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>>1379004

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

>>1379007
>owen

>>1379007
Owen

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>>1379022
>>1379101

You are Owen, a 20-year-old newcomer to Diamond Shoals, and full-time cart pusher at the local Mega World Mart. Today isn't a workday though, but that doesn't mean you're any less busy than usual. Well, maybe a little less busy. Coach Bradford asked you to stop by the high school to give a little inspiration to the track & field team. No speech or anything this time though like with the middle schoolers, Coach does all the talking for you while you're to stand by as proof. Of course you could talk but he doesn't expect it.

Just like he doesn't expect you to actually run or anything. He likes having you around and loves that you're willing to help out, but he doesn't want to push it. Partly in the mistaken belief that you'll stop being so available, partly because he thinks you're some such great athlete and wouldn't want to push you to do something he'd consider frivolous. Like making a racehorse pull a cart. Or something like that.

"Go, go! Let's pick it up, a little heart can go a long way!"

Poor Coach, his problem is he cares too much, putting Olympic-grade enthusiasm into everything. But then, maybe that's why you don't mind helping him out when he asks. Either way, sitting on the lowest bleachers in the afternoon sun, you watch the teens struggle to make it around the track in various track endeavors.

>Join in to participate. Just for spirit though, don't exert yourself.
>Tell Coach to have his timer ready, because you're going to give them something to remember.
>Just while away your time sitting here, it can't be much longer till you're free to go.
>[Write-in.]

>>1379179
>>>Tell Coach to have his timer ready, because you're going to give them something to remember.

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>>1379201

Feeling a bit bad for Coach, and not sure if you can bear the track team attempt another go around, you move to your feet and start taking your jacket off. Some there start to notice and by the time you walk along the track to a suitable starting position, all eyes are on you. Even class members who are just there for P.E. or because they're bored, seem at least somewhat interested. After having lived in town for a few months now, many people are familiar with the sight of you running around the island but this would be a rare chance to see if the rumors are true.

"One mile, ok?" you say as you stretch just enough beforehand. Coach to your surprise isn't all that excited, just serious as he nods has his whistle ready, seeming to already know what to expect. A cheerleader wouldn't help you much now, but a coach would.

>...

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>>1379497

Leaning on your knees some distance beyond the faux starting line you chose, you work to steady your breathing after such physical exertion. Some small relief in the form of the intermittent breeze and a passing cloud obscuring the sun, already several people start to gather about you, first and foremost some of the track team.

"See everyone, that's how you do it! A better record than this school... actually, even Risky county's ever seen, but Owen here isn't a student. If you want to do what he just did, and have your name up on the wall and beyond, you have to work for it and you have to want it!"

With the approach through the small crowd of Coach, he manages to encourage the optimism the teens had after seeing you into ambition. Of course they're not going to go and become track stars now, and they don't even go back to running right away (still listening to Coach and even wanting to talk to you or ask questions), but you're standing proof that there's something they can strive for. Maybe Coach is a little old fashioned in thinking your feat would whip all the students into shape to get serious, and while you did impress most everyone there, a lot of them just settle back to what they were doing. Some though, especially on the track & field team, took something from your performance.

"How you doing Owen, you alright? Go and rest your legs by the cooler, get something to drink. Hell, maybe get some of the kids to take the top off the water and dump it on you."

With a pat on the back, Coach leans down a little to see how you're doing. By now though your breathing exercises paid off and while you're still a little tired, you're able to stand and walk around no problem. Still drenched in sweat though. An inspiring bit of strength on your part at any rate, though a rest does sound nice. Something to drink even nicer.

>Better than just immediately crashing to a halt, your heart's still racing. A light walk, maybe even a jog, would be a better way to settle down.
>Having the cooler upended on you does sound quite appealing right now. A proper rest back on the bleachers is more appealing.
>You did what you set out to, and gave them something to strive for. Ask Coach if you can take your leave now.
>[Write-in.]

>>1379502
>>Better than just immediately crashing to a halt, your heart's still racing. A light walk, maybe even a jog, would be a better way to settle down.

>>1379502
>>Better than just immediately crashing to a halt, your heart's still racing. A light walk, maybe even a jog, would be a better way to settle down.
Cool down period, you didn't let me know the quest was up op.

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>>1379569

That's what the twitter is for!

>>1379537
>>1379569

As much as you'd like to dunk your head in the cooler, you know it's better to slow things down rather than stop. So after settling any pertinent questions or interest, you take the chance of Coach continuing to talk to the students and make your way out of the crowd and take to a light jog around the track, settling finally to brisk walk by the time you make the round again. You don't let that stop you, but now at least grab for a cup of water as you pass by again, feeling a lot better now and not nearly so worn out.

---

Eventually the P.E. class have spent their time for the day and gone back inside, Coach thanking you dearly for the demonstration, and as always encouraging you to get back into the running professionally. Like many others he hopes eventually you'll come around to things, and capitalize on your talents. Unlike others though he doesn't try to pressure you, which is why you haven't moved on out of Diamond Shoals.

You notice still some students hanging around the area, mostly the bleachers. Some in track center field are launching bottle rockets while others aside are taking photographs of things as a group, but at least some you have to imagine are skipping class. Just such a one, an older girl with her friends hanging out on the bleachers, speaking up as you walk by for likely your final lap.

"Hey man, so like... if you're so into running and all, why do you only ever use the track when Bradford asks you to stop by? Even Kinsey's brother, works at the community center, says he's never seen you use the track in there either."

They're not making fun of you, even if they'd seem like the sort to do so. Still, she's close to broaching a subject you don't want to talk about.

>Make something up. You might get in trouble if an adult, not a faculty member, is always running around the school. And the community center track sucks.
>You can answer at least that question truthfully. Be on guard though if they try to pry, for gossip fodder perhaps.
>Sorry, but you want to get out of here before the school day ends and the field floods with more teens doing things like cheerleading tryouts and extracurricular activities.
>[Write-in.]

>>1379742
>Sorry, but you want to get out of here before the school day ends and the field floods with more teens doing things like cheerleading tryouts and extracurricular activities.

>>1379742
>>Make something up. You might get in trouble if an adult, not a faculty member, is always running around the school. And the community center track sucks.

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>>1379894
>>1379918

You don't want to be caught up here after school if you can avoid it. Not so much because you're worried about any untoward accusations, but because you've got better things to do than to hang out with high schoolers for the rest of the day. You figure you could use that as a decent excuse though, concern for what others may think of you. Slowing to a stop along the track right in front of the bleachers, you answer their questioning while leaning over to grab your jacket.

"Eh, I don't want to get shot because someone called the cops about a stranger wandering around school grounds. Also the track at the community center sucks."

You get some laughter from them as they like your answer, which isn't so bad. You panic a little though when the top girl gets up to introduce herself. Nothing wrong with that on it's own until she starts asking about you, like how old you are and what you do for a living, and her body language comes on rather friendly. Alarm bells start ringing, as you offer a deadpan response, suspecting Arnie Frankenfurter to be lurking nearby with a film crew for "To Catch the Predator".

"Sorry, but I'm out of here. I graduated highschool for a reason."

You can tell she's half shocked, half disappointed as you leave her hanging and walk out of there as easily as walking to the grocery store. A short trek across the school grounds and past the buildings as you head back to the main entrance and the road heading along back to town. It's still early afternoon abouts, the sun shining above and the occasional car passing lazily by. Standing by the turn onto the road, you look both ways both to and from town.

I wonder if, with a little more prep, maybe I could beat my own record... wait till school's out, to use the track...

Taking a deep breath as a passing breeze comes by, you begin the walk back into town, alongside the road.

>Head back to your room, after that track run you could do with a shower and maybe laze around for awhile.
>To the sports store, it's about time you got a stopwatch for yourself. Probably could just keep it around your neck on the old lanyard from college you still wear.
>You got a drink but nothing to eat. After helping the Coach out, something to eat would definitely be nice.
>[Write-in.]

>>1380078
>>You got a drink but nothing to eat. After helping the Coach out, something to eat would definitely be nice.
Hunger grows.

>>1380078
>You got a drink but nothing to eat. After helping the Coach out, something to eat would definitely be nice.

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>>1380105
>>1380120

Just a heads up, this will probably be my last response of the night. Will resume tomorrow though as usual from these posts. Will also try for an earlier start if able.

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1380134
Night op

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>>1380105
>>1380120

After exerting yourself on the track, you start to feel the hunger while walking back to the main portion of town. You did have breakfast earlier but no lunch as of yet after a run like that, and you could really go for something. Not a full three course meal but something to hold you over till later at least. And so a hankering for one of the sandwiches from the Windswept Minimart it is. Quick, easy, filling and it's pretty close to your room. Closer than the Mega World Mart at least, and you want to steer clear of work on your free days if you can manage.

---

About half an hour or so later maybe, you're in the little convenience store, having sprung for the combo and grabbed a bag of chips and a drink to go along with the sandwich. The only thing you're stuck on considering now, is whether the store brand trail mix is better than the organic trail mix brand. Well, one is obviously better than the other, but you're tangling with the idea of whether or not you want to be seen buying and walking out of there with a bag of organic trail mix. In the end you just choose by way of eeny, meeny, miny, moe, pay for your things and find a seat on the curb outside.

By the time you're about halfway done with the sandwich though and struggle to pull open the bag of chips, you're startled by a sudden voice from a source leaning around a corner.

"Owen! I's lookin' for you, we's gonna'- oh can I have some?" blurts out Sarah as she approaches, though shifting her focus to the bag of chips when she sees it.

"Yeah sure, hold out your hands." you quickly specify. You know her well enough by now, to not risk getting her hands in anything you're going to be eating, considering how most of the time she's digging in the dirt or hanging from trees around the island.

She's appreciative though and doesn't pick up on the deferral, gladly cupping her hands for you to pour some out. After that she plonks down on the curb next to you, partially in curiosity to see what else you've got but having at least some manners enough not to also ask for any of the other things.

"So what's up? Having a nice day?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I go'd to the bookstore lookin' but you wasn't there. Emma wants to go to a gem place. I never been to none but you's gone before. I wanted... maybe you come with?"

Being real, you're normally not keen on gem stuff at any time. Too dangerous from your experience, too strange to understand either. Now to be fair, it isn't a work day for you and she did find you to ask. You're obviously reluctant, but there's definitely worse times she could have asked. It's all just rather sudden, maybe if she'd given you a heads up some days in advance...

>Eh, you didn't have *that* much else to do today. Sure, if it's not too risky.
>Maybe, but why just you? What about Lee, or Soleil, or anyone else really?
>Decline her request. Maybe next time, today you're just looking to take it easy.
>[Write-in.]

>>1381870
>>>Eh, you didn't have *that* much else to do today. Sure, if it's not too risky.

>>1381870
>Eh, you didn't have *that* much else to do today. Sure, if it's not too risky.
>Maybe, but why just you? What about Lee, or Soleil, or anyone else really?

>>1381870
>>Maybe, but why just you? What about Lee, or Soleil, or anyone else really?

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>>1381916
>>1382008
>>1382282

You're of a mind to refuse her, but can't really come up with any reasons good enough to let her down nicely with. If she came to you asking for help with another hostile gem creature... well, actually if it were just her asking for help you supposed you'd give it anyway. But if she were asking on behalf of Sol or Emma, for sure no, you'd decline. This just sounds like one of those simple outings though, like the one you went on before to the warp hub. Difficulties faced during that trip aside.

"Ok, yeah I'll do it. As long as there aren't going to be monsters or anything like that, after last time..."

"Awwrite, thanks Owen!" she gives you a quick hug before jumping to her feet, "I heard Sol talked to Emma, if there's anythin' dangerous she's s'posed to keep me away from it and send me back."

Well that's not a promise of safety, but it sounds more reassuring than expecting you to deal with any threads faced on your own. It's probably not expected that you'd be going along with this anyway, from the way Sarah made it sound. So if Emma was expecting to take the little girl on her own, then you can't imagine they'd intentionally be putting her in any danger to begin with.

>...

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>>1382647

"Hey so, I wanted to ask back at the minimart, but why'd you come looking for me? What about Lee, she likes this kind of stuff? Or Soleil, all you gems doing gem stuff together?"

Having gone with Sarah, making the trek along the sandy lighthouse road back to her home, you remember something that crossed your mind when she approached you. She said she'd already checked out the bookstore looking for you, so she must have been looking for awhile. And maybe if she hadn't found you at the minimart, she'd have kept trying and found you someplace else.

"I's lookin' for Lee but didn't find her, I's gonna' ask her where you was. An' Sol helped us finds the place but is busy doin' sumfin' else."

Well that's a simple enough reasoning, but you can't help notice she didn't actually answer your question. Maybe she just didn't understand what you meant. At any rate, after about another good half hour walk or more, you both enter onto the lighthouse grounds, leaving the sand behind and walking across actual grass of the lawn. At first Sarah looks to head towards the house, but seeming to remember something, runs the other way to the garage instead.

You can tell it's open from a distance, and when you catch up and approach the raised door, you see Emma kneeling and checking on a startlingly big motorcycle parked in the garage. Sarah is standing nearby telling her about you, if you had to guess but she just responds herself when she sees you arrive.

"Aaaah, hello again Owen!" she rises to her feet, in approaching you shake your arm with a hand, "Sooo Sarah says you'll be accompanying us today, on this little quest of ours! What fun this will be, and I can say for sure there won't be any mishaps like last time... or if there are, I can say for sure that I'll apologize for it, like last time!"

You recall the experience with the last "quest" to some gem location, the warp hub. Emma ended up getting lost, and you and Lee wound up stranded at the place for quite some time. Thinking on it now, yes, you'd very much like to avoid something like that happening again.

>Sounds good, as long as you won't be taking the escape pod to get anywhere like last time. You would love to never experience that again.
>Could you get some more details about all this maybe? Sarah didn't seem to know that much, but surely Emma should have an idea, if you're not just wandering into a den of monsters.
>What's the policy on preparations? You're generally always prepared for most anything, but maybe a bag or something with some supplies, would be nice to have depending on what the quest could entail.
>[Write-in.]

>>1382653
>>What's the policy on preparations? You're generally always prepared for most anything, but maybe a bag or something with some supplies, would be nice to have depending on what the quest could entail.
Always be prepared.

>>1382653
>Could you get some more details about all this maybe? Sarah didn't seem to know that much, but surely Emma should have an idea, if you're not just wandering into a den of monsters.
>What's the policy on preparations? You're generally always prepared for most anything, but maybe a bag or something with some supplies, would be nice to have depending on what the quest could entail.

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>>1382674
>>1382730

From the sound of things this other place is, well, in another place. Hopefully that doesn't mean needing to use the escape pod again, but you still remain worried, as much as you might try to play it down. In seeking to lay those worried to rest, you figure to ask more about this whole matter. Of anything, you know at least that you can trust Emma to know all about it.

"So what's this place like, what'll we be doing there?"

"I have nooo idea! I don't know anything at all about the location, only that Pearl believed it was important. Maaaybe some structure like a temple, or a repository? Aaaah but don't fret, I'm sure we'll find out for ourselves!"

Well that's reassuring. Monsters or not, you'll just have to trust and follow Emma on this one, which you take to mean that it'll be up to you to look out for Sarah in case there's any danger. Maybe in that sense, it's better for you to have come even if you're not keen on it. A part of you though, a large part of you, wishes you still had the gun from your tangle with the stalker beast from the Reedy Sea. In dwelling on that, you realize it might be prudent to consider preparing, equipping for the quest and what may come of it. Your pockets are full of useful things, but nothing which could help for scaling a great height, like the quest to the warp hub.

"Oh one more thing Emma, before we go, but can we take anything with us? I mean in like a bag or something, anything we might need."

"Anything you might need? Weeell I don't see why not, if you think it will help. Just so long as it's fastened tight to the chopper here when we go." at that she pats on the giant motorcycle. So that's the chopper everyone's always talking about. You're not sure why but you kind of expected a gem helicopter or something.

"Come on then Owen! I's got a bag we can use!" Sarah proclaims with optimism, exiting the garage and running off to the house. Emma says you can take your time with the preparations while she continues to ready the bike, so you follow after to the house as well thinking of what you might need.

>[Write-in.] Decide on what items you think may come in handy, and you would want to bring. At a reasonable amount of course, what could fit inside a medium-sized backpack.

>>1383131
Rope, Pocket knife, Small first aid kit, Water bottle filled, Lunch.
Then, in our dominant hand we hold a baseball bat and in our other, an improvised shield.

>>1383148
Oh and a small tarp.

>>1383148
This is good, but also bring a compass and a first aid kit.

>>1383192
It's on there, compass is good, and a cigarette lighter.

>>1383194
Crap, you're right. The first aid kit is already there. I should probably go to sleep soon.

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Rats, had a response written out but lost it. The site's acting finicky for me (or maybe just poor internet), so I think that'll be it for tonight. Will resume from the same spot here though later, including any other preparation ideas until then, and get into the real meat and potatoes of the other location.

>Thanks all for playing.

>>1383306
Night op

>>1383306
Thanks for running, Kon.

Hoo boy, yuge post incoming! Big enough that I felt the need to announce it!

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>>1383148
>>1383192
>>1383194

So together with Sarah, the two of you rummage around the house to find what you can, and stuff it all into a backpack of hers. She's even got one of those mini-coolers which, although it takes up the most space in the bag, does allow to keep things cold. Which suits her goals perfectly because she stuffs more than a few Shark Sizzler ice creams in there, some sodas too. The only thing she can't find in the house is a lighter, but you always have one with you, same as a pocket knife.

On the way back to the garage together, you also grab a metal trashcan lid with the idea of using it as a shield, and find an old baseball bat between some old junk inside the garage when you return there. Emma is glad to see the both of you though, as she seems to have gotten the bike ready and is busy pushing the massive thing outside.

"Aaaalright then! Are you both ready to go, have everything you need? Now, fasten anything you want to bring to the chopper..." speaking as a matter-of-factly, she takes the trashcan lid and bat away from you by simply grabbing and lifting them up till you can't hold on anymore and have to let go. "I doubt a human is strong enough to hold onto aaanything during the trip, you'll have to tie them down. Nooow, all that's left is to choose where you want to sit! Not Sarah though, you're too young so you'll have to ride on the seat with me."

You hear audible annoyance from Sarah, as you try and find a place to affix the "shield" and the bat to the bike. You also look for a spot to sit, but if you don't want to end up with you sandwiched in Emma's lap and Sarah in yours, then it looks like the floorboards are the place to be. A little concerning since they're much closer to the road, but the floorboards themselves are appropriately huge to match the size of the bike, and you'd be able to lay out pretty comfortably on them if you wanted let alone just sitting.

So, doing as you're told and standing back with Sarah to watch, Emma fires up the bike with a roar. Instinctively the both of you draw your hands up to cover your ears, but the real impact is when she tests the clutch a few times. The sudden and huge pressure differences put out by the bike, you can feel in your chest almost like a punch, and Sarah falls over backwards from it. Eventually once Emma seems satisfied about it running though, she signals the both of you over. While idling the bike is much less fearsome and you don't need to cover your ears, though as you approach you happen to notice not all of the exhaust pipes are running, but it's a small detail easily overshadowed by the bike proper. Emma lifts Sarah up to sit in front of her, while you find a spot on the right floorboard and just try to hang onto anything you can.

"You alright down there Owen?!" she asks, looking down. Against your better judgement, you simply nod and hope for the best.

>...

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>>1384990

Fortunately, while you may have expected the worst from her, Emma actually seems capable of driving the bike and exercises some restraint and care knowing that you're basically just hanging onto the side. As such when she uses the throttle she never guns it, keeps the top speed rather low, and takes care not to steer too sharply. For you then, it's still a scary experience at first but you're quickly able to adjust to it, and actually find it a little fun being closer to the ground as the bike drives along.

So it's a short enough ride, as Emma drives the bike across the lighthouse grounds towards the road to and from town. You quickly have some concern as to what her plan is since given the bike's size, there's no way it could maneuver through town. Unable to ask her though you can only wait and see, the realization coming soon enough when a bend in the road comes up and she starts to build speed. Keeping the bike straight, you feel certain she's just going to skip the curve and veer right off the road, crashing into the sandy dunes ahead. Your fears are only somewhat mitigated though as she calls down to you, a warning of sorts.

"You're going to want to hang onto something now Owen, make sure you're facing forward as best you can! Oh, and you might want to close your eyes for this... or don't! We won't be able to come back for you though, if you fall off!"

Not sure what to expect, you hold on for dear life and after a quick decision decide to go ahead and close your eyes. Not moments later and you hear someone else in the bike kick into gear, causing a sudden boost in speed as you strain against being pushed back. There's a strange distortion in the sound of everything and suddenly you feel a little cold. Against your better judgement you try to open just one eye for a peek, but are assaulted by a superfast blur of colors, almost like something out of an old sci-fi movie when they warp through space. It's very disorienting and visually offensive so you just go back to closing your eyes and hanging on till the ordeal is over.

All in all, as unpleasant of an experience as it is, it doesn't last all that long from what you can tell. Maybe only a couple minutes, till the sound distortion winds down and with a sudden downshift in speed which causes you to lurch forward and crash into Emma's leg, the cold feeling is gone. Replaced instead with a comparatively warmer sea breeze, and the sound of washing waves and seagulls.

"Ah, heeere we are! Now isn't that some fine parking, and I do say so myself!"

Taking a deep breath and opening your eyes again, you're a bit confused at first by the smooth but solid blue floor around. Apprehensively stepping down though and feeling it safe to stand, you gladly dismount the bike and look around.

>...

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>>1384998

With the crumbled pads spread around the ground here and seeing the sea below, farther out, you come to realize you're standing elevated on a platform. It's the warp hub, back again to the same location as the first proper quest you went on. From the look of things, Emma managed to pull the bike to rest atop the platform, a little ways from the center but still on the top at any rate. You're not sure how it was done since as always you understand very little, but if you had to guess it seems the bike has something special about it and she managed to drive it from the lighthouse road and through that blurred transition, and managed to land it up here.

Well one way or another, you stumble a bit as you try to find your feet, falling to your knees in the process. Breathing heavy in an attempt to regain your senses, it's a welcome feeling of the solid ground beneath you, against your hands. You notice Sarah as well nearby, quite clearly mortified by the experience and hanging onto the bike for support.

"Are you alright Owen? Lee had a lot of trouble her first time too, but you'll get used to it!" you feel Emma's big hand on your back, as she tries to help you readjust. From what she says though, you certainly hope it isn't something you'll get used to. Being fair though, it was honestly a much, much better experience than traveling by the escape pod.

>You're fine, just ask for a chance to collect yourself.
>You're feeling a bit ill, you could really use something to drink, maybe even eat after that.
>Nevermind you, how is Sarah doing?
>[Write-in.]

>>1385031
>You're fine, just ask for a chance to collect yourself.
>How's Sarah doing?

>>1385031
>>You're fine, just ask for a chance to collect yourself.
>Nevermind you, how is Sarah doing?

>>1385031
>>You're fine, just ask for a chance to collect yourself.
Eating after being disorientated would lead to trouble.

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>>1385322
>>1385333
>>1385374

Even just a drink, might have been nice but you decide against it. Certainly not, eating something after all that. You wouldn't want to feel even more sick.

"I'm good, just give me a minute."

A few more deep breaths, concentrating on the solid ground, and letting your vision settle. Shaking your head to get rid of any residual dizziness, you feel a bit better now, enough at lest that the world isn't spinning anymore. Swallowing the nausea down, you push yourself up to your feet, steady now as you stand. You look over to the bike again though and see Sarah, looking a little green and like she could use some help. Returning back to the bike, by the time you reach her side you're walking normal again.

"You okay Sarah? Did you keep your eyes open during the trip or something?"

"I eated sumfin'... after alla' that... I feel even more sick."

It seems she had the same feeling, and urge you did as well but unlike you, chose to act on it.

---

Given the time aside, sitting together with Sarah and Emma who was kindly patient to wait, some tens of minutes later the little girl is feeling better. At least assuming you aren't taking a trip on the bike again anytime soon, and such seems to be the case. Once you've gotten the supplies you brought along off the bike and are ready to go, Emma leads the way to the undamaged warp pad you're familiar with from the previous time you were here, explaining things as you all walk together across the crystalline surface of the great platform.

"Sooo we'll be using the warp pad here, since there isn't one back home. I'll be the one to activate it, we'll all go at the same time, together. I would think Sarah could use it as well, but without practice... and Owen, you definitely can't..." at that she steps up onto the only functional warp pad in this place, circling once in thought before turning back to the two of you with her hands outstretched, "As long I hold onto you though, or the other way around, then it should be fine. I'll warn you up front however, it's not as bad as riding the chopper but it can be a little disorienting at first. Once I activate it though, you can feel free try things out if you wish, mess around even."

Both of you, Sarah included, are naturally wary of whatever experience is to come from this. Looking at each other with similarly reluctant expressions, Sarah eventually takes Emma's hand while you settle just for grabbing ahold of her leg. Even so, the both of you step up onto the pad with understandable trepidation.

>Play it as safe as you can, repeat the chopper ride and just hold on tight, keeping your eyes closed. Maybe even hold your breath.
>After the chopper ride, maybe it would do you better to face it head on and deal with the experience.
>Hey, if the experience isn't too bad, you could try having some fun with it.
>[Write-in.]

>>1385570
>>Play it as safe as you can, repeat the chopper ride and just hold on tight, keeping your eyes closed. Maybe even hold your breath.
Just be careful where you grab, or don't.
Suggest holding hands.

>>1385570
>After the chopper ride, maybe it would do you better to face it head on and deal with the experience.

>>1385574
>holding hands
Owen is NOT a slut.

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>>1385574
>>1385575

Compared with the experience on the chopper, once again you take to the wisdom of never trusting Emma completely. You can't be too careful when she's involved with something, so you figure to take things as safe as possible.

"Aaaalright then, everyone ready? Here's hoping this works... oh wouldn't it be a shame if humans couldn't survive warp travel. Owen would probably turn inside out and explode, and poor Sarah would probably be ripped in two, between her gem and human sides! Oh well, only one way to find out!"

Her words bring no comfort, but before you can let go or otherwise flee to safety, Emma brings her hands together in concentration. The crystalline platform begins to glow brighter beneath you and starts to hum, till finally a great pillar of multi-colored light erupts skyward from the pad surface. A blinding sensation at first as your vision of anything beyond the pad is obscured, though by the time your eyes adjust and you can at least make out Emma and Sarah beside you, you start to feel a lifting sensation. Looking down to your feet, it looks like your edges are losing definition (creepily) and trickling off into the light, a forewarning of when you actually start to leave the surface of the pad below.

"Wha-ha-ha-haaagh!" you scream in response, struggling to try and stay down and kicking your feet wildly. Should have kept your eyes closed probably, and panicking you end up clinging entirely onto Emma's leg. Your eyes darting around and your breathing rapid to match your pounding heart, visually it isn't as disorienting as the chopper ride (a little pleasant even) but the strange sensation of falling up, especially in your gut is too strange on your own.

>...

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>>1385807

Thankfully you're not on your own, as you feel a hand on your shoulder, and look up to see Emma smiling softly down at you and bringing her hand down in front of you to take. Against your good senses, you decide to trust her at least enough for this as you loosen your grip (at least of your arms) from around her leg and take her hand. Gently, she guides you off of her to "stand" on your own beside her, still holding her hand of course. In truth you're not really standing as there's nothing to stand on, but your relative position in the warp stream isn't changing. You're oriented in a similar "standing" upright position as her with your feet kind of just dangling, and you're keeping at a same pace with her, neither flying up or falling down. You're certain without her help, you'd probably get lost in the warp, but she keeps her hand out for you the whole way.

Just out of curiosity you try to see how Sarah is doing, and lean forward to try and look past Emma. And there you see her, floating wildly in an attempt to not spin in place, and struggling but failing not to drift farther and farther away from the two of you. She's clearly panicking as well, trying all she can like swimming maneuvers or even just running in place, but to no avail. Quickly you nod with your head in Sarah's direction since you don't want to let go with your hands, to draw Emma's attention to the problem. She's confused at first and nods back, but eventually comes to understand what you mean, and nearly panics herself when she sees poor Sarah freaking out. Quickly she reaches up to similarly grab the girl and draw her close before she drifts away completely, whereupon once close enough Sarah just clings to Emma's head and ends up sitting on her shoulders.

---

The warp travel doesn't last much longer than that, shorter by a good amount than the chopper ride, as you soon start to feel something tangible beneath your feet again and solid ground after that. The pillar of light you're all engulfed in peels back and fades, to reveal a new location. You're standing on a warp pad again, but instead of the crystalline surface of the warp hub around it, it looks like... well, dirt, if you had to guess? And trees beyond it, fairly thick by the looks of things. It's a little difficult to see though as things are very foggy here, misty wet as you feel it against your skin. Fairly dim because of all the trees around and above but not so dark that you wouldn't be able to see where you're going, and clearly that it's still daytime. All the while, you can hear sounds of the forest, like the chirp of bugs and the calling of birds.

"Aaaand here we are? I think... this is certainly somewhere I've never been before, so that's a good sign at least!"

Loosing her hand from your grip, she brings it behind you and gives you a gentle push to prompt you to step down, while she in turn reaches up to try and help Sarah off of her shoulders.

>With baby steps, explore this new place.
>Check to see if you still have all the equipment you brought.
>Try and figure out the logistics of the warp, for example why you didn't just take the chopper to get here?
>[Write-in.]

>>1385820
>>Check to see if you still have all the equipment you brought.
Then
>With baby steps, explore this new place.

>>1385835
Supporting this.

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>>1385835
>>1385907

Just a heads up, this will probably be my last response of the night. Would love to continue since things are getting to it now, but have to get an early night tonight. Will resume tomorrow though as usual from these posts.

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1385928
Good night op.

>>1385928
Thanks for sticking to it, Kon.

Just dropping in to say that I will try to continue things tonight, but it will be later than usual due to current busy-ness (different computer posting).

>>1387595
Do what you can Kon, it's cool if you skip a night.

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>>1387991

I appreciate the understanding but the main issue that just cropped up, is an unexpected and very important thing in a couple days to have to prepare for, that I only learned about today. Had I known earlier, I'd have postponed making the thread of course till after.

I'd hate to string the players along any longer already, but the ideal situation would be to postpone activity till I've taken care of the other thing, and my schedule is free again. Failing that though, I could maybe manage a little activity each till then day just to keep things active. Again, hate to put the players through that, especially for this thread where it's the first time to actually get to explore things, but this happened to be so unexpectedly sprung on me.

>>1388529
It happens, Kon. Don't worry about it.

>>1388529

Back again now with the time to burn. Will continue things here again in a bit, though the thread is already at page 7. Depending on how far things get, it might end up that the action of this thread just extends into the next one rather than ending it without a conclusion.

>>1385820
>Check your equipment, then verify you can use the warp pad to return.

No sense exploring without first making sure we can get back.

>>1385820
>>Check to see if you still have all the equipment you brought.

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>>1385835
>>1399699
>>1399702

Before you go traipsing into the misty yonder, you want to make sure you've still got everything you brought along with. Kneeling on the ground once off the pad and setting the backpack on the dirt, you check through things. Naturally you volunteered to carry the bag, and fortunately everything packed within is still there. To your dismay however, it looks like you lost the trashcan lid "shield" and baseball bat during the warp trip. In your panic over the experience at first, you must have dropped them or otherwise lost track. Naturally you ask Emma with some concern, which she explains that the lost items might have fallen out of the warp stream during the trip. If you're really so concerned though, she offers to make you replacements and right now even, no less.

Maybe if you need it you'll consider the offer. For now though, well things are a little eerie but it doesn't seem dangerous. From your experience there could always be a monster lurking nearby, but you wouldn't imagine Emma to bring Sarah to a place as potentially dangerous... right? To your eyes and ears at least though, this isn't some strange gem place like the vault. Foggy sure, but the ground and the trees are real. Just to make triple sure you run up and kick a tree, yep, real.

So feeling cautious but eager to pull your weight on the team, you start to look around and explore a little. Despite the low visibility, you're able to discern what seems to be a path or at least a clearing the stretches on through the trees, both to and from the warp pad. Treading off the beaten path then to get a look at the wild, you're soon joined by Sarah running around and climbing up the trees.

"Whas' with all the trees here? They's not like the ones back home!" she calls down, hanging from a vine above and watching with glee some sort of native lizard crawling down it without much a care towards her.

"I think they're tropical? I mean I'm not a plant guy, but these are the sorts of trees that grow in warmer places I think, than where we come from... how far away did Emma take us?"

You're actually a little curious yourself now to see more of this place and confirm your suspicions. The only thing you know is that Emma said you were all supposed to be heading higher up, so it shouldn't matter if you travel farther up by way of the path, through the woods, or some other means. Right?

>Stay together as a team. Better to play it safe no matter what.
>Go through the woods with Sarah. A little spooky, but overall kind of nice here.
>Get her back to Emma, but scout ahead on your own, since you're the fastest.
>[Write-in.]

>>1399764
>>Get her back to Emma, but scout ahead on your own, since you're the fastest.

>>1399764
>>Stay together as a team. Better to play it safe no matter what.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>1399842
>>1401395

Continuing here in a bit.

>Rolling to decide between these two choices.

>>1402313
I'm ok with
>>1401395

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>>1401395
>>1399842
>>1402345

Given the freedom here, you'd actually like to take a look around for yourself. In line with your better judgement though, you understand this to be a team effort. So after managing to convince Sarah to get down from climbing in the trees, together you return to Emma who'd been a little worried looking for the both of you. Her relief is clear though when both of you return to sight.

"Aaaah there you are! Taking a... bathroom break, it's called? That's something humans do, right?"

"Not exactly. we were just having a look around, no big deal... so, upwards then? How far away is this place?"

Also as the most capable of combat, it seems wise to stay close to Emma. No monsters or anything yet, but you'd hate to find the sort that would dwell in a place like this.

---

It's not as long a walk as you might have imagined, maybe ten minutes at best. It's a fairly steep trek though for sure, but you notice the fog thinning out considerably as you get higher and before long you're looking clearly at the tropical forest all around. Not an actual jungle as you'd thought at first, but certainly more lush than anything back home.

"Hey whas' that up there?"

Sarah running ahead a little sounds to have noticed something and you look forward a ways to see what she's talking about. A little clearing like the one where the warp pad was, and bordering it a sheer rocky face with a great door of light pink built into it. All of it is heavily overgrown with vegetation and the like, but the sheer size of the door alone negates the purpose of cover any plants would afford. Catching up with Sarah, you walk out onto the clearing more, away from the vast door in order to get a better look up.

"Yes, this would have to be it... whatever it is!" Emma responds, getting a clear look for herself as she follows.

From what you can see, it looks to you now, that you're all towards the summit of a mountain covered in trees and growth and only just peeking over the cloudline. In the distance you see other similar mountaintops just above the clouds, resembling green islands in a white sea. The thing that sets this one aside though, is that further up to the mountaintop you can barely make out some large structures poking out of the treeline, of a similar pinkish hue as the great door down here.

>Try to get a better look of the area, from up here it's a pretty good vantage point.
>Approach the door, the way ahead seems clear to you.
>Ask Emma what, if anything, she knows of this place. Might be nice to have an idea before you head in.
>[Write-in.]

>>1402691
>>Ask Emma what, if anything, she knows of this place. Might be nice to have an idea before you head in.
Information is always a good idea.

>>1402691
>Ask Emma what, if anything, she knows of this place. Might be nice to have an idea before you head in.
>"Could I have those replacements made now? I bet there will be some kind of Gem monster over there."

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>>1402718
>>1402893

The view from the clouded promontory is nice, but now faced with the mission at hand in the form of the great door, you're more concerned with things to come. Hopefully it is as she believes, safe as houses, but you decide to ask Emma just to set things straight. If not for the team entire, then at least your own worries. By your experiences at least, you tend to associate gem things with danger nowadays. Certainly, monsters is a close second place association with "Gem".

"Hey Emma, quick question. What do you know about this place?"

"Being honest, very little. It could be anything, from a temple to a storage facility, though it looks quiiite big from here! I do know that Pearl considered it to be very important, and she spent more time than aaanyone studying these old Gem places. I'm sure you needn't worry though, beyond any security measures still in place!"

In a sense, the warp hub was the first real location of this sort that you visited, but it wasn't more than just a raised platform in the ocean really. This place by comparison, well it's an actual structure. Might that you'd have been curious in hearing about it, but now standing before the entrance, you're of a mind to just head on home. A successful scouting mission this was! As Emma nears the doors though and at her height, examines around for any way to open them, something she said springs to mind.

"Wait, did you say security measures? You know, on second thought I would like some replacements for the... well, I was using them as weapons, but the things I lost."

"Oh suuure, it was the lid of a disposal can, and a club for that human pitching game right?"

After locating something of a control panel (at least it looks like that to you) and creepily lengthening her arm up to reach, Emma clears away some of the overgrown plants and activates the device. There's a loud chime of sorts from within, as the ground shakes a little, and after some clear difficulty the crystalline doors start to open. A lot of dust and dirt, and old plant material falls loose from between each door as they go through the opening process.

>...

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>>1403228

It's slow going though, so during this time Emma returns to you and takes the chance to fashion replacements for your lost items. Out of the honey-like goopy substance you're familiar with, she spins for you a pretty accurate recreation of both the trashcan lid and the baseball bat. She has you wait a bit for them to harden, but finally hands them to you after running her hands over them once, to get rid of the stickiness.

"Oh thanks, these are... really cool actually."

The objects themselves are a little heavy for you, but they feel sturdy enough are clearly well-made. The most interesting detail about them though is their transparent nature as you peer through the both of them upon examination, like all of the things Emma makes out of the strange goopy substance.

"Hey, what do I get? Owen's got them, I want sumfin' too!"

Sarah raises a bit of a fuss over the honeyed objects, which Emma laughingly tries to fashion for her something to make up for it. You keep your eyes on the slowly but steadily increasing gap between the doors though, and the darkness within.

>Like before, keep close as you all move inside and travel through.
>Ask Emma to go first, while you and Sarah follow behind at a safe distance.
>You're not planning on just abandoning them, but if something bad happens you want room to be able to react. Maintain a good amount of space between yourself and the others.
>[Write-in.]

>>1403231
>>Like before, keep close as you all move inside and travel through.
But ask Emma to be in front.
And lick the trash lid, just to be sure it DOESN'T taste like honey.

>>1403231
>>Like before, keep close as you all move inside and travel through.

>>1403231
>Like before, keep close as you all move inside and travel through.

"I guess Sarah might be strong for a club, considering that's she is half gem? Or does she have her own weapon or something?"

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Apologies for missing yesterday, had something to take care of.

>>1403244
>>1403968
>>1404108

You've never explored a place like this before, but you've seen enough movies to know that old abandoned or ruined places tend to be dangerous, as much as they hide treasure. So going off of that knowledge at least, you figure it to be for the best that you all stick together, and Emma in front as well. It's not as though you expect something bad to happen or that you want it to happen to her, but if something bad did happen, it would be better if it happened to Emma.

While grouping up then as the great doors continue to slowly open, struggling against the buildup of plants and dirt overtime, you happen to become a little curious about the weapons you were given. After some initial hesitation and mental hurdles, you finally act on your curiosity and try licking the shield in order to settle some long-standing questions you've had. As you find, a bit unpleasantly, it doesn't taste like honey but instead a bittersweet sappy flavor. While doing this, you notice Sarah looking at you through the shield with a rather confused expression as to why you were licking it, and quickly you try to shift the focus to something else.

"I guess Sarah might be strong enough for a club, considering she's half a gem? Or does she have her own weapon or some- mmphf mmmmphf?"

Almost immediately after speaking do you regret the question, when about halfway through asking you notice Emma realize what you're saying and quickly try to get you stop by grabbing a hand around your mouth. You wonder why, but see Sarah doing her best not to look upset, holding what resembles a little amber fire poker. Certainly no great weapon or even something the size of the bat you have.

"Sarah is... juuust fine the way she is! She doesn't need a weapon of her own, and she's just as strong as she needs to be! Aaaanything to do with her gem side, she'll discover when she needs to!"

Emma laughs nervously as she speaks what sounds like a response intended to be as safe and inoffensive as possible, hoping not to stir up any strife it seems. Really though, and as expected, it just has the opposite effect. Sarah is aware that the issue is an unfavorable one, and by the reaction between the two you can imagine that it's been a matter of disappointment in the past. Long before you came into the picture, at any rate.

"Can we just go?"

In the end, Sarah just tries to accept Emma's response and move past it. By comparison though, Emma seems to consider this a success on her part, like her words actually defused and smoothed over the issue. Happily then as a result, she leads the way into the opening between the great doors, now large enough for the lot of you to fit through.

>>1408475

>Your time to shine! In all senses really, you've got a flashlight with you.
>Ask Emma if she has a light source, or if there's some way to get this place to light up?
>Better to stay in the dark together. You'll be less noticed that way.
>[Write-in.]

>>1408475
>Your time to shine! In all senses really, you've got a flashlight with you.

>>1408476
>>Your time to shine! In all senses really, you've got a flashlight with you.
But give it to Emma, if it attracts enemies, better her than squishy you.

>>1408475
>Your time to shine! In all senses really, you've got a flashlight with you.

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>>1408478
>>1408493
>>1408512

The area illuminates bit by bit as the doors continue to open behind you, but even when fully open they don't provide much given how large the interior of this place is. Whatever it is. The three of you move slowly forward on the periphery of the increasing light, till it extends no further and you're at the edge of the darkness beyond.

"Is too dark here, I don't see nuffin'."

Sarah states the obvious, squinting and leaning forward as she tries to see... well, anything. You're busy looking up and to the sides, where some faint glimpses of the walls and ceiling are visible, but you're in agreement with her. You recall your supplies you brought though, and remember that you have just the thing for this. Rummaging through the bag you manage to find the large flashlight Sarah found at home and you decided to bring along.

"Oh hey I've got a flashlight here I think... yeah, here it is. I mean it's not amazing, but it's something." and taking the chance, you hand it to Emma for her to use.

Aaaah, well done Owen! This will serve as an excellent club should the need arise to- oh wait it turns on!"

Shining herself in the face by accident, she turns the flashlight to the dark interior. The beam of the flashlight pierces the darkness, only minutely impeded by specs of dust in the air. Your eyes follow where it illuminates, but you're distracted by the reflective crystalline surfaces of the floor and walls, which gleam even without directly being shined on. Another interesting trait, that like glow in the dark stickers and the like, wherever the light shines remains illuminated for awhile after depending on how long Emma focuses the beam on any spot. It's all rather impressive and strangely beautiful, but the empty eeriness of it all is overpowering.

"Are those markings on the wall... is that writing? I can't tell."

"Good eye, Owen. They're probably murals or sooomething like that. These old Gem places tend to be decorated very fancily with depictions of important things or historical events."

You take the chance to whisper aside and explain to Sarah what Emma said, specifically what the word depiction means. The green gem herself though seems more interested in finding a way through this place, than any possible history of her kind. You can't help but be a little curious though, since maybe the markings have information about this place? Meanwhile Sarah just likes the gleaming floor here and wants to try "drawing" something with a light.

>Just try and keep moving. Maybe hug a wall and continue straight from there?
>Take a chance to examine the markings on any of the surfaces here.
>With your own pocket flashlight, try lighting up the floor to write your name.
>[Write-in.]

>>1409675
>>With your own pocket flashlight, take a chance to examine the markings on any of the surfaces here.

>>1409675
>>With your own pocket flashlight, try lighting up the floor to write your name.

>>1409675
>With your own pocket flashlight, take a chance to examine the markings on any of the surfaces here.

>>1409714
Seconding.

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>>1409714
>>1410103
>>1410449

While Emma continues ahead, you think to take the chance and get a closer look at one of the walls here. You're no gem but if you had to guess the purpose of this place, you'd imagine it's inscribed somewhere around here. So reaching into your pockets this time, you find your own small flashlight and covertly clicking it on, you wander astray from Emma's onward path. No big deal, if this place really is like one giant corridor (as it seems to be so far) then it should be no trouble catching up to her after.

"Gee Owen! How come you got two flashlights?"

Having made your way over to the nearest wall, you look over the surface, ending up startled when realize Sarah's standing right next to you also looking. She must have followed you over when you separated from the group, to see what you were doing. She's clearly not as interested in the markings on the walls though, and you figure to have a little fun at least, in the meantime.

"Hey, you want to see something cool? Watch this."

Pressing your flashlight right against the wall, you move it along the surface to draw letters, switching it on and off quickly to move to each next letter. After you're done, your name glows on the wall, though now Sarah wants to write her own. You offer her the flashlight then, but after by the time she's done writing her own name you've noticed something odd, with the lettering not only not fading with time but slowly glowing brighter.

>...

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>>1411004

"#&@$& @# #&#@# #@#@&$#$!"

From somewhere in the dark, somewhere above, you hear the fading in of some sort of noise. It sounds almost like a voice, but it's certainly not speaking in any intelligible way, it just sounds like gibberish to you. An interesting visual display follows, where your names on the wall slide down to the floor and assume a position beneath your feet. Pretty cool to watch, but you're distracted by the other light, when you see Emma seeming to have listened to whatever the message was and now in a panic. She attempts to run back to the two of you and looks to be gesturing for you to move or something.

"What's she worried about? Did somethi- gaaaAAAAH!"

Without warning you're interrupted when a large portion of the floor you're on, a great pillar shoots upwards, carrying the both of you screaming with it. You try to stabilize yourself against the sudden inertia, and possibly run or jump off, but the elevation of the floor is too quick. In some seconds you've already lost sight of Emma, and not long after that you're looking at the ceiling fast approaching, Sarah shining the flashlight upwards in her understandable fear. Might it have been an untimely end, were you crushed into the ceiling, but you see a square opening above for a roughly appropriate size to the rising floor pillar, probably having opened even before you started being raised up. The floor rises flush to the ceiling opening, to a point where it slows to a stop, and you find yourselves in some new chamber, separate and above the entry corridor where Emma still must be some ways below.

In this new area, without the great open doors behind you to provide some residual light, a point of reference it's a little disorienting. All you have now is your own small flashlight that Sarah's holding. Just the two of you now, alone together in this new place.

"I don't think it likes you spelled your name wrong..."

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>>1411010

>Credits Roll

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

I think that's a good place to end things for now, being at page 10. Apologies again for the shorter thread due to busy-ness, to make up for it the next thread will continue immediately at this same point. Anyway, thanks to everyone for playing, hope you enjoyed it!

And don't forget, the twitter has notifications whenever a new thread is up.