> Improve Firearms.

We gon' put our origin to good use today.

> Let it ring.

>>35324492
>>Improve Firearms [Current Skill: 0]
may as well answer

>>35324492
>Improve Athletics [Current Skill: 1]

>>35324492
>Improve Athletics [Current Skill: 1]
Honestly, I don't see use using fire arms 24/7, and with our perception it's basically 24/7 crits anyway

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>35324537
>>35324541
1

>>35324566
>>35324716
2

>>35324537
>>35324541

>[Firearms Improved – Current Skill: 1]

You stare at the contact photo for another couple of rings: it's a picture of you and your Mom from your high school graduation. You're an only child, born late. On campus, it's easy for you to forget about your parents—but they won't be around forever.

You wince. Now's no time to be getting teary-eyed. Why call now?

The campus lockdown, and the shooters: they were probably somehow notified. You were too busy to check if the helicopter soaring overhead belonged to the news or the police, but it doesn't take long for things like this to go national anyway. You're not sure of the time, but you feel like it's been at least a couple of hours by now. How much would she have seen?

What will you do?
>Let it ring. You'd hate to worry them, but now's not a good time to deal with this.
>Answer. Might as well try to dispel the concerns.
>Other.

>>35324910
>>Answer. Might as well try to dispel the concerns.

>>35324910
>>Answer. Might as well try to dispel the concerns.

>>35324941
Unfortunately this anon needs sleep now so I'll probably miss the thread of thread, but I'm looking forward to catching up on it when I wake up.

>>35324910
>>Let it ring. You'd hate to worry them, but now's not a good time to deal with this.

>>35324910
>Answer. Might as well try to dispel the concerns.

We've got a solid cover story to keep her from worrying. Tell her we heard about it, but weren't even on campus at the time, we were out hiking with some friends.

>>35324941
>>35324942
>>35325179

“Hey, Mom.” You collect yourself before speaking. Now's no time to be sounding battered and bruised. Anders and Chang stare crowd you with concerned stares, while Caroline slumps to one side, leaving a scar on your leg. It hurts; you're probably still internally wounded, but it's good enough to walk on. She takes a deep breath, sitting on the ground with her back against the bench, and looks up at you as well.

“Camille?” Damnit—she's been crying. You're not quite sure how to explain this one. “Honey, are you... alright?”

“Huh? Yeah, I'm fine.” You manage a laugh, but it comes out sounding nervous. “What's going on? Is something wrong?”

“I got an e-mail about your school, and I'm watching the news... They say there were shooters, and casualties. And there's pictures of car wrecks—they're saying kids are setting off bombs.” She says. Mattheson and two of his three cronies are dead as dead. You wonder if the police will be able to identify any of you—maybe you'll check the news later. “And that serial killer on the news, he's near there, isn't he? Oh God, Camille—your father and I, we were...”

What will you do?
>Lie. You'll be fine. You were off campus at the time, and an e-mail told you not to come back.
>Avoid details. You're not sure if the lockdown is over, but you're somewhere safe—and are keeping safe.
>Tell her what happened. It's only a matter of time until she finds out anyway. [What will you say?]
>Write-In

>>35325428
>Write in
"It's okay mom, don't worry, I was here on the campus but it all went well, our part didn't get much trouble, okay?"
Can't be too specific, if someone's recording this then it could be seen as a confession.

We're in America right? We can't give out any details about this, especially to the police.

>>35325428
>>Avoid details. You're not sure if the lockdown is over, but you're somewhere safe—and are keeping safe.
We heard about what was happening, then got out of there with some friends, but we're okay.
Also, holy shit, who were the ones playing last thread? You guys literally killed a guy in cold blood after it's been stated by the QM that Camille isn't a killer, and you're acting like some hardcore ex-soldier e.g.knowing how to operate a rifle
I had expected better roleplaying from you guys, you weren't even very creative with Perception.

>>35325428
>Lie. You'll be fine. You were off campus at the time, and an e-mail told you not to come back.

>>35325621
Adding on to this, once we're reasonably healed, we want to get back in the city and stumble into the police, tell them we escaped the campus because people were being shot, but got shot at before managing to flee our attacker. Clean off clues from the guns and drop them into the sewers or the woods, after disassembling it so we don't gift an assault rifle to some random jackass who stumbles upon them, drop the different parts off at different places into the sewers maybe. Avoiding the police will just make us more suspicious and ossibly make government agencies and shit take note.

>>35325621
Wait, when did we kill someone?

>>35325732
>>35269613
>But this time, you don't need it. Two shots, the first to the upper chest, and the second to the head. Both find their targets, the man crumbling to the ground.
The people playing at the time obviously don't know how to play a college girl with an established character. God I hate when /tg/ goes full edgemaster taskmaster with these things.

>>35325755
Well, to be honest, it isn't surprising. They were slaughtering people in the school, that sort of thing can push a person.

>>35325678
I wouldn't be so hasty about getting rid of the rifle. It is a useful thing to have around, and we're damn good with it. It's not the most creative solution to a problem, but it's damn effective.

We can find a good place to hide it with Perception, and retrieve it and move it to a better location once the heat dies down.

I'm not worried about it being tracked down, it was made from mismatching parts, I wouldn't be surprised if the lower receiver didn't have a serial number on it.

>>35325781
MC could have easily taken him out not lethally, just put a bullet into each of his kneecaps, and it's not a direct kill even if he bleeds out.
>>35325826
At this point, I imagine we'd be better with a pistol for the utility and the simple precision needing only 1 hand. The rifle is really just overkill, in my opinion. Sure I get that it came in handy, but since we aren't dealing with any other fortunamancers, 1 shot should be all we need.

>>35325875
I'd disagree, there's always a time for overkill.

>>35325890
If you're disagreeing with the second part of my post, then okay, though I'm still pretty pissed you guys turned the MC into a coldblooded killer.
If you disagree with the first part, though, fuck you.

>>35325915
Also, an AR would be pretty hard to hide on campus since the police will be snooping, as well as snuggling it in would be hard. If we had a license, then that'd be different, but we don't even have that.
I hope no one disagrees with going to the police like some civilians caught in the crossfire though, right? They'd have literally no reason to suspect us, beyond fleeing the campus, and we should be pitied since we're hurt.

>>35325915
Killing people, especially with a gun is easy. Double so easy when you don't understand the consequences of death. For a mere college girl, killing someone, if it's in a life-or-death situation is easy, dealing with the after-effect, isn't.

>>35325875
It's useful for engaging multiple targets, and shooting someone from over half a kilometre away.

It's an AR-15 so future modifications, ammo, and replacement parts will be easy to find in the US.

>>35325948
>>35325915
Disassemble the AR and keep it in different places then, after all, we can keep the pistol for most situations.

>tfw I'm the only one who just wants to stay in school, read every textbook on every subject we can, and literally diagnose people mentally and physically, and accurately predict probabilities for anything at all.

>>35326008
Hey dude, I'd like to do that too. But you know, people trying to kill us.

>>35326142
Well yeah, obviously the QM has different plans for us.

>>35326008
I'm good with doing all that, but psychos sometimes intrude in on Camille's life and she has to waste the fuckers before she can go back to drinking tea and speed reading engineering and medical textbooks.

Being able to learn things superfast means she can have a lot of hobbies.

>>35326212
Yeah, that's understandable, I'd just prefer if we didn't kill normies at least, since we can knock them out easily.
I'm not sure how this whole Origin-killing mechanic works, though, is it just a regular power-up?

OP dead?

>>35325621
>>35325664

“I'm alright, Mom.” You say. Anders puts a hand on your shoulder—God damnit, you're still shaking. “I was out with some friends when I heard about what happened on campus. They said we wouldn't be allowed back, so we're just out.”

“...Alright.” She hesitates, before speaking. “God, I'm sorry, Camille. We're just so worried about you—you know, it's your first time in a new place, and...”

“I know. But I'm keeping safe.” Alan Wilkinson—the news said—was his name. He screams, louder and louder, begging for his life, and you bring the bat down on his head until it breaks, and he doesn't scream anymore. Your jacket is bloody. The pavement is slicked with rain, washing scarlet out of the alley onto the sidewalk. You twitch. “And I've got really good friends. We're looking out for each other.”

“I'm glad.” She sniffles. “You'll have to tell me about them, okay? Please call me later, once everything's over. I just want to know you're alright.”

“Alright.” You nod, instinctively. “I will. I'll talk to you later, Mom. I love you, alright?”

“I love you too.”

You hang up, and sigh.

“This is so fucked up.” Anders groans. “Where do we even go?”

“We should probably avoid the cops. Just on principle. I bet classes will be canceled, and I'm not sure how campus residence is gonna blow over.” Chang responds. “Cam, those hitmen had about a grand each on 'em, right? We've got a little change to cover our asses for a bit.”

“You're gonna need it to cover your ass when you get busted for whipping out a goddamn gun on campus!” Anders says, taking his hand from your shoulder to make an emphatic gesture. “You know there's cameras at that library, right?”

“Man, then they'll see me shoot the guy after he blows out the windows with an automatic rifle.” He sighs. “Fucking cameras, Anders? You blasted his ass with your... fucking, telekinesis!”

>Continued

>>35326495

“We should probably... ditch the guns somewhere, right?” You suggest, a bit detached. Your head hurts.

“I think my guy can sell 'em for us.” Chang gives you an assuring nod. “We'll never see 'em again, and I'll get us a little extra money.”

“Alright, then, asshole.” Anders says, scowling. “If you've got all the answers, then what are we supposed to do now?”

“Man, I told you, I don't know, man. Just chill out, try and think about it.” Chang takes a deep breath. “There's the queen bee of that website, downtown. I've heard she's got the cops in her pocket, and she likes to be all buddy-buddy with other Originals. I know where she's posted up, too, but I somehow doubt she'd just let us in if we knocked and asked nicely.”

“What about the other Original you met on campus, Camille?” Anders closes his eyes, for a moment. “Do you know where he lives? I'm not picking up on any others in the area.”

You shake your head. “Lost him as of this morning.”

“Uhm, that reminds me.” Chang says. “About what I wanted to tell you guys, but now is definitely not a good time, in light of recent events.”

What will you do?
>”Tell us later.” His contact sounds the most promising as of now—inquire more about his 'queen bee'.
>”Tell us later.” Call up Jason, the fourth Original on campus, and see if he's alright.
>”Probably not, but let's hear it anyway.”
>Refute something, or suggest an alternate course of action. [Write-in.]

>>35326521
>>”Probably not, but let's hear it anyway.”

>>35326521
>”Probably not, but let's hear it anyway.”

Keep at least the pistol, and the rifle if we can find a good place to stash it for the time being.

Remember to call us Jason before too long, and ask more about the Queen Bee.

In the meanwhile we should probably start heading out of the forest, but not towards campus, towards town. Clean up as best as we can before that, and go to a diner or something.

>>35326495
WAHT
THERE WAS ONLY ONE VOTE FOR LIE.
GODDAMN IT. I fucking hope that it wasn't recorded

>>35326660
>>35326562

“It probably isn't, but let's hear it anyway.” You suggest, swiveling toward Chang.

“Alright.” He kneels in front of Caroline, tapping her shoulder to rouse her attention. “You awake, now?”

She opens her eyes, nodding intently at him.

“Okay. We've established that you can see other Originals in your mind. It may come to everyone in different ways, but this much is true.” He suggests. “Caroline, you're aware of their presence in town, right?”

Again, she responds with a nod.

“What are you getting at, Michael?” You ask.

“Pay attention. I first noticed this when you all practiced together, but the queen bee's network confirmed my suspicions.” He responds. “Caroline, using this sense alone, how many people here, other than yourself, have Origin powers?”

She closes her eyes briefly, then shakes her head and rasps. “None.”

“She can't detect us.” You cock an eyebrow. “And we couldn't detect Mattheson.”

“What?” Anders asks. “I don't get it.”

“Originals can only detect others whose ability is of similar or lesser power.” Michael pauses. “It's like... predators and prey.”

“The rush we got when he died.” You feel sick to your stomach. “It's why he came hunting us.”

The group falls silent.

What will you do?
>Other

>>35327070
Group hug

>>35327070
Check how many Origins we can sense here.

Point out that there's more like him out there, like the serial killer, so we need to keep our eyes open and work together.

See about going out for lunch while we plan our next move.

>>35327161
fucking realy? god no
>>35327070
Okay, first of all, we shouldn't start any big plans until this goes over. We keep developing our powers, keep our heads low, and look out for each other. It probably won't last forever, but it's better to think with a clear head, for as long as we can.
Are you sure we should be avoiding the police? I'm thinking that might just make us more suspicious, a couple teens fleeing from a gunfight isn't that strange if we haven't been caught on camera, though we'll have to find out how to deal with our injuries, or if maybe we should roll with it and catch an ambulance, then explain they shot us while running.

>>35327275
>Are you sure we should be avoiding the police? I'm thinking that might just make us more suspicious
I'm with you here. Not sorting things out with the police will definitely become a pain later on.

>>35327240

In the immediate area, you can sense two other Originals.

>>35327240
>>35327275

“There's more of them out there, like Mattheson.” You suggest. “And the serial killer. Which means we need to work together if we want to survive.”

“If he's been targeting other Originals... god damn... how powerful could he be by now?” Anders asks.

“Forget about it for now.” You sigh. “Keep your head clear. Let's try to get back to town. Away from campus. We'll get lunch, or something. There was a helicopter over us when we took down Moneymaker, but we don't know how much they've seen. A few students fleeing campus shouldn't look too abnormal.”

“How about we go somewhere downtown?” Chang asks. “It's far enough away from school, everything's within walking distance, and I'll have my chance to check out the online operation first-hand, yeah? We can break off some of the cash on the way over to buy you a new pair of pants, so you don't look so out-of-place. Sound good, boyshorts?”

“Fuck off.” You close your eyes, tilting your head back. “Do I look like I'm laughing?”

“Sorry,” He sighs. “Just trying to lighten things up a little bit.”

“Next question. Do we really want to walk around downtown with a black duffel bag full of guns?” Anders asks. “I might be paranoid, but that'd look pretty damn suspicious, even if Camille were wearing pants.”

What will you do?
>Forget it. Just head out on foot now.
>Find a place in the woods to stash the stuff.
>Cave. Get yourself and Caroline to an emergency room—you've got insurance through your school, and you'd rather not complicate things with the police.
>Suggest Chang get his car. If he can make it back to campus, he'll be able to pick the rest of you up somewhere.
>Other.

>>35327658
>Find a place in the woods to stash the stuff.
>Cave. Get yourself and Caroline to an emergency room—you've got insurance through your school, and you'd rather not complicate things with the police.
Why are we being such a dick to Chang, btw? He has literally done nothing wrong as far as I can recall.

>>35327658
>Find a place in the woods to stash the stuff.

We can use Perception to choose a good spot and retrieve it in a few days.

>>35327658
>Find a place in the woods to stash the stuff.
>Cave. Get yourself and Caroline to an emergency room—you've got insurance through your school, and you'd rather not complicate things with the police.

Use Perception to make sure there aren't any tracks leading to the stash. Running away will become much harder to explain if someone finds the gun stash.

>>35327830
>>35327802
>>35327736

>1d100

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>35327935
ROLL

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>35327935
Rolling

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>35327935
Roll

>>35328006
wouldve been amazing

>>35327736
>>35327802
>>35327830

You fold your jeans and tuck them into the duffel bag before invoking Perception.

>>35328006

>93 + 10 [Origin Power: 2] = 103

The contours of the earth beneath fallen leaves and broken twigs unfold before your vision as you invoke Perception. You sit, focused, stationary, but your field of vision expands to wrap around you such that you might take it all in at once.

You can see the tracks you left, the footsteps of each individual trudging uphill through the woods, yours and Caroline's smaller and wearier than the other two pairs. You stand, treading lightly, further uphill, and leave the bag there, nested between the root of a tree and the ground, in a crevasse that seems made for the object in particular. You disguise it with fallen leaves, and with further work, eliminate the tracks you followed, such that none might find it.

“Change in plans.” Approaching the group, you shake your head. “I'm still hurt, and Caroline is too. We should probably get medical attention. Avoiding the police will only complicate things in the future—so let's figure this out now.”

“You sure?” Anders asks. “Both of you were shot today, and both of your wounds have completely closed. What will they even do for you, and how are you going to explain it?”

What will you do?
>He's right. Figure something else out. [See previous options.]
>You'll find out when you get there. Go through with it anyway.

>>35328219
>>He's right. Figure something else out.
> Get Chang to get a change of clothes for you, then head back into town.

>>35328219
>He's right. Figure something else out. [See previous options.]

Head out on foot, go to a diner or something like that, pay in cash.

>>35328219
Agree with >>35328296
>He's right. Figure something else out.
> Get Chang to get a change of clothes for you, then head back into town.

Is there anything we should take the opportunity to talk about while Chang is gone?

>>35328296
>>35328311
>>35328391

“He's right.” Chang suggests. “I'm not saying you shouldn't sort things out with the feds if you want to, but you should probably think of another way to do it.”

“Alright.” You nod. “Can you get me a change of clothes, then?”

“Sure, whatever. You got your keys?” He asks.

“I wouldn't go back to my hall.” You respond. “Something from your place? It's the only one that wouldn't be under investigation or some such.”

“Right, well, it probably won't fit.” He says.

“That's the least of my concern right now.” You sigh.

“Fine. I'll try to be quick, but I'm gonna be taking the long way around.” Chang turns, raising a hand to wave at the group over his shoulder as he heads back downhill. “I'll text one of you if anything stupid happens, alright?”

>Is there anything we should take the opportunity to talk about while Chang is gone?

>>35328391
>Is there anything we should take the opportunity to talk about while Chang is gone?

I meant this as a question to the players, sorry

>>35328577
(( I know, and I'm asking the players as well. Rather: ))

What will you do?
>Discuss something in Chang's absence.
>Wait for him to return.
>Other.

> Do we trust a word out of Chang's mouth? He's all shady connections and empty assurances.

>>35328533
>Chang seems to know quite a bit about how all this works. Do you think he knew what would happen when... Mattheson died?

>>35328682
>>35328980

“Something wrong, Camille?” Anders glances over at you as you stare downhill.

“I still don't trust him.” You fold your arms. “He's all... shady connections and empty assurances. It's not just me, right?”

“I dunno.” Anders says. “I guess I'm used to it. Part of it is the way he's set himself up in life. But I think he means well. He feels pretty damn awful, about how he treated this whole thing like a game. He wants you to like him. If he wasn't trustworthy, I don't think he'd be heading back down there.”

“I guess. I'm just wondering how much he really knows.” You nod. “Like, when Mattheson died... do you think he knew what'd happen?”

“Maybe. I don't think he did, but it's possible.” Anders says. “We should figure out the situation with this queen bee chick, or at least shake him down until he lets us check out that website. I think that way, we'll all be on the level. Improve our odds of survival, right?”

“Mhm.”

Time passes uneventfully, and Chang returns eventually. As he comes within proximity, he tosses you a bundle of cloth; you catch it, letting it unfold in your hands.

“...Yoga pants.” You raise an eyebrow.

“My ex-girlfriend's, alright?” He shrugs. “Ask no questions, and I'll tell no lies.”

“I think I'd rather have the ones that didn't fit.” You had no expectations, and were still disappointed.

“You gonna get dressed, or what? We've got places to go.”

(( Heading out for a bit, but I'll pick up for a little while when I return. Feel free to leave questions or concerns in my absence, and I'll try to address them when I'm back. ))

Put on the pants, clean yourself up, and head into town. Try to lay low as much as possible. Keep Anders with you, let Chang and Caroline head off separately. Big groups will attract attention.

>>35329218
I'm not sure if we should seek out the Queen Bee or get in touch with Jason. We should be safer with more Originals, but he does seem like a somewhat problematic person.

>>35329288

The revelation that killing one another increases an Original's personal power is troubling, to say the least.

>>35329328
Considering
>You've also met a student named Jason, a recently-awakened Original whose face you remembered from late nights spent in the library. He didn't have a lot to say, but seemed a bit distant, a bit obsessed—you recognized the beginnings of megalomania, even in your short conversation with him.
maybe we should worry a bit about Jason. It might be a good idea to bring him into the group just to keep an eye on him. I wouldn't want someone like that walking around knowing that killing others will increase his powers.

OP come home.

>>35331726
No

Michael's verdict regarding location seems reasonable enough. Once you're changed and looking a bit better, the four of you decide to head downtown, splitting up into two groups; you go with Anders, Michael goes with Caroline. It's not difficult to evade trouble on the way, as you simply avoid campus, where the chaos is currently concentrated.

On the way, you check your phone, and are greeted with an e-mail indicating that afternoon classes are canceled. You have a feeling it'll be much longer than one afternoon; you're not sure how long it is before you'll be able to go back there. The main campus and residences are open; the e-mail details specific building and road closures.

By the time you get downtown proper and decide where you're going, it's a little later in the afternoon. You and Anders settle on stopping somewhere quiet, another hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It's a diner, an old-school burger joint that looks like something out of a movie scene. Before long, the two of you are seated and served.

“This is fucking great. Hey, you think Mike and Caroline made it somewhere alright?” Anders asks, between slurps of milkshake.

“Hopefully.” You stare at your plate. You're hungry, but having trouble eating. “I imagine they'd let us know if not.”

“Mm. It's gonna be dark before we know it, quick as this day's gone by.” He shrugs. “Where are we staying? Do we, uh, want to go back?”

“I haven't figured that out yet.” You shake your head. “Was planning on discussing it when we all met back up. Did you have any plans?”

“Well, I've got a friend with an apartment off campus, and he was actually gonna have a little bit of a party tonight. It's probably off now, though. I was thinking of crashing there.”

“Another party?” You grit your teeth, remembering your first and most recent party. It wasn't that bad, but... “Is that all you do in your—”

>Continued

>>35332425

Your phone vibrates aggressively, interrupting your thought. A text from Chang, with a picture attached: a tall building, with a long canopy over the front entrance. The photo's a little blurry, like it was taken walking. On one end, there's what looks like a man in a black suit and shades—looking like some kind of Secret Service member.

>”QB is at ritzy ass french hotel. Maybe bought it out. Not many guests. Lots of security guards for some reason?”

“Something up, Cam?” Anders continues.

“Just Chang. I think he's doing something weird.” You suggest.

“Does he need help?”

“Probably not.” You tuck your phone away while you mull over a response. “But we should see what he's up to anyway, assuming they're settled somewhere. Done eating?”

“Yeah, I'm good to go. You got cash?” Anders begins to reach for his wallet.

“More than I need, as of a couple hours ago. I'll cover us.” You flag a waitress—striped dress, curly hair—down as she passes your booth. “Mind if we cash out?”

“No need. Someone's got you covered.” She tears a receipt off of her notepad and slides it down the table to you. “You're already set.”

“What?” You ask. “Who?”

“Him.” She whispers, pointing to a man alone at the booth nearest the door, staring at his smartphone over a cup of coffee. Looks like he's in his thirties—slicked hair, stubble. A heavy-looking jacket, and black cargo pants. That's when you see it: an aura, some strange expression of Original power. How could you have missed him? Your sense indicates he's there—briefly, then it fades. He turns toward you, with a smile and dismissing wave, finishes his drink, then stands up, heading for the door.

“Huh. Nice guy.” Anders says, then looks at your expression. “What's wrong?”

What will you do?
>Other

>>35332476
"Nothing, thought he looked like someone I knew."

Smile at the waitress, leave politely.

Once we're out of earshot tell Anders that he was an Original, that we didn't notice him at all until just then, and it felt kinda like he let us notice.

Hope that he was being polite, and won't start shit with us.

> Let him go, but remember his face. You've got better things to do than chase after what's probably a trap.

Let's hit a bookstore or something while we wait to see what Chang's up to and read up on some practical self-defense.

>>35332647
>>35332695

“Nothing. Thought he looked like someone I knew.” You suggest, and give the waitress a smile. “C'mon, Anders. Let's go.”

The waitress gives you a concerned look as the two of you leave.

“Camille, what was that about?” He asks.

“That guy was an Original, but I somehow didn't notice him.” You respond. “Felt like he let me... It's like he had a way to elude my senses.”

“You want to follow him?”

You shake your head. “I'd rather not chase after a trap. This lady Chang keeps talking about has a network on this part of town, right? He could be with 'em.”

“I guess you're right. Then we'll lay low until we meet up with Mike and Caroline?” Anders says.

“Mhm. There's a bookstore across the street, and I'd like to do some reading while we wait.” You smile.

“Well.” He laughs. “Attagirl. Not letting any of this change us, are we?”

“Mm.” Your expression quickly grows more solemn. “Something like that.”

>Continued

>>35333473

An Original's Awakening is accompanied by a sense of mental expansion, but your capacity to expand your own mind is greater than others. Anders watches, helpless, as you wander the bookstore, pausing for a couple of minutes to devour whatever book catches your eye as you pass.

“That's insane, Cam.” He comments. You barely hear him, Perception invoked, nose buried in a book on self-defense. “What's it like?”

“What do you mean?” For some reason, you're not sure why he doesn't understand. “It's like reading, but faster.”

“And you remember all of it?” He asks.

“Most of it.” You reply. “It's like I'm expediting a natural process.”

“Man. With that power, you'd never have to go to class again.” He folds his arms.

“...That's the only application that you can think of?” You sigh. Not that you've been to class in the last week, but.

“What are you planning on using it for, then?”

“I haven't decided.” You move on to another book, contrasting numerous martial arts. “What about you?”

“What do you think?” He groans. “My power only does one thing.”

“I don't think so.” You respond. “I doubt we've even scratched the surface. Right now, I'm certain you can do more with your Origin than you're aware of. I think the same goes for me.”

“Maybe.” He picks up a book, probably out of boredom—you've never imagined him reading anything. “We should practice again, once this all blows over.”

What will you do?
>Arrange a meeting with Chang and Caroline to discuss plans for the night.
>Call up Jason, and see if he survived the ordeal on campus.
>Search for Originals in the area with your senses.
>Locate the QB's hotel, and investigate in person.
>Other

>>35333499
>>Arrange a meeting with Chang and Caroline to discuss plans for the night.

>>35333499
>Call up Jason, and see if he survived the ordeal on campus.

It's worth checking in on our friendly neighborhood megalomaniac.

>Search for Originals in the area with your senses.

See how many are in the area, but don't go bothering anyone right now.

>Arrange a meeting with Chang and Caroline to discuss plans for the night.

“I don't want to commit to it, but I imagine we'll have no other choice.” You sigh. “Get Chang on the line and figure out where we're meeting, alright?”

“Will do.” He responds, pulling out his phone and wandering toward the corner of the store. You produce your own, and dial Jason's number. If he's alive, he must have been off campus for the entire duration of the lockdown; otherwise, you would have sensed him earlier.

The phone rings, and there's a brief pause—then he answers, you recognize the voice. “Hello?”

“Hi. Jason?” You ask.

“Yes, may I ask who's calling?” He responds.

“It's Camille, the girl you met a few days ago.” You lean against a bookshelf. “I wanted to call and make sure you're still alright, after the campus lockdown, but I imagine you were off campus?”

“Mm? No, I was there the whole time.” He responds, calmly. That's troubling. Could he be...? “I still am, actually. Downstairs, in the physics department. I'm working on a bit of an independent study. I've heard all about what happened, though. I assume you're alright as well?”

“There were some intruders on campus, but we made it out alright.” You respond—you're not sure you want to tell him a whole lot. “I've a feeling they were after certain people...”

“I assumed as much, judging by the movement of Originals in the local area. Like I said, I heard what was going on, imagined I wouldn't see any of it tucked away in this building, and turned out to be correct, quite unsurprisingly.” He pauses. “It's good to hear you're alright, though.”

>Continued

>>35334384

“You were on campus the entire time, and didn't catch a thing?” He might not be surprised, but you are.

“To be quite honest, Camille.” His voice grows a bit cold. “Even if someone had come after me, it's quite unlikely they would have been able to harm me at all. Now, if that's all you wanted, I'm going to get back to work. But I'd like to meet you again sometime. Keep in touch?”

“Y-yeah. Later.” You're quick to hang up and put the phone down; Anders approaches, as you do.

“He alright?” Anders asks.

“I hope so. What are Chang and Caroline up to?”

“They just finished eating.”

“As far as arrangements?”

“He was hoping on scoping out the QB's hotel. Figures we've got the cash, so we'll be able to have a good night's stay, and maybe swing some upward momentum—figure out something about her whole operation.” Anders says.

“You're sure about the whole 'good night's stay' part?” There's other Originals in the area—not immediately, though. You detect a loner—Caroline, maybe?—further downtown, near a group of two. And another loner, a ways to the north; isn't that where the hospital is? There's also the one you just lost track of at the diner. “If she's an Original, she'll know what we are, and she'll know we're up to something. Meanwhile, she's supposedly on a higher level than us, so we won't be able to figure her out at all.”

“Right. Then, what did you have planned?” Anders asks.

What will you do?
>You could be overthinking, though; get in touch with the others, and consider the QB's hotel.
>Things have probably blown over by now. Head back to campus, and stay at your place.
>Things have probably blown over by now. Head back to campus, and see if you can stay with Anne while classes are cancelled.
>Anders seems to have something in his friend's apartment. Maybe you can crash with them?
>Other.

>>35334414
>You could be overthinking, though; get in touch with the others, and consider the QB's hotel.

It's worth scoping out, we should be able to see the movements of at least some of her subordinate Originals, and we aren't trying to hide from her.

>>35334414
Go back, our place.
We just killed a couple people. We should PROBABLY think about that before we get into situations where we're going to have to kill MORE people.

>>35334414
>>Things have probably blown over by now. Head back to campus, and see if you can stay with Anne while classes are cancelled.

>>35334414
>Things have probably blown over by now. Head back to campus, and see if you can stay with Anne while classes are cancelled.

>>35334693
>>35334934

(( Archiving. We'll pick up here next time: it'll probably be next Friday or Sunday, and Thursdays after that. I'll say something on Twitter before.

Thanks for the posts, and I'm always open to Q&A. ))

>>35335234
Thanks for the thread OP, I missed most of it cause I was asleep