... is someone tying socks up?

IS HE HAVING TENTACLESEX WITH SPJO'OK?

[x] Check it out

while being concerned at Socks. If he needs help, we're here for him.

Though if he can't... er... talk... fuck can martians even eavesdrop?

>>21588230
>[ ] Get it out of Socks.

Every time he tries to hide something from us it's something potentially hazardous. Fuck that bullshit.

>>21588230
>[ ] Get it out of Socks.

>>21588230
[x] Check it out.

>>21588230
Both

>>21588258

A martian has a right to some privacy. Hell, he might've just gotten stuck in a human toilet. How embarrassing would THAT be?

>>21588230
If he's not free in all senses of the word, that's a problem. He should really stop trying to hide shit from us. On the other hand we should trust him too and he's not asking for help or anything.
[x] Check out the voice.

>>21588230
[x] Check it out.

>>21588230
Alice just asked that dude out. Way to go Alice.

Let them be, go find Socks.

That doesn't sound good, and you have a feeling Socks is involved... You quickly exit Socks' workshop. Where exactly did that come fro—

"...this mess! What happened!?" a muffled voice yells. Oh. It's Alice. Well, that answers that question. You walk into Alice's workshop, knocking.

"What's going on?" you ask, scanning the room.

>>21588400


Everyone seems to freeze as you do so, letting you take it all in at your leisure. An exasperated Alice is in the middle of a slight freakout. In front of her, you can see why: someone's knocked over a...is that a dresser? Clothing of all sorts are strewn across the floor, mostly uninteresting items. A few pairs of underwear (both top and bottom, if you cared enough to look closely). A pile of Socks. Wait, no. A pile of socks...and Socks buried in them? The sight is so absurdly funny you almost can't contain yourself. You glance in the other direction, making sure you don't miss anything...and spot a fellow you haven't seen before. Tall and well-built, his rugged features would give him a frightening look if it weren't for the warmth of his blue eyes or the smile on his face. He's watching, removed from the whole situation.

"...Do I even want to know?" you ask, changing your question.

"C-Cleo! What are you doing here!?" Alice asks, flustered.

"...Was just looking for Socks."

[Ah, Cleona. You have found me,] Socks greets. [Though I did hope not to be in such a predicament when you arrived...]

[ ] Why are you covered in socks, Socks?
[ ] ...I'll leave you guys alone. Sorry.
[ ] Other.

>>21588407
[x] ...Do I even want to know?

>>21588407

[x] Why are you covered in socks, Socks?

Pfeheheh.

>>21588407
[x] Why are you covered in socks, Socks?

>>21588422
We just asked that.

[x] ...I'll leave you guys alone. Sorry.
[x] Take Socks with (after getting him out of socks)
[x] Ask why he was covered in socks.

>>21588407
[x] Why are you covered in socks, Socks?

>>21588407
>[ ] Why are you covered in socks, Socks?
>[ ] Other.

This...just begs for an explanation.

And we apparently need to get to know this fellow. Maybe we can get the story out of him. A taller Aral Vorkosigan? Mrrrrowr.

>>21588428

Also, we should give Alice some time alone with the nice young man. The nice young man who... isn't us. The nice young man who will probably make her very happy.

good for her

really

>>21588509
She isn't a witch, it was never meant to be.

At least we still have Socks.

>>21588509
We're in love with Alice now? When'd that happen?

>>21588531

b-but... she wants to be one...

that's good enough, right?

right?

>>21588509
And these two will have an awesome and cute granddaughter.

>>21588561
Sadly no, she's come to terms with it, now we have to.

[Why are you covered in socks, Socks?] you ask, dumbfounded.

[I do not understand your question. Am I not always "covered" in myself? Or is this more literal, where the question becomes 'how can I ever be covered in myself?'] He tilts his head in confusion, displacing several pairs.

[No, not you, Socks. Socks.]

[Socks? I share my name with something other than other beings?]

You rub your temples. [...Yes. Those pieces of clothing are called 'socks.' An individual one is called a 'sock.']

He tests one, a rather long and thin specimen. It slips onto his tentacle quite well, stretched tight. As he waves it around, Alice and the man don't say a word.

[...Why have your people created clothing meant for tentacles?] he asks.

Your hand rises of its own accord, placing its palm on your face. [No, Socks. They're meant for feet. See?] You point to your feet, moving so that he can see your much shorter sock on your right foot.

Socks looks at it, then to his tentacle. Back to your sock. Back to his. Then to your face. [Why have I been named after footwear?]

[ ] You weren't.
[ ] Does it matter?
[ ] Other

[x] Does it matter?
[x] Leave the two alone if it hasn't been done

I don't think it does as I doubt Cookie thinks back on the original reason for the name much.

>>21588604

[x] You weren't.

Of course, that means we have to explain WHY we named him what he did.

>>21588604
[x] You weren't.

I will explain that some time after you explain why you are covered in footwear.

>>21588604
Holy shit he is the cutest. Husbando of the year all years.

>>21588604
[x] You weren't. I don't know how this mindlink translates our respective languages, but "socks" is the word that corresponds to your name, however that works.

>>21588604
[ ] You weren't.

so mars i'm gonna die!

>>21588626

WAIT! NOW WE CAN DO WHO'S ON FIRST!

It was first broadcast in 1938. WE CAN TEACH HIM WORDPLAY!

And get him some tentaclewarmers. God that's adorable.

>>21588604
I named you Socks because I socked you.

>>21588604
[x] You weren't.
[x] Does it matter?

File: 1352956330765.png-(40 KB, 656x507, 1349931366431.png)

[...You weren't.] Well, now's as good a time as any...

[What do you mean, Cleona? Is there another 'Sock' out there?]

[You tell me what you're doing under that pile and I'll tell you why I named you 'Socks.']

[...I fell. Into this organizer. I was attempting to reach for an object to ask Dr. Wackett for clarification.]

[Oh.] Considerably less bad than you thought.

[And now you, Cleona?] he asks eagerly.

[...There's a verb. 'To sock.']

[...Oh. I see.] The link translates the action even as it preserves the nuances needed for the explanation. Socks....is a little disappointed. [I suppose it only makes sense that our actions follow us as we go on. Perhaps it will be a humbling reminder for me.] He feels dejected.

[ ] It's not that!
[ ] ...Well, a bit late to change it now.
[ ] Other.

>>21588782

[x] It's not that!

And I think it's cute!

>>21588791

I can't disappoint the adorable martian.

>>21588791
It is a very cute name. Why is it so cute? Socks aren't cute. I don't understand.

>>21588823

Well, they're certainly cute on HIM.

>>21588782
[x] It's not that!
It's endearing!

[x] It's not that!

It might have started out in a joking fashion but it has become quite an endearing nickname.

Your hands flail in front of you. [Nononono! It's not that! I just...we...you needed a name! It just sprang to mind! I haven't even thought about that in ages! Socks, you've more than shown that I shouldn't have hit you!]

[Then why have you kept this name for me?]

[...Well...I think it's kind of...well, cute. Endearing.]

[Cute?] he asks, confused. [Cute,] he repeats, understanding through the link. [I am cute. Hmm. Cute.] He turns to look at you. [I am cute.]

"What's he saying, Cleo?" Alice asks, recognizing what's going on.

"...I told him his name was cute."

Alice's face is filled with confusion. "...I think I missed something."

[Strange, this 'cute.' It is a positive, yes?]

[Yes, Socks. It's a good thing.]

[Then I shall accept my cuteness,] he says confidently.

The man coughs.

[ ] Oh, hello.
[ ] Oh, sorry...
[ ] Other

>>21589013
goddammitcookie
[x] Continue ruining mood
[x] Oh, sorry...

[x] Oh, sorry...
[x] Take socks with you when you leave.

I voted to leave sooner but no one else would.

>>21589013
[x] Oh, hello.

What could they have been doing with poor innocent Socks? They couldn't have... but maybe... No... but what if... Oh my.

>>21589030
more like goddammitanon

>>21589036
I think Socks wound up in there and before he could leave those two came in.... and his attempt at hiding royally failed.

>>21589013
[x] Oh, sorry...

>>21589013
[x] Oh, hello.

>>21589013
Our mindtalk must be really disconcerting to bystanders.

Person and martian just staring, with occasional inexplicable physical cues.

"O-Oh! I'm so sorry," you apologize, embarrassed. "We'll let you two alone, right away—"

"What?" Alice asks. "Oh, no! Not—we weren't—I mean—Noah?" she asks, pleading to the man.

Noah laughs. "Oh, don't worry. You weren't really interrupting anything," he says confidently. His voice is deep and full. Warm.

Alice's face reddens.

"The Martian here was just trying to get some help from Alice. Here," he says, offering a strange rectangular device to Socks. "You dropped it."

"Tank yew," Socks says.

"Don't mention it, my green friend."

"Oh, well, uh..." you stammer. "These clothes need to be picked up..." you observe, unsure if you should begin helping or let Alice deal with it.

Alice, still red in the face, darts forward as she hurriedly picks up and organizes her clothing, placing them back in the drawers.

"You know, Alice, I still think you should be sleeping on a proper bed. Living in here can't be good for your health," Noah warns.

"Other people need the space!" she exclaims, doubling her pace.

Noah raises a hand to his chin. "Hmmm...Oh! I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself," he says, turning to you. "I'm Noah Wells. I've been helping Alice here with her work. Funny how we never met, considering how close you two are."

"N-Noah!" Alice scolds, embarrassed.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

[ ] Nice to meet you.
[ ] I'm incredibly sorry.
[ ] Other.

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you.

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you.

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you. Sorry about all that.

[x] Nice to meet you. Sorry about all that.

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you. Sorry about the fuss.

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you.
[x] Flirt

>>21589336
no. bad anon.

>>21589201
[x] Make suggestive innuendo regarding him and Alice, because why the fuck not

>>21589336

So we make him want a bite of the cookie?

>>21589201
Waiiit, Noah... Wells?
Well Perhaps Alice has some sparkle after all, given that both her granddaughters are either witches are adorably awesome magical RIOs.

Heck, Maybe Alice is a female Gnome

>>21589201
[x] Nice to meet you.

"Nice to meet you, Noah. Sorry about all that...just...don't want to be stepping on toes, you know?"

Noah nods. "I understand that feeling well."

You extend a hand. "I'm Chief Petty Officer Cleona Kuykendall, USN. My...friend is Socks, friendly Martian, but I guess you already knew that."

Noah laughs. "I get it now. Socks in a pile of socks. That is a bit cute, isn't it?"

You can't help a smile. "Yeah."

Man, who is this Noah? He radiates calm and caring. He's friendly, composed, and even...

"You're acting rather kindly to Socks."

Noah blinks. "Was I supposed to act unkindly?"

"Well, no, but...most people have difficulties with Martians."

Noah shrugs. "...I've dealt with enough hating for one life. Kindness begets kindness, Miss Kuy—Oh, I suppose I should be calling you Chief." He sighs. "It feels better to help out and give people chance, anyway."

This man. Wow. This isn't someone you thought you'd find in the middle of a war. You can see why Alice is all about him.

[ ] Hey, I've been having this issue with some of the other Witches...
[ ] ...What do you mean, 'enough hating?'
[ ] Other.

>>21589467
[x] ...What do you mean, 'enough hating?'

[x] Hey, I've been having this issue with some of the other Witches...
[x] But it can wait for later.

I don't think I want to dig up those memories for him.

>>21589467
[x] Other. I don't know what but we shouldn't ask for his help with the witches or pry into parts of his past he probably wants to forget. Just some comment like "that's a good attitude" or something I guess.

>>21589467
[x] Cool. Well, I have to go save a bunch of trainees from breaking down. Have fun doing whatever.

>>21589467
[x] I need your people skills

>>21589569
Yes, let's recruit a complete stranger to help unfuck our trainees minutes after having met him.

>>21589635
Especially when un-fucking is the opposite of what Alice wants him to be doing.

File: 1352961169054.jpg-(133 KB, 1280x829, 1346005773639.jpg)

"Hey, mind if I ask you a question?"

"No, go ahead."

...It's surprisingly hard to put into words. You know what you want, but...you don't want to just shove your issues onto someone completely unrelated. Hell, you don't even know for sure that he's perfect for helping. Still... "I've been having...some issues with the trainee Witches."

"Oh?"

"Some of them are in a really bad way. And I didn't help at all."

"Mmm...that is concerning."

>>21589728


"I know it's all very general, but...you have any advice?"

He sighs. "Well, for general advice, I'd say just be understanding. Considerate. Open. If you're there for them, they'll come around. It's hard to disregard someone willing to...well, love you, you know? At the end of the day, we all just want someone to care." He looks up at the ceiling. "Just wish I realized that earlier..."

The room is quiet except for Alice's cleaning. With a little effort, she manages to right the empty dresser, slotting in the drawers. Noah stares off into the distance...until he snaps back to reality. "Yeah. Be open. Be honest. Keep it up, and it's hard to hate you."

You nod. What has this man seen? What has he gone through? He doesn't look too old, yet he feels...experienced. As you ponder, Alice snatches her socks off of Socks' tentacles, cursing silently. The entire thing was a little funny. After some time, some chatting, some discussion, and just some socialization, Socks and you leave Alice's office.

You feel considerably better.

NEXT TIME ON HEALING WITCHES: THE HEART
WEDNESDAY, 8 PM EST

We didn't get much done this thread.
We'll have to try harder next time.

>>21589798
We unfucked ourselves, maybe unfucked Miranda, made a plan to unfuck both individual trainees and the group as a whole, got a cute Socks, and met Granpappy Wells.

We didn't get much done?

In one of the rooms of the Yamato, an argument was going on.

“You’re sending me WHERE? To do WHAT?” a young, shrill female voice screamed. It belonged to a petite young girl, of about seventeen. Dressed in a white blouse in the Japanese style of the Japanese witch pilot uniform and a red skirt that was a bit too short, she was gesticulating wildly, her long black hair moving as she vented.

“I reiterate. Flight Lieutenant Anabuki Tomoko, you are hereby assigned to the 14th Army Air Corps in Kunming, China, as part of an international training cadre to the Chinese.” A crisp, clean authoritative voice repeated. It belonged to a man not out of his thirties, dressed in the clean dress uniform of the Imperial Japanese Navy

“But Colonel! Why China!”

China. A terrible memory was beginning to force itself free from her deepest, darkest nightmares. She forced herself to disregard it.

“Lieutenant Tomoko, you, of all people, understand I situation very well. The Martians are advancing in all directions. Our presence is required where the enemy shows up. Might I remind you of our... fractured relations with the rest of the world right now?” the colonel declared.

“But... but...” the young witch with the bright red scarf uttered helplessly, fighting back the tears forming in her eyes.

“We have no say in this matter. The Admiral is adamant about making a fresh start from Black Saturday. You are carrying the hopes and dreams of the entire Japanese nation on your shoulders, along with your fellow comrades.” A hint of regret showed in his eyes. “Dis-MISSED!”

Anabuki Tomoko, the Tomoe-Gozen of Black Saturday, could only walk out of the room in a fit of rage.

“Now as for you two...” the colonel fixated his attention on the other two witches.

“Before we begin, Colonel Ichiro, as her friend, I’d really like to raise an objection to her new post.” The voice belonged to another witch, barely older than the recently-vacated Tomoko. unlike Tomoko, she was dressed in a dress uniform... although her pants were missing. It its place was the same red skirt, which was always a few inches too short for army regulations.Her wavy, brown hair framed her face.

“I’ll hear you out, Lieutenant Takeko.”

“First of all, you know that China is a difficult theater. Owing to not just the conditions there, but also the recent history.”

“Yes, Lieutenant, I’m very well aware. You girls tried to stop the... Army from doing those things. However, there’s nothing I can do. Lieutenant Kanno is not... suitable for the needs of China and you...”

“...I’m to assist the Russian retreat?”

“Actually, Lieutenant, you are to report to the European Theater. You’ll be helping the Germans liberate Europe. Think of it as penance for Nanking.”