>>24338445
"Alrighty! Let's take a lunch break."

>>24338445
"Really? What were they saying?"

>>24338445

"yeah, food does sound good."

>we are officially dating Anna now correct?

>>24338519
Apparently.

>>24338519
Yeah, something like that.

>>24338519
>yes

>>24338519
>Seems like it, I think we need to get answers from her on what she said to shake up Omni though.

"Really? What were they saying?" You ask, stretching.
"Not real phrases, just... mumbles. Syllables." Sarvesh said.
"Alrighty! Let's take a lunch break." You say. "Food does sound good."
"Finally." Damien said. "I was almost running out of snacks."
"Alright." Anna said, and turned to Omnissiah. "Omni, do you want to come with?" She asked.
".... No, no, thank you." Omnissiah responded.
She shrugged, and the four of you walked to the cafeteria. When you got there, Sigma and Theta were glaring at one another, the latter sitting up on the table. He had dark skin, now, his hair pulled up, and his limbs much more gangly than you remembered, hair red.
"Hey." Damien said, giving them all a wave.
"Sup."
"Yo."

>>24338597
"Having a stare-off?"

>>24338597
Maybe we were jumping to conclusions? She might have accidentily said something that made Omni into a nervous wreck, rather than intentionally.

>>24338597
"What's everyone gonna get? Are you cooking again, Sarvesh?"

>>24338597

collect food, something filling after all that hard work.

"so, who did what?"

>>24338651
We'll ask her what she said, when it gets to an appropriate point during lunch.

Something rib-sticking. Lots of starch and protein.

"Having a stare-off?"
"Jerk keeps changing things without my permission." Sigma said.
"Hey, I always turn you back." Theta said, and tugged on his ponytail, as the red shifted to candy red. "... Eventually."
Sigma shot him a glare.
"Oh, fun fact!" Theta said, whirling around. "The, uh, other one. The weird guy? Alex! Can't change him at all. Apparently Summer's manifestations turn back when he touches them, but he was able to touch something I did and it didn't revert the change. I could make him transgenes, that means, but he'd need a biopod. Apparently his counselor is taking me too."
"What's everyone gonna get? Are you cooking again, Sarvesh?"
"I'm planning to get something healthier." Damien said.
"Like actual food?" Anna asked.
"You're one to talk."
Anna shot him a grin.
"Sure, I'll cook." Sarvesh said. "I'll make something human, though, to see if I can. Lessee. Soup? Or perhaps sandwiches? Yes, I'll make sandwiches."
He waved, and teleported into the kitchen, starting to work.
"So, what did he change?" Damien asked.
Sigma blushed, and averted her eyes.

>>24338722
"You do know Alex can stop all our powers, yes? Although, he seems to be able to turn it off if he's relaxed enough. You could probably spring a trap on him one day."

>>24338722

"You shouldn't go around doing that to people, someone is going to take offense eventually."

>>24338722
"Oh my~"

"You shouldn't go around doing that to people. Someone is going to take offense eventually."
"Hey, he said I could try." Theta said. "And I haven't changed anyone except my siblings without their permission." He said. "Mostly since I know these guys won't take offense. You might, for example, which is why I haven't done anything to you."
"I need a taser." Sigma said.
"You do know that Alex can stop all our powers, yes?"
"Yeah, Max said that. Then my counselor wanted me to see if I could change him, and have him touch something changed, all that sort of stuff. I couldn't do much, since I was still working on Lambda's organs, but..."
Sarvesh teleported back, with sandwiches of toasted bread. Between the slices was lettuce, thin bits of tomato, and incredbile amounts of bacon.
"Oh my god I love you." Sigma said, grabbing two of the sandwiches and kissing Sarvesh on the pincer. She crunched into it, closing her eyes to enjoy it. You all take your own, and bite in.

>>24338851
"Best chef."

>>24338851
Throw arms into the air

"YES!"

BLT best sandwich.

>>24338851

"If its wrong to have this much bacon on a sandwich, i don't want to be right."

>>24338879
>BLT best sandwich.
I'd argue that it's tied with a good steak sandwich.

You throw your arms into the air. "Yes!" You cry, and take your own. "Best chef."
"I like to think so." Sarvesh said, his mandibles digging in.
"If it's wrong to have this much bacon on a sandwich, I don't want to be right." You say.
"Exactly." Damien agreed.
Anna took a tentative bite- and then her eyes widened.
All of you spend some time silent, munching away happily.

>>24338926
"How long did you train to be a chef, Sarvesh?"

"How long did you train to be a chef, sarvesh?"
"Several months." He said. "That was the vocation I spent the longest in before changing vocations once again." He said. "That was before I lost my arm."
"I have questions about that." Theta said. "Don't centaur have moult cells or whatever, to regrow limbs and such?"
"Yes, but moulting causes one to age. I want to have a long lifespan, so I haven't chosen to moult yet."
"Well... I *could* fix it." He said. "Or try to, at least."
"... If I were to, say, accidentally pull one of my lower arms, could you fix that as well?" Sarvesh asked.
Theta nodded.
<... Do you mind if I invite him on our trip?> Sarvesh asked. <Because, well... This way, Pheles won't have to moult, and won't have to endure the pain.>

>>24339008
><... Do you mind if I invite him on our trip?>
do it.

>>24339008
<not at all>

hmm, we should tell Sarvesh we are dating Anna when we have a moment alone.

>>24339008
<Not at all. I don't mind who you bring, to be honest. Once we get my ship done, we should have enough room for anyone.>

>>24339008

<I'm fine with that.>

Rolled 5

>>24339008
go for it.

>>24339087
He's probably already worked it out. It's not like we haven't made it obvious.

<Not at all. I don't mind who you bring, to be honest. Once we get my ship done, we should have enough room for anyone.>You say, and Sarvesh turned to Theta again.
"Well, me and Heather were planning on going to my homeworld this weekend. You're invited."
"... You have a friend or family member who has the lower arm thing." Theta said.
Sarvesh nodded.
"Alright. I see no reason why not. I'll just have to finish Lambda as best I can before we go." Theta said.
"And turn me back!" Sigma said.
"Eh, no reason to do *tha~at*." Theta responded, and Sigma shot him a glare.

Rolled 39

>>24339116
"what did he do to you anyway?"

>what I suspect and what I KNOW are different

>>24339116
I'm sorry I can't help you with... well whatever he did. But I don't dare touch Biomancy for now.

>>24339116

"must be nice, to have siblings i mean."

>>24339116
"I'm sure it's nothing too embarrassing! You can manage for a few days, can't you?"

>inb4 our mothers genes might be in these guys

>>24339157
Where the hell did you get that idea?

>>24339167
been remarked several times how we closely resemble Sigma and even Rho.

>>24339116
"If you tease her too much, I might think you're a meanie."
Use the pout, Heather!

>>24339157
Sigma, maybe.

>>24339178

Rho resembles Anna more than us.

>>24339200
obviously the psion clones are based on know psions

"What did he do to you anyway?" You ask.
Sigma just glared.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine." Theta said.
"... He?" Damien asked, looking Sigma over. She looked just like she normally did...
"Yep!"
"Fuck you!" Sigma said, glaring.
"Might be all the new testosterone that's making him act like that." Theta said.
"If you teased her too much, I might think you're a meanie." You say, pouting at Theta.
He just chuckled.

>>24339279
"Haha, that's amazing."

Rolled 71

>>24339279
oh don't cry over it to much siggy not you don't have to sit down to pee

>>24339279
<...I want to try.>

>>24339279
"I am slightly jealous of Alex now."

>>24339279

"well that's... something."

>>24339303
this say it

>>24339303
That'll just distract us, and we've got a ship to work on.

>>24339332

agreed.

>>24339279
you must be great fun at parties. Sigma taking like a man.

thats, kinda cruel. Not everyone likes to be changed so fundamentally.

Rolled 95

>>24339303
>>24339320
I'll agree to this; but only if we get him to change us back after a while.

>>24339303
nah

TP to Anna: <Not sure if I should continue to focus on ship, or if I should ask for a penis to use on you.>

Just for the reaction.

>>24339332
>implying anything can distract us from our technological trance
But it would back up our claim to the Pirate King title which we just lost to Anna.

>>24339361
pffff.
Do it. Instead of asking Theta (yet).

>>24339348
>Sigma taking like a man.
that should be take it like a man

Rolled 43

>>24339371
>>24339348
perhaps
"...take it like the man that you are!"

>>24339279
why not both sets?

"Well, that's... Something." You say. "Kind of cruel. Not everyone likes to be changed so fundamentally."
"Fine, fine." Theta grumbled, and put his hand on Sigma's shoulder. Her body twitched, and she trembled for a moment.

Then you bite your lip.
<Not sure if I should continue to focus on the ship, or if I should ask for a penis to use it on you.> You tell Anna.
And she coughed, starting to choke on her sandwich for a short while, her cheeks bright red.
<What!?> She asked. <Did you really just... uh. I.. um. I mean, it's not that I don't like it, it's just... I assumed we would be doing things normally. But if you want, I... don't mind, but...> She said, her mind disintegrating into an unintelligable muddle, her cheeks burning.

>>24339389
I think you want to be over at >>24337382

>>24339408
<Haha, I'm just playing with you.>

>>24339361
This is probably a bad idea.

>>24339408
burst out laughing

>>24339408
<Hahaha. Nah, I didn't ask. Yet, anyway.>

>>24339409
I'm already there, but gender changing isn't.

Rolled 92

>>24339408
take a picture of anna

so she can see the look on her own face...

>>24339408
<Just messing with you. Try not to choke on your food!>

>>24339408
<Eheheh. We should probably do it normally the first time at least.>

>>24339408
<You're too easy to tease.>

>>24339408
><What!?> She asked. <Did you really just... uh. I.. um. I mean, it's not that I don't like it, it's just... I assumed we would be doing things normally. But if you want, I... don't mind, but...> She said, her mind disintegrating into an unintelligable muddle, her cheeks burning.
I'm just teasing, but your reaction was priceless. I hope Einstein caught that on film

>>24339408

>look what you did!

<no, no, that was a joke.>

>>24339415
This.

Anna blushing and us laughing.

Oh the implications.

<Hahaha, nah, I didn't ask.> You say, and start giggling madly. <Just messing with you. We should probably do it normally the first time, at least.>
<... But that *is* an idea, isn't it?> She asked, after a moment. <Um, I'm probably getting ahead of myself here.>
<Your reaction was priceless! I hope Einstein caught that on film.>
You check einstein- and he certainly caught it. Suddenly Anna was staring off into space like people did when telepathing, and then suddenly she went bright red, freezing.

When you open your eyes again, Sigma was still glaring, leaning on Damien, the two of them eating sandwiches. Theta was chuckling, lounging on the table on his back, much more stocky than he'd been last time you looked at him. Anna was still bright red, staring down at her sandwich.

>>24339504
Send video to Anna.

>>24339504

"Anna you better eat that before I do."

>>24339504
>Sigma was still glaring, leaning on Damien
Aww damn, now we're not going to be included in that.

>>24339504
<Your bacon will get cold.>

Make sure to sit nice and close to her.

You send Einstein's video to her, and she shot you a Look that wasn't quite a glare.
"Anna, you better eat that before I do." You say, and scoot right next to her.
"Right." She added, and took a huge bite from it, eating absentmindedly.

Sarvesh, for his part, was perfectly still and silent, one of his mandibles twitching.
He didn't say a single word, or move, other than his eyes.
He looked from you, to Anna, and... thought. Slowly, deliberately, as Sarvesh did everything, but there was something you didn't recognize from him. Something inside of him was building.
He looked over to Damien. Damien avoided looking at you. Then to Sigma, giggling on his shoulder.

<So.> Anna said. <We going out today, or are we going to work on the ship instead?>

>>24339608
<Hmm... I'm up for either, although if we don't go out, we'll have to wait until Monday at least.>

>>24339608
<Win, win as far as I am concerned. Why don't you pick?>

>>24339608
<god that is such a hard choice.....lets .... I...maybe... work on the ship yea ans much as I would love another date. "

>>24339608
<Your choice!>

Rolled 80

>>24339608
<MUST FINISH THE SHIP; THE SHIP MUST MOVE...>

@sarvesh
<you alright man, you're acting a little odd>

>>24339608
Poor Sarvy's realising all the human girls are taken.
Except Rho. And she's a perv. And he could probably resist having his dick teleported to pieces with his similar powers. They're a perfect match!

>>24339608

<If you have a preference I would like to hear it.>

we should talk to Sarvesh about us dating Anna right now. we never did give him a proper yes/no

Rolled 60

>>24339688
you remember the interview we had with him and someone asked how he'd react to heather haveing casual sex with everything and we got an [untranslatable emotive response]?

this is that response in physical form

>>24339720
Which thread was that interview in?

<God, that's a hard choice. Why don't you pick?>
<I asked first. You pick.> She responded.
<Let's... I... Maybe... Work on the ship, as much as I would love another date.>
<... I changed my mind, you don't pick.> Anna said, and gave you a grin. <You're taking me out somewhere instead.>

>>24339720
I hope that response is the Centaur urge to rip things arms off.

>>24339740
<I can't take you out if I don't have a ship though!>

>>24339740
<Hmph. Why even ask then?>

>>24339740
<But the shiiiip! I need to get it workiiiing!>

Rolled 1

>>24339740
>>24339728
>>24339745
exabyte would know

>and I bet he's been waiting with the parameters involved carefully noted down in advance

>>24339775
Monotreeme. Stop. Rolling.

>>24339740
<as you wish my king>

>>24339740
<I can't take you out if I don't have a ship! You'll have to take me out.>

>>24339816
queen. She's the queen, no matter what she says.

>>24339740

<okay, you'll have to pick the location, since I'm not allowed to pick, We'll also have to take Wyvern to get there and that means, i have to fly!> with a grin back at her.

if she doesn't know a place, we can have Einstein look up some, non to far away, space restaurants.

>>24339816
She's the queen, mutiny or no.

<But the shiiip.> You say. <I need to get it workiiiing!>
<It'll be working eventually.> She said.
<I can't take you out if I don't have a ship!> You say.
<Then you'll just have to fly the wyvern, won't you?> She asked. <It's fine, I'll lend it to you.>

As the two of you spoke with glances and your minds, Omnissiah hovered into the cafeteria.
<... Anna?> Omnissiah asked.
"Yeah?"
<... Thank you.>
"No problem." She said.

>>24339740
<Okay you mutinous wench, you've twisted my arm. But I'm driving this time.>

>>24339844
<Seriously, what did you do to Omni? I'm getting worried here.>

>>24339844
<What did you two talk about? He seemed pretty shaken up.>

>>24339844

<are you two getting along better?> to both Anna and Omni.

<Seriously, what did you do to Omni?> you ask. <I'm getting worried here.>
<Simple.> She said. <The way I see it is, he's gonna go insane eventually. Or he's worried he is, or he's worried he's going to lose all grip of what humans are.>
She took another bite.
<So I let him into my head, so he could emulate my own emotions and make sure his are right.> She said. <So even when he goes insane, he'll have something to cling to.>

>>24339924
<That's actually a really nice thing for you to do. He's been having an existential crisis lately, and I haven't been able to help him much, so thank you.>

>>24339924
<Huh. Well, with any luck that'll help him out.>

>>24339924
<Soo... his emotions were wonky? Is that the deal?>

>>24339924
>Anna is in love with Heather
>Anna let Omni copy her emotions

Not sure how I feel about where this is going.

>>24339924

<I knew he was acting strange, I didn't think it was so severe. I know how you felt about him before. Thank you Anna.>

<Lambda did say something about something like that happening, should we be worried about other AI?>

>>24339924
but I thought you still weren't comfortable with the fact he was built by the demiurg

>>24339924
<That's, um, very brave. Thank you.>

Aaaah fuck. Watch her be an Omni fork.

<That's actually a really nice thing for you to do.> you say. <He's been having an existential crisis lately, and I haven't been able to help him much, so thank you.>
<No problem. We AI have to stick together, see.>
<I thought you still weren't comfortable with the fact he was built by the demiurg.>
<I wasn't, and I'm still not. But you trust him, so I figured I should.> She said.
<Huh. Well, if he starts clinging to me, it'll be your fault, so you don't get to complain.>
<I always get to complain. Especially about things that are my fault.>
<Lambda did say something about something like that was happening. Should we be worried about other AI?>
<I don't know what Lambda said, but the only AI I know is dad and Omnissiah.>
You took another bite, and rho burst into the room.
"Crab guy! I need my food!" She said, giving in a grin.
"Sure." Sarvesh responded, teleporting away. He came back with a meal, and turned to Anna for a moment.

<... Sarvesh just challenged me to a duel.> Anna said. <Though he stipulated that I can reject it if I want, since I'm human.>

>>24340033
<Really? I don't know if I should be worried for you or for him.>

>>24340033
<Oh damn it, sometimes I wish I was a chubby baker's daughter instead of a wrench wench.>

>>24340033
>>24340056
this

Rolled 17

>>24340033
>I KNEW this would happen, although I expected it to happen to Damien...

"Sarvesh, Anna could you two follow me for a bit I'd like to talk to you both." lead them someplace quiet and out of the way

>>24340033

<W-what? why? are you going to accept?>

>have we become something of a little sister to Sarvesh?

>>24340103
No, Sarvesh wants to slip us the ol' 14 inch decabulator.

Rolled 61

>>24340103
no we've known about his very romantic love for us since thread 11 with zero chances of being oblivious to it

>>24340033
<How do Centaur duels work? If he wins do we have to stop going out?>
Go Sarvesh!

File: 1366400838642.jpg-(112 KB, 645x1113, Shit just got real.jpg)

112 KB JPG

>>24340121
Dear fuck that thing ain't gonna fit.

Rolled 23

>>24340162
if he wins, anna will be dead since she can't moult

>>24340180
It's prehensile. It can fold over itself

>>24340180
Of course it will. Didn't you read the fapfic?

File: 1366400901448.jpg-(45 KB, 640x480, It's rapin' time!.jpg)

45 KB JPG

>>24340180
He'll find a way.
There's always a way.

>>24340162
no piss off

<Oh damn it, sometimes I wish I was a chubby baker's daughter instead of a wrench wench.> You say. <Are you going to accept?>
<... I might.> She said.
<How do centaur duels work? If he wins, do we have to stop going out?>
<If he wins, I get put in the hospital.> She said. <Which gives him a chance to try and win you over. That's... basically how centaur duels work. Romance the lady while her current paramour is moulting, pretty much. This is... a really big part of his culture.>

>>24340033
<I think it's tradition for centaurs to duel... Usually over prospective partners. I had a feeling this might come up. I should have talked to him earlier.

What are you going to do?>

>>24340234
<Jesus christ, maybe this wasn't a good idea.>

>>24340234
><If he wins, I get put in the hospital.>
putting you in the hospital would get him major negative points

>>24340234
<What are you going to do? I don't want either of you to get hurt, but, well, it's your decision.>

>>24340234
<Fucking mother fuckers. Maybe I should just be single. I'm tired of all this crap.>

>>24340234
<Oh man...Sarvesh is a sweety, but I'm already going out with you. I'm not a centauress, so that's not how it works with me...>

>>24340234

<I don't like the thought of either of you getting put in the hospital and i guess talking it out is out of the question at this point?>

>>24340234
<I don't think that's how it would work for humans, I'd be pretty mad at either one of you if the other one ended up hospitalized. I should talk to Sarvesh.>

Rolled 31

>>24340234
I say we pull them both aside and talk it out in some private space

>dammit whats happening to sarvesh is EXACTLY what happened to me in freshmen year of college wrench wench nerd girl and all...
>fuck this has been depressing...

>>24340308
Did you challenge her to a duel for your honor?

<I don't think that's how it would work for humans, I'd be pretty mad at either one of you if the other one ended up hospitalized. I should talk to Sarvesh.> You say.
<I... think talking it out is out of the question.> Anna sighed. <You could try, but I don't think it'll be much use.>
<I'm not a centauress, so that's not how it works with me...>
<I think he knows that.> Anna said, frowning. <How about you try talking to him first? I'll decide if I'm going to accept or decline while you do that.>

Rolled 65

>>24340335
nope he was twice my size, and was getting a his black belt in either his 3rd or 4th martial art... the target of my affection joined the navy nuclear engineering program and works on a nuclear reactor in the middle of the ocean

there married now...I caught the garter...

>>24340378
<Sarvesh! What's this, issuing a challenge to Anna?>

>>24340385
Oh fuck that sucks.

>>24340234
<I don't really want either of you put in the hospital... But I think refusing would hurt him more than anything. I've seen what he can do when he gets angry, and I'm worried. If he wins, it'll just mean you get hurt for no reason. I don't think he'll be able to change how I feel about you.>

>>24340378
<Sarvesh, can we talk?>

><I... think talking it out is out of the question.>
><How about you try talking to him first>
Geez Anna make your mind up.

Rolled 39

>>24340402
it's not the only garter I've acquired this way...

I've been watching since thread 11 with dread and empathy for the poor guy, knowing EVERYONE was going to push for the heatherslut wiafu harem...and knowing that something would inevitably happen...

<Sarvesh!> You call into his mind, and he jumped. <What's this, issuing a challenge to Anna?>
<Yes.> He responded neutrally. <I have. That's how war games work for us. To be entirely truthful, I actually don't know which of us are going to win. I have the weight advantage, strength advantage, and my carapace, but she's... well, she's Anna.>
He met your eyes, and shrugged. That something in the back of his mind was still surging, utterly alien to you.

>>24340460
<Well, I'm... flattered, I guess. But I'd rather not see either of you hurt.>

>>24340460
<But why? You didn't challenge Damien when I was with him... I don't want anyone hurt because of me.>

>>24340460
<This wasn't the way to handle this.>

>>24340453
Anna is the worst waifu anyway. Well, not as bad as Alex. But still.

>>24340460
<I'm not a Centaur, Sarvesh. If you hurt her I'll be upset. And I don't want you to be hurt either, you're my friend.>

>>24340460
<I don't want, never wanted either of you hurt... And now you're going to hurt each other, fighting over me?>

>>24340544
><I'm not a Centaur, Sarvesh. If you hurt her I'll be upset. And I don't want you to be hurt either, you're my friend.>

Seconding this.

>>24340544
Anna really isn't that great a Waifu... she's been demanding as fuck so far.

>>24340558
>"I don't want you fucking other people if we're together."
>"GODDAMN IT ANNA STOP BEING SO DEMANDING GET OFF MY CASE YOU DON'T CONTROL ME!"

Uhuh.

>>24340558
wimp

>>24340460

if we can't convince them not to fight, can we at least make sure they won't pull off any limbs?

don't want to keep Theta from working on Lambda's new body.

>>24340584
More like "No, you're taking me on a date!" for the second day in a row when there is ship building to do. Bitch is getting between us and technology.

<I'm not a centaur, Sarvesh.>
<I'm aware.>
<If you hurt her, I'll be upset. And I don't want you to be hurt either. You're my friend.>
<I know.> He responded, still neutrally.
<Why?! You didn't challenge Damien when I was with him... I don't want anyone hurt because of me. I don't want, never wanted either of you hurt. And now you're going to hurt eachother, fighting over me?>
<Sometimes even peacetime needs a little tussle now or then.> Sarvesh said. <And we have Theta. It won't be that danger->
"... Can I use my exosuit?" Anna asked, aloud.
"Yes." Sarvesh responded.

>>24340460
>>24340460
<Do you think that putting Anna in the hospital will change how I feel about her?

...I'm sorry, Sarvesh. This is cruel. It must hurt, being around me.>

>>24340640
"Lets just get this out of the way, you're not fighting. With the exception of Isaac I have the strongest telekinesis on the station. I'll pin you to the walls if I have to."

>>24340640
Sigh
"Try not to hurt each other too badly. Please?"

>>24340654
Always that one guy who posts too late.

>>24340675
>Pinning a teleporter to the walls
Uh...

>>24340703
I just imagined us repeatedly slamming him into the walls and him teleporting away each time. "STAY FUCKING STILL GOD DAMN IT" oh man my sides.

i don't think we're talking him out of this. Seems to be a racial thing

>>24340703
we could try to increase the gravity in the area... its certainly possible... but itd hurt Anna FAR worse then Sarvesh

>>24340727

let's not interfere unless it becomes dangerously violent.

>>24340640
Storm off and get back to work on our ship.
We may not be able to stop them, but we'll have no part in this.

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>"... Can I use my exosuit?"
speaking of exosuits heather should make of buy some.

>>24340640
<This is stupid, and it won't make me like you any more.>

>>24340640
<No, it *will* be dangerous. Theta can't repair mechanical implants.>

Rolled 1

Ditch the both of them and go on a 2 month trip to find aliums.
Bring max.

>>24340808

you present a good point, it was said that Anna is 60% tech.

>>24340640
"Whoever wins, I lose. Somebody I care about is going to get hurt, and if this is going to happen, you can't expect me to watch it."

>>24340821
I can see it now. Max minding his own business, having a nap in hydrophonics. Suddenly Heather bursts in.

"Max, I'm sick of all this waifu bullshit, get your stuff, we're going on a space adventure!"

Rolled 99

>>24340871
"...you can bring lil-max and rho; I'm sure they can keep you occupied"

>>24340871
I wouldn't mind adventuring around the galaxy with our faithful dog.

<Do you think that putting Anna in the hospital will change how I feel about her?>
<No.> Sarvesh said. <I don't. It would be insulting to both you and Anna if I thought that. It doesn't even work with centaur, most of the time.>
<It *will* be dangerous.> You say. <Theta can't repair mechanical implants.>
<I can.> Sarvesh said.
<This is stupid, and it won't make me like you any more.>
<I know.> Sarvesh said. <I'm entirely prepared that it would likely make you like me less.>
You shoot Sarvesh your most withering glare.
He didn't even wince. He met your glare with cool certainty.
"Y-yeah, I'll do it." Anna said. "If I get my exosuit, this won't be easy for you."
"I know." Sarvesh said.
"Whoever wins, I lose." You say. "Somebody I care about is going to get hurt, and if this is going to happen, you can't expect me to watch it!"
You get to your feet, and storm out of the room, making your way to the hangar of your ship.

And there, you find Alex, paper in hand, mumbling to himself and examining the ship. He was like this when he went studying, completely unaware of anything around him. You knew you'd have to say his name- anything else wouldn't pull him out of his fugue.

>>24340871
I'm for it.

>>24340871
But can heather take the knot?

incoming ban

>>24340891
Let's sneak up to him and look over his shoulder at the paper before saying his name.

>>24340891
"Alex, can you make sure Sarvesh and Anna don't kill each other?"

>>24340891
"Alex. Come and help me finish the engine fuel conduits."

>>24340934
>Expecting Alex to get involved in that.

He'd just get himself killed trying. Let's just ask him what he's studying.

Rolled 27

>>24340891
look at his paper see what it is, then get to working; RAGE MODE working is almost as good and CONSTRUCTIVE FUGUE in my experience

>>24340891

sniff and try to calm down a little bit.

"Hey Alex, how do you like the ship?"

yes lets build angry. should be interesting

>>24340891
Angry ship building to calm down.

>>24340891
"Hey Alex, what's up?"

You sneak up behind him, and look over his shoulder- he was looking at a diagram of your ship... and he had a cheatsheet for a *decabulator* schematic, of all things. He didn't know pretty much anything about tech, and apparently, he was trying to learn. You take a deep breath to calm yourself, and sniffle. "Hey Alex, how do you like the ship?"
"I'm impressed." He said, after jumping slightly. "It's all... um, shippy."

>>24341011
"Wanna come help me finish building it?"

Rolled 1

>>24341011
"want to help me work on it? anna and sarvesh are about to fight over my affection and I need to do something to calm down..."

>>24341011
Wanna spend 4 months in it as I got hand out with extra galactal aliens?

>>24341036
STOP ROLLING

>>24341011

"here I'll show you what's what"

we can't deal with two friends fighting right now but we're very worried aren't we?

>>24341011
"It will be the most shippiest ship ever."

one of these days exo is gonna take those bad rolls you make seriously mono

>>24341078
Actually, I'm pretty sure he ignores ALL of monotreeme's rolls.

>>24341068
Of course.

Explain the basics of engineering to Alex while we quietly fume over recent events.

>>24341078
>Mono rolls a 1
>Alex goes to join in the fight, thinking we'll love him if he wins

>>24341068
>we can't deal with two friends fighting right now but we're very worried aren't we?
we're putting it out of our mind, by working on the ship

>Come back from space adventures.
>Sarvesh and Anna have become lovers after sweaty passionate asskickings.
>get stuck with Damien of all options.

Think this through people.

Rolled 49

>>24341089
not all, just most
>>24341078
he DOES take them seriously when they matter
>>24341099
we might if there are no other survivors...

>>24341114
>>get stuck with Damien of all options.
that's not too bad, even if he's a knowitall

>>24341114
By then Heather would have hooked up with Max or something.

"Wanna come help me finish building it?"
"I don't know how to do anything, but I can turn screws. Or something." He said.
"Here, I'll show you what's what." You say.

Some time later, you had Alex holding part of the outer hull in place with his arms, while you welded it in. "And then once these are on, we can put on the primary ion thrusters. Which are really cool."
"They sound cool." Alex said, and looked down to the thrusters themselves. "So, I've been getting a lot better at dropping that shield. Jilly's been helping. I think I can almost do it at will. It still takes me quite a bit of time, but I can hold it for a few minutes if I stay calm."
He chuckled, and scratched his head. "I actually think I'm kind of... well, falling for her."

>>24341114
Damien's not so bad.

>>24340779
yes, power armour. we have a blaster, and a ship, but no power armour.
>>24341146
>exabyte and trips are like oil and water

>>24341146
>Alex is falling for Jilly
Time to squee as only a teenage girl hearing about potential romance can.

>>24341146
"Oh? Jilly's nice. And she might be getting transgened for sex too."

Rolled 18

>>24341146
cool, and good luck with that...

>>24341146
"Aww, I'm happy for you Alex... uh, you do know about the tongue thing, right?"

>>24341146
Smile brilliantly, "oh really? Tell me everything."

>>24341146
"That's great!"

>>24341146

"Jilly is a sweet girl, she even enjoys games as much as you."

"tell me more!"

>>24341172
>... Yes, yes they are. One of these times, I'll keep my trip on the ENTIRE THREAD, and the world will pause in awe.

>>24341146
>Is me, of course.

"Oh, really?" you ask, eyes wide. "I'm happy for you, Alex! Uh, you do know about the tongue thing, right?"
"What tongue thing?" He asked. "But anyway, it makes it hard for me to train, because, well... I'm shy about that sort of thing. In a weird way, I don't want her to know. Which makes it hard for me to let her inside my head."

>>24341228
"well then I will tell her right now for you :P"

Rolled 12

>>24341228
"just let her see, it'll be easier for you both that way."

>>24341228
"Wanna shoot some stuff?"

>>24341228
"Honestly, she picks up a lot of that sort of thing from the rest of us accidentally, so I don't think she would be upset if she found out. It might be better to just tell her than for her to accidentally pluck it out of your head."

>>24341114
Damien's fine.
And there's still Summer and Jilly and Max and all the Armatek psions.

>>24341228
"That's so sweet. I think you should tell her before she accidentally picks it up from your thoughts though."

then tell her first silly. that way you won't be worrying about it.

>>24341114
>Sarvesh and Anna have become lovers after sweaty passionate asskickings.

I would actually laugh if that happened.

>>24341228
>But anyway, it makes it hard for me to train, because, well... I'm shy about that sort of thing. In a weird way, I don't want her to know. Which makes it hard for me to let her inside my head."
too late now, I can't block her out as such she could pick it up accidentally

>>24341228
"Go on, let her. She's picked up stuff from everyone's dreams, so it wouldn't be weird."

>>24341228
"She's really good with that sort of thing. She accidentily picks up things from most everyone anyway, so she's pretty open usually.

...Ask her about the tongue thing. Tell her I told you to."

>>24341228

"you really should tell her when you're sure about it. Before she does accidentally reads it in your mind."

"Nagala have a very large mouth with several tongues they use to eat with, it's pretty unnerving the first time you see it. it was for me anyway..."

>>24341228
"Don't worry about it. She already knows everyone else's deepest darkest secrets."

>>24341303
>"you really should tell her when you're sure about it. Before she does accidentally reads it in your mind."
Alex is shielded, but we're not

>>24341228

now that he has told us, Jilly might pick up on it if we happen to have a dream about it.

"That's so sweet." You say. "I think you should tell her. Because, honestly, I can't block her out. She could pick it up accidentally."
He blinked, and then started chuckling. "Damnit, I didn't even think about it." He said. "I probably should."
"And ask her about the tongue thing." You say. "Tell her I told you to."
Alex chuckled again. "I know about the tongues in her tail. She told me about those. I wanted to see what you'd say about them."

Then there was a loud smash from outside, and you heard something scrape, loudly, skidding past the hangar door.
Alex, eyes wide, rushed over to it, and pulled open the doors- and he gasped.
Through the crack, below his feet, was a twitching lower centaur arm, fingers seizing.
"... It's ... It's Sarvesh." Alex said.

>>24341359
"I...I don't want to know. Sarvesh and Anna are fighting."

>>24341359
"...Yeah. They're fighting, Sarvesh and Anna. Fighting over me, and I hate it. I couldn't watch."

>>24341359
hay sarvesh, you done getting beat up by Anna?

Rolled 54

>>24341359
"can you see anna?"

>>24341359
We should probably head to the infirmary to be ready to worry about whoever loses. And whoever wins.

>>24341359

"nononono. I don't like this, I NEVER wanted this!"

>>24341359
"Ignore him."

"I... I don't want to know." You say, turning away. "Sarvesh and Anna are fighting."
"In the station? Why?"
"Oh god, Sarvesh, are you okay?" You hear Anna call, pulling off her helmet.
Sarvesh didn't respond.
"... Sarvesh?!"
Something started mindlessly buzzing, and making a loud... whalesong noise. You heard savage cracks and hisses, and Alex pulled the door shut.
"... He's moulting. I think." Alex said, and put his hand on your shoulder. "Do you... Do you want to go inside? Inside your ship, even. We can.. depressurize the hanger and everything."

>>24341447
"Please, I don't want to hear this."

>>24341447
"Yes, I don't think I could stand to look at either of those idiots right now." Accompanied by choked sobs.

Rolled 70

>>24341447
yes, just make sure everything is tied down...

>>24341447
"Y-yeah. S-sarvesh will be fine."

>>24341447

go inside the ship, no need to depressurize, just retreat to our little fortress of comfort, the big pile of pillows/blankets and hide away inside.

"Y-yeah." You say. "S-sarvesh will be fine. I don't think I could stand to look at either of those idiots right now."
Alex led you into the lounge of your unnamed ship, and then he pulled up his personacom, depressurizing the hanger outside. Your ship's life support ticked on, and you smelled the ozone from the unused fans. You couldn't hear the hissing, cracking, and bellowing anymore, just Alex breathing.
"... Hey, want to see something?" Alex asked. "Watch."
He closed his eyes, and counted, slowly, from ten to one. The moment he said one, his shield fell entirely.
"Pretty cool, isn't it? I'm getting better at this sort of thing."
Then he shrugged. "Though I'm almost closer to those Armatek kids than anything, since I only have this one power, and can't do anything else."

>>24341537
"I'm glad you're getting control over it. Sorry I wasn't much help with that."

>>24341537
"...Yeah.

You might have more in common with them than you think."

Rolled 99

>>24341537
"I think you should talk to lambda about it when they get his body up and running; might be enlightening...he made me promise not to tell you"

>>24341537
"...Alex, there's something I have to tell you."
Let's tell him about what whatshisface said about Alex being one of the clones.

>>24341537
>"Though I'm almost closer to those Armatek kids than anything, since I only have this one power, and can't do anything else."
yeah.... about that.

>>24341556
>>24341558
>>24341559
>>24341581
Weren't we told not to tell him. Let's keep it a secret until Lambda says it's cool to say anything.

>>24341537
"Hah! Maybe you'll get really good at it though, and be able to make an anti-psi beam."

>>24341537

"You've made a lot of progress."

>I know people want to tell him now but Lambda told us not to.

>>24341590
I agree with this. We wait for the head to regrow the body before we reveal the information

>>24341537
"Yeah, you are...
Well I'm glad you're finally managing to make some progress. It must have been really frustrating before."

>>24341537
"Just wait, this is the first step towards you getting all kinds of crazy anti-psychic powers!"

>>24341537
"Thanks for being a great friend, Alex."

Rolled 58

>>24341590
that why I didn't TELL him, just suggest that he talk to someone who WAS omniscient, BUT has conveniently lost short term memories prior to decapitation

>>24341631
Not telling him includes not making it painfully obvious, which your earlier statement did.

>>24341631
>It's better if he finds out himself
>Let's tell him Lamda knows so he pesters the poor boy constantly even though he can't tell him
Nah.

>>24341590
Fine, I guess.

"Yeah, you've made a lot of progress." You say, and look away, not wanting to say anything more. "Well, I'm glad you're finally managing to make some progress. It must have been really frustrating before."
"I'm glad too." He said. "But... why are you looking like that?"
"... Thanks for being a great friend, Alex."
"Listen, I... I know I'm not very good at things, most of the time." He said, quietly, and took your hand. "But..."
Then he chuckled, and shook his head.
"I was going to say this big speech about friendship, and working at things, but it'd never be as cool as it is in my head. So I guess you'll have to deal with this."
Then he ruffled your hair. "Love ya, heather. Thanks for saving me back on Burer's Glyph."
What stunned you most of all wasn't his words- but the ephemeral light that flowed from his mind as he said so. Glaringly obvious, shining out from him like a star, now that his shield was down. It was... unnatural. Everyone else's minds were like candles of different intensities, or fireworks, but his mind was focused, like a laser. Pure sincerity.

>>24341697
Hug.
"You're...Thank you."

>>24341697
Hug him.
"Thanks Alex. Thank you."
>I still think we should tell him, since Lambda's not going to remember telling us or asking us not to tell him.

>>24341719
Well then we tell Lambda what he told us. Holding off for a bit won't hurt.

>>24341697
Hug him.
"Your mind... it's beautiful..."

Rolled 1

>>24341697
lets try to replicate that. pure focus of emotion.

>>24341697
"Want to experiment? Try focusing at me, see if you can stop me from TKing something."

>>24341697

"you have a Beautiful mind." then give the man a hug.

Rolled 48

>>24341739
1d10 hah, lets try that again

>>24341697
"S-so pure..."

>>24341739
And then everything exploded.

>>24341739
That's a 1d10. So that doesn't count.

>>24341697
"Wow. You're welcome, Alex."

>>24341719
>"No, let him discover himself"
It's not about a promise to Lambda. It's about what's best for Alex.

I really should stop trying to roll, my dice hate me

You pull him into a hug, putting the side of your head into his chest.
"You have a beautiful mind." You say.
"... That's... not a weird thing to say at all." He said, returning your hug. "Jilly said the same thing. Silly mind-reading psychics."
"Thanks, Alex." You say. "Thank you."
"No problem." He said. "You know, I'm glad I stayed. Stayed here, I mean. Would never have found out about my power, if I left."
Suddenly, from his mind burst the memory of the time you'd almost kissed him- before he squashed it away, not wanting anything to ruin right here and now.

>>24341800
ignore it, private thoughts are private.

>>24341800
Do the polite thing and ignore it.

Rolled 53

>>24341800
>>24341823
ignore it, continue hugging...

"you aren't fuzzy like summer, but you make up for it in other ways..."

>>24341800
"Your mind is like a sun, just so bright, you have no idea"

>>24341800
"...Think it's over now?"

>>24341800
"Yeah, I'm glad too. Once my ship is done, if you ever want to go anywhere, just ask, alright?"

>>24341800
"I'm glad you stayed too."

the fight is over elts go make sure everyone will be alright. Its one thing to ignore the fight. Its another entirely to let our friends hurt alone.

>>24341800
"I'm glad you stayed too. I'm going to be rooting for you and Jilly... Not that I'm apparently any good at romantic stuff, but if you ever want my help, you just have to ask!"

>>24341800
"Y'know that Demiurg commander game you like...what would say if I told you I'd made a working replica of the weapon?"

>>24341877
It's his own damn fault. He's moulted, he'll be even healthier than he was before. Although he won't be able to use our awesome robot arm any more.

>>24341800

ignore the thought.

"something about your mind is so drastically different from anyone I've ever sensed before, I can't find a better way to describe it but it is just so pure."

"I'm not sure i want to go out there just yet, wanna see the weapon i made after playing Demiurg commander for hours?"

"Yeah, I'm glad too." You say, hugging him. "I'm going to be rooting for you and Jilly... Not that I'm apparently any good at romantic stuff, but if you ever want my help, you just have to ask."
"I will." He said. "Though I'll have you know, I'm quite the ladies' man. Nowhere near as much as Damien, though." He said.
"... Think it's over now?"
"It should be." He said. you hit the button to repressurize the hangar, and climb out of your ship, Alex walking with you. When you go outside, you just see... shorn carapace, shards of maroon shell covering the floor, and tracks- someone had dragged Sarvesh off. You and Alex follow to medbay, and there you see anna, sitting down in her exosuit, outside. She was frowning, and looked... guilty. Next to her was Sarvesh's cybernetic arm and the shoulder socket, endlessly tinkered with, now dead and inactive.

>>24341960
"Guess I can try and salvage my coffee maker now."

>>24341960
Sit down next to her in silence. Let's put the apology ball in her court.

Sit next to her.

"Are you alright?"

"Do you know if hes gonna be ok? ... Also never again. No fighting over me. Please."

>>24341960
Blank both her and Sarvesh for the forseeable future. We are not amused.

>>24341960

walk over and sit next to the arm, it came out worse than anyone else, poor thing might never be used again.

Rolled 7

>>24342004
not totally blank

>>24341960
ask if she's alright; then go inside and ask if Sarvesh is alright; no other things.

Then go back to the workshop and work till we pass out.

>>24341960
"Don't look like that. He knew this would end badly whoever won."

"That said, you could have refused."

>>24341960
Sit down next to her.

Stare at the ceiling.

>>24341960
Examine the arm in silence. Try to salvage the coffee maker.

>>24341960
Pick up the arm.

"I made this, I know what it's capable of, it could've shorn right through your exosuit if he actually tried."

>>24342074

we didn't see the fight, we have no idea what happened.

>>24341960
Sigh, pick up the and tinker with it. We are still mad at Anna and Sarvesh right now.

You walk over, and sit down next to the arm, examining it. It looked okay, mostly undamaged, save a few dents on the outside.
"Are you alright?" You ask, an unhappy tone still in your voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine."

You don't say anything else, simply tinker with the arm, and you quickly salvage the coffee maker from the inside.
"I made this." You say. "I know what it's capable of. It could've shorn right through your exosuit if he actually tried."
"He let me win." Anna said, quietly.

>>24342074
We don't know what Anna's exosuit is made of, so that's a bit of a broad claim.

>>24342074
>"I made this, I know what it's capable of, it could've shorn right through your exosuit if he actually tried."
we don't know the strength of anna's exosuit so leave that out

>>24342099
"I need time to think."

>>24342099
stupid centaur. Couldn't he have just given you the talk? You know the 'if you hurt her I'll kill you.'

>>24342099
"Why did you agree to this fight?"