>>30614586
>B) Stay up and explain things
We're awake, may as well get started, we've got plenty of ground to cover.
Welcome back, Rags.

>>30614586
>B) Stay up and explain things

Gonna second this.

>>30614739
>>30614770
You take a few minutes to go into detail about what happened a few hours ago. Riley seems unsure how to process the information. Eventually he asks to see how the idols operate, and you show him. To your surprise, he takes to it like a duck to water, and is soon quite adept at handling the thing. As he practices, you and Pearl begin making breakfast. Pearl surprises you as well, in the peculiar way she catches fish. She demonstrates the ability to manipulate water, and is able to levitate bubbles around single fish to draw them close enough to grab. You notice that this seems very strenuous on her, and limit her to three. Just enough for each of you. Along with the mermaid eggs, a decent;y satisfying breakfast is prepared.

Sometime after sunrise, when the sky has turned bright blue and clouds begin to roll overhead, Riley asks what the plan is now that you have access to two, for all intents and purposes, vehicles.

A) Explore
B) Escape
C) Other

>>30615066
>A) Explore
>B) Escape
>C) Other

Explore the island to see if we can find anything else of any use to us, be it a better means of escape or potentially any other survivors.

>>30615066
>A) Explore
Leave no man behind.

>>30615175
>>30615237
You decide that for the near future, it is best to keep exploring the island and making sure that nobody else washed up here after the attack. Riley agrees, and you think you see a glint of a smile on his face, which he quickly tucks away. Pearl isn't very enthusiastic about staying after you promised her an adventure, but she isn't hard to convince.

After breakfast and some light stretching, you and the others make for the idols. A shark and a bird, which Pearl has affectionately named Mako and Raptor. Riley doesn't agree with them, but you could care less. Now comes the divvy. Riley suggest splitting up and meeting on the other side of the island, but Pearl seems more eager to go together.

A) Go together
B) Split and bring Pearl
C) Split and send Pearl with Riley
D) Other

>>30615529
>B) Split and bring Pearl

>>30615529
>A) Go together

Splitting up would cover more ground in less time, but if we have an accident or something it could spell a little too much trouble.

>>30615608
You send Riley off in one direction, and he speeds away, kicking up mist in his wake. You turn to Pearl, who is already astride the Raptor, and has it hovering lightly above the water. She urges you to get on so you can beat Riley to the end. You skip the fact that it can't be a race when there's no finish line.

A) Get on behind Pearl
B) Tell Pearl to scoot back

>>30616059
>B) Tell Pearl to scoot back

>>30616438
Pearl groans as she scoots back to allow you control over the raptor. You still aren't used to the name. You repower it, and begin moving forward. You go at a steady pace, to scan the shore as you go. After a few minutes, you can hear Pearl fidgeting. You ask why she's so restless.

"Riley's gonna beat us! You have to go faster! Cmon!"

A) "We're not racing, we're searching. We need to go slow."
B) Speed up
C) Other

>>30616672
>A) "We're not racing, we're searching. We need to go slow."

>>30617172
With a disgruntled Pearl in tow, you skim the island shores in search of any sign of life. The island is a bit bigger than you initially presumed, since it's nearly forty minutes before you come across something interesting. As Pearl moans about your lack of speed, you spot a carved stone doorway in the side of one of the cliffs that make up the shore. It looks to be made of the same rock, but has clearly been smoothed by human hands. Or at least human enough. You stop to get a better look, and Pearl notices it too. She asks if you plan on going in. Indeed, you think the Raptor could fit in the doorway, as the water seems to flow into it. from outside.

A) Go in
B) Meet Riley first
C) Other

>>30617484
>A) Go in

Just for a quick peek.

I wonder where everyone else is tonight?

>>30617674
You move the raptor forward, into the mouth of the cave. The sunlight does not reach far into the doorway, but you can see a bit. You slowly move in, listening to the echoes of water and the hum of the raptor. The cave seems to lead beneath the island quite a ways. Eventually, you comes to what sounds like a waterfall. The sound of the seawater cascading down a rock wall is clear and just a bit relaxing. Pearl is eager to dive down into darkness, but of course it may not be a great idea.

A) Dive in
B) Wait for Riley
C) Other

>>30618050
>B) Wait for Riley
Rags? Dead? Not on my watch.

>>30618050
>B) Wait for Riley

>>30618050
>B) Wait for Riley
>C) Other
"Cmon Pearl, he will want in on the fun too, let's wait for him"

>>30617674
I just got here

>>30618370
>>30618453
You decide it's better to go with backup, rather than three shells and a girl undressed from the waist down. Pearl groans and throws her head back. You wheel the raptor around and prepare to leave, when suddenly you hear a splash. You feel around, and Pearl is gone. You call for her, horrified that something may have snatched her right off of your back.

"It's fine! I'll go ahead! I'm immortal or something! Bring Riley when you come back okay!" You try to protest, but Pearl is already down the fall, hooting with joy. Her descent is followed by a splash and a giggling fit that you can barely hear.

A) Go after her
B) Find Riley
C) Other

>>30618576
>A) Go after her

>>30618576
>A) Go after her
Fuck it, Riley's fine. I'm more worried about Pearl fucking something up.

>>30618620
We really need to be less 'don't do this, don't do that'
OId dude's gotta have some fun
I mean he's what? 30? He's not old to the point of being a 'thrill killer'

>>30618609
>>30618620
You run your hands through your hair, trying to wipe away the stress before you make a rash decision. You listen down the falls again, but there is nothing but splashing water. This makes you nervous to the point of inaction. Finally, you throw caution to the wind and wheel the raptor back around to face the falls. The dark is bleak and intimidating. You lean forward on the control stone and close your eyes. As you move forward, you feel your body clench up instinctually. Ever fiber of your being demands that you stop.

You feel a sudden weightlessness, and then vertigo as you plummet to the bottom of the dark falls. There is a splash, and then you are submerged in cold water. Ice cold, almost. You can still feel the slight vibration of the raptor beneath you, and you hold onto it for dear life. After a moment, you feel yourself rising, and then breach the surface. You are shaking, and your teeth chatter like beetle wings. You open your eyes. All you can see is the blue light at the head of your vehicle. There is no sound but the sound of water in all forms, moving all around you. You take a minute to orient yourself, using the sound of the waterfall as the assumptive south.

Something wraps around your leg. You let out half a scream before you realize it's a small hand, and then that it's only Pearl climbing back onto the raptor.

"Wow, I'm surprised you changed your mind. Now onward to adventure!"

A) Anger
B) Relief
C) Concern
D) Other

>>30618669
35-36

>>30618867
>B) Relief
"I'm glad you're okay, Pearl"
>D) Explore

>>30618669
I was going for more an army vet tired of everyone's shit.
>>30618867
>D) Other
Begrudging "Let's go."
Spare the lecture.

>>30618905
Pearl pats you on the back and thanks you for your concern. You can feel the bitter crack of the whip of sarcasm in her tone. At any rate, with nothing better to do, you decide to explore. At least, you would if you could see anything. The blue light of the raptor only illuminates a few inches away, and that isn't even enough to see the water beneath you.

"Well, are we going? For goodness sake if you're going to stare at the stalactites just get off and I'll explore myself."

It seems Pearl is able to see down here, at least better than you.

A) Let Pearl drive
B) Tell Pearl to navigate for you
C) Other

>>30619437
>A) Let Pearl drive
"Come on then adventurer girl, you get to drive raptor now"

>>30619502
>>30619437
Oh yeah and remember to tell her
"I can't really see down here"

>>30619502
>>30619843
You explain to Pearl that she seems better able to see down here than you. She seems entirely too proud of this, and you ask her to pilot the raptor until you reemerge to the surface. She hops into the water and you scoot back to allow her access to the controls. This turns out to be a mistake. For the brief few seconds you are forced to depower the raptor, it's nature as a large stone bird sculpture shines true, and you begin to sink. Luckily, Pearl is quick enough to bring you back up before there's anything to worry about.

And then she immediately puts your life in danger by going from naught to top speed in less than four seconds. The wind chills your face to a painful degree, and you are only able to convince her to slow down after a lot of begging.

A) Tell her to look for a way out
B) Tell her to look for anything else man made
C) Tell her to look for something else
D) Other

>>30619976
>A+B)

>>30619976
>B) Tell her to look for anything else man made

>>30620026
>>30620125
Pearl pilots the raptor with all the grace of a one legged horse through the pitch black cave. Several times she seems to fly off of ledges just to feel you clench up in surprise. She describes the cave interior to you, but so far as you can tell, there is little to it but naturally formed cavern.

That is until Pearl stops, and beckons you to listen. You don't understand what she means at first, but then you are able to make out a soft sort of chiming sound. There is still no light to see by, but Pearl seems ready to head straight for the source.

You finally turn down a tunnel with enough light to differentiate between the nothingness. Pearl leads you further, and you round a corner. Before you is another great waterfall, but beyond that appears to be an enormous stone building, light by a skylight far above. There doesn't appear to be a way across the chasm, however, so exploring it may be impossible.

A) Tell Pearl to turn back
B) Ask if she has an idea
C) Other

>>30620846
>C) Other
"Do you think we can use anything as a ramp to jump across?"

File: 1393904715780.jpg-(253 KB, 800x500, evel-knievel1.jpg)

253 KB JPG

>>30620884
>>30620846

>>30620884
Ramp that bitch

>>30620884
"I dunno, are ramps usually flat and slippery? Because if so then hold on."

The raptor wheels around and speeds back the way you came. You ask what Pearl is doing, but deep down you know the answer. She turns back and goes to top speed, hitting turns as if both of you were being chased. You come to the last turn, and Pearl demands every bit of forward power the raptor can handle. You shut your eyes and suddenly feel the misty waters disappear from under you.

You open your eyes again to see that you are flying across the gap, headed straight for the ledge of the stone building. You feel a moment of excitement, followed by dread as you eyeball the trajectory of your jump, and realize you may not make it. Pearl hasn't noticed, but if you're guess is right, you'll go crashing to your death in just a moment.

A) Abandon the raptor and Pearl
B) Hold on and pray
C) Jump off with Pearl, and risk everything on your athleticism

>>30621249
>C) Jump off with Pearl, and risk everything on your athleticism

>>30621249
>C) Jump off with Pearl, and risk everything on your athleticism
Old but ain't stiff
Oh and remember to fall on bottom, not to harm her

>>30621280
>>30621330
You wrap an arm around Pearl and hoist her up out of the seat of the raptor. She giggles as you leap from the stone vehicle, gambling your lives on five years of combat training fifteen years ago.

You hand catches the ledge, and finds a small crack just large enough to grip with your fingers.You never answered the door for religious folk before, but now you can't help but think. With all the weight of you and Pearl on one arm, it is nearly impossible to pull yourself up, but you find the strength out of pure desperation. You help Pearl onto the ledge, and she holds on with both hands. You are free to use your other now, making it easier. That is, until you realize Pearl lacks the strength to do so herself, and merely kicks as she struggles to climb. You sigh and place a hand beneath her bottom, giving her a boost from below. She rolls onto the ledge and you follow. Your heart beats so hard you can feel it in your feet, and your arm feels sore as if you spent the whole day hurling stones across a river.

Pearl stands and fixes her hair, smiling all the while. "Well technically we made it, so all's well that ends well! Cmon, let's go see what's inside!"

A) Get up
B) Ask for a minute
C) Other

File: 1393906805698.jpg-(34 KB, 600x320, Glover-Murtaugh-Im-gettin(...).jpg)

34 KB JPG

>>30621541
>B) Ask for a minute
"It's been years since I left the army, mind if I rest for a bit?"

>>30621643
>>30621541
Actually no scratch that.
>A) Get up
She will end up going by herself and that spells trouble, just ask her if we can walk instead of run, so he can catch his breath

>>30621541
The child made dinner. Microwave pizza rolls and capri sun. Oh and of course, Little Debbie brownees for desert. The joys of being single.

>>30621669
Hahaha, but hey, what matters is the company eh?

in my case both me and my girlfriend are terrible cooks so we end up with a similar diet

>>30621665
You drag yourself to your feet, despite your body crying out against it. Pearl giggles and claps as you heave your body toward her. You ask if it would at least be okay to move slowly so that you might rest, and she agrees, so long as you don't mind her touching things that look fun.

The two of you progress into the door of the building, and you notice the sound of chimes rising in the air. If Pearl notices she doesn't let on, only gazes at the mossy stone walls. You wipe away the moss in one place and see shallow carvings in the stone. Runes, or something like. They don't immediately resemble pictures, so you must assume they are a language.

Further in, you encounter a small, square chamber. It seems to be the center of the building. There is a stone pedestal in the middle, which overflows with water that seems to trickle in from above. Pearl tries to approach it.

A) Hold her back
B) Let her go
C) Other

>>30622444
>C) Other
Go with her

File: 1393909483335.jpg-(53 KB, 355x400, 6.jpg)

53 KB JPG

>>30622444
Time to do his best pic related impression

>>30622474
You and Pearl approach the stone structure and examine it. Crystal clear water drips down and overflows from a shallow indent. Pearl touches the water, and remarks on its purity.

A) Touch
B) Taste
C) Other

>>30622722
>A) Might as well

>>30622722
>A) Touch

>>30622970
Slow day today, right?

>>30622805
>>30622970
You dip a finger in the water. It's cold, and somehow relaxing. Pearl sticks a hand in and has a sip. A smile lights up her face.

"Hey! It's my lagoon water! Have a taste!"

A) Drink
B) Don't drink

>>30623116
>A) Drink
I have a feeling this will do something good, maybe

>>30622990
Yeah, can't respond to every part unfortunately.

>>30623220
Heh, I know how it is.
I'm talking about about player amount, wren, gen, anime not being here ya know?

>>30623116
>A) Drink

>>30623116
>A) Drink

File: 1393911898351.png-(8 KB, 635x256, df.png)

8 KB PNG

>>30623437
Welcome, pal

>>30623194
>>30623272
>>30623437
You cup some of the water and drink. It is refreshing, but doesn't feel abnormal. You think your breathing might be a bit easier now, but it could just be your imagination. Pearl continues to take sips from the pool, with a nostalgiac look on her face. You think it's possible she might already miss her home.

At any rate, there is only one hallways leading out of this room. You start to move toward it, but Pearl doesn't seem to notice.

A) Beckon her to follow
B) Let her stay here for now
C) other

>>30623540
Shepard.

>>30623270
Man, remember Brutus? And for a whilr there was a senor someone. Pretty sure Brutus was only in 1 and senor was briefly in 2

>>30623626
Brutus and wren battling over waifus always made my day

>>30623609
>A) Beckon her to follow

>>30623665
Also Tiger making those jokes in 2.

>>30623609
>A) Beckon her to follow

>>30623626
Yeah ha, and was it Senor Fabuloso I think?

>>30623619
Wre... Gewitter

>>30623700
He's been out since Episode 3 right? I don't think he joined any Episode 4 thread

>>30623609
Wait, did it... did it just rejuvenate him?
I think he should look into some reflective surface, just to be sure

>>30623668
You call Pearl toward you. She seems saddened by having to leave the pool, but she comes quickly. The two of you follow the hallway for a few minutes. It seems to be lined with doorways, but each room is empty save for a stone slab at the far end. Finally you come to a large door at the end, and through it you spot a large room, at the center of which is a dirt pit. You approach and examine it, to find that it seems to have once contained a large tree, which has since been uprooted. By what force, you cannot tell. You turn to see Pearl has wandered off, and is looking over a large wall carved with strange numbers and shapes. She is utterly fascinated by it. You ask her what it is, but she doesn't know herself. She only know that the symbols look familiar. You begin looking over it as well, and spot something interesting. A small portion of the wall is dedicated to a portrait of seven women surrounding another, larger one holding a blue gem. The gem is only just holding in the stone setting, and you feel you could pop it right out with ease.

A) Leave it be
B) Take it
C) Other

>>30623838
>B) Take it
Hope this doesn't unleash unspeakble evil upon this world
Why must you tempt my curiosity

>>30623838
>B) Take it
Against my better judgement, let's do it.

>>30623880
>>30623961
You get your fingers around the gem and pull it out. The temple seems to hold together. You look at it and admire it's beautiful blue color. Holding it up to the light enhances the effect. Pearl looks at you and asks what it is.

A) Tell her you aren't sure
B) A month's worth of hot meals and warm beds
C) Let her see it
D) Other

File: 1393913333166.png-(601 KB, 1277x717, screen-shot-2012-10-04-at(...).png)

601 KB PNG

>>30624029
>C) Let her see it
>D) Guess
"It's some gem, maybe it's magical or something?"


What did we just release, come on the curious cat inside me is very lively today hahaha

>>30624029
>C

>>30624029
>A) Tell her you aren't sure
>C) Let her see it

>>30624059
>>30624090
>>30624117
You toss her the gem and she fixates on it. She holds it to the light as well, admiring it lovingly. You watch her for a while, until you notice an odd sound. It seems to be coming from beyond the edge of the balcony on which you stand. You leave Pearl alone for a moment to go see what might be the cause. You stare down into the dark abyss, and see nothing at all. The sound still prevails, however, and you continue to watch. You realize with sudden horror, that the water trickling down from high above seems to be pooling at the bottom of this chasm. And what's worse, you can now see it rising, and rapidly. You step back and warn Pearl, who doesn't seem to comprehend your panicked explanation. You decide it would be better to show her, and bring her by the hand to the edge. She looks down and gasps.

"Oh well that is odd. It's fine though, I can breath underwater so I'll just swim out when it gets too high."

A) Explain to her the problem with that plan
B) Ask her to help think of a back up plan, for fun
C) Other

>>30624390
>B) Ask her to help think of a back up plan, for fun
And end up saying
>C) "Though another good reason would be that I can't breathe underwater"

>>30624425
Seconding

>>30624425
Yet

>>30624425
The water rises faster and faster, and the stress makes thinking difficult. You wrack your brain for any way out, when Pearl points something out to you. Beneath the water's surface, something seems to be moving. Something alive. You look closely, and see a fin, perhaps and leg. None of it is very clear in the dark. Pearl points out that they look friendly, and this would be relieving if not for the death trap you find yourself in.

Soon the water is nearly at the level of the balcony. You prepare for the worst, but then, for no reason you can discern, it ceases rising. You stare out into the black pool, and wonder what could be going on. Then, from the depths emerge a small squadron of greenish blue creatures. They are vaguely humanoid, but posses webbed feet, fins along their bodies, and large heads crammed full of sharp teeth. They look at you and Pearl with an odd curiosity, but say nothing. They only hiss and stare.

A) Tell Pearl to get behind you and step back
B) Try to speak with them
C) Draw the rifle
D) Other

>>30624553
>A) Tell Pearl to get behind you and step back

>>30624575
>>30624553
Oh yeah and say "Uh hello?"

>>30624575
You speak to the strange creatures, but the only response they give is more hissing and some light gurgling. You pull Pearl behind you and take a quick headcount. Eight of them, two of you, and three fire shells. The odds aren't spectacular. As you do this, Pearl seems to come up with an idea, and holds up the gem.

"Maybe they wanted to see this?"

It is at this point that all hell breaks loose. The creatures growl and hiss, and begin charging at you at full speed.

A) Run
B) Shoot
C) Other

>>30624701
>A) Run
But get the gun ready

Honestly I thought of throwing the gem at them but I think that'd go badly

>>30624735
You turn tail and push Pearl ahead of you, trying to get away as quickly as you're able. It isn't until you reach the room with the pool of lagoon water that you realize there is no way back to where you came. You draw the rifle and prepare to make a last stand. At the very least, you won't die without a fight. You reach the place where you leapt on the raptor, and indeed there is no path back but to swim. However, it's not safe to assume either of you can outswim these creatures

A) Stand and fight
B) Jump in
C) other

>>30624775
>C) other
"Hey Pearl, 're you any good in a brawl?"
If she says she can fight, we stay, if not we jump in

>>30624887
I'm praying she has water magics...

>>30624775
>C) other
Leave the gem on the ground and step back as far as possible. Look unthreatening.

>>30624887
Pearl shrugs as the creatures close in. You aim the rifle and fire. The ball of flame streaks through the cold air and strikes one of the creatures dead on, sending him flying back into another. The one you hit is cooked through, but the other keep coming. You fire again, and hit another. Six more remain, but as you swing the lever of the rifle down you find it jammed from the seawater. The creatures close in and leap at you.

Suddenly, they stop in mid air, and are lifted up by a wall of jagged ice. They struggle, but are ultimately impaled and crushed by the cold prison. You are shocked, and turn to Pearl. She holds the gem, which glows fiercely, in one hand, and the other covers her mouth.

"I didn't...I only wanted to push them away..."

A) Ask her what she did
B) Tell her there's no time to worry right now
C) other

>>30625092
>C) Reassure her it wasn't bad, it's a dangerous situation
"It's alright Pearl, I have no idea what you just did it but it saved me.
Do you think you can use that ice to make a bridge for us?"

>>30625092
>B) Tell her there's no time to worry right now

>>30625118
You calm Pearl down and convince her that whatever she did, it was for the best. She is still shaken, but you are able to take her hand and walk her to the edge of the ledge before asking if she might be able to make a bridge of something of the sort to get back.

"I don't want to do that again. Here, take this, I don't want it." She thrusts the gem into your bare chest.

A) Take it for now
B) Tell her it's more useful with her
C) Other

>>30625159
>A) Take it for now

>>30625159
>C) Hold her hand "I don't know if it will work with me, but we'll do it together instead. I know you're scared but I'm here, I promise I won't let you hurt anyone or yourself"

>>30625220
You accept the gem and place it in one of the small pockets lining the inside of your coat. That should keep it from falling out in the water. You embrace Pearl, which seems to relax her, and together the two of you make a go of swimming back out the way you came.

Pearl is much faster, and can see in the dark unlike you, so most of the trip is you following her voice or being led by the hand. After an excruciating bout with the flow of water, you make it back to the falls. Pearl helps you to a dry place to sit down and catch your breath. You are chilled to the bone. Pearl leans in to ask if you feel alright, but you can only speak through the shaking of your body and chattering of your teeth.

You've come this far, but even Pearl cannot swim up a waterfall. There seems to be no way out. You feel tired. Your eyes are heavy. You can't resist laying down on the cold stone floor. Pearl tries to shake you and invigorate your spirit, but the exhaustion is too much. You close your eyes and curl up for warmth, and find even this to be of little help. The dark cave squeezes down on you. Faintly, you hear Pearl talking to you, but her words are only the buzzing of a fly.

A) Ask her to find help
B) Ask her to warm you
C) Tell her to leave you
D) Other

>>30625330
>B) Ask her to warm you
But only because I don't want to die of hypothermia. Donna best waifu

>>30625330
>B) Tell her there's no time to worry right now

>>30625361
Your body begins to numb. Your feet and fingers lose sensation, and the feeling moves up and inward, toward your torso. You cannot even tell if you're still shaking. Faintly, you feel a warmth on top of you as you lay on your side. It is light, and somewhat distant, but it is there. Sadly, it's not enough, and you feel your mind slipping into the dark. You try to speak, but no words will spring forth, not even the feeblest whimper of a man's last breath.

All is naught, and eternity swallows the world.

>>30625382
>>30625330
What the fuck did I just copy and paste

I meant:
>B) Ask her to warm you

>>30625402
Did we just bad end

>>30625417
No, we just unconscious.

>>30625421
You never know bro.

I have a trauma with bad ends though, so I might be reading too much into nothing.

>>30625402
Wrapping her for tonight because much like our hero, I am dying of a terrible disease known as left the window open last night and now am feeling terrible. No thread tomorrow, or the day after. I'm going to let the child nurse me back to full fighting fit before I tackle writing again. Honestly I only came today because I promised. Still, thursday morning, around 8:00 PST, I'll be peppy and ready to write some terrible dialogue, like always!

Thanks to everyone who played today, I love you all. Kisses. And if someone would be kind to a sick old man and archive the thread, I'll have the child blow you an electronic kiss before bed.

>>30625443
Will do. Description?
>>30625430
He woulda said end of quest or something afterwards if we'd died.

>>30625459
Chill out, old man

>>30625472
Alright, archiving. Night Rags, Hope you get better soon, man.

>>30625459
True. Could make two posts though

>>30625443
Love ya, hope you recover well!