File: 1354756094188.jpg-(108 KB, 500x708, 1348709150547.jpg)

"Definitely worked up a mighty hunger!" Wooding exclaims, giving you a nod before heading to join her fellow trainees. She awkwardly makes her way over with the leg units still on, a feat that you have to admit is mildly impressive. The group chatters, eventually putting their equipment together and carrying it out of the room.

"So?" Rae asks as she and Yetta walk over to you.

"So what?"

Rae rolls her eyes. "How was the battle?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you, Ms. Combat Training?"

"Not like that, Cleo," Rae sighs. "You know what I mean."

You nod. It's been several days since you managed to get Ogawa on board with the plan. Since then all training has involved Trainees vs. Instructors when possible. Your group has been doing its best to pressure the trainees and make them rely on each other, create some sort of bond that might save them in a time of need, but...

Dammit. You should have realized this approach would mean you'd be unable to know how it's going. Unless you turn into a Drill Instructor, you're not likely to get enough of a reaction to know for sure.

[ ] It's going well.
[ ] I don't know.
[ ] Badly, I'd say.
[ ] You'd have to ask Ogawa.
[ ] Other.

>>21908408
[x] Dunno, but she's pretty good in bed.

I MEAN, UH

[x] You'd have to ask Ogawa

[x] How the hell am I supposed to know? It's not like I was big on this sisterhood thing before any of this...

>>21908408

[x] You'd have to ask Ogawa.

She's our woman on the inside, after all.

Also, yayifications! SubmersibleHexen!

>>21908408

[X] You'd have to ask Ogawa.

>>21908408

You'd have to ask Ogawa... in bed.

Where's mah VICTOR IN SPEEDOS KOTA

[X] You'd have to ask Ogawa.

she'd know better than Cookie.

File: 1354757709269.jpg-(450 KB, 1117x735, 1348709196495.jpg)

You answer her with a sigh of your own. "You'd have to ask Ogawa for that, Rae."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot, you're distancing yourself as much as us, too..." Rae trails off.

"Do we really have to distance ourselves so much? I really would like to be around Ms. Harton—"

"Lt. Junior Grade Harton, Yetta," Rae corrects her.

"—JG Harton more, she's a fun person..."

You nod. "There's no point if they feel like they can get by with a single friend or two. They have to rely on each other. All of each other. Having people to be there for them, to count on...that's what they need."

Yetta pouts. "But don't they need to be able to rely on us, too?"

[ ] They already can
[ ] There's more of them than us
[ ] No
[ ] Other

>>21908765

[ ] And what happens if we all die, Yetta?

...in bed.

[x] There's more of them than us
[x] Building trust between them is the first step, building trust between us and them is next.

>>21908765

[x] There'll be time for that eventually.

Right now though, we're doing this the quick and dirty way, and the easiest way to pull that off is to divide them against us.

>>21908765
>[ ] They already can
"Henrietta: The trainees had ought to be comfortable enough with our competence from what we have shown them to trust us. We can add ourselves in after they have come together if need be."

>>21908765
[x] No

We won't be here for them forever. And with the disposition of Martian Naval forces as the big question mark MacArthur's as likely to have us patrolling separately as in wolfpacks. They need to learn how to fend for themselves, and each other.

HAHA! Consensus? WHAT CONSENSUS.

That said, I agree with >>21908872, and >>21908869
expressed a similar sentiment to myself, >>21908867

This happens in every thread, I fucking swear.

>>21909082

Five votes. For different things. Ouch.

>>21909082
COMBINE EM
or decide arbitrarily, like a diceroll or something

>>21909150
>>21909172
And it happens several times, too.

Whelp. Don't complain of railroading, you guys have decided to let me decide.

Rolled 5

>>21909082
Sorry Kotters, roll a die and use that to decide. Perhaps:
1:>>21908872
2>>21908869
3>>21908867
4>>21908797
5>>21908937

File: 1354760738712.jpg-(516 KB, 1000x707, 30854431.jpg)

"They already can, Yetta," you answer. "We're their instructors. We might be doing our best to make them not like us, but they can trust us. They have to."

"But—"

"They need to trust each other, Yetta. There's more of them than us, you know," Rae interrupts. "And they're not going to until they need to. You want them to learn to trust each other out there, fighting Martians? Or in here, where the worst we'll do is give them a bruise and something to bitch about?"

"…" Yetta looks at the floor, water dripping off her hair.

"Let's get ourselves dried off, huh?" you suggest, preempting the coming silence.

"Yeah, I'm starting to get cold with this thing off," Rae agrees, swinging her Substriker back and forth. You agree; the evaporating water's beginning to chill your bare back.

Walking through the hallway, you round the corner. Luckily, the "Instructor Showers" are close by. You do your best not to laugh as you pass by the makeshift sign. The Instructor Showers are nothing more than the Male showers with a do-not-enter sign. The engineers and other personnel get to use them in the middle of the day. Not very many complaints have come your way; the engineers don't seem to really care too much about when they get to clean up. Imagine that?

>>21909440


"Ahh..." Rae's contented voice echos through the locker room as you all prepare to end your day. "I know we're in the water all day, but these dry suits really let you work up a sweat..."

"Mmm," Yetta agrees.

The three of you begin to head to the showers proper when a noise makes you pause. Someone's just turned one on.

You three were the only ones instructing today.

[ ] Head in
[ ] Join the trainees
[ ] Other

>>21909452

[ ] Head in

It's VICTOR IN SPEEDOS

>>21909452

[x] Head in.

We were going to take a shower ANYWAYS, so why not, eh?

>>21909452
[x] Other
"Marco."

[x] Head in.
[x] Say something so whoever's in there knows you're coming.

File: 1354761130400.jpg-(85 KB, 500x468, 1353890613793.jpg)

>>21909519
This.

>>21909519

Hah, yeaaaah, I like this. So Add it to my vote of "Head In."

WAIT. Have we played the blindfold radio game with the trainees? One set is blindfolded, the others are in the corners of the pool guiding them? It builds trust, and promises to be utterly HILARIOUS.

File: 1354761954789.jpg-(138 KB, 800x608, 1348717794847.jpg)

You stick out your arm, stopping your fellows.

"What?" Yetta asks.

"You hear that? Someone's in there." You take a nervous step into the shower room. It's a large room, partially divided into quarters. The center is open with several shower stations. The perimeter of the room is lined with somewhat more private stalls with places to sit and place various hygiene items while you cleanse yourself. The shower that's on is to your right, on the same wall as the door. The divider keeps you from getting a look.

"…? ? . . ! ." They, whoever they are, start talking. The echoes of the running water and their voice mix and mesh, making it impossible to understand what's being said. Whoever they are, they're largely talking to themselves.

"Marco!" you yell loudly.

[What is Marco?] a voice in your head asks.

[Socks!? What are you doing in here?]

"Who's there!?" the echoing voice asks, quickly shutting off the water.

"Chief Kuykendall!" you answer, peeking around the barrier.

Alice, wearing a modest swimsuit, stands next to a shower stall. The curious Martian stands next to her, several bars of soap and the like in his various tentacles. Even as he turns to look at you, he turns them over and weighs them, trying to get a feel for the items.

"Oh, Cleona!" Alice exclaims. "I didn't realize..." she trails off, blushing slightly as she spots your bare shoulders.

[ ] Come on in guys, it's just Alice.
[ ] What are you two doing in here?
[ ] Other.

>>21909741

[x] Come on in. It's just Alice... washing socks?

Oh my~

>>21909741
[x] Come on in guys, it's just Alice.
DON'T tell them about Socks. Gotta get them laughs when they're easy.

>>21909741
[x] Come on in guys, it's just Alice.

Brace for hilarity.

>>21909778
>[ ] Come on in guys, it's just Alice.

Dis gun b gud

[x] Come on in guys, it's just Alice.

>>21909741
TENTACLES. IN THE SHOWER.

Yeah, we all know how this one ends.

>>21909837

I'm looking forward to THAT.

>>21909856
It can't be helped.

>>21909755

[x] What are you two doing in here?

>>21909878

Is this a "Shikata ga nai" thing, or some kind of reference to imminent rape?

>>21909963
Yes.

>>21909963
Yes.

>>21910010
>>21909977

So it's a passive ACCEPTANCE of imminent rape. Gotcha.

>>21910027
If we're passively accepting it, then it's not rape~

>>21910037

BullSHIT it's not.

>>21910049
Well then it's "rape".

File: 1354763747129.png-(40 KB, 656x507, 1349931366431.png)

"Who is it?" Rae asks.

"Just Alice, come on in," you tell them.

Rae and Yetta follow you, stepping around the barrier.

"Hey, Doc—" Rae says, her words dying in her throat. "I thought you said it was Alice." She's frozen midstep, unsure of if she should just continue or hurry back around the barrier.

Yetta blushes, doing the latter without so much as a thought. She leans against it, silent.

"Oh, uh, Socks is here too," you add too late.

[What is 'Marco,' Cleona?] he asks. He tosses a bar of soap into the air, catching it expertly—until he squeezes too tight, sending it flying under the barrier. Yetta yelps as it hits her ankle.

"So, uh...What're you doing here with Socks, Doc?" Rae asks, finally settling on holding her ground.

"I, er...it's not..." she mutters, not sure what to say. What can she say? Martians in the shower room aren't exactly a thing society has ever had to deal with. The entire thing is awkward and silence fills the room.

Time passes, and suddenly the scene becomes absurdly hilarious to you. Alice, in a swimsuit, next to a naked Martian (though you suppose he's always naked) that's juggling hygiene objects in his tentacles, opposite a Witch who has decided she has nothing to hide.

Your laughter brings life to the room once more.

"What's so funny?" Rae asks, hands on her hips.

[ ] This entire situation.
[ ] Ignore her and press Alice.
[ ] Other.

>>21910157

[x] This entire situation.

"Oooh, everything.

Showertime ladies?

Alice/Socks, you want to help me wash my back?"

>>21910157
[x] This entire situation.
Make sure to mention that Socks wants to know what that 'Marco' meant.

>>21910157
>[ ] This entire situation.

P. much.

>>21910181

Also, yes, we should explain Marco Polo to the martian?

[x] This entire situation.

>>21910157
[x] Ignore her and press Alice.

What were you gonna do with socks in the shower~

File: 1354765975493.jpg-(165 KB, 1200x994, 1348709404484.jpg)

"This entire thing!" you exclaim. "We're all standing around like idiots, not sure if we should have a bunch of modesty around an alien who probably can't even get his kicks off of us if he wanted to. Meanwhile Alice doesn't know if she's in a compromising position that warrants hurried explanations or if she has time to say something calmly. This...this!" You can't contain yourself. You double over in laughter, the warp overtaking you—

[Cleona, what is 'Marco?']

"And Socks still doesn't know what Marco is!" you yell.

It takes several minutes for you to recover.

Finally, you all manage to get through the situation, sitting back on a few convenient spots lining the walls. Alice sits to your right with Socks; Rae and Yetta, to your left, have begun washing. "So, what's going on?" you ask.

"Well...you've done a good job teaching Socks English..." she begins.

"Huh?"

"He's started reading a few stories, trying to get an understanding of human society and culture. Bathing came up, and he wanted to know..." Alice says.

"Oh. Huh." You suppose he's a scientist at heart, always wanting to know...everything. You blush slightly as you imagine him delving deeper into Human society and culture. There's a lot that you'd have to explain.

"Oh, by the way, Cleo—" Alice begins, her face becoming more serious.

"Owww!" Rae yells, jumping to her feet. She lifts a leg, cradling her foot.

[ ] Alice
[ ] Rae
[ ] Other

>>21910753
Sorry about the delay, finals are coming up and classes are finishing...

[x] Rae

curious what happened to her foot.

>>21910753

[x] Rae.

Bleeding first.

THEN Alice. Hell, Alice'll be right with us checking on Rae.

>>21910753
[x] Alice
Rae probably just wants attention.

>>21910753
>[x]Raelice - hallucinate they are the same person

But seriously.
>[x]Alice

>>21910753
[x] Rae

Got dang it, Rae.

>>21910753
[x]Rae

>>21910798

Unless she's bleeding dude. We check the injured first, THEN srs emotional business. There's time for bloody both, and it's definitely better to not ignore actual blood. If there is any (which there may not be).

>>21910842
Either way we get to kiss it better.

>>21910859

Are we kissing Alice, Rae, Socks, or someone else here? I'm confused

>>21910953
I think it's a "who to talk to" choice

>>21910753
talk to Alice while absently patting Rae on the head

>>21910953
Yes.

>>21910953
I believe the suggestion is to "kiss it better" with whoever wins the vote.

>>21911021
Rae is the only one that's hurt so she's the only one that needs kissing better. You can't kiss somebody better if they're already well.

>>21911051
But what if Alice has... emotional issues that need kissing to resolve?

But Alice is straight

>>21911082
Exactly. Either way, SOMEONE'S not leaving this room unkissed.

>>21911082
Then we'll kiss her but even though it's kissing that makes somebody better it's not really kissing someone better because that is a different concept which only relates to physical injuries.

[x]Rae

>>21911106
You say that like that matters.

>>21911082

I'm in favor of the kissing.

File: 1354767468330.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

You leap to your feet too. "What's wrong, Rae?" you ask, worried.

"My damned foot!" she curses, hopping up and down. "Why does that hurt so muuuuuuuuch!?"

"I'm so sorry, Rae, I'm so sorry—!" Yetta tries to do something, walking towards Rae.

"No, no, don't, you'll—!" Rae warns just before Yetta slips on a fallen bar of soap, knocking Rae down. "AAAAAAARGH MY HEAD!" she yells, patting the back of her skull.

Yetta, sprawled off to the side, staggers back to her feet. "Ow..."

You turn to look at Alice. "So, uh...what was that?"

"I have no idea."

[Is this normal bathing behavior?]

[ ] Yes, Socks.
[ ] What you were going to say, Alice?
[ ] Other

>>21911106

;________;

>>21911158
[x] What you were going to say, Alice?

>>21911158

[x] Not... not really Socks. Remind me to show you some slapstick comedies later.

Aaaanyways,

[x] What were you going to say, Alice?

MULTITASKING.

>>21911158
[x] Other
"No Socks, they're just idiots. Now, what were you going to say, Alice?"

>>21911158
[x] Yes, Socks.

Can't tell if should be worried about hilarious slapstick...

>>21911182
seconded.

>>21911158
[Sometimes]
"What were you going to say Alice?"
Because we can't just leave Socks hanging but I don't want to get into a long conversation with him before dealing with Alice.

>>21911106
When did she say she was straight?

>>21911247
She has a husbando

>>21911158
>[ ] What you were going to say, Alice?
[Not really, Socks.]

>>21911247
Didn't she say there was some bloke she liked?

>>21911247
She never said it but you heavily implied she was with that one guy.

>>21911273

There's such a thing as bisexuality goddammit.

>>21911273
>>21911274
>>21911286

Check thine privilege.

File: 1354768081911.png-(21 KB, 129x129, yes_and.png)

>>21911273
>>21911274
>>21911286

>>21911329
>>21911352
I'm just saying where the impression would be gotten from, guys.

>>21911329
>>21911352
oh boy here we go

>>21911352

You. I like you.

>>21911329

No privilege checking. That way lies madness. And tumblr.

[For these guys? Probably,] you answer. "So," turning your attention to Alice, "what were you going to say before these two started their comedy routine?"

"Hey!" Rae complains.

"Oh, uh, I got a call from the General." Great. He's been nothing but good news. "He said he has some important news, something about the Subwitch Program...oh, I need to find Victor, too. The General needs to talk to him."

"Wonderful. His important news has had me have to pull a gun on Socks, use untested equipment in the field, and train a bunch of oddballs for a week and a half." You'd rather the General kept his important news to himself.

Alice shrugs. "Should have stayed a civilian, Cleona."

"What, and leave people like you to fight the war? Not a chance." You laugh. So does she. You look her over, noting that she's still in her swimsuit. "You just hanging about, then?"

"What? Oh, no! I'll take a shower soon."

"Not now? Socks isn't exactly going to be looking you over, you know."

The two of you turn to look at Socks. He's intently watching as Rae and Yetta pull themselves together. Alice turns and gives you a look.

"Well, not like a guy. He's a Martian, you know. Scientist. Like you."

"I'll refrain, thanks."

[ ] Wash up
[ ] Hang out
[ ] Other

[x] Wash up

>>21911493
We came here to wash so we'll wash.
Cookie should not be dirty.

>>21911493
[x] Lather up

Should... should we wash Socks?

>>21911493
>[ ] Hang out
Let's keep Alice company a bit more

Rolled 2

>>21911493
>[ ] Wash up
Time's a wasting. Need to get some grub before long.

>>21911518
5 second rule?

Aaanyways, let's teach Socks about WASHING. And hang out a bit more. We haven't seen Alice in a while.

>>21911493

>[ ] Wash up
while
>[ ] Hang out

>>21911493
[x] Wash Up

>>21911493
[x] Wash up.
Quick, before the rookies waste all the hot water!

If we do wash up, I vote for washing socks as well. Someone needs to show him the ropes.

>>21911583
Socks can help. Mars has massive temperature variations due to the thin atmosphere which cannot store much solar heat, the low atmospheric pressure, and the low thermal inertia of Martian soil (yes I did just copy that off wikipedia) so they've probably developed good heating and insulating technology.

File: 1354769429664.gif-(135 KB, 400x335, 1349453529597.gif)

>>21911493

[x] Wash up with socks

MAXIMUM LEWD

>>21911706

You mean... we should steal his body heat in the cold shower?

Or turn him loose on our plumbing?

>>21911739
Yes.

>>21911739
Both.

>>21911739
Yes.

>>21911749
>>21911756
>>21911759

Lewd.

You shrug. "Suit yourself." You make an effort to wash yourself, deliberately being careful and thorough. Alice sits smugly on the bench, watching the only activity occuring.

"Wat is dis?" Socks would ask.

"Ask Cleo," Alice would respond.

"Wat is she dooeen?"

"Ask her later."

"Why do yew knot joyn her?"

"Because I don't want to!"

Once finished, you rinse off, grabbing a towel. Yetta continues to apologize to Rae, much to Rae's annoyance. The three of you begin to head back to the lockers.

Oh, wait.

"Socks," you call into the room, "come along."

"Oh Kay," he responds, leaping off the bench.

"Leave the soap there."

You sense disappointment as he returns the soap to Alice.

"Enjoy your shower, Alice."

She doesn't respond.

After getting changed (a little awkward with Socks about, but he manages to behave himself), you all head towards the cafeteria. Dinner should be served shortly, and like Wooding said earlier, you certainly did work up a serious appetite.

Walking into the large room, you spot Tom working the food line. Rae's eyes glint with glee.

"I'll be eating well tonight...and so will you!" she declares, marching confidently. You move to join her when someone bumps into you.

"Oh, sorry!" he apologizes. "Oh, Chief. How've you been?" It's Victor, happy and confident.

[ ] Come join us
[ ] Just grabbing food
[ ] Other

>>21911891

[x] Come join us.

>>21911804
I blame Kotters.

>>21911891
>Tom working the food line

That scared me for a second...

[x] Come join us

File: 1354770189038.jpg-(5 KB, 256x273, smirk.jpg)

>>21911891
[ ] Come join us

>>21911891
[x] Come join us

[x] Come join us

>>21911891
>[ ] Come join us

>>21911929
Why?

>>21911948
Because Cookie's brother is named Tom and I thought it was him for a second.

>>21911891
[x] Just grabbing food

>>21911948
Because Tom is our brother in Canada as well as a bun-stealer. Confused me as well. Stupid common names.

>>21911968

Mystical warzone teleportation?

Nah dude, it's just Rae's bitch.

"Oh, good. Been busy doing the training, making the trainees hate me, the usual," you say lightly. Victor laughs. "Hey, want to join us? We're about to grab some dinner."

"Well, I was...ah, hell. Why not?" Victor accepts your invitation, chatting with both you and Rae as you approach the trays (Yetta buries herself in a book, making a point of being busy).

"What would you—oh." Tom's enthusiasm—if it could be called that—dies immediately when he recognizes Rae's face.

"Oh, don't be like that!" Rae says. "I'd just like some of that steak there...and those baked potatoes...and some of those rolls...maybe some butter...are those peas? I guess I'll take them. This is a great meal you've got tonight! Oh! Is that pie? I'll take two..."

Jesus. How much is Rae going to eat?

"Does she always order so much?" Victor whispers to you.

"Only when Tom's around. She's, ah, got him blackmailed."

"Ah."

Rae, satisfied with her tray, moves on. Tom gives you the same look he gave to Rae.

"I'll just have the steak set. Oh, and maybe an extra roll," you order. You're no Rae, but you're not exactly a saint, either.

Sitting down at a table, the four of you begin to dig in.

[ ] So what's life been like on the base, Victor?
[ ] How's the book, Yetta?
[ ] Rae....actually, she's pretty busy digging in. Victor, Alice was looking for you.
[ ] Other.

>>21912319
[x] Other.
>Flirt with Victor

>>21912319
[x] Rae....actually, she's pretty busy digging in. Victor, Alice was looking for you.

srs bsns time
no lewd allowed

>>21912319
[x] Rae....actually, she's pretty busy digging in. Victor, Alice was looking for you.
>>21912362
Yes, because that went SO well last time.

>>21912319
[x] By the way Victor, Alice was looking for you.

>>21912319

[x] Soooo, Victor....


Alice was looking for you.

>>21912400
Not even a little lewd?

>>21912319
[x] How's the book, Yetta?

File: 1354771808752.jpg-(73 KB, 476x484, descartes.jpg)

>>21912409
Exactly

[x] By the way Victor, Alice was looking for you.

>>21912319
>[ ] So what's life been like on the base, Victor?

>>21912319
[x] Flirt with victor
[x] Rae....actually, she's pretty busy digging in. Victor, Alice was looking for you.

>>21912451

You want more awkward flailing flirting?

...Somehow I don't think you're on Cleo's side here.

>>21912319
[x] What's life on base like, Vic'?

Cleo already failed at flirting with victor, she's hopefully learned that small lesson.

It takes you several minutes to tear yourself from Rae; the rate at which she's tearing into her food is mesmerizing. With effort, you manage to snap out of the trance.

"Victor, Alice said she needed to talk to you."

[Cleona, if you would?]

[Oh, sure.] You take a bite of your food.

[Hmmm...quite good...]

"Oh? Do you know what's going on?"

You shake your head. "Not really. Said MacArthur called, had some important news and stuff. Also he needs to talk to you, I think?"

Victor drops his fork. "General MacArthur?"

"Yeah. Hey, are you ok?"

"What? Oh, yeah! I'm fine. Just fine."

You raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah...yeah." Victor picks his fork back up and resumes eating. Slowly.

"You don't look like it..." you say, concerned, as you take a bite of your steak. Wow. This particular piece is very, very good. What's going on? Did they cook it dif—

[Ah...Almost enough to make one forget to eat for himself.]

Oh. It's just a bit of feedback. Wait, feedback?

[ ] Press Victor
[ ] Test the connection
[ ] Other

>>21912617
[x] Test the connection

Can martians taste meat better? Are we gonna have a tastegasm like Socks does?

>>21912617
[x] Press Victor
No lewd faces at the dinner table!

>>21912617

[x] Test the connection

[x] Test the connection

>>21912617
Test connection while pressing Victor

>>21912651
Buh-buh-but that's the only face we have! We were born with it!

>>21912617

[x] Test the connection
[x] Press Victor

File: 1354772792506.jpg-(33 KB, 410x360, 1353557952208.jpg)

>>21912617
Test that connection

File: 1354772875825.jpg-(109 KB, 620x465, Mind BLOWN.jpg)

>>21912665

>>21912617
[x]press victor while having a steak orgasm

>>21912762

mmmm... steakgasm

>>21912617
[x] Press Victor
Plenty of time for lewd science later.

File: 1354773611345.gif-(74 KB, 125x125, WH9et.gif)

>>21912617

[x] Test the connection

File: 1354773708504.gif-(5 KB, 80x80, archon.gif)

That never happened before. You pick up another piece of steak. You pop it into your mouth, chewing carefully. It still tastes normal, like a steak should, but...it also tastes incredible. Out of this world. Completely different and new. Your eyes widen.

Another. Another food. Something else, quickly. You scoop some mashed potatoes. You eat some, noting the texture and familiar tame-but-pleasant taste. Again, it's normal...but then there's another edge to it, the sense of it being completely new and different and...and...not normal.

[Socks, the hell—]

[I do not know,] he answer quickly. [Perhaps—]

[But what would that—]

[We have not ever seen—]

[So then—]

[Perhaps, perhaps no—]

[STOP]

You grab your head. What the hell was that? You carefully, very carefully, back off the connection. Your mind again becomes more isolated, a normal, lonely thing. You run the last few seconds back through your head.

Normally, when you [talk] with Socks, it's less like talking and more like a direct sharing of ideas, thoughts, feelings, and the like. It often helps you explain things to him and he you, but when words and language gets involved, it breaks down quickly.

>>21912934


But this...this was something different. You still have to complete the thought before he gets it, usually. This...this was like finishing each others' sentences, knowing what the other was thinking before they got a chance to think it. To help yourself think about what the hell happened, you "think out" the last conversation, expanding it in your own head.

--

Socks, the hell is going on? I'm...I'm tasting what you're tasting! But you're tasting what I'm tasting?

I do not know. Perhaps the bond between us is changing? Or becoming more...

But what would that mean? How would that affect us?

We have not ever seen a bond as strong as the one between our minds, Cleona. I believe I have said that before. I have little basis from which to make a statement about the future results of our ability to communicate.

So then...this could be nothing, but it could also be something?

Perhaps, perhaps not. There is no way for us to tell without further research into the matter. I do not think that your people would appreciate removing you from military service to satisfy this curiosity, either. Not for the moment, at least.

--

You take a moment to process all that at a conscious level. Wow. What in the world? You want to ask Socks more without alerting the others, but at the same time...the link is scaring you.

[ ] Link
[ ] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone
[ ] Other

>>21912943
[x] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone
Yeah let's try and avoid ego barrier loss.

>>21912943
[x] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone

>tfw we should hold off linking for a while
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ab8BOu4LE

>>21912943

[x] Link,

but keep it low key. Keep the depth of the link relatively shallow.

After all, our mind is a lonely thing now, eh?

>>21912943
>[ ] Link
Why wait?

>>21912943
[] Link
PUSH THE BUTTON

Rolled 2

>>21912943
>[ ] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone
Too many folks about. We need details on MacArther. Victor has them.

>>21912988
Yeah, shallow link should be safe. I don't think he's good enough at English to discuss the ins and outs of conciousness and shit yet.

File: 1354774128802.jpg-(24 KB, 540x405, USiT6.jpg)

>>21912977
Being alone is scary. We should link with him now. Like anon's link above, one /is/ the loneliest number, after all.

File: 1354774144191.jpg-(1017 KB, 1280x1024, Sleepover.jpg)

Can we have a sleepover with socks later?

Gives us time to explore, neh?

[x] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone.

Better to play it safe.

File: 1354774246663.jpg-(35 KB, 300x226, mah_nigga.jpg)

>>21913034
>YKK

>>21913034
We could play spin the bottle! And talk about how we were in the depression and hate to buy and sell dirt in the dirt market to stay alive.

>>21912943

[x] Link

>>21913067
Had* not hate.

File: 1354774537433.jpg-(123 KB, 551x800, 038.jpg)

>>21913059

Man I love that series.

>>21913130
That's one way to avoid grass stains, I guess.

>>21913155

Shit son, you don't levitate when you play music?

>Votes are tied
>5 - 5

Every thread. Multiple times.

I hate all of you.

>>21912934

[ ] Link

FUCK THIS SHIT, LET'S LEWDLINK

>>21913229

<3

>>21912943
>[ ] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone

Tiebreaker, just for you~!

File: 1354775213677.jpg-(54 KB, 471x480, cant_believe_this_shit.jpg)

>>21913244
>>21913252

>>21913229
Love you too, Kota

>>21912943
>[x] Link
Become One.

>>21913272
THIS IS IT. TIEBREAKER. WRITING NOW.

>>21913272
I HOPE THE POLLS ARE CLOSED NOW

>>21913274

Aw. I wanted a sleepover.

>>21913280
You'll get it when SWQ gets the pillowfort.

>>21913287

SWQ GOT the pillowfort. WE RAN IT OVER.

>>21913287
You mean the pillowfort that planefag has sworn to kill at every opportunity?

File: 1354775394610.jpg-(80 KB, 400x300, aku is pleased by what he(...).jpg)

>>21913272
>>21913274
[x] Later, when you can "talk" (and not [talk]) with him alone.

Ahah.
Ahahahahah
Aahahahahahahah

>>21913292

That sounds like Psyker sleepover time to me.

>>21913287

Shit Kota, do you know what you're implying?

YOU'LL GIVE US OUR SLEEPOVER, ONLY TO RUIN IT WITH MACARTHUR.

Why is it this quest gets more voters when the potential for stupid shit comes up.

It's like they got impatient with SWQ and came here to shit things up

writefag here.

Writefag suddenly cannot into writefagging. For no good reason.

Bah. Chapter 2 will be delayed.

>>21913330
Because that's how the cookie cru-

Oh goddamnit.

Slowly, cautiously, deliberately, with all the reservations in the world, you begin to open the link once more.

[Socks. Socks. Are you there?]

You sense an affirmative. You deepen it slightly.

[Now?]

[Yes.]

[Socks, I—]

[I know. This is worrying. To what extent are our minds connecting and communicating with each other? You know, even with our abilities, we have not been able to satisfactorily probe the Martian mind and its abilities. I...am not certain we should continue like this.]

You frown. [But you haven't learned English all the way!]

[Then I shall learn.] He pauses, thinking (thankfully) to himself. [...If you wish to maintain the connection in the future, however, then I will not stop you. Even with my misgivings, my curiosity is overpowering my judgment. What was that phrase Falkowska used once? I wish to see how dark the wrapped hole is.]

[How deep the rabbit hole is. Or goes. Or something.] You sigh. [I...It's a great thing, you know. Having someone to talk to, who can understand what I'm thinking without having to explain it. But whatever the hell just happened frightens me. We have a war to fight, you know? The possibility of this negatively affecting me, us, could harm the effort.]

You close your eyes.

[ ] I just don't know.
[ ] We can't chance it.
[ ] But...I need that. I need you.
[ ] Other.

>>21913330
>Socks and cookie experiencing weird crazy sense sharing shit
>stupid shit

>>21913393

[ ] But...I need that. I need you.

I NEED YOU. IN ME.

>>21913393

[x] But... I need that. I need you.

<3 Kotters.

>>21913393
[x] I just don't know.

>>21913393
[X] I just don't know.

>>21913393
[] But... I need that. I need you.

>>21913393
[x] But...I need that. I need you.
What part of non-physical romance do you people not understand?

>>21913393
[x] But...I need that. I need you.

>>21913393
pssh, war effort? We're making new sub witches, it'll be fiiiiine.

[x] But.. I need it, Socks, I need it like a lamp post needs winter in spring time streetcar microphone?

>>21913393
>[ ] I just don't know.
Indecision, ho!

>>21913420

THAT SAID, can we not dissolve that particular boundary right now?

>>21913467

wot.

>>21913393
[x] Kiss

>>21913484
Oh I'm sorry, Did I get too Real for you, Anon? DID I GET TOO REAL?

>>21913393
[x] But...I need that. I need you.

>>21913393
[x] I just don't know.

File: 1354777282131.jpg-(98 KB, 600x800, 1217656376043.jpg)

>>21913393
[x] But...I need that. I need you.

[But I—]

[Then it shall be done, Cleona,] he responds before you even completely form the thought. [I must confess that it is indeed a boon to have someone I can communicate with without having to explain much of what I am saying. Perhaps more for me than for you, considering the language barrier, but a boon for us both nonetheless.]

[Then?]

[I already said that I would not stop you should you wish it. Yes, Cleona. I will follow you down this wrapped hole.]

You open your eyes so you can roll them. [Rabbit hole, Socks. Rabbit hole.]

[Yes, that.]

"...with her?"

"What? Oh, must be talking with Socks."

"Ah. I've never seen such a deep concentration, though. It's kinda..."

"Frightening?"

"Yeah, like she's off in her own world. Or worse. Dead."

"Mmm. I figure we'd be saying the same about Socks' reaction there too, if we knew anything about how Martians are supposed to act."

"I dunno, I feel like I'm already getting weirded out by him, and I don't know anything about Martians."

"Well, her food's getting cold. Give her a shake, would ya?"

"Shake her? Isn't that—"

"No need to shake me, Victor," you say as you return to reality. "And thanks for the concern over my food, Rae."

"Oh, don't thank me. I'm always looking out for my fellow Witches!" Rae says proudly as she bites into a roll. Melted butter drips down its side.

"Thank you, Rae."

>>21913718

Oh jesus. Is that right before she get's Tanged, or just one of her fantasies?

>>21913734


"So, what were you talking about?" Victor asks.

"Huh?"

"You were talking with Socks, right?"

"Oh. Just...things." You sigh. "I'd rather keep it private for now, as bad as that might sound."

"Not at all, I can respect that," Victor apologizes.

"Thanks. So. Where were we? MacArthur....you..."

Victor resumes his gloomy state. Oh yeah. That's what you were going to ask about. Hmm. Better think about what to say.

NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES: TALKING TO VICTOR
Wednesday, 8PM EST unless I need to take a break for school. You can check in the IRC for updates, just read the topic in #swq on irc.rizon.net.

Thanks, guys.

>>21913741

Thanks Kotters!

>>21913738
Both, actually. The fantasy facilitates the tangification.
>>21913741
>IRC
But circlejerk! Can't you just use a Twitter?

>>21913782
I don't even know if that many people outside of IRC even read this quest.

And besides, the circlejerk's in the writefag channel, not the main one.

If you guys really need me to make one, though, I guess I could. Boy, I could be a big hotshot questrunner!

>>21913782
When has jerking off in a circle with a bunch of other guys ever been bad, Anon?

>>21913806

I don't know, you tell me~

File: 1354777798452.png-(283 KB, 1024x768, 31672501_big_p2.png)

>>21913804
> the circlejerk's in the writefag channel

Like you don't enjoy it.

Socks needs a hat, seriously. We should make him feel more human, for the benefit of the base and such.