>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

Aww, dammit: forgot the jams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8K3KJyWgY

>>3019133
>[ ] "Did you hear what that biker midget said? That whole bit about my heartbreaking when I killed my surrogate father? Do you think he could be right? Do I even have a heart that can break?"
>[ ] "Marcus, do you think that maybe... we were a family? Two black street rats, an adoptive old white father who just so happened to be a special forces veteran, and a casually racist grandmother or maid who made sure we were well off?"
>[ ] "Do you hate me for killing him even though I didn't mean to?"
Going with this for now.

Voting closed, writing now.

Kojo's recent appetites have him developing...feelings?!

Whatever will he do?

>[X] "Did you hear what that biker midget said? That whole bit about my heartbreaking when I killed my surrogate father? Do you think he could be right? Do I even have a heart that can break?"
>[X] "Marcus, do you think that maybe... we were a family? Two black street rats, an adoptive old white father who just so happened to be a special forces veteran, and a casually racist grandmother or maid who made sure we were well off?"
>[X] "Do you hate me for killing him even though I didn't mean to?"

>(1/4)

What that pathetic excuse for a grown man said is very much relevant now. You still can't remember feeling anything other than exhilaration during Dan's death, though. There's a lot you know and understand about yourself but that weird feeling back at Owl's warehouse has gotten you to contemplate who you are as a person on top of all the other recent introspective looks you've taken into yourself. Maybe your heart did break and you just didn't feel it because you were already broken beyond repair long before Dan died.

Maybe you broke into so many pieces you went insane and stopped being the version of you that you were before.

...

"Did you hear what that biker midget said? That whole bit about my heartbreaking when I killed my surrogate father? Do you think he could be right? Do I even have a heart that can break?"

Marcus raises an eyebrow.

"I...I don't really know: I mean, I know you better than anyone else, but, to be honest, you're a complete fucking monster. The shit you've done before you even became a mutant was some satanic shit." He holds both of his arms out to the walls of the alley. "Just look at this place. It's been years, but I can still smell the blood without your ridiculous super senses. I know you didn't exactly mean to hurt anyone back then but you still killed a lot of people, Kojo. You might leave street rats out of the game now but I know you couldn't care less if one of them just straight up died right in front of you." A laugh escapes his lips. "Hell, you'd probably look down on them for not being capable of surviving like we used to." His eyes soften as does his tone. "I'm not criticizing you: I'm just telling you like it is." He sighs. "...You might have a twisted one hidden away inside now or had one back when we were kids squatting here, but I don't know. Just asking me that shows you might actually have one if you're genuinely concerned about it in the right way, though. "

You continue to stare into the man's eyes.

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>(2/4)

It's not much of a concern to you as it is a curiosity. Him being unsure of it just goes to show you don't really have one or much of one to be concerned about. None of what he said about you was untrue: you would look down on any street rat that just dropped dead in front of you. The weak are weeded out by the strong, powerful, capable, reliable, and the world itself. A lot of street rats are strong enough to survive but weak enough to be taken advantage of by practically anyone, which is why you look down on their use no matter how handy they may prove to be. Just knowing you could've had a little street rat's blood on your hands makes you sick in how much it shows your ineptitude at the time. If you were to have a child's blood on your hands, it would most likely be from someone who deeply offended you's child if the offense was really that grievous, a lot like Officer Green who started this entire mess to begin with. You just might have to pay him and his family a visit sometime before or after you settle the legal matter.

Speaking of family, you've got an important question that only he can answer.

"Marcus, do you think that maybe...we were a family?" You smile as a small laugh escapes your lips. "Two black street rats, an adoptive old white father who just so happened to be a special forces veteran, and a casually racist grandmother or maid who made sure we were well off?"

The black teen blinks at you before curving his own lips into a smile and laughing.

"That sounds like the plot of a sitcom. Abuelita would definitely be a maid or a shopkeep we hung out at all the time or some shit: just replace the stuff she fenced with candy or pastries."

You grin.

"Ren, Alex, and Jesus would come by once every episode to rob the place and we'd fend them off or they'd join us to fight off invading gangs."

Marcus scoffs and shoots you a look.

"Motherfucker, have you ever actually seen a sitcom? That kind of shit doesn't happen."

You shake your head.

"All I've ever watched on TV is the news: reports of the aftermath of operation Zero Tolerance, fuck those tin cans; the Genoshan genocide, and Professor Xavier outing himself as a mutant as well as the leader of the X-men to the entire world. There were the 9/11 reports but I didn't need to see those when I got a front seat to see the twin towers fall all the way from here."

You widen your eyes for but a moment as a memory clicks into place.

That little man short and stout was there with the blue furred X-man during one of the reports on Xavier's outing as one of the X-men. All of them appeared out of costume throughout the interview but none of them were explicitly named, not that you needed them to recognize the ambassadors of your kind. Cyclops, Beast, red woman girl, Emma Frost, the villain dressed like a Hunts Point whore turned hero, and the Wolverine.

...

You thought he'd look a lot taller and more handsome in person but he really was just some short jackass.

>(3/4)

Marcus clucks his tongue, taking you out of your thoughts.

"Still can't believe you actually saw it happen and not one cape could do anything about it." He grins and laughs. "Oh man, could you fucking imagine how pissed off Dan would be if he was alive to see that?!"

A laugh escapes your lips.

"Those goat fucking a-rab bride wrapping child raping bed sheet wearing hajis!" You grumble loudly in the old soldier man's accent. "I'm gonna fly over there, call in some old friends, and launch myself a mercenary campaign to smoke that pansy ass Osama out of his cave and into the crosshairs of my .50 cal. building smashin black barreled haji blasting rifle!" You point to Marcus. "You two little niglets are coming along for the ride! It's time you learned what it's really like on a battlefield! If the both of you don't have a hundred notches on each of the firearms you use by the time we're done, I will make you regret the fact your mothers failed their coat hanger abortions!"

Your best friend clutches at his sides.

"Oh my god, that is so fucking him!"

The two of you laugh for minutes on end until the joy slowly dies down, leaving the old squat silent and you two to once again stare at one another.

All because of you, Dan never got to go on that rant.

...

"Do you hate me for killing him even though I didn't mean to?"

Marcus blinks at you before shaking his head.

"No, I don't; I never did. You had no control of your powers and could barely walk much less lift a finger without breaking it by the time we went to the warehouse that day. I know you and how your mind used to work: Dan helped you which means you'd never think of so much as stabbing him unless he told you to. That punch you threw that ripped him apart was all on reflex the drilled into you." A bitter laugh escapes his lips. "If he wasn't such a hardass, he would probably still be alive but, then again, that's how he made it through all the shit in the Green Berets. It's like how Dan used to say: damned if you do, damned if you don't."

You nod your head and hum.

A great deal of you is relieved to actually hear that, maybe you do have a black heart but a heart nonetheless.

Marcus sighs and leans back on one of the stained walls.

"Fuck." He whispers. "When did we go wrong, Kojo?" His voice starts to break. "When did everything just start spiraling down into the fucking drain?" Tears start dripping from his eyes down his cheeks. "...I miss Dan, I miss Abuelita and her racist bitch talk, I miss when all we had to worry about was ourselves, I miss being who I used to be, and I think I miss you out of everything else no matter how much of a shithead you've become over the years."

>(4/4)

You blink.

...

...

This is something you actually understand for once.

>[ ] "Mother, father, Dan, Abuelita...Why do I kill everyone who's close to me?"
>[ ] "I...I think I miss them too, Marcus."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>[ ] "Marcus, you're my...you're my...you're the only thing I have that's anything close to family...You're my brother."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>[ ] "...I'm sorry."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>[ ] "Do you hate yourself like Jesus does?"
>[ ] "Am I really that bad? You've done the same things I have, Marcus."
>[ ] "What are you talking about? Things are just getting started. No more scrounging for weapons, no more waiting for opportunities to present themselves, no more money problems, and no more being looked down on by every motherfucker in this world! We're in the real bigtime now! There's no point crying about the past anymore! All of these shitty fucking memories of stewing in this bloodstained dungheap can go to hell! I'm never going to be that thing again! I'm never going to be a happy smiley dipshit who takes what the world shits on him! I'm never going to be a pathetic puppet who relies on someone else to make their decisions and to validate their existence! We were nothing and now we're something! Doesn't that mean anything to you?! Do you really want to be pieces of forgotten street trash again?!"
>[ ] Hug him, it'll probably help.
>[ ] Write In.

was this worth the three hour wait my homies?

>[X] "Marcus, you're my...you're my...you're the only thing I have that's anything close to family...You're my brother."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>[X] Marcus i want you to promise me that it'll be you and me, us against the World so no matter what happens we'll be there for each other
>[X] Hug him, it'll probably help.

>>3019522
Yeee

>>3019521
>[ ] "Marcus, you're my...you're my...you're the only thing I have that's anything close to family...You're my brother. And nothing is ever gonna fucking change that."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>[ ] Hug him, it'll probably help.
>[ ] "There's still a lot of shit I'm curious about this 'having a heart' thing, and a lot I don't know - but I can tell you what I DO know: I'm not an empty puppet shell anymore, and the past is done for good. Crying about it is a waste of time and effort; all we can do is keep going with what we have no matter what goes wrong or right."
>[ ] Inwardly acknowledge that whoever we are, whether it be evil to the hungering core or whatever the fuck, having a heart feels... interesting.
Also backing >>3019550

>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC18

Best of three and d20s, please. If you fail this roll the options will default to the rant Kojo goes on.

it's him having a breakdown in context

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019633
REEEEEErollan

>>3019635
...

...

i should've expected this

>>3019633
>>3019635
>>3019636
oh fuck right off never gonna roll in this fucking quest for fuck's sake always get low rolls in every quest I roll in come the fuck on

Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019633
It was always Marcus and Kojo against the world. The world has just gotten bigger lately.

Hopefully we get a 20 to cancel out >>3019635

The wait is always worth it boss.

>>3019640
so close, just one more left

Rolled 2 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019633

>>3019667
Alas and alack, voting is closed and writing is beginning.

>>3019679
hope we get a chance to remedy this later, Marcus is based

>[X] "Marcus, you're my...you're my...you're the only thing I have that's anything close to family...You're my brother. And nothing is ever gonna fucking change that."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 1 + 4 = 5
>Critical Failure!

>(1/2)

You want to say it: you need to say it. It was always you and him against the rotten dungheap of an uncaring world. He was always the one and only one at your side through everything. All of this wouldn't have come to be if you never met Marcus or if he left you to die that day you mutated. Marcus is your best friend: Marcus is the one most dearest to you. He is your brother if not in body then in mind and in soul.

Marcus is the closest thing you've ever had to a family.

...

Taking a step forward, you part your lips to say something but stop yourself.

You were really just about to say it.

In spite how powerful you've become, you were still pathetic enough for the briefest moments to feel the same worthless sentiment all the weaklings in the world do and .

Love. Is. Not. Real.

>(2/2)

A growl rumbles in your throat as you grit your teeth and grab hold of Marcus by his shoulders.

"What are you talking about? Things are just getting started." You begin to shake the man with every one of your sentences. "No more scrounging for weapons, no more waiting for opportunities to present themselves, no more money problems, and no more being looked down on by every motherfucker in this world! We're in the real bigtime now! There's no point crying about the past anymore! All of these shitty fucking memories of stewing in this bloodstained dungheap can go to hell! I'm never going to be that thing again! I'm never going to be a happy smiley dipshit who takes what the world shits on him! I'm never going to be a pathetic puppet who relies on someone else to make their decisions and to validate their existence!" You stop shaking Marcus and pull him close to your face. "We were nothing and now we're something! Doesn't that mean anything to you?! Do you really want to be pieces of forgotten street trash again?!"

The black teen reels his head back and slams it into your nose, drawing blood from one of the few vulnerable points in your body and pushing you off him in your surprise.

You raise a hand to your bloody nose as you growl at your best friend.

Marcus glares at you with disgust in his eyes.

"It means everything to me! We were fine being nothing! We were fine being no one but you couldn't fucking stop yourself could you!?" He throws up his arms. "You just had to have everything despite doing perfectly fine with nothing! Look where we are now! This is what you lived with before I lived with it too!" He lowers his arms and his voice as it echoes off the walls. "...You can't fucking stand being here can you? It's a reminder that no matter how much you try and fill yourself with money, power, and whatever the fuck you get from staring at the sky all the time you'll always be empty." He scoffs. "You'll always be a fucking monster."

The flowing water inside you hardens into sludge.

For the first time in your entire life, you want to kill your best friend.

>[ ] "...How could you? How could you of all people..."(Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "You!...You're!...You're right."(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC18)
>[ ] "This coming from the man who's killed, tortured, and raped just as much as I have!"
>[ ] "Watch your mouth before you say something you'll regret."
>[ ] "Draw blood from me again, and you'll end up just another example in the long line of people I've made into cat food."
>[ ] "...Get the fuck out of here, I never want to see you again."
>[ ] Devour him
>[ ] Write In.

fuck, ruined opportunity to include this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3vC8n6vN0Q

>>3019773
>[ ] "I can't stand being empty, Marcus. After I woke up to this, I can never go back to the way I was. You can, but I can't. You have that freedom."
>[ ] "This place is a useful reminder of what I used to be. What I have to avoid being again. If I have to be a fucking monster and conquer everyone and everything to escape that for good, I will. If I have to feed that hunger inside me to get anywhere, I will."
>[ ] "But even so, I don't feel as empty around you. I'm not sure why, and I don't know if I'll ever understand why." Look straight at him, sigh out, and state the truth. "What I do know is that... I'd feel much worse if you weren't around."
Please no critfail again, I don't wanna lose based Marcus

>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC18
Same as before.

also

[/b]WARNING: the outcome of this argument with Marcus may have a profound effect on Kojo that will likely last for a large amount of time.[/b]

do be cautious and careful in your voting

>>3019993
goddamn fucking code brackets

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019993
Fingers crossed.

Rolled 2 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

purging the shit roll, don't count this

Rolled 20 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019993
NOW I'm gonna roll for real. Count this one.

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>>3020042

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3019993

>>3020038
>>3020042
>>3020043
what kind of devil magic is this?

Eh, I mean, you got it in before another person did. Considering the run of bad luck and the fact I didn't really have a rule against rolling twice, I'll count it.

>>3020066
at least you scored dubs

>[X] "I can't stand being empty, Marcus. After I woke up to this, I can never go back to the way I was. You can, but I can't. You have that freedom."
>[X] "This place is a useful reminder of what I used to be. What I have to avoid being again. If I have to be a fucking monster and conquer everyone and everything to escape that for good, I will. If I have to feed that hunger inside me to get anywhere, I will."
>[X] "But even so, I don't feel as empty around you. I'm not sure why, and I don't know if I'll ever understand why." Look straight at him, sigh out, and state the truth. "What I do know is that... I'd feel much worse if you weren't around."
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 20 + 4 = 24
>Critical Success

>(1/2)

A great deal of you wants to escalate hostilities but you know you don't want to hurt Marcus. You don't want to hate him and you don't want him to hate you either. He isn't the slightest bit wrong about you: you're a monster who tries to fill the empty void in their life with power.

You are so obsessed with your idea of being powerful that you completely rejected your feelings of devotion towards Marcus just because you thought it'd make you weak for telling him how you feel, alienating your closest and most vital ally in your ensuing breakdown.

There is something seriously fucking wrong with you.

>Cognitive Bonus Gained: Self-awareness(You have achieved awareness of yourself and a great deal of your inner workings. Taking a moment to introspect before making an important decision that offends you will lead to a +2 bonus in Will Rolls for that decision but will not effect supernatural Will Rolls unless they are of a personal nature, therapy is twice as effective at treating cognitive conditions, it is easier to gain cognitive bonuses, and it is harder to gain cognitive penalties.)

>(2/2)

You return your hand to your side and soften your essence back into tranquil water.

"I can't stand being empty, Marcus. After I woke up to this, I can never go back to the way I was. You can, but I can't: you have that freedom." You hold out your hands to the sides of the alleyway. "This place is a useful reminder of what I used to be: what I have to avoid being again." You drop your hands back to your own sides. "If I have to be a fucking monster and conquer everyone and everything to escape that for good, I will. If I have to feed that hunger inside me to get anywhere, I will...But even so, I don't feel as empty around you. I'm not sure why, and I don't know if I'll ever understand why." You look straight into his wide eyes with warm ones. "What I do know is that... I'd feel much worse if you weren't around."

Marcus stares at you in silence for the longest time before breaking it.

"...Kojo, I'm...I'm..." He drifts off as his eyes begin to water again.

You peer back at him with your warm eyes.

>[ ] "You're my brother. Don't apologize for calling me out on my shit: I deserved it."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "I'm sorry."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "You don't have to say anything."
>[ ] "..."
>[ ] Hug him, you need it and he needs it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3020210
>[ ] Hug him, you need it and he needs it.
The only time Kojo will hug anyone.

>>3020222
He has hugged people before.

they were on their hands and knees, he was behind them, and he was a twelve year old that could pass for fifteen at the time tho

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Hug him, you need it and he needs it.

Words can wait for later, you need to give comfort and take it.

You walk up to him and wrap your arms around his torso.

Marcus slowly does the same to you and buries his crying face in your shoulder.

A warm feeling engulfs you, soothing away all your anger.

This is how it should always be between you and him: warm and cordial.

Hopefully, you'll never get into another fight again but that's always a possibility; at the very least, you'll be capable of stopping yourself from antagonizing him anymore because of your stupid bullshit.

You two hold each other for a minute or two before breaking apart.

A still silence fills the air as you return to staring at one another.

There's still some things you can talk about with him and there's probably some things he wants to talk to you about now.

>[ ] "Marcus, you're my brother and nothing is ever going to change that."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "I'm sorry."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "I think I miss Dan and Abuelita too. The old life, not so much, but my mind always goes back to them."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] "You know, I've killed everyone else who had hand in making me into the man I am now from way back when: my father, my mother, Dan, and Abuelita. I think I may have some sort of problem with parental figures. Anyway, I'm happy I didn't kill you for a change."
>[ ] "Do you hate yourself?"
>[ ] "Got any questions? Ask them now or forever wait until we have another moment alone like this somehow in the next few crazy ass days."
>[ ] "You can get out anytime you want to, Marcus. Just say the word and I'll never involve you in this shit again. I'll set you up with a house, some tutors, enough money to last a lifetime, and a number you can call in case you ever need my help."
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way I do for you or something like that."
>[ ] Write In.

File: 1500336585308.png (2.34 MB, 1320x1272)

2.34 MB PNG

>>3020513
>[ ] "You know, I've killed everyone else who had hand in making me into the man I am now from way back when: my father, my mother, Dan, and Abuelita. I think I may have some sort of problem with parental figures. Anyway, I'm happy I didn't kill you for a change."
>[ ] "You can get out anytime you want to, Marcus. Just say the word and I'll never involve you in this shit again. I'll set you up with a house, some tutors, enough money to last a lifetime, and a number you can call in case you ever need my help."
>[ ] "Do you hate yourself like Jesus?"
>[ ] "Got any questions? Ask them now or forever wait until we have another moment alone like this somehow in the next few crazy ass days."
We're keeping Homeless Mutant stuff to ourselves for now, and I'd rather not go with the dice rolls any longer with Marcus here after that critfail. Things got a little... dicey. :^) I still want Kojo to admit he misses the past a little and apologize and go bros before hoes, just not now after that near-disaster.

Also check this pic out Fungus. Forgot I had this saved, reminds me of that one Kojo dream sequence. Fitting don't you think?

>>3020634
>Also check this pic out Fungus. Forgot I had this saved, reminds me of that one Kojo dream sequence. Fitting don't you think?
how exactly?

>>3020671
Oh wait, now I see it.

spidey threw me off

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>>3020735

>>3020743
impaired genius

anyway going to bed

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

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "You know, I've killed everyone else who had hand in making me into the man I am now from way back when: my father, my mother, Dan, and Abuelita. I think I may have some sort of problem with parental figures. Anyway, I'm happy I didn't kill you for a change."
>[X] "You can get out anytime you want to, Marcus. Just say the word and I'll never involve you in this shit again. I'll set you up with a house, some tutors, enough money to last a lifetime, and a number you can call in case you ever need my help."
>[X] "Do you hate yourself like Jesus?"
>[X] "Got any questions? Ask them now or forever wait until we have another moment alone like this somehow in the next few crazy ass days."

>(1/3)

Despite your newfound self-awareness and because of it, you don't want to directly say what you feel about Marcus in worry of taking out another breakdown on him. Maybe the way you're saying it isn't the wisest but it's the closest thing you can say to what you mean right now. You can tell him exactly what your feelings towards him are when the two of you have cooled off from this fight. It might be possible he already understands what you feel towards him because of your earlier words and actions, but you don't have it in you to ask him right now.

"You know, I've killed everyone else who had hand in making me into the man I am now from way back when: my father, my mother, Dan, and Abuelita." You raise a hand to rub the back of your head beneath your horns. "I think I may have some sort of problem with parental figures." A shake of your head brings you back to your point. "Anyway, I'm happy I didn't kill you for a change."

Marcus' eyes are filled with warmth.

"Kojo, you didn't mean to kill Dan and Abuel..." He drifts off and widens his eyes. "Wait, you killed your mother?"

You nod your head.

"She tore herself open to give me life and lost her own in place of mine when she bled out her mutant blood."

The man shoots you a sympathetic look.

"I don't see how that's your fault exactly: birth complications happen, just ask Abuelita." He cringes and blinks. "Wait, how the hell do you know that? Isn't everyone who knew your mom dead?"

Once again, you nod your head.

His expression turns to one of confusion before he shakes his head.

"This is some complicated spiritual shit, isn't it? You talked with the soul of your dead mother or with the soul of someone who knew her and they told you she died giving birth to you."

You widen your eyes and nod your head one last time.

"Technically, yes."

Marcus stares at you.

"...I'm just going to stop asking questions now."

A laugh escapes your lips.

Now is not the time to tell him the business you have with the cosmic entities personifying life and death: now is the time to reassure him that you will support him even if he wants to leave you.

>(2/3)

"You can get out anytime you want to, Marcus. Just say the word and I'll never involve you in this shit again. I'll set you up with a house, some tutors, enough money to last a lifetime, and a number you can call in case you ever need my help."

Marcus' eyes widen before he lets out a sigh.

"I appreciate that you're willing to do that for me, Kojo, but I can't just step out like that." He lowers his head. "I've done so many things, killed so many people, and, despite what I said, I can't go back to the way things were before." He lifts his gaze back to you. "Without you, the gang, and all the combat, I don't think I could stand myself." A laugh escapes his lips. "I've already come this far with you, I may as well see this through for myself and everyone I've hurt to get here. Dan taught us how to kill people and use military tactics to take out our enemies; we might not be using his teachings the way he wanted us to but he made us the way we are or the way I am at least. Knowing I'm the equivalent of a special forces member and not ever using my experience and training to do anything worth note disgusts me." A smile makes its way onto his lips. "That feeling whenever we cleared out a warehouse of other gangbangers as kids and whenever I led an ambush on one of our old, dead rivals was amazing." He scoffs. "Look at me calling you a monster despite being one myself. If Dan were here, he'd beat my ass for being a gang-banger and then beat me to death for being a no-good fucking hypocrite."

You stare at your best friend with soft eyes.

It's good that he's admitting this to you and you're happy that he'll stay by your side until the end but he's beginning to look at himself a lot like how Jesus did.

There's no part of you that wants him to hate himself: it's detrimental to you, himself, and the men he'll be leading from here on out.

"Do you hate yourself, like Jesus?"

He blinks and raises an eyebrow at you.

"Jesus hates himself?"

A confirming hum rumbles in your throat.

"Part of the reason why he is the way he is." You raise a hand to your chin. "I honestly didn't expect it, but it makes sense in context: he must've been trying to kill himself when he first took that hit out on me. Once the bullet bounced and he saw I was the real deal he surrendered, remember? My other eye was still open, but he didn't shoot me in it. I think he wanted to die then, but in place of making an example out of him, like the rest of the wannabe hit-men, I recruited him and gave him something to live for."

Marcus clucks his tongue.

"Well, he did come to New York all the way from Colombia. People who choose to move here with all the crazy shit that happens are bound to have a deathwish or add to the bullshit."

You shoot him a concerned look.

"Do you have one? Do you hate yourself like that?"

The man stares at you and shakes his head.

>(3/3)

"No, I don't want to die." He lets out a sigh. "Not now, anyway, but I used to back when we first started. You pulled me out of that back then without ever realizing it; thank you for that. As for hating myself, I do that a lot. Being around you and the entire gang makes me feel better, though: it reminds me that I'm not alone in this and that what I do helps someone even if it hurts other people." A laugh escapes his lips. "I wonder why I care about that even now despite how long we've been in the game and how it was like growing up in this shithole. Dan probably had something to do with it. He always did tell me to never throw a pity party for myself or take out my shit on random people who didn't have a hand in making my life what it was even though they did by just ignoring it and not helping."

You blink at Marcus.

He had his problems accepting all the new circumstances, but you didn't know he actually wanted to die. You didn't know he hated himself either. A great deal of you is angry at him for not telling you despite the fact you've rarely talked to him in the past few years.

It's your fault.

...

There's a strange pressure somehow pushing in on your internal organs inside your internal bone carapace that is causing you to feel a pain you've never felt before.

You breathe in and sigh.

"Got any questions? Ask them now or forever wait until we have another moment alone like this somehow in the next few crazy ass days."

Marcus' expression straightens into a serious look.

"Kojo, when you were talking about your father, you actually looked happy: you weren't angry at all until the very end. Do you really hate him or...are you really angry at something else?"

Once again, you blink at your best friend.

...

...

>[ ] "...I don't...I never did."(Will Roll, +4 Modifier DC18)
>[ ] "...Earlier, you told me I looked vulnerable. How exactly?"
>[ ] "...Give me a second to think."
>[ ] "...I already told you what happened; what's done is done."
>[ ] "...What are you trying to say?"
>[ ] Write In.

As I realize I've been operating on old assumptions of psychopathy, I'm gonna go alter the character sheet a bit.

kojo still kojo but psychopaths are some weird shit

>>3021446
>[ ] "...What are you trying to say?"
>[ ] "...Give me a second to think."

>>3021454
For the sake of accuracy but also for the sake of not stacking the pastebin, High-functioning psychopathy has been redefined to be more accurate and to fit Kojo's character. He has some degree of Alexithymia which can be interpreted as a condition of his psychopathy or from his upbringing but kind of falls under both.

just so y'all know, you avoided devolving into a low-functioning psychopath several times throughout your convos with marcus

Maybe one day, you'll become a fully-functional psychopath, which isn't a thing but may as well be in this if you make the right choices that keep Kojo Kojo without changing the core of who he is.

testing

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "...What are you trying to say?"
>[X] "...Give me a second to think."

>(1/2)

He's trying to say something. You understand that but you don't understand what exactly he's hinting at. It doesn't seem like he means any ill will to you by it but it's concerning: you came off as weak to him when you talked about your father. Marcus might be trying to get something out of you.

...

There is something seriously fucking wrong with you if one of the first things you suspect after getting into a fight and making up with your best friend is the fact he may be trying to manipulate you just because he mentioned you seemed vulnerable that one time out of concern for your wellbeing of all things.

You avert your eyes from Marcus' for a moment before looking back into his.

"...What are you trying to say?"

The man parts his lips to say something before closing them and opening them again.

"I'm saying are you really angry at your dad or focusing it all on him because you don't know why you're really angry?"

You stare at Marcus.

It still sounds like he's hinting at something but he could be telling you what he really means by it.

Sighing, you lean back on one of the blood stained alley walls and close all three of your eyes.

"...Give me a second to think."

He doesn't say a word and stands still by the opposite wall from you.

>(2/2)

Augusto abandoned your mother to move up in the criminal underworld, leaving you behind with her. Though, he taught you how to shoot a gun and saved you from being killed during one of the strike force attacks even before he knew he was your father. Everything you know about your mother he told you. When Barracuda threatened you after he found out, he beat the black giant half to death in the span of a few seconds with the ferocity of an animal. His final act before you killed him was to leave you alone to protect you from Kingpin, Hydra, and SHIELD.

Despite everything the two of you had gone through, he abandoned you within a week of miraculously meeting you.

Your father left you alone in the world after you finally discovered you weren't.

A snarl escapes your lips as you dig your fingers into the palm of your hands.

He could've stayed or taken you along with him but he left you behind to remain the broken piece of shit you were.

If he hadn't ever met you or abandoned you, he'd still be alive.

You killed him over the slightest chance his enemies would target you and he believed that you weren't some empty puppet concerned with prolonging their own pointless existence by any means necessary.

He thought more of you than you ever did and died without knowing just how pointless his murder was.

,,,

...

"Kojo, are you alright?" Marcus asks, breaking you out of your thoughts.

You open your eyes to see your best friend's warm blue ones.

>[ ] "I don't hate Augusto: I hate my old self for killing him over something as pathetic as my old life! He died thinking high enough of me that I killed him because he abandoned me but I really killed him over nothing! One of the first supportive people in my entire life and only blood family left and I fucking killed him over the fraction of a goddamn chance!"(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "He abandoned me, Marcus. I hate that but I don't hate him."(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] "I don't really know why I'm angry, Marcus. There was something I had and could've had for a long time with him and now it's gone: that's all I know."(Will Roll, +6 modifier, DC14)
>[ ] "Augusto was a piece of shit who abandoned me and my mother, Marcus, I'm glad I killed him."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3021900
>[ ] "I don't hate Augusto: I hate my old empty puppet self for killing him over something as pathetic as my old life! He died thinking high enough of me that I killed him because he abandoned me but I really killed him over nothing! One of the first supportive people in my entire life and only blood family left and I fucking killed him over the fraction of a goddamn chance!"(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "I also feel something similar to… disappointment. I think if I had met him after I was freed from being an empty shell, maybe… maybe things would've been better. I don't know."

>Will Roll
>+6 Modifier
>DC18
Best of three, D20's, and one roll per person unless a long time of relative no posting goes by.

Rolled 8 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3023132
Oh boy. I got a bad feeling.

Rolled 10 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3023132

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3023132

Rolled 1 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3023132

Rolled 4 + 6 (1d18 + 6)

>>3023132

File: 1495112687952.gif (511 KB, 499x281)

511 KB GIF

>>3023132
Uhhhhhhhhhh does it count if they forgot the modifier >>3023387 or are we doomed to suffer yet ANOTHER FUCKING CRITFAIL in this Marcus conversation >>3023388

>>3023401
It counts

also, you didn't get a crit freebie because of that crit fail but i gave y'all a cognitive bonus so it evens out
.>>3023387
Good going, son, you've made several threads worth of foreshadowing and subtle to not-so-subtle hinting pay off at the moment I originally didn't think I'd want them to.

I kind of wanted Kojo's past issues to be more prevalent for a while longer some ways into the next part of the story but at the same time I've wanted him to hurry to this point of self-awareness and acceptance.

now you guys can worry about all the other crazy shit supernatural and mundane happening in kojo's life

Anyway, it's kind of late for me. Going to turn in. Rolling is closed and I will update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8).

Feel free to chat or ask questions; I'll answer what I can in the morning or while I'm still trying to fall asleep.

>>3023461
About how long until we're dealing with they potential pay off from killing kingpin do you think?

Writing now.

>>3024213
Days to weeks depending on how you get the legal matters sorted.

>[X] "I don't hate Augusto: I hate my old empty puppet self for killing him over something as pathetic as my old life! He died thinking high enough of me that I killed him because he abandoned me but I really killed him over nothing! One of the first supportive people in my entire life and only blood family left and I fucking killed him over the fraction of a goddamn chance!"(Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[X] "I can't help but feel…disappointment. I think if I had met him after I was freed from being an empty shell, maybe…maybe things would've been better; I don't know."
>Will Roll
>+6 Modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 16 + 6 = 22
>Success!

>(1/2)

You never could hate your father: he didn't know the circumstances, his intentional abandonment of you was to save your miserable life, and he accepted his death at your hands all because you were his one and only son with the only woman in the entire world that could possibly make him smile.

He was more of a person than the worthless shell you used to be could ever.

...

Marcus is right: all you can feel about the time you spent with your father before you killed him is happiness.

You were too angry and self-absorbed about his death to focus on who you're really mad at: yourself, the old one at least.

Pulling your bloody fingers free of your palms, you tighten one of your hands into a fist and slam it into the wall behind you, making a crater in the brick and cracking the bones in your hand.

"I don't hate Augusto: I hate my old empty puppet self for killing him over something as pathetic as my old life! He died thinking high enough of me that I killed him because he abandoned me but I really killed him over nothing!" You move your hand back and start to repeatedly ram it into the wall behind you, steadily destroying both. "One of the first supportive people in my entire life and only blood family left and I fucking killed him over the fraction of a goddamn chance!" Finishing off with one last swing, you stop leaning against the crumbling brick.

The closest person in the entire world to you stares with a shocked and worried look.

Your broken, bloody hand squishes as you pull it out of the brick before you sigh.

"I can't help but feel…disappointment. I think if I had met him after I was freed from being an empty shell, maybe…maybe things would've been better; I don't know."

Marcus walks over to you and hugs your undamaged side.

You blink at your best friend before averting your eyes as a warmth envelops you.

It feels good despite how much you find it demeaning, which you really shouldn't be feeling, when it comes to Marcus at least.

The man lets go and gives you a warm look.

"You gonna be okay?"

A blank look is what you give back at him.

>[ ] "Yeah."
>[ ] "Are you?"
>[ ] "Who do you think I am? A fag?"
>[ ] "Oh god no, I can't go on living anymore. Alas, alack, woe is me; plant me a tree for my decrees in which you'll see my misery."
>[ ] "There's one last thing I need to tell you: back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way I do for you or something like that."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3024545
>[ ] "Oh god no, I can't go on living anymore. Alas, alack, woe is me; plant me a tree for my decrees in which you'll see my misery."
>[ ] "Yeah."
>[ ] "Are you?"

>>3024456
I more meant session/thread wise. Though considering how long a day takes it will be awhile.

I'll back >>3024567

>>3024618
Things will start speeding up. You guys pretty much cleared out the entire city so there's nothing much to do but chill and hang after taking care of the triads and the Rivals

Voting closed, wriitng now.

>[X] "Oh god no, I can't go on living anymore. Alas, alack, woe is me; plant me a tree for my decrees in which you'll see my misery."
>[X] "Yeah."
>[X] "Are you?"

It's going to take more than more than a little realization induced breakdown to take you down. Straight up admitting that you're okay is just boring, though. Better for you to mock him for fun and to bolster your ego.

"Oh god no, I can't go on living anymore. Alas, alack, woe is me; plant me a tree for my decrees in which you'll see my misery."

Marcus' expression turns dirty as he crosses his arms.

You feel that strange tinge pressuring your organs again.

"Yeah, are you?"

The man lightens up and returns his arms to his sides.

"I mean, I was." He drawls out.

You cluck your tongue.

"Oh come on, it was a joke."

He scoffs.

"A shitty one."

The pressure inside your torso intensifies.

A sigh escapes your lips.

"Can we not do this now after all the shit we just waded through together?"

Marcus blinks at you.

"Kojo, I'm joking."

You blink back at him as the feeling fades away.

"...Oh, well, let's go back to the warehouse then."

A groan escapes Marcus' lips.

"Back to babysitting underage drunks, rapists, murderers, and gangbangers."

You laugh.

Just another night in your crazy ass life.

>[ ] Grab him with your good arm and hop back to the warehouse, you've got nowhere else to be.
>[ ] "Let's go to the old warehouse: I want to pay my respects to Dan and Abuelita."
>[ ] "Why not go for some coffee? James' is shot up but we can go to Jimmy's over in Unionport."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3024843
>[ ] "Let's go to the old warehouse: I want to pay my respects to Dan and Abuelita."

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "Let's go to the old warehouse: I want to pay my respects to Dan and Abuelita."

The both of you haven't been to the old hideout in a long time ever since it got shot up by the Bratva. It'd be good to check out the place and visit the graves of the two crazy people who helped you two in your early youth. You can talk more about the past and maybe work out your own feelings towards Dan and Luiz.

"Let's go to the old warehouse: I want to pay my respects to Dan and Abuelita."

Marcus' eyes widen before going back to normal as he slowly nods.

"...Yeah, sure, it's been a long time." A sigh escapes his lips. "Beats playing babysitter, at least."

You let out a warm laugh while you grab him with your good arm and jump out of your old, forsaken ruin.

An overwhelming sensation of freedom envelops you when the fading sunlight touches your skin again.

Turning to the direction of the old hideout, you take off once again into the cityscape.

It takes you just a few minutes to reach your first warehouse.

You hop off a neighboring building directly in front of the storage-house turned gang hideout to bullet-hole-ridden gravestone.

Letting go of Marcus, your nose twitches at the scent of the homeless inhabiting the otherwise abandoned neighborhood.

You glance at the hole-ridden steel gate before focusing on your best friend, who's also staring at the gate.

This was a warm home for you once but now it's a testament to how far you've come and how much you've lost to get here.

>[ ] "Come on, let's go around back to where we buried them."
>[ ] Open the gate, you want to see how much things have changed since you switched bases.
>[ ] Sniff the air, paranoia always wins out in the end.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3025583
>[ ] Sniff the air, paranoia always wins out in the end.
>[ ] "Come on, let's go around back to where we buried them."

>>3025624
those two choices are noninclusive

>>3025583
>Sniff

>>3025643
>>3025583
OK then we sniff to detect stuff

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Sniff the air, paranoia always wins out in the end.

The scent of homeless bums is far too prevalent in this place.

You close your three eyes and take in the surrounding air through your nose.

Wretched scents are oozing out of the holes in the warehouse gate.

A growl rumbles in your throat that reverberates throughout the entire neighborhood.

Squatters have taken up your old home.

They're defiling it.

Dan, Abuelita, and everyone you lost in the Bratva hit squad attack didn't die for a couple of homeless shits to lay about on their burial ground.

The essence in you hardens into sludge.

You will have none of this.

>[ ] Tear down the gate, this will not stand.
>[ ] "You all have a minute to get out of here before I start painting the entire neighborhood with your worthless blood!"
>[ ] Draw Shade's gun and start shooting into the warehouse, a few more bullet holes won't hurt anyone.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer into the world with your third, no need to shoot blind when you can perceive everything.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3025912
>[ ] "You all have a minute to get out of here before I start painting the entire neighborhood with your worthless blood!"
They're lucky we're in a good mood.

>>3025912
>[ ] "You all have a minute to get out of here before I start painting the entire neighborhood with your worthless blood!"

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "You all have a minute to get out of here before I start painting the entire neighborhood with your worthless blood!"

Unlike the filth polluting the neighborhood, the ruined gate still has value. They should be grateful you're even letting them keep their lives, much less their souls. If you weren't in a good mood and not standing in quite possibly the only place you'd ever consider to be hallowed ground if that were a reap thing, you'd kill every last one of them.

"You all have a minute to get out of here before I start painting the entire neighborhood with your worthless blood!" you screech out in your otherworldly voice, making Marcus raise his hands to cover his ears.

Your words echo throughout the neighborhood for a few good seconds.

The faint, distant sound of scampering feet emanate from the ends of the street.

Creaks from rusted gears shifting come off the gate as it slowly lifts up.

A pack of disheveled people shiver behind the entranceway as they witness your radiance.

You glare at them with your materialized spirit eyes.

Immediately, they scurry down the streets in two separate halves out of the warehouse and out of the neighborhood.

Your gaze softens as you take in the sight of the ruined warehouse's interior.

Broken warehouse shelves are lined up against the walls holding up empty boxes, dark blood stains are on the ground and on the walls with bullet-holes in them, and the two ladders leading to the second floor have rusted and broken half-way off.

Abuelita used to keep the warehouse in good shape and boxes filled with stolen baubles, which were mostly from you and Marcus, to pawn off at a later time.

Dan would always be leaning by or on the gate safeguarding the old woman even though she'd try to get rid of him.

You and Marcus used to run around the warehouse in an obstacle course Dan would arrange and sparred in the streets as Dan looked on. Marcus could never beat you in either, but, unlike you, he was the one who mastered Dan's fighting style in the end.

Those days are long gone now and will never return: you made sure of that.

...

Once again, the pressure on your insides returns.

>[ ] "...Come on, let's go around back to where we buried them."
>[ ] Throw a slow punch at Marcus, he'll know what you're doing.
>[ ] Walk inside and jump to the second floor, there's something you want to check on to see if it's still there.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3026643
>[ ] Walk inside and jump to the second floor, there's something you want to check on to see if it's still there.

Late, will close voting and update late tomorrow morning or early noon.

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Walk inside and jump to the second floor, there's something you want to check on to see if it's still there.

It wasn't damaged in the Bratva attack the last time you were here, but it might have been pawned off or stolen by one of those worthless bums for drug and liquor money.

You will track down and torture the piece of shit who took it to death if that's the case.

A few steps take you inside the warehouse, where you pause and glance to an old, engraved wall.

Over a hundred initials were carved into it over the course of two years. More than half of them have been etched off the surface, leaving finger-like scribbles in the cement. Not exactly the wisest thing you permitted but your initials aren't on there and neither are any of the current members of your inner circle.

You turn your attention away from the initial wall turned gravestone back to the ladders.

Walking underneath one of the ladder openings, you hop up to the second floor and fix your eyes at one of the room corners.

A feeling of relief ebbs away your murderous intentions.

You stroll over to the corner where a black case leans and lay it on the floor before unlocking its latches.

Lifting the case open, you stare at the contents inside.

Genuine wood, no plug-ins and no jacks, stainless steel strings, and no gaudy engravings.

It's the guitar Abuelita taught you how to play so you could woo women for when you grew up.

A small laugh escapes your lips as you lift the instrument and position your hands on it.

You slide a finger across the loose, cold strings and cringe at the bellowing guitar's groan.

Taking the time to tune the strings without snapping the machine heads off, you feel the faint memory of wrinkled yet warm hands placed over yours.

You strum the tightened cords and the beautiful hum of the guitar you remember rings out in the air.

An empty feeling washes over you as a warm one does the same.

>[ ] Play something uplifting, Abuelita used to love that crap even if your singing was speaking in monotone.
>[ ] Strum something fitting, you're in a testament to everyone you've fucked over to get here.
>[ ] Perform a funeral song, it's only fitting.
>[ ] Express yourself, you honestly have no idea what you're feeling right now.
>[ ] Put the guitar back, it belongs here in the past.
>[ ] Crush the guitar, you have no use for the past anymore.
>[ ] Hop down and walk back to Marcus, he should be wondering what you're doing by now.
>[ ] Write In.

>[X] Express yourself, you honestly have no idea what you're feeling right now.

>>3028214
>[X] Express yourself, you honestly have no idea what you're feeling right now.

Got out of class early; voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Express yourself, you honestly have no idea what you're feeling right now.

Whiny, emo shitheads do it all the time. Maybe that actually helps them with their pathetic life problems beyond getting the occasional hit single. This is probably the only situation in which you'll ever artfully express yourself in a way that doesn't somehow involve violence.

You breathe in and sigh.

At first, you flick a few painful, enduring light notes out of the guitar before settling on the beat of a half-remembered song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJ5T9twwO0

You close your eyes and hum along with the tune of the song.

The drifting feeling of wrinkled hands over your own grows stronger as you maneuver your fingers across the rigid fretboard from cold string to vibrating string, manipulating the ring of the instrument.

A sharp pain wells in your chest.

You feel the warm, old hands slide from your hands to your torso before holding you in a comforting embrace.

The unpleasant sensation intensifies in tune with the memory.

Unguided, you play to your heart's content even as your humming starts break.

Your hums and strums echo in the cold ruin with only you to hear.

Everyone else is dead and you left Marcus behind.

He'll die someday too, leaving you alone in the world.

Like everyone else, it'll be from something you did or a result of what you dragged him into.

You were just getting ready to kill him about fifteen minutes ago.

Dan, Abuelita, Augusto, and Thema are all dead because of you.

Marcus is the last traces of your old life, the closest thing you have to family, the only one in the world who understands you, the boy who Dan probably thought was the closest thing he had to a son, and the only person in the world you'd risk your life for.

And you were going to kill him like everyone else who was precious to you.

You stop humming and set a hand down on the strings to stop their vibrating.

An alien, warm fluid leaks out of your eyes and streams down your cheeks from your closed eyelids.

...

...

...

You don't understand.

...

You do understand.

>[ ] "...I didn't mean to hurt you: I never meant to hurt anybody it just...happened. You were there for me when I was nothing: you were my family and I killed you all. If things were different...If I was who I am now, everything would've turned out so much differently. Thank you; thank you for everything. I'm here because of all of you and I'm...I'm sorry; I'm so sorry." (Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] "DAMMIT!"
>[ ] For the second time in your entire life, cry. (Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Turn it off, it hurts too much.
>[ ] Get away from here, get away from all of this just for a moment.
>[ ] Hop downstairs, you need to pay your respects.
>[ ] Wipe away your tears, you can't let Marcus see you like this.
>[ ] Smash the guitar, the past isn't worth remembering.
>[ ] Put the guitar back in its case, it's time is done and it deserves to rest.
>[ ] Write In.

>[X] "...I didn't mean to hurt you: I never meant to hurt anybody it just...happened. You were there for me when I was nothing: you were my family and I killed you all. If things were different...If I was who I am now, everything would've turned out so much differently. Thank you; thank you for everything. I'm here because of all of you and I'm...I'm sorry; I'm so sorry." (Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[X] "DAMMIT!"
>[X] For the second time in your entire life, cry. (Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)

>Will Roll
>+6 Modifier
>DC18
Best of three D20s, more than one roll is allowed if twenty to thirty minutes pass without someone else rolling, and this is just for the apology because crying is kind of part of that.

Rolled 20 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>3028921
Obligatory low roll

>>3028937
Goddamn, boi.

Rolling closed, writing now.

>>3028937
Once he gets that money, it may be time for therapy.

>[X] "...I didn't mean to hurt you: I never meant to hurt anybody it just...happened. You were there for me when I was nothing: you were my family and I killed you all. If things were different...If I was who I am now, everything would've turned out so much differently. Thank you; thank you for everything. I'm here because of all of you and I'm...I'm sorry; I'm so sorry." (Will Roll, +6 Modifier, DC18)
>[X] "DAMMIT!"
>[X] For the second time in your entire life, cry.
>Will Roll
>+6 Modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 20 + 6 = 26
>Critical Success!

>(1/2)

There's no point trying to hide from this latent part of yourself. You don't like it, but it differentiates the you now from the you way back when: it's a sign you're a person no matter how twisted you are in comparison to other people. Suppressing this pain or denying are the actions of a weak whelp incapable of the strength needed to bear it, anyway. It'd be the equivalent of spitting on the graves of everyone you sacrificed as well.

You accept the full responsibility of all your actions.

Opening your dripping eyes, you look down at the warehouse floor.

"...I didn't mean to hurt you: I never meant to hurt anybody it just...happened. You were there for me when I was nothing: you were my family and I killed you all. If things were different...If I was who I am now, everything would've turned out so much differently." You shut your eyes and sob. "Thank you; thank you for everything. I'm here because of all of you and I'm...I'm sorry; I'm so sorry."

The tears on your face flow down onto the cement.

You killed your mother coming into the world, tearing her away from your father and your chances of growing up with a family.

Breathing in, you raise your head to stare at the ceiling.

Dan died because he cared enough about you to teach you how to fight "properly", leading Abuelita to starve herself to death because of the shock she experienced watching her heavenly little angel come home with horns before ripping her unofficial husband in half.

A choked sob escapes your lips.

You killed your father when he was trying to protect you from his enemies to save yourself from the minuscule chance of them learning of you from him, taking away your one chance to know how it was like to have a relationship with a parent.

Gritting your teeth, you let out a snarl.

They all died because of you.

>(2/2)

"DAMMIT!"

The building shakes from your booming wail as it reverberates through the walls and out into the entire neighborhood.

As the last of the air leaves your lungs, you let go of one arm from the guitar and stumble back onto the wall unoccupied by the guitar case next to the corner.

You slump down the wall into your holding yourself up by the wooden instrument.

The salt smelling tears flow from your eyes down into your checkered shirt.

For the first time in your adolescent life and second time since your birth, you cry for the family you took from yourself.

Minutes pass by until the tears begin to slow.

The pain in your chest is still strong but it's nothing you can't handle now.

You lift yourself and the guitar up.

"...Kojo?! You...there?!"

A sigh escapes your lips as the pain flares for a moment.

The only person you have left from those days and he's too afraid of how you'll respond to ask you if you're alright.

You really are a shithead.

>[ ] Hop down to Marcus, you can't stay up here forever.
>[ ] "You can ask me if I'm alright...so long as we're alone and there aren't audio recorders nearby."
>[ ] "How much of that did you hear?! Let me stop you before you say all of it!"
>[ ] "Yes, I'm here!"
>[ ] Put the guitar back in its case, you don't deserve it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3029055
You haven't had any dips in mental stability but therapy will help you improve your cognitive conditions. It can have an effect on your personality type too. Of course, you can avoid the time and resources therapy will take by working out all this shit on your own, which you've been doing a good job of. Good luck on becoming a fully functioning psychopath tho, which is a thing for this quest but not an actual thing.

Anyway, to fit with this new change in personality and feelings:

>Personality Type Change: Scheming Opportunist (Destructive) to Regretful Opportunist(Self-Destructive and Destructive)

Scheming was redundant and this kind of gives you a better idea of what constitutes things that are offensive to Kojo. Saying you were sorry is still one but less of one because you feel remorse over some, admittedly personal, things. You can cheat anyone you'd like and not feel sorry but it's easier for you to lie about it. Think of this as his personality having an effect on his cognitive traits and vice versa. Kojo thinks himself as twisted in a different way than others perceive him to be twisted.

This change is a step in the right direction but also has its downsides as in Kojo feels shitty about himself now.

>>3029144
>[ ] Put the guitar back in its case and hide it a bit better. You can always come back to it again.
>[ ] "You can ask me if I'm alright...so long as we're alone and there aren't audio recorders nearby."
>[ ] Hop down to Marcus, you can't stay up here forever.
>[ ] "How much of that did you hear?"

>>3029215
We can always go the "embrace being an evil bastard while still having feelings for people and things we care about and value" route, right?

>>3029448
>We can always go the "embrace being an evil bastard while still having feelings for people and things we care about and value" route, right?
That's basically what fully functional psychopathy will be. Kojo only really gives a fuck about Marcus right now and he kind of understands why.

gonna have to learn what love is first tho

good luck with that

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Put the guitar back in its case and hide it a bit better. You can always come back to it again.
>[X] "You can ask me if I'm alright...so long as we're alone and there aren't audio recorders nearby."
>[X] Hop down to Marcus, you can't stay up here forever.
>[X] "How much of that did you hear?"

You can't stay up here forever but you can at least leave the old guitar here for safekeeping.

Stepping in front of the black case, you bend down and lift it up with your free hand before laying the instrument inside. A pressure weighs down on your chest as you close the case. You flip the latch bows over the bolts and nudge them locked with your fingers.

The guitar case handle feels rough when you grab it in your hand. A hop takes you to your old, empty gear area, where you stow the guitar case under a broken large and wide mirror.

You hop over to the ladder openings and gaze down at a concerned-yet-surprised-looking Marcus.

"You can ask me if I'm alright." You drift off. "...So long as we're alone and there aren't audio recorders nearby."

Hopping down the other ladder opening, you land next to your best friend and turn to face him.

"How much of that did you hear?"

The man stares at you.

"...I heard guitar music playing through the ringing in my ears and walked inside right before you fucking murdered my eardrums again." He raises his hands to cover his ears. "I thought that roar after the speech you gave was bad enough. I'm going to have tinnitus before I'm in my thirties if you keep that shit up."

You stare blankly back at Marcus.

He sighs.

"I heard all of it, Kojo...Are you..alright?"

Once again, you feel the pain flare in your chest.

A part of you wants to punch Marcus for not obeying you and another wants to tear your own guts out for even thinking of hurting him.

>[ ] "I think I'm going to be, but, right now, I feel like complete shit."
>[ ] "No, not one fucking bit. Thanks for asking, though."
>[ ] "I think I hate myself now: every time I think of something I want to hit myself."
>[ ] "Marcus, for the love of whatever bullshit loving god you or everyone believes in, don't be afraid to ask me if I'm alright. You of all people have the right to consul me and ask for consultation."
>[ ] "Don't ever die on me, Marcus; I swear I'll eat your fucking soul if you do."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3029943
>[ ] Put a hand on Marcus' shoulder.
>[ ] "Marcus, for the love of whatever bullshit loving god you or everyone else believes in, don't be afraid to ask me if I'm alright. You of all people have the right to consul me and ask for consultation. Got it?"
>[ ] "I think I'm going to be, but, right now, I feel like complete shit. Thanks for asking, though."
>[ ] Internally resolve to never forget those close to you and in your past, even as we walk this path of brutal conquest that so many other fools have tried to walk before. 'Having a heart' might be... troublesome... but it's something we can learn to live with. Especially if it could have power of its own...
Character development just right. Not too fast, not too slow. "Who the fuck says 'power of the heart' is useless? It's just another power to harness, isn't it?" (that's something Kojo might be thinking in-character, right?)

>>3029983
The only power of heart Kojo really knows is manipulating people using their emotions. Beyond that, he views it as a weakness but one he's more or less accepting right now.

>>3029988
>he views it as a weakness but one he's more or less accepting right now
He'll learn in time.

Back from class; voting closed, writing now.

>[X] Put a hand on Marcus' shoulder.
>[X] "Marcus, for the love of whatever bullshit loving god you or everyone else believes in, don't be afraid to ask me if I'm alright. You of all people have the right to consul me and ask for consultation. Got it?"
>[X] "I think I'm going to be, but, right now, I feel like complete shit. Thanks for asking, though."
>[X] Internally resolve to never forget those close to you and in your past, even as you walk this path of brutal conquest that so many other fools have tried to walk before. 'Having a heart' might be... troublesome... but it's something you can learn to live with.

He really needs to get it through his head that he can approach you when you're like this. The delays and the choice of words in his speech are things you expect from everyone else but him. Fact that he feels the need to hold back at all around you makes you feel like shit.

You put a comforting hand on Marcus' shoulder that makes him flinch, drawing another bout of pain in your chest.

"Marcus, for the love of whatever bullshit loving god you or everyone else believes in, don't be afraid to ask me if I'm alright. You of all people have the right to consul me and ask for consultation. Got it?"

The man blinks at you and nods.

"Yeah, so are you alright?"

A sigh escapes your lips.

"I think I'm going to be, but, right now, I feel like complete shit." You smile ever so slightly. "Thanks for asking, though."

You may have killed almost everyone who was close to you but you still have Marcus and it's not going to happen ever again. Abuelita, Dan, Augusto, and Thema will live on forever inside you. Having a "heart" might be trouble some but it's something you can learn to live with if not having one means being who you used to be or forgetting those close to you.

Marcus smiles back at you.

"Still wanna see Dan and Abuelita or should we bounce? I could go for either, right now."

A small hum rumbles in your throat.

>[ ] "Why?"
>[ ] "We owe it to them, let's go."
>{ ] "Let's go home: I don't think I deserve to see them after what I've done to them."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3030542
>[ ] "We owe it to them, let's go."
>[ ] "I can just imagine how Dan would react if I pussied out on giving them a visit. (insert Dan imitation here)."

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "We owe it to them, let's go."
>[X] "Can you imagine how Dan would react if I pussed out on giving them a visit?"
>[X] Commence Dan Imitation.

>(1/2)

As much as you feel like a piece of shit for killing them, you owe them this and more than you could ever repay. Marcus probably misses them to the point he knows he'll breakdown if he sees their graves or might be just trying to make you feel like you don't have to see them for your own sake.

You feel bad and good at the thought of him willing to spare you the discomfort.

"We owe it to them, let's go."

Marcus frowns but nods his head.

Taking the lead, you begin your stroll to the back of the warehouse.

A laugh escapes your lips as you walk by the corner of the building into one of the two alleyways. You turn back to face a confused Marcus while walking backwards.

"Can you imagine how Dan would react if I pussed out on giving them a visit?"

Your best man chuckles.

"He'd cuss you the fuck out."

Crossing your arms, you frown and furrow your brow.

(2/2)

"You rag-scarf wearing black bean rat-looking cow-horn sprouting demon-eyed coward bastard." You grumble in the old man's voice. "First, you rip my guts out on fucking accident of all things, and, second, you don't have the balls to visit the shallow cement grave you put me in? I'd expect that kind of thing more from Marcus on just how much of a nigger move it is but you, little black beaner?" You cluck your tongue. "I thought you had that Mexican brotherhood but you had that hoodrat hustler in you all along."

Marcus clucks his tongue.

"Oh come on, Dan wouldn't say..." He drifts off. "Okay, that is totally something Dan would say. He was the casual racist to Abuelita's omega racist. I don't think I ever thought much of it because of just how racist Abuelita was in comparison to the old man."

You let out a laugh.

"She always used to tell me, 'Yo amo el hispano en ti muy más del el maldito negro.'"(Translation: "I love the Hispanic in you much more than the accursed black.")

The ebony-skinned man shakes his head.

"Loca Cubana." (Translation: "Crazy female Cuban.")

You turn back to glance at the familiar upturned lumps of cement and dirt to your left.

The smile on your face turns into a frown as the pain in your chest returns in force.

With heavy steps, you walk in front of the makeshift graves.

Etched onto the back-wall of the warehouse are the names Dan and Abuelita.

You and Marcus stare at their cement gravestone in silence.

>[ ] "..."
>[ ] "...Marcus, I'm sorry."
>[ ] "...They deserved so much better than this."
>[ ] "...Why do I kill everyone who's family to me?"
>[ ] "...Hey, old man. It's been a long time, hasn't it? You're probably wondering how I'm even talking in a normal tone of voice right now, aren't you? Killing you...sort of gave life to me. I don't know how or why but it did. Before you ask, I got myself laid quite a lot three years back. Yeah, I was twelve and a few weren't consensual but anytime in your teens is as good as any, right? Thank you and...I'm sorry; I'm sorry for everything. You wanted me to be your little soldier boy and I couldn't. Marcus is more of one than I am but I doubt you'd approve of what we've been doing with our lives since we last saw you...Please, don't hate us...Please, don't hate me. I can take anything but that right now."
>[ ] Hug Marcus, you can't take this right now.
>[ ] Sculpt out Abuelita and etch Luiz over it, Abuelita might have beenw what she called herself when insane but Luiz is her real name.
>[ ] Etch some words underneath their names, they deserve more than that on the shitty excuse of a gravestone you gave them.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3031132
>[ ] "...Hey, old man. It's been a long time, hasn't it? You're probably wondering how I'm even talking in a normal tone of voice right now, aren't you? Killing you...sort of gave life to me. I don't know how or why but it did. Before you ask, I got myself laid quite a lot three years back. Yeah, I was twelve and a few weren't consensual but anytime in your teens is as good as any, right? Thank you and...I'm sorry; I'm sorry for everything. You wanted me to be your little soldier boy and I couldn't. Marcus is more of one than I am but I doubt you'd approve of what we've been doing with our lives since we last saw you...Please, don't hate us...Please, don't hate me. I can take anything but that right now."
>[ ] Etch Luiz next to Abuelita. Both names fit her just right, for different reasons.
>[ ] Etch some words underneath their names, they deserve more than that on the shitty excuse of a gravestone you gave them.
>[ ] "...They deserved so much better than this."

>>3031132
I'll second >>3031281

Haven't been able to vote much. Works been crazy lately.

can someone link me to archive?

>>3031811
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=A%20New%20Mutant%20Quest

Voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "...Hey, old man. It's been a long time, hasn't it? You're probably wondering how I'm even talking in a normal tone of voice right now, aren't you? Killing you...sort of gave life to me. I don't know how or why but it did. Before you ask, I got myself laid quite a lot three years back. Yeah, I was twelve and a few weren't consensual but anytime in your teens is as good as any, right? Thank you and...I'm sorry; I'm sorry for everything. You wanted me to be your little soldier boy and I couldn't. Marcus is more of one than I am but I doubt you'd approve of what we've been doing with our lives since we last saw you...Please, don't hate us...Please, don't hate me. I can take anything but that right now."
>[X] Etch Luiz next to Abuelita. Both names fit her just right, for different reasons.
>[X] Etch some words underneath their names, they deserve more than that on the shitty excuse of a gravestone you gave them.
>[X] "...They deserved so much better than this."

>(1/2)

Not a single part of you knows what to do. Everything you're feeling right now is brand new and painful in a way you've never felt before: someone's reached into your torso and is pushing down on your internal organs without rupturing them. It'd be good to just pretend you never killed them. Just stand and talk like nothing ever happened, but you know they died at your hands.

...

You curve your lips into a bitter smile.

"...Hey, old man. It's been a long time, hasn't it?" A laugh escapes your lips. "You're probably wondering how I'm even talking in a normal tone of voice right now, aren't you? Killing you...sort of gave life to me. I don't know how or why but it did. Before you ask, I got myself laid quite a lot three years back. Yeah, I was twelve and a few weren't consensual but anytime in your teens is as good as any, right? Thank you and...I'm sorry; I'm sorry for everything. You wanted me to be your little soldier boy and I couldn't." You point your thumb to the worried man at your side before grinning. "Marcus is more of one than I am but I doubt you'd approve of what we've been doing with our lives since we last saw you...Please, don't hate us" Your voice breaks. "...Please, don't hate me. I can take anything but that right now."

Marcus lays a hand on your shoulder.

A shaky sigh escapes your lips as you cover his hand with your own before stretching your free hand out to the makeshift gravestone.

You dig a finger into the cement and begin your work sculpting their epitaphs.

It takes about a minute for you to pull your hand back.

The two of you stare at their new gravestone.

>(2/2)
Dan

Vigilant and Forthright to the End

A True Patriot

Sine Pari, De Oppresso Liber
Abuelita Luiz

Loving and Nurturing in Her Own Way

A Mother and Grandmother

Canta y No Llores, Cielito Lindo


"...They deserved so much better than this."

Marcus frowns.

"We couldn't have given them anything more than this, Kojo. You can arrange a proper funeral for them when you're Daddy Warbucks, but this is all we could've given them as kids not knowing what the hell to do with their lives."

You glance at Marcus and part your lips but focus back on the gravestone.

>[ ] "Let's go home."
>[ ] "Are you okay, Marcus?"
>[ ] "I think I'll do that. It's the least I can do."
>[ ] "You know, Cuda told me Dan once took care of a Vietnamese child soldier. The kid got his brains blown out once they got back to base. I think he was trying to make sure I didn't end up the same way before you came along and he tried to make the both of us soldier boys."
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way I do for you or something like that...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3032039
goddammit

just one or two spaces and it would've been fucking perfect

>>3032039
>[ ] "I think I'll do that. It's the least I can do." Hum thoughtfully. "Once I have the money, I might be able to trace who Dan and Abuelita might have been. Never know what info's out there..."
>[ ] "You know, Cuda told me Dan once took care of a Vietnamese child soldier. The kid got his brains blown out once they got back to base. I think he was trying to make sure I didn't end up the same way before you came along and he tried to make the both of us soldier boys." Chuckle at that. "And look how that turned out."

Back from class early today; voting closed, writing now.

>[X] "I think I'll do that. It's the least I can do." Hum thoughtfully. "Once I have the money, I might be able to trace who Dan and Abuelita might have been. Never know what info's out there..."
>[X] "You know, Cuda told me Dan once took care of a Vietnamese child soldier. The kid got his brains blown out once they got back to base. I think he was trying to make sure I didn't end up the same way before you came along and he tried to make the both of us soldier boys." Chuckle at that. "And look how that turned out."

>(1/2)

You couldn't give them the proper funeral they deserved way back when, but you can give one to them after Kingpin's inheritance falls through.

"I think I'll do that. It's the least I can do." A hum rumbles in your throat. "Once I have the money, I might be able to trace who Dan and Abuelita might have been. Never know what info's out there..."

Marcus lets out a thoughtful hum of his own.

"Can't imagine what you'd find on Dan. I mean, I just can't picture him being anyone other than a grumpy old homeless special forces vet. As for Abuelita, you'd probably only find the hospital record of her miscarriage." He cringes. "The fuck is wrong with me?"

A laugh escapes your lips.

"To be fair, that is probably all I'm going to find on her. Maybe she'll be listed as some sort of crime associate on local law enforcement files due to the all fencing, but I can't imagine much else; you never know, though."

Your best man snickers.

"Imagine her turning out to be a runaway Cuban rebel."

You shrug.

>(2/2)

"I'm the son of a Mexican criminal enforcer for the former Kingpin of Crime in New York that managed to fight one of the world's greatest assassins to a draw on top of pissing off two of the most powerful organizations in this world and a French Ghanaian creole super mutant who was approached by Professor Xavier before everyone knew he was a mutie: pretty much anything is possible."

Marcus tilts his head.

"And you were trained by a Green Beret vet...I don't know whether you were born lucky or fucked, all things considered."

A hum vibrates in your throat.

"You know, Cuda told me Dan once took care of a Vietnamese child soldier. The kid got his brains blown out once they got back to base. I think he was trying to make sure I didn't end up the same way before you came along and he tried to make the both of us soldier boys." You chuckle. "And look how that turned out."

The man beside you widens his eyes at you momentarily and sighs.

"...Yeah. I mean, we use the military tactics he taught us to fuck over our enemies and I know at least I still use his CQC style for when I need to, but he would've kicked our asses for using what he taught us for own gain."

You nod your head and focus back on the gravestone.

>[ ] "Let's go home."
>[ ] "Are you okay, Marcus?"
>[ ] "Marcus, I'm sorry."
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way I do for you or something like that...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3032375
>[X] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way I do for you or something like that...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life?"

>>3032375
>[ ] "Let's go home."

Enough has been said for now.

>>3032439
support its possible that we have been emotional enough

>>3032470
Aight, voting closed; writing now

>[X] "Let's go home."

There's nothing left for you to say, at least not here and right now; it may have not felt cathartic to say what you did but it was the most beneficial thing for you to do.

You breath in, sigh, and look back at Marcus.

"Let's go home."

The man nods his head with a confirming hum.

Wrapping an arm around him, you take one last glance at the graves before hopping to the roof of the warehouse.

You take a moment to gaze up at the now purple sky.

Tomorrow is a new day and the start of a new age.

Whatever the future holds for you, the past won't weigh you down but neither will you forget it.

You'll stay where you've always been: the present between the past and the future walking both sides of the line while hiding in twilight.

Between Life and Death.

Turning to the direction of your current hideout, you take off into the early night sky.

It takes you about three minutes to reach one of the not so quiet ends of your street.

You drop down to the street corner and let go of Marcus.

He takes a few seconds to shake off his post hopping vertigo.

"Do you plan on spending the night on the rooftops like usual or are you going to hang around inside until everyone peters out? Alex is probably at the end of her orgy or done with it by now so you won't have to smell all that. You can catch her up to speed or I can if you want. I completely understand if you want to be alone right now."

The pressure on your organs returns.

You want to spend time with him for both your sakes, but, at the same time, you want to be alone.

Marcus is understanding, but that just makes it feel worse.

A sigh escapes your lips.

You understand his, Jesus', and Mr. Scaly's self-loathing now.

>[ ] "Honestly, I could go for either but I feel bad about that so I'm going to hang with you and the crew."
>[ ] "I think I want to be alone...I don't hate you or anything: I just need some time to think."
>[ ] "Do you want to hang out just the two of us on a rooftop or in a park? Francis Lewis is beautiful at this time of night."
>[ ] "...I completely forgot to mention this, that lumberjack biker midget from this morning you were facing down with was the Wolverine...Yeah, I know; I'm disappointed too. Glad you didn't shoot him, though: he would've torn you apart right before I ripped his head off."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3032665
>[ ] "Honestly, I could go for either but I feel bad about that, so I'm going to hang with you and the crew."
>[ ] "...I completely forgot to mention this, that lumberjack biker midget from this morning you were facing down with was the Wolverine... Yeah, I know; I'm disappointed too. Glad you didn't shoot him, though: he would've torn you apart right before I ripped his head off."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Honestly, I could go for either but I feel bad about that, so I'm going to hang with you and the crew."
>[X] "...I completely forgot to mention this, that lumberjack biker midget from this morning you were facing down with was the Wolverine... Yeah, I know; I'm disappointed too. Glad you didn't shoot him, though: he would've torn you apart right before I ripped his head off."

>(1/2)

You can be alone all you want when everyone else is asleep and you're the only one up thanks to your mutant physiology. For now, it'd be good for you to hang out with the members of your inner circle and your best friend, who you've been worrying about since last night. Bad enough that he was one gunshot away from pissing off the motherfucking Wolverine of all people this morning thanks to you sitting on your ass in that taxi cab listening to the radio station instead of getting out and hopping to intercept the bastard.

"Honestly, I could go for either but I feel bad about that, so I'm going to hang with you and the crew."

Marcus raises an eyebrow at you.

"Okaaay, just don't get up and leave out of nowhere."

You nod your head and start walking to the crowd of writhing teens until you remember something and turn back to face your follower.

"...I completely forgot to mention this, that lumberjack biker midget from this morning you were facing down with was the Wolverine." You give a confirming hum as Marcus shoots you a questioning look. "...Yeah, I know; I'm disappointed too. Glad you didn't shoot him, though: he would've torn you apart right before I ripped his head off."

The man shakes his head.

"That wasn't..." His eyes widen. "Oh fuck, it was him. He looks so much shorter in person than when he's on TV."

You nod your head again.

"A lot less handsome too."

Marcus shoots you a blank look.

"You would know that, wouldn't you?"

>(2/2)

You raise an eyebrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The ebony-skinned man stares at you with accusing eyes.

"You know exactly what I mean."

A smirk makes its way onto your face.

"Got no idea what you're talking about."

Marcus groans.

"I'm getting off track; the motherfucking Wolverine personally threatened to drag your ass back to the X-men headquarters if you ever caused an incident like yesterday morning's."

You nod your head and hum.

"Yeah, guess I should feel honored or something."

The man shakes his head.

"No, what if he hears news of your inheritance and starts to investigate?"

You blink at your best friend.

That is actually a concern; he tracked down the warehouse based on your scent. All he needs to do is get to the Baccarat Hotel's penthouse and start sniffing to finger you. It won't be enough evidence as it's all hearsay from a man who's essentially a tolerated outlaw, but it'll be enough of an excuse for him to try and drag you to the institute.

>[ ] "He won't find physical evidence we were at the Baccarat Hotel at the time of Kingpin's assassination."
>[ ] "Then I'll let him take me to the institute of higher learning to be protected by my own kind. They can build a prison if they feel like it but I won't be legally convicted. From there, I can meet all the other mutants and make my own super-powered army."
>[ ] "I'll have a talk with him, if that's the case."
>[ ] "He dies."
>[ ] "Let's go inside, out here's not the place to discuss this."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3033107
>[ ] "Let's go inside, out here's not the place to discuss this."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Let's go inside, out here's not the place to discuss this."

There's too much loud music playing and stray ears to talk about something like this here.

"Let's go inside, out here's not the place to discuss this."

Marcus nods his head and follows your lead.

You make your way past the crowd of writhing adolescent bodies, between the cramped gate corner, and into the warehouse.

Inside, you see a naked Alex sitting down with Ren, Jesus, and Itsuki as Barracuda chills ontop of a Bratva gear crate with his LMG over his shoulder and Felon lays down on the floor opposite from the black giant with empty beer bottles surrounding him.

Ren says a few words and the sitting members of your inner circle turn to face at you and Marcus.

The two of you share a look before turning back your gazes to them.

>[ ] "Sooo, are we going to join the party or what? I mean, I know you sometimes do, Ren, and Alex either gets down before, after, or during her little orgies. Hell, fucking Jesus here joined in last time. Felon looks like he's too out of it to even stand right now."
>[ ] "Good that almost all of you are already in a circle: We've got one more matter to discuss."
>[ ] "Is Alex up to speed because I don't want to have to repeat myself."
>[ ] "Do I have anything near my eyes hinting I've...or are my eyes red, Marcus?"
>[ ] "What?...What?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3033755
>[ ] "Good that almost all of you are already in a circle: We've got one more matter to discuss."
>[ ] "Is Alex up to speed because I don't want to have to repeat myself."
It almost doesn't matter of Alex is up to speed but it's better if she doesn't ask something we already answered.

>>3033794
That's the idea.

Also, today is night class day so expect, like, two more updates or three-four max.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Good that almost all of you are already in a circle: We've got one more matter to discuss."
>[X] "Is Alex up to speed because I don't want to have to repeat myself."

You can't give them any reason to be suspicious; besides, you came here to go over the issue of the dwarf with metal claws.

"Good that almost all of you are already in a circle: We've got one more matter to discuss."

The four members of your inner circle scoot around to make room for you and Marcus while Barracuda gets off the Bratva crate.

You two walk over and take your places as Cuda waits for Itsuki and Jesus to make room for him before taking his own seat.

A groan escapes your lips.

"Is Alex up to speed because I don't want to have to repeat myself."

Ren, Jesus, and Itsuki nod.

Alex giggles.

"There's so much dry blood on your hands!" She tilts her head. "Do souls bleed too?"

You shoot the naked girl a look before raising a hand up to your chin.

"I don't know; I'll have to try to see next time."

Cuda lets out a hearty laugh.

"Y'all are the craziest crew of mothafuckas I've rolled with in the half-hour I've been here!"

The blond girl looks the black giant over and hums.

"Those muscles of yours are pretty crazy too."

Barracuda grins.

"You too small and young for me, baby girl, come back when your crazy white ass is something I can get a handful of."

Alex pouts and focuses back on you.

You let out a sigh.

If she wasn't effective, fun to be around sometimes, and didn't occasionally come up with brilliant ideas from her past knowledge as a coke whore, you'd kill her.

>[ ] "A short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"
>[ ] "...Completely forgot about this, I'm planning on putting all our tributary pimps under our flag. I don't know whether to put them under one man under me, one man per borough under a governor, or keep them divided so they dont' have any structure to unite against us. What do you guys think?"
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I learned of three mutant hate groups. I don't think they're going to take my reveal to the world too kindly. All of you should be on the lookout for anyone affiliating themselves with the Friends of Humanity, Reavers, and Purifiers."
>[ ] "There's going to be a lot of open turf starting tomorrow. I'm going to pick three of you to gather up some men and start expanding our reach in the three boroughs not fully under our control. Go store to store, street corner to street corner, and business office to business office; I want all of New York City under my flag by the end of the day."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3034310
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I learned of three mutant hate groups. I don't think they're going to take my reveal to the world too kindly. All of you should be on the lookout for anyone affiliating themselves with the Friends of Humanity, Reavers, and Purifiers."
>[ ] "A short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"
>[ ] "...Completely forgot about this, I'm planning on putting all our tributary pimps under our flag. I don't know whether to put them under one man under me, one man per borough under a governor, or keep them divided so they dont' have any structure to unite against us. What do you guys think?"
Just asking for second opinions. No need to go with the final option because we're still anonymous until news gets out

>>3034310
[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I learned of three mutant hate groups. I don't think they're going to take my reveal to the world too kindly. All of you should be on the lookout for anyone affiliating themselves with the Friends of Humanity, Reavers, and Purifiers."
>[ ] "There's going to be a lot of open turf starting tomorrow. I'm going to pick three of you to gather up some men and start expanding our reach in the three boroughs not fully under our control. Go store to store, street corner to street corner, and business office to business office; I want all of New York City under my flag by the end of the day."
I hate being that guy that picks every option, but they're all fairly necessary. These two seem the most pertinent though.

Night class is coming up. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time(UTC-8)

Sorry I couldn't update much today, I've got pretty much no assingments and four days off though so I'm going to more than make it up to you guys.

Also, in case y'all haven't figured it out yet:

>1 vote 90 minute to 105 minute open window since the vote
>2 votes or tie 45 minute to 50 minute wait since the first vote

Been toning it down lately but that's pretty much the regular waiting intervals.

>>3034480
ah, mixed up the tie: it should be in the same waiting period as the 1 vote interval

Fuck, we turned into such a pussy in one thread.
You know deaths laughing at our neutered ass

>>3034867
>thinking having a heart will stop Kojo in any way
>thinking that making amends with the past isn't removing a weakness Kojo has
>thinking clearing the air with best and only bro is a bad thing
the only pussy here is you

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>[ ] "A short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"
>[ ] "...Completely forgot about this, I'm planning on putting all our tributary pimps under our flag. I don't know whether to put them under one man under me, one man per borough under a governor, or keep them divided so they dont' have any structure to unite against us. What do you guys think?"


>[ ] "There's going to be a lot of open turf starting tomorrow. I'm going to pick three of you to gather up some men and start expanding our reach in the three boroughs not fully under our control. Go store to store, street corner to street corner, and business office to business office; I want all of New York City under my flag by the end of the day."

>[X] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I learned of three mutant hate groups. I don't think they're going to take my reveal to the world too kindly. All of you should be on the lookout for anyone affiliating themselves with the Friends of Humanity, Reavers, and Purifiers."
>[X] "There's going to be a lot of open turf starting tomorrow. I'm going to pick three of you to gather up some men and start expanding our reach in the three boroughs not fully under our control. Go store to store, street corner to street corner, and business office to business office; I want all of New York City under my flag by the end of the day."

>(1/2)

On the subject of complications relating to your inheritance, you should probably tell them about the three mutant hate groups that could try gunning for your head: it's always good to know your enemies and potential threats. Maybe after you settle into your fortune and status you can start hunting them down to preemptively stop whatever likely attack they'll try to begin on your business. There might be good PR in it for you if you handle things publicly and legally instead of launching your own personal black-ops strike team to slaughter every last one of them.

"Back at Owl's warehouse, I learned of three mutant hate groups. I don't think they're going to take my reveal to the world too kindly. All of you should be on the lookout for anyone affiliating themselves with the Friends of Humanity, Reavers, and Purifiers."

Most members of your inner circle nod with understanding looks on their faces as Marcus does so with a confused one and a frowning Cuda.

The black giant clucks his tongue.

"'em crazy ass mothafuckas always be running around jacking all the high-tech shit just so the X-men can blow it all the fuck up with them." He grins." We can get our hand on some of that fancy ordinance if we merc them fuckers."

You blink as several of Kingpin's memories flood into your mind before nodding your head.

"...Yeah. By eliminating them, we cross off three of a fuck ton competitors for any future age equipment in the black market and get to loot whatever they have on them. They might have corporate contact records, offshore bank accounts, underground contact records, and documents of the members and supporters of their organization in their hideouts. We'll have to start looking for them first after all other business is settled, though."

>(2/2)

Barracuda lets out a hearty laugh.

"Those mothafuckas won't know what's gonna hit 'em."

You smile and chuckle.

Speaking of other business, Hammerhead's part of Queens and Kingpin's parts of Manhattan along with all of Staten Island are going to be free unclaimed turf with abandoned operations in them.

"There's going to be a lot of open turf starting tomorrow. I'm going to pick three of you to gather up some men and start expanding our reach in the three boroughs not fully under our control. Go store to store, street corner to street corner, and business office to business office; I want all of New York City under my flag by the end of the day."

All members of your round-table nod once again.

From the corner of your eye, you see Marcus staring at you expectingly.

The Wolverine is still an unrepresented issue.

>[ ] "Forgot to mention this, a short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"
>[ ] "...Completely forgot about this, I'm planning on putting all our tributary pimps under our flag. I don't know whether to put them under one man under me, one man per borough under a governor, or keep them divided so they dont' have any structure to unite against us. What do you guys think?"
>[ ] "This meeting is adjourned."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3035956
>[ ] "Forgot to mention this, a short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"
Nothing wolverine turns up will be admissable in a court of law anyway more than likely. Maybe call up Murdock for info on vigilantism in regards to evidence.

>>3035956
Backing >>3036096

Voting closed; writing now

>[X] "Forgot to mention this, a short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"

>(1/2)

It is the reason why you had everyone sit down again and you could use all the advice you could get.

"Forgot to mention this, a short man on a bike was waiting in front of the warehouse gate for me this morning. Ren, Jesus, and Marcus already know this on account of being there. Turns out that man is the Wolverine of the X-men...When we talked, he threatened to drag me to Salem Center if I started shit again like the police incident yesterday morning. Once he hears word of my inheritance, he's bound to investigate. What should my course of action be?"

The members of the round-table that aren't Marcus widen their eyes at you.

Cuda lets out a long drawn out whistle.

"Shit, boss, you gonna have to merc that mothafucka."

Jesus nods his head.

"Even if he finds evidence however inadmissible, he will likely launch further investigation into your activities, patrón; killing him is our best course of action."

You stare at the two enforcers surprised and unsurprised as the black giant grins at the stoic Colombian.

They both share the first instinct of going for the kill in place of anything else. You shouldn't be surprised by this but you are. At the very least, they could form a strange kind of friendship with one another: the cold sicario and the hotheaded special forces vet. It sounds like it should be the other way around, but that's just how they are. Maybe Cuda could get Jesus to lighten up and feel better about himself. The big bastard idolizes coldness so he'll love the self-hating man.

Ren stands figuratively to attention when your eyes drift to her.

"I advise leaving the Wolverine alone for now, Reyes-sama. As Jesus said, whatever evidence he could possibly find related to Kingpin's murder won't be valid if he does not testify or charge you with the case of his murder. His word as an outlaw carries little weight, as well. Killing him will attract the attention of the X-men, who will either charge you or take custody of you as a mutant despite your civil rights."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

She's right that the X-men would investigate Wolverine's death and that his word wouldn't be good enough. As for your civil rights, you have none as an unregistered person who just so happens to be a mutant in the United States so the X-men can grab you without causing much of a fuss. They already take it upon themselves to combat alien threats, mutant terrorists, and radicalized mutant hate groups. Its possible Wolverine will keep pestering you in the future, though.

>(2/2)

Itsuki nod his head in agreement with his fellow Japanese.

"I agree with Ren-sama, Reyes-sama, killing the Wolverine will bring the wrath of the X-men to you. He may prove to be troublesome but so long as he is but a nuisance he could be tolerated if that is what you wish. Plans can be made later or now to deal with him quietly at an appropriate time."

Marcus gives you another nod as you land your eyes on him.

"Killing the midget's going to get us in the deep red with the X-men, where we'll be well and truly fucked, Kojo. He might be a pain in the ass but, like Itsuki said, he'll be nothing more than a nuisance. You could try talking to him and convincing him you're a good guy. Somehow, you managed to get Silvio on the same page as you so who the fuck knows?"

You raise a hand to your chin.

Talking with Wolverine might be worth a shot but at the same time you are so obviously a criminal he'd throw down with you the moment he saw you again after hearing the news.

Alex yawns as she stretches her bare body out, drawing your eye.

"I'm with the rest of upper management on this one, boss. Those sexy demigods in tights would fuck us raw, dry, and bloody, which, as hot as it sounds, would be bad for us." She shrugs. "Besides, you're not really good at fighting people with blades and someone with as much experience as the Wolverine would destroy you if you gave him a single opening."

You blink at the blonde.

She's talking sense for once but at the same time you can't help but feel like she's insulting you.

>[ ] "What's that supposed to mean?"
>[ ] "Do you and I need to have a talk in private behind closed doors?"
>[ ] "...You are talking an awful lot of sense lately; you know that, right?"
>[ ] "Bad fighting people with blades? Bitch, I had your legs spread, Itsuki beneath me, and Owl's twitching body at my feet to prove you wrong."
>[ ] "I'll kill Wolverine next time I see him. The X-men will investigate but I'll make sure they find nothing."
>[ ] "Wolverine lives, for now at least. We're not ready for the X-men and can't afford the slightest chance of pissing them off."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3036311
>[ ] "Bad fighting people with blades? Bitch, I had your legs spread, Itsuki beneath me, and Owl's twitching body at my feet to prove you wrong."
>[ ] "...Though the midget's blades might be another story if they're built into him..." Maybe Kingpin knew a useful thing or two about the manlet motherfucker. Worth a try?
>[ ] "You are talking an awful lot of sense lately; you know that, right?"
>[ ] "Wolverine lives, for now at least. We're not ready for the X-Men and we can't afford the slightest chance of pissing them off."

>>3036311
>[ ] "Bad fighting people with blades? Bitch, I had your legs spread, Itsuki beneath me, and Owl's twitching body at my feet to prove you wrong."
>[ ] "...Though the midget's blades might be another story if they're built into him..." Maybe Kingpin knew a useful thing or two about the manlet motherfucker. Worth a try?
>[ ] "You are talking an awful lot of sense lately; you know that, right?"
>[ ] "Wolverine lives, for now at least. We're not ready for the X-Men and we can't afford the slightest chance of pissing them off."
It will be hilarious if we could end up filling a restraining order against wolverine due to repeated harassment. Start painting him as a racist, make him lose credibility, potentially sue Xavier into the dirt for an orchestrated campaign of harassment.

I really can't wait to be at the managing NY point. I've got so many ideas once we can start legally throwing our weight around.

>>3036354
Also holy hell with our 3rd eye and keen nose we can figure out just about any heroes alter ego.

Kojo knows you. Kojo knows EVERYONE

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Bad fighting people with blades? Bitch, I had your legs spread, Itsuki beneath me, and Owl's twitching body at my feet to prove you wrong."
>[X] "...Though the midget's blades might be another story if they're built into him..."
>[X] "You are talking an awful lot of sense lately; you know that, right?"
>[X] "Wolverine lives, for now at least. We're not ready for the X-Men and we can't afford the slightest chance of pissing them off."

Her words demand refuting: they're just so plain wrong considering your track record so far.

You frown.

"Bad fighting people with blades?" A scoff escapes your lips. "Bitch, I had your legs spread, Itsuki beneath me, and Owl's twitching body at my feet to prove you wrong."

The blond girl hums suggestively as she looks at the middle-aged Japanese man and back to you.

Barracuda grins and snickers while everyone else stare in annoyance or passiveness.

A groan escapes your lips before you once again lift a hand to your chin when a thought strikes you.

"...Though the midget's blades might be another story if they're built into him."

...

There's nothing that comes to your mind.

You sigh and raise an eyebrow at the minx.

"You are talking an awful lot of sense lately; you know that, right?"

Alex blinks at you.

"...Huh, I am, aren't I, boss?" She puts both her hands on her head. "Oh god, I'm going sane. It's only a matter of time until I start wondering which basic bitch prada handbag I should buy when cargo boy pants are a thing."

Ren glances down at her boy jeans before focusing back on Alex.

You shoot the knife fetishist a look before figuratively shrugging it off.

There's a decent chance Alex is putting up part of an act thanks to that ingenious lawyer approach to Kingpin she pulled straight out of her ass. If she wants to play the crazy white slut, so be it. If it's not an act, it doesn't really matter. She's your personal assassin for now and you'll probably figure out more about her as you sent her out on missions or join her in them; could be good to relearn how to silent run again even if it'll be hard thanks to your powers.

"Wolverine lives, for now at least. We're not ready for the X-Men and we can't afford the slightest chance of pissing them off."

All members of your inner circle accept your decision with a nod of their heads.

It looks like your agenda is really complete this time.

Or is it?

>[ ] "...Completely forgot about this, I'm planning on putting all our tributary pimps under our flag. I don't know whether to put them under one man under me, one man per borough under a governor, or keep them divided so they dont' have any structure to unite against us. What do you guys think?"
>[ ] "So, who wants to get down with all the others? Night's young and it's kind of awkward that we, the leaders of the crew, are not partaking in the celebrations."
>[ ] "How was Felon when we left?"
>[ ] "This meeting is adjourned."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3036470
>[ ] "This meeting is adjourned."
>Call Murdock in the morning.

We need to get this non person thing sorted. It leaves us too open to abductions and will be a problem with our inheritance (though we can keep that on the dl). I have some ideas on how to spin it and Kojo should be hard for Murdock to read. Plus potentially securing him as an ally could help.

>>3036470
>[ ] "How was Felon when we left?"
>[ ] "This meeting is adjourned."

>>3036497
>Call Murdock in the morning.
Do you plan on hanging around until morning or sleeping or doing anything to get to that point? IT's pretty vague unless it's a reminder or thought.

>>3036572
Mainly a reminder. I'll back >>3036563 for the rest of the night.

>>3036590
A'ight.

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3036601
>There's nothing that comes to your mind.
I knew you wouldn't give us Wolverine's secret that easily Afungi. At least it planted the idea in Kojo's head that there's more to Wolverine than meets the eye.
>Ren glances down at her boy jeans before focusing back on Alex.
I love that slight bit of comedy.

>[X] "How was Felon when we left?"
>[X] "This meeting is adjourned."

Fact that he's passed out drunk should tell you all you need to know, but you want details on just how pathetic his breakdown was.

"How was Felon when we left?"

Barracuda clucks his tongue.

"Bitch ass boy was freaking the fuck out for a while and boss girl had to babysit his bitch ass to calm him down. Soon as he remembered his name, he started downing bottles like it was happy hour until he laid out like a bitch."

You grin and turn to Ren.

The Japanese girl sighs before nodding.

A laugh escapes your lips as you give your left-hand girl a pat on the head.

Her cheeks flare red and she turns her head away from view of the inner circle.

Alex coos while Cuda laughs.

Rising from your seat, you stretch out your arms.

"This meeting is adjourned."

Marcus, Cuda, Ren, and Alex rise from their spots as Itsuki and Jesus stay in theirs where they can see watch the writhing bodies outside the gate.

Ren walks off to a a side of the warehouse with Alex stalking her behind while Cuda goes back to his previous spot on one of the Bratva crates.

You and Marcus spare a glance at one another.

There's still some things you two should probably talk about in private, but it might be good to just hang out and forget about it for a while.

>[ ] "Sooo...you want to get drunk?"
>[ ] "Want to go upstairs and hang just the two of us?"
>[ ] "How do you feel about Felon and Cuda?"
>[ ] "Got any suggestions on what we should do tonight?"
>[ ] "...Wait a minute. Alex! What are you doing creeping up on Ren?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3036633
>I knew you wouldn't give us Wolverine's secret that easily Afungi. At least it planted the idea in Kojo's head that there's more to Wolverine than meets the eye.
...I don't think we're on the same page unless you're referring to Wolverine's healing factor or adamantium coated skeleton. Honestly, I was confused when you guys brought up built in claws but I didn't ask any questions and rolled with it.

>>3036705

>[ ] "Sooo...you want to get drunk?"

>[ ] "How do you feel about Felon and Cuda

>>3036722
I meant the adamantium.

>>3036705
Backing >>3036737

>>3036814
>I meant the adamantium.
Ah, I see.

Voting closed; writing now.

Got a family dinner to attend. Will finish writing and update when I'm back.

>[X] "Sooo...you want to get drunk?"
>[X] "How do you feel about Felon and Cuda?"

There's not much you can think of doing other than talking about what happened earlier. You two don't really share much pastimes beyond fighting and killing. Marcus doesn't usually drink, but he did partake last night; maybe that can be your new thing.

"Sooo...you want to get drunk?"

Marcus raises an eyebrow at you and shakes his head.

"No thanks, Kojo. I've had enough alcohol to never want anymore again. Pretty sure I'd end up losing control of myself and pour my heart out to everyone in crew, even the foot soldiers."

A laugh escapes your lips.

"I can't picture you as a sad drunk. You'd be that one guy always saying 'I love you" to everyone over the smallest shit."

Your best friend shrugs.

"We'll never know and I never intend to find out." He sighs. "Considering the shit that we both went through, I'm pretty sure we'd both be sad drunks."

With a small hum, you nod your head.

This conversation is going the direction you don't exactly want it to just yet.

"How do you feel about Felon and Cuda?"

Marcus glances at the mutant teen and the black giant before returning his focus on you.

"Felon doesn't belong here and is a complete wreck; I say we cut him loose or put a bullet in him if there's a chance he'll talk. We needed him to follow through with the inheritance scheme and now we don't. His power could be useful but it has the drawback of making him a total bitch. I think I'd be annoyed if he wasn't so pitiful crying for his name like he does. As for Cuda, he's going to take some time to adjust to the way we do things, but, beyond that, he could be useful for when brute force needs to be applied and none of us are there to do it." The man chuckles. "He's kind of like Alex only black, giant, not sex obsessed, probably straight, and a firearm user."

You snicker along with your best friend.

It seems like you and him are on the same page except on the subject of Felon. The mutant could still have his uses for when torture or persuasion don't work when extracting information. Sure, you can't be looking at him when he's astral but it still has its uses.

>[ ] "Want to go upstairs and hang just the two of us?"
>[ ] "Got any suggestions on what we should do tonight, then?"
>[ ] "Let's hang out with Cuda. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."
>[ ] "Speaking of Alex, what do you think her deal has been lately? Her purposed approach on Kingpin came from nowhere and she never told me about it because she thought I'd jump right on it and get us all killed."
>[ ] Glance at Alex, she was creeping up on Ren.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3037072
>[ ] "Speaking of Alex, what do you think her deal has been lately? Her purposed approach on Kingpin came from nowhere and she never told me about it because she thought I'd jump right on it and get us all killed."
>[ ] Glance at Alex, she was creeping up on Ren. Out of curiosity of course, not concern.
I don't wanna leave out hanging with Cuda just yet.

>>3037072
I'll back >>3037185

I'll admit I don't keep as on top of updates for this SoL/downtime as I do for management/planning time. It does give me more time to think up contingencies and the like though.

Hopefully I don't miss anything painfully obvious this time.

>>3037072
>[ ] "Let's hang out with Cuda. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Speaking of Alex, what do you think her deal has been lately? Her purposed approach on Kingpin came from nowhere and she never told me about it because she thought I'd jump right on it and get us all killed."
>[X] Glance at Alex, she was creeping up on Ren. Out of curiosity of course, not concern.

You're not around the others anywhere near as much as Marcus is so he might have a clearer idea what's going on with her.

"Speaking of Alex, what do you think her deal has been lately?" You narrow your eyes. "Her purposed approach on Kingpin came from nowhere and she never told me about it because she thought I'd jump right on it and get us all killed."

Marcus raises a hand to stroke his chin.

"I think she just might be realizing how serious things are or she's been playing up the whole crazy slutty white girl serial killer thing this whole time to fit in and stand out among us." His expression turns apologetic. "She was kind of in the right to not tell you about Wesley. Don't get me wrong, she should have told you the moment you brought up moving on Kingpin after handling every other player, but don't tell me you wouldn't have went straight for the fatass if she told you about the lawyer yesterday morning."

You part your lips to retort but close them once you realize he's right.

The first thing on your mind was blaming the drive-by on Kingpin and using that as an unnecessary casus belli to take him out. Eliminating the biggest piece on the board may have looked like a good decision at the time but all it would've done was create chaos in New York's underground once news of his death spread if you didn't keep it quiet enough. You would have had to make a mad dash through the city to subjugate and eliminate everyone else before open war erupted between everyone for the fatass' empire. This is all assuming you successfully tracked him down and assassinated him in place of failing and alerting him. He would've sent a private army after you and no one but you would've had appropriate protection to withstand the onslaught. Wolverine would've likely found you the next day or several hours after the slaughter cradling Marcus' dead body and dragged your mourning ass to the institute.

Glancing to your left, you see Alex, not unlike a cat, rubbing up on a blushing Ren, poking and occasionally pinching at her red cheeks.

You bite down the urge to moan as a part of yourself twitches.

That blond girl is definitely insatiable but likely teasing the flashing tinted light bulb that is Ren's face.

>[ ] "Ren, you outrank Alex so you should be putting your foot down on her bare ass right now."
>[ ] "Alex, if you keep doing that you'll break her."
>[ ] "You have my permission to hurt Alex, Ren."
>[ ] "Why don't the two of you go upstairs?"
>[ ] "Let's hang out with Cuda, Marcus. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."
>[ ] "Want to go upstairs and hang just the two of us?"
>[ ] "Got any suggestions on what we should do tonight?"
>[ ] Write In.

That's the last update for today. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time(UTC-8)

did i do good today, homies? did i make up for yesterday?

>>3037416
There was a problem yesterday?

>>3037441
Night class day. I only got two updates out and I consider three a day my minimum target quota.

>>3037388
>[ ] "Why don't the two of you go upstairs?"
>[ ] Eye-contact with Ren to get her attention. "Remember you outrank her though, understand?"
then
>[ ] "Let's hang out with Cuda, Marcus. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Why don't the two of you go upstairs?"
>[X] "Remember you outrank her though, understand?"
>[X] "Let's hang out with Cuda. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."

A completely naked girl rubbing up on a cute nervous one is just too distracting for you right now. They can handle whatever business they might have upstairs where no one will see them or hear them thanks to the loud club music. Ren will have the opportunity to assert her dominance and Alex will likely submit to her being into that kind of thing.

"Why don't the two of you go upstairs?" You make eye-contact with Ren. "Remember you outrank her though, understand?"

The Japanese girl blinks at you before nodding as Alex glances back at you and purrs. Taking advantage of the blond's distraction, Ren grabs hold of her pale yellow hair and begins dragging the minx to the twin ladders.

Your personal assassin lets out pained grunts through curved lips.

"Didn't know you were into this kind of thing Ren-chan."

Ren frees one of her hands from the girl's hair to slap her across the face.

Alex lets out a moan.

"Oh, Ren-sama~"

The under-boss flings the naked girl at one of the ladders, but she manages to catch herself from hitting the metal bars.

"Start climbing."

Blondie nods her head and turns back to slowly climb up the ladders, flaunting her body off to her superior.

Ren scoffs before following the crazy girl up the stairs.

You and Marcus stare at the two girls as they disappear to the second floor.

"...Well, that was...interesting."

Marcus hums.

"Yeah...Is Ren going to fuck up Alex or is Alex going to end up fucking Ren?"

You shrug.

"Might end up a mix of both if Ren feels like it'll get Alex to submit; Best case scenario, Alex switches from being all over me to being all over Ren. She's always had an eye on that whip of hers."

A laugh escapes your best friend's lips.

"That's probably what she's going to use to-"

You cut the man off with a raised hand.

If the two of you keep talking about this, you're going to hop to the second floor to watch before jumping in.

"Let's hang out with Cuda. Maybe he can tell us more about Dan."

The man shoots you a knowing look but nods.

"Suuure."

You avoid eye-contact with Marcus as the two of you walk over to an amused Barracuda.

Cuda lets out a hearty laugh.

"That was some crazy freaky shit! Naked crazy ass white girl's one kinky bitch! If she wasn't so small I'd tap the shit out of her ass!" His laughter dies down but his amused look remains. "So what I can for y'all, bosses?"

You raise a hand to your chin.

There's a lot of places to start.

>[ ] "Did Dan have any family?"
>[ ] "Do you know Dan's real name or is it really just Dan?"
>[ ] "You saved Dan's life once; how did that happen?"
>[ ] "How do you think Dan would have reacted after the twin towers fell?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3038437
>[ ] "You saved Dan's life once; how did that happen?"
>[ ] "Do you know Dan's real name or is it really just Dan?"
then
>[ ] "How do you think Dan would have reacted after the twin towers fell?"
>[ ] Do the same Dan-after-twin-towers imitation you did to Marcus earlier. Cuda'll love that.

Voting closed; writing now.

Got to take care of errands. Will finish writing and update when I get back.

>[X] "You saved Dan's life once; how did that happen?"
>[X] "Do you know Dan's real name or is it really just Dan?"
>[X] "How do you think Dan would have reacted after the twin towers fell?"
>[X] Do the same Dan-after-twin-towers imitation you did to Marcus earlier. Cuda'll love that.

>(1/2)

Considering everything you knew about Dan, it's hard to believe the old man was ever in that much of a vulnerable position. You saw him expertly kill an entire crew of gangbangers who surrounded him without getting a single scratch the day you two met. The moment the last man fell he pointed you out on account of the black you wore in place of dark blue through the moonlight. Both of you fought after that: it's a bittersweet memory now.

"You saved Dan's life once; how did that happen?"

The black giant grins.

"We were in Nicaragua helping out the Contras take out their government. Dan didn't like it, but he was a soldier: he knew he had to obey orders. One day, one of the Contra's fresh boys came back shell-shocked after burning down a village house with a family still inside. He was going crazy like bitch ass Bobby boy and Dan was trying to talk him down but couldn't get through to his bitch ass. Dan got shot, I filled pussy Contra boy with lead, and I stitched up the old man before he could bleed out or get his wounds infected. I rode his ass on that, but he stuck with his decision to talk down the Nicraguan mothafucka."

You smile.

That sounds a lot like something the old man would do. He tried talk you down when you kept trying to kill him with a knife in your teeth after he dislocated your arms during that fight. It wasn't until he let you stab him did you finally back down, though. Dan told you his name was Dan after that and introduced you to Abuelita later that night.

He never gave you his last name.

"Do you know Dan's real name or is it really just Dan?"

Cuda laughs.

"Dan is short for Daniel, Daniel Truman. His old white cracker ass never told you that?"

>(2/2)

You and Marcus blink at the man.

"No, no he did not."

Barracuda's laugh grows louder.

"That mothafucka got you both good!" His laugh dies. "I didn't think 'bout it myself but I got the hook up when I saw his record one time."

Both you and Marcus share a look before shrugging it off simultaneously.

A grin spreads across your face as a thought strikes you.

"How do you think Dan would have reacted after the twin towers fell?"

The Cuda's grin widens.

"He would've gone fucking insane! Mothafucka would stock up on weapons, call me and everyone else from the old unit, buy a boat or jet to get to the middle east, and start a fucking manhunt in that mothafucka! Muslims would get dropped like in a crusade and their turbins would get nailed to a trophy wall! Fuck, he'd probably adopt some kids over their and teach them how to kill their own people like he taught you two!"

All three of you laugh heartily at your memory of the old soldier man.

"Those goat fucking a-rab bride wrapping child raping bed sheet wearing hajis!" You grumble in the old soldier man's accent. "I'm gonna fly over there, call in the rest of our unit, and launch a mercenary campaign to smoke that pansy ass Osama out of his cave and into the crosshairs of my .50 cal. building smashin black barreled haji blasting rifle!" You point to Barracuda. "You better not slack your black ass off like you do your child support! It's time for us to launch a real war! No more teaching brown faced soldier boys how to play rebel! Give the kids we save guns and show 'em how to use 'em! We'll bring them home when this is all done to the red, white, and blue where they can choose to lay down or proudly continue their fight against their own horrible kamikaze plain piloting suicide bombing people!"

The three of you laugh together even harder.

Even though he's gone, he'll always be with you.

>[ ] "Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman? That kind of works, doesn't it?"
>[ ] "So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"
>[ ] "How exactly did Dan's record look like?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3039425
>How long did you guys know each other?

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "How long did you guys know each other?"

Dan told you a long time ago the Contra war started in 1979. From the way Cuda talks, it sounds like he knew the old man for a while. Your father also knew about the old soldier man from his days in Hunts Point; you don't know exactly how old your father was when you killed him but he was somewhere in his early or mid twenties. The old man likely got out of the military in the middle of that war, which is probably sometime after that accident.

"How long did you guys know each other?"

Barracuda doesn't skip a beat.

"Four years, enough time in the Green Berets to seem like a lifetime." He starts laughing again. "Dan talked shit to me for a long ass time when I first joined our unit and I talked shit back! That was our thing before he went home and I did too some time later. Was nice to talk shit to him again after about a decade."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

The two of them left the Green Berets the same year.

Either that's a coincidence or there's a coonection.

>[ ] "Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman? That kind of works, doesn't it?"
>[ ] "So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"
>[ ] "How exactly did Dan's record look like?"
>[ ] "Why did you leave?"
>[ ] "Did Dan get discharged or did he decide to leave?"
>[ ] Write In.

Timeline confused me because I was keeping it all locked up in my head. Got it down now, though.

>>3039889
>[ ] "Why did you leave?"
>[ ] "Did Dan get discharged or did he decide to leave?"
Very curious.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Why did you leave?"
>[X] "Did Dan get discharged or did he decide to leave?"

May as well pry into it to sate your curiosity.

"Why did you leave?"

Cuda grins.

"Me and the rest of the unit went AWOL after some agent from SHIELD got a whiff of the coke we were pushing." He laughs. "Poor mothafucka had no idea he got himself swooped up in the Iran-Contra scandal! We weren't fingered 'cause the government would have to actually admit it broke its own laws. Couldn't come back after that, though, so I went home, got involved in a hard gang, and eventually found my ass stranded in New York City after a deal gone wrong. Made a name for myself on the streets and got an offer from the big man a month or two later; the rest is history."

You blink at the black giant.

Dan actually told you and Marcus about that little bit of history once; looking back on it now, he sounded regretful and ashamed.

It's a good guess on what the circumstances behind his return home are.

"Did Dan get discharged or did he decide to leave?"

The tall man tilts his head side to side.

"A mix of both. He was doing the shit we did because he thought it'd bring peace but he couldn't take much of it anymore after getting shot by that bitch. Our CO set him off and the old white man socked him. We weren't running official ops so a discharge could only happen somewhere recordable without high treason incrimination. Didn't matter because that old white cracker up and left on his own terms after that."

You hum.

At the very least, the man got out on his own terms.

>[ ] "Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman? That kind of works, doesn't it?"
>[ ] "So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"
>[ ] "How exactly did Dan's record look like?"
>[ ] "I think that's enough about Dan."
>[ ] Write In.,

>>3040353
>[ ] "So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"
>[ ] "Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman? That kind of works, doesn't it?"

>>3041128
Seconding

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"
>[X] "Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman? That kind of works, doesn't it?"

The old man is bound to have a relative or two out in the world. He might even have kids he lost or an ex-wife; him having lost a child or two could explain his effort to make sure you and Marcus would be alright beyond the Vietnamese child soldier incident. Dan's parents are likely dead at this point considering how old the man was.

"So did Dan or Daniel have any family?"

Cuda hums.

"I 'member him bringing up a pain in the ass brother or two and a sister at some point, but nothin' else." He grins. "He once said he wanted kids back in his civvie life before the military ate it up, though."

You and Marcus spare a glance at one another.

The two of you aren't his by blood, but he brought you both up all the same.

No part of you deserves to carry his name, but Marcus has no last name to carry.

Raising a hand to your chin, you let out a hum.

"Daniel Truman...Marcus Truman?" You raise an eyebrow at your best friend. "That kind of works, doesn't it?"

The shorter black man blinks at you.

"...I..well, it kind of does."

A smile makes its way onto your face.

>[ ] "Marcus, you of all people deserve his name; it fits you just fine, too. You're the truest man I know."
>[ ] "He was the closest thing we had to a father way back when. I don't deserve his name and you have none, so why not?"
>[ ] "It's either that or Marcus Moon; take your pick."
>[ ] "Want some time to think about it? We've got plenty."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3041516
>[ ] "Marcus, you of all people deserve his name; it fits you just fine, too. You're the truest man I know."
>[ ] "It's either that or Marcus Moon; take your pick."

Morning boss. How's your weekend been?

>>3041631
I've been sick so lukewarm.

>>3041516
Backing >>3041631

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Marcus, you of all people deserve his name; it fits you just fine, too. You're the truest man I know."
>[X] "It's either that or Marcus Moon; take your pick."

It's cute that he's hesitating on this; he needs to know just how much the name suits him.

"Marcus, you of all people deserve his name; it fits you just fine, too. You're the truest man I know." You grin. "It's either that or Marcus Moon; take your pick.

The man's face flashes guilt for a moment before he nods his head.

"Fine, I'm Marcus Truman now."

You blink at your best friend as the force on your insides returns.

He feels unworthy of the name and you pressured him into it.

There's something seriously fucking wrong with you.

Or it could be he's feeling guilty for something else.

You can't imagine what it could possibly be for, though.

>[ ] "What's wrong?"
>[ ] "You don't have to feel guilty for choosing his name over my mother's: Marcus Moon doesn't have that much of a ring to it."
>[ ] "He would've wanted you to have it. You were more of a son to him than I ever was."
>[ ] "Forget it, you can choose whatever name you want to have."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3041684
Aw that sucks. Hope you feel better.

>>3041799
>Just let it lie for now.
>Enough on Dan for now. You have anyone in mind that's worth recruiting Cuda or are we looking at more of a scorched earth policy for the test of kingpins underlings?

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Just let it lie for now.
>[X] "Enough on Dan for now. You have anyone in mind that's worth recruiting Cuda or are we looking at more of a scorched earth policy for the rest of Kingpin's underlings?"

You should just let it lie for now. He's already upset, but either you or him can come up to one another and talk about it some other time where it'd be just the two of you. Hopefully, it's nothing serious and he accepts the name: he deserves it.

Suppressing a sigh, you turn to a confused giant.

"Enough on Dan for now. You have anyone in mind that's worth recruiting, Cuda, or are we looking at more of a scorched earth policy for the rest of Kingpin's underlings?"

Barracuda's expression straightens.

"Most of the big man's boys were mercenaries and corrupt corporate ass-kissers. The mercs are gonna bounce once they hear the news, but the ass-lickers are probably gonna stay with his company. His street-level boys he usually put under me will try to form their own little gang or call me up to lead them." He grins. "I can smoke all them fuckers if you want. They're green and cannon fodder at best."

You hum.

The mercenaries would take a lot of uneccesary funds from your stash, but they could be useful. As for corp stooges, they'd be lapdogs you or Marcus could order to handle illegal business in the company without fear they'd rat you out on ethics, but they could flip on you if investigations were ever started. You're already working with green foot soldiers so Kingpin's wouldn't be that much of a bother.

>[ ] "Any mercs you'd recommend?"
>[ ] "Feel free to kill the fatass' street trash once they call you up."
>[ ] "Lead them here and I'll introduce myself when they call you."
>[ ] "When the street-level thugs call you, accept their offer and start up work or continue Kingpin's protection racket in Manhattan. Never mention me by name and kick up most of your earnings to me; keep a percentage for yourself, pay them a fraction of your fraction, and give me everything else. Me, Ren, Marcus, Silvio, or Itsuki, will call you from time to time to solve issues that need brute force. Remember to treat us like we're acquaintances paying you for services instead of superiors giving you orders. No one can know all of New York City is under one flag. All authorities or civilians will see is five separate crews working independently from one another wisely avoiding bloodshed."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3019133
I'm starting to read thread one now, I just want to say how much I appreciate you guys picking the wolverine option. Regeneration rocks.

>>3042195
>[ ] "Any mercs you'd recommend?"
>[ ] "When the street-level thugs call you, accept their offer and start up work or continue Kingpin's protection racket in Manhattan. Never mention me by name and kick up most of your earnings to me; keep a percentage for yourself, pay them a fraction of your fraction, and give me everything else. Me, Ren, Marcus, Silvio, or Itsuki, will call you from time to time to solve issues that need brute force. Remember to treat us like we're acquaintances paying you for services instead of superiors giving you orders. No one can know all of New York City is under one flag. All authorities or civilians will see is five separate crews working independently from one another wisely avoiding bloodshed."

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3042248
Do be patient with my old threads: they're a bit of a drag

>>3042471
I think it really only got squirrelly with the bratva deal. While the attention to detail is nice, it was completely unnecessary there.

>>3042481
Ah, my double-bladed autism.

will make sure you guys get a menu next time

>[X] "Any mercs you'd recommend?"
>[X] "When the street-level thugs call you, accept their offer and start up work or continue Kingpin's protection racket in Manhattan. Never mention me by name and kick up most of your earnings to me; keep a percentage for yourself, pay them a fraction of your fraction, and give me everything else. Me, Ren, Marcus, Silvio, or Itsuki, will call you from time to time to solve issues that need brute force. Remember to treat us like we're acquaintances paying you for services instead of superiors giving you orders. No one can know all of New York City is under one flag. All authorities or civilians will see is five separate crews working independently from one another wisely avoiding bloodshed."

>(1/2)

He's bound to have someone useful in mind albeit possibly just as crazy as he is. At the very least, they'll make sure to handle things quietly because it's what you'd be paying them to do. You'd kill them and make examples of their corpses to show everyone the price of disobedience and failure if not.

"Any mercs you'd recommend?"

The giant's grin widens.

"There's this one crazy mothafucka the big man once had me go problem solving with. Dressed in black and white with a mask that had a target on it. I saw that mothafucka slit a man's throat with a fuckin' poker card. He could throw pencils hard enough to pierce into a poor fool's brain. That crazy ass mothafucka went by-"

You nod.

"Bullseye, I know. Kingpin wasn't sure you'd be capable of taking out that uppity Armenian before he got the hell out of dodge and got his crew together. The fatass relied on those ridiculous skills of his to take out his competitors quietly and in the most inane ways possible like last night." You blink. "I could've probably ran into him if I went to Midtown in place of Harlem."

>(2/2)

Cuda blinks back at you.

"Oh yeah, you ate the big man's soul."

You grin.

"When the street-level thugs call you, accept their offer and start up work or continue Kingpin's protection racket in Manhattan. Never mention me by name and kick up most of your earnings to me; keep a percentage for yourself, pay them a fraction of your fraction, and give me everything else. Me, Ren, Marcus, Silvio, or Itsuki, will call you from time to time to solve issues that need brute force. Remember to treat us like we're acquaintances paying you for services instead of superiors giving you orders. No one can know all of New York City is under one flag. All authorities or civilians will see is five separate crews working independently from one another wisely avoiding bloodshed."

Barracuda grins and nods his head.

"You got it, boss."

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat.

There's probably other mercenaries Cuda knows.

Hell, there's probably other mercenaries you know.

>[ ] "Anyone you'd recommend or that you know?"
>[ ] "I guess Bullseye will do for now."
>[ ] Think about enforcers, enforcers with mundane abilities specifically.
>[ ] Ponder about supers and Kingpin's use of them, maybe something will come up.
>[ ] Pull out your phone and call Bullseye's contact number, may as well set down a meet now and meet him later.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3042607
>>[ ] Think about enforcers, enforcers with mundane abilities specifically