>(2/2)

"Hello!" You shout out loud enough to make the building slightly shake, drawing cries of pain from the caged men. "My name is Kojo! I'm here to help you!"

Smothering a laugh at the prisoners, you wait for them to regain there senses.

"N-no need to yell that loud, we can hear you just fine! Who are you exactly?" a rodent-like voice says.

You move your hand from your mouth to your chin.

In all your years you've never actually introduced yourself in any way that could be considered friendly or heroic other than the speech you gave Itsuki's men and, even then, they were all gang members no matter how green.

>[ ] "I'm...your friendly neighborhood minotaur man...guy...dude."
>[ ] "Asterios, I'm a superhero. You probably have never heard of me on account of me being from and operating in the south Bronx."
>[ ] "Reyes, Kojo Reyes...I already told you that."
>[ ] "A mutant, a technically black one at that, is that gonna be a problem?"
>[ ] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."
>[ ] "No one, really."
>[ ] Jump up and tear their cages down, best get to it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2963692
>[ ] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."

>First Thread:
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/2424210/#2424210

>Previous Thread(s):
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=A%20New%20Mutant%20Quest

>Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/r4mTphVV

i keep forgetting this shit

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2964453
How's your week been going bossman?

>>2964560
I got stung by a bee in the early night while it was raining in my own home of all places.

Besides that, going strong.

>[X] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."

The superhero name is silly no matter how accurate it is, you aren't a goofy white boy like Spidey, pulling the race and species card is beneath you besides making you look like one of those people, pointing out the obvious will make them shut up, and you are in the middle of saving these wealthy silk suited asses, you deserve a little respect.

"The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."

A relieved sigh echoes throughout the room.

"Oh thank god, when I heard those gunshots I just knew the police were showing up to save us!" One panicked voice says.

Someone else scoffs with gruffness you can feel reverberate around you.

"Are you really stupid enough to think he's with the police!? Didn't you see that thing shoot straight through the building and hear the sound of those assault rifle gunshots?! Whoever this kid is, he sure as hell isn't with any police squad!" An old voice screeches.

The rodent lets out a panicked cry.

"He's right! This young man could be a member of a rival gang of hoodlums trying to take our money!"

A young man groans.

"If it's not one thing, it's the other. Look, gangster man, if you free me I'll give you...say a thousand dollars. I'll throw in extra if you decide to leave these guys behind because, seriously, fuck these people: don't know how to make conversation, bitch and moan about a few bruises and scrapes, and cry about their fucking wives they don't even fuck. You know what I mean...homie?"

Some middle-aged man grumbles.

"I can't believe you and your entire self-indulgent generation! Life is not a game you can walk through! I don't care if you landed yourself a cushy job thanks to daddy owning the corporation you work for, you need to take this situation seriously!"

The remaining hostage starts to cry in his cage.

You twitch ever so slightly.

Maybe you should just leave these people hear to die in one another's horrible company.

>[ ] "Now, I understand why he put you people in cages."
>[ ] "Do you want my help or not?"
>[ ] "My hoodrat days are over. Owl just started expanding into my neighborhood so I kicked him and his entire gang's ass. That's how I happened to come here."
>[ ] "...I'm with SHIELD, actually. The man who kidnapped you guys, Leland Owlsley, was a super powered criminal with ties to several international crime syndicates, which put him in our jurisdiction."
>[ ] "...I'm actually a student at Xavier's Academy interning to be an X-men. Busting Owl was my first test and I passed with flying colors. Saving cu-...damsels like you guys in distress is my second."
>[ ] "...Who the fuck even...are...you...people?"
>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>[ ] Jump down to the first floor and make your way back to Cuda, you tried.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2964733
>[ ] "Do you even want my help or not? Because what I'm hearing is you guys wanting to stay here and bore each other to death. Which I'm okay with right now, until you stop being annoying and start making some sense, got that?"
>[ ] "...Who the fuck even...are...you...people?"

>>2964733
>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>Look just... I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money, I'm just trying to help people.

Really having to work to not just leave them.

>>2963691
Holy shit this is still going.
>>2964733
>>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.

>>2965050
What's the problem? It's a QUALITY quest.

>>2965067
Nah I'm just surprised is all, haven't been on here for half a year.

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2965050
I'll never quit so long as I live.
>>2965096
Goddamn, has it been that long already? Just feels like yesterday I was worried about how things would progress and how long it'd take me to reach Crusty's level.

>>2965125
>I'll never quit so long as I live.
>Not getting so tired from running you tell your readers that you are on hiatus then disappear

>>2965144
Why would I go on hiatus? Shit is getting interesting. Only time I took a break was when I was getting used to my job. I've been capable of questing and doing college so far.

>>2965150
Im joking lad, it was what I did

>>2965174
I know, and shame on you.

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>>2965185
>and shame on you

>>2965269
shame is good and reminds you that you did something bad, mein freund

>[X] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>[X] "Look, just...I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money: I'm just trying to help people."

>(1/2)

Whatever you say won't affect their views of you so long as they're in those cages. Those shitty attitudes of theirs are likely to lighten up too. You'll say whatever you have to say and hopefully gain some publicity if they make the right choice of listening to you in place of pissing you off.

Sighing, you hop up to the old man's cage first.

The wrinkles on the old man's face contort into a shocked expression at the sight of your magnificent self.

You smile before taking hold of one of the cage's bars and tugging the cage out of the ceiling along with the hook it was suspended by.

A cry escapes the old man's lips and echoes throughout the room as the two of you fall down to the floor.

Lifting the cage higher than yourself, you land with your feet on the floor and settle the cage down before tearing the cage door open and flinging it off to the side. You hop back up and one by one do the same with the rest of the cages, drawing a cry from bitch rich boy, a shocked look and a respectful nod from the middle-aged man, a pitiful whimper from the small rat, and a casual wave from the laid-back douchebag.

The five men eye you with varying emotional expressions or, in douchebag's case, lack there of as you move to the middle of the room after freeing Sir Douchebag.

You breathe in and prepare to put on your best performance of a bleeding heart good samaritan.

>(2/2)

"Look, just." A sigh escapes your lips. "...I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money: I'm just trying to help people."

The old man scoffs at you.

"Then what were those gunshots back there? I don't see a hole on you so it couldn't have been them shooting at you or we wouldn't be talking right now."

The middle-aged man hums as he looks at the file holder in your hand.

"Where did you get that? I can see some money clips in there. Did you come here to rob the Owl or to save us?"

The quivering rat of a man looks up at your head, his glasses reflecting your horns.

"A-are you some sort of demon, minotaur, mutant, or some strange hybrid of the three?"

Crybaby cries some more as Sir Douchebag rolls his eyes at his other fellow freed captives.

You blink at the five men and resist the urge to give them a look.

People shouldn't be this stupid, clueless, or concerned enough to ask you these questions after you saved their lives. Either they don't know how to react to being in this situation as much as you do or being kidnapped is a common occurrence for them.

>[ ] "Who are...you..guys?"
>[ ] "Do you people normally ask heroes who save you these kinds of questions?"
>[ ] "Those gunshots were from a group of...bad, old friends of mine I called in for backup."
>[ ] "I'm...a psychic of sorts. I put up a psionic barrier to soak up all the bullets."
>[ ] "This money is for the street rats back in my neighborhood. They have no one else so I look after them."
>[ ] "These files have information on Owl's known affiliates. It's crucial I give them to the right authorities."
>[ ] "I'm a minotaur, demon, blood hound, predator, mutant thing...It's complicated."
>[ ] "Just a mutant, none of those three things."
>[ ] Kill the five of them, they're not worth the trouble.
>[ ] Feast on their souls
>[ ] Walk through the walls of the second floor down to Barracuda, you're done here.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2965495
>Who're you
>Then walk through walls to Cuda

>>2965495
>>[ ] Feast on their souls

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>[X]Who're you
>[X}Then walk through walls to Cuda

>[ ] Feast on their souls

>>2965495
>"Who are you guys?"
>Walk through the walls to Cuda

If they're out, we can just mosy. No sense in wasting time on them anymore than we have to. They literally aren't worth our notice, frustration, or even ire anymore.

Family outing has come up, will update when I come back if there's time.

Fuck me it's late. Will finish writing and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

>>2965651

Seconding

>>2965651
>>2966345
Thirding

>[X] "Who are...you..guys?"
>[X] Walk through the walls of the second floor down to Barracuda, you're done here.

If they're going to be asking you so many questions, you may as well ask one of your own. Owl's memories of these people haven't popped into your mind at all for some reason. They could be inconsequential to the point Owl wouldn't bother giving them any thought but considering how little you know of the way your powers of spiritual cannibalism actually work it's a little concerning.

"Who are...you..guys?" You drawl out as a few memories that aren't yours but now yours pop into your head.

The old man, a financier for a makeup company by the name of De Luxe named Herman Munson, raises an eyebrow at you.

"Are you high right now?"

You blink at him, scowl, and shake your head.

Marshall Rowe, the middle-aged director of human resources for Breathwear, stares into your eyes.

"His pupils are a normal person's size."

Sir Douchebag, Caleb Archer son of the CEO of the meager Archer Industries Garrick Archer, sighs.

"I wish I was high right now."

Mouse man, Morty Hooker the lawyer, lets out a small hum.

"T-that could explain his superhuman strength."

Crybaby, the rat's intern who was just snatched up in all the confusion, lets out a whimper.

You blink at the five men, turn to the direction of the warehouse wall you know Cuda is someways down from, stroll over to it, and casually walk through the cement into the open air.

Barracuda raises an amused eyebrow at you as you fall down in front of the open gate.

"Got what ya need, boss?"

Glancing back at the warehouse, you let out a hum.

Those dead bodies and your mysterious appearance and exit aren't likely to paint you in a positive light unless you manage to spin the story in your favor if it's ever brought into public view.

>[ ] "Yeah, let's go back to my base."
>[ ] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."
>[ ] "You mind shooting up the warehouse some more, specifically the center of the building?"
>[ ] Draw Shades' .45 and unload entire magazine at the warehouse's second floor.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, maybe it'll help you in killing those pricks.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2967678
I gotta say so far, the HR director dude is the most based out of the five.
>[ ] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."
Maybe looking into getting the guy as an ally might be an option? He certainly seemed unfazed by all this - maybe some familiarity with super/mutant shit happening? Leaving the dead shit and the gunfire won't paint us in a positive light, but us saving five influential rich fucks from the birdfucker's cages sure will!

>>2967689
Fuck it, ditto

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."

As much as you're sure having Cuda go to your base alone without anyone to vouch for him will cause trouble, you've got other things to take care of here in Upper Manhattan. The remaining rival Rivals lieutenants that aren't Cottonmouth are still alive, you can't just let the rich cats walk off like this, the Chinatown triads haven't started their fighting yet, and you still haven't gotten that fight in with Luke Cage.

You nod your head.

"Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."

Cuda glances at his LMG before returning his gaze to you and shrugging.

"Aight, I've gotten my ass hundreds of clicks through jungle terrain with this baby girl: I can make it through the city."

You give the man a cautious eye.

"Just make sure you have it stashed somewhere before you meet my boys. If not, my scouts are likely to shoot you."

Barracuda nods.

"No sweat. See you there, boss."

You turn back at the warehouse as the towering black man walks off.

This should probably be the first thing you should take care of on account of its proximity and potential butterfly effect on your future despite the hassle it'll be.

>[ ] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well.
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
>[ ] Run over to Cuda, grab him, and hop to the warehouse in Hunts Point: there's no telling what your drunk foot soldiers would do if the chaperons aren't nearby when Cuda comes by.
>[ ] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Nigel's favorite Jamaican bar, he's the tamer of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Arturo's warehouse, he's the more violent one of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Take off to Chinatown, you can pick a triad to support or start the fire before any of them hear word of Kingpin's death.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2967830
>[ ] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now. Better if he hands it to Marcus for safekeeping when he gets back to the warehouse.
>[ ] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.
We saved their lives, so maybe making it clear that whatever comes out of their mouths about us to anybody else BETTER be good words.
After this, a priority might be to go after Arturo the asshole drug-dealing shithead, followed by beating Cage's ass before we head on home. The Triads will eat each other up freely.

Thoughts? Anyone?

>>2967890

I'll second these motions, the file folder will give him some leverage when trying to enter the warehouse and we really need a guy with more business acumen given our propulsion into that arena

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>>2967830
>>[X] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now.
Seems like the best way to keep Cuda from being mistaken in some farcical way, plus it's not like we need to be carrying it.

>>2967890
>>[X] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.
I agree.

>We saved their lives, so maybe making it clear that whatever comes out of their mouths about us to anybody else BETTER be good words.
This, in our nicest, friendliest way. These asshats can't understand basic survival skills and are either already intimidated or unimpressed. Just remind them that they didn't see anything about what happened and they only thing they know for certain is that he helped them free when a lesser man would have left them.
With a minimum of growling.

>After this, a priority might be to go after Arturo the asshole drug-dealing shithead
I'm ambivalent.

>Followed by beating Cage's ass before we head on home.
Well, that's just good clean fun.

>The Triads will eat each other up freely.
I agree with this for now.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now. Better if he hands it to Marcus for safekeeping when he gets back to the warehouse.
>[X] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.

>(1/2)

The file holder will only get in the way of the fight you have planned with Cage and might be a good way for Cuda to legitimize his claims of servitude to you: not a lot of people are willing to give away over three dozen grand. As for the fat cats, you can't let this opportunity slip by or spiral into a situation resulting in you being further incriminated. Marshall Rowe showed you the gratitude and respect you deserve, though; he might prove to be an asset in your corporate future if he has the appropriate connections or information.

Spinning back to face Cuda, you sprint three earth-cracking steps over to him and one ahead of him before pivoting in his direction and handing out the file holder.

"Take this with you to the warehouse. If the crew has any doubts about you, say I entrusted you with this or you're giving this to me as tribute. All of them will understand that you're either with us or someone who I'd want an audience with."

Barracuda blinks at you before taking the file holder with his free hand.

"I'll do that." A hearty laugh escapes the man's lips. "Man do I feel sorry for the poor mothafuckas who try to run away from you, boss!"

>(2/2)

You grin.

"Everyone tries before I catch them; Later, Cuda."

A hop takes you from the ground, over Barracuda's head, to the torn open entrance of the warehouse. You hop over the growing pool of blood to the ladders and jump back up to the second floor.

The five men are by the ladders when you land, shooting you scared and confused looks.

You resist the urge to laugh at their ignorance of the situation.

>[ ] Persuade them you are but a humble hero who just accidentally killed everyone in Owl's crew including Owl. (Uses up Persuasion/Manipulation critical roll freebie)
>[ ] Convince them you ran off because you don't know how to talk to normal people. (Social Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14)
>[ ] "Look, I'm not a gang member, a bad guy, or a good guy even: I just happened to come by here and stumble onto you guys. I killed Owl and his gang but they were trying to kill me, okay?"
>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."
>[ ] "That whole wall phasing thing was because of all the blood I was smelling...It made me want to eat all of you and your shining blue essence...Rip into your throats and lap at the flowing blood wine..."
>[ ] Devour them all
>[ ] Write In.

>>2968388
>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."
Guilting them might make them more amenable to respecting us if they weren't already, while also leaving it out whether we're a "good guy" or not.

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2968388
>>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."

>>2969028
i value and appreciate you

>[X] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."

It's not like you to play the mutie card but the situation calls for it.

You sigh oh so dramatically.

"I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."

Three of the five men share looks with one another while the other two either cry or shrug it off.

Marshall Rowe shoots you a sympathetic look.

"I understand, son, mutants like you are frowned upon by a society that refuses to look at the benefits they give to it. Thank you for saving us, but I have to still ask how you came here in the first place. Did someone from my company hire you to rescue me or did this all happen by complete chance?"

You blink at the man and resist the urge to raise an eyebrow at him.

He says that like it actually is a regular occurrence.

The old man scoffs at Rowe.

"Why would your company hire a mutant to save you, a human resources director? Obviously this mutant is a no good creeping street punk who walked through that wall as soon as he thought we didn't have any money on us."

Morty examines you with curiosity.

"This mutant seems to be in his late adolescence. Wouldn't he be with the X-men or a student of Xavier's Academy at this point of his life? He could be a young student sent here as an intern of sorts."

You resist the urge to groan at the irony and the new load of questions.

>[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"
>[ ] "Yeah, the higher-ups sent me to make sure you were all right, Rowe. How did you get bagged?"
>[ ] "Again with the questions? The fuck is wrong with you people!? I'm trying to help you, for fuck's sake!"
>[ ] "That's right, little man. I'm interning to be a member of...the Young X-men....it hurts me how stupid they were naming the team."
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
>[ ] Write In.

>>2969137
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug." Get an inexplicable feel of... something you can't quite describe as you say this. Something you feel like you know but at the same time you don't know, unlike how it feels when you get a memory from one of the souls you eat.
Rest in peace Crusty Jones. I haven't read Homeless Mutant but I know his legacy runs real strong with /qst/ and even a bit in /tg/
>[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"
In that order.

>>2969137
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"

>>2969212
>Get an inexplicable feel of... something you can't quite describe as you say this. Something you feel like you know but at the same time you don't know, unlike how it feels when you get a memory from one of the souls you eat.

you got me thinking of a beautiful little tribute

>Rest in peace Crusty Jones. I haven't read Homeless Mutant but I know his legacy runs real strong with /qst/ and even a bit in /tg/

Don't forget /co/ in every Laura thread.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
>[X] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"

>(1/2)

Pretending you're with the man's company might come back to bite you if and when he figures out you were lying to him, potentially alienating a potential asset. It's best for you to tell a half-truth. You are technically homeless squatting with a group of like-minded teenagers and looking out for the well-being of your resident peoples: street rats, mutants, and, in a way, the rest of the homeless. Those two tidbits you can add in to make yourself seem more sympathetic. As for the street thug part, you're a street king, the alpha male, not a beta street thug baby gang running bitch.

You scoff.

"I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."

As soon as those words leave your lips, an unexplainable feeling wisps through your being. It's something you know yet do not know; something you understand but do not. Self-loathing, fear, powerlessness, addiction, purpose, unity, peace, affection, and...something you can never understand so long as you have never had it in the form of someone as strong if not stronger than yourself. Kith, kin, and someone truly precious in spite of their emptiness.

You blink as the feeling fades away, leaving you as you are and have always been: stalwart, powerful, cold, ferocious, voracious, paradoxical, unfulfilled, and completely and utterly alone surrounded by those you don't understand.

In another reality, another time, and another singularity, two Kings of the Forest fought over life.

>(2/2)

"Are you okay, son?" The HR director asks, bringing you out of your haze.

You slowly nod your head before raising an eyebrow at the middle-aged man.

"Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"

The middle-aged man sighs.

"Not to me specifically but members of my corporation. We design specialized clothing with breathable, flexible material for mutants not unlike you. A lot of the clothing we make is handed out in Mutant Town to those who can't wear normal clothes designed for normal humans. They can buy more for a reduced price than what we'd charge people without mutations. Despite being an untapped market, most companies stay away because of the racist anti-mutant groups. At first, I thought I was kidnapped by the Friends of Humanity like a co-worker of mine until I was put in one of those cages."

You and the other two rich cats who give a fuck give the man a surprised look.

If it were something as big as a relief effort, you'd understand but that much of a ruckus over clothes is unbelievable. Granted, quite a bit of the mutant population are ugly monstrosities with extra limbs and alien body shapes that couldn't hold a candle to your voluptuous form. Maybe you can get a clothing hook-up in the future if your horns grow longer or a fancy tactical suit for skullduggery.

>[ ] "You think you can get me some clothes? I know I can wear normal clothing but I don't exactly have the money for it."
>[ ] "Do you happen to know where I can your company's main office in Manhattan?"
>[ ] "Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you on?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>2969884
>Where's your offices
>Where's the FoH hideout
Time to buy out their company so we can get specialized armor

>>2969884
Backing >>2970035

>>2970035

Backing as well

Voting closed, writing now.

what'd ya think of the HMQ references?

>>2970368

I don't mind them at all ha by ing played in the quest as well, not a bad burst of nostalgia but nostalgia is best in small doses

>>2970368
Is Homeless Mutant going to be a dead timeline in this universe, or will it only be something to reference rarely?

>>2970390
I get you there. HMQ was good but too much fluff, which I think I need more of.
>ha by ing
what happened here?
>>2970413
Referenced rarely for now. Time will tell if I ever decide to have anything directly from HMQ's universe make its way to into this one. Maybe if I ever decide to do a crisis or event of sorts. That'd be awesome despite being a terrible idea.

>>2970439

Phone posting happened while trying to type the word "having"

>[X] "Do you happen to know where I can find your company's main office in Manhattan?"
>[X] "Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"

That company of his sounds like a good buy. You don't have the money now but you could purchase it after getting your inheritance from Kingpin. Whatever trouble they have going on with mutie hate groups won't be a problem for you once you take a hold of the company. The mutant fashion industry will effectively be yours and you can use whatever material they have for the Tinkerer to fashion elastic stealth suits or something akin to that.

"Do you happen to know where I can find your company's main office in Manhattan?"

Marshall Rowe nods his head.

"In Midtown on east 46th street by Lexington Avenue, come by sometime and I can get you a free sweatshirt good for working out in and making it through the winter."

You let out a chuckle.

The cold hasn't bothered you ever since you mutated: you've made snow angels completely naked before for the hell of it and came out without a single symptom of hypothermia. Your enduring natural body heat did make the snow melt around you, though. Marcus could only stare at you huddling in his multiple pairs of hoodies.

"Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"

Rowe widens his eyes at you before shaking his head.

"No, I don't and I think you shouldn't try looking for them. Street gangs are one thing but hate groups like the Friends are dangerous even to mutants with advanced abilities. They wouldn't be terrorizing and picking fights with mutants if they didn't know how to fight them, after all."

You resist the urge to laugh at the old man's genuine concern.

There's mutants with advanced abilities and you, a mutant who can actually somewhat control his insane power on top of knowing how to fight using it. Besides that, on more than one occasion you've gone against normal people who could slaughter most mutants and other people like them: Itsuki, Ren, Jesus, Alex, Cuda, and Marcus are more than capable of handling whatever super powered dipshit stupid enough to give any of them a single opening.

>[ ] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[ ] "Do you all have numbers I can call on in case I need a favor? I saved your lives after all."
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you on in case I find a friend needing some specialized clothes?"
>[ ] "Thanks for the advice, old man, but I'll be fine. Now, that hideout."
>[ ] "Are you people ready to leave now?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>2970688
Ah, I see.

>>2970697
>] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[ ] "Are you people ready to leave now?"

We should be able to get information on the friends of humanity and related groups ourselves

>>2970697
Backing >>2970768

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[X] "Are you people ready to leave now?"

When something exists, there's typically more than one group working to destroy it. They might be good at picking off mutants who don't know how to defend themselves or have insufficient enough infrastructure to, but they have no idea what you're going to do to them when you smoke them out. You're the man who took out the Kingpin in a day and took over New York City in two: they're already dead, they just don't know it yet.

"Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"

Rowe sighs.

"There's also the Purifiers and Reavers: I'm only telling you this so you know to stay away from them. A lot of good people have died because of those sick bastards. I don't want you to risk your life just because you feel like it's your duty as a mutant."

You once again surpress the urge to laugh in the middle-aged man's face and nod your head.

"Are you people ready to leave now?"

The five men nod in their own manner of doing so.

Spinning back to face the ladders, you take a step closer to the opening leading to the first floor littered with the gore of Owl's gunned down men.

...

You stop yourself from taking another step and blink.

They're probably going to jump to unfortunate conclusions about you the moment they see the bodies if you don't give them an explanation.

>[ ] "Before we go, I need to tell you all I killed Owl and his men in self defense...You're going to see the remains of them all over the first floor."
>[ ] "I forgot to answer this, but the gunshots you heard were from an actual rival gang looking to take Owl out. They didn't get Owl, seeing as how he flew straight through the warehouse, but his men are all dead."
>[ ] "Shit, I forgot to mention that Owl had this placed filled with explosives and put land mines all over the first floor. You're all gonna have to grab on to me."
>[ ] Turn back and knock them all before carrying them out the building, you don't want to risk it.
>[ ] Devour them
>[ ] Write In.

>>2971058
>Uh, y'all are going to want to close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders
>Things got a little... Messy
>Another rival gang killed all of Owl's men

Will close voting and update either tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) before my first class tomorrow or in the afternoon after my second class.

>>2971058
>>2971136
> [X] "Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little... Messy. Another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."
Seconding this. It hits the mark.

>>2971224

Supporting

>>2971058
Backing >>2971224 but ONLY because Kojo doesn't want the vomit to get on his own clothes and because it's one less hassle to avoid for potential future gain in the form of cool and functional clothing.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little...messy: another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."

You doubt they'll fully believe you but they do owe you their lives.

Turning back to face them with the best disturbed look you can muster, you raise a hand to scratch the back of your head.

"Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little...messy: another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."

All three grown men widen their eyes at you.

"S-so that's what those gunshots were from." The Morty man says.

Herman shoots you a suspicious look.

"Than who or what was the thing that tore through the warehouse?"

Rowe glances at the two other men before laying his somewhat doubtful gaze on you.

You breathe in and sigh.

No one is ever satisfied with just getting saved by a super hero and going home without asking any questions in this day and age.

>[ ] "...Really? Again with these questions? Fuck you guys, I'm going home."
>[ ] "An RPG, it was from a weird high-tech RPG that ripped through concrete to home in on its target. I saw the thing fire off from a nearby rooftop."
>[ ] "That was me, I was jumping out of the way of their gunfire and ended up crashing into Owl. I beat his ass and left him unconscious a block away from here.
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."
>[ ] Devour them
>[ ] Write In.

>>2972223
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."
Most plausible choice. RPG would have exploded at the end and the other begs the question "how did you bust through two fucking floors just to dodge gunfire? and why beat Owl's ass afterward?"

>>2972223
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."

A rocket propelled grenade would've exploded at the end of its run and left Owl's office a mess instead of shooting through the warehouse roof. Saying you did it would raise the question of why you'd so such a thing when you could have just jumped away; beating Owl's ass would have also required an explanation. You don't want to have to answer more questions than you need to: you have other shit to do before the day ends.

"It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."

The old man scoffs.

"As if that man could have done that."

Morty the rat man raises his pointer finger in a professor-like manner.

"H-he did carry us to those cages and put us in them. I-I would also presume those embedded hooks were his doing. I-If he could've done that and put the cages there in the first place, he could have been strong enough to potentially propel himself through concrete."

Rowe gives a gruff hum in agreement.

"I don't know if the Owl was a mutant or not, but I've seen what people with those kind of abilities can do and know even the simplest ones can be immensely powerful. He could've used whatever power he had to fly to launch himself straight through this building. The man is either flying away right now or laying somewhere wounded, if he doesn't have some form of enhanced durability."

Herman's suspicious gaze doesn't relent.

"Even if that's the case, there's one question here left unanswered: why are you here?"

You hold back your urge to scowl at the old man.

This old bastard doesn't know when to quit.

>[ ] "Do you have a problem with me or something?"
>[ ] "I was just hopping by here from Riverdale on my way to Mutant Town when I heard the sound of gunshots go off and saw Owl bust through the roof."
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"
>[ ] "That rival gang...was made up of some bad, old friends I used to hang with. I heard they were making a move somewhere in Washington Heights so I came here looking to stop them from hurting anyone, but I was too late when I found them. Sure, I could've taken them all down and turned them in before they left, but...they're my old friends: I owe them more than you can ever imagine."
>[ ] Write In.

>>2972698
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

A sob story looks best if it gets back to the press

>>2972698
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

>(1/2)

Asking the man a question with another a question would be irritating on top of making you seem suspicious, saying you just happened to be hopping by when shit went down won't give you any further positive publicity and make you seem more suspicious, and the rival gang thing may be a good half-truth but it wouldn't exactly make you look heroic. Homeless mutant protector of orphan street children looking to avenge the little one he couldn't save is a story that'd make any civvie weep.

You return your hand from the back of your head to your side and clench both of your hands into fists, making the surrounding men flinch at the sound of bones cracking.

"One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood." An alien, primal growl rumbles in your throat, echoing throughout the warehouse. "A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

All five men widen their eyes at you and stare in silence.

It looks like that did the trick.

Spinning back to face the ladders, you grin and take a step over one of the openings.

You hop from the ladders to outside the warehouse's torn open entrance as soon as your feet touch the ground.

>(2/2)

A relieved sigh escapes your lips.

No more questions for you which means you can go focus on the other things in your agenda. Those men will talk about you and spread word of you to their circle of friends. If and when you reveal yourself to the world by collecting your inheritance, they can vouch for your goodwill to the media in spite of the APB on your head. Maybe they can stand as character witnesses if you're taken to trial.

You blink.

That little complication that triggered this entire chain of events completely escaped your mind. It seems like such a long time ago despite having barely happened the morning before. Officer Green still has a debt to pay to you and you're going to need to find someone to represent you in case you're taken to court. Little bitch rat Morty back in that warehouse might be a capable lawyer under that thin, pale skin. You're better off hiring Murdock and Nelson, the fatass and blind lawyer team, though: they've gotten people like you before off scot free and actually managed to sue Fisk Industries once on behalf of a client.

A hum rumbles in your throat as you turn to the direction of Harlem.

First thing's first, however.

>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Nigel's favorite Jamaican bar, he's the tamer of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Arturo's warehouse, he's the more violent one of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Take off to Chinatown, you can pick a triad to support or start the fire before any of them hear word of Kingpin's death.
>[ ] Wait for the silk suited hostages to come out, you were a bit hasty bailing like that.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2973173
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
This is the Cage match right?

>>2973181
yes

>>2973173
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
Beat up Cage AND get some decent food? Nice!

>>2973181
>CAAAAAAGE MAAAATCH

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.

Dealing with those inquisitive rich dicks was a lot more taxing than you thought it'd be. There's no reason for you to stick around for them: you got what you came for and then some. The Chinatown triads and what's left of the Rivals can rip themselves apart while you go do you. Learning that in spite of everything you'll never truly know who your father really was is still fresh in your mind. Whatever the hell that strange feeling of anti-youness is also weighing on you: it was inferior yet...fulfilled.

You take in a deep breathe and breathe out before taking off in the direction of Sylvia's.

It takes you two minutes to cut through Washington Hights all the way to the roof of the neighboring Church of Christ.

Taking one last hop, you go from the roof of the church to the roof of Sylvia's.

You stroll over to the edge of the restaurant roof and take a step off the ledge.

A spin turns you to the direction of the restaurant as you fall.

You land in front of the entrance without so much as a whimper despite the cracking in your feet.

One or two of the people eating outside the restaurant notice the sound, however, and whisper to each other behind your back.

Paying them no mind, you open the front door and walk in.

The same greeter from the other day parts her lips to say her scripted lines before stopping when she realizes it's you.

A small smile makes its way onto your face.

>[ ] "Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."
>[ ] "Did my buddy Luke make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"
>[ ] "Why do you look so surprised?"
>[ ] "Inside table for one, please."
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."
>[ ] Sniff the air.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2973492
>Where's Luke sit last time
>Did he settle the debt
>Why so shocked to see me, babe
>SNIFF

>>2973492
Backing >>2973546

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."
>[X] "Did he make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"
>[X] "Why do you look so surprised?"
>[X] Sniff the air.

You didn't get a good sniff of Cage last time so it'd be difficult tracking him down with second-hand knowledge of his scent. It was late out at night and he could've accidentally left behind a hoodie with his scent or possibly DNA via sweat like a dumbass. Might be that he can't actually get cold like you on top of the possibility of him having never brought a sweater in the first place.

"Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."

The black woman blinks at you before pointing in the direction of an empty corner table by one of the building's windows.

"M-mr. Cage didn't leave anything behind but he sat at that table with his friend."

A mischievous hum rumbles in your throat.

"Did he make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"

She slowly nods her head as she sets her hand down.

"He didn't look happy about paying for you but he didn't say anything."

You let out a laugh.

That big black bitch is going to regret that, you'll make sure of it.

"Why do you look so surprised?" you ask.

The greeter jumps a bit.

"I-it's j-just that I didn't expect to see you come here ever again."

You raise an eyebrow at the woman before shrugging it off.

What you did was dining and dashing only you had a fall guy stupid enough to take the heat but even stupider enough to not tell them that you aren't a friend of his.

Enough about Cage's stupidity, though, you need his scent.

Closing your three eyes, you take in the surrounding air through your nose.

Various mouthwatering aromas are wafting through the energizing air and several distinct human scents linger on the two table seat, with two being familiar male and female scents.

You open your eyes and grin.

There's nowhere that Cage can go to hide from you now, not that he knows you're on his trail.

"Is there anything else I can help you with or?" the greeter asks.

You hum.

>[ ] Walk out the front door and follow Cage's scent, you've eaten plenty enough today.
>[ ] Go outside and follow Cage's bitch's scent, it'll be fun to rip those eyes of hers out before you get to Cage.
>[ ] "Inside table for one, please."
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."
>[ ] Write In.

getting late, will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

see y'all

>>2973897
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."

Let's just see how much we can get under his skin by starting to frequent places he goes to, get in his mind and fuck with him in ways that the bulletproof skin can't help with

>>2973897
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."

>>2973927
Ditto

>>2973897
>>[X] "Outside table for one, please."
Could lead to some fun trouble. If not, we can track his ass down. But not her. She was ...weird.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Outside table for one, please."

>(1/2)

Sure, you had brunch and ate a few souls, but you haven't exactly been eating regularly for a long time, and you're not sure if souls have any nutritional value for your physical body. It'd also be a fun way to fuck Cage over one more time before you beat his ass. Maybe you could make this a regular habit of going to places he frequents and buying shit under his name; you will probably be recognized if you do anything of the sort after revealing yourself to the public, however, so may as well do it here one last time while you can.

A grin spreads across your face.

"Outside table for one, please."

The greeter blinks at you.

"O-okay! I'll have a waiter by your table in just a few minutes. You just pick one, sit down, and wait for them to come by." She reaches for something behind the podium and hands you a copy of their menu over it.

You swipe it out of her hands before walking out the front door and finding a cozy, empty spot at the corner of their outdoor dining area.

The surrounding patrons of the restaurant stop conversing and dining to stare at you.

Staring back, your mind recalls the otherworldly feeling you got back at Owl's warehouse.

You are completely and utterly alone surrounded by those you don't understand.

It's mostly accurate: you have Marcus and, despite the distance that's grown between you two, you've confided in him and comforted him these past two days. Maybe you might not fully understand him anymore or possibly never did in the first place, but he's still your best and only true friend. Besides that, you still have the only thing that really matters in this world: power. That's something whatever that feeling was would never understand if that warmth was really all it took to fulfill it. You'd take your revenge on whoever took Marcus from you but you'd move on with your life immediately after. It'd be hard to find anyone that can take his place at your side, however. Despite everything, he's still the only one in the world that understands you; hell, he's the only one left from your broken past, which makes him the only one that ever will. You have no intentions of ever delving into that abyss with anyone that wasn't there with you: they couldn't possibly understand what you were then without having been there to see you themselves.

>(2/2)

Sylvia's front door creaking open breaks you out of your thoughts.

You open the menu and flip through the pages until you land on one with an appropriate meal for this occasion.

A nervous black man with a notepad in hand is by the side of your table a few seconds later.

"W-welcome to Syl-"

You flip the menu closed and hand it to the man before he can finish his greeting.

"Chicken livers no gravy with onions and peppers for the appetizers, a side order of steamed rice, grilled U.S prime steak for the main meal, and black coffee for my beverage."

The waiter blinks at you before scribbling into his notepad and power walking his way back into the restaurant.

You set your elbow on the dining table and rest your chin on your hand.

It's going to take a while until your meal comes by here so you have some time to think.

>[ ] Wait for your appetizers and coffee, you don't want to think at all right now.
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.
>[ ] Contemplate the relationship between you and your father, there may not be much to think about but it's still something you need to come to terms with.
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>[ ] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, it's always nice to exist in the world in a way no one else can.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, no time like the peaceful present.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2974717
Fuck I wanna do all of these but I can't
going with
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
then with the help of some nice bitter coffee, the kind detectives and cops rely on
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.

>>2974727
Hmm, I was just intending that JJ/HMQ flash to be a passing reference before I realized it'd be a good chance to make Kojo introspective. What do you think of it, seeing as how you're voting for exploring it further?

>>2974740
Go for it.

>>2974772
i meant more how do you feel about it

Like, I feel weird 'cause this kind of feels like fanfic of fanfic territory.There's bound to be some people lurking who think I'm a shit for that, which I can totally understand. Am I doing it right or gratuitously, is what i'm basically asking.

>>2974780
i think

>>2974717
>>[X] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.

>>2974780
>>2974789
No clue.

>>2974806
Ah, I see.

this is uncharted territory for the both of us and a great deal of others

Welp, I'm gonna head out to class soon so I'll be back in a few hours to close voting and update or roll.

>>2974717
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>>[ ] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>[X] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.

>(1/2)

It's not like you to waste time doing nothing and avoiding your problems: inaction is the habit of weaklings. Resolving past issues can wait when the present matters at hand are more vital and far-reaching, though. The old days are better off being contemplated with Marcus at your side giving you his thoughts on the matter, anyway: they're as important to you as they are to him and he's the only one you can actually talk to about it. Same goes for your father.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Speaking of the past, that precious yet empty someone you felt from that otherworldly sensation is reminiscent of how you used to be, only salvageable: you were fucked beyond repair by a variety of factors in place before you were even born, which took death and the miracle of rebirth to mend you into a barely functional person. You crawled your way from the understanding of a newborn to the man you are now without anyone's help. Whoever that someone was could stay that way forever if they really were pathetic enough to live for the sake of whoever was your opposite.

You narrow your eyes at the thought of that person.

Two Kings of the Forest fought over life.

Blinking, you glance at your normal reflection in one of the restaurant's windows.

It seems so unlike you yet entirely what you as a whole are.

That which is you is you yet is not you as you are in flesh and more than that you will ever be.

You stare at yourself in the window before shrugging your celestial words off and look back to your table, focusing on your converse.

>(2/2)

Whoever that man was, the Phoenix had its eyes on him and someone else. It either made them fight over it or the two of them fought each other for its power; maybe the two of them just fought each other for some other reason without ever realizing the both of them were possible vessels of the Phoenix. Either one of those or some combination of two.

There is but one King of the Forest.

A grunt escapes your lips.

You've been hearing that little voice in your head ever since you left Felon to scout out Wesley's while you went off to get that brick of C4 from the Bratva. It hasn't just been the Phoenix, you heard Death's voice when you were about to kill Kingpin and saw her in the false flesh after you killed Mariah. The cause seems to be seeing Felon as the disembodied, faceless soul that he was at the time. Awakening your third eye either somehow put you closer to their level on the cosmic playing field or was their intention ever since you crossed paths with Felon or possibly both. For what possible purpose, you wouldn't know.

The fragrance of bitter robusta bean coffee, sharp grilled onions with tame grilled peppers, and savory roasted chicken wafting together through the air breaks you out of your thoughts.

Your waiter walks into view from the corner of your eye with your orders in his hands and sets them down on your table before walking back in the direction of the restaurant out of your view.

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat at the sight of your meal.

>[ ] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.
>[ ] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.
>[ ] Contemplate the relationship between you and your father, there may not be much to think about but it's still something you need to come to terms with.
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling even more, there's still some things to take away from it.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, no time like the peaceful present; maybe you can eat food like that.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2975518
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[ ] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
If it works for cops and detectives, it'll work for the king of this urban jungle.
>[ ] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.
Thinking about the past and our father can wait when we're with Marcus.

>>2975518
I'll back >>2975690

Never read HMQ so this stuff isn't really doing much for me, so I'll take the introspection at least.

>>2975799
That's actually surprising. If you're into fluff and capeshit, you should read it. Not necessary for this quest and never, hopefully, but a good read nonetheless.

you can call me out on how much of my quest is inspired by his, which is to say all of it

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2975819
I'll pass. I don't like getting into things that didn't get an ending. Plus it's like crazy long right?

>>2975847
>I don't like getting into things that didn't get an ending
I understand, it left a giant hole in me when I read Crusty's last thread.
>Plus it's like crazy long right?
Over a hundred threads...this is barely my tenth.

>>2975847
It's crazy long, but it's a bit like any show cancelled before it's conclusion/becoming annoying. It sucks because it's over, but generally the journey is worth it

>>2975690

Seconding this

>[X] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[X] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
>[X] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.

>(1/2)

Enough pondering for now; you can do with some food and coffee.

Taking the cup of coffee in hand, you raise it to your lips but stop as the murky brown liquid touches them when an idea pops into your mind.

You close your material eyes and flow out into the world with your third.

That which is you spreads over the surrounding area until it is fully encompassing the equivalent of two street blocks and then some. You see, smell, taste, hear, and feel everything in an instant before drawing all that which is you solely to your cup of coffee. Besides the familiar yet enhanced bitter taste and energizing smell, you hear the beautiful chorus of ripples in the countless droplets of murky brown liquid play about in eternity and feel the comfortable warmth of the drink in your being.

Opening your physical eyes, you take in a deep breathe and let out a content sigh.

You are rightfully the only possible person in this world that can enjoy the song of coffee.

>(2/2)

Tilting the cup once again towards your lips, you take two gulps of your coffee before setting it down on the table.

You grab hold of two fried chicken livers with one hand and toss them up into your open mouth. Rolling your tongue over the little fried organs, you relish in the overly vibrant, crispy breaded taste. Having had your fill, you chomp the livers into paste and swallow the savory mashed meat. One by one the other livers suffer their inevitable consumption until only the greens remain.

Ripping the table fork out of its cutlery wrap with one hand, you lift the appetizer plate to your lips with your other before raking the greens down into your mouth with the fork. You roll the greens around your mouth and let out a surprised hum at the vibrant bitter and sharp tastes. The greens suffer the same fate as the livers before you swallow the veggie paste down your throat.

You set down the plate with the fork on top of it, grab hold of a napkin, and wipe your smiling mouth with the paper cloth.

It seems like your third eye awakening has made eating vegetables and food in general more enjoyable to you by revealing the energies hidden in everything to your sense: all those phrases about energy filled greens are incredibly literal now.

All that's left is for you to wait for the rest of your order, drink the rest of your coffee, eat the rest of your ordered food, track down Cage, and work out your personal issues with his bullet-proof body.

>[ ] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over your not going to let it go to waste now.
>[ ] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, may as well while you wait; maybe you can go around scaring everyone as the ghost of Sylvia's.
>[ ] Rise from your seat and start following Cage's scent, may as well get it over with.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2976149
I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail. It fits him.
>[ ] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over your not going to let it go to waste now.
>[ ] Call Marcus and ask him how things are going over on his end. Give him a quick rundown of what you've done so far.
>[ ] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.

>>2976302
>I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail. It fits him.
street rat hood eating, dog
>>[ ] Call Marcus and ask him how things are going over on his end. Give him a quick rundown of what you've done so far.
Marcus ain't got a burner...I really should have included them from the beginning. It'd have made sense.

>>2976312
Damn. Oh well, my other two options still stand.

>>2976149
>>2976302
>>2976317
Seconded.
Including this:
>I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail.

>>2976302
Ditto in entirety

>>2976364
>Including this:
i gave him an enhanced sense of taste, it'd be a wasted chance for some food porn if I didn't describe it in detail

In all seriousness, it makes me happy that my level of detail is appreciated and how it relates to Kojo's character.

also, it's nine pm where i'm from now so i'm gonna go to bed, will close voting and start writing either tomorrow morning before or after class my time

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over you're not going to let it go to waste now.
>[X] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.

It's good to sit down and enjoy yourself: you've accomplished a lot today and deserve a good dinner before a potentially good fight.

You raise your cup of coffee back to your lips and take a long lasting sip.

The mug lasts you all of three minutes before it's slurped empty.

Setting the hollow hot drink container down, you let out a relieved sigh and wait for the rest of your meal.

The waiter assigned to you comes by a few minutes later and takes away your empty plate before refilling your coffee for you.

You savor that cup and three more refills until about twenty five minutes have passed.

As the restaurant entrance squeaks open, the splendid aroma of grilled, bloody steak and steamed rice wafts through the air.

The waiter sets the plates down on your table and walks away without a word.

You don't bother reaching for the table cutlery and lift up the slab of meat with your hands before tearing a fresh chunk out with your teeth. Instead of savoring the flavor of the cooked portion of the prime steak, you swallow the well-done portions and mince away at the lump of meat until you taste sweet, warm blood. A purr rumbles in your throat as you roll the rare slice around in your mouth before gulping it down. The rest of the cooked flesh doesn't last long: you rip away and consume piece after piece until all of it is resting in your stomach. Moaning, you drag your tongue over your lips and the sides of your mouth savoring every smeared drop of blood as you lick yourself clean.

A few of the surrounding restaurant goers are staring at you but you pay them no mind and move onto your last dish.

Taking the table fork in your meat and blood stained hands, you lift the rice plate to your mouth and rake the brown pellets into your gaping maw. You chomp the energy filled beads into a fine paste before letting the blended pulp ooze down your throat.

You set down the clean plate, grab a napkin, wipe your hands with the paper clothe, dab the smudges remaining on your face, and wipe your mouth clean.

It's not as good as a steak in Hell's Kitchen would be but it wasn't anywhere near bad.

A grin stretches across your face as you set the napkin down.

Time to get down to business.

>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.
>[ ] Lift yourself out of your seat and follow Cage's bitch's scent, it'll be fun to show Cage pieces of her or hold her hostage against him.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2976911
>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

I mean we're not a cheapskate, just fucking with Cage some more

>>2976911
>Pay the bill.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

No reason not to. Pinning the bill on cage was funny because he was there.

>>2976911
>>2976932
>>[X] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>>[X] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

>we're not a cheapskate
No, we're a thief.
We don't pay for clothes, food, or transportation. But not tipping? That's Supervillain Evil.

>>2976938
>No reason not to.
Alternatively, no reason to.
I like that most of the time, others are too intimidated to say anything. Like, we might have paid if they hadn't run away after one growl kinda thing. Plus, we murder insolent cabbies.
Once we are rolling in Fisk's money and have more scrutiny, we probably won't dine and dash again.

>Pinning the bill on cage was funny because he was there.
It's still funny.

>>2976911
>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
then when we're done with that
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[X] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

>(1/2)

You're not going to waste this opportunity to fuck Cage over by rushing off to beat his ass. It's going to be far more cathartic if you rub it in before or after you're done breaking the bullet-proof man. Playing around with his bitch would also be something you could get off on but you have little interest in ever seeing her again. Besides all of that, not tipping an obedient little bitch when you have money to is just downright criminal: like whores, they're paid shit for their services but the pathetic honest schmucks go on and live their lives without ever knowing how much like prostitutes they are. All you personally can ask of a "server" is for them to keep their mouths shut until you need them to talk, take care of your wants and needs, and understand their place beneath you. That "waiter" earned his reward from your black wallet; like a good whore, he'll be happy and ask for you to come back again so he can have more.

A laugh escapes your lips as you sit in place for the waiter to come by.

Five minutes pass until the young black man is once again by the side of your table with a black book in hand.

"T-this is your bill for evening, sir." He lays the black book down beside the empty plates.

You flip the book open with a flick of your finger and look down at the bill.

>1 CHICKEN LIVERS $14.95
>5 COFFEE $2.95
>1 GRILLED U.S PRIME STEAK $28.95
>1 STEAMED RICE $6.50

>Sub-total: $65.15
>Sales Tax: $5.78
>Total: $70.93

The grin on your face widens as you look towards the waiter.

"Luke Cage will be paying my bill but I've got a little something for you." Reaching into your left pocket, you pull out your black wallet and flip it open.

15% to 20% of the bill not including taxes is the typical amount of money that is customary to be given to a "waiter". Kingpin's fat ass has gone out to and eaten at so many restaurants he knew that by heart, which you now know as well.

You take out a twenty dollar bill and hand it out to the man.

He blinks at the green scrap of paper before carefully taking the capital out of your hand.

>(2/2)

>Hard Cash on Person: $578

That was more than 30% of what Cage is going to have pay but little bitches needs to know you'll them good.

Your waiter pockets the bill and takes the black book with him back into the restaurant building.

A pleased sigh escapes your lips as you rise from your seat and stretch out your limbs.

The hunt is on.

You take a whiff of the air and dart your eyes at the scarred curb of the street. His scent goes on in the direction where you punted those baby faced gangsters of Cottonmouth's and to the right past the nearby church.

With a hop, you go from the side of the table in front of Sylvia's to the roof of the shrine. You keep following Lenox Avenue from rooftop to rooftop, taking occasional sniffs for the minuscule traces of Cage's scent wafting up from the sidewalk below. It isn't until you leap from the roof of Speaker's Corner to the top of Harlem Hospital do you get a clear idea of where Cage went off to. Just three streets over are the Savoy Park Apartments by Harlem River Drive and Madison Avenue Bridge, just a stone's throw away from the Bronx that you passed by on your way to Wesley's with Felon in hand.

A groan escapes your lips before you take off towards the complex.

It takes you a minute to jump over the streets and the small surrounding fence into the park.

One sniff in the air is all you need to confirm that Luke lives here and most likely runs around the place for what little it'd do for his body at this point.

>[ ] Close your material eyes and flow out into the world with your third, may as well get it over with.
>[ ] Sit down and project your soul from your body, why not?
>[ ] Track Luke's scent to his apartment, you want to wreck the fucking place.
>[ ] Leap into the air and demolish one of the standing complexes. You can fight Cage after he's done dragging everyone he can out of the collapsing building.
>[ ] "LUUUKE CAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAY~"
>[ ] Let out an unrestrained roar, that's bound to lure him out.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2977271
>CAAAAAAGE COME OUT YO PLAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY
>Sniff

>>2977271
>[ ] "LUUUUUUUUKE CAAAAAAAAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAAAAAAAAAAY~"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRM2YcGpmxg
I figure with them being in NYC and all, they would know The Warriors pretty fucking well

>>2977271
Also
>SNIFFFFFFFFF

>>2977275
>>2977340
>Sniff
So sniff him back to his apartment or stay and sniff to see if he's getting closer?

>>2977404
Stay and sniff to see if he's getting closer, and to see where people are going. Cautious habit

>>2977428
Got it

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "LUUUKE CAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAY~"
>[X] Sniff the air to see how close he is in proximity.

Sniffing him out will take too much of your precious time and is obsolete when you have a magical, spiritual third eye granting you the ability to scout out entire blocks in all five senses. You can confirm his location with the third eye but there's no fun in that for you. Funnest option to do here is call out the man loud enough for him to hear you and for his neighbors to know someone's looking for him if he's not here.

A grin spreads across your face.

"LUUUUKE CAAAGE!" You scream in a fiendish, otherworldly voice hard enough to cause the air to visibly ripple and loud enough to make your own ears ring. "COME OUT TO PLAY~"

Your declaration of war echoes out into the cityscape and takes a full minute to fully dissipate.

Tapping your foot against the ground, you wait for a sign of the black man in yellow.

A minute or two of relative humming silence pass by without any sign of the bullet-proof hero.

You sigh before closing your three eyes and taking in the surrounding air through your nose.

Shining through a haze of delectable fear and horrid pests, Cage's scent wafts some ways away from you behind a nearby apartment building.

Your lips curve into a smile.

It's time for your therapy session.

>[ ] "This way, Cage!"
>[ ] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"
>[ ] Jump over the apartment building in front of Cage, it'd be boring to take him out in one hit with a sucker punch.
>[ ] Propel yourself through the building and sucker punch Cage. (Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier DC8)
>[ ] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.
>[ ] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2977613
>[ ] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day! I figure since you paid for the good food, I should pay you back! I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich..."
>[ ] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.
It's cheesy as hell, but we're in a capeshit world. This is part for the course. Kojo might know it's cheesy, but in his heart of hearts he knows it feels right for this moment. He lives in a (comic book) world of superheroes and weird fucking shit - banter is in his blood to an extent, no matter how evil and ruthless or bloodthirsty he is.

>>2977631
>I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich...
>not "Here, let me give you my wallop"
...

it's awfully punny i know

>>2977651
Go with what you feel is right, shroom man.

>>2977613
>>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

>>2977631
Popcorn is good too.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day! I figure since you paid for the good food, I should pay you back! I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich..."
>[X] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.

>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

>>2978201
will never understand why first green text is white in a dice roll

>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

As much as you'd like to jump into the meat of things with cheesy banter, you'd rather start things off with an entrance and some bitch talk.

Your smile widens into a grin as you leap to the roof of the apartment complex.

Walking to the other edge of the rooftop, you look down to see a familiar, distant black man in an eyesore of a yellow t-shirt scouring his greenery surroundings for any sign of his challenger.

A laugh escapes your lips.

"Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

The bullet-proof man freezes in place before slowly turning his head up to give you a look of disbelief mixed with anger.

"You!" He points a small accusing finger at you. "You goddamn hoodlum! I'm gonna drag you to the police to answer for those policemen you hurt and those two kids you crippled right after you're done paying me back for that night!"

Smothering a laugh, you raise a curious eyebrow down at Cage.

He's heard the news but not your side of the story, which might be an opportunity to turn him to your side. The man's a shitty hero but he's got some street cred amongst the dumbass human populace. If you convince him you were just defending yourself, you can help further spin the story as just another injustice committed by the prejudiced law enforcement. The fact that you're predominantly African on your mother's side and Mestizo(Translation: Mixed) Mexican on your father's only adds to the racism angle that triggered the incident in the first place. Only downside is you hate playing the victim card even though you are one in this situation.

>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[ ] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass!"
>[ ] "Hoodlum?! Fucking really, nigga?! Oh wait, the coons back home always said that word wasn't for me! Let me rephrase myself: fucking really, nigger?!"
>[ ] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[ ] Jump over the edge and pummel into Cage at the end of your fall. (Combat Skill Roll +3 modifier, DC14)
>[ ] Write In.

>>2978359
>[ ] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"

>>2978359
>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>>[ ] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass!"

>>2978359
>>2978393
>>[X] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
Kinda like this.

>>[X] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>>[X] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"
Her life should be worth at least a couple meals.

Gotta set him straight on those cops, even if he doesn't flip. We have to get ahead of that headache. Not even sorry about those spray-n-pray chumps.

Voting closed, writing now.

i'm not sure if anyone didn't go for the hoodlum option because it'd accelerate hostilities or was too much

>>2979153
Well Kojo has flipped Itsuki AND Silvermane so far. It hasn't failed him yet so IC he might be wanting to flip Cage too - or at least make it so he gets the story straight and stops fucking with us. Another IC reason is that Sylvia's has pretty good food and service we might keep using, and making Cage pay our tab would be double hilarious once he hears WE'RE the new Kingpin.

>>2979153
It's not that we're playing Kojo too weak, it's that this isn't quite the time for the fun brutality and slaughterfest. There's always time for that, but flipping people (or trying to) is a temptation that's always there for Kojo. It's that Diablo will of domination and seizing the willpower and allegiance of others by words or power. The trickery/hilarity aspect is partially because he's a teenager and partially because devil-like figures in myths and shit have a tendency to play games and fuck with people for for the hell of it. I guess those are the reasons for Kojo doing what he's doing?

>>2979172
>I guess those are the reasons for Kojo doing what he's doing?
Partly so.

>[X] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[X] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[X] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>[X] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"

>(1/2)

You do want to beat the shit out of Cage but yesterday morning's incident is a concern. Even if Oliver Dustin's interview incriminated the hell out of the police officer who started opening fire on you, those cops are still hurt and one of them is dead. It's going to take a lot of support, blackmail, and maybe a few hostages to make it all go away. There's quite a bit of fun in the idea of manipulating Cage without him knowing who he's going to be supporting, though. Not as gratifying as a fight would be right now but you can make that up with some more bitch talk.

"What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"

With a hop, you jump off the edge of the roof and land in front of Cage, leaving a small crater beneath your fractured feet.

Cage clucks his tongue and points his finger into your chest.

"You need to pay what you owe!"

A snarl escapes your lips, drawing a surprised eyebrow from the black man.

>(2/2)

"Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!" You smack his finger away with the back of your left hand. "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"

The man in the yellow shirt takes a step closer to loom over you.

"You murdered a police officer, hurt a dozen others, and crippled two kids! Who you might have saved doesn't matter at this point! I could've stopped those two from shooting up Sylvia's on my own without hurting them, anyway! Those two boys ain't got a bright future waiting for them now! You're either going to walk into a police station and turn yourself in or I'm going to have to drag your ass in a jail cell myself!"

A displeased frown makes its way onto your face.

There's a great deal of you that wants to tear Cage's throat out right now and forget about using him.

>[ ] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>[ ] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>[ ] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"
>[ ] "Bright future?! What the fuck are you talking about?! Those two baby faced motherfuckers had none the moment they decided to run with a gang!
>[ ] "You really think you could've gone faster than the speed of sound to soak up all those bullets while you stood there like a fucking retard?!"
>[ ] Knee him in the balls, he should know better than to stand this close.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC10)
>[ ] Headbutt him in the face, his shitty intimidation tactic is one of the worst to ever do to you of all people.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC12)
>[ ] Punch him in the throat, he's just asking for it.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14)
>[ ] Stab him in the throat with your finger, may as well get to adapting your old style.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14 for combat maneuver. Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC18 for proficiency improvement)
>[ ] Devour him
>[ ] Write In.

>>2979255
>>[ ] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>>[ ] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>>[ ] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"

These arguements are really good for the goal anyways and having Cage flip will help. We're going to need to be a bit more circumspect about our brutality and bloodthirst and having a couple of heros at least conflicted about how they feel about us will only help as word of the Kingpin spreads. We cannot underestimate the size of the stone we just threw into the pond and to be honest that was probably half of Kingpins protection, people thought he was untouchable and were so cautious in their approach that he remained untouchable. We've usurped a throne and need to think strategically from here, even though I am super curious about how bad we could fuck up Cage by attacking his soul.

>>2979255
Backing >>2979300

Forgot to mention this, today's my night class day so there's probably going to be one or two updates after I'm back from my first class.

Also,
>>2979300
Would you prefer these statments making your point or something more calm and convincing? Like, I don't mind writing up those but it's kinda dissonant.

While I'm at it, would you prefer more non-choice dialogue or are you fine with how most of what Kojo says are choices?

>>2979390
>While I'm at it, would you prefer more non-choice dialogue or are you fine with how most of what Kojo says are choices?
this relates to things in general when it comes to kojo's interactions, just to specify

>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC16

best of three with 20s please

Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2979757

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2979757
Man I was really hoping we could make just randomly kicking Cage's ass a thing. Too bad we're way too visible to do that now.

>>2979796
damn, that's a close roll there

I mean, you could've if you decided to stay completely in the shadows but eventually Cage would call Dany and bigger heroes to help him out with you.

Y'all want to wait for someone to go for the last roll in hopes of a crit or close rolling to prevent the occurrence of a crit fail?

>>2979836
Fighting Danny would be pretty interesting. If we catch him once he's dead but he's got a lot of power and skill.

Rolling closed, writing now.

>>2979889
>Fighting Danny would be pretty interesting. If we catch him once he's dead but he's got a lot of power and skill.
Yeah, and the iron fist with his spiritual chi...

>>2979929
Wonder if we could eat that.

>[X] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>[X] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>[X] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 18 + 4 = 22
>Success!

>(1/2)

There's no part of you that likes mimicking the weakness of others, especially something as foreign to you as sadness. Where others feel sorrow, you feel fury. You may be pulling at Luke Cage's strings but it's not at all the way you want to. The man has it in his head that young guys with dark skin don't do nothing in these types of situations, however, which makes it the best way to approach this. At the very least, you get to still sound pissed off.

You grit your teeth and force out a whimper.

"I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning!" You make your voice start to waver and motion your hands to your head. "You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"

Cage widens his eyes at you and sets a hand on your shoulder, drawing a barely repressed twitch from you.

"I...I'm sorry you had to go through that, son. No one should ever have to suffer indignity at the hands of the police." His eyebrows furrow at you. "That doesn't excuse what you did to those two kids, though. I can get you a lawyer that could help make that business with the cops go away but you have to answer what you did to those two."

Despite the improvement in attitude and success of your manipulation, you really want to rip the big black bitch's arm off and beat him to death with it right now.

You let out an aggravated growl and, while clenching your left hand into a fist at your side, you jab your right pointer finger into his chest, making him take a step back and withdraw his hand as you poke a hole in his shirt.

"Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them! For fuck's sake, I'm fifteen years old and even I know that!"

The black man turns his surprised eyes from your finger puncturing his shirt up to you.

"Fifteen? You look like you're in your late teens to early twenties."

You throw your hands up.

"Welcome to whack ass mutant fucking hormones! I'm pretty sure there's enough testosterone and estrogen running through my blood to make someone overdose!"

Cage holds an obstructing hand out to you.

>(2/2)

"Okay." He says as he nods his head. "Okay...I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this and I'm sorry I didn't hear you out." He pulls his arm back to his side as you put your arms down. "You're just a kid trying to get by, I see that now. None of this was something you had a choice in or something you could do anything about."

...

It's taking every fiber of your being not to beat this man to death right now.

You've always had a choice since that fateful day you were reborn and there was nothing in this world you couldn't do anything about anymore.

You are the one and only master of your fate.

Letting out a trembling sigh, you stiffly nod your head much like how a rusted pipe is turned by a wrench.

"...Yeah, I didn't have a choice in any of this or could do anything about it."

Cage nods his head back solemnly.

"I know how it feels, man. You can forget about what I said about the bill: you don't owe me anything."

A tinge of pain pulses through your chest at the thought of being as useless as the man standing before you.

You accept his words with a quick hum.

The two of you stand in silence as a gust of wind blows by.

Never in your entire life have you ever felt so disgusted with yourself.

>[ ] "...You got a number I can call you by in case I ever need...help?"
>[ ] "...What's the name of that lawyer?"
>[ ] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"
>[ ] "...Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
>[ ] Kick Cage in the balls while he's distracted, fuck being friendly with this dipshit.
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
>[ ] Hop to Chinatown, it might be good to see what the triads can offer you.
>[ ] Write In.

show of hands to how many people figured out kojo's age back in the bratva deal thread

now show of hands to how many people have figured out what day and age kojo's living through since the kingpin assassination thread

>>2980096
>[ ] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
>[ ] "...What's the name of that lawyer?" There's no way. It can't be Wesley, can it?
>[ ] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?" Weird science bitch. Must work for one of those companies that Kingpin might know...
Man, now I feel bad like Kojo for even trying to flip Cage. You really nailed it with the "Never in your entire life have you ever felt so disgusted with yourself." part. We really need this information off of him right now.

Next time, instead of making Cage pay the tab for our meal, he WILL be our meal.

>>2980096
>"You can forget about what I said about the bill: you don't owe me anything."
>[X] "You mean both bills?"

>>[X] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
"I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy. Just, maybe a free meal, or two."

>>2980104
Not me.
Being a minor might fuck with our inheritance.

>>2981661
The problem is actually way deeper than that. Kojo has no record of his birth, knows no witnesses to his birth, and there's no existance any sort of legal document whatsoever detailing his activities for the entire time he's been alive. If he attended school or was taken in by an orphanage, the case might be different but still: the guy's a ghost revealing himself to the land of the living.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "You mean both bills?"
>[X] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again. I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy. Just, maybe a free meal, or two."
>[X] "...What's the name of that lawyer?"
>[X] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"

>(1/2)

Mentioning the other bill might make you feel better and telling Cage off will at least make you feel less sickened with yourself.

A mischievous smirk forms on your face.

"You mean both bills?"

The black man blinks at you.

"Oh come on, man!" He clucks his tongue. "That last bill cost me almost forty dollars."

You snicker at Cage for a good minute as he looks on with disbelief until your small laughs die down.

"...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again." The smirk on your face gives way to a menacing scowl. "I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy." Your scowl morphs back to a smirk. "Just, maybe a free meal, or two."

The black man parts his lips to say something but closes them and nods his head in understanding, sympathetic look still on his face.

You suppress the urge to groan.

Definitely nothing you can say to get him to stop looking at you like you're a pathetic victim like him. He still hasn't realized just how stupid and naive his outlook is despite being a grown ass man. The world's only acceptable victims are those incapable of rational thought or in development of it. Anyone in their teens or adulthood should know better and be capable of taking the necessary precautions to prevent themselves from being hurt, swindled, or manipulated. Those who make it so easy for others are asking for it. You may have been a victim of circumstance when you were a newborn but you alone are responsible for how well you've progressed with your life: none of your current situation is a result of you being a victim. Due to your own actions, you let yourself get in a situation where you killed a police officer and hurt about a dozen others instead of just hopping away after that idiot started shooting.

That's a mistake you're going to rectify and never repeat again.

>(2/2)

You breathe in and sigh.

"...What's the name of that lawyer?"

Cage smiles.

"Matt Murdock of Nelson and Murdock; trust me, that man has gotten people out of worse cases than yours."

You blink at the black man.

It's either an awfully small world or Matt Murdock is part of some vigilante group supporters.

There's only one question you have left on your mind and it's been one lingering in the back of your mind.

"...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"

Yellow shirt shoots you an odd look before a look of realization dawns on his face.

"She's, in her own words, a Cubana Africana who helps people with abilities besides her actual job as a nurse. After I ran back to her, she told me about you being hurt and the way you could heal." A guilty tone oozes off the man's words. "We sorta got into a fight about bringing you in. It's nothing serious especially now that I can say that I was wrong about you. She can't help herself whenever she sees someone hurting on the outside and...on the inside."

An unsuppressed groan escapes your lips.

You really don't understand these types of people.

>[ ] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you by in case I ever need...help?"
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Kick Cage in the balls while he's distracted, fuck being friendly with this dipshit.
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
>[ ] Hop to Chinatown, it might be good to see what the triads can offer you.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2981757
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
I fucking swear we're gonna not only take Cage's soul but we're going to literally eat him alive in the process. Not now, but later on. There won't be any bones or trace of him at all to show he's dead, after we're through with him.

>>2981757
>[ ] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.

We've done what we needed to do here, bought ourselves some time while all this breaks down, Nelson and Murdock should also be able to help us with the legal mess of assuming our new position. As distasteful as all this was I still think it'll pay off at the end. Also the thought of what will be going through all these people's minds as the pieces fall into place is amazing. Time to get back to our own people though, the Triads can have some time to process and figure out how they want to approach us

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2981935
>Also the thought of what will be going through all these people's minds as the pieces fall into place is amazing.
It'll be the equivalent of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLoytewvn0g

File: 5261181_07db2f7652ba7cfe5(...).jpg (23 KB, 300x300)

23 KB JPG

>>2981981
Check THIS out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWz6-3H-LI4

>[X] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[X] "Do you know anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[X] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.

You know where Murdock's office is but it'd be handy to have his cell number to call him in the time you have before your big reveal or when you have your one phone call. As for the two Rival drug lords, Cage is bound to have stepped on their toes more than once throughout his cape career. He might have an idea of where their hideouts are located.

"Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"

Cage nods his head.

"Six four six, zero nine three, five two six is his cell number; I don't know his office number."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"Do you know anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"

The black man scoffs.

"Enough to know you should stay away from those two crazy pieces of human scum. They turn Harlem into a war zone once every quarter of the year and nothing gets done about it. Police can't stop them, Diamondback couldn't care less, and all I can do is prevent anymore kids from getting into that shit."

You let out a small laugh.

At least the man knows how useless he is in the grand scheme of things. Diamondback is dead, Shades is dead, Owl and his entire gang are dead, the Chinatown triads are going to tear themselves apart, the Yakuza are no longer in New York, a child abusing drug lord is dead, and the Kingpin of Crime himself is dead all thanks to you. Their pathetic ways of ruling the streets of New York will never plague the city again.

You are a king on the chess board and Cage is and will forever be a pawn.

The black man shoots you a look before you flip back from the ground all the way to the roof of the building you were previously on.

One spin turns you to the direction of Madison Avenue Bridge and a leap begins your short trek home.

You reach the bridge and jump across its supports into your home turf of Mott Haven in a great deal of seconds. From there, it takes you a few minutes to reach your neighborhood hideout.

A booming hip hop song is the first thing you hear and one of your scouts bobbing his head to the beat is the first thing you see as you hop from a nearby rooftop to the roof of the building opposite of your warehouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnI-JmQh84

You land right behind the scout but he's too occupied with the music to notice you.

>[ ] Jump to the roof of the warehouse and clap your hands together, there's a lot you need to tell them and a speech is possibly in order.
>[ ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.
>[ ] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"
>[ ] "Hey, what's going on?"
>[ ] Write In.

sorry for how long this took, reigns: got you see

>>2982300
[x ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.

>>2982300
>>[ ] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"

One and only pass on this, its unacceptable that our scouts are being lax and then

>[ ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.

Voting closed, writing now.

>>2982300
>"Six four six, zero nine three, five two six is his cell number; I don't know his office number."
THERE ARE NO 9 DIGIT CELL PHONE NUMBERS
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Gotta go run some errands will update when I get back.
>>2982631

he meant two sixes, he was speaking in ebonics

There are actually some numbers shorter than that.

>[X] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"
>[X] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.

>(1/2)

It's best to let your boys have their men, but your scout should know better than to shirk his duties.

"Bitch, did I say you could take a break!" You yell just loud enough for him alone to hear you through the loud music.

The foot soldier jumps at the sound of your voice and slowly turns to face you with fear on his light brown face.

"I-I'm sorr-" The man widens his eyes in remembrance and slumps his head down to avoid eye contact with you and signal his submission. "...I have no excuse."

A grin spreads across your face as you lay a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't make the same mistake again; which, considering what's happened in the past few hours, you probably won't be able to. Just don't fail me, the crew, whoever you end up under, and yourself. A mistake like this is fine the first time around but it's a problem if it happens more than once. I know it doesn't seem like much, but an old crew we fucked over could swoop in right now and take us all out because you weren't paying enough attention to notice. Not only that, you could get entrusted with even more important tasks because of doing this one. If a member of the round-table gave you one of those jobs and you fucked up, anyone in the gang would be more than happy to smoke your sorry ass if they don't make an example of you first. Do you understand?"

The foot-soldier blinks at you in amazement and nods his head.

You give his shoulder a tap and hop over his head down into the crowded street.

>(2/2)

Surrounding members of your crew stop their partying to let out commemorating shouts at you.

The grin on your face widens as you navigate your way through the parting and hollering crowd to the clearing around the open warehouse gate.

You walk in between a booming speaker and an open ice cooler set up at the corners of the warehouse gate into the hideout.

Marcus, Ren, Itsuki, Jesus, and Felon are all conversing in a circle in front of the money stacked round-table.

Itsuki's the first to notice your presence and rises up from his seated position to bow at you.

Your best man and best woman turn to see you and scoot over to make a space in the circle.

Felon leans back to look at you with weary eyes before slightly raising a half-empty corona in his hand up as a greeting.

You eye the mutant with some amount of annoyance.

He may have helped you with the inheritance scheme but he just doesn't fit the inner circle.

>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
>[ ] "When did you two get back?"
>[ ] "Bobby, did I say you could have a place at my round-table?"
>[ ] "Where's Alex? Before you answer that, I know she's upstairs fucking some of our boys or making dykes out of some of our girls. Knowing her, it's both."
>[ ] Walk over and take your seat, it's only fitting.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2983063
>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
Well all the plans I had for Felon are pretty useless since we can more or less do the same stuff. Not sure what to do with him.

>>2983063
>>[X] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
>>2983394
>Well all the plans I had for Felon are pretty useless since we can more or less do the same stuff.
Remains unconfirmed.

>Not sure what to do with him.
If he's redundant, appraise him after he's rested.
If Kojo thinks he won't run, rat, or flip, then give him a wad of cash, cut him loose, save him for later and let him be a low level nobody. Otherwise, or if the mood strikes us, eat his soul.

>>2983063
>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
Also what >>2983644 said for later.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"

Best to figure out what the rest of the inner circle already knows before you sit down and join the meeting. The time they got back doesn't really matter considering the sun's more or less at the horizon right now and they're here without a scratch on them. Felon can stay in the round circle for now due to his unique position where you can discuss his potential future with you if he proves to still be an asset.

You focus your eyes back on the two leaders directly under you, grin, and start walking towards them.

"Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"

Marcus smiles.

"We told them how things were gonna be with the boroughs being split, Silvio being your advisor, and Ren taking her place as an under boss. Jesus already seemed to know what was going to happen and Itsuki didn't have much of a reaction. " He sighs. "As for Alex, she's upstairs doing what she likes best: people."

You groan, stop by the open space in the circle, and turn your eyes to Ren.

The Japanese girl blinks before supporting Marcus' words with a drab nod.

Focusing back to Marcus, you see him shooting you a look.

"Okay, so I'm not good at sharing the hand position even if I'm the one with more power." He glances at Ren. "Not an excuse, but she is also a little too used to adding on only when asked."

Ren nods her head again when you turn to see her.

"His criticism is true: I am used to staying silent and speaking only when needed to, Reyes-sama." She glances at the black teen. "Marcus' words about himself are also true. I imagine it's the result of being alone by your side for so long, Reyes-sama."

The two hands lock eyes and stare blankly at one another.

You can't help but feel incredibly amused by this situation.

>[ ] "Okay, I'm gonna go drag Alex out of the sea of writhing flesh she's currently in.
>[ ] "You two are cute when you unintentionally come off as passive-aggressive."
>[ ] "...I was just asking what you two told to them."
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.
>[ ] Write In.

>>2984551
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.

>>2983644
Most of my plans were reconnaissance based and we have our third eye now so having him scope things out is a bit redundant.

>>2984551
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
Like the extremely useful pets they are
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[X] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.

Good girls and good boys who are a bit miffed need and deserve a good head pat; Alex can stay upstairs getting her irresponsible ass spanked.

You stretch a hand out over each of the sitting gang leaders' heads and give them two fond pats.

Marcus lets out an annoyed groan while Ren jolts in place as you touch them.

Grinning, you sit yourself down in the open space beside an eye contact avoiding Marcus and a blushing Ren.

Itsuki and Jesus look on with their ever-present blank expressions awaiting your words.

Felon, Bobby Soul, stares at you in some confusion as he takes another swig of his Corona.

There's a lot for you to go over and there's some information best left to close ears.


>[ ] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash and join our crew as one of my enforcers."
>[ ] "I offed Diamondback, killed one of his lieutenants, and flipped another one but two more are still alive."
>[ ] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[ ] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for when I come into the public light."
>[ ] "Met Luke Cage again: I had a spat with him the other day. He hooked me up with the number of a lawyer who could get me off that incident yesterday morning."
>[ ] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't."
>[ ] "I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I suddenly know a lot about business in general."
>[ ] "...So, you guys know my dad, right? I know Marcus does. It might not seem like it but I had one. He worked for Kingpin as his main enforcer for a while before he was ordered to fuck up a deal with a little ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. Trouble is, in doing that, he ended up killing an undercover agent of SHIELD....So, yeah: that's two major somethings we might have to deal with."
>[ ] Write In.

so many little things

>>2984838
Is Marcus aware we killed Dan entirely by accident?

>>2984871
Yes, Kojo was still little puppet Kojo then and would have never considered hurting Dan due to the overall benefit of keeping him around. Kojo killed Dan on reflex with a reflexive pre-preemptive counter punch.

>>2984907
excuse the repeating words, my mind is mush

Though, to be accurate, little Kojo pinocchio was in the process of becoming a real boy when that happened.

>>2984907
>>2984919
Alright then.

>>2984833
>[ ] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash and join our crew as one of my enforcers." Look at Marcus. "He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."
>[ ] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[ ] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for when I come into the public light."
then when we get quiet to make it seem like we're done
>[ ] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. But I can see stuff I never could before, like souls and life energy." Look at Itsuki. "I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this."
Telling about Barracuda is necessary to get everyone on the same page and for Marcus' sake. Telling about Black Mariah is some lighthearted news :^) and telling about Owl alongside the rich dudes is useful info. Third eye reveal is good for now.
HOWEVER
We leave the Diamondback/Rivals issue to later with Marcus. No need to talk about the Triads because they'll handle themselves without us. We can pull the Matt Murdock phone number card when we need to, but also to catch the others (read: Marcus) by surprise, and Luke Cage is irrelevant to tell them right now. Soul eating reveal would fuck up the mood and I'd rather get Itsuki and Marcus on the same page first without anybody else. We are NOT revealing the Hydra Kingpin link in public out in the open like this surrounded by our mooks.

>>2984939
>We are NOT revealing the Hydra Kingpin link in public out in the open like this surrounded by our mooks.
all the mooks are outside

>>2984946
Still iffy on revealing Hydra like this, even to our inner circle
but I'll switch to also including
>[ ] "I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I suddenly know a lot about business in general."

>>2984939
>>2984977

Supporting this dude, it's a lot of little things to cover but that should hit all the major points

Voting closed, writing now.

I wonder how many people are still here from the very first issue/thread.

>>2985158
I am. Same anon who got the rolls that flipped Itsuki and Silvio. I also came up with the master plan to take down kingpin.

Still can believe I overlooked bulletproof glass.

>>2985198
I fucking love you man.

Also, anti-mat level bulletproof glass is some unlikely heavy duty shit I tell you. It can still only take, like, one shot though. Fisk was better off getting mid-tier glass for high caliber rifle rounds but that wouldn't have saved him from the equivalent of a .50 cal.

>>2985222
Considering that the bratva were the ones who gave it to us and have been in opposition to him, I should have put 2 and 2 together. There were a few other potential weak links as well but that's definitely the most obvious.

We should eat a bomb experts soul at some point.

>[X] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash to join our crew as one of my enforcers. He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."
>[X] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[X] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is also dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats he had kept as hostages and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for some positive publicity when I come into the public light."
>[X] DRAMATIC SILENCE!
>[X] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. I can see things I never could before, like souls and energies. I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this, Itsuki."
>[X] "Also, I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's just because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I now know a lot about business organization, practices, management and businesses in general really."

>(1/3)

The immediate case of Cuda hauling his ass through the city to your hideout comes first before you give them the run down on Owl and Black Mariah, the two players you managed to fully take out of the game. Saving the revelation of your recent supernatural awakening and the conditions for last is important for dramatic effect and leaves room for them to ask questions without distracting from the other issues. Your father's beef with SHIELD and Hydra can stay a secret for now.

"Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash to join our crew as one of my enforcers." You turn to a surprised Marcus. "He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."

Marcus blinks at you.

"I'm not worried, Kojo, just wondering how and why you recruited him."

A laugh escapes your lips.

"All I had to do was tell him Kingpin was dead and ask. I recruited the man because of his experience as well as his capability and reliability. He won't flip or switch sides, because that's the kind of person he is. If Kingpin were alive, he'd have fought me to the death. Now he'll do the same for me against our enemies."

Marcus sighs.

>(2/3)

"Okay, it's your call, but it's also on you if he starts any shit."

You give him an affirming nod and turn back to face the rest of the circle with a grim face.

"Before I ran into Cuda, I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor." You resist the urge to smile as Felon's eyes widen. "She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."

None of the members of your inner circle protest or look surprised with the exception of Felon.

Those who've been with you for more than two years know your attitude towards drug dealers and drugs in general as well as your distaste for the manipulation of children. You've had ideas in the past concerning the use of street rats as spies but never acted on them because of their likelihood to get those kids in trouble or possibly killed. Itsuki most likely figured you for that kind of dogmatic person.

Bobby raises his corona in the air as a solute.

"To dead sick pieces of shit and the surprisingly...okay guy who kills them." He lowers the bottle down to his lips and takes a drink out of it.

You smile at the sorry sight as the rest of your lieutenants, who aren't Jesus, look on with pity before you all focus back on the meeting.

"Owl, some small time gang leader, is also dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats he had kept as hostages and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for some positive publicity when I come into the public light."

Marcus shoots you a questioning look and parts his lips to say something but a raised hand from you stops him.

You let the relative, mysterious silence stew for a few seconds until even Itsuki and Jesus look engaged.

>(3/3)

Finally, you lower your hand back to your side.

"I have a third eye on my forehead. You guy can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. I can see things I never could before, like souls and energies." You focus your gaze on the taken back Japanese Man. "I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this, Itsuki."

The middle-aged man calms himself and shakes his head before bowing it.

"申し訳ございません, Reyes-sama. I have seen many otherworldly things throughout my life, however, I do not have knowledge of the third eye you speak of."(Japanese: 申し訳ございません, Romanji: Moushiwake gozaimasen, Translation: essentially a serious "I'm really sorry")

You let out a hum.

"It's fine, Itsuki, you gave me what you could."

Felon and Marcus both part their lips to say something as Itsuki lifts his head but you raise another hand to stop them.

"Also, I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's just because of the general aura around me." Felon's eyes widen even further at you as you focus again on the grown man in the room. "Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I now know a lot about business organization, practices, management and businesses in general really."

The room falls back into relative silence as the words leave your mouth.

Your not one to lie to those in your inner circle but you've played jokes on them before: it's quite possible Marcus and Ren are waiting for some kind of punchline while Itsuki and Felon have no idea what to say.

>[ ] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[ ] "Bobby go astral. I wanna see if this works and show them what I'm talking about."
>[ ] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."
>[ ] Close your material eyes and pour out into the world with your third.
>[ ] Close all your eyes and project your soul from your body, may as well go for a stress test now. v
>[ ] Write In.

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>>2985777
>777
NICE TRIPS, CHECKED

>>2985781
>[ ] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[ ] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[X] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."

You honestly have no idea what the hell you were expecting when you had it in your mind to tell them about this crazy shit. That's not even touching how the cosmic personification of Death and whatever the hell the Phoenix is are interested in you. Despite all that, you can't back away from this now. Trying out soul projection here without any experience could lead to an accident and you're pretty sure you would have devoured whoever you'd possess on instinct. Felon's got experience doing whatever it is he does and you both now he doesn't do anything to his possessee's soul.

A fit of laughter erupts from your lips and reverberates through the warehouse.

The "normal" members of your inner circle shoot you a look as Felon still stares at you in surprise.

It takes about ten seconds for your laughter to die.

"Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."

Felon groans as everyone's eyes turn to him.

"Why do I get the feeling that's not a request?"

You grin.

"I didn't say it like it was one."

The mutant sighs.

"Fine, but I don't see how possessing the Latino robot will prove anything: I mean, your guys saw how you dragged my soulless body into samurai man's van while I sat shotgun in Wesley's, right? They've got no reason to not believe you after seeing that shit."

You keep your eyes fixed on the astral projecting thug.

Felon lets out one last groan as falls back and his shining, delicious soul rises from his body.

A primal, primordial yearning envelops every fiber of your being screeching, throbbing, reeking, tasting, and envisioning one concept:

PREY!

>[ ] EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT!
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)

Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)

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>>2986740
Yeah uh, why not leave this roll to tomorrow? Best of 3, yeah? Haha...

>>2986752
gonna go to bed in like an hour so yeah

Rolled 6 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)

I'm guessing this will get harder the more we eat souls.

>>2987879
Fuck THAT. We're going to dominate everything in the universe, even if that's our hunger for souls. Might not be easy now, but the stronger we get...

>>2988061
Not with our two rolls we're not. We need a clutch third roll.

Rolled 14 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740

>>2988213
Like this. Beautiful.

>>2988213
yeah boi

Rolling Closed, Writing now.

>[X] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 14 + 4 = 18
>Success!

The primitive desires and urges of your being do not and cannot have any control over you. None of you tolerates the weakness of letting yourself become subject to your nature's inclinations. Murder, sex, torture, rape, domination, consumption, and expansion all have a place in time but this is not in any sense one of those times: you will not devour Felon until he has no further use to you.

In a single instant, you jump up from the cement floor to your feet.

You feel the ocean of essence filling your body take the form of it and begin to separate itself from it.

THE PRE- A waning blue Felon looks on in horror as that which i- your smoldering crimson soul emerges its upper half from the upper half of your body, taking your third eye with it.

You narrow your two eyes at the back of your red head and narrow your other three at THE PRE- Felon's soul.

Even as your anger and pride start to ebb away in your meat pupp- physical mind, you open your mouth and bite into the back of your soul's head. It doesn't have any taste or even feels like its caught between your teeth but it is.

You let out a snarl as you pull your soul back and let out a celestial growl as you're pulled back.

Felon, being the dumbass that he is, just barely realizes this is the chance he has to save himself from being eaten by you or digested by your aura and wisps itself into Jesus' body.

The ravenous instinct fades away and your soul slips back into your body like nothing happened before you fall backwards onto the ground.

Marcus and Ren crawl from their seats over to your fallen form and widen their eyes.

You blink all three of yours up at them in confusion.

>[ ] "Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"(Spanish: cielito lindo, Translation: Literally means "heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty" but is a colloquial term for "sweetheart")
>[ ] "What...what?"
>[ ] "Can you see it now?"
>[ ] "Did you two see that whole soul thing or did it just like I was miming myself when I'm eating meat?"
>[ ] "Sure, a threesome sounds good right about now. Are you sure you guys want to do it here in front of Jesus, Itsuki, and a knocked out Felon? Oh, what am I saying? You guys obviously love having sex in front of old men, stoic hit men, and unconscious people."
>[ ] Write In.