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>>1234799

The requirements have been met for multiple characters, so two are available for play. Owen, the ex-track star supermart worker or Lee, the Jill-of-all-trades waitress.

>Please select your character!

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>The continuation of an ongoing quest, with previous iterations available here;

http://pastebin.com/E9Eu48Kz

>>1234806
>owen
Will owen ever give lee a chance?

>>1234885
Well Lee ever not spill her spaghetti?

>>1234806
>Lee

>>1234893
But that what's makes her cute

>>1234907

That's right, a cute friend!

>>1234906

Looks like a tie. I'll give it a little bit for any other votes, then find a way to resolve things if need be.

>>1234944
Just roll to decide

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1234948

Very well, a d2. 1 for Owen, 2 for Lee.

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>>1234965

You are Owen, a 20-year-old newcomer to Diamond Shoals, and full-time cart pusher at the local Mega World Mart. You've been working overtime to make up for missing a day while out on a gem quest, when Mike had to cover for you, but right now you just checked out of your shift and are on your way out of the store. Normally you'd want to be out of here fast as possible, but you suppose you could pick something up on the way home.

>Get something to eat for now, that employee discount isn't going to use itself!
>Pick out some groceries to take home, will save you having to go out later maybe.
>Even if you were to get anything, it wouldn't be from here. Mr. Nguyen already takes enough of your time here.
>[Write-in.]

>>1235052
>>>Get something to eat for now, that employee discount isn't going to use itself!

>>1235052
>Get something to eat for now, that employee discount isn't going to use itself!

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>>1235063
>>1235162

Eh, you could do with something to have on the way home, so you can go for a run after switching clothes. Grabbing a pre-made sandwich then, you head over to an open register where Sudie happens to be working.

"Hi Owen. I forgot to tell you earlier, but I heard your interview on the news, it sounded really cool. At least I think it was your interview, you were there when the water tower came down, right?"

"Yeah that was me. I don't know how good it was though..."

Another person to figure out you were on TV, it doesn't seem like keeping it anonymous helped. Though in a small town like this, maybe that's to be expected when everyone knows everyone. Still, you're not too big on people knowing about it, since you got kind of blindsided by the reporter and felt tricked into some answers. At least though it didn't end up in the police coming around knocking, as you'd worried.

"It wasn't awful. I do feel bad for Ranger Judy though, she seemed pretty upset by it, or about something at least. Anyway, see you tomorrow."

With the exchange of money, and learning that the employee discount only applies when you're on the clock, you head out with sandwich in hand. You make an effort to avoid being seen though, lest someone in the parking lot asks for help, or has carts that need pushing.

>Head straight home, you want to get out of this uniform sooner rather than later.
>Take a detour through town, see if your new shoes are in yet at the sports store.
>Uniform or not, you can go running like this. Head for the beach.
>[Write-in.]

>>1235225
>>Head straight home, you want to get out of this uniform sooner rather than later.

>>1235225
>>Head straight home, you want to get out of this uniform sooner rather than later.

>>1235225
>Head straight home, you want to get out of this uniform sooner rather than later.

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>>1235232
>>1235297
>>1235354

Not being at work means not having to wear the uniform, so you want to make good on the chance. Heading for your room further in town, you just want to get back first, then pick things up again from there. So munching the sandwich on the way, you head along a few streets and pass by some familiar buildings to reach main street, from there a short trip to your apartment. Finally reaching the bookstore, you drop the sandwich wrapper in the trash on the way upstairs, and get your keys out.

Whew, room sweet room.

Kicking off your work shoes, you move over to the couch to slump down, and turn on the TV for some background noise. Noticing it's the news though you change the channel right away. Taking a few minutes to settle, you finally force yourself up and head to your bedroom to change out of your work clothes. While doing so however, a banging at the window almost makes you fall over, swapping pants at that moment. Stumbling over you see Katja throwing rocks up at your window, the strangest thing being that she's standing down in the street, as in literally in the middle of the street as the occasional car has to swerve around her.

>Finish getting dressed and head down to see what she wants.
>You don't need to go down to meet her, just open the window and call down.
>Don't bother, Katja usually means trouble and you've got other things to do.
>[Write-in.]

>>1235403
>>Finish getting dressed and head down to see what she wants.

>>1235403
>You don't need to go down to meet her, just open the window and call down.
>"Jesus, (if he exists in this universe) Katja, calm down. I'll be down in a second."
>Finish getting dressed and head down to see what she wants.

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>>1235436

Of course Jesus exists in this universe, he works over at the gas station. For now though you struggle to open the window before a brick flies through.

"Calm down Katja, I'll be down in a second."

"Nyet, not to jump! You have many things... some things... a thing to live for!" she calls up.

Tossing the rest of your clothes on and getting your running shoes, you head downstairs again and outside of the bookstore onto the sidewalk. Maybe she didn't expect you to come down right away, or at all, because she's still in the road when you get there. You ask her what she wants naturally while she walks over to join you on the sidewalk, intimidating you at first by her imposing size and stature. A Russian bear in more ways than one. Preventing herself from making the mistake of leaning against the front window of the bookstore and smashing through, she asks if you would be willing to do her a favor. An immediate red flag, you ask her exactly what it is that she wants.

"I am wanting you to place bet on me for fight." guiltless and remorseless, she shrugs off any concern and is brutally honest, "I am not able to bet on myself, da?"

"Why, because it could mess with the odds?"

You've got to hear this one, and you wonder if it has anything to do with...

"Nyet, I am banned from betting after breaking bookie's arm."

"Of course.

From the sound of things, she says you're welcome to put money on her as well if you want, and assures you it's a safe bet. Since this is a favor, she'd be willing to make it up even if you lost money anyway. Now being completely honest, the last time you got involved with Katja and money, you ended up covering a month's rent with the earnings, but just as that wasn't exactly legal neither does this seem to be.

>Tell her you'll think about it, for now you've got things to do.
>You'll pass this time, you don't want to lose any fingers like her.
>Sure thing you can handle it! Just figure out where you need to go and who you need to talk to.
>[Write-in.]

>>1235623
>Sure thing you can handle it! Just figure out where you need to go and who you need to talk to.
Shit almost forgot this was running today

>>1235623
>Sure thing you can handle it! Just figure out where you need to go and who you need to talk to.

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>>1235690
>>1235755

Against your better judgement, you decide to go along with Katja's plan. Maybe not to make money off it (unless you want to) but to do her the favor. She's a bit of a shady one, dangerous even you get the feeling, but at the end of the day she's always been a good friend and you'd like to keep it that way. Partially out of a worry of getting on her bad side, but mostly because of the obligation you feel to your friends.

So agreeing to her request, which brightens her mood, you ask her for the information you need about placing the bet. She asks for something to write with and jots down the info, but clarifies that it's not something you need to do right away, just sometime in the next couple of weeks. You were the first person she turned to, so she'd given herself time in case you refused and needed to find other people to ask. At that, handing back the information she thanks you with a slap to the arm that nearly knocks it off, and bids you goodbye as she heads off to who knows where. Probably to drink and remember the old country, you imagine.

Leaning against the front of the bookstore and looking over the information on the note, you end up thinking more about helping out your friends, and end up remembering Ranger Judy and what you heard about her earlier. You hadn't seen her since the incident with the water tower, initially to avoid suspicion from the authorities, but now you're wondering how she's doing.

>It couldn't hurt to give her a call, head back in the bookstore and ask to use the phone.
>Head on over to the campgrounds visitor center to meet her, you want to go for a run so you might as well.
>You'll see how she's doing but not right now, you just got off work so you'd like rest for a bit and give the sandwich a chance to settle.
>[Write-in.]

>>1235895
>Head on over to the campgrounds visitor center to meet her, you want to go for a run so you might as well.
If she's not there, then give her a call.

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>>1235960

You're already dressed and ready to go running, so you might as well head on over that a ways. You know the route to take as well because it heads in the same direction as the motel where you did the news interview with the reporter at. So starting out slow before working yourself up to a proper run, you take off along mainstreet passing by stores and people you know, but they know that you're serious about running so don't bother to distract you beyond a passing greeting. Once you hit the back roads though you can really kick up the pace, and put distance behind you.

Some tens of minutes later and you slow down from a run, approaching the turnoff road to the national park, the campground visitor center just along it. Approaching the relatively newer built structure through the car park, you head inside past some visitors to the main desk. The same intern working here as last time greets you, but it's Judy you're looking for, and see her in the back busy at the table in front of a big map of the island. At that moment she's working the radio, moved up front from the communications room in the back, and is surrounded by tons of papers and folders.

"Hey, you're... Owen, right? I remember you from last time! Is there anything I can help you with?" the intern says. His name tag reads Saesh.

>Speak with the intern, to figure out if there's a situation.
>Go directly to Judy, see what's bothering her.
>Act nonchalant, ask how things have been going for them.
>[Write-in.]

>>1236134
>Act nonchalant, ask how things have been going for them.
then
>Go directly to Judy, see what's bothering her.
Might as well be friendly.

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>>1236232

You don't want to jump to any conclusions, since you're here mainly on a hunch. Maybe better if you see how life is for the rangers first, before sticking your nose in.

"Oh not much, how have things been going here for you guys?"

"Well... the geese are migrating through! Although, that always seems to cause problems, and we've been getting a lot of calls. Oh! Also, Ranger Judy thinks Ranger Jeff is missing... well he has been gone for a long time, since the last time you were here actually!"

Well that's certainly some news, though maybe the order is a little off. You hear a commotion from the back though as Judy sets down the radio, looking back with hopeful eyes.

"Did somebody say Jeff? Is he back?" she asks. Seeing you, the hope fades from her eyes, but not completely. Hurrying over to meet you, she's quite distressed you can tell. Almost as much as your time at the water tower, when you discovered that gem monster together. As on edge as she is though, you certainly weren't expecting a hug from her.

"Oh Owen, I'm so glad to see you! It's Jeff, he's been missing for over a week now! Ranger work can have us busy for days at a time, but never this long! We've been looking everywhere, talking to anyone we can... I mean we're on an island here for goodness sake!" she gets carried away talking about the situation, and going over it in her mind, looking back to the board as if maybe she missed something. Eventually though she looks back to you with renewed hope, "But you! You're always running around, on the beaches and stuff, right? You wouldn't happened to have seen Jeff, or any sign of him in the last week?"

Once you heard about the situation from Saesh, you started to have your suspicions, and now Judy confirmed it. If Jeff was last seen the day you came by, then you know for sure where he was at one point, assuming he didn't return after the two of you traveled over to the beachside.

What you're not sure though, is if you want to tell Judy everything you know. You wouldn't want her rushing around as worried as she is, just because you had an idea of where he was over a week ago.

>Let her know it'll be alright, Jeff is bound to show up sooner or later... but you're going looking for him.
>Tell her what you know, you took a ride with him the day he went missing.
>Ask to join the search effort officially, so they'll at least know where you are if you go looking for him.
>[Write-in.]

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>>1236449

Just a heads up, this will probably be my last response of the night. Will resume tomorrow though as usual.

>>1236449
>>Tell her what you know, you took a ride with him the day he went missing.

>>1236449

"I bet five bucks this is related to the Gems somehow... either a monster or he touched something he shouldn't."

>>1236898

This. I mean for what you know so far everything weird or dangerous in the island has to do with Gems as far as you know.

>>1234799

Are you archiving this quest? Or the old threads just get lost?

>>1236449
>>Let her know it'll be alright, Jeff is bound to show up sooner or later... but you're going looking for him.

>>1236449
>Tell her what you know, you took a ride with him the day he went missing.
>Let her know it'll be alright, Jeff is bound to show up sooner or later... and offer to go looking for him.

>>1236900
Links to the old threads are in the pastebin in >>1234809. It's split between two different sites with the latter half of the threads on suptg

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Sorry for the delay, I had to write this twice because the first time got lost before posting.

>>1236898
>>1236895
>>1236989
>>1237219

Before you came to Diamond Shoals, you probably would have thought this a normal missing person situation. Like Jeff got lost or hurt, and hasn't returned to check in yet. A troublesome situation to be sure, but nothing the police couldn't handle. After living in town for awhile now though, based on your experiences you find yourself assuming that the cause is something gem, like anything else strange that goes on. Honestly, you'd think more people would assume that too.

"I bet five bucks this is related to the Gems somehow... either a monster or he touched something he shouldn't."

"What, do you mean like that... that thing we found in the water tower? Owen, if you know anything about this you have to tell me."

She seems a little confused at first what you mean, but you soon see realization wash over her. She panics a little at first, her mind racing to the worst possible situations, but pretty soon she reels her emotions back and gets pretty serious. Demanding an answer of you, you don't want to cause her any more stress or worry, but you wouldn't feel right just lying to her about something she's clearly so concerned about.

"Alright well, about a week ago Jeff gave me a ride over to the beachside in one of the buggies. I was just trying to get to the lighthouse, but he said he had some equipment to check? And some... weird reports that had been coming in." you spill the beans, but sensing the mood of the situation you quickly try to change tone and reassure her "It'll be alright though, I'm sure it's nothing. He'll turn up sooner or later."

>...

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>>1239422

Before you're even finished talking though, she rushes back to the big board, scanning the map of the island with her finger along the coastline near the lighthouse. Checking through the stacks of paper around her, she must have found what she was looking for as she snatches a folder and checks through the contents, and calls something in on the radio. With that, she grabs her ranger hat and sets it firmly on her head, before making her way to the back room.

"Saesh, I'm going out. Mind the park while I'm away, if anything goes wrong you're in charge... and if I'm not back by nightfall, call the sheriff."

Before long she returns with an actual gun under her arm this time, not the tranquilizer rifle you normally see her with, checking it and a box of ammo she's carrying as well as scaring some of the visitors in the process when they notice her. Saesh jumps to attention with a salute and a "Yes Ma'am!" but you're not so sure this is a good idea.

>Try and stop her. It wouldn't be worth it for her to go tearing across the island like this, and besides, if it is gem-related then it would be better for someone who's an expert to handle the situation.
>If you can't stop her, at least try to go with her. It'd be better if it were the two of you at least.
>Let her go. Hopefully, she just isn't able to find whatever the problem is on her own.
>[Write-in.]

>>1239449
>If you can't stop her, at least try to go with her. It'd be better if it were the two of you at least.

>>1239449
>>If you can't stop her, at least try to go with her. It'd be better if it were the two of you at least.

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>>1239648
>>1239780

Seeing Judy like this, you don't think you can talk her out of it. Knowing the potential risk involved though you'd hate for her to go off on her own, and while you're not a fan of getting into danger yourself either, you'd feel better at least accompanying her. You just hope your knowledge of Jeff has any merit, it'd be pretty awkward to get all geared up and prepared to go, only to get out there and find it was a waste of time.

"Hey Judy, you think I could tag along? I might be the last one to have seen Jeff when we went our own ways, so I think I have an idea of where he might be."

"...alright. But if I tell you to do something, you listen and you do it. If there is any danger, I don't want to have to worry about you as well as Jeff."

That seems fair, as you agree and follow after, having to go at a jog to keep up with her in a hurry. Taking one of the buggies, you ask if you can hold the gun since she'll be driving but she shows you there's a holster in the buggy for it, saying no to your request by proxy.

---

The trip over in the buggy is a rough one, as Judy asks you to guide her on the same path you took with Jeff, which leads through the woods. It's not a long one though, and in maybe twenty minutes you pull up together at the spot where you got out last time and headed a different way from Jeff.

"Well around here's where I last saw him. he dropped me off here and kept going."

"Right... well let's check around here before we go on, see if there's anything to find. I think I know where he was headed, but it's worth a look."

Parking the buggy, she climbs out, with you doing the same on your side. Jogging up to the crest of the nearest dune, she stands and looks around with a pair of binoculars, before starting to search around more carefully for any signs or items of Jeff's passing by. You do your part to help as well, but know that you're getting close to where the ranger went missing. Not to mention either, the lighthouse not so far from here.

>Look for anything you can, but stick with when you continue on.
>Try to misdirect Judy, and see if you can head separate ways. Now that you're out here, you can head the way Jeff went and try to find him on your own.
>Take a detour towards the lighthouse, see if maybe you could get some more help on this.
>[Write-in.]

>>1239966
>Look for anything you can, but stick with when you continue on.

>>1239966
>Look for anything you can, but stick with when you continue on.

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>>1240267
>>1240468

You search around the area for anything of note, helping Judy to cover more ground. After a week you don't expect anything like tracks left over, but you keep an eye out just in case. You do eventually find a half-buried dog collar with the name Benson on the tag, but obviously that's nothing to do with Jeff. Picking it up anyway, you head back towards Judy.

"Nothing? Well it was worth a stop. Come on then, I know where he was going, it's not far."

Moving back around to your side of the buggy, you climb back in as Judy fires up the engine again and heads on up the sandy slope, inland towards the reedy grassland between the beach and the forest a good distance beyond. You get one last good look of the ocean behind you, before the buggy speeds down the slope and among the dunes. It's pretty easy going at first, as she's driving along a trail left by walkers or similar drivers. Eventually though the trail gives way to patches of sand between the dunes, and Judy has to slow down to be able to navigate between them and keep to the sandy patches where the grass isn't growing.

"Hang on, it's going get rough pretty soon if this keeps up!"

Heeding her advice and glad you did so, it does indeed get bumpy when finally the patches of sand eventually disappear altogether, now just solid grassland across the dunes. It's bumpier than ever, but the buggy is well-equipped to handle it, so while it's not a comfortable ride it's actually possible rather than if you were in a car. Judy is having to go slower than ever though now, as the buggy trundles along through the noticeably high grasses, rolling across the sloping dunes.

>...

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>>1240503

Watching it all as you go along and reaching your hand out at times to feel the passing grass in your fingers, it's quite an invigorating experience. You're having a pretty great time for something so simple as roving the beach grassland in the ranger buggy, that you lose track of things. When eventually you regain focus on the matter at hand, due to a whipped up chunk of grass hitting you, you get the impression it's been a good twenty minutes at least. A little red flag, as you know it shouldn't take that long to reach town even, let alone the woods. You look over in the hope that you didn't just tune out in a daydream and are imagining things.

As you hoped, but unfortunately so, Judy is focused on driving but looking around haphazardly and clearly quite concerned.

"Hey uh... Judy? How long until we reach the..."

"It's a wind monitoring array, Jeff would have come to check it out, but... we should have found it by now. Actually we should have found it like, fifteen minutes ago... I don't remember the grassland being this big."

A little worried yourself now, you ask her to keep it steady as you grab the binoculars and carefully move to stand up on your seat. Looking out from the top of the buggy, especially when it crests another dune, you look around and are met with a beautiful but disconcerting sight; as far as you can see, in every direction really, the reedy sea continues to the horizon. No sight of town, the woods, the ocean behind or even the lighthouse. Even if Judy were to just keep driving in a straight line, as you see, you could drive for hours and hours and still be traversing grassy dunes.

>Just keep driving till you hit... something, eventually...
>Tell Judy to stop, something is wrong here.
>Get her to turn back around. Drive back along the path the buggy left through the grasses, and head back the way you came.
>[Write-in.]

>>1240522
>Tell Judy to stop, something is wrong here.
>Look around for landmarks anything
>Use your cellphone GPS, or a Ranger satphone to find your location

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>>1240623

It feels like you're getting nowhere slowly, so rather than continuing to drive you figure to stop for bit and figure out what's going on at least. Hanging onto the buggy frame, you lean down to talk.

"Hey Judy, pull it over! We're getting nowhere here!"

"Right, let me just reach the top of this next dune."

Coming to the same conclusion as you, Judy slows the buggy as it approaches the top, rolling through the high grass till reaching a stop at the crest. At a standstill now, you can try and get a better look at things without the bumpy ride. It doesn't do much good though, even as you climb up to actually stand on top of the frame and get up as high as you can. Still no sight of any noticeable features, certainly no landmarks. Just an endless stretch of rolling green dunes for as far as the eye (even with binoculars) can see.

"Nah, I'm not seeing anything from up here." you call down, looking to see Judy messing with some device in the buggy cab, "You got any like, equipment or anything that can figure out where we are?"

"No reception on my cell. The satphone... says we're still in the grasslands, but that can't be right. It's like we're not even moving."

Well that's no good, you're reminded of a recent trip with Lee and getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Jumping down of the buggy into the grass, you walk around a bit and have to put some effort into it and leave a path as you go, as thick as the grass is. Good thing the buggy was made for off-road travel, walking around here is an easy way to get lost you can imagine. You notice Judy is still messing with the equipment in the cab, and trying to call Saesh on the radio, but you wonder what's really going on around here.

>If nothing else is working, make a call on the satphone?
>Test something out, head over to the next on your own and see if anything happens between you and Judy.
>Check what else equipment Judy brought, what you've got between the two of you, and the buggy.
>[Write-in.]

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>>1240693

As a heads up this will probably be my last post of the night, but I'll try to start earlier tomorrow to make up for the late start today.

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1240693
>Check what else equipment Judy brought, what you've got between the two of you, and the buggy.
>Check for local wildlife. Hopefully you can still hear bugs and see birds in the sky.
>Test something out, tie a rope around yourself, attach it to the buggy and head over to the next dune on your own and see if anything happens between you and Judy.
>If anything weird happens, tell Judy to tug on the rope and yell. Last thing you need is getting separated in an endless grassland.

>>1240696
Thanks for running, Kon.

>>1240693
>Test something out, head over to the next on your own and see if anything happens between you and Judy.
>Check what else equipment Judy brought, what you've got between the two of you, and the buggy

>>1240693

>If nothing else is working, make a call on the satphone?
>Test something out, head over to the next on your own and see if anything happens between you and Judy.

Have Judy make the call and you headto the next dune.

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>>1240718
>>1240852
>>1241355

Treading through the high grass over to the buggy, you figure to try and see what stuff you've got between the two of you in case you need it. Of what you normally carry on you besides the basics like your wallet; a lighter, a bunch of protein bars, a pen and pack of sticky notes, a deck of cards, a multitool and a pocket flashlight. Judy has some wilderness-appropriate gear on her as well as the gun, but the most stuff she has is in the buggy. A simple toolkit, a medkit, a survival kit, a box with a flare gun, and some utility items in the back like some rope and a fire extinguisher. Not bad, definitely better than when you and Lee were stranded.

You want to test out a possible theory you have though, and while you'd want to do it as best as possible like tying some rope to yourself just in case, there isn't enough rope available to reach the next dune over. At any rate though you want to see what happens if you travel away from one another here, so you tell Judy just to keep an eye on you as you head there and back. Along the way it occurs to you to also check for any wildlife, if you aren't the only ones there. Fortunately you do hear, and see some insects, and you do catch sight of a couple birds taking flight from the grasses after being startled by your approach.

"Anything weird?!"

"No... I don't think so!"

So it seems you can put some distance between one another without risking becoming separated. However to be fair, you never did break eye contact with one another. You wonder if going father, over the next dune and out of sight would end differently, but to be honest you'd rather not find out.

"Well I can see some patches of water, but nothing to go by!" she calls out.

While returning to the buggy, Judy in this time had climbed up on top of the frame and is also looking around with the binoculars. As you return to the buggy, looking back to notice the path through the grasses you left, your come to notice the electronics Judy was messing with earlier.

"Hey, couldn't we just use the satphone to call someone? Maybe not the sheriff to bring help, yet, but anyone really. Just to figure out what's going on?"

"Oh yeah, good idea. I can call the Ranger center and see if Saesh can figure something out. At least he'll know where we are, if we do need help."

>...

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>>1242468

Judy hops down to the driver seat while you lean over, to watch as she turns the satphone on again. You see the screen she was last at, the positioning software displaying a zoomed in map of the island on the screen, with a little "You are here." arrow at the center. Taking it back to the phone function, she takes it out of the little plastic dock on the dashboard and goes through the dialing process. You can hear the sound on the other end slightly, of the dialing, and before long she speaks up, having reached the ranger center.

"Hello? This is Ranger Designation 5J7A... Saesh, are you there? It's me, Judy. We're in a bit of a situation here, and-"

She sounds official at first, before turning more personable and trying to talk to the other end. She cuts herself off though with a confused look, as you hear something on the other end. Asking her what's up, she looks to you obviously a little weirded out, before putting the satphone on speaker.

"-someone NEW? Wheeeeeeeeeere areeeee youuuuuuu?"

It takes you a bit to realize, but it's definitely a voice on the other end. Heavily distorted though, both in pitch and quality. Whoever it is, you can tell it definitely isn't Saesh, and you don't get the feeling from their tone that they're all that well-meaning.

"Theeeeere you are! Waaaaaait RIGHT THERE... I'm coming for youuuuuuuuuu!"

It stops being intelligible when the talking gives way to a hideous cackle, eventually just devolving into grisly screaming which persists until Judy ends the call. The both of you are at a loss for words, thoroughly disturbed. Something else you notice, with the call ending, the phone returns to the positioning software. The map now is different, a small visible portion of an expansive grasslands which extends to the screen edges. What more, you notice the "You are here!" arrow at the center, and some distance away, about a mile or so an "I am here!" arrow of a different color. Staring at the two, you notice the second arrow is moving, closer and in the direction of you.

>Tell Judy to start the buggy back up, and floor it. Anywhere away from here.
>Start heading towards... whatever this other thing is. It's the first sign of anything else since coming here.
>Just sit and wait. It's coming for you, so why waste effort?
>[Write-in.]

>>1242471
>>Tell Judy to start the buggy back up, and floor it. Anywhere away from here.

>>1242471
>Tell Judy to start the buggy back up, and floor it. Anywhere away from here.
Fucking Skinwalkers.

>>1242471

>Just sit and wait. It's coming for you, so why waste effort?

"Yes Gem stuff alright. We can't run away from this trap on our own. Too bad we have no way to call the Gems or something."

>>1242471

>Just sit and wait. It's coming for you, so why waste effort?

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>>1242508
>>1242561

Whatever this other presence is, you have no desire to find out. You tell Judy to get the buggy going as you climb back in, but she's way ahead of you and already slams the pedal to the floor before you get a chance to strap in even. Since she's no longer trying to keep to a straight line, avoiding going up and down the dunes and just between them, she's able to go at a much faster pace. It's a heck of a lot bumpier, and you're often getting whacked by torn up grass, but you don't mind.

Flying along between the grassy dunes, you can feel the speed in the wind against you, and you're glad to be putting distance behind. Judy also picked the direction well enough to be going the opposite way of the other entity's approach, and driving well enough. As well as everything is going though, it just barely doesn't seem to be enough, since the buggy is weaving around the dunes and the approaching presence is simply heading in a straight line without slowing.

"Can this thing go any faster?! The other one is gaining on us!"

"I'm trying my best here! How about... yeah, switch places! I've got an idea!"

It's sudden and unexpected, but Judy doesn't wait for you to think it over as she pulls a hand of yours to the wheel and starts to get up. A difficult shuffle as the two of you try and maneuver around each other within the cab, which costs you a little speed for a bit, but before long you're in the driver's seat and trying to manage as well as she could. Looking aside for a second, you try to ask her what the plan is but you can guess when she's kneeling on the passenger chair with the box of ammo and loading the gun. Eventually standing up with it in hand, and the binoculars in the other, she's up out of the top of the cab and watching behind the buggy with the gun, ready to make a shot when she catches sight of the other entity.

Standing up and looking back as she is though, she's not able to pay attention to the satphone on the dashboard like you are. At this speed the zoom pulls out a bit, and you get a larger view of the endless grasslands. Normally a worthless benefit, but zooming out more you actually catch sight of two other markers just barely. In nearly opposite directions, two different arrows both with a "They are here!" marker. Both of them seem stationary by your movement.

>Keep up the chase for a little longer, at least so Judy can take a shot at the pursuer.
>Change direction and head for the closer of the two new markers.
>Come to a stop, quickly get out of the buggy and hide away from it, waiting in ambush.
>[Write-in.]

I already mostly wrote out the post to the first response, but included the option again to sit still if people want to do that as well.

>>1242633

>Change direction and head for the closer of the two new markers.

>>1242633
>>Change direction and head for the closer of the two new markers.

>>1242633
>>Change direction and head for the closer of the two new markers.

>>1242633
>Change direction and head for the closer of the two new markers.
No reason Judy can't shoot that fucker anyway.

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>>1242656
>>1242682
>>1242711
>>1242712

As it stands, any other inhabitants of this endless grassland realm that aren't chasing you, are a welcome sight. Juggling your options in your head, you finally veer off in the direction of the closest marker, expecting to reach it in not too long of a time given that it isn't moving. Judy is caught off guard and nearly falls over, calling down to ask what's going on, but you tell her about the other marker so she's fine with the plan. Really she just seems very focused on watching behind with the gun ready.

It gets pretty tense as you drive your way around several more grassy dunes, and the pursuer draws ever closer now, surprised as you are Judy hasn't seen it yet. You're closer still though to the closer marker, expecting to come upon it around the next dune. Bracing yourself for the worst, you steer around going full speed, and end up having to swerve suddenly to avoid hitting another stationary buggy.

"Whoah whoah whoah!"

"Watch it- augh!"

You ended up turning the wheel so hard to avoid crashing, that you end up tipping the buggy to the point where it eventually overturns sideways. Hitting the side hard and sliding along the ground, you hang on for dear life until it all comes to a stop, and you finally fall to the ground from gravity. Dazed, you struggle to reach your feet and climb out of the overturned buggy.

>...

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>>1242866

"Judy? Where are you?" you call out while wandering away from the buggy. Hearing a rustling movement through the high grass though, from the direction of the other buggy, you brace yourself for imminent disemboweling.

This is it, it's caught up to us... you think, as you prepare for death, and are met with... a dog, bursting through the grass and happily jumping up and down to you.

"I'm over here, I'm alright. Whew, remind me to never let you drive again!"

A little further away and you first hear, then see Judy standing up, looking not much worse for the wear. She must have been thrown clear from the overturn, the grass helping to break her fall. Hoisting the gun and picking up her ranger hat, she makes her way over to the stationary buggy, while you try and settle the dog down. A friendly one, and oddly familiar, though you can't recall why.

"Owen! Bring your new friend and get over here! The other thing is going to be here any second now!" you notice Judy call, now perched atop the other buggy after having climbed up on the frame. Doing as you're told, you head on over with the dog close behind and approach the other buggy. Getting a closer look at it though, you come to the same revelation she must have upon seeing it.

"Hey is this...?"

"Yep, it's Jeff's! He must be around here somewhere, first though let's deal with this... thing."

Like a lion hunter, she sits atop the frame as still as can be, with the gun nested in her arm against her propped up knee. Watching ever so carefully, she's ready to drop anything that comes through the grass.

>Climb in the cab of the new buggy with the dog, and wait for the other entity.
>Put some distance between you and it, so you're not both in the same place when the thing arrives.
>Trust Judy to make the shot, and start searching this new buggy for any useful signs.
>[Write-in.]

>>1242869

>Drive it next to the other "friendly" marker.

>>1242869
>Climb in the cab of the new buggy with the dog, and wait for the other entity.
>See if Jeff's buggy has anything useful in it

>>1242889
>wanting to get separated in this nightmare grassland

>>1242869
>Trust Judy to make the shot, and start searching this new buggy for any useful signs.

>>1243035

I mean with the woman and the dog.

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>>1242889
>>1242988
>>124303
>>1243077

Despite being pursued, it's actually quite nice here all things considered. The late afternoon sun, the gentle breeze and the endless rolling grassy plains. If nothing else it's supremely peaceful, which really, is all you've ever been looking for.

At any rate you pick up the dog and climb in the cab of Jeff's buggy, and start looking around for anything useful. Right away you notice that the grass has grown up some to protrude inside the cab even, and the same sorts of supplies that are in Judy's buggy are here but all opened and gone through with the contents strewn about the seats and the floor. Maybe it had something to do with all the exterior damage to this buggy you noticed, that looked like dents and claw marks. Just in case, you also check for the keys to start it up in case you need to, but unfortunately can't find any.

While doing this, you're jolted by the unmistakable blast of gunfire, as Judy suddenly takes the shot. Instinctively ducking while the dog cowers with you, the shot is immediately followed by a horrific shriek as you look back and just barely catch a glimpse of something disappearing into the high grass and bolting off. Judy seems quite pleased with the shot, as the dog jumps out and starts barking at whatever the target was, but as the ringing in your ears fades you can hear something from below.

"Whuh?! Wh-Who that? G-Get away!"

"What in the-" you wonder aloud to yourself, as you lean out of the cab to hang down and try and look underneath. "Is that... hey, it's Jeff!"

You see a cleared out space underneath the buggy, with most of the supplies or remains of them scattered around, and some of the buggy seating pulled off for bedding. Curled up under there, is a very scared and disheveled-looking Jeff. Hearing you, Judy jumps down and similarly checks underneath, exclaiming in surprise and relief before struggling to pull the guy out of there. He's obviously completely disoriented and doesn't know which way is up, even the sunlight alarming him, but Judy is overjoyed to have found him and busies herself with checking him out. Trying to see how he's doing, what's his general health, she even asks you to bring the medkit from her overturned buggy. Out of curiosity, you also grab the satphone from the dashboard while you're over there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ligz_9neu5k

>...

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>>1243201

"Oh he's in terrible shape, dehydrated and practically starving. Here, you got that water bottle from the... good thanks, and could you give me some of your protein bars. Let's see if we can get him thinking clearly again, at least.

Having sat him down against the buggy, Judy takes the things you bring her and tries to get Jeff in a better state, first of all helping him to drink which he takes to desperately. The dog as well, is happy to see him response and tries to get in there to lick him and whatnot. You help out any way you can, but Judy seems actually trained for this sort of thing and is able to manage well enough once you give her what she needs.

So pacing around the buggy a bit, you try to see if you can tell where the other entity went off to, try to see if you can make sense of what's going on. With the satphone in your hand though, you can't help but keep noticing the markers. For now it looks like the presence has retreated, though still visible on the map and moving around. The other marker though, the farther one you skipped over in order to drive to Jeff's buggy, you notice is moving now. It must have been too hard to tell during the bumpy ride over here, and it's at a very slow rate, but it is indeed moving. Not significantly far from here either, closer certainly than the entity.

Eventually you're brought back to the situation, when you feel the dog at your size, nudging at your pocket. Probably looking for treats, or one of those protein bars you have.

>Return to Judy and hang around while she tends to Jeff, try to figure out things from there.
>Try making a call on the phone again.
>Consider parting ways with Judy here, to see if you can head for the other marker.
>[Write-in.]

>>1243218
>You've seen this movie. Make sure "Jeff" is actually Jeff. Have Judy ask something of Jeff that only Jeff would know. Something that that entity wouldn't be able to know by accessing the phones or electronics.
>Return to Judy and hang around while she tends to Jeff, try to figure out things from there.
>Ask Judy what that thing was.

>>1243218

>You've seen this movie. Make sure "Jeff" is actually Jeff. Have Judy ask something of Jeff that only Jeff would know. Something that that entity wouldn't be able to know by accessing the phones or electronics.
>Return to Judy and hang around while she tends to Jeff, try to figure out things from there.
>Ask Judy what that thing was.

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>>1243281
>>1243463

Using your good sense, you head back to the buggy by Judy. Naturally thought you're a little suspicious of the whole situation, and ask Judy to to prove that this is actually Jeff. She's a little offended by your request, and though she does come to accept your reasoning, she clearly doesn't doubt for a second. Her certainty is enforced when after getting something to eat and drink and having a chance to recover, Jeff does manage to answer a specific question to him.

Well that does wonders to settle your concerns about Jeff, but you're still worried obviously, about the entity wherever it is.

"Judy... I got to ask, what was that thing?"

"You didn't see? Well, I didn't either, I just shot when I saw it in the grass. It was barely a look though, I saw the grass moving more than I saw it."

She answers your question while tending to Jeff, but she's clearly more focused on him at the moment. Still, she isn't able to help much, beyond her actually shooting it so you think it's safe to assume that the entity can be harmed that way? In the end ironically enough, it's Jeff having recovered more, who gives you the most information.

"It... it stays in the grass, and goes after anything that doesn't. It took driving in the buggy... and constantly getting attacked, till it ran out of gas for me to figure that out. I found the dog, he was surviving just fine and when I tried staying low the... thing, it stopped coming after me. Like... like it couldn't see anything that stayed in the grass as well." hearing this you immediately drop down to their level, naturally concerned for your own wellbeing. Getting down though, you get a face full of dog. "Ever since then, I've been keeping low, and trying to survive off what I could find down in the grass."

>...

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>>1243511

That's definitely good to know, if it's at all true then you have a little less to worry about now. There's still the matter of being stuck here though with some stalking creature that goes after anything tall enough to stand out, and seemingly no way out. You figure to talk with Judy then, and try and put your heads together and decide what to do from here.

"So what's the plan then, how do we get out of this?"

"Well I did hit it, it might have just gone off to die. If not though, there's still a few shots left so maybe we can try fighting it? Other than that... I'm not sure. We can't wait for help, because I don't think help is coming. Not anytime soon at least, and Jeff isn't going to last another week here. He's in no condition to be moving around either, and I can't just leave him here, so we're kind of stuck."

She is right that it is a rough situation, but then you were always aware of that. It's reassuring to know that you might be able to fight the stalker beast if you had to, but honestly you'd rather not have anything to do with it. It does occur to you though that if Judy is going to stay, you at least could go. The thought of getting split up in this place is obviously terrifying, but maybe it's better than waiting here to starve in the hopes that someone else is coming. And even then, someone else coming, only to also get stuck here... if the beast doesn't get them first.

>Wait here for awhile, maybe try using the phone again in that time since it's the only other option you've got.
>Judy can stay here with Jeff, but you're going off on your own. Hopefully with the satphone you can find your way back if you have to.
>Get help to tip Judy's buggy back over, then get in and start driving again. You're going on the hunt.
>[Write-in.]

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>>1243512

A heads up, this will be my last post for the night. Will be back tomorrow to continue as usual.

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1243512

>Get help to tip Judy's buggy back over, then get in and start driving again. You're going on the hunt.

"There must be rats or something for the dog to eat. Maybe there is even water somewhere. But I think we have to hunt that thing and maybe check the other signal that wasn't that monster."

>>1243512
>Get help to tip Judy's buggy back over, then get in and start driving again. You're going on the hunt.
>Go towards the last marker

>>1243512

>Get help to tip Judy's buggy back over, then get in and start driving again. You're going on the hunt.
>Go towards the last marker

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>>1243531
>>1243882
>>1243935

If Jeff was able to survive here for a week then there must be things around to eat, and you know earlier that Judy saw some water sources, small ponds or what have you. It's a pretty bleak prospect, but it seems possible with the equipment you have, you could survive here for awhile too. Maybe longer with Judy's skills, though the main concern of course is Jeff, who probably won't make it another week at least in his condition. One way or another, you're not going to wait around to see what happens.

Asking Judy to leave Jeff for just a bit, together the two of you push and struggle, but finally manage to tip her buggy right side up again.

"There must be rats or something for the dog to eat. Maybe there is even water somewhere. But I think we have to hunt that thing and maybe check the other signal that wasn't that monster."

"That's... pretty brave of you Owen. As much as I'd love to help though, I can't leave Jeff. I mean... maybe we could try putting him in one of the seats, but that's still taking him into harm's way."

You'd always hoped to just drive out with her to track the creature down, and try to put an end to all this. Having to take Jeff though, and probably the dog now that you think about it, would definitely complicate things. Trying to hunt it just on your own though is not an appealing idea at all though, since even if you were armed it's not like you could drive and shoot at the same time.

At the very least though, Judy is willing to let you go for the sake of finding the other marker, and hopefully help.

"Well can I have the gun at least then? If Jeff's right, you can stay here and keep low, not have to worry about the monster. I'm going to be driving through, I'd like to have something when it comes after me."

You're not to keen on the idea yourself, and Judy obviously isn't either, but you figure you might as well ask.

"I... really shouldn't, there's a whole bunch of problems that could come from that. Given the circumstances though... do you know how to use it at least?"

You can tell she's very reluctant to even consider parting with the gun, for personal as much as professional reasons. It probably wouldn't help that you don't actually know how to properly handle it, but without it if you start to drive again and the stalker beast pursues once more, you're a sitting duck without it.

>Take it anyway, ask her to quickly show you how to use it first though.
>On second thought, you'd probably do more harm than good with it. Just start driving the distance to the other marker, and hope you can avoid the monster.
>Take the risk and try to load Jeff into the buggy as well, and head out together.
>[Write-in.]

>>1245211

"Uh... how about hiding Jeff in the grass and I bait the monster so you can shot it? Because me going alone would be suicidal and taking Jeff and the dog would not be a good idea..."

>>1245211
>>Take it anyway, ask her to quickly show you how to use it first though.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Back now, sorry for the delay. Will roll between these to see which option is taken;

>>1245289
>>1245625

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>>1245289
>>1245625

You have the idea of waiting here in ambush, basically baiting the stalker beast so that Judy can shoot it again. It definitely seems possible, but useful as a last-ditch effort since it revolves around bringing the monster to you. If you run out of other options, you'll definitely go for it though.

"I've got to try, even if it's just to that other marker, whatever it is. If I'm just there and back quick, I might not even need it... but can you at least show me how to use it so I don't shoot myself in the foot?"

"Oh lord, this is sounding worse by the minute..."

Reluctantly, Judy gives you a crash course on how to use the gun, and you draw close to get a better sense of it. Not too complicated by the look of things, but you get the feeling you'd mess it up anyway. Again, hopefully you won't need it.

So, with the keys to the buggy in hand, you make your way over while keeping low in the grass. You know the moment you get above it, you're at risk of being tracked by the monster, so you want to be as quick about it as you can. Approaching the side you quickly climb into the cab ready to go, only to find the dog jumping in after you, happy and ready to go. Too late now you guess, to try and get him out and back to Judy, and firing the buggy up you hit the gas.

As you tear off through the grasses, you look back to see Judy quickly standing up to wave, before you round the dune and she's out of sight.

---

A few minutes of blasting along through the high grass and between the dunes, and as expected, the satphone shows the stalker beast headed in your direction again at good pace. At least it's not going after Judy or Jeff though, so his theory about the grass height level is starting to seem true to you.

At any rate you draw nearer and nearer to the other marker, but all the while pursued. As fast as you're going, you think you'll get awfully close, but not enough to make it before the monster catches you. Going through the options in your head, you try to think of what to do.

>Just keep going, and if the monster catches up be ready to shoot.
>Go until you find a relatively higher dune, then park on top and wait for the monster with the gun ready.
>Get as close to the other marker as you feel comfortable, then get out and continue through the grass, keeping low the whole time.
>[Write-in.]

>>1245924
>>Go until you find a relatively higher dune, then park on top and wait for the monster with the gun ready.

>>1245924
>Get as close to the other marker as you feel comfortable, then get out and continue through the grass, keeping low the whole time.
We sure as hell aren't as good of a shot as Judy. Shotgun is a last resort.

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>>1245979

You don't think you can make it, but you also don't want to abandon the buggy. Rather than trying to shoot while driving then, you steer towards the nearest, tallest dune and head for the top. Slowing the buggy to a stop when you reach the crest, you put it in park and quickly climb up to the top of the frame with the satphone in hand.

Just in time too, as you can see the monster should be coming over the next dune in a matter of moments. Confirming your suspicions, you're hit by a strong wind that shifts the grasslands all around, and there you see it. A moving path through the grass over the next dune and headed your way. You can't see the stalker beast itself but you can see where it is, and before long the dog starts barking in that direction. Nearer and nearer it gets, down the slope of the next dune and through the grasses between, before moving up the slope of this dune and towards you. Carefully you line the shot up with the gun like Judy told you, and get ready to pull... no, squeeze the trigger. When finally you hear a low growling (or is it laughing?) and the monster can be no more than ten feet away, as you're able to make out it's form now, you squeeze the trigger and...

*click*

"Huh? What? Oh right, safety!"

You quickly realize your mistake but before you can correct it, with shriek you catch a quick glimpse of the monster leaping up from the grasses towards you, and smashing into the top of the bugger where you are. The shock and sudden force of the hit sends you flying off the roof and tumbling through the air till you land in a painful heap and start to roll down the other side of the dune.

---

Dazed as can be and in a world of pain, you hear only the sound of screaming and tearing metal. Slowly regaining your senses, you sit up a bit amid the high grass at the bottom of the dune, and try to look up and out. Just barely so as not to draw attention, you can see the creature viciously attacking the buggy. Whether it thinks you're still in it or if it just lost track of you, you aren't certain. All you know is that right now it's Judy's buggy being ripped at and not you. Remembering the gun in case you need it, you look around but unfortunately you only have the satphone, still strapped around your wrist. You know the gun couldn't have gotten far, and it probably fell right near to where the monster hit and knocked you off the roof.

>Sit, or better yet lie in wait till the creature finishes it's rampage or leave.
>Stay low and try to get away, you want to be as far away from this thing as possible.
>Slowly, carefully try and sneak through the grass back up the dune to the buggy while the monster is distracted with it, and look around for the gun.
>[Write-in.]


Sorry to >>1246120 , I'd already written out the whole post basically. I added on that option as a choice though.

>>1246146
>Sit, or better yet lie in wait till the creature finishes it's rampage or leave.

Stupid roll, the anbush would have worked better.

>>1246146
>Slowly, carefully try and sneak through the grass back up the dune to the buggy while the monster is distracted with it, and look around for the gun
We're already in the shit. Hopefully we get lucky and it wont notice us before we can put some buckshot in it.

>>1246146

>Sit, or better yet lie in wait till the creature finishes it's rampage or leave.

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>>1246173
>>1246191
>>1246295

The monster didn't kill you in it's opening pounce, much more the fool! Now is your chance to sneak up on it, right under it as a matter of fact, and defeat it once and for all with the gun. So getting down to a crawl, slowly as to make as little sound as possible, you carefully creep back up the dune. It's a tense feeling for sure, pressing through the high grass and feeling the sand between your fingers, as you crawl towards the ripping and tearing monster.

Finally you make it up beside the buggy and start to look around, crawling about while the monster is at times only just above you taking out its mad rage on the poor vehicle. You manage to make a full sweep of the ground around the buggy without any luck so far, and think to try higher, until you feel a splattering wet sensation on your shoulder and against your cheek. Running down your arm, you see some sort of sparkling blue liquid, and your heart freezes when you feel what is unmistakably breath against your head and neck. Lowering yourself to the ground ever so slowly and turning to look up, you see the monster, and more specifically it's fearsome maw above you. Seeming to have tired itself out, it's laying across the buggy and panting for now, only by some miracle to have not noticed you as it lowered it's head over the side and ended up drooling on you. Probably staring out across the grasslands for more prey, you decide not to push your luck farther.

While having lowered yourself, you also happen to notice the dog cowering underneath the buggy, probably through the whole attack and you think he has the right idea. Slowly sliding your way underneath, you lie there till eventually the buggy shifts with movement of the monster and it climbs down off the top, before eventually disappearing into the grass again from whence it came.

>...

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>>1246363

Giving it awhile more still just to be safe, finally you do crawl back out from under the buggy, the dog taking it as a sign of the coast being clear and following you. Checking the satphone to see that indeed the monster is heading away from here, you use the chance to survey the damage.

"Well it's... in pretty bad shape for sure. I hope Judy isn't too angry... oh hey, there's the gun!"

Circling around but always keeping low in the grass, the vehicle looks pretty badly damaged. Not like it was totally ripped apart, but the exposed engine looks damaged and the frame is pretty badly clawed up. You did happen to notice the gun though, resting between the torn seats in the cab, and you figure it must have just dropped straight down through the roof when you were sent flying. Leaning up quickly, you manage to grab it again, some reassurance.

With the dog at your side, you share the same concern of what to do now. Especially since there's probably only a few hours of light left now.

>Keep low and travel the remaining distance to the other marker.
>Head back the way you came towards where Judy is.
>Start tracking this thing yourself, standing up occasionally for bait if you have to.
>[Write-in.]

>>1246367
>Keep low and travel the remaining distance to the other marker.
Fucking noguns.

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>>1246430

Without the buggy working, or at least without being able to use it safely, you know it will take quite awhile to head all the way back to where Judy is. Eventually you'll have to, but for now you might as well take care of the other issue while you're over here; the other marker.

So hefting the gun and checking the satphone, you head out with the dog at your side, being sure to stay low and always having an eye on where the markers are.

---

It's a good few tens of minutes while you're tracking this other marker. The closer you get the more you can zoom the map in, and you can see it's actually moving around quite a bit. Seemingly randomly though, so you are at least able to make progress. When you get within about fifty feet or so, it starts to move direct away from you and fast. You try to catch up to it but while having to crouch you can't manage, so taking the risk you stand up for just a short while to be able to run, the dog managing to keep pace. Like that, you're able to gain on the marker significantly. Closer and closer you get though and no sign of anything, you're starting to get a little concerned. Thirty feet. What if it's another monster? Twenty feet. Why would it be running away though? Ten feet. Whatever it is you should have seen it by now. Five feet and... it's stopped?

"-oof!" you exclaim as you trip over something small and somewhat soft.

"Ow! Hey, watch where you're goin'!" the small and somewhat soft thing exclaims.

Having tripped and fallen headfirst into the grass, you have to take the chance to get up and turn around to see, but just by the sound you already know that voice.

"Sarah?! What are you doing here? What are you doing down on the ground?"

"Me? What is you doin' here? You scared the heck outta' me! I thinked someone is chasin' me so I tried and hide."

While you're naturally surprised to see Sarah, the little half-gem girl here, you're honestly not that surprised by her behavior of curling up into a ball on the ground to avoid being found among the grass.

>Wait, so what is she doing here?
>Try and figure out what's going on, see if she knows anything.
>Is there anyone else around here, or is she on her own?
>[Write-in.]

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>>1246621

A heads up again, this will be my last post for the night. I do believe the thread is in autosage now though, so from here on I'll be posting whenever I am able, rather than a fixed schedule around the same time every night.

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1246621

"Explain; now." You take a serious expression, like a parent wanting to make a child confess something. You were a very spoiled person so you mostly are getting it from what you watched on TV. "And do you have any way to contact the other Gems? Because there is a Gem monster here, and either is keeping us trapped her or some Gem machine is doing so."

Yes you could all drag yourselves to were the others are but not before nighttime.

You wonder if you should start to carry camping gear and a first aid kit every time you get involved with Gem stuff. Oh and probably get someone who can actually use a gun go with you.

Just being fast is not enough. You should probably learn to use a weapon. Maybe a metal pole? A sword? Later. Right now you have to try to contact the other Gems. If you can't do it today then you will have to stay with a scared Gem half Gem girl and a dog for the night.

And you don't know if the monster won't change habits at night. But miving during night time is suicidal.

Maybe sleep under the broken car?

>>1246621
>Wait, so what is she doing here?
>Try and figure out what's going on, see if she knows anything.
>Emma said she couldn't find Sarah for the pod of terror adventure. She wasn't here for that long, right?

>>1246754
This as well if we have to choose our plans for the rest of the night.

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>>1246754
>>1247040

Having found Sarah as the marker, is some benefit at least, you think. The dog certainly seems to think so, pestering her for attention.

"Aww, hey Benson! Did'ja find Owen too?"

"Wait, Benson?" you ask, while reaching in your pocket for that dog collar you found earlier, noticing the matching name, "You mean Joceyln's dog? There's like, a big reward for finding him."

Sarah just shrugs, talking about how the dog has been here for over a month now, and she's come across him a few times since. You realize though she can't have been here for that long, since you saw her more recently than that for sure. Your test together by Soleil for being able to go on any gem quests, was only a couple weeks ago even.

"You didn't answer my question though, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here all the time, I like it here! The reedy sea is nice, I can crawls around and explore the grass all day! I comes here when I'm bored.

Now that's definitely something that stands out, when you hear what it sounds like, that she's able to come to this place when she wants to. Assumedly then, she can also leave? Whatever the case, she enjoys being here and doesn't seem at all worried or afraid. Your curiosity alone, demands an answer.

"Explain, now. What is this place, what's going on here?" you talk pretty sternly to her, but you don't really have the energy to kindly break things down just from her answers to unrelated things. Especially not when others' wellbeing, Judy and Jeff, is on the line. "And do you have any way to contact the other Gems? Because there is a Gem monster here, and either it's keeping us trapped here or some Gem machine is."

"The reedy sea? I dunno'... it's a big place, too big for the island. I comes here since I found it, but I dunno' about a Gem monster or this being a Gem place. I never seen anything like that, I only thinked it was alotta' grass."

>...

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>>1249160

Sarah is a little indignant at first from your tone, but eventually she takes it seriously and does her best to answer what she can. Obviously it's a little difficult though since to her, it seems a lot of details about the true nature of this place have escaped her, or she simply hasn't noticed yet.

"I can go get the Gems all the time! I just leave and go home when I want, can't you?"

As if to show what she means, she gets off the ground and crawls off through the grass. You go to follow her but she's nowhere to be found, impossible you think since she was mere feet away and you were following right behind. Even standing up for a moment, you can't see her anywhere. It startles you then, when she crawls out of the grass again right near to you.

"See? I leaved and come back, saw the lighthouse and the ocean to make sure."

"No I... actually don't see. How did you do that?"

Rather than trying to explain, Sarah just attempts to show you and takes your hand, crawling again through the grass. Eventually whatever she expects to happen though, simply doesn't, and it's almost like she crawled smack into a glass wall. Clearly confused and a little scared even, she sits up normal and feels around with her free hand, trying to make sense of things. It's like she just suddenly forgot how to ride a bike in the middle of riding one, and is trying to cope with why she crashed and fell off.

"It's not working anymore... I dunno why!"

"Maybe you can only do it because of your gem? I, well... y'know, I don't have one so I just get in and out of this place like you can."

Letting go of her hand just in case that has anything to do with it, you try and figure out what to do now. It's good news that she can leave this place at least, not everyone is stuck here. For you, Judy and Jeff, and Benson though, it's a worrying notion that you're trapped in some gem space or by some gem monster, from which only gems can leave.

>Give her the satphone, and see if she can find her way to Jeff and Judy by exiting and entering the reedy sea. Before anything else, they need help.
>Ask her to go home and try to get help from the Gems, you'll just wait here.
>Try and see how the stalker beast reacts to Sarah, bait it if you have to.
>[Write-in.]

>>1249165
>>Give her the satphone, and see if she can find her way to Jeff and Judy by exiting and entering the reedy sea. Before anything else, they need help.

>>1249165
>Give her the satphone, and see if she can find her way to Jeff and Judy by exiting and entering the reedy sea. Before anything else, they need help.
>Ask her to go home and try to get help from the Gems, you'll just wait here.

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>>1249190
>>1249471

Since it doesn't look like you can leave, at least not for now, you figure Sarah is everyone's best bet. You think about requesting help as quickly as possible, for you included, but you realize that Jeff really is the one who needs help right now. You can wait, if it means proper assistance finds its way to him.

"Here, on this you can see the other markers? Not the moving one, the one sitting still? That's Ranger Judy, she's with Ranger Jeff who's in pretty bad shape. Do you think you could... I don't know how to say it, exit out of this place and enter where they are, to get to them quickly? If you can, do what Judy asks and bring her what she needs for Jeff."

It's a pretty complicated request, but Sarah takes the satphone, staring at the screen for a moment before gripping the phone firmly and taking on a look of resolve.

"I'll... I'll try."

"Oh, and the first chance you get, try and get help from the Gems."

Nodding once more in understanding, she crawls off through the grass again before you lose track of her and she's gone. Hopefully this plan of yours works, otherwise you don't have the satphone anymore to find your way around this place, or even back to Judy for that matter. For now, all you can do is wait.

"Well, I guess it's just you and me Benson."

The dog barks in response, happily seeking attention, and nudging at the collar in your hand. It's nice to have some company, but you can't help that it makes you wonder what the reward is for finding him by now.

>Just sit here in the grass and wait. Make it easier for Sarah to find you again.
>Go wait back by the buggy, under it if you need to.
>Wander around exploring, maybe you could come across something interesting. If someone's got the satphone they should be able to find you anyway.
>[Write-in.]

>>1249543
>Wander around exploring, maybe you could come across something interesting. If someone's got the satphone they should be able to find you anyway.
Time for adventure

>>1249543
>Just sit here in the grass and wait. Make it easier for Sarah to find you again.

>>1249590
>no way to find the others
>no way to know if that thing is about to come over the hill and stick his giant, barbed dick into our eye socket
No thank you.

>>1249543

>Just sit here in the grass and wait. Make it easier for Sarah to find you again.

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Going with the majority.

>>1249590
>>1249689
>>1249607

While it might be more comfortable by the buggy, and you might get bored without some exploring, you figure the safest course of action is simply to remain here where Sarah left from. If and when she hopefully returns, you'd like to know as soon as possible.

So for now, you just sit by with Benson and try to find something to busy yourself with while you wait.

---

You must have dozed off at some point or other among the high grass, as when you're woken by the stirring of the dog, it looks to be not long before sunset. You don't have a lot of time to look at the increasingly orange-hued sky though, as you realize why Benson is now on the alert; something is coming through the grass.

Alright, this is it... time for round two buddy...

Fortunately you've got the shotgun handy, ready to slay the stalker beast, you get ready to fire but are hit with a pang of realization. It could be Sarah returning, not the monster. But then, wouldn't she have made noise or something announcing herself? A tough situation to be in, as you weigh the dangers of the situation, considering that-

"Owen! Am I glad to see you!"

"GAH!"

In a panic from the sudden surprise, you end up falling back a bit and pulling the trigger, just barely missing Emma's head amid the grass. The gunshot echoes out and stirs the grass around terribly, while the actual blast itself severs a swathe through the grass going by Emma's head and beyond. You can hear Benson freaking out and barking as the ring in your ears quickly fades, though Emma seems completely unfazed by what just happened.

"How could you miss at such short range?!

It looks like she had been moving low to the ground to remain in the grasses, which for her height is pretty impressive. However after shooting at her she stands up and moves over to rip the gun from your hands, before picking you up by the arm and dangling you in the air rather painfully. Benson is going wild, jumping and barking trying to get to you.

"Where did you get a gun? Well, no matter. I'd come to help you, but it looks like I'm going to have to punish you instead!"

You wonder if this is at all what Lee felt like when she got picked up by Chalcedony last week.

>Apologize, you thought she was a monster!
>Struggle against her, fight back if you have to. You're not some little kid who just spilled a glass of milk.
>Panic! Don't stand up, don't hold you up as well! The monster looks for anything above the grass level!
>[Write-in.]

>>1249914

"You are aware the monster looks for anything that's above the grass level right? And that it teared up the car like it was cardboard? But go on, keep us standing up and making us the perfect victim!"

>>1249941

This.

>>1249941
Supporting

>>1249914
Also, put another shell into the shotgun and pump it. We're not going to get blindsighted again.

>>1249914
>>Panic! Don't stand up, don't hold you up as well! The monster looks for anything above the grass level!

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>>1249941
>>1249943
>>1249987
>>1250002
>>1250274

Slightly more worrisome than being punished, is being above the grass line and potentially drawing in the stalker beast. Naturally you are one to panic a little, but try to keep your cool at least enough to get across the situation to Emma.

"You are aware the monster looks for anything that's above the grass level right? And that it tore up the buggy like it was cardboard? But go on, keep us standing up and making us the perfect victim!"

"Indeed I am! And you'll make for the perfect bait! Heeere monster monster, I've got a nice tasty human for you! Very lean, only a little stringy!" sounding rather sinister at first and dangling you around in the air like a worm on a hook, momentarily she shudders violently before resembling her typically benevolent demeanor, 'Whoops! My mistake, sorry about that Owen!"

Promptly letting you go, you drop to the grass again, hitting the ground with a thud. She also lowers among the grass, Benson now able and taking the chance to attack her. Lifting up her hand with the dog dangling by the teeth, she laughs a bit seeing it, before returning her attention to you.

"Wait so what's going on? Is there any-"

"Shhh shhh shhh!" she quiets you by just putting her entire hand over your face, "Sarah's currently helping the other two humans over yonder, first she showed me where you were though. She says you're all stuck here, I believe dealing with this corrupted gem will remedy that!"

With that she crawls off through the grass, leaving you more than a little confused and Benson barking his tail off. At least she left the gun behind though, as you grab it and cycle another round. Unfortunately the box of ammo is still back at the buggy, probably. Eventually deciding that's your best bet, before you get a chance to make your way over, Emma emerges through the grass again. Expectedly, you're not as startled this time.

"Oh right, I almost forgot! Sarah didn't know much about the corrupt gem, sooo could you tell me anything you know? Of course I'd welcome your help if you like, but if you'd rather sit this out I understand."

Well that makes more sense now. You're sort of on the fence with her offer though. As much as you'd like to help, if it possibly means being able to leave this place, you're also naturally averse to tangling with the stalker beast again when you're already lucky to be alive after the last encounter.

>Talk about what you've learned of the monster, and work together to deal with it.
>You can tell her what you know, but it's too risky to get involved.
>Don't tell her anything, it'll be more fun to watch her go into the situation blind.
>[Write-in.]

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>>1252619
>Talk about what you've learned of the monster, and work together to deal with it.
Emma seems a bit sociopathic.

>>1252619
>>Talk about what you've learned of the monster, and work together to deal with it.

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>>1252765
>>1252774

With sunset coming on, you don't want to end up staying here for the night, so against your better judgement you muster the resolve to work with Emma against the monster.

"No I'll... I'll help. Not sure how much, but I'll try."

"Wonderful! I'm sure you won't live to regret this!"

Taking the chance to sit together and butt heads so to speak, you have no trouble of it though Emma has to hung forward a fair amount to not stick out of the grass, but then she doesn't seem to mind that much. You try and recall anything you can about the stalker beast, both from when it was encountered with Judy, and then when you faced it on your own. Your mind races and you're more than a little concerned about facing the monster, but Emma encourages you to take it easy and go at your own pace. After all, she doesn't want you to die of a heart attack like humans tend to do sometimes.

"So, it's pretty big and goes on four legs, and did a lot of damage to the buggy over there easily... almost took my head off when it jumped at me. Judy shot it with this-" you hold out the gun for emphasis, "-and it didn't do much. Jeff thinks it hunts for anything taller than the grass, hence why we're keeping low. Also something... weird, it kind of communicated with us I guess? When Judy tried to call someone with the satphone, it answered instead, and messed with the navigation on it."

Emma listens, nodding along as you describe the monster. It's awhile after you stop talking though that she realizes you're done.

"See? That's a great start! Already we know how to bring it here, nooow we just need a plan of how to deal with it. Any ideas? I'll let you go first!"

Well that wasn't very encouraging. Still, you've spent most of the day trying to figure out how to combat this monster, and now you've got Emma's help. Although maybe that worsens your prospects...

>Set an ambush for it, one of you acting as bait if you have to. When it comes, together you should be able to handle it.
>Emma is a gem, maybe the monster will react differently to her? Draw it in and have her face it peacefully.
>You said you'd help, not be the brains of the operation. Follow her lead on this.
>[Write-in.]

>>1253520
>Set an ambush for it, one of you acting as bait if you have to. When it comes, together you should be able to handle it.

>>1253520

>Set an ambush for it, one of you acting as bait if you have to. When it comes, together you should be able to handle it.

"Well, I will act as bait and you smash it? I mean you probably have a weapon or something that will harm it more than a few bullets and my aim really sucks. Sure we could get together with the others and make a better plan, but I don't want to stay here much longer or I will lose my job and start to starve. Plus this way we don't risk certain little girl who is so naive she did not even realize there was a Gem monster here until I told her. She was even using this place for relaxation! I know that Gem or not, she is just a kid but someone should teach her to be more wary or she might get hurt and or in trouble in the future. Or so TV says... I am not the best model around when it comes to responsible behaviour. For example I should have contacted you when I suspected this was Gem related."

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>>1253646
>>1253718

You have a sudden, very meta feeling about the situation and the way of things really. In terms of a plan though, it mostly boils down to a simple summary. More or less.

"I want to get out of here as soon as possible. I'll be bait to draw it here, you fight it with... just fight it."

"Well that's not what I would have done, but it's a plan!"

It seems you're both on the same page, no messing around to agree or disagree on this or that. With the both of you standing up to take your places, you don't even bother with the gun yourself, preferring to stick to what you know and what you're good at. And what you're good at is running. Putting some distance between you and Emma, you take off your jacket and tramp some grass down to give yourself a little space to stretch your legs.

"Are you sure you're fast enough for this? It's alright if you're not up to it."

"Faster than you. And fast enough for this. Just keep Benson... the dog back."

It looks like you're not the only one preparing for the monster, as after calling the dog over to her, Emma straightens up. With a glow of light, she draws from her person what initially looks like some sort of long handle, but is followed by a long chain connecting it to an impractically large spiked ball. Much of the weapon is a translucent golden hue, an amber flail. Emma herself is a big lady, but she does have some difficulty wielding the weapon. Simply due to the size it seems, clearly not a lack of skill as she handles it quite deftly once she does eventually manage to get it moving. Like you preparing, she to gets the hang of the thing, before letting it slow to a stop and lowering into the grass herself for the ambush.

At any rate you remain standing, and ready to run for your life when the time comes. You know it'll be harder given the ground here, and the high grass all around, but at least a tiny part of you is looking forward to a round two against the stalker beast.

---

Standing above the grass long enough, you start to pace around a little and whistle to yourself. Maybe ten minutes have gone by of you waiting, enough that you've let your guard down. Not for long though, as you're met with that familiar rush of wind across the grassland in your direction, and you know what it means.

Actually, maybe I should have taken my shoes off for this...

As expected, you soon catch sight of movement through the high grass a dune over, coming directly for you.

>Start running now, get into a route for the monster to follow.
>Wait for it to pounce again, try to dodge and get used to evading it.
>Duck down into the grass. Move around randomly and keep popping up, like a game of cat and mouse.
>[Write-in.]

>>1253809

>Start running now, get into a route for the monster to follow.

"Here, come to get me abomination!"

>Really, you have no clue how fast that thing really is and you are risking yourself enough as it is. Just run to were Emma is!

>>1253809
>>Start running now, get into a route for the monster to follow.

>>1253809
>Start running now, get into a route for the monster to follow.
>Bring it towards Emma

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>>1253859
>>1254163
>>1253812

No need to show off, or at least push your luck you figure. Not in a situation as dire as this. You see the grass moving, you know the monster is coming for you, so you get into the plan.

"Here, come and get me abomination!"

Kicking up sand and grass as you go, you start running. In good time too you notice as the monster pounces for you after you start, landing short of you and missing with its claws, but only just. To be honest sprinting is not your style of running, especially not in this terrain, but it still proves to be barely enough to outpace the stalker beast. A large part of that is probably due to its unhinged nature and sporadic movement, but you're doing a good enough job on your own of putting it to shame.

So luring along a path that leads back around to where Emma is you keep at it for a little longer, jumping and dodging as you need to when the monster gets close, till finally you make it past her and keep going. You don't have to worry about being caught though because she takes the chance to stand up and with a spin, bring her flail crashing into the monster. With a shriek it's sent tumbling through the grass and flattening much of it in the process.

"Nice one, well done with the... uh, maybe not?"

Feeling relieved, you slow down and think to return but realize it's not over yet, when the monster staggers up again and unsteadily rushes for Emma. Faster than she can get the flail going again in fact, probably she was thinking that first solid hit would do the job, but either way the monster makes its attack on her. Trying to hold it at bay with the chain of the flail, the two of them struggle to stand against one another, locked in a battle of strength. The one trying to claw or bite and the other trying to grab or throw off.

"Argh! Careful Owen, I can... I can handle this!"

And all the while Benson is freaking out as expected, which conveniently enough does seem to be agitating the monster.

>Help out directly, try and knock the monster away from Emma.
>Keep your distance, just try and distract and annoy it along with Benson.
>Attack it at range, trying not to hit Emma of course.
>[Write-in.]

>>1257182
>>Keep your distance, just try and distract and annoy it along with Benson.

>>1257182
>Keep your distance, just try and distract and annoy it along with Benson.
As always, let the gems do the heavy lifting. This thing can shred metal and moves almost as fast as you do.

>>1257182

>>Keep your distance, just try and distract and annoy it along with Benson.

We don't even have a weapon we can use so let's just distract the monster.

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>>1257259
>>1257592
>>1258239

Taking Emma up on her word, you don't get physically involved and stay back. Seeing the difficulty she's facing though, you can't just stand there and do nothing at all. So noticing that the monster is clearly agitated by Benson, you decide to work with that. Picking the dog up and holding it out towards the stalker beast (an assumedly safe distance away) you move around making loud annoying noises as well and trying to draw its attention as much as you can. It seems though that the monster isn't the only one you're distracting.

"Oweeen I swear if you don't shut that dog up... if ]you don't shut up, you'll have worse than this monster to worry about..." sounding rather annoyed, Emma snaps out of her menacing tone when she realizes the monster is no longer focusing on her, and trying to get at you instead "Oh, my mistake! Well done!"

Given the chance, she shifts her balance forward and manages to grab the monster with the chain of the flail. Turning on her heels, with a great effort she hurls the creature off into the grass again. Bringing the flail to a spin again then, she awaits the inevitable charge again to deliver the finishing blow. Moments pass though, and it never comes. You even set Benson down and approach Emma out of concern, though making sure to keep out of the range of the spinning flail just in case. Perhaps worryingly, the same wind from before starts to pick up.

"Is... is that it? It looked to me like you just threw it over there," you gesture off to the pressed grass "-but that's not enough to finish it off, right?"

"Weeell actually you never know with these things. We've dealt with a lot of corrupted gems for a long time, and- oof!"

Emma might have settled your worries with an explanation from experience, but she's promptly interrupted by a rapid passing swipe of the monster. This time though rather than pouncing at her and trying to attack that way, it bounded past and slashed at her with its claws before disappearing into the grass again. Fortunately she doesn't seem too hurt if at all by it, but she's obviously concerned. Turning to face where it disappeared to and trying to send the flail head after it, she leaves herself open to the same sort of attack from behind, the monster having quickly circled her in the grass.

>...

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>>1258567

"Argh, did you see where it went?! The wind is making it hard to see it moving in the grass."

"You know, I think the monster is doing that too, the wind. Every time it- gah!" only just in time do you notice the monster making a pass for you thanks to Benson perking up at its approach, and barely you manage to dodge the claws by stepping and leaning back. It seems the monster doesn't care or isn't aware enough to differentiate between targets, and is just as willing to attack either of you.

While Emma might be able take a few hits from the stalker beast though, you doubt you could survive one good passing swipe. How can you deal with it though, even with Emma's help, when you can't tell where it's going or coming from?

>Challenge Presented; Options closed, write-in needed to find a solution to the current problem.

>>1258572

>First of all hide in the grass. Second, tell Emma to do the same. Third ask Emma if she can swing her weapon over the grass without exposing much of her body. If she can't, plan C. Get to the buggy and see if you can make the car radio work, then with the monster attracted to the noise, have Emma hide in the grass and ambush the monster when he goes to deal with the noise. After all all cars nowadays have at least an AM/FM radio, right? If that doesn't work hide and have Emma look for reinforcements.

>>1258765
Supporting, plus ask Emma if she can make a tar trap with her amber, or stick something onto it to make it easier to track.

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>>1258765
>>1258882

Familiar enough with the nature of the monster by now, you at least know how to avoid being attacked at the moment. It's not the only one that can use the terrain for cover, after all.

"Drop down! It's coming after us because it can see us!"

"Riiight... right!"

The both of you quickly lower beneath the grass line, just in time for you no less, as the monster does another passing swipe and misses you as you get down. Feeling claws whip past your hair, you give a sigh of relief when another attack doesn't come. You're not entirely out of danger yet it seems though, as the wind still stirs the grass and you can hear the monster prowling about nearby and giving off the occasional shrieking call, likely committing to searching the grass for itself to find you two.

So getting Benson to follow, you crawl over to where Emma is and try and figure out if you can proceed while keeping hidden from the stalker beast.

"Psst, hey." you whisper. She jumps at your presence though, falling forward and trying to turn to face you at the same time.

"Oh, hello Owen! Why are you whispe- oh, right!" she quickly corrects herself, lowering her tone, but by the sound of things not before the monster heard. It's probably honing it's search now towards you.

"Right, the monster... so, would you be able to swing your weapon around without getting up out of the grass? Oh and, could you use you... I don't know, you powers to make some of that sticky yellow stuff to slow it down?"

You might have asked too much of her with the monster looming ever closer, but she's clearly thinking it over. Eventually though she seems to have settled on an idea.

"I miiight be able to do something like that. You'll need to get off the ground though, climb on my back maybe?"

>...

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>>1261512

A sudden request, but you don't question it, as you grab Benson and climb on her shoulders. Not too hard since she's keeping low in the grass, though you similarly have to try and keep down while on her back.

"Ah, you smell like resin."

"Thanks! You smell like sweat and dog. Now hold on!"

It's hard to see while holding a decently-sized dog with one arm and hanging onto her back with the other, but with a movement of her free hand you soon see the honey-like substance flood out and coat the ground, sifting between the high grass. She extends it outward from her in an expanding circle, and eventually by a monstrous sound of panic, you'd guess she caught the stalker beast. Taking the sound as a sign herself, she keeps low and maneuvers between a knee and a heel to get a slow spin going. Enough to get the flail moving, and with enough speed she yanks her arm around to whip it with enough speed to tear up, and clear the immediate around her of any grass.

With a slam in the process, you also hear a resultant shriek as she hits the monster with the flail and sends it in a final tumble across the cleared ground. The both of you following it with your eyes, she stands to face it, causing you to fall from her back in the process. Landing on the sticky ground, you struggle but succeed to hold up Benson so that he also doesn't get stuck and similarly panic like the monster.

"Theeere you are... it's time to rest now."

Seeing the monster struggle and suffer from the fight, you kind of feel bad for it a little, even if it did attack you. Probably not as bad as Emma feels, as she puts the corrupted gem out of its misery with a deft swing of her weapon, bringing the flail directly down upon the monster. With a final, choked wail, a sudden burst of smoke fills the area and the stalker beast is no more. Just a blue gem that drops to the ground in its place.

>Congratulations are in order, that was a close one!
>Maybe better just to keep quiet. Hopefully you can get out of this place now, at least.
>Ask Emma to get rid of the stick stuff on the ground, or at least help you out of it.
>[Write-in.]

>>1261522

>Congratulations are in order, that was a close one!
>Ask Emma to get rid of the stick stuff on the ground, or at least help you out of it.

"That was amazing. Now can you please help me get rid of this gunk? I am stuck!"

>>1261522
>>Ask Emma to get rid of the stick stuff on the ground, or at least help you out of it.

>>1261522
>Congratulations are in order, that was a close one!
>Ask Emma to get rid of the stick stuff on the ground, or at least help you out of it.

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>>1262309
>>1262735
>>1262244

You're still in disbelief a little as you stare at the fallen gem, wondering if it really is over, but your experience with other gem monsters in the past has always been the same on that; when they get reduced to just a gem, they're done. At any rate, it's Benson squirming that takes you out of the fighting mindset and back to normalcy.

"That was amazing. Now can you please help me get rid of this gunk? I am stuck!"

"Aaaah right, my mistake Owen. I completely forgot. Here you go!"

It seems Emma was out of it a bit too, but you remind her of sticky ground you're stuck on. With a light stomp of her foot against it, it solidifies and turns smooth, allowing you to walk freely across it. For his sake though, you at least carry Benson to the edge before setting him down. Pacing back across the translucent yellow surface, you rejoin Emma as she kneels to pick up the fallen blue gem. She looks it over, but offers it to you when she notices you beside her.

"You want to hold it? It's completely safe, I promise!"

"No I'm... I'm good."

She shrugs at your refusal, and opens her hand around the gem, creating a green bubble around it. Rising back up to her feet, she looks around again at the field of battle if you could call it that, before vanishing the green bubble and gem inside with a wave of the same hand.

"Whew, now that was a tough one! You handled yourself well though Owen, a credit to humans everywhere! More and more, I think Soleil may have been right."

While you appreciate the compliment, admittedly your main reason for being involved was to be free of this place. Looking around though it doesn't seem like much has changed, at least until the wind starts to blow again. Naturally worried at first, it's when you smell the breeze that you come to lower your guard; it smells like the sea. With cautious optimism you run over to the nearest dune, passing Judy's buggy you got over here with on the way, and make it up to the crest where your hopes are confirmed. Not too far beyond the grasses, is the ocean. Looking around now you can see the lighthouse again and part of town, as well as Jeff's buggy surprisingly close by. Just in time you might add, with the sun finally setting over the horizon, the last light of day fading to night.

You can only assume the others are still by the other buggy, but it appears you're all no longer trapped in the reedy sea. A truly welcome release, but part of you knows in some small way you'll probably come to miss it, at least the seemingly endless peace of it.

>Head on over to the others, see how Judy and Jeff, and probably Sarah are doing.
>You're have enough running around for one day. Rest in the grass for awhile appreciating the view of town and the ocean beyond, how the reedy sea is supposed to be.
>You've done what you need to, head back to town. If need be, Judy or Emma can handle things from here.
>[Write-in.]

>>1262939
>Head on over to the others, see how Judy and Jeff, and probably Sarah are doing.
>apologize to Sarah for ruining her exploration spot, but it's for the best.

>>1262939
Out of curiosity, did we ever get a good look at the beast?

>>1263037

You did yes, when it was tearing up Judy's buggy and drooled on you. A quadruped of bluish hue and hair, large clawed feet and naught but a vicious maw beneath the gem for a face. Behaving and moving in the style of a predator, maybe a bit bigger than a tiger but thinner and more nimble, it was right at home in the reedy sea.

If I get the chance before the thread ends I'll try to depict it, but don't expect a miracle, as you can probably tell I'm lacking in the artistic department.

>>1262939

>Head on over to the others, see how Judy and Jeff, and probably Sarah are doing.
>apologize to Sarah for ruining her exploration spot, but it's for the best.

"Not to mention that you were at risk of catching that Gem monster attention."

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>>1262953
>>1263215

As much as you'd like to take a chance to lay down whether it be here in the grass or just in bed at home, you couldn't rest without knowing for sure everything was alright. So making your way to Jeff's buggy only a couple dunes over, you go to see how the others are doing. Arriving in time to catch Judy helping Jeff to walk, she thanks you profusely and lets you know she couldn't have done it without you, but wants to get Jeff to the medical center. Having called Saesh once everyone returned from the endless grassland, he's on his way over to the lighthouse with a ranger car, so Judy is walking Jeff over there. You wish them well, and tell them not to get lost on the way through the rest of the grassland.

Sarah though doesn't seem in any hurry to get anywhere, currently climbing all over Jeff's buggy and checking it out after having said goodbye to the others. You get the impression that now the rangers have left, she doesn't have to worry about getting caught taking or doing anything.

"Hey Sarah. Thanks for the help today, we'd have been in a lot of trouble without you... I'm sorry about what happened though, having to ruin your exploration spot here. Or, wherever that grassy place was that the monster had us."

"It's awrite, now you guys ain't stuck here no more. Besides, there's lots a' other places to explore on the island!"

She makes a pretty good point honestly, and you don't feel as bad seeing her optimism. You definitely are thankful you just happened to stumble across her though earlier, otherwise you might have ended up like Jeff, stuck in that other place for who knows how long. And given enough time, if Benson got lost and wandered into the place same as Jeff, then other people might have gotten lost and stranded as well. It was a trying ordeal and dangerous for sure, but you don't regret it too much. Not just for your own escape but for the sake of the island as well.

"It's probably for the best anyway. Not to mention that you were at risk of catching the gem monster's attention."

You get an "Mhmm." while she hangs from the bars of the roll cage. While leaning against the buggy and talking together as Sarah continues climbs all over it, you eventually notice Emma approaching as well from over the dune. She's carrying something with her, which Benson is following after and jumping to try and get at.

"Hey Owen! You forgot your gun!" she calls, waving the weapon overhead.

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>>1264651

>Credits Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuDCTzqJc40

I think that's a good place to end things. Thanks to everyone for playing, hope you enjoyed it!

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>>1264661

Also, a huge appreciation to the players for keeping up with participation despite the slower rate for this thread. Last week was quite busy so this thread was slow, but next thread will ideally be at the regular rate of posting/activity.

And of course since the thread hasn't yet dropped off the board, in what time remains I'd be open to any advice or recommendations, or even just questions about things. Any sort of feedback or input is always welcome.

Either way, big thanks again!

>>1264707
Thanks for running, Kon!

>>1264707

When we will unlock playing as a Gem?

>>1265763

Thanks for playing, I had fun running it!

>>1265935

Sarah is up next to unlock. After her, it may well be a gem. You'll have to get to Sarah first to see though.