>>30851488
>A) Wake them up
But not like an arse, be gentle

>>30852247
You approach Pearl on the couch, nudging her until she stirs. You tell her it's time to start packing to leave town. She sits up and stretches, then rubs her eyes. This lasts a few moments as the gears in her head begin turning, and suddenly her usual energy and enthusiasm resurfaces. She leaps up eagerly, claiming to want to wake Donna.

A) Let her, and start getting ready
B) Tell her to get ready and wake Donna yourself
C) other

>>30852352
>B) Tell her to get ready and wake Donna yourself

>>30852376
As Pearl tries to dart past you, you reach out and grab a hold of her long, red braid. With the brunt force you've come to learn is needed with Pearl, you instruct her to get dressed and pack her things now, since she'll no doubt take the longest. Despite minor protest, she complies, stripping out of her nightclothes to put on her traveling outfit. One of the many Donna enjoys dressing her up in.

You make your way down the hall to Donna's room and knock on the door lightly. There doesn't seem to be any response or noise from inside.

A) Knock again
B) Knock louder
C) Open
D) Other

B) Go out for a while
Try not to wake up ladies with a hangover

>>30852417
>C) Open
C) Open

>>30852559
fuck me, forgot to f5
>C) Open

>>30852417
C) Open

>>30852572
>>30852593
>>30852596
You grab the knob, twist, and push the door open. Inside Donna's room is nearly untouched. Everything is just as it was when you arrived three days ago, save for the woman shaped lump beneath the bed sheets and a few towels tossed on the floor by the bathroom. You call out to Donna, but her escapades last night seem to have put her under harder than usual. You approach the bed.

A) Shake her
B) Shout
C) Other

>>30852664
>C) Speak with her and shake her gently.

>>30852740
You put on a hand on the lump and begin shaking it gently. You tell Donna that it's time to be headed out, and that you should be packed and gone before lunch to make sure you get to the next town before dinner. The lump moves and squirms, until a head of messy auburn hair emerges from the top. Donna yawns and looks up at you, scrunching her nose and wiping her eyes.

"Usually when half naked muscular men come up to me it's because they want a tip."

A) "Just get ready."
B) "Who says I don't want a tip?"
C) Other

>>30852946
>B) "Who says I don't want a tip?"

>>30853046
Donna laughs and tosses her spare pillow in your face, urging you out of the room. You comply and exit, then make your way to your own room to dress. You don your suit, and slide your rifle into the holster on your leg. Three shots remaining, all the blue shells that Riley gifted you before leaving. If someone tries to get the jump on you again, it may not be enough. Perhaps you should purchase extra ammunition in town today.

Once you're ready, you step out of the room and into the sitting room, where Donna is drinking coffee as Pearl leans over her to read the newpaper over her shoulder. Pearl sees you enter and glares, taking a whiff of Donna's hair as if to taunt you.

A) Ignore her
B) Glare back
C) Other

>>30853297
>C) Other
Laugh at her childishness, go do our stuff

>>30853487
Once things are packed and Donna manages to get Pearl's shoes on, the three of you head down to the lobby. The past few days have left you on edge, but nobody has tried anything as of yet. As you step out of the lift, you see the woman behind the front desk waving to you. She smiles and motions you toward her.

A) See what she wants
B) Leave quickly

>>30853621
>A) See what she wants
This feels like a trap, but I'll follow your lead so we can all have fun things

>>30853648
You approach the front desk with the others. The woman, blonde with a tight bun, smiles as she wishes you good morning. You mimic the greeting.

"I'm sorry to bother you like this just before you leave, but something arrived by courier this morning. We would normally have had one of the bellboys bring it up to you, but frankly they're all frightened by your group, so here!" She holds out a small, yellow envelope. The destination is merely your name, and this town. Donna peers over your shoulder and asks to see what's inside.

A) Open it
B) Pocket it for now
C) Other

>>30853771
>C) Other
Ask the woman to help us open because our prosthetics suck

>>30853878
The woman looks at you with confusion. She looks over to Donna and Pearl for confirmation, who you can only assume are just as intrigued as she is. She takes the envelope and tears it open carefully, pulling out a folded sheet of paper.

"Um, it appears to be a letter sir. Did you...want me to read it to you?"

A) Have her read it
B) Take it
C) Other

>>30854016
>A) Have her read it
"Why not, don't have my reading glasses with me"

Full old man mode

>>30854047
She is starting to look flustered now, but again does as you say. She holds the letter up and clears her throat.

"Ahem. Hey old man," she looks up at you, embarrassed. You nod for her to continue. "I hear you and the girls are working your way up the coast, dumping all the cash I gave you into bars and room service. I happen to be headed that way for work, so if you happen to pass through New Dan, look for me at the address at the bottom, kiss kiss, Riley. PS..." The girl stops. Her face is quite red. "I don't think I should read the next part sir." She hands you the letter.

A) Take it
B) Tell her to finish
C) Other

>>30854209
>B) Tell her to finish
"Come on honey, it can't be that bad"
hu3

>>30854229
"Ah-ahem. PS, I hope you've gotten to work on Donna, she may be a bit stiff but I'm sure an old wolf like you could loosen her up without much problem." She folds the letter back up, red as a tomato. "And then it's just a rather off color drawing and a smiley face." She tries to hand you the letter again, this time not facing you. You take it and slip it into your back pocket, and thank her for her help. The three of you head out the front door and hit the street.

Riley has asked you to meet him in New Dan, a city further inland. Going there would add an extra day, maybe two to the trip home. It would be faster and cheaper to simply stay on the coast from here, and on top of that there's no telling how long it will be before he arrives.

A) Head to New Dan
B) Stay the course, you'll see him at home soon enough
C) Other

>>30854341
>A) Head to New Dan

>>30854366
You propose the trip to New Dan, despite it being a detour. Pearl seems excited to see Riley again, but Donna's reaction is less than ecstatic. That settled, Donna asks to stop by a shop and purchase some shells before you go. Spending that kind of money as well as seeing Riley will mean there is no way you can make it home on the funds you have left.

A) Purchase some shells
B) Go without for now

>>30854490
>A) Purchase some shells
Safety first.
Plus Riley can always help us make the ends meet (or we can do it ourselves with a little thug shakedown)

>>30854522
You stop by a shop and purchase ten jet shells for you and Donna both. Pearl has one clip left, since you haven't seen anyone carrying the same weapon as her yet. You've given her Calvin's pistol, but the weight of the thing seems to be a bit much for her, so it's mostly a precaution. After paying, the three of you head to the air station and board the next ship to New Dan. Aboard the ship, the three of you get settled for the trip. You'll arrive late at night, so the room they give you is likely to only serve as storage for your things. Once you've put them away, you're free to move about the ship.

A) Ask Donna if she's going to the bar
B) Ask what Pearl is going to do
C) Other

>>30854696

>B) Ask what Pearl is going to do
and
>A) Ask Donna if she's going to the bar

>>30854714
Pearl seems adamant to cling to Donna, as she has done the past few days. However you can see by her expression that Donna is growing physically tired of the attention. Donna herself expresses a surprising lack of enthusiasm towards drinking.

"I'm not really all that thirsty today. And I don't feel like being around a lot of people either. I think I'd rather just stay in the room and have some peace and quiet." If Donna is attempting to get any hints across to Pearl, she is oblivious, and continues to stand in her personal space, mulling over whether to hold Donna's hand or not.

A) Shove Pearl out of the room
B) Leave Donna alone
C) Stay here and relax
D) Other

>>30854946
>D) Take Pearl with us to go get some coin, for foodies and such
>D) Nod and smile to Donna when leaving the room
She'll appreaciate the help

>>30855014
You grab Pearl and bring her out the door with you. As she cries in protest, you tell Donna that you'll be back later today, leaving the room to her. She smiles as you leave. Outside, you release Pearl's wrist and tell her that the two of you are going to try and scrape together some extra coin to try and help get home. Pearl says something about you getting in the way of her and Donna, but you brush it off and bring her below deck. In the hallway leading to the dining and bar cabins, you hear laughter and murmuring. You start to head for the bar, in hopes of meeting someone loose with their wallet, but are stopped by Pearl. She is standing by the door to the engine room, listening to something on the other side.

A) Tell her to mind her own business
B) Tell her to come along
C) Ask what she hears
D) Other

>>30855154


>C) Ask what she hears

>>30855207
There seems to be cheering and laughter coming from inside the engine room. You may not know a lot about engines, but you're sure they aren't that entertaining. You approach the door and listen in. Pearl certainly wasn't lying. You think about seeing what the commotion is, but then realize that whatever is going on inside isn't any of your business. You turn to head toward the bar with Pearl, when the door swings open and a pudgy young man in coveralls emerges.

"Hang on guys, I'm just gonna see if- hey!" He notices you and smiles, bright and wide. "You came right on time man, come in!" You try to tell him he's mistaken you for someone else, but as he pulls you in you smell the reek of booze on him. He's half in the bottle. Still, you try to correct his assumption as he shoves you into the engine room, announcing your presence.

"This is the guy I told you about! Come on, have a seat!" You are pushed into a chair beside a small crate that serves as a table. The workers around you laugh and mumble over your own words. Soon, a rather large, dark man with a bandanna around his head sits opposite you and places a very well toned arm on the crate.

"Let's see if you're as tough as he says." He places three silver coins on the crate and flexes his fingers in anticipation. The other workers look at you, waiting for you to respond. It's clear now what they expect of you, and if it will get them to listen you have no choice.

A) Right arm
B) Left arm

>>30855423
Good Afternoon Rags
Which one is the metal one?

>>30855511
left

>>30855511
Also hey. Nobody else is around, I guess. Serves me right for disappearing, I suppose.

>>30855423
>>30856136
Sorry I was taking a bath
>B) Left arm
Has a greater strength as shown, more durable... all that. But make sure they don't consider it cheating before doing it.

>>30855423
Left Arm
I am busy so only expect posts at random

File: 1394923855457.png-(541 KB, 948x592, Reaction.png)

541 KB PNG

>>30856330

>>30856260
>>30856330
You place your left arm on the crate, the metal and wire hidden beneath your sleeve and glove. The large man smiles and switches, assuring you that it won't help you to win. The two of you grip hands and wait for the starting signal. You look into each others eyes. There is clearly a smug sort of condescension in him. He's the kind of man who would cry havoc just before getting zipped up into a bag back in the day.

A hand comes from the crown, waving beside yours and signaling you to start.

A) Go full force
B) Gage his strength
C) other

>>30856372
Shepard.

>>30856431
>A) Go full force
If we wait to gauge and he's overwhelming then we'll surely lose and bad things will happen

>>30856431
>B) Gage his strength
We only want to beat him by a small amount .

>>30856514
>>30856431
>>30856510

ILet's say we can be 100% sure we'll apply the exact same force he does back to him, creating a standstill, without him just going roid rage and winning by us not going all out

If that's possible, then I'll change to B

>>30856510
As soon as the match starts, you feel his immense strength pushing against you. You were never a slouch when it came to physical exercise, but this man goes above and beyond strong. Still, thanks to your prosthetic, you are more than able to match him. Even at full power, you find yourself straining to beat him. You manage, somehow, and slam his fist down on the table. The room breaks out in cheers and cries of joy. Your opponent wrings his wrist and winces, congratulating you on your win. He slides the silver coins over to you as he stands. You try to get up yourself, but are pushed back into the chair.

"Hey now that he's tired out, who else wants a go at him?!" The workers rally and cheer, and when you look at Pearl she also seems to be excited by it.

A) Accept another challenger
B) Leave

>>30856882
>A) Accept another challenger
*sigh*
At least Pearl is having fun I guess

>>30857004
You set up for another opponent, soundly defeating him to the cheers of the crowd. Another three silver pieces slide your way. Pearl cheers and clap with each tipsy machinist you beat, and the stack of coins grows until every man willing to take you on has a sore bicep and empty pockets. all together your earnings should be just enough to hold you over until you get home, but there can be no more drinking and fancy dinners. You are finally able to stand up from the crate, and one of the men pats you on the shoulder, offering a bottle of cheap beer.

A) Accept
B) Decline

>>30857311
>A) Accept
"Thanks, mate"
Go out with Pearl

>>30857414
You take the bottle and open it with your teeth, spitting the cap off to your left, hopefully not into any critical machinery. Before you realize it, Pearl is given one too, and the two of you finish your drinks and are bid farewell. As you step out, Pearl stumbles slightly behind you. She doesn't hold her alcohol well, that much is clear.

"Man, that stuff is so gross. It tastes all bitter and it burn your throat. Can we get some more, please?"

A) No
B) Yes
C) Other

>>30857630
>C) Other
"Sure, let's go find some place to drink. Do you know how to play pool? Okay stupid question"

>>30857671
You bring Pearl to the bar, a relatively small area compared to the full dining room. Though it is small, the travel company seems to have put a good amount of effort in making it feel comfortable. Everything is wood, with no sign of the metal of the ship at all. The bar is clean and polished, as is the bartender. You recall that Pearl enjoys watching trick pouring, but those sorts of things are terribly expensive.

A) Sit at the bar
B) Sit at a table

>>30857819
>A) Sit at the bar
We can always get more money

>>30858001
You and Pearl take a seat at the bar, and order. At Pearl's request, the bartender does perform some simple tricks, but confesses to not being as practiced as he'd like to be. Pearl comforts him, telling him that he is just fine as he is, earning you both a free round. You both manage to put away four drinks before Pearl has begun to sway in her stool. She doesn't seem eager to drink anymore and you don't blame her. Even you are starting to feel somewhat uneven. It's been about five hours since you left Donna, and she may be hungry by now.

You look around the bar. Things are very quiet, with most people simply drinking and chatting in peace. There is, however, one table full of people playing some sort of card game you don't recognize. You look back to Pearl, who is contemplating a coaster.

A) Go back to the room
B) Go up for fresh air
C) Other

>>30858372
>B) Go up for fresh air
>C) Remember to take Pearl with us

>>30858447
You wipe your forehead and step down off of your stool. You call Pearl, and tell her to follow you. The two of you reach the top deck and find a spot to sit down. It's just past sunset now, and the cool evening breeze is setting in nicely. Pearl has begun mimicking Donna is a lot of ways, as evidenced by her more refined sitting position, no longer simply plopping down wherever she falls. She now keep her legs closed most of the time, and even seems to have better posture. It sort of makes you jealous when you try to straighten out your own back, like they taught you in the old days, and find that it makes you a bit sore.

As the two of you sit, you close your eyes and begin to let your mind go blank. For a few brief moments, you clear your thoughts of the war, the hitmen, and the people you must meet when you return home. You try to ride this wave of serenity as long as you can, and are only interrupted by Pearl when she tugs on your sleeve. You open your eyes and turn to her, feeling a weight slowly drop back onto your shoulders.

"Um, you aren't mad at me are you?"

A) No
B) Why?
C) A little
D) other

>>30858758
>D) Wriitein mix of A, B and extra
"No, I can't really be mad at you to be honest. Though, why would I be?"

>>30858851
This

>>30858851
>>30858966
"Well, I thought that since I beat you up and took Donna, you might not like me anymore. I'm glad you aren't because...well honestly I like you a lot. You take good care of me, and thanks to you I've gotten to see a lot of cool things, and do fun stuff like try all sorts of food and shoot at people. I'm not sure how to say it, but I like you. You make me feel safe; I'm never scared as long as you're around. So, thank you."

A) "You're welcome."
B) "You don't have to thank me."
C) "You owe me a little more than that."
D) Other

>>30859383
>D) Other
"I like you too Pearl, and you don't need to thank me haha"

>>30859470
Pearl smiles and tries to stand. She nearly falls over about three times before she finally finds her legs again. The breeze plays with her red braid as she dusts off her clothes.

"I'm starting to get used to clothes now. Donna says you have to wear them, to preserve the mystery. I don't see why it matters really, animals never wear clothes, but she seems to really know what she's talking about all of the time so she must be right." Pearl struts around the deck, looking down at herself as she moves. In her state, the wrinkling of her clothes to accommodate her motion seems to fascinate her. Suddenly something seems to hit her on the head, and she comes back toward you.

"Hey, I was wondering something. When is Donna going to make me a bed out of grass? We'll need one soon. Actually, I haven't seen much grass lately. That's probably why. Can we go somewhere with soft grass? And fruit too. I have to eat a lot of fruit for the baby."

A) "Sure."
B) "We're going back to our home."
C) Other

>>30859754
>B) "We're going back to our home."
>C) "But I'm not planning to stay there"
>C) Take Pearl to see the city for a bit before heading to the hotel
Also Rags, didn't Gregor explain shit properly about how babies are done?

>>30859855
Pearl seems pensive. The two of you sit on the deck for a couple of hours before Pearl asks to go back to lay down for a while. Seeing no reason not to, you help her up by her hand and walk her back to the room.

You arrive at the door, but inside there doesn't seem to be any sound.

A) Enter
B) Enter quietly
C) Other

No, he explained everything but the actual mechanics.

>>30860008
>B) Enter quietly
Make sure Pearl does as well, we ninja now

>>30860008
>No, he explained everything but the actual mechanics.
Goddamnit

>>30860008
B) Enter quietly

>>30860032
The two of you enter as quietly as you can, a difficult task given that Pearl is barely able to walk straight. The room is dark and silent. All of Donna's things seem to be where you last saw them, so it's unlikely she left the room. Still, if she's keeping things so quiet, she probably wants them that way.

Pearl tugs on your sleeve, eyes half shut, and asks you to help her to the bathroom. You realize that she looks a bit green. You assist her and bring her to the door. She opens the door and looks as if she means to enter, but she merely wobbles in place.

A) Tell her to hurry before she makes a mess
B) Help her to the toilet
C) Other

>>30860267
>B) Help her to the toilet

>>30860293
You spend the next few hours kneeling beside Pearl, rubbing her back and holding her hair as she sits over the toilet, half crying and occasionally heaving into the bowl. Even after the sick seems to cease bursting forth, she doesn't move. It's only around 8 o'clock that she finally asks for your help standing.

"I think it's all gone. I want to go to bed, if that's okay."

A) Let her go and get something to eat
B) Help her
C) Other

>>30860447
>B) Help her
So much for being a good guy

Let's go eat after helping out I guess

>>30860492
You help Pearl to a bed, easing her into it and covering her up. She moans under her breath, likely still feeling ill but with nothing left to purge. You watch her for a minute before stepping out of the room. You carefully shut the door behind you and turn to make for the sitting room. Your heart jumps however, when you are suddenly face to face with Donna. She smirks, dressed in only her pajamas and holding a bottle of very expensive whiskey from the bar in the sitting room. So much for making it home soon.

"So all that stuff about war being hell. Was that all made up, or was it the years between then and now that turned you into a big teddie bear.?"

A) "You've seen me kill people."
B) "She's just a kid."
C) Other

>>30860701
>C) Other
"War is hell, doesn't mean I need to be a demon"

>>30860701
>>30860901
>Forgot to add somethings:
Also smile to her, ease with the heavy stuff
Ask what she's planning to do now and all that

>>30860901
Donna looks into the bottle and smiles. Something about her seems different, but you can't quite pin it down. She is clean, likely had a bath when you were out and just sat around since then. She doesn't smell like alcohol terribly, which is normally somewhat odd but even moreso right now.

"You really care a lot about that girl, don't you? Why is that? Because you found her on a rock in the middle of nowhere? Is it because you think she needs you?" You make an attempt to respond, but she cuts you off. "I see you two together, acting like some sort of weird family. It's almost like you're her dad or something. She clings to me, but I know that deep down she cares more about what you do. Whenever we get alone together, like when I'm fixing her hair, she seems fixated on you. Whether it's positive or negative. By the way, what exactly did you tell her about 'making babies'? She seems really fixated on that subject."

A) "I didn't tell her anything."
B) "It's complicated."
C) Other

>>30861022
>C) Other
"She asked me about it and I... I never had to explain that before, sorry about that"
"But, what are you wanting to ask really?"

>>30861198
Scratch the second part
just let her talk...

Fuck

>>30861198
"I'm not surprised.She keeps talking about grass, and fruit and something about beating you up. I really didn't follow it. If I didn't think better of you, I'd say you lied to her to get her off your back. If I didn't know you better." Donna looks down at the floor, and thinks for a moment. She then looks back up and sets the bottle down. "Damn it, I wanted to play it cooler than this. I wanted to have some sort of witty line about making babies but I'm so close to laughing, not even the fucking whiskey helped." Donna steps back and takes a deep breath. "Pearl is asleep right? Come to my room. Right now."

A) Ask why
B) Ask if she's okay
C) Go
D) Other

>>30861376
>C) Go
I'm confused
wait who likes who anymore

Dude, I think I'm high

>>30861454
>>30861376
And with that, I'm going to step out for a while to take the child for her birthday dinner. Back in an hour or so, so don't go anywhere. Maybe watch Never Back Down on Netflix, it's pretty awful. Be back as soon as I can.

>>30861528
See ya soon

>>30861376
>C) Go
Good afternoon, folks. Sorry I'm late.

>>30861376
>C
>>30861961
Evening Springer.
>>30861528
Have fun Rags

I'm home. Does anybody still care?

>>30863423
I do! <3

>>30863423
yeah bro

>>30861454
>>30861961
>>30862603
The next morning is a slight blur. You can recall waking, putting on a shirt, and stepping out to the kitchen to get water. It is only after that drink that your senses truly begin to come back into play. You feel somewhat odd, in a way you can't truly explain. You finish the glass of water and look over to the clock. The ship is landing in less than ten minutes, and both of your comrades are still asleep, if Pearl isn't still sick.

A) Wake everyone up
B) Start packing everything
C) Other

>>30863658
>A) Wake everyone up

>>30863658
>A) Wake everyone up

"Good morning sunshine, the Sun says 'Hello!"
Don't forget to Smile. :)

>>30863730
haha yeah wake em up like that

>>30863730
>>30863770
>>30863722
You quickly set to work waking your friends. Donna is quick enough to leap out of bed and start dressing, but Pearl is another matter. Though she seems to be in better health than last night, it is difficult to get her out of bed. It's handy that she went to bed dressed the night before, or else you surely would have been late. The three of you look quite a site, disoriented and messy from the rough night, stumbling out of the lift and onto the platform. You get coffee to wake yourselves before deciding what to do with the day.

Riley has called you here for a visit, but you aren't sure why he asked to see you. You don't have any place to stay for now, but it might be better not to spend the night.

A) Go to see Riley together
B) Send the girls to secure lodgings
C) Purchase a ticket for the evening
D) other

>>30863957
>A) Go to see Riley together
>C) Purchase a ticket for the evening

>>30863957
>A) Go to see Riley together

Better go see what is up before we plan on doing anything else. What he might say might affect future or current plans.

>>30863957
A) Go to see Riley together

>>30864041
You head to the ticket office and purchase passes for the ship leaving tonight. If Riley is willing to spot you some money, it may be possible to get home with just enough money to buy a loaf of bread.

After, you pull out the letter from Riley and read the bottom, where the address he wrote is scrawled in looping letters. With some help from the locals, you find the place in less than an hour. To your surprise, it is a small diner. From outside, you can see a few people eating lunch, seemingly going about a normal day. You enter, and approach the counter, asking about Riley. The man behind the counter nods and informs you that you've been expected, and points you to a door that says "Employees Only."

"You'll find him right in there. But he requested that you go alone, these ladies will have to wait out here. He already paid for anything they might order." Donna is outraged, and Pearl disappointed. Something about the way the man speaks makes this sound serious, though.

A) Tell the ladies to wait
B) Insist that they come
C) Other

>>30864279
>B) Insist that they come
Even if just to show the girls we care.
If he keeps saying no, then well, there's not much to do

>>30864279
>B) Insist that they come

"I a'int in no control o'er what these fine ladies ought to and a'int be doin'. Ya' comprende amigo?"

Use a fake accent.

>>30864392
>>30864448
The man shrugs and goes back to sorting through bills. You turn together with Donna and Pearl and approach the door you were pointed to. You open it and find a small room with very little in it. There are two sofas facing each other, a radio, and a Riley, sitting with his head thrown back on one of the sofas as he listens to a game on the radio. As you enter, he does not raise his head, but speaks.

"I told you, I don't want any god damn coffee. It tastes like dog shit soaked in water anyway."

A) "I'll be sure to add extra sugar."
B) "Not in front of the ladies."
C) "It's us Riley."
D) Other

>>30864698
>A) "I'll be sure to add extra sugar."

>>30864698
A) "I'll be sure to add extra sugar."

>>30864698
>D) Other: "Not going to ask how you know what 'dog shit soaked in water' tastes like, but it's us Riley."

>>30864866
>>30864698
I laughed, might as well include

>>30864716
>>30864805
Riley perks up and his head snaps into place. He looks at the three of you with tired eyes. He looks as if he hasn't slept in days. He doesn't smile as you usher the ladies in, only seems to contemplate your presence. You sit down between Donna and Pearl, and wait for RIley to say something.

"Uh, buh...Hey. Hey, old man. I'm uh...I didn't expect you to get here so soon. Well, I did but...I thought I said not to bring them." He points to Donna and Pearl. You explain that they came of their own volition, and you gave neither consent nor disapproval. Riley seems to chew on this for a moment. "Fine, fine. I guess it doesn't really matter. Oh, you want some coffee? I love the coffee here, it's fucking fantastic."

A) Sure
B) No thanks
C) Other

>>30864912
>B) No thanks

>>30864912
>C) Other
You okay Riley? You don't look so hot.

>>30864940
>>30864940
This

>>30864953
>>30864912
Forgot to link to your post

>>30864912
>C) Other: "Only if it tastes like dog shit soaked in water."

>>30864940
And This.

>>30864940
>>30864953
Riley shakes his head and rubs his face, as if trying to correct his features. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just didn't sleep too well last night, you know how it is on long trips. Anyway, I sort of need to talk to you. Alone." He looks at the ladies, who seem confused. Donna crosses her legs defiantly, causing Pearl to follow, though less gracefully.

A) Ask them to step out
B) Let them do as they will
C) Insist they stay
D) Other

>>30864932
>>30864940
You're back! :D

>>30865242
>D) "Is this work related?"

>>30865242
>A) Ask them to step out
>>30865260
And it's good to be back.

>>30865281
Aye
>>30865242
>B) Let them do as they will

>>30865242
>C) Insist they stay
>D) Other: Remind him all the shit we have been through together so far. And if it concerns them, they have the right to know.

>>30865270
>>30865340
"It's very work related." The ladies still do not budge, causing a rather sour face to sprout that makes Riley look even more alien than before. He groans, scratching his head furiously. Finally, he seems to give in and sits up straight.

"Fine. I wanted to talk about the hitmen who have been coming after you. I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with them, but the boss wants me to assure you that it won't be a problem from now on."

A) "What does he have planned?"
B) "Thank him for me."
C) Other

>>30865402
>A) "What does he have planned?"

>>30865402
B then A

>>30865402
>>30865402
DON'T DO IT RILEY

>>30865402
Oh shit is he gonna claim the bounty

File: 1394950953405.gif-(497 KB, 300x126, 1392109911648.gif)

497 KB GIF

>>30865469

>>30865421
>>30865430
Riley leans back on the sofa and scratches his cheek. "Well after all the reports about bodies getting piled up, and with people knowing you're associated with us, we couldn't have things turning into a battle royale. Hell, Calvin and Kuro killed three other teams on the way to look for you. 80,000 is a big prize for one guy, so it's not surprising that they would have been willing to fight over you. If you want, you can ride back home with me. My business here is just about done, so we should be out of here in a few hours. What do you say?"

A) "We just got here. Let's catch up first."
B) "No thanks, we already bought our tickets."
C) "Sure, sounds good."
D) Other

>>30865563
>B) "No thanks, we already bought our tickets."

>>30865563
>B
Shadowrun drive online

>>30865594
>>30865572
>>30865563
"Don't wanna waste the money. But we'll meet back in the town and share a few drinks, how about it?"

>>30865572
>>30865594
"Ah, that's fine. But hey, since you aren't leaving until tonight do you want to get a drink in town? I don't know when I'll see you next, I've been swamped with work lately, so now might be the best chance we have to spend some time together for a while." Something about Riley seems more eager than usual. You steal a glance at the others, but they seem completely fine. You think it may only be your paranoia combined with his frumpy appearance that trouble you.

A) Agree
B) Decline
C) Other

>>30865648
>A) Agree
Bring defense though.

>>30865648
A) Agree

>>30865648
A
time to get poisoned

>>30865648
>A) Agree
>C) Other: "Thanks, Riley.Just wanna keep the girls safe."
>Pat Pearl's Head
> "You are a good friend and I am glad to have met you."

>>30865469
If he is, might as well guilt trip him.
Also strap up son.

>>30865670
>>30865708
>>30865724
Riley finally cracks his familiar grin. He stands up and the rest of you follow. You leave the diner together and head to a small bar in a less savory part of town. Riley assures you that it's got the best atmosphere in town.

As you enter, you notice how filthy the place is. You saw cleaner establishments when you were on shore leave in Bad Water. The patrons aren't much to look at either. Most of them are hobbled old goats or men too deep in their cups to remember their names. About the cleanest looking fellow in the room is the owner, who wears a stained dress shirt and an eyepatch. As you enter, he nods to Riley, who nods back and leads you all to the bar. You sit next to him, between him and Donna.

"Order whatever you guys like, so long as it's beer or rum. I'm buying so get your fill." Donna suggests something softer for Pearl, given the events of yesterday. Pearl demands liquor, to no surprise.

A) Beer for everyone
B) Beer for everyone but Pearl
C) Other

>>30865808
>A) Beer for everyone

>>30865808
B
Damage controll

>>30865808
>C) Other
For everyone, including Pearl, BUT we'll control how much she'll drink. Baby dose her, remind her how bad she felt the other day

>>30865848
You order a round for each of you, and Riley asks for a bottle of rum to himself. You sit and chat for a while, telling him about what little you've been up to since you separated. Riley gives a brief summary of his own tasks, skipping the details of course. Once you've finished your drink, Riley smiles.

"Look, I'm really sorry about everything that's happened to you since we hired you. I never wanted any of it, you have to believe me."

A) "Hey, it didn't kill me."
B) "I was promised triple my pay."
C) Other

>>30865954
>A) "Hey, it didn't kill me, yet."
Is it time? it's time. Maybe

>>30865954
>A) "Hey, it didn't kill me."
>B) "I was promised triple my pay."

>>30865979
This
Its habbening1!!!1!!

>>30865979
>>30865986
Riley grins. He raises his rum bottle to you, then throws the remaining contents back and chugs them all without taking a breath. The next few seconds go by so fast, they seem to all happen at once.

Riley flips the rum bottle upside down and swings it with such speed that it appears to go from his hand to a shower of glass shards across the room without once changing position along the way. Your head is forcibly turned to the right, and you see stars for a brief second. During that time, the bar erupts. Several of the patrons rise and rush Pearl and Donna. As you stagger down off of the stool, you take in your surroundings. Donna is already fighting, fierce as a tiger. She bats the crooked men away easily, but Pearl does not fare as well. She struggles to break free as two men pin her down on the bar. You attempt to regain your balance, but then there is the stool. A wooded stool held together by cheap screws. You know they're cheap because when the stool hits you, the thing falls apart instantly. Luckily, it hit your left side and therefore did minimal damage thanks to your prosthetic. You fall to one knee, and are hoisted back up by your collar. You look into Riley's eyes, angry and somewhat distant, as he reaches a fist back to cave in your nose. You only have a brief moment to counteract him.

A) Bottle
B) Bar
C) Fist

>>30865954
>A) "Hey, it didn't kill me."
>C) Other. Thank him for having our back and being a good friend through all this. Also ask advice about Pearl's future.

>>30866126
>A) Bottle

>>30866126
>C) Fist
The metal one, the left I think?

>>30866126
>C) Fist
Punch his punch
Seriously a real punch to a metal plate hurts like fuckign hell

>>30866126
>You look into Riley's eyes, angry and somewhat distant
Interesting. I'm curious to what's been behind all this

>>30866147
>>30866157
You raise your left hand in time to catch his fist. He lets out a cry of pain that sobers you enough to follow up with a fast right hook that takes him on the jaw. He stumbles back a bit, losing his balance.

A) Slam him into the bar
B) Tackle him
C) Work the body

>>30866232
>A) Slam him into the bar

>>30866232
>A) Slam him into the bar
Use the left hand again. A squishy head between metal and wood. Ouch.

>>30866232
>A) Slam him into the bar

>>30866262
>>30866291
>>30866301
You grab Riley by the collar and pull him close before grabbing his long hair with your right hand and driving it down hard into the wooden bar. He rebounds off of it, stumbling backward into a table. You turn to see that despite her best efforts, Donna is quickly being outnumbered by the men trying to arrest her. Pearl is thrashing at the two men holding her down, but they don't seem to be interested in anything but keeping her pinned.

A) Help Donna
B) Help Pearl
C) Go back to Riley

>>30866334
>A) Help Donna

>>30866334
>A) Help Donna
then have her help us save Pearl

>>30866334
So, I think Riley's angry at his orders and distant because, well like I said he dislikes doing this. He's grown attached and to see Greg as a buddie.
So instead of his usual "hah violence fun" he's going all "damn, I have to betray my pals"
What forces him though?

>>30866352
>>30866388
You rush to save Donna from being swarmed by dirty vagrants. You reach her in time t drive your metal fist into the stomach of one of her assailants, knocking him back and draining him of any will to keep fighting.

"Eyes on me!" From behind you a voice rings out, followed a heavy blow to your neck. You stumble and spin around. Riley is back up and in fighting form. He dashes in close and begins letting loose a flurry of blows like you've never seen. The hits are fast and light, but nearly impossible to evade.

A) Defend high
B) Defend low
C) Grab him

>>30866509
>C) Grab him
Bring him closer so he can't attack like that, and then headbutt him

>>30866509
>C) Grab him
>D) Other
Say "I thought we were friends!" while headbutting him.

>>30866532
hahahahah

>>30866523
>>30866532
You endure the hits as you reach out with both hands and grasp Riley's hair. You draw him in and bash your skulls together. There is a ringing in your ears, but at least he has ceased his assault for the moment. He slips his hands up through your arms and wrap his around them. You have little time to come up with a proper response before he uses you as leverage to draw his legs up and in, then with a mighty exhale, drive them both into your chest. You release him, falling backward and narrowly missing Donna. You quickly get back up and look at Riley. He removes his coat and tosses it aside. Beaneath you see his pistols, nestled comfortably beneath his arm.

"I am what I am because my job requires it." He rushes at you again, stopping just short and seeking to deliver a wide arcing kick to your head.

A) Block
B) Sidestep
C) Duck

>>30866581
>A) Block

>>30866581
>C) Duck Uppercut

>>30866509
>>30866532

>C) Grab him
After headbutt. German Suplex.

>>30866581
>>30866602

>A) Block

Again using left metal arm.

>>30866602
>>30866657
You raise your left arm to block the blow. Despite the sturdy metal, you can feel all the ferocity and deadliness of the attack coursing through your body, dispersing into nothing but a shockwave as it spreads. You are even slid to the side a few inches by it. Riley has a pained grimace on his face as he withdraws his leg and steps back.

A) Defend
B) Attack

>>30866700
>A) Defend
Gregor is better at counters it seems
"If your job makes you betray your friends and be an arse then find a new one"

>>30866723
seconding

>>30866723
>>30866802
You raise your arms to deflect any blows incoming from Riley. Somehow Riley doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, and continues to direct his assault on your left side. As he pummels you with punches and kicks, no doubt damaging himself just as much if not more than you, he grunts. "Didn't the war teach you anything? There's no place for killers to go once they've washed their hands of blood. The world doesn't reward people like us, even if we only do what we have to in order to survive! I'm not going to give up a comfortable life to work on the docks like you did!" You manage to peek over and see Donna. She, like Pearl, has finally been restrained and pushed up against the wall. You do notice that half of her attackers are either unconscious or fled, and the ones remaining to hold her down are at the very least bleeding from various places.

This momentary distraction gives Riley an opening, however. Her squeezes a fist between your guard and lands a powerful uppercut that connect with your chin, sending you head up and back. He then steps in to wrap his arms around you, seemingly hoping to wrestle you to the ground.

A) Wrestle
B) Use your weight on him
C) Elbow

>>30866930
I stepped on my d20 you guys

>>30866930
>B) Use your weight on him
"Then be a bodyguard, or even become a pilot (he liked flying the ship afterall). There's always a fucking way"

>>30866957
Barefooted? That hurts

>>30866997
You drop your weight on Riley in an attempt to tire him out. It seems he wasn't prepared for you to cease resisting, and he tries desperately to remove himself from the hold without exposing himself to attack. He shrugs you off and releases you, stepping back toward the bar to get away from any counter you may try.

"It's not that simple. I have a name. My ledger is written in red, and no matter what I do, that won't wash out. I like fighting. I like to hurt people. I have to, or I'd have gone insane years ago." Riley lifts a barstool and hurls it at you.

A) Bat it away
B) Catch it

>>30867117
>A)
Trying to catch it would divert our attention

>>30867117
>>30867139
"If you wanted me dead I'd already be. What do they want with me?"

>>30867139
You use your prosthetic to knock the stool aside, cracking it badly as your arm collides with it. Riley stands a few feet away, eyeballing you for a soft spot.

"Don't be in such a rush to die. I want to savor this fight a little longer. It's not every day I get to beat the life out of a veteran, especially not one as tenacious as you." Riley comes at you again, this time with a left hook that comes in fast toward your head.

A) Defend
B) Catch
C) Duck

>>30867203
>C) Duck and left (metal) uppercut
He's probably catched up to our strategy already so let's try something differnt

>>30867239
seconding

>>30867239
You crouch beneath his incoming blow. His shock is nearly palpable as you come back up with a strong uppercut. Unfortunately, your speed does not match his, and your fist only grazes his chin, leaving a cut that starts to bleed slowly as he grabs onto your arm. His right hand reaches for your shoulder, but you throw him off and into a table again. You attempt to raise your guard again, but for some reason your arm seems slow to respond. Riley stands and comes back with a right jab, smashing his fist into your chest and face before you can raise your left arm in defense. You back out of the brawl, noticing that your arm is still working to rise to form a defense. Riley grins.

"So one little missing part and the whole things busts. Convenient for me." Riley tossing something into the air. Just before he catches it, you see a glint of green, and realize that it's one of the gems that were implanted in your shoulder to power the arm. Without it the thing seems to move as if it were ten times as heavy. Riley grins and comes in slowly to continue his assault.

A) Backstep
B) Defend
C) Other

>>30867325
>A) Backstep
>C) Other
When he closes in, kick him in the ribs.

>>30867325
>C) Sidestep Lariat?

>>30867325
also FUCKING LAG

>>30867348
You backstep to control the distance between the two of you, and wait for the right time to strike. Riley makes the mistake of approaching too quickly, and you find the perfect moment to reach out with your good arm and grab him. He tries to push you away, but you follow up with a strong knee to his body. They didn't teach you much about this sort of fighting in the military, but it must work out well enough because after only a few hits you can feel Riley going somewhat limp. You release him and deliver a right hook that floors him. During the fall, he lets go of his grip on the green gem and you see it go rolling off.

A) Grab the gem
B) Focus on Riley

>>30867357
What time is it for you?

>>30867406
>B) Focus on Riley
>>30867429
Nearly quarter to 8 in the evening. Why?

>>30867406
>A) Grab the gem
If we lose it our arm is dead weight forever.
Just make sure to be ready to fight him when he attacks our back

>>30867406
>B) Focus on Riley

No more cheap-shots, not again.

>>30867406
Actually, do we still have the speeder gems?
And if yes, would they fit?

>>30867455
>>30867439
You lose sight of the gem and turn your attention back to Riley. He wipes a bit of blood from his mouth and glares up at you. He seems rattled by your hit. Too rattled perhaps It's now that you remember how tired and strained he looked when you first saw him today. That exhaustion must be weighing on him even now. He is having trouble getting back up. His arms seem unwilling to support his weight.

A) Kick
B) Stomp
C) Pull him up
D) Other

>>30867510
>C) Pull him up

>>30867510
>A) Kick
Try to leave him only unconscious.

>>30867510
>>30867533

>A) Kick

A leg kick, or sweep to keep him on the ground. Then go for the face.

>>30867528
You grab Riley and pull him up. He truly seems to have lost all of his strength, as his struggles to break free of your grasp are akin to that of a child rebelling against a hug.

"God damn you, kill me if you're going to! I didn't come here to talk!"

A) Push him back down
B) Right hook
C) Other

>>30867658
>B) Right hook
Once we've dealt with everyone surrounding Pearl and Donna we'll figure out what to do with him.

>>30867658
>C) Other
"You really are disappointing me"
then
>>30867665
Knock him out

>>30867665
>>30867681
You smash your organic fist into Riley's skull. He stumbles back, swaying as he tries to gain his feet, but ultimately collapses to the floor. motionless. You turn your attention back to the men holding your companions. Donna and Pearl both struggle against the men holding them down, Donna especially. However with Riley out cold, the men seem unsure on how to proceed.

A) Draw your rifle
B) Approach
C) Other

>>30867714
>A) Draw your rifle

>>30867658
>C) Other: Left Hook

Also this
>>30867681

>>30867714
>A) Draw your rifle
If any of them make any moves showing they threaten the girls, say:
>"Go ahead, make my day. "
Clint time

>>30867714
>>30867721

A) Draw your Rifle

>>30867721
You pull your rifle from its holster. It's packed freshly with jet shells. The men do not seem at all keen on competing with something like that, and they begin releasing Pearl and Donna. The two of them break free and start rushing over to you. Suddenly they stop dead, and look over your shoulder. You glance over, keeping your rifle pointed at the men on the other side of the room.

Riley is standing now. There is a stream of blood coming from the corner of his mouth, and his left eye is swollen shut. His fingers are at his side, moving slowly and deliberately. He glances at you, then at Pearl and Donne.

"Remember that day on the ship? When I wanted to see how fast you were?"

The world moves in slow motion as Riley's right hand begins moving up to his left shoulder, and the pistol tucked away there.

A) Shoot
B) Take the bullet
C) other
B)

>>30867801
>C) Shoot his hands

>>30867801
>A) Shoot

>>30867801
Is he shooting at us or the girls?

>>30867807
right hand*

>>30867817
He didn't kill us yet, so we're not disposable I'm guessing.

I think he'll shoot the girls, so...

>>30867828
>>30867807
>>30867812
>>30867801

Ok, then.
>A) Shoot

You guys decide where to shoot him.

>>30867812
>>30867854
>>30867807
You rifle sounds, echoing throughout the bar as a torrent of whirling air lashes out through the room and hits Riley in the chest. Blood and shredded cloth are sent flying as he falls backward into the wall. He slides down, keeping his gun pointed at Pearl. His grin sticks to his face like glue. He then closes his eyes, and squeezes the trigger of his pistol. There is a metallic click, and nothing.

"Fucking finally." Riley coughs a generous amount of blood as he speaks. He seems to be having great difficulty. "Don't tell me it took you that long to kill motherfuckers in the way. I'm surprised you even made it out." His hand drops to the floor and his pistol tumbles out. He coughs again and grabs at the gaping, bloody cavity in his chest with his other hand.

A) Approach him
B) Other

>>30867910
>A) Approach him
"You fucking asshole"
>B) Try not to cry, cry
>C) Try to save him

>>30867918
this

>>30867910
>A) Approach him
>B) Keep rifle on the remaining men or whoever is left. Check on Donna and Pearl.

>>30867910
Are you running for how much longer, rags?

>>30867918
>>30867933
Riley grins. "Shut the fuck up for a minute, okay? I'm dying so I gotta talk fast." You stand beside Riley as Pearl and Donna approach.

"The boss isn't happy that you found out about what we were shipping all those months ago. My bad, I shouldn't have mentioned it. I sort of fucked myself over in that regard." Riley heaves and a gush of dark red blood emerges. "I wish that was all he cared about, but now that you caused so much trouble by not dying, he has to off you just to avoid looking like a pussy in front of other people. Just the way things go, I suppose." Another gush of blood, even darker. "Shit I don't have much time. Look, I didn't bring any spare cash with me, so you're just gonna have to figure things out as you go. Get away from here, don't look back. Start a ranch or something, I don't fucking care. The boss isn't going to give up as long as he knows where you are. He'll kill the ladies if that's what it takes to get your head served up. You need to run, got it?"

A) Yes
B) No
C) Other

>>30868055
We're just about done for tonight, maybe an hour tops. Do you guys want me to run another one tomorrow? It would start in about 6-8 hours, but I know most of you aren't in my time zone so you might not care.

>>30868068
>A) Yes
>C) Other
"But you're gonna come with us. Live, god damn it."

>>30868068
>C) Other
"This asshole caused all this, you're dying because of him. Can't I just off him instead?"

>>30868098
>>30868068

If he ain't gonna stop. We might have to kill him, and send Pearl and Donna away somewhere safe.

>>30868098
>>30868124
Riley coughs again and then sighs. "Yeah, I had a feeling you'd think of something stupid like that. I don't have time to argue with you, so I'll just say it's a bad idea and give you this." Riley reaches a bloody hand into his pocket and fishes something out. He hands it to you, dropping it into your palm. At first glance it seems to be a blood coated stone, but when you wipe it off you see that it's the gem you used to power the idols you found on Pearl's island.

"You still have the other one, right? I had one of our boys look into it. It should help you out if you decide to throw your life away trying to take out the boss." One more great cough of blood, this time nearly black in color. "Shit, this sucks. Dying fucking hurts. No wonder all those people begged me not to kill them. Oh well, life I guess."Riley grins and lets his neck go limp.

"Whatever you do, don't fuck it up. Don't let yourself or the girls end up like me. Actually, can I tell you something? Man to man?"

A) Lean in
B) Ask him to say it aloud
C) other

>>30868188
>A) Lean in
>C) Other: Forehead to forehead

>>30868188
>A) Lean in

>>30868188
A) Lean in

normally, no forehead shit

>>30868241
Agreed.

>>30868241
>>30868294
:(

>>30868211
>>30868241
You draw close to Riley. His arm, weak and somewhat cold, wraps around your neck and shoulders. His grin stays stuck to his face, but as he speaks you hear a waver, like a sob held back by pure will.

"I'm scared, man. I'm so scared."

You stay close to Riley, responding to his arm with a half hug of your own. You can feel the life drain from him as his arm goes limp, first shaking and then ceasing movement entirely. His breathing is a mess of gasps and choking coughs. Underneath each exhale you can hear a low sob trying to escape, and you can see the tears fighting to escape his eyes. Soon, Riley is gone completely.

You lay his arm back down and stand up. Your chest and shoulder are covered in blood. Riley sits up against the dirty wall of the bar, lifeless and cold. As you stand looking at him, Donna wraps an arm around yours and looks up at you.

"Where are we going?"

A) Home
B) Away

>>30868349
>A) Home
"I'm gonna kill this bastard"

Damn why didn't we shoot his hand :<

>>30868349
>A) Home

>>30868349
>B) Away: Donna and Pearl
>A) Home: Us

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

>>30868367
>>30868386
>>30868392
Sending Pearl and Donna into hiding and going after the boss yourself. Is that your decision?

>>30868417
We should tell Pearl and Donna our intentions first.
And their opinions and feelings.

>>30868417
Say that we're going Home, they can choose either.

>>30868470
>>30868551
In that case, we'll find out next time on the episode finale.

Wrapping here to get some sleep. I'm glad you guys came back even after I disappeared for days. Stuff happened. Anyway, I can do another thread in about 8 hours, or I can do it in about four days, when I'll have more time. Whichever you prefer is okay with me.

I love you all, thanks for playing. If someone would be a saint and archive, I'll pour one out for you tomorrow after breakfast.

>>30868579
What's the description?

>>30868579
Description?

>>30868609
Go Go Go, Gadget Springhead!

>>30868618
Where'd the trip go alla sudden?